Chapter 9

In a decrepit, abandoned building, Pixie paced back and forth, her thin, lithe frame casting long shadows on the crumbling walls. Her brow furrowed in frustration as she replayed the events from earlier that day.

"That little brat got away!" she hissed, her sharp, childlike voice echoing through the empty space. "I had him right where I wanted him, and then that meddlesome Wizard had to interfere!"

Pixie's hands clenched into fists, her long, slender fingers flexing with barely contained anger. The thought of her prey escaping filled her with a burning desire for vengeance.

"I'll make them both suffer," she muttered, her green compound eyes narrowing dangerously. "That little boy and his precious 'hero' won't know what hit them."

Pixie felt a presence nearby; when she turned, she saw the Chief Phantom Dullahan standing menacingly.

His skeletal frame was encased in a suit of obsidian-black armor, sharp pauldrons, and a heavy breastplate casting an ominous shadow. A flickering blue flame burned within the confines of its helm, the only visible part of its otherwise concealed head. An aura of pure dread radiated from Dullahan, sending a shiver down Pixie's spine as she met its gaze.

"Dullahan-sama," Pixie said, her voice laced with reverence. "I did not expect your arrival. To what do I owe this honor?"

The towering Phantom's hollow voice rumbled from within the confines of its obsidian armor. "I have sensed your frustration, Pixie. The Wizard continues to interfere with our plans." A chill ran down Pixie's spine as Dullahan's aura of dread permeated the room.

Dullahan's imposing presence filled the room as it turned its attention to Pixie. "What of the Gate you were tasked with?" the Phantom inquired, its hollow voice reverberating ominously.

Pixie swallowed nervously, her confidence faltering under Dullahan's gaze. "There has been a slight... interruption, Dullahan-sama," she admitted, her fingers fidgeting. "I had the boy right where I wanted him, but that meddlesome Wizard interfered."

Dullahan's hollow voice rumbled with dissatisfaction. "Wizard, huh...?" The towering Phantom's aura of dread intensified as it considered the interference of its nemesis.

"That meddlesome hero has been a thorn in our side for far too long," Dullahan growled, its bony fingers clenching into fists. "He has foiled our plans countless times, always standing in the way of our goals." The Phantom's flickering blue gaze seemed to pierce through Pixie, its presence weighing heavily in the dilapidated room.

Dullahan's hollow voice rumbled with dissatisfaction. "Pixie, you must not fail. Minotauros has already fallen to the Wizard's power. I will not tolerate any more setbacks." The towering Phantom's aura of dread intensified, weighing heavily on Pixie.

Dullahan turned and left, its imposing presence fading. Only then did Pixie feel herself relax, letting out a shaky breath as the oppressive dread dissipated. She knew better than to underestimate Dullahan's wrath. Failure was not an option.

Pixie's heart raced as Dullahan's presence faded. She knew the consequences of failure all too well. Swallowing her fear, she steeled her resolve, determined to succeed.

"I won't let that Wizard ruin everything," Pixie muttered, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her fairy knife. "I'll find that boy and finish the job, no matter what it takes."

She paused, her eyes narrowing. "Dullahan-sama will be pleased when I bring him the Gate's despair. Then I'll show that meddlesome hero what happens when he gets in my way."

Izuku hurriedly rushes out of Aldera High School, his backpack bouncing against his back as he makes his way to the elementary school where Ryu attends. Worry lines his face, and he scans the area, searching for any sign of Yuto.

Spotting the familiar figure of his mentor, Izuku quickens his pace and approaches Yuto, who is standing calmly near the school entrance.

"Yuto-sensei!" Izuku calls out, catching his breath as he reaches Yuto's side. "Have there been any issues? Is Ryu-kun safe?"

Yuto turns to Izuku, his expression reassuring. "Everything seems normal, Izuku," he replies. "I've been keeping a close eye on the school, and there's been no sign of Phantom activity."

Izuku visibly relaxes, the tension in his shoulders easing. "That's good to hear," he says, glancing towards the school gates. "I was worried something might have happened after what we encountered yesterday."

Yuto nods, placing a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "I understand your concern, but it appears we've managed to keep Ryu safe for now," he says. "We'll continue to watch over him, just in case."

Ryu gathers his things, shoving his books and pencils into his red backpack. As he finishes his backpack, the female school counselor approaches him.

"Ryu, could you come with me for a moment?" she asks, her voice soft and gentle. "I'd like to speak with you in my office."

Ryu looks up at her, his brow furrowed with confusion. "Did I do something wrong, Sensei?" he asks hesitantly.

The counselor shakes her head, offering him a reassuring smile. "Not at all, Ryu. I just want to check in with you, that's all." She gestures towards the hallway. "Shall we?"

Ryu nods and follows the counselor to her office, his backpack slung over one shoulder. As they walk, he can't help but feel a twinge of unease. What could the counselor possibly want to talk to him about?

Once they reach the office, the counselor gestures for Ryu to have a seat. "Please, make yourself comfortable," she says, closing the door behind them.

Ryu sets his backpack down and takes a seat, his eyes darting around the unfamiliar space. The counselor moves to her desk and takes a seat as well, her expression thoughtful.

The counselor looked at Ryu with concern. "Ryu, I couldn't help but notice you at the shrine the other day. You were there quite late into the evening. Is everything alright?"

Ryu nodded, his expression earnest. "I was waiting for my friend," he explained. "We made a promise to meet there and unlock the locket he gave me."

The counselor furrowed her brow. "A locket? Can you tell me more about that, Ryu?"

Ryu's face lit up as he spoke. "My friend and I have been best friends for a long time. Two years ago, he gave me this locket as a promise that we'd meet again under the tree at the shrine. He has the key to open it, and I have the locket."

Ryu's small hands reached into his shirt, pulling out the delicate locket that hung around his neck. "We said we'd open it together when we saw each other again. That's why I go to the shrine every day after school - I'm waiting for him to come back."

The counselor then had a mean smile and a menacing aura. She says "So that is your weakness."

Ryu thought the counselor was off and became frightened when he saw her skin turn into a reflection of Pixie. The counselor's body is revealed to be Pixie, and her body morphs.

Pixie grabs Ryu by the neck and says. "I'm going to enjoy bringing you to despair."

Ryu's eyes went wide with terror as Pixie's true form was unveiled. Her childlike features twisted into a malicious grin, her grip tightening around his neck. Ryu tried to scream, but the words caught in his throat, replaced by a strangled gasp.

"No one can save you now, little boy," Pixie hissed, her voice dripping with sadistic delight. "Your precious friend will never find you, and the Wizard won't be there to protect you this time."

Ryu's heart raced, the panic setting in as he realized the true danger he was in. He struggled against Pixie's vice-like grip, but her strength was far beyond his own.

Yuto and Izuku, who were waiting outside, thought something was weird. Most of the children have already left, but they still have not seen Ryu exit the school gates.

Izuku says, "Ryu should have come out by now. Something doesn't feel right."

Yuto nods, his expression turning serious. "We should go inside and check on him." He starts moving towards the school entrance, Izuku close behind.

Yuto and Izuku entered the school and they heard a commotion. They went toward it and they see Pixie holding Ryu by the neck. She grabs Ryu's locket and taunts him.

"Look at this precious little trinket," Pixie sneered, her grip tightening around Ryu's neck. "This is important to you, isn't it? How pathetic."

Ryu struggled against Pixie's hold, his eyes wide with terror as he watched the Phantom prepare to destroy the locket. Just as Pixie was about to snap the delicate chain, a blur of motion caught her attention.

Yuto, now transformed into Kamen Rider Wizard, raised the WizarSwordGun and fired a precise shot, knocking the locket out of Pixie's grasp. The locket clattered to the floor, the chain still intact.

"Unhand the boy, Phantom," Wizard commanded, his voice resonating with authority.

Pixie's eyes narrowed, her grip loosening slightly as she turned to face the armored hero. "So, the Wizard decides to interfere again," she hissed, her free hand gripping Ryu's shirt. "This child's despair will be my victory."

Wizard was about to aim his gun at Pixie, but she threatened Ryu's safety. Wizard could not shoot, and Pixie scoffed at Wizard.

"What's the matter, Wizard?" Pixie taunted, her grip tightening around Ryu's neck. "Can't bear to see this child come to harm?"

Wizard tensed, his hand gripping the WizarSwordGun tightly. "Release him," he demanded, his voice unwavering.

Pixie let out a mocking laugh, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, I don't think I will."

Pixie did not notice, however, that Izuku was behind her and hit her with a chair he found on the back of her head. Ryu was let go, and Izuku carried him safely. Wizard says "Nice job, Izuku!"

Pixie stumbled forward, momentarily dazed by the unexpected blow. "You brat!" she snarled, whirling around to face Izuku and Ryu.

Wizard seized the opportunity, stepping between the Phantom and the two boys. "Your fight is with me, Pixie," he said, leveling the WizarSwordGun at the Phantom.

Pixie's eyes narrowed, her grip tightening around the hilt of her fairy knife. "So be it, Wizard," she hissed. "I'll take you down myself!"

With that, Pixie lunged forward, her blade gleaming as she slashed at Wizard. The Kamen Rider swiftly parried the attack, his sword clashing against Pixie's knife in a flurry of sparks.

***

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