Chapter Two
Misunderstanding
Sans was quickly carried off by the two Tengu's, one more happy than the other, "Thisissocoolwecaninterviewthemandmakesoooomuchmoney!" Aya shouted, Sans desperately attempted to break free but decided not to, if he took half a damage then it would be over. Eventually the Tengu's brought Sans to a small building on top of a large mountain, which seemed to go on forever. Sans looked around frantically, "Where's this now?" Sans asked, "Oh right, this is Youkai mountain, and this is the place where Aya makes her newspapers…." Hatate said, "O-Oh… You have newspapers here…?" Sans asked, "Of course we have newspapers! If it's from Bunbunmaru of course!" Aya said, "Sure Aya, go ahead and exclude me from even the smallest of mentions… I run one too, you know…" Hatate said, "Oh come on Hatate, as if anyone would read your lazy Kakashi Spirit News!" Aya shouted, Hatate sighed, turning away from the argument.
"You must be a Youkai, considering you're a skeleton and such… Make yourself at home, It's probably best you stay as far away from the shrine maiden as possible…" Hatate said, "Yeah, no one around would even dare to challenge Reimu, and I would know…" Aya said. "Right…Right…" Sans said before Hatate flew away, the moon shining bright in the sky.
Aya gleefully stared at sans, "Now where were we, oh yes! You don't mind if I interview you- Too bad I don't care, so! What happened?" Aya asked, "Now hold on, this won't necessarily look too good on my record…" Sans said, "True, but news matters more than your feelings, so tell me what happened!" Aya demanded, "Can I go, I'm kind of busy… I'm trying to find a kid, ya know… Kid height, purple and blue sweater, closed eyes… Ring a bell?" Sans asked, Aya rubbed her chin, "Hmm, how about this! You give me your side of the story, and I find the kid!" Aya said, "Fiiine, so I'm from another country you see, my best friend, Frisk, went missing and was going here. I followed where they were going, and ended up here… That's when the Fortune Teller came up, he told me that he could help me find him, after doing so he threatened me that if I did not pay then he'd hurt me, so naturally I acted in self-defense…" Sans said. "Hm, well normally I would believe you, but there's a problem with your statement. You do know that there is a magical barrier protecting this land, outsiders can't enter unless they find a way to manipulate the borders. Also, Youkai can't really exist in the outside world, although it's possible, I doubt a skeleton like you would be able to…" Aya said.
"But nevermind that, I was just a little skeptical that's all!" Aya exclaimed, furiously writing down his testimony, over the last few years Sans has grown more and more in tune with Gaster's powers he inherited. Now he had become much more resilient than he was years ago, but inside, he still feared the possibility of Chara emerging once more. Once Aya had finished writing, she turned to the skeleton once more, "Wait, did the kid have a purple or blue sweater?" Aya asked, "Blue with purple stripes, are you going to find them?" Sans asked, "Correct, this incident will settle in nicely with my papers! Don't worry, your human friend will be found in no time!" Aya said before taking to the sky, Sans sat down, the lantern lit stairs and buildings of Youkai Mountain engulfing the place in a calming golden light. "*Sigh* Frisk… What have we done…?" Sans asked himself, "Years ago I never would've thought of this happening, but look at us now… You're growing up, something we all feared, but it feels like you're still here. The Frisk we all knew, not that you went anywhere, but you changed, as if. You're not the one in control anymore- ""Found Them!" Aya shouted, throwing the human at Sans, Cirno following Aya.
As Frisk crashed into Sans, Cirno landed beside them, "F-Frisk!" Sans shouted, "You're alright…! Man… Glad you made it out ok, w-what happened?" Sans asked, Cirno looked slightly let down, "Oh… Well me and the human we're just walking around a bit! They helped us a lot, doesn't talk much though…" Cirno said. Frisk got up, explaining their trip. Sans tried to take in all the information, but was unable to, "W-Wow… That's quite a story, thank you two immensely! Very much! From monster to monster…" Sans said, "Monster? Sorry… It's just around here we are more comfortable with the word Youkai than anything, but glad I could assist you! Hope you're ready to be a superstar with my news article!" Aya said, "Right, looking forward to it… Again, thank you two, we'll be heading off then…" Sans said, "H-Huh? Where to?" Cirno asked, "Back home, it's a long, long way from here…" Sans said. Aya chuckled, "Silly skeleton… You can't just leave Gensokyo, once in Gensokyo, you can never leave… Not with lady Yukari watching over you… She's always watching… Always…" Aya said, "Just kidding! See you later!" Aya shouted, Sans leaving Youkai mountain with an uneasy expression.
"Man… Crazy place eh kiddo?" Sans asked, Frisk remained silent, Frisk then apologized for causing the trouble. "C-Come on Frisk, don't say, it was an accident! Things like this happen, especially when it comes to tech like this… Good thing your pal Sans has a knack for this sorta thing…" Sans said. The whole mountain was surrounded by trees, encompassing the seemingly endless stone stairs that led down the mountain. Only the glow of lanterns illuminated their path, the air of mystery still looming around, just then, San's radio opened up. "S-Sans, respond! Where are you brother?" Papyrus shouted, "Papyrus! Wha- What's going on?" Sans responded, "My apologies, we are merely here to check on your wellbeing, is the human alright?" Papyrus asked, "Trust me, they're just fine, just getting used to the locals… Oddly nice, if not a little strange. They're monsters like us," Sans said, "So I noticed, what's with this place? They keep talking about a skeleton beating up a homeless man… Weird that they have skeletons like us around…" Papyrus said, "R-Right, yeah that is pretty weird. Wait— Your team doesn't have guns right?!" Sans asked, "Well of course we have guns! But the villagers seemed none the wiser, were currently hiding in this mansion you see, really nice people they are!" Papyrus said, "Wait… What…?" Sans asked.
Frisk tugged on San's hoodie, Crino behind the two silently. Frisk then explained that they and Cirno were intercepted by the gatekeeper there. Sans becoming worried, "Papyrus… What's going on?" Sans asked, "Nothing right now, just getting to know the locals like you said!" Papyrus said, the faint sound of motion and metallic whooshing being heard. "W-What was that?" Sans asked, his speed increasing, "Like I said, we decided to explore this place to find Frisk and while doing so came across this lovely mansion! Truly lovely! Very red! But unfortunately a woman in green stopped us at the gate, we thought the place was abandoned brother. She then attacked us once we tried to get inside, she almost killed our grenade launcher guy, but thankfully I was able to charm her with my witty remarks!" Papyrus exclaimed, the clear whooshing of an object being thrown, "Nowadays we've been taken inside and have been "inspected" by the mistress of the mansion, however I might, just barely have angered the maid servant of this fine establishment!" Papyrus said, the sound of footsteps getting louder and louder, "Papyrus! Are you running!?" Sans shouted, "The great Papyrus doesn't retreat, he merely falls back to a more advantageous position–ack!" Papyrus exclaimed, "PAPYRUS!?" Sans shouted, "Ah… I do say, I may have taken a bit of a bone wound–" "Intruders will be punished accordingly! Stop resisting!" A woman shouted.
Sans grabbed hold of Frisk, "Alright, hold on, we're taking a shortcut!" Sans exclaimed before he opened a portal, transporting the two safely, Cirno just barely fitting. Once the three got up, the looming sight of the Scarlet Devil Mansion laid before them, gunfire being heard, "Oh Shit! You dumbasses! Apologies…" Sans exclaimed, running into the mansion, Cirno following. The sight of a Meiling halted them, "W-Wha?! Not another!" Meiling remarked, assuming a fighting stance, "What do you want now?! This is the second time tonight!" Meiling shouted, Frisk walked up to the gatekeeper, Sans trying to stop them. Frisk could feel Meiling becoming angry, putting their hands in front of them. Frisk said that one of their friends is in there and that they are from the outside world. Meiling scoffed, "Of course they're from the outside world! Why can't Yukari stop doing this kind of thing… Makes me lose sleep… I just want to sleep!" Meiling shouted, Frisk said that they were not here to harm anyone and was trying to make peace, saying that this was a misunderstanding.
The sleepy gatekeeper just gave up on her duty, letting the two in before dozing off, simply having enough of her taxing job. The sound of gunfire was sporadic, few and far between which made Sans somewhat relieved, but still no less cautious. With Frisk now leading the group, Frisk walked through the estate of the mansion, maid fairies hovering about, grabbing cleaning supplies and quitting for the day. As Frisk knocked on the door, they felt a sense of peace before the door swung open. A very angry Sakuya looked down on the mere child, absolute scorn in her eyes, "What… is… it?!" Sakuya asked through gritted teeth, Frisk asked if they could help, saying Papyrus was in the mansion. "Oh…? OH!? You mean THIS! Papyrus?" Sakuya asked, throwing the seven foot tall skeleton out of the mansion, "Augh… She's rather strong huh brother?" Papyrus said, "Papyrus! You ok?!" Sans asked, "Fine fine… Just got into a little skirmish, that's all…" Papyrus said, "Sakuya! Care to join in!? These gun things are fun!" Remilia shouted, "I'd be glad to milady! Just let me take care of these pests–" "No need no need! After all, they were the ones you brought these cool pieces of Kappa technology! Let them in!" Remilia ordered, with no resistance Sakuya nodded, letting the gang inside the regal mansion.
Despite its beauty, it was rapidly being torn down via massive amounts of gunfire and poor gun safety, the residents of the mansion firing wildly while the soldiers laid tied up. Two young women in particular were firing the guns at each other, both weaving joyfully in an attempt to dodge the bullets. "Sister, this is fun! I ooze out red stuff when I get hit!" Flandre remarked, "Quite so, but It does sting a little! I'm glad we could have an opportunity like this! Does it change things up!" Remilia said, despite the vampire sister's joy, Sans and Papyrus looked on in horror as the two shot each other, they were bullets ripping through their bodies. Soon the magazines of the guns were empty and the gorish display was no more, causing the red clad Flandre to pout, "Aww… There's no more bangies…" Flandre said, throwing the gun at one of the soldiers, blood dripping down her body, "Sakuya sighed as she tended to the two's wounds.
"You two have injured yourself badly… If you were human, this thing would definitely kill you… Ugh, sometimes you two are insufferable with such careless actions…" Patchouli said, rubbing her eyes. "It's fine Patchy, besides, we got all of these humans at our disposal!" Flandre said, "Nonsense Flandre! Although I wouldn't be against it, we can't have a group of humans just go missing! Reimu would be after us in no time!" Remilia said, "Untie them Sakuya! Let them go home!" Remilia ordered, Sakuya then began the tedious job of untying the team sent in. Sans went up to the residents, apologizing profusely, "Many apologies, just a small misunderstanding… That's all…" Sans said, the two sisters didn't really seem to care much, "Yeah yeah, just don't break anything on your way out. Thankfully you people caught us in a good mood…" Remilia said, "Now out with you!" She ordered Sakuya herding the Ebottians out of the mansion.
As soon as we left the team cheered, "We did it! We saved Frisk!" A soldier remarked, "Quite so! Undyne will be so proud!" Papyrus shouted, "Y-Yeah, she will…" Sans said nervously, Frisk by now was getting really tired. Strangely, there was no sign of Cirno, who had followed them into the mansion a while ago, yet was nowhere in sight. "So… Let's take this one thing at a time… What just happened?" Sans asked, "Papyrus, did the locals you met seem odd at all? Did they even care that you were a team of camouflage wearing soldiers in the middle of their village?" Sans asked, "That's the thing brother, none of them even noticed us, we just sort of slipped by!" Papyrus said, "This is strange, all of this is just strange! This place is… Crazy! Like nothing even matters, I half expected you guys to be dead, but here you are… Of course I'm glad! But…" Sans said, "Do you think your shortcut will work on this one?" Papyrus asked, "No, not on this many people, besides, this place doesn't seem that dangerous anyways," Sans said. "Say it yourself, you're not the one who got a gun thrown at them…" A soldier said, "Right, but relatively…" Sans said.
"Well, now that that's settled, we should probably make camp!" Papyrus said, "Yeah, I think the kid's getting pretty tired, "Roger that! That forest over there should be good!" A soldier said, before long the team had built a large camp on the outskirts of a forest, firewood being easily gathered. Once the tents had been built, Frisk immediately fell asleep, the rest staying up, "Well… I'd say this is a mission accomplished eh?" Sans asked, "You said it! Man, this bruise will look funky on our after action report!" A soldier said, "Hey, at least you'll have a story to tell your kid!" Another said, "Sans…" Papyrus said, "W-What is it?" Sans asked, "We should probably let them know we're fine, what do you think?" Papyrus asked, "Yeah, radio operator! Send a simple message back to headquarters, tell them Frisk is fine, this place doesn't seem too bad…" Sans said, the radioman nodded, sending the message.
Hakurei Shrine
A tired Reimu lies in bed, "Damn it all…" Reimu said, a hand on her head, "This headache just won't go away…" She muttered, waking up Suika, "H-Huh? What's going…going on?" Suika asked, her voice drunken, "Go back to bed, it's just me… I have a headache…" Reimu said, "Perhaps I should make some tea, but I'd have to get the leaves from outside, and that's just not worth the effort…" Just then, an eyed portal opened up, "What's this I've been hearing about some Youkai from the outside world?" Yukari asked, "Screw off granny, I don't have time for this…!" Reimu snapped, "My, you're rather unhinged today, but come on, tell me!" Yukari said, "FINE… It was nothing, just some Youkai got into a fight with the Fortune Teller," Reimu said, "When will that man get a break–" "Oh shut it, look, it's nothing to be concerned about I promise, just a few stray Youkai, that's it!" Reimu said, Yukari sighed, "...Aww, if you say so… Why do you have to be so mean…? Alright, I guess I'll just sleep alone tonight…" Yukari said, Reimu shoving her back into her portal before storming back to her bed.
Suika chuckled, "Ohh Yukari! She seriously gets on your nerves doesn't she?" Suika asked, "I'm surprised you're speaking this sober, but no… She just reminds me of Mima too much…" Reimu said, "Oh brother… You and Mima… Gods, come on, accept it! She's not coming back…" Suika said, "You don't know that! Besides, you think I'm bad? Marisa's way worse when it comes to her. Mima will be back like she said, she's just… Resting or whatever, like Yukari…" Reimu said, "Weren't you two like, enemies?" Suika asked, "Enemies? No, none of the people I fight I'd really call my enemies… Sure I don't really like them, you included—" "Aww, so mean…" "But I wouldn't invite them out for tea unless they were paying!" Reimu said, "Money money, always the money!" Suika said, "I feel like you guys judge me for that alot more than you should… Money is what gives much of life meaning… Besides, for the shit I do, I deserve at least a few coins at the least, but what do I get? Nothing… And you laugh because of it…" Reimu said, "Think about it, what if you spent your life working to the bone to keep things in order. Like keeping a sandcastle from melting from the waves, but after doing that day in and day out… You get nothing… Think Suika, though it may be hard for you…" Reimu said.
"I'm just messing with you Reimu, naw I get it… It sucks, but hey, at least some of it's nice eh?" Suika said, "Like what? Drinking yourself unconscious, yeah I guess it's fun for the first hour, then it's all pain…" Reimu said, Suika let out a huge sigh, "Gods you humans are depressing… Why must you be so… Sad?" Suika asked, "I don't know… I guess we're just made that way, perhaps the stork from the outside world teaches the babies that before they're delivered…" Reimu said. Suika's eyes shot open, "Wha…? N-Nevermind, naw, Reimu…? Have you ever had the talk?" Suika asked, "What talk?" Reimu asked, "Reimu… Where do babies come from?" Suika asked, "From the stork of course! What is it Suika?" Reimu asked, Suika stared at Reimu in shock, "N-Nothing, your right… I guess I misheard you…" Suika said, Reimu chuckled, "Ok Suika, sorry for waking you up…" Reimu said. "Not a problem Reimy, I'm just living my life!" Suika said as Reimu went back to bed, as the two fell asleep, Yukari gapped into the room, looming over the two, "Reimu… Oh Reimu… Oh if you knew…" Yukari said, getting inches away from Reimu, "Those outsiders are trouble Reimu… You're just being a foolish child… Although not dangerous themselves, I feel that they may become troublesome…" Yukari whispered. "I care about you Reimu… Nothing good comes from that place, I would know…" Yukari said, sitting beside the sleeping Reimu.
"It's a beautiful night is it not? Makes you wonder what those Lunarians are planning…" Yukari said, "Nights like these make me want to ask… Do you remember those times?" Yukari asked, "When Mima was around… Don't worry, I miss her too… She was quite the character, I remember back when you had purple hair and Marisa was still an apprentice… It's funny isn't it? Although the world may be burning… You can always come here if you need peace… Sometimes that's just what a society needs, perhaps…" Yukari said. "Peace… Peace… Yes, that's what we all wish is it not?" Yukari whispered, "I still remember when you were just a child, Reimu… You've been through much over the years, don't worry, I have a plan… Yes Reimu, I have a plan, you just need to sleep… I Just need to get a hold of Nitori…"