MagusDream

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

I think I'll never be a good player as Linne...

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

Dream Realm: Dream Town

Assiette: (He discovered my trick?!)

Now, she was caught in surprise. She never thought Ralf would discover that she was tricking them. In fact, she never took the battle she proposed seriously. Assiette had another intentions with all of this. However, she couldn't think into those intentions as she was finally attacked by the combo. The last attack shot her to the air, the domain where Assiette had the less control possible.


Magio: Kokoro, our turn! Spell Card!

Kokoro: Sure thing! Haaaaah!!

Magio: Star Sign "Ascending Brilliance"!!
Kokoro: Angry Sign "Mask of an Angry Hated Wolf"!!

Magio enveloped himself in light and charged towards Assiette with Kokoro soon following up, as she converged all her anger into an aura of a wolf jaw. In a shape of a X, the attacks crossed and hit Assiette strongly. This was the actual first time they dealt damage to her. Once they landed, she finally fell down into the ground.


Kokoro: Whoo!! We did it!!

Magio: ... No. She's not done yet!

Kokoro: What?!

And he was right. After she crashed, Assiette quickly got up. Although, for the first time, she wobbled. In her mind, it never passed that they would actually damage her. But the results were just what she wanted.

Assiette: Oh. I lost.

Magio: Admitting defeat?
Assiette: Actually, I would say the inverse. I'd say I admit "victory".

Kokoro: What do you mean?

BGM: Evil Eyes

Assiette: So you guys have in yourselves what it means to kill. I knew there was something putrid about you that actually called my attention.

Kokoro: Eh?!
Assiette: I wasn't lying about one thing. This world... our world... is to kill or be killed. But now I have confidence you already knew about that.

Magio: That isn't the rule of our world!
Assiette: Au contraire. Ever since the beginning of times, this has been what prevailed. As we all know, peace... it's just a stupid fantasy.

Kokoro: No, it's not. We're fighting for attain peace!
Assiette: Oh, please. Who do you think you're fooling? Or do you really think that you can actually become saviors and give everyone a perfect future? That's just being naive to the point of becoming innocence!

Magio: You're not one to speak seriously like that. What are you planning, you wretch?!

Assiette walked towards them, pulling back her blades and staying unequipped. She didn't bear any smile on her, and she looked pretty serious.

Assiette: Now that I know you guys will actually give me problems, consider this rendezvous of ours as a warning. The next time we meet, I'll make sure to rip every little piece of you until there's nothing left to even become history.

Kokoro: *points her naginata* We won't fall that easily!
Assiette: Oh, you will. I held back because I just wanted to see how violent you can get when pushed to the limits. And as a reminder...

Magio: Reminder...?
Assiette: Multilopolis will fall. Every single piece of it will be devastated until it becomes a wasteland. And that's all your fault, Magio. If you had stayed quietly, no one would be passing through this, you know?

Magio: Ugh...
Assiette: Their lives... the lives of everyone. Your selfish wish to explore the worlds afar cost them what little of peace they had. You claim yourself to be a hero, but in the end, you're the true killer behind all of this.

Magio: I... have full knowledge of my sins.
Assiette: And even so you will fight? You will keep going on with your selfish "freedom" and will risk everyone's lives. Your friend almost lost his life because of your pitiful resistance.
Magio: I... know that.
Assiette: And you will keep moving on, not caring about others?

Magio bited his lip when he heard that. Still, he spoke firmly, even though he had his pain going on.


Magio: I don't owe you any explanation about what I'll do or what I won't. And it's true, the town's in chaos because of my selfishness...

Magio: But that's why I'll keep going on! To fix everything I did for everyone!
Assiette: ... Naive brat. You don't have any sense of notion to know when to give up, do you?

Then, she looked once again at Ralf.

Assiette: And what about you, huh? It's thanks to him that your life's a mess. Are you still going to walk the same path he does? Or do you actually have some intelligence in yourself to know that he's nothing more than your friendly foe?

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

Dream Realm: Dream Town

Assiette seemed to be hit from all sides at once, but if she flinched, it was just because of the many hits she took. She still stood frantically mocking his strength.

Assiette: Really?! That's what you call a COMBO?! Ha, I'll show you some-

But as she began to move, a laser coming from Nepgear hit her by surprise. Then, just like with Lilly, she reappeared as the attacked Assiette fell and became darkness once again.

Assiette: Diversionary attack? If I didn't escaped on time, who knows what could have happened. But that was smart, so I can commend you for that. But I guess it's finally my turn now.

BGM: Objection -CROSS SWORD-

That's what Assiette said, but she had to defend an incoming spinning projectile at her. Its owner came flying and broke her defense with a charge. The attack was followed by a blue wolf jaw descending directly at her. When both figures backed off, Assiette came out and gave once again an maniacal laughter.

Assiette: Hehehehehehehehe... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! FINALLY!!! I was wondering when you would arrive to join our fun! Isn't that right, MAGIO?!

Magio and Kokoro backed off back to Ralf and Nepgear, both armed and ready to attack. In those cases, Assiette would never attack the Triplets since she needed them alive. However, little she was caring for her mission right now and only wanted to cause ruckus and chaos.


Kokoro: We arrived on time to deal with this bitch!!

Magio: ... I have noticed something. When you descended at her, she quickly escaped. But when I used my Keyblade at her... she just defended it.

Kokoro: Maybe she's not that good with projectiles. And I probably have an idea on how we can beat her.

Magio: How?

Kokoro: The ground is her domain. She'll keep escaping our attacks as long as she's on the ground. We have to take her to the air and beat her there.

Magio: I see. That might be worth a try. Alright. Kokoro, back up with the projectiles! I'm going in!

Magio lunged at her with a slash, but she blocked it with her left arm blade. After that, she started to spin violently at him, attacking with feet and arm blades as he tried to defend all of them.


Magio: She's fast!
Assiette: What?! Can't keep up?! Where's you prowess with the Keyblade now?!

Kokoro: I'm not letting you! Take this!!

She shot a round of blue fireballs at Assiette, which made her back off. At response, she called a familiar to shoot at Kokoro and Nepgear.

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

Dream Realm: Dream Town

BGM: Metal Crusher still playing

She was entirely hit by the barrage of attacks, who seemed truly damaging. But when the dust cleared, she stood there like if nothing has happened. Assiette didn't looked like it, but she wasn't a Deadly Shikigami for nothing. Still, she gave a maniacal laugher.

Assiette: Hahaha... AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! YES!!! This is the spirit I was waiting for!!! Now, I'm gonna terminate you in response to your assault!!!

But she got struck in the head by an arrow. However, the real Assiette had already escaped into the shadows and the one hit had already became a shadow on the ground. The real one returned and snickered.

Assiette: So, you decided to play the heroine now? You lousy nerdy bitch of a princess...

Of course, the only one who could have assaulted Assiette like that was Lilly. She was completely angered by the presence of the shikigami.


Lilly: Assiette... I'm going to... I will...!!
Assiette: Look, I'm not going to have you terminate my fun. Step back before I decide to hurt you.

Lilly: And what if I say no?!
Assiette: You hypocrite. Taking the front when all that you do is staying the back. If not by her power, you would always be the weak little girl who's always left alone with a book.

Lilly: What?!
Assiette: In fact, be tormented by your own weakness. Mirrors!!

Lilly was then surrounded by mirrors, who kept showing reflections of her other side. Scared, she closed her eyes and shoke her head.


Lilly: No... no!! Get away from me!! I don't want to look!!
Assiette: She can't even take her own reflection. Really, you're so weak that you disgust me, Lilly. If I hadn't orders to bring you alive, I would surely struck my blades in your gut with no remorse.

Lilly: You... monster...!!
Assiette: I give a little to no damn to the fact that you, Magio and Necrox are Lady Peach's family. You three are just a bunch of punks who don't know when to quit. You're just lucky that I'm playing with my new toys, a.k.a your friends. Or rather, your shields.

Lilly: I... I can stand by myself!!
Assiette: Weaklings have no consideration when it comes to arguments. Off with you befre I really get mad.

The mirrors converged into one single mouth that engulfed Lilly and disappeared. That gave her time to summon her blades on arms and feet.

Assiette: Oh, when the chance is given, I'll be sure to chop her head and have it as my trophy. She's so annoying for being so weak that I don't know why she even exists. A world without the weaklings and where the strong kill each other to claim the superiority is truly the paradise. We all know that the true rule of existence is "kill or be killed". Things like friendship, justice and other shit are just the weak's damn excuse. Actually, that's YOUR excuse.

She turned back to then and returned to smile.

Assiette: You know, even if I laughed like that earlier, you weren't trying to kill me. Instead of being the heroes, I want you to play murderer! Now come on!! MURDER ME!!! THINK OF ME LIKE THE MONSTER THAT'S GOING TO DESTROY EVERY SINGLE THING YOU LOVE!!! And if you won't do that normally... I'LL FORCE YOU BOTH!!!

Instead of charging at them, she stook two dreaming spirits from the darkness. And those spirits were important to both Nepgear and Ralf. After all, the dreaming spirits she stole were Hayate's and Neptune's. Both seemed to be dreaming happily and oblivious in their happy images as Assiette put her blades close the their necks.

Assiette: Come ooooooooooon~!!! Muuuuuuurdeeeer meeeeeee~!!! If you don't, they'll pay the price... I'll break their dreams and give them as food for the Nightmares. And I'll be watching them being engulfed in despair WITH NO. SINGLE. REMORSE!!! NOW COME AND MURDER ME IF YOU'RE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT!!!

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

Time for Assiette being a bitch. Like, I plan for making everyone hate her more than Gloria.

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

Dream Castle: Throne Room (Dream Depot)

BGM: Rainbow Castle

Magio appeared at the throne, like he always did. He got up and stretched a little.


Magio: Hnnngh... ah!! Another day of work!

Magio: But seriously, I love what I do. Even though it's hard.

Then, Magio started to float in the air to check the entire Realm. His aura shined a little as he analyzed the situation.


Magio: Hmmmhm! Everything seems just fine! All dreams are going on and-

*BGM stops*


Magio: Ugh!

That pain meant one thing: a Ranked Nightmare was up and running. Although it broke his concentration, Magio kept analyzing it.


Magio: Is that... a Ranked Nightmare?! It's the second one... and that Nightmare...

Magio: Mina?! But... what's this other thing?

Magio kept analyzing it, even though it refused to cooperate. Then, he felt another thing inside that made him worry even more about time.


Magio: Damnit, this is going to be a major problem!! Her consciousness is trapped inside the Nightmare!! Although this helps for knowing what's behind her coma, if this keeps up, she'll be engulfed in an eternal loop of darkness and she won't be able to leave!!

Magio went back to the ground and breathed. He knew that unlike Liebea, Mina was in danger. These 11 days were enough for the Nightmare to trap her entirely and starting to make her succumb to despair. Still, he couldn't simply charge in alone.


Magio: Alright, it's best if I tell the others tomorrow. I don't think they'll come any moment soon, so...

*BGM starts playing again*

Then, the door opened. But the one who came in was Kokoro, seemingly nervous but holding up a normal expression.


Kokoro: Oh, there you are!

Magio: O-Oh, Kokoro! I... wasn't expecting anyone to come today.
Kokoro: Magio... I... uh... can we go to the Dream Town?

Magio: What for?

Kokoro: It's... well... I have to say something for you. And with the guards around, I don't think I'll be able to.

Magio: S-Sure, but... that came out of nowhere. And it seems serious. I'm starting to get worried.

Kokoro: Oh no! Don't worry! But... well... it's kinda important.

Magio: I see. Well, then let's go and talk. I need some time to relax after my daily analysis.

Magio walked to the door and left to wait for her at the Dream Town's entrance. Kokoro breathed hardly and thought about it, since she was nervous to finally admit it to him.


Kokoro: (Calm down... you came all this way, giving up now won't do any good!)

Dream Realm: Dream Town

BGM: Metal Crusher

Assiette: Oh, this must be my lucky dream. Luckily, the border isn't enough to stop us, right?

Above Ralf and Nepgear, sitting on a street lamp, Assiette happily swinged her legs, smiled and waved at them. Then, she jumped down at the ground and looked directly at him.

Assiette: Say, now you're being good at hiding, I see. But you know, I hate when my targets play hiding games at me. Oh, and I'll explain something to you. And since you can't do anything to stop us right now...

She walked in circles around them, with a mischievous smile in her face. Assiette was seemingly enjoying herself.

Assiette: Do you know Polaris? That little mechanical brat which Magio insists on calling it "daughter"? We're going to put her to some good use. And by good use, I mean that she's going to be our army's life force.

Then, she disappeared and reappeared in a bench right next to them.

Assiette: And I'm going to be frank with you two. We're torturing her. LOTS! She's, like, encased into a machine where we're constantly draining all of her magic, which includes her own life force. Without her healing abilites, she won't be able to live and will be reduced to a simple puppet. Imagine that little smiling girl being erased by a bunch of spikes, saws and more things that are being used to drain her energy...

After that, she once again disappeared and reappeared right behind Ralf. She kept speaking in a tone to mock him.

Assiette: You know what's the most fun part of it? Hearing her screams! "Father, someone, save me!!!" and so goes on. Oh, but her pain screams are good too. She screams so loud that I grab a chair, popcorn and sit while hearing that show. But, of course, there's something motivating behind it.

You all can't do ANYTHING to save her. She will die. At least, her corpse will be there for you to stare and blame yourselves.

With a last disappearance and reapparance, she stood in front of them. They were finally face-to-face.

Assiette: So... feeling like killing me now? I wonder... after all, I don't think Polaris has any importance to you at any matter. She's just a toy. A doll. An object to be used and thrown away, riiiiiiiiiiiiight?

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

Spring Zone: Streets Near the School's Back Gate

BGM: At Dusk, I Will Think of You

Magio and Lucifer left by the other gate, away from the outpost. They found a vendor in the street and bought a sea-salt ice cream for each.


Lucifer: *bites* Hmmm...

Magio: So, how is it?

Lucifer: It's weird... I can feel the salt all over my mouth but it's still sweet.

Magio: Alright, let me try. *bites*

Lucifer: So?

Magio: This is... really strange and nice at the same time. I mean, it's different from any kind of ice cream I had before...

Lucifer: Yup. This is my new favorite ice cream!

Magio: If you say so.

They walked back to the school, while eating the ice creams. The sunset already begun.


Magio: Wow, the day passed fast.

Lucifer: You think so? I thought it was slow.

Magio: Well, we're off to the Realm then. Like all days.

Lucifer: Nothing ever happens there. Somehow, I like it and I don't.

Magio: It is what it is. I don't want the Realm to become some chaotic land...
Lucifer: OK.

Magio: Anyway, I finished my ice cream. And you?

Lucifer: Now I feel like I want another...

Magio went back to his room as Lucifer went back to his ring.

School: Guild's Outpost

BGM: Ordinary People

The group chatted for a while as Azure seemed to be having fun. Necrox soon noticed the sunset.


Necrox: And comes the sunset. It came too fast for my own liking.

Azure: My, we have chatted for some quite while. I am sorry if I held you all...

Necrox: Hey, don't sweat it. You're a nice girl and we understood more of those Summon Spirit things.

Azure: Well, I tried to explain most of it. This is too recent to me so I am unable to give more information...

Necrox: That much has helped. Now, if you guys permit, I'm hitting the sack. Hey, Auguste!

With his call, Auguste appeared with a swarm of bats. He carried a tea set on his hand as he poured tea to everyone even though Necrox never gave any public order. Then, he left a pot with sugar on the table and returned to Necrox's side.


Auguste: Yes, my Lord?

Necrox: Everything ready as I ordered?

Auguste: Of course.

Necrox: Good. If that's the case, then I'm leaving. Ciao, guys.

Necrox left with Auguste back to his and Hugh's room. He was already going to hit the sack as he was bored but didn't wanted to admit that he had no energy to cause some ruckus tonight. Azure, a little curious, decided to ask Hugh about something related to their relationship as spirit and summoner.


Azure: Master... I have something to ask. Since I can see you are not that much for formalities... d-do you mind me calling you as Master or do you prefer if I call you by your name?

Dream Castle: Etoile Sirius

The rest of the group who stood at Etoile Sirius was reading, each of them picked a different book to read. Even Agni, who wasn't that fond of reading stood at Anna's request for not leaving Lilly alone. Then, the library's clock rang its bell.


Lilly: Night arrives. And with that, I'll stop reading for today. *closes book*

Agni: I've never been too fond of reading, but doing this every once in a while isn't bad.

Anna: I suppose we never understood much of reading like Princess Lilly and Marie does. Of course, I would not be able to read all day and night.
Lilly: This has become something casual for me. The hunt of information is an everlasting mission that I won't abandon.

Agni: But say, had you ever thought about something else?

Lilly: Like?

BGM: Oh, I'm a Flamelet!


Agni: I don't know... uhhh, like, having a boyfriend, which is the thing girls are always after...?

Lilly: W-Where did that came from all of a sudden?!
Agni: I-I don't know! I just heard some girls from another class saying that a girl's necessary thing is a boy... I didn't got much of it anyway.

Anna: But Princess Lilly is actually waiting for a gallant knight in shining armor come in a white horse, pick her and take her to magical adventures of romance!

Lilly: A-A-Annaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Anna: (Oops... I spoke her romantical secret out loud...)

Agni: So... that's your romance interest?

Lilly: Y-Yes!! I mean... no!! I mean... sure, I dream about that... but it's not like I actually don't like other boys...

Agni: Eh?

Lilly: I MEAN!!!

Lilly was entirely red from the conversation but quickly shook her head to clear her mind. Of course, her anxious looking to all sides didn't hided that she was going to burst. Then, she looked at the clock.


Lilly: U-Uhh... isn't it a little late for those kinds of chat? Yeah, of course! I'm going to my room!

Agni: But Lilly, you didn't explained a little about-

Lilly: GOOOD NIGHT!!

And she walked really fast to the school's library and left really fast to her room. She didn't even said "good night" to Tokiko since she wanted to hide herself fast after that embarassing revelation.

Tokiko: Ummm... did something happen?

Anna: Oh! No, nothing has happened!

Agni: And what about you, Marie?

Anna: (Do not continue the conversation!!)

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

School: Corridors

BGM: Vox maternae


Magio: ...

Lucifer: Pal...?
Magio: I was... just thinking... on him.
Lucifer: You mean... Fael?

Magio: It's weird. I know so little of him. I don't know his past, how he suffered during his life. I'm starting to believe I'm imposing a weight on him instead of being his ally.

Magio: Same thing I say about the others. Hugh, Marie, Thomas, Kael... none of them had anything to do with it and-

Lucifer: Do you think that if they were on your place right now... they would think the same thing?

Magio stopped and looked back at his Summon Spirit, who sighed at his thoughts. What he wanted to evade was that commentary he made so many times to count.


Lucifer: You still hold some of the Magio that is the robotic savior, following commands to be the hero. Dude, you gotta let go of this line of thinking already. It's starting to get annoying.

Magio: Lucifer?

Lucifer: I'm kinda positive that wherever he is, he might be blaming himself for how things turned upside down. You two look so like each other.

Magio: Well, everyone says that...

Lucifer: So, be less of that "I wanna save everyone" and more that "I don't wanna be alone". That's what we want of ya, Pal.

Magio closed his eyes and thought for a bit. He had promised that he would be more of himself. Of course, that was hard, because he still had that fear of what would happen if he was true to what HE felt. Even so, he gave Lucifer a smile.


Magio: To think I would descend to the level of being lectured by my own stubborn Summon Spirit. Who knew when that would happen?

Lucifer: I just worry about you, Pal. I mean, you're like the only family I...

Magio: Shh. Enough. I know very well what happened to the rest...

Lucifer: ...
Magio: Now, let's go get some ice cream while we still have time.

Lucifer: That sea-salt one. Can we buy it?

Magio: Sea... salt?

Lucifer: Yeah. I heard from some brats down there that it looks disgusting, but it's actually preeeetty good!

Magio: OK. Let's go get those. And after that, we're going to the Realm.
Lucifer: Deal.

Spring Zone: Hakurei Shrine

Kokoro returned to the Hakurei Shrine kinda early. It wasn't even the beginning of the sunset and she was already back. Reimu was doing her cleaning.


Kokoro: Reimu.

Reimu: Oh, Kokoro. You came earlier than usual.

Kokoro: We have to discuss about things. Those things being what we feel for him.

Reimu: "Him" who?

Kokoro: For Magio. Our feelings for him.

Reimu: F-Feelings?!

Kokoro: Yeah, so let's begin talking about what we really feel for him and what we hide in our-

Reimu: Hahahahahaha! You're so funny! Like, if I have any feelings for him... hahahahahaha-

BGM: Forma tumultuosi somnii


Kokoro: Don't fake it like if you didn't knew what I'm talking about here!

Reimu's aloof laughter stopped as she saw Kokoro wasn't joking around. The eyes of the girl standing in front of her had such burning passion that she recognized what she felt.


Kokoro: Reimu, I'm serious here! I know very well that you love Magio more than money, beer or exterminating Youkai. And I know that you have so many plans for your life as a couple...

Kokoro: But I can't just sit and watch my emotions spinning around while I do absolutely nothing! I'm tired of it! I reached a resolution about what I feel for Magio!

Reimu: ... I see. So what you're saying is that you love him so much, just like me?

Kokoro: Yeah. What I feel for him is the same burning love you feel! But I know you won't let this go. So...

With a spin, Kokoro took her naginata out and prepared herself. Her masks spinned around her at a fast speed, showing her anxiety. But even so...


Kokoro: Let's duel and decide who's stronger to stay with him!!
Reimu: ...
Kokoro: What's with the silence?! Not gonna take your weapons?!

Reimu: Back off with that naginata before I seal you.

Kokoro: I'm not backing off anymore! I will... I will tell all of what I feel for him!!

Reimu: How can you easily come here and admit that?! You can't even know what your feeling is really telling you!

Kokoro: You're right. I'm just an emotional pool... a lake of human feelings that I still lack to comprehend...

Kokoro: But my love for Magio... I will prove what I feel for him by defeating you!!

Reimu: You should have told him what you felt when you had the chance. Why did you decided to be so kind and tell me, huh?!

Kokoro: I'm not going to backstab you! I'm going to resolve this with enough courage to go and tell him!

Reimu: ...

Kokoro: Enough stalling for time! Take out your gohei and fight me! I challenge you, Reimu Hakurei!!

She held the naginata with a firm grasp as she waited for Reimu's move. But in the moment she blinked, Reimu had already disappeared.


Kokoro: (What?! Where did she went?!)

Then, Kokoro dared to look up and see something coming at her. It was clearly Reimu, diving at her with a kick. Kokoro guarded herself with the naginata and closed her eyes for the best of luck against that.

BGM: Solitudo mea

But when she looked, Reimu had fell behind her. They stopped back to back, Kokoro not understanding what Reimu was doing.


Kokoro: Huh?

Reimu: ... Go ahead. Tell him what you feel. I already lost anyway.
Kokoro: Already... lost?
Reimu: You have more vigor than I to freely admit what you feel, Kokoro. I don't have the guts to do said thing, even though everyone knows it. I ran away so many times and abandoned my heart's cries. I don't deserve to be on his side.

Kokoro: You... No, I won't accept this! If I do, then what was all of this even for?!

Reimu: You proved to me that you're my friend. If you weren't, you would have already backstabbed me. And yet you came, spoke your part and admitted it.

Kokoro: And you'll give up, just like that?!

Reimu: ... He wouldn't like to see us fighting over him, would he?

After that, they looked at each other once again.


Kokoro: ... Reimu...

Reimu: Just go... before I change my mind.

Kokoro: ... Thank you. I will make him happy for both of us.

Reimu: I bet you will. Good luck.

Kokoro nodded and left the Hakurei Shrine. Although submitted by free will, she left knowing the pain that Reimu was feeling. Said pain began with a punch on the ground as tears fell from the shrine maiden's angry face.


Reimu: (DAMN ME!!! DAMN ME AND MY DAMN WEAKNESS!!! WHY CAN'T I BE STRONG LIKE HER?! WHY IS IT SO HARD?!)

Reimu: (Why... I'm always one step behind on someone... I let Gensokyo die once... Mima was unsealed... and now...)

She punched the ground once again. Reimu was broken in pieces. She lost the things she loved more than once and has left them to risk once again. She kept blaming herself and her failure but soon got up.


Reimu: (... This isn't the time for this. I have to recompose myself... for me and for him. I know what I feel for him is really strong. And I'll prove it when I'm ready.)

Reimu: (Magio... whent the time comes... I'll be with you forever.)

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

Although I said about fights, there will be no Kokoro VS. Reimu and this clearly turns back my "no romance with Magio", I suppose. And just for organizing things:

Ranked Nightmare List and Chapter Fights

Chapter 1
Rank I: The Despair of Liebea Palesch

Chapter 2
Rank II: The Sadness of Mina Violet
Rank III: The Fear of Mana Lindis

Chapter 3
Rank IV: The Guilt of Ariel Megi
Rank V: The Suffering of Kuro Suzaku
Rank VI: The Loneliness of Seraph Strut Artwaltz

Chapter 4
Rank VII: The Insanity of Flandre Scarlet
Rank VIII: The Failure of Cookie Toadstool Hinanai
Rank IX: The Incompleteness of Anna Ametrine

With Polaris being unactive for the most part of the story, I exchanged "Innocence of Polaris" with "Guilt of Ariel Megi". Also, do you mind if I do some connection, like: Mina's consciousness is trapped into the Nightmare and that's why she's in a comatose state?

The Black Nightmare of the White Dream (MagusDream X Kael Taiyou)

School: Guild's Outpost


Azure: O-Oh, I see!

Azure: Well, everyone, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance! I hope I can be of assistance!

School: Magio and Ralf's Room


Lucifer: Pal, are you done yet?!
Magio: Wait just a moment!!

And he opened the door and left.


Magio: Ta-dah... ugh...

Lucifer: Pal... that's an awesome outfit!!

Magio: You're exaggerating. This is pretty much like the other one I was using.

Lucifer: No, it's not! It gives more of a leader prospect to you!

Magio: Leader prospect? Seriously?

Lucifer: Yup! I'm sure everyone will agree!

Magio: Hey, don't go planning anything weird, got it?

Spring Zone Streets

Kokoro returned to the point where she initiated her search. Azrel came too


Kokoro: ... No success, huh?

Azrel: Nope. Nothing.

Kokoro: I see. Thanks for the help anyway. I'll make the dumplings soon enough-

BGM: Fallen Down -Reprise-


Azrel: But hey, make sure that he'll like them.

Kokoro looked at Azrel and wondered what he was talking about. She had no idea of what he meant by that.


Kokoro: What do you mean?

Azrel: C'mon, you know what I'm talking about. You're going to give those dumplings for Magio, right?

Kokoro: W-What?! N-N-No!!

Azrel: Kokoro, you're not fooling me with that. I know very well how much you like Magio and how much you're dying to say it out loud.

She blushed and backed off a little. Maybe it were the many moments that she played with Magio in Gensokyo that slipped out the fact Kokoro loved him not only as a friend.


Kokoro: W-W-Well, you're right... but... I just-

Azrel: Why don't you just say it? I mean, the "no" you already have.
Kokoro: That's what I fear. And... there's another problem.

Azrel: Huh? Which problem?

Kokoro: Reimu. She likes Magio too and I don't want to attack her in the back like that.

Azrel: Ohh, so it's a love triangle, huh?

Kokoro: We're not even dating yet!!

Azrel: You noticed that you said "yet", right?

Kokoro: Ah...!!

She couldn't deny it. Kokoro wanted to be Magio's girlfriend. Of course, Reimu was the most of her worries, but she wanted just a fraction of happiness alongside him.


Azrel: Look, maybe doing this might be backstabbing Reimu... but you aren't going to supress these emotions forever. Especially you, since you're the emotional Menreiki.

Kokoro: ...

Azrel: You should, like, just try. If it doesn't work, patience. If it works...
Kokoro: But what about Reimu? She'll become furious once she knows I'm dating with Magio when she did many plans to-

Azrel: If you don't move, she will. Either way, one of you will be heartbroken in the end. It's just the matter of who goes happily with him and the one who's looking.

Kokoro: ... You're really evil.

Azrel: I never knew how much to deal with girls anyway.

Kokoro: But... maybe I'll try. Somehow, I hope he says "no", but...

Azrel: Somehow you hope he says "yes".

She nodded. Kokoro was really nervous of doing what he just said, but she knew she had to try. Before going to him, she flied back to the Hakurei Shrine.


Azrel: Hey, where you're going? The school is the other way, isn't it?

Kokoro: I have to admit what I feel for him to her first. If necessary, I'll battle for it.

Azrel: Now I see some resolution on those eyes. Well, gold luck for ya!

And she left off to clash her feelings with Reimu Hakurei herself. Kokoro looked really tired of letting everything she felt locked. She needed to burst it out. Azrel, looking her leave, thought about it.


Azrel: (Love... huh? I wonder what is to feel it.)

Azrel: (If only I had a heart...)