Chapter 1: Border Between Dream and Reality
Chapter Text
~~~
The Antarctic Empire was one of the world's most thriving kingdoms. Led by King Phil Watson and Queen Kristen Watson, they had three sons who'd one day rule the empire. Wilbur Soot Watson; the eldest son and a music lover. He was never all that strong but his words whether sung or spoken would echo through the rolling arctic hills. With mighty wings like his fathers and the headstrong spirit of his mother, he was destined to be the next king. Then there was Technoblade Watson; the middle adopted son. Though rather quiet, let the sword and shield speak on his behalf. Any weapon he could wield masterfully and the pig hybrid was toughest in all the land. Finally, there was Tommy Innit Watson; the youngest son with the brightest smile and soul. But he was born with a major injury to his wings, making them dysfunctional. He wasn't born with Wilbur's eloquence or Techno's combat proficiency so the boy wondered what his place may be in the royal empire.
That was until he met her.
Sneaking out of royal studies as per usual, Tommy was roaming around outside. His plan was probably to go meet with Tubbo, Ty, or Grunk. They were the three princes from their allied nation of Manberg. But a girl caught his eye. A bit shorter than himself and wore rather flashy clothing for a commoner. Curiosity got the best of him as he followed. Carefully trailing behind as she reached the end of town, the girl finally spoke up.
"You know I know you're there?"
"...Uh no, I'm not... Then why didn't you mention it before!"
"Wanted to see how long till you faltered. But I suppose you didn't."
"Of course I'm good at sneaking around!"
"Don't tell me you're some sort of thief now..."
"Nah quite the opposite actually!"
"Well... mind explaining why you were following me?"
"Your clothes reminded me of an outsider, I was simply intrigued but if you hate me that much I'll just go. I can always go meet with Tubbo and shit..."
"Tubbo? Like Prince Tubbo of Manberg? You must take me to him! I've been researching hybrids and I wanna know about every type known to man!"
"Hmm... now I'm changing my mind about you miss. Are you from one of those countries that discriminate against hybrids?"
"Ya but I personally don't. My goal is to learn about every type of magic out there!"
"Uh, this isn't magic? It's just fucked up genetics. Hybrids are simply humans with animal-like qualities. It gives us abilities but certainly not magic as many wrong'ins like to call it."
"Well, then that clears some things up. I wasn't fully sure if hybrids were the result of Youkai and human crossbreeding which would make them creatures of magic."
"Youkai? Like ancient monsters? What the fuck are ya goin' on about?"
"Oh, you didn't know... Are you interested in learning about the truth of Youkai?" Tommy raised an eyebrow but decided fuck it.
"I suppose so...?"
"See that hill over there? Meet me there tonight an hour past dusk." The sudden desire to meet up in the middle of the night made Tommy tense. As a prince, he had to keep his guard up.
"How can I even trust you? I just met you!" The girl smiled.
"Where do you live? I'll take you back to your house!"
"That clears up literally nothing. Looking both ways, she chuckled before slowly leaving the ground. Wait... wait how the fuck was she levitating!?!? "What the fuck! Are you a hybrid?"
"Nah, just a powerful esper. A master of the psychic arts. Can you fly?"
"Uh no-"
"Then this will be much faster!" Offering out her hand, the young prince looked at it with reluctance before accepting and being pulled up into the air. "Which way is your house." holding onto the girl's back with a tight grip, he pointed forward.
"At the castle!"
"The castle? Are you one of the servant's sons?"
"...I'm actually a prince-"
"Wait are you Prince Tommy?"
"Sadly yes." The girl seemed a tad taken aback by the sadly part but chose to ignore it.
"I promise I won't make too big of a deal about it ok?"
"Ya, that'd be nice." The girl seemingly swam through the air and it all hit Tommy at once. Oh, prime he was actually flying. Once they reached the castle, Tommy told her where to stop at. The balcony to his room. He wished he didn't have to let go, being practically weightless felt amazing. This must be how dad and Wilbur felt.
"So, are you convinced now?"
"Definitely! I'll see you tonight. Wait I never caught your-" But she just... disappeared. Must be an esper thing. Collapsing onto his bed, he already missed the feeling. Flying was so cool! Or he guessed it was more like levitation. Glasses girl spoke with such purpose (something Tommy wished he had.) Wait no glasses girl sounded weird. For now, he decided to simply call her the Esper. For just a moment, he considered telling his family about the Esper but they were never fans of Tommy leaving the castle so much.
"You're only 14! Someone could just snatch you right up, then what!"
Ignoring the annoying sound of his dad's voice in his head, Tommy prepared himself for sneaking out tonight. He remembered the point of going was to learn about Youkai but he really just wanted to fly again. But maybe learning about Youkai from her will give him a better understanding of how the Esper ended up this way.
"Prince Thomas! It's time for dinner."
"I'll be right down!" Sliding down the banister to get to the dining hall, Tommy found himself in a much better mood. First, he got to fly for the first time since he was what...4? 5? Now he's got a new friend that he could even brag was a woman! But upon seeing his dad's disappointed look, he tensed. He sat down quietly and after a prayer to the Prime Gods, he dug into his ribeye steak.
"So Wilbur, what's been new with you?"
"I'm about halfway done with my album. It's gonna take the Empire by storm just you wait!" The king gave a hearty chuckle.
"Well if it's so good then why don't you show us any of it?"
"It's not final anyways! You gotta wait just like everyone else."
"How about you Techno."
"Some of my men found traces of Sapnap."
"Really?"
"Ya, but nothing that gets us much closer to capturing the Dream Team."
"Hey, you're doing just fine. Besides it's the royal guard's jobs to focus on that." All Tommy could tell Techno talked about was the Dream Team. A group of very powerful bandits dead set on destroying the kingdoms. They almost did once but Phil's father; Kisuke Urahara defeated them at the cost of his own life. "What about you Tommy? Been keeping up with your studies?"
"Yes, dad..."
"Schlatt told me he didn't see you at the castle today. I'm surprised you're finally starting to stay at your lessons."
"Huh? But I didn't see him with the teacher." Wilbur intervened making Tommy's heart drop.
"Wilbur you prick!"
"Tommy where were you?"
"I was just around town! Can't a big man enjoy his own dad's country?"
"I don't like you going to the outskirts of town, you're barely-"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BARELY I'M TURNING 15 IN TWO WEEKS!"
"Do not raise your voice at me."
"Phil relax it's not like he's leaving the kingdom."
"Still Kristen! Dream is on the loose and remember the letter we got from him when Tommy was born."
"That was over 14 years ago! He would've done something to me by now if he cared that much!"
"Tommy, I need you to stay near the castle and I need you to focus on your studies."
"Why though! What difference would it make if I ran away, became a traveling hermit or something!"
"You are a prince of the Antarctic Empire, I expect you to live up to that title."
"Philza! You've had a rough day I don't want you taking it out on our son!" Tommy couldn't help but give his mom a light smile. She was always a bit softer on all of them than Phil. Kristen understood Tommy's struggle with being wingless, being a regular human herself.
"Kristen-"
"Tommy, how about you go to Tubbo's for dinner?"
"Really!?!?"
"Ya, I'll get Deo to escort you over." At that moment, he couldn't be more grateful for his mom, sparing him from Phil's anger. His dad was a good guy, but he didn't feel like feeling like shit tonight with what he had planned.
***
Dinner in Manberg nowadays was almost always more enjoyable than in the Empire. The neighboring kingdom ruled by King Schlatt was very chill, always having a glass of wine with his meal. He always considered Schlatt like an uncle and in more recent years, another dad. Unlike the Empire, Manberg was also run by his closest advisors rather than a queen. The first being Connor Yardale, his old business partner, and the other being Alex Quackity, a young man who according to Tubbo is apparently a love interest for Schlatt. After dinner, Schlatt let the kids go play around the castle and the nearby gardens. Like the Empire, he had 3 sons. Ty and Grunk (the eldest and youngest respectively) were two adopted humans. They used to work as interns for Schlatt's business but when he found out the two brothers were homeless, they were taken in as his own. Meanwhile, the middle son Tubbo was actually his biological child, taking on the bee wings of Schlatt's ex-wife and the ram horns of his father. Manberg was the newest kingdom, created to help the Antarctic Empire in their battle against the Dream Team since Schlatt also got a letter from Dream looking to kidnap Tubbo for unknown reasons. Now he and Tubbo have been best friends since birth. He knew he could trust Tubbo, so as Ty and Grunk walked ahead of them, he pulled his friend close.
"Ya know, I met an Esper."
"An Esper, one of the psychic people right?"
"Ya she could levitate, and she flew me home."
"Woah really!"
"Mhm, and I'm gonna meet up with her after I get back to the Empire."
"Espers... I dunno man are you sure she's not a hybrid?"
"Totally not! She's here researching hybrids after coming from a world of Youkai."
"Youkai are in fairytales!"
"Well, I'm gonna hear her out. If she seems legit I'll take you to meet her."
"...Fine. If she turns out to be bad I'm gonna laugh."
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
***
"So what do you do exactly?"
"I run the Hifuu Secret Sealing Club back at my school. Basically, I research the occult. But in my discoveries, I found this magical place called Gensokyo. Home to many Youkai, creatures, monsters, whatever you wanna call them. Mostly nowadays I just visit in my dreams but I can go physically if I wanna. Just gotta make the trek to the Hakurei Shrine, throw in a magical stone into the water and meditate until I fall asleep. Once I wake up I'm there. Sometimes there are weaknesses in the Hakurei Barrier but it's too unlikely."
"Uh, what's the Hakurei Barrier?"
"The Great Hakurei Barrier is exactly what it sounds like, a barrier made to keep the fantastic and strange inside and the mundane and normal out. I dunno much about its creation, didn't listen when Reimu told me."
"Well, what's it like in Gensokyo?"
"Oh, it's beautiful! Conflict is limited and the land is vast and unpolluted. We solve our problems in Spell Card duels and everyone from human to Youkai to God to anything in between knows some sort of magic."
"Wait... you're not born with magic?"
"Nope. Many humans train to become powerful magicians or get magic granted by their gods. Take Sanae and Reimu who both dedicated their lives as shrine maidens or Marisa who spent her entire life learning magic and being the best human magician known to man."
"I don't know any of those people."
"Well, not now at least."
"What do you mean not now?"
"You can't fly, right? I'm sure that's tough. Both of your brothers are well-built hybrids-"
"If you're just here to do what the rest of the Kingdom does every day you can leave."
"Hey let me finish! What I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be that way. The Spell Card laws that the Youkai of Gensokyo fight with can be learned by anyone in the right environment. Would you be interested in going to Gensokyo? I could get you in contact with the right people to train you. Marisa's been looking for an apprentice and maybe you're who she'd want."
"Lady, slow down. I don't even know your name. This sounds amazing but I can't be so sure if this isn't just a lie."
"Hm... how about this? One week. In one week I'll show off more of my powers, I'll teach you everything I know about Gensokyo. And if you want to go, then we can. How does that sound?"
"...Can I bring my friend Tubbo to meet you? He's got good intuition."
"If I can see his wings for my research in hybrids then deal!" She offered her hand out to shake. "Suppose I should properly introduce myself. The name's Sumireko Usami, and I'm here to take you to the border between dreams and reality."
~~~
(Each section of the book will contain terminology and a character profile section. The terminology section will give definitions for strange words introduced in each chapter while the character profile section will give some basic descriptions of each new Touhou character introduced. This will include their name/title, species, abilities, age if applicable, occupation if they have one, where they live, their role in the real Touhou Franchise, and any other important pieces of information. For Archive of Our Own readers, simply google their full names for appearance. Also just for this chapter I'm gonna leave the information on our main SMP cast since it differs from the DreamSMP and some royalty AU's)
Terminology
Youkai (妖怪, "mystic apparition" or "mysterious calamity") is a term used to refer to Japanese folk creatures and ghosts, or to supernatural beings in general. Because there are thousands of stories of magical beings around the world, the different types of youkai are endless. Pronounced 'yo-kai'
Gensokyo (幻想郷 gensoukyou, "Land of Illusions" or "Land of Fantasy") is the setting of the Touhou Project and most of this novel. Its culture vaguely resembles that of feudal Japan, heavily embellished with folkloric elements. Gensokyo is populated mainly by youkai, but a decent human and rabbit population lives there as well. Some of its inhabitants went there to hide, to escape, to find shelter when no-one and nowhere else would accept them. Many of them just like the natural darkness.
The Great Hakurei Barrier (博麗大結界 Hakurei Dai-Kekkai) is the barrier that hides Gensokyo away from the Outside World, and which allows Youkai to survive within even when outside humans no longer believe in them. It is known that the Hakurei Shrine is located on the border and is the only structure to exist on both sides of the barrier.
The Hakurei Shrine (博麗神社 Hakurei Jinja) is a small, run-down Shinto Shrine located on the Great Hakurei Barrier on the east side of Gensokyo. The shrine is abandoned on the Outside World side but tended to on the Gensokyo side by a shrine maiden named Reimu Hakurei. The shrine is for the Hakurei God and doesn't receive many donations.
Character Profiles
Sumireko Usami ~ Expose the Esoteric! The Secret Sealing Club's First President
Species: Human
Abilities: She is a strong psychic, an individual capable of various powers associated with the paranormal, including but seemingly not limited to levitation, pyrokinesis, hydrokinesis, telekinesis, psychokinesis, and teleportation.
Age: 15
Occupation: High school student at Higashifukami High
Location: Kanto Region of the Outside World
Role in the Touhou Franchise: Sumireko is the main antagonist of Touhou 14.5; Urban Legend in Limbo, a playable character in Touhou 15.5; Antinomy of Common Flowers (teamed up with Doremy Sweet), and the main playable protagonist of Touhou 16.5; Violet Detector. Sumireko has her own dedicated print work called The Grimoire of Usami and has made cameo appearances in 'Curiosities of Lotus Asia' and 'Wild and Horned Hermit'.
Chapter 2: Did You See That Shadow?
Chapter Text
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The sun shone brightly into Gensokyo that morning. Not a cloud in sight but the gentle breeze lapping at a certain magician's dress. But it was late enough in the spring for Marisa Kirisame to finally ditch her winter clothes, opting for shorter sleeves and thinner fabrics. It was only after a quick breakfast the blonde got to enjoy the summer morning. As per usual, she'd probably stop by the Hakurei Shrine at some point. Maybe she'd head into the human village for some essentials. Ooh, and she had something new to research! Going by the Scarlet Devil Mansion library was a must-do for this morning. The whole day ahead of her, the carefree girl whistled a tune as she carefully tended to her broom before putting it into a flight mode position and soaring into the skies.
The view over Gensokyo was something Marisa could never get sick of. Dodging the trees, Marisa finally reached over the leaves. Following her usual morning path to the shrine, she kept a small box of snacks in her dress pocket. Routine followed as normal once the three fairies of light arrived. Leading the way was the bright and bubbly Sunny Milk followed by Luna Child and Star Sapphire.
"Mornin' girls!"
"Morning Marisa!" They cheered.
"Marisa! Look at this bug I found. Star held out her hand, a small critter crawling on it.
"Very cool! I think it's some sort of beetle."
"Heh told ya Sunny! You owe me now!"
"It's red like a ladybug! I beg to differ Luna."
"Well, it looks like a scarlet lily beetle if you ask me. But if you wanna know for sure I recommend asking Wriggle."
"Ya good idea! Let's go, guys! Thanks, Mari~"
"No problem keep out of trouble now will ya." Humming a little tune, the shrine was in view and slowly but surely Marisa landed. In the mornings she was always a bit quieter to keep Reimu from starting the day annoyed. Creeking open the door, she was pleasantly surprised to see Reimu already awake. "This is new, you're never up this early."
"Not like I wanted to be. Some human fell from the trees and he's now my problem until he wakes up! His clothing is that of a foreigner so I'm sure he was just spirited away."
"Fell from the trees? But Sumireko is the only one to do that upon arrival."
"I'm sure the kid just was messing around at the shrine in the night and did something to cause the barrier to break similar to how Sumireko does. But now I gotta tend to the injury on his head. If nothing is too serious he'll be up and at 'em by the afternoon."
"Well that's good I suppose. Brought ya breakfast!" Handing over the tin of snacks, Reimu sighed.
"I'll go start the tea. The usual?"
"You know me!" The stovetop whizzed to life and Reimu began to heat the water while Marisa went to see who ended up crossing the barrier. In one of the shrines rooms, a boney teen slept soundly with ice on his head. His hair was a paler blond than her own was and much like Reimu, he stuck to a red and white color palette.
"Marisa! Quit spying on him, tea is almost ready!"
"Sorry, I'm coming!" Once it was done, they each had a small cup to sip on as Reimu dug into the assorted snacks Marisa brought her. Going over plans for the day, Reimu's didn't seem to have much other than taking care of the Outsider. But Reimu stacked on some things for Marisa to do. First, she'd need to go to the Human Village to see if the medicine peddler would be in town today. If not she'd have to stop at Eientei. Next, she'd keep going west towards the mansion and pick up a few books before finally making a roundabout for Eientei to get the medicine for the Outsider if the peddler wasn't around. Then it'd just be a straight dash north back to the shrine where they could have some lunch.
"The mansion is so out of the way. Can't you stop tomorrow?"
"I've got some experimenting I wanna do tonight so I need them now! I'll snag some of Sakuya's amazing cooking for lunch ok?"
"Fine just at least bring back the medicine."
"Of course! Welp, I'll be off then. Cya later Reimu!"
"Cya..."
***
The human village wasn't too far from the shrine and in no time at all, Marisa made a dramatic landing in the middle of town before heading over to Kourindou. The human antique shop was as cluttered as always with the same man running the store. Rinnosuke greeted her upon entry.
"Hey, Rinnosuke!"
"Good morning Marisa! Can I interest you in anything today? Just got a load from the Outside World. I got this thing called a Selfie Stick, it can let you take photos but I don't see any cameras so I presume it's some sort of weapon!"
"Er no thank you. I've actually just come here to ask you a question. Do you know if the medicine peddler will be in the village today?"
"No not today. Why? Are you hurt?"
"Oh no! Some human ended up getting spirited away and Reimu sent me out to get some pain killers. I suppose I'll have to go speak to Eirin about it. Anyways, what are you up to today? Same old?"
"I've actually gotta speak with your father this afternoon about a certain business venture." Marisa deadpanned.
"You know I don't like you being around him."
"It's only for the money."
"I'm not an idiot, I know you don't mind him."
"...Marisa one day you're gonna have to confront him. Gensokyo is such a small world." The younger girl scoffed at him.
"With enough firepower, I can keep all my problems at bay! Besides, I should be off to the Scarlet Devil Mansion." Rinnosuke dropped the subject and shook his head.
"Off to steal more books again?"
"Aw don't make me sound like a criminal old man, I only borrow them!"
"I am in fact not old! You're the only reason my hair is so gray!" Trading a few light-hearted insults back and forth, Marisa said her goodbyes and took off into the sky again. The sun's rays were now starting to blast hotter into the air. Thankfully she could just fly higher where the air is thinner and cooler. The trip to the mansion was uneventful and it was easy to fly into the musky library. Running into the library assistant Koakuma, she gave her a wave.
"Marisa! Need help finding anything."
"Yes actually, think you can help me locate a book on-" But before she could finish, the demon was pulled out of flight by the librarian; Patchouli Knowledge.
"Do not be helping that foolish girl. You know you are rather a disruption Ms. Kirisame."
"Don't sweat on the small stuff! I need one book about a certain type of charm then I'm on my way!"
"You say that then you take and you take and you take."
"Please, you can watch me take it! Then I'll be out of your hair for the rest of the day."
"...Five minutes or I'll kill you." Marisa chuckled knowing the threat was empty. The duo played this same game everyday.
"Thanks, Patchy!"
"Don't push it." Koakuma guided her through the library and after she picked out the book, she noticed the head maid of the mansion enter.
"Oh, Marisa. Not a surprise seeing you here."
"Certainly isn't, how you've been Sakuya?"
"I have been alright. The mistresses miss you. You should stay awhile at some point."
"I'd love to but right now I gotta get to Eientei."
"Huh? Is everything alright?"
"Why does everyone gotta assume I'm hurt... I'm fine just gotta pick up some medicine for some outsider that got spirited away."
"Ah well if they turn out to be a brat please, don't hesitate to offer them up to the mistress. It's been a bit since either one has had a full piece of flesh."
"Of course! ...Oh Sakuya, do you have anything I can get for Reimu and the outsider for lunch?"
"Yes. I'm preparing some ramen and potato salad for the mistress. I can get you some to bring to-go if you'd like. The maids bought extra ingredients."
"That'd be lovely!"
"Alright excuse me for one moment." Sakuya seemingly disappeared before returning with a large tote bag. "Inside is 3 servings for ramen and a large bowl of potato salad. Just add some hot water to the ramen and give it time to cook. I prepared these cups much like you would instant ramen. There's also some room in the bag for your book and medicine."
"Thank you!"
"It is no problem Ms. Kirisame. Be sure to speak to the lady about when you two could catch up over some tea and cookies."
"I will during the summer festival next week for sure!"
"That'd be most preferable. Have a good day now Kirisame." Hopping on her broom, she flew out from the same window she came in and began going south towards Eientei. Thankfully, it was easy to spot from overhead but the Bamboo Forest of the Lost from overhead is very confusing and very dangerous, even for some such as herself. Landing just outside of the house of eternity, some rabbits noticed her and gave a wave. One such rabbit approached her.
"Yo Tewi! Is the doc in?"
"She is! Do you have an appointment with Ms. Yagokoro-San?"
"No, I just need some pain killers for an outsider who showed up at the shrine."
"Alright come on in, I'll get you in and out." Following the smaller rabbit girl, Reisen ended up spotting them and tagging along.
"Reisen! It's been a bit!"
"It really has been, we haven't gotten to talk much since the incident back on the moon and even then we were focused on like saving Gensokyo."
"Well, sadly I don't have much time now, once I get the medicine I've gotta be back at the shrine for lunch."
"I see... well the festival is next week."
"Ya! We can hang out then. Do you know if Kaguya or Eirin is going?"
"I think I can convince Kaguya to go. If I get her to, Eirin is going no matter what. Just can't tell her Mokou is gonna be there." She told her with a little wink. "Well here's your spot, I'll walk you back outside when you are done with the miss. Tewi why don't you go check to make sure the other rabbits aren't messing with Marisa's broom?"
"Ok!" Watching Tewi run off, Marisa knocked on the door to Eirin's office.
"Who is it?"
"Your favorite!" Opening the door, Eirin deadpanned.
"Well I wouldn't say your my favorite but it's nice to see you again Ms. Kirisame."
"Wow, blunt was always... A nice hello woulda worked to."
"You certainly can't be here for a good reason. Did you breathe too much of your weird mushrooms from that wretched forest?"
"Hell no! Never doing that again because the last high I got wouldn't wear off for days!"
"Yes, I know that, you were under my care." She stated matter-of-factly. "If not you, then what else do you need from me?"
"Just some pain killers. Nothing too special. Some outsider fell from the sky."
"Dear me sounds like a world of trouble. I'll get you a whole bottle, on the house."
"Geez are you sure?"
"Making a bottle of human pain killers is mere childs play compared to what takes actual effort for me. I'll have a remedy whipped up in just a moment."
"Ya ya you're smart we get it! You can quit it now! ...Thank you though."
"Oh ho ho I'm surprised to hear those two words out of your mouth."
"Hey, I can use proper manners! ...If I feel like it." Eirin chuckled at her teasing before handing her a bottle of about 40 or so small pill-like capsules.
"If these don't ease the effects in 2-4 hours then please come back right away and I'd be happy to examine the outsider for further injury."
"Good to know! Cya around Eirin." Returning outside, she put them inside the tote bag Sakuya gave her and let Reisen escort her out. It wasn't too long before she was back in the air. Heading back for the shrine, Marisa checked the time using the sun. It was just noon. Perfect timing. Making a bit of a harsh landing on the stone ground of Hakurei, Marisa went through the bag. Reimu came around the back of the shrine, sweeping away dust as she walked.
"Eyup!"
"Welcome back. Did you get everything we need?"
"Mhm! And some ramen for lunch. As well as a potato salad."
"We can save the salad for later. I say we eat the ramen now."
"I was thinking the same thing. Go boil some water for tea and cooking." Pulling out the bottle, she let Reimu stow it away in her dress pocket before helping prepare the meal. After pouring the water in, the girls took their tea and cooking ramen cups out to the front under the late spring sun. But as they dug into their meals, they were startled by the sound of footsteps in the shrine. A million possibilities swirled in Reimu's mind, some Youkai probably broke in to steal her food. Or worse, her donations! However, unlike a thief, a voice accompanied those steps.
"Uh... where the fuck am I?"
~~~
(Due to limited space in the endnotes, the terminology section will be included here. The Character Profiles for Reimu and Marisa will also be put here to get rid of some of the space in the endnotes)
Terminology
The Human Village (人間の里 Ningen no Sato) is where most of 's Gensokyo's humans live. Even though some Youkai also visits here to shop, this is the safest place in all of Gensokyo to live.
The Scarlet Devil Mansion (紅魔館 Koumakan), also referred to as the Scarlet Manor or Scarlet Mansion, is a European-style mansion owned by Remillia Scarlet. It is located on a ridge on the edge of Misty Lake. From the outside, there are scarlet-colored windows, but there aren't many windows because of the nature of its vampire residents.
Eientei (永遠亭 lit. "House of Eternity") is the name of a large, old-fashioned Japanese mansion hidden deep within the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. It has hallways that lead out into the far reaches of the sky. It was created by Eirin Yagokoro for Kaguya Houraisan.
Kourindou (香霖堂) is an antique store seated between the Human Village and the Forest of Magic, run by Rinnosuke Morichika.
Character Profiles
Marisa Kirisame ~ Ordinary Magician
Species: Human
Abilities: Using magic. Though she was not born with any powers herself, she has been trained in using the highest class of magic known to humans. She specializes in heat and light magic. Marisa also uses a magic broom to fly around. However, in a small game series called the Seihou Project which was made with the help of the Touhou Project's creator, Marisa has angel wings. This is NOT part of the Touhou canon but something that will be included as a head-canon in this novel. Marisa takes pride in her speed, almost rivaling that of powerful Tengu's. She also copies other people's attacks.
Age: Unknown, around 15, 16, or 17
Occupation: Magician by occupation, Kirisame magic shop owner, burglar, part-time Youkai hunter, Marisa generally does a wide assortment of odd jobs for people
Location: The Kirisame household in the Forest of Magic
Possessions: Important items to Marisa includes her magic broom which she uses to fly most of the time, the Mini Hakkero which is a small, furnace-like object she shoots attacks such as the infamous Master Spark from, a magic wind she rarely uses, and mushroom items which have been crafted to be almost like non-deadly grenades.
Reimu Hakurei ~ The Shrine Maiden of Paradise
Species: Human
Abilities: Floating, aura manipulation, handling of the Hakurei Ying Yang Orbs, and usage of barriers
Age: Unknown, presumed teenager for this series
Occupation: Shrine Maiden of the Hakurei Shrine
Location: The Hakurei Shrine
Possessions: She uses the sacred Hakurei Ying Yang Orbs in combat. Her purification rod or Gohei is another holy tool she uses. Finally, she carries around lots of Ofuda's, or sacred paper charms that she can use in combat or to seal Youkai
Canon Notice: In this novel, it is implied that Reimu is in a relationship with Yukari Yakumo. For those who aren't in the Touhou fandom, this is NOT CANON and rather something I added because I am a fan of the ship. If you aren't a fan of shipping, don't worry this isn't a major plot point or anything.
The 3 Fairies of Light
Names: Consists of Sunny Milk, Luna Child, and Star Sapphire
Species: Fairy
Abilities: Sunny Milk can manipulate and refract sunlight, Luna Child can mute any sound, and Star Sapphire can detect moving things.
Occupation: Sunny Milk is their leader
Location: In a tree near the Hakurei Shrine
***
Rinnosuke Morichika ~ The Unmoving Used Goods Seller
Species: Half-Youkai
Abilities: Knowing the name and use of any item or tool
Age: Unknown, at least a few decades
Occupation: Owner of Kourindou, an antique shop
Location: Kourindou on the edge of the forest of magic
***
Koakuma
Species: Devil/Imp
Occupation: Library assistant
Location: Library of the Scarlet Devil Mansion
***
Patchouli Knowledge ~ The Unmoving Great Library
Species: Magician/ Witch (Unlike Marisa she is a magician by species, not by occupation)
Abilities: Manipulating the 5 Chinese elements with the addition of the sun moon. She uses fire, wood, metal, water, sun, moon, earth, and water in her attacks.
Age: About 100 years old
Occupation: Librarian and scholar
***
Sakuya Izayoi ~ Maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion
Species: Human
Age: According to ZUN, plays the role of a maid between 10-20 years old. She claims to be in her late teens but has the skill of someone who's lived 100's of years. Her age is unknown and her time powers mostly likely come into play because of this.
Abilites: Time manipulation. She can speed it up, slow it down, stop it, erase it, compress the flow to make the past and future exist at the same time, and influence the flow of time on a certain person, place, or object. Very overpowered!
Age: Maid
Occupation: Scarlet Devil Mansion
Possesions: Owns a lot of silver throwing knives which are her main weapons.
***
Tewi Inaba ~ White Rabbit of Good Fortune
Species: Youkai Rabbit
Abilities: Conferring good luck to humans
Age: At least 1,300 years old
Occupation: Leader of the rabbits in Eientei
Location: Eientei
***
Reisen Udongein Inaba ~ Lunar-Minded and Asynchronous Youkai Rabbit
Species: Earth-Rabbit (Formerly Moon Rabbit)
Abilities: Manipulation of insanity and wavelengths
Age: Unknown, at least 500 years old
Occupation: Kaguya's pet and Eirin's student/medicine peddler
Location: Eientei, originally from the moon
***
Eirin Yagokoro ~ Brain of the Moon
Species: Lunarians (God)
Abilities: Making any drug, natural genius, immortality upon drinking the Hourai Elixir, other magical abilities
Age: Currently immortal, at least 1,500 years old but possibly 100's of millions of years old. She has existed longer than the Lunar Capital.
Occupation: Pharmacist
Location: Eientei, originally from the moon.
***
Chapter 3: Seeds of the Incident
Chapter Text
~~~
Tommy was confused upon waking up in the Hakurei Shrine. Did it not work? Blinking open his weary eyes lead to a searing headache and dizziness. He could hear shuffling sounds outside as well as muffled talking. Feminine voices he believed. Sitting up, he did his best to stabilize himself. It took a few minutes, but holding onto the wall, Tommy could walk outside and down the hall of the shrine. At the forefront, two girls were eating some sort of noodle dish, talking quietly before he spoke without thought.
"Uh... where the fuck am I?"
"Oh, you're awake. Oughta be a bit more careful, your heads still all red. How are you feeling?" The black-haired girl asked.
"Dizzy and in pain... you still didn't answer my question."
"I'm Reimu Hakurei, and this is the Hakurei shrine. Don't worry, we'll get some food in you along with some medicine, let you sleep it off, and once your better we'll send you back home." Tommy couldn't help but zone out at that before remembering the purpose of his arrival.
"Home... wait shit don't take me home!"
"Huh?" Both Reimu and the blond witch exclaimed.
"This is Gensokyo right?"
"Oh, dear Hakurei don't tell me Yukari gapped in another kid to turn into her next lunch."
"I don't know who that is. Sumireko Usami brought me here!"
"Will she be here tomorrow?"
"Ya."
"I'm gonna have to have a word with that brat. For now, have a seat, I'll fix up some ramen for you." Holding his head, the blond witch spoke up.
"I never caught your name kid. I'm Marisa Kirisame, and you?"
"Tommy... Innit. Tommy Innit." The use of his middle name felt more natural right now as faint blips of yesterday settled back down. Instead, he focused on the two girls beside him, preferring to not confront last night's events. "...Tell me about it."
"Tell you about what?"
"Gensokyo, if I can't stop that Reimu girl from sending me back outside, I wanna know everything."
"...Well... Gensokyo is beauty. It may be small but every little detail is special. Everyone knows everyone and we may get into little scuffles, we're all still friends and family at the end of the day."
"Family...?" The girl's cloudy eyes seemed to stare off to the birds in the sky.
"Ya, family... the best one I've ever had."
"Aw, getting all sentimental on the newbie?" Reimu teased.
"I'd never!" The ramen bowl was placed in front of him alongside a cup of water.
"Careful, it's hot." Blowing on it, Tommy dug into the warm meal. "Once you finish that, I can get you some pain killers."
"You know Marisa, Sumireko told me you'd be able to train me to become a witch. Is that true?"
"Well around here we use the term magician so be respectful! Witches are evil and bad omens but magicians are cool and fun. Secondly, perhaps. I'll wait on Sumireko's arrival to talk to her about what exactly she was thinking with bringing you here."
"No don't give him hope. As soon as Sumireko shows up, I'm taking him home."
"I'm not going back to the outside!" Tommy retorted. "Not after last night."
"Why what happened last night?" Marisa asked, a tad of genuine worry in her tone.
"None of your goddamn business!" The words got cut off by Tommy shoveling another chopstick full of ramen into his mouth. He finished the cup rather quickly, having skipped dinner last night and technically breakfast since he'd been asleep. Reimu got it out of his hands before offering him two small pills.
"These will help ease your headache, but you'll crash asleep within the hour so take it then go lie down." With a swig of water, the pills went down easily. Already feeling a bit weary, Tommy returned to the backroom where Reimu brought the water and sat it down next to him.
"G'night Tommy."
"But it's the middle of the..." A yawn stopped him and before he could process the sound of the door shutting, his eyelids already fell.
***
Reimu once again woke up in the dead of night, more rustling from outside. With reluctance, the ever-tired shrine maiden forced herself out of bed.
"Sumireko what the hell have you done?"
"Good evening to you to Reimu..."
"Bringing some random kid to Gensokyo! What were you thinking, the balance and the-"
"Look he helped me understand kind of what the hybrid situation is going on in the Empire and Manberg. Besides I think him being here right now would be healthier."
"Why is that?"
"The night before I left, he thought that maybe going to Gensokyo wasn't a good idea. It'd be life-altering and he didn't want to until he was a bit older but the night of... He came running to me in tears telling me, no begging me to bring him with me. Tommy told me that no one in his world cared anymore and if he didn't try out Gensokyo then... there wouldn't be a point anymore. I took him because I don't think he would've gotten to see the daylight if he didn't come... He wants to find a purpose, just like everyone else here. So please give him the chance..."
"...Sumireko I-" Reimu paused, eyes darting.
"What's wrong?"
"Someone is coming to the shrine. I can sense another aura in the air. But why this late...?" After Reimu spoke up, Sumireko could hear someone running up the steps with absolute fear in her tone. It was Ran Yakumo, the Shikigami to Yukari. Reimu appeared a bit unsettled.
"Lady Hakurei! I beg my deepest apologizes for intruding this late but it's an emergency!"
"An emergency? What now Ran?"
"It's about Lady Yukari! She has entered another state of hibernation."
"Wait what? Her hibernation ended months ago!"
"I know but it wasn't of her choosing. She was taking her regular nap and I was getting Chen to bed herself when someone broke into our home and put a powerful curse on Lady Yukari. I was coming here because I wanted you to check on the status of the barrier."
"I thought you could do that."
"I can but only when Lady Yukari is awake and near me madam."
"...Hmph, hang on, follow me Ran." Sumireko gave a questioning look as if asking if she could follow which Reimu gave a sigh as her response. They went to the back of the shrine in which Reimu grabbed her Gohei and began focusing. "The barrier isn't actually weak at all. In fact, it's... stronger?" She attempted to draw an opening in the barrier using all of her strength but she was sent flying back, nearly hitting the shrine.
"Lady Hakurei! Are you ok?"
"Ugh... ya I'm fine. Why can't I open the barrier?"
"Whoever put this curse on Lady Yukari wants to keep something out of Gensokyo..."
"Or keep something in... Sumireko, go get Tommy. I want to do further experimentation on the border but I can't when you two are here."
"And where do you expect us to go?"
"Marisa's house, explain to her the situation upon arrival. Other than her, don't tell anyone. I don't wanna cause nation-wide panic." The weight of the situation settled on Sumireko's shoulders. Tommy was a prince after all... did someone want to trap him? No, surely it was just a coincidence...
"Understood, I'll get us both out of here." As she went back inside the shrine, Reimu couldn't help but wonder why someone would want to make the barrier thicker. Thinner yes. It would cause severe damage to Gensokyo but Reimu could see the motive. But making it to where no one can come in or out... she only felt even more anxious for what might come next...
~~~
Terminology
Shikigami (式神) is the term used for the summoned spirits of an "Onmyouji", a Japanese sorcerer. Shikigami are used to protect and serve their master, much like the Western concept of the witch's familiar. In the Touhou Project, shikigami are distinct entities that have been converted into a shikigami through a certain technique. For example, Ran Yakumo was originally a fox that transformed into a Youkai but now serves as Yukari Yakumo's shikigami. In this role, she is bound to do what Yukari tells her to.
Magicians (魔法使い mahou-tsukai, lit. "user of the sorcerous method") and witches (魔女 majo, lit. "sorcerous woman") usually refers to humans who are supposedly capable of using magic. Originally the character ma (魔) referred to dark arts, demons, and those who trafficked with them, but in modern times it can also refer to any kind of Western-style magic, good or evil. In Touhou, "magician" is both a profession and a species of Youkai. Any human magician can become a magician youkai by researching magic that takes away their need for food, but some magician youkai are born in this state naturally. Regardless of origin, a magician youkai's body is essentially human, and they do not possess the enhanced physical strength and durability of most youkai. In fact, many magician youkai are frail even by human standards, due to lack of exercise and exposure to toxic magical reagents such as arsenic and mercury. Magician youkai are considered "complete" when they learn how to halt their own aging processes through magic, a feat which past magicians could only achieve by the time they were already old and grey, but which has become easier and easier as magical knowledge has advanced.
The term shrine maiden (巫女 Miko), also called a shaman, refers specifically to altar girls of the Shinto religion. They live and work in a Shinto Shrine. Shrine maidens are generally virgins and take various rites of purity and chastity, and undergo various forms of physical and mental training. They also practice sealing and purification rituals, which are highly form-based and symbolic, and are used to bless, purify, or exorcise vengeful spirits.
Character Profiles
Ran Yakumo ~ Shikigami of the Gap Youkai
Species: Youkai Fox (Shikigami)
Abilities: Using her own Shikigami, something most Shikigami can't do. She also has high intellect and can use sorcery.
Age: Unknown, younger than Yukari and older than Chen
Occupation: Yukari's Servant
Location: Boundary of Gensokyo, lives with Yukari and her own Shikigami Chen
Chapter 4: 'Puppetry'
Chapter Text
~~~
"Wow, I thought we were friends! You won't even grace me with the presence of your core soul?" Dream was a man known for pushing his limits. Even in the face of a goddess, he refused to put his smugness aside. His vision of himself as a puppeteer of life itself never faded.
"Of course not, a mere worshipper of mine could never understand my complexities. This is almost an inconvenience you know..." The goddess replied, bare feet moving across the grasslands.
"But you get the souls after! Come on don't act like you aren't hungry. It'll be the biggest feast you've had in centuries!"
"I only eat the highest caliber of human souls. The purest Hell can offer and through torture can add a bit of salt on the meat, it doesn't bring its whole grade up."
"Ya whatever, but I'm sure you'll get some good souls, now let's go level a country!" The goddess smiled, his arrogance was sizzling on the grill top...
***
"He's nowhere in the kingdom?"
"No sir. I have been alerted by guards of Manberg he is nowhere to be found there either."
"...Very well, Deo, you are dismissed, I'm going to speak with Kristen on our next moves to get Tommy home-"
"KING PHILZA KING PHILZA!" A younger boy burst through the door of the throne room in tears. He recognized him as one of Tommy's servants, Luke.
"Luke I am trying to have a serious discussion with the King. Get back to your post!"
"UNLESS YOU THINK THAT DREAM'S ARRIVAL ISN'T THAT IMPORTANT I'M NOT LEAVING!" Both Deo and Phil tensed. The old king got out of his chair and made his way over to the servant, wiping his face dry.
"Young one, I need you to breathe and I need you to tell me what you saw."
"Dream is on his way to the kingdoms with this blue-haired girl!"
"Alert Manberg's troops. Deo go get our troops ready to fight like hell." Phil knew Dream wouldn't be here unless it was connected to Tommy, so he got Kristen to get Wilbur and Techno to safety. And outside waiting wasn't an army like they have been confronted with before but rather just Dream and like Luke said, some blue-haired girl in edgy clothes and some hat that looked like the Earth. The prince of Hell giggled as Phil took to the forefront of his army.
"Why are you here again Dream. What did you do to my son!"
"You're son? He speaks so negatively of you. No wonder though. I mean you said he'd be better off with me so I simply gave him what he wanted. Or rather he gave himself what he wanted. I never knew he'd fall into a trap that easy. You wanna know why I'm doing this? I didn't have to come here and make some grand show! I just want to show you how powerful I am. How powerless you are! ...I could've just let you walk away Phil but no I'm toying with you... and that's the fun in it! Your ladyship bring down the pandemonic planets."
"It'd be my pleasure." And with the power of Hell, the moon, and the earth, two empires were crushed to mere dust...
***
"...Wait... so I can't leave?"
"Yep."
"Even if I wanted to?"
"Mhm."
"Even if Reimu forcefully tried to take me back outside?"
"Yes." Tommy grinned wide.
"Oh, this is wonderful!"
"Not so much for Gensokyo." Marisa filled in. "Yukari being asleep is going to cause some problems... But they aren't mine to deal with!" Finishing a quick breakfast, Sumireko jumped to her feet.
"I've gotta go meet up with Mokou today. Why don't you take Tommy around Gensokyo? Give him the grand tour ya know?"
"Ooh, you wanna do that?" Tommy's eyes lit up.
"You'd do that for me?"
"Mhm, you've gotta see all of Gensokyo at some point. I won't show you like Makai or take you to any part of the afterlife. Just the essential locations." He nodded and the trio went outside to split off. After bidding Sumireko farewell as she headed to wherever Mokou lived, Marisa prepared her broom.
"I thought you could fly like Sumireko could?"
"Technically I can, but it takes so much of my energy so I'd rather leave it to this trusty broom! ...What are you waiting for, hop on! It can handle the weight." Carefully, Tommy sat behind Marisa, adjusting himself before it was sent propelling into the air. A short scream was followed by a gasp in awe. She was right, Gensokyo was beautiful.
"I live in the Forest of Magic. Be careful picking up quite literally anything that lives here. The plants are toxic and the animals are typically part Youkai. If for some reason you get lost, I'll show you a friend's house that I know is safe." Flying over to another house rather similar to Marisa's (but without the clutter) something caught his attention. Living dolls were doing chores outside much to the blond's amazement.
"How the..."
"Magic of the seven-colored puppeteer. I'll take you inside." Knocking on the door of the house, the dolls alerted yet another blonde lady inside. Almost everyone she's met in Gensokyo is blonde... She opened the door.
"Marisa... who is this?"
"Tommy! He's from the outside world and will be staying in Gensokyo for a while. I'm giving him the grand tour! Do you mind if I actually come in and read through one of your grimoires?"
"I actually do-" Marisa however waltzed right in, heading for the girl's bookshelves. She sighed and motioned for him to enter and quickly, the dolls inside began investigating him. "You guys back off, he's a guest." Most of the dolls did except for one who rested on his shoulder much to Tommy's surprise. The doll was rather cute though so he didn't try telling it off.
"HER NAME IS ALICE MARGATROID, ASK HER ANYTHING! OOH, I FOUND WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!" Marisa yelled.
"Why don't you just have him read the guidebooks?"
"Because that's boring! He should learn from uh experience or whatever. YO IS THAT CASTELLA! Don't mind if I do-"
"Oi hands off! I'll let you take some home if you chill out with my books!"
"Sorry, Alice..." Scoffing a bit, Alice turned her attention to him again.
"So Tommy huh? A rather foreign name but rolls off the tongue nicely."
"Oh uh, thanks... can I ask you stuff like Marisa said?"
"Go ahead, I've always believed in feeding the curious- Osaka! Let go of the nice man this instant!" But the doll on his shoulder stayed firmly planted, resting her head just below the righter-most bone of his neck.
"I don't mind! She's rather adorable if I'm being honest."
"Alright well let me know if she's bothering you."
"Hm... can I ask what species you are? I mean you look human I'm sorry that's dumb-"
"You're alright. I was born human but I've been training almost my entire life in Makai and became a Youkai magician. Marisa, there still has a while to go before she can become a Youkai." Tommy felt another doll rest on his shoulder and he couldn't help but giggle a bit. "Mito! Those two seem to really like you."
"HEY HOW COME NONE OF YOUR DOLLS LIKE ME!" Marisa exclaimed.
"Maybe because all you do is break into my house and intrude."
"Ya ya whatever!" Alice sighed.
"Well if you ever get sick of Marisa, my door is open, you seem like a nice kid. Mito and Osaka will guide you there. I'll pack you guys up some Castella to because Hakurei knows what Marisa is feeding you."
"Shaking my head, I can cook!" The duo's light teasing continued as the sponge cake was packed neatly into a small box and put into one of the many weird pockets Marisa's dress had.
"As for you, you can hold onto Mito and Osaka."
"Really?"
"Ya, you're gonna need all the help you can get around here. Just please don't leave the barrier with them. They can't survive on the outside."
"Will do! Thanks, Alice!" The dolls seemed excited, flying around and packing small things around the house for themselves.
"No problem! You two take care alright?" Back outside, the dolls circled around and awaited them to take off into the air.
"So what's our route?" Tommy asked as she dashed over the forest.
"Well I wanna take you over the Garden of the Sun and the Youkai Tanuki Forest before visiting the Moriya Shrine. We'll take a roundabout on Youkai Mountain to get to Misty Lake and I'll have you meet my friends at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. From there, we can fly over to the Human Village and buy you some clothes and things. Once that's done, we'll head to the Bamboo Forest to pick up Sumireko and maybe stop by Eientei before finally heading back to the Hakurei Shrine for dinner with Reimu. The Summer Festival is in 4 days so we gotta start planning!"
"The Summer Festival?"
"Ya! One thing about Gensokyo is our love of partying and Reimu throws a festival for the passing and coming of new seasons. Whoever you don't meet today you'll certainly meet at the Festival. But don't worry about that for now. Today is the Great Gensokyo Tour!"
***
Wilbur held a dark brown coat close to his chest. Royal gowns underneath torn and tarnished, he sobbed as the Empire he called home crumbled to the ground. He cried for the land that sang to him and the people who fell victim to the moon he now feared.
"Wilbur... we have to go..." His younger brother's stern voice rang clear.
"But the Empire... our families unfinished symphony-"
"Will sadly be forever unfinished. For now, we must hide. Who knows what Dream may do if he finds us."
"...Your right." Pulling himself up, he took one final look before ushering Ty, Tubbo, and Grunk to follow him and Techno out into the forests. They stayed there for two more nights before Phil, Schlatt, Quackity, and Connor returned with some survivors of both kingdoms. All 5 greeted their fathers happily before Phil could ask Wilbur and Techno the dreaded question.
"Sons, where's Mum?" They both tensed, Techno keeping his eyes locked on the ground. "Boys... where is your mother? ...Don't tell me-" Wilbur broke into tears again, burying his face in his father's chest.
"Sh-she did w-what she could..."
***
Terminology
The Forest of Magic (魔法の森 Mahou no Mori) is location name in Gensokyo that's a focal point for all things evil, ominous and repulsive, located not far from the Human Village. It's the home to both Marisa Kirisame and Alice Margatroid.
Character Profiles
Alice Margatroid ~ The Seven Colored Puppeteer
Species: Magician, formerly human
Age: Unknown, young for a Youkai
Abilities: Magic and operating puppets/dolls
Occupation: None
Location: A house in the Forest of Magic
Possesions: Alice owns many dolls. Two in the Touhou series that have been named are Shanghai and Hourai. Osaka and Mito from this novel are not canon to the Touhou Project.
Chapter 5: Welcome to the Gensokyo Tour
Chapter Text
~~~
As the flight speed became more consistent, Tommy finally relaxed, still rather firm on keeping a grip on Marisa's shoulders, but not begging for his life. Despite her chaoticness, she was careful with another passenger on board.
"Ooh, what's that?" He asked, pointing down to the sunflowers below.
"The Garden of the Sun! These flowers stretch for miles and are tended to by the powerful Yuuka Kazami!"
"Can we go down and see them?"
"Er, maybe not today... Yuuka is one of Gensokyo's strongest Youkai's. It'd be best not to meet her until we're either in a public place or you have some danmaku under your belt." The journey continued until past the clouds revealed a towering mountain. The outskirts of the Empire was surrounded by mountains but he's never seen one so green and full of life before. Flying over the dark Youkai forest, they headed upwards towards their first destination.
"Alright kid, this is the Moriya Shrine. Take this Yen to leave as an offering."
"But you didn't leave Reimu any offerings..."
"Ya well, that's because she's my friend who I bring food anyways. Besides if I don't leave anything Kanako will have it out for me!" Examining the small coin in his hand, he followed nervously behind. Would he offend the shrines native God's if he did something wrong? According to Marisa, the gods of this shrine seemed to be... active... Leaving the coin in the donation box, they were greeted to for once, not a blonde, but a shrine maiden with bright green hair.
"MARISA~ What brings you to the shrine?"
"Oh hey, Sanae! I'm just bringing this outsider around to see Gensokyo. Tommy, this is Sanae Kochiya. Sanae, this is Tommy Innit."
"Tommy? That sounds like an American name. I'm surprised an American outsider ended up here but nice to meet you!"
"I'm not from America actually, I'm from the Antarctic Empire. Dunno if you heard of that."
"Ooh, I have! I've been wanting to travel there for a while now... Wait you kinda look like... Are you Prince Thomas?" Tommy quickly paled and took a step back protectively of himself.
"I... uh..."
"Woah, Toms! Never told me you were a prince eh?" Marisa gave a hearty chuckle as he shook his head.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to know."
"Hey come on I'm sure being a prince can't be that hard."
"It can be. It makes you a... target... of sorts. I came to Gensokyo to escape, I'm not on good terms with the royal family right now so please just..." Marisa took note of how he didn't refer to them as 'my family'. "Just don't mention all of this ok? In fact, pretend Sanae never said it in the first place-"
"Yo is everything good in here?" Sanae swiftly became flustered because of the blue-haired lady that peered into the room.
"O-of course Kanako-Sama we were just-"
"I brought another potential worshipper but he doesn't really seem that interested, right Tommy?" Snapping out of his own thoughts, he answered.
"Ya... not my type of God ya know?"
"Ah, well come back if you change your mind. The name is Kanako Yasaka but you probably already knew that and you can contact the Moriya Shrine at any time with the information on this business card!"
"Shrines have business cards now?"
"Only theirs really." Marisa filled in. "Wanna head to where the Tengu live?"
"Sure!"
"Very we'll be off! Nice talking with you Sanae, tell Suwako I say hi."
"Of course! You're welcome back anytime! Same with Tommy." Her smile fell into something sympathetic upon making eye contact with him. Getting back on the broom, his spirit felt a tad drained.
"Hey, I'm sorry about her... I uh I won't push you to tell me why you came to Gensokyo but if you need someone to talk to, I'm there." Tommy lightened up a bit. The therapist Phil got him after the capture was rather pushy with him so Marisa's approach felt nicer.
"Thanks..." He replied lamely. But before dead space became too intoxicating, they arrived to a small city carved into and along the back of the mountain. Landing on one of the walkways, other Tengu seemed surprised at their arrival. A few gave them dirty looks but most seemed to recognize Marisa.
"Don't worry, I already told Aya we were coming so we'll be safe. But don't come here without someone accompanying you. The Tengu are rather protective." Entering a large building called the Tengu Printing Press, Tommy quickly noticed something. A good half the people inside had wings. Some were small but others were rather large, having to be kept folded a bit inwards. Even in the Empire, avian hybrids typically kept their wings folded unless they needed them for good reason. The only one who kept his wings out almost all the time was Phil, but mostly as a show of power. Maybe he could keep his wings out here... but when was the last time he even let his wings out. Since they were useless, he didn't bother asking for them to be groomed, even more so after the capture... Shaking out of his own head, he realized they were at the door of an office reading Bunbunmaru Newspaper. After Marisa knocked, they heard a voice telling them to come in. The office was spacious and at the center of it all was one Crow Tengu.
"Ey Marisa! Did you bring the human?"
"Indeed! This is Tommy Innit! Tommy, this is Aya Shameimaru."
"Nice to meet you! Do you by chance have time for an interview?"
"Not really today, it's gonna be noon soon and we're trying to hit all of our destinations." Marisa filled in, but we can stay for a few." Aya, Tommy, and Marisa made a bit of small talk until Aya went quiet, staring him up and down.
"Uh, Aya-"
"You have wings, don't you Tommy?" For the second time that day, his jaw almost dropped, skin losing color.
"How did you..."
"I'm a Crow Tengu. From the way you walk I can tell. But how you have wings is my question." Now both her's and Marisa's eyes were on him, the magician in just as much shock.
"Uh see in the Outside World, there is a subspecies of humans known as hybrids. In most countries, they are outlawed and put into camps, or at least discriminated against and don't have the same human rights. But after the Australia Conquering incident, James the Great suffered from cardiac arrest and with the U.N having more important things to deal with, Australia became abandoned. But with this land open, the hybrids moved there and started their own nation called the Antarctic Empire, and its branch nation; Manberg. I'm one of those hybrids and part of the second free generation. Being an avian hybrid gives me bird wings... however due to a birth defect, they can't support my own weight so I typically just hide them."
"Can I... can I see them?" Aya asked quietly, her bubbly personality replaced with one more serious and concerned.
"I haven't shown anyone them in so long..."
"Please... I promise I won't take pictures or put them in the articles, I'm just worried they aren't healthy. I don't know if humans- er... hybrids... know how to preen wings properly."
"Fine..." Lifting up the back of his shirt, Aya gasped.
"Oh no no no... these wings are so bad. Not like that they are really pretty! I haven't seen wings this vibrant before. But they are in desperate need of care." Hissing in pain at the touch, Aya backed off. "Would I be able to get some measurements on your wings? I can get you clothes specialized for your wing type."
"Sure I guess..." Aya was gentle as she got the size of both wings, however, Tommy still found himself hating it the whole time.
"You're a Ring-billed Gull Type which is rather big but we can get some clothes for you. Though humans weigh more than Tengu which explains why your wings are so big. Most Tengu are the House Sparrow type, or even smaller like the Ruby-crowned Kinglet Type such as myself. Marisa, if you could bring Tommy back here tomorrow evening that'd be great. You know how every other day, Crow Tengu has wing preening sessions. I feel he'd benefit from coming to them."
"No, I think I'm-"
"Ya! Just give me a time." Despite Tommy's protest, it was already in motion. Not too long after, they ended up leaving. For the rest of their adventures around Gensokyo, things calmed down significantly.
They first stopped at Genbu Ravine; home to the turtle-like species known as Kappa. One girl named Nitori greeted them and showed Tommy around. Nitori and Marisa were on good terms and if Tommy ever wanted to upgrade his magical tools, Nitori and the gang were happy to help. Next, they flew over Misty Lake and to the Scarlet Devil Mansion. There, they met the librarian magician; Patchouli Knowledge, and some others who worked at the mansion. Sakuya Izayoi was the one who provided them lunch in which they were joined by Patchouli, the mansions Youkai gatekeeper Hong Meiling, and the house's mistress; Remillia Scarlett. They were friendly, but the mistress seemed keen on tasting his blood. Though she was a vampire so he supposed it was normal.
A longer flight after lunch gave them time to cool off from the hearty meal until they reached the Human Village. There, Marisa showed her some landmarks. They went to Suzunaan; a book renter and met the staff of Kosuzu Motoori; the first person they met that was actually his age. Kosuzu was the one who got them inside the elusive Hieda Mansion. It seemed almost cleaner and friendlier than the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Ran by Hieda no Akyuu, Akyuu seemed like a well-versed scholar at first glance but was actually the work of 8 prior reincarnations and is a Child of Miare. According to Marisa, about 3 years from now Akyuu would have to leave the Human Village and bargain with the Yama for a chance to work for them after death. Kosuzu had to go back to work much to Tommy's disappointment but Marisa told them he'll see her at the festival. Heading out of the Human Village, one store caught Tommy's eye.
"The Kirisame-ya Second-hand Shop? I didn't know you had a shop in the Human Village can we go check it out?"
"Oh no that's not my shop. It's my father's."
"Ooh, can we meet your dad?"
"Absolutely not. I refuse to go near him again." Tommy nodded in understanding.
"I didn't know you two had bad blood... I'm sorry."
"Hey you're fine, like you said, you didn't know. Now come on! We gotta pick up Sumireko before it gets dark."
***
The Bamboo Forest of the Lost made everything look darker, but the sun was still rather high in the sky, it being only mid-day. With an overhead view, they quickly found Sumireko and her immortal friend; Fujiwara no Mokou. Mokou was rather nice herself and Sumireko told her story about pranking Eientei with earnestness. They stayed and talked for a while until the sky turned orange, and Mokou also got them some yakitori, white rice, and roasted veggies.
"You're still planning on bringing yakitori to the summer festival right?" Marisa asked her as she prepared to take off on her broom and Sumireko said goodbye.
"Of course!"
"Great! I'll let Reimu know. Cya then Mokou!"
"See ya!" Flying off towards the shrine, she pointed out Eientei but the rest of the flight was quiet. Arriving back at the familiar Hakurei Shrine, it's Miko appeared rather stressed. But the smell of chicken in the air made her mouth water.
"Oh thank Hakurei you brought dinner! I had like... a little bit of potato salad left. Eh, I'll snack on it tomorrow, for now, yakitori!" Tommy did his best to help with the cooking, keeping an eye on the grill while Reimu prepared dishes. Plating everyone up, they appeared to have a 5th guest that evening; one Ran Yakumo. She was the Shikigami to Yukari Yakumo who apparently managed the Gensokyo border. They saw each other briefly last night when he was taken to Marisa's place during the night but didn't get to talk.
"Mmm~ This is so good! Mokou made this right?"
"Yep, she'll have more at the festival to."
"Right... the festival... but should we really host it so close to the barrier considering all the trouble we've been having?"
"No." Ran filled in. "We can't cause any sort of concern. Panic is not what we want and without the festival, Youkai and humans will think something is wrong."
"That's true... but people will be shocked Yukari isn't there."
"They'll get drunk and forget. Now come on Reimu help us plan."
~~~
Terminology
The Moriya Shrine (守矢神社 Moriya Jinja) is a shrine dedicated to Shintoism that originated from the Outside World and was transported into Gensokyo by Kanako Yasaka during the start of the events of Mountain of Faith. The shrine is now located somewhere near the top of Youkai Mountain with the Divine Lake that was also transported with it.
Living Gods; or (現人神 arahitogami) are humans who have become deities while still alive. Since they are both human and god, a living god is not dependent on faith to maintain their existence; without it, they will simply return to being a normal human. Many living gods originated as priestesses, who obtained faith from their gods' miracles being mistaken for their own.
Youkai Mountain (妖怪の山 Youkai no Yama) is Gensokyo's largest mountain and volcano. As its name implies, it is inhabited almost exclusively by Youkai, primarily Kappa and Tengu, and where humans are generally not welcome.
Genbu Ravine (玄武の沢 Genbu no Sawa) is a ravine named after the legendary tortoise Genbu (玄武). Formed when Youkai Mountain was still an active volcano. The bottom is covered with hexagonal cracks so it looks like a turtle shell, and it is surrounded by six-sided cliffs.
A tengu (天狗, literally "heaven dog") is a form of common Youkai in Japanese mythology. In general, tengu is analogous to the Western idea of goblins. The Tengu of Gensokyo are known for their love of gossip and have several different sub-species. Great Tengu (大天狗 dai tengu) are the "management types". Crow Tengu (烏天狗 Karasu-tengu), the "nimble information corps", are similar to anthropomorphic crows with a humanoid body structure. Long-nose Tengu (鼻高天狗 Hanataka tengu, "high nose tengu") "specialize in business work" and are rarely seen by outsiders. While map-making is one of their duties, nowadays their "Gottsui Positioning System" lets them do so without going outside. White Wolf Tengu (白狼天狗 Nakuru tengu) is the "mountain's defense force", responsible for keeping out intruders.
Suzunaan (鈴奈庵, roughly "bell hermitage") is a traditional Japanese style Book Renter located somewhere in the Human Village. Although it is a book lender, they also sell books and even provide a small book printing service. The Gensokyo Chronicle written by Hieda no Akyuu was also printed and bound here.
The Bamboo Forest of the Lost (迷いの竹林 Mayoi no Chikurin) is a bamboo forest, which given the nature of the forest, it is very easy to get lost. There are no clearings, the ground is mostly flat & indistinguishable and the bamboos grow quickly resulting in a constant change of scenery.
Characters
Sanae Kochiya ~ Newbie Goddess of the Mountain
Species: Human (not native to Gensokyo), descendent of a Goddess, Arahitogami
Abilities: Causing miracles to occur
Age: Probably slightly older than Reimu and Marisa, unknown
Occupation: Wind Priestess, Shrine Maiden
Location: Moriya Shrine, originally from Suwa in the Shinaro Providence, Japan
***
Kanako Yasaka ~ The Avatar of Mountains and Lakes
Species: Goddess of wind and rain
Abilities: Creating heavenliness, or the element of Quian
Age: Over 2k years old
Occupation: Goddess of the Moriya Shrine
Location: The Moriya Shrine
***
Aya Shameimaru ~ Traditional Reporter of Fantasy
Species: Crow Tengu
Abilities: Manipulation of Wind
Age: Over 1k years old
Occupation: Newspaper writer, reporter
Location: Youkai Mountain
***
Nitori Kawashiro ~ Super Youkai Warhead
Species: Kappa
Abilities: Manipulation of Water
Occupation: Engineer
Location: Genbu Ravine
Possessions: Nitori owns many small tools and devices which she keeps in her backpack.
***
Hong Meiling ~ Chinese Girl
Species: Unknown Youkai Type
Abilities: Usage of Qi which is her life-breath. She uses that and colorful martial arts in her combat
Occupation: Gatekeeper and gardener of the Scarlet Devil Mansion
Location: Scarlet Devil Mansion
***
Remillia Scarlett ~ The Scarlet Devil
Species: Vampire
Abilities: Amazing physical strength, speed, and stamina shapeshifting into a bat, summoning and manipulating devils, and borderline immortality. She can also manipulate fate, but no proof of her doing so and how it works has been shown in the Touhou Project, and therefore, in this series the power will just be a bluff.
Age: Around 500 years old
Occupation: Mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion
Location: Scarlet Devil Mansion
***
Kosuzu Motoori ~ Bibliophile with the Deciphering Eye
Species: Human
Abilities: Able to decipher books by only touching them
Age: Unknown but younger than Hieda no Akyuu (For this series, I've made her 14, aka Tommy's age.)
Occupation: Part-time worker at Suzunaan
Location: Suzunaan in the Human Village
Possessions: Kosuzu owns many demon books
***
Hieda no Akyuu ~ Memory of Gensokyo
Species: Human, Child of Miare
Abilities: Not forgetting things she has seen
Age: 26, going on 27 in 2021 (Born August 1994)
Occupation: Chronicler
Location: Human Village, Hieda House
Possessions: Not things she owns, but Akyuu has written Perfect Memento in Strict Sense (a guide to Gensokyo's Youkai for humans), Symposium of Post-Mysticism (a guide to Gensokyo's Youkai with interviews from Marisa, Kanako, and other characters), and the 9th Edition of the Gensokyo Chronicles.
***
Fujiwara no Mokou ~ Figure Person of Hourai
Species: Human
Abilities: Immortality, resistance to and manipulation of fire
Age: Ageless, existed over 1,300 years
Occupation: Helps those lost in the Bamboo Forest, runs a Yakitori stand
Location: Bamboo Forest of the Lost
Chapter 6: The Ideology of Combat and Beauty
Chapter Text
~~~
The morning was rather exciting. Though Sumireko already left to go hang out with Mokou, the house was lively. Reimu had decided Marisa should teach him the Gensokyo laws of combat since the barrier wasn't able to be opened. Tommy had never been so happy to learn anything in his life.
"Now before we begin, I'm going to need to teach you the basics of the Spell Card Laws. They were originally created after the Vampire Incident under the Bill of Naming Duels. Combat in Gensokyo is not about violence, it's about beauty. In Gensokyo, combat, and beauty go hand in hand. That's the first hurdle that led one outsider to almost destroy Gensokyo before. If you want Reimu to even begin to trust you, you must understand that combat does not resolve through bloodshed but through theatrics." If Tommy was being honest, he almost preferred this type of battle. War and violence was a common threat he grew up around, especially during the capture. But if he could solve his problems through pretty displays of color he'd rather do it that way.
"Ya! This sounds so much better."
"Glad you like it. Trust me, things before the Vampire Incident were gruesome. Now the Spell Card Laws have four core principles. 1: To make it easier for Youkai to cause incidents. 2: To make it easier for humans to resolve incidents. 3: To reject a system wherein only the strongest have the right to rule. And 4: That beauty and thoughtfulness stand above all."
"Wait why would you want Youkai to cause incidents?"
"Because Youkai need human fear to exist and incidents allow Youkai to cause human fear. This keeps the balance of Gensokyo. Youkai needs humans to survive and that's why the human village exists. Got it?"
"I guess that makes sense..."
"Alright then. The bill itself states the following rules. This is gonna be the base you build your Spell Cards on. You need to give your cards a name and meaning for the benefit of beauty. At the start of a duel, you will state the number of cards or duels that will be in play. The weaker you are, the fewer plays you will most likely have. You cannot repeat attacks or deliver attacks without meaning to you. Every piece of Danmaku you play must connect back to you somehow. It gives Danmaku its charm. The meaning of the Danmaku is what gives your attacks power. If you lose a duel, you must accept defeat and the winner cannot kill you in return." Tommy took some mental notes. How would he even create Danmaku with that much meaning...
"What if people don't respect the Spell Card Laws and make it impossible to dodge or even don't use Spell Cards at all?"
"Well, those are typically going to be massive Gensokyo wide threats. If they are, then we will eliminate them by any means. Violent combat is avoided but our powerful Youkai isn't afraid to step in if things become an issue."
"I see..."
"Now that you understand the principles, how about the basic mechanics. There are two roles you can play in a Danmaku battle. The active player uses Spell Cards and Primary Attacks and plays in a barrage style. You can also have one shooter player that uses a shot type. They have one line of Danmaku that focuses on depleting health. If you choose to be a shooter player you get only 3 lives, meaning if you get hit 3 times you're done. You can play with two active players but if you're resolving an incident, it's tradition for the incident solver to always be a shooter. I'll teach you how to be both an active player and a shooter player. But for now, I need to teach you where your hitbox is."
"Hitbox?"
"You'd assume it's your whole body but it isn't. It's actually right here." Marisa circled around his chest before snapping her fingers revealing a white and red dot in the spot. "When you play Danmaku, this is where you wanna aim for. The game is played with love in mind so attack them where they can process the most of it! If you get hit anywhere on the rest of your body, you'll feel a slight tingle but it counts as a graze which if your playing Danmaku for the score, helps it a lot. Big risk, big reward. If you actually get hit, you feel a small swelling feeling in your chest and your hitbox will flash for about 5 seconds as you get a grip and prepare for more Danmaku. All Danmaku disappears as you recuperate. Oh! And all Spell Cards must be approved by a certified incident resolver. Those are me, Reimu, Sakuya, Sanae, Reisen, and Youmu. I think Aya is trying to become an approved incident resolver herself but she can't become one until she's solved multiple."
"Got it!"
"So now that you know the basics, how would you like to see some Spell Cards in action?" Tommy nodded, getting up on his feet. Cheering, Marisa guided him outside. "Let's take this to the lake!"
***
They quite literally took it to the lake. A Misty one to be exact. Tommy got a good recipe for a full picnic from his mum and decided to help replicate it with Marisa; a pasta salad, deviled eggs, a muffuletta sandwich, and some lemonade. Setting aside their baskets, Tommy headed out to the edge of the lake where Marisa was ready to prep him for some starter Danmaku practice.
"Now something you should understand is the 6 key principles and components of magic. The building block of magic is the caster's ability, the temperament of the soul, the substance of material and tools, the space in which it takes place, the time at which it is performed, and most importantly; fortune. If you have good fortune and luck, you may be able to compensate for the other 5. The Great Hakurei Barrier was created with all these elements and therefore gives humans inside it an extra edge to learning magic. Every human can summon basic elemental magic but the everlasting fight of modernization killed off desires for magic. People wanted concrete proof rather than to live with possibilities."
"So I can summon magic if I wanted to?"
"Yep and you always could. But you were taught magic wasn't real. But now look at you. You're in Gensokyo where you've been given the proof humanity seeks! I want you to try to summon pure energy orbs. The most basic form of magic. Imagine it in your mind, it's always a little different for everyone but that's what makes it special to you. Be optimistic and hopeful, understand your surroundings. Envision it so clearly that you make it a reality." There was silence as Tommy focused. "And when you believe it's there, open your eyes. I won't look until you do." And when he did, he gasped. Just in front of him was a red and white orb, almost like a fluffy, brighter marble. The colors swirled together and reaching out for it, it felt warm to the touch.
"Did I just...?"
"Yep! Being exposed to lots of magic in a short amount of time began filling up this small empty spot in your brain called the Central Gyrus. Or at least that's what we've dubbed it. There, the soul and the brain communicate allowing humans to create magic. That's why I took you on the tour yesterday. Not only to know your surroundings but to quickly expose you to all kinds of magic. That part of the brain for most humans is just air pockets magical exposure lets the soul and brain communicate and well, do what you just did. This is why we don't let outsiders leave the Hakurei Shrine because we don't want magic to be in the outside world.
"Why is that?"
"Because Youkai may leave Gensokyo and harm other humans. But Yukari, Okina, and Kasen; the three sages, are working to find a solution that benefits all of us."
"I see..."
"Welp now that you can do magic..." Suddenly, Marisa slapped something onto his arm.
"WHAT THE? HEY!"
"Now what I just gave you is a charm."
"A charm? What kind of ch-ARM! WHY I AM I FLYING!?!?"
"That's a flight charm. The best way to practice flight is to pretend like your swimming. Swimming to save your life! Let's play Danmaku!"
"HEH? I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!"
"Relax, it's just for practice, you don't need formal spell cards. Just know how to attack me."
"Ok..." Closing his eyes, he envisioned a whole army of the same red and white magic he had before. But this time they spawned as cubes. Opening his eyes, star danmaku was already sent flying at him and he panicked but thankfully his hitbox was visible thanks to Marisa so he just took her advice. Pretend he was swimming through the air. Without thinking he was going up and down and to the sides, avoiding the colorful stars like the plague all while the cubes went at Marisa in a similar pattern. He could feel himself grazing against the bullets until he lost his focus and let one hit him.
"Aw, man!"
"Hey, you did well for the first time. Here how about you go up and watch me do some Danmaku to get some inspiration?"
"Ooh sounds good!"
Magic Sign "Milky Way" Was a very pretty design with lots of stars. Tommy took note that the Danmaku seemed very wild.
Black Magic "Event Horizon" Was described as her slave type. Though it sounded pretty sketchy at first, it just means she has a magical object or in some cases a Shikigami do the work for her. Marisa still had a long ways to go before she could make the ideal slave type Spell Card so she was rather tired after but kept pushing.
Love Sign "Master Spark" is her favorite spell card. A large lazer spewing out raw energy while star Danmaku makes dodging the beam even harder.
Light Blast "Shoot the Moon" Had a some smaller lazers coming from the ground while dodging star pieces. Average attack.
"Blazing Star" was another fun attack where she shoots her Master Spark backwards and rides it at high speeds.
Finally she had Star Sign "Dragon Meteor" which she fired the Master Spark downwards and used it to float in midair. Scoring a hit from the laser is hard but she told Tommy it was about having fun. That's the thing Tommy found so interesting about Spell Card battles and duels. It's about having fun because it's a game. Even if you lose a Spell Card fight, you still win if you had fun. And after suffering from what he could only describe as PTSD from violence being a constant in his life for years on end, this whimsical way of solving problems was one of the many things keeping him from going home. Maybe in Gensokyo he could finally heal...
***
Over lunch, Tommy was given something to read. Normally he'd complain about reading but he found himself grabbing for it right away. The book was actually written by Marisa which shocked him. The Grimoire of Marisa it was called. A book about Danmaku. Digging into his sandwich, he let his eyes dart over the words of a beautifully written forward. Who woulda guessed Marisa had that kind of talent in her?
"The stars that shoot through the night sky, the butterflies that dance to the scent of flowers, the water that flows seeking lower altitudes, and the deep, dark mist.
All-natural phenomena have some sort of reason behind their occurrence. Humans created reasoning in order to explain these very phenomena. And so, every phenomenon that could be observed would therefore belong to the human race... supposedly.
Naturally occurring phenomena were explained differently throughout various places. Humans, being fond of unified theories, would thus come to believe that all but one, or perhaps even all forms of reasoning were false.
However, the youkai think like this: all observations, all the phenomena that occur in the world, and all forms of the reasoning behind them are true. This is precise because youkai themselves were born from natural phenomena and the thoughts people have about them. I happened to see a Tengu's notebook once. The notebook was full of writing by the tengu, detailing all the events of the world around us.
It described all the most insignificant bits of daily life, from a completely different point of view from mine. The tengu's observational skills were sharp; it seemed as if she had already transcended the world that I comprehend, and was building another all of her own. Even if it's just insignificant everyday events, writing everything down ought to let me see something new.
As I thought that, I decided to compile a book of what I thought had become the everyday scenery of my life --- Spell Cards. Although I have to recall memories far older than the time that I saw the tengu's notebook, I may be able to acquire hints for new magic by writing them down.
From that train of thought, this book was born. It is the only danmaku grimoire in Gensokyo that a human has ever written. I'm not just copying Alice and the grimoires she writes. Honest. I want to become able to use more magic. No, I plan to become more able. I will eventually be known as a great magician. I won't spare any effort needed for that purpose, and I hope this book will be another step in obtaining that goal.
Well, if it doesn't, I'll just name it something big and fancy like "The Fantasy Danmaku Image Compendium" and palm it off to a library for a high price, so it'd be OK either way…"
~~~
Terminology
Spell cards (スペルカード Superukādo) appear to play an important role in casting powerful character-specific magic. During a spell card trance, the user's offensive and defensive capabilities appear to increase greatly. In some cases, the user becomes completely invincible for the duration of the trance. However, the user may only cast the spell that was specified by the spell card until the trance ends, limiting its overall usefulness.
Danmaku (弾幕, "barrage", lit. "bullet curtain") refers to a style of shoot-'em-up video game featuring complex patterns of dozens to hundreds of enemy bullets. Touhou's treatment of danmaku is unique not in its implementation of the gameplay mechanics, but in the way that danmaku is incorporated into the setting itself, where it is essentially a supernatural martial art practiced by the inhabitants of Gensokyo. The word danmaku appears in the games' dialogue. Under the rules, danmaku duels are not to the death, but are ritualized and aestheticized sparring matches with agreed-upon conditions for winning and losing. This evidenced by the beautiful patterns of many useless bullets: if enemies really wanted to kill the player, a 10:1 ratio of bullets wouldn't be necessary.
Also forgot these in the last chapter so...
Kappa (河童, "river-child") are a type of Youkai that live in rivers, broadly similar to aquatic goblins. Often portrayed as having a turtle shell and beak, they're known for their curiosity towards humans, sometimes challenging them to tests of skill, though they are also known to eat children. They have a unique dish-like structure on their heads, which must remain filled with water for them to move around on land; the easiest way to defeat a kappa is to bow to it, obligating it to return the bow and spill the contents of its dish. All kappa are extremely fond of cucumbers, and cucumbers are the most common offerings given to them. Kappa are known to extract shirikodama (尻子玉, "anal ball") from humans (an imaginary gland said to reside somewhere around the anus or stomach), killing them in the process - this story seems to originate from the tendency of drowned corpses to have their anus wide open as if something were pulled out from there. Kappa are sometimes depicted with superhuman strength, easily outmatching humans at sumo wrestling as long as they play fair.
The Child of Miare (also Maiden of Miare, Son of Miare) is the author of each edition of the Gensokyo Chronicle, a reincarnation of the historical Hieda no Are born every 100-150 years in a process known as the Miracle of Miare. Due to possessing Are's fabled ability of Gumonji, the Child can recall everything they have ever seen, and even retain some memories from their past lives related to the Chronicle. However they also possess short lifespans, seldom living beyond the age of 30. In the afterlife, the Child must work for Yama the in exchange for their next reincarnation.
Chapter 7: 'Lament'
Summary:
You might begin to see a pattern but every 2 chapters are going to be a chapter from the perspective of a DreamSMP member. Sometime's it'll be someone from the Dream Team who is either helping Dream in his goal for immortality or hindering it because he's hurting too many people along the way. Or it might be one of the survivors of either Manberg or the Antarctic Empire who is looking for Tommy and a way to save their home. Though most of the book is going to stick in Gensokyo with Tommy, Marisa, and one of our new main characters Aya!
Chapter Text
~~~
It has been two weeks since Captain Cara Puffy lost her son; Noah Foolish Brown. She thought her son was actually immortal. It's why she joined the Dream Team after all. She wanted to live forever with Foolish. But it turns out his immortality was connected to his liver and once it got torn out, he promptly passed away. The gold in his body faded away as he took his final breaths and with it, his mother's final piece of joy. Dream and Foolish acted like brothers. When he wasn't hyperfocused on continuing his research on the Hourai Elixir, he and Foolish hung out a lot. Puffy almost considered Dream another part of their family, especially hearing about how his only other mother figure abandoned him, George, and Sapnap. She wouldn't let his heart be broken again. But now with Foolish gone, the thread between her and Dream in both business and in friendship... she had nothing left to lose.
Puffy wanted to leave on her own. Maybe head home to her family and get some solace but she knew she couldn't. Dream was going to keep hurting people if she didn't do something about it so she created a rebellion. Now Puffy heard stories of those speaking out against Dream before for reasons she didn't quite know. Bad, Antfrost, Punz, and Ponk all returned with red or pink eyes. And Skeppy? Skeppy's entire diamond body turned red before disappearing, never to be seen by Puffy again. Speaking to Sam that evening, he explained what he knew.
"Skeppy, Bad, Antfrost, Punz, and Ponk all spoke out against different aspects of a connected incident. That of the kidnapping of a young child who we apparently need for part of the Hourai Elixir. They ended up escaping and it's those 4 or maybe 5 who have been put in charge of getting the child back. What's controlling them is a mind-controlling egg from Makai that Skeppy accidentally brought to the surface when he and Bad were visiting some family. Dream is currently using the egg to his advantage though how he is not under its effect is unknown."
"I see... So if we try to put a stop to what Dream is doing we have to be quiet about it."
"Indeed. I've always wanted to go against him the second I found out he was harming people in return for the elixir but I was scared of the egg. But maybe we can get others on our side."
"Well let's map it out. Obviously not Dream. What about George and Sapnap?"
"Too close to Dream. The corrupted of course not. But if we can destroy the egg we should. The only other ones not corrupted are Eret, Ranboo, and two people who left the Dream Team early on; Alyssa and Callahan."
"Who are they?"
"They along with myself, Dream, George, Sapnap, Bad, and Skeppy were the original member of the Dream Team. Callahan is a reindeer hybrid and Alyssa is a human but they were both helpful in the early days. They were the only two to leave peacefully, both swearing to secrecy."
"Well can we get them on our side?"
"Eret probably. He regrets his spy duties on the Antarctic Empire, venting to me about them. But Ranboo... god I haven't spoken more than 100 words to that guy. His goals are fully unknown."
"Well Sam. Let's focus on Eret first. We've gotta destroy the egg and stop Dream from hurting anyone else. I refuse to let my son's death be put to rest..."
~~~
Terminology
The Hourai Elixir (蓬莱の薬 Hourai no Kusuri) was created by Eirin Yagokoro using Kaguya Houraisan's power of the manipulation of eternity. Anyone who drinks this forbidden elixir will cease to age, never become ill, and will never be able to die. One will be as frail and vulnerable as before, but every injury shall cease; critical injuries will be healed in a matter of days. Complete destruction results in complete restoration. Dream seeks to recreate the Hourai Elixir using his research on totems and potions as his guide.
Character Profiles
Captain Cara Puffy
Species: Sheep Human Hybrid
Abilities: Combat Excellence
Age: 22
Occupation: Member of the Dream Team
Location: Originally from the Outside World
Notes: Mother to Foolish
***
Noah 'Foolish' Brown
Species: Shark Totem Human Hybrid (Arahitogami)
Abilities: Reviving the dead
Age: 13
Occupation: N/A
Location: Netherworld, previously Dream's Hideout/Outside World
Notes: Was killed after his organs were ripped out by Dream for research
***
Sam
Species: Creeper Human Hybrid
Abilities: Causing explosions
Age: 24
Occupation: Member of the Dream Team
Location: Originally from the Outside World
~~~
Chapter 8: Wing God Girl
Chapter Text
~~~
Making their flight up the ever-familiar Youkai Mountain, Tommy felt his nerves get to his head, stomach weighted with stones of dread. "What's stopping us from just going home ya know? Getting a nice cup of tea..."
"Tommy your wings are in awful condition and they need some care. Suck it up and deal with it." Landing on Youkai Mountain, he hopped off the broom and made his way inside the mountain. The sun was beginning to set in the sky and Tommy already felt a bit tired. The Tengu were much calmer than they appeared when he showed up yesterday. Hanging a far-left, Marisa guided him into a different building than the printing press. The room was huge, wings flaunted out and many crow tengu preparing to preen. Doors led to smaller rooms with less tengu and he saw Aya wave them over.
"Yo!"
"Hey, Aya!"
"I've got some clothes right here for ya! Pick out whatever shirt you like and get changed, there is a bathroom down the hall to the right. There are a few traditional Tengu gowns and dresses but if it's not your style don't worry about wearing it. I'll have Marisa here take the rest home." Nodding, he headed down the hall and got into the shirt. It took a lot of effort but he managed to get his stiff wings to fit through the slits. Since he got to Gensokyo, he hasn't let them really air out much and the skin close to his back felt cold. On his way out, he could hear the ends of an argument.
"Marisa you can-"
"Aya I'm final with this ok. I'm going to Rinnosuke's and that's that. Oh, Tommy welcome back." Getting the bag out of his hands, he assumed whatever they were talking about was done now. "Just drop him off at my house! Sumireko and Mokou won't be there but I'll have Rinnosuke drag me home by 10 ok?"
"Alright! See ya later! The offer is always up ya know!"
"What offer?" He asked as Marisa left the building.
"Oh don't worry about it. Now sit down kid, this will take a while but you'll feel so much better."
"Hey uh... you know you don't have to do this right?"
"You're right, I don't. I want to. A human with wings is fascinating to me. If humans are so bad at preening maybe we as Gensokyo should make an effort to have more bird-hybrids spirit away..."
"No! Humans are good at taking care of wings. Take a look at my brother Wilbur and uh, Phil I guess. I just chose not to." Tommy went on mindlessly. Much to his surprise, Aya appeared baffled.
"You what...? You just decided the pain of avoiding preening was better? Are you a sadist?"
"First off it's pronounced Sad-Ist and I wish I had even a fraction of her talent. And secondly no, it was just after Dream I-" Tommy clamped his mouth shut with his hands. Eyes darting as he realized what he just said.
"After Dream what? Is Dream like a person or...?"
"No... he's a monster." Aya inhaled sharply before taking a seat next to him.
"Look I don't know what this Dream guy did to you to make you not wanna preen. And I won't dig into it, it's not my place. But you're in Gensokyo now! He can't reach you here. You told me you can't fly with these right?"
"Nope... some birth defect."
"Well, who's to say that if we can't fix your wings up, you can't learn magic to help you use them to fly. Flight charms are good and all but they aren't reliable. So let's make a deal. Let me preen your wings every other day until they are healthy and in good condition again. In return, I'll help you learn how to fly with your wings. If it doesn't work, at the very least I can refine some flight charms to make it easier. And you know maybe I can get an article or two out of you. But I won't force it! Your wings seem like a touchy topic for you."
"They are but... you know what you're right. Dream can't hurt me anymore. After the festival, I wanna do an interview. I'll tell the world of Gensokyo about the world of hybrids outside!"
"Ya, that's the spirit kid!"
"Hey, I'm not a child! I'm a big man!"
"Right, sure you are. Now come on I'll make this quick." Tommy didn't end up wanting to leave that night.
***
"Marisa I beg you. Please lay off the Sake..."
"Oi f-fuck off! Can't a gr-rown adult woman drink?"
"Your 17 Marisa."
"Grown. Adult. Woman." Taking a swig at his own drink, Rinnosuke Morichika kept a close eye on the younger girl in his shop. He obviously knew why today was such a heavy drinking day for her today. The main reason she was so eager to ship off Tommy to the Tengu as well. It was the anniversary of her mother's disappearance and presumed death.
"...We do this song and dance every year Marisa. If you don't talk to your father, you won't be able to overcome your loss. Both of you need to realize your mother's death wasn't either of your faults."
"And I'll fuckin' say it again Kourin... absolutely not."
"You never give me any reasons as to why you hate him so much! You tell me you never let the insults he threw at you get under your skin. It was petty."
"It was abuse-"
"Kirisame Marisa you are very drunk and those are very harsh words to be using." Though Marisa was in fact very drunk, she was still careful with her next words.
"No, I'm very much right it was verbal abuse! Need me to say it louder for those in the back?" Banging his head lightly on the table out of frustration, he didn't know how else to get it through her head. Unless if there was something she wasn't telling him, Marisa could still confront her father and finally find some form of solace. She didn't get like this much, she hated talking about her family. But one the rare chance she did, it always ended like this.
"Look I'll drop it but just know I'm disappointed in you."
"If your gonna be like this I'm goin' home!"
"Fine go! See if I care!" Stumbling out of her seat in anger, the door was slammed on Rinnosuke's face.
***
Tommy's entire back felt so much lighter after the preening session and for once, he felt comfortable flaunting his wings. During the entire session, Aya and him had a lovely conversation about Tengu history and the strict hierarchy that kept the society together. However, the crow Tengu had plenty of grudges with it and considers herself a free-thinking Tengu. Her boss Megumu Iizunamaru is the reason she has become so relentless over the years for news stories. Aya was a rather old Tengu. Despite her youthful appearance, Tengu stop aging at around the 15-60 year mark. Most Tengu he has since encountered are well into their 1000's of years old with Aya herself having celebrated her 1,521st birthday two months ago. Aya's presence gave Tommy more confidence in his own wings and just who he was as a person. Despite her childish front, Aya was rather wise and spoke of Gensokyo's highs and lows. Tommy has the utmost respect for Aya. Though he respects Marisa a lot as well, the respect he showed Aya was a little different. In the short span they got to know each other, Tommy felt as if she could take on the role of an older sister for him. She reminded him a lot of Wilbur. When Tommy just couldn't sleep, he often found Wilbur couldn't either so he'd braid his long hair at the time and gossip about rumors he heard in the kingdoms or tell him stories of grand heroes who were real unlike the mythology Techno spewed out. He wasn't sure if he preferred Aya over Wilbur but he felt a connection with her over their wings, something he couldn't feel with Wilbur despite both of them having wings. Wilbur never preened his wings and that night he learned just how important that was not just for the care of his wings but for the emotional bond you share with the preener. The moon made its march up the sky and Aya began escorting him out of Tengu territory, ready to take him home. Cool Gensokyo breeze blew on his face and he relished in the crisp late-spring air. Summer was nearing and the evening was only going to get hotter but Aya reassured him it rarely gets humid during the night. Arriving at Kourindou to pick up Marisa, Rinnosuke could only offer them a remorseful look.
"Marisa already went home. At least I hope she did. She got very drunk and we got into an argument. If she isn't home and it wouldn't trouble you much, I'd appreciate if you got her home safely, Aya. And Tommy, tell her I'm sorry but I was being honest, nothing will get solved."
"Um, I will..." Bidding them good night, Tommy was surprised to find Marisa actually made her way home, now drinking some alcohol of her own.
"Aya~ya~ya~!"
"Yes, I'm back with the kid, maybe lay off the saké?" Tommy approached the drunk girl only for her to grab his cheeks.
"Apples..."
"Huh?"
"Ap~p~les!"
"What the fuck are you going on about!" Aya swatted Marisa away before going to the kitchen.
"I'll make some hangover cure, why don't you get some sleep, Tommy? You seem tired." A yawn left his jaw and Tommy felt as if though he couldn't argue with the Tengu.
"Very well then, let me know if you need anything."
"I don't think I will. Good night Tommy, and... thank you for trusting me." Taken slightly aback by Aya's shift in tone, he offered her a light smile.
"Good night, Aya."
***
It was day 3 of exile when Tom finally worked up the courage to ask Dream an important question.
"Why does daddy hate me?"
"...He hated you because you are useless. Your wings don't work and your older brothers provide more to the kingdoms than you ever will. That's why Phil sent you here. I've helped rehabilitate many useless members of society. And once you turn 18, you'll be able to return home. That is of course unless you can prove yourself early." The 7-year-old boy's eyes lit up.
"I can go home early?"
"Yes. You have to work hard every day and once every... 6 months, I'll give a progress report to Phil. It's up to him to decide if you are worthy enough of going back."
"Will daddy ever come visit? Or Wilby, or Techno?"
"No. Not until you prove you aren't useless.
"...Can I ask one more question, Mr. Dream?"
"Sure."
"Why do you wear that mask?" The naive boy tapped it only for his wrist to swiftly be grabbed and the bones protected by such thin skin to be snapped.
"Never. Never, touch my mask. Do you understand Thomas?"
"Y-yes, sir..." But despite the pain, Tommy's sleeping mind continued to drift.
"IF I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO BE SUCH A RISK, MAYBE I SHOULD'VE JUST LEFT YOU WITH DREAM!"
Phil's words never left Tommy, no matter what kind of magic he learned or was surrounded by. It still pierced him so much every time he heard it. The rest of that argument was a blur. Phil got mad at him since he caught him escaping out the window to meet Sumireko. He didn't remember any of the other words exchanged between them that night except that sentence. But he didn't need to. It described how Phil truly felt. Tommy thought that maybe with this revelation, he'd feel free. His father was always cold and distant ever since he was saved from 'exile'. But Tommy still felt that his heart was so heavy. Maybe he wasn't ready to accept the loss of a parent just yet...
~~~
No terminology or character profiles today! Kinda forgot this book existed lol but here you guys go!
IkeaArchives on Chapter 1 Sat 20 Mar 2021 02:48PM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 1 Sat 20 Mar 2021 07:59PM UTC
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MyGenderIsMalt37 on Chapter 1 Sat 03 Apr 2021 10:39PM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 1 Sat 10 Apr 2021 08:07PM UTC
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fufumeeks (Guest) on Chapter 1 Wed 18 Aug 2021 04:03PM UTC
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ReimuFumo (Guest) on Chapter 1 Wed 25 Aug 2021 01:28AM UTC
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cirno fumo owner (Guest) on Chapter 1 Wed 01 Feb 2023 05:10PM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 1 Wed 01 Feb 2023 05:19PM UTC
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KoTR on Chapter 1 Tue 11 Apr 2023 02:18PM UTC
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IkeaArchives on Chapter 2 Sun 21 Mar 2021 12:25PM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 2 Fri 02 Apr 2021 10:47PM UTC
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TAKUWANWAN on Chapter 2 Sun 21 Mar 2021 12:35PM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 2 Fri 02 Apr 2021 10:47PM UTC
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Karochan05 on Chapter 3 Sun 28 Mar 2021 03:04AM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 3 Mon 29 Mar 2021 05:15AM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 3 Sun 22 Aug 2021 03:44AM UTC
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Karochan05 on Chapter 3 Sun 22 Aug 2021 09:17PM UTC
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dhdhbdjs (Guest) on Chapter 4 Wed 01 Feb 2023 07:23PM UTC
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MyGenderIsMalt37 on Chapter 6 Fri 09 Apr 2021 07:39PM UTC
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Fear_Itself on Chapter 6 Sat 10 Apr 2021 08:05PM UTC
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LuceTheIdiot (Guest) on Chapter 8 Mon 14 Feb 2022 04:34AM UTC
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Maltios (Guest) on Chapter 8 Fri 02 Sep 2022 05:54PM UTC
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ZM (Guest) on Chapter 8 Tue 21 Nov 2023 12:19AM UTC
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iwant2fuckevery2hugirl on Chapter 8 Sat 25 Nov 2023 03:50AM UTC
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ZM (Guest) on Chapter 8 Tue 19 Dec 2023 09:53PM UTC
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iwant2fuckevery2hugirl on Chapter 8 Wed 27 Dec 2023 06:22AM UTC
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iwant2fuckevery2hugirl on Chapter 8 Sat 25 Nov 2023 03:48AM UTC
Last Edited Sat 25 Nov 2023 03:51AM UTC
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