Chapter 9: Into Wonderland
The radio was playing Emotion from the Pokemon games when the human walked into the deli and brought his usual newspaper. He left with the newspaper tucked under his arm as he made his way back home. Once he got to his home, he decided to read the headlines while he fiddled with the keys.
July 13. 2011
The Wonderful Shrine Maiden of Paradise is in your house, eating your food.
Your home.
"It's not nice to just come in and eat my food you know." The human sighed, looking up.
Reimu slipped from her cup of tea and placed it down before she answered, "I was hungry. And at least this tea is mine."
The human placed his newspaper on the table and opened his refrigerator. Nothing was left. Not even ice.
"Also, the shrine's running out of donations so if you could just donate a little..."
"I donate plenty. I'm positive that the only reason you've haven't died from hunger is me."
"I won't argue against that."
"Well? What do you want from me?"
"How mean. Can't you serve your guest some food first?"
"What food, you ate them all. Which reminds me, how'd you eat the raw meats?"
Reimu slipped some more of her tea.
"Nevermind, I didn't really want an answer anyway."
"Good." Reimu said, placing down her empty teacup, "Well then, onto business I suppose. There's a person going around Gensokyo collecting our spellcards."
"...So?"
"You don't find this strange?"
"I find it plenty strange, but what does it have to do with me?"
"You KNOW why and how this is related to you already. Isn't that right...Morichika Kyosuke?"
The human glared at Reimu, "I told you not to call me by my name."
"Don't be shy."
"I'm not shy." Kyosuke sighed, "Fine. So there's someone around collecting spellcards. What do you want ME to do about it?"
"Simple recollection."
"What?"
"Simply put, this collector has not yet failed to collect the spellcards of it's victims. Already, almost all of the prominent Youkais have surrendered their spellcards."
"Sounds like an incident. Why aren't YOU handling it?"
"Among the many who surrendered, I am among them."
"Nice job."
"I would like to remind you that as much as we call it an incident, it has never been reported as such and therefore, I am not obligated to investigate."
"And handing over your spellcards was a good idea?"
"..."
"So what does the collector want with all the spellcards?"
"To unlock the barrier separating humans and youkais."
"What?"
"Every gate has a lock. And every lock has a key." Reimu said simply, pouring 2 cups of tea for them, "Spellcards are the key to the lock that controls the Hakurei Barrier."
"Well that's just great." The human sighed, "And you tell me this now?"
"You've been having visions haven't you?" Reimu asked and took a sip of her tea, "You know clearly that the collector is also after the spellcard in your possession."
"...You're right. So why should I go into action? Your collector is in Gensokyo. I'm here, in the Human Realm. Isn't it safer to keep me here?"
"One spellcard isn't much. No one knows what the absence of one card will do. With all the spellcards in Gensokyo, the lock may still open. It seems the collector is cautious."
"And how would I be immune to this collector's charm?" Kyosuke asked as he drank his tea.
"You're a Half-Youkai who spent his life living in the human realm. You're already a strange case."
"..."
"And you have a strong mind. You won't be swayed that easily."
"So everyone in Gensokyo is an idiot?"
"No, you're just more...reluctant for company."
"...I can't believe I'm doing this." Kyosuke sighed as he got up, "I'll pack what I need for now."
"Take this too. It might help." Reimu said, pulling something out of her sleeve and throwing it at the human.
Kyosuke caught it as he turned around, "This is...Dream Sign: Evil Sealing Circle."
"I'm not that easy to trick." Reimu smirked, "I managed to slip this out of it's grasp."
"And yet, you gave away every other spellcard."
"Gh. Look, do you want it or not."
"No, I'll take it."
Kyosuke remembered his first moments in Gensokyo well. It was unforgettable. On the fact that he didn't lose his memory, crashing head-first into the hard earth and blacking-out instantly. The instant he woke up the first words out of his mouth were, conveniently, the last words he thought of before blacking out,
"That's the last time I let that border Miko set up the transfer. Next time I see her, she's dead."
"Odd choice of the first words you'll say after you wake up."
Kyosuke turned around, "...Kaguya?"
"I see you know me already." Kaguya said, not looking up from her game, "Who are you?"
"So this is Eientei."
"Are you going to answer my question?"
"No." Kyosuke said, getting up, "I don't feel like revealing my name to a temporary host."
Kaguya frowned and put down her game, "You sound familiar."
"It's probably better if you don't find out." Kyosuke said, hurrying to the door.
"You're...that human."
Kyosuke paused.
"That's right..." Kaguya said, "You were the one who sent me back after I ended up in the Human Realm."
"Seems like it didn't take long for you to remember." Kyosuke sighed. Then he got tackled/hugged by Kaguya,
"It's great to see you again!"
"Wh-What?"
"Do you have your Pokemon game? Let's play!"
"This is an unexpected reaction." Kyosuke muttered. Aloud, "Kaguya, get off me for a second."
Kaguya willingly detached herself from him.
"Okay." Kyosuke sighed, "First thing's first: I don't have my Pokemon game and I haven't gotten better so you'd probably beat me again anyway."
"Aw, what a pity."
"Second: I'm not here for a visit."
"Really? What are you here for then?"
"I'm here to get the spellcards back from the guy that took them from you."
"Oh, is that it?" Kaguya asked.
"Yes."
"Don't bother." Kaguya smiled, "If the barrier disappears, I'd be able to get more games."
"What?"
"I'm not going to stop you. But you're going to have a hard time finding the person."
"...Tell me, Kaguya. Why did you give away your spellcards? Was it really for more games?"
"Yep. Imagine all the friends I'd meet."
"Friends?"
"Yep."
"...I'll be going now."
"Good luck."
Kyosuke left Eientei and finally got his first view of Gensokyo.
"Nice place." He sighed, "No industrialization. Quite refreshing."
He walked for a while before spotting a long moving line of people. Curious, he walked over to examine it. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was a line of souls. Kyosuke looked down the line, only to see it disappear in the distance. Going the other direction, however, he noticed a river and a boat. The girl in it was talking with the spirits, apparently over some coins before she noticed him as well and beckoned him over.
"Do you have any money?" The girl asked, "Depending on what you have, your trip will vary."
"I have this." Kyosuke said, handing over the coin that Shikieiki gave him.
"...I knew it." Komachi smiled and returned the coin, "Get on. You can guess who's expecting you."
The spirit in front of her groaned, but a single look silenced him.
"I'm Komachi." She introduced herself.
"I know."
"Huh? Have you met me before?"
"Not yet."
"Then...did Shikieiki mention me to you?"
"No."
"Aw." Komachi slumped, disappointed.
"Is my trip supposed to be this long?"
"No. I just wanna talk to you a little."
"I'm afraid I don't have much to say."
"Aw, come on. At least tell me your name."
"No."
"Aw."
Eventually the boat reached land and Kyosuke was deposited. Komachi waved good bye as she rowed back. Ignoring her, Kyosuke headed to court.
Shikieiki was judging a soul when he got there.
"Black." Shikieiki declared, "I admit your reasons were justified, but the reasons did not overturn your crimes. I'm sorry."
The soul was dragged away from the courtroom by an invisible force, kicking and screaming. Shikieiki sighed, a bit tired. She looked up to call out the next soul until she noticed the human.
"...The court shall now take a 30 minute recess." Shikieiki declared and rushed out of her pedestal.
"If a live human is standing in my courtroom, then that can only mean one thing." Shikieiki said once she got to him.
"I suppose." Kyosuke said and presented the coin to her.
Shikieiki took the coin in her hands and inspected it closely. Eventually she sighed and smiled, giving the coin back to Kyosuke, "I knew it. You're that human again, aren't you?"
"Yep."
"Why are you here?" Shikieiki asked, "In Gensokyo?"
"I'm searching for a collector of spellcards."
"Oh. That person."
"So you handed them over too?"
"Yes."
"Might I ask why?"
Shikieiki looked at the human and sat down on the ground, "Do you know how it feels to be declared guilty?"
"No."
"Neither have I, but I've seen enough reactions to gather an accurate idea." Shikieiki sighed, "It's not pleasant to say the least."
"And then the collector came in." Kyosuke guessed.
Shikieiki nodded, "I thought that if I could reach the Human Realm, I could help them repent. If it is even one soul. I don't like calling Black, you know."
"I know." Kyosuke said.
"...You're going to continued searching aren't you?"
"Yes."
"...I'll tell Komachi-" Shikieiki sighed and got up, "-to let you off the closest she can to where the Lock of the Hakurei Barrier is."
"Thanks."
"Be careful. If you're going to stop this, then you're going to have to fight."
"I know." Kyosuke said as he walked away, "And I'm prepared for it."
"Wait." Shikieiki said.
Surprised, the human turned around.
"Do you know why I gave you that coin?"
"No."
"It's a early trial." Shikieiki explained, "At least, that's what I meant for it to do when I gave it to you. Just an excuse to judge someone early."
"So they...I can change."
"Exactly."
"...Well?"
"...Right now, you're walking down a gray path. It can change into either White or Black depending on what you do. But as a judge, I cannot give you that kind of verdict. So...Black."
"Really?"
Shikieiki smiled, "You still haven't mastered your lust have you, you lolicon?"
"What lust?"
Komachi reached the surface and dropped Kyosuke off. Kyosuke looked around and frowned, "Isn't this...Youkai Mountain?"
"Yep."
"I thought the Lock would be...near the border. I would think the Lock would be...at least in the center of Gensokyo."
"That's what normal people would think." Komachi said, "So instead they placed it someplace completely random."
"Oh. How nice. And how'd you know that?"
"Everyone who has handed over their spellcards know."
"You included?"
"Of course."
"..."
Kyosuke trudged through the only visible path that Komachi left him on anyway. There was a surprising lack of Youkais in Youkai Mountain. It wasn't until he was maybe ¾ of the way up.
"Halt." A voice boomed from a speaker somewhere, "Any further steps and you will be killed."
A bush rustled and someone came out, "...Mercilessly."
"...Nitori." Kyosuke sighed.
