Hello, readers! Seeing as I've not too many reviews, I think I'll instead take this time to address the ones I do have, rather than the typical opening.
*puts on reading glasses*
A-HEM!
ShimmerMist has commented twice, addressing possible characters. To you, my good reader, I apologize for making you wait on Cirno. It's just…well, the way I had it planned out, there would be a Cirno battle falling on the ninth chapter. The NINTH chapter! It was too good to pass up. Nitori and Kanako? Heh-heh…let's just say they'll come as a package deal. I'll leave you to your conclusions. Also, I do hope your story continues.
Oh, one last thing: Utsuho? Yes. A million times yeeeeees~.That is all.
Xavic, my fellow writer of insert shenanigans! I honestly didn't know about that bit of trivia with Reimu's little catchphrase! I might have to work that in, somewhere… As for Flandre? Yes, "Oh crud" describes the situation to a "T". Combine the intensity of the fights with Meiling and Sakuya/Patchouli, then multiply it by two. You have the approximate threat level by rounding up a large margin. In any event, still following your story!
KingofHeartless'09? Erm…I like Yukari too? Please do be a touch more in-depth, though.
PhoenixLord, you seem quite the accomplished ficcer, so I appreciate the notice! However, Ryan's still a work-in-progress. If you want to see some of the best OC's I've read for on this site, see Ken from "Crossing the Border", Kaito from "Unparalleled Ayakashi Incident" or Shinki from "Touhou Chronicles". They all blow poor Ryan away. I might be underestimating myself, but I still recommend those fics anyway.
Bluewolf963, I am glad you've taken interest, sir! Cirno is indeed a fun character to type for. However, don't read too much into the "rival" bit. Yes, I recognize her as being a stronger character then back in the sixth game, but…well, compare it to Okami. Susano called Amaterasu his "brother in arms", thinking he was her equal. Now replace Susano with Cirno and Ammy with Ryan. There you have it. And as you'll see in the chapter below, Ryan is indeed utterly screwed with Patchy. And it makes for good ratings, so I have no pity for him! Huzzah, ratings!
Without anymore delay, let the chapter begin!
Chapter Ten: Bibidi-Babidi-Boom
"Hello?" That's odd. Meiling's nowhere to be seen. "Meiling? Sakuya? Somebody?"
Silence.
Alright, you asked for it.
"Heeeeey, Chiiiiii-naaaa~!" I call, cupping my hands to my mouth. Immediately after, I draw my sword in a defensive position.
"Haaaaaaaaaa!" Meiling's foot goes crashing into the metal, forcing her to a halt. See? I'm steadily learning. "Uh? Oh! Hello, Ryan-san." The girl kicked off my weapon, landing on the ground two feet or so away in a bow of respect.
"Hey, Mei. I thought you got a knife in the head for not being at your post yesterday?" Yeah, I'm calling her "Mei" now. One-syllable words for the win and/or simpler sentence. Right away the guard breaks out in a nervous sweat.
"Ah…" She stammers while glancing over her shoulder, as if expecting the sinister housekeeper to appear that very moment. Although given Sakuya can stop time and essentially teleport as far as the rest of us are concerned, I can see why that might be common. "I was busy…d-doing my rounds! Hai. I was checking the perimeter for intrusion!"
I bet you were sleeping in the garden. I won't say anything, though, that one question has tortured you enough for now.
"Yeah, whatever you say." Don't give me that surprised look, you weren't fooling anyone. "Anyways, I'm here to see a man about a horse." Meiling blinks in confusion.
"…How would a human on horseback have entered the mansion?" Oi.
"J-Just let me in to see Patchouli." I have no patience to explain figures of speech to you, my friend.
"Yes, of course!" Meiling stands aside, bowing slightly once more. "I hope you two have fun!" Yeah, I didn't want to fight you again or anything to get in a second time. Especially if you're going to be hurling those colorful darts at-
…hold up. "Colorful". What is it I'm trying to remember?
LE GASP! Wait one cotton-picking second!
"Colorful Fortress "Rainbow Barricade" !"
…That barrier what saved me from a giant ice cube. From inside, it looked like a giant version of…
"Hey, Meiling?" Chances are I'm wrong, but if I'm not…
"Yes, Ryan-san?" The guard replies.
"What kind of signs do your spell cards use?" Meiling adopts a cheeky grin, crouching in a battle stance.
"Well, would you like to see them first hand?" Agh! No, no! Shake your head, damn you! "Ha-ha, I'm kidding. My cards all really revolve around the idea of "color" ."
…Well, now.
"Okay, I was ah, just wondering." I wave to her as I speed along. "I'll see you later, Mei."
This is wonderful. Y'know, given that I was just following Meiling the first time, I never really took the time to notice where the path was to the library. And on the way out, I'd been led by the mistress.
This is all an elaborate way of saying "I'm lost" by the way.
At the very least, the fairy maids haven't given me any hassle. They haven't been help either, though. Here comes three of them now. Watch what happens.
"Hey, you fairies there!" They stop, looking at me quizzically. "Yeah, could any of you point me towards the library? I'd appreciate it."
They point in three different directions, break into a chorus of giggling, then fly away. I can see why you'd need a super maid to compensate for these idiots. And still, I can't for the life of me find my way around these halls. I can understand why Remilia would want the place bigger on the inside than it is on the outside, but this is just silly.
-!
Woah! A chill just ran down my spine. If fictional clichés still hold true, someone may very well be watching me. Well, I don't have reason to worry, everyone here's okay with me, right?
"Hello? Somebody around here?" There's a light landing sound from behind.
"Hi, Randa-kun!" Oh god, that's right. There's her. I turn and nervously wave to Flandre, who is smiling at me with wide eyes. "What are you doing back?"
"Huh? You know. I'm here to see Patchouli." Flandre just tilts her head, still smiling. "…She invited me back last night?" Flandre was there, wasn't she?
"…Right, I remember now!" She grins and claps her hands together. "Are you lost Randa-kun?" This is not where I had wanted this conversation to go. I would much rather have been shooting the breeze then seeing her off, even if it meant fumbling around aimlessly. Still, I have to trust that she's not going to do anything…
"Yeah, actually." Self-preservation, take the day off. You've earned it. "I don't suppose you could show me how to get there?"
"Okay!" Giggling like a little imp, Flandre took to the air a foot or two above my head, my wrist in her grasp. "C'mon, Randa-kun, this way!"
I'd like to say two things. First off, Flandre has one powerful grip for a little girl. Secondly, thank god for my newfound leg strength that bullshitted its way out of nowhere during last night's events. Not only is it good for jumping, but long-term sprints! I could swear once or twice she sped up just for the sake of taking my arm with her and leaving the rest of me. At any rate, we've come to a stop outside the libraby's double doors, leaving me gasping a bit and the little sister not any worse for wear.
"Here we are! Hee, wasn't that fun?" She claps her hands behind her back, the innocent farce given away by her red eyes.
"Define…fun." I get out in between panting. She just laughs at my disposition.
"Hee-hee, you're silly. I'm going now, by Randa-kun!" With that, the younger devil takes off, leaving me before the book-holding sanctum. Well, might as well make myself known!
Knock-knock
"Who's out there?" Huh? That's a voice I haven't heard before. Is someone else visiting?
"I'm Ryan Randa, I'm here by Patchouli's invitation!" I call to whoever's on the other side.
"I don't know you! How can I know for certain you're not lying?"
"Goodness, Koakuma, just open the door." Came Patchouli's distant voice. A sigh came from the other girl.
"Alright, Miss Patchouli." A loud creaking sound filled the hall as the doors before me parted. "Please come in, Mr. Randa."
Gah! My senses are clouding again! Koakuma is that succubus I saw knocked out! Erm, I really shouldn't move any closer, but I have to get in and she's not moviiiiing!
"Oh? Is something wrong?" When I wanted you to "move" I didn't mean "move in my direction" ! "You look ill. Miss Patchouli, I believe your guest might be under the weather!"
Patchouli descends into view, analyzing the situation. Oh thank goodness, maybe she can get the hint!
"Ryan, are you unwell?" I nod. "Would you…care to reschedule our appointment?" No, not that! I point twice in Koakuma's direction.
"Uh? Hey, that's rude!" Koakuma growls, hands on her hips. Patchouli smiles and covers her mouth, understanding now my discomfort.
"Koa, I do believe you should back away from him, a good five meters if you may." Koakuma turns back to Patchouli, shocked and wide-eyed.
"Whaaaa? But Miss Patchouli, I didn't-" She pauses. She looks back at me. She then backs away. "…Oh."
"Thank you." I sigh, stepping into the library at last. Almost instantly, my thoughts have been cleared of the fogginess from her presence.
"Pervert." Koakuma mutters, blushing as she keeps that distance. Hey, that's not fair! Patchouli just smirks at her…assistant, I'm guessing.
"Now Koa, don't be like that. Male creatures can't avoid that effect, you should know." Koakuma half-heartedly concedes under her breath, and the librarian turns her attention to me. "In any case, thank you for coming, Ryan. I know you'd probably like getting to know Gensokyo a tad more thoroughly, but I simply couldn't allow this kind of research to pass me by."
"Eh, it's understandable." I respond, waving it off. "In any case, where do you want to do this?"
"The center, where my desk lies. Please follow me." Patchouli hovers off towards the center of the massive room. I trod alongside her, while Koakuma follows at the appointed safe distance. Oh, right, I forgot to ask her something!
"Hey, Patchouli!" She glances back towards me.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Have there been any examples of people…I don't know, assimilating other people's types of power for their own Spell Cards?" Patchouli puts a hand to her chin in thought.
"Hm. Well, Satori of the underground has been known to use Spell Cards of which her opponent is familiar, but never has actually altered them." She pauses, eying me closely. "What brought on this question?"
"Well," I chuckle sheepishly. This'll be hard to explain. "a little while ago, that girl Cirno challenged me to a fight."
"The ice fairy." She states to confirm things.
"Right. While we were going at it, I made a new Spell Card. I called it Colorful Fortress "Rainbow Barricade" ." Patchouli raises her eyebrows at this new information.
"Colorful, you say?" She turns, facing me as she floats backwards. "Sounds quite a bit like one of Meiling's, was that the inspiration?"
"That's just it: until I got here today, I had never even knew what her Spell Cards revolved around, she didn't use any in our match yesterday. My only clue was that the barrier looked like her danmaku." Patchouli stopped outright, closing her eyes in thought.
"…How very interesting. If I may, would you show me the card?" Oh, right. Card.
"Well…an actual card didn't appear."
"And you are certain that it was a Spell Card?"
"Positive." I hold out my hand, where my Energy Volley card appears, floating over my palm. "I've made one of my own, so I had it to use as reference."
"So you would know for certain? Peculiar." We pass the final rows of shelves, and Patchouli hovers over to her desk. "I suppose my personal projects will have to wait. No sense in letting a Spell Card go to waste." She raises her palm towards me.
Hey, what're you - flying.
Flying.
Why am I airborne? Patchy, what's the meaning of this?
"Our guard did manage to hit you yesterday," Patchouli begins, hovering in front of me, "right there, where your attire is ripped in several places, yes?" That reminds me, while my arms are outstretched and I cannot budge an inch, I oughta hit Yukari up for getting my shirts from back home. Still, why is my tattered threads important?
"Yeah, she did. A couple of times." I eye the sorceress warily as she circles my prone form. "Er…why is that important?" Patchouli ignores my question entirely.
"Koakuma." At once, the succubus is at her master's side, and I'm finding it hard to think. "Keep the boy content a few moments. I need to perform an extraction."
WHAT?
"Hold up, what do you mean 'extraction' ? This isn't cool! Patchou-hoooo…" Agh…personal…space…Koakuma!
Why…so…sleepy…
"You are satisfied. You are at peace. There is no reason for alarm." Koakuma speaks in a low voice, floating at my side. She turns to her boss, whispering. "Am I doing it right, Miss Patchouli?"
"Yes, Koakuma, very good. Now, try not to be in front of him while I ready the conjuring spell."
Heh-heh! Conjuring spell, whaaaaa? You're funny, pajama zombie magic lady.
What's she doin', Miss Koa…Koku…Koko! Yeah, that sounds pretty. Pretty like Miss Koko.
Aw, why are you all the way over there for? That's not fair…your faithful servant is being all nice and still, just like you asked! Don't be four inches from me, please? Hows about three? Or two? Five?
Oh, five's farther, riiiiiight.
"Alright, Koa, that's quite enough." Patchouli's palm glows a bright yellow, sending a beam into the place on my chest where I done got blasted.
…Wait, what am I doing here? Why am I floating?
Why do I want cocoa? And why do I think that word is spelled with a "k"?
THROB!
"Hhhhhhhhhrgh?" YEEEEOOOOOWCH!
"Oh, dear. Perhaps a few more moments would have been better."
"Sorry, Miss Patchouli!"
Patchouli! You're gonna pull out my freaking ribs! Cut it out, cut it out, cut it OUUUUUUWWWWARGH!
Warble-warble-warble…
…Hah…hah…it stopped.
Whoo…hah…well, I did want her to "cut it out", I guess. I am so glad now that I didn't sign a contract to these experiments of yours.
"Sorry about that, Ryan. I had believed the effects of Koakuma's presence would have lasted longer." I ought to point out that, while she says this, she doesn't seem remorseful in the slightest. "Oh well. For future reference, I suppose."
"Yeah, whatever." I snap, getting the cricks out of my neck once I'm back on the ground. "The next time you're going to try and substitute anesthesia, do me a favor and suppress the urge!"
"I shall admit fault. However," Patchouli tosses a thin object my way, which I catch between my fingers. "if nothing else, this should compensate you for your grief."
Huh? What's…
…This is the Spell Card! I get it now, it was to get the card out of my body!
"It would also seem my hypothesis was correct." Patchouli nodded mostly to herself, going through a drawer in her desk. "The card was formed from the energy caught in your body, but was trapped beneath the bruised flesh."
So that's why it hurt so much! She was using magic to burn through the bruising to extract the card!
Hold on a second.
"Patchouli, how were you even sure that was the case?" I pull up a chair from the corner and sit by her desk, hands in my lap. "It could've been a fluke."
"I doubt it. For starters, you showed an affinity for absorbing danmaku-forming magics. Secondly, an object as definite as a Spell Card is never temporary or an illusion - if it was used, it must exist somewhere." She withdraws a book from which she begins flipping pages. "The problem isn't necessarily 'why', however. The key aspect is 'how' ."
"How'd I make a Spell Card from being a pincushion, you mean?" Patchouli nods affirmatively. "Do you have any ideas?"
"Well, there is one." She rises from her chair, heading over to a row of books. "There is another in Gensokyo with abilities similar to your own. You remember I spoke of a person called 'Satori' ?"
"Yes," I begin, "but you said her case was different."
"It is. I'm not referring to her, but to her servant. Well, 'pet', actually." She finds the tome she seeks, setting it on the desk. "A raven who is called Utsuho Reiuji. You see, she too can absorb and produce energy, albeit one form: nuclear power."
…I'm sorry, I'm not certain I heard you right. You said "nuclear" ? There's an A-bomb youkai in Gensokyo, now?
"The raven didn't acquire this power through her own means, though. The most popular rumor is that she ate the body of a god who held it first, the mountain gods also say this is true. Still, their word is questionable."
C'mon, suspension of disbelief, don't fail me now!
"At any rate, I'm getting off-topic. From kappa reports that I've acquired through bargaining, Utsuho at first could barely contain this ability without going mad. However, the more exposure she had to the power, the better she became at controlling it. However, with each bit of progress made, it had taken a larger step each time for a noteworthy development." She shuts one book, seeming satisfied with whatever she has found.
"So, if I'm anything like this…Utsuho person, then I'm not going to pull this off again just by being blasted a few times?" I think I'm getting the point.
"Almost. It's more along the lines of that, at the time, your body wasn't trained to take a danmaku burst and keep going. It was much more dangerous and massive to you at the time, which was why such a powerful item formed as a result. Still, very similar." Patchouli stands, facing me with a resolute look. "This leads to my next experiment. Are you prepared?"
"As long as this one isn't painful."
"It shouldn't be." She strolled around the corner of the desk. "Marisa was by earlier to…tie up loose ends, as you may imagine. I loaned her a few tomes in exchange for knowing what elements you have experience with. She told me you are familiar with containing fire and other heat sources?"
"You were told right." Still, I feel bad she had to give away some of her books for this. Guess they weren't important. Patchouli raises her palms, in which two orbs appear. In the left hand, there is fire. In the right, there is electricity.
"I'm going to test your endurance, Ryan. I intend to shoot these orbs at you, one after the other. Do you follow?" Yeah, sure. "First, you will need to absorb the flame. Do not block nor deflect, consume it. Following the fire, I will launch the thunder orb, and you must draw it in as well."
"I'm not too sure about this. I did manage fire, but I've never touched thunder before." Patchouli considers this.
"Alright, we'll try the thunder first. Ready?" I crouch, raising my shoulders so my body is curving some.
"Let me have it." Patchouli thrusts her palm forward, the dangerous projectile launching towards me. The thunder crashes against my torso, knocking me back a bit. However, I'm not feeling any pain…just a tingling of sorts. However, it hasn't been broken down, still pressing against me with considerable force.
"Come on, Mr. Randa! Suck in in!" Koakuma shouts encouragement from the sidelines. Well, since you asked so nicely…
"Hrgh!" I tense my pectorals as much as I can, and the orb begins to flicker erratically. However, within moments, it breaks at the center, reduced to streams of electricity that enter my chest at different spots. The process has left me winded, and my chest feels pretty tight, but I'm not in any real pain.
"Ryan? You seem to be struggling…" Patchouli dismisses the fire orb, appearing concerned for my well-being.
"Agh…I'm…fine." Come on, body, stand up straight, don't want to lose face here. "It feels a lot different…than fire. It's kind of forcing me to hunch over, like something's pulling on my shoulders."
"Hm. Feel free to release it now."
"Haaagh…" It doesn't take much effort, like the bubble. Nor do I have to redirect it, like fire. Truth of the matter is, once I'm not forcing myself to keep it in, the power just bursts from my sides, from my fingers, my head and feet…I think my body was actually rejecting it. In any case, breathing becomes a whole lot easier, so I take a few moments to gulp in some air.
"Are you okay?" Koakuma approaches as much as she can without breaching the safe zone.
"Yeah, I'm good." My hair's a bit frazzled, my fingers are twitching, and I think my heartbeat may have been a bit offset. Totally fine. Well no, but I still want to explore my limits, so I'm not gonna quit this early on. "I'm ready for the fire, Patchouli."
"Well…as long as you're sure." Hesitating for but a moment, Patchouli brings forth the orb again, taking aim at me. "Brace yourself." The flame darts forward, hitting me square in the collar. This is nowhere near as hard as the electric shot. All it takes is a little tensing, and the projectile phases through, a familiar heat zipping through my veins. "Are you well?"
"You kidding? Kid's stuff." You need a demonstration, ladies? How's about jumping around a few times? Jogging in a circle? A handstand - OH GOD, BAD IDEA.
WHUMP
"Ow." The ladies chuckle a bit. To all the big fellas out there, never try to handstand for the sake of showing off.
"Well, he still held it when he fell on his face, Miss Patchouli." Koakuma pipes up.
"Indeed. Well, you can let it go, now."
"What? Screw that, gimmie the thunder." This might be a bad idea, but best to get it over with now.
"Ryan, it might be better we don't. You clearly had a hard time handling it on its own, combined with fire may be a bit much." I know she's right, but maybe mixing and matching elements would help relieve the pressure a bit?
"Just go for it." I insist. "If it becomes too much for me, I'll just throw it out as quick as I can get it to."
"Very well." Patchouli gestures towards me, and another blast comes my way.
CRACKLE!
Woah, that one came at me right quick! Still, I'm ready this time! Rather than wait for the hit, I prepped myself for the absorption beforehand! The energy enters my chest far easier than before, and…I'm still feeling like a lead weight.
…Huh! My muscles aren't so stiff with the heat flowing through them! Still, my chest is really stiff. Maybe if I try to redirect into my veins like the-
…Fire?
WHUMP!
"Ryan!" Patchouli sounds shocked.
I can't see for sure, what with being paralyzed. Really, given I thought pushing electricity into my blood vessels was a good idea, I probably deserve this.
"Hey…Patch…"
"What is it?"
"Get…Koa…over here."
"So, what went wrong with that?"
"Electricity in veins."
"What made you think that was a good idea?"
"This is the same person who thought is was a good plan to grab fire, Miss Patchouli."
"Marisa said it that way?"
The bottom line is, my nervous system got thrown out of whack, and it required Koakuma sitting centimeters away from me and a twice as powerful extraction spell to remove the voltage. Long story short: never make me your role model, kiddies. You'll get hurt right quick.
"Thanks for the save, Patchouli." I groan, picking myself off the ground.
"No trouble." She picked up a notebook and a pencil. "However, can you tell me what changes there were?"
"Well," I stretched my back, getting the aches from my torso, "My limbs could move a lot more freely, but my main body was still extremely stiff."
"Alright." Patchouli scribbled a few things down, "I can work with this, for now. Could I ask you to drop by in another two days?"
"Sure, why not?" I made for the door, before stopping. "Hey, Patchouli, do you know any teleportation spells?"
"I know of several. Why?"
"I feel like crap, and I really don't care to play with the fairies."
"That is understandable. Very well, stand very still." Patchouli raised her hands to the sky. "Winds of travel, bring my target to the destination of my choosing!" Huh. She's not saying this in Japanese or English, but I still understand it. Maybe I should thank Yukari for this, after all.
Woah, glowing symbols! I guess I'm gone!
"Have a good day, Mr. Randa!" Koakuma waves to me as I'm engulfed by the glow.
"Later, Patchouli! Seeya, Koakuma!"
SHOOOOOWSH!
Meanwhile, atop a mountain far away…
"So, Yukari, what did you want to see me about?"
"I wish to make a request of you. You remember your…negotiation with Nitori and the rest of the kappa?"
"If you intend to give me any hassle regarding this matter, Yukari, then I will have to cut this meeting short."
"Oh, not at all. Rather, I would ask for a project to be commissioned."
"Such as?"
"Nothing much, just a second control rod."
"I cannot ask this of them."
"Not to complain, but the reason being?"
"The first was a challenge enough for them as it was, and they're still recovering from the Hisou Tensoku fiasco."
"Well, that is fine, I suppose. In that case, I should like you to get in contact with Satori?"
"Yukari, why are you so interested in this matter?"
"I know someone who…identifies quite a bit with the subject of that experiment. Potentially, anyway."
"…Very well. I'll see what I can do."
"I appreciate you allowing me this meeting, I know we've rarely spoken."
"It's hardly a problem. Feel free to come by again another time."
"Thank you, Kanako."
Well, it seems Ryan's pretty tuckered out, but he's not done with this day quite yet. It's high time he got to go around Gensokyo and see the sights! Not to mention that there's two characters in particular I'd like him to become acquainted with: a fellow member of the endangered male populous and a tengu who always prints the truth. The heavily, heavily edited truth.
Also, yay jump-cuts!
This is the Magnificent Sasquatch, signing off! Godspeed, readers!
Also, quick note: I'm aware there are more reviews now than at the time this is being typed out. I'll try and get those next chapter, okay? Seeya!