(Hi guys welcome to my next chapter. Now that Alistair is gone to the good side Negi and Dustin's group are going to be stronger than before. Unfortunately Ragnarok will also be gaining an advantage. Well enjoy the chapter.)
One day, when classes ended at Mahora Academy, Negi and Dustin were leaving the school building and saw Kotaro and Alistair at the bottom of the stairs waiting for them.
"Hey guys!" Kotaro called as the two teachers came down the stairs.
"Afternoon, Kotaro. Alistair." Negi greeted them.
"Nice to see you kept your illusion on, Alistair." Dustin said noting how Alistair looked like a regular boy without the dark warrior skin tone, pointed ears, and red eyes.
"Well you know the schools around here aren't ready for a dark warrior to mingle among normal people." Alistair answered.
"And how was your first day at Mahora's elementary?" Negi asked.
"Well it could've gone better." Alistair admitted with a sigh.
"Kotaro, he didn't get into a fight did he?" Dustin asked the wolf boy.
"No, I'm afraid not," Kotaro replied, "I wished though. That would've counted as entertainment."
"Then what went wrong?" Negi asked.
"My day would've been better if the student body wasn't mistaking me for a girl right from left," Alistair began before getting dramatic, "Just because I have long hair doesn't make me a girl!"
"Well long hair for a boy would be normal if it went to their shoulders, but your hair goes down to your waist." Kotaro put in.
"You're not helping me in this case." Alistair turned to Kotaro.
"Well come on, let's get something to eat." Dustin suggested as the four boys left the campus.
Meanwhile in Ragnarok's lair, said dark warrior was brooding before his group, "First Felix falls in battle and now Alistair defects to our enemy's side. At this rate we'll be eliminated for sure. If any of you have any suggestions for us to do I'm opened to them!"
Voltaire and Thorn tried thinking, but nothing was coming to them. Diabound however just sat down acting innocent like he didn't need to think. Then Pythor spoke, "If I may sir. I happen to think what we need is more reinforcements to replace Alistair."
"Reinforcements? What did you have in mind?" Ragnarok asked.
"I happen to have friends in deep places that would prove to be beneficial to us." Pythor smirked.
"Wait, you're not talking about them are you?" Thorn eyed the serpentine.
"Why yes I am." The snake answered.
"Hmm, that would be helpful. I leave it up to you Pythor." Ragnarok granted permission.
"Oh thank you, sir," Pythor said as he opened a shadow portal, "It's time I got my band back together." He snickered before entering the portal before it closed.
Soon enough, somewhere in the arctic, Pythor was looking around, "I remember it's somewhere around here," He said to himself while slinking through the snow. Suddenly he stopped and looked to the ground seeing a serpent's face carved in the ground, "Yes! Here it is!"
He looked to the side seeing a stone shaped like a snake. He pushed down on the head and the ground below opened up revealing a hole. He slunk down the hole and landed in an icy cavern, "I certainly hope they're home." He said to himself while slinking around the cavern.
Suddenly a slithery voice spoke to him, "Pythor, is that you?"
Pythor hearing that voice call his name spun around and saw something standing in the shadows, "Ah there you are my number two snake. It's been so long."
"There's something different about you, Pythor. I can feel it in my scales." The voice hissed.
"A lot has happened since our imprisonment my friend, but I did not come here to talk about me. I came here in hopes of reuniting the tribes. Back when we walked among the people."
"It has been centuries since we all banded together. Are you sure they'll cooperate with you?" the figure asked.
"Oh I think they'll be willing to cooperate with me when they see what I'm capable of now. So are you in or out?" Pythor hissed as the figure's eyes glowed red through the shadows of the cavern.
"Oh I'm in alright." He cackled.
"Perfect." Pythor chuckled.
Meanwhile back in Mahora, Negi, Dustin, Kotaro, and Alistair were sitting at a table outside a café with four small pizza boxes before them. Kotaro and Alistair mimicked fanfare as Dustin opened up one of the boxes revealing the pie inside it.
"Gather around gentlemen and you'll be amazed. For you see the beauty of the sloppy joe pizza is you can take one half of it and make a huge funnel," Dustin began as he took one half of the pizza and folded it up, "And thereby more pizza down your throat." He held the funnel of pizza to his mouth and guzzled down the cheese into his mouth.
"That looks awesome." Kotaro chuckled.
"And delicious." Alistair added.
"Looks pretty messy to me." Negi put in.
"Only if you're not careful with handling it," Dustin replied, "Come on guys try it out."
So Kotaro, Alistair, and Negi opened up their boxes and took half of their pizza's turning them into funnels before guzzling down the cheese into their mouths like Dustin did, "Wow, this is delicious." Negi admitted.
"You bet it is," Alistair agreed, "Though I wish Fate could've joined us."
"Don't worry about it. He probably wouldn't be able to handle this anyway." Kotaro said as he continued enjoying his sloppy joe pizza.
As they enjoyed their food, a female voice spoke up, "Excuse me boys. Might we have a word with you?"
The four boys turned around seeing three girls presenting themselves before them. The first was a tall girl who looked to be in high school due to the uniform she was wearing only colored black and wore a small hat with a cross on it. She had long blonde hair tied in two pigtails and had brown eyes. The other two wore the standard Mahora girls uniform and were roughly elementary school aged girls but looked older than the boys by about a year or so.
The first of the girls had pinkish red hair and brownish red eyes. The second had long black hair done up in two braids that fell past her shoulders, and wore glasses.
"Well of course, and who might you girls be?" Negi asked.
"I'm Takane D. Goodman. I'm a high schooler here at Mahora." The oldest girl answered.
"My name's Mei Sakura. Nice to meet you all." The red haired girl said while taking glances at Kotaro who noticed.
"Hey I know you. I've seen you around the school before." He noted.
Mei blushed while looking away slightly, 'He notices me.'
Dustin turned to the glasses girl, "And you?"
"I'm Natsume Megumi, but you can call me Nutmeg. Everyone else does."
"Well it's nice to meet you girls. I am…" Negi began but Takane cut him off.
"Oh don't worry. We know all about you boys."
"You do?" Dustin asked.
"Of course. You're the two child teachers. Negi Springfield and Dustin Bowers." Nutmeg pointed them out.
"And you're two of the boys at our school," Mei began, "Kotaro Inugami, and Alistair Savage."
"Is there anything we can help you with?" Dustin asked curiously.
"Sorry for the sudden intrusion but we just had to meet the famed child teachers the schools' talked about for months now." Takane said.
"Do you mind if we join you?" Mei asked hopefully while feeling nervous.
"Not at all." Negi answered.
"Take a seat." Alistair offered as the three girls sat down.
Takane looked around, "Nobody seems to be paying attention so I'll get to the point. We know all about the four of you."
"Know what?" Kotaro asked.
"We know what you boys really are," Takane began looking at each of them and naming them off, "A mage, a spirit warrior, a dark warrior, and a hanyou."
The boys eyes widened and were ready to panic until Nutmeg spoke, "Calm down, because we're also mages as well."
The boys ceased their need to cry in fright as Negi spoke, "You three know magic as well?"
"Yes, and we've heard all about your exploits ever since you boys started here as teachers." Takane explained.
"You really did a lot from pulling 3A out of last place to taking on Evangeline and the Kansai Magic association in Kyoto." Mei added.
"Well it's nothing we couldn't handle." Dustin admitted.
"And you three have no problem with a dark warrior sitting next to you?" Alistair asked.
"We're not quick to judge. Besides we heard from Dean Konoe you have officially turned over a new leaf and are now a student here at the school." Takane replied.
"Um listen, if it's not too much trouble," Mei began as she held up an autograph book and pen, "Can I have your autographs. My parents would be thrilled to know I got to meet the boys of two of the greatest mages and warriors that ever lived."
"Well, ok." Negi answered.
"Mei! Will you please not make a spectacle of yourself?!" Takane lectured her as Mei panicked and started apologizing.
Kotaro chuckled and whispered to the guys, "I always notice her getting lectured when Takane-nee walks her to the elementary in the morning. It's so funny the way she acts."
Back at Ragnarok's lair, the shadow master waited until Pythor emerged from a portal along with four others who remained in the shadows of the room, "I'm back and I brought our reinforcements."
"Well done Pythor. Now let's see them be put to the test," Ragnarok began as he looked at his viewing screen and pinpointed the boys locating them, "Ah there they are. Pythor take your group and destroy the boys."
"But of course, Ragnarok." Pythor answered as he and his group went into the portal.
Back at Mahora, the boys were sharing some laughs with the three girls. During their conversation Takane kept taking numerous glances at Negi, while Mei did the same for Kotaro and Nutmeg for Dustin.
"Dustin-kun! Negi-kun!" a female voice called as Kasuga, Cocone, Akira, and Ako came over.
"Oh, good afternoon, girls." Negi greeted them.
"What's up?" Dustin asked.
"Well our club activities were cut short so we decided to head here and grab something to eat." Akira explained until the girls noticed the other three.
"Oh we didn't know you were entertaining." Ako noticed.
"Well they sort of came to us." Negi explained.
"Kasuga, Cocone, good afternoon." Takane greeted them while the two younger girls bowed their heads.
"Good afternoon, Takane-sempai, Mei, Nutmeg." Kasuga greeted her while Cocone nodded her head.
Dustin did a double take, "Girls you know each other?"
"Takane normally passes by the Mahora church every morning with Mei." Kasuga explained.
Negi spoke up, "Well then Takane, Mei, Nutmeg you know Kasuga and Cocone. These are two of mine and Dustin's other students, Ako Izumi and Akira Okochi."
"Nice to meet you." Akira greeted them.
"Hello." Ako greeted as well.
"A pleasure to meet two of Negi-sensei's partners." Takane greeted them back.
The two girls froze thinking they were going to be in trouble until Kasuga spoke, "Relax girls. Takane, Mei, and Nutmeg are also mages."
"They are?" Ako asked.
"Yeah. So don't worry about blowing your secrets." The nun girl assured her classmates.
"That's a relief.
Suddenly there were sounds of screaming coming from the distance, "What the?" Kotaro asked.
"Sounds like something's up." Alistair noted.
"Snakes!" a random person screamed grabbing their attention.
Only one thing came to the boys and their partners mind upon hearing that, "Pythor." They said in unison.
"Pythor?" Takane, Nutmeg, and Mei asked in confusion.
"We better hurry, come on!" Dustin called as they started running with Alistair ending his illusion resuming his dark warrior form.
They rushed down the street into another section of Mahora city and saw Pythor was blasting up card with his shadow gun, "That is one giant snake!" Mei panicked.
"That's Pythor for you." Alistair answered.
"Come on, before he starts causing more trouble." Dustin said. They nodded and ran over with Dustin and Alistair firing a spirit and shadow gun shot at him.
Pythor dodged and saw them, "Well good afternoon boys and girls, and what a fine glorious afternoon it is."
"What're you up to this time, Pythor?" Negi asked while gripping his staff.
"Just a little harmless commotion is all." The snake chuckled humorously.
"You call attacking innocent lives and causing a disturbance harmless commotion?" Takane called.
"Yes." Pythor answered bluntly.
"Well we're not letting you get away with it!" Kotaro replied.
"We're gonna stop you here!" Akira added.
"You stop me?" Pythor asked with a hysterical laugh.
"I wouldn't be laughing. We outmatch you eleven to one." Dustin warned him.
"Oh dear whatever will I do?" Pythor faked a panicking cry before calling out, "Oh wait, how about this?!" he snapped his fingers and suddenly burying up from the ground was another Serpentine creature. What took the group by surprise even further was three more appeared with one crawling up from the sewers, another coming out from behind a car, and another coming out of an alley way. The common thing the four had with Pythor is they each had a tail instead of legs and the four each carried a golden staff that had a snake head on top with a colored orb in the center of the staff.
"Serpentine!" Takane gasped in horror.
"Serpentine?" Mei gasped in fright.
"The legendary race of snake people who once roamed the land thousand of years ago, but were each locked away in a separate tomb?" Nutmeg asked recalling history.
"The very same my dear," Pythor began, "And now allow me to introduce you to my posse. Skalidor the Constrictai." He motioned to the shortest of the Serpentine who looked like a boa constrictor and was a little heavyweight. He was black and orange with yellow eyes, and has spikes on the top of his head.
"How ya doing?" Skalidor asked.
"Acidicus the Venomari." He motioned to another serpentine that resembled a spitting cobra. He had white spikes and tusks on his head, as well as four yellow eyes. His body was dark green with black, red, and lime green markings.
"You're gonna be in for it now." Acidicus warned them.
"Fangtom the Fangpyre." Pythor motioned to the third of the serpentine which resembled a pit viper. This one had red and white body markings and two heads with both having very sharp long thin fangs.
"What delicious… looking children." Fangtom said with a Transylvanian accent with the first head saying the first part while the second head finished the sentence.
"And lastly Skales the Hypnobrai." Pythor finished motioning to the last serpentine with him who looked like an Indian cobra. His body was colored blue with yellow on his stomach, and a rattle tail. His eyes were red, with concentric circle patterns resembling a large spiral.
"So these are the ones that's been giving you so much trouble? What a joke." Skales crossed his arms.
"Do not be fooled my number two snake," Pythor warned him, "They are stronger than they look."
"Oh man one snake was bad enough." Ako sighed.
"You think we stand a chance against them?" Akira asked the group.
"Don't be too confident," Takane warned her, "Each of the Serpentine has a distinct ability that's very dangerous."
"Such as?" Ako asked.
"I don't think this is the best time to talk about it!" Alistair called as Pythor motioned his arm forward and calling out.
"Serpentine, go!"
The five snakes charged into battle as Dustin called, "Alright ladies let's get in the game!"
So they charged into battle with Dustin and Negi against Pythor, Kasuga and Cocone against Skales, Mei and Nutmeg against Skalidor, Alistair and Kotaro against Fangtom, and Takane, Ako, and Akira against Acidicus.
Mei and Nutmeg each pulled out a pactio card and called out, "Adeat!" suddenly in Mei's hands appeared a stereotypical witches broom while Nutmeg acquired a magical staff.
"They're partners?" Dustin asked and looked at Takane, "I wonder if they…" he was brought out of his thoughts to avoid a punch from Pythor.
Mei used her magic conjuring fire while Nutmeg used her own magic to conjure water. They fired their attacks at Skalidor, only for the snake to burrow into the ground and avoid their attacks.
"Where'd he go?" Mei gasped.
"He's right under us, but where?" Nutmeg wondered as the two moved cautiously. Suddenly Skalidor emerged from the ground and wrapped around the two girls binding them.
"Let go!" Mei demanded.
"Don't think so." Skalidor answered.
With Takane, Ako, and Akira, they surrounded Acidicus from all sides, "Let's see if you can swim." Akira called as she summoned a torrent of water and blasted the snake with it soaking him.
"Good try, but here's a little something from me!" he spat green venom which ended up getting into Ako's eyes.
Ako cried, "My eyes!"
"Ako, are you alright?" Akira gasped. Ako looked over at Akira with green eyes due to the venom hit. She screamed in a panic, "Ako, what's wrong?"
"Blood! So much blood everywhere!" Ako cried as she saw through her POV blood pouring and flowing all over the street.
"Ako's hallucinating," Takane gasped, "Akira protect her!"
"Right!" Akira said as she protected Ako while Takane fought Acidicus.
"Let's see how you stand up to the might of my shadow magic!" Takane called as she concentrated her magic as her outfit transformed into sexy black armor with her cleavage peeking out. She concentrated further and summoned four shadow golems, "Attack!" she ordered.
The four shadow golems fought Acidicus who dodged and fought back, "Pythor! A little help would be appreciated!"
Pythor after dodging Negi and Dustin's attacks saw his fellow serpentine's situation, "Hold on old chum! Shadow shot!" he fired a dark blast at the golems destroying them.
"Takane, look out!" Negi called as Takane was caught in the blast and suddenly her armor was destroyed and was suddenly naked.
The girl screamed while holding herself to preserve her modesty while Dustin plugged his nose, "Nosebleed!"
Kasuga and Cocone were busy fighting Skales, "Spirit cross!" Kasuga fired crosses made from spirit energy at the snake that dodged them by slinking to the sides.
"Spirit arrows!" Cocone fired spirit energy arrows only for Skales to duck and dodge.
The snake turned to the little girl as his eyes started swirling, "Look into my eyes. I will control your mind." He said in a hypnotic tone.
Cocone looked as she started getting dazed, "Cocone, no!" Kasuga called as she tackled her mage Magister before Skales' hypnosis could take over her mind fully.
Cocone's eyes turned to normal again, "Kasuga?"
"Don't look him in the eyes again." Kasuga warned her as they got back up to continue fighting.
As Alistair and Kotaro were avoiding Fangtom's bites, they saw Mei and Nutmeg getting the life squeezed out of them by Skalidor, "They need help!" Kotaro called.
"Let's go!" Alistair called as they jumped away avoiding Fangtom's bite.
The two boys delivered a double punch to Skalidor that was strong enough to make him release the two girls, "You two ok?" Kotaro asked.
"We're fine." Mei said while blushing at Kotaro for saving her.
"Not for long!" Skalidor tackled the four to the ground causing Nutmeg's glasses to fall off.
"My glasses! I can't see!" she cried.
Dustin after knocking Pythor down with a shotgun saw their situation, "Hang on guys!" he flew over and tackled Skalidor off them.
"That snake is heavy." Alistair groaned as he got up with Kotaro.
"I need my glasses." Nutmeg cried as she reached around the ground desperately looking for them.
"Here you go." Dustin handed them to her.
"Oh arigato, Dustin-sensei." Nutmeg said putting her glasses back on.
"These serpentine are overrunning us." Negi said as he and the others came together with Ako still suffering from the affects of Acidicus' venom and Takane still trying to preserve her modesty.
"We got them on the ropes now my fellow serpentine, now let's finish them off." Pythor ordered until they were blasted by multiple laser shots.
"Who did that?!" Skales demanded.
"Up there!" Fangtom called motioning to the sky.
They saw Zyphon with his blasters out along with Xever, Valmont, Belmont, and the rest of the boy's partners with Natsumi being carried by Chizuru, "Hey down there! Need some help?" Rin called from riding on Toothless.
"Much appreciated!" Negi called from below.
So the group landed before everyone as Mana spoke, "What's the situation?"
"Critical." Dustin answered.
"And our opponent?" Xever asked.
"Them." Alistair motioned to the serpentine.
"Whoa! That's a lot of snakes!" Haruna gasped as she backed away in fright of the reptilian creatures.
"We can take them." Mana said as she cocked her gun and everyone else got ready.
"Perhaps another day. We've had our fun." Pythor said as he and the other snakes vanish into a portal.
"They got away!" Kotaro groaned.
"Everyone ok?" Kaede asked until the others noticed Takane still naked.
"Boys look away." Xever made his pals turn around so they couldn't see.
"Will somebody get me some clothes please?!" Takane pleaded in humility.
Negi nodded as he reached into his bag pulling out his cloak that he got from Nekane, the same kind his father wore. He approached the older girl and put it over her, "Here. It's not much but it's better than nothing."
Takane blushed as Negi draped the cloak over her and spoke, "Arigato, Negi-sensei."
"You're very welcome." Negi smiled which made the girls blush increase. Takane got up feeling relaxed that her modesty was being preserved better.
"Who were all those snakes?" Natsumi asked.
"Bad news, that's what. Look what they did to Ako." Akira said showing them Ako who was looking shocked at them.
"Guys, why're you moving so wobbly?" she asked as her vision was still distorted.
"What happened to her?" Makie asked.
"One of the snakes spat in her face." Kasuga explained.
"Let's go to Evangeline," Rin suggested, "She might know more about the rest of the serpentine."
"Agreed." Fate nodded.
"Well let's go." Chamo said as the group took off.
Meanwhile, the serpentine generals returned to the lair, "What was that? Running away from battle?" Thorn asked the five snakes.
"Not running away," Pythor started correcting her, "We were choosing our battles wisely. Come next time we'll be back and they'll be at our mercy."
Ragnarok approached the five snakes, "I was very impressed with how you handled them. So I shall keep you around. Keep momentum up like that, and I shall see to it you get your fair share of the planet once I conquer it."
"Of course, Shadow Master." Skales answered on behalf of the other snakes.
Back at Mahora as it was getting late, the group arrived at Eva's cottage. Negi knocked on the door and Chachamaru answered it, "Negi-sensei?" she noticed the whole group.
"Please excuse us, Chachamaru, but we need to see Evangeline." Negi pleaded.
"What's going on Chachamaru?" Eva asked as she saw everyone, "What do you all want at this hour?"
"Sorry for the intrusion, master, but we need to talk." The spectacled boy answered.
"Can't it wait in the morning?" the vampire asked.
"If we don't get this off our chests then we won't be able to sleep through the night." Dustin replied.
"Oh alright, come in." Eva sighed in defeat as they all entered.
Once they were all gathered in, Chachamaru outfitted Takane with one of her maid outfits making her feel more comfortable, "So what is it you needed to talk about at this hour?"
"We just had a run in today with Pythor." Dustin explained.
"Is that all?" Eva asked feeling irked by something so simple.
"No, actually he had others with him." Negi added.
"Doesn't he always?" Chachamaru asked.
"Not like these guys, Chachamaru." Akira countered.
"He had more snakes with him." Kasuga asked.
Evangeline did a double take, "More snakes?"
"Yeah, four of them." Kotaro answered.
"Then he's done it," Evangeline began, "He's reopened the other serpentine tombs."
"Yeah, and look what one of them did to Ako." Dustin said motioning to Ako still looking drowsy.
Evangeline inspected her and answered, "Spit from a Venomari, the affects should wear off soon."
"Eva you seem to know more about the serpentine than anyone else. What are they?" Yuna asked.
Eva sighed as she went to a bookshelf and picked out an old book before opening it up to a section, "Serpentine are a group of snake people that existed over thousands of years ago. Some say they were all once regular snakes until they were given the power to take human like form by biting into humans. Each serpentine tribe has evolved and adapted over the years taking on stronger forms with abnormal powers."
"What happened to them?" Fumika asked.
"A group of powerful mages and warriors lured each of the five tribes into seperate tombs and sealed them off," Eva explained, "But now as you've been aware sometime ago Ragnarok the Shadow Master opened the Anacondrai tomb and enlisted the aid of Pythor and turned him into a dark warrior serpentine."
"But what about the other Serpentine and their powers?" Fuka asked.
"Well as you all know Pythor belongs to the Anacondrai tribe, which is by now extinct. They are cannibalistic after all. His tribe had the ability to camouflage themselves from their enemies, thus allowing them to slip into anywhere undetected."
"We all know that." Kazumi confirmed.
"The second known tribe of snakes is known as the Hypnobrai led by General Skales," she continued, "They specialize in hypnotism. One look into their eyes and you become their puppets. However they use more than just their eyes to hypnotize their opponents. They sometimes use their snake dance."
"Snake dance?" Kotaro asked.
"Yes. Most snakes move their bodies in a form of rhythm to entrance their prey before devouring them," She answered making the girls cringe, "Third tribe is called the Venomari led by General Acidicus. They spit venom onto their enemies which causes them to suffer hallucinations, most of which being the victims greatest fears."
"So we've noticed." Alistair said motioning to Ako's state.
"Don't worry the venom affects is only temporary. She'll be back to normal soon enough," Eva explained, "Fourth tribe is known as the Fangpyre led by General Fangtom. Anything they sink their teeth into will become a snake."
"What?" Makie gasped.
"Almost like a vampire." Haruna added.
"Precisely. They can turn not only people but any inanimate object into a serpent like creature. However there is a cure for it. You must raise your heart level to counter it."
"Everybody getting this?" Dustin asked everyone who nodded confirming that they were listening.
"Then there's the Constrictai led by General Skalidor," Eva continued, "They're known for traveling underground and their impressive strength. They'll wrap themselves around their enemies and squeeze the life out of them."
"We got that figured out." Nutmeg assured.
"The best counter against them is to loosen your body up and wiggle out." Eva answered.
"According to the magical history books the four snakes we fought were their generals. We were lucky they didn't summon any of their own snake soldiers." Takane said.
"Indeed, otherwise you all really would've been in trouble." Eva said as she sipped her tea.
"Master can you teach us how to fight the serpentine as well?" Negi asked.
"Well I could, but this will only mean more training hours than you already have on your plate. Are you sure you want this boya?" Eva asked.
"I do." He confirmed.
"Me too." Dustin added.
"Count us in." Kotaro said on behalf of himself and Alistair.
"What?" Konoka gasped.
"Boys, be reasonable about this." Setsuna warned them.
"Yes, if you keep pushing yourself with extra training then you really will work yourselves to death." Ayaka added.
"We were unprepared today girls," Negi began, "We hadn't counted on Pythor enlisting the help of the other Serpentine tribes."
"He's opened a can of worms we won't be able to close." Dustin added.
"Well we can't let you boys train in this matter alone." Chizuru said.
"Chizuru's right, we're your partners so whatever you learn we want to learn." Madoka added.
"Girls." Negi smiled.
"Loyal till the end." Dustin smiled.
"Well if this meeting is over, please leave at once so I can get my sleep." Eva warned the group.
"Yes, master. Sorry again for your trouble." Negi said as all but Rin, Fate, and Toothless left.
As the three mage girls were about to leave Dustin spoke, "Say Nutmeg," he grabbed the girls attention, "How about I take you home? You know just in case any serpentine show up."
Nutmeg blushed, "Um well. Ok, Dustin-sensei."
"Skip the formalities and call me Dustin." He assured her.
"Ok, Dustin-kun." Nutmeg said as the two started walking.
Kotaro eyed Mei who was blushing but felt a nudge from Chizuru giving him the hint. Taking her word he approached her, "Mei-nee uh, do you mind if I walk you back too?"
Mei blushed but pulled herself together, "Um, no not at all, Kotaro-kun." The two walked off while feeling awkward.
Negi seeing two of his friends escort the younger of the three off looked to Takane, "Please Takane, allow me to escort you back to your residence."
"What? Are you implying I can't find my way back on my own?! I'll have you know I am more than capable of handling myself if a serpentine or a crook attempts to jump me." She crossed her arms.
"Oh I know that," Negi began, "I just wanted to walk you back so you wouldn't feel lonely."
Suddenly Takane did a double take and blushed, "Oh, well since you put it that way. Of course, Negi-sensei." She accepted it as Negi walked with the high school girl.
"Please, call me Negi." he insisted as she blushed from being allowed to be casual with a teacher, even a child one.
"You don't think she's going to try and take Negi-kun away from us like Eiko and the others do you?" Makie asked.
"Don't worry, Makie," Kasuga began, "Takane's nice. She'd never try and kidnap him."
"You're sure about that?" Ayaka asked cautiously.
"Trust me." The nun replied.
So Dustin and Nutmeg were walking through the campus as Dustin spoke, "You really were impressive back there while fighting the serpentine."
"What? I wasn't that impressive." Nutmeg denied it while feeling flustered.
"Just because Skalidor had you binded doesn't mean you didn't do anything. You did manage to hold your own like the rest of us, and in my opinion was very impressive."
"Well Arigato. I should really thank you for finding my glasses. If I didn't have them I could've easily become snake chow."
"No problem at all, but you know you looked really cute without your glasses." Dustin said causing Nutmeg to halt in her tracks.
"What did you say?"
"I said you looked cute without your glasses." He answered casually.
Nutmeg blushed while acting like a shy violet, "Cute me?"
"Of course, but you know something else?"
"What?" she asked.
"You look even cuter with your glasses." Damien said causing Nutmeg to blush even further.
"Please, you're embarrassing me." She said getting more flustered by the minute.
"Sorry, but it's the truth." Dustin replied.
"Well I'm sorry. I'm not used to receiving such compliments." She admitted.
"What a shame. You do look like the type of person who deserves such compliments." Dustin said.
"I do?" she asked.
"Yeah. I happen to have a knack for scoping out cute girls."
"And you think I qualify?"
"I wouldn't lie to you about that." He assured her.
"Well, arigato." She thanked him.
"No problem. Now what say we get you home?" Dustin said as she scooped the slightly older girl up until he was carrying her bridal style.
"What're you doing?" she asked feeling startled by his actions.
"Taking you home my way." He said as he flew off while carrying her.
She clung onto him burying her eyes into his shoulder, "Don't be afraid, Nutmeg. Take a look." He encouraged her.
She lifted her head up and looked down seeing how high up they were and how bright the city looked from above, "Wow. It's so beautiful."
"It is isn't it?" Dustin asked as he flew her around while she laughed and cheered.
Nutmeg looked down and saw her home, "There it is. Down there!"
Dustin glided down before landing perfectly and sat the girl on her feet, "How was that for a ride?"
"I loved it. Arigato."
"Your welcome. Say if you're not too busy with school work and all, you wanna have lunch with me sometime?"
Nutmeg blushed but answered, "I'd be delighted, Dustin-kun."
"Thanks… Natsume," he addressed her by her real name making her blush, "Well have a goodnight." He said as he flew up to her level and pecked her on the cheek making her gasp. Before he could leave Nutmeg pulled him back and kissed him on the lips. When they parted Dustin was blushing, "Wow. That was nice of you."
"Well it's the least I could do for what you did for me, and all you said about me. Well goodnight, Dustin-kun." She went into her home while Dustin pulled it together.
"Yes!" he cheered as he flew off into the air and back to the girl's dormitory. Nutmeg watched him fly off through her bedroom window and smiled.
Meanwhile, Kotaro had just dropped Mei off at her home, "Well here are. This is my house." Mei said.
"Yup." Kotaro nodded.
"Arigato for walking me home, Kotaro-kun."
"Your welcome." He replied.
"And for helping me fight Skalidor today. If not for you I would've been squeezed to death."
"Don't worry about it, because next time you face an enemy you won't need my help." Kotaro said.
"Hai. I'll get stronger under Takane-nee's guidance."
"I look forward to fighting along side you again, Mei-nee." Kotaro admitted.
"Me too," She agreed as they stood there both feeling awkward until Mei spoke up, "Well, goodnight." She said as she went inside. Kotaro watched her enter her home, and smiled before heading off as well while scat singing.
Finally Negi had walked Takane to her dormitory by the high school section of Mahora, "Well this is the dormitory I live."
"It sure is big like my classes dormitory." Negi looked up in wonder.
"Well when you got a huge student body like all those who attend here you need someplace to house them all." Takane replied.
"Of course." Negi nodded.
"By the way, Negi. Your cloak." Takane handed him his cloak she offered to cover her up.
"Arigato, I hope it was enough for you."
"It was plenty." She admitted with a blush.
"I'm really sorry that you lost your clothes during the fight. I can't think of anything more humiliating than that." Negi comforted her.
"Well this wasn't the first time it's happened." She admitted.
"It wasn't?" Negi asked in confusion.
"No. I have this reputation for losing my clothes in fights." She admitted while blushing.
"You do?" he gasped.
"Yes. It's happened so much some of my fellow mages have nicknamed me 'The Stripper'." She blushed.
"How unfortunate for you." Negi said remembering how much his own wind magic has stripped multiple girls in the past.
"But be honest with me, Negi. How much of a look did you get?" Takane asked.
"What? Nothing!" he exclaimed until she gripped him by the shoulders.
"Don't lie to me, tell me!" she demanded.
"Ok! I saw everything!" he cried before she could interrogate him even further.
Takane blushed and release him, before looking down, "And what did you think?"
"What did I think?" he asked but could tell she wanted his honest opinion. Though he felt awkward since an older girl was asking him about how he felt about seeing her in the buff. As if on instinct from witnessed half the class in the buff before he answered, "Well I thought you looked beautiful."
Takane looked to him, "Beautiful?"
"Yes. You looked so beautiful I can't put it into words." He admitted.
"Negi… Arigato." She said while blushing and shedding a few happy tears.
"Besides. You're not the first girl I've seen all natural." Negi admitted.
"I'm not?" she asked.
"No. Living with my students in their dormitory has given me a glimpse of what Dustin calls paradise." Negi explained.
"I understand," Takane nodded in understanding of his situation, "Well I guess I better go in."
"Have a goodnight Takane," Negi bid her farewell until he felt his arm taken and Takane pulled him back to her and enveloped him into an embrace, "Takane?"
"Have a goodnight, Negi-kun." She said before pecking the boy on the cheek making him blush up a storm.
The boy watched as the high school girl go inside her dormitory, "Well guess I better go too." Negi said as he walked back for the junior high girl's dorm. As he walked Chamo peeked out of his jacket.
"How about that Aniki, you got a high school babe crushing on you."
"Oh Chamo, don't be ridiculous. That was just a friendly gesture is all." Negi denied it while secretly enjoyed what Takane did.
"Keep telling yourself that Aniki, but I'll be waiting for you to admit your feelings." Chamo smirked slyly as they continued on back to the dorms.
(And that's the chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it and the introduction of manga characters Takane, Mei, and Nutmeg. As for the new enemies that join in the fray I can't say I own them. I got them all from the same place I got inspired to make Pythor in this. They're all from Ninjago Masters of Spinjitzu. The Serpentine are phenomenal villains I had to make Negima versions of them. Only Skales and Pythor were referred to by name in the series, while Skalidor, Acidicus, and Fangtom are the real names of the other three generals of the three remaining serpentine tribes. They were just not referred to by name on the show. Well see you all next time.)