WARNING!! A Huge Fanfic Donut's Inappropriately Large WWC Entry is approaching fast!
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“Mu-chaaan, let’s play~”
There were dozens of kids in the nursery that day, dozens of kids who would play with her. But it was only me she wanted.
“Sure sis! What’dya wanna play?”
“Mu-chan’s” sister grinned mischievously. “Let’s play superhero! I wanna be the villain!” The same game again? But when she gave that smile…
“Okay!”
“Great! Now, you better fight back~”
Almost immediately my sister made the first move, pouncing on me and pinning me to the ground. Sis was strong as usual, but I wasn’t about to let it end so quickly.
“Sailor Dreamy Moon pinch!”
I reached under sis and went straight for her belly – her weak spot. A few pinches and sis was rolling over me in a fit of laughter, her snow white wings twitching uncontrollably.
“Hahahaheheheheh, th-that’s ch-cheatiiiiing!”
As she loosened her grip, I pushed her off and quickly scrambled to my feet. Doing her best to stifle her laughter, my sister hopped back up and swished her shoulder-length hair. “Not bad ‘Sailor Dreamy Moon,’ but let’s see you handle THIS!” Sis flapped her wings twice and pointed up.
Wait, she couldn’t be – oh no, not again –
“S-sis, wait!”
“It’s ‘Illusionary Moondog,’ get it right! Take THIS!”
I ducked, just barely avoiding a barrage of pink bullets that sailed over my head…into another kid playing a few feet away. Oh dear, we’re gonna get yelled at by teacher again…
“Hey, what’re you doin’! You wanna save the civilians, don’t ya?!” I looked back at sis, who was now hugging the ceiling; her wings aren’t just for looks after all. Right, I got to stop her before this gets out of hand - I’m a superhero after all. For the sake of the civilians, I gotta stop her now!
“Dreamy Moon attack – Moon attack!” I never said I was good at names…
I fired a bit of my own danmaku up at sis, who air dashed out of the way. When it came down to a straight fight, I was no match. But a superhero has to adapt, so-
“Haaaaa!”
I fired some light danmaku to both sides of sis. Before she could see what I was doing, I took to the air with my own wings and grabbed her waist. Her wings flapped hard for a few moments against the increased weight, but they soon faltered, and we both came crashing to the ground. At this point all the kids were looking at our scuffle.
“Curse you Sailor Dreamy Moon! I’m doooone foooooor!” Sis thrashed around as I gripped her tightly. Right as I thought it was over, sis broke my grip with a slap to my arms. Without pausing for a second she was up in the air again, rearing up for a charge.
“It’s over Dreamy Moooooon!”
I tried to dodge, but it was too late to do anything. With an impact that hurt just a bit more than I would have liked I was taken down to the ground. Upon impact she wrapped her arms around me and we crashed together to the ground.
“S-sis, we’re gonna get in trouble with teacher.”
Silence.
“Umm, sis?”
“Hee hee…ahahahahehehehehaha!”
That jubilant laughter again…it warmed my heart every time I heard it. I smiled, and after a few moments realized she wasn’t pinning me down – she was hugging me. Her wings were flopped onto the ground over mine, and would probably be wrapped around me if it were possible to do. I too felt like joining in the hug.
Then I felt the stares of all the kids in the room and felt myself turning red.
“S-sis! Not here, e-everyone’s looking!” I squirmed, but she only gripped tighter.
“Oh Mu-chan, don’t be so proper! Watch me!” She cleared her throat loudly, commanding the attention of the few who weren’t yet looking in our direction.
“I love youuuuuu Mu-chan! You hear that everyone? I loooooove my sister!” I turned even more red as my sister cackled. “S-sis, please stop…”
“Aww, don’t you loooooove me too? Don’t act like you don’t~”
Even though I felt like my head was going to pop off from embarrassment, she had me there. She was my twin sister, virtually indistinguishable from me. Together, we were two parts of a whole. She lit up my loneliest moments and propelled me into her life of playfulness and pleasure. Yes…my sister, my only family. I do love her, more than anything else in the world. I want to always make her happy. Truly, the life we’re living now is as a dream.
I embraced my sister without fear, caressing her wings. “I love you sis…”
“What was that?”
“I said I love you…Gengetsu…”
“Mugetsu, what are you mumbling in your sleep about?”
Muge-eh?
My eyes fluttered open. I was in bed, hugging my pillow. Aah, so it was a dream. I felt so groggy, but I hid it as I turned over to greet my sister. She wore her usual smirk and looked down on me with her hand on her hip.
“You ‘love someone,’ was it? I guess it’s pretty clear you love your pillow, huh?”
“Eh? Aah.” I felt myself turning red again and let go of my pillow. I guess I’m not as elegant as I’d like to be in the morning. Gengetsu chuckled.
“But seriously, it’s not like you to sleep in this late. I had to wake up on my own!”
My eyes adjusted, and it was only then that I realized Gengetsu was fully dressed; her usual pink dress and red vest. A few seconds later, my senses kicked in and I sat bolt upright.
“O-ooh, I’m sorry sis! It’s just, umm, I guess I just got lost in my dream?”
Gengetsu’s mouth curled into a smile. “A dream? That’s what held you up?”
I nodded. “Yeah. It was…”
I took a second to remember the dream. It was a memory, a very fond memory of the past.
“…A very comforting dream.”
I wanted to spend some more time reminiscing, but was interrupted by my sister clapping her hands together. I looked up to see her leaning in towards me with wide eyes.
“Wellll, speaking of, if you want to make it up to me, I got a good idea for a dream today…”
***
“A fair?”
I nodded vigorously at my half-asleep sister.
“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been to one of those. You up for it, or…?”
My sister yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Sure sis, just give me a bit.” She is so cute when she’s tired~ Whatever Mugetsu was dreaming about, it must have been something to keep her sleeping later than me. Well, whatever. Not like there was ever a reason to be in a hurry around here…
“Great. Well, don’t wait up. We have a carniv?le to attend!” I danced my way out of the room and out of the house. As soon as I stepped outside though and saw my surroundings, I regretted my decision. Out of sight from Mugetsu, I quit dancing and felt a small pit grow in my chest as I took in the world before me.
The ground…I had almost forgotten how dismal this place is
Stretching in every direction was a surface as black as the darkest night. Were it not for the light of the crescent moon above, it’d be impossible to see it at all. This damned prison was my punishment, yeah…but still, did it have to be so dank? I sighed and gazed up at the crescent moon – the only feature in the dark purple sky. No matter how many nights pass, this moon never changes phases, and it sucks! I LOVE the full moon! Even though I can have fun thanks to Mugetsu, on the rare days I wake up before her all I can seem to do is look at this incomplete moon...nowhere near whole…
“Sorry to keep you waiting sis!”
I snapped back to reality and turned to Mugetsu, who was now wearing a cute little maid outfit. Never really understood why she insisted on it as her daily wear, but I wasn’t going to complain as long as it looked good on her. I put on my best smile, since I know she enjoys that.
“Aah, there you are my sweet Mu-chan. My, is that a new garter?” I pointed teasingly at the same garter she wore every day. Perhaps it was a little inappropriate considering our situation, but I can’t resist that pout she makes.
After recovering from my little jab, Mugetsu shook her head said, “So, a carnival was it?
“Of course not! I asked for a fair! There’s a huuuuuge difference Mu-chan. Gosh.” I chuckled to myself. To my surprise though, Mugetsu looked down after I said that.
“O-oh, I’m sorry Gengetsu. I’m just a mess today.” She looked down at the ground with those eyes. The ones that told me I screwed up. Great, now she’s making me feel bad.
I sighed and gave her a hug. For a few seconds I thought I might have gone too far, but a gentle rubbing of my wings assured both of us it was all good. I broke the hug and stepped back.
“So, a fair. If you please.” Mugetsu nodded with a smile.
“Okay sis. Now, close your eyes…”
“Yeah yeah, I know the routine.”
I shut my eyes, and waited for my dreams to come true.
…
I tapped my foot. I was trying to be patient, but it was so hard to wait.
“Is it ready yet?”
No answer, just a few strained mumbles. I strummed my arm with my fingers. This sure takes a while. Several minutes went by without a word being said by either of us.
…
“Okay sis, it’s ready! You can open your eyes now.”
About time! I wasted no time in opening my eyes. As soon as I did, everything changed: The empty silence was instantly filled with the hustle and bustle of a crowded market square, as was the featureless black ground. Fellow demons were laughing joyously together, and why shouldn’t they? After all, it was time for the big annual fair~
I looked upon the sight with a grin. I glanced over to Mugetsu, who wore her trademark modest smile. Her face looked a little flushed from the effort.
“Another great job as usual Mu-chan. Shall we go enjoy our fair together?”
Mugetsu shook her head. “This is your dream, isn’t it? You just enjoy it. I’d just hold you back, I’m certain.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Was today’s dream really that hard? I mean, you’ve done much bigger ones before.”
“Mmm, I guess I’m just a little tired today. Really sis, I’m fine.”
A little sigh was all I could give. Ol’ Mu-chan was restrained and modest to a fault sometimes. “Okay, if you’re sure. Well, I’m off!” I flapped my wings and dashed towards the stalls to see what they had to offer.
“Don’t forget to come back before dark!” My sister’s voice was already fading into the distance, so I didn’t bother calling back.
---
*glug glug glug glug*
“PAAAAAAAH ha ha ha!”
“Aah, that felt good. Been too long since I’ve had good sake.” I’ve always believed that a good drink deserves a shout of celebration, and this was some good stuff. I tossed aside the empty cup and leaned on the fence to watch the danmaku display currently going on.
“Hmm hmm, how nostalgic~” The danmaku currently being performed was a dramatization of the danmaku wielded by a legendary demon Shinki created in order to win the old war with Gensokyo. Legend has it she was sealed away into hell before she managed to take a single life with her blade. I’d seen this many times as a kid, so that must be why it’s here now.
“Hey, beer guy! Gimme another one!”
A dutiful looking stud of a man made a big bound from the crowd and was by my side in an instant. He handed me a drink and made another bound away into the crowd without a word.
“Hey thanks!” I took a swig and watched the fire sparks flow across the ground of the arena. Then another swig. Then I chugged it all.
“PAAAAAAAAAAH!”
Man this stuff is good! Shame I can never really get drunk off of it. Mugetsu said that it can only mimic the external effects of being drunk. No matter how much I drink, I’ll never get good and hammered like I used to. It’s just fake sake, no matter how good it tastes.
But, well, none of this is real, really. It’s all just a dream Mugetsu made. Just a dream filling the void of this dream world we live in.
*sip*
“Ah Mugetsu…where would I be without her?” Mugetsu really does have such an amazing ability. With only a vague suggestion, she can form an entire world from nothing. She only ever hinted at the ability to project dreams into reality as a kid. Since we came to this dimension though, she’s really come a long way, able to make the most elaborate setting in a matter of minutes.
I looked around at the people cheering as the bullets rained down from side to side. Truly, it is brilliant. Everyone looks and acts so real. Everything is so stable, so consistent-
The bouncing bartender crashed in front of me, causing my heart to just about leap out of my chest.
“Your drink, miss?”
“O-oh, right. Thanks.” I grabbed another cup from the plate. The bouncing bartender bowed and leapt away into the unknown once again.
Well, mostly consistent.
And it’s all because of Mugetsu that I can drink this sake, that I can still feel the excitement of a festival like this. I owe a lot to her, huh…? I’d thank her, but Mu-chan never seems to like being thanked, so I don’t. Well, as long as I keep smiling I’m sure she’s getting all the reward she needs.
“TO COOL SISTERS!” I raised my glass before downing it. The flip side about this sake? You never have to stop.
“PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH~!”
***
”Huhuh huuuuuh, Mu-chyaan, notso faaast.”
I was reluctant to do so, but I slowed down while my sister stumbled about behind me. I can only hope sis gets her act together; this neighborhood gives me the creeps. I had come to escort my sister home after a bar attendant appeared next to me and said she was causing too much trouble.
“Sis…why did you have to drink this much? I don’t like it when you drink this much…”
“Becashe itsh’s fuuuun. Why you always gotta be such a fuuuuddy duddy??” Gengetsu caught up to me and plunked her head onto my shoulder as we walked. I was glad her eyes were closed so she couldn’t see my pain.
When did this happen? How many years ago was it when Gengetsu came home with her clothes wrinkled and wings matted, raving to me about the first time she…did it? When did she start going to that disreputable tavern, drinking and partying almost every week? I felt Gengetsu roughly tugging at my own wings as we walked, her hands carrying a somehow disturbing heat to them.
“Sho anyway, is like I was tryin’ tuh say…”
Now she was rambling into my shoulder, sparing me from smelling her breath that no doubt stunk of whiskey. “I was a just mindin’ my own busyness, when this here guy comes onto me…”
When did we drift apart so? I thought that things would never change, that we would be together forever. But now…
“Aynd I thought itwas my lucky night, ya know. …Yeh do knew right Muuey?”
“What do you mean sis?”
“Yeh knooooow, that? What I’m talkn bout?”
I gave my best attempt to humor Gengetsu. “Yes sis, I know. You’ve told me many times.”
“But do you REALLY know? I mean really? REALLY? I mean, have you done it?”
I winced at this question. I tamed my quivering lip and continued on. “…No sis, not yet.”
My drunken sister pounded at my side. “Geez sistah, yer not gonna be young forever! Ya gotta be bold! Ya gots ta come to the bar wit’ me next time.”
“Sis, what were you talking about before?”
“Aah? Talk..about? Dumb it down for me pretty please.”
“A guy in the bar?”
“RIGHT!” I winced again at this loud exclamation. “Right, you always were the smarter of us. Sooo, there wassh this guy right? Eh was cool lookin’ and you know, I thought he’d be a good man tah bump with…”
I can’t take this much longer. How much farther until we got home…?
“And buy yeh know wut de guy doez? Teh guy BIT MEH WINGZ! THE BASTARD! Talkin’ some shit about meh filling or somewhat. What a creepooooo. So yeh see why I hadst to deck him? Huh? Do ya???
I just wanted to curl up in a ball and weep over the sorry state of my beloved sister…but no matter how bad I felt, Gengetsu’s feelings were more important than my own. No matter what, she’s my sister. I owe so much to her, I have no choice but to let her do whatever made her happy, even if it was…this.
Something funny must have crossed her mind, because Gengetsu started giggling uncontrollably.
“Tih dullard did scream when I broke hiz arm. Hyeh huh huh…heh hee hoo hya…”
I must be strong. No matter what, I must not cry…
“Hyeeeh huh huh huh huh. Hyeeeeh huhuhuhuhuhuhuuuuuuh.”
“NOOOO! PLEASE STOP GENGETSU!” I snapped. I dropped to my knees in agony and held my ears in a vain attempt to block out that horrible laughter.
“Hyeeeeh huhuhuhuhuhuhuuuuhuhuuuuuhuhu”
“Stop…please just stop…”
I twitched and woke up, breathing heavily. That ghoulish laughter was still echoing in my head. I had to look around my room to ensure myself that what happened was all a dream.
Well, that wasn’t entirely truthful. What just happened was a dream, but until the end that really did happen. So those horrible memories hadn’t yet disappeared...
Why…why did that come up after all these years?
I slipped out of bed and crept out of the room – if I went back to sleep now, I’m certain I’d just hear that horrible laughter again. I needed to calm myself down.
---
The moon…
I lay sprawled on the black surface of the dream world, looking up at that pale crescent moon in the sky. I had calmed down a bit, but I still didn’t trust myself to fall back asleep quite yet. Too sleepy to do anything and too stressed to go back to sleep, I guess I’m falling back on my habit of watching the moon above and letting my mind wander.
The moon in the sky had mystified me for ages. Throughout this dismal world, the crescent moon above was the one thing that never changed. It could be hidden by my conjuring of a dream world, but at the end of the day when the world I create fades away it was always visible again, never moving, never changing. It never grew fuller or disappeared, always but a fraction of a full.
It made no sense either. In a world of dreams, nothing is ever constant. Even in the dreams I create for Gengetsu, there are many little inconsistencies that have to be ignored for them to continue. Though this world was quite clearly physical, it took on the elements of fantasy and the unimaginable. How else could a fair be here one day and a beach the next?
…
Thinking about it though, there was one other thing that remained the same even in a dream: Oneself. Whether your surroundings changed, people changed, and even your body changes, you always remain as yourself in a dream. I remember hearing that some people slept to escape the world, but you can never escape from your own sorrow, from yourself...can you? Is this why the crescent moon above is…
…
“Heh.” I shook my head and gave my usual pathetic smile. If Gengetsu heard me thinking like this, she would be laughing so hard. She always did hate reading and analyzing texts back in school. Yeah, I must be thinking too hard.
I crept back into the house and went into Gengetsu’s room, stepping lightly in order to not disturb her. She was a deep sleeper, so I didn’t have to worry about waking her up.
Completely opposite to the sis I saw in my dreams, my sister was now in a most peaceful-looking sleep. Her wings seem to have moved the sheets off of her, but she didn’t seem bugged in the slightest. When I see her like this, it’s hard to believe she could be so callous when awake.
Yet, even now I could smell the stench of alcohol from the fair today, bringing with it a cold reminder of reality.
Right, that must be why I dreamt that. Sis always got drunk at the local fair back then.
But, that’s in the past. Sis isn’t the same one that threw up in a back alley and fought others in bars…right?
No, no hesitation. She isn’t the same person. The Gengetsu I know may be a little bit boisterous, but she’s fun-loving and good at heart! She’s good! She’s affectionate! And most importantly…she’s my sister.
I pulled the loose covers back over Gengetsu and gave her a light peck on the cheek. I crept out and went back to my room.
---
Under my covers, my thoughts turned back to the image of my sister in a peaceful rest. I can’t help but wonder…what does sis dream about? Does she dream of the painful past like me, or is she as pure and fun-loving in her dreams?
It doesn’t matter. No matter what, I will grant her whatever dream she wants to let her life out comfortably in this world of empty dreams. It’s my obligation as her sister…and nothing can change that.
***
*pant…pant…*
I was up against a corner. In the wooden arena where the final battle of the tournament was being fought, I’ve got nowhere else to run. My opponent had gotten my wings, and no way could I fly in my condition anyway. My opponent had made it to the final round for a reason – he was big, muscular, and had the lack of shirt to prove it. He cracked his knuckles to show he was done toying around.
“Gengetsu-dono, this is the end! Time for me to finish this!” With a mighty battle cry the martial artist began charging to deliver the final blow. Craaaaap.
I looked back and forth. No way to maneuver, tsk! No time left to think, here he comes…
“RAAAAAAAAAA-” *POW*
…
Heh
I phased back into existence behind my opponent with my arms crossed. My poor sap of an opponent sounded utterly baffled as he looked for me. It was a real shame too; the big guy’s connected with where my head was dead-on. Too bad for him I was nowhere near there.
“Not bad big boy. Now it’s my turn.” He turned to face me, leaving his left temple wide open. I summoned my newfound strength and leapt forward to deliver a skull-cracking punch. I watched with glee as my opponent’s eyes rolled backwards. Taking this supreme chance, I slid under him and delivered a massive uppercut. Strong as he was, there’s no way he could take that and stand. Sure enough, he was reeling backwards. I helped him down with a flying jump kick to the gut. Then finally the once-proud man crumpled to the ground, groaning in agony.
“Aah, but don’t think that was the end.” I could never leave a good fight with a single combo. My wings felt like they had gained a second wind after that flying kick, so I put them to further use and dove into the air.
“Uuuugh, I…give up.” The man raised his hand to plead, but I wasn’t about to forgive him for trying to crush my head like that. I barked back down to him:
“Don’t you remember? ‘Until the opponent has been knocked out’!” I flapped twice and began gathering my power. Just to entertain the crowd I rained some vertical bullet pillars around the guy, but of course that wasn’t the main feature of course.
“Gengetsu…” I pointed my finger up to the heavens. Here it comes…!
“SPARK!” I thrust my hand downwards at the poor sap below and released my energy full force. A blue energy wave shot out of my hand, pushing me upwards from the massive recoil. My signature move, there was no way he could have dodged it.
And he didn’t, what do ya know? I guess it helps that I asked Mugetsu for a human fighting tournament, hee hee I descended gracefully down to the judge, who raised my hand up high.
“What a stunning victory! The championship goes to the great illusory moon, Gengetsu!” The crowd cried out in rapturous applause. “This concludes the annual tournament. Thank you all for coming!” The cheers warmed my heart. It’s times like this that make life worth living!
“GENGETSU! GENGETSU!”
I closed my eyes and basked in the spotlight. They all love me~ I am loved~ Ha ha ha~~~
“Gengetsu! Gen-”
Silence. I opened my eyes and looked around. Silence, and emptiness.
I groaned. “Aahn, is it really over already?” But yep, it was. The dream had ended. Like the dream that is experienced in sleep, the dream world did not end by fading away as is typically believed. No, a real dream ends quite abruptly, often with no closure. One second I was the winner of a grand tournament (and looked awesome doing it I may add), the next it had vanished. The ornate wooden arena had dissolved into nothingness, the featureless black ground now stretching far beyond the audience seating. I didn’t bother looking up, but I was certain that detestable crescent moon was back too, as always. I sighed in disappointment. Why do the best dreams always make me feel most lonely at the end of them…?
“Siiiiis!”
Eh? Ah right, I still have one fan cheering for me after all I giggled softly and turned to meet my maid outfit-clad sister.
“Sis, what you did back there…”
I waved my hand and laughed. “Oh please Mu-chan, you’re making me blush! You know very well I used to take on much bigger fry than that.”
“Mmm, I remember. But sis...about that last guy…don’t you think you were a bit too rough? He was only a human, you could have killed him.” It was odd, but for the briefest moment I thought I saw a pained look in her eyes. It was gone when she blinked though, so maybe I just imagined it.
“Wellllll, maybe I went a bit overboard. But, it’s just a dream, right? It’s not like any of this is real.” I rubbed the back of my head. “Besides, why would you care about a simple human? He should have known his place.” Mugetsu looked down at the ground and mumbled “I guess so…” Hmm, is she upset over something…? Ah well, no use talking about it. When she gets all clammy, it’s useless to try and get her to talk about it.
*grumble*
“Aah sis, was that you?” I only just realized how hungry that fight made me.
I grinned. “Nobody else here but you and me. C’mon, it’s time for dinner!” I know she enjoys cooking – that maid outfit wasn’t just for show after all~
Mugetsu stared at me for a second, then said, “Right sis, let’s go home! What would you like for dinner?” There, she gave her cute little smile, everything must be all right.
I led the way back home with my own smile. “Well, a good fight deserves a good meal, so how about some fried chicken?”
“Again?? Sis, can’t you suggest anything healthy for once? You’re going to get f-uh, er, I-I mean…” I laughed.
Yeah… As long as I’ve got Mugetsu, I don’t need anyone else to cheer me on. I’m so lucky to have a sister like her… I broke into a sprint and called for Mugetsu to pick up the pace. I really am hungry after all!
***
“Hey hey Mugetsu, come look at this!”
I dragged myself away from the maid outfit on display and walked over to my friend, who showed off the newest dress in the market stall.
“Isn’t it cool?! It’s the latest style!” I stared at the dress and blinked in bewilderment. Never before had I seen all seven colors worked into a single dress. It was very original, yes… Still, there is a reason why this had never been done before.
“Well?! Isn’t it just the coolest dress ever?
I struggled to humor my fashion-obsessed friend. “Y-yeah.” I flicked my eyes back at the maid display. My friend (what was her name…? It’s been so long) must have noticed, because she pouted.
“Ooh, you don’t like it, do you?! You just wanna look at those stupid maid uniforms!”
!!! Did she just-
“S-stupid?!” I stepped towards my new enemy. “Can you not see the simple but flawless beauty in a maid outfit?” I advanced on her, whose eyes were now opened wide.
“A humble servant, ever loyal to their benefactor? Dressed in formal yet stylish attire?”
“A-uh-“
“The apron? The lace? The timeless FRILLS?! Why, if everyone was dressed as a maid, demonkind would be a lot more at ease knowing everyone was humble and polite and loyal to the end and knowing too they were all good-looking because they had a frilly outfit that shows just how humble and polite and loyal they are! I don’t ask for much, but don’t you ever speak of the maid outfit as anything less than absolute perfection, you hear me?!”
“M-mugetsu…” My friend looked on the verge of tears, but I did not let up my stare. This is one battle I cannot back down from!
“…O-okay, I’m sorry! Geez!”
“Good.” I let go of her collar. It was only then that I noticed the proximity between me and my friend’s nose. I backed up and noticed the owner of the stall giving me a frightened look. I cleared my throat quickly and backed away from my friend (who had been pushed back into the dress she was ogling before) “Thank you for understanding.” I bowed gracefully and excused myself to return to my preferred fashion.
This person…she’s been a good friend of mine for years, especially after Gengetsu began occupying herself with those…disparaging activities. Yet it had been so many centuries, I can’t even remember her name-
I then realized this was a dream. A dream of the past. I remember very well what this is about, which means in not too long-
“You! You two!”
The two of us looked up from our window shopping and saw a handsome man in a police uniform rushing towards us. This can’t be good…
“What is it officer?”
The man adjusted his hat. “Pardon me for interrupting your day young madams, but you have got to get out of here! There is a criminal on the loose! They have been seen attacking random passersby and have already incapacitated several police officers! Please evacuate the area and return to your homes immediately until the situation is resolved.”
My eyes opened wide. A criminal? Here in the capital city of Makai? There were some shady businesses, but no one in their right mind would dare attack people out in the open; the police power is almost total, and lady Shinki had a zero tolerance rule on crime.
“O-officer?” I turned to see my friend trembling at the news. “W-what does the bad guy look like? I don’t wanna cross paths with him accidentally.”
The officer nodded. “Ah right, how silly of me miss, you’re absolutely right.”
“So? What does he look like?”
“She, actually. Reports are still sketchy, but we’ve identified the criminal as a young woman, not even a century old. She has short blond hair and is wearing a pink dress.”
!
W-what? No, it couldn’t be…
“Is there anything else officer?”
The officer gave a grim nod. “Yes. We’ve also heard reports of large white wings-“
!!! No. No, this can’t be what it sounds like. Not her, no. No…
The man turned to me and looked me from top to bottom. “Come to think of it miss, other than the clothes she looks just like you! Are you two rela-“
I pumped my fists. “Where was she last sighted?! Tell me!!!”
The man backed away in shock. “M-miss, please heed my advice.” I didn’t budge. A few heated moments passed before his eyes steeled together and nodded in recognition. “I understand. Right this way. But please miss, be careful.” He led the way while I followed, leaving my friend behind.
It can’t be true...a criminal? What have you done Gengetsu?!
---
Arriving at the city square, I could make out a figure turning her head in every direction; the police had cornered her. Even at this distance, I could see clearly enough: That blond hair and those white wings couldn’t be anyone else!
”GENGETSU!!!”
Finally my sister turned my direction, and I screamed: She wore a truly depraved look on her face and sneered at me.
“Hyeeeh hyeh heeeeeeeeeh heh-“
I backed away. “S-sis…?”
Gengetsu took up high into the air. Next moment there was a bright flash-
And then I woke up. I felt like I was going to throw up upon reliving that moment. That moment of terror...
No, this is too terrible! Why is my mind doing this?!
I got out from under the covers and hugged my knees. That day was no dream – I still vividly remember every detail of what really happened. I don’t need a dream to recall the horror of that day. Against my better judgement, my mind drifted back to the memory of that fateful day…
I found out after the incident that Gengetsu had been caught in a police raid of a brothel she often entered as a “guest.” Most of the men and women were rounded up without much of a struggle, but my sister fought back and escaped. She tore down the city streets, injuring tons of people in her efforts to evade the police. Eventually, she found herself trapped in the city square…
Upon hearing my cry, my sister turned my way. She had one of those snarls she only ever wore when she was truly angry.
“Mugetsu, glad you’re here! You can back me up, right? Tell these coppers I’m no prostitute!”
After a moment of confusion, it hit me what was going on. I felt sick; she wanted me to get involved in this?! I told her so many times what would happen if she kept going to that whorehouse. I asked her I don’t know how many times to think of the consequences, but she always brushed me off with a “Pfft, that’ll never happen.” How could I convince everyone she was a good and decent-
“Miss Gengetsu, you are surrounded. Come quietly while you still can!” I gasped and looked around; the police weren’t waiting for my response. My sister took to the air, ready for combat. The police could of course all fly as well, and began firing.
Sis… The tears were openly flowing at this point.
The officer who led me here put a hand on my shoulder with a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry miss, but your sister has no chance now. I’m…sorry it has had to come to this.”
I brushed his hand off. “No! She’s a little promiscuous, but she’s a good person! Please officer, tell them to back down! Otherwise…o-otherwise…” I held my face, unable to stop the tears.
“Miss, I wish I knew what to say…”
“YOU FUCKING COPS, GET OFF OF ME!” Both of us turned towards the struggle. A large energy beam streamed into the ground – her Gengetsu Spark. A few police dropped out of the sky from this attack, but there was too many of them. Sis was strong, but even she can’t fight so many people at once.
Or, so I thought…
“Alright you punks, if that’s the way you want it! I’ll take you all down! It sucks to be you!”
I cried out to my sister. “PLEASE SIS! DON’T THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY!!!” I knew it was useless though – she was too high up to hear me. I looked on in horror to see the police draw closer to my sister. I felt like I was going to pass out from it all. This must be the end…
*FLASH*
“W-what is this?!” The officer next to me said exactly what I was thinking. Where Gengetsu was, there was now a bright flash. I brought my hand over my eyes to see what was going on-
And beheld a truly terrifying barrage of danmaku coming at me faster than any danmaku I had ever seen. Was this Gengetsu’s?!
“O-oh my g-“
“MISS, WATCH OUT!”
I hadn’t but turned to run when I was struck down by the onslaught of spiritual energy. I screamed. Pain. Pain beyond anything I had ever felt before or since. Danmaku was rarely lethal on its own, but this, this felt like a thousand knives being driven into my back at once! In desperation I flared my wings to cover my body, but it was no use – the lightning fast danmaku tore through them in seconds, sending only more surges of pain through me. I moaned in agony, praying for myself to die, if only to end my suffering…Please…please…
And then it stopped. My body still felt like I had been hit by a building, but I could no longer feel the bullets that were causing it.
I mumbled in a daze. “W-wha? What?”
“Aaaah…please-ugn-! Miss, don’t worr-AAAAAH!” I regained my senses and realized what had happened: The police officer was covering me! I felt him lying on top of me, using himself as a shield to protect me from this devastation.
“O-officer, don’t! You’ll be killed!”
The officer groaned. Even though it had only been a few seconds, his voice sounded hoarse. “I-it’s my duty…to prot-ugh-!” I realized to my horror he was already dead.
…
He was dead. She killed him. All the other police officers must be dead. If it weren’t for this man’s sacrifice, I would be dead too. Gengetsu murdered everyone.
I cried out in despair, helpless to do anything but scream. “Gengetsu, how could you do this? How?! HOW?!”
I couldn’t take it anymore and forced myself to stop there. I pressed my face into my knees, doing everything I could not to let Gengetsu hear my breathing. This event, which claimed the lives of everyone in the square but me, went down in Makai legend as being the result of a sadistic whore who tore apart the city in murderous lust. “Gengetsu Rape Time” they said! This phrase filled the headlines in a repulsive play on words that I imagine is all people remember my sister for now. It sickened me how they degraded her like that. They didn’t understand her; nobody did. Nobody understood the sister I knew-
My eyes widened. “Knew?” Did I just think that?
I shivered. I did not want to think about this. My sister did some horrible things back then, but that was all in the past now. No matter what she did in the past, since we came here she’s returned to the sweet loving sister I knew in my youth and loved with all my heart.
Right?
I thought back to earlier today. During the dream I conjured for her, she had left her combatants bloodied and crippled, and she enjoyed it. She really did! When I came up to her after the end, she didn’t show a bit of remorse. She was smiling! She enjoyed beating them to a pulp! Even if they were humans, could this mean…?
I hated myself so much for thinking this, but upon remembering this long repressed memory I had to question: Was sis really any different than back then?
…
Yes. Yes She was. Sis has never since shown that level of aggression and disregard for life. She was my beloved sister now; it was all in the past. I can’t let myself think like this; if I begin to regret my decision, I may as well just kill myself. I’m here because I chose to help my sister move past all this!
I pounded my head in punishment and crawled back under the covers. If I didn’t sleep soon my condition will be such that even Gengetsu will notice. Even if my doubts tear me apart inside, I will never allow Gengetsu to face the scorn of her own sister. Surely she too remembers her crimes with a heavy heart…surely…
…
It’s been nearly one thousand years, but I still remember the pain of that horrific attack she summoned. The scarred stumps where my wings used to be serve as an eternal reminder of the lowest point my sister had ever sunk. Can Gengetsu really have moved on from those days? Is anyone truly capable of changing themselves to that extent?
Please sis…prove me wrong tomorrow. Show me you’re the same sister that I believe in…
***
“NO!!!”
I cried out in horror. As the laser beam subsided, my beloved prince’s legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground. He fought valiantly for the kingdom’s sake (and mine…), but he was utterly beaten by the towering demon above. Even if he’s just a figment of the dream, he means so much to me…I love him! I rushed over and cradled him in my arms.
“Gwa ha ha, now you too will bow to me Princess Getsu!”
I looked up at the demonic entity and glared. Being that it was a gigantic eye with a fedora, I don’t think he was fazed by it.
“Nnn, m-my beloved-“
I gasped and rubbed my prince’s face. He had been charred by the entity’s gwahaha beam, but his physical beauty still showed through, lifting my heavy heart with his smile.
“P-please, don’t try and talk. Come on, we have to get out of here-!”
He put his hand over mine. “It’s…too late for me. Run…while you still can…”
Tears stained my eyes as my prince’s eyes closed and his hand went limp in mine. The presence of the evil eyeball was the only thing keeping me giving in to emotion and weeping bitterly.
“Gwa ha ha! Now my sweet princess, beg and plead for your life! Give to me your kingdom and serve me, and I may let you live. Grovel before the all powerful Mastoff!”
The cyclopic being sneered down at me, and it took everything in me to not break down. The spinning pentagram that made up the rest of Mastoff’s body emitted a powerful aura that felt like it was beating me down. So powerful, how could a princess stand up to this…?
…
Wait a sec…
“Heh.” I grinned. For a second I forgot this was a dream. Sometimes in a dream I get lost and forget that it’s just a role-play. Now though, it’s time to teach this freak a lesson.
The lumbering eyeball narrowed itself at me. “What is this? Do you not submit?”
I stood up from my “beloved” prince’s corpse and curtseyed to my adversary, showing off my pimped out pink princess dress. “Oh dear Mastoff, I must commend you for coming this far. In less than a day your legions of foodstuffs have completely overtaken the kingdom. You stormed the castle, got past the guards, made your way to the throne room, and even struck down the prince who came to save his beloved me. You deserve your kudos.”
Mastoff raised his eyebrow, and then took on a look of glee. “Then you submit?”
I shook my head. Time for the fun to begin… “However, your plan has one fatal flaw.” I hid my look of excitement by holding the curtsey. My hands were still gripping the ends of my dress.
“Ooh? And what pray tell is that?” The pentagram began to spin.
“You failed to take into account who runs this joint!” I tightened my hold on my dress and pulled. The dress, so pretty and proper, ripped clean in two and revealed my regular pink dress and vest. I flared my wings out and pointed at Mastoff. “I am the great ruler of this land, and I will not allow you to take it from me!” Yeah, that was AWESOME! Before the eye could react in its stereotypical manner, I took to the air and charged my energy.
“Heaven Road Mirage!” I summoned a thick row of twin lasers parallel to me and Mastoff, forming the path. I was the heaven (oh baby), and this –
“Hyaaa!” I fired a burst of razor sharp danmaku, so bright there looked like more than there was. They flew straight into the dumb eye’s iris.
-That was the mirage.
“Arrrgh!” Yes, a direct hit! The eye closed and Mastoff writhed in pain! Hah, too easy, as usual. Mugetsu never made these bozos that tough, it’s kind of a-
Mastoff’s eye opened, now looking far more bloodshot than before. Uh oh…
“Sis, be careful! This guy’s strong!”
I glanced over at the stained-glass window, where my “head guard” Mugetsu was riding a pegasus. I flashed her a peace sign. “Don’t worry Mu-chan, this guy is toast!”
Mugetsu nodded. She seemed unusually enthusiastic today for some reason. As soon as I mentioned I wanted to be a princess defending her kingdom, her eyes lit up like a puppy. She wasn’t getting a princess fetish too, was she…?
Mugetsu continued, breaking my train of thought. “I’ll get into the castle and help you as soon as I can! Just hold on and we can finish him off together!” She flew off. Right, as if this guy would last that lo-
*PEW*
“Wha-“ I felt a searing pain in my shoulder as Mastoff’s laser attack hit my shoulder. The pentagram was spinning quickly, and he looks like he means business.
“Gwa ha ha, you will regret the day you messed with the great Mastoff young princess!”
Well, I’ll show him how I used to do things back in the day. I cracked my knuckles and took to the air once more.
“Demon’s Merry-Go-Round!”
I shot out a single blue and orange bullet and sent them towards my bemused foe. Right before he shot another laser (which I was already keen to dodge), I snapped my fingers. Right on cue, the bullets grew skewers on all sides and picked up speed. They also shot out more stray bullets to keep him from escaping. Soon they will impale him and this will be the-
“Gwa ha ha, you think I am felled so easily?!” Two lightning bolts came down from out of nowhere and struck the bullets, which instantly vaporized. Once again the eyeball was on me.
“…Okay, let’s try that again.” I reared back, ready to charge right up in his face and take this battle to the next level.
---
“Urgh, damn it…” I lay panting on the ground. How was this happening? Mugetsu’s never conjured something this strong in a dream before….
Mastoff leered at me. “Gwa ha ha, did you really think those puny attacks could stop me? Foolish girl!” What? I hardly thought they were “puny…” Yet, somehow not even my Gengetsu spark managed to do more than knock off his fedora.
“Now for your insolence, you will DIE!”
I breathed heavily. I knew that this was a dream world, and nothing would actually kill me. No matter how frightening dreams are, you’ll never die, for it’s all fantasy. Still, dream world or no, this will hurt a ton. Not just physically, but to be defeated in a dream would be a huge wound to my pride. I’m a prize fighter dammit, and I’m not going to be humiliated by some creepy ass eyeball!
Think Gengetsu, think! Don’t you have anything else to hit this thing with?!
…
Wait. There is one more thing. But, should I use it…?
“Say your prayers Princess Getsu!” Mastoff’s pentagram began glowing. I clenched my teeth. It was now or never. I had no choice but to use my ultimate technique.
“Hyaaaa!” I sprung up into the air and rose to the ceiling of the throne room. Whatever Mastoff was charging, he’d better do it quick! I hunched over into a sort of midair fetal position – the only way I could summon all my energy. I could feel it – every fiber of life force being drawn into the center of my being. The ultimate attack was ready to be unleashed! That most amazing of highs few demons have ever felt! It was time for the climax!
“Gwa ha ha, farewell dear pri-“
“STOP SAYING ‘GWA HA HA’!”
I released it. Thousands of bullets flowed out of my body at lightning speed.
“Wh-what is thiiiiiiiiis?!”
I gasped. “Aah-!”
My body, it feels like it’s on fire – danmaku so powerful even its user couldn’t escape pain entirely. It hurt so much... But ooh, the rush! The thrill! The ECSTASY! Bullets erupted out of my body in every direction, ripping apart the furniture, shattering the windows, pounding the stone foundation into rubble. A perfect wall! Nothing can dodge this! Though my ears were filled with the whoosh of danmaku coming out of every orifice of my body, I could still hear Mastoff. What I heard was not no longer a gwa ha ha, but a GWAAH AAAH AAAH! And it’s great! This pain, it feels so good! Ha ha ha, I haven’t felt so alive in centuries!
“HA HA HA! TAKE THIS! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?! FEEL THE ULTIMATE POWER!”
Ooh the pleasure…far greater than any orgasm. The pleasure of power…the pleasure of victory…ugh…
My wings failed me and I dropped out of the sky. As powerful as this attack is, the immense amount of energy it demands puts a terrible strain on my body. I had barely enough energy to slow my descent so I could crash safely onto the ground.
*pant*
*pant*
Finally I regained my senses. I looked around in a daze; the throne room was completely totaled; there wasn’t a trace of Mastoff left. There wasn’t even a trace of the prince’s dead body.
As to be expected…heh.
It felt great to finally release all that tension, but man does that attack knock the fight out of me! My body probably won’t fully recover for days. There’s a reason I never use this move unless it’s absolutely necessary.
…
Come to think of it, I think there’s only one other time I’ve ever used this move. When was that…? I wracked my brain. It was such a long time ago…
Hmm…
“YOU FUCKING COPS, GET OFF OF ME!”
W-wait. That time, that other time I did this. That wasn’t-?!
“G-gengetsu…”
I looked up to see my sister and gasped even harder. My vision was still blurry, but I could see that her jaw was dropped. So, either she had witnessed my awesome power and was astounded by how awesome I am, or else…
“Oh…hey Mugetsu. Would you mind helping me up?”
Mugetsu didn’t move a muscle. She did nothing but stare at me with her eyes open wide, her heavy breathing the only sound echoing around the ruined throne room. As my strength returned and my eyes refocused, I saw how pale she looked.
Ooh, what do I do…?
“Mugetsu, I…I…”
I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t think of the words to say. What the heck am I supposed to say in this situation?
“Sis…” Oh god, here it comes. I shut my eyes and gritted my teeth.
“…You must be tired from that. Come on, let’s go home. I’ll make you some tea.”
Huh?
I opened my eyes and stared at my sister. She had on her usual meek little smile, and she held out her hand to mine. I struggled within myself to figure out what to do.
Eventually I grabbed her hand, trying to play off my hesitation as exhaustion. She pulled me up and supported me with her shoulder. Somehow this felt nostalgic.
“So sis, tell me about how it went before I got there.”
I looked into Mugetsu’s eyes for a few seconds. After some hesitation, I put on a great big smile.
“Well, this guy was much tougher than I thought he’d be. I mean, he shrugged off my Heaven Road Mirage like it was nothing, can you believe it?”
“Eeh, no way!”
---
After the long journey that felt longer than usual, we arrived back home. As promised, Mugetsu brought me some nice chamomile tea (my favorite). With the dream over and nothing else happening in this empty world we sat together and chatted about nothing in particular. Mugetsu offered to make dinner, but because I was still physically drained from my attack I politely declined. Soon after that we went to bed. All in all, a normal night…though technically, it was always night outside if the crescent moon was any indication.
---
Well, time for bed. It’s been a long day.
Mugetsu smiled at me from the door to her bedroom. “Good night sis.” I smiled back at her. “Night Mugetsu. Sweet dreams.” Mugetsu nodded and shut the door. I yawned and shut my own door – our bedrooms are right across from one another.
“What a day. I haven’t felt so pooped in ages. Better get some rest.” I said this loudly so Mugetsu would hear it. I folded up my wings and crawled under the covers.
“Siiiiiigh, time for real dream time…” I lay down on my pillow and closed my eyes.
…
Mugetsu, do you take me for a fool?
I tossed over on my back and opened my eyes. No way could I sleep with something like this on my mind.
That sister of mine…she may think she’s good at hiding it, but even I can tell when she’s this upset. And why shouldn’t she be? Witnessing the attack that wounded her, the one that killed all those people? The very one that got us sent to this desolate hellhole? God, I feel like shit, making her dredge up those old memories.
Ooh, what should I do? What can I do? Even if I talk to her about it, she’ll just deny anything’s wrong, probably to “spare my feelings.” I thought that as long as I smiled, she would be happy, but now…
I stared out the window in deep thought. Surely there’s something I can do other than let this silent tragedy play out.
At least, I hope there is…
