Rumia Quest III: Hero of Shadow

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hey, Sanae? Wasn't it kinda suspicious that she knew they were scientists? I mean, she wasn't at the unveiling was she?"

[Raikaria]

>"Hey, Sanae? Wasn't it kinda suspicious that she knew they were scientists? I mean, she wasn't at the unveiling was she?"

> Sanae remains quiet. She seems to look a little worried, however, upon hearing what you said.

> "You noticed. I don't even understand what she's up to half the time, she keeps so many secrets from me, and even Suwako." she said after about half a minuite. Her tone was quiet.

[Hanzo K.]

>"It's kinda hard not to notice, I think even Rumia kinda caught on some too....Maybe. It's hard to tell what she's thinking sometimes, but mostly it's just food though."
>Pause. "Think we should consult Suwako on this then? If it's gonna get as bad as I think it might, we might need her around."

[Raikaria]

>"It's kinda hard not to notice, I think even Rumia kinda caught on some too....Maybe. It's hard to tell what she's thinking sometimes, but mostly it's just food though."
>Pause. "Think we should consult Suwako on this then? If it's gonna get as bad as I think it might, we might need her around."

> "Cirno didn't though. That's something. For how manipulative she can be, she's an AWFUL liar." Sanae said.

> "No. Suwako is only even allowed in the Moriya Shrine due to Kanako's gratitude for the past nowadays. She does not need Suwako's power to control Curse Gods anymore, because the worshippers who were scared by the lack of this power are long dead. If Suwako envoked Kanako's wrath... she'd probobly be killed. I mean, Kanako managed to get the corpse of Yatagarasu to Utusho's stomach..."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, it is Cirno, she's not that bright, you have to understand that."
>"Huh, so...no good asking her for help right now huh?"
>Pause. "Y'think Rumia could handle handle her with the ribbon off if Kanako tried something crazy?"

[Raikaria]

>"Well, it is Cirno, she's not that bright, you have to understand that."
>"Huh, so...no good asking her for help right now huh?"
>Pause. "Y'think Rumia could handle handle her with the ribbon off if Kanako tried something crazy?"

> "We all know that." Sanae said.

> "No. Suwako cannot help." Sanae admitted.

> Sanae thought for a moment, thinking back to Shinki, and then shook her head. "No. Only a Divine being, or one with strong links to Divinty can do anything to a god. Reimu and me, as Mikos, could take her on, but if she was serious, I doubt we'd win. Items linked with divinty can also harm them, like those items the Scarlets have. Of course, beating her in Danmaku is possible, Reimu's done it before, but considering Kanako fought while sitting down, I doubt she was serious then."

> Sanae paused. "After all, if I recall, Shinki wasn't a *true* god, despite being near to it. Not to mention she was in a different dimension, and she stated she was outright invunerable within Makai, since she was the god of that realm."

> "I doubt Kanako herself would do anything openly that would make her look bad to Gensokyo. Everything she does is to try and obtain the worship of those in Gensokyo, she wouldn't do anything that would make people not worship her." Sanae says... before recalling the backfireing of the last set of plans; "Intentionally, at least. She may have told Rika something, or helped her in some way, but she's probobly more likly to stop Rika and look like a hero for worship than stop us stopping her."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "But didn't it take you, Suwako, and Kanako to bust down Shinki's Barrier?"
>Pause. "Come to think of it, it's been a while since then hasn't it? Y'think Shinki's visited Alice yet?"

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "But didn't it take you, Suwako, and Kanako to bust down Shinki's Barrier?"
>Pause. "Come to think of it, it's been a while since then hasn't it? Y'think Shinki's visited Alice yet?"

> "Kanako and Suwako were not there personally. I was chanelling their power, basically. Not to mention with the energy from Makai radiateing into Gensokyo at that time, Shinki was probobly a Demi-God in the sealed area. Not quite a god like in her own lands, but still somewhat divine." Sanae explained.

> "She probobly has. I remember Reimu being in a huff a few weeks ago because she had to put up with Yukari opening a gap to Makai."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Huh. Well, I was thinking that if push came to shove, Shinki could be helpful to have helping if it gets too dicey. We both saw how strong she is, and Rumia actually fought her."
>"Well, I suppose that with Shinki and Rumia working together, they might be able to manage it if Kanako tried something crazy. You said that she doesn't try to do these things intentionally, so it's the accidental screwups we gotta be careful of."

[Raikaria]

>"Huh. Well, I was thinking that if push came to shove, Shinki could be helpful to have helping if it gets too dicey. We both saw how strong she is, and Rumia actually fought her."
>"Well, I suppose that with Shinki and Rumia working together, they might be able to manage it if Kanako tried something crazy. You said that she doesn't try to do these things intentionally, so it's the accidental screwups we gotta be careful of."

> "Shinki isn't allowed anywhere except Alice's house." Sanae said simply.

> "In Gensokyo, Shinki is not a god. Rumia is not a divine being either. Neither would be able to beat Kanako up, except in danmaku." Sanae re-iterated. "A much better course of action would be the Scarlet mansion. Apparently they have the spear of Gungir, and the Wand of the Trickster God, Leviatinn, or something like that. Items like that could harm a god, if push came to shove."

> Sanae thinks.

> "I guess within Gensokyo, the ones who could harm a god would be... Reimu with her Ying-Yang Orbs, the Scarlet Sisters with their weapons, myself, being a Demigod, Utusho, having eaten a God, Kanako, Suwako, the Aki Sisters, Hina, and maybe Iku, being an envoy of the Dragon. I guess the Enma, Shikieiki, could too, and the Oni might be able to as well, as some regard them as gods of the Mountains. The Taoists and Buddists would likly be able to harm gods too, especially Miko, being a Saint."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Huh, I guess an exception could be made if she was trying to protect gensokyo though, seeing as how Alice loves it and all."
>Frown. "Besides, if things are gonna get as bad as I think they will, we're gonna need all the help we can get."

[Raikaria]

>"Huh, I guess an exception could be made if she was trying to protect gensokyo though, seeing as how Alice loves it and all."
>Frown. "Besides, if things are gonna get as bad as I think they will, we're gonna need all the help we can get."

> "Trust me, there's no way Yukari would let Shinki out of that house. I hear Yukari links the door and windows to gaps so if anyone tries to go in or out they're in her realm." Sanae said.

> "I doubt we'll need to do anything. Kanako's plans always backfire, and if this Rika did come to the shrine for information, Kanako might not even even known what her intentions were. What is odd, however, is that I didn't know. I greet all the visitors and ask their names... I recall no Rika."

[Hanzo K.]

>Headtilt. "Huh, maybe she used a different name then? I've heard of people doing that sometimes."

[Raikaria]

>Headtilt. "Huh, maybe she used a different name then? I've heard of people doing that sometimes."

> "An apparent meglomaniac using a fake name? Maybe, but I doubt it." Sanae said.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, this is Gensokyo, you can't exactly rely on Outside World Common Sense all that much here."
>"Anyhow, let's get moving, there's already a meeting place set up. You can thank Rumia for thinking clearly enough for that."

[Raikaria]

>"Well, this is Gensokyo, you can't exactly rely on Outside World Common Sense all that much here."
>"Anyhow, let's get moving, there's already a meeting place set up. You can thank Rumia for thinking clearly enough for that."

> "That's my line." Sanae says, sounding saddened.

> "OK."

[Done with Sanae now?]

[Hanzo K.]

I am, what about you GYMO? Got anything to chip in?

[GuyYouMetOnline]

No.

[Raikaria]

> You are now Wriggle Nightbug, and you are standing outside a shrine.

> Specifically, this is the Hakurei Shrine. You're rather surprised by the amount of snow here, and, unlike when you were at the Moriya Shrine, it's clear that no effort has been made to clear a path through it. In fact, the only thing which seems to have had any effort put into clearing is the donation box, and the area right in front of the door.

> Aside from the shrine, you can see Sukia making a snow-angel.

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's just fly over to her. This snow is not conducive to a little firefly like us.
>"Hey, you seen Reimu around? I kinda need to talk to her...Like, yesterday practically."

[Raikaria]

>Let's just fly over to her. This snow is not conducive to a little firefly like us.
>"Hey, you seen Reimu around? I kinda need to talk to her...Like, yesterday practically."

> You fly over to Sukia. She dosen't sop making the snow-angel. Although, on second thought, when you factor her horns, it's more a snow-devil.

> "Hi Giggle Lighthug!" Sukia says. It seems she can't recall your name quite right... or she's drunker than when she learnt it. Or more sober. You can not really tell with Sukia.

> "Uwwwaaa... I think Reimu went out back to the pond to see that old grouch." Sukia said.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh a bit. "Thanks. And it's Wriggle, okay? Wriggle Nightbug."
>Let's head back to the pond out back!

[Raikaria]

>Sigh a bit. "Thanks. And it's Wriggle, okay? Wriggle Nightbug."
>Let's head back to the pond out back!

> "OK Wriggle Whitelug!" Sukia says. Well... it's an improvement, and her ears are probobly chilled by the snow they're covered in.

> You fly over the shrine to the pond, and see Reimu and... a large turtle.

> "You can come in you know Genji. Your pond's frozen over." Reimu says.

> "I'm fine out here. I've survived harder winters than this many times over. Besides, we have a visitor." the turtle says.

[Hanzo K.]

>Pause. "Whoa. I've seen a lot since becoming a Youkai, but a talking turtle is new."
>Shake our head to focus. "Anyhow, there's some pretty big trouble brewing. Know anything about a girl named Rika? She stole that thing the kappas made. Rumia said for everyone to split up to handle things faster, and I got picked to handle this. Mystia's already gone to warn Sanae, and Cirno's gone off to find Letty, and Rumia went to find Kogasa."

[Raikaria]

>Pause. "Whoa. I've seen a lot since becoming a Youkai, but a talking turtle is new."
>Shake our head to focus. "Anyhow, there's some pretty big trouble brewing. Know anything about a girl named Rika? She stole that thing the kappas made. Rumia said for everyone to split up to handle things faster, and I got picked to handle this. Mystia's already gone to warn Sanae, and Cirno's gone off to find Letty, and Rumia went to find Kogasa."

> "Hmm? I've been here for many, many years little insect youkai. You just haven't been to the back of this shrine." Genji says.

> "Rika... Rika... Riiiika..." Reimu says, before shaking her head. "Nope."

> "Young Mistress, do you seriously not remember her?" Genji asked.

> "I don't remember anyone by that name."

> The turtle sighed. "The very first enemy you fought while on my back? The girl in the tank? And later she was on a large mechnaical Evil-Eye? Which you regarded as one of your hardest fights ever?"

> "When did I last say that?" Reimu asked.

> "Sometime shortly before you, Miss Kirisame, Miss Kanzami and Mima fought Shinki."

> "You mean before I stopped using that purple dye?"

> "Yes Mistress."

> "That explains it then. I hardly remember ANYTHING from back then. I hardly remembered Alice when we first met up in Gensokyo..." Reimu said.

> Genji sighed. "I'm afraid if it's information you seek, the young Hakurei maiden will not be much help. On the other hand, I remember this Rika rather clearly."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Well, We do know she's a scientist- whatever that is- with a big tank, whatever that is. From what I hear, there's a good chance she might try to take over Gensokyo with that thing the kappas made."

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "Well, We do know she's a scientist- whatever that is- with a big tank, whatever that is. From what I hear, there's a good chance she might try to take over Gensokyo with that thing the kappas made."

> "Thing the kappas made? I'm not up to date with current affairs." Genji said.

> "A nuclear reactor. It creates the same energy as that crow I told you about." Reimu said.

> "Ah... yes... oh... no. This isn't good indeed. Young Mistress, we have to find Rika before it's too late!" Genji said.

> "What do you mean we? You're too old and I don't need your help to fly anymore." Reimu asked.

> "I think it's about time I got out for a change, this is an old enemy after all! Besides, I should be a little more spritely then I was with you on my back, I don't have to worry about you falling off!" Genji said defiantly.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "I can kinda see where the old-timer's coming from. He wants to relive a time where he actually did something."
>Look to Genji. "Isn't that right, old-timer?"

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "I can kinda see where the old-timer's coming from. He wants to relive a time where he actually did something."
>Look to Genji. "Isn't that right, old-timer?"

> "What's up with everyone calling me old nowadays! I'm only a hundred and fifty! You don't see people going around calling Miss Kanzami, Miss Yakumo or those Scarlet Sisters old, now do you!" Genji snapped.

> "Those Scarlets are older than 150, right, young Mistress?" Genji said just afterwards.

> "Yes." Reimu answered.

> Genji sighed. "I'm sorry for snapping at you, young insect. Age is a touchy issue for those who have large amounts of it."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "That's pretty understandable, but I kinda figured you were older than that. Seein' as how you were callin' me young and all. But just 150?"
>Pause. "Well, you are a turtle, those guys do live pretty long. There's hardly any insect out there that'll get old enough to be a youkai y'know. Except maybe firefiles, since everybody loves them."