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NoriWasHere
Nine years after the Stygian Snake war, approximately a year before the Sycamore Tree Coven reformed.
June.
The Myozenji Temple was a place that Yoko Hatanaka frequented.
It was a place of mediation.
Of comfort.
Of enlightenment.
Yoko sat in the seiza position, silently meditating as her mind attuned to the subtle energies of this sacred place untouched by chaos. The only light in the room was the soft glow presented by the candles placed around the room, casting shadows on the tatami mat she sat on top of. Yoko was focused on her breathing as she sought inner peace among the chaos in her mind, her life, and the situation she found herself in.
However, the temple's peacefulness was interrupted when the doors were aggressively thrown open so forcefully that the candlelights were blown out. Yoko’s eyes snapped open, and she exhaled out of irritation that somebody would be rude to interrupt her meditation!
Yoko glanced over her shoulder and scrunched her nose at the sight.
Amy Nakamura.
She was wearing jeans, a white tank top, and a facemask… and that damn iron club strapped to her back. Amy stepped forward; every step she took carried the weight of a being a hundred times Amy’s size, and Yoko could see that grin underneath her face.
“Well, well, well,” Amy spoke in Japanese as she stopped, turning her body somewhat sideways. “If it isn’t the great Yoko Hatanaka.”
”... Amy,” Yoko, somehow, against all odds, masked her irritation as she replied in her native tongue. ”Surely you haven’t come all the way from America to come and disturb me. What do you want?” Yoko rolled her eyes.
Amy took a few more steps toward Yoko and said, “I heard you would try to quiet the parade tonight. I’m looking forward to this year’s Parade...”
Ah, the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons… began tonight, coincidentally in Shirakawa-Go. This was why Yoko was meditating here: she had to gather herself before the fight of her life. Of course, the “Ogre-Girl” (Amy) wants to be among her kind. Yoko inhaled through her nose and then exhaled as she stood straight up. However, she grabbed her bo-staff and held it with both hands as she turned.
Amy grinned from underneath her facemask, “... And I wanted to know if you were woman enough to try and stop me.”
Yoko sighed, raising her bo-staff in the air at Amy, ”I’m here to meditate, not engage in your petty games, Ogre.”
“Hate to say…” Amy grinned as she reached behind her back and grabbed her Iron Club. “... Meditation ain’t gonna help you when I club you!” She laughed.
”Humble yourself, Ogre,” Yoko narrowed her eyes. ”I’ve handled way worse than you.”
“Oh?” Amy gave the Iron Club a flourish as she held it with both hands. “... Let’s find out, shall we!?”
That was when Amy launched herself at Yoko. Her bo-staff began glowing for a few seconds, and the second the club made contact, it was launched aside. With a bold sweep, Yoko swung the bo-staff at Amy’s midsection and hit her in the ribs. She hissed in rage as she grabbed the staff with one hand and then flicked Yoko across the room. Yoko shot a beam and bounced against it, rolling to the ground and regaining her footing. Amy charged again, swinging her Iron Club, and Yoko ducked under the first swing, feeling the rush of air whistle past her ear.
With a fluid motion, Yoko swung low towards Amy’s legs, but Amy jumped over it, and Yoko rolled forward so she couldn’t hit her from behind. Amy closed the distance and swung the club at her, but Yoko applied her Hardening spell. The staff would have usually snapped under pressure, but it was steadfast. She felt the impact go up her arms, which shook.
“... Awwwwww!” Amy mockingly said. “I pulled that one. You look like you’re ready to collapse!”
She had a wolfish grin that Yoko could sense from underneath her mask, but Yoko didn’t respond. Only when Amy pulled back the club to give another bone-shattering strike did Yoko react. The Bo staff began glowing yellow just seconds before the Iron Club hit and deflected the attack, and Amy’s club almost fell out of her hand as it was launched back. Yoko closed the distance and whacked Amy with a strike imbued with Impact, which was strong enough to launch Amy and send her directly into a support pillar. What would have sent someone else to the hospital…
Amy climbed back up to her feet, holding the Iron Club in both hands.
… Merely inconvenienced Amy.
The girl exploded into fire, her teeth began to sharpen, and she started laughing as her clothes were burnt to shreds right here. Yoko remembered how Amy’s abstraction works… the longer she fights, the more powerful she gets. Damn it. Yoko internally seethed. Amy charged at Yoko faster than before, dragging the club to the ground and leaving a fire trail before she stopped a few feet from Yoko and swung the club. With the club came a wave of fire, an absolute inferno, and Yoko’s eyes shot open just as it was about to hit her…
… Before a wall of ice appeared between herself and Amy (and the inferno).
It crashed against it, melting it somewhat, but it remained steadfast as Yoko looked around.
“... Aiko!” Yoko heard a familiar voice, and she turned her head to see her former Coven “sister,” Kura Yoshida. Wearing a white shirt with a tan checkered skirt and some white sneakers…
“Kura?” Amy asked, turning her eyes towards Kura.
“Aiko, let’s bring this spectacle to an end,” Kura said with a sigh. “Both of us have been through far too much for you to keep acting like this.”
“Kura…” Amy gripped her club tighter.
Yoko just took a few steps back, holding her bo-staff defensively, ”Kura! Be careful!” She tried to warn Kura, but she didn’t stop.
.
“You came to Japan,” Kura flatly said, “And the first thing that comes to mind is to pick a fight with Yoko? You’re better than this. We all are.”
“I came here for the Parade,” Amy said. “Nothing else.”
Kura gestured towards Yoko.
“The Parade isn’t here,” Kura laughed. “Leave this behind, just this once. For your friend.”
Yoko slightly lowered her bo-staff as Amy hung her head, closing her eyes.
“... Fine,” Amy placed her Iron-Club back onto her back, as Kura gave her an understanding nod.
“Let’s go.” Kura gestured, and Amy followed.
Yoko just stood there… and looked around. To her surprise…
… The Temple was still in one piece!
Still, she shook her arms; the fight bruised them. Yoko looked back at her mat as she walked over, folded it, and left. Later, she had to patch herself up for the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons…
… And fix the Temple in the morning, or she wouldn’t hear the end of it.
Night had fallen… she could hear the chaos of the Parade going on outside.
Yoko was in her room in the Hatanaka Estate, illuminated by candles, wearing nothing but underwear as she placed an icepack against her bruised arms. Yoko hissed in pain before sighing in relief… she took a beating from that fight, but she was still strong enough to keep fighting. Though she could have done better, Amy came at her with nothing but brute strength, and Yoko still got her ass handed to her - especially when Amy was upping the ante. A map of Shirakawa-Go was on her bed, along with her bo-staff, some protective armor… and her cell phone, all neatly arranged.
However, her cell phone began shaking, and she saw Kari Wilson's familiar face trying FaceTime with her. Yoko smiled as she swiped to accept the call and placed the phone against her lamp so Yoko could see. Sitting in her chair, wearing a robe and her seemingly iconic wide-brimmed hat, Kari smiled at Yoko and waved.
”Hi, Yoko!” Kari chipperly said.
”Wilson,” Yoko said before she spoke in Japanese for a few moments before she shook her head. ”... To what I owe the pleasure, Wilson?”
”What? I can’t call my friend?” Kari feigned offense, gracing a hand against her chest. ”I see you couldn’t bother to get dressed!”
”As if this would bother you, Wilson.”
”What happened to you?” Kari asked.
”I ran into the Ogre-Girl,” Yoko began. ”And she decided to pick a fight.”
”’Ogre-Girl’? Wait, you mean-” Kari asked, before she figured out who Yoko was talking about. ”Are you okay?” Kari asked.
”... I’m still standing, Wilson,” Yoko grinned.
”Now that’s what I love about you, Yoko,” Kari grinned, steepling her fingers as she leaned forward. ”You get hit, and then you pick yourself back up, and then you start swinging.”
Kari chuckled, ”I never have to worry about you, Yoko…” She gave Yoko a broad smile as she put her hands together. ”... But, I know you’re going to that Demon Parade? That’s what it’s called.”
”Hey! Have you-”
”Yes, I saw the entire fight you had with Amy,” Kari rolled her eyes. ”I mean, you told me you go out and fight demons and solve the local supernatural phenomena. Why are you acting like surprised that I know this?”
Yoko just grinned.
”I wonder how many times you caught me in the bathroom, you pervert!”
”... More times than I’d like,” Kari rolled her eyes. ”You know my deal: I watch people to make sure that they’re safe. You also told me I’m free to observe you whenever I’m worried-slash-curious about you,” Kari closed her eyes, tilted her head, and smiled at Yoko.
”... So, that’s what I do!”
”Thank you for keeping an eye on me, Wilson,” Yoko smiled. ”It means a lot.”
”You know I got your back no matter what,” Kari said. ”I’m just… I’m just calling to say I know I can’t talk you out of it, but please be careful.”
Kari was silent momentarily; Yoko adjusted the ice pack on her arm before Kari added, ”Demons, Yokai, whatever… they’re unpredictable. ESPECIALLY during the Night Parade.”
Yoko jammed a prideful thumb into her chest.
”Nothing I can’t handle!”
”... Amy almost pushed your shit in, Yoko,” Kari flatly noted. ”I’m sorry.”
”Hey!” Yoko shouted. ”I was trying not to destroy the temple! If that wasn’t a factor, I would have kicked her ass!”
Kari laughed, ”... Whatever you say.”
”Fine, Wilson,” Yoko rolled her eyes. ”I’ll be careful.”
Kari placed her hands together, ”Excellent! While I can’t be there, I’ll watch over you!” Kari began. ”Anything happens, I’ll know.”
”Thank you, Wilson,” Yoko began. ”Even if it’s from afar, your support definitely makes me feel better.”
”That’s what friends are for!” Kari laughed, steepling her fingers as a devious grin formed. ”Especially when their other friend enjoys diving titties-first into the craziest situations!” Kari gave Yoko a broad smile, teeth out, and tilted her head.
”Hey!” Yoko shouted, jamming a thumb into her chest. ”Dangerous situations typically find me.”
”... That’s one way to put it. ”
Kari rolled her eyes before she yawned, ”I’m going to let you go have at it… I will head back to sleep before I go to work….”
”Go get some sleep, Wilson,” Yoko began. ”I’ll handle things here.”
Kari reached forward before she paused, ”... Now, Yoko, remember. You are currently nursing bruises in your underwear.” Kari began. ”Try not to get anything worse than that, okay?”
Yoko grinned.
”... No promises.”
”Oh lord,” Kari laughed.”I’m just going to let you go. Have a great night!”
Kari ended the call.
The clock struck midnight.
The ordinarily serene Shirakawa-Go was turned into a chaotic celebration of supernatural beings. From massive Onis, Tengu, Kitsune, Bakeneko, and Hitodama, various Yokai crawled out of the forest in full force, partying and drinking Sake as they destroyed the serene village. The air was filled with the music of these supernatural beings, from the thunderous drums, flutes, and shamisen, all performed by the Onis. The rhythm of the music matched the chaos…
… Yoko emerged from the shadows, wearing a black tank top and tactical cargo pants with knee pads built in, black combat boots, and forearm guards… with her bo-staff slung across her back. The girl casually followed behind the Night Parade as it rampaged through Shirakawa-Go… leaving behind debris, trash, and even some citizens who had fainted from the chaos! Yoko calmly tailed behind them. This chaos that had come to her hometown was mesmerizing, but it fueled her resolve to restore order, consequences be damned.
She approached a group of three Oni, their laughter reverberating through the village square as they danced and held massive sake jugs. Yoko drew her bo-staff and spun it above her head several times before catching it with both hands. One of the Oni noticed Yoko and pointed at her, laughing at her.
“Look at this pipsqueak, boys!” He said, “I’m not sure if she’s here to fight or if she’s the entertainment!” He raised his sake jug and began to drink it...
… It all came out of his mouth as Yoko slammed her bo-staff into his stomach, imbued by her Impact spell. The Oni went flying and crashed into a wall and landed on his ass. He pushed himself to his feet and hissed in pain as he roared, swinging the club with all of his might, Yoko ducked underneath it, and the Oni charged past her. As she came up, she turned the bo-staff behind the Oni’s knee and there was the sickening sound of his knee being bent the wrong way as he fell to the ground.
Yoko hopped up, landing on the massive Oni’s back; she raised the Bo-staff in the air - pausing to look to the left and right, she had gathered the attention of the other Yokai - before slamming it on top of his head. The Oni was knocked out cold, with his tongue comically sticking out of his mouth.
The other Yokai had paused in their revelry to watch the clash. This was perfect because the Yokai were no longer destroying Shirakawa go… but the music intensified, and more of the Yokai came to fight. The tension in the air thickened as Yoko stood atop the fallen Oni, her bo-staff glinting in the moonlight. The remaining two Oni exchanged glances - One Oni, larger and more muscular than the other, stomped forward, his eyes locked onto Yoko, then brandished a Kanabō. He pounded it onto the ground with enough force to cause it to shake before grasping it with both hands.
“... You’ll pay for that, little girl!” he growled, charging at her with surprising speed for his size. Yoko leaped off the downed Oni just in time, the club smashing into the Oni… Yoko landed, flicked her bo-staff around, imbued with Parry, and deflected the punch the other Oni sent her. It knocked him in the other direction, and Yoko swung her bo-staff at his knee and shattered it - before he received a blow to the head that knocked him unconscious.
The giant Oni roared in fury, swinging his club in a wide arc at Yoko as she ducked yet again; however, the length of the bo-staff extended as she raised it above her head. She brought it down, applying the Impact spell that knocked the more giant Oni silly. She could practically visualize the stars floating around his head. The bo-staff returned to its standard length as he fell over, motionless.
The other Yokai began cheering as if it were entertainment; the music returned to its revelry as Yoko rolled her eyes.
Out of the crowd, a Tengu with bright red skin appeared and brandished a Naginata - before it took to the skies with a flap of its wings. Yoko tightened her grip on her staff as it dove at Yoko with blinding speeds, Naginata out first, and her bo-staff came up imbued with Parry. It deflected the attack and sent the Tengu crashing into a car, feathers scattering in all directions…
… And the crowd erupted into laughter.
Before she could catch her breath, a pair of Kitsune with fiery red fur and multiple tails darted in, and circled Yoko. They grinned, and Yoko knew that they were tricksters… One of them lunged at her with a burst of speed, and Yoko attempted to parry it with the spell she relied on - only to mistime it. The Yokai’s claw slashes her cheek, and she grits her teeth in pain as blood begins dripping. Yoko attempted to counter-attack, but the Kitsune was already gone, but the second one attacked from behind. Slashing her back…
Kari was going to kill her later.
Yoko winced as the pain from her back spread like fire, but she couldn't afford to be distracted right now. The Kitsune charged at her, but this time, she got her timing right and deflected the claw with a well-timed Parry-imbued deflect. Using this opening, the Kitsune received her steel bo-staff to the face, knocking her out. The second Kitsune hesitated, but Yoko made the first move by lunging at her, but she quickly dodged. The Kitsune charged Yoko, then stopped - making her cast her Parry spell in hopes of catching her off guard - but charged in and tackled Yoko to the ground.
Yoko's back hit the ground hard, her bo-staff being knocked away; the breath was knocked out of her as the Kitsune pinned her down, its sharp claws poised to strike. Yoko reached for her bo-staff.
The claws descended towards her.
The bo-staff was out of reach.
There was that familiar sound of a bonk as something with an iron-club whacked the Kitsune so hard that she was launched into the wall. It exploded into a cloud of dust and debris as Yoko looked up at her “Savior”...
…It was Amy Nakamura. Dressed in a dark leather jacket with intricate embroidery depicting mythical creatures and symbols. Underneath, she wore a simple black tank top with some rugged jeans. Around her neck hung various charms and pendants, each for attracting demons…
… And geta on her feet.
“... Well, well, well,” Amy grinned at Yoko. “I thought you handled worse than me!?”
Yoko bore teeth.
Amy put her Iron Club over her shoulder.
“Look at you! On the ground, getting your ass kicked by a lowly demon!” Amy laughed as she approached her bo-staff and kicked it into Yoko’s hand. The girl grabbed it, and climbed to her feet - the pain of her wounds throbbed.
”... I don’t need your help, Amy,” Yoko hissed. ”I can handle this.”
“Help?” Amy tilted her head with a grin that was demonic. “... I’m not here to help.”
Amy dramatically dropped her Iron Club, hitting the ground with a thud. threw her jacket off with one hand and then did the same to her tank top, throwing it on top of her coat. She left her toned figure with nothing but a sports bra and looked around.
“Wonder if I should lose the bra?” Amy then laughed. “Ah… it’s going to burn off if I don’t.” Before she unclipped it and added it to the pile of clothes.
Yoko tilted her head, and her eyes drifted to the left and right, wondering what was happening.
”Ogre! Do you have any shame?!” Yoko shouted. ”Why are you undressing in front of me!?”
“Because they’re going to burn off if I don’t,” Amy said as she took her pants off threw them into the pile of clothes until she was wearing nothing but the getas, and the Onis began cheering. “I don’t have that fancy enchanted robe your brother made anymore… grew out of it.”
Yoko visibly gagged.
”... You’re disgusting!”
With all her clothes off, Amy dramatically grabbed the iron club with both hands and grinned… she exploded into a wreath of fire. A fiery aura like a torch from head to toe surrounded her, as she spoke
“I’m having the time of my life right now, and you’re here fucking it all up!” Amy said, in English, “So, I got a wager for you…”
Amy raised the iron club at Yoko, deviously grinning.
“We fight. I win; you take your sorry ass home, and the boys keep partying until the morning comes,” Amy began. “You win? In the unlikely event that happens, I’ll help you clear out the parade.”
”You're insane!” Yoko exclaimed, her voice tinged with both frustration and disbelief. ”What kind of bet is that?”
Amy chuckled, giving her iron club a flourish, before she spoke in Japanese, "The kind that keeps things interesting, little samurai. Besides, you could use a challenge, couldn't you?"
”Ogre!” Yoko shouted. ”I don’t have time for your games! I have to stop this chaos before this gets out of hand!”
"Chaos? This is a celebration, Yoko!" Amy countered with a laugh. "Let's give these Yokai a show they won't forget!"
Yoko stared at Amy for a few moments… wondering what in the world had gotten into this girl, before she sighed. ”... Fine,” Yoko began. ”But, we do this my way, Ogre!” Yoko said as she pulled a piece of paper and a marker out of her cargo pockets and began sketching Kanji onto the paper. Once she was done, she chanted.
"From the heart of courage, I draw the strength divine,
Through ancient verses, let power intertwine.
Symbols aglow with orange hue,
Grant vigor now, to this soul true.
Strength to endure, resilience unfurled,
In this moment, let your spirit be world."
As she recited the verses, the symbols and kanji began glowing a bright yellow color as she began to glow with a yellow aura. She could feel her Orange-Lux pulse through her body, and once she was near the end of her chant, she slammed the paper against her chest. She felt the pain leave her body, as she felt more robust, faster, and more challenging, thanks to the Vigor Incantation. The paper fell to the ground as she tightly clutched the bo-staff and assumed a fighting position with both hands.
With a playful twirl of her iron club, Amy sauntered closer to Yoko, who determinedly stood her ground.
"Ready, little samurai?" Amy teased, as her fiery aura roared.
Without another word, Yoko charged forward and jabbed her bo-staff swiftly to Amy’s side - but she sidestepped it. Yoko didn't relent; she spun around, aiming a series of rapid strikes at Amy, each imbued with Impact. Amy blocked some with her iron club, but most hits hit her, making her stumble backward. Yoko dove forward, whipped Amy across the face, and knocked her onto her back; Yoko then raised her bo-staff above her head and slammed it down onto Amy-
-Amy caught it with one hand while on the ground, sat up, and flipped Yoko backward as if she weighed nothing. Yoko flew into the crowd, who immediately dodged, made a clearing, and came to a rolling stop on the cobblestone. Yoko rolled back onto her feet, but Amy had already flung herself through the air, iron club raised above her head, and slammed it down onto Yoko - who had no choice but to use the Hardening spell to imbue the bo-staff with enough resilience so it wouldn’t have shattered then and there.
The issue wasn’t the impact, but now Amy’s fiery aura - which intensified. The Yokai, now thoroughly entertained by the unfolding battle, roared in approval; they danced, pounded on the ground, and played their music as chaotically and dramatically as possible. Amy relented - before swinging her club low and fast, and Yoko parried it with her magic and sent Amy stumbling aside. Even though her skin was getting red, Yoko followed it up with an overhead swing, whacking Amy in the back of the head. Amy swung the iron club in a wild blow, sending a torrential collum of fire directly at Yoko, and she yelped as she was set ablaze.
Some of her clothes and hair were on fire as Yoko stopped, dropped, and rolled… but this gave Amy the perfect opening to kick Yoko across their “arena”...
… Directly into the feet of a stranger that stood out among the horde of Yokai
A javelin of silvery light shot through the many demons, aimed directly at Amy’s center mass - stabbing her. A burning flash of energy announcing her presence. A warning, that she was not to be trifled with.
”Still up to trouble, Yoko?”
Selena Phoenix stood over the girl, one arm behind her and the other pointed in Amy’s direction. Glassy energy curled off of her palm like smoke, and orbs of crystalline structure danced around her like moths to a flame. The Yokai surrounding her did not scare her, nor did Amy. On her shoulders was a gray cloak lined with pale fur, shimmering faintly in the dim light.
”Oh… I come all this way, just to find you both here… Half naked. Am I interrupting something?”
“Our epic fight, yeah,” Amy hissed, pounding the club onto the ground a few times, before throwing her club over her shoulder. “... And the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons. Which I would love to get back to…”
Yoko didn’t say a word, only pushing herself to her feet with her bo-staff.
“Scram, lady,” Amy said.
”I’m afraid I can’t do that. I came here for a reason. And believe it or not, I’m not eager to get back on a plane so quickly.”
Amy aimed her iron club at Selena, “... You can leave by plane, train, or whatever, just get out of here!”
More of that glittery white Lux fumed up around Selena. The orbs around her gave her a perfect sense of spatial awareness, which explained why she seemed to calm in the crowd of Yokai. ”Amy Nakamura… You’re a bit of an inconvenience, why don’t you go home? Or, better yet, let me walk Yoko home. I have business with her family.”
Amy tilted her head, before pinching her temples,
“... Lady, are you freebasing?” Amy said. “We are not keeping you here. We were trying to party before you two assholes showed up. Second you leave I gotta find out who jacked my clothes.” Amy threw her hands up, turning around.
”I doubt you just lost them. You haven’t changed much from when we were in the Sycamore Coven together,” she mused. ”Yoko, how badly are you hurt?”
”... I can still fight!” Yoko rolled her eyes as she stepped back, still holding the bo-staff defensively. While she tried to present herself as being okay, she was in excruciating pain. She didn’t want this stranger's help, but at the moment, she was outnumbered. Damn it. Amy still kicks her ass after all these years!
“Wait…” Amy tilted her head before she grinned. She leveled the iron club at Selena’s face. “I remember you now…”
She chuckled,
“... Selena Phoenix, surprised you popped up here of all places,” Amy chuckled again. “Wonder if you still got that stick up your ass...”
”Well, excuse me for having some class.” Selena kept a resting bitch face pointed at Amy, bothered by all the demons around them. ”You always did have a habit of making a fool of yourself. Yoko, we should go.”
All the demons began laughing, including Amy.
“Yeah, walk her ass home!” Amy laughed, before flipping them off.
Yoko sighed. This was a grave insult to her pride! However, this was suicide, so the girl hung her head, turned on her heel and began walking away.
After they left, Amy grabbed the jug of sake from the unconscious Oni cracked it open, then threw a fist into the air.
“... Let’s party!”
The pandemonium raged on in the distance. Though, what was worse was the humiliation of being run away and saved by Selena… Of all people. They approached the Hatanaka Estate’s gates, and Yoko walked ahead, and then she looked over her shoulder at Selena. Yoko was silent, before she (painfully) swallowed her pride and said,
”... Thank you, American,”
Selena gave no indication that she was amused at Yoko finally showing some humility for once. ”Neither of us would have lasted long in all of that, anyway. I hope you weren’t planning on being rescued.”
Yoko grinned, ”... The plan was to kick all their asses!”
”On your own?”
”Evidently, American,” Yoko turned away from Selena. ”I don't like to rely on others.”
”Well… Sometimes it’s necessary. Speaking of which, the reason I came here was about your brother, Goro.”
Yoko was silent… Of course, she came all the way here for Goro. Yoko rolled her eyes and twisted her face up. Yoko looked to the side,
”Sorry to disappoint you, American,” Yoko began, ”... He’s not here,”
”Not here? …I’ve looked for him for weeks already. He isn’t anywhere in the United States or in Canada. I haven’t been able to find him at all, where is he?”
”... That, I do not know,” Yoko sighed. ”I’ve been tracking him to no avail, In Yoko terms, that means trying to swallow her pride to ask Kari.
Selena raised an eyebrow. ”I’ve even tried asking others I know to find him. They’ve also failed… When was the last time you saw him?”
”A few weeks ago,” Yoko answered. ”He was on the trail of the Aberration Killer, and that’s all I know…”
Then she sighed as she finally worked up the courage to say, ”..: You haven’t asked Wilson, have you?”
”Kari Wilson? No. I haven’t spoken to her in years.”
”If anyone can find Goro,” Yoko shook her head. ”It’s her.”
”Would you happen to have her number? I don’t.”
”... Yes,” Yoko replied. She resists the urge to say that Kari is her best friend but instead just shakes her head. ”She’s at work right now… how about we go see her in person?”
”…Where?”
”Where else?” Yoko laughed. ”St. Portwell… the greatest… Okay, I can not keep a straight face while saying that.”
”I’ve been getting on and off of planes all week…” She sighed. ”Wouldn’t it make more sense to text her?”
”Fine, but I’ll call her instead,” Yoko sighed, as she pulled out her phone and called Kari. After a few moments, Kari answered.
”.... Yooooooko,” Kari began. ”You finally swallowed your pride! I’m proud of you!”
”Wait, you-”
”Yup, I saw the whole thing!” Kari began. ”... You got your ass kicked.
Yoko rolled her eyes.
”But, it's okay! I was already looking for Goro,” Kari paused. ”Before I forget, tell Selena I said hi.”
Yoko turned to Selena,
”... Kari said hi.”
”I heard. Hello, Kari.”
”I wish you’d call to say hi but you’re all business,” Kari laughed, rolling her eyes. ”Now, give me some time and I’ll find Goro,”
”How long do you think it will take?” Yoko asked.
”I honestly don't know,” Kari sighed. ”It could be five minutes, could be a few days… I also have to watch my own back.”
Kari laughed, ”Tsukino put a big target on my back, you know.”
”That I am aware,”
”Though, if you want to be proactive; I can pass the Wayfinders off to you,” Kari began. ”They are made for this.”
”Wayfinders… We’re both in Japan right now. Do you have a method of getting them to us quickly from where you are?”
”I can send them to you in a bottle!” Kari laughed. ”I can, you know, come to Japan after I’m done with work.”
”Wait how…?” Yoko asked before she narrowed her eyes. ”... Please don't tell me you’re not bringing the Ninja…”
”Who?”
”Murakin,”
”One, he’s great and I will not be helping you if you speak bad on his name,” Kari put her foot down almost immediately. ”Two, he’s off on an adventure… I’m going to use a Swift Scroll your brother lent me.”
”You have a Swift Scroll?!”
”Your brother lent it to me,” Kari answered. ”After I get off work, I’ll head there, okay?”
”Okay.”
”I’ll see you soon, Yoko!” Kari said. ”You too, Selena!” Kari said before she hung up.
After she hung up, Yoko turned to Selena,
”Would you like to wait at our estate?” Yoko asked. ”I can make you some tea.”
””That would be nice… And I am so grateful that I can stay off of a plane for a bit longer.”
Back at the Hatanaka Estate, the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons raged in the distance, and Yoko could only feel nothing but failure in herself. Yoko sighed as she slid the door open where Selena was sitting on the floor and placed the steaming hot Tetsubin on the chabudai. Yoko poured the tea into the yunomis - one for Selena and another for herself. Before sitting on the floor across from Selena… there was a burning hot question on Yoko’s mind.
”... What business do you have with my brother, American?” Yoko began, ”It must be important if you got on a plane just to fly all the way here….” Yoko knew that if Wilson were here, she’d tease her by saying ‘it was for a love confession’ or something.
”I wouldn’t say it is groundbreaking or world-shattering business,” Selena picked up her yunomi cup, taking a sip of the tea despite the steaming hot part. ”I’ve been reconnecting with some of the old members from our childhood. The ones that I remember were great at what they did. Goro is one of them.”
Bullshit. Yoko thought to herself as she narrowed her eyes. ”Come now, we have social media for that, American,” Yoko did not so much as avert her gaze from Selena as she added, ”There has to be an actual reason. Don’t try and deceive me.”
”We do have social media for that,” she acknowledged. ”But your brother doesn’t seem to. I would not have come here if it was that simple. He hasn’t been answering messages.”
Yoko facepalmed.
”... What I’m saying, American,” Yoko began. ”Is that I don’t believe that you came all the way out here - from America - just to catch up.”
”Catch up, and not have to catch up again. You see, I was hoping that I could keep in touch with Goro this time. But I haven’t been able to find him at all, either in person or through the internet.”
Yoko still didn’t believe that, but she was unwilling to press the subject further. As stubborn as Yoko is, there was a point where even she knew she was talking to a wall. ”Very well, I understand,” Yoko said, as the truth would be revealed in time. ”If you do not mind me asking, have you contacted others? The Blackmores? Carson? Faris? Han? Stone?”
Then she visibly cringed, ”... Baksh?”
”Some of them. The Blackmores have families now, Stormy Carson is Professor Carson these days. Sloane and Jinhai are busy with their lives… And I don’t think Anya Baksh and I would get along anymore.”
”... What about Tsukino? She would have loved to reconnect; I’d know,”Yoko laughed at her own joke. ”... But, it’s great that they are all doing well,” Yoko softly said.
Selena laughed a little. ”I believe she still works for the mafia. But… Yes, most of the people we knew seemed to be just fine. I’ve been able to find many of them… Except Goro. He’s a blank. No social media presence, no trail,” she mused. ”Normally, I wouldn’t think much of it. But… I’ve been looking for weeks, now. When I can’t find anything about his presence, I turn to look for others in the meantime, hoping something will turn up.”
She took another sip of her tea. ”Nothing has.”
”Well, we have Wilson on the job,” Yoko shrugged. ”If anyone can find him, it’d be her.”
Magical winds appeared - a wind that seemed purple and carried sparkling lights appeared on the opposite side of the room… and at their peak, Kari Wilson appeared. She is wearing a short-shorts and a black t-shirt, her signature wide-brimmed hat, and her trademark smile. Kari pointed at the tea,
”Aw, you didn’t make me some,” Kari began.
”We didn’t know how long you’d take,” Yoko said.
”You know I’d never leave you waiting,” Kari laughed, before she dug into her pockets and pulled out two medallions: one with orange stones, and another with white stones. She held them high as she could (which wasn’t very).
Kari pointed at the medallion with orange stones, ”This is Goro’s Wayfinder. Which can find artifacts, specifically the Hatanaka artifacts.”
Then her finger drifted to the one with white stones, ”And this is yours truly's Wayfinder, designed to find people.”
Kari then gave Selena a catty smile, ”... You can find your boyfriend with this!”
”I stopped seeing him four years ago,” Selena said, without missing a beat.
”... And now he’s got you coming back for more!” Kari laughed.
Selena raised an eyebrow. ”All-Knowing, except for when someone tells a joke, I see.”
”I’m just playing along, don’t be like that,” Kari said, before she held Goro’s Wayfinder in one hand, and Kari’s Wayfinder in the other. She had a wide smile on her face when she said, ”All you have to do is press the gem right here, and it does this.”
With her thumbs, she pressed the central gem on both of the Wayfinders, and they both exploded into hologram protection that displayed the entire known All-Verse. It was two massive maps, one glowing white and the other glowing orange. It showed all known universes. However, it had various beacons highlighted with a Kanji symbol - displaying Hatanaka artifacts, people Kari cares about, everyone else, and all other artifacts.
Kari raised Goro’s Wayfinder,
”This is Goro’s Wayfinder - well, the replica, which finds artifacts - specifically the Hatanaka artifacts.”
Then Kari raised her Wayfinder,
”And this is mine, which illuminates the people you hold dear - and gives you a broad estimate on everyone else,” Kari then shook her head. ”I can’t find Goro with this, but maybe you can.”
”That’s… Impressive. Thank you, Kari.”
”It’s not my work, it’s Goro’s work!” Kari chipperly said. ”Though, I helped.”
Kari held them out, and before Selena could get her dirty paws on her brother’s work, Yoko took both of them… She first pocketed Goro’s Wayfinder, only to utilize Kari’s Wayfinder. She activated it… and it showed only one glowing Kanji symbol, which was right in front of them. Yoko sighed.
”... Thank you, Wilson,” Yoko said.
”No problem, what are friends for?” Kari said. ”Anything else I can help you with? Any other burning questions on your mind?”
Something else was on Yoko’s mind, but she wanted to see what Selena said.
Hmm… ”Where could he have gone, if you don’t know he is?”
”Well…” Kari said as she walked over to the little table and knelt. She was silent for a moment before she helped herself to some of Yoko’s tea.
”Hey!” Yoko protested.
Kari didn’t respond as she put the cup down, and answered Selena, ”As much as I’d like to say I’m All-Knowing; I’m not infallible” She sighed. ”There’s things I can see, and things I can’t. White-Lux gets hard-countered by Yellow-Lux, you know that?”
Selena took another sip. ”True. Are you suggesting he’s being held hostage by a yellow Adept?” She asked, half-jokingly.
”I don’t know…” Kari laughed, ”… Have you spontaneously developed yellow-lux?” She grinned at Selena.
”Not that I know of.”
Kari laughed, before her expression went dead serious,
”I’m just saying it’s a possibility,” Kari began. ”You know the whole thing about magic is that there’s an infinite amount of them!”
Selena nodded, finishing her tea. ”In that case, what possibility do we see right now?” She pointed to the wayfinder’s projection that she assumed was marking Goro somewhere in the world.
”I honestly couldn’t tell you,” Kari sighed. ”... That’s me by the way.”
”That’s you? And this shows the entire All-Verse?”
Selena set her empty cup down. ”...I hope he’s alright.”
”Well, it shows the known All-Verse,” Kari said as she looked at it. ”New worlds pop up now and then. There’s also uncharted worlds, too!” She raised a finger, before rubbing her chin.
”... Though, if Goro was on one of those, it would show it.”
”... What if he wasn’t on one of those worlds?” Yoko finally piped up, who was quietly observing the conversation. ”What about the Pit? What about the Void?”
”That… that…” Kari raised a finger. ”... Is a good question. Because they definitely shouldn’t work there. My Observation spell doesn’t work in the Void, I know. A little finicky in the Pit, but I’m working on that.”
”Didn’t one of us from the coven go to the Void? I don’t suppose he returned, and we could ask him, couldn’t we?”
”Yes, Jack Hawthorne,” Kari answered.
Yoko loudly gagged.
”Yes, I know you think he’s annoying - I mean he really is sometimes, - but that's neither here nor there,” Kari said, before she rolled her eyes. ”I lost contact with him when he left the Old Coven.”
”I fucking heard that bitches” Jack said, dropping out of the void and smacking the yams off of everyone before fucking off again
”Well… That’s inconvenient. I’ll be honest with you Yoko, now I’m worried he might have gotten himself into something he hasn’t been able to get out of.”
”... Then I’ll just have to get him out of it,” Yoko said, full of determination.
”Don’t assume the worse,” Kari smiled. ”This is our problem. We’ve become so reliant on the magic, that we don’t know what to do when it doesn’t work!”
”I’ve been looking for Goro for weeks, Kari,” Selena repeated. ”If he could have been found without magic, he would’ve been found.”
”... Stalking him for weeks you mean,” Kari gave Selena a catty smile. ”He probably went to Stormy and made a cloaking field or something just to hide!” She laughed.
”But, if anyone can find Goro, it’s me,” Kari shrugged. ”I wouldn’t worry about it.”
”I believe you… Thank you. If you ever need something in return, I should not be difficult to find.”
”Don’t mention it!” Kari said. ”And don’t worry, I’m not that kind of person: this isn’t a matter of getting something in return; it’s a matter of life and death. Goro was my friend, too, you know.”
Yoko remained largely silent during their conversation, trying to summon the courage to finally ask Kari for some more help. ”Wilson, can you help me with something?” Yoko asked.
”... You want me to help you get back into the Hatanaka Sanctuary, don’t you?”
”... How’d you-”
”This would be the time where I brag about being All-Knowing,” Kari tapped the side of her head. ”But I watched you attempt to remember the chant to get in.”
Yoko sighed, and Kari got up and gestured for Yoko to come along before turning to Selena.
”... Would you like to come, Selena?” Kari asked. ”I’m sure the tea can keep you company if you don’t.”
”Is the door just locked? I could try and break it.”
”It’s not a mere flimsy door,” Yoko said, narrowing her eyes. ”It’s enchanted to be near invulnerable. Even to magic.”
”It’s also not necessary,” Kari put her hands behind her back and smiled at Selena. ”I can figure out how to open it like that.” She snapped her fingers.
Yoko led them through the tunnels underneath the Hatanaka Estate. Down here were various furniture, portraits, and whatnot… until they made it to the end, two red castle doors. When they arrived, Kari approached the doors and placed her hands against them… nestling her forehead against it, with her eyes closed. Yoko looked on, confused, tilting her head and wondering why in the world she was-
”... Okay, Yoko, here’s what you gotta do,” Kari said as she walked over to Yoko and gently pushed her to the doors. ”Since, only a Hatanaka can open the door, you have to do it.”
Yoko didn’t protest as Kari pushed her towards the doors; she was expecting the instructions to be given to her soon. Once she stopped, Kari circled Yoko and threw her arm over her shoulder. ”Now, Yoko, repeat after me…”
Kari raised a finger and it went up and down in an arch, and repeated the chant in Japanese…
”In shadows deep, where secrets lie…”
”In shadows deep, where secrets lie…”
”Reveal the path, let whispers guide…”
”Reveal the path, let whispers guide….”
”Through ancient doors, beneath silent sky…”
”Through ancient doors, beneath silent sky…”
”... By Hatanaka's will, let realms collide.”
”... By Hatanaka's will, let realms collide.”
Kari let go of Yoko, and took a few steps back. Yoko looked at the door, then at Kari, then at the door…
”... It didn’t even wor-” She complained, or tried to, before the door began to open slowly, illuminating the hallway with light. When the door fully opened, she could see the paradise that was the Hatanaka Sanctuary. Floating islands far as the eye can see, and in the center of it all, was the.
Kari shot Yoko some jazz hands.
”... Ta-da” Kari put her hands behind her back. ”Just remember that chant, and you’ll always be able to get into the Sanctuary.”
Yoko took a few steps forward before glancing over her shoulder at Selena as she asked,
”... Would you like to see the Sanctuary?”
”If not, the Night Parade has reached the orgy segment,” Kari added.
Selena’s eyes narrowed in Kari’s direction. ”Pass. Yoko, lead the way.”
Kari laughed, and with a nod of her head Yoko stepped onto the green grass. Despite it being night time in Shimmer, the sun was shining and different floating islands could be seen as far as the eye can see. Yoko’s attention was on one floating island; the one with the massive castle.
It was connected to a lengthy suspension bridge, and Yoko stepped on it. It felt stable enough to stand on… And Yoko silently pressed.
Who wasn’t silent is Kari, ”Awe-inspiring, isn’t it?” Kari said to Selena. ”I remember my first time here.”
”You’ve been here before?” She asked, quietly while staying close behind Yoko. The sun was bright here. It felt warm with her cloak hanging off her shoulders.
”Goro brought me here,” Kari answered, ”This is where we made the Wayfinders.”
”Hmm… How is it that you haven’t been able to open the doors yourself, Yoko?” She asked, trying make conversation
Yoko stopped dead in her tracks, looked over her shoulder, as she said, ”... I forgot.”
”…I see.”
”Oh you admit it,” Kari laughed, ”I’m proud of you.”
Yoko shot Kari a sharp look as she gave her a catty smile in return. Yoko continued to press on until she passed through the gates to the castle into the courtyard. It was… Empty, desolate. Yoko knew that years ago, these grounds were lined with the future generations of Hatanakas and their disciples. Yoko continued up the stairs….
”... You want to head left,” Kari said to Yoko. ”If you want to head to the artifact storage, it’s straight down.”
Silently, Yoko pressed on… However a keen eye would notice the shadow-y monsters tailing after them. Whenever someone turned their heads towards them, they would disappear.
”What is it that follows us while we’re moving? Is that supposed to be here?”
”They may look intimidating,” Yoko began. ”But those are the guardians of the sanctuary. They will not bother you.”
”There’s a bell on the top floor we can ring to get rid of them,” Kari noted.
Yoko didn’t respond. She continued down the halls up to the door—a pair of blue double doors with large black kanji symbols on them—each representing a different concept. This time, Yoko didn't need Kari’s help as she pressed the symbol for Strength, Protection, Courage, Duty, Love, and the final one being…
… Honor.
Yoko stepped back, and the doors slid open, revealing the Hatanaka artifact storage. Around the room were weapon racks and shelves that were oddly empty for the size and the fame of the Hatanaka family. However, there were the artifacts Goro made while in the Old Coven and what artifacts he could recover. Namely, the rack of Swift Scrolls. Yoko walked over and grabbed a few. Then, she walked back to the two…
”So what will you do now, Yoko?” Kari asked Yoko.
”Find my brother,” Yoko began.
”While I look for a lead, I will finish what he started and recover the rest of the Hatanaka artifacts.”
”... And what are you going to do?” Kari asked Selena.a.
Selena looked around the room, curiously. There were some artifacts she recognized from way back when. Elysium, the scrolls, the Wall of Defiance… So this was where they were all hidden.
”I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t very curious as to what Goro’s gone off and gotten himself into,” she said. ”If you’d like help, Yoko, I’ll come with you.”
”I’m quite capable on my own,” Yoko answered.
”Oh, Yoko…” Kari rolled her eyes. ”Don’t be like that.”
Yoko turned towards her.
”She’s offering you help and all you say is ‘I’m quite capable on my own.’” Kari said, then rolled her eyes.
”This is my mission, Wilson,” Yoko said. ”I do not need her slowing me down.”
”... And sometimes having a second set of hands makes things faster,” Kari gave Yoko a catty smile before turning to Selena. ”I’m certain Selena is competent enough to keep up with your pace. Right? Right?”
”I don’t need you slowing me down either,” Selena retorted. ”But I’m still offering. It’ll be easier if we work together.”
Yoko sharply exhaled through her nose, before she said, ”... Fine, but don't make me regret this.”
Yoko sighed as she pulled out Goro’s Wayfinder, and projected the holographic display. Yoko stared at it. So many artifacts…
”Wait, there’s a few in St Portwell…” Yoko rubbed her chin.
”It could be showing the Apparition Killer and the Artifacts that Goro made for the rest of the Coven.” Kari added with a shrug.
Yoko turned to Selena, ”What do you think?”
”I know we all left a few behind. Mostly in case the sealing failed. It might be worth looking into.”
”Sounds like a plan,” Yoko nodded her head.
Kari smiled.
”... Can you two drop me off with one of your fancy scrolls first?” Kari asked.
