Frame of the Undying Fortitude (finished)

~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore

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An Odd Sea Slug:
She gasped as she sensed the beam coming? The purple haired rabbit girl leaped out of the way of the white energy beam that would?ve caused damage for sure had it hit.

So that is the end? I thought I could stall for more time than that? No choice, now I?ll have to face them directly?

Materializing an object that looked like one of the hand weapons of the outside world (a biretta pistol), Reisen prepared for round two?

***
Not long after Marisa fired her beam, everything began returning to normal. The trees were correct again, and the mud beasts disappeared without a trace. The ground even now appeared undamaged from the battle, save for the bomb crater.

?It figures she would be after us after awhile?? said Marisa, smiling while still looking I the direction she shot her beam. ?Guess I?m gonna have to do something about that??

?Wait, you just said ?I?m gonna have to do something about that? so? ?do you intend to battle her all by yourself?? asked Wriggle with concern.

?Yeah, why not?? asks Marisa casually.

?But her lunacy powers are likely stronger than before! She?ll drive you mad within moments!? said Alice with concern.

?That thing didn?t work on me then, and as much as she improved, I doubt that she can hypnotize me now. Besides, when we both fought her last, who was the one who ended up needing to be saved because she was able to trick her so easily?? asked Marisa.

Alice looked a bit embarrassed.

?That was?! That was me.? sighed the doll user.

?It?s settled then! I?m the only one who can take care of Reisen, so I?ll fight her. You three stay close, but noooot to close? Don?t wanna blast ya after all!?

With that, Marisa ran into the trees.

?Marisa, wait!? called Alice. Aww? Guess I?ll just protect these two?

?I wonder if she?ll be alright on her own?? wondered Wriggle.

?If you ask me, she?s playing a very dangerous game.? grumbled Mystia cynically.

***
Reisen carefully but quickly ran through several trees, her ears open to the inevitable counter attack. After all, they knew she?d just chase them if they tried to run now? Her senses were alert? Cleary someone was approaching.

Only one of them?? Oh well? Which way will she strike from?

Reisen carefully listened with her long, thin and stiff rabbit ears for any movement, or attack. It was quiet for now? Perhaps the enemy was approaching by air?? All she could pick up were the faint sounds of buzzing insects?

Ahh, I don?t hear anything? It looks like I?ll have to be prepared for an attack from anywhere?

And she was right. Reisen gritted her teeth as she leaped straight up into the air, narrowly dodging another white beam, courtesy of Marisa. The black witch suddenly burst out of some nearby bushes, attempting to whack Reisen dead in the head with the straw end of her broomstick!

Gasping, Reisen invoked her flight power, moving back to avoid the attack while taking the opportunity to look into Marisa?s eyes? Reisen?s eyes briefly flashed pink upon looking into Marisa?s golden ones. Marisa however only sneered as she landed safely on the ground.

Huh?! thought Reisen as she also returned to the ground.

?I guess that still doesn?t work on me, eh Reisen? Too bad, cause now it?s gonna be easy beatin? the crap outta ya!?

Reisen was silent for a few seconds.

?I don?t have time for insults. Let?s just get this over with!? said the rabbit girl, dead serious.

Marisa looked serious, but wouldn?t be able to think about it more as Reisen pointed her gun at the witch and fired a single shot. Marisa was quick to side step the yellow bullet that was oddly shaped like a suppository?

?Wow, I don?t think you were nearly this tense the last time? Are you guys really interested in those two children back there??

Reisen didn?t answer, materializing a second gun, and leaping toward Marisa. The black-white jumped far backward, and up into a large tree branch, dodging single shot fire from the purple haired rabbit. Reisen then leaped into the air herself, firing her guns at the same time.

But instead of two single shots came some forty at once, spreading out!

In response, Marisa back flipped off the tree branch while tucking her broom under her right arm. She cupped her hands in front of herself as she fell down, firing green blasts of her own. Some cancelled out the yellow bullets, while others got through, forcing Reisen to jump back.

Marisa took the opportunity to strike, pointing her broomstick forward, and speeding toward Reisen like a giant bullet. Once she was close enough, she executed a devastating spinning attack with her broom! Reisen however was able to back flip over the attack, the low amount of height she got allowing her to return to the ground mere seconds afterward.

With Marisa now vulnerable, Reisen zoomed in, and crashed her right knee into the witch girl?s stomach, causing her to gasp for air. Even as she felt all the air leave her lungs, Marisa could feel a right hook exploding across her left cheek, sending her flying backwards and into the ground.

Reisen pointed her guns forward, hoping she knocked out the witch girl. It was apparent that she didn?t find success. Marisa quickly got back up, wiping her mouth with her left arm. She put her arm down to reveal a mischievous smile before spitting out a bloodied, knocked out tooth.

?Heh, not bad Reisen! There?s just one small thing you didn?t factor??

Not waiting to find out what that was, Reisen fired another scattershot blast from her guns. Marisa spun her broom in front of herself like a staff, and ran through the danmaku, knocking all the bullets away! Surprised, Reisen found herself having to back flip in order to avoid a leg sweep with the broom?s straw half. Marisa then tried to send her left foot into Reisen?s stomach, but Reisen (who dematerialized her guns) deftly caught it, and flipped Marisa. The witch recovered and landed properly however.

Reisen ran over to Marisa, attempting to land a hard and high kick to the witches head with her right leg? And was shocked when Marisa blocked it like a professional martial artist by putting both arms to her left side!

??you?re not the only one studying martial arts!?

Marisa then grabbed Reisen?s ankle to restrain her, reaching out with her right hand to fire a green blast right in the rabbit?s torso! Yelling in pain, Reisen was sent flying backwards to her back. She quickly leaped up, holding the wound to her stomach.

?Now howabout you tell me what?s going on around here today?? asked Marisa in an oddly casual tone.

She speaking so childishly, but I think she?s actually serious right now? I?ve got to stall for more time? Get further away from here? thought Reisen. ?You?ll have to catch me first!?

Reisen then began jumping away.

?Bring it on!? called Marisa, giving chase.

All the while, a butterfly with a blue wing and a red wing sat on a tree near them?

***
Tewi received another Message Butterfly.

?Wh-what?! But that route takes them farther away from the ambush point! What?s Reisen thinking?!? said a dumbfounded Tewi.

?Perhaps something has gone wrong?? I wouldn?t worry though.? said another rabbit girl with a wink.

?What do you speak of??

?I trust her. Maybe there is a secret plan?? spoke the rabbit vaguely.

That very rabbit then put on a small red and blue necklace with a red cross on it?

?Wha??! You?re with Eirin?s half!? said a further dumbfounded Tewi.

***
Reisen jumped from tree branch to tree branch, trying to get away from Marisa, never looking back once.

C?mon, you four keep following me?

Of course, Marisa was the only one she knew for sure was giving chase.

This could?ve gone better if they?d all followed? At least then I?d know for sure?

Reisen continued moving away at a very great speed. But her senses picked up Marisa quickly catching up to her with a dastardly smile! Reisen was fast being a rabbit and all, but Marisa was even faster. The black witch didn?t need long to catch up?

Forced to turn around, Reisen materialized a very large metallic object that she held over her shoulder (a bazooka), and fired a very large purple energy ball from it. It exploded in a bright, annihilating flash as it sped toward a surprised looking Marisa. But Reisen would be shocked herself when Marisa would emerge from the smoke less than a foot away from her!

Reisen tried to dematerialize her strange weapon to defend herself, but it was too late? While still in mid-air, Marisa leapt off her broom, but held on with her right hand. She zoomed toward Reisen and planted the tip of the broom dead into Reisen?s torso? ?exactly were she?d been hurt by the magical blast from earlier. Reisen gasped as rabbit blood flew out of her mouth while she flew backwards from the attack. Reisen then slammed hard, back first into a nearby tree, bouncing right off of it.

?GAAH!?

Finally, the rabbit girl fell face first onto the ground. She slowly got up, holding her stomach with her right hand. Marisa held her broom to the side as she watched Reisen. She was back on the ground, and had a much more pleasant smile on.

?Not bad Reisen, but ya should?ve been a little more intense. Now then, mind tellin? me what?s goin? o-?

?I don?t answer to you.? interrupted Reisen rather plainly. ?I won?t tell you what I know, and I won?t surrender. But my plan obviously failed, so I?ll retreat for now.?

Reisen then turned around and flew away. Marisa looked at her as she flew away, puzzled. Why stop that quickly?? It was really weird? Marisa decided against any further pursuit as it was probably a trap, and not worth it. Instead, she returned to her friends who had followed the fight, and were waiting in a small clearing.

?Marisa, are you alright?? asked Wriggle.

?You kiddin? After an easy fight like that?? asked Marisa back.

?Easy?? But? ?she wasn?t all that weak last time? She could deal with you on an equal level anytime?? mused Alice with concern. ?This is becoming too strange??

?Uh?? Your sleeve?? pointed Mystia to Marisa?s left sleeve.

A small part of it had been reddened from wiping blood earlier.

?Oh, that?s nothin? she just got a lucky shot is all. We?d better get movin??? said Marisa.

***
Reisen stopped after a short time, dropping to her knees.

Did I get them far enough? I?m not certain I did?

Just then, Reisen could here something swooping to her right, going past her.

?Huh?!? she said alarmed, as she looked over. ?What was that??

?Don?t worry? It?s our backup plan!? said an Inaba as she walked out in front of Reisen.

Reisen looked a tad confused at first. But that?s when she saw the red and blue emblem the rabbit girl was wearing?

?But that?s?!?

***
A small group of Inabas, wearing the Eirin insignia had jumped out in front of the four girls.

?You guys don?t give up, do ya?? asked Marisa with a wry smile that hinted at hidden aggravation.

?Why so few of them?? Surely, there?d be more?? muttered Mystia.

That?s when the swooping objects appeared? Small, black, almost shadow-like circles large enough to surround any of the present girls. Two of them sped under the surprised Marisa and Alice, and before they could react?

?You lose!? said an Inaba confidently.

?the circles turned into purple magic seals, and began shooting purple stinging and numbing energy upward! Marisa and Alice hollered in pain as the energy shot through them.

?GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!? they both shouted.

?Oh no?!? said Wriggle in shock.

Mystia slowly backed away in fear? ?until she saw another circle positioning itself under Wriggle?

?WRIGGLE, LOOKOUT!?

Wriggle, to her surprise, found herself being pushed to the ground. She turned her head to a screaming Mystia, who was now being engulfed with deadly energy! Another circle had activated where Mystia had been standing just a few seconds earlier?

?Mystia!? cried Wriggle as she got up and ran toward her friend.

She tried to grab Mystia to pull her out, only to be shocked and knocked back down to the ground.

?WRIGGLE, GO! PLEASE GET OUT OF HERE!? cried the nightbird over her pain.

?I won?t leave you?!? responded Wriggle.

?THEY?LL GET US BOTH IF YOU DON?T! JUST LEAVE!?

Wriggle bit her lip as she got up, tightening her fists?

?Mystia??

Meanwhile, Alice gritted her teeth hard as she looked over to the suffering Marisa. Fighting the intense pain, she put her book up and undid the strap locking it with her left hand?

The Inabas were shocked to find that Alice was suddenly surrounded in a golden aura of power! With her book open, her true power was revealed! Alice leaped out of her death circle, pushing Marisa away from her own. Several of he remaining dolls grabbed the witch?

?G? GET HER AWAY FROM HERE?!? shouted Alice over her pain as her aura disappeared just as quickly as it came. ?GO!?

The dolls were visibly reluctant to go, but did as they were told without hesitation. They dragged Marisa into the forest at a surprisingly high speed. Marisa wasn?t able to resist?

?A? Alice?? she muttered, when she realized she was being pulled away from her friend.

?Inabas, after them!? shouted an Inaba.

Wriggle, with her head down finally began turning to leave.

?Mystia, I promise that I?ll come back for you! I swear I will!? vowed Wriggle as tears rolled down her eyes.

The firefly youkai then turned around, following Marisa and the dolls?

[Spell Break]

An Odd Sea Slug:
[Fifth Spell]

?Who are you?? asked an echoing, deep male voice.

?I am who I am. I?m just a simple human girl.? responded a feminine, slightly gravelly voice.

?Only a human like the rest indeed. However? ?you come here, and yet do not fear my appearance. All others have trembled at the mere sight? ?mere mention of my flames. And yet here you are, walking towards me as if you were in some sort of trance. Tell me girl, why do you seek me??

The girl, whose tattered robes only barely covered her legs slowly approached the figure?

?Power??

?Power?? spoke the voice in an almost mocking manner. ?Power is it? Answer me, girl.?

?Yes? I need? ?power. I beg of you??

The being could now sense the girl?s pain? Her helplessness? Her soul was a tortured one? She had been running away for a long time. A very long time.

?Bewitching? Those no fear in your voice? No emotion in your eyes, no pride in your heart. I do not sense any ulterior motives on top of that. You are a broken being.? spoke the voice.

?I have long since forgotten how to feel fear... Happiness and joy elude me at every turn. I can seldom find a moment where I can enjoy such things? But now? ?even when I sleep? ?I only??

Now the creature saw into her red eyes? Desperate eyes that cried for help?

??I only feel pain.?

?I? ?see.? said the voice, lowering his tone. ?You are caused pain by those around you, are you not??

?Y-yes? They hunt me? Hurt me? Everywhere it?s the same? ?by humans, and youkai. I? ?have no place in this world.?

?Hmm? We bear the same curse? The world refuses to understand us, and therefore wants us gone. But they cannot do away with us no matter what they do, no matter how long they come after us. You however differ in me in one aspect??

The girl looked up?

?You cannot defend yourself in this world that has rejected you. I can tell by the pain in your heart that you have lived a long time. But in all that time, you have not been able to keep them from torturing you, persecuting you, taking advantage of you? So you came to me out of desperation, hoping I would pity you.?

The girl was silent. As she stood in front of the great flames?

?We are both one in the same. So I am willing to make a contract with you.?

The girl?s dead eyes brighten ever so slightly with new hope.

?I thank you.? she said, voice with more emotion.

?I ?the Great Phoenix? ?will give my power, strength and soul to you, a human who has no place in this world, so that you may defend yourself from those that hate you. Just know that every time you use my power, you will be answering to me for all you do. Also know that I am not God, and you are still a human. You can still die, and feel pain. Finally, you will need time to control this power.?

Suddenly, the flames moved in on the surprised girl, engulfing her! She disappeared in bright flames!

?Now then girl, becoming the Phoenix incarnate, and wield a power that can only be surpassed by God!?

The girl felt a great heat enter her body, as strength she had never felt before surged through her muscles. As her clothes burned away, she looked into the sky with a look of complete awe, not sure of what to think of all the power being given to her. She began screaming into the sky, her voice resembling that of the might phoenix?s proud roar?

An Odd Sea Slug:
***
Mokou awoke from her slumber, perched upon the branch of a large tree near the human village.

?Must've dozed off? Ah?? she said absently to herself before leaping to the ground, hands in her pockets. ?It?s the same two dreams over and over again? Something just doesn?t feel right at the moment. I?m probably making too big a deal of this? I wonder what?s keeping Keine??

Mokou shrugged before walking forward, looking up into the darkening sky. Grey clouds were slowly blotting out the blue sky.

?Storm clouds today?? After such a nice day too? Something about these clouds are a tad strange though?? said Mokou with suspicion. ?Strange? ?yet familiar??

Now Mokou took on an expression of contempt as she continued staring at the dark clouds above her.

?There were clouds like this on that day as well?? she sighed.

***
?Father, hold on! I don?t want a new mother!? cried the young Mokou as she ran up to her father.

He was a man shielded from view thanks to the bright sun?s rays. All she could see was his reassuring smile.

?There there, Mokou. Be calm. Kaguya is a very sweet woman. You?ll enjoy having her around.? spoke the man reassuringly.

?N-no?! I don?t want a new mommy! And y-you?ll be gone a long time!? sobbed little Mokou. ?And what if you can?t even find what she requested??

?Don?t be silly, Mokou. I have good leads on the Robe of the Fire Rat. I will claim it on my own quickly, then come back to you with Kaguya by my side. Then we shall be a happy family once again.?

Young Mokou just stared at her departing father her eyes filling with more tears as her face twisted with sorrow. Without a word she ran toward her father who kneeled down, and held her in his arms. Mokou sobbed as she buried her face into her loving father?s chest.

?F-f-father??

?I?ll return home soon Mokou. Do you understand??

Mokou only sobbed a few more times, silent for several minutes before speaking.

?I? ?I understand.?

Mokou?s father ended the embrace, still smiling as he stood back up. Mokou stood in place, her fists at her sides, tightening. Tears continued rolling down the poor girls face.

Outside, a crackle of thunder could be heard. The sun was rather quickly blotted out by a sudden storm that began brewing quickly.

?I leave my best attendants to take care of you. Now don?t forget my promise??

He began to leave, waving to Mokou as he left.

?I?ll return to you soon Mokou. Until then? Farewell!?

She watched as he left, her sorrow only growing. Her father was leaving her in order to win the heart of a girl she didn?t even know, and there wasn?t a thing she could do. Wait? There WAS one thing? She could hope and pray that her father would indeed keep his promise and return to her someday soon. She continued staring out of that open paper and wood door as her father finally disappeared from view.

At that moment, the rain finally began to fall?

***
?Yeah? A day just like this one all those years ago. It?s been over a millennia since that time, and yet it remains fresh in my mind. Every hour of every day I have one question looming in the back of my mind??

Mokou then looked down toward the ground, bringing her balled fists to her sides. She took a stance not too dissimilar from the one she took when she still just a small, powerless child, watching her father leave her.

?Father?? she began in a quiet and somber tone. ?Why didn?t you keep your promise???

She continued tightening her fists for a few more seconds? ?before letting the tension die down. She looked ahead, toward the nearby village, determination in her eyes and resolve her voice.

?But? ?what?s past is past. But even so? It remains her fault. And so, she will feel all of my pain along with me. Kaguya??

?Fufufu? I heard my name?? came an all too familiar voice from behind. ?Surely you were not referring to me were you??

Shocked, Mokou turned around, forming flames in her hands.

?Kaguya?! Where are you?! Show your face you coward!? yelled Mokou, looking quickly for any sign of her sworn enemy.

?Always that undying hatred of me, that desire to see my demise? It?s always the same every time you become aware of even the slightest sign of my presence. Of course, it?s no different for me when it comes to you of course.? spoke Kaguya?s voice.

?What the hell are you going on about?! Show your face if you?re so confident!? called out Mokou.

?Now now? No need for such harsh tones at this time? I did not come here seeking our usual conflict??

A holographic image (magically generated of course) displaying Kaguya in a rather dark room. Kaguya had on a semi-playful smile that hid a more serious intent. But still, her tone was far too casual?

?Instead, I have a small proposal to you. No, more of an invitation if you will.?

Wait? What is??

?I?ve grown weary of our heated rivalry, so why not conclude it for all time?? asked Kaguya.

Mokou put out her flames as a dumbfounded look formed on her face.

?Don?t play around! You know that can?t happen! Neither of us can ever be killed!? pointed out Mokou.

?What if I told you I found a way? A way that bypasses our immortal coils??

?If something like that came from you, I?d find it hard to believe? Like I am now!?

?Then why not come and see with your own eyes?? asks Kaguya with a head tilt.

Mokou returned her hands to her pockets, looking away from her enemy.

?I don?t have time for this? Next time you appear, don?t make it into a big joke.?

?So you won?t believe me? But I think you?ll still come none the less??

Mokou silently continued to walk forward.

?Weren?t you? ?waiting for someone?? asks Kaguya.

The hologram was following?

?It isn?t your business.? stated Mokou matter of factly.

?But aren?t you wondering just why Keine is taking so long?? Do you even know how long you?ve been waiting??

Mokou stopped. Come to think of it, she had no idea how long she slept? She looked back at Kaguya, who appeared to be enjoying this moment?

?Fufufufufu? There is a very specific reason why she?s late.?

Mokou began turning all the way around, taking her hands out of her pockets.

?You wouldn?t have?? said Mokou, a hint of fear in her voice.

Kaguya merely closed her eyes while still smiling, raising her right arm to the side, and snapping her fingers? Mokou was shocked beyond belief when two youkai rabbit girls brought in a frightened looking Keine, arms behind her back, and a cloth covering her mouth.

Mokou?s eyes widened with shock as she saw the sight. Sweat began to form on her face.

?Can?t be?! You couldn?t have?!?

***
Sometime earlier?

?Aww, where did I put that thing??? muttered Keine to herself as she searched somewhere underneath Kourindou?s desk.

She shifted some jars over to find a box wrapped in a purple cloth. She took it with her as she stood up over the counter again. She sighed a small bit before smiling to herself.

?It seems I can hide things a bit too well. I can?t even find my own things, despite my constant house cleaning!?

But right after chuckling to herself at the irony, Keine heard a knock at the door?

?Huh??

She to the front door of the shop?

?I?m sorry, but we?re closed for the day. You?ll have to-?

Keine was silent when she opened the door to find? ?herself?! Yes, a second Keine that matched the appearance of the original perfectly! Startled, a confused Keine backed away?

?Wh-what??! Who???

The second Keine had a very happy closed eye expression on her face, tilting her head as the real Keine backed away? ?before her face twisted into that of a monstrosity, black, oily eyes, with golden snake-like irises, along with beastly, sharp looking teeth.

With a mix of fear and surprise present on her face, Keine ended up dropping the box as the clone stepped forward, crushing the box unwittingly in the process. Before Keine could so much as gasp, the beast lunged at her?

***
?Kaguya, how dare you?!? growled Mokou.

?It would seem I?m holding the cards now, dear rival?? spoke Kaguya with an eerily calm tone.

?You b***h! This is between only the two of us! Leave her out of it!? demanded Mokou, quite angry now.

?Now that I have her, I believe you haven?t any choice but to accept my invitation.? spoke Kaguya, covering her mouth her left sleeve. ?Now don?t be long? My patience will not hold long? ?and neither will her life.?

Keine looked at Mokou pleadingly as she attempted to speak, but her words were muffled out by the cloth around her mouth.

?You?ll find an Inaba with information nearby. I?ll be waiting? Until then my rival, ta t a!?

With that, the projection disappeared, a magically charged stone dropping to the ground. Mokou stared blankly into space, her face twisted into a look of bitter rage?

?K? ?Ka? ?Kaguya?!? she growled.

***

An Odd Sea Slug:
It wasn?t long before the librarian of Voile was at the Mansion?s massive front doors. Many Fairy maids were on the laying on stretchers on the ground, bandaged and moaning with pain. The less injured stood outside, waiting to get inside for further treatment.

Patchouli looked around ahead worriedly, quick to notice that there were significantly less fairy maids present than what she sent out?

It was a rather thick crowd, as maids that had stayed behind at the mansion attempted to properly treat the maids that had gone out to fight. Since it was emergency treatments, they had to use the massive mansion lobby, and managed to take up a good chunk of it. Patchy moved through the thickness, desperately trying to find her loyal servant...

?Where is???

Just then, Patchy heard coughing with a fairly familiar voice, coming from her right near the door. Disregarding her body?s poor health, Patchouli ran over to find two maids hauling a badly injured Koakuma inside on a stretcher. Her dress was severely ripped and torn, and bandages covered her forehead, some of it covering her right eye. She was continuously wincing in pain. She was set down on the ground after a strict verbal command from Patchouli.

?Koakuma!? called Patchouli as she kneeled worriedly at her servant?s side.

?M-m-mi? Miss? ?Patchou- Patchouli?? said Koakuma in a weak, pained voice before coughing again.

?Thank goodness you?re alive? Just save your strength. Don?t try to talk.? speaks Patchouli.

?I?m? ?I?m sorry? ?Ms. Patchouli? The mission you gave to me? ?was a total failure??

Koakuma coughed again, a little more severely now, much to the alarm of Patchouli.

?Koakuma, don?t talk anymore!?

It was unclear whether or not Koakuma registered the command, as she continued her report, fighting her pain from the previous battle.

?The- they? ?had a strange new weapon??

?S? Strange new weapon??? asked Patchouli out loud unconsciously.

?We fought hard, but it overwhelmed us in the end? Many of us didn?t make it back?? spoke Koakuma before painfully sitting up somewhat. ?Surely they have the book Ms. Patchouli! Please, you must? ?get some? ?help??

That was all Koakuma was able to get out before falling unconscious onto the stretcher. The two maids carrying her picked her back up, and carried her away after that. After another minute, Patchouli stands up, and puts her left thumb to her mouth?

***
Now standing on the roof of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Patchouli wonders what her next move should be. She knew time was of the essence if the Eientei residents had malicious intent (she?s not yet aware that Kaguya does, but she?s been given plenty of good reason to suspect her). Perhaps it was already too late? She had to wrestle control of the book from Kaguya and her minions at any cost before anything catastrophic happened.

I should?ve done away with that book completely when I had the chance?! Could Gensokyo?s very existence now be standing upon the edge of a knife, simply because my own petty curiousity?? I was a fool to ever keep such a thing intact? But what has been done, has been done, has it not?

Patchouli sighed to herself, a sound drowned out by another gust of wind.

But? I can send no more. Koakuma has paid dearly for my mistakes already. Remilia is still recovering from that strange virus that only attacks vampires? Flandre isn?t an option at all? No? I cannot send any of them any way! This is? This is way too delicate for them? Perhaps then, only I?

Patchouli?s thoughts were interrupted when she sensed a familiar presence joining her on the roof? Patchouli?s face oddly enough, shifted to one of contempt.

?Mmm? Sakuya.? says Patchouli.

Sakuya was wearing a long sleeved version of her previous outfit. Her left hand and upper legs were bandaged?

?Yes, Ms. Patchouli. It is whom you say it is.? replied the silver haired maid.

?It seems even you weren?t able to find the book either.? said Patchouli.

?No. I ran into? ?complications and had to make a retreat.?

?Did you see what, if anything that was out of place or unusual at least??

?You of course are aware that the pharmacy has been closed for an unusual amount of time. Adding to that, the number of rabbits guarding the mansion was decidedly low, even during our attack? Whatever is happening, it is certain that Eientei won?t be center stage.? explained Sakuya.

Patchouli turned around to look at the taller Sakuya, book still in hand.

?I see?? said Patchouli as she noticed the injuries on Sakuya. ?Those wounds??

?I ended up battling with Eirin, but I was able to get to her medical supplies and sneak out before any of the rabbits spotted me.? explained Sakuya non-chalantely. ?I took a small rest to recover, but now I?m ready to go back and-?

?No. There is no need from any further assistance from you.? said Patchouli matter-of-factly, closing her eyes.

?What??? asked Sakuya, puzzled.

?I thank you for your help, but the one who will go to stop them now is me.?

Sakuya looked even more shocked now.

?You cannot be serious?! With your health-?

?I?ve taken that into account. For this to be done correctly, it must be done by me.? interrupted Patchouli, not backing down.

Sakuya was a little angry now.

?How dare you?! Are you going to just disregard me due to one minor set back?? asked Sakuya.

?You have demonstrated enough for me. When in a den of rats, a cat must move quickly to catch her prey. But in your case, the rats were able to outsmart the cat, where they not? Your catness is far too low for such an important task!? replied Patchouli swinging her left arm to the side as she finished.

Sakuya began tightening her fists.

?You? Just because you?re the friend of the Mistress? That does not mean you can just talk to me like that, or throw me away like some unwanted toy!? growled Sakuya.

?You aren?t in fact a toy, but a cat who has lost all her claws!? shot back Patchouli. ?If you must prove yourself to me and your mistress so much, then show me in a battle of our wills!?

Sakuya twitched at that line? Her anger slowly gave way to a very small smile along with a chuckle.

?A danmaku battle? And at this time too?? she said before growing serious again. ?I will neither back down, nor show you mercy!?

?As expected. I just hope you haven?t forgotten our first feud?? said Patchouli in a calmer tone, narrowing her eyes.

?I can assure you, that this won?t be a repeat of the feast incident. This time, I will have victory over you! That shall be the proof you need!?

An Odd Sea Slug:
They stood for several moments silently, as if waiting for a signal of some sort to appear, and tell them to begin their fight? Suddenly, the two women jumped off the roof, flying backwards away from each other at a high speed. Sakuya drew knives, three for each hand, while Patchouli opened her book.

If I fight carefully enough, I'll attain victory for sure. She's not as energetic as she was last time, in addition she won?t last long in such weather? mused Sakuya. All I have to do is wear her down.

Both girls maneuvered through the castle-like towers on the roof, each hiding behind one for cover. Both waited?

Why doesn?t she make a move? thought Patchouli to herself.

After no more than five seconds, both women zoomed out of they?re hiding places, zooming toward each other! Sakuya, through her knives at Patchouli so fast, they were like blurs of grey in the air!

??!?

Demonstrating a surprisingly fast speed, Patchouli barely dodged the knives, spinning around to dodge the last one while at the same time throwing her left arm into the air. From the roof beneath Sakuya came dagger shapped, diamond-like objects that the made had to avoid. The razor sharp objects then immediately turned around and came falling back down, but by then Sakuya was already charging toward Patchouli.

Patchouli meanwhile held her open book in front of herself, as she flew towards Sakuya as well. The two clashed, creating a small, purple energy field as they did so. The intensity shook the mansion roof somewhat, and caused the two fighters to bounce back. Recovering in mid-air, Patchouli gained altitude as she unleashed a volley of fire balls at her opponent. Sakuya weaved around the various Mansion towers, causing the fireballs to slam into various places on the roof with somewhat loud explosions.

Moving quickly, Sakuya flew in again, trying to get close, while Patchouli continued to retreat.

?I knew it. In your current state, you have no chance in close combat.?

With some sweat on her face, Patchouli summoned a strong blast of wind in an attempt to push Sakuya away. But as she did so, she felt something strange happen, swearing she could?ve seen everything go black and white for a moment? The purple haired librarian was shocked to find that some fifty knives were now heading toward her! Desperate, she quickly used a certain spell?

?Emergency Spell! Air Tornado!?

Patchouli?s body appeared to burst into several white cyclones that blew the knives all away, while ripping shingles from the mansion roof! Patchy quickly hid behind one of the remaining towers. Her breathing was somewhat heavy, and sweat lined her face?

It seems I?m not as strong now as I was last time? She fights so tenaciously, even with those injuries? But even so, is she really the one?

Not waiting for Sakuya, the Youkai magician silently summoned a barrage of gigantic hail stones?

Sakuya quickly put away the Lunar Dial, as she saw the barrage of hail stones coming out at her from the place where Patchouli was hiding. Weaving quickly yet carefully around the elaborate patterns at which they approached, the maid got a little closer, then pulled out a single knife.

?Amateur things like this will not defeat me!? exclaimed Sakuya.

Holding the knife by the hilt?s tip, Sakuya slashed the knife hard and swiftly in a horizontal direction. She had created a wave that almost instantly shattered the area where Patchouli had been hiding! But she was shocked to discover that only a blue sphere of magic remained, continuing to fire out hail stones!

Not expecting the attack to continue, the shocked Sakuya ends up being hit by several of the heavy stones before they began to thin out. She was about to curse herself when she sensed something above and behind her? She turns around to find Patchouli about to use a spellcard!

?The cat has dropped her guard?? stated Patchouli in a tired, yet contempt voice.

?Wha??! You shouldn?t be able to move so quickly?!? exclaimed the shocked Sakuya.

?Metal Sign?? began Patchouli, a yellow aura building around her.

With no time to stop the attack, Sakuya prepared herself by flying backwards, and crossing her arms?

?Metal Fatigue!?

Yellow spheres began bursting into five into coin-like patterns as they formed around Patchouli. Similar spheres of death headed toward Sakuya immediately as the coin-like ones formed and approached later. The thinning but still present hail storm from earlier only added to Sakuya?s problems, leaving her with virtually no way to dodge!

Clenching her teeth, the maid began throwing knives to and fro at the hail stones to shatter them, but it wasn?t enough?

?Hm? Today is a good day for this type of magic.? commented Patchouli to herself.

?Dammit! Wound Sign?? began Sakuya, her eyes turning red. ?Inscribbled Soul!?

In a move that shocked Patchouli, Sakuya dived toward the roof, and actually began cutting through it! Her entire body was cut up as knives shattered, and material was scattered? But every knife broken was instantly replaced? By the time the spheres reached Sakuya, she?d broken through!

Patchouli had a visibly surprised look on her face as her seemingly perfect attack failed before her eyes! The roof rattled with explosions as the spheres failed to find their original target.

Suddenly, another moment of monochrome? What little air that may have been left in Patchouli?s lungs came rushing out as Sakuya?s knee suddenly exploded into her torso!

?GAAAH!?

Patchouli was sent flying backwards, somehow managing to hold on to her book. The effects of her spellcard were also cancelled from this. She managed to stop herself from flying too far, putting her free hand on her stomach.

But Sakuya was not done? Next, the maid flew in, and dropped her elbow dead center into the top of Patchouli?s head!

?NGH?!?

Patchouli dropped like a stone, crashing into the mansion roof with a loud crash, cracking part of the roof below her. She didn?t move after that. Panting, Sakuya dropped back down to the roof, some distance away from her opponent.

?Now maybe? ?you'll stop under estimating me?" Panted Sakuya.

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