CHAPTER 25 / Blackening Sky

"You met Yuuka? And Yukari? And Yukari said what?"

Marisa was confused. I had done my best to explain what Yukari had told me.

"Well, if what Yukari said is true, then Rizu will definitely show up again."

Marisa looked at the grandfather clock. "Well, I suppose we should turn in for the night, ze," she said.

I turned toward the door to walk home.

"Where are you going, ze?"

"I'm going home to sleep, why?"

"Raz, your house has a huge hole in it. I can't let you sleep there, ze!"

I found myself turning a slight red. Marisa was a kind girl. Of course she would open up her home to me. I took her up on her offer and slept at the Magic Shop.

/ / / / /

The next day, as Marisa and I walked down the trail heading to Reimu's (we decided to walk this time), I thought more and more about Rizu's involvement in this whole incident. Why would she be so influenced? Rizu used to be different. She used to be so...ordinary.

It was then that I remembered how strangely she was acting around the time before the accident. She began to keep more and more to herself, and she would run off a lot. That's right, Yukari said she had been appearing in Gensokyo before my arrival.

I guess now she is here full-time.

"Raz, ze?" Marisa looked at me inquisitively.

"Oh, sorry. I was thinking."

/ / / / /

After a long walk from the forest, we arrived at the stone steps leading up to the shrine. There were a lot of steps. Walking was nice, but... Marisa and I looked at each other, as if to say 'screw that,' and we simply flew up to the shrine.

Reimu was sweeping cherry blossom petals from the stone walkway when we landed.

"Oh, Marisa, Raz! Good to see you."

"Heya Reimu. Got any food for us, ze?"

"You expect food to be ready and waiting for you even though I had no idea you were coming?"

I interrupted. "Food can wait. Reimu, has Yukari visited you?"

"Not yet, why?"

"I have to explain something to you."

/ / / / /

"What!?"

"Yeah, so you see, I need to find my sister."

Reimu looked worried. "I'm sorry, but I've yet to meet your sister. But, I suppose I can help you look for her. What does she look like?" I described Rizu to her. "I haven't seen her before. Want to start searching after we eat? I don't mind cooking for three."

/ / / / /

After eating a quick meal, we all set out to search. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon when we flew off from the shrine courtyard.

As we flew, Marisa was cleaning the little octagonal-shaped box she used to help us escape the cell in the basement of the Scarlet Devil Mansion awhile back. Reimu was counting her talismans and checking through her spellcards. I was preparing mentally. Once we got above the Forest of Magic, we split up.

After four hours of searching, we regrouped, having found nothing. The sun had set, and I'd be the only one able to search efficiently at night. We decided to head back to Hakurei Shrine.

It was around 7 PM, and already dark, once we arrived. We landed, and headed towards the entrance.

"Stop right there."

All three of us stopped, turned around, and looked up.

Reimu and Marisa knew the short, bat-winged, blue-haired girl flying above. "Remilia?" And next to her, was the little blond vampire, Flandre...only this time, she only had one prism-laden iron wing.

"Yes," said Remilia. She pointed to Marisa. "You were in my mansion again recently. You and your red-black friend there-" she pointed to me- "caused a bit of a mess in my home. You attacked my tutor, wounded my maid, and nearly killed my sister."

"Yeah, that hurt!" said Flandre, arms straight down and fists tightened.

Remilia continued. "You two will answer for your deeds. And Reimu," she pointed at her, "This is my revenge toward you for the events of that summer."

A well of darkness was appearing above the Scarlet sisters. Don't tell me Rumia is here, too... The dark mist faded away, and revealed...Rizu!?

Marisa and Reimu were getting ready for the inevitable battle. I stood front-center, looking at Rizu. I wanted to ask, 'why does it have to be like this?' but I knew she wouldn't answer me.

"Remilia, Flandre," she told them, "kill these three, and I will make the skies of Gensokyo black for all eternity!"

"Finally..." Remilia said as she bared her fangs, "...freedom." Remilia and Flandre both swooped down at us, as Rizu hovered above, like a pretend princess, watching her subjects dance like puppets.