ColinatorGX: Shiro as Yuji's father? Hard to say. I still need to get the kinks out for that. But yes, Ike's probably going to take Sydonay's place in Bal Masque. I'm looking forwards to the upcoming character development as well.
Blue Bragon: Thanks. You know, that wasn't really intended to be a Fate/Stay Night reference. It just came up in my head since I like reading Celtic myths. Same with the bath scene... I wasn't really thinking of any existing series when I wrote it.
JohnPeacekeeper: Hmm, good point, but then again, this IS a parody. And I'm not exactly intending everyone to have mirror roles. The retainment of their original personalities kinda prevents that.
"Hmph. A bit odd that you've been able to crank out all these chapters in such short intervals."
The Writer of Questionable Stories shrugged.
"Nothing big. After all, I'm running on the last fumes of Spring break. After this, things are going to slow down a bit... I hope."
"What do you mean, 'you hope'?"
The Writer of Questionable Stories shuddered.
"The readers might have something else to say on the matter..."
SHAKUGAN NO YUJI?
Chapter 88: The Ugly Tankard
"Shana, we're almost there! Are you ready!?"
"Yeah!"
Yuji looked down at the young Mystes he held tight in his arms and smiled.
"The object I gave to you for safekeeping last night, you still have it?"
Shana nodded briskly, hiding her face in the front of Yuji's gakuran to prevent him from seeing the blush on her face.
As long as I'm with Yuji... I... I can... I can do anything...!!
Leanan-sidhe reached out with a thin, sinuous arm as the bird of blue flame alighted on her fingers, then faded away. She looked up at the glass windows of the exhibition hall from her bench on the second-floor landing and sighed.
"...So it seems that they've finally found me."
In the next moment, everything turned to shades of red as a Seal activated. Glass shattered and cascaded in a shower of crystal as the Chanter of Elegies burst through the front of the exhibition hall, fully transformed into his bestial battle-shape. The Flame Haze smirked with a crazed light in his eyes as he regarded the Corpse Collector standing before him.
"I've finally found you, Corpse Collector. This time, you won't be getting away!"
Marcosius laughed uproariously.
"Don't be scared, now, we're just here to give you a nice kiss! A hot, intense kiss that'll set you ablaze!"
Leanan-sidhe looked up at the Chanter of Elegies, holding up a hand as she considered her next move.
Should I...? Wait, not yet.
The Corpse Collector stretched out a hand. Keisaku whistled.
"Oh, you've decided to fight? Interesting. Not that it'll make a shred of difference!"
Leanan-sidhe whispered into the expanse of frozen time.
"...Confusion. Illusion. Trickery."
Immediately, a countless flock of birds flew into the exhibition hall, surrounding both the Chanter of Elegies and the Corpse Collector in a curtain of shimmering azure wings. Keisaku laughed mockingly.
"It's quite a display. Such a lovely aviary. But useless!"
Marcosius laughed again.
"Ooooh, pretty birdies! I can't see you because of all the flapping little wings... NOT!"
With a massive intake of air, the Chanter of Elegies then promptly let out a massive breath of flame that scattered the obscuring flock of wings. Leanan-sidhe stood alone, looking defenseless. Keisaku cackled as he loomed over his intended target and lifted a massively clawed paw.
"So long, Denizen! Say hello to all your other Denizen friends once you get to Hell!"
The paw came crashing down...
FWOOOM!
...Only to fall away in a burning, crispy mass, bouncing off the tiled floor like a hairy throw pillow. Keisaku stared at the charred stump that had been his Toga's right arm.
"...Huh?"
"Just in time."
Keisaku growled as he found himself now staring not only at the Corpse Collector, but also at Yuji and Shana. Yuji grinned up at the Chanter of Elegies, his hair and eyes lit with living flame and a fireball blazing away in one hand.
"Well, it looks like I'm just in time for the rematch. Missed me, Chanter of Elegies?"
Keisaku's gaze narrowed.
"You!"
"That's right. Allow me to give a re-introduction: I am the Crimson-Haired, Burning-Eyed Hunter, the Flame Haze of Alastor, Flame of the Heavens. Yuji Hirai, at your service."
Leanan-sidhe looked over to Shana, who was standing protectively in front of her with her katana at the ready.
"Oh, young girl... it's you. So we meet again... and moving about in the Seal, I see. Could it be...?"
The Corpse Collector smiled in realization.
"So, you have..."
Shana hurriedly cut her off.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry to be rude, but now's not the best time. I'll be more polite once we can afford to be polite."
Keisaku scoffed as his attention also turned to Shana.
"So, it seems that even the Crimson-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter isn't above recruiting lackeys to his cause."
Yuji shrugged.
"Flame Hazes do what is necessary for the mission to be carried out. In any case... I am now here to ensure that no harm comes to the Corpse Collector, Leanan-sidhe. If you don't comply... I'm afraid that I'll have to ensure that matter by force."
Keisaku grinned wolfishly.
"Hah! One battle's just as good as another. I'll just cream you... and THEN kill the Corpse Collector! Bring it, kid!"
Leaping up into the air and regenerating the burned-off limb, Keisaku quickly started with a flurry of violet fireballs.
"Simple deal, wiggle and reel! Hook, line, rod and creel!"
Yuji quickly jumped out of the way, throwing out a volley of his own as he spared a brief glance to Shana.
"Shana, stay with the Corpse Collector!"
Shana opened her mouth to protest.
"But I-"
Alastor broke in, cutting off her words.
"There is no room to argue here! Protecting the Corpse Collector is of paramount importance!"
Shana reluctantly nodded as planted herself in front of Leanan-sidhe. Yuji quickly cartwheeled to the side as the Chanter of Elegies lunged in with a clawed forepaw. The impact left deep furrows in the tiled floor.
Yuji now summoned up several pillars of flame, sending them rocketing upwards towards the Chanter of Elegies. Keisaku quickly rolled into a barrelling ball of purple fur as he dove earthwards, crashing into the floor as he rolled towards Yuji like a boulder.
"Too slow!"
At that moment, Yuji quickly reacted by sidestepping and throwing out a retaliatory bolt of flame, scorching off some fur but doing little else to the Chanter of Elegies. Unrolling himself back to his full wolfish height, Keisaku suddenly split himself into a whirling merry-go-round of doppelgangers, spinning around Yuji like a carousel.
Yuji paused... and then suddenly sent a spear of flame crashing in from the the sky, piercing one doppelganger as it suddenly split into multiple homing heads that circled around in a sweeping arc.
"Gae Bolg!"
Keisaku countered by rapidly vanishing and re-appearing, forcing the multiple fiery heads of Yuji's Gae Bolg to wander off aimlessly and shatter without effect against the nearby walls. Keisaku next pounded a clawed fist into the floor and bellowed out another rhyme as he began to throw off another spate of random teleportation.
"Timer set, rain to let! Forty spears of flame to bet!"
A massive spell-circle materialized above the exhibition hall and suddenly rained down javelins of purple fire, crashing and piercing the floor in front of Yuji, forcing him to focus all of his attention on trying to evade the sudden shower of spears.
The Chanter of Elegies crowed in glee as he re-materialized squarely in front of Shana and Leanan-sidhe, a breath of flame ready to be unleashed.
"Hah! Too late!"
With a blast of flame, the figures of the Mystes and Denizen were obscured by a massive wall of fire. Keisaku howled in triumph.
Yuji, however, merely smiled.
"Gotcha."
"Wha-"
SHHHHHTHUNK!
From out of the flames, Shana lunged forwards, her katana swirling in a horizontal arc as it cleanly sliced Keisaku's Toga in two. The Chanter of Elegies' upper werewolf half blinked in mute astonishment as he stared at Shana's left hand.
The Treasure Ring of Repelling Fire, Azure, glimmered back from Shana's finger as though it were mocking the Chanter of Elegies.
Keisaku and Marcosius both yelled angrily.
"NO FAIR...!!"
Forcing himself to abandon his lupine form, Keisaku dropped back to the floor, his trenchcoat torn and battered as he struggled back to his feet. Gritting his teeth, he shot Yuji a defiant, angry glare.
"Hmph... How clever... Using the same tactics as that of the Huntress. I let my guard down again. However..."
Suddenly, Marcosius yelled out in warning and dismay.
"Hey, look out! Your last spell didn't quite run out yet!"
The fortieth spear came crashing down through the already-wrecked skylight and slammed home into the second-floor landing. This impact proved to be far too much for the landing to handle, as a huge chunk of the second-floor suddenly shattered apart with spectacular force.
The collapsing section caught the Chanter of Elegies and Shana in its wake, sending them tumbling into free-fall. Keisaku desperately reached out with one hand and managed to cling to a protruding girder.
Leanan-sidhe belatedly reached out with a hand in an attempt to stop Shana's fall. The Corpse Collector yelled out in alarm as Shana continued to tumble downwards, past the hanging Chanter of Elegies.
"Little one...!"
"SHANA...!!"
Yuji, heedless to potential danger, jumped in after Shana. Shana looked up at Yuji in wide-eyed shock and yelled angrily.
"You idiot!! Are you trying to get yourself killed too!?"
With a desperate mid-air lunge, Yuji suddenly managed to grab onto a jutting chunk of plaster with one hand and snatch up Shana's wrist with the other. The Flame Haze and Mystes gently and precariously swung like a pendulum as Yuji struggled to simultaneously maintain his grip on the abutment to which he clung and keep Shana from falling any further.
From his girder, Keisaku growled and aimed with his free hand at Yuji.
"You... IF I CAN'T HAVE MY REVENGE, I MIGHT AS WELL TAKE YOU DOWN WITH ME...!!"
A bolt of purple fire shot forth, striking Yuji's hand which clung to the abutment.
"Gaaaaah...!!"
"YUJI...!!"
Gritting his teeth, Yuji's mind spun as he quickly embraced Shana tightly and curled into a protective ball around the young Mystes.
"Shana, deactivate the ring!"
"Huh!?"
Yuji gestured with his head to the ring that glimmered on Shana's finger.
"Azure! Turn it off! Now!"
Even as Shana deactivated Azure's effects, Yuji reached into the deepest parts of his strength and screamed his only thought through his brain like a bullet.
FLY...!!
As if in instinctive obedience, a huge pair of crimson, flaming wings suddenly flared outwards from the small of Yuji's back, flapping with tremendous force and blurring the air around them as they suddenly took hold.
Swerving, Yuji spun and swooped, narrowly missing the floor by mere inches as he barely managed to pull himself and Shana out of freefall.
Keisaku, watching the entire scene unfold in front of him with a turbulent mixture of admiration and fury, failed to pay attention to the girder that he'd been clinging to. Heat-stressed, the steel beam suddenly broke apart straight down the middle.
Caught in his own descent, the Chanter of Elegies had no wings with which to fly.
CRASH!
Keisaku hit the ground floor with terrific impact, sending up plumes of dust and debris as he stared blankly up at the shattered frame of the wrecked skylight above.
I... Why...? Why does this always happen to me...?
Unwanted memories thrust themselves into his brain. Memories of blood, agonizing pain, and silver flame.
An armored woman of silver with eyes of hellfire.
And around Keisaku, everything burned.
Why? Why must everything I hold dear be taken away from me...?
Keisaku blankly stared up at the sky, shaded in tones of crimson.
I already had everything taken from me. Family, friends, loved ones, home, possessions, money...
His right hand tightened around the strap of the Grimoire.
...So I wished to see everything around me burn. I wanted to destroy everything, to show everyone around me just how much it hurt to have everything taken away. I wanted to laugh as the whole world burned around me.
The image of a woman with long silver hair burst forth within his mind's eye.
But I had even that taken away. By her. She took the very last of what I held dear. She took away my revenge. So... instead of raging against and hating the world, my bitter hatred and rage turned all of their futile attentions on her.
My revenge for the sake of lost revenge.
Marcosius' voice floated into his mind.
Go on... say it...
I... I wanted to destroy everything. Everything.
And...?
I was an ugly monster of hate. I was an empty, ugly monster that hated everything around me.
The voice of Marcosius dripped approval.
That's right. You're full of ugly hatred. A lump of coal from Hell, ever-burning with fire from Dante's Inferno. You're cheap, you're ugly, and you fill yourself with all the alcohol you'll ever need.
Your hatred.
You're an ugly tankard, filled to the brim with the bitter, seedy ale of hatred.
You're my ugly tankard. You... ARE KEISAKU SATOU...!!
An entire Hell of purple flames burst forth from Keisaku's prone form, even as he screamed his hateful fury to the uncaring sky of red.
Even as Yuji barely managed to pull Shana and the Corpse Collector free of the exhibition hall, the entire complex suddenly exploded into a maelstrom of purple flames that towered up to the sky. The three of them landed atop a nearby skyscraper and stared at the strange and terrible sight in front of them.
Shana's eyes widened as she stared up at the raging violet inferno.
"What... what is that...!?"
From out of the midst of the flames, a massive lavender form, half-draconic and half-lupine, reared its fearsome head and bayed up at the sky in mindless rage. Alastor's voice was grim as the three continued to stare at the spectacle in front of them.
"It is the true awakened form and materialized manifestation of Marcosius, the Claw and Fangs of Violation! It appears that in his current mental state, the Chanter of Elegies has somehow managed to focus enough rage and fury into his own self, causing the Crimson Lord to materialize upon this world. If we do not stop him now, he will rage unchecked even when the Seal dissipates, causing incalculable chaos and destruction to this city!"
Shana looked back up at the raging form of Marcosius.
"Then... what do we..."
Yuji looked over to Shana.
"We'll need to take down the Chanter of Elegies himself. Nothing else will do."
Leanan-sidhe looked over to the Flame Haze and the Mystes.
"But how will you reach him? The flames surrounding him will incinerate you both within seconds!"
Yuji smiled.
"Don't worry about us. I have a plan. Shana, are you ready to go?"
Shana nodded.
"Mm."
"All right, stand still."
At that, Yuji wrapped his arms around Shana's shoulders as though he were a harness. Shana blushed at the contact, but managed to bite back the irritated remark that instinctively sprang to her lips. The Flame Haze nodded to Shana.
"Hold tight. Don't let go, whatever you do!"
"Understood. And whatever you do, don't drop me, or I'll come back and haunt you!"
Yuji smiled as wings of flame once more unfolded from his back, flapping up a blur of air as the two of them soared off.
Leanan-sidhe smiled as she watched them fly off in the direction of the violet firestorm.
Both of you... good luck.
Yuji dipped and swooped in low towards the raging violet flames as he spoke.
"Shana, re-activate Azure when I give the signal! Keep the anti-fire barrier up until we reach the Chanter of Elegies! Once we reach him within striking distance, we'll attack together in a single combined hit!"
Shana nodded, even as Yuji swooped in even lower and then gave her the signal.
"Shana, NOW!"
Instantly, Azure's anti-fire barrier came alive in a glowing nimbus of light. As Yuji's wings of flame dissipated from the ring's effects, the two of them dove straight through the flames unharmed. Within a space of a few moments, Shana suddenly spotted a huddled figure within the inferno.
"Yuji...!"
"I see it too! Shana, drop the barrier and strike!"
Even as the barrier came down, Shana brought up her katana and swung it upwards in preparation for the coming blow. Simultaneously, Yuji stretched out a hand and focused all of his power into Shana's blade.
The Nietono no Shana flared with crimson fire. For a moment, Shana's katana became a sword of blazing flame.
SHIIIIIINK!!
Cutting a blazing arc of flaming steel, Shana's katana sliced through the curled form of the Chanter of Elegies. With a final flare of purple flame, there was a brilliant explosion, and then all turned to light...
Keisaku slowly and painfully opened his eyes. His whole body was sore and ached as though it had been bludgeoned and pulped in a meat market. Then he found himself staring up at a pair of fearsome brown eyes.
Shana snorted as she shouldered her katana. Yuji and Leanan-sidhe were standing next to her on either side.
"Hmph. The 'Blatherer of Nonsense' is finally awake. You gave us quite a bit of trouble at the end, you know."
Keisaku blinked.
"I... I'm still... alive?"
Marcosius dryly spoke out of a nearby corner.
"You and me both, kid. I nearly thought for a second there that we'd be meeting up at the Pearly Gates... or worse, down in the Fiery Pits. Yep, we're still kicking, thanks to those two. Can't say the same for your clothing, though."
Keisaku blinked again, as he realized that he was now completely naked, covered only by the shredded remains of his trenchcoat.
Shana snorted again.
"Don't be mistaken. I was all for making sure that the both of you were dead and buried, but a certain pervert stalker here insisted that we should keep you two alive."
Yuji smiled sheepishly.
"You're giving me too much credit, Shana. I noticed that you intentionally missed his vitals when you landed that final strike."
"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!"
Keisaku agonizingly sat up and glared at Yuji and Shana.
"You two... If it weren't for the two of you, I'd have gotten my prey and moved on! Why did you two brats get in my way!?"
Alastor answered.
"In order to remind the both of you as to your true duties, as Crimson Lord and Flame Haze. Your duties are not to hunt down Denizens. Rather, it is to maintain-"
Keisaku simultaneously interrupted and finished Alastor's words with a huff of annoyed vexation.
"Yeah, yeah... 'maintain the balance between the two worlds'. Hmph. It's not like I can fight right now, anyway."
Alastor continued, unmindful of the Chanter of Elegies' lack of manners.
"Rest assured, however, we will continue to remind you of that duty, as many times as it takes, should you recklessly and thoughtlessly endanger the balance of this world ever again."
Leanan-sidhe stepped forwards. Keisaku instinctively drew backwards as she did so, causing the Corpse Collector to smile.
"Relax, young one. I'm not bent on exacting any sort of revenge. Besides, your bookish friend here was quite insistent that I keep my hands off. Something about 'ripping me to shreds and chewing on the remains' should I harm you."
Marcosius stirred threateningly.
"You better keep your lily-white hands off my battle-beast! Or else!"
Leanan-sidhe smiled over at the Grimoire as she continued.
"In any case, I'm only here to give you a piece of advice, Chanter of Elegies: Don't go after the 'Silver'."
Keisaku's eyes widened.
"You... what would you know about her!?"
The look in the Corpse Collector's lavender eyes turned sad.
"Enough to tell you that pursuing her at this time would be futile. She does not stay in one place for long, and always changes her appearance as she moves. She will never be caught by the likes of you."
"Then... my revenge..."
Leanan-sidhe placed a comforting hand on Keisaku's shoulder. The Chanter of Elegies still couldn't help but flinch.
"Do not lose heart. The 'Silver' will appear, when the time is right. It will be up to you to decide what to do when you finally do meet up with her. I will await your decision with great interest. That is all."
The Corpse Collector then turned her attention to the devastation that surrounded them.
"This city has suffered much, and the Seal will fade away soon. I doubt that even the Crimson-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter has enough in him to repair all of this damage."
Shana looked up at Yuji.
"I... I'll help fix it. I'm sure that-"
Leanan-sidhe shook her head.
"No, little one. This is beyond the ability or capacity of even one such as yourself. But for me..."
Smiling sadly, the Denizen reached into the depths of her dress and revealed a ball of ribbon. It glowed faintly with shades of blue and green. Shana stared at it in dismay.
"But... that... You spent all this time...!"
Cutting her off with a single gesture, the Corpse Collector made a small motion with her hand. The Power of Existence contained within suddenly began to flow outwards, pouring over the wreckage like gentle streams of water.
Everything glowed to white...
Yuji and Shana stopped at the outskirts of the city. Leanan-sidhe bowed to both of them.
"It has been an interesting time spent in your company. Both of you, that is. And I feel that I must thank you for saving this one."
Yuji smiled, but then shook his head regretfully.
"I can't help but feel that I must apologize, however. To have spent all that time gathering all that Power of Existence, and then using it all on this city..."
The Corpse Collector smiled.
"Do not bother yourself on my part. A few centuries is but a small pittance to one such as myself. And I consider it more of a thank-you gift, for having come to my aid."
Alastor hummed in agreement.
"I must thank you as well, Leanan-sidhe. To preserve the balance as you have... All of both worlds owe you their thanks."
Leanan-sidhe bowed to the Cocytus that hung from Yuji's keychain, then turned to Shana.
"Little one... Bearer of the Midnight Lost Child... I foresee great things for you in the future, for you and the Flame Haze who stands next to you."
Shana looked up at the Denizen and smiled.
"Will we ever meet again?"
Leanan-sidhe smiled back.
"I am sure of it. In any event, the winds will blow the news of your coming exploits to me wherever I go. Fare you well, Flame Haze and Mystes. And thank you... for restoring my faith in this coming generation."
Leanan-sidhe bowed once, then slowly began to walk off into the distance. Alastor spoke one final line of farewell.
"Safe travels to you, Spiral Organ. May your wish ultimately come true."
Yuji blinked, then stared down at Alastor's Cocytus as he then turned his eyes in wonderment to Leanan-sidhe's receding figure.
"Wait, did you just say 'Spiral Organ'!?"
"Mm. I did."
Shana blinked in some confusion.
"Huh? Who's 'Spiral Organ'?"
Yuji, his gaze still fixed on Leanan-sidhe's now-distant figure, shook his head in amazement as he answered Shana's question.
"Spiral Organ is generally considered to be the greatest of all spell-users within the Crimson Realm. Many of the spells we now use were first invented by her, including the Seal itself."
Alastor murmured in affirmation.
"Indeed. The names 'Leanan-sidhe' and 'Corpse Collector' are simply aliases used by Spiral Organ to grant her extraordinary freedom of movement within this world as she walks it, gathering the necessary Power of Existence to fulfill her wish."
Shana stared out at the horizon. The figure of Spiral Organ was now a mere speck in the distance. Nobody said another word as the transient Denizen faded from view.
Keisaku glumly sat on the park bench, still sore and aching as he wrapped the tattered shreds of his trenchcoat tighter around his naked form. Marcosius groaned painfully.
"Egh... Well... where to now, kid?"
The Chanter of Elegies stared out at the street.
"I... don't know. I'm so tired. I'm tired of hating... tired of fighting... I'm completely tired. I can't even come up with a single damn half-assed poem now. That's how tired I am."
"Heh. Amen to that."
Keisaku blinked up at the sky. Late afternoon had now receded into evening, and the first of the stars were now winking down at him. The Chanter of Elegies sighed.
"I don't even know what I have left now."
"Kid..."
"What, don't tell me you're going to spout some cheeseball nonsense like 'You still have me' or some other junk like that."
"No, kid... just look over there."
Keisaku blinked as he felt a shadow fall over him.
"Huh...?"
The next moment, without warning, several shopping bags fell into his lap. Margery Daw sat down next to him and winked.
"Finally found you. Come on, kid... you've got a ton of shoes and lingerie to lug home. If you shift your butt fast enough, maybe I'll even let you see me try some of it on..."
Keisaku looked away and snorted.
"Hmph. Don't speak such nonsense so casually."
A single tear fell unnoticed into the shopping bags that were on Keisaku's lap.
"Urgh... Eight chapters done."
"Yep. And that was just the easy part."
The Writer of Questionable Stories groaned as he reached for a nearby carton of guava juice.
"...God in Heaven, kill me now..."
To Be Continued...?