Lucky*Pretty Cure!
by Exdeathmore
Three figures enter a vast stone hallway, a long red carpet laid out before them. The walls are lined with metal sconces, burning with green flames. Between the sconces were twelve paintings, each depicting a portrait of a different person, with the Roman numerals I through XII etched on plaques beneath them. Despite the lighting, the faces on each portrait were hidden in the shadows, but it could be seen that each individual wore an outfit that was a varying combination of black, white, and green. Behind the three figures, a massive metal gate clanged shut, with a pair of faceless soldiers in pitch-black helmets and armor standing watch over it.
"So, is this the place?" one of the figures asked. It was a man with black hair that curled up and into itself as a pompadour, a pencil-thin mustache, and a pointy beard and nose. He was slim in frame, wearing a polished iron breastplate and sallet over a dull red outfit, with a rapier strapped to his hip. From the looks of it, his attire resembled an old Spanish conquistador. "I was expecting more fanfare for our arrival."
"The decor is certainly lacking," another figure said, a woman with wavy, shoulder-length pale blue hair and fair white skin. She wore a black winged mask, like one would see at a masquerade ball, but her blood red eyes were still visible beneath it. Her black leather outfit - complete with long gloves and knee-high boots - accentuated her curvy figure, exposing her shoulders, cleavage, and thighs. "When I win, I'll be sure to give it a proper makeover," she added with a sly smile.
"So, when do we get to smash stuff?" the third figure grunted. It was a giant of a man, twice the size of the other two, with burly arms and legs, and a round, bulging stomach. He wore a leather vest and fur-lined kilt, and was covered from head to toe in sparkling golden and jeweled accessories: chains, rings, bracelets, and even a golden buckle on his belt. But not even that could conceal his bald head, thick, spiky black beard, hairy knuckles and slightly bronze skin. He lifted up a giant shank of meat clenched tightly in his right hand and took a big bite out of it.
"I see you've finally arrived," came a voice from nowhere. The three people looked ahead to see another door on the far end of the hall swing open, revealing a young man with short, dark green hair, wearing a gray tuxedo with long coat tails, similar to a butler's uniform, and a small gray mask concealing his eyes. He approached the three and bowed before them. "I have been sent by the Greed Emperor to welcome you to-" He suddenly paused, and looked around. "I was told there would be four of you. Where is the fourth competitor?"
"Maybe they're running late," the woman guessed. "Not that I care. That's just makes it easier for the rest of us."
"Hahah!" the first man laughed. "They probably ran off scared after hearing that I was here!" He unsheathed his sword and began swinging it repeatedly through the air then stopped, the hilt close to his chest, blade upright. "I don't blame them. This competition is as good as mine!"
"Regardless," the man in the suit continued, "we will proceed as planned. The Greed Emperor has sent me on his behalf to welcome you three as his esteemed guests. Without further delay, we shall soon begin the Rite of Succession..."
Chapter 1: Luck or Destiny? Cure Lucky is Born!
"Last spurt, go!" shouted a young girl in a tan blazer and red pleated skirt as she raced down the sidewalk, towards a school at the end of the street. She had short red hair that matched her vivid eyes. As a pair of students, one male and one female, walked past the gate, they paused and saw the girl rushing towards them.
"She's not gonna make it," the male student said. "The bell's gonna ring any second now."
"Don't be so sure," the other student said. "She's made it through worse."
"I... can... make it!" The girl continued down the road when suddenly, a young man carrying a skateboard stepped out into her path from a side alley. "Ahh! Out of the way! Look out!"
"Whoa!" The man was startled, and dropped his skateboard as he jumped back. The girl stepped on the skateboard and was sent cruising even faster down the path. Surprisingly, she was able to keep her balance as she sailed past the school's gate. As she dismounted the skateboard, she kicked it backwards, back through the gate, and towards the man, who had been chasing after her. He scooped up the skateboard as he stared at the girl, still in awe of what just happened.
"Safe!" the girl cried triumphantly, holding her arms in the air and panting heavily, as if she just finished competing in a professional gymnastics match. "Yes! I'm super lucky again! Hee hee!"
"It never fails," the female student giggled as the pair headed inside the school building.
"Today's going to be another lucky day!" The girl had a big smile on her face as she headed inside.
My name is Sachiko Yoshimura. I'm 14 years old, in my second year of middle school, and I have the best luck! Whenever it looks like I'm in trouble, things always end up working out fine in the end, like just now. I always try to help out anyone in need of it, and since I have a habit of being in the right place at just the right time, the other students started thinking of me as a real-life "Lady Luck".
Later that day, during a free study period, a male student approached Sachiko as she was sitting at her desk.
"Yoshimura, I need a favor!" the student said, putting his hands together. "Can I borrow your notes from literature? Please, I'm begging you!"
"Sure thing!" Sachiko handed the student a small notebook almost without hesitation. "Here you go!"
"Thanks, Yoshimura! You're a lifesaver!" The male student bowed politely before hurrying out of the classroom. Another student, a glasses-wearing girl who appeared to be the same age as Sachiko with blue eyes and long, dark blue hair, approached her.
"Ah, Nanami!" Sachiko seemed to recognize the girl. The girl named Nanami quietly handed her another notebook. "Hm? What's this?"
"Would it really hurt you to say 'no' once in a while?" Nanami asked her, sighing. "If you keep agreeing to every little request, everyone will just walk all over you. I've already memorized my notes, so you can borrow them for now."
"Really? But he looked like he really needed the help... Oh well, I'm lucky that you're here to help me! Thanks, Nanami!"
"Are you still going on about that? I'm just trying to keep an eye out for you. Luck has nothing to do with it." Nanami shook her head in disapproval. "Honestly, what would you do without me?"
This is my best friend, Nanami Takamoto. We've known each other since elementary school, and have always looked out for each other. She's really smart and nice to me, but doesn't believe in my good luck. But that's okay, we still get along great! Maybe that's my luck at work again!
"Eventually, your 'luck' is going to run out," Nanami continued, "and what will you do the next time you get into trouble?"
"It'll be fine," Sachiko said with a smile. "As long as you never give up, luck will always find a way to make things work out in the end!"
"You really are hopeless." Nanami shook her head again. "But I guess I should have expected an answer like that from you by now. Just remember to return those notes when you're done with them." She headed back to her seat as the teacher entered the classroom, ready to resume class.
Hours later, the final bell rang, marking the end of classes for the day. As Sachiko retrieved her shoes from her locker at the school entrance, Nanami approached her.
"Sachiko," Nanami called out to her. "I'm sorry, but I won't be able to walk home with you today. The student council's been bogged down by extra paperwork lately, and they asked me to lend a hand."
"That's okay," Sachiko said, "I have something to do today, too. I have a lead to follow, so it all works out! Lucky break, huh?" Nanami could only sigh in response.
"What do you mean, 'a lead'?" she then asked.
"Today's horoscope on television! 'Today your luck is... very good!'" Sachiko began quoting the horoscope word for word. "'You will brighten up a lot of people's days, and a once-in-a-lifetime encounter awaits you!'"
"The horoscope? Wait... don't tell me the reason you were almost late today was because you stayed at home to watch it?"
"Guilty! Ehehe..." Sachiko blushed in embarassment. "But it was right so far! I still got here on time, and I did help brighten someone's day by lending them my notes!"
"You never learn." Nanami sighed again. "I'll see you later, then. Let me know how that 'special encounter' works out for you." The two girls waved to each other as they headed off in opposite directions.
The city's central park was a wide open area, decorated with trees, flower beds, and other greenery, divided into four areas by stone pathways, overlooking a nearby river that ran through the city. In the center of the park was a large gazebo, and not far from it, a stone sculpture of the man who built the park. All around, people were enjoying themselves: children ran around on the open grass, couples admired at the colorful flowers, and others relaxed in the shade of the gazebo. Just then, the armored swordsman from before appeared and walked towards the statue, carrying a large red flag, with a fancy letter 'C' emblazoned on it. He stopped just in front of the statue and cleared his throat.
"Attention, peasants!" he shouted. "I hereby claim your city in the name of... me! The mighty Coveton!" He planted the flag into the ground behind him as he stood tall and proud. The nearby people continued about their business, glancing at the man as they passed him.
"Who is that?" a young man whispered.
"Mommy, look at the funny man!" a little boy shouted, pointing at Coveton.
"Shh!" The boy's mother nudged her child along, quickly walking away from him.
"Is there a circus in town today?" one woman asked as she and her boyfriend passed, glancing at Coveton.
"Dunno..." the man shrugged.
"That's right, the mighty Coveton!" He continued his monologue. "Master swordsman, slayer of beasts, conquerer of-" He paused and looked around, noticing everyone either ignoring or avoiding him. "Hey! Pay attention! I'm trying to give my speech of conquest here!" The passers-by stopped for a moment, giving him odd looks, then continued on their way. "Grr... in that case...!" Coveton held out his right hand, palm upward, and a white cube appeared, hovering above it. The cube was about the size of his palm, and on one side was a red 凶 symbol.
"This will get your attention!" he said. "Your luck has run out! Come out, Kyoujin!" He lifted the cube into the air. Arcs of black electricity shot out of it and struck the nearby statue, enveloping it in a dome of black light. The dome burst open, and the statue transformed into giant humanoid monster, several times the size of a human being, with a body that looked like it was made out of white bricks. In place of its head was an enlarged version of the cube, the symbol acting as its face.
"Kyoouujiiin!" the monster roared, raising its fists in the air.
"Monster!" one of the nearby bystanders screamed, pointing at the creature.
"Run!" another bystander shouted as the people scattered in all directions.
"You won't escape me!" Coveton said as he unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the fleeing crowds. "Kyoujin! Steal all of their Fortune Energy!"
"Kyoujin!" The monster's face glowed brightly as it emitted waves of dark energy from it, sweeping across the park and over the terrified people. Almost immediately, the people fell to their hands and knees, weeping and moaning. As they did, small globes of golden light appeared from their bodies, floating towards the Kyojin.
"Hahahah!" Coveton laughed triumphantly. As the globes of light entered the Kyoujin's body, the cube Coveton held began glowing faintly with the same golden light. "It's just like he said. The more Fortune Energy the Kyoujin steals, the brighter the cube glows, and the higher my score will be! This is almost too easy!" As he gloated, a small creature watched the scene unfold from behind the corner of a nearby building. It had long ears like a rabbit, white fur, a pink frilled collar around its neck, and bright blue, button-like eyes. It was carrying something wrapped in a bright red and white cloth on its back.
"Oh no, I'm too late-deshu!" the small creature said. "It's already started-deshu! I have to hurry and find the legendary warriors, or else-"
"Ahhh!" A scream rang out. The creature turned towards the direction of the scream to see Sachiko, trembling. "Wh, what happened here!?" she asked as she saw all the people lying on the ground. There was a young man in front of her, and quickly rushed to his side, shaking him gently. "Hey, are you okay? Say something!"
"Everything's pointless..." the young man mumbled. His eyes were dim, as if the life had been sucked out of them. "I'm so unlucky. Nothing will ever go my way again..."
"What are you saying? You shouldn't talk like that!" Sachiko tried to help the man to his feet, but he continued muttering the same thing, letting gravity have its way with his body.
"What's the point...?" he continued to moan. "Just leave me alone..."
"Your luck will get better, but if you just give up, it never will! Come on!" Sachiko continued trying to pull him up.
"Hm?" Coveton turned around and noticed Sachiko. "Well, well, looks like I missed one! Kyoujin! Make sure to get that girl, too!"
"Kyoujin!" The Kyoujin turned towards Sachiko, its face glowing again. It let loose another wave, headed straight for her.
"Aaaaaah!" Sachiko screamed again, closing her eyes and raising her arms in defense. When the wave passed over her, however, a warm light appeared around her body, and the dark energy dissipated. The light faded, and Sachiko opened her eyes. "...Huh?"
"What!?" Coveton gasped. "What happened? How come her Fortune Energy isn't being taken like everyone else?" He glared at the Kyoujin, turning his back to Sachiko. "This thing must be busted!"
"Could it be...?" the small creature murmured to itself as it continued to watch from afar. "It must be-deshu! That girl...!" It came out of hiding and quickly flew towards Sachiko. "You there-deshu!" it called out to her.
"Huh?" Sachiko looked at the creature, and gasped. "Ah! That rabbit is flying! And talking!"
"How rude-deshu! I'm not a rabbit, I'm a fairy-deshu! Anyway, take this-deshu!" The fairy reached into the cloth sack it was carrying and tossed Sachiko a small white and pink device that resembled a cellphone. On the side of the device was a small green lever, with a symbol of four hearts forming a clover shape on its tip.
"What's this?" Sachiko examined the device, looking at it from different angles. "Why are you giving me this?"
"There's no time to explain-deshu! Pull the lever, and shout out, 'Precure! Fortune Wheel Change!'"
"I still don't know what's happening, but what the heck!" Sachiko held the device firmly, and stood up straight. "Here goes nothing...! Precure! Fortune Wheel Change!" She pulled down the small lever, and an image on the device's screen began rotating in thirds, like the reels on a slot machine. One by one, the reels stopped, forming a picture of a pink star. The image flashed, and streams of light poured out of the device.
"What is that light!?" Coveton said, shielding his eyes from the blinding flash. The lights wrapped themselves around Sachiko's arms, legs, and torso. Her hair began to grow out, becoming long and silky, and her hair and eyes' color changed to a luminous shade of pink. A white band appeared above her, tying the hair into a ponytail that split into two as it reached the bottom. One by one, pieces of clothing appeared from the lights, replacing her school uniform: a pink choker, a pink dress with white linings and accents, a short white cloak draped over her shoulders, pink arm warmers decorated with magenta stars on the back of each hand, and a pair of long pink boots with white cuffs. The device inserted itself into a pink satchel tied to a brown, gold-trimmed leather belt on the dress, and a star-shaped magenta brooch appeared in the center of the dress' chest, a pink ribbon tied beneath it. Finally, a red star-shaped clip appeared in the left side of her hair, and a short white ribbon sprouted from it.
"The shining light of happiness! Cure Lucky!" The transformed Sachiko shouted out, striking a heroic pose, with her left arm folded up, showing the star emblem on her glove.
Sachiko: Wow! I really transformed! I feel stronger, and this outfit is so cute!
Flush: Now, defeat that Kyoujin-deshu!
Sachiko: No problem, this will be a piece of cake!
Flush: Ahh! You're doing it all wrong-deshu!
Sachiko: Ehh!? Next time, on Lucky*Pretty Cure!
I'll Fight! Take Back the Fortune Energy!
Next time will be super lucky, too!
Author's Note (1): 凶 is a Japanese kanji that represents bad luck, misfortune, or curses. In omikuji fortune drawings, the possible results include both good/kichi (吉) and bad/kyō (凶) results. The name of the monster, Kyoujin, is a play on kyojin (巨人), which means giant. Kyōjin (凶人) can also literally mean "bad guy".
Author's Note (2): Sachiko's name is a play on both luck and happiness, which are closely related in Japan; her first name is written with a kanji that means luck or happiness, while her family name is written with the same kanji found on good fortunes, shown below.
Author's Note (3): I apologize for republishing this story not once, but twice. I keep coming up with ideas to improve the story, and was concerned that anyone who read the previous versions might not see the changes I make.
Yoshimura Sachiko - 吉村 幸子 - "voiced" by Aoi Yuuki (Hibiki Tachibana - Senki Zesshou Symphogear, Madoka Kaname - Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Flush - "voiced" by Marie Miyake (Aki Mikage - Gin no Saji: Silver Spoon, Nana Abe - THE iDOLM(a)STER: Cinderella Girls)