(Welcome to the next chapter. Here's where the biggest battle of their lives begin. Will the two boys and their partners survive their final battle with the Shadow Master? Enjoy.)
It was the third day of the Mahora Fest, and everything was looking pretty normal. All the students and attendants were checking out all the activities and such, while secretly Negi, Dustin, along with their partners and allies were awaiting the moment when Ragnarok was set to strike.
The two boy professors and Zyphon were currently walking around the festival casually as if nothing was wrong. Dustin tapped his right ear with the earpiece comlink inside it, "Mana, is everyone in position?"
Mana who was hiding behind one of the Mahora building's towers was keeping an eye on the festival, answered, "Everyone's all set, Dustin." she spotted the rest of her fellow partners hiding out be it from the shadows or in plain sight.
Negi tapped his own earpiece to contact his own partners, "How about you, Kaede?"
Kaede who was using her cloak as camouflage answered, "All good, Negi." she spotted the rest of her own fellow partners hiding as well.
Alistair answered his own comlink, "And the rest of us are all good too." and true to his word, he, Kotaro, Fate, and the rest of the whole crew were all stationed in other parts of the Mahora grounds awaiting the signal.
"Good," Dustin answered, before turning to his friend, "Well, Negi. This is it."
"I know." he answered.
"Scared?"
Negi smirked, "You'd wish."
Chamo who was hitching a ride on his head spoke, "That's my brother."
Zyphon spoke, "Just remember you two, this isn't going to be like your past battles. Not like the one in Kyoto or in New York."
"We're well aware of that fact, Zyphon." Dustin answered.
"Just making sure." the robot said.
Meanwhile on top of a building's roof. Ragnarok appeared, with Arika still captive, along with Thorn and Diabound.
"The time is at hand. Are you two ready?" Ragnarok inquired.
"Of course, sir." Thorn confirmed.
"Once this is over the Princess of the Kingdom of Light as well as the Kingdom itself shall be mine." Diabound said mischievously.
"That's assuming this all goes to plan." Thorn reminded him.
Ragnarok spoke, "As long as we have the Princess here. Her magic is at our disposal. As well as plenty of demons itching to get out of their realm," he looked down at the woman who refused to make eye contact with him but spoke.
"Your treachery will be your downfall, Shadow Master."
"You really think that?" Ragnarok asked amusingly.
"Yes. You know as well as anyone when a mage and spirit warrior stand up to you, they will be the ones to thwart your plan."
"That is why they will be eliminated before they have a chance," Ragnarok smirked, before turning towards Thorn and Diabound, "Get into position. It's time to make the world know it's master." Thorn and Diabound took off as Ragnarok used his dark magic to project a large holographic form of himself for everyone in the festival to see.
The students and such stopped what they were doing upon seeing the giant hologram. The heroes however squinted as the hologram spoke.
"Greetings, students and everyone of Mahora! I am Ragnarok, the Shadow Master! And today marks the end of everything as you know."
"Is this some kind of show?" a boy asked.
"I don't know." a girl answered.
The students were questioning about Ragnarok's speech thinking it was a publicity stunt. The Shadow Master seeing their curiosity was stirred knew what to do next, "You're not buying my threat? Well, perhaps this will change your mind!" Ragnarok held onto Arika and forced her to use her magic. It shot up into the sky like a pillar making the sky turn dark, and a magical portal much like before opened up.
Everyone on the ground was starting to get scared while children were holding onto their parents in fright. From that portal emerged several demon creatures that were of many shapes, sizes, and ugliness.
"Now do you think I am bluffing?" Ragnarok called, followed by a maniacal laugh.
The students and others looked ready to panic, until another voice came up, "Attention students and festival goers!" they all looked to the side and saw a hologram of Kazumi holding her mic with Sayo at her side, "Do not be alarmed. This is merely a special last day of the festival treat for anyone willing to participate," the students looked confused, as Kazumi continued, "This end of the festival game is a free range shooting or sword fighting event. It is your objective to destroy as many enemies as you can while earning points with every enemy you vanquish. And rest assured in the end there will be a fabulous prize for the winner."
Sayo spoke into her own mic, "Those of you wishing to participate go to the Chao Bao Zi to pick up whatever choice of weapon you desire. Those of you who don't wish to partake should go find shelter immediately. This will get pretty nasty."
"Good luck!" Kazumi called.
Over half of the students started rushing for the Chao Bao Zi to sign up, while some headed for shelter. Negi, Dustin, and Zyphon watched knowing the secret of magic was protected for the moment.
Ragnarok watched and said to himself, "Turning my threat into a school activity? Bold move on your part. No matter, because in the end everyone will know not only the existence of magic, but of my dominance as well!" he snapped his fingers summoning an army of shadow soldiers, "Boys, aid our demon friends." the army took off.
Over by the Chao Bao Zi, students were swarming to sign up, as Chao spoke up, "Calm down! You'll all get a chance. Now let me and my partner Satomi explain the weaponry that'll be available to you," Satomi presented a blue and white blaster like in Sci-Fi films, "For those who're long range fighters you will be given one of these. Just aim and shoot at the holograms."
Satomi spoke as she held up a white sword with a blade glowing with spirit energy blue, "Or for those who're short range fighters, you may use this. Don't worry the blade cannot slice through human skin." she demonstrated by putting the blade onto her arm revealing it went right through without leaving a scratch.
"So come and take whichever you see compliments your style." Chao ordered, as the students began collecting either a blaster or a blade.
Next to step up was Asuna who looked pumped, "Hook me up with a blade."
"Asuna?" Chao asked, "I wasn't expecting you to get involved."
"Are you kidding? If there's gonna be a big prize, I wanna piece of the action," she took a blade and stood proudly with it, "Oh, yeah!" she looked over at Chisame who was trying to sneak away, "Hey, Chisame. Aren't you going to get in on this?"
"I pass. I'm going to find cover." Chisame answered, as she walked on with the others looking to lay low.
Once everyone was geared up, Burai, Xever, and the rest of the older and spirit warrior allies saw them head for battle.
"Ok, while they're busy dealing with the demons and shadow soldiers, we're going after Ragnarok's two cronies." Burai explained.
"But who of them will we be facing?" Belmont asked.
"I'll give you a guess." Valmont answered, as they looked over and saw Thorn leading some shadow soldiers into battle while some students were attacking the soldiers.
"Thorn." Michael frowned.
"Brother." Mitsukai calmed him.
"Felix and Pythor were defeated, while I returned to normal. It's time she learned a lesson." Michael said, while powering up his flames.
"Easy, bud," Xever put a hand on his shoulder, "It's not safe for us to be going at it one on one."
"Xever's right. This battle requires all of us." Burai said.
Michael nodded in agreement, "Right."
"Then let's go!" Mitsukai called, as the older warriors went into battle.
Thorn smirked as she watched the shadow soldiers take charge against some of the students who weren't so adept in fighting with weapons.
"A lovely day for a massacre." she chuckled.
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing." came Michael's voice, as he and his friends appeared.
"Voltaire." Thorn frowned.
"The name is Michael. Michael Tendou!"
"Whatever. Point is, today's the end for you, Thorn."
"I don't think so!" Thorn extended her arms launching vine tendrils from them.
The older warriors split up to avoid the vines, before either opening fir with their spirit/dark energy attacks, or in Michael's case going right in for a close up.
Thorn fired her own shadow gun shots while also launching seed bombs at her enemies. When Michael went at it with Thorn up close, the plant lady spoke.
"Such a shame you were purified. If you were still Voltaire you could be helping us instead of them."
"My days as a dark warrior are done. I'm me again, the real me."
"Well, the real you can join Felix, Pythor, and all our other former comrades!" Thorn launched a shadow shot.
Michael dodged, "Don't think so!" he slugged Thorn knocking her off guard.
As the others joined in helping him fight, Michael was formulating a plan, "Guys, keep Thorn distracted. I know what to do."
And so the others fought Thorn to the peak of their strengths. The dark warrior plant manipulator was getting confident she had this in the bag, until she saw no sign of the pyromancer.
"Where'd he go?"
"Surprise!" Thorn was suddenly restrained from behind by Michael who grip hugged her.
"Let go, you fool!"
"Not this time. Guys, back away. Things are going to be getting toasty." Michael called, as they backed away.
"What're you doing?" Thorn demanded in fear.
"Putting on a barbeque." Michael smirked, as he ignited, and his whole body powered up with flames.
Thorn felt the intense flames from his body was starting to spread to her, "You idiot! Stop! If you keep this up I gonna burn up!"
"That's the point!" Michael called as he amplified his flames.
Thorn screamed in pain as the flames overtook her and she turned to ash and dust. Michael powered his flames down and panted.
Mitsukai and Burai went over to him, "Are you ok?" Burai asked.
"Yeah, but I never wanna turn the heat up that far again any time soon." he joked, and they chuckled.
They saw the shadow soldiers surrounding them. Xever summoned his shadow switchblades and spoke, "Got enough juice left to fight these clowns?"
Michael smirked as he ignited flames in his hands, "Plenty." The older fighters went into battle against the shadow soldiers.
Meanwhile, Negi, Dustin, and Zyphon were running through the barrage of shadow soldiers and demons that were being attacked by various students.
"We have to get to Ragnarok and get my mother away," Negi explained, "Without her the portal will close."
"And save us the trouble fighting more of these demons." Dustin added, as he quickly fired a spirit gun at a demon attempting to fly at them.
Suddenly they pulled to a halt as multiple shadow soldiers and demons were blocking their path.
"You will not be reaching our master any time soon." a shadow soldier said.
Dustin and Negi frowned, as they were about to attack only to see a couple shadow soldiers were shot at and vanished. They looked up above and saw their partners dropping in.
"Girls!" they called.
"Negi, Dustin, you leave this to us." Ayaka spoke.
"You two need to get to Ragnarok." Theo added.
"Will you all be all right?" Negi hoped.
"We'll be fine, boya. Now go!" Eva called, as they powered up their energies and artifacts and started fighting their enemies.
When Negi, Dustin, and Zyphon saw a pathway made for them, they hurried on without looking back.
The girls fought their enemies using their own powers. Eva was zapping at some demons with her dark magic along side Chachamaru who used her lasers and missiles. Zazie and Poyo were using their own magic against some shadow soldiers like a tag team. Even Shizuna and Shakti were using their pactio powers to ward off the demons.
"Oh, yeah, come and get some!" Yuna called, as she was shooting at her opponents with her spirit gun, "Just call me Yuna the kid."
Mana smirked, "Not bad, Yuna. But watch a pro." she started shooting at more demons making Yuna's work look smaller.
Yuna scowled in jealousy, "Show off."
Yue was using her dark energy against some shadow soldiers, while Haruna was using a spirit pen to draw up some light versions of shadow soldiers to aid them.
"Isn't this rad?" Haruna asked.
"If you say so." Yue replied.
Suddenly they heard a familiar scream of fright, "Nodoka!" they cried, as they ran to find their friend.
The two soon found the shy librarian running from some shadow soldiers who were cutting off her retreats. Before they could attack, Haruna and Yue fought back and defeated the shadow soldiers surrounding their friend.
"Nodoka!" Yue called, as she went over to the girl.
"Are you ok?" Haruna asked in worry.
"I'm fine thank you." Nodoka answered.
"Nodoka, it's not safe here. You need to get to cover." Yue insisted.
"But what about you two?"
"Don't worry, we got it covered." Haruna smirked.
Nodoka seeing how serious they were nodded, "Good luck." she followed a crowd of innocent people to shelter.
Back with the girls, Makie was using her ribbon to whip some shadow soldiers, while Akira was using her water power combined with Ice to strike at some demons.
"Unless Negi and Dustin can close that portal, these demons will keep on coming." Mana said.
"Then let's pick up the power." Sakurako called, as the three cheerleaders performed their power up cheer giving the girls extra strength to fight.
As Kaede and Ku were fighting some shadow soldiers, while noticing their fellow Baka Rangers Makie and Yue were continuing to fight.
"This would be so much better if we had all Baka Rangers here." Ku said.
"I know what ya mean." Kaede agreed.
"Baka Red coming at ya!" A vocie called, as they saw Asuna charge in weilding her blade from Chao and Satomi and sliced a shadow soldier away.
"Asuna?" the girls gasped.
"Hey, girls." Asuna greeted.
"What're you doing here?" Konoka asked.
"I saw you girls fighting here, and I wanted to join you."
"Well, as long as you don't get in the way." Ayaka warned her.
"You know I'll argue with you later." Asuna said, as she joined in the fight by slicing some shadow soldiers.
As she fought the girls looked impressed, as Setsuna spoke to Konoka, "Wow, Asuna's pretty good with a blade."
"Yeah. Maybe Negi or Dustin should've made a pactio with her." Konoka suggested.
"I doubt any of them would've wanted to." Setsuna answered knowing that was the case.
Meanwhile back on the building roof, Ragnarok watched with Arika. He frowned as he saw Thorn get burned to death, "They destroyed one of my most loyal followers! Time to bring out some more big guns!" Ragnarok used Arika's magic to widen the portal allowing more demons to emerge.
The newly arrived demons flew down and landed in an area of the festival where Nagi, Ross, Takamichi, and the Ala Rubra were engaging in their enemies.
Jack Rakan laughed as he was using his bare strength and speed along to pile through some demons destroying them. He laughed joyously, "Just like old times, huh, guys?"
"Well, this certainly does bring back memories." Al admitted, as he was using magic from his books against some shadow soldiers.
"Certainly makes me feel young again." Eishun added, while wielding his sword.
"I know what ya mean." Takamichi agreed.
Meanwhile Nagi and Ross were tag teaming against some demons throwing a combination of magic and spirit attacks.
"Takes you back, doesn't it, Nagi?" Ross asked.
"Sure does. I just wish Bianca were here to partake in it with us." Nagi answered.
Ross smiled, "So do I." they went back to fighting.
As Negi, Dustin, and Zyphon continued onward to the building where Ragnaork stood, they were once again cut off by demons and shadow soldiers, this time led by Diabound.
"I'm sure Ragnarok won't mind if I toyed with you boys for a bit." the dark mage snickered.
Negi and Dustin were ready to fight, only for Zyphon to shield them, "Go. I'll handle him."
"Zyphon?" Dustin asked.
"But you don't stand a chance." Negi warned him.
"It's a risk I have to take, Master Negi." The robot answered.
Diabound chuckled humorously, "A master mage like myself going up against a hunk of scrap? I can hardly call this a challenge."
"Then how about we even the odds?"
Dropping in was Alistair, Rin, Kotaro, Fate, and the rest of Dustin's friends.
"Guys!" Dustin called.
"We'll assist Zyphon, you guys hurry." Rin ordered.
"Ok. Come on!" Dustin ordered Negi, ans the two carried on.
Diabound stood with his army as his eyes were fixated on Rin, "Well, Princess. Once again our paths have crossed. I have not forgotten about you and the day I promised to make you mine."
"That day you cursed me with this animal spell." Rin frowned.
"Yes, must've been very hard every night."
"You have no idea."
"I am offering you a choice, Rin. Join me and my future harem, and I will spare everyone." Diabound offered.
The group looked at Rin, who answered, "Take your offer and shove it straight up your ass!"
Alicia smirked, "Not bad."
Diabound frowned, "Then so be it." he channeled his magic and blasted at the group.
"Scatter!" Elroy shouted, as the group dispersed.
"Diabound's mine!" Rin called.
"Princess, are you sure..." Fate began only to get cut off.
"I need to do this." she took off to fight Diabound.
Kotaro smirked, "Girls got guts."
"And so do we." Alistair noted, as they started fighting the shadow soldiers and demons.
As the spirit warrior kids were blasting at their enemies, as Jade spoke, "And I thought we were having a tough time with enemies when we fought side by side with our dragon and mage friends from Sodor."
"Except this time we're not going to the hospital." Jethro stated.
"I hope not." Alice said.
"Don't worry, Alice. We got this." Aria said, as she powered up and fought some demons.
Fate drew his sword and started slicing shadow soldiers and demons, while Alistair fought at his side, "Guess the martial arts tournament was a good workout to prepare us for this fight."
"So it seems." Fate answered, as he sliced a demon.
Zyphon's armed opened up revealing multiple blasters that started shooting at his enemies, "Come and get some suckers!"
While they were busy fighting the demons and shadow soldiers, Rin fought against Diabound, as he blocked her moves.
"You've gotten stronger since we last fought. I'm impressed."
"I'm not the same girl you knew back then, Diabound. I'm much stronger now. And I will defeat you!" she started sending magical blasts at Diabound who repelled it with a dark magic shield.
"You're still a novice compared to me."
"Would a novice have the brains to bring in back up?" Rin asked, as Toothless flew in and started shooting his fire balls at Diabound who was dodging and repelling.
"Blasted dragon!"
"Good work, boy." Rin called, as she used this opportunity to strike at Diabound.
Diabound continued to block her attacks, but was starting to get overpowered by Rin's force, "This can't be. You're not supposed to be this strong!"
"I've been working and training around the clock with a diminutive insane vampire. Of course I'm stronger now!" Rin called, as she powered up and sent a blast of magic at Diabound that got him in the right leg causing it to break off.
Diabound fell on his back as the circuits form his severed robot leg sparked, "No. I can't lose!"
Rin stood before him, "You can, and you did." she declared.
Fate seeing this tossed his sword to her. Rin caught it with one hand and channeled her magic into it, "This is for my kingdom!" she performed a slice maneuver upon Diabound who screamed in pain as he was obliterated.
"She got him." Dean gasped.
Fate nodded with a smile, "Yes she did."
"Cool." Kotaro smirked.
Rin looked down at where Diabound once was, and spoke to herself, "He's finally gone. Father, he can no longer plague us," she looked ahead seeing Dustin and Negi in the distance, and thought, 'Good luck you two.'
(And that's the chapter. Negi and Dustin's allies have terminated Blood Thorn and Diabound, and now the two are ready to take on the Shadow Master himself. Don't miss next time, everybody. The reference to Dustin's friends fighting with dragons and mages from Sodor comes from fellow author DJ Scales, who I helped him with his story series. See you later.)