A: I'm Back! And I'm tired. Just finished finals and I want to lay in a bed and not move. But I had to get one chappy out to make up for my absence, I apologize. There have been a lot more comments than before and I'm very happy about it. Even the power scaling ones, as I find them very interesting. But to those who don't like them, thank you for reading as well. I enjoyed these communities for their passion and storytelling, and a few comments disagreeing with my interpretation won't bother me. This is not some DB fic, and seeing these characters go full throttle will be very rare.

I hope you understand that I will take some "artistic liberties" with the characters sometimes. I want to tell a story that I like, and you might not agree with it. And that's okay! We all play by ZUN's tune, and he is passed out with a few bottles on the podium. I would like to see more comments with their own thoughts and interpretations of the characters, so don't be shy!

So here's another Omake!

Fun Omake 3:

"Remember to keep your eyes on the lily pads. They like to sit on them, but could hide under them as well!"

*Cirno, the titled Ice Warrior Empress and expert frog catcher, tells you one of many tips for her hobby. There has been a lull at the shrine, so Cirno wanted to capture some frogs in ice. You had nothing better to do, so you asked to join her. The ice fairy was elated to show you up and Reimu didn't care, so you took a supervised trip to Cirno's favorite hunting spot.

"Aha! Gotcha!"

*A small amphibian was frozen over while they were minding their own business, and Cirno picked it up. Apparently, this is not harmful to the frog, as they go into a hibernated state while frozen.

"That's one against zero! Try and keep up, don't make this too easy for me!"

*The fey's playful taunt made you search more thoroughly. Soon enough, you find a larger frog on a lily pad. It croaked languidly and you approached the frog with unhurried steps to not startle it. The amphibian noticed you and turned to face the shore. It let out a slow croak. Due to knowing Froggit Language, you can understand it.

"Gero Gero. (Welcome, little tadpole, to our small paradise.)"

*You squat to be more level with the frog and it continues to speak.

"Gero Gero! (We don't get many like you here. So to celebrate the occasion, I will sing the song of my kind!)"

*You listen to the frog as it lets out a grumbling melody. It is full of passion and wit, he has a bright future ahead as a musician.

"Oh, you found one! And it's a big guy, Dark Lord!"

*The frog stopped his serenade and narrowed his eyes at Cirno.

"Gero! Gero! (You frosted gnat! You will pay dearly for imprisoning my kin! We will have the last laugh when our master consumes you!)"

*Cirno didn't understand the frog, so she froze it in a sphere of ice.

"What a mouthy thing. Here you go, Dark Lord! A tribute to your effort. But I will top that achievement!"

*You are handed the frozen amphibian. As she boasted about surpassing you, two eyes peer from the pond. They were big, very big. You wisely stepped back as a large form loomed over the fey while Cirno was unaware of her impending doom.

"I've collected a lot more in the past few weeks! I might have broken a previous record! Don't worry, this expert will trade pointers with you. I know, I'm too generous."

*You watch as the huge toad opens its mouth and you take another step back. Cirno looked confused until she noticed it too late. She yelped as the toad clamped down on its new meal. It was quite a humorous tale of hubris, but you didn't want Cirno to get eaten. You bargained with the toad for Cirno's life. You both walked away from the pond with no frozen frogs and one empty inventory slot.

"We never speak of this."

*You nod at Cirno, not wanting to be reminded that her worth is equivalent to a bag of potato chips. You both head back to the shrine in relative silence.

"Hey! Get back here!"

*It didn't take long for Meiling to catch up. You dodge another Qi blast (Chi? Ki?) as the guard hounds you down the corridor. She huffs as her attacks fail to make contact with you.

"After the little stunt you pulled, you're not escaping under my watch again!"

*The smell of a teahouse permeates the hall.

[Act]

Pose: Hong Meiling

*You stop running and turn around to face Meiling. You get into a stance like in a kung-fu movie. She pauses and looks at your poor display.

"What are you doing? Your footing is way off! Someone could push you over easily, make it more planted! And why is your arm over there? Move it over a bit!"

*You take a moment to follow Meiling's suggestions, shifting your stance to her demanding specifications. The position felt a bit more natural and centered. You thank her for the guidance, and she puffs up.

"It's nothing, kid! As a T'ai Chi master, fixing a rookie mistake is part of- Wait a second. You're trying to distract me! Well, that won't work!"

Flower Sign "Gorgeous Sweet Flower"

*A flower of yellow bullets blooms from Meiling. With your modified stance, you focus on your breathing and take it slow. You move methodically through the petals, predicting the pattern and making slight adjustments instead of running around. You are flowing through Danmaku like a lotus petal floating down the stream.

*After dodging the fourth wave, you hear something making contact with stone. You look at one of the marble pillars in the hall as it rocked from the force of the Danmaku. A familiar scene plays out as a peculiar vase on the stone platform starts to tip over. Meiling's face turned white as she too noticed as well.

"What!? No! Don't fall!"

*The redhead stops her Spell Card and runs towards the vase. It is falling over and is now off the pedestal. Meiling is too slow to catch it before it meets the ground, her desperation fully displayed. When disaster is about to strike, you make your choice.

[Act]

Catch

*You dive with your arms out like you were about to grab a baseball before the batter was about to make it to third base. You don't catch it. Instead, the vase lands on your back as you slide under it. Despite landing on you with a comical "thump!" It was undamaged. You thank the sweater you wear, as its puffiness saved the day along with your spine. The precarious flower housing rolls off harmlessly, and you pick it up off the ground to hand it over to a sprinting Meiling. She stops and sighs in relief when she sees it's not in a thousand pieces.

*Meiling takes it from your hands and carefully places it back on the pedestal. She nodded in assurance when it was lined up to its original spot, back to stability.

"Good job, Frisk. You really saved me from a horrible fate. But that doesn't mean I'll let you leave."

*Meiling crosses her arms while staring you down.

[Act]

Plan B: Hong Meiling

*You look behind Meiling and say, "Hi, Sakuya!" The guard's eyes widen and she turns around in fear.

"Izayoi-san!?"

*...

[Mercy]

Flee

*You make yourself absent.

*You go down a side corridor, down some steps, and find a set of reinforced doors. You open one of them and slip inside. As you close the large door behind you, you look out to a vast library. Bookshelves are lined up in a large, layered circular pattern with enough room for pathways into the middle of the circle. The ceiling of this room is lofty, way higher than the massive hallways. The walls of the room are filled from top to bottom with books.

*You hear an exclamation from behind the door you went through. It seems like your ruse won't last long, so you run- I mean- silently powerwalk through the library toward the first set of bookshelves. As you turn the corner, you hear the door open. You subtly peek from behind one of the bookshelves, away from the direct path of the door. Meiling looks around, not happy about your little vanishing act. As she (also quietly) makes her way to the first row, you circle around and keep yourself hidden.

*You know that this game of running in circles will end with you getting caught, so you look around to find a temporary hiding place. In the center of the library is a large, circular desk topped with piles of books. It's risky, but you think that the least likely place to check is the most obvious one. You head towards the desk and hide under it by the empty chair.

*As you make yourself comfortable, you hear footsteps. You stay still as the unhurried steps stop at the desk. A stack of books is placed with the others, and the steps go around to find the seat right next to you. You see a girl in a sleep dress, a white overcoat, and a nightcap with a crescent moon pin. Her purple eyes looked placid as she took a book from the pile and sat on the chair, pushing her violet hair behind her ear to read.

*The girl reads the book while you just keep quiet. Soon, the lady's eyes slide right off the page and onto you. You stare back as the girl doesn't react to your presence. She didn't make a face or yell, just stare at you with those placid eyes.

*You wave and continue to hide. The girl, in turn, went back to reading. You enjoy the silence as a hurried set of footsteps join in. You hear Meiling's voice as the library girl looks over to her left.

"Ah! Miss Knowledge! Have you seen anyone running through here?"

*The girl stared at the guard with a blank expression.

"I see you running around and yelling in a library. Be quiet next time."

*The curt answer caused Meiling's voice to shut up, stunned. You hear her in a much softer tone.

"Sor-! *Ahem* sorry, Miss Knowledge. I've been looking for a child. Small, wears blue, and dark hair. Ringing any bells?"

*The girl stares down at the pages, but the eyes shift over to you. She pauses and then answers while looking directly at you.

"It does sound familiar. I might have seen something like that in here. Check North."

"Great! Thanks, Miss Knowledge!"

*Meiling, who forgot her indoor voice, ran past the front of the desk to head to where you hid before you switched to your current hiding spot. As the steps went farther from the desk, you crawled out and stood up next to the sitting librarian. You bow politely, but she doesn't react. Her eyes are still glued to the page.

*Unbothered by her reclusive behavior, you quietly ask where you can find another exit. Her lavender eyes flicked toward you and back at the book, probably wondering why you were still here. She answers while reading.

"There is the East wing entrance, where you came from. Then there's the West wing, the other entrance is there."

*You nod and thank her. Turning west, you silently head over to the next set of doors. Looking around to see if Meiling is around the area, you pass the bookshelves and through the West wing entrance.

'So, that was the apprentice Kirisame was gloating about?' Patchouli Knowledge thought as she kept reading her book now that all distractions left her alone. But she remembered the smell that lingered on the child. The faint smell of dirt, herbs, mushrooms, and acids wafted from the child's clothing, reminding her of a certain book thief that bothered her occasionally. And like the golden-haired magician, the kid wasn't anything special at first glance.

"At least they were quiet, unlike some people." She said as her gaze left the book and towards an increasingly annoying Meiling, who was still running around the bookshelves to find a child that was no longer in the room anymore. The librarian looked to the West Wing, where the child decided to go. 'They are heading towards the basement. I hope they know what they are doing. If not… Well, she did need some entertainment.'

Patchouli went back to her book. The kid will make the right choice, or they won't. It's not her responsibility. 'She's been bored lately. That would make her a bit more amicable… I think.'

*You continue down more stairs. The farther down you go, the more a sinking feeling in your gut starts to deepen. There is something in the air that you can't put your finger on. As you reach the final step, you notice that the carpeted halls and wooden floors have been replaced with stone slabs. The ceiling is lower, and there are no windows to take away the oppressive darkness. You keep walking down the hall past some sconces with dim candle flames, assuming that this place is some sort of cellar or storage area. You tried opening one of the few doors you came across, but it was locked.

*Soon enough, you hit a dead end. The hall just ends with an abrupt wall with no way to go further. You scratch your head at the dilemma. You could go back but risk running into Sakuya or Meiling again. As you were about to head back to the stairs, you heard a door close beside you. Turning your head towards the noise, you see this door differs from the others. While the basement doors were practical and unadorned, this one is lacquered and painted red. You wondered if someone was watching you from this door, and you didn't notice because of the strange atmosphere that permeates this place.

*The door sits there… menacingly. But your curiosity won over your caution. Your hand leaves your side and starts gravitating towards the brass knob. Before you even touch it, the doorknob turns. The red door creaks open without your input. It's like whoever was on the other side was inviting you in. Past the doorway is a wall of pitch black. The dim light of the halls couldn't pierce through the veil of darkness of this room, and even your underground-accustomed vision couldn't reveal what's in there.

*You know this could be dangerous, but when you think about it, what part of your stay here has not been dangerous? With Bravery filling your heart and Determination stirring in your SOUL, you SAVE and take your first step into the unknown.

*You walk into the abyss. Your shoes step on soft carpet instead of the hard stone floor of the cellar hallway. But as you get farther from the entranceway, the red door slams shut from behind. You look around to find there is no light whatsoever to guide you back to the exit. As you walk around in confusion, you hear a voice full of playful mirth.

"Finally, someone visits my room. I was about to count the bricks lining the walls from sheer boredom. But, I never expected someone like you to be down here. Are you a new toy? Did my sister send you?"

*You try to find where the voice is coming from, but it bounces around the room without an origin. You feel a presence and look behind. You briefly saw something red vanish before you could get a good look at it. You ask who you are talking to. The voice giggled and spoke again.

"Hehehe! Who am I? Do you know whose house you are in? Are you lost, little toy? Did you come from the village? Did the other children dare you to walk in here?"

*The voice insistently questions you, amused at your predicament. You say you want to answer but can't see who you are talking to. The voice pauses as if considering your statement.

"Oh, right. I forgot that you humans can't see that well in the dark. Well, allow me to help."

*A clap from a pair of hands echoes out, and then the hidden candelabras and sconces light the room, unveiling the area. You are face to face with someone and take a step back in surprise. It's a girl just a few centimeters taller than you, with short golden hair tied into a side tail. Her dress and vest are a bright red with a white shirt and sleep cap (You are noticing a pattern around here.)

*But that's where the human aspects end. A set of wings sprout from her back, which looks like two black vines with many crystals hanging off in an array of colors. Her eyes are like bright rubies, and her two incisors peek slightly out of her upper lip like fangs. As you inquisitively gaze at the girl, she is also sizing you up. Her head tilted to the side, with eyes filled with an avid curiosity about the new person who entered her domain.

"Now you can see me, I'll introduce myself. I'm Flandre Scarlet, and this is my personal dwelling. I ask who you are and why you're here."

*Flandre does a slight curtsy and waits for your response. You don't know what to make of this girl, but you try to be polite. You answer her question. She looked mildly uninterested in your name, but her eyes widened when you said you were taken here from the shrine.

"Shrine? Do you mean the Hakurei Shrine? Do you know a Reimu Hakurei?"

*You almost flinched as she leaned towards you with her intense gaze. You nod and say she's your friend. Her smile widens at your answer.

"Oh, little Red. She has time to make friends but has none to play with me, like she promised. Do you think that's a bit cruel?"

*You don't answer the rhetorical question. Reimu didn't say anything about a Flandre, probably for a good reason. But the girl sounded disappointed that the shrine maiden didn't visit. You make a choice.

[That's rough, buddy] [I'll play with you!]

[I'll play with you!]

*...Are you REALLY sure you want to say that?

[Definitely not] [Absolutely]

[Absolutely]

*Well, if you insist.

*Flandre looked a bit surprised at your offer. After a second, her smile was like a child being handed a Christmas gift. Her casual curiosity turned into interest.

"Of course! A friend of Reimu is a friend of mine. What should we play? How about a tea party? Come, come! We have so much to discuss!"

*Flandre Scarlet gestures to a table with four seats. She grabs your arm and pulls you along to join her.

*Dating Start...?

*You get put in front of one of four seats, and you choose to pull one out to sit down. Or you would have, but Flandre's iron grip on your arm prevents you from doing so.

"No. I'm the host, you are the guest! Minus 10 points! You let me seat you."

*As you question why there is a point system, she pulls the chair out to invite you to sit in it. You sit down to let your friendly host push you to the table, a bit too quickly. You cough as the tabletop rams into your stomach (-3 HP), a rib might have cracked. Flandre seemed to not notice your less-than-comfortable experience.

"That's an unnecessary question. Now let me get a tea set, don't move."

*Flandre turns and heads to a dresser off to the side, right next to a bed with a… coffin? You look around and notice that this is a very unadorned bedroom with stone-block walls and little furniture, unlike the guest rooms in the mansion. Other than the bed, there is nothing to note in this room. Flandre takes a tea set tray that was on the dresser by a few dolls. She walks back with the tray and sets it on the table.

"I would have a fresh pot of tea by now, but the staff has been absent lately. So, we will make due!"

*You see a couple of unmatching teacups, a teapot, a sugar cup, teaspoons, butter knives, and pastry plates. You were about to reach for a cup, but you stopped when you saw a dangerous glint in Flandre's eye. She smiled innocently, but how she bent a teaspoon into an angle tells you what you are doing is wrong. You politely ask for a cup of tea and her demeanor changes.

"Of course! What teacup do you want? I know they are not identical, I'm only allowed these due to previous accidents with other tea sets."

*You nod and point at the one that stood out to you. Flandre nods and pours the tea into the cup, pushing the saucer towards you. The teacup was green with golden cracks through the body and a dark liquid in its confines. You remember your tea time with Asgore, pick up the cup with your thumb and pointer around the handle, and use the rest of your digits to hold the bottom to give stability. Flandre nodded and grabbed her cup.

"Good manners, plus 5 points. If there were any pastries, it would complement this occasion."

*You take one of the plates, add a Cinnamon Bunny from your items, and hand it over to your host. Flandre took it with anticipation. As she bites into the rabbit-shaped treat, you drink your tea. It's room temperature. But overall, it's quite good. The silence was awkward, so you asked how she knew Reimu. After wiping the crumbs with a napkin, Flandre answered with a slightly too wide smile.

"Oh, we fought each other. It was so much fun! Little Red was very strong, that is what made the playtime better! You know her, are you also strong?"

*You look towards your arm and try flexing. Arron would have appreciated the attempt, but you shrug and say you don't think you're strong. Flandre looked confused by your half-hearted statement.

"You think? That's dumb, it's either you are strong or weak. There is no in-between. I could tell by looking into someone's eyes. The eye is a window into the soul, after all. I'm curious, what does your soul look like?"

*Flandre reaches her hand over the table and tries to go for one of your closed eyelids. You flinch uncomfortably from her hovering digits and tell her you didn't like that. She stopped but was not upset by your response. In fact, her smile widened a bit more.

"Just kidding! Now, let's continue with our tea party! You still have a 5-point deficit to make up."

*You nod slowly at her, still trying to figure out her logic. You wonder if anyone else is faring better than you.

Sakuya is not faring well. After she met with the Mistress, she returned to a guest room that was missing not only its guest but also the guard. Now, she is looking through rooms, trying to find Meiling or the child as she gets closer to the entrance. The maid could only find evidence of a chase as she moved down the halls: a moved vase here, a tipped armor stand there, some scuffs in the walls, and fraying in the carpet.

These small damages compound as her patience burns like a lit fuse. 'If I find that child, I might have to disarm them for these transgressions.' Sakuya thought darkly. She slowed down to calm herself, why did she consider that? It's just a child, why is she getting so irritated? The maid continued down the hall, thinking 'There is no need for that, letting a rude guest get under your skin is unbecoming of a servant.'

Self-chastised, the maid runs down the hall, focused solely on getting to the entrance. Sakuya stops at a vase to see it's again off the pedestal's center. She pushes it back, clicking her tongue at the lack of respect for Mistress' home. This purple vase is like that child, it won't keep to its place despite her clear attempts to correct it. Her job would be much simpler if everything stopped moving, but that is the way of life.

Sakuya looks over to the stairwell towards the library. All things point in this direction. Before she takes a step, a loud bang echoes down the corridor. She changes her gaze down the hall, towards the mansion's front entrance.

'Did they already make their escape? I have to stop them!' Sakuya continues towards the entrance, hoping she isn't too late before the child makes it to the forest. When she sees the front doorway, she halts at the main lobby.

The main doors have been blasted off their hinges, lying on the floor. A silhouette walks through the now vacant entryway. A young woman dressed in red and white, a purification rod in one hand, sealing talismans in the other, and a set of floating orbs follow behind. The woman's chestnut eyes lock onto the maid's silver ones. Sakuya's job has become more difficult as the clock has run out.

"Reimu Hakurei. I did not expect such an early visit. May I ask why you're here?" Sakuya stated. It wasn't a lie, she did not anticipate that the guardian would get here so fast. Reimu stared at the housemaid with an accusatory glare. "You know why I am here. Where is Frisk?"

Sakuya answered calmly, "I don't know who you're referring to." The head of a yokai peered through the doorway and sniffed the air. They said, "She's lying, I caught Frisk's scent. They are here and you are the one who took them!"

The maid raises an eyebrow at the unfamiliar Komainu. Cleaning her clothes did not work as well as she thought. Reimu declares, "If you are going to play dumb, I'll just ask Remilia then."

Sakuya stood her ground. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that. Mistress is busy with other matters." the maid said with unwavering conviction. She may not be strong enough to stop the Hakurei, but she will try to slow her down. Hopefully, the child is found and brought to Mistress before the maiden intervenes.

Reimu sees that Sakuya isn't backing down, which she predicted. It's not like she is going to pull back any punches anyway. But for clarity, the maiden asks a question. "When you kidnapped Frisk, did you harm them?"

The dutiful maid was silent for only a split second. She answered, "I did what I was ordered to do." Reimu's power surged as she prepared for a Danmaku Battle.

"I didn't hear a 'No.'"

…

Marisa flies to the Scarlet Devil Mansion, looking down at the front entrance. "Seems like we're not the first to break in." She states, knowing that Reimu is currently carving a path through the mansion.

Aya snaps a picture with her camera from her passenger seat, thinking of a clever headline to go along with it. "Should we follow behind? There is no gate guard to stop us," the tengu says leadingly. Marisa thought about the idea but mentally scraped it when she saw a skylight. The witch smiles deviously and states, "We don't need to follow. I know another way in."

The broom pushes forward, and Aya follows Marisa's gaze to the roof skylight. She says, "Kirisame, that's a window." The witch responds, "Yep," as she accelerates her descent. Aya reasons, "But that window doesn't open!" Marisa exclaims, "I know! Hang on tight!" as she dives towards the glass structure. Aya screams "Are you crazy!?" as they near their target.

Before they make contact, Marisa creates an energy cone around the broom and over the two passengers. They become a blazing comet, descending like heaven's hell-sent gift. The skylight shatters into thousands of pieces.

…

A few minutes before, Patchouli was minding her own business. She was reading in her study when Meiling walked up to her defeatedly and whined, "Miss Knooooledge. Please help, Izayoi-san is going to kill meeee." The guard failed to find the child she was supposed to watch. She checked every section of the library and still hadn't noticed they left the room a while ago.

Patchouli answers with, "Should you be worried more about receiving punishment from Remi?" Meiling looked even more afraid. She knew Sakuya was straightforward with her punishments but her boss was more unpredictable. It could be light, or it could be worse than hell. It depended on the Mistress' mood. Since the child was coveted so highly, Meiling's punishment would not be the former.

The librarian sees the guard is getting too imaginative and she explains, "As long you keep looking, you will be fine. It's not like Remi will drop the sky on you."

After she finishes her sentence, the skylight above her study is blasted into shards and falls like jagged rain. In a single moment, a calm Patchouli stares up at a grinning Marisa, while a screaming Aya mirrors the emotions of a nearly fainting Meiling.

Patchouli summons one of her grimoires from her pile and it eagerly flips its pages to a magic diagram. The spell within the book activates, and a gust of wind protects the many books under the skylight, causing the falling glass to divert and only scatter on the wooden floors. "You know there are functional entrances into the library, right Kirisame?" The librarian spoke towards the mage with an annoyed undercurrent.

"Oh, I know. But I wanted to meet a good ol' friend of mine so badly, that I decided to take a faster route." Marisa said with an unapologetic aplomb. Patchouli didn't buy her explanation, she undoubtedly did it to mess with her. "And the real reason you're here? Perhaps it's finding a lost child?"

Marisa nods at her. "You catch on pretty quickly. Do you know where they might be?" She asked, and Patchouli finally got up from her seat.

The librarian floats up to the witch, saying "I might have a clue. But since you had to crash through my skylight, I am not in the mood to give anything to you freely. Beat me in a Spell Card Dual, and I will tell you what I know." Marisa nods at Patchouli's demand, this is absolutely part of the plan and not made to anger her rival. She is above that and not petty, at all. Aya exclaims "Hey! I'm still here! At least let me get off." The tengu jumps from her spot and floats down towards the ground. She could partake in the fight but is not as confident without her wings.

'If I find the kid first, I could have an uninterrupted interview as payment!' Aya thought while she tried to vacate the area. Before she had the chance to escape, Meiling stepped in and stated, "And where do you think you are going?" The tengu tried to keep things civil. "I was just on my way to the exit," she lied. The guard smiled and answered, "Oh? Don't worry about it. After this fight, I'll throw you out and get back some face. No hard feelings, right?"

Aya clicked her tongue at the guard's response. "Looks like I have no choice." The tengu prepared for a fight.

Marisa powers up her Mini-Hakkero while Patchouli summons many grimoires from the library, pulling them magically from shelves, stacks, and book piles. They float beside her like sentinels, flipping through parchment full of texts of elemental forces. The one-week girl speaks to her opponent. "You will regret doing this." Marisa fires back, "I never regretted anything."

A two on two Danmaku Battle commences.

"Good, very well done! You sure know a lot about tea parties!"

*You find yourself against the wall, with many knives embedded in it. Flandre sat in her chair and complimented you for choosing the butter knife that missed your arm.

*During tea time, the girl asked many questions about your time with Reimu and humans in general. Her knowledge of humans is quite lacking, and information about them fascinates her. Flandre's favorite subject is kid's games and toys.

*When not questioning you, she gets bored and 'tests your etiquette.' Flandre would randomly throw out trivia with a dangerous twist. If you get a question wrong or do something incorrectly, she will deduct points and aggressively rectify your mistake, readjusting your posture like a doll to throwing projectiles at high speeds. For getting the difference between a butter knife and a bread knife confused, she demonstrated it to you. Flandre gave you a closer inspection by throwing a bunch of knives at you (a common greeting around these parts, apparently.) You rolled out of your seat and dodged the knives, barely avoiding getting impaled, again.

*You return to your seat, place the knife by your plate, and continue drinking your tea. Flandre put her hands together, happy about the situation.

"This has been fantastic! You don't complain like some other people."

*You ask if anyone from the mansion plays with Flandre. She answers honestly.

"Nope! Well, not that much. 'Dear sister' wanted to rain on my parade because I wanted to have a little fun. I was moved here because others feared me. Maids do visit, but I'm usually left alone."

*You stared at Flandre, who didn't seem bothered by her circumstances. You ask if she feels lonely down here. She seemed puzzled by your question as if the concept was foreign to her. She decides to move on.

"Looks like our tea party is coming to an end. You have a total of minus 25 points. It may look grim, but you could make it back with the final part of the tea party!

*You question if she's referring to dessert. She smiles with innocent enthusiasm, cheerfully answering.

"No, silly! It's my favorite part!: An invigorating battle to the death~!"

*...

[Come again?] [Figures]

[Figures]

"That's the spirit! Now, let's play."

*She brings up her arm and drops it onto the table, smashing it into splinters. You jump off of your chair, away from the debris. As you land, you drink the rest of your tea and place the cup and saucer on the ground. You dodge a flying chair and it clatters against the stone wall, the others have been tossed to the side or destroyed. Flandre looks at you with a predatory smile.

"Then there was one."

[!]

*A destructive aura toys with your anxiety.

[Fight] [Item] [Act] [Mercy]

HP 15/20

[Act]

Check: Flandre Scarlet

*A girl with an appetite for battle, her Attack and Defence are unknown. Good luck.

"This is going to be so much fun!"

Taboo "Cranberry Trap"

*A strafing barrage of purple orbs converge on the center of the room, causing them to cascade outward towards you. Another set of blue orbs fire directly at you when you dodge them. The orbs leave shallow dents in the wall behind you, causing stone dust to fall onto the carpeted floor. This pattern of direct and indirect went on until she started to slow down to a halt.

*Flandre giggles at your efforts.

"You humans are so entertaining! Miss Reimu, Miss Marisa, and now you, Little Toy! All of you are humans, but so different. I wonder, how do you fight?"

*The air swirls like a circling tiger. It's powerful enough to churn butter.

[Act]

[Excite]

*You stated that she has to hit you first. Flandre is delighted by your provocation.

*Attack Speed is Increased! Her excitement affected her aim!

"You tease me! Then I shan't disappoint with that reward!"

(Forbidden) Barrage "Starbow Break"

*You sensed something was off, and you barely avoided the row of colorful bullets that appeared from behind. Lines of Danmaku appear from different locations behind you and fly toward Flandre. When they arrive at her, they form a rainbow arc and float back to you. It would be mesmerizing if not for the fact that you are currently trying to survive. Flandre, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying herself while trying to hit you.

"This game has been fun! How about a different game? I have a few in mind."

*Flandre is currently thinking up a game to play.

[Item]

Use: SpidrDont

*Don't worry, Spider didn't. Your HP is now full.

"Ah, I know! This might look familiar since you have been in a Shinto Shrine, Little Toy."

Taboo "Kagome, Kagome"

*Lines of Danmaku form around you, weaving into a cage that limits your movement. After the fence has been created, Flandre throws out projectiles that grow into massive orbs that knock away any obstacles. Due to the small room, you had difficulty avoiding the bulldozing spheres and the smaller Danmaku that broke off from the fence. Inevitably, you get hit by one of the large orbs when you try desperately to evade the smaller bullets, sending you flying into the cracked wall.

*-13 HP

*You cough and hack as you land on the carpet, shocked by the ridiculous amount of damage you took. As you straighten yourself out, you gaze at a very cheerful Flandre. It seems like she's not taking this fight seriously as if genuinely believing that you both are playing a game.

"Yay! I won this round. You are quite enjoyable to play with. Plus ten points! Come on, Little Toy. Don't break already!"

*Flandre is not letting up her attack and you hold onto your Determination.

Time Sign "Tunnel Effect"

Sakuya desperately threw knives at the shrine maiden. Even with carefully placed attacks, encircling the girl with dozens of silver blades, they fail to leave even a scratch on her. No matter how much she plans, manipulates time, or tries to overwhelm Reimu with numbers, the red maiden sidesteps every attempt against her.

A placid look of boredom is on her face like Sakuya's spell cards were nonexistent. It's like the Danmaku wanted to evade her. 'Either that or Sakuya is trying to waste my time.' Reimu thought as she flew around the spiraling Spell Card, indecisive of which possibility could be more frustrating. She powers up the Ying-Yang Orbs for another attack, ready to end this Danmaku Battle and continue Frisk's rescue. Sakuya's eyes widened as she saw the divine treasure gathering energy. The maid tried to use another spell card to prevent the shrine maiden from getting closer.

Void "Inflation Square"

A swarm of knives appeared instantly, filling the entire room with bladed edges to intercept Reimu. The maiden swoops, swerves, and rolls out of the way as she leaves a trail of amulets. Sakuya moves as Reimu flies past her. She sees the amulets heading toward her and she stops time once again. As she turns around to find a safe place, she notices more talismans behind her. Sakuya looked around to see talismans everywhere. Reimu attacked from multiple angles while the maid was distracted.

Divine Spirit "Dream Seal -Blink-"

Sakuya tries and fails to find a gap between the amulets, she is surrounded with no way out. 'I have to escape,' the maid thought as she used her 'room wipe' as a last-ditch effort.

Time Sign "Dual Vanish"

She targets the Danmaku and they vanish from the present, leaving the entire room empty. While catching her breath, Sakuya searches for Reimu. A bright light appears above her and she moves to the side as an orb of divine light slams into the ground. Even when the attack missed, she could feel the burning light emanating from the orb. For some reason, this blinding light gave her a foreboding sense of deja vu. Reimu hovers above the point of impact, looking directly at Sakuya with intent. The maid snaps out of her introspection and prepares for another attack from the red maiden. But she realized too late that Reimu's gaze was not at her, but from behind.

The second Ying-Yang orb strikes at Sakuya's back. She couldn't stop time, her energy used up from her previous Spell Cards. The maid was flung forward as the orb released all of its energy.

Holy Relic "Ying-Yang Kishin Orb"

Reimu flies up to intercept the spinning Sakuya and raises her Gohei. The dazed maid sees her judgment approaching, or is she approaching her judgment? Either way, the room is a catastrophic mess. 'I need to clean up. Mistress is going to be upset.' is her final thought as the Gohei lands directly on her head.

Winner: Reimu Hakurei

"That was for Frisk. Don't kidnap children." Reimu stated to a prone Sakuya that was covered in sealing talismans. The maid slowly got up while trying to look dignified. She gritted her teeth to prevent herself from seething from her bruises. Her back is going to ache for a week. "I'll keep that in mind. Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't know where this child is. You have to ask someone else."

Reimu nodded as an absent yokai peered from behind the door frame. Aunn looked at the knives stuck in the wall she was hiding behind. 'Why did they always try to hit me!? I wasn't even in the fight!' The shrine guard lamented inwardly as Reimu decided to move forward, leaving the head maid to tend to her wounds. When Aunn noticed and tried to catch up, Reimu went into her mental checklist. "The guard is absent and Sakuya is down. That leaves Remilia," she mumbled as fairy maids attacked from side rooms.

As the Human and Yokai head down the winding halls, Aunn's nose twitches and she stops. "Wait! Frisk's scent is strong here!" she exclaimed as her partner halted and looked over to where the Komainu indicated. Aunn stared at the stairway leading down into a set of double doors. But she also looked down the hallway they were flying through, processing information.

"Which direction are they heading in?" Reimu asks impatiently, not willing to waste any more time. Aunn shook her head and said, "I apologize, I don't know." The maiden in red tried to decide if she had to detour into the stairway or continue deeper into the mansion to find Remilia.

Aunn spoke up with a solution. "Let us split from here. I'll check out this room while you continue onward. Go kick some vampire behind!" Reimu thought about it and agreed. "Right. If you find Frisk, don't try to look for me. Just grab them and get out."

Both nodded and split off, one going to the library and the other headed deeper into the mansion.

…

Wood Sign "Sylphy Horn High Level"

Marisa evaded the storm of razor-edge leaves as she retaliated against her opponent. The blond mage shoots out magic missiles and lasers, focusing more on the former to counteract the many slave spells Patchouli would use, blasting through any summoned book that tries to interfere. However, the librarian saw right through her strategy and used a Spell Card that kept Marisa moving while she couldn't defend against it. But Marisa, having seen this Spell Card before, has an answer to it.

Love Sign "Non-Directional Laser"

Many brilliant lasers cut through the storm like a scythe through the autumn harvest. Marisa taunts "Come on 'Miss Knowledge!' Has putting your head between pages made you rusty?" She laughs as Patchouli calmly switches to a different Spell Card, stating, "I'd focus on my surroundings, wouldn't you?"

Illusion Sign "Imaginary Flower Yumekazura"

Scattering blue orbs fly from below as Marisa tries to maneuver around the new obstacle. After righting herself, the sorceress peers down to yell. "Hey, I'm tryin' to focus here! Direct all those attacks to you!" Marisa complained to Aya and she responded with, "Easy for you to say! I'm trying my heart out to dodge!" The grounded yokai has been in an uphill battle without her superior agility against Meiling. The guard's attacks and the bombardment from above are putting her in an uncomfortable position.

"Then blow it away! Just give it more Ohmf!" Marisa stated like it was the most obvious answer in the world, pulling out Mini-Hakkero to face Patchouli's next wave. "'Then blow it away,' she says. 'Give it more Ohmf,' she states. Fine then!" Aya remarked as she pulled out the Hauchiwa Fan to do as Marisa suggested.

Wind Sign "Opening Wind of The Tengu Realm"

Aya waves her fan and a heavy gale surges through the air, tossing books in the library and blasting away Meiling's Spell Card. The guard slides back from the force and cries out, "No fair! You can't take suggestions from others!" Aya smiles and relents, "Okay, here's a suggestion for you: Duck!"

Wind God "Tengu's Fall Wind"

In an instant, hurricane winds rush over the bookshelves, causing many tomes, scrolls, and loose paper to swirl in a massive whirlwind. Both Patchouli and Meiling had to weather the storm, while Marisa was unaccosted by the tomes that would have attacked her. Patchouli changed from a fire-aligned spell to prevent her books from getting into the crossfire.

Earth & Metal Sign "Emerald Megalith"

The librarian chose a heavier Spell Card and dropped it on the more problematic tengu. Marisa sees the green spheres fall and push through the winds effortlessly. She decided to help while Meiling used Aya's attack against her.

Love Sign "Master Spark"

Rainbow Sign "Colorful Rainbow Wind Chime"

The petals of Meiling's attack get picked up in the wind of Aya's spell. Marisa's laser blasted Patchouli's megaliths into gravel, shaking the entire room.

Utter Chaos was the state of the library. Aya protected herself from the raining debris with a wind barrier, Marisa dodged the scattering petals, Meiling jumped out of the way of the carnage, and Patchouli warded her books from the punishment, neglecting to protect herself.

There was a lull from the attacks as everyone waited for others to make the first move. Patchouli glared at Marisa while she smiled back at her. "One last time?" The witch asked, the librarian nodded.

"For keeps." Patchouli declared and five books opened up in response. Marisa summons a massive spell circle from her hand, just like the fireworks display. Aya panics and puts up a shield of Danmaku. Meiling breathes and a mass of Qi forms from her hands.

Fire Water Wood Metal Earth Sign "Philosopher's Stone"

Magic Space "Asteroid Belt"

Crossroad Sign "Saruta Cross"

Star Chi "Earth-Moving Star Pulse Bulle-

"HEY!" a voice called out and all four stopped to look at who interrupted the Spell Card Dual. Aunn yelled out from the East entrance to ask a question when the constant attacks drowned out her voice. She realized that she rudely interrupted a Danmaku Battle and blushed from the many eyes on her now.

"I was... looking for… Frisk. Have you… seen them?" The Kamainu spoke quietly, not used to being the center of attention.

Winner: Undecided

The underground room shakes from an outside source and Flandre Scarlet curiously looks around. 'Strange. That wasn't one of my attacks.' She assumed it had something to do with her sister, or someone similarly powerful. 'More playthings? Oh, I hope so.'

The vampire grinned at the possibility as she stared at the young human before her. They bowed politely as if they were on a stage. She didn't hesitate to start her next Spell Card.

Forbidden Barrage "Catadioptric"

She fires out waves of massive orbs that bounce around the room and then reach her opponent. The child danced around the chaotic Danmaku, their closed eyes scanning around to predict the next set coming at them. Their efforts only kept them from getting hit by most attacks, one slipping through and throwing them off balance from the force. The child reorientated and then took out a strange apple from nowhere and bit into it. She didn't mind the improper consumption, as there is no table currently.

"Little Toy is so odd. And fun!" Flandre stated with enthusiasm. This one human didn't insult her, fear her, or nag her ear off when she wanted to play. They dance, have tea, and can take a hit with their deceptively fragile-looking body. She wasn't putting too much effort into being 'rough,' but she wasn't holding back as much either. This little human is like a doll she could toss around without worrying about it being destroyed, and she's enjoying it!

'But why haven't they attacked back!?' is what Flandre is most confused about. She is having fun with this battle! Why is their opponent not participating? Do they not know how to use spells or Danmaku? The child claimed they came from the shrine, did Reimu not teach them the rules of Danmaku play?

No, this won't do. She is the hostess of this tea party, and the guest comes first. They have to take part in the fun, it would be too selfish for her to keep the spotlight.

"It looks like I've been inconsiderate. A fight is a burning passion between two combatants! So, come at me! I implore you to show your blazing spirit!" Flandre declared, hoping to kickstart the opponent's drive. The child paused and then nodded. Instead of evading her attacks like an exceptionally nimble housefly, they run forward to meet her head-on.

'That's what I want to see!' Flandre smiled as she created a treacherous path towards the center.

Taboo "Maze of Love"

Two sets of projectiles form together into intersecting rings that orbit outward from Flandre. The yellow rings move slower with narrow openings, while the red rings move faster with wide openings, creating a shifting labyrinth the child has to get through to reach her. With a mixture of agility and patience, the kid finally met her in close combat. The vampire was ecstatic to see a fist wind up and she attacked first preemptively.

The child pirouettes around her strike, the air displacing from the force. She turned around to meet her opponent, but it was too late. The punch was at mid-swing, and she embraced herself at the attack aimed at her side.

*Tap*

The fist landed... harmlessly on Flandre. She stared at the balled hand that was planted on her. 'Was that... It? Is this some kind of hidden technique? Am I going to explode into a thousand bits?' The confused vampire waited for something interesting to take effect. But nothing happened. After all that dodging and waiting, they can only muster a strike so pathetic that it didn't even leave a bruise.

"Is that your best?" Flandre asked incredulously. The child answers with a casual nod, "Yep."

Silence overtakes the room as Flandre's mind whirrs in befuddlement. 'Were they that weak all this time? Have I assumed they were strong because they lived with someone strong?' She looked up and down at the child and rested her gaze on their face. It didn't make any sense. They moved so quickly and dodged most attacks with experience. They counterattacked at a weak point after she moved first. The stance, that face, that attack. Something wasn't right… Then it clicked.

"You held back?" The child's relaxed facade falters at Flandre's accusation, shifting under her intense gaze. The vampire's mischievous smile twitched at their reaction. 'I knew it. They faltered before they landed the punch. Why? It's like they refused to fight, even when they fight! Are they not taking me seriously?'

"Do you think I'm too weak? Very well, I'll give you a reason to attack."

A fist lands on the child's stomach, air escaping their lungs as they are tossed into the wall near the door. They looked hurt by that attack, but Flandre didn't show any hesitance. She summons her weapon, a crooked clock hand that hummed with primordial power.

Taboo "Lævateinn"

The point of the clock hand bursts into a crimson flame that extends into ridiculous proportions. The child looked at the crimson blade that gouged across the room walls. They ducked under it as rubble fell on them, the blade of flame screeching horizontally from above. They rolled out of the way as a wave of fiery bolts followed behind the swing, crashing into the wall, floor, and ceiling with devastating might.

Flandre's attack destroyed half of the room, and she goes into manic giggles. "Playtime is not over! No, no, no, it's just getting started!" She floats up and raises her hand, stating. "Come and show me your true strength!"

The child did not meet Flandre's demand. Instead, they stood courageously and bravely ran away.

The red door, still intact, opened and closed as Flandre was left alone in her room once again.

"...Huh. I never thought of locking that door." The vampire placed a finger on her chin in contemplation. No resident of the mansion locks her door because it would be useless against her. So, she forgot it could lock in the first place. But that fact won't deter her from her prize.

"Oh, well!" Flandre smiles as the door under her gaze spontaneously detonates into splinters. "Looks like we're playing chase."

In a large room devoid of furniture, the sound of a piano sang out to an empty audience. Remilia played a classic. 'Chopin - Nocturnes Op.9 No.1' Its hauntingly beautiful melody filled the air. The vampire didn't like the term 'classic,' as it made her feel like entire generations passed her by in the blink of an eye. 'It as if a few years ago I was tickling the ivories of a harpsichord. Where did that time go?'

Remilia looked around the Ballroom, the dust danced to her tune in the colored light from the stained glass windows. The room hadn't been used in a while, so her mind wandered as she played. 'Time, it all comes around to time. Immortality is a fickle thing. All the time in the world, I find myself staring back at the past.' The Mistress snorted humorously. She could have learned a thousand arts, and become a scholar in both history and magic. But she did not, as that amount of work and effort for so little payout other than her ego is a pointless endeavor. She has a library and a friend willing to take that burden of knowledge, so she found no need for it. Did her eternal viewpoint skew her sense of urgency, or was it her ability to manipulate fate? Questions for a later time, as the climax is about to begin.

The sound of a door opening interrupted the tranquility of the Ballroom. Footsteps echo out as Remilia's fingers hover over the keys. "As I envisioned. You are a little early, Reimu Hakurei." She smiled as the next Act was underway. The Vampire switched to Tchaikovsky, and Reimu walked up to the theater stage. The maiden's face of stoic resolve was unchanging as she spoke up. "Release Frisk and you will be let off easy, Scarlet."

Remilia didn't gaze over to Reimu and focused on her music. She decided to answer her demand with a calm response. "Straight to business, Hakurei? You didn't show up to speak about the weather or start a witty back-and-forth before asking favors? I'm hurt, I was looking forward to a verbal duel before a physical one." She answered while playing 'The Seasons: September. The Hunt.'

Reimu didn't take her inaction well. The shrine maiden throws out the Ying-Yang Orb and it breaks the piano with a discordant crash. Remilia was already moving away as the string instrument made a sound like an elephant taking revenge on the white keys. Reimu calls out, her voice empty of any patience or courtesy. "Get down here, Remilia. I'm done playing your games."

The relic lifts itself from the keys and Remilia smiles ominously. "Oh, I remember why." She stated as her wings went wide. "Why I took that child away." The vampire flew up as her focus was on Reimu. "The main reason for everything here is that life has been getting too dull lately," she ended. The child was quite the curiosity, but what is a curiosity compared to the font of excitement before her?

"I could master Mozart, but I heard his scores a thousand times. They could not hold a candle to a Danmaku Battle, where we can make our new symphony!" Remilia declared as she readied herself. She was parched for conflict, and this battle would be drunk like a warm cup of scarlet blood.

Reimu prepared for her final obstacle. "I'll beat you to the point where you scream a dirge."

One last battle has begun.

A: The mansion is almost finished RAAAAH! This has been so fun to write, so I hope you had fun reading! Next time, I'll answer more comments. I have also made edits to previous chapters as well. One commenter pointed something out, which was appreciated!

Thank you and see you later! Time to go back into the forever box!