************************************************************ The Chen story was originally shown via flashback, but the soldier who "showed" it now simply sums it up in a few lines. Though there's also the Gensokyo Times article. I can understand it being a bit much for something ultimately not that important. ************************************************************ ----- Flashback ----- Robber: Alright, come quick! Chen: Nooo! Stop it! Leggooo! Robber: So what about the geezer? Robber: Ain't worth anything, is he? Kill 'im! Robber: Gaaah! Soldier: No...! M'lady! Minister, are you alright?! Minister: Forget me, I'm fine... You need to focus on Chen! Mobilize the GSPO, top to bottom... Just find her...! Gurk! Soldier: Please, don't push yourself! Minister: Ugh, those cursed... To come during Lady Yukari's leave, of all times...! Yukari: Why must it be?! Chen...!! Soldier: We are sending all forces to search for her. And we will give up our lives for hers if need be!! Yukari: Yes... of course... I... wish you luck... Chen... First Ran went missing... and if you were to leave me... what would I to...?! Soldier: Lady Yukari, over there!! Chen: MISH YUKARIIIII! Yukari: Chen!! Robber: Hey! Pack it up and outta here already! Who seriously cares what happens to this runt? There's a NUKE in this hut! And when it blows, you're all done for! So clear off already!! That's our message! Anybody who opposes us... GSPO: We, the GSPO, will never yield to your demands!! Enough of your crap! Get a load of this!! [The GSPO points a gun at the robber and Chen] Yukari: You... You could not be... Stop!! GSPO: I said ENOUGH! [Chen is shot in the forehead and falls] Robber: Wh... What happened...? [The robber falls over] Yukari: Ah... aaah... ah...! Soldier: You! What have you done...?! GSPO: What did I do? ME? I should be gawking at YOU for what YOU'VE done! "Knighthood"... don't make me laugh! You took away our work... You took away our LIVES!! If it weren't for you... If it weren't for goddamn YOU! Soldier: Have you lost your mind?! Cease this! Someone get Lady Yukari to a safe place! The rest of you, prepare for battle! Soldier: Yessir! Lady Yukari, it's dangerous here! Please evacuate immediately! Yukari: Chen... Chen... Soldier: Lady Yukari's safety has been assured. Now prepare yourself, GSPO vermin! GSPO: You're the ones who need preparation! Soldier: Wait! The robber's still alive!! Robber: It's the end... The end of everything... So I might as well...!! GSPO: No way... there isn't really a nuke, is...?! Soldier: STOOOOOP!! [The area is engulfed in a blinding light] ---------- ************************************************************ Griflet was originally hanging around in the south village when you first visited. Who's Griflet? ...Sigh. You'll see later. A bunch of other NPCs got cut from the village but a) their info was given in other places instead and b) they're not Griflet so who cares. ************************************************************ Wot? Girl, this's a blacksmith's. Y'know, I make weapons? I've got nuttin' for ladies like y'selves, so y'better look elsewhere. ************************************************************ Saving Ichirin originally took FOUR BATTLES instead of just one. Yeah, I don't think Koki was quite aware of how long that would take at the time. Also, he introduced Aya as the leader early - not like it's hard to guess - and you fought her there. The Aya battle alone was actually removed prior to his ultimate decision to shorten the entire sequence. ************************************************************ Darkwing Bandit: Man, what is this, "chumps to the flame" day? Oh well... We'll just hafta treat ya nice, too! [Battle with Darkwing Bandit x4] Darkwing Bandit: Wuh? Something happen?! Darkwing Bandit: We got some cocky ones here! Think you're just so great, huh?! Get 'em!! [Battle with Darkwing Bandit x4] Mima: Ugh... There's so many of them! Darkwing Bandit: Don'tcha DARE take the Darkwing Bandits lightly! C'mon!! [Battle with Darkwing Bandit x4] What's all this?! Darkwing Bandit: Boss! These guys are tough! Aya: Dogs of that lousy gapping hag! We'll settle this!! [ Battle with Aya Shameimaru and Darkwing Bandit x3 ] Aya: Oh, I'll remember this!! ************************************************************ Kukuri Watanabe originally had a longer scene that was cut down for... some reason. ************************************************************ Youth: So how 'bout some oden from my cart as a reward? Mima: Thanks for the concern, but we don't particularly have time to spare. I appreciate the thought, though. Youth: That so... Sigh, 's too bad... Marisa: Hmph, what a typical runt... Tryin' to sway us with that pathetic voice, 'zat it? Boys these days, ze... Yuka: Oh, stop it, Marisa. Don't be so hard on him. Youth: H-Hey, how can you keep SAYING that?! I mean sure, maybe my chest ain't the best... eyes ain't exactly pretty... not too tall... Not to mention I smoke, and I'm iffy on makeup to say the least... And I've worn girly clothes, like, MAYBE once... BUT... I'mma GIRL, dammit!! Marisa: You're... kidding, right?! Young Girl?: Well geez, don't you sound surprised... That hurts, ya know?! Mima: ...Well, um, you're a human, right? It'd be awfully dangerous to stick around here. You should head home soon, for your own sake. Young Girl: Ah, no need to tell me that. I was all set to vamoose anyway. We ever meet again someday, I'll be ready to pay ya back anytime. Seeya! ************************************************************ Yuka originally mentioned that the key to open the Tower of Demons had "Brion" carved on it in "ancient Makai lettering" - that is, Lucretian - when you got it at the shrine. Not a huge deal. ************************************************************ ************************************************************ Chapter 2 got switched around a lot, basically. It originally started with Yukari sending you with Meira to the east village to investigate lost communications. This played out quite a bit differently - there's no "illusion" whatsoever, Orin was there too, and Alice was way cooler - but it still had Yumemi, zombies, Alice, and the counts. After you took care of that, you went back to Yukari to receive a bunch of other objectives. One of these was taking out Utsuho, but there was no real surrounding backstory; you just went to the Palace of Earth Spirits and she talked a bit before the battle. Another was, as in the final version, rescuing someone Momiji kidnapped, but instead of Yuka, it was the castle's minister. And yet another was taking out Yuki and Mai in the Garden of the Sun, because why not. After taking care of all those - possibly in any order, after the east village part - THEN you went to the south village to kill everybody. ************************************************************ Yukari: I thank you for coming, Mima, Reimu. Now then, I will be having you go to the eastern human village. Mima: Does Makai have forces there, too? Yukari: We do not presently know the details in full. However, what we can be quite certain of is the tenacity of our enemy. We had a platoon stationed there, but we lost communication with them overnight. And, in fact, the damage does not appear to lie with my knights alone... It may very well be extending to civilians. As an aside, I heard a strange rumor. Reimu: Concerning? Yukari: They claim that corpses in the area have been disappearing from their graves. And that humans who were known to be dead have been seen walking around... Both occurrences that would appear to defy the standard definition of "dead." So in short, I ask of you to go there and act as my special rescue force. Mima: Got it. Let's get going. Yukari: Wait. To ensure your success, I shall be sending one of my subordinates with you. Come forth, Meira. Meira: Yes ma'am! Reimu: ... Meira: ...I'm Meira. I'll be glad to help. Mima: What is it, Reimu? Reimu: Oh, uh, it's nothing. Meira: Let the troubles of the past be forgotten. Now, we focus on our battle. < Eastern Human Village > Chiyuri: Yumemiii... C'meeeeere...! Yumemi: Ugh, everyone's turned into undead...?! Chiyuri... I'm sorry! You should not be so careless with your life... Now, to your grave! Sword of Idle DARKNEEEEESS! Yumemi: Okay, this is NOT looking so hot!! Meira: Yumemi! You okay?! Mima: This doesn't look good... Yumemi: Whew, you came to save me?! Wonderful! Talk about a godsend! Rin: Ya think we'll go that easy? You see all your companions sleeping around here...? Well, it's no ordinary sleep... Their sleep is one of death! And when they wake up, ew, gross! They're revived - they're undead! Now then! Come, my rearrived departed! Seize these who helplessly cling to their fleeting fantasy... And bury them in an eternity of darkness!! [Battle with Chiyuri Kitashirakawa (Zombie) and Dead Grappler x3] Rin: Well done, heroes of Gensokyo. Not ones to be taken out the easy way, are ya? Very well - now I'LL be your opponent! [Battle with Rin Kaenbyou and Death Paladin x3] Rin: Is this punishment... for my misdeeds...? Miss.. Sa... tori... Yumemi: Hey, thanks. I got to live 'cause of you guys! Sorry if I got everybody worried. I'm starting to feel real tired after all this... Plus, a whole bunch of the soldiers I borrowed from Yukari fell in battle... How're you gonna make it up to me? Meira: Ahem? We saved your life. That should be enough. Yumemi: Well anyway, dang old Makai... they're being pretty evil, huh? I mean seriously, necromancers? That's pretty bad. Meira: Yeah, about that. It seems they've taken the corpses to the northern forest. Mima: Right. Then we must give chase! < Northern Human Village Forest > Alice: Ahahahhh... My, how silly it looks to be alive after having died. I simply can't allow you to stay here. Not if you won't listen to my pleas... Mima: Don't think you can toy with the souls of the dead! Man in Red: Alice's every wish is granted here. None shall ever defy her. Man in Black: We grant people eternal life. I should think it is only proper to show thanks... Yumemi: You ugly undead freaks! I'll make you all pay on my companions' behalf! [Battle with Belial, Nebiros, and Zombie x2] Alice: Marvelous, marvelous! MORE strife! MORE anguish! Continue your beautiful dance for me! [Battle with Zombie x4] Mima: Face the facts! You have nowhere to run now! Reimu: Are you really going to stand up to us all alone? If you just give up quietly, we'll at least spare your life! Alice: My, well, that sounds like great fun and all, but... Alas, it seems to me that would greatly restrict my freedom... Drifting spirits of regret, give life to my creations! Summon Doll! Meira: What's with the dolls?! Alice: To the world, I was once Alice Margatroid! And it is not as if I would abandon her magic! Have at you!! [Battle with Alice and Horror Doll x3] Alice: My, but you ARE tougher than I had predicted... But I'm not about to give up the ghost here, that's for sure. I simply must be going now! Toodles! Mima: Wait! You think you can run?! Alice: I must be on my way, dear friends, but I beseech, take care! And if fate has it in the cards... we'll meet again, I swear! Ohoho... Yumemi: Well, we're done with what we had to do. Quick, to the castle! < Mayohiga Castle > Yukari: It appears you were able to carry out your task safely. Meira, Yumemi, I ask you continue to grant Mima and Reimu your support. Meira: It would be my pleasure. Yumemi: Sure thing. Yukari: Now, I would like to ask you to liberate two locations in particular. Firstly, the Garden of the Sun. There is a Makai supply base there, where it would appear a duo of Makai soldiers has taken charge. Our troops have moved into the fierce battleground that is central Gensokyo, so alas, there are now few to be stationed there. Mima: Speaking of the Garden... Where exactly has Yuka gone? We haven't seen anything of her in days. Yukari: Do not worry. We have been searching for her as well. Eventually, when it is more advantageous, the key she holds shall be indispensable for an invasion of the Tower. But, back to the topic at hand... The second location that must be liberated is the Palace of Earth Spirits. There has been an youkai uprising there, encouraging many to defect to Makai. I know nothing but the location - of any further details, I am not aware. So, the Garden, and the Palace... those are the two areas I seek that you liberate. In addition, I would request that you go to the northern human village as well. An unknown personage there has kidnapped our minister and is demanding a ransom for him. It may even be that the responsible party is more than a mere ne'er-do-well seeking to take advantage of the chaos. Whatever the case may turn out to be, be sure to keep a watchful eye. I do desire to go myself, but alas, a leader cannot simply abandon her position in such troubling times. Be careful, the four of you. < Palace of Earth Spirits > Makai Soldier: Lady Okuu, a group of knights has come! Mima: Why have you, a resident of Gensokyo, betrayed us for Makai...? Okuu: I just can't put up with this world's nonsense... Bizarre decisions have restrained us, made us look like fools... That even those WITH power can't freely do as they wish... is absolutely ridiculous! That's why the time has come for me to be free of those restraints! If you're going to get in my way, I'll show you no mercy! Yumemi: She's coming! [Battle with Utsuho Reiuji & Little Bahamut x2] Okuu: But that's... I... why...? < Garden of the Sun > Yuki: !! What are our enemies doing here?! Mai: Calm down. There aren't THAT many of them. We can handle this ourselves! [Battle with Yuki and Mai] [ If Yuki is defeated first ] Mai: Ah...! Yuki's down! ...Ahaha. Well, with that deadbeat gone, this will go much more smoothly. You better be ready, 'cause I know I'M getting serious!! [ If Mai is defeated first ] Yuki: MAAAI!! How... How DARE you hurt Mai...! I WON'T let you get away with this!! < North Village > Mima: It wouldn't seem the north village has gotten too sucked into the war as of yet. Yumemi: The main fighting's going on at the Tower of Demons and Mayohiga Castle. This place is so far north from the Tower that yeah, it's relatively peaceful. ...But I believe there's always been a large gap in wealth here, so there's probably some slums around. Mima: Slums... Should we check them out? ************************************************************ Nothing really lost preceding the Hatate fight, but there was an extra conversation during it. It was basically ripped straight from Final Fantasy Tactics, so yeah. Things also went slightly differently afterward, though some of it is simply due to the hostage being changed to Yuka instead of the minister. ************************************************************ [ During battle ] Hatate: What GIVES a person "authority," anyway?! We're not just your freakin' cattle, you know! We've got spirit! Same as you! You think there's anything that makes you and us so different?! Hell, all that changes is what RACE we're born into! Ask yourself, you ever felt hungry? EVER? You ever staved off that hunger for months with nothin' but your friends' CORPSES?! Why do WE hafta suffer so much? It always comes back to people like you! You people with "authority" take everything from us! Take away every little right we have! Meira: You, have the same "spirit" as us? Hmph, what utter nonsense! The feeble serving the strong is a law which this world is founded upon! It is an enduring truth that can never be overturned! So if one should lack power, they should know PRECISELY why they are cattle! Hatate: And who decided THAT?! Who's to blame for that ridiculous decision?! Meira: It is the will of the heavens! Hatate: The will... of the heavens? Like Gensokyo would have anything so outrageous! All people should be like equals before the gods! No god could allow such a thing! They would NEVER! Meira: Ah, but there's one critical point you're missing... Cattle don't HAVE gods!! Hatate: !!!! [ After battle ] Meira: ...I know you punks are part of the Darkwing Bandits. So where's that minister you kidnapped? Speak! Mima: Wasn't that the leader earlier, Shameimaru? Where did she go? Hatate: .......... [Meira kicks Hatate] Meira: SAY something, dammit! Reimu: Meira, stop it! Meira: Feh! You wanna hear something? Yes you do, now listen up. Right now, the knighthood is at its most tense. You know what would happen if you had to deal with them now? ...Soon as you got them involved, you pathetic packrats would be extinguished in a matter of seconds... But if you fess up to where that hostage is this instant, it won't have to come to that... now will it? Hatate: ...Hell, I wouldn't know. [Meira raises Hatate by the neck] Meira: Watch your tongue, you goddamn chicken little! Don't you use your thiefy mud-smeared language with a KNIGHT! Hatate: ...We're not... thiefy. ...You guys in power are all the same. You treat us like cattle... and toss us when we're no use to you... But we've been gathering our power... to fight! To fight against that loathsome Great Tengu and those government lackeys who throw us aside! Meira: How cocky you are... for the scum who'd take a hostage for ransom! Hatate: ...You've got it all wrong... about the kidnapping... It wasn't our leader's idea... Meira: What?! Hatate: We would never... kidnap someone... f-o-r m-o-n-e-y... Meira: Well, then who did? Hatate: ...Momiji. Meira: Momiji...? Momiji who? Hatate: ...Momiji Inubashiri, the Darkwing Bandits' second-in-command... Meira: Just as I thought... you foul Darkwing Bandits are to blame for this all! Hatate: N-No... We fight to bring down our oppressors in tengu government! We're proud warriors, struggling for peace and equality! Momiji... Momiji's nothing like that! Meira: What are you blabbering, "proud warriors"?! THIS lowly pack of rogues?! The nerve of poultry to compare itself to us HUMANS! I'll make you into fried chicken! Just WATCH me! Mima: Enough already, Meira! Have some SENSE! We shouldn't be here taunting bandits! All we need to do is rescue the hostage! Hatate: It's no use trying to get any sympathy out of you... I see we'll never be any more than cattle to you... Nothing more... Mima: Now, go... Go if you don't want to die. [Hatate leaves, dragging her legs, then stops] Hatate: ...The hostage's held up in the Den of Wind. ...And I'd toss out any nice ideas about helping your enemies from now on. That nicety'll be your downfall someday. [Hatate leaves] Reimu: The Den of Wind? I've never heard of it. Meira: The Den of Wind is a cave where the wind always blows, near the foot of the Youkai Mountain. We've no time to waste. Let's hurry there. < Foot of the Youkai Mountain > Darkwing Bandit (Male): ...Yo, ya hear? Seems the knights've sent assassins after us. Darkwing Bandit (Female): Yep, I heard... ...The heck we gonna do about it, though? Darkwing Bandit (Male): We gotta clean up and run somewhere before we're killed! Darkwing Bandit (Male): Who's the dunce who thought the knighthood'd spare any expense in the middle of a war?! 'Cause they're who got us into this fine mess!! Darkwing Bandit (Female): SHEESH! ...Well, we can't 'xactly wash our hands of this now. We were fools to go along with Momiji's schemes...! Darkwing Bandit (Female): We've come too far to turn back now... Hold on tight, and let's make it through to the end...! Darkwing Bandit (Male): B-Bad news! The knights are here! Mima: Okay, let's get these guards down before they all start ganging up on us! [Battle with Darkwing Bandit x2 and Darkwing Bandit Female x2] Mima: They're awfully late in coming... I guess it doesn't much matter that we were spotted...? [A scream echoes from the cave] Reimu: That was...?! We have to hurry! ************************************************************ There was a battle with the Mischievous Fairies on the way to the south village because why not. Oh, also, Yumemi came along with you. ************************************************************ Yumemi: ...Weird. I thought we'd be there soon enough, but... Reimu: I feel like we went through this same place earlier... Mima: Well, I can't imagine why we'd get lost along such a straightforward route... Meira: It could be a trap of sorts. The troops will stand by while you investigate. Sunny: Ghk! We've been found out! Luna: No WAAAY! It shoulda been PERFECT! Star: Ah, who cares! No point cryin' over spilt milk! Besides, this is a PERFECT chance to show off the power we got from Makai! Sunny: HYAAAH! [Battle with Sunny Milk, Luna Child, and Star Sapphire] ************************************************************ Originally, you were given a choice in the southern village massacre. You could obey Yumemi and Reimu would be appalled, or refuse and Yukari would put a ransom on the two of them. Despite there only being two choices, there were actually THREE branches, two of which ended up being completely scrapped. The surviving third branch is known as the "Chaos" branch. There was an early stage of the script where there was no direct choice - Mima always refused Yumemi. Instead, the decider for whether or not Yumeko would talk was based on who was alive in the battle with her. So this first, unnamed branch starts off with Mima refusing Yumemi, but Yumeko dying without telling her story, so Mima stays with Caesar without knowing that Yukari started the war. ************************************************************ < Unnamed Forest in Southwest Gensokyo > Mima: Reimu... We need to leave soon. We can't bother Caesar any longer. He has no reason to get involved in this. Reimu: What could we do if we left now?! Even if the knights didn't get to us, the bounty hunters certainly would! Caesar: Are you fighting again? Look, it's today's newspaper. [ Caesar explains his backstory with Lucretia and Makai, learns from Genji that Yuka is imprisoned in Mayohiga Castle (they get the info directly), and makes plans to infiltrate. ] < On the Way > Aya: I've finally found them...! The traitors of Gensokyo! That reward is ours! And to ensure it, I've hired these mercenaries! Now, prepare yourself!! Mima: So you've lowered yourself to nothing more than a greedy bounty hunter? You won't stop us here! [Battle with Aya Shameimaru and Mercenary x3] Aya: I shouldn't... have died... like this... < On the Way > Makai Soldier: Miss Aki, someone's approaching! Shizuha: The knights, perhaps? So, they'd come for us too... Minoriko: See, that's why I didn't want to do this! Makai wasn't thinking of the consequences! Shizuha: There's nowhere to run now. Prepare for the worst... Makai Soldier: No, they're not the knights. They, er... seem to be the evil spirit and the shrine maiden they've been searching for. Minoriko: Evil spirit with a shrine maiden... So they're the wicked girls who falsely accused us of that slaughter! Shizuha: Hm, there's a good idea... Perhaps if we have their heads, we'll be forgiven... Minoriko: Perhaps... It's better than heading to the guillotine if we're caught, at least... Mima: There are Makai soldiers left?! Shizuha: You god-unfearing scoundrels! Minoriko: I'll have your heads! Mima: ...Who are they? Reimu: I... don't remember. Shizuha: Don't fool around with us! Minoriko: I'll kill you... for prosperity! [Battle with Shizuha Aki, Minoriko Aki, and Powasshi x2] Shizuha: Y... You cursed... Minoriko: G... god-killers... Reimu: ...I know it's important that I live... But... is this really...? Mima: Let's hurry. < Outside Mayohiga Castle > Caesar: With all these guards, we can't get in. Mima: If we just try to bust in, we don't stand a chance... Reimu: Let's wait until night. There should be fewer guards then... Caesar: I'll distract the guards in the back. That's when you sneak in. Mima: Got it. Wish me luck... < Inside Mayohiga Castle > Yumemi: I've been waiting... Mima: Yumemi... Yumemi: Oh, don't stand there like that. I need to talk to you. Reimu: Talk to us about what...? Yumemi: I've learned all too much... This whole war has been one big plot. Mima: A plot, you say?! But by who?! Reimu: You don't mean... by Yukari...? Yumemi: I do. Every part of this war is her doing... We've been putting the blame on Makai for our own benefit. We've made Makai look like the most abominable place in the world... all to get the support of the masses. After the war is over, with all the damage the people have sustained, our ruler can have her way. If things go as she's planned, she'll have complete control over Gensokyo. Mima: Is this... true...? Yumemi: Of course it's true. If things continue this way, then waiting at the end of the war is dictatorship not seen since the Dark Ages... This cannot be allowed, not at all. What Gensokyo needs... is a new leader. Reimu: Yumemi, you... you don't mean...! Yumemi: I've just ordered a raid on this castle... And the assassination of Yukari Yakumo!! Mima: You've got to be joking!! I don't understand!! How will killing Yukari resolve anything?! Yumemi: Well, what other way IS there?! This isn't just some fantasy! Like it or not, "fantasy" is just a name we've made up for things in reality! The sacrifice of the people in the southern village would all be for naught... So, if only so that their sacrifice isn't wasted...! Reimu: I don't understand... You're no different from Yukari! You can't just keep to your selfish motives and make up reasons for things! Yumemi: Then what DO I do, huh? You think YOU can make an ideal world?! Mima: No, we're not so arrogant. We just want to understand! Gensokyo is the land of fantasy... People here don't want to believe they're limited to reality! And I want to see for myself that they're right! Yumemi: ...I understand what you're trying to say. And if I were in your place... perhaps I would agree. But ultimately, you're just like everyone else. And it's me who's the crazy fool... Side struggles against side... while it seems I'm the only one who believes there can just be ONE way. If you can't accept such objective thinking, you can do no good for this world... I can't entrust things to you... Yet, I owe you for everything you've done. Thank you, and... goodbye. [Battle with Swordmaster Yumemi Okazaki] [ Battle start ] Reimu: Yumemi! Please, stop! Mima: Put away that sword! Why would you fight us?! Aren't we fellow citizens of Gensokyo?! Yumemi: Fellow citizens of Gensokyo? Is that your idea of a joke? We could scarcely be more different! Come to think of it, seeing as you've always had such power... No, you COULDN'T understand, now could you...? The fear of disappearing without your name being known...! And all of your deeds coming to mean nothing...! Reimu: Yumemi...? [ Yumemi's HP goes under 2000 ] Yumemi: Don't you understand the cruelty of it all? I always believed so strongly that I had a special purpose... Yes... until now, I suppose. I came to realize why I was ultimately hated here in Gensokyo... I, too, was nothing more than a "human." No matter how much effort I put in, no matter how strong I became, my humanity was my limit... A limit I could never, ever overcome. And yet, what are you? Mima, you even claimed just now that I was the same as you... So why ARE you all "special" when I'm just "ordinary"? I'm not a "human"... I'm not a "youkai"... I'm just "ME"!! [ Yumemi's HP goes under 1500 ] Yumemi: Gah... well done, so-called heroes... Mima: Get a grip, Yumemi! Open your eyes! You shouldn't be doing this!! Yumemi: "Open my eyes"? What, by giving up?! YOU'RE the ones who need to be woken up!! You have the power to rule Gensokyo! There's no reason to let that go to waste just because of some flimsy ideals! It's still not too late! You can take back everything you've said! So come, win a peaceful Gensokyo by my side! Mima: Never! I would never willingly support such evil! Yumemi: Did you just say... "evil"?! You think this is EVIL?! You're supposed to be HEROES! Well, even moreso than you so-called heroes of Gensokyo, I have a DUTY to carry out what must be done! And you're calling that EVIL?! You insufferable fools! Mima: Aren't you getting innocent people involved in a war for your own benefit?! How could I NOT call that evil?! Yumemi: If a "victim" must be made to meet an end, then so it goes! For if that "victim" is not done away with, the future cannot be changed! History cannot be made!! The land you see is but a shell of the former Gensokyo! It DESPERATELY needs change! And that's exactly what I've set out to bring! Even if you call my work "evil"!! [ Yumemi's HP goes under 1000 ] Mima: No, you're wrong!! You've never thought about anything but yourself! Yumemi: Are you just trying to confuse me now?! It's just the opposite! I've considered nothing but the good of Gensokyo! Mima: Lies! You've used the knights, the people of Gensokyo, and even Makai to rise through the ranks! Is power all you want?! Yumemi: ...And how is "using" things evil?! What evil is there in the mere aspiration to achieve greater things?! Living any other way in Gensokyo, I'd never be more than an ordinary villager! Manners will get you nowhere! Listen well! There's no such thing as "justice" in this world! Humans are unjust by their very nature! But even so, what good is it to waste your life lamenting your birth?! If you have time to lament it, instead, fight it! Fight, and take victory over all! If the weak do not wish to remain weak, what else can be done but to place them in the middle of war?! And isn't that how YOU'VE gotten where you are? Can YOU claim to be any different?! You've used incidents to achieve your position! Trying to criticize ME for the same is sheer comedy! Mima: Don't you have anything to be proud of as a knight?! ...Or rather, as a human?! Yumemi: Bah! Those lives did nothing but restrain... I've long since abandoned them! [ Yumemi's death ] Yumemi: Aaahhh... why...? Why... couldn't I win...? I... I knew it... I'm just... a human, aren't I...? Yukari: Mima, Reimu. I thank you. To think that Yumemi would try to start a rebellion... I could have never imagined it. You have worked tirelessly to push Makai out of the villages, and now have exposed this girl's tricks. I am not certain if I can ask for forgiveness now, but I apologize. ...I am sorry. I realize how often I ask of you to work for the sake of the knights, but... Will you do something for me? Reimu: Yes... of course... Mima: ... Yukari: Ah, well, the magician aiding you appears to already be taking it upon herself to rest. You are tired as well, surely? I will lead you to your room. This way. Mima: Reimu... what do you think? Reimu: I can't believe Yukari could do such things. But... even if it is true... We have no choice but to act for the good of Gensokyo... Mima: ... We'll search for Yuka tomorrow morning. Then we should understand everything... _____________________________________________ I never have any regret for my actions. Because the road I now walk, I have chosen for myself... _____________________________________________ Mima: ...? Mima: Who's that?! Yukari: ... Reimu: What happened? ...Yukari? "Yukari... Slay the girl before you...!" "You're not leaving the castle alive!!" Reimu: Wha?! Mima: Someone must be controlling her! [Battle with Yukari Yakumo & Satanophobia x3] [ Battle start ] Reimu: Yukari! Stay calm! It's me! Yukari: Could that be you, Reimu...? This is... where... am I...? I cannot see... What am I doing...? Am I standing up...? Am I sitting down...? I... cannot feel... my limbs... Mima: You're being controlled by an agent of Makai! Yukari: I am... fighting... you...? Why...? The two of you... run... I... cannot... I will... kill... you... Reimu: Yukari... [ Yukari's HP goes under 1500 ] Yukari: Please... kill... me... My limbs... I cannot feel them... I hurt... all over... And... these memories... are terrifying... My spirit... has left me... Reimu: It's okay, Yukari! There... there has to be a way! So don't give up! Please, please... don't give up!! Yukari: No... it is hopeless for me... quickly... kill me... It is so... painful... Someone is... whispering... talking... crying... threatening... Please... be quick... do whatever you must to give me rest... Mima: Damn...! Who could do something so cowardly?! [ Yukari's death ] Yukari: I am sorry... Reimu... Mima... These thoughts are... painful... I... because Ran disappeared... I fell into desperation... And this... is what I receive for it... In my last moments... hear my last wish... My goal... was only to end this war... Tell that... to everyone... Now... to die... goodbye... ...and thank you... Reimu: YUKARIIIII!! [And then the minister arrives.] ************************************************************ Alright, so. When asked by Yumemi to do what Yukari says, what happens if you obey? You get the Low route, starring Griflet and Yuugi. PS. I suspect that Griflet was meant to be Fay (Yuka's friend)'s father, but Koki never confirmed it because WHOOPS HE NO LONGER EXISTS. ************************************************************ Yumemi: So please, comply... If we don't do this, there'll be no tomorrow for us! [ ...I understand. / Cease this foolishness! ] > ...I understand. Mima: ...I understand. I hate to say it, but for true peace... we must disgrace ourselves. Yumemi: ...Sorry. But know their sacrifice won't be in vain. Reimu: Are you two serious?! Mima: We can't win on good manners alone. That's plain as day to anyone with a grasp on reality. Reimu: What's going on?! You've never been like this!! Yumemi: Reimu, you seem opposed. Are you saying you won't follow us? Reimu: Of course I won't! Peace could never come of the murder of innocents! Yumemi: There must be a scapegoat... Something to catch the hearts of the inobedient masses! Reimu: Meira, you wouldn't support such an inhuman plan... Meira: Of course I will! Reimu: !! Meira: What need is there to hesitate? Those who normally serve no use at all to Gensokyo now can. They'll gladly die for its benefit! Reimu: Then from today forth... You and I are sworn enemies!! Makai Soldier: Massacre the knighthood! Don't let any of them live! Yumemi: Ugh, reinforcements from Makai! You handle this, I'll get the town! [Battle with Ruby Tyrant x4] [Battle with Rinbascura x4] [Battle with Yumeko and Entmopyram] [ Yumeko's death ] Yumeko: Lady Shinki... I... could serve no use... _____________________________________________ No one knows what is just or what is wrong. However, no one can blame me. Because having a heart means continuing to make mistakes... _____________________________________________ One month after the slaughter in the southern village... The tragedy was satisfyingly effective: the humans of Gensokyo became strongly united, and even youkai moderates rose to action. As such, Makai forces had to fight with three separate groups simultaneously: the knights, the humans, and the youkai. They were slowly being driven into a corner. There was another surge of applications to join the knights, making its membership swell to almost four times its former size. As Yukari Yakumo's supporters continued to increase in number, the end of the war seemed only a matter of time... Meanwhile, to combat criticism of the knighthood, Mima took orders to take care of a partisan, and travels with mercenaries to the eastern village... Chapter 3 The Truth Hurts Sometimes < Eversnow Forest > Crude Man: Ack-HOO! Dammit, you REALLY sure they're in this cold-as-arse place?! Horned Girl: Yeesh, whatta miserable sound... Is the great Griflet, mercenary of the lone human village, truly done in by the cold? ...That sounds so dumb. Owin' to yer bizarre name, natch. Yer a real oddball in our group, y'know. Griflet: Ah, shaddup, Yuugi! Don't ya got any respect for a guy wit' English ancestry?! Feh! Y'stupid ogres with all ya crazy customs... wouldn't make sense to me inna million years! And what the hell's this, "lone human village"?! Make it lone mercenary OF the human village, y'moron! Yuugi: Enough, enough! Ya wanna settle this here and now, do ya? Bring it on, I'll kick yer shins in! Mima: Yuugi, stop! Don't wear yourself out! Griflet: Yeah, just like Mima says, eh? Don't wan' a lass gettin' all tuckered out, now... Mima: You too, Griflet! Don't let her get you worked up! Yuugi: Geez louise... ----- Flashback ----- Mima: The Illusion Band? Yukari: Yes. A guerrilla force that arose following the weakening of Makai forces, which has since been quite active in various places. Meira: It appears the people of the villages have formed this partisan due to the harshness brought on by the war. Yukari: They profess to be the "Anti-Knighthood," acting as they do toward the purpose of terrorizing the knights. As the conclusion of our struggle with Makai nears, this "Illusion Band" is but a pox upon our sight. Mima, I ask you to clean up the mess. Yumemi: I don't suppose that has anything to do with lending them a hand... Yukari: Hm? It is far more effective to quickly cast away that which so clearly impedes us. What do you hesitate for? Yumemi: Our job is to "cast away" those people whose lives are hell? Not to give them aid or ANYTHING? Meira: Their hellish lives come as a mere consequence of their lacking effort. Same as those Darkwing Bandits. We have no obligation to aid those who would irrationally take out their own failings on the knighthood. Yumemi: Are we not a knighthood FOR the people?! War makes the common people suffer most of all! And we've only made it worse for them in massacring an entire village... Yet the knighthood cares more about what this "Illusion Band" is doing than helping their own people!! Yukari: Just hear out my plans. Perhaps you will yet object... but perhaps not. Firstly, it is only Mima who shall be tasked with carrying out this cleanup operation. The head of the eastern village has been gathering mercenaries, likely taking notice of the partisan's acts of terrorism. As such, Mima shall disguise herself, and acting as a mercenary, fight against the Illusion Band. If all has gone to plan, she will be mixed in with the other mercenaries. The knights will pour in, and at last the band shall be annihilated. That is the plan. Meira: I see... If this is seen as the work of mercenaries, then the knighthood will face no complaint. Yumemi: Wonder if it'll really work out so well... Yukari: Do you lack faith? Believe me, for I trust that it shall... ---------- Mima: ...Hm? Something noisy this way comes... Knightly Man: You ain't trickin' me! Tell me! What're you after?! Magely Man: I was simply passing by! Nothing more, nothing less! Knightly Man: Ya think I'll believe that story? Alright, guys, let's show 'im the might of the Illusion Band! ...Hm? Mima: Looks like he's being attacked. Griflet: Hey, who do y'like, the ruffian or the prettyboy? Yuugi: Didn't need to hear that! [Battle with Illusion Bander x4] [ Battle start ] Illusion Bander: Wait a sec, now! That guy's from Makai! Why're you all helping him? Griflet: 'nnoyin' punk! I help people out, 'swhat I do! What, I need a REASON to?! Mima: Quietly surrender and we'll spare your life. But oppose us, and we'll show no mercy! Illusion Bander: Heh, friggin' hypocrites! Griflet: Ain't got no problem wi' that! Rather be a hypocrite than pass up a good deed! Illusion Bander: You'll regret this! Magely Man: You saved my life... I must thank you. ...My name is Caesar. Mima: Those people said you were from Makai, Caesar. Is that true? Caesar: ...I won't deny it. But regardless, I came to save this world. Mima: To save it? Caesar: There are some... complicated reasons for my actions. If you don't mind, could I offer you my aid? I'm not very strong, but I think I'm pretty good with magic. Should I come to drag you down, feel free to leave me behind. I won't mind. Griflet: Sounds ace. Y'come along, then. Yuugi: Griflet! What are you THINKING? Griflet: Y'got a good reason why not, lassie? Our gang's all about weapons, he's usin' magic. Caesar balances things out, y'see? Mima: ...That's one reason, sure. I understand. You can come along. Caesar: Thank you. Yuugi: ...Well, that couldn't've been the whole lot there, now could it? There's gotta be more of 'em somewhere in the forest. Griflet: Sure, but what's the plan wit' regards to it already bein' evenin'? Mima: When night falls, we'll be effectively incapable of movement. We'll have to set up camp and wait for dawn. Griflet: Y'SERIOUS?! Gimme a BREAK! Y'guys are like... nah, y're pretty much LITERALLY monsters! I mean, no offense... But I'm a human over here, don't you forget! If I fall asleep in this godforsaken place, I got a one-way ticket to DEAD!! Yuugi: If ya don't like it, why don'tcha head home, huh? Griflet: Shut yer trap! Geez, this is JUST why I hate y'stupid ogres! Caesar: Could I perhaps make a bonfire? Griflet: Oi, yeah, that'd be a great help, if y'could. Right! I'll stay by the fire and keep an eye out! [And the night wears on...] Griflet: Hey, what's ya deal? Y'gonna sleep or what? Mima: Oh, well... ...Griflet, why did you become a mercenary? Griflet: Well, long as the world's all caught up in war, I say nuts to stayin' behind 'n' workin' ya butt off. Ain't nothin' better than puttin' y'self in the fray. Mima: You enjoy fighting...? Griflet: Weeell, I just like... the atmosphere, y'know? Don't know when or how y'might die. Thrillin', walkin' right on the border 'tween life 'n' death... For people who've lost everything, there ain't no other way to live. Mima: So you've been through hard times, have you... ...What will you do when the war's over? Griflet: I'd be a bit out of a job, so maybe I'd switch over to bein' a vigilante. Or might not be such a bad idea to start blacksmithin' again like I used to. Mima: ...I envy you. Griflet: Y'say some weeeird stuff, lady. There's a zillion better ways to live life than THIS, y'know. Mima: Well, I'm an evil spi... I mean, ghost. I can't live the way a human or a youkai does. I don't know where I should be taking my life... Griflet: Hey, ain't like ghosts can't have hopes 'n' dreams anymore! ...Oh, uh... don't tell me y'actually can't for some reason... Mima: No, nothing like that, but... I'm... scared... that there'll come a time when I just can't do it. When I can't reach out and find happiness anywhere... Griflet: Hopes, dreams, any ideals... yeah, they're all fleetin', sure. But still, that stuff's what we live for. Long as we humans're alive, we gotta be reckless, shine our brightest! When y're like me, livin' just to live... man, y'life might as well be over! ...Yain't like me, not yet. Ya got ideals, still healthy 'n' all that. So don'tcha give up on a thing. Live on, will ya? Just hang on tight 'n' make y'fantasies reality. Pull that off... and not just y'self, plenty'a people'll be happy, s'what I think. Mima: Griflet... Griflet: ...Bet that sounded stupid as hell comin' from my yap. Well, go 'n' ignore this miserable, dreamless dude's blabberin' if y'want. Gah, look what y'did! All flustered now... Y'better get to bed. 's nearly, y'know, tomorrow. Mima: Oh, right... [ Yukari and Yuka talk politics as usual. ] [The next morning] Mima: Right, onward to the end of the forest! Illusion Bander: Ambush!! [Battle with Illusion Bander x6] Illusion Bander: Ugh, these damned dogs of the knighthood...! Illusion Bander: We've no choice! Retreat to the Petrified Mountain! Yuugi: Petrified Mountain, eh? Griflet: What, don'tcha guys know 'bout it? Mima: I've never heard of such a place. It's certainly not on any maps... does it really exist? Griflet: 'Course it does. The kappa 'n' tengu don't know it, but it's been wiped from maps 'n' from history. Caesar: Then why do you know of it, Griflet? Griflet: It ain't just me! Ev'rybody in my village used t'know, known fer ages. Used to be a great spot for humans to go see maples 'n' cherry blossoms 'n' all that. Real shame it's all gone now... Mima: Gone? Griflet: Anyway, let's head for it. Place's northwest of the north village. < Mayohiga Castle > Meanwhile... Yukari: I wonder, might Mima begin her struggle against the Illusion Band soon...? Yumemi: Yukari, there's only three mercenaries out there! How could so few beat the Illusion Band...? Yukari: Mima is not there to necessarily defeat the Illusion Band. Merely to weaken them. Yumemi: What do you mean? Yukari: You say there are three, but note that each wields the power of nearly an entire platoon. Even should they not suffer significant damage, the Band will realize they are being targeted by very powerful individuals indeed. After all, the Illusion Band is nary but a collection of commoners. This is more an act of intimidation than anything. We will capture them, and as a grand display of what happens to those who oppose the knighthood, execute them. And in this way, the knighthood's dissenters shall be no more. Yumemi: Execute?! That's only going to make MORE people angry at the knights! Face it, you're WRONG! Haven't you heard, Yukari? More and more people are leaving the knighthood by the day... Yukari: They would raise complaint at this fateful hour? Pitiful. Yumemi: There's more than dealing with mere complaints to worry about. What if the truth behind the massacre were publicized? The knights would be done for! Yukari: You test my tolerance, coward! Out of this room at ONCE!! Yumemi: ...Hmph! < Petrified Mountain > Mima: This is awful... Yuugi: Friggin' everything's turned to stone... Griflet: Years 'n' years ago, some magicians had a fight on this mountain. Somebody let loose some petrification magic, and before y'know it, the whole mountain's turned to rock. And 'parently the magicians had connections to higher-ups among the kappa 'n' tengu. So to hide the evidence, they all wiped away anything that said it even existed. Awful story, through 'n' through. Caesar: The creatures in this area appear to possess petrifying attacks. Be careful. Illusion Bander: GEEZ, you guys are persistent! Girl's Voice: What is it? Illusion Bander: Reimu, it's the mercenaries! They've taken down everybody over here! Help us out! Mima: Wha...? Did you just say Reimu?! Reimu: Mima! Mima: Why is Reimu with the Illusion Band?! Yuugi: Pfft! What a sight to see the Hakurei maiden wit' rogues... Reimu: Don't you all know?! Know what was happening in the human village? Know what the knights were doing?! The knighthood is an assembly of lunatics who kill innocent people without a care! What have we been DOING, fighting with them as if they were comrades?! Yukari isn't seeking a peaceful Gensokyo... She just wants everything for herself! And she's using monstrous tactics to make it happen... She might have even started the war in the first place! We need to stop those who use the people like tools... Our enemies are Yukari and the knights! Griflet: Look, girly, we're mercenaries. We don't know what the hell ya situation is. We just do what we've been asked. Reimu: What?! That's...! Mima: Reimu, listen. You're just spouting words. Anybody can do that. But if something is really important to you, you don't just speak, you take action! Don't you get that you're running from reality here?! Reimu: I'M running?! You're the one running, stupid!! Giving in when the going gets tough instead of putting forth any effort... That's YOU, Mima! You've abandoned me! You've sold your pride and your ideals to the knighthood just for some immediate gains!! Mima, what you're doing is WRONG! Mima: That's not it at all! I haven't thrown away anything! You can't change reality in a day... it takes time! So I can choose nothing else but the options before me! But you, Reimu... you just don't seem to get that. And you're clearly not giving it any reasonable thought! Because anybody should see they're WAY in the wrong to resort to acts of terrorism! Don't be so impatient! Give it time! Reimu: ...It's too bad. And here I thought Mima could understand... [Battle with Reimu Hakurei] Reimu: Ugh... I don't stand a chance here... Everyone, retreat! Mima, remember this one thing... I WILL be the one to stop you!! Mima: Reimu... Yuugi: Izzit over? Then so's our job. Let's hurry back and nab our reward! Griflet: Hm? Somebody's comin' up the mountain. ...Whaddya know, it's the leader of the knights herself. Yumemi: Sorry for the trouble, everyone. There's no need to head back for your reward... 'Cause it's right here. Yuugi: Whaddya mean? Why would YOU give us a reward that the village humans're supposed to have? Yumemi: Well... Listen. I have something of a favor to ask of you, as mercenaries. Griflet: Favor, eh? Yumemi: Yeah, I'm gonna be assassinating Yukari Yakumo. So I'd appreciate some help with that. Mima: You're WHAT?! And why exactly would you assassinate...?! Yumemi: Look, would you listen? The knighthood will be done for soon. Having to go through with all these depraved plans has been sapping their fighting spirit. And why do you think that might be? It's a lack of proper leadership is what it is. When... well, IF the Illusion Band is captured, they're going to be executed as example. Even though that'll only stir up the masses further... Yukari doesn't give a damn about what the people want. All they really want is something to relieve them of the hellish lives the war has stuck them with. Yukari can't lead us anymore. She lacks a leader's charisma... And we can't trust Yukari to be striving for the same peace we are, because she clearly isn't. ...Don't you think so? I'm done with courtesy. At this rate, Gensokyo is set to collapse on itself, and it sure won't be able to stand up to Makai at that point. The knighthood needs a new leader! Mima... I'm talking about you!! Mima: Yumemi...?! Yumemi: Yukari's duty has long since concluded. All that's left is for us to officially put an end to her. Yuugi: Wait a sec, Mima... You were with the knights? Mima: ...Sorry I had to hide it from you. But... she's right. I can't go on like this. Like Yumemi says, the knighthood is going to be useless at this rate. So what was the use in sacrificing the villagers, then? I don't have a clue anymore... If someone has to disgrace themselves... And if no one else has the courage... Then I'll just have to be the one to do it. Griflet: I'm goin' too. Yuugi: Griflet, you feelin' okay?! Facin' up to the knighthood... I mean, me, maybe, but a human like you, no way! Griflet: I'm finally gonna get revenge on the ones who massacred the people of my village. Ain't got a reason NOT to, now do I? Mima: Griflet? You mean... you were in the southern...? Griflet: Mima, you're a friend, for the time bein'. We'll fight together 'til it's all over 'n' done with. Y'can apologize to the dead guys once the war's over! Yuugi: Well, I suppose I ain't got much reason as to why not. It's a risky mission... But no doubt I'll be gettin' adequate reward! Yumemi: Well said, everyone! Thanks! Let's head back to the castle. We'll do Yukari in before she notices a thing! Now, let's go! < Mayohiga Castle > Knight: L-Lady Yukari, we have a major situation! M-Mima is rebelling!! Yukari: W... What?! She would attempt such a foolish thing?! Knight: We're not sure if she's coming alone or if she has allies. But we will do all we can to protect you! Yukari: W-Well, the brat MUST be alone, surely? Call Yumemi back here before Mima arrives! However it must be done... the lass SHALL be slain!! Mima: Alright! Let's break on through! [Battle with Sorcer Knight x3 and Holy Knight x3] Mima: !! Oh, no... we're surrounded!! Griflet: Mima! Go, go, go!! Caesar: Leave this to us!! Mima: You think the three of you can handle this?! I'm fighting too! Yuugi: If y'fail us here, we're ALL screwed! Get goin' already!! Mima: Urgh... sorry! Griflet: Gonna be honest, these guys're tough... Yuugi: If yer gonna run, make it now, old man! Griflet: Hmph! That's MY line, y'stupid ogre!! Caesar: Enough idle chat! They're coming! Knight: Lady Yukari! Lady Yumemi has arrived!! Yukari: R-Right! Impeccable timing! Oh, what a relief! Yumemi: Very sorry I'm so late! Nice to see you're still safe and sound. Yukari: I am glad you made it. Mima has engaged in rebellion against me! Yumemi: Oh yes, Mima's already inside the castle - well on her way. And it's only a matter of time before she's here. Yukari: W-Wait a moment... Yumemi: Power lurking within, come forth and bury this filth! Take this! Bittersweet STRAWBERRYYYYY!! Knight: Gwoh?! Yukari: Yumemi, you... you do not mean...!! Yumemi: Yukari, Yukari, Yukari... You bear a heavy burden! Allow me to make it more comfortable for you... Mima: Yumemi... Yukari's...? Yumemi: Yes, just as planned. And thanks to you, most especially. Mima: Then Yukari is dead... Yumemi: And now... All I ask is that YOU disappear!! Mima: Yumemi?! What are you doing?! Yumemi: You've done very well for me. I have every reason to thank you. As soon as you die, with the sins of rebellion and Yukari's assassination pinned on you, everything will blow over... I am grateful, indeed... I won't soon forget you. Mima: Blow over...?! Girl's Voice: Hey, wake up, Mima! You haven't settled things with ME yet!! Mima: Reimu!! Yumemi: Reimu, why are you here? ...Ah, of course, the old duo has reunited at last. This could be amusing... Ichirin! Ichirin: Here, m'lady. Mima: Ichirin?! You're with the knights too?! Yumemi: And with that, all the players have gathered upon the stage. Now, have at you!! [Battle with Yumemi Okazaki and Kumoi Ichirin] Yumemi: Seems... that's a wrap... Ichirin: You... truly surpassed us... Yumemi: This is... just fine. You win this bout... And now that this criminal who murdered our leader is fallen, it's up to you to put the knights in order... Mima: Was this your plan from the start...? Ichirin: No, we truly did believe we could kill you... But whichever side won, there would still be a need to order the knighthood... And now, there are no more dictators like Yukari, nor dogs like us... Reimu: Yumemi... Ichirin... Yumemi: Beyond... hell awaits. And so that you may never stand where we do... For that... I wish... you... luck... Mima: ... [And then the minister arrives.] ************************************************************ Now, about that surviving Chaos branch? Koki cut out a bunch from that, too! It did more with the whole "bounty" thing, having some people from Makai coming after you, including Aya. It also had more Ichirin involvement and showed more of the process of Yumemi learning the truth, rather than Yumemi overhearing the Yuka conversation and immediately deciding to kill Yukari. (Oh, and note how the Aya fight lifts the "fight, and take everything!" part from one of the speeches in the lost Yumemi battle. Huh.) ************************************************************ [ The same Caesar conversation as before, with Genji discovering that Yuka is imprisoned in the castle and the party heading for it. ] < On the Way > Shizuha: Minoriko, hurry! They're CHASING us! Minoriko: Wait up, sis! Are you gonna leave me behind?! Shizuha: Just look! We're the only ones left! See, that's why I didn't want to do this! Makai sweet-talked us into this one! Minoriko: I didn't even think we would be fighting! You should've told me if we were gonna need spellcards! Shizuha: Ugh, enough! Shizuha: Gahhh!! Did you guys sneak up on us or what?! Mima: More Makai rejects?! Minoriko: We've managed to flee this far, but now we meet the pursuers...!! Shizuha: I've handled battles galore, y'know! Even if my chance for fame has deserted me, I'm still determined to fulfill my duty in the outfield! I've killed PLENTY! Don't think I don't know what I'm doing! Reimu: Wait! We aren't trying to pursue you or anything of the sort! We have no intention of fighting you!! Please, don't get us wrong! Minoriko: Don't lie to me! I'll never believe such an excuse! Lemme guess, you just want us to let our guard down for a second, then use that chance to kill us!! I am SO not falling for that one!! Parsee: Hey, wait! You're... I've seen you before! YOU'RE the ones I'm looking for!! Shizuha: What? ...Um, what do you mean?! Parsee: There's no mistaking it! They're the ones with the 15 million yen on their villainous little heads!! If we can catch them and bring them back, I'm sure they'll let our treachery just blow over, now won't they?! Minoriko: You're planning to... hand them over to the army? Parsee: If Gensokyo's put out a reward for it, Gensokyo badly wants it out of their way. So if we take care of these obstructors, our efforts will be recognized, and I dare say we can return to our normal lives! Shizuha: That's... definitely a good reason. Parsee: Furthermore, fifteen MILLION! I mean, that's like... SIX ZEROES! We'll be swimming in cash to boot! Shizuha: That's even better! Right, we'll get you for sure!! Minoriko: Oh, who cares about the murder! If there's money THAT big involved, somebody else is gonna get you sooner or later if we pass up the chance!! All I need is to kill you, and I can finally say goodbye to my life of lameness! Come on, everyone! This is our final battle! We'll kill you... for prosperity! [Battle with Minoriko Aki, Shizuha Aki, and Parsee Mizuhashi] Shizuha: Agggh...! But I was just... one step... away... Minoriko: Nooo... I don't... wanna... die... Parsee: You... jealous hypocrites... Reimu: ...I know it's important that I live... But... is this really...? Mima: ...Can't I save anyone...? Mima: You... Ichirin: Ah, it's been quite a while. You appear to be doing well for yourself. Reimu: That crest... so you're one of the knights, too? Ichirin: I am grateful to you for dealing with the runaways from Makai. With the knights having put out a search for you, I certainly didn't expect you to lend us your help. Mima: ...We didn't exactly fight them because we wanted to. Ichirin: I understand. You have no desire to fight, is that right? I am the same. I did not pursue the runaways because I wanted to, either. You understand? Reimu: What do you mean? Ichirin: It was my mission to chase them down. Although I did not desire to do it, it was the duty forced upon me. But I had no reason to put my very soul into it, as closer associates of Yukari do. Should you find it strange, raise your objection - should you object, make it plain. Mima: ...Are you going to arrest us? Ichirin: Didn't I say? My current objective is to chase after the runaway combatants. I never said a word about arresting you. ...But it would be wise to go soon before those behind you seek out your head. Mima: ...I'm curious. Could you tell me why you keep fighting? Ichirin: We shall continue to fight so long as Yukari Yakumo keeps her sword pointed at us. Mima: If Yukari withdrew her sword, would Makai as well? Ichirin: ...No, I do not think that would be the case. Mima: Ichirin, if you happen to see Yumemi of the knights, there's one thing I want to you tell her. Ichirin: Which is? Mima: This war began not when the Tower of Demons appeared, but earlier - when Yukari secretly invaded Makai herself. Makai is getting revenge for that invasion, and nothing more. Ichirin: ......And where did you obtain this information? Mima: ...I heard it from a resident of Makai who wished to assist. She also told me that a rebel group preparing to overthrow the demon has formed in Makai, in hopes that it will end the war... Ichirin: ...Sheer fabrication. Should that be the truth, Yukari has nothing to gain from this war. ...But for now, I shall keep it in mind. Mima: You believe us...? Ichirin: ...I shall only keep it in mind, and nothing more. I have no reason to believe a word you say. ...But, why Yumemi? Mima: We fought with her, though only for a short time, so we know her rather well. Yumemi has a strong sense of duty, a strong sense of justice, and... well, strength. And since Yumemi is the leader of the knights, perhaps she can put an stop to Yukari's tyranny... Ichirin: Yumemi is a dear friend... I shall certainly tell her. Mima: Thank you. Ichirin: As long as Yukari works for the sake of those in Gensokyo, we shall not interfere. ...But if Yukari has been using the war only to her own selfish ends, I promise we will have no issue drawing our swords. Mima: You're aware of Yukari's conspiring? Ichirin: I have had no proof of it, but... ...The bounty put on you was not dictated by the knights, but placed on Yukari's own accord. That is all I knew... until now. ...But, in addition, there are many aspects to Yukari's actions that baffle me. We are using spies, yet our position is unchanged... Thus they seem strangely ineffective. Knight: Lady Ichirin, we must be going. Ichirin: I understand. I shall be on my way promptly. Should destiny decree it, we shall meet again. And by that time, I hope I will be able to say that we are not enemies, but companions. Mima: I'll hope we can fight together as well. Ichirin: Farewell, Mima, and do not suffer death. Mima: ..... Ichirin: Do you hear me? You are not alone! You possess friends in great number! Allies who will risk their lives! And I am one of them! As long as you have a glimmer of hope, you shall never be crushed! Even with only a handful of hopes, they will yet come to your aid! Mima: ...Thank you, Ichirin. < On the Way > Knight: Ahhh, man... I wanted to fight on the front line! But no, I have to supply these places in the middle of nowhere... I wish I could just stand around the castle... Pfft... AND it's friggin' snowing... ...Hm? Hey, you're the ones they're looking for, with the bounty! Uh... I guess that means it's still on! Yeaaah! I'll have your HEADS! Then I can finally move up and say so long to this supplying crap! Mima: The knights' supply unit?! We can't get let ourselves be caught here!! [Battle with Sorcer Knight and Sackhead Cavalry x3] Knight: Gah... Knew it... couldn't... do it... ze... < Eversnow Forest > Knight: Report! We've lost communication with the supply forces. Yumemi: I see. Return to the front line. Knight: Yes, sir! Yumemi: ... Makai Soldier: Gotcha! Yumemi: ?! [Ichirin slays the leaping Makai soldier] Ichrin: Too busy to watch your back? Were you perhaps in deep thought? Yumemi: Um, er, yeah... But Ichirin, why are you here? Ichirin: There's something I wish to tell you. Yumemi: What?! That the truth?! Ichirin: My source is a secondary one, so perhaps you ought to investigate for yourself? I shall take command here for you. Yumemi: Thanks. Well, I'll be off. < On the Way > Mima: What a strangely empty place... Is there anyone here? Reimu: Mima, watch out!! Mima: Reimu!! A poison arrow...?! Caesar: Don't let your guard down! They're coming! [Battle with Darkwing Bandit x2 and Rinbascura x2] [ Battle start ] Mima: Why are the Darkwing Bandits working with Makai soldiers?! Darkwing Bandit: We've just got the same interests, is all! We both want to have a future, an' to stop havin' our hopes trampled on... And we know we'll have a better life than we do now over in Makai! Mima: Nothing will change for you as a resident of Makai! If you want a happy life, why aren't you striving to build one?! You're only giving up your own future! Darkwing Bandit: Don't be so ignorant!! We're out to support ourselves, walk on our OWN feet! Not like you fools who'll never come down to earth! Mima: You're wrong! You're just being used! Makai Soldier: Stop paying attention to these Gensokyo scumbags! They'll kill you if you slip up for a second! Caesar: Oof! I've been...! Mima: Are you okay?! Grr...! Stop hiding and get out here! Aya: Ahahah... Mima: It's you... Aya: I suppose I owe you for before. Now it's time I show you my thanks! [Battle with Aya Shameimaru] [ Battle start ] Mima: ...So the warrior who strived for her ideals has been reduced to a dog of Makai, has she?! Aya: What do YOU know about the hardships of making an ideal into reality? No matter how magnificent an idea may be on paper, if it can't be actualized, it's no more than a wild fantasy! So, what DOES one have to do to pull it off? You can't do jack in this world if you lack power... Now THAT'S something I've deduced with certainty!! Whatever the powerless may try, they'll never be able to realize their dreams! You see me as a dog of Makai, do you?! Go ahead, belittle me all you want!! What do I care?! All the mocking in the world won't change that I'LL have the last laugh!! HA!! I'll make you beg for mercy! [ Next turn ] Mima: Are you listening? This war was all just a scheme! Even if you scurry to the side of Makai for power, you'll find that no future will follow! Cease your pointless struggle! Aya: Ahahah... yeah, no duh I know that. That's what ALL war's all about. Sometimes some authority sees fit to cook up a piece of history, spice things up with a little strife. But hey, there's nothing wrong with that, per se. See, the masses, whatever their form, are always looking for "heroes." Thing is, there ain't gonna BE no heroes in a world that's actually peaceful. But what if a conflict breaks out? People will surely long to become "heroes" on the battlefield... The people get to keep doing nothing, and the heroes they eagerly awaited appear. History is little more than a cycle of governments fabricating and abusing people's desires. And society is where everyone lives in chains... There's a great human-youkai equalizer for ya, 'cause it ain't any better for either. The weak-willed seek "heroes" that unwillingly play perfectly into the government's plots... And in revering those "heroes," the weak are manipulated in turn...! Mima: Rather than overcome your weakness, you resort to relying on Makai's power... so what does that make you? Aya: I'm one of the weak-willed, of course. So all I have to do is sit back and rely on the strong... So what if I flip that question back to you? Can you really claim with confidence that you, JUST you, are truly strong? Mima: Of course! I fight with my all! Aya: Sucks for you, then, 'cause it's all gonna go to waste here and now! [ Aya's HP goes under 1000 ] Mima: Why do you seek power?! Why do you resort to fighting?! Aya: Because Gensokyo is a world that came about by power, is ruled by power, and LIVES for power! The ones who've got it claim as much turf as they can, and the ones without just have to deal... It's the very foundation of our world! A natural law that's forever been since the beginning of time! And if you don't want to be a loser, you just GOTTA get power! Mima: How foolish! Is that really any reason?! For power to be everything...? It just shouldn't be! And it doesn't HAVE to be! Aya: Well, you sure can't get by on words alone! The world ain't "equal" in the first place. Everyone's BORN unequal! But even so, it's no use to lament your birth. If you have time to lament, why not fight it instead?! Fight, and make EVERYTHING your spoils! If the weak don't wanna stay weak, well, they gotta step up and step into the fray! And just think about it, haven't YOU gotten here the same way?! "Lady", your hands are just as blood-stained! Get down to it, and you're just the same filthy rat I am... 'cept YOU won't ADMIT it! [ Aya's death ] Aya: I... lose...? That... can't be... [ Yukari and Yuka talk politics as usual. ] < Back With Mima > Ichirin: Mima! Mima: What is it, Ichirin? I thought you were fighting on the front line... Ichirin: Take heart, for we were victorious. I came hearing there were refugees in the area, but... ...It seems it is already taken care of. Mima: Yeah... the Darkwing Bandits shifted to the side of Makai. Ichirin: Well, more importantly, you must hurry toward the castle! Something is amiss! Mima: What's amiss, exactly? Ichirin: I am not quite sure... But I have a very bad feeling. Mima: Alright, I'll be off immediately. Ichirin: Let us meet again. Ichirin: ..... Should things remain this quiet, transport should go smoothly, but... Hiding in the darkness, growing in madness... come, the sleep of death! Nightmare! Ichirin: ?! Alice: Ohohohoho... AHAHAHAHA! < Outside Mayohiga Castle > Caesar: There aren't any guards... Mima: The gate's been abandoned, too... Something's not right here... [ And then you walk in on Yumemi threatening Yukari, from which point things are mostly unchanged. ] ************************************************************ Astoundingly, Koki actually removed some dialogue before Yukari's talk with Yuka because it really added nothing. Good for him. ************************************************************ Knight: Ugh... Guard duty is the pits... Knight: Somebody's gotta do it, though. And since we're new, we... ...Hm? Knight: It's Lady Yukari! Yukari: Please, do let me through. There is a matter which I wish to discuss with her. Knight: Are you letting us off duty? Yukari: I suppose I am... Well, let us say that you are temporarily so. Should it happen that you are indeed necessary, I shall call for you. Knight: Yes, ma'am! ************************************************************ The Yukari battle used to contain the first and last time a reference to Dragon Quest has been a plot twist. (If you never noticed, Gensokyo uses Final Fantasy spells and Makai uses Dragon Quest spells.) ************************************************************ [ Yukari's HP goes under 1000 ] Yukari: Eternal healing wind, bless me with precious life! Fullheal!! I cannot die, not here, not now...! I shall not die... before Ran returns to me! ************************************************************ Instead of the Aya battle on the Chaos route (which was scrapped anyway), Aya originally captured you, but the bandits were soon found and attacked by the knights. However, Ichirin decided Aya could be of use to the knighthood and sent her over. And then Alice (AKA Necrophobia) snuck up on Ichirin and killed her. ************************************************************ Reimu: Mima... behind you! Mima: ?! *boka~!* < Inside Rundown Building > Reimu: ...What are you going to do to us? Aya: Don't worry, we're not going to kill you. Soon enough, you'll find that all these conflicts will be settled at once. The knights don't have any youkai among them, so they've got no chance. It's all dependent on you allowing the masses to overthrow Yukari by exposing her treachery... Mima: That doesn't sound like a good way to go about things... Aya: Enough talk! Soon, our spies will return! And then, we shall report once more... of Makai's victory! AHAHAAA! Darkwing Bandit: Boss! Aya: Oho, here they are! So, was Makai victorious? Darkwing Bandit: ... Aya: What happened...? Don't tell me... Darkwing Bandit: The Makai army was defeated! And... a group of knights is coming this way!! Aya: What a...?! That's... STUPID!! Knight: Hyaaah! We'll exterminate you bandits! Aya: Run away! We don't stand a chance to fight now if we're planning on surviving...! Darkwing Bandit: Where are we gonna run to?! There's a sea of knights outside! ...I think we should just give up already, boss... Aya: What... did you say...? Darkwing Bandit: Just think about it! Those of us who lost our jobs found work in the villages... Some of us entered the knighthood, too. We could have warm beds and daily meals with no worries... a fantastic way of life! But we didn't want to work with the humans... There was no merit, no pride... So now we're stuck with these hard lives on the verge of death! Now we'll never see the day where humans work together with kappa! Aya: First of all, you're mourning over the past, and second of all, you're giving up NOW?! So long as you're alive, you have opportunity! So you gotta TAKE that chance! Darkwing Bandit: You can say whatever you want... But reality is a harsh mistress, there's no changing that! And that's all we get! Reality! So we lose out in everything! If that's what we're stuck with, we might as well LET the knights kill us! Aya: Stop it, seriously! Aren't you ANY different from the people pointing SWORDS at us?! Darkwing Bandit: WHOOOA! Ichirin: Mima, Reimu, are you alright? Mima: Ichirin... Ichirin: Aya Shameimaru, you're under arrest. But, do not worry. I believe you'll be out of prison soon enough. Aya: What do you mean...? Ichirin: Even if you betrayed us, you managed an entire band of robbers to your last. That charisma and talent could be of use to the knights. Aya: ...I'm... useful...? Ichirin: Mima, you should go. There's something you must do, correct? Mima: Ah, right. Ichirin: Put her with the unit in the southern village for now. Knight: Yes, ma'am! Ichirin: Should it remain this quiet, transport should be no problem, but... Hiding in the darkness, growing in madness... come, the sleep of death! Nightmare! Ichirin: ?! Alice: Ohohohoho... AHAHAHAHA! ************************************************************ Instead of Caesar receiving the Brion, you originally got it yourself. You found Genji and Kukuri after escaping from jail, and Kukuri brought Yuka in after finding her dumped in some cave. Yuka's music box was also present for additional EMOTION. ************************************************************ ************************************************************ At some point in Chapter 4, you saw the "conclusion" to the executions from Chapter 2. ************************************************************ < Execution Site > Priest: ...To atone for your sin, your soul will be cleansed. Komachi: Stoppit! Lemme gooo! Please don't kill meeeh!! Priest: Now, pray. And kneel before the gods. Komachi: Oh, don't EVEN! Why would'ya say that if you're just gonna execute me?! Priest: Oh, great god of the Hakurei Shrine... Forgive this misled one's sins. Komachi: Puh-lease... Just give it a break!! Get the real people responsible here! I was just tricked by 'em... by Makai! Stooooop! I don't wanna diiie! Stoppiiiiit! HELP ME, EIKIIIII!! ************************************************************ Before fighting Marisa, Mima was going to run into Alice, or "Necrophobia," one more time. She also reveals that she was the one controlling Yumemi/Yukari. I'm not really sure why Koki removed it. Now Alice running away seems like a loose end left hanging and Yumemi's odd behavior goes totally unexplained. But I guess this would be too cool for Alice II. If you couldn't tell, I wasn't exactly happy with him replacing Alice with a lame, weak copy. ************************************************************ < Demon Space > Alice: Ohoho... my, I wasn't expecting to see some of my former allies from Gensokyo. Dead Soldiers and Death Knights... The study to further develop methods of reviving the deceased was considered a failure. But since it was designed for military use, even fallen allies and captured enemies can be used... Wonderful, truly wonderful! It works with people of Gensokyo and Makai alike, so it seems race has no bearing. Now I need only to obtain battle data... [ On Annihilated Route ] Mima: Ichirin? You're working with the Makai general Yumeko?! Didn't we defeat her...?! What are you doing?! [ On Chaos Route ] Mima: Ichirin? And Yumeko?! What are you doing?! Alice: My, what marvelous timing... And you shall be quite suitable indeed. Mima: Alice... the necromancer working for Makai! So are you the one who made Ichirin and Yumeko like this?! Alice: "Like this"...? My, well, I suppose I must apologize for that. I merely wanted to celebrate at last attaining my goal of death-unfearing, eternally-fighting soldiers... ...Furthermore, my name is not Alice. I am known as Necrophobia... And the most powerful corpses shall be your opponents... Come, devils from the depths...! I summon you from the darkness!! Ghost: As long as I am cursed, I shall offer my soul to my master... Necrophobia: My, my... With the power of this Dark Dragon Sword, these bodies can be used to their fullest extent! [Battle with Necrophobia, Death Knight (Ichirin), and Death Knight (Yumeko)] [ Battle start ] Mima: Ichirin! Stop! Please, stop this! Necrophobia: Cease, for it is futile. Their souls are no more! And as such, they cannot hear your voice! ...And even if there were any soul left in them, all you'd get to hear would be their pathetic whimpering. But, my... I believe you've already seen that! Ohoho... Mima: You mean you were the one who did that to Yumemi?! [or Yukari] Necrophobia: Correct! But you would be quite wrong to blame me. I was only following orders. Mima: Whose orders?! Speak! Answer me!! Necrophobia: If you wish to know, come on and defeat me! [ Death Knight (Ichirin)'s death ] Ichirin: Where am I...? Why am I in... this body...? Mima: Ichirin!! Ichirin: Mima... I see... So I am dead... Mima: Ichirin...!! [ Death Knight (Yumeko)'s death ] Yumeko: W... What...? Alice...? Why did you...? Necrophobia: Thank you greatly for your help... Ohohoho... [ Death Knight (Yumeko)'s death (after Necrophobia is gone) ] Yumeko: W... What...? Why... am I...? [ Necrophobia's HP hits 0 ] Necrophobia: My... to think you could actually pull it off! ...But I have collected sufficient data! I believe my business is now anywhere but here, so... ta ta! Mima: Wait! Necrophobia: As much as I would like to bring our conflict to a conclusion, there are yet things I need to do. So go on, now, chop chop. Your long-sought goal lies just ahead, the ending of this game! I don't suppose we'll meet again... but "see you," just the same! Mima: Don't you run away from me! Get back here!!