First time writing anything let alone a fan fiction so criticism is welcomed. Hopefully nothing looks too bad and that I'll get better at writing with each chapter.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective owners.
Max fell off a wooden bench and onto the cold, hard stone of the small room he was in, screaming. His hard landing knocked him out of his terrified state.
"Ouch! Damn it!" Max said. He looked around to find he was in a stone cell with no windows besides the small one in the metal door. "Shit! I haven't awakened yet!" He yelled as he began to panic.
"Oh, shut up in there. You're giving me a headache." A girl said from the other side of the metal door."
"Who's there?" Max asked.
"Reimu Hakurei. Now shut up and be quiet." Reimu said, her voice filled with frustration.
"Reimu? Where have I heard that name before…? Wait a minute. I'm still alive after that fight?"
"That you are, young man." Another girl said.
"Vampire girl?" Max said as he tried to peer through the bars of the small window of the metal door.
"Don't tell me you forgot my name?" Remilia said.
"What are you stupid or somethin? Why am I still alive?" Max said.
"We were going to kill you, but after drinking some of your blood I have learned a little more about you and your power." Remilia said.
"What? How?" Max said.
"When I tasted your blood a number of images flashed before me. At first I just thought they were just plain images with no meaning other than to harm my mind, but I quickly realized that they were your memories." Remilia said.
"Are you sure about that?" Max asked.
"Very sure. That power is not yours, Max. It is merely sealed within you and it is trying to get out. The question is, who does that power belong to if it isn't yours?" Remilia said.
"You're thinking about it too much. It is my power."
"Don't be a fool. That power will destroy you if you continue to use it." Remilia said. She then sighed. "Just look at you now. That power is leaking out as we speak. Reimu and Patchouli here have been working nonstop for the last three days on ways to contain your leaking power."
"Three days? You saying I was out for three days?" Max asked.
"Yes. I myself have just recently recovered from our fight. My precious sister on the other hand has not. I have you to thank for that."
"Not my fault she decided to get involved."
"True. The nightmares inflicting Gensokyo have played a larger part in her instability than you actually have and in the last few days we have come to the conclusion that your power isn't what's causing them."
"Really? What makes you think that?"
"Like I said before, Reimu and Patchouli have been creating ways to seal your power, but the nightmares remain even after they contained your power within your cell. They are placing sealing amulets and runes all around your prison as we speak. Unfortunately for them the seals they create are not very efficient and require constant maintenance. That power of yours is very strange indeed."
"That is all find and dandy, but I have no plans on staying in here for long." Max said.
"I know that too well. All I ask is that you cooperate with us for the time being in till they come up with a better seal for your power. After that, maybe we can help you gain better control of that power so it doesn't end up leading you to your demise."
"Thanks, but no thanks. You have no understanding of my power and most likely never will. I'll figure out how to handle it myself." Max said as he sat down on the wooden bench.
"Either you cooperate with us or I exterminate you. Your choice." Reimu said.
"Go to hell." Max said.
"You go to hell!" Reimu yelled as she kicked the metal door. "I could be at home, tending to my shrine if Remilia didn't insist that you be kept alive. You've caused me a lot more problems than I need. First the village, then the little sister, and now this."
"Blow me." Max said.
"What did you say?" Reimu said as she became angrier.
"Quite the stubborn one isn't he, Remy? Reminds me of you." Patchouli said as she continued to draw some runes on the prison wall.
"Watch it, Patchy." Remilia said. "I assume you are hungry, Max?"
"I don't want food from you. Rather not take the risk of it having poison in it or something." Max said as he laid down. Suddenly a loud growl echoed within the jail cell then out the small window in the door. Max's face redden a little as he heard the girls outside giggling. "Nope, not one bit." Max said stubbornly.
"I'll have Sakuya bring down something for you." Remilia said.
"Bitch, I said no." Max said.
"Would you two care for something as well?" Remilia asked.
"Don't ignore me!" Max exclaimed.
"Just some tea would be nice." Reimu said as she continued to replace amulets that had shriveled up.
"I'll take some snacks with my tea please and thank you." Patchouli said.
"Okay. I will have Sakuya bring it right away." Remilia said as she turned to leave. "You be good in there." She could hear Max mumble some mean things to her.
"Damn… I feel like shit. Head feels like it has been hit with a wrecking ball and my muscles feel like they are on fire. I just need to chill for a little bit then get the hell out of here." Max thought.
"Why? Why do you hesitate?" A distorted girl's voice echoed in Max's mind.
"Alright. Who the fuck are you? I thought it was just my power playing tricks on me, but that obviously isn't it." Max thought.
"The only one who loves you." The voice said.
"Don't fuck with me!" Max yelled as he sat up on the bench. He looked to his side to notice a plate of cooked meat and some fruit. He got up and looked out the cell door window. "Nice seeing you again too!" He yelled out. He picked up the plate then sat back down. "Damn maid…" He then looked at his chest. "…Bitches took my medallion. Morons don't know what they are getting themselves into."
Remilia was sitting at a table sipping at some tea with Sakuya standing at her side in the library of the mansion.
"Not that I don't mind drinking some tea in the library, but I hope the mansion is repaired soon." Remilia said.
"With the loss of much of the fairy staff it will take longer than it normally would." Sakuya said.
"I understand that."
"If I may ask, mistress… why are you keeping that boy alive after what he did?" Sakuya asked.
"You are normally not the one to question my motives, Sakuya."
"But milady, you never before showed such mercy to someone who has caused so much damage to your mansion, not to mention him causing Miss Flandre to go out of control and trying to kill you."
"Sakuya is right." Patchouli said as she and Reimu entered the library. "I don't remember you keeping a prisoner alive let alone feeding one after causing this much of a ruckus."
"I just think it would be wiser to find out more about his power before we make any rash decisions." Remilia said.
"You not making any rash decisions for once? That's new, ze." Marisa said as she landed next to the table with a bunch of books in hand.
"I didn't ask for your opinion, witch." Remilia said with a slightly aggravated tone.
"Did you find anything about that medallion?" Reimu asked.
"Nodda, but I did find some things on nightmares. Maybe we can find a way to wake Alice up. She'd be helpful in findin out what this damn thing is, ze." Marisa said as she pulled the medallion out of her pocket then laid it down on the table.
The group of girls all looked at Marisa as she fell into the chair.
"Um… Marisa? Are you okay? Your face is all pale and you're shaking." Reimu said.
"Huh? I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Marisa said as she panted.
Reimu sighed then walked over to the Marisa. She put a few amulets on the medallion then sat down. "Sorry Marisa. Stupid mistake on my part." Marisa just looked at her confused. "Anyways, mind telling us why you decided on not killing that guy after all the harm he has caused?" Reimu asked as she turned to Remilia.
Remilia drank the last bit of her tea before speaking. "I saw some terrible memories of that boy that makes me believe that this incident isn't just like any other incident that has occurred here in Gensokyo."
"What do you mean?" Reimu asked.
"What I mean is that you need to go and wake up the gap youkai." Remilia said.
Marisa laughed. "Wake her up before spring? Good luck with that."
"Why do I need to wake her up?" Reimu asked.
"Because she might be the only one with a clue about what we are dealing with. She might even know what that symbol is on that medallion." Remilia said. "And you need to bring her here now while the boy isn't willing to fight back."
"Just because you lost to him doesn't mean we will, ze" Marisa said with a smirk. "I would love to see what Max has up his sleeves."
"You forget he doesn't play by danmaku rules." Remilia scowled. "And last I checked, he collapsed before I did."
"And the damage he caused to the Human Village and the surrounding area just from being present." Reimu added.
"Exactly. The point I am trying to make is that we don't give him a reason to use anymore of his powers than he already has. At least not in till we know what we are truly up against." Remilia said.
Reimu sighed as she got up out of her chair. "Well I can't go. Patchouli and I need to remain here and maintain the seal we have on him while trying to develop a better one."
"That is true." Remilia said. "Sakuya."
"Yes milady?" Sakuya said.
"I need you and the witch to go and bring the gap youkai here. We need her advice." Remilia said.
"Why me?" Marisa complained. "I was goin to have a chat with Max."
"Yes, mistress, but Marisa doesn't need to come with me." Sakuya said.
"Yeah she does. You might need some help getting passed her shikigami." Reimu said. Sakuya nodded.
"Ah fine." Marisa said then she and Sakuya left the library.
"I'm going to research more on seals." Patchouli said to Reimu before heading down one of the library's many aisles.
"I guess I'll go and do some maintenance on the seal." Reimu said as she stood up and made her way out of the library. She suddenly stopped then turned to face Remilia. "Remilia… just how serious is the situation?"
"That boy may be dangerous to Gensokyo, but the bad thing is… there might be a much bigger threat coming our way." Remilia said. Reimu paled before leaving the library with a heavy sigh.
Remilia sat her elbows on the table then rested her chin on her hands as she stared at the medallion that was left on the table, contemplating.
Marisa and Sakuya made their way to an old style Japanese house that was located in an isolated part of Gensokyo, far from the more populated areas.
"Finally made it here. Now to fight our way to Yukari then waking her lazy ass up, ze." Marisa said as she swung one of her arms around preparing for a fight.
"We are not here to start a fight, Miss Marisa." Sakuya said before knocking on the door of the house. "Lady Remilia is acting strange, meaning this incident is more serious than we thought."
"I agree, ze." Marisa said. "Her not acting like a brat is quite strange."
"Please refrain from saying such things. That is still my mistress you are talking about."
"Hee hee. As long as we can both agree that she can be a brat sometimes." Marisa said. Sakuya slightly smiled.
The door of the house suddenly opened. A woman wearing a double pointed hat and a blue and white dress came out. She had yellow eyes, short blonde hair and nine tails.
"Oh, this is rare." The woman said. "Not every day that the vampire's servant and the witch come to visit."
"Sup, Ran." Marisa said cheerfully.
Sakuya bowed before speaking. "Good evening, Ran. We are here to speak to your master about a serious problem."
Ran sighed. "You two know Lady Yukari enough that she will not be waking up until spring. If you wish to speak with her, you will need to wait in till then."
"Just what I expected. Let's not waste our breath on talkin and just get right to it." Marisa said as she pulled out a spell card. Sakuya held up her hand in front of her, stopping her from declaring her spell card.
"Miss Ran. You know how my mistress is. She's normally too stubborn to ask for anyone else's help. She wouldn't have asked me to come here before spring unless it was a problem that needed dire attention. She has sat aside her pride to ask for your master's help." Sakuya said with a serious look.
"Does this have anything to do with what happened at the Human Village by any chance?" Ran asked. Sakuya nodded. Ran then sighed. "I can see how serious you are, but even if I wanted to, waking up Lady Yukari this early before spring is… not a very good idea."
"It's only two weeks early. That lazy youkai can handle gettin up early once in a while." Marisa said.
"Ran. I will take full responsibility for waking up Yukari. So please…" Sakuya said as she bowed.
Ran looked at Sakuya and began thinking. After a short moment she sighed. "It doesn't matter what you do, I'll still be punished." She then waved them inside. "Please, come in."
"Thank you, Ran." Sakuya said as she and Marisa entered the house.
A small girl wearing a red and light pink outfit with gold trimming walked into the room where the other three girls were. She had dark orange eyes, brown hair, cat ears and two tails. A green mob cap sat on top of her head. She held some recently washed clothes in her hands.
"Oh! Welcome!" The cat girl said as she bowed.
"Excuse me for intruding." Sakuya said as she returned the bow.
"Sup, Chen!" Marisa exclaimed.
Chen put her index finger to her lips. "Shh! Lady Yukari is still sleeping."
"It's okay, Chen." Ran said as she made her way down a hall way.
"Lady Ran. What are you doing?" Chen said with a face full of curiosity.
"I am going to wake Lady Yukari." Ran said as she continued down the hall way with Marisa and Sakuya right behind her. Chen dropped the clothes she had in her hands as her expression turned to one of utter shock.
Ran, Marisa, Sakuya, and Chen arrived in front of a sliding door. Ran put her hand on the handle, but hesitated to open it.
"Need help, ze?" Marisa asked.
"No. No of course not." Ran said as she slid the door open.
The room was dark despite it being day light out. The windows were covered to prevent the sun's rays from getting in and dispelling the darkness. In the middle of the room laid a woman with long, blond hair. She snored as she slept peacefully in her futon. Ran took a step into the room and sat next to the sleeping woman.
"Lady Yukari." Ran said as she slightly shook the shoulder of the woman. The sleeping woman shrugged her hand away. She then shook the woman harder. "Lady Yukari."
Yukari began to move around in her futon. "Uh… what is it Ran… Don't tell me it's spring already?" She mumbled.
"Umm… Well Lady Yukari… Uh…" Sweat began to run down Ran's face as she became more nervous.
"It sure is, Yukari. Now get your lazy butt out of bed. We got work to do!" Marisa exclaimed. Sakuya, Ran, and Chen looked at her with surprise.
"Hmm… Marisa? What brings you here? Couldn't wait to see me could you?" Yukari said as she sat up in her futon, rubbing her eyes.
"Don't get your hopes up. We need you to get dressed and come with us to the Scarlet Mansion." Marisa said.
"My, my, my… The Scarlet Devil Mansion." Yukari said as she continued to rub the sleepiness out of her eyes. "Don't tell me that vampire wants to have a chat with little o' me?"
"Actually, Lady Yukari," Sakuya said. "My mistress sent me here because she is in need of your help."
Yukari's hand dropped to her side as she stared at Sakuya. She chuckled a bit before speaking. "You are talking about Remilia Scarlet right? Her wanting my help?" She chuckled some more. "Have her ask for the shrine maiden's help." Yukari said as she yawned. "As you can see, I just got up."
"Reimu is just as stumped as the rest of us." Marisa said.
"She is? Then why didn't my little Reimu come to see me?" Yukari asked.
"She had to remain at the mansion do to the situation." Sakuya said.
"Lady Yukari. The inhabitants of the Human Village as well as the youkai in the surrounding wilderness went insane a few days ago. The village was nearly burned to the ground because of it. I believe a plague of nightmares was the cause." Ran said.
"Nope. Though the nightmares are half of the problem, ze." Marisa said.
"Then what caused them to all go mad?" Ran asked.
"A young man from the outside world by the name of Max." Sakuya said.
"A young man, eh?" Yukari said as she grew more interested. "Is he handsome?" She asked. Marisa smiled as she gave her a thumbs up.
"Well… this does sound quite interesting." Yukari said as she got up. "I guess I'll just have to see what the fuss is all about. If you may, fill me in on the details as I get ready."
Sakuya nodded. She gave Yukari and Ran a summary of what had happened in the last week as Yukari prepared to leave.
"My, my. It seems that boy named Max has caused a lot of trouble for you all." Yukari said as Ran handed her a pink parasol. "Shall we go see what has the little vampire all worried about?" With the flick of her wrist, a portal opened in front of her. The portal looked like a gap with red ribbons at the end and with eyes staring out from within. The group entered the gap except for Ran and Chen.
"I hope it's not too serious." Chen said as she held onto the side of Ran's dress.
"Me too." Ran said. "Right now I'm more worried about Yukari finding out that it isn't spring…"
Remilia sat in the library, resting her eyes as she waited for Sakuya and Marisa to return. She began to doze off when she suddenly sensed something. She opened her eyes to see that the yellow symbol on the medallion was glowing.
Remilia sighed as she sat back up in her chair. "May I ask what happened to Reimu?" She said.
Max appeared as he walked out from the shadows behind Remilia. He stood behind her then placed his hands on her shoulders. "She was in the way when I opened the door to my cell. She'll be out cold for a bit." Max said. "I hate to admit it, but that meal you gave me was probably the best meal I've had since forever." He said as he massaged Remilia's shoulders.
"You should be thanking Sakuya. She's the one who prepared it without letting her emotions diminish the quality." Remilia said.
"I'll let you do that for me. I won't be staying long."
"I am quite surprised. I did not expect you to recover so quickly. Not only that, you seem to have gained control of your power. I didn't even sense you until you were close." Remilia said, clearly enjoying the massage she was being given.
"I'm telling you it was that maid's cooking." Max smiled as he recalled the delicious meal he had not too long ago. "Also… I need to thank you for letting me live. Only one other person has ever given me a chance to live and for that I thank you."
"Do not think about it too much, Max. I only did it because I think you will prove useful to me in the future."
Max chuckled. "Don't think just because you let me live that I'll suddenly start being a nice guy. I still view your world as my training grounds and its inhabitants the target dummies." He let go of Remilia's shoulders then picked up his medallion and placed it over his neck. "I'm just going to stay away from you and your mansion as thanks for sparing me. I'll do what I can to not bring any more harm to you."
"You want to get stronger so you can defend yourself from those things, right? I don't see why you think you need to fight them on your own."
Max grabbed a hold of Remilia's shoulders again then squeezed them as he put his lips close to her ear. "I don't know what memories of mine you saw, but you don't got a clue on what I want or what those things can do." He said as he grew irritated. He then let go of Remilia then began to leave the library. "I'll be leaving now."
"Won't you stay a little longer? I can have Sakuya get you a new shirt. It is cold out there you know." Remilia said as she faked a smile.
"I'll manage." Max said as he waved his hand. "Goodbye, Remilia." Max made his way passed Patchouli as he left the library.
Remilia sighed. "Damn…"
"You are not going to try and stop him?" Patchouli asked.
"It would be pointless. Another fight would just bring harm to Flandre." Remilia said.
"If he is such a problem, why did you let him live?"
"Patchy… I saw a dream that I believe was not just a dream…"
Patchouli sat at the table across from Remilia. "You mean your ability kicked in?"
Remilia nodded. "It is hard to describe, but what I saw was a figure in yellow that had a swarm of… things behind it as they descended upon the world. The only one standing in between them and the world was that young man."
"What exactly does that mean?" Patchouli asked.
Remilia shook her head. "I just don't know. My visions are always too damn vague."
Suddenly a gap opened up with Yukari, Sakuya and Marisa coming out of it.
"That took too long, Sakuya." Remilia said as she glared at Sakuya.
"I-I'm sorry milady…" Sakuya said as she bowed.
"Why hello there, Remilia." Yukari said as she held a fan in front of her mouth. "How long has it been since we've had a nice chat?"
"Not long enough I'm afraid." Remilia said. "Unfortunately you are late."
"Me? Late?" Yukari chuckled. "I hear you have a guest here that has been causing you some grief. A human male if I may add."
"Had a guest." Remilia said.
Reimu suddenly came stumbling into the library. Some blood was running down her forehead and out her nose. Her expression was filled with rage. "I am so going to kill him when I find him." She said.
"Oh my. Don't tell me a human boy got the best of the Hakurei Shrine Maiden?" Yukari teased.
"Shut up, youkai!" Reimu exclaimed.
"So I take it he is no longer here?" Yukari said, her expression still covered by her fan. "Humph. It seems I have wasted my time in coming here." A gap opened up behind her.
"No you haven't." Remilia said. "Patchouli…"
Patchouli got up out of her seat then walked up to Yukari. "Have you seen this symbol before?" Patchouli held up a piece of paper with the strange symbol that was also on Max's medallion.
The moment Yukari looked at the symbol here face paled. She dropped the fan and parasol that were in her hands then backed away from Patchouli, backing into another table and knocking the books off that were on it.
"Yukari? Are you alright." Reimu said as everyone looked at Yukari with surprise.
Remilia smiled. "I take it that you know what this symbol is given your reaction. I must say I never thought that I would live long enough to see you with such a terrified face, gap youkai. Care to explain what it is?"
Yukari turned to Remilia with a serious expression. "Do not tell me that boy has something to do with this sign?" Yukari said. Everyone nodded. "Where is he?"
"He escaped I'm afraid." Remilia said.
"You let him escape?" Yukari furiously said, her voice echoing through out the library and stunning everyone. She quickly recollected herself before continuing to speak. "How does the mighty vampire, Remilia Scarlet, let a human boy escape from her very own mansion?" She said as she continued to glare at Remilia.
"You tell me, Youkai of Boundaries." Remilia said as she glared back. "What is it that we are dealing with?"
Yukari pulled out a handkerchief from one of her pockets and wiped her face of some sweat. "All you need to know is that he is a threat to Gensokyo's existence and must be found. We need to find him and dispose of him as quickly as possible."
"We should convince him to cooperate with us. He will only fight back if we threaten him and we cannot afford to allow him to use anymore of his power." Remilia said.
Yukari let out another sigh. "You do not understand what is going on, vampire. If he has been using his powers to such an extent as he has recently, then who knows what attention he has already grabbed? That boy will only attract more just from being alive."
"He mentioned the great border veiling his powers from those things, how much truth is in that?" Remilia asked.
Yukari laughed. "Is that what he told you? That poor fool. He really doesn't know what he has gotten himself into now does he?" She chuckled some more before continuing. "That would be partially true. The barrier does shield from the eyes of those things, but only the lesser ones. The deadlier ones can see right through the barrier as if it wasn't even there." Yukari sighed. "And those are not even the ones that I am worried about…"
"The one in yellow?" Remilia asked. Yukari looked at her in surprise for a moment then nodded.
"The one in yellow? Just what the hell are you two talking about?" Reimu asked as Koakuma was helping her clean blood from her hair.
"You do not need to know any more than what I have already told you." Yukari said.
Reimu clenched her teeth as she got up from her seat. She went to say something in till someone else suddenly entered the library.
"Ayayayaya. What is with this hostile atmosphere?" A girl with a pair of black feathered wings, red eyes, black hair and wearing a white blouse and a black short skirt said. A small gap suddenly opened in front of her. A hand popped out and grabbed a hold of her neck. "Guh! Uh… is this… a bad time…?" The girl struggled to ask.
"Well look who it is. Aya Shameimaru. Just the tengu I wanted to see." Yukari said with one of her arms submerged in one of her gaps. "Listen well, tengu. I need you to visit every powerful being you can find and tell them that Gensokyo's existence is at stake. Tell them to find a young man from the outside world by the name of Max and kill him. Tell them that the first one to bring me his head gets a reward that only I could give for added motivation. You understand, tengu?" Yukari said.
"Y-Yes… no problem…" Aya said.
"And just how do you expect them to fight him when his power increases every time he uses them?" Remilia asked.
"Do whatever it takes. He is still just a boy from the outside world after all." Yukari said as she let Aya's neck go.
"I still do not see how turning him into our enemy is going to help us." Remilia said.
"That is because all you know is this Earth and nothing else. You haven't seen what I have seen behind those cold stars that you look up at without a care in the world. You never have had eyes glaring back at you from the vastness of space like I have. So please, Remilia Scarlet, do not ask any more questions and just do what I say." Yukari said as she and Remilia glared at one another with hostility. She then looked at the others as a gap opened behind her. "Just do what you can. We cannot allow him to wonder around Gensokyo freely any longer. The fool has no idea what terrible forces he's playing with…" Yukari said as she opened up a gap and disappeared into it.
Reimu sighed. "Damn it. More work to do." She turned to face Marisa. "You continue to find a way to wake Alice up. We could use her help." She said as she prepared to leave.
"You got it, ze." Marisa said as she gave Reimu a thumbs up.
"Ayayayaya. I guess I better be going too." Aya said as she rubbed her sore neck.
"Sakuya." Remilia said as she stood up from her chair.
"Yes, milady?" Sakuya said.
"I want you and Meiling to search for Max as well."
"But mistress. We lost to that man the first time we fought him."
"I do not want you to fight him, Sakuya. I want you to find him and bring him to me. Oh, and get those fairies who like to sneak in here to help if you find them."
"I doubt we could convince him to come with us as well."
"Of course you can. Just use your womanly charms." Remilia said as she smiled at Sakuya.
"Eh? Mistress you can't be serious…" Sakuya said as she became flustered.
"That I am, Sakuya. We must find him before that gap youkai does which is why I will search for him as well."
"But why?" Sakuya asked.
"I do not know what that youkai knows about that power the young man has, but I do know that we cannot risk turning him into an enemy of Gensokyo."
"Isn't he already?" Sakuya asked.
"Not yet. We get him on our side and we gain a powerful weapon against whatever is coming our way. He may be what's drawing them to us, but I doubt killing him now will stop their approach." Remilia said as she headed for the door to leave. "Patchy, the mansion will be left in your care for now. Please look after Flandre while I am away."
"Of course, Remy. All I ask is that you decide rather or not that boy is a threat or not before it is too late." Patchouli said. Remilia nodded as she and Sakuya left the library.