AN: I do not own Touhou Project, it belongs to Team Shanghai Alice, aka ZUN.
Well here we are, the semi-finals, you may notice there are five groups here to fight… meaning there will be five fighters. And no double KOs here. That's why the final battle of the tournament is going to get a battle royale. Yep, a five way fight of the best Gensokyo currently has to offer.
And about the Madoka Cross-over, I will be officially moving this story to the cross over section when the first chapter of the Madoka Magica arc comes out, so just a heads up, that begins in two chapters.
So without Further Ado!
LET! THE! GATES! OPEN!
The Semi-finals! Heroes of Gensokyo Collide!
(STAGE START!)
BGM: ULiL Pre-Battle Theme: Outside World Folklore
"Hello again everyone, sorry about the delay but we had to make a major fix to the arena after what Suika and Iku did to it." Aya said, Vaati laying on the floor panting as Patchouli sat quietly in her chair, her slightly labored breathing the only indication of issues. "And well seeing how my co announcers are unable to help I'll be doing the announcing for the semi-finals!" Aya yelled over the mic, the crowd cheering as the the ten remaining fighters stood in the arena.
The ten fighters had seemingly divided into groups, Marisa was standing at the head of her half with Alice, Cirno, and Mokou behind her, while Reimu stood opposite of her with Suika, and Kasen behind her, the sparks seemingly flying through the air as Reimu and Marisa looked at each other, Marisa's face marred with her ever present grin, while Reimu was indifferent, but with a very slight smiling on her face. Momiji stood off to the side with Remilia still sitting on her throne, with Sakuya next to her.
"Well seeing as all the fighters seem to be ready, it's time for the first match!" Aya yelled over the mic as she took two pieces of paper from the hat, laying them flat before reading them. "And will the first match be a show! It's Mokou Fujiwara versus Suika Ibuki! The Phonenix rises to fight yet another oni! But Suika proved she has the might to beat the heavens! So who will come out on top! Let's find out right now! FIGHTERS! CLEAR THE ARENA!" Aya yelled into the mic, finishing her long commentary.
"Kick her ass Mokou!" Marisa yelled as she, Cirno and Alice took to the stands. Mokou actually having a faint smile on her face at that sentence before giving a small thumbs up, not turning around. "She beat Yuugi with ease, so don't underestimate her." Kasen muttered to Suika as she walked past her with Reimu to the stands. "I don't plan on winning, I plan on getting a good fight out of her." Suika muttered back. "After all, she's got a good deal more to hold back then me." Suika muttered to herself as the the rest of the eliminated contestants watched from the stands.
"Think she'll win?" Suwako asked Kanako, who was rubbing her chin. "I don't know, but she spent her last match toying with that other oni… so she might, not that it matters much." Kanako said back, Sanae watching in excitement as she ignored Suwako and Kanako's scheming, or rather just Suwako questioning Kanako's scheming. "Hope you win Mokou, after all, we have a lot more to do after this." Kaguya muttered to herself, Reisen catching it and shrugging. 'Not that I don't miss getting constantly beat on, things were much simpler when Mokou just came to try and kill Kaguya over and over.' Reisen thought. "Tell me Sakuya… who do you think will win?" Remilia asked Sakuya, the maid looking over the two in the arena. "I would not know… I only know Suika after all, but Mokou was able to handle Yuugi with ease." Sakuya answered, Remilia nodding. "Well let us see who it is that wins." Remilia said.
BGM: [Touhou]- Mokou's Theme: Reach for the Moon – Immortal Smoke ~ 3 Remix
Suika and Mokou stood across from each other, the slight breeze in the arena blowing on them, Suika standing proud and Mokou with her hands in her pockets. "You ready?" Mokou asked. "Yeah, I am… it's been a long time since we fought." Suika said, thinking back to long ago. "Yeah… and this time, I intend to win." Mokou said, bringing her hand out of her pocket, sparks of flame dancing on her fingers as she put her hands into a fist. "Then you better bring it." Suika said, smiling as she and Mokou stood across form each other in their stances. "THIS BATTLE IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE FOLKS! NOW ENGAGE!" Aya shouted into the mic, Mokou and Suika shooting at each other with that declaration.
Mokou didn't even bother trying to connect fists with Suika, forming her seven foot long monster of a sword nodachi, swinging it as Suika tried to bo for the punch, and dispite being made of fire the blade locked with Suika's fist, slightly burning before she pulled away, shaking her hand. "That's hot." Suika quipped, getting back into position. "You think I'm just going to brawl you?" Mokou asked, pointing the sword at Suika, the sword long enough to be just inches away from Suika's nose, the Suika feeling the immense heat from the blade even with her resistance to heat. "Well then, you have gotten much stronger, so I guess there is no need…" Suika started as all her chains clicked off, the oni girl disappearing as Mokou whipped around and blocked Suika's punch from behind with her sword. "To hold back." The ground around them started cracking, a web like design being broken into the ground as a small crater started forming under Mokou and Suika, Suika dropping out of the air and trying to hit Mokou from below, the immortal flipping backwards, her seven foot sword plowing through the dirt, leaving an indent cut into the ground as the trail smoldered, Mokou bringing the blade up and swinging it at Suika, the oni jumping over it and attempting to hit Mokou from above, only for her to bring the blade up once more to block her fist.
Mokou then pulled her other hand out of her pocket and shoved it in Suika's face before flying backwards, the explosive tags detonating in Suika's face, the oni have slight burn marks on her arms as she lowered them as the smoke cleared, dodging to the side as Mokou's sword flew through the air at her, before dissipating into the air as Suika dodged the fire balls being sent her way by Mokou. The immortal easily zoning Suika to keep her away from her, firing off a large phoenix shaped danmaku, the firebird trailing after Suika as Mokou kept up the barrage, Suika dodging before turning around and punching the firebird, causing it to dissipate, only for Mokou to slam into her back, her foot on fire as she launched Suika across the arena, following up her kick with rapid jabs with her fists on fire before grabbing Suika while she was flying and slamming her into the ground, jumping back and throwing a large fireball as Suika got up and backhanded it, the fireball flying into the sky and exploding as Mokou and Suika settled back into position.
"The super heated fire is new." Suika commented as the two circled each other cautiously. "A trick I picked up a while back, not even an Oni can stand up to the temperature of a volcano." Mokou commented, reforming to Nodachi in her hand, all seven feet of the sword. "Well it's good I'll give you that." Suika commented, cracking her neck before the two girls shot at each other again, Suika's fist meeting… and breaking Mokou's sword of fire, forcing Mokou to pump back as Suika stood proudly and cracked her knuckles. "But you'll have to try harder then that." Mokou scowled as she thrust her arms on front of her as she flew in the air, around her hundreds of small fireballs forming before firing, focusing on not hitting Suika directly but around her. Suika just dodged the fireballs as they hit the ground, the fire lingering as Mokou landed, Suika taking advantage of that and shooting at Mokou, a smile on her face as she brought her arm back, Mokou not looking at her with her hands in her pockets.
Suddenly a plume of fire crossed her path, forcing her back, Suika watching as all the small flames on the battle field became plumes of fire, shooting up into the sky as the ones between her and Mokou parted, allowing her sight of the immortal. "You wanted me to try harder… then try this." Mokou said, smirking as the plumes covered the path again as started swirling faster, fire plumes swarming on Suika as she jumped out of the field of fire, only to run directly into Mokou's kick, the immortal slamming her into a pillar of fire that expanded and exploded, Suika flying out covered in burn marks before sliding on the ground, plumes rushing towards her as Mokou floated above her. "My ability isn't just creating fire… it is full manipulation of it, and all it's forms." Mokou said, pulling her hand out of her pocket and dropping several explosive tags into the air, the tags drifting and a thermal draft from the flames scattered them across the arena, laying even more traps among the field of fire. "You want me… come and get me." Mokou taunted before flying into the field of fire, Suika smiling. "Well I do like a challenge." Suika ran into the field, dodging plumes of fire and exploding tags as fireballs shot from within the field from all directions, Suika stopping in the middle of a field in the flames, a space in the field that had no fire in it, but had Suika surrounded on all sides.
Mokou stood within this field, her hands in her pockets as she didn't look at Suika, the flames around them becoming a dome, keeping Suika from escaping as Mokou brought her hand out of her pocket, a new nodachi of fire forming. "You wanted it… come and get it." Mokou taunted as she pointed the sword at Suika, who smiled. "Yeah well I don't plan on going out easily." Suika said truthfully as she raised her fist before punching the ground… HARD.
The flames all dissipated, the entire field of fire going out from the sheer power of air generated from that one punch, the crater under Suika attesting to her strength… and her control. The crowd and commenters were all awe struck as Suika and Mokou stood off one last time against each other, Suika smiling with power sparking off of her in the form of electric sparks, whiffs of flame coming off of Mokou. "Heroes collide on a battle field of eternity… NOW WE SEE WHO IS STRONGER!" Suika shouted as she and Mokou shot at each other, colliding one final time as flames erupted around them, electricity dancing within the fire as Mokou and Suika clashed, Suika's fists colliding with Mokou's sword as both girls visibly struggled to maintain dominance in the clash, Mokou slowly losing. "Am I hero… I guess I count as one." Mokou muttered as wings of flame sprouted from her back and covered her and Suika, burning Suika as Mokou kicked Suika into the flames, the oni having burn marks as she flew out of the flames and tumbled onto the ground, Mokou walking out of the fire, the flames not maring her skin or clothing as she stared as Suika and pointed her sword at her one more time, Suika smiling as she stood up.
"You win, I forfeit." Suika said, the crowd gasping as Suika smiled and jumped into the stands, grabbing her cuffs along the way and locking them back on her as she landed next to Reimu, smiling even with her slightly burned skin. Mokou just stood there, a slight smile marring her face. 'She wanted a good show… dam oni.' Mokou thought, but without malice as she too flew off the stage and into the stands, the flames on the arena dissipating and leaving only the small craters and burn marks in the stage. "THE WINNER! MOKOU FUJIWARA!" Aya announced, the crowd still in shock at what had just happened.
"Suika was struggling… my guess is she just wanted to be awake to watch the show." Vaati said, Patchouli shaking her head. "No… she was testing Mokou, for all we know about Suika, which is not much, she seems fond of these tests of strength and resolve." Patchouli said, her hand on her chin with her eyes closed in thought. "You two need to stop with the philosophical ramblings and enjoy yourselves." Aya said, receiving a small rock to the head from Vaati before glaring at Vaati, a large rather comical bump on her head forming.
BGM: SWR Pre-Battle Theme – Argue for and against
Everyone wandered around the fairgrounds as the arena was being fixed after the battle between Suika and Mokou, the remaining competitors enjoying themselves at the 'bar.'
"A toast to Mokou's victory!" Marisa shouted as she held her glass of sake, Mokou, Alice and Cirno sitting around her, all of them without drinks except Mokou. "Marisa I wouldn't suggest drinking that before your match, after all it could be next." Alice said, shaking her head. "Fine party pooper." Marias grumbled, putting the glass down as Mokou grabbed it and downed it, a slight smile marring her face. 'It's been a long time since I've actually had friends… rather nice to actually enjoy my time with them.' Mokou thought, slightly saddened by the inevitability of losing those close to her in this period of time… or was it an inevitability, she had saved Cirno and Vaati after all, but to be condemned to live forever… 'Nah, that's just cruel and selfish… unless they want it themselves.' Mokou thought as Alice and Marisa started arguing, Cirno giggling at the argument.
Reimu sat with Suika and Kasen, the two oni and the 'hermit' all having a drink from Suika's gourd, in Kasen's case drinking it from her box. "You've changed Suika… you'd never forfeit a match before." Kasen pointed out, Suika downing a drink straight out of her gourd. "I grew up Kasen, I can't just be a drunken fight happy idiot all my life… that's the hole Yuugi dug for herself." Suika said. "But you are still drunk and fight happy." Reimu pointed out, Suika giving her a light punch on the shoulder that would have broken a normal human's bones, but Reimu barley felt. "She's not wrong." Kasen said with a smirk. "Being a hermit is boring isn't it, so why do you continue to hide it." Suika said, putting her arms behind her head as Kasen glared at her. "You're not the only one who tries to atone Suika, and I can't do that parading around showing off who I used to be." Kasen said, Reimu looking pointedly at the small muffs on Kasen's head. "To what? The humans?" Reimu scoffed, other then the hourais, Alice, Sanae, Sakuya and Marisa, humans could go dig a hole and stay in it. "We all know what they have done to you before, and that you were one before, but it's partly to those who show the best qualities off humanity I atone to, and the youkai I have harmed before." Kasen said, taking a drink from her box. "Besides, you could always meet some good humans." Suika pointed out, Reimu slightly smiling before looking over at Marisa's table. "I already have… and I'll be fine if there are more." Reimu mentioned smiling.
Momiji and Aya sat together at a table, Aya swirling the straw of her drink. "What do you think your odds are Momiji?" Aya asked. "Trying to get a good story for your paper?" Momiji asked back. "That, and I just want to know." Aya said, Momiji sighing. "Honestly… I think I'm screwed six ways to Sunday, I'll either end up fighting the hermit, the fairy, the maid, the other oni, the doll maker, magician or the vampire, and half of those have beaten me before." Momiji sighed. "You going to forfeit?" Aya asked, looking at her friend worriedly. "No." Momiji said before looking over at the other two tables with the remaining competitors. "I'm going to give who ever I fight the fight of their lives."
BGM: Tekken Tag Tournament 2 – Opening Theme
"HELLO EVERYONE! And welcome back to the Scarlet Devil Tournement! Sorry about the delay but SOMEONE!" Aya shouted over the mic, staring pointedly at Suika and Mokou, despite them being on opposite sides of the arena. "Messed up the arena so much that it wasn't an easy fix, but enough of that! It's time for the second battle of the semi-finals!" Aya shouted before handing the mic off to Vaati, who had the drawn contestants of the match.
"For the second round of the semi finals, it's a battle between the Guardian White Wolf, Momiji and the Youkai Mountain Hermit, Kasen Ibaraki." Vaati said before she handed the mic to Patchouli. "Please enter the arena now, and try not to blow it up." Patchouli said in a deadpan tone as Momiji hoped from the stands to the arena, Kasen, jumping out of the stands and landing softly on the ground. "May the best mountaineer win! FIGHT!" Aya yelled out, beginning the match.
BGM: (Fan-Made) Momiji's Theme: Awakening Wolf's Instinct
Momiji held her sword in one hand and her shield in the other as she looked at the girl across from her. "We both know how this is going to end…" Momiji said, Kasen nodding. "But I don't intend to go down without a fight." Momiji said before getting into a more ready stance, her shield out in from of her with her sword firming in her hand. "Then show me your worth, Momiji Inubashiri." Kasen said, surprising Momiji with the mention of her full name. "I haven't been called that in a long time…" Momiji muttered.
"Did… either of you know that was her full name?" Vaati asked, Patchouli shaking her head and surprisingly Aya too. "It is… was her best kept secret, not even I knew about it and I'm her best friend, she's always been just Momiji for everyone." Aya said. "She's a warrior, I doubt sharing her last name would be a good idea, after all if she had a family they could be found and targeted just based on her last name." Patchouli pointed out, Aya shaking her head. "That's the thing… Momiji doesn't have a family, I've been to her place plenty of times and she doesn't have anything that would connect her to a family, and no information about one, period, not even a parent. All I found out was she was found one day at the orphanage with naught but her first name, when she was like five." Aya said. "Just one more mystery in this world." Vaati muttered, shaking her head.
Momiji and Kasen shot at each other, Kasen not bothering to take off her cuffs as her fist slammed into Momiji's shield, not cracking it as Momiji recoiled, Kasen's punch still strong enough to send out recoiling shocks from the contact. Momiji however working around it and swung her sword in a downwards slash, forcing Kasen to jump away from her, only for Momiji to charge at her, shield out front as she rammed into Kasen, forcing her back a few feet few before kicking the 'hermit' in the stomach, Kasen not even recoiling as she grabbed Momiji's leg and threw her over her shoulder, Momiji flying backwards before landing in the dirt, her sword falling away from her , rolling a few feet before getting up, Kasen walking towards her. Momiji taking a few steps back before winding up wither her shield, throwing it at Kasen, who caught the shield in midair before throwing it back at Momiji, the tengu catching it and being pushed back a few feet, Kasen bending over and picking up Momiji's sword, before bending it with her bare hands and dropping it in the dirt.
Kasen stared as she glared, scowling as she put her shield back on her arm. "You've got spunk, I'll give you that." Kasen said, before putting her arms out, her voice becoming a whisper, so only Momiji could hear her voice with her wolf ears. "I'll give you a chance, make me bleed and I'll forfeit, prove to me your resolve." Kasen whispered, Momiji looking up at Kasen before nodding, holding her shield out in front of her, her hand stretching before clenching into a fist.
BGM: Nightcore - Centuries
Momiji and Kasen ran at each other once again, Kasen looking to punch Momiji;s shield, the tengu suddenly sliding under Kasen, the hermit turning around as Momiji got up behind her, having grabbed the now bent sword and holding it by the handle, the now crooked steel blade held in a position that would have been awkward for a normal sword, Momiji holding it more like a boomerang.
Kasen slamming her fist together, causing a shockwave that Momiji endured before Kasen ran at her, Momiji raising her shield as Kasen struck it, the shield cracking slightly under the force as Momiji buckled, being force down onto her knees before pulling away suddenly, Kasen stumbling a bit before using the new momentum to swing at Momiji, the tengu having jumped away and thrown the now bent sword like a boomerang, the blade flying through the air like it was an actual boomerang with the amount of force behind it.
Kasen raised her hand and caught the bent sword by the handle before holding it in both hands and snapping it in half, leaving what could only be called a dagger left of the formerly proud blade, Momiji staring at Kasen as the 'hermit' threw the end of the blade away and tossing the 'dagger' to Momiji, the remains of the sword implanting themselves into the dirt, Momiji bending down and picking up the former sword.
Kasen walked slowly towards Momiji, the tengu holding the dagger as she closed her eyes, her shield by her side as she spun the dagger around in a circle, white danmaku forming in from of her before being shot at Kasen, the 'hermit' backhanding the shots away from her as Momiji ran at her, dagger raised as Kasen moved to block, Momiji jumping over Kasen and throwing her shield, followed by the dagger. Kasen caught the shield, only for the dagger to implant itself into her bandaged 'arm.' Smoke coming out of the arm as it slowly deflated, Momiji smirking as she ran at Kasen, who's false arm had crumpled and was forced to fall off reveling the stump of an arm, smoke coming out of the stump as the dagger clattered to the dirt, Momiji raising her fist to hit Kasen, only for the 'hermit' to catch her fist with her hand, Momiji cringing as she felt bones in her hand crack slightly.
"Nice try, but I said bleed." Kasen whispered, Momiji smirking. "I wasn't trying to make you bleed with that." Momiji said before she lifted her foot and kicked Kasen in the shin, Kasen letting go of Momiji as she raised her other foot, the dagger laying on it as it flew into the air, Momiji grabbing it out of the air and stabbing it into Kasen's left thigh before pulling it out, a small trail of blood on the tip of the blade. "I win." Momiji said. "And I'm a woman of my word." Kasen said as she stood up, raising her good arm. "I forfeit." Kasen called, Momiji bending over and grabbing her cracked shield, which had fallen to the floor when the dagger hand implanted itself in the false arm, Kasen flying out of the arena and into the stands, the crowd staring as Kasen sat next to Suika and Reimu, pulling out some linen wrap and rewrapping her smoke arm.
To everyone else but those who knew about her false arm in the arena that day, they had seen Momiji stab both her arm, but it didn't fall apart, and her thigh, a special illusion to keep those who didn't know her secret from knowing. "Illusions are a wonderful thing." Kasen whispered to Suika. "Illusions are lies." Suika said. "But yet we live in a land of illusion, which hides the truth." Reimu pointed out, Suika nodding her head.
In the stands Aya was cheering as Vaati and Patchouli covered their ears, the excited crow tengu grabbing the mic. "THE WINNER! MOMIJI!" Aya called out, Momiji smiling as she flew back into the stands, holding the remains of her sword, and the broken half, along with her cracked shield…. Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a bit of forging and a roll of tape and bandages.
BGM: Touhou 7.5 IaMP: Eastern Wind
After Aya calmed down Patchouli held the mic as she read out the next set of contestants. "For the third match of the semi finals, we have the Head Maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Sakuya Izayoi, versus the Seven Colored Puppeteer, Alice Margatroid." Patchouli said into the mic, Alice floating down into the arena as Sakuya did a flip off of Remilia's platform, landing softly on her feet.
"Alice." Sakuya said, her voice emotionless, and her expression devoid of emotion. "Sakuya." Alice said back, the two girls staring at each other from across the arena. The two combatants did not exchange words, for there was no words to exchange. This was a battle against time for both of them, the faster it was over, the better. "Ok, no opening speeches from either of our combatants, NOW ENGAGE!" Aya shouted, and instantly the two girls preformed their opening act.
BGM: Touhouvania: Puppeteer of Hail – Alice Margatroid's Theme
Alice had pulled out her musket and fired the instant Sakuya had thrown her first knife, the puppeteer and maid keeping the play field even, no dolls, no time, no magic, all skill and tactics.
The bullet hit the knife, the knife spiraling into the dirt as Sakuya threw five more, Alice jumping up and pulling out her second musket, firing down upon Sakuya with pinpoint accuracy, only Sakuya's quick reactions by throwing a knife for every bullet saving her from being shot, Alice landing in front of Sakuya as she spun on of her muskets around to use as a club, the other held in one hand with her finger on the trigger, Sakuya using a knife to block the improved club Alice was using her musket as, throwing a knife to block a bullet shot by Alice with her other hand, the knife spiraling into the dirt as Alice firing again, nailing Sakuya in the shoulder with the danmaku shot, stinging a little bit as Alice pulled her club away fast and swung again from below, Sakuya jumping backwards and throwing a set of knives at Alice, who spun out of the way and flipped her musket back over before firing off both with a shotgun like impact, a large amount of shots hitting Sakuya as she threw a set of knives once more, the knives bouncing off the ground and impaling themselves into the barrels of Alice's muskets, forcing her to flip them over and use them as clubs, swinging at Sakuya as the maid dodged and slid to the side of Alice, kicking the puppeteer in the shin before slapping her in the face, followed by a drop kick that was blocked by Alice's 'clubs'.
Alice forcing Sakuya back for a moment before swinging one of her clubs hard at Sakuya, the maid dodging to the side only to get smacked by the other club, knocking Sakuya into the wall as Alice walked up to Sakuya, pulling the knife out of the barrel of her musket before aiming at Sakuya, threatening her to surrender.
"Time is of the essence." Alice said. "Then let this finish quickly." Sakuya said, Alice nodding as she pulled the gun away and held her hand out for Sakuya to grasp, pulling her up as the two girls nodded, Sakuya jumping out of the arena, effectively forfeiting. "THE WINNER! ALICE MARGATROID!" Aya called, the crowd cheering at the display, they had watched Sakuya being beaten in combat, not aware of the bigger picture as to why the battle had been so quick, but it was of no importance to them, the fight was good.
BGM: HM: Pre-Battle Theme: A Popular Location
"Well with that out of the way, I think it's time for the fourth match, and thankfully NO REPAIRS!" Aya yelled into mic. "Thank goodness…" Vaati muttered under her breath, Patchouli coughing a bit as well. "Hope you two are ready because the next fight is probably going to cause a lot of PROPERTY DAMAGE! IT'S THE ICE FAIRY OF THE LAKE! CIRNO! VERSUS THE SCARLET DEVIL HERSELF! REMILIA SCARLET!" Aya announced, both Patchouli and Vaati covering their ears from the yelling, only for a rock to slam into Aya's face, knocking her out cold as Vaati and Patchouli looked out into the arena, seeing Suwako with her arm extending in the stands. "I'm willing to let that slide." Patchouli said, Vaati nodding slowly as they sat back down, Vaati grabbing the mic. "Will our combatants please enter the Arena, and at least try not to blow it up?" Vaati both said, and asked.
Cirno smiled as she jumped into the arena, standing there as Remilia floated down regally from her throne, the two diminutive girls of equal size, and if Cirno constantly fighting Flandre was anything to go back, equal physical prowess. "This should be fun." Cirno said, in all her childish glee as she formed her giant sword of ice. "I would hope so, you always play with my sister instead of me." Remilia huffed, her inner child showing through again. The children were out to play.
BGM: Xi- On ~ Scarlet Chain
"Fight on girls." Vaati said into the mic, and instantly the two girls shot at each other, Remilia forming her spear as Cirno swung her sword, the two magically created weapons clashing as Remilia and Cirno got right into each other's faces, smiling all the way as they backed off, Cirno spinning her sword before planting it on her shoulder, Remilia spinning around with her spear in a delicate dance, finishing with the spear behind her back, pointing at Cirno and facing her.
It was wordless as the two girls ran at each other once more, Remilia stabbing with her spear as Cirno swung her sword, the tip's of each weapon nicking the other girl slightly, neither backing down as Remilia kept getting small stabs in at Cirno, the hourai fairy, in turn, getting small slashes on Remilia's clothing, despite the size of her blade being larger then both of them.
The vampire and Fairy jumped away from each other once more, both with an absurd smile on their faces as they took to the air, both of dropping their weapons to the ground and engaging in aerial combat. Cirno and Remilia both floating across from on another, circles of blue and red light appearing on either side of them as icicles and red danmaku starting colliding in the air, the circles continually firing as Cirno and Remilia flew at each other.
In the midst of the field of ice and danmaku the two girls danced around the opposing shots, filling the sky in the arena with a beautiful display of childish art as the crowd watch in awe, ice shattering and danmaku dissipating like fireworks in the sky as the fairy and vampire flew at the center of it, firing off at each of with shots before simply flying at each other with fists extended. Remilia and Cirno collided in midair, their fists hitting each other and causing a shockwave of power, the icicles shattering in the sky as the danmaku dissipated, leaving only the two girls in the sky with their fists blocking each other.
Cirno did an upwards kick, catching Remilia off guard as she kicked the diminutive vampire in the chest, Remilia being sent backwards before righting herself in the air, smirking wildly at Cirno as she threw her hands to her sides, a red aura surrounding each other them as she shot at Cirno. Using her hands as claws she tried to rake at Cirno, the fairy dodging the main strikes but getting scratched by the backlash, Cirno retaliating by grabbing Remilia's arm and throwing her downwards towards the ground, following her as she righted herself, only to get kicked in the gut by Cirno, the two plummeting towards the ground and hitting it hard, causing a cloud of dust to spray upwards.
The two girls jumped out of the dust cloud, landing near the weapons of their other. Cirno grabbing Remilia's spear as Remilia grabbed Cirno's sword, the two charging at each other again. Again they clashed, Cirno using the spear to stab into the sword of ice, smirking as the spear frozen over, turning to ice and connecting to the blade, Remilia's hands getting covered in frost as she let go of the sword, scowling as Cirno broke the spear out of the sword, now hold two weapons of ice that she pointed at Remilia. Remilia responded by forming red energy in her hands, the energy extending into a spear and sword, leaving the duo once again at a stand still before charging at each other once more.
Cirno and Remilia both swung at once, spear meeting spear as sword met sword, both of them struggling to maintain dominance in the power struggle. But Cirno was better with using weapons, twisting her sword the sudden movement caused Remilia to slip up, allowing Cirno to drop her spear and grab Remilia's flash freezing the vampire. But red energy welled within the ice as it started cracking, Remilia gathering power to break free, but she didn't get the few precious seconds she needed…
Cirno flew upwards, forming a dome of icicles around the ice containing Remilia, firing them all at once to hit Remilia as she broke free, only to be attacked by the hundreds of icicles pelting her, shattering as they made contact with her. Bruises formed on Remilia's skin as Cirno formed a spear of ice in her hand before throwing it downwards, Remilia just barely dodging it as the storm of ice ended, only for the spear to explode into a frosty mist, slowing Remilia down and obscuring her vision as Cirno sunk up behind her and formed a hammer of ice, swinging it with a one liner present. "FORE!"
Remilia turned around just in time to be smacked in the gut with the hammer, taking the wind out of her as she flew into the wall, smashing into it and going under the deep embrace of unconsciousness, Cirno dispelling the hammer before looking at the announcer's booth and forming a new sword of ice, spinning it in her hand before setting it on her shoulder, a finishing taunt before dispelling the sword and laughing in victory. "And the winner is Cirno everyone, congrats Cirno." Vaati said over the mic, much quieter then Aya's sonic boom mouth.
BGM: SWR Pre-Battle Theme: Skies Beyond the Clouds
"Alright everyone, the semi finals have been great, and all the matches fantastic, but there can be only one with these final two fighters…" Vaati said as Reimu and Marisa jumped down from the stands without being called on. "Our final two fighters are old friends, and heroes to youkai everywhere, despite one of them being human, but now we see who is truly stronger." Patchouli said, both of the girls in the booth nodding as they introduced the fighters for this final match.
"Marisa Kirisame, known locally as the Ordinary Magician, she'll steal the show, and everything not nailed down if you let her, but when push comes to shove she'll pull through with overwhelming power." Vaati said, The youkai in the crowd going wild as Marisa started bowing, a smirk on her face as the humans looked betrayed. "And Reimu, who has no last name but is also a hero, she is a prodigy in battle and anything she does, and fights for those of Gensokyo, just make sure to leave her a small tip at least." Patchouli said, getting in a small snarky remark as Reimu scowled at her, but she perked up a bit when the Youkai in the crowd cheered her on.
"What are the odds there is going to be an arena left when these two are done?" Vaati asked Patchouli. "A hundred percent chance." Patchouli said, shaking her head. Down in the arena Marisa and Reimu stood across from each other for their first duel in a long time. "Hope you haven't been getting rusty without me to give you a goal to strive towards." Reimu taunted. "My goal is to be the best, and prove that hard work does been natural talent." Marisa responded, her voice haughty. Patchouli and Vaati nodded to each other as they both spoke into the mic in sync. "May the best hero win! NOW TRIUMPH OR FALL!"
BGM: Xi- on – Dream Battle!
The instant those words were uttered Reimu and Marisa both had channeling circles around them, Marisa's green to Reimu's red as danmaku missiles and ofuda shots started pouring out of the channeling circles, colliding midair and exploding as Marisa and Reimu ran at each other, Marisa hopping on her broom and smirking as a beam of light emitted from the back, Marisa flying forward as Reimu raised her arms to block, stopping Marisa in her tracks. "You'll have to do better then that Marisa." Reimu taunted as she tried to punch Marisa, the magician hopping off her broom and throwing down an array of explosive potion bottles at Reimu, who had to jumo out of the way to dodge, allowing Marisa's broom to continue moving as the magician landed back on it, stopping it from charging forward as Reimu landed, the air around them filled with magic as green and red collided in the air like a demented Christmas tree.
Marisa hopped off her broom again and held her arm out, a green sixteen point star of energy firing out and homing in on Reimu, who backhanded it into the ground, dust kicking up and forcing Reimu to cover her eyes as Marisa fired off a set of magic missiles, Reimu putting up a barrier in front of her to stop them as she disappeared, Marisa jumping out of the way as Reimu almost drop kicked her from a gap that had appeared above Marisa, the crater of Reimu's impact leaving a good indication of what would happen to Marisa if she got hit. "Gee Reimu, can't turn down on the strength?" Marisa taunted, reaching into her back pocket and pulling out a potion bottle, throwing it at Reimu, who caught it and smashed it with ease, the contents landing on the ground. "Can't, this is as low as I go, try not to get hit." Reimu said, smirking as Marisa glared, just like Reimu to not be trying at all.
The magic in the air suddenly canceled out as Reimu and Marisa flew at each other once more, Reimu raising her fist and trying to hit Marisa, who moved her head to the side, the punch nearly grazing her ear, the sheer speed and power causing a stinging sensation in Marisa's ear as she smashed a potion against Reimu's head, the oni more annoyed the inconvenienced as Marisa jumped out of the way of another punch, getting back on her broom as she surfed in the air, throwing down seemingly random potions at Reimu, the oni girl dodging until Marisa upped the ante, Magic missiles joining the barrage as Reimu closed her eyes, slamming her fists together and shattering the glass bottles and dispelling the danmaku from sheer power, Marisa holding her hat to keep it from flying off. "You ready to surrender Marisa?" Reimu asked sarcastically, Marisa grinning with an evil smile. "Did you really think I ever would?" Marisa retorted back, only to received a wave of red danmaku shots in response, Marisa flipping over on her broom and attaching the Mini-hakkero to the back as she dodged, hopping back on top of the broom as the Hakkero fired, propelling Marisa forward at Reimu, the oni raising her arms to catch the speeding broom.
Imaging her surprise when the broom didn't stop, imagine her surprise as she was taken along for the ride on the broom, being dragged along the stadium, and imaginer her surprise as Marisa stomped on her hand, causing her to let got and smash into the arena wall. "What… the hell…" Reimu complained, pulling herself out of the wall as Marisa laughed, throwing another potion at Reimu, the bottle smashing against her and causing Reimu to growl and scowl. "You don't get it do you, that's a weakness potion Reimu, right now you're as strong as a normal human." Marisa taunted before flying at Reimu with her arm ready to punch, Reimu ready to punch back as she reeled her arm back and slammed it into Marisa's fist, only for the tow of them to collide, neither Marisa or Reimu backing down as Marisa floated in the air, pointing her hand at Reimu's chest and firing a point blank magic missile, forcing Reimu to back down as Marisa clumsily slammed her fist into Reimu's face, followed by the kick to the shin, Reimu returning by nailing Marisa in the air, and smacking her head, followed by spin kicking into Marisa's back, sending the magician skeeting away a few feet.
"Well if you are going to cheat." Reimu started, her cuffs clinking off as they clattered to the dirt, leaving small craters from the literal two foot drop. "Then I'm going all out." Reimu said as she channeled her ability, the ability to float as she floated away from reality. "Great… just great." Marisa complained as she took cover in a crater, a large amount of danmaku passing over her and slamming into the dirt, creating rather large craters as Marisa poked her head out of the crater, Reimu floating in the center of the arena with her arms crossed. "You'll see that I still have a lot more power hidden Marisa." Reimu said truthfully, dropping to the ground as Marisa got out of the crater, holding her broom. "Well… can't say I haven't been practicing." Marisa said, holding her broom like a club in one hand.
The two heroes sped at each other once more, and while Reimu was weakened she was still immensely powerful, but Marisa was nothing if not crazy prepared, her broom having been enchanted to be unbreakable long ago. Fist met wood as the two clashed and struck at one another, Marisa using her greater range to zone out Reimu as they bounced around the arena, dancing in the air as they clashed. Marisa was using her spare hand to pull out more and more potions to hit Reimu with, but the oni kept dodging the tossed potions and tried to hit Marisa head on, getting smashed in the face with Marisa's broom and sent skidding into a crater with how light she was without her weighted cuffs.
Marisa smirked a followed up by tossing down a barrage of weakening potions, the jars shattering as glass cut into Reimu's skin, the potions wearing her down, even while not limited to be as physically weak as a normal human. "I'm surprised that you, who values overwhelming power, would come up with such a strategy." Reimu said as she climbed out of the crater, standing up, weakened but not out as Marisa landed. "What can I say, I learned from the best, overwhelming power and a good plan can go hand in hand, LIKE THIS!" Marisa said as she thrust her empty hand forward, no Hakkero in sight as she grinned, power gathering within her hand before she closed it for a moment. "I've trained, I've fought, and I've done many things. And now today I SHALL SURPASS YOU REIMU! LOVE SIGN!" Marisa shouted as she thrust her closed hand forward, the laser coming out unmistaken about as Reimu had a flash back to one of it's kind being fired at her before by Yuuka. "MASTER SPARK!" Marisa finished as Reimu raised her arms to block, being blown back by the laser and sent flying into a wall, beaten and battered but no unconscious as she panted. Marisa herself walking towards her, panting herself.
"You've… improved." Reimu got out as Marisa smirked, her breathing heavy. "Yeah… but what can I say… hard work beats natural skill." Marisa said as Reimu fell over unconscious, Marisa staring down at her and smirking. "The winner of the final round of the Semi-finals. Marisa Kirisame!" Vaati said into the mic from the booth, the youkai cheering as Marisa turned to wave at them, the humans indifferent as they watched Marisa, who was still panting but showing no signs of falling unconscious. "And that concludes the semi-finals, will everyone please exit the arena as we prepare for the final round." Patchouli said into the mic as people started filtering out of the arena, Marisa laughing heartily as she and several others joined her in the arena, Vaati and Patchouli floating down to join them as well.
BGM: Disgaea D2: Cradle Over
Marisa laughed as her friends joined her in the arena, Mokou standing off to the side as Cirno glomped Marisa, congratulating her as Vaati and Patchouli floated a few feet away, smiling. Alice stood next to Marisa as she smiled a genuine smile. Nitori standing by them with a smile on her face as Wriggle, Rumia and Daiyousai stayed near them, Wriggle smiling with Daiyousei having a shy smile, Rumia happily joining Cirno in glomping Marisa, the magician laughing happily. Meiling had woken up and patted Marisa on the shoulder, giving her a thumbs up before rubbing Cirno's head in congratulations for her victory.
"Congratulations Marisa." Alice said, smiling as Marisa smiled back. "Was there ever any doubt?" Maria retorted back, Alice smiling as she shook her head. "Congrats for surviving the tournament." Vaati said softly, the girl floating next to her near twin as they smiled for once. "Well it's what friends do right, care for the wellbeing of their friends." Marisa said, smiling as she was surrounded by them. They may squabble, they may fight, but at the end of the day, those around her were her friends, and they would help each other to the ends of the universe.
'So this is what it's like to have friends… I've always wanted that.'' Vaati thought as she smiled. 'Friends… is that what we are? I suppose that is true.' Patchouli thought, a slight smile on her face. 'It's good to know I have friends to support me, much better in fact.' Nitori thought as she smiled. 'Friends to the end as they say? I can get behind that.' Meiling thought as she gave Cirno a pat on the head. 'I like have friends!' Rumia thought as she continued to glomp Marisa, the young child of darkness having found a single light in her existence of dark. 'Friends… you all are people I never want to let go of.' Mokou thought as she smiled, perhaps it was something she could do… 'I would have never gotten this far without Vaati, and she was only the first friend of many!" Cirno thought happily as she hugged Vaati, who patted her on the back. 'I always thought only my dolls could be my friends… for once I'm glad to be wrong.' Alice thought, smiling. 'I'm lucky to be friends with all of you.' Daiyousei and Wriggle thought separately, the shy fairy and bug Youkai smiling as they stood behind Rumia.
'I've done many things… lied, cheated, stolen, the last thing I deserve is to have friends as great as all of you, and Reimu too…' Marisa thought as she continued laughing heartily, but not in victory, but in happiness. A group of friends can do many things… and a group of heroes so much more.
And now the group of friends waited warmly as the arena was being fixed for the final match, a battle between four of Gensokyo's greatest heroes, and a wolf who would prove herself to be among the best.
(STAGE! CLEAR!)
AN: And that brings a close to the semi finals… bet you expected the Reimu vs Marisa fight, there just has to be one, and I saved the ebst for last. Marisa showing that her teaching for Mima about being crazy prepared is not a waste and she proved that she doesn't need the Hakkero for everything, it still helps a lot. But the oni have their tests of strength, Momiji and Mokou passing with flying colors as Cirno and Remilia duked it out in the sky, and Alice and Sakuya's quick duel against time, for after this tournament ends, the next arc begins… and things will happen that have never even been thought of before.