Imperfect Metamorphosis

by TakerFoxx

It's the first day of spring, and Cirno and her friends are once again up to no good! But after stealing a strange box from Marisa's house, they soon find themselves over their heads as they discover some things are meant to remain locked up.

20. The Right to Remain Silenced

The Right to Remain Silenced

By the time Reimu and Sanae finally found their way back to the council chamber, most of the other delegates were already in their seats. The air was filled with the sound of their chatter and arguments.

Sanae nudged Reimu with her elbow and nodded toward the far end of the room. Yukari's elevated seat was empty.

"Somebody's late," Sanae whispered.

"Maybe she had to use the hole in the ground," Reimu whispered back. "And why are we whispering?"

"Because the acoustics at this end of the room are freaking crazy. If you cough everyone goes deaf."

Reimu glanced back and forth. Then she stuck her fingers in her ears and, quite deliberately, sneezed loudly. The Asakura sisters, who were sitting the closest, both winced and shot her dirty looks.

"Point," Reimu said.

Sanae winced as she rubbed her ears. "Yeah, I freaking hate you."

"Get over it, Mossy."

"Really not helping. Oh, and speaking of people missing..." Sanae glanced over her shoulder. "What happened to the Wicked Witch of the West? I thought she was right behind us."

"Marisa? I dunno, I think Mima wanted to talk to her."

Sanae pointed. There, in her usual place at the far right of the room, was Mima. The ghost's tail filled her seat like a translucent green beanbag, and she had her arm propped up on the armrest and was resting her head against it with a bored expression on her face.

"So, it was a short conversation and Marisa hasn't caught up yet," Reimu shrugged. "Mima can teleport, you know."

"Eh, maybe. Though if you ask me, she probably got lost. Anyways, I got to get to my seat. Talk to you after."

The green-haired shrine maiden hopped into the air to float over to Kanako's side. Reimu did the same, making her way over to Mima.

"Hey," she said as she reached her former arch-nemesis. "What happened to Marisa?"

"You tell me. She was with you, after all."

"Uh, no. You pulled her aside before we went inside, remember?"

"Only for a few seconds. To give her a book she had asked to borrow. She ran to catch up with you right after."

Reimu wasn't sure what to make of that. "Well, I haven't seen her since."

"Hmmm." Mima's eyes narrowed. "Well, it's possible she simply got lost. But in this place..."

Reimu was about to ask her what she was talking about, but right about then the doors swung open and Yukari entered the room. Conversation died down in response.

"There you are!" Eiki shouted. "Where do you get off, summoning us back early and coming in late? One wonders what you're up to."

Reimu leaned over to whisper in Mima's ear, "Is the whole accusation thing like a reflex for her?"

Mima waved her off.

Yukari ignored Eiki. She strolled down the center of the room, the hard heels of her shoes clicking against the stone of the floor. When she reached the other end she floated upward to settle into her chair.

Everyone looked at her expectedly.

Yukari adjusted herself into a more comfortable position, crossed her legs and took a deep breath. "The landscape," she said. "Has just changed."

…

One of Marisa's hands gripped the brim of her hat. The other was wrapped around the handle of her broom, a couple inches from the tip. Her body was pressed flat against the broom and her legs brought up, making herself as aerodynamic as possible. She was still a good distance from the Misty Lake and, beyond that, the Forest of Magic. Of course, she could only remain there for a short time, as that would be the first place Yukari would think to look for her. But if she was going to be doing this on the lam thing for any amount of time, then she needed to stock up.

Of course, that was assuming she even got there. Gensokyo didn't have much in the way of beaten paths, and traveling alone tended toward the dangerous side. As was demonstrated by the numerous fluttering dots in the distance that were slowly growing in size.

"Shit!" Marisa yelled as the first of the fairies blew past her. They were of the small fry variety: weak, stupid and less than a foot tall. But what they lacked in strength they made up with numbers and sheer enthusiasm.

"Buzz off, you flying toys!" Marisa said as she blasted a good dozen of them out of existence. "Get out of my way!"

They just laughed at her in their piping little voices and kept hammering at her from all sides with their tiny bullets.

"Screw this," Marisa muttered. She reached into a pocket and withdrew a spellcard. At her touch, it began to glow.

Marisa thrust the card in front of her face. "NON-DIRECTIONAL LASER!" she howled, and released the card.

The card vanished in a shower of sparks, and massive beams of energy shot out in all directions. Fairies disintegrated by the dozens as their tiny bodies were engulfed by the beams. Bits and pieces of them fell like ash, only to dissolve into base energy.

Finally, Marisa was left alone. Panting, she surveyed the scene. When she was satisfied that she had gotten them all, she started to move forward again…only to stop short when something seized on to the back of her broom.

Marisa looked over her shoulder. There, clinging to the bristles of straw, was one last fairy. This one was larger than the rest, nearly two feet tall, with a lime green dress and a matching wide-brimmed hat.

"Imma kill you!" it chittered at Marisa in its high-pitched voice. "Imma kill you for that, witchy!"

Marisa just stared at the angry little thing. Then she pointed a single finger at it and blew its head clean off. The fairy's now headless body slipped from the broom's handle and tumbled downward, dissolving away to nothing all the way down.

Marisa sighed. It seemed that no matter how many times they got themselves turned to smoke, fairies just never learned to not pick on things bigger than they were. She wouldn't be surprised if that same gang ended up killing themselves again before nightfall.

With that, Marisa brought her legs up, leaned her body forward and made a blur of the scenery.

…

A wave of murmurs rose up in response to Yukari's pronouncement. Confused, Reimu shot a questioning look over to Mima, who was staring at Yukari with intense eyes.

"Mima?" she said in a loud whisper. "What's she talking about?"

Mima didn't look at her, but she said, "We're about to find out aren't we? Still, if it's what I think it is…"

Before Reimu could question further, a voice that she was getting very tired of hearing rose above the rest.

"So!" Eiki Shiki shouted as she leapt from her seat. "You mean to distract us from the situation at hand by bringing up geographical disturbances? One wonders what sort of game you're-"

"Uh, boss?" Komachi said, taking Eiki by the shoulder. The tall Shikigami leaned in and whispered into her employer's ear.

"What?" Eiki frowned. "Oh, that's what it means? I did not know that. Thank you, Komachi." She whirled back to face Yukari, who was pressing her palm against her face in exasperation. "So! You mean to distract us from the situation at hand with confusing figures of speech! One wonders what sort of game you're…"

Reimu sighed. She glanced at Mima, hoping for a moment of shared irritation. But Mima was ignoring both Yukari and the Yamaxanadu. Instead, her razor-gaze was focused on Satori Komeiji, who had apparently just entered the room and was taking her seat.

"What's that cave-dweller been up to, I wonder?" Mima muttered under her breath.

Even though she was sitting all the way across the room, Satori still turned her head to lock eyes with Mima. The underground's master's expression did not change, but she did raise a single eyebrow. Coming from her, that was as good as an insulting gesture.

Back in her throne-like chair, Yukari shook her head. "Forget it, let's move on." She took a deep breath. "Okay, as some of you know, for the last couple of days I've been trying to track down Rumia's former associates, the fairy Cirno and her gang. Thus far, they've managed to remain out of sight, but just a short while ago I was informed that they have decided to crawl out of hiding and start wreaking their trademark havoc. Only this time, I'm afraid they've decided to cross the line from 'irritating' to 'dangerous'."

Reimu's head jerked back. She wondered if she had heard Yukari right. She certainly had never expected to hear her out of all people refer to Cirno and her friends as 'dangerous', Rumia's own special case notwithstanding.

"I know that this sounds impossible. Believe me when I say that probably wouldn't believe it either. But trust me when I say that the situation is-"

Yukari was cut off by a sudden outburst of high-pitched laughter. All eyes swung toward Tenshi, who had thrown her head back and was holding her stomach as she cackled.

"Oh, oh no!" she said. "Make it stop! The mighty Yukari is…afraid of a bunch of kids? Itty bitty Cirno had her quaking in her boots! Oh, Heaven preserve us! Could you possible get any more pathetic? I suppose you really were never all that-"

The room instantly plunged into darkness. Reimu gasped in surprise and had to clutch at her seat's armrests to make sure it was still there. Then she looked up and froze.

Yukari's golden eyes gleamed through the black, like the flames of two candles. Then, without warning, Tenshi appeared in the center of the room, floating in midair and illuminated by a faint aura. The Celestial girl's arms and legs were splayed out in four directions, and she seemed to be unable to move them. In addition, her mouth was covered by some kind of glowing golden gag.

Yukari's voice came out of the darkness. "Tenshi, I am in a foul mood today, and have had it up to here with your petty contention. Rest assured, I will be speaking to your parents about your behavior. But for now, another word out of you that does not contribute something I judge to be useful, and I will have you ejected from this court. Forcibly. Do you understand me?"

Tenshi stared wordless at the twin flames of Yukari's eyes. Sweat was starting to trickle down her face. She nodded once.

"Good."

The lights came back on. Tenshi was back in her chair, having somehow crossed the distance between there and where she had been suspended in the space of a nanosecond. Trembling, she curled her knees up under her chin and tried to make herself as small as possible.

Yukari's gaze swept over the stunned audience. "Sorry about that, ladies. As I was saying, while Cirno is not normally associated with deadly situations, this case is the exception. And to help explain, I present a witness to the event in question. May I present Captain Sonozika, the head of the Gensokyo Peacekeeping Force."

"What? Kotohime?" Reimu blinked. She looked over to Mima, whose terrifyingly intense stare was now focused on the brown-haired young woman in a loose-fitting black uniform who had just entered the room. Accompanying her were three other people wearing the same uniform: two tall dark haired men that had to be brothers, and a silver-haired fairy woman. All four had the blank expression of someone who was having an incredibly bad day but didn't want to let it show. Again, the room filled with whispers.

"Huh, looks like someone changed their mind in a hurry," Mima said in a low murmur. "Interesting."

"What is?" Reimu said. "Mima, what's going on?"

"Pay attention. I think you'll find what's coming next to be quite…fascinating."

…

Marisa was following the path of a river that wound its way between a range of gently sloping green hills when something heavy snagged onto her broom and threw it off balance.

"What the-?" she screamed as she was sent spinning and spiraling downward. Instinct took over, and she pulled up as hard as she could, barely bringing her broom up again only a few feet from the ground.

Growling in frustration, she looked down to see what had hit her. There, hanging with her arms and legs wrapped around the underside of the broom, was a red-haired youkai girl in a green-and-yellow outfit.

Marisa exploded. "CHINA? What the hell do you think you're doing, ze? Get OFF!"

"China?" the youkai girl shouted back. "Who's she?" She held up a long baton with one hand. "I've been waiting a long time to get my-"

Alas, whatever it was that the strange girl had been waiting for was never realized, as Marisa decided to skip the monologue and shove the heel of her boot right into her assailant's face. The girl's eyes bulged and her grip loosened. A second kick dislodged her entirely. This was followed by a Master Spark, which insured that she wouldn't be bothering anyone for quite some time.

"This is getting freaking annoying, ze," Marisa growled. Then she looked around and realized that the attack had turned her around and she had no idea where she was.

…

Kotohime marched forward, mentally forcing one leg in front of the other. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so frightened. As history often made a point of mentioning, messengers bearing ill news did not have a high life-expectancy rate.

No, wait, check that. There had been a time when she had been much more frightened, back when Yuuka Kazami had her tied naked to a tree and was treating her in a very…unpleasant manner. And soon after she was forced to watch as her fellow officer and friend was literally blown to disconnected atoms, just to make a point. Of course she had gotten better, but that didn't make it any easier to witness.

And now, not even an hour later, she got to explain all of that to some of the most powerful persons in all of Gensokyo, person who were reportedly in possession of some very volatile personalities.

For what had to have been the first time in her life, Kotohime wondered if retirement was in order.

Flanking her were the recently resurrected Officer Nyoron, who was not at her best at her moment, and Officers Blair and Kelso. Kotohime could tell that they were holding themselves together through sheer force of will. Nyoron especially had spent the last fifteen minutes in tears. Kotohime sympathized, as she planned on having an emotional breakdown of her own later on.

However, that was neither here nor now. Kotohime had a duty to uphold, and ragged nerves or no, she was going to honor it.

They reached the center of room and stopped. Fully aware of the eyes on her, Kotohime said, "Ladies. Lords…Uh, sorry. My Masters. I wish I had better news to bring here, to present before you, the council, but uh…"

She took a deep breath and continued. "Um, well. As Lady Yakumo just explained, my taskforce and I were tasked to locate and bring in Cirno and her fellow renegades for questioning in regards to the Rin Satsuki situation. For the last two days, there have been the odd sighting, but for the most part they have remained out of reach. But some hours ago, that changed."

Kotohime reached into a side-pocket, rummaged around and brought out a crumpled piece of brown paper. "The fugitives in question appeared in the Youkai Market early this morning, passing these out and offering a substantial money reward for anyone who was successful in fulfilling their task. As it seems, they've decided to take personal involvement in this incident." Kotohime opened the paper and showed it around, displaying the crude stick-figure and accompanying numerical amount. "In short, they've placed a bounty on Rin Satsuki."

There was a loud snort of suppressed laughter. Kotohime looked to see the woman she knew as Rika Asakura covering her mouth as her shoulders shook. Mortified, Rika's sister grabbed her and whispered something in her ear. Rika looked up to see Yukari staring at her. Her face turned red and she sank into her chair.

Kotohime nervously glanced at Yukari. Looking impatient, the ancient youkai motioned for her to continue.

"Uh, right. Anyway, like I was saying, the amount of twenty-five million yen has been offered as a reward for anyone who can, you know, who can find her. Satsuki I mean. And, uh, bring her down. Take her out. That sort of thing."

My gods, I sound like such an idiot. Sweat was starting to prickle the back of Kotohime's neck. She did her best to ignore it. "And from what I've been able to tell, there's been considerable, uh, well, a lot of people are interested, and…"

"I'm sorry to interrupt," said the goddess Kanako Yasaka. "But I really need to know something. While that sort of money may not be all that much to people like us, for a wild fairy or youkai it is a bit of a ridiculous amount to possess. How are they planning to pay this bounty at all?"

"They're probably not," said Shinki, whose presence Kotohime was trying very hard not to notice. "In the very off-chance of someone succeeding, they'll likely feign ignorance and try to weasel out of it."

Kotohime cleared her throat. "Well, uh, no offense, my lady, but it seems to be legit. At least one member of the gang was seen carrying a bag with a substantial amount of cash. While I didn't get a chance to examine it closely, it did seem to…uh…they have a lot?"

"Stolen, most likely!" shouted the Yamaxanadu, another person Kotohime was trying not to stare at.

"We'll determine the money's source later," Yukari broke in. "Kotohime, continue."

"Oh. Of course. Should I skip to the end, the part about-"

"No, pick up from where you left off."

"R-right. Of course." Kotohime closed her eyes for a moment and steadied her nerves. At least she had had the good sense to relieve herself before coming out here, otherwise there would probably be warm liquid trickling down her leg.

"Well, like I was saying, unfortunately there are a lot of youkai and fairies participating. But there is good news! From what I've been told, Satsuki's shape changes with each new victim she absorbs, right?"

"Yes it does," said the physician Eirin Yagokoro. "She takes on some of their physical characteristics as well as their power."

"Right. Uh, thank you. Anyway, as I understand it, the picture here" Kotohime's finger touched the angry stick-figure "is very much outdated, and she now looks very different. So everyone's going to be looking for a monster that doesn't exist anymore."

"But that doesn't mean there isn't danger," Yukari reminded everyone.

"Right." Kotohime wilted a bit. "Um, this'll buy you…erm, us some time, but they'll probably figure it out sooner or later. Especially since I've been told that Cirno was interviewed by none other than the Tengu Aya Shameimaru a few hours ago. You…probably all know her…"

The groans that filled the room told her that she was correct. Kanako said, "For goodness sake, if all this was going on, why didn't you stop it? The last thing we need is a mob of unwanted helpers!"

Kotohime glanced at her fellow officers, who were doing their best to stand at attention. "We, uh, tried. Unfortunately, it seems Cirno anticipated our interference and sought protection."

"Protection? Whose?"

Kotohime readied herself. This was it. She stood as straight as she could and said, "Yuuka Kazami's."

…

Marisa was officially lost. The Ruined City was located in a great big stretch of nothing with much more nothing surrounding it. As such, Marisa had never ventured this far out before. She supposed if she kept going forward she would eventually find something she recognized, but as far as she knew Yukari or one of her goons was only now in hot pursuit. She needed a way of getting her bearings.

As she continued to follow the river, something caught her eyes. She braked to a hard stop and swung around. As she had thought, there was someone lying on the riverbank. Finally.

Marisa swooped down toward the prone figure. "Hey! Yo, 'scuse me! I'm kinda lost, ze. You know how to get to…" Then she got a good look at the person in question. "Whoooooaaa!"

It was a young girl, one with fair skin and thick blond hair. She was lying in a crumpled heap next to the water, as if she had fallen asleep in mid-step. A pale yellow cat was pawing at her body and mewing worriedly.

Also, she wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing.

Marisa couldn't help but stare. Even in a place like Gensokyo, where things of bizarre and unexpected nature happened on a daily basis, this wasn't something you saw every day.

"Well," she said. "This day is starting to look up. Not usually into the whole lolicon thing, ze, but hey…"

Then she grimaced and slapped herself in the face. "Damn it, what am I saying? Maybe Reimu's right about hanging out with Aya too much."

She reached out with her broom's handle to prod the girl in the side. The cat finally took notice of her and whipped around. Its fur bristled and it hissed a warning.

Marisa glanced at it in annoyance. She flicked her fingers at it, sending out a handful of sparks. The cat yowled in surprise and bounded away.

"Hey," Marisa said as she jabbed with the broom. "Yo, wake up. Hey, Nudie! You alive?"

The girl groaned and opened her eyes. "Erp, huh?"

"Hey, you're awake, ze. Cool. Say, sorry to interrupt your skinny…nap, but can'ya point me in the direction of the Misty Lake? Like now?"

The girl sat up and sleepily rubbed her eyes. "Uh, do I know you?"

"Pretty sure you don't. Not really from around here, so I don't…" Then Marisa frowned. Now that she thought about it, the girl's face was starting to jar her memory.

"Uh, maybe. Don't usually hang out with nudies, but there is something…" Then her eyes brightened and she snapped her fingers. "Oh, wait, yeah! You're that one other witch chick, Ell…Elly? Eli? Elliot?

"Ellen."

"Right! Ellen! We met back at the whole thing with the fake ruins!"

The girl's face was blank with incomprehension. "Fake…ruins?"

"You know! A few years back, that stupid contest thing? With the race, and the spaceship?"

"Uh…"

"Oh, come on! Don't tell me you forgot…" Then Marisa rolled her eyes and growled. "Oh, that's right. Crappy memory problems. You told me. I forgot."

"Forgot what?"

"Never mind. Yeah, we met before, you just don't remember, ze."

"Sorry."

"Nah, no worries. Say Nudie Ellen, could'ja-"

"Why do you keep calling me 'Nudie'?"

Marisa blinked at her. "'Cause you's is a nudie. Duh."

Ellen looked down at herself. Her eyes suddenly went as wide as saucers and her face flushed deep red. "Oh my gosh!" she squealed. She hastily covered her intimate bits with her arms. "What did you do to me?"

"Me? Nothing! Found you like that, ze! What do you…Hey, where're you going?"

Ellen didn't answer. Instead, she had leapt to her feet and was running away. "Where's my clothes?" she cried. "And Sokrates? Where's Sokrates?"

Marisa scratched the back of her neck. "Dunno to both, but before you take off in embarrassment, could'ja point me in the direction of the Misty Lake? Like now?"

Ellen threw one finger down the river's path and kept running.

"Thatta way? Awesome, I had it right." Marisa waved goodbye at the fleeing girl. "See yah Nudie! Hope you find you clothes and whatever that second thing was!"

With that, Marisa mounted her broom and pushed off, leaving a very distressed Ellen far behind.

…

The effect Yuuka's name had upon the council was instantaneous, predictable and loud. Everybody began talking at once, demanding explanations, slinging accusations and nervous suggestions of compromising with the youkai in question. And of course, of all the voices, there was one that rose above the others.

"This is ridiculous!" Yamaxanadu Eiki Shiki shrieked. "Why would the Sleeping Terror of Endless Flowers choose to protect base criminals? What possible reason does she have?"

Reimu didn't add her own objections to the others. Instead she slumped back into her chair. She was starting to feel a little sick. There was a proverb she had once heard, about how people would gladly face an unknown danger to escape a known one. And as deadly as Satsuki and the Shadow Youkai were, she did not have much in the way of history with them. Yuuka however…Reimu had encountered her on a couple of occasions and was very much aware how lucky she had been to escape with her life.

Yukari spoke. "I can answer that question, Honored Yamaxanadu. It seems that she has been drawn out by the chaos Cirno's bounty would cause, much like a shark would be drawn by blood in the water. I'm sure you're all aware of how she used to amuse herself. In fact, she has already sent me a personal challenge, presumably for her own enjoyment."

"Oh?" Eiki's aquamarine eyes narrowed in suspicion. "One can't help but suspect additional motivations beyond a desire for a scrap! Tell me Yukari, is there any personal history that you have neglected to inform the rest of us about?"

Reimu frowned. She leaned close to Mima and said, "What's she doing? Didn't she see what happened to Tenshi?"

Mima looked annoyed but she said, "Eiki Shiki is a founding member of the council who has performed her duties faithfully for centuries and reportedly acts this way at every single meeting, to the point where it's practically expected. Tenshi is an upstart brat who has done absolutely nothing of worth and isn't even a real Ringleader. She doesn't get a pass."

"Yeah, but-"

"Hush."

"Yamaxanadu Shiki," Yukari said. "I assure you that while I have had…unfortunate encounters with Yuuka in the past, there was nothing personal about them at all. We aren't even rivals, at least not until now. If you doubt my word, you may consult your own records."

"Perhaps. But the possibility also remains that this whole story is a farce woven with the intention of controlling us!"

"It isn't," Satori said. Her voice was calm but still audible.

Eiki redirected her glare. "And I suppose you're willing to vouch for this nonsense?"

"Yes. I do not lie. Yukari is telling the truth."

Eiki muttered something under her breath but didn't retort.

"Thank you Satori," Yukari said. By this point, her voice wasn't much more than a tired monotone. "And Captain, thank you as well. You may retire."

Naked relief flooded Kotohime's face. She nodded and she and her entourage marched from the room, poorly hiding the uncontrollable trembling their bodies were suffering.

"Obviously, these new developments have complicated an already highly complicated situation," Yukari said. "Whatever you may think of me or our goals, there is no doubt as to where Yuuka stands. Her very presence threatens this entire-"

"No, it threatens only you!" Eiki bellowed. "She has challenged only you!"

This time, Yukari's patience with the Judge of the Dead snapped. "And what is your point?" Yukari demanded. "Or do you intend to lead this operation?"

Eiki glowered but she didn't answer.

Yukari continued. "As I was saying, I've already taken steps to deal with Yuuka, and I plan to do something about the bounty and the leak of information. But our timetable has still been escalated. I'm sorry, but we have no more time to debate this. Think of plan of action now, or I will do it for you."

Nobody said anything, though there were plenty of exchanged glances and nervous twiddling of fingers. Then Kanako said softly, "Well, I suppose I could instruct the Tengu and the Kappa to begin searching the sky and the water for any trace of Satsuki."

"And I can have Murasa and her crew do the same," Byakuren said. Just saying that seemed to cost her something.

Eirin leaned back in her seat. "While the damage to Eientei limits what aid we are about to offer, this is still our mess to clean up. We will assist in every way possible."

Reisen's eyes flickered uncertainly to her mentor. Her shoulders slumped and she stared at the floor.

"And I shall begin a thorough search of the underground," Satori said.

"Very good," Yukari said with a nod. "And what of you two?" This last question was directed toward Shinki and Eiki, who were sitting relatively in close proximity.

Eiki scowled. "Certainly not. My duties must be seen to, and if the Shadow Youkai is indeed loose, then my attention is required more than ever!"

"I see," Yukari said. She didn't sound surprised or even disappointed. "And what of you, Shinki? Where does Makai stand in this matter?"

The Queen of the Infernal Flames didn't respond right away. She leaned forward, hands clasped in front of her face, eyes focused on the marble floor. When she spoke, it was without emotion.

"This is an Overworld problem," she said. "Makai has no stake in this."

"What?" Kanako said. "So you'll just abandon us?"

"This isn't our problem."

"And if the Shadow Youkai were to show up at your front gates, wielding Satsuki's strength, do you think she'll be swayed by such logic?" Yukari said.

Shinki unclasped her hands and leaned back in her chair. "Makai has but one entrance to creatures of physical flesh. It is well guarded. She will not enter."

"Reimu did, more than once," Mima said.

Shinki glanced at her and then back to the ground. "We've improved our defenses since then. She will not pass."

The others looked like they wanted to argue further, but Yukari cleared her throat loudly, silencing further debate. "Very well then. I accept your refusal. And if she does show up, please make every effort to inform us immediately."

Shinki nodded once.

"Good. And as for the rest of you, we have yet to decide what we are going to do when we find her. Please come to a decision immediately."

Someone cleared their throat. Everyone turned to stare at Tenshi, who was sitting up in her seat.

"I could…uh…" The Celestial girl winced. "Well, like I was saying earlier, about Earth magic…"

"That would be useful, thank you. In fact…" Yukari's gaze swept the room to settle on Suika, who had been moodily refusing to take part in the discussion.

"Suika, I know it's a large favor to ask, but would you please accompany Satori back to the underground and seek the help of your former companions, the Devas of the Mountain?" she said. "After all, Satsuki may still be vulnerable to physical assault."

Suika shrugged. "Sure, if you can do something about the face that we can't touch her without dying a little on the outside."

"It shall be done. As for the rest of you, should you encounter Satsuki, I must insist that you do not engage her head on. To do so would be unwise at best, suicidal at worse. And in this instance, I believe it is best to assume the worst. Contain her if you can and alert the rest of us. Furthermore, many of you probably know creatures of strength who are not present with us today. Enlist their help in the search if you can, but again, please do not allow them to directly confront her. I would like to keep the death toll down if all possible."

"What about Yuuka?" Kanako asked. "She'll have no such reservations."

"And there's the bounty," Byakuren said. "Sooner or later, someone will figure out what Rin looks like and try to take her down. We can't just let it continue. Lives are at stake."

"Of course," Yukari said. "Let me worry about the bounty. As for Yuuka, like I've said, I've already taken steps to deal with her. In the meantime, should she show up unexpectedly as she likes to do, I suggest you flee immediately and inform me immediately. Attacking Yuuka rarely turns out well for the attacker. Understand?"

There was little disagreement.

"Good. And of course, I expect you all to keep in touch with each other and share information. Remember, this is a collaborative effort. This is not a contest, and you are not bounty hunters. Attempting to take the target by yourself will be treated as stupid rather than impressive, even if you're successful."

Yukari's gaze swept over those gathered. For the briefest of moments, her eyes touched Reimu's. The shrine maiden inhaled sharply. There was something about Yukari's expression that terrified her. The lazy, teasing and occasionally annoying youkai that Reimu had come to know the last few years was gone. This creature was something entirely different. While she had seen Yukari perform ruthless actions in the past, she had never seen her like this. This was a woman who wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice her dearest friend if she thought it would achieve her aims.

For the first time in her life, Reimu got the feeling that she had finally seen the real Yukari Yakumo.

"This meeting," Yukari said. "Is adjourned." With that, one of her gaps opened above her head and came down, enveloping her. Then it closed up, leaving behind an empty seat.

As soon as Yukari disappeared, Mima was already in the air and moving. Reimu leapt up and followed.

"Mima!" she called.

"Not now, Reimu," Mima said. "Please head back to the shrine."

"What? No, wait! Hang on a second! What's going on?"

"I'm afraid I have no time to discuss theories. Please, do what I say and-"

"Screw that! I'm not your minion, remember? Did you know the whole thing about Yuuka?"

Finally Mima turned to face her. "I did," she said. "After all, both Eirin and I were present when Yukari received the news."

Reimu blanched. "Then why the hell didn't you tell me immediately? I mean, it's Yuuka!"

"Because Yukari instructed us not to." Mima looked over her shoulder at the now empty throne. "It's strange she changed her mind so quickly. Something sneaky is afoot, and I'm not part of it. I don't like that one bit."

"Do you think that's what happened to all the missing people? Like Marisa, and Sakuya and Patchouli?"

Mima's face darkened. "More than likely. I don't know yet. But I intend to find out." She started to fade away.

"Yeah, okay. Fine. And-Hey, wait!"

Mima's nearly transparent form solidified. "What is it? Make it quick."

"You said you were talking with Eirin and Yukari when you got the message about Yuuka, right? What were you talking about?"

"Why?"

Reimu glowered. "Because I know you three. And I'm like you: getting just a little tired of secrets."

"Fair enough. And it's no secret: we were talking about how to kill Rumia and Rin Satsuki."

Reimu's eyes went wide. She opened her mouth to question further, but Mima had already disappeared.

"I am," she muttered. "Getting really sick of that."

Then she looked around. The court was clearing out and fast. The Asakura sisters had made a straight line for the exit as soon as Yukari had dismissed them, and a mercifully quiet Tenshi hadn't been far behind. Eiki Shiki and Komachi had left in a small whirlwind of smoke, and Shinki had left in a similar manner, taking her ever silent bodyguard with her. Satori was also moving for the door, her cat in her arms. Suika jumped up and sulkily followed. She didn't even bother yelling Reimu goodbye.

Eirin and Reisen were also on their way out. Reisen looked absolutely devastated. Reimu couldn't blame her. No matter how this ended, things weren't looking good insofar as the Lunar rabbit was concerned. She was caught in a double-bind, and she knew it.

For a brief moment Reisen glanced over her shoulder. She locked eyes with Reimu. Not really knowing what else to do, Reimu summoned up optimism she did not feel and shot her an encouraging smile and a wink. Reisen blinked in surprise. Then she managed a shaky smile in return and rushed to catch up with Eirin.

Reimu let out a slow breath. Not for the first time, she was starting to feel that she was in over her head. This was starting to become more stressful than that thing with the Watatsuki sisters a few months back, and that was saying something.

Across the room from her, Byakuren was descending the steps from where she had been sitting. Reimu wasn't sure why she didn't just fly down like everyone else, but if it would delay her she wasn't complaining.

"Byakuren!" she shouted as she ran over to her. "Hold on a second!"

Byakuren turned to face her. The elder magician was clearly troubled, which was no surprise. She hated violence at the best of times, and even if she was willing to fight when necessary, this entire situation would offend her sensibilities on many, many levels. Which was exactly why Reimu needed to speak to her.

"Yes, Reimu, what is it?" Byakuren asked.

Reimu skidded to a stop. "Hey, sorry to bug you, but do you got a minute? There's something important I need to talk to you about."

Byakuren's mouth set in a straight line. "Reimu, I really hope you're not trying to bring me into some sort of under-the-table scheme. I've had quite enough of those."

Reimu shook her head. "Believe me, you'll want to-"

"Hey, Reimu!" she heard someone say.

She turned to see Sanae run up to her, with her goddess in tow. "Oh, hey guys."

For her part, Kanako was looking impatient. No doubt being dragged along by her subordinate to speak to a competitor at the end of an extremely stressful meeting had put her in poor temper. "Sanae claimed that you wish to speak with me," she said shortly. "Please make it quick. I have a great deal of work to do."

"Right. Sorry. Actually, can we go to your shrine? I'd really prefer it if it were someplace private. Byakuren, could you come along too?"

Byakuren's eyebrows rose. "Reimu, that would take much longer than 'a minute'."

"I know. I'm sorry, but it's kind of important."

Kanako folded her arms. "Shrine maiden, I really hope you're not going to waste my time here. I'm not in the habit of inviting the competition into my shrine."

"Huh?" Sanae goggled at her goddess. "But Reimu comes over all the time!"

"I wasn't talking about her."

Byakuren sighed and shook her head. "Kanako, we've been over this. I have no interest in moving in on your territory. Your subjects are your own, and I'm fine with that."

Reimu was starting to grow impatient. You owe me one, Reisen, she thought grimly. "Look, we can waste time fighting about this or we can get it over with."

Kanako stared down her nose at the shrine maiden.

"Uh, please?"

Byakuren sighed. "You might as well give in, Kanako. She's used gone as far as to say 'Please' without sarcasm. You know it's important if she does that."

Kanako's lips drew even tighter but she said, "Fine. But it had better be important." She inclined her head toward the door. "Come on ladies, let's get going."

…

Marisa's heart leapt when she finally saw the telltale veil of pale blue mist that was the Misty Lake's namesake. With a triumphant grin, she redirected her broom. Finally she was in more familiar territory. Let the annoying obstacles come! She now had the home court advantage, and with her hakkero and spellcards they would be quickly taught better manners.

Almost as if her boastful thoughts had conjured them up, as soon as she entered the cool vapor, she had to quickly redirect course to avoid colliding with six Humans in black clothing who were circling the lake at a leisurely pace.

"Hey!" snapped their leader, a sharp-looking lady with short blue hair. She ducked just in time to keep from getting decapitated. "Watch it!"

Even though it probably wasn't the wisest course of action for a fugitive, Marisa's temper was already strained. She whirled around and shouted back, "You watch it, you shrew-faced old hag!"

The woman stiffened. She snapped her fingers, and her subordinates immediately fell into position behind her. "What. Did. You. Call. Me?" she growled, her eye twitching.

Marisa frowned. Ah, brilliant, she thought. Another fight with…who are these guys again? Those outfits look kinda familia-

Then her eyes bulged. She yanked her broom hard, rolling out of the way from a focused blast of bullets.

"You're gonna need to learn some respect for your elders, young lady," the group's leader said. "Even if I have to beat it into-"

"Uh, sheriff?" said one of companions as she took the woman by the shoulder. "Isn't that…" She whispered the rest of the sentence into her leader's ear.

"Huh?" the leader glanced at Marisa. "Wait, you may be right. But what's she doing here? Kotohime said she's supposed to be at the Ruined City!"

Kotohime? What? What are… Then she finally recognized those outfits. Oh…right. Those GPF tools. Didn't they have some tie to Yukari…oh crap.

A second blast told her that she was correct. Marisa cursed herself for her stupidity and shot over the patrol's heads. As she did so, she could hear their leader shouting, "Contact Kotohime immediately! Tell her that Marisa Kirisame is at the Misty Lake and on the run!"

…

Yukari stalked through the twisting hallways of the citadel, leaning forward ever so slightly with her hands clasped behind her back. She wasn't heading for anywhere specific, she just felt like pacing. And the seemingly endless corridors were certainly accommodating.

A few paces behind her walked Satori Komeiji. Despite the woman's short frame, she didn't seem to be having any trouble keeping up with Yukari's restless gait.

"…was sent ahead of me, as was Suika. According to Orin, preparations are already underway," Satori said in her trademark monotone. "She should be ready within three days' time."

"Three days?" Yukari said. "Why so long?"

"The reactor is not yet completed, and remains primitive in design. It will take some time to safely deactivate."

Yukari grunted. "Of course, of course. Just make sure she remains on her leash. I don't want to accidentally kill Gensokyo when we're trying to save it."

"It shall be done," Satori said with a nod. "Of course, your own contributions will be finished by then."

Yukari noted the lack of a question mark. "Of course," she said. "Remilia and her cronies are more-or-less ready. I just need to tell them."

"But the witch remains missing."

Yukari frowned. "Still working on that. Still, it's only a matter of time. She isn't exactly-"

Yukari's voice trailed off. She heard someone running to catch up with them. She turned around to see who it was.

A nearly breathless Kotohime came rushing around the corner, followed by her equally harried posse. Yukari wasn't surprised in the slightest.

"Lady Yakumo!" Kotohime gasped. "Ma'am!"

Yukari quirked an eyebrow. Then she looked at Satori. "Please tell me she has good news."

"Good…ish," Satori said.

"Ish?"

"Yes. Ish."

"Better than bad. All right, Captain. What is it?"

Kotohime skidded to a stop. She braced one hand against the wall and doubled over as she panted. Behind her, her posse was in similarly bad shape.

"Easy, don't overexcite yourself," Yukari said.

Kotohime straightened herself up. "Ma'am, we've found her! We've found Marisa!"

"What fortuitous and extremely unlikely timing," Satori said.

"You have?" Yukari grinned. "Great! Where?"

"One of my patrols spotted her following the Lilac River, near the mouth of the Misty Lake," Kotohime said. "They are engaging even as we speak."

Yukari rubbed her palms together. Maybe she would be able to salvage this after all. "Excellent! How's that going?"

"Uh…"

…

A blinding white beam of pure destructive force slashed its way through the mist and cut through the lake, sending a geyser of scalding hot steam into the air. The GPF patrol's tight formation broke immediately as its members scattered in all directions. Then they scattered even further when hissing sparks the size of beach balls and in every color under the sun rained down from above.

Elias Ooishi, GPF sheriff and currently the one in charge of the Misty Lake Patrol, was saved only by quick reflexes and a healthy measure of dumb luck. However, two of her men weren't so lucky and were knocked senseless, requiring her and another officer to snatch them up before they hit the lake's water.

"Where's Captain Sonozika?" she screamed at one of her remaining subordinates. She banked hard to avoid being struck by a pink fireball. "Did you get ahold of her?"

"Yeah, she said she's getting help now!"

Elias cast a fearful look at the angrily glowing figure of a girl hovering over the lake. Marisa hadn't taken their attempt to arrest her well, and was now in the process of demonstrating her displeasure in the most disproportionate manner possible.

"Tell her to hurry!" Elias shouted. The lake's normally calm waters were now disturbed by the various energies being hurled into them, and Elias found herself soaked when a swell burst right beneath her. "I don't think we can take much more of-"

"Sheriff, look!"

Elias looked up. Her eyes went wide and she gasped. Marisa was floating with one blazing hand thrust to the sky. Behind her, several huge objects were starting to appear through the mist.

"Jesus Christ," Elias whispered. "Are those asteroids?"

…

"Poorly."

"Well, that's unfortunate," Yukari sighed.

"And unsurprising," Satori added.

"I'd tell you to be quiet, but you're kind of right." Yukari pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. "Okay Kotohime, I'm going to give your guys a bit of an edge, but I need the exact coordinates of the battle."

Kotohime's eyes filled with a desperate hope. "You're going yourself?"

"I won't need to. I'll just open a gap at her location and suck her in."

"B-but the patrol is still there!"

Yukari shrugged. "Well, then they'll go for a little ride. Don't worry, it's non-fatal. Just surprising."

Satori cleared her throat. "I believe I shall be going now. The situation at hand will require your full attention, and I have things I need to see to myself."

"Right, keep in touch," Yukari said.

Once Satori was gone, Kotohime lunged forward. She grabbed Yukari by the sleeve. "Ma'am, please!" she pleaded. "The patrol's made up of humans, they could be hurt!"

With a scowl Yukari pushed her off. "Stop that. And I told you, it's non-fatal. It's not even-"

Kotohime jumped to her feet. "Send me!"

"Come again?"

"If you're not going yourself, then let me be your eyes. You can apparition your illusion-self to my location, correct? It'll give you more control and allow me to get my people out of the way."

Yukari stared at her. "Let me get this straight: you want me to send you right into the lap of an angry Marisa Kirisame? Captain, I know you fought her back during the ruins incident, but she's kind of stepped up her game since then."

"My people are already down there! I need to get them out of the way!"

"Captain, are you sure you're up to this? You've had a bit of a rough day."

Kirisame straightened. "I am. And to be honest, even with all that Kirisame's learned since our last encounter…" The princess' left eyelid developed a noticeable twitch. "Words cannot express how much I need to hit something right now.

"Even if that something is the Mad Witch?"

A slow smile parted Kotohime's lips. "Even if? Lady Yakumo, she hurt my people. The word I'd use is especially."

Yukari couldn't help but smile in return. The girl probably didn't understand what she was getting herself into, but damn it, you just had to admire spirit like that. "Okay, fair enough. Just remember: when she starts yelling, you start running." She leaned in close, so that she and the Human woman were eye-to-eye. "Now, where's the battle?"

…

At that moment, Elias was considering calling in a full retreat. Despite their five-to-one odds, they were hopelessly outmatched. Marisa Kirisame was packing firepower of the kind that popped up in the dreams of deranged violent maniacs, and she wasn't shy about using it.

Elias and her remaining conscious officer had managed to get their fallen over to the Misty Lake's shore and were taking cover among trees that lined the water's edge. But as a shelter it was purely temporary and somewhat useless. Marisa was capable of melting rocks if she was of a mood.

Elias peeked around the side of the tree she was pressed up against. Marisa was still hovering over the lake, having just ripped house-sized rocks from orbit because she was upset. Elias wouldn't be surprised if the lake's water level had risen as a result, though she wasn't about to go out and measure.

"Anastasia," she said to her remaining officer. "Did Kotohime say what kind of help she would be sending?" She got no answer. "Anastasia?"

She looked. Anastasia, a brown-haired girl barely out of her teens, was huddled up with her back to the tree, knees drawn up, eyes closed tightly and hands clasped in front of her face. "Oh gods, please don't let her get us, please don't let her get us," she whispered over and over.

Elias frowned. She was tempted to reprimand her for unprofessional behavior in the face of an emergency, but seeing how the girl had been on the patrol for barely a month she decided to cut her some slack. She had just survived an asteroid strike, after all.

But still, she needed her up and alert. "Officer Littleton! Snap out of it!"

Anastasia jerked. "What?"

"Kotohime!" Elias shouted. "What did-"

"I'm here, sheriff."

Now it was Elias' turn to jerk in surprise. Kotohime Sonozika was indeed crouching next to her.

"Captain!" Elias gasped. "How did-"

Kotohime lifted a finger to her lips. Behind the captain were the officers Elias recognized as Nyoron, Blair and Kelso. From the look of things, the day they were having was much like her own.

"What's the situation?"

Elias had to repress a bitter laugh. "The situation? Eight kinds of screwed up." She gestured toward the unconscious forms of her patrol, who had been dropped a few feet away. "They're not going anywhere, we don't have the firepower to fight back, and I give it thirty seconds before she figures out we're not out there anymore and starts to deforest."

Kotohime frowned. She gave a curt nod. "Okay." She peered out at Marisa Kirisame.

"Do you see her?" she said.

"Um, yes?" Elias said. "She's kind of noticeable."

"Not you. Her."

Kotohime held up her right hand. Elias blinked in surprise. There, standing in Kotohime's palm, was a miniature woman, semi-transparent and staring out at the lake with evident interest. Furthermore, it was a woman that Elias found to be frighteningly familiar.

"Captain," Elias said in a low tone. "Is that-"

"Yes. Quiet now."

"To answer your question, Kotohime," the tiny form of Yukari Yakumo said. "Yes, I do see her. Now, you and your companions should take cover. Things are about to get…windy."

Through the eyes of her conjured-up form, Yukari watched as Marisa evaporated several liters of water. Such a waste of energy, all spent on a temper tantrum.

She smiled. Well, she could play the overcompensation game as well. She reached out with her mind, feeling the wind currents over the Misty Lake. Then she slowly began to stir the air with her finger, making slow, lazy loops.

…

Marisa ceased her attack and looked around. There was no one else there. Which either meant she had gotten them all or they had taken off.

She had to make sure. If they reported back to Kotohime, and Kotohime reported to Yukari, then all her running had been for nothing. She turned to regard the shore and the trees that bordered it. It was the beginning of the Forest of Magic, her home. If those GPF punks had fled into there, then they were as good as hers. Few people knew the forest better than she did.

She grabbed onto her hat's brim and prepared to move forward. That was when she noticed how much colder it was getting, and how much stronger the wind was growing.

Marisa frowned. Her attack had stirred things up a bit, but for the most part the weather should still be calm.

Thunder boomed across the lake. Marisa looked up and her jaw dropped. Storm clouds were forming, large black ones that swirled in an ever tightening spiral.

This was no natural phenomenon. Magic tingled in the air around her. Someone was causing this, someone with a lot of power. There was no way those flunkies Marisa had just schooled were capable of this, so that meant a third party had just gotten involved. Marisa quickly reviewed the list of people she knew who were capable of this sort of thing. It was a depressingly large number. So she restricted it to people who had some sort of grudge against her. Still too many.

Though come to think of it, hadn't Rin Satsuki pulled something similar? Marisa's eyes narrowed. Maybe a search was unnecessary after all.

"Is that you, Satsuki?" she called. All around her, the wind was growing strength, so she raised her voice to be heard over the howl. "Well, come on! I'm itching for another go!"

…

Satsuki? Really? Was that who she thought was behind this? How amusing. At another time, Yukari might have been tempted to have some fun with that. But unfortunately time was of the essence.

Yukari wrapped her fingers into a fist. She squeezed.

…

There was a blinding flash of light. A bolt of lightning split the sky and slammed into the lake, causing the rolling water to leap up in response. The center of the cloud's spiral followed, shooting down and tightening to form a twisting whirlwind, dark and monolithic.

Marisa growled as the winds doubled, and then tripled their strength. She strained to keep her broom from being swept away. "No fair, ze!" she cried. "That's cheating!"

That was when her hat flew from her head. Marisa yelped and desperately grabbed for it, but she was too late. It flew away toward the funnel cloud, twisting and fluttering on the winds' currents.

"Aw, hell no!" Marisa roared. Now she was mad. Attack her, shoot at her, beat her up, fine. She could deal. But no one messed with her hat!

With one hand she struggled to pull the broom around, so that she was facing the whirlwind. It was no easy task. The broom bucked and fought against her, but she forced it to obey. With her other hand she pulled out her hakkero, which began to glow with energy.

"You want so of this, Satsuki?" she yelled. "Fine! Let's do-"

Then a tear opened up in the vortex's center, revealing a lavender world filled with endlessly blinking eyes.

Marisa gaped. "YUKARRRRRIIIIIIII!" she screamed.

…

"Took her long enough," Yukari muttered. She reached up with one hand and caught Marisa's hat as it flew out of the portal that hovered before her. Partially out of amusement, partially out of spite, she stuck it on her head.

"Now I have you, my pretty."

…

Marisa's face twisted into a grimaced of pure frustration as she tried to turn her broom around. This was insane. There was no way she was going to get out of this. The pull was just too strong.

That's when inspiration struck. She blinked and began to grin. Marisa shoved her hakkero back into her pocket and fished around. When she withdrew her hand, it was holding a small green crystal.

She held it up. "You think you got me, Grandma Gappy?" she called out. "Well, then say hello to my little-"

The wind snatched the crystal from her fingers and sending it flying toward the whirlwind.

"-shit."

Marisa tried not to panic. Okay, so she had lost the crystal. She could still get out of this. Maybe she could break it from afar? Long-ranged attacks were her specialty. Master Spark? No, too powerful. It might disrupt the smokescreen. But she had used up most of her other spellcards. What was left?

Use old-fashioned bullets, dummy.

Still trying to keep her rebellious broom under control, she stuck her arm out, fingers pointing straight forward. She cocked her head, closed one eye and stuck out her tongue. Then, praying to anyone who might still like her, she fired.

It was a shot in the dark. The crystal was too small for her to see, and the air was filled with too much energy for her to track it. So she simply launched as many stars, magic missiles and any other projectiles as she could and hoped she got lucky.

For a second, nothing happened. The bullets sailed past where the crystal should have been and kept right on going. Marisa's heart fell. Well, with any luck they'll go through the gap, come out the other end and hit Yukari in her big, ugly-

Then there was the sound of a crack, audible even over the wind. This was followed by a blinding flash of green light.

…

Yukari cried out as she recoiled. Sharp pain lanced through her brain, and it felt like someone was squeezing her eyes with a nutcracker. She doubled over as she clutched at her face.

…

"Ma'am?" Kotohime stared down at her now empty palm. "Lady Yakumo? Are you there?"

"Captain, what happened?" Elias said in a hushed tone. "Why did the storm stop?"

"I don't know," Kotohime said with a frown. "Kirisame must have done something. But I can't see how-"

"Captain, look out!"

Blair grabbed Kotohime behind and yanked right off her feet. Seconds later, an angry red beam cut right through the place she was standing, searing through trees, dirt and even stone with intense heat.

Dumbfounded, she watched as several identical rays shot out from Marisa's body to demolish the rest of the shoreline.

"Did she see us?" squeaked Elias' remaining officer, whose name Kotohime could not remember for the life of her. "She saw us, right? Oh gods, she saw us!"

"Quiet!" Elias snapped. "Help me move them!" She indicated the still unconscious forms of the rest of her patrol.

"Why? What does it matter? She saw us, and now she's going to kill us, and there's nothing we can-"

"Shut up, and do what your commanding officer says," Kotohime said.

The girl flinched. Her body was trembling with fear, but she obeyed. Together, they picked up the fallen GPF officers and carried them deeper into the woods. As they worked, Kotohime said, "If she had seen us, she wouldn't have used such a wide-ranged attack. A simple fireball to our position would have done it. That attack was likely just an 'in-case'."

"So she tears up the whole fucking shore just because something might be there?" Kelso grumbled. "Jeez, talk about overcompensating."

"I've run into Marisa before. Believe me when I say it's just what she does."

Elias spoke. "Captain, there's something about that last attack that's just doesn't seem right to me." Before anyone could respond with a witty remark, she was quick to add, "Beyond the obvious, I mean. I don't think that spell was spellcard regulation."

Kotohime grunted. She and Elias set down the lifeless man they were carrying. "It wasn't. I'd bet money on it."

The scared girl started to freak out again. "W-wait, you mean it was fatal? Life-threatening? She was really trying to kill us?"

"Looks like." Kotohime allowed herself a bitter grin. "Which means I can add 'attempted murder' to the list of charges."

"Wait."

Everyone turned to Blair, who was looking around in confusion. "Where's Nyoron?" he asked.

Kotohime frowned. "Nyoron? She's right over…" Her voice trailed off when she realized that Nyoron was very much absent. She quickly did a headcount. Counting those Marisa had rendered unconscious, there were currently nine GPF officers huddled together.

"She was with us, right?" Kotohime asked. She looked from one tired face to the next. "After the attack? Does anyone remember?"

Kelso cleared his throat. "She was crouching next to you right before Kirisame decided to go all harbinger of the apocalypse on us."

Kotohime turned around and squinted. She could still see the spot where she had taken cover upon her arrival. A gaping black wound had been torn right through it, searing everything in the beam's path to ash.

"She got out of the way, right?" Kotohime said. "When Kirisame did that heat beam thing, she got out of the way?"

Blair shook his head. "Sorry Captain, I was focused on you. I didn't see."

"Me neither," Kelso added.

"Captain," Elias said in a low voice.

"What?"

"Look."

Kotohime's eyes followed the direction Elias' finger was pointing. There, lying along the side of the beam's path, something was sparkling. Something silvery, almost as if someone had ground a small amount of silver ore to powder and sprinkled it over the leaves.

"Oh," Kotohime said. Her stomach was twisting into knots. "Fairy dust. I see."

A long silence passed. Kotohime stood stock-still, staring at the leaf-covered ground. The others exchanged uncomfortable glances but said nothing.

Then Kotohime said softly, "Well, I guess I'll be dropping the 'attempted' part from that murder charge."

"Well, at least it was her," Elias said.

Kotohime's head whipped around and her eyes bored into her subordinate's with laser-like intensity. "And what was that supposed to mean?"

Realizing she had made a mistake, Elias quickly said, "N-nothing! No offense intended. It's just…"

"What? Just what?"

Elias started to fumble for words. "Well…I'm only say…she is a fairy, it's not like…well, you know…"

Kelso took the opportunity to sidle up to her and whisper, "Seriously, stop before she discharges you."

Elias' face turned red. "Right. Apologies, Captain."

Kotohime stared at her for a moment longer. Then she slowly nodded. "Very well."

She turned her attention back to Marisa. The Mad Witch had seemed to tire of spreading senseless destruction and was now on the move, fleeing into the forest. Although Kotohime supposed that it was a good thing that the attack was over, having to watch someone get away after assaulting her people rankled her deeply. But what could she do? She had four officers lying unconscious and another…temporarily unfit for duty. It would be impossible to get them back to their headquarters in the Human Village and she just couldn't leave the injured patrol by themselves in the youkai-infested forest. Reinforcements would take some time to arrive. She supposed she could leave Kelso and Blair to help take care of them, but that would mean going after Kirisame alone, and as angry as she was she wasn't so bad as to attempt something so stupid.

Except…maybe it wasn't so crazy…

"Okay, here's the deal: Blair, Kelso, stay and help with the wounded. Keep them out of sight, and make sure that hungry youkai are properly discouraged. Elias, call the HQ for help, have them send a recovery team, and make sure they bring a medic. You…uh, sorry, I've forgotten your name…"

The scared girl stiffened. "M-me?"

"Yes. You."

"Uh, Anastasia, Ma'am. Anastasia Littleton."

"Is that right? All right Anastasia, you've got lookout duty. Get up into that tree," Kotohime pointed to the tall pine in question "and keep an eye out for anything that looks like it wants to cause trouble. And when Nyoron…" Kotohime hesitated for a fraction of a second and then continued "…when she, uh, wakes up, tell her to stay put until I get back."

"Get back?" Blair said. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going after Kirisame."

This announcement brought forth a flurry of questions and objections, the dominant theme being that taking on Marisa Kirisame alone would be suicide.

"Enough!" Kotohime shouted. "Enough. I'm not planning on attacking her, just trailing her. I'm not about to let her pull something like that and just fly away."

"But, Captain!" Elias said. "It's still reckless! If she sees you she'll attack! And even if she doesn't, what could you do? All of us together couldn't do anything."

"Seriously, at least let me come along," Blair said.

"No. If she didn't have any problem taking out all of us, then having one more along won't make any difference. Besides, I won't be without backup."

"Huh?"

Kotohime turned to stare in the direction Kirisame had headed. "Yukari Yakumo wants that girl, and she wants her bad," she said. "Whatever it was that Kirisame used to stop her didn't appear to have any kind anchor, so it's almost certainly a temporary effect. So it's going to wear off, and when it does…" Kotohime's fist clenched at her side. "…when it does, I can't imagine Lady Yakumo is going to be in a good mood."

…

Yukari was collapsed on the floor, hands clutching at her face. Her eyes were still squeezed shut from the pain, and it seemed that she was unable to seal it off. That told her a number of things. First, whatever Marisa had used on her had been specifically designed to counter her control over borders as well as her gaps. Also, since Marisa lacked the experience and finesse to put such a thing together, she had to have gotten it from someone else. And given how incredibly powerful it was, that meant that the most likely culprit was…

Ah, what was she doing? She had figured it out as soon as Marisa had set it off. The flash had been green, after all.

Fortunately the effects were starting to fade. With a grunt exertion, Yukari pushed herself up on her palms and used the chair as a brace as she shakily rose to her feet. She squinted through half-closed eyes. Everything was cloudy and swam around confusingly. She shook her head and stumbled her way to the door.

"Well. Yukari, while I appreciate the interest, shouldn't you take me out to dinner first?"

Yukari blinked. Enough of the haze cleared for her to see that her hand, stretched out for the door handle, had passed through the left breast of a green-haired specter that had somehow gotten into her private chambers.

"Mima," she said, withdrawing her hand. "Good. Just the spirit I wanted to see."

"Yes, I gathered as much from your…groping."

"Stop it," Yukari snapped. "I'm in no mood for jokes."

"Neither am I." Mima folded her arms across her breast. "In fact, I'm here to finish our conversation earlier, but it seems you've already jumped the gun on that one."

"You're…what?"

"Marisa. Where is she?"

Yukari rubbed her forehead. She wondered if her headache was planning on going away any time soon. "And how should I-"

"Yukari, please don't play that game. Not three hours ago you told me you were planning on having her arrested. Soon after, your personal spook arrives with a bunch of her minions. Then Marisa turns up missing during the meeting this afternoon. It does not take a genius to put two and two together."

"Oh? All right then, let's talk about you. Marisa's hakkero and spellcards went missing from my person right after our conversation, there was a large window of opportunity for you to go warn her when I was busy with Kotohime and Satori-"

"Oh yes, I was wondering what that was all about."

"-and then there's the fact that Marisa failed to show for the meeting, like you said, despite the fact that I specifically told you that I was going to arrest her after it was over. It does not take a conspiracy theorist to draw some unfortunate conclusions."

"And since when is anything you say trustworthy? Besides, I think the evidence far more supports my side than yours."

"Really? And how do you figure?"

Mima pointed up, toward the top of Yukari's head. "You're wearing her hat."

Yukari blinked. She turned her eyes upward. "I am?" She reached up and pulled off a pointed black hat tied with a large white bow. "Oh. I guess I am. Huh."

Mima's eyes flashed. "Now, mind explaining how you got that?"

Yukari sighed. "All right, you got me. Fine. After you snuck behind my back to warn Marisa of my intentions and rearm her with her usual cache of obscene firepower, the girl ran into one of Kotohime's patrols over the Misty Lake. Naturally, violence ensued."

"Get to the point."

"The point? The point is that I stepped in to end the fight right then and there, but as it seems your little witch had gotten her hands on a counter-spell, one designed to act against me specifically. It killed my influence in that area and temporarily numbed my power. What's more, it hurt."

Mima's poker face remained steady, though she had to be fighting a smile. "That doesn't explain what you're doing with her hat."

Yukari shrugged. "You ever hear those fables where a fox or some other large animal is nearly caught in a hunter's trap but manages to escape, leaving a bit of their tail behind?"

"Yes."

Yukari waved the hat back and forth. "More or less the same situation."

This time Mima did smile. "So. The almighty Yukari, outwitted by a mere Human. I must have trained her better than I thought."

"You're taking this remarkably well," Yukari said.

"Why shouldn't I?" Mima floated forward, passing through Yukari's body like moisture through a sheet. Yukari winced and shook her head.

Mima made her way across Yukari's new table and settled down in her chair. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the wood surface. "After all, I just learned that you were defeated by my girl. Right now, it's hard to feel anything beyond pride. Well, there's also amusement, smugness and just a bit of contempt. But all in all, this news puts me in a good mood."

"So you're not angry?"

"Angry? Why should I be angry? You took a chance, lost, and admitted it. That's just how the game works." The spirit idly ran a finger over the sanded-down surface of the table. Her face darkened just a bit. "Oh, I admit I did come ready to scrape your face across the walls had you been successful, but I don't think the circumstances merit those sort of measures."

"I see."

"Of course, you will have to call off this silly witch-hunt. I mean, what were you thinking? Honestly Yukari, you should know better than that."

Yukari closed her eyes. Her headache was starting to fade. "I suppose I should."

"So, we're agreed? You'll abandon this course of action? No more of you swooping down to try to snatch Marisa out of the sky?"

"I won't need to."

"Good!" Mima chuckled. "So glad we were able to…Wait, what was that again?"

Yukari tossed Marisa's hat onto a nearby chest of drawers. "I said I won't need to swoop out of the sky or become personally involved in any way. It's no longer necessary."

Mima's finger paused. "And why is that?"

"Because last I heard, Marisa was making a beeline for the Scarlet Devil Mansion."

Even though Mima did not possess legs, she still managed to convey the motion of jumping to her feet. "What!"

"You…did warn her about Remilia Scarlet's hostility, didn't you? Let her know that the mansion would be inadequate as a safe house?"

"Of course I did!"

"Then perhaps she intends to take the matter up with Remilia personally. She never did think clearly while angry." Now it was Yukari's turn to smile. "Unfortunately, Remilia has already been informed of Marisa's intentions, and is preparing to meet her. And seeing how Marisa has already spent a large fraction of her power fighting off Kotohime's people…Well, let's just say I expect that the vampire will deliver her into my hands within the hour. That is, assuming there's anything left to deliver. Remilia hasn't been in the best of moods lately."

Mima stiffened. Her fingers started to shake. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, when it comes to people overstepping their bounds and pissing me off, you'll find that I am very serious indeed. You out of all people should know this."

"You…I'll…"

"You'll what? Attack me? Here, in the heart of my domain?" Yukari shook her head and tsked. "Mima, you should know better than that. I have so many safeguards in place that even if you do win, you'll never leave-"

Yukari realized that she was speaking to empty air. Mima was gone.

With a smile, Yukari rolled her eyes. She walked around the table to sit down in her chair. "Guess she wasn't up to it. Well, never mind then." She held out a palm and concentrated. Over her hand Kotohime's form began to take shape. It was still indistinct and shot through with static, but that would wear off soon enough.

The princess in question was flying forward. She appeared to be in a great hurry. Knowing her, she was probably in pursuit of Marisa. Good, it made things simpler.

"Captain?" Yukari said. "Captain Sonozika! Can you hear me?"

Kotohime looked up at her. She started in surprise, and then her mouth parted in a relieved smile. "Ma'am, you're back!"

"I am. And I have to say, that was really unpleasant. So tell me." Yukari leaned in close, so that she and Kotohime's tiny form were eye-to-eye. "Where is Marisa Kirisame?"

…

An open book sat on Alice's desk, its revealed pages empty. Alice dipped the feathered quill she was holding in the inkwell. She began to write.

Yet another dead end today, she jotted down in her fussy, precise handwriting. While Shanghai's reactions continue to develop, she has yet to display any semblance of freewill. Everything she does is something I've preprogrammed, and anything that isn't is simple mimicry. I suppose I should be glad that there has been any progress at all, but I fear that this path will only gift me with a highly advanced puppet. If I had wanted a robot, then I'd have commissioned one from the Kappa.

Alice paused. She glanced over to Shanghai, who was sitting propped up on the desk. She waved her fingers in front of the little doll's face. Shanghai lifted up her hand and copied the motion. Alice sighed and went back to her journal.

It would be helpful if Medicine could remember the exact circumstances of her own change, but like most youkai born from inanimate objects her memory of the change itself remains inaccessible. One cannot fail to see the irony in all this. Becoming a youkai has granted me immortality and her sentience and independence, and yet despite all our efforts, neither of us are able to replicate this effect in a single doll. And it really begs the question: if we are unable to do this, then of what point is all my research?

Alice frowned. The hand holding the quill was starting to tremble. She stopped writing and stared at it until it steadied. She took a deep breath and resume.

I must admit, I now regret that Mother and I parted on the terms that we did. After all, it was through her knowledge that my own change came to be. How foolish of me to believe that once my own evolution was complete I would have no more use for the formula. And now I fear I am running out of time. Every day Marisa grows older, and I may not be ab

Suddenly the front door slammed behind her, startling her so bad that she nearly slashed right through the page.

"All right, what is this?" she growled as she slammed the book shut and jumped out of her chair. She turned around. "I thought my warning was clear: I don't care who you are, anyone who enters my house without permission will-"

Alice stopped talking. Marisa stood with her back pressed against the door. Her arms were outstretched to either side and her hands were clutching the doorframe. Judging by the sweat that covered her beet-red face and how heavily she was breathing, she had had a rough time making it to Alice's place. But strangest of all, her head was completely bare. Alice couldn't even remember seeing her without her hat, and they saw each other every week.

"Marisa?" Alice said as she cautiously approached. "What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be at Yukari's meeting! And dear gods, what happened to your hat?"

Despite her disheveled state, Marisa managed a shaky smile. "Hey Alice, how's your day been going? Good? Glad'tah hear it, ze. Say, you wouldn't happen to have any kind of secret hiding places around here, would you?"

"Secret hiding…Marisa, what in the world are you-"

Marisa pushed right past her and started rummaging through her shelves.

"Oh, and if you've got any spare spellcards lying around, I'd really appreciate it if I could borrow them. Also regular spells too. Especially the blowing-things-up kind."

"What? What do you…Hey, leave that alone!"

Marisa had gotten behind a chest of drawers and was now shoving across the floor until it was right in front of the door.

"Okay, quickly go and close and seal all the windows," the young witch said. She started pulling the drawers open and rifled through their contents. "And while you're at it, do you got any heavier furniture, like one of those big-ass safes or something?"

"Okay, that's enough!" Alice grabbed Marisa and twisted her around so they were facing each other. "Have you completely lost what little mind you have left? I don't care how you treat everyone else, you do not just burst into my house and start messing with my stuff!"

Marisa pushed her away. "Sorry Alice, this is kind of an emergency, ze. Yukari wants to arrest me."

Alice almost tripped over herself. "I-I'm sorry, could you please repeat that?"

"What are yah deaf?" Marisa went back to her rummaging, talking as she worked. "Yukari Yakumo, AKA psycho bitch who we should have gotten rid of years ago, decided to cut a deal with Remilia Scarlet, AKA whiny crybaby who needs to grow the hell up, and put my ass in jail!"

Alice stared. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No, it's not a freaking joke, ze! You see my head? Notice the lack of hat? Yukari just tried to suck my ass up and got my hat instead! And now she's got Kotohime's goon squad on my tail, trying to…Are you laughing?"

Alice was indeed trying to fight off the giggles that were now threatening to rise up and escape. "I'm sorry, it's just so…I mean, we were just talking about this! Remember what I said about karma?"

"Hey, you know what?" Marisa around to jab a finger at Alice's face. "Screw karma, and screw you too! I'm being serious here. Mima said that Yukari's gone nuts and wants to, uh, resource me or something, whatever the hell that means."

Alice blinked. "Wait, Mima?"

"Yes! Em-Eye-Em-Ay! She pulled me aside and told me to haul ass before Yukari caught me! And then I ran into Kotohime's bunch of tools and they tried punching my ticket. And then what do you know? Good old Yukari herself tried to make a grab for me, and-"

"Wait, slow down," Alice said, holding up her palm. "Who's Kotohime again?"

Marisa looked like she was about to pull her hair out. "You know, that crazy cop girl! The Leader of the Human Village's weirdo niece that no one really wanted to talk about, ze? Used to go around annoying people and picking up weird shit? Then Yukari got her hands on her and did something to make her less crazy and yet somehow even more annoying! She's like the head of that Gensokyo Peacekeeping Force thing that's been popping up everywhere!"

Alice scratched at her chin. Now that Marisa mentioned it, she had heard something about that. "Is that where all those irritating patrols in black are coming from?"

"Yes! And now they're after me! Do I need to get out the blackboard and make you some graphs?"

Alice wasn't entirely sure what to make of what she had just been told. She didn't doubt that Yukari would be capable of such a thing, and she certainly didn't doubt that Marisa would find herself being pursued by some sort of law enforcement agency. But Marisa was a notorious liar. And Mima even more so. Despite her more-or-less constant companionship, Alice didn't trust Marisa any further than Shanghai could throw her. And even if she was telling the truth…

"Uh, Marisa?"

"What? What is it? Are you gonna help me now, or are you gonna keep standing around like a lump?"

"I really hate to point this out, but aren't you actually guilty of numerous felonies?

Marisa whirled around and thrust her finger at Alice's face. "Don't you start with me, Alice. If Fangs wants to sue me, then let her! But I'm not about to let the Mistress of all that is Holey-"

Someone started banging on the door. Alice and Marisa stopped their argument and stared. The intruder tried jiggling the door handle but, finding the door blocked, resumed their pounding.

"This is Captain Sonozika of the GPF!" shouted a young woman's voice. "I know you're in there, Marisa! Don't make this harder than it has to be!"

Alice raised an eyebrow. "That would be her?"

"Yeah." Marisa's shoulders slumped. "That's her. So...about that hiding place?"

"You know, there's a phrase I recall hearing something Mother used to say to me. 'Your sins will find you out'. I'm thinking maybe-"

"That was very well spoken, Miss Margatroid. I couldn't have put it better myself."

The voice was not Marisa's. A new person had joined them in the house, striking woman with long, golden hair and eyes of the same color.

Rage ignited a fire in Marisa's tired eyes. "Yukari!" she shouted.

"Why do people keep jumping in without permission?" Alice wondered. "Also, I'm getting really...Wait, Marisa, don't!"

It was too late. The Mad Witch had already yanked out her hakkero and thrust it before her. Dazzling white light began to gather in its core as the room filled with a shrill whining.

"Master Spark!" Marisa howled, and pure, destructive power leapt forward to envelop Yukari.

Yukari didn't so much a flinch. She merely waved a hand, and one of her gaps opened directly in front of her like a shield. The Master Spark was swallowed up without even touching her.

Marisa snarled, "Oh, that is jusAAAHHHH!" Above her, a second gap had opened, and her own attack poured down like a waterfall and flattened her to the floor.

Given the sort of materials Alice usually worked with, her house was reinforced against violent magics. However, once glare had faded, there still was a shallow bowl-shaped indentation of scorched wood in the floor. Marisa lay in its center, similarly damaged.

Alice gaped. "Marisa!" She spun around to face Yukari. "Yakumo, you go too far! That was-"

"Entirely self-defense," Yukari said, her eyes not leaving Marisa. "She shot first, I reacted."

"But still, you have no business being in my house in the first place! I must insist that you-"

"Of course I do. Marisa chose to take shelter here, so here I am. I will leave with her."

"But this is trespassing! And-"

Yukari didn't seem inclined to let her finish any of her sentences. "And your situation can be described as harboring a fugitive. Honestly Margatroid, are you anyone to throw stones?"

One eye closed in pain, Marisa pushed herself up on shaky arms. "Back off, Yukari," she growled. "This is between you and me."

Yukari glared down at her in contempt. "Normally I'd agree, but I'm not the only one with a score to settle with you."

She motioned with one hand, and the heavy set of drawers suddenly lurched away from the door, screeching as it scraped its way across the floor. The door burst open and in burst a woman in a black uniform with brown hair tied back in a ponytail.

Marisa reacted immediately, bringing her hakkero once again to bear only to realize that her hands were empty. Less than a second later Kotohime hit her with a punch that slammed right into Marisa's chin and sent her flying backward.

Alice looked around desperately. This was madness. She had to put a stop to it.

Her eyes fell upon the spools of puppet-string on a nearby shelf. That should do the trick. She reached out with her will, intending to animate them and tie up both combatants. But too her surprise, nothing happened. It was as if her power was being blocked off.

Yukari laid a hand on her shoulder, confirming her suspicions. "Don't interfere," Yukari said.

"But this is my house!" Alice said.

"And believe when I say I intend to be out of it as soon as possible. Now, watch and wait. This will be over soon."

Feeling completely helpless, Alice could only do stand and do as Yukari said as Marisa staggered to her feet. With a cry of rage, she swung her fist at Kotohime, who neatly sidestepped the blow and grabbed the witch's arm as it passed by. Using the witch's momentum against her, Kotohime lashed out with one leg and swept Marisa's legs out from under her. The witch hit the ground. Hard.

"You're under arrest," Kotohime hissed as she twisted Marisa's arms behind her. She pulled out a short length of cord and pressed it to her opponent's wrists. As soon as it touched flesh, it immediately wound itself around Marisa's arms, binding them tightly together. She stood to her feet and glowered down at her prisoner. "And trust me when I say you'd better stay down."

Grunting, Marisa twisted her head around and told Kotohime where she could shove her warrant.

"There, you see?" Yukari said to Alice. "All done. We'll be out of your hair and-"

Kotohime lashed out with a vicious kick that drove the metal tip of her boot into Marisa's stomach. Marisa gasped in pain as the wind was driven from her.

"That was for Nyoron, you stupid little bitch!" Kotohime cried. She drew back her leg to kick her again.

A strong arm slapped across Kotohime's chest, holding her back. "Captain, that's enough!" Yukari snapped. "We've won here, it's over!"

Kotohime was shaking with rage, but she stood at attention and did not protest.

Alice, however, did. "Yukari Yakumo, this has gone too far!" she shouted. "This isn't an arrest, this is police brutality! You have no right-"

Yukari turned her head to look at her. "If you wish to file a complaint, then take it up at the GPF headquarters. Kotohime, pick her up and get her out of here."

Kotohime nodded. She bent over and grabbed Marisa by the cords that bound her arms. The Mad Witch was yanked roughly to her feet.

"Walk," Kotohime said, pushing her toward the door.

Marisa glared at her from over her shoulder. "This ain't over, ze," she hissed. "The scales need balancing. I owe you one, police-girl."

Kotohime gave her a sudden shove, making her stumble. "Wait until I kill one of you friends, then look me up."

"Captain, I'm not going to repeat myself," Yukari said. "Take the prisoner and leave. We've caused enough trouble here."

Kotohime started to force a struggling Marisa Kirisame toward the door. Alice took the opportunity to jump in front of their path.

"All right, this has gone on far enough!" she shouted. "I don't care what she's done, you just can't-"

Alice suddenly realized that she was no longer standing between Kotohime and the door. Instead, she was now at the other of end of the room, in front of her desk. She turned around to see Yukari looking at her.

"I understand why you're upset," Yukari said. "I'm sorry you had to be brought into this, and I apologize for the disturbance to your house."

She gestured with one hand. The chest of drawers lifted off the ground and floated over to settle in its original position. Meanwhile, the scar left behind from Marisa's Master Spark shuddered and began to smooth itself out, the burnt wood becoming whole. Soon Alice's house had healed itself.

"We're going now, Captain," Yukari said. Kotohime nodded and directed a still-angry Marisa toward the door. Yukari snapped her fingers, and one of her bizarre gaps opened right outside. The three of them walked through, leaving a very confused Alice behind.

…

This update delay is brought to you by a combination of schoolwork, a new job, some personal stuff and the letter P! Sorry about that. Extra long chapter to make up for it.

Anyway, if you'll remember way back in "The Gods Must Be Lazy", I mentioned that one of my reasons for writing this fic was to do attempt a darkfic that still retained at least semi-realistic plot progression and character development. The other was to also see if it was possible to do one that kept the setting and generally agreed upon character personalities more-or-less intact, in which while some changes would be made, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say this story could very well take place within the actual world of the Touhou Project.

Well folks, that is no longer possible. Because as I was browsing through the Touhou wiki, I found not one, not two, but three places in which Imperfect Metamorphosis contradicts Touhou canon, with probably others that I haven't spotted yet.

1. In chapter eight it is stated that the Scarlet Devil Mansion was in Gensokyo several decades before this story's beginning, long enough for Sakuya and Patchouli to have become involved in the Satsuki incident. But according to Perfect Memento, it didn't appear in Gensokyo until the mid-nineties, and even if it was still present and just hidden, there would be no way the isolated members of Eientei would have been able to known that they were there, much less gotten in contact with them. This was purely my mistake, and I actually knew this before starting the story, and just plain forgot. Though it still raises the question of where Patchouli came from, because if this is correct, she could have only known Remilia for less than a decade. Unless, of course, she was one of the last youkai hiding out in the Outside World and…You know what? I'm just going to let that one lie.

2. Throughout the story, especially in chapter thirteen, there have been references to Gensokyo and the Hakurei Border being several centuries old. Except as it turns out they've only been around since 1884. This is kind of justifiable, as I simply didn't know that at the time, but it's still a little embarrassing.

3. The spellcard system was not devised by Yukari, as was stated a number of times, but by Reimu. Okay, now this change I am going to defend, because to me it doesn't make sense for Reimu to be the system's creator. Throughout the series, she encounters a number of creatures who have never so much as heard of her and in fact have had very little contact with the majority of Gensokyo but use spellcards anyway. How exactly did Reimu establish this rule? How does she enforce it? How did all these people learn of the rule and why do they go along with it? So to my mind, it makes much more sense for Yukari to have been the one to put the system in place.

So…yeah. It's not really that big of an issue, but it's still irreconcilable. I guess we're officially in Alternate Universe territory now. Ah well.

Anyway, moving on! The next update will probably be a new RoSD chapter.

Until next time, everyone!