Marisa whistled happily as she filched an apple from the cart. Normally she kept her borrowing away from stall merchants, but this guy was a cheat. About a fourth of the apples she'd inspected from him were wormy. A couple of quick cuts from her knife revealed this apple was one of the infected. ?How lazy can you be not to pay off Wriggle or buy a protection spell?? Marisa shook her head at the man's inadequacy before quartering the apple and deworming it.
She'd finished half the apple when she reached the school. Classes were over, but several kids were using the open area around the school building to play various games. A few noticed her as she began walking towards the building. The group jumping rope stopped and ran towards her. ?Ah, it's the black-white witch!?
Marisa smiled and tipped her hat to the girls. Most of them were the younger sisters of people she'd gone to school with, way back when. ?That's right! I'm here to fatten you up so I can eat you later.? She held out three apple slices, which the girls happily grabbed.
The oldest of the three smirked as she grabbed her slice. ?Brother says you've already eaten the other two magicians. Aren't you full??
Marisa lightly whacked the girl upside the head. ?What the heck is Youmon teaching you, kid?? The other two girls giggled as their ringleader pouted.
?Marisa, are you giving the next generation of troublemakers hints??
Marisa turned to face Keine as the younger girls faded back. ?Nah, that'd be cheating. Besides it's better for them to get the xp on their own. Forced leveling isn't as profitable.?
The schoolteacher folded her arms and leveled her stern gaze at the magician. ?So why are you here??
?I needed your help actually, as a historian.? Marisa held up her mini-hakkero. ?I decided I really should know how this thing works, and the history behind it. And you're the best person to ask about history.?
Keine sighed. ?I wish you'd come to me with these questions because you liked history, not because you wanted a new way to blow something up.? She frowned at Marisa. ?Especially since you blew me up not too long ago.?
Marisa shrugged. ?Not my fault you couldn't take a joke.?
?You were in my class for less then a year and you've caused me more trouble then any of my other students.? Keine shook her head. ?Still given the story in question maybe you'll learn something. The lessons of the Monkey King might teach you what I could not.?
?Just don't try to lock me in a-? A black flash from the schoolyard cut Marisa off. She and Keine whirled to see what had happened.
There standing next to the sandbox was a man in a strange uniform. It looked like something Reisen would wear, only more severe and black. He stood about as tall and Keine, and Marisa didn't like the angry sneer he was wearing. Marisa took a careful step to the side as the man looked around. ?So this is where the scum breed.?
?If your going to talk like that I'm going to have to ask you to leave,? Keine said while stepping forward.
The man's sneer deepened and he raised his hand. Marisa could feel the magic coalescing before the spell circle appeared and she flipped out her mini hakkero in response. ?Look out, Keine!? The were-hakutaku jumped aside just as at the man's dark laser fired off. Marisa's return fire sent the figure sprawling, but he didn't seem seriously hurt. Either he was a youkai or a powerful mage.
The children started screaming and running away while Marisa leaped into the air. ?Everyone follow Keine to safety,? she yelled. ?I'll handle this guy!?
?That's right, children! Everyone get behind me!? Keine's voice helped most of the kids recover their senses, and they began to flock behind the teacher, who was already setting up powerful wards. Seeing they were fine, Marisa turned back to her foe.
The man had just regained his feet when Marisa finished her second incantation. ?Love Sign: Master Spark!? The air in front of her exploded into painfully bright light, while the whining roar pierced her ears. She always hated using the powered down version of the spell, but leveling the village might hurt people other then her target.
When the light faded she couldn't see anything left of the man. Just a scorch mark across the playground. Marisa nodded grimly. ?Well, I wonder what that was about.?
There was sudden movement at the corner of her eye, and then a massive force knocked the wind out of her. She tumbled across the ground, then staggered to her knees painfully sucking in air. The man was standing there, somehow unfazed by her spark. ?I'm going to make you suffer,? he growled. Then he rushed her.
Marisa forced herself to breath normally then hopped over the attack. The man turned his rush into a roundhouse kick and Marisa ducked it before moving back again. ?You're strong, but you suck at fighting,? she taunted. The man charged her again, forcing her to flip over him. As she did so she reached into her hat and tossed out one of her explosive potions.
An inferno consumed the man but she didn't let her guard down this time. So when a bullet came out of the blaze she quickly zipped to the side. ?You're starting to annoy me,? she called down to the man as he stepped out of the fire. The creature was also starting to worry her. She'd tried physical force, light and fire, and none of them seemed to work. She had a frost spell, but if that failed....
?Burning Miko Kick!?
Marisa blinked in surprise as Meiling hit the ground with a fiery jump kick. The man scurried away from the attack, as if the strike was somehow more deadly then her own spark. ?So you're the ones we were made to kill,? the man said.
Reimu and Sanae dropped from the sky to land next to the youkai martial artist. As they did, Marisa finally noticed they'd all changed from their normal attire. Each seemed to have been designed by someone trying to use the most fabric while covering the least amount of skin. The three all dropped into something resembling fighting poses.
?Enemies of the light, in the name of Moriya be purified!? Sanae said.
Reimu's reply was simpler. ?I'm going to break you.?
?I'm getting the feeling I'm being ignored here,? Marisa said pointedly.
A hand fell on her arm. ?That's because you are.? Marisa looked over to see Yukari standing beside her. ?You can't damage this foe. Let Reimu sort it out this time.?
The man began to bubble and boil. ?Excellent. Let's start the killing now.?
?You're forgetting your duties, you fool.?
There was a flash of black light and three more figures appeared. ?This was supposed to be a simple scouting mission, not a final confrontation.?
?Well it looks like it failed. So how about you all die? Paradise Miko Orb!? Reimu flung a blue yin yang orb out, but the four scattered.
?Our apologies for denying you your 'final battle' but we have some things to test out first,? the lone woman said. She tossed down several vials before the four vanished in black fire again.
Marisa blinked as the pots exploded into Oni like figures. Not the more refined shapes that the modern Oni usually chose, but the monsters of legend. ?Huh, maybe I can put a dent in these?? Marisa unleashed a spread of magic missiles. The deadly energy struck home, and was absorbed by the figures. ?Damn it.?
?Sorry Marisa, but your attacks will only feed it,? Reimu replied. ?We'll clean up.?
Marisa fumed at her impotence as she watched the trio move to attack. In the part of her mind that wasn't annoyed she had to admit it was surprisingly well coordinated for a group from Gensoukyo.
?Paradise Miko Barrier!? Reimu called out, creating a reflective wall around the group.
Sanae moved next. ?Miracle Wave Splitter!? the wind priestess called out as he leaped into the sky. She landed with a skirt swirling smash that sent waves of energy ripping through five of the monsters.
As the remainder rushed towards Sanae, Meiling appeared next to her. ?Burning Dragon Punch!? Meiling ascended into the sky with an incredible uppercut. The oni figures were slammed aside by Meiling's flames before disintigrating into rainbow light.
?That's cool!? Sanae exclaimed, then her expression fell a bit. ?But uh, still not genre appropriate.?
Marisa leaped down to where the three were standing. ?What the heck was that all about? And why didn't my magic work on them? Don't tell me Meiling's secretly a priestess.
Meiling laughed. ?Ah, no such thing Marisa. I'm... still not entirely sure what's going on here.?
?We're magical girls!? Sanae stated. Then she paused. ?Er, well I suppose that's common here, isn't it. We're magical soldiers of love and justice.?
?Basically there's some new youkai around, and killing them involves stupid outfits, waving around gohei, and yelling out the names of our spells,? Reimu replied icily.
?And you didn't tell me? I thought we were friends Reimu.? Marisa frowned. ?Seriously, while I admit the spells are kinda questionable, you should have signed me up too.?
Reimu shrugged. ?Yukari was the one who picked who got the powers. Honestly I thought you'd be suffering here next to me but it seems you lucked out.?
?Lucked out? You call being left in the dark lucking out?? Marisa fought to keep her voice from rising. ?You know how important new magic is to me Reimu.?
?Oh! Do you want everyone to know whether you prefer a bra or a sarashi?? Reimu asked with a sneer. ?This isn't exactly happy fun time here. Incidents at least don't embarrass me while I'm solving them. It's not even new magic, just magic with more sparkles around it. You're missing out on nothing.?
?I'd prefer it over being totally helpless while crazy monsters rampage around the world!? Marisa snarled. ?Would you like it if someone had to come running to rescue you??
?That's...? Reimu looked down. ?I...?
?It does sound like it would suck,? Sanae laughed nervously.
Meiling nodded. ?Yeah, it's not something you get used to.?
Reimu rubbed the back of her head. ?Well, maybe you can beat another magic stick out of Yukari there. I'd help, but I really want to get back into an outfit that isn't a crime against modesty.?
?.... Fair enough.? Marisa turned to where Yukari was. ?We'll chat more later, kay, Reimu??
?Sure thing, Marisa.? The trio flew off quickly.
Yukari hid behind her fan as Marisa walked up to her. ?Don't even bother asking, Marisa. It can't be done and I don't really feel like explaining. Again.?
?Oh? What if I threaten to tell Reimu you're the one keeping her shrine afloat??
Yukari's expression soured. ?I don't negotiate with people who threaten me.?
Marisa snorted. ?That must make working with youkai hard, since half of them only know how to threaten.?
?Sorry, I should have said humans.? Yukari sighed. ?However, you're similar enough to a youkai such that I guess I can make an exception.?
?I'll take that as a compliment I guess,? Marisa glared at Yukari. ?So spill. What makes those three so special??
Yukari opened up a gap. ?Do you mind if we continue this at your house? This conversation makes me want to sit down.?
?Fine.? Marisa followed the youkai through the portal into her kitchen. Somehow she wasn't surprised Yukari could drop in here at will. ?I suppose you'll want tea too??
?That would be nice, yes.? Yukari grabbed the one chair that had open table space, forcing Marisa to clean off another area for herself when she sat down with the tea.
?So?? Marisa asked.
Yukari took her time sampling the tea before answering. ?Those three girls posses something you and I do not. Overwhelming love. It is that which allows them to destroy these monsters.?
?Overwhelming love?? Marisa snorted. ?You're joking right??
?No. Those are the rules,? Yukari looked at Marisa sternly. ?Some rules are inviolate, no matter how much trouble they get me into. That is a rule the strongest youkai live by.?
Marisa waved the answer aside. ?If 'love' or devotion was the answer you'd have picked up Koakuma or Sakuya instead of Meiling.?
?It's not the same,? Yukari waved her hand. ?The love these three wield is different. Broader.?
Marisa frowned into her tea. ?And what about my love for magic? Are you saying that's not good enough? That magic isn't pure enough to love? And what about your love for Gensoukyo?!?
?You're making a lot of assumptions about me there, aren't you?? Yukari said with a smile.
Marisa matched the youkai's golden-eyed stare with her own. ?You love Gensoukyo so much you'd die for it. Don't try to deny it, Yukari. I know you can change the rules about people entering Gensoukyo. And I know you can do it without destroying the barrier. Even if you couldn't do it as a youkai, you'd be able to do it with your magical skills. But that new Gensoukyo wouldn't be the one you love. You'd be keeping mystical creatures out purely based on their powers or species, and you couldn't stand that. You're willing to risk everything to keep your dream Gensoukyo alive.?
Yukari's smile faded. The two sat in silence for some time. ?How is it you're so perceptive about these things and so ignorant of everything else?? Marisa's stare didn't waver. Eventually Yukari closed her eyes. ?Yes. You're right. Mostly right anyway.? The ancient youkai thought for a bit. ?Perhaps it would be better to state that those three have unconditional love.? Her eyes opened again. ?I love Gensoukyo, but it is the product of my ambitions. You love magic, but you also wish to master it for power. Koakuma loves her mistress, but she also desires a more carnal relationship. Our love is compromised by desire. These three are not.?
?So you're saying our love is less pure? Tainted because we actually get something out of it?? Marisa clenched her fists in anger. ?That's some twisted thinking if you ask me!?
Yukari sighed again. ?Not less pure, just not the same.? She shrugged. ?I don't like it, but I'm not going to question it. We don't have the potential. Perhaps some other day you'll be the one with the special skill and Reimu will be sidelined, but that's not this day.?
Marisa shot up from her chair. ?This isn't about-!? Marisa stopped, then sat down again. ?Okay maybe it was about Reimu being the chosen one again. But now I'm just pissed off by these stupid rules.?
Yukari rose. ?I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm afraid I can't do anything about it. I won't stop you from looking into ways of fighting on your own. I just expect you to be responsible for the consequences of your actions.?
?How is that different from normal?? Marisa groused as Yukari opened a gap and exited her house.
Marisa sat there for a while fuming. She wanted to start working on the problem, but she couldn't get over how unfair it was. Her love wasn't good enough because she got power out of it? Her desires were somehow unclean? Tainted? It was an insulting proposition.
She wasn't a youkai at the height of their power, or a living goddess, or a shrine maiden who inherited all the base powers she'd ever need. She was a magician. A magician who wasn't even naturally talented. Her main skill was deconstructing other people's spells, and she had to fight to get them to work right half the time.
She couldn't just sit back and like things because they were there. Nothing was just there for her. She'd had to pursue everything she'd ever loved. She'd run away from home to pursue her magic. To have magic itself tell her she was wrong to do that was....
"You desire power."
Marisa slowly stood. "Yes."
"I know a path to power. A different path. One that will give you the strength to fight just as your friend Reimu does."
"Tell me," Marisa said simply.
"Enter the portal and I shall explain it to you. But be warned. I can't give away power for free. There is still a price to be paid, Marisa Kirisame."
Marisa grinned as she stepped through the portal that appeared before her. "I'm the daughter of a pawn shop owner. Let's make a deal."