All Purpose Negima Fanfiction Thread

Red Star

The Inn:

Ku Fei stretched and yawned, lifting her head up from her pillow. Bored with the events of an unsuccesful day where she had nothing to do (she should have gone to Cinema Town with the others instead of cruising the city for Dojos to challenge. All those guys she fought were disappointingly weak, while she had heard there was actual action at Cinema Town), she had called it a night early. So had Chao, who was acting quite weird and unlike herself tonight, and Satsuki.

Now Ku Fei had briefly woke up to use the toilet, however, she saw Yotsuba well awake and looking up at the nocturnal sky, with much wider eyes than usual. Satsuki was the unflappable type, and while she wasn't exactly freaking out now, there was something on her face's expression at the moment that struck even Ku as strange.

"Satchan?" she asked, sitting upright and scratching herself on an armpit. "What's wrong?"

The cook pointed up at the heights. "I'd never seen a star like that before. Had you, Ku-san?"

The Chinese girl followed the hint of Satsuki's pointing finger, but she couldn't see anything out of normal. "Which star-arune?"

"The red one. That big one that looks surrounded by a scarlet halo," Yotsuba spoke as softly as ever. "I'd never seen it before, either."

Ku pouted, then peeled one of Satsuki's eyes wide open and stared at it. "You sure you don't have something in your eyes? The sky's just the same as ever!"

"You can't see it," Satsuki said, sounding so very slightly surprised.

Ku shrugged and shook her head. "Nope. And I've got a great eyesight. Maybe you're just tired, Satchan. It's like I always tell you, you need exercising more..."

"Maybe you're right," Satsuki didn't seem too convinced, but like always, she wasn't one to start arguing. She shifted down between the covers of her futon while Fei yawned once more and headed for the bathroom. "Sorry to bother you, Ku-san."

"Don't be silly, Satchan. You never are a bother to anyone-aru."

As the door closed behind Ku, Yotsuba looked up at the ceiling uneasily. She wasn't used to feeling that way. She always could find solace and happiness in everything, and while she wasn't feeling bad now, something she couldn't put her finger on was bothering her very subtly.

Against what many people imagined of her, she wasn't a midnight snack person (never mind the fact it still was far from being midnight). She always said food should be properly appreciated while you were fully awake and in the company of others. It was meant to make you feel good, but not as a nerve-placating placebo in the middle of the night. That was demeaning both to food and yourself.

So it was no surprise she wasn't feeling hungry right then.

What bothered her was, not only she wasn't hungry, but she felt like she had a huge knot in her stomach...

It was hard to breathe. Dragons, brigands, bounty hunters and other magical beasts she could handle, but these tyranids were an opponent on a different level. And the githyanki fought them occasionally?

At least the ankh was keeping her alive. It took a few brief moments but Aerie got her healed up for the final push of the enemy forces.

“Larry, I would like you to meet Evil,” Minsc said proudly to his sword.

“Again?” Larry asked.

“Evil, feel free to jump on my sword while you can, I won't be as gentle!”

“Keep the formation,” Saber instructed them. “Target the larger creatures among the tyranids.”

“That I can do,” Asuna said as she activated her Kankahou powers and jumped up into the ceiling above them all. “I should have done this from the start. Adeat.” Her artifact sword came out.

“Hama-chan!” Larry cried in joy. There is no explanation as to how he learned the “-chan” honorific in such short time at the moment.

Asuna brought her weapon down hard on a floating Tyranid that had an awful similar look to it, killing it instantly. This caused a tremendous shockwave among the other tyranids and caused several of the smaller ones to turn on one another. Some of them went against her. They didn't stand a chance.

Then came the warriors. And they were beset by more gunfire than expected. “Yeah, we go on the offensive now!” Guess-who had gotten back up and was happy to see Asuna leading the front. “I so love it when the author is writing the good stuff! We get to be the big heroes of the scene!”

Not one of them sneezed because they were too pre-occupied at the moment and none of them were willing to point out that they already were the heroes of the scene, author or no author.

Asuna was like a completely different fighter now, using her greatsword to a degree that only masters had the skill to do. It was a joyful sight to see and the other fighters had a burden off their shoulders with her alongside them.

The undead stood little chance, themselves. Aerie's light from her deity shun so bright some of them caught fire. Shakuras watched her back and made certain no enemy made it past him.

Minsc and Boo had a good time, with the latter displaying his moves and the former by... well, being himself. The Rashemen fighter was in his best field of expertise, barring talking to Boo. Only he could understand the little rodent that had been handed to him by Elminster himself.

Saber worked as well as was expected of her. Foregoing special moves in favor of quick strikes that made for a quick death and allowed her to move on to other opponents fast, she racked up a high “kill score” herself from the merc.

And Deadpool claimed that he had been forbidden from doing the soundtrack for this magnificent scene. So he just resorted to shooting everything that wasn't hot (in his point of view) to pieces. Which meant Shakuras and Saber were shot accidentally by him.

This battle dragged on for a few hours, with a few times for pause, regroup and inventory check of what they had left.

It was enough for them to push on. Only just.

I thought it meant "Anointed one."

Negi really should have thought about being more stealthy when passing Kirche's room. Of course she saw him coming and kidnapped him inside it in half an instant. Her agility when it came to manhandling him was nothing short of amazing. He was also beginning to think she would be cold in winter, if her nightwear was anything to go by.

“Let's continue our conversation!” He just hoped she didn't want to pick up where they left off last time.

So as he sat, still ignoring the fact that she was scantily clad, on the other side of her bed, he tried to remind his body to send blood to his brain.

Kirche was sitting dangerously close, but she'd kept her hands to herself. “That poor girl who rejects the needs of her heart!” And Negi wasn't entirely sure who she was referring to anymore. The tale she'd spun was about her attempts at perversion regarding not only Louise, but also Tabitha. He didn't know wether he should find her disastrous failures regarding the later funny or not.

Either way, the temperature had risen.

“Say, Kirche, how is it from the other side?”

An armor piercing question if there was ever one. He didn't need to explain his reasoning for it. They both knew exactly what he was talking about. She smiled. “It's not so bad!”

Then she looked at him for a full second. “My passion cannot be sated by any single man!” She was very good at trying to hide the fact that it was indeed true and she was unsatisfied. Because she filled others' hearts, but never her own, never to completion. "My blood boils when I think about the night when you finally succumb to me."

He laughed. Bitterly. “Still, I have to wonder. Why me?” He asked. He looked at her and then pretty much transmitted the message “Tell me the truth.”

“You're different.” Was what she began with. It had apparently been a hard choice of words to make. “You never looked at my body. Even though I was flaunting it to drag you in. I admit, your playing hard to get is making you harder to resist.” She laughed. “You saw right through me, just like I saw right through you, I imagine.”

He smiled. “How so?”

“You admitted it yourself, Negi. We're both slaves to others' happiness. The only thing that brings us happiness is the happiness of others.”

They laughed. It was joint expression that translated the fact that both knew it was true but would only admit so to each other. The laughter that a pair of idiots incapable of creating their own joy shared.

“I have to go. Master might get worried.”

“One of these days, Negi... Just one night. One night in which we give our selves to one another.” She was insistent, he'd give her that.

“Maybe.”

However, as he opened the door to leave, Negi was confronted by a very angry loli. Negi's blood ran cold. ––

“You know, partner, I kind of thought I would lose you there.” Derflinger commented, as Negi set about performing his task. Meaning, cleaning Louise's window. “Noble girl sure has one hell of a set of lungs.”

“Agreed.” Negi replied, while he polished the new glass. “At least she believed me when I told her that we hadn't done anything other than talk this time.”

“Oh, what would have happened if she didn't believe you?” Derflinger asked, utterly curious. “I have to say, partner, I think I'm starting to like our team up...”

“I don't want to think about it.” He admitted, smiling sheepishly.

“Well, if you ask me, I think she needs to get laid. ASAP.”

He blinked. “Derflinger! You don't expect me to-”

“Of course I do, partner!”

Instead of reacting like Derflinger expected, Negi simply began laughing. “That will be her choice. I won't force it on her.” He spoke. “Though I don't think she likes me very much.”

“Bullshit she doesn't, partner. Else, she wouldn't get so jealous, don't you think?” The sword commented, as Negi stopped to think it through. The sword did indeed have a good point.

He narrowed his eyes, however, as he saw a figure in the distance looking up at the tower. “Siesta..?” She rapidly went away, carrying something on her right arm.

She probably hadn't been able to see him. The glasses were mirrored one way. He didn't know how they'd managed to invent one-way mirrors but not indoor plumbing.

Of course he'd know her figure anywhere. He used a napkin graciously lent by Evangel- Louise for the cause of his glasses to clean them and then looked again. Yep. It was Siesta, in casual clothing that he decided she looked good in, boarding a carriage.

He kind of expected her not to allow him to go to class. After all, last time had been kind of problematic. Miss Chevreuse had chewed them out because he'd been a distraction all class long and had asked too many questions she couldn't answer. Who knew he'd actually look into the theory behind the magic they were learning?

He also had absolutely no luck picking up any of their spells. It seemed like basic manipulation of the elements, but they didn't bind spirits to do so for them, they actually forced their will upon the world. To be fair, that was actually sort of impressive.

So he was wandering around the castle when he met up with the Head Chef purely by coincidence. The man didn't seem to like him all that much last time they met. “YO!” And he was still as large as ever.

Though the bad blood wasn't there that morning. “Hello!” Negi replied.

“You need to come by the kitchen more often!” the man spoke, with his loud and over the top voice. What was odd was that Negi was entirely sure there was a student who styled his beard in the same way the chef did. Granted it was an awesome beard but he still found it odd.

“You spoil me, Chef.” Negi replied, scratching the back of his neck.

@Sinclair Any comment on rikalous and my own writing segments?

“Don't be so modest, kid, enjoy yourself for once!” The chef yelled, folding his arms over his chest. Negi did join the rest of the staff in their upbeat mood. Or at least gave the appearance of doing so.

“I do have something to ask, though.” Negi began. “Today, I saw Siesta leaving in a coach... I was wondering what was wrong.” And hoping nothing really was, of course. He'd made a friend and it wouldn't be pleasant to lose her.

“Didn't you hear? She quit yesterday.” Spoke the Head Chef. “It seems that she was specifically requested by Lord Mott.”

“Who is Lord Mott?” Negi asked, tilting his head.

“He is the royal messenger. He has a bit of a reputation as a womanizer.” One of the dishwashers commented. “Well, to say that is understating it.”

Negi seemed confused, so the Chef decided to illustrate. “We commoners are ultimately subject to nobles' wishes. There is nothing we can do about it.” This caused Negi to frown noticeably. “But I guess you don't have to worry about that.” he added, wondering if he was worried his master would sell him.

“But... Why didn't she tell me? I could have done something! Yesterday... Oh. OH.” And it dawned on him why she'd actually wanted to say goodbye to him instead of just waving him off like usual. “I'm so stupid! If I had just noticed!”

“There's nothing we can do.” One of the dishwashers commented. “We don't like it, but it's our fate as commoners.”

The once fake upbeat mood crashed down as Negi excused himself off. He'd spent quite a long while in the kitchens, and it was likely Louise was done with her classes. He didn't have a clock, but the fact that the sun was setting was enough for him to know he had to do.

––

“Count Mott is the royal messenger. Some times, he visits the academy.” Louise was wondering why Negi was inquiring about Lord Mott. But at least, he was getting educated. “He is an arrogant man. I don't like him.”

Louise barely registered she felt at much more ease than normal that evening, as she brushed her hair. She would have normally bothered maintaining a more dignified manner of speech, but she was tired, and it was just her familiar.

“Why would he ask specifically for Siesta?” Negi wondered aloud, as he sat on the pile of hay that Louise had set apart for him as a bed.

“Partner, we both know why he did it.” Derflinger pointed out. Negi sighed.

“I've heard stories like that. There are many kinds of nobles out there.” Louise continued, disgust clear in her voice. She really didn't like Mott.

“Excuse me, Master, I have matters to attend to.”

“Hey, partner, take me with you. You might need me out there.” And Negi sincerely hoped he wouldn't.

––

Louise thought it odd that her familiar hadn't shown up for dinner. Generally, he was very quick about his business and was often right next to her whenever she needed him for pretty much anything.

“Where's Negi?”

Louise blinked. Then pointed at the trolley Kirche was carrying.

“Ah, this?” She asked. Louise nodded. “I was worried Negi might be starving, since his cruel master doesn't give him anything!” she said, clearly teasing Louise about doing that.

Louise then realized something. “He never wants anything!” She snapped, her voice clearly at the appropriate level for someone who was a few taunts away of screaming vulgarities.

Kirche seemed actually stunned by that. “Never?”

“I have never seen him eat!” Louise commented.

“I have seen him go to the kitchen in a couple occasions. Maybe he eats there?” Kirche wondered, folding her arms below her breasts and hoisting them up. Many men squealed in delight at that movement. “Anyway, where is he?”

“I don't know. He said he had something to do and hasn't returned since.” Louise replied, frowning in thought. Anger was beginning to build in her. That lowly familiar had built up trust just so he could betray her and run away...

“Oh, not too long ago, Negi asked me where Count Mott's mansion is located.” Guiche commented.

“Must have gotten fed up of the Zero and ran away to another noble!” Someone not important commented, receiving a high five from the student right next to him.

“I have never heard of a familiar betraying his master...” Kirche commented. “And Negi wouldn't do that.” She finished.

“Count Mott is a powerful mage...” ideas for payback where beginning to form in Guiche's head.

Louise ran off before he could voice them, however.

It was farther away than he had expected. It had taken far more jumps than he would've preferred. He was getting lousy at traditional Shundou.

A pleasant guardsman found him in the main gates. Just telling him he was there to see Lord Mott was enough. Negi still didn't like lying, but to expedite the process he used Ardescat, the most basic fire spell, to fool the guardsman into believing him a noble.

The guardsman sort of reminded him of Kaede, in the way his eyes were almost closed, yet he could somehow still see fine. The dark skinned individual led him through a rather lavish mansion, lined everywhere with paintings and furniture that were beyond exquisite. He had to admit, if nothing else, his mansion was well decorated.

The fact that he passed lots of maids in ridiculously skimpy uniforms that barely covered their butts was the first sign that something was wrong. The second was the dead expression in their faces.

Mott received him almost immediately. And when he did, Negi forced himself to remain calm. The man was holding Siesta, who was stonefaced as much as she could be, to his lap obviously against her will. Her standard maid uniform had been exchanged for a skimpy, racy number that was obviously designed to not be removed by the wearer.

The choker around her neck was the cherry on top, as even Negi could tell it was too tight.

Two guard flanked him on each side. Evidently, they didn't want him trying anything.

“What is it you want?” Mott said, his voice cutting through the tense silence like a knife. “You interrupted me at a very important moment, boy!”

He couldn't recognize him or his family from anywhere. The name was decidedly foreign. Mott concluded the boy clearly in his twenties had to be a diplomat from somewhere or possibly a foreign student on Tristain's academy. Albion, maybe?

“I am a friend of Siesta's, and I wanted to visit her on her new job.” Negi said, a forced smile on his face. “She doesn't seem to like it very much.” He commented, as Mott ran a hand through her backside. The urge to punch him across the face was rising, but he had to rein it in. He couldn't cause more trouble for Louise. He'd have to solve this in the most amicable way possible.

Siesta looked further away from him. She was trying to tell him to let it go. She didn't want him to have to get involved with her trouble anymore.

He didn't care in the least. “Sir, what would it take to let Siesta return to the academy?” Negi asked, trying his best to remain polite despite the growing urge to punch his teeth in.

“Have you taken a fancy to my Siesta?”

“Yes. She is my friend. And she is suffering here. Lord Mott, I beg you to reconsider.”

“Negi...” Siesta was clearly looking at him, filled with hope.

“Boy, you should know that she belongs to me now! She is now my slave!”

Negi's eye twitched. “Please.” He repeated, getting up to his feet and bowing to Lord Mott. Siesta gasped as one of Mott's hands began massaging her breast through her uniform.

“You should know that to a simple commoner, serving a noble from the palace is a gift!” He stopped handling her because he was evidently not in the mood anymore. That was a plus to Negi. “This little bitch is my new toy, got that?” Mott snapped.

Negi growled. His rage at the jackass was growing every second. Before he even noticed, he'd taken a step forward. Then, he kneeled. “Sir, I will do anything in exchange.” He said, gritting his teeth.

“N-No! Negi, you don't have to!” Siesta tried to jump from Mott's lap, but the moment she tried to Mott's right arm clamped around her waist and pulled her back in.

“Anything, boy?” Mott's smirk oozed sliminess. The stupid twirly moustache wasn't helping. “I have a... fixation with my book collection, and there is a book that I desire.”

Somewhere, Nodoka felt something very wrong in the force of Book Lovers.

“It is a book that was accidentally summoned when a certain mage was experimenting with his magic. It is owned by a germanian family of nobles. Their daughter and heir currently attends Tristain's Academy.” Mott explained, as Negi nodded, showing he was listening. “The Zerbst.”

Kirche.

Maybe this would be easier than expected.

––

Louise was just climbing onto her mare when she felt a gust of wind behind her, and with it came a stone faced Negi Springfield. “There you are, you stupid familiar!” She yelled off the top of her lungs. “Where were you?” She nearly shrieked.

––

“B-But you have been gone for half an hour at most!” Louise began, slightly stunned. “It is an hour on foot! How could you have made the trip so fast?”

“That's not important, master. Lord Mott is an evil man. I... Can you give me permission to fight him, Master? I wish to challenge him to a duel.” He explained, as he followed Louise to the dormitories.

“You're crazy! Lord Mott is a noble from the palace! Guiche can't even hold a candle to him!” Louise yelled, glaring at him.

“But Master, Siesta is-”

“It's too bad for her, but there's nothing we can do.”

Negi's eyes narrowed. And it was the first time she'd seen him angry. She fell to her bed, recoiling from the glare.

“I will be going to save her, Master.”

“Are you an idiot? She's just a maid! You would fight a noble of Lord Mott's rank just for a maid?”

“Master, she is my friend.” He said, grabbing Derflinger from where he'd put it to rest. “To answer your question... For a friend, I would fight God.”

Louise was just left stupified, sitting on her bed. watching his retreating back. She couldn't even string together an objection.

“This should be safe.” announced Negi as he shut the door of the building that they had just entered.

“Then it should be safe to talk now.” said Yue.

“Good.” said Ayaka. “Because as the class representative, it is unacceptable that I should remain uninvolved!”

“But Ayaka-san,” began Negi, “I don’t want to involve more students than necessary. This could become dangerous!”

“All the more reason for me to become involved!” replied Ayaka. “As the class representative, I should be responsible for the safety of the class! And I hear that Kotaro-kun doesn’t have a partner yet? While you and Anya-sensei have several? Clearly Kotaro-kun needs a responsible person like myself to be his partner!”

Chamo perked up at the sound of that. “Really Iin-chan?” he asked. Ayaka’s eyes fluttered in surprise despite being warned about the ermine’s ability to talk. “I’d normally prefer to get Negi-aniki another partner, but I’m perfectly happy to give Kotaro-aniki a helping hand.”

“I still don’t think this is a good idea.” said Kotaro. “I’m an Eastern mage, not a Western mage. I’ve got my goki and zenki to rely on. Using a girl to protect me seems a little unmanly and cowardly.”

“I thought that we’d been through this already.” Yue scolded him.

“Well, yeah.” Kotaro shrugged. “I see now that partners can be useful and that girls can be strong fighters. But still, for Ayaka-neesan to defend me. It seems like it should be the other way around.”

“A mage and their partner should work together.” said Chamo. “They’re a team.”

“Don’t you trust me, Kotaro-kun?” asked Ayaka as she clutched her fists over her chest. “Or do you think that I’m unworthy? I’m hurt! I’m a martial artist capable of holding my own against Asuna, after all!”