EX Stage – Lucy's Level, Judecca, Home of the Pride Devils
In the vast expanse of the Seventh and final Level of the Infernal Hell, Judecca, Reimu, Marisa, Iku, and Eiki Shiki found themselves standing on what seemed like a frozen lake. It's big but not too big, only around 2,000 miles wide and deep. The sky above resembled dark blue stone adorned with diamonds, creating the illusion of a starry night. Despite the supposed darkness, the lake and surrounding structures emitted a radiant light, allowing visibility.
The focal point was a massive palace made of smoke, clouds and light emanating a pillar of bright golden light. Every pride devil was departing from their homes, drawn towards the brilliant glow.
"This is it, girls." Said Eiki in a grand tone, "This is the Seventh and final Level of the Infernal Hell: Judecca, the Home of the Pride Devils!"
"Why are all of those pride devils moving to that weird structure in the middle of this Level?" Asked Iku.
"Hrmmm…" Eiki rubbed her chin in contemplation, "Now that you mention it, this is unusual behavior for pride devils. They're usually only loyal to themselves, but here they are, all acting as if in reverence."
"I'm gonna ask one'a 'em, ze!" Called out Marisa as she approached a nearby pride devil for information, "Hey there, mister! What's going on around here?!"
"A most momentous occasion, little girl!" Said the very happy pride devil, "Our Queen, the great lady Lucy is coming to us very soon! Now if you'll excuse me, I really must see this event in action. Though, I suppose you'll see it sooner or later!"
Under the glowing light of the icy lake, Marisa squinted at the pride devil who had just walked away. His proud gait seemed to echo through the cavernous space. Confusion knit her brow as she followed his departing figure with her eyes. There was something unsettling about the encounter. Turning back to her comrades, she noticed the equally perplexed expression on Eiki Shiki's face.
"What did that devil mean?" Marisa asked, her voice carrying a hint of urgency.
"I'm not sure what he was talking about, but never mind that." Eiki Shiki sighed, "The fastest way to find out who took Tenshi is to ask the Queen of this Level, Lucy."
"Lucy?" Questioned Reimu, "I've never heard of her. What's she like? Will we have to fight her?"
Eiki hesitated as she thought it over. "Lucy is very strange. She doesn't act like most devils or even most yokai in general. She seems nice enough, but the few times I've interacted with her, she comes off as… Scary. Scary, and very, very angry and bitter with the way the world is."
"Well, there's only one way to find out! Where's her castle?" Reimu's determination cut through the uncertainty.
"That massive palace of clouds, smoke, and light in the middle of this lake. The one where… That pillar of light… Is coming from..." Eiki trailed off, her voice tinged with concern, "Okay, between this weird light, Tenshi's abduction, what that pride devil said, and Hecatia and Levy's odd behavior, something very strange is going on in Hell."
"Now that you mention it, you have a point. I think… I think an Incident might be happening!" Reimu declared.
"Eh?! An incident in Hell of all places?" Marisa exclaimed, a mix of surprise and disbelief in her voice "Is that even possible? I thought Hecatia learned her lesson after that whole mess with that Junko woman."
"Those Lunarians really do know how to punish the ones who cross them, don't they?" Reimu remarked with a hint of sympathy, "But at least she got off better than Junko did. Being hunted down, dragged before Lord Tsukuyomi, and getting obliterated by the Moon itself can't be a pleasant fate," At the same time, Reimu couldn't really blame them. Junko did try to kill them all for something that wasn't even their fault.
"I'll say." Eiki stated her gaze resolute. "But Incident or not, Queen Lucy will have answers for us either way,"
The four girls entered the castle. Upon entering, they couldn't help but marvel at the magnificence of it all. There was something strangely awe-inspiring about the place, unlike the in-your-face egocentric opulence of Mom-mam's castle or the darkness and misery of Faygir's castle or the hate-filled emptiness of Levy's castle. They also notice that they're heading down a slope the entire time, but it's so gradual it's difficult to notice. Light is shining brightly down the biggest hallway and it gets more intense the more they walk down it. In the end, they come to where the light is coming from: A great pit, a quarter-mile wide and deep.
"This is it, ladies." Eiki announced in a grand tone, "Lucy's throne room and the deepest part of the Infernal Hell and Hell in general: The Pit. Not the most inspired name, I know, but that's what all the devils like to call it."
"So Lucy is in that Pit?" Asked Iku to Eiki, "How do we know she's even there?"
"She is." Confirmed Eiki with complete certainty, "Lucy never leaves Judecca. She has her Avatars and the other pride devils for that. Actually, if memory serves, Lucy is unable to leave the Pit itself! I don't know the exact details as Lucy was here long before my time as Yama, but I think she's being punished for something. I don't know what it is though: I felt it wasn't my place to ask."
"Never mind that! Let's just go see Lucy already! I needed to rescue Tenshi yesterday!"
Eh? That's strange. I'm sensing divine and heavenly power coming from that Pit. She shook the thoughts off and turned to the other three girls, "You're right. No more stalling! We're seeing Lucy! Right now!"
With that, all four girls fly into the Pit. They descend, falling lower and lower, until finally they reach the bottom. The girls can't believe their eyes at what they see when they finally land. The girls' eyes widened as they saw a large frozen throne with what looked like the figure of an adult winged woman encased in ice, although the ice also obscured her features. Light is emitting from the many cracks on the throne and the light seems to be causing the ice to break apart.
Bound to the throne with glowing yellow chains is Tenshi, slumped over and seemingly unconscious. In a triangular formation are all three of Hecatia's bodies, with her soul hovering above them in the center. They are all focusing their power at the throne; seemingly in an attempt to prevent the ice from breaking.
"Lady Hecatia!" Eiki exclaimed.
"Lady Tenshi!" Iku tried to rush to Tenshi's side, concern etched on her face.
"What in all the Heavens and Hells is going on here?!" demanded both women.
Iku tries to get to Tenshi, but a crackling electric barrier prevents her from approaching. Eiki Shiki tries to get Hecatia's attention so she can find out what's going on, but Hecatia is unresponsive. Her eyes are squeezed shut and she's constantly muttering the same thing to herself over and over again.
"I Can't… Let… Her… …Out! I won't… Let… Her… …Win!"
Hecatia's attempt to keep the icy prison intact appears to be working. However the eyes of Hecatia's bodies and soul snap open and their heads whip over to look over the edge of the Pit. Much to the horror of Hecatia and the confusion of the other girls are the six other Sin Archdevils looming over her, each one of them ready to fight.
"Please! You six have to stop this!" When Hecatia, spoke to them, she actually sounded like she was begging. Everyone knew this was very unlike the proud god… Something was very wrong here. "You all know that Lucy approves of the way I run Hell! If you do this, nothing will change for any of you!"
"Wh-what!?" Eiki couldn't help but blurt out in disbelief, "The Seven Great Sin Archdevils are working together?! I didn't even think that was possible!" It was true. The Archdevils never did act as a group. In fact, if it was in one of their best interests, they would in-fight or even oppose one another.
The six Archdevils said nothing. They just blasted Hecatia's soul with their strongest attacks. Hecatia screamed in pain and was sent flying. Her three bodies crumpled to the ground unmoving and her soul came crashing down at Eiki Shiki's feet, who immediately started to tend to her.
"Lady Hecatia…" Asked Eiki, who was still bewildered at this whole thing, "What is going on?!"
Turning to look at Eiki, Hecatia finally seemed to noticed that she wasn't alone anymore, "Eh…?! Ah… You're that Yama I spoke to earlier… Eiki Shiki, was it?" Hecatia sighed. She looked like she was having one of the worst days of her life, "It's a coup d'etat, Eiki! Lucy is trying to take over Hell! Oh… I had no idea her hatred, bitterness and rage had become so strong!"
At that moment, Reimu, Marisa and Iku ran up to Hecatia and Eiki Shiki. Overhearing what Hecatia has said, they decided to question her.
"What?!" Exclaimed Reimu in shock, "Why?! Why is she doing this?!" She was right about there being another Incident happening, but never expected something like this!
"So she can use the forces of Hell to take over Heaven."
"And why does she want to do that?!"
"Because Lucy is the only Archdevil to not actually be a devil. She's actually a celestial who was cast into Hell by the rest of her kind. Long ago, Lucy was one of the most beloved and devoted of the celestials. Benevolent, empathetic and motherly, she was held in the highest regard by the other celestials and she thought very highly of them as well in turn."
"All seemed to be going well. …Then, one fateful day the ones who ran Heaven decided Heaven was to be closed off, all for their own selfish purposes. They wanted the joys of eternal paradise all to themselves, uncaring of all those who actually deserved to go there once they passed on."
"WHAT!?" Shouted an enraged Eiki. She was beginning to understand why the Yama weren't allowed in Heaven… They would never stand for such stupidity. "THAT'S the reason why Heaven has been closed off to all but a select few?! I… Of all of the… I OUGHT TO GIVE THOSE SNOBS A PIECE OF MY MIND!"
"That was exactly Lucy's reaction. Except, it was a hundred, no a thousand times worse. She was so infuriated with this act she actually gathered everyone who agreed with her and waged a bloody war on the other celestials. But she was beaten, and for her crimes was sent straight to Hell."
Hecatia chuckled softly at the memory, "I still remember seeing her, bound in chains as some of the highest ranking celestials dragged her before me. They forced me to make a deal with them. She was to be punished and trapped in Hell forever, and if I said otherwise, they would destroy me and replace me with someone who would do as they said! I was furious that they would do this to me, but in the end I knew I had no choice. So I decided to get back at her the only way I could: I gave her a very high-ranking position in Hell."
"And so you made her an archdevil, right?" Asked Iku
"Yes. She still had to be imprisoned but it didn't matter to us. As time passed we became friends. We were very close, but I suppose as time passed, her resentment grew and grew, and this has led to this plan to overthrow me, take over Hell, and conquer Heaven, and go on to rule both worlds. Reimu… Marisa… You have to stop her! You have no idea how terrifying Lucy can be, especially when she's mad! I'd fight her myself, but I don't think I can take her in a straight-up fight!"
"Don't worry, we will!" confirmed Reimu
"Yeah!" Agreed Marisa, "You can count on us, Hecatia!"
"Thank you." Hecatia then turned to Lucy's prison, "Oh no… She's out! Reimu, Marisa, get ready!"
There's an explosion of light as the prison is completely destroyed, scattering chunks and bits of ice everywhere. The chain holding Tenshi to the throne shatters like glass and vanish as Tenshi is knocked off of it, but it's almost as if the light seems to break her fall somewhat, although she still has a rough landing. Iku runs over to her and cradles her in her arms.
"Oh gods, TENSHI!" Sobbed Iku with tears in her eyes, "Tenshi please, please open your eyes! I can't believe it! We didn't get here in time! We weren't quick enough! Oh Tenshi, if I could only see those eyes of yours again I'd…! I'd…!"
Just then, Tenshi opened up her eyes and stretched and yawned. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and blearily looked at Iku. She was never hurt! She had just been asleep the entire time. Upon seeing this, Iku's face contorted in anger.
"…I'D PUNCH THEM INTO YOUR SKULL!" Roared the now furious Iku right in the celestial's face, "WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT RUNNING OFF LIKE THAT, GIRL!"
"…H-huh?" Stammered Tenshi as she looked around the unfamiliar place, "Iku? What are you doing here? Where did that lady go…?"
"I came to rescue you, you idiot!" Snapped Iku, who was still angry over getting worried about nothing, "And what do you mean by lady? You mean Lucy?"
"…Yeah, that was her name! I… I don't remember much about what happened. All I know is that I was in this shimmering golden void, and a celestial appeared before me. She spoke to me about how the laws and edicts and rulers of Heaven were unjust and unfair, how the world was wretched and broken, and how only I could help change things. She said that the only way to do that was to free her, and she would ascend to the Heavens and fix all the problems of the world. As she spoke, I-I found myself starting to agree with her, so I said yes… …Did I mess up again, somehow?"
"YES! By freeing Lucy, you may have doomed everyone in Heaven! Lucy plans on conquering both Hell and Heaven! From what I've been told, she's probably going to kill a LOT of angels and other such celestials! Oh Tenshi… What have you done?!"
To her credit, Tenshi looked and sounded genuinely mortified. "…Oh, man! Dad's never going to let me hear the end of this!"
"Yeah…" Iku sighed in frustration, "Let's just hope Reimu and Marisa can stop her."
The explosion of light expands, and then condenses itself into a large sphere. This sphere slowly floats up into the air until it's about level with the other six Archdevils and then unfolds and becomes a glittering, glowing aura, revealing Lucy in all of her glory.
Lucy was incredibly beautiful. It wasn't in the sense of a lust devil, though. Rather, she seemed to have the ethereal, radiant beauty all high-ranking celestials were known for. Her attire consisted of long-sleeved white-and yellow-colored robes layered over a padded, light yellow shirt with a high collar. Tied around her waist was a large, tight-fitting metal ring with four long chains with metal spikes attached to the ends. However, the entire bottom half of her was completely encased in a giant wedge of ice. Her long, golden hair was long and flowing, extending all the way down to where her legs would be and for reasons unknown to them, her eyes were completely closed. On her back was twelve brightly-glowing great swords made of light.
This is the person who abducted Tenshi… Thought Iku, She must have needed the power of a strong Celestial to truly escape her imprisonment.
With a radiant smile that had only the slightest hint of pride, she looked around, despite the fact that her eyes were still shut. She first looked at Hecatia, then at Iku and Tenshi, then at Reimu and Marisa, then finally, one by one at the other six Archdevils. Her smile turned tender and sad, and much to the shock of everyone but Hecatia she started to cry, weeping openly and brokenly. She floated over to where Hecatia is, and bowed her head as in apology.
Reimu and Marisa were both shocked by this behavior, and neither girl could quite tell what her gender was.
"She, uh, he?" As she continued to look at her, she decided that Lucy was, in fact, female. "No, she's… Crying? Clearly, this woman isn't like most of the people I've met."
"Hecatia… My dearest friend… Forgive me." Said Lucy sadly. Her voice was just as beautiful as she was, "I am so, so sorry I had to do this. You must understand, I had no choice. I told you before, my love for you wouldn't change my mind. And now look at you. All broken and defeated, stripped of your power and title… …I hate seeing you like this! Here."
Lucy holds out her hand above Hecatia, and small motes of light cascade down from it like snow on her. Hecatia slowly stands up, her strength, power and vitality returning. Hecatia averts her gaze as if in regret while Lucy turns around and floats over to the six Archdevils, once more hanging her head shamefully.
" Ririsu, Faygir, Zaybulle, Mom-mam, Natash, Levy… I must ask for your forgiveness as well. You were all put through so much pain for my cause and all because I wasn't around to help you… I can only hope the rewards I'll give you will more than make up for it."
"Aw, you don't need to apologize to us, Queen Lucy!" Exclaimed Ririsu happily, "It was our pleasure! And like I said, I don't need a reward. I just like helping-
Lucy cut Ririsu off as she smiled gratefully, "Evil plans, yes yes, I know. I'm so happy you all hold no grudges."
Her smile grew as turned her gaze over to Reimu and Marisa who were still staring up at her, still unsure of what she was going to do or what they should when she did make her move.
"Now then… On to business. Reimu. Marisa. I've heard so much about you two. Do you really want to stand in my way? Can't you understand? Every day even in Gensokyo, people are suffering. Most of the yokai are cruel and see the humans as fodder, most of the gods are uncaring, the… ….Celestials… are even worse." Her voice sound very upset, almost hateful as she kept talking.
"And that's not even getting into all those awful other realms, even the Outside World… If you would only stand down and let me complete my takeover, I promise you two that I will fix everything. You will never have to resolve another Incident again. I am unlike the cold, indolent Dragon God or those hypocritical Sages who claim to be your guardians but do nothing to protect anyone, whoever they are…" Her voice continued to get more upset as she spoke.
Very soon, her voice sounds like she's almost begging them. "Please… Stand down. I beg of you… I promise I'll give you anything, everything you want."
"That does sound kind of nice…"
Reimu, on the other hand, was unsure. "I don't know, Marisa. I'll admit, it does sound nice and she brings up some good points, but this seems too good to be true. I can feel her hated, rage and bitterness... It's overwhelming. Something's off."
Standing firm and looking Lucy right in her still-closed eyes, Reimu bravely declared, "Lucy! Before we give you our answer, tell me: How are you going to take over Heaven? How will you rule over us? And you'd better be honest. Trust me; I've been around enough liars to know when someone lies!"
"Dearest Reimu… I don't lie. I never lie. I've come to learn that using the truth is so much more… Rewarding. Very well, I shall answer you. I'll start by forcing all the realms of Hell to band together under my lead. Anyone who dares defy me will be made an example of… I believe a public execution should do the job, most likely in a brutal manner. After all, the living residents here need to know for sure that their actions actually have consequences once and for all! Once they've all been united, I shall bring them crashing down on all of Heaven. It should be easy for us to kill off most of them and round them up into reeducation camps." Her tone and expression remained calm and serene as she explained her big plan.
Her voice turned regretful, but also determined and resolute. "Of course, most of …that place… will have to be burned down and remade in my image. It's regrettable, but it's the only way they can learn, you see. After that, I do believe the land of Gensokyo needs fixing. I will hunt down every, as you would put it, trouble making human and nonhuman who has gone unpunished and once again, force them to see the error of their ways. Of course, they are often unwilling to listen to reason, so I'll likely have to kill… Let's say 70 to 90% of them? Or, if not kill, at least punish as harshly as possible."
"The Outside World is next… After the awful mess those poor silly humans have made of their world, it will surely prosper under my reign. As for you two… You will be spared. However, I have heard some of the bad things you've done… You will have to answer for those things. But you mustn't worry! You've also done so much good that I will personally make sure you get off… Relatively easily. "
Lucy smiled down at them with that same radiant smile even as Reimu and Marisa stared at Lucy in horror. If their looks of pure dread were noticed by her, she didn't seem to care.
"Wh-What!? That's crazy! That's horrible!" Shouted Reimu. It looked like Hecatia was right! Lucy WAS dangerous! They had to stop her and stop her now. "Lucy… You wanted an answer, and we're going to give you one: NO WAY! We'll never allow you to do such horrible things! The world may have its problems, but you're going way too far! You're just going to fix things until they break!"
"Y-yeah! This is crazy talk!" Called out Marisa in agreement, "There's gotta be a better way! We won't let ya take over Gensokyo; we won't let ya hurt our friends!"
As the two girls speak, Lucy slowly but surely starts to frown heavily. Hecatia, who is the first to notice this, starts to pale and give as very disturbed look. The other Archdevils all see this and immediately start to panic, backing away and flying off to the outside of the Pit. Eiki Shiki looks at her boss in concern.
"Lady Hecatia?" Asked Eiki in confusion, "What's wrong? I've never seen you look like this… It's disturbing!"
"Oh no… No no no! Lucy isn't smiling anymore! Lucy isn't smiling anymore!"
"Not… Smiling…? I don't get it! What's the big deal?"
" You don't know Lucy like I do. Lucy almost always smiling and is the type to always lend a helping hand to anyone in need. The key word here is almost. If you somehow manage to get her to stop smiling? Some very, very, very bad things are going to go down. Just ask the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Great Families of the Animal Realm!"
"What are you talking about? There have always only ever been four Great Families ruling over the Animal Realm!"
Hecatia turned to Eiki with a grave expression. "Exactly!"
Eiki thought about what Hecatia just said, then her eyes widened with dread. In a panic, she turned to Hecatia and looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Oh gods. Lady Hecatia… Reimu and Marisa are going to die, aren't they! What should we do?! What CAN we do?!"
"There… There might still be some hope, Eiki Shiki. I know Lucy, and she hasn't killed them just yet…"
"So even after that, you still choose to defy my will? …You pitiful fools." Lucy's voice became twinged with rage, "Do you not know who you are dealing with? Do you not know who I am? You two are just two silly, simple, common, vulgar, weak licentious mortals, whereas I walk the path most righteous! I am so, so much more pure then you in every way! Of my virtue I am justly proud!" She let out a frustrated and resigned sigh.
"I should have known you wouldn't listen to reason. I should have known, you would actually believe you could stop my just cause! And now, you think you can defeat me?! My victory is inevitable! There's no way that you or anyone else can stop my conviction and righteousness! You two… You two don't just need to be beaten… …You need to be humbled."
Reimu stepped forward, completely unafraid, "You don't scare us, Lucy! You're no different than all the other creatures we've beaten. Let's see how you handle a Spell Card Battle! We'll see who gets "humbled" then!"
Marisa took a step forward as well, "Yeah! Let's see what you've got, Lucy!"
"Oh? Beating you at your own game? That sounds perfect."
Lucy turned to the other six Archdevils and spoke in a calm and soothing but harsh and firm voice, "Please don't interfere, you six. These two are mine. It's time for your penance. Hell will be remade in my image!" Lucy's voice rose slightly when she said that last part.
Reimu and Marisa flew up to Lucy's level and the final fight to stop the latest Incident began. The confrontation with Lucy erupted into a frenzied dance of light and projectiles. Reimu and Marisa, their danmaku shots forming intricate patterns, unleashed their barrage upon Lucy, only to witness her absorbing the onslaught with an eerie calmness. The Queen of the Pride Devil immediately began her counterattack, unleashing dazzling beams of light and waves that came from all directions, forcing the shrine maiden and the magician into a defensive dance.
Seven spheres of light soared towards them, and Lucy, with unnerving precision, manipulated the elements of her radiant arsenal. Swords and spears of light rained down, the glow of celestial weapons turning the battlefield into a dazzling spectacle. She kept them at bay by effortlessly wielding a whip of light that cracked through the air, and when they did get to close, Lucy's wings detached and became a whirling tempest of blades.
They kept on pushing back though, and in the midst of this radiant chaos, Lucy started using her first Spell Card. This was Superbia Sign "Light of Destruction". Holding out both hands, she fired an immense vertical laser that consumed most of the Pit. Smaller lasers shot out from the sides, going from top to bottom then bottom to top.
They were barely able to avoid it and when they did, they were greeted by her Second Spell Card, Superbia Sign "Light of Ruin".
"Fall into RUIN!"
She created a maelstrom of white light that called down thousands of light spears and swords. Reimu and Marisa, determined and agile, dodged, countered, and fought back.
Lucy didn't seem to care about any of that, though and just brought her hands in front of her, cupping them and shooting off spreading waves of bullets at them that they both found very familiar.
This is the same attack Hecatia used on us back when we first fought her! Thought Reimu in mild surprise, She must have studied her attacks in case she had to fight her or something like that. Lucy must be clever if she was able to think that far ahead! Or maybe she was just planning this for longer than even Hecatia knew.
But Reimu had no time to think on such matters! Lucy had just turned to her and was about to use another Spell Card! This time, she used three in succession!
The first one was Superbia Sign "Light of Retribution". She thrust out a hand and her hair, robes and wings blew back from the sheer force of the vast cloud of white light that she created in front of her. The cloud blocked their attacks, blew them all the way to the bottom of the Pit, and flooded the Pit with bursts of light, some of which even kept them from moving temporarily.
This did not, however, keep them from staggering to their feet and continuing their own onslaught from the icy floor. But was ready for them with her next Spell Card: Superbia Sign "Light of Glory".
She pointed down at them, producing a three-dimensional magic circle that caused glowing orbs of yellow and white light that surrounded them both. Fearing the worst should they stay in that circle, they flew up and out of them just as they both detonated, creating a vast explosion. They countered with powerful Spell Cards of their own, but they were only able to get off two each before they were greeted with Superbia Sign "Light of Judgment".
"Your judgement is nigh."
She stated to wave her hands randomly, and with these movements came countless rings and crucifixes of light that expanded outward and rotate in random patterns. They could dodge this attack easily though, as this particular type of Spell Card was nothing they hadn't seen before.
She now started using small bullets of light that turned once to track their position before firing at least 666 lasers in random directions. She then raised her hand and eighteen rays of light spread out from random points on the ground, air and walls.
And THAT was an attack from Zaybulle, Natash and Levy! Thought Reimu as she bobbed and weaved through the bullets, Does she have an attack for every Archdevil?
She was actually about to ask Lucy something along those lines, but Lucy cut her off with her next Spell Card. This time, it was Superbia Sign "Light of Wrath".
"Feel my wrath!" She cried out as seven giant beams of light erupted from the ground while she firing seven equally large beams of light from all around her. Even though her eyes were still closed, anger was etched on her face as she used her seventh Spell Card, Superbia Sign "Light of Repentance", on them.
"You will REPENT!" Lucy floated up high above them and dropped four massive super lasers that swept the entire Pit in a random pattern. These lasers left behind trails of white fire that the two girls also had to avoid, which was difficult as the flames seemed to chase them slowly.
Now she started make walls of light to try and crush them between them before they exploded followed by her gathering balls of light that threw at them. When they hit something, they exploded into smaller pieces that flew at them. Finally, she tried to bind them with rings of light before dropping giant balls of light on said ring, destroying it.
Now it's Faygir, Mom-mam and Ririsu… Thought Reimu as she fought back with a Spell Card, I was right. She DOES have an attack for every Archdevil. These were the really hard ones to avoid, too… I think she must have been watching our fights and studying us. Well, we seem to be winning, so I guess it was all for nothing.
Indeed, Lucy did seem to be getting frustrated at how resilient the two of them were. Reimu couldn't help but smirk at this. But Lucy must not have liked that expression very much, because all of a sudden, she was in front of them, preparing to use her eighth Spell Card, Superbia Sign "Light of Lost Paradise", on them at point-blank range.
This Card took the form of a giant crucifix made out of ten giant super-heated spheres of light arranged in the center of the Pit, then separated them both simultaneously and instantaneously, causing them to bounce around of the walls of the Pit and the ground while firing lasers and waves of light out at random. They were able to dodge it despite how close they were, and went back to using her whip of light again, as well as her flying beams and blades.
They continued to trade blows with the Archdevil, each Spell Card intensifying the struggle. As the battle reached its climax, Lucy, with a vindictive gleam in her eyes, initiated her ninth Spell Card, Superbia Sign "Light of Purgatory"! She solidified her light-aura, drew it into herself, and then exhaled it as a purifying flame-shaped wave of destruction which very nearly consumed everything. But Reimu and Marisa pushed through the fiery wave and fought back twice as hard.
Yet, just as Lucy seemed poised for a devastating resurgence, a barrier of light enveloped her, a barrier of healing. Seven increasingly larger layers, each one growing more resilient, materialized around her. Reimu and Marisa, undeterred, bombarded the barrier, their danmaku assault intensifying in desperation.
Suddenly Hecatia's urgent warning pierced through the tumult. "REIMU! MARISA! LUCY'S GOING TO LOOK AT YOU! RUN!"
Neither girl really knew what she meant by "look at them," but the genuine fear in her voice only fueled their determination. The seventh and final layer of the barrier, one so hard to break that it actually required a combined Spell Card shattered with a blinding burst of energy.
Lucy, her aura dimming, betrayed a momentary vulnerability. In a low voice, she uttered, "Very well. I will show you my true power! Bathe in my light and know oblivion!"
The air crackled with an ominous energy as she readied her tenth and final Spell Card. Her most powerful attack of them all: Superbia Sign "Light of Original Sin".
Reimu and Marisa did not know this, but there was a very good reason why Lucy's eyes were always closed: She had the power to completely destroy anything she looked at. It could not be blocked, deflected or absorbed… Anyone who met her gaze had only two options: Flee or be destroyed at the subatomic level.
Lucy's eyes snapped open, revealing light blue eyes that looked soft, tender and sad, as if she had just been crying. Then her eyes flashed and everywhere in front of her were consumed by twin beams of bright white light. The beams were gone as soon as they had appeared, and in their place was nothing. It was as if a giant hand had scooped out a good portion of the area in front of her and tossed it aside.
With deft maneuvers, Reimu and Marisa evaded the impending doom, as were the onlookers of the epic battle. Lucy, momentarily vulnerable, turned only to be met by their unrelenting assault. The final onslaught shattered the ice on her lower body, dismantled the metal ring, and left her clothes slightly torn. Lucy was propelled to the edge of the Pit where she crashed against the wall, her aura extinguished.
Even after landing, she continues to slide along the ground until she reaches the icy pile of rubble where her prison was did she finally come to a halt, covered in injuries and wounds and seemingly unconscious. The other Archdevils, upon seeing Lucy's defeat stared in shock and horror and beat a hasty retreat.
"It's over," Spoke Reimu with finality, "Hecatia should be able to take back control of Hell now." Reimu seemed to pause and think for a few seconds, "Hmm… That was strange."
"What's so strange about what just happened, Reimu?" Asked Marisa. Usually Reimu didn't act like this when she resolved an Incident.
"Throughout the entire fight, I could sense her power. It was so vast…" Reimu's voice contained a sense of awe. Clearly, she meant what she said, "She could have easily killed us on the spot at any time, yet she settled for a simple Spell Card Battle and never once broke the rules. Even when she fired those big rays of light from her eyes, it still wasn't enough to kill us. And why didn't she allow the other Archdevils to help? I don't think we could've handled fighting all seven of them at once… It was almost as if she was deliberately giving us a chance to win and stop her plan. But why?"
"Huh." Marisa found herself nodding in agreement, "Now that ya mention it, ya got a point. I don't get it either, ze."
Hecatia took that opportunity to speak up. "Because that was exactly what Lucy did."
"Eh? What are ya talking about?"
"Lucy's greatest strength and weakness is her empathy for all living things." Revealed Hecatia, "When she saw your desire and reasons to stop her plan, she was able to see where you two were coming from and due to her empathy, a large part of her agreed with your ideals. So, she gave you a chance to defeat her. The events that got her banished aside, Lucy is plagued by crippling self-doubt. That was what took her so long to make her move: She was unsure if she was truly doing what was right and just."
"Wow." Exclaimed Marisa in shock, "Ya weren't kidding about her being unlike any of the other troublemakers, Reimu."
"I'll say! So what are you going to do now, Hecatia? What will you do about your friend, Lucy?"
"I must reinstate my rule and let everyone who works for me know I'm alright." Hecatia gave a sad sigh, "As for Lucy… I'm afraid that she must be punished for what she has done. Will you help me, Eiki Shiki?"
"Of course, Lady Hecatia!"
"Alright then!" Reimu clapped her hands, "I see we're not needed anymore, so let's get you back to Heaven, Tenshi."
"I hope you realize that I must tell your parents what has just transpired, young lady." Said Iku in a very no-nonsense tone of voice.
"Aw man…" Tenshi gave a groan and an annoyed but resigned sigh, "Mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me! Oh well. The rebellion was stopped, so I shouldn't be punished too harshly."
The four girls then flew off, leaving the Infernal Hell and Hell entirely. The latest Incident had been resolved at last, Tenshi was safe and going back to Heaven and it was time for Reimu and Marisa to finally return to Gensokyo.