trans_9 | Showdown (Open)

How long had it been since Negi could truly cut loose? It had been quite a long time and Chamo and Barry were looking out for one another.

Stepping into the sensoriums, Negi looked over at the recreation of the Gravekeeper's Palace floating overhead. He could remember most of it, from regaining his memories of the attack that ruined the magical world and earth in a simultaneous blow, but stepping forward was Fate, the pale haired boy giving him a silent look.

The pair stared at each other for a long moment, and then seconds later, exploded into energy. Fists crashed against each others cheeks in a cross-counter as they skidded backwards.

"Come, Negi. Show me your plan." intoned Fate.

Negi grinned as his form changed, invoking his most powerful ability. His hair fanned out and became a long pink swathe of hair as his body glowed in a brilliant pink light as he shot forward, Fate coming to meet him in a devastating blow. The sound of violence could DEFINITELY be heard from behind the door in the sensorium, as the pair rained blow after blow down in a dizzying volley.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Me too, that was pretty intense." She sat herself down, looking at the food. "Thank you for the food, Negi. What is it?"

"I was thinking cookies and milk," replied Negi. "I haven't had anything special lately."

"Oh, ok!" Kaya said, looking down at the snack. "Well in that case, allow me to spoil you a little with some real food, ok? I did promise to do it for Matt, but...well...yeah."

She wiped her eyes a moment, giving him a smile. "Sorry. It's still get hard sometimes. You can't really walk around the bus without remembering he was there, you know? That he made it possible."

"I know, I miss him too," admitted Negi. "I know Rein does a lot too since she used to stay up with him talking."

"Poor Rein," she said softly, looking down. "I just...I hate how when someone goes, its like its nothing. Like Matt never mattered, or wasn't here willing to help in anyway he could! It isn't fair, and the worse part is, it happens over and over, and every time I'm never used to it!"

"I know. It's rough for everyone left behind," admitted Negi, sighing as he shook his head.

"It just makes me wonder: will it be that way for us, if we're ever podded? Will we just be forgotten, and everyone will just go abut their lives and all? Will it just be as if they had ever been here to begin with?"

"I don't know. But I'd like to think that we all made a difference here," remarked Negi.

"So do I," Kaya said, clenching her fist. "And its because of that I WON'T stop. We've all gone through too much for me to give up now. I'll train until I drop, I'll help whoever I can, and if I get podded, well, I hope someone continues to try and do the same when I'm gone."

Negi nodded, taking a cookie and nibbling on it. "It's all we can do with such a diverse crew and all."

"I know you would be one of those people who would make sure people would be taken care of. Now that I think of it, people like you and Rein and Matt: you were all great that way."

"Ah, you think so?" inquired Negi, blushing a little.

"Yes," Kaya said, grinning at him, "and I think you know it too. If it ever comes to a situation where you have to keep your head, and you have to risk your very body to protect people, I know you'll be up to the task. I have that faith in you."

"Heh thanks Oneesama," replied Negi, pushing the plate of cookies towards her. "I think we all need to hear that sometimes."

Kaya smiled and took the cookies, taking a polite bite, smiling. "You can say that again. But when the time comes, I know you, Negi Springfield: as long as you remember us and stay true, you'll do the right thing. And when it comes to someone like your girlfriend Sasami, I know you'll make the right choice there too."

"That's right." Replied Negi, sipping his milk. "And so will you."

Kaya smiled, taking some milk herself, grinning. "This is pretty good! What kind of cookies are these anyway?"

"They're called oreos," replied Negi, dunking his half into the milk. "It's good, isn't it?"

"Yes, definitely," Kaya said, eating them carefully. Sweets were still something she was adjusting to, but these were actually pretty good!

"How do they come up with stuff like this?" She said. "Two chocolate pieces and cream in the middle? Genius!"

"I've never figured it out myself, but it's probably some automated process back home," said Negi, twisting it apart.

"Strange," Kaya said, taking apart the cookie and dipping it in the milk, then eating it. "Hey, it tastes even BETTER this way! This is amazing!"

She shook her head, eating another cookie in the same fashion. "How many people from your world are still here, Negi-kun?"

"Just Asuna and I," replied Negi, splitting his oreo in half and dunking it. "I'm just glad she hasn't gone yet to be honest but I see her only a little once in a while."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Kaya said, looking genuinely sympathetic. "Why is that, do you think? Did she take Matt going back to the pods pretty badly too?"

"I'm not too sure," replied Negi, sighing. "There's got to be something behind it."

"Well, whatever is happening, I'm sure she'll come around. I haven't seen many of my own friends from my world either: I've worried that they just feel awkward around me because, you know, the whole Katara thing. Maybe she just needs time. I'm sure its not you."