FINALLY. FINALLY. FINALLY.
Again, sorry, I wanted to put a bit of a warning here again. I guess it could count as self-harm/suicide attempt(?) but the circumstances are a bit iffy and it's of magical nature so... hmm...! It's very brief, and not entirely shown, but I at least wanted to warn you guys in case stuff related to that makes you uncomfortable!
I just hope it doesn't make it seem overly "grimdark" or "dark for the sake of being dark", that's the last thing I want... ;;;v;;;
Anyway, any kind of feedback, thoughts, or critique (positive, or negative) are always welcome. I'd love to hear what people think, and I'm really glad you all have stuck with my story this far! So thanks a lot! TvT
Thanks again to my lovely friends who helped me beta! Like Nexus, Snow, and Dia!
Ray suddenly let out a weak yelp as they let themself fall off the couch and onto their knees on the floor. "My fault... my fault... this... this... this is my... fault...!" They pulled on their hair and shook their head as they continued sobbing. "... I'm sorry! Bright... oh... no, no, no..."
"Ray! Ray!" Hanan kneeled down beside them, holding their hands and forcing them down. "Stop... please. It's okay! We're not mad, and we will fix this." She spoke softly but firmly. "I promise we'll get Bright back."
Ray got themself out of Hanan's grip, pleading weakly before their breathing became faster and faster. Their eyes looked like they could pop out any moment.
"Why am I still here...? Who is keeping me alive...? Because... because Bright is gone..." They squeezed their eyes shut in an attempt to keep the tears back. "I do not want to be here anymore... I want to leave... let me... let me go...!"
"I believe in you, Ray." Beryl's clear yet serious voice got them to look up. "And, maybe, you haven't realised yet that you've accepted that." She gave them a genuine smile. "You're my friend... please let me be yours."
The blond looked like they were about to burst into tears again. They sniffed and looked at Hanan, who gave them a nod.
"I do too. You're very strong, Ray." She said. "Stronger than you give yourself credit for. I can't begin to imagine how hard that all must have been... let alone tell us." Her entire body started shaking "I was... horrible. I promise to never become like Ignis ever again. I won't let that happen."
"... I know." Ray folded their arms around themself. "You four... are different. I am still... the same nobody who is never going to belong anywhere."
Morgan placed her hands in her pockets. "I'm glad you finally realised we are not the Titans. Took you long enough." She groaned, looking away. "If only you had said something, then maybe this all wouldn't have happened."
"Seriously, what is your problem?" Hanan stood up, walking up to Morgan, who was still with her back to her. "Ray just opened their heart and soul to us. Can't you be a little understanding and... and... not be a bitch?"
Both Beryl and Connie held their breath, expecting Morgan to attack Hanan in rage. Instead, she slumped her shoulders. "... I'm going."
Morgan began to stomp towards the door, but Beryl stopped her, grabbing her arm and pulling her back.
"Why!?" Beryl asked. "We have to do something! What about Bri-!?"
"What can we do!?" Morgan pushed Beryl off of her and kept her back turned to the redhead. "We don't even know where that little shit -I mean, Ray's ex-boyfriend- is. There is literally nothing we can do right now!"
She heard Ray sob even louder.
"I just want to be alone now." Morgan pulled her hoodie over her head, determined to not show her tears to the others as she went out of the door.
Beryl put a hand out but Morgan was already gone. She caressed her still cracked necklace, in an attempt to calm her nerves. "Aurora, Heather... what shall we do?" She whispered to herself, as if the necklace would have the answer.
As Connie handed Ray another tissue, Hanan leaned in to whisper in Beryl's ear. "... Morgan is right." She tried to speak quiet enough so Ray wouldn't hear her. "The only thing we can do is wait."
Sadly, Beryl nodded. "I know..."
"Hey, Ray... why don't you come stay over at my house until we figure something out?" Hanan turned to Ray. "I don't want you to spend the night alone here."
"... No... I cannot... I..."
Hanan held up her hands. "It's fine, really! I have a mattress since Eclair stays over all the time." She reassured them with a simple shrug. Ray reluctantly nodded at her request and she walked up to them. "Let's get your stuff then."
Episode 20: Ray of Hope
The second she stepped into her home, Hanan found herself caught in a tight hug by her mother. Ray stood quietly on the side.
"Hanan, I was really worried!" Farah pinched her daughter's cheek, drawing a wince from the brunette. "You could have at least picked up your phone!"
"Sorry, mom." Hanan offered a guilty smile, before averting her gaze to Ray. "We were... kinda busy..."
Farah turned her attention to Ray, who was startled by her voice. "Honey, are you okay?" For a moment it seemed Farah wanted to embrace them too but Hanan stopped her.
"Ray can stay here for a while, right?" Hanan asked, rubbing her arm. "There's some... trouble at home."
Farah raised an eyebrow, not really convinced but she kept her lips tightly pressed against each other, not wanting to pry the answer out of the uncomfortable-looking Hanan.
Ray stayed silent throughout dinner. They watched Hanan chat happily with her parents and brothers as they all ate their food. They could feel the cosiness, but felt like it was far away.
They weren't supposed to be here.
They didn't belong. They didn't belong anywhere.
"Sweetie, are you sure you're fine?" Farah's voice was so gentle and her smile was so soothing. Hanan's mother seemed really nice. "Don't you like the food? I can cook up something else if you want."
Ray shook their head. "I am... a little tired. I apologise for my rudeness." They fumbled with their hands, rubbing their right one again. "Your food seems delicious... but my appetite is not-"
"I understand, dear. It's okay." Farah's smile was almost an exact mimic of Hanan's. That smile full of compassion. A trait Ignis had lacked.
... A trait Mother had lacked.
It seemed like Hanan had been partly right.
A bath had been what they needed.
It allowed them to refresh themself and wash away their worries. Although, accidentally mistaking a piece of soap for candy had left a less than desirable taste in their mouth.
When they were done, Hanan had given them a set of clean pajamas. It was slightly too big for them, but made from a very nice texture nonetheless.
They stepped into Hanan's room, which was illuminated by a handful of candles and the tv screen. Hanan was also dressed in her pajamas, brown hair pulled back into a messy bun as she sat on her bed and held something in her hand. She seemed completely engrossed in the game she was playing.
"What... are you doing?" Ray asked timidly. Hanan didn't reply, not even taking her eyes off the screen. Ray rubbed their arms as they watched the tv screen. Two massive, and scary-looking, creatures were pitched against each other and slashing and kicking aggressively while Hanan tapped the buttons on her controllers with the same force.
"... Hanan?" No reply. "Hanan!?"
Suddenly the screen flashed as one of the beasts turned into ashes and the words "Game Over!" appeared on the screen. Hanan let out a frustrated cry of fury as she almost threw the controller at the screen. "You stupid bug! I'll get you next time!"
In the distance, Radiant Lumiere saw a volcano explode.
"You stupid bug!"
"Ignis..."
Surprised, Hanan snapped her head around. "... Oh, Ray...! You're... back. How was the bath?" She added an awkward, nervous laugh once she saw Ray's horrified expression.
"You have not changed..." Ray breathed, taking a step back in fear. "Ignis... you are still the same... the same, cruel-"
"No!" Hanan's mood turned from tense to panicked in less than a second. "I was... just... a little too into my game, okay?" Another laugh, much shakier this time.
Suddenly, the flames from candles in the room grew. "Don't look at me like that!" Her eyes widened at seeing the fear on Ray's face. "Ignis has no hold over me anymore!"
Hanan's eye started to hurt. She pressed her hand over it and held back her tears. Today had been too much, but... she didn't want to show Ray that she also was a mess at the moment. She wanted to reassure them. She wanted to be someone they could depend on.
But seeing Ignis had opened so many wounds she didn't know she had. And, not to mention, seeing Ignis kill Ray's mother, and also seeing her die... it had hurt.
"I swear... Ray... I swear, I would never hurt you." It was too late, she showed weakness. "Please, don't look at me like that... I'm not a monster... I'm not..."
Ray was frozen in place as they watched Hanan sob and clutch the side of her face. Such a little, insignificant comment had made the tower fall over. They shouldn't have said that, but, for a moment, they had seen Ignis in Hanan's place. They had heard her laughter. That loud, frightening laughter. The laughter that had echoed through the air of Primo as they had seen their mother turn into ashes...
"Hanan..." They started. "I take back my words. I believe... you have changed." Slowly, they came closer to the sobbing Hanan. She was still holding her face, seemingly in pain. "Keep fighting against Ignis. I believe Hanan is stronger than her."
Weakly, Hanan looked up at them. "... God, I'm sorry. I didn't... mean to so suddenly break down..." She rubbed her tears away, having seemingly calmed down after her little outburst. "Today was... just... really hard on all of us."
Ray helped Hanan lay down on the mattress. She allowed Ray to sleep in her bed while she took said the mattress.
Slowly, they started to feel restless, and consciousness was slipping away from them. Maybe all that happened today was taking a toll on them?
Ray placed a hand on their chest. Now that they stopped for a moment to think about it, they hadn't been aware that the Eternal Lantern was able to project memories like that. There were so many things they didn't even know about the mysterious artifact.
If only... it would let them transform...
And then there was Bright.
Just thinking about him made them ready to burst into tears again.
He was just a knight, and, now, he couldn't even call himself a knight anymore. He was just a normal, insignificant civilian. He was someone their mother wouldn't deem worthy of even a glance.
But why...? Why did it hurt so much to have him torn away from them?
He cooked for them, looked after them, bought them stuff, gave them encouraging words... essentially... anything their mother did and even more.
He made them feel safe.
Like a parent...
Like... a father?
There was too much too think about. Too many thoughts plagued their mind, warping together like a storm. The more they tried to think, the more restless they felt.
The train of thoughts came to a halt as they fell into a dreamless sleep.
Shade wondered if he was going insane.
Whispers... they were engulfing his mind. He couldn't make out what the voice was saying. It did sound like it was repeating the same couple of words over and over, but it was too warped to understand.
"Shut up!" He curled himself into a ball as he sat on the throne that once had housed his father.
His dark eyes wandered to his shadow in the corner of the room. It still had its altered form as it was going around in circles, shuddering.
It looked like it was in pain. Was the person inside it in pain too?
"So... you are that guy that wet candle is always with? Can you hear me?" Shade asked, making the shadow come to a halt and turn its attention to him. "If I could have gotten them instead... then..." He trailed off and looked at his left hand. "Disgusting light."
The shadow suddenly spread out its 'feathers' as a distorted scream rang through the room. Without warning, it charged for Shade as its feathers sharpened and pointed at his small form. It came to a halt right in front of him, as if something held it back.
"Why... do you insist on struggling against the darkness?" Shade looked slightly shaken. "Let it consume you, and bring you peace."
The shadow lowered its feathers before backing off and raising its constantly shifting hands to its supposed face.
Shade hugged himself, gritting his teeth. "Your despair only... brings me suffering."
All lights in Connie's room were on as she sat on her bed, sketchbook on her lap. Her stare was focused on a particular drawing. The twilight sky with a monochrome figure in the center.
The figure that made her feel uneasy just looking at it. The figure that she had feared in her dreams.
It had been Ray all along.
Connie wasn't sure how to feel about everything she had heard today. Ray had been right. She didn't understand why they had felt that way... but she still felt bad.
She felt even worse for being one of those who destroyed everything just to make sure Ray couldn't keep the only spectre of happiness they had found.
And... yet... Aeris had been begging, crying, and apologising with this... understanding tone. When Connie had watched that scene play out, she had felt the sorrow that Aeris went through, if only for a moment.
Going through her sketchbook, there actually were multiple drawings of the monochrome figure. Her memories must have been fuzzy... in some drawings the figure's wings were much, much bigger than Ray's had been, and some lacked the dark marks.
Fear creeped back in.
She flipped the page with a shaky hand, stopping on a page with one of her attempts to draw Bronze. She continued flipping. There was Hail, then Smoky, then Elegy, even a single attempt at drawing Shade. Groaning, she tore that particular one out of her sketchbook and threw it in the trash can.
Fear turned into anger.
She hated him. She hated him.
Of course, of course... she found herself crying again. As usual... she could never... think about what happened without bursting into tears. Every time she did, she felt a weird sensation in her back.
Feeling a headache approaching, Connie put her sketchbook away and buried herself under her blanket. Sleep came surprisingly quick and peacefully.
Clutching her Chocowan plushy close, Morgan cried silently.
Why? She couldn't exactly pin her finger on the reason why she had been constantly crying since Ray had told them their story.
She was angry, but a certain sadness still managed to pierce through.
Morgan hated it.
She just felt miserable, and the tears just kept going and going.
A couple of knocks on the door made her even more irritated. She curled herself in her blanket, still holding the Chocowan close.
"Morgan?" She heard her mother's voice call from the other side of the door. "Can you help me with the dogs? Your dad is still at work, again." A heavy sigh. "It is time for their bath and I still need to go through the routine before this weekend. Bella is doing agility again this year and she's very excited. Yes, aren't you, honeyponey?" Her mom cooed to said dog presumably right next to her. "Yes, yes!"
No reply. Morgan couldn't get herself to speak up. Her head hurt.
"Morgan?" Her mother tried again. "Is everything all right?"
"I'm fine, mom."
The door opened, making the light from the hallway escape into Morgan's big, dark room. A handful of small, partly hairless dogs instantly ran inside, followed by her mother approaching her bed.
"Ugh, leave me alone!" Morgan hid herself under her blankets, not intending to have her mom see her crying.
She just wanted to drown in her blankets and sleep. Was that too much to ask for?
"Morgan, please." Her mother started, frowning. "Is... being a Pretty Cure taking a toll on you? Maybe you need a brea-?"
"No. I'm fine, mom..." Morgan groaned. Again, these invading questions that she hated so much. "My Pretty Cure thing is none of your business."
One of the dogs jumped on her bed, running around and letting out high-pitched barks. Morgan groaned underneath her blanket.
"You know... I don't really agree with you being a... Pretty Cure. I've heard... alarming stories about other Pretty Cure teams." Her mother's voice was uneasy. "But you seem to be happier..."
Happier?
"I feel... miserable." Morgan admitted, wiping the tears away. More instantly came in its place. "I don't even know why..." She cringed internally. She had promised herself long ago she was done crying. They weren't worth the tears.
A long silence fell.
"I will go now. Please, take it easy. You can call me if you need anything, okay?" Her mom finally said. Morgan peeked from under her blanket and noticed how sad her mom looked. "Get some actual sleep. I'm sure it'll do wonders."
Morgan didn't reply as she slowly heard her mom walk out and the door close behind her.
Beryl woke up to the sweet aroma of eggs and bacon. Delicious!
She jumped out of the bed she had spent the night tossing and turning in, and leaped down the stairs.
"Good morning, Uncle Dale!" She greeted the older man, who was standing in the kitchen and responsible for making the food which fragrance was caressing her nostrils. "You're up even earlier than I am!"
Dale turned to her, a worried expression lingered on his face. "Beryl..." He started. "Please. I know you're just pretending to feel better after yesterday. You always stay over if you're troubled..."
"I know..." Beryl's smile dropped immediately, making way for a guilty look. He was right. She was trying to act better than she felt, and normally she was quite good at that but... yesterday had just been so rough. From losing Bright, to Ray's story, to seeing her other self, and seeing her other self die a pretty gruesome death.
She would be lying if she said that she wasn't disturbed by the image of Terre being sliced open from the inside.
"But I know what will cheer you up." Dale suddenly said with a grin as he went out of the room. After a minute he came back with a very big box, which he had some trouble carrying. The box was blue in color and had flowers on it.
Beryl gasped. "Aurora and Heather's box! It's here!" Hopping down in excitement, she prioritized the box she got from her friends over the food in front of her. Every other month or so, they would sent her a box. Some kind of care package, filled with clothes, jewels, pictures, and a lot of snacks (the food Heather's dad made was godsent!). Also, there was always a letter, of course.
She didn't even get the chance to open it as Dale called her. His serious tone instantly made her worried as she put the letter back and went to his side in the kitchen. He was staring at a small tv.
Beryl's heart skipped a beat when she saw Shade on the screen. He was in the square, standing on top of a fountain. His shadow, which still partly resembled Bright, hovered behind him.
"... I have to... go!" She said, folding her fingers around her necklace. "Maybe we can end this right now." Her fingers went to her Earthbound Charm as she held it out.
"Primal Spirit Unleash! Pretty Cure Evolution!"
"The heart that burns with the warm flames, Cure Ember!"
Ray watched nervously how Hanan was engulfed into flames and leaped out as the red Cure. As the flames dissolved, she exhaled some smoke.
The blond couldn't move as a chill went down their spine. Ember was surrounded in some sort of fiery glow. She turned to Ray, who flinched, and gave them a soft, warm smile.
"Don't worry, Ray. I promise you... we'll get Bright back."
Having transformed in front of the house, Ember was cheered on by her family.
"Good luck, sweetheart!" Hanan's father gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Remember, there are dishes for you waiting when you get back!"
Ember grimaced, followed by a brief grin. "Yeah, yeah." She said. "Kinda have some stuff to do first, like saving the world? Be right back!"
"Hanan..." Ray saw it. She was faking it.
Then, Ember turned around, ready to run to the square where the tv had displayed Shade being. Her expression was fierce and her resolve remained unshaken.
"They want a monster?" She straightened her back. "They're getting one."
She darted off, leaping in the air and going from roof to roof.
Rubbing their right hand, Ray stared at the flash of red until she disappeared out of sight. They hesitated, and, after a deep breath, ran in the direction the Cure had gone, ignoring the cries of Hanan's mother.
They didn't need a compass or a map.
That feeling would lead them where they needed to go.
As usual, Gale was the first to arrive. Her flight definitely made her fast but fear made her come to a sudden halt as she saw Shade standing on top of a fountain, shadow hovering behind him.
"Whoah, Aeris, you're really eager. You just keep crawling back to me, don't you?" He sneered at her, taking in her fright. "No worries. I won't break my promise."
Gale definitely wasn't the spiteful type. She was always willing to give people another chance, yet with Shade... she just couldn't. She had seen there was another side to him, or at least there used to be... but she just couldn't... forgive him.
How could Ray have ever...?
"Let Bright go! Bring him back!" Gale demanded, determined to not show any fear. She knew that was an impossible feat but... damn it, she was not going to give into her fear. She was not going down without a fight. "This has to stop! You have to stop!" Winds blew and twisted in all directions, sending Shade off-balance as he crashed against a statue.
"Whatever is it... that you... did to Bright, to Bronze and the others..." She flew closer to the fallen boy, as the shadow let itself fall over him, as if to protect its master. "Undo it!" Both Shade and the shadow were flown in the air by a gust of wind, and crashed to the ground. "All my friends you've hurt! Let them go! All of them!"
"Oh... heh, you're friends now?" Shade was still grinning, even from the rough fall. "They don't seem to think so."
She didn't want to openly admit it but... those words did hurt.
Then, a flash of blue went by. The shadow shuddered and threw itself on the floor just as a foot found its way into Shade's face. "You nasty!" Splash landed right next to the shadow, which grabbed her by the hair.
"Undaaaaa~! Great to sea you here too!" Shade laughed as he spun around and returned a kick against Splash's behind, sending her flying. "Soooooorry! You have to wait for your corruption! Aeris asked first."
Gale caught Splash before she could painfully crash against another statue. "Splash... are you okay?"
"Two can play at that game, Shade!" In the distance stood Cure Terra with a grin. She stomped the ground with her foot and spread her arms, making it crack open. Shade fell into the crack before the Cure brought her hands together, trapping the boy in the ground up to his torso. "You're grounded!"
"What is this supposed to mean!?" He tried to push him out of the earth but it wouldn't budge. "How dare you!? Let me out, you rockhead!"
The green Cure stepped forward with a serious expression. "We've got some talking to do." She said, narrowing her eyes. "So listen to us."
"I'm not listening to you, bitch!" Shade yelled back. He snapped his head to his shadow. "Do something! Get me out!" The shadow started shuddering again, eventually forcing itself into the ground as Shade grabbed his head painfully. "Arg... stop... stop fighting!"
"Please, Shade! Hear us out!" Terra tried again. "We know...! We know what happened back then. Ray told us. They told us everything." She grimaced at the memories. A brief flash of Terre's gruesome death flashed through her mind. She grabbed her stomach. "You two were friends... and the other us destroyed your happiness for no good reason. It was wrong!"
Splash coughed. "I don't think that was just friends..."
Shade's eyes widened slightly at Terra's words. He gritted his teeth, face forming into a spiteful scowl.
"I really don't know what you saw in them. They're a little shit... but so are you so maybe that's why." Splash shrugged, cracking her knuckles. "But who cares, let's kick that immortality out of you. I'll keep trying, until you give u-"
"No, no! Splash, no!" Terra shot a glare to the blue Cure, before turning back to Shade. "We want to talk, Shade."
Splash clicked her tongue. "No, we don't."
"Shut up, Splash!" Terra shouted, irritation practically dripping off her face. Gale covered her ears and hid behind Splash, who decided to stay silent. "We can end this right here and right now! We can talk this out! We will talk this out!"
Gale held her heart as she watched Terra slowly approach the trapped Shade. The green Cure's expression was serious, yet calm. It almost seemed to calm the struggling Shade down too. Even Gale felt a bit more at peace being near Terra.
"I don't want people to get hurt anymore." Terra said, determination unshaken. "You and the others... I'm sure... you all don't want that either. I don't think you're a bad person." She gave him a firm smile. "So, please, let us help you. We are not like the other us, not anymore. We're sorry for wha-"
"Stop acting so high and mighty! You know nothing!" Shade spat back. "It's kinda too late for all this, don't you think? So many people died because of you...! And, yet, you think a simple 'sorry' is going to magically make everything okay?" Tears welled up in his eyes. "Your apologies won't bring my dad back...!"
The shadow rose up from the ground a bit further away. Its form swayed in place, before raising its hand and burying its face into it. It looked like it was crying along with its master.
"We can't change what's in the past." Terra continued, still as calm as before. She briefly locked eyes with an anxious Gale and a nervous Splash before returning to Shade. "But if we don't let go of the past now... then nothing will ever chang-!"
She never got to finish as Shade suddenly seemed to explode into flames. The shadow shrieked and disappeared as its master shrivelled inside the flames. In pure fear and shock, Terra stumbled back, falling on her butt and emitting a scream of her own as the flames died out. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see what was left of his body. It would get healed soon enough but... still...
She felt a warmth next to her as Ember approached the scene.
"Ember!?" Terra stood up, raising her hand but not touching her. Her fear held her back. "What...? What are you... doing!? I had it! We could have talked this out! We could have gotten through him! You saw it in Ray's memories... he's not all bad..."
"That doesn't excuse all of this!" Ember snapped, eyes flaring. A vague, red streak became apparent on her left cheek, exactly where Ignis' scar had been. "Connie, Bright... everyone he and the others hurt!"
Terra felt Gale's small hand on her shoulder, and another fold around her own hand. "I just... I just want to stop fighting!" She sobbed as Gale pulled her closer, hoping to console her. "I wish this cycle of hatred would stop..."
"Danger Danger!" Shade yelled behind them. The quartet turned around to see a healed Shade, still stuck, hold out his magical jar. "Blackout!" All the shadows gathered around him, bursting from the ground and twisting around his form.
The ground split open as a transformed Shade leaped out, landing and striking a menacing pose. "Beyond limits, eternal shadows sow! Bow down to me, the heart that embraces boundless darkness, Maximum Shade!" The area darkened significantly, like all the light had been sucked out of it.
"I wasn't told we were having a campfire!" He grinned, rubbing his face from the previous burns. His entire body still felt the lingering sensation, but he shook it off. He had been burned alive many times before. Shade didn't care about that kind of pain anymore. "Next time, let's get some marshmallows and make some of these... uh... s'mores, or whatever."
Ember stepped forward. "Everyone, use your attack. At three! One... tw-"
"That's the worst idea!" Splash kicked her in the side, harder than intended, making her almost fall over. Angry, Ember glared at the shorter Cure. "We can't really afford to lose all our energy at once. Don't be stupid!"
Terra nodded frantically as she was released from Gale's hug. "Yeah! And besides, we're not here to fight. We're here to save. Save Bright, and hopefully... save him." She continued to stare at Shade.
"You just set me on fire! Wouldn't really call that 'saving' me. I mean, so much for wanting to talk..." Shade said simply, rolling his eyes as his shadow manifested behind him. "There really is no reasoning with Ignis ever."
"SHUT UP!" Fire exploded from Ember's form, making the other three Cures jump back. "Ignis is dead! She's not here anymore! Dead! Dead! Dead!" Her eyes burned and her cheek gained some red, vein-like marks. "I'm Cure Ember and I will uphold justice! No matter what I have to do...! You will not get away with what you have done!"
Gale reached out a trembling hand towards her. "Ember..."
Suddenly, the dark area was illuminated with a couple of brilliant lights and a figure appeared in the distance. The shadow started to writhe, and Shade followed its example, both sharing some kind of pain.
"Argh! Stop... resisting!"
The figure slowly came closer. Every step felt heavy. Every step spread just a little more light.
"Shade." Ray opened their eyes. "Can we talk?"
The light they were emitting, he couldn't stand it, yet... he couldn't stop looking. They stared right back at him, as if they were seeing him in a different light, or a different time.
"Darkness Injection!" Shade called out, spreading his arms as his shadow started shifting and surrounded his body, merging with it and forming some dark aura-like armor around him. Black tail feathers spread out behind his back and wing-like appendages appeared on his arms.
"This despair... there is so much..." He breathed, widening his eyes. He felt a huge pang of despair all at once. "Stop fighting!" It seemed like he was straining against some sort invisible force. His soul felt like it was being torn apart before getting reformed again.
Shade raised his head, teeth grinding each other.
"... Bright?" Ray looked horrified. "What did you do to him!? Let him go!"
The area fell into complete darkness, leaving only Ray and Shade. Ray could hear the distant cries of the Cures, getting further and further away.
"You're just going to make demands? Rude." Shade rolled his eyes before his expression changed into a sneer. "What are you willing to do to save someone else? Do you even care about anyone other than yourself? I'm surprised."
"I do... I do care about Bright." Ray replied, clenching their fists tightly. Their glowing eyes were locked with Shade's black eyes. "Because... he is my dad!"
A single word was all that was needed to make Shade seethe in rage. The aura of black still flared around his form. He didn't move, but after a good minute of silence he suddenly leaned back and broke into hysterical laughter.
"You... are so cruel, Ray!" Shade placed his hands over his chest as his aura of tail feathers spread out. "Your... dad is still here. He is right here!" His grin spread even wider. "Wanna leave a message?"
"Bright?" Ray tightly folded their hands over their chest as they inspected the aura surrounding Shade. It did... vaguely resemble him, even without the obvious tail feathers.
Ray took a deep breath. "What do you want, Shade? There is no... reason to do this... it is not worth it..." They stopped briefly before their expression turned serious. "Earth is wonderful. I will not let you destroy it."
Shade scoffed. "I am not going to destroy it! I will engulf into pure, pure, pure delicious darkness! And then...!" He smiled like an overly excited child. "Merge it with the remains of Obscuro and make a new world!" His features softened slightly as he extended his hand. "Come oooooooooon... doesn't that sound amazing?"
No reply.
"No stupid tales of so-called balance, no needless deaths..." Shade continued, hand still extended. His free hand fumbled with his soft hair. "And, if you... want... we can walk the path of twilight again."
Ray's eyes widened in shock. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"Hey! At least I'm giving you a choice." Shade spat bitterly. "Unlike the Titans."
"... The answer is no."
"Fine then." He tilted his head slightly, sneering. Dark, crackling energy surged from his fingertips and Shade held out his hands, clasping them together as a fan made of black peacock feathers manifested. "Ah, wow... " He seemed surprised, but surprise soon turned into excitement. "I'll call this one... Fatal Feathers!"
Flashing a grin, Shade pointed the fan at Ray. It crackled with black energy before one of the feathers shot towards the blond. They ducked out of the way just in time.
"You... are no different from the Titans!" Ray yelled at him.
That did it. Shade finally charged at them, holding out the sharp fan, ready to destroy to embodiment of light in his way.
Ray stopped the fan from reaching their neck, by folding their hands around it. The sharp edges of the feathers cut into their palms. It hurt, but they didn't plan on letting go.
While he remained still, Shade flashed a devious grin. "Playing with weapons is dangerous for little princesses." He felt a huge pang of satisfaction at seeing the blond's eye twitch at the comment.
"You're pathetic! You should have saved Primo! Everyone believed in you! I believed in you!" Shade's frustration grew.
As Ray noticed their fingertips started to turn black, they cried out in horror and let go of the fan, allowing Shade to brush their shoulder. A cut appeared in their shirt and skin. "And whose fault is that!?"
His black eyes inspected Ray painfully try to clutch their wounded arm.
"You are blaming me for Primo's destruction!? How dare you...!?" Ray's eyes remained focused on Shade as neither of them moved. "I asked... I begged you to help me..."
The Eternal Lantern burst from their chest. Carefully they held it in their hands as a few windows manifested, like when Ray had told the Cures their story.
All windows depicted the same image. A partly corrupted Radiant Lumiere hovering in the twilight skies. The distorted wings twisted as she fought against the Titans.
"I was all alone! We could have saved Primo together!" They snapped in pure fury. "You are a coward... you are blaming me but... but... you never turned around to look at yourself."
Their light dimmed slightly as they lowered their head, shoulders shaking.
"Say something..."
Shade kept silent, eyes focused on the windows.
"Say something!" They repeated, desperately trying to prevent their emotions from overflowing. "Try to justify your actions... ask for my help... say something!" The first tears fell. "Talk to me, Shade!"
Shade chuckled bitterly to himself. He touched his chest with his free hand as the windows' images started warping from Radiant Lumiere to him, sitting in a dark abyss on a lone throne.
There was nothing. He felt nothing.
No gentle breeze to feel against his skin.
No flowers with a fresh smell to soothe his nostrils.
No flames to warm his cold hands.
Not even a single drop of water to quench the eternal thirst.
"Hey! Come on! Do something!" He yelled at his shadow, which was a puddle of darkness in front of him. "Stupid..." Slowly a humanoid shape rose out of the puddle, struggling to keep form.
He felt slightly relieved at seeing the shadow form. All his fear, hatred, and agony filling up the being in front of him.
Then it got a more precise form.
"Da... Dad?" He felt his heart stop at seeing his shadow resemble the man who had made him who he was. The man who wasn't there anymore. The man he missed. He knew it wasn't actually him... just an illusion... but it looked like him. "Dad..."
Shade reached out his hand, only for the shadow to fall apart again into a puddle.
"STOP!" Sharp feathers shot from the fan and broke one of the mirrors. Ray felt an intense jolt of pain and sank to one knee while Shade looked down on them. "If... my suspicions are correct... I guess I should thank you." His face morphed into a smirk, but the resentment and anguish still broke through.
"What do... you mean?" Ray asked softly as sympathy was trying its hardest to get a hold on them.
The remaining mirrors showed Shade fighting with his shadow. It was relentless and used its nasty claws to cut the boy apart. Ray wanted to look away from the gruesome sights but they realised something wasn't what it seemed...
"Your cruel shimmer of hope and belief kept me alive, Ray... even when I wanted to die."
The Shade in the past wasn't fighting back. He let the shadow continuously tear him apart, only to rise back up again and repeat the process all over again.
"I tried to die... oh trust me, I tried." The Shade in front of them spat. "But your threads of belief forced me to stay here... I couldn't... die... because you kept believing in me." He clenched his fist "So... so... thank you, for believing in me... thank you for keeping me alive... thank you for keeping me tied down for fifteen years in absolute loneliness. Thank you, Radiant Lumiere."
More feathers shot forward to break the mirrors, Ray winced in pain and fell down again, clutching the Eternal Lantern against their chest.
"You... but... but you... you accepted my belief!" Ray spat back.
Shade leaned forward and used his fan to make them look up, forcing them to focus on him. "But I cut those bonds! I destroyed our diary. I let go of everything I ever felt for you and only left hatred behind." Every word felt like another stab. "The only person's belief I will ever need is my own. Me, by myself, is enough!"
A silence fell. Neither of them moved.
They were back where they started. Despite being so close, they were both still alone.
Suddenly Shade's shadow starting writhing, letting out a painful cry as a single mirror manifested next to them.
The cake looked too good to be true. It was as colorful as Bright's own feathers.
"What a delightful-looking treat!" Ray called out, starry-eyed as they wiped a lock of their long hair out of their face. "It is reminiscent of your feathers! How is that possible?"
Grinning proudly, Bright dusted off his apron. "I've learned a few tricks... online." He admitted as he started cutting the cake and handed a big piece to Ray.
Bright's smile was shimmering with pure excitement and happiness.
"Here you go, bon appetit!"
Shade's hands were tightly grasped into fists. There was a sudden warmth overflowing all the despair. Laughing voices kept on echoing in his mind. It was almost like he was there, eating a piece of that cake and laughing together with a father-figure.
For a second, the scene shifted again and Bright was replaced by another, more familiar man with dark hair pulled back in a low ponytail. The only thing unchanged was the gentleness in the man's smile.
"STOP!" He threw the fan at the window, making it shatter.
Ray winced, gritting their teeth. "Bright... if you can hear me, do not stop fighting."
A quartet of yells was heard and the barrier around the duo was broken. The four Cures appeared at Ray's side.
"Leave at once! This is between him and-!"
Terra shook her head. "Stop pushing us away, Ray! True strength comes from... it comes from our bonds and connection with others!" She called out. "And we will give you that strength, just let us."
Shaking heavily, Shade stood a few feet removed from the five. His hair obscured most of his face as he was breathing irregularly. Each breath took out some of his intense and warped emotions.
"Ha... what would they know about strength? Connections? Bonds? Ha! Don't make me laugh!" He yelled, actually laughing as if he had heard a joke but the raw, raging emotions he was feeling still were evident. "Pathetic, weak, useless, stupid, cowardly wet cand-!"
"Shut your mouth, cockroach!" Cure Ember touched her heart-emblem as a fiery glow surrounded her. She gave a warm smile as the flames around her roared. "Ray may be... a little difficult at times, but they're learning. They've made peace with the past and are continuing to go forward. They have gained more compassion than you can ever hope to get."
Cure Terra made a jump, shaking the ground. "Yeeeees! I believe in Ray's strength! Even after going through so much... their determination is unwavering!" She cheered with a nod. "I'm glad to call them my friend!"
"... It was very brave of them to tell us all that happened, to trust us." Cure Gale folded her fingers together, smiling. "I admire their bravery. True courage can only be found by facing your fears." Her eyes softened. "So don't you dare... don't you dare call them a coward."
Crossing her arms, Splash heaved a sigh. "Sure, they're stupid, really stupid... but mistakes can only make you stronger." She grinned. "So, let them walk their own path, free of boundaries."
Ray wasn't sure why they were glowing with an intense light. The tears didn't come from sadness this time. This feeling was different, happier...
"That emptiness I feel... I know it will never be filled... but with you four at my side I feel less alone." They admitted, slowly rising up. The Eternal Lantern radiated with a soft and tender light. "You are my hope, and as long as you are here... I will be too. I will become the hope that supports you, just as you support me!" A sob. "... You are my friends!"
Smiling, the four Cures spoke in perfect unison. "We believe in you, Ray."
A rune of sorts appeared underneath Ray, forming into a circular glass mural. A soft glow of energy surrounded the blond. "Your greatest enemy is always yourself. I was scared... but I am not anymore." Their expression turned fierce. "I will not be outshined by you, Shade!"
The mural broke, shattered pieces of the mural and causing an explosion of iridescent light to spread out, knocking everyone else back.
"Light Up!"
Ray appeared in an all white background with their lantern pouring an almost blinding light as it rested in their hands. They then shoved the lantern into their chest and rainbows began to pour from their chest, creating an almost egg-shaped casing for them. The egg then cracked and exploded, and there was Ray, body glowing in an iridescent light. They were wearing a black turtleneck tank top, black ankle length legging with a white heart embroidery on the bottoms of the legs. Their hair had become longer and fluffy, reaching their thighs and seemed to have become luminous. They lifted their right leg up and made a circle motion then as they brought their leg down, spinning rapidly on one foot. As they did, rainbow ribbons sprouted from their chest and, as Ray stopped and placed their foot down, all the rainbows enclosed on them and their new outfit appeared. A white off shoulder long sleeve dress that reached their mid thighs with rainbow trolls at the ends of their sleeves. The bottom of the dress had a slit on the side that unveiled a rainbow petticoat under it. They wore white Mary Janes with straps that connected them to the leggins. Ray lifted their index and middle finger to their lips and light gathered on them. They placed said light in the middle of their chest, and a pink heart brooch appeared, and finally a gold circlet with a pink heart gem in the center.
They felt it. They felt everyone's belief. It soothed them as they slowly landed with their feet on the ground, their mere form rotting some darkness in the area away.
"Haha!" They let out triumphant laugh before blinking in confusion. "Wait... what happened to me? I am not corrupted?" They looked at their hands. "No darkness?" Pure light formed their being, though, deep down, that nagging loneliness remained. It would never be filled, but they had made peace with that fact.
Taking a deep breath, they spread out their arms and opened their eyes. "... I am the light of hope that bears a pure heart, vanquishes the darkness and shines as a ray of guidance. Against all odds, my light will bring forth a miracle." The light glowed even brighter. "Blessing the world in a veil of eternal light, I am endless, unlimited, everlasting, unstoppable, and eternal. I am Radiant Lumiere!"
Ember squinted her eyes, holding up a hand to shield them from Ray, or Radiant Lumiere's intense light. "Do you really need to be that bright...?" She murmured to herself.
"Wait... isn't that just your name...?" Splash cocked her head.
"Ray! Raaayy!" Terra's smile grew as she ran up to Lumiere, arms wide and ready for a hug. "You did it! You di-!"
Lumiere shrieked and raised a hand, making a circular shield of chromatic light appear. It shot forward, hitting Terra in the face and pushing her back.
"I apologise. I would rather not be touched..." The blond spoke awkwardly, nervously lowering their hand as the shield vanished.
Effortlessly, Terra got back up, rubbing the back of her head. "Hehe, sorry."
"Ray, you did it. I'm so happy for you... " Gale added softly.
"Hey! I was first with a cool super form!" Shade finally managed to get over his shock, he still shook slightly as his 'armor' continued shuddering. "Don't just steal my ideas, wet candle!"
With a yell, Shade pointed his fan forward, shooting out a barrage of black feathers, all aiming at the five.
Lumiere raised their hands and created numerous shields, like the one they had summoned before. Almost all feathers were caught by a shield, making both fade away on impact.
"I was first, back then... but I have had enough of this!" They cried, clenching their fists. "You let Bright go right now! I demand that you let my dad go! Or else I will-!"
They were interrupted when Shade let out a cry of raw pain. The shadow's form turned into Bright's and mimicked him, warping its inhuman cries together with Shade's.
Gale sank to her knees, pressing her hands over her tears. "They're... in pain... both of them!" She gasped, starting to sob as Terra rushed to her side. "Bright..."
"... Flicker him." Lumiere choked out, voice raspy. "I want to try something."
"But... Bright? What if...?"
Lumiere closed their eyes and stepped back. "Please. Trust me."
Nodding, Splash tapped the still hesitant Ember on the shoulder. "You go first and I'll follow, okay?" She said calmly. "Let's do this."
"Pretty Cure Scorch Wrap!" A whip of fire wrapped itself around Shade before setting it ablaze. The cries died out as 'armor' broke apart, as did the fan in Shade's hands. The shadow separated from Shade before forming behind him again in its tall, humanoid form. The gigantic tail-feathers were still present.
Splash charged forward, lifting her arms. "Pretty Cure Hydro Flood!" A torrent of water crashed into Shade, who was left open for attacks and engulfed in the magical water.
Before the shadow could break apart due its master's flickering, some colorful chains burst from Lumiere's chest, binding it in place. It struggled like a wild animal, desperately trying to get free. It screamed again, making Gale even more distressed.
"Do it! Like we did last time!" Lumiere called out, glare locked with the shadow. "Hold on, Bright..."
For a second the Cures exchanged some reluctant looks before nodding and grasping each others' hands.
"Bearing a proof of miracles..." Lumiere started the incantation, making a crown-like symbol lock onto the shadow's chest.
Runes appeared underneath the Cures. "And everyone's hearts as one!" Four streaks of light fired from their chests. "Pretty Cure Grand Unity!" The lights formed into a heart and shot at the shadow. It screamed and started to convulse, form changing as it was caught in an explosion of pure light.
As the light cleared, Bright's form hovered in the air for a moment before falling down next to Shade, who was still unconscious. As soon as his body hit the ground, he was transformed back into his peacock form.
"Bright!" All five instantly went to his side, but Lumiere arrived first.
Without hesitation or fear, they wrapped their arms around him and pulled him close, as if never intending on letting go again.
"... What is...?" Bright seemed in a bit of a daze as he woke up, and he seemed even more confused as he found himself in a tight grip in Lumiere's arms. "R-Ray?"
They nodded and started sobbing, letting all tears freely flow. "Bright...!"
Shade opened his eyes but couldn't get himself to move as the brief moment of unreachable dread had dispelled from his mind. His vision was slowly returning and he felt a sudden coldness from his chest, realising Bright had been separated from his shadow.
The kindness from that man... that gentle smile in those memories... it was all too familiar, but before he had gotten a chance to try and savor that kindness, it had been torn away from him.
"You bitches..." He breathed once he got back up. Everything was aching. He felt like he was going to flicker again right where he stood. "Why do you... keep... why... why do you keep ruining... my plans!?"
Desperately, he tried to get his shadow to move, but it stayed inside the ground. He stained himself to force it out, but nothing happened. "... Why!?" He didn't even notice he was crying as well, making his eyeliner leak and leaving black lines over his cheeks. "My... plans...!"
"Try something, cockroach! I dare you." Ember glared at him as she and the other Cures had taken protective stances in front of Lumiere and Bright.
Still in Lumiere's embrace, Bright took a quick glance at Shade, who had opened a portal behind him. Bright felt some sort of sympathy for him. He couldn't remember most of what had happened while he had been stuck in the shadow, but he remembered the feelings of despair, hatred, and anguish.
He looked at him and saw Ray, after they had first awoken from their slumber. A child who had lost everything and couldn't properly sort out their feelings, letting that harm them and those around them.
If he hadn't been suffering alone for those fifteen or so years, would he have been different? Would he have learned compassion, determination, courage, and freedom like Ray had?
The darkness disappeared as soon as Shade went through the portal.
"That little..." Ember heaved a nervous sigh. Slowly, she turned around. "But I'm happy Ray can help us now, and that Bright is back..."
"Bright, Bright...! I am so glad you are safe!" Lumiere sobbed, pulling Bright closer again. They looked up to the others, smiling between sobs. "Thank you, everyone... you did it..."
Terra shook her head. "We did it, silly! You helped too!" She corrected, crossing her arms with a proud grin. "So... can I get a hug now?"
Lumiere cringed away from the Cure, pouting. "No..."
Now it was Terra's turn to pout. She lowered her head in defeat, but Gale pulled her into an embrace as some sort of consolation.
"I'm happy you've found a way to unlock your powers again." Bright spoke softly. "I'm so proud of you, Ray."
Lumiere smiled through the tears. "Thank you, dad."
That single word was all it took to get Bright to tear up as well. His eyes widened in disbelief before his wings wrapped around Lumiere's form.
"Let's go home."