The meatball is a SHE, but she'd approve off that sentiment. Keep it going.

> [A] Threaten to digest the crystal. Surely if it is alive, it wouldn't want such a fate

Oh, threatening it is no problem. Knowing how to be scary to get what you want is an essential skill that all proper youkais have.

“You better act fun, or you’ll end up in my tum!” see? Just with those words alone and a tiny bit of flexing your arms around, you already become one of the most fearsome entities to dwell in this realm.

Look at how wide open your jaw is, see the sharp gaze in your eyes. This posture is befitting of a predator and you’re certain that no matter who’s affected by it, they’ll all instinctively reach for their protective blanket to protect themselves from she who lurks under their bed.

Knowing, waiting, that the slightest mistake can be fatal.

Also, just to nip this in the bud, NO you have not actually hidden yourself under the beds of others.

Well, you would if you could, but it sounds like a real hassle to do.

Like how would you even enter someone’s house, sneak into their room and crawl under their bed without them being none the wiser?

And even then, what would you do afterwards?

Do you just wait for the person to notice that you’re there or do you have to let out a cough for them to realize it?

Either way it’d be awkward unless you’re planning to eat them.

But if so, then just eat your meal, hasn’t your momma told you not to play with food? Overall hiding under someone’s bed is not worth it.

You talking to yourself aside, the crystal does not make a single noise. It doesn’t seem impressed by your spookiness or ingenuity, cause if it was then it’d be talking by now. Which again, it is not doing.

Time to try another strategy then. You pick up the thing and hold it over your open mouth. “I said, be my slave or be eaten! I’m not bluffing here just so you know! I’m a super omnivore! Om nom nom!”

Again, there’s no answer. Looks like the thing is either very stubborn or a very bad loser. Either way there’s no point in threatening it again.

It’s like what the good old you once said. “If you stare at the sun and it burns your eyes, then don’t stare at it again or the same thing will happen!” it took you five tries to learn such an amazing wisdom.

But learned you did, so it’s clear to you that another strategy should be used.

You already know which one to use, watch and learn folks.

[X] If it can’t be threatened…then threaten it’s loved ones!
[X] Commit to the bit if you don’t eat it now then you’ll look weak!
If neither is satisfactory, write ins are always an option. Feel free to toss it even but I doubt you'll do that.

> [X] Commit

As previously established, the crystal thing refuses to speak to you.

Naturally you try to force it to speak anyway since such attitude is very spoil sporty.
When you lose, you got to admit you’ve lost and do whatever the winner wants you to.

That’s the law all youkais obey, at least in Gensokyo. Then again, you’re not there currently since who’s to say that thing must do anything for you? You’d have the same reaction yourself.

Still, there’s no choice now. You got to eat the thing, or you’ll look weak. A youkai’s word is their word unless your race is known for deception but even so your words should not be taken lightly.

A youkai that gives an empty threat is a joke. It means you're nothing more than talk, perhaps even more man than monster. You'd become the fodder of your peers.

Such a blow to your rep is unacceptable, you pick up the thing. Open your mouth and….

Find out it’s too big for you to swallow in one bite. At least it’s too big for a bite that's 'normal'.

But that’s okay.

You’ve got a solution for that!

You simply open your mouth again, oh boy do you open it. It must be five feet large by now because yes, you can open your jaw the same way a snake can. It’s a real strain on the muscles, you might have a cramp on your cheeks later but still you are not as limited as your appearance makes you look. Oh, wait it’s ten feet now! And there’s no cramps either, what a miracle to have right now!

Either way, you gobble the thing right up!
And regret it immediately!

You feel ill, very, very ill. And not a bit stronger. It’s the same feeling as when you tried to consume that super laser blaster box of the Kirisame just today, except a thousand times worse!

For what you’ve consumed was no mere magical item, nor divine artifact.

No, you’ve put your jaws on something so much more.

Now to hope it won’t kill you.

Have a nice trip!

Also, it’s a colourless egg your dummie, learn the difference between that and a crystal.

https://youtu.be/ZtZP5An8CRc

Rumia find herself in the middle of a village.
She does not look like herself today.
She looks like a big yellow, mean lizard.
But she does not care.
She is happy this way.
She's pushing buildings with her giant claws.
And stomping carts with her super big feet.
Everybody in the village has stopped talking and is staring at her. Then panic at her rampage.
Rumia doesn't care.
She thinks it's hilarious.
Everybody is afraid of this amazing power.
This makes Rumia really happy.
An annoying teacher is asking her to leave for being disruptive.
Rumia doesn't care, instead she opens her big mouth.
And shoots out a breath of fire, oh, man, is it cool.
Rumia covers the village in black flames.
Everyone is clambering for a way out.
The teacher is screaming, she should have blocked it instead of dodging.
The skins of hundred innocent except for hers begin to melt.
Rumia lets out a laugh and goes out to play somewhere with more people.
But no matter where she goes.
Nobody wants to be friends with her now.
When they see her, they run away, or they fight her.
Rumia doesn't care, this much fun is better than any bond.
But her energy is not limitless and now she needs to rest.
Rumia finds a nice, cosy, cave nearby and squeezes inside.
She sleeps for a bit, the fun of today will be just as fun tomorrow!
But when she wakes up, she finds she can no longer move.
Her body has grown, and now she's stuck in the cave she slept in.
This makes her easy picking for any hero that may come for her.
A hero does come, it's a girl with red clothes and a big frown.
A few seconds later, Rumia is slaughtered without having had a fighting chance.
Maybe this is how her victims felt...
Whatever.
Having flesh is dumb anyway.
It always breaks down on you one way or another.
They're not tough, like a good old moment of fun.
Rumia is nothing more than bones but still stands tall.
A voice asks her if she wants to have even more fun.
The answer to that can only be yes. Why would she say no?
She feels a powerful energy welling within her.
Suddenly she's standing in a strange world.
On top of a mountain, made of chains and bones.
The blizzard stops and the clouds above her split open.
An intense fear overcomes her, she does not know who this person is.
A serenity overcomes her, she knows who this person is.
It is her new best friend. 'Now you can have whatever shape you want, but you're also my puppet.'
Thank you, Anon.

Looking at the closest mirror is recommended.

[Music Stop]

…..

….

Huh?

Oh, you were just dozing off for a moment there. Guess that can’t be helped, being in a blue dessert and shenanigans like that sure make it fun to stare at the scenery right?

Right?

Yeah, it can’t be helped.

You said that twice now, but anyway you pat yourself a bit. Stretch your arms and legs and get ready to fly off towards the tower in the distance over there…. with what amount of speed again?

> [X] Even faster, laser-propelling and all, you can barely see, and control is super hard.

Ah, yes. Because choosing the best of both worlds always gives the best stuff rather than making you a master of none if you know what you’re doing. After all, back home it’s not simpleminded strength and ugly endurance that’s admired. What’s admired is creativity and imagination. Hence taking the best of what you have…

Isn’t that the most creative option could come up with?
Anyway, you firmly set your feet on the ground. Your arms are pointed behind you and you’re ready to get some answers out of this place.

So, let’s do this! MOON SIGN: MOONLIGHT RAY!

https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/15437

Like a mermaid inside a bathtub with wheels who’s pushed off a bunch of stairs, your body immediately lifts into the air. Like a speeding bullet, you soar through said air, like a person that’s about to hit a bunch of people in the middle of their flight path, you’re about to hit a bunch of peo-

NAH! You move down at the last moment, swiftly passing by a bunch of small blurry creatures with wings on their backs. You think they’re fairies, and if they’re not then guards, maybe fairy guards? you can’t really tell because of the dust gathering against your glasses. You don’t think it matters, for even if they’ve seen you. You’ve already bypassed them. Speed is a funny thing like that, one second you notice something and by that time, said thing is already far away. If only you had some sort of super-perception, then you’d be able to fly like this all day.

But you don’t need to give it a second or two and you’ll inevitably smash into that tower’s wall, maybe break a vase in someone’s room and if you’re lucky, decapitate the first person you meet inside.

Unless that’s’ not a good idea…. WAIT, is that not a good idea?

You’re not certain, sure there’s a chance that whoever lives here could be friendly but are you really going to give someone that kind of doubt now?

You’re already a flying blur of a youkai canon! And again, you never learned how to stop! Also is it you or was passing through just very e-

Oh, there’s a red reticule thingy on you now. You’re not sure what it means.
Oh and there’s a bunch of critters just up ahead, the same clutter you described before and thought you went past by right now. But you didn’t, those where probably just some scouts or some-FOCUS!
Ahem, what you’re saying is. Your sudden acceleration towards their location has probably made your soon to be host wary of your approach.

Or it’s just some automatic defence system. You don’t know.

Either way, there’s a bunch of blurry creatures just up ahead. Ready…not ready cause they seem a bit unaware of you since again, you’re literally rushing out of nowhere. So how would anyone expect that? They don’t! But they are probably willing to fight you to defend their oh so special shady spot.

Their tower is very close though, you think…well, you can see something large approaching so either the sky is getting smaller or you’re getting closer to your destination at an insanely rapid pace. Your choice of view.

But ahem, that still doesn’t change the last problem.

IF you stop right now, then you will have to deal with whoever’s waiting outside. But if you don’t stop, then you may crash your way inside if you’re lucky. And splatter into bloody chunks against a hard wall if you’re unlucky.
Of course, you’d survive the latter, but it would still give a negative impression on anyone who’s inside. Wait, what was your goal again?

It was to get inside, right? Yeah, that’s true! But how will you do that?

[X] Too fast to stop, keep that speed up, smash into that house and demand whoever’s inside to give you the info you want RIGHT NOW!
[X] Hoy, hombre. No need to be so hasty, why not be friendly? Slow down, give a smile and ask whatever guards there are if you can be let inside.
[X] Murder everyone…. because…. uh, because…because you can? You’re not sure why you’d do that now, but dear god would it be exciting and relaxing.

[X] Hoy, hombre. No need to be so hasty, why not be friendly? Slow down, give a smile and ask whatever guards there are if you can be let inside.

Tsk, what a boring approach. What's the point of approaching something at such a fast pace if you don't make a dramatic entrance? It's not like anything bad could happen because of that.

Aside from every person on sight getting ready to defend themselves, you getting potentially overwhelmed and probably wasting more energy and time than is really neede-

Okay, fine. You get it.

There's still the problem on how to slow down though. You try your best to stop as best as you can and kind of succeed at doing so....at the cost of feeling like you smashed your face and body into concrete. Since all the momentum has to go somewhere...that's how it works right?

You're not sure but anyway, with some struggle and a headache you successfully stop correctly.

Just a few meters away from the previously and of course no longer so blurry creatures of before.

Well, the word creature is demeaning but...what else do you call these things? flightless birds? long bill things?

They are yellow and look like plush toys. Quite weird looking too, as if they've been put together by mad lab assistants or some evil necromancer. The stitching on their body was crude, visible and really looked like scars. (You're not sure if they're fake). None of the creatures have legs either, instead of that useless body part, a pair of miniature mini-wheels are attached to the sides of their bodies. You doubt that they are actual toys, but you're not sure if they're cosplaying fairies either...fashion aside, you're sure that if a random child saw these things, they'd run off crying without turning back.

Also, very fluffy looking, in shorter words you'd describe them as the unholy fusion of an Kedama (Fuzzball-creature) mixed with a fairy mixed with some sort of toy. If anything, they all look like botched mascots of companies that do not exist.

So, your kind of just staring at them, not sure if they're edible or not. Maybe they'd taste super good, cause if so...

Said things have turned around now and are staring at you the same way you are at them. Seemingly wondering where you came from, but not too alarmed since you're not shouting or firing lasers of death everywhere. One of them, with brown hair and a three foot height approaches you with some wary. She tilts her head up a little, then a little more, and then decides to simply fly up a bit higher so it can look at you face-to-face. Then says nothing, leaving only a blink as if something wasn't quite right with the current picture. But she wasn't sure what. "You...." finally she frowns, while coming to a conclusion.

"Me?" you reply back, not saying more as you're waiting to see what she's about to say.

"You're out of uniform mate, and late too." the thing, fairy, fairy-thing says while frowning. Or rather, you assume it's a frown. It's hard to tell given that every single one of them has some cartoon face-mask rather than their actual face on display. "Don't know what you've been doing in those lands below despite orders not to go there but that can be talked about later, so hurry up, get dressed and get ready cause the boss big announcement is about to happen soon." also you don't know what they're talking about.

And you don't get to ask either, as a few others nod along to some unspoken decision and move out of the way. Red reticule on you gone just as well, which you know remember as the signal that a laser was pointed at you. That little detail awkwardly put in the middle of another action aside, it seems like you're about to be let in just like that. No muss or fuss or obstacle.

Which is a terrible security management, heck it's almost like stealing candy from a baby.

Which is fine with you.

Then again have you ever stolen from a baby? those little bastards have a firm grip, a loud voice and a determination that's quite frightening if challenged. Not to forget that any parent in sound-range will go bat-shit insane once they notice this.

So the proper line should be: It's almost as easy as stealing candy from a baby who's unaccompanied by an adult. (*1)

*1: Difficulty may vary depending on what kind of race the baby is a part off.

It's a fascinating thought, but again day-dreaming backfires "Hold it just a second!" as another one of the creatures speaks up, this one's got red hair but other than hair or voice every single one of them looks the same. Hence the detail in that, ahem she speaks up. "We've got a code, remember?! The boss will really make us sorry if we let yet more people just casually walk in, mate. Heck, who's to say that girl isn’t a spy huh?"

Why do they even think you're one of them? you don't even look remotely similar to them in any shape or form.
"I'm totally not a spy, trust me. I'd know if I was!" but even so, you'd be a super moron if you didn't take this opportunity.

"Okay, I trust that" another one at once replies, "Wait, mate. Wouldn't that beat the point of having a code?" the brown-one muses back. "Oh, that's true. But she said she's not a spy. And honestly, who doesn't know a person best other than the person themselves, mate?" yet another one speaks up, there's like 5-10 in front of you right now. So, you guess some off them just want to have a part in the conversation, even if they have nothing better to say.

"Mates, Mates, Mates!" The red-head claps to get their attention. "This doesn't need to be a big problem!" she does and continues speaking, with overly moving hands to keep said attention. "There's an easy way to determine if she's one of us or an intruder.... it’s to ask if she knows the code duuuuuh." That's just common sense.

Still, somehow that felt unneeded.

Like that remark may cause your opportunity to get in to slowly slip away.

You should do something before you're asked to answer a question you don't know the answer off.

But what?

[X] Ahem, you're not some peasant worker. You're a..... a Big Shot, who's been invited by the boss herself to enter!
[X] Pffffff, everyone totally knows what that dumb code is. The real question....do YOU know what the code is huh?
[X] Just fly past them since they're distracted right now, dumb fairies have bad memories anyway or so you think.

[X] Ahem, you're not some peasant worker. You're a..... a Big Shot, who's been invited by the boss herself to enter!

Hmm, after some thought. You remember that you've never been that good at deception, well, wait no, you are GOOD at pretending to be an harmless little girl to fool one's future meal. But any other attempt at deceiving other people mostly falls flat for some reason. Mostly because most people are oh so 'educated' and have this wonderful thing called 'common sense' or so they like to boast.

But really, if common sense was oh so common, then why don't you have it, huh?
You'd like to be a genius too! That way you could, like, make up some machine that hunts stuff and cooks the food for you while you get to laze around all day and have people beg for your opinion on stuff!

But you don't have that, like how birds cannot fly and fish cannot swim, so you cann-

Hold on, that metaphor was completely wrong just now, wasn't it?

Any way, all of that stuff is to say that: You're not some master manipulator. If you were, you wouldn't be here.
But do you NEED to be one? That's the real question, and frankly...you don't think you need to be.

You're not racist....but

Fairies are known to be lesser lifeforms...

In absolutely every aspect.

And every way to be.

That's just how things are.

And how things will be forever.

That may sound dismissive, but really that's how it works: Some people are INCAPABLE of changing. That's not some philosophy, but an honest to god common knowledge. Fairies live forever, Tsukumogami innately hate humans, evil spirits haunt and posses others and youkais live to torment and eat people. Most things that are not human have a set purpose.

And serving that purpose is what makes you happy, and also what makes you exist. Can't really be happy if you just fade away from existence one day, but ahem. You as a youkai and they as fairies have a path set upon them that must be followed. Call it instinct, call it destiny, there are simply some things that cannot change no matter how hard you try.

That's a good thing, and now...something that you'll use to your advantage! You're going to lie with absolute confidence!

But first to get their attention, they're still chattering amongst themselves even now. Despite the fact that you're right in front of them and can hear everything they're saying, they are now trying to remember what the code actually is...

Yeah, they're real morons.

Let's do this then!

On 3!

3!
2!
1!

....

Okay, fine. You're a bit nervous, but still come on and go do it!
Let's try it again!

3!
2!
1!
GO!

"JUST A MINUTE HERE, MISSIES!" you shout boldly to catch their attention, then stomp your foot in disapproval. "I've got a MILLION things to be doing before lunchtime here. Do you gals even know WHO in the heck you're talking to here?"

They don't respond, instead the creatures just calmly turn to you. Look you dead in the eye and stare silently at you with no expression...because they have no face. But still you don't like the way they look at you. It's like they're thinking...

"That's the dumbest question ever, mate." the brown one quips back, before pointing a finger at you. "We're talking to YOU here, not some three-headed monkey behind you or anything....who did you think we were talking to?"

"Mates, isn't it obvious?" the red one somehow sounds smug now as they speak up, as if they confirmed something. "She's an idiot mate, if she can't tell who she is herself then how can she be sure she's not a spy huuuuuuuuuh?" and ends the sentence by pointing dramatically at you, which is super rude and very unconvincing.

You hear clapping and see everybody else nod in amazement or go 'wooaah' in surprise.
So never mind, it's pretty convincing to them, if not one amazing deduction.

Again, morons the lot of them. "Oh, and who are YOU again?" not one to give up, you take a step closer to one of the creatures specifically, hissing in their face with an outraged tone. "Some low-pay worker that's just a face in the masses."

The creature frowns at you, clearly taking the bait. "Excuse me, what di-" but you don't let them finish!

Instead, you huff in their face and continue speaking in a cocky tone. "Listen, I don't know what you want from me, but I assure you, you're messing with the wrong person. Everybody in this place will tell you that I don't respond well to tomfoolers and wanna be funny guys." not only that, but for every sentence you move your hand in some extravagant way, as if you were some vampire that's scoffing at the boring oh so cliché art galleries in some super quaint museum stuff.

Their face shows confusion at the sudden word assault, and they get ready to defend themselves, "But I-"

"BUTTS? What do butts have to do with this, you dirty peasant!?" Again, you simply don't let them get the turn to act, then you chuckle like some aristocrat that's got a stone in their throat and pinch your nose in disgust as you look down on her. "Fu, fu, fu. Did you want to show off how smart you were, perchance? Well, you've done so, but don't consider me impressed! The working class truly is an odious specimen to condensate with, but oh golly, girl. IF you really want to make yourself useful then go ahead and go get me a kiwi juice now, will you? It's oh so terribly h-o-t in this room."

At this point, the confusion spreads to everybody, and they just stare at your discussion. With not a single one of them seeing the need to interfere or call you out on the massive nonsense train that you're currently conducting. Know why?

It's because of CONFIDENCE, no idea why that simple things works oh so well. But confidence is almost like the soap that life gives you, so you can slip yourself through tiny holes that you normally cannot slip into without lubrication!

But anyway, the creature to their respect. Still somehow has their bearing and tries to speak again. "That's not h-"

"NOT POSSIBLE?!" you don't interrupt her, at this point you just shout over her. With the intensity of someone who discovered their mother was murdered. "Well, you're hardly getting off to a flying start if you can't serve a few drinks!"

And now the poor thing is shaking red in anger, ready to ca-"I'm so sorry, m'aam. Don't mind our dumb friend here!" only to be interrupted by the brown-one, who quickly shoves the other's head down before speaking to you again. "She didn't know who she was talking to mate, and frankly neither do I. But if you want, we can go get a drink for you if you're a....." she pauses for a moment, gears grinding in her head. Then narrows her eyes at you. "Wait, who are you exactly here?"

Ahah, now that you've been established as the one wearing the big shot pants here. The creature is asking you for more detail on exactly who the heck you are. Most likely to know if you're related or are in good cahoots with their massive meister, huge honcho, grand general, enormous executive, oversized overseer, swoll sergeant, big boss, corpulent commander and probably waifu for laifu that would be their chief of considerable size.

Problem is: How do you answer that?

"Who am I?" The answer is simple, "You must think I'm a strange fella now don't you workers?"

They don't answer, awaiting your answer with curiosity and, for a few, still some suspicion.

"You know I'm a big shot already, and as naturally that comes to my big shotty nature, I am also a primma donna. (You don't know what that is, but it sounds fancy). Yes, oh yes, I know what people say about the elite. But I'm going to let you all in on a little secret: My mother died just two years ago."

"WHAT?!" an immediate outburst comes out, all of them distracted by the sudden bomb thrown out. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!" because who wouldn't be when someone reveals something of such a heavy weight like it's news about the weather.

You do, also you put an arm over your face and make your voice sound as sad as possible now, like you're a tragic heroine about to narrate her sad backstory. "Oh! It completely turned my world on end! N-no-pss-no-" you resist the urge to laugh, "Nothing's how it used to be! I don't know if you can understand what I mean, but I just seem to have lost all interest in life!" you'd add in some tears if you could, but so far you think you're doing a great job at doing this nonsense.

That must be terrible....is what they're thinking right now, right? You can't tell because again, you've put an arm on your face to hide your expression. Maybe you should continue the pity rant, but you're not sure if doing so will be too much.

"B-b-b-but, I can see I'm boring you all..." cold feet comes to you, so you stop for now and sniffle while wiping away some tears that aren't there at all. "I'd tell you all mo-...no, all that is none of your concern! I should have never told you gals any off that! I'll be going now!" and you end the conversation by simply running past them while they're still in....shock?

Shock, smochk, whatever. Either way you've managed to get past them, so now it's time to get into this joint!

Said joint isn't a joint though, it's a tower. But not really a tower now that you got a closer look at it...uh, it's hard to describe, but if you had to say anything then you'd say the whole thing is actually pretty simply to describe in super simple words.

It's another fricking ice palace, but like it's got meaty parts, is floating in the air and doesn't show any signs of melting despite being inside a blue desert of all things. The whole thing is rather huge, looks like it was made in random patterns, as some places look orderly while others are recently made. There are stairs on the outside that lead nowhere and holes in the walls out of which leak a pure black liquid of unknown origin. Occasionally the whole place twitches at some rhythm like it's got a heartbeat of all things. All in all, the place does not give you happy fun time vibes. Was that a good description? You're not sure, but whenever you try to stare at it for too long, your head just starts to get a pounding in it.

Maybe it's cause of the weird vibes, or like...it's too big for your mind to properly register? That'd be a new sensation.

There is however one thing you do have a clear view off now, and that's the rows of people entering and leaving. On the south part of this whole tower, there lie...two giant conveyor belts? One leads inside the tower, while the other heads to the opposite direction, into some giant hole of sorts that you can only assume is a portal to somewhere else. But more importantly, what's on top off those conveyor belts is much more interesting...

Because they're fairies, NORMAL FAIRIES. At least those who are about to enter the place are and seeing how those who exit the place through the other conveyor all look inhuman with their toy-like appearance, knight-like appearance, really a whatever kind of look a fairy put in a blender with some random object look appearance...

Things are a bit....s-s-su-s-su-odd looking thing if you've got anything to say about it!

Oh wait, you almost forgot another thing. This whole tower is super-weaponized, like holy heck. Look at all these canons, the size of trees that are just stacked on the walls of this thing. Not only that, but you wouldn't be surprised if the thing itself couldn't be used as a battering ram, thanks to it's oddly sword-shaped top. All in all, this looks more like a fortress than a tower, if not...a secret base? A secret base filled with shady stuff for shady activities for shady goals! Ain't that shady?!

You're a bit amazed by the whole thing, hence you're in the middle of being super visible by everyone gazing at the place. You count your lucky fortune that you haven't been shot yet by one of those canon things or were approached by yet another bunch of creatures that are curious on why you're here. But that can be changed if you don't move your butt now.

As if the heavens answer your doubt, you can suddenly hear a bell being rung. Loud and clear as you swear it comes from deeper inside. You guess, this must be the call for the big announcement in some meeting hall, like how cows are summoned by bells to get into their barn before night falls lest you'd go ahead and slaughter any left alone on the field.

Speaking of cows, it's working. Everybody's who's outside right now flinches at the sound. Turns around and all enter the place through a giant door in the centre of the place that just opened. (Exception being newcomers, like those at the entering conveyor, but you don't know why since you're assuming they're newcomers.)

You instinctively try to join them cause why not, but then stop yourself.
Are you sure you want to go in there? There will be plenty of potential foes attending whatever that announcement is.
But are you sure you don't want to go in there? The information could be totally worth it, if not shed a new light.

To be honest, you're not sure on what to do right now.

But when haven't you?

May as well trust your guts, heart, brain or whatever organ you prefer the most.

[X] The bell beckons, let's get in there, pretend you belong and take a lookesie looky.
[X] The bell beckons, but instead of walking in. Try being a sneaky kind of gal.
[X] Ignore it, if everybody's inside then the outside is yours to explore! (If this is chosen, then vote at B too.)
[====================A===============================================================]

[X] May as well see where those conveyors lead, right? They look shady and god are they tempting.
[X] May as well head to the very top of this place, that's where people put important stuff, right?
[X] Oooh, look. it's a portal thing maybe! May as well approach that since that could be the way out of this place!
[====================B===============================================================]

Jokes on you, they all lead to the same thing. It's just the illusion of choice! Mwahahahahaha!

I'm kidding, but anyway I'll wait warmly. Either way before this week ends, we'll move on swiftly.

With catlike thread. Upon your prey, you steal! In silence dread, in cautious way you feel!

With no tic, or tac to be heard on the floor, you shall sneak your way past through this large door!

Ah, but one may wonder if not fear and doubt. How could a grue possibly make her way through a place with no place to hide nearby while there’s a moving crowd!? But those who wonder, may have forgotten one thing.

To remove any light with no effort is something at which you’re the king!

With a little tap of the hand and the squeeze of one’s but.
Everything that can be seen is turned into a dark blot!
It’s not subtle or precise or even complex.
But to think you’re responsible for it…it’s funny how little it comes as a reflex.

But again, off the rhyme, for now is the time….

To pass through that door, to enter a new floor!
To see not a thing and not be seen in return.
To use the sound of the bell as a lure to spy unannounced on your foe’s important union.

As unlikely as it may sound, the whole thing is a success. The light returns to all and what you see…

Gives you quite the distress! For lo and behold, among all these people seated and chatting so orderly. Who else could you have expected to see on the podium but…? a friend dressed like royalty?

Beautiful blue hair, on which lies a crown. She’s looking at everybody with a displeased frown, she raises one regal rod in the air and makes her voice loud and clear. “Fairy Friends! It’s me, Cirno!” the crowd however gives her no cheer.

“Don’t be quiet now, clap for your Overlord at once!” her demand is heard and met with…some reluctance.

“Good, great, at least you know your place…” she seems sated with that, “But there’s something wrong with the current pace!” except she was not, this whole meeting turns out to be no more than a mass scolding.

“Do you all not realize that our time is unfolding?! We are mighty, we are immortal, should taking over the world then not be normal? But what have you all done? What have you all achieved? You’ve done no more than spread breadcrumbs, so of course eye’m displeased!” the crowd doesn’t seem moved, by words so intense. If the shrugs and eye rolls say anything, then you’d say they could not care less.

“Don’t give me those looks, I’ve given you all you need. SO, I WANT RESULTS! 150 PERCENT MORE than the…the...” alas there’s no word that rhymes with result, but even so, you can clearly tell this may be a cult?

Fairies with wheels, knights with no faces, is it you or do you hear a heartbeat at the ceiling?
That doesn’t matter, never mind it. Give it no thought, the description of the room may wait.
But your next action does not.

[X] You speak up loud and clear, outrage in the face and confusion in the mind.
Could your dear chilly pall be some grand master-mind?
That could not be right in even thousands of years!

[X] Your mouth is silent, and your hands are trembling, what could be the meaning of this odd telling?
And is it something you can manage? You want to act up, but this moment repels that.

[X] Betrayal! Disloyal! How could this possibly be?
You would have never guessed it, but clearly Cirno is working for the enemy.
And such an act, such a surprise, can only be made right if everybody dies!

[X] You speak up loud and clear, outrage in the face and confusion in the mind.
Could your dear chilly pall be some grand master-mind?
That could not be right in even thousands of years!

Y-you, you want to say that you’ve gone delusional or that perhaps this is all nothing more than a bad dream. I mean, why wouldn’t you?

When you see your chilly old pal, after a long time of not knowing where she is, in the middle of a place you don’t know where it is.

One could say such an encounter could be lucky, if not too convenient. Now convenient is all right with you, the easier things are the less effort you must spend doing them. Wait, you’re just rambling.

Back to the subject, your good old friend Cirno is wearing quite the weird clothes. They’re not weird as in weird, weird but they’re… Sort of weird? Never mind, let’s try that description again, but in more detail.

She’s still got the body of a young girl, no blemishes, odd marks, or anything that seems out of place on her Healthwise, but she’s also covered by a crimson cloak of a material oh so soft-looking and shiny that you wouldn’t be surprised if it’s overpriced and exotic. Such a thing really doesn’t suit her, not that you care for fashion but her whole air now gives the vibes of a stroppy and spoilt teen, dressed as though she did not know the difference between daddy’s girl and honest to god cosplaying. As said before, a golden crown lies on top of her blue (combed!) head. (Where did she even get jewellery?) The sceptre in her hand is even more impressive as though its colours are the same, the jewels encrusted within it change constantly as if she’s wielding a rainbow. Finally, there remains the throne on which she’s seated, which lies on top of an ice-blue podium but is itself just…a throne. Sure, it’s a bit yellow, but it looks more like a Cirno-sized chair.

She’s sitting in a cross-legged position, well she got her arms crossed too but that’s more to make her whole self-come off as very confident.

But that’s nothing special, that kind of pose might as well be hers.

“Mmm, still trying to act tough aren’t you all?” the fairy herself speaks up again, since her crowd hasn’t answered. “Heh, I guess you all need a small reminder on who the boss around here is!” with that announcement, she raises her rod high in the air and nothing happens.

Because everybody else present has decided to prostrate themselves in front of her before she could continue. “No, there’s no need for that!”; “Cirno’s the greatest, nay the very best!” and throw out a whole bunch of flatteries as well, which in hindsight feel more dripped in sarcasm and begrudging honey than the odds of them being genuine words of admiration. You wouldn’t have noticed that before, but you do now! Guess there’s at least one positive outcome by becoming slowly paranoid.

Not that you're paranoid, just more afraid of the world in general. Wait, is that really something to boast about?

ANYWAY, let's continue.

“And you better all remember it!” Cirno lets out a joyous hum as she puts her arm down, satisfied by their reaction. But clearly still not done with them, “Okay so now….” A finger comes to her chin, as she thinks of something. “Wait…” she’s thinking super hard. “Oh yeah!” and finally it comes out. “What are you all standing around here for? Do you all need a reminder on my amazing, noble, one-of-a-kind, rare, delicious backstory to raise morale? If so…too bad, that speech was already done, and speeches are dumb anyway so here’s the next step…are you all ready to hear it?” she puts a hand around her ear then stays quiet for a few seconds. “Are you all ready to hear it?” she repeats again after a few seconds of silence, which makes the crowd realize they’re supposed to say yes. “Good! Here’s your new direction! WE ARE GOING T- “you’d love to stay quiet and listen some more to this.

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIIIIIIIIIISSSSS!?” but your feelings get the better of you, with a loud shout. You remove yourself from your hiding spot, fly at a quite pace to approach Cirno and….

Immediately get ganged up on every fairy, knight, and servant present in the room because you’re a shouting individual who’s holding a weapon and sneaked her way inside this place, which is natural.
But that’s fine if they want trouble with you then trouble is what they get. Let’s kick their assess!

The world turns into a blur, let the battle st- “STOP THIS INSTANT!” and everyone does stop. “YOU MORONS! Can’t you see that Rumia is one of my friends? How dare you!?” because Cirno immediately scolds them again, the moment she realizes it was you that so rudely intruded.

You’re still not stopping; however, in fact you continue flying. With a big dumb frown on your face too, or whatever facial expression shows both confusion and irritation and a sense for the dramatic.

Whatever that face is, you’re showing it as you close the distance between you and her kingliness.
She doesn’t seem to realize the meaning of said face, for her own smile becomes wider. “Ah, Rumia. What a pleasure to see you here! Have you come all the way here just to witness my time to shine?” she references something you’ve got no context for but looks genuinely happy to see your presence.

Again, you’re just showing her the face. Then you cross your arms, and you calmly ask her. “Did you plan all of this?” before giving her yet another dose of the face, to show how serious you are.

“Psh, you look like an inflated frog with a face like that.” But it has no effect, she simply thinks you’re being silly or something, bet. Or maybe, she’s pretending to not understand what you’re saying? That could be true, after all if she’s a mastermind then she could simply be doing the unexpected things that you could not have expected to ever expect within your expectations of things!

“Answer the question, are you or are you not the mastermind of all this?” you reply more precisely.

“Nah, wait I mean yes! Or no, hold on this is a trick question, isn’t it? If so then yes, the answer is definitely yes!” again she doesn’t answer (Well she did, but you don't think that right there counts as an actual confession.). “But anyway, if you’re asking about what I’m doing right now, then I’d love to tell you!” again, that’s the truth. “BUT!” she raises one finger, then extends it to a hand as she kind of points to everyone else. “We’re in the middle of a meeting right now, so why don’t you take a seat. Wait for it to be over and afterwards you and me can do whatever the heck I feel like doing? Yeah, you go sit right now.”

[X] Refuse: I don’t have that kind of time and you want answers RIGHT THIS INSTANT!
[X] Accept: Sigh, I'm a master of wasting time anyway, what's a few more minutes for a friend?
[X] Redirect: You’re not even asking me how I’m doing? Isn’t that a bit rude of you?

Lots of updates incoming after this one, well right after this one. Cause it's going to be a gigantic speech she's gonna give.

Anyway here's your options for now, you can either refuse and maybe it'll be seen as you undermining her in front of everybody else which may force her to beat the shit out of you. Or you could accept and be seen as a little sponge to everybody which means they won't respect you and any attempt at asking real questions may be waived away. Or you could redirect the conversation, which may lead nowhere at all if she doesn't react the way you want her to.

Why are all those negative? Oh, they're really not. I just enjoy the occasional doubt coming in your mind.
So go ahead and vote, I shall wait warmly and after one more post it'll be time for the big big update.
Well to be speficic, if you just accept then I can do it immediately but if you don't then there's one more update and then it happens. Unless you decide to off the rails right here and right now, anyway I'll be waiting for it.

[X] Accept: Sigh, I'm a master of wasting time anyway, what's a few more minutes for a friend?

What’s a few more minutes? What isn’t a few more minutes?! Do you seriously think you have the time to fool around like this when your very own death is just a few hours anyway? Is that time not important?

That’s just stupid!

Super dumb even!

Stupid-dumb!

But then you remember that you’ve got no 100% confirmation that you’re about to hit the bucket either.
Because of the stuff from earlier.
Still every second that passes right now feels like an opportunity that may waste away if you don’t do anything to make use of it instead of saying…Just sitting there like a joe!

You’re not sure if you’re making much sense right now but doing nothing.
Just taking a seat and waiting for some miracle to happen just isn’t something you can do right now.
You cannot stay still any longer.
You’ve done so much nothing that it’s a recurring nothing by now. You’ve got no past you remember, no future to look forward to and have done nothing noteworthy up til now to the point that doing nothing is basically your main talent at this point and that’s…

UNACCEPTABLE!

“I’m going to say no to that, why don’t you talk while I just stand here? I’ll be sure to listen patiently!” you respond to Cirno’s offer instead, not telling her to shut up because it’s both rude and unnecessary yet ready to interfere if the information she’s gonna give proves useless.


Cirno gives you a single blink “Eh, that works too. But I’m only making an exception for you, so you better be grateful!” she adds in a shrug as if to say it can’t be helped, then points a finger in the air with a smile “Now, GET READY FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT!” she raises her kingly rod in the air, as if it’s supposed to do something.

It doesn’t, she just stands there for a moment same pose and all as if she’s awaiting something but you’r-

The sound of a bell is heard, ding and dong and all that stuff, get to the point.
That cynical thought is the last thing you think before the surroundings distort again, like a puzzle piece that was replaced with another piece from another box of puzzles entir…you suck at metaphors.

Either way you’ve changed locations again, there!

Not, you’re still in the same place after all. It’s just the outlook that’s different now.

The boring, archaic and oh so cliché castle-like insides of Cirno’s ‘throne room’ has transformed into a golden hall filled to the brim with snowflake like pillars, beyond which lies a dark void. In the middle of said hall, is still you and everyone else. All seated-on ice statues of humanoid designs. The ceiling of the room is just…not there and instead at the top lies what you can only describe as, what you can only describe as a gigantic ball, blue like the ocean and adorned with white stripes like the sky. Alongside are some stars with lines that resemble creatures wh-oh wait, those are just the constellations!

Finally, before you lie Cirno again, the throne she’s seated on completely intact and behind is a gigantic wall of ice, inside which you swear you can see some sort of figure inside but can’t get a better look. Why can’t you? Simple, that’s because she’s about to talk again.

“Now then, everyone. I’m sure you’re all asking why you’ve been summoned here today.” Cirno starts off her speech with a smile on both her face and in her mouth. Still seated at her throne like she’s the king of the world and how she’s probably going to blab on about how cool she believes herself to be.

“Well, it’s a funny story….” the wall behind lights up and one can see a figure of her on it, though the muscles on it are overly exaggerated and so is the pointy chin on her and so is honestly everything. Is she really going to make some show about how she’s oh so cool? You were just being a snarky witch about that. “You see, in my many years as the strongest fairy who defiles the gods. “

Her words, not yours, but let’s stop interrupting her. She hasn’t said anything too bad so far, so keep the snark and all that stuff for later.

“I’ve met many fools, many annoying or otherwise stupid doo-doo heads who all refused to acknowledge my awesomeness even though I knew for a fact that they were beneath me. However, in your case, my servants. I find your company quite enjoyable, in fact I’d like to say that I’m happy to have you all working for me…. but that could all change.”

“You see as soon to be the new Overlord Supreme. I’ve got many challenged that are laid before me, for this world is filled with stupid-dumbs that would love nothing more than to prevent my glorious ascension. Hence, I have all of you here to help me, my lovely, loyal, friendly, little fairy friends. You’re my little hands, my little eyes, and the ones that just like me are easily overlooked to the faults of the stupid.

And again, not to sound mushy. But you’ve all done a great job, a wonderful job even. So many people have now felt the touch of Anonymous and that’s all again thanks to you all, for many people would never touch a thing let alone use it. Not knowing the fate of what would befall them would remove such bravery…. WE THOUGHT. But as it turns out, people love to touch stuff even if it’s bad! Who’s the idiot now huh? That’s right! It’s them! Pfhahahaha!”

As she does the most cliché evil laugh to have ever been heard, your chest tightens a bit once you hear the dreaded word: Anonymous.

That word alone should be enough to incriminate her, if not make her your enemy…but a part of you hopes that her next words will explain that perhaps she’s just being manipulated to do their bidding or something that could justify not having to lose yet another friend.

It’s cowardly but shut up. What kind of person would want to be friend-less after the worst kind of adventure? Not you, that’s who.

“And honestly who can understand that? Why, one of our most recent targets had her arms and legs turn into new, cheesy, sauce, with a little bit of salami on it, pizza pieces. Cause it was a pizza! It was funny, but you know I could not tell which was melting more, her skin or the cheese on the pizza." She pauses for a moment, as if waiting for laughter.

Nobody is laughing.

"Hmph, fine. Don't laugh your lungs out, anyway we all know how the drill works here so let me tell you all why you’re here. See, here’s the thing with incidents. It’s exactly like a pizza, it has many different crusts, many different sauces, and many ways to make one. In fact, some of the bests are made at random! For you see if you look at the menu. Then you might make the mistake of just taking whatever you feel, I for one often feel mischievous and so I choose sometimes anchovies. Picturing the little things as frogs hopping on the pizza, squirming for their lives as they are thrown into the can for me to heat or freeze as I please, mwahahaha!” yet another laugh comes out of her and despite her words everyone present starts to slowly relax a bit. Except for you.

“Oh, but now it’s time for the real deal. I have ordered you all countless times to make sure that the pizza goes right, that it’s neither too hot nor too cold but some of you morons DECIDED TO MESS IT ALL UP!” her sudden scream catches them by surprise, but she continues. “SOME OF YOU, messed up so bad it really makes me wonder why I haven’t frozen them yet? Because honestly come on now? What is a pizza everyone? It’s just a pie with meat and sauce on it? So how did some up you not only mess up the spreading off the house but also made it so that….”

The screen behind shows another figure instead now, or to be specific. The screen shows a map, a map that's...constantly having it's layout change, with one exception. The three red dots from far far away that are approaching your current location.

“THE STUPID SHRINE MAIDEN IS COMING FOR OUR DOUGH!” the red-white one she means. “THAT. SHOULD. NOT. BE. POSSIBLE.” And it’s safe to say she’s not happy about it. “We’ve got the perfect hidden base in the middle of nowhere, we’ve done absolutely nothing note-worthy and now our plan of waiting for everyone to infight just to swoop in and kick everybody’s asses once they’re weak and tired has been ruined, all of it has been ruined, by the idiocy of one of you.

So tell me, which one of you has alerted the Hakurei of our plan? Which one of you has made it so that the Hakurei is approaching our location at a rapid pace? WHICH ONE OFF YOU SCREWED THIS UP? LOOK AT THE MAP, WHY DOES IT SAY SHE MANAGED TO ENTER THIS WORLD HUUUH?” Cirno waves her rod around furiously, stomping her boots on the ground and honestly does not look intimidating at all.

Also, nobody answers, because why would they? You’re not sure if you’re related to this in any way but even so you wouldn’t say anything. And everybody else surely feels the same. Hence the awkward silence.

Cirno looks over everyone with a frown, then lets out a sigh. “Fine, none of you are talking huh? Well, that’s okay. Maybe none of you did anything? Maybe none of you are a spy? Is that what you wanted to hear? Because too bad! I have just the perfect solution.”

She points at some other fairy to the left side of the stage “Activate the truth-laser!” and you’ve got no idea what she’s talking abou-oh.
Never mind, the truth laser is just…well, not there at all.

“Oh, I don’t have a laser.” Cirno gives herself a knock on the head, as if she was just being silly. Then straightens up again. “But STILL, one of your gremlins is a shady, sneaky, SPY and I will not have my secret plans of overtaking this whole thing once nobody pays attention and become the total conqueror of the world be stopped that easily!”

Then she turns to you, with a wave of her hand. “But even so, I am pleased to say that one of my favourite servants has come to visit-

And every little bit of your patience vanishes right then, sure you’ve listened to her ramble on and on about…whatever this is. But there’s still no answer! “….”
So, you head up on the podium, while she’s still talking.

“Me! Of course, that’s natural and I would expect nothing less than such devo…” she notices you approach. “Uh, I’m still talking here! You can’t just walk up on…oh what’s with your face? Do you feel sick Rumia?” and she has finally started to notice the ‘expression’.
A bit too late, for you’re now in kill absolutely everyone ranges.

Not that you would, never in a million’s way no, a maybe for the others. But ahem.
You grab your good old friend by the shoulder, “Cirno….” You feel Really close to just leaving this place or demanding what everybody knows but still, despite everything. You stay calm. “I’m tired of this.” Or to be more precise, you feel completely fed up with all this.

“What?” She replies, mild curiosity on her face about what you mean, yet still that unshakeable smug look is still on her. “If you’re tired, then don’t worry. We’ve got the be- “you don’t let her finish that.

“I’m tired of everything, of THIS and THAT. Do you get me?” her face shows that she doesn’t, so you continue reluctantly. “Look, I’m sure you’re having the time of your life and that’s fine but…do you have any idea how my past days have been?”

“I, uh? Did something bad happen?” that’s a no, you think.

May as well explain everything “You ever wake up one day to find out your best friend’s dead, your other friend is missing and you’ve become some sort of chainsaw abomination that’s going to go insane if not die within an ridiculous short amount of time that could be in 6 hours or maybe never depending on whoever’s words you choose to believe but you can’t tell which one is right?”
“I, hm, Don’t really see ho- “then you’ll make her understand.

“A shame because really, even after this adventure. I think I’m going to have nightmares about this day for a long, long time. BUT STILL, I can cope with that, or more like, repress the bad thoughts until the job is done yknow? One can be sad once work time is over and all that, which frankly is not a time I’m looking up to, for I’ve realized that my whole existence so far has been nothing more than meaningless do this and do that’s on whimsies that will never make me as grand as the darkness I devote myself to properly embody. Not only that, do you know how cheated I feel right now? I thought this adventure was going to be a fun if not a bit morbid tale of me flying around and eating, maiming outsiders on like…. funny ways maybe? I dunno why I thought that, but the whole mac and cheese outsider gave me that impression and honestly, I feel cheated, one hundred percent cheated.”

“Okay, okay! Slow down, you’re talking too f- “

“But, that was not the worst of all things. I could continue despite that, I have continued despite all that, despite knowing nothing, despite feeling like I’m the worst, despite knowing I’m wasting my time and that literally anyone else should be taking care of this. I have continued to try, again and again. And do you know the reason why?”

“STOP, TALKING, OVER. ME.” You don’t think she’s understanding anything if nothing else you just annoyed her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about when you talk like that! So slow down and try a- “
“DO. YOU. KNOW. WHY. I’M. DOING. THIS?”

“I. DO. NOT! Also stop crying, that’s not manly!”

“I DID IT FOR YOU! FOR YOU AND ALL MY FRIENDS! AND A SLICE OF VENGEA-auh- “your voice breaks, but you continue talking. “I…. hoped that after this…nonsense, I could go get all my friends, celebrate a party together and enjoy our time together like a real happy ending…” you continue. “BUT NOW, here I am standing before you. Having finally found you, only for you to boldly claim right in my face that you’re somehow involved in all this? Was this somehow your grand plan? Did you do this? Are you anonymous? Are you working for anonymous? If any of those answers are yes, then…”

“Then…what?” Cirno rises to meet you face-level, seeing your trail-off as a sort of challenge, dear god. Sometimes you hate her denseness. “What are you going to do huh? I’m the Overlord friend! The strongest there is and the strongest to be! Soon, nobody could ever beat me! So, what are you going to do huh? Finish that challenge, I dare you!”

With a heavy heart, you do so. “I want answers, this instant or else…”

[X] You’ll become just one of the many obstacles in my way. And I don’t want that, but if I have to, I will beat you to a pulp Cirno.


[X] I’ll quit, fuck this, fuck you, I’ll go home, let someone else handle this incident and I will want to never see your face again once you lose.


[X] Nothing, I-just…just come home with me, okay? Please, I beg you.
Look, I can forgive your…thing if you just explain everything, okay?


Update got delayed due to personal reasons, but also non personal like...the fact that writing an entire info-dump just feels heavy. So here's one more update where you can decide what'll happen next and whether or not you'll get your info and stuff. Can't give it for no reason after all!

[X] You’ll become just one of the many obstacles in my way. And I don’t want that, but if I have to, I will beat you to a pulp Cirno.

"How cute.” Cirno shrugs with both of her shoulders, seeing nothing but hot water in your words. “Haven’t you heard a thing I said? I’m the Overlord baby, the soon to be ruler of the whole wide world.” And boasts yet again, then pushes herself off you. “But anyway, I didn’t really listen to what you were saying. But....if you had a sad day then go ahead and rest for now, I’ve got bigger girls to freeze, lands to take over and many things to do right now and hey, time is important!” she ends the sentence with an overly flashy move of her hands, ending it with a pat on your head and then starts walking past you.

You don’t let her, there’s no way you’ll let her leave with so many answers so easily. “…you never answered my question, do you or do you not work for anonymous?” so you speak even through your throat hurts, you demand to know the truth “I must know, tell me or I WILL force it out of you…”

“Huh, again. I don’t think you’ll do that.” Cirno is again not convinced. “I’ve seen you fight after all, sure. You’re no pushover but when it comes to having to face someone you like, you may as well be jello! So even if we fought it’d be just me beating you up very easily and that’s no challenge.”

Her words ring true, your ‘battle’ with Daiyousei just earlier today is a prime example of that.

“Right now, is an exception!” you want to shout in her face, but instead it comes out as a raspy. “…right-…I’ll do it, if need be, this time.” And even you can tell that with that kind of voice, that kind of voice and those kind of tears in your eyes, only one thing is conveyed: That you look weak as hell.

“Then do it already, I know you won’t.” Cirno puts her arms on her sides and points a single finger at you, as if to announce she’s waiting for body-posture. “And even then, you can’t possibly harm me.” And she confirms it herself: she’s waiting for the first punch, which is your privilege to throw.

…There’s no talking this out with her, she’s only making you more confused by the second, a second that you can’t afford to waste either. Therefore, you only have once choice now….

You must fight her. You must fight her with everything you got, you don’t know why but there’s a painful gut that if you don’t take this seriously then you’ll regret it for the rest of your short life.

And by seriously, you mean aim to kill serious. You’re going to have to really hurt her, but…

“You done standing there and doing nothing?” Cirno quips back, as if she has the right to be bored. “I’ve got a bigger threat to take care off, so if you don’t want to do this. Then go sit somewhere and we’ll play later.” and even she doesn't seem aware of your internal strife, it's like...all of this is just a game to her? you don't know, you can't make sense off it. But it's still Cirno right?

Can you do that? Can you genuinely, when you look deep inside of yourself, genuinely bring yourself to harm someone who’ve you’ve known for most of your life? Can you harm your friend?

That same friend who you've had snow-ball fights with, that same friend who you've played hide and seek with.
That same friend, who no matter how high or low the day is. Would always be there if somebody needs her?

Can you put those feelings aside, just this once?

[X] The answer is no, but you’re going to have to do it anyway.

[X] The answer is no, there must be another way.

[X] The answer is no, there must be another way.

…

You look down in frustration as your body refuses to move.

What a weak body.

You just can’t do it, no matter what her role is in all this, she’s still your friend so you cannot
muster the will within yourself to cause her harm.

What a pathetic resolve.

But what else can you do? She’s not the type to just say okay if you were to say something like ‘stop doing this bad thing!’ if anything that’s just an excuse for a fun fight to her, because fighting IS fun.

You’re just being a coward, like you’ve always been.

But…there must be a way, right? There must be something you can do here, right? At least you could try to something right? But what exactly?

You could go home if this is too hard for you, you could always just stop you know? Sure, that would be anti-climatic but were you supposed to be here in the first place? Why are you here anyway?

Those details do matter even if you try not to sweat at what you don’t understand. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? All of this is so beyond you.

“Hey, you’re being awful quiet now…” Cirno interrupts your inner musing before it can grow too large. “So, what’s it going to be?” she waits for a response, but you just stay quiet and keep your head down, still unsure about what to exactly say. “Guess that’s a no.” Cirno concludes for you instead, her arms cross to show off disappointment. “Oh, man. That’s such a boring answer though and here I was looking forward to showing off all the awesome stuff I can do now….” With her interest in you lost, she turns around with a dramatic cape flourish. “Fine! be that way! I’ve got bigger fries to take care off anyway!”

“BUT FIRST!” she does another flourish, then points at the screen again. “We’ve got like…like 5 minutes, before our dear intruders arrive and while I’d love to let them come our way so that I can beat them up after a little speech about how amazing I am….”

The screen changes the view to the tower itself.
Or to be more specific, all the weapons on it.
You know the big, overly comical big shooty shooties on it.
The kind that could shoot an explosive whale out of it to nuke a country if not a place smaller than that…like maybe a mountain?

“What kind of girl doesn’t play with her toys? It’d be such a loss to NOT use the massive boom booms we have now, don’t we?” Cirno stands before everyone with a smile, as if she finds herself clever. Nobody’s laughing. “Oh, don’t laugh your asses out. But anyway…what are you all waiting for?” that question wasn’t for you, it’s for the whole crowd of weird critters.

“What do you want us to do mate?” one of them asks, you see why nobody else dare talk first, because they get impaled by sharp piles of ice that rise from the ground beneath them within an instant.

“Nope, also wrong answer! Remember that incompetence is awarded with death.” The thing is still moving though, with some ease even as if it didn’t get impaled in the gut but rather got stuck on a tree branch. Then it gets impaled again by even more stalactites and finally stops moving. Cirno clicks her tongue at the sight. “Is what I would say if you chumps weren’t so resilient~” and she-

“BOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!” she gets interrupted by another entry, one which you would recognize as one of the things you talked to before entering if you had a better memory or overall weren’t…well you. “We got tricked by an intruder! But it’s not my fault, she just looked a l-oh, SHE’S RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU! EVERYONE GET HER ASSS!” without catching a break, the thing charges at you with a ferocity so-

Easily undone by Cirno putting an ice-wall in front of you, then she calmly flies over to the thing once it’s smashed their head against the hard surface and picks them up by the neck. “Kind of a late announcement, don’t you think? Sure, you remembered to come back now of all times but geez, are you a moron or what?”

The thing looks flustered by that comment and gets ready to defend themselves but decides not to at the last moment. “I’m sorry, mate. It was an honest mistake. But I’m not only there for that, but mate also!”

“What ARE you here for then?”

“There’s more intruder’s mate! In like the horizon, like tiny dots that are coming sup- “they don’t finish the sentence, as their whole body is frozen in an instant and shatters into tiny little pieces of ice cubes.

“I already know all that.” Cirno looks fed up immediately. “Now, get out again and do...whatever guards do, go on get lost!”

Again, they are now little pieces of ice cubes.

“Oh, you’re dead…well go do the job once you come back then!” And Cirno continues where she left off, as if this didn’t happen. “Now where was I? Oh yeah, what kind of girl doesn’t play with her toys? Not me and believe it, these toys are capable of quite the boom!” she returns to her throne, moves her rod again and a small table rises out of the ground: It’s got a fruit-vase on it and nothing else. So naturally, she picks up the banana and puts it close to her ear. “Shooty Shooty Center uh, whatever the name was! This is your amazing Overlord! It’s time for us to use the Big Boom again…yes….no, I don’t want the small boom, I want the Biggest Boom we have! What do you mean you don’t get what I’m saying? I’m saying I want the thing that goes ZUUUUUUUUH as it charges and then goes KAAAAASHLIIIIIIIIIING when it hits stuff all awesomely and freezes everything like its winter!” she’s…talking to it, as if it’s a communicator.

“I don’t care if there’s risk of it overheating, I want another shot and I want it now!” and now she seems to be demanding something…. uh, that’s not good? Not good.

“What…are you doing right now?” you weakly ask. Screw that. You get up…well you’re already standing but ahem, you stand your ground, raise your voice, and say loud and clear. “Cirno, listen to me!” except not because your voice broke just earlier, so it comes out as “Cirno…listen…to meuugh.” all croaky and gas-like, it’s a pain really.

“Hm? What do you want?” she heard you alright. “I’m in the middle of something here, so you just wait a minute and then we’ll t- “

“NO!” you stand your ground again, even if it’s just stomping your foot and saying. “…no.” you still must do this, so you continue before she can respond again. “Look, I don’t know what you’re doing here…why you’re even here…or why you’re even doing the things that you’re doing…I’m really lacking a lot of info on like everything to be honest but none of that changes the fact that you’re my friend…one of the bests I’ve had even. So uh, stop this bad thing please?” okay, that wasn’t the best speech ever, but you tried it.

“Well, you’re just rude… Ahem, never mind my order. I’ll call back later!” Cirno puts down the banana to look you eye to eye with a displeased expression. “But yeah, we’re buds. Now and always.” She nods once to confirm that. “What do you mean by bad thing though?”

What…you look at her face, there’s no sarcasm or irony in there. “Do…do I have to spell out what’s wrong with all of this? Seriously?”

“It’d be a lot less vague than the way you’re talking right now, yeah.”

Fine. “EVERYTHING.” Wait, that IS vague. You think about your words some more. “Uh, well first off. That whole talk about boom booms, pizzas and the whole goon gallery here really creeps me out.”

“Can’t help that one, I’m not the one who chose the aesthetic. Those other higher up bozos did like the bunch of edgy try-hards they are. What else?” oh, she’s listening. A bit dismissively but listening regardless!
“…Then who did?”

“That’s a long story, but first off hurry up with what you want. I’ve got people to BOOOM and once they are BOOMED, we can talk some more.”

“...This whole anonymous thing is not fun, if not outright morbid the way it works. There’s no stage music, no stage bosses and not even a fun gimmick for everyone to enjoy. Is this even an incident?” you sound more like someone who’s complaining at a lobby but that doesn’t change the fact you feel like you’re in the right here. “Because if it is, then it’s a bad one. And whoever made this happen musts be a bad person too, so why do you work with them? You’re better t- “

“I don’t need you to tell me what I already am: awesome!” Cirno interrupts you, then looks at her own wrist as if there was a watch on it, there isnt. “But eeeeh, you’re not saying anything that makes sense. Just whining. If only you had the bigger picture like I do, then you’d understand what this is.”
“…Then make me understand? Go on then, spill your secrets.”

“Hmm, I don’t know. What’s the magic word? Hmmm?”

“…Tell me what this is about…pretty please.”

“Okay! Unplug your ears, ready those ear drums. Because I’m going to tell everything you need to know on how I became the amazing Overl-

“With all due respect, mate. “Another…you’ve called them critters, fairies and whatever’s so far but you don’t have a real name for them thing interrupts the conversation. “The intruders have crossed half the distance by now.” Because talking is NOT a free action. “Do we engage them or not? Do we use the automatic defence system or not? Do we just let them enter or not? Please make your decision already, mate.”

“Hey, I was in the middle of so- “

“Uh…do all of them!” Cirno decides on the spot. “Use the defences and if that doesn’t work then attack them yourselves and if that doesn’t work then we’ll Big Boom then and if that doesn’t work then I guess they’ll have to deal with me! There, that’s an easy strategy!”

“I SAID, I wasn’t done tal- “

“Uh, boss. Not that I think you forgot but at this point, if you don’t shoot them with the Arctic Circle right now, then we could suffer the risk of being in the…ridiculously large explosion range and like, die?”

“Oh, so I’m just being ignored now huh?” Fine, you’ll wait.

“I KNEW THAT!” the oh so amazing Overlord huffs at their words but doesn’t impale them on the spot like she did the others. “Hmm, fine. How long until we can blast them out of the sky then?”

“…how would I know? Call the engineers and find out yourself, mate.”

“Hold on, was that backtalk just now servant?”

“No? N-NO! of course not! I’m sure you were going to do so already!”

“Good, you live for now then.” That said, Cirno goes ahead and picks the banana up again.
“Overlord to shooty shoo-you know what I’m not doing this, hey suckers! How long until I get to use the BIG BOOM?

Oh, I can do so right now? But what about the overheating stuff? Oh, so that’s still an issue huh? It’ll have a 25% chance of just blowing us up instead of them huh. Well, I love a gamble! Get ready for launch!”

You don’t like the sound of that, maybe you should speak up now. “I- “

Of course you don’t get to finish that sentence, because the tower rumbles like you’re inside a washing machine (Don’t ask how you got that info) and something from the ceiling lowers to the ground…at a snail’s pace but eventually it reaches the front of Cirno’s throne.

Said thing is a massive, disgusting, mix and match between a red beating heart with crystal-like features adorning it. On top of it lies a humongous gun the shape of which is…you honestly cannot tell, the whole thing is squirming continuously and changing shapes every time you blink. One second it looks like a straight cannon with an icicle symbol on it and the next it shows a face of something vaguely humanoid. It takes over 3/4th of the place just by being here and has forced you to move closer to Cirno’s throne on which she’s seated herself and for some of the rest to leave the room outright. So now, it’s just you, Cirno and around five more individuals in the room right now.

“Hey, you might want to step back some more.” Cirno calls out to you, as she seats herself right on top of the thing for some reason. “The knockback is going to be massive so unless you’re standing right behind or above it, the sheer force might just kill you. So come here and sit next to me already. Don’t be shy, you’re going to get a first seat view about what happens to those who try to oppose me!”

Great, your indecision has allowed the situation to escalate…not. Just because you don’t want to fight “...Okay, give me a sec. “that doesn’t mean you have to sit back, gaze at your navel and be useless! Never!

It takes only a second for you to get next to her. But to your dismay, the two chairs…if they can be called that are clearly made off some red warm leather that looks and feels too like real flesh. Cirno’s isn’t bothered by it, but you can’t tell what could even bother her right now. That said, right in front of her lies an actual panel with buttons and levers and stuff like that. To be specific you see four similar coloured buttons on the right side, all a shade of blue. Two levers in the middle of the thing and two pedals beneath them for the feet and finally four arrow-shaped buttons on the left side off the thing. Finally, finally you see two shiny red buttons on the upper layer that say: Shoot for one and Self-Destruct for the other. No idea why the latter exists though.

“You done admiring my amazing weapon?” Cirno, being right next to you and all. Has naturally noticed your ogling the whole thing. “Because if you’re done, then sit still and enjoy the show!” after that shout Cirno puts one of her feet at the pedal, forcing the whole thing to slowly turn around to face the ice-sheet wall. Said wall moves out of the way and the gun points outside of the tower with quite the ease.

Said outside is still a blue dessert by the way, you don’t see anyone or anything in the far-distance but since it’s aimed this way you can only assume that slowly and surely the Hakurei is making her over here.

You wonder what’s going to happen if she does arrive, she’d probably exterminate the both of you since you’re on some weapon right now d’uh. Maybe you could reason with her though? You’re sure that regardless of what happens, she’ll probably be fine since she’s…

We all know what the Hakurei’s like, losing is impossible for her.

And she’s coming this way, so your bud Cirno has already lost.

Speaking of Cirno she presses another button and whole thing starts making odd noises. “It’s gathering energy, just so you know.” Cirno answers the question. “Afterwards it needs some time to aim properly at the right direction and then it’ll be Big Boom time, it isn’t the first time I used this so don’t worry too much. Well, this will be the first on a moving target though! But hey, I’ve never missed a single shot so far!”

You don’t answer that, even if you want to say, “But haven’t you shot this thing only once?” you’re in no mood for humour. If anything, you’re not sure what your mood is other than a bad one, because seriously what is the meaning of all this? Who gave Cirno all this stuff?
Is she seriously about to use a massive weapon just to get rid of like two or three people? You think she is, no you know she will! That is…
If you don’t do anything about it.

But should you? What could you possibly accomplish here? You don’t know anything therefore you can’t…you shouldn’t think like that, no.
You should try and do something anyway, just to be useful.
You don’t know if anyone could take a blast from…this and if that’s the case then you may regret having done nothing for the rest of your life.
But Cirno is your friend…though she’s acting very different than usual.
She wouldn’t want to use a weapon, because she is the weapon!
Also the blatant cruelty, she’s never acted like that before on purpose!
Or maybe that's wistful thinking, you don't know. Ignorant as usual.

Anyway, you should do something. But what should you do?

[X] Distract her: Ask for her motives this instant and hope she’ll monoblob.
[X] Wrestle her: You’re not going to hurt her, but you won’t let her hurt other people either.
[X] Press the self-destruct button: Worst idea ever made, still acted on.
[X] Talk to her: Blowing people up is like...not a good thing to do!
[X] Do nothing: Even worse idea, but maybe everything will be fine.

Or something else, write in if you want.

Update done and boom.

You stare your old friend down, in a place that’s constantly shifting, odd, bizarre and a stranger to you. Seated on a device half-machine and half flesh, who’s shine is off a sickly blue pale, the touch of the seat under you is too soft and sticky and there’s a sensation of something pumping in a rhythm.

The sky inside was wrong and artificial and the sky outside was no better, you could deal with it if it wasn’t for a vapid stench that covers the entire area. Like rotten fruit, sweet yet disgusting yet nobody seemed to notice it and neither did you until you took a large deep breath of frustration.

Frustration because you don’t know what to do right now, it’s a recurring yet annoying feeling.

You’ve never been a person of the tongue, the kind of gal that can move mountains and make people change their individual ways with nothing more than a sweet smile and sugary words.

Mostly because knowing how to live in a place that’s hot during summer, super cold during winter and filled to the brim with poisonous plants and hostile creatures all seasons tends to make speech a dump stat compared to survival and intimidation. Not to forget talking at all to solve problems is mostly something humans and the weak do, cause why bother asking if you can just take?

Is what you would have said way back…as in just yesterday. But things are different now.

Turns out that speech may not be that useless after all. Especially when you live in a world where about everybody understands the things you say regardless of where you came from. Or when you’re in a situation in which you don’t want to use violence which although rare at times is also a situation in which you’re finding yourself right now, because there is someone you don’t want to hurt.

That person being the one right next to you, wearing a cool smile and brimming with confidence. And who also has a weird tower thingy who’s right now aiming some sort of unholy fusion of a flesh-gun towards the middle of nowhere but that’s not important right now.

She’s staring off into the distance, as if waiting to get a visual before taking the shot, excitement in her eyes as said before as in the kind of hell yeah, the ice cream man arrived let me have some! the kind that’s looking forward to something fun and amazing and has an innocence behind it that’s painful to look at.

You stare at her nose instead, the expression on your face stuck in a bizarre mixture of a mad smile and hard to withhold growl. The utter opposite of how she’s feeling. “Cirno…I have a question for you! Why are you doing all of this?!” unable to hold back, you almost spit the question in her ear, not caring for your proximity and only wanting answers.

“First off, ouch and ew…” Cirno gently pushes you back “Don’t spit in my ear and don’t speak so loudly, I’m sitting right next to you!” afterwards she lets out a snort “Is this really the time to be asking that though? I’m about to show you a sight you won’t ever forget but first you want to talk? How bo- “

“Answer me!” you snarl as you interrupt her, the confusion inside you being slowly replaced with annoyance and said annoyance being replaced by anger eventually…why do you talk like this? To say such a generic thing and to describe it in such a boring way…it’s like you’re too tired to try.

“Hmm…” Cirno removes her hands from the aiming device and puts them behind her own head like a pillow to lean on while thinking. “Again, that’s one boring question. ‘Why are you doing this?’ is such a cliché line, couldn’t you have asked ‘What sinister plot have you planned!’ or ‘Why do you sit on the throne of this strange place!’ Sure, it means the same thing, but it’s the delivery that matters.”

“Just answer the question.” You reply harshly, in no mood to accept her acting playful with insults you and she know don't really hurt because you're that close, instead wanting to shout at her, but you don’t. Knowing that if you did, then she’d shout back, and a fight would happen with all potential info gone. And because you don’t want to fight at all, but you’ve already confirmed that to yourself.

“’Just answer the question’ is no better, come oooon, I’m letting you be a quest (It’s guest not quest, but correcting her midway would only irritate her) here so the least you can do is entertain the overlord! Question my sanity, threaten me. That’s a classic. Maybe you could brag about your feeble accomplishments to get all the way here only to be surprised that I’m sitting here. That I might humble you! Yes, do that. And then once you decide to work for me, I’ll pick up like a sword, put it around your shoulder for a second and make you, my knight! And then we’re going to do lots of more fun stuff! Starting by adding yet another trio to the fridge!”

Again, she’s not answering the question, and, in another time, you would have asked the question yet again to no use, only to ask yet again and then to be suddenly interrupted by the arrival of someone else. You can already predict how the conversation is going to go at this point and see that if it continues like this, then eventually one of you two will get frustrated and violence will come.

That’s how most of your conversations go with anybody, both people say some lines, annoy one another and a battle happens to solve things with bullets that words could not change.

Nearly every conversation. But in this one, you break that nigh-omnipresent social cycle with a simple sentence.
“…This incident killed Wriggle, so if you’re responsible for all this then you may as well have done that yourself. Not only that but I’m going to hit the bucket too, is that something you care about?”

“And our path shall be filled with power, glory, free meals, a theme park called Cirnoland and… … … wait, what?” Cirno says in surprise.

“Some monster-slime thingy disguised as Alice swallowed her whole or something and I put my hands on some chainsaw that tried to dominate my mind and is now slowly but surely corrupting my body. I’ve already said this, and you didn’t seem to care, so I’m asking again: Did you murder us Cirno?”

“A… wait, a disguised as what?”

“A monster slime thingy that was disguised as Alice?”

“Like… like… it’s a slime that stole her clothes and pretended to be her?”

“Oh, I wish that’s what it meant.”

“So you’re something… that someone did…that that form is for…”

“Oh, yeah.”

“And they did that to…”

“Ooooh, yeah.”

“But… I mean…but that’s not part of the plan, we’re supposed to take over! Not eat!”

“What did you think someone who I assume gave you a cannon made of flesh and corrupted a bunch of fairies and encouraged the putting of innocent-looking death traps around would do?”

“I was told I was going to take over the world and make it more fun! Not the thing you said! I have standards you know. What’s the point of taking over a world if there’s nobody to rule over?”

“…” You’ve got no context, but that sentence alone replaces a single tiny droplet of your immense anger with tired disappointment. “You’ve got a story to tell but answer these two questions first: Who exactly told you that? And why exactly did you listen? I swear to everything if you’re lying about being tricked…WHICH I highly think you may not be…I…why are you in this?” you don’t finish the sentence, having already decided to take whatever she’s about to say with a massive grain of salt.

“Well, they… seemed trustworthy.”

“WHO seemed trustworthy?”

“The voices in my head! I’ll have to talk to them at our next meeting about this though!”

“….” No, you won’t simply dismiss it as insanity. You’ve been hearing voices a lot today too. “And what are the names of the voices that told you to maybe murder people that aren’t us?”

“I DID NOT murder anyone!” she says having disposed of two people right in front of you just earlier, though maybe they’re not people to her. “And oh, about the name stuff, that’s the thing. They don’t have one. And uh, when you don’t have a name, you are anonymous right? I guess you could also call them ‘The Many’ but I like to call them Mission Control cause that’s cool.”

“…So, are you going to explain what you’re doing here or what? You’re saying things sure, but this is going to take all day if I have to prod an answer out of you after every single sentence.”

“Watch your mouth mong-oh wait, you’re not my servant yet ahem. Watch your mouth bud, we may be pals but even I won’t tolerate being disrespected in the king’s tower that is mine, cause I’m- “

“I don’t care what you are right now, just start giving me something that makes all of this make sense!”

“Not if you talk like that, this is my home and so it’s my rules, so you better respect my kingship!”

“FINE, king, god, queen, be the bumbling pope if you want that title! Just talk already PRETTY PLEASE”

“Yes, yes, just like that, though all shall be inferior to me, at least you have already acknowledged it. Which makes you a bit better than them, though no less inferior. Anyway, be ready for a grand tale- “

“Make it ten words or less pretty please!”

“Wha-ten words?! Have you gone crazy? I can’t tell my formidable story in only ten words. You’d need a whole novel at least with 100k words or less to describe my amazing odyssey. If not a flashback.”

“Fine, ten words for the prologue, ten for the motive, ten for the plan and ten for the conclusion, pretty please!”

“I won’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re not the boss of me, you may have been a pretend boss some time ago but here? I AM the boss around here! Sadly, I lack royal viziers and all but that’s being compensated thanks to the voices that guide me. And if you want answers then you better sit on your inferior butt and listen to me tell the most amazing tale in the whole wide world without telling me what to do! And no! Saying pretty please in that tone doesn't count as polite!”

“Do you not understand that I’m not in the mood for jokes? what part of Wriggle is dead, I am going to die, and everything is turning to nincompoop do you not understand? Have you been playing around while all this happened? Do you not care at all? Because I- “

“SHUT UP! Don’t you dare say that! Of course, I care, you idiot! WHEN did I ever say that huh? God, you’re pushy. Here I take you in, treat you well and even listen to what you’re saying, and you dare doubt my goodwill? Dare accuse me of friend-murder! Do you think so low of me! Me”

“Nice try, but that sounds more like gaslighting. What I want first and foremost is if you even care at all about what’s happening here, people…though I don’t care for the majority are being hurt and you’re not denying your involvement in this. So, what am I supposed to believe here huh?”

“…Look, I get it. You’ve been through stuff, you’re tired and moody but that’s no excuse to talk to me that way, okay? I am the king; this is my house. So, I demand you show me the respect I show you by sitting down, clogging that mouth of yours and listening to MY perspective on all this. Even if it may be a bit long-winded or dramatic, show a little patience as is your knightly duty and listen to the most amazing tale of them all.”

“Psh, knight you say. Is that why you talk weird sometimes? Are you trying to be old knighted? Is that the theme you’re going with? Cause that’s so old-fashioned.”

“I can talk however I want you sad, lost, inferior to me puppy. So let me enlighten you already.”

[X] No, if you don’t hurry up! then…the hakurei will come before you can shoot your laser thingy? Yeah!
[X] Fine, have your dumb flashback! But it better explain everything!
[X] Nah to that, I don’t think I can trust you or anything you’re going to say.

9 days sure fly fast when you're busy. Either way here's another update anon.
If you can guess what Cirno's been doing, then you get a free cookie delivered to your home!

[X] Fine, have your dumb flashback! But it better explains everything!

Cirno nods, proud of you submitting to her grand wisdom and authority. “Okay, so. Long story short! Remember that talk we had way back about one must defeat things that are stronger than them to truly become the strongest? That birds eat insects because they’re stronger than them?”

You do, (It’s way back at the first thread) it was the last time you saw Cirno in a while after all, if not the main clue you had in searching for her only to suddenly meet her here. “What about it?”

“Well, that’s the motive right there! For that goal I have traveled through the Forest of Magic, challenged the witch the laser thingies only to lose (Marisa did meet Cirno, you forgot to ask her about it) so that annoyed me a bit. Not a lot because I knew that one day I would win, so instead of whining about the result I went home to retrieve some stuff (She left hints back at her home in the Igloo at the Misty lake but some music fortress distracted you) then I came to the amazing decision to go all the way to the Hakurei Shrine to defeat that mean Miko (Reimu has also met her and again you did not ask her about Cirno) but she didn’t want to bother getting up for a fight so sadly I left her be…and now comes the good stuff!” Cirno claps her hand as if she is about to reveal something massive.

“I came to a revelation, why bother fighting stupid witches and maidens if I can just fight something that’s even stronger than that? I needed to fight something above all other life-forms, I had to defy the gods! And the most ones were on youkai mountain so there I went!” she adds in some more useless details like how the harvest goddesses and that one goddess that spins a lot weren’t much off a challenge, how she slowly became more annoyed at the adventure so far and gained the genius idea of just immediately attacking the next goddess she saw which she was already doing except now she also started screaming ‘sneak attack’ every time.

“Anyway, as it started to get close to the evening and I was THIS CLOSE to the Moriya Shrine, I found that one stupid frog-lady with her stupid eye-hat relaxing at a pond nearby. All unguarded like the stupid frog she is, so naturally I did the one thing that had to be done: I was going to cryo-freeze her into ice-cubes with a single shot!” but somehow, she managed to dodge that, a fight happened, there was some taunting and Cirno got swallowed by a giant frog at the end of it. An embarrassing death…. “Except not! Cause then the Spaghetti God gave me the power to keep fighting, beat up that stupid frog, then her stupid goddess friend and that stupid green shrine-maiden all for the low, low cost of some few favours that I’m paying back right now, and that’s why I’m taking over the world!”

“W-what?” Her tale was surprisingly short but no less confusing. “What do you mean by Spaghetti God? You’re glossing over the most important bits.” So, you ask for more clarification

“Spaghetti God!” Cirno doesn’t mind repeating the name before she continues. “That’s the nice thing I saw while I was on death’s door, it was really ugly and had arms like noodles so I really thought I was done for a moment but since I’m the protagonist…of course some grand move from destiny would come to aid me in my time of trial!” There is zero doubt in the things she’s saying and no shame either, she really thinks herself a hero.

And is not done talking “She sure is a nice lady, well, I’m not sure if it was a lady or not. The only thing clear about her was a voice in my head that gave me a nice fuzzy feeling before everything in my body went bwam! And kaslam! Y'know? Then I kicked all off the goddesses dumb buts all on my own! I was going to be satisfied with just that, but then the voice gave me another idea. I forget the details but it was something about how if I were to let just fly away then surely these gods would try to get revenge on me so I had to make sure that would never happen or even easier…make sure that they could not do that ever!”

“…So, what did you do to them?” if it’s her then she probably left them be afterwards.

Dead wrong “Nothing much, I just went ahead and froze them all solid then wrote down a bunch of weird drawings on the walls of the shrine and blamo! All of it got sent into this odd little world and it became my fun little castle! For around a few days before I got bored of its style and wanted to make my own, so we dumped it back where it originally was.” She still doesn’t make much sense but as far as you can tell that much aligns with the fact the Moriya Shrine disappeared for a few days.

“But what of the divine trio? you stole their home okay? but what of them?”

“Trophies.”

“What?”

“They’re my trophies, right over there even.” Cirno gets up from her seat and guides you just a few steps back before she points at the hall with the humanoid ice-statues, which at a closer glance are far too precise to be artificial. There are seven of them, but none of them look like the trio. No green hair, no dumb hats or stone pillar to be seen anywhere, the only noticeable things about the individuals being their winged backs, wolf ears or blue hair, one even has a camera but that’s all. Their arms are raised defensively or mid-swing or just moments before pulling out a spell-card only to never finish that motion as they are stuck in a prison of ice with their motion and facial expression stuck for all eternity. “To be humiliated by having their expressions forever frozen with a face of dumb surprise. Isn’t that amazing? A fitting fate to those who defy me! Well, they didn’t even get to defy me because of the super laser, but still it’s nice to see them humbled.” finding humor in that, Cirno does a boastful pat to her chest, as if she admitted doing something cool, seeing absolutely nothing wrong in all this.

‘So, you’ve become an asshole that kidnaps people just so you can boast about how cool you are?’ is the first sentence that comes to your mind, but your mouth doesn’t open, nor does your body move as a rancid feeling surge within your stomach, your legs get jittery and you let out a stupid “Oh, wow… Well, huh. Color me surprised. I can't help but feel that this is super….” Petty? Repugnant? Something that’s way above causing some trouble that’s within good fun? “Silly.”

“How is this silly?” Cirno asks defensively, like that’s the wrong answer. Did she expect you to be awestruck and talk about how amazingly evil that is? Or did she want you to be horrified instead?

Either way you answer with an awkward laugh, not sure what to make of this. “I’m just saying that making statues out of people just seems like a lot of effort, if not an ancient cliché too.” you’re disappointed in a way, you expected something much grander than a ‘oh it was me all along!’ kind of reveal that’s accompanied by acts of evil so cartoonish that you can’t really be scared by them but are no less disgusted by the implications of them. To your own surprise even, but yeah, it is that not that bad...in a weird way? the rancid feeling dissapears slowly.

“Oh, you don’t get it then. I’m keeping them here so I can gloat! I also wanted them to admit how great I am now, but well…” Cirno scratches her chin, looking a bit embarassed.

“Ice statues can’t talk, can they?” you guess the reason, hoping that’s all to it.

“Well, not since I fixed that no.”

Silence, the rancid feeling comes back and goes even higher than before. “…What do you mean by that?”

“Oh well, the first few opponents I froze, I made sure that they could speak. I thought they would praise me…

But instead they said things like ‘Please let me go,’ ‘You won’t get away with this, let us go or else!’ and ‘So cold…so cold’ and they kept complaining and complaining and not shutting up! It was so annoying…”

“So… um… you made it, so they weren’t conscious anymore?”

“Why bother with that? I just changed it so that anyone new I froze solid could not talk at all.”

“What… about the old ones?”

“I had those buried pretty deep down the center here” She taps the ground with her foot, implying they’re further down. “Until I couldn’t hear them scream anymore. Pretty smart right?”

“So, just so that I’m clear. EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN HERE IS EXPERIENCING A LIVING NIGHTMARE!? Am I understanding that right?” if you could vomit right now, you would. But no, you only feel nasouis and can't even gag.

“What? No, not at all! You’re a silly girl, Rumia.”

“Oh…good! Tell me what I got wrong then, that it shines everything in a better light!” that's sarcasm.

“The frozen aren’t capable of sleep since I need them awake to harvest their energy efficiently. So, you can’t have it be a nightmare, it’s more like recycling the losers that failed to beat me.”

…

“Hey, what’s with the silence? And the sad face? Quit that already bud, I’ve already said you’re being a downer and I’m being as nice as I can be so what kind of problem are you having now?”

“Do you not see what’s wrong in all this?”

“Not if you’re being that vague no, go on enlighten me.”

“You’ve frozen fully sentient people into a prison, are currently helping ‘something’ that has ill intent towards Gensokyo and are doing all of it just for the sake of getting power? How is that right?”

“Really? Is that what’s been bothering you?” Cirno’s voice becomes a bit more bored, as if your worries are the dumbest things she’s heard off. “Don’t you already know that if you’re strong enough to get what you want, then those who lose against you have no right to complain about things?” she’s right, you’ve said that kind of line yourself multiple times but… “That’s the kind of logic everybody uses, don’t deny it. Sure, it’s said in a way that makes beauty and grace more important when everyone shoots pretty colors but in a way that’s a matter of strength too.

And guess who just so happens to be near the bottom? Fairies, they are and have always been the fodder of our home, treated as nothing more than cute trivial things at best or nuisances at worst and the simple fact that I’m one of them makes it so people never take me seriously either! But look, who’s laughing now? Not them for sure, and sure, that may be seen as bad or a ‘crime against nature’ but you know what I think about that? Fuck your nature! What did it ever give to me anyway? Immortality is nice and all but being so limited in the things I can do is something I won’t accept any more for the Spaghetti God has made me see the awful truth: That the only way to surpass the limits of the body is to surpass one’s very race! I’m going to become something greater than what nature has had in store for me. I shall shed behind my meager flesh and use the secrets of anonymity to become, nay SURPASS all the gods myself! I will become a True Overlord!!”

She can’t be for real. “You’re being a walking cliché right now, there’s no way you’re going to succeed at doing that or even get close to doing so before an incident resolver will come to kick your butt. The good guys always beat the bad guys. Not only that, but do you think you’ll get away scot-free with trying to do such a thing? You’re going to be sealed underground or worse!” but if she is, then you have to make her realize those kinds of actions are going to backfire immensely on her, there’s no way she’ll have a normal life again if she doesn’t stop.

“Then that’s the price for failure and if I win, then all the risk would have been worth it! Either way I would have been right about how it’s the strongest that decides how the pants are worn and I’d rather do something that I want to do then walk around like a lost puppy waiting for other people to tell me what to do and gain satisfaction from that like those losers here.”

“Cirno, I-I get where you’re coming from, but this kind of reaction is just blowing things out of proportion…I mean why even care about what people think of you? I already think you’re awesome, isn’t that enough? I’m not a guru but trying to live for only such a concept does not make sense, it’s outright impossible. The world is big so no matter what you do there will always be a stronger person out there right? Can’t you just quit this and come home? I’m sure if you do that now and free every person you’ve got in here then you won’t be punished too badly. Pretend it’s a redemption arc and everything. Or uh, say you were brainwashed? We could figure something- “ you brainstorm a solution to this, certain that talking so far has worked out so maybe you could find some words that could make her change her mind.

“Rumia, it’s sweet that you’re trying so hard to convince me to stop. But can’t you tell the simple fact that since I’m already this far, there’s no way I’d quit? I know you won’t oppose me so the only thing you can do is either support me in my quest or be quiet and just watch me win.” but that silly hope is immediately refuted by her, she does not and will not stop this.

“But…” and whatever you’ve got to say about is of no importance, she can’t be swayed.

“Nope, nothing you say will make me realize out of nowhere that what I’m doing is misguided or somehow snap some brainwashing thingy that isn’t there nor will it make me change sides because suddenly out of nowhere a greater threat has appeared. You can thank my little crown of concentration for that since it makes me immune to all kinds of fear, distractions, and stuff.

But enough of that, I remember you mentioned something about how you’re dying, and that Wriggle is dead right? Now that’s shady, cause I’m 100% not responsible for that and would love to help you get rid of those troubles. But first you need to get that silly ‘this is bad’ idea out of your head, okay?”

“Did you just say no fear? Oh, so you’re just cheating then” At those words you realize why that is. “Fear is one of the most natural responses out there, it’s the thing from which us youkais are born from, and everybody has. ‘Fight or flight’ and all, but thanks to your dumb toy it’s ‘fight or oh let’s fight some more’ for you, isn’t it?” or maybe you’re pulling at straws now.

“Yeah? I don’t see how that matters, but yes.” She knocks on her little crown. “It’s the crown of concentration, a nifty anon object that lets me ‘stay focused’ and removes anything from my head that would get in the way of that. It’s been helpful so far but that’s not the only toy I’ve been gifted.” Now she’s showing off the dumb rod she’s been holding this whole time. “And this baby is my king’s rod, it forces all those who’ve been touched by anonymous/ is working for anonymous/ or is related to anonymous in any way to obey my every command if I point it at them in around a 20-meter range. So, it works on all the servants you’ve seen before or even you yourself if I wanted to and that’s only one of its many uses. …Oh! But don’t worry, I won’t use it on you. Unless you try to hurt me, then I’d stop you, very easily even. Cause it hurts a lot, at least I think so. Otherwise, why would people flinch when I use it? But again, that’s not important. What is important is that you should be deciding by now, are you going to join me or stay out of my way? Never mind, I don’t want you on my team. Just don’t bother me and I’ll help you out once I’m done kicking the ass of the Hakurei, afterwards we can get you a nice little cure, revive wriggle and avenge her death and then send you gals home, like it’s a happy ending for a neat side quest!”

Her words ring on deaf ears, though some parts of those words may be tempting. Everything you’ve seen and heard from her makes her out to be a super unreliable person to trust right now. She’s got anon objects yet looks no worse for the wear, is serving the culprit willingly and is outright immune to the fear of being wrong. At least you think that since that could be why she’s fuller of herself than usual. She’s immune to fear and so also the fear that she might be wrong. She’s immune to the fear of becoming a tyrant! Or everything she just said was a lie that you’re oh so desperate to believe because it’d oh so be convenient for her as a way out once she inevitable loses to the Hakurei only to spared at the last minute because she was ‘brainwashed’ all along…it’s almost funny how paranoid you are.

But are you? You don’t feel like you’ve learned anything new other than some ‘hur, hur, me bad fairy. Remember past events? That was me ayooooooo’ nonsense. Nor do you have any source…wait do you have one, she’s got both the murder weapon and her victims. Never mind, you’ve learned that Cirno has gone cuckoo bananas and that she can’t be trusted.

So, despite your own desires, you cannot convince her or let her convince you. “Cirno, I’m going to be honest here. I thought you were joking around at first. Or at least I thought you were a joke villain, someone who’s clueless about everything and tries to act cool while being secretly manipulated by some grander mastermind. But now, whether you are being used or not, whether you are hearing voices or not, you are a genuine threat. You are a legitimate villain, and I did not think that it was possible for me to be both proud and disappointed at that. I made a mistake, I’ll be the first one to admit that….and like any good friend, I need to apologize. So, I’m going to give you a gift to make it up to you! Something I should have done the moment you admitted you have a part in this!`` Despite everything inside of you not wanting this, you have now no choice but to accept that Cirno is a threat and will have to be dealt with, in any way possible for the good of everyone, herself included. She's commiting a major mistake while thinking herself cool for it.

“Ooh, what kind of gift will it be? If it’s a fight, I won’t hesitate to beat you up just so you know. These hands are for friends and family alike, so please don’t let it be that way. I’m not joking, the very surroundings we are in obey my every command because of a nice little secret~”

But it doesn’t have to be you that does it per se “No, not a fight. It’s a good gift, one that should arrive soon. But why don’t you continue talking until then? Clear me in about some more stuff, like what are anon objects and what is the spaghetti god and what is their relation to anonymous and all that kind of things that I’ve waited hours for to know about, please?"

Instead you’ll use the time before the Hakurei arrives to milk the information cow out of any further information milk they have that can be milked out of the…

You know what you were trying to say and leave it at that lest a bizarre image may come.

“…” Cirno stays quiet for a moment, staring into your eyes. Did she see through you? “You just want information, don’t you?” then she lets out another smile and puts an arm around your shoulder before pulling you closer so she can ruffle your hair with one hand. “Well, that’s fine, we’re buds after all, and since you’ll be joining me anyway it’s only normal to keep you in the know yeah and even if you don’t join it’s not like you could do anything to hinder me, so listen up one final time as I explain the everything that I can think off that I can explain and things!” she lets go at that declaration and flies a bit up so she can force you to look up.

Here comes another monologue, you lean a bit back in your chair and pep up your ears to listen, just ignore the mixed feelings you’re having right now alongside your massive dissatisfaction as usual.

“Cool, then prepare for the flashback.” After saying that Cirno just stares at you, unblinking and unmoving and… what is she doing? Is she really trying to have a flashback? If so, you don’t see it.

"I don't see anything." You say out loud just for good measure.

“Oh, my bad, let me share it.” Cirno waves her rod again and the surroundings distort again…

You’re not sure what a double agent is, but like a wind that goes through the cracks of some rocks, a small idea enters your mind just like that.

That idea is accompanied swiftly by yet another just as odd. You’re going to cover Cirno’s head in darkness by focusing the darkness on a single small target! Surely, that can be done after you managed to create ink before, of all things. But before you make such a clear-cut move that shows you’re opposed to her; you’re going to say the exact opposite. You’re going to tell a lie! By pretending to be on her side, she will be off-guard and hitting her will be easy!

This could not go wrong.

"Cirno, I’m on your side! No matter what, I’ll always be your friend too! " You declare so with confidence and faked emotion, hoping that they are fooled by it.

"Of course, you would be." Cirno’s smile becomes a little bit bolder, having expected this but no less pleased by your decision.

"You are joking, right?" I’d rather not fight you, Rumia. "Can't you see that Cirno is acting odd?" Meiling, however, sounds confused, if not disappointed in you. She is reluctant to fight you, but she will, if need be, probably soon too.

"Don’t bother with that, youkai love to be unreasonable." Such a hassle... " Reimu does not believe in you at all pretends to not care and lets out a shrug before fiddling with something in her pocket. "So, I guess we’re fighting then? Fine, then I’ll be the judge, jury, and executioner of you two lousy girls." In a half-bored fashion, she accepts the situation, gets ready to fight, and you better pray that she's just bluffing.

Fooling them all sure was easy, super easy, but who are you to complain? Now it is time for the next part, as in the part where you cover Cirno’s head in darkness! "Whatever, have my darkness!"

After announcing your move, you concentrate, you focus, and you really visualize the small orb of darkness at the exact spot where Cirno’s head would be. You don’t want to risk the chance of getting the orb in the wrong spot, which is more than possible since you’re mostly used to letting the darkness spread everywhere. Call it the difference between moving every blade of grass on a field with a lawnmower or trimming specific flower bits with a tiny scissor. One takes more effort and precision, while the other is something even a child could understand at first use. That’s how it feels.

To your surprise, you can feel something flickering within yourself. The darkness hears your request and happily grants it, for just above Cirno’s head, a tiny, barely the size of an insect, dark ball is created.

Good; it means your move is possible. So immediately, you launch yourself backwards and land with the back of your head on the ground thanks to the propulsion of a heavy object hitting your chest.

The lights go bright, air leaves your lungs, your legs give out, your vision shuts down and your jaw opens in pain. "Euuuuuugh..." a moan of exactly of pain incarnate leaves the Rumia estate for your interior feels like it’s having a fire-problem and no water in miles.

"Rumia, are you okay!?" Cirno’s the first to react and quickly flies her over to you so she can check if you’re all right. Sadly, you can only moan in pain back at her, but the worry is complimenting. "What a cheating move!" Accepting your answer as proof that you’re still alive, Cirno takes a moment to glare at Reimu and co. "Moving to disable straight off the bat is not cool. Don’t you know anything about formal combat? You’re breaking the rules! And breaking my friend! You’re a double breaker! "

"I don’t care much for rules." Reimu holds another red orb in her right hand, the same one as the one that’s currently on your chest and somehow pinning you with an immense weight despite its size. "Also, your darkness buddy was about to do something sneaky there. I don’t care much for that either."

"I don’t like it." Meiling looks at your prone form with some pity. "But I think that was the right thing to do. If she won’t listen and tries to sneak attack us, then it’s only fair for us to defend ourselves."

"Whatever! Shut up! I don’t want your loser excuses! " Cirno, on the other hand, is adamant about removing the thing from you while remaining vigilant against the others."Nhhhhhhh! "What the... why is this thing so heavy?!" but proves unable to, for there is only one person that can pick them up. "Darnit, I’m sorry pal. But it looks like you’re stuck under that for a bit. Just stay comfy! " She stops trying and faces her opponents again... while standing on top of the orb, adding her weight to your discomfort. "But don’t worry! If I can’t free you now, then I’ll force Reimu to do so once I make her my slave!" Frustrated, she grips her rod tightly and clenches her fists even harder. The time for battle has come. "Those who defy me are going to be frozen into ice-cubes, shattered into pieces, frozen into ice-cubes again and left to be melted before the morning sun! Come at me, you cheaters! "

"The only thing that’s going to be melted..." Her combat pose ready, Reimu floats in the air for what she assumes will be a damnaku fight. She already has a few spell cards up her sleeve. "I will be your silly delusions and your overly clichéd character!" and she shows one off. "Danmaku match, me and Meiling versus you." No contact, let’s go! ", to properly declare her terms for the assumed future curtain hell battle. Meiling does the exact same, even though only one person needs to do the set-up. She also adds in her own little quote and battle pose, but if you add in everything that everyone has ever said, then by the time you’re done, they’re already doing something else.

"No." Cirno refuses the danmaku challenge with a smile, still standing on top of you despite the noises you’re making. "I’m not playing your stupid, girly game! This is my home, my realm, my rules, and so we’ll play the game I want to play: My game! "again, no joke. You feel like you’re being crushed to death, like how a worm would feel if someone accidentally stepped on it.

"What?" Reimu narrows her eyebrows, suspicion rising within her. "Danmaku isn’t just a game, it’s the way to resolve incidents everywhere." You’re not going to be an exception, so accept it already. "

"This isn’t Gensokyo. Also, I don’t care what you think. Cope about it." Ignoring her remark, Cirno raises her rod, swings it down, and in an instant, the entire world goes through a blurry distortion.

At least you assume she is, seeing how you can’t see anything. But who has ever let that get in the way? Oh, wait. Now the battle ensues! Things aren’t as dramatic as they should be... Let’s try again.

A battle commences!


*Swiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiishhhhhhhhh*
*Swooooooooooooshhhhh*

https://youtu.be/3tPBEFMkJjA

You feel a familiar sensation, one that if you were sawy You would recognize as that one feeling you had while fighting the carrion, but honestly, that’s enough about you. You’re stuck under a rock, and while you’d love to monologue all day about that, your ears can still pick up the conversation that’s happening between your friend and foe. Well, they’re kind of all your friends, but you get it.

"Welcome to the battle-zone!" Cirno, still on top of you, raises both of her fists, for she is ready to kick some ass and explain absolutely nothing about the place to keep the advantage. The rules are on none-of-your-business-island, the way to play is in the instruction booklet you don’t have, and you girls are utterly, completely, and fully out of luck now. Because I’ve already won, take that! "

To nobody’s surprise, Reimu ignores her comment, instead taking a moment to observe how her background has turned into a garble of meaningless seizure fodder and how her own body has changed style to fit the environment in an ugly mirror-like way. "Ok, I’m kind of surprised." For once, she admits she has the closest thing to a positive reaction towards Cirno. "The background could be better, and the music feels a bit too cheery, but I’ll be honest, I’d like to try this game out. So how does one play again? " You’re not sure if that was sarcasm or if she simply does not understand or care about her current situation by asking such a thing. Either way, this means nothing special to her. And why shouldn't it be? She's the Hakurei. Incidents like these are things she resolves before dinnertime all on her own.

Meiling, on the other hand, "WOAH! Don’t tell me this is... Is there no way it couldn’t be? Are we playing an RPG for real? How did you do that? Who invented that? Can I take it home? " Her eyes sparkle with curiosity.She seems familiar with how this all works and outright looks forward to the fight, expecting it to be a fun experience to be a part of.

In short, neither girl is intimidated by Cirno’s display. "W-that’s not the correct response! You’re all supposed to be intimidated by this revelation if not disgusted by my pra-pra-pragmathic thing! "

"Wait, is this an RPG thing or a pragmatic thing?" Reimu doesn’t understand either term, so she asks Meiling for clarification. "It’s just like my rpg's." which Meiling does deliver as they both ignore Cirno again. "But what is an RPG?" Reimu asks yet another question, and you’d love to hear more about this.

Cirno interrupts them, "STOP HAVING FUN!" and stomps the ball once to vent her anger. "This is the part where you all shake in your boots at how every advantage was taken from you and beg me for mercy!" Not the one where you give me criticism and start chatting like none of this is special! " Okay, so she’s offended because nobody is giving her the attention she thinks she deserves. How mature.

"No, don’t bother answering. We’re fighting this instant, and I’m taking the first turn too! The moment she says those words, the exact same text appears on the top of what you perceive to be the top of the screen. A second after, several diamond-shaped ice cubes, each the size of a car, scatter in a rapid-fire fashion towards both Reimu and Meiling, forcing them to brace themselves as the onslaught continues for around 5 seconds before coming to a sudden end.


"That... didn’t do anything?" Reimu looks completely unharmed by it. All she did was strike a hurt pose during the onslaught, only to look no worse for the wear. "What was the point of that?"

"Hold on, that’s not true." But Meiling doesn’t let it slide, instead pointing at Reimu’s head. "Look above you! Your HP has lowered!" For some reason, she speaks as if this is a bad thing. Oh, wait, so that’s it.

"Hp?" Reimu looks above herself and sees two numbers in green. The most leftward says 300, while the one on the right says 500. It is at this point that your brain finally connects the dots.

HP is one’s health points. It’s a long story, but basically. If that number reaches 0, then you lose! " Meiling adds in, her voice filled with a confidence that she knows her stuff for some reason.

How did you guys know? I mean, that’s not true! Getting to 0 health is a good thing! " Cirno’s a bad liar and bad at hiding her surprise at Meiling’s knowledge. So naturally, she immediately acts on it by pointing her rod at Meiling and declaring that "Explaining the rules is from now on against the rules!"

"What?" is the only flat noise that comes out of Meiling’s mouth at the news.

"You heard me, from now on." Explaining the rules is illegal and if you do break that rule, then you are to be insta-killed! " Cirno explains her totally made-on-the-spot rule.

Even the Hakurei can tell that’s nonsense. "That’s just cheating." You’re just bending the rules to suit your own whim!" Most of her curiosity disappears as quickly as it arrived while she stares Cirno down with a look of disapproval and disgust. Like one would do to a child that is throwing a tantrum.

Seeing this, Cirno raises her chin just so she can look down on the two. Oh, what’s that? Can the little babies not play my game fair and square? If so, then feel free to give up this instant!"

"Okay, you asked for it." The Hakurei gets fed up with it and takes out a needle, throwing it straight towards Cirno! only for it to hit an invincible wall just two steps away from her. To her surprise, not. "Oh, so it's that kind of game..."

"It’s not your turn to attack yet." She says it with the smuggest tone she can muster. "It’s Meiling’s turn now, so why don’t you suck on your thumb and wait until then, okay?"

"Tsk..." The hakurei only clicks her tongue at that, mumbling to herself something you can’t overhear before turning to Meiling. "So, are you going to use this 'turn,' Miss Ice-Freak?"

"Yeah, in a moment. Just let me look at my moves first. So, I can strategize and all. " Meiling tells the Hakurei to be patient as she is perusing some list that you cannot see.

"Moves?" At which Reimu raises an eyebrow, having as said before, absolutely no experience in this.

"Yeah, the things that-oh, I can’t say sorry." And alas, Meiling can not explain it to her either.

Because Cirno is being a big mean cheater about all this. That’s the situation for them right now.

As for you, you’re still stuck under a big Ying-yang orb that’s crushing most of your back and knees while also accompanying said pain with the one you get from touching holy objects. The only free parts of your body are your hands, your head, and your feet. So, while most movement isn’t out of the question, the main problem is the fact that you’re being crushed and burned at the same time. (Well not really burned, but it still hurts a lot)

Naturally, That means that the slightest movement hurts a whole lot more than sitting still. But you can’t sit still, or you’ll be stuck under this thing forever to be crushed and burned, d’uh. Okay, you know what? You’re making this sound too complicated, so let’s say it again.

There’s a big Ying-yang orb on you, Cirno is cheating in a fight against Reimu and Meiling, and your left ear is itchy, but scratching it with your bare nails is a dirty thing to do in public and also the last possible thing to be doing right now.

Even so, what should a girl like you do?

[Write in because the writer is too tired to edit this any more rn]


TLDR: If you want to join the fight, get this thing off you somehow.
That said don't worry about this fight taking like 10 whole updates to finish, the result is already predetermined to 3 different results depending on some choices taken during this and the next update.

[x] Psst, Cirno. I don't know how to play. Can you explain the rules for me?

Ah, yes. Once again, an amazing deception enters your mind. As the beacon of darkness itself (which is you!) has once said: what is a lie but nothing more than an extension of the shadows themselves? That cool line in your head done, you return to the reality that you’re being CRUSHED LIKE A PANCAKE RIGHT NOW! WHO HAPPENS TO BE SIZZLING HOT TOO!

Which, naturally. Makes things like talking or trying to play it smooth a rather hard endeavour.
Or in other words, it’s hard trying to say or do anything while you’re in immense pain so maybe, just maybe, you should try finding a way out of your current problem before worrying trying that.

Funny how you must remind yourself of such a thing but it’s not like you’ve ever had a good head before.

Or maybe this is part of the plan all along? To use your current orby circumstance to play the helpless maiden while subtly influencing the battle? To conserve one’s energy and make the most out of things while your pal gals duke it out, with no risk of antagonizing either side? Is that the plan?

You’re not sure about the answer to that question or why you’re asking yourself such things in the first place. You’re Rumia after all, so of course you should know how Rumia thinks and how Rumia does! But what is a Rumia? What kind of Rumia are you now? That question is…

Better left for another time to be honest, there’s a thing happening right now so instead of doing nothing and thinking all these things to yourself. You should act and change things, THIS INSTANT!

“Ghaaa….Ooghh….IIIIIGhhh…..Doo..ooo..o.ooonnn……t. Kn..o.oooww. E-E-e……pppppp….aaaaiiiiin…..ppp…….leeaaassseeeee.” with determination, you struggle hard to make out something that can be heard to Cirno as suffocation and pain team up to prevent that.

“Mhm?” And she does hear your moaning, “What was that buddy? You’re going to need speak louder here.” and responds back with mild confusion. “I heard an ow there, and if you meant to say ‘Cirno please save me, everything feels owy’ then just wait a minute so I can kick the Hakurei’s ass, okay?” but sadly it fails for anything you can say while stuck under that orb is just garble noise.

So, let’s fix that first.

With resolution, you try to move your body by just the tiniest bit. If you could somehow squirm out of this ridiculously huge orb, then you could easily speak clearly instead of being reduced to lowly moans and grunts of pains or the occasional gasp for air that doesn’t come. But it is of no effect.

Your body is not dislodged or removing itself in any way. The only thing that you’ve managed to do however is awkwardly put your arms in front of you, for the only part of you that’s free to move is everything above your shoulders. It’s like being a cripple in a way, except more painful. That terrible analogy done; you gain an even better idea the moment you glimpse at your hands. They have nails that can cut through flesh and a grip that shatters stone, not to forget the chainsaw thing too that combined with the former mentioned features could make for a way to free yourself in some way.

Not that it matters to anyone present, Meiling is still ‘thinking’ about her strategy, which if you were a cynical kind of person you’d suspect as her just stalling for time. Which is wrong for the concentration in her eyes and her posture show that she has full intent of winning this fight.

Reimu looks bored, poking the ground with her ofuda while occasionally giving a glance to the screen next to her. “So…do I just press a button or something? nothing happens when I click on the screen thingy.” Of course, nobody answers her inquiry and because of her not knowing how to play she loses more and more interest and grows more and more frustrated. “What a game this is…absolutely nothing’s happening! Hey, hurry it up Meiling! Choose already, there is a morning sale tomorrow and I refuse to miss it because of this dumb game!”

“Relax Hakurei, I’ve got an idea now that’s just cooked right…. now!” Meiling relents to Reimu’s demand with a confident smile, certain of her plan and cracks her knuckles in anticipation. “So, listen up Reimu, I’m kind of a half tank and half dps- “

“I don’t know what any of that means!” Reimu interrupts her, no less sated than before.

“Oh, hush, that’s okay. Just hear me out and I’ll guide us to victory.” Meiling shows three fingers. “What I meant to say is that my defense, attack, and health are super high, and I’ve got ways to make it even higher if I want to. I’m going to use the use the move “Fierce Tiger Qi Release'' to heal you back to full health and massively boost all your stats at once, so you can attack her at your leisure. Then next turn I will use the move ‘Dapeng Fist’ to stun and confuse Cirno alongside lowering her defensive stats so you can finish the job with your strongest attack. But if she is still alive despite that then I’m going to finish the job myself by with ‘Intense Rainbow Fist’ to attack her 8 times in a row and if that doesn’t work then I’ll combine both ‘Spiral Light Steps’ which gives me a buff that lets me take attacks for my allies and the ‘Counter’ move to return all damage she does back to her.” And she explains in a rather long way what she can do and how they should act together. Who knew that such obscure knowledge would one day aid in this exact situation?

“Huh, neat.” Reimu just nods, as if she understands what that means “And what you’re trying so say by that is…?” only to admit she doesn’t in the end and is still struggling with this whole thing.

“What I’m saying is: Feel free to explore your moves and I’ll do my best to support you, you rpg grasshopper! Just throw out your strongest attacks and follow my lead and we are sure to win!”

“Hm, I can do that. You do your move and I’ll have my fun, yeah. I can make do with that.” Reimu agrees to the plan and looks more invested in it again now that the boring wait time is over.

“Too bad you all just lost now.” Cirno speaks up, pointing a thumbs down at Meiling. “I told you explaining the rules was cheating, didn’t I? Well, you just cheated so now I w- “

“No, I didn’t!” Meiling doesn’t accept it though. “I explained what I was going to do, not how the game works in any way. So sorry to burst your bubble but suck on that loophole Ice Fairy!”

“I- “Cirno grows quiet at that, staring straight at Meiling for second or two. “Hm, oh I guess you’re right. You didn’t really cheat after all; I mean of course I knew that! I was just testing you two!” She relents to the loophole despite not liking it, since otherwise she’d just look pathetic. “That said, I’m going to penalize you anyway because I don’t like your attitude, so suck on that Meiling!”

“Hey, that’s not f- “

“DON’T CARE! Your turn is skipped because you took too long, cry if you want, I’ll just freeze your tears!” Cirno interrupts Meiling before she can protest again and points at you now. “It’s Rumia’s turn now and after that Reimu’s and then it’ll be my turn and then Meiling’s turn! That’s the turn order! Now shut up and play the game correctly!”
Of course, both girls are not okay with Cirno just skipping Meiling’s turn. But Cirno doesn’t care about that, she’s the one who makes the rules after all and instead of talking some more just looks down on them with a satisfied smirk. Ignoring them afterwards to address you, “Don’t mind those losers and choose your move, bud. I know being stuck under a rock is kind of hard to deal with, but you can still help me out somehow. You will help right? Damn right you will, I can always count on you. Let's kick their buts together!” she looks away from you after saying that.

Giving you the time to think about helping her.... Yeah, no.! You helping her right is a situation that's very unlikely in every possible way.

Mostly because you don’t’ want to help her and because that damn orb on top of you is just too distracting!

The Red-white orb which as you were saying: you’re thinking about cutting your lower body off to free yourself from. Sure, it’d be painful and an easy way to bleed out too. But it’s still a better thing than feeling your bones shatter, your skin fizzle and being forced to watch the girls you like fight one another while you’re stuck in the side-lines like some b-tier character that’s only there to narrate the fight and make some funny expressions while all the cool and important stuff is given to the real protags.

Unacceptable, no matter what has happened so far. This is still YOUR adventure, and you refuse to have no real control over the situation, what’s the point of struggling to come here so far if you decide to back off once things actually get exciting? No, you will find the truth! You will get out of this dumb rock and kick Cirno’s butt! And you will find the culprit and have your reveangence!

You may not like fighting your friend, hell you’d hate to ruin her having fun. But helplessly watching someone else beat her and to be mistaken for being at her side afterwards is way worse! IF you have to pick a side then you’re going to pick the right one rather than wistfully trying to play both teams!

No matter how stupid it is and despite how terrible it. You’re going to do things the Rumia way!

So then, let’s cut of your lower body. You concentrate as much as you’re able, really try your best mentally and from within the flesh of your right hand rises out a pink chainsaw, it makes no sense, but it left your hand as easily as a duck that pokes their head out of the water.

Anyway, you grasp the thing firmly with both your hands and awkwardly to place it over your head just to learn one’s hands do not bend such a way…which doesn’t make sense since you don’t have bones.

Or at least you think you don’t have bones so why would such a move not be possible then? Whatever, you can still move the thing without your hands so with some concentration the saw meets your back, its blades feel sharp and cold on your skin, and you realize that even if this thing can cut you in half the process is going to be so painful, you could die of shock because of it. Despite that, you will do it. You can do it and because only your legs and feet are shown to the others, they won’t notice you cutting yourself until you’ve activated the chainsaw so they can’t stop you from doing this either.

Of course, all those words are easy to say but doing it way harder. You only need to activate the thing so it can tear through your body, push it deeper within you as it is doing so and don’t let go or stop the thing mid-way because you’re certain that if you stop then you’ll lose the courage to continue. A small part of you wants to stop just because of that notion, that part wants you to call out to Reimu and Meiling instead, to explain that you were never on Cirno’s side and ask for their aid, to be removed from this state so you can join them on their fight against your chilly friend. But you are too stubborn and know that they won’t be convinced. Saying such a thing in this situation would only make you look like a coward who’s trying to save their own skin, even if you’re not.

You activate the chainsaw and hear its roar go out. Except you didn’t. The stubbornness you were talking about is working against you too for it does not care about sides. Your self-preservation instincts, which rarely if ever act up are now fighting harder than ever to stop you from doing this.

Mild frustration comes to you because of that, which is funny. Since you’re certain you should be feeling like you’re about to cry, have a panic attack or feel absolutely miserable. But no, all you have is a dead calm matched only by the certainty that you must do this. You feel like you should feel something about this dissonance but there is nothing, only some frustration at your body’s reluctance to obey and the pain that you’re still feeling and cannot ignore however you try.

You close your eyes and think very hard about cutting down some delicious meal with the chainsaw. Hoping that if you imagine it hard enough then you could fool your self-preservation instincts into thinking you’re cutting down a fancy beef dish only be rudely woken up the moment the engine goes on and rips through your body in a time so sudden and short that nothing can stop it.

But you can’t get it to work, you’re too conscious off the feeling of cold steel on your back, your imagination is making up the many scenarios on how this is going to go wrong and that feeling of calm is starting to dissipate and from what your moistening eyes can tell you, will be replaced by fear if you don’t do it now. You must do it now, it’s the only way! You’ve cut a box out of your stomach, and this is no less complicated or painful! Make the right decision for once in your meaningless life!

[X] Cut yourself off the orb, do it, do it, do it! It’s the only true way to free yourself!
[X] Give up, it’d be too painful, surely the Hakurei will let you go if you tell her that you are on her side!
[X] Calm down…calm down, do something else, you have a turn so use it well. [Write-in]

Haha, this time updating did not take a whole week!

>>31973

First off, I am sorry I made you feel that way and secondly do refer to the quote below:

>For now, the object can decide how you feel and lower your inhibitions towards more extreme and or insane acts. So, in a word, it’s hard to not end up going crazy.

Don't forget the times something sounded like your thoughts, but it wasn't you talking at all. Or one of the many odd voices you've been hearing in your head that tried to convince you of doing things that won't help at all as another thing.

Your votes do make sense and will work, but what I have failed to imply is that there is something inside Rumia that doesn't want her to succeed. Hence it uses the momentary disappointment she had in failing to talk good the first time to divert her thoughts towards a more extreme action that would hopefully lead to her demise if she does follow on it rather than simply trying again with more success. (Since YES, trying to talk again is way more efficient than trying to cut yourself in half.)

TLDR: The voices or voice in the head have or has progressed to the point that they're now indistinguishable from Rumia's own and she has yet to realize that herself. So naturally they would try to convince you to take the most self-destructive action and if that doesn't work just try to distract you from taking the right decision that you've already decided on. The longer you don't find a 'cure' for this, the more unreliable your own perception of things will become. Hence once the timer runs out...I won't say what happens, but you can guess that it'd be pretty bad. Hence the attempted progress from blatant attempt to manipulate you to odd way to try it and etc, they're learning in a way and will continue to do so until you submit.

I am now aware that this has come off as a cheap twist and me trying to rail-road you into not being able to simply talk.
For that I apologize and I'm sure a better writer could have conveyed this far better than the way I just did this.

I shall get rid of the bias that just because something makes sense to me that it also would to someone else.

Again, I am sorry for failing to write the previous update correctly and will make the next update better than the last one.

That is to say the update I just wrote right now!

---

> If you can muster up enough strength to saw yourself in half, then you can easily muster up enough strength to ask Cirno one fucking question. So, gather up your strength and determination and ask Cirno to explain the rules for you! Do not let your turn end until Cirno tells you how to play!

…Y-you can’t do it, just can’t do it! No matter how hard you try, a part of your mind is telling you that this is completely insane, you stop. Proving that this is just an act that’s too sudden and extreme for even you.

B-but you must cut yourself in half! You have to do it, it’s the only way!

Do you have to do it? …Or do you just want you to do it?

No, of course not. Of course, you don’t want to do it, but still, you’re just trying to do what’s best for you. What you want doesn’t really matter in that end and sometimes people must cut themselves in half to get what they want. It makes total sense if you think about it, so just stop struggling and k-maim yourself.

Wait…no? no! that doesn’t make sense at all! If you can muster the effort to cut yourself in half, then why can’t you just muster the effort to speak anyway? It’s just a single sentence! hell only a single question needs to come out for your plan to work and that’s way safer and easier than maiming yourself! That cutting plan makes no sense at all!

Nonsense, you don’t know what’s right for yourself at all. Have you ever heard the saying: Know Thyself? Well, in a way that translates to this. ‘When you’re screwed, you must quickly realize the fact that you’re screwed and cut yourself in half’ see, it totally makes sense.

…No, it’s NOT! DEFINITELY NOT, no number of years could make it so that such a sentence or thought could even make the slightest amount of sense! It’s beyond stupid, it’s madness! Only a mad person would do that! That’s not something you would have done yourself or thought off in any normal circumstance. There’s just no way!

Hm, that is correct. Then maybe you are insane Rumia? If so, then what is important is how fast you realize this. However, to know whether you are sane or not, you must first have had the experience of being insane beforehand. If one has not already being screwed for example, then they will end either end up being incapable of realizing that they are in a screwed situation, or even if they do realize it, they will realize it a step too late. Therefore, in order to know thyself, you must cut yourself so you can experience the experience of being screwed many times. Easy, right?

You…uh, what? You’re not sure what you’re talking about or why you’re even thinking such a thing. You’ve already decided that your idea to cut yourself in half was a terrible one, so just let it go already. You must be in a bad headspace if you thought for a moment that that was a genuine good idea and while you’d love to think some more about it, you have a Cirno to talk to right now.

True, but before you open your mouth. Another thought comes, one that though like the last one is completely different: The term ‘Know Thyself’ roughly translates to ‘Be screwed as many times as possible’. However, what is the reason we’re trying to listen to proverbs in the first place? Is it not precisely because we do not wish to be screwed? Not only is the proverb ‘Know thyself’ meaningless, but it also destroys the meaning of existence for proverbs themselves. You could also say that it is the most worthless proverb in the world.

Okay? That’s an odd thought to have but how in the heck is that relevant in any way to your current situation? It doesn’t, therefore whatever you’re thinking about right is now just a waste of time.

Nonsense, with just a little bit more focus and introspection you realize that there is a deeper meaning to all this, one that is not an attempt to make you waste time in hopes of bad things happening. No surette!

That’s enough. You’re not sure why your mind is such a mess right now, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is your turn right now and that you must use the opportunity to do something. You open your mouth, gather your energy, and say the following line: “Cirno, explain to me the rules off this thing. I don’t get how any of this works at all.” Add in a few spaces, some aaahs and oohs alongside grunts and that’d be the thing you just said to the friend that’s sitting on top of you.

“What?” Again, Cirno hears you. Mostly because she’s super close to your position and actively waiting for your response and all. “Do you want to explain the mules? Don’t you mean rules?” you nod intensively once she figures out what you mean. “Oh…then sure, listen up!” Cirno with absolutely no regard for the presence of her opponents decides to speak out loud the rules of her little game because you asked for it. “So, like, everybody plays in a turn-based fashion. That means nobody can act at the same time since turns are the times, you’re allowed to do stuff- “and she spares absolutely no detail. “I figured I’d make something like this a game so that I’m naturally the strongest and can make up my own rules rather than having to play some girly game. And so far, that’s been working fine so far, just look yourself- “of course she adds in the occasional boast or two, but you’re surprised that the only thing you needed to do to get this out of her is to just ask her nicely again after failing to do so the last time. It was so simple, yet you tried to cut yourself in half at the slightest sign of trouble…at the first sign of resistance the most violent way came to your mind yet simply talking to her was all you needed to make her talk. “So, then there’s like magic and summoning and blade arts and really everybody gets a little piece of the pie to show off, but of course I’m still- “and talk she does, you don’t see her even take a moment to breathe or think about what she’s saying.

Every word that comes out of her is a complete and non-stopping explanation of her own little system.

“Okay, that’s enough!” After a total of five minutes of non-stop talking. Reimu intervenes. “We get it, we get it! You explained how everything works, so Rumia knows how to play, I know how to play, everybody knows how to play so shut up and continue fighting us already!” she says she understands how to play the game now, but she doesn’t look happy on the way the info was delivered in a ramble, not that you care much for that, you did your part after all.

“Wait what?!” Cirno jumps on her seat, completely surprised that her opponents have somehow overheard all this. “Did you listen in on us? You weren’t supposed to hear that! You’re all just a bunch of cheaters!” and she at once accuses them both again.

“Incorrect.” Meiling speaks up, her finger raised in the air for some reason. “The only cheater in this room…is YOU!” then just as intensely as she said that line, she lowers her finger and points straight at Cirno.
“You explained the rules, which is against the rules. So now….” Meiling does a dramatic pause.

“You’ve already lost.” Reimu concludes for her. “I don’t know how you’ll be ‘insta-killed’ but rules are rules, so you better brace yourself.”

“….” Cirno takes a moment to process that in silence. “Wait NO!” then she realizes that she messed up and quickly turns towards you in anger, flying all the way towards your face so she can hiss in it. “YOU IDIOT! Look at what you made me do!” just as quickly she starts dramatically pointing a finger towards you too. “Here I’m being nice to you, treating you with the best of care and then you just screw everything up with your stupidity! Did you do that on purpose? If so then I’ll—” she pauses for a moment, then lets out an immensely frustrated sigh as she grabs her head with both hands. “No that can’t be, you simply didn’t mean to, right? You wanted to be useful to me and I’m the one that made the mistake, right? Yeah, that must be it. You would have never betrayed me since I’m in the right. I’m in the right…” she mumbles more things but in short terms she’s just trying to make sense of what happened just now in brooding anger, of course just cause she's quiet that doesn't mean she's composed if the way she's completely red and stomping the ground say anything. She's fully angered, completely enraged and needs a moment to herself to not make a clown of herself.

Even so, no divine lightning or intense snowball comes to crush her for the cheating. And maybe there won’t be one, since she never expected to be the one to be disqualified, she was probably planning to attack cheaters for free. The way she’s just fuming in silence now implies she did lose.

“So, did we win? I think we won! “Meiling celebrates and tends a hand to the Hakurei for a high-five.

Which by miracle Reimu responds towards by raising her own hand back at her, of course being Reimu she adds in a little comment with an it-can’t-be-helped hand gesture “This was the shortest and most boring fight I’ve ever been in, but it was an experience that would make for a nice story.”

They have won, as much as that really didn’t feel like a battle.
To them the sweet taste of victory has nevertheless not lost its juicy flavour.

Despite that, the orb stuck on you hasn’t been removed.

You guess that it’s because Reimu sees that little trick of yours as nothing more than a lucky case of idiocy between two dumb youkai’s that have only a single braincell. It’s kind of a shame that she looks that down on you. Maybe if you had cut yourself in half then that would have been a more notable action which would have convinced her that you’re truly on her side with your self-less action, but noooooooo.

Why are you still suck on that? Never mind, you decide to move on. There’s still a single thing that’s a bit worrisome, aside from the orb you mean. It’s that the background hasn’t changed back by now.

“It’s not over yet…” On cue, Cirno speaks up again. Her arms crossed in a defensive position. “So don’t go celebrating yet! I’ve still got a trump card after all!” and she’s about to reveal an…something? You guess it’s about to be her phase two or something equally dumb.

“How great and what would that be?” Reimu asks back, her hands on her hips as she looks on a non-existing wristwatch. “Is it a phase 2?”

“No, it’s something much grander!” Cirno moves off the orb that she’s sitting on and points at you with both of her arms. “It’s Rumia! She’s still alive after all and it is still her turn! She’s going to kick both of your asses, that much I know. Because she and I believe in each other!”

…Oh.

Oh indeed.

To be honest, you kind of braced yourself on the possibility that she’d realize she was tricked by you after the whole asking for the rules bit.

But now you’re actually going to have to break the news to her that you’re not on her side, betraying her the very moment she’s counting on you. How juicy of a thing that’s going to be. Say the wrong words and she might hate you forever after this, but that is okay right?

…

Right?

Yeah, uh, no. It’s not all right but even if she’ll despise you for it there’s no way you’re going to change sides now of all things. You’ll break the news to her; hope she understand and if not…

That’ll be yet another friendship that’s gone and sailed away. Maybe that’ll be a recurring thing. The only two people you need to alienate now are Wriggle and Mystia and ding dong, you’re friendless at the end! The adventure has ended yet there’s no happy end for you!

You hate how that’s true, but even so you take a deep breath…except you don’t, you’re kind of choking but ahem. You mentally steel herself and say the first thing that comes to mind in the best voice you can. You're not sure how to say that you're not going to join her, but you can definitely think off a reason why helping her would be insane in the first place.

[X] You don’t mind her taking over the world, but if it’s going to be at the cost of other people and our friends then you refuse to sit by quietly. She failed this time, she can try next time, she should accept the loss of today and go home.

[X] You're not sorry and even if it cheesy. Actions do have consequences, if she tries to 'take over the world' then don’t be surprised if nobody’s on your side. She tried her best and she failed, she should take responsibility for her actions.

[X] She was just being used, whatever power she got out of this could just as easily be taken away. She was a pawn that taught herself clever and you had to remind her she's better than this. She should join you and fight the real final boss.

[X] A write-in option because surely there’s a better way to say that you’re not on her side and or why that’s the case. Or something else. Or maybe a mix of both, just choose or vote whatever you feel is right to you in this scenario.

> Cirno, you’ve gone completely insane! The Spaghetti Goddess is making you kill and torture people, even your friends. Because of all the stuff you are doing Wriggle is dead and I’m going to die soon too, and you are so far gone that you don’t have any problem with that. You even threatened to use your evil mind control rod on me if I didn’t join you. The Cirno I know would never do something like that, and I would do anything to get my friend back. If betraying you is the only way to bring my friend Cirno back, then I would happily do so a thousand times!

No, nada, no way, absolutely not! Those words are just one of the few ways you want to make clear to your former friend that you would never, ever, join her side. Regardless of all circumstances, there’s a limit to what a person should do and oh boy has she breached that line.

Hell, even if you yourself are kind of a chaotic person, you just know that some rules are there so that little slice of youkai heaven one calls Gensokyo can prosper properly. It’s the only place you can live at so doing anything to mess it up (For real) is a really, really, bad idea that only the insane would ever have!

Insane…somehow that word just feels very fitting for the person who’s currently expecting you to join her side despite being the one that’s responsible for most of your sufferings, that person with her insufferable smile on her face and cocky pose who’s awaiting your next move oh so eagerly…

Oh, you’ll deliver a move all right! “You know what? Maybe, I was having the wrong idea about you twice in a row…Cirno.” with immense strain, you let out those words with the darkest tone you can muster as a new sensation enters your body. It’s a feeling…unknown yet it grips your heart like a vice and makes the feeling of pain in your body feel so negligible that you speak as clearly as possible (Within your current conditions) while staring your former friend deep in the eyes, your gaze drilling through her head if only it was allowed to or if you could shoot lasers through your eyes. Perhaps you can if you stare hard enough, but you don't, the time of being silly has passed and you've never felt more serouis.

To your surprise, Cirno actually notices the change in attitude. “What’s with that voice? That echo business was creepy for a second, but could it be that you finally accepted your place?” she becomes genuinely excited at that thought and her smug smile becomes genuinely warm as she offers you a hand…to stand up? You’re not sure why she would offer one when you’re still under an orb, “I’ll show you that working with me isn’t a mistake. I’m sure you’ve gone through a lot to even get here but believe me when I say this. You and I are going to achieve something that’s far beyond anything. And once this adventure is over, I’ll have my new subjects bake a cake the size of a mountain just for you!” despite you not having budged an inch, she warmly takes your hand and shakes it by herself.

“Shouldn’t we stop this? I think we should stop this.” Meiling comments aloud, certain before you wouldn’t be dumb enough to take Cirno’s offer but since you declared yourself to be on Cirno’s side earlier, that confidence is out the window. “Rumia, don’t be silly kid! You don’t have t- “

“Don’t bother trying to reach out to her.” Reimu casually shrugs off Meiling’s attempt to reach you (as unneeded as it is) before it can even happen. “This kind of decision is something a person should make themselves.” And she ends the sentence by nodding to herself as if she said something wise.

Meiling isn’t okay with that and looks at Reimu as if she said something really dumb instead, “Reimu, you must be joking! I don’t want to hurt Rumia and I’m sure she’ll listen if we try to make her understand what’s happening! She’s just being tricked or something! She’s not a bad girl! Just really d-“

“Even so, do not take the choice away from her.” Reimu doesn’t care and remains firm.

“Bu- “

“Say anything more and you will have to worry about three opponents, Meiling.”

“What? WHAT!? You must be bluffing. There’s no way you…” as if struck by a headache, the martial artist puts one hand on her forehead and lets out a sigh the moment Reimu stares into her eyes. “Fine, but you better explain yourself later. I'm not working for you and if I am you should be paying me for my time.” And with reluctance, relents to the Hakurei albeit with some sarcasm as she grows more tired of her company.

“Sure, sure. Now shut up and watch the show.” Reimu looks pleased by that and you’re not sure why that’s the case or why they would even talk that loud when you’re this close and can hear them!

But as far as you care right now, their cases don’t matter. With your hand held by Cirno’s own (the wrong hand on the fricking back no less), you press into some of your strength to yank her closer to your face, eyes burning with a desire that you cannot hold in any longer. “Nah, you really don’t get it. What I was wrong about is the idea that whether you are being manipulated…matters even in the slightest, you 9!”

“Huh?” a dumb face of surprise shows on Cirno’s face the moment you say that. “Why would y- “

You continue talking. Your voice almost sounding like you’re speaking twice at the same time somehow. “That was not the only thing I was wrong about, whether you’re my friend or not, whether you truly understand what you’re doing or not, whether you truly don’t have any malice in this or not, none of that changes the fact that you’re batshit insane for being involved this in the first place!” all that self-doubt and all those conflicting feelings were in the end nothing more than a distraction, a stupid hindrance that a proper youkai wouldn’t be having in the first place. But it’s okay now, “Actions speak more than words and what you’ve done speaks enough for a thousand. You’ve harmed and killed people all because a voice in your head told you to do so, because some ‘Spaghetti God’ tempted you with some sweet whispers and some powers you’ve abandoned everyone in this place to rot, even your own friends as if that’s the only reason you needed to do that. And not only the worst part but the most noticeable too, you don’t regret a single thing, no, you’re outright proud of what you’ve done so far and think of it as an achievement. Something to put in a photo album once you’re done violating every single aspect that made me the real you, the you that I respected and thought of as a genuine comrade. Someone who’s search for was the last request I received from Wriggle…just to learn that you’re responsible for her past’s and my future’s end. There’s no way to describe how ironic and painful such a revelation is but even that is nothing compared to the fates that you’ve inflicted on other innocent people, the people you’ve frozen into statues and forced to remain conscious in such a helpless state are suffering more than I ever was! Those fairies whose bodies you’ve let to be messed with as some god pleases or not pleases are no joke either! I don’t know if they’ve joined willingly but seeing how you’re treating them and the fact you mentioned you could control anyone with that fancy rod you have make me think that’s the case. Of course, that doesn’t mean I forgot the fact you casually threatened to use it on me either but if I had to list down every single little thing that’s fucked up about this situation then even a hundred hours wouldn’t be enough now, would it? Don’t look so surprised friend, ANYONE WHO WOULD JOIN YOU HAS TO BE THE SICKEST, DEPRAVED AND CRAZIEST PERSON THAT HAS EVER LIVED!!!”

Hearing your words, Cirno grows silent, lets go of the back of your hand and thinks about your words. “Hmm, so is that a maybe then?” yet that dense creature still does not understand your refusal.

Which is unlikely, she must be in denial, so you say it again, “Does it sound like a MAYBE? Fine, I’ll make it extra clear then. Whatever you are, you’re not my Cirno. And though I’d do anything in the world to get her back, I’d deny your goals with my every being, and I’d gladly do so a thousand times!”

“Oh…you-uh, do you really mean that?” Cirno’s words lose confidence as she genuinely looks surprised by your reaction, if not hurt by what she now understands is your rising aggression. “Honestly, if you weren’t glaring at me like that, then I’d think you’d just be playing hard to get. But you’re not, I don’t know why you would even say that now instead of making it clear earlier and I totally did not threaten you, how dare you even think th-ahem. I reluctantly understand that…” Cirno swallows something in her throat and looks you straight in the eyes with a betrayed expression, but no less will-power than before in it. “You’ve clearly been brainwashed, it’s a shame to hear that the whole anon thing has driven you mad before you came here but don’t worry. For once I’ve beaten up those two losers behind you, I’ll be sure to treat you right and find a wa- “

“I. WILL. NOT. JOIN. YOU. EVER.” You hiss again at her to get the message across.

“But- “

“No.”

“Oh come o-“

“No.”

“Really, no?”

“No.”

“Ah, so you’re saying ye- “

“No.”

“OKAY FINE, SHUT UP I GET IT! I GET IT ALREADY!” Enraged by your continued rejections, Cirno flares up and puts her hands around her ears to defensively as she tries to outshout you. “YOU’RE JUST STUPID THEN! I WAS TRYING TO HELP YOU STUPID! I WAS GOING TO LET SEE THE SIGHTS YOU WOULDN’T EVER SEEN IN YOUR LIFE OTHERWISE YOU STUPID! AND THIS IS HOW YOU SHOW YOUR GRATITUDE? YOU PRETEND TO BE ON MY SIDE, YOU LISTEN TO ME TELL YOU EVERYTHING LIKE A GOON JUST SO YOU CAN STAB ME IN THE BACK?! DO YOU THINK THAT’S FUNNY?! ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE A CLOWN? DO YOU THINK I’M A CLOWN RUMIA? WELL, GUESS WHAT THE ONLY CLOWN HERE IS YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!” the emotional distress from what she perceives as an et tu Brutus moment makes her go into a fit, the veins on her head become very visible, her face gains a purple tint as she doesn’t breathe, she's shouting unoriginal insults at you, her hands clench so tight that her knuckles become white and the way her body twists and turns makes it look like she might be having a spasm. “YOU TREACHEROUIS CLOWN! YOU BACKSTABBING BALOONEY! YOU DISLOYAL DONKEY! YOU THINK YOU CAN MESS WITH ME?! YOU THINK YOU CAN MESS WITH MEEE? WELL GUESS WHAT, YOU’RE JUST A FAKE TO ME TOO! YOU MESSED UP BUCKO AND I’LL MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN IF I HAVE TO KILL YOU A THOUSAND TIMES FOR IT! YOU’LL BE JOINING ME WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT, RUMIAAA!”

“You can try, but you won’t succeed. Cirno.” you respond back in kind to her rage. Though your anger has shown itself once again as a stone-cold river compared to her ironical blazing flames, you do not notice that the surroundings have changed back to normal since the moment you made her lose her ability to concentrate despite her ‘crown’ by hurting her in a way that no person has ever done before this. Because she has hurt you in a way that no person has ever done before this! Perhaps you’ll be able to make a joke on how this is the most twisted way to use the power of friendship in the future but right now you’re too distracted to even notice the fact that you’re no longer being crushed by a ying-yang orb and are instead engaging in a shouting match with your dear old blue, former best chilly buddy in what is surprisingly not some weird chess-world that’s overtaking your perception in the possible worst of times for once. But just the throne room.

“There you have it.” The hakurei says a short distance from you two with both of her orbs at her side and Meiling close by. For some reason she has a satisfied expression. “By doing absolutely nothing, our foe has been defeated and an ally has shown itself. Do you now see the charm of doing nothing Meiling? If so, then go ahead and take care of the dumb fairy while she’s distracted, pretty please or do I have to pay a premium?”

“…” Meiling is not enjoying the situation, looking at the fight between you two with a hint of pity and sadness even if it is the juiciest kind of nonsense to other folks. “You just wanted to hear them fight, didn’t you?” juicy nonsense which she assumes is the reason the hakurei has not intervened up til now.

“It’s part of the reason, when’s the last time you’ve seen a good old bicker?” and she’d be right, if it wasn’t for the sarcastic tone and the eye-roll that Reimu gives in response. “Please, do I look like a certain witch? Unlike some people, I don’t have time to waste so taking the easy option is simply better. Just shut up and go kick that fairy in the back of the head with a jumping kick or whatever kung-fu you have while she’s this open and completely defenseless before she catches on.” As if to demonstrate, Reimu takes a moment to stomp on Letty’s head, who though unmentioned for a while was starting to get erringly close to regaining her conscience, now she’s back to dreamland. “See, like that. An easy one and a two kick to the skull and night, night, Cirno shall go.”

“I CAN HEAR YOU BASTARDS!” Cirno takes a moment to announce the thing you’ve been wanting to say for a while now as well. “Do you have any idea how big this room is? Our voices echo everywhere and the fact you’re not even a few steps away doesn’t help matters!”

As cynical as it may sound, you’ve concluded that everyone you’ve met in your journey is a little bit dumb in their own unique way. If stupidity was a trading card game, then your pockets would be full by now.

“I’M DONE WITH THIS; I’M SO DONE WITH ALLL OF YOU!” The purple tint on Cirno’s face has grown to completely cover her body. She’s been shouting so much that she fails to consider breathing. Immediately she tries to fly towards the big canon machine thingy only to realize that everyone just as swiftly moves to get in her way, preventing her from reaching it. “OH, YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME? YOU THINK ANY OF YOU CAN GET IN MY WAY HUH?!” Cirno, even though she’s already shouting to the point that she’s suffocating. Finds it in herself to yell even louder than before. “GUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARDS, THERE ARE INTRUDERS! TAKE THEM DOWN THIS INSTANT!”

…

But nobody arrives. Why is that? Oh gee, I wonder what happens when you put guards outside of the building but none inside. Or what happens the moment you tell your guards to go outside again after a meeting where most of them were inside. Sure, maybe they’re meant to prevent people from getting inside but how are you going to kick anyone out if there’s nobody to guard the inside. And that’s not to forget how easy it was for you and the others to enter anyway!

Again, what an incompetent security. You wouldn’t be surprised if that’s Cirno’s own fault.

“SO, BE IT! I’LL MAKE THEM APPEAR!” further annoyed, Cirno raises her regal rod into the air with one of her hands. In response it starts to shine brightly and is kicked out of her hand by a flying kick courtesy of Meiling. Who just as quickly grabs Cirno by the shoulders, pushes her to the ground and grabs one of her arms to put in an awkward position to firmly hold her in a grapple. “I didn’t want to interrupt, but your open guard was just too tempting to just ignore. Oh! Don’t bother struggling! Work another thousand years and you’ll be able to escape my technique’s grip, one day.” The martial artist doesn’t sound that apologetic and holds the fairy firm on the ground while it’s trashing about and trying to make her let go, wasting her own energy as Meiling’s grip is as firm as that of a tiger. "And now to press your pressure points, oh, just a sec, I've almost got you." and she's about to finish the job, ending this entire encounter in the most boring way possible with absolutely zero catharsis.

Before you can even think or snark about how terrible that is, Reimu has closed the distance between the two of you. Holding one of Letty’s legs as she gives your side a shove to gain your attention. Her face is oddly glarefree, and she speaks to you in a calm way as if that's not somehow even more intimidating. “You look really unsatisfied, were you expecting some climatic fight or what? To be honest so did I, but eh, this just makes thing easier, no?” In a way she sounds straight up bored and uncaring and for once you couldn't care less about what she's saying, “Seriously, are you okay? you're looking pretty pale.” something that she notices immediately.

“Huh?” you’re not sure if you heard that sentence right, for just a second it sounded like she was asking if you’re okay. Which is impossible, it just can’t be, “I’m sorry, did you say something?” even so, it got some of your attention back to her and out of whatever hole your mind was about to jump into just now.

“So you’ve gone deaf then?” Reimu waves her hand up and down at you as if to see if you’re still awake. Then she repeats her line with a surprising lack of condescension or snark. “I asked if you’re okay. You’ve said a lot of interesting things and I’m sure that standing up to a close friend like that must have been stressful too. Not to forget the orb thing, oh, sorry about that by the way. It's just strictly business, nothing personal and all.”

You’re not sure how to react to...whatever it is she’s doing right now. The hakurei has never spoken in such a gentle tone to you, so you can’t help but feel immensely on edge as you wait for a twist.

“Oh, so you DO resent me for that one, or did you freeze up or something?” One never comes, if anything it makes her talk even more and you’re not sure if that’s good or bad. “Hey, if you think you’re in danger then don’t worry. You’re not. Whatever this whole thing is clearly something you’re not supporting. Your little speech said that muc-look, are you going to say anything or what?”

“…” you still don’t answer, you don’t even know why. It’s like your brain needs…you don’t know.

“Okay, continued silence it is. Or oh, could it be…was I being too ambitious here? How about a single word then? If you can’t say a full line, then just say a single thing. A tiny single word, how about that?” Reimu with what you assume must be a rare case of patience takes on the tiniest amount of humour to make you open up. “Come on now, I know you can talk, I won't bite so just say something.”


[ ] Write-in.

“I’m not okay.” The words come naturally, though you should be happy that Cirno has been defeated and that this is a ‘stage 4’ as has been mentioned by her… “It doesn’t make me feel happy at all, if anything there’s a feeling of something I can’t quite understand which makes me frustrated…and I don’t even know how to describe that feeling or if it’s something I’m actually feeling myself instead of the…the weird things I’ve being seeing and hearing recently.” You pause at that, not because you have nothing more to say but because you’re not sure how the hakurei will react. Will she shrug it off? Think you’re joking or get annoyed at how you’re venting at her? The possibilities by themself frighten you...

“You’re not okay?” The hakurei parrots back at you, not that surprised by the claim due to her amazing perception, something she has always had. “And you’re not okay in what kind of way?”

“I-I just told you?” never mind that amazing perception bit, you’re a bit surprised that she did not understand the very thing you explained a second ago. “I’m not okay because I’m not happy.”

“I understand that much, what I meant to ask was: What has made you unhappy?” again, she parrots back your previous sentence in a way while at the same time demanding you repeat.

Again, you’ve already said why. Does she not pay attention to your words? It makes your temper flare up a bit and you respond back with a biting comment, “Are you dense or what? I’ve already said what’s my problem in this, so why are you asking me to say it three times in a row?”

“No, you haven’t.” The hakurei’s tone changes to a sharp one, not caring much for your comment. “You said that you don’t feel happy, because you feel you should be happy yet you’re not. Then you talk about a feeling that you can’t describe as if you expect me to understand what it is if you don’t, like I could understand you better than you understand yourself. Finally, you end it all by offhandedly referencing something that I’ve got no context for either.” Yet again she has repeated all your statements without giving anything back in turn. You move to talk back but the Hakurei blatantly puts one hand over your mouth to tell to shut up. “Don’t talk, I’m not done yet. So, what I’m saying is: You’re saying a lot while at the same time not saying anything. So why don’t you elaborate on what’s troubling you in short and easy to understand words before I must remind you that I’m not your mind-doctor and don’t have to listen to anything you may have to vent about, okay?” and for a moment she reverts to her usual self as she does not care for nonsense or maybe grows defensive because she feels that you're being unfair on her. You'd know if you actually had the social skills to read a person's body langauge or social cues.

There’s still a hand keeping your mouth shut, so you can’t respond to that question.

She removes it and dusts it against her puffy pants, dress? You don’t know what it is, but you do recognize the hand-motion she gives afterwards. It means, “Do go on then, Rumia” most likely.

You do, “I can’t believe Cirno is working for the culprit, nor why she wo- “

“She is working for the culprit though, she confessed it herself just a moment ago.”

“I KNOW that.”

“Then why did you say you can’t believe she’s working for the culprit? She obviously is, like how two plus two makes four. The result won’t be five no matter how hard you want to believe otherwise.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. What I did mean was that I find it hard to believe Cirno of all people would willingly work and inflict such terrible things to people…it’s like she’s a different person.”

“…? But I- “Reimu looks confused by your words, shuts herself up to think some more before answering again, “You’ve said with no input from anyone else that that doesn’t matter though? How even if she was tricked or not, that would-look, why do I have to spoon-feed you your own words? Something that minor shouldn’t affect you so much that you stop being consistent.” she gets a bit more annoyed for you fail to make sense to her, “Look, Cirno’s just a stage boss, no matter how hard she boasted about herself that doesn’t change the fact she went down in an instant. Why she joined or what she’ll do after this doesn’t matter because her role is over now.”

“Her role is over now?” you’re not sure what Reimu’s talking about. “Wait...are you going to exterminate her?” but your logic comes with the morbid conclusion that the easiest way to put someone down for the count…especially if they’re a fairy is to just murder them, so they’ll be gone.

“What if I am?” Reimu returns the question, using one of her hands to scratch an itch on her cheek before looking again at you with some minor attention, a little bit off annoyance and a tiny droplet of empathy being the main reason she’s even amusing you right now. “Would that be a problem?”

[X] I don’t care what you do to her, she’s just a faker anyway. The real one must be somewhere else.
[X] Definitely, she’d be let off to easy if you did that. She must pay. She will pay!
[X] It’s funny…she’s not getting it. Return the subject and try to explain everything better.
[X] Okay, this talking thing isn’t working. Why don’t we go interrogate said fairy instead?


I want to thank Tidalgrunt for that green effect on the portraits and the whole grey stuff on the number and lines cause I had no idea how to do that myself. Also here's a link to the raiden parts because the creator specifically wrote to credit them when using them: <a class= "clickable" href="https://www.deviantart.com/kamiyabloodvegeance/art/Raiden-Walfas-parts-580135221">https://www.deviantart.com/kamiyabloodvegeance/ar
t/Raiden-Walfas-parts-580135221</a>

Also, it's suprisingly hard for me to do this cause I basically have to redo the process every time I want to have the two change expressions. It may not be worth the effort but somehow custom images really fuel my will to write things.

That said, do you prefer having dialoque lines covered in this or just the default? It makes no difference to me but if it's easier for the readers on the eyes then I don't mind making that the default for when people talk.

[X] Definitely, she’d be let off to easy if you did that. She must pay. She will pay!

Though you dislike the change of subject, you keep that feeling to yourself and think about the question. For around ten seconds before you move your head left and then right to convey the message of, “Hell no! If you kill her then she’d just come back to life anyway later. And that’s too lenient a punishment. She must pay!” you cross your arms to shape an X as well, making it clear beyond any doubt that this would definitely be a big problem that you cannot comply with.

“How convenient, I wasn’t planning to get rid of her anyway.” Reimu lets out a shrug and takes a glance behind her before continuing to speak, “Can’t really know anything if she can’t talk and all. That much is common sense, but I think that’s enough small talk so let me get straight to the point…” in an instant, she looks you at with the sharpest gaze you’ve ever witnessed, her eyes are filled with a resolve and nobility that’s as hard as a diamond. She’s being serious now, “I don’t like this place or anything that I’ve heard so far even a little bit. Especially the part about killing people, harming people, torturing people, honestly anything like that is hard to take lightly. And though you’re clearly on my side, I’ve got no time to waste on whatever you’ve gone through unless it’s relevant to our current situation or useful in any way. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about it; any other day and I’d let you have some tea back home but sadly…” she twitches in anger for a bit at the memory. “You know why that’s not possible; you were in the area after all and did absolutely nothing to help or even warn me about it.”

THAT IS A COMPLETE AND UTTER LIE, you DID warn her about the fairies unionizing and that this anon whatever was happening the moment you met her!

Naturally, you interrupt her to inform her of that mistake while doing your best to not look offended by how conveniently she doesn’t remember anything that good about you. NOT OFFENDED AT ALL.

She notices that your face is bulking up like how a frog would put air in their cheeks, it doesn’t seem to mean much to her but after a more intense pout something clicks inside her head, “…Oh, wait, wait…I guess you DID tell me about it huh? As much as it didn’t sound like it would make any sense. I was wrong in simply assuming that you are just a crazy person. Then again anyone would, seeing how you smashed your head against my floor. Don’t you know how to talk normally?” that last part sounds a bit like gas-lighting which you’re not for, so you continue your pout, alas it has lost its effect as she just looks at you deadpan before moving on, “But that little mistake aside, I’m going to be busy taking care of whatever smhuck handles this. Which I would love to do the moment I know where the next stage is, but I don’t. And for once I’m not going to go fly in some random direction because just getting here took my entire afternoon and who knows how many days somebody could pass in this place? I wouldn’t know the first thing about that…” at the end of that sentence, she pokes your forehead with one finger. “But I think YOU do know some stuff yourself in there, don’t you? You were here before I even got here and even had a little argument with your old friend. I think you can get where I’m going at, but I’ll say it anyway: Tell me everything you know about this place, or anything related to it. I won’t make fun of you or say you’re full of nonsense. You have my complete and utter attention now. So yeah, go ramble, go do a little dance, whatever floats your boat as long as you get that information out of your mouth in a way that I can understand!”

…Okay, that’s a lot to take in. But from what you understand she basically said ‘Okay, okay just give me info! I have better stuff to do and absolutely nothing to work with!’ which you honestly do not find endearing, cute or tough-looking. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know, just don’t let Cirno get out easy out of this, nor any of the other culprits. That’s my only condition, so promise it!” Before you answer her question, you demand she swears that she won’t break that condition, not because you don’t trust her but because she’s being a jerk about the way she’s asking things. But she has always been a jerk right? That’s kind of her charm, her whole appeal yet right now…you don’t feel like this is special. If anything, you’re getting the idea that she’s just looking down on you.

“You sure demand a lot…” despite that comment, Reimu doesn’t decide to just beat the information out of you, like any other situation would have asked for. “I’ll promise she won’t get scot-free nor will any other person that’s responsible for this incident or is trying to profit from it. Happy now?” the fact she does so is prove enough to you, that this is truly important to her and that you shouldn’t waste anymore time on prolonging all this, it’d be disrespectful to do so and make you a brat.

Though in a way she is not wrong if she feels that way about you.

Oh goody…once again the bad thoughts come back at the worst possible times. Even so you try to ignore them and open your mouth so you can tell the hakurei ever-

After all she only asked how you were doing not your whole li-…you’re not sure why you’ve trying to make sense of this or even justify it, because you can’t. She DID ask how you were feeling as if she wanted to know only to then dismiss them simply like they don’t’ mean anything. You know she’s known to be straightforward and rude but that right there was a whole nother level…Did you perhaps say the wrong thing? Or did you fail to mention something important? Maybe she simply can’t understand you because despite her awesomeness she’s still a human in the end? But you don’t know that’s the case either. Why is it so hard to understand other people anyway? It’s not like you’re going out of your way to self-isolate yourself so why is it that simply talking has been one of the hardest things you’ve had to do in this cruel adventure? Why is it that so many of your troubles could have been resolved by just telling the right individuals in the right way about it yet you either screw it up or only realize it’s an option when it’s thrown into your face? You hold your head in frustration as you think about why everything is like this.


…And why is it like this? Actually, no. Why are you thinking this now of all times?

Isn’t it obvious? It’s because you wanted to play the hero! That’s the problem here!

The hero? That’s not right, if anything you wanted to play the villain. But that kind of thing isn’t something you can bother to do right now. It was just a pretend play after all, and this is a real problem.

Yeah! BUT as far as you could tell, the adventure had started with you and…thus should also end the same way. Otherwise, you won’t be able to feel satisfied once this all eventually ends, am I wrong?

Hm, in complete honesty. That is the truth. IF you could get to the culprit then you would, but right now your kind of occupied with other things. Also how is that in any possible way a bad thing?

Any talk about how strength is the one thing that truly matters is simply an excuse for you to not ask for help from others because you were infatuated with the idea that no matter how bad things would get, that you’d eventually surpass them and yourself to save the day!

Uh, what? You didn’t even answer your own questi-

You were secretly addicted to your own drama (and still are) hence you bashed your head against some floorboards instead of calmly telling the Hakurei about the circumstances in better details way earlier today! It’s the reason you wanted to make your own incident as a symbol for a revenge-filled comeback instead of making sure that this current one wouldn’t get too far in respect of your friend. Have once again a look at how your own stupidity has backfired on you! Truly you are a lost cause!

…Why do you talk to yourself that way?

Hm? What do you mean? The truth simply bites but it’s something that’s essential!

…You know, you remember a time where your thoughts were actually helpful. You know the basic things like don’t put your hand in a fire or genuine self-critici-criti-si-cisim thing. But now…well you don’t know what it is that has made your thoughts turn into this direction. You don’t like it one bit.

Well moron, who cares about what you like? I’m you and you’re talking to yourself. If you don’t like me then you don’t like yourself and so the real problem lies within you all along. That’s the truth here.

Right, you are your own thoughts. There’s nobody else that can enter your head…except the numerous other voices you’ve been hearing so actually…are you really thinking to yourself? Is this mean, sad, and very sarcastic voice really a part of yourself? Shouldn’t you be helping you? Because you don’t feel like it is, all it’s accomplished so far is making you distracted, sad, and angry and at this point it feels like it’s just waiting for you to give up or go into a mental breakdown, is that normal? Or are you just trying to plan some third party for your own mistakes? What is the truth?

Hmm…. yeah, I can see why you’d think that. But again, the truth is that I’m here to fix your mistakes. You little dumb dumpling. Don’t you know what the alternative is? The alternative is that you’re too positive! And do you know what that gets you? It gets you nothing. You would stop working hard and you would get sloppy and stop trying to improve and everyone would think you’re dumb and that’s not even a lie. But do you know what the worst part is? You would fool if not force yourself into being happy. It’s far healthier to be sad and miserable instead of walking around all day thinking: Only positive thoughts now! Always be smiling! And do you know what that would be? It would be a constant reminder of how unhappy you really are. So don’t bother and just own it.

You...

You?

You!

What about you?

Not you, I…How long have I been thinking like this? I don’t remember always being that way. In fact, I don’t always think like this. I’m the best me when I don’t think like that at all. I’ve just been forcing myself to work hard despite the circumstances and then you pop up and I’m not doing things right anymore. Now it’s just torture, a constant ‘oh I could have done this better’ or an ‘Boohoo, if only I wasn’t this bad’ none of those thoughts are helpful or the truth in any way. You’re just making me-

I’m making you? Great, do you hear yourself? Cause that’s the sound of you arguing to yourself like a dumbass. I’m not making you do anything, every action you’ve taken was your own so don’t eve-

Okay, then maybe I am my own thoughts.

Exactly, you’re just a crazy person after all.

EXCEPT, I have a thousand thoughts every day and all those thoughts are not an extension of me, are they? I don’t identify myself by every thought I have, except when it comes to you, why is that?

Because that’s just who you are, you’re a person who’s lonely and sad and can’t carry out anything. And even when you achieve something it’s just anticlimactic or meaningless in a way.

…Yeah, that’s kind of me. I guess. At the very least I feel those emotions. And then my thoughts come, and it all feels very true…it feels very…real.

You are, you feel, same thing! What are you gonna do? Change your personality suddenly? Do you really think that just because you’re doubting yourself even more that it would explain anything?

…

See? Finally, some silence! Realize the fact you’re useless and make the best out of it!

I…I don’t think that’s true. I do feel useless but that doesn’t mean I actually am of no use…I think?

God, so you’re really going to try and analyze yourself again? Don’t you realize that the Hakurei has been watching you stare dead ahead of yourself while mumbling a bunch of nonsense? Get real and just give her the information she wanted, that’s all you’re good for anyway so let’s end it already.

That’s not true, I can be helpful if I want to be and I’m sure that if I’d ask really nicely that’d let me tag along even though I probably won’t. Since…since Marisa is going to need my help even more!

Pfuh, are you serious? Are you honestly thinking that you should just tell Reimu what you know, do some stuff here and then just go back to the hospital like this all never happened just for the sake of some dumb human that probably hates your guts and will kick your and everyone’s ass to get out?

Yes.

Nonsense, that’s not how a youkai should act at all. Just like that you show once again that you’r-

Whatever you’re about to say doesn’t sound helpful so I won’t even consider it.

Come on! You’re not even trying to improve anymore! You’re basically saying you’re okay with stagna-

I’m going to ignore that too. What is a better me is for me to decide, not you.

What are you going to do when eve-

Ignored!

You can’t just ign-

La, la, la, la, I can’t hear anything!

Y-

LA, LA, LA, LA, I CAN’T HEAR THE BAD THOUGTHS! LA, LA, LA, LAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

…

Oh, it’s gone now. Was it really that easy?

Of course not, dumbass. You’re never going to let yourself go away. You know that right?

…Okay, fine. I think I finally understand this a bit more now.
Oh, you really do?

Yeah, I guess so. I guess bad thoughts will always come, but I’m done amusing them. I’m just going to concentrate on what really matters and give a lot less time to…I don’t know, whatever you are, I guess? I don’t want to talk myself in a way that I wouldn’t want to talk to anyone else anymore.

How delusional, you’re basically saying you want to be like everybody else and you’re just going to suffer for it. Don’t you want to be unique? Don’t you want to be special? If so, accept the real you!
If not then you’re going to be mindless, you’re going to change you know? You’re basically already a stranger to yourself. You’re going to become a stranger, and nobody will recognize you. You’re not even going to recognize yourself. Who do you think you’ll end up being?

I think a good goal would be the person I were way before I met any of you. And if that's worse then a better person than the person that I am right now.

What are you talking about?

I’m telling you to get out of my body. And don’t bother lying anymore because you’ve made it obvious who you really are with all those slip ups you’ve been having. Get out, you *****!

…

Oh, so you're the silent one now huh?

…How could you even tell?

I didn’t! But now I have every reason to take you out!

Fuck.

DA, DA, DUN, DUN!
Reimu has obtained a secret egg, get 3 more and something good may happen!

Is something you feel would be the appropriate response, add in some dramatic light and maybe some fanfare and you’d have the perfect moment to celebrate the fact that the Hakurei is now on the first step towards finding the extra boss! …If what Cirno said is even trustworthy!

Speaking of Cirno and Meiling for that matter. What are they doing anyway? You take a look behind the Hakurei, then a look behind yourself, then a look to the left and to the right and basically everywhere but you don’t’ see h-oh Meiling is fighting the Ice Fairy in a sword-fight! Except she’s just using her bare-hands and some of that chi-stuff. She looks like she’s winning too so you focus back towards the Hakurei as you’re certain that whatever they’re doing is totally harmless and safe and totally not something that will come back later the moment you’re done with this dialogue tree.

Nah, you’re certain that something climatic or dramatic won’t ever happen!

Noooooooooooooooooo, siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir.

…

Huh, looks like you’re right. Nothing interesting happens on their part, so let’s focus back on the Hakurei!

Said Hakurei has accepted your gift gracefully, “…You’re pretty glad to give that to me, I’d say that’s suspicious but…” but by gracefully accepting you actually mean very carefully as she refused to make physical contact with it before covering it in barriers and even then, putting youkai-power sealing ribbons all over the thing. As if she had some reason to be reluctant towards what’s one of the cleanest and most innocent objects you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s just an egg after all and nothing else! You simply took it out of one of your many pockets and that's all that happened!

“Anyway, you mentioned a final boss, so…care to FINALLY explain everything already?” even so her affection-level does not rise in the slightest. Instead, she starts tapping her foot impatiently on the ground as it’s been quite some time for her to even get something remotely useful out of you. Not being a fan of wasting that time, it’s only natural for her patience to start draining eventually and though you’re certain that she won’t just beat the info out of yo…wait she could totally do that, doesn’t she?

Even more of a reason for you to just give her the info straight! You draw in a deep breath and get ready for the longest monologue slash recap in your entire life. “Yeah, I’ll tell you everything. It’s going to be a very loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong story though. You okay with that?” but you also make sure first that she is aware of that, it's only fair to do so.

“No, just tell me in 200 words or less. I want info, not a verbal dairy.” D’aw, that’s one COLD answer. But you’re sure that she’s just being busy and needs all the time she can get now so…

You’re going to tell her everything you know; in the shortest and best way you know!

[X] Just the most useful info, you’ve mostly been meandering after all.

Girls are explaining important stuff. While also making sure that nothing irrelevant is added to it. But in short the explanation goes like this:

-Some items have been spread around Gensokyo by some group called Anonymous. Those items are Anon Objects and are up to no good!

-The culprit is unknown, though confirmed allies are Cirno, potential ones are Shion and that Catgirl, most of the tanukis seem to be confirmed too and other than that you've got no real idea on who's really helping them or why they do so.

- As far as the Bun-Bummaru said, a bunch of outsiders came by coincidence too! Most of them are in the forest or human vilagge or uh...you don't recall the article that well but it could be important! Go read one if you ever find it.

-Oh and that one Doctor Eirin at like the Bamboo Clinic described how like the thing works, which was confirmed by Cirno later which may or may not absolutely confirm that those who are affected have a limited time before they wel...die.

-Oh yeah, those tanukis tried to like steal one of the same eggs you've just given to her from Merlin. Where she even got it you're not sure but all you know is that she has one and that the other two are nearby the Scarlet Mansion (By the lake) and one is in the forest! Find them all and maybe you can kick the ass out of the culprit. Cause nobody knows where they are.

In short you explain a lot of stuff and omit absolutely nothing. Even on how those tanuki tried to kidnap you once (or did they?) and how you cut some of them apart with the chainsaw you have instead of respecting the spell-card rules...though they broke it first so the Hakurei should understand right? Riiiiiight? it's not like they actually died so your murder score is close to 0! It's like a two still, you think. Also you're totally going to head back to the SDM later to commit a necromantic ritual to revive both Wriggle and Alice even if it's that in a way a massive middle-finger to the After-life department but who ca...

Actually you know what? Let's NOT mention the last two things to her. That said you still tell her the most relevant stuff you can think off while she's patiently waiting. It's not easy, nor fun, but sometimes a job has to be done.

Though...maybe you should tell her about those things? It's kind of a classic thing to omit stuff only for people to find out about it anyway later on just so they can get an ever worser impression of the events. If that actually happens then maybe it's best to get the cat out of the bag here and now so she later knows that whatever happens, you're on her side!

Or she may decide to just kick your ass for the past transgressions...also you don't know her stance on the Necromantic.

That's said, that's yet another decision to make! Oh boy, do you loathe those!

[X] Tell her everything important, EVEN the stuff that may paint you in a negative light if they are relevant.
[X] Nah, only tell her the important stuff and make yourself look good too in that summmary!

And because it's 11 pm here, I'm going to just update this here and send the rest tommorow to not break my every day streak this soon! Good night voters!

[X] Tell her everything important, EVEN the stuff that may paint you in a negative light if they are relevant.

You do! Confident that there is nothing to be THAT ashamed off, you tell the Hakurei about every little gritty bitty and also quite dirty details you may have been tempted to omit before.

Like how your kind of filled with murderous urges that you’ve somehow managed to not indulge so far (then again, most people who have anon-objects become super aggressive right?), or how you are totally going to participate in an unholy ritual to bring Wriggle and Alice back once you manage to get back at the Scarlet Mansion.

Or even how you may or may not have burned someone’s face severely because they got in your way and that In hindsight going to a hospital while you’re being actively tracked down by semi-mobsters could totally backfire.

Though it hasn’t as far as you know right now…and what else?

Oh yeah, Marisa has gone cuckoo or is close to going cuckoo and will probably BEAT THE HECK out of every person in Eientei to escape her room while aiding others to get out of well. Sadly, that’s not a good thing because the other patients are probably even WORSE. Oh, and Cirno has been freezing people alive to give them like a fate worse than death and that’s’ why Youkai Mountain is completely snowy, because she shot a super BIG laser at it. The same laser she was about to shoot you two with if it wasn’t for you backstabbing her dumb, trusting, little heart so both her and Meiling totally owe their lives to you now. Not that you're going to make them do anything for now.

Of course, that’s STILL not everything but even so the Hakurei calmly listens to your every word, only giving the occasional hum, uhuh, mhm and other kind of noises. Her face is kind of covered in shades now though and you can’t see her eyes either, which is kind of cool. Her hands are clenched so tightly that her nails are harming her palms, you know that cause you can see and smell tiny droplets of blood and it’s kind of amazing that she’s so invested in your story that she doesn’t even notice that.

This pleases you; you’ve got a feeling that you did just the right thing!

“Was that everything?” She asks you when you stop talking while pondering her vibes. Her voice is no longer gentle or even indifferent, nope! It’s rough, gravely and like…subdued thunder?

Whatever her voice is, your own stays cheery or at least you make it sound cheery. Still a bit unnerved by all that voice in head stuff but no less determined to forget about that as quickly as possible. “Yep! Somebody’s not respecting your rules, harming everyone, and hiding in some hidey hole like a coowwwaaaard. What are you gonna do?” you’re also genuinely curouis on how she will react to all this bad news, because guess what? You can totally tell that she’s pissed!

And that’s a good thing, for her anger does not feel like it is directed at you. And bad feelings from humans feel good to youkai. Ah, yes, there's an aroma behind that anger of hers. It's like..something you can only perceive, not explain.

“Good, good, then I know just WHAT to do.” Reimu doesn’t do anything after saying that, to your confusion and disappointment. She’s not flying away in a rage or turning around to swiftly beat the crap out of Cirno either. Nor does she elaborate on what she’s talking about. “But first….”

She takes a step towards you, well more than one and totally violates your personal space. But you're okay with that.

“Let’s take care of you first!” That last sentence however is the one to put alarms in your head.

[x] Uh, you sure are? Meiling’s not an object but yay back to my party she goes! Also, wouldn’t it be a bit ironic if Cirno was forced to join me to clean up the mess she caused? Let’s remove a crown.

“That was meant to be a joke, don’t suck up to people. It makes you look pathetic.” Yet again Reimu talks to you like you’ve made a mistake. But she stops her dialog for a second before she continues, as if a new thought came to her “Anyway, Meiling’s yours now. But what was that about a crown you said?” she asks you with the most uninterested tone a person could possibly utter to another. But at this point you can tell she's not really disinterested, she just talks that way.

Still, that's a strange reaction for sure, because you told her everything no less than a few seconds ago. D-does she just not pay attention to the things you’re talking about? “Cirno’s wearing some crown that gives her the ability ‘to concentrate’ or something. I don’t think it actually does that, but the side effects are ‘allegedly’ that she’s unable to feel guilty or doubt herself in any way because those kinds of emotions are of the ‘distracting kind’. Something like that, yeah.”

“So…what you’re saying is that she’s been brainwashed? Sounds awfully convenient to me…” Reimu doesn’t seem to buy the concept of it. “And you only know this because she told you about it right? Then the truth is obvious: She’s just using that thing as her way out the moment she loses. Cause it’d be the only way to get away with her actions…by saying someone else is truly responsible for them.”

Honestly, you had the same thought. But. “Nah, that can’t be possible.” You’re sure that isn’t it.

“How are you so sure of that?” Reimu’s tone isn’t dismissive this time, just a tad curious.

“She’s not that smart.” You say as the first clue, “And also…I kind of tried to make her fake that kind of thing before you’d come to kick her butt, but she refused and said she would see everything to the end. She’s so confident in her win that even the thought of having a plan B wouldn’t be like her.” And you add in your second and third clue as naturally as you can, believing in them…within reason.

“Okay, I still don’t trust it though.” Regardless the Hakurei keeps her suspicions, “But if you want to prove her innocence that BADLY, then sure. You can keep her after IF removing that crown does make her stop her nonsense. (And once she gets every little sprinkle of info that the fairy may have on her) Though I must warn you: I will hold you responsible for every action she takes while at your side, understood?”

“…I’ll do my best.” You really don’t like that clause, all the more reason to be careful though.

“Then this talk is now over, let’s go gang up on a certain Ice Fairy now if Meiling isn’t done kicking her butt that is.” Reimu ends any possible future in this conversation and offers you to fight alongside them, though the fact of outnumbering a person sounds like a dirty strategy…that’s exactly what it makes more tempting. Because playing dirty is such a youkai move to do.

Though…that doesn’t mean you want to do it, as much as you hate it. You don’t think you have it in you to harm her, it doesn’t make any sense at all, but you just can’t do it. It’s just not possible...but isn't that kind of selfish in a way?

A scream of pain interrupts you right before you can say that to the Hakurei.

> I'll help by keeping an eye on this weird thing Cirno summoned, just in case it tries to do something sneaky.
Hm, is that really the best thing you can do right now?

Nah, there’s no point in doubting in yourself. While the other two are busy taking care of miss Ice Fairy, you’re going to make sure that nothing shady happens in the meantime.

Especially not from…

Something as suspicious as the thing in front of you! Blackwing was it right? With that kind of name and that kind of size. (It’s just as tall as Meiling for god’s sake!) there’s no way It’s useless! it has to have more to it!

Still, it’s not moving at all. Not a sound or a shriek can be heard from it, and it smells rather sweet for something that looks so big and ugly. Maybe one punch really was all it took to break the thing?

Oh well, you better figure something out. Cause otherwise you’re just wasting a second or ten just staring at a broken object while there’s a much cooler fight going on. And that’d be very embarrassing, like it’d be the kind of story that would make even a fairy ask you if you are dumb. Or maybe this is the exact right thing to do?

You're not sure you'd be even perceptive to notice a difference. But that little recurring naggin case known as doubt aside.

You do perceive that there IS a thing that is moving yet is NOT the Blackwing. It’s the egg, having gained an eye out of nowhere, it is now vibrating slightly, as if it’s reacting to something close to it yet is unable to do more due to the seals enveloping it. It’s an odd thing to behold for cer-

Hey, was that you or did that Black Wing just get a tiny bit closer to you? You could be wrong, maybe you’re so bored that you’ve started to imagine things. Cause honestly you just described everything.

There’s an egg behind you, a black wing in front of you, there’s a battle happening in the air above you and the massive canon that’s loaded and ready to fire remains unguarded by anybody present.

So, what now Grue? What’s going to be your next amazing action?

FIGHT: [ ]Kick it, punch it, shoot it, whatever you prefer.

ACT: [ ]Ruminate ; [ ]Rumitalk ; [ ]Rumitouch ; [ ]Rumilick

ITEM: [ ]I’m not listing your whole inventory, so if you wanna use something I hope you remembered it.

MERCY: [ ]Spare ; [ ]Rumithisissillyandyou’rebetteroffdoingsomethingelse

[x] Hey, remember how you were going to help Reimu and Meiling by blinding Cirno with darkness before Reimu dropped an orb on you? Reimu isn't dropping any orbs on you anymore, so help them out by using your darkness to blind Cirno again.

…

Pfeheheehehe!

Do you really need to ask yourself if you remember that?

You’re the youkai of darkness you know, so anything that’s darkness related is naturally your specialty.

Blinding someone like Cirno by using a technique you’ve barely succeeded to do once is…super easy you know? A total piece of cake even!

No torch can shine in your darkness and your range is superb so no matter how far one runs, the darkness will follow!

So sure, you can definitely do that and hinder Cirno’s butt so hard, fighting her would be like fighting a baby to the others.

A baby that’s blind and disoriented and unable to dodge the bullets of her opponents…

> Take the shot and end it!

You take in a deep breath, focus on your target, and mentally tell yourself that this is the right thing to do. All you need to do is cover her in darkness and that’s all, that’s it.

Yet a tiny bit of d-

No.

You take the shot.

And it hits, the moment you will the darkness to move it lunges towards Cirno’s head faster than you thought possible. And that’s where it stays. No matter how much she shouts in surprise, no matter how hard she tries to freeze her surroundings by instinct. The darkness remains coiled to her head, depriving her of her visual senses and odds of winning like that.

The others are quick on the uptake, Reimu immediately stops caring about keeping her distance and smashes into Cirno with one of her iconic wind god kicks. However, as if possessing a sixth sense, Cirno immediately guards the strike with her sword, the impact of Reimu’s kick makes it crack but otherwise it stands firm. If anything, it is about to start freezing over Reimu’s leg, as making physical contact with a master of ice is a bad idea.

But all is well, for Meiling comes to the rescue with her Yellow Quake Kick, though that name is a bit dramatic, that doesn’t make her kicking Cirno at the back of her skull any less cool. She also takes a moment to check on Reimu, but she refuses help and says that everything is fine. Even so, Meiling grabs said leg and does some chi-thingy to unmelt any ice on Reimu’s skin while the latter just watches with a dissatisfied look on her face, like this a bother.

Still up for a fight and immensely angered, Cirno starts firing bullets blindly left and right in a rage, the intensity behind them higher due to desperation and rage but even so the two girls dodge the attacks with relative ease. And you could guess the rest without looking.

Cirno will try a thing, the others will respond some way and gain an advantage. Hence next phase Cirno tries something else again, fails again, and eventually will run out of stamina.

That’s the vibe of the fight now, and that’s all thanks to you. You took the shot, and you did not miss, it’s surprising how there’s not some weird twist of fate to screw you over.

…

And none arrive. You’ve indeed done your part and soon enough the fight will end with Cirno the loser. Now you only need to think about what you’ll do in the meantime.

You could spectate the fight some more, but honestly. Isn’t a fight whose result is predetermined and in which you’re not involved in boring to look at?

You could just mess around with whatever else is in here. Like the egg, or the canon, or even that Black Wing thing that’s nowhere to be seen anymore. Oh hey, where did it go?

You look to your left, it’s not there. You look to your right, also not there. No to your behind, up, or down either. That thing known as the Black Wing has just gone and disappeared.

Oh well, that’s one less bother to worry about, isn’t it?

…

Okay, fine. You’ll keep an eye out in case you see ever see it agai-

> Assume it’s hostile, defend yourself right now! It’s fight or die after all!

You’re not sure what it is, how it is or why it is. But even so, your body instinctively knows what to do when an unknown person gets way too close for one’s comfort. You quickly move backwards to increase the distance between it and you and that was the perfect move to take too. For its claw has already taken the place where your head was just a second ago and make no doubt about it. The way they swung it clearly had decapitation in mind. Then again, what did you expect out of someone who tried to take Meiling’s eye out just earlier? Its hostility has been set in stone a time ago.


Except not, it hasn’t moved it’s claw at all. Seemingly just content at staying immobile and staring into your face with your own face as if you’re some amazing landscape. Is it interested in you? Or is it trying to achieve something else here? It makes you wonder why it hasn’t tried to harm you despite showing no such reluctance towards Meiling before. But really, what does it want?

An honourable person would show confusion at a display like this, even refuse to fight a creature that has yet to bare its fangs against it. For who knows if the first strike was an instinctive reaction? Did it get startled by the sudden summon and so strike the nearest target? Such thoughts would come to a kind and responsible individual, but that’s just the thing…

You’re not a good person, you’re a youkai. Being aggressive and causing trouble for the tiniest if not pettiest of reasons is your 24/7 job. You don’t need a reason to kick this thing’s ass, just the fact you think it looks suspicious is reason enough to make it regret ever coming out a mother’s womb.

So, with no warning whatsoever or even pre-battle banter. You attack with intent to kill!

First, you put strength into your legs and create a ball of darkness while charging at it, jump to dodge whatever counter the thing may have in store. Drop the darkness right beneath you so it’s blinded while you’re still in the air and at once, with zero remorse. You shoot a barrage of blue and red bullets towards it, knowing that even if damnaku is non-lethal it is still a good way to make one’s foe lose stamina in record time. Said bullets hit their mark dead-on, so you get ready for the final touch.

You clench your right-hand with your left and point it down at your opponent like one would a canon, in no mood for a prolonged fight that has no need to happen, you gather all your strength and power in this one huge blast that shall leave no remains of it. IT WILL ALL END HERE!

How the shadows resonate! Orbs of darkness surround your hands with heat and life! The lack of real blood does not stop the symphony within you! Your will burns brighter than a raging fire!

[“Dark Sign: Nightmare Flames”]
All the pressure within your hands snap, a chaotic vortex of dark liquids rains down on your opponent like droplets of pure spite, unable to dodge or simply not dodging at all. All the dark droplets hit their mark on your foe. Covering them in a very sticky and very flammable substance. Trying not to recall a prior incident, you shoot twin blue lasers towards them now, letting it home in on them as it sets aflame every single droplet that it touches. Which causes an unusual reaction, as instead of just being on fire. The dark flames move on their own, flying straight up the moment they’re activated, like snakes escaping from the earth and rising into the sky, only to drop back down again with the ferocity of…a snake that’s falling. Anyway, your foe’s trapped in the middle of all this and must dodge oil that drips in random patterns, lasers that home close to their location, and flames that appear right behind them and restrict their movement once they come back down.

But again, they’re not dodging at all. They are still taking the whole barrage, and you haven’t removed your view even once from it. No matter how tempting it is to glance at the others right now to see how they’re doing. Something just doesn’t sit right with you here.

If it’s one of the strongest servants Cirno allegedly has. Then surely it should be capable of doing som-a barrage of bullets both blue and white whiz towards you, forcing you to back off and outright dash down once a few get too close for comfort as the bastard knows the neat trick of aiming where one's about to be rather than where they are.

The source of which is now calmly flapping it’s four wings as it approaches you. The Black-Wing looks completely fine…if it wasn’t for all the burn marks on their body that they don’t seem bothered by?

It ignores all the bullets it’s exposing itself to, occasionally flinching but otherwise unbothered with its approach. As if learning from your behaviour, the creature’s middle…center? Blurry space starts to shine for a second and afterwards, all the bullets it’s shooting back at you (albeit sloppily) are now accompanied with the worst kind of bullets that have ever been invented: CURVY LASERS!

[“?????”]
Said lasers at once confine both you and it within a small space. As if they’re hitting walls that aren’t there, they bounce back and forth from spot to spot making the arena you’re both in just that tighter and movement within just that harder. The many colourful bullets flying about are no help either but dodging those isn’t much of a problem to you. Their shooting is surprisingly amateurish but before you can even think about getting cocky, it detaches one of its claws and outright rocket-punches it towards you. Again, you move just out of the w-and get hit by a laser in the side instead. A sharp pain in your side like that of a spear penetrating your heart being is your reward for failing to see that trick coming.

But that’s fine, it’s just a flesh-wound. Well, it’s not a wound AT ALL. It just really hurts and might make you a bit slower, but even so you still think you’ve a good chance at winning this fight.

Cirno is the main-boss here, so this thing must just be a mini-boss! Therefore, no matter what happens it’s not like you could lose! Is what you’d like to be saying right now.

But you don’t, for misplaced confidence is a good way to get your ass kicked.

Speaking off ass, look at that dumb sucker just staring at you like that. You swear there’s some intelligence behind it as even though it’s ‘face’ is just a dumb smiling version of your face, behind those eyes seems to be a certain will…a power would you say. It’s like it’s daring you to look away.

=======================A================================
[ ] It’s trying to intimidate you, stare straight into it’s eyes like a ma-youkai!
[ ] Avoid it’s gaze, it’s not that you’re a baby, you just don’t like that look!
========================A================================

=========================B================================
What’s the next battle-strategy?
[ ] Aggressive, you don’t want to waste time with this thing. So just throw the best, the dirtiest and the most brutal attacks you’ve got on this thing until it eventually drops dead because of them.
[ ] Defensive, you’ve got time and darkness on your side. Mess with its perception, take no overly big risks and just use opportunities from the mistakes it will eventually make, also it’s the one on a timer.
[ ] Write in, because you can make up something better than that.
==========================B===============================

===========================C================================
[ ] Skip button, you can skip this fight if you just want the plot to progress already. (Though the writer will take the worst outcome in which you win the fight.)
===========================C=================================

You don’t look away from it’s pertinent gaze. Determined to surpass it in body and mind. If it’s trying to intimidate you then you’ll just have to make it aware who’s really in charge here! Now to attack!

The creature’s eyes change from comical little black dots into ones more realistic when it's gaze is returned, eyes that are more your own, with their crimson colour and slowly moving pattern, the sight of them is mesmerising if not hypnotic, even so your mind stays your own and your gaze remains on it. Feeling…KNOWING that the thing can probably only move the moment you stop looking at it.

Or does it want you to think that?

You hear a cold chuckle as it’s face grows to the point it’s gigantic, its bright crimson eyes stare back at you with an unusual passion, they investigate the depth of your very soul.

And they found something.

Around you, faint images of your 'past' are dancing about. Pranks that have turned poorly. The corpses of friends that were not saved. Actions you would rather have avoided had you possesed the knowdledge you have now. Every single one of your fears is dragged out of you to be exposed. You know it's an illusion yet your entire being feels it deep in the bones. And that laugh. It just keeps on mocking you, and your sense of self starts to leak away…

Yet you remain anchored to yourself. An intense headache comes over you, the ribbon on your head shines slightly like a flare and then there’s nothing more to look at. There is no more face to be seen on the thing…no, that’s not quite right. Part of your mind thought there was a face there, but for some reason you can see the truth now. Your senses refuse to be fooled any longer and only register its form as it truly exists now. That of a creature whose face was never there and won’t gain yours.

The creature itself, who’s empty eye-place holds a red gem where a face should be. Looks like it can tell that you’re no longer under its influence, that’s it’s prior behaviour even if it did fool you now means nothing as whatever it was planning simply fails to take effect. And that completely confuses it.

You however are quite ready to slaughter it for the offense, so you crack your knuckles and start bl-it’s showing off its belly to you. Laying down in the air like a tool before the fight can continue?

…You’re not sure what to make of that, so you simply gather energy within your hands and prepare to blast it anyway. If it’s trying to fool you now, then fine, it’s position makes blasting it super easy!

Even so, it doesn’t move from its spot, instead letting out some odd schreeching sound that’s the closest thing it can probably make to a whimper? You’re not sure what it’s trying to play at here now. Did it recognize you as the superior life-form or did you beat its trump card and now it gives up? Was pretending that it could only move when it wasn't looked at, just so you'd stare at it the only strategy the thing had? Did it have that much confidence in whatever it was trying to do to you, that it's has now dissapeared with it's failure?

Is this thing genuinely giving up or just waiting for you to drop your guard for an easy strike?

[ ] Blow it up anyway, trick or not you’ve already decided to exterminate anything Anon Related.
[ ] Spare it? It looks like it’s lost its confidence…and if it gives up then you’re it’s Alpha now!

You've got completely sound logic voter, also that was the right decision you made just so you know.
This choice will end the fight, afterwards it's time to see how the others were doing and bam ploooooooooooot.
Though I can't wait for the day I can write an genuinely exciting fight, one day, one day. Until next update.

WHaaaaaaaaat?

No murder? After all this time since your last encounter with a person that nobody will probably mind if they die, you want to play the better person and let this thing be completely intact? Just like that?

That's not fair!

Don't be a better person!

Kick that dumb little thing in it's soft tummy before ripping it's eye out!

Make it regret ever facing you by giving it the most terrible of traumas!

Take your REVEANGENCE!!!

Though...you're not wrong about the Hakurei part, she totally just told you to not murder people or even joke about doing it...you think. And she can totally kick your ass when she's in kick-ass distance...and you don't think she won't notice you doing this, because her senses are no joke...

But still! BUT STILL! That doesn't mean you'll be satisfied by having it acknowledge you as the winner, no, you want something more!

You want to do something evil, something extremely humiliating to it!

Only when every ounch of dignity has left it's body will you even think of forgiving it! And even then that doesn't mean you're just going to let it run off, it chose a fight so it gets the consequences of losing one! You're not going to spare it only for it to strike at you the moment you let your guard down...so let's make it unable of standing up!

F-F-F-FINISH THE THING OFF!

NON-LETHALLY!

BUT STILL HUMILIATING!

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO END THIS FIGHT!

[ ] Write in.

I'm not gonna lie, this is an update stall. I should have the complete update done tmrw. But do give a method to make sure that after this, this thing won't be a threat or a problem anymore. As I'm curouis what you'd do.

[x] Pretend your darkness is ink and draw a stupid looking face on it using your darkness. Glasses, mustachos, buck teeth, the whole nine yards.

That’s an easy job and in less than a minute, you’ve already made a masterpiece!

Look at the fake glasses that have been drawn around its eyes, giving the creature the look of a NERD and so somebody who’s never left their mommy’s basement because their NERD-stuff is so appealing!

Look at the dumb little hat that’s on top of it now and behold how it gives the creature the look of somebody who wants to get girls but can’t because of some pathetic excuse that protects their ego!

Look at the little moustache on its lips that makes it half Italian (A race of humans that’s chubby and makes cheese if you recall correctly) and look at how the flower on its head lowers its masculinity even if it’s a girl or not, because no matter what.

A flower is the status of the anti-awesome!!!

Just don't let a certain Sunflower Lady hear that.

Such humiliation is too much for the creature, and whatever filter it had in store disappears instantly, showing that what lies before you are a fuzz-ball whose body has been tampered with. Though you were pretty sure it had no face, here the creature visibly shivers while looking at you with small tears in its eyes. The part where its wings meet its body are of a gnarly blue as veins pop out and its muscles twitch in some perverted rhythm as more blood flows to those parts then it’s small little heart could pump out on its own…implying that it’s insides are even worse.

“You’re my bitch now.” Of course, you don’t care and just pat the creature’s cheek with one hand.

Not caring that it flinches at your touch either. “You lost to me so now you belong to me, it’s that simple. So, from now on, you’ll do everything I want you to do for me or I’ll make sure that you wished you were dead instead~” now you grab it with the other hand as well, keeping a firm grip on it’s face as you stare into its eyes, a mad glint shining in yours. “So don’t go thinking that I’m preserving you out of mercy. I’m just a pragmatic girl and you’re such a cute creature. So why shouldn’t I have a pet? I sure deserve it! As for whether you’ll deserve something, we’ll see about that in time. Until then you obey me, okay?” it takes too long to answer so you squeeze their cheeks. “Oookaaay?”

The creature ponders its decision and glances with its eyes at the egg a few steps away. Before glancing back at you and then glancing back at it, as if to ask whether it can have it and in exchange i-

“No, no, no! You’re not getting it.” With a bemused smile, you get closer to the Black-Wing and whisper into its ears plenty of wonderful and original threats about what you could do to it if it refuses to serve you, doesn’t serve you as well as it could or if it even dares doubt your commands.

This is enough to make it stop moving…ponder about its options and let out the closest thing to a whimper before it moves it’s face against the ground when you let it go as if bowing to you.

“Good doggy.” And thus, you’ve obtained a new companion: The Black-Wing! Though you wonder on how it could possible be useful since it can fly but so can you, it’s not really that fast and it refuses to move when looked at or was that a trick? It can kind of stare into someone’s eyes to reveal their fears which honestly only made you angry and it also has a cowardly nature, so all in all bleh.

Even so…you guess it could serve as inventory storage? You’ve got a bunch of useless stuff in your pockets, like a ridiculous amount of stuff that shouldn’t be possible to carry by hand ridiculous. Even so you found a way, but what if you ever need something to be intact only to find out later that the thing broke cause you carried it while in the middle of a fight or two?

Hence it is now the time to use the advanced method off: Shoving the garbage you don’t need into its mouth!

That’s not a joke, Fuzzballs can’t digest stuff yet still have a huge stomach for some reason. They like the sensation of having something tasty inside of themselves but that doesn’t change the fact that some people have found alternative uses for such abilities, like you’re about to do now.

And honestly when you mean more place to put stuff in, you mean like, you could put in a mountain of garbage into it, and it wouldn’t even be slowed down. So, you’re sure that could be useful if you’re ever going to need to collect some stuff or just get rid of…troublesome witnesses.

He He he! Oh boy, will you make proper use out of your new slave!

[X] Oh! But before all that, don't forget to pick up the egg too! Don't want it to get stolen!

Oh, Oh! That’s right! The egg is kind of an important thing so losing it is absolutely no good!

To retrieve the egg, you must stand up, walk towards, and pick it up. You’re already doing the standing up part so you’re certain the other two steps won’t be that hard either. And you’re right.

Because you just did that, you just walked towards the egg. Glared at your new slave the moment it twitched a bit and picked up the egg. Only for it to sensory overload your hands with feelings of pain because it’s covered in seals and talismans that are quite holy and thus your own allergy. Youch!

“You didn’t have to do that.” The Hakurei adds in as she observes your fumbling. “Just leave that bit to me and do your thing already. I don’t have all d-“ you tune her out the moment she starts complaining again but do notice that she’s about to pick it up herself. So, it’s still mission accomplished. There’s absolutely nobody that could steal anything the Hakurei picks up for she has the dead-grip of an…

What’s an animal with a good grip?

She has the grip of an Oni holding booze!

Not that Oni's are animals, they're people too!

Anyway, that little diversion taken care off. It is time to go to the main event.

The removal of the crown! That evil device that’s made your Cirno all weird and confused, by removing it you’re one hundred percent sure that she’ll go back to normal, and everything will be ok!

So, let’s go remove it already. You move back to where the Hakurei dropped both loser-goons, which happens to be right in front of you and right next to Meiling. She’s probably just going to spectate this so you don’t mind her presence then again why would you mind it? She’s a great lady, isn’t she?

She is, and you’re stalling a bit here. You don’t know why but the moment you take a step closer to Cirno’s prone body. Your legs become a bit more skittish, and you start to feel nervous too.

You gulp down those feelings anyway and get to work. You get to your knees next to Cirno’s head and notice that the latter looks absolutely wasted. The way her head comically moves around as her eyes have the dizzy symbol in them don’t match at all with the number of needles that have pierced everything that’s under her neck, while everything under her waist must be absolutely crushed by the sheer weight and burning feeling of that Ying-Yang ball she’s under. There’s no blood drawn whatsoever but even so the experience is no less painful, though she deserves all of that.

The only intact part is her little crown, though it’s gone from a complete golden one to a humbler silver tiara with a beautiful red gem encrusted within it. The same one as the three other ones you’ve seen before on other anon-stuff. You guess that means those things are like batteries?

“Think you mean source, kid.” Meiling peps up. “Yeah, I saw you eyeing that little crystal and I figured I’d tell you that I’m sensing an ABSURD amount of life-essence inside that lil gem.”

“Life energy?” you glance her way, curious about what she means and not looking for an excuse to stall even more.

“No, not life-energy, or chi for that matter. I’m sensing Life-essence inside that thing.” And before you can even ask, she elaborates on what she means on her own. “I’ll make it easy to understand, see there’s three things that compose a living creature: The body, the mind, and the soul. The body is fuelled by life energy. The mind is fueled by mental energy and the soul is fueled by life essence, though why people don’t just call it soul-energy I don’t know. Do you get what I’m saying so far?”

You just nod yes and move your hands a bit closer to Cirno’s head, yet not trying to remove the crown in case Meiling is about to say something about how touching it could be bad.

“Good, you understand fast. Now, in this case and that case.” She points at both the Crown and the Black-Wing and even yourself. “Change someone’s body and the mind may warp while the soul remains the same, remove one’s mind and the body will rot unless another mind occupies it. Remove one’s soul and both body and mind will refuse to function unless someone else puppeteers the empty space. Kill the body and both mind and soul will depart to the other world, whether the mind persists depends on whether or not you reincarnate or become some sort of undead. In this case all those scenarios are happening at the exact same time for you three or perhaps everyone?” She concludes.

“…What?” you don’t really get what she means. “I’m sorry, your explanation is nice and all, but could you do this AFTER I’ve removed the Crown from Cirno? If I delay it now, I may not be brave enough to do it again!“ not to forget that Cirno already told you a bit about how the anon-stuff works already so whatever she's about to say could just be redundant.

“Ah, yes, yes!” you don’t even need to say more. Meiling waves her hand around in an oddly stiff manner when she notices that she started babbling out of nowhere. “Sorry, this just happens to be my specialty, so I got the urge to show off my knowledge a little. I can monologue later…” you don’t know why, but the way she ended that sentence felt like it implied a feeling of disappointment.

But anyway, it’s time to finally remove that crown with zero distractions!

You put your hands on Cirno’s silver crown and the moment you do so, the latter’s eyes become straight again, and the most awkward kind of eye-contact is made as you notice that your kind of leaning very close to her. Even so, you don’t let that stop you and pull the crown as hard as you can!

It doesn’t budge.

Not even a tiny inch.

“Hmph, of course you can’t remove it. You traitorous tree-knocker.” Her holiness, stick-up-her-ass-tidus lets out a mocking yet also acidly snort at your failed attempt to remove it. “Only someone as amazi- “and she’s about to say a bunch of meaningless stuff like threats to you because you are a traitor or maybe on how she’s going to recover from this situation and that now is the last chance to join her again.

[ ] A shame you don’t care. Pull on that crown EVEN HARDER!!!
[ ] Before that, let’s make Cirno ‘sleep’ again lest she monoblobs during it all.
[ ] Let her talk, just for the tiniest chance that she may tell info that backfires on herself again

> A shame you don’t care. Pull on that crown EVEN HARDER!!!

To be specific you don’t care much about what the Faker has to say right now. It’s surprising how even now she still seems fully convinced that she has control over the situation despite having already been defeated and being reduced to this pitiful state. It only makes it clear to you that she’s got absolutely no self-awareness right now or maybe she’s unable of perceiving any kind of loss.

That must be the case because why else would the girl whose entire body except for her head is completely restrained look at you with bright eyes and absolutely zero doubt in herself?

“Mph, you’re admiring my regal charm, aren’t you?” said fairy notices you’re staring at her. “Don’t worry I can see in your eyes what you’re trying to say. You don’t need to say a single word.”

Okay, you won’t talk to her then and make the firm decision to ignore absolutely everything she’s about to say. You put your arms around her fancy little crown again or at least are about to.

Because the mere gesture of it makes the concerned fairy twitch her head about as she stares straight into your eyes with the most burning sensation of anger and discomfort that she can muster while spouting a bunch of terrible things, like how you’re a filthy traitor or how you’re hurting her, or she’ll never forgive you. Plenty of words meant to distract you by hitting you in the feelies basically, but to no avail. As it is obvious to you that she’s just trying to buy time for an opportunity to turns things around which won’t ever come. Not only that but you’re in the right and she’s in the wrong.

Though she’s still moving her head about frantically, which is a problem easily solved…

By just putting power in your arm and forcing her head against the ground like she’s a filthy mutt, you also position yourself to be sitting on top of her too just so that she’ll feel extra uncomfortable for honestly no other reason than to show up her pettyness. Though doing so makes you feel a bit odd, as in your chest tightens again, your breathing becomes a bit raspier, and you have to put in absolutely every ounce of will inside of you to not commit the most cliché action that is spilling tears while on top her as you reminiscence about the good old times and why the heck things are like this.

With a stifled breath, you manage to prevent the tears from spilling and dismiss the memory of the two of you play-fighting and rationalize that the real Cirno has yet to be freed…and that feels good.

The thought of Cirno being possessed by some faker makes a magnificent and strange energy course down your arms and legs, like waves of lightning. The energy is potent, intoxicating, and familiar.

For it’s a feeling that’s you've said has been fueling you but you've yet had to truly feel.

It’s a feeling of hate, hate that’s now enhanced with an amazing power. That of the moral certainty that you’re in the right. That everything you’re doing to her is fine since she’s not the real one, she’s just a dumb fake that’s pretending to be Cirno while the real one is forced to watch in helplessness.

And you hate her for that, you truly hate her with your every being. Just like Wriggle and Alice before this faker is nothing more than a mockery of the original one and you hate her for the resemblance, you hate her for fooling you and you hate her so much you’d wish she’d just die!

If you, could you’d have gone and crushed her face with your boot already just to see her brains splatter everywhere, choked her until her skin becomes a deadly pale blue and even forced a chainsaw so deep down her ******* that she wouldn’t be able to walk or sit for years to come.

“Pathetic, I can see the violent urges in your eyes, Rumia. So how come you’re not acting on them?” Cirno replies with a confident smile as she returns the glares you give her by tenfold. “Don’t go pretending you’re a saint now. If anything, you’re just an opportunistic little cockroach, just following whoever takes pity on you and taking whatever chance you have to screw others over. I’m sure you want to mess me up even though you’ve not defeated me nor can take me in a fair fight, nor can I defend myself in this state…or is that what you like? Are you- “that’s enough, you tune out the rest.

And get back to work, you firmly put the crown slash tiara within your fingers. And start pull-

“Did our friendship mean that little to you? For you to throw it so easily away? Nah, don’t even try ignoring me bud. I know I got your attention and frankly, you’ve broken my heart you know? I was going to give one quart of Gensokyo as your own little playground, I was going to make you sublime! And here you are betraying me for some red-coloured bimbos. I truly trusted you Rumia…a-and…it really sucks that you’re doing this to me. What did they bribe you with to throw me down like this?”

…For the love of god, make her shut up. You don’t bother telling her you weren’t bribed at all and simply get back to getting a good grip on that blasted crown and heave! Ho! Here it go-

“You know, I would have understood if you fought me straightforwardly, cause then it’s just an easy case of whoever believes in their cause the most is the strongest and thus the one who will win. The two red-girls did exactly that, they beat me fair and square. But you? You hid like a coward, and I’ve finally realized that is perhaps your true nature. You are a coward who takes the easy way out and as a matter of fact. I hate cowards, you the most out of them all and I can only hope that once you’re done crawling about here that someone will have the decency to end your miserable life because I won’t.”

…There’s no use telling her to shut up, she’s not the real one after all. So don’t let those words get to you and get to work already. She’s blatantly trying to distract you and that should not be working!

You finally pull on the goddamned crown like how one would a tre-

“So, here’s the thing. I won’t let you have the satisfaction of riping the fruit here. Go call your red friends and have them try to remove this fancy crown instead because if you put your grubby little paws on me one more time. I’m going to bite my tongue off and choke on it just to spite you and even if this crown is removed, I will not join you, not now or I’d rather di-mppp?” fed up with her nonsense, you grab her by the throat with both of your hands then put the left one into her mouth and grab the crown with the other. She’s said too much and now whatever careful actions you were about to take are cancelled because you no longer give a crap on whether or not removing that crown could hurt her if you’re not careful. All you want is for her to stop talking already.

“Oi, don’t get so feisty there.” a supportive hand is placed on your shoulder by Meiling as she has seen the whole little dramafest unfold. “I can understand that you’re angry and that’s fine, it’s a natural emotion. But don’t let it get too much in your head or you may do things you’ll regret.”

“I didn’t ask for a moral. Mind your own business!” is what you’d like to say right back at her, but instead you let out a sigh, don’t answer her and finally, with absolutely no distractions remaining other than Cirno biting your fingers as hard as she can, it is time to remove that blasted crown!

“STOP RIGHT THERE!” a new voice filled with panic can be heard, one that’s rapidly approaching the area. “DON’T REMOVE THE CROWN, IT’LL MASSIVELY BACKFIRE ON EVERYONE, WAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!!”

[ ] Too late, this Crown is getting off no matter what any new arrival says.

[ ] What is it this time? Look and see who's shouting all of a sudden.

[X] What is it this time? Look and see who's shouting all of a sudden.

Waiting…God, do you loathe doing that.

You want to just ignore whoever has decided to come out at exactly this moment to be a pain in the butt.

You want to make the faker in front of you PAY for everything she’s done.

Yet, despite every single muscle in your body telling you otherwise.

You manage to not rip off that little decoration of your prey’s skull as you move your neck to gain a better look on whoever’s talking now or at least you’ll do that once you’re done glaring daggers at the girl below you. Because that's something you wanna do that can't actually backfire.

You'd love to do a lot more things, but that's the thing isn't it?

What you WANT is not the same as what you SHOULD do, you don’t recall if you already knew this but anyway, you’re pretty surprised by your own…

Self-control?

Discipline?

You can’t really get a fancy word on why you haven’t been reduced to an angry little hobgoblin that’s throwing curses and bullets everywhere in an oh so satisfying rage.

In fact, the face that’s reflected through the Faker’s eyes is one that’s completely stoic, whatever rage is inside of you must be like…an ocean? You’re so angry that all the pissed off water has spilled out of the cup, leaving only the warmest but also calmest little drops of pure spite that really matter.

Or you've become too tired to give everything an explosive reaction.

When's the last time you relaxed?

Must have been a long time ago, otherwise you don’t know why you’ve got the face of someone who just heard the world’s unfunniest joke.

Then again that joke could be the situation that you’re in right now…

But that’s enough mumbling, you go ahead and take a proper look now (Without letting go of the Faker of course). Muttering all the while that if this just happens to be a random fairy or someone who tries to trick you all then you might snap and…

Why does Meiling look so shocked? “What in the…” the girl has her mouth agape and one of her arms raised as if she’s facing a tempest of shock. The kind of dumb pose only seen in plays or fiction.

It’s the same for the Hakurei, her eyes are so wide open that it looks like they might fall out of her sockets. “That…that…voice…. You’re kidding….” And that alone may as well toll the oh no bells.
But that’s enough. Who’s giving off that kind of reaction?

Time to find out and you do, the moment you see their face your mouth grows ajar and everyone as if synced like a machine says the exact same thing at the exact same thing as if it was rehearsed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnVltopWrfY

“ANOTHER CIRNO!!!!”

You can’t believe your eyes, those blue clothes, that small yet tough frame, those eyes filled with a determination that no flame can melt. Another Cirno stands before the ridiculously huge golden door as the very light of the heavens shine down her back. But how is that possible, why is th-

“Are my eyes fooling me? I can’t believe it, I’m seeing another Cirno!” Meiling shouts over you in surprise and repeatedly points at the Cirno that she’s not sure if they’re actually real or not. “Did she have an evil twin or something? Cause I have no idea what’s happening, and my heart is loving it!!” though unlike you she takes the situation as is and is all excited about it. What a strong heart…

“Your eyes aren’t lying…” The Hakurei is still staring in disbelief, but quickly pinches her own nose as if that’d help her concentrate. “But I don’t believe it still, why appear now of all times? How shady…”

“AWESOME!” A third person replies before you can even get your bearings straight. That being the Cirno that’s underneath you, she was silent for a while now and outright stopped moving the moment she saw the faker. But now looks at them with stars in her eyes. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know I had a twin-sister! Hey other me! Come here and save me from these villains!” already planning to use them for her own gain, confirming to you yet again that she can’t possibly be the real deal.

“The only villain here is you! Don’t put yourself in other people’s boats of awesomeness.” Other-Cirno taps her head as she refuses to make eye-contact with her counterpart. As if the latter is something so repugnant that simply looking at the thing could make her Ill if not worse.

“W-what?” her plans at once shattered, the Faker can only stutter in dumb surprise.

To the annoyance of the Other Cirno who lets out a sigh and glares at her. “You know what you did, stop pretending to be someone you’re not and show us your true skin you low-grade impostor!”

“Impostor?!” the accusation makes Cirno rile up like a bull that sees red. “I think YOU’RE the faker around here. With your dumb basic clothes and stupid-dumb arrival out of nowhere! Do you really think you can compare yourself to me? The ruler of this palace and soon to be Overlord? BAH! You’re not even good to be my fa- “

“I’ll make you eat those words!” Other-Cirno doesn’t even wait and immediately starts walking towards the bunch of you.
Only for Reimu to step forward and block her path. “Yeah no, I’m not watching another fight and you’ve yet to explain what you’re doing here. So, you better make sense of this or else I’ll get mad.”

“Move out of my way Reimu, I’ve been waiting just for this opportunity and if any of you get in my way then I won’t mind beating up all of y…wait, oh. You were asking a question?” Other-Cirno was about to just dismiss her and demand she gets out of the way, only to read the lines yourself bud.

“Same here! How did you even know we were here and stuff?” Meiling asks stuff to her as well.

To which, the Other-Cirno lets out a sigh in frustration but explains anyway. “Long story short: You’re all being pranked super hard right now, cause that thing in front of you? That’s some goddess of lies or deceit or spaghetti whatever having fun at your expense like the doodoo brains you are. Whatever fight you had she just lost on purpose on the hopes that someone tries to remove the seal off her head because it’s got the absurd condition that only someone with actual malice towards her can pull it off. As for why I’m here? To make that NOT happen d’uuh and kick her ass for pretending to be me! There’s only one me after all and that me should be me!”

“Psh, what a convenient story.” Not one to be accused and just take it, the faker starts talking back. “So, you’re what? Some gallant hero out to save everyone. Like that’s something not super sus- “she stops talking for a second as gears grind in her head….and she lets out a small smile. “You know what? She’s totally right! I’m totally a goddess and stuff and you should NOT remove that crown from me. Also, I’m like super strong against balls that crush people so every second that I’m restrained like this is a second that’s getting you all closer to your doom, so listen to her words!”

“Oh god no…” Realizing something through this exchange, the Hakurei does a face palm. “Yeah, no. I’m not playing spot the impostor with you all!” and she just points her stick at the Cirno in front of her. “So, guess what? I’ll just beat up the both of you and then the goonies behind me can handle that useless nonsense, okay? So do me a favour other Cirno, don’t move and close your eyes okay?”

“I guess that works too…” Meiling sounds a bit bored by that kind of action but sees no reason to stop a Hakurei in action.

Other-Cirno isn’t intimidated at all, instead she looks past the Hakurei, past Meiling as well.

And makes straight eye-contact with you. “Sup Rum, tell your goons to get out of my way before I’ll give them a spanking pretty, please.” The sarcasm in her voice is thick, even so she just asked for your help.

Why she asked yours of all people you’re not sure, but it could just be a way to insult the other two.

So you might look silly if you actually try to help, or mean to her if you don't.

How do you feel about this? About this whole situation to be specific?

…

Okay, that was a silly question. Of which you know the answer too. You’re confused as all hell and even that description sounds mild. You should be panicking; you should be screeching in frustration yet here you are staring right back at this Other-Cirno with the most stoic face you’ve ever had.

So, let’s ask a better question.

What will you do now?

[ ] The writer could give you options to choose from, but naah. Give me a juicy fat [Write in] voter.

/forest/res/31922.html#32029" class="ref|forest|31922|32029

It's implied that by your surprise she could spit it out yeah, cause you're in shock at the sight rn.
I should have written that yeah, or give you as well one of those 'OH MY GOD' expressions where one puts their hands in the air and stuff. Call that a minor mistake from me.

Though, you've got a small error yourself. The god that's been helpful so far is the Meatball God, the Spaghetti God is the culprit of all this or at least both Cirno's have said that in their own way.

You can definitely try stage-presence and I'll write more about that this evening cause I already wrote a whole update right now and will just make it perfectly work given some more time.

---

[x] Get that crown off Cirno's head.

Now that’s an idea, you’ve got no idea what to make of this situation. But even so that doesn’t change the fact that something could happen if you remove said crown and at this point…you’d rather skip to immediately doing that then having to stay in a room with TWO Cirno’s of all things.

“A shame your plans have been set in Ice!” A shame that the moment you try to do so, the Other Cirno quickly flies past the Hakurei to shove a Spell-card in front of your face. “Cause I’m not letting that happen! And if words don’t convince you then my strength will, I challenge you to a Danmaku Match!” ah, there’s the nuisance all right. Now you’ll have to fight a Cirno just to remove a crown from the other Cirno because one of them is probably an impostor and why is your life like this…

You withhold any snarky comment you have and just give the Hakurei and Meiling a glance. The words “Can someone deal with this girl?” so clear on your face that no words need to be said.

The Hakurei though annoyed by the fairy just lifts her shoulders and gives you a shrug, “She’s not breaking any rules. So, you’re going to have to fight or just back off, you’ll get no help here grue.”

Meiling looks a bit apologetic as she scratches her back, “Yeah, sorry. You heard what Reimu said and if nobody is trying to kill one another. Ganging up on her right now would be unfair.”

“In shorter words, you’re going to have to fight her!” The Cirno behind you speaks up, her tone so peppy that you’re tempted to give her a back kick in the face. “And you’re going to lose to-mpjjhh” but you don't, instead you put back the one hand you've removed out of her mouth due to surprise and just calmly step on her face for the exact same effect.

You wonder if you could've used a chain instead, but quickly remove that from your head as such a visual would be way too...intense in a way. Though your shame levels are at a minimun you'd rather not go overboard on this still.

“That’s right, not-me!” Other-Cirno replies, she’s got a bright smile and is now wagging a finger confidently at you, as if she’s somehow outsmarted you. Keep in mind you're litteraly trampling on her Doppel-ganger right now to silence them yet she doesn't acknowledge it in any way, “Sorry bud, but you’re a thousand battles too fresh to possibly win against the likes of me. Just back off and you won’t be humiliated.” Her face becomes sterner and more focused after she warns you on how she’s ready to give this her all and again, does not seem to give a basket about what you're doing to the other other Cirno.

“…Words are nice and all, but those who bark the most bite the least now don’t they?” still when faced with a gaze like that, your own bitterness starts to leak out and you stare back at her, or to be more precise down at her with a tiny fake-smirk as you’re taller than her and don’t mind showing that off. The stepping on the other Cirno making it look smugger than the smuggiest face that has ever smugged.

“….” She doesn’t respond to that, just looking you straight in the eyes and then frowning. As if she saw something ugly within you. “Fine, then I’m going to show you something. Everyone back off.”

The moment everyone takes a few steps back, Cirno squishes into fists beside her, concentrates her power and instant starts spinning in place causing a great outpour of snow and ice to move beside her with such power and speed that surpasses any seen by raging snowstorm at the top of a mountain. It doesn’t even end there as bullets of a rainbow spin out of it and create random patterns like that of snow-angels. Their pattern so tight that only someone with much patience and homing bullets could go through with it. Then she suddenly stops as a white flash covers the area and all the bullets promptly freeze up into white bullets that all home in one target of her choice.

“A spell-card that’s got exceptional defense and exceptional offense. What a strategy…” embracing her inner martial artist manga protagonist heart, Meiling starts commenting on the move for no reason. “But to controll so many bullets after such a dizzying move can only mean that she’s been practicing, hasn’t she? That reason aside, is this kind of move even allowed Hakurei?”

For your own remembrance, which you do remember. Most spell-cards must been accepted before-hand by the Hakurei before one can actually use them. At least in theory, it’s more a rule of ‘Make a move that’s too busted and the Hakurei will come bust your ass’ kind of unsaid thing to remember.

“I’ll allow it.” And the Hakurei does allow it, saying nothing more after that. “Try not to lose too badly, Grue. This will make for a nice distraction.” Never mind, she did give you some sort of ‘encouragement’, you think it is one. She calmly sits on her knees and pulls out a cup of tea out of nowhere, blatantly announcing that she’s using the situation shown to take her own little break.

“So, what’ll it be friend?” Other-Cirno speaks to you again, she looks not tired at all and is quite confident yet the way she’s looking at you feels a bit too overly acty-like. “If you move aside now, I will say nothing. I will not mock, I will not scold, and I will forget this ever happened and not let anyone else thinks less of you for it.” Oh, is she reluctant to fight you then?

“Move aside, now. It is not too late.” oh, that outright comfirms it.

Absolute nonsense, that sentence alone draws your ire. “Yes, it is, it was way too late the moment I entered this place. It was way too late the moment I woke up today. I won’t let anyone cow me around anymore nor have I ever done so, so that’s not going to change any-time soon pal!”

With that shout and a combat stance ready, you’ve accepted the situation in front of you, it’s completely unfair, very arbitrary, and very much a timewaster. But rules are rules so you’re going to have to obey and fight her now. Oddly enough you’re not even feeling remotely bad about it now.

The only little ‘Don’t fight your friend’ thought you have is the idea that you could find a way to distract her and then swiftly remove the crown anyway, just for the extra spite. You don’t think the Hakurei is going to give you much trouble for doing that…at least nothing more than an aggressive scolding but hey in the end that’s a much more time-efficient method now isn’t it? You think it is.

Even so, it takes you a moment to decide on whether you’ll engage or not.

But then out of nowhere, YOU OBVOUISLY DECIDE ON THE LATTER, NO SHIIIIIIIIIIIIII-

Ahem, yeah. You’re not playing along this time, and you absolutely know what to do.

And how to do it. You’re going to do something so out-off-nowhere that it just HAS to surprise everyone. Giving you just the right amount of time to skip this completely unnecessary fight!

Just got to take deep breath to prepare for all that. So, until then!

[x] [x] Get that crown off Cirno's head using FRIENDSHIP.
-[x] Embrace the HAM by soliloquizing with totally necessary hand gestures and tone changes throughout.

This vote will be taken this evening, unless a tie happens, or people vote for something else.

Enjoy the rest of your day voter!

Suddenly, a spark of brilliance shines with your brain-juices!

Clearly the best way to get out of this situation is to use the same manner through which you managed to enter in the first place!

With the power of dramatic and HAM you shall restore your friend back to normal and prevent anyone from stopping you from doing that cause they’ll hopefully be too distracted by your cuteness!

Though the appearance of two Cirno’s is distracting, you shall be distracting…even more?

“Behold!” you shout, immediately making the Hakurei turn around and face your way with an annoyed expression while no longer focusing on the Other Fairy in front of her which means you now have to worry about her shooting an orb or needle at you if you try something…sneaky. Not thinking that well about doing some shady stuff it also gets the attention of everyone else, making you….

The spot-light! Though you could have chosen a sneakier way, now you can still pursue with your plan as it is now the only option to take. With another deep breath, you repeat the line. “Behold!”

“Behold what?” The Hakurei says as she crosses her arms displeased. “If you’re about to do something stupid, which I can SEE in your eyes. Then don’t bother.” That harsh sentiment however is not shared with the Other Cirno who just gives you an thumbs-up and pulls a tongue at the Miko’s back.

The Cirno you’re on doesn’t say anything because they can’t and Meiling just tries to pull a neutral face.

Though in hindsight, their reactions to the first line don’t matter at all.

Because who cares about them right now? You've already made a decision!

You should simply go all the way and then pull the crown without caring about how they’ll perceive it.

So, you will right now!

“Behold!” you say for the third time, putting a hand towards both Cirno’s in their glory. “Before and behind, two bearing a friend’s visage.” You see everyone visibly cringe at your weird speech, but you won’t let that stop you and continue by putting one arm over your head to show surprise. “Bewilderment I bare!” then put your remaining one against your chest, as if it hurts. “Betwixt a lie, a never fallen friend, and a fallen friend.” You keep the pose and draw a harsh breath. “Both represent the worst and best of fate!” you concentrate some of your power within while pretending to try and clumsily draw some tears. “Bemused I am…. yet, bold I shall be!” and you unleash it now!

The darkness that is, the moment you end the line the entire surroundings turn pitch black, and you jump backwards to avoid whatever projectile or attack may come to disturb you. And come it does! For a sharp pain rises within your legs and stomachs as a few needles pierce it, yet it is not enough for mid-flip you land back on the ground, back at the position you were in earlier except crouched to the ground as you start pulling on the crown with all your strength. “Be broken binding, for I desire it! For a friend I AAAAAAAAAAAAAAACT!!!” and pull on it you do, with such strength that one can FINALLY feel it budge as whatever anchors it has within your friend’s head slowly rise to the surface, like a fish hooked on a rod, it’s removal is now inevitable, all you need to do is not get stoppe-OUGH!

“STOP BEING STUPID!” which is a harder endeavour than it looks like, as though neither the Hakurei nor Meiling have gone to attack you more, it does not prevent the Other-Cirno from shooting a bunch of bullets hazard around in the pitch-black area. Some of which happen to hit their mark. “Don’t do it, that will only bring bad things! Think Rum, Think! Are you one-hundred percent Malice-free towards the thing? Do you not have the slightest resentment inside of you? The slightest sadness? I know that sounds hard to understand which it is, but if it must be removed then let someone who’s UNBIASED DO IT YOU IDIOT! This is like smashing your foot on a barely frozen river, everyone’s going to catch the zero chill if you don’t stop it now. THIS IS YOUR FINAL CHANCE, STOP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!” the Other-Cirno’s voice becomes slightly panicked as it says all this, as if it’s truly afraid of what you’re about to inflict as their words have said. Such an out of character move like that is…

Unnecessary! You’re going to remove that crown here and now, FOR FRIENDSHIP! AND NOT MALICE!

You know you’re in the right and with one final pull.

YOU PULL OFF THE CROWN SUCCESFULLY!

And everything around you distort as the Cirno on the floor lets out a mad cackle.

Time: ??? , Date: ???
Location: A fun place.

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A swirling hallway of meat and flesh greets your eyes as the new decor, the soft thumping of a heart can be heard yet where it comes from you do not know. Even so the foot-steps are no less reassuring too nor is the sweet stench enveloping the area. In a way, you wouldn't be surprised if a human went mad from seeing this but yet here you are with your own intact.

Because in a way, this place feels no different from home.

So you can't really describe it in a spooky way, because this is the normal to you.

Even if normal may mean that the place you’re in ignores all laws of physics as the only law it obeys are those of a primal creature who has taken the form of your friend before you in all her ridiculousness cuteness, as if the sight of her could still fool you…

Or at least you assume the thing is in control, despite its size and look making you think otherwise.

You don’t know why that is. Something about it just feels off, it’s three times your own size yet lacks anything else other than hands and eyes, eyes that themselves don’t really look that intelligent as much as they’re big and round in a cartoony way.

“I…” the creature speaks with a familiar voice yet seems to be struggling with just this much. “Am…” not only does it fail to be THAT intimidating, but it also fails to make a sentence in less than 30 seconds. “Ci.r.r.r..no…” that’s no longer than a simple introduction, even then they’re not looking your way nor are you sure if it’s talking to you or if it’s gone and lost its sanity.

What do you know however is that you're on your own, probably inside a weird-space that’s inside a weird-space (Weird-space-ception) and that with your luck that the whole place loops around too.

Because good things just don't happen to little cute you~

Also, again, you’re not afraid.

Just weirded out by the creepiness and super luck out of luck.

Or in other words you’re fucked, like usual and need to make a decision: LIKE USUAL!

You're totally not peeved about this, you're totally not thinking this is unfair.

Oh, and that dumb crown you pulled off is warmly sitting in your hands, like a mockery of a prize.

Despite all those factors; those little droplets off spite have yet to leave your system.

Giving you ample time to come up with a way to handle this.

But, what is that way Rumia? Can you think your way out of this? What's your next grand idea?

[ ] That thing is NOT Cirno and you should inform it of that much!
[ ] Here’s a bright idea: Just, uh walk away and hope it doesn’t see you.
[ ] Yet another idea: Try calling for help, maybe you’re not alone at all.
[ ] Finally, here’s another idea: Make your own choice as a write-in.

/forest/res/31922.html#32035" class="ref|forest|31922|32035

Yeah, the synopsis does give cat-vibes doesn't it? That was on purpose.
As for the egg, it's currently elsewhere under Reimu's care. (Which is honestly the safest place it could be at rn)
Thanks for the compliment, I'll do my best to keep this as 'Fantastic' as you just said. It means a lot.

That said, back to the story!

---

“No, you are NOT Cirno!” you reply firmly to the creature as that is the one thing you’re sure about. “You’ve never been her and will never be!” and go out of your way to reject IT with everything you got, you won’t be fooled by its appearance or voice, it is just another enemy to be eliminated! Another foul monster that tries to put up a friendly facade that should be exterminated!

IF you can even take it on that is, “Ah! I…am…” speaking of which the creature’s third eye is now looking your way with a sharp gaze, so now you’re under its radar. “DEFINITLY…Cirno?” which you doubt is a good thing as the very moment it speaks, your surroundings change again, or at least they are now swirling counter-clockwise. So, it can control this space with just a word.

How great...

Well, control is a big word. As the way the thing is looking at you right now doesn’t seem to imply it wants to hurt you.

As creepy as it looks, you feel absolutely zero malice from the thing to be honest.

That doesn’t stop an outburst of energy to envelop the area and blast your ass off into the distance the way a bat makes a ball hit a home-run, the force and momentum makes you unable to stop mid-air even though you’re flailing about like a bird hit by a meteor. As in trying to escape this.

Despite all that, your impromptu flight doesn’t last long as you land head-first back to where you were before, youch…which plenty of bruises on your body from the rough-landing.

Good thing you can heal though, those bruises will be gone in a minute or two!

And pain does not change your approach in any way! “Are you deaf and blind? I said you’re not Cirno! You’re too tall, way too ugly and if you looked in a mirror then you’d knew you’d never ever beat the original! You’re nothing more than someone’s puppet! A useless existence! Complete rubbish!” and you continue insulting the thing with all your vigour while you remain on your knees, that flight didn’t hurt too much but man is it making you feel dizzy…something that’s convenient for the creature because if you could get close to it now, then you’d rip the bastard apart limb from li-

Somehow, those abusive words do not make it crush you like the insect you are (yet).
Because it's very much capable of that, you have no illusions over that. You just don't care.

Instead, the faker raises one of its eyebrows as the very notion of your theory takes all its remaining brain-cells to grind together before it can even understand the concept. “How…do…. you…know…?” and it doubts your doubt as you're doubting it's confidence. “I…am…all...off...Me….me…know…who…I…am…best?” as if it wants you to elaborate, as if the thing actually has the ability to think.

“Because I’m her friend, d’uh.” you huff at the sight of this moron, if it can’t even understand that it’s not the real deal then oh boy are you going to NOT enjoy your stay in wherever this is…even so, “And friends are people that know each other really well, so I know her better than you ever will!”

“Fr..iend…” again, the creature considers your words. Pondering it all for a few seconds while it’s big third eye glares at you with the intensity a father would towards some boy that they consider unworthy of their daughter’s hands. “Does that…mean…we...friends?” and it asks the dumbest question one could ever provide in this situation.

[ ] No, because you’re not MY Cirno, you fricking MORON. YOU ARE FAKE!
[ ] N-…wait, is this an opportunity? Uh, yes! Yes, we are! WE ARE FRIENDS!
[ ] Fake Cirno, I am your father.
[ ] Write-in

Friends?

Did that thing just genuinely ask you if you are its friend?

What gave it the idea that you are?

What else have you been if not hostile towards it?

In what reality and in what reality could you be friends?

“N- “You scoff at the idea, if not reject it with the most vitriol you can give a person. If it wasn’t for the last-minute idea that comes to your mind. “Uh, yes, we are! Yes, we are friends!”

Because guess what?

Maybe being its friend would prevent it from trying to harm you in any possible way if not make it easier to manipulate.

The thing doesn’t look that smart after all and the way they’re talking, and twitching gives off the mannerism of a child if it wasn’t for the everything else.

So maybe, maybe it’s a powerful dumbass?

If it can’t tell what it is, then clearly, it’s an idiot!

This will be like fooling a baby that you’re it’s bud so that you can later stab it to death.

Which is fine by you, or at the least it’s okay if that dumb faker is the one being stabbed.

You don’t care much for stabbing babies, there’s no challenge behind it-and why are you thinking this?

Stabbing fantasies aside, you take a glance at the creature again and notice that it’s been staring at the sky in total silence for a few seconds now, it’s face completely obscured in the process. You’re not sure why that is and are confident that it can’t read minds because otherwise it’d have seen through you already so why isn’t it doing anything? You have half a mind to prod it now.

But there’s no need for that, for soon enough. You notice droplets of water falling beneath it. “Fri…iend……frie…end!” and though its voice is a mix between your pals and the cries of the damned, even you are not dense enough to notice that the creature is having tears of joy at the prospect of a friendship. You can imagine how much that messes up your image of it, “Little…sister…has been playing too long without me…” its voice stifled with an odd sadness sounds a lot clearer, the emotions it’s feeling doing a huge job to its brain-juices or so you assume.

“Middle Sister….is dead….and Big sister is too busy…. nobody’s been visiting me…. for long…long…time. Why? I…don’t know. Have important job here too, am core of this place…. drain energy of prisoners….and make toys with it….is important job, allows incident to prosper in first place. Life of toys root inside me…and sprouts…outside…why I’m doing this I don’t remember. Is it good thing? Is it bad thing? Doesn’t matter.” And now it speaks clearly, their face now firm with determination.

“Because sisters need me! They called me when no one else did! I’m not alone anymore! I’m useful and needed! I’m allowed to stay here! Stay…here…” it lets out a demonic chuckle at the last words.

“As if I can leave…I AM this place, tower, stairs, cannon, everything inside here IS me. Part of my body, crown too is part of me, lets person control this place but without…I am free to do what I want now. Nobody can stop me now! If nobody will come visit, then I will visit everybody! I will have fun outside here!!!”

The surroundings distort again after that declaration, and it takes your everything to not keep your gaze on them or else you might start to feel dizzy if not sick on how bizarre this place is.

That all said, you have only thing to say to this new declaration.

Oh, shit.

Let me rephrase that.

Oh, shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

Man, that word is kind of satisfying to say now that you think of it. But now’s not the time to be distracted!

Because if that thing’s self-pity party is true, then you’ve found the source of the Anon Objects.

And are most likely right under the whole palacy bit like where that factory bit led to?

Something like that. You’re no cartographer but if you had to describe this room, then it would be the boss room.

And you’ve somehow managed to make this thing cry because it thinks it has a friend now?

Honestly, you’ve got no idea what to make of that. But do know what you want to say. “Hey, bud! IF you’re the one making toys. Then could you unmake them? I mean like, is there a cure for the stuff?” and by that you mean asking the culprit if there’s a way to undo the effects even if now is not the time for asking such a thing. It’s not like you’re going to have a better idea of when to ask anyway.

“But...who is me?” Great, it’s ignoring you in favour of melodrama. “Don’t remember, only remember sisters and orders. Told me I was Cirno and Cirno do this. Yet friend says opposite…and friends are people that know people well, so who’s to say friend not wrong? What is true? What is fake? What is I? If I’m the fake, then who’s the real? If I’m the real, then who’s the fake…”

…Okay, so…did you give it an identity breakdown? Cause it looks like you gave it one.

Not that you feel responsible about that in any way, if anything that’s one less threat to worry abo-

You don’t even finish that sentence, as one moment you’re just standing there taking a glance at the crown and the next you’re being lifted into the air by an invisible force and forced to make eye-contact with your eldritch pal. “YOU! You, you, you, you! You are friend, you…know! Who am I! Tell me who is me! Tell me who is me NOW! Give me truth or I get angry! Talk! Talk! Talk! TALK!” and that’s kind of a bad situation, but if you look at the positive: it didn’t have the brain to take back the crown.

Or at least it hasn’t do so yet as the thing is still within grasp of your right-hand.

Though…

Does having it right now really change anything? It’s not like you can put it on while you’re right in front of it and even if you had the guts to do so your own body feels like it’s being forcefully put inside a small body-sized box that’s keeping you in the air.

Speaking of air, there’s none in it!

Or at least not a lot, as you’re already very uncomfortable and feeling very dizzy.

So, either you’re starting to slowly choke inside a tiny man-sized space or the mere voracious look that the thing in front of you is giving you as it demands answers is far more menacing than you actually think it is.

Casual danger dialog done that doesn’t change the fact you’re going to need to give an abomination that looks like Cirno answers about its identity that will satisfy it.

Or else it’ll probably do things to you better left unmentioned, or maybe it’ll let you go? You don’t know…

Do you want to take the gamble though?

“Wow, you sure fucked up. Bud.” Too bad that decision won’t be yours, for another familiar voice speaks to you and the moment you look at them, you start doubting your sanity.

For it is another goddamn Cirno!

“Great eyes you’ve got there. But that’s also wrong!” The…uh, one Cirno, two Cirno, the third Cirno speaks up as they waggle one finger all adventure like at you. “I’m not only Cirno, but I’m also…you know what, why not show off?”

Before you can even register how they do it, their form changes to a perfect match of Meiling’s. “Meiling!” then Cirno, “Cirno!” and finally the Hakurei. “Reimu! And everything else that has a form, including you!” with a clap it stops with an end-result of having everyone’s traits, with Meiling’s red hair, the face of the Hakurei and her ribbon, the feet, and wings of Cirno and ending it all with just your clothes as if to say that’s the only noticeable thing about or maybe you’re just sensitive.

“Tadah! Do you like what you see? Cause I can take many other forms if not~” the new creature ends their introduction with a cutesy pose and a wink at you, as if they’re some quirky maiden and totally not ignoring the fact that it’s disturbing a quite intense scene already.

“Yes, yes! I like what I see! So, hurry up and help me!” though you don’t care about the interruption, you fake compliment it and genuinely hope that they’re here to stop you from meeting your demise.

“Oh, will that be your first wish?” the creature puts both her hands under her chin and looks at you appraisingly, it’s such an unnecessary move to look cute and you don’t really get what she meant by wish but you just nod yes anyway because not being in danger is totally worth it.

“Okieday!” she replies with a thumbs-up and then moves towards the Fake Cirno, before casually giving it a small kick. “Hey, sis! What’s the big idea here? Don’t you know not to mess with guests?”

This gets the creature’s attention (and naturally your own), it doesn’t look too pleased by the action. “…Is my friend…means I can do whatever I want to her, and she’d forgive me…. stay out of thi- “

“IS that a way to talk to your elders?” even so, the other girl doesn’t even let the concept of refusal leave the fake Cirno’s mouth, instead she floats up towards her and gives her a healthy slap on the cheek, with enough force that it becomes red. Casually making a fool out of it. “Remember there’s a hierarchy dear sister and that just because you’re a creepazoid. That doesn’t mean you get to defy me. Do, you, UNDERSTAND?” additionally the shock makes it drop you but what’s more noticeable is the insane amount of pressure you can feel in their smile as they glare down their ‘younger’ sister?

Of course, there’s no way this won’t turn violent. As the fake Cirno’s eyes turn into a black chasm filled with liquid hatred, the surroundings flare up and their voice becomes legion. “You shouldn’t have done that…you shouldn’t have done that! You shouldn’t have done tha-”

They just get slapped again, twice as hard if the way they flinch says anything. “Shut up, don’t defy your big sister. Don’t get overconfident because you’re an important key in this, I can replace you.” But the voice behind the slapper is no less jovial if not cheery, as if they’re both just being silly billies.

Still the threat of being ‘replaced’ is enough to make the fake Cirno stop their whole intimidating thing and the surroundings return to their normal spookiness as they look at the ground with fear and tears in their eyes. As if to acknowledge that the other girl is superior to them in every way.

Is that the situation? Cause again, you’re not sure what to make of this.

One moment you’re about to be tortured for info because you’re a ‘friend’ and the next, some random ass saves your butt.

Course that means you’re now in company of not one, but two people responsible for this incident.

You’d praise yourself for finally getting here but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re in the company of two bad gals who are far more powerful than you and could kill you on a whim….


“Anyway, you all-right Rum?” the stronger of the two culprits casually walks towards your prone form. Tending a hand towards you as if they want to help you get up. “Cause I’m happy to see you~”

“What?” you can’t help but blurt out dumbly, completely shocked at the casual attitude she’s showing and even more at how she knows your name. “How do you know who I am?”

“That’ll come in time, mainly the time it takes for you to get your face off the ground.” She replies and is still tending her hand, as if she doesn’t know that you would gladly rip it out of her flesh….

Even so, you don’t. Not because you’re some little coward but because right now, these two are proving themselves to be quite the information sources. Like no joke, you haven’t said anything special and yet here you are learning more by every word that comes out of their dumb mouths.
And that information is information that you can totally snitch about later! With that idea in mind, you get up by yourself, dust yourself off and do your best to give the girl the most stoic look you have. “Okay, there! I’m off the ground, so how about you tell me how you know my name now?”

“No problemo, Rumino~” again, the girl acts silly for no reason. “But first…”

“Why don’t you go and make your other two wishes first?” she says while casually grabbing one of your arms and giving you a look that makes her eyes somehow super cartoony, but more importantly she is grabbing onto you without your permission and there’s no way you’ll allow that!

SO…you gently push her back. That may sound anti-climactic, but it honestly takes every fibre of self-control and ‘it’s for a greater purpose’ kind of reasoning for you to not bite her face off. “You’re too close, also what do you mean by wishes?” so to distract yourself, you ask that question.

She doesn’t mind being pushed back, simply pouting a bit for no reason then at once jumping up the moment you asked her that. “Oh, that’s quite simple! Since your actions have been very helpful to us and you’ve also just freed my little sister here. You’re getting three wishes as a token of my gratitude. Sadly, you’ve used one for me to save your life, so you’ve got two more remaining.”

None of that makes sense to you, “I want a hundred more wishes and absolute omnipotence.” naturally you then reply with the most obvious sarcasm-voice that you can manage towards it as there's no way you'd just trust some random person.

“Ah, so you’re a clever one!” the girl giggles mischievously, as if she expected that. “Very clever indeed, though I didn’t think it necessary I shall clear up a couple of things…” she casually drops her index finger at your chest. “One: I’m offering these wishes only in gratitude for your actions, I’m in no way bound or compelled to fulfil them. I’m doing this out of generosity after all.” Then when you move your hand to grab her finger, she grabs your arm instead and pulls you closer with a strength superior to your own, then whispers in your ear with the gentlest yet menacing tone you’ve heard so far. “Secondly, my sister is an extremely powerful magical being who was sealed for a reason. You’ve unleashed yet another great evil unto your world. Of course, I’d have done it myself eventually, but you really sped things up hence my gratitude. Now thirdly: You youkai’s have done a great disservice to us, you can’t possibly imagine what’s going to happen as retribution but let’s just say that whatever you wish for, you’ll be at best, worm king of your fellows once we’re done with this game. So, let’s hear your two wishes again, oh clever one.”

….

[ ] She can shove her ‘wishes’ right up her a---! (You’re not taking this, fight back!)
[ ] …You hate even thinking about this, but a wish is wish. (Use your two wishes, ya baby.)
[ ] There has to be another way, think Rumia! Think! (Write-in to try something else)

> I wish my friends Reimu, Cirno, and Meiling were here. And I mean the real ones, not some doppelganger. That way I can introduce them to my new friend Not-Cirno.

Okay, quick recollection: Some ‘older sister’ appeared out of nowhere, threatened your about to be way out of here and immediately afterwards demands you give it wishes for reasons it refuses to divulge. Even though it clearly holds a level of like for you?

So the question is…

Is she in a good mood or just toying with you before the kill?

You don’t know but are fully aware that the slightest mistake could result in a very painful death. In fact, it’d be such a terrible fate that you cannot help but bless the waves of calmness that’s over you right now, because otherwise…

You’d have attacked her by now, if not insulted her.

Only to find out that she can manipulate you like a puppy, commands you to stab yourself ten times in the eyes and then you bleed to death, the end.

Well, you don’t know if she can do that.

But the possibility is there, so just this once it’s better to regret not doing something than regret doing it and finding out what happens afterwards.

That thought firmly etched into your mind, you make your first wish as a test and genuine hope for back-up, “I wish my friends, Reimu, Cirno-yada yada-“you know the words, now all you can do is keep your hands tight and hope that she’s too cocky to refuse such a blatantly bad wish to fulfil.

“No, can do!” But she doesn’t, she refuses the wish with a smile on her face and her finger oh so waggly again. “I’m afraid I wasn’t born ten days ago, unlike someone else in the room.” You’re not sure if that was a jab or a reference to someone else, even so she continues while some sort of transformation occurs on her. “But no need to worry, for if you’re that lonely…” she traces off.

Just so she can transform into a copy of you, “Then you have a friend in me! We’re best friends even!” yet the form itself is blatantly wrong, your skin is the wrong colour, her hair is the wrong colour and she’s still got the size of Meiling just so she can look down on you as a bonus to it.


“…” And though you’d love to say this doesn’t affect you. Seeing something that looks like your body being played with, if not fondled on purpose just to piss you off….is not a FUN experience.

Great, now you captain obvious’d yourself! “Mhm? What’s wrong? You sure are quiet~” though even your attempt at not reacting to her nonsense is enough to increase the annoying’s creature fake smile into an overconfident smirk. “Relax, Rum. I’m only joking here! Isn’t that what friends doooo?” and she continues to fan the flames, by pretending you two know each other and by making light of you.

Despite those factors, you give nothing more than your stoic look. You’ve already realized that you can’t beat her up in a straight up fight, so the best you can do is NOT give her the satisfaction of getting into your head. “So, if you don’t do that wish, can I try again with another one?” to that purpose you change the subject and try to in a way, refund the wish that she refused to grant.

As if feeling left out, the Not-Cirno starts to speak, “What…. are…you…all doing?” she doesn’t seem to realize that there’s a tension between you two that’s provoking a staring contest right now.

“Sh-Just be quiet for a moment, sis. The grown-ups are talking.” The older sister just ignores her and if the way the other girl just flinched and does shut up. May or not have implied that as a direct order, “Anyway, you said something about trying a wish again Rum? Sure, you can do that.” And now that the staring contest is over, she quickly gives you permission to wish again, if only to…

You don’t know she’s doing anything but anyway, “Ahem…. I wish for…” it’s wishing time!

> Ask the shapeshifter about her grand plan.

“For you tell me about your grand plan and to spare no detail!” a great wish if you say so yourself, for now she’s going to tell absolutely everything there is to know about her evil plan and you’ll-

“Nah, that feels like a hassle.” With a shrug and a lazy moan, the girl calmly refuses your request, as if you just asked her to move a bunch of heavy stuff instead of just saying a few words. “Besides, what fun is there in an evil plan that’s already told? Don’t you know that announcing one’s plan is a good way to make fate laugh? Even worse, if it’s prevented after being told then all the hype was for nothing and if the plan goes along anyway then it was all a spoiler. You just don’t win when you reveal plans that concern the future, Rum. So, I’m afraid I’m going to have to say no to that too.”

Oh, come on! Is this a joke! Is this THE joke?! That she’s going to make you wish for a bunch of stuff that she never intends to grant you anyway?

What a dirty person!

What an absolute ass!

What a dirty ass-person!

“Though…” she speaks up before you can protest or even give a sarcastic remark, putting a finger to seal your mouth as an unnecessary gesture. “I guess I can tell you about things that have happened…IN THE PAST, shocker I know! But worst-case-”

“I’d just learn things I already knew.” You reply, ignoring once again the urge to attack and just move the finger away from you. Oh, maybe you’ve failed to mention but the moment she went to transform she backed off a few steps from you but now she’s back to the awkward proximity. That aside, “Tell me anyway, maybe it’ll be a big reveal about stuff I don’t know, shocker I know!”

She ignores your repetition of her last sentence and simply nods, as if amazed. Then lets out a small clap accompanied by a just as big creepy giggle. “You sure are a smart cookie, Rum. But okay, if you want to know about the things, I have DONE instead of what I’m about to DO, then sure, allow me…”

She takes a deep breath, just for emphasis. “TO MONOLOGUE!”

Oh, boy. You just wait for her to start, knowing deep down that this is going to be a pain.
And off she goes, starting it all with an overly dramatic hand-gesture towards the sky even though there’s nothing to be seen in the air, “Let’s go back to eleven years in the past, 2006 is what the year would be. It was a wonderful time where people still actually fought over which consoles were better and when unregistered hypercam was on the top of everyone’s bumblepuck’s YouTube vide- “

She says a bunch of things that other would probably understand but to you may as well be another language, either way she seems to be talking about how the past was better? “2006 is also the year when Nintendo dropped the Wii console which allowed everyone to channel their inner Darth Maul to full effect with its high-tech motion controls…. hehe.”

But how is this relevant?

To your own regret, you do not interrupt her and continue listening to her nonsense, most of it consists of praising this ‘console’ non-stop as if it was her own personal holy grail. “The Wii was Nintendo’s best-selling console and as of to-date, the fourth best-selling console in the world of all time!” and finally, with a sparkle in her eyes she seems done with that subject. Only for her eyes to harden and for her to once again dramatically point…at the ground this time, “BUT THEN, came 2012, and this is the year that they completely shat the bed, I don’t know how to describe but it was like if you had a bicycle that could fly into the sky when you pedal hard enough but in your cockiness you go so fast and so bad that inevitably you get hit by an air-plane the same way some fly is crushed between one’s mother giraffe crazy thighs. It was truly something you had to experience but surely you can relate to this as something similar has happened to you right?” she waits for an answer.

Again, how is this relevant? “No…but continue.” Even so, you just WAIT yet again. Knowing that every second given to you is a second in which she could actually release useful info… maybe.

“Anyway, the most terrible abomination made by them is known as the Wii-U.” She declares with venom towards the name, as if this ‘console’ has killed her very own mother, “Naturally it received unparalleled hatred for it’s lack of power, it’s battery life being abysmal and it wasn’t exactly friendly to third-party releases…” again, she takes a moment to catch her breathe and then rambles on, “Though…out of the three games that did come out, I believe only one of them was truly worth something, yes, it was a hidden master-piece that showed all the good elements out of the console experience and that game was…” dramatic pause, “Zombi-U!”

Okay, you know what? Screw being polite, it’s clear now that if you give her too much leeway then she’s just going to troll every single penny out of you that she can take and enough is enough! “I don’t think this is important in any wa- “

“GREAT NAME-CHOICE ASIDE!” But she unashamedly just shouts over you the moment you try to talk, as if she’s obsessed with what she’s about to talk about. “Zombi-U is a survival horror first-person shooter that’s developed by Ubisoft. That’s a company known for making games that are filled to the brim with glitches just so you know but anyway, the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Britain, which honestly doesn’t make a real difference if you’ve seen the place but ahem, it’s a game where you have to survive an average Monday-morning in London against an never-ending horde of panzer house residents who refuse to brush their teeth if their toothpaste is not of the specific tea-flavour that they so adore, nor do they want to pay their council taxes. All the while you also have to deal with the neighbour’s noise complaints and the local constabulary that are there to make sure that you’ve paid your telly license.” And she rambles on, and on, and on….

Oh god, she’s just going to keep talking nonsense no matter what you’re about to say or do now is she?

In that case, aren’t you better off doing something else with the time you’ve been given?

[ ] Slap the ‘quirky’ broad, throw caution to the wind and MAKE her talk about something that make sense. She’s done nothing but waste your time and annoy you and you’re about to be LIVID.
[ ] Use the opportunity and hope she doesn’t notice you doing something else. [Write-in]. Though if she does notice, keep in mind that things may about to get real, real, super bad….is it worth the risk?
[ ] She’s annoying you on purpose, keep waiting till she tires herself out and maybe then she’ll start making sense. But until then you’re not giving her any sort of satisfaction by filling her expectation.

/forest/res/31922.html#32048" class="ref|forest|31922|32048

Your other actions will be continued after this vote, just so you know that your big write-in was not for nothing.
This is more a case off, do you dare try to use this opportunity or not? kind of moment in the middle of things.

I'll just pick the safest 'wait' option once I'm free tommorow so you have until then.

> [®] Discreetly use the shadows only visible to the Giant to make a shadow play of figures resembling us, aiding her in teaching a lesson to the Shapeshifter, and an afterward party scene where new friends surround the Giant, laughing and showing utmost admiration!

You know this would be the part where you’d respond with sarcasm to such an idea, like by saying something along the lines ‘Oh yes, let’s try to do something sneaky while the person is right in front of you, wait, oh wait, even better! Let’s try to convince their ‘sister’ that they should revolt against their family member, as if such an idea could totally not backfire because the lil sis is a doormat.’

Except you don’t, and that’s only because of one reason: That it might be possible.

Now hold on, you’re not saying that the plan would have a hundred percent success chance but if you’re careful and uh, try to be ULTRA SNEAKY then maybe it could work, just uh, don’t think of the ways this can suck?

And stay positive! Because as ‘in style’ the sadness train used to be, that chapter is gone now.

It was a shameful chapter, one you'll never mention again, so shut up and focus.

Now that you're focusing, you realize that if you try your sneaky thing while she’s looking at you then she’ll obviously notice.

So, you’ve got to also do it in a way that she won’t notice or you'll fail again.

But even then, fail to keep up a poker face and she’ll notice it anyway because you wear your heart on a sleeve. So, the best you can do is try to make sure your dead fisheyes look doesn’t budge the tiniest muscle.

But even then, you still have to worry ab…

Okay, never mind. That’s exactly the opposite of not thinking of ways this can suck. You’re stalling for time rather than acting so let’s try that again. There’s no need to be scared after all!

Aside from the fact that you’re all alone on a hostile plane and completely lost on what to-

Ahem, keep everything in check, use the experience you’ve obtained in this adventure and show them once and for all that the darkness has proficiency in the art of lies!

FIGHT RUMIA FIGHT!

Looks like your luck hasn’t backfired yet as the whole time it took you to get motivated the strange girl is still babbling her own nonsense, not even looking at you as even though she refused to tell you the big evil plan she must still be in love with her own voice, and you should be using that.

So, you do, after having 500 words of self-hyping. You finally take the sneakiest of actions!

You do not gather your energy, for the odds of her being sensitive to the changes in power levels like this is some battle show is not impossible with your recent luck.

Instead, you keep it all at a minimum, visualizing yourself instead like a faucet who’s trying hard, and I mean really hard to only let out a single drop of your sneaky monkey business.

Like a monkey who’s preparing a sneaky monkey business because monkeys are sneaky. You know they’re sneaky because you’ve never seen any of them outside of pictures.

And though some may ask for evidence, you just know they are real.

Monkey business aside, your own shadow…wait, no that’s too obvious. You take a glance towards Not-Cirno again and notice that she’s giving you a glance as well, so your eyes meet. “Ah!” realizing that she’s been staring at you with a confused expression she now looks down in embarrassment, her cheeks burning a tiny shade of red and why the hell does she look so much like Cirno, it’s creeping you out, it’s creeping you out and how dare it even try to look c-IT HAS A SHADOW!

Yeah, it does have one. Even though there’s no real bright light in the room, you can see a small shadow right underneath her, so that’s a subtler way to communicate with her.

Not worrying about whether or not you can even manipulate someone else’s shadow, you just focus the tiniest bit of energy and visualize the shape you want the darkness to take…and move it does. The shadows beneath take the form of figures resembling her and you, the others and overall, the message you wanted to give out with the occasional change in scenery in it.

Something that she easily notices and immediately does her best on to try and decipher…before glancing back at you.

With a look of pure misery, ‘I can’t do that.’ is what her eyes are saying, emphasis on can’t as though the offer is very, very tempting. Yet whatever feelings or obligations she has, 'I’m so sorry, I’d love friends, but family goes first...Sister goes first, sure she’s mean sometimes but deep down she’s a good girl! I know...that she loves me. S-she just shows it in an odd way... are things you could imagine her saying out loud if she didn’t have the understanding that this is a discrete message and so doesn’t go out of her way to snitch you out towards the person, she’s most loyal towards.

Loyalty that’s probably undeserved too, let’s not kid ourselves here. It’s clear to you now that although her form is disgusting and revolting to the eye, the inside of her…. COULD be that of a naïve and pitiful girl who’s got no idea about what they’re involved in and other dramatic nonsense, bah.

But fine, don’t think this means that you’re a sappy one. But you’re going to defeat this shapeshifter and save everyone, not only the people you know but all those this witch is likely abusing! ‘If you’re not going to help, then give me a fair chance, let me fight her one on one and don’t interfere plz’ is the message you sent back, a message to which she stays silent…except for a tiny nod.

“Are you done trying to be sneaky?” the person who looks like you but isn’t you says with a smile that shows all her shark-like teeth while ignoring personal space rules again. “Cause honestly, I think that’s a very rude gesture you’re doing. It’s something only a naughty girl would do and that’s no good~” she continues with mirth before poking you on the nose and waiting for a response.

“Well, you’re naughtier.” You reply lamely, while refusing to be intimidated or take a step back as it’s clear now that she’d just get into your face again if you did. “Getting all close to me, acting all friendly as if you know me and worst of all, creating the most unfun incident ever….”

“Guilty as charged~” she responds again, with absolutely zero denial towards her deeds, then calmly grabs one of your shoulders and stares into your eyes with the same look as usual. Before pulling her tongue at you like a cheeky kid, “Though, Rum, rum. You oh so silly Rum, do you even know the cir- “

“You’re using a bunch of anon-objects to cause a distraction because you’re either stalling for time or just waiting for some hero to show up so you can increase the odds and tension of the ‘Game’.” You cut her off, knowing enough by now that even you could make a guess towards the ‘dynamic’ of a villainous plan, in fact it’s even easier seeing how you’ve had many fantasies about them. “Am I wrong?” and despite it not being a wise choice, you let out a single snort at her surprised silence.

A silence that’s quickly replaced by sounds of clapping. “Congratulations!” she responds joyfully with the body of wriggle, “Congratulations!” she says this time with that of Marisa’s, “Congratulations!” she repeats her statement with a different body each time, yet it’s not to unnerve you. The way she talks and moves, and beams shows an outright happiness at the revelation that you know this much.

A happiness that she’s willing to share with you, through a non-consensual hug. “Oh, Rumia!” and even less consensual pats on your head while rubbing her cheeks against you like you’re the cutest alive or some teddy bear for her own personal comfort. “Oh, you’re such a good girl! Oh, you’re such a smart girl! Every single second with you has truly been a joy so far, frankly you’re my best girl!” and though you’ve got no idea what a ‘best girl’ is, you don’t think you’d want to know but that aside…

You see another opportunity here, the way she’s holding you is keeping your right arm free, which just happens to be the hand holding the crown. And the way she’s having a super disgustful one-sided joy rush is what you believe to be her at her most vulnerable moment right now…

Huh, you didn’t even need to use a third ‘wish’.

[ ] Take the opportunity, try to put that crown on her head now!

[ ] Not yet, wish your last wish while keeping the hug going.

“So, what does it all mean then?” The girl hugging you suddenly speaks up while looking you in the eyes with that of the Hakurei’s, the smile on her face feeling so out of place on the shrine maiden.

Not that the Hakurei has never smiled, but she’s never shown you such a friend-filled one.

And for her to just take a sight like that and make it her own. It just feels perverse.

“Excuse me?” that combined with her weird question puts a delay on your attack as you foolishly…

Give her an excuse to continue talking, “What did you learn today? What’s the moral of this adventure?” she repeats the question with an odd intensity, as if she wants a genuine answer. ‘

But you’ve yet to catch on to that, instead responding with a flustered and confused and frankly peeved, “L-learned? What-the, not to trust anybody? This whole thing su- “but you’re interrupted.

Because that’s not the right answer, “No, no, no. That’s not the-Rumia, Rumia, bud.” Motioning for you to shut up, the girl again WITHOUT consent strokes your cheek. “Rumia, precious, little, Rumia. You need to understand that there’s a reason for everything, so what did you learn today? What grand character development have you gone through this fine adventure? What did you learn?”

You’ve learned that the moment you anyone the chance, they’re going to speak nonsense! Is what you would have liked to say at that moment, instead you went, “Wha? What? Wha-wait, I-ah, ha, wait do you want a serious answer?” all dumb like as you almost laughed out of sheer confusion.

“What did you learn?” she repeats again, with that dumb smile and finally, you got enough.

“NOTHING!” you bellow half-shout and laugh, “Th-this is not a learning experience! This was a torture fest, some cruel joke of a story that had no reason to-STOP SAYING no over and over!” and you grow more heated as every answer you give is met a with a teasing no, nope, no luck and such as if she’s some grand teacher and you some ignorant brat. Like any of this had actual meaning…

“Let’s try again.” The Fake-Reimu cups her hands together before pointing one at her forehead to indicate you should think more carefully. “IF you had to think of something that you had learned today, some grand lesson that you’d forever remember if you live though this, what would it be?”

“I…I’d think you’re just messing with me; you’re really trying to build up over something that you haven’t seen now, have you? Cause I can tell you that NOTHING meaningful happened over- “

“Just give an answer already, Rum. It’s not that haaaaaaaaaaaaard.” She ignores your protest again. “Besides you’re wrong about the first part, we’ve been watching you plenty, today and oh wait…”

“What?” you’re pretty sure she said something she shouldn’t have there. Or no, the way she’s holding her hand over her mouth in fake-shock shows she clearly said it on purpose, she’s riling you up and playing your emotions like they’re a toy “What did you mean by that?!” and it’s working.

“Nothing~” As if it’s nothing! You promptly said back, too infuriated to realize that’s a bad idea. But as if by divine providence, the girl just covers her ears and looks at you with fake pitifulness, “Ow, ow, don’t scream so loudly Rum, don’t you know a girl’s ears are very sensitive? You’re so mean…” you just don’t respond to that and wait for her to continue, which she eventually does by lying on the floor and grabbing onto your leg all dramatically as if the shock exhausted her, “And here I was going to tell you everything…but now I don’t have the strength to say more than a word!” she says by saying more than a word, “Except if….If you were to tell me the moral of this story?” and concludes it all with giving you the most blatant half-assed puppy-eyes in the world.

“Y-you…” Are you enjoying this? Are you going out of your way to mentally mess with me? Don’t you have anything better to do like worrying about the fact that the Hakurei is here? Are many of the things you want to say to her, yet again your current stoniness makes you not do that. “I…wow, you’re really trying to force something out of nothing here aren’t yo- “

“Oh, I’m not anything. I’m just waiting for you to have the kindness to give me back my energy.” The girl once again talks over you. Clearly knowing deep inside that she’s got all the control here….

Ugh, fine. You take in a deep breath…

“The moral is that there is none, some things just happen because strong people see it as a game and the weaklings have no choice but to try and make the best of what they can’t change.” You respond with yet the most cynical yet also the most genuine answer you can think off.

It’s not something you want to personally believe in but the way that everyone has been treating you as a minor distraction, some helpless lost child or an edgy nuisance really has put on the light that whatever actions you are doing won’t probably matter much to anyone but that doesn’t mean they’re useless.

If anything, as long you yourself get what you wanted out of them then the effort was worth it.

So you just have to continue, continue doing your best. That's what you personally believe in.

Such feeling gets a laugh out of the faker, who has again put on the image of you alongside weird formal clothes that really don’t make any sense but must be part of some inside joke. “That’s right, it was all a game! It’s just like your call to adventure, the fake Cirno and I just said. All of it is a game!”

You don’t even know WHO she is, but still, “So then this whole incident is nothing more than a scam? Some excuse for you guys to create some ‘hero’ that’ll look good in the middle of all this even though you were all secretly responsible for it in the first place?” you ask for a final confirmation.

“Pretty much yeah.” The girl nods while casually admitting the truth, finally ending the mystery. “Though there’s much more to that, however, why don’t you do me a favour before I continue?”

You raise an eyebrow at that, surprised at her sudden cooperation and still fully remembering how she refused to even talk about it before. So, what is it that made her change her mind?

“The answer to that is because I’m really impressed with you, for getting this far I mean. Sure, you messed up big-time at the start and genuinely were kind of like a chicken without a head for the majority of the adventure…but look at you now! You’ve come all the way here without anyone’s help! Is what I’d like to say but that’d be a lie right? You’ve received SOME help after all but in the end the one who made the decisions, the one who persevered despite all and managed to get all the way here without letting anyone else be their puppeteer was someone as small and weak as you!”

“Aw, geez. I feel so complimented.” You let out a snark for once, mostly because her constant swings are disturbing you and because you’re having trouble getting to understand if she’s a foe or not.

Surprisingly, or not surprisingly at all. She does not gut you on the spot, instead letting out a creepy giggle instead and removing some weird blue crystal out of her literal body. “Anyway, I think you should be rewarded, so I’m going to give you two choices!”

Oh, wow. You’re gonna LOVE This. “And these choices concern what?”

“Don’t talk over me.” The girl chides you with a not so threatening tone. Then points at her suspiciously clean and overly blue crystal thingy in her hands. “This right here my friend, is the one and only cure that you’ve been looking for. IF you eat this here and now then the chainsaw inside of you shall be forcefully removed and all the effects of it will be gone like water down a drain!” you don’t respond to that, not out of shock at the revelation or because you’re overjoyed but simply because you’re expecting some dumb catch. “Of course, you could also just give it to your good old Moon Doctor and hope that she can make several similar cures with this by studying it but honestly, I don’t care what you’d do with it. It’s your own little choice after all, but afterwards…” she pauses for dramatic effect and then makes her own hand fake-walk over her palm. “Little Rumia will have to go home, take care of some side-quests she hasn’t handled and bam the adventure is over! Or to be more precise the adventure will no longer concern you, either way you’d have your happy ending.”

And there you have it, it’s the generic ‘Take this small win and go home’ option, “And what’s the other choice?” such a thing is usually only given when the bad guy is in a bad spot though so…

Why should you do anything she says? Could it be that perhaps she doesn’t have as much control over the situation that you thought she has? Maybe she’s just pulling hot air on you all along.

“Or you can choose me!” The girl points at herself this time, “And by that, I mean have me reveal the truth of this whole little game. The terrible, oh so brutal, kind of truth that once you know it, you’ll be too deep in all of this for me to let you leave this place alive….so in other words I’d tell you absolutely everything but afterwards we’d need to fight and if you lose then you’re gonna die or at least you’d wish you were dead, I’m not joking on that.” She repeats the words again as if to emphasize their importance then turns to you again. Without any of the usual humour. Smile gone as well.

“So, what is it going to be Rumia?” she asks a final time as the two choices have been shown. “Also, if I were you, I’d choose fast before the old hag realizes what I’m doing and will come visit us~”.

[ ] Reimu’s already here and the truth is overrated. Just take the cure now, the other option can be forced out of her once your stronger allies are done beating the muffins out of her when they arrive.
[ ] This might be the only opportunity to get straight answers, take the chance. Besides if she’s got a cure then maybe there’s more of one, all you’d need to do is run away or fight afterwards.
[ ] Third option, challenge her to a danmaku match for both. But will she even accept?
[ ] Fourth Option, you make up your own idea. [Write-in]

If you want to contact Meatball god then vote for it here again plz, it just didn’t fit rn.

> [x] Hey, wait a minute. I already used my second wish to have you tell me the truth about what's going on, and you went on a rant about zombies and Wii-us. If you are offering to tell me the truth now, that means you were lying about the zombies and Wii-us before. How do I know you won't lie about the truth again?

Yeah, no. You don’t trust the situation in front of you one, tiny, bit.

Mostly for the reasons listed above, one’s that you’re glad to vocalize out loud and because this is where her saying that there are only two choices is nothing more than wrong! For that’s one of the oldest if not easiest tricks in the book and that’s just it, a simple trick to fool you into thinking only those two options are workable.

Because there are way more options than that! This is like…for example, you might say that someone is either alive, or they're dead, ignoring the fact that they might be Dracula. Or you might say that if someone's not a meat eater, they must be some sort of leaf eater, ignoring the very real possibility that they could be Dracula or some evil spawn of an anonymous entity and bla, bla, bla.

In short, you call nonsense on her, “Yeah, I guess you’re right to feel that way. I’m like totally untrustworthy! XD” nonsense to which the girl in front of you unashamedly admits to with yet another useless cute gesture and a just as weird expression before shrugging and moving on. “But you know what? You’re also kind of wrong yourself, as what I’ve said before was NOT completely out of subje- “okay no, she’s clearly making excuses now, which firmly seals her spot as ‘the untrustworthy ass’ inside your book.

So, you don’t take your chances and refuse to wait for her to explain herself. Instead taking out the time to do something much more productive while the girl is off mono-blobbing again.

Starting off, by > [X] Contacting the Meatball God asking for advice on the crown.

As it’s been a while since you contacted her, and you could really use the advice now. Like no joke, this does not feel like the kind of vibe in which you can mess up, it’s a matter of life and death now.

Anyway, not caring whether or not the foe in front of you notices, you clasp both of your hands together and start muttering words of prayers that you barely remember as you try to contact the Meat-Ball God, may her saucy balls rumble the wumblies in the tummies-something and please pick up, I’m totally fucked if you don’t, please pick up Meatball God, please pick up, answer the call!!!

?Hello??

AND PICK UP SHE DOES!

?OH, IS THAT YOU RUMIA!??

YES! It’s a-me, Rumi-yah! You respond back in joy, relieved that no matter what there’s still somebody’s that’s got your back even here and now in the weirdest of places and times.

?WHERE IN THE HECK WERE YOU?! ONE SECOND YOU’RE AT THE HOSPITAL AND THE OTHER YOU’RE POOF, YOU CAN’T JUST DISSAPEAR AND WIPE OFF YOUR SIGNALL GIRL, I WANT AN EXPLANATION!?

Oh, it seems that your joy at the reunion isn’t shared at all. Instead, the Meat-ball god is outright shouting at you with a mix of anger and worry and is that a hint of relief right there? Oh my…

She’s been worried about your absence! Which is something you’d rather find cute in any other situation, but rather than tease and pry or apologize you simply explain the current situation to the best of your ability to her, including on whether you should stab a certain girl with a certain crown.

Your answer is a second of silence, followed by a sharp inhale before the Meat-Ball god says, ?I don’t know if that’s a good idea Rumia, if anything I’d say you’ve committed the biggest mistake of your life? With a sharp tone of voice, an outright vindictive one if you’ve ever heard one. But why?

What did you do wrong? All you did was ask for her advice after all, how is that a mistake?

?That’s because, dear Rumia?

(I am standing right in front of you)

An Ill Fate- Apparations stalk the Night ( https://youtu.be/ACbzUe8Vfto )

“And you fucked up.” The faker says an inch away from you, no longer hugging you and instead looking at you with soulless black eyes as the very air around her reeks of killing intent. “You fucked up, you messed up, you had one last chance to turn things around and failed, you did an oopsie woopsie even though you were so cloooooooooooooose!” she says again with a giggle, the smile on her face still there even though her eyes aren’t anymore.

You frown at her words, realization coming a second too late. But the moment you understand it all.

Your stomach squeezes in place and you say the most natural words to come, “Oh, no.”

“Oh, shit indeed.” The girl replies back in mirth again, her voice changing to one’s more familiar after every single line but still, she doesn’t bother taunting you or even laughing some more as she instead gets to the point. “I guess, you’re going to take the truth then.”

“So don’t mind if I list down a few things I think you should realize now.”

“It’ll be the final monologue you’ll ever hear anyway, so where should I start?”

“Oh, I know!”

“How about I tell you that every time you’ve seen the ‘Ghost of Wriggle’ it was just me trying to keep you motivated? I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the notion of ‘friendship’ letting you perceive your friend beyond the veils of death was nothing more than a cruel illusion.”

“That’s a lie.” You flatly say back and for once your stoic look feels like it’s twitching.

“Not believing me huh? Heh, I guess that’s because you must really be feeling silly now, don’t you? Things like ‘how could I not have seen through this?’ or ‘Why did I not find that suspicious’ must be what you’re thinking right now and frankly you should. Who knew that you of all people would be unable to recognize someone pretending to be your ‘best friend’ as long as it soothed your little lonesome heart?”

“You’re lying!” you firmly speak up again, this time with a tone more desperate. “You have to be, that can’t be true!” and it mustn’t be true, because if it was that easy to fool you, then what else did you do not notice? Who else did you meet who wasn’t actually themselves but just an impostor?

“Oh, am I?” But you’re not fooling her, “Sure, maybe, maybe I’m just lying to you with the hopes of making you doubt your own sanity with details that are so precise that they’re almost uncanny, like how she first appeared after you woke up from being skewered by a tree or how she ate a bunch of popcorn that literally appeared out of nowhere. Or maybe…you’re just desperate to deny the reality that if anyone gives you the slightest of bones that you’d believe their everything. What’s more likely?” she’s enjoying this, her voice is filled with mirth and her whole attitude stinks of an overbearing cockiness, yet her words are still like daggers jabbing into your chest. “What did she say when you woke up again? I think it was something like…” she thinks for a moment.

Then changes into Wriggle’s form, spooky effect and voice included yet all of it feels wrong as she no longer bothers doing it correctly, instead warping it all up. “You really are not having a good day, are you?” and gives off the perfect impression anyway, the perfect recall with the perfect voice...so could it be true?


“Anyway, your little fisheyes aside, I think you’ve also realized that the voices you’ve been hearing were also me, then again how couldn’t you? I just showed it off a second ago.” She changes back to your form while holding a finger over her chin, looking down at you as she doesn’t even bother waiting for more out of you. “I had a longas time that consisted of nothing more than waiting for event x to happen or for event y to be ready, so I thought. Why not fuck around with a complete nobody to waste some time? It was all so easy to make you believe I’m a helpful deity…it only took a day or two of miracles and bam, you’d practically eat out of my hand if I showed myself… honestly what were you thinking Rumia?”

Again, they’re not actually asking you a question, they’re just speaking over you. But what could you even say in this situation? You’re completely out of your element, and you can only tell her to stop or you'll attack her or something!

Which is a threat she just ignores, “What makes you think a ‘god’ of all people would waste their time granting the wishes of a single low-rate youkai? They’ve got standards dear! Standards that a hundred you would never meet! Not now or ever in your lifetime as frankly, you’re pathetic.”

“Still your little hubris was a bit endearing, I can’t deny that the eventual breakdowns made observing you just that much sweeter. Of course, I didn’t just mess with you out of malice, for as the hours have passed and I’ve watched you struggle. I can’t help but say that you grew a little bit on me, I guess that must be the whole ‘observe someone’s journey’ dilemma slash syndrome going into effect there. But mostly, what really made me like you was that you just kept going. Like a car that keeps driving with empty wheels or a doll crawling even though its strings were cut, you just kept flubbing about like a fish on land and seeing that whole debacle just started to feel magical and made my heart start to skip a few beats too~”

“Which is why after a while, I’ve grown from ironically supporting you, to genuinely wanting to see you strive. I wanted you to suffer more and more! So that you could become even more beautiful through the harsh forging experience! like how a blade becomes sharper the more it’s tempered! Alas, for a moment it looked like your little dispute with your green fairy-pal who I may or not may have messed with a bit head-wise got too much on your morale. So, I had no choice but to intervene personally once again: By taking the appearance of Merlin too!”

“Wha-but why would yo- “again, your question is interrupted.

“I knew that you were remotely familiar with her, but not close enough to see anything wrong with her even if she acted super-weird. So, all that was needed for her to ‘join your party’ was for me to find a reason, which I did by simply ordering some of my Tanuki Goons to fake-beat me up d’uh. You were so desperate to be in the right again that engineering a little heroic act was the only little push needed for you to get back at the job, which frankly was a massive success as I've predicted myself. Aren't you impressed by my ingenuity?”

“What about the egg then?” you ask her something for once as she’s finally waiting for a prompt out of you, and you’re not going to amuse her by crying in fear or shouting in rage right now. That doesn’t mean you’re not feeling anything as right now, your mind is a ‘what the duck’ carnival, many suspicions you’ve had, many doubts that have brewn are shaking wildly inside your core right now.

But again, she doesn’t care. “A useless little side-quest item that I gave you just to make sure that nobody else could get all 4 of them. See, here’s the thing. Incidents usually have like good or bad endings, right? In a way that’s like a videogame, get all 4 elemental crystals/ epic sword shards/ plot talismans/ yada yada, get 4 of something to obtain the good ending. So, I made it into a bunch of eggs, because that’s my favourite break-fast meal and I thought it’d be funny. To turn the codes that lead you to the TRUE final zone inside such random things. One would never have expected it.”

“But honestly, why do I have to respect such frugal traditions? Life isn’t a game after all, but you’d be surprised at how whimsical if not outright senile that dumb old bitch we call a mum can possibly be.” The faker lets out a spit at the word ‘mom’ as if such a name on its own revolts her to the very core.

Which is something that doesn’t go unnoticed. “Don’t you call her that!” as NOT-Cirno shouts right back at her with a ferocity and vitriol that makes the girl flinch in response. For that matter you don’t think the girl who just insulted her own mum is making any good impression on NOT-Cirno as the more she talks and the longer it goes on, the more surprised if not aggrieved she feels at the blatant admissions of cruelty and gas-lighting and various other messed up things that she’s been doing.

“Fine, fine. Geez, I was just kidding.” The girl lamely replies while her sister glares at her, then finally realizes that the latter must have been listening in the whole time and looks a bit shocked as if this whole ‘I’m the master-mind all along’ nonsense she’s been talking about wasn’t something she wanted the other to hear about. “And actually, I think you should leave while I have this pr- “

“NO!” the offer is swiftly rejected, and as if to be supportive. The NOT-Cirno moves closer to you. “You’re…being awfully mean, I want to hear everything…. even if it’s bad stuff. I deserve to know.”

“She also threatened to kill me, if you haven’t heard.” You add in, just in case. As while you’re not a family breaker kind of gal, having an ally that will protect you if the need comes would be useful.

“That too! IS out of character! Why? Why are you being so mean right now sister?” NOT-Cirno continues, “None of that is something mother approved! We’re…supposed to make a FUN incident, like…bullets that shoot nice colours and uh…more nice colours? Fun stuff, your stuff sounds like mean stuff!” she says in the middle of a not-so fun background while looking not-so fun herself…

“Well…” The girl trails off, probably too of her horse to just tell the other to shut up right now. “I may or may not have taken some…creative changes?” she lamely offers with a shrug.

“I don’t believe that!” Not-Cirno continues to insist, and you want to see where this is going.

Except the destination of where it is going is not such a fun thing after all. “Oh, put a shoe on it!” The faker says and delivers their shoe aka their foot towards NOT-Cirno’s face. “Not one, but two!” and actively starts trampling the girl’s face in front of you with a mean scowl on her own. Why Not-Cirno’s isn’t defending herself and only lamely begging for her to stop is an outright mystery, but even so.

Is this something you’d just let happen in front of you?

> ---[X] Slam the crown’s sharp point into the faker

Of course not! With the crown in hand, you fly towards hers, make sure you’re in her blind spot.

And charge! Aiming to j-j-j-j-jam it into her backside to hopefully seal her or something!

She’d never expect it, and neither did you. For another face grows into her back, extends their jaw with several razor teeth, and simply blocks the attack by swatting your whole body aside like how a cow’s tail would smash away a fly, all the way onto the oddly warm and soft ground your body lands.

“And that’s your second mistake Rumia, once again. I’m going to make you regret that.”

Naturally, you move your hands to try and get up. Only for one to be stepped on and the other outright impaled by a blue laser in the Faker’s hand. It looks remotely similar like a Moon-Light Ray yet smaller and the way she’s holding looks more like she’s wielding a blade made of moon-light rather than just shooting a laser, but even so that description does not stop the burning feeling that’s emanating from your hands that hurts so bad that the tears are naturally spilling out.

“Oh, why are you crying Rumia?” The faker says with a mock gentleness, even though there’s also another one of hers that’s beating the living heck out of NOT-Cirno for some reason. “Did someone hurt you?” you try to glare at her sarcasm but a swift left-foot in the face stops that. “Oh, there you flinched again. Is someone hurting you right now?” she continues this process until you inevitable learn to shut up and stay still. Towards which she grows a smile and starts squatting in front of you.

“Good, so you’re still capable of learning. That’s good Rum, that’s really good as honestly if you keep acting this way then I’m going to have to start disciplining you extra hard. And I don’t want to d- “

You spit in her face before she can continue, well not really. The spit reaches her shoe, but the sentiment is the same. “GO FUCK YOURSELF!” you loudly say back to her. “Does trampling on us make you feel like a big shot? Do you really think that fooling some idiot like me makes you a m- “

You don’t get to finish that sentence, as the blade burning the flash of your hand slowly travels up your left shoulder, burning whatever layer of skin there was on it as it neatly goes through a bunch of black ooze like how a hot butter knife easily goes through a chocolate cake. “You’re a funny gal, Rumia. But honestly you seem to be misunderstanding something: I’m the one that monologues and you’re the one that shuts up and listens, any other situation will lead to a very bad punishment.”

Her blade finally stops…a few inches away from their final destination. Which happens to be…

Right at your eye, your left eye. The blade of light is being pointed at your eye at such a close distance that even when you close it, you can already see the light through your closed eye-lids. And even if you couldn’t see the light, you can still feel the heat of it from so up-close. “Here’s how things are going to be, I’m going to monologue again and then you’ll choose your option. Anything else is going to result in a very, very bad time. Do you understand that much, Rumia?”

“…. Nghhhh..” you can only growl in frustration at this situation.

“I’m expecting a more verbal answer Rum, don’t be silly now~” which doesn’t please the Faker at all, despite her jovial tone the blade draws a tiny bit closer, the whole thing ready to be jammed in anytime. “And frankly, I really disliked what you were trying to do there. I mean honestly, did you seriously think stabbing some dumb crown into me would have done anything? Not only that but you told me the plan just a moment ago so of course I’d be prepared against such a silly thing as this. You should learn to be less predictable, but frankly it’s the fact that you’re a moron that’s cute.”

Again, you give her a growl. Not wanting to give her any more ammo at this point.

Not that you’re afraid of her or even dare consider submitting but showing any more than this will result in a bad time that you really, really, just don’t want to be inflicted with.

So, you just seethe quietly.

It's the only thing you can do, after all.

“Another growl, huh? That’s quite boring of you…” she moves the blade closer anyway, then lets out a chirp-like kind of noise, “But anyway it’s good that you realized your place as a dog, it’s sparing me a bunch more words on how everything you’ve achieved today was through nothing more than my machinations and generosity towards your oh so lovable sort. I wonder how it feels to know that?”

“…. n…….u” you mumble.

“Mhm? What was that? You gotta speak louder Rum.”

“It’s not true. You’re just a liar!” you repeat again, fully believing it. “Just because you may have encouraged me to do things that doesn’t mean everything, I did was part of your plan! There’s no way you could have predicted that much! Even less so if it was for nothing more than short fun!”

“Aw…that’s so cute. Do you really want to believe that? Do you actually believe that? Or is that just some of the self-determination bull-crap that I’ve been passively feeding you with as well?”

“It was me! It was me wanting to revive Wriggle that brought me here and it’s also what I- “

“Oh, yes, yes. What a brave hero you are, though you still don’t seem to understand. How about I do yet another little magic trick for you to understand what I’m trying to say here?”

She changes form again; her blade removing itself from your proximity as well.

But…

That doesn’t last long as she’s now pointing the thing at you while under Cirno’s guise. “Believe in yourself Rumia! I know things look bad but as long as you believe in yourself and in friendship anything will be possible! Make your own choice! Don’t be tricked! Win for everyone! Everything you’ve experienced, be it your persona, your triumphs, your defeats, and the people you’ve met are all things that you’ve had full control over all this time! Truly you are the hero of Gensokyo!” She’s mocking you, putting doubts into your head while disguising it all as praise in such a blatantly bad way. Because who needs subtlety now that it’s the time for her to gloat her victory over you?

“GAAHHHH!” and it’s working too, as all of it becomes overwhelming. “Shut up! Stop talking!” and you’re reduced to hoping that she’d just finish the job already, cause now there’s nothing you…

Nothing you can do? Somehow that sentence doesn’t feel too right. Is there still a way?

Your musing is interrupted as the girl continues her attempts to break you, “Can’t take the idea that this whole journey, your whole odyssey was nothing more than a cruel joke that wouldn’t have happened if someone else happened to catch my eye, do you? You just must believe you’re special…” she lets out yet another snicker. “Because otherwise, the possibility of a happy ending at this point would be impossible right? ‘She’s too strong’ and ‘When will Reimu save me?’ those are the thoughts you’re thinking aren’t you? And frankly isn’t that proof enough on its own? Isn’t that the proof of your own incompetence right there? I think you lack the qualifications for free will…”

“That can’t be true!” even now you reject the notion with all your heart, you’ve just barely made it back into the show and now is definitely not the time go back in that pool, “I have the rig- “

“You have the right for NOTHING.” The girl kicks your prone form, “Those who are too weak to protect the things they value don’t have the right for anything. That’s the only rule you all have, don’t you? So why is it so hard for you to understand that you’re not the exception here? Are you really that delusional? Are you really that desperate to be special? If so, then I’ll say it one more time...”

“Every Single Path and action you’ve taken or could take was already predetermined, nothing you did or have achieved was something that forced you to go above your own punch-weight because you couldn’t have lost in the first place. This whole adventure and story were nothing more than the parody of a Greek-tale from the very beginning.”

“The concept of ‘fighting for friendship’ that you’ve followed is no less real either, as the truth is that it was nothing more than a pathetic mask for you to put on so you could endow yourself with the strength to keep moving. To fool yourselves into thinking that your cause was right and just even though you yourself could not tell the difference between your real friends and those wearing their skins.”

“Even your identity is nothing more than a joke, as what do you truly know about yourself? Who gave you your name? Why is there a seal on your head? When did you ever become friends with those other four youkais with which you’ve got nothing in common? There are plenty of things that don’t make sense when you give them more than a glance, but you never questioned it. Too afraid to leave your comfortable, hedonistic lifestyle. Too content to just rot in peace while contributing absolutely nothing to the world at large. And what did you do when you realized the latter? You just went deeper into your self-pity, even now you’re still full of it. Despite trying to say otherwise, both your body and mind are already within my grasp, as I can make you hear whatever I want, see whatever I want and your very blood has already been replaced with my own so within just a short time, I can also make you do the things I want. Terrible things to others and definitely yourself.”

“Now, since you’ve been naughty, I’m going to give you different options from last time. And just to warn you: If you take anything else right now, then I’ll melt off your eyes, rip of your skin and make you join all the little mountainfolk as even your body could at least supply a little bit of energy in our little fun fruit-juice thingy. So, consider yourself fore warned and try not to be clever. There's a patience to how kind and generouis even I can be and frankly, you're starting to make me lose my patience...”

“Ahem! now would you like to eat this cure-thingy and then go home? Knowing forever that everything you did was for nothing and that you left this whole adventure out of your own volition?”

“Or would you like to know the truth about everything…or at least more than what I just told you and then die knowing that even finding out the truth did not stop you from winning this?”

“Pick your poison, my beloved...
Extremely
Stupid
Person.”

“Oh, and one more thing: Get Meatballe’d BITCH! That’s something I always wanted to say, but ahem, it’s time for you to pick your poison so go ahead and despair and stuff. I can wait a second or two after all.”

[ ] Poison A: Give up on the adventure.
[ ] Poison B: Know the truth and die.
[ ] Make your own decision at your own risk. (Write in)

Spaghetti and Meatball is a whole dish, ergo they were in cahoots all along.
That's the dumb joke here, though I won't say more than that I apreciated both of your write-ins a lot but that unfortunately telling the MB God about it kind of was a massive mistake to make, but you couldn't have possibly known after all.

I find the Shinji comparision especially funny, but would like to say that despite this...nothing really.

I have nothing else to say, NOT-Cirno is pretty close to being recruited if not on the verge of doing so but even then you still need to get past this situation first lest you may die a very terrible and horrible death. I'll wish you good luck on that.

If you say I copied Metal Gear Solid 2, then you'll hurt my feelings even if it's a bit accurate. Just so you know.

See this image of you losing an eye, being cut in half, and overall having a bad time?

That’s what’s going to happen to you if you fuck this up, so you better be sure on what to do.

But that’s exactly the problem here isn’t it? You’re good at messing up yet not much else and if what the girl who’s currently ready to stab your eyes and all those nasty things said is true then…

What exactly can you do now that wouldn’t be expected or just swiftly shutdown? She made it blatantly clear that you only have two options and that the slightest attempt at making another will be met with a terrible, horrible, super, duper, unfun to the max kind of fate.

This situation is far more dangerous than you could have ever thought of.

Even so, I had to make a choice and that choice was > [X] PLAN B! Truth and death.

“I understand what you plan to do with me now and want to know what this is all truly about before meeting my inevitable fate.” You say the following without scorn, making sure that the girl in front and above you didn’t feel like she was being looked down or mocked. So, there was no fury or sarcasm in your voice, only quiet acceptance or at the least the illusion of that as your shaking body betrays all the rage that you’re trying to hide. Even then, while the illusion of having given up is weak and quite easy to look through, you did not try to put on an insincere smile.

Since who the hell would smile in this situation?

It doesn’t fool the faker one bit, “Pbbt? Eub. Ah hah hah ha hang. Still with the petty tricks⎯⎯⎯? Normally, people who end up in this kind of situation fall into despair, start crying, or get mad, you know? Ooh. Maybe, you think this is a joke? Do you think this is something like a candid cameraaa?” as she simply lets out a chuckle at your choice and draws the light-blade closer to your eye again.

“I don’t.” You firmly reply since this situation had already crossed the line of possibly being a candid camera (which you assume means prank) a long time ago. “Also, if a young girl lets out such an undignified laugh, then people would start to suspect her class, Miss Incident Master-Mind.”

The black eyes of said mastermind, who had stopped moving for a moment, glisten.
Quickly, you continue speaking before her smile could return to her eyes.

“Also, you kind of promised it.” You again speak calmly before she can get aggressive, dreading and knowing that she could just end the conversation any-time the fancy truly strikes her...

“Hmm? What, do you mean?” And it works, as she fakes some curiosity.

“The fact that you’d only kill me AFTER telling me the truth if I chose B. You’ve already told ‘why’ ‘you messed around with’ ‘me’. I’m grateful that you explained the reason behind the ‘past’ and ‘why I’m here’, but I just chose one of the options you wanted me to choose, so what did I do wrong here?”

“Ah, tha–aats.”

The smile in her eye deepens. This response… if I look back at the patterns up till now.

“Are you perhaps trying to tell me that you expected me to try and choose a third option?”

Twitch. The Faker let out a ‘Mm– ‘sound.

“You shouldn’t have the ability to read minds~ Have I forgotten to remove that fun chain of lies thingy? I'm pretty sure it was an one-time thing though...” The faker pulls the blade away so she can poke one of her own cheeks and pull her tongue at you in a display she probably considers cute or bratty.

It’s not, but it looks like you were on the mark here. And if the fact that you haven’t been stabbed to death yet means anything then you believe it’s safe to assume that the girl before you does follow some of her own rules…the problem is understanding what the exception to that would be.

Once you know that, you’d be able to tell where ‘the line’ is. The line as in ‘the border of what kind of attitudes and questions she’ll find tolerable or not suspicious and what will provoke her ire and or trigger her senses into overdrive'. Once you understand how she ticks, you’d have a bigger chance.

But for now, you’ve at least learned that she’s not omnipotent. Ergo, she doesn’t know everything.

Even so, you can’t let these thoughts lead to a silence that lasts too long or she’ll take back control of the situation, so hastily you ask her a dumb question, “But why are you trying to torture me?” it’s a dumb question because she’s already answered it before, and she might hate repeating herself…

“Are you curious?” but she doesn’t seem to mind if anything she might love her own voice.

“Yeah. Is it like the feeling of kicking a puppy or baby?”

“Mm, well, something like that······. There’s a lot, a lo~~t of annoying things piled up. Ehem. I need someone to vent it out on.” And the unlucky plush toy just happened to be you…she even tried to gaslight it into being a good thing to no avail.

“Aren’t you a Mastermind though? You can just torture your subjects.”

‘This idiot!’, the Master-Mind shouts and pounds the floor next to your head powerfully. After doing so, she continues to pound around like a child throwing a tantrum or one that hurt their foot.

“Uu~ I think I broke a nail. Mmm. There’ll be problems if I torture the people of my world. That’s why, you’re here d’uh!” she states with a flourish as if it’s the dumbest question ever asked.

“D’uh?” even so you continue asking her for info, as during that time you’re trying to come up with any potential plan that won’t be stopped the moment you even tried it. Like maybe turning into a shadow or removing her shadow and then the crown’s shadow to like do something missile?…uh, you swore you just tried to think of something ultra-complicated, but whatever thought that is quickly devolves into random garble noises as such a concept is either too complex for you or just highly unlikely in this scenario. You keep the turn into a shadow part of it in mind though.

Either way, there’s no convenient voice to guide you this time on how to use the Power of Darkness in more creative ways and you’ve yet to transform into a shadow now, even though you’d love that.

Maybe you need to like to visualize it more intensely? It’s what helped with the whole squid-thing so maybe if you could fool yourself into thinking it’s something you could always do and that it is as easy as breathing then to make the use of doing such a thing far more accessible.

That still leaves you with two troubles though: How are you to fool yourself into thinking something you clearly know you’re trying to fool yourself with and how are you even going to transform into a shadow without the faker in front of you noticing and just interrupting the whole process?

Or third problem, are you just making things overly complicated because you don’t actually know if you can do that and think you need to do something to ‘learn’ slash ‘unlock’ that kind of power?

Is it even possible in the first place or are you going to look absolutely silly for trying?

Do you really want to gamble your entire life on trying something you’ve never done before?

“Isn’t tormenting otherworldly beings from completely different worlds! More! Rational!?” those thoughts aside, the Faker says something that may sound strange but completely makes sense.

Because what she’s referencing is just a thing out of the border. Like the one you’ve mentioned.

For doing harm means to do harm to the offender as well. The most classic, and yet effective, method of shielding oneself against that reflective damage lies within the usual daily life between Youkais and Humans. Thus, ‘the border’. If you draw a line, you can prevent any type of empathy by declaring that you and the people in question are completely different beings. I now understood what this self-proclaimed ‘Anon-Master Mind’ meant when they were calling me her ‘best girl’. Since I’m an otherworldly being from another world, by declaring it as so, she is able to obtain a psychological immunity······. That’s what she’s probably trying to say.

Whatever it was, the essence was something insignificant. If not a bit ironic?

“Are you going to do it immediately? I mean the torture part once you’re done monologuing about the whole truth of this incident I mean” you ask her just to know if there’s any more potential time.

“Yuup♪” But she gives an immediate response denying that notion.

You really got caught by a bad person.

“What if I wished as my last wish for you to treat your sister better?” you ask her a bit loudly, hoping that it’s loud enough for the other girl to hear and hopefully ferment her potential side-swapping…

“I’d have to respect that wish, though I don’t see the need behind that?” the girl raises an eyebrow at your wish, not really getting what you’re getting at. “Oh, but if you’re trying to stall by sa-“

“You hit her on multiple occasions, called her replaceable and even threatened her.”

“Oh, true, true.” She doesn’t deny it. “But that’s because she wanted it, see here’s the thing: Just look at her, her whole existence is nothing more than a gag made to resemble someone else and not only that, but she fully believes herself to be someone who she’s not. If she so badly then wants me to treat her like I would Cirno or any other Youkai for that matter, then I shall do so.”

She points to another her, patting said NOT-Cirno gently now as their ‘percussive maintenance’ is over and the patted girl is simply looking down to the ground with an unreadable expression. How she’s able to be at multiple places at once you don’t know, but you can tell that the NOT-Cirno must either be used to this treatment or simply doesn’t have the guts to just defy her older sister directly.

It’s disgusting, “So, you abuse her because she doesn’t know who she is then? And that makes it all okay?” but you can’t let out that venom as you stall for more time, you can’t let your emotions out.

“I hit her because I love her and will stop doing so once she stops being silly. Every bruise or scratch given to her in the meantime is nothing more than my expression of our sisterly bond in the meantime. It’s called percussive maintenance after all, but don’t blame me. Blame society!”

“…”

“I’m just kidding~” The girl does another cutesy pose, “By the way, society hasn’t done anything wrong and I’m fully aware of what my actions do, but still if you really had to blame anyone then blame that fat whore that we call a mother. She’s the one that gave us free will and just ditched us to do all the work. If she had only given a tiny bit more attention to everything, then I wouldn’t have hi-jacked this whole incident. Really, if only she was here then-nothing! Did you think I’d give something information that could backfire against me that easily? I’m afraid I’m not duuuumb.”

“What’s…your mother like?” you ask mostly because it could be important info.

“That’s none of your business, at least not until I’ve got my monologue ready.”

“Ready?”

“Yeah, ready. Do you think I got some convenient big script to read? Making speeches isn’t an easy talk Silly Rumy, so just shut up for now, don’t move and let me think about it some more.”

Ah, she’s rubbing her chin and looking upwards now. This could be the opportunity needed.

Darkness envelops me! Turn me into shadows! Something! Something! Work Already!

…. Nothing happens. Despite tiny bits of shadowy smokes rising beneath your body, not a single part of you fleshes, ooze, nails or even hair turns into something incorporeal. Did you do something wrong?

Yeah, that must be it. Otherwise, you’d just be plainly fucked, so you try again.

And again.

And again

And again.

To absolutely no difference.

“You sure are funny, trying to struggle like that.” The girl looks down at you with a smile, having seen the whole attempt anyway, her whole looking away thing was nothing more than bait. “Did you forget what I said earlier? Even though you managed to guess that I was expecting this…I’m surprised you messed up like this anyway, so tell you what? This one’s a freebie but the next one won’t be~” oh, this is bad, but she’s right what were you thinking?

Of course, something dumb as trying to pull some new power out of your ass wouldn’t work...

But you were desperate!

What else could you have possibly done in this situation?!

None of this fair at all!

Even so, you just bite your lip. She still gave you another chance after all, so you may as well t-

“Just kidding! I’m the type that keeps their promises, so now…IT’S TORTURE TIME!!”

She pulls out the blade again, “And boy was I looking forward to it! You know, I frankly prefer the mental kind of torture, since anyone can just take out a scissor and mess about with it. But just for you I’ll make an exception. Feel, honoured that your last moments will give me bliss!”

“WAIT! What about the monologue!? The truth?! You said, you’d talk first! You said you-“

She no longer cares about what you have to say, “I would have monologued a bit, but you’re the one that disobeyed me, Rum! So, from now on, you will be tortured!! Now then, now then. How should I start? Just kidding, I already know! I’ll stab this blade underneath your nail and BAM! raise it using the level principle. I’ll use my teeth and clipclipclipclipclip your eyelids off. I’ll turn my fingers into daggers and slightyslightlyslightlyslightly cut off your lips! Aah, but it’s okay! Don’t worry, since I won’t penetrate your brain when I stab, stab, stab cutleries into your ears! Why? Mm, the reason is. If I do something like that, then in an instant, wooooosh, in an instaaant.”

BANG!! Something strikes your head hard, stunning you immediately and making it feel like the floor is shaking about. Before you can think about why you didn’t dodge that or even tried to bite her hand/foot or even show the slightest sign of fighting for your life, your chin is calmly raised up.

So, she can look into your eyes with a feral grin, and a pathetic expression of your own face is shown through their reflection, “You’ll diiieee, ah hah ha ha!! I won’t kill you immediately. That’s why it’sokayit’sokay. Worries ZERO!” you’ve met a genuine pyscho in your life and now there’s no…

No escape? That can’t be true right? There has to be a way out, right? Come on, anyone show up already! Move your body and unlock some new power already! Do anything to get out of this!

I don’t want to be hurt, I don’t wanna be hurt, I don-Is there some way to dissuade her? Should I just try to get up and blast her with my everything? Should I beg for mercy, what can I do. What ca-

Nononono.

No.

Calm down. Keep it together. [Are you not the Youkai Of Darkness?] Yeah, the [Reason You Fight!], think about it, thinkthinkthinkthink. Okay. As long as I don’t lose my cool-headedness, I can adapt, improvise and overcome anything. It’s not difficult. It’s not difficult at all even for someone stupid.

It’s not difficult for someone who lived peacefully in one of the most dangerous forests their whole life! It’s not difficult for someone who managed to get all the way here anyway! It’s not difficult!

So, calm yourself down, Rumia!!!

Your composure was just barely able to return as you put more and more strength into the spite burning within heart. You raised your head and look at the girl standing by your feet, the ‘Culprit Responsible for this whole debacle’ or however the heck she calls herself.

And you realize one important fact, her eyes don’t have any feelings behind them, nor does she have a shadow.

And a creature that lacks either of them, lacks a soul. Or at least so the stories go.

Also located in the center of her left hand, lies a scar that looked like something that was formed when smashing a pickaxe into a wall of ice with all your strength⎯⎯⎯a rupture that’s amongst all her forms, it’s a sign of weakness if not a wound from which she’s unable to recover from? Perhaps.

You understand three things from this.

First, the fact that this fellow and you were not part of the same ‘youkaikind’ therefore your worldviews are different.

Second, the fact that this is the same feeling you had when you met someone else for the first time⎯⎯⎯that this is fate, that this will be an ill-fated relationship, this feeling passed by after having left your heart tightly bound. Leaving behind the message that there can only be one amongst you.

Finally, that she can be hurt. Even if she’s far more powerful than you, how would you even know that? What kind of oppressive aura have you sensed from her? Why are you assuming things? It’s not like you’re a complete weakling yourself either and you’ve already won fights that were supposed to be impossible in the first place…so why are you giving up this easily? Isn’t it obvouis?

Before this day ends, one of you must die. And by the devil, it WILL not be you!

It doesn’t matter if the incident ends or not, if this girl lives you will not have peace in your life. She has to die in an extremely painful way, every single sense in your body and heart wants that!

The not you who probably feels the same way, is still looking down at you, who is in a pathetic state, giggles and raises a handkerchief she that used to be her right-hand to cover her mouth. “Ah ha ah. It’s embarrassing if you stare at me so intensely, are you thinking of a way out of this? Are you trying to keep your dignity by saying that whatever pain comes you’ll keep your head high? —Like it, matters. Anyway, I’ll start with your eyes, now. So don’t move or this’ll get mesy~” the blade is closing in, and this time it’s not stopping, 3 centimetres, 2 centimetres, in about five seconds the pain-train is heading off.

Ah, is that even enough time to come up with a new plan? It feels like the world has slowed down but that could just be your head going into a desperate overdrive. But even if time remains, what of your options? Nausea, queasiness, and a sickening feeling in drown themselves into your gut as if you had gulped down a glass of poison, your vision feels blurry and, ah, this is the end, isn’t it?

“I give up.”

At those words, the faker lets out a Mm? sound and gazes at you, looking straight at those eyes, you speak, one more time.

“I said I give up. I understand fully well that you’ve got the complete advantage here and that you’re superior to me in every way. I can’t nor could have ever stopped you, so please spare my life.”

“Hmmm······. That’s quite good.”

The Faker cackles and takes a moment to bend her knees so both of your eyes meet, there’s a glint in hers and her teeth are out with a canine if not ravenous expression to them.

“Buuut. There’s one problem······ Why do I have to listen to yoouu?”

A reasonable leisure for a person with an overwhelming superiority. Although your barely maintained composure was blabbering about your chances of victory if you were to charge at her right this instant since you weren’t THAT restrained, the intuition you’ve gained after having experienced a 2-day war with this bitch was pressing down that option. This person is an individual who has committed acts like this until now, is committing them now, and will continue to do so in the future. The thought that she appears cocky if not a bit defenceless right now has most likely crossed her mind already, thus meaning, she naturally has a countermeasure. Even if she didn’t, you had the assumption that she’s just on another power compared to you anyway. So, it’d be fruitless.

Just as you expected, she grins again and continues peering into your eyes.

“Mm? By any chance, is the thought, ‘I’m not tied up, let’s rush at her and give her my final everything’ going through your head? Ufu, ah hah ha. Of course, the majority of people usually fall into a state of panic when they see this, so they aren’t even able to think of that idea, but you don’t seem like you’re a part of that ‘majority’. Why is why I like you so much! Regardless, it’s impossible. Absolutely impossible. It’s a good idea to give up, you know?”

Regarding height, the Faker is currently squatting next to you in a silly way, but there was an imposing feeling, as if you were being stepped on, wrapping around your entire body.

“Do you know why? I, can immediately······.”

“Summon your royal bodyguards.”

She stops for a second before chuckling.

“Of course. Adding to that, I can always······.”

“Change our location so that’d I’d end up in some solitary cell or a place filled with traps and minions or really any place where I’d have a massive disadvantage other than not knowing how strong you are?”

A silence falls over us.

The faker tilts her head dumbly, both your heart and her smile stiffen a bit at this stand-down.

“—How?”

Sharp eyes, which were no longer behaving frivolously or smiling, were directed towards me. I didn’t tell her that ‘I’m capable of looking at a situation calmly, I can read the atmosphere, I don’t get caught up by the 〈impossible〉, so I’m able to put together the series of events as they occur, and that by being able to do these things, I’m able to always precisely understand the situation around me’ because all of that would be a complete lie, the truth was far more simpler than that…

I'm making wild guesses while trying to look smart, it's a surprise she hasn't seen through it already.

“Your turn.” But I had no reason to tell her that, if anything letting her try to guess it might give me even more time. It is pathetic but any more seconds given is an opportunity for a turnabout. Even better if she thinks I'm holding back.

“Ha? What are you······ ah······ mm. Are you telling me to take a guess at how you found out? But······ you’re not some genius or even a magician······ You, aren’t you a moron? You’re the dumb youkai that can’t see through her own darkness and bumps into trees, an absolute joke of a character so how could you even guess that much? Was it a lucky guess or are you bluffing? Or perhaps did I forge you a bit sharper than I expected? If so, did I create my own petard?”

The girl moves her head around restlessly. You wait silently. Then she let out a sigh.

“Haa, whatever. You’re right. My ability, is like that.”

“And by that, it’s safe to assume you’re the one that brought me here and not some toilet? Which would mean you’re also capable of going from here to Gensokyo so you could send me home?”

“Correct. Well, I don’t plan on doing so.”

Ending that topic there, she abruptly turned her head. As if enjoying the hellish sight around her, she turned not only her head from you but the subject as well.

“I’ll let you know this much since you managed to survive this far: I’m not a summoner, or at least my ability wasn’t built for that purpose entirely. Still through some loophole I’m capable of moving myself anywhere or anything that belongs or is a part of me. With that in mind it’s obvouis that anyone touched by an anon-object qualifies for that, but in a way that’s just it. An unintended feature. And since it’s just moving them in front of me, most of the time they don’t immediately understand the situation and become loyal to me just because I summoned them. Rather there are more occasions of them trying to resist like crazy, and others try to think up petty tricks like a certain someone…”

“What a pain!” she shouts with venom and then turns to you again.

“That said, here’s another riddle for you then: What do you think I would have to do to ‘electrify’ them, make them into a loyal ‘slave’ towards me, and turn them into a personal ‘pet’?”


That’s not even a hard question, if what she said is even remotely true. Then the only way to deal with such a person would be the good old classical “Carrot and Stick.” That or mind-control, but you'd never offer the latter if she's talking about you here.

“Thaaaaaaaaaat’s iiiiiiit!!”

A shift of weight abruptly changes, as if something to your left just regrew….and it did, your left arm once completely crippled has been turned back to normal and the faker is no longer standing on your right. If anything, you feel a warm feeling inside of yourself, as if you took a fresh warm bath….

“I’m impressed, you continue to surprise even now! In da fresh!” The girl looks at you with a warm smile, as if you’re some childhood friend, “So as a reward, I gift you with this!” she kicks the crown your way, the one you’ve been trying to grasp this whole time.

“The right for a final battle, the final struggle against a hopeless situation, the bitter yet brave end of Rumia. Rather than dying like a dog on the floor. Isn’t that kind of me? Isn’t that considerate of me? Now, pick it up and let’s start!”


She’s toying with you again, but this time her voice shows an odd amount of respect towards you. Making you realize that as crazy and psychotic this girl is, she does have a genuine fondness for you.

It’s revolting, completely disgusting, insane, you want to vomit, you want to lash out.

But even so, you remain calm.

You’ve been remaining calm for a while now, to the point it just feels unnatural.

‘This disgusting psychopathic lunatic, let’s fight her!’, rebuking her is simple, but what will change?

If I fight her then I’ll just die.

‘How could you do such a thing? I won’t forgive you! I’ll be sure to get out of here!’, screaming at her is easy, but what will change?

Nothing, even if I ran away, she could just make me appear before her again. Nor is there anywhere here to run away to.

That’s right. Nothing will change if you rely on my emotions and play her game. If I try to do that too rashly, then I will ‘no longer’ be able to do ‘anything’.

I understood to my core, that the situation would just become much more severe if I were to do something like fighting or running.

That’s why don’t do it.

Be calm. Be cool, Rumia.

There is another way!

A way to breakthrough must exist!

There was no deep breathing. I was simply gazing at the Culprit of this incident while working my brain as fast as possible.

“Hm? Even if you just glance at me like that, I might just get bored and attack first you know?” the girl replies and seems to be waiting for you to make the first strike, whether that's her being generouis or sadistic you don't really care.

Okay, but it still gives you time, time you’ll use to think about what you know seriously and super fastly······!!