"Talking"

'thinking'

"Spells"

Disclaimer: I do not own either Little Witch Academia or Cardcaptors

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Chapter 18:

The strike

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When one thinks of Luna Nova they would think of a school. And as such think of the teachers and students in it. But what many would forget about is the non-teaching staff. Such as the janitors, the cooks, and the ground crew just to name a few jobs. And on a side note, the non-teaching staff weren't humans. They were fairies, cyclops's, minotaur's and other magical creatures. And currently the non-teaching staff were in a meeting, one that included Yue and Kero.

"Are you sure about this?" Asked Kero as he and Yue stood on a table surrounded by the non-teaching staff who nodded their heads yes.

The two guardians shared a look as they weren't sure about this, but this was the best they could get them to agree to.

"Then we will deliver this to Holbrooke right away." Said Yue as he grabbed a folder and took off as Kero joined them.

Once out of hearing range Kero spoke up.

"I wish it didn't have to come to this." Kero told Yue with a sigh.

"I know, but at least we convinced them to give their demands first before taking action." Yue told him as he doubted this will work.

"Well let's hope Holbrooke can do something. Or this will get ugly." Said Kero as he felt for the non-teaching staff.

Luckly for them Holbrooke was in her office when the two arrived.

"Kero, Yue? What are you two doing here?" Asked Holbrooke confused.

"We are here with list of demands." Stated Kero confusing Holbrooke even more.

"Demands? But what would Akko want?" Holbrooke asked them as Akko didn't strike her as the type.

"It's not Akko, but rather your non-teaching staff." Clarified Yue as he gave Holbrooke the folder.

Holbrooke took the folder and read some of it. As she did, she frowned as this was a bigger deal then she would like. She then put the folder down and rubbed her eyes.

"I see. I need to gather the others to discuss this." Said Holbrooke as she felt a massive headache coming on.

"We understand." Said Yue as he continued. "But please know that they are angry and the longer this takes they more likely they will strike."

"Thank you for the warning." Said Holbrooke as she need to act fast.

The next morning Akko and her friends were relaxing in the yard sitting on grass. But the surprising thing was that Diana was with them.

"I love days like this." Said Akko as she looked up at the sky.

"What do you mean by that Akko?" Asked Lotte curious.

"Days where you can be with friends and not have to worry about anything." Answered Akko as they agreed with her.

That was when Akko gave a loud yawn, as she quickly blushed.

"Not getting enough sleep Akko?" Asked Diana curious.

"Just a nightmare." Said Akko quickly.

"It was some nightmare then." Said Sucy making everyone look at her confused.

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Amanda curious.

"She screamed so loud it woke everyone in the room up." Answered Sucy with a frown as she was having such a nice sleep too.

"How bad was it?" Asked Amanda as they knew Akko had a set of lungs on her.

"She was in a cold sweat from it." Said Lotte as Diana was getting worried now.

"Akko, what type of dream did you have?" Asked Diana as these were things she never thought she would hear about Akko.

Akko saw everyone was looking at her as she didn't feel comfortable sharing this dream. She hadn't even told Kero or Yue about it yet.

"Akko." Was all Diana said as she placed a hand on Akko's hand showing she was here for her. Seeing this Akko relented.

"It started like this…" Started Akko as she explained her dream.

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Akko's dream

Akko stood in the forest of Arcturus in her school uniform. But all around her everything was ablaze.

Akko couldn't say anything as this was something she had never seen before. See then heard a tree falling over as she looked and saw a blazing tree falling towards her. Acting in fear she ran only for her to change location.

Now she was in the town of Blytonbury as riots and fights were happening. Akko had never seen such a scene in her life. Things were aflame and people were fighting and looting. The scene got so much Akko turned and ran.

And when she did she found herself at Luna Nova. Which unfortunately was in the same state as the forest of Arcturus.

This was too much for Akko as none of this made any sense. How could all of this happen? That was when she heard something, like a fan or something like that. She turned to look at the source. But due to the flames she couldn't see the person clearly but could make some things out. Like this person was female, had sort hair and had what looks like a cape.

But then Akko heard something from above her. Looking up she saw something black rushing her way. Akko could only scream as she covered herself in fear.

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Luna Nova

"And then I woke up." Finished Akko as she never had a dream like that before.

"Whoa." Was all Amanda could say as that was one intense dream.

"Akko that wasn't one of your prophetic dreams?" Asked Lotte as she prayed that wasn't the case.

"I want to say no Lotte, as my dreams usually involve events I'm going to be apart of. But this dream." Paused Akko as she thought about it.

"It felt like the others. But if that is the case…" Trailed off Akko as everyone knew what that meant.

"Have you told anyone else about this?" Asked Diana as this could be dangerous.

"Not yet." Admitted Akko as she had to figure out some of the dream first.

"And say what? Tell them she had a bad dream?" Asked Sucy as Akko wasn't even sure if it was a prophetic dream.

"She has a point." Agreed Amanda as she then added. "And even if they do believe that what can they do?"

That one question made everyone stop as Amanda was right. There wasn't enough to go on to stop this from happening. All they had was there was a woman with short hair involved.

Akko didn't know what to do here. This was unlike anything she had ever dealt with before as she was scared. That was when she felt a hand on top of hers. Looking at the source she saw Diana's hand there, as Akko knew she wasn't alone.

But what the girls didn't know was Rebecca heard every word. She had a concerned look as she didn't like anything she heard about that dream.

'Eriol needs to know about this.' Thought Rebecca as her husband was in a very important meeting right now.

With Eriol he was in Holbrooke's office along with Ursula, Finnelan and Badcock.

"So they're willing to strike over this." Said Eriol as he was going over the non-teaching staff's demands.

"I'm afraid so." Said Holbrooke with a sigh.

"At least we got a heads up." Said Ursula as if they suddenly did a strike things would have been terrible.

"And some of their demands aren't too bad." Said Eriol as they could have been worse.

"But we can't afford some of them." Said Badcock worried.

"She's right their biggest demand is a greater share of magical energy from the Sorcerer's stone." Said Finnelan.

"Is that not possible?" Asked Holbrooke as she knew energy was tight, but she didn't think it was that tight.

"Of course not!" Said Badcock as she then brought out very detailed graphs.

"Oh my. That's quite the decline." Said Holbrooke as she saw on a graph that they had less then half the magic resources they had when the school first opened.

"This diagram depicts the daily usage of energy from the Sorcerer's stone." Started Badcock as she pointed to one bar that was nearly full but had a little bit empty at the top.

"And this one shows the energy the stone produces." Continued Badcock as she pointed to another bar that was completely full.

"As you see there is none to spare!" Finished Badcock.

"But do we need to use all this magic?" Asked Eriol curious.

"What do you mean Eriol?" Asked Holbrooke curious as everyone looked at him.

"When was the last time we truly took stock of the magic we use. Maybe we're using more then we need to?" Suggested Eriol as the women thought about it.

"I can go over the figures more thoroughly." Admitted Badcock as she hadn't thought of that.

"But who knows how long that may take. The non-teaching staff might not wait that long." Stated Ursula as she had a point.

No one said anything as they didn't have many options right now. And time was a factor they weren't sure about.

"I have an idea." Said Holbrooke suddenly. "Some of the Luna Nova alumni now operate farms and factories using the Sorcerer's stone, don't they? Why don't we ask them to share their energy? If we can manage to gather a bit from everyone, then I believe that should be more than enough to give to the fairies to keep them happy."

The teacher thought about her plan. It had it merits. But the biggest problem was gathering all that magic.

"It might work short term." Said Eriol with a frown.

"What do you mean?" Asked Holbrooke curious why he said short term.

"If we go through with that idea, then we'll have to send someone out for more. Afterall as Badcock stated we don't have enough to spare. And if we go this route our biggest problem is if they can spare any." Answered Eriol as he made some good points.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Asked Finnelan as he did bring up some good points.

"We sit down and talk with them. There are items here that I'm sure we can give them." Said Eriol as he sure they can come to an understanding.

"But the biggest one is the energy." Said Ursula as the other teachers agreed with her.

"I'm sure if we explain things to them, they'll be willing to listen." Said Eriol as them giving the list is proof enough.

"And I wish we do this before Akko becomes involved somehow." Added Eriol as that confused the others.

"And why would she get involved?" Asked Badcock as she could see it happening.

"Because her guardians are involved." Answered Eriol as that was enough for them.

"Wait, what if we ask Akko and Diana for help?" Said Ursula suddenly.

"You want to involve students in this mess!?" Said Finnelan in shock and surprise, as the other teachers shared her expression.

"If we don't, they'll get involved in it somehow." Sated Ursula as she made a very good point.

"Then what are you suggesting?" Asked Holbrooke as she didn't want to involve her students in this mess.

"What if we have them sit in on the talks and offer suggestions and advice." Ursula told them as Holbrooke thought about it.

'I don't want to bring them in on this. But knowing Akko when she finds out her guardians are on the non-teaching side, she'll most likely join them. But if we bring her in early, we might be able to reach a more stable agreement. And with Diana joining her we'd have someone on our side.' Thought Holbrooke as she saw the positives in this idea.

"Very well. We will talk with them first about this before we let them get involved." Siad Holbrooke as she didn't want to. But at the same time, she knew one day they'll being doing this a lot.

"Are you sure?" Asked Eriol as he felt this was too soon for those two. Something the others shared as well.

"No. But as you and Ursula stated she'll get involved sooner or later." Answered Holbrooke as they couldn't argue with that.

"If there's nothing else I suggest we get a meeting set up with the non-teaching staff and hope we can settle things before they start." Said Holbrooke as no one had anything else to add.

But as the other teachers started to leave, Eriol thought he saw something outside the window. But when he looked more closely, he saw nothing. He then frowned as he had a bad feeling.

A couple of days later in an office sat Holbrooke and Finnelan on one side of table while on the other side sat Kero and Yue (Both in their real forms) with the leader of the non-teachers, a minotaur, behind them. And in the middle was Akko and Diana both who looked nervous.

When the teachers told them about this, they were nervous and unsure about it. But after thinking about it they came to two conclusions. The first being if the strike happens no one wins. And the second that they were going to probably have to deal with this in the future, so it was best to get experience in now.

"Thank you for meeting with us today." Started Holbrooke as the Minotaur nodded at them.

"Have you read over our response?" Asked Holbrooke curious.

"We have and agree with you that magical resources is the biggest concern here." Said Yue.

"I see, then you must realise that right now we don't have the magic to spare at the moment." Said Holbrooke.

The Minotaur leaned over to Yue and whispered something to him.

"Then why can't you give what little you have?" Yue repeated what the Minotaur said.

"If roles were reversed, would you?" Countered Finnelan as the Minotaur saw her point.

"But what can you spare?" Asked Kero curious.

"Not much I'm afraid." Answered Holbrooke sadly.

"But surely there something we can do?" Asked Akko as she spoke up.

"Following Eriol's idea we are doing an intense review of all magic usage here at the school. When it is done, we may have more have more magic to spare." Said Holbrooke hoping that would please him.

The Minotaur thought about it before speaking in grunts and roars.

"He's right how long will that take?" Asked Kero curious.

"That's tricky. Depending on how accurate you want it, it could take a few weeks." Holbrooke told them as the Minotaur thought about it.

"If I may." Started Diana as stood up. "I would like to remind everyone here that the non-teaching staff her signed contracts that included their wages. I understand wishing for more and as we can see that we are trying to make this work for everyone. And as such I believe waiting for this report will be best for everyone involved."

"Diana's right." Agreed Akko. "If this strike goes through then everyone involved will suffer. Jobs may be lost, reputations ruined, and other stuff like that."

The Minotaur thought about it as there wasn't many places like Luna Nova left. So with that in mind he spoke to Yue.

"He agrees to wait on the condition that they see what results you have at the end of every week. So to clarify that work is being done. If you agree to this, they will put the strike on hold." Repeated Yue as he hoped they go for it.

"Of course." Siad Holbrooke glad that this will be dealt with easily.

"But what will you do if the report shows there's no magic to spare?" Asked Finnelan as she didn't want to ask the question, but it still needs to be asked.

The Minotaur sat there as that was a good question. If none of this happened, he would have gone with the strike. But right now, they are trying to make things work. So with that in mind he gave his answer to Kero.

"We'll deal with that when we know more." Kero told them.

The meeting went on for about an hour longer with them focusing on the smaller demands. Some were agreed on, while others refused, and the rest to be discussed.

"Well that went better then I thought." Admitted Akko as she and Diana were heading back to their dorms.

"Yes, but I feel that is mostly because both sides wish to end this as peacefully as they can." Said Diana as she once watched negotiations turn into a screaming match.

"I think we have Kero and Yue to thank for that." Akko told her confusing Diana.

"What do you mean Akko?" Diana asked her.

"Well before all this began, they be gone for hours. I didn't know why, but I figured I let them have their space since they didn't have the ability before. But they told me they've been trying to calm the non-teaching safe down enough to send out their demands. If they didn't they would have went straight to the strike." Explained Akko as she was glad they clamed them down.

"I see." Was all Diana said as a sudden strike would have been disastrous.

As the two walked Akko suddenly stopped and looked around.

"Akko what's wrong?" Aske Diana worried as that wasn't Akko's 'I sense something' face.

"I feel like we're being watched somehow." Akko told her as she couldn't see anything.

But little did Akko know outside a nearby window was what looked like flying rumba vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner then flew off making sure to stay out of sight.

It then reached an old building that no one uses anymore. Inside was a person hidden by lack of light and shadows. The vacuum cleaner flew over to the person as it gave some beeps.

"This isn't how it was supposed to go." Said the person with a feminine voice.

"Time to get involved." The person said as the vacuum flew off.

The next day the non-teaching staff were at work. When the Minotaur told them what happened at the meeting, there was a mixed reaction. Some were happy progress was being made, some felt this was a distraction tactic and nothing was going to happen. Others decided to wait and see the report before deciding, and the rest weren't sure.

It was about mid morning as a lone fire fairy was checking the water piping making sure none of the heat damaged the piping's. As it checked the piping it failed to notice someone entering the room with a bucket of water, until it was too late. The person poured the bucket down on the spirt causing it great pain as it cried out.

At the same time Hannah and Barbara were walking down a hall when the door to the piping room opened and the fairy fell out.

"What the?!" Said Hannah confused at the sight of the spirt.

"Oh my god! What happened to it?" Asked Barbara as she saw the state it was in.

But before they could go for help, several of the non-teaching staff appeared before them. They looked at their comrade as they then glared at Hannah and Barbara making the two nervous.

"We didn't do this!" Said Barbara in fear.

"That's right we were just walking this way when the door flung open." Added Hannah hoping they'd believe them.

Then from within the group someone spoke as neither girl could see who. But if they weren't so scared they might have noticed the voice sounded a little mechanical. But whoever it was the non-teaching staff then glared at the two as they backed away in fear.

Then the charged at the girls making them run in fear, as the non-teaching staff ran after them. As this happened one member stayed behind. But upon closer inspection the person wasn't organic as they had a metal-like body and glowing red eyes.

Akko and Diana were having tea together with Kero and Yue in Diana's room, when they heard a commotion outside. Curious Akko opened the door gasped at what see saw.

It was the non-teaching staff destroying the school and tormenting the students and teaching staff.

"What's going on?" Asked Akko in shock as the others joined her.

"I don't know." Admitted Kero in shock. He knew some weren't happy with how things were going, but for this to happen.

"They're saying someone hurt a fire fairy, so badly it was near death. And they're blaming it on the witches." Said Diana as she heard what they were saying.

"What!?" Said Akko and Kero at the same time shocked to hear that.

"Akko use the SLEEP card!" Said Diana in panic.

"SLEEP? Oh, I get it." Said Akko as she understood as she brought out her key.

"Oh, key that hides the power of the stars, reveal your true power before me. I, Akko command you under our contract. Release!" Chanted Akko as she brought out her staff.

"Wait Akko, let's try talking to them first." Suggested Kero as Yue agreed. Putting them to sleep like this might make things worse later on.

"Ok but be quick." Said Akko as this was getting worse by the second, but she trusted Kero and Yue.

The two nodded as they saw the lead Minotaur and flew over to him. They tried to talk to him, but he just swatted them away like they were flies.

"Kero, Yue!" Said Akko as she and Diane rushed over to them.

"Are you two alright?" Asked Diana as the two regained their bearings.

"Somehow." Said Kero shocked at what just happened.

"Something's wrong. It's like they're all in a blind rage right now." Said Yue as none of that made any sense.

"Then I'll put them to sleep." Said Akko as she held the SLEEP card in her hand.

"Card created by Clow, abandon your old form and reincarnate, under the name of Akko, your new master!" Chanted Akko as she tossed the SLEEP card in font of her and transformed it.

"SLEEP put the non-teaching staff to sleep!" Instructed Akko as a young bluish-white female pixie came out of the card. She wore a periwinkle bodysuit with a six-point star on the chest. She also had another six-point star on her forehead. She also has a feathered ear on the left side of her head along with short hair. Finally, she held a small wand with a crescent moon on the top.

When SLEEP came out, she gasped at the sight before her. Now fully understanding why Akko called her out SLEEP went to work as she sprinkled dust on all the non-teaching staff she could find.

As SLEEP flew around all the non-teaching staff started to get drowsy as the started to fall sleep. Watching this, the fake non-teaching staff member, eyes flashed red as suddenly all the non-teaching staff woke right up with renewed rage.

"What!?" Said Akko in shock as this has never happened before.

"Akko what happened?" Asked Diana confused as the non-teaching seemed even more raged fill then before.

"I don't know." Admitted Akko as they had to care cover. As they did, she looked at SLEEP who was beside her.

"Do you know?" Akko asked her hoping she would know. But SLEEP could only look down sad and confused.

"There has to be an outside source involved in this." Said Yue as that would explain why SLEEP failed to put them to sleep and why there so raged filled.

"But who would gain from all this?" Asked Akko scared and confused.

"That's the question." Said Yue as he wasn't sure.

"But for now Akko we need to use a stronger card." Said Diana as she hated she just said that.

"I know." Siad Akko as she didn't want to use a card to hurt anyone, but at the same time couldn't allow this to continue.

"Any suggestions?" Asked Akko as this was a first for her.

"Try using the WOOD card to trap them." Suggested Yue as that be the most humane way.

"Ok." Said Akko as she got the card out.

But before she could say anything the flying vacuum cleaner flew through the school, and it wasn't alone. Dozens of them flew about.

They all watched as one stopped over one of the non-teaching staff and angled if fan at it. Then to their confusion started to suck out some sort of red energy from the member. As it did the member suddenly started to calm down as it collapsed down.

"What just happen?" Asked Akko confused as the vacuum flew off.

"I have no idea." Said Diana as she never seen or heard of something like this before.

"Something is wrong with him." Said Kero as the member look weak.

Worried they all rushed over to check on him. But what they found was confusing.

"He's not relaxed. He's drained." Said Kero as this felt very familiar to him.

"And his magic is low too." Stated Akko as she was sensing very little from him.

"What was that thing?" Asked Diana as such a machine would have made waves before this.

"Look there's converging somewhere." Said Diana as she looked out the window and saw them flying towards the Sorcerer's stone tower.

"We should follow them." Said Akko as she tightened her grip on her staff as the sound they made sounded familiar to her somehow.

"But what about him?" Asked Diana looking at the downed non-teaching member.

"He should be ok." Said Kero as he was having a bad feeling about this.

As the headed to the tower they already saw a crowd there. And above the crowd they saw someone standing on one of the vacuum cleaners.

This person was female and much younger than most of the teaching staff. Probably around Ursula age. She had pale skin and short lavender hair in a wavy hairstyle with a lock covering her left eye. She wore a red, grey and white suit along with red shoes and a red cape. On her left leg she wore a leather saddlebag.

"Who is she?" Asked Diana confused.

"She the new teacher Croix Meridies." A random student told her.

That was when Diana remembered that they were getting a new teacher. But with all the talks about the strike she forgot about it.

That was when they heard something hitting the ground. Confused Diana, Kero and Yue saw it was Akko's staff. They then looked at Akko who was shaking and looked like she saw a ghost.

"Akko?" Said Diana worried about her.

"It's her Diana." Said Akko in a low tone.

"Her?" Repeated Diana confused. Did Akko meet Croix before.

"The one from my dream." Said Akko as this shocked the three of them.

"The one from the fire and destruction one?" Asked Kero hoping she'll say no.

"Yes." Was all Akko said as all three of them looked at Croix who was explaining how her machines work to the staff and students.

Well expect two staff members as Finnelan was near them as she heard every word they just said.

'Miss Kagari had one of her dreams involving Croix and what sounds like destruction.' Thought Finnelan as Croix's timing was too perfect. She knew something was up and perhaps Akko might help her understand some things.

But Finnelan wasn't the only teacher shocked to see what happened or more accurately who caused it to happen.

"Croix." Was all Ursula said as she face showed many different emotions on it. Shock, anger, surprise, but the biggest one was fear.

And Croix has entered the story. The chapter is much different then what happened in cannon mostly because of Yue and Kero befriending the non-teaching staff and getting them to calm down. And Akko won't be trusting Croix like she did in cannon because of her dreams. Which I will expand upon next chapter.

Which brings me to a very IMPORTANT question for everyone. I've been thinking about restarting this story. And when I say that I mean from the very beginning. With Akko opening the book and releasing the cards. But I will be making a change or two like Diana joining in. If you want to learn more PM me. If I don't respond right away it's because of the site's notifications.

So I'm putting up a poll on my page to continue the story as it is or do a reboot. Because I will only be doing one. The poll will stay up till around mid September.