Chapter 9: A Tale of Two Ghosts

"So what exactly are we looking at?"

Marisa, Kyousuke and Haruto were all gathered around a table in Shotaro's small apartment. Assorted papers and documents were scattered across the wooden surface, detailing histories of kingdoms long past. Currently, a dusty tome was open, frayed pages revealing a glyph of a stylized eye. Marisa spoke up again. "It looks like an eyeball."

"Uh-huh," Haruto nodded. "The symbol of the Aeqyotis Kingdom. They existed several thousand years ago in central Europe. They worshipped a strange idol, whom they called the 'Eye of the Dead God.' It granted them a strange and powerful magic—outside references refer to them as the 'Kingdom of Spirits'." Haruto paused. "However, they vanished without a trace about a thousand years after they were first referenced. Nobody knew where they went. Neighboring kingdoms only have records of an empty plain where the central kingdom once stood-as if they were never there at all."

"Woah, spooky," Kyosuke said. "So why bring them up? Unless you think they're related to our current case."

"Exactly," the group turned their heads to see Patchouli Knowledge exit the basement. "You've seen those strange eye-glyphs around. That symbol matches the one in this book." She coughed. "Shotaro, thank you for allowing me to check out the basement. It's quite fascinating, really."

From his desk, the detective nodded. "Thank you for inviting Phillip over to your mansion. He'll be busy for days."

She nodded as W's left half returned to writing up a report. "So it's very possible that the source of our current crisis is a ghost kingdom."

"Woah," Marisa's eyes went wide. "That explains Reimu, then. But what are we going to do about this?"

Haruto smirked and, with a flourish, flashed several flight tickets. "We're going to Germany."

A week had passed since Takeru's disappearance. The Mysterious Phenomenon Institute had been busy trying to find their disappeared comrade in addition to their standard Ganma pest control. Not a sign of the Ghost Hunter was to be found, however.

Reimu sighed as she returned home from dealing with a rather stubborn spirit who just wouldn't go down. She kicked off her shoes at the temple's entrance before making her way down into the central room. She flopped down into one of the chairs, exhausted. "Ugh, that one was a pain. The Eyecon Transporter you developed was a great help, though."

Akari, not looking up from her laptop, nodded. "It was too risky to always bring the Eyecons with you. I figured a teleportation device would be necessary at some point."

Reimu nodded, unclipping the boxlike machine from her waist. It was small enough that it wouldn't get in the way of mobility—large enough for a single Eyecon. "Any luck on Takeru?"

"None," Makoto said. "We've tried pretty much everywhere. It's as if he just up and vanished."

"Do you think Necrom had anything to do with it?"

"Doubtful. Alain may be against us now, but kidnapping isn't his type," Makoto said, looking over at his sister, who nodded. "Alain was always kind to us. I'm sure that we can make him see things our way," Kanon added.

"Dunno, he seemed pretty ruthless when I was dealing with him," Reimu muttered. "You sure?"

"I'm positive."

They turned as Onari entered. "Another case," the monk tiredly said. "More paranormal activity. I told our client we'd be there tomorrow. Reimu, rest up."

"Got it," the shrine maiden yawned, realizing just how tired she was. "Then I'll hit the hay early. Man, actually having a job is tiring."

Reimu left the table to a heavy mood, and was rewarded with restless dreams of broken axes and the pained cries of a young man.

The next morning, the two Riders rolled out. Via motorbike and flight, they quickly made their way downtown, where the client was, standing in the middle of a public square. He matched Onari's depiction—a mature man, with short black hair and goggles atop his head, wearing an odd gray uniform. About his neck he had a strange sphere worn like a necklace.

"About time you got here," he said in a haughty tone, his hands clasped behind his back. "It's rude to keep one waiting, you know."

"Yeah, yeah." Reimu rolled her eyes as she and Makoto jogged up to him. "So what's the problem?"

The European-looking man laughed. "So hasty. But I'll oblige you." He pointed a gloved hand at an alleyway in between two shops. "I saw two strange figures down there. They floated right through the wall." He paused. "Well, what are you waiting for? Chop chop!"

"Jeez, we're going, we're going." Reimu sighed, exasperated. "C'mon, Makoto, let's go."

"That uniform," Makoto muttered as they walked towards the indicated location, looking both ways as they crossed the street. "I swear I've seen it before."

"One of your Ganma buddies?" Reimu asked, pausing just before the alley. "Could this be a trap?"

"Perhaps," Makoto said. "But we need to get the job done anyways."

Reimu shrugged. "I guess so."

The two transformed, vanishing from mortal view. Pulling off their hoods, the two Ghost Riders scanned the backstreets for trouble. They scanned the street, looking past the shops and the clutter.

"There," Makoto said, pointing at a shambling black figure clad in a purple cloak.

"Behind us as well," Reimu said, pulling out her Gangun Saber in gun mode, aiming it at blue-robed Ganma. "I don't think they've noticed us."

With a moan, the Ganma began to run at the two Riders.

"Never mind," amended Reimu. She quickly scanned her weapon for an Omega Shoot as Makoto did the same.

"Self Omega Shoot!"

"Specter Omega Spark!"

With a volley of orange blasts and a piercing blue laser, the two spirits quickly met their end. However, from the explosion of spiritual energy, Eyecons floated past the surprised Riders and back down to the main street. They turned just to see the client standing there, Eyecons in hand, a look of satisfaction upon his smug face. "I'd hoped they'd last longer," he admitted, "but in any case, good work. You passed the calibration test."

"Told you," Reimu muttered. "Hey, who are you? You're clearly not a regular client."

He scoffed. "Peasants such as you don't deserve to hear my name uttered from my mouth. You tell her, Specter."

Something clicked. "That's Igor," Makoto said. "The Ganma Kingdom's Chief of Science."

"Now you remember?" Reimu groaned. "Ugh. What do you want, old man?"

"Just one more calibration test," he said, ignoring the jab. In a burst of blue flame, the Ganma Superior once more stood before them. However, he was also garbed in a mysterious white cloak and hood. "Defend yourselves." With those two words of warning, the scientist shot forward, knocking away Reimu with the back of his hand. Makoto roared and grappled with him, jumping up to the roofs to get space. The two wrestled for a sec before Reimu burst over them, clad in the blazing armor of Boost, Sunglasslasher over her head. "Take this, you freak!" she spat, bringing the blade down. The scientist rolled out of the way, knocking Makoto into Reimu's attack.

After a quick apology, Reimu backed up, creating space between her and the Ganma. "He's tough," she admitted. "Tougher than Javert."

"Javert?" Igor interjected. "Bah. He couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag." He raised his hand. "I, on the other hand, can."

Before the swirling blue flame in the Ganma's palm could be unleashed to wash over the two Riders in a wave of fiery pain, a voice gave them pause. "Hold, Igor."

A glyph shimmered to life in midair. The Ganma Hole—what Reimu had decided to call the strange eye-shaped symbol—opened its solitary eye, and out onto the rooftop stepped the white Rider.

"Necrom," Reimu hissed. "So, this is all your doing."

"Lord Alain," Igor said, bowing. "I am in the middle of an experiment. Please, I ask you to come back another time."

"Don't lie to me, Igor," Necrom scoffed. "You just want to have fun. Don't forget, this entire thing was your idea."

"My prince speaks the truth," Igor admitted. "Well, mortals, it seems that my playtime is over. You, however, will get to bear witness to the fruits of the greatest scientific mind alive." With that and a chortle, Igor stepped through the portal.

"Alain, what do you want?" Makoto growled. "I'm not going back."

"Oh, dear Specter," Necrom laughed. It was a hollow sound. "You've already made it clear you didn't want to be my friend. So I found another."

"What do you mean?" Reimu asked, a small pit of dread growing in her stomach.

"Oh, he's just dying to meet you," Necrom replied. "Come on out, Dark Ghost."

Reimu's eyes widened behind the Pantheon as a black-clad figure stepped out from the Ganma Hole. He was clad in a black coat and pants, gold trim lining the hems. Across his chest five golden bars in decreasing size descended. His hair was a messy light brown, and his brown eye were blank and vacant.

"Takeru!" Reimu gasped. "What's going on?"

"Tenkuji Takeru was a bit hesitant at first," Necrom taunted, "But in the end, he was able to see my side of things." Takeru said nothing.

"What did you do to him?!" Makoto roared. "He wasn't involved with any of this!"
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, dear friend." They could hear the sneer in the Ganma Prince's voice. "You caused this. You betrayed us and our mission—there's going to be consequences."

"Leave him out of this!" Reimu yelled. "Fight us! We're the ones you want!"

"It's too late for that." Necrom turned, patting Takeru—no, Dark Ghost—on the shoulder. "Try not to break them too badly, okay? Igor and Adel want them intact." With that, he stepped into the Ganma Hole and disappeared along with the glyph.

"Takeru . . . ." Reimu muttered as Makoto shouted his name. "What did they do to you?"

The eighteen-year-old didn't respond to her question, instead burning a Ghost Driver to life upon his waist in a burst of dark flame. "Henshin," Takeru's voice rasped, as he loaded a black-and-white Eyecon into his Driver and pumped the lever.

"Eyes open! Dark Rider!" Spiritual particles converged onto Takeru's body as the outlines of bones shone above his limbs. A black parka swirled around him, a red eye glowing atop Takeru's black-armored form. The parka fell atop his shoulders, a single-horned Panthon clicking into place. The white mask's black eyes were in the form of dark flames. "The power of darkness! Evil in excess!" The Driver sang.

Dark Ghost lunged, catching the distraught Riders off-guard. His assault was neat and precise—in the same manner of Javert and Alain. "Takeru, wake up! It's us!" Makoto yelled, blocking strikes that held strength he didn't know Takeru had.

"Takeru!" Reimu brought about her weapon and fired a volley of spiritual bullets into the dark Rider's back. He turned, and she could feel his glare. "It's us, you numbskull! We've been looking all over for you! What happened?!"

Dark Ghost responded by yelling a growl that Reimu would have never thought would sound fearsome coming from Takeru. From his Driver he summoned his weapon—a battle axe, adorned with the Ganma's symbol of the eye. Its harsh blade and spikes gleamed cruelly in the sun.

Reimu switched the Gangun Saber to sword mode and brought it around to block Dark Ghost's heavy chop. She staggered back—Takeru definitely wasn't this strong. "Takeru, listen to us!" she yelled, pushing back. "Fight it! It's us, your friends!" The only reply she got was a heavy foot to the chest. She stumbled back, gasping for air. Thankfully, Dark Ghost didn't press his advantage, as Makoto had taken that opportunity to come out swinging. He had since changed into Benkei and used the soul's heavy attacks to drive the dark Rider back. Reimu changed into Musashi, the added power of Boost driving her strikes as she attacked with both the Sunglasslasher and the Gangun Saber. Reimu, even in her distress, noticed that Dark Ghost didn't actually hit as hard as her or Makoto could—he wasn't as strong as Boost or Specter when he was fueled by rage. In fact, he just seemed to be a souped-up version of the Self form. Knocking him away with a well-placed cut, she nodded to Makoto. Specter scanned his Gangun Hand across the Energy Eye Crest, forming a spectral hammer out of his weapon as his Driver called out "Omega Bomber!" He yelled as he swung, knocking Dark Ghost into the air with a powerful uppercut. Reimu loaded Boost and Musashi into the Sunglasslasher, and scanned the Gangun Saber over the Energy Eye Crest. With a war cry, she shot into the air, her blades trailing crimson flames behind her. Thrusting them over her head, she brought the blades down upon Dark Ghost's stunned form, sending him crashing to the earth in a blaze of spiritual fire. She landed, panting. "Did we get him?"

"I'm not sure," Makoto said, peering over the edge. "It looks like it. He's not moving."

They leapt down to the street, ignoring the panicked onlookers who had been startled out of their day with the sudden appearance of a flaming crater in the middle of the road. Thankfully, nobody had been hurt. Reimu and Makoto approached Takeru's downed form, weapons held out at the ready. "Takeru?" Reimu said warily. "Can you hear us?"

Suddenly, Dark Ghost shot up, rising in a twisted, nonhuman manner. He seemed to be jerked into the air, like a puppet on strings. He glared at the two Riders from beneath his Persona. He held out his hand, and his axe arced through the air into his waiting palm from where it had dropped on the rooftop. He scanned it across his Driver's Energy Eye Crest, charging it with dark flames. "Omega Crush!" his Driver called out.

"Crap!" Reimu hissed, blocking with her weapons. She couldn't use another Omega Drive just yet—she and Makoto were still on cooldown. Even worse, they didn't have much in the way of defensive abilities. "It was a trap!"

Takeru swung, slashing an arc of shade energy. The cut cleaved right through the weapons and into the Riders, causing them to slump over, their transformations vanishing. Thankfully, the nature of their powers meant that they wouldn't be ending up with massive scars across their midsection, but they'd still hurt all the same. As Dark Ghost stood over their prone forms, axe raised high, a Ganma Hole spawned into life. He turned, gave them one last glance, then vanished. Reimu watched him go the Eye closing as the pain overwhelmed her, sending her to inky blackness.

Back at the shrine, the Ghost Hunters debriefed with the rest of the Mysterious Phenomenon Institute. Akari and Onari seemed relieved that Takeru was alive, but worried at his current state. Kanon, however, simply frowned off into the distance.

"I don't even know what to do," Makoto sighed. "He's clearly being manipulated. We tried knocking it out, but you saw how that worked."

"I still can't believe that they managed to get two Riders that were stronger than you in such a short frame of time," Onari said. "Well, I guess it is possible. After all, Miss Reimu managed to pull Boost out of virtually nowhere."

As Akari shot Onari a dirty look, Reimu frowned. "I don't think that's it," she said. "It's true Necrom is stronger than us at the moment—but he doesn't seem to have Boost's raw power. Instead, he's got a bunch of gimmicks up his sleeve that negate all of our abilities."

"He can turn into liquid," recalled Makoto, "And possess his footsoldiers after he's been downed. He can also absorb them to fuel his suit." He frowned. "He needs the fuel because he's on a time limit. He's strong and got plenty of tools. There's got to be a drawback somewhere. We just need to find a way around his abilities."

"Same thing with Takeru—Dark Ghost, rather," Reimu nodded. "He's only slightly stronger than my Self form. Either one of us could take him on in a legitimate fight. It's just that he caught us off-guard."

"We don't know anything about his powers," Akari said. "He was able to destroy your guys' weapons so easily."

"Yeah," the two Riders looked downcast. "It especially sucks that we don't have any hand-to-hand Eyecons," Reimu complained. "Just weapon-based ones."

"I think I can help with that," a voice they hadn't heard in a while echoed throughout the temple. They all turned to see the elderly figure of Sage, wrapped in his normal multicolored robes, Yurusen floating above his shoulder.

"Sage!" Reimu said, surprised. "Where have you been all this time?"

"My apologies," he said gravely. "I have been quite busy. There are urgent matters that require attending to."

"What kind of matters?" Akari asked.

"Personal ones," he said, "As well as matters that will concern you in the future. But that's neither here nor now." He looked at Reimu. "You'll need a new set of weapons. The Gangun Saber was an old weapon—a relic of a bygone age. Given time, I can acquire some current equipment. Same for Specter." He paused. "However, I'm going to need some help. I'll let you know when—hold tight for now."

As he turned, Akari spoke up. "Er, Sage. Takeru's—"

He held up a hand without turning around. "I know. Don't worry, he's still there. You'll be able to free him soon. Just keep on doing what you can." With that cryptic statement, he and the eyeball sprite vanished.

Alain quickly strode through the dark halls, followed close behind by Takeru's silent form. Throwing open a door, he stepped inside the Ganma's throne room. "Alia," he demanded as he stormed down the red carpet, passing pillar after pillar, "I was summoned. What is it?"

"Alain," the Ganma's princess answered. She was a tall woman, with dark-blonde hair reaching down to her shoulders. She was clad in a furry white dress with a white shoulder wrap. "Come here. Father is quite ill."

A shock went through the younger man before he shook his head. He knelt before the throne, the white-uniformed figure of the Grand Imperial Majesty seated upon the massive chair. "Father. What ails you?"

The Grand Imperial Majesty gave a low sigh. "I'm sick, Alain," Adonis said. "I'm going to take a leave of commanding the invasion for a while. Follow your sister's orders for now. I will resume command when I have recovered."

He bowed his head. "Father. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"For now, hold off on another assault to your area," he said. "Focus your efforts on another part of the world. The resistance the mortals have been putting up is worrisome to me. If you could do that, it would greatly relieve my stress."

He bowed. "Yes, father."

"That is all," Adonis dismissed him with a hand. "You may go."

Alain found Alia waiting for him outside of the throne room. "He told you to pull back too?" she asked.

He nodded. "Alia, what's going on? Father never gets sick."

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "In any case, do what father says for now. I'll inform you of what to do later."

"Adel's not going to like this," Alain chuckled.

"You'd think so," she frowned. "But he took father being sick well. He was upset that he didn't get command, however."

"Indeed." Alain shot a quick glance at Takeru—as always, he was silent. "Well, I'm going to be off. I need to inform my units that are still stationed in Japan of our orders. Stay well." He gave a slight bow and turned away.

"Stay well," Alia greeted in kind. "And stay away from Igor. He's not the best influence."

"I'll try my best," Alain replied.

The two walked away in separate directions, focus in their eyes. The human world would be theirs—all for the Great Eye.

Though the Mysterious Phenomenon Institute didn't quite know it, the Ganma were true to their word. The assault had officially stopped, the spirits focusing their assaults elsewhere. This drew the attention of the other Riders, and they left to deal with the worldwide threat, teaming up with the local heroes wherever the Ganma popped up.

The weeks that passed were tense, the Riders constantly on the edge of their seat. They didn't like this sudden silence, especially after being beaten so easily. They practically jumped at every shadow and every hint of a paranormal occurrence.

It was on a Thursday that finally brought about change. Reimu and Makoto were sparring out in the yard, getting used to their lack of equipment, when Akari burst into the courtyard. "Reimu! Makoto!" she cried. "Come quickly! Sage is back!"

The two followed her down to the basement, where the monks had gathered. Sage and Yurusen were there as well.

"What's going on?" Reimu asked, towel over her shoulders. She and Makoto were wearing tanktops and sweatpants, and they both held bottles of water.

"It's time for you to get your weapons," Sage announced. Both Riders perked up at this. "Unfortunately, I was not able to procure them myself. However, I can lead you to where they are."

"Why not?" Onari asked.

"It's . . . complicated," Sage frowned.

"It'll be even more complicated if you don't say anything, old man," Reimu rolled her eyes. "Just spill."

The elderly man nodded. "All right. Reimu and Makoto, you two will need to go the Ganma's world to obtain your weapons. Something's preventing me from going where I want to go—the Royal Armory. You'll need to sneak your way through the palace to get to your destination."

"Wait, hold up," Reimu interrupted. "We're going where?"

"The Ganma's world—the home of, well, the Ganma." It was Makoto who spoke up. "You know how I spent ten years there. It came to be like a second home to me."

"So we're finally taking the fight to their home front, huh?" Reimu nodded. "'Bout time."

"Actually, no." Sage said. "The enemies there are still far too strong. You wouldn't stand a chance in an all-out fight."

"Ugh, fine," she said.

"What's our job?" Akari asked.

"Akari, I want you to solve these for me," Sage handed the scientist a thick document. She took it hesitantly, perusing over the papers. "They're certain formulas that will be helpful in the future. Onari," he turned to the monk, "Fill in for Reimu for now. You should be able to handle any Ganma you find—I've seen you train."

As the Buddhist bowed and left, Reimu turned to the elderly man. "So when do we leave?"

"As soon as you're ready," came the answer.

She nodded. "Let me get ready then."

After a quick shower, she came back dressed in gray sweatpants and a red hoodie. She saw Makoto, now changed back into his blue leather jumpsuit, standing before the Monolith, which was ablaze with energy. Before it was a Ganma Hole, similar to the ones Alain had summoned.

She nodded to Makoto. "Ready?"

"Ready," came the reply.

"Where's Kanon?"

"Upstairs. She's helping out Narita and Shibuya around the temple." The blue Rider furrowed his brows. "Reimu. The Ganma world is unlike anything you've experienced. Be prepared."

"Yeah, got it," she said with surprising seriousness. "We're going in, getting the weapons, and getting out. No dallying, no rampages."

Sage appeared once more, handing the Riders a map. "This is the castle layout," he said. "You'll need this."

Reimu took it and gave it a one-over. "All right, let's go." She announced, and with a nod to Makoto, she dove into the Ganma Portal, closely followed by the elder Fukami.

Sage sighed as Yuyuko appeared. "You sure this is right?" the Princess of the Netherworld asked.

"I'm not," he admitted. "But this might be our only chance. To save Takeru—and to save the Ganma from themselves."