Chapter 4 – GiraGira! Feelings True as the Ocean Blue

As Jinsuke charged towards Iruka, the student President dove to his left around the hole as the enraged vice-president tripped on the hole like she did. "Tennouji!" he roared as he scrambled to get up.

"Aoba-senpai! What's gotten into you?!" She was scared that she was just assaulted, especially by an older male. She fixed her skirt as she got back up, stepping back from him. Her heel somewhat pressed against the edge of another hole as she looked back to confirm its position. As Jinsuke charged again, Iruka skillfully dodged, pushing him over another hole once more.

"She's good-tsuu," Rubee stammered as he looked around. "Agh, she's never around when you need her-tsuu!"

"Who are you talking about?" Iruka asked as she regained her composure. "You're…not seriously talking about Suzumiya-san, are you?"

Then Rubee buzzed past her and towards Jinsuke. "Keep him busy, Opero-tsuu! I'll try to find her-tsuu!"

The angered male tried to catch the ruby bumblebee, but he was too high to be caught. So the male focused his attention on Iruka once more. "I'm tired of being under your heel," he growled. "I'm going to take the position of Student Council President if it's the last thing I do, even if I have to force it into my hands!"

As Jinsuke began his attack once more, the growling Opera bore his opal fangs and jumped up at the teen, clamping to his face. "Wan! Wan wan! Wan!"

"Agh! Get off me, you mutt!"

Iruka didn't know how to take in everything. An opal dog and a talking ruby bumblebee, Kurisu surprisingly saying something NICE about her, and now her Senior is trying to hurt her, maybe worse! "I'm sorry…uh…Opero-san!" she said as she turned around and ran through the main building's west wing, dodging holes along the way. Under the walkway that connects the main building and the western building, she stopped to catch her breath on a pillar. Then she continued to the sports fields. However, Iruka came to a full halt; a green crystal woman had stopped her in her tracks.

"Are you really leaving now?" she grinned with her crystalline arms crossed. She began to walk towards Iruka as the girl tried to find her escape route. An…inhuman being, an "alien", a foreign creature never seen before was right in front of Iruka! Everything was happening so much at once that it was becoming harder and harder to take in. As Iruka stepped back, she heard the crunch of dirt behind her. She turned to find Jinsuke, his eyes a dead green, holding up a beaten Opero that was thrown to her feet. "Good job, my pet," Madame Moiss chuckled. "Now…do what you need to do."

Jinsuke menacingly walked towards Iruka. She was dead scared as she found nowhere left to run. Tears began to well up in her eyes. It wasn't like when she stared down a punk a few days ago; she knew something was wrong with Jinsuke, and as he was now, he was capable to doing far worse than she can imagine. The first thing she thought about was Kurisu saving her like last time, and deep down, she hoped it would happened again.

"Oop! Excuse me!" said a voice behind Jinsuke as a hand grabbed him by his jacket collar and flung him far back from Iruka. Standing there was that familiar blonde hair and ruby bumblebee by her side. She looked down at Iruka, whose legs gave out on her, and smiled. "Hey, Iruka," she chuckled. "Enjoying the weather from down there?"

There were so many things Iruka could say right now. She wished that Kurisu would save her, and here she was. But the first thing that came out of her mouth was, "…Are you that stupid?! How many times have I told you that we're not on a first-name basis?!"

"Geeze, I save your life TWICE, and you give me this crap?!" Once again, like old times, Iruka and Kurisu were arguing.

"Kuri-tsuu!"

The blonde looked up at the green woman and glared at her. "And who're you supposed to be?"

The woman chuckled and bowed. "You may call me Madame Moiss, commoner," she introduced herself in a high and mighty manner. "You did quite a number on Zir-Q, but you know what they say. Never send an idiot to do a master's job."

"Suzumiya-san…you really are involved in all this…" It seemed that what the bee had said was true.

"And I didn't want you to be, either." Kurisu looked back at Jinsuke, who was already back on his feet. "And that annoying guy HAD to be Madame Pain-in-the-butt's toy."

"That guy's Heart Gem was replaced with moissanite-tsuu," Rubee explained, now tending to Opero. "Take care of it before Madame Moiss turns him into a Synthesan-tsuu!"

"I don't think she's going to give us that chance."

Already, Madame Moiss was behind Jinsuke. "Too late, kiddies! Relinquish your Luster and lose yourself in the Dullness of the world!" Jinsuke's eyes widened as green moissanite began to cover his body. He grew a few inches taller, and his Synthesan body was slim. His arms had grown into blade-like protrusions. He also grew crystal structures onto his back and shoulder blades. The Synthesan's yellow slit eyes looked up at Iruka and Kurisu, droning.

"Tennouji…I'll take my role as president now!"

"What…is that…" Iruka gaped as she looked at the Synthesan.

"Hunh, it's actually smaller than my last one," Kurisu added and scratched her cheek. "Hey, Rubee, how do I…y'know, use that thing? The flashlight thing?"

"The Heart Ring stores your Heart Flasher-tsuu," Rubee explained. "Just wish for it, and it'll come to you-tsuu!"

"Suzumiya-san…what are you…"

Kurisu turned to Iruka with a half-smile. "Sorry to get you involved, Iruka. Just get back. I'll take care of everything now." She then raised her left hand in a fist, and the heart-shaped diamond ring began to glow. Out of its light formed the Heart Flasher, a pink flashlight with a heart-shaped bulb. The world around her became dark, and the Heart Flasher shone the light to her face. "It's…show time!" Then she tossed the Heart Flasher into the air. "Pretty Cure! Lights…ON!" As she snapped her fingers, the Heart Flasher bursted into light that illuminated her world. The lights bathed onto her body and transformed her into a warrior in white.

"Like the endless universe glittering inside a tiny diamond! Cure Diamond!"

Before Iruka's eyes, Kurisu had magically taken on another form. Her clothes were now white, and her blonde hair was somewhat longer and more vivid. She was radiating with a bright light, one that can compare to the luster of a jewel. "Suzumiya-san…you…"

"I'd tell you to run away, but that annoying guy will probably just try and get you," Diamond sighed. "So instead, try not to get in the way. I wouldn't wanna see you get hurt because of me. Don't worry, Iruka." She smiled and gave Iruka a thumbs-up. "I'll protect you." With a burst of power, she jumped towards the Synthesan with her left fist in the air. "Let's go, ugly!" she roared and thrusted her fist forward. However, the Synthesan disappeared instantly, reappearing at her left after the punch was thrown. "What?!" The Synthesan brought its knee up to Diamond's stomach and pulled a second spinning kick towards a nearby tree. "Again with the trees!" she growled and got back up. 'No joke…this one is different than the one I fought before…do they differ for each Synthesan or Counterfeti guy that makes them?!'

She ran forward once more and delivered a front kick, but the Synthesan was to Diamond's back. Its arms formed the blades and slashed at her back. "Agh!" she gasped and stumbled forward. "Stay still!" As she swung a backfist strike, the Synthesan was already a distance away. "Dammit, I said stay still!"

"Do you like my Synthesan, commoner?" Madame Moiss cackled in an obnoxious manner. "They're a lot different than Zir-Q's, as they don't pack as much punch as his do, but they're much faster! And knowing you, that's all it'd take to bring you down. I'll deliver your Gem of Light to Lord Glass and bring about dullness to this pitiful world!"

"Lord Glass, huh?" Diamond wiped her mouth a little. "That the name of your boss? Let me guess, he's made of glass or something!" Then she pounded her fist into her palm. "Maybe I'll pay him a visit and make a few cracks in his windows or something!"

"Don't you talk about the master like that, commoner! Synthesan, eliminate her!"

The Synthesan appeared in front of Diamond before she could react. With its hands now turned into fists, it launched rapid punches onto her body; one after another, though not as painful at first, it collected with power and speed. A final kick sent Diamond sliding to Iruka, Rubee, and Opero.

"Oww…"

"Focus, Diamond-tsuu! Use the power of the Gem of Light-tsuu!"

"If I knew how, I would already!" Rubee's "backseat driving" was proving to be a pain as Diamond tried to stand again, but that last attack took a lot out of her. "Oww…"

"Suzumiya-san!" Iruka exclaimed and stood in front of Diamond. "Stop it, Aoba-senpai! It's me you want, right?! Please, leave her alone!"

This display of weakness made Madame Moiss laugh even harder. "Willing to sacrifice yourself? Pathetic. You have no right to hold your title. Let your underling do you in!"

As Iruka closed her eyes, prepared for the rest, Diamond placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Stop it…fear isn't something that suits you," she sighed and moved forward.

"Stop it, Suzumiya-san! If you go again, you'll be killed!" Then she placed her hands onto her chest. "Please…you saved me once…I'm just returning the favor…"

"I never asked you to return the favor," Diamond replied. "I saved you because I wanted to." After a bit of silence, the blonde Pretty Cure let out a sigh. "Listen…I don't know how long I can hold out. So I'll tell you something. I…for a long time, I've actually admired you. To be honest, I really wanted to be like you. You were strong, demanding, calm and collected. You didn't let anything bother you, no matter how big or small it was, so you solved every problem with ease. Not me. I'm impulsive, brash, and I always get myself into some trouble without thinking. I want to know…how you do it. How to be you, y'know? But…I couldn't be you, 'cause I'd be lying to myself. The worst thing I could ever do is deny my existence to be someone I'm not." She turned to Iruka and smiled. "I want to see the real you, Iruka. The person behind the mask you put up all the time. Then maybe…I can understand you a little more." Now that she said her piece, Diamond turned back to the Synthesan. "Don't worry about me, Prez! Get to safety! I'll buy you as much time as I possibly can!"

But Iruka didn't budge. The president bit her lower lip and placed her hand on Diamond's shoulder. "No…I'm through with running." With a determined face, she began to walk forward. "I'm tired…of being someone I'm not. Of putting the strong face of a president just because everyone depends on me. I don't want to be everyone's mother. I want to be their guide, to lead them without spoiling them." She glared up at the Synthesan, who returned the glare. "Do you hear me, Aoba-senpai?!" she exclaimed. "Do you want to know what I really think?! What I really feel about the school, the students, and everything?!

"I…I HATE IT! Every day, everyone flocks to me like I'm some goddess! They expect me to solve each and every one of their problems like a savior! That's not why I became the student-body president. I didn't want to be their pillar to lean on, but to lead them on the proper road to their futures! But I was afraid of their expectations that I wouldn't be able to meet, so I catered to each and every one of you. No, from now on, I'm done! I'm going to be the student-body president that people can learn from, not want from!" In her chest, a faint blue light began to glow. As she spoke, it grew brighter and brighter, slowly engulfing her. "Even if my father may think differently, even if the faculty may think differently, I won't change myself for anyone else! I'll be true to myself and my beliefs!" Iruka placed her hand onto her chest once more, taking a breath. "That…is my honest truth!"

At the declaration of these words, the light surrounded her and shot out. Slowly, a ring with a heart-shaped sapphire began to descend in front of her. "This is…the same as Suzumiya-san's!"

"Iruka…I can't believe it!"

"Wan!"

Rubee looked down at Opero. "What-tsuu? That's the Gem of Light you sniffed out earlier-tsuu?!" Taking one last look at Iruka, a big grin formed on the bumblebee's lips. "Iruka! You're one of the Legendary Warriors, a Pretty Cure-tsuu!"

"A…Pretty Cure? Is that what you call it?"

"I know, it's a pretty lame name. But that means we can fight together!"

Hearing that she'd be along Diamond's side, Iruka looked down at the ring. She closed her eyes and placed the ring onto her left middle finger. A bright light shone from it, releasing her own Heart Flasher. "I really am…"

"Iruka-tsuu! Invoke the power of the Gem of Light and yell, 'Pretty Cure! Light on!'-tsuu!"

"Do…I really have to?" A hint of pink formed on Iruka's cheeks. "Well…you know more about this than I do, so…"

Then Diamond leaned on Iruka's back. "Oh, and you have to make it flashy!"

"What?!" The blush became more prominent. "Mou…fine! Fine! It just has to be flashy, right?!" She looked at Jinsuke again and took a deep breath. As she closed her eyes, the world around her became dark. "It's show time!" As she said this, she tossed the Heart Flasher into the air with her left hand. "Pretty Cure! Light…ON!" With a snap of her fingers, the Heart Flasher exploded and illuminated her world. The blue light from the flasher bathed over Iruka's body, starting with her torso. The light formed a small white dress that frilled over her thighs. Along the hem were blue trimmings with a turquoise center in the middle. The dress formed around her shoulders than over, making something like sleeves. The light then formed over the dress and created a long light-blue sleeveless coat with dark blue trimmings and matching arm sleeves, also having a turquoise circle over the back of the hand with white frills under. The light bathed her legs to form turquoise boots over dark blue leggings, and a turquoise ribbon "washed" itself over her chest. After her choker and earrings were formed, the light bathed over her hair. It grew long as it did a year when she was Kurisu's classmate, but a white ribbon tied itself into a thin ponytail. She finally opened her green eyes to reveal its change to a light blue, and the transformation was complete.

Like she stood over the edge of the cliff, Iruka held her hand out to the setting sun. "Like the vast ocean that sparkles towards the horizon…" Then she spun gracefully until she came to a fullstop, her left leg brought up to the thigh and stomped down into a full stance, her hands brought out to the side like a majestic figure. "Cure Ocean!"

Iruka stood in her new uniform, trying to take in the most important event that just happened to her; she had just transformed into a legendary warrior through some sort of magic. And yet, she felt…refreshed and renewed, as if all her worries had gone away. She was the same as Kurisu now. After taking in her new identity, she looked up to find that the Synthesan had already appeared before the two of them. "Woah!" she exclaimed. She meant to jump out of the way, but she found herself high above the main building's walkway to the west building. Diamond was also with her. "I-I'm flying! I'm seriously flying!"

"I know, isn't it the greatest feeling ever?!" As she and Iruka landed on the top of the walkway, they looked down at the Synthesan and Madame Moiss. "This is the power we've been given. The power we can use to protect everyone in this school and everyone we care about!"

"To protect everyone…" After repeating Diamond's words, Iruka took in a deep breath. The people she wanted to guide, their lives were now in her hands. "Let's get them, Suzumiya-san."

Then Diamond placed her finger in front of Iruka's face. "Oop, oop. One thing. When I'm like this, you don't call me 'Suzumiya-san.' From here on, we're partners, so call me 'Cure Diamond.' Alright, 'Cure Ocean'?"

After her new identity was acknowledged, Ocean smiled and looked down at their targets. "Right. Let's go, Diamond!"

"Tch…Zir-Q was right, I guess." Madame Moiss clenched her teeth and stepped back a bit. "Who knew that brat also had a Gem of Light. But I'm not going to be stupid like Zir-Q. Synthesan, finish the rest!...Not that I'll expect you to last." As quickly as her sharp tongue went, she disappeared into the air. The Synthesan jumped into the air after the two Pretty Cures.

"Cover me!" Diamond yelled as she jumped down. But she was surprised to see Ocean ahead of her.

"Don't make brash decisions, Diamond!" she warned and successfully blocked a slash from the Synthesan. "I can read his moves before he makes them, like knowing how a child will react!" With a swift kick, she sent the Synthesan flying down into one of Opero's dug holes as Ocean and Diamond landed in front of Rubee and Opero. "Rubee-san and Opero-san, right? Get to safety, you two!"

"Right-tsuu! Let's go-tsuu!" Rubee helped Opero up as the two quickly escaped, leaving Diamond and Ocean to fend for themselves.

"Wow, you seem to have gotten a grasp for things, Ocean," remarked Diamond.

Ocean prepared her ready stance, standing up straight with her right arm out. "I seem to be moving faster than usual. I think I can match his speed. Attack when the time is right!"

"You're the boss, Pres!" The two were now on the attack. Ocean moved in swiftly and pulled a right straight quicker than how the Synthesan could react. While it was distracted, Diamond got to its back. "This is for striking me from behind, asshole!" she roared and pulled her own powerful right straight, sending the Synthesan flying into the soccer field. Ocean and Diamond jumped over the gates after it.

"No…I'm…supposed to be the President!" Jinsuke was becoming unstable inside the Synthesan's body. The Synthesan glowed a malicious aura as it charged Ocean once more.

"Ocean!" Rubee called out. "Harness the power of the Sapphire of Light and let it explode-tsuu!"

"You say the corniest things, you know that?" As she placed her right hand over the left, Ocean took in another calm breath. "Let it explode…" Like pulling a sword from its scabbard, Ocean's right hand pulled out a stream of water that hardened into an ice blade shaped like a rapier. She looked down and smirked. "This is…my kind of weapon!" she said and took a fencing stance. As the Synthesan grew closer, Ocean waited for the right moment. Her eyes flashed as she took a step forward and stabbed into the crystalline being's left shoulder, knocking it off balance.

"Woah!" Diamond whistled as she watched the Synthesan roll to the ground. "Go get 'em!"

Ocean moved in once more, stabbing into the crystal body more and more. The cracks became more prominent, some even connecting to each other. The Synthesan stumbled back, feeling sluggish and slowing. "Aoba-senpai…cool off a bit!" She then pulled her ice rapier back as the Sapphire Heart Ring began to glow. "GiraGira…Spread!" With a final thrust, her ice rapier broke into a burst of water streams, each of them stabbing into the crystalline body of the Synthesan.

"That's…not fair, I can't do that…" Diamond whined.

"That's because you haven't harnessed the power of your Diamond of Light-tsuu," Rubee sighed. "Ocean! Channel the power of the Pretty Cure through your Gem of Light and purify him-tsuu!"

Ocean noticed that her hands were now glowing. She then clasped them together. "I understand!" She then looked up at the Synthesan Jinsuke. "I'll polish that which has dulled your heart!" The light grew stronger as she pulled her clasped hands upwards into the air. "Illuminate! Sapphire of Light!" The hands let go of each other, now outwards, as she took a step forward into a front stance. "Petty Cure…Ocean…Wave!" She pulled her hands forward, and from her palms release a blue beam covered in water. The beam engulfed the Synthesan, and the torrent of the water tore apart its moissanite shell. Ocean then stood up straight and turned her back to the Synthesan. "Polification…" with a snap of her fingers, she finished, "…complete!" The Synthesan's body shattered into shards that melted and faded into the water, and Jinsuke slowly floated to the ground.

The sun set, and Diamond ran to Ocean, patting her on the back. "Good job, newbie!" she joked. Ocean's cheeks turned pink a little, and she nodded.

Jinsuke's eyes slowly opened, and he quickly shot from the ground. "Where am I?!" he exclaimed, only to groan and place his hand on his head. He looked around to find himself in front of the school. "How'd I…get here…"

"You fell and hit your head when you tripped on one of these holes," Iruka explained behind him. Kurisu was also with her.

"P-President Tennouji!" he gasped. "What are you still doing here at this late hour?!"

"Your father called mine. He said you hadn't come home, so I came here and found you knocked out on the ground. Security had already locked up for the night, so I had to get someone to unlock it for me."

"…And why is SHE with you?" Jinsuke was obviously referring to Kurisu, who stuck her tongue out at him.

"SHE'S the one I had to contact." Iruka let out a sigh and smiled. "But it's getting late. Your father is worried about you, so you should head home now."

"…President…I just…" Jinsuke was at a loss for words. He then took in a deep breath and said, "I wanted to…apologize for my recent behavior. I…wanted to succeed in my goals so badly that I would have done anything to do it. To be a lawyer…is not to judge with a lack of evidence. I've proved myself less than worthy of being the Student Council Vice-President, and I would like to-"

"Return tomorrow, Aoba-senpai," Iruka interrupted. "We all make mistakes, and…I've been making one for a long time. We'll have a meeting again after school tomorrow, so I expect nothing less than my Vice-President's attendance."

Feeling that he had been given a second chance, Jinsuke lifted his glasses and smiled. "Th-Thanks you, President! I-I'll see you tomorrow, so get home safely, you two!" With a quick bow, he grabbed his bag and ran out the gates.

"Make mistakes, huh?" Kurisu smirked a little.

"I wasn't lying when I said that," replied Iruka. "I…didn't trust myself to handle the position of Student Council President well, but that was because I didn't trust myself as a person to live up to everyone's expectations. I've realized that I shouldn't let everyone's expectations judge who I am, but that I should let everyone learn and proceed in life on their own." She turned to Kurisu and held out her hand with a smile. "Help me, Suzumiya…I mean…Ku…Ku…"

"Don't rush it," Kurisu grinned and shook Iruka's hand playfully, with Rubee standing behind her and Opero next to Iruka. "We got a lot of time to work that part out. Until then, I hope to work with you more, Iruka."

"There you go again with the first-name basis…"

The next morning, Kurisu trudged up the hill with Mariko, Seina, and Yuki ahead of her. "Rough night?" Mariko asked.

"Tell me about it," Kurisu replied, tired from her Pretty Cure activities.

"You should sleep earlier, Kurisu-kun," Seina teased. "Or you'll never be ready for the sports clubs next week!"

"Oh, I am SO not messing that up!" With renewed energy, Kurisu tried to run up after her friends, but her lack of energy nearly caused her to fall back. It was then she felt someone push her up. She turned, and her eyes widened in surprise. "It's you!"

"You should listen to your friends more, Kurisu," Iruka sighed, now walking next to the blonde. What she said left Kurisu, Mariko, and Seina, save Yuki, speechless. This set of eyes staring at her made Iruka blush. "…Wh-what?"

"So you finally got over the first-name basis thing?" Kurisu laughed and swung her arm around Iruka's shoulders, pulling her closer. "We're off to a good start, Iruka!"

Iruka simply smiled. "Indeed."

Seina tried to find the words to say something. Then she opened her mouth. "Didn't…didn't we say that Kurisu-kun and Tennouji-san wouldn't get along well?"

Mariko simply looked on and smiled at the sight. Kurisu and Iruka were smiling brightly, like old friends renewed. "Nah, that was crazy talk. Those two fit each other perfectly."