Entry 3: Falling Leaves Tell a Story of An Eastern Wonderland


Nearly a year had passed since Reimu's impromptu excursion to Hell. Following that Incident, Kasen the Hermit had doubled down on Reimu's training, leading to the young Shrine Maiden improving quite a bit in some areas, and... well, not improving in others.

Reimu was really starting to hate Kasen's idea of 'training'. Hopefully, this wouldn't develop into some kind of lazy persona.

(Somewhere in the future, Hakurei Reimu sneezed)

Today, thankfully, wasn't a training day with Kasen. So, what else was Reimu to do, except play card games with Genji by the lake not far from the shrine? Right now, they were on their 50th game of koi-koi. Currently, the score was 49-0, Genji's favour.

Reimu groaned in frustration. "Darn it," she muttered. "How are you so good at this, Gramps?"

"Age begets wisdom, Reimu-sama," Genji answered. "And, if I may be frank, you take after your ancestors quite a bit in how impatient you can be."

"Harsh, old man," Reimu said. Another hand or two of cards later, and the game was over. Winner; Genji. Reimu let out a defeated sigh. "It's certainly been quiet the past year, hasn't it?"

"Compared to what you went through before, I'm not surprised you think so," Genji said. "That certainly was a large event to cut your teeth on, but you will no doubt have to deal with Incidents of similar scale in the future."

"Still with that Hermit would lay off a bit," Reimu said. "She acts like I don't know my own limits, and keeps pestering me like some lazy kid."

"Hermits view the world differently compared to us," Genji explained. "They got where they are in life through a lot of hard work, so it's only natural that they think others can be just as great as them."

"And what's wrong with not being the absolute best?" Reimu asked. "What's wrong with just reaching the point where you're good enough for what's to come, and being happy there?"

"I suppose some people just have to agree to disagree," Genji surmised. "Then again, some folks have a hard time accepting that other people have different ways of life."

Reimu leaned her head on her hand, and huffed quietly. How the heck was she suppose to get Kasen to see things her way, then?

Before she could contemplate further, something in the distance went boom.

"What the?" Reimu shouted. "What was that?!"

"Reimu-sama, look!" Genji called. "Smoke! From the shrine!"

From beyond the tree-line, smoke could be seen rising. A strange feeling rose in Reimu's heart; one of mixed indignation and fear. She chose, at that moment, to focus more on the idgination.

"Oh, whoever's up to no good is in for a pounding!" she shouted, leaping in order to take flight, and bring the battle to the enemy... Only to fall face first into the ground.

Genji felt a bead of sweat go down his brow. Generally an impossible thing, considering he was a turtle. "Oh, dear," he muttered. "Seems we still need to work on your flying. Here," he floated over to Reimu, keeping low. "Climb on my back, Reimu-sama. Let me handle flight for now."


As it turned out, Genji, when he put the effort in, was the furthest thing from 'slow' you could imagine. This was, though, something Reimu knew already.

As they came up to the shrine grounds, they saw that the place was... well, not quite 'in ruins', but it had certainly seen better days. That, and there were all these strange, fuzzy-looking spirits and ghosts floating around.

Reimu felt her indignation rise. "Oh, those ghosts don't know who they're dealing with," she muttered, as she called upon the powers of Hakurei, and summoned two versions of the Yin-Yang Orb to her side. "Let's show them a thing or two, Gramps."

"Glad to see you're taking this seriously, Reimu-sama," Genji said. "Hold on!"

Reimu and Genji shot forth, and unleashed a barrage of bullets upon the ghosts and spirits. Most of them were caught completely unaware, and dissipated before they even knew they were under attack. Those that did see them coming, though, tried to flee in terror of the red-white menace charging at them.

Half way to the main shrine, Reimu and Genji encountered their first piece of real resistance.

Reimu recognised that thing from the occasional book she found in the Outside World Hakurei Shrine. That large, mechanical beast with its long barrel-like nose, it strange belt-like wheels... There was a tank on shrine grounds.

"Why is there a tank here?!" Reimu shouted, as Genji weaved her through a barrage of bullets. The old man couldn't offer a response, since he was a bit too focused on, you know, dodging. Gritting her teeth, Reimu charged as much magical energy as she could into her palms, and unleashed a barrage of bullets that, once it let up, left the tank a smouldering wreck.

Genji slowed down, huffing in exhaustion. "I'm... getting old, aren't I?" he asked.

"Sorry for pushing you like this, Gramps," Reimu said. "Still, there are a whole lot of spirits, aren't there?"

As Genji caught his breath, something in the distance caught his eye. "Reimu-sama, there's a suspicious person up ahead."

"How would spirits like these be able to ruin the shrine?" Reimu muttered.

Genji cleared his throat. "Reimu-sama? Are you listening?"

"Hmm? What was that, Gramps?"

'And she calls ME senile at times,' Genji thought. "We've a mysterious person up ahead, Reimu-sama."

Reimu glanced ahead at the person; a short, brown haired girl dressed in white. "A human?" she noted. "Talk about suspicious."

"Who are you calling suspicious?!" the girl shouted. "After all, I'm the genius who made these ghosts!"

There was a moment of heavy silence. "That's... pretty suspicious if you ask me," Reimu commented.

"Well, anyway," the girl continued, "prepare to face the might of my current masterpiece, the Flower-Tank! Please blow up now!"

Just then, a large red tank with floral patterns appeared in front of them, and began firing at Reimu and Genji. "What is even happening right now?!" Reimu shouted, as she started firing back.

Fortunately for the two of them, tanks made for not only easy dodging practice, but easy targets. It wasn't long before the tank eventually blew up.

As the smoke subsided, Reimu saw that girl from before lying on the ground, looking... distinctly unharmed.

"Oh noooo, I've been bested," the girl said falsely. "I guess this is goodbye... Sniff sniff."

Reimu and Genji looked quite unamused at how bad her acting was. "Well, I guess we'll never know who sent her," Reimu decided, acting like she wasn't seeing the girl slowly creep away.

"Should we give chase to her, Reimu-sama?" Genji asked.

"Nah. She's clearly trying to bait us into a trap."

"Aw, you won't bite?" the girl complained, before huffing off into the treeline.

"See?"

Genji could really only sigh at all that. Then, something on the edge of his senses pricked. "Reimu-sama, I think I've got a lead," he said. "To our left. A powerful magical force, from the Forest of Magic."

"Then we know where to go," Reimu said. "Good find, Gramps."


The Forest of Magic was a dark, mysterious place, filled with dreadful miasma. Were it not for the powers of Hakurei, Reimu might be in serious trouble.

There were, much like at the shrine, lots of spirits around the place, and much like at the shrine, they didn't pose much of a problem to Reimu as she was now.

Well, there was that plant-like thing half way through, but that went down eventually.

Reimu was impressed by how far she had managed to come in the year since her first Incident. She might actually have to thank Kasen at some point.

… But maybe not immediately. Maybe once things have calmed down for a while.

At that moment, something caught Reimu's attention; a smell.

"Gramps," she said. "Something stinks out here, and it's not the smog."

Genji's senses were on high alert at that moment. "Reimu-sama, up ahead!" he called. "There's someone approaching!"

"So, you noticed me, did you?" a voice said. "Good. I'd feel insulted if I was able to get the drop on you so easily, Hakurei."

Reimu readied herself, as footsteps echoed from up ahead. The figure stepped into the light, and...

Oh. Oh my. Reimu felt her heart skip a beat at that moment. This person that approached had violet hair tied in a single ponytail high on their head, a pair of eyes the colour of amethyst, a well maintained katana at their side, and dressed in white samurai robes that looked as if they were trimmed with fire.

"My name is Meira," the handsome stranger said. "I am here for the Hakurei's power."

No thoughts seemed to occur in Reimu's head at this moment. This handsome stranger, Meira, was all that occupied her mind at the moment. So, naturally, it took her a second to realise what they had said. "Wait, you're here for me?" she asked. "I mean... I guess I don't mind, but aren't we going a bit fast?"

Meira's eyes widened in confusion. "What are...? No, nevermind," they shook their head. Meira drew their sword, which gleamed cooly in the light. "Now, let us do battle. Upon my victory, your power will be mine."

Something in the way Meira spoke sent Reimu's heart aflutter. What that was, no one could say. "You know... you don't need to fight to claim me."

The implications of what she just said hit Meira and Genji like a truck. An intense blush swept across Meira's face. "Wh-what are you on about?!" they shouted. "It's your power I'm after, not you! Besides, we're both women!"

Reimu was surprised by the outburst, but only to the degree of a leaf suddenly landing on her head. "Eh, same difference," she shrugged. "I don't mind either way. So, if I win, then will you..."

"Are you even listening to me?!"

"Tauzen, tauzen," Reimu waved off.

"What an old reference," Meira muttered. "What is this, Kyuukyoku Choujin A~ru?"

"Are we fighting, or not?"

Meira shuddered quietly. "Something tells me I really don't want to lose this fight," she muttered. "Fine. Bring it!"

Meira lunged forward, slashing at Reimu in wide, swift arcs. What the samurai did not account for, though, was the combined agility of Genji and reaction speed of Reimu. Every slash she swung was either dodged like a pro, or the turtle had made some distance between them.

And then, there were the bullets. For all that the Hakurei was clearly still in training, she had POWER behind her attacks. It didn't take long for Meira to be completely disarmed of her sword, and forced to rely on her magical abilities. Yet even that didn't last long, before she fell over, defeated.

"I did it!" Reimu cheered. "Wait... Oh, she's dead."

"Don't be too rash, Reimu-sama," Genji said.

Slowly, Meira got back to her feet. "Damn it all," she muttered. "To hell with this!"

With remarkable speed, Meira gathered up her sword, and fled the forest.

"Aw, she's gone," Reimu moaned, much to Genji's chagrin. "Wonder what she was after, anyway."

"Oh, to be young and naïve," Genji said.


The third stage of their journey took them through a place between Gensokyo and Makai, known as the World of Fantasies. Their destination, rather than Makai itself, was a place called Reimaden, a world of pandemonium.

Getting to Reimaden through the World of Fantasies involved fighting a strange collection of magic stones. It was strange, but nothing to really write home about.

Reimaden itself, however, Reimu could write whole essays about. "The air here... it's so heavy," she muttered. "There's so much evil in this place."

"I imagine we'll run into the mastermind soon," Genji said. "Best prepare yourself, Reimu-sama."

"This feeling... it's familiar," Reimu said nervously. "It's much like what happened a year ago."

Genji felt concerned by that, but any comment he would have made was cut off by a wave of magic hitting them like a gale. Genji felt something nostalgic on that wave, and suddenly, all the pieces in his mind clicked into place. "Reimu-sama! It's..."

A shadow loomed overhead. Reimu and Genji looked up, to see a green haired spirit dressed in blue, her cape billowing in the wind like wings of darkness.

Reimu recognised her instantly. Sure, she looked somewhat different, but there was no mistaking that Vengeful Spirit from one year ago. A chill ran up Reimu spine, yet for some reason, she wasn't quite as afraid of her as she expected. There was something different in those eyes; there was recognition, arrogance, power, and... compassion.

"So, you've finally shown yourself, Hakurei Reimu," the spirit spoke. "Took your precious time, didn't you?"

Reimu shook off her surprise. "Who are you?!" she shouted. "And how do you know who I am?!"

"Seems someone hasn't done their homework," the spirit said. "And no need to yell. I'm right here." She cleared her throat, before striking a dynamic pose. "Behold, Shrine Maiden of Hakurei! You stand before the mighty and majestic magician, Mima!"

There was a slight pause, before Reimu started counting on her fingers, for some reason. "Huh. Four word alliteration. Not bad."

"You say that like it was hard," Mima said. "You'll find there's a whole lot of words that start with the letter M. Especially helpful when my occupation goes with my name."

There was a moment silence before someone spoke next. "We're getting off topic," Reimu finally said. "You're the jerk that wrecked my shrine, weren't you?!"

"And what should I care about some dingy old shrine?!" Mima retorted. "My goals go beyond some run down old building in the middle of nowhere. My goal is revenge; against the world."

"Well, I suppose you should try to dream big," Reimu snarked. "But don't think it'll work! There's no greater sin out there than insulting my shrine! I'm sealing you away again!"

"A challenge, then!... Is what I would say," Mima laughed, "but you'll have to catch up to me first!"

With that, Mima flew off. Reimu and Genji tried to give chase, but were interrupted by an onslaught of star-shaped bullets. Reimu looked to the source, to see a girl around her age, dressed in purple, with short red hair, pointed ears, amber eyes.

"No dice, bud!" the young witch said. "Ain't no way I'm letting you go after Mima-sama!"

"What, she's got a little toy soldier or something?" Reimu questioned. "Who the heck are you?"

"Me? Don't matter," the witch greeted. "I'm gonna be the best magician out there, so prepare to die, yeah?!"

"What an egotistical brat," Reimu muttered. "Fine, I'll beat you senseless!"

The battle that took place was the most intense Reimu had ever experienced, yet for not a single moment did she feel outmatched. This girl, whoever she was, seemed to be her equal.

But, no battle lasts forever, and with one good shot, the witch crashed to the ground, panting heavily.

"Mima-sama... Forgive me," she muttered.

Reimu looked at the girl, and felt... something. She couldn't quite put the words to it, though. "Say. Why did you start studying under Mima?" she asked. Noticing the hesitation, Reimu sighed. "Tell you what. Watch the next battle, and see what you think. You got a name?"

"M... Marisa," the witch said. "Kirisame Marisa."

Kirisame. Reimu knew that name from somewhere. Wasn't there a family by that name in the village? Something to look into later. With a small nod to herself, she and Genji went on to the final battle, with Marisa not too far behind.


It was a world of darkness. Not a darkness that could be called 'the absence of light', but one that suffocated and snuffed it. It was a darkness that was to light what water was to fire.

It was suffocating, but Reimu and Genji pressed on.

"Mima! We know you're here!" Reimu yelled. "Show yourself!"

The darkness whirled like a vortex, until finally, Mima floated there. "So, you made it through my apprentice, did you?" she said. "I wonder, though; can you actually match up to me?" Then, for a moment, Mima's expression softened. "Yeah, you're a Hakurei alright. I can see strength in your eyes."

Reimu's brow rose quizzingly. "What are you on about?"

"The power of the Yin-Yang Orb is defined by its user," Mima said. "They absorb the excess energy of the wielder, before releasing it all in one go, and only a Hakurei can wield them. Positive energy can bring about a miracle, or negative energy can bring forth a calamity. It all depends on that last drop of power. After that, they go back to absorbing power."

"So that's what the Orb does," Reimu muttered. "But what's the point of this history lesson?"

"Perhaps there isn't a point," Mima said. "Right now, the Yin-Yang Orb is ready to burst. With it be a miracle, or a calamity?" A sinister cackle escaped her lips, as her expression shifted into an icon of evil. "Ya don't need to guess which one I'm hopin' for!"

"You think I'll let you?!" Reimu shouted. "As the current heir to the long line of Hakurei, I will beat you back into... whatever ghosts are made of!"

"Then try me, Hakurei Reimu!" Mima shouted, as dark energy began to swirl around her. "Let us see if you are truly worthy of that miracle!"

Mima charged forth, swinging her staff at Reimu, whom blocked with her gohei. While the size between the two staffs was considerable, and Mima's made out of metal while Reimu's was, let's face it, a literal twig in comparison, enough energy transferred into a tool could make up for all the difference in durability.

As they broke from the clash, Reimu shot forth a wide spread of talismans. Anything that Mima wasn't able to dodge, she blocked through spinning her staff. In retaliation, Mima launched her own volley of bolts and lasers. Thus, if fell to Genji to keep Reimu out of harms way, has he dodged and weaved through the barrage of bullets with a shocking amount of swiftness. Reimu had to make a note to ask how he was so good all of a sudden.

In the blink of an eye, Reimu was now up close and personal with Mima. Mima herself was quite surprised, but from her expression, it was a pleasant kind of surprise.

Reimu reached back, grabbed the Yin-Yang Orb, and smashed it into Mima's face. It was a move that caught the spirit completely off guard, and sent her plummeting to the ground at great speed.

Mima regained her balance, and landed upright, breathing heavily. "Ha... Impressive," she muttered. "I'm actually having to take this seriously." With a wave of her hand, her cape flared out, becoming a pair of wings as black as midnight and as dreadful as the abyss. "COME, REIMU! LET US SETTLE THIS!"

The space between them became, in effect, a constellation of bullets. It was easier to call it a single ball of light, than it was to try and point out which bullets were Mima's, and which were Reimu's.

The ground tore beneath them. The sky shuddered. The darkness parted yet the light retreated. And through it all... Reimu felt a sense of exhilaration that was foreign to her. In the back of her mind, this was what an Incident was suppose to be like; thrilling, dangerous, a battle against an opponent much stronger than you are, with only quick whits keeping you from death. Adrenalin coursed through her veins. This wasn't like her training, where she was constantly expected to go above and beyond to prove herself; the only thing expected of Reimu right now was her best, and somehow, when she wasn't expected for much more than that, it made the fight all the more satisfying.

After several long minutes, however, a blow finally lands, and Mima's wings vanish. As she fell to the ground, she gave Reimu a proud grin, and a thumbs up. "Not bad, kiddo."


One week has passed since then. Reimu sat quietly under the verandah of the shrine, calmly sipping at her tea.

There was a slight tremor to her left hand. Slight enough for nobody other than herself to notice. She was thankful for that, considering that blonde haired boundary manipulator known as Yakumo Yukari was here, alongside her shikigami, the kitsune Ran.

"I must say, that was impressive," Yukari said. "Although, I must wonder why you didn't exterminate her when you had the chance."

"You say that like it's an expectation," Reimu replied. "As long as they learn not to mess around like that again, why should I have to exterminate them completely?"

"It's a dangerous risk to take, that. Especially with someone like Mima," Yukari said. "They are dangerous troublemakers, who don't necessarily learn their lesson the first time, nor do they give a second."

"Then should I be exterminating you?" Reimu asked. "You know, since you're a dangerous troublemaker yourself?"

Yukari looked at Reimu, then smirked. "Not bad, little one," she said. "Just don't let that attitude get the better of you, and you'll do well."

A gap opened, which Yukari stepped through. Ran hesitated for a moment, before looking back at Reimu. "Yukari-sama means well, Reimu-san," she said. "Just do what you believe is right, okay?" With a bow, Ran followed after Yukari, and the gap closed behind them.

A minute passed, before Mima's head popped out of the floorboards. "Is she gone?"

"You're all clear," Reimu said.

With a sigh of relief, Mima came out of the floor, and took a seat next to Reimu. "Man, just being around that woman is exhausting. I'm not sure you realise it, being human and all, but that Yakumo is downright terrifying to be around."

"Yet you seem like the type to egg her on."

"Oh, absolutely," Mima agreed. "I'm the sort'a gal who pokes sleeping bears for fun. How do you think I died?"

Reimu gave Mima an unamused look. "You so did not die poking a bear," she said. "In fact, I don't think Gensokyo even has bears."

"Sharp one, ain't ya?" Mima said, ruffling Reimu's hair. "You'll go far yet, kiddo. Now, I'll see ya around, yeah?"

"What do you mean 'around'?" Reimu asked. "This shrine gets few enough visitors as it is! Where the hell does a ghost like you live?"

"Simple. See that small shrine by the torii?" Mima said, pointing at the aforementioned gate. "Dat's my home now."

"Don't you dare."

"Oh, I dared!" Mima laughed. "Toothbrush is already there!"

Reimu was annoyed, to a certain extent, but honestly, this... wasn't a bad outcome for her first proper Incident. If this was how every Incident from now on was going to go...

Then maybe being the Hakurei wouldn't be so bad after all.


A/N:

And so, we've gotten through The Story of Eastern Wonderland. The first proper bullet hell of the franchise.

Had to skip out on the extra stage, since I'm not too sure how I'd fit that in here, and absolutely glossed over stage three, since the boss there is literally just a bunch of balls.

Well, let's move on, shall we?