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Part 9: Deception! Mahou-Shoujo History 2

-Wiseman's Lair
"You...you were a Phantom?" "Yeah, my little Titan-chan. My illusions are top-notch, not even that girl who hangs out with Haruto-Chan can sense my true nature." Where Chika stood was a feminine feline Phantom, with two tails that ended in flames. She was twirling something in her claws, and when Nymph tried to walk closer, Nekomata threw it at her feet. Nymph looked down and picked it up- it was a human bone. "Wiseman-Sama, why didn't you tell me she was a Phantom? I almost eliminated her!" "Her cover would've been blown then." "Cover?" "Geez, so pretentious Titan-Chan. Allow me to explain everything." Nekomata jumped up onto Wiseman's bed, and started to glow. When her light ceased, Titan, Medusa and Phoenix put their guards up. "The White Wizard!" "Not quite, Phoenix. Nekomata, explain." "Gladly," she said as she reverted to her normal form and chuckled. "The day of the ritual wasn't the day I was born. It was the day that Wiseman-Sama and I planned to create the ultimate Gate!" "The ultimate Gate?" "Yes, Medusa-Nee, the ultimate Gate!" Nekomata was leaping around childishly as Phoenix was getting more and more angry. "Stop screwing around!" He lashed his sword and swept at Nekomata, only to find out that she stopped it with one of her claws. "Now, now, Phoenix-Kun, control your temper...alright?!!" Pushing off the blade with the single claw, she slashed at Phoenix. "You...wait what? My wounds aren't healing?!" "Nekomata's abilities aren't just limited to illusion. She can seal mana itself." "Now, now, Phoenix-Kun, if you stay nice and keep quiet, I'll remove the seal, okay?" "FINE! JUST DO IT!" The seal Nekomata had placed on Phoenix disappeared. His wounds healed, as Medusa looked cautiously at Nekomata. "I had assumed my human form as I used my illusions to make Wiseman-Sama appear as the White Wizard to Mari-Chan. From there, we gave her the driver, her magic stones, and I unsealed her potential as a Gate. That little Pendant you crushed, Titan-Chan, is one that is significant to our plan. Every time she uses magic, it powers her inner Phantom and any magic user who enters her Underworld." "What's the point of that?!" "Easy, Titan-Chan. The Pendant also stores Mana. That builds up and creates new Phantoms within her, like little Nymph-Chan here." Nymph looked up, curious as to what Nekomata said. "Then why does she seem so-" "She hasn't fully developed yet. Since she's a Phantom born out of excess Mana rather than despair, it'll take Nymph-Chan time to become like us. Which is why, Medusa-Nee, I need you to take care of Nymph." "You dare to give me orders, you insignificant little-" "Medusa! You will listen to her." "But Wiseman-Sama-" "Enough!" Wiseman backhanded Medusa as she flew backwards, hitting a wall and reverting to her human form. "Medusa, are you alright?" "You two have failed me many times. Which is why, Nekomata and Titan will take command until you two get your acts together." "...Yes, Wiseman-Sama..." "Hee-hee. Glad you see it my way." Nekomata jumped off the bed and turned back into Chika. "I better head back, they must be worried where I went." She started to skip away before she stopped right in front of the entrance. "Titan." "What?" "Next time, you fight that Wizard...break his arm, I want something to laugh at." "Yes, Nekomata-" "Ah-ah-ah, Nekomata-SAMA."

Antique Shop Omokagedo
"Rinko, how is she?" "I just got off the phone, Marika is still in the hospital, Haruto is watching over her." The two girls sat in the shop dismayed, as Shunpei walked in. "Shunpei, how is Marika-Chan." "You guys won't believe what I'm about to tell you-" "Ah, Shunpei, is Haruto-Kun still not back yet?" "Wajima-San, no, I'm sorry, he stayed behind." "Ah, I wanted to show him what I made with the remnants of Marika's magic stones." The group gathered around Wajima, and all gasped at what they saw. "Isn't that-" "Yes, it is Rinko. Ah, but I did remake the pendant Marika had. I made 4 of them, just in case she needs them." "But the picture of her and Haruto..." "That reminds me, I have to tell you-"

Toriizaka Hospital
Haruto was overlooking Marika, who had been hooked up to life support. Her heartbeat was slow, her breathing was heavy. Haruto reached out and held her hand, as a doctor came in. "Sohma-San, I know that news was hard on you, but-" "No, it's fine." "When she wakes up would you like me to-" "NO...I'll do it. I'll tell her." "Understood. I'll leave you two alone." The doctor exited as Haruto sat down and kept holding her hand. He brushed the hair away from her face as looked down. "Haruto-San?" Chika was standing at the foot of the bed, holding a bouquet of roses. "Chika, hey. Come closer." She did as she was told and sat next to Haruto, reaching out and held Marika's hand. "She was my best friend, before the ritual. Back in high school, I was always bullied for being different. So was she. One day, our paths collided and she protected me." Chika had tears in her eyes. "The day she was approached, I followed her. I was part of the ritual. You know what happened that allowed her to contain Magisus in her? She grabbed my hand and declared 'I'm not gonna let us go out like this! Someone important to me, always told me to have hope.' I wonder who told her that?" "It was me, but you know that-" "I already knew, Haruto-San." They suddenly heard a crashing sound in the hallway they heard the familiar sound. ~SHIN TO HENSHIN, SHIN TO HENSHIN~ "Henshin." ~FLAME. SHŌSHI.~ "Chika, take care of Marika." "Right, Haruto-San." ~SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN, SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN~ “Henshin.” ~FLAME, PLEASE. HI…HI…HI HI HI!~ “Saa, Showtime Da!” Jumping out into hallway, Haruto pushed Titan and himself out the window. Drawing the WizarSwordGun, Haruto slashed at Titan. This time, it seemed his attacks were effective. Titan took each hit, but then grabbed the blade and punched Haruto away from it. "Haruto-san! Catch!" Haruto turned to see Shunpei and caught the ring. "This is-!" Haruto got up and pulled out one of his other rings. "Are you sure you can handle me, even with that little ring?" "It's worth a shot!" ~FLAME! DRAGON. BO, BO, BO BO BO!~ "And one more!" ~SPECIAL RUSH! FLAME! WATER! HURRICANE! LAND!~ Sprouting each of Dragon's parts, Haruto flew towards Titan and managed to knock him back. Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Chika had turned into Nekomata. She rose her hand, and sharpened her claws as she slowly moved them towards Marika...

PART 9: END