A/N: I am soooooo sorry about the delay. Lots of things have been going on but I have had this chapter finished since I posted the last one. I have a couple of commission pieces that I need to post as well; just want to fine tune them and make sure the flow is good enough before posting. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday!

Chapter 9

Luna Nova Grounds

"We are now starting the 1333rd Luna Nova Cup broom relay." Headmistress Holbrooke paused as the students cheered. "The winning team will gain honor and pride. They will also be rewarded with the prize from Professor Lukic." She points her hand to a goblin to her left holding a large purple vase with a bow on it. "Good luck to all!"

The girls cheer and break off to form their teams. Akko makes her way over to Lotte and Sucy with a smug smile on her face. "Ladies, are you ready to win?!" Akko says walking up to her now old roommates.

Sucy grins while Lotte looks at Akko. "How did you manage to still participate?" Lotte lowered her voice considering her surroundings. "I thought professors couldn't participate?"

Akko wraps her arms around her teammates' shoulders and brings them in closer. "Auntie Miranda said that since the paperwork hasn't been filed. I am technically not a teacher yet. So here I am! Gotta love loopholes!" She high-fives Sucy and gives Lotte a big grin.

Sucy looks at Akko and raises an eyebrow. "Where is your broom Akko?" Akko pulls out a matchstick and snaps her fingers making the stick grow in size. A magnificent black broom lands in her hand. Sucy whistles at the obvious quality of the broom. "Whoa, I've never seen something like that before. Did you clear it with the school to use your broom?"

Akko rubs a hand down her face. "I did, but Otosan and Auntie put limiters on it. So, it has the same performance stats as the school brooms. The limiters will expire in 2 hours! Time to get this show on the road ladies!"

Lotte gives a nod to Sucy and looks at Akko. "You will be our anchor. The only rule is that you cannot use excessive force. Tricks and magic are expected and encouraged. Please use caution Akko."

Akko gives her teammates a smirk. "No worries ladies. I will win with my skill alone." Her head perks up at the announcement of the start of the race. "Let's get going!"

Sucy lines up first, with Lotte leaving to meet at the first baton exchange. Akko takes a second to glance over at her family. She nodded at her father and gave a big smile to Kai. Not seeing her mate anywhere, she let her search magic expand the area and found her towards the end of the route. Makes sense since she is a healer. I'll just send her a little telepathic message.

Hey there, I'll be seeing you at the end of the race.

Akko? Is that you?

Do you have anyone else who would use mind magic to talk to you?...except Kano…and Otosan…or niisan. Actually nevermind. Yes, it's me.

Please be careful Akko. Something feels…wrong.

Akko frowns and focuses more on her conversation as she walks to her designated spot. What do you mean wrong? Like there is something wrong with the track or something wrong with the school?

I mean that as one of the primary ward casters here at school, something is wrong with the school wards. I can't pinpoint what it is, but please just be careful.

Should I let Otosan and Auntie know?

If you don't mind? I think we need to be on high alert. Anything can happen now.

Okay relaying the message to Auntie and Otosan now. Akko waited for direction from the elders before communicating back with Ursula. Auntie wants to know what level threat.

Five. It is noticeable in the wards that unwanted tampering has occurred.

Copy that! Auntie says she will alert the rest of the staff, but the event will continue as planned to not scare the students. I am to participate as a student, but if something happens, I have the authority of a teacher. Stay safe Ursula. I can't lose you.

Akko?

Yes, love?

No matter what, make sure you come home to me.

Akko lets out a loud content sigh before putting on her game face. Yes ma'am. Akko arrives at her designated start point and takes the time to sense her parameters. She sends her magic out first, searching for any anomalies that she can find. Expanding her search to each edge of the wards, she couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. The goblins and hobgoblins were working. The dragons were firmly on their portion of the property. The Faeries were lingering along the edge of the forest…wait the edge of the forest?

"But it's not magical…or at least not yet. Could there be a concealer spell?" Akko mutters to herself, swapping to send out her qi and focusing on the forest. "Gotcha" Akko locates a large portion of the forest under a concealment spell with only the faint trace of a presence. "Okaasan? Oh fu—"

The forest erupts in flames as a being not seen in the modern world is summoned. Frantic Akko dismantles the limiters on her broom and makes her way to the forest. Gathering her courage, she sends a message down the telepathic link with her family; linking everyone at once. It's not good. Okaasan summoned a demon in the forest next to the clock tower. Auntie and Otosan, you need to get all the students to safety. Kai and Croix set up a healing area. Ursula make your way there. Little dragon you are with me.

A chorus of okays sounds, with a loud NO overpowering everyone else.

What? Ursula, what do you mean no?

I am not leaving you to fend off that thing by yourself Akko. This is insane.

The weight of her broom shifts as Kano flashes onto her shoulder. We really don't have time for this. I need to be quick. Akko lands in the clock tower positioning herself to start casting. Ursula, you can't. You are across the field there isn't enough time… "Oi! Amanda, what are you…what's that?" Akko said pointing to the covered enclosure behind Amanda.

"The world's fastest broom, The Shooting Star!" Amanda says proudly before looking at Akko in fear. "What was that noise Akko? I heard screaming…" Amanda moves to go to one of the doors before being pulled back by Akko.

"I apologize for this, but you are going to be uncomfortable for a second for your own safety." With a flick of her wrist bright flames encompass Amanda and send her to the one person who could take care of her. Niisan, incoming.

Going up to the enclosure, Akko removes the sheet and stares and Chariot's broom in all its glory. The broom starts shaking and trying to break free. Akko takes a look outside before focusing on the broom. Connecting to the spirit residing within, Akko tries to calm to broom. "Please remain calm. Your master is nearby. If I free you, I need you to go to her and assist her with getting back to me. Please. This is important"

Akko watches as the broom stills and a warm presence fills her mind. She reaches back out to Ursula who has worked herself into a rant. …And another thing Akko. I told you not to do anything reckless and here you are trying to take on a damn demon by yourself. That thing is MASSIVE. I can't let you do that alone.

Fine. I am sending an old friend your way. Akko releases the broom and watches it zoom over to her master. If you show up on that, then that's it. No more hiding. You have to come into the spotlight. I am sorry that this isn't on your time. I won't blame you if you stay at the tent. I can take this demon. It's not the first nor will it be the last I fear.
Akko felt her before she heard her. "Akko, I don't give a damn about me. We are in this together." She stops still on her broom inches from Akko.

"Woah" Akko said in awe of her mate in her fighting glory. "Ursula you look.."

"It's Chariot" her mate interrupts.

Akko nods. "Chariot then, you look stunning. Battle suits you." Akko flips her broom into her hand and mounts up. "This is a great demon. It will take time, but I can defeat it. The most important thing I need from you…is to stay out of my range. With your broom, you will be unbelievably fast. Your task? Rescue the faeries from the edge of the forest. The queen is stuck in the area surrounding the demon. I will take care of her. But please get the others out of the way." Akko tosses a bag at her mate. "Inside there is a stable storage box. Put the faeries in there then let me know when you are done." Akko reaches out and grabs the Shooting Star. "Chariot, don't fight me on this. Please. I just found you and I don't want to lose you. If you remain close, I am more likely to not perform at my level." Akko puts a hand on Chariot's face and watches her mate nuzzle her hand. "I love you. But I need you to let me do this alone. Once we have trained you to handle this new power level, then your place will be next to me, but for right now…please, please let me do this." The two women lock eyes before Chariot nods.

Akko removes her hand and turns to head towards the demon before her shirt is pulled back. "Whoa, Chariot wha—" her sentence is stopped by lips. A short but passionate kiss is what stops Akko in her tracks. Chariot pulls away before looking at her mate. "That is certainly one way to stop me. Wait Chariot, this is being broadcast all over the school."

Chariot sits up straight on her broom, power flowing off of her, looking like a Valkyrie of old. "Then let me be the first to say that I, Chariot Du Nord am back." Her blue hair fades and red as bright as the sun takes its place. "And you Atsuko Kagari are mine. Make sure you come back to me" She waits for a nod from Akko and watches her head into danger. "Please be careful. I love you too." Chariot whispers to herself before flying to the edge of the forest.

-Back at the Starting line-

"Ladies please remain calm." Headmistress Holbrooke shouts over the chaos in front of her. "Professors, please see the students back to the auditorium and man the doors. No one is to get in or out without you knowing." The remaining professors nod and begin rounding up the young women. "Shiro, I need you with me to give me a better understanding of what is going on." Miranda turns back to watch the other professors take charge of the students. She counts the students and notices one missing. "Where is Amanda O'Neil?"

A brilliant flame gets her notice a little to her left right next to Shiro. "I believe this is the missing student? Atsuko said something was incoming, she could have said it was a student." He gently guides Amanda to the other professors. But she stops while walking.

"Sir, you are Akko's dad right?"

"Yes, I am. And the new inheritance instructor here."

"Wicked." She shakes her head and focuses. "Is Akko going to be okay?"

Shiro pats her head and gives her a fond look. "Miss O'Neil was it?" He watches as she nods. "You are in the safest place in the world because Atsuko is here. She will handle it and come home safely."

Amanda nods again, but her eyes are drawn to the floating screens set up by the broadcast club. "What about Professor Callistis?" Her eyes grow wide at the kiss between Akko and the professor; then her jaw drops at her professor's declaration. "Shiny….she was Shiny Chariot this whole time? Will they be okay?!"

The headmistress makes her way to the duo. "We will be monitoring them closely, Miss O'Neil. Please quickly make your way to the auditorium with the other students." Amanda took one last look at the screens watching Akko fly towards the demon then ran towards the other students. Miranda kept her eyes on the screens too trying to keep an eye on the women who have come to mean so much to her. "Shiro, did you see that kiss? I didn't think Ursula had it in her!"

Shiro chuckled in agreement. "I think you mean Chariot. That was quite the reveal. I am uncertain who that declaration was for, but I'm sure Aizuma didn't take too kindly to Atsuko being claimed by someone else."

Miranda looks startled at that. "Aizuma? She is here?" She frantically looks around trying to spot the problematic witch.

"She will be close to the demon. She has to be. To cast that level of magic. She is most likely drained and resting close…oh no. I must warn Atsuko." Atsuko tell Chariot that your mother will be close to the demon and to be wary of her surroundings.

I will tell her to erase her presence as much as possible. But isn't Okaasan a master of qi? Fuck. Otosan this is bad. I will find her and deal with her first.

Atsuko, be careful.

I will be.

I love you Atsuko. Warmth is the only thing Shiro gets in response. "I have warned Atsuko. She is heading to the forest edge too. I pray to Merlin she makes it in time." Shiro casts a long gaze toward the forest edge before focusing his energy on creating a barrier around the school. "Miranda, I will need your help as an anchor. Atsuko has a hard job, but we must do our best to protect everyone else. I can maintain a barrier around the school buildings however, the strain will be too much. Can you assist me?" Shiro extends out a hand covered in magic and grins when Miranda takes it immediately. "It is always good to have family to rely on"

Miranda chuckles. "Once we make it through this, I say our family rests for a whole month." Shiro nodded in agreement before beginning to chant. "Everything relies on you Akko. Do your best"

-Forest Edge-

Chariot has just about finished rounding up the faeries. I don't care what she says, this bag is the coolest thing ever. "I wonder if she will let me keep it" Chariot mutters to herself strapping the bag back to her thigh after allowing the final faerie to fly inside. She looks around the forest that has been her constant solace since her return to Luna Nova and sighs. "Who would ever dream of harming such a beautiful place?" Chariot freezes when she hears a tree branch break behind her. She braces herself and turns to meet the eyes of the last person she was expecting. "Aizuma"

Slumped against a tree trunk and pale was Akko's mother. After taking a breath, she straightens and gives Chariot a troubling look. "I see you are good at remembering your betters. Tell me what is your true relation to my daughter?" She lifts a hand and Chariot can sense magic building in the woman.

Not good this is not good. Panic-stricken Chariot just freezes. Just as she is about to give into internal panic she feels a familiar presence in her brain.

Chariot! My mom is somewhere in the forest. If you find her, do not fight her. She may appear weak, but she has many tricks up her sleeves.

Akko.

Yes?

I found her, or rather she found me. The two women begin circling each other, sizing up their opponent and looking for a chance to strike. What should I do? This is your mom Akko.

Yes, my very crazy mother who is hell-bent on having me destroy all the magic in the world. I need 10 seconds and I will be there.

What about the demon? Chariot hears a deep growl in response.

You will always be my priority. You are mine and no one else will have you. Chariot blushes and then focuses on the person in front of her.

"My, my, my it seems that you and Atsuko are quite close. I wonder how she would feel once she comes across your mangled corpse?" Magic shoots past her and Chariot dodges before erasing her presence. "An assassin?! How lovely! Shiro keeps some excellent talent so close to him. It is no wonder my father praises him." Aizuma clasps her hands together and a ring of magic surrounds her. "Such a shame he is too careless with his training." She sends the magic in a fast slash toward the spot in the forest where the qi is the brightest and hears a groan. Chariot comes into view with a troubling gash on her side. "I see that he hasn't bothered to tell you that magic isn't the only way to sense an opponent. Rule number 1, young witch, know thy enemy." Aizuma walks towards her, spells on the tip of her tongue. She pauses when she feels a shift in the air and notices a gold light coming from the woman. "Ah, I do recall Atsuko mentioning you are her healing instructor. How fitting. Now I can make this a wonderful experience for both of us. Let us see who will prosper. You a young witch talented at healing, or me an experienced fighter skilled in the dark arts." She goes to shoot off her magic when she feels it cut off from her. "What? NO!"

Akko and Kano drop in from right above her, landing inches from Chariot. "Okaasan, lovely to see you. Glad to know the whole dark witch hell-bent on murdering the world look still works for you." Akko takes a chance to glance back at Chariot. You okay? A nod is her response and she refocuses on her mother. "Is there a particular reason you summoned a great demon?"

Aizuma sneered. "Such insolence. It is a wonder what your father has taught you all these years. The first thing I will fix after ridding the world of that scum behind you is your attitude." Aizuma points to Chariot and grins.

Akko freezes and Kano flies over to Chariot. "Scum?" Magic builds and the air becomes dense. "Scum you say?" Dark clouds blow over the forest and crackles fill the air. "Do you have any idea who that woman is?" Tendrils of magic whip dangerously around Akko causing Aizuma to draw back in fear. "That woman," Akko begins taking small steps towards her mother "Is my reason for existence. That scum" Akko sneers "Is the greatest thing to happen to me." Akko builds her magic more and releases the excess energy in the form of more tendrils. "That woman is my mate" A shot of magic fires from around Akko and hits the great demon as it enters the vast clearing. Both Chariot and Aizuma stand in fear as the demon begins to fade away from existence after the one hit of magic from Akko. "If you ever so much as breath her name for the rest of your life. I will find you and no one on the face of this planet will stop me from killing you on the spot." Akko stops right in front of her mother, orb in hand, and places it on her chest.

Screams fill the forest as Aizuma's magic is forcibly removed from her body. Akko stands over her with a contemplative look on her face, before binding her with ropes, attaching the orb at the end, and sending Aizuma off in a flash of light. She sends out her search magic, looking for the faerie queen, and turns to face her mate. She takes a step towards Chariot, who steps back. Akko lets out a whimper and dashes off to get the faerie queen. She pauses at the edge of the clearing when she hears Chariot call her name.

"Akko, come back here." Akko drops her head in shame, turns, and walks back to her mate. She stops just before her and keeps her eyes on the ground. A hand lifts her head and red eyes lock on her crimson ones. "Why did you run?"

Keeping her eyes on the woman in front of her Akko whimpered before responding. "You stepped away from me" Akko averted her eyes to the still fading demon. "You are scared of me."

Chariot looked to where Akko was facing and grimaced. "Akko, I will never be scared of you. Your magical capacity is frightening, yes, but me be scared of you?" Chariot brings her face back to look at her. "I would rather face every single person I wronged at once than be afraid of you. Please believe me." Their eyes remained locked for some time; Akko desperately searching for the truth of Chariot's words and Chariot doing her best to pour the love and understanding that she has for Akko into her expression.

"Why did you take a step back?" Akko finally asked after seeing Chariot's resolve. She took note of Chariot's rapidly reddening face and smirked. She knocks a fist against her open palm. "I see it wasn't fear but another heightened emotion." Akko gives her a loaded look before closing the distance between them with a chaste kiss. "I don't have time to tease you about this." Akko pulls away, grabs Chariot's hand, and starts walking deeper into the forest. "We have to save the faerie queen!" Akko is suddenly pulled back when Chariot stops. "Whoa! Chariot?"

Chariot drops Akko's hand and begins muttering. "The faerie queen? She's a myth. She doesn't exist. There is no way that she is here at Luna Nova. What does Akko even mean?"

Amused by her mate's antics, Akko waves a hand in front of her face to try and get her to focus. "Chariot?" No response. A sweat drop appears on Akko's head. Welp, no choice here. "Forgive me, but we are short on time." Akko closes the distance and picks Chariot up, holding her bridal style, and starts sprinting deeper into the forest. She looks at her mate in her arms and smiles. The academic in her is strong. She's so cute. "Um darling, it's about to get wet. I apologize." Akko jumped through a waterfall. A shriek came from her arms. That's all it takes huh?

Arms go around Akko's neck and tighten. "What the hell Akko!?" Chariot presses her face into Akko's chest to hide her embarrassment. Wait…why am I in Akko's arms? Where are we going? "The faerie queen?!" She feels more than hears Akko's chuckle and glances up at the woman holding her. So handsome…and strong. Chariot blushes and holds onto Akko tighter. "Is there a reason I am in your arms?"

Akko adjusts her grip to bring Chariot closer to her chest. "We are on a time crunch, and you had receded into an academic muttering. So, I picked you up and started running. We are almost there." Akko passed by the shattered magic circle used to summon the demon and slowed down. "Wait here." She gently places Chariot down and turns back to the remnants of the circle. Hmmm, animal blood. Spells embedded on top of one another. A creature barrier. Interesting. Okaasan uses some interesting magic. I'll just set an appraisal on this and keep going. The faerie queen needs help. Akko heads back to Chariot and motions for her to follow. "There is a cave up ahead. It is our entrance. Just know that whatever your eyes see can be a delusion."

"Akko," Chariot starts walking behind the woman in question. "You said we are going to help the faerie queen?" She watches as Akko casts a light spell into the cave to check for enemies. Satisfied there is nothing there she motions for Chariot to follow. "You mean Titania, right? Like the legendary faerie queen that no one has ever seen before?"

"Yes?" Akko pauses. "Well, I think so. I felt a large amount of power concentrated in the forest that remained after you captured all the faeries. I suspect it to be her. Auntie said she resides in this forest, so it makes the most sense. The magic is familiar somehow, but I think the barrier isn't allowing me to sense completely" She pauses in front of a wall and frowns. "Chariot, what do you see around us? I see a field of flowers and we are now standing in front of a cabin door."

Shocked and curious. Chariot looks at her surroundings seeing nothing more than the inside of a cave. "I just see a cave Akko. That's what we walked into. Should I be seeing something else?"

Sensing a teaching moment for the new power in her mate, Akko turns towards Chariot. "Now Chariot, Professor Kagari is going to give you a quick lesson." She gives Chariot a pointed look before smiling. "How long are you going to limit your power?" At the deer in headlights look, she decides to explain. "This cave has a sort of power sensor. As my magical mate, you should be seeing the same thing I do. Here," Akko holds out her hand "take my hand. I will act as a magical stabilizer for you. I think trying to release your aura without any control over it could be dangerous. And we are trying to show that we are here for a peaceful mission, not to cause a war." Watching her mate grasp her hand, she pushes magic through their connection point to release Chariot's magic. "And there, you should be seeing what I see right now." Akko smiles as she sees the awe on Chariot's face.

"This is beautiful Akko." She pulls Akko along as she studies the flowers around her. The buzzing of the bees and the lovely chirps of the birds put a smile on her face. "What kind of magic is this?" She reaches out to gently touch a flower petal before looking over at her smiling mate.

"The world is full of such powerful magicks. Dragons, Fae, Elves, and even goblins have magic all of their own that makes the magic that we practice as humans seem infantile. It is not that humans lack the capacity to learn and understand the magic, it's that there is no exposure for us." A content smile comes over Akko's face as a bird lands on her shoulder. "We are part of the natural order of this world. We are lucky enough to be blessed with magic and it is our duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves and share this incredible gift with those who will not persecute us for it." Akko pulls Chariot back over to the cabin door and braces herself. "I do not know what will happen beyond this door Chariot, but the magic on the other side is vast and can be frightening, just brace yourself for—"

The door opens and a body flies at Akko. "USAGI-CHAN!" Akko lets go of her mate's hand and uses both arms to catch the body while strengthening her legs to not fall over. "Usagi-chan! I was so worried! There was a demon who showed up and all my little fae disappeared. I was alone and scared. Mama should never have let me stay here without guards. I am just a little girl after all."

Akko pushes the body away from her and chops her on the head. "Xanthe. You are not a little girl. You are older than Kai. Why must you two siblings act like children?"

The 'young girl' in front of the couple looks off to the side with a pout on her face. "Because I am a—Akko, who is this?" The voice changes in a second and power radiates off of the body.

Chariot steps forward and falls into a curtsey. "Chariot Du Nord" She glances up from her position at the girl. "It is an honor to meet you Titania."

"Chariot stand up." Akko says shocked at her actions.

"Oh no, by all means, let the outsider stay in that position." Xanthe sneers starting to circle Chariot. "What gives you the right to be here?"

Chariot blushes "Well I—"

"You what? There is no reason for you to be here. Be gon—" The air instantly becomes charged with Akko's magic.

"Be very careful with your next words Xanthe. Family or not, no one will talk to my mate like that." Akko says in a growl, placing herself between Chariot and Xanthe.

Xanthe falls back, red in the face. "M-m-m-m-m-mate?!" The small woman looks between the two women in front of her, disbelief apparent on her face. "When? How? What?" She drops into a crouch with her hands covering her ears and her eyes drawn down to the ground. "Why didn't Kai tell me? Or mama for that matter? They both know that I wanted Usagi-chan for myself." Her mutters could be heard by the pair of mates and Akko awkwardly smiles at Chariot.

Chariot places a hand on Akko's shoulder. "Kai's sister is Titania? Did you know?"

Akko relaxes when she feels her mate touch her. She leans back into the hand and hums. "No, Auntie mentioned that 'she was called for a higher purpose' but never really explained what that meant. This explains why the magic was familiar but I couldn't pinpoint it." Akko sweatdrops remembering what the fae just said. "There has never been anything between us. I have always seen her as an annoying cousin." She says a little louder before once again chopping the small woman on the head.

"Oi! That hurts you know?" Xanthe rubs her head while standing up. "This isn't over." She shoots to Chariot before putting on a sickly sweet smile. "Usagi-chan, what are you doing here? Were you worried about little ole me?"

"Hm. I was worried about the Faerie queen, but now that I know it is you. I can leave now." She grabs Chariot's hand and starts heading back in the direction they came in from.

"Wait. Wait. Wait. STOP!" Xanthe pulls on Akko's shirt. "Why are you so cruel Usagi-chan?" Her eyes get huge and watery once Akko faces her.

Akko swats the hands off of her and pins the woman with a harsh glare. "You disrespected my mate. Had the audacity to spout off nonsense. Then act all high and mighty. I am heading back to Luna Nova." She pauses, then crouches down to unstrap the bag from Chariot's leg.

Chariot stiffens and blushes. "Akko?"

"OI! Refrain from rubbing it in my face." Xanthe glares at Chariot.

Akko flicks her off over her shoulder and kisses Chariot's thigh before standing up. She opens the bag and summons the faeries from inside. "Here are your kin. Whenever you feel the need to thank my mate for saving them, we will be at Luna Nova. Auntie and the rest of the family are there." Akko looks her up and down and frowns. "Make sure you come in your actual form, you loli-faerie." Akko offers her a smirk before pulling Chariot close to her body and disappearing in bright flames.

Xanthe stands still, looking at the place where the women just were thinking. "A mate huh?" She grows 6 inches, her hair lengthens into beautiful golden locks. Her purple eyes shine with mischief as she takes in her more mature body. "Well, she might be off the market officially, but that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun. After all, Fae creatures are known for causing mischief."

A/N: I am already working on chapter 10. Lots more free time since I am home with RSV. Looking to have it published by Saturday. Have a lovely day everyone.