Hello everyone! Glad to see here after the crazy events of last chapter. In any case, I'll talk more at the end of this story.

"Blah" — Speech

"Blah" — Speech in another language

'Blah' — Thoughts

[ Blah ] — Text

*Blah* — Sound effects in speech

(Blah) — Author's notes

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of Touhou Project; they belong to Jun'ya Ota aka ZUN. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Flip

Yawn

Patchouli covers her mouth as she leans back on the support of Alice's bench. 'I wonder if Marisa will come.' After some time, the librarian looks at the puppeteer's front porch to note the wooden floor, railings, and pillars. She sighs and looks down at her book. 'I guess I'll read again.' Patchouli opens the—

"Miss Patchouli."

She turns her head to look at a fairy standing at the front. "Yes?"

The fairy tilts her chin upwards. "She's here."

"Thank you Mya," Patchouli stands up just as Marisa and another fairy lands on the grass in front of the house. "Finally," Patchouli floats toward them. "I thought you wouldn't show up." She turns to the other fairy. "Thank you for your help Liri."

Liri bows her head. "Of course Miss Patchouli." She then makes her way to stand near Mya.

Marisa plants her broom perpendicular to the ground and leans on it. "And I wouldn't be here but," She points a finger at Liri. "Your friend here wouldn't leave me alone. So," The blonde shrugs and looks back at Patchouli. "Why did you call me here ze?"

Patchouli pulls out an envelope from her robe. "I called you here because of this." She flips it to show a broken wax seal stamp to Marisa. "Alice wanted us to be here."

Marisa's eyes widen, "Is that Alice's will? When did you get that?"

"I received it from one her dolls at the day of... the Meteor Incident."

Marisa steps closer to the librarian. "It's been almost two months since that meteorite hit the shrine and now you bring this up!?"

Patchouli stands unfazed at Marisa's proximity. "She placed a seal on the letter and it recently broke three days ago."

That slightly mollifies Marisa as she takes a step back. "Still... You could've unsealed it."

Patchouli chuckles, "She knew that you would be too impatient to wait." The librarian then sighs, "Back on topic, it took me some time to process the contents and I needed more time to prepare myself for the trip." She then narrows her eyes at Marisa. "Not only that, I sent a letter to you yesterday to meet me here an hour ago. Based on what you said, I was right in sending Liri to pick you up."

Marisa's cheeks flush as her eyes darts around. "L-look I was really busy yesterday ze."

The librarian raises her eyebrow. "Huh."

"A-Anyway, what did Alice tell you in her letter?"

"You're going to have to read your letter."

"Really?" Marisa looks around. "Where is it?"

"In the house."

"What are we waiting for then? Let's go ze."

Patchouli sighs, "We're waiting for two more people."

Marisa raises her eyebrow. "Who cou—"

"I'm sorry for being late." They two witches turn to side to see Alice's mother, Yumeko, and Koakuma floating down. "We got here as soon as we could."

Marisa gave a wave. "Oh hey..."

Alice's mother gave a small smile. "You can call me Shinki." She looks at the house. "I'm back..."

Patchouli coughs into her hand. "Thank you for being here." The librarian glances at Koakuma as the demon floats to her side. "Thank you for bringing them here."

Koakuma smiles, "I'm happy to help Master."

"Now then," The librarian looks at everyone. "With everyone here. Let us proceed." She walks to the door with the group except for the fairies. Patchouli brings the envelope close to the door and it flares up in a bright yellow light before it disappears.

Click

The door opens and the group walks into the house and sees it untouched. Patchouli swipes her finger across a nearby table and brings it near her face. 'Surprising how the spell held this long.' They make their way to the living room and find two dolls on top of the table.

"Isn't this Shanghai?" Marisa walks closer to the table. "And Hourai too."

"Shanghai? Hourai?" Shinki walks to the table as well. "Who are they?"

"Oh uh." Marisa shifts to the side and scratches her neck. "They're Alice's personal dolls. They were always with her wherever she went."

"Oh..." Alice's mother reaches out and caresses their hair. She then turns to the human witch. "Will you tell me more about what Alice did here?"

Marisa starts to fidget under the attention. "Uh well she always like to bake and..."

'Now is a good time as any.' Patchouli waves at Koakuma to follow as they float to the stairs and up to Alice's room. Once inside, the librarian turns to her familiar and points at a stack of cases that are placed in the corner of the room. "Koakuma, find the dolls and put them in the cases." She takes out a slip of paper and gives it to Koakuma. "Use this to make sure you put them in order."

The demon nods her head. "You got it Master." She sets out to do her task.

Patchouli turns back and takes out her envelope. It then flares up and the witch can feel magic coming from a certain part of the floor. 'There you are.' She floats there and crouches down to the floor. A section of the floor lights up before the light fades away. Patchouli peels the floor back and finds a box of letters. She stands back up and uses her magic to levitate it off the floor. Patchouli waves her hand again and the box is enveloped in a purplish glow. She then plucks the first three envelopes with 'Mother', 'Marisa', and 'Yumeko' written on the fronts. With the stacks beside her, Patchouli floats to the door. "Once you're done, bring the cases with you and meet me downstairs."

"Yes Master."

Patchouli floats down to find Marisa and Alice's mother sitting on the chairs. The human notices her first and stands up. "What you got there ze?"

"Your letters." Patchouli sees Shinki starting to stand up. "Please. I think you should sit down for this one." She hands her the envelope. "Here." She walks to Marisa. "Here." She then walks to Yumeko. "Here."

Rip

Patchouli turns her head to see Shinki already reading her letter. After several moments of silence, she put a hand over mouth and her shoulders start to shake. After that, the white-haired woman drops the letter to cover her face and starts to cry.

"Oh Alice..."

"Mistress." Yumeko tucks her envelope and walks over to sit next to Shinki. The maid places her hands around Shinki's shoulders and offer soft words of comfort.

Patchouli notices Koakuma floating down the stairs with the cases. 'Perfect timing.' She opens one of the cases to take out two dolls that are replicas of the Makai residents. Patchouli then places them down. "You have my condolences." The librarian waves her hand at Koakuma and Marisa to follow her as she floats out the front door. Once outside, she waves the fairies over and then looks inside he cases. "Hmm," Patchouli closes one of the cases and floats it over to her escorts. "Here. Take this back to Remilia. She'll know what to do with them."

Mya holds the suitcase. "But—"

The purple-haired magician waves off their protests. "It is fine. I can take care of myself."

Mya and Liri look at each other before the bow to the librarian. "Of course Miss Patchouli." They grab the case and fly off to the mansion.

Patchouli opens a case to take a 'Marisa' doll and turns around to give it to her friend. "Here Marisa." The librarian turns around. "I will see you at another time."

"Where are you going ze?"

Patchouli pats a case. "Alice asked me to give out all of the dolls to everyone she knew."

Marisa walks closer. "Can I help?"

Patchouli raises her eyebrow. "You are not going to read your letter?"

"I can always read it later." She tucks it into her vest.

'She's is trying to prolong it.' But Patchouli shrugs. "I see no problem with it."

"Alright. Let's go."

"Hold on." Patchouli opens the lids and rearranges the dolls into specific cases. After that, she closes the lid and gives half of the cases to the blond witch. "Here. Your share."

"Alright." Marisa weaves her magic into the cases and they float up. "I'll see you later at the mansion ze."

Patchouli shakes her head. "Go home and read that letter after you're done. I will see you another day."

Marisa hesitates and then turns around to pull her hat down. "Yeah. See ya." She flies off.

Patchouli sighs and turns to Koakuma. "Let's go and finish this. I want to go back to the library."

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Human village...

Patchouli stops near the village and turns to Koakuma. "You should go somewhere and wait for me."

Koakuma nods her head. "Where should I go Master?"

Patchouli looks around. "Hmm." 'Where is a good place to wait?'

"Master."

The witch turns around. "Yes?"

The demon points downward. "Two people are coming."

She turns toward the direction. 'Ah perfect. From what Alice wrote, these should be Keine and Mokou.'

Keinie and Mokou floats up and stops in front of the duo. The teacher speaks up. "Hello. You're the Mansion's librarian... Patchouli correct?"

Patchouli nod her head. "Correct. You must be Keine." She turns her head to the other one. "And Mokou yes?"

Mokou gives a wave. "Yup."

Keine clasps her hands in front of her dress. "May I ask what your business here is? Some of the villagers saw your partner and became nervous."

'It seems Alice was right about their fear.' "Ah right." Patchouli opens a case and the box to take out the required contents. "Here. Alice wanted to give you these as gifts."

Keine is the first to accept her doll and letter. "Alice? The puppeteer?"

The white-haired woman accepts the gifts. "Thanks. Honestly I'm surprised I get something since I barely knew her."

'Oh she knows you.' "She wanted the dolls to have a home and not collect dust in her house."

"Thank you for the gift." Keine looks up at Patchouli. "Is there anything else do you need?"

"Actually," Patchouli looks at Mokou. "I need a guide to Eientei."

Mokou sighs and scratches her head. "Alright I guess. You got lucky I had nothing else to do today."

"My thanks," The librarian nods her head to the teacher. "I hope you have a good day."

"You too."

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Eientei...

Knock Knock

Mokou steps back and raises her voice. "Oi! You got guests."

A moment passes before the gate opens and a purple-haired woman with bunny ears step out. "Yes?"

Mokou gives a nod. "Yo Reisen." She tilts her head to Patchouli and Koakuma. "These two wanted to come here."

Reisen turns to them. "Oh excuse me. Do you have an appointment?"

Patchouli shakes her head. "No. I am just here to give Alice's gift to all of you. If you can, can you call your masters here?"

Reisen wrings her hands. "Master is busy and Princess Kaguya is..."

The librarian floats close to the lunarian. "Let me help you then." Patchouli leans close and whispers, "You can give Alice's message to your Princess: 'I know how you feel about a certain immortal.'"

Reisen looks steps back and looks at Patchouli. "...I will relay the message. Excuse me." She bows and leaves.

After a few moments of silence, Mokou leans on the wall. "You could have just used my name to get them out here. I'm sure Kaguya would've come over in a n instant."

Patchouli tilts her head. "Would the two of you fight?"

The immortal looks up for a second and then looks back at the purple-haired magician. "Yeah."

Patchouli looks at the cases that contain the dolls. "Then no. This was the safer option."

Mokou shrugs and looks at the bamboo trees.

Moments later, Patchouli hears quick footsteps approaching close to her and then the gate is slammed open; Kaguya pants as she looks around and then stops at Mokou. "Urk."

Mokou raises her eyebrow. "What's wrong with you?"

"Ahem." Everyone look behind to see Eirin. "Now this is an interesting sight to see. What are you doing outside the library?"

Patchouli takes out several dolls and a couple of letters. "I am here to give Alice's gift to you."

"Oh?" Eirin accepts the letter and doll.

"Oh this is so cute." Kaguya jumps over and takes her doll and letter. She then takes a glance at Mokou and opens the envelope.

Reisen tries to balance herself as she holds onto multiple dolls of herself and other rabbit youkais.

"That seems to be everything." Patchouli looks at Mokou. "I'm ready to leave."

"Alright." Mokou pushes off the wall and give a wave as she walks back to the village. "I'll kill you later Kaguya."

Patchouli and Koakuma follows after Mokou.

"Awwwww." It was Kaguya's voice. "That sounded really interesting."

'It seems now they know what could have been.'

The white-haired immortal turns her head but keeps walking forward. "What is going on?"

Koakuma turns to Patchouli. "Where to next Master?"

Patchouli sighs. "Yuuka." 'I hope my breathing spells will be enough.'

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Garden of the Sun...

"Hah...Hah..."

"Master I think we should go back." Koakuma fidgets with her hands as she stands close to her master.

Patchouli has her hands on her knees as she gasps for breath and then shakes her head. "No. Alice asked me to do this."

"Oh?" They look up as Yuuka walks toward them with her parasol opened. "What's this about Alice?"

Patchouli stands up. "I—" Patchouli goes into a coughing fit.

"Please," Koakuma pleads, "My Master has asthma and it is difficult for her to breathe."

Yuuka rolls her eyes. "Then why is she outside if it's such a problem for her?" But she waves her hand.

'It's getting easier to breathe.' Patchouli stands up and stares back at Yuuka.

Yuuka twirls her parasol. "So what brings a recluse like you out into the world?"

"I am here to pass on Alice's gift to you."

Yuuka's eyes widen, "Alice..." She then narrows her eyes. "Why did it take this long? It's been almost two months since that incident."

Patchouli shrugs as she takes out two dolls and a letter. "Her house was recently unsealed."

"Oh?" Yuuka tilts her head. "How did that come to pass?"

"Alice had a magical timer and she gave me the keys to her house." 'Not an actual key per se.' The librarian walks to the green-haired youkai and presents the gifts. "Here."

Yuuka hooks her parasol onto the crook of her arm and accepts the gifts. She brings it near her face and then her lips quirk up. "Meticulous as always." The green-haired youkai glances at Patchouli. "Thank you for giving these to me."

"It's no problem." Patchouli then nods her head. "Until next time."

"Until next time."

Patchouli and Koakuma leaves the garden and makes their way toward Youkai Mountain. 'Now then. I hope Sukuna knows where Suika is.'

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Around Youkai Mountain...

Patchouli stares at the inverted castle in the sky. 'I wonder what caused it to be flipped upside down.'

Koakuma leans her head to the side. "Do we go through the front Master?"

The witch nods her head. "It is the fastest solution. Let's go Koakuma." The both of them float to the front entrance, but Patchouli's eye twitches and she raises her hand up to raise a shield.

"Mast—"

Ping Ping

Balls of light dissipate after they made contact with Patchouli magical shield. When the attack stops, Patchouli raises her voice. "Is this any way to treat your guests?"

"Hah! Guests? Puhlease." A woman floats from one of the windows and stops in front of them. She has a white dress that ends in red and then black at the edges. The woman also has black hair with red and white highlights while there are two small horns protruding from the top of her head.

Patchouli keeps the shield up. "We only want to talk to Sukuna."

The youkai crosses her arms. "She's busy and it ain't happening."

The librarian sighs, "I just want to give her Alice's gift."

"Nope." The woman pauses, "Actually why won't you give them to me? I can give it to her."

'This is too irritating to handle.' Patchouli turns to her familiar. "Koakuma, deal with her."

"You got it Master." Koakuma charges at the woman, but just as she pulls out a spell card, the demon was flipped upside down. "Kya!" She recovers and activates her spell card.

"Hahahaha!" The woman places her hands behind her head. "That's what you get for underestimating me."

'Hmmm.' Patchouli watches as Koakuma's projectile swerve in multiple directions. 'I wonder...' She shakes her head. 'Focus.' She charges up her spell.

The woman notices Patchouli's attack and smirks, "Oh you're joining in too? So much for being 'strong.'" The librarian shifts her aim to the castle and youkai's face pales, "Oi oi oi—"

Fwump

BOOM

Patchouli detonated her spell before it struck the castle and the shock-wave shakes the castle. 'That should get her attention.'

The youkai stares in shock before she snaps her head and glares at Patchouli. "Why you—"

"Seija? What's going on out there?" Sukuna then opens the front door. "Oh?"

"Hello," Patchouli floats toward the Inchling. "You must be Sukuna." She dips her head. "I am Patchouli Knowledge."

Sukuna returns the gesture. "Hello Miss Knowledge. May I ask the reason of your visit?"

Patchouli opens the cases to pull out two dolls and several small envelopes. "I'm here to give Alice's gift to you."

"Oh?" Sukuna blinks at the gifts but she recovers, "T-Thank you." The Inchling accepts the letters but frets over the dolls; they are the same size as her figure. 'I-Uh."

Sigh

"Here." Seija picks up the dolls of herself and Sukuna. "Hmm. Not bad."

"Master!" Koakuma exclaims as she hangs upside down in the air.

Patchouli looks at her flailing demon and back at Seija. "Can you cancel your spell?"

The taller youkai cups her chin. "Hmm..."

Sukuna frowns, "Seija."

Seija rolls her eyes. "Fine." She gestures with her hand and Koakuma reverts back again. The demon wobbles before she orients herself and flies toward them.

Sukuna smiles at her partner. "Thank you." She turns to Patchouli. "Is there anything you need?"

Patchouli looks at the Inchling. "Do you know where Suika is?"

"Suika?" Sukuna shakes her head. "I'm sorry but we parted ways about a month ago."

'This can be troublesome.' She sighs, "Thank you regardless." The librarian nods her head. "Good day to you both. Koakuma let's go."

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"What do we do now Master?"

Patchouli sighs, "We could try the next day. Maybe we can—"

"Yo."

The two of them turn around to see the oni-in-question step away from a tree. 'When did she...?'

The oni salutes, "So I heard you two are looking for me. So what's up?"

Patchouli refocuses and reaches into the boxes. "I need to give Alice's gift to you." She takes out a doll of Suika and a stack of letters. "Here."

"Alice?" The oni accepts the gifts. "Any reason why?"

"It's part of her will."

"Her will huh..." Suika caresses the doll and then looks up. "Thanks."

Patchouli nods her head. "It's no problem. In any case, I must be going now."

Suika waves her hand. "I'll see you another time."

Patchouli nods her head. "Good day." The librarian and her familiar take off from the ground.

As the witch floats away, she hears the oni's whisper. "I miss their cooking..."

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Hours later at the Mansion...

Patchouli drops into her soft chair and leans her head into the headrest. 'Ah finally. I really don't want to go outside again.' She turns her head. "Koakuma. Put those cases into my room."

"Of course Master." The red-headed demon flies away.

Patchouli shifts in her chair and closes her eyes.

Click

"Hmm?" Patchouli opens her eyes and looks around the room. 'Nothing seems to be out of place.' Her vision stops at the empty box that contained the letters. 'Could it be from there?' She waves her hand to bring the box onto her lap and peeks inside. 'Oh?' There is a small opening at the bottom. Patchouli reaches in and pulls the bottom out to reveal a stack of envelopes. 'More?' She takes out the top envelope that has her name on the center. Patchouli opens it and unfolds the letter:

Dear Patchouli,

If you are reading this, then it means that you have finished my will and I cannot thank you enough for that. First and foremost, I would like to apologize for dying and leaving everyone behind. I just could not live without Reimu. With that said, I have only given you and Yukari a list of predictions. One favor I ask of you is that I hope you can keep a watch of the outside and make sure she does not take advantage of the situation. Another favor is if you can help my Mother; I asked her to open public relations with the governing bodies here. I know I am asking much but I know you can do it. Last but not least, May I ask you to learn baking? I left my recipes in here for you to bake and I also left your future research. Thank you for everything.

Your friend,
Alice.

'I have to go out again? Not only that, but baking?' Patchouli puts the box back on the table and leans back on her chair. 'I don't have time—' Patchouli chuckles, 'Well aren't you a sly one Alice. Giving me my finished work ahead of time.' The magician stares at the letter before she sighs, 'Oh well.' She turns her head. "Kaokuma! Find me any books that contain baking. After you're done, fetch Meiling and Sakuya for me."

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Years later...

Patchouli looks over the room. "Koakuma. How are our supplies?"

"Everything is in storage Master."

"Koa. How is our tableware?"

A smaller demon that is similar to Koakuma answers Patchouli. "Everything is in order Master." She has shorter hair and has glasses on her face.

The librarian turns to a blonde occupant of the room. "Are you ready Flandre?"

The vampire pats her waitress uniform and gives a thumbs-up. "Yup!"

The magician looks around. "Everyone else?"

Fairy workers pump their fists into the air. "Ready!"

Patchouli opens the door and looks outside. "Meiling. We're ready."

The main guard nods her head. "You got it." She turns to the main gate where there are several fairy guards. "Watch the place for me yeah?"

Mya, Liri, and the guards salute. "You can count on us Sifu."

Meiling pushes the building onto the path that leads to the village.

Patchouli closes the door and turns around to see Koa with her hand up. "Yes Koa?"

The smaller demon lowers her arm. "What's on the menu for today Master?"

Patchouli looks at the calendar and smiles, "The Margatroid Specialty." The workers murmur in excitement. 'A favorite among the customers and workers.'

The building stops and Meiling opens the door to walk in. "We're here Miss Patchouli."

Patchouli looks outside to see a bustling city in front of the building. She sees humans, youkais, fairies, demons, and other creatures either walk or fly around the area. She turns to the guard and nods her head. "Thank you Meiling. You can go change now." Meiling closes the door and walks to the back. Patchouli looks outside again to see a line forming. 'What a fast response.' She walks to the door and turns to the workers. "Places everyone!"

Several fairies walk behind the counter or stand near empty tables while Koakuma, Koa, Flandre, and then Meiling join Patchouli at the door. Patchouli takes a breath before she opens the door. "Welcome everyone, to The Magician's Cauldron."

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And le fin.

Phew! What a crazy journey this has been. So I now I got some finishing notes:

-The inspiration for this story came from a TV show called Fringe that finished six years ago. If anyone watched the show then they would have some rough idea of how tihs story would end.

-One thing that I was surprised was the length of this story; it was supposed to be a short story with a few chapters.

-Time-travel is so wonky and hard to write because it feels super tedious to re write a scene with some changes. I know that if I feel it, then the audience will definitely catch on and feel it too.

With all that said, it is time to bring this story to a close.

Thanks for reading

Constructive criticisms are appreciated

Bravo Tango out.

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Fwum

Yukari steps out of her portal and walks forward. After several minutes of walking, she notices a large rectangular screen up in the air and at a distance. As she comes closer, she notes the screen is showing the Hakurei Shrine being rebuilt. The Gap Sage glances down to spot a blackish humanoid figure standing in front of the screen. Yukari stops several meters away from the figure and waits.

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"Hello Yukari."

Yukari dips her head. "Hello 🅶🅴🅽🅹🅸."

"What brings you to my humble home?"

"I have several questions if you don't mind." The figure stays silent. Yukari pulls out a letter out of her sleeve. "Is it true that Alice came from the future?"

"What makes you think I would have the answer?"

"Because you wouldn't let this go unnoticed."

"Hm."

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"And?" Yukari leads on.

"Oh right, I was looking at my memories. Yes she did."

"Is there a reason why you let her travel back to the past?"

"Originally she wanted to save Reimu from the Meteor."

Yukari raises her eyebrow. 'Originally?'

"But I wasn't going to let that happen because Reimu's death was locked in time. So I brought her here. We had a small talk and I gave her a warning: if she tries to save Reimu, I promised she would live on forever, never to see her beloved again. It was interesting to see her die together with Reimu."

Yukari waves the letter. "And her predictions?"

"It didn't interfere with Reimu's death."

"I see."

"Is there anything else?"

"No, that's all. Thank you for your answers."

"Have fun out there."