Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I woke up in a strange place. It seems like the inside of a castle but it’s mainly a long hallway with several doors. Even weirder is what beyond them considering I think I saw a woman with bunny ears. I’ve attempted to open some doors but none of them did. On the bright side, I think I've found the end of the hallway.

“Hmm? What is a human doing here?”

In the room at the end of the hallway a woman with dark blue hair and eyes with a black and white dress with orbs on it.

“Don’t know kinda just woke up here. Where is here by the way?”

“This is the Dream World, and I am Doremy Sweet the manager of it. Might I ask who you are?”

“My name is Tsubaki or at least I think it is. I don’t really have many memories other than that and that this deck of cards, this lighter and this hat are important to me.”

“Hmm unfortunately I do not have any answers for you besides that you will likely be someplace else in some time.”

I looked at her confused before she continued.

“Your name disappeared then reappeared as you told me it, I believe you may have been forgotten by humanity which confuses me. This will lead you to end up in Gensokyo where things forgotten by the outside world end up.”

That name Gensokyo. It feels like I should know it.

“Considering you didn’t tell me it, my last name didn’t appear after my first.”

She nods. “Before you go, I’ll explain an important detail about Gensokyo, the Spell Card Rules, it’s used to solve disputes and prevent only the strong from ruling.”

She quickly creates a sphere of energy “This is danmaku, it is used in fights as basic attacks and as a part of Spell Cards.” She fires it off before pulling out a card.

“Dream Sign – Scarlet Nightmare,” several red orbs appear before splitting into more danmaku.

While I was trying to figure out how I was going to replicate that, the cards in the deck began glowing. The suits had changed to other things like the danmaku Doremy had shown me or knives and kunai and even another card. I toss the knife one which quickly turns into knives covered in energy similar to the danmaku.

“It seems I do not have to teach you this luckily as we are running out of time. You should soon wake up in Gensokyo though you will likely forget me, but you should remember the Spell Card Rules.”

The possibility of forgetting how to defend myself in an apparently dangerous place is worrying.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. One last piece of advice seek out someone to teach you to fly, since you can use danmaku you should be able to do this.”

I tried to respond but my voice didn’t come out and it started going dark. Guess I’m waking up.

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Waking up somewhere I don’t know with a splitting headache is not ideal. Looking around I’m next to a lake, in the distance I can see a dark-looking mansion and a forest in a different direction. I quickly checked for the items I had in the dream, finding all of them and putting on the hat, a magician’s hat.

“Dai look a human!”

As I was about to go in the direction opposite of the two main places I saw, two girls with wings, one with ice and the other with golden wings, flew down near me.

“What’s a human doing outside the human village by themself and why is his clothes so odd?”

“Cirno he seems to be an outsider like what miss Kiene has talked about before.”

Well learning there are other humans nearby is a start.

“Human my name is Cirno the ice fairy, the strongest!”

“My name is Daiyousei, a greater fairy.”

Daiyousei does a curtsy after her introduction while Cirno takes a proud pose with a smug smile on her face.

“I’m Tsubaki, a human from the outside world though that’s about the most I can remember.”

“So you have anesthesia?”

“It’s amnesia Cirno and I think we should lead him to miss Kiene she should probably have a better idea of how to help him.”

“Alright and he won’t have to worry about youkai with me here!”

“Thank you for your help”

Daiyousei starts leading me towards the human village she spoke of and after a while Cirno asks a question.

“Tsubaki do you remember anything other than your name?”

“There are a few things, I know these cards, this lighter and my hat are important and I did encounter someone before you two that explained the Spell Card Rules though something is blocking me from fully remembering that encounter. I also remember somethings that lead me to believe I did magic tricks.”

Cirno tilts her head. “Is that different from normal magic?”

Ah right magic is real here. “It isn’t real magic just things for entertaining people. I can show you a trick if you’d like.”

Cirno eyes light up with interest while Daiyousei seems slightly interested. I fan out the deck after returning it to the normal suits and ask Cirno to pick a card.

“This one!” She picks then hands it back to me without showing it to me.

After putting it back and doing some cuts to the deck, I fan out the cards and select the card she had picked, the nine of diamonds. Cirno has an excited expression while Daiyousei claps.

“How did you do that?!”

“A magician never reveals their secrets.”

I quickly return my cards to danmaku mode and continue chatting with the two fairies as the village starts coming into view. I didn’t realize it at the time but that nine card had changed into an ice suit with Cirno on the card.

Chapter Text

Having arrived at the Human Village, even without most of my memories seeing other humans is calming somewhat.

“So do humans participate in Spell Card duels as well?”

“Most of them don’t, only exceptions like Reimu whose job it is to resolve incidents and Marisa who knows magic.”

“Miss Kiene is another exception as she protects the village with her power.”

Thanks to Daiyousei and Cirno, I've gotten a better understanding of this place, but there’s one more thing I wanted to ask them.

“Do youkai enter the village often?”

“No but it’s gotten better recently thanks to Myouren Temple, humans still get nervous around youkai but youkai like Kappa, Tengu, and others that do business or help humans are welcome.”

“Smaller youkai like mine and Dai’s friends who attend Miss Keine’s classes are also fine if we don’t cause problems.”

We reach a building with Hieda Temple School on a sign next to it.

“Miss Keine me and Dai found a human with amnesia.”

Inside the school was a woman sitting at a desk, she had long silver hair with blue highlights, brown eyes, and was wearing a dark blue dress with white short sleeves and a hat shaped like a building with a red ribbon on it. She stands up and greets me.

“Hello as Cirno and Daiyousei have mentioned I am Keine Kamishirasawa, I work as a history teacher here in the Human Village.”

“I’m Tsubaki, Cirno and Daiyousei were kind enough to help me here Miss Kamishirasawa.”

“Just Keine is fine since you’re not a student of mine. Can you explain what happened to you so far?”

I explain to Keine the circumstances of me waking up near that lake Cirno had told me was called Misty Lake.

“Normally I would recommend going directly to the Hakurei Shrine like other outsiders who want to return with your circumstances it’s better for you to stay here. The Hakurei Shrine is still a place I’d recommend visiting since many people who understand Gensokyo and youkai the best as they might have an idea on how to help you regain your memories.”

“I see.”

At least I have some idea of what to do now. Cirno speaks up with an interesting idea.

“Miss Keine could Reimu or someone else teach him to fly? Tsubaki already has a way to create danmaku.”

Keine looks at Cirno confused so I explain about my deck of cards and use one as an example.

“Fascinating. Reimu will probably teach you how to fly, I’m guessing you haven’t been shown how to make Spell Cards?”

I nod and Keine goes back to her desk and pulls out three blank cards handing them to me.

“These are blank spell cards, add magic to them and it will create spell cards based on your thoughts and abilities.”

Kiene brings out one of her spell cards with Cirno and Daiyousei also bring out their own to give me an example of completed ones.

“Once it’s completed you will have a general idea of how to use them, give it a try.”

Holding the three blank cards, I focus and feel energy slip out of me into the cards which glow for a second revealing my first spell cards.

Illusion Sign – Magical Hats

Flame Sign – False Dragon

Card Sign – Cutting Deck

“Congrats on making your first spell cards.”

“They’re all quite different in style unlike Cirno.”

“Tsubaki look at this card!”

Cirno was holding up one of my danmaku cards, a nine that had an image of Cirno and had become Ice based.

“Guess I have an ice attack now.”

“And it shall be your strongest!”

“Cirno now that Tsubaki is fine, we should go now, or everyone is going to wonder where we were.”

“Ah! Bye Miss Kiene! Bye Tsubaki!”

Cirno and Daiyousei rush out of the school.

“Alright let’s get you set for the night and tomorrow I’ll lead you to the Hakurei Shrine. There’s an inn, I’ll take care of it for now so you can get settled.”

“Thanks Keine, after we go to the Shrine any idea of a place I could work at I'd feel bad about not paying you back.”

“It’s fine, just do magic tricks like what Cirno and Daiyousei talked about for my class sometime and I’ll consider it even. Besides you’ll need other clothes.”

Right forgot about that.

“Good point. Any shop that sells things from the Outside World?”

“There’s Kourindou, the owner Rinnosuke sells things that fall in from the outside, it’s also one of the places I was going to suggest for work.”

Keine and I reached the inn passing by some tables outside, inside was an area for eating with stairs that lead to the rooms. Attending the counter was a woman who looked to be in her late thirties with neck length orange hair and blue eyes wearing a blue yukata. She greets Keine with a wave.

“Hey ya Keine what brings you to The Detached Oasis?”

The woman spots me then flashes Keine a smirk.

“That is not what’s happening Chidori!”

Keine is blushing and sighs before explaining.

“He’s an outsider who ended up here and I was going to pay for his stay for a few days.”

“You didn’t take him straight to the Shrine Maiden to send him out?”

“I can explain that, when I woke up I haven’t been able to remember a lot about myself and I think I wouldn’t be able to leave anyway.”

Chidori doesn’t press further.

“Anyway, welcome to the Detached Oasis, I am the Innkeeper Chidori Celty.”

“I’m Tsubaki, it’s nice to meet you, Miss Celty.”

“If you’re willing to work here mainly during breakfast hours, in exchange I'm willing to let you stay here and earn some money.”

“Thank you, Miss Celty, I’d be happy to help.”

“I’m glad that’s settled, I’ll see you tomorrow after your shift to go to the Hakurei Shrine.”

“See you tomorrow Keine.”

Keine heads out and Miss Celty hands me keys to my room, I head upstairs, entering my room and lay down on the bed. I guess I was exhausted as I quickly fell asleep.

Chapter Text

“Hey wake up.”

A knock comes from my door, and I stretch as I get out of bed before answering.

“Morning Miss Celty. *Yawn*”

“Glad you’re up, here’s your uniform.”

Miss Celty hands me a blue and black kimono which I change into after shutting the door. Heading downstairs I’m greeted by Miss Rokuro and a girl I don’t know. She has red hair and eyes and is wearing a red and blue yukata with a capelet that covers part of her face.

“Tsubaki this is my niece Sekibanki, she’ll be your co-worker.”

“...Hello.”

“It’s nice to meet you Sekibanki.”

There is a strange mix of dislike and pity in her eyes as she looks at me. Her aunt probably told her about my amnesia, don’t know where the dislike is coming from. Sekibanki and I get the eating area inside and out set up. Throughout the morning people stream in as Sekibanki and I serve the food made by Miss Celty. There were two groups that caught my attention one a group of three consisting off a beautiful lady with brown and purple hair, a woman with blue hair wearing a nun’s headdress, and a young woman wearing a sailor outfit with pale skin and the other group of three, a woman with blonde hair shaped like ears wearing earmuffs, a young woman with grey hair wearing an old Heian era uniform, and a green haired ghost woman...wait does she even eat? Yes apparently.

There was another interesting moment when a blue haired woman came in and suprised me with her umbrella. I was carrying multiple plates at the time and threw them into the air but was able to catch them by manipulating my danmaku cards which I had brought downstairs just in case. The other customers clapped, and the blue haired woman got a scolding from Miss Celty.

“Hey Tsubaki!”

“Hello Cirno.”

As things began to wind down, Cirno, Daiyousei, Keine and three others I don’t recognize entered the inn. After getting them seated and served, Cirno’s friends introduce themselves.

“I’m Mystia Lorelei.”

“Wriggle Nightbug.”

“Rumia!”

“Cirno, Daiyousei or Keine may have told you this, but I’m Tsubaki it’s nice to meet you.”

“Tsubaki, can you do a magic trick for us?”

“Not right now Cirno since I’m working, Keine did ask me to perform in front of her class so I will eventually.

“Tsubaki it’s fine consider it part of the work for today.”

With Miss Celty’s permission I headed up to my room to grab my hat as I had figured out it had changed as well.

“As you can see there’s nothing inside my hat, but when I reach in.”

Reaching in I supply magic to my hat and pull a plush rabbit out. The audience, especially Cirno and her friends, applauded. My shift eventually ends, and I head back to my room to get changed into my original outfit, a red short-sleeved shirt with playing cards and a magician's hat design with black pants. After getting changed I headed downstairs and found Miss Celty having prepared a meal in a bag.

“Take this as thanks for entertaining the customers. I’ll continue this if you keep up performances since it will draw in more customers.”

“Thank you, I'll take you up on that, but I’ll have to see if I can find more props for other tricks.”

Heading out, I meet up with Keine and we start heading towards the Hakurei Shrine. On the way I asked Keine about the Shrine Maiden.

“I’ve heard a bit about the shrine maiden but is there anything specific I should know about her?”

“She can be grumpy at times but that’s mainly due to how many people bother her by visiting just to hang out at times and not getting a lot of donations.”

“Wait if she solves incidents like you’ve told me about, why does she get so little donations?”

“Humans are nervous to journey there due to how many Youkai often hang out, and Youkai obviously don’t donate since she often fights them.”

Keine and I reach the top of the stairs to the shrine and spot a girl in a red and white shrine maiden-like outfit who seems to be around my age of 18 and a blonde woman in a pink dress with a hexagram on it who are in deep conversation.

“Yukari my instincts are telling me an incident is going to start soon are you sure you don’t have anything to do with it?”

“Reimu I don’t, that’s why I have Chen and Ran investigating, so far they’ve only reported some peaceful youkai being unnaturally aggressive or on edge.”

The girl named Reimu sighs.

“My purification rod has been acting on its own and it’s putting me on edge since I’d rather not have it go rogue on me while an incident is occurring since every time an incident occurs the effects always seems to run to me first. I mean you caused an incident what’s stopping this one from walking right up on us now!”

Reimu gestures to the stairs of the shrine resulting in her and Yukari finally seeing us.

“Keine please tell me that guy you brought isn’t related to an incident.”

“No he’s just an outsider who needs help.”

“Oh thank god something easy to deal with”

“Not exactly.”

Keine explains about my amnesia and the reason I ended up in Gensokyo. After this I properly introduce myself.

“My name’s Tsubaki, it’s a pleasure to meet both of you and thank you for your help going forward Reimu and Miss Yukari.”

“Same to you though Miss is probably too polite for the gap ha-”

Reimu has a smug look on her face but is unable to finish as what looks like a tear in space with eyes inside opens below her dropping her in.

“Ahem, it is nice to meet you as well, I am Yukari Yakumo, a Sage of Gensokyo, you may simply refer to me as Yukari.”

Another tear appears and Reimu comes tumbling out. She stands up and brushes herself off.

“Anyway, Keine I’ll teach him how to fly and the basics for Spell Card duels but you’re treating me to lunch next time in the village.”

“I figured, Tsubaki good luck on your training I need to get back to get started on preparing my lessons.”

“See you Keine.”

Reimu and I prepare for my flight training as Yukari prepares herself tea and is studying my cards.

“First, I’m going to give you the experience of flight.”

Reimu grabs both my hands and I feel an energy flow from her through my arms towards my feet causing me to float into the air with her. She maneuvers us a bit while I focus on the changes of energy as we move. After a bit we land, and I prepare to fly by myself.

“That should give you something of an understanding, I haven't taught anyone to fly before so this was my best idea.”

I close my eyes and try to replicate what Reimu had shown me. I focus on the image of my cards flying as well. While I’m doing this a few cards fly away from Yukari and circle me as I begin floating.

“Faster than I expected. Alright get used to that will I get my Spell Cards and we’ll practice.”

As I’m getting used to flying, Yukari asks about my cards.

“These cards are fascinating, with these a human with the smallest amount of magic could defend themselves not to mention the ice fairy’s card, the difference between it and the rest is substantial. Do you know how this card came to be?”

“No, I have an idea of when it became like that but not what triggered it.”

“When was that?”

“Shortly after I met Cirno, I performed a magic trick for her and Daiyousei and she held the card for a bit, between that and getting to Keine’s school is my best guess. Daiyousei and Keine held cards as well but didn’t trigger a change so there is a likely a specific trigger or something special about Cirno that caused it or both. After I got that card, I could change other cards into the ice suit but only that one has the art.”

“The energy from the card from what I can tell feels given, so it likely didn’t steal energy from her. Maybe she considered you a friend or some kind of trust was formed after you entertained her. Sometime later go to Kourindou, the owner has the ability to create magic items and know the use of tools.”

“I planned to go there to look for tools for my magic tricks, want me to inform you about the results?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Tsubaki after our training I plan to head there, I’d like you to come with me. Your cards act similar what’s happened to my purification rod.”

“Got it.”

With Reimu back and now in the air, I draw the rest of my cards to me.

“We’ll start with a cooldown, then a spell card, and we’ll end it with you using your own spell card.”

Reimu starts firing out sets of talisman waves. I start off focusing switching between speeds when dodging between them. As I get more used to it, I start firing off cards trying each type of danmaku I can use. Reimu easily dodges my attacks with minimal movements until I catch off guard accidentally when I use the Cirno card. The icicle created flies through her talismans freezing them surprising both of us before Reimu quickly destroys it with her purification rod as it nearly hits her.

“Ok first off neat, second off warn me next time you try something like that.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s what you get for being overly cocky Reimu.”

Yukari seems to be enjoying herself laughing behind her fan.

“Now that you’re warmed up, Dream Sign – Duplex Barrier!”

Two see-through barriers appear around Reimu as she starts firing more talismans. As they hit the barriers, they warp between them before reaching outside the second one. Dodging through the waves of talismans, I fire my cards at Reimu until eventually a blast of energy comes from her destroying all her danmaku.

“Congrats on capturing your first spell card. You have a spell card ready; I’ll try to capture it.”

I nod and draw out the spell card I wanted to test first.

“Illusion Sign –Magical Hats!”

Four giant magician hats appear with one going over me before they start circling Reimu.

“A defensive one?”

As Reimu is speaking I get used to the spinning and realize I can pop out the top and fire off danmaku. When the hat I’m in is behind Reimu I fire off danmaku and hit her back.

“Ow! Cheap shot!”

She quickly spins around throwing talismans as I use the other part of the spell card.

“What!?”

“Ohhh.”

Yukari smirks at Reimu surprise as the hat I had been in disappears in a puff of smoke when her talismans hit it revealing nothing. I continue firing at Reimu from behind her switching between hats until when there’s one left. Reimu has a smug look on her face before it turns to shock as the destroyed hats reappear.

“Alright that’s it! Spirit Sign – Fantasy Seal!”

Before she uses her spell card her purification rod glows red along with her eyes as her face contorts in anger. The different colored orbs quickly hit each hat I’m not in and before I can restore them my hat was struck with force I wasn’t expecting sending me crashing towards the ground. As I'm crashing into the ground and my cards cushion my impact, Reimu returns to normal and with a look of horror and regret rushes to check on me with Yukari doing the same.

“Tsubaki are you alright!?”

“Yeah, I was able to cushion my impact, are you alright?”

“AM I ALRIGHT!? I just sent you flying into the ground and that’s your first question!?”

Reimu apologizes as she checks me for injuries.

“I’m- I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened, I started feeling irritated and then I just saw red, I’m not like that normally like-”

“You were unnaturally aggressive?”

What Yukari said makes Reimu stop in her tracks as her face turns to shock.

“Reimu, Yukari when Reimu was activating her Spell Card, her purification rod and her eyes glowed red.”

“I see. Reimu I’ll being going with you two to Kourindou, I’ll quickly inform Ran to look into objects causing aggression while you put a seal on the purification rod.”

Yukari warps away while I help Reimu prepare for sealing. After Reimu finishes that, I sit down next to the donation box and eat my lunch and share some when Reimu joins me.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, I know it wasn’t on purpose.”
“That’s not the point, I’ve solved multiple incidents, and I can’t even stop myself from nearly injuring someone I've just met just because I got irritated.”

Reimu buries her head in her hands. I sigh and stand up not knowing what to say, so I try what I know best. I take off my hat and tap the edges with my finger to get her attention before pulling a plush rabbit out of it and handing it to her.

“Here”

“Huh?”
“I don’t really know what to say to make you forgive yourself other than accepting your apology again, I can tell you have weight on your shoulders dealing with protecting Gensokyo and while I’m new to the Spell Card duels, if you need help please ask, I’ll help with whatever I can. I mean I did pull one over on you.”

Reimu stares at me for a second before laughing. She stands up and grabs both my hands and puts them together and looks at me with a beautiful smile.

“Thanks.”

*click*

Reimu and I turn towards the noise to see Yukari with an old camera snaping a picture.

“Five minutes and it seems you captured something other than Reimu’s Spell Cards.”

Reimu quickly let's go of my hands, her face bright red. As she is about to yell at Yukari, a card from my deck begins glowing, an ace now having talismans and art of Reimu on it.

“Oh? It seems to trigger based off affection or good will from the other person.”

“Just...take us to Kourindou.”

Yukari has a smug smirk while Reimu simply wants to move on. I should probably donate to the shrine later. Yukari warps the three of us away.

Chapter Text

Stepping outside the tear, Yukari, Reimu and I entered the building we appeared in front of. Inside was a blonde girl in a black and white dress with a black witch hat and a young man with silver hair and golden eyes wearing glasses and a blue and black kimono-like outfit.

“Since you’re here with Yukari I assume I have something to worry about later?”

“Yep we need Rinnosuke to look at some tools for us.”

The blonde girl and silver haired man introduce themselves to me.

“Marisa Kirisame, an Ordinary Magician ze.”

“I am Rinnosuke Morichika, I own and run Kourindou.”

“I’m Tsubaki, pleasure to meet you two.”

“Now that introductions are done, Rinnosuke can you look at these?”

Reimu hands over her purification rod while I hand over my hat and deck of cards. While Rinnosuke takes some time to go over our items, Marisa asks a question.

“Reimu what’s with the rabbit doll ze?”

“Eh?!”
Since we left immediately Reimu had never put away the rabbit plush, we had both forgotten about it due to the embarrassment from Yukari taking a photo.

“It’s- It’s nothing!”

“Like hell it’s nothing with you acting like that let me see it.”

Reimu hides it behind her back trying to keep it away from Marisa before Yukari warps the rabbit plush away.

“It was a gift from Tsubaki to cheer Reimu up, you can mess with her later Marisa we have more important things to discuss. Have you heard anything about peaceful Youkai being aggressive or tools acting on their own?”

“That’s why I’m here actually, my Mini-Hakkero is actin up. Its power increased but it wildly spits flames at Youkai. Luckily, I happened to be with Nitori at the time and she stopped the flames from spreading.”

“My purification rod is acting similar but there’s another problem, it also made me more aggressive than usual and I- well I snapped and nearly hurt someone.”

Marisa looks at Reimu concerned, seeing her friend upset like this she tries to continue.

“So what about that hat and those cards?”

“Other than my cards acting on their own to protect me my stuff hasn’t acted; we thought their unique effects may have come from a similar cause as the purification rod’s problems.”

“Did ya deal with what attacked ya?”
I look away from Marisa and grab my arm fidgeting awkwardly with Reimu doing something similar. Looking between us the look on Marisa’s face changed into shock as she realized what had happened.

“*Cough* I finished looking over everything.”

Thankfully Rinnosuke breaks the awkward tension.

“I’ll go over the cards last. One thing I noticed was each item other than the hat seems to be in a pseudo-Tsukumogami state allowing them to act on their own or be manipulated with thoughts. The hat simply has become a storage space larger than normal. As you likely know, the cards can transform into other type of danmaku, however I found that they can record new types, Marisa star danmaku please.”

After Marisa complies, Rinnosuke sticks a card into the star which is quickly absorbed into the card changing its suit.

“The cards with Cirno and Reimu are the most interesting. They don’t just allow Tsubaki to create danmaku of that type but are crystallizations of that person’s power based on their trust and friendship with him.”

“That explains why my talismans got frozen during our sparing.”

“I could tell there were more ways to use them, but something was blocking me from understanding more than one.”

Rinnosuke pulls out a packet of blank spell cards and asks me to press the Cirno card into one. As I do so, it transforms into a new spell card, Frost Sign – Cold Motivation.

“That’s so cool ze!”

“Another magician copying people’s gimmicks.”

Marisa looks excited while Reimu looks a little annoyed but has a smile.

“You’ll probably unlock those other methods with more of, let’s call them Bond Cards, you get.”

Rinnosuke hands me the blank spell card packet.

“You’ll need these. I got a few ideas for magic items to sell from looking at those cards, so I’ll consider this even.”

“Thank you.”

With more blanks I decide to make some more Spell Cards to increase my options. Flowing my magic into two of them creating Warp Sign – Mystic Box, Flower Sign – Illusory Camellias, and Reimu’s bond card reacted creating Curse Sign –Talismandragora.

“Why did my card create a curse sign?”

“You are scary when angry Reimu ze.”

“She’s correct Reimu, maybe it’s a sign you’re possessive of people you like.”

“I’m not thinking of him like that!”

Yukari and Marisa are laughing and while Reimu is blushing she doesn’t seem overly mad at the two and joins them in laughing. Glad she’s able to have fun with this. Rinnosuke seems to have gotten some snacks and drinks for everyone as the group chats for a bit before another person enters Kourindou, a sliver haired woman in a maid outfit.

“Rinnosuke I would like to have you look over an item.”

Before Rinnosuke could answer Reimu asks.

“Sakuya it wouldn’t happen to be a tool acting on its own?”

The maid is surprised before motioning for Reimu to continue.

“My purification rod and the Mini-Hakkero are both causing the same issues.”

“I see. Some of my knives had started acting up and before I could go test them Patchouli advised me to have Rinnosuke check them.”

After handing over the knives to Rinnosuke to double check if they were related, the maid introduces herself.

“I am Sakuya Izayoi, head maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.”
“Tsubaki, I’m an outsider who recently ended up in Gensokyo.”

After Sakuya and I finish our introductions, Reimu fills Sakuya in on what we knew.

“Thank you for the information Reimu, inform me if there is anything I can assist with as I would prefer not worrying about my knives targeting my lady.”

“You’re welcome.”
“Guess that makes four incident resolvers for this one ze.”

“Four?”

“Tsubaki obviously.”

“No, he’s just started I’m not letting him get involved!”

Sakuya looks confused with Reimu refusing Marisa’s idea of my involvement before Yukari fills her in on what occurred at the shrine.

“Reimu whoever’s causing this may have answers some answers to my past.”
“If you’re that worried, we could just have one of us with him ze.”

“*sigh* Fine but Tsubaki you’re coming over each day for training.”

“Got it.”

“Tsubaki since Reimu wants you to train how bout a spar with me ze? I need to get used to not having my Mini-Hakkero in fights.”

“Sure.”

“Reimu give us the signal to start.”

Marisa and I head outside to prepare with Reimu and Yukari following. Sakuya had left earlier apparently after getting confirmation about her knives’ connection to the incident though I hadn’t seen her leave which the others assured me was normal.

“Ready! Go!”

On go, Marisa fires off magic missiles as I counter with kunai. I decided to close the distance by dodging through the barrage while throwing cards wide before they change into talismans homing onto Marisa. When I reach melee range, I draw a knife card and slice at Marisa planning to change and release it if I whiff. She quickly spins and strikes my hand away using her broom before dropping some sort of bottle that begins glowing as she dashes back. I quickly form my cards into a wall before being blown back by the explosion.

“Love Sign – Non-Directional Laser!”

“Card Sign – Cutting Cards!”

Sending out most of my cards for the spell card, they spin like buzzsaw blades before rushing at Marisa. Star danmaku and lasers are fired from around Marisa countering my cards and forcing me to dodge, while keeping up the barrage I toss a single card high into the sky. It’s not long before I get cornered and hit but not before the card I tossed fires a knife striking Marisa at the same time.

“Hahaha you’re certainly a natural at this! Light Blast – Shoot the Moon!”

“I think it’s mainly from having a great teacher! Frost Sign – Cold Determination!”

Ice swords form around me before flying at Marisa as she creates magic circles behind me firing lasers before shooting stars from herself to lead me into the lasers.

“I’ll be ending this! Warp Sign – Mystic Box!”

“Wha-?!”

Turning the ice swords towards myself, I use my next spell card to form a thin box of energy around myself as well as creating several knives aimed at myself. Before Marisa could figure out what my plan is I shut the door of the box switching our positions. The danmaku quickly closes in while Marisa easily destroys the box, dodging a few before being taken down.

“He actually did it!”

“Though I doubt he could use that on her again.”

Landing down next to Reimu and Yukari, I asked Reimu about something bothering me.

“Reimu does Marisa have attacks that can easily wipe out smaller danmaku?”

“You’re wondering why she didn’t use them right?”

I nod.

“I need my Mini-Hakkero to use them ze.”

Marisa walks over towards us somewhat scuffed up.

“I can guess what you’re thinking, that you wouldn’t have won had I been using those spells since you mostly rely on small danmaku. Stop thinking like that and enjoy the win!”

She slaps my back while laughing. As she does this, the star card glows adding art of Marisa to it.

“Well maybe that card can fix that ze.”

“Marisa so what are you feeling towards Tsubaki hmm?”

Reimu has a smug look on her face as if trying to use the card forming to tease Marisa like Yukari had done to her and I.

“Worried I’ll take him from you?”

“N-no I’m just thinking it could give him a better understanding of his ability’s trigger.”

“Sure, anyway I’ll see ya later.”

“Reimu I’ll handle escorting Tsubaki to the Human Village there is something I’d like to discuss with him.”

“Alright, remember to visit me for training tomorrow or I’m not letting you help with the incident.”

Marisa and Reimu left as Yukari and I started heading towards the Village. After a bit of flying Yukari signals to land, so I follow her.

“You wanted to ask me something earlier?”

“Yes, though it’s more I wanted to check something.”

Before I could react, she waves her hand and I feel a splitting feeling in my head before I black out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yukari side

Hopefully reversing the boundary between remembrance and forgotten will conclusively prove him innocent. I’d rather not have to remove him considering the lack of people Reimu is open to besides Marisa and myself at times. Tsubaki stands there for a minute, brown eyes glazed, before his eyes change color to a bright red.

“Unknown awakening, vessel still damaged, hollow.”

The tone wasn’t human, like the thing currently in control had no will.

“Who are you and what is your purpose?”

The being stands there for a second thinking before drawing the deck of cards, as I am preparing to attack it holds it out with both hands.

“Body.”

It then points towards Tsubaki’s body.

“Protect, cared.”

“You’re the tsukumogami of those cards?”

It nods.

I sigh having more questions than answers now. I’ll bring him to Satori after this incident to fully know if this is true.

“Do you know how Tsubaki lost his memory and caused him to be forgot by the outside world?”

“Yes, awoke then, danger, concept, destroyed.”

My eyes went wide at that.

“What do you mean his concept was destroyed!? Then how is he even alive right now?”

“Attacked, destroyed concept, awoke, repaired, using, existence.”

“Then do you know what attacked him or anything else he doesn’t know about himself?”

“No, forgotten, no, only know, same, repaired from, existence.”

“Thought so.”

“Switch, back, difficult, with shattered concept, little identity.”

“I have one more question, would you like to make a deal with me?”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tsubaki Side

I came to and immediately jumped back and drew my cards.

“Sorry about that, I decided to check a theory I had by reversing the boundary of remembrance and forgotten on you to see if you are the culprit and your amnesia being self-inflicted as a cover.”

Considering my earlier blackout if she wanted to hurt me, I wouldn’t have a chance to respond anyway so I put my cards away.

“Well did you learn anything?”

“For one you owe your life to the tsukumogami of your cards. Your memory loss seems to be a result of your concept being destroyed, something that would normally erase every trace of a being. The tsukumogami gave most of its concept to you to solidify yourself preventing erasure.”

“Since you didn’t say anything guessing no info on the attacker.”

“Correct. Once again, I would like to apologize. Due to Reimu’s importance as the Hakurei Shrine Maiden, an unknown element possibly related to the incident at hand getting too close to her with her guard down was not acceptable.”

Hearing her explanation, I could tell there was no malicious intent and there was genuine concern for Reimu.

“There is something I can assist with that will increase your power as an apology. Titles are a source of power and identity; you have heard at least one from Marisa.”

“And you can just grant me one?”

“Normally it’s formed after it is associated to you by enough people but with the help of a powerful being it can be immediately set and gain more power as it’s learned by others. Would you like me to do that?”

Thinking it over for a minute, I give Yukari my answer.

“No, I’ll let it form naturally but suggestions would be appreciated.”

“How about Hollow Vessel Magician for a start?”

“Can I ask the reasons?”

“Each describes your current identity, Hollow refers to your amnesia as a missing gap in your memory while negative at first allows you to fill it if you are never able to recover your memories, Vessel is something to be filled referring to the previous example and to your ability to gather power from your friends ‘pouring’ it into you, and Magician is self-evident.”

“That works, do I need to do anything other than say it when introducing myself to people?”

“Doing it when challenging someone to a Spell Card duel is more effective since Spell Cards can be said to be part of your identity. With that out of the way let's get you to the Village. Also, can you not mention this to Reimu, I’d rather not have pissed her off twice today.”

“Got it.”

A little later we reach the village, I say goodbye to Yukari, head to the Detached Oasis, and go to sleep in my room.

Chapter Text

Waking up the next day, I work through the breakfast shift without any problems. The only thing odd was Sekibanki leaving early in a rush. Miss Celty was confused as well and with no idea when Sekibanki would return, she asked me to be back for the lunch shift just in case. Reimu and Keine had also come to eat since Reimu wanted to plan when we would have our training sessions, so I met with her after my shift ended.

“So, I’d like to have our training during the later part of the day in case you plan to investigate the incident. This way I can make sure you get back to the village fine and don’t try to find trouble when youkai are more dangerous.”

“That’s fine since I’ll need to be here for the lunch shift today anyway, so where do you want to investigate first?”

“I’m going to check the Netherworld and I’m not bringing you since I feel it’s too much for you right now. If you want to investigate, find Marisa and see if she’ll take you.”

“Alright where can I find her then?”

Reimu gets a smirk on her face before running then taking off before I can react.

...That cheeky shrine maiden. I’d be pissed if it wasn’t for the fact I know she’s only doing this to make sure I can’t get in danger. I can’t ask for Keine’s help since Reimu probably asked her not to and even if she didn’t, Kiene is teaching today which also rules out Cirno and her friends. With her being that smug, Marisa likely also has no plans to go to Kourindou. Being completely outplayed by Reimu I decide to look around the village.

After going around the village and doing a small amount of shopping getting another outfit, I ended up at the furniture store and found Sakuya. She seems to have bought a large amount of furniture; I know she can likely fly but with all that?

“Hey miss Izayoi need help?”

“Hmm? Oh Tsubaki, it would be appreciated, and you can simply call me Sakuya. Though I would like to ask why you are offering since we only met yesterday.”

“Reimu pulled one over on me to prevent me from investigating the incident as I have no way to find Marisa and I figured she wouldn’t mind if I got your assistance.”

Sakuya chuckles, “I don’t know if I will be, but I’ll ask My Lady if it's fine after we get the furniture to the mansion. While heading there we can take a general look around the lake and the mansion.”

I nod and take my hat off before tossing it onto the furniture as it grows and surrounds them before shrinking. I get a bit of applause from Sakuya and some passing kids before Sakuya and I head out of the village.

“That hat is certainly convenient; having something like that would make shopping runs easier for me.”

“Rinnosuke might be able to make them after having taken a look at my hat yesterday. Anyway, do you always make runs like these by yourself?”

“No usually I have Meiling, our gatekeeper, join me since she is the only one who can leave the mansion without having or causing problems, but with incident going on My Lady and I decided it better to have our guard up for...reasons.”

Probably something I don’t need to ask about given that pause.

“Sakuya, can I ask how you disappeared yesterday?”

“Oh, they didn’t tell you?”
“No just said that was normal for you.”

“I simply stopped time for a bit and headed off.”

“...What?”

“I’m not lying ask Reimu or Marisa later if you want to confirm it.”

“No, I believe you just...trying to wrap my head on how that even works.”

“I can also manipulate Space as a result.”

“...Spell Card rules prevent you from abusing those right?”

“Yes.”

“Thank goodness there is some common sense to those rules.”

Sakuya finds my exasperation entertaining as she smiles, it changes to a frown quickly and before I can ask, I’m in another spot in the sky as a pillar of water shoots up through where I had just been.

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome, now let's deal with this interloper as I do not wish to be late.”

Sakuya smiles as she draws out one of the blades she had brought to Kourindou, and flies down towards the person on the water's surface, her eyes decidedly not smiling. Thankfully Spell Cards aren’t lethal.

Catching up with Sakuya I find a blue haired girl in a green leaf patterned kimono with fish tail.

“Hmph I almost hit that human and you had to ruin my fun.”

“Sorry but he is helping me with something, and I would rather not have an angry shrine maiden breathing down my neck at him getting hurt. Now excuse us as we have other places to be.”

“Huh a mermaid.”

“It is surprising as I hadn’t known there was one residing in the lake despite flying this way often.

The mermaid girl doesn’t take that well.

BGM: Mermaid from the Uncharted Land

“People like you always ignore me. With this power, I won’t let anyone do that anymore! Water Sign – Tail Fin Slap!”

A red aura surrounds her with her eyes turning red as she slams her tail into the water to send water danmaku flying in spiral. Sakuya and I dodge as we continue talking.

“Well, that red aura looks familiar.”

“How so?”

“I saw Reimu get a similar one around her eyes while wielding her purification rod when we sparred the first time. It seems to increase negative emotions if you aren’t normally aggressive.”

“Guess she is either related to or a victim of this current incident.”

“Stop talking so nonchalantly and fight me!”

“Maid Secret Skill – Killing Doll!”

“Curse Sign – Talismandragora!"

“EEP!”

The mermaid ducks below the water to dodge the homing knives and a dragon made of talismans bearing down on her. She pops back up a few seconds later embarrassed.

“Ignore that.”

“I thought you attacked us because you wanted us to not ignore you?”

Sakuya has a smirk on her face, and I think I saw a vein bulge on the mermaid's forehead as she draws out another spell card.

“Scale Sign – Scale Wave.”

Two lines of danmaku would swirl around her before pushing out in different directions. This goes on for a little while before Sakuya and I hit her with a knife and star danmaku respectively. After her spell ends from that, her eyes return to their blue color and the aura dissipates as she lays on her back floating.

“Now that we have finished this let us proceed to the mansion.”

“Sakuya we should probably make sure she’s okay, that and we might learn something about what's causing the incident.”

“Alright I will leave it to you, as I think I may have been a bit... mean during the fight.”

I headed over to the mermaid and reached out my hand to pull her up, not sure if she needs it considering the water.

“Umm are you ok?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She grabs my hand and stabilizes herself.

“Sorry about that, I’m not normally like that. I am Wakasakihime.”

“Tsubaki, the Hollow Vessel Magician. Is it alright if I call you Wakasaki?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Are you able to remember anything that might have caused this?”

“Yes, I think it may have to do with the people who showed up at a meeting with my friends in the grassroots youkai network. There were four girls, two held instruments, another was super small with a hammer, and the apparent leader was a girl in a white dress with black hair that had patches of white and red.”

“Thank you, can you tell me your friends names since they might have been affected as well?”

“Kagerou Imaizumi is our leader and a werewolf she’s usually in the Bamboo Forest and Sekibanki Celty is often in the human village, but I haven’t met with them since unfortunately.”

I was surprised to hear Sekibanki’s name but at least that explains her odd behavior this morning.

“Thank you very much, if you happen to run into the shrine maiden or a girl in a black and white witch’s outfit, please tell them this as well.”

I say goodbye to Wakasagihime and resume course with Sakuya.

“Do any of those descriptions ring a bell?”

“No unfortunately though if we must start anywhere, it would be with the supposed ‘super short girl’ as there are only a few types of youkai that would fit that description.”

We eventually arrive at the mansion and are greeted by an orange haired woman in a Chinese dress.

“Sakuya you’re back, with a guest and no furniture?”

Sakuya nods toward me and I set my hat on the ground multiple times to set out the furniture.

“Meiling I will be leaving moving the furniture to you and the fairy maids, my guest, Tsubaki, and I will need to speak to My Lady about the current incident.”

Meiling nods and quickly greets me.

“I’m Hong Meiling, the gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, better introductions will have to wait for later.”

“Tsubaki, the Hollow Vessel Magician, pleasure to meet you.”

Sakuya leads me into the mansion and leads me to a table.

“Due to the mansion’s size, I’ll ask you to wait here while I brief My Lady and return with her.”

Sakuya disappears, reappears with tea and some biscuits, then disappears again. To pass time I play solitaire with my cards in normal mode for a bit. I’m interrupted but not by who I expected.

“Hey mister, what are you playing?”

When I turn to my side, I find a girl with blonde hair tied into a single ponytail to the side under a mop cap wearing a red dress, she also has wings or at least what I think are wings that have multiple different colored crystals hanging from them.

“Solitaire, it’s a card game you can play by yourself. I’m Tsubaki, I came here with Sakuya to discuss the current incident with her lady.”

“Ah okay. I’m Flandre Scarlet, Sakuya will be back with my sister in a bit can I play cards with you while you wait?”

“Sure.”

I quickly taught her the basics of a Poker variant with a hand of five where we take turns trading in cards to make the best hands.

“Full House 9s and Kings.”

“Four of a kind 10s I win!”

“Flan what are you doing?!”

A girl with blue hair under a white mop hat in a white dress had appeared with Sakuya as Flandre and I had finished our sixth game.

“Playing cards? I got bored and decided to walk around, found this human, and asked if I could play with him. Am I in trouble?”

“You just asked to play? No challenging him to danmaku, no trying to use your powers on him, just asking to play?”

“Sakuya is something wrong here?”

“Somewhat, My Lady is surprised at the Young Lady being so peaceful.”

“Is she not normally? I mean what her sister said she would normally do just sounds like normal stuff in Gensokyo based on what I've heard and seen so far.”

“It’s very much different when it involves my sister.”

Flandre’s sister sighs before introducing herself.

“Remilia Scarlet, the Scarlet Devil and Head of Household of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.”

“Tsubaki, Hollow Vessel Magician, thank you for your time. Sakuya probably filled you in on the details of this incident. Does Flandre have an item she is normally around?”

“Yes, she does, Flan have Sakuya take you to find your plushie.”

“Got it Remi! Sakuya away!”

Flandre strikes a pose pointing down a hallway as Sakuya puts her hand on Flandre’s shoulder before both disappear.

“While we wait for them there are some things I would like to discuss with you. First, I will allow Sakuya to assist in resolving this incident. I was going to have her help later but will have her finish up her work today and allow her to focus fully on this incident now that it has affected my sister. Secondly when the culprit is caught, I want to speak with them to see if they can put whatever is affecting Flan on a different item so that I can allow her to go outside. Finally, I would like to talk about you, more specifically those cards of yours.”

“I’m assuming you mean the bond cards.”

I hand them over to Remilia and she also pulls out a jack and a 10.

“I have an ability involving seeing fate though I call it manipulation. One of the ways it manifests is in red strings. Each person has a unique one and I can see a person’s relationships as on that string of theirs will grow a corresponding string of the other person.”

“Wait then can you see anyone related to me?”

“Even if I do, I will not know that as I need to see the person first to know who it is. Though there may be some answers in your remaining strings. Sakuya did fill me in a bit about your situation, you currently have seven strings connected to yours. Your current bond cards, these two extra cards, and two currently damaged ones. Luckily, I recognize one of the damaged ones.”

“There’s a person who used to know me in Gensokyo?"

“Possibly, though based on the damage she likely doesn’t remember much. The shrine maiden of the Moriya, Sanae Kochiya is who one of these strings belongs to. After this incident is over, visit that shrine, her and her gods may have answers, though likely small ones.”

“Thank you very much Remilia.”

“It is nothing. Sakuya and Flan have decided you’re friendly enough, consider it me taking care of my sister and close friend’s companion. I do ask that you look out for them, both could use a more normal human as a friend.”

Soon Sakuya and Flandre return with a teddy bear. A green aura glows around the teddy bear as Flandre’s eyes take the same color temporarily.

“Well, it’s certainly similar to the ones Sakuya and I have seen.”

“Should I stay away from it?”

“I think it should be fine Flandre but Remilia do you have anyone to check the enchantment just in case.”

“Yes, I’ll have Patchy check over both Flan’s teddy bear and Sakuya’s knifes just in case. I’ll have her meet up once that’s done at the Hakurei Shrine, so I’ll leave informing Reimu to you.”

“Got it. I’ll see you later Sakuya. Bye Flandre. Thank you for your time again, Remilia.”

“Goodbye Tsubaki.”

“Buh-Bye Tsubaki!”

“Farewell.”

After saying goodbye to Remilia and the others, I headed back to the Human Village and on my way there a jack and ten cards glow gaining art of Sakuya and Flandre respectively with a Pocket Watch suit and a Rainbow Crystal Suit.

Chapter Text

Returning to the Human Village, I headed to the Detached Oasis to check if Sekibanki had returned.

“Sekibanki still hasn’t returned?”

“Yes unfortunately.”

“Alright I’ll work during the lunch shift, but can I work in my normal clothes in case I need to leave early, I’m helping investigate the current incident going on and Sekibanki seems to have gotten drawn in.”

“Can I ask how you got this information?”
“From a friend of her’s who was affected, Wakasagihime.”

Miss Celty sighs before responding.

“Then it’s accurate, I’m guessing you figured something else out.”

“She said it happened during a meeting of the Grassroots Youkai Network, though I know humans who are close to Youkai so not definitive proof.”

“I’ll explain later, but what likely happened to her?”
“She’ll be more aggressive than normal if she is normally peaceful which is why I think she rushed out. Once someone beats her in a Spell Card Duel, she’ll be fine.”

“Thank you.”

Heading up to my room, I create three more spell cards using my newer bond cards, creating Galaxy Sign – Spiral Cannon, False World – Thirteenth Flower, and Taboo: Vortigern from Mariasa’s, Sakuya’s and Flandre’s cards respectively. With that taken care of, I began the lunch shift. After a while the lunch rush slows down significantly when Marisa and Keine enter.

“Yo Tsubaki.”

“Good evening Tsubaki.”

“Hey you two.”

“I had dropped by earlier to see if you wanted to investigate the incident together, but you weren’t here.”
“Reimu came during breakfast with Kiene as well to settle when we would train. She also informed me she was going to investigate the Netherworld and if I wanted to investigate go to you.”
“She didn’t tell you where I lived, did she ze?”

“No and she was quite smug about it.”
This got a big laugh out of Marisa and a chuckle from Keine.

After getting their order and serving their food I got permission from Miss Celty to discuss the incident with Marisa.

“Anyway, luckily Sakuya was in town and let me help her with something in exchange we investigated near Misty Lake and got a lead. And before you ask I am going to rub this in Reimu face.”
“Nice, please don’t be too mean about it since she means well. So, what did you two find?”

“On our way to the Scarlet Devil Mansion, we got attacked by a mermaid named Wakasakihime. She generated a red aura and was aggressive but seemed to return to normal after Sakuya and I beat her in a Spell Card Duel.”

“So a continued effect of what happened to Reimu during your sparring.”

“Yep, she also had descriptions of who caused it though we need to look for her friends since they’re likely affected as well. I’ll go over it later when we meet up with Reimu and Sakuya will be joining us.”

“Reimu will probably be ba-”

“Miss Kiene!”

Interrupting Marisa was an injured Daiyousei hurriedly entering with a more injured Wriggle with her arm over Daiyousei’s shoulder.

“Chidori first aid?!”
“I’ll get it, there’s an empty room on the far left!”

Heading up stairs Kiene begins treating Wriggle first while instructing Marisa and I on caring for Daiyousei after Miss Celty brought first aid supplies. While treating her I question Daiyousei.

“Daiyousei can you explain how this happened?”

“Cirno, me and the others were playing near the village when the girl who works here showed up. She looked like something was wrong and told us to stay away, but we tried to help her. Wriggle and I were the closest when she seemed to snap and started attacking us. Cirno, Mystia and Rumia are still there fighting, Tsubaki, Marisa please help them!”

“Which direction da ze?”
“Umm east!”

“Got it, Tsuabaki let’s go!”
“Right behind you.”

“Wait a minute I’m coming with you two!”

“Keine my broom can hold only two people and I think it’s better for you to care for Daiyousei, Wriggle and the others when we send them back.”
“Fine but once I’ve made sure their alright, I’m rushing to help.”

Marisa and I headed out of the inn towards the east exit before hopping on her broom with me holding her waist to stay on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile when Daiyousei was heading towards the village.

Blasts of light, ice shards and bird-shaped danmaku collapse on a central point before being shot down through eye lasers from multiple heads of Sekibanki Celty. The tired and injured forms of Cirno, Rumia and Mystia meet up for their next attack.

“Mystia still holding up?”
“Not well, I don’t think I can keep up much longer Cirno.”

“Give me and Rumia one last heal then rush to village, Dai should have reached there soon so point whoever’s coming to help us here.”

With a quick note of a song, Cirno and Rumia’s injuries clear up and Mystia takes off. One of Sekibanki’s heads begins aiming before being sniped with a light ray from Rumia.

“You two are getting on my nerves, the weak youkais’ counterattack has begun, and I’ll be starting in the human village!”

“Not a chance you’re clearly not ok, isn’t the human village your home?”

“Human insolence have pushed youkai to this, so either join me or get knocked aside!”

“Cirno she isn’t going to listen.”
“I get that but it’s worth trying, Miss Keine would rather no trouble happen at the village.”

The battle resumed as Cirno fired off shards of ice before making a wall in front to mask her and Rumia’s approach. Taking off towards the sky, stopped in the before creating several ice particles fired off in random directions before they froze in place.

“Freeze Sign – Perfect Freeze!”

Following up was a rapid blast of danmaku before unfreezing the other particles. Sekibanki quickly weaved between the attacks trying to counter but finding her heads kept getting destroyed only getting bad shots off that Cirno had no problem dodging. Appearing behind Sekibanki from the shadows, ready to fire a light laser, was Rumia. However, her opponent was the worst to attempt this on.

“GAH!?”

“Rumia!?”

Rumia was quickly shot by a separated head sending her flying. Cirno tried to fly over to Rumia but Sekibanki intervened.

“I was fighting equally when all five of you were here what makes you think only two can beat me! Flying Head – Seventh Head!”

“Freeze Sign – Cryostasis!”

Cirno thought quickly and made an impromptu spell card encasing Sekibanki in ice before rushing down to keep refueling the magic.

“Did that do it?”

“No, it’s just a giant ice sphere holding her inside she’s trying to break it with her spell card.”

Cirno was exhausted, creating a spell card without a blank card had drained her severely with Rumia not being much better.

“Hah....Hah...Rumia, I have an idea to try to finish this, but I’ll need you to hold her off for a little bit.”

Rumia sighed, she knew this plan was likely risky but as much of an idiot Cirno was, she excelled even at math if she could apply it in a fight, so it was their best chance.

“Fine but you’re coming with me when I have to explain why I had to do this to Miss Yakumo.”

Cirno looked confused before seeing Rumia put her hand near her ribbon causing a seal to appear. Darkness erupted from Rumia’s hand attacking the seal managing to destroy a small part of it. With the seal damaged, Rumia’s power quickly spiked as her height and hair grew slightly. Rumia quickly charged a new spell card before nodding to Cirno. In that instance, Cirno jumped back releasing her spell card as Rumia fired her’s the second the sphere disappeared.

“Light Sign – Spectrum Shotgun!”

Light lazers burst from Rumia’s hand knocking back Sekibanki and destroying the separated heads. Rumia flew after her leaving Cirno to start her plan.

“Alright Cirno, you can do this. You’re the strongest fairy so step up and recreate that spell card you saw Remilia use once.”

Hyping herself up, Cirno used the last of her energy to generate one last spell card. Activating it, ice formed and condensed slowly taking the form of a giant spear.

“Rumia!”

Cirno launched the spear while Rumia disappeared with her shadows.

“Ice Spear – Shatter the Gungnir!”

The ice spear shattered into multiple smaller spears before pelting Sekibanki. Once the dust cleared Cirno and Rumia saw that Sekibanki was defeated and knocked out.

“We did it!”

The two high-fived before collapsing and then sitting up, exhaustion finally catching up with them. In the distance they caught sight of two figures flying over towards them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marisa and I finally reached the area and found Rumia and Cirno waving us down.

“You two alright?”

“Tired and bruised but otherwise A-OK. Are the others fine?”

“Daiyousei and Wriggle are resting at the inn, and we also sent Mystia there when we ran into her on the way here. Cirno, Rumia can either of you fly right now?”

Both shake their heads. Marisa’s broom should be able to care the both of them which leaves me with carrying Sekibanki. After Marisa helps me get her onto my back we take off. Once we have flown for a while Rumia speaks up.

“Marisa, will Miss Yakumo be at the shrine later? I need to have her fix my seal.”

“Probably, even if she isn’t Reimu should be able to contact her since she’d want to be filled in on what’s happened today. Though it will be a bit till Reimu’s back from her investigation so you two will be resting first.”

Marisa looked back and saw that Cirno was ahead on that front, having fallen asleep. Rumia followed soon after.

“Marisa about how strong are Cirno and her friends?”

“A bit above average for Youkai though Cirno and Rumia as she is right now would be considered severely strong.”

“Then whatever affected Sekibanki is more problematic than we thought if she could fight all five of them. It seems to affect people at different levels since Wakasagihime didn’t seem that strong.”

As we continued discussing, Sekibanki started to wake up.

“mmn... where?”

“You ok now Sekibanki?”

She looks around before landing on Cirno and Rumia peacefully napping before sighing in relief.

“Yeah, just glad those kids seem to be fine, are the others?”

“All of them are fine your aunt is taking care of the other three.”

“Good I’ll...need to...thank them.”

She falls asleep exhausted. After a while Marisa and I reach the Detached Oasis and let Miss Celty and Keine take care of them. Marisa asks to talk with me since we have to wait till Rumia and Cirno are up.

“Tsubaki you should take these.”

She hands me two blank spell cards though they are different since they have seals the normal ones don’t have.

“These are for Last Words. They’re stronger versions of Spell Cards but they have the drawback of being very draining so Reimu set up a rule regarding their use in that you can’t use other Spell Cards after using one since some people would be able to spam them.”

As I take them a bright flash happens as Taboo: Vortigern appears on one of them.

“You already have one?”

“It’s one made from Flandre’s bond card.”

Marisa laughs.

“That makes since, well at least Reimu will probably be more lenient about you helping then.”

Marisa and I chat a bit longer with her being excited about the card her bond made until Cirno and Rumia join us and the four of us take off towards the Hakurei shrine.