The Hakurei Shrine is a small, run-down Shinto shrine located on the Great Hakurei Barrier on the east side of Gensokyo. The Hakurei Shrine was once the only shrine in Gensokyo, but the Moriya Shrine has since settled on the Youkai Mountain. Also adding to religious competition is the Myouren Temple and the Hall of Dreams' Great Mausoleum; the former is a Buddhist temple and the latter is held by Taoists.
The very existence of the shrine ensures the continued existence of Gensokyo by protecting and maintaining the Great Hakurei Barrier, thus making it one of the most important locations in Gensokyo. However, even with its high status, the shrine has been attacked and destroyed by youkai several times over the course of the games. It's able to serve its function as a shrine even when destroyed, but not as a place to live.
Currently, we see seven individuals, seven females to be exact, are seen gathered around a grove of cherry trees. Seemingly waiting for someone.
The first girl has a moderate height, she has a shoulder-length brown hair and red eyes with a red ribbon and matching tube on her sidelocks. She wears a red skirt, a sleeveless red top with a white collar, tied with a yellow ribbon, and a pair of white detached sleeves which expose her armpits, a sarashi, white socks and brown shoes. This is Reimu Hakurei.
The second girl has a waist-length curly blonde hair and has yellow eyes. She wears a a black sleeveless shirt over a white dress shirt with shoulder puffs, black knee-length skirt underneath a white apron, white sock, black shoes and a large black witch hat with a white ribbon. This is Marisa Kirisame.
The third girl has blue eyes and short blonde hair with a red band in her hair. She wears a light blue dress with long white sleeves and a long pink ribbon going round her neck and another one round her waist, white socks and black shoes. This is Alice Margatroid.
The fourth girl has red eyes, short light-blue hair and a light-pink mob cap with a red ribbon decorated with white stripes. She wears a light-pink dress with a red ribbon on both sleeves, a large red ribbon behind her waist with white stripes and a necklace featuring a Caduceus-like centerpiece. She also has a pair of large black bat-like wings on her back with a wingspan wider than her height. This is Remilia Scarlet.
The fifth girl has bright red eyes, silver hair worn in long braids on both sides of her face with green bows at the ends and a white maid headband. She wears a pink/white and dark blue French maid's outfit with an apron, short sleeves and a green ribbon. She is also seen carrying three knives and the phrase "Red Magic" appears to be embroidered on her left sleeve. This is Sakuya Izayoi.
The sixth girl has a long purple that reaches the back of her forelegs with many ribbons, and has purple eyes. She wears a pink pajama-like clothing and a night-cap with a gold crescent moon on it, and black shoes. This is Patchouli Knowledge.
The seventh girl has aqua-blue eyes and long, scarlet hair that symbolizes both her name and the place that she's guarding. Her green beret and dress resemble traditional Chinese clothing mixed with the red guard uniform. Her beret has a gold star on it and wears black slip shoes. This is Hong Meiling.
Reimu crosses her arms while tapping her left foot, "What is taking that gap yokai so long?!" she exclaimed in annoyance.
"Patience, Reimu." Alice spoke, "Yukari has no idea which world Blu was taken." she explained.
"But it's been fricking hours now!" Reimu complained.
"Give it up, Alice." Marissa spoke, "The word 'patience' doesn't exist to someone as lazy as Reimu - ze." she stated with a grin.
"True." Alice replied in agreement.
"Oi!" Reimu yelled in annoyance.
"Though I'm still shock that someone managed to blindside Blu just like that." Meiling said, "With her strength and power, she can easily take down her enemies.'' she said.
"That's because those no-good, pieces of garbage uses underhanded tactics at her!" Reimi replied.
"Regardless, Blu's absence will be a problem." Alice pointed out.
"Anyway... any ideas about those invaders - ze?" Marissa asked.
Patchouli then spoke, "Aside from those men in black cloaks with strange abilities, We're also been attacked by these strange albino, bidepal creatures with no mouths." she explained, "Such interesting creatures, I must say. I wonder what they are?'' she mused.
Remilia crosses her arms, "Whatever they are, I'll make sure I'll destroy each and every one of them." she growled in anger, "The nerve of those creature for attacking my manor, so unforgivable.'' she hissed.
"Mistress Remilia, please calm down." Sakuya said to calm her down.
Suddenly a gap forms in thin air and quickly opened as Yukari and Blu steps out of the gap.
"Yukari! Blu!" Meiling called out in delight as she ran towards them.
Reimu let's out a scoff, "Finally... after hours of waiting..." she grumbled in annoyance.
The others gathered around the two, "Blu, are you all right?'' Meiling asked in concern.
Blu gave her a smile, "I'm okay, Meiling. I ain't gonna die that easy.'' she reassured.
Reimu then crosses her arms, "While I'm glad that you're back and safe." she said, "I am wondering of what are we going to do now?'' she asked.
"I was thinking the same thing. We need to do something about those invaders." Patchouli said in agreement, "Because I had a feeling that this won't be the last time that those things will attack us." she pointed out.
Yukari opens her fan and place it in front of her face, "Don't worry, I have a plan.'' she replied, "But Reimu won't like it." she said which earns her a raised eyebrow from the shrine maiden.
"By the way..." Alice spoke, "... who are those people?'' she asked as she pointed her finger forward.
Everyone then followed the direction to where her finger is pointing. In front of Reimu's shrine, we see Kenny, Rudy, Darius, Gino and Helmet looking at it.
"Woah! A shrine!" Rudy said with a smile, "First time, I've ever seen one." he stated.
"I had to admit... I like it's design." Kenny confessed, "Simple yet nice." he said.
Darius turns to him with a raised eyebrow, "Are you fucking serious? This place looks like a dump." he said indecorously, "What is even the fucking purpose of this place?" he asked.
"Well, Greg, a shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon, or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped." Gino started, "Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated. A shrine at which votive offerings are made is called an altar." he finished explaining.
"Offerings?'' Kenny repeated.
"People mostly donate money before praying." Gino replied.
"Whatever... it's still a dump." Darius said.
"If it's a dump, where's the dumpster? Where are the trash?" Helmet asked dumbly.
Rudy then brought out his wallet, "Well, I'm feeling generous, today. Might as well donate some money here.'' he claimed.
"Are you seriously going to donate US dollars on a shrine?'' Kenny asked indecorously.
"Hey guys!" Blu called getting their attentions, "Come over here, I like to you to meet my friends!" she said.
"Are they all chicks?" Rudy shouted in question but Blu only tilted her head in confusion.
"He means is that are they all girls?!" Kenny clarified in a shout.
"Yes." Blu replied.
"Jeez... how much vocabulary does this girl had?'' Gino asked.
"I don't know." Darius replied, "Probably lower than Helmet's." he stated.
Later on, both Yukari and Blu introduced the boys to the girls as the girl introduced themselves back. They say that first impressions are very important but apparently, the girl's were no where impressed towards the boys. Especially Rudy, thanks to his flirty attitude and Darius, with his unjustified laziness.
"So... why did you brought them here - ze?" Marissa asked.
"These boys will be helping us with our problems." Yukari replied cheerfully as the boys looks away sans Helmet who waves his hands.
"Seriously? These boys don't even look so tough if you ask me." Alice stated with an unimpressed look.
"Ouch." Darius quipped with a blank look.
"She got us there." Rudy said.
"I blame my lame looks." Gino whined.
Yukari then let's out a giggle, "You think so? What if I told you that these has the same special powers as Blu." she pointed out.
This caught the girls in surprise, "What? You're joking, right? You gotta be joking, right?!" Reimu demanded in shock.
"Dude... I know that we don't look like one. But is it really that hard to believe that we possessed some kind of special powers?" Rudy asked indecorously.
Remilia then flew towards the boys, specifically towards Helmet, "Is that so? Still...'' she spoke as she got her face close to his, "... if that's true... then are these boys has the capabilities to fight?" she asked, "Let alone survive." she added.
"They sure love to look down on us." Kenny whispered towards Darius.
"Then this place is no better than that shitty city." Darius whispered back harshly.
Helmet then spoke, "Yeah, this adventure sounds super dangerous, but we'll manage.'' he claimed, "We've done dangerous stuffs before, and we've always come out... fine, both physically and...'' he said before doing a long pause.
Everyone looks at each other in confusion, "Uhh... you okay?" Remilia asked.'
"... mentally!" Helmet finished.
"Yeah, this is not gonna work." Reimu grumbled.
Remilia stares at Helmet, she can't tell his expression thanks to the erm... helmet that he's wearing but she let's out a grin, "Out of the five you... you got my interest." she claimed.
"Did I hear that right - ze?'' Marissa asked in shock.
"Someone... let alone a human has gain Remilia's interest." Alice stated also in shock.
"Um... thanks." Helmet replied as Remilia flew back to Sakuya and Meiling, he then turns to the guys, "I think she hates me.'' he whispered.
"She really do, Helmet. So am I." Kenny grumbled.
Reimu then let's out a groan, "Ugh! All right, I get it! These boys are going to help us! Whether they're strong or not, I don't care! If they wanna help, I don't care! And if they die, I won't hold any responsibility!" she ranted in irritation, "Now! I wanna know what are we going to do now? What are you planning, Yukari? And why did you say that I won't like it?!" she demanded.
Gino leaned towards Darius, "Men... this girl is like Kenny." he commented.
"No shit." Darius replied in agreement.
Yukari snaps her fan open as she spoke, "Well... truth to be the told I know who's these invaders are.'' she admitted.
"Wait! You knew?! Why didn't you tell us?!" Remilia demanded.
"I needed Blu to hear it as well." Yukari replied, "Now... before I went to look for Blu, I decided to visit a good friend of mine in another world for information.'' she explained.
"Who is this friend of yours?'' Kenny asked getting into the conversation.
"A man named Mario Martinez." Yukari replied with a smile, "He is old but he is once known as Mario the Great Wizard!" she claimed.
"Pfft! What's so great about some old geezer- ze?'' Marissa asked indecorously.
Yukari snaps her fan closed and pointed it at Marissa, "Hush you! You may call me a lot of things but don't you dare insult a well-respected man such as Mario!" she exclaimed in anger.
Marissa backs away nervously, "Okay! Okay! I'm sorry -ze!" she said with her arms raised up.
Yukari then snaps her fan open again, "Anyway... from what Master Mario told me, the ones who attacked us are members of the Dark Forces." she started.
"Dark Forces?'' Sakuya repeated.
"Dark Forces? Lame." Darius quipped, "They should have come up with a better name than that.'' he stated.
"I don't know... it's sound fitting if you ask me." Rudy said.
"What are the Dark Forces?'' Alice asked.
"Not much is known about them but according to Master Mario, these individuals love nothing but create chaos across the universe." Yukari explained.
"So, Gensokyo is not only their target." Blu pointed out.
Yukari nodded, "Precisely." she replied.
"What about those creatures that came along with these people?'' Patchouli asked.
"They are called Emotionless. But other than it's name, Master Mario admitted that they had no additional information about them." Yukari replied.
"Emotionless... interesting." Patchouli mused.
"So, what's the plan now? What are we going to do? And what is it the plan that you claimed that I won't like?!" Reimu demanded impatiently.
Yukari gave her smile, "Simple. Since we're dealing with individuals not from this world, my plan is simple." she said, "We leave Gensokyo for now, travel across the universe, track down a member of the Dark Forces, and get information from them." she counted, "Whatever happens after that, we'll just figure it out.'' she finished.
Everyone including the boys understood and accepted Yukari's plan except for Reimu whom is pale for reasons, "Yeah... I really hate this plan." she grumbled.
A/N: Inspired from XP4Universe.