Author note: I'm in a writing mood. So fast chapters! Cookie for anyone who gets the reference in the chapter title.
A day passed with everyone making preparations. Meiling was not taken seriously by Sakuya at first; until Patchouli also urged her. Mystia; Wriggle and Kogasa all arrived at the lake; ready to help their friends.
Most of the time was spent planning; which mainly Daiyousei and Patchouli did.
"So; we know that Sunny and the other fairies have access to... basically all the fairies who are not here to assist them. Due to this; we are woefully out-numbered." Patchouli said. "I would say we would be out-numbered fifty to one, counting the fairies of the lake; the maid fairies; and those Lilly has brought with her; as well as us."
"Except we have some people far more powerful than anyone on their side. Me and Cirno can easily defeat Sunny; Luna and Star; who are three of their commanders. Let alone someone like Sakuya or Patchouli." Daiyousei said, pointing at a map; which had badly scrawled faces of the three fairies and the black fairy on it.
"Who's this one?" Cirno said; pointing to the black fairy.
"That's the one who sneak-attacked me. She's the one behind this; she's the one co-ordinateing Sunny; Luna and Star." Daiyousei said. "She's also pretty strong; strong enough to kill me in a single blow with a sneak-attack. But; she's also a mystery."
"Why would she have to work in the shadows; behind Sunny; Luna; and Star? We don't know why. No-one has seen this fairy before either. I think a fairy with this much power; knowledge; and such a unique appearance would have been made note of before. She'd at least have a name." Patchouli said.
"So, you think she is not really a fairy?" Sakuya asked.
"It is entirely possible it is someone disguising themselves as a fairy to use them. However; I cannot think of archers in Gensokyo except Eirin; who would have nothing to gain from such an action." Patchouli said. "I also cannot think of someone who would stand to gain from the elimination of humans. I mean; if she wanted to kill youkai then I'd say it was Rika."
"Maybe she is someone from the Underground?" Kogasa said.
"Huh?" Sakuya asked.
"Well I live in the Myouren Graveyard; ya know. A lot of youkai go to see Hijiri; and often they talk about the old days; when youkai and humans hated each other. Seems like a lot of those youkai live Underground now; especially ones saved by Byakuren before she was sealed. Maybe it's an Underground youkai?" Kogasa said.
"It is entirely possible. We do not know much about the youkai who live Underground; besides those affiliated with Satori; as well as Yuugi." Sakuya said.
"Indeed; we may be facing a youkai from the Underground." Patchouli agreed. "An unknown enemy we must be cautious of."
"But how are we gonna fight all of these fairies?" Mystia asked.
"Simple. It does not matter how large they are in numbers; if we fight them at a chokepoint. We shall fight them at the entrance hall of the mansion. That way the fairies must enter through the front door." Patchouli said.
"Yes; that seems to be the best tactic. Concentrate our force while limiting their ability to swarm us." Wriggle agreed. "Even I can take on a few fairies at the same time with ease."
"And they are likely to lose a lot of motivation if we beat up Sunny and her friends." Mystia commented.
"Except there is one major issue." Daiyousei said; looking to Patchouli. Koakuma did the same.
"Lady Patchouli... how long do you think you can keep up spellcasting in your condition today; with Daiyousei's aid?"
Patchouli chuckled.
"You saw right through me." she said. "My condition today is moderate. I would predict I could fight for between three and five minutes; depending on what spells I use."
The magician breathed in deeply. It was clear she was starting to struggle a little after talking so much.
"And you are our main way of holding the chokepoint. Sakuya would have trouble retrieving her knives in a swarm of fairies; even with her time stopping. My offensive magic is not that powerful. I'd say the one here besides Patchouli best suited to attacking a chokepoint for an extended period is Kogasa of all people." Daiyousei said, before adding, "Although Cirno could make an ice wall and buy time for you to recover; although I am not sure how long it would last."
"And what about China?" Koakuma asked. "Surely she is suited to guarding a gate."
"China insists it is best for her to remain at her post. She will stop what fairies she can there; as she is of the opinion that if she fought seriously in the mansion's doorway she would likely do large amounts of damage to the mansion itself." Sakuya said.
"Wait; China could break the mansion?" Mystia asked.
"I would not put it past her. China is a lot stronger than most give her credit for; she's just not great with danmaku." Sakuya said. "I learnt my hand-to-hand combat from her; despite my fighting style being completely different from hers. She sure knows how to fight."
"And what about the others?" Daiyousei asked.
"Remilia and Rumia are still in Remilia's room. I can feel a large amount of energy from there. I would hazard that they are doing some kind of training; and if I can feel my Mistress' energy from within her room; which she specially enchanted to hide her energy; I can only fathom how intense the training is. As for Flandre; she is cautious about getting too into the fighting and killing of fairies; and going back to her old self." Sakuya explained; before adding; "She would also be at risk from the Light Fairy."
"Speaking of the Light Fairy; there's a good chance they could sneak in invisible. She can bend the light around her and her freinds." Daiyousei said.
"Those guys won't sneak in. They'll barge in loudly; and then go invisible while they fight!" Cirno said. "They ALWAYS do that. They'll probobly be among the first in too; knowing them."
"That dosen't seem like a good idea. What sort of commander goes on the frontlines?" Sakuya said.
"Many do. Those who inspire by example. Those who know they will win. And those too foolish to know otherwise." Patchouli said. "And seeing as our enemy is fairies; I would not put the latter past them; especially as if they don't lead by example; I doubt the nameless fairies under them will really do what they want."
"The limit to Patchouli's endurance means; however; at some point we will likely have to push the fairies back; and take out the overall leader; the black fairy. Due to the way fairy politics work; if any of the fairies manage to be the ones to defeat her; all the other fairies should listen to them instead. And then it's over." Sakuya said.
"I will keep enough in reserve to blast an opening for you to go outside. Sakuya shall remain to defend the mansion; she can fight better without others around. From there; it'll have to be up to you." Patchouli said.
"Heh; looks like it's our turn to shine without Rumia; eh; Mysti?" Wriggle asked.
"Hopefully." Mystia said. "We're not pushovers; and the five of us; with Lilly's help; should be able to defeat this black fairy."
Suddenly; the ground shook.
"That'll be China." Sakuya said. "We had better get ready; to the entrance hall!"
"That was China?!" Cirno said; shocked; as everyone headed to the hall.
There was nothing for about two minutes after the group arrives at the hall; except the occasional loud bang outside; until the doors burst open; and fairies flooded into the mansion; spraying danmaku everywhere. It was absolute chaos.
"Fire Sign: Agni Shine!" Patchouli cried; firing waves of fire at the door; stopping a lot of the fairies; but they still flew in between waves.
Mystia; Wriggle and Kogasa mainly used various forms of physical combat; while Sakuya quite easily used her knives to slash the the fairies; teleporting around the room due to stopping time. Cirno shot ice at the fairies and froze some; which fell to the ground or got stuck to walls; while Lilly fired what seemed like rays of light; which left trails of petals. Koauma threw black spheres; not unlike Rumia's Dark Energy spheres.
Daiyousei herself decided to avoid actually harming the nameless fairies; and instead combined the Wind and Water signs; unleashing a torrent of bubbles; which imprisoned a large group of fairies within them.
"Try not to kill them. If they're knocked out they're out of the way; if you kill them they'll probobly just come right back at us!" Daiyousei said; mainly to Sakuya.
Patchouli started to cough after a few minutes; but the tide of fairies lessened; enough that Sakuya was able to get through them while stopping time to retrieve knives that she would throw. It was upon returning from doing this; that Sakuya spoke.
"Something is happening outside. It seems a large number of the fairies are on the far bank of the lake; in a ring. They seem to be... praying. There's a faint glow between all of them too." Sakuya said.
"They have to be calling her..." Patchouli wheezed. "That explains the lack of numbers too."
At that point; the three fairies appeared in the middle of the room; no longer invisible.
"Ta-da!" Sunny said.
"The Generals' plan is flawless!" Luna said.
"We're doing what she told us to do~" Star said.
"Although we didn't understand some of the words she used." Sunny added. "Do any of you know what the word 'distraction' means?"
"Sunny. Do you really not know what 'distraction' means?" Daiyousei asked.
"Nuh-huh." all three fairies responded.
"It means she's using you as a tool to keep us busy for her own goals!" Daiyousei said, before Meiling flew through the doors; and into the back wall; slumped.
"Ugggh..." she groaned. She looked like she had taken a beating; and notably; there was a glowing arrow of energy in her abdomen; which she pulled out. "That thing certainly is no fairy. No fairy is that strong."
In the doorway floated the black fairy; who the three fairies flew towards.
"You're here to help us right?" Sunny asked.
"All the ones you sent with us got beat up or trapped or poofed!" Star said.
"C'mon General! Let's show them what we can do!" Luna said.
The black fairy simply smirked; before she pulled back her bow.
"The best thing you three idiots can do... is die and get out of my way!" she said; before she shot an arrow through each of them.
Everyone else gasped.
"They're on your side!" Cirno shouted.
"How could you do such a thing! They were looking up to you!" Mystia said.
"They were just pawns. They brought the time required. Titania is being revived as I speak."
Patchouli coughed.
"A general only comes to the frontlines... when they know they have won." she said.
Daiyousei scowled.
"You used all of those fairies as pawns! You're using all of the ones praying as pawns too! You know what Titania will do to them! Who are you really; because you're no fairy! No fairy would do such a thing!"
"Why don't you come and find out?" the black fairy said; spreading out her arms in a manner similar to Rumia's cross pose; before a dark cloud started to spread from her; slowly spreading out; until just her red eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Why you..." Daiyousei said; getting angry. "Imitating her... Cirno; Lilly; this is for all the fairies she's using!"
"Don't forget us!" Wriggle said.
"She's not gonna hurt you lot and get away with it. We won't let her!" Mystia commented.
"... Do I know you Miss Black Fairy?" Kogasa said, taking a combat stance. "Because something about you seems familiar..."
The black fairy looked taken aback.
"How could you think there was anything familiar about me; Kogasa? I'm surprised!" she said.
Kogasa squealed in happiness at surprising the black fairy, but Daiyousei couldn't help but think of something.
How does she know Kogasa... and what does Kogasa find familiar... could it be that someone Kogasa knows well is the culprit?
Daiyousei smirked.
"I think I know who you really are." she said. "And I'm not afraid! Guys; let's do this!"
The black fairy backed outside; and Daiyousei; Cirno; Lilly; Mystia; Wriggle and Kogasa followed; while Sakuya and Koakuma stayed behind to look after Meilng and Patchouli; while handling the remaining fairies flying about; or trickling in.