Disclaimer: I do not own Negima in any way, shape, or form. That would be Ken Akamatsu's brain child. The only thing that I own are my ideas, so please don't sue There are so many wonderful groups, such as the IRS and my bank that seem to need money more than I do :P
Author's Notes: This one is my first Negima fic, hell my first fic on this site for that matter. I haven't written a fanfic for a couple of years, so please don't cut me down too bad. To avoid some questions before they even start, a couple of things to know about this world. This takes place after the events of Episode 26 of the anime, so if you haven't seen it, spoiler-city ahead. The idea has been rattling around in my head for a while now but I've put it off for a while. That being said, there are a few concepts from the manga that have been transplanted into the anime world for this story, the main ones being the details behind pactios and the personalities of some of the girls. I would write about the manga as I prefer it to the anime, but I haven't had the time to read through all of the scanlations yet and don't feel like mucking up things too terribly, at least not for the first story that I post.
I suppose I should put a key in here for those like myself that confuse easily.
"words" - Notes character's thoughts
words- Notes something written (letter, sign, etc)
Quick, simple, and to the point. Well, enough with the ramblings. Story time.
Negima: Fallout
Chapter 1
"So Asuna..."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think I'll ever become a successful teacher?"
Asuna smiles as she holds Negi's hand, the young boy flinching briefly before returning the grasp.
"You will as long as you never give up."
Negi stares up to the night sky, flashbacks of recent events flashing through his mind Although a bit foggy, the memories of traveling into the past flash by. A smile crosses Negi's face as he thinks of how the girls all came together to help save Asuna from the Devil. He remembers the courage that Asuna had in finally reaching out to her friends for help. "I'm not sure why I can't remember how I wound up in the past, but it has all worked out. I'm so fortunate to have all these wonderful girls in my class. Sister, I hope you'll be proud of me..." Asuna looks over to see Negi lost in thought and gently pulls his arm to snap him out of it.
"Come on Negi. We don't have to stand out here all night you know."
"Oh? Sorry about that Asuna. I suppose you're right. We should probably hurry and get rid of this machinery before anybody notices."
The pair make their way down from the platforms of Lingshen and Hakase's machine as the night breeze blows lightly through the World Tree. As soon as her feet hit the ground Asuna is wrapped in a big hug by Ayaka of all people. Asuna is a little shocked at first,based on their yell first, ask questions later relationship, but with all that has happened, returns the embrace.
"You know, I think now is as good of a time as any to start over."
Ayaka smiles as the two girls back up before extending her hand.
"I'm Ayaka Yukihiro. What is your name?"
"Asuna Kagurazaka. Nice to meet you Ayaka-chan."
Asuna shakes hands with her friend/nemesis as the rest of the class cheers in approval Even Evangeline can't help but to crack a small smile. A camera can be heard clicking as Asakura takes a picture, as nobody outside of the 30 witnesses on top of the hill could believe that the pair could get along otherwise. After putting her camera back into her vest, the paparazzi goes over and playfully slaps Negi on the back.
"You know, the night is still young. Why don't we finish up the celebration that we started? Come on Negi-kun, you know you want to party as much as we do."
Asakura smiles and flashes Negi a thumbs up as he ponders.
"Well, I suppose I could excuse you from homeroom and my class tomorrow, given the circumstances, but you would still have to go to you..."
Negi is abruptly cut off by the sound of cheering teenage girls, who quickly grab the pint sized professor and take him back to the party, leaving only Chao, Satomi, Chachamaru and Evangeline behind.
"Well, I guess we're hauling all of this back on our own again Satomi." Chao mutters as she watches the class walk back towards the school. "At least we have Chachamaru to help clean up."
Evangeline herself appears to be lost in thought as well until she is nudged on the shoulder by her servant.
"Master, aren't you going to go with them?"
"I suppose that I'd better go. I can't very well have something happen to my apprentice after all the time I've put in with him. Would be such a waste."
"I see, Master." Chachamaru calmly replies, making her master raise her eyebrow in anger.
"And just what is that supposed to mean!? I'm only going to that godawful party to make sure that none of those idiots damage my investment. Don't you have to help these two take this junk back to their lab? Maybe they should give you a debugging while they're at it!"
"Whatever you say, Master." The android replies nonchalantly as she walks over to help with the moving.
"Don't forget that Chachamaru! You need to get those ideas out of your system! I swear that girl's programming is messed up."
With an angry huff, Evangeline follows after the class, leaving the trio to complete their work. The vampire continues on her way back to the heart of Mahora, serenaded by the sound of wind blowing through the trees and the occasional stray animal. As quickly as she had taken off from the World Tree is how quickly Evangeline stops, glaring up into a tree a few feet ahead.
"Oh great. YOU came back." The girl groans as a shadowy figure in one of the branches chuckles lightly.
"Evangeline A.K. McDowell...I've been here for the past few days...well, those last few days haven't technically happened anymore, but I've been here quite awhile nonetheless Shocked that it took you so long to sense me. Either we're getting better with our camouflage or you're losing your edge. So did we enjoy our little trip through time and space?"
"You tell me since you were supposedly with us! Don't you have anything better to do Like going far away again and staying there?"
"Well there isn't any reason to be so irritated with me. I suppose that this is a little better than the last time I was here when you tried to take my head though. You've come a long way in your people skills these past couple of months Evangeline. I'm so proud of you. I used to be a complete hothead too, once up..."
The bulging vein in Evangeline's head seems about ready to burst as she cuts off her unseen "friend."
"To hell with your moment of self-discovery! Now finish your business here and move along! I have no qualms about draining you drier than a desert."
"Ooh, a tongue twister!" Clapping is heard from the tree, making the frustration on Eva's face shine through even more. Not exactly the best work, but you get points for trying Are you irritated because my business is your new magic prospect? You had to know that with my job, this would be happening sooner or later. I promise that nothing too bad is going to happen...and I'm not going to break my promises. Especially to a pretty girl I have to say though, you did look better in the whole little cape ensemble. Need to wear that outfit more often."
"Go away you pervert! My god, you're so vulgar!"
"No, if I was vulgar, I would be saying things like...whoops."
The unseen speaker quickly takes his leave as Evangeline tosses a pair of vials into the tree, encasing it in foot thick ice.
"I hope that boya is prepared for him. That idiot means business. But how could he have remembered anything about the time travel though...?"
Evangeline puts her thoughts to the side for now and runs down the trail, hoping to reach the group and more importantly, Negi, before the stranger can.
"5...4...3...2..1!" Asakura happily counts down the seconds on her watch. "And now it is official! Happy 14th birthday Asuna! Let's give the birthday girl a round of applause!"
Everyone cheers and whistles as the ponytailed redhead sits near the front of the room tears of joy streaming down her face. Ayaka pats her on the back as she walks up to take the microphone from 3-A's human database. From the back of the room, Negi watches on with Chamo perched on his shoulder.
"So aniki, what are you planning on doing? They all know about your magic. That isn't going to be good if anybody blabs."
"Take it easy Chamo. You've just got to have faith. I trust these girls. All of them. After all that we've been through, I know that my secret will be safe."
"Are you sure you two didn't switch bodies?" A voice asks from behind the pair. Negi spins about to see the speaker, a smiling Setsuna alongside Negi's other roommate Konoka.
"Yeah," Konoka continues. "Usually Negi-kun is the paranoid one and Chamo is the brash one."
"Hey now! I'm not brash! Well, not all of the time..." The ermine tried to defend himself anyways, before quickly being snatched off Negi's shoulder and wrapped in an embrace by the young girl.
"You're just so cute when you try to act serious!" Konoka giggles as she hugs the now laughing ermine, caught up in the bliss of where exactly he has wound up being wedged in this embrace.
"Well, I think he got over being called brash quickly, wouldn't you Professor?"
"I suppose so. What do you think? I trust them to keep my secret as you and the others have "Well," Setsuna begins. "The only one that I would be worried about would be Asakura-san but given the way tonight has been going, I don't think we will have to worry about reading about any wizards in the Mahora newspapers."
Setsuna pauses and catches a paper ball that was all set to bean Negi in the head. The swordswoman feels the odd weight of the ball and uncrumples it, causing an acorn to fall to the floor.
"Looks like it's for you, Negi-sensei."
Setsuna hands the piece of paper over to Negi, who looks at the message scribbled on it.
Negi,
Sorry to interrupt your party, but there is something I need to discuss with you. Meet me outside in five minutes.
-Takamichi
"I wonder what Takamichi wants with me?" Negi thinks to himself as he puts the crumpled note into his pocket. "I'll catch up with you girls a little later. Sorry about that." As Negi turns to walk out the door, he accidentally bumps into and knocks down one of his students. Negi quickly picks himself off the floor before offering his hand to the damsel in distress.
"Sorry about that Nodoka-chan." Negi sheepishly grins. "We really need to stop meeting like this with one or both of us falling down and all."
The purple haired girl blushes profusely as she takes Negi's hand. She mutters to herself inaudibly before speaking.
"Hmm? Did you say something, Nodoka?"
"Oh! Um, nothing important. Where are you going, Negi-sensei? You're going to miss our toast."
"Sorry Nodoka. Takamic...er, Takahata-sensei needed to talk to me about something It shouldn't take me too long. Sorry again."
Negi sheepishly grins as he adjusts his glasses and hurries out the door, waving as he does so. Nodoka returns the wave with a smile before sighing in defeat. She is getting better at dealing with boys, Negi anyways, but blew yet another chance, all because she didn't speak up. As the disappointed librarian turns around, she nearly falls back to the ground due to almost bumping into her juice box toting roommate.
"That could have went a little better Nodoka." Yue mutters as she takes a sip.
"Well, um..." The purple haired girl stammers as Yue shakes her head in disappointment.
"It's okay. The festival is still a couple of weeks away. Plenty of time to ask him to spend the day with you. Come on. We don't want to miss the toast."
The duo makes their way to the front of the room as Ayaka finishes up her speech. After another round of applause and cheering, the blonde turns the mike over to Asuna. After taking a few seconds to regain her composure, Asuna raises up her punch glass.
"Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. To have friends like you is a real blessing Here's to you girls! You're the best!"
"To Asuna!" The class replies, raising their glasses to follow suit before downing their punch. A few seconds later, Evangeline storms into the room, a mix of concern and anger painted on her face. She scans the room, looking for Negi to no avail. Frustrated, the vampire grabs the nearest unlucky girl: Student number 2, Yuna Akashi.
"Where did boya go!?"
"Calm down Eva-chan. You're going to give yourself gray hairs."
This comment by the giggling basketball girl does little to improve the mood, as Evangeline shakes her victim down out of frustration.
"I'm going to ask you again. Where is boya?"
"Um...he had to go talk to Takahata-sensei." Nodoka replies as Evangeline stops shaking a now dizzied up Yuna. "Is there something wrong?"
"I know what's wrong!" Yuna snaps out of her daze and grabs a punch glass. "Eva-chan is just mad that she missed the toast!"
"What are you...aak!" Evangeline chokes as Yuna pours the drink down her throat.
"There we go! Isn't that better?" Yuna beams as Eva tries to get her breath back.
"Why I oughtta...you'd better run, Akashi! God help you if I get my hands on you!"
Yuna yelps in fear as she continues to run from the very irritated vampire behind her, who for the time being has seemingly forgotten her reason for needing to talk to Negi. Speaking of which...
"Well, this could have gone a little better. Here I was hoping that it would be a little late for pranks.. Tonight of all nights. It's been a good fifteen minutes since Takamichi was supposed to meet me. You're a fool Negi Springfield. Takamichi is probably in bed right now. One of your students got a laugh at your expense. But who? The twins maybe? Wouldn't be the first time..."
Negi is snapped out of his thoughts when he hears Chamo shouting for him. Negi looks around, finally spotting the ermine running full speed at him, followed by Mahora's resident spook, Sayo Aisaka.
"What's wrong Chamo?" Negi asks as the ermine takes a couple of seconds to collect his breath. "You know, if you didn't smoke, you wouldn't have that problem."
"Forget my smoking for a minute, would you big brother?! We have bigger problems to worry about. You need to get back to that party now!"
"Chamo, are you trying to set me up for something here? I'm getting a little too tired for pranks, especially the one that has had me spending the past 20 minutes outside here for no particular reason. And frankly, if you are trying to use this to lead into me going on a panty raid with you, it isn't going to work any better than your last few attempts."
"Hey, a panty raid sounds pretty good right now..." The ermine chuckles lustfully before snapping out of it. "Never mind that for now, aniki! Everybody has passed out! I don't know what the problem is. One minute everybody is having a good old time, playing games, singing karaoke, and the next minute...BAM Everybody is out cold! Even Princess Death is busy sawing logs!"
"He's telling the truth, Negi-sensei." Sayo vouches for the ermine. "Just out of the blue everybody just seemed to go to sleep! You have to do something!"
Negi nods and pivots around to sprint back. Chamo scurries up Negi's side and perches on his shoulder as the trio takes off back to the party. True to Chamo's word, every single girl in the room is lying on the ground unconscious. Negi looks around the room, trying to find any clue as to what may have happened. Negi's eyes stop when he reaches the corner of the room with the refreshments. Sitting in a chair is a young man with his leather boot bound feet propped up on a table. Negi recognizes the teen instantly, keying in on the dark green cloak and the identically colored feathered hat perched on his knee. The stranger stands up, his waist long sand blonde hair shifting from the momentum as he moves. He puts his hat on his head and parts his bangs, sharp blue eyes set dead ahead as he walks towards the young wizard.
"It's been a while, hasn't it Negi?"
Author's Notes(Yes, even more of them. Oh boy! ) I don't think it turned out too terribly. I do fully intend to add more detail and longer dialogue, but for the time being I'm just shaking off the rust. Chapter 2 is getting polished up and will follow suit in a day or two. (Pauses for cheers/jeers.) Anyhow, as nice as it is to write fanfiction, to me it is just as important to make my writing so it is enjoyable for the readers. Any ideas about what you want to see? Give me a review or drop a PM or E-Mail. I'm willing to listen to anything provided it isn't a full out flame. Enjoy (Hopefully) and I'll see you with Chapter 2.