8: That Strength

"Route 3 connects to Route 4 and then to Caesius Town." I read off the Dolldex, "That's kinda long isn't it?"

"We would be there already of you didn't get so depressed." Reimu said,

"I wasn't depressed! I was silently analyzing my options."

"Mmhm..."

"Besides, it's not that simple." Maribel said, showing me her map on her own Dolldex, "There's a forest between Route 3 and Route 4. It's called Lunar Phase Forest."

"Lunar Phase?" I asked.

"There's a legend." Maribel explained, "A long time ago, a traveler saw a piece of the moon fall into the forest. When he went to where he saw the piece fall, he found a bunch of weird Dolls around it. After that, no matter when you go into the forest, at night, you can only see a Crescent Moon."

"The Dolls found there aren't anything new." Maribel's Dolldex beeped as Rikako took over, "But the fact was that the Dolls found in the forest normally lived miles away! They shouldn't be there and not in such numbers."

"That seems interesting."

"You might even see one of those 'Alien' Dolls." Reimu smirked.

"Doubt it." Rikako laughed.

"I can just feel the support." I mumbled.

"Here we are." Maribel said, "Lunar Phase Forest."

"It's pretty dark." I noted.

"Yep."

"I'm not getting a signal here."

"There's strong magic in here. Whenever it's related to the moon falling or not, no one knows."

"Either way, I won't be counting on Rikako or Reimu to get us out." I said, stuffing the Dolldex in my pocket.

"Nervous?" Maribel asked.

"Relieved." I corrected, "Now I don't have to listen to you people whenever I pass on catching a Doll."

"Jump Kick."

CReimu drop kicked the 13th CWriggle we found and sighed, "It's all bugs and birds. I was hoping on fighting some aliens."

"It's just a rumor." CMarisa smiled, "Don't put too much hope into finding one."

"Still..."

"Oh! Found something! Maribel!"

"Another mushroom?" Maribel said, taking it in her hands.

"Mushrooms will save your lives someday." CMarisa said.

"Right..." CReimu looked skeptical.

Something crashed in the distance.

"What was that?" Maribel asked, looking around.

"Nothing good." I frowned.

"Should we investigate?"

"Why?"

"Eh? W-What do you mean by why?"

"Why should we investigate?"

"B-Because! Something interesting might be happening!"

"It could just be a battle." Reimu suggested.

"Battles don't make such loud noises. Well...okay they do...sometimes, but it shouldn't be happening in this forest!"

"Whatever's happening in this forest isn't any of our business." CReimu said.

"What if it's an Alien?"

"Renko, we're going."

"Well, you're easy to convince."

"Are you sure it's this way?" Maribel asked.

"Trust me." CMarisa smiled, "I have a good sense of direction."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yep. Look!" CMarisa bent down and picked something up.

"Oh, a Fresh Water." Maribel said, taking it from her, "Who would leave that here?"

"Weren't we searching for Aliens?" CReimu frowned.

"Haha. Guess we were wrong." CMarisa smiled.

"Tch. Let's just go already."

"Wait." Maribel said, "What about that sound?"

"If it's not related to Aliens then I don't care."

"It's actually quite simple." CMarisa said, climbing onto Maribel's shoulder, "Why do you think this is here?"

CMarisa tossed the Fresh Water she found up and down in her hands.

"There was a trainer here."

"Ding Ding!" CMarisa smiled, "We got a winner."

"So?" CReimu frowned, "Why does that matter? Trainers cross here all the time."

"Yep. But how many Trainers are stupid enough to leave a good bottle of Fresh Water on the floor?"

"At least one?"

"Nope. At least 20." Cmarisa waved her hands towards a small wall of plants.

All of us exchanged looks before we walked over to the plants, parting it's leaves to take a look. The clearing on the other side was littered with empty bottles of Fresh Water. The bottles themselves were scattered over tracks. Tracks that clearly belonged to a construction vehicle of some kind.

"If we recycle all of those bottles we can make about $15." CMarisa said irrelevantly.

"Machines were here?" Maribel said, surprised.

"With people." I added, picking up one of the bottles.

"Why?"

"Industrialization?" CReimu guessed.

"No way. This forest is a landmark. They can't just bulldoze these woods over for a few buildings." Maribel bit her lip.

"Could it have something to do with the legend?" I suggested.

"You think so too?" CMarisa smiled.

"T-That's terrible!" Maribel cried, "We should do something!"

"Agreed." CReimu said.

"Really now?" CMarisa smirked, "If they bulldoze the woods over, you might see an Alien."

"My morals come before my curiosity." CReimu frowned.

"Still." I said, "What can we do? It's not like we have the authority to stop them."

"We can destroy their machines." CReimu suggested.

"We'd get sued." I frowned.

"I can pay for it." Maribel offered.

"That's a waste. Can't we find a better way to deal with it?"

"Can we think while we walk?" Maribel asked, "I can't stand standing here while they bulldoze another part of the forest."

"Where should we go?" CReimu asked.

"How bout we follow these tracks?" CMarisa said, waving at them, "We can find them then act."

"Good idea." Maribel said, "Everyone, keep your eyes open for anyone else."

I frowned as I followed them. We just lost track of what we were supposed to do again didn't we?

"Can you hear it?"

"Yeah. That's the sound of machines all right."

Maribel bit her lip. We had followed the tracks all this way and still failed to come up with a plan.

"...I'll sneak in." I said, "Once I secure their intentions then we'll stop them."

"How?" CMarisa frowned.

I held up my Dolldex. Reimu was on the other end, "I'll see what I can do."

"Are you sure?" Maribel asked, worried.

"As long as Reimu keeps silent I'll be fine."

"Hey."

There were enough machines online that I didn't need to worry about stepping on any branches. I stuck to the shade and circled around the working machines to what looked like a small tent. I approached it from the shade, noticing 2 shadows inside. I got on my stomach and slowly dragged myself forward. Once I was at the tent, I called out CTokiko and used her claws to rip a small hole. Voices drifted into my ears, but before I even paid attention to the words, I opened the Dolldex and slid it through the slit.

"How has the construction been going?"

"We just started, you can't expect results right away."

"There's no need to sound so apprehensive, I understand. Geez, what is it with you scientists?"

"Generally, whenever a businessman and a scientist work together, the businessman is always the one to rush the project to it's doom."

"Ha! You've been watching too many movies my friend. Besides what reason would I have to rush you? We both benefit from this."

"Yes. At last, we shall see if there is a fallen moon piece in this forest. And if not..."

"...then I can use the land for my own businesses. We both mutually benefit."

I bit my lip and slowly slid the Dolldex out, "Get that?"

Reimu nodded.

"Then we're leaving." I said, "Return, CTokiko."

Just as I was moving back, a voice rang out, "WE FOUND SOMETHING, SIR!"

I almost jumped. The voice had come from behind me and with that realization I finally heard the rustling of grass coming towards me. The men in the tent exchanged gasps and began to leave. I was stuck. Gritting my teeth, I got up, ready to run for it. At least I would have until something burst from the trees and crashed straight into me, throwing me back and into the tent.

"What the?"

As I struggled out of the tarp, I felt the thing that crashed into me struggling as well. It was small. Doll-like. I hugged it as I finally threw off the tarp.

"Who are you?" The worker demanded.

I didn't answer, getting to me knees and surveyed the group in front of me. A scientist, a businessman and a worker, none of which I knew. Well of course not. I have anemisa.

"Who are you?" The businessman demanded.

I continued to ignore them and glanced towards the Doll in my arms. She had stopped squirming enough for me to get a good look at her. She looked almost human except for the bunny ears on her head. She looked at me with scared eyes.

"Hm? That Doll..." The scientist squinted.

I turned away, hiding the Doll from his view.

"Give me that Doll!" The scientist demanded, "If that Doll is what I think it is, then it's much too valuable for you to have it!"

"Renko!" Maribel burst from her hiding place, "What's going on?"

"They want this Doll." I said, holding up the Doll that tackled me.

"M-More of you?" The businessman frowned, "We have no choice. Silence them!"

Both of us were instantly on guard at those words. The Doll recognized those words and began squirming again.

"Right, I'll take care of it." The worker said, "Go get them, CSuika!"

"Don't harm the Doll!" The scientist warned, "Capture that Doll, CNazrin!"

"Don't let them get away." The businessman said, "Go, CHina."

Businessman, Scientist and Worker want to (maybe) kill you!

"We'd better bring out all of them." I frowned.

"Gotcha." Maribel said.

"CReimu, CTokiko!"

"CMarisa! CMystia!"

"F-Four against 3? That's cheap!" The worker growled.

"It won't matter if we can pair up our Dolls correctly." The scientist said.

"Oh yeah? Then you tell me. What should I do?"

"CSuika is a Rock/Fighting type. Both CTokiko and CMystia are Flying type. Rock is super effective against Flying Types."

"Gotcha! CSuika, Rock Throw!"

CSuika picked up a rock and threw it.

"CTokiko, Quick Attack!"

"You too CMystia!"

The 2 birds darted away from the rock at high speeds and charged at CSuika. CSuika jumped over CMystia, grabbing another rock and throwing straight at CTokiko. CTokiko was hit and fell to the ground.

"CHina, Wrap."

The businessman's Doll reached out with tendrils and grabbed CTokiko, holding her in the air.

"CNazrin, Tackle!"

CNazrin charged and smashed into CTokiko. CTokiko yelped.

"CSuika! Finish her with another Rock Throw!"

CSuika didn't really throw a rock much more pick it up and bash CTokiko over the head with it.

"Looks like we're about even now." The businessman sneered as I returned CTokiko.

"Heh, even I know what to do next." The worker said, "CSuika! Rock Throw at the other bird!"

CMystia chirped nervously as CSuika picked up a rock.

"CMarisa! Spore!"

"Gotcha!" CMarisa cried, sending small puffs floating towards CSuika.

CSuika yawned, placing down the rock to use it as a pillow as it fell asleep.

"AH! What do I do now doc?"

"I'm not a doctor!" The scientist frowned, "And think for yourself you buffoon! CNazrin, Mud Shot!"

"Whoa!" CMarisa cried as CNaizrin threw mud at her, "You guys don't play cleanly do you?"

"Jump Kick!"

CReimu jumped in the air and kicked the sleeping CSuika. CSuika tumbled a few feet before settling on her back, still asleep.

"Hey! That's fighting dirty!" The worker cried.

"Oh shut up!" CReimu said, "You're not exactly doing charity work yourself."

"Why you...CSuika, wake up already!"

"Zzzzz..."

"I'll give ya alcohol if ya do."

CSuika woke up.

"That's the spirit! Now, Rock Throw that bird our of the air!"

CSuika picked up the rock that she was sleeping on and promptly threw it at CMystia.

"Maribel!"

"CMystia, Sand-Attack!"

CMystia dove down, dodging the rock, sticking close to the ground and charged at CSuika. CSuika quickly grabbed another rock and threw that. A moment too late. While the rock did manage to hit CMystia, she had already swept her wing forward, throwing sand into CSuika's eyes.

"Ah!"

"Now! CReimu, Jump Kick!"

CReimu jumped up and kicked CSuika, smashing her into a tree.

"They're tough." Maribel frowned as she returned CMystia.

"We're down to 2 to 2." The scientist reported.

"Not for much longer." The businessman said, "CHina! Toxic!"

CHina reached out with her tendrils.

"Run!" CMarisa called.

The 2 began to run away until CNazrin blocked them.

"Mud Shot."

CMarisa and CReimu got knocked to the ground as they were hit with mud.

"Get up!" CReimu cried, "We can't let her catch us!"

CMarisa nodded and but just as she was getting up, the tendril wrapped around her ankle. She cried out as she got stung.

"CMarisa!" Maribel cried.

"Gah..." CMarisa tried getting up again, but fell to the ground.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"She's been badly poisoned." The businessman sneered, "If you keep her out in battle, the poison will quickly consume her."

"C-CMarisa..."

"I'm fine!" CMarisa cried struggling to stand, "Let me fight!"

CReimu grabbed CMarisa by the collar and threw her at Maribel, "Don't be stupid. I can handle them so take a break."

"Still..." CReimu frowned, "It's 2 against one."

"Yeah."

"But we can't let them get her can we?" CReimu smirked.

I hugged the Doll a bit tighter, "Yeah."

"Then let's go."

"Jump Kick."

CReimu leaped at CNazrin.

"Endure."

CNazrin blocked CReimu's kick, falling back a bit, but she managed to remain standing.

"CHina, Spinning."

CHina spun around and smacked CReimu with her tendrils.

"CReimu, Seal Needle!"

CReimu threw up ofudas and sent them flying at CNazrin and CHina. CNazrin endured them while CHina spun around and dodged them.

"CNazrin, Quick Attack!"

"CHina, Sludge."

CReimu cried out as both attacks hit and sent her flying.

"CReimu!"

She slowly got up wincing, "I-I'm fine."

"Brave Doll." The businessman smiled, "But it's over."

"Hand over the Doll." The scientist demanded.

I stepped back. Thoughts ran through my head, various strategies being planned then scrapped. Was I going to lose again? Was I really that weak?

"Puu~"

I jolted, forgetting the Doll that I was still holding on to. She looked at me with confident eyes.

"Puu~"

"...You want to fight?"

"Puu!"

"Are you sure?"

The Doll struggled out of my arms and fell to the ground.

"...Heh. Alright then." I said, pulling out my Dolldex.

Beep.

"Chibi Reisen. Moon Rabbit Touhoumon. A rabbit who fled from the moon. Possesses high combat power but is hampered by cowardice."

Chibi Reisen

Level 20

Modest

Keen Eye

Psychic

Attacks:

-Growl

-Confusion

-Confuse Ray

-Double Team

"CReisen huh? Then...let's see what you can do." I smiled.