("No one donates to my shrine!"} (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ ︵ ┬──┬
And no one reviews my story!
werewolf, I have no idea where "Fukou da!" comes from. But I accept your dare. It's in the fic.
What's my favorite Touhou game? I'd have to say 6 - EOSD. It was my first, after all.
What's my favorite overall Touhou game? It's actually a doujin game. "New Super Marisa Land: the 6 Mushrooms" - one of the best Mario clones ever created. You can find a great playthrough by the Youtube user RabiEnRoll. I highly recommend you check it out - the play through and playing it yourself. It's made by Tasofro (Twilight Frontier), the same guys who helped ZUN create the Touhou fighting games.
And as Superstarultra once said in his masterpiece "You Got HaruhiRolled!":
"...no story is complete without a Pokémon reference."
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is owned by Nagaru Tanigawa. Touhou Project is owned by ZUN and Team Shanghai Alice. I own neither. This is a fan fiction of those works.
Beta Readers for this Episode:
Another Duck
werewolf2005
"Wriggle, you hearing this?"
It was late at night. Two youkai were on the upper branches of a particularly large tree, each holding a small bottle of ale, ready to watch the rise of the full moon. But as it did, howls erupted from all around Gensokyo.
Mystia Lorelei and Wriggle Nightbug stood there on their branches, unsure of what was going on. Mystia leaned back on the trunk, while Wriggle went out to get a better view. After a few seconds of looking around, the bug youkai turned back to Mystia.
"I dunno. Something's up. Lots of movement down there."
Mystia didn't like it. First off, the moon gave off some sense of wrongness. It didn't feel right - hell, it didn't even look right. Then, all the howling started, as if in response to it. And she started to hear screams off in the distance...
So much for having a good night. Something has got a lot of youkai all riled up. Mystia wondered if someone out there had begun an incident.
When an incident happened in Gensokyo, every youkai gets riled up - it's one of the things she learned after she arrived a number of years ago. There is atmosphere during an incident makes any youkai's blood boil. Mystia was somewhat feeling it again, but it was different this time: t just put her off.
But on a full moon, when all youkai were at full power? It made some sense; whomever started the incident would need that advantage to even last against that shrine maiden - but even that won't help. Mystia thought back to the last incident that happened during a full moon - the Scarlet Mist incident. That vampire who caused it was beaten soundly.
"Mysti! Look!"
Wriggle pointed down, and Mystia moved next to her to see what was going on. Down below an injured fairy, who had her wings ripped off, was running - whimpering all the while. It wasn't a fairy that they knew.
However, she was being chased by a group of lesser youkai. Like a pack of wolves, they surrounded their prey, and then converged. The fairy screamed for a few seconds before she was silenced. The whole matter was over in less than ten seconds.
That's not supposed to happen! You don't go around killing fairies! Not even in an incident!
Mystia looked back up at Wriggle, who had a horrified look on her face.
"What the hell is going on?!"
The fairy flew. She had to leave the wingless fairy behind. While se felt immense guilt for abandoing her kin, she knew that it was the only way to survive. So many fairies had already been killed - killed by the lesser youkai.
Daiyousei's wings were getting sore, as she had tried to lose the youkai that were after her. Sharp turns, spins, rolls, everything to avoid being caught by them. She had to find a place to hide, even though it seemed that they were just tracking her.
When she reached the lake, she wondered whether she should seek asylum at that vampire's mansion, Cirno's home, or whether to take her chances elsewhere. Her eyes fell on a structure nearby - it had its door open, and various musical equipment was scattered around the yard.
The home of those musical poltergeists.
Daiyousei didn't think. She heard the youkai behind her. She went in.
Perishable Night
Episode 4
["Impossible"]
=Destination of Fireflies.=
"Was it only an effect of the imagination that made these fireflies glow stronger than usual?
Tonight will be a long night..."
-Touhou 8: Imperishable Night - Stage 1
We landed down in the yard, this creature snarling at me. Whatever it was, it looked to be based off some sort of wolf-creature, like a werewolf or something. I wasn't in a position to think that through, as it brought up its claws to slash me (and I screamed); as once again my life flashed before my eyes.
Kind of getting tired of seeing that over and over.
Then its head exploded. Well, not exploded. More like vaporized.
I screamed. Again. Well, could you blame me? I wasn't expecting such ultra-violence! I was expecting a party! Just my luck. Fukou da!
The headless body collapsed on me. For a brief second, I was frozen with fear, but my mind reminded me what was going on around me; in the corner of my eye, I witnessed Patchouli take down another creature. With Nagato's help, we shoved the body off me. Sometime during all that, Nagato had made her way down to where I was, and was over me, helping me up. I quickly got back up on my feet, ready to run for the mansion, until I saw who saved me.
I wanted to scream.
Flandre. Armed with Laevateinn.
Well, I'm already afraid of Flandre. Nothing new here.
Flandre grinned at me, excitement shining in her eyes.
"Saved you! I saved Kyon! Kyon Kyon Kyon!" Flandre then turned to the carnage in the yard. "I- Ooooh! Yeah! This is so great! Sakuya! Patchi! Meiling! Save me some!"
With her attention on the incoming third wave of creatures, Flandre rushed to join the Guard, the Librarian, and the Maid in their creature culling. She swung her spear at a creature, and I actually witnessed it vaporizing. In the split second it was struck by Flandre, the creature appeared to catch on fire, burn to death, and then was reduced to ash. The creature didn't even get a chance to scream in pain.
And to think I used to wonder why Flandre was kept in the basement. My thoughts went back to when I actually thought it was a bad, horrible thing for Remilia to keep her sister in the basement. Shows what I know.
I turned to Nagato, who was surveying the carnage around us. She blinked once, twice, then spoke.
"Some friends you got here."
When did you get so snarky?
Barring that, Nagato and I took off for the open door after finding that I didn't suffer any injury for a two story drop. Amazing, really. Then again, I survived a tumble down the stairs as I was landing on my head.
Already most of the maids had gotten inside - the only ones left were leading the injured to safety. When we reached a limping maid - her leg was somewhat mangled and she was missing one of her wings - I offered her my shoulder. Nagato did as well, and we both helped that fairy reach the front door, being held open by Koakuma.
Out of nowhere, Nitori Kawashiro, the kappa engineer, joined by my side. She was wielding a wrench, which appeared bloody. Looked like she had to defend herself as well.
"Friend! What are you doing here?!"
"Just got back! Some timing, huh?"
Nitori gave me a shrug, and ran inside, to the safety of the mansion. I turned my head as we reached the door, watching as the warriors of the SDM were buying time for their fairy maids, as the maid Nagato and I was assisting was taken by some of the guards - I guess for medical treatment.
Why are they attacking the poor fairies? What is going on? I attempted to think about that, but something from the shadows came right for us - another creature. Nagato turned and was uttering something; I think it was code, like in the fight she had with Asakura. Whatever the enemy was (I didn't get a good look at it), it...well, to say it straight...the thing imploded into nothingness. In less than a second it was crushed into itself.
I think I just witnessed Nagato kill something.
I just witnessed a girl who goes to highschool with me kill something. A friend, no less. Then again, doesn't this happen all the time in anime and manga?
But I don't live in an anime or a manga.
"Nagato..." I paused, unsure of what to say, of how to respond to seeing that. And I couldn't think of anything. It wasn't as if it was a random killing. I mean, it was obviously a clean kill - self-defense, clear as day. Nagato protected me, herself, and that fairy we were helping. "...You know what, nevermind."
I shouldn't be one to question a selfless act like that anyways.
Yet again, more howling. More creatures.
Damn it all. Why won't these waves stop?
I think this would have been the final wave, as these much larger creatures had scaled the wall. The creatures...wait. Why am I calling them creatures? I know what they are. They're youkai. Some sort of beastial youkai. But why are they attacking the Scarlet Devil Mansion? Even for someone who doesn't know Gensokyo, would they attack a place called the "Scarlet Devil Mansion"? Don't these guys know who lives here?
I mean, I wouldn't do such a thing, ever. Because I know who lives there.
As if to answer that thought, Remilia herself had hopped down to the yard as well, wielding her weapon - Gungnir. Remilia merely pointed at an especially large youkai - it looked like a minotaur, I suppose - and threw the spear. The bull-thing quickly moved to the left, but Gungnir tracked it - and it pierced its head. The youkai collapsed. Raising her right arm and opening her hand, Remilia yelled out to her weapon.
"Gungnir! Return!"
What is it, a Pokemon?
Truth be told, the spear disappeared from its target in a flash of red light, and actually re-appeared in Remilia's hand. I choose you, Gungnir!
She pointed at another target, and again threw the spear, which had the same result - youkai dodges only to be impaled.
Here's a fun fact: according to Norse Mythology, the Gungnir will always hit its intended target - which it did. I have to say - those vikings possessed some badass weaponry in their legends.
An even bigger youkai - some sort of primate - had scaled the walls, and went right for the front door. Its footsteps boomed in the night.
Both of the Scarlet sisters got in its path.
I'm not going to lie. I felt sorry for it.
It wasn't fair. Remilia and Flandre, the Scarlet sisters, tore that thing to pieces. They worked in perfect tandem - flying around it, jumping around, and using their spears to tear off flesh, Flandre laughing all the while. They reduced that thing to bones in less than a minute. And I'm not using that word to exaggerate - anything fleshy they tore off, and kept doing it until there was a pile of bones.
In fact, the entire fight wasn't fair. Meiling, Sakuya, Patchouli, Flandre, and Remilia made short work of these things. Meiling had gotten especially violent. Over the course of the battle, she...well, there is no other way to put it...became more and more beastial - hunched over, baring her fangs, nails becoming like claws, her eyes were glowing bright green, all the while snarling. She was letting her youkai said out and using her true power. Meiling was liquidating her opponents by the end, her hands and legs covered in some sort of "rainbow-colored fire".
No, I'm serious. Meiling had reduced her enemies to stains on the floor.
It wasn't long before the battle was over - bits and pieces of the lesser youkai all over the yard, these five, along with a few injured guards, left standing amidst the remnants of the buffet tables.
You know, I'm glad Reimu made up Danmaku. Because otherwise, I doubt she'd have a real chance against the Scarlet Devil Mansion if she were to attempt a real assault. And on the trail of that thought of humans surviving the Scarlet Devil Mansion...again I found myself respecting Sakuya for taking on both the Scarlet sisters.
I myself would not stand a chance being on the bad side of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. To see them "work" in this fashion was intimidating.
Remilia yelled out to Koakuma.
"Head count! We lose anybody?"
"No, Mistress! All fairies accounted for, alive, and inside!"
Amazing, really, especially since there was that fairy who got one of her wings ripped off. Those youkai really tore into some of the maids.
"Good! Everyone! Inside! Now!"
Remilia said that in response to more howling. Are you kidding me? Are those things still not done? Are they freaking suicidal?
The warriors that held off the youkai ran to the front door, Patchouli lagging behind a bit. Already it seemed that the battle had made her out of breath.
That's right...she has asthma. The blood in my face drained upon realizing that. Oh crap! She has asthma! And I also realized that if she wasn't flying, she might have run out of the magic necessary to fly. She was in trouble.
I don't know why I did, but I ran outside again. My good nature only puts me in bad situations. I really need to stop listening to it. Still...I owed Patchouli for being the one who got me to stay at the mansion in the first place.
By the time I reached the librarian, more youkai had scaled the wall. The hairs rose on my neck, as I saw that, primal fear wrenching in my gut, as their eyes locked onto mine. Their red, glowing eyes. The words of Meiling echoed in my head.
You get caught by a youkai and you can't defend yourself, that's it. You die. Alone, screaming, and violently.
Well, I was committed to my action. I'd either save Patchouli there, or die trying. There was no going back to save my own skin...and if I did, I'd only look like a selfish idiot, and Remilia would possibly kill me for leaving her best friend out there.
I had to save her.
Offering Patchouli my shoulder, we ran the rest of the way into the SDM - Remilia coming back out to assist her friend. I could hear the librarian wheezing, struggling to get air into her lungs. I heard snarling behind me, and I picked up speed. Remilia shouted out to the guards holding the door open to close them as we got there. They did, but a single large wolf youkai in black fur jumped, bowling over the three of us, and pinning me down in the lobby. Sometime during all that, someone had closed the front door. But I digress - I had more pressing issues at hand, like another beast on top of me.
What flashed through my mind then is not something that I would say around my sister.
The creature bore its fangs in my face, ready to strike -
Meiling appeared, grabbing it by one of it's arms, flipped it off of me (thank you, Meiling!), and slammed it on its back on the marble flooring of the entrance lobby. Meiling did it with such force that the marble actually cracked. The youkai tried to struggle, but Meiling twisted the arm - the creature responded by howling in pain.
I noticed that Meiling, while covered in blood (none of it was hers), was sweating profusely, and her eyes (in youkai mode) were still glowing a bright green. She looked enraged, but she was breathing in and out, I guess trying to control herself.
I hope she can control herself. I don't want to see the original Scarlet Devil let out that way, thank you. I've had enough destruction for a lifetime in just the past few minutes.
I also noticed that Remilia, Patchouli, and Flandre were sweating heavily too. I mean, yeah, it was a hot night, but none of the other fairies, nor myself, were at that level, even after such an action of defending the mansion.
Remilia helped up Patchouli.
"You all right?"
Patchouli was red-faced, and out of breath. She still labored in her breathing.
"Yes...yes, thanks...thanks to Kyon and...Meiling...and you."
Remilia nodded at that as Koakuma handed Patchouli an inhaler, which the magician used. Remilia gave me a single nod, as thanks for saving her best friend, apparently. I just nodded as well as Nagato helped me up.
"You okay?" she asked.
"All things considered...yeah."
Considering that I ran from youkai and lived, I'd say I'm doing great.
Meiling kept her foot on the chest of the Youkai, and still held onto the right arm. She looked to her master, who simply stood there, arms crossed and pissed off. Remilia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, not in frustration. I think it was disappointment and anger combined.
"...That...that was stupid. Even for you lesser youkai. You should know better - if you live near me, you should know better. Then again, you look too much like a werewolf. And I hate werewolves. Filthy half-breeds."
Werewolves exist- ah, why not. Why the hell not.
Might as well consider the Loch Ness monster, Big Foot, and all those other myths to be truth as well. That might mean Atlantis exists as well. What next - the Lunarian society exists too, with a Rabbit in the moon?
Remilia had begun to circle the downed creature, Meiling still holding it down. I think by then I knew what was happening. What was going to happen. Remilia was angry.
"Now, wolfie, I want to ask you some questions." Remilia's voice had gone to a calm tone, which betrayed the anger in her eyes. It was like she was talking to a child. "For instance, well, let's get to the meat of the matter. Why did you have the gall to attack my servants?"
"Ich weiß nicht! Ich weiß nicht warum wir greiften an!"
Is that German? We have a German werewolf-thing here. Huh.
Remilia paused, the anger in her eyes growing by the second. She gave the wolf-thing a grin.
"'You don't know' isn't going to cut it."
And apparently Remilia knows German as well.
"Ich sage die Wahrheit!"
I had no idea what this thing was saying. Although it was interesting to see international youkai, I suppose. I just...I think I knew what was going to happen next. Seeing Remilia this angry kind of put everyone in the room at an unease. The able-bodied maids were backing up, moving away from this. I glanced over at Nagato, and her stare was frozen on what was transpiring before us. The tension was so thick, because it was all leading up to what would happen next.
Remilia slowly nodded in response to whatever this creature said. She then casually turned her head towards her guard, a small smile on her face as she adjusted the small top-hat. It was hard to believe that it was still on her head after the fight outside.
"Meiling."
"Yes, milady?" Meiling responded, unemotional. Meiling's features had returned to normal, her fangs gone, her eyes only slightly glowing. She was still sweating heavily.
"Right Humerus. Snap it."
I'm going to witness this thing get tortured. Crap.
"Nein nein nein!"
Meiling, still holding onto the right arm and ignoring the pleas of the youkai, delivered a quick kick to the arm - and it bent in a horrific way. And the sound that accompanied it was actually worse than the shrieking the youkai made after that action. I shook from hearing it, and a lot of the maids gasped. Meiling however, showed no emotion - no remorse for breaking this things arm. In fact, she simply grabbed the left arm, twisted it, and again placed her foot on the chest of the creature, so it couldn't get up.
Seeing this side of the residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion was, again, very unnerving.
Also, I'm not used to watching someone get tortured. I get no enjoyment out of it. I guess I should be grateful that I'm not like that; that what was transpiring before me at that point was putting a bad feeling in my gut. Because if I was enjoying it, I'd be sick in the head.
Remilia continued to circle them, hands clasped behind her back, walking ever-so-casually. This whole scene was uncomfortable to watch, to say the least. Remilia had begun to let the anger in her voice be heard.
"You have to do a lot better than that, because you shouldn't attack my servants. I thought I met with all of you youkai that surround my home...and I thought I made it crystal clear to never come onto my property, let alone attack my servants." Remilia stood over the head of the creature, staring down. She was beyond pissed off. "Don't you know that those who serve the Scarlet Devil are untouchable? Nobody attacks my servants and gets away with it! Nobody! And you actually had the gall, the very gall to attack my servants at my home?! What do you have to say for yourself?!"
"Etwas kam über uns! Wir hatten das Gefühl, dass wir dies tun hatte! Unser Blut kochte für die Jagd! Ich weiß nicht warum wir greiften deine Dienstmädchen an! Wir wussten dass wir sollten nicht auf Ihrem Grundstück zu sein, aber etwas kam über uns! Bitte glauben Sie mir!"
Remilia's eyes burned with hatred. She all but shouted the next bit.
"Not good enough! Meiling!"
"Yes, milady?"
"Left Tibia and Fibula! Break them! I want to hear him scream!"
Another quick kick, and the leg was broken...to the point where I could see those bones sticking out of the creature's fur on its leg.
Oh God oh God oh God.
Remilia chuckled, obviously enjoying this. The breaking of the creature's bones and its screaming seemed to soothe her. Good Lord she's freaking sadistic!
"And smash the left Patella for good measure."
If I know my bones, that's the kneecap. Thing is, I didn't see it. I couldn't see it. Didn't want to see it, as I had turned around. I just couldn't take this any more - I was at my limit. The whole scene was just making my stomach do much much more than jumping jacks. And mind you, I had just eaten.
Even some of the maids were averting their eyes. Sakuya, who was next to me, had simply closed them, not watching it. Nagato just stared, her eyes growing ever-wider. Nitori was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, silently averting her eyes from what was going on. Patchouli was a ways away from me, but noticed my reaction. A small smile appeared on her face as she took another puff of her inhaler. It wasn't one of happiness, though.
"Very unsettling to see Remi at work, isn't it?
"That's putting it lightly." I shakingly said.
As I said that, I was spun around and came face-to-face with Remilia. She had a small grin.
"What's the matter? Why aren't you enjoying this?"
My mouth was dry by that point, but I still found a way to speak.
"How can you enjoy this?! Why are you enjoying this?!"
Says the guy to the admitted sadist. After all, she said as such when I talked with her back in April.
Remilia had gone back to her calm tone.
"Oh, Kyon...I was raised in a different, more violent world than you. Where either you gained respect, or you were taken advantage of. I may only look like a child, but the reality is that I am one of the most fearsome creatures in existence."
I don't doubt that.
"I'm old school, Kyon. Besides, I thought you'd appreciate what I do."
"How? Why would I appreciate this?"
I said that, but sick thing is, some part of me agreed with all of this. Think about it - it's a power trip. Who hasn't wanted to laid waste to their enemies? And besides - we were on the same side. I had kept that to myself, however, as I didn't want to give her any justification. The torture thing was just wrong, in my view.
Remilia had an evil smirk on her face.
"Because you are my servant. And this is what happens to those who attack my servants. Hell, I bet Haruhi would have done this to that Student Council President if she could when she found out that he was to 'bring down Nagato'."
I'd rather not know if someone was tortured because of me, thank you. No, seriously. What the hell. As for Haruhi...
Well...would she? She was willing to protect the unofficial Literature Club...
Was Haruhi capable of doing such a thing? I mean, if Remilia really is...no...I hate thinking that Remilia is Haruhi's dark half. I just hate it.
Thing is, Haruhi always threatened "torture" and other things. I had discarded them as mere sayings, as mere gusto.
Maybe there was something to Remilia being Haruhi's dark half, as much as I hate to even entertain such an idea.
The smile on Remilia's face ebbed away, as she studied mine.
"Ah...you don't like it."
"Uh, yeah no."
She shrugged.
"All right." While she still stared at me, she spoke over her shoulder. "Meiling, no more torture."
"Yes, Milady."
Thank you.
Remilia turned to her other servants, her maid servants. I guess she saw the same uneasiness on their faces, because she cleared her throat, and clasped her hands, as she slowly walked in front of them. Her voice was stern, commanding.
"This is what happens to those who think they can attack any of you. You work for me. You serve me." Remilia tapped her chest to emphasize what she was saying. "I provide a roof over your head, I provide you a place to sleep, I provide you food, medicine, and an education. You serve me, and I take care of you all. You understand me? Those who serve the Scarlet Devil are untouchable. Don't ever forget that."
Gaining the faith and loyalty of your servants through the brutality of your enemies. Remilia was right - she is old school.
I also wondered if that "untouchable" thing extended to me as well. It should.
"Sssssissssterrrrrrr..."
Chills ran down my spine. Oh man I forgot that Flandre is in the room with us.
Flandre had stepped from out of the shadows, grinning from ear to ear. All the maids moved a few steps away from the younger Scarlet. She stared at the creature as she licked her lips. Her eyes showed that she was, well, hungry, in a way. Not hungry-hungry, but another type of, wanting, I suppose. Either way, it put me at unease, and I didn't want to know what Flandre was thinking.
"You know, Remi...this thing may be broken...but I would like to have him."
Flandre grinned at her older sister. Remilia simply smiled, and nodded.
"By all means, Flan. Have fun. I'm done with him anyways."
That poor bastard.
Meiling let go of the creature as Flandre whipped her spear into the right leg of it. It screamed. Flandre began to drag it with her, to the back of the mansion. All the creature could do was attempt to flop around, claw at the ground for a grip with it's working arm, and shriek in German. Still smiling, Remilia called out to the younger vampire.
"Oh, and don't feel bad if you break him. In fact, break him a whole lot!"
The family that slays together, stays together? I had to wonder if this is how those two connected, in a way. Well, vampire sisters growing up together for half a millenia need to have some way to be together, some way to bond. And one of their ways to bond, apparently, is to kill. I did see them enjoy their work outside, after all. Both of them obviously enjoyed it. No wonder Flandre is psychotic. Remilia makes it worse.
"Can-do! C'mon wolfie! You and I are gonna plaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay."
Oh God the way she said that...
"Bitte! Bitte!"
"You had your chance to give me a plausible explanation, you idiot!" Taunted Remilia. "You had your chance! Now enjoy the rest of your short life in complete and utter agonizing pain as Flan plays with you!"
Flandre's giggling echoed throughout the halls of the mansion as she and the screaming youkai disappeared from view. Remilia began to chuckle as she watched.
Remilia then lowered her head as the silence replaced the screaming. She took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh.
In the few seconds of silence, I stood there, processing everything that had just happened.
Having a party. Enjoying some food. Going to enjoy the full moon. None of that occurred as we got assaulted. Torture. How did it come to this?
I began to question why I remembered my time in Gensokyo fondly.
Then again, there wasn't that much death going on in front of me. The only thing that died was...well, the fairies. Actually, that was a bit of death. Then again, one doesn't focus on such a negative aspect if they want to retain their sanity.
Then we heard more howling outside. Everyone's head turned to the front door - maids backed away from it, while Meiling and the rest of the guards moved towards it.
What in the world is going on out there?
"Well," said Remilia, as she stared at the door, "I think this qualifies as an incident. Whatever they did has gotten all those youkai riled up. So...somebody out there made a big mistake, because I'm pissed off. " The vampire turned her head to her maid. "Sakuya, sharpen your knives."
The maid curtsied. "Yes, milady."
"...and sharpen Gungnir as well. I think it's time for the Scarlet Devil to hunt once more."
Remilia Scarlet is going out there?!I feel sorry for whoever is behind all of this. But this was interesting. Remilia going out to resolve an incident? This vampire? Who could stand against her and Sakuya?
Then again, like I stated earlier, there are obviously strong people/creatures in Gensokyo, so there is a chance Remilia could fail. Hell, after all, Remilia and Sakuya were both beaten by Reimu.
But I guess this was an incident, even though I don't know what exactly makes something to qualify as an incident in Gensokyo. I don't know the definition. Just...a lot of youkai doing bad things?
I turned to Nagato.
"Well, I'm looking forward to hearing what happens. What about you?"
Oh, I couldn't wait to hear what kind of antics Remilia and Sakuya would get into through all this. Maybe they'll-
I didn't get the chance to even think it.
"Oh, you'll experience it firsthand. You see," Remilia stood there, back to us, hands on her hips, "you're coming with us. Both of you."
I felt like I got punched in the midsection.
No. No no no no.
The blood in my face drained when she said that. Shaking, I looked over at the vampire.
"What?"
"I don't believe in coincidences." Remilia narrowed her eyes as she grimaced, turning to us. "I believe in fate. You and Nagato are obviously here in Gensokyo for a reason, and I'm taking the two of you with us."
Internally, I let out every single curse word I knew.
And I let one slip verbally.
"I'm against this, Remilia Scarlet." said Nagato, I guess sensing my obvious unwillingness to do this. "Patchouli Knowledge has stated that the full moon gives youkai full power. Now you are asking him to go outside where it is dangerous."
"I know. But something is going on. And like I said, I don't believe in coincidences. Do you, Nagato?"
"For the record," I said as Nagato remained silent, "I'm against this."
"Noted."
Seriously, what the hell?
When Remilia didn't get anything else out of us, she took off her hat and tossed it somewhere.
"This just pisses me off. People snub my invitation, and now we got youkai crashing my party."
While Remilia was busy muttering to herself, Nagato turned to me, stoic as ever. She looked up into my eyes.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to."
I looked over at the vampire, and then back at Nagato. A feeling dawned on me, an acceptance, despite my personal protests.
"Well, hopefully it'll be all right. I would rather stay, but..."
Truthfully, Remilia did have a point. As much as I hated it, she did have some logic and reasoning behind her decision. After all, in my life, everything matters. There are no coincidences - everything has happened for a reason. And for some reason, I was brought to Gensokyo right before something big went down. Pretty much like last time, which happened to have the fate of the world at stake. By some sort of weird, twisted fate, I was brought into Gensokyo and became the key to saving the world.
And it's happening again, isn't it? Why couldn't I be brought in during a time of peace? That's asking for far too much.
Granted, I was still against going out, but given that it was decided by Remilia, I really felt that I had no choice but to go through with it. I told Nagato as such, resigning myself to my fate of going out there. I just wish it was a better situation, you know? Being up close with such beasts put a gargantuan amount of primal fear in my body. And those were just the lesser youkai, the ones that were among the weaker entities in Gensokyo, barring humans. There had to be stronger ones out there.
I should have protested more. I should have agreed with Nagato and just stayed at the mansion. I need to stop letting myself get pushed around into bad situations. But I'm getting ahead of myself. My damn good nature again. I really needed to start acting more selfish.
However, I wanted to know if Nagato was willing to do this.
"And you? Nagato? Do you want to do this?"
She turned her head towards Remilia, then back at me.
"Do you consider Remilia Scarlet a friend?"
"I guess I do." I said that rather automatically, without really thinking about it, which I suppose makes it true. In some sick "she-drank-my-blood" kind of way.
"Then I will help out as well."
This shouldn't be too bad then. Having Nagato by my side is a great insurance policy.
"Thanks. And you being there will take a load off my mind."
During all of that, Sakuya must have stopped time to do what Remilia asked, because the maid suddenly had the Gungnir ready, a change of clothing for the vampire, and a plethora of knives. Sakuya looked ready for battle...in a maids costume, anyway. She was still wearing that short skirt getup, (thank you!) but she also had fingerless black gloves, and straps on her arms and legs to hold a lot of sheathed knives. They were black, leather, I think, and pretty thin. She had also changed to boots that went up to her kneecaps.
Bit disappointing, as they covered most of her legs. But that's my opinion.
Sakuya handed the clothing to the fairy maids, who then converged on Remilia. Remilia spread out her arms as they surrounded her, and I couldn't see her. The maids were...changing Remilia's clothes? When they were finished, backing away from their master, Remilia was back to her usual dress and mob cap, but with a strap for Gungnir, which rested against her back. The vampire also had a single fingerless black leather glove, on her right hand.
Seeing the maids do that was impressive, I guess.
"Remmmiiiiiii..."
Flandre was back. And she was covered in blood.
"If you're going out, can you bring me back another toy?"
I noticed that Laevateinn was just dripping with blood. Instinctively I moved behind Nagato.
I suck for using her as some sort of shield. I really am a jerk to her.
Remilia's jaw opened a bit. "...I just gave you one. What happened?"
"It broke already. Into itty bitty little pieces."
That was quick. What the heck did she do - no. No, I don't want that answered.
"I'll think about it, Flan." Remilia stepped up to her sister, putting her hand on her shoulder. Remilia's voice went soft. "But what I'd really like is for you to go down to your room, and wait for me. It looks like an incident is happening, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you, okay?"
"But Remi-"
Remilia ignored Flandre's protest.
"But nothing. Meiling and Patchouli will take care of things, okay? They'll protect the mansion."
"And if I sense them in danger?"
Remilia took a step back, shrugging. "Then by all means, join in. But please try not to break the mansion."
Sometime during all of that, Patchouli and Koakuma had left the lobby, and had returned with a satchel - possibly the same satchel I used during my last time in Gensokyo. "Since you're going, we thought you might need this."
Thermos, bandages, first aid, various other things. I searched it, finding all of that. Pretty much the same stuff I had the first time around. Before I slipped it on, I noticed a packet. Opening it, I found twenty red vials. The cherry blossom vials.
Well why not? Makes me useful. Looks like I was going to be relegated to the role of healer again. I didn't mind. Worked out for me, especially since I could down a vial and protect/heal myself when I needed it. And I could defend myself with them.
I actually could defend myself for once. Things were looking a bit up.
"Since you have that special ability, I'd like for you to make sure that Remi comes back in one piece." Patchouli glanced over at Remilia. "I'm sure you know that she can be hotheaded. She is strong, but even she can land herself in unwinnable situations, especially when she's angry. Please watch over her, Kyon."
I was about to say "are you sure asking me is the best idea?" when I noticed the pleading look in Patchouli's eyes. She really was worried about Remilia. The librarian then turned to Nagato. "And since I have a feeling I won't be able to really depend on Kyon here, due to his lack of fighting abilities, can I ask you to watch over Remi?"
What the hell. Screw you, Patchouli.
Nagato glanced over at Remilia, then back to Patchouli. She gave a single nod.
"Good. Good." said Patchouli as she handed over a few cards - spell cards. "Take these with you as well. You might need them." As Nagato looked them over, Patchouli continued. "They're blank cards, so do what you want with them. Even in a real fight for your life, Danmaku is a good choice of combat - it can knock out many enemies with a single spell."
That is one advantage, I suppose. And it was true - Sakuya and Reimu took out that army of fairies at Mayohiga with just two cards.
Nagato nodded again. "Thank you, Patchouli Knowledge."
Koakuma had come up to me, gave me a hug, and a small smile. I could see she was worried too.
"Good luck out there. Please come back."
She then handed me something. It was blue, icy to the touch. Cirno's Icicle Fall spell card.
I couldn't help but smile myself, as that spell card had helped save the world, and more importantly, saved my life, despite it being totally useless against an opponent that is close to you. Koakuma still had the same smile.
"You left it in your room back in April. I hung onto it."
"Thank you, Koakuma." A thought crossed my mind. "But, I don't have any magic in my body." Unless I wanted to eat some Gensokyian mushrooms.
"Ah!" Koakuma blushed. She brought her hands up to her face, as if to hide herself from her embarrassment. "That's right! I forgot! I'm so sorry!"
She really does remind me of Asahina. I mused that while I still looked over the icy card.
"Eat this!"
The fairy charged at the group of youkai, unleashing her power as she got to them. They all froze in place, mid-attack. The fairy then shoved them all over, and they shattered when they hit the ground.
Cirno looked at all of them, breathing heavily. She was just enjoying a night out with a few other fairies when all of a sudden they were attacked by a group of youkai. The rest were taken down, Cirno the only one left standing.
She moved to one of the downed fairies. The blank stare up at the sky told the tale - the fairy was dead. The other fairies weren't getting back up either.
In the back of her mind, Cirno knew that they would reincarnate, that they wouldn't stay dead. But it would be awhile before they came back. Still, it was saddening.
Good thing Daiyousei decided to stay home. Wish she could have been here to see me kick some butt though.
Once again Cirno survives. Crashing through the sadness was her bravado - she looked at her handiwork, and smirked.
"Serves you idiots right! That's what you get when you mess with the strongest in Gensokyo!"
In response to that, there was howling all around her. Her eyes widened when she saw more of the lesser youkai start to come out of the shadows of the forest. Fear overtook her body, her mind screaming at her to run, to take flight, to not end up like the other fairies on the ground.
No. Eye'm not running! Eye'll take them all on! Eye am the strongest!
Cirno balled her hands into fists, scowling at the oncoming pack of youkai.
"Bring it!"
Meiling was already at the door, hand on the knob. She nodded at all of us.
"All right, milady. We'll keep everything out of here. Just...take care. Something real bad is going down."
Remilia nodded, and then her attention went to the Kappa that was still hanging out in the lobby.
"Miss Kawashiro! Would you like to earn some extra pay?"
Nitori's lips pursed, as if she knew what she was going to be asked to do. "Mmmmaybe."
"Assist in the defense of my home, and I'll double your pay. Everything that you have made in the past three months, I'll double."
I think Nitori was about to ultimately say no, but upon hearing that her pay would be doubled, her jaw dropped. From behind her eyes, it seemed that she was internally debating on whether to accept it or not, but in the end, she did.
Remilia must have been paying the Kappa well.
The vampire then looked out to her maids, as she gave an order. "Remember. While I'm gone, Patchi is in charge!"
Meiling had opened the door, letting us out. Howls from all around Gensokyo could be heard, a reminder that something bad was going down. We rushed to the gate, Meiling escorting us to unlock it. The moonlit sky shone the carnage around us. The yard was still a mess, but all the bloodstains were gone, as were all the bodies. I asked what happened to them, and noticed that the bloodstains on Meiling were gone too.
"When we youkai die, we don't leave behind bodies. We completely cease to exist." Meiling gave me a small smile as we left the grounds of the SDM. "No graveyards for us, I'm afraid."
That's kind of sad. No, really. No gravemarkers? No final resting places for youkai? Kind of makes sense, though. After all, one of the major arguments over the existence of the paranormal is "where is the proof?" A body of any youkai would be a huge find for the scientific community...or detrimental to it, depending on how you look at such a thing.
Capturing a live one would be problematic, and producing a body would be impossible. Youkai couldn't be found out. Isn't it weird how that works? Paranormal stuff can exist, but either you can't prove it, or the paranormal ones take great pains to hide themselves. Weird that I was seeing a logic to such things.
"Oh, and Meiling?" said Remilia.
"Yes, milady?" Meiling asked as she closed the gate.
"I'm authorizing you to kill any youkai that attempt to attack any more of my servants. I'm not really in the mood for showing mercy tonight." Remilia then pointed a finger at Meiling as the guard locked the gate door. "And...and there's one more thing, Meiling. No harm comes to my home. We just finished repairs today...barring the dining room."
Meiling gave a quick salute. "Got it, Milady. I'll die protecting your home."
"Hopefully we can avoid such a thing."
Same here.
Meiling ran back to the mansion, leaving us outside the gate. I turned, to see the light of the moon reflect off of the lake, to see Gensokyo at night.
It's beautiful during the day, but good Lord is it scary at night.
"Sakuya, you're free to speak this night." said Remilia out of nowhere. "Anything you want to say, you may say it."
The maid nodded. She then glanced at Nagato and me. "So...anyone have any ideas on how we proceed?"
"Yeah, that's right - what's the first thing we do?" I asked. "Because I myself don't know how we'd solve this incident.
Remilia stared up at the moon. "I know you're apprehensive about this, so...so how about we find Reimu first. Will that make you feel better, Kyon?"
"Actually it does."
"I was actually going to suggest that," said Sakuya rather begrudgingly, "But...me and the miko still don't get along."
"I pledged my allegiance to her, so get used to it, Sakuya. Besides, the miko's intuition will help us find the culprit, and maybe we can be done before the sun comes up." Remilia turned to Nagato. "You up for this, Miss Nagato? Or do you want to sit this one out?"
Nagato just stared at the vampire. "I'll assist."
Please, you two. Don't start up problems with each other.I don't want conflict tonight.
Two guesses on how my wish there would turn out.
And so we left the grounds of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, to make the trip on foot to the Hakurei Shrine to find Reimu. Gensokyo, at night. The last time I was there, I was told that if I ever left the grounds, I was fair game to whatever youkai was out there. There was also a saying the fairy maids had. That in Gensokyo, a human walking around outside at night was stupid. To do that during the full moon was suicide. And yet there I was, full moon and all. I'm stupid and suicidal.
Granted, I was traveling with a Vampire, a Human Interface, and a former Vampire Hunter, but still...I was scared. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought "this might not even be enough." We would need Reimu. And Marisa, as much as I didn't want to think of her.
Please be there, Reimu. Please be there, Marisa. Please help us solve this.
Mystia stared down at the remains of the fairy, feeling a little sick to her stomach. She was used to death, but seeing a fairy ripped apart like that... It wasn't even fair.
After they had dealt with the fairy, the youkai down there looked up, directly at Mystia and Wriggle. But they didn't attack - just stared. They then dispersed as quick as they had appeared. The two youkai up on the tree shared an uneasy silence, Mystia still in the dark of the tree canopy, and Wriggle standing out on the branch, looking down.
"Wriggle, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. In fact, just the opposite. I feel...good...for some reason."
"Good? Seeing a fairy get ripped to pieces makes you feel good?"
Wriggle whipped around, obviously annoyed and offended.
"No, you idiot. There's something else in the night. I just feel good." Wriggle then turned back to Gensokyo. "Also, I'm hungry. I think I'll just take a quick look around for a human wandering around. Maybe I'll get lucky."
"A human at this time of night?"
"I know, I know. But...you never know. A new human may have been transported into Gensokyo, and they don't know by now that they shouldn't be out tonight. It happens. Free meal."
"Yeah," scoffed Mystia. "Well, just make sure it isn't that shrine maiden or the witch."
Wriggle raised an eyebrow at her friend. "I'm not that dumb, Mysti."
Mystai continued to stare down at the fairy.
"Wriggle, we gonna talk about that?"
"About what?"
"The fairy."
The firefly youkai glanced down at the remains. She then shrugged. "Well, who knows? Maybe she pissed them off. Could have just been a personal fight or whatever. Doesn't concern us in the long run. Laters."
And with that, Wriggle took off.
Maybe Wriggle was right. Maybe it was just a one-off happening. That fairy could have just ticked off the wrong youkai. Hell, Mystia personally knew a certain fairy that would do such a thing. Difference was that Cirno could actually take care of herself, to a point. The bird youkai pondered that as she walked out onto the branch. Mystia looked up at the moon as it shone on her face. She wondered what Cirno was up-
killfairieskilhumanskillfairieskillhumans
A pain shot through her head. Mystia winced, but the pain was gone already. Bringing her hand up to her temple, she found that she was sweating.
It's not that hot...and what the heck was that?!
I wanted to fly. But without a broom ride, I was out of luck. Sakuya asked why Nagato couldn't make it so I could fly (good idea), but the human interface said she wasn't authorized to do something so drastic as altering the data of a human that way. Not exactly her words, but you get the picture. Remilia said that Nagato should do it anyways, but Nagato declined, saying that she was still trying to win favor with her superiors.
Disappointing, especially since we had to go by foot all the way to the Hakurei Shrine. And scary.
Thankfully, it seemed that the genocide of the youkai around the SDM had cleared the area. We had no trouble as we circled the lake.
We were about to pass the Prismriver Mansion, when we noticed that it appeared to have been assaulted as well - panes of glass were broken, and the door was broken down. We heard a blast of a trumpet, and saw something get knocked out of the house. Whatever it was, it went into the lake with an audible splash.
The Prismrivers exited their house, each armed with their instruments. I smiled as I saw all of them.
"Stupid little piece of garbage!" bellowed Lunasa. "What the hell is your problem?!"
Merlin turned to her sister, with a sarcastic smile. "Uhm, I don't think he can hear you while he's in the water."
"And I don't think he'll be able to hear at all after those musical blasts we gave him!" chirped Lyrica.
Lunasa slowly nodded, before noticing us. Her eyes widened. "Well I'll be. Kyon? Oh!" Lunasa had noticed the vampire. "And Lady Remilia! Sorry about running late. We got held up with some business with Lady Yuyuko, and came home to prepare..." Lunasa referenced around her. "Then we got attacked."
We exchanged greetings and all after that.
"So," said Lunasa, hands on her hips. "Do any of you know what is going on? These things just attacked our home, clawing up everything, trying to get in."
"Same thing happened to my mansion, but in greater number." Remilia looked over the damage. "Your home looks worse for wear."
"Yeah, well, it was just the three of us defending it." Merlin turned back to her home. "Strangest thing...they didn't attack us."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Lyrica rubbed the back of her head." I don't know - it's just that they got within striking distance of us, multiple times even, and all they seemed to do was get deeper into the house."
Sakuya tapped her chin, thinking. "That's strange. Our maids and Kyon here were attacked in our siege."
That i strange. And unfair. Mostly unfair.
"So I take it the party is cancelled?"
That voice came from the pathway that we were still on. I nearly reeled back in surprise when I saw who it was.
It was the youkai of flowers. Yuka Kazami. She looked over all of us as she stopped in the pathway, a small smile on her face. Even though it was night time, she still carried her umbrella. Her eyes fell on me, and her smile widened.
"Ah. Human. Figures that you're here if we're getting an incident."
I shrugged. "Can't be me this time. No cherry blossoms."
She nodded slowly as she turned to Remilia.
"I was looking forward to the party, Miss Scarlet, especially to see your nocturnal garden. You specialize in such a thing, don't you?"
Grinning, Remilia nodded. "I love my lunar-blooming flowers. What can I say? But sadly, yes - the party appears to be cancelled."
Yuka smiled again, and then continued to walk towards us. I of course got out of her way, giving her the path. Sakuya and Nagato followed suit...and Remilia stood there. The two stared at each other. It was obvious Remilia didn't want to get out of the way of Yuka.
Remilia, I know you're strong, but don't do this. Even after the little time I had spent with Yuka, I wouldn't cross her even if backed up by an army.
Yuka and Remilia stood there for about a minute, I guess expecting for the other to move out of the way. They didn't say anything, but I knew what was going on. Who would move for the other? Who would recognize the other's superiority?
Eventually, Yuka closed her parasol, and began to tap it in her hand. Remilia's gaze went to said parasol, and I swear that I saw the vampire gulp as she kept her eyes on that thing. Remilia's lips pursed, her eyes went to the ground, and she slowly moved out of the way for Yuka. Remilia looked pissed, and Yuka smiled again. The youkai of flowers then walked down the path.
Remilia glanced at each of us, a hint of anger in her eyes. "You didn't see any of that."
Man, if her home being attacked and party being ruined didn't put her in a bad mood, that certainly did.
We had left the Prismrivers, and didn't get far from their mansion. It wasn't even out of a stone's throw away from it, when Nagato spoke.
"We aren't alone."
Nagato turned her head, to some foliage. It was darker than I thought it would be within that area...until I saw two red eyes staring back at me.
I knew who it was. She was the first to speak, that familiar childish voice emanating from the darkness.
"Hello, Mister."
It was Rumia. My living nightmare. We stopped, Sakuya bringing out her knives. But Rumia didn't do anything, just stared at us.
At me.
I had to ask her what was on my mind.
"Is it true that you eat children?"
Rumia grinned, the white of her teeth glistening even in the pitch black of where she was.
"Children. Infants. Toddlers. Teenagers. Adults. The elderly. I'm not picky. They all taste yummy. I bet you taste yummy. Oh, I would like to have a bite of you, Mister. I'm hungry...but it looks like you belong to that vampire there."
It's not every day a creature talks about eating you so casually. Of course, I didn't like it.
"You're a simple youkai," said Remilia, "but you have more sense then those others that just attacked my home. Commendable."
"I don't need to be beaten by that door guard again, Miss Vampire. I don't like it when you 'sic' her or that maid on me."
"Then you shouldn't enter my property without my permission."
"Is that so?"
Rumia kept her place in the darkness, saying nothing more. We left the youkai of shadows there. When I looked back, her eyes were still on me, making my skin crawl. I moved closer to Nagato.
"That's the one named Rumia?"
I turned to Nagato.
"Yeah. Yeah, that's her." I shot a glance towards the youkai. "It's been months, but I'm still scared of her."
I wasn't ashamed to admit it.
Wriggle saw something while flying around. A human male who was outside of the village's limits. She sensed others, but she focused on the human male, her mouth watering. Teenage human male! Doesn't appear to be from Gensokyo - fresh from the outside world! I'll catch him, eat him, and let my bugs devour the rest of his corpse!
All of a sudden Remilia stopped. She said she sensed something nearby, and then-
And then I was up in the air. I felt something pick me up by hooking its arms under mine, and whisk me away. They were thin arms, like they belonged to a small teenager.
I mused that before my mind began shouting to me that I was being carried away from Nagato, Remilia, and Sakuya. Shouting to me that I had to have been caught by a youkai, even though I couldn't see who it was. Once again the words Meiling said the day prior rang in my head. Fear overtook my body, and I began to struggle. Thing is, whomever it was who picked me up wouldn't let me go - they were strong. The two of us were above the treeline, already moving away from my companions.
And yes, I called out for help.
My mind worked quickly, as fear did course through my veins. Granted, my options were limited on how to defend myself in that situation. I could not fight against a youkai - that would be suicide on my part. All I could hope to do was to knock it out. I couldn't reach the spell cards I had, so I only had one option. Once again, I find myself owing Patchouli for coming up with the vials.
I wasn't looking forward to it, however. I'd have to break a vial in my proximity, knock the both of us out of the air, and hope Remilia, Nagato, and Sakuya could come to my rescue.
Unless I wanted to become a meal, I had to act. We were going higher. I grabbed a vial, shook it, and then I was at a dillema. I couldn't throw it at anything to break it. I had to crush the vial by hand - be at point blank for that danmaku grenade effect.
Pain and numbness now, along with a fall, or be eaten alive.
Pain is temporary. And besides, I'd be able to heal myself back up - an ability that I was grateful for. I crushed the vial.
An overwhelming redness overtook the two of us, alongside a quick electrical pain that gave way to numbness, and drowsiness - the effect of danmaku. I couldn't feel anything, but I saw the both of us falling. I don't know about the youkai, but a bush broke my fall, thankfully.
Damn it all, my body feels so funky. Danmaku really did feel like a strong static charge, like spending all day on a fuzzy carpet and finally touching a door handle - but the shock hits all over your body. Also, my clothes were singed.
I laid there, unable to move for a few seconds, the danmaku numbness keeping my body down. The feeling in my body came back, an ebbing soreness, and I was able to lift my head up, and I saw who it was that had whisked me away.
It was a young...person. Male or female? It was tough to tell. It's body was quite thin. It wore baggy blue pants, a white shirt, and a black cape. Very short, and very messy, teal hair. There appeared to be antennae on its head, like a bug, so it was obviously not human. Youkai. A youkai almost took me. The youkai turned to me, staring at me with its angry blue eyes, a scowl on its face.
"Ah...you little idiot! You'll pay for that!"
The voice was feminine. It was a girl. A girl youkai. A...bug girl youkai? Maybe. And her features made her definitely western. I almost want to say...she looked like an American. You know, she was actually kind of cute in a way. A very boyish-looking bug girl. She didn't look much older than me.
Thumbs up? Not the time. What was before me was a youkai, one that had enough power to attain a human form - she's obviously one of the stronger ones. She was already propping herself with her arms. Slowly getting up, but still getting up. I myself was barely able to move my head around.
Get up get up get up get up!
I already knew that I wouldn't make it up before she did. It had to be the full moon that had given her more stamina, despite being hit by danmaku. The bug girl was already getting back up to her feet. She shakingly stood, clenching her teeth.
"Human, you're going to regret that one!" she said as she took a few staggering steps towards me.
Seriously? I get put into Gensokyo again and this is how it ends? At least give me the chance to run away or something!
The girl didn't get very far.
I had blinked, and there before me, in between the two of us, was Sakuya, Remilia, and Nagato. Nagato was already at my side, helping me up. Remilia and Sakuya already had their respective weapons out, ready to attack. The bug girl, in surprise, reeled back, falling on her backside.
"I don't mean to sound like a jerk," I said as I was being helped up. "But it took you guys long enough."
Seriously, where were they? Where were they while I was being carried off?
"You're okay. I just wanted to see if you could defend yourself before we came to your rescue, much to Nagato's protests." Remilia nodded at my vials. "And from the looks of things, you can defend yourself, which is good."
Remilia turned to the girl, her voice going back to that edge.
"Now, then...youkai. You shouldn't have done that."
The girl moved, trying to circle around Remilia and come for me, but the vampire was too quick, getting in front. The girl then moved again. Same result.
"You okay?" Nagato asked as that was going on.
I moved around my body, trying to see if any part of it hurt. Other than a stinger from the fall, there was no pain. Just soreness from the vial.
After checking up on me, Sakuya turned to Remilia.
"Milady, would you like for me to dispose of this one?" She was referencing to the youkai.
Remilia shook her head.
"No, Sakuya. Stand down. I think I'll show this little girl who she's messing with firsthand." The vampire went back to that calm tone. The same tone of voice she had with the German youkai. "What's your name, youkai?"
The girl didn't appear to want to answer. Again, she tried to circle around, but failed. She kept her eyes right on me. When it was obvious that the girl wasn't going to get around Remilia, she spoke.
"Wriggle. Wriggle Nightbug."
What kind of name is that?
"And what are you?"
"A firefly youkai!" Still not taking her eyes off of me, Wriggle pointed right at me. "I want that human! It's a full moon, I'm hungry, and I got him first!"
Why am I the target of so many youkai tonight?
"He's not yours. He's mine."
"Bull! Who says he's yours?!
"My name is Remilia Scarlet, and I do say he belongs to me."
Wriggle's eyes widened, and her face went pale as she finally looked at the little girl with wings that was in front of her. Wriggle took a few steps back.
"Oh...oh. Oh crap. Miss Scarlet. Oh..."
I really like being a servant of Remilia's. Especially with the reaction it got from the other youkai. Like I said back in April - I felt important.
Wriggle had lost that aggression, and was starting to shake. In her eyes, I could see that she still wanted to fight, but there was fear.
"Are you trying to intimidate me?" Wriggle said in a shaky voice.
She's not trying, Wriggle. She is.
"No. I think Milady is going to kill you." said Sakuya. The maid grinend back at me. She was somewhat enjoying this as well.
"Don't worry," smirked Remilia. "I'm not interested in non-humans anyway."
"Her disinterest is normally reason to worry. If you were a human, you'd at least be treated as food. But right now, she's in a rather foul mood, so..." Sakuya smiled at Wriggle. "Youkai, you're in so much trouble. She is the Lady without mercy, after all."
The bug youkai looked like she wanted to run. Her body sent off that message, as if she was ready to take flight. But there was a determination in her face. Fear, too, but also determination. There must have been a struggle between pride and logic going on in her head, but eventually pride won. Wriggle knew she had no chance in an actual fight against Remilia, so she brought out a spell card.
"You..." she shakingly said. "...you and me, vampire! I'll knock you out! And then I'll take the boy!"
Remilia turned her head to us, an amused look in her face.
"Uh, Remilia," I asked. "You sure we got time for this?" Even I knew that this bug wouldn't pose much of a threat to someone like Remilia.
Remilia shrugged.
"Shouldn't take too long, Kyon. Besides, might be fun, and I feel the need to beat someone down anyways."
I stared at the youkai, feeling sorry for it, despite her wanting to eat me.
The vampire then put Gungnir back in its holster as she waved us to the side, as if to get us to clear the area. We complied. The two of them went up into the air; Wriggle with that same determination to not back down, and Remilia, arms crossed, still amused.
"Milady, what are you doing?"
"Just going to have a little fun, Sakuya. Don't mind it."
I heard Sakuya give a little sigh of disappointment.
I also began to be reminded of the whole "dark half of Haruhi" thing. I would hate for Haruhi and Remilia to join forces. It would be an unholy alliance of haughtiness as both of them do whatever the hell they want to without thinking of the others around them.
Wriggle opened up her attack, making sweeping motions with her arms, danmaku forming at her sides. It was about three waves on each side. She then made a flinging motion, and the danmaku responded, going right for Remilia. The attack wasn't much. Remilia easily sidestepped it all. Even I could dodge that opening attack. Wriggle, you need to do something better if you want to beat Remilia. Nagato stared up at the danmaku, obviously interested. If she's this interested in such a low level attack, wait until she sees a Lunatic card.
"Impressive, isn't it?"
Nagato nodded. A thought then crossed my mind as I turned my head to the maid.
"Hey Sakuya, why don't you form a knife and have Nagato touch it?"
The maid just smiled and shook her head "no".
Unfair. It's what I went through.
Remilia hadn't even made any motions to attack, and had this weird look on her face. It took me awhile to realize that Remilia was holding back on laughing.
Wriggle stopped her attack, anger rising in her face.
"Why aren't you attacking?!"
"Do I even have to, little youkai?" The vampire was snickering, finally breaking her hold on laughter. It went on for about a minute, the vampire doubling over in mid-air, pointing at Wriggle and saying things like "That was so pathetic!" Remilia finished up, wiping a tear from her eye. "Oh, thank you. I needed that laugh. I was too angry right now, but you stopped that. Thank you. Little bug, you are amusing."
The bug youkai's face scrunched up in anger. She was being made a fool in front of other people by a person vastly stronger than she was, and she knew it. Not a good feeling. Remilia was just taunting her opponent by not attacking, saying "you're not worth it at all."
"I'm not weak! I can take you on!"
[SPELL CARD: LAMP SIGN "FIREFLY PHENOMENON"]
Wriggle finally used a spell card. Three "threads" of danmaku poured out at a decent speed. They circled around Wriggle for a bit, before "whipping" towards Remilia as another three threads formed. Remilia had to move a bit faster to avoid them. Wriggle also began to move fast, adding more shots as time went on.
I noticed the danmaku that had passed by me that was shot by Wriggle.
Bugs.
She was shooting bugs.
Ick.
Remilia still did not attack, much to Wriggle's dismay. Eventually, Wriggle had to end the spell card, conceding a capture of it. A copy of the spell card fell to the ground, and the two stopped moving, both of their gazes on it. Remilia had a smug look on her face as she stared at it.
"I'm not going to pick that thing up. That was embarrassing for me to even be a part of that." Remilia glanced at me. "Hey Kyon, if you want it, go ahead."
"No thanks."
I don't think I would like to shoot bugs. That is a power I could do without, thank you.
Wriggle clenched her teeth, her hands balling up into fists.
"You stupid vampire! That was a great attack!"
You think to much of yourself, little youkai. Heck, she reminded me of Cirno, almost.
Remilia's body froze when Wriggle called her "stupid". Slowly, the vampire's right hand balled up into a fist, while the left hand brought out a spell card. A glowing spell card.
Wriggle, you're going to get it now. I patted Nagato on the shoulder, pointing up at it. "That's a Lunatic card. We might want to-" Already Sakuya was leading us to cover behind a tree.
I do like her. She's so thoughtful.
Sakuya looked up at the card, slightly shaking her head.
"This is going to get bad. Milady has to be in a foul mood to use that."
"I don't doubt it." I said. "Considering her party was ruined, I'd say that's a gimme."
And also, a bug youkai just called her stupid. A bug youkai. I may not know the social hierarchy of the youkai in Gensokyo, but even I could tell that this youkai was one of the weaker ones.
"Okay, fine." said Remilia in that calm, shaky voice again. "You want to play with the big girls? Fine. Just don't cry when you get torn apart, little insect."
[SPELL CARD: SCARLET SIGN "SCARLET MEISTER"]
I had never before seen so much red.
Remilia extended her arm, and quickly twirled in the air. Thousands of red shots were fired in one revolution. Remilia paused at the end of it, and did it again in the opposite direction. Sounds like a simple attack, but man was it a heavy attack. At first it appeared to be an unfair attack, but there were small openings one could fly through to avoid the shots. Thing is, the shots were almost as fast as Remilia, so one would need near-perfect reflexes to even survive that one.
I actually heard Nagato gasp at seeing that. A small gasp, but it was still noticeable. I turned to Sakuya.
"And Reimu survived that?"
The corner of the maid's mouth turned down. "Survived? The miko captured that one."
That stunned me for a few seconds. Then I turned my attention back to the vampire in the air. I say that, because Wriggle wasn't there anymore. Remilia had ended her spell card, and was looking for the bug.
You see, the firefly had dived behind a tree, and was peeking out to see if the spell card was done. She was wide-eyed and shaking. I think finally she really did know that she bit off more than she could chew.
"To hell with this!" the youkai yelled out.
Wriggle landed on the ground, and physically ran away from Remilia.
And Remilia gave chase. "Get back here! I'm not done with you!"
"Milady!"
Sakuya ran after her as well.
Not wanting to be left behind, Nagato and I followed.
This really is going to be one long night, isn't it?
The woman was running. From room to room, trying to stay ahead of what was chasing her. If it was anybody else, they would have been exhausted by then. Thankfully her military-level stamina was paying off.
The woman stopped in a room, to catch her breath, to assess where she was, and to decide what her next path should be.
Should be only a few rooms away from the front door. The woman brushed her hair out of her eyes as she decided on how to proceed. Need to get help. Need to contact that gap youkai. Let her know what's going on out here. Need to stop all of this.
Her master, the princess, and all the rabbits were taken by it...whatever it was. They all had that same soulless look in their eyes - static. Nothing but static. As she shifted, the woman felt the custom Luger in her holster. Her eyes went down to it, as she began to wonder if she should eat a bullet instead of going into that same fate, should it come to it.
Can't die now. Can't kill myself. I'd let them all down. Still, to become like that frightened her. But it didn't frighten her as much as what was going on outside.
We made that moon...and then that thing altered it. It's doing something to Gensokyo.
She had heard the howls. Saw how it affected youkai. And it would only get worse as time went on. The fairies were going to die.
Her bunny ears perked up, as she heard something. In one of the rooms ahead.
Damn it. It got in front of me. She went through a mental map of her home, remembering that she should be able to sneak around in one of the side rooms. She decided to do so, hoping that the thing ahead didn't know of those alternate ways.
Reisen Udongein Inaba had to get out of Eintei. She had to get help against that girl with the long black hair.
-entry-
-Entities encountered:
-"Rumia", Youkai
-Lunasa Prismriver, Poltergeist
-Merlin Prismriver, Poltergeist
-Yuka Kazami, Youkai
-Wriggle Nightbug, Firefly Youkai
-Entities cataloged
-Requesting permission to assist in resolving the incident that has afflicted Gensokyo.
-[ADMIN 612]: You are cleared to engage in battle. Top priority is still data acquisition, however.
-Understood.
"Dream Incident" (unofficial name)
- May, 2001. Dream projections were beginning to enter Gensokyo, and causing havoc. Reimu Hakurei set out to find what was going on, but unbeknownst to her, so did Marisa Kirisame. The two found Mugenkan, the literal dream mansion of Yuka Kazami. Mugenkan made the dream projections of the owner come to life. The two entered via different ways, and they both fought Yuka Kazami's servants, before meeting each other. They battled it out again, with Reimu Hakurei winning. Deciding to work with Reimu Hakurei on this, Marisa Kirisame joined the shrine maiden. The two thirteen year olds took on Yuka Kazami in multiple battles before they finally knocked her out. They then destroyed Mugenkan and its dream projections, saving Gensokyo.
- Despite losing her home, Yuka Kazami has no ill will against Marisa Kirisame or Reimu Hakurei - in fact she respects them. She states that "If I was sleeping, then who would take care of my flowers?"
- UPDATE: After an interview with Yukari Yakumo, this entity has learned that Mugenkan was a gift from the demon to the flower youkai, in return for a 'service'. see "Youkai Lunarian Invasion"
=Status: RESOLVED=
-File Catelogued by Emiri Kimidori.
-end file-
-Inquiry:
-What is the "Youkai Lunarian Invasion"?
-[ADMIN 612]: CLASSIFIED. Entity Yuki Nagato does not have the clearance for that data. Do not ask for this again.
-N. Yuki
-end entry-
-logoff-
As I sit here writing this fic, I'm jamming out to an extended 18 minute version of Wriggle's Theme! It's awesome!
Again, so much praise to my beta readers, whom without I could not do this story!
And even more again, read and review!