Hello Fanfiction readers! Ashbel Longhart back for another exciting chapter of Kuuga and PreCure! Sorry for the wait, but my college works takes priority. But I was able to find some time to make this chapter for you all. Just a couple more chapters until we reach the halfway mark so let's keep this train rolling! Cue disclaimer!
(Disclaimer: I do not own Kamen Rider Kuuga or Futari wa Pretty Cure. They both belong to their respective owners. I just own this story and my OC's.)
Now then, last time, Dai has managed to achieve one of Kuuga's Rising form, the Titan Rising form! Now first off, don't expect the other Rising forms to appear soon. I have plans for the Go Grongi for the second part of this story which, in the case of Futari wa Pretty Cure, is the second half of the season. So at this point, it's gonna be more of PreCure's side of the story, but I intend to cram as much Kuuga as I can. Also, in case you haven't noticed by the title, I skipped another episode as it didn't seem that important to me, but that doesn't mean it won't be mentioned. This, of course, make it easier to get to the half way mark so without further ado, let's get this started! Let's ride! Chou Henshin!
Ride 21: Danger! The Summer Camp Nightmare and The Great Grakenngi Hunt!?
(One Year Ago)
"A camping trip?" Dai repeats what Nagisa just told him. He had just gotten home only to see Nagisa running around. He later found her packing.
"Yeah. The girl nodded, packing away her toothbrush "Summer break is just around the corner, and the lacrosse team is having a summer camping trip. Since we lost this years tournament, we're gonna use this time to sharpen our skills."
"Eh~, that sounds nice." Dai said, smiling as he thought about a camping experience he had with his uncle. A pang of home sickness came over him, but he soon brushed it away.
"Did you ask Akane-san if she could come? You said she used to be captain of the lacrosse team, right? I think having her could help."
"I thought the same and asked her, but she said she couldn't." Nagisa said, packing away and extra pair of socks. She's never told Dai, but after practice, her socks usually stick afterwards, much to her displeasure. So extra socks were needed when she had to change.
"That's too bad. Someone with her experience would have been a big help." Dai said.
"Yeah, but that's not gonna get me down!" Nagisa said, fist pumping as she was determined to make the most out of this camping trip.
"It's gonna be lonely without you here, but you have fun, okay?" Dai said.
"I will." Nagisa said before she went up to Dai and placed a hand on his shoulder. "And don't you worry. I won't be gone for long. I'll be back before you know it."
Dai smiles at the girl's promise. "Well in that case, perhaps I'll make your favorite when you get back."
"Reallly? Awesome!" Nagisa smiled brightly, looking forward to the future.
If only these two know just exactly what the future had in store for them.
(One Year Later)
Out in the training field of the camp, the girls of the lacrosse team were busy with training. To the side, the girls that weren't training currently were voicing their support. Also to the side was Akane, shouting out instructions to the girls on the field.
"Keep an eye on your surroundings girls! Nagisa! Shoot!"
Leaping up into the air, Nagisa swung her lacrosse stick and sent the ball flying towards the net. However, she had miscalculated as the ball struck the side, bouncing off, much to her displeasure.
"Ah! Arienai(I can't believe this)..."
"Nagisa!" Hearing her name, Nagisa turned towards Akane to hear her shout. "That shot was WEAK!"
Nagisa couldn't help, but flinch at that. The woman might as well have shouted right in her face. She was starting to have second thoughts about inviting Akane to help with practices.
"Nagisa, don't mind it." Yumiko, captain of the team, patted her back in reassurance before returning to the game.
"Hey, hurry back! Defense, dash! Come on!"
Nagisa could only sigh as she returned to the game. As she did, her mind wandered back the events so far, slipping into her habit once again even though now wasn't really the best time to be dozing off.
'It's been about half a week since our fight with Kiriya-kun. The tanabata festival had come and passed and now it was summer break.' Nagisa should feel happy that she didn't have to worry about school for a while. Thanks to the help of both Dai and Honoka, she managed to finish all her summer homework before coming here on her clubs summer training camp. Despite the harsh training from Akane, Nagisa should have felt relaxed, but due to prior events, she only felt worried.
'Wisdom.' Nagisa thought of the name Illkubo had spoken. The last Dark General had attacked her and Honoka not too long ago in search of the Prism Stones. She and Honoka fought to the best of their abilities, but Illkubo still proved too much for them. He could have finished them off, but instead, when mentioned that the Prism Stones were hidden and protected by the Stone Guardian, Illkubo surprised everyone by speaking the Stone Guardian's name. With that new knowledge, the Dark General simply left after that. But the fact that he knew the name of the Stone Guardian when even she and the others didn't know just spelled out bad news for them, leaving Nagisa worried about the future.
She asked Dai if he could up their training, but the best he could do was increase the difficulty of their spars. He couldn't teach them anything knew for he, despite knowing many fighting styles, was only an adept. He was no master. Strangely, that bit of info brought relief to Nagisa. Dai was barely older than her and Honoka. If he had actually mastered so many fighting styles, she had to wonder what kind of life the boy had before coming to this world.
Nagisa was soon brought out of her thoughts at the sound of Akane blowing her whistle, signalling for the game to stop. As soon as the game stopped did nearly half the girls on the field collapse, falling down to either their butts or knees. To Nagisa's credit, she was able to remain standing, but was out of breath.
"Geez, who knew Akane-san could be this harsh." Nagisa commented. But when compared to Dai's training, she'd take this over getting bruises.
"Nagisa!" Akane called over to her. "Because you screwed up, it's time for your punishment!"
"Eh?" Confused, Nagisa turned to see Akane on her bike.
"Run back to the camp with me. For the record, we're taking the long way!"
"Uso(No way), just me!?" Nagisa exclaimed as Akane had already taken off.
She was starting to have second thoughts about who's training she now preferred.
(Insert STRIKE BACK by BACK-ON)
(Instrumental) The song starts as the camera rises up to show the legs of Kuuga before we get a sudden screen shot of Cure Black and Cure White before go back to Kuuga. Just as the camera is at the Arcle, we get a sudden shot of Mepple and Mipple before the camera gets to his chest. We then get another sudden shot of The PreCure cards surrounding Gouram before we go back to Kuuga whose back was facing the camera. He then suddenly turns around and punches the screen, cracking it as the title appears.
(Kidou sura kaerarenai kurai no kakuritsu da to shite mo) We now see Nagisa playing lacrosse with her team, catching a ball as Mepple is seen sleeping from Nagisa's bag.
(IPAASENTO demo areba mochiron teikou desho?) We then see Honoka with the members of the science club, doing an experiment that ended in an explosion as Mipple just giggles at the scene.
(Shosen, "unmei" to nagetsukerareta tte, No I won't!) We go to the city where police are examining a dead body. Ryō looks at the body before he walks away and gets out his phone, calling Dai.
(Hikkuri kaeshite, Because datte kimi to mirai wo miretara saikou janai?) Dai, riding on the TryChaser 2000, gets the call from his radio and speeds up, passing both Nagisa and Honoka as he races to meet up with Ryō.
(Bring it on! 'Cuz I'm just gonna grow up in the battle HEY! buchinuku donten!) Suddenly, the sky turns dark before the Dark King and his subordinates appears as well as an army of Zakenna appeared. Appearing with him was a shadow figure of N-Daguva-Zeba along with an army of Grongi.
(Still burning my fire ten wo kirsaku raimei I gotta kakikesu Nightmare tada mirai ga mitakute!) Nagisa and Honoka step in fear before Dai suddenly appeared behind them and gave them his signature smile and a thumbs up.
(Kako, mirai, soshite ikiteru ima, I ain't scared of my past and now for takusareta asu) Seeing his smile seemed to steel the girl's resolve as they took out the Queen PreCure and Dai summoned the Arcle belt.
(Screaming out for my pride!) A light then suddenly appears and appearing from it was Kamen Rider Kuuga along with Cure Black and Cure White, ready for battle.
(Namida mitakunai kara, sakebi tsudzukeru yo! Zutto...) Cure Black and Cure White engage a battle with some Zakenna before taking on Pisard, IIkubo, Poisony, Kiriya, and Gekidrago.
(I'm never falling down! oi kaze wo se ni fukitobasu Destiny!) Both sides trade blows for a bit before both girls held hands and fired their signature Marble Screw.
(Kono senaka ni aru, egao mamoritai kara! Zutto...) We see Kuuga kicking way a few Grongi, bashes them with the Dragon Rod while in his Dragon form, shoots a flying Grongi with his Pegasus Bowgun in his Pegasus form, slash a few more Grongi with his Titan Sword in his Titan form.
(I gotta blast off your pain for you and me! kanashimi nante Rest in peace!) Dai and the girls meet regroup as they face both the Dark King and N-Daguva-Zeba. Dai charges up a Mighty Kick before he jumps.
(Nando demo...) The girl then threw another Marble Screw as Dai kicks towards the two beings of darkness with the Marble Screw following close behind him before a light overtakes everything and we see a quick look at the blue sky before the song ends.
(Now)
In the dark space that is the Dark Zone, the chains that seemingly held the Dark King rattled and echoed throughout the land. Standing before him was Illkubo, making his report about the Prism Stones.
"There is no need to worry. I have found out where the lost Prism Stones are located." Illkubo assures his lord with a confident smile. "We are coming closer and closer to the completion of our Dark Zone's eternity."
With that, Illkubo turns and takes his leave, off to find the Prism Stones so he can deliver them to his master.
"Illkubo..." Suddenly, the Dark King speaks up.
"Yes?"
"The Light...Do not underestimate it. Now go!"
"At once!" Filled with determination, Illkubo takes his leave.
Once gone, Daguva steps out of the shadows, hands in his pockets as he watches the Dark General leave.
"Well he seems confident." Daguva comments before turning to look up to the Dark King. "Here's hoping he'll succeed where the others have failed. He's literally your only remaining pawn, after all."
"A simple pawn he may be, so long as he doesn't underestimate the Light, he shall prevail."
"So confident, wonder where it comes from." Daguva said before he takes out from his pocket a piece of himself, dug out from the weapon of the now deceased Garima.
"I see you're nearing your completion as well." The Dark King said.
"Yes, but it's still not enough. But I'll have them back soon enough." Daguva said confidently as he stuffs the stone piece away and walks away. Just because the Dark King couldn't leave this place doesn't mean he couldn't. After all, there were still a few weaklings unfit for the Gegeru that needed to be taken care of.
(With Nagisa)
"Hey now, don't slow down!" Akane said to Nagisa, riding her bike ahead of Nagisa as the girl ties to keep up.
"Even if you say that..." Huffing and puffing, Nagisa gasps for air as she does her best to keep up with Akane, but is falling a bit behind due to exhaustion. As fit as she may be, even she couldn't run all the way from the field to the camp building without getting exhausted.
Not in the least concerned about Nagisa, Akane looks up and takes in all the nature around them from the warm sun, the bright leaves of the trees around them, and the shining lake to the right of them.
"Ah, the wind feels great." Akane comments as she turns to the lake to the right. "Hey Nagisa, take a look over there. The lake's really pretty."
"I can't afford the luxury..." Nagisa groans out, but nevertheless, she gathers the strength to turn and was greeted by the sight of the lake sparkling under the warm sunlight.
"Wow, it really is pretty." Nagisa comments. If she had her phone on her, she would have taken a picture so she could show it to Dai later when she got back.
"Hey you!" Nagisa jumps in surprise at Akane's raised voice. "Who said you could stop!?"
In Nagisa's musing, she had stopped running to gaze at the lake. Groaning again, Nagisa resumes her punishment.
(Meanwhile)
Taking a deep breath through her noses, Honoka sighs, smiling as she takes in the nature around her.
"The air is nice, the water is clear. It feels good." Honoka comments as he looks down at the river before her and takes notes of the fishes swimming in it. All around her, the girls of the science club takes pictures of the insects, plants, and fish around them and take notes.
"It's like the blessing of Mother Nature. We have to thank the god of the mountain" Yuriko comments, walking over to Honoka's side and takes a picture of the fishes in the river.
"I never knew you were such a romanticist, Yuriko." Honoka comments only for her friend to get close to her face and glare.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Instead of answering, Honoka simply smiles as Yuriko takes a picture.
"But..." Losing her, both she and Honoka then turn their heads to their uninvited guest.
"Why did Kouchou-sensei(Principal Kouchou) come with us to the science club's summer camp?" Like Yuriko said, their uninvited guest was none other than the Principal of Verone Academy. With his pants and sleeves rolled up, the man gets as close to the river as possible, careful not to fall as he looks at the fishes in the water. Of to the side, the girls of the club give the man blank stares.
"They say once in a while he goes along with the students, since he wants to come into contact with nature." Honoka explains, having heard from another club member.
"It doesn't exactly fit." Yuriko comments. "He'll just get in the way, don't you think?"
"You don't have to be so rude about it." Honoka comments.
"AH!" All eyes turn at the principal's cry. Looking, the man had fallen into the river and was now panicking even though the river wasn't that deep.
"I fell in! Somebody, help me! Hurry!" Again, every girl gives the man a blank stare as it a while for the man to realize he was not drowning or getting carried away by the stream. Realizing this, he stands back up, clears his voice, and speaks to try and recover his dignity.
"I have shown you a bad example. Don't act like that and please be careful."
The girls couldn't help, but laugh. As an act of kindness, they tried to stifle it as to not embarrasses the man any further.
Calming down first, Honoka speaks up.
"Kouchou-sensei! If you stay wet like that, you'll catch a cold. I'll go get a towel." Getting up, Honoka runs back to the camp.
(Back with Nagisa)
By the time Nagisa finally made it to the camp building, Akane was already there waiting for her, her bag on the ground. The girl gasped for air, covered in sweat as she placed her hands on her knees and took a moment to catch her breath.
"Good work!" Akane said to the exhausted Nagisa. "Well, I'll go ahead and take a shower first." And with that, she rode away, leaving Nagisa to her lonesome.
"That demon..." Nagisa commented as she was the one in need of a shower.
"Nagisa~!" From Nagisa's bag, Mepple called out now that Akane was gone.
"Later, I can't even lift a finger." Nagisa waved Mepple off, not in the mood or having the energy to do whatever Mepple wanted.
"Hebi(Snake)."
"Gyah! Snake! Snake, where where where!? I hate snakes!" Nagisa, in a panic, started to move around frantically.
"Seems you can move just fine-mepo." Mepple said, smirking.
Realizing what Mepple had just done, Nagisa went and grabbed her Lovely Commune in anger.
"Look you...! You'd better think twice before you make jokes like that, or you'll pay!"
"Nagisa!"
"Huh?" Hearing her name called out by a familiar voice, she turned to see Honoka running up to her. "Honoka, what are you doing here?"
"You don't remember? Didn't we talk about how our summer camps overlapped?"
"Oh yeah...right." Nagisa said, remembering that fact. She had been quite surprised to learn about that. "Sorry, I've been practicing so much I totally forgot."
"That's okay." Honoka said, accepting her friend's apology. "So, how is Akane-san as a drill coach?"
"She's...the best." Nagisa lied, hanging her head down.
Whether Honoka understood or not, she placed her right hand on Nagisa's shoulder and said, "Keep at it."
"Yeah..." Sighing, Nagisa raised her head and found her eyes looking at Honoka, specifically the long sleeved shirt she was wearing.
"Aren't you hot in that?" Nagisa found herself asking, noticing small beads of sweat on Honoka's brow.
"A little, but it's fine." Honoka insisted, taking her hand back and unconsciously held her right arm, a habit she was beginning to form. Due to the huge burn scar she had, Honoka had to adapt wearing long sleeved shirts in an attempt to hide most of her scar from others. This meant while others wore their summer uniform, Honoka was forced to wear her winter uniform, blazer not included(she was trying to hide her scar, not burn up). Of course, due to the season being summer, it left Honoka quite uncomfortable, especially during P.E. where she had to change in a separate room only to come out wearing her track jacket which students only wore during the winter. Nagisa couldn't help, but think it was a miracle Honoka hadn't collapsed due to the heat.
"Well, just take care of yourself, okay?" Nagisa said, feeling guilty. Honoka got her scar due to protecting her, after all.
"A lot of people have been telling me that recently." Honoka commented, but answered back. "Don't worry, I know my own limits. If I collapse, that would only make Ichi-kun worry."
"Yeah." Nagisa nodded in agreement. While they had managed to get Dai out of his funk, the Rider no doubt still felt guilty. So long as that guilt didn't control him though, then all was good.
"Anyway, I'm gonna head inside and take a shower." Nagisa said. "You should too."
"Later. I just came here to get a towel for Kochou-sensei." Honoka said before heading inside to grab what she needed.
Nagisa lets out a sigh again as she watches Honoka head inside.
"I know she said not too worry, but I can't help it." Nagisa said to herself, rubbing her shoulder where the scar on her back was hidden under her shirt. Honoka wasn't the only one self-conscious about her scars, but at least Nagisa didn't have to worry about changing what type of clothes she wore. Nagisa felt such a fact was a bit unfair to her friend.
"Oi, Nagisa~!" Nagisa was brought out of her thoughts by Mepple and she sighed in exasperation.
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Knowing what her fairy partner wanted, Nagisa grabbed her bag and headed inside to find a private place to feed Mepple. While doing so, her mind wandered to a certain Rider.
"I wonder what Dai-kun's doing right now?"
(Woods)
Unknown to anyone at the camp, something was happening in the woods. A shadowing figure ran through the woods, running as if being chased which in fact, was the case. Looking behind it, he could see its pursuer closing in on him. The figure runs faster, moving at speeds no normal human should have. But said this figure was human to begin with?
"Toriyah!"
With that battle cry, the figure looks behind it only to see its chaser jump from his bike and kicking towards him, his foot aflame. The figure tires to evade, to no avail as the kick connects, sending the figure flying back.
Landing on his knees, Dai, as Kuuga, stands up and sees the Grakenngi he just kicked cry out in pain before it slowly started to dissolve until there nothing left of it.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Dai cancels his transformation and goes over to his bike which had fallen when he jumped off it. Picking it up, he used the built in radio to contact Ryō.
{Ichijo here. Go ahead.}
"Ichijo-san, this is Dai. I just took care of the runaway Grakenngi."
{Good job. Come on back, we'll take more there.}
"Right." Nodding, the transmission ended and Dai got back on his bike before ridding off, driving through the woods easily thanks to what type of bike his TryChaser is.
Now for those wondering why Dai was here, let's go back to yesterday.
(Yesterday)
"Hmm..."
"Uuuu..."
Nervously, Nagisa sat criss-cross as Dai looked over her homework. He had been helping her finish her summer homework before she had to leave for her summer camping trip with her club. Honoka was also going to be there due to her summer camp overlapping with hers.
Now while she could work on her homework once she got back from her camp, in Dai's words: The sooner you get this done, the better. Having no comeback for that, for the past week, as Nagisa prepared for her camping trip, she and Dai had been working.
"Hmm..." Dai hummed as he looked over at Nagisa's homework. Glancing up, he saw Nagisa's nervous expression and decided to dispel them with his usual thumbs up. She was in the clear.
"Ugh, finally!" Letting out a breath she had unconsciously held, she fell back and rested her head on her bed behind her.
"Come on now, don't be like that. It wasn't that bad." Dai said, smiling in amusement at his friend. "This is pretty simple in my option. I'm surprised you're still having trouble wit this."
"Well sorry for not being as smart as you or Honoka." Nagisa said as she threw Dai a non-hateful glare.
"Now, now, don't bring Honoka-chan in this. She's only as smart as she is because of how much she studies. You could be like her if you studied as much as she does."
"Yeah, I doubt that." Nagisa said. As modest as Honoka says about herself, she was smart enough to skip a few grades if she wanted to.
"Anyway, now that I've finished all of my homework, I better make sure I have everything for tomorrow." Nagisa said as she got up, but not before giving her thanks to the Rider. "Thanks for helping me by the way. I doubt I would have finished without your help."
"You know me, I'm always happy to help." Dai said with his usual smile.
"And that's what concerns me." Nagisa said as she leaves her room to go grab her toothbrush from the bathroom.
And as if perfectly timed, Dai's phone begins to ring. Taking it out, he sees the caller ID before answering.
"Hello?"
{Dai, this is Ryō. Are you busy right now?}
"No, I'm free right now. Why do you ask?"
{I just got some new info on some of those escaped Grakenngi.} At the mention of the Zakenna-Grongi hybrid monsters did Dai's expression shift to seriousness.
"What is it?"
{At a nearby camping site, there have been reports of people going missing in the woods. There have also been reports of strange movement as well.}
"You think it's Grakenngi?"
{It's highly likely. For the past week, it seems they've been trying to hide instead of attacking civilians like they used to. Of course, there's a chance it might not be them, but we still can't be too sure. Come over to headquarters and I'll tell you more there.}
"Got it." Dai said before the call ended. Getting up, he said his goodbyes to the Misumi family before driving towards HQ to learn more.
When he arrived there, he learned that since they couldn't be too sure if Grakenngi were hiding in the woods or not, he and Ryō were being sent to the nearby camping site in order to investigate. As for said camping site...
(Present)
"Ahem!" Kometsuki, the Vice Principal, raised his voice so that everyone was listening. "Kouchou-sensei has something to say before dinner. So, go ahead."
"No no, Kyoto-sensei, is in charge of this summer camp, so he should..."
"No no, but of course it should be Kouchou-sensei."
"No no..."
"No, I insist..." At this point, everyone was giving the two adults blank stares.
"Just get on with it."
"Uh, yes sir." At the principal's command, Kometsuki cleared his voice again before speaking. "Okay everyone? It's lights out at 10 o'clock. Just because it's summer camp, you should be too relaxed. You should be aware that you are living here as students of Verone Academy. These club activities are the places where you learn how to live together, so conduct yourselves no differently from how you would at school. Wake up at 6:00, when each club meets for morning training, and then breakfast is at 7:00."
"Eh~?" At these strict rules did everyone voice their complaints.
"Now no complaining. This was done under the suggestion of Policeman Ichijo." Kometsuki as he gestured to the man.
To the side, it was indeed Ryō who stood with his hands behind his back, a stern look on his face.
"Ichijo-san is here because of some strange sightings in the woods. So everyone, it is for your own safety that you turn off the lights at 10 o'clock sharp. Also, no wandering around at night." Kometsuki said. "Am I clear, students?"
"Hai(Yes)~!"
"Good. Then you may begin eating." Kometsuki said as he and the principal went over to the table they would be sitting at.
Immediately, the students began to talk to one another as they ate. Nagisa and Honoka were no different, talking to their friends as they ate. While they spoke, though, they glanced over at the only boy in the building, Dai, who was eating with the adults.
Later, once everyone was finished eating dinner, everyone returned to their assigned rooms. Nagisa and Honoka, sharing the same room, sat on their respective beds with Nagisa taking the top bunk while Honoka took the bottom one. Sitting across from them on the other bunk bed in the room was Dai who the girls dragged in here to talk.
"You could have told us you were going to be coming here too." Nagisa said as Dai simply smiled and rubbed the back of his head. When he had shown up, everyone had been surprised and a bit skeptical. After all, not counting the adults, it was only girls here which made Dai the only boy. The adults even questioned Ryō as to why Dai was with him, but Ryō gave only vague answers.
"She's right, you really surprised us when you showed up this morning." Honoka added.
"Gomen(Sorry), but Ichijo-san never told me exactly which campsite we were visiting." Dai said, lowering his hand. "I was surprised too when I saw that this was the same place you two are staying at for summer camp."
"Well, if it's 'business' then we can't stay mad at you." Nagisa said before she and Honoka adopted a serious look. She made sure the door of the room was closed before speaking to Dai.
"Is it the Grongi?"
"Kinda, it's Grakenngi." Dai answered.
"Those Zakenna-Grongi hybrids?" Honoka asked, she and Nagisa remembering about them from their fight at the junkyard. Boy was that day hectic.
"Yep." Dai nodded. "I just fought one this afternoon. I took care of it already."
"So we're good?" Nagisa asked only for Dai to shake his head.
"You heard from Mepple and Mipple. There's still a dark presence in the woods, which means there are still Grakenngi out there."
"Uso(No way)..."
"Don't worry. I'm gonna be patrolling the woods tonight to see if I can find them. And Ichijo-san is here to make sure everyone stays safe." Dai said, reassuring them. "And if they do try to hurt the students here, you two can take care of them too."
"Easy for you to say Mr. Kamen(Masked) Rider." Nagisa said, emphasizing the one thing Dai had over the girls.
Dai simply shrugs and smiles back.
"I hope nothing bad happens." Honoka said as she looks out the window to look at the sky only to see Yuriko out on the balcony by herself.
Curious, Honoka got up and went to see why her friend was outside as Nagisa and Dai followed her.
"Yuriko? What are you doing out here?" Honoka asked, stepping onto the balcony.
"Honoka." Yuriko turned to her friend accompanied by Nagisa and Dai before turning back and pointing to the night sky. "Look!"
Looking up, the three all smiled as they were greeted with the sight of stars filling the night sky, a sight one wouldn't be able to city while in the city.
"Whoa! I've never seen that night sky like this!" Nagisa said, amazed.
"True, I can't believe this is the same night sky I usually see." Honoka said, also amazed.
"Heh, a sight like this is one of the benefits of camping out and way from the city." Dai said, familiar with the sight, but was nonetheless amazed. The sky filled with stars never failed to fill him with awe.
*shine!*
"Ah! A shooting star!" Yuriko pointed out a star traveling by quickly. Quickly, she and Honoka clasped their hands in prayer as they contemplated what to wish for.
"Need a wish, a wish..." Nagisa soon joined them, clasping her hands together and closing her eyes.
"Hey," Opening her eyes, Nagisa turned to Dai who was leaning on the railings and smiled up at the sky. "Didn't we meet Mepple because of a shooting star?"
Nagisa's eyes widen in surprise.
'Oh yeah...' Now that Dai brought it up, she and him met Mepple who they thought was a shooting star at the time.
"A lot's happened since then." Dai said.
"Yeah..." Nagisa nodded. Certainly a lot has happened since their first meeting with Mepple. She was friends with Honoka, her complete opposite, and together they were Pretty Cure. Dai was also a Kamen Rider who was, in fact, from another world. In a span of a couple months, their lives had completely changed.
"Ichi-kun? Nagisa?"
"Hm?" Brought out of their musing, the two turned to Honoka.
"Is something the matter?"
"Ah, no, it's nothing. Just thinking..." Nagisa said.
"The stars, they sure are pretty." A voice suddenly spoke up, belonging to none other than Akane, walking onto the balcony and joining the four in look at the stars.
"We just saw a shooting star a moment ago. We all made wishes." Honoka informed the woman.
"Oh? But this place is already blessed by the guardian spirit of the mountain." AKane said.
"Guardian spirit of the mountain?" Nagisa repeated.
"Since long ago, there is said to be a spirit protecting this mountain, so if you break the branches of the trees, you will be punished."
"Is that so?" Dai said, interested.
"It's something my chichiue(father) once told me when I was still a kid." Akane said. "He said a friend of his told him that story. I never met whoever told him that, but he probably just said it in order to protect the environment."
"...in that case." Nagisa clasped her hands again and turned to the mountains in the distance. "Guardian of the Mountain, please grant my wish!"
"Ah! Me too!" Seeing Nagisa's idea, Dai followed her example. "Guardian of the Mountain, grant my wish too please."
"What are you two wishing for?" Honoka asked.
"To help me learn 2000 skills." Dai bluntly said, making everyone sweat drop at him.
'He may have super powers now, but he's still Dai-kun.' Nagisa thought, remembering Dai making that same wish months ago when they met Mepple.
"What about you?" Honoka asked Nagisa.
"This time, please let me be able to wake up at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning." At that did everyone blankly stare at the girl.
"Nagisa-chan, you shouldn't be asking the Mountain Guardian for that." Dai said.
"Says the guy who asked said Guardian to help him learn more skills." Nagisa shot back.
"Hey!" Suddenly, coming out to the balcony, Rina called out to them. "Have you guys seen Shiho around? I've been looking for her everywhere, but I can't find her."
"Wasn't she with you during dinner?" Honoka asked.
"Yeah, and after that, we went back to our room. I left something at the cafeteria and went back to go get it. When I got back, she wasn't there."
"Eh?"
"Could it be something like...a mysterious disappearance?" Yuriko said nervously.
"A mysterious disappearance?" Nagisa repeated.
"Now now, let's not start throwing out theories here." Dai said before turning to Rina. "You said you looked everywhere, right? Did you check the bathroom?"
"I...did not." Rina said, face palming herself for overlooking such a place.
"Well, go check to see if she's there or not." Dai said when suddenly, the lights of the building went out, causing the girls in the building to cry out in surprise.
"It's not time for lights out yet, is it?" Yuriko asked, getting nervous again.
"No, it's not." Dai narrows his eyes in suspicion as Ryō followed by students and the other adults all came out.
"Everyone, calm down!" Ryō spoke loudly, getting everyone to calm down. "The adults and I will go see what caused the power outage. Everyone else, remain here until we get the power back on. Now, are we missing anyone?"
"Shiho isn't here." Rina said. "I checked everywhere, but the bathroom, so she might be there."
"I see." Ryō said before turning to Akane. "Akane-san, can you go find Shiho-san? The others and I will head to the electricity room to see if we can get the power back on."
"Got it." Akane nodded before turning to everyone. "Minna(Everyone), stay here and remain calm. Don't go anywhere until the power's back on." And with that, the adults took their leave.
Before leaving, Ryō glanced over at Dai who caught his look and his message.
'Watch over everyone.'
Understanding the man's message, Dai took on a serious expression and kept an eye on area, his eyesight and vision better than the average man thanks to the Amadam Stone inside of him.
"The power goes out just as Shiho goes missing. Isn't that too creepy of a coincidence?" Yuriko said.
"Hey, don't say stuff like that. You'll make everyone nervous." Nagisa said, trying to hide her own nervousness.
"Sorry."
"I hope Shiho's okay." Rina said.
"I'm sure she's fine. Akane-san is look for her so she's in good hands." Honoka assures the girl until she sees Dai's serious expression. "Ichi-kun, what's the matter?"
The Rider simply glances over to her, sending her a message. Honoka just looked at the boy in confusion until she figures out what he's trying to convey. It was dark out and the power was out. Right now was a perfect time for a Grakenngi to show up and attack.
'And we left Mepple and Mipple back in the room.' Honoka thought as she joins Dai in keeping an eye on the surrounding area. Soon after, the lights came back on.
"Hey, the power's back." Nagisa said as everyone breathed a sigh of relief before heading back inside. While everyone waited for the adults in the dining room, Dai stood by the balcony door to keep an eye outside.
"We're back!" Akane cried out, she and the other adults returning as Shiho was also with them with a towel around her neck.
"Looks like it was just the circuit breaker." Ryō said before turning to Akane. "I see you've found the missing student."
"Yeah." Akane said, placing a hand on top of Shiho's head and messed with her hair. "Turns out this brat was taking another bath."
"Hey, come on, Akane-san! I said I was sorry for worrying everyone!" Shiho said, batting the woman's hand off her head.
"Geez, you had me worried!" Rina said. "At least tell me when you're going to go take another bath, or something."
"Gomen(Sorry)..."
"Well then, if there are no further problems, lights out at 10." Kometsuki said. "Everyone, get ready for bed!"
"Hai~!" Everyone responded, each heading off to their own rooms.
"Oyasumi(Good night), Dai-kun." Nagisa said as she and Honoka took their leave.
"Oyasumi." Dai said back as he left with Ryō, sharing a room with the man.
"I'm glad it wasn't anything serious." Dai said as he walked with Ryō.
"Yeah, but we should still be on alert." Ryō said, keeping a serious expression on his face. "I already contacted HQ to send reinforcements. They should be here around the afternoon. Until then, we'll have to keep watch."
"Right." Dai nodded.
"I'll take first watch." Ryō said, reaching their shared room and opening it up for Dai. "Get some sleep. I'll wake you up either when it's your turn, or something comes up."
"Okay." Dai said, entering the room, but not before saying to the man, "Oyasumi."
"Yeah. Oyasumi." Ryō said, closing the door before going on patrol.
(Meanwhile, in the woods)
As everyone in the camping building slept soundly through the night with Ryō and Dai switching a few times to keep watch, of in the distance of the woods, something strange was occurring.
Slowly, but surely, the water from the lake was slowly disappearing as if someone pulled the plug and was currently draining out the water like one would do with a bathtub. It wasn't just the lake, but the river too, leaving the fishes within to splash about with nowhere to go. Soon after, from the skies, purple colored lightning flashed and struck the ground, surging through the ground until it came upon a nearby transmission tower.
This of course drew attention to those hiding within the woods. The Zakenna-Grongi hybrids known as Grakenngi all slowly came out of hiding and headed towards the transmission tower where waiting for them was none other than Illkubo.
"Hmm, so it's true. Some of you have been hiding in these woods to escape the hunt." Illkubo said, knowing exactly why these Grakenngi were hiding within these woods despite the power they possessed.
It was because they were being hunted down by those who were even stronger than them. Illkubo knew about it from Daguva himself. The Grongi 'leader' had told his remaining men to hunt down the Grakenngi and destroy them. Illkubo questioned him about thise, of course, as he was the one who gave Poisony the idea to revive fallen Grongi using Zakenna. In Daguva own words, he said:
'I thought they'd be interesting, but they turned out to be an utter disappointment. If they became measly corpse puppets, zombies I think the Lintos would call them, then that would be fine. But they were revived, and there are no second chances in my Gegeru.'
Basically, Daguva was sending his men to clean up leftovers.
"Guh...You...from...Darkzone..." The Grakenngi all spoke, their speeches broken as they struggled to make even a single word come out of their mouths.
"Indeed I am." Illkubo said before brandishing his powers. With a 'Hmph!' a wave washed over the Grakenngi, making them groan in pain before they stopped and just stood there. Grongi they used to be, but now that they were fused with Zakenna, by emitting enough power, Illkubo now controlled them as if they were normal Zakenna.
"Since Daguva no longer has a use for you all, I'll simply take you for my own plans." Illkubo said, staring at the camp building from where he was at.
(Morning)
Like Kometsuki had told everyone last night, at the struck of 6 o'clock, everyone woke up, some albeit reluctantly. As the girls on the lacrosse team were getting ready for morning training and the science club getting ready to head out to document more on the surrounding nature, it turns out the power had went out once again. Left with no other choice, all the girls went out while Dai, Ryō, and Kometsuki stayed behind to get the power back on.
With Nagisa and the rest of the lacrosse team, they were all out jogging as Akane rode ahead of them on her bike, blowing her whistle from time to time.
"It sucks that the power went out again this morning." Shiho commented as she jogged.
"You don't think it might be the work of the mountain spirit, right?" Rina asked, having heard from Yuriko last night.
"Geez, don't say such weird things so early in the morning." Nagisa said to her friends until she noticed something to her left. Her eyes then widen in shock and disbelief, causing her to stop jogging, causing the girls who were all behind her to bumped into her and stop all together.
"Nagisa, what are you doing, stopping all of a sudden?" Shiho asked.
"Over there..."
Confused, all the girls followed Nagisa's gaze and gasped in surprise.
"Hey now! What are you girls doing, stopping?" Akane, having noticed everyone stopping, stopped and called out to them.
"Akane-san, over there." Nagisa said, pointing to the lake...or more specifically, the WATER-LESS lake.
"Where did all the water go?" Nagisa wondered out loud.
"The lake's all dried up." Shiho said, she and the others all spooked out.
Suddenly, a leaf from a tree fell down, only the leaf wasn't the normal green color, but an autumn red color, something that should be impossible due to the current season. Rina was the first to notice this as more and more leaves started to fall as all the surrounding trees started turning red as if they were withering.
"Hey, why are the leaves turning red even though its summer?" Rina pointed out as everyone saw what she saw.
"You're right...they're all red!"
"Akane-san, what is this?" Once of the students asked the woman, but even she had no idea what was going on.
"Eh? Even if you ask me..."
"Maybe this is a curse from the god of the mountain?" Rina said.
"Well, in this day and age, it couldn't be something like a curse." Akane said as more and more leave started falling a rapid pace.
"Hey, isn't this many falling a bad sign?" Rina said as Shiho nodded her head in agreement.
As everyone started growing more and more nervous, suddenly, a tree started to creak before it then started to fall down. Seeing this, everyone cried out in surprise as they as well as Akane soon ran back to the campsite as more and more trees started falling down.
Meanwhile, with Honoka, she and the others of the science club were experiencing the same thing. The river was all dried up, the fish that lived in it were now all dead. The leaves of trees rapidly turned red as some trees started falling down. Naturally, everyone was starting to feel anxious and scared.
"Kouchou-sensei, what in the world is going on?" Yuriko asked the man that had accompanied the club.
"Even if you ask me..." The man said, having no idea what was happening. He then turned to Honoka and asked, "What do you think, Yukishiro-san?"
Honoka didn't answer right away, instead taking in the surrounding as more and more trees began to fall down.
"I think we should head back to camp." Honoka said as she and everyone ran back to the building.
(Meanwhile, with Dai)
"It's not working?" Ryō asked Kometsuki who was currently up on the latter trying to get the power back on by flipping the circuit breaker, but to no avail.
"No. I keep flipping it, but nothing seems to be working." Kometsuki said as he kept slipping switches only to get no results.
"That's strange." Dai commented, crossing his arms as looked on in confusion.
Unknown to the three, at the window, leaves started piling up against the window. Kometsuki was the first to notice and by then, the window cracked before breaking as a stream of leaves flew in and struck the man across the face, knocking him off the ladder.
"Kyoto-sensei!" Dai cried out in alarm, going to the man's side while Ryō looked towards the window, hand going for his gun. Running up to the broken window, he saw what was going on outside.
"What in the world?"
Unknown to everyone, standing on top of a nearby transmission tower, Illkubo held a ball of energy as rainbow-like energy was being sucked into it.
(Later)
Minutes later, everyone was now back in the building. Currently, everyone was gathered in the dining hall as Akane spoke with the principal.
"Kouchou-sensei, the dead trees are falling one by one, blocking the roads. Isn't this a warning sign of an earthquake? We should get off this mountain as soon as possible!"
"I understand. Kyoto, contact the outside."
"Well, about that, the cell phone couldn't connect..."
"There's a phone in the lobby, isn't there? Use that."
"Oh right, there was!"
"Don't bother." Ryō said. "I checked already. It isn't working."
"That can't be!" In disbelief, the principal went to lobby to check the phone only to find out that, true to Ryō's words, it wasn't working.
"So does this mean...we're cut off from the outside?" Akane said as everyone naturally grew more worried.
"Nagisa-chan, Honoka-chan." Hearing their names, both girls turned to see Dai whispering to them and gesturing them to follow him. Glancing over at Ryō, the man nodded to him before trying to calm everyone down as Dai and the girls went back to the girls' room to talk in private.
"All of this is obviously not natural." Dai said, getting right down to business.
"You don't think the god of the mountain is mad at us, or something, right?" Nagisa asked nervously.
"Even if the mountain god exists, he doesn't have a reason to be mad." Honoka said. "The cause of this strange climate..."
"It must be the Darkzone-mepo!" Mepple spoke from his carrier. "I feel a huge amount of energy very close by-mepo!"
"I can feel it too-mipo." Mipple said from her carrier. "Not only that, but I'm also sensing multiple dark presences from the woods nearby-mipo."
"That must be the Grakenngi that are hiding." Dai said, looking out the window to see if there a chance one was nearby.
"What should we do?" Nagisa asked. On one hand, there was a suspicious amount of energy nearby, but on the other hand, Grakenngi were currently nearby and are possibly surrounding this place.
"We have no choice." Dai said before turning to the girls. "You two, go check to see what might be causing this. I'll go and take care of the Grakenngi before they get too close to the camp."
Seeing as they had no other plans right now, the girls nodded before the three ran out of the room and ran in separate directions.
(With the girls)
Following Mepple and Mipple's senses, the girls ran towards the lake, passing by many fallen trees as they neared the lake.
"It's close-mepo, close-mepo!" Mepple said from his carrier, feeling the large amount of energy he sensed earlier getting closer.
"Getting closer and closer-mipo!" Mipple added as the girls reached the lake and looked around. The sky above them had turned into a an unnatural shade of reddish-purple, a clear sign of the Dark Zone's presence.
"It's close by-mepo..." Mepple said as the girls looked around the area for anything suspicious until he and Mipple sensed a rise in power.
"In the lake-mepo/mipo!" Both fairies shouted out at the same time, making the girls turn to see a crater suddenly form before suddenly, in a cloud of dust, Illkubo appeared.
"You're...!" Honoka cries out, she and Nagisa gasping in surprise.
"Hmph!" Smirking, Illkubo suddenly disappeared only to reappear behind them, making the girls jump in surprise as they quickly turned around to face him.
"You! Why are you doing this?" Honoka questions the Dark general, but he simply closes his eyes and smiles.
"Hey! Say something!" Nagisa demanded, not liking the Dark General's silent smile.
For a while, Illkubo just stood there before them, smiling. Then, he opened his eyes and spoke.
"Hurry up and transform."
"Huh?"
"I told you to transform." Illkubo said as he lifted one of his hands and with a "Hmph!" sent a shock of power they blew dirt in front of the girls, making them shield themselves from the sudden blast. Once all the dirt stopped flying all around them, the girls looked up to see Illkubo slowly advancing towards them.
"Are you scared?"
"As if!" Nagisa said, but to be honest, she was a bit scared and so was Honoka. But that was mainly due to when they first met him was also the same day they met Daguva. Just thinking about the Grongi leader made the scars the girls hid throb.
The girls slowly backed up only to run into the railings that separated the lake form the land. Looking back to see Illkubo still walking slowly towards them, the two looked at one another and nodded. Getting out their respective Queen cards, the two transformed.
"Duel Aurora Wave!"
As the rainbow light erupted from the girls, hiding them from sight as they transformed, Illkubo simply smirked and watched. Everything was going according to plan.
"Hikari no shisha, Cure Black!"
"Hikari no shisha, Cure White!"
"Futari wa PreCure!"
"Yami no chikara no shimobetachi yo…"
"…Tottoto ouchi ni kaerinasai!"
"As I guessed, it was like that." Illkubo said once the girls finished their usual introduction.
"What was?" Nagisa said, she and Honoka still pointing at the Dark General.
"What are you talking about?" Honoka questioned when suddenly, Mepple let out a cry of realization.
"Could it be...!?"
"Huh?"
"No, no it couldn't be-mipo!"
"Mipple, what do you mean?" Honoka asked her fairy partner.
"Wisdom..." Illkubo spoke, speaking the Stone Guardian's name. "In short, I have located the Stone Guardian's hiding place."
"Eh?"
"Just as we thought, this guy's target was the Guardian-mepo!"
"He might have discovered his location-mipo."
"How did you...?" Honoka spoke, confused as to how Illkubo knew this.
"As someone who protects the stones of life, Wisdom will definitely react when you two transform. I can feel that small reaction when you two transformed."
"So then, you're using us as bait?" Nagisa said, glaring angirly at the Dark General.
"We won't let you take them." Honoka said as she and Nagisa took their battle stances. "Not the Prism Stones, and of course not the Guardian!"
"You can try, but I will show you that feelings alone cannot protect them." Illkubo said, taking a step forward.
"We'll see about that!" Nagisa said before she and Honoka charged at the Dark General.
(Meanwhile, with Dai)
As Dai ran through the woods in search of the hidden Grakenngi, he realized that maybe he should have asked for the fairies to pinpoint their exact location before he ran off.
"Nothing I can do now." Dai said, shaking his head as he an deeper into the woods. If he can't rely on the fairies to help him, he'll have to trust in his enhanced senses.
Good thing too, for the second he focused his senses through his ears, something he didn't need to learn how to do thanks to his experience in Pegasus form, he extended his hearing and heard some heading towards him fast. Quickly ducking down, whatever was coming brushed his hair, showing just how close he was from losing his head. Looking up, he saw what was attacking him.
"Demudo." Standing before Dai was Me-Demudo-Ba, a ladybug Grongi, or what used to be the ladybug Grongi. With a wide body and it's shell-like skin, it looked like the Grongi was covered head to toe in armor as its head had resembled a ladybug's head, including the antennae. On its back were bug wings covered by a ladybug shell, giving it an even more ladybug look to it. Of course, this would have been its former appearance. As a Grakenngi now, parts of its own body was replaced by Zakenna parts, including its wings. And there was a noticeable crack in the Grakenngi's head; the spot Dai kicked last time when fighting the former Grongi the first time.
"Kuu...ga..."
Summoning his Arcle, Dai goes through the hand motions before shouting, "Henshin!" A few seconds later, as the belt pulsed with energy, Dai assumed the usual Mighty form and took a karate stance. No words were needed right now. What stood before him was a walking corpse that had to be put down once again, permanently.
"Kuu...KUUGA!" Screaming his name, Demudo spread his wings and literally flew towards him in a blind rage. But Dai was ready for him.
Jumping and leaning back, Dai kicked his foot out just as Demudo flew over him, hitting him across the chest and sending him crashing against a tree that managed to stay standing only to now fall down as Dai fell back down before getting back up again. Demudo took more time getting back, dizzy from both Dai's kick and him crashing into the tree. By the time he got back up to his feet, he was met with a devastating haymaker from Dai, sending the former Grongi down to the ground again. Not done with the Grakenngi yet, Dai grabbed the downed former Grongi, picked him up, delivered a knee strike to the gut before throwing the Grakenngi away. As Demudo laid there in pain, Dai took a stance, preparing his Mighty Kick.
Once charged up, Dai takes of running towards Demudo, leaping up, flipping, and extending his kicking foot out. But just as Dai nears the Grakenngi, something pops up from the trees, leaps up, and grabs onto Dai, stopping his Mighty Kick as Dai lands on the ground on his back as whatever stopped him landed on top of him and was now proceeding to choke him. As for what was choking him, Dai recognized the attacker right away.
"Jamoru!" Dai said in alarm.
On top of Dai choking him was Zu-Jamoru-Re, a gecko Grongi, or in this case, used to be. Prior to being revived, Jamoru would have the characteristics of a gecko, having scale-like skin and a gecko-like head as well as hands and feet. Bronze gauntlet and greaves covered the former Grongi's arms and legs, and a breast plate and shoulder pads covered the upper body. But as a Grakenngi now, parts of Jamoru were missing and replaced with Zakenna parts.
"Kuuga...!" The Grakenngi hissed like a snake as it tried to choke the life out of Dai, but the Rider was a fast thinker, kicking the Grakenngi off of him before getting back up.
"KUUGA!" Dai was alerted by Demudo's cry, turning to see the Grakennji flying towards him again, using the chance Jamoru gave him to close in on the Rider. But there was one thing both Grakenngi didn't count on.
It was the power of Dai's Mighty Kick still being charged, waiting to be released.
"Ha!" Jumping up, Dai kicked his right foot out and struck Demudo across the head, hitting the exact same spot Dai's first kick had stuck back when the Grakenngi was a normal Grongi. The Grakenngi flew back, crashing into another tree and laid there was the marking left by Dai's kick glowed before cracks formed on the Grakenngi's face. Instead of exploding, however, much like Ginga's Mutant, the Grakenngi dissolve until there was nothing left.
With one Grakenngi down, Dai turned to face Jamoru only to find more three more Grakenngi appearing.
The first was named Me-Aguri-Aa, a former Giant Anteater Grongi. Aguri was quite the large Grongi, being as tall as a bear, and had quite the chubby appearance as black fur covered most of its body with the exception being its head which was covered by a bronze helmet shaped to fit its head and allow an opening for its long mouth. A simple chest armor covered his entire upper body while the lower region was covered by a dirty loincloth.
Next was Zu-Garuga-Da, a former kangaroo Grongi. Out of all the Grongi's Dai's faced, Garuga was the only one who looked more like its animal counterpart than being more humanoid. Its lower body was bigger the rest of his body, giving the impression that the Grongi had a fat belly, but the rest of its body was quite muscular, especially its legs. Cloth was wrapped around its arms while steel boots customized to fit its big feet covered them as a helmet covered most of its head, with holes to allow its kangaroo ears to come out without trouble.
Finally, the third and last Grakenngi was Me-Gorigi-Ba, a cockroach Grongi and the one Dai was most wary of due to his past experience with this former Grongi. It's body was the most muscular out of all the Grakenngi present, having a bodybuilder frame. If one looked closely, one could spot a few veins popping out from its dark brown skin, showing how buff the former Grongi was. Dai personally thought the former Grongi was just on steroids for not even Daguva's true form showed that much muscle. It wore no form of armor, only wearing a loincloth to cover its lower region, as its head was very cockroach-like. Honestly, if it wasn't for the head, Dai would have thought he was fighting a Terraformer from the Terra Formers manga.
In the distance, a pillar of rainbow light erupted, letting Dai know the girls were transforming. Facing the Grakenngi in front of him, Dai took a stance and thought to himself.
'This is going to take a while.'
(Back with the girls)
Catching a fist that was aimed for his face, Illkubo grabbed the arm of Nagisa and began to spin her around. After a while, he threw her towards Honoka who caught her as the both of them slammed through the railings and fell down the water-less lake, tumbling down against the semi-wet dirt. By the time they stopped rolling around, they were covered in dirt and mud.
"White!" Nagisa looked back to her friend who caught her and took most of the fall.
"I'm okay." Honoka reassures her friend as Nagisa quickly gets off of her and helps her up to her feet. But by the time the two were back on their feet, Illkubo was already in front of them.
"What's wrong? Already done?"
"As if!" Nagisa said as she and Honoka charged at the Dark General.
Jumping into the air, the duo spun and twirled around, picking up momentum as they kicked out to strike Illkubo. As for the Dark General, he kept a close eye on the girls before moving his head at the last possible second, dodging both their kicks successfully before swing his arm out to punch the closest girl to him, that being Honoka. She quickly crossed her arms to block, but was still blown back by Illkubo's strength, landing on her back as she fell while Nagisa landed back on her feet.
"White!' Nagisa cried out in worry for her friend before she turned back to Illkubo who was giving her the 'come on' gesture.
Naturally angry, Nagisa charged head first towards the Dark General with the sole plan of punching his face in. Meanwhile, Illkubo simply raised his hand and sent out a powerful shockwave, one that kicked up a lot of dirt as Nagisa was no where to be seen. Thinking for a moment he had sent the girl flying, as it turns out, Nagisa had jumped at the last second and as she fell, she used her hand to land and handstand on Illkubo's arm before twisting her body around to kick Illkubo's head. Just when she thought she finally had him, Illkubo suddenly teleported away, causing Nagisa's kick to hit nothing but air.
"Dammit!" Nagisa cursed as she landed back on her feet while Honoka ran to her side to regroup. But just when she did, Illkubo reappeared behind the two, making the two turn their heads only to be met with another powerful shockwave from Illkubo, kicking up a lot of dirt as the two were sent flying, crashing against the side of the empty lake as a crater formed from their crash.
In pain, the two could say nothing as they both fell back down while Illkubo got close to the two via teleporting.
"Now then, i's about time I took them..." Illkubo said before he closed his eyes, brought his hands together, and concentrated.
Slowly getting back up, Honoka groaned out, "We won't give them to you...We'll never give you the Prism Stones!"
"I don't know how strong you are, but if you think you can do whatever you want just because you're strong," As Nagisa spoke, she got back up to her feet and yelled. "you're making a big mistake!"
Illkubo simply laughs at the two. "You two really don't understand at all. You two, you think all living things in this world are equal, don't you?"
"That's obvious!" Nagisa said.
"Equality is a word that was created by commoners who live to serve an elite few rulers." Illkubo said as he walked forward, making the girls step back. "In other words, your life energy will all be used for the sake of Dark King-sama."
"What did you say?" Honoka exclaims in anger.
"That's ridiculous!" Nagisa exclaims as well. "Don't look down on us humans!"
"Whether one of us is correct, we'll find out soon enough. Right now, in fact." Illkubo said.
Looking at one another, the girls nodded and decided to place their bets on their strongest attack.
"Black Thunder!"
"White Thunder!"
*BOOM!*
Clasping hands, the girls raised their free hands to the sky and called upon their signature colored thunderbolts form the sky. Illkubo smirks as the girls glow with power.
"Purikyua no utsukushiki tamashī ga…"
"... Jaaku na kokoro wo uchikudaku!"
Tightly gripping their hands together, the girls thrusts their hands towards Illkubo and shout.
"Pretty Cure Marble Screw!"
With that shout did the blast of black and white shot out from the girls' hands, spiraling around as they flew towards Illkubo. Despite the attack coming, the Dark General did not panic, rather this was all part of his plan.
Raising his right hand, he blocks the Marble Screw. At first, there was a struggle as Illkubo grits his teeth in concentration. But then, to the girls' shock, Illkubo closes his fist, canceling out the attack.
"No way..." Nagisa said in disbelief as she and Honoka breathed heavily, having expended too much energy.
"What's the meaning of this?" Honoka wondered out loud, finding it hard to believe that their greatest attack was canceled out so easily.
"The conclusion is made." Illkubo said, lowering his hand. "With this, my preparations are complete. The power of the Garden of Rainbows, and the energy of the legendary warriors..."
The girls gasp, their mind coming to a realization that they had been used.
"I've been waiting for this moment. The release of the legendary warrior's energy is the key to opening the door between our world and the world where Wisdom is. Watch closely!"
Thrusting both his hands into the air, veins pop out from Illkubo's head as he concentrated hard. From within him, the energy of the Garden of Rainbows he had collected earlier and the energy of the girls' Marble Screw, he used both to draw out his objective. Soon after, a rainbow-like portal opened up in the sky above the lake.
"Eh?"
"What?" Staring up in surprise, the girls both had a bad feeling about this.
(Back with Dai)
A whip-like tongue shoots out and wraps around Dai's arm. The tongue then pulls him forward, but Dai resists as he now plays tug-a-war with Aguri. Grabbing onto its tongue, Aguri pulls and slowly but surely, Dai slowly gets dragged over to the giant anteater Grakenngi. As Dai struggles to break free from the Grakkengi, suddenly, Garuga appears, jumping over Aguri and dropping kicking Dai, sending him flying back as Aguri releases his hold on him lest he follow suit.
As Dai flew back, instead of falling to the ground, he collides into the waiting arms of Gorigi who then proceeds to bear hug him, crushing him under his strength. Groaning in pain and struggling to break free, Dai throws his head back, hitting Gorigi across the face as hard as he could, but the cockroach Grakenngi barely flinches as his hold does not slacken. He tries again and again to the point Grorigi's nose was broken and bleeding, but still the Grakenngi held on. This was why out of everyone here, Dai was more worried about Gorigi. During his first fight with it, no matter what he did, the former Grongi would just not go down. The only way Dai beat it was giving it three consecutive Mighty Kicks.
Suddenly, Garuga lands right in front of Dai and proceeds to punch his face in, moving its arms and hands like an expert boxer as the former Grongi kept punching and punching. It grew to the point that despite his helmet, Dai was starting to see stars.
'Gotta do something!' Dai grits his teeth as he tries to endure the punches, focusing as he directs his thoughts to the Arcle and it responds by humming.
"Chou Henshin!"
The Arcle pulses like a heart beat and seconds later, Dai assumes Titan form. Garuga throws another punch only for Dai to throw a surprise headbutt, meeting the punch head on and dislocating the Grakenngi's arm from its shoulder, making the former Grongi back off as it held its dislocated arm. Now no longer being a punching back, Dai grabs onto Gorigi's arms and kicks the cockroach Grakenngi leg, causing it to lose balance as Dai then proceeds to judo flip him off of him before backing away.
Now with some space, Dai takes a moment to catch his breath only for Aguri to use its tongue again, wrapping his arm and tries to pull him towards it, but to no avail this time. Grabbing the whip-like tongue, Dai uses his increased strength to pull Aguri towards him. With a strong pull, Aguri flies off its feet and Dai swings the Granekkngi around, sending it crashing into its fellow Grakenngi. Tearing the whip-like tongue off his arm, Dai transforms again.
"Chou Henshin!"
Seconds later, Dai transforms back to Mighty form and assumes his kicking stand, leg front and arms to the side. Except this time, he does something different.
'I've been practicing this for a while. Time to see if it works!' With those thoughts in Dai's head, he raises his right hand in front of him, clenches it into a fist, and concentrates.
From his kicking foot, a flame covered the soles of his foot. Then, the red gem of of golden wristband glows briefly before his fist is covered in flames as well.
"Yosh(Alright)!" Now ready, Dai charges towards the trio of Grakenngi. Seeing him coming, the three meet his challenge and they all charge towards him. Seeing as the three Grakenngi all charge at him at once, Dai leaps forward, practically throwing his body forward. What happens next can only be seen clearly in slow motion.
As Dai throws his body forward, he kicks his flaming foot out as well his flaming fist at the same time. His Mighty Kick hits Aguri's chest while his flaming fist, dubbed the Mighty Punch, strikes Garuga across the face. As both Grakenngi get thrown back, Dai's body still continues forward and he slams right into Gorigi, practically throwing himself against him as they both foll to the ground with Dai quickly rolling off of him. Quickly, the two get back up to their feet, the two runs towards each other and both throw a punch at each other. Dai's fist still enveloped in flames strikes Gorigi across the face. As for the Grakenngi's fist, it misses Dai's head by a close centimeter, the Rider moving his head at the last possible second as he successfully cross-counters the cockroach, sending it stumbling back, dizzy.
Not done yet, Dai pours more power into his fist. Electricity begins to spark and mixes in with the flames, a hint of his Rising Powers. Now ready, Dai closes the distance between him and Gorigi and punches straight through the Grakenngi's chest, his fist coming right out the back. Gorigi coughs up blood, or what looks like blood, but still the cockroach does not fall. Dai knows this and quickly pulls his arm back, not caring at how much blood is covering it as he goes and grabs Gorigi by the shoulder, steadying him and keeping it on its feet. Down below, Dai's foot gets covered in flames once again, this time the spark of Dai's Rising Power mixing in with the flames, before Dai raises his leg and roundhouse kicks the Grakenngi so hard, the top half of Gorigi's body goes flying off as if it had been sliced and Dai's leg was the sword.
Gorigi's bottom half falls harmlessly to the ground and begins to dissolve. To the side, the bodies of both Garuga and Aguri have also dissolved. Seeing this, Dai takes a deep breath, having used a lot of energy in transforming and also using two finishers at the same time, not to mention powering them up a bit.
"Gh...gh...Kuu..."
Dai couldn't help, but groan as he looks down and sees that Gorigi is still alive, using its arm to crawl towards him slowly.
"No matter how many times I beat you up, you just don't quit, like a real cockroach." Dai comments. The last time he fought Gorigi, he had broken the former Grongi's arms and legs and it still kept going.
Walking up to the crawling Grakenngi that still thought it could kill him, Dai brought his right leg up, poured some power into it, and stomped down on Gorigi's head, smashing it like a watermelon. Soon after, what was left of Gorigi's body soon dissolved, much to Dai's relief. Looking up and around, there doesn't seem to be any more Grakenngi nearby.
*SHOOM!*
Suddenly, the wind picks up. Turning his head around, Dai spots a rainbow-like portal forming over where the lake was which was where the girls were currently at.
"I don't like the look of that." Dai comments as he soon takes of running to the girl's location, worried for their safety.
(Back with the girls)
From the portal that Illkubo had summoned, a portion of it was poured down, like a raindrop only the action seemed forced. And from that portion that was dragged down...
"S-Stop it...don't pull me down..."
"The Guardian!" Nagisa gasped. Indeed, what was dragged from the portal was none other than the Stone Guardian, now known as Wisdom. What's worse, the Prism Hopeish that Wisdom always stands on was dragged with him.
As soon as Wisdom was brought down to the world, Illkubo wasted no time grabbing a hold of the Stone Guardian, surprising the little man.
"W-Who are you?" Wisdom stuttered as he stared fearfully at Illkubo who was covered in sweat, showing just how hard it was to drag Wisdom down from his world.
"Are you Wisdom?" Illkubo asked, wanting to make sure, but knew for a fact that the fairy in his hands was the Stone Guardian. The Prism Stones that sat in the Prism Hopeish were proof enough.
"I've heard of a rumor that there exists a person who can travel through the crack of darkness." Illkubo said as Wisdom continued to stare fearfully up at the Dark General. No doubt, he was probably wondering how Illkubo knew about him. And as if reading his mind, Illkubo answered. "Is is so surprising? After all, I'm number 2 in the world of darkness. I have that kind of information, naturally. Once we knew where the location is, it's over. All that was left was the power to pull you here."
"It can't be..." Honoka said in disbelief. All this time, they had been played!
"Girls!" Suddenly, a voice belonging to Dai is heard from the top of the lake. Looking up, the girls and Illkubo see Dai arriving at the edge of the lake, looking down towards them.
"Kuuga, so the Grakenngi I've dispatched to distract you have all been defeated." Illkubo said. "No matter. Unfortunately, I do not have the energy right now to fight you, but that's fine. I already have what I came here for."
"Is that...the Stone Guardian?" Dai, from were he was at, spotted Wisdom in the Dark General's hands.
"I'll be back for the remaining two stones. Look forward to it." Illkubo told all of them before he leaps into the air. Just before he teleports away, the last thing Dai and the girls hear was the sound of Wisdom's cry before the Dark General was seen no more and the sky returned to normal.
"The Guardian...The Prism Stones were..." Nagisa couldn't finish what she wanted to say, too shocked at the events that happened so far.
"What should we do?" Honoka couldn't help, but ask. The Prism Stones they had worked so hard to collect had just been stolen! This was their biggest blunder yet.
"This is bad-mepo!" Mepple said, panicking a little, through no one could blame him. "Not just the Prism Stones, but the Guardian too!"
"We have to save him-mipo!" Mipple said.
"And just how do we do that?" Nagisa asked, having no idea what to do now.
As for Dai who had just arrived, canceling his transformation, he look sup into the sky and utters one word that sums up the situation right now.
"...shit."
And done! Wow, this chapter turned out smaller than the last, like almost half the length, that doesn't come much to a surprise considering this was mostly a Pretty Cure episode with barely anything added in. I even took out some content due to the fact that they were quite pointless like the search for Shiho in the original episode. Like, Rina says she looked everywhere for her, and it turns out that the girl was in the bath this whole time, making me think she simply overlooked the place and that the nightly search could have been avoided.
Anyway, enough of my rambling. So yeah, today was a shorter chapter when compared to the last few previous chapters, but I hope you all enjoyed it nonetheless. Like I said before, at this point of the story, I'm gonna be focusing more on the Pretty Cure side of the story as I want to save the Go Grongi group for the second half of this story. Until then, watch as Dai gets caught up in more of the girls' problems. Hmm, probably should have worded that better.
But anyway, thank you for reading. This has been Ashbel Longhart here, signing out. Until the next Ride! And like always, here's your daily schedule of...
Pretty Cure: Rider Fun Facts
"Hello minna-san! It's me, your host, the great hero of the Garden of Light, Mepple-mepo!" Mepple said, appearing on stage along with Mipple and their respective partners.
"Should we really be doing this right now? Wisdom was just kidnapped!" Nagisa said.
"Well, the author still wanted to do this, so I think it should be fine-mepo." Mepple said.
"You think?"
"Anyway..."
"Oi!"
Still ignoring Nagisa, Mepple spoke. "What we have for you today is something simple, a new special move Dai created himself-mepo." Mepple said as on the screen, Dai executing the Mighty Punch was shown.
"What we have here a special move Dai has been practicing all by himself, a Rider Punch he has dubbed simply as the Mighty Punch-mipo." MIpple said as she began explaining the move. "Much like how Dai concentrates power into his kicking foot, he does the same with his fist, enveloping it in flames and sometimes a bit of electricity whenever Dai decides to use a bit of his Rising Powers. This is another trick Dai has learned as it powers up his finishers a bit to make them stronger, but still not as strong as a Rising version finishing attack-mipo."
"Okay." Honoka nodded in understanding. "So how strong is this finisher?"
"When Dai dishes out the Mighty Punch, he punches with a force of 15 tons, half as powerful as his Mighty Kick, through it still packs quote a punch, pun not intended-mepo." Mepple said.
"Man, Dai sure comes up with a lot of ideas." Nagisa comments. "Makes me wish we had multiple forms of attack too besides the Marble Screw."
"Don't you two already have your Black Thunder Punch and White Thunder Kick-mipo?" Mipple asked as on the screen, the scene of the girls attacking with the Black and White Thunders was shown in the form of Nagisa punching and Honoka kicking which resulted in them blasting away their opponents.
"Wait, that's what they're called?" Nagisa asked in disbelief.
"It's what the author has decided to call them-mepo." Mepple said.
"Aren't they kind of...too literal?" Honoka asked.
"Maybe, but it explains what you girls are basically doing when you use the Black and White Thunders and are not using the Marble Screw-mepo." Mepple said.
"I guess that's true." Nagisa said, scratching her head.
"Anyway, that's all the time we have folks! Tune in next time for Dai and the girls facing off against Illkubo with the Prism Stones on the line-mepo! Until next time!" Mepple said as the four waved goodbye while the title for the next chapter appears.
Next Time: Decisive Battle! Pretty Cure and Kuuga vs. Illkubo!