Entry 8: Indomitable Forces


Hakurei Reimu and Kirisame Marisa flew through the air at a pace comparable to that of a hasty jog. Since they were on the lookout for anything untoward happening, they needed to be thorough in their search.

"Geez, this snow is such a hassle," Marisa sighed. "You'd think whoever caused it would have a bit more courtesy, yeah?"

"Agreed," Reimu responded. "It's suppose to be the height of spring, for pities sake. I'm betting this is also Tenshi's fault."

"So you believe she dropped Heaven, then?"

"This is Hinanawi Tenshi we're talking about," Reimu stated plainly. "She destroyed my shrine on several occasions because she was bored. This is just the next extreme, I know it."

Marisa hummed. Personally, she felt that the whole 'dropping Heaven' thing was a bit much to just be the 'next extreme' to destroying shrines. But, then again, while the worst of Heaven was destroyed by that bright light that seemed to come from the Moriya Shrine, plenty other places had been hit. Nothing majorly damaged, mind you, but enough damage to call for fire control.

Marisa, for her part, managed to score some pretty rare minerals, so it couldn't have been all bad.

Just then, however, a scream broke out from below.

"What was that?" Marisa called out. The duo scanned the area quickly, and saw a young girl being chased by, of all things, a Yamawaro.

"What's a Yamawaro doing all the way out here?" Reimu asked. "No matter, though. That girl needs saving!"

The two flew down to ground level, and with a single strike each, knocked the Yamawaro unconscious.

The girl sank to the ground, breathing a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you!" she said eagerly. "I got lost on my way back to the village when that youkai attacked me!"

"Well, you're perfectly safe now," Marisa exclaimed, giving the girl a look over. No injuries of note, and she had to admit, this stranger was quite good looking. "Can't say I've seen you around before," Marisa noted. "You really from the village?"

"O..of course!" the girl defended. "Why would I lie about that?"

"We're still pressed for time," Reimu said bluntly. "Marisa, you take this girl back to the village. I'll go on ahead."

"Don't hog all the fun!" Marisa called back as Reimu took off again.

Once Reimu was out of sight, however, Marisa could have sworn she heard something go 'click'.


"Coded message from Flay Allster!" Miriallia shouted. "She's managed to hold up the black-white witch, and the shrine maiden is still en route!"

"An impressive feet, to be sure," Captain Ramius said. "Mu La Flaga, what's your status?"

"I've got eyes on her, captain," Mu responded over radio. "Currently, she's directly between the ship and the smuggling team."

"Reimu's not an idiot," Hatate mentioned. "If the ship makes noise to draw her attention, she might pick up on the plan."

"Then we'll need to use plan C," Natarle stated. "Lieutenant La Flaga, you have permission to intercept. We still have two and a half hours until Sai reaches the target."

"Roger that!" Mu sounded off. "Wish me luck, folks!"


High in the skies, two Skygraspers hid in the cover of the clouds. One of them, piloted by Mu, had the Aile Striker pack equipped, while the second, piloted by Athrun, had the Launcher pack equipped, on top of having the familiar form of the Strike kneeling on it, with its Phase Shift armour deactive, and equipped with the Sword Striker pack.

"Well, kids, looks like we're on to plan C," Mu said. "How's the main team looking?"

"Still in the clear," Athrun responded, keeping an eye on his camera feed. "Sai, Hina, and Tenshi all still have a way to go before they reach the geyser."

"I'm still kind of on the edge about sending those three alone," Kira said from the cockpit of the Strike.

"Have a bit of faith, Kira," Mu said. "After all, you both are here for plans D through F, on top of L, N,V, X, Gamma, and Epsilon."

"Yet Natarle came up with plans all the way past Z," Athrun muttered. "Wasn't she halfway through the Greek alphabet by the time she ran out of idea?"

"No, she got through all of the Greek," Mu answered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, lads, I've got a date with a religious nutcase!"

The Aile Skygrasper broke off from the group, leaving the two hanging in the air.

"I really hope things go smoothly," Athrun muttered.

"Ditto," Kira replied. Then, a splitting headache shot through his mind.

"It won't be enough," an unfamiliar voice said. "Call on me. Call on my power."

"Kira?" Athrun's voice spoke, cutting through the illusion. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kira responded, as the pain immediately subsided. "Stress must be getting to me."

"Eyes on the prize, buddy," Athrun said. "Let's hope Flay and Mu and get it done."


Down on ground level, Marisa found herself trapped in a rather complex armlock, with a knife against her throat.

"So, all that was staged, then?" she asked casually. "Gotta say, you're a pretty good actor."

"It's why I chose this role," Flay responded. "I had hoped to keep both of you, or at least the shrine maiden, here, but gotta take what I can get."

"Always good to look on the plus side," Marisa agreed. "So, what's your beef, kid? What do you want that makes you hold a witch at knife-point?"

"It's not about 'wanting to gain'," Flay answered, "but more 'wanting not to lose something'."

"That right?" Marisa asked. "Then, let me guess, the thing-no, the one, you're trying not to lose, they do something wrong? Wrong enough to catch Reimu's sixth sense?"

"A matter of perspective, really."

"Oh?" Marisa mused. If experience had told her anything, that statement was the only answer she needed. "So, someone you know has gone from human to youkai, then?" There was a slight shift in Flay's grip. Enough for Marisa to break free and make some distance between them. "Looks like I'm right on the money, then," she said cockily. "If you know what's good for ya, you'll give up here."

Despite the fear coursing through her body, Flay took up a fighters stance. "I refuse," she stated. "Sai shouldn't have to die for this."

Marisa adjusted her hat. "So, the kid's name is 'Sai', then," she muttered. "Well, rules are rules, kiddo, and even I know better than to try and upset Gensokyo's balance like that." She florished her mini-hakkero, and began charging it with magical energy. "Now, move, and I'll shoot!"


As Reimu flew over the forest at the foot of Youkai Mountain, she couldn't help but notice this low, droning sound, like something large flying really fast.

Then, it shot past her. A blue and white shape with a black and red thing on its back, flying by with the grace of an albatross. The 'thing' came to a halt in front of her, and the glass front opened up, as a man stood up and removed his helmet.

"Yo," he greeted. "You're the Hakurei shrine maiden, then?" He looked her up and down a bit. "You're quite the looker, aren't you? Whoever you manage to land will be one lucky person, I can tell already."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Reimu responded. "Now, who are you?"

The man brushed his hair back with one hand. "I have many titles, my dear," he said. "The Hawk of Endymion, The Man who makes the Impossible Possible, just to name a few. You, though, can call me Lieutenant Mu La Flaga of the Archangel."

Reimu paused for a moment. "That's a stupid name."

"Well, screw you too," Mu shot back. "Now, back to the topic at hand. I'm afraid I can't let you go any further than this."

"So, you're doing something you shouldn't, then?" Reimu asked. "Intuition's always spot on."

"Oh, we were told all about that," Mu said. "But that doesn't change facts, and the fact is, you're still out to kill and innocent person."

"Human turned into a youkai, then," Reimu concluded.

"Figured that out from that alone, huh?" Mu noted.

"Trust me, buddy. I've had this conversation many times before," Reimu said. "Intent doesn't matter! A human turning into a youkai is something that mustn't be allowed, no exceptions!"

Mu let out a low sigh. "You know, that closed-minded thinking... really pisses me off," he said darkly. "Without the heart, the whydunit, a mystery has no substance. Sai's a victim of circumstance, not a dastardly villain. You, Hakurei Reimu," he pointed dramatically at the shrine maiden, "are the villain in this story! Just another crazed killer for us to fight to save the things we love!"

"You've a real flare for the dramatics, huh?" Reimu muttered, brandishing her gohei. "Think of me what you will. I don't care. My job is to keep Gensokyo's balance, and nothing more! Get in my way, and I'll knock you out!"


The sounds of war echoed through the forest. Sai really couldn't help but stop briefly and look back.

"Are you crazy?" Tenshi yelled. "Get a move on! You don't exactly have the luxury to stop and smell the flowers!"

"I know," Sai responded. "I just... can't help but worry."

"I understand your pain, Sai-san," Hina said, "but it's you Reimu-san's after."

A loud explosion resounded throughout the area. Then, silence. Too much silence.

"Damn it!" Tenshi cursed. "Come on, you idiot! We need to get out of here, and..."

"'And' what?"

The question hung in the air like lead. Looks of terror made their way onto their faces as they looked up, and saw the dreaded sight of Hakurei Reimu in their way, carrying the defeated body of Mu La Flaga by the collar of his pilot suit.

Mu let out a small cough. "Sorry, guys," he muttered. "Guess this one was... outside my area of expertise."

Reimu casually tossed Mu to the treeline, before looking over the three before her. "Kagiyama Hina," she started. "I seriously wonder when you'll learn better than to pursue relations with humans." Ignoring the hurt expression on Hina, she moved on to look at Tenshi. "Hinanawi Tenshi. I have so much to say about the likes of you, but before that..." Then, here eyes fell on Sai. "You. The one causing this whole ruckus."

"If you want to split hairs," Sai said nervously, "you're the one making a big deal about it. I'm just trying to live my life without causing people trouble."

"And yet, here we are," Reimu said plainly. Then, she scratched the back of her head, looking down. "Damn it all, though; he's just a brat," she muttered under her breath. "Don't worry. I'll make it as quick as possible."

"Right... back at ya, shorty," Mu wheezed out, before pressing down on his portable radio. "Mu La Flaga here... Requesting Plan Epsilon."

Right on cue, two large bullets shot down from the sky, narrowly missing Reimu.

The second Skygrasper flew by, circling the shrine maiden like a lion would its prey. But, that's not what Reimu was looking at; her eyes were focused on what was still falling from the sky.

A humanoid shape, made entirely of metal, with a giant sword in its right hand, and a shielf and pauldron on its left arm. It seemed to be entirely white and grey in colour, until it got closer, whereupon it took on red and blue highlights.

And over the machine's speaker, a young man spoke.

"Kira Yamato, Sword Strike: Intercepting!"

The machine, the Strike, swung its sword towards Reimu, who dodged it by the margin of the thickness of a leaf. The 75 ton MS landed with a resounding thud, kicking up a giant plume of smoke and snow.

"Sai! Tenshi! Hina!" Kira yelled. "Get going! We'll take it from here!"

"R...right!" Sai shouted back. "Give a good one-two!"

As the trio continued to run, Kira stood fast in the face of Hakurei Reimu. "It's just one thing after another, huh?" Reimu mused. "That blondie couldn't take me down, so what makes you think that you can?"

"Lieutenant La Flaga was alone in his battle," Athrun stated from the Skygrasper. "We're not."

"Bold words, kid," Reimu said. "But there's no strength in numbers!"


"Phew. Sounds like they're really going at it," Marisa stated, casually juggling the knife she had pilfered from Flay after tying her to the nearest tree. "Well, far be it for me to interrupt her fun."

"Fun?!" Flay asked incredulously. "This is 'fun' to you?!"

"What, you're not enjoying this?" Marisa asked. "You seemed pretty damn chipper when you had this blade on my neck."

"Because I was trying to save my friends life!" Flay yelled. "Why is that wrong?!"

"Kid, the moment your friend became a youkai, his fate was sealed," Marisa said plainly. "Intent has nothing to do with it; a human becoming a youkai is forbidden, hands down, no questions asked. If you want to blame anything, blame your bad luck."

"That... that's just twisted!" Flay shouted. "How can you just accept something so cruel?!"

"This is Gensokyo, buddy," Marisa responded. "If you want to get by, then leave your common sense at the door. Otherwise, you're just in for a world of hurt." Another explosion echoed, and a shadow quickly passed overhead, followed by a trail of smoke.

"That was... the Skygrasper!" Flay uttered in disbelief. "You mean... Kira and Athrun... they..."

"Completely shot down, I'd say," Marisa answered. "Looks like that one's gonna crash in the village, too. Hope he doesn't cause too much trouble." Then, she let out a sigh. "This is part of what I dislike about you Outsiders, really. You come to Gensokyo, and expect it to fit into your norm."

"We didn't ask to come here!" Flay yelled. "Our world was bad enough! Now we have to conform to rules we didn't even know existed?! What's fair about that?!"

Within the blink of an eye, the end of Marisa's broom was inches away from Flay's head. "That's the think, kid," Marisa said. "Game wasn't fair from the start. Not for anyone."


The ringing sound gradually died down in Kira's ears. What had happened? How long was he out? A glance at the clock told him that the operation had been going on for well over four hours now, and if he recalled correctly, the last time he checked was at the hour-thirty mark.

That meant the operation time was now well over two hours the original estimate, and what made it worse was that Kira recalled how long he and Athrun were able to hold off Hakurei Reimu: ten minutes. They were barely able to make a dent in the operation.

Kira tried to turn on his radio, yet got nothing but static. "Shit!" he cursed. Was the radio busted on his end? Or, did Reimu target the Archangel? He had no way of knowing.

The Strike was low on power, and most of the equipment was badly damaged, but it could still move. This was going to be his only way of figuring out what's happened.

"They're dead," that same voice from before said. "They're all dead, because you WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH."

Kira shook his head. "You can't prove that," he muttered.

"Tell yourself that," the voice said. "And when you cry out in anguish at your failings? I'll be there, willing to take you in with open arms."

It had a mirthful laugh as it faded out. A very foreboding thing, to say the least. But he had to press on, to know the truth.

The Strike rose to its feet shakily. One of the eye cameras was busted, but 50% vision was good enough for now.

A quick scan of the area showed that Mu had not moved from where he was thrown before. That was a good sign, if only to say that he wasn't dead yet.

But he had to press on. He needed to know how the mission had gone.

"Sai, please still be alive," Kira muttered.


The sight could only be described as 'hell on earth'. The bodies of Yamawaro soldiers laid strewn across the beaten down trees, and even the Buster, the last mobile weapon aside from the Archangel itself, laid defeated on the ground.

"No..." Kira muttered. "This... this can't be happening..." He hastily pressed at every button he could. "Takane! Can you hear me?! Nitori! Miri! Dearka! Someone!" he shouted as loud as he could, yet was only met with static. "Someone... please..."

Energy rippled from beyond the horizon. If he recalled, there was a clearing up ahead. Pushing the Strike to its limits, he pressed forward.

And when he finally saw the state of it, a part of him wished he didn't.

The Archangel, crashed to the ground with smoke coming from its engines. Hina, thrown against a tree, with talismans sticking her to it. Tenshi, desperately struggling to keep up with Hakurei Reimu's strength and speed.

Sai Argyle, face down in the snow, with a hole blown through his chest.

Kira, in his shock let out a cry of disbelief.


Hinanawi Tenshi skidded to a halt, struggling to catch her breath. When was the last time she exerted herself this much? But, this time, it was something worth pushing herself to the limits for.

"How many times do I have to say it?!" Tenshi yelled. "I didn't drop Heaven!"

"If you're so innocent," Reimu spoke, "then why are you fighting back?"

"Because you just killed someone! Like, ten minutes ago! I shouldn't be the one explaining that!"

"Yet, you're the only one who'd do such a thing," Reimu responded coldly. "You, the bored, bratty Celestial. You, who destroys shrines for shits and giggles. You, who is so..."

"Shut up!" With a mighty scream, Tenshi leapt into the air, bringing the Sword of Hisou down on Reimu's head.

The blade was deftly parried, and Tenshi was sent back a fair ways, where several of Reimu's Persuasion Needles struck her, forcing her back against a tree.

"You'll forgive me if I think you're full of shit," Reimu spoke darkly. "Who the hell would believe you, anyway?"

Tenshi coughed up a little blood. "You don't... know them," she said. "But... the people on that ship... the people who actually did something that time... they..."

"Do they? Really?" Reimu asked in disbelief. "Or was it just convenient for them to overlook it for a while? Look," she gestured off to the side, where the Strike watched on. "That guy isn't even lifting a finger to help you."

Tenshi saw, and while she personally believed he had just frozen in shock, that lingering doubt still ate away at her.

"What does a spoiled brat know?" Reimu continued. "You, who has lived her whole life with a silver spoon in her mouth, wants to try and claim knowledge on things? Don't make me laugh." As Reimu stepped forward, a dangerous look crossed her face. "You, oh destroyer of Heaven, know nothing of love."

Contrary to the moment, Reimu leapt back a step, as the Strike brought its sword down on where she was standing prior. "Took exception to that, did you?" Reimu asked. "What, don't like be called out, Outsider?"

"...Why?" Kira barely managed to say. His voice, even over the speaker of the Strike, was scratchy, as if he'd cried himself coarse. "Why can you say such... heartless things? How can you just... kill someone who didn't want to harm anyone?"

A sphere of energy struck the Strike in its centre of mass, sending it tumbling. "You Outsiders are so annoying, you know that?" Reimu said. "You go on and on about seeing 'the best in people' who are absolutely rotten to the core. Those that disturb the balance of Gensokyo must be taken care of, one way or another. When it comes to continuous destructive forces like that bratty Celestial, or humans becoming youkai, well, extermination would be a mercy."

The Strike rose back to its feet and charged. If a Mobile Suit's face could emote, one would imagine the Strike would have had fire in its eyes. Instead, all they had to go on was the angered roar coming from Kira Yamato.

It was loud, guttural, and full of untapped rage. For Tenshi, just listening to it was painful.

Kira Yamato, the kind-hearted boy who never seemed to get annoyed with her. Kira Yamato, who only ever looked at her with kindness in his eyes.

Kira Yamato, who right now, was screaming bloody murder.

Overhead swing, large sweep, thrust. The Strike attacked from all manner of angles, even though its blade could not generate its energy-based edge any longer. Reimu dodged each swing with a casualness of a fisherman on a slow day.

Seeming to have had enough, a large Yin-Yang sphere manifested above Reimu's head, before it launched forth, striking the Strike where the cockpit was, and sending it back to the ground. A hole had been blown into the canopy, revealing Kira's face, and the tearful grimace it bore.

Reimu let out a sigh of irritation. "Another kid," she muttered. "Of course it had to be another kid. Only a brat would be this stupid."

With a wave of her hand, eight rainbow coloured orbs manifested, and began orbiting around her. "In your next life," she said, "try not to be too much of a hero."

[Spirit Sign: Fantasy Seal]

Kira desperately tried to get the Strike to move, yet the sparks coming from the joints made it obvious that it would work. He could squeeze through the hole at a pinch, but it would take too long, and by the time he was out, it would already be too late.

As the attack closed in, a shadow loomed over him. He barely had a second to recognise that Tenshi had jumped in the way of the attack, and less time still to notice she was looking back at him, saying something, before the rainbow coloured explosion engulfed his vision.

Yet, he could not look away. Shock and terror had frozen his ability to think, and despair, once more, began to paint his face with tears.

The smoke dissipated, and there was nothing. No sign that Hinanawi Tenshi had ever been there in the first place.

"Well, how about that," Hakurei Reimu muttered. "Guess there was a good bone in there after all."

"Ah..." Kira barely managed to squeak out. "No... this can't... Ahh..." Words no longer had a place in Kira's throat. The only thing he could manage now was heavy, borderline deranged sobs and wails.

Unseen to all, a black, tendril-y hand slivered onto Kira's shoulder. "You see? It's like I told you," that voice said. "You weren't enough. Your allies, the people you love; they're all gone."

"No... This can't be..." Kira wailed. "Not... not again... Please..."

"Worry not, child," the voice continued. "Cry your little heart out, and let me take care of things."

And so, Kira cried. He cried and cried until his voice was like sandpaper in his throat.

At the same time, in the back of his mind, a sound akin to a door being unlocked and opened echoed, and the world was engulfed in darkness.


The sudden rush of power was lot lost to Reimu, as she backed away in defence.

"What the hell?" she muttered. "Where's this power coming from?"

An ominous darkness wrapped itself around the form of the Strike, making it look less mechanical and more organic in nature. Despite its damage, it still rose to its feet, glaring at her with crimson eyes.

"I recognise this pattern," Reimu muttered. "So, you're the one behind all this, aren't you, Okina?!"

A figure with blonde hair, dressed in orange and green, materialised on the shoulder of the blackened Strike. "Finally realised, then?" Matara Okina spoke. "You needn't worry, though. This was merely a trial to see if this boy was worthy of becoming one of my vassals."

"What, all of it?" Reimu asked. "Even that tacky ship?"

"Oh, no. They're all here by Yukari's will," Okina waved off. "I'm just... taking advantage of a bargain that's been presented." A second shadowy figure, similar to the Strike, dropped from the sky. "What do you think of my 'first'? Though, he certainly reacted... poorly to my gifts at first."

"First, second, I don't care!" Reimu shouted. "I'll just beat them down, and then put you back in your place!"

Okina laughed as Reimu pointed her gohei at her. "Bold words, Hakurei shrine maiden," she said tauntingly. "Why don't we see what you two, my new servants, are capable of now, Kira Yamato and Yzak Joule?"


A/N:

Really starting to nail the whole cliffhanger thing, I feel.

And the best way to show how strong someone is would definitely have to be through not showing it at all. Way scarier that way. I mean, this is freaking Reimu we're talking about. It'd be kinda hard to sell Kira and company actually beating her.

Now, let's press on.