Act 9
The Gensokyo Invasion
Confrontation
"What are you doing here?" catches Ulrika by surprise.
Quickly turning, in the very faint light she finds the blue-haired woman who led her to the mansion, Cirno. In her arms is a comfortable and peacefully sleeping Flandre. Both look like they've gone through quite the tussle.
"Oh my, you scared me," Ulrika calms herself. "I'd never expect to run into anybody down here."
Indeed it would be odd. After all, currently these three are within the hallways of a labyrinth. Underneath the Scarlet Devil Mansion is a series of tunnels and passageways that were dug by the property's original owners, namely the Scarlet Parents. When the estate was transported to Gensokyo, so too was this labyrinth. Mostly ignored by the current Scarlet Elder, the younger Flandre's bedchambers are somewhere within. As Cirno holds the child-vampire in her arms, it's clear what's her business. Ulrika on the other hand,
"I was just exploring," is her excuse. "Remilia never prohibited me from coming down here, so I thought it was alright if I did so on my free time."
Cirno doesn't immediately reply, but she watches carefully like she's being lied to by a child.
"You need to be careful not to get lost," is her advice.
"I actually have a good sense of direction. These tunnels go for kilometers in every direction. I even found an outlet into Misty Lake. I heard these used to be escape tunnels when the mansion was back in the Outside World, but now they don't really go anywhere. It's like a theme park's maze!"
Cirno isn't smiling like she usually does. Something's got her upset. Stark contrast to the sleeping vampire who seems to favor permanent residence within the woman's arms. Cirno's new breasts do look like they'll make excellent pillows.
"Come with me," she tells the human.
"Um," Ulrika objects, "if you're taking Flandre to her room, it's this way," and she points in the opposite direction.
Only getting more upset, Cirno turns in a huff and takes the proper course.
After they've walked for a while, Ulrika can't resist the urge for conversation, "I'm sorry I missed your match with Flandre, but it was going on for so long that I couldn't watch the whole thing. I have responsibilities and such. How did it turn out? Did you win?"
"I'd like to say it was a draw," Cirno tells the human easily enough, so this doesn't seem to be the reason she's sour, "but if it wasn't the middle of the day I would have been beaten pretty badly."
Uncharacteristically, that's all the woman says. Normally Cirno would babble on and on, but in this mood she's clearly effected.
"What's wrong?" Ulrika can't stand beating around the bush any longer. "If there's anything I can help with I'd gladly do so."
Cirno halts, allowing the human to go a few paces ahead. Noticing she's drawing away, Ulrika pauses and faces her companion. The human's expression only holds concern.
"Why do you keep lying?"
That expression falters, "Um, what?"
"You lie." After proclaiming this, Cirno continues walking. "Half of everything you say is a lie. You weren't 'exploring.' You've been coming down here a lot, so you must already know the entire layout of this-"
"No!" Ulrika interrupts. "It's not like that!" The worry in her voice is overpowering. "I'm only try to..." but she can't finish.
After a few seconds on silence, Cirno says, "You don't have to tell me what you're doing down here. I don't think you're a bad person, so it's probably not that big of a deal. I've told a fib or two to Remi, and I'm pretty sure she knows I have. If she lets me get away with these little things, then what you're doing can't be that bad."
After passing by a group of cloth covered devices, they're before a large iron door. Displaying great strength, the blue-haired woman of near-equal height to the human opens it with only her free hand. Inside is a brightly lit, vibrantly colored bedroom. There are multiple stuffed animals, curtains and shades, and generally very girly décor. Nowhere else in this mansion is there this much pink.
Cirno takes Flandre to the heart-shaped bed. She lays the child-vampire down gently, but she's got a death-grip on the woman's white shirt. The adult tries to loosen the grasp, but those small and delicate fingers don't so much as budge under her full power. Eventually she surrenders and slips out of her shirt entirely. Cirno sighs without the slightest hint of modesty.
"At least you've learned to wear a bra," it's unclear if Ulrika's sneering or sighing in relief.
Ignoring this, Cirno watches over the peaceful vampire as she slumbers, clutching the shirt. Ever the picture of innocence, from this it's impossible to know the destructive power which she yields. It's such a beautiful sight, the woman can't help herself; bending over and kissing her on the forehead, whispering, "Sweet dreams." Ulrika almost has to withdraw in embarrassment. It's more motherly than romantic.
"I know you like Dai-chan," Cirno blurts out only a second after kissing another girl.
"What?" the human shouts after being caught off-guard. "I'm not-"
Cirno hushes her. Neither of them want to be around if Flandre's sleep is interrupted.
Once they're both outside and the door safely closed, "I'm not in love with Daiyousei!" Then, as if she only just now remembered, "Besides, we're both girls and different species!"
Regarding her with an uncharacteristically serious expression, Cirno tells her, "I've seen the way you look at her, the way you watch her, the way you talk to her. You smile when she's around, become a little bit sad when she leaves. Your puppy Adala-chan absolutely hates her and is jealous. You and Dai-chan are probably the only ones who don't realize you like her. Dai-chan is like my family, and I'm happy that someone likes her like that, but you tell lies half the time words come out of your mouth." Cirno looks down and shakes her head, "I don't dislike you, and I don't want to ask you to change who you are, but please don't lie to her." Looking directly into the yellow eyes of the human, "Even if you mean well, even if the truth will hurt, a lie is a lie. Never, under any circumstances, is it okay to lie to someone you like."
Ulrika, mentally backed into a corner, can't respond. The earnest eyes of the former fairy who hasn't been an adult for even a month are too brilliant to counter. Being ambushed in this manner for a question she hadn't even considered, and it's no surprise the human can't acknowledge or deny the accusation. All she can manage is a weak-willed nod, as if she's attempting to convince herself of something one way or the other.
Afterwords, Cirno's tension finally fades and her good spirits return. Banishing away all her worries, she actually starts laughing and pats the human on the shoulder.
"That's more like it! Being honest is a good thing! People lie because they're afraid they'll be misunderstood, but that's not true at all! There's at least one person out there that you can tell everything to!"
Despite being cheered for and encouraged, Ulrika can't take her eyes away from the ground. Honestly, she's never before thought about Daiyousei in that way, but has she been subconsciously avoiding it? And if it's really true, then what? Is such a relationship desired, or even possible? This was perhaps furthest from her mind, but now she can think of nothing else. How she wished she hadn't run into Cirno.
The path out of the labyrinth was slow and laborious, and almost ended in disaster as Cirno nearly got them lost. It took no more then 10 minutes to return to the mansion (specifically the ballroom, the entrance into the labyrinth), but it felt like hours. Such deep reflection wasn't like Ulrika, or at least so the woman thought. Back topside, she passes her familiar, seemingly upset at something, but the owner pays the pet no mind. Even if they are somehow linked and technically one, the woman wants to be alone.
Watching the lonely profile of the human disappearing into the hallway, Cirno comforts the poor wolf that had been ignored by her master,
"It's okay," Cirno drops to a knee and hugs Adala, "Rika-chan's just a little love-struck. Sometimes I worry if I'm too-"
Adala violently starts to shake. Being caught unaware, Cirno is tossed off and rolls onto the floor. She might be shocked by the sudden act, but in the woman's simple mind it felt like nothing more than a little roughhousing.
"Oh? Are you jealous?" Cirno's tone is challenging. "You mad because Rika has affection for someone other than you? It's looks bad for a lady to be so see-through."
Growling at the woman, Adala looks ready to attack at any moment. Cirno is also in position, ready to turn this confrontation into a wrestling match at a moment's notice. Maybe because she's intimidated or otherwise distracted, the wolf is the first to back down.
"Don't be upset," Cirno tries to console. "It's something Rika can't even control. Our hearts act the way they will."
It's almost as if Cirno expects a response.
For some reason she sighs, "I don't know why you keep the fact that you can talk a secret, but keeping everything to yourself isn't healthy."
This catches Adala's attention. Halting, the wolf turns and stares. Cirno, in her genuine concern, has her hands at her waist as if to tell the canine "your move."
"How do you know?"
Cirno's hair stands on end as if her entire body is being rampaged with electricity. Sparks nearly fly from her gleeful expression and she hopes up and down ready to leap from her skin.
"Your voice is so sweet!"
As if it were the most predictable thing in the world, Cirno charges at the wolf and dives at her in a tackle, but Adala has seen this move too many times and nimbly dodges. With nothing at the end of her leap, the blue-haired lands onto nothing and slams her face first into the hardwood floor. For a few meters she slides (a long squeak accompanies it) and her momentum comes to a stop. A moment she simply lays there, but suddenly rockets to life as she turns and takes an upright sitting position in less than a shake of the wolf's tail.
"I know because you're not a wolf!" Cirno answer's the question originally asked to her, her face and boobs shiny from the polish on the floor. "Dai-chan knows a lot about youkai and monsters, so she's taught me a lot! You're much too big to be a wolf, especially for a female. You couldn't be a dire wolf because you're too mild-mannered and magic can only control them temporarily. Werewolf is out of the question; last night was a Full Moon. That only leaves a warg! And wargs can talk!"
For a few moments Adala simply stares at the woman. It's too difficult to read the expressions of someone not human or humanoid.
"It changes nothing."
Cirno drops her head, staring at the floor, "You don't have to be like that. I can-"
"I exist only for mein Meister," and she turns around, "I have no reason to speak with you."
Walking to the pillows that was provided to her by Ulrika, she lays down for bed. But there is an impatiences and Adala still seems very eager. She keeps trying to ignore Cirno, but her eyes keep returning to the blue woman as if in deliberation.
Meanwhile, unable to make any headway with the warg, Cirno can only surrender. Turning away, she leaves the ballroom.
However, just before she closes the door behind her, Adala shouts, "Wait!"
As if the director yelled 'cut,' Cirno drops the melancholy and her eyes brim with life, "Yes?"
What she wished to relay to her meister, which had her most edgy in the first place, must now be told to the annoyingly chipper blue-haired Cirno,
"The mansion's surrounded!"
The Shot Heard Round Gensokyo
Reisen never found a way to send a message to her masters. Not because of a lack of trying, but lack of time. Something very strange was occurring in the Lunar City, and per the unpredictability the masters and pet were reunited only a day after the direness of the situation became apparent. However, that was not a grand reunion. Only minutes did they spend together before orders were issued out; they were to invade the Earth and secure a stronghold.
Only now did all the harsh training the rabbits endured make sense. They've been preparing for this for weeks, they just never knew it. However, still a question was why the Watatsuki Sisters had to be excluded. What exactly was the point to removing them during the preparation of an operation, then return them for the actual execution? It simply didn't make sense. There's something bigger at play here. And speaking of which, what was their actual target?
They were never given the complete details. All they were told is that it was a mansion on Earth. Who owned it or why it was important was never disclosed, only that the home must be secured and everyone who resists be killed. All they can do is speculate and follow orders. All the odd behavior only cemented the fact that whatever they were doing, it was of deadly importance. Information was regarded as need-to-know, and the need dictated they knew as little as possible.
Travel by way of the Lunar Veils is far from economical. While it's a one-step when venturing from Earth to the Moon, the total trek can take 4-7 days, depending on the positioning of the satellite. Moving an entire army through this means isn't particularly bad, but it expends a tremendous amount of resources. While all the sciences of Earth could only dream of such simple space-faring methods, there was one even more spectacular.
Watatsuki no Toyohime, the aloof princess and older sister to Yorihime, is in possession of a mystical and ill-defined magic. It's within her ability to balance the relationship between the scientific and unscientific. A crucial central figure in the Lunar Civilization, she also possesses the ability to link the mountains and the sea. Upon the Moon there lies the Sea of Tranquility, an ever-still body of water that casts no reflection. However, with her magic she can peer and even move between any mountain on Earth. In as fast as a heartbeat she can travel the near 400,000 kilometers to any mountainside and step foot onto the blue planet. That being said, the Moon has mountains as well. While it doesn't precisely have to be a sea, it has to be a body of water large enough to facilitate her magic. As it would so happen, the mansion in question rests upon a large lake.
Reisen looks around. They've touched down on Planet Earth, but they've done so with only about a dozen rabbits. Since the order for deployment was so rushed, not the entirety of the forces could immediately join. This might be better, as they still carry the element of surprise, and more troops will be flowing through as time progresses. Toyohime will have to stay at the landing point, so it'll be Yorihime leading the initial team.
The sun has long set and darkness and the faint twinkling of stars fill the sky. Before them lies the mansion as well as the wall surrounding the perimeter. Apparently some fighting took place here not too long ago, as portions of the wall are destroyed and the gate hangs broken on it's hinges. At present there's no guard protecting the front, and it seems foolish that there isn't. There's a patch of dead grass and dirt where it appears that someone would stand there hours on end, but there is no one now. Do they only guard the mansion during the day, or is it currently the guard's break?
"What do we do?" Reisen whispers to Yorihime. "Scale the wall or go through the front?"
They're currently hiding in the brush overlooking the front gate.
"No," Yorihime replies, "there's some kind of barrier cast above the wall. If we try to go through it very bad things will happen. Pretty solid magic too, so it'd be a waste of time trying to dispel it. However, the barrier doesn't cover the front gate. It's an intentional weakness. My guess is they'd have a guard standing up front filtering all traffic, so that's the way we go. My only worry is, why isn't there a guard now?"
It is a bit unsettling, but even someone like Reisen could understand that worrying is a wasted effort. All they can really do is move forward.
Engagement starts here. Yorihime points a finger in the air and waves it around in a circle, signalling that there's no more talking and for everyone to gather up. Using hand signals, she commands two of the rabbits to cover the front gate and hold position, while the rest will move forward and breach the gate. The rabbits ready their rifles, and the princess her sword. Pumping a fist up and down, she giving the signal to move.
Under the cover of night the team rushes through the gate and into the courtyard. Indeed it looks as if a battle recently took place. There are fresh signs of explosions and debris scattered all throughout. This didn't mean they could take it easy. Since info was so limited they had no idea what force they faced. It would do no good to let down their guard even if there isn't an immediate threat.
All the rabbits make it to the front door of the mansion undetected. Everything is quiet and they can't even tell if there's anyone inside. Still, they won't act reckless.
Using her signals, Yorihime indicates that Reisen and herself will cover the front door, while the rest of the squad circles around the main building. They need to cover all the entrances. Pumping her fist, the team disperses.
Reisen and her master are now all alone, their backs being covered by the two at the gate. The rabbit's telepathy is a godsend in situations like this. Since they know the severity of the situation, all the usual chatter has dropped to almost nothing. In real time the team members communicate with each other and organize in perfect fashion. Unfortunately, their commander doesn't share this ability.
"They've found another entrance on the west side. Two are covering." With her whispers, Reisen relays this important information. "Two entrances at the rear." A few moments. "Two on the east side."
That's practically all their current forces! Two man teams are completely insufficient for securing a building of this size! They've got no choice.
"Tell all teams to hold," Yorihime orders in her lowest tone. "We can't enter until reinforcements arrive."
The waiting game. The absolute worst aspect of these kinds of operations. Everyone's adrenaline is flowing, their bravery is masking their fear, and everyone is focused. However, being forced to hold a single position for an extended period of time will dull their senses, make them impatient, and lower their guard. People make poor decisions when they've lost their focus and edge, and poor decisions get people killed. This is all the result of such secretive planning, but there's nothing that can be done about it now. Yorihime would rather scrub this whole operation, but since she can't she must do her best with the hand she was dealt.
Only three minutes pass before 20 more rabbits arrive, but during operations like these it felt like an hour. Even Yorihime can't escape such phenomenon. Agitation rises as she forces herself not to count the seconds. Even with 20 it's still not enough in her opinion, but she knows the teams won't be able to survive another wait. They must go now.
"Yorihime," Reisen suddenly calls to her, "our spotters at the gate have noticed an entrance on a terrace on the eastern-most annex's rooftop."
They have to split their forces even more? Perfect execution can subdue the largest of building in a matter of seconds, but poor execution can lead to a drawn out bloodbath. An overwhelmed foe is more likely to surrender, but a scared foe will be desperate and can fight to the very last man. Their orders are to put down anyone who resists, but with the way it's heading that statistic will likely be very high. The mettle of a commander is measured at times like these.
"Have two-"
Reisen snaps her fingers, halting her leader's commands. Two finger she places before her eyes and then points forward. She's recorded movement inside. Leveling her sights, she aims on the being she can spot underneath the tarp at the door. Yorihime signals to hold, and the rabbit acknowledges. It's too soon to go Weapons Hot; the reinforcements aren't even in position!
The pair closely observe. For the first time they see their enemy. By all appearances, it looks like a small child with insect-like wings on her back. Light brown curly hair and freckles upon her face. Dressed in black and white, she looks a little bit like a maid. Everything indicates she's of young age, but Yorihime knows of a species who would match this description. Fairy.
Trailing her with the targeting sights, Reisen won't allow themselves to be spotted. Lunarian Guns aren't nearly as loud as those on Earth, but they are far from silenced. Reisen's aim is good enough that she can hit the fairy in the temple, resulting in an instant death. So unless anyone else was nearby they should retain their invisibility. If she'd been given the order she'd have already shot, but greater things were at stake than her pride.
For the most part the Fairy Maid seems only to care about the linen she's currently carrying. She's doing laundry, that much is clear. Hopefully her present duties will keep her too focused on the task at hand and not notice the gun pointed at her.
Her pace gradually shortens, and then stops all together. She looks around nervously. Far from scared, the fairy can feel, if not know, she's being watched, less so that a gun is pointed at her. This has been long since proven; targets under the scope of a sniper tend to agitate easily, feeling with a type of sixth sense that their life is at peril. Fairies, extremely emotional creatures, might be far more vulnerable to such a phenomenon. Still, the last thing she could possibly expect is that her workplace/home is being invaded. In a few moments she should move on and forget this experience entirely.
A loud bang echoes through the room as a door is slammed open.
Reisen pulls the trigger.