Here's the third chapter of GATE – Gensokyo. Here we go. And congrats to everyone who knows or figured out what Cirno's "feral" form is based on, as well as people who noticed the spacezin reference.
Because of a few reviews, I decided to show the poll options here for guests and people who are on mobile/app or don't want to go to my profile page to vote. Once again, the poll is for Yukari's past as Maribel and Sanae's life before Gensokyo. One vote for each.
Yukari options:
1. Something bad happened to Renko because Maribel made a mistake, and it broke her and made her throw away her humanity to become Yukari after obsessively training to master her ability to see and interact with boundaries so it would never happen again
2. Maribel went on a journey by herself to experiment more with her ability to see and interact with boundaries, and eventually turned into a youkai and became Yukari; she didn't tell Renko about the journey, so Renko is still wondering where Maribel (now Yukari) is
Sanae options:
1. Sanae was friends with Risa (Itami's ex-wife) in high school and hasn't aged ever since she moved to Gensokyo and became an arahitogami (living god)
2. Sanae "mysteriously disappeared" (aka moved to Gensokyo) a few years before GATE canon started
Once again, the deadline will be when the diet happens, aka several chapters from now. And knowing how "often" I update, that means the poll will be around for quite a while. And yes, the "Renko meets a bad end" choice for Yukari is based on the Akatsuki Records song Black Mirror on the Wall.
Also, to bobking01, FirstWinterLight, Just a random guy117, and Kurosu Cross, I sent PMs regarding your reviews, so if you haven't seen them, please check them out.
Disclaimer: I don't own Touhou Project or GATE
Reimu watched as preparations for the expedition continued until sunset. The white wolf tengu prepared their forces, the kappa transported supplies and materials, and even the fairies were ready to fight. Furrowing her eyebrows, she pursed her lips as her eyes flicked about.
"Hey Reimu, I thought you said you don't particularly mind needless killing. So what's up?" Marisa walked up to her, hands held behind her head. "I mean, you didn't hesitate to kill that fortune teller, and you're fine with killing other humans."
Reimu replied, "There's needless killing, and then there's slaughter. This is going to be a massacre." Turning to face the witch, she added, "Besides, shouldn't someone go check on the humans that we saved and explained what's going on? Eirin's finished giving everyone preliminary checkups, so it's not like there's anything else for them to do."
Smiling widely, Marisa said, "Yeah, Sakuya got that covered. I checked."
Reimu muttered, "Now that I think about it, where's Remilia?" Turning towards the Scarlet Devil Mansion to find the vampire, she halted when she saw a small figure clad in armor exit, carrying a massive battle flag with a Western dragon emblazoned on it. Despite the helmet covering the person's face, Reimu instantly knew who it was. Storming up to the armor-clad figure, she demanded, "What the hell are you doing, Remilia?"
The now-identified vampire replied, "Preparing for war, of course." Before the shrine maiden could make a retort, Remilia continued, "It is true that protecting the balance within Gensokyo is your duty. However," Her piercing red eyes glinted, allowing them to be seen through the darkness of her helmet's visor. "Though the invaders did indeed declare war on Gensokyo, they declared war upon me first. Their invasion force showed up upon my doorstep. They interrupted the party that I graciously allowed to be hosted in front of my home. They attacked my guests and dared to have the audacity to kidnap several of them. The final nail in their coffins is their crime of violating one of the youngest guests – practically a child compared to the others – and taking pride in having denied her the right to choose who her first partner shall be."
Taking a deep breath, Remilia firmly finished her tirade. "My decision is final. Much like how my ancestor Vlad Tepes Dracul had those who crossed him suffer a cruel death, I will teach these invasive pests a lesson that shall be forever carved into their history. None shall cross me with impunity."
Reimu stiffened. This wasn't Remilia Scarlet, bratty mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Standing before her was Remilia Scarlet, the charismatic vampire born in the French nobility of the late fifteenth century who gained her title as the infamous Scarlet Devil through her power and actions during the Four Years' War and French Wars of Religion, as well as surviving the blood-filled era of the French Revolution.
"Now if you will excuse me," Remilia said stiffly, "I shall go inform the tengu that I will be assuming a position of command in regards to the forces that will be operating on the other side of the Gate." Brushing past the shrine maiden, she marched off towards the large structure, ignoring all who turned to look at her armor that gleamed in the light of the setting sun.
Watching the vampire walk away, Marisa whistled. "Man," she commented, "I've seen her angrier than this, but this time she's scary for once. I'm actually thinking about returning the things I borrowed from the mansion."
Shooting an irritated glare at the blonde witch, Reimu scowled. "This isn't the time for jokes, Marisa. There's a huge incident now. Do you have any idea just how much work there's going to be?"
Marisa smiled in response. "Take it easy! We're all going to work on it, so calm down, alright? Come on, let's get some rest. We got soldiers to blow up tomorrow!"
The next morning, the kappa and tengu reported that the armies had gathered for another attack. As such, preparations were sped up, and Nitori decided to bring in Hisoutensoku and modify it into an actual mecha capable of combat. Naturally, a certain green-haired shrine maiden found out about it and made her thoughts known.
"Wamma pawap ba mesha!" babbled Sanae as she threw a tantrum, refusing to move out of Nitori's way. As soon as she found out that the golden mech would be brought in, she immediately headed to the Misty Lake, eager to fulfill one of her childhood dreams.
Slightly irritated, Nitori said, "Look, we can't work on Hisoutensoku if you won't get out of the way." Seeing that Sanae was unmoved, she sighed. "Fine," she relented, "you can pilot it, but only if you have at least four kappa with you inside at all times."
Calming down, Sanae pulled out a wad of papers and handed it over to Nitori. "Can you add these to the mecha?" She stared eagerly at the kappa, eyes shining in excitement.
Nitori opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Sanae held up a jar of cucumbers. Blinking in surprise, she was silent for a moment. Looking through the papers, she came to her decision. "Throw in two more jars and you have a deal."
Sanae beamed with joy.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Gate, a group of individuals watched as the army was driven back by waves of almost-boiling water, storms of arrows, and barrages of danmaku. Sighing, Momiji lamented, "Their competence is so lacking I'm certain even the residents of the Human Village would have done better."
Next to her, Iizunamaru Megumu, a great tengu, stared in disbelief. After a few seconds of repeatedly opening and closing her mouth without making a sound, she managed to exclaim, "This is ridiculous! Why would anyone think repeatedly making reckless charges that do nothing against a superior opponent would guarantee a victory?"
Jogging over after passing through the Gate, Nitori said, "We just started modifying Hisoutensoku! It's pretty simple to augment the armor plating to withstand punishment, but adjusting the frame to be able to handle the plating's increased weight and weapons is going to take time." Glancing down at the battlefield, her face became blank. She asked, "Should… should we just call in the Haniwa Army Corps and have them handle it so we can save resources and energy?"
"That may happen sooner than you think." Everyone turned around to see Joutouguu Mayumi, the leader of the aforementioned group, approaching them. "Word has spread rather quickly throughout the realms regarding an absurdly large number of sinners' souls from another world being delivered to the afterlife of our world." Pausing to look over the battlefield, she continued, "As such, Keiki-sama has given me orders to lend my blade to aid in resolving this conflict. The brigade Keiki-sama intends to send will consist of humanoids, as opposed to the standard haniwa that simply consists of a body and arms."
Suddenly, she pulled out her bow and nocked an arrow, aiming up in the sky. Firing it, she watched as the arrow took out a dragon that had flown straight up in an attempt to prepare for a sneak attack from above. "That could have had a chance at working," she commented, "if it hadn't been done right in front of us, as well as being in broad daylight with no clouds in the sky."
Watching as the dragon and its rider fell to the earth, Momiji asked, "When should we expect others to arrive?"
Mayumi responded, "The brigade sent by the Haniwa Army Corps will be arriving tonight at the latest, and will be providing support so that manpower can be delegated elsewhere. In addition, due to the presence of dragons, we will have to prepare to greet Himemushi Momoyo, as well as Miyako Yoshika and Toutetsu Yuuma to aid in cleanup."
Whistling in amazement, Nitori wondered, "Just how bad are things going to be if we're calling them in for help?"
"The yamas are out for blood, that's how bad it is." Onozuka Komachi staggered over to them, sweating in exhaustion. "We've been working overtime to collect the souls of the soldiers so the gods of this world don't learn too much about us until we can confront them in a way they can't get out of trouble from." After a moment, she added, "And by collecting souls, I mean even the souls of the soldiers fighting the army from the Outside World were taken as a precaution." Finally catching her breath, she groaned as she turned back to the battlefield, reluctantly returning to her duties.
"Speaking of the gods," interjected Mayumi, "some interesting information regarding them has been revealed to us by the only two prisoners not trying to break out. The gods of this world cannot take physical form, and instead spread their influence through people who are bestowed their power, with those people being referred to as Apostles." After a few seconds, she added, "You are aware of what that means, correct?"
Nitori cheekily said, "Prepare for some interesting company, got it." She started to head back to where the kappa were modifying Hisoutensoku. "Wait…" she trailed off as she suddenly stopped, "Wouldn't you, the shrine maidens, and that tiger youkai Shou technically count as Apostles too?"
Nodding, Mayumi answered, "By being liberal with the term, that would be so. As such, it has been decided that it will be our trump card if we do run into the Apostles of this world. Giving them the belief that they have angered gods from another realm should provide us some leverage when the time comes." Pausing to fire another arrow, she shot down a second dragon rider that hadn't learned what the previous attempt did wrong.
Watching as the Saderan Army continued with their failed zerg-like tactics, Momoji sighed. "I'll go ask for the Haniwa Army Corps to be deployed faster."
…
At night three days later, Reimu and Marisa crossed the Gate and came to the sight of the Haniwa Army Corps creating a phalanx formation at the base of the hill. Squinting at the army in the distance, the blonde witch observed, "Looks like they got smarter and decided to attack at night on a new moon."
Scoffing, Reimu responded, "Too bad that won't help. If anything, they just made it worse for themselves. Youkai are more active and dangerous at night, after all." Pausing for a moment when she heard the Saderan army roar as they charged the hill for their night attack, she facepalmed in exasperation. "Did they seriously just give away that their plan is to unleash a sneak attack at night? I know that we already saw it coming, but this is ridiculous."
Hopping onto her broom, Marisa flew up. "I'll go see what it's like from above! I'll tell you what it's like!"
Calling after the Ordinary Magician, Reimu responded, "Just stay away from the hill the Outside World military is at! Chances are they'll shoot you down the moment they see you!"
Down at the battlefield, Mayumi glanced up and faintly nodded to Marisa, who waved back. Next to her, Remilia grinned eagerly as she grasped her battle flag in anticipation. After waiting a few seconds, the haniwa commander declared, "Archers, ready!" The haniwa archers lit their arrows on fire. The Saderan army got closer. "Take aim!" The archers nocked the arrows and drew their bowstrings. The army got even closer. "Hold!" The army was almost right in front of them. "Fire!" The archers let the arrows loose, releasing a storm of fire and arrows upon the charging army.
Hoisting her flag, Remilia roared, "Charge!" She quickly leapt forward and impaled one of the few soldiers who were close enough to avoid the arrows. Hoisting him above herself, she swung the battle flag overhead and flung the dying man back into the soldiers behind him.
The haniwa army crashed through the disheveled soldiers that had yet to recover from the fiery arrows. The sight was morbidly amusing, with soldiers trying and failing to stab and slash through terracotta. Slowly but surely, the Saderan army was pushed back. Almost akin to accompanying music, explosions from the hill with the Outside World's military echoed throughout the land.
Mayumi dominated the battlefield. Powered by her loyalty to her god, she carved through all in her way. Seamlessly switching between sword and bow, she struck down every soldier she fought while avoiding attacks. With each sword swing, she cut through weapons and armor effortlessly. With each arrow, she pierced through shields and breastplates. However, when she noticed a highly decorated soldier drawing a bow and aiming at her, she decided to take a calculated risk.
Cassius, a centurion with nearly twenty years of experience, growled as he watched the girl and armored knight lead about half a cohort of strange armored men in a clash against his legion of soldiers. As they clashed, storms of fiery arrows rained from above. Raising his shield just in time, Cassius was able to stop an arrow, which surprisingly dug deep into the steel but failed to pierce through. Suddenly, he had an idea. Carefully pulling out the arrow, which was still on fire, he grabbed a bow from a fallen archer and aimed at the blonde girl. Right as she turned to face him, he fired the arrow.
The arrow flew across the field, quickly reaching Mayumi. It struck her in the eye, causing her head to snap back. The Saderan army cheered at the sight, but their joy was short-lived. Mayumi took a step back to regain her footing, then reached up and pulled the arrow out.
Cassius stared in horror. The girl's face illuminated by the still burning arrow and the fires in the battlefield, he was able to see her eye quickly restore itself to pristine condition. Next to him, the optio and his selected guards shared a similar expression. They had heard the stories, but to see it in person was a completely different matter altogether. Hyperventilating, Cassius gasped for breath, but managed to alert the five legions gathered for the attack on Betula Hill.
He screamed, "Apostle!" Frantically looking back for a chance to escape, he continued to shout warnings. "The blonde girl is an Apostle! Focus all your attacks on her! For the glory of the Empire!" As the now panicking army scrambled to defend themselves from what they now knew to be a threat, Cassius and the optio fled from the battle.
Above the battlefield, Marisa hummed as she watched the clash. "Kinda dark here," she commented to herself, "so let's light up the night!" Scattering multiple vials, she tossed them about above the soldiers. "Light Blast: Shoot the Moon!" As the bullets made contact with the ground and erupted into massive pillars of light, she pulled out several different vials from her pouch. "And just for good measure…" She threw them at the two retreating officers.
Cassius shouted in surprise as an explosion knocked him off his feet, causing him to fall over and hit his head on the ground. A wet thud next to him drew his attention. Turning to look at the cause, his eyes widened when he saw the optio's torso next to him. "What in Emroy's name...?" Getting back up, he hissed in pain as his right leg gave out almost immediately. Gingerly touching it, he grimaced. It was broken, and would need medical attention soon.
Grabbing a nearby dirtied cloak and holding it over himself in an attempt to blend in with his surroundings, Cassius hobbled away, occasionally glancing back. Soon, he heard the galloping of a horse.
"Centurion! Over here!" A soldier on horseback caught up to Cassius, holding a similar cloak over himself. As he got closer, the centurion was able to see just who it was.
"Let me onto the horse, decanus!" Cassius ordered. The soldier pulled him on, taking care to avoid agitating his leg. "Get to the capital immediately! The emperor must know of what comes from the Gate!"
Shocked, the decanus managed to ask, "The inhabitants on the other side of the Gate on Betula Hill have driven back our forces too?"
Cassius's eyes widened. "Our forces on Alnus Hill face trouble as well?" It was at this moment that he realized the decanus's left arm hung limply at his side, blood trickling out from a crudely tied cloth on his bicep. Even in the dark, he could make out a shard of metal jutting out from the cloth, no doubt stabbed into the soldier's arm.
Silently cursing, Cassius turned his attention back to the road ahead. Making out the faint silhouette of other soldiers retreating, he called out, "Soldiers, make way to the capital immediately!" Shadows flickering at the edges of his vision, his head slowly nodded off, before he shook himself awake. This was no time to rest. The disaster had to be reported. Only then, behind the lines of safety and after receiving medical treatment would he have time to rest.
…
On Alnus Hill, the JSDF effortlessly drove off the army in the darkness of the night. Before long, the charging force was stopped, and the JSDF's battle was over for the time being. Glancing over at the nearby hill, where a second Gate was seen about three days prior, First Lieutenant Itami Yoji whistled in amazement when he saw the volley of flaming arrows. "Man, whoever came from that other Gate is packing some decent firepower. Who do you think they are?" He glanced to his side, looking at the soldier next to him.
Sergeant Kurata Takeo took a quick break from putting away mortars as he looked over at the hill. "Yeah," he agreed, "that's pretty cool, kinda like some medieval anime. Think we'll go there later?" His question was answered by several pillars of light erupting around the hill, reaching up high into the sky.
Everyone paused to look over at the light show. After a few seconds, more explosions rang out from the hill, illuminating the night with various lights. Despite the long distance, the soldiers were able to just barely see the armies of the Special Region get pushed back by a large group of soldiers in dark armor. After a few seconds of silence, Itami said, "Maybe we should stay away from them for now."
If any of them bothered to look up, they would have seen a figure flying about throwing something at the army below.
Giggling, Marisa threw a vial as she shouted, "You get an explosion!" Turning around in the air to drop another vial, she continued, "And you get an explosion!" Suddenly, she paused, then reached into her pouch and haphazardly threw the vials about. "Screw it, explosions for everyone!" As a result of her reckless behavior, a half-eaten mushroom fell out of the pouch and to the ground below.
"Ack, I didn't finish dinner! Now what will I eat?!"
Yes, I know it's been confirmed that Remilia is probably lying when she says she's the descendant of Vlad the Impaler. And yes, Hisoutensoku technically isn't a mecha due to being an automated attraction, but now it's going to be a real fighting robot, and Sanae is about to fulfill one of her dreams.
Gensokyo is going to use religious scare tactics, that much I will say. In GATE, an Apostle is a person chosen and granted power by a god. By that definition, Reimu, Sanae, and Shou could be considered Apostles. Mayumi could qualify as one as well. If Wareharun, a living forest, could become a demigod and ascend to godhood by herself, I don't see why Keiki can't say she created her own Apostle.
And since Sanae serves both Suwako and Kanako, wouldn't that mean she's the Apostle for two gods? Imagine how much chaos that would cause in Falmart. That's not even getting into how she's an arahitogami, a person who ascended to godhood while still alive. The Apostles from the Special Region will probably freak out.
And don't get me started on how the gods in GATE can't take physical form unless they possess their followers, while gods in Touhou are able to take physical form on their own. Leave it to the people in the Special Region to guess what that means about their gods and the Gensokyo gods.
Please tell me what you think, review, constructive criticism appreciated, and NO flames. Keep your insults to yourself. They contribute nothing to the story (unless you're insulting characters that honestly deserve the burns).
