>Let's sit and wait patiently. We brought supplies didn't we? A visit to a land like that requires them after all!
>Nod with a smile. "Today's the day~!"
(Also, it's VI, not IV.)
>"I'm not sure either, but it feels almost like it's calling me. I don't know why, but maybe we'll find out when we get there."
>Smile. "So, shall we?"
>Did we plan to just cross through here? Or were we going to do so from elsewhere?
>"It's kinda dark. But it's got the same time as ours so it shouldn't be night...Just something else to find out I guess, so let's go! We can catch our breath there."
>Let's head through with her!
>"Whoa..I think there's someone else here Renko."
>"Who are you..?"
>"I...I do...?"
>Do we know about anyone who would look just like us?
>"...Dead..? Wait, more importantly, what do you mean by 'still human'...?"
>Beat.
>"...Ah! I think this is the time where we introduce ourselves..? I'm Maribel, Maribel Han. Renko, you can introduce yourself can't you?"
>"...You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of her or anything?"
>"...How far away is this? I didn't really plan on making this an extended stay. I only brought enough supplies for a picnic."
>Sweatdrop. "I don't think so."
>If we can mess with boundaries, then maybe there's a way to let us fly..? Since we don't know this place as well as we know the other side, boundary-crossing straight there is out of the question.
>bother the parsee.You're not gonna quit on that are you?
You're not gonna quit on that are you?Nope.
>What do we know about fairies from the dreams we've had?
Nope.
>.eesraP eht rehtoB
>What do we know about fairies from the dreams we've had?
>"Could you give me a quick description of what they look like?"
>"....So they're pretty dim?"
>We saw a few of those in our dreams, right?
>"Why are you holding your arms out like that?"
>"..You spoke like flying was common here. Can humans learn how to fly too?"
>'I remember seeing some of them in my dreams, I think I can tell what they are then."
>Beat.
>"Wait, 'not normal'? I knew I was a bit odd compared to everyone else, but if someone like you says I'm not normal, then that must be pretty bad."
>"And what do you mean, 'because the Saint was Crucified'?"
>"Whoever she was, she has good taste in headgear. I like this hat I have."
>Oh, we know about that guy don't we?
>"Fairy in blue with icewings, strong, dim, and fight-happy. Gotcha."
>"What, you mean Jesus? The one who came back to life a few days later? Why are you trying to look like that?"
>"Yeah, three days later in fact."
>Cross our arms and headtilt slightly. "So she looked like an older me? That can't be a coincidence. If she lived here, but is dead...What does that mean for me then? I've been able to see these boundaries, but now..."
>"Mad Scientist..."
>Beat.
>"Oh, so you're 'insane in the membrane, cuckoo for cocoa puffs, as well as completely and utterly off your nut'?"
>Pause for a bit. "Those are ways to say someone's crazy."
>When did our powers change? Does it fit with the two and a half days ago Rumia just said this other person died?
>"...And now I can tell that you're not only crazy, but stupid too."
>"So I've been told. Rumia and I were just discussing that. Might you leave us alone? I think it's a fairly important conversation, after all."
>"Um, I really don't think Rumia's doing anything wrong."
>"Uh, We aren't from there, in case you haven't noticed."
>"Oh that. A few days ago, my ability to see boundaries strengthened considerably, I guess it might be related to what you told me about, the thing that happened on this side a few days back. I figured out I could mess around with boundaries, and I decided to finally visit the world I've seen in my dreams so often. And well, the rest, as they say, is history."
>Let out a whistle. "That was a neat trick. What do you people from this world call it?"
>"I... don't know what any of that means."
>"Also: was that really necessary? She was already leaving."
>"Is she going to be okay?"
>"...That must've taken a long time for you to figure it out then."
>Beat.
>"Wait, does that mean you're older than 1000 too?! You look so young."
>"...So you're at least 100 then."
>That's old compared to us and Renko, huh?
"That's about ten times my age, well, give about nine more years or so. Same story for Renko, we're only 19. Well, technically I'm a few weeks older than her, but that's a drop in the bucket compared to you."
>"Don't have a.. finite lafespan?"
>"Which way is the lake?"
>"So we just wait on that shore until you show up? Well, I guess it'll work."
>Let's look to Renko. "We can always set up the picnic there, can't we?"
>"Um... hi?"
>"We were told to wait around here by someone called Rumia. She said she'd meet us back here after a while."
>"Ah, I'm Maribel, Maribel Han. Renko, you should be able to introduce yourself, right? Unless of course, you're feeling it a bit stronger than me."
>Pause. "Despite you looking like a little girl, it feels like I'm somehow inferior. It unsettles me."
>Just stand there for a bit with a blank-seeming look.
>"........Wow. Well that explains that I guess."
>We haven't, have we? Well, probably only in our dreams, eh?
>"Uh...By any chance, was one of them an older-looking woman with blue hair? With lots of octagonal pillars?"
>"More like saw her in a few dreams actually. I've seen some of this land in my dreams, and now...Now I'm finally here."
>"....Yeaaaaaah. That's a bad thing."
>"Uh-oh. It's the dimbulb in blue Rumia told us about."
>"....Uh, do you think that maybe that was a bit much...?"
>What do we know about these fairies from our dreams?
>"....Oh."
>Hmm...Well, let's set up the picnic. "Renko, help me set up would you?"
>"I'll set the blanket and such, you handle the food, okay?"
>Let's set the blanket and the eating implements.
>Smile a bit and beckon her over. "Having a picnic. And waiting for someone."
>What sort of fruits did we bring?
>"We were told to wait here, this is our first time in this land after all."
>We can spare a pear for her, can't we?
>"Oh, don't worry about us. We won't be hanging around here for long. I always wanted to visit the places I saw in my dreams after all."
>"Just a little. She seemed shy."
>Let's snack on one too. "Well, maybe since they look like children, they're mentally stuck as children?"
>Let's muse on that. "Immortal children...Some people would kill to be like that in a way."
>Munch thoughtfully. "You know, I'm not sure. But maybe if it's somehow related to my ability suddenly growing stronger...Then I think I'd like to find the truth to it. That's one of the reasons why we formed the club to begin with after all. To find the truth."
>Have we? Or did we just not have the oomph to do it?
>"I tried before, I couldn't do it at all. My hand just went right through, like it was air."
>Are we recharged enough to look at the ones in the area that might fit her description?
>If so, let's have a gander and see if we can see 'em.
>"Oh yeah. Lots of them. Boundaries to completely other worlds even, just like the one between our world and this one. Some of them are ajar, open, or even broken. One of the ones that's ajar had red along it. I don't think I want to tinker with that boundary anytime soon."
>"Oh. That red border opened a little, then closed back to how it was when I saw it first. I'm not sure how many miles away though, but it's a good distance I think. You always were the distances one of the outfit after all, so it's not my specialty."
>Pause thoughtfully. "I think someone came in from that world. Or entered that one from here."
>Let's knock! "Oooi, you home?"
>"Already ran into Rika. She built a stalker tank to track me now; she even named it S.T.A.L.K.E.R."
>Are we sure that this isn't Rika being a really crazy form of tsundere? Not that that would be any better though.....
>"But we've got two new humans from outside, and one of them is a spitting image of a younger Yukari. Got her powers and everything."
>Nod. "Hey, I'm no gossip after all."
>"I'm pretty sure that this kid's the one Yukari mentioned before she...Well, you know. 'Her Descendant'."
>"Keep it hush-hush. You know how Yukari is, always has a backup plan. And I'd be willing to bet a year's-worth of Deluxe Eel Bowls down at Mysty's that this kid's her 'Final Backup'. She doesn't really behave anything like Yukari though."
>Grin. "She's sharp as a whip though, had Rika pegged within minutes of meeting her."
>"Seemed pretty normal, one of her friends from the outside I think. But if she hangs out with that kid, I'd be willing to bet she's got some kinda ability herself."
>Grin. "The kid that looks like Yukari actually scared Rika off by mentioning how she got here."
>"She said, and I quote." Put on our best Rika impression. "'Well this changes plans, I may be nuts but I know better than to mess with what could be the next Yukari. You lucked out Rumia!'"
>And back to normal. "And then I made her blast off. As per usual."
>"Owww.....They couldn't fly y'know. They're down at the Lakeshore. They'll be safe there since it's Dai's and Cirno's turf. Plus I think I might've seen that one goddess from the mountain around there, the frog one, Suwako. So I'd say they're safe. It was better than leaving 'em sitting around my place at least"
>"A-anyhow, I came to see if you had an old issue of the Bunbunmaru, or something else that's got a full or in-color picture of Yukari. I was going to show her that."
>Nod. "I'll be sure to do that."
>Even if we're one of Gensokyo's Greatest, it still hurts. Bet Yukari even hated getting bopped like that.
>Wince. "Ouch. Don't worry, I'm sure they're alright. I think Dai would've sent a messenger by now if something did."
>Nod. "Well, I'll get outta your hair and go see Akyu now. She was one of the other folks I figured would have what I'm after anyhow, I just figured to visit you first. Seeya again some other time. Or not, who knows? Later!"
>Let's wave back at her as we make for Akyu's.
>Let's head up to the door and knock then.
>"Uh...Wha..? I'm confused now."
>"...Oh. So then you're Akyu, right? Keine said you might have what I'm looking for then."
>Beat.
>"Oh, don't worry about me going crazy again though, I have Yukari to thank for me essentially becoming who I am today. I don't really even need the seal anymore to keep balanced, I just use it so the kids don't get scared when i visit."
>That strong....Wonder how she'd be if she decided to not hold herself back once? She'd probably give even Yuuka a run for her money in the sheer strength register.
>"I was wondering if you had a full-color picture of Yukari or something of the like. Someone showed up that looks almost exactly like her, and I'm pretty sure she's the one Yukari told me about in her last moments. Her final backup plan. I was planning on showing it to her."
>Yeah, that was a big shocker about what she really is. But at least she's back to being just the usual overly-hammy and enigmatic sadist we've always known her as.
>...We'll have to figure out some way to deal damage to the divine, on the off chance there's a repeat, or some other Lost Divine shows up and has a freakout.
>Nod. "Keine said that would be another place to check. I figured you'd have the answers if she didn't. Guess it paid off."
>Nod. "Alright, I guess we'll both go then. Seeing as we both have reasons to be there. I'll wait for you to grab the scrolls then."
>If she has to go get them, then we'll wait for her.
>Otherwise, if she already has them, we'll get going with her.
>"Wow...It's not as big as Voile, but man is it big by human standards. Wonder if Dai knows about this place...It's just the sort of quiet, out of the way place she'd like y'know."
>"..So, uh, where's what I'm looking for anyhow?"
>"Okay...now to get to looking."
>Let's do as she said, and search for stuff sorted in the B section.
>Familiar, yet not japanese...Makai perhaps? Let's grab the thing we came for, and slip over for a closer look.
>"I'm interested because it's from the same place I'm from. That language is Makaian, I'd know it anywhere. There's two possibilities here. Either Shinki herself wrote it, or it's one written by one of the many Magicians who moved there to further their studies."
>"Well, that's a shocker! Hijiri herself wrote this one! Wonder if she knows it's here?"
>"Whoa. That's one doozy of a set. But about Shinki, she's THE big cheese down in Makai. The one who created it even."
>"Also, you'd have to be a magician to really get the gist of what the book's got to say. Grimoires are pretty useless to folks who aren't magicians. At least, that's what I've heard."
>"Oh, that's because I'm from Makai. I already told you that earlier. It was a part of my answer as to why I was interested in it. 'I'm interested because it's from the same place I'm from.'"
>Let's shake her hand as well. "Name's Rumia. I guess you could call me one of Gensokyo's 'Prime-time Individuals'. I'm what you call a 'fixer'. Stuff goes wrong on a Gensokyo-wide scale? I'm usually one of the ones at the forefront of things tryin' to set things right."
>"Uh, I guess you could call it that. You know about those more recent incidents over the past two or so years? I was resolving most of 'em. And in one case, I was actually intended as a weapon in one of them. Shinki was culprit, and thought she could use me as her little 'Attack Dog' like she used to before I ended up in Gensokyo. She soon learned that I turned over a new leaf so to speak."
>Grin a bit. "So you already know about me then eh? Then again, I'm probably smaller than you expected, huh?"
>We can resume our more mature form while keeping our power suppressed to how it is now, right?
>Let's let just a little smidge slip out. just barely enough to resume our adult form. It shouldn't be enough to cause Keine to worry since she knows we're with Akyu, who already knows about us. "This here's how I usually look outside the Village, but you probably already knew that eh?"
>Then nod. "If it's okay with you, then I'll run the book to her when I see her sometime. I know someone who'll be visiting her that I can hand the book off to if I run into her. Looks like it's number....17? Mages always did use that old-school system. Wonder how many more there are?"
>Beat.
>"Wait, you said Rinnosuke donated this? Maybe he's got some of the others then. I'd be willing to bet Byakuren's got a few of them already, but she probably lost a few if this one ended up here."
>And back to suppressing. "You're still young for a human yeah? There's still a chance you'll grow to be good-looking too."
>"Hmm....If we consider that she might've written a book a year then....There's at least 1000. But, if each book took 10 years to write, then there's....Help me out here, how many would that be in that case?"
>"So we're looking at a ballpark estimate of 50-100 then. That's a lot of grimoires huh? I'm gonna be busy then huh?"
>Then grin at Akyu. "But don't worry, it ain't any trouble at all. I can pass it off to Dai if I gotta. I know I'll be busy with what I promised Yukari, but I think I can work it in. I'll have to show the new kid around anyhow, so visiting Byakuren's as good a next stop as any after bringing her here. So it's pretty much on the way."
>"Let's just say that she's not your average Fairy. Learns magic down at the SDM y'know, sharp as a whip she is. I'm just muscle, she's brains."
>Grin in our usual goofball way. "But that doesn't stop me from having good schemes every now and again, it comes naturally with bein' a Youkai I guess."
>Grin. "True. But Dai and Mysty were always the brains of the outfit. That still hasn't changed even nowadays. Dai's just moreso."
>Beat.
>"That reminds me! I need to take those two kids to Mysty's too! No better way to give 'em a good welcome to Gensokyo than treatin' 'em to a Deluxe BBQ Eel Bowl! Gahahaha!"
>Give Akyu an amused look with a raised eyebrow. "Well, I gotta get this picture to those two kids, pick them up to bring 'em to the village, and then deliver that book to Byakuren or Dai."
>Nod. "Yeah. "Seeya later you guys!"
>Let's grab that grimoire if we haven't already, and stash it with the newspaper, and book it to the Lake!
>We've already greeted them, yes?
>Let's show 'em the newspaper then. "See this? That blonde woman in the center with the hat like yours? That's Yukari. She could do the same thing you did to get here. Only a lot easier. Like, it took her almost no energy to move from place to place by messing the the border of here and there. Or something like that at least."
>Pause.
>"...Man, I hope she's ended up at Yuyuko's, she could explain all this a lot better than I could."
>"Well, I can say one thing. Yukari said this before she passed; 'Soon my replacement will arrive, my descendant.' Now, given the uncanny resemblance, and how you got here, I'm led to believe you're the one she told me about."
>"But hey, you have the chance to meet your ancestor, how many can say that?"
>"Well, maybe. I know where dead people go, but I don't know what happens when they go there. She may not remember much about her life; I don't really know what actually happens when someone dies."
>Oh. We know her, don't we?
>"Word spreads fast. Hey Youmu."
>"Oh right, this is Youmu, Yuyuko's servant. Yuyuko is the ruler of the Netherworld."
>Nod. "Well, we're gonna need to put some muscle into it then, these kids can't fly. And though I'm 'dead' certain the Yukari-lookalike can learn it, I don't think she'll be able to learn fast enough."
>We're still all compacted and stuff, right?
>Grin. "Nah, it should be alright. The living go there a lot sometimes. There was this one time back when spring was stolen if I remember right. Reimu and Marisa were two of the people who went there to bring it back. So we oughta be just fine."
>Float over and give that ghost-half a good looking over, and gesture towards it occasionally as we talk. "Besides, Youmu here's a Half-Ghost. So she's pretty much about as alive as you and me."
>Blink a few times with an average expression. "Same difference though. You're still alive, and that's what the point is. Also, keep in mind that I didn't precisely say how alive you were."
>Nod. "Well, I guess I could carry one of them or something. I'm pretty sure letting the kid here try to border-hop right there would be a bad idea until she's got everything dialed and stuff."
>"I'll talk more once we've got the kids to the destination. You can carry one of them, right? I got Maribel-She's the Yukari Lookalike."
>Grin. "You two are gonna love this. Hang on tight, 'cuz here we go!"
>Let's make sure we got a good grip on 'er, then take off for Hakugyoukurou!
>Grin. "Don't worry! We'll be back on solid ground soon enough kid! This is the fun part! Flight's par for the course for a lot of folks in Gensokyo, even relatively normal folks have some way to do this!"
>"Just breathe slowly, you'll make it through. I promised Yukari that after all. Hey Youmu, let's slow down a bit so they can get used to the air eh?"
>Let's slow down some so she can acclimatize gradually.
>Sigh. Kid'll never make it in Gensokyo like that. Too easily spooked. Nue and Kogasa'd have a field day with her.
>"You holding up okay there, Maribel? Do we need to dip lower and work our way up from there?"
>Nod. "Alright, the last leg of the trip eh? Truth be told, this is my first time visiting the place meself. Bet it's gonna be a blast!"
>Let's get going, but be mindful of Maribel and how she's still just a regular human.
>"So since you were sent to pick us up, that means we're allowed, yeah?"
>Let's head in after her!
>Fly on over to 'em and set the kid down. "Man....Sure is different, isn't it? So...Uh...How is it? Er, bein'...Y'know. Dead."
>"Oh yeah! This here's the kid you told me to protect and mentor, isn't she? Looks just like a younger you."
>Smirk in a slightly knowing way. We might not actually know, but it's getting easier to guess. Maybe Yukari's her grandma or something. "Right chip off the old block, ain't she? Looks like you, even messes with borders like you can."
>"Well, I guess I should introduce you. This woman is Yukari Yakumo, and according to her, you're descended from her. Going by the insanely close looks, there can't be that many generations between the two of you."
>Then sigh in a somewhat relieved way. "She's also the most enigmatic and confusing woman to ever have lived."
>Chuckle and grin in that amused way that folks do when something crazy just happened. "Yukari, you sly old fox you. Always gotta keep the juicy secrets for when they'll hit the hardest, eh?"
>Then smile in our usual rough but warm way. "Man. I knew there was a close relation between you two, but to think it was this close. For the kid to finally find her mom, but find her as a ghost. I think even I'd be floored if I were in her shoes."
>Let's find something to lean against while we watch things. Renko knows the kid better than we do, so she's the best one to comfort her.
>"I take it you deserved those or something?"
>Sigh. Kid definitely needs something to help take the edge off. If Dai were here, she could administer one of them cooldown hugs to help her be more calm and able to think things through.
>Sigh. "Hopefully the kid comes out of it. Ran can only hold out for so long after all..."
>Let's try and take Renko off to a side. "Does she have any favorite things by any chance? I don't like seeing the kid like this any more than you do, and right now you're the only one who knows her close enough to help her out of this. So what do you know of that'll help her?"
>"Well, this isn't going very well. At this rate I'll have to follow them back to their place to keep that promise I made."
>Sigh. We really aren't that good with stuff that's not related to smacking some sense into someone.
>Waaaaait. That might just be the ticket. It worked on that guy we read about, the one who ended up having to control that weird moving doll. She's freaking out just like he was.
(This is in reference to Amuro and how he ended up getting brightslapped (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtfon4QtA9U), which knocked some sense into him.)
>"Yeah, but Gensokyo does kinda need her... Youmu can get Renko to the Human Village can't she? I wanna get some 1-on-1 time with the kid, gonna try something."
>Let's catch up with her! "Before you go, lemme show you a few things, okay? I never got to show you around, and I figured you should at least see the place for yourself."
>"Listen. Everyone has a special ability for a reason. You wouldn't have had the same ability as her if there wasn't a meaning to it...You would've had something different. Gensokyo's a beautiful place you know, you should at least see it for yourself before going crazy."
>".....I know firsthand how bad going crazy while having a great power can be...It's not fun. Don't end up like I once was."
>"Uh-oh."
>Time to head back to the others!
>"Yukari, I think this is one time where your fondness for being enigmatic really backfired."
>"She's seriously pissed. I was trying to talk her into at least letting me fly her around Gensokyo, to show her this beautiful world that you planned for her to protect. But she started building up power. Big time. I don't know about you, but even I'm on edge here."
>Sigh. "So it's up to me again to provide the kid with a way of letting off her anger while also knocking some sense into her, eh? Come to think of it, it's not too different from when I had to knock some sense into Alice back during the Shinki Incident."
>"So what we need to do, is help her release it, huh?"
>"So basically, we need to get her somewhere where the damage'll be minimal, and then get her to let it all out, right?"
>".....That would be really bad. Ran can see the boundaries thanks to that little infusion you gave her, right? We're gonna need that to pinpoint the best place for her to let off steam."
>"So where's the best place to get her to right now then? Because now she's a ticking time bomb just waiting to hit critical, like that reactor I had to stop."
>"Tch. And at that point, who knows what the kid'll blow up...Think it'd be practical to just knock her out and give her a chance to cool off that way?"
>"So would it or not then? Given how you said it'll be the least damaging when she's not got as much power charged."
>"So just knock her out then. Doing it at the Misty Lake should be safe, right?"
>"You can still get in touch with Ran, right? You'd better let her know about this then, she's gonna be busy."
>Let's go after Maribel, we'll have to knock some sense into her.
>"....That seal getting broken is bad, right?"
>"....Yeah, that's bad alright. So where do we go from here? Kid's probably still gonna be pissed off when she comes to."
>"Maybe I should get her to Dai."
>Sigh. "Well, Keine did insist on them showing up at the village at least once. Maybe she can talk some sense into kiddo here. Besides, I planned to treat these two to an Eel Bowl down at Mysty's."
>Beat.
>Then look to Renko while indicating Maribel. "She's okay with Eel, isn't she?"
>"Maybe some food'll help her clear her head out so she can think better. Mysty's one of the best cooks in Gensokyo after all. If I'm not lurking around that forest we met in, which happens to be my home, I'm usually there enjoying a good Deluxe BBQ Eel Bowl. You like Eel right? There's other stuff if you don't."
>We should probably go find Dai and bring her with us, too. Maribel's likely to still be upset when she comes to.>Let's drag Cirno, too. And Wriggle.
>"I'll be sure to make sure Kogasa doesn't do that then."
>"Ah, Eel's good stuff. And there's other stuff in case you don't want it. Gonna be a bit of a problem in getting you two down there though, due to the whole flight thing. But Keine, the person who runs the show down at the village, is a pretty nice person. Just...Uh, watch out for her headbutt."
>Wince a bit while rubbing our head. "Yeaaaah...Hurts for even someone as durable as me."
>If she can somehow make her headbutts hurt someone like us, maybe they would've worked on Yuuka back when she went postal.
>Take Maribel to Mystia's AWESOME EEL RESTURAUNT!
>We should probably go find Dai and bring her with us, too. Maribel's likely to still be upset when she comes to.
>Let's drag Cirno, too. And Wriggle.
>"Youmu, help us out here would you? You get Renko, I'll get kiddo. Next stop: The Human Village."
>Let's get going when everyone's set!
>"Yeah, Mysty's a nice person really, she should be able to help cheer the kid up with her cooking. Keep an eye on Kiddo here, I'll head in and check."
>Let's pass Maribel off to Youmu, and check inside.
>Head on over. "Yo. Gotta talk to you for a sec Kogasa. I'm bringin' someone new here, and it's a really bad idea to try to surprise her. I'm talking about the kind of bad idea that belongs in the same class as burning down Yuuka's Garden. That kind of bad idea. She's on edge right now because of something that happened earlier today that really shook up her whole world."
>Bop her on the noggin. And smack the umbrella a bit for good measure. "I'm sayin' to not surprise her at all. Unless you want to be the one to get blamed for the area getting wiped off the map. And I'm pretty sure that'd get everyone on your case."
>"Well, she normally wouldn't be able to. But right now she's in a big bit of mental trouble, and I know that one of the best cures for that is a good meal. So in other words, don't surprise her. You can always surprise someone else. I can't even begin to tell you how stupid an idea it is to surprise her. It's way beyond Cirno-level."
>Raise an eyebrow. "Red dress..."
>Smirk. "I think I know who it is."
>Let's head over. "Yo, keep you waiting long?"
>Look around a bit. "Better keep this under wraps, okay?"
>Wait for confirmation.
>"Well. Turns out she used to be the Fairy Goddess, Titania. Those holes in her clothes? Those were made by her wings. She probably didn't remember what happened during it all because she wasn't really the Yuuka we know. She had reverted to something far more dangerous."
>"That's the power of faith. Nue thought she could get all the fairies to pray for Titania's Return in a misguided effort to wipe out all the Humans. The fairies thought things would get better for 'em, but they wouldn't have. Even they would've been in danger. I'm actually planning on figuring out how to do damage to the divine myself, in case something like this happens again. Sometimes Lost Divines should remain lost, because you never know if they're turn out all Omnicidal, like the old me was."
>Adjust our neck a bit with a few pops. "Though that'd sure explain why it hurt when she slammed me into the ground though. The Yuuka that Gensokyo knows probably woulda been almost totally wiped out after an escapade like that."
>"Wow, you must be a real tough cookie then. Wouldn't mind having a little brawl with you sometime. The stronger the opponent, the harder I fight. And since I've gotten the hang of my Dark Energy use, I've gotten better at using what I do have."
>Nod. "Well, that all you needed to know? You need to get back to your job or anything? Or you got time for a snack? I wouldn't wanna keep you from your duties after all, I know how you door-guardians are about those."
>"Whoa. Didn't expect to feel that. You really are on another level."
>Grin. "Almost has me fired up."
>Then sigh. "Only thing is, I'm tryin' to help this kid I know pull herself together. It sucks, not bein' able to fight a strong opponent due to prior obligations...Did promise Yukari I'd look after the kid after all."
>Raise an eyebrow. "Really think you can help the kid sort everything out that she's got goin' in her head? My best idea was to treat her to a Deluxe BBQ Eel Bowl with The Works."
>Nod. "Yeah. Had to knock her out when her powers started going crazy. I wasn't the one who KO'd her though."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, should bring her in now. Gimme a sec."
>Look to Kogasa. "Now, don't surprise the blonde one okay? I really don't wanna clean up after any mess you end up making by you doing that...If we're even still around after the fact."
>Let's head out to the others. "Arrite, I've told Kogasa that it's a beyond Cirno-level stupid idea to surprise the Kiddo."
>"Friend of mine with a bad habit of surprising people. She works here at Mystia's, which is the best place for eats in practically all of Gensokyo. I did tell ya I'd take you guys here after all. Gotta make good on my promises, because that's just my style. Got a reputation to uphold after all. Let's head on in, I think there's someone else inside who might be able to help you mull things over."
>How much cash we got anyhow? The Yukarin's gotta be on the fritz with Yukari dead and all.
>Shrug. "She always did have a penchant for being enigmatic as all get-out. Guess this was the time it all finally came back to bite her. She really does care about Gensokyo though. Probably even more than I do, which really says somethin'. My guess is she wanted you to live a normal life as long as you could."
>Grin. "But enough seriousness, let's head on in and get you folks stuffed until you can't move anymore. My treat~!"
>Let's bring the group on in, and get ready to bop Kogasa in case she tries surprising Maribel.
>"Well, just give the food a go anyhow, this place is a popular hotspot for gatherings up on the Surface."
>Sigh nostalgically. "I remember that one time like it was yesterday. Maybe now I'll be able to outdo Marisa, I'm a lot better at focusing my energy now than I was then y'know."
>Let's take 'em to the usual table. "She's probably in the kitchen right now, but she'll be out soon enough I bet."
>"Well, there's quite a few different places here in Gensokyo actually. There's Gensokyo itself, also called the Surface World. Then there's Hakugyoukurou, where we just were. There's also the Underground, where all the Oni live. I got a few friends down there, and Yuugi Hoshiguma, one of the Four Oni Devas, is one of them. Then there's that place where all the Celestials live, and then there's Higan, where the dead go to be judged. Hakugyoukurou's one of the places you could end up if Yuyuko's taken a liking to ya. Her'n'Yukari go way back, probably back even further than before Gensokyo was even thought up."
>Fistpalm. "Oh, and then there's two other places that aren't quite a part of Gensokyo, but are still closely connected to it regardless. There's the Moon, where the Lunarians reside. I went up there once to cause a bit of trouble to help out a friend from there who wanted to stay down here. And then there's Makai, the place I was born. Shinki's a nice person if you look past the fact that she's pretty much nigh-invincible inside Makai. She's just got a weird way of showing her affection for her kids. I'm not directly one of hers though, I was born from the Makaiheart, a living nexus of chaos energy that serves as the Root for Makai. And to be honest, even though folks are supposed to want a reunion with their parent or parents, the Makaiheart is one thing I don't wanna meet up with again anytime soon."
>Grin. "Looks like we've got a lot in common Maribel, despite being different races. We're both blonde, we've both got great potential, and we both have exceedingly troublesome parents."
>"Quite well actually."
>Order an Eel Bowl.
>Nod. "Yeah, they're mostly a bunch of arrogant folks, but every so often you get an oddball that moves down here for keeps. Like Kaguya. She's the person I went up there to help out by causing trouble. It's a long story."
>Let's show 'em that Event Spellcard of ours. "This little card ties into that story."
>"And as for getting shuttled off into another dimension, back then I wasn't the kindhearted girl you know now. I was a right nasty piece of work. Think of the evilest and most insane person in history from your side of the border, and...Uh, I dunno, multiply that by 100? I actually have Yukari to thank for me turning over a new leaf really. Without her getting involved, I would've kept on being a murderous psycho. It was thanks to her that I grew and became the me I am these days. And, me and Shinki are still on good terms really. If anything, I see her more like a parent than the Makaiheart."
>Grin. "They have a pretty weird relationship though, Shinki and the Makaiheart. It's like some bad soap opera or something. If it didn't mean possibly slipping back to bein' the old me by bein' too close to the Makaiheart, I'd try and patch things up between those two. But as it stands now, it's no-good. Not that I mind though. They've got their lives out in Makai, and I've got my life out here. I actually have a couple friends that also came from there. Once of 'em is even the direct Royal Heir herself! Alice Margatroid, Shinki's only true daughter. Though all the folks down in Makai are regarded as Shinki's children, Alice is the only one that I know for it to be exceptionally literal. These days she lives out in the Forest of Magic, tinkering around with her dolls."
>"Let's see...Ah yeah, there's also Koa, a lesser demon who works down at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. She's what they call a Familiar, a lesser magical being that serves a Magician. Dai knows her better than I do though. Dai's a Sprite, an Evolved Fairy. Sharp as a whip she is. Real kind and gentle too, doesn't like fighting unless she has to. You guys'd probably like hanging out with her."
>Make it a Deluxe with The Works at that!
>Fistpalm. "Oh yeah, and the person who runs this place, Mystia, is another friend of mine. Great singer, if you don't mind having a sudden onset of night-blindness for your troubles. That's the problem with her ability, it triggers a lot when she sings."
>Can she sing without that effect? If so, tell them that, too.
>"Inanimate and Animate..."
>Beat.
>"Waaaaait....Forest of Magic, that boundary...Oh man, did Alice finally pull it off?! That crazy kid finally did it!"
>Beat.
>"Either that, or another Tsukumogami like Kogasa was born around there. Kogasa's an Umbrella Tsukumogami, the girl you see? Just a projection, the real Kogasa's the Umbrella. 'Course, she's still easy to get along with, and she's great at parties!"
>"Hey Maribel, did it feel complete or anything? Like it went, and stayed that way? But yeah, I took pretty well to having been stuffed in another world, because I wouldn't have made the friends I did otherwise. Think about it, you wouldn't have made friends with Renko if Yukari hadn't left you to grow on your side of the border. And I can tell that you two are real close. Almost inseparable even. S'kinda cute really."
>Nod. "Oh yeah. That crater wasn't just my handiwork though. You can thank Toyohime, Yorihime, and Shinki for that as well. Man was it one hell of a brawl up there! If there was a way to pull it from my memories and show it to other folks, then I'd go for it. A brawl like that deserves to be known."
>Grin. "So go on and order whatever you like already, it's my treat. I got plenty of cash."
>Facepalm. "That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that if she hadn't left you with your dad, you never would've met Renko, which means you wouldn't have as reliable a friend as she is. I wouldn't have had quite as many friends back in Makai, because I woulda just ended up killin' 'em all. It wasn't until I found my way here, to Gensokyo, that I got...Well, suffice it to say, Yukari gave me one doozy of a reality check. And that helped me make the friends I have here. Plus, I'd say she was meanin' for you to mature on that side, so you could take what you've learned there, and apply it here. She said you've got the power to surpass her y'know. She was limited by her own thought processes, you don't have that limitation. For you, the sky is not even a limit either. Creating worlds, destroying them, you could even take a creature from the deepest recesses of your mind, and make it real. A Living sword with nifty angel wings? You could make that with the right practice and training."
>Fistpalm. "Oh yeah, I should probably explain a bit about this little group you'd end up in if you choose to take up the mantle. See, up until recently, there were six powerful beings. Myself and Yukari were two of them."
>"The members are a pretty motley group really, a regular rogue's gallery of differences. There's Byakuren Hijiri, a Magician of rather immense power really, but she hates to fight. Nicest lady you'd ever find, you'd like her I bet."
>"Then there's Tenma, who leads the Tengu up on Youkai Mountain." Grin. "Old man's got one hell of a punch, think I'm still feelin' it. Pretty cool guy really, and the only dude among the Great Six."
>Sigh. "And then we come to the most dangerous of the set, Yuuka Kazami. Trust me when I say that you don't want to make her your enemy, even I'm kinda scared of her. Green hair, plaid clothing. And overall, one helluva piece of work from an era long past. Sure, she's got one helluva green thumb, but she's got too much of a penchant for sadism for my liking. Hella strong too."
>Grin. "And then we come to someone who pretty much amounts to my next-door neighbor, Remilia Scarlet. And by extension, her kid sister Flandre."
>Smirk a bit. "What do you guys know about Vampires?"
>"I always wondered what the deal was with that lake."
>Nod. "But anyhow, that's what those two kids are. Pretty nice folks really, they prefer to get their blood in the form of baked goods like cakes and the like. I guess you could call 'em the 'Friendly Neighborhood Vampires'. Remi always has something interesting to say on different matters, and Flan's got one hell of a mind for having fun. You should see some of the shenanigans we got up to."
>Big ol' cheesy grin.
>Grin. "Hey now, I at least put that behind me. Mysty's cooking is way better than eating some random joe off the street. Plus, they don't eat the people themselves, just the blood. And it's really only because they have no other choice in the matter. That's just how vampires are."
>Grin. "Hear hear! Let's dig in!"
>Let's dig in!
>"Oh hey, one of Alice's dolls!"
>Grin at the doll. "Got a message for me or something?"
>"Oh boy. Looks like Shinki's lookin' to help me out in case an incident like the other day happens again. And Elly, she'll be wanting you to lend a hand in this too."
>Nod towards Renko and Maribel. "Well, you two oughta be able to chill here in the Village, it's the safest place around. Once you've finished your food, I'll run you guys to see Keine."
>Nod. "Well, either way. It'll probably fix in time I suspect. I don't know too much about that Border thing anyhow, other than that Yukari was the one who kept it running, and she's passed that mantle down to you."
>Look to where Mystia is. "Oi, Mysty, think you can take these two to Keine here after a bit? I got somethin' I need to take care of."
>Nod. "Arrite, Keine should be able to get 'em to her safely. She ain't the Mayor and Village Keeper for nothin' after all."
>Has everyone else finished yet?
>Nod. "True, and I'm as friendly as they come, so long as you ain't tryin' to harm Gensokyo that is."
>"Well Elly, let's make for Alice's, yeah? See you kids later."
>Let's make for Alice's!
>Nod. "I get what you're sayin'. S'like filling an empty furnace, yeah?"
>"...I'd kinda like the old me to return to how she was before the Makaiheart got at her though. I heard from it that she was someone you tried to kill, and it was that desire for vengeance on both their parts that created the old me."
>"....Whoa. That'd definitely explain the whole 'Fallen Angel' bit I pull."
>Beat.
>"Shinki, did she have wings of any kind?"
>"Before. I have a slight hunch as to what she might've been."
>Nod. "Go for it. I might be able to figure out why she showed up. There could've been some small detail you missed, or wasn't obvious the first time around with just you lookin' at things."
>"Hmm...It seems that she, or whoever she served, really did not like the idea of you running your own place. To think that I used to look and think like that so long ago though. Shame about the wings though, that'd explain why mine are all black and stuff, though the Makaiheart probably didn't help any."
>"I wonder if she would know more about the one who would eventually become me?"
>Nod. "But look at the chains. I can already see a weakness there. Yumeko's swords aren't divine in the least, are they? That would mean that against non-divines, they're about as useful as regular chains. I'd be better off using just plain-old Dark Energy Chains instead. Better bang for my buck that way. S'how I took down the old me back when I first fought her up here after all." Tap the side of our head.
>"But if another Titania incident happens it would help quite a bit in at least stopping her from blowing up half of Gensokyo."
>Just gotta remember to never bother trying to bind a non-divine.
>Though our other self was bound in them too so maybe they do work on non-divines to some extent.....
>"So basically, the chains are a superweapon capable of taking down anything, huh? Be nice to have a trump card like that. Y'know, one I don't have to go nutso again to use."
>All the knowledge of our past self? Does this extend to the person we were BEFORE the Makaiheart got at us?
>"Yeah, um, didn't know about the chains, or about anything prior to the Makaiheart doin' it's thing. Yumemi should be up and about in a few weeks though, it's been four days since the brawl that put her outta commission. She might know more, like old legends and stuff. Given how she was determined to bring magic back to her world at any cost, odds are pretty likely that she'd know something to go on."
>Nod. "So, on the subject of refueling me with the right sort of energy, how does Elly factor into this whole thing?"
>Nod. "I gotcha. Make sure the fight drags out as much as possible eh? Girl's like Hong in a way, she oughta have enough stamina to last."
>Look to Elly. "You ready? Looks like we'll get that fight after all."
>Grin. "Hey now, we can't be having you get worn out when I've still got energy to burn off after all. We won't be able to finish the job if that happens."
>Wait, are we outside, or inside Alice's place?
>Grin, and form a Dark Energy Scythe of our own, and bolster it with our Qi as well.
>Then, let's meet her head-on!
>Grin. "Worth a shot. I like mirroring my opponents after all. 'sides, not a waste if the goal's to drain my energy reserves."
>How much did doing that drain anyhow?
>Let's form a Dark Energy Cross, and bolster the points only.
>Let's make it spin in front of us. We'll be sure to pour as much as we can into this. both dark energy, and our own energy.
>"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm putting everything I've got into things from here on."
>Let's do the same, and put everything we've got into it!
>Let's throw the cross at the scythe too! And then get the hell out of the way in case it just cuts right through!
>If we're able to dissolve the cross into danmaku, do so immediately when the scythe appears to cut through the cross (if it succeeds in doing so)
>Summon up another cross, tips reinforced of course.
>Why would she throw her weapon away though? Pay attention to that scythe if it cuts through in case it ends up coming in from behind like a boomerang.
>Also, douse the area in darkness.
>Alright, let's use all the dark energy we can muster to fill the field with mines! We'll push past our limits to go within a hairsbreadth of running out!
>Now let's fling some glowing beams that'll be easy to spot even in our darkness, but won't reveal the presence of the mines.
>Let's make the mines converge on her in a spherical cage, then detonate all at once!
>Grin. "I get it now. You yourself don't expend any energy at all summoning and creating those tiles. They carry all the energy they need themselves.
>How are we holding up, just about ready for Shinki to do her thing?
>She thinks she knows where we are? Haha, she's funny!
>Let's dodge out of the way as best we can!
>If her defenses are even better, then she might've even been able to withstand even Titania's Spark. Wish we had her around for that fight.
>"Ow...Man that smarts. I gotta wonder though, what's with the name of that attack? You got a thing for apples or something?"
>Well, let's bombard her with danmaku until we can't even shoot smoke! "This'll be easier if you just outlast me in defensive terms, we'll get this done a lot quicker!"
>Grin. "Heh, true, but once I'm set up proper, then we'd seriously be able to go at it. The whole point of this is for me to expend my energy after all."
>Let's try and evade the scythe, and retaliate with a Qi-Powered palm thrust!
>Wiped out enough for Shinki to do her thing?
>"Heeeeey, Shinkiiii...Think I'm wiped out enough..."
>"Yeaaah, I know that already. Yuuka, -the real one mind you.- used Kogasa to fire off a spark. Out cold for a while she was. Wonder how long I'll be out?"
>Grin weakly. "Well, lay it on me."
>How're we feeling? Good enough to be up and about?
>For that matter, what feels different about us?
."Heh...Now if only the room'd stop spinning...I've had enough of the merry-go-round already..."
>Chuckle to ourself, and kick back until the dizziness passes.
>Chuckle a bit. "Mornin'. Or evenin'. Whichever one's appropriate. Feel like a whole new girl almost, mom. Hehehe, It feels funny calling you that for real after all this time."
>Chuckle faintly. "What can I say? I've always had a healthy appetite."
>Beat.
>"Speakin' of which, it's probably been a while since I ate earlier. Think you can disguise and repress yourself enough to go around in the Human Village? I did promise that I'd treat you to food at Mystia's after all. We'll bring Alice and Marisa too."
>Beat.
>If we end up going into our old child form when we seal ourself enough to go around the village, does that mean Shinki would end up the same way..?
>...That'd actually be kinda-cute really.
>Grin, and pick her up in a hug. "I know this is probably rude, but you're pretty damn cute like this."
>Let's bring her out to Alice and co. "Look who just took a walk on the cute side!"
>...Liiightbulb.
>Set her down, and compact down to our cute form too!
>"Hee-hee~! Now we're both cute! You oughta give it a try too sis~!"
>Beat.
>"Hey Shinki! Know what this means? You just got what you were after when you caused that fuss way back when! Alice is technically back to how she used to be, and you're on good terms with her too!" Grin in our usual hopelessly goofy way.
>Beat.
>"Nice hair Marisa. Love the shade of red. Reminds me of a slab of beef~!"
>Beat.
>Grin. "I got an idea. But we need you-know-who for it. Y'know, the one Marisa just mentioned. Think you can magic her here? May as well have a little fun while it lasts, eh? Better set a timer on what's keeping them kids though. Can't have 'em like that for good after all."
>Sigh. "Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. Looks like it's time to go back to normal for now."
>Grin. "We can still mess with Reimu this way though, yeah? Betcha she'll be surprised to see her old incident-resolution rival as a kid again."
>"I was referring to her seein' Marisa as a kid again, but now you've got me interested!"
>Beat.
>Grin in that mischievous way that folks get when an incident is in the works. "I bet it'll be relaxing for everyone to become a kid again for once~!"
>Let's fly around the room in circles while remaining as our cute and derpy self with a massive grin.
>Sigh. "Well, it was worth a shot. I figured that the best way to get everyone's spirits back up after...'recent events', would be a completely harmless incident like everyone in Gensokyo suddenly becoming kids again. I mean, it wouldn't hurt anyone would it? In fact, I bet some older folks would welcome it. Humans don't live too long after all, so a shot at momentarily reliving their wonder years would be a nice little gift."
>Sweatdrop. "I don't think that'd be a good idea for her. Bug Youkai y'know. Doesn't quite age on the same axis as most."
>Chuckle. "Hehe, worms."
>Beat.
>Then bust out laughing. "Hahahaha! Worms! It's funny because Wriggle's an Insect Youkai, and we were just talking about her!"
>Okay, let's cool down. "Hahaha...ha...haha...ha...Man that was funny. Well, to me at least."
>...Yeah, Marisa's got a weirder sense of humor than ours. And we hang out with Fairies.
>"....I still think it was funny."
>Sigh, and go back to normal. "Say, where'd Elly go anyhow?"
>Grin in a slightly embarassed way. "Yeaaaah.... Ehehe. That was my fault. We kinda needed to use up every last drop of energy I had for Shinki to get me properly fixed up. I ended up taking one nasty hit. Never had to regenerate a wrecked organ before, so that did the job quite nicely. Hurt like hell though."
>Grin. "But on the upside, I don't think I'll have to worry about going crazy again. And I can safely call Alice sis now!"
>"I don't think she can do this."
>"Though I think that we shouldn't tell her about this. Ever."
>Grin, and fiddle with one of the ends of the chains. "Man, it looks like I've got everything of mine now. Still felt 'her' around, but I don't think she'll be troubling me again for a long while."
>Nod. "Oh yeah, this just dawned on me as to what the one who would become the old me was. An Angel. When you consider the temporal images Shinki showed me of that fateful day, and the nature of these chains, it all adds up. Also, I never told anyone this before, but when I first faced down the old me, she described me as resembling a 'Fallen Angel'. She was pretty disgusted by it really. When you add that in with everything else, and take into account that these chains are essentially the same as the ones in the Ninth Circle, as well as my own 'the saint was crucified' habit, it all makes perfect sense."
>Beat.
>"Oh yeah, what happened to the old me anyhow?"
>".....Oh."
>Let's uh...Put 'em away now.
>Then sweatdrop. "Uh...Maaaybe having another weapon to use would be a good idea then. Best to save the chains for a really big thing. What happened to that sword the Red-Winged Woman had? That nifty one with the ruby. I'm thinkin' something like that would be good."
>"A part of me, huh? Like hair, or a finger? I know I'll be putting my own energy into the thing, that's a no-brainer. Gotta be able to will it to me from any distance after all."
>Then pause for a moment with a thoughtful expression. "Hmmm.....The best weapon for me.....Well, that'd have to be some kinda sword. They just feel natural, y'know? Maybe something in the flavor of a sword with a morphblade. Y'know, a sword that can change it's blade's style on the wielder's whim."
>Let's look around too. "Y'know, I don't think I ever found out why you named all your dolls the way you did sis."
>If we can compact to a more childlike form, then theoretically, we could alter our appearance to look more masculine, right?
>"Ah."
>Beat.
>"Then why haven't you named a series after Pandemonium? Savin' that for a particularly powerful or special doll series?"
>Smile warmly, in our best effort at the 'older sister' routine. "Like I said, 'powerful or special'."
>Sigh in that amused way folks usually reserve for dealing with Marisa. "Pandemonium's the capital of Makai, and it's Shinki's home base. I guess you could say it's the sort of 'all roads lead to Rome' kinda thing over on that side."
>"Yup. And thanks to what Shinki did for me, I should be able to visit there for a bit longer than I used to."
>Let's do a small test of our powers not pertaining to the chains, to see if everything still works right.
>"...That's new."
>If we haven't brought back the light yet, do so. "Hey Marisa, Sis, what do you make of this?"
>"Well, that orb wasn't there before Shinki worked her magic."
>Beat.
>Sweatdrop. "Wait. Does this mean I'm the equivalent of Reimu when it comes to Makai stuff now?"
>Grin. "Marisa, since when have you known me to ever turn down a good brawl? Well, except for before I got all powerful and stuff."
>"Sanae huh...Maybe I oughta go visit her sometime. It'll be interesting, seeing how we stack up to each other. Gonna be a good show, that's for sure. Who knows, maybe it'll bring in a little cash too." Grin while nudging Marisa in a way that shows we're halfway joking about the cash bit.
>Oh yeah, there's those kids too. We'll have to tend to them before doing that.
>"Nothing much, except this."
>Let's pull out a dark energy orb just like before. "That's new."
>"I haven't the foggiest either. Maybe it's because this body itself used to be an angel's or something? I dunno. If Yumemi was awake, she'd be able to tell me if she knows anything about all this."
>"Wait, I just thought of something. She exhausted a lot of her life force, so maybe if we hadn't used Kaguya's Cowrie Shell to regenerate what she lost, we could've done the same for her what you did for me in a way. Just by using Gensokyo's ambient magic energy instead."
>Beat.
>"I know this sort of thing's more in line with you magicians, but I can't help but wonder what it could do for folks like her.".
>"Hmm...I wonder how she managed to use her life force to use spellcards though."
>Nod. "But with all the evidence, an Angel of some kind is the most likely thing. We'll get the truth when she's up and about though. She should be able to get just enough energy to get back home afterwards methinks. I bet her little assistant will be thrilled to see her, given how she's essentially in the same position I was after our little party up on the moon."
>Grin in our usual reckless and goofy way. "Everyone though I'd cashed in my chips, but we proved that I didn't. Instead I was just chillin' in Makai for a short time. Well, to me at least."
>Beat.
>"Incidentally, bringing Yumeko and Sakuya along to handle the timespace meddling that Yumemi was pulling worked out just like I thought it would. I don't think I got a chance to give you my end of things on that did I?"
>"How things were from my point of view. All you got was Yumeko's report, yeah?"
>"Oh yeah, that princess I was helping out, the whole reason why I was up on the moon to begin with? She helped out too. She's able to meddle with time a bit as well. Kaguya's a bit on the needy side, in that she tends to leave a lot of things to other people, but when the chips get down to it she's pretty reliable. And when you think about it, she's a princess, and a lot of princesses who never had to do much for themselves are gonna be like that."
>Grin. "She's kinda like a kid almost. Like almost everyone else past 400 in Gensokyo. It's funny, but the young folks act old, and the old folks act young. Gensokyo's damn weird like that."
>"Well yeah, you're only human after all. Compared to everyone else here, you're still just a kid. Incidentally, I didn't know you had red hair when you were younger."
>Grin, and then put her in a playful headlock noogie. "But hey, you got guts after all. And that's what really lets people make it in this crazy world. Youkai too."
>Then disengage and fistpalm. "I got it! I think you might be able to lend a hand with something. After all, you can riddle out how humans think a lot easier than I can."
>Let's have our basic shadow aura give off an excited and happy feel, kinda like a dog. All while smiling like a fool as we're oft to do. "Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that sooner? I'll have to go grab her then. Couple folks from the outside world showed up earlier today, and one of 'em's a bit...Well, troubled, if you catch my drift. Can't quite sort out her own feelin's about her mom, who she ended up running into in here. Bein' a girl, I can connect on that angle, since Youkai Girls and Regular Girls aren't much different, but she's relatively human. Best I could manage is expressin' my feelin's through a fight, but she can't fight just yet. Sanae should be able to connect way easier. Hell, they might've even known each other if things were how I suspect."
>Nod. "Well, since everythin's in order, maybe I should go see about getting Sanae, then findin' those two kids. I left 'em in the Human Village to get this done."
>Fistpalm. "Oh yeah! We got the biggest mom of all sitting around here!"
>Let's pick up Mini-Shinki in another hug! "There's the sword too, but that can temporarily take a backseat until we get this resolved."
>Nod. "Alright, we'll get that out of the way first then. Let's go!"
>Let's get ready to roll. And be sure to seat Mini-Shinki on our shoulder.
>"Suitcase...Must be on vacation I guess. How's she factor into makin' my new sword?"
>Shrug, but be careful to not dislodge Mini-Shinki, and gesture towards Mai. "Well, glad to see you guys in a situation where you're not attacking me, being generally cold, or freaking out."
>Let out a whistle. "Nice thinkin' Shinki. Could be handy in case Yuyuko or Mima or someone goes a little nutty and needs a smackdown to knock some sense into them."
>Then grin. "But Gensokyo's a great place, they've even got this restaurant in the Human Village that's pretty much the best in Gensokyo. I happen to be good friends with the owner. Knew her back when she ran it from a simple cart."
>Grin. "I don't really need to eat either, but trust me when I say it's worth it. Besides, it's a pretty nice and welcoming spot. It's one of the must-visit spots in the Human Village really. I always make sure to swing by there at least once when I go by that place."
>Nod, then set Mini-Shinki down. "Okay, since everyone's here, I guess we can get to the work now, eh? I just gotta visualize how I want it to look."
>Let's see...Well, it's gotta vaguely resemble a cross...And it's gotta be a 2-hander, because we're used to that sort. Play to our strengths and all that.
>Hmm..Yeah, hand-and-a-half sounds about right. A good median point between the two.
>"Alright, think I've got a dial on it. Should I make a Dark Energy Template for you guys to use, or what? Gotta know exactly how we're gonna do this so it comes out how it should."
>Blink a few times. "Eh? They changed colors? Shinki, you got a mirror?"
>Must've gotten changed when Shinki did her thing.
>"Huh. What color are they now?"
>Grin a bit. "Not bad."
>Let's see what else changed about us.
>Break out the wings and everything. Gotta get a full looksee at all our changes.
>If we look more angelic now it would tick off that demon half of ours even more and that's always good.
>Let's put on the widest grin we can! "Man. I look even awesomer than before!"
>Let's do up the Dark Energy Qi Armor too, to see how it changed!
>Maybe now we're a match for the Fake Yuuka even?
>"Awww yeah. Bet I could fight even Elly on even ground now. And with the new sword I'll be getting, I bet even her impeccable defenses would get cleaved."
>Beat.
>"...I'm gonna need to get used to this powerup, don't wanna have an incident where I accidentally squash something important."
>Shrug. "Well, that comes later, sword first!"
>Let's see about making the three-dimensional shadow of a large-ish hand-and-a-half sword with a sorta-squarish, yet still angled, tip. And the blade seems to go past the hilt on the front edge to form a sort of bladed guard for the hands. "Something like this I'm thinking. I was originally thinking it'd look cross-ish, but I can make a Dark Energy Weapon that'll look like that, so I wanted this sword to be something a bit different. It's exactly to scale too."
>Let's put our energy into it too!
Well, my post was aimed at getting the sword to give a few hints at what it would like to be named.
Weapon like this is bound to have a will of it's own after all. It's just common logic.
Understandable. Come to think of it, you might have already given me the hint.
What do you guys think about 'Crystalheart'? Since the gem on the sword is almost like it's heart, and a gem's a kind of crystal.
Alternately, 'Gem of Makai', since it was created in Makai, by a group of Makai's notables, and it's got a nice-looking gem set in it? Nevermind that the sword itself is pretty beautiful too.
>"Hmm...Hey Shinki, y'think someday I might end up doing what you did? Y'know, making my own world with a Magic Gem." let's stare at the gem in the sword as we say that.
How about Unified Chaos? A bunch of chaotic people did unite to make it after all.
>"Hmm...I think it likes the name 'Unified Chaos'. Gonna have to incorporate this little beauty into some spellcards."
>Beat.
>"Hey Shinki, show me a clear still image of that Red-Winged Woman again would you? I just had the strangest thought relating to my new look."
>"Overall, she's taller and more muscular. But I'd say I look a lot more like her than I used to, eh? This gets me to thinking that maybe if she wasn't an angel, maybe she was an assassin sent by someone like you. Since you put a lot of power into essentially rebirthing me how I am now, this new look of mine can't be a coincidence."
>"I was going more with the overall look and feel. not the specific colors and such. Note her hair, same style as mine, just with differently-colored highlights. And then there's the preference for this particular sort of Sword. The funny little similarities like that."
>Nod. "And who knows, she might not've been a Grade A Jerk. She could've genuinely thought you were putting those she cares about in danger. Well, we won't know just yet I suppose, not until we get more info from Yumemi. Odds are pretty likely she'll know."
>Then grin, and go clap Mai and Yuki on the back in a hearty and friendly way. "Well, now you don't have much of a reason to fear me anymore, since I'm 'One of The Family'."
>"Guh. Startin' to get a headache. Looks like I'm gonna have to cut this visit short. Feel free to swing by the Dusk Forest if you're in Gensokyo, eh? I'll see about treatin' you guys to somethin'!"
>"Shinki, you can pop open a warp still, yeah? Seeya again sometime you guys! I'll treat ya to lunch down at Mysty's!"
>Let's head on through when she pops open the warp!
>"Actually, I didn't even know I'd be coming through here. I thought the portal was going to land me back in the Forest of Magic."
>Then smile. "But nah, gloating ain't my thing. I was actually hoping you'd be awake because I wanted to know a few things that only you'd have the answers to."
>Then grin. "Chiyuri'll be happy to see you again when you get back to her after fully recoverin'. I'm sure you'll get back to her once things are settled."
>"You sure? Because what restored you as far as I know was just accelerated regeneration of what you already had. Like a plant regrowing it's flowers."
>Then shake our head. "Nah, technology ain't my thing anyhow. I figured since you were going on about magic so much, that you must know about the myths and legends of your world. Particularly ones about red-winged women with swords."
>"It's a long story. You hungry and able to go places? If so, we can talk about it over some good food."
>Nod. "Good point, let's get you off them then, eh? I can tell you how I found out about these Valkyries you seem so surprised about once we've done that."
>Let's make for someplace we can both sit comfortably.
>Nod. "Yeah, I had to do this to regain an old weapon I lost, and to seal away a part of me that's unarguably evil."
>"So, how about I tell you that story, hm? Well, long ago, I got no idea just how long, Shinki was talking in the neighborhood of over 8000 Years I think, when this Red-Winged Woman shows up and tries to kill her, calling her an 'Abombination', and all that stuff. Sure, she's a Demon Goddess and all, but she's a good person. But anyhow, this little adventure for that woman was about to come to an end, and not a happy one either. After practically getting killed, she somehow found her way to the Heart of Makai. You know, that place you stuck the absorber there in. The heart, seeing a chance for revenge, which was mutually shared by the remaining life the woman had, enabled her to be reborn as the Heart's Attack Dog, a twisted and altogether not-nice lady. Shinki managed to send her away, but after so many dimensions, she made her way here, to Gensokyo. It was then that Yukari, the grandmother of the current Hakurei, and a group of others sealed that demon into the form of a little girl at great expense to themselves."
>Smile a bit. "I think you can guess who that girl ended up being."
>Nod. "So they're the equivalent of the Sprites then. See, when magic went out in the world Gensokyo left, the Sprites, like my friends Cirno and Dai, were the first to feel it. And they're really important friends of mine y'know, I wouldn't be as good a person without them. So you can see why I fought against you that day."
>Fistpalm. "Oh yeah! I guess this means I'm a Dark Valkyrie then, since I've got this." Let's pull out the sword to show her. Let's bring out our snazzy Wings too.
>Chuckle, and stare at our sword. "Looks like we might get to test you out now, eh partner?"
>Beat.
>"Oh yeah, this here is my new sword, forged in Makai. 'Unified Chaos'. It's a primary compared to the Chains of The Ninth Circle, which I still don't want to use much on the off chance the Old Me comes back for more trouble."
>Then grin, and fold our wings so we can exit safely. "Well, I'll be back."
>Let's head on out and go see Rika in all our newfound glory!
>"How long will this take? I kind of have some... other business at the moment. With those two humans you saw earlier."
>"Also, walking right into your lair when you invite me would be stupid. There'll obviously be a trap. If you want to 'settle this', we do it in a neutral location, one wherer neither of us has the advantage."
>"So how, exactly, is this going to 'settle' things? Aren't you just gonna come after me again if I win?"
>"I also have to wonder why you aren't already using your magic-draining device if you actually have one. You'd turn it up to max right away if you could, seeing as how completely draining magic would kill every youkai in Gensokyo. It's not exactly like you to hold off on that."
>Do we want to tempt her on the magic draining thing? We shouldn't mention that one. It's probably a lie, but she might have some kind of draining device and even a small drain might kill our Sprite friends.
>And didn't the kappa reverse-engineer that anyway?
This is obviously a trap of some kind, it's Rika. That said, who knows what that stalker's up to.
>Given our previous experience dealing with our stalker rival, has she really bothered with elaborate traps or just outright tried to kill us?
>"...Just what did you tick off this time?"
>The Lunarians, Yumemi, who else has she tried to work with that will likely turn out to be the real problem this time?
Well Rika's gone and gotten herself in trouble again, so do we sort out Maribel and Renko now, or go deal with Rika immediately?
Wait no thinking about it the more time they spend with Keine to cool off the better, let's go smack Rika now.
>"Never seen her before in your life? Describe her would you? She got anything remarkable about her, like a neat sword, or red wings?"
>"Hmmm...I think Cirno and Mysty told me about someone like that. Haven't met her for myself though. Can't imagine why she'd show up though."
>What do we know from what they told us?
>"Okay, seems she's just shown up for a lecture I'm pretty sure. From what I've heard, she speaks at funerals, or lectures people on their faults. Mytsy and Cirno both got a does of the latter back when all the flowers bloomed out of season."
>Grin. "It was pretty back then y'know. The kids oughta be fine without me I guess, so I can spare some time to find out what's going on."
>Raise an eyebrow. "Oh? What's that?"
>"Is it about you using all these machine bodies? Or having killed your original body?"
>"Whoa. Like what could've been if you'd not gone all mecha?"
>So the Yama super guilt-tripped Rika? Interesting.
>"Well alright I should make sure you aren't going crazier."
>And take the chance to try to break whatever she's using to stalk us across dimensions.
>"You're already crazy enough Rika, any more and you'll be near as bad as the old me was. Which is really saying something, because right now you're only aimin' for Youkai. Next step after that's aimin for humans too. And if you really reverse engineer'd Yumemi's tech, that'll leave the rest of the multiverse at your mercy."
>Then laugh a bit at our own remark, in a sarcastic way. "Ha, mercy? You probably won't have any at that point. Trust me Rika, I've been there before. Even if you're determined to kill me someday, I ain't about to let the one who calls herself my rival end up as bad as I used to be."
>"Thing is, if you get crazier, you'll even start killing folks who aren't even involved. And before long, you'll find yourself liking it. Now even you can agree that as you are now, that ain't a very appealing thing, right? Given how single-minded you are about taking me down at least."
>"Tell yourself that when you go crazy and start to not care what you shoot. Trust me Rika, I've been there, I know how it is."
>Tap the side of our head. "Lot of the things the Old Me did? I remember them. I don't want those to get repeated, especially by someone who has the potential to be even more dangerous."
>"Ah, but you used to be. So while your body's a machine, the mind that lies within is very much that of a regular human. So yeah, I'd be careful if I were you."
>Something she plans to address? Wonder what that means...Could she be having second-thoughts about becoming a machine?
>"Even so, there's no arguing what it once was."
>Well, if she plans to make us a robot too, she'll have a lot more on her hands than she bargained for.
>Sigh. "Calm down. Seems the new kid isn't the only one having mental turmoil then, you're dealin' with a lot of heavy crap too."
>Grin. "And hey, even if you're tryin' to kill me, that doesn't mean that I can't consider you something like a friend-slash-foe. After all, you're the only person lively enough to keep attacking me, and I like that."
>Heh, that Rika. Gensokyo's most Tsundere Robot. She clearly likes fighting us. Must be because we're the first Youkai to have actually treated her like she wasn't food or something?
>She's a right enigma she is. Chuckle a bit "Yeah yeah, lead the way. I got the time to lend my rival a hand."
>Huh. That's definitely out of left field. Well, if that spider shows up again, we'll have to be extra careful.
>Let's keep following, but try to use the shadows to keep up. "Don't worry, I'm still gonna follow, just gonna use shadows to avoid running into too much trouble."
>Well, let's head on down the hall then. "So this is where your new hideout is huh? Not bad. I remember that there was a Spider hanging out close to the entrance, nearly managed to off me before we became proper rivals y'know."
>"So what's the thing you want sorted out?"
>Nod. "So you wanted your rival to be the first to see the new you, eh?"
>Grin. "Wonder how you'll look? Here's hopin' you'll be able to keep up with my new looks too. Since the new you can taste and eat too, I'll treat ya to food down at Mysty's to commemorate all this! So what if you try to kill me every other day? I like the fact that you do that, keeps me sharp, and it's fun!"
>Smile in a playful and mischievous way. "Like love for example?"
>Then grin widely. "Heheh, You know I'm just ribbin' ya. But still, it's great that you're gonna be back to a more human-ish form. And one that can eat too!"
>"So you point, I press."
>Grin. "Hey, food's nice y'know. I might not need to eat, but it helps recharge after a big fight when I've expended all my energy on restoring my body's damage. I guess you could equate it to refueling one of your machines after repairing it."
>Let's push the button. "But yeah, I'll see about helping you make sense of what she showed you. I wouldn't be a proper rival if I didn't help out every now and again."
>Then smile. "If it wasn't for your plan a little while back, I would've gone back to being the old me for keeps, and Makai woulda been screwed. Not to mention everywhere else, even here."
>Grin. "Not in the slightest. You look mature, and you don't have much height difference from me either. Just a centimeter either way I think."
>Laugh a bit. "I was worried there wasn't gonna be any clothes though, that would've ended hilariously bad. Likely with you throwing stuff at me."
>Chuckle, and return it with an equally sly smirk. "Nah, just goin' by how you 'geniuses' are and how you forget the simple stuff like cleaning up after yourself, drinking, eating, sleeping, all that important stuff. I half expected you to have forgotten something as simple as adding clothing to the requirements. That would've been hilarious in a way, like those comic books China reads sometimes."
>"Plus, I like seeing you get all fidgety. It's amusing."
>Grin. "It's a Youkai thing, we like teasing."
>Grin. "Nah, it's something called 'Tsundere'. It's something Human!"
>Beat.
>"And Youkai too, if Alice is anything to go by. Humans and Youkai are a lot alike really, one just lives way longer than the other. Heck, we even pretty much gave up on the whole eating humans thing a long time back. Only ones that do it anymore are the ones who don't know any better, or have no choice."
>"And you were pretty much Tsunderish even before. It's not surprising."
>But it looks like it will be much easier to fluster her now. This is going to be fun.
>"So, what did the Yama show you?"
>"By what rights? There's no reason anything has to be that way. Not sure why you think it can't be different."
>"Most of us never actually had to eat humans specifically, as far as I know. Not sure why we chose to."
>"And I don't know why we ever felt like we should eat humans."
>"Hmm, well for Mystia and me at least, we got beat up by Reimu which was enough to stop doing it at least for a bit. And then we got to know some humans instead of trying to eat them immediately."
>"It's one thing when you look at someone as prey, another when they're your friends and rivals."
>"We all chose to get along instead of trying to kill each other. Someone like Yukari would know more about what started it but I like to believe that everyone decided that being friends was better for all involved."
On Sakuya, you mean on the hints that she needs treatment from Eirin to keep those red eyes in check? That might be best as its own quest, like a Koakuma quest, jJust like we had Daiyousei to bring up the Yuuka subplot.
>"Don't try to kill Yuuka. You can't. And I mean that literally. She used to be a god, so only divine energy can truly harm her. Trying will only piss her off."
>"And don't tell her she used to be a god, either. She doesn't know, and she really doesn't need to."
>So now Rika's just about as dangerous as everyone else instead of genocidal? Well that's certainly good news.
>"That's great! I don't mind us keeping up the rivalry either, I might have missed our regular fights."
>"By the way, the Yuuka we all know is only an offshoot of the real one. The real Yuuka's at least five times more powerful."
>Grin, and give 'er a good clap on the back. "Well, took you long enough to come to this point at least. Also, Remi and Flan ain't so bad really, they only have the blood as an added ingredient, like adding a spice or something to a recipe that doesn't normally have it....I think. They might just use it as a substitute for milk or something. Point is, they don't eat folks either, and they're in the same sort of role as me. Gensokyo's in trouble enough for them to take action? They will. Like that Titania Incident earlier. If it wasn't for them helping me hold her off, we probably would've had the very embodiment of nature and life itself raging across Gensokyo. And for the record, she's the one that created all the fairies, and you know how impossible to keep down they are. Now imagine someone well over five times as powerful as the Yuuka we know, with that sort of ability."
>Fistpalm. "Oh yeah, what do you know about 'Valkyries'? Brainy person like you oughta know a little about 'em, yeah?"
>Beat.
>"We should show Yumemi your new look! I was talkin' with her when you dragged me off on this little revival thing."
>"Remilia, Tenma, and Byakuren join me against whatever it is. Yuuka's supposed to help, too, but I doubt she would."
>"And please don't attack Yuuka. First of all, you'll probably die, and even if you don't, you may provoke her into retaliation."
>"Last time she saw you a couple years back, you were just a kid. THink how shocked she'll be when she sees you in this technologically-advanced body. Speaking of which, that's a real tongue-twister of a word, not too used to sayin' it often y'know."
>Nod. "Also, I don't just protect Humans, I protect Youkai too. And I'm even stronger than I used to be, Shinki saw to that."
>Let's show off our new sword. "See this? With this, I can probably even cut down a god. I guess you might say that thanks to Shinki givin' me an infusion of her energy, I'm probably a lot like that green-haired miko, Sanae."
>Fistpalm, after putting the sword away. "Oh yeah! I was gonna visit her too!"
>"Well, just know this: Remilia's sister-who's not insane anymore, by the way-is a friend of mine, so if you go after either of them, you'll have me to deal with, too. Not that they're likely to need the help."
>"Also, they don't kill people. They only consume what blood they absolutely need to. And I think most of it comes from their maid, and voluntarily; her loyalty's fairly strong, you know."
>Assuming Sakuya's human, of course.
>"They have no other choice in the matter to keep going though. I'm pretty sure that if there was an alternative that doesn't involve some nut offing them, Remi'd probably go for it."
>Smirk. "And about Yumemi. I think you may have got one over on her with this new trick of yours. Imagine her response when she finds out you're cooked up a mechanical body that's practically Human. Able to touch, feel, eat."
>Slip into a shadow to pop out of her own shadow right behind her, and whisper into her ear in a teasing way. "And love." Then slip back into the shadow and return to where we used to be standing.
>Man, Rika's always fun to mess with. Then again, with how Tsundere she gets with us, it's not too hard to see what she really feels.
>Grin a bit, and stand up. "Guess that was added in by the program or whatever? Or maybe this was the body meant for you, which would explain why you were pretty weak in the Rika Robos, since they were like a badly-fitting outfit. This one's much more you."
>Fistpalm. "Hey, I wonder what else you can do? Let's head up to the surface and see if you can do a few things with this new body of yours. I know a move that I wanna see if you can do."
>Beat.
>"Oh yeah, when you called for me, I was in the middle of talking with Yumemi about the Valkyries of her world. Turns out that the woman Shinki killed that would eventually become the old me was one of 'em."
>Nod. "Let's get outta here then. With a body close enough to human, I bet you might be hungry too."
>Beat.
>"...So what if I think about food a lot, it's a force of habit okay?"
>Let's get going with the new and improved Rika!
>Grin in a mischievous way. "Hey, wonder if everyone'll recognize ya?"
>"So that's how you ended up here earlier."
>Beat.
>Smile fondly. "That was fun. I dunno if I'll ever get tired of you tryin' to knock me down. I bet now you can actually put up a better fight now even, no need for that spanner when you're probably more capable in Danmaku now. 'sides, Danmaku's the big thing for Gensokyo, Melee combat's great and all, but Danmaku's the fun stuff."
>Beat.
>"Hey, I bet I can do more tricks now that I've got this sword! Like Sword Beams! Or maybe just plain firing Danmaku with it."
>Nod. "For starters, let's see how much Danmaku you can put out at once without a Spellcard. That should be a good way of judging how difficult a fight you might be for most folks."
>We can use Cirno as a Comparison, since we've seen her in action plenty of times.
>Grin. "Ah, but that was in the RikaRobos, you've got a whole new body that's a much better fit now. Plus, you couldn't really shoot a laser before now, yeah? I'd say that's a sign that you're better at it now than you think. Besides, I just got another mid-season powerup, you're gonna have to use Danmaku a lot more if you're gonna keep up, 'Rival'."
>Did we ever show off our new Powered Mode? Y'know, the wings and armor.
>"Hmm...Maybe you just need practice. Or maybe it's 'cuz you're hungry. That could be it."
>Did anyone ever need to practice to get better at Danmaku?
>Shrug. "Marisa wasn't always as strong as she is now. She got that way with practice. Everyone who wasn't naturally gifted with it had to practice. You're not likely to be an exception to that."
>Grin. "And you've got someone to practice with right here. And there's other folks too, Danmaku's how a lot of stuff's resolved. And here's something interesting, everyone who could've destroyed Gensokyo that I beat ended up becoming a friend or ally. Shinki? She's practically my adopted mom now. You? Well, I don't need to explain that, since you know just as well as I do. And Yumemi? Well, she's just here I guess, the jury's still out on her. She seems pretty okay now though."
>Fistpalm. "I bet if practice doesn't help, she can figure out a way for you to get it right! She's brainy like you after all, and she knows tech. odds are pretty likely that something can be figured out between the two of ya."
>Sigh amusedly. "She doesn't just use that Hakkero though, she's gotten good at Danmaku even without it. Besides, Yumemi didn't have any magic, so she used her own life-energy to do it. I'd say that's quite a bit different from your situation. Plus, she's the one who cooked up that magic-absorber, so she might be able to refine whatever you use as an energy core, or whatever it's called. I'm no tech-head like you are, I just know she'd probably be able to help you refine on the original."
(Why am I getting a vibe that reminds me of Android 16/17/18?)
>Laugh. "And this coming from the girl who would've blown herself up to destroy Gensokyo a few years back. I'll never get tired of your twisty-turny logic."
>"Still insane from everyone else's point of view there Rika. Hell, even I thought you were insane, and I have pretty damn high standards for insane."
>"She's never tried to eliminate every youkai there is."
>"Although with her thieving obsession....."
>"Anyhow, since you're all techy, maybe you just do better with tech related danmaku. You did fire a lazer completely by accident after all."
>"Point is, it takes practice. Besides, if Marisa can figure out how to make an amplifier, surely someone as smart as you can figure it out."
>"Also, did you actually manage to build your own magicdrainer already, or was that just to make sure I came?"
>"And why'd you need me to push the button, anyways? You still had other extra bodies, didn't you?"
>"Ah, but lasers are also tech, since Yumemi and Chiyuri had these guns that shot lasers. Ergo, danmaku=laser=tech=you! It's just common sense by Gensokyo standards."
>"And yet you pulled one off without trying. Y'know what I think? I think you're just in the wrong mindset for using Danmaku. You gotta take that way of thinking and..."
>Fly a bit so we're floating on our side. "Turn it on it's side."
>Smirk in a mischievous way. "I woulda said 'turn it upside down', but that'd entail me givin' you a view of what's under the skirt y'know."
>Gotta mess with her somehow, eh?
>Grin. "Y'got me there. Wonder how many lasers you can fire at once? I'm thinking you might be able to manage two."
>Smile nostalgically. "Man, this reminds me of my old days when I used Moonlight Ray before all this."
>Float upright, and fistpalm. "That reminds me! I'll have to make new spellcards now, thanks to the powerup Shinki gave me!"
>Grin. "Wanna see the new me?"
>Let's go all out in our showiness! The wings, the new armor, the whole nine yards! But skip the chains, we save those for the biggest of all big problems. Like Titania making another comeback.
>Nod. "Maybe, but I think it's a matter of armor design, y'know? I'm thinkin' I oughta look through some books on that, and use that to custom-design a more awesome set."
>"Hmm...I think that you just don't have the energy to fire off more. I run out of energy for that after firing too much Danmaku. Let's go get some food into ya! My treat!"
>Let's drag her off to Mysty's and order the biggest meal on the menu for Rika!
>Question; has the armor ever really been useful besides style?
>If we're going to go and kidnap Rika, we really should warn...well everyone that she isn't as crazy anymore. The average villager probably won't recognize her but Keine and our friends aren't stupid.
>"Oh? So what do you think suits me?"
>Get rid of the armor and stuff. No need to draw the attention of everyone in the village.
>Ah well, a bit of fright every now and again won't hurt them.
>To the restaurant! We need to find out what became of Maribel and Renko too.
>Keep it as under control as we can, though. Don't want to get Keine mad at us.
>To a table! And make sure the Rika doesn't flip and try to spanner someone.
>"Time for your first experience at Mysty's!"
>Let her actually read a menu.
>Grin. "Everyone comes here for a bite to eat. Human, Youkai, even a ghost ordered takeout earlier today! It's like I always say, 'Food is the one thing everyone can agree on'. The Deluxe BBQ Eel Bowls are pretty popular, I always get one. Order whatever you want on the menu, I'll pay this time. Being a hero is a damn lucrative job y'know."
>Come to think of it, this means that since she's mostly on the side of the good guys, she'll need a Yukarin too. We'll have to get in touch with Ran so that way one can get issued if she doesn't already have one.
>Laugh a bit! "Nowhere near as rich as Mysty is though, but she runs a place like this after all. It's to be expected."
>Grin. "No clue, but from what I've heard, this one makes a habit of it. Youmu knows her better than I do. So, how hungry are ya? I know the menu like the back of my hand, so I can pick out something nice and filling."
>Chuckle a bit. "And don't worry about cash, I got it covered this time."
>Then smirk playfully. "And since I know you, I'm pretty sure I can pick out something you'll like."
>Let's peruse the menu, and cross-reference what we know about Rika, and what we know to be filling.
>Let's keep an eye on Keine and Mokou too, gotta make sure a fight doesn't break out.
>Perhaps they're here to keep an eye on us then? Or they know what they want without looking at the menu.
>Let's peruse the spicier dishes then. "Hey Rika, how do you hold up against spicy food?"
>Chuckle. Sounds like Mokou alright, that ol' firebrand never changes.
>Well, let's pick out the spiciest and most filling meal on the menu for Rika then!
>Well, let's flag down one of the servers and order a double of that. Can't lose face in front of our rival after all!
>Grin. "This is gonna be good."
>"Yeah, well, this here's apparently the final version of what she was working on. S'pretty damn close to human apparently. She even gets hungry too! She even turned over a new leaf for the most part, and decided to join up with folks like us. Then again, having a super-guilt trip from the Yama herself will do that."
>Grin. "Tryin' to play the role of the hero, eh? Someday there won't be a need for heroes though, that's just how things are goin'. Also, you gotta rethink what's 'evil' too. Nothing's as black-n-white as you think. Take me for example, I'm a youkai, something that was once considered 'black'. But I fight to protect people, something decidedly 'white'. So these days, things are all kinds of shades of gray."
>"...Sometimes I wonder how you can do that and not come out injured any."
>Wonder if she coulda done that to Titania-Mode Yuuka too?
>"Well, you know what I mean."
>Let's look at RIka, she still dazed?
>Chuckle. "She does that a lot. Don't worry about it. Still, s'always a marvel how that can hurt even someone like you though Rika. Bet it could even knock down a god too."
>Shrug. "Eh, she can do that to even folks like me too, everyone's learned to just go with it."
>Chuckle. "That's Gensokyo for ya. She could probably have even resolved that Titana Incident a few days back if she could get close enough to let one of those infamous headbutts off."
>Let's let out a gale of laughter. "Ahahaha! That's a good one!"
>Oh Keine, slipping into your Youkai half a bit aren't ya? Given how a lot of Youkai do that sort of thing.
>We'll have to look into that sometime. That way we know when Keine's gonna be feelin' feisty.
>Chuckle quietly, and wait for the food to arrive.
>"Well, it was suggested by Okuu, the one who made that miniature sun for the Reactor you jacked a while back. I figured I'd get the spiciest thing on the menu, see how we could hold up."
>Let's see if we can identify anything that went into it aside from the spice.
>"Oh hey, some of these herbs are 'afterburn-cancellers'. You know what those are I take it?"
>Well, if Mysty put it on the menu, it must be at least somewhat safe to eat. "Well, down the hatch."
>Let's have a bite to see just how nasty the spice can get.
>We are certainly tough enough to not flinch in the face of heat. No matter how insane.
>"Whoa. Okuu's good at this. Girl knows her herbs and spices. Bet it'd be crazy for even you if it didn't have the afterburn-cancellers."
>Haha! Let's dig in!
>Haha, Knowing what Okuu does, something crazy like that would happen, wouldn't it? Let's keep on munching.
>That said, it certainly makes sense why Mysty put this on the menu. It's genius! And we know good food.
> Wonder what that waitress was so scared of though, it's wasn't that hot
>"How are Maribel and Renko doing right now?"
>Shrug. "Dunno. Maybe, maybe not. I dragged you here to get a recharge mostly. I bet now you can use a bit more Danmaku."
>Then sigh. "Kid's had a rough day y'know, I know I'd probably react just like she did if I were in her shoes."
>Chuckle. "Same as usual, eh?" Like clockwork those two.
>Slip a playful and mischievous smirk at Rika. "Hey, come to think of it, today's the day you got that new body of yours. Maybe we oughta spend a little time 'goin' at it' too."
>Ah Rika, always fun to tease~
>Chuckle. "True-true~ Have to do 'that' in private~"
>Man, teasing Rika sure is fun. She's kinda cute when she gets all red like that.
>Man, how long till Rika snaps? This ought to be good
>We should be there with Maribel and Renko though, in case they freak out over meeting an immortal.
>Grin in a satisfied and goofy way. "That was kinda fun though. It's nice to get back at her a little every now and again y'know. Plus, with a certain someone else with long blonde hair being...'indisposed', someone's gotta take up the role of the Youkai who teases a certain person."
>Fistpalm. "Oh yeah, I got some more info on my own origins. I'll be sure to fill you and Akyu in sometime later, since I know you guys like historical stuff like that."
>Nod. "True, but I've ended up as one of Gensokyo's 'Big Five', right up there with Remi, Byakuren, Tenma, and Yuuka. So I'd think that qualifies too."
>Grin. "Besides, it's no fun keeping a story mostly to myself y'know. They're meant to be told."
>Grin. "Well, folks in the future do deserve to know about the origins of one of Gensokyo's top people after all."
>Chuckle. "Besides, I bet you're wonderin' why I look like this now. That's because I got a little powerup from Shinki to help further seal away a little something of mine that shouldn't be out and about. There's a reason why I was sealed back in the day after all."
>"...Uh-oh. I think we'd better go break those two up."
>That's Rika for you, always causing trouble. Let's go get her away from Mokou, while Keine handles Mokou.
>Sigh. "Rika's hotheaded too after all, seems we've both got someone to look after that's liable to cause a lot of trouble, eh? Let's get going and break it up already."
>Let's make for the fire via the shadows!
>"Oh? What do you know about them? If I didn't know any better, I'd say it's a fellow creature of Darkness. Then again, I could be right."
>Let's let out our power just a bit more, see how it reacts.
>"Gh! Not bad! Looks like it's time to test out my new power!"
>Let's form the Armor at full strength, and call on our new buddy, Unified Chaos! We're going all out!
>Let's stop it with a burst of Dark Energy Chains, and backpedal as we do so! And while we're at it, cut off the shadows we're creating that aren't our armor.
>"...How did you do that?"
>"I thought you were always in control when you changed, though. that there wasn't a second you. And how does that equate to being able to change whenever you want, anyways?"
>"Whoa, must be serious about this then. Time to up my game!"
>Let's finish forming the Dark Armor, and be sure to protect all our vitals with it. "Alright, Shade. Let's see who's the stronger creature of Darkness! This sword, forged in Makai, will cut you down!"
>Let's focus our energy into Unified Chaos, then release it in a swing towards the Shade!
>"Heh, not bad! Let's see you handle this though!"
>Let's lash out a net of Dark Energy Chains from every shadow in the area in an effort to entangle the Shade in one spot.
>Then we'll blast it with another Sword Wave!
>"What do you mean by that? What sort of 'calamity'?"
>Do we know about the Dragon?
>"What kind of being?"
>We could ask Yukari but.....yeah we know better than to expect a straight answer from Yukari.
>"If she's breaking free, that'd be a good reason to ask some of them about it."
>"There's no way Maribel can repair the seal yet, so... wait, doesn't Reimu maintain the border through the shrine? And she's a shrine maiden, too. Maybe she can help."
>"Why was she sealed, anyways, instead of killed?"
>We kinda should know why she was sealed; likely the same reason Yukari didn't just kill us. She chose to give a second chance.
>"This sounds like something to go ask Yukari about herself."
>Now would this count as a good enough reason to let us through the border to the Netherworld?
>"Hmm....so these Shades are her underlings then? Or perhaps, they're born because she exists. An outward manifestation of what''s in her heart and all that jazz."
>Sigh. "I didn't wanna have to break out my secret weapon so soon, but it looks like that's the only shot we might have at beating her. But I don't really want to use 'them' unless I have to. Even I'm a bit scared of that weapon."
>"But, y'know, if anyone's qualified to knock her around, it's me. Who knows, she might even come around after a good enough one. Just look at Rika, she's turned mostly good. Took 'er a few years, but she's mostly turned around."
>"'Course, she had the Yama knock some sense into her."
>"You think this'd be major enough the Yama herself would get involved?"
>"What do you mean by 'underlings of the Yama'? Are you talking about more that just shinigami?"
>Exceeded lifespan...Seiga, or any of the other Taoists would probably know the answer to this. Especially Seiga, since she said that she's no stranger to this sort of thing. She might even know who this 'Sealed Celestial' is.
>Grin at Rika. "Yeah, I didn't do anything except beat you down each time you caused trouble. And that contributed to you changing your tune. The Yama helped with that though, that's for sure."
>Look back to Iku. "So, mind telling me this Celestial's name? If I had that, I think I could look into that sort of matter, and figure out what needs to be done to either prepare for her, or knock her down again."
>"Hmm...Nice name. Wonder what she looks like. I think I might know a few people who can look into that. Not excluding those present either."
>Look to Keine. "Those names ring any bells? I figure that since you're such a history buff, you might know. And if you don't, Akyu or Patchouli might. Hell, even Seiga might know."
>Nod thoughtfully while returning Unified Chaos back to rest. "Pre-Border....That settles it, Patchouli's the one to ask. She had info on Titania, who far predates the Border, so she's bound to have info on this. I'll go ask her when we're done here."
>In fact, since we might encounter more of those shades, let's streamline the armor to protect our vitals, yet not get in the way with any bulkiness from protecting our body itself. Maybe something with a nice avian or bat motif.
>Come to think of it, didn't that Red-Winged Woman from long ago have a snazzy set of armor?
>Let's look to Rika. "Rika, you'd best head back to your lab and get any toys or devices you might need, especially light-based ones you might've designed to take me on. Since me and the Shades are functionally similar, what was designed to help you against me will make them much easier to take down. I suggest you make replicas to use at the Village as well. If I know how shadow-users fight, they'll probably attack at night."
>Look to Keine and Mokou. "Which means you two will need to keep an extra-close eye on the Village, not everyone can fight those things off after all. We probably only won because I had the thought to use my Dark Chains to bind it's movements."
>Nod. "Daytime's fine, but be sure to catch any shades you manage to see in the crossfire willya? If we knock enough of 'em down, that may just get the big cheese's attention, or maybe weaken her enough so the seal won't fully break."
>Fistpalm. "If that happens, y'think she'll end up like I was? All tiny and cute and stuff? Maybe a seal like the one I had would suffice in giving her a second shot at things. We'd need Maribel to get a dial on her powers on the double-quick for that though, Yukari was the only one who could smack down a seal like my old one after all."
>"Well, I'll catch you guys later, we'll meet back at the Village. I'll go look into this down at the Mansion. I'll warn them too while I'm at it."
>Let's make for the Mansion!
>Let's go see what happened at the gate. "Yo, what happened here? Wait, lemme guess, some weird shadow creature showed up and you pounded the thing?"
>Backstep, and possibly parry. "Hey! I didn't send the damn thing, if that's what you're thinkin'! I ran into one meself while I was with Keine and Mokou, you can ask them if you confirmation."
>"That's because I underwent an energy infusion from Shinki to help suppress my dark side further, the new look's a side-effect of that. As for that creature, that was something Keine called a 'Shade'. I actually came to warn you guys, and get some info on the real source. I figured that since Patchouli had info on the Titania Incident, she might have a book that has info on someone called 'Enkura'. Keine said it was someone who predated the Border, and when I heard that, I thought of how Titania was Pre-Border."
>Sigh with relief. "Phew...Thanks for the save there, I didn't wanna have to have a brawl with Hong right now, not when there's another Incident on the horizon."
>"So since she's already researched the Shade, I bet she probably has a lead on this 'Enkura' person. I came here to warn you guys that apparently she's coming unsealed, and that the Shades are connected to her somehow. She might have abilities just like mine for all I know, despite apparently being a Celestial."
>Nod. "Glad to see we're on the same page though, She might try looking for someone called 'the Distant Darkness'. I can tell you right away that it definitely ain't me though, I'd know if it were."
>Chuckle. "Though the girl does give me an idea or two. Gotta figure out how she made those things. Could come in handy, picking up a trick like that. I already borrowed one from Marisa, and one from Yumemi, So adding another trick to my repertoire might not be half-bad. Besides, they're weak to Light, and Light Magic, just like my own shadows. Learned that from fighting Yorihime and Toyohime up on the moon y'know."
>Grin. "That was a fun one, turns out the two new kids from the outside world saw the aftermath of that little brawl. Left this huge crater on the moon they see."
>Shrug. "Either that, or they get to see the moon they live on, and just the capitol itself is hidden. The big fight itself did happen outside that place after all, so presumably, folks could see it."
>Nod. "Alright, could you go inquire with her for me? I'll talk with Remilia and Flan about all this, if a Celestial's involved, we might need their immense power to knock her down. Not even the Shinigami could kill this Enkura person apparently."
>"Hmm...Well, at the very least, they'll be helpful in taking out the Shades that spawn down here. I've fought on the moon before, so I should be alright up there. Especially since Keine said that the Shades are essentially the same sort of thing as I am."
>Smirk. "Maybe only a Shinigami can kill them, but I've got two weapons that can kill even a God. One of which I really don't want to have to use if I can't help it. The other one..."
>Let's manifest Unified Chaos again. "Say hello to my new 'partner-in-crime', 'Unified Chaos'."
>No wonder they kept dodging Unified Chaos
>"I found out from Iku that Yukari's the one who sealed Enkaru but with her not around anymore....."
>Nod. "I figured Unified Chaos here could do the job, seein' as it pasted the one I ended up fighting. Since it was Forged mostly by Shinki, divinity in her own right."
>Then grin in an embarrassed way. "Word to the wise, don't mess with the shadows when a Shade's around. I, uh, learned that one the hard way. E-hehe."
>Nod. "Yeah, apparently it'll be another calamity if Enkura's fully unsealed again."
>Nod. "Well, if she hasn't dug anything new up, let her know what I told you about this person. Odds are likely that it'll put her on the right track. I'll keep an eye on Cirno and Dai, and advise them to not mess with Shadows either. I'm mostly okay because I have my combat and Dark Energy to fall back on. As well as my sword."
>We can use our voice through Shadows, right?
>We can poke our head through a shadow and have it come out of another one then, right? Or do we have to go completely?
>"I'll be right back, gonna get Cirno and Dai to come here for safety's sake. Even if they're Sprites, I still want to protect 'em."
>Let's slip through a nearby shadow, and work our way to Dai's shadow, then poke our head out without looking up. "Hey, down here. S'me, Rumia. I need you and Cirno to get to the Gate as soon as possible. Trouble's brewin', and I wanted to make sure you guys were safe."
>"Oh yeah, smashed it good."
>Let's slip out of another shadow fully, then grin. "Like the new look? Got a little 'upgrade' from Shinki, one that's meant to suppress the old me even more. Oh, here's somethin' interestin' for ya Dai. Remember that weird woman I told you about that ended up getting all corrupted by the Makaiheart? The one that ended up becoming the old me? Turns out she was somethin' called a 'Valkyrie', the equivalent of a Sprite from Yumemi's world. One difference though, they were major jerks, smashing up anything that went even remotely against nature."
>"300 years ago...Might not fit the timeframe then, Shinki said it was a good 8,700 or so Makai Years ago I think. And they vanished from Yumemi's World a good 8000 Yumemi-World Years ago."
>Then grin. "We'll have to see who's gotten stronger sometime then, Cirno. I got a new Sword too y'know."
>Let's go along to the Mansion as well! Sakuya should be back by now after all.
>Since Koa's a Makaian too, does that mean that we can feel her presence, and she can feel ours?
>"So, what'd she find out?"
>"Hmm....so just more troublemakers to knock down, eh? Well, I can knock her down easily enough if need-be, I have a secret weapon just for the likes of her. I really don't wanna use it, but I probably have no choice."
>"Wasn't hers Scarlet Weather? Scarlet Mist was Remilia's."
>"We need to get Tenshi's attention somehow, then."
>"Also, Iku said it was because Yukari died that the seal's weakening."
>"Yeah, that's what I thought. That's why I want to find her."
>"That messenger, Iku, went towards Eientei. Maybe she can take us to Tenshi. I don't know if I can get to Eientei in time to catch up with her, though. Sakuya, you probably can, right? Stopping time would help with that, I'd think. Any chance you could go find her?"
>If Sakuya says no: "Right. I'd better move, then. Dai, give me a speed boost, willya?"
>"Ah, she hasn't shown up here because I told her I'd handle warning you guys. I was heading here to begin with, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. Remilia and Flan already know, right? Someone should tell them to be on guard before we go."
>"Well, either way, we should probably get going. Meiling, you can tell Remi and the others, okay?"
>"No. You'll just pick a fight with someone."
>"Sakuya, now! Before she complains!"
>"If we see any Shades, we'll take 'em out on the way! I might be able to figure out how to turn her own trick against her somehow."
>Let's get going!
>"Right, let's go as quickly as you can, then."
>"Y'know guys, I bet there's a way to turn Enkura's shades against her. Keine said that they're essentially the same as me, so maybe they'd accept me as a better leader than her. Like how Cirno and Dai are to the Lake Fairies."
>"Hmm...I wonder if there's a way for me to use something similar? Maybe there's a way to magically create a breed of Shade that's more Fairy-like in nature, instead of the feral beast they're currently known as."
>Then chuckle a bit. "Sheesh, Shinki's rubbin' off on me already. Why is it that folks connected to her somehow end up wanting to create a form of life? I mean, there's Alice and those dolls of hers after all."
>Nod. "Whenever you're ready to go."
>"She's a bit on the anti-social side, but no more so than say, Patchouli. It just takes time to get 'er to warm up to ya. Look at how she's warmed up to Marisa, and then there's the fact that she seems to have warmed up to me. It was startin' up even before I got this little boost from Shinki, that boost just made it a bit more doable."
>"Hmm...something to look into at least. Most powerful Youkai have some sort of Magic they go for after all, like Remi and her Blood Magic, so I guess in my case it'd be Shadow Magic. Y'think Patchouli's got books on that? I figure it's something nice to work towards that'll kill plenty of time."
>"Wait...Grimoires...Aha! Maybe if I read that collection of Grimoires that Byakuren wrote while in Makai! I think I still have one with me!"
>Beat.
>Sweatdrop. "That's gonna be a lot of reading. There's at least 500 or so to the collection."
>Nod. "But yeah, let's go."
>"Sorry, but there's trouble brewin', and it ain't Mokou-related. Well, she's involved yeah, but she's workin' to put an end to the trouble brewin'."
>Raise an eyebrow.
>This WAS our destination, right?
>"You did pass along the warning though, right? There's big trouble brewing, some Sealed Celestial's coming undone, and is sending out these Shade things to cause trouble."
>Let's turn away from the little bunny, and slip Sakuya a sly look afterwards. "Well, she's bein' a stubborn one, so we'll have to pass on this avenue then. Let's make for the next stop."
>Let's head off back down the path until the group's out of the rabbit's sight.
>Once we are; "I got a plan, it's a bit sneaky, but it should work. You know the old saying, 'To catch a fox, you have to think like one'. And I'm a pretty sneaky bastard when I gotta be."
>Let's fade slightly into a nearby shadow to emphasize the point.
>"Chuckle. "You really think it's a good idea to tangle with someone who's hopped up on Makai Energy straight from Shinki herself?"
>Let's make another omnidirectional net of Dark Chains to tangle up the rabbits she just called as backup. With how criss-cross-y Bamboo is, there's loads more oddly-angled shadows to work with!
>Chuckle slightly. "Tell me, how dark d'you think this place gets? Buuuut~ I'd be careful if I were you though, Sakuya here's getting mad. You wouldn't like her when she's mad."
>Let's make another omnidirectional net, this time incorporating their own shadows into the mix so they can't escape as easily.
>Chuckle. "Heh, I like this, you got guts!"
>Slip into her shadow.
>Chuckle, and force ourselves upright. "Y'know what they say, 'when guile and wit fails, the only thing left is a strong arm.' You might have the field advantage, but tell me..."
>Let's ramp up to full power! To the point that just being close to us can cause folks to go off-balance!
>"Can you handle this?"
>Chuckle. "True. But I do enjoy a good brawl every now and again. I didn't really wanna knock you around, but I'm determined to pass things along since you're too set on keeping the place safe to even consider sending one of those rabbits of yours to deliver the message for you."
>Ah, let's see about getting the bunnies off Sakuya too. Perhaps with a set of arms coming out of the shadows.
>Laugh it up. "So you're sayin' that you've been holdin' back all these years? If that was an attempt to scare me off, it did the opposite. Sakuya? You might wanna mind your head, don't wanna lose it~!"
>Let's pull out Unified Chaos and start putting a lot of energy into it. "See this? This sword can cut down even a God. Care to see what it'll do to someone who isn't one?"
>Smirk. "Who said anything about killing though? I'm sure she can re-attach a few limbs or two~!"
>Beat.
>"...I just sounded like Yuuka there for a second, didn't I?"
>Grin. "True. Guess we'll use Danmaku for this. Sorry to wake you up again partner. Sakuya, be careful of tricks, you warned me about her being a tricky one after all."
>Let's put Unified Chaos away again after pulling back the energy we charged into it. Then of course, we'll dispel the armor completely until after this has been resolved.
>Let's set out a field of Dark Energy Mine Danmaku, and set up a barrage of lasers that cover the gaps between them!
>Grin, and weave out of the way!
>Then return fire with a Dark Version of the shot she fired, but with the kanji for 'Shadow' inside it instead of the crest she has!
>Fire another crest off at it to deflect it!
>Then point behind her like she did.
>"You're fighting a shadow dear, anything you can do, I can too."
>We can make our shots come out of shadows too, right?
>Grin. "Maybe, but I'm sure I can get even the reflecting down after enough practice. 'Where there's a will, there's a way'. As they say."
>Grin, and fade into a shadow to dodge! "I'll practice after all this is over, I got the time afterwards."
>Let's make a swarm of crest shots flood out of the area's shadows.
>Let's slip between shadows while probing her defenses with the occasional Laser while we keep up the Crest Barrage.
>Back off, and slip out of a shadow a nice little distance away. "Whoa, clever little bunny ain't ya?"
>Let's match her by making some Dark Energy Mines orbit her slowly as well!
>Oh-ho! Clever little bunny, using a trick like that. Let's throw out a few Wave Shots to punch through!
>What spellcards do we have with us currently?
> Night: Dark Curtain===
A basic attack in premise, it's basically a massive swath of danmaku, that pure dodging skills are needed for, no fancy tricks.
> Yin Sign: Pinpoint of Light
An attack similar in concept to Boundry of Humans and Youkai, dark-cloud danmaku surround the target, slowly closing in, as small red bullets are fired from various angles. Unlike Boundry of Humans and Youkai, this is not a survival card. The clouds slowly re-align so the target is in the center of them as they move, but too swift movement will have them enter the clouds.
I know there's a better comparison but I can't recall off the top of my head what it is.
> Yang Sign: Darkness within Light
A combination of short-term lasers, warning given before they fire, that each then sweep a small area, and a dark energy orb that follows the foe, occasionally stopping and unleashing a wave of danmaku from it.
> Madness: Makai's Homecalling
An attack that instantly has you slash where the target is with a dark energy blade, leaving a trail of dark energy that lets out danmaku [Think like the trails Youmu leaves]. This is repeated, getting faster as you repeat it, making this spellcard hectic towards time out.
> Battle that Scarred the Moon
After the Lunar Event, you got an 'event' spellcard, similar to ones such as Curse of the Heavens: Apollo 13. This spellcard has you charge up and launch massive orbs of dark energy, while letting loose smaller ones from the growing orb. You presume this is based on your 'Dark Bomb' you used. There are also arrow danmaku that fly towards you, missing narrowly, from the edge of the spell plain. You guess this is based on the Sisters attempts to stop you.
Wait, why are we fighting? We were only here to find Iku, and Tewi said Iku was turned away, too. Shouldn't we have just asked which way Iku went? Well, let's at least be sure to do that before we leave.
Because Tewi didn't bother to let Kaguya know about the shade issue I think
Though I'm not sure why we didn't just tell Tewi those shadows aren't from Mokou........
>"By the way, those shades are familiars of that Celestial that's breaking out. They're bothering everyone."
>She avoided the lazers for a reason, use Yang sign on her.
>Dodge while returning fire!
>If the bullets are expanding outwards then move close enough to where we're within the arcs to begin with. Would make Tewi's shots a bit harder to dodge but with the kind of people who have been trying to smack us around lately we should be fine.
>Do still keep shooting her, we can fend off bullets we can't avoid with more dakka.
>On that note if we do actually need more firepower Dark Curtain is there. Only if necessary though.
>"Against cards like this, closing in makes it not too hard to dodge at all."
>Let's keep at it!
>"You know, you could've just sent a spare rabbit to pass the message along, since there's so many of you guys around here. Would've saved us the trouble of getting into this little dustup."
>Raise an eyebrow. "Seriously? The way you were talking, there's as many of you guys as there are fairies down at the lake."
>Sigh. "I know that the whole bit with Mokou is a thing, but she's busy keeping the Village safe from the Shades right now as far as I know. So I don't think you'll have to worry about her just yet. Word of advice, the Shades are weak to light, heat, and anything that can harm Demons. Danmaku might work, but they aren't playing by the rules."
>Nod. "Well, if the arrowheads are silver, then that would do the job. Seeing as silver is one of the other weaknesses they have."
>"Well, I'll see about at least finding Reisen to get the info passed along. Odds are good that she'll be more likely to actually get the info where it needs to be, Eirin will probably want to get the details we've already dug up on the cause of all this, and they'll probably appreciate a 'Mokou Forecast' too. Sakuya, you can keep tabs on things here right? I shouldn't be too long."
>Let's head onwards to find Reisen!
>"Alright Sakuya, see you when I get back."
>Getting to Eientei's as easy as following the bouncing bunny! So let's go!
>Sweatdrop. "A messenger getting lost...Well that's definitely a sight. At least she got here though."
>Let's look to Iku. "You wanna tell her the message? Or should I? Then again, I can probably supplement it with what I've dug up."
>"Actually yes. I was also looking for you. See, the seal that's weakening is actually maintained by the HInanawi clan. We think there may be something Tenshi can do to fix it, but we can't get into heaven to talk to her about it. So could you either let a few of us up or tell Tenshi to come to the Scarlet Devil Mansion?"
>If she says something about already having tried having the Hinanawis fix it: "Well, maybe we can do smoething to help. I've got the raw power if that's important, and I know where to find more if needed. I can also get what may be the most intelligent person in Gensokyo-and also a very talented magician. And then I could ask Byakuren, too. And I can add divine energy ot the mix, thanks to Shinki. And Alice can, too. And- well, basically, we can bring a lot that might help."
>Oni are stubborn, and like challenging folks if they think it'll be a good fight, right? Looks like we might have to fight this Oni if it comes to it.
>Unless we already know; "Mind telling me who this Oni is then?"
>"Well, that definitely narrows it down a lot."
>Last we'd heard of Yuugi and Suika, they were heading to visit Kanakuma. And Kasen doesn't seem like the sort to pull something like that. So it's one of the other three then.
>And since Kanakuma couldn't leave her mountain, that cuts her out of the equation.
>"Okay, logic shows that it could only have been Suika. Since Yuugi was probably still underground, and the other two were also missing in action at the same time."
>Nod. "Well, that should push things in our favor a bit more. She might even be willing to lend a hand knocking that Enkura person back down."
>Where would one normally find Suika?
>"Guess I'll be paying Reimu a visit, then. That's usually where Suika is."
>"Though she might also be visiting a friend of hers too. Reimu's place is always a good starting point though."
>"Hm...I know exactly where she is then."
>If she got those meds for Kanakuma, then she's going to be at Kanakuma's Cavern.
>"Well, I'll get going. Make sure the messenger here gets out of the forest, okay? I gotta find Sakuya so we can get to the Far Ranges."
>We should be able to find our way back to where we left Sakuya, right?
We can swap to Mari, I don't mind. it's kinda like some games with dual protags where you play as one at first, then the other in the next stage/chapter.
>"Well, either way. You handle this, I'll get going."
>Let's work our way back to where we left Sakuya,
>"Yep, got a lead on how to get up topside too. We'll have to go find Suika, but I got a good guess as to where she is thanks to some info I got from Reisen. Ran into the messenger there too. Turns out she got lost on her way out, and blundered her way to Eientei."
>Nod. "Anyways, you remember where we fought Yumemi? Suika should be in that area of Gensokyo, so I think you know what we have to do to catch up to her."
>Nod. "Yep, you got it. There's someone there that's important to her, but I can't say more than that because of the promise I made. So, shall we be off?"
>Let's get ready and go when Sakuya's ready.
>"...True. Looks like I'm going the whole way on my own then. You keep safe now, you hear? Those shades don't play by the rules. Well, see you when we get things set up for us to make for the seal."
>We may as well get going, unless Sakuya needs help getting back out. In that event, we'll help her out and then get going.
>Take a look.
>Let's get away from the window. Thing really doesn't like us.
>"Renko, keep away from the windows."
>Can we do, like, some sort of border thing to make it be somewhere else?
>Well, we're gonna need to get a handle on our border power if we're going to get home anyhow. So let's try to send it somewhere that isn't the village! Sink or swim!
>How can we force it through? There's got to be a way!
>...Aha! Let's try closing the tear on it!
>Let's try opening another one to force it into!
You guys got any ideas how to get rid of this thing?
>Try moving the tear around. See if we can move it over the creature and get the thing that way.
>Close it!
>"..I think we're safe now Renko. I somehow managed to send it away with my powers.."
>"I don't know either, but I wanted to make sure we were safe. So I managed to force it through a border that should put it somewhere at that big mountain. We have to get back home safely somehow...So I may as well put these powers to use."
>Stare at Mokou. "...Immortal?"
>"...Bright. Sure she isn't going to burn the house down with all the pyrotechnics?"
>"Oh, um, there was some crazy black thing here while you were gone. It looked like it was going to attack us, so I, um..."
>"I managed to get it through a gap. I think I dropped it on that big mountain."
>"...Unless there's more there already I suppose."
>"....She's like us..?"
>Did we know anyone like that who just up and vanished one day?
>"...So where is safe then? Aside from here."
>"...I might be able to get there by opening a gap though. That's how I sent away that...You called it a 'Shade'?"
>Let's look around for something that'll result in a suitably loud clang if it's dropped on someone's head. Like an old washbin or something.
>Then use a little gap to drop it on Mokou's head. "...Don't call me that."
>"I just don't want to be compared to her."
>What sort of clubs to do with physical fitness did we attend? Such as Kendo or the like.
>When grabbed by the collar and being lifted, what sort of move do we know to escape with? Aside from the obvious borderjump.
>Which of the joints of hers in question look to be our best bet?
>Hmm...But if she really is as old as she claims to be, she might see it coming.
>Well, we'll have to try it! Let's try to knock her elbows outward!
>"How? What did I say?"
>"My 'Mother' abandoned me as soon as I was born! Today is the first time I've even seen her! She can hardly be called 'family'!"
>Punch her back. We're not about to let her bully us into her way.
>"Not when I was only born to take up her job when it was convenient!"
>In fact, since she wants a fight so badly hit her again and let out the rage.
>"Nineteen years! And not only do I not see her until she's dead, but then she tells me that I have no choice but to take over for her!"
>"So, what, you're going to kill me just because I don't like her?"
>"So maybe I hate my 'mother'. You're worse, aren't you? At least I've never killed anyone. From what Keine said, you kill someone all the time!"
>"Don't think you're better than me just because your mother didn't abandon you!"
>Jump to the side.
>Gap ourselves back to Keine's house.
>Wait, make sure we take Renko with us.
>What do we know about this sort of creature?
>How do we feel about this new turn of events?
>Yeah, let's just...Uh, find someplace to sit down. This is a lot to process after all.
>Okay, now how's that make us feel?
>"....What exactly is, a 'Shikigami'?"
>That's....Wow. To think that our mom was able to bring one under her control. Gotta give credit where credit's due I guess.
>"...As much as I don't like her, I won't get to the bottom of things and get back home otherwise..."
>Let's do so.
>"With how she behaved, it's no surprise."
>Little unexplained things? Is she referring to the Torifune incident, and the Izanagi Objects?
>Let's take our hat off and get a good look at it. "...People said that it looks just like hers. So does that mean she gave me this..?"
>Well, this is definitely a surprise. But how's this make us feel?
>"...So...She really was there..."
>It's kinda like those kids we knew about who had a parent away with work almost all the time.
>"...Wouldn't have killed her to visit though..."
>"...But would it have been any more painful? Do you know what my mind's like right now..?"
>"...Looks like we both have a lot of thinking to do.."
>"....As mad as I am at 'That Woman', it's the truth.."
>Look to Renko. "...Please tell me I wasn't like that when I found out."
>We've been to that place 'she' was at, so we should be able to open up a path for her to see for herself, right?
>Aren't the Yama supposed to be angry old men or something..?
>Well, this has definitely been one hell of a day, hasn't it? Nobody back home's had a day like this, that's for sure.
>Come to think of it though, how'd we end up meeting Renko? Could 'she' have somehow been behind it too...?
>That old...She even paired us up with Renko too it seems.
>"...Alright."
>...Yeah, best not to get this one mad. If she could wipe out that many in a single hit, then she can definitely outclass a kitsune. Then again, Yama are said to be the top of the top, aren't they?
>"...What are those things anyways...?"
>"...So then...I would be able to seal her away again? Since I have essentially the same ability as...'Her'."
>How's this Reimu person looking? Shell-shocked?
>Looks like she just had her cat run over and then some, huh? Everyone's had some kind of heartbreak today it seems...Well, except for Renko it seems. Lucky her.
>"....At least she actually knew her..."
>Yukari never even wrote either, did she?
>"...She could've at least written..."
>It's hard to imagine dad falling in with a woman like her, isn't it? What did he see in her...?
>"...I don't know, maybe say that she was doing okay, at least let me and father know she was okay?"
>If we ever end up in the same sort of situation as her, we're definitely not going to make the same mistakes. We'll do better than her!
>"...I'll be sure to give her an earful next time I see her."
>"....Who's that?"
>What do we know about that word, 'hakkero'?
>"Her what?"
I'd prefer a sequel (or a Mystia Quest-style offshoot), personally.
>"...How do you know you got it?"
>"I couldn't even see that there was one there."
>"...Maybe we should head for that temple."
>"...Yeah, let's go."
>Maybe there won't be any crazy people there.
>If these are the kind of people our mother had to keep an eye on, no wonder she could never visit.
>Sigh. "This place sure has all sorts, doesn't it? From over-temperamental immortals, to crazy witches that shoot giant rainbow lasers. 'She' must've had it pretty rough, dealing with everyone."
>"...How do I know I won't get attacked?"
>She doesn't seem that dangerous or powerful, does she? Well, as a wise man once said, 'Never judge a book by it's cover.'
>That shifty person with the zombie seems a mite suspicious though, if she's trying to keep out of sight.
>Maybe we should try to strike up a conversation with that woman with the neat two-tone hair? But what sort of subject...