Reimu Quest - A Paradise At Heart

[Nekomata-chan]

>Grin. "Alright then. Yukari, could you give me a hand in getting to The Moriya Shrine? I want to show Sanae how she's falling behind."

>Yukari smiles, "With pleasure."

>She opens a gap leading to the Moriya Shrine directly in front of you.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Alright. Kouga, come on."
>Let's head through with Kouga!
>"Oi! Sanae! Where are ya?"

[Nekomata-chan]

>Nod. "Alright. Kouga, come on."
>Let's head through with Kouga!
>"Oi! Sanae! Where are ya?"

>You head through the gap with Kouga.
>Kouga just stares as the gap closes behind you.

>Sanae pokes her head around the wall of the Moriya Shrine, "Yes, what is it, Reimu?"

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk. "Just thought I'd come to let you know you're starting to fall behind. I've come a long way you know, and now.."
>Gesture towards Kouga. "...I have a Shikigami. You don't. Meet Kouga, a White Tiger Shikigami. Kouga, this here's Sanae, she's a Shrine Maiden just like me, even though she's still just player two."

[Nekomata-chan]

>Smirk. "Just thought I'd come to let you know you're starting to fall behind. I've come a long way you know, and now.."
>Gesture towards Kouga. "...I have a Shikigami. You don't. Meet Kouga, a White Tiger Shikigami. Kouga, this here's Sanae, she's a Shrine Maiden just like me, even though she's still just player two."

>Sanae frowns, "Oh, you actually need a Shikigami? I'm starting to think you're falling behind, if you feel the need to get a servant to help you out. I would have thought the power of the Hakurei Shrine's gods would have helped you out in that aspect..."
>She shakes her head, "But nevertheless, it's rude not to say hello. Nice to meet you, Kouga."
>Sanae inspects him for a while, then blinks, "He looks a bit like Momiji... and a bit like Shou, too."

>Sanae leans against the wall with a disapproving expression, "My, my, Reimu, I still can't believe someone with such authority as you would just admit their laziness and get a servant. Are you completely incapable of doing things alone? At least I have the powers of gods and miracles to back me up.."

>Kouga raises an eyebrow, "I take it this Sanae isn't your biggest fan, Master."

[Hanzo K.]

>Shrug. "I actually figured I'd need the backup. Haven't you noticed how these incidents have been picking up in steam lately? The underground, That ship, and just recently those taoists. Don't you get the feeling that these incidents are getting more serious each one that passes? ...Even if that last one brought in a totally clueless group of people."
>Glance at Kouga. "Well yeah, we are from rival temples after all."
>Grin. "Yeah, Suika said the same thing y'know. But besides, Sanae, have you ever heard of the Four Gods? If not, then it just proves how far behind you are."

[Nekomata-chan]

>Shrug. "I actually figured I'd need the backup. Haven't you noticed how these incidents have been picking up in steam lately? The underground, That ship, and just recently those taoists. Don't you get the feeling that these incidents are getting more serious each one that passes? ...Even if that last one brought in a totally clueless group of people."

>Sanae laughs, "At least I'm dealing with the more important ones. Didn't you solve an incident about too many flowers?"
>She shakes her head dismissively, "Yes, yes, but what you need to remember is I actually have a shrine to look after. I was busy keeping it neat and tidy for worshippers yesterday. What were you doing? Getting drunk. Don't ask how I know. Let's just say that Aya dropped by. It's a miracle that she went as insane as she did, you know, but she should be better now Lord Tenma is back."

>Glance at Kouga. "Well yeah, we are from rival temples after all."
>Grin. "Yeah, Suika said the same thing y'know. But besides, Sanae, have you ever heard of the Four Gods? If not, then it just proves how far behind you are."

>Sanae laughs, "Yes, but how much of them have you seen lately? Actually, how much have you seen of worshippers lately?"
>Sanae smirks, "I saw some this morning. Apparently you just hopped about Gensokyo with your gap-hacker buddy and your little drunkard. Didn't you attend a drinking competition and placed a bet? I was busy cleaning the shrine and attending the worshippers."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Aya? I actually resolved that. She nearly killed Hatate y'know."
>Grin. "But anyways, I wasn't talking about the typical ones. I'm talking about Seiryu, Suzaku, Genbu, and Byakkou. Think about it Sanae, they're all different creatures."
>"Genbu, the Black Tortoise of the North. Seiryu, Azure Dragon of the East. Suzaku, Vermillion Bird of the South. And lastly...Byakkou, White Tiger of the West."
>Thoughtful expression. "Though there was a fifth, Kouryu, Yellow Dragon of The Center."
>Smirk. "Can you see things clearly? Think about it, Byakkou is the White Tiger. I have  a White Tiger Shikigami. And the Kou from Kouga is the same as in Byakkou."
>"Symbolism is a powerful thing in Gensokyo, I thought you learned that already."

[Nekomata-chan]

>"Aya? I actually resolved that. She nearly killed Hatate y'know."
>Grin. "But anyways, I wasn't talking about the typical ones. I'm talking about Seiryu, Suzaku, Genbu, and Byakkou. Think about it Sanae, they're all different creatures."
>"Genbu, the Black Tortoise of the North. Seiryu, Azure Dragon of the East. Suzaku, Vermillion Bird of the South. And lastly...Byakkou, White Tiger of the West."

>Sanae moves her mouth, maliciously imitating you with a disapproving expression, "My word, you rehearse that a lot..."

>Thoughtful expression. "Though there was a fifth, Kouryu, Yellow Dragon of The Center."
>Smirk. "Can you see things clearly? Think about it, Byakkou is the White Tiger. I have  a White Tiger Shikigami. And the Kou from Kouga is the same as in Byakkou."
>"Symbolism is a powerful thing in Gensokyo, I thought you learned that already."

>Sanae raises her hand, "Enough! You're taking time out of my busy shrine-tending schedule. You may want to attend to your shrine. I've been told it's nearly buried in leaves."

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk. "Whatever, you keep telling yourself that I'm the one falling behind."
>Let's head back to the gap if it's still there. "Kouga, let's get outta here."

[Nekomata-chan]

>Smirk. "Whatever, you keep telling yourself that I'm the one falling behind."
>Let's head back to the gap if it's still there. "Kouga, let's get outta here."

>Sanae growls, "Good luck. You're going to need it."

>You and Kouga head back to the still-open gap, and back to the library.

>Marisa cheers, "Yo!! Welcome back!!"

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle. "She thinks that I'm the one falling behind. What a hoot. She's only been at this whole incident-solving business..What, twice? We've been at it way longer, haven't we?"
>Let's have a laugh! "I could tell from the tone of her voice as me and Kouga were walking off that she was really peeved! Ooh, seeing that player two get up in arms like that is pretty nice."
>Grin. "Careful now Patchy, she might just show up around here someday to try and one up me."
>Beat.
>"Oh, I never told her how I got a Shikigami." Let's laugh more! "Kouga, this stuff's funny okay, if you're gonna be my Shikigami, you need to develop a sense of humor, so laugh!"

[Nekomata-chan]

>Chuckle. "She thinks that I'm the one falling behind. What a hoot. She's only been at this whole incident-solving business..What, twice? We've been at it way longer, haven't we?"
>Let's have a laugh! "I could tell from the tone of her voice as me and Kouga were walking off that she was really peeved! Ooh, seeing that player two get up in arms like that is pretty nice."

>Everyone laughs. Loudly.
>Marisa splutters, "She thinks that good-girl routine tricks everyone! I've heard opinions of her, some people even hate her!!"
>Even Alice can't help laughing.

>Grin. "Careful now Patchy, she might just show up around here someday to try and one up me."
>Beat.
>"Oh, I never told her how I got a Shikigami." Let's laugh more! "Kouga, this stuff's funny okay, if you're gonna be my Shikigami, you need to develop a sense of humor, so laugh!"

>Patchouli smirks, "I don't think so. Sakuya isn't a big fan of Sanae, I don't think she'd let her pass!"
>Kouga glances at you, and you can see he's struggling not to laugh.

>Silence falls, and Yukari breaks it, "I wonder if Kouga has any spellcards. When Ran and I made the shikigami bond, all her spellcards were replaced with weaker versions of mine. I just wanted to check if that was the case here."

[Hanzo K.]

>Grin. "I was just about to check. Though even Ran has a few cards only she uses."
>Fistpalm. "That's right! We have to teach Kouga about how incidents and such are resolved, shouldn't we?"
>Grin. "You wanna lend a hand Marisa? I've been worried that I've gotten a little rusty since the incident with those Taoists."


Oh, I even developed three more Shikigami, and figured out which of the TD playables to team them with.

From Left To Right.
EDIT: I goofed here and forgot the arrangement. ^^;

Suzu - The Pint-Size Inferno
Modeled After: Suzaku, The Vermillion Bird
Applicable Tropes: Motor Mouth, Genki Girl, Human Hummingbird, Hot Blooded, Thundering Herd(Solo Example, ala Roadrunner), Playing With Fire, Leeroy Jenkins, Reckless Sidekick, Fearless Fool, Indy Ploy.
Also See: Trope Overdosed
Partnered With: Youmu

Burai - The Ironclad Shell-lord
Modeled After: Genbu, The Black Tortoise
Applicable Tropes: Beleagured Assistant, Deadpan Snarker, Only Sane Employee, Making A Splash.
Partnered With: Sanae

Seirin - Azure Battle-maiden
Modeled After: Seiryu, The Azure Dragon.
Applicable Tropes: The Stoic, The Unfunny, Lady Of War, Blood Knight, Proud Warrior Race Girl, Honor Before Reason, Warrior Poet, Cultured Badass.

[Nekomata-chan]

>Grin. "I was just about to check. Though even Ran has a few cards only she uses."

>Yukari grins, "Yes, but the majority of hers are toned-down versions of mine."

>Fistpalm. "That's right! We have to teach Kouga about how incidents and such are resolved, shouldn't we?"
>Grin. "You wanna lend a hand Marisa? I've been worried that I've gotten a little rusty since the incident with those Taoists."

>Marisa grins, "Pleasure to be of assistance to ya'!"
>She strolls over to Kouga, grinning, "Right, now! Usually, incidents involve more than just one person. Well, the big incidents, anyway, ze. But when they involve just the one person, you're gonna wanna step back and take on a conversational tactic, ze! Goin' in all lasers-blazin' will only be useful if it's a group of people causin' trouble. Also, here's a tip... people hate curvy lasers. Except the ones that use 'em. Also, look awesome when you're solvin' stuff, ze, 'cause people are going to remember you for ages, not to mention you may be stuffed into a Bunbunmaru and chucked all around Gensokyo! Sometimes people will listen to ya', if you're polite. For everythin' else, there's Master Spark. Just slam people with a laser or two to get your way, da-ze~!"
>Kouga blinks at her with a disbelieving expression, "So... instead of actually taking a tactical approach, you just explode everything...?"
>Marisa grins, "Exactly!! Class dismissed!!"
>Kouga raises his eyebrows, "Okay then... I certainly wouldn't trust her solving my problems..."

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle. "Not exactly what I had in mind Marisa. I was asking for you to help me show him what a Spellcard Duel is like."
>Grin. "Just like back during the Imperishable Night Incident, y'know?"

[Nekomata-chan]

>Chuckle. "Not exactly what I had in mind Marisa. I was asking for you to help me show him what a Spellcard Duel is like."
>Grin. "Just like back during the Imperishable Night Incident, y'know?"

>Marisa grins, "Oh yeah!! Bring it on!! Remember, shoot and I'll move. In a flash!"

>Suika leans over to Yukari, "I don't get it."
>Yukari sighs, "Long story, I'll tell you later."

>Marisa grabs her broom and flies high, "Well, come on then, ze! Don't keep a lady waiting!"

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's take off into the air then! "Kouga! be sure to watch and study every second of this!"

[Nekomata-chan]

>Let's take off into the air then! "Kouga! Be sure to watch and study every second of this!"

>You take off into the air, level with Marisa.

>Kouga nods, "Yes, Master."

>Marisa smirks, "That's adorable. Anyway, Reimu, you can start, ze~!"

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod "First, let's demonstrate some of our shot types, shall we? I'll lead off."
>Look down to Kouga. "Now, I'll start with one of my standard shots, the Ofuda. You'll probably have it as a default shot as well, since it's my default as well."
>Let's fire a few Ofuda over Marisa's way!

[Nekomata-chan]

>Nod "First, let's demonstrate some of our shot types, shall we? I'll lead off."
>Look down to Kouga. "Now, I'll start with one of my standard shots, the Ofuda. You'll probably have it as a default shot as well, since it's my default as well."
>Let's fire a few Ofuda over Marisa's way!

>Kouga listens intently. It doesn't take a genius to work out that he is making mental notes at an incredible pace.

>You fire some Ofuda at Marisa.
>She swerves playfully.
>She cheers, "Now for my default! Stars!!"
>Marisa fires a small cluster of stars at you.

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's weave through them, grazing!
>"This is called Grazing! If you don't directly get hit by the Danmaku, you can really start to show off your skill by grazing!"
>Now let's fire some Persuasion Needles this time!
>"Those were Persuasion Needles, one of my Secondary Shots. They hit a bit harder than the Ofuda, and are essentially the same as far as hitting with them go. They're a little hard to do damage with sometimes, due to pretty much needing you to always be right in front of the opponent to hit with them. Even the Ofuda can spread out, the Needles go in a straight line."
>"You can probably use these too, for the same reason."

[Nekomata-chan]

>Let's weave through them, grazing!
>"This is called Grazing! If you don't directly get hit by the Danmaku, you can really start to show off your skill by grazing!"

>Kouga nods, still watching intently.
>Marisa blows some hair from in front of her eyes, "Show-off!!"

>Now let's fire some Persuasion Needles this time!

>You shoot some Persuasion Needles, which persuade Marisa rather quickly to move out of the way. She sighs in relief.
>"Watch where ya' chuck those things!!" she shouts jokingly.

>"Those were Persuasion Needles, one of my Secondary Shots. They hit a bit harder than the Ofuda, and are essentially the same as far as hitting with them go. They're a little hard to do damage with sometimes, due to pretty much needing you to always be right in front of the opponent to hit with them. Even the Ofuda can spread out, the Needles go in a straight line."
>"You can probably use these too, for the same reason."

>Kouga nods again, and he seems to look as if he already knows this.
>"It's a bit complicated..." he murmurs.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Yes, but when you get the hang of it, it's surprisingly easy."
>Fire off a trio of homing amulets!
>"These are Homing Amulets, another Secondary Shot I use. They're much more versatile than the Needles, as it doesn't matter where I am when I fire them, as they'll go to the nearest opponent. Which, currently, is Marisa."
>"Although, they don't hit as hard as even the usual Ofuda. So they're nowhere near as strong as the Needles."

[Nekomata-chan]

>Nod. "Yes, but when you get the hang of it, it's surprisingly easy."
>Fire off a trio of homing amulets!

>Kouga nods.
>As you fire the homing amulets, you see Marisa sigh.
>She tries in vain to avoid them, and is pelted in the back with the three amulets.

>"These are Homing Amulets, another Secondary Shot I use. They're much more versatile than the Needles, as it doesn't matter where I am when I fire them, as they'll go to the nearest opponent. Which, currently, is Marisa."
>"Although, they don't hit as hard as even the usual Ofuda. So they're nowhere near as strong as the Needles."

>Kouga nods, and smirks a little as Marisa whines.
>"So... usually used for lots of weaker enemies, then..?" Kouga asks, tilting his head.
>Marisa sighs, "Yeah, usually. Still hurt, no matter how weak they are."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "And sometimes on difficult-to-hit foes, such as ones that are dangerous to be directly in front of."
>Grin, then point a thumb at Marisa. "Like her."
>Let's pull out the Youkai Buster now and fire!
>"These are Youkai Busters, I haven't used them in ages, but they're kinda like stronger Ofuda. Nice spread, good damage output, but they have the same weakness as the Ofuda in that you have to be precise about where you are. And to add to that, you can't get the most out of them unless you're right next to an opponent, like so!"
>Then boost up to Marisa and unload another shot of Youkai Buster!

[Nekomata-chan]

>Nod. "And sometimes on difficult-to-hit foes, such as ones that are dangerous to be directly in front of."
>Grin, then point a thumb at Marisa. "Like her."

>Kouga stares at Marisa, who simply shrugs.
>"What can I say? Fan o' lasers, ze." she laughs.
>Kouga nods slowly. "Uh-huh..."

>Let's pull out the Youkai Buster now and fire!
>"These are Youkai Busters, I haven't used them in ages, but they're kinda like stronger Ofuda. Nice spread, good damage output, but they have the same weakness as the Ofuda in that you have to be precise about where you are. And to add to that, you can't get the most out of them unless you're right next to an opponent, like so!"
>Then boost up to Marisa and unload another shot of Youkai Buster!

>You fire a round of Youkai Buster at Marisa, and she loops out of the way with a grin, "Ya' missed!! You haven't used those since that incident that you met Sanae in, coupl'a years ago, right?"
>Kouga is still listening intently.
>You fly up to Marisa and fire another shot of Youkai Buster, but she stays in place and allows them to hit her.
>She grins, "That... hurt like hell..."

>You swear you hear Alice muttering, "Good..."

[Hanzo K.]

>Shrug. "No, remember the Scarlet Sky Incident? I used them back then as well."
>"Well, that about covers the shot varieties I have, now we'll move on to the fun stuff. Spellcards."
>"Spellcards, along with Danmaku, were created as a non-lethal solution to the problems at large. Once, long ago, humans were little more than fodder for the youkai, and battles between the youkai and humans were very real, and very bloody and lethal. But when the Spellcard System came into being, all that changed."
>"Nowadays, even a regular human can go up against a youkai like Yukari or Suika, and stand a shot at winning. Largely thanks in part to the Spellcard System. It's a small chance, as you have to have either a lot of skill, or an insane amount of luck. And by that I mean that you'd better hope they're just playing around, because those two over there are considered some of the strongest youkai around."
>Grin. "And if it wasn't for the Spellcard System, I probably wouldn't have ended up counting them among my friends. It's a funny thing y'know, when yesterday's enemy is today's friend."
>"Anyhow, Marisa, let's show him one spellcard each, then we can get to the real fight. I'll lead off with the first one, Dream Sign: Evil-Sealing Circle!"

[Nekomata-chan]

>Shrug. "No, remember the Scarlet Sky Incident? I used them back then as well."

>Marisa facepalms, "Reimu, my memory doesn't go that far back! My brain moves too fast to remember the past, ze.."

>"Well, that about covers the shot varieties I have, now we'll move on to the fun stuff. Spellcards."
>"Spellcards, along with Danmaku, were created as a non-lethal solution to the problems at large. Once, long ago, humans were little more than fodder for the youkai, and battles between the youkai and humans were very real, and very bloody and lethal. But when the Spellcard System came into being, all that changed."
>"Nowadays, even a regular human can go up against a youkai like Yukari or Suika, and stand a shot at winning. Largely thanks in part to the Spellcard System. It's a small chance, as you have to have either a lot of skill, or an insane amount of luck. And by that I mean that you'd better hope they're just playing around, because those two over there are considered some of the strongest youkai around."
>Grin. "And if it wasn't for the Spellcard System, I probably wouldn't have ended up counting them among my friends. It's a funny thing y'know, when yesterday's enemy is today's friend."

>Kouga keeps nodding, and you see him murmuring to himself. Maybe he's trying to remember it by repeating it...
>Yukari grins, "Kouga, feel free to fight me for practise, if you want! I'll go easy on you!"
>Suika smirks, "You say that to everyone... I'd hate to see it when you pull all the stops out."
>Yukari laughs, "I'd hate to see it when Alice pulls all the stops out. It'd certainly be entertaining."

>"Anyhow, Marisa, let's show him one spellcard each, then we can get to the real fight. I'll lead off with the first one, Dream Sign: Evil-Sealing Circle!"

>Marisa's jaw drops, "I hate you."
>Evil-Sealing Circle activates.
>A flower-like pattern of Ofuda span out around you and Marisa, as well as expanding circles of arrowhead bullets.
>Marisa laughs as she weaves in and out of the pattern, but the laughter is more nervous laughter than anything.

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's keep it going! "Well, I was actually thinking that Ran or Chen would be good sparring partners for him. They're Shikigami too, and around the same scale of power if I'm not mistaken. Chen would probably be even with him if both you and Ran are around. I mean, she was pretty tough back when we fought that second time, right before I fought Ran. Especially that Red Oni Blue Oni card, that one was a doozy!"