Trick 1: Return of the Illusionist
Canterlot, what is it? Is it a city with a weird name? A city with freaks that have funny names, and weird fashion senses? Yeah, this town is all of that, but that's not everything. That's not all this place is.
Let me tell you a story. Sometime in the early 70s, this place was just a small ranch town in the middle of California, nothing special, nothing worth noting. It didn't even have a name. It would have been forgotten. But there was this kid, you see? This little kid loved the stories of King Arthur, so much that he was obsessed with it. He and his friends looked at the number of horse ranches in town, and came up with the name “Canterlot”, a pun on “Camelot”, the land of King Arthur. The town was small, so eventually the name caught on.
Then the immigrants came. Chinese and Japanese settlers came to this small town and helped it expand. Pretty soon, this small town grew into a bustling metropolis. No one even knew when it happened, or how, but the people all came together and made Canterlot into something truly special.
Then the hippie movement got started. Boy, was that a mess. See, Canterlot was known for its nature. Naturally, hippies started gathering here. The hippie movement took over, and soon it became common for names like “Sunshine Radiance” and “Twinkle Shine”, to be given to people. This went on for years, and eventually just stuck.
You see, this city is history. It's a place of unity, harmony, an example of what happens when people come together. People from all walks of life. It doesn't matter who you are, where you came from, Canterlot will accept you, and I'm proud to call this place my home.
But recently, things haven't been all that great here. The planet has been a target for a number of alien life forms. Beings from other planets, even other dimensions. Most of the monsters in Canterlot are taken care of by this rock band turned super hero team called The Rainbooms, also known as the Power Rangers. They're a ragtag group, but they do a good job.
I used to hate them. I was jealous of them, so I made a huge mistake. I took advantage of them, stole their technology, and with a little help made something that could compete with them. I didn't know what I was doing, nor why. Things had been really rough for me. Nothing had been right since my mother disappeared. They did a great job of showing me what a bitch I was being.
But then “they” walked into my life. They fixed my “morpher”, renaming it a “Rider System”, and gave me a new purpose. At first I wasn't sure why I should have helped them, but then their leader made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
He'd help me find my mother...
Now I act as an agent for Hexagon, fighting aliens called Changelings, all the while hoping to get closer to finding my mother.
Standing on top of a building looking out at the city, was an armored warrior. They were clearly female, wearing black and purple armor that was fashioned to look like a magician's tuxedo with a red bowtie. Her left arm had a silver gauntlet, and her right arm had an odd watch/card reader like machine and a golden shield guarding it. Around her waist was a fancy silver belt with a golden five pointed star glowing in the screen in the center, and at her left side was a magic wand. Finally the warrior had a fancy helmet with silver mouth piece shaped like an actual woman's mouth with purple colored lips almost like lipstick, a dark blue head piece that looked sort of like hair, and a purple and orange opera mask over her eyes, which were yellow and large, almost like sharp bug eyes. On her head was a black top hat, and she wore a long cape that was black outside and purple inside.
This was the Illusionist.
The Illusionist heard a scream below her. She looked down, and then turned around throwing her cape behind her elegantly as she walked away.
On the surface was a woman who was running away from what looked like a black and dark green monster shaped like a humanoid bug. She tripped and fell to the floor, and looked up helplessly as the monster loomed over her.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!”
The monster turned around as three spot lights shot down and pointed to the Illusionist, who stood straight up holding her hands in the air as if presenting herself to the stage.
“Presenting the greatest magician of all time, Kamen Rider Great Illusionist!” the Illusionist took her hat off and bowed to the monster. The bug creature gave a shrill cry and ran over to the Illusionist, who stood up and ran a finger over the rim of her hat.
“Show time,” she said softly to herself right before holding her arm up to block the monster's swipe. She kicked the monster to the side, and then spun around doing a spin kick knocking the monster back. She pulled a playing card out of a slot in her belt and ran it over the card reader on her right arm.
Next Trick
The monster fired at the Illusionist, but she turned around throwing her cape again, and seemed to vanish into thin air. The monster looked around in confusion, unaware that the Illusionist was right behind him.
She threw another playing card at the monster's back with the force of a bullet to catch his attention. She pulled out another playing card and read it.
Next Trick
The monster tackled the Illusionist, or tried to at least. He hit what appeared to be a mirror. The monster looked shocked as the Illusionist's reflection waved to him and silently told him to turn around. The monster turned around just in time to see the Illusionist punch him through the mirror. He fell to the ground as the Illusionist sauntered toward him, pulling out her magic wand.
The monster got up and held out his hands. At the same time, a long, thin blade appeared out of the bottom of the Illusionist's wand. She got in a fencing stance and charged at the monster. The monster threw his arms around trying to slash the Illusionist, but she dodged all of his attacks. She then gave him a few quick slashes and thrust her rapier a few times impaling him. The monster reached out to grab the Illusionist, but she spun around to his back, and then bumped him with her rear knocking him to the ground.
The Illusionist turned around elegantly, and hit a switch on her belt.
Grand Finale
The Illusionist jumped into the air, flipped forward once, and then did a drop kick onto the monster with a foot engulfed in blue energy. He exploded on contact. As the Illusionist dusted herself off, the woman ran up to her.
“Illusionist,” she said relieved, “Thank you so much.”
“No need to thank me,” the Illusionist said to the woman as she turned to walk away, “I hope you enjoyed the show.”
My name is Trixie Lulamoon, and I'm Canterlot's secret defender. I'm the hottest act in town. I am the Great Illusionist.
I am the Kamen Rider...
As the Illusionist sauntered away, her cape flowed in the wind.
Trick 1: Return of the Illusionist
Even though Canterlot was the site of many monster attacks as of late, school remained open, much to the chagrin of the teenage students of Canterlot High. Things had been quite lately, but the Power Rangers had just defeated another of Nightmare Moon's monsters, so it would proably be at least another few days before something else happened.
Maybe even longer, as now there were two guardians of Canterlot.
It had been a few days since the rumors started, stating the resurfacing of a lone warrior on a motorcycle. Kamen Rider Great Illusionist, most people just called her Kamen Rider or Great Illusionist for short, had first been sighted a few months ago right after the Power Rangers had risen. At first they were rivals, but one day the Illusionist just vanished without a trace.
That is until a few days ago, when an armored magician very similar to the Illusionist appeared, now helping the Power Rangers. No one knew why she had a change of heart, but ever since then rumors of her sightings had been spreading, along with the strange creatures that also roamed about.
Who was the Illusionist? Were the rumors of her being a student in Canterlot High true? No way there were seven heroes in Canterlot High though, as all the Rangers went there as well.
Octavia didn't know any of those things, nor did she care. All she cared about was her friend who was finally returning to school full time. Wearing her gray and white dress, her Treble Cleft symbol on the skirt for all to see, she anxiously looked around worried that her friend wouldn't make it in time.
“Come on,” Octavia said looking at her watch, “You have a motorcycle for Christ's sake. Why are you cutting it so close?”
She looked down the street, seeing a sight that made her smile. A girl wearing a blue and purple dress, a blue hoodie overt op of it, and matching blue and purple heeled boots riding on a simple white motorcycle to the school. She parked the bike, and removed her helmet, allowing her extremely long and full light blue hair to flow down her back. She was wearing light blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick, and on her dress was a magic wand symbol.
“Trixie!” Octavia called out, catching the girl's attention. Trixie smiled at Octavia as the latter ran into her arms.
“Hey Tavi!” Trixie said, “I'm not late, am I?”
Octavia shook her head, “But you cut it really close. What took you so long, anyway?”
“I had to stop by work before coming to school,” Trixie said. Octavia noticed the odd pin on her hoodie. It was a small, silver hexagon with six lines separated by small gaps surrounding a lowercase letter I and the number three.
“You still haven't told me what you do for work,” Octavia said as Trixie grabbed her purple backpack.
“Nothing special,” Trixie said, “Just assisting some old guy.”
“I sort of figured it wasn't special since you weren't bragging about it,” Octavia said.
“I don't brag as much,” Trixie said rolling her eyes. She and Octavia started walking to the school building, arms around each other, “Sorry Trixie wasn't around, Octavia.”
“It's okay Trixie,” Octavia said, “Just promise me that you'll tell me the next time you disappear off the face of the earth.”
“Y-yeah,” Trixie said, rubbing her pin, “I'll try not to vanish like that again.”
After separating from Octavia, Trixie went to her locker, happy that she had remembered her combination. She opened her backpack, pulling out her books before putting her backpack inside her locker. Before closing it, she looked at the silver machine inside, taking out what looked like a silver watch like machine with a card reader.
“I'm sorry Tavi...” Trixie said sadly, “Trixie doesn't like lying to you, but...” she put the machine back inside and pulled out a picture. In it was a younger Trixie being held by an older woman with really long hair similar to Trixie's, but straighter, and wearing red glasses.
“I'll find you Mom,” Trixie said, “I promise.”
Trixie put her picture away, and closed her locker. As she walked back to class, she bumped into Lyra Heartstrings.
“Hey!” Trixie said smiling, “Lyra, how's is going girl?”
“Hi...” Lyra said, “Um...”
“Trixie,” Trixie said jogging her friend's memory, “We've been going to the same homeroom since last year. I know I haven't been in school for nearly a month, but that's not long enough to forget me.”
“Right! Trixie!” Lyra said embracing Trixie suddenly, “I'm sorry. I my head was somewhere else for a bit. Did you have a nice trip?”
“Yeah, I did,” Trixie said frowning a bit, “How's your asthma treating you?” Trixie asked.
“Oh, I'm fine now,” Lyra said, “I don't even need my inhaler anymore.”
“I see. Well, I'm glad you're okay.”
Lyra nodded smiling, “I can't wait to hear about your trip,” Lyra said hugging Trixie again, “I'll see you soon, bestie.”
As Lyra skipped away, Trixie frowned and turned back to her locker.
“Damn it,” Trixie said sadly, “Sorry Lyra.”
“Well, that's about it for class today,” the teacher said right before the bell rang, “Oh, Trixie? Could you stay after for a bit?”
“Yes, Ms. Cheerilee,” Trixie said getting up. Octavia walked up to her with a concerned expression, “Don't worry, Tavi. I'll catch up with you in a bit.”
“Okay,” Octavia said. She put an arm on Trixie's shoulder and then walked out of the room, leaving Trixie and Cheerilee by themselves.
“I'm surprised that you were able to finish all of your assignments,” Cheerilee said, “Did you have any time to enjoy your trip?”
Trixie laughed, “It was more of a business trip actually, so the homework was actually a good way to relax.”
“I see,” Cheerilee smiled handing Trixie a piece of paper, “This is the study guide for the test in three days. The other students knew about this in advanced, so you can sit this one out if you-”
Trixie shook her head, “I'll be fine, Ms. Cheerilee,” Trixie said, “I don't want the others thinking I'm getting special treatment.”
“You know Trixie, you've changed,” Cheerilee said, “There's something a lot more mature about you.”
“My new job has given me a new perspective on life,” that, and a reason to live, Trixie thought.
“Well, keep up the great work, Trixie,” Cheerilee said. Trixie bowed to Cheerilee and walked out of the classroom to her locker, thinking about what Cheerilee said. This time a few months ago, she was self-centered, condescending, and an overall mess. What most people didn't know was that she was frustrated. Back then she didn't have anything to live for. Now things were different though. She had something to fight for.
Something she was searching for, and the tools to find it.
She packed up her books and made her way outside, searching for Octavia or Lyra. Either one would be good, because she could either spend time with her best friend or take of...
Trixie saw Octavia standing by the statue waiting for her. Just as she was about to walk over to her, Lyra got to her first and tapped her shoulder. Octavia and Lyra hugged, and it looked like Lyra was walking Octavia somewhere.
“Shit!” Trixie swore, running after them.
Lyra had brought Octavia to the soccer field, which was currently deserted. Not even Rainbow Dash was around practicing. Lyra was really nice, but for some reason Octavia felt really uneasy. It might have had something to do with how hard Lyra was holding her hand.
“Lyra, what's going on?” Octavia asked, “Trixie's probably looking for me.”
“Don't worry about Trixie,” Lyra said with her back turned to Octavia, “I'm sure she'll understand.”
“But... she's finally back...” Octavia said looking down, “I don't want her first day back to be-”
“You love her, don't you?” Lyra asked, catching Octavia off guard.
“What? Lyra, where is this-”
“You love Trixie, I can feel it,” Lyra said. She breathed in and moaned in ecstasy, “It feels so wonderful. The love a girl has for her best friend. That thin line between sexual attraction and platonic love. This particular feeling can only come from teenage girls.”
“Lyra... you're scaring me...” Octavia said backing away, “Why are you saying these things?”
“I want your love,” Lyra said finally turning around and giving Octavia a crazed smile, “Give me your love... so I may give birth to a new Changeling!” her golden eyes changed color to a sickly green. Octavia screamed and ran, but Lyra somehow ran in front of her at high speed, making Octavia fall back onto the ground. She backed away helplessly as Lyra was engulfed in a green flame.
“W-what's happening to you?!” Octavia asked.
“Lyra is gone,” Lyra said still with that manic smile, “And you'll be joining her soon!”
Lyra was completely engulfed in a flame, and turned into a humanoid bug like monster with a light brown exoskeleton, green eyes, and heavy armor. It looked almost like a roach.
“My name is Roach,” the monster said, now sounding male oddly, “You'll create a wonderful addition to the hive, I'm sure.”
Octavia went into full panic mode, screaming loudly and running away, but Roach quickly ran in front of her again. When she tried to run away, Roach grabbed her arm.
“No!!!” Octavia cried, “Let me go!!!”
“Your love is delicious!” Roach said, green energy leaving Octavia and going into Roach, “Teenagers have the best tasting emotions!”
“Trixie...” Octavia said weakly, not even know why she called out to her, but maybe she wanted to see her friend again one last time before she died.
“Tavi!” Trixie called out. She didn't want to show her this, because Octavia would recognize this, but she had to save her best friend. She set her backpack down and opened it, pulling out the first object in her backpack, that being a silver mechanical belt with a card holder on the right side, a magic wand hooked to the left side, and a blank screen in the center. She put the belt on, hooking it closed in the back and pushing a switch next to the screen.
Driver on
Trixie then pulled out the second item, being the watch and card reader. She pulled out a card, which looked like a fancy Joker playing card, and held it between her index and middle fingers holding it to the side of her face diagonally.
“Transform!” Trixie shouted. She lifted the card reader up and elegantly held the card to the card reader. The belt began playing a beautiful song as a golden pentagram on the screen of the belt. The pentagram came out of the belt, grew, and hovered over Trixie as she held her hands out to her side. The pentagram then spun around and slowly dropped down over her, changing her into Kamen Rider Great Illusionist.
Introducing The Great Illusionist
She didn't know how much more she could take. She was dying, she could feel it. Any long, and she would-
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!”
Somehow, everything went dark that moment, and Octavia saw three spot lights shoot down, revealing someone wearing a familiar armored magician's suit.
“Presenting the greatest magician of all time, Kamen Rider Great Illusionist!” the Illusionist gave both Roach and Octavia a bow as all the lights came back on.
That voice. She recognized it. Her voice was deeper, and she was speaking in a more sultry tone, but Octavia knew that voice anywhere.
“Trixie...?” Octavia asked.
“The Illusionist?!” Roach cried out letting go of Octavia, “What are you doing here?!”
“Didn't you get the memo?” the Illusionist asked, “I'm putting on a private show, and you're my assistant. Speaking of which,” she ran a finger across the rim of her top hat, “Show time.”
Roach and the Illusionist ran over to each other and began trading blows. Roach threw a kick to the Illusionist's side, but she blocked and punched Roach back. As he recovered the Illusionist pulled out a hand of five cards.
“Let's see...” the Illusionist said looking over her cards. Roach swiped, punched, and kicked her, but she calmly moved out of the way of all of his attacks not even looking at him, “Ah, I think you'll like this trick,” she kicked Roach away and put the middle card to her card reader.
Next Trick
The Illusionist turned around to face Roach, and two clones of her walked out from behind her, as if they were always there. All three Illusionists pulled out their wand/fencing swords and charged at Roach.
Roach fought off all three Illusionists for a bit, but the middle one slashed downward, followed by the other two slashing sideways. Roach fell to the ground and rolled away, looking up as the Illusionist sauntered over to him.
“How did you know that I was going to be here!” Roach asked.
“You didn't see me, but I was nearby,” the Illusionist said as her clones walked away vanishing.
“When did I meet you?!” Roach said, “Well, it doesn't matter,” Roach ran over to Octavia at high speed and grabbed her arm.
“No!” the Illusionist called out.
“It's too dangerous here, and I'm not one to leave my food half eaten,” Roach stated, “I'll be back to feast on you later.”
“Trixie...!” Octavia cried weakly, holding her hand out to the Illusionist. Roach picked up Octavia and raced off at high speed. The Illusionist ran after them out of the soccer field, stopping when she realized they were already gone.
“Tavi!” the Illusionist called out before stomping her feet in frustration, “Damn it!” her phone rang. The Illusionist picked up her phone and answered it, “Fleur, did you get that?!”
“I did,” a deep, sensual voice said on the other end, “Fancy Pants is calling you to Hexagon HQ.”
“I can't!” the Illusionist shouted, “That Changeling captured my best friend, and I need to-”
“It's about the Changeling that escaped,” the woman on the other end said, “Trixie, I know you're scared, but you have to stay calm. We'll rescue your friend, I promise.”
The Illusionist visibly relaxed, “Alright,” she said nodding, “Thanks Fleur.”
The Illusionist hung up and ran over to her white motorcycle. She pulled out a card and held it to her card reader.
Next Trick
The Illusionist pulled off her cape and held it over the motorcycle. After a second, she pulled her cape away putting it back on, revealing a different motorcycle. This one was a black Ducati model with purple highlights to match the Illusionist's armor. She got on her motorcycle and rode off at high speed.
As she rode off, she pulled out a card reading it.
Next Trick
She rode her motorcycle right into a building scaring a few civilians, but she seamlessly flew into the reflective window and her reflection rode off. Everyone who saw that started applauding as she rode off to an unknown location.
Octavia had gotten a bit of her energy back, so she didn't feel like she was dying again, but Roach had taken her to a warehouse and tied her to a pipe. She struggled for a few seconds until she realized that it was futile, and then just looked down hopelessly.
“I don't want to die...” she said, tears falling from her eyes, “Trixie... help me...”
“Aw come on!” Lyra's voice was heard from right outside, “Why can't I just eat her now?! I know that the Illusionist cares about her, but how is that my problem?! Ugh, you wanna know her identity that badly... Okay, fine!” Lyra walked back in hanging up her cellphone scowling.
“Are you going to let me go?” Octavia asked fearfully. Lyra laughed.
“You'd like that, wouldn't you?” Lyra said with a sneer walking over to Octavia, “But my employer wants me to use you to draw out the Illusionist. Hopefully then we can learn her identity, but I have a feeling you know already.”
Octavia looked away biting her lip, “I...”
“Oh, you do know who she is?” Lyra knelt down to Octavia and held her chin, “How about this, you tell me who she is, and I'll let you go.”
“N-no!” Octavia said shaking her head, “I'm wouldn't tell you, even if I did know!”
“I thought you humans were selfish,” Lyra said, “I'm offering you a chance to leave out of here with your life, and yet you're willing to protect the Illusionist? Is that... you're special someone? The one you love?”
Octavia backed away from Lyra a bit, making Lyra laugh.
“Oh, this is rich! You love the Illusionist! That's why you're protecting her?”
“Like I said, I'm not telling you anything!” Octavia said, “All you're going to do is feed on her if I tell you!”
“How odd,” Lyra said, “You're actually willing to sacrifice yourself for her... She isn't worth your love, you know. Love is just something to be used and controlled. No one would do the same for you.”
“I know some who would,” Octavia said, “That someone would give everything to rescue me if they were here.”
“Ah, your love is so powerful...” Lyra breathed in, “I wish my employer would let me feed on you. You'd make such a powerful Changeling, I can tell.”
“Lyra, what happened to you?” Octavia asked pleadingly, “You've always been strange, but this isn't-”
“I'm not Lyra,” Lyra said as a green flame built up around her, “Lyra ceased to exist once I was born. I'm a Changeling.”
“Ceased... to exist...?” Octavia asked trembling again.
“And once I take out the Illusionist, both you and her will join Lyra, as you add to our hive.”
Lyra walked out of the room, and closed the door. Now alone, Octavia broke down, now torn about Trixie coming. She knew she would come, but if she did, the Changeling would...
The Illusionist stayed inside mirrors, riding all the way to the secret underground tunnel which lead to the Hexagon HQ. She emerged from the mirror world, driving through a golden pentagram in front of her and shifting back into Trixie. Still wearing the Rider System and Card Reader, Trixie stopped in front of a large elevator and rode it to the top floor.
The elevator ride was a long one, but when it stopped she emerged in a nice office building with silver walls. She greeted everyone cordially as she made her way to the main office, her destination.
Sitting at a desk in front of the main office was a beautiful woman with long light pink hair, wearing a white business suit like a secretary. She wore purple eye shadow and red lipstick, and had the build of a super model.
When Trixie reached the office, the secretary stood up and walked over to her.
“Kamen Rider, Fancy Pants is inside.”
“Thanks Fleur,” Trixie said walking past Fleur, who lightly grabbed her arm stopping her, “Fleur, I-”
Fleur pulled Trixie close and embraced her from behind. The gesture was extremely maternal, and somewhat sensual.
“Stay calm, Trixie,” Fleur said, “You won't be able to put on a great show for your friend being so tense.”
“Fleur...” Trixie said falling into the embrace, “You're always lifting me up. I thought your job was just to navigate for me and be a go between for me and Fancy Pants.”
Fleur giggled, “That's true, but more than that I'm your biggest fan.”
“Right, thanks,” Trixie said. Fleur nodded smiling and led Trixie into the office. Inside was an older man with short dark blue hair and a matching mustache, wearing a nice suave blue suit and black tie. He wore a monocle in his left eye, and was sitting at his desk with a cup of tea.
“Sir, The Illusionist has arrived,” Fleur said.
“Wonderful,” Fancy Pants said with a peaceful smile, “Care for a cup of tea?”
Trixie was about to protest, but she remembered the last time she tried to turn down tea with Fancy Pants. Both she and Fleur relented and sat down at his desk, where oddly there were already two cups of tea waiting for them.
“Fleur told me that the one the Changeling took was important to you,” Fancy Pants said.
“Octavia Melody,” Trixie said, “She's been my best friend since kindergarten.”
“Does she know your identity as the Illusionist?” Fancy Pants asked.
“Probably,” Trixie said, “She was the first one I showed when I first became the Kamen Rider. She helped me design the Rider System and everything.”
“So it stands to reason that she would recognize the transformation,” Fancy Pants reasoned.
“She must be put under Hexagon protection then,” Fleur said, “Especially if she was captured by the Changelings already.”
“I don't think the Changelings wanted Tavi to get to me,” Trixie stated, “She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was really happy that I came back, so the Changeling must have been attracted to that.”
“She clearly cares about you,” Fancy Pants said, “To take advantage of her love for you, we must stop this Changeling at all costs.”
“Which I'd like to be doing right now,” Trixie said after taking a sip of her tea.
“You will,” Fancy Pants said finishing his tea, “But as this has become an official mission, you'll need our help.”
“Is Roach really that dangerous?” Trixie asked, “I was able to hold him off pretty easily by myself.”
“That's because you caught him off guard,” Fleur said pulling out a folder, “Now Roach will be expecting you.”
Trixie looked at his file, noting that he had already created five Changelings on his own.
“Talk about a glutton,” Trixie said.
“We've been tracking him for weeks,” Fancy Pants said, “But his super speed makes him a difficult target.”
Trixie remembered how quickly Roach had moved. He could probably move at sound speed.
“He also has extremely tough armor,” Fleur added, “You don't have any monster tricks to draw from this time, so you'll have to rely on your own skill.”
Trixie looked down worried, and more than a little humiliated. Along with her personal tricks, as the Illusionist she had the ability to learn new tricks from her enemies. Sadly she lost all of those cards when she lost the power of the Illusionist before. She would be at a disadvantage in the next fight.
“We'll have our agents surrounding the parameter,” Fancy Pants said, “Once you've secured the safety of Miss Melody, you'll be able to give the Changeling a show he won't forget.”
“Do we know where the Changeling is?” Trixie asked.
“The warehouse district,” Fleur said, “Our servers are pointing us to warehouse 17.”
“Use the southern duct to reach it,” Fancy Pants said, “After your mission is complete, you are to bring Miss Melody here. We'll set up a system of protection, that way she'll be safe.”
“Thank you,” Trixie said finishing her tea, “I'm heading out.”
“Be careful,” Fleur urged. Trixie smiled to her and ran out of the office, “Sir, is it really okay to send her after these monsters? She's just a child.”
“She'd go out on her own regardless,” Fancy Pants said sipping his tea, “All we're doing is providing her guidance, making sure she doesn't crash on the way. Right now, we're all she has.”
Fleur looked back at the door with a saddened expression. She felt so bad for Trixie. She tried so hard to be strong, but to Fleur she could see how close she was to cracking. She probably cried herself to sleep every night.
It was getting dark when Trixie arrived at the warehouse. She prayed that Octavia would be okay. As far as Fancy Pants knew, the Changeling wouldn't eat her yet, but she still wanted to be quick.
As she stopped her bike, she looked around to see if Hexagon had arrived yet. Sure enough, she saw a few men in black armor were seen moving to various positions around the warehouse. Good, she though, that meant she didn't have to wait to move in.
Not that she would have waited.
She slowly made her way to warehouse 17. When she got inside, she took a lay of the area, planning out the upcoming battle. Since she didn't have any monster tricks available, she couldn't afford to improvise. She'd have to rely solely on her own personal tricks and illusions.
She could definitely use the darkness of the building to her advantage. Her armor was dark, so she could blend in. If need be, she could easily get up on the rafters and upper pipes, and the main room was big enough to have a drawn out fight.
Her show planned, she carefully walked deeper into the warehouse, where she saw Lyra pacing back and forth in front of a door, probably where Octavia was.
“I guess it's time then,” Trixie said stepping away a bit. As she was already wearing the Rider System and card reader, she flicked the on switch starting it up.
Driver on
Trixie pulled out her first card and held it diagonally to the side of her face, “Transform!”
Trixie held the card to her card reader, and held her hands out elegantly as the pentagram came out of the belt and hovered over her. It then slowly came down over her, changing Trixie into the Illusionist.
Introducing The Great Illusionist
She threw a card at the side of Lyra's head too catch her attention, and then she slowly walked out, holding her magic wand and tapping her other hand with it.
“Illusionist!” Lyra called out, “I was waiting for you!”
“I'm sure,” the Illusionist said, putting a little more base in her voice to hide her identity, “It goes without saying, but I've come for the girl in that room.”
“Oh, I know,” Lyra said as a green flame build up around her, “This gives me an idea of who's behind that mask,” Lyra changed into Roach, who pointed dramatically at the Illusionist, “Prepare yourself, Kamen Rider! I'm going to be the one to expose you!”
“You can try,” the Illusionist ran a finger to the rim of her hat, “Show time.”
The Illusionist immediately activated her fencing sword and charged at Roach. She slashed at Roach a few times, but he did a side kick knocking her back. Roach then ran up to the Illusionist at high speed and punched her, knocking her into a pipe.
He was about to charge at her again, but she rolled out of the way and pulled out a card.
Next Trick
Roach ran up to the Illusionist and slashed at her, but she faded away as if she were a mirage.
“What?!” Roach shouted.
“Over here,” the Illusionist called out. Roach turned around and saw her lying on the ground relaxing. She even had the audacity to yawn.
“Why you!” Roach shouted running up to her. She kicked up to her feet and moved out of the way of all of his assaults, but when one attack hit her, she once again vanished, “How in the world...”
“Boy, for a monster that has super speed, you sure are slow,” the Illusionist said walking up from behind Roach with her arms folded under her chest. Roach tightened his fist in frustration and started punching and kicked the Illusionist, who once again refused to be hit even once. He managed to get a lucky kick through...
Just to kick air as she faded away again.
“Stop doing that!” Roach shouted. He turned to the door where his prisoner was being held, and saw the Illusionist leaning on the wall right next to the door waving to him. Roach charged at her at his top speed and threw a punch right at the Illusionist face, making contact with the wall behind her as she faded away.
“Damn it! Fight fair you-” he stopped when he realized that the door was partially opened. He went inside the room, expecting to see either his prisoner of the Illusionist.
Instead he was greeted with an empty room, the ropes lying on the ground and a Joker playing card on the ground.
“That bitch!” Roach exclaimed, “She was buying time to rescue the girl!” Roach ran off to find her.
The Illusionist lead Octavia near the entrance, happy that her trick kept kept Roach busy for a bit.
“Alright, it should be safe here,” the Illusionist said, “Stay here, I'll take care of that monster and come back for you.”
“Trixie, wait!” Octavia called out, making the Illusionist stop, “That is you in that armor, isn't it?”
“Tavi...” the Illusionist said, losing the sultry edge in her voice as there wasn't a point in hiding her identity.
“I thought you were done with the whole Kamen Rider business,” Octavia said taking the Illusionist's hand, “How are you even able to transform again? I thought the morpher was destroyed.”
“Tavi, there's no time to explain right now,” the Illusionist turned to Octavia and put her hands on her shoulders, “Trixie promises to explain everything after this fight, so just wait here until then, alright?”
Octavia bit her lip looking away, but nodded. The Illusionist apparently smiled behind her mask, and ran off to the main area.
“Why Trixie?” Octavia asked, “You don't have to do this anymore.”
Roach ran into the main open area, as he knew that the Illusionist would have to come through here.
“Where are you!” Roach called out, “You steal my food and you don't think I'm not going to get angry! Come out here and-”
Three spotlights shot down and focused on the Illusionist, who stood on a raised platform as if presenting herself to an audience.
“Presenting the greatest magician of all time, Kamen Rider Great Illusionist!” the Illusionist took off her hat and bowed to Roach.
“You think your so hot, Illusionist? All you've done this entire fight is run away!” Roach taunted.
“Well I couldn't in good conscious give my best without an audience,” the Illusionist spun her hat and put it back on.
“Audience? There's no one else here,” Roach said.
“Are you sure about that?” the Illusionist said wagging her finger. Before Roach could say anything else, a barrage of bullets was fired around him. He looked up and saw men in black armor standing all around the higher areas of the warehouse. There had to be at least twenty men.
“The stage has been set,” the Illusionist said running a finger on her hat, “Now... the real show begins.”
The Illusionist jumped down and slashed at Roach a few times with her fencing sword. Roach blocked a slash, and threw a kick, but the Illusionist ducked and did a side kick to Roach's stomach. She pulled out a card and read it.
Next Trick
“Oh no! You're not running away again!” Roach said charging at the Illusionist.
“My tricks aren't for running away,” the Illusionist said turning around and throwing her cape. When Roach reached her, she had vanished, leaving only her cape behind.
“They're meant to misdirect,” she said throwing three cards at Roach's back. He fell forward a bit from the attack, and when he turned around, the Illusionist charged over to him and slashed downward with his sword. Roach threw a punch at her, but she back flipped away pulling out another card.
Next Trick
A large box appeared behind the Illusionist. She stepped inside the box and it closed. Roach ran up to the box, but it opened up revealing one of those soldiers from above, who pointed his machine gun right at Roach and fired at him. Roach fell back, clearly on his last legs as the Illusionist walked out from out of nowhere once again wearing her cape.
“Time to wrap this one up,” the Illusionist said pulling out a card, “You've all been a great audience,” she held the card her card reader.
Grand Finale
The Illusionist bent down preparing to jump, and then jumped high into the air. She flipped a few times midair, and then did a flying drop kick into the monster, her foot engulfed in blue energy. She kicked through Roach, destroying him instantly. As she stood up, a playing card landed in her hand.
“Show's over,” the Illusionist said. She turned around and saw Octavia standing there looking at her in shock. Octavia ran over to the Illusionist and hugged her tightly.
“Thank you,” Octavia said, “I didn't know what I-”
“Shh...” the Illusionist said embracing Octavia, “You don't have to worry anymore. I am the light in the darkness.”
Octavia looked up, staring deep into the large yellow eyes of the Illusionist's mask. She couldn't see her eyes at all, but she could feel Trixie's comforting gaze.
“Trixie...” Octavia said softly.
“Come on,” the Illusionist said, “I'll take you to my boss's base. There, we'll tell you everything.”
The Illusionist took Octavia's hand and led her to her motorcycle. As they rode back to Hexagon HQ, Octavia held onto the Illusionist's waist tightly.
I am the light in the darkness. I am greatest magician in the world.
I am the Great Illusionist...
I am... the Kamen Rider...
The Illusionist looked back at her passenger briefly, and then looked forward picking up speed and driving back home, to Canterlot.