228Toa Solaric: I don't own either Kamen Riders or Strike Witches or anything else as they belong to their respective owners. If anyone don't like the fic, then stay out than starting a fight. It feel like a long time since I have done a chapter for this.
Kamen Rider Wizard: Sky of Infinity
Spell 26: Heidemarie's loneliness
It was late at night in the office of the Strike Witches Division, Minna have a cold composition as she was on the telephone with someone.
"I'm not making this up. My Division were nearly almost got annihilated if it wasn't for that Neuroi." Stated Minna in a cold tone.
"I'm sorry… but this is hard to believe. Never in our record about the Neuroi, I've never would imagine that Neuroi evolved to the point of capability of speech like us." The male voice on the other side of phone said.
"And do you think I'm lying?" Minna asked.
"No, I doubt you're the type of person who will make such thing up without any reasons. The Neuroi you described is concerning if bullets won't pierced it. Though the Brass might be concerned despite how they want the fight to end." The voice said on the other side.
"I'm aware of that. But whether they want to hear or not, it's better that others shouldn't let their guard down if the Neuroi make them dropped their security." Minna continued.
"I will let them know about your warning of this development in the Neuroi. But I will spread words about the new Neuroi and hope to discussion with others about what they're going to do about it." The male voice said.
"I see. Thank you." Minna said.
"Just be careful. If you claim that the Neuroi choose to spare you, there is no doubt that it won't happens again." The male voice said.
"The same goes for you, Air Field Marshal." Minna said before ending the call.
(Play Accentier by Eir Aoi)
(Instrumental) Four Wizard Rings are resting alone on what looks like pedestals before they starts glowing as the shadow of Wizardragon can be shown.
Nanimo kanjitenai furi de
The sun is still raising from the east as Tai who began to stirring up from his sleep in the grasses before getting up and saw the Strike Witches flying high in the air.
Kimi wa kyou mo yarisugosu
Tai is seen in the garden of Wajima's shop with Koyomi before he sets off in exploration the city of Romania with his Familiars.
Yasashikusarechattara
Gentaro waking up in bed as he looking out at the window of the new world that he enters. He soon get dressed before doing his hairstyle as he set out on making new friends in the Wing Division.
Tate naku naru kara
Then the scene show Tai and Gentaro hanging out with the Witches in the Wing Division in their new routines. Unknown to them, the White Wizard watched them before vanished.
Yarinaoshite mitai kako to
Hijikata on his own journey as his shadow turns into the mighty Chimera and thinking about Mio before seeing him in armor of Beast.
Wasuresatte shimau hikari
It was night time as Tai and Koyomi looking at the egg before they were surprised by the faint glow from the egg itself.
Dochira ga daiji ka nante wakaranai yo ne
Within the cave, Wiseman can be seen with his two generals, Gremlin, and the newly recruits Zodiarts as they're conduct plans.
Kibou ya ai no uta ga afureteru riyuu wa
Wizard in his Flame Dragon form seen fighting against the immortal Phoenix as they clashed in blades with another before Wizard and Fourze in Fire State teamed up to unleashed powerful flames together.
Sore wo mitai to minna ga negatte iru kara
Then Wizard in his Water Dragon going against Medusa and Scorpio Zodiarts before unleashed his Drago Tail to freeze up an army of Ghouls and Dustards. In his Hurricane Dragon Style, Wizard fly high up into the sky and unleashed a powerful thunderstorm on those opposed him.
Ima kimi wo mitsumeteiru akusentia
Wizard then descend down to reveal his Land Dragon form and pummeling the Neuroi Digimon with his claws. Fourze in his various States fighting against his old foes with everything he got.
Sono kokoro ga kowarete shimawanai you ni
Soon the girls are shown fighting against the Neuroi in various scene as they shown their Pactio Relics.
Zutto tatta hitori de
Tai looks up on the hill and see White Wizard with other Riders and showing their Rings to the screen.
Aruke wa shinai sa
When Wiseman about to get close to Koyomi, the White Wizard shows up and brought out his flute like weapon as the two fought against each other.
Sou sa kyou mo asu mo kitto ichinen tatte mo gooru janai
Tai, Gentaro, and the girls were enjoying their normal day before they spotted the Neuroi Digimons and the one who leading them is black armored figure in torn black cloak with sword and cannon for hands as deadly red eyes stare at them.
Soshite kimi wo dakishimeru akusentia
The girls sprang into action against the Neuroi Digimons while Tai, Gentaro, and Hijikata transformed into their Rider forms.
Toridashita no wa chiisana okurimono
Wizard seen flying in his All Dragon Style form and Fourze in Cosmic State seen fighting against the desolation figure while dodging the incoming blasts.
Kokoro to kokoro wo tsunaideiku
Soon the two Riders unleashed their ultimate attacks against the foe as everything turn pure white.
Sonna chikara wo kimi no sono migite ni
Tai watching Koyomi who seem to be resting peaceful in a meadow as this made the young man smile before his friends join him.
GAN! GAN! GAN!
The scene end with picture of Tai, Gentaro, and the Strike Witches on shore. Beside the picture were a Flame Wizard Ring and Astroswitch.
The members of Strike Witches division were sitting in their respective seats and were quiet. Although one of their member, Yoshika Miyafuji, remain absent after overtaxing her magic to protect the team from ChaosDukemon's attack. Though the rest of the girls were still sore from the battle from two days ago. Still, that did not stop them from attending the meeting. It wasn't long until Minna made her presence known to the room and looking at others.
"I'm sure you are all aware that we lost a lot of men the plane crash during our previous combat with the Neuroi, fortunately we have one survivor from the crash thanks to Gentaro and she will be joining our division from today onwards." Minna announced calmly.
This news surprises the others as Minna turned to the door and calling out to the said Witch into the room.
Soon the girls watching quietly as they saw Heidemarie walking slowly into the meeting room with a neutral expression upon her face.
"Would you kindly introduced yourself?" Minna asked.
"My name is Heidemarie W. Schnaufer." The long white witch with red eyes said stoic and quietly.
Not far from where the girls, Tai and Gentaro are standing watching the introduction of Heidemarie.
"It's a pity for her…" Tai sigh with sad expression.
"What do you mean, Taichi?" Gentaro asked confused for explanation.
"I heard girls were draft into the military at young age when they show great amount of magic power, but without a proper childhood, it make their social life more awkward because they don't know how to interact except when taking orders from superiors." Tai explains to his childhood friend, "I can tell by the way she speak… and the stiffed of her shoulders, she is very lonely." He stated as he observing Heidemarie's movements.
"I thought it was strange that she seems so calm after what happened to her…" Gentaro wondered curious as he recall their prior interaction. Although he can't change anything about what happens to witches in this world due to them being familiar with the duty of fighting against the Neuroi.
But there is one thing that Gentaro can do that even if it make the girls' burden less stressful. That is by becoming their friend.
After the meeting, the girls were about to leave. But Tai asks Shirley to stay behind as he want to talk with her about something alone.
"W-What is it, Taichi?" Shirley asked, slight nervous. Though the young man didn't give any indication if he was still angry at her when she tried to help him.
"I want to say… that I'm sorry about the way I reacted yesterday." Tai said begrudgingly surprising the Liberion Witch.
It did take him whole day to think about it especially when the girls were fighting for their life against the mysterious ChaosDukemon. Though he still quite miffed at Shirley's actions, but this made him recalled the times he can count on her and what a great friend she is to him.
"I don't know what to say…" Shirley spoke, "I thought that you were be more upset… at me."
"No, the only one that upsets me is my own self." Tai admitted with slight frustrated on his expression. "I thought I was prepared for anything bad happens… but I lost control of myself when I promised that I won't." he replied. It might not be much but it better to says it before it was too late.
This made Shirley looks sympathy toward Taichi and placing a hand on his shoulder, "But I know that it wasn't your fault for what happens… I'm sure that we will find a way to overcome this issue you are having with your power." she spoke.
"Do you think so?" Asked Tai with a straight face. He wants to be certain if she is still okay with him after what happens.
"I'm certain of it…" Shirley said.
Tai smile before he approached Shirley and give her a quick peek on her cheek before released her. This made Shirley look speechless and blushing hard at the older teen's action.
"I'm pretty fortunate to having you girls as my friends. Thank you." Tai said before leaving the meeting room.
"Umm… sure," Shirley said awkwardly.
Sitting by herself on the bridge corner of the base and sigh was none other than Heidemarie. What is someone like her doing by herself?
She was looking out at the vast ocean. It wasn't long that she received the news about her transferring to Strike Witches Division.
She didn't questioned about the reason but knowing that Neuroi been after Romania a lot after reading recent reports. After all, this is what she was supposed to do: Destroying Neuroi. Despite her duty, she was unable to make friends of her own age due the training to help her mastered her power take a long time.
Though she wonder if she will ever fits in this new Division. Everyone seems to know each other and trust each other great.
"Hey, Heidemarie!" A familiar voice said.
"It's you again… Gentaro Kisaragi," Heidemarie spoke stoically as the same boy who rescued her appeared in front of her. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to make sure that you're all right." Gentaro replied, a bit surprised by how calm she was. "I mean, being in a new place with unfamiliar faces can be nerves sometime after what happen. I'm sure that you would like some company."
"I'm fine…" Heidemarie said, "If I'm not, then I won't be fit to destroy any Neuroi."
"Is destroying Neuroi only thing that you can do?" Gentaro asked curious.
"That is what being a witch is about. We are the only ones who can face against the Neuroi and destroyed them." Heidemarie answered. "That is our own purposes."
"But isn't there more to life than just fighting for you?" Gentaro asked. "I don't know what they teach you— but it shouldn't be more than that?"
"I don't know what you mean…"
Still, Heidemarie had felt, odd, since she met this strange boy. It wasn't pain, she was used to that. But… something he did when he held her. She could feel where he was within a certain distance. She just felt, drawn to him. But she is reluctantly to do so and tried to analyze the feeling. It was new, but not entirely unpleasant. Hearing him being concern about her made Heidemarie feel stranger than ever.
"Why are you showing me concern? We're only strangers." Heidemarie asked, confused at his intention for visiting her.
"Well, why shouldn't I be concerned? I don't feel right of leaving someone who wasn't sure how to interaction with others." Gentaro said, "It's my goal of become friends with every Witches."
"Becoming friends…?" Heidemarie blinks.
"Yeah, I wants to become your friend, Heidemarie." Gentaro answered positive.
"Why would you want to become friends with someone… like me?" Heidemarie questioned, feeling more confused at him. "After all… normal people would stay away from witches…"
"Well, it's because we aren't exactly normal either." Tai answered as he joined in on the conversation. "My name is Taichi Sohma, or you can call me Kamen Rider Wizard." He said, showing his significant Flame Wizard Ring.
"You're the male magic user that everyone been talking about…?" Heidemarie asked. Though she heard rumors about an armored individual with magic power been helping witches from monsters that they cannot killed easily.
"Yep. But I will tell you that we face things more scary monsters so we don't worried too much about being hurt by being around witches." Tai answered with a straight expression.
"I wasn't aware of that fact…" Heidemarie stated.
"So will you tell us why you are here by yourself?" Tai asked curious.
"Aren't you busy with anything?" Heidemarie asked.
"Nothing in particular." Tai stated.
"Same here." Gentaro added.
"It kind of long story. Please don't interrupt me." Heidemarie answered solemn as they nodded.
"When I was around age of 4 or 5… my power manifested at a young age, I couldn't control my night vision properly. My parents have no choice as I was live in the wine cellar as the sight of my power make people afraid of me. When I was ten, I joined the witch institution to get control of my power. I did gain control but the damaged done to my eyes cannot be fixed even with magic healing. But years of loneliness on my own before joining as a witch, I wasn't able to make friends with anyone and the only thing left for me is destroying Neuroi." Heidemarie finished with downward expression.
Tai hear some sobbing sounds and turned to see Gentaro wiping away tears in his eyes when it comes to the story. 'It make sense that he will sobbing at a sad story like that…'
"W-Why are you crying?" Heidemarie asked, confused at Gentaro's behavior.
"It's because you never make any friends… in your life." Gentaro answered, wiping his tears away.
"But why? I know that I will never become friends with anyone. It's my fate." Heidemarie answered.
"You're wrong, someone like you is never doom to be without friends." Gentaro interjected. "Only those who are truly wicked are destined for those things. Heidemarie, you are far from that!"
This made Heidemarie look surprise and speechless at Gentaro. No one ever says something like that to her before in her life.
"He is right. There are really no difference between you and me," added Tai. "I know what is like when not having family to be there for you when you struggle something on your own."
"You do…?" Heidemarie asked.
"Yeah… and it's how I ended up having magic power in the first place. Many guys would think that I'm lucky because I can do what no guys can do and that is using magic… but I also think it's a curse that I doomed until the end of my life." Tai said.
"But how do you deal with it?" Heidemarie asked.
Tai was about to spoke but Gentaro was the one who answered it for him. "It's because there are people who won't abandoned him when he need it and reminded him that he have friends to lend on their support." He answered.
"I see…" Heidemarie said. So that is one benefit of having friends when you're down… but Heidemarie knows that she probably won't have something like.
Somehow Gentaro sensed the doubts in Heidemarie and respond immediately.
"You can have friends as well, Heidemarie." Gentaro said before offering his hand to her. "Do you want to be friends?"
Heidemarie looks at Gentaro's hand and thought about his words.
"I don't know..." Heidemarie answered with a rare hesitation in her voice. They want to become friends with someone insecurity and unsocial like her? What if he rejected her later after finding out that she is useless?
Though Gentaro's offer sound tempting to her after years of loneliness but she doesn't know if she could live up to the expectation of being friend with them. Not to mention that she doesn't know anything about friendship!
"I can teach you everything when it comes to having friends." Gentaro said with assured smile.
Heidemarie soon turned around and run from the two guys.
"I guess that some aren't used to it…" Tai muttered before looking at Gentaro who shows a serious expression on his face.
"I'm not giving up until we become friends!" Gentaro said with a serious expression before running after her from behind. "Wait for me, Heidemarie!"
Though Tai would want to help… but somehow he felt it might be good to leave an insecurities and social awkward witch to his childhood friend. Who know? Maybe friendship will truly bloom between Gentaro and Heidemarie. Beside he has something else that he need to deal as it related to the evolution of Neuroi.
"Should I have a pep talk with Miyafuji-san?" Tai mutters as he was thinking about the White Wizard but he decides to hold that thought as his stomach begins to growl.
"Ah…I haven't have any donuts lately…I should grab one." He smiles as he decides to go to his usual place to buy the delectable snack.
Unknown to him, something small was watching the ring-bearer magician leaving the hallway from the tree.
Mio is training by herself in the training ground as she was swinging a wooden katana. The clash with ChaosDukemon still made her feel sore.
ChaosDukemon was not like any old Neuroi that she faces when she got on her Strikers for the first time. He was insanely powerful and also shown incredible defense against the attacks. He could easily destroyed them if he wanted to but he didn't.
Though the Riders didn't intervene to fight against ChaosDukemon, this made Mio become concerned that they might not be able to take on these sentinel type of Neuroi on their own.
But she still cannot get ChaosDukemon out of her mind especially when she tried to look for his Neuroi core with her magic eye. She had no ideas on what she saw but it must do something with ChaosDukemon's origin. However, there is no doubt in her mind that ChaosDukemon is truly a dangerous threat to everyone in the world.
Eila was busying with herself as she was reading through her tarot cards to find out if they have any possible chances of defeating ChaosDukemon. To her dismay, she keep getting dangerous from her tarot cards when it comes to that Neuroi.
Eila knows that her cards won't lied to her but what they told her making her increasing concerns about the outcome of their survival if they face against ChaosDukemon.
Even when they took out the one who responsible for the Neuroi, but seems like things will becoming much harder for them back here again. Not to mention that she is worried about the possibility of others making out alive.
Eila won't deny the possibility of dying in the war as it natural for something to occur in wars. She wasn't sure if she will handle if those close to her dies. Like Sanya and… Taichi. She cannot help being flustered when thinking about him beside Sanya. She still remembered when she risked her own life to take a blow for him.
There is no way that I'm giving up on making sure that they will live… Eila thought to herself.
Tai was eating donuts and reading the newspaper in the local park. As for why he was reading the newspaper, it was to find out if there any case of Neuroi Digimon like ChaosDukemon appeared around the globe. But he didn't as there weren't any news about the fight that girls went or the plane crashed.
I guess that they don't want to freak out the public with the fact that Neuroi becoming sentient… and caused more panic, Tai thought.
Though he won't need to worry about the girls as they are surely find a way to get stronger in order to defeat the Neuroi. But despite that confidence for the Witches, he's still worries if there is someone else that is stronger than ChaosDukemon? If Mio says that ChaosDukemon is a General or some sort then this Tai concludes that there must be someone higher in the hierarchy than him leading the Neuroi. But the question is who? That is what got him worrying about as he takes a bite of his last donut.
If there is someone strong than ChaosDukemon, then why wouldn't they just start wiping out of the rest of humanity already? Why are they holding themselves back? Tai pondered about it before he eats half of his donut. He soon stops when he hears crowds screaming not far from his place.
"Great, what now?" Tai asked before finished his donut and running toward the source of the commotion.
He saw several buildings were on fire but the one who was responsibility was someone that Tai didn't expected.
"Phoenix…?" Tai asked, looking shock at the Phantom General here.
"Hahaha…! I cannot stop… myself!" Phoenix laughed while moving unbalanced way and doing a twirling dance.
Is he drunk or something…? Tai thought confused. Though he admit that this is the first time that he ever seen someone like Phoenix becoming drunk before.
He soon shake his head out of the thoughts.
"I better put a stop to him and put out the fire!" Tai said before scanned his Driver On Ring.
"DRIVER ON, PLEASE!"
With his Driver materialized around his waist, Tai got out his Water Wizard Ring and placed on his finger.
"Henshin!" Tai said.
"WATER, PLEASE!"
Soon a blue magic circle appeared in front of him as he charged forward and transformed into Wizard Water Style.
Wizard soon focused the power of water from the nearby fountain and getting rid of all of the fire.
"Who dares!?" Phoenix asked, turning around and still wobbling. "Oh it's you! The ring-bearer bastard!" he asked.
"Okay, Phoenix. I don't know what you're here for but I'm not letting caused any more harm to the city." Wizard said before took out the Connect Ring.
"CONNECT, PLEASE!"
Soon a large portal appeared behind Phoenix as Wizard tackled him straight into it and he comes through it as well. They soon find themselves in what looks like a rocky area.
"How dared you interrupt my fun WIZARD!?" Phoenix exclaimed before getting out Catastrophe and trying to slash him.
But only for him to miss as Wizard sidestep and then kicked him in the back. This caused the Phantom to be seen running across the ground.
"Serious, Phoenix… It's really depressed to see you like this." Wizard said sarcastically. "But why are you like this anyway?"
"SHUT UP!" Phoenix screamed before releasing barrage of flames at Wizard.
Wizard got out his Defend Ring in respond.
"DEFEND, PLEASE!"
Soon appeared in front of him was a water like shield to protected himself from the incoming fire attacks.
Unknown to Wizard and Phoenix, they were watched by Gremlin and Cancer.
"This is truly fun, Kijima-kun…" Gremlin said excited, "Who would thought that you can control Yugo-kun like that?"
"Consider how Phoenix is like his namesake… then how his life force is tie to his soul and making him much of a fun puppet to play with." Cancer mused devious. True, he can do it on Medusa but he decided to go against that due to not messed with Wiseman's personal attendant and screw up their alliance. "This will make the battle hungry bird a useful puppet for the future. Let's see how long he will last against Wizard…" He said before waving his claws.
Soon Phoenix let out a raging roar as he summoned flame like wings from his back and expanding across the horizon, making Wizard look shocked, then released hot blast of air at him in the process and sent him rolling across the ground.
"Since there is no one around, how about I go wild as well?" Wizard spoke as he switched his Water Ring for the Water Dragon Style Ring and scanned to his Wizardriver.
"WATER DRAGON…!"
Soon water shaped Wizardragon appeared and flew around Wizard before changing into his Water Dragon Style. The same thing happened with Flame Dragon Style form occurs the same with Water Dragon Style but the jacket have wave pattern like coat instead.
Phoenix didn't let it bother him as he send burning blaze flame toward Wizard. But Wizard calmly scanned his Water Dragon Ring to his weapon.
"WATER SLASH STRIKE!"
Wizard soon gives a cresent wave slash motion and sent wave of rushing water attack after Phoenix before sending him backward. Wizard soon used the chance to get close and delivered more close range attacks in the process.
But Phoenix moved to the side and blocked Wizard's next attack with his own blade, Catastrophe. The Phantom soon kicked the Rider backward in the process.
Heidemarie was trying to catch her breath after thinking that she ran far enough from the young man known as Gentaro Kisaragi. It's unbelievable to her that Gentaro was this pestering when chasing after a witch like herself. However, a witch like Heidemarie need to catch her breath after running for some hours.
H-How could he still keep going like this? Heidemarie thought confused at Gentaro's words.
"I can teach you everything when it comes to having friends."
Why is that he want to reach out to her? Making someone unsocial as his friend anyway? What does he have anything gain from being around someone like her? After all this time… no one wants to befriend her due to her being a witch.
"What does he want?" Heidemarie wondered confused. But she was too deep in her thoughts that she didn't noticed that she bumped into someone.
"I'm s-" Heidemarie didn't finished her sentence after seeing the one in front of her wasn't human but something else.
Standing before her was a Phantom. He is a humanoid avian with red and blue color schemes for his body. He wears large blue shoulder pads that defiant gravity and gold wave line ran across them, and covered around his neck with white streaks on the end. His legs shared the same colors but up to the midsection where there are white knee pads with copper horns. The bottom of his legs are white, copper, and his feet are crimson. His head was white but resembled that of somekind of bird with light pink eyebrow and blue eyes. In his hand was a spear.
"Hehehe… with the Ring Bearer Wizard not around, no one is going to help someone insignificant as you!" The Raum Phantom sneer.
This made Heidemarie looks surprise and shock at the presence of the Phantom right in front of her.
"Get away from her…!" A familiar voice shouts as Gentaro jumps in front of Heidemarie and kicks the Phantom back a few feet. He soon land on the ground in front of Heidemarie.
"You're not the Ring-bearer Wizard…" Raum Phantom said.
"I won't let you harm her!" Gentaro shout serious as he placed on the FourzeDriver and activity the switches.
"3…!"
"2..!"
"1!"
"Henshin!" Shouted Gentaro as he transformed into Fourze.
Soon Fourze hold back his arms before raising them into the air. "Uchuu… Kitaaaaaa!" he shouts before pointed his finger at the Phantom, "Phantom! I'm Kamen Rider Fourze! Let's settle this man-to-man!" he soon charged at the Phantom and the Phantom did the same.
Fourze dodges the thrusts of the spear by the Phantom and before giving barrage of punches to send him back. However, the Raum Phantom moves forward with his spear to deliver a slash on Fourze.
"Scissors, On!"
"Chain Array, On!"
Soon Fourze blocked the spear with the Scissor Module and slashed the Phantom. The Rider then slams the Chain Array Module at the Phantom to send him further back away.
The Raum Phantom got back up as Fourze fired his chain at him, but the Phantom soon swings his spear to knock away the chain from him before releasing powerful gale attack at him.
This ends up sending Fourze back and he was prepared for an attack but the nothing happens as the Raum Phantom wasn't around.
"The Phantom is gone?" Fourze asked, looking surprised that the Phantom was nowhere around the area.
With that done, Fourze canceled his FourzeDriver and went to checks on Heidemarie who was there with a shock expression.
"Are you okay, Heidemarie?" Gentaro asked with genuine concern.
"Was… that really a Phantom?" Heidemarie asked slowly.
"Yeah. And it looks like you're that Phantom's target." Gentaro said, unknown cause a small frown upon Heidemarie's face.
"I see…"
"Come on, we should go back and tell others about what happen." Gentaro said.
Back in the fight between Wizard and Phoenix as the Rider and Phantom General are trading blown to blown as sparks flying passed each other.
Wizard about to get out the Blizzard Ring before felt a familiar headache again. Wizard felt like his head going to hurling as he felt the familiar sensation once again.
"I… I will keep… going…" Wizard struggled said as shadowy aura surrounding him. Wizard let out a feral growl as he took out his Special Ring and scanned on his WizarDriver.
"VERY SPECIAL, FABULOUS!"
Soon burst out from his behind was his Drago Tail, Wizard soon swing it forward and grabbed Phoenix in the process before slammed him hard to the ground. It wasn't long until he throws Phoenix flight far from where he was.
"EXPLOSION, NOW!"
Wizard saw the familiar magic circle appeared in front of him and it released a powerful explosion in the process, which sending him flying backward before his armor canceled out on its own.
The one who did it was none other than White Wizard himself as he glares at the hill where Gremlin and Cancer Zodiart.
"Miyafuji-san…" Tai spoke quietly as he stares at White Wizard.
"It looks like we should leave for now." Gremlin said, knowing that the White Wizard is out of their level for now.
"Fine…" Cancer said with begrudged tone before the two make their retreated.
"Are you alright?" White Wizard asked to him.
"I'm fine…" Tai said, getting himself back up from the ground. "Even when I thought that I got it control… because of Medea's curse."
"Medea… a really powerful Phantom back in ancient time. That is a most unfortunate encounter you face." White Wizard said solemnly.
"Anyway, I need to talk with you about your daughter," Tai said. "Yoshika-chan unknowingly destroyed her Engage Ring when her magic increased against a powerful Neuroi. She is currently unconscious because of that."
"That I'm not surprised consider how powerful magic grows among the females of the Miyafuji households even when they reach older age." White Wizard stated calmly. He soon reaches for something on his ring pouch and got out another Engage Ring, it was slight bulky than the normal one and there was clear light blue crystal in the middle of it.
"I made this if the possibility of her power grow once again. It will help keep her from being targeted by the Phantoms." White Wizard said, giving it to Tai.
Tai looks at the new Engage Ring before looking straight at White Wizard.
"I don't supposed you know anything about how to get rid of Medea's curse?" Tai asked.
"I'm afraid that might beyond my ability." White Wizard said. "But there was one way to get rid of her curse on you… but that might cause you unimaginable pain. That is losing your Inner Phantom."
This made Tai looks shock at him.
"Losing my Phantom…" Tai repeated in a whisper tone. Losing his Phantom, would mean that he will no longer be Wizard anymore.
"Medea required someone with a Dragon Phantom to be revived. But if the Phantom inside you was no more, then your life be spared. You won't have to fight anymore." White Wizard stated with a neutral tone.
"…" Tai pondered to himself.
He always did thought about what is like to live without his Inner Phantom. Living a life where he won't need to be involved in battle. Is it worth it? And will it really truly get rid of Medea?
"I won't force it on you." White Wizard said. "But I will least inform you that if you lost your Phantom, there is no way for you able to used magic ever again."
He waited for the young man before him to speak up. It wasn't long until he hears him speak.
"I won't do it…" Tai said. "I will find my own way to beat Medea's curse and make sure that she won't use my body for whatever sinister schemes she pleased."
"I understand. I will see where that decision might take you." White Wizard replied nonchalantly.
In another location, Phoenix was chasing Gremlin and Cancer around angry.
"You bastards dared to make a mockery of me!?" Phoenix exclaimed infuriated as both Gremlin and Cancer moving out of the way while laughing.
"You should see yourself, Yugo. It was very funny…" Cancer said in a fake innocent tone.
"It's to show you that you aren't truly invincible!" Gremlin mused dodging a cup throwing at his face.
Meanwhile Wiseman having a meeting with those close to his circle.
"Are you serious?" Wiseman asked in a low and dangerous tone.
"Yes, it's true…" Medusa answered begrudge. "Some of the Phantoms… choose to desert the battlefield against the Neuroi and run amok in society on their own. Especially those who snatch some Zodiarts Switches."
"Anyone else we know become traitors?" Wiseman asked.
"Fear not, Wiseman-sama. I took care of that personally." Medusa said. "That is my duty to you."
"Don't. I want to take care of them myself." Wiseman said. "I want you continued with recruits and keep eyes out for traitors. Understood?"
"Understood."
"What about the Zodiarts?" Wiseman asked to Aries.
"Fear not, there were no traitors in our own ranks. But I think that we need to tight up on security for the switches due to this event to ensure something like this won't happened again." Aries answered. Sure, the Zodiarts can keep themselves out this affair but this could also serve as benefit of training by executing traitors.
"Good. See that you do so." Wiseman comment. "We mustn't allow this rebellion continued any further."
After returning to the base, Tai in a meeting with others about what he learned from his childhood friend about the Raum Phantom.
"Heidemarie is the target of the Phantom." Tai said after he and others hear about what happen from Gentaro.
It wasn't just him, but other girls excluded Yoshika who is still unconscious and Heidemarie who wants to be by herself after the experience. But Gentaro make sure that Heidemarie wasn't alone.
"So does that mean the Phantom would be after something important to her?" Gertrude asked curious.
Tai soon remembers Heidemarie's childhood and frown appeared on his face.
"Taichi, what's wrong?" Eila asked, noticing his frown.
"That might be a problem… since she might not think that she have anything important." Tai said awkwardly.
"What do you mean?" Sanya asked curious.
"I don't know if this is anything different from what you hear of her, but…" Tai soon tells the girls about how Heidemarie's childhood from what he and Gentaro hear, this certainly causes some reaction among the girls.
"That must been tough for her…" Shirley commented with a frown. Eila nodded in agreement.
"I had no idea that she have trouble with socializing with others…" Gertrude spoke. She originally thought that her fellow Karsland witch need some time for herself after what she went through.
"Same here." Erica agreed.
"There were some rumors I heard about how she was… but this certainly explaining things behind her behavior." Minna respond.
"But why is she pushing Gentaro away when he wants to be friends?" Sanya asked, confused at her fellow Night Witch rejected Gentaro's offer of friendship.
"I guess she was afraid that she might not be good enough to be friends with someone like Gentaro due to what happened to her in the past." Tai answered with a sigh.
"That is really sad…" Lynette said.
"The official certainly give us a headache with new recruit..." Mio sighed. "If she is like this with Kisaragi, then it will be difficult for the rest of us to work with her." She said.
"Well, Gentaro is doing his best to connect to Heidemarie-san…all we can hope is that she would open up her feelings towards Gentaro at least." Tai shrugs as he thinking of some plan in case the Phantom comes back.
"Why do you think that he can do it?" Perrine asked. She is a bit surprised that Tai wasn't going to be the one who going to helped Heidemarie.
"Because she need someone that doesn't accept her for her abilities as a witch but the insecurity part of herself. That is why I believed that Gentaro can do it." Tai answered with a firm tone.
"So that is why you believed Gentaro might get her to open up and helped her with her social skills." Minna replied. Tai nodded.
"But won't that also make her easier to fall into despair…?" Lynette asked with worried look.
"I won't deny that there is possibility of that occur. Then I'll going inside her underworld and defeated her Inner Phantom." Tai said.
"Will you be alright considered your condition?" Minna asked with concerned.
"Don't worry, I don't think it will affect my ability of going into Underworld." Tai answered.
Heidemarie was looking out of the wave as she want to distant herself from others after they learn about the Raum Phantom targeting her.
"How are you feeling?" She turns around and looks at Gentaro who coming to sat by her.
"What are you doing here?" Heidemarie asked confused.
"I thought that you might need some company." Gentaro answered.
"Is it because I'm a Witch that I need to be watched over?" Heidemarie asked. She knows about Raum Phantom might come back to attack her again.
"No, it because I'm helping someone who needed a friend." Gentaro answered. Being a witch might be one of the reasons but Gentaro felt that alone won't helped Heidemarie.
"Why would you care about a witch like me?" Heidemarie questioned, deeply confused. The only thing that is good about her was her abilities as witch which is only useful for fighting Neuroi.
"Because I don't see you as a witch but a fellow human being. And I would like to get to know you better." Gentaro answer smile.
"Why?" Heidemarie repeated again.
"Say, how about we go out to town and do something together?" Gentaro offered, "Just you and me."
"You won't leave me alone if I refused, right?" Asked Heidemarie with a neutral expression.
"Yes," Replied Gentaro.
"But I might need permission to head out with you?" Heidemarie asked.
"You don't need do to ask permission to enjoy life," Gentaro said. "If you did then you will be like a bird won't leave its cage, won't be able to experienced freedom."
"I do not understand," said Heidemarie.
"Then let me show you," said Gentaro, offering her his hand. Heidemarie seemed hesitant as she stared at the offered hand and then looked up at Gentaro who was smiling. For some reason, she felt drawn to him. Maybe it was because she wanted to know more of him. He was different from normal human and she wished to understand more about he fought despite not being able to used magic.
"Alright, I guess that I will spend time with you… Kisaragi," Heidemarie said as she took his hand.
"Call me Gentaro. We're friends, right?"
"Friends…?" The word made Heidemarie blinks in surprise.
"Don't worry, Heidemarie. I will make sure your horizon brighter in no time! Trust me!"
After sending his PlaMonsters to watch over Gentaro and Heidemarie, Tai is currently visited Yoshika in the medical room.
"How are you feeling, Yoshika-chan?" Asked Tai.
"I still feel more tired than usually, Tai-nii." Yoshika spoke quietly.
"I won't be surprised after what you went through…" Tai said with a solemn expression. He felt that he should least been there to help the girls fight against ChaosDukemon. To his relief, Yoshika and others come out of the battle without being killed.
"Tai-nii… there is something I want to ask you. If you don't mind." Yoshika said.
"What is it?" Asked Tai curious.
"It's about that Neuroi we fought." Yoshika said, "Do you think there could be any Neuroi that didn't want to fight?" she asked.
Tai sigh as he know that he will confront this soon or later with Yoshika. "You mean like a good Neuroi?" Yoshika nodded.
"I don't know the answer to that question. After all, Daemon was the one who made them and set them on a purpose of destruction in the first place. It will be hard to find a Neuroi like that." Tai answered. "Even if there is one… Do you think every Neuroi will be the same?" he asked.
Yoshika's eyes wide in understanding.
"I see…" she spoke, "so there is no other way."
"But I want you to remember all those times that you saved people with your power." Tai continued.
"Save…?"
"Indeed. If it wasn't for you and others, no more innocent lives being lost. I think that is the most important thing you need to remember." Tai said with a smile.
"Tai-nii…"
"If you think about saving more people, I… I won't mind make a Pactio Contract with you." Tai said softly, looking at her eyes.
This made Yoshika look surprised as a crimson hues appears across her face. One reason why Yoshika is hesitant about making Pactio Card is that means she will giving away her first kiss… to Tai.
The thought of giving kiss to someone who is closed as an older brother figure to her as it giving strange feeling that Yoshika didn't recognize.
"Umm…" Yoshika becoming shy. "I will think about it… Is that okay with you?"
Tai nodded.
"Do you have anything to wear when going out?" Gentaro asked as he and Heidemarie are out in the city. She was still in her military uniform and wearing her boots.
"Unfortunately, most of my belongings were destroyed during the attack…" Heidemarie said.
"Sorry… it just where I come from, girls around our age like to wear various clothes." Gentaro said as he thinks back to his friends in school.
"Why?" Heidemarie asked.
"Well… because girls think that they'll be pretty." Gentaro answered.
"I'm not that pretty," Heidemarie answered. This cause Gentaro to stop and look shocked at her.
"Hold it!" Gentaro stopping her in her track, "I don't know where you get the idea from, but you're a pretty girl."
Heidemarie couldn't help but feel sense of warmth after hearing him say that. It was causing heat rising on her cheek. "Kisaragi…"
"It's Gentaro." He corrected her
"Gentaro, don't lied to me." Heidemarie said. "There is no way that I'm that pretty."
"I'm not lying, Heidemarie," Gentaro said. "I mean that I never meet any girls with unique features as you," he continued, "So I'm going to say that you're one of the pretties' girls I've seen so far."
That is what he believes due to seeing how the girls are different here. Gentaro did mean what he said. Heidemarie need to hear someone say those special things about her. He was being honest with her.
"Thank you, Gentaro." She said as this made Gentaro smiled.
"So Gentaro… about your power, is it magic?" Heidemarie asked curious.
"No, it's the power of friendship." Gentaro answered smile.
"Friendship?" Heidemarie asked.
"It was built by my friend's father in order to fight monsters." Gentaro explains. He decided to keep it short since there might be some stuffs that Heidemarie didn't get it.
"Where is your friend right now?" Heidemarie asked.
"He and everyone are still back home…" Gentaro answered. Though he is curious on what they were doing without him.
"So how about we get something to eat?" Gentaro asked.
"Sure…" Heidemarie spoke, "Where do you supposed we should go?" she inquired as she didn't know anywhere around here.
"Hmm… since this is your first time here," Gentaro muttered. "I guess we don't go anywhere too fancy. Is that alright with you?"
Heidemarie nodded.
It wasn't long until they made their way to a restaurant in order to get something to eat. Gentaro is the first one to go before Heidemarie who follows him into the building next.
Fortunately, there weren't a lot of people in the place as Gentaro and Heidemarie make their way to a table at the end of the corner.
Not long after they were seated, they were approached by a waiter, who then take their order. Gentaro noticed Heidemarie was watching a small family eating together.
"I was wondering… did your family ever write letters to you after you joined the military?" Asked Gentaro curious.
"Not really." Heidemarie answered, "They seem fine that I find my place in the military than with society."
"That doesn't seems to suite me." Gentaro answered with a frown.
"You seems shown a strong dislike for the way they think about witches." Heidemarie noted.
"Of course. Even though people afraid of witches due to their power, but they're still human as well." Gentaro replied. "Not knowing if they didn't checked up on you… it felt like you have nothing to return for."
"Even if the war is over, I have nothing else to go back for." Heidemarie said.
Just then, she felt warm arms encircle her waist and pull her against an equally warm body. She let out a gasp of surprise when she felt Gentaro hug her, resting his chin on her shoulder and against her head.
"Don't worry, Heidemarie," he said, "You aren't alone."
"But…" Heidemarie began. He shushed her.
"You didn't choose to be this way," Gentaro said, "If others choose to be afraid of you, then I won't."
"You don't think that I'm a burden?"
"Why should I?"
Soon Heidemarie felt the tears fall and asked, "Tears?"
"You're crying." He answered.
"Crying?" she had never cried like this for a long time. "Why…? I promised myself that I won't cried."
"You don't have to be ashamed about it. It's a natural for us human to cry." Gentaro answered before using a napkin to wipe the tears away, "but I like it if you were smiling."
Heidemarie didn't know why but her lips curled into a smile that Gentaro found very pretty on her. He smiled back at her and winked. "See?" he said, "You're pretty!"
Unknown to them, a myna bird was watching them from the window of the restaurant. It wasn't long until the bird flew away and reversal back to being the Raum Phantom when landing on the rooftop.
"Damn, this will be difficult…" Raum Phantom said with a squawk. "This Kamen Rider is not like the Ring-bearer."
But the Gate that he was assigned to make fall into despair is a tricky one due to her background. Compared to other witches, she didn't have anything that precious to her that will caused her to fall into despair. She didn't even show any trauma after her plane destroyed by the Neuroi. How can he, Raum Phantom make her falling into despair—!
"But what if the Kamen Rider is the key to fall into her despair?" Raum Phantom wondered at the idea that sparks in his mind. After all, this young man tried to open up the heart of the gate that he was assigned to make fall into despair and becoming closer to her.
Eventually, Fourze will become the most important thing to her. Important enough to smash right in front of her.
"Then his death will make her fall into despair…" Raum Phantom ponder. "But Kamen Rider will be difficult to kill consider how strong he is."
He and his fellow Phantoms hear how strong Fourze was from their alliance with the Zodiart. If Raum goes face Fourze alone, then there is a chance he will die before making her falling into despair.
But what if I included 'their' help? They did claim that they want to kill him… Raum thought to himself. Though he is wary of them but Fourze is a bigger obstacle for him to crush on his own. He cannot bear the idea of facing Medusa after a failed attempt to make the Gate falls into despair and he knew he wouldn't survive facing her.
"I see… it sound like you two have quite a good time." Tai complimented, enjoying the soak of hot water of the bathroom.
"Yeah, and I managed to get her to smile to some of my jokes." Gentaro said with amused expression as he is also enjoying the water as well. "Though the Phantom didn't make any attempt of attacking her." He added.
"I see… At least, I'm right with trusting you on helping her to open up." Tai replied. But he is a bit surprise how the Phantom didn't come strike them yet. Or even the Zodiarts especially those three still have grudge against Gentaro for what happens.
Gentaro soon have a frown upon his face. "Though I'm a bit upset that others never tried to reach to her. She may be serious in her duty, but she is still a normal girl." He said.
"What is done is done, Gen-chan." Tai shrugged. "The only things to show them what they're really missing out on."
Gentaro nodded. "Say Taichi…" he said, "I was wondering but were you able to communicate with your Phantom lately?"
"To be honest, I'm not able to hear him much like I used to…" Tai spoke. It cannot help what will happens if he calls him in an Underworld fight.
"I see." Gentaro replied.
"Gen-chan… if I really did become a Phantom and went on a rampage, what would you do?" Asked Tai, glancing at his childhood friend.
Though he don't to worry but there is a chance that possibility, then Gentaro will be strand in this world without any way out. Being a Phantom will mean that there is no point of return for him.
"Don't worry, Tai. If something like that bad happen… I will make sure to stop you and turn you back to normal." Gentaro said smiled.
"I'm not sure if that work since cosmic energy and magic from phantom didn't seems to mix well since we never seen any Phantom used Zodiart switches yet to make them more powerful." Tai said.
Gentaro understand what Tai is talking about. "That is true. But I think there is nothing such thing about impossible. The only thing is figure out how magic and cosmic energy get along as best friends." Gentaro smiles despite the idea seem ridiculous for Tai.
"I see your point. But don't do anything reckless." Tai sighs but he understands where Gentaro came from.
Heidemarie lay back in her bed, recalling how her time with Gentaro in the city went. She had… enjoyed, having a meal with him. She had never been in a restaurant before especially with someone like Gentaro. She finds herself like it.
Gentaro was energetic and open up. He was the first person ever cry after hearing of her childhood, and trying his hardest to be her friend. There couldn't be anyone like Gentaro out there.
However, she did held some part of herself back, not wanting to risk upsetting her new friend. Out of any men she know, Gentaro had been pleasant to her so far and wasn't afraid of being near her due to her state of being a witch. Even before she mastered her power, there are people still afraid of her for what she was.
She also recalled Gentaro hugged her. That was very unexpected. No one ever had hugged her like that before. But Gentaro did it because he want to conform her and assure that she wasn't alone like she originally thought she was. She recalled the warmth his body generated and a warm sensation entered her cheek, making them turn a pale red. She want to feel it again.
Maybe… I can ask him to hug me again tomorrow? Heidemarie thought.
The next day, the two Riders along with Mio and Perrine were watching training. Heidemarie was seen on new Strikers unit as she, Gertrude, Eila, Erica, Francesca, and Lynette are training together by shooting down balloons. After what happens to her, Mio want to gauge if Heidemarie can still managing flying after two days of resting from the plane incident.
It wasn't that long until Heidemarie get out of the Striker units and approached Gentaro. This make others look at the two.
"Gentaro… would you give me a hug?" Heidemarie asked to him.
"Of course." Gentaro replied.
Gentaro wrapped his arms around Heidemarie and held her close. Once again, Heidemarie feel the same sensation from before when Gentaro hugged her the first time. She wanted to learn about the sensation that Gentaro instilled by hugging her. Still, it was very… pleasant. She enjoyed it. She had wanted to analyze it, but her mind just kept coming back to the warmth and the feeling of his arms wrapping around her.
Heidemarie decided to return the gesture and her hands slid down his chest so that her own arms could wrap around him. This got them pressed together further and Gentaro suddenly blushed when he felt a certain part of her asset against his chest.
Mio was about to speak when she and others hear Tai's voice as Gertrude and Tai are trying to awakened Francesca.
"Francesca! What's the matter?" Tai asked, trying to awaken the young girl.
"This is not a good time of being sleeping, Lucchini!" Gertrude snapped loudly but it didn't wake the young witch up.
"What in the world is going on?" Mio asked.
It wasn't just her, but Lynette went to sleep as well without any warning.
Suddenly Eila summoned her pactio and her eyes wide in shock as she turned straight toward Gentaro and Heidemarie.
"Get out of the way, you two!" she warned.
Gentaro soon grabbed Heidemarie out of the way when a myna bird trying to attack him. Eila soon got out a pistol and fired at the bird to make it move out of the way.
"Eila-chan… what's up with that bird?" Tai asked.
"Don't call me Eila-chan! And that's not a bird." Eila said as the myna bird turned into the Raum Phantom.
"Phantom!" Tai and Gentaro shouts in surprised.
"This time… I will not allowed anyone stop me from making the Gate fell into despair." Raum Phantom stated serious.
Soon Tai got out his Driver On Ring and Gentaro placed on his FourzeDriver.
"3….!"
"2…!"
"1…!"
"FLAME, PLEASE!"
"Henshin!" Both Gentaro and Tai shouted.
It wasn't long until the two donned their respective Rider armors.
"Saa… Showtime daa/Uchu Kitaaa!" Both Riders declared before going straight into battle against the Phantom at the same time.
Raum Phantom got out his weapon and Wizard got his own to counter the blow as Fourze slammed his fist into the Raum Phantom's chest, sending the Phantom skidding backward. The Phantom soon shakes his head before releasing energy slash with his halberd at them.
"DEFEND, PLEASE!"
Soon Wizard summoned a fiery shield in front of him and Fourze to protect them from the attack.
"Launcher, On!"
"Camera, On!"
With the two modules activated, Fourze fired missiles with the Launcher Module. This made the Phantom leap into the air in order to avoid the attack.
"No, you don't!" Wizard shouted as he soon got his Hurricane Ring out and scanned his Wizardriver.
"HURRICANE, PLEASE!"
Wizard jumped into the green magic circle and transformed into his Hurricane Style. The Raum Phantom throws energy slashes at Wizard who dodged with ease as he reaching close to him.
With his WizarSwordGun in his hand, he and the Raum Phantom tried blows with each other in the air until a large scorpion like tail come out of nowhere and stabbed Wizard in the back.
"Hehehe…" Scorpio Zodiart chuckled with a sinister tone, coming out of the shadow. "You won't interfere in our revenge."
"Gaah!" Wizard screamed in pain before falling straight to the ground and his transformation been undo in the process. This caused him to struggle to move as purple veins appearing on his body.
"Taichi!" Fourze shouts in shock as the girls look shocked to see what happened with the male magician Rider.
"You…" Gertrude shouts before she tried to charges at the Scorpio Zodiart.
But out of thin air, the Aries Zodiart materialized and activated his staff which caused her, Perrine, Mio, and Heidemarie to collapsed straight to the ground due to the ability of his staff. With the Apostle of Sleep, he can shutting down parts of certain people's body.
"I won't allowed you to mess with them!" Fourze said before coming after Aries Zodiart.
"I don't think so… Kisaragi, you won't want anything bad happens to her, right?" Aries Zodiart asked, holding Heidemarie under his arm.
But this made Fourze hesitated of moving any further.
"That is right… though this might not be the script I have in mind, but I cannot help being tempted by opportunity to showed her what a failure you of hero you will be." Aries Zodiarts said.
Soon Raum and Scorpio Zodiart coming beside Aries Zodiart.
"If this is revenge… then we should've settled this with no one else involved!" Fourze demanded.
"That won't satisfied our thirst of revenge…" Scorpio Zodiart said before stroking Heidemarie's head with her claw like hand.
"Hehehe… as much as I want to take you down. I got a better solution." Raum Phantom said. "I will give you 12 hours to find us at an abandoned warehouse at the dock of Romagna. And come alone… or I might let your old enemies make her suffers."
With that, Aries Zodiart used his cosmic power to warp himself, Heidemarie, Raum Phantom, and Scorpio Zodiart away from the scene.
This made the astronaut theme Rider clenched his fist tightly.
At the abandoned warehouse, Raum took the helpless Heidemarie who is still succumbed under Aries's staff and binding her to very tough chains as she was hanged in the air. Heidemarie struggled helpless despite her body cannot respond to her at the same time.
"I cannot believed that you never invited me… I would get some laugh out of kicking Kisaragi." Cancer Zodiart said, sitting on large wooden box.
"Don't worry… he will come soon enough for the witch and you three can beats him up for all those twisted times. But no killing her. I wanted her to witness the downfall of the so-called Kamen Rider…" Raum Phantom explains before looking at the three Horoscopes.
He was the one who come to Aries and Scorpio at first when it come to the planning get rid of Fourze to make Heidemarie fell into despair. The plan seems intrigued the two Zodiarts, though there were some few modifications to the idea.
"Don't worry, we will keep our words as long as we get to face Gentaro Kisaragi." Aries Zodiart agreed.
"I'm surprised that you didn't tell your general about this plan…" Cancer commented.
"Do you think that I don't know what happened if I failed like those before me?" Raum asked, rhetorically. "I'm not going to under up like them."
"I agreed with your plan as long as I get to make Gentaro Kisaragi suffered for what he did to Gamou-sama…" Scorpio Zodiart stated.
Gentaro… please don't come… Heidemarie thought.
The first thing can be hear was the sound of screaming in pain from Tai when Fourze used the Medicine Module on him. Tai used his Pactio Card to contact Minna and others to help getting others who succumbed to effect of Aries's staff ability. Though he himself need more medical attention from being poisoned by Scorpio Zodiart.
After all, this was the second time that he was poisoned by an enemy akin to Medusa. Though the poison is that more of corrosion of cosmic energy.
Yoshika looks onward at Tai with worried expression despite Fourze is doing the job of helping him when it comes to get ridding of the poison. It wasn't just her, but others especially those awakened from the effect of Aries's staff by drinking medicine from Fourze's Medicine Module.
"Just hang on a bit longer, Taichi." Fourze said. Though it might take longer for him to healed Tai due to how much poison that Scorpio injected into Tai's body.
It wasn't long until Tai stop screaming and slowly breathing as Scorpio's poison vanished from his body. Fourze soon undo his transformation in the process.
"Tai-nii, are you alright?" Yoshika asked.
"I think so…" Tai said weakly.
"Damn… those bastards, I cannot believed we were caught off guard." Mio stated, looking angry at the underhanded method of Zodiarts.
"Not only that but they kidnapped Schnaufer." Gertrude added.
"That is why I'm going to saved her." Gentaro said serious.
"Wait, Gen-chan… they won't tried to kill her… after all, a Phantom cannot allowed a Gate to be killed." Tai said, struggling to get himself up from the ground.
"I have to agree with Taichi… this could be a trap for you." Mio said with a serious expression. Not to mention this is her first time seen the power of Zodiart.
Minna trying to think up a plan in order to rescued Heidemarie, but with the abilities of Scorpio and Aries, it will make really difficulties of get themselves out alive without being caught in line of fire.
"Even if it a possibility of something like that, but I cannot let Heidemarie get hurt or being turned into a Phantom if I leave her alone." Gentaro said. But he also feel strongly responsible for those three Horoscopes ended up in this world and they kidnapped Heidemarie as a way to get revenge upon him.
Gentaro soon turned around and leave through the meeting room.
"Wait, Gen-chan!" Tai shouts as he trying to follow him. He have to make sure that nothing bad happens to him.
But he was stop by Yoshika who wrapped her arms strongly around him. "Yoshika-chan, let me go now!" he shouted.
"Tai-nii, you still hadn't recovered from being poison." Yoshika said with firm resolve. She want to help Gentaro, but Tai need more help after being injected by Scorpio's poison.
"But I cannot let him go this alone!" Tai said. But Yoshika stubbornly hold her ground to make sure that he didn't hurt himself in the process.
"You will only ends up becoming a burden to him if you aren't recovery enough." Yoshika argued.
Raum Phantom is currently waiting with a struggling Heidemarie in the abandoned warehouse. It was almost time before the space theme Rider to show himself up.
"Heidemarie!"
"So you've come…" Raum Phantom said.
"Gentaro! This is a trap! Please get out of here!" Heidemarie shouts to the astronaut Rider.
"I'm not going to leave you behind… no matter what!" Fourze shouted before charging at the Phantom.
This made the Phantom chuckled before Cancer come out of nowhere and releasing bubbles at Fourze.
Fourze soon moved out of the way from the attack, but only for being ambushed by Scorpio from out of nowhere.
She forced the astronaut theme Rider to the ground and slammed brutal punches on his helmet as sparks flying across the air.
"THIS IS FOR GAMOU-SAMA, YOU BASTARD!" Scorpio screamed before sending him across the ground and make him hits the wall.
Scorpio wasn't done there yet as she used her tail to grabbed Fourze who struggle to get himself up and swings him around to another direction.
"Gentaro!" Shouted Heidemarie with worried.
"Damnit that hurt…." Fourze said before trying to get out his NS Magphone and tried to pull them apart.
But they were knocked out of his hands when Aries attacked him from the left side.
"Don't think that we're gonna to let you access your arsenals, Kisaragi! Not after everything you have done to ruin our live!" Aries snapped angrily.
Fourze was screaming in pain when being thrown far across the floor as sparks flying in the air. He let out heavily breathing before trying to get himself up, but it wasn't until the Raum Phantom and Cancer Zodiart come charging at him.
Fourze was trying to dodge but Scorpio prevent him from moving by grabbing his neck with her tail, both Raum Phantom and Cancer Zodiart slashes him.
"How does it feel? Without any backup or your weapons, you won't be able to do anything!" Cancer Zodiart said.
"Guhh! Guhaarkk!" Fourze gritted in pain as he got his ass handed by Raum Phantom and his Zodiarts associates in front of a tied up Heidemarie.
"How did it feel eh Kamen Rider?" Raum laughs as he presses his foot on the weakened Gentaro who are already cancels out his transformation as Fourze.
"Come now...where's that fire you had in you when you wanted to save that girl?" He asks while glancing at Heidemarie's face then back to Gentaro, "You know all that I took to see her fall into despair is by hearing you screaming as you dying."
Raum laugh as Gentaro struggles to move despite being pinned down by the Phantom, "A-As if I c-can let you k-kill me you bastard!"
Raum clicks his tongue, clearly annoyed by Gentaro's determination so he retorts back, "Such brave words Rider, well let me tell you...once that Witch become a Phantom, I'll take her as my bride."
That word shocked the Witch, to think that the beast will have his way on her is bringing her to the brink of despair. But for Gentaro, something snaps inside him.
"I have wasted too much time...so, please do me a favor and let me kill you." Raum laughs darkly as he delivering a final blow that will make Heidemarie fall into despair.
The Witch was expecting Gentaro screaming but instead, she saw a sight of Gentaro hold one handedly Raum's killing blow.
"YOU...YOU!" With a scream, Gentaro pushes away Raum with a sudden incredible strength despite the battered looks he receives.
"I-Impossible! You should have been weakened!" One of the Horoscopes shocked to see Gentaro slowly standing up even with a terrible injury.
"No one...NO ONE IS GOING TO MESS MY PRECIOUS FRIENDS ESPECIALLY FOR WHAT YOU GONNA DO TO HER PHANTOM!" Gentaro said as he pulls out and all to familiar switch from his pocket.
The Horoscopes shudders in fear as they saw the switch in Gentaro's hand, "T-Thats!"
"COSMIC!"
"YOU'LL PAY FOR MESSING UP MY FRIEND AND NO ONE DARES TO MESS UP ALL OF MY FRIENDS!" Gentaro shouts as he activated his FourzeDriver.
"3….!"
"2!"
"1!"
"HENSHIN!"
Soon Gentaro transforms but it wasn't back to his familiar white armored Base States Form, but an entirely blue metallic form with his chest piece shows like a Panel displaying Fourze's other Astroswitches.
This was his Fourze Cosmic States Form.
"KAMEN RIDER FOURZE! TIME TO SETTLE THIS BETWEEN US MAN TO MAN!" Fourze shouts as he pointed his Cosmic Module Barizun Sword at Raum Phantom and his Horoscopes ally.
For once, Heidemarie could feel something different inside her...its not despair...it was Hope...a hope in the form of Gentaro Kisaragi.
Raum Phantom can see his fellow Zodiarts ally is hesitating on attacking Fourze, "Oi why are you feeling doubt now?! Are you scared of some form change on him? Attack him already!"
The Aries Zodiart turns towards Raum, "Are you crazy!? That form is dangerous! I don't want to risk my life despite my desire for revenge drives me!"
Raum growls as he prepares himself for a fight, "Damnit! We'll take him on together! Ugh if you want to finish the job than you have to do it yourself!" He and the other Zodiarts charges at Fourze.
When they try to attacked him at the same time, a blue wall of cosmic energy ejected from Fourze and sending the four enemies backward.
"My turn…" Fourze said before pressing one of the buttons on his chest.
"ROCKET!"
With the Rocket Astroswitch in his hand, Fourze inserted into the Barizun Sword to revealed the orange blade.
"Rocket, On!"
He then pressed the button again.
"Elec, On!"
Soon the thrusters on his back accelerated him forward as Fourze slashed Raum and the three Zodiarts with electrified slash in the process.
"Launcher, On! Freeze, On!"
With the launcher module, Fourze released barrage of ice missiles at them and hits the ground beneath to cause the ground freezing. Though the Raum Phantom escaped from the shots which frozen his Zodiart associates and making him looks disbelief at the scene.
"Fire, On!"
Fourze soon inserted the Fire Astroswitch into the Barizun Sword and releasing flaming energy slashes onto the three Zodiarts, throwing them backward in the process.
"Why you!" Raum Phantom cursed before throwing Ghoul stones to summoned Ghoul soldiers. "Get him!"
Soon Fourze pressed two more buttons on his chest.
"Net, On! Elec, On!"
The Rider dodging the spears before soon swings his right leg into the air as an electrified net materialized in the air and catching all of the Ghouls around him. This caused them to be shocked in the process before they exploded in the instant.
Soon the Raum Phantom charged once again and swings his weapon against Fourze who blocked his attack and slashing him several times with his Barizun Sword.
Meanwhile both Aries Zodiart and Cancer Zodiart struggle of getting themselves back up from the injuries made by Fourze.
"You weren't kidding about how that his strongest form even when we supposed to have upper hand!" Cancer Zodiart cursed furious.
"Damn! This isn't how I want things to be…" Aries said, "We better retreated for now."
Cancer Zodiart then turned to look at Heidemarie who was still held hostage, "But we still have the hostage by killing her!"
Before he made his way there, a large hole appeared as Wizard in his Land Style emerged out of there.
"What!?" Cancer Zodiart exclaimed in shocked of his appearance.
Soon flew into the warehouse was none other than Gertrude and Yoshika on their Striker units as they hurry toward Heidemarie.
"Are you hurt in anyway?" Yoshika asked, concerned.
"I'm fine… but I can't seem to move much despite how much magic I pour into my body." Heidemarie explains before Gertrude undo binding on her.
"Sorry, but we won't let you take anyone!" Wizard growls furious, getting out his Land Dragon Style Ring.
"How about you eat my bubbles!?" Cancer Zodiart exclaimed, firing fuming bubbles at Wizard.
Wizard scanned the Land Dragon Ring.
"LAND DRAGON…!"
Soon dusts from the ground raising up in front of Wizard to protect himself from the fuming bubble while changing his armor at the same time. This time he have silver square shoulder pads with topaz stone in them and bull like horns on his helmet, making him looks bulky.
Wizard then scanned his Special Ring.
"VERY NICE, SPECIAL! FABULOUS!"
With the Drago Hell Claws on him, Wizard charged at the Cancer Zodiart as both of them were on a stand-still before the two were forced back away from each other. Soon Cancer threw wide range of foaming breath at him and the girls.
Yoshika and Gertrude projected barrier to protect Heidemarie and themselves while Wizard used his Drago Hell Claws to protect himself from the attack.
Before Wizard could attack again, he felt incredible jolt across his body.
"Damn… not again!" Wizard growl in frustration before Cancer slugged him backward.
"Compared to Kisaragi, you're nowhere near where he was if you cannot control your own power!" Cancer Zodiart said in a mocking tone.
Wizard struggled to get up while dealing with the incredible jolt of pain coursing through his body right now. Wizard soon charging at the Cancer Zodiart despite being in pain from the purplish jolts coursing through his body before being thrown back in the process.
Damn… is this far as I can go before turning berserker…? Wizard thought frustrated.
"Tai-nii, snapped out of it! I know that you can overcome it!" Yoshika shouted desperation.
"Taichi, you're stronger than this!" Gertrude shouted.
Wizard can't help, but feel some strength from those words as he struggled get himself up again. "Yoshika… Gertrude… Gen-chan… I WON'T LET THEM DOWN…!" Wizard shouts as he soon hurting himself with the Drago Hell Claws in the process.
Though Wizard grunt in pain when he hurt himself, but it also made the purple sparks vanished completely as Wizard felt the jolt pain become lessen in the process.
"Cannot believed that actually worked…" Wizard commented.
"What?" Cancer Zodiart gawked in surprised.
"Now it's time for payback!" Wizard growls as he charged forward with his Drago Hell Claws.
Cancer Zodiart soon thrown foaming breathes at Wizard's direction in order to stop him, but Wizard keep going as the foaming getting close.
The male magician user then jumped over the foaming attack and went with a downward dive to slashing Cancer Zodiart in the process, causing sparks flying in the air.
"This is for early, you bastard!" Gertrude shouts before charging forward and thrown a powerful punch with her enchanted magic.
This sent Cancer flying through the wall and break out of the air as he was seen as a sparks in the sky.
Scorpio Zodiart got back up from the ground and gritting her fangs at the sight of Fourze.
"Why you… KISARAGI!" Scorpio screamed before coming charging at him.
Fourze blocked Scorpio's punches with his Barizun Sword and he jumped out of the way when Raum Phantom tried to attacks him. Fourze soon got out his Cosmic Astroswitch and inserted to his Barizun Sword.
"LIMIT BREAK!"
"I won't allowed you to get away!" Raum Phantom said before flew after him. The Scorpio Zodiart charged at him in another direction as both of them aiming to kill him.
"Rider Great Galaxy Slash!" Fourze shouted before slashing both Raum Phantom and Scorpio Zodiart in the process.
It caused quite an explosion in the process before Scorpio Zodiart was seen on the floor with switch out of her hand as she reversal back to her human form. However, the one who caught her switch was none other than Aries who used his cosmic energy to levitating Sonoda.
"Yamada…" Fourze said, stares hard at the Aries Zodiart.
"Don't worry, I won't fight you yet even I know what will happens for me like before. But the next time we met, it will be different." Aries Zodiart said darkly.
"Then tell me this before you go… how did you ends up in this world?" Fourze questioned as this made Aries Zodiart chuckled.
"How about we saved that for the next time we meet? You're already got what you came for and there is no reason for us to stick around. See you, Kisaragi." Aries Zodiart said in a mocking tone before he and Sonoda vanished into thin air.
Fourze soon let out a sigh before he undid his transformation and reversal back to his human form. He turned to look at others who come toward him.
"I wanted to say… I'm sorry for getting you hurt." Heidemarie apologized to Gentaro.
It wasn't that long until Gentaro was healed from the beatings from Raum Phantom and three Zodiarts, they made it back to the base. Heidemarie wants to apologize Gentaro after getting him alone.
"It's fine. I'm used to it by now." Gentaro assured smiling. "But seeing you are safe is the most important thing."
However, this didn't make Heidemarie feel any better as she is still responsible, "B-But… I still cannot help feel that it's my fault. I couldn't stop them from hurting you…" she spoked, guilty.
But Gentaro stops her from leaving by placing a firm hand on her shoulder and make her looked at him.
"It's alright, Marie. I would make sure my precious friends are safe." Gentaro said.
"Do you really mean what you say? W-We're friends after what happened?" Heidemarie asked hesitate.
Gentaro nodded before he moved his hand to take her hand. This made Heidemarie looks confused at what going on as Gentaro do his signature handshake with her.
"What is that?" Heidemarie asked.
"It's showed that we're friends now, Marie." Gentaro smiles as teaches her how to do his signature fistbump handshake.
Friends… Heidemarie thought.
"I see… I must admit that Raum's plan was quite amusing." Wiseman mused after seeing what happens with Raum.
"What should we do about the Zodiarts? They didn't help with Raum's plan." Medusa asked.
"Let them be for now… after this experience should leave a heavy scar on their pride, either it will make them stronger or fall into their own demise." Wiseman continued, "You're dismissed for now."
"As you wish, Wiseman-sama." Medusa bowed before she turned and left Wiseman's chamber.
Wiseman soon reviewed the Raum's battle, but he is specifically focused more on Wizard.
"It seems that you were able to hold yourself against the curse, young Wizard." The leader of Phantom said. "But how long will you hold out?"
To be continued…
AN: That is the end of this chapter. Man, I cannot believed that this is a really long chapter…! Here, I showing the aftermath with some of the girls about what happened in the fight with ChaosDukemon especially introducing Heidemarie. Anyway, be sure to review or message me for any questions, comments, or concern. And don't be afraid to look at my other stories.
