Author's Notes:
Welcome to Project Concept Road! Please enjoy your stay! This is a large scale crossover project that also accepts (non-OC) requests on who to add from any franchise you would like to see! I encourage you to check out my Author Profile for more information!

8-22-2016 Update: You will see several music cues scattered throughout the story. If you're the type that likes background music while reading, the (YouTube code) recommendations may be of use! I decided to skim through the early chapters and repair all the links to working versions. Also, on my Author Profile, there is a link to a working list of every song I have ever cued in the story for further convenience! (But honestly, your best option is the AO3 version of this story, which can also be found in my profile). I do everything I can!

Darkness is the beginning and the end.. There is no escaping this inevitability!

...

A random final boss from the roleplaying games that I used to play would say a clichéd line like that before executing one of their signature moves against the hero's party. And then the heroes would continue to fight regardless of whether or not the enemy made any sense.

I made sure to finish off every fictional villain I worked my way towards back then.. But the more enemies I thwarted, the more my own personal darkness grew.. and eventually that darkness overwhelmed me. Sure, that kind of thing happens to people all over the world, and there are many ways to overcome the darkness by fighting, but flailing through every instance grows tiresome. As a result, I chose the darkness. In retrospect that would mean that all the villains I defeated back then actually won. I've underestimated them...

That's all in the past now. All that is left to do now is head towards the new beginning. Someone like me cannot expect much for the future, or anything at all for that matter. I came to this point fully aware of this much.

...

Several blunt pressures are suddenly applied to me from all sides. Moving any part of my body is proving to be a chore. Perhaps It Is best not to strain myself? I decide to relax in this difficult yet painless situation until I hear the sound of footsteps. A moment of silence follows, then a muffled voice. Another silent moment and suddenly the weight pinning me down lightens little by little. Once I am able to move one arm, I start groping at the objects burying me alive. I identify their shape and texture as large books.

"Someone is buried alive!?" cries the voice. "Your hand..."

Who's saying that? What about my hand? Where am I? When did I get here? Why am I even a... There's way too many questions developing right now! Once I find it in me to calm down, I start prying books off me one-by-one, until a bright light blinds me. In a few moments, my vision will adjust to the area, allowing me to finally understand the situation. Anticipation guides my every emotion until the last moment...

An absurdly familiar girl decorated in several shades of lavender stands before me as my eyes regain focus. As we laid eyes on each other for the very first time, one clear question came to mind:

"Am I seriously in heaven?"

I visibly perplexed the girl by my loud thoughts. Her response came moments later.

"If you can reach Nirvana from simply reading, then yes."

That's right. The surroundings are a dead giveaway towards my whereabouts. Endless shelves of books surround me with their intimidating heights. The hundreds of disheveled books that surround me were piled on top of me moments ago. This is definitely a gigantic library that is part of a large mansion. And as for the sole being before me..

"Patchouli Knowledge.."

The Road Paved in Concepts: (1-1) The New Reality

[BGM~Lj1MLNWWRms "End of Time (Chrono Trigger)"]

There is the frilly pink cap with the peculiar crescent moon. There is the long purple hair with multicolored ribbons that form two large braids. There is her matching mantle that drapes over her striped gown. If I applied logic to this situation, I am looking at the absolute best cosplay I've ever seen, but forget logic!

"Patchouli Knowledge.."

Her violet pupils dilate slightly in response.

"So you know my name. Have we met before? No. There is no way I would forget an odd existence like yourself."

"So it's already decided that I'm the odd one?" I replied on impulse.

She answers after some thought. "The difference between normal and odd is all a matter of perspective. In this case, I can quickly conclude that your complexion is unique in comparison to all of Gensokyo."

I look at the mud colored object that is the back of my hand. "So that's what you meant. I see your point."

"Now that I have backed up my statement, please introduce yourself if you don't mind."

If it's a name that Patchouli wants, then it's Louis Starsky, age nineteen.

"A simple first name that feels nice to pronounce," said Patchouli. "..and a last name reminiscent of the vast galaxy.."

"There really isn't that much mystery to my name," I suggested. "Wait, this is impossible! You.. this whole place is a fiction! And even if it's not..."

"A fiction you say?" Patchouli interrupted. "If Gensokyo is a fiction, then where is reality?"

"I guess since I'm here right now.. reality is a place that I left behind..?"

Patchouli tilts her head by twenty degrees while showing a subtle sign of curiosity. Keeping a straight face is proving to be a challenge while watching this celebrity study my existence. After a long minute, Patchouli began to speak.

"Louis, there is something I would like to confess to you, and I do hope you will take responsibility afterwards."

What..

"As I stated before," Patchouli continued. "This is our very first encounter.. and during this short time, I have already made several observations. For starters, your manner of speech has an air of mystery to it.. although its literal odor can use some modifications."

"My apologies. Can you spare an apple?"

"Yes I can but please let me finish," Patchouli requested. "I am still trying to piece together the method behind your entry. You act as if you have no idea how you arrived and yet, there are your statements that suggest that you know who I am in addition to where you are. I have not performed any sort of summoning ritual in ages, but there has to be some logic and reason behind this event..."

Before I realize it, I become mesmerized in a soft-spoken rant until there is a long pause. Patchouli takes her left index finger and pushes up the skin between her eyebrows as if she were adjusting invisible eyeglasses. Her next statement came shortly after.

"Someone like you... I want to know more about you and your origin."

I snap back to reality (sort-of) with those words. "So that's it. Sorry to disappoint you, but I came from a boring place where things like monsters and magic do not exist and a place like this is nothing but a fantasy."

"That much is a given," Patchouli replies. "That is the difference between this place and the outside world after all."

"That's true, but there is no way that I'm from that same outside world. Where I come from, the details of this land are heavily documented. For example.. you are a powerful sorcerer named Patchouli Knowledge. This is the library of the Scarlet Devil Mansion owned by Remilia Scarlet. Other people that live here include Sakuya Izayoi the head maid, and the Mistress's sister Flandre."

I only managed to surprise Patchouli with the last name I mentioned to her.

"Even if I remotely doubted you up to this point, the fact that you are even aware of Flandre Scarlet dissolves any waking suspicion," she confesses in a tone slightly more enthusiastic. "From the sound of things, you hail from a different, yet intertwined dimension. For you to reach this place from where you were is nothing short of amazing!"

"It's more baffling than amazing."

At this point I notice a glimmer of light in Patchouli's eyes. As much as that look of hers appeals to me, this is backwards. The interesting person is the one who is interested!

"I am satisfied with your explanation for the time being. The next step is to discover your latent abilities."

She still doesn't get it..

"I told you there are no 'latent abilities' in me or anyone from my world."

The excitable mage went on. "I gathered that much, and that is why it is likely that there is something to be discovered while you are here. We should confirm this together. Concentrate. Reach into your heart and draw the Spell Card that stems from your very soul!"

[Fade BGM]

I don't recall the Patchouli Knowledge from my memory ever being this thick-headed.. or is this simply persistence? Either way, this is quite troublesome, but what choice is there other than to prove to this beautiful youkai that I am simply not capable of the things that she wants me to be?

Let's see.. what's the procedure again? I can't remember at all! It doesn't matter either way. With that in mind, I place a hand to my chest and attempt to draw this hypothetical card just to humor her. A warm light aura engulfs my palm in response to my mock grabbing motion. No way! Is this really going to work? Before I realized it, I threw my drawing arm into air as if I wanted to gather energy from the heavens and trigger a Zelda fanfare. At the end of my exaggerated motion, it turns out that there really was a point to my idiotic gesture.

"Let me see the Spell Card."

I took a moment (with my arm still suspended) to recover from the shock before obeying Patchouli. It was only when I lowered the item to her level when I realized something odd.

"This is a large stack of cards," states Patchouli.

"I just noticed that. I thought people usually get one Spell Card at a time."

Patchouli fumbles through the stack as she continues. "That is exactly what is supposed to happen. Upon closer inspection, this fact still appears to be the case. The actual Spell Card is at the top of the deck while the rest of these cards are blank. Take a look at the name written on this card.."

"Twenty-One Maidens of the Galaxy," I read.

"Excluding the actual Spell Card, there are indeed twenty-one cards in this deck. As for the Spell Card's name, it seems to honor your claim that you are not from this dimension.. although the card's title does little to hint at its power."

It was only after Patchouli finished her analysis that I realized. That card she is reading is my own. Whatever power this card possesses belongs to me! The fact hit me as hard as the abrupt clamor that just sounded in the distance.

[BGM~I70SMx8iz1E "Just Wondering (Kingdom Hearts: CoM)"]

"What was that noise?"

"There is no mistaking that savage entry," the annoyed celebrity replied. "Louis, your test subject has arrived."

Patchouli started to run off..

"W-Wait a second, Patchouli! For one, I haven't gotten into any fights since grade school and none of them ever involved those bullet attacks that you guys love to do!"

Patchouli hesitated before saying "I see. I am getting ahead of myself. Louis, what exactly do you know about danmaku?"

Is that what they're called? "Let's see.. they're dangerous attacks that come from everywhere, they're colorful, they're hard as hell to avoid even on the easiest difficulty..."

"You're losing me, Louis," she flatly mutters. "Danmaku bullets are not necessarily attacks; they are simply physical symbols of motion. Any entity that is intelligent enough to produce a Spell Card are definitely capable of shooting danmaku."

"Physical symbols of motion..? What, are you saying that I can throw out one hand and..."

...inadvertently launch a medium-sized orb at Patchouli's face? My joking gesture proved her point just now.. and luckily my half-baked shot dissolved before I came close to hurting her. She lets out a satisfied smirk.

"Just as I thought." At this point, there is nothing for me to say. "Danmaku bullets are executed by passionate motions. Control and confidence within the self result in more powerful barrages."

After listening to this I pondered aloud. "Control and confidence huh... I wonder if the bo-staff practice I used to do would come into play for something like this.."

"There is a discarded broomstick lying next to you," Patchouli replies. "Its handling will probably not suit your preferences, but it will have to do."

I follow her slender finger with my eyes until I pinpoint the broomstick that is missing the broom. As I pick it up, I chuckle to myself.

[The weapon first drawn – Is seldom gaudy in looks – And often wooden.]

"Let us begin, shall we?" said Patchouli with a spirited grin.

Patchouli takes a deep breath in preparation for this upcoming lesson. Her inevitable exhale gave me an anxious feeling as if the scenery around me changed with her breath. Of course nothing around me looked different in particular.

[BGM~e5892CYpH4Q "Sinister Sundown (Kingdom Hearts 2)"]

"Danmaku are generalized into two categories: Directional and nondirectional," my instructor began. "Directional danmaku are motions focused on one individual target, while nondirectional danmaku have no particular destination in mind. Louis, please aim a directional attack in my direction."

That would mean that the accidental shot I fired earlier was a directional one. If I did it before, I can do it again, right? With that in mind, I make a vertical swing with the lame stick. The swipe creates a gale of energy that looks much stronger than the last one. Did I overdo it..? No, the barrage vanishes in front of her again!

"Well done, Louis!" Patchouli praised. "Directional danmaku are more effective when faced with a single opposition. They should also be considered against targets of a higher priority."

Patchouli stops talking then claps her hand twice. Distortions of light surround Patchouli and eventually take the shape of several female winged fairies in standard black french maid outfits. Each of them strike a pose that suggests that they're ready for duty.

Patchouli goes on without glancing at a single one of the added population. "As the name suggests, non-directional barrages are motions that are not nearly as dependent on direction. With enough self-control, these motions are more effective against larger waves of opponents. Try performing a non-directional barrage in front of our new audience."

"Eh!?" yells the flying crowd.

It's a good thing I don't really get stage fright, but that's not the problem..

"Why now? What if I accidentally hurt one or more of the fairies?"

"Worry not about consequence," is her reply. "Fairies in Gensokyo will not die even if you kill them."

Good thing Navi doesn't live here then. She would be unstoppable! Patchouli takes a moment to stare at me as one of the fairy maids struggle to speak up.

"W-We may not die easily but please don't overdo it! Once should be fine, right Ms. Knowledge?"

"Yes."

As the fairy maids strike battle pose, I decide to suppress my pity. If it's non-directional motions Patchouli wants, then my best bet is probably to use one of the kata forms that I know the most about. I wonder if my inexperience will affect the end result..

I feel slightly calm despite the circumstance. I feel the dozens of barrages launching with my every motion, but I am no longer facing the others' direction until I finished as much of the steps as I could remember. Once I face Patchouli again, I notice that we are only ones left standing. The grounded fairies are still moving and breathing but I still feel uneasy. Is this really okay?

Patchouli went on the moment we resume eye contact. "Nondirectional danmaku boast higher hit rates and cover a much wider area at the exchange of power. These type of barrages are more defensive and are the better option when it comes routing larger groups."

Did I really get everyone with those motions? If Sakuya winds up short on staff you'd better not blame me!

[Fade BGM]

"Well that covers the basics of danmaku," Patchouli continues. "There is much more to learn but we have bigger fish to fry for the time being."

That's right. A crash happened a few minutes ago and Patchouli was set on investigating. We navigate down the winding library until we reach the area of the noise. The culprit bore a toothy grin with a choice book in hand.

"Check it out, Patchy, I landed smack-dab in the section I was looking for!" the culprit bragged. "The remodeling you guys did kicks some serious ass!"

It's her.. the famous magician clad in black herself. Bearing witness to this perky girl's carefree nature first-hand stuns me nearly instantly.

"Marisa..." Patchouli confirmed. "That's volume two of the series you hijacked before I could even glance at its cover."

"Yep! It's a nice read too! You should give it a try, ze!"

Ze..?

The annoyed librarian clenches a fist. "Do you have any intention of returning volume one?"

"Huh? Oh sure, sure! Next time I swing by, I'll drop them both off at the same time."

Patchouli lets off an eerily calm grin. The nature of it suggests that she has a cunning plan of sorts.

"How about after this young man flattens you, you march right back to your hut and return it within the hour?"

...Some plan!

"What! You want ME to fight Marisa Kirisame?"

"Woah there!" cried the witch cosplayer that finally noticed my presence. "Who are you and what's with that skin, ze? Are you Patchy's secret test dummy for explosion magic or something?"

[Opposition: Marisa Kirisame - The Ordinary Magician]

Immediately after admiring the originality of that line, that unexplainable feeling that our site transformed made a comeback.

[BGM~ _6L6E7TLy10 "Love Colored Master Spark (Imperishable Night)"]

"Since when do you let others fight your battles, Patchy?" Kirisame asks while mounting her broom.

So I'm going straight from grunts to a main character? Fantastic.. Just as I start to lament this predicament, Patchouli approaches me from behind.

"If you're already aware of Kirisame and her weaknesses, try using the element of surprise to your advantage."

Someone's expecting a little too much from me.. Whatever. What's the worst that can happen? I'm guessing that nondirectional danmaku are the way to go in this case. Staying calm will not be easy, but I'll do what I can.

I begin my kata motions as if this were a performance competition. Perform this kata for myself. Worry not about my opponent, but my balance and self-control. That is the key, right? It feels like the truth.. but wait.. the location of my opponent has to be at least somewhat important, right? Where is she..

THWACK!

I receive a thump directly to the forehead..

"Honey, I'm home!" Marisa yelled from point-blank proximity. "Hey, you're a guy!"

Cover blown..! Wait, I was never disguising my gender in the first place. She locks gazes with me for a long moment. The sweet scent of sandalwood deters my attention.

"First time, ain't it? I can see it in your eyes."

"I don't even know what my first Spell Card does yet," I confessed.

"Oh..?" Marisa breathes while making some distance between us. "Well then why don't ya whip it out in front of me right now?"

"That's what she said," I muttered.

"I am quite aware," the spectator covered in lavender garments replied. "Anyways, this is a good time as any to test it out. To accomplish this, simply declare the name of the card you desire."

"Which in this case is the only spell card that I own by the name of... by the name of... LINE!"

My short-term memory never really was the greatest..

"Interesting friend you have here," Marisa says as I manually refresh my memory.

"Spell Card! Twenty-One Maidens of the Galaxy!"

The deck of cards develop a mind of their own and spread out in orbit around me. Marisa emits a wide grin in anticipation.

"I'm getting goosebumps from the name alone! Oh yeah! Spell Card clash! Magic Sign, Stardust Reverie!"

Marisa shrouds herself in an aura of starry lights while my armada of cards fail to look remotely as intimidating.

"I started the spell, right? Is there something else I should know before using it?"

Patchouli appears slightly concerned.

"Each Spell Card has their own set of rules. The owner is not only the card's master, but the one who would know the most about its mechanics.."

In other words, I'm on my own. I was afraid of that. If that's the case, let the games begin!

Apparently I can move any number of cards I want via telekinesis. I still cannot figure out how to untap their offensive capabilities.. Maidens, guide me!

"Where are all the flashy fireworks?" asked an impatient blonde. "Forget it, I'm going first!"

Colorful comets start to speed at my direction and I still can't figure out how to make use of these cards! They're no good for defense and I still haven't figured out how to do anything with them other than move them around. This is hardly fair! If I did not have this stick to defend myself, I would have already lost. That's it. If all I can do is move these cards around, then I will just have to turn that weakness into a strength.

The first step is avoid Marisa's barrages until I can find an opening.. or at least figure out how to find her in all this clutter.. Aha. There is the human shaped darkness in the light. For someone who acts so nonchalant, her motions are as spirited and diligent as they are focused. If she's like this, then how exactly did I find an opening? Who knows how long I will have this opportunity? The time has come to attack. Randomly frustrating cards, go! A few of the cards weave their way down the opening and connect with the target.

"Papercuts! My only weakness..." my opponent exclaimed unconvincingly. "As if!"

Once Marisa pointed towards the sky, my vision of her drowned out, yet again. This time, the multitude of stars seem to have me surrounded. Before I could think of a counter, the luminous flood swept my Spell Card away from my hand. The other blank cards collapsed right after. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that this is a loss on my end.

[Replay "End of Time"]

The light show ended with a glittery aftermath and me on my knees.

"I didn't even put up a fight..."

"Hey, can I see those?" requests the victor.

Marisa makes like a good sport and helps me gather my useless deck. Her next line sounded after rummaging through each one.

"Wow. I feel bad for you, son. You've got twenty-one contracts and nobody's on one."

Patchouli went to Marisa's side to take a closer look at the deck.

"So that's what it is. The Spell Card that Louis controls is capable of simultaneous summoning rituals. It sounds powerful in theory, but if they're all blank.."

You're kidding..

"Anyways I gotta run," said Marisa while looking in my direction. "Try running that spell by me again once you figure it out more, 'kay?"

With that being said, the famous Kirisame sees me off with a wink. And then there were two.

"I'm sorry, Patchouli. I failed you miserably."

She waves off my blunder before replying. "There was nothing you could do with that kind of spell. Furthermore, the book was not that important to me anyways. But still.. that is very inconvenient for an initial Spell Card. The card's name has no sign attached either. Could this be a la-"

[Fade BGM]

"Hey-hey, bookworm!" sounds a distant greeting. "Something smells funny in here!"

Yet another celebrity frog-leaps from the top of a bookshelf to our elevation, landing with an earth shattering impact. She looks at the two of us while positioned on all fours. My eyes fixate on the multi-colored gems that decorated her odd wing-like structure until she peered in my direction. She gave me a relentless smile that put me at an indecision whether I should be in awe or very afraid.

"Flandre!" called Patchouli. "What are you doing out here?"

[BGM~nbSF867Uywg "The Centennial Festival for Magical Girls (dBu Ver.)"]

The Scarlet Sister sprang spontaneously towards my direction. The hem of Flandre's red skirt could barely keep up with her.

"Aha! The smell is coming from you!" she started while examining me. "Hey, this is one of those homunculus things isn't it? Ooh, can I play with it?"

"I'm a human!"

I feel a tug on my arm. Patchouli gives me a stern look.

"Louis, we are getting out of here now."

Patchouli then immediately yanks me by the wrist and forces me to hide behind the back of a bookshelf.

"Why are we running away exactly?"

Just as I ask, my palm that was resting on the shelf sinks in. I turn to assess the situation and witness the large giant shelf glowing a bright red color then simply disintegrating. Patchouli and retreat to the next adjacent shelf as we watch a dangerous rain of books fall from the sky where the shelf stood. In the distance, I see Flandre Scarlet on the other side with a grin that looks like it says 'the fun begins.'

"Let's just say that it would be in your best interest if we run."

"Got it!" It's time to turn tail!

...

Now that I think about it, the girl we are escaping is among the most dangerous characters in this world - or at least in the specific game that she comes from. I only know bits and pieces about Touhou the land of Gensokyo, so what I know is limited. That is why I wonder...

"Can we really outrun someone like Flandre?"

Patchouli looks to me while holding the top of her hat. "We only have to evade her until she gets bored, which should happen rather quickly."

"But isn't she tracking my scent? Won't that be a problem?"

Patchouli stops at a cul-de-sac of bookshelves after my question and starts to breathe heavily while slouching over.

"You have.. a point.. also.. how many times.. have I run into.. this dead-end.. in the past week?"

"How should I know!" I utter while placing a hand on her back. "Hey, are you okay? That's your asthma acting up isn't it? Why did you decide to run on foot? Can't you fly?"

"If I flew off and left you behind, that would defeat the purpose of escaping.."

For once, she avoids eye contact. This is just great. I'm just causing trouble for everyone! And here I thought I was just going to miraculously fit into this world.. I really shouldn't be here after all. Just as I figure that out, Flandre manages to catch up.

"Haha! I love tag!" she starts with the grin of a predator. "Which one of you is it?"

Patchouli recovers and steps forward. "I am."

Even though Patchouli intended to draw the attention, the Scarlet Sister kept looking in my direction.. but something about her gaze looks off.

"Ooh, what's that?"

Sure enough, there is a familiar abnormality behind me. This large, indigo-colored distortion of space must have just appeared at this the end of this blockade.

"This is... a portal?" I ask aloud, even though I'm pretty sure.

"Go on through," suggests Patchouli. "It's suspicious, but awfully timely."

It would probably be better if I go. It's not like there's anything else I can do at this point. With that in mind, I make my decision.

"It was nice meeting you guys."

[Fade BGM]

I take a bow and exit the stage. Gensokyo.. What a hell of a place to wind up after leaving my universe. Staying would have been nice, but just being able to visit was a privilege on its own. After something like that, I don't think I would have any regrets left..

[BGM ~ "The Voice Someone Calls (Persona 3&4)"]

Little does Mr. Starsky know that his journey has only just begun. Oblivion does not await at the other side of the portal, but rather a new dimension where someone else linked to this man's destiny lies in wait.. Stay tuned in order to follow the road.