"Do I have to go with you guys? Letty should be showing up soon..." Cirno complained, for the tenth time already.
"Cirno, Letty always comes from the mountains ANYWAY. We're going to the mountains. If anything you'll find her faster this way." Mystia said, again, for the tenth time.
It was Winter in Gensokyo, and snow had begun to fall last night, signalling the imminent arrival of Letty Whiterock. Letty Whiterock was like a motherly figure to most weak youkai, especially those who loved playing in the snow. She was as much the figure of Gensokyo's winter as Santa Claus in the outside world. However, Cirno in particular respected Letty, due to them both being linked to ice, and cold itself, and having similar powers. Every winter, Cirno would go off with Letty, so she could train with her.
It says much of Cirno's respect of Letty, that she even goes so far as to admit Letty is 'As strong as her', which for Cirno, who, for the remaining 9 months of the year insists only she is 'The Strongest' is almost unbelievable to hear for the first time.
"Remember why we're going to Youkai Mountain. The Kappa are showing off something that Okku helped make. Okku will be there Cirno." Rumia said.
Rumia had changed in the last few months, which she put down to her seal weakening more. She was taller, and looked a bit older, now looking like a young teenager. Her hair was a bit longer too. In addition, her powers had improved a little, being able to use a little of the 'Dark Energy' as she called it to attack with, on whim, although not much at all, or with much control. She had a couple of new spellcards as well, and had improved her old ones to reflect her higher amount of power.
Whereas before Rumia was clearly the weakest of the foursome, she was now, to anyone but Cirno, easily the strongest.
"Oh yeah, Okku." Cirno remembers. Her and the Hell Crow, despite their opposite powers, actually got along pretty well. Daiyousei theorized it was due to their minds both being like children. Indeed, Utusho got on well with al of the nameless fairies too.
"Koishi should be there too. Utusho said she was gonna bring her 'family' for the unveiling." Wriggle reminded everyone.
"And Satori." Mystia said, pausing, before adding, "Although, I'm not sure if she being there is a *good* thing."
As the group continued to speak, they were unaware that someone was flying past, in their path, and that person was unaware of them as well, reading something. Rumia noticed at the last second and shouted to watch out, causing Mystia, her, and Wriggle to avoid the stranger. Cirno, however, just turned towards the stranger, and crashed into what looked like her backpack, face-first.
"What?" the stranger said, as her backpack, which was spawing flames, started to spit smoke, as Cirno dislodged her face.
"Ugh. Sorry lady, I kinda left a dent." Cirno said, looking at the impression her noggin left on the backpack. "What are you carryin' in that thing anyway? It's hard."
"Wait? You've damaged my jetpack?!" the stranger said. She was a mature woman, wearing what seemed to be a labcoat. She had glasses, and long, purple hair. She looked over her shoulder, and saw the state her device was in, smoking more and more, and she started to descend.
"Uh oh! Help! I can't fly without this and it's broken!" she shouted. "I'll fall and crash and get hurt, or worse!"
"You can't fly?" Cirno asked, not helping.
"Of course I can't! I'm a human!" she shouted, clearly starting to fall, albeit, slowly, as her device, which she called a 'Jetpack' spluttered.
"But Reimu can fly..." Mystia said, confused.
"THAT'S HER POWER!" the woman shouted.
"Marisa can fly..." Wriggle said.
"For crying out loud... Marisa uses her broom!" Rumia said, grabbing the woman. "Give me a hand guys!"
The woman stayed quiet, muttering about fairies having hard heads and low intelligence as well as the damage to her jetpack.
"Sorry lady..." Cirno said, getting no reply. She just continued to mutter.
"Where are you going?" Rumia asked. "We can take you there at least as repayment."
"Kappa's Village. I'm a Scientist, I want to see the unveiling of the Nuclear Reactor I helped make." she said, clearly annoyed.
"Well, we're headed there anyway! We're friends of Okku!" Mystia chimed happily, holding the woman's other arm.
The woman stayed quiet for a few moments. "Rikako Asakura. Scientist. I'm a human who lives with the Kappa. We both have scientific minds, after all." she said.
"A scientist? What's that?" Wriggle asked.
"Someone who forsakes magic, and instead focuses on how the world itself works. The natural, not the supernatural. Most humans and youkai hate me for it, call me a heretic, but the Kappa think the same way, and seek to combine magic and science for the good of Gensokyo. Using science without killing magic like the outside world did." Rikako explained. "Not to say I don't have magical powers, but flight is not one of them, so I use Science to make up the deficiency."
"... So, you can use Science to do things you can't usually do?" Cirno asked.
"Yes. I could make a device that could spit flames like Utusho's control rod, for example, which you could use, despite being an ice fairy." Rikako explained.
"How did you know I'm an ice fairy?!" Cirno exclaimed.
"... Cirno, you do have wings of icicles." Rumia reminded her. "Kind of obvious."
"True."
"Anyway, the Kappa and I were inspired recently upon meeting Utusho. She is the epitome of Science and Magic coming together. Nuclear Fusion is the greatest gift and power of Science, yet she fuels it using magic. We have been working for a year to harness and control some power Utusho gave us, stabilise it, so it can create more power. That power can then be used to power other devices. The Kappa and I hope to use Utusho's power to generate electricity." Rikako explained.
"That's awesome! Electricity is that stuff that powers a lot of stuff that comes through the border, right?" Rumia said.
"Yes. For example, we could make electricity so the humans can have light in their homes at night, without the risk of a fire. Or electricity that can create a spark for a fire without a flint, making it easier to cook, or to generate heat to keep both people and youkai warm in winter. The possibilities are endless!" Rikako said, happily. "People are slowly seeing what Science can bring to Gensokyo that magic alone cannot. Recently even the Tengu agreed it was a good idea we were working on, and they are notoriously stubborn."
"Don't we know..." Mystia commented, thinking of Hatate. Despite Rumia's attempts, Hatate still hated Rumia, and would not let the grudge drop. Aya explained that a Tengu does not forgive those who hurt their pride easily at all, and Rumia not only hurt Hatate's pride, but humiliated her among the Tengu, just as she was starting to gain confidence.
The Kappa Villiage came into view, a large group of huts by the river, and the group landed. There was a large cloth over something, where a large amount of Kappa, Aya, Utusho, Satori, Koishi, Rin and Sanae were.
A girl wearing a purple cloak approached the shrine. The Shrine Maiden had clearly done a good job of sweeping the snow off the path, although it was starting to gather again.
She walked towards the donation box, and placed in some money, before she spoke.
"I was wondering if you could tell me something in return for this." she said.
With that, Kanako Yasaka appeared, floating over the back of the Shrine to the front, smiling.
"What is it child?"
"How is the Kappa's Reactor progressing? I know you are involved in it's construction, as is your Shrine Maiden, and I wanted to pay my respects to you for doing so while getting information on the project's progress, Great Goddess." the cloaked stranger said.
Kanako was flattered. Not even Sanae called her a 'Great Goddess'.
"The Kappa's Reactor finished a couple of days ago. They play to reveal it in an hour, if you wish to go there and see the unveiling." Kanako said.
"I have other matters to attend to. What time is the presentation supposed to end? I may be able to make the end of it." the girl asked.
"About an hour. That's what Sanae said, at least." Kanao replied.
"Well, then I'll have to settle for seeing the Reactor after the event at some point, maybe see Aya's pictures in the Bunbunmaru. Shame, I wanted to ask the Kappa some questions." she said, before adding, "Thank you for your wisdom, Great Goddess." and turned away, walking down the steps of the shrine.
Both the girl and Kanako had grins. Kanako's was from flattery, but the girl's grin, unbeknownst to Kanako, was for much more sinister things that simply pride.
'Kissing up to that Goddess makes me sick... we don't need gods, but I can't let my presence be known, not until I have the Reactor for myself to complete my project. That Goddess is so predictable. Flatter her a little, stroke her ego, and she tells me exactly what I need to know, with no added questions about who I am, or why I want to know...' the girl thought.
Yet again, Kanako had unwittingly caused another major incident.
Author Notes:
So, yeah, this chapter came to me faster than I expected.
Oh Kanako, what have you done? First MoF, then SA, which caused UFO, which caused TD... why does everything you do backfire? This wouldn't be happening if you hadn't given Utusho her powers, and even then, you had to go blab :3
I decided Rikako would be a good fit for the Kappa Villiage, since she doesn't seem like most humans, but is science like the Kappa. Also, an important thing was revealed here, humans cannot fly without assistance. Marisa uses her broom and Reimu's power is flight. Sanae is part god, Youmu is Half-Ghost, Keine is Half-Youkai, and Sakuya... isn't human despite her claims [As Byakuren pointed out]. Youkai know humans as a species cannot fly, but most humans just think it's a power level thing, hence they don't see Keine as suspicious, because Keine/Reimu/Marisa are a *lot* stronger than most humans.