Foreword: I don't know what to say this time, really, other than apologizing for this chapter being short. Still very busy here.
Again, comments and suggestions welcome!
Touhou Duel Masters Café
Chapter 7 – Surprise
Kogasa flew through the forest as fast as she could, not daring to look back at her pursuers. Evading one tree after another, she clutched her umbrella tightly to her chest as the wind whizzed past her face.
Just why are they chasing her? She was just strolling in the woods and seeing if there's any person to scare. It's her work, after all.
Then suddenly, her pursuers appeared out of nowhere and reached out towards her with their decks. They…looked terrifying. Not understanding the situation, Kogasa opted to turn and run. She wasn't exactly confident in her deck to begin with, and fighting was the last option she had in mind. Not to mention that there were three of them. To face three opponents at once? You must be kidding. Appealing would probably be the last word to describe this absurd idea.
"…!"
Sensing that the edge of forest was near, she accelerated her speed even more and sped towards an opening.
The exit!
As she revelled in the bliss that she would be able to escape and find refuge, she felt she hit something. And the world turned around her.
The First and The Second were along the edge of the woods, inspecting any signs of abnormality. There have reports of strange happenings around this area, even by Gensokyo standards, according to reliable sources. The First stopped in his tracks to trace a rapidly nearing sound.
…What is this? It sounded like there are a few incoming objects…
The Second turned to his partner, who was lagging behind.
"Huh? What's wro…"
He couldn't even finish his sentence before something barreled right into him, knocking him several meters from where he was standing, and skid on the ground for a few more after he landed on the ground before finally coming to a halt.
The First could only stare at the event unfolding before him with his mouth, open, and it was only after a moment that he snapped back to his senses and rushed to his partner's side.
"Hey… You okay…"
Only to find him in a… very compromising position with a girl with short turquoise hair and holding an umbrella with a dizzy eye and a long tongue hanging from it.
He was sprawled on the ground with the girl on top of him, one hand under her light blue skirt and the other being crushed by her breasts.
"…Talk about lucky."
"I'll do that to your face if you want…" The Second, who had cast Eternal Guard right in time to absorb the impact, grumbled in annoyance.
"Oh you're not dead."
"Is that supposed to be my fault?"
"Kinda…Here, gimme your hand…"
The First gently set the girl, who was mumbling about some random stuff and having glazed mono-eyes of red and turquoise, on the ground while helping his friend get up.
"Ugh…just what the hell…" The Second shook his head after being pulled off the ground, patting the dust off his cloak.
He turned to the girl, who was slowly coming back to her senses.
"Watch where you're going, please! I'm not blaming you this time, but if you bump into someone else you'll get into real trouble, you know!" He scolded her.
"I'm…I'm very sorry! Please forgive me!" Kogasa bowed frantically. "I'm sorry, but I have to… Ah, they're here!"
The First and Second looked in the direction she was pointing.
There stood three figures, eyes devoid of emotion, decks out, poised to duel. They don't look exactly friendly.
"…You're being chased by these guys?"
"Y, yes…" Kogasa looked like she was on the verge of tears as she clutched her umbrella tightly against her chest. "I don't know why…but…"
One of the aggressors had teal hair, wearing a white shirt and black cape, with two antennae on her head. To her left was a tall woman, dark long hair flowing down to her waist, and two wolf ears protruding from the top of her head. The third pursuer donned a white dress and hat, long blond hair and a pair of wings on her back, levitating aloft the ground. Definitely not human.
"…" They stared at the advancing duelists. "It seems that they're not going to let us go easily either." The First observed.
"It can't be helped." The Second said. "We'll have to take them down. Although they probably know nothing anyway…"
He turned to Kogasa. "Hey, what's your name?"
"Uh!" The karakasa obake was surprised when he called to her. "I'm…Tatara Kogasa…" She replied timidly.
"You duel, right?"
"Y…yes…"
"We can't deal with all of them at once, Kogasa. We'll leave one to you, all right? If it's just one opponent, I'm sure you can handle it." He gave her a thumbs up.
"Uh…ok!" She brightened at the idea that someone was supporting her, even if that someone was a complete stranger who she happened to bump into. Violently.
If it's just one enemy, then it's ok! Kogasa could feel confidence rushing back into her body.
"Then let's get this done with quick." The First told the other two.
The crystalline shields materialized, rotating around the duelists.
"Duema Start!"
BGM:Take it to 'em! (YGO ZeXal Sound Duel 1)
"I'll get the first turn!" Kogasa declared as she faced off Kagerou, the werewolf with long hair. "I charge mana and fortify one of my shields with Submarine Fortress Lair! Turn End."
"…My turn. Mana charge…end." Kagerou mumbled.
"My turn! I draw one card with Submarine Fortress Lair's effect! Turn Draw!" Kagerou silently drew an extra card too with the Fortress' effect. "Mana charge. I cast Ninja Typhoon!"
"I return my entire hand to my deck bottom, and draw a number of cards that I returned plus one! That way I draw four cards!" Kogasa explained, drawing four cards in the process.
"Heheh!" Examining her hand, Kogasa smiled. "Since I have drawn six cards this turn, I can summon this creature for free!"
"I'll show you the power of Fire and Water! The relentless offense of flame and torrent! G Zero! Crossfire the 2nd, Billionaire!"
The Fire/Water dragon-like Outrage MAX materialized, landing on the ground with a large crash.
"A Speed Attacking Double Breaker at the second turn! You're surprised right, right?" Kogasa beamed at her creature, happy to know that the rumors of creatures materializing were true. "Battle! Crossfire, Double Break!"
The Outrage MAX slashed at two of Kagerou's shields, vanquishing them as they were added to her hand. One of them glowed a dark aura, and she immediately put it to use.
"Shield Trigger, Terror Pit. I destroy Crossfire the 2nd." A hand from the sky crashed down, crushing the creature and shaking the earth.
"Mu…" Kogasa pouted as her creature was sent to her graveyard. "Turn End."
"My turn. I cast Faerie Life." Kagerou cast the Nature spell, and her deck top went into her mana zone.
"My turn! " Kogasa declared, drawing two cards. She charged Hundred Eyes into her mana zone. "I summon Oboro Kagerou, Moonlight Mecha!"
"Since I have all civilizations in my mana zone now, I can draw up to five cards and return the same number to the bottom of my deck." Kogasa peeked and her drawn cards and frowned. "…I return five cards to the bottom of my deck. Turn End."
"My turn. I summon Jenny Dismantling Puppet." The Death Puppet rushed towards Kogasa, raising her chainsaw and slashing away Hyperspatial Blue White Hole from the tsukumogami's hand.
"Kuh…" Once again drawing two cards, Kogasa made her next move. "I summon Masato, Marauding Captain and use his Martial Touch! I return Oboro Kagerou to my hand, and Masato gains Speed Attacker and +3000 power this turn!"
The half-naked Humanoid gave a mighty shout and was encased in a red light as the Great Mecha King was bounced back to Kogasa's hand.
"I summon Oboro again!" Kogasa summoned the Great Mecha King once more as she drew five cards. "…Yes!"
Returning five cards to her deck, her ace returned to the battlefield. "G Zero! Crossfire the 2nd, Billionaire!"
Once again, the Outrage that was revived through the power of friendship.
"Battle! Crossfire! Break her shields!" Obeying his master's wishes, Crossfire crushed two more of Kagerou's shields., narrowly avoiding smashing the werewolf directly in the process.
As they splintered and reformed as cards, Kagerou declared, "Shield Trigger, Necrodragon Odol Needle." The Dragon Zombie rose from a fissure that appeared, growling in a low voice. "Odol Needle is put into the battle zone tapped, and all attacking creatures must attack it."
"…" It would be bad to leave him here… "I attack Odol Needle with Masato!"
The two creatures pierced each other's bodies, and both dissipated into light asthey were destroyed.
There's nothing to do anymore… "Turn end."
Kagerou revealed a card in her hand. "I cast Hyperspatial Emperor Hole. Oboro Kagerou gets -2000 power and is destroyed. "
"Kuh…" Kogasa bit her lip as she watched her creature being sent to the graveyard.
"With Emperor Hole's effect, I put Black Ganveet, Temporal Soldier into the battle zone."
From the depths of the Hyperspace, the horse-riding Demon Command charged forward, bursting into the world and flailing his weapons at his enemies. "Black Ganveet's effect. I destroy one of your tapped creatures."
The second of Kogasa's finisher was promptly run over by Black Ganveet, and he dropped into her graveyard.
"…" Kogasa could feel cold sweat run down her cheek. Her chances of winning is diminishing with every passing turn… And even then, her mana isn't going to surpass Kagerou's now at this point. The double-edged Submarine Fortress Lair isn't being a great help either…
"Kuh… It's useless to think so much!" Kogasa decided after a moment of hesitation. "My turn! I draw two cards with Submarine Fortress Lair's effect!"
"…! I cast Hyperspatial Surprise Hole! I put Deepsea Yanus into my battle zone! Then I summon Masato! Since a fire creature is put into my battle zone, Deepsea Yanus awakens into Crimson Yanus! Crimson Yanus' effect! Masato gets Speed Attacker and Power Attacker +2000!"
"Battle! Since Yanus is awakened he doesn't get summoning sickness! Break her last shield!" The Flame Monster rushed forward, smashing through the last shield of Kagerou.
"…No triggers? Masato, Direct Attack!"
"Ninja Strike 4, Falconer. I turn Ganveet into a Blocker and stop your attack with him." Kagerou summoned the Shinobi, and Ganveet stood in the rushing Masato's way, smashing him into light.
"…Turn End…" Kogasa was getting desperate now. Her hand wasn't going to cut it at this point. Unless there's a miracle…
BGM: Strong Strike Duel (YGO ZeXal Sound Duel 4)
"Since you have no more cards in your hand, Black Ganveet awakens into Darkness Ganveet, Assassin Awakened." The Demon Command was immersed in a dark light, and from it, the awakened Psychic Creature emerged.
"My turn. I cast Hyperspatial Raiden Hole and put Volg Thunder into my battle zone. Then I destroy Jenny and put Thunder Tiger into my battle zone." The two wolf-like Demon Commands pounced out of the Hyperspace, howling at the scorching sun. "Thunder Tiger reduces Yanus' power by 2000, while Volg Thunder mills your deck.
"…" Kogasa's deck dropped one by one into her graveyard, until Ninka Typhoon, Spiral Gate, The Strong Spiral, Hundred Eyes and Oboro have been put into her graveyard.
"Battle. I attack Yanus with Darkness Ganveet. Ganveet's ability destroys Yanus, and the battle is stopped. Turn End."
"My turn…" Kogasa drew two cards. "…"
"I cast Hyperspatial Blue White Hole. I put Victorious Prinprin into battle zone. Prin's effect. Volg Thunder cannot attack or block until my next turn. Turn End."
"My turn. Volg Thunder and Thunder Tiger Psychic Links into Volg Thunder…" The two Demon Commands merged, forming one larger and far more sinister beast.
Good thing it can't attack…
"I summon Odol Needle. Battle. I attack your shields. I destroy Prin and discard one card from your hand with his attack trigger."
"…I've been waiting for this moment!" Kogasa declared with a large grin as the humanoid Alien/Hunter was sent back to the Hyperspace. "Baiken's effect! When he is discarded during your turn, I can put him into the battle zone! And when I do so, I return Odol Needle to your hand!"
"…..!"
The Shinobi Poseidia Dragon emerged from a raging whirlpool, and with a jitsu sent the Dragon Zombie back to Kagerou's hand.
"…Darkness Ganveet, Double Break." The first shield, fortified with Submarine Fortress Lair, shattered.
"…No trigger."
Darkness Ganveet charged through the second shield.
"Shield Trigger! Hundred Eyes, Secret Spirit Treasure!" Kogasa threw the shining card onto her battle zone as the Pandora Box and Arc Seraphim hybrid materialized, his numerous unblinking eyes staring at Kagerou.
"Hundred Eyes' effect makes me discard my entire hand when he is put into the battle zone!" Kogasa explained. "I discard my one hand…Super Psychen Pippi!"
The discarded card glowed with a fiery aura in her graveyard. "When Super Psychen Pippi is discarded during your turn, I can put one Gaial Kaiser from my Hyperspatial zone to my battle zone!"
"Come forth! Mighty Hunter and Dragon! Gaial Kaiser!"
The Red Command Dragon burst out from the other dimension, letting out a great roar as the scar on his chest shimmered.
"Now you know the power of the discarded, just like me!" Kogasa boasted triumphantly. "If you don't have anything to do any more, then its my turn!"
"Draw! I cast Hyperspatial Blue White Hole! I put Victorious Prinprin into my battle zone, and since a water creature was put into the battle zone this way, my creatures can't be blocked this turn! Then with Prin's effect, Volg Thunder cannot attack or block until my next turn!"
"Battle!" Kogasa declared the start of this last phase. "Baiken! Direct attack!"
"Ninja Strike 7, Hanzou. Baiken gets -6000 power."
"This is the last! Gaial Kaiser! Todomeda!"
"Phew…" Kogasa wiped her brow at the end of the duel. A soft wind blew; coolly kissing her cheeks and back. She giggled. It doesn't seem bad to have a duel like this once in a while. This sensation was quite foreign to her, but she didn't mind. It feels relaxing now, and she's happy, after all.
Looking around, she found no one else except for the unconscious Kagerou, Lily White and Wriggle, all lying on the ground, not stirring one bit.
The two hooded people were nowhere to be seen. Seems that they have taken care of their opponents long before her duel was even finished.
She didn't even get to say thanks.
Kogasa wondered who those two people were. She didn't have a clue.
Whatever the case, Kogasa decided that is she ever met up with them again, she would show her sincerest appreciation.
Probably in the form of a surprise, she thought.
The soft wind continued to blow, trees and grass swaying slightly to the wind's rhythm under the sun.
As they strode deeper into the forest, The First and The Second became increasingly alert. Those small fries just now were only just the beginning. They were clearly under the influence of some kind of brainwashing; even if wasn't really a high-grade one. Now they're almost certain that Shangri-La is here, somewhere, hiding and pooling his resources, storing power for a greater comeback. Thankfully that Kogasa girl was there just now to get some weight off their shoulders, or else that might've taken a longer time to deal with.
"…"
"There seems to be a large amount of energy in this place…" The Second muttered. "I'm almost sure it's Shangri-La's."
"Yeah… Although I can't pinpoint the exact location… Kiriko, can you sense him?"
"…I cannot. The energy seems to be spread evenly over this forest. It is almost impossible to find his exact location." The Lunatic Emperor replied.
"Damn…" The Second bit his lip in frustration. "Doing a thorough search of this forest would be really time-consuming…not to mention our target is a card…"
"Then let's get some help." The First said. He coughed and muttered something, and a gap opened beside him. He was promptly smacked on the back of the head by a gloved hand.
"We need some help here, thanks." The First rubbed his head and winced. The gap subsequently closed, and they felt that the area was shut off from the rest of the land.
"This isn't going to stop him from breaking through with force, so we might as well be fast. And if he does try to get out… We'll know and we'll find him." The First told his companion. "Splitting paths?"
"Sure thing." The Second nodded, and with a simple magic set up a beacon on where they were standing. "We'll meet up here if anything's up."
"Be careful." Patting his friend on the shoulder, The First took off in one direction.
Seeing off his partner, The Second turned the other way and started to search for Shangri-La.
"Heh…" Reimu arched an eyebrow at the Ice Fairy. "I almost can't believe it's you."
"Hmph, the only thing that doesn't change is that I'm the strongest, no matter what." Cirno crossed her arms and stared back at the shrine maiden.
"…I'm really tempted to beat you up right now." Reimu's hand reached for her deck.
"I'm not scared of you now." Cirno did likewise.
"Take it outside of the library please." Patchouli glared coldly at the bickering duo. "I don't want my precious library and books being harmed by your duels."
"Chi…"Reimu retracted her gaze and turned to Marisa, who was sitting by the round table and sipping a cup of hot tea. "So you didn't find much huh."
"You're one to talk." Marisa replied as she swallowed her drink. "Those two guys… Wonder what they're up to now."
"I have informed them of the meeting last night, I suppose they will notify us once they take action." Sakuya told them. "After all, they need help."
"…What if they don't want to?" Reimu said. "They don't seem to be willing to associate themselves with us. They seem more like…loners."
"They would be foolish to reject to generous offer of assistance of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Our power is more than what they think." Remilia's voice resonated through the library as she pushed the doors of the entrance open.
"Given their strength and personality, they probably won't be asking for assistance so easily," Reimu replied. "And Yukari…she just might be hiding something from us to keep us away from this. It's almost like she just wants those two to solve this incident…"
"We won't let her have her way then! We're the incident solvers, after all! And if this incident is putting the fate of Gensokyo on the line, there's no way we can sit here idly!" Marisa proclaimed as she stood up from the table.
"Well said, Marisa. Let's go get those two!" Reimu nodded, and together they rushed towards the Human Village.
"Hot-headed as always…" Remilia sighed, sitting at the table. "Sakuya, bring me my tea."
"Yes, mistress."
"…" The incident solvers stared at the "Closed" sign.
"Grrrr…. They must be hiding in there." Marisa grumbled. She slammed the door open with brute force. "Hey! You two!"
"You seriously think they'd be sitting in a closed café and wait for Shangri-La to come out by himself?" Reimu stepped past the black-white and strode into the lightless restaurant.
"What are you doing?"
"There might be hints in here telling us where they went." Looking left and right, Reimu walked right up to the door in the back of the room. "Most probably…in here."
She turned the knob. It didn't budge. She expected it.
Calling her Yin-yang orb, she smashed the orb right through the door, leaving a gaping wide hole in the wooden structure.
"Wow. You're not exactly merciful when it comes to this."
"You know me. You're no different either."
Clambering through the door, or what remained of it, Reimua and Marisa entered the room of The First and The Second.
The room was surprising empty. Two beds, two small desks and nothing much else. A little light peeked into the room from a window on the side, barely enough for them to make their surroundings.
"This is too dark…" Marisa complained, and casting a little magic, a flare from her palm rose up to the ceiling, illuminating the room.
They began to search the room. The beds, the desks, and the desk drawers, everywhere that an item could be hidden.
"This is…" Marisa picked up a piece of paper; with words she didn't understand written all over it. She could guess a few characters, but that was about it. Reimu peeked over her shoulder to examine the paper.
What they did understand, though, was a drawing on the lower half of the paper. A miniature rough map of Gensokyo, with various landmarks being circled with black ink.
It was enough for Reimu and Marisa to start looking for them.
The duo left the café, kindly closing the door behind them, taking the piece of paper in the process.
The shattered door however, was another problem.
"…"
The Second walked silently through the dark forest. His steps aren't fast, his eyes scanning the trees and grass, everywhere that may hint at Shangri-La being there.
A patch of grass rustled.
"!" He immediately turned towards the noise, focusing on that small area.
He stared at it, and moments pass, as the air stiffened and nothing moved.
It was a full minute before a small rabbit bounded out of that patch of grass, and looked at The Second with mild interest before hopping away.
"…" He let out a breath and relaxed his muscles. Massaging his head, The Second continued on his path.
He stopped short, as he noticed a great surge of energy emitting from something behind his back.
Whirling on that something, he saw a familiar someone.
Although it wasn't exactly that person anymore.
"…Subaru…"
Decks:
Kogasa: Oboro Second （オボロセカンド）
Kagerou: ND Hyperspatial （黒緑超次元）