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THE STORY SO FAR:
The world has ended, but five (well, it’s complicated) humans get a chance to do it over, and make things right. Only problem is, for their second go around, they're not going to be 'human'...
Kosuzu, Reimu, Akyuu and Youmu have all remembered their pasts, and through significant trials and tribulations, begun the path of fighting against the doomed future. Of the five Immaterial Children who were wound back in time together, only one remains - the former magician, Kirisame Marisa.
In this life, she is Houjuu Marisa, raised on the island of Sado in the outside world. Spending her childhood years looking up at the stars, the arrival of the Spiral Comet awoke her inhuman heritage - one she was completely unaware of, and equally unprepared to deal with. Having fled her life on the island, she now searches for a way to get to Gensokyo - ever chased by a mysterious group.
But though she has left her home behind, she is not without allies. She has met up with Goutokuji Mike, a maneki-neko and fellow mystery hunter, and together they’ve decided to search for a path together. A narrow escape from her pursuers has brought them into contact with the gentle Ibaraki Kasen, the divine Tenkyuu Chimata, and the crafty Nippaku Zanmu. With such a trio of powerful figures behind her, Marisa’s fate is set to turn…
Previous Threads:
Redo/Reimu >>205449 >>205720
Again/Akyuu >>206017 >>206302 >>206595 >>206906 >>207202
Yester/Youmu >>207370 >>207705 >>208027 >>208337 >>208664 >>208978
Kaizou/Kosuzu >>209221 >>209492 >>209799 >>210140 >>210522 >>210832 >>211127 >>211466 >>211848 >>212143
Memoria/Marisa >>212437 >>212766 >>213061
Epilogues and Shorts >>/shorts/2804
Or read the story archive on Ao3:
https://archiveofourown.org/series/4062991
Outside/Omakes (Shorts from Other Writers): >>/shorts/2947
Marisa sniffled, trying to recompose herself. “I… I’m useless. I didn’t even realise she’d been replaced.” She grit her teeth. “I-I should have realised something earlier! They’d already got Aunty Zou, and they nearly got me too…”
Kasen hesitantly reached out a hand to the girl. “Marisa…”
Chimata placed her own hand on Marisa’s shoulder. “...It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known.”
“I should have noticed something! I-I should have done something! I’m some kinda powerful thing, aren’t I? I-I could have helped her, if only I’d known she was gone!”
She kicked her chair across the room, knocking it into the cloudy wall with a bang. Kasen and Chimata shared a hesitant glance. Neither seemed to know what to say.
Zanmu, however, seemed to have an idea. “...You know, that’s an interesting point. You do seem like a strong one.”
Kasen’s head whipped up, but Zanmu held her hand out. “Something doesn’t add up, in that case. There’s a couple of issues with your theory.”
Marisa turned to her, as the oni continued. “For starters, your Aunty Zou. She knows your actual youkai parent, right? And I’m guessing she’s pretty smart, too?” After waiting for a response Marisa wasn’t in any state to give, she stood up, explaining as she walked. “No ordinary person would have agreed to raise a changeling unless they were ready to handle the risks.”
The changeling sniffled. “...The risks?”
“You know, the consequences of your youkai transformation. Think an ordinary adopted parent could have handled that?” Zanmu picked up the chair the islander had knocked over, fluffing it like a pillow to restore its shape. “Most likely, your Aunt knows her way around a good fight.”
Marisa tried to recompose herself. “Sh-she did say she used to get in fights when she was young…”
“But I’m sure she kept vague on the details, right?” The oni grinned. “Probably because she didn’t want you getting into scraps with other youkai before your powers kicked in.”
The islander sagged. “But they still took her, didn’t they?”
Zanmu gave a noncommittal grunt as she set the chair right next to Marisa. “Perhaps. But even then, I can’t imagine they’re thrilled about the idea of fighting a young, rampant whatever-you-are.” The oni chuckled as she sat down. “The rarer a species is, the stronger any individual member. Wouldn’t it be great if they could use a hostage to bring you in without a fight?”
Kasen scowled. “You’re saying they captured her Aunt?”
“Something like that. At the very least, Marisa… I’m sure your Aunt’s still out there. Trust an oni to know the wicked, after all.” Zanmu gave the kid’s hat a flick. “Now, how to save her is an entirely different question. And rather out of my field.”
Marisa grabbed at her hat, taking a slow breath to steady herself. “...Right. What should I do?”
Chimata stood up. “Marisa, please, don’t go getting yourself into trouble.”
The changeling spun around. “Well I can’t just do nothing, can I?! Aunty Zou’s caught up in this whole mess!”
Kasen shook her head. “Be that as it may, it’s too dangerous. If these people really do mean you harm, then you can’t go out and fight them! They’d surely capture you!”
“Then maybe we can ambush them! I haven’t tested my limits yet, but if I get the drop on them, I’m sure I can take them out! Or-or I can set a trap, or, or-”
Zanmu sighed. “Being a youkai means you have key weaknesses - some standard ones, and some you likely don’t even know about yet. Trying to blindly outsmart someone who knows exactly what they’re hunting is a recipe for disaster - especially when you don’t know what countermeasures they’ve got.”
Chimata nodded in agreement. “For now, it’s far better to let us adults handle them. A youkai who doesn’t even know her own powers can’t fight off full-grown opponents, no matter how strong she is.”
Marisa growled, gritting her teeth. She tried to think of what she could say… but nothing was coming up.
“Um…”
The maneki-neko stood up. “What… what if we find Marisa’s mother?” The group turned to her. “I mean, if they’re after Marisa, they would have been after her mother too, right? Maybe she left her with her Aunt so she’d be safe from them, even.”
The oni gave a small smile. “Now that’s a thought. There’s a good chance that the older Houjuu dealt with exactly this group.”
Kasen nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps that was why they targeted ‘Aunty Zou’? To cut off her mother from realising there was a problem until it was too late? Regardless, if we can find her…”
Chimata smiled. “Then we’d have someone who should understand the ins and outs of the situation - and would be very motivated to see Marisa through it. Kasen - you said you were a sage of Gensokyo, correct? Could you take them there?”
The sage hesitated, glancing at the two girls. “I have… some matters to take care of. I need to secure a rather dangerous item.”
The oni turned to Kasen, offering a warm smile. “You know, I could take care of that-”
“Zanmu.” The hermit gave her an icy glare. “Don’t even try. You’re the last person I want to have it.”
“Fair, fair. Never know what an oni could do if they got their hands on an artifact like that, right?” Zanmu let out a sinister chuckle that did nothing to ease Kasen’s staredown.
Marisa turned to the oni. “Can you take us, instead?”
She got a predatory smirk in response. “Oh yeah? You’re asking an oni for a favour? And a big one, at that. You sure you’re ready for a deal with a devil?” Zanmu’s face eased. “Even if I did take you, where I’d be taking you is Hell. You’d be eaten alive, and that’s not even hyperbole. If you want a favour from me, you gotta live long enough to pay me back, y’know?”
Kasen’s bandaged hand came to a rest on Marisa’s shoulder. “Believe me, Marisa. Whoever these pursuers are, they’re nothing compared to trying to make it through Hell. It’d be far better to come to Gensokyo with me.” The hermit sighed, rubbing her forehead as she thought. “...Though I don’t know how long it’ll take before I can go… and it isn’t like I can easily get someone from Gensokyo to escort them either. The path I take isn’t a one-day trip, after all.”
Chimata hummed. “I have obligations here, of course. This market is mine - I can’t abandon it to take the kids there. And I can’t have my servants leave, either - even Nio can’t split so far apart from himself.”
The other two adults seemed to have no issues with that absurd statement. Marisa took a look back at the young man by the entrance… maybe he and the other security-guard type guy were some kinda special youkai twins? The stony horns, and green curly hair… hmmm…
“Are there any other routes?” Marisa blinked, turning back as her friend spoke up. “We came to investigate the market because we wanted to get into Gensokyo. But there’s other places around here that are special, right? Could one of them get us there?”
“...Yeah, actually. That might be it!” Marisa perked up. “Maybe if we follow the other rumours, then we might be able to get to Gensokyo way faster!”
Kasen looked between the two of them. “...Which rumours would these be?”
“Well, aside from the market, the biggest one we thought might actually get us there quickly was the one about a whole shrine going missing at Lake Suwa. Of course, we don’t have evidence, but there’s a big, weird hole there, isn’t there?”
Marisa grinned in agreement. “Yeah, and there’s the rumour about the Scarlet Talent Agency, too! Does that place really employ paranormal employees?”
Kasen seemed nervous. “Are you sure that those places will be safe?”
“Safe enough, as long as they behave.” Chimata smiled, before her face fell. “And assuming those thugs don’t find them.”
“Well, then it seems to me like one of us should talk to them, throw ‘em off the trail.” Zanmu leant back, resting her head on her hands. “Maybe we can tease a little more information if we play our cards right.”
Chimata hummed. “And in the meantime… you two don’t have anywhere to go, right? We should be able to host a couple of kids for a few nights.”
The guard nodded. “I’ll start making arrangements then, Lady Chimata.”
Mike hesitated. “Um… we’re happy to help, if we can!”
“Like I said, at least part of this is my own remittance, so don’t worry about it for now.” The rainbow goddess smiled. “But if your stay ends up being extended, then I’m sure I can find something for a young maneki-neko to do.”
“I-I can help, too!” Marisa stood up as well, before hesitating. “Um… Probably not as properly as a Maneki-neko, though…”
Zanmu sat up. “Actually, about that. I have an idea.” She turned to the market’s goddess. “Lady Chimata, you have a special power, don’t you? Could we perhaps use it to understand Marisa a little better?”
The goddess raised an eyebrow. “...You know about that application?”
Zanmu just chuckled. “We can talk more about that later, once things are settled. Of course, that might not be necessary if I’ve misinterpreted what I’ve heard.”
“Well, it’s a good idea, regardless. Nio?”
The statuesque man grunted, marching over to a cabinet and reaching in to pull out a stack of blank, black cards. Marisa’s eyes locked on the fluffy tail, the same colour as his hair. It was at the tip of her tongue, he was a, a- she hastily looked away, hopefully before anyone caught her staring at his backside and got the wrong impression.
“Mike, if I could take your hand first?” The changeling straightened up to look at Chimata, trying not to pay attention to the oni’s smirk in her peripheral vision. “We’ll start with a little demonstration, before we try it for Marisa.”
“Um… sure.” The catgirl took the proffered hand, and Chimata closed her eyes. A golden light seemed to form between the two of them, as Mike twitched. “I-it tickles…”
After a few more moments, the market goddess let go, smiling gently as she took a quintet of cards from her servant. She made a show of them being blank on both sides, then spread them out on the table.
Chimata’s finger began to glow, as she tapped on each of the cards. Wherever she touched, the cards seemed to ripple, as their undersides shone from within. The goddess smirked, making a grand flourish as she turned the cards over in one smooth movement.
And what she revealed… was that each card now had a print of a calico cat holding up a coin. Mike’s silhouette could be seen in the background, but Marisa’s eyes were locked on the cat. Wasn’t that the one she’d been chasing around this morning? She’d need to apologise later.
…The rest of her brain caught up on the actual reality of what happened as Chimata picked up the cards. “I have the ability to transfer very, very trace amounts of one’s abilities into cards. They can then be used by anyone. Here, try holding it, Marisa.”
The changeling took the card, staring at it. It didn’t have any writing on it… and yet, the moment she touched it, understanding seemed to come.
Mike Goutokuji's ability to improve product lineups. The next time you go shopping, you will find a wider variety of items.
“So you can help us find more stuff, Mike?” Marisa grinned. “Guess I should have expected no less from a beckoning cat.”
Mike flushed a bit. “Y-you think? It doesn’t seem that impressive to me…”
“It’s a testament to innate good business acumen. The cards often allow you to understand latent power.” Chimata smiled. “You’d do quite well as a marketeer, I expect.”
As the catgirl hid her increasingly-red face behind her hands, the Market Goddess turned to Marisa. The changeling reached out, letting Chimata take her hands. “Now, Marisa… is there any kind of ability in particular you’d like me to try to tease out?”
[ ] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[ ] Go for a big, powerful attack! Something that’d blow up the bad guys in one shot!
[ ] A bunch of people were flying around in the Lunar Market. Perhaps she had an ability that’d let her join them?
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[X] A bunch of people were flying around in the Lunar Market. Perhaps she had an ability that’d let her join them?
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[X] Go for a big, powerful attack! Something that’d blow up the bad guys in one shot!
It probably won't be a proper Spark, but overwhelming firepower solves all problems. Need to fly? Gravity will stop complaining if you aim a giant laser at your feet and use it for propulsion. Need to hide? The guards can't raise the alarm if they're busy being piles of ash. Stuck in an awkward social situation with no clear escape avenue? Well, a laser probably doesn't actually help with that but you can use it anyway!
[X] A bunch of people were flying around in the Lunar Market. Perhaps she had an ability that’d let her join them?
I happen to be a Gale Geta enthusiast.
I feel like there’s a decent chance Marisa gets outed as an Immaterial Child here. Possibly depending on what gets chosen.
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
Well, that's confirmation that Marisa saw Mamizou without her disguise and freaked out. At this point she's worked herself up enough that she won't believe it if it's explained, so finding Nue probably is the easiest way of fixing it.
Man, the big attack fits Marisa the most but it really feels like this Marisa wants to understand what hell is going on with her
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
I had this one ready and waiting for the new thread.
Sorry I haven't been posting drawings lately, but I promise I've been drawing on the background, mainly character designs. Maybe someday I'll share that.
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
Gotta start cultivating the Nue style of trickery young.
Also, sounds like Kasen is also looking for her severed arm. I thought it was Gensokyo in WaHH? Unless Watanabe no Tsuna passed it down to his descendents or something...
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
if chimata sees that marisa has two abilities it might give her a clue that she is an immaterial children.
this is maybe a clue or maybe not...
>>Marisa’s eyes locked on the fluffy tail, the same colour as his hair. It was at the tip of her tongue, he was a, a- she hastily looked away...
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
Well, Marisa-the-human didn't really have any abilities like most Yokai possess, she was just really good at magic. Also, the fact that it's a vote means that there's inherently three 'powers' that Marisa has by virtue of being a Nue.
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
You want to hit someone really hard? Just confuse them so badly they think you're on the ceiling and you'll have all the time in the world to deliver a "Blazing Star" football charge to their brittle, brittle bones!
>>213616
in WaHH chapter 50 kasen says that she found her arm in the outside world and brought it back to gensokyo to be sealed again.
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[X] Go for a big, powerful attack! Something that’d blow up the bad guys in one shot!
Lost Sign: Mystery Spark.
or, wait, no, this is an ability card. can't use my classic template.
Digital Pet
Type: Active Card
An ability card that summons a terrifying digital monster to do its super move. The monster may be fake, but like any good cursed game, it borrows its power from a real one.
...what? It's not like this option's winning anyway. Let me dream.
>>213614
Aw, they're so happy to just be hanging out and investigating mysteries. Onward, to bright horizons!
[x] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
:3
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
Meanwhile in the SDM, a certain magician felt a sudden inexplicable urge to triple the security around her library.
[X] Go for a big, powerful attack! Something that’d blow up the bad guys in one shot!
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
This one feels like it will help us more right now.
[X] Go for a big, powerful attack! Something that’d blow up the bad guys in one shot!
Danmaku's all about firepower!
As much as i'd love to give what is almost certainly a doombeam to a smaller-than-normal Marisa... probably not the best idea.
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
I do want the Doombeam eventually, but let's try and get somewhere less...at risk of collateral than crowded areas.
[X] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
This one probably has the most benefit to it, since A) people in Gensokyo can fly without ability cards, and B) a stronger understanding of her Unknowable powers would probably help our girl figure out a powerful attack on her own.
Counting to >>213638:
Main Choice:
[18] There were a few times people had gotten confused around her. Was that one of her abilities? Maybe if she had a card of it, she could understand it?
[4] Go for a big, powerful attack! Something that’d blow up the bad guys in one shot!
[2] A bunch of people were flying around in the Lunar Market. Perhaps she had an ability that’d let her join them?
>>213614 is really nice, I like it a lot. Thanks for the drawings, Kosu.
:3
