Foreword: Sorry guys...Really busy here. I practically squeezed this chapter out. There's homework and refunds and stuff I have to take care of. Oh, and reading of course. And combos. And buying stuff. And...you get the point.
Anyways, enjoy the chapter if you will, and until next time! Comments always welcome!
Touhou Duel Masters Café
Chapter 6 – Beginning of the End
BGM: BRAVE (Road To Dragons OST)
Karma panted, her sweat dripping down her face. Her hood was torn, her scarf so tattered it was hardly recognizable. Thankfully, the strip of cloth that covered her breasts was still intact; though that was something she did not care to focus on now. Her mind was only on the duel in front of her. Everything thing focused on it. Every muscle tensed, every move of the opponent implanted in her mind. Alongside the girl was Levia, her short, light blue hair untidy and messed up, like a her long blue dress that was no less tattered than Karma's garments. Her cap was gone, lost in the escape earlier. She too, has her sights on the opponents in front of them.
Two demons, towering over them, fangs that jutted out of their mouths, and muscular, jet-black bodies that seemed to pulsate with strength and chaos. The debris that surrounded them were constantly blasted by the attacks of the creatures they summoned, causing even more damage to the already destroyed street. The grey sky blocked out the sun, mercilessly tormenting the world with hot, humid air that seemed to suffocate, like a steaming pot that gets hotter by the minute.
Behind them, were the The First and The Second, closing the eyes of the other Pleiades, and covering their body with silk purple, adorned with 7 golden stars that was the symbol for the Pleiades.
Seyfried. Revia. Artorigus. Alphonse, Three. All gone, like the rest of the nine Constellations.
Lives lost in the battles against the hordes of demons that Subaru had procured. The one criminal that had caused all this mayhem.
The one that is calling forth, even if unwittingly, the being of destruction.
Or rather, his alter ego. The embodiment of evil itself.
This world has only a few moments left.
Karma watched, her breath heavy and tired, as The Second and The First opened a Hyperdimensional Gate. Who knows where it will lead them?
That is a matter for later. All she has to do is concentrate on this battle. The last she will have on this world.
Casting Get Wild, Karma revealed the top three cards of her deck and added Dragon Ultimate God Geki, Triple Mouth and Chaos Witch Alice into her hand.
The demons she faced grumbled. "I summon Zabi Barrel!"
The Death Puppet appeared, and Karma had no choice but to discard Geki from her hand.
Starting her turn, Karma cast Lifeplan Charger, added Dragon Ultimate God Metsu to her hand and put the cast spell in her mana zone.
I must not lose the tempo advantage…
"Heh…That's it?" The demon smirked. "I cast Bone Dance Charger!"
The top two cards of his deck dropped into his graveyard, and likewise, the Charger went into his mana zone.
"Damn, that guy is boosting his mana too…" The First bit his lip. "5 mana… Next turn it's gonna be bad."
The Second did not respond, for he was intently focused on Levia's duel.
"…" Brushing away her medium purple hair that stuck out of her hood, Karma summoned Triple Mouth, Decaying Savage. The Ghost/Beast Folk bit away one card from the demon's hand while the top card of Karma's deck went into her mana.
"…Chi, what an annoying brat…." The demon spat at the lost of his hand. "My turn! I cast Hyperspatial Emperor Hole! Triple Mouth gets -2000 power and is destroyed. Then I put Volg Thunder into my battle zone and mill your deck!" He laughed triumphantly, his voice booming over the otherwise silent city.
"…!" Karma watched as her deck dropped into her graveyard. Earth Eternity Gate, Triple Mouth, Dragon God Heavy…
Good, so it's not much damage… She refocused her eyes on the field.
Behind her, The First breathed a sigh of relief.
"…" Karma drew a card.
Now there's seven mana…
Tapping all seven cards, she summoned her next creature.
"…! Dragon God Metal!" The First recognized the giant Dragon God that appeared overhead.
With a spew of his flames, Meal obliterated Bone Dance Charger from the demon's mana zone, nearly vaporizing the demon too in the process.
"Yes! Now she can get "that" out easier…!"
"…Grrr…Don't be getting ahead of yourself!" The demon roared. "I summon Abayo Shabayo and destroy himself!"
"…" The Chaos Witch dissipated into light at the same time Abayo Shabayo did.
"Battle! Volg Thunder! Double Break!"
The Demon Command obeyed, crushing two of Karma's shields under his feet. The impact almost sent Karma flying, and she braced herself as the shields shattered and the ground shook beneath her, threatening to throw her off balance. "…!"
Karma's turn.
Charging her mana to eight, she summoned Alice one more time, and put two cards on top of her deck.
"…It's coming huh…" The First observed. "Then she can win and come with us…!"
"…I don't know what you're thinking, but I won't let you have your way!" The demon exclaimed. "I cast Revive Hole! I return Abayo Shabayo to my hand and bring out one more Volg Thunder!"
"…" A smile crossed Karma's lips.
"Heh, fooled you." The First smirked.
First card, Aqua Surfer. Second…Forever Princess.
"…!" The demon was taken aback. "Forever Princess!"
"Ha… When Forever Princess is put into the grave from anywhere, Karma will shuffle her entire graveyard into her deck!" The First explained in Karma's stead. "Your Library out tactics won't work now!"
"Chi…! Volg Thunder! Double Break!" The Demon Command vanquished two more of Karma's shields upon command.
"Heh, now you've only got 1 shield left! Just one more turn and you're finished!" The demon boasted as he ended his turn.
"…Hmph…" The First just shrugged. "You might not even have a next turn."
Karma's turn, once more. Mana charge. All nine cards tapped themselves.
She brandished a card from her hand, as it glowed and set off a bright green light, nearly blinding the demon as he shielded his eyes from the strong flare. "Gr….!"
"The Dragon that rules over the five civilizations, exert your strength over the battle field and bring us to victory!" The First chanted.
"Domitius, Evil Emperor of Five Dragons!"
The giant Jurassic Command Dragon crashed down from the sky, letting out a roar that shook the heavens.
"I'll explain. When Domitius is put into the battle zone, Karma can look at the top five cards of her deck, and from them, choose cost 7 or less creatures from each civilization and put them into the battle zone!" The First kindly informed the demon.
"Wha…!"
Looking at the cards, Karma grabbed three of them and threw them onto the battle zone.
"Dragon Ultimate God Geki! Dragon Ultimate God Metsu! Bolbalzark Ex!" The First proclaimed the names of the cost trampled creatures. "God Link! Dragon Ultimate Geki Metsu!"
The Armored Dragon and Dragon Zombie linked together, swinging their swords of flame and death and bellowing at the demon.
"Im…impossible!" The demon was shocked by this sudden multiplication of creatures.
Using the mana untapped by Bolbalzark Ex, Karma summoned yet another creature. Diehard Ryuusei of Invincibility.
The demons legs shook as it were jelly. He wanted to run for is dear life now, but his legs failed him, and his courage left him as he remembered that duels cannot be stopped midway due to Subaru's chaotic force.
"Heh…Battle!" The First smiled in glee. He did not notice the ground starting to shake.
It was then that the heavens split apart.
BGM: OUTBREAK (Road To Dragons OST)
Tapping six cards in her mana, Levia summoned Metal Avenger Solid.
"When Metal Avenger Solid is put into the battle zone, I return a creature that costs six or less to your hand!" She said as the Liquid People Sen appeared and blasted Volg Thunder back to the Hyperspace. "With his power, I put a cost 4 or less Dragheart into my battle zone! Come, Evidegoras! Dragon Sonic Aircraft Carrier!"
With a loud cry, Metal Avenger Solid opened the portal to the Hyperspace, filling the Dragheart Fortress with energy. Evidegoras's eyes glowed, humming with energy as he prepared his cannons and blasted his way out of the Hyperspace and into the world.
"Levia's ace!" The Second balled his fists in glee. "She'll win in no time!"
"A card that I've never seen… But whatever, I'll take care of that in a flash." The demon Levia was dueling rumbled. "I cast Hyperspatial Raiden Hole, and bring out Volg Thunder! I also destroy Zabi Barrel and bring out Thunder Tiger!"
The two Demon Command pounced out of the Hyperspace, roaring at Levia, trying to intimidate her.
She was unfazed however, and looked right back at them.
"I will not be afraid anymore." She grasped the air tightly in front of her, not letting go, as if her sister Revia's hands were there. "I will not be lost anymore. For Revia…for everyone!"
"Hmph. Such big words." The demons scoffed. "Metal Avenger Solid gets -2000 power and is destroyed! And Volg Thunder mills your deck!"
As Thunder Tiger slashed Metal Avenger Solid into oblivion, Levia's deck dropped into her grave one by one, until two creatures were put into her grave.
"My turn! Evidegoras lets me draw one card at the start of my turn! With Galileo Galilei's Mana Arms, the first spell I cast costs three less!" Levia said as she revealed a spell in her hand. "I cast Cloned Spiral! Since there is one more Cloned Spiral in my graveyard, I can return two creatures to your hand!"
"Kuh…" The demon realized his mistake in his milling tactics as Volg Thunder and Thunder Tiger were sucked into two large whirlpools, disappearing from the battle zone.
"I summon Metal Avenger, and equip him with Evidence, Truth Gun! Evidence lets me draw one card when he is equipped." A card from Levia's deck was added to her hand as the Metal Avenger, wielding the Dragheart Weapon, sprung out of the whirlpool that appeared on the field.
"I then cast Dragment Point with G Zero! When there is a Water Draguner in my battle zone, I can cast this spell for free. I draw two cards and return one card to my deck top."
"Now is the time to release your power! When I draw five cards during my turn, Evidegoras' Ryuukai condition will be fulfilled!" Levia explained, as Evidegoras started to change form.
"The Solution of Victory is in your hands! Vanquish your foes with your power of knowledge! Prove of the Equation of Victory!"
The Dragheart Fortress flexed his arms and legs, transforming into a more humanoid appearance as his head was equipped with more armor, his blue body reflecting what little light the world had.
"Ryuukai! QED Plus, Final Dragon Logic!"
"QED Plus!?" The demon gritted his fangs, as the large Dragheart Creature loomed over him.
"Turn End. And at that moment, Evidence's Ryuukai condition has been fulfilled! I have summoned one water creature and cast two water spells."
Metal Avenger aimed the Dragheart Weapon at the sky, and shot the whole thing right at the heavens, as it gave off a blue flare, that reminded The Second of the sea.
"Ryuukai! QED, Dragon Elemental King!"
The transformed Dragheart Creature crashed down, twin cannons ready to fire at any moment as he glared at the demon, who was now losing his bravery.
"Turn End." Levia declared.
"…Kuh…! I cast Death Gate, Gate of Hell…!" The demon cast a spell. "I destroy QED Plus and put Zabi Barrel into my battle zone!"
"Such futile actions…" Muttered The Second.
"…Dragon Evasion. When QED Plus leaves the battle zone, I flip him back to his fortress side."
Despite Death Gate's assaults, QED Plus just changed back to fortress mode, warding of all advances of the spell.
Levia discarded one card from her hand nonchalantly.
"My turn then. I draw one card due to Evidegoras' effect. Turn draw. I summon this one for no cost, using QED's ability! Cyber N World!"
The Cyber Command appeared, and as he illuminated the street with a blue aura, both duelists' hand and graveyard were shuffled into their decks, and five new cards were added to their hand.
"Once again, Ryuukai! QED Plus!"
"Then with QED's effect, I can cast one water spell for free. I cast Spiral Gate and return Zabi Barrel to your hand!"
"I summon Aqua Guard! Evolution! I evolve Aqua Guard into Aqua Super Paladin!"
"Ah….ah…!" The demon fell on his back as he stared at the battle zone-full of creatures.
"I'll end it with this turn. Aqua Super Paladin! Atta…"
Then he came.
Shangri-La, out of the heavens, pushing away the clouds, and with a blast, the street started to burn away.
"Karma…!" The First shouted, frantic now. "Hurry up!"
"Levia…!" The Second shouted too, urging her to hurry up and end the duel.
But they knew that it wasn't possible to do so. As the beam neared, The First started to tow The Second towards the closing Hyperdimension Gate.
"Hey… Let go of me! Levia!" The Second struggled to break free of his friend's grasp as he reached towards Levia in vain. "Hurry!"
"…" Levia turned to him, and just smiled. A smile of gratitude and sorrow. She just shook her head.
"Karma…" The First called out to the mute girl, as he restrained The Second and pulled him towards the entrance of the gate.
She too, smiled at him, and waved, as tears streamed down her cheeks, dropping lightly onto the ground.
"Bye…bye…" His chest tightened upon hearing her voice.
The beam was seconds away now.
"Karma…" The First shut his eyes fiercely, and with a sudden surge of strength, threw The Second right into the shutting gate and leapt into it right after him.
"No…No…! Levia!"
"Karma…!"
""Good bye, -kun/-kun.""
"Yameroooooooo!"
A flash of white, and their voices were the last thing they sensed before the gate closed abruptly and everything went black.
The Second opened his eyes. The nightmare that replays in his mind every now and then. Somehow, this time, it seemed even more vivid. Looking around, there was no one save for The First in the café. Or was it? The Second thought he saw a little girl in yellow outside the windows, disappearing out of sight in a flash.
…
…
What was that again? The Second suddenly couldn't remember what happened. What was he thinking, and what was he going to do? His mind felt blank.
Oh yes, it's time for business, that's right. He remembered, or he thought he did. And find Shangri-La too.
"…" The Second donned his hood in silence, once again masking his facial features as the café's doorbell rattled, signifying the coming of a customer. "Good morning. How may I help you?"
The figure of relatively tall woman, silver hair worn in braids and dressed in a maid costume with a short dress came into his eyes.
"…Welcome." The Second gave a light bow. "What would you like to order?"
The maid sat down on one of the tables. "I'd like to have hot Mocha please." She lips parted slightly as she ordered a drink.
"…One Mocha coming." His eyes lingered on her face a little longer before he turned and started to make the maid's coffee.
The cup made a smaller clatter when it came into contact with the saucer. "Here's your Mocha, please enjoy your drink."
The maid raised the cup to her lips, and as the drink moistened her throat, her eyes betrayed the mild surprise she had.
…Not bad at all.
The First smiled at her response as he cleaned the bar table and cups.
Putting down the cup of hot coffee, the maid turned to The First and Second.
"…Stuff aside, I have something to tell you." She started as they cocked their heads to listen. "My mistress has ordered me to assist you in your battle against the Climax of Cruelty. We have reached to a conclusion that we have a common enemy, and that you will be of valuable help. Thus, please do not hesitate to ask for help from the Scarlet Devil Mansion."
"…" The Second was about to say something when the maid suddenly shifted to his side. "…!"
"Of course," the maid continued. "The Scarlet Devil Mansion will do anything in our power to assist you in defeating Shangri-La. After all, we would not want this place to be destroyed."
"…Very well." The First spoke up. "Then we shall ask for help if we need it. First, would you mind telling us everything that you have discussed? Information would be valuable."
"Understood." The maid bowed. "I shall inform you of the details of our discussion before."
Izayoi Sakuya began to tell them the details of yesterday, as she savored her coffee.
It was almost better than hers, she thought.
Almost.
As she flew deeper underground, Reimu felt herself feeling more annoyed than before. This dark, gloomy place certainly wasn't somewhere she wanted to stay for a long time. She shuddered.
Picking up her speed, she arrived at Former Capital of Hell in a few minutes. She sighed in relief as she finally escaped the dreary tunnel and reached a more cheerful environment, looking around and observing the Japanese style houses and the partying and drinking oni. It wasn't much different from the last time Reimu came. The onis partied day and night, best each other in contests and make ruckuses everyday. Sighing, she set her sights on the Palace of the Earth Spirits, located right in the middle of the capital, looking quite out shape with its western structure among all the Japanese-style buildings built around it.
"…" Taking a deep breath, she ignored all the hustle and bustle, and went straight for the Palace. There's no time for trivial matters.
Landing in front of the doors, Reimu craned her neck and stared at the giant entrance. She knocked, the echoes resonating through the inside of the mansion.
Soft footsteps approached as Reimu cocked her pressed her ear against the wooden doors. She immediately bounced back as soon as the doors opened with a creak, and standing in front her, was the master of this Palace.
Komeiji Satori, one of the last of the satori youkai, a race that can read minds, leading to everyone staying away from them. Not to mention hypnotism. Satori, The Girl That Even the Vengeful Spirits Fear.
She had her right eye shut, the red "Third Eye" on her chest, connected to her wrists and head by cords.
Reimu opened her mouth to speak, but Satori just stopped her with an open palm.
"I already know your purpose here. Do come in, I've prepared some tea." She turned and walked towards the inner mansion, beckoning Reimu to follow.
"I hate it when she does that…" Reimu grumbled as she trudged behind the pink-haired youkai, not liking that Satori immediately reading her mind before she can explain anything. Every time. Satori gracefully ignored her protests.
As the pair went through the long corridors of the Palace, Satori began to speak.
"Regarding your requests, I would be happy to oblige. I have not encountered any strange incidents here as of late. Neither has Yuugi. However you are free to investigate the Underground as you wish."
"No, I do not know about those two people. Only by directly interacting with them that I can understand their motives, and identity. No, I won't be going to the surface anytime soon. I'm sorry."
"…" How annoying… "Well, I'll be checking out the Underground then. Thanks for the clarifications."
"Oh?" Satori turned. "You're not staying for tea?"
"I'm afraid not. The fate of Gensokyo is on the line, after all."
"I see. Do be careful then." Satori nodded slightly.
"Give your pets my regards." Reimu left this sentence as she started back towards the main entrance.
"Will do."
"…" Satori watched as Reimu left her mansion. "…Will you let them go now?"
"Fufufu…" A voice from the shadows, clear and sharp. "Your pets are safe. For now. Rest assured, they will be…protected. Please continue to assist us. Until next time…fufufu."
The voice's presence disappeared, leaving Satori alone in the long corridor. A look of contempt crossed her face and she resisted the urge to smash the window in front of her to pieces.
She failed, as the glass shattered and the fragments fell around her, her outstretched fist reaching beyond the broken panel and into the outside air. She could feel herself falling apart like this window. Satori just stood there, as the cuts on her arm healed themselves, closing up with her regeneration abilities.
The traces were gone completely in a matter of seconds.
Orin, Okuu…
Holding her temper, she retracted her arm and walked away, reminding herself to have one of her pets to clean up the mess.
As she walked along the busy streets of old hell, Reimu drowned herself in the past. 11 years ago…those two came. 10 years ago…they left. 6 years ago, Scarlet Devil Mansion…
Why couldn't she let go? She frequently asked herself this question. Even Marisa couldn't answer it. She had the same problem, after all. They have not been able to solve it since 10 years ago.
Reimu aimlessly wandered around, scanning the crowds of underground youkai and oni. As she continued to survey the streets, she bumped into something.
"Uh, sorry…Hm?" Reimu stopped short as she focused on the familiar face in front of her. "Suika?"
"Oh hey, Reimu." The small oni waved cheerfully at the shrine maiden. "Watcha doing here?"
"…Just investigations. The enemy might be hiding here, after all." Reimu started on her stroll again as Suika followed behind her.
"Oh, that Shangri-La guy?" Suika took a swig from her gourd. "Huh…There doesn't seem to be anyone hiding here though. Even Yuugi said that." She scratched her chin. "You don't seem to be very eager on this incident, are you?"
"…Just, tired. And we're really risking lives here, after all." Reimu replied lazily.
"Heh, then you should pick up your spirits and beat the crap out of him!" The oni laughed heartedly and slapped the shrine maiden on the back. Reimu thought a train actually hit her.
"I dunno, this doesn't seem real to me…and there's a lot going on." Reimu massaged her head and sighed.
Suika looked at her for a moment.
"This doesn't seem like you, Reimu. Normally you would just want to get rid of the nuisance and go back to being lazy. But you don't seem really keen on this. I mean, you said that Gensokyo's fate is on this right? Should you be actively trying to save us?"
"Well, yeah…but there's those two guys out there who can probably solve this faster than me. Maybe I'll just leave it to them."
"You're just being outright lazy and irresponsible right now."
"You know me. And Yukari…she must have something up her sleeves. She's hiding something from us. I can tell." Reimu gritted her teeth. "I know her well enough."
"…" Suika fell silent.
"Anyways, I'll be going back up, if there's nothing down here." Reimu turned to Suika. "You staying?"
"…I'll be going back up. Had enough sake with Yuugi anyways."
"I see."
"…So that's how it is." The Second tapped his chin. "Well, thank you very much. We'll try to figure stuff out soon. Please send your mistress our regards."
Sakuya bowed, and subsequently left the café.
"…Heh, although we know everything she said before she even came." The First leaned on the counter as he enjoyed his coffee.
The Second made a small "hm" in response. He stared up at the blue sky, the sun hanging up on the cerulean heavens, and the white clouds that littered the sky. High noon.
"Time to go." The Second stretched. "Let's close up and get on with business."
"Yeah."
Flipping the entrance sign to "Closed", the duo left their restaurant.
Just a few more days left.
But they have the confidence to take on Shangri-La now.
Decks:
Demons: Mono Black Control (黒単コントロール)
Karma: Domitius Geki Metsu (ドミティウス撃滅)
Levia: Mono Blue Beat (青単ビート)
