Rumia Quest 7: Chasing Shadows

[Raikaria]

>"Maybe, let's head back and ask Patchouli."
>Pause. "I'm gonna need a little help finishing off the Yuuka Copy though, I don't want too much collateral damage, so we'll have to get her into a spot where I won't cause any."

> "She is a plant, no?" Medicine says. "I can finish her off with that venom if you want. No collateral."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, I just wanted to give her a proper sendoff, Even if she's a copy, she's still 'Yuuka'. It's a matter of respect y'know."

[Raikaria]

>"Well, I just wanted to give her a proper sendoff, Even if she's a copy, she's still 'Yuuka'. It's a matter of respect y'know."

> "Well, it's up to you." Medicine says.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmm...We'll leave it up to the copy then."
>Look to the Yuuka Copy. Is she able to respond at all? "Well, there's two options. Do you want me to help you go out with a bang, or do you want to go out quietly with Meddy's help?"

[Raikaria]

>"Hmm...We'll leave it up to the copy then."
>Look to the Yuuka Copy. Is she able to respond at all? "Well, there's two options. Do you want me to help you go out with a bang, or do you want to go out quietly with Meddy's help?"

> "Ideally I wouldn't go down at all, and recover and try to kill you again." she answers. "I don't care how I go down if I do."

[Hanzo K.]

>Look to Medicine. "All yours then. Make it quick and painless for her, even if she's a copy."

[Raikaria]

>Look to Medicine. "All yours then. Make it quick and painless for her, even if she's a copy."

> "Well, you might not want to watch. Remember what Yumemi's dagger was doing to the golems? It'll be fast, but not pretty."

[Hanzo K.]

>Yeah, let's get a bit of distance and look away.

[Raikaria]

>Yeah, let's get a bit of distance and look away.

> You and everyone else move away, aside from Medicine.

> About thirty seconds later, the doll walks back over, her hand smoking a little.

> "Eh... I had to make it so strong to effect her I damaged my own bodywork a little. Maybe I can get that puppeteer to fix me after this is all done." she says, looking at some chips in her hand.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Yeah, she should definitely be able to fix up the damage. Alice and Shinki are the best at making dolls after all. You and Yumeko aren't all that different really. You're a doll that gained a soul, Yumeko's a doll who had a soul put into her. Of course, it was her soul to begin with."
>Beat.
>"Long story involving the old, crazy me. Suffice it to say, she used to be a living person no different from me."

[Raikaria]

>"Yeah, she should definitely be able to fix up the damage. Alice and Shinki are the best at making dolls after all. You and Yumeko aren't all that different really. You're a doll that gained a soul, Yumeko's a doll who had a soul put into her. Of course, it was her soul to begin with."
>Beat.
>"Long story involving the old, crazy me. Suffice it to say, she used to be a living person no different from me."

> "Well, it is dangerous, I AM venomous to touch." Medicine says.

> "It's Gensokyo. Anything can happen."

[Hanzo K.]

>"I'm pretty sure Alice could use a puppet to repair you remotely then. Only other option would be somehow finding Kaguya so she could use one of her treasures to regenerate the damage. That's how we fixed up Yumeko back in the Absorber Incident. Also the same thing we have to thank for Yumemi still being alive too."

[Raikaria]

>"I'm pretty sure Alice could use a puppet to repair you remotely then. Only other option would be somehow finding Kaguya so she could use one of her treasures to regenerate the damage. That's how we fixed up Yumeko back in the Absorber Incident. Also the same thing we have to thank for Yumemi still being alive too."

> "I'd still rather have been healed without magic. Who knows what's changed with me due to that." Yumemi says.

> "Hmm. Maybe." Medicine says.

> "We should get going." Yumemi says. "If we stay too long more of those golems will show up."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Yeah, let's get going."
>Let's go!
>And while we're in transit; "Well, it was either do it that way, or let you die. And I couldn't let someone as stubborn and dedicated as you go out just like that. After all, we're a lot alike. You were fighting for your world, I was fighting for mine. And still am really. That thing about me won't change, no matter how I may look on the outside. Same holds true for you. You might have changed somewhat, but you're still you, and you're still searching for a way to help your world right?"

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "Yeah, let's get going."
>Let's go!
>And while we're in transit; "Well, it was either do it that way, or let you die. And I couldn't let someone as stubborn and dedicated as you go out just like that. After all, we're a lot alike. You were fighting for your world, I was fighting for mine. And still am really. That thing about me won't change, no matter how I may look on the outside. Same holds true for you. You might have changed somewhat, but you're still you, and you're still searching for a way to help your world right?"

> Your group starts heading back to the Scarlet Mansion. Rika is still working en-route.

> "I know, I know, but if there was a way that didn't involve pumping my body with magic, then I would have rathered that. I can't help but wonder what'll happen to me if I ever get back home... will I die, since my life is sustained by magic, which does not exist in that world?" Yumemi says. "That said, if I die upon entering my world... it'll be how I want to go."

> "I could always make ya into a robot if you want. I guess your techno world has those, right?" Rika says.

> "I'm not crazy Rika. Unlike you I don't want to be a machine."

> Rika smiles. "Hey, I consider crazy a compliment."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nudge Yumemi. "She's got you there, crazy's practically her middle name. Even I think she's out there, and that's saying something coming from the resident 'Idiot Hero'."
>"Besides, Rika really outdid herself with the one she's got now. Almost human it is, even gets added energy from eating apparently too! Plus, taste buds."

[Raikaria]

>Nudge Yumemi. "She's got you there, crazy's practically her middle name. Even I think she's out there, and that's saying something coming from the resident 'Idiot Hero'."
>"Besides, Rika really outdid herself with the one she's got now. Almost human it is, even gets added energy from eating apparently too! Plus, taste buds."

> "I'd say Marisa is stupider." Yumemi says.

> "You forgot emotions." Rika adds. "I managed to replicate the electrical signals and makeup of the brain and nervous system, while erasing things such as pain in the process. I get the good stuff, but not the bad."

[Hanzo K.]

>"We're both on the same axis really. Nutty, free-spirited wackos who take the overkill approach to a lot of things."
>Grin slightly. "Though Rika probably way outdid us back in the Enkura Incident. She used some kind of Gravity Cannon on the old me that Enkura gave a physical form to. Needless to say, all that was left was stuff you couldn't even make soup with. Nasty stuff that. Almost lost my appetite right then and there. Something about...uh..."
>Look to Rika. "Hey, uh, how much gravity did you use again? It was something like 500 tons or something, right?"

[Raikaria]

>"We're both on the same axis really. Nutty, free-spirited wackos who take the overkill approach to a lot of things."
>Grin slightly. "Though Rika probably way outdid us back in the Enkura Incident. She used some kind of Gravity Cannon on the old me that Enkura gave a physical form to. Needless to say, all that was left was stuff you couldn't even make soup with. Nasty stuff that. Almost lost my appetite right then and there. Something about...uh..."
>Look to Rika. "Hey, uh, how much gravity did you use again? It was something like 500 tons or something, right?"

> "Overkill?" Yumemi says, before she looks worried at the description of this Gravity Cannon. "Rika and her superweapons..."

> "Uh... I only estimated, I'd never got anything able to actually measure it. And, nah, it was more like 500 times the gravity the planet puts on you. That's a wild guess, could be less, could be more." Rika says. "All I know is it crushes anything living into paste and drains my energy like mad to fire."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Yeah, that's what it was."
>Pause. "Say, you think that'd work on Titania if the Absorber is good enough to drain her enough to to make her mostly damageable?"

[Raikaria]

>"Yeah, that's what it was."
>Pause. "Say, you think that'd work on Titania if the Absorber is good enough to drain her enough to to make her mostly damageable?"

> Rika turns over, flying on her back, looking at you.

> "Dunno. Who knows. There are legends that say humans have defeated Gods, despite what everyone claims these days." Rika says.

[Hanzo K.]

>Grin a little. "If that's the case, then in the Dream World, a world of wonder that surpasses even Gensokyo, we can beat Titania. We've got a shot!"

[Raikaria]

>Grin a little. "If that's the case, then in the Dream World, a world of wonder that surpasses even Gensokyo, we can beat Titania. We've got a shot!"

> Yumemi smiles.

> "That's the way to think. Just because the rules are as such in Gensokyo, or Makai, doesn't mean the rules are as such there. In fact, being the Dream World, I'd wager anything can happen, there could be no rules... since when does logic apply to your dreams? Since when do dreams have limits? Look at my dream, restore magic to my world using the energy of other worlds, without causing any serious damage to anywhere else." Yumemi says.

> She sighs.

> "Unfortunately, this would apply to Titania too, especially if she's somehow grasped the world under her control to an extent."

[Hanzo K.]

>"That's what the absorber's for, to steal her advantage for our own. Heck, I might even be able to 'Pull a Shinki', and give her a taste of her own medicine so to speak."

[Raikaria]

>"That's what the absorber's for, to steal her advantage for our own. Heck, I might even be able to 'Pull a Shinki', and give her a taste of her own medicine so to speak."

> "I don't know what you mean, except that god is somewhat irresponsible." Yumemi says. "Leaving her world on a whim..."

> The scientist sighs. "I just can't agree with her flippant attitude."

> The Scarlet Mansion comes into view. You will be there shortly.

> There are more dead plant golems around it than before, and you see Remilia strike another down within the mists. The vampire sure seems to be enjoying this.

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle a bit. "I guess even she's enjoying herself. Then again, people of our status don't often get to cut loose for real. What with how powerful members of the Big Four are."
>Look to Yumemi. "Did Eirin ever tell you about the Big Four?"
>Shrug. "Anyhow, the Dream World's power was how Shinki became a Goddess. So I figure that if need be, some of us could potentially tap into that temporarily or something. After all, since the dream world's a land of limitless possibility, we could always 'dream' that we can match Titania blow for blow, and then 'wake up' from that after all's said and done."

[Raikaria]

>Chuckle a bit. "I guess even she's enjoying herself. Then again, people of our status don't often get to cut loose for real. What with how powerful members of the Big Four are."
>Look to Yumemi. "Did Eirin ever tell you about the Big Four?"
>Shrug. "Anyhow, the Dream World's power was how Shinki became a Goddess. So I figure that if need be, some of us could potentially tap into that temporarily or something. After all, since the dream world's a land of limitless possibility, we could always 'dream' that we can match Titania blow for blow, and then 'wake up' from that after all's said and done."

> "No." Yumemi says.

> "Who knows how it works." the scientist says. "And Titania seems to know well enough to lock people within nightmares."

> At this point, you arrive at the mansion itself.

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's continue back to the rest of the group, conversing with Yumemi as we go. "Well, the Big Four are four of the strongest or most dangerous Youkai of Gensokyo, aside from the Four Devas, which are the pinnacle of the Oni race. The group consists of Tenma, Remilia, Yuuka, and myself. Up until her death, Yukari was also listed in this group. At that point, we were called the Big Five."
>"Tenma's on the list because he's the oldest and most powerful of the Tengu, he's been around since at least the time the Oni ruled Youkai Mountain. Yuuka's on the list for obvious reasons, and you can easily see why Remilia's on it. And you've faced me in battle, so you know that my position on the board's valid. And as for Yukari? Well, just look at what Maribel can do, and you'll see why. After all, Maribel's a right chip off the old block, both in looks, fashion taste, and powers. I daresay that once she's strong enough, she'll be made a member of the group too."

[Raikaria]

>Let's continue back to the rest of the group, conversing with Yumemi as we go. "Well, the Big Four are four of the strongest or most dangerous Youkai of Gensokyo, aside from the Four Devas, which are the pinnacle of the Oni race. The group consists of Tenma, Remilia, Yuuka, and myself. Up until her death, Yukari was also listed in this group. At that point, we were called the Big Five."
>"Tenma's on the list because he's the oldest and most powerful of the Tengu, he's been around since at least the time the Oni ruled Youkai Mountain. Yuuka's on the list for obvious reasons, and you can easily see why Remilia's on it. And you've faced me in battle, so you know that my position on the board's valid. And as for Yukari? Well, just look at what Maribel can do, and you'll see why. After all, Maribel's a right chip off the old block, both in looks, fashion taste, and powers. I daresay that once she's strong enough, she'll be made a member of the group too."

> Byakuren sweat-drops. "You're forgetting me Rumia. I know I don't fight much but still..."

> "I have to become a youkai first..." Maribel reminds you. "No point having a human in a youkai group. Besides, if what you've told me is right, this little group was mainly to keep tabs on Yuuka anyway."

[Hanzo K.]

>"...Oh. Sorry about that! I guess it was actually the Big Six back then. My mistake. Byakuren here's another member of the group, and it's safe to say that she's one of the most level-headed ones of us all, save for Tenma that is, who's a pretty reasonable old guy. He's kinda like a wise old grandpa almost."
>What all did we find out about the group anyways after Yukari's death? Beyond that the powerful and potentially dangerous are a part of it that is.