MarisaStory: A Certain Magical Internet

[Third Eye Lem]

DISCLAIMER: This CYOA was created out of frustration towards a certain 2D sidecrolling MMO. Expect frequent asspulls, headcanon fire, and general nonsensicalness. This is not meant to be a serious story, but I at least want it to be an enjoyable one. Any and all criticism is appreciated.

MARISASTORY: A CERTAIN MAGICAL INTERNET


_{picture source}

> Your name is MARISA KIRISAME, and you are the best goddamn magician in all of Gensokyo!

> Okay, maybe you aren't the best just yet, but you're pretty high up on the list. You've been studying magic since your childhood, after running away from home and getting involved with the ghostly MIMA. You two were pretty tight; she considered you a daughter, until a certain shrine maiden confronted the two of you. On that day, you realized it was a very bad idea to cause an INCIDENT, or work with anyone causing said INCIDENT, so you parted ways with Mima for the sake of your well-being. It's all good though, you prefer working alone anyways.

> ...That was, until the day you met ALICE MARGATROID. You remember it well: out of boredom, you joined forces with MIMA, YUUKA KAZAMI and of course REIMU HAKUREI to investigate a demon invasion. Well, Reimu called it an invasion, but it was just some rowdy tourists coming from the demon city of MAKAI. Very noisy, intrusive and obnoxious demon tourists. They had to be taught a lesson for messing up your spell practice sessions. Alice was none too pleased with you invading her hometown, so she tried to kill you with the magic of an ANCIENT GRIMOIRE. It didn't work out well...For Alice at least. She couldn't handle your MAD MAGICAL SKILLZ and ran off crying. You never saw her again until a couple years later, when Gensokyo was suffering from severe bout of SPRING DEPRIVATION. Alice appeared to have mellowed out by this point, and even got stronger since you last met her.

> Since then, the two of you have become close friends and rivals (frivals???), and the two of you share a small house in the FOREST OF MAGIC. Alice considers you be SELFISH, a TRICKSTER, and at times CONDESCENDING, but you always tend to be UPBEAT AND CHIPPER. Your HARD WORK ETHIC is what impresses her the most, you always seem to be working on crafting a new spell (or emulating the spells of others), and gossiping with the other girls in Gensokyo. On the other hand, Alice tends to KEEP TO HERSELF, but is USUALLY PRETTY FRIENDLY with visitors, and you see her as a CALM YET SERIOUS individual. Alice's dolls help her out with various tasks around the house when you're away; you usually don't do a good job of cleaning the house, and it gets on her nerves sometimes. You two are truly an odd couple, but not to the point where you're dating or anything. That'd be weird...But still...BLUH! You don't have time for such thoughts!

> It's been some time since Alice moved in, and since then you've helped solve a variety of INCIDENTS, including some crazy YOUKAI REBELLION instigated by SEIJA KIJIN. Ugh, you don't want to be in the same room with that whack-job anymore. She disappeared after you defeated her cohort, SHINMYOUMARU SUKUNA, whom is currently under Reimu's custody, but you could give any less of a fuck about Seija's whereabouts now. Your thoughts turn to your agenda today...What were you doing again? Oh right, Alice wanted to show you SOMETHING AMAZING...Not that you guys managed to get an INTERNET CONNECTION running to your computer, you were working on that for months!

> You recall it quite clearly: The KAPPA have been reverse-engineering the MYSTERIOUS DEVICES that have suddenly cropped up in Gensokyo over the years, and have started creating their own COMPUTER NETWORK. Soon, their followers suddenly had internet access, and were able to browse the fun (yet dangerous) digital frontier established by the outside world. This did not go unnoticed, of course. The EIENTEI crew have used LUNARIAN TECHNOLOGY to make their own computer network, YUKARI YAKUMO'S been dabbling in it as well, and now you've heard rumors that the TAOIST and BUDDHIST factions are getting in on the action as well...Hell, you wouldn't be surprised if Reimu suddenly made her own server farm, her shrine could use the business.

> The thought of a more "modernized" Gensokyo would have bewildered you ages ago, but as you ponder its possibilities, a voice calls to you from downstairs...
> "Oy! Mari! You awake yet?"
> Alice is baconing beckoning you. You get out of bed and assess your room...It's a bit of a mess, but you can still see the floor at least. What will you do now?

> _

[capt. h]

> "Gimme five more minutes."

> Flop back into bed.

> Get thrown down staircase by doll.

> Give Alice pre-coffee "good morning" grunt.

> Lurch half-dazed self towards coffee machine. Start day with morning pot of coffee.

[Third Eye Lem]

> "Gimme five more minutes."

> Flop back into bed.

> Get thrown down staircase by doll.

> Give Alice pre-coffee "good morning" grunt.

> Lurch half-dazed self towards coffee machine. Start day with morning pot of coffee.

> "Yeah, sure, of course," Alice replies in a sarcastic manner.
> You flop back down on your nice, comfy bed, and try to fall back asleep.
> Just as you're about to drift off again, a fleet of Alice's dolls come in, pull the sheets off, and carry your sleepy ass downstairs.
> You grunt as you're unceremoniously dropped on the couch in the living room. Sadly, it is nowhere near as comfy as your bed, so you're forced to get back up. Seriously, this thing is as lumpy as hell. It's ok to sit in, but not sleep on. Alice says she got it from her mother, SHINKI. You suspect this couch is about as old as Shinki is.
> You shuffle towards the kitchen in a rather zombie-like matter. Through your half-awake vision, you navigate to the coffee machine, and turn it on. Thankfully, it's programmed to recognize whomever is using it, and automatically brew a cup to their specifications. You wonder where you'd be without this device; PATCHOULI KNOWLEDGE gave it to you as a bribe to keep you out of her library. Once the coffee's done (you love it when the coffee's done), you take a sip and start to feel slightly more awake. It'll take a bit for the coffee to work your way through your system.

[capt. h]

> Make plans for day.

> Include stealing Taoist internet connections in plans.

> Find out what Alice's amazing thing is.

[Kilgamayan]

> Inventory
> What is this inter net? Don't we already have the tools needed to catch fish or butterflies?

[Third Eye Lem]

> Make plans for day.

> Include stealing Taoist internet connections in plans.

> Find out what Alice's amazing thing is.

> You make a mental list of tasks you should do for today...
> Quest Added: It's All In The Cards -- The new girls on the block (Parser's Hint: anyone from HM/DDC/TD) have some interesting abilities you might be able to exploit. You've seen their techniques in action, now you need to figure out how to replicate them...You should start with your magical book collection, or raid visit the library at SDM for more info.
> Quest Added: Connection Lost? -- It's gonna be tricky to leech internet from the Taoists, since their base of operations is well-hidden. Still, if you can find a way to hack into their network, it'd lead to quite a few benefits. First, you need to either find an access port to their ISP, or figure out where Miko set up shop.
> Quest Added: Alice's Surprise -- Alice wanted to show you something after you got up. You should talk to her about it ASAP.
> That being said, you look over at Alice, who's reading the paper and munching on some toast, and ask her what she wanted to show you.
> "I was wondering when you'd ask," she says with a grin. "I've taken the liberty of signing us up for one of those 'Morepig' games I've heard so much about. We should be getting our access keys via email soon." Oh yes, Alice was talking about those last night...You don't really care much for video games, but you'd feel like an asshole if you didn't spend some time with her. She hasn't really been up to participating in any incidents since Tenshi literally shook things up a while ago.

> Inventory
> What is this inter net? Don't we already have the tools needed to catch fish or butterflies?

> You're holding CUP OF COFFEE in your hand; it's 95% full and piping hot. The mug itself is ceramic and has a star design on it, it's your favorite mug. You are also wearing your PAJAMAS right now.
> You recall what the INTERNET is. As far as you know, it's a connected series of computers designed to share and transmit data. Originally created by the outside world for military use, it was eventually brought to civilians for personal and commercial use. "Data" consists of everything from simple documents, to things called "programs" which do a variety of things. So far, you're decently familiar with the internet, and the computers that power it, but Alice seems to have a firmer grasp on it than you do. The mere thought of this makes you a tad jealous.

> _

[capt. h]

> When did we start getting emails? Did Alice fix that internet thing up for us?

[Third Eye Lem]

> When did we start getting emails? Did Alice fix that internet thing up for us?

> Actually, BYAKUREN HIJIRI herself helped you set up the net shortly after the Ten Desires incident. At first, you thought this was a campaign to win over followers (moreso Alice than you), but when you saw how incredibly cheap HijiriNet was, you jumped aboard immediately. Unfortunately, cheap internet is not always good internet; your transfer speeds are less than half of the other ISPs in Gensokyo.

[Zengar Zombolt]

> Ponder whatever you know about mumopurgers.
>Also ponder your overall gaming skills! Are we gonna suck?

[Third Eye Lem]

> Ponder whatever you know about mumopurgers.
>Also ponder your overall gaming skills! Are we gonna suck?

> Alice said they were like make-believe towns, where monsters are commonplace, and everyone is like a superhero. So, kinda like Gensokyo in a way. She also mentioned something about obtaining "fat loots," which you assume is treasure, and that's always a good thing.
> It depends on the game. You don't always play games, but when you do, you prefer games that exercise your brain. The RPG, strategy and puzzle genres fit your needs pretty well in this regard. You'll try action games now and then, but most of the time you stop playing because they make your hands hurt. Maybe you should see Eirin sometime about this, you kinda need your hands...But for now, you're feeling confident enough to play this new game, whatever it's called.

[capt. h]

> Become "The One".

> What, we don't have a spell for that?

> Well, what'll happen if we try making a "USA adapter" for our mini-hakkero? We have wires, jamming one into our hakkero is bound to do something cool, right?

[Third Eye Lem]

> Become "The One".

> What, we don't have a spell for that?

> Well, what'll happen if we try making a "USA adapter" for our mini-hakkero? We have wires, jamming one into our hakkero is bound to do something cool, right?

> You have no idea what "The One" is, nor do you have the ability to become it.
> In your groggy state, you wonder what'll happen if you connect your Mini-Hakkero to your computer...You assume it'll act like a power source, and extend the life of your battery...In fact, that's not a bad idea, you should try it sometime! After you have some more coffee and a proper breakfast. Seriously, you're out of it right now, so you take a sip (mug is 90% full now).
> Alice takes notice of your groggy stupor, and quips "Are you okay? Did you not sleep well last night?"

[Yaersulf]

>"Mmmrphurghh."
>Continue ingesting Marisa fuel.

[Third Eye Lem]

>"Mmmrphurghh."
>Continue ingesting Marisa fuel.

> Alice pauses for a moment before replying, "I'll take that as a no..." and goes back to reading the paper.
> You continue drinking the coffee, until it's about halfway full. However, coffee alone won't keep you going; you should think about eating breakfast soon as well.

> _

[日巫子]

> Proceed to the cupboards and search for food.

[Third Eye Lem]

> Proceed to the cupboards and search for food.

> You muster up the leg power to go to the cupboard, and the arm power to open it. A variety of boxed, bagged and otherwise packaged foods sit before you. Most of it is yours, as Alice doesn't eat that much. Alice giggles a bit as you stare blankly at your potential breakfast choices.

> _

[Kilgamayan]

> Anything good in the cupboard?
> What kind of things can we find on the inter net?

[capt. h]

> Scarf down whatever happens to be in front, we have things to do.

> We might not have decided what those things are yet, but we definitely want to start doing them!

[Third Eye Lem]

> Anything good in the cupboard?
> What kind of things can we find on the inter net?

> Cereal, crackers, chips, dried fruit, that sort of thing; the more perishable stuff is in your ICEBOX.
> Pretty much anything!...Some things more desirable than others. You usually use it to look up magic-related things, plants, and keep tabs on everyone's blogs. Maybe an e-book or two, a new silly game to play, and then you come across this strange site called "Tee Vee Traps." You're not sure why, but time seems to pass much faster while you're browsing that site...Part of you suspects it might be a time machine of some kind.

> Scarf down whatever happens to be in front, we have things to do.

> We might not have decided what those things are yet, but we definitely want to start doing them!

> You grab the nearest bag of granola, and start eating it a handful at a time. Usually, you have this with a bit of milk and dried fruit, but hindsight's only 10/20 when you're half-awake.
> That is why you jotted down those quests earlier, yes? You should at least think about that game Alice mentioned, and see if you can swipe a book from Patchy later.

[capt. h]

> First, let's go check our email for "Eminem Oh" stuff! Go outside and look in mailbox.

> Hook up Hakkero to computer. Make computer love powered.

> Attempt to use computer to program more power to master spark.

> We may need to steal some rams for Hakkero hacking. Make a mental note of local shepherds.

[Third Eye Lem]

> First, let's go check our email for "Eminem Oh" stuff! Go outside and look in mailbox.

> Hook up Hakkero to computer. Make computer love powered.

> Attempt to use computer to program more power to master spark.

> We may need to steal some rams for Hakkero hacking. Make a mental note of local shepherds.

> Screw breakfast, it can wait. You're feeling slightly more awake, so your shuffle has become more of a slow gait.
     > "Sheesh, you're really out of it today, aren't you?" Alice quips as you make your way to the study, where your computer lies. "Don't trip!" Thankfully, you fail to do so and sit down at your computer desk successfully.
     > The computer in question is actually a laptop model, which the Kappa have humorously called the KAPPTOP. Yours has a black upper half and a white lower half, and the cases is decked out with--big surprise--stars. You even have a mini-constellation of your adorable mug flashing a victory sign on the case! You also have a wired mouse attached to the device, with a similar color scheme. A charging cord runs from the computer to a nearby outlet, so your Kapptop is always charged and ready for action. You rarely take it with you while traveling; you don't want it getting blasted by danmaku if a SKIRMISH comes up.
     > You open up the Kapptop, and it wakes up immediately. It takes you a second to locate the email program (eBottles) and open it, but once you do so, you hear Mimi-chan's voice tell you "Mail's here!" followed by an explosive sound effect. That always makes you crack up (and make Alice jump a bit in her seat).
     > Your inbox has several new messages in it, most notably the aforementioned ACCESS KEY Alice mentioned earlier.

> You left your Hakkero upstairs! Thankfully, you always keep it under your pillow in case of a sudden SKIRMISH (heaven forbid you actually use it indoors, though).
> You're not sure how to do that. You do have a program that'll let you design spell cards, but it's kinda useless without a printer. You prefer to draw them yourself, anyways.
> Stealing RAM would be beneficial, but you wouldn't know how to install it. You usually have NAZRIN take care of hardware and technical stuff; she'll give you a discount on her services since you're a HijiriNet customer. As for actual sheep and sheeplike creatures, the HUMAN VILLAGE has a few farms where livestock is grown. You'd have to be pretty desperate (or be Kagerou) to steal mutton from the villagers, though. :V

> _

_{that was a lot more fluff than i expected, hope that's not a problem for you guys}

[capt. h]

Fluffy quests are good, but it would be easier to read when you place line breaks between bullets a bit more and put the part of the command corresponding to an action immediately above the action it corresponds to, instead of putting all the commands from a single quote at the top of a post.

> Collect hakkero, just in case. What if there's a surprise fairy ninja attack?

> Note that your concern over fairy ninjas felt much less stupid in your head.

> "Let's see what the hoopla over this game is."

> Character creation: Vote for "black mage" class, name "Alice Dumbledore".

> Get the sense that Alice doesn't completely approve of your naming choice.

[Third Eye Lem]

> Collect hakkero, just in case. What if there's a surprise fairy ninja attack?

> The thought of ninjas in Gensokyo surprises you, you haven't seen one anywhere in spite of the setting. Then again...You seen numerous residents (mostly Yukari and her two companions) use kunai and knifes in their attacks, and Sakuya certainly fights like a ninja...The thought of this makes you just paranoid enough to dash upstairs and snatch your Hakkero from your pillow.
     > Item Acquired: Mini-Hakkero -- Your not-so-secret weapon that powers your Master Spark attack. It's too powerful to use as a focus for your other spells, but you wouldn't be caught dead without this bad boy.

> Note that your concern over fairy ninjas felt much less stupid in your head.

> Yeah, I mean, what're the odds that a fairy is going to suddenly master ninjitsu? You've been around the forest long enough to know that most fairies will stay away from you and Alice, and the higher level ones pose no threat. Except maybe Lily...Thank god it's not Spring.

> "Let's see what the hoopla over this game is."

> You hustle back downstairs; your recent paranoia has given you a small adrenaline rush, so you feel a lot less like a zombie. You open the email and are greeted with the following message:

Code: [Select]

To: risingstar82@hijiri.net
From: no-reply@maneki.com
Subject: GUILDIES! Access Key

Good day, RisingStar82!

Thank you for your interest in our game. Enclosed in this message is a link that will let you download and install GUILDIES! to your computer. As you know, we're giving out Early Access Keys to certain individuals, so they may try our game before its official release. Please keep in mind that this is not a beta, it is an official release and should be treated as such. Feel free to give us feedback on your experience, and if you're a member of the press, review it! Don't hold back! Tell us straight from your heart how much you liked or disliked our game!

Please do not share this link with anyone else, as it's a violation of our Terms of Service. You may read the ToS by clicking here.

To begin your download, please click here. If something happens during said download, please contact our Technical Support Center.

Enjoy your time in GUILDIES!

Sincerly,
The GUILDIES! Development Team
     > You click on the desired link, and a new tab opens up in your browser...Only for it to be replaced with a dialog box confirming the download. You click "Begin Download." Estimated time to completion...
     > ...Son of a bitch, it's gonna take at least two hours and 15 minutes, and you know it's only going to go up thanks to how shitty the estimator is. What a mood-killer.

> Character creation: Vote for "black mage" class, name "Alice Dumbledore".

> You'll definitely look into the "Magician" branch of classes when the game finally downloads. That being said, GUILDIES! doesn't have a regular class system: it just gives you one of several archetypes to work with, and you can model your character however you like from there. As for the name...Ugh, what ridiculous thought possessed you to come up with that name? You must still be out of it to be resorting to punny names like that. That being said, you guess it was kind of clever.

> Get the sense that Alice doesn't completely approve of your naming choice.

> Alice would actually find this amusing; she seems to appreciate puns a little more than you do...And by that she'll rub bit in your face when she feels it's appropriate.
     > "What's the matter, Mari? Feeling a bit disconnected?" she says, followed with a hearty chuckle.

> _

_{yeah this looks way better, thanks capth ^.^b}

[capt. h]

> Wait.

> Then start game.

[Third Eye Lem]

> Wait.

> Then start game.

> Wait for two-plus hours doing nothing but sitting at the computer? You could be doing a lot of other stuff in that time, it's unlike you to just idle.
> "I guess I should start my download while I'm at it," Alice says as she accesses her computer. "You're not gonna sit around in your PJs all day, are you?"

[capt. h]

You two are truly an odd couple, but not to the point where you're dating or anything. That'd be weird...But still...BLUH! You don't have time for such thoughts!

> Not really in the mood to steal things...

> "Hey Alice, wanna make a kid?"

> Note Alice's expression, then correct self.

> "I meant work on Shanghai's sentience."

[Third Eye Lem]

> Not really in the mood to steal things...

> "Hey Alice, wanna make a kid?"

> Note Alice's expression, then correct self.

> "I meant work on Shanghai's sentience."

> You express your current mood, and unusual desire to make a child...A sentient child based on one of Alice's dolls.

> "Well, I have been working on it over the years. Shanghai and Hourai have developed personalities, but...They don't really talk and act on their own, unless I'm directing them." Alice sighs, and looks out a window. The sun is peeking in through the magical forest's canopy. "If only I had that one Medicine doll to study...Whatever happened to her after that one flower viewing incident?"

> Ah yes, MEDICINE MELANCHOLY. A living doll that came to life after years of sleeping in a field of poisonous flowers. She is accompanied by a miniature version of herself, though you're unsure which one is the "core" personality of the two. Either way, you remember she was invited by Reisen to come to Eientei; her knowledge of poisons has helped Eirin greatly in her medical research. You relay this info to Alice.

> "I see...Maybe I'll go visit her at Eientei, then. Though...I'm nervous about going alone." She has a point, the Bamboo Forest is a thoroughly controlled by the local INABA, who love to play pranks on unsuspecting visitors. There's no telling how Kaguya will take a second visit, you haven't seen her since the Imperishable Night incident. And then there's Mokou to worry about too...Still, it's something to consider while waiting for GUILDIES! to download.

> Quest Added: Doll in the Shadows -- Alice wishes to speak to Medicine at Eientei. The journey will be a bit dangerous, but it's important for Alice's doll research.

> _

[capt. h]

> Get dressed.

> Go to Eientei.

> Add Mokou to party at first possible opportunity.

> Wonder if visiting Medicine is a good idea. Doesn't she want to kill all the humans?

> Not that something so trivial would stop us.

[Third Eye Lem]

> Get dressed.

> You finally decide to stop lollygagging and get some clothes. You tell Alice you'll be ready shortly, which pleases her.
     > Outfit Equipped: EVERYDAY OUTFIT -- This is your typical day-to-day outfit you wear most of the time [Parser's Note: like the one in the intro image]. It's comfy and easy to wear!
> You also grab your SPELL CARDS and BROOM, you never leave home without these.
     > Item Acquired: Deck of Spell Cards --  Your ultimate weapons in the case of solving Incidents and fighting off enemies in Skirmishes.
     > Item Acquired: Riding Broomstick -- Your main mode of transit around Gensokyo. It can also be used as a focal point for your basic attacks, be it shooting danmaku or smacking people upside the head.
> And last, but not least...
     > Item Acquired: BAG OF HOLDING -- This looks like an ordinary handbag, but you enchanted it to hold almost anything you could stuff in it. You could probably carry someone inside this if you wanted to!

> Wonder if visiting Medicine is a good idea. Doesn't she want to kill all the humans?

> Not that something so trivial would stop us.

> You ask Alice if this is a good idea, and she replies "Of course it is...For me, at least. If it gets too problematic, I'll just let her return home."
> You also ask Alice if Medicine is harboring a grudge towards any humans. "I'm not sure. Maybe Mokou, but I think that's more mob mentality than anything else."

> Go to Eientei.

> Add Mokou to party at first possible opportunity.

> Believing you're fully prepared, you decide to head out for the House of Eternity, but you get stopped by one of Alice's dolls, whom is holding a bag lunch. "Oh, that's right, I made sandwiches for us the other day and we didn't eat them!" Alice chuckles. "You can have this one, Mari. I think you might need it." You don't admit it openly, but you always appreciate it when Alice makes a meal for you to eat on the go.
     > Item Acquired: SANDWICH -- A simple sandwich, chock full of tasty meats and veggies to restore your health.

> Ok, NOW you're ready. The two of you step out and take flight over the woods, and head for the Bamboo Forest. It's mostly clear and sunny day, the temperature is warm without being stifling hot. It's been getting considerably cooler over the past week or so, meaning that Fall is just around the corner. Within minutes, the Bamboo Grove is in sight. It's just as cluttered as you remember, but you also start to recall something else... Just as you and Alice suddenly fall out of the air like pair of de-winged fairies, thankfully, you're able to catch yourselves before your fall causes any serious damage.

> "Ugh, I forgot...This is a Low-Fly Zone," Alice quips. You recall that Eirin possesses a device called an ANTI-GRAVITY NEGATOR, which knocks out any means of flight, levitation or similar over Eientei's airspace. You suspect they did this so potential intruders would have to work through the traps set up around the grove by Tewi and Reisen.

> You now stand at the edge of the Bamboo Grove, what next?
> _

[capt. h]

> Walk forward and pray.