"Name and order the elements of the Wu Xing starting from Sunday," Patchouli asked her student.

"Sun, Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth," Lysithea recited, relying on memory alone.

"What are the two cycles?"

"Creation and destruction."

"Further elaborate on those two relations."

"Inter-promoting is the effect on the generating cycle. Weakening is the reverse of that. Inter-regulating is the regulation or stabilization cycle. Overacting is similar to Inter-regulating only and focuses on domination or destruction of its opposed element on the cycle rather than restraint. Counteracting is the reverse of Overacting."

"Good. We'll focus on Generation and Overacting since those will be the most applicable in combat." Patchouli laid five runes on the table. Each created a ball of a different element above it. "Generate each element. This will be how you combine spells and enhance them"

Lysithea put her hands in front of the first spell and started her work.

Wood fed Fire. Fire produced Earth. Earth bared Metal. Metal collected Water. Finally Water nour-

The girl cursed as she failed to cast her Water spell and it fell apart in her hands.

It was expected. Water was the one element that the girl seemed to have trouble with. It was the element most closely associated with light, along with or replaced by ice in some other systems of magic. However, the girl didn't have that many issues casting Light spells, albeit at a lower effectiveness compared to Dark. Perhaps it was an issue of temperament? It was hard to say, there were usually many physical, spiritual, and mental factors involved in the elements a particular person excelled or had difficulty with.

"Leave that last one alone. Now dominate them all."

Lysithea quickly went to work

Water extinguished fire, though the fire would have to stay lit for the time being. Wood depleted Earth. Fire vaporized Metal. Earth obstructed Water. Metal over harvested Wood.

Patchouli nodded in approval by the time Lysithea finished. "Your spells are tinted with darkness and Dark seems to be your most suitable element. Of the seven elements a Witch might excel in, that is second rarest just behind Light. Thus, you have the nature of Yang or the Sun."

"But… Sensei-"

"Sensei?"

"Remilia told me that's what I should call you since we're in Gensokyo. It's supposed to be respectful."

"Damn it Remy," Patchouli muttered to herself. She was going to be stuck with that now, wasn't she? "Continue."

Lysithea nodded. "But isn't the sun… light? You know, sunlight?"

"Yang is growth and activity and thus it is often confused with light because that is how it is observed on a surface level. In reality light in its purest form is stasis or nothingness. Thus, Yang and the sun, an object of the purest form of activity, is more closely associated with Dark. The Light, Yin, or the Moon represent passivity. This is the purity the Lunarians preach about over in their kingdom."

"So… darkness creates life?" Lysithea asked. "I don't think a Miasma is good at healing people."

"Life is a tenuous balance between Light and Dark, Yin and Yang. When that balance is broken life ceases to exist. Darkness is activity and chaos, but too much activity can warp, force change that the body can't handle and thus corrupts it. Light is stasis. It can provide peace and stability, but too much of it and life stagnates. An overabundance of light leads to oblivion. A state where identity and being ceases."

"So, what most people assume about Yin and Yang or Light and Dark is wrong?" Lysithea asked.

"Indeed, realizing this is the first step to becoming a proper magic user."

"Not a Magician?"

"It takes a lot a lot more to even think of becoming a Magician or Witch." Patchouli began to cough.

"Are you okay?" Lysithea asked, quick to be concerned as she set down her notebook.

"Just… my asthma acting up again," Patchouli replied as she took a seat at the opposite side of the desk they used for lectures. Kaokuma already had a cup of herbal tea prepared for the both of them, so the Witch used that to parch her throat. "My condition today is average at best."

"Average?" Lysithea asked.

"Yes. There are days where my condition isn't quite good. During that time it's best if I stay silent and simply focus on my reading," Patchouli explained. "It's nothing fatal or contagious, but there might be days where I will have to have Koakuma or Sakuya take over. They both dabble enough in the Magical arts to keep you occupied while I recover."

"Should we stop?"

"No. I'm fine now. Let's continue," Patchouli replied now that she had recovered. "Though misuse of darkness is more commonly seen due its nature, do not think that light can't be misused either. There is also a common temperament among those who excel at a certain element. Those who use dark are often more in tune with their emotions. At its best they are passionate and driven. At its worst they are selfish and destructive as they seek to satiate your own desires. Those who use light often forsake emotion or personal feeling for the sake of duty. At its best they are loyal and dedicated to a cause or people. At its worst they become emotionless machines that think little of duty or of the sacrifices they make to fulfill said duty."

Lysithea began staring at the floor. She seemed troubled by something.

"What's bothering you?" Patchouli asked.

"Those mages that did this to me." Lysithea grabbed her arm. "… I'm like them?"

"Temperament is hardly an excuse for the actions of a person. What I described is a stereotypical if somewhat observed phenomenon. Focusing solely on stereotypes however ignores individuality. Making an initial guess based on element, appearance, or race is fine. A muscle-bound oni that uses fire I imagine is likely going to take a direct approach to combat. However, completely ignoring what a person actually is like once further information about them is acquired is pure foolishness and will get you defeated in battle. That oni might actually be more sly and cunning than you'd think or simply has an ability that you'd never predict until you saw it."

Lysithea perked up, Patchouli's words apparently having the desired effect, before taking out another notebook and putting an entry into that. "Oni," she began muttering to herself.

"Are you also taking notes on the different types, Youkai?"

Lysithea nodded. "I know they won't kill and eat me if I'm with you but… I want to learn how to beat them. With Spell Cards Rules."

"Vampires turn to ash under Sunlight, and they can't cross running Water. A tip for you if Remi ever starts to annoy you. You also can start with reading a copy of the Ninth Volume of the Gensokyan Chronicle. It is much more accessible than previous additions and was made to cater to both Youkai as well as humans."

Patchouli prepared to start the next part of her lecture when she heard a large growl. It only took a brief moment for her to discern Lysithea's stomach as the origin. "Hungry already?"

"Sensei… it's been almost six hours," Lysithea informed her.

Really?

Patchouli whispered a quick incantation to discern the current time.

Huh. Time really did fly by. Normally wouldn't be an issue for Magicians but a human needed to eat, sleep, and perform a medley of other time-consuming functions.

Eugh. What a waste. She was glad she was a Magician.

"We'll continue this tomorrow. Have Sakuya get you some food and a bath."

"Okay," Lysithea moved to put her book away, only to hit a pile of books that Patchouli had kept on the table with her arm and knock some of them onto the floor. "Eep, sorry."

"The enchantments will protect them. Just be careful from now on."

Knocking over the books though revealed a familiar purple color device underneath, one that Lysithea immediately became enamored with. The girl looked at it with brimming curiosity, though she was disciplined enough to not just grab anything that happened to catch her interest. Doing that in a Witch's home was just asking for trouble.

"What is that?" Lysithea asked.

"It's a handheld gaming console from the Outside World."

"Gaming…" Lysithea tilted her head. "Console?"

"You don't have this sort of technology in your world?" Patchouli asked, not entirely surprised.

"Nope."

"Bring it to me then."

Lysithea did so by gently holding it by its side.

Once it was in the Witch's hands, she flicked the little switch on the side and several images began to appear on the dark screen. Patchouli then lit a candle so that Lysithea would have proper lighting to see everything on it properly.

"They call it a Gameboy I believe. Its purpose is to run programs for the purpose of entertainment."

"H-how is it doing this?" Lysithea asked in wonderment as the game still in the console loaded up. "Po-kee-mun?" She gasped. "The pictures are moving."

"It's powered by disposable batteries behind that flap back there," Patchouli explained as she gave back to her pupil to toy with. "You'd have to ask Remy how to use it. I never really got into this sort of thing like she did."

"It's so cool though," Lysithea said in wonderment as she began tapping away at buttons. "I'd love to learn how to use it."

"You can have it then."

Lysithea looked at the Witch in shock. "Really?"

"Yes. It'd collect dust otherwise. Just make sure to have a bright light source when you use it, otherwise you'll end up damaging your eyes."

"Understood!" the girl said before immediately running off with her new toy in hand.

"I hope she remembers to get some food," Patchouli commented before going back to reading a book she had set aside.


Lysithea walked from the dining room to the bedroom provided to her with a skip in her step. It was the first time she had gotten a gift from her Sensei and this "Gameboy" looked so cool. She was looking forward to trying to figure out how it worked.

On the way there though she noticed something shiny suddenly go around a distant corner. Her curiosity peaked, she took a quick detour and headed for the last location of the shiny object.

When she turned the corner though she was met with a bigger girl with blond hair, a red and white dress, and fangs coming from her mouth. Though the jeweled wings were certainly unusual, there was no mistaking what stood in front of her.

"V-vampire," Lysithea sputtered. One that wasn't Remilia. She quickly bowed her head in a show of respect. "It's nice to meet you."

The vampire looked at her curiously before a smile appeared on her face that grew dramatically larger with each second. Until her teeth and fangs were bared for Lysithea to see. "I'm Flandre. Are you the new experiment that Sakuya told me about?"

Lysithea nodded. "Sen- I mean Patchouli has been watching me."

"Too bad." Flandre leaned and took a good few sniffs. "You're such a tasty smelling human."

Flandre wouldn't eat her… right?

"What's that in your hand?"

Lysithea quickly hid the Gameboy behind her back. "It… was a gift."

"Can I play with it?"

"I… just got it. I don't think I should…"

"Aw," Flandre put on a pensive and thoughtful look. She held that expression before looking back at Lysithea with a ravenous smile. "Then why don't I play a game with you then?"

"W-what sort of game?" Lysithea asked.

"Hide and Seek!""

Oh. That didn't sound so bad.

"You hide and I chase you! If I get you then-" Flandre raised her hand and closed her fist.

Lysithea heard a loud crash behind her. She turned around to find that the vase had been completely destroyed. Shards of the glass were all that remained of it.

"I get to play! First that toy of yours and then with you!"

Lysithea didn't say anything else. She simply spun around and ran as fast as she could.

"I'll give you until twenty!" Flandre's voice called out, making Lysithea run even faster with the Gameboy held tightly against her chest.

Where could she run or hide? She hadn't been in the mansion that long and it was so big.

She began to frantically remember what Patchouli had told her about Vampires. They were too strong, too fast, and they could smell her and her blood. She needed to hide someplace where she could mask her smell.

To her fortune, the smell of spices began to hit her nose and she immediately ran in that direction. She threw the door open to reveal a spice room, closed it behind her, and quickly looked for a place to hide. She eventually found a large with just enough space inside for her to fit, so she quickly shimmied inside and closed its door.

This was a good place to hide. Dark, cramped… scary. Just like that place the men in the masks put her in.

She began to hyperventilate, memories of that time flooding back. It was only because of the chilling laughter from the hallway that Lysithea stuffed the Gameboy into the folds of her dress and clamped her mouth shut with her sleeve. She hoped her dress would be enough to hide the sound of her breathing.

She wanted to whimper, she wanted to cry, but she couldn't. Because if she did, they would find her.

"Where are yooouuu." The vampire's voice was melodic and pretty. That just made it even more frightening. "Hmm." The voice stopped right outside the door of the room. "Must've gone somewhere else. No way she's going to hide in a place that smelly. Uh, I can smell the garlic from out here."

Lysithea sat there and waited. She waited as long as she needed to. The vampire could fly, so she couldn't listen for footsteps when and if the monster went elsewhere. All she could do was wait and hope that she wouldn't choke on her own dress.

After what seemed like an eternity, the girl began to wonder if the Vampire had actually wandered away. She opened the door of the cupboard and began to slowly creep out. She stood up and took a few steadying breaths.

She would be safe in Sensei's library. Once she made it there the monster couldn't do anything to her. Right?

"Found you."

Lysithea's blood ran cold. She slowly forced herself to turn around and found Flandre standing on the same cupboard she had been hiding in, a pair of nose plugs in her nostrils.

"What part of you should I play with first?"

The reply Flandre received was a fireball to the face. It hardly phased her though and her smile simply became wider.

"No! Get away!" Lysithea cried, her tears trailing behind her as she slammed through the spice room door and returned to the hallway. This was it. This was how she was going to die.

But then a lifeline appeared. A familiar white dress and mob cap.

Another vampire. Another devil. There wasn't a guarantee that this one would do anything to stop Flandre. They might even join in.

But it was better to deal with the Devil you knew.

This adage given to her by her Sensei in mind, Lysithea ran into Remilia – who seemed shocked but was hardly affected by the physical force – before hiding herself behind the vampire who was taller than she was.

"P-please save me."

Remilia looked at Lysithea, utterly confused. "What are you runn- oh." She immediately got her answer when Flandre flew out of the Spice room and closed the door behind her.

Something about the vampire's presence shifted and Lysithea could suddenly feel the hundreds of years that Remilia Scarlet had apparently lived. It was suffocating… but also comforting in a way. If only because it drowned out whatever was coming from Flandre.

"Flan, have you been damaging this child?" Remilia asked, unamused. "I thought you wouldn't cause trouble if we let you out of the basement."

"I'm not," Flandre huffed. She looked like a child that was being denied something she wanted. "I was playing with her. What's wrong with that?"

"She's human," Remilia replied.

"You let Marisa play with me."

"She can handle it and she doesn't belong to anyone." Remilia grabbed Lysithea by the sleeve of her dress. "This one does. Patchy already claimed her."

"Patchy could share a little. You're always telling me to share."

"Then you need to ask her for permission. And you can't break things that don't belong to you."

"Eugh," Flandre looked disgusted. "I don't need another lecture from you. Fine, you can play with her then."

The vampire flew away and Lysithea finally let out a sigh of relief. It wouldn't last long though.

"I've fulfilled your request child," Remilia turned back to Lysithea. Her eyes had taken on the look of a predator once more. "What are you going to offer me?"

"W-what?"

"When you ask a devil for a favor you better be prepared to give something in return."

Lysithea simply stood there. What could she give? The only thing she had that Remilia would want, one of few things that was hers…

She reached up to the collar or her dress and pulled it down, baring her neck for the vampire.

Remilia licked her lips. "Yes, that'll work. Don't worry, I'm a light eater."

That was what Lysithea had remembered her Sensei telling her and what she hoped would stop this from killing her. She closed her eyes prepared for her fate when she suddenly felt Remilia bump against something in her dress.

"What's that?" The vampire asked.

Lysithea reached into her dress and took the Gameboy out to show the vampire.

"Isn't that Patchy's?" Remilia asked.

"She gave it to me," Lysithea replied.

Remilia puffed her cheeks and began to look very annoyed. "She said she would give it a shot. I spend all that time getting ready to play with her and she just gives it away!?" She glared at Lysithea. "You're not going to give it away too, are you?"

"N-no. I… wanted to play with it. It seemed so cool."

"Do you even know how to use it?"

Lysithea shook her head.

Remilia groaned. "Fine. You know what." She suddenly jabbed her finger in the girl's chest. "You are going to take responsibility for your Sensei. That'll be my payment for having to deal with my sister."

"Wait, what do you want me to do? And Flandre's your sister?"

"Younger sister. I'm the mature one obviously," Remilia flicked her short hair as a gesture of said maturity. "And you are going to help me out now that that Gameboy is yours."

"Do you… want it?"

"No. I have my own. Now come on then," Remilia began to walk away and gesture for Lysithea to follow. "We need to get you your Starter so I can complete my Pokedex!"


"Charmander? You really are trying to make things hard for yourself," Remilia said as she held her crimson colored Gameboy which had been connected to Lysithea's with a long white cable. "Let me give you a proper Pokémon to work with."

"Ew, it's ugly," Lysithea complained.

"I will not have you bash Squirtle! At least give him a shot, he's tough and strong!"

"But it's just a turtle."

"And your Charmander's just a lizard!"

"It breathes fire! And its tail is on fire. That's so cool!"

Flandre watched from the doorway, unnoticed as the two played. It was a shame. Neither of them respected the coolness that was Bulbasaur.

"That was kind of you Mistress Flandre."

"What are you talking about?" Flandre turned toward the head maid that had shown up next to her.

"To herd Lysithea toward your sister once you realized they shared the same hobby."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Flandre quickly denied. "I was bored, and I just wanted to play with that little human."

"So then you didn't chase Lysithea out of the spice room just as Remilia came by even though you hate going in there?"

"… I'm going to find something fun to do."

Sakuya simply watched with a smile as Flandre walked away.

"Neither of you are very good at expressing yourselves," the maid said to yourself. "But at least you and your sister are being more considerate of each other now."


Authors Note

Flandre is an interesting character to write after the events of 17.5 and the Detective Satori Manga. Though selfish and impulsive like a child, she isn't insane, just kind of unpredictable. Makes her fun to write.

Also had to make some slight edits. According to canon Patchouli was born as a Witch so I had to fix some lines and dialogue to correct that.