~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore

Frame of the Undying Fortitude (finished)

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An Odd Sea Slug: Mystia had finally arrived, approaching Ayase once more, but didn't attack. "Why do you not attack, even though I'm vulnerable like this? You could break my concentration easily, not that that would change the outcome..." asked the key wielding girl. Mystia smirked a bit. "That is tempting, but I think I can do something a little more decisive than that. Do you remember what I said earlier about my friend?" asked Mystia. "So you still think she's still alive?" "Fool, I don't think I know. Because I can still feel her in my heart. And I can still reach her heart with the best way I know how." Ayase was silent, waiting for Mystia's action. The night bird clasped her hands in front of herself... ...and began to sing. Come hearth, O'moon. C'mon forth and shine. Darkness be gone. Darkness be gone. O'young girl in the night, whose heart hath no taint, be one with the moon. Let thee know of your heart. Ayase raised an eyebrow. A mere song? Could that really work...? Be gone O'clouds, be gone O'clouds. Lunar majesty beckons this night. Twinkle oh stars, twinkle oh stars, cry out for the little firefly who hath no flaw. Hear this song, this song of night, tremble O'evil spirits and shiver. For this moon's night, and girl of night's heart, who can stop them? Who can stop them? None certainly, under this azure heaven! Just then, beams of light shot out from Ayase's talisman as it shook violently. Ayase frantically grabbed it with her free hand in shock. It can't be... Her song is reaching her?! *** Now kneeling, Reimu concentrated as hard as she could, but... "It's more powerful than I imagined...! I don't think I'll be able to hold it much longer..." It was then that she could faintly hear the beautiful voice of a singing girl... She partially opened her eyes, a strange sensation sweeping through her body, like her very soul was going to be pulled out. But not in a painful way. In fact, it felt oddly pleasent. "What is that song? Why do I feel this way? Its... Its telling me something..." The shrine maiden gasped as images of Wriggle, Kaguya, the Koro Seal and Ayase's talisman flashed in her mind, the song growing louder and louder as the last of her energy faded. Thats it! Tired from fighting, Marisa weakling staggered over to Reimu just as her ofuda fell to the ground, and the circle under her disappeared. "R-Reimu...? Hey, don't quit on me now!" exclaimed the young witch But Reimu merely winked at Marisa and smiled before finally passing out. "R-Reimu!" Marisa knelt before her friend, shaking her with her good arm, even as Kaguya's few remaining soldiers surrounded them... Alice and Patchouli were in a similar state, having nothing left themselves. But something about that was weird. She was so calm, like she was sure she had accomplished something... Hey, why do I hear music all of a sudden? Sure enough, everyone could soon hear it, stopping and turning their attention to it. Marisa, Alice and Patchouli, Sakuya and of course... *** Ayase watched with awe. Her talisman, the seal and Mystia all now emitted the same strange, pure light. Mystia continued her passionate song tirelessly, desperately tugging at Wriggle. Ayase lowered her key. She remembered everything up to this moment, from her tragedy, to her sealing, to her reawakening and everything that had happened on this night. She felt nothing but despair that whole time, but she this light's warmth... She had suddenly forgotten her pain. And then she saw them. Her beloved family, standing at Mystia's side, smiling warmly at her. They all bowed before her before waving goodbye and vanishing. "..." Ayase didn't know what to do. She had just seen them again, the loved ones that she had thought long lost to Koro's curse. Had the powers of Wriggle and Mystia allowed her to see them one last time? Up until now, she didn't believe anyone had a soul capable of standing against the curse... A single tear rolled down her cheek... "This has gone on long enough. Let's be free now," said a familiar voice that only Ayase could hear. "W-who are you?!" asked Ayase, looking around. "You know already. Will you not fight her for us? For your own sake?" "The princess? But this cursed power is so strong..." The sounded as if whispering right into Ayase's ear. She could almost swear someone was embracing her from behind... "We're stronger. We've always have been. Now is our time to be rid of this curse," said the voice. "You know what you must do next. Farewell." "W-wait, w-who are you?!" The voice giggled. "Its been too long, hasn't it, my beautiful little sister?" Ayase dropped her key, tears now flowing freely from her eyes. She dropped to the ground, burying her face in her hands. "I don't believe it... Its really you... M-my sister... Sister...!" And thats when the  talisman exploded in a flash of bright and green light... *** Kaguya had Reisen wrapped in her magical chains, smiling as the moon rabbit struggled helplessly. They both averted their eyes from the sudden, painful light that emanated out of  Ayase's talisman. Mere moments passed before the light cleared, replaced by a large ball of glowing green and white energy next to the pre-sealed Mokou. Kaguya frantically gazed upon the ball of light, then at Mystia, who now stood silently, before looking toward Ayase. The key girl laid on the ground, unmoving, her aura completely gone. "What is this? Ayase, what happened to you?! Ayase!" Mystia stood before the light as it slowly dropped to the ground before her, with a smile and tears. "I just knew that couldn't be the end of you... Was it you that beckoned me to sing?" asked Mystia as she walked up to the ball, wrapping her arms around it. "I'm so glad you're back." The ball began fading, replaced by a humanoid shape... White arm-sleeved gloves returned Mystia's embrace. The figure wore a shining, pearl white dress with matching crown, translucent azure wings at her back. One could make out two antenna as well... "I'm home." she said. The light vanished, revealing the princess-like figure as the resurrected Wriggle herself. "Thank you for everything Mystia. You saved me again. Now, I will put an end to this curse, once and for all." Wriggle's voice was almost a whisper. She was indeed Wriggle, but nothing else was the same anymore... Mystia hugged her friend tightly for what felt like an eternity, before reluctantly letting go. Kaguya watched in disbelief. It should not have been possible to return... Her face was a twisted expression of hatred and rage. "How can this be?! You were sealed...!" Speaking of seals, the one holding Mokou suddenly cracked, crystals falling from it and shattering, to Kaguya's horror. "N-no... No, no, no! Ayase, wake up! Mokou is...!" the princess stopped herself, glaring at Wriggle who stared back calmly. "You! This is your fault... You just couldn't stay dead like a good little bug, could you? Die!" Suddenly, Kaguya hurled a screaming Reisen at Wriggle. The reborn nightbug calmly raised her two right fingers, stopping the moon rabbit right before impact. The confused Reisen, looked around as she was gently set back on the ground. Kaguya fumed, stomping toward the three youkai herself before... "Anyone wiser would've ran away by now, Kaguya Houraisan. How foolish of you!" cackled a masculine voice, coming from Ayase's crumbling seal. "W-what? Who the hell are you?!" shouted Kaguya. "You have always known who I am. Well, in a certain manner of speaking. This is my moment to appear before you however." As the voice spoke, flames bellowed out from the dying seal. "Stop it! You and girl should just disappear!" yelled out Kaguya. "Disappear, like you're supposed to!" "Alas Kaguya Houraisan, will not be our fate tonight. I sense, activity in the spirit world... You have been warned several times to leave this power and forget your petty revenge. You did not heed those warnings. This is your consequence." said the voice. "You're the one doing this, aren't you?! I'll kill you...!" The voice chuckled. "You will find that is quite impossible... Furthermore, you can no longer hold down the powerful souls standing before you. You have tried and failed to invoke the terrible curse of Koro, potentially at the cost of Gensokyo itself, all in the name of your revenge. And so its come to this." Mokou exploded out of the seal with a beastly shriek, flaming wings at her back as a great heat briefly spread out around her. The hole in her torso closed as flames brought on renewed skin; Mokou was not only free, but good as new. Wriggle smiled warmly at Mokou, who winked gratefully in return before the both of them along with Mystia and Reisen glared daggers at Kaguya. Sweat ran down Kaguya by the bucket full, the reality of her plans being completely shattered hitting her like a freight train. "No... No... E... Eirin...? Eirin, where are you...? Th-these fools... Silence these fools..." the princess stammered about, slowly inching away from the group, awash in bucket fulls of sweat. "S-so close... W-we can't fail now..." "I don't think she's coming back for you anytime soon, Kaguya Houraisan." Kaguya shot her head backwards, gazing at Sakuya, the owner of the voice. Alice, Patchouli, and the unconscious Reimu were with her. "D-damn you...! You witch!" growled the increasingly mad Kaguya. "Funny, I thought I was the witch?" snarked Marisa. "Don't toy with me...! Eirin! Tewi! Reise-" Kaguya stopped herself before turning and glaring at Reisen. "Reisen is over there? N-no, that can't be... My little Reisen... Where is everyone?! Why don't they come?! Curse the lot of you!" Kaguya grabbed her head with her hands, violently swinging herself around, her eyes beginning to tear up. "Wow... This is almost sad," commented Alice. "Unable to to accept the fact you've lost, eh?" asked Patchouli. "Your allies are either incapacitated or no longer on your side. Oh, that includes your precious soldiers." "I took good care of that," added Sakuya with a slight smile. Kaguya breathed heavily, spinning around, seeing the angry people surrounding her. "It's over for ya, Kaguya!" exclaimed Mokou, pointing a finger at her enemy. "We have defeated you and that wretched curse. Further battle is pointless," said Wriggle, looking dead into Kaguya's ever widening eyes. Kaguya dropped her arms, leaning over in a hunch. Drool poured from her mouth, and her breathes became heavier and heavier. "The souls before you, Kaguya, cannot be beaten down, no matter what," Spoke the booming male voice once more. "But of special note are the three who have been most affected by your ambition." Wriggle, Mystia and Mokou had a strange glow about them. Kaguya stared at them fearfully. "And so it is observed, that this day was the end of the Koro curse. The night of evil hath passed. And now, the three glowing souls in front of you Kaguya, stand as one, becoming the bane of your darkened heart. Stand and see what they are; they hath become, the Frame of the Undying Fortitude." Kaguya said nothing, going completely catatonic. "I am the Phoenix. I dwell within the soul of Fujiwara no Mokou. And should you ever try to cause her harm again, you will be torn asunder. This is the only warning. Heed it well." The great flames behind Mokou vanished. "I suggest you leave," said Wriggle, glaring daggers at Kaguya, radiating with awesome power. Kaguya grit her teeth so hard, they almost threatened to crack. Even a total moron could see how desperate she was at this moment. "Ayaseeee!" she cried out. "What are you doing?! Seal them... Destroy them!" Ayase was silent for a few moments before slowly standing up, and looking directly at Kaguya. "No." she answered. "W-what?!" "These people have made me realize how strong they are; what true strength is. That power that allowed me to see my family again. I have no more to fear from Koro's power, nor your own," she then smirked a little. "Go to hell." Kindly sent over the edge, Kaguya screamed out, charging right at Wriggle while building energy in her right hand. "She's attacking!" yelled Mystia urgently. "Worry not." said Wriggle reassuringly. The powered up nightbug emitted a flash from her eyes... Now there were a thousand of her, or it seemed to Kaguya. "Wh-what?!" The thousand Wriggles reappeared and disappeared endlessly as Kaguya frantically shifted her head in every possible direction. Everyone else looked on confused, wondering what was going on. "What manner of spell...?" asked Keine to no one in particular. Reisen narrowed her eyes. "This is almost like... It can't be..." muttered the rabbit girl. The real Wriggle had been standing before Kaguya the entire time. "Enough." Wriggle dropped the illusions, but the time Kaguya saw her, the nightbug was planting her left knee dead into Kaguya's torso, the insane princess rising off the ground from the blow. Wriggle then span around, and sent Kaguya into the air with high kick to the face. The princess hit the ground with a thud, bleeding from the face and frantically trying to catch her breath, writhing on the ground while gripping her torso. She gave Wriggle a piercing stare before darting straight up into the air. Wriggle followed her, matching her altitude in an instant to Kaguya's shock. Pointing a finger to the sky above, unleashing an unbelievably fast barrage of flashing, candy-like blue bullets at Kaguya, overwhelming her almost instantly. The princess dropped like a rock, but somehow recovered while still in the air, only to have everything go black around her. She heard the sounds of several objects spinning in the air, and quickly found herself being slashed by spinning, sword wielding dolls. She cried out, only barely able to avoid a few of them as others tore open her flesh. The watchers on the ground observed Wriggle manipulating the Shanghai-like dolls with magical azure strings. "What th- B-but Shanghai's right here..." uttered Alice. "It's almost as if..." began Patchouli, watching Kaguya barely dodge fireballs and giant metal blades. "No, she really has taken on all our powers somehow." Sakuya blinked, sensing a momentary stop in time. Without warning, Kaguya was headbutted and kicked to the ground, rolling out of the way of a barrage of knives, needles and ofuda. She staggered up just in time to take a very Marisa-like green energy ray to the face, getting drilled into the large rock behind her. "Well well..." said Sakuya. "Yikes! Hold up, she even got Reimu, Patchy and Sakuya's powers?" asked Marisa. "Kaguya was acting like she couldn't see anything earlier. Could it be that Wriggle nightblinded her?" added Mystia. Reisen was no longer watching the battle, unable to watch her former mistresses' beating. But then she realized... "Hey, where did Mokou get to?" Keine briefly turned to the moon rabbit before also noticing that Mokou had moved... "Oh my..." Kaguya blocked crystals and water blasts with a weak barrier before using her own magic aura to dispel the energy insects feasting on her flesh. She launched large, multicolored blast in retaliation, only to see it dispersed with a single blast of fire from Wriggle's right hand. With that same hand, Wriggle unleashed three arrows, hitting Kaguya's right shoulder, chest and torso. The princess dropped back first to the ground as she coughed up blood. She ripped out the arrow in her shoulder with a scream before looking up at Wriggle in horror. "How can this be...? Even Eirin's power..." "It is because our souls have become connected through the curse. I am able to draw on the power of friend and foe alike in this state!" explained Wriggle. Kaguya forced herself to stand, despite her injuries and fatigue, holding her damaged shoulder. Her remaining clothes were tattered, and blood dripped from wounds all over her body. But then, she began giggling... Wriggle narrowed her eyes and the others watched nervously. Kaguya broke out into full blown laughter as she forcibly pulled the other two arrows from her body. "Don't let that increased power go to your head, insect! The power of Koro's seal will heal these injuries swiftly!" she said with a smile. Wriggle merely sighed. Kaguya waited a few moments, but noticed that her condition wasn't getting any better... She gazed all over her body, finding no sign of the great healing ability or extra strength she had earlier. Her smile slowly faded as fear marched right back into her eyes. "So blinded are you by your own rage and madness, that you have not been able to see it," began Wriggle. "Its true that I am much stronger now, but at the same time, you've grown far weaker. Koro's power flows no longer through you or Ayase..." Wriggle put a hand below her neck. "...but through me. I've borrowed your own power as well." Kaguya began to shutter at this undeniable truth, taking labored steps backwards. "This can't be happening... This... ...isn't possible! Everything was perfect... This isn't...!" And thats when she backed in to someone; Mokou. Kaguya snapped her head around, her eyes meeting her rivals. Mokou looked several heads taller than her now, causing her to back away. "S-stay ba-" With a gleam from Mokou's eyes, Kaguya was set aflame. Before she could even have the chance to scream in pain, Kaguya blasted her with an intense blast of flame, sending her flying across the field before making like a tumbleweed and rolling, quickly coming to a stop. She used her magical energy to ward off the flames, but did not move any further. "That one... ...was for everyone here." said Mokou, blowing out the flames on her fingers. "S-so is it over?" asked a choked up Reisen, clearly fighting off tears. The sympathetic Keine gave Reisen a hug. The moon rabbit had basically lost her second home after all. Marisa, Alice, Sakuya and Patchouli stood silently, still amazed at Wriggle's power. Meanwhile, Wriggle herself along with Mystia turned their attention to Ayase. "I was wrong," began Ayase, looking right at the two. "I was wrong about everything I said about you two. You all showed me how foolish and broken I had become. Thank you." Ayase grew more emotional as she spoke. Mystia narrowed her eyes. "A-and... I saw them again... My family is waiting for me. They have been this whole time. And now we're free. Thank you so much!" Ayase then fell to the ground, bowing before Wriggle and Mystia. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, for everything! For hurting you, maiming you, I regret it all! I'll do anything to repay you... Please forgive me..." Wriggle could see Ayase's genuine tears hitting the ground through the freed light of the moon, showing through the wanning clouds. Ayase looked up as the majestic firefly walked up to her, bowing her head down and cringing as if expecting a brutal punishment. But instead, all she got was a hand on her shoulder, followed by an embrace from a smiling Wriggle. "Y... You're actually forgiving me? B-but I killed you!" "Why should any of that matter now? The curse is broken," said Wriggle. "So lets end the hatred and put it all behind us. What of you Mystia?" Wriggle looked back at Mystia, who glared intently at Ayase, then at Wriggle before sighing with a smile and putting her arms down. "Wriggle's right. If I were to continue hating you, it would be like letting the curse win. After all, Koro and that woman twisted you right?" said Mystia. "Right. You were broken by them, doing all that you did against your will. Now you can redeem yourself and live peacefully here in Gensokyo," Knowing that she had been forgiven by at least two of the people she had hurt, Ayase sobbed onto Wriggle's shoulder, finally able to let go of her torment. She was truly free now. Marisa and Alice watched the hugs, looking at each other and smiling. Sakuya and Patchouli on the other hand looked down at the fallen Kaguya. "I guess now is a good time retrieve the book, assuming it survived that last blast. I wonder where she's been storing it the entire time..." said Patchouli curiously. Sakuya offered an answer in... "Hammer space." "Wh-what?" asked Patchouli, blinking at the maid. Sakuya chuckled a bit. "I'll explain later. For now, its best to make sure she is truly dead..." Sakuya produced a single knife, letting it zip high into the air before dropping like into Kaguya's head... Only to have the book of Koro materialize below it and knock it away. Alarmed, everyone shifted their attention to the book as Mokou jumped away. Kaguya's hair and skin began to take on demonic coloring as wisps of  evil magic seeped out of her wounded body. She instantly lifted her head, wearing a twisted smile, eyes glowing a shining blood red. "Eh... Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh... Moooooooooooookoooooooouuuuuuuu..." Harsh waves of darkness blew like wind. Everyone shielded one another, Wriggle grabbing and holding Ayase and Mysita, Marisa protecting Alice, and Sakuya shielding Patchouli. Mokou relied on her flames to shield herself from the storm. "Foooools! All of you die!" Kaguya's voice was not human anymore. Actually, this was an understatement... The cursed princess turned to face Mokou as the storm of darkness finally settled down. "Mokou... Mokou... Mooooooooookoooooooou! Fujiwara no Mokou, revenge!" Kaguya grabbed the book out of the air, and a spellcard at the same time... "That's her last word!" shouted Mokou, thinking out loud. "The final sign!" shouted Kaguya. The possessed princess slammed her glowing card down into the book, unleashing an astronomical amount of magical power, a pillar of white and black energy shooting into the sky. Ayase suddenly screamed out in pain as a white and black aura surrounded her. "No... I'm still the vessel?! B-but I thought..." said Ayase through her pain. "Ayase hold on!" begged Wriggle. "She's actually combining the book's power with her last word... She'll destroy herself and us all for sure..." said Patchouli. "So what do we do, dammit?!" yelled Marisa. Meanwhile, a tearful Reisen tried to run toward her princess. "Lady Kaguya, no! There isn't any reason for this!" She struggled, but was held back by Keine. "No, that energy is too strong! Its... Its too late..." said Keine, feeling absolutely helpless. Gritting her teeth, Wriggle ran toward Kaguya, building power in her right hand before stopping... She looked at Mokou, who looked back at her, smirking. Wriggle seemed a bit confused at first, but then smiled herself. "Of course. She's been your enemy longer than she's been mine. You wanted to be the one to do this anyway. I have done what I came here to do afterall." Wriggle clasped her hands in front of herself before briefly flashing white and returning to her old, torn clothes, the immense power she was earlier radiating with completely vanishing. "Wriggle, what do you think you're doing?!" cried out Mystia in disbelief. "It's okay, silly. She has a better chance at stopping her than I could ever hope to," said Wriggle with a wink. Suddenly, white-hot wings exploded out of Mokou's back, blue flames emerging and flying about, melting the Earth right under her. Mokou screamed as a white and green aura began to surround her. "Gaaahahahaha, it feels good! I'm lovin' ya for this, nightbug! Alright, all of you stand back and watch closely. I'm gonna put an end to that book and pound Kaguya good!" Mokou took off high into the air, with Kaguya jumping after her. With insane power swirling at their backs, the two women met fist to fist, clashing with one another in the sky with tremendous force. Keine scooped up Reisen and got out of town, Wriggle and Mystia taking off with the pained Ayase. Patchouli found the strength to erect crystal barriers over herself and her allies to protect them. *** "Th-the crater... You must take me back to the crater where the seal was..." muttered Ayase weakly. "But what is the purpose?" asked Wriggle. "Kaguya's power is too strong now. But if the vessel and the source of power were to both vanish..." "That is far too dangerous!" interrupted Wriggle. "There isn't any choice!" Ayase pushed herself away from Wriggle and flew off, landing in front of the great chasm where she once lay dormant. "You don't intend to end yourself to save us, do you?" asked an disturbed Mystia. "Whats the point? Mokou is more than strong enough to stop Kaguya now! You're just being paranoid, so calm yourself." Ayase shook her head. "You don't understand... Even if Mokou destroys Kaguya, the power of the curse will remain elsewhere. I must ensure that it can never be resurrected again." "But you've only just won your freedom... Is there no other way?" asked a tearing Wriggle. "This is alright. I'm a monster, so... A-and I'll finally be able to be with my family again. Its better this way," smiled Ayase sadly. "I feel I can at least partly redeem myself in this way." The crying Wriggle bowed her head down, hands balled into tight fists. Mystia looked away for a bit before... "Wait!" She ran up to Ayase. "J-just so you know... I'm sorry too. I was angry at you, saw you as another worthless human..." "Its alright. You had every right to be angry." replied Ayase. "I... ...will try to do better. So as to not allow another curse born from hatred and fear arise." Ayase could sense Mystia's sincerity, nodding. "Thank you." Mystia backed away as Ayase placed her hands under her neck, magical energy emanating throughout her body. She took one final look at Wriggle and Mystia before taking her last step backwards, falling into the great light... *** She stood in a field of snow, looking forward at a bright light. The loved ones long lost emerged from that light, reaching their waiting hands forward. With a smile brighter than even the light itself, Ayase reached her hand forward, and ran towards her long-awaited happiness.

An Odd Sea Slug: *** Wriggle and Mystia felt the Earth shake all around them as dark magic erupted from the chasm with a beastly roar, the force knocking both of them down. The magical force shot up to the sky, washing away the remaining clouds as it exploded and dissipated in nearly every direction. The two youkai looked up at the sky, watching the Koro seal's power rumble about... ...and vanish. *** Kaguya looked visibly shocked as her right arm began cracking with white light. Seizing her opportunity, Mokou smiled wildly, pulling back her own fist before sending it down at Kaguya's again, shattering the princesses' arm entirely and sending her barreling to the ground with a crash, awash in blue and white flames. The book of Koro exploded with dark energy, cut off from its life line. Hundreds, if not thousands of dark spirits poured out, shrieking as they evaporated. With a loud shout of "Its over!", Mokou dropped down at Kaguya fist first, Kaguya only able to looked up and scream inhumanly as the final blow approached. The last thing anyone would see was a massive explosion of light, and a massive torrent of dust consumed all in its path before everything went black... Wriggle and Mystia held each other tightly. [Spell Break] **** [Epilogue] Day X of X month. Hello there. I'm writing here today, as I survived the recent night of Hell. Through a quite literal miracle, we all not only survived that night, but bested our enemies and removed the source of the darkness forever from Gensokyo. A week has passed since that time. Ms. Reimu destroyed the remains of Koro village after she woke up, then had some sort of talk with Ms. Keine. Well, given Keine's ability, the miko maybe asking her to destroy the part of history involving Koro. Or perhaps to preserve it. Rumor has it that she took a giant key into her shrine... Speaking of the Morichika's, my enemies former servant, a moon rabbit by the name of Reisen is staying with them for a time. I hope she's doing well under their employ. Keine is also looking after Alice and Marisa for a time. They were pretty well covered with bandages and casts the last time I saw them, but they were just as energetic as ever, wrestling and arguing with one another despite their injuries. Keine scolds, but I doubt even she can keep those two down, ha ha~ I took a trip to visit the Scarlet Devil Mansion to check on my friends there. Its a much nicer place than everyone makes it out to be. The red-headed gatekeeper (what was her name again? China? I honestly don't remember...) was practicing her martial arts outside, while Ms. Sakuya walked the gardens with her mistress. They all seemed happy and content. Ms. Patchouli and her familiar, Koakuma, resumed their quite lives of running the viole library. They were bandaged as well, Koakuma even bearing a white eye patch over her left eye. Umm... Is it wrong if me to say I found that cute? <<; Also, they had this big man in a blue costume walking around, saying things like 'kill all rabbits' and 'you will die, meatsack.' I didn't stick around long after he began saying such things... Ms. Patchouli says a girl named Rika gave him to her, despite having turned into a pumpkin. I have no clue what she meant by that... I'm not certain of what has become of the Eientei dwellers, nor have I really cared to know. Earth rabbits are still sighted in and around the bamboo forest, but the medicine shop does not open anymore. And as for me? Well... *** The sun shown brilliantly through the cloudless sky. A light breeze traveled gently through the forest, with faint sounds of buzzing insects and chirping birds filling the clean, peaceful air. Mystia enjoyed the day, sitting quietly in a tree branch. At some point, she sensed someone approach her. Snapping her eyes open, she jumped down from the tree, landing gracefully. She briefly massaged her still regrowing wing. Still nowhere near strong enough for flight, but at least the pain was gone... The nightbird briefly narrowed her eyes, raising an eyebrow at the intruder. "I thought nightbirds didn't like sunlight," spoke the other girl. "Where did you hear that? Birds are birds and vampires are vampires, but they're not one in the same," replied Mystia with a slight smile. "Well in that case, shouldn't you be gathering eels and fish for you stand tonight?" "Oh, we're closed tonight. Did you intend to sample my cooking, Fujiwara no Mokou?" asked Mystia, tilting her head. Mokou chuckled a bit. "Perhaps... I guess that's just too bad for me, huh?" Mokou then walked to Mystia, who instinctively fidgeted nervously. "Oooh, still nervous around humans huh?" asked Mokou. "I'm... ...try not to be. There are good humans in this world afterall," said Mystia, her eyes shut tightly. Thats she felt herself being petting by a smiling Mokou. "Geh, heh heh heh. You're alright, kid. If you ask me, you and your friend are gonna be just fine," "Ah, err... Thank you," blushed Mystia. A few moments later, Wriggle -now clad in a sleeveless white shirt, shorts and a straw hat- emerged. "Well speak of the devil," chuckled Mokou. Wriggle smiled cheerfully at her friends. "Its good to see again, Ms. Mokou. Sorry for being late, Mystia," Mokou frowned. "Heeeey, whadai tell ya 'bout callin' me that?" "Ah, s-sorry," said Wriggle with a sweat drop as Mystia giggled. Wriggle then perked as in remembering something. "Oh, thats right. Mokou, how did it go with the Yama?" "Oh, the judge said that Ayase's a complicated case for her. Got sent off while we were all taking a dirt-nap. I'm sure she's been reunited with her family by now though." answered Mokou. "And what of that woman?" asked Mystia with narrowed eyes. "She's keepin' an eye on her personally. She hasn't left Eientei, or even exited the mansion since resurrecting, though the nurse and moon rabbits are out and about," answered Mokou with a nervous smile. "I'd... ...stay away from there for good while if I where you two. Actually, I'm staying outta there myself..." Wriggle and Mokou chuckled to one another, Mystia staying silent. "Well, worrying is pointless. I don't think she'll do anything fishy again and even if she does, I'll pound the hell outta her for ya, heh heh," said Mokou, gesturing with a confident wink fist-palming. "C'mon, don't worry about it. We won! We should be celebrating!" Mokou broke into a laugh, Wriggle following suit. To her suprise, Mystia joined in too, after some initial hesitation. Why not? Although all three of them had long lives ahead of them (one of which would never truly end) afterall. After a bit of time, the trio calmed down and Mokou turned to leave. "Well, I'm outta here. Promised I'd help Reisen out at Keine's shop today. You two try to stay outta trouble, 'kay?" Mokou winked at the two one more time before taking to the skies toward the human village. Wriggle took in the fresh air before sitting down, Mystia sitting next to her. With no other cares in the world, Wriggle smiled and took a good long look into the flawless sky above her. "H-hey, Wriggle?" asks a blushing Mystia. "Oh? What's wrong, Mystia?" "Let's..." Mystia briefly bites her lip. "Let's stay like this for awhile. B-both of us." "That's just fine with me," giggles Wriggle. "I'm... ...glad I have you as a friend, Mystia. I truly am." "A-and I to you, Wriggle... B-but more so than that, I... Uhh..." Mystia looked down and shut her eyes, her face beet red. She didn't notice Wriggle crawling up to her at all. "You see Wriggle, I think that I have to tell that I... I... L-lo- ...!" Mystia snapped her eyes open to find a winking Wriggle's fingers on her lips. "Silly~ You really don't have to say it at this point," spoke Wriggle before bowing down a and blushing a bit herself. "And to tell the truth, I've felt the same feelings toward you as well." Wriggle took Mystia in her arms, unable to help but smile further at her cute, shocked face. "So let's enjoy this time together, the two of us alone." "But night hasn't fallen yet..." says Mystia. "Night and day, there isn't too much difference. You can feel happy or sad at either time. And we have this time together," answered Wriggle. Mystia smiled a bit, continuing to blush. "Hee hee... Someday, you must tell me how come up with stuff like that, Wriggle," spoke Mystia. "Only if you sing for me~" replied Wriggle. "Done." The nightbird returned Wriggle's embrace as the insect youkai leaned in for a tender kiss. A fantasy world, untouched by the pains of the outside. A world of peace and wonder. This land is Gensokyo. Any strange and wonderful thing can happen here. [Next Frame...] * * * * * * * Sometime later... "Wriggle?" "Yeah, Mystia?" "I can't help but think we forgot something..." "Hm?" *** Elsewhere... "A-acho!" Cirno was still hanging upside down miserably from a tree, wrapped in a cocoon. "Helloooooooooo...? ;_;" 2007-2010 Odda C. Story based upon the Touhou Project by ZUN. All characters except Ayase Kousugi are copyright of ZUN. Stay loose, phantasmal friends! === Well that was a fun ride. It took 2.5 years (it was NOT supposed to take that long! XD), but we finally reached the end of the dream here folks. Thank you all whoever read for reading! Final draft and alternate ending(s?) are forth coming, but nooooooot anytime soon...

Alfred F. Jones: One of the main reasons I was drawn to Shrinemaiden ('bout a year ago, back on the old forums) was because I read this story and thought it was incredibly awesome. And now that it's finished, I am in awe of you, Odda. Holy cow, this has been one long ride. Congratulations on finishing! Can't wait for anything else you have in store :3 EDIT: Actually, you know what? Finishing a fic like this is something rare and to be admired. You win IP for this, Odda. Great job.

Kasu: Haha.  Sweet. I literally found this story after your recent December update. XD I think you wrapped it up quite nicely. =D

Firestorm29: I remember seeing this thing a long time ago around when I first came around, too. That was a pretty awesome story. :D Really enjoyed it.

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