(And welcome back to my next chapter where another of Ragnarok's forces faces his past. Enjoy my friends.)
One day at Mahora academy, Negi and Dustin were finishing up classes as the students stood up and bowed their heads before heading out. Negi went on ahead, while Dustin was left to look over some things. When he put some stuff in his bag he spoke, "Well time to split," before he could walk out of the class he started hearing tapping on the classroom window, "Huh?"
He looked and saw a teenage girl about Xever and the Baliton's ages flying outside the window of class. She had long black hair with pink streaks and blue eyes. Her attire was a pink and purple training uniform similar to the uniform Burai wore during his Spirit training. The teen girl smiled and saluted to Dustin, "Mitsukai?!" he gasped and ran to the window to open it, thus allowing her to fly in.
The girl landed inside and spoke to him, "Hey, Dustin. How's the boy I loved to sit for the most doing?"
"Mitsukai, how, when, why?" Dustin asked, feeling lost for words.
"I'll tell you everything, Dustin," she began before holding her arms out, "But first, come here and give your old sitter a hug."
Dustin smiled and ran into her embrace, "God I missed you."
Mitsukai smiled and replied, "I missed you too."
"Dustin, come on aren't we going to..." Negi began before pausing as he and some of their partners looked in and saw what was happening. Especially Dustin's partners.
"Whoa. Bad timing?" Kotaro asked.
Dustin seeing them enter and looked back and forth between his comrades and the older teen girl he was with, "Well this is certainly awkward."
Mitsukai only laughed and spoke, "I take it these are your students, Dustin?"
"Yes, and not just my students. My partners." he explained.
"Dustin-kun, who is this?" Yuna asked suspiciously.
"And why're you so close to her?" Sakurako asked in even deeper suspicion.
"I smell a scandal!" Kazumi said, while readying her camera and Sayo thinking she was jumping the gun.
"No girls this is not what it looks like." Dustin reasoned with them.
"He's right, we both knew this girl for years," Negi began before motioning to her, "Hello, Mitsukai."
"And hello to you too, Negi," she answered before looking at the girls, " Its nice to meet you girls. I'm Mitsukai Tendou. I'm Dustin's old babysitter."
"Babysitter?" the girls asked.
"Yes, she sat for me when I was much younger." Dustin explained sheepishly.
"And trust me," Mitsukai continued, "He was such a cute little guy back then."
"Back then?" Fumika gasped thinking she was insulting her teacher and master, "But he still is!"
"I know," Mituskai replied, "I meant as a baby."
"Ok. No need to dive into that. Dad already showed them my picture." Dustin shuddered.
Mana spoke to the boy, "Well Dustin, aren't you going to introduce us?"
"Oh right," Dustin realized as he slid over to all his partners, "Mitsukai, this is Mana, this is Chizuru, this is Kazumi, this is Chao, this is Yuna, this is Sakurako, this is Madoka, this is Zazie, this is Haruna, this Setsuna, this is Fumika, and this is Kasuga. I'd introduce you to Cocone, but she's at the elementary side of Mahora.
"it's a pleasure girls." Mitsukai smiled and bowed her head in respect.
The girls gathered around and Yuna spoke up, "Wow you're gorgeous."
"Why thank you." she answered sheepishly.
Suddenly the cheerleaders and Ako got a good look at her and realized something, "Wait a minute. Aren't you this?" Kakizaki pulled out a CD cover with her on it.
Mitsukai looked at the CD cover and answered, "Yes I am. They weren't kidding when they said I was becoming a hit in Japan."
Dustin nodded, "Yes and you've spawned inspiration. Sakurako, Madoka, Kakizaki, and Ako here are Dekopin Rocket."
Madoka took the girl's hand and shook it, while speaking, "Your songs and music are so amazing they've inspired us to put our band together."
"Well I'm glad to see I have that kind of affect on others." Mitsukai replied.
As Madoka was shaking Mitsukai's hand she suddenly felt the spirit aura from within, "Wait a second. You're a spirit warrior?" she asked making the rest of the girls gasp in surprise.
"Guilty." Mitsukai answered.
"No wonder Dustin called us his partners in front of you so casually." Kazumi realized.
Mitsukai chuckled, "You really think Ross would let a normal person watch his son? At young ages spirit warriors tend to be a little bit uncontrollable with their powers. They can end up flying around or send out little spirit bursts," Dustin smiled sheepishly as the girls looked at him feeling he did stuff like that as a baby, "So Master Darius has some of the most responsible spirit warriors to watch child ones until they start their training."
Soon Alistair, Xever, and the Baliton twins entered. At the sight of Mitsukai, Xever and his boys gasped, "Well look what's stopped in our neck of the woods." Xever chuckled.
"Who is that?" Alistair asked them.
Valmont answered, "That Alistair is Mitsukai Tendou."
"Mitsukai, it's been a long time." Xever greeted her.
"Hey Xever, Valmont, Belmont. I had a feeling I'd run into you guys here." she greeted the three.
Dustin realized, "Right you had to know her as well since you trained with Burai and Spike."
Belmont spoke to Mitsukai, "You look like you're in perfect shape."
"Thanks. My tour is passing through here," she explained before noticing Alistair looking at her. She spoke to Xever, " I take it Xever this is the little brother you told me about?"
"Yes," he answered and began introducing them, "Alistair, this is Mitsuaki. Mitsukai, my brother Alistair."
"Nice to meet you." Alistair shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you too." Mitsukai smiled.
Dustin went over and put an arm around Alistair, "Alistair's my newest bud. Though of course, we started out as enemies."
Mitsukai smiled and replied, "But you worked things out."
The two nodded, as Dustin asked, "So you're on tour around here?"
"Yup. We're playing here." she added.
"Here?" Haruna asked, "As in right here at Mahora Academy?"
"Yup."
"Awesome!" Sakurako and Kakizaki cheered.
"Yeah it's been awhile since i heard your voice up close and in person." Dustin added.
"If you all want you can come by. I have news to tell Dustin and since Xever, Valmont and Belmont I can tell them too." Mitsukai explained.
"Tell us what?" Valmont asked curiously.
"Sorry. It's a surprise." Mitsukai teased with a wink.
Xever pouted, "You haven't changed."
Mitsukai giggled, and Negi spoke up, "Well how about we give you a tour of Mahora Academy?"
"That'd be wonderful." Mitsukai said as Fuka and Fumika started leading her off with the others girls.
Meanwhile in Ragnarok's lair, Voltaire was in a training hall torching training dummies with his fire. He roared as he incinerated all the training dummies around him. With all his targets destroyed, he powered down his flames. He heard applause, and spun seeing Diabound leaning against a wall, and spoke, "The heat of your flames know no bound, Voltaire."
"What do you want?" the pyromancer asked in annoyance of being watched while he was practicing.
"Just stopped in to see how you were doing. After all since Pythor and his posse jumped shift, you, Thorn, and I are all Ragnarok has." the dark mage explained.
Voltaire sighed and answered, "Indeed, first Felix goes down in battle, Alistair betrays us, and now Pythor betrays us. Makes me wonder what will happen next."
"I agree." Ragnarok's voice was heard, as the Shadow Master entered.
"Master." Voltaire gasped and bowed his head.
"Ragnarok, we were just talking about you." Diabound began.
"Clearly, but I have no time to talk about me," Ragnaork turned to the pyromancer dark warrior, "Voltaire I come bearing news for you."
"News, sir?" he asked curiously.
"Yes. Come take a look at what thorn's Spy traps have picked up for us." he showed him the monitor that shows them what Thorn's plants see.
Voltaire looked at the viewing windows and saw Mitsukai walking with Dustin's partners, "Mitsukai?!" he gasped in shock.
Diabound seeing his reaction, spoke to Ragnarok, "Is there something I should know?"
Ragnarok answered, "That girl Mitsukai Tendou is Voltaire's half sister."
"Half sister?" The dark mage asked, as Voltaire turned to him and spoke.
"It's history I've long since buried," he looked back at the girl seeing her smile and growled at the sight, "I used to think that smile brought joy, but all it does now is bring me torture!"
Ragnarok calmed him, "I know it's dark history for you Voltaire, but now that she is here you can have your vengeance."
Voltaire smirked and spoke, "My waiting has paid off." he vanished in flames.
Back at Mahora, Mitsukai was speaking to Dustin as the whole group walked, "I can see you chose quite an entourage for your partners, Dustin."
"Yeah. Well what can I say? I have the charm." Dustin smiled proudly.
Mitsukai laughed and spoke, "Obviously if you were able to attract certain girls here." she eyed Mana, Chizuru, and Kazumi for obvious reasons.
They arrived at where the sound stage was being set up, and Dustin spoke, "Wow, so this is it?"
"Yup. We still got some setting up to do, but nothing to major." she explained.
"Hey if ya need some help, we can pitch in," Xever offered, "After all what're friends for?"
"Thanks, Xever." she thanked him.
Dustin spoke up, "Ok can you tell us this big news now?"
Mitsukai smiled, "All right since you're so anxious... I'm engaged."
"WHAT?!" the boys gasped in shock.
"Engaged?" Valmont asked.
"Who?!" Belmont asked in wonder.
"My fiance's already here." she answered.
"Here?" Dustin asked in confusion.
"Right behind ya!" a voice spoke from behind the group.
Dustin and the others spun, and saw Burai and Aria. Aria ran over to Dustin and hugged him, "Dustin, it's so good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, Aria," he answered and showed her everyone, "You know the girls of course. And here you see is Alistair, my newest friend."
"Hi." Alistair waved.
"Nice to meet you." Aria greeted him.
When the guys saw Burai kiss Mitsukai, Xever spoke, "Burai?"
Burai seeing him spoke, "Well Xever, nice to see you again."
"Are you by chance, Mitsukai's fiance?" Valmont inquired.
"Why yes I am, Valmont." Burai confirmed.
"Awesome!" the group cheered.
Meanwhile watching from a tree was Voltaire, "Fiance?" he asked before seeing Burai and growled, "Him!" he recalled seeing he was the one that helped lead to Felix's demise. He then looked at Mitsukai and spoke to himself, "Perhaps I should give her a proper greeting."
Suddenly fire blasts were aimed at the stage, shocking the whole group, "Fire!" Burai called.
Rin looked to Akira, "Akira, water time!"
"Hai!" she concentrated her water and put the flames out before they spread, along with Rin using a water spell.
Voltaire frowned, "Blasted water magic!"
The group knowing who had to be behind this called, "Voltaire!"
The pyromancer dark warrior appeared in a whirl of flames, "Hi guys."
"You really love bringing the heat, don't ya?" Alistair asked him.
"That's why I'm hot stuff." Voltaire replied smugly.
Mitsukai upon seeing him gasped to herself and though, 'It can't be.'
"Why're you here?" Dustin demanded.
"I've come to pay some respect to an old familiar face." he answered as they noticed him looking past them, until Mitsukai spoke up.
"Is it really you?" the others looked at her in equal confusion.
"You know him?" Alistair asked curiously.
"Arne't you a sight for sore eyes." Voltaire responded to the girl.
"Michael..." Mitsukai gasped.
"Michael?" the group asked in confusion.
Voltaire frowned and answered, "That name has no meaning for me anymore. I am Voltaire now!" he glared at Mitsukai, "And I have not forgotten your treachery!"
Mitsukai tried to reason with him, "Please brother, what happened back then was not my fault."
Voltaire appeared in front of her glaring and spoke in rage, "Not your fault?! Who promised me we'd always be together? Who led me to believe I had purpose at your side? Who robbed me of my pride?!"
The group was in shock at Voltaire's claims wondering what happened between them. Mitsukai answered, "I admit I am at fault for breaking those promises, but Michael you're not well."
"I told you my name is Voltaire!" he bellowed as his flames started increasing.
"Please brother calm down." she pleaded only to get swatted aside.
Watching the scene play out was Ragnarok, Thorn, and Diabound, as the dark mage asked, "So what is the story behind their relationship?"
"This was many years ago when he was just a simple pyromancer," Ragnarok began while looking at the two, "He was brought up into Mitsukai's family when they were children. The two cared about each other like siblings should. But Voltaire or at the time Michael was different. His fire abilities always responded to his emotions deeply."
"I see." Diabound answered as he listened.
"Voltaire through the years started becoming attracted to Mitsukai. Being adopted they weren't really siblings." Ragnarok continued.
Thorn gagged, "Incest."
"Unfortunately Mitsukai did not return the feeling, and the parents were not tolerable of it as well." Ragnarok added.
"So then what?" Diabound asked.
"Mitsukai and her parents tried reasoning with him, but Voltaire only got angrier and left them. I found him a couple years back alone and looking for purpose." Ragnarok smirked seeing what he made out of him.
Back at the fight, Voltaire jumped back and summoned fireballs in his palms, "Time for you to melt!" he launched them.
Burai using a spirit shield, covered Mitsukai and spoke to her, "Don't worry we're all here." he promised as they all got ready.
"But we can't hurt him." Mitsukai said in worry.
Alistair spoke to her in response, "Mitsukai, I don't know how he was back then. But that's not the brother you knew."
"I hate to say it, but he's right." Aria agreed as she saw Xever, the Balitons, Kotaro, Kaede, Ku, and Chao combat him.
Burai touched his sisters head, and spoke, "Don't be so sure, Aira. Maybe we unable to save Felix in time before he was destroyed. But even one who was once normal before turning to the dark nature of dark energy can be returned."
"Yeah we purified Raoul." Dustin remembered.
"Right. So there's always hope for him." Negi added.
"Yes, but there still remains a problem," Evangeline spoke up, "Raoul was a novice and beginner, so it was easier to remove the darkness that tainted his heart. Trying to purify Voltaire would take a lot of magical energy."
"Then we'll have you, Rin, Fate, Kotaro, Konoka, and myself use our combined magic." Negi suggested. Mitsukai nodded and they all looked determined and got to work.
Voltaire smirked seeing them all, "Time to call in the crew." he snapped his fingers summoning the shadow soldiers.
"Shadow soldiers." Mitsukai gasped.
"Attack!" Voltaire ordered, as they went on the attack against the guys.
"Leave Voltaire to me," Mitsukai ordered, "Get rid of the soldiers and start the circle!"
"Hai!" they nodded and began fighting with Mitsukai going for the kill as Voltaire blocked her attacks.
Voltaire smirked and spoke, "Like old times."
"You still remember them?" she asked hopefully.
"How can I forget when they're stitched to my memories?" he asked rhetorically.
"You must remember all the good ones." she pleaded while fighting.
" They are merely shattered fragments," he spoke, "Just like my heart. You could have been mine!"
"But you were adopted into our family," she reminded him, "It couldn't have worked that way."
"Why because you listened to mom and dad?" he asked with a frown.
"Brother please..."
"I knew they never really cared about me, just like you." Voltaire added.
"That's not true!" she shouted.
"Was it because I was older? You weren't into older people then?" he questioned her. She only responded by summoning her spirit weapon being a rapier, "Well then it looks like I wasted so many years vying for you."
"Brother Michael, please just listen." she continued to try reasoning, but was proving ineffective.
"I'm done listening!" he launched shadow fire blasts at her.
Mitsukai dodged and spoke, "You're better than this I know you are!"
"You're right. Here's something I've been saving just for the occasion!" he formed a hand sign and summoned up fire warriors, "Get her!" he ordered as his fire warriors attacked her, only for her to fight back.
"Definitely more dangerous." she spoke.
"Danger is an understatement." he replied.
'Gotta keep him distracted long enough.' Mitsukai thought as she channeled her spirit energy into her fist, "Shotgun!" she fired the attack that took out the fire soldiers. Voltaire took the blow, but got back up.
"Not bad. Now try this!" he sent a blast of dark energy. Mitsukai flipped back avoiding the blast and the tow engaged in hand to hand combat, "I've found someone who brought me out of my well of despair. Someone who gave me purpose. Made me stronger!"
"You can't really believe that this is the right path?" she asked as he grabbed her throat.
"This is the only path I have left. And once I eliminate you I will finally be rid of my pain!" Voltaire bellowed.
"How do you know?" she asked while crying a little, " How do you know if you get rid of me that everything will be better?"
"Because all the shadows of my former past will be gone. I'll have nothing to remind me of those times!"
"That's not true..." she cried.
"You've said enough. Tome for you to go!" Voltaire gripped her throat tighter.
"I'm sorry Michael..." she apologized.
"Shotgun!" a blast attacked Voltaire causing him to release Mitsukai.
She started catching her breath as Burai ran to her side and helped her up, "Are you all right?" he asked.
"I'm fine, Burai."
"Pest." Voltaire frowned at his meddling.
"I won't let you harm my fiance." Burai warned him.
"Then I'll start with you!" Voltaire launched at Burai as the two grappled.
Mitsukai could only watch as her fiance and older brother fought. Dustin went to her side and spoke, "Painful isn't it?"
"I'd wish to see them get along." she answered.
Alistair called over as they eliminated the shadow soldiers, "We're almost complete. Hopefully the guys magic will be strong enough to keep him contained inside it." Mitsukai nodded.
Voltaire spoke to Burai, "You and your junior brat students took a valued friend away from me!"
"Felix was my friend too!" Burai reminded him, "And if you if keep going down this path you'll end up like him. I couldn't save him in time, but you have the chance."
"Don't think so!" Voltaire spun kicked Burai away as he got himself back in control.
"You may not know if, but after you left Mitsukai's life went downhill." Burai explained.
"I'll bet." Voltaire answered skeptically.
"It's the truth," Burai retorted, "Her parents started to fight constantly over who's fault it was that this happened to you. They got divorced! Mitsukai stayed with her mother who had became paranoid and wouldn't even let Mitsukai practice her powers," Voltaire looked indifferent as Burai continued, "Eventually Mitsukai decided to leave them both. You know she had to work three jobs just to get herself to the end of the month. Even though she's become successful, she still felt something was missing. And it wasn't just me it was family!" he grabbed Voltaire by the arm and threw him over his shoulder.
Voltaire landed on the ground. He growled and got to his feet. He walked forward only to get repelled, "Hey what the?!"
"Good job guys!" Burai called as Negi, Fate, Rin, Eva, Konoka, and Kotaro were using the magic they had to strengthen the force field surrounding him.
Voltaire looked at Mitsukai and shouted, "You tricked me!"
" I learned from the best remember?" she asked, "And rest assured you'll be glad I did soon enough."
Voltaire frowned, "You may purify me, but Ragnarok will see to it I am avenged!" he declared.
"We'll be prepared." Alistair assured him.
"Now!" Mitsukai ordered.
Negi, Eva, and Rin said their magic incantation with Dustin helping as the evil essence was expunged from Voltaire and his body lost his dark warrior look. Voltaire now purified looked at Mitsukai and saw the pain in her eyes, "Mitsukai?" he asked.
"Hello brother." she greeted him with happiness that he was back to normal.
"What did I do?" he asked while looking at himself in guilt, before passing out.
"What now?" Makie asked in worry.
"Let's get him to the infirmary." Negi suggested as Xever and Valmont helped him up and carried him.
Later that day, Voltaire or Michael was in Mahora's infirmary resting on a bed, with Mitsukai sitting at his side, "Well?" Dustin asked Shizuna, as she and Ako were tending to him.
"He's going to be just fine so long as he doesn't overdo it." Shizuna explained.
Michael opened his eyes and saw his sister, "Sis?"
"Hey bro, how're you feeling?" she asked.
"Like my fire's been put out." he groaned.
Mitsukai smiled, "Well what matters is your back now."
"Yeah, but being a regular pyromancer again is going to take some getting used to," he admitted before speaking again, "Burai told me what happened. Mom and dad blamed each other?"
"Unfortunately." she sighed while looking down.
He wiped away he tears and spoke, "I'm so sorry."
Mitsukai he;d his hand and spoke, "I've already forgiven you."
"Excuse me?" Takahata asked as he stood in the door way.
"Takamichi?" Negi asked.
"What's up?" Dustin asked.
"I know he's just woken up, but there's a couple here anxious to see you both." he explained as the sibs looked and saw a couple enter, which took them by surprise.
"Mom? Dad?" Mitsukai gasped.
"Mitsukai. Michael. It's good to see you're both ok." the man known as their father smiled in relief.
"Mom dad, I'm so sorry for what I caused you all." Michael apologized.
"No Michael," their mother spoke up, "It wasn't you. It was us."
Their father continued, "We were foolish to pin blame on each other for what happened rather than try to find you."
"And it also drove you away from us as well." Their mom said to Mitsukai.
"Ever since we got that divorce we've been miserable with guilt." their father added.
"What're you saying?" Michael asked as he and Mitsukai were curious.
"We're renewing our vows." the mom said as she and her husband stood close with smiles on their faces.
"That's wonderful!" Mitsukai cheered with Michael.
The father smiled and spoke, " But we can wait. After all we can see that someone is going to do her own kind of vows." Burai and Mitsukai smiled.
Later on, Dustin and Negi were talking to Michael, "So Pythor, Skales, Acidicus, and their tribes have left Ragnarok?" Negi asked.
"Yes, and with me gone, Thorn and Diabound are all he has." Michael added.
"Shouldn't sound so bad, considering their numbers are still minimal." Dustin noted.
"Maybe so, but Pythor and the snakes are still out there, and will no doubt be coming for you." Michael warned them.
"He's right, we're gonna have to be extra careful than ever before." Negi stated.
"Well I'm with you guys. I'll help you in any way I can." Michael offered his support.
"Thanks Michael. With you on our team Ragnarok's not gonna stand a chance." Dustin thanked him.
"Ya got that right." the two fist bumped.
Meanwhile at the lair, Ragnarok was growling over the events that just happened, "I can't believe they did that!"
"Now Voltaire is gone." Thorn stated.
"What a shame." Diabound sighed.
"Thorn!" Ragnarok addressed her in anger.
"Yes, sir?" she asked in worry.
"You are my last loyal dark warrior. I should pray you do not make the same mistake as the others." he warned her threateningly.
"Yes master." she bowed her head, before Ragnarok took his leave.
Meanwhile back at Mahora that night, Mitsukai was on stage with everyone below stage cheering. As she sang, Michael smiled and thought, 'Voice hasn't changed.'
"She's so good!" Kakizaki called to her fellow cheerleaders.
"Yeah!" Dustin cheered as he and the other warriors were jumping and clapping.
When Mitsukai finished, the girls roared with applause as she herself smiled at both Burai and Michael, who smiled back at her in return.
(And that's the chapter. Voltaire has been purified and has become their new ally. Don't miss next time where the Snakes return and this time it's all or nothing with them. See ya next time.)