Elly Quest - Reaper in Red

[Hanzo K.]

>Give a wry chuckle. "If only you knew, Teach. That world isn't always all sunshine'n'roses. Nightmares are dreams too. Everyone who sleeps contributes to that world. So there are unspeakable horrors dredged up from the very depths of the psyches of all who live, their deepest fears and nightmares made manifest."

[Raikaria]

>Give a wry chuckle. "If only you knew, Teach. That world isn't always all sunshine'n'roses. Nightmares are dreams too. Everyone who sleeps contributes to that world. So there are unspeakable horrors dredged up from the very depths of the psyches of all who live, their deepest fears and nightmares made manifest."

> "Aw, Elly, you're being too nice!" Yuuka comments.

> "In the end, talking to me about this is pointless. I have been ordered by Shikeiki to bring you to Higan for Judgement and Sentencing. As a Shinigami, I live to serve the Yamas. I am not an ungrateful traitor like you. If you have a case to protest, protest it before Eiki herself!" Komachi declares.

[Hanzo K.]

Well you guys? How do we go from here?

[SirChaotick]

Hmm... she just said there's no point in talking.

Beyond "stand really still", there's not much I can think of.

[Hanzo K.]

Anyone else have any ideas?

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"'Live to serve the Yamas'? How did you manage to say that with a straight face? You'd rather spend all day lying around than get any work done."
>"I think I've made myself clear. I'm not coming back."

[Raikaria]

>"'Live to serve the Yamas'? How did you manage to say that with a straight face? You'd rather spend all day lying around than get any work done."
>"I think I've made myself clear. I'm not coming back."

> "... There's a difference between putting off low-priority work and a direct order from the Yama Council to bring back my student. In the end, I still do what they say. Maybe not quite fast enough, but still."

> "I think I've made myself clear. You have no choice in the matter. Moving even one step from that spot will land you in the Titanic on it's way across the Sanzu. I really don't want to have to force you into my boat, but I will if I must. I can quite easily make you move. It's impossible for my quarry to escape me. You have a better chance convincing Shikieiki than stopping me."

[SirChaotick]

>"Perhaps. But what is there to stop me from attempting both?"

[Raikaria]

>"Perhaps. But what is there to stop me from attempting both?"

> "Oh no. You can try to stop me. You'll fail, however, my capturing of my quarry when I'm serious is infallible."

> "Maybe it is best if you go along, and wait your chance, Elly." Yuuka says. "After all, I presume that she won't want to drag you into her boat on the other half of the river. You can make her pay then if you want. Personally I want to see the Yama myself anyway."

[SirChaotick]

>"Oh."
>Well, the boss said it!
>"Then... I yield. Let's get moving."

UNLESS someone else wants to do... something else?

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Then... I yield. Let's get moving."

>Don't say this. Instead, say: "Well, you heard her."
>Take a step forward.

[Raikaria]

>"Oh."
>Well, the boss said it!
>"Then... I yield. Let's get moving."

UNLESS someone else wants to do... something else?

>Don't say this. Instead, say: "Well, you heard her."
>Take a step forward.

> "Smart. You listen to your boss at least." Komachi says, as you, Yuuka, and the Apple Tree youkai step fowards.

> The next thing you know, you are all crammed in Komachi's boat, which floats from the shore just a little. Komachi picks up the solitary oar in one hand, and puts her scythe in the river with the other, before she starts to row.

> It's almost a security feature of the Sanzu River boats. They will not move unless there are two 'oars'. However, the boat itself only has one, the other oar is a Shinigami's scythe. The scythe is almost a key to start up the boat.

> The exception, of course, is if a Yama is using the boat. The boats will just move on their own accord, no rowing involved, if a Yama steps on one.

> While this is good at stopping people using the boats to cross the Sanzu to get to Higan without permission, and stopping spirits fleeing, it's not so good if a Shinigami decides to turn tail and run like you did.

> The Titanic quickly bumps onto the shore of Higan. A simple realm. Hilly, with Higanbaga flowers covering the hillside, and the occasional cherry-blossom tree.

> Komachi steps off the boat. "Eiki is further in, at the Judgement Stand."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Lead the way."

[Raikaria]

>"Lead the way."

> Your group follows Komachi over several hills, until you reach an ornate thorne. The whole design unnerves you whenever you see it. It is imposing.

> Sitting in it is Shikieiki herself. Eyes closed, holding the Rod of Remorse just below her chin.



> "I trust you have some excuse to blurt out for why I should not sentence you to death for betraying your side of the Life-Debt." she says.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Well, for one, if you want people to hold to an agreement, it would really work better if they remembered making it."
>"Also, I think my boss here would... object to my death."

[Raikaria]

>"Well, for one, if you want people to hold to an agreement, it would really work better if they remembered making it."
>"Also, I think my boss here would... object to my death."

> "That is impossible. One of the things that can happen to a spirit that has passed on is reincarnation. They cannot have memories of their past life is this is so. You were reincarnated in a special way, but the process still removed your memories." Eiki says.

> Yuuka steps forward. "Yes. I do have a slight issue with my gatekeeper being taken away. I have a very large problem with one of my toys being taken too. However, there is something else I cannot stand... worse than those two... as I expected you would be last time I saw you... I let it pass that time, since you were just passing through, after a little danmaku fight, but you are doing it again, and this time, I am your guest."

> Yuuka takes another step forward.

> "You...are...looking...down...on...me." Yuuka says, venom in every word. "I am the one who looks down as people writhe in fear and pain under my feet. I do not stand to be looked down on my anyone."

> "With apologies to your ego, Miss Kanzami, as the Head Yama, it is my job to look down upon the souls of others, and judge their sins. I must take this chance to say, your soul is one of the most sin-laden I have ever come across, and you have lived far too long for a flower, or even most youkai." Shikieiki says calmly. She doesn't seem to even care that Yuuka is getting irritated.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Let's... not say anything more right now.

[Raikaria]

>Let's... not say anything more right now.

> The Yama turns back to you. You can see Yuuka biting her tongue as she does this.

> "Would you like to add anything else, or should I pass Judgement?"

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"I don't think there's much more to be said. My current boss wants to keep me around, and I'm sticking with her. If that's not acceptable, well, I think both she and I have made our feelings clear."

[Raikaria]

>"I don't think there's much more to be said. My current boss wants to keep me around, and I'm sticking with her. If that's not acceptable, well, I think both she and I have made our feelings clear."

> "Very well, if you have nothing else to say then, Elly, I shall pass Judgement." Shikieki says, as the stones around her seat glow.

> "Elly, you have been found guilty of failing to keep up your end of a life debt to the Yamas. For this, your sentence is to forfeit your life, and have your soul sent to Hell. However, as with all souls given a sentence to Hell, they have one chance."

> The Yama pauses.

> "You may fight for your right to survive, as the Celestials have. However, due to the severity of your crime, fighting against a Shinigami, like usual, is not your path." the Yama says, before stepping off her throne.

> Komachi backs off, looking worried.

> "You shall have to face me, the one you have transgressed against. However, I am not merciless, and I am fully aware that is it impossible to defeat me alone. As such, your allies may join you in combat." the Yamaxandu says, indicating the to Apple Tree youkai and Yuuka.

> "However even then, it would be merciless to expect you to defeat me. As such, all you need to do is wound me. However, I shall point out that such a thing has never been accomplished by anyone."

> "Perfect. I intended to fight you anyway to stop you looking down on me." Yuuka says.

[SirChaotick]

>"Alright, then... although I fear you're underestimating her."
>Create a small floor of tiles under us and slightly float upwards with it.
>"And you should, too. Let us begin!"
>Fling the floor at her in a spreading rectangle shape and send a spray of pellets after it.

[Raikaria]

>"Alright, then... although I fear you're underestimating her."
>Create a small floor of tiles under us and slightly float upwards with it.
>"And you should, too. Let us begin!"
>Fling the floor at her in a spreading rectangle shape and send a spray of pellets after it.

Battle Theme

> "I do not underestimate anyone. I can see their abilities in Black and White." Shikieiki says plainly, as you rise atop tiles.

> "Hey, remember this ain't no danmaku fight, we can go as wild as we want here!" Yuuka says, as multiple flowers of varying kinds bloom around her, as she thrusts her parasoul into the ground.

> "I'll fight as hard as I can... I guess." the tree youkai says, before growing to three times her usual size. You can see her skin take on a wooden texture when she grows.

> You fling the floor tiles you are standing upon, as well as a barrage of bullets. The tree youkai launches some massive bubble-like shots as well, while the flowers around Yuuka all face the Yama, and unleash a massive spray of both danmaku and toxic pollens.

> The attacks all hit the Yama. When the dust kicked up clears, she is standing there, completely fine.

> "I sincerely hope that is not the best you have to offer." Shikieiki says, before she vanishes from where she was, and appears in the middle of your group.

> "It will take more than that level of power to even reach me."

[SirChaotick]

>Slash Malus at her. If possible, make danmaku emit from him.

[Raikaria]

>Slash Malus at her. If possible, make danmaku emit from him.

> You swing Malus at Eiki, however, she just grabs the shaft of your scythe, and uses it to throw you overhead to the ground. The Apple Tree youkai extends her arm to catch you so you don't slam into the hills.

> "You're open!" Yuuka declares, moving almost as if she teleported into Eiki's range, and delivering a slash with the point of her parasoul.

> Yuuka looks completely shocked as her attack just glances off the Yama.

> "Even your level of power isn't enough, Miss Kanzami." Shikieiki says flatly, before sending out a shockwave that blasts Yuuka back a few meters, despite her digging her heels in.

> "You think that was even a fraction of my powers? I'm still only playing with you~"

[Hanzo K.]

Well, how do we get through this one? I've got a few possible ideas.

#1: Somehow recombine Malus with the Kid for a stronger weapon that can also return to the kid's form.
#2: Allow the kid to make Malus into a Cutting, adding an extra ally.
#3: Combination Attack!

[SirChaotick]

I was thinking combination attack. How about:

>Hold your ground and bombard the Yama with tiles(stone ones) until Eiki gets attacked by the boss or the tree youkai.
>Once that happens, dash at Eiki and strike!

[Raikaria]

Well, how do we get through this one? I've got a few possible ideas.

#1: Somehow recombine Malus with the Kid for a stronger weapon that can also return to the kid's form.
#2: Allow the kid to make Malus into a Cutting, adding an extra ally.
#3: Combination Attack!

> I'm not going to comment on these, but I wil say that this fight isn't going to be easy, after all, the Yama just shrugged off an attack from Yuuka.

I was thinking combination attack. How about:

>Hold your ground and bombard the Yama with tiles(stone ones) until Eiki gets attacked by the boss or the tree youkai.
>Once that happens, dash at Eiki and strike!

> You fling Eiki with stone tiles that you summon, which break before they even reach her, but it draws her attention to you.

> "You're still using that pitiful power as an offensive weapon. Thinking mere stones can harm a Yama... foolish!" Eiki declares, raising her rod into the air.

> A massive swath of roots and branches entangle Eiki. It seems Yuuka and the Tree Youkai combined their powers and both unleashed a massive growth of roots and branches.

> You use this as a chance to slash Shikieiki, but, to your surprise, nothing happens. It feels like you struck a diamond.

> "My resilience is as powerful as my convictions. Unwavering." Eiki declares before a wave of black and white bullets rip the branches apart.

> "OK then. If that isn't going to work, I'll apologise to the flowers and trees beforehand, and get serious." Yuuka says, pointing her parasoul at Shikieiki.

> "Elly, Tree Kid, I advise you to get behind me." Yuuka says sweetly, before adding, "Unless you've become a bit of a masochist over the years Elly~"

[Hanzo K.]

>Grin. "Using 'that one', eh chief? Well alright!"
>Let's get behind her, and set a bunch of tiles as bracing for everyone!

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Kid, get the hell back."
>Get behind Yuuka ourselves.

[Raikaria]

>Grin. "Using 'that one', eh chief? Well alright!"
>Let's get behind her, and set a bunch of tiles as bracing for everyone!

>"Kid, get the hell back."
>Get behind Yuuka ourselves.

> You tell the tree youkai to get back, to which she looks confused for a moment, until you repeat, with emphasis on the 'hell'. you then form a barrier of tiles around you two, with enough of a gap to see through.

> "Yes. It's time to feel my full power~" Yuuka says. You can tell from the energy she's giving off she's lying. Big time. She's not even serious yet. If she was she would have said to do more than simply get behind her.

> "... Master Spark." Yuuka says simply, before firing a massive beam of green-white energy at the Yama. The humming noise is immense.

> When the light clears, Eiki is still standing where she was before, unharmed, with her Rod before her. Judging from the dead flowers... she CUT the spark.

> "I can tell when you are lying, Miss Kanzami. That too, was not a fraction of your powers. All it achieves is adding onto your list of sins, although, lying on your list of sins is about as significant as is jaywalking is to high treason."

> Yuuka splits into two, her cutting returning, and blinking behind Eiki.

> "Well then, you can't cut it from two places at once!" both Yuuka say, before they unleash the Double Spark.

> When the blasts both hit Eiki simultaneously, a pillar of light erupts into the air. Yet even now, you know Yuuka is still not taking this fight seriously.