A/N: Hello, this is the author. Surprise! A double chapter upload!
I'd like to thank you readers for tuning in this far! Thank you so much! Also I'm writing this note as I read a review about power comparison to our Rain and the other yokai. My answer to that would be straight up spoilers if I revealed it. But! No worries! It will be addressed in the future chapters, so stay tuned!
All I can say really is that for now, she's almost as sure won't be killed like a normal human unlike in the first battle. She's no longer susceptible to being injured easily, especially after you read this chapter! Thanks to a certain idiot. Although we still need to watch out about that "Darkness" , nightmares are connected to it too, so far this is one of her main weakness. It will play a role again in the next chapter after this. So, again thank you for reading and stay tuned! Flandre will be making an appearance next chapter!
Hakurei Shrine – 12:30 in the afternoon –
It was yet another pleasant day. Rain and her friends are happily eating at the Reimu's place. The fairies are minding their own business as usual. But today is rather a special day as this is the day where Rain and her friends will visit the Scarlet Devil.
"That shinigami was so laid back. A shame that she said that the memory viewing by the yama is exclusive only for the dead." Rain said as she takes a sip from her usual tea.
"...Uh...yeah! So don't go dying, Rain. It ain't worth it." Marisa jokingly said but she seems a little space out about it.
"What's the point of getting back my memory if I die? That's really not useful in the afterlife." Rain scoffs at Marisa's words.
"Seems like Marisa is so eager to see you die after that event." Reimu chimmed in as she sips her own tea.
This caused Alice and Marisa to turn away from Rain for some reason.
"Whatever that is, I don't remember. Also I'm sorry." Rain said in a sincere way.
"Eh...d-don't worry about it!" Marisa replied as her face is a little bit red which means she is flustered.
'Yeaaah, I ain't telling that I dared her to act like a man and boy where did that lead...Alice blamed me big time.' She thought and then remembers that time.
'Did you know you look cute when you act like a proper girl? Hmm? That adorable face...makes me want to just snatch you up and take you away while-'
"AAHHHH!" Marisa suddenly screams.
"What the? Marisa? You alright? You kind of startled me there." Rain seems worried and asks her friend.
While Reimu just laughs as she knows what made her like that.
"Phew! No, I'm alright! Just remembered something." She made up an excuse.
"You sure? Oh?" Rain turns her attention to Alice who has been silent on this time.
"How about you Alice? You've been this quiet eversince you've arrived."
"O-oh! I'm fine! Just a little spaced out. I'm glad you invited me to go with you but I'm afraid I have to decline." Alice seems reluctant to continue her words but she managed. "I have a project to finish today. Sorry I can't tell you what it is as."
"That's fine. Alice, I understand. Good luck on your project." Rain smiled as she closes in to hold Alice's hand to give her encouragement.
"Hngh..." Alice can't help but react and then remembers that time too.
'Hey Alice? You alright? Here, let me carry you...See? You're not that heavy and princess carrying suits you. Sorry, was I being mean? Ehe~ I can't help it if you're this pretty.'
Alice quickly stood up as she shakes that recollection away.
"T-thanks for the food! I'll be leaving now!" She said as she slowly flew away, her dolls did the waving of goodbye for her.
Reimu laughs again but frowned when she remembered what occured to her that time.
"I can't believe that those two got a praise while I get is a puke." She half-grumbled.
It looks like only the three of them would be going. Marisa is coming as she sees this opportunity to borrow some books in the library. Reimu on the other hand is just bored and she really can't just leave Rain alone especially not with Marisa as these two attracts the worst possible events.
As the three of them continued to talk, the maid from before eventually arrived.
"I've come as per our agreement, Miss Rain. Are you ready to go?" Sakuya said with her usual elegance.
"Erm... I am but I let me just ask Reimu." She then turned her head to Reimu. "Who'll take care of the shrine while we're gone, anyway?"
"Aunn of course. The fairies are here too so we're good." Reimu replied without missing a beat.
Somehow that didn't sound right to Rain. "I guess we're all set?"
"Then let us be on our way." The maid said as she turned around but was stopped when Rain said. "I can't fly by the way."
"Are you suggesting that I carry you?" Sakuya said but her face shows no sign whether she's offering or baffled at what Rain said.
"Er...no..." Rain looked at her friends, first is Reimu who raised an eye brow and folded her arms.
"No, I ain't carrying something as heavy as you."
On the otherhand, Marisa seems to be quite eager to give Rain a lift as she gave her a grin. To which then Rain slowly shakes her head and simply said "Nope."
"Ya just made me, a little bit sad. Rain." Marisa commented.
Rain snickered at her before replying. "More like Marisad, I'm more likely to fly with you if I didn't saw you that time flying while reading. Seriously, you don't have an autopilot feature in your broom, do you? Please say no."
Just as when Marisa is about to speak, Rain turned around to Sakuya. Making Marisa more sad, good thing Reimu is there to pat her back and make her feel more worse, leading to the two of them bickering.
"If you don't mind then, can we walk? The said mansion is not that far, is it?" She suggested.
The maid then brings up and what seemed to be a pocket watch, and then looks at it before replying.
"I don't see why not. Time does not matter to my mistress, as long as I bring you there safe and sound. At least you'll get to sight see while we walk." Sakuya said as she gestured to Rain and co. to follow her.
They went pass Forest of Magic and arrived at what seemed to be a lake.
"No wonder this is called Misty Lake. I can't see much of it because of those mist." Rain commented as they pass by.
Sakuya hearing this replied. "This usually happens at noon, I'll recommend that you don't stray too far nor go near it as who knows what you'll see and encounter." She seems to be warning her in a teasing manner.
"Yeah, yeah I'm not a kid that wanders on her own." Rain grumbles as she caught on what she is trying to say.
As they walk Sakuya seemed to have stopped and mumbled something Rain could not hear so she asked her.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, apparently and I'd like to say that you're that is wrong." Sakuya said which confused Rain.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Look behind you, didn't you noticed that your two friends are no longer there?" She said making Rain immediately look back.
"What the? Where'd they go? Don't tell me-" She quickly returns her gaze back at the maid who turned back at her with a serious face.
"I didn't do anything, they just got left behind. But I do have a question..." She suddenly pulls out several knives which all looked sharp as well as deadly. "How can you move when time is stopped?"
This question struck Rain with another bewilderment. "What do you mean time is stopped?"
Sakuya sighed and said. "I guess words won't matter so-" She throws all of her knives at her which surprisingly all stopped at midair, furthermore she added. "Look at the mist, are they moving? Perhaps you'll believe me now, by the way I'll move away from those knives if I were you."
Right after she said that the knives that were dangling in midair suddenly thrust onwards to Rain.
"?!" She quickly moved away and just before they hit the ground they all stopped again. Rain then hears Sakuya approaching her. She is wary but does not retaliate, she watch the maid pick up the knives.
"Interesting, even though I attacked, you haven't fought back yet. Unlike those two who'll gladly see this as a challenge. I can tell that you'll gauging your opponent." Sakuya compliments her.
"Forgive me for that action, I'm just wondering why you're able to move even though I've stopped time. Perhaps are you the same as me?" Sakuya seems curious to the point she'll do something reckless out of it.
Right after she said that she seems to have remembered something and politely bows her head. "I do forgot that you currently have no recollection of your past so you probably can't answer my question. Again I apologize for my rude actions. I'll resume time now and fetch those two. Kindly wait here."
Rain felt compelled the need to say something as it would be too awkward to stay silent on what just happened.
"Hmph, at least you didn't let your knives do the talking."
The maid chuckled at what she said and replied. "I'm eager to talk but isn't being too friendly with me, cutting it a bit too close?"
"Friendly enough to know your point gets across." She gave a grin as the maid walks back to get Reimu and Marisa, who she can guess is left behind because of the time stopping thing.
She somehow felt that time resumed right after the maid that tried to knife her disappeared. She could only sigh in what transpired.
"I feel like everyone here is out to kill me or something." She uttered as she simply shakes her head.
'A person that could stop time. I can't believe it that Reimu and Marisa says that she's human. But then again,' Her thoughts sway her away from reality as someone is calling out to her but she can't seem to hear it.
"Hello~."
"Ms. Human?" This time the voice is heard just in front of her but she still doesn't budge as she's too occupied.
"Yohoo~." Apparently the voice sounds like a girl and when the figure showed up, she is a gir with a fair height but as one may look at her she really isn't a human.
She has a wavy bright green short hair and dark green eyes. She's wearing a black hat with a yellow ribbon around it. What really gave her away as a human is that there is a closed, purplish "third eye" positioned over her heart, with cords wrapped around her torso and attached to each of her ankles. She wears a yellow shirt with diamond-like blue buttons and dark green collar. The skirt is also green with a faint flowery pattern, but is lighter. Her socks are black. She's one of those yokai called a satori, but seeing a satori with a closed eye like that means something.
"Can you see me? Hmm... maybe if I do this-" She takes off her hat and puts it on Rain's head though she had to jump to reach it.
This caused Rain to eventually to notice her.
"Huh? A hat?" She grabbed the hat and looked at it with a confuse look.
"Are you relaxed now? My hat is good right?"
Seeing a face like that suddenly pop up kind of surprise her.
"Woah! I didn't noticed you there... sorry if am spaced out. You are?" Rain said as she returns the hat to the cheerful yokai.
"My name? Oh! I'm Koishi Komeji! Nice to meet you!" She cheerfully said.
"Koishi? Right, I'm Rain Nanase, call me Rain."
"Oooh, a nice name. What are you doing here? Could it be you also want to go fishing?!" She excitedly exclaimed.
"F-fishing?" She looks at the lake, still covered in mist.
"Now that you mention it. I do have the urge to do that but as you can see." She points to the lake and continued. "The mist is in our way and I still have to go to that big mansion."
"Awww~, also we can't fish if we don't have a fishing rod." She said in a dejected manner but then brightens up as she followed by saying. "Since you're going to that biiig mansion you can ask there if they have a fishing rod we can borrow!"
Rain seems to find on how this girl's way of thinking and sudden changes of emotions are odd.
'She didn't even listen about the mist trouble. Besides I'm not fishing today as I still have to meet the mistress of that mansion. Still she gave me an idea so I guess it's alright.'
"Maybe they have... If they do I'll ask to lend me two fishing rods."
"Yaay! You're the best!" She said before hugging Rain.
"Erm...you're welcome? That said will you fish with me tomorrow? I can't today as I have things to do. But if you want I can give you the fishing rod if I manage to get one after my business in the mansion?" Rain gently said.
"Ooh! I don't mind! I feel that you're special! Fishing is more fun with friends!" She said still clinging to her.
"Uh, sure. You can meet me at the Hakurei Shrine. I think morning is the best time to fish here but you do know where the shrine is, right?" Rain said as she gently removes the clinging Koishi to her.
"Okaaay~ I know where that is. So morning I'll come for you. Weeee~ new friend," She twirled around " I hope you don't forget. I'm going now! La~La~La~." Koishi happily said as she skips away.
'What a free spirited girl. That said what is taking them so long?' Rain thought.
Just not a few moments of Koishi leaving. Rain felt a chilling air.
"Brr... so cold. Now what?" Just before she turns around to look she was met with this white flash in the face as she heard "Perfect Freeze!".
"Yacha! Human successfully freezed!" A little girl said while flying in mid-air. She has aqua-colored eyes and hair. She wears a blue ribbon, light pink blouse, blue jumper dress and seems to be wearing white socks. She also has icicle-shaped wings. Without a doubt this one is a fairy.
"Cirno-chan, I told you to slow down!" Another one came flying in. She has a short green hair with a yellow ribbon. She wears a blue dress with white trim and sleeves, with golden wings on her back. Of course she's a fairy too albeit a different type which is also called a greater fairy.
"Oh no! Cirno-chan! Is that a human you just froze?!" She said clearly worried.
"Haha! Yeah! A big human is still no match for me! For I am the strongest! Don't worry about a thing Dai-chan." She smiled and gave a v-sign to her.
As the two converse with a frozen Rain. They heard three people chattering as they approach them.
"Damn it, Marisa! You just had to challenge her?"
"Hey! I'm not the one who suddenly shouted 'Where's Rain?! That Sakuya! Fight meh!' then proceeded to chastise her when she showed up. I just went with the flow." She said rebuking Reimu's accuse.
"I did enjoyed it, thanks for refreshment." The maid gave them a compliment. Earning a snort of contempt from Reimu.
The three noticed the two fairies and also the frozen Rain though they haven't had that idea that a person is in that encased ice.
"Oh? It's those two dolts again. Hey Cirno, watcha doin'?" Marisa said.
"Awawawa." the green haired fairy could only say as she knows what will happen next if they found out about what Cirno did.
"Huh? What is that?" Reimu pointed at that huge ice.
"Oh my, I think we got a problem." Sakuya stated.
To which the two other humans had a bad feeling.
"Oh crap! Reimu! Do ya think that huge ice is?" Marisa quickly jolted as she said that and so does Reimu.
But before they could approach the said frozen Rain.
The ice encasing her started to crack and a few more seconds it fully explodes. The smoke it created masked the person that was inside it and only her silhoutte is visible. The way they saw it, she's standing still looking at them with her two different eyes in the background glaring as it both flickered.
"Hoh? This little fairy did this?" She said and made the two fairy gulped.
After a moment the smoke dispersed and Rain appears without a scathe. Apparently she slowly walks over to Cirno and her fellow fairy with a menacingly smile. As she gets closer the two seemingly cowered in fear. Rain is tall and they are small, hence she will appear as a towering human with an imposing aura especially after what the ice fairy just did.
"I-I'm not afraid! Come at me human!" Cirno belligerently shouted as she thinks this is some sort of boss fight and she have to protect her friend, Daiyousei. The feeling she felt is like that time with Yuuka. She's about to cry in a minute as she awaits what the human will do.
"What do you think Rain will do?" Whispered Marisa to Reimu.
"Shhh, let's just wait and see." She said as she's very eager to see it.
"Some friends you are for not stopping a fairy that's about to get murdered." Sakuya commented.
"Nah~ They'll respawn if they do get killed." Marisa replied nonchalantly.
"Speaking of which, doesn't that face remind you of someone?" She added.
Reimu doesn't need to think too much about it after all the same person also came to her mind. "Yuuka Kazami."
"Yeah, her... crap... I think we just have a human version of her." Marisa said.
"Yeah, good thing you stopped those prank of yours or else..." Reimu added.
On the other hand, what Cirno expected to be a beating turned out to be a head pat coming from Rain still wearing that scary smile.
"Eh?"
"You seem to be strong for a fairy. I'd admire your courage. I'll make an exception this one time." She said as she stood up from kneeling and started walking behind them towards her friends direction leaving the two fairy baffled and Reimu kind of disappointed.
"Really Reimu?" Marisa said as she heard her friend sigh.
"What? I thought I'll be seeing some action."
"We just did a battle with Sakuya earlier."
Their eyes still on Rain and the others. They saw Cirno kind of broke free from her cowering and said.
"I am strong! Take this!" She conjured an seemingly ice sword which then flew towards Rain in a circular direction.
"Cirno-chan! No!"
The ice sword almost reached Rain who turned around quickly and side stepped to avoid it but she followed it with an absurd move. She somehow catches it with her mouth and then bites the ice sword in half. Leaving all of them with their mouths wide open except for Sakuya who only gave a smirk when she saw that.
"What the? Did you see that Reimu?"
"That was stupid!", "That was cool!" They both said at the same time.
Cirno herself was too amazed to see what her opponent just did. So much that she didn't noticed that she's now suddenly in front of her again.
"Looks like you need to be shown instead of tell, little brat fairy." That's what Rain said accompanied by her menacing vibe.
"Eek! I- please don't eat me! I-I don't taste good at all!" She repeated what she said back then too.
"I won't but you just gave me the idea. How about a shaved ice fairy?" She grinned as the ice fairy whimpered.
"Without further ado~ Here's your warning..." She curled her right hand into a fist and smash it into the ground just from the left side of cirno's face. The result was a giant crater and the only reason Cirno hasn't yet fallen into it as Rain is holding her.
"If you are indeed strong then you should be humble and not toy with the weak. Well at least that's my own view. Well I did suddenly regained a part of my memory and that is I hate those who think they can do what they what because just because they are strong." She lets go of her and continued. "I hope you'll keep that in mind, little fairy."
"Now then, how about you another little fairy? Do you mind if I trouble you to remind your friend not to overdo it next time? Oh! Also kindly fix the crater I made. Since you guys being a fairy and all, it may be easy. Do you agree?"
Seems like Cirno's friend can only nod her head several times.
"Alright then." Rain then continued her walk and eventually met with her fellow humans.
"That was...totally badass!" Marisa said with awe.
"Not really, I just wanted to teach her a lesson by scaring her." Rain replied.
"No that was stupid, why did you bite that ice sword anyway?" Reimu still hanging on to what Rain did.
"Erm...nothing really I just felt that was the appropriate move." She reasoned.
Which Reimu shooks her head and uttered.
"That's why it is stupid and since when did you think you're able to do that?" Causing Rain to think for a second and answered.
"Simple, I thought that I may have a enhanced strength so I casually did that."
Reimu could only face palm at her reply while Marisa whose been listening laughs at them.
"Haha! Good answer! Reminds of that time when I just casually used my mini-hakkero as I'm trying it out! A few trees went poof! But I learned my lesson!"
"No, Marisa. I went there that time and those are not just a few trees! You could have made the whole forest went kaput!" Reimu chastise her.
Seeing the three talk idly, Sakuya decides to break them off by reminding them.
"Are you guys done? We're still haven't reached the mansion yet." She sighs and then without permission lifts Rain off by princess carrying her. She's able to lift her off without a breaking a sweat, despite Rain wearing an armor.
"Waah! This is?!" Rain could not react as they float above ground.
"I'm sorry but this will take us forever if Reimu's words are true about you being a trouble magnet." Sakuya said making Rain frown at Reimu which in turn Reimu just shrugs off.
They quickly flew off to the direction of the mansion and they'll arrive in no time.
The two fairies left behind still in shock saw this opportunity to move and regain their composture.
"C-Cirno-chan? You alright?"
"Guuu~," Cirno still on the crater said. "She's very scary... but! I won't back down! She may have beaten me this time but I'll be back much strongest!" She declared as she slowly stood up.
There is something wrong the way she worded it and her fairy friend can't say that and could only support her.
As she finally stood up, her friend saw her and gasped at what she saw. "Cirno-chan... you held your ground but at what cost?" She said as she points at the lower bottom of her friend which was very much soaking wet. Meaning–
"Nooooo!" Cirno yelled at the air as she realized that due to her being so scared she actually wets herself.
Please do not be alarmed as a fairy that wet substance is more of a water due to her being an ice fairy. As ice melts it turns into water, in her situation we could say she melted quite a bit. In other words, that is not urine but rather a water. Another warning, please don't try to drink it even if it is water. The yama would not like it if someone died by that method. Actually doing so with knowledge about it will probably add to your sin count.
Scarlet Devil Mansion – In front of the gate –
"You're telling me you guys did a spell card battle?! No wonder I have to wait that long." Rain said as she hops off from Sakuya. To be honest she felt very embarassed by that but since it to save time she endured it.
"So who won?" She added.
Marisa jutted a thumb to herself and said. "We did!"
"Dang, wish I've been there to see it."
"You should have seen Reimu, she's such a worrywart that-" Before Marisa could finish Reimu hit her lightly with an elbow.
"Ow!" Marisa said and then hits her back too. Resulting in the two bickering again. Rain seems happy seeing the how the two interact and just shows the friendship of the two.
"Ahem, I believe we've arrived. Please follow me." Sakuya said as she leads the trio to the main gate of the mansion.
As expected of a mansion. It is very big and has that western-style into it, or to be precise a european-style. True to its name as it is painted in a conspicuous, dazzling scarlet. It has a few windows but that is reasonable as this is a home of a vampire(s). One notable thing about the mansion is the giant clock tower on the roof.
"The mansion really looks glamorous. I'm really blown away by how it looks." Rain said as she eyes the mansion as they walk towards it.
"Such compliment is greatly taken, my mistress would be very pleased to hear that herself." Sakuya replied.
The two seemed to get along and Reimu as well as Marisa are both dumbfounded by this. They wonder what could have happened between them.
As they arrived on the gate of the mansion. They saw a standing individual in front of it. Assuming her folded arms and the her non- swerving stance. She seems to be the gatekeeper of the mansion.
Her name would be Hong Meiling. She has aqua-blue eyes and long, scarlet hair that symbolizes both her name and the place that she's guarding. Her green beret and dress resemble traditional Chinese clothing mixed with a guard uniform. Her beret has a gold star on the front with a Traditional Chinese character that is read and pronounced as "lóng" in standard Chinese and means dragon.
They approached the gatekeeper and she greeted them.
"Greetings, miss Rain I presume? Please to meet you. I am Hong Meiling the gatekeeper of this mansion." She gently nods and bows her head as a sign of greeting.
"Yes, that would be me but how did you know my name?" Rain asks as she returns her a greeting.
"You've been the talk of the mansion this past few days eversince you met lady Patchouli." She exclaimed and Rain seemed to be flattered at how she's somehow the topic.
"Thanks, but I came here with-" Just before she could finish her sentence Meiling said.
"Ack! It's the thief! You're the friends she's coming with?!" She somehow loses her calm composture after seeing Marisa.
"Hello! I'm here to borrow some books! Ze!" Marisa greeted which somehow infuriated the gatekeeper.
"Gah! You!" Even though Meiling is quite angry she's still not moving an inch away from the gate. Seeing Sakuya however made her quickly revert back to her calm demeanor.
"How rare for you to not take your afternoon nap, Meiling." Sakuya said as she approached the gatekeeper.
"Erm! What nap? No such thing as that! No maam!" Her voice seemed a little nervous as she stood up straight.
"Hm? Is that so? Very well, then carry on." Sakuya said with a hint of doubt on her voice.
"Aren't you glad that we're actually using the front gate?" Reimu said.
"Yeah! I'm not really used to just waltzing in the front gate with an invitation." Marisa added.
"Tch... you're quite lucky, miss Rain is with you, otherwise I would have been firing bullets at you by the time you showed up." Meiling seems to have a beef with Marisa. Probably because she's always getting the end of the stick when Marisa manages to always break into the mansion's library.
"Heh! Looking forward to it! Ze!" Marisa cockingly grins.
"Alright, settle down you two. Meiling let us pass." Sakuya instructed the gatekeeper.
Meiling however did not budge and somehow gave sigh before replying.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that." She said shocking the supposed three guest of the mansion.
"What do you mean? Did lady Remilia changed her mind?" Sakuya asks to which Meiling kindly responded.
"Actually she instructed me to test her. Which means..." She looks at Rain, straight in the eye and then declared.
"Miss Rain Nanase, I formally challenge you to a duel!"
"What?!" The trio said in unison.
Sakuya slightly shakes her head due to how things turned out.
"I'm afraid the mistress is up to her antics again. Sorry miss Rain, I'm afraid you have to bear with it." She said as she stops time and gloss over the gate by flying. Rain of course saw this as she's immune to her time stopping ability.
As time resumed they all saw her inside the gate and is flying over the balcony. To their surprise there are other two figures in there. One is Patchouli Knowledge and the other small figure is presumably the mistress of the mansion Remilia Scarlet, drinking some tea as she looks back at them. With Sakuya, now at her side they are all eager to see the fight that's about to transpire.
"Seems like I got no choice." Rain said as she accepted the fact that she have to fight to enter.
Hearing this Reimu and Marisa seems against her and tried to reason with her.
"Ya sure? That's a tough cookie yer gonna fight with."
"Don't be an idiot Rain, you'll just giving that bratty vampire her own entertainment." Reimu glowered at the said person at the balcony.
However, Rain's resolve remains unchanged as she simply replied. "Might if I ask what kind of duel it would be? I'm not applicable in a spell card duel by the way."
"It would be a physical duel as I can see that you're very capable of it. Weapons are allowed and other damaging types." Meiling explained.
Rain seemed satisfied with her rule explanation and agreed. "I accept, however since this is a formal duel. Allow me, to disarm myself." She then carefully started to remove her attached armor and even her pair of swords which she actually handed it to her friends.
"Here, take care of them for me for a little while."
"Oof! Why me?! They are very heavy! Why did I get yer armor instead of the swords?!" Marisa complained but nevertheless did what she's asked to do.
"Enough with this farce." Reimu seemingly had enough of this, taps her wooden stick with her hand but before she could do anything, Rain stops her.
"This is my own decision, Reimu. Thanks to that brain freeze earlier. I've remembered things, not exactly a memory but rather some bits of my own principles and honor." She inhales a bit of air and then exhales, "I'm the type whose willing to take on the challenges in order to achieve my goals. That said what I am facing now is one of those and I don't plan on backing down." She asserted her stand in calm manner.
Reimu could only pinch the bridge of her nose at what she heard before saying "Fiiine, have it your way..." She trails off. "but I'll interfere if it gets out of hand." She added.
"Thank you." Rain said as she handed her swords to Reimu.
The two then hangs back as the venue of the duel is right here and right now. Seeing everything is almost ready, Meiling asks her.
"Why did you removed your protective armors and your own weapon?" She seems curious in a way that she'll question her.
"I would have thrown in the metal boots too but I'm rather comfortable with keeping them on." Rain gave a short chuckle before continuing. "That said, I think it's fair that I fight you without the things that will give me the advantage of the fight. One thing you should know is that those protective armors of mine are heavy for a reason. Removing them, makes me able to move fast than normal." She explained, making her would be opponent nod in agreement.
She could hear the whispers of her two human friends at the back. "Reimu...yours is not the same, no?", "Huh? Of course not! She's obviously referencing something here..."
That maybe is just the result of her restriction or training? Who knows? But one thing is for sure, and that is she's serious about this fight.
"The conditions of the fight is simple: You win and you'll get to enter. Lose and you'll scram. The person who admits defeat or gets knockout loses, lethal attacks that can kill are forbidden to use. The mistress may also decide to stop the fight suddenly and she'll declare who the winner is. That is all, if you are ready please say so." Meiling conveyed the rules and conditions.
The good old fighting rule, not exactly the same as the spell card rules but it uses some of its aspect such as the terms and conditions. This could drag on to be destructive fight but nevertheless, both sides did agree to it hence both of them will be accountable on what happens during their fight.
Rain slightly nodded as her response and walks back a little to give them a little space. "I agree on those terms. I'm ready!" She then performed a gesture that made Meiling curve a little smile as she recognized this as "Bao Quan Li" –Right hand closed into a fist and the left hand is a palm placing it to the right hand fist–.
Meiling also performed the gesture and commented. "Looks like you know your stuff and I get it now on why did you insist on fighting barehanded." She could not hide the excitement on her face when she said that.
Rain then proceeds to change her stance by extending her right hand forward and left hand behind her. The left hand is in a palm outward push and the right hand in the form of a closed fist.
"Bring it on." She said as she completes her stance.
"That stance! The Yang Style! To think that there is someone else who knows such martial arts! This is going to be great!" She then goes into her martial art stance. The air around her then turns serious.
"Since I'm the challenger, I'll be the first to attack!" Meiling said before starting her attack.
She darted to Rain in a lightning fast manner. However, Rain quickly saw this and prepared to block it. The moment their hands collided, there's a loud sound and it actually created a breeze for moment.
Rain is in the defensive form as she receives a barrage of attacks from Meiling. Each punch and open palm strike are blocked by her. Her body is slowly being pushed back from the force of her opponent's attack.
Meiling on the other hand is just testing her as this are all merely just a normal attack, no special moves or whatsoever yet. She then suddenly sweeps in her feet to trip Rain.
"?!" Rain grunts as she felt that she started to lose her balance. She's about to fall in mere seconds but she anticipated this and actually lets Meiling find this opening.
In that split-second she managed to pull off a "Somersault kick" – A Clean Hit! – it connects and she swiftly landed back on her feet while managing to counter attack. When she did that a certain magician could be heard saying "Nice!".
"Heh! Not bad..." Meiling stumbled a bit as she finally got a glimpse on how Rain fights.
(Cue, Shanghai Alice of Meiji 17 – Metal Cover by RichaadEB – )
"Time to get serious! Tiger Chi...Release!" She activates all her chi within her body gaining a massive boost.
"Hiyaah!" She resumes her attack with a seemingly straight punch which Rain tried to block. The moment Rain receives the punch she's pushed back even further widening the distance over them. That punch was so strong that if a normal human would have receive that they would have been sent flying. The reason why Rain is able to hold on to her ground was-
"I see that you can use chi too. You've used it to defend from my enhanced attack. Truly, you are interesting as lady Remilia have said." She complimented her.
Rain only nodded before switching to another yet different style. This time she's on the offense. She advanced to her opponent by running and jumped to Meiling, while in the air she performed a "Butterfly kick". The way she moved gracefully into the air might be entrancing for normal bystanders. Of course, she knows that this would either be block or dodged.
What Meiling did was wait before she lands and then counter attacks with an upper diagonal punch.
Rain saw this and jerk her body slightly to move while in midair. Barely grazing the punch but she did avoid it. As she lands she didn't rest and continued her attacks.
As each of them exchanged blows, each sound coming from their hits resounded and even the breeze became a raging wind that can blow away those who are very near.
"Damn... my witch hat is going to be blown away!" Marisa commented as she watches the fight.
"How the heck... she's able to fight with that lazy yokai head to head?!" Reimu could not believe it as she's seen how Rain is susceptible to damage back then.
"Yeah, I'm getting that feeling that when that idiot froze her. Something else also became unfrozen." Marisa's face seemed to get serious, even her voice is the same.
"Marisa..." Reimu looked at her friend, taking note of what she's trying to say before taking her back her sight to the fight. She remembered what Yukari told her when talked again.
'Looks like you didn't do it. Nevertheless, the threat remains. I can only tell you this, the more she gets her memory back the stronger and more dangerous she'll becomes. When that time comes, not even you nor I can stop her if she becomes the enemy.'
"Just what are you hiding...Yukari." She quietly whispered.
The fight rages on, neither of the two shows sign of fatigue.
"Tiger Palm!" Rain named her move as she do it. Thrusting an open palm strike to her opponent's chest. Perhaps the two are almost the same height that their reach are just perfect for each other.
Meiling gave a huff as she blocks this and counter attacked with a powered chi she gathered in her whole body. Exploding it, the chi itself looks like red energies that burst forth. If they were to be very close to a wall or even the gate itself would collapse from it.
"Nngh!" Rain can block this using her own chi but even so this sent her flying high in midair. Meiling saw this chance and used her chi to jump very high enough to reach her with an axe kick in the mid air. Rain could only block it with her hands. Wooshing down at the ground, as soon as she touched the ground, she immediately recovered and did a backward roll as she knew that this Meiling will not waste a chance to strike again.
This proved to be true as she did that, Meiling followed a chop attack from the air, crashing down on the ground. If she's hit, that may have been a fatal damage to her.
Rain panting reflect on what other strategies can she employ to turn the battle to her side.
'Damn... she's strong... but now that I've seen that she mainly uses chi to attack. I can think of a way to land a multiple hits. Yes, I'll use that technique.'
She then breathes in and changes her stance again. She puts her legs apart and bended her knees and lowered her upper body. She slightly extended both of her arms in a fist. The way she looked like is as if she's riding a horse.
"Shadow Strike: Duo Umbra" She uttered and the chi glows around her body and formed a dark aura that enveloped her. She then advanced forward to press her attack.
Their fist collided again but this time Meiling felt that her attacks seemed to be doubled or tripled?
'What is this? It's like there's another person attacking with her... don't tell me?!' Her sudden realization is too late as she's hit with a fake attack which then turned into a shoulder bump which dazed her.
"Argh! A shadow attack!" She cried out her findings. But Rain's attack is unrelenting a flurry of punches and kicks where hurled to her.
She retaliated by stomping on the ground "Yellow Quake Kick!" which cracked it with a glowing energy. This made Rain jump back and distance her again from her.
But Meiling is not yet done as she sends forth a wave of energy from the ground by stomping again and kicking it towards Rain.
This would make Rain jump or either move from the side. Regardless Meiling performed another one of her moves by darting towards her as she sends forth that same energy wave "Sky Dragon Kick!". She kicks strongly in the air, so strong that you can see the silhouette of dragon.
Rain did jump but she used chi also to propel herself in the air and did another aerial move "Dragon's Tail!" a quick back spin with a kick. This is like a fight between two dragons as their attack hit each other and two different concentrated chi meeting each other results in a very explosive blast of air.
Yet another draw attack but is it? Meiling forgot one thing and that is-
"?!" Meiling reacted as she felt the heavy boots make contact on her face.
She's sent back flying from where she started, at the gate of the mansion. That's right she forgot that their is an after image or shadow that mimics the user's attack with a delay. But the question is how did it hit her on the face? Unless... the first attack was from the shadow and the real one used this as an opening. An experienced fighter is what occured to Meiling's thoughts as she analyzed her opponents moves.
Just as she's about to get up, Rain is already in front of her readying to attack her with a new move. She saw her gathering chi with her right hand as seemingly yellow lightning crackles along with it. No doubt she's getting that punch point blank.
That was until she heard a shout coming from the balcony. "That's enough!" this voice came from none other than Sakuya who then managed to get their attention and continued. "The mistress have concluded that the fight is over. We have a winner and that would be-" She points to the only one standing. "Miss Rain Nanase! Please stand down as the duel is over!"
Hearing this Rain extended her hand to her former opponent. "That was a good fight. Thank you."
Meiling grabs her hand and stood up on her feet and then replies. "No, thank you for such a fight. I haven't fought a worthy foe since forever."
Then they both gestured Bao quan Li and slightly bowed to each other.
"As per our condition. You've proven yourself miss Rain. The gate is now open for you." She said as she opens the gate.
"Please call me Rain, being formal is not really my forte." She shoots a smile to her and Meiling gave one too.
"As you say, Rain. You've earn my respect and admiration. If you want we can practice tai chi and even spar if you have time." She offered.
"Thanks! I'll come by sometime."
Before she could turn around, Meiling asks her one final question. "Um... I just want to ask. That kick was awfully strong, just what kind of training did you took?"
Rain gave a chuckle and seems humbled by her words before replying. "Pokemon Go. Ahem, I mean uh... I don't remember."
She then turned to her friends running towards her. Especially Marisa whose face is so smeared with her grin. Reimu on the other hand seems to be sighing but eventually gave a smile to her.
"Yo! Cogratulations, master!" Marisa then mimics their gesture earlier.
"Do you want to get clobbered, Marisa? That joke feels like your insulting me." Rain commented.
"Eh? No... not really but! That fight was awesome! Though it lacks some explosions and lasers, still entertaining to watch!"
"When did martial arts have lasers? Anyway, we're free to enter." She said as she jutted her thumb behind her.
After Rain gears back her armors and weapon. They then walked in and passing by Meiling. Marisa said. "Ye just got yer butt handed to ya. Haha!" She seems playful enough and the said person could only glare at her back.
As she laughs, she earned a sudden chop on the head from Rain.
"Don't laugh, Marisa. It feels like your looking down on your foe after your fair battle. It must be returned with respect not with deprecation." She chided her.
"Owie! Man! Ye just got frozen and the minute you re-emerge yer like a whole new person!"
"Really? No, I don't think so." Rain said as she cupped her chin.
"Marisa's half-right you know?" Reimu joined in. "You're supposed to not able to do those and yet here you are jumping and making those whatever moves they are." She added.
"Uh, probably because of chi. Besides, I think I shouldn't rely on my swords that much what happens if you're suddenly strip of it? I just call it being prepared, I suddenly remembered that I can do different martial arts, don't know why but it feels like something being reconnected in a fast way that you won't have the strange feeling of unease when you remember. I studied those martial arts, that's what they are called, Reimu. Want me to teach you? First try is free." She highlighted the word to her.
"Can't, too busy and probably unaffordable." Reimu coldly replied.
"Hehe~ Rain ye should not expected anything from her, as she's too lazy to learn." Marisa said in a carefree manner.
"Ugh, Marisa..."
As they walk to the front door they are finally greeted by Sakuya.
"Congratulations, miss Rain. You passed the mistress's absurd challenge. I too is amazed by your fighting and thinking skills." She claps for about three times while wearing that fancy smile. "The mistress is waiting for you inside, kindly follow me." She then opened the door and marched ahead of them.
What's next would be meeting the mistress of the mansion. The Scarlet Devil Herself, who awaits them and will greet them in a grand way.