"Back at the Scarlet Devil Mansion, things were finally starting to go back to normal from the revelation that the mansion's dirty little secret has left the mansion and is now out in public along with the mansion's gatekeeper, all without the consent of the mansion's mistress. Remilia has calmed down considerably from upon hearing the news and returned to lounging in her study, sipping her evening tea. Sakuya stood at her side, waiting patiently to serve her master in any way possible.
"Mistress, forgive me for asking but why did you not send me to handle the situation? I'm more than capable of handling Meiling, and I've reasoned with the young mistress before. I'm sure I could-" Sakuya said until she was cut off by the wave of Remilia's hand.
"No you couldn't Sakuya. Meiling may act like a fool, but there is a reason why she is my gatekeeper. But even if you did manage to defeat her, Flandre wouldn't be in any mood for reasoning if any harm fell before Meiling. Besides Sakuya I know you're no slouch in the combat department, but Flandre and Meiling are far out of your league, it'd be a wasted effort to send you after them."
"But then why the bounty? The young mistress would listen to your words if you spoke with her." Sakuya asks.
"Because Sakuya, we have no idea where those two went off to, I doubt anyone will be able to capture or defeat them, but any of those interested in the reward might flush them out and once they do, we will swoop in and collect them." Remilia explained coolly. "Those two will be within our grasps soon enough, and once they are…Meiling will regret ever disobeying the Scarlet Devil."
"Those moon people weren't nice at all…they were a bunch of meanies…" Flandre grumbled as she and Meiling walked side by side in the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. The sun began to set, making the sky a brilliant orange color, and causing the bamboo stalks to cast even longer shadows.
"Yeah, guess they don't enjoy having tourists visit." Meiling said to her disappointed companion as she lugged their bags on her back.
"I didn't even get to ask if the moon was really made of cheese or not…" Flandre said sadly as she stared at the ground. "But Moky and Miss Funny hat were nice, they were sweet like cotton candy! Oh and Miss Bunny-rabbit was nice too!" Flandre perked up.
"Our trip wasn't a complete waste then now eh?" Meiling said with a cheerful laugh. "Hmmmm?" Meiling said in confusion as she stopped in her tracks.
"What's wrong Meiling?" Flandre asked in confusion.
"Good day Miss Scarlet, and you too Miss Hong. A fine evening we're having, are we not?" Greeted a familiar voice. Standing in the path before Meiling and Flandre was Eirin, who had an eerie smile etched on her face; she gripped a large bow at her side. Standing beside her was an unfamiliar face to the two. "And to answer your question Miss Scarlet, no the moon is not made of cheese."
"What're you doing here moon lady? Are you here to apologize?" Flandre asked curiously.
"How do you know our names doctor Yagokoro? I don't remember either of us ever giving our names to you." Meiling asked in a strict and demanding tone, but without a hint of anger in her voice.
"Ooh, she's one sharp tack isn't she Eirin?" Eirin's friend asked. "Just like the article said she is."
"Article? What nonsense are you talking about?" Meiling asks, keeping an intimidating demeanor.
"How dare you speak to me before I have addressed you? You lowly peasant! You're in the presence of Princess Kaguya Houraisen!" Eirin's companion screeched angrily.
"Well excuuuuuuuuusssssssssssssse me princess." Meiling says mockingly. "I couldn't care less about your titles, now what are you blabbering about!"
"How dare you mock me! You…You…" Kaguya snarled in anger. "Hmph, well I suppose the cat's out of the bag now, isn't it? I suppose I'll just be up front about it then. You two have quite the bounty on your adorable wittle heads, and we're here to collect it!" Kaguya explains smugly.
"Bounty? Who'd put a bounty on us?" Flandre asks as she ponders Kaguya's words.
"Your sister." Eirin answers bluntly.
"W-What? Why?" Flandre asks in shock.
"Oh who knows? In the interview with Remilia, she said that you're an insane monster that's bent on destruction and is a significant threat to all living things, so that might be one reason there." Eirin says coldly. "But really, I don't care if you're a destructive monster or a cute innocent little girl, all I care about is the reward. Now you two can come along quietly or we can do this the hard way."
"W-What? Big sister…thinks I'm…a monster?" Flandre asks, looking to be in shock.
"Don't listen to her Flandre! She's lying, you're no monster!" Meiling said, trying to comfort her distressed friend. "And you two, you won't lay a finger on her! Be warned fiends, Hong Meiling is no easy prey!" Meiling shouted to the two as she took a fighting stance. "Stand back Flandre, I shall deal with these two!"
"The hard way then? Excellent." Eirin replied as a sadistic grin grew on her face and loaded her bow with an arrow.
"Feh! This'll be a piece of cake you piece of filth!" Kaguya yelled as she took on a fighting stance as well. "This won't end well for you Chinese girl, just thank whatever deities you worship that the bounty specifically said to keep you alive."
"The righteous will always prevail, evildoers!" Meiling proclaimed proudly.
"You won't be saying that once I kick your righteous ass!" Kaguya shouted as she charged at Meiling.
Kaguya attempts to punch Meiling in the face, but she quickly dodges the punch by sidestepping and quickly countered with a kick to Kaguya's ribs. Kaguya yelped in pain from Meiling's powerful strike as she staggered back from the impact.
"Yeah go get her Meiling!" Flandre cheered as she watched her companion battle Kaguya furiously, causing her to be unaware of Eirin taking aim at the small vampire with her bow.
"Good night little vampire…" Eirin said to herself smugly as she focused her aim on Flandre, but her concentration was quickly broken when her skull was impacted by another. Causing her a searing amount of pain as blood gushed from her head.
"Blast it!" Eirin yelled as she reeled back in pain, holding her wounded head with her open hand.
"You won't be laying a hand on that child, Doctor Yagokoro." The perpetrator of the attack said, revealing herself as Keine. She stood before Eirin defiantly as blood dripped from her forehead as well.
"Don't interfere you damned half beast, or I won't be able to guarantee you that your students will have a teacher tomorrow!" Eirin growled in fury as her cold eyes met Keine's determined ones. Keine remained silent and defiant in response Eirin's threat.
Meanwhile Meiling struggled against Kaguya as the two locked hands and attempted to topple one another over with sheer strength alone. Meiling was slowly being pushed, inch by inch, even as she locked her feet into a firm stance. Meiling panted in exhaustion as beads of sweat slid down her face as she struggled against her opponent. Kaguya was also sweating profusely, as she struggled against Meiling's strength; the two were at a standstill.
"Grrr…R-Ready to give u-up now you d-damned peasant?" Kaguya asked as she tiredly struggled to knock Meiling down with her weight.
"A-As if…Y-You pompous brat…" Meiling replied in defiance.
"Th-That's a shame, you c-could have made things so much e-easier on y-yourselves…" Kaguya said with a weak smirk. "Y-You…and th-that little d-demon…You'll make me filthy rich once I hand you over to Remilia!"
"Not gonna happen moon bitch." A familiar voice calmly said to Kaguya.
"Huh?" Was all Kaguya could say in response before she was kicked in the side of the head, sending her flying into some bamboo shoots from the impact.
"D-Damn it…Who d-did that…?" Kaguya asked wearily as she spat blood from her mouth, rubbing her head from where the kick landed
"Attacking a little girl and her friend Kaguya? Unprovoked no less, that's a new low Kaguya even for you, you damn bitch." Mokou said, hands resting in her pockets, looking down on her fallen foe.
"M-Mokou…" Kaguya growled.
"Mokou! What are you doing here?" Meiling asked in surprise from Mokou's sudden appearance.
"Oh you know, just in the neighborhood. Couldn't help but hear the moon bitch here screeching like an idiot." Mokou said as she gestured to Kaguya with her thumb. "So Keine and I decided to see what she was screaming about, and saw that she and Eirin were attacking you, and here we are."
"Thank goodness you came…I don't think I could have taken them both at once and keep Flandre safe…You have my thanks Mokou." Meiling said gratefully.
"Don't worry about it, that's what friends are for." Mokou said with a small smirk. "You and the kid get out of here; me and Keine will take care of these lunatics."
"Are you sure Mokou?" Meiling asked in concern.
"Positive, don't worry I've been kicking Kaguya's sorry ass for longer than I can remember, and Keine's no slouch either. We'll be fine, just go."
"If you insist! Thank you Mokou, for everything!" Meiling said to Mokou as she ran to Flandre.
"Flandre, we're getting out of here! Let's go!" Meiling shouted to her friend as she closed the distance between each other.
"But what about Moky? And Miss Funny hat?" Flandre asked concernedly.
"They'll be fine; we have to go now Flandre, alright?" Meiling asked as she took her by the hand.
"Alright Meiling…" Flandre said in defeat.
The two then lifted off the ground and began to fly out of the forest until Meiling heard Mokou yell her name, "Meiling!" causing Meiling to stop in midflight at her call. "Take care of her…She's a good kid…Got it?"
"I intended to, Good luck Mokou!" Meiling said as she and Flandre flew out of the bamboo forest.
"Ha, you don't need luck when you're as strong as me." Mokou said as her parting words to Meiling.
"Finished?" Kaguya asked impatiently, now recovered from Mokou's kick.
"Yeah, thanks for waiting, it was…very out of character of you." Mokou replied.
"Oh a princess does need to mind her manners…But now that you're done talking to your freak-show friends and I have your undivided attention…I'm going to inflict an unbelievable amount of pain on you. Oh won't that be fun!" Kaguya asked as a huge grin grew on her face.
"Just being in your company is an unbelievable amount of pain." Mokou replied nonchalantly.
Kaguya just laughed in response, her laughter seeming to be without a trace of sanity. "Oh my you're a cheeky little monkey…Let's see how cheeky you are after I tear off all of your flesh, piece by piece!" Kaguya shouted with sadistic glee as she charged at Mokou in a bloodthirsty rage.
Meanwhile, Flandre and Meiling were flying their way across the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. Flandre was being uncharacteristically quiet, looking down at the bamboo forest with a solemn expression. Meiling looked to her friend with concern, until she broke the silence between one another.
"Flandre, don't worry…Mokou and Keine will be fine. I promise, they're strong, they won't lose." Meiling said reassuringly.
"…It's not that Meiling…I know Moky and Keine will beat those mean moon people up, good guys always win."
"Then what's wrong Flandre? You look upset."
"It's what that doctor lady said…D-Do you think it's true…? Th-That big sis th-thinks I'm a…m…monster?" Flandre asked as she avoided eye contact with Meiling.
"Don't be ridiculous! You're no monster and Miss Remilia knows it!" Meiling said reassuringly. "That Eirin woman said the things she did for some sort of sick thrill…It's amazing how people find happiness in other people's misery…"
"B-But what if she wasn't lying? Wh-What if…It's true…? That big sister really does think I'm…" Flandre asked in a stutter, unable to finish her sentence.
"…I don't know, but if we find a newspaper with that article they talked about…We'll have our answer. But no matter what a piece of paper says, you're no monster. You're my friend, alright?" Meiling said with a smile.
"Th-Thank you Meiling. You're my best friend…" Flandre said quietly with a weak smile.
The two eventually made it away from the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, and away from the impending danger of Kaguya and Eirin. The sun had set, so Meiling had decided it was time to retire for the day and make camp. Meiling quickly set up a tent big enough to fit the two of them within it, and started a fire to keep them warm during the cold night. The two ate slowly from their small provision of food in an eerie silence.
"So Flandre…Um where do you want to go next?" Meiling asked the vampire as she took a sip from her bottle of blood.
"I don't know…" Flandre answered quietly as she took her lips away from the bottle.
"Well no need to come up with a destination right now, we can decide tomorrow, there's plenty of time and plenty of places to go to." Meiling said happily. "Though we'll have to watch our steps now that Miss Remilia has that bounty out on us…"
"Yeah…But we can take them! Right, China?" Flandre said happily.
"Of course! No bounty hunters will defeat us!" Meiling said as she smacked her fist against the palm of her hand. "Anyways Flandre, it's getting late, we better turn in so we can wake up bright and early and decide what our next destination will be."
"Okay Meiling…" Flandre replied as she went into the tent, with Meiling following closely behind. The two quickly changed into their night clothes and threw blankets on top of themselves.
"Good night Meiling…" Flandre said sleepily as she rested her head on her pillow and closed her eyes.
"Sleep tight Flandre." Meiling said in a motherly tone.
Flandre drifted off into a peaceful slumber, in her sleep Flandre usually had two different dreams, in one she would dream of playing with her older sister happily in the mansion together, or she would dream of the day Remilia had ordered her to stay in the mansion's basement. But this was not one of those dreams, this was a dream Flandre had not yet experienced before. In this strange dream, Flandre stood within a large field of white flowers, the ground and sky were also just as white as the flowers strangely enough. The ground Flandre stood upon was covered with shallow water, submerging both of her bare feet completely. Flandre looked down at her reflection in the water and noticed she was not wearing her regular red dress, but a white one piece dress, her mobcap was also gone, but her hair was still in its usual style except it was tied in a white ribbon rather than a red one, making everything in the dream besides Flandre herself white.
Within the distance standing in the white flower field was another girl, being close to the same size as Flandre. She also wore a white one piece dress, and had wavy purple shoulder length hair, and a pair of leathery bat like wings protruding from her back. Flandre gasped in excitement in realization of who this figure was.
"Remy!" Flandre cried in joy as she ran to her elder sister happily, causing ripples to form in the water with each step. Once Flandre had reached her sister, she gave her a large hug and cried tears of joy. "Oh big sister! I-I've missed you so much!"
Remilia stood by unresponsively, accepting Flandre's hug, but not returning her sister's affection. "Flandre." Remilia said simply in response.
"I love you so much big sister…I haven't seen you in so long…I-I thought you had forgotten all about me…" Flandre said affectionately as her hug's grip strengthened. "Is something wrong big sis? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Flandre, why did you leave the basement? I thought I told you to stay there Flandre." Remilia said almost emotionlessly.
"Huh? But big sister I-"
"You should have stayed in the basement Flandre; I'm very disappointed in you."
"I-I'm sorry Remy…I…I-"
"The basement is the only place suitable for a disgusting monster like you, Flandre."
"Wh-Wha…Re-Remy…"
"A monster like you would only destroy everyone and everything if you aren't contained."
"But-But…Remy…"
"Don't stutter you little beast! You'll address me by my name, Remilia!" Remilia roared in anger.
"I-I'm s-sorry Re-Remilia…I…I just wanted to…" Flandre stuttered as hot tears flowed from her eyes and dripped into the shallow water the two stood in.
"I don't care for your excuses you little demon, you deliberately disobeyed me and went against my wishes. You have to be punished for your disobedience you dog."
"Wh-What do you m…mean s-sister?"
"Shh, shh…Don't worry my dear little sister…it'll all be over soon…" Remilia said in a calm and soothing whisper as she lightly stroked Flandre's cheek.
Flandre suddenly felt an intense amount of pain in her chest, and fell to her knees in agony. Flandre's eyes drifted down to her chest, where an ebon black blade had impaled her chest, causing a great amount of blood to flow from the wound, coloring her dress and the flowers near her a brilliant crimson red.
"Si…Sister…Wh-Why?" Flandre stuttered in pain as her life slowly bled away.
"Good night…little sister." Remilia said in a comforting voice as she lightly kissed Flandre on the cheek as she lost consciousness.
Author's Note: Boy this chapter was fast one, To explain why this one came out so quickly here's to reasons, 1. I write all of my chapters in a notebook then rewrite it on computer.(Yes weird, I know.) So I actually had this chapter almost completely finished before I posted the last one. 2. The dialogue flowed from my mind naturally for some reason...Especially with the interaction between Mokou and Kaguya, that was a pretty fun segment to write. But my favorite scene to write was oddly enough the dream scene...Which is by far the darkest bit in this story thus far. Funny huh? On an another note, thank you to all the encouraging feedback everyone! I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoy future chapters! Peace!