Gensokyo
The sun shone bright in the clear blue sky. In front of them stood tranquil grassy plains with some hills and many fields of flowers as far as the eye could see. There was a small breeze of clean and fresh air. Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, Meiling, Ruukoto and the three fairies were walking trough gentle grass plains, guided by Alice's dolls, and the card mistress looked particularly cheery. Birds chirped, bees and butterflies fluttered around.
Waaahhh, pretty! This feels just like a holyday walk!-smiled Sakura, getting closer to Syaoran and starting to snuggle with him as they admired the beautiful landscape.
Sakura-chan's so cute when she's getting lovey-dovey!-squealed Tomoyo, recording everything with a camera.
Mistress, I'm recording Sakura Kinomoto as per your orders with my high-tech cameras, why are you still using that antiquity.-asked Ruukoto, following behind.
No matter how advanced your cameras may be, they can still only capture one angle of how wonderful Sakura-chan is! I want to capture as many as I can!
C'mon Syaoran, smile a bit!-Sakura shook Syaoran's arm, who had been frowning a bit all the time, his eyes always vigilant of the surroundings as if waiting for danger to be around any corner.
Yeah, I guess it wouldn't be Sakura-chan if she didn't become like that the moment there's no danger around...-sighed Meiling.
Sakura-chan, this isn't a date. We can't relax until we get out of Gensokyo. Dangerous Youkai can be lurking anywhere.-sighed Syaoran as well.
But look, everything is so nice around here! Let's enjoy ourselves a bit!
Sakura grabbed Syaoran by the hand and ran, dragging the boy to the nearest flower field. The card mistress giggled as she jumped between the pretty exotic flowers, scattering flowers and fairies everywhere..
Hey humans, watch where you walk!
Tiny palm-sized fairies were sprouting from the flowers. It was not clear how they could've had fitted inside,
Hoe...?
Those are our homes!
Ah! I'm so sorry!
Wow, those fairies are really little.-said Meiling, swiftly picking one by the wings to observe the minor youkai closer.
Yeah, they're small fries.-smiled Star.
Totally weak.-grinned Sunny.
Even a normal human could beat one easily just by stuffing them in a bottle.-grinned Sunny.
You're ones to talk...-sweatdropped several of the smaller fairies.
Waaa, soo ccuuutteee! See, Syaoran? There's no danger at all.-Sakura's smile widened.
…Let's just keep walking.-frowned Syaoran.
Three...-whispered Luna
Two...-grinned Sunny
One...-giggled Star
Sakura tried to walk and tripped, falling on her face. Looking back, she saw her shoe ribbons had been tied together to lock her feet together and a group of the tiny fairies ran away laughing.
You were right, they just wanted to play some small prank.-smirked Syaoran.
As Sakura got up, there was a momentary flame of rage in the card mistress's eyes, and one of her hands was already moving to unseal her wand, but she took a deep breath and calmed down.
No harm, no foul. -Sakura smiled while composing her clothes, then seemed to notice something missing
A few more steps and a group of fairies flew out from hiding to empty a bucket of water over Sakura
They're just playing around...-Sakura's smile wavered for a moment.
After some other steps another group of fairies popped out to droped a sack of flour over her before too sprinting away laughing loudly.
Why am I the only one receiving the pranks?-Sakura waved her hands in a mix of confusion and anger.
Fairies won't go near cautious people.-said Syaoran in a dry tone.
Sakura looked at her human friends and saw that they carefully watched their every step and glared menacingly at any tiny fairy that came closer. She changed to her thinking face.
You could just blast them away, you know?-sighed Syaoran.
Yeah, we're kinda used to that kind of treatment from humans.-agreed Sunny.
Sakura-chan's too nice for exterminating fairies just because of some minor pranks!-protested Star.
Or you could just be more careful.-suggested Luna.
The Key which hides powers of the Stars! Show your true form before me! I, Sakura, command you under our contract! Release!
With her wand summoned, Sakua pulled not one but two cards with a solemn face.
Sakura-chan's so cute when she's about to unleash her righteous wrath!-squealed Tomoyo.
FLY! SMALL! RELEASE!
As Sakura activated both cards, her size along her doll was significantly reduced while she grew wings. The tiny fairies then approached the card mistress, now roughly the same size as them, looked with suspicion as first, but then seemed to recognize Sakura as one of their own and started playing and dancing in the air with her. Sakura looked delighted.
Ah, that works too. Sakura-chan's so cute when she's a fairy!-Tomoyo zoomed in the little winged Sakura surrounded by fairies, all smiling merrily
Alice's house
The doll youkai held a puppeteer theater using her dolls for an audience of other dolls sitting in chairs across the room.
… And then the maid magician hoped her Mistress who had remained in hiding in this home since morning would grace her servant with some words after this performance to inform her of recent events ended.
The Shadowy form that had fought Yukari stepped out from the shadows in the room where she had been hiding.
As expected of my personal maid, you knew I was here all along. Why didn't you tell any of your other guests?
If my Mistress wished to remain hidden, it was not my liberty to reveal your presence.
I'm just disappointed Marisa didn't notice me. I hoped to have trained her better.
Don't be too hard on her, Mistress. She's still just an ordinary human, and there were an unusual amount of magicians around here to confuse her primitive magic detection capacities.
But you did develop quite a bit. Still remember when you were just a little brat who had trouble controlling a couple dolls at a time. Now you have enough to start your own country!
Suddenly Shangai flew in and got herself in front of Alice, starting to glow bright red while staring at the spirit.
Alice-sama, be careful! I sense a great evil power from that spirit!
Stand down, Shangai. She's not our enemy at this time.
Ah, the talking doll that moves on her own! Such an exquisite work of magic.
Shangai's still weaker than a wild doll youkai. I still have a long way to go.
Oh, I saw that one. Quite nasty youkai. I liked her. So many new faces around Gensokyo nowadays. Yet so many missing ones. I must admit it's great to see an old youkai again, Alice.
A lot has happened while you were sealed, Mistress. Many of our ancient acquaintances are either sealed or have secluded themselves from any public events. Unlike you, they refused to adopt the new card system.
You seem to be pretty well informed about what's going on Gensokyo nowadays.
I see and hear a lot of things. My more advanced dolls can reach far and wide. I knew you would break free again some day, and somebody needed to have a list of all the important events to update you.
We are Team Shangai Alice!-proudly declared the doll.
So those dolls you offered the kids...-wondered the spirit.
They still have strings attached to me. I can sense their position. They've exited the forest of magic some moments ago.
Well, I'm gonna be crashing here for the day, I bet that silly shrine maiden won't remember to check here of all places. In the meanwhile, you can get me some
tea and inform me about the major events since I was sealed.
Fairy Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling, Tomoyo and Ruukoto kept walking. Except now there were a lot of floating fairies around, of larger size than the ones met previously. Those had all stayed behind. The ones surrounding them now were all roughly of their own fairy's size. And they just floated slowly and silently with blank expressions in their faces. Sakura tried to approach some of them carefully and talk, but didn't get any reaction.
Why are there so many youkai here? I thought the forest of magic had many, but here there's a lot more of them!-asked Syaoran, with his sword summoned in one hand and jufus at the ready in the other.
Well, the forest of magic is extremely hazardous to both human and youkai. A day or two won't do much harm, but long term it starts getting really uncomfortable and all the magic spores will eventually be pretty bad for your health. That's why magicians who want isolation like to settle there. They use their alchemy to keep their bodies going or something like that. Out here regular youkai are a lot more numerous. -explained Luna, floating close to the boy.
Even then it's day! Aren't youkai supposed to be less active at this time?-questioned Meiling, holding needles between his fingers and keeping watch all around herself.
Some youkai like light and the day. But you're correct, things get even more fun in Gensokyo during the night outside the forest of magic!-smiled Luna.
But for them to just stare at us like this... They haven't played a prank for quite some time now!-wondered Tomoyo.
Eleven minutes and thirsty seconds.-stated Ruukoto.
Sunny? Star?-Sakura hovered between her and Meiling's new familiars, who now also had silent blank expressions in their faces.
He...Danmaku is coming...-whispered Sunny.
Hehehe...Danmaku heaven is upon us...-said Star.
Excuse them. It's hard to explain, but us fairies, well, resonate with powerful natural nearby magic...There is a possibility that there is an unbelievably powerful youkai lurking about nearby, and that's making the fairies act like that. My power can kinda block it, but even then it's taking all my effort just to cover myself.
Sakura and Syaoran closed their eyes, trying to sense any nearby magic.
Can you feel it?-asked the boy
...Yes. A soul as red as a ground cherry.-replied the card mistress with a worried face.
A being in the darkness sensed the human's magic senses reach her. The being produced a ferocious grin, and the fairies in the area felt that ferocity.
The silent fairies started to glow as they raised their hands, and one by one, they all started shooting bright magic blasts. Sakura dismissed the small and little as elemental shots exploded all around her. As she returned to her normal size, she elegantly jumped between the shots and picked a new card, the tiny doll floating by her shoulder imitating her every move:
THUNDER! RELEASE!
Multiple beams of lighting shot in all directions from Sakura's magic implement, frying a large swath of the fairies attacking her.
Great blast Sakura-chan!-congratulated Star Sapphire as she seemed to wake up and taking cover behind the human girl's back as more stray shots kept falling around them.
Sakura-chan is so cute when she's surrounded by enemies!-squealed Tomoyo, now being carried in Ruukoto's arms, the robot maid flying between the blasts with rocket feet.
Hey, Sunny, you ok with fighting against fellow fairies?-asked Meiling as she seemed to dance between the blasts, pulling needles from her sleeves and throwing them with pinpoint acuraccy at the few fairies that slipped through Sakura's blasts. Yet the fairies weren't many. They were an ocean. Sakura could open momentary holes in their formations with her cards, as large rocks falling on a body of water, but then more fairies simply appeared to fill in the gaps. They flocked from all around as far as it could be seen, converging upon the humans, unleashing more dense danmaku than the ones they had found in the forest of magic.
This is a full fairy war now, so if we win, we're the victorious army!-grinned Sunny, snapping out of her stupor and standing back to back with Meiling while unleashing a stream of red fiery bullets at the fairy masses.
If we lose, we're the rebel army. So we have to win by any means.-smirked Luna, pointing a finger and shooting a pale yellow laser at other fairies.
This is just a waste of our time! Keep moving!-shouted Syaoran, charging forward with his sword , deflecting the bullets incoming his way while cutting a path through the fairy ranks.
Yeah, if war isn't a time-waster, then I wonder what else it could be? We'll be here all day even with your magic, better to just get away from this area.-agreed Star, still not shooting anything of her own.
Meanwhile Alice's puppets didn't seem fazed as they followed their new owners, their tiny size making them an hard target to begin with, and mechanically dodging any shot that came too near to them.
Hoooeee-Sakura's eyes spinned in confusion at the dazzling array of colors from the different fairy's danmaku. EARTHY! RELEASE!
Upon Sakura's command, the ground rose in thick walls, producing a tunnel to protect her friends and herself from the waves of fairies incoming.
Sakura-chan's so cute when she's changing the landscape itself!-fawned Tomoyo.
This way we can catch a little breath...-said Sakura with a tone of relief.
Undetected by the two girls, wingless fairies sprouted from the moved ground under them, holding energy balls in their hands which they prepared to fling
KAAA! -Meiling suddenly pounced just in time to unleash a tornado of kicks to drive the earth fairies back underground, but more started to crawl up from theother areas of the tunnel, forcing Sakura to open it again to at least give them room to dodge.
Damn those pests can just pop out of anywhere. Sunny-chan can't you keep us all invisible for this trip? It's day, you shouldn't be such a weakling as during the night!-asked Meiling.
Constant invisibility for four humans, one robot maid, plus us three fairies? Nope. Even with the sun shining I can't keep so many things invisible for more than some moments. But I guess I should start getting serious with my danmaku! [Sunlight] "Sunshine Needle"!-Sunny pulled a card from inside her clothes.
Long bright glowing needles formed between the red-haired fairy's fingers, who then threw them at the enemy fairies. They produced powerful blasts on impact, but only a couple hit any target.
...That's some really lousy acuracy, Sunny-chan.-sweatdropped Meiling.
Well, those are much harder to aim than normal needles, you know? Wanna try?-challenged Sunny, presenting her the card.
...You're saying I can use your cards?
Yeah, I'll provide the magic to fuel it even if you don't have any.
Why didn't you tell me so earlier?
You never asked. I guessed you were one of those martial freaks who refuse to use magic and stuff.
Shut up and give me that card! You just have to shout the name to activate it, right? [Sunlight] "Sunshine Needle"!
OW! HOTHOTHOT!-Meiling dropped the magic needles before they even fully formed in her hands.
Told you so!-smirked Sunny
Again!-Meiling managed to hold them in her hands for some seconds before dropping them once more from the pain. She looked at her hands again and saw slight burns on her fingers. Meiling wrapped her long sleeves around her hands as improvised gloves.
Meiling-chan! You're hurting yourself!-said Sakura with a worried voice as she blasted another huge swath of fairies with lighting.
You don't have to do this!-warned Syaoran as he sliced more incoming danmaku.
AGAIN!-shouted Meiling with pure determination in her voice as she activated the card again, this time managing to hold for enough time to throw her needles.
First she missed all of her sun needles.
I gotta focus!
Then her second volley hit with half of the projectiles.
FOCUS!
After that not one of her sun needles missed.
OOOOHHHHHHH!-Meiling rushed ahead throwing the glowing needles as fast as they were produced. Sunny kept following behind her laughing and unleashing more basic firey shots.
Meiling's assault wasn't as wide as Sakura or Syaoran's, but it had flawless acuraccy combining her martial arts with Reimu's training and Sunny's magic. She predicted the paths of the enemy fairies to clear open a straight path forward.
That was great Meiling-chan!-congratulated Sakura as she unleashed her thunder on the fairies trying to circle around the rampaging chinese girl.
Hmmm, I guess it's time I started making some clothes for Meiling-chan...-Tomoyo's eyes gleamed. Her uniform was burning bit by bit, but with femtofiber faric gloves, who knew...
Follow the path she's creating!-shouted Syaoran.
Four youkai lurking behind the not so distant vegetation plotted:
There come the humans and the traitor fairies. With our informant network, it was piece of cake to find them. Everybody remembers their part of the plan, yes?
Nope.
We had a plan?
How much are we getting paid for this?
Gah, just follow your youkai instincts! Terrorize the humans! Instil fear in their hearts!
And then we can eat them?
Gotta leave at least one alive to tell the tale.
Also save some leftovers for our pets, they worked so hard finding them.
Whatever, just get moving now! They're already escaping the small fry!
Is that so...?
[Darkness Sign] "Dark Side of the Moon" !
[Vocal Sign] "Hooting in the Night"!
Suddenly the sun went dark and all light disappeared around the humans and fairies. Pitch black everywhere. The sound of owls started.
It's night already?-asked Sakura, not sounding as surprised as she should be.
I can't see anything!-screamed Meiling.
Well, this is annoying.-sighed Syaoran.
Ruukoto, switch your cameras to infrared!-ordered Tomoyo.
Error: no light wavelength detected!-replied the robot maid.
Star, Luna, let's show them our superiority!-said Sunny.
In brightest day, in blackest night,
No human shall escape our sight.
Let those who worship logic's might
Beware our power—The Three Fairies of light!-With those words Sunny, Star and Luna appeared glowing in the midst of the darkness, striking a coreopgrahy pose.
Nyaaahh, you look so cute!-smiled Sakura, basking in their magic light.
Damn, why didn't you use one of your cards, Sakura-chan?
… Hoe-I forgot?
That's convenient, but doesn't explain the sudden darkness.-said Syaoran.
Hmm, wasn't it night already when we came out of Alice's house?
But there's no moon. Tonight it should be ful-Luna's speech was interrupted suddenly and when the others to look at the position she was in, there was only darkness there.
Luna-chan?-asked Sakura, and there was no reply.
Don't worry, she probably just got lost in this dark but she'll be able to find us by sensing our moon magic.-said Syaoran.
Yeah, I can sense her just fine. But there's no stars, what kind of night is this?-commented Star, scratching her head.
Something hidden in the darkness pulled a card:
[Lamp Sign] "Firefly Phenomenon"!
Oh, there are the stars!-giggled Sakura as tiny points of light started appearing above.
No, those aren't-Star's speech too was interrupted and then she was gone.
Star-chan?-asked Sakura and when there was no reply she moved closer to Syaoran
Stay together to each other!-said Syaoran, trying to spot anything in the darkness
Like this?-asked Sakura, embracing her boyfriend from behind.
I'm right here, Sakura-chan.-pouted Tomoyo.
This is fishy. Those two were night fairies. They shouldn't get lost so easily.-Sunny scratched her chin with a serious look on her face.
Meiling meanwhile was keeping an eye on the sun fairy. Whatever was in the darkness was targeting the fairies first. So it would next come for the sun fairy. Indeed Meiling suddenly heard something rushing towards the fairy. Faint and fast. But Meiling was faster. She threw her open palm in the direction she heard the sound coming from. There was a screech resembling a girl's cry and then steps running away.
Tsk, I hit something, but it managed to slip away. There's definitely something stalking the darkness.
Apparitions?-wondered Tomoyo.
Y-you m-mean g-g-ghosts?-Sakura started shaking and she tightened her embrace on Syaoran, seemingly not noticing the boy was starting to have problems breathing.
Calm down Sakura, whatever Meiling hit, it was solid, so it couldn't be a ghost.-swiftly replied Syaoran to try to save his life, and the card mistress did stop trying to crush his bones.
Just between you and me, are there any actual ghosts in Gensokyo?-whispered Meiling to Sunny
Oh, yes. Plenty. -calmly replied the fairy.
But they're mostly harmless, right? They may look spooky but they can't harm you?
Most of them are I guess. Minor ones actually look kinda cute. But some ghosts are pretty dangerous.
Saigyouji mansion
Nadeshiko and Yuyuko sat now side by side, surrounded by empty plates and bottles. They weren't eating anymore, instead filling each other's glasses in turns, drinking and giggling. Their cheeks were red, clearly drunk. Yuyuko got herself closer and closer to the other ghost, leaning against her wings and rubbing her cheeks against them:
Hmm, Nadeshiko-chan, it's hard to believe you're dead. Your feather are so soft... And they smell so good... Good enough to eat...
The pink haired ghost started nibbling on the white wings, and Nadeshiko blushed harder:
Yuyuko-sama, I think you-hic-drank too much-hic.
Yuyuko started moving her body even closer to Nadeshiko, licking her lips:
I'm gooonnnaaaa eeaaattt yyooouuuu-
Yuyuko was suddenly knocked out as Youmu moved in from behind and struck the back of her mistress's head with the back of her longer blade, knocking out the drunk ghost, then bowed towards Nadeshiko:
I humbly apologize for my mistress's shameful behaviour, Nadeshiko-sama. She often gets like this when she drinks too much.
Oh, it's alright, Youmu-chan. I'll just help clean up and then maybe take a nap afterwards, all that food made me so sleeepppyyy...-Nadeshiko paused to yawn-I never imagined ghosts could eat or get drunk or sleepy.
Cleaning up my Mistress's messes is my duty and honor. I've already prepared a guest room for you to rest in, Nadeshiko-sama.
No, I insist that you let me take care of something-Nadeshiko tried to fly up only to somehow trip and fall on the ground face first, breaking a bunch of plates-On second thought, can you help me get to that guest room, Youmu-chan?
Somewhere in Gensokyo
Even in the darkness, the dolls kept guiding the humans, seemingly not needing to see a path. However even when Sunny glowing, they were having an harder and harder time seeing anything.
I can't see your wonderful self, Sakura-chan...-pouted the blue haired girl in the darkness, holding her camera.
Tomoyo-chan? Where are you?-asked Sakura, turning her around with worried eyes.
Hmm, you're right next to each other...-sweatdropped Sunny, right next to them.
This isn't natural darkness, our vision is just getting worst.-Syaoran was using his sword as a blind man's cane.
Look, there's some lights there!-shouted Meiling, and indeed the humans spotted a red glow in the middle of the darkness.
There's a nice smell coming from there too!-smiled Sakura, walking towards the light.
Wait, it could be a trap!-tried to warn Syaoran, but the girls and fairy were all already moving on so he followed behind, still watching over his back.
The source of the light was a group of paper lanterns over a wooden shack with a balcony and some seats on the outside. Inside a girl with dark feathery wings was grilling something over a small fire while singing. Her voice sounded like that of a bird, mixing with the owl hooting that had been heard since the sudden "night" fell.
A food stand here...?-Meiling blinked in disbelief.
Hmm, now that you mention, it I'm kinda hungry.-Sakura started to drool a bit. Whatever the winged girl was grilling smelled pretty good.
Good evening, are you open for business?-asked Tomoyo politely as she approached.
She replied while singing:
Come, dear customers! Lost in darkness of the night? My grilled lamprey will improve your sight!
Oh, hi Mystia-chan! Didn't recognize you from far away.-greeted Sunny.
I'm Mystia Lorelei the Singing Night Sparrow.
Remember that lowly fairy, or I'll feast in your marrow!
I'm not just any fairy now! I'm familiar for those two mighty human magicians! If you don't pay me the respect I deserve, you'll be exterminated!
Hey, we agreed you would be my familiar, remember?-Meiling grabbed Sunny in an headlock and started nudging her head.
Ah, yes, ouch, I won't do that again, sorry!
Those wings...You're a youkai!-pointed out Syaoran.
Aaaannnnddd?
There's no law against a youkai running a food stand.-sang Mystia in retort.
You only have fish? Don't you have grilled chicken?-asked Meiling, drooling a bit in hunger too.
Or an omelette? If there's big birds like you in Gensokyo, there should be some pretty big tasty eggs...-questioned Sakura right away.
Fish is better for your health than any bird derivative!
Tastier, with less fat, lots of vitmains and very nutritive!-sang Mystia.
Mystia-chan's right, you have to watch your health since in you're a very important growing phase, Sakura-chan. Six eel servings please.-smiled Tomoyo as she placed money on the counter.
Mystia scooped up the money with clawed hands and then swiftly placed six plates with gleaming grilled fish in front of her customers.
Who's the sixth plate for?-asked Meiling as she digged in.
For Ruukoto-chan, of course.-Tomoyo elegantly tasted the grilled fish.
Hmmm, mistress Tomoyo, I'm a robot, I don't need to eat.-pointed out the mechanical maid
Oh... Yes, that's true I guess.-Tomoyo blinked a few times, as if confused.
Then Syaoran stood up from his seat with fury in his eyes:
I knew it was a trap! This is grilled loaches, not lamprey eels! You're cheating on us!
I could make some nice clothes with those feathers...-smirked Tomoyo, eyeing Mystia with an half-insane stare.
No, I'm keeping her as a pet!-protested Meiling.
Hmm, the fish was pretty nice, but I would like some meat now. Wonder how Mystia-chan would taste if we fried her...-Sakura's maddening eyes were now fixated on Mystia.
We'll need to season her first. Saw some cooking herbs in the area.-said Syaoran in a serious professional tone while checking his sword's sharpness.
Humans should be the ones fried in spices!
Cut into little pieces and served in slices!-singed Mystia.
FIERY! RELEASE!
Mystia's food stand was reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye, although the bird girl managed to fly away just in time and just got a few singed feathers.
Hehehe... Pretty flames...-giggled Sakura as she let the Fiery circle around and incinerate whatever was nearby.
Sakura-chan's so cute when she's burning everything to the ground!-squealed Tomoyo.
Mistress Tomoyo, your sanity levels as well as your companions are falling below the safe border!-pointed out Ruukoto in a worried tone, but the blue-haired girl seemed to ignore her as she kept recording Sakura in her pyromaniac streak.
Don't worry, sanity is kinda overrated for humans anyway.-smirked Sunny, enjoying the Fiery's performance before Sakura dismissed the elemental.
Hey Meiling, why are you doing that?-asked Syaoran, noticing that his cousin was now crawling on the ground, as if trying to mend in with the vegetation.
What are you saying? I'm simply worried. If that thing we heard before shows up again... -Meiling had ducked in the grass and looked around obsessively, but only could see some bugs crawling.
Say "if she shows up" and I'll show up right away!
The voice came from one of the tiny bug in the grass, who suddenly grew into a human-sized child, smaller than any of the humans, even a bit shorter than Sunny. She had blue eyes, teal hair, and bug-like antennae. She wore a white shirt with stylized short sleeves, baggy blue knee-length shorts, and a black cape with red lining, which were shaped to resemble insect wings. Actually they seemed to be moving on their own, so they may be actual wings.
And now, I've showed up. How about you hand that young lady over!-demanded the bug girl, pointing at Sakura.
The little bug talks big. We should squash it.-grinned Meiling, standing up and cracking her knuckles.
Is that supposed to sound frightening?-asked the bug lady.
Oh, a talking firefly!-giggled Tomoyo.
I'm Wriggle Nightbug, a fearsome youkai!-shouted the bug girl, clearly a bit angry.
Wait, I know that one! It's the Bug of Light Wriggling in the Dark!-grinned Sunny.
How about some firefly HUNTING!-suggested Sakura.
Haven't done that in ages! I'm on!-Meiling extended her limbs, doing warm-ups.
Eeek, why are they still so lively! Mystia, did you forget to put the poison I gave you?-shouted Wriggle to above.
I put it in the loaches first thing before frying!
The humans should be now down crying!-singed the bird girl in reply as she descended from the dark skies above.
You know that most poisons will become inert if heated to high temperatures, right? There's a reason most people prefer hot food.-explained Tomoyo smiling.
Well, so much for clever tricking humans, we'll have to do this the rough way!-sighed Wriggle, and the "stars" in the black sky descended, revealing themselves to be glowing fireflies.
I guess we could use some exercise against small fry after eating.-Syaoran slashed the air around him a bit before assuming a battle stance.
Syaoran-kun's so cute when he swings around his massive sword!-squealed Tomoyo.
Who are you calling a small fry? Didn't you already see my formidable power?-asked a new voice.
Another humanoid figure flew down from the darkness, with red eyes and short blonde hair. She wore a black vest and skirt, and a white blouse with a red tie bordered by two large red beads around her neck. She also had a small red ofuda tied to the left side of her hair, making it look like a ribbon. She held her arms outstretched to both sides with open palms.
Um, who are you again?-asked Sakura, now even more confused.
Didn't we just meet a few moments ago? Could you be night-blind?-smiled the new arrival.
Well, they do say that youkai sparrows can make you night-blind now that I think about it...-wondered Tomoyo, scratching her chin.
I'm Rumia!-presented herself the youkai of the Dusk.
So, why are you stretching out your arms like that?-asked Meiling.
Doesn't it look like it says "The saint was crucified on the cross"?-grinned Rumia.
Hoe...You look more like a math symbol.-sweatdropped Sakura before yawning.
Are you all idiots?-asked an unseen voice, and a cold mist started to spread in the area.
Yeah, that's Mystia's song for you. Dull and weaken human's ability to make judgments. She'll literally drive people insane by singing. -explained Wriggle
So if she stops singing, my mistress will return to normal?-asked Ruukoto.
You can't stop the song, nobody can stop the song.
Take the magic from magician, tell the humans, don't grow,
tell the fairies, don't prank, 'cause it's easier.
No, you can't stop the song, nobody can stop the soooonnnngggg.-chirped Mystia.
Ok, that's it, I've endured that horrible singing of yours for too long. Blast her to bits, Ruukoto-chan!-ordered Tomoyo with a grin.
Order to attack aknowledged. [Android Art] Alva Launcher!
Ruukoto's left arm transformed into a bazookka with glowing circuits and she fired a missile at the bird youkai who was too surprised to dodge. Mystia was blasted away by the explosion, scattering feathers and strands of purple magic from her throat, which Sakura instantly recognized as spell card remains, and she acted in trained instinct.
Return to the form you were meant to be in, Mystia card!
You're really bug brained, revealing our secrets like that.-sweatdropped Rumia.
Hoe... What was I doing?-questioned Sakura, as if waking up from a dream.
Where are we?-asked Meiling.
Mistress Tomoyo, your reward.-the captured card had flown into Ruukoto's hand, which she now delivered to the blue-haired girl with a bow.
Hmm... This one doesn't really suit Sakura-chan at all, but I don't have magic, what am I gonna do with this?-wondered Tomoyo aloud.
Free cards? Don't mind if I do!- Meiling snatched the magic item from Tomoyo's hand.
Syaoran, are you alright?-Sakura approached her boyfriend, who had remained silent since Mystia's card had stopped.
It's the middle of summer. Why's it so cold?-wondered Syaoran, looking around before launching some flaming jufus around them to warm up the area.
The other humans then noticed that indeed her limbs felt like they were freezing. Mystia's madness had made them oblivious to the danger, but just some more time under those conditions and their vitality would've been completely drained. Then part of the cold mist around them gathered and condensed in a childish form with aqua-colored eyes and hair. Arms crossed, wearing a blue ribbon, light pink blouse, blue jumper dress and seemed to be wearing white socks. She also had icicle-shaped wings. Rumia. Mystia and Wriggle positioned themselves around her, clearly having a big level of friendship and respect towards this fairy.
Hmm, hi, I'm Sakura Kinomoto, the card mistress, sorry if we caused any trouble but we just wanted to pass-
The fairy interrupted the red-haired human:
Eye the strongest! You'll never feel warmth again!-shouted Cirno the Youkai of the Ice.
Author's notes: Gah, 3 months for a new chapter, but at least I kinda have an excuse this time- I moved to Beijing, China for a PhD scholarship! Some pretty nice things, some not so nice things, had to get used to the new enviroment.