Gentle rays of sunlight washed over Spooky! Cure Witch's face, the warmth and the light beckoning her to open her heavy eyelids. With some effort her violet eyes drifted open to find herself back on earth, leaned up with her partners against the gnarled old tree in the woods. Her head rested on Pumpkin's shoulder, Spectre sleeping peacefully on her lap with her long purple pigtails draped over the both of them. Slowly she lifted her head, pushing up the witch's hat that had drifted over to one side of her head while she slept. She swore she could hear voices just beyond the tree line, but saw no one.
Her movement caused Pumpkin's eyes to flutter open sleepily, stretching a bit and looking over to her wakeful girlfriend who smiled gently.
"We made it back," Witch whispered softly, leaning over to exchange a brief kiss with her girlfriend. Soon Spectre too sat up in wakefulness, blinking the sleep from her eyes.
"Wh-where—"
"We're back home," Pumpkin assured her, hugging the blue haired girl who looked around in a state of temporary confusion.
"But where is Evelyn?" she asked, the other two surveying the land around them with no sign of the little girl, or her true form. Limbs stiff with sleep each girl rose to her feet, stretching out as best they could before beginning a search for the little girl, or the three headed dog she truly was. A dull ache remained in the girls' hearts at the loss of their old companion, surely the universe would not be so cruel as to take away another from them so soon thereafter.
Fall leaves crunched under their boots as they wandered the forest with no signs of any life, let alone the one they were searching for. Overwhelming melancholy began to weigh heavy on their chests, the trio silently exiting the woods together. Even on the streets the town of Red Hollow was unusually quiet, without a single soul in sight. The three wandered, remaining transformed for the time being until they could be certain that no danger lurked among the old familiar streets. Eventually, the trio took refuge in a small bus shelter, gazing out to the street expectantly in hopes of seeing a car puttering by, or a cyclist breeze past, any signs of life at all.
"What if something happened…while we were gone?" Spectre suggested, running her fingers fretfully through her long blue hair with her eyes downcast to the gum riddled cement.
"Maybe," Pumpkin agreed solemnly, Witch resting her chin in her hands deep in thought.
"But Lady Baphomet is gone, shouldn't we have fixed whatever happened because of her, including anything that went on here?" she asked desperately, "We didn't do all of that for nothing, things have to get better now…"
"Let's just go to my house," Pumpkin suggested, "If we don't see anyone on the way there we can come up with a plan."
The walk led the trio through the town center, all the shops with their lights off despite the fact that it was now late morning. A knot began twisting in Spectre's stomach with each empty store they passed, terrible imaginings of what may have occurred swirling viciously in her mind. They had nearly cleared the edge of the town center when Witch stopped abruptly, looking around with a critical eye. The other two pretty cure slowed to a halt, looking back at their partner.
"What is it?" Pumpkin asked, Witch's attention now trained to the left along the road that led back to their school.
"Before we go back to your place, can we stop by the school?" she requested, not waiting for an answer as her legs began to carry her down the other road. "I think there might be people there." The sound was faint, just like the sound she thought she had heard upon first waking, but that had almost seemed like remnants of a dream. This seemed so much more tangible, so much more real.
All three of the tired warriors made the trek up to the school where indeed, the closer they grew the more definitively they could pinpoint a sound that resembled voices. The three picked up their pace gradually, a brisk walk turning into a light jog. As soon as the school, and the crowd of people outside of it, came into view the three took off running at full speed the rest of the way, looking every which way to see what the crowd was assembled for. Were there really remnants of Frighton's beasts still lingering on earth?
At the back of the crowd stood a familiar pair, Saanvi and Audrey loitering in the back of the crowd with their hands tightly clasped. As the Pretty Cure slowed behind them, their bright hair and extravagant power up dresses caught the eye of Audrey who turned over her shoulder and gasped, placing one hand over her mouth. Saanvi turned as well to see what the fuss was about, and she too widened her eyes in amazement.
Pumpkin opened her mouth to ask what was going on, but Saanvi spoke first, turning back to the crowd and calling out, "They're here! The Pretty Cure are back!"
Immediately heads began to turn around with all eyes on the three who stood together entirely dumbfounded behind the murmuring mass of locals. Saanvi broke free from Audrey and rushed to Pumpkin, throwing her arms tightly around the orange haired girl as her eyes began to water.
"I am so…so sorry. For not believing you, for everything…" she whispered, Pumpkin returning the embrace tightly.
"I'm sorry too," Audrey murmured, eyes downcast Witch looked upon her old friend with a small smile.
"We understand…everyone does stupid things when their scared," Witch assured the pair gently with a breathy laugh.
Spectre nodded, "But we're so glad you've come around…"
"It's not just us," Audrey interjected, gesturing to the crowd that looked at the trio eagerly. "Everyone…we're all so sorry."
From the crowd of townsfolk another familiar face appeared, the porcelain skinned Colette pushing her way through the masses and holding out a hand to the three pretty cure. "Please, come to the front. Everyone wants to see you," she said, a small smile spreading across her face. Together the three of them joined her, the crowd parting to let the three pass through unimpeded. Witch took a moment to be thankful for this, mildly concerned someone might step on her impossibly long pigtails that trailed behind her. As they reached the front of the crowd they found a small area cleared around a picnic table in front of the school, and standing atop it was a young girl with patchwork skin and a bright twinkle in her eyes.
"Evelyn!" Spectre cried joyously, running up to the child and throwing her arms around her.
"We were looking everywhere for you!" Witch added, her smile quivering slightly.
"What is going on here?" Pumpkin inquired, turning back to face the crowd.
Evelyn smiled, gesturing for the three of them to climb up upon the table with her. "I made a promise to you all that I wouldn't let anyone speak badly about you. So as soon as I got back I gathered every person I could to tell them all how you saved me, and how you saved each of them too!"
The Cures climbed up onto the table, Spectre scooping up Evelyn and holding her up so the three didn't tower over her before the eager crowd.
"Here they are! The brave Pretty Cure who returned all the missing people, and rid everyone of all those terrible fearful feelings!" The crowd erupted in applause, people throughout the mass shouting joyous cheers.
"Thank you for bringing home my daughter!" Emily's mother thanked grasciously, holding her daughter in a tight embrace.
"Pretty Cure, thank you for saving me!" Colette cheered, the joy on her face unusual for the solemn girl.
Witch spied Peyton's bushy red hair bobbing towards the front of the crowd until she finally burst into the front. "Thank you Pretty Cure, for believing in us even when we didn't believe in you!" she cried, tears beginning to streak her cheeks.
"Thank you for making it possible to hope again!"
"Thank you for fighting for our happiness!"
"Thank you for never giving up on us!"
The outpouring of support filled their hearts with unquantifiable joy, and the three held one another tightly with Evelyn sandwiched in between. Each was certain in that moment that all the heartache had been worth it. This feeling of immeasurable happiness could not be tainted by the uncertainty of fear. Though fear was a necessary place to pass through from time to time, it was no place to live, and this boundless bliss would always remain to welcome them home.
The alarm sounded and Sofía sat up abruptly, brushing her hair out of her face and clamoring out of bed. Once she was suitably dressed the girl trotted quickly down the stairs nearly bowling over her brother who approached from the bottom.
"Ah, sorry Andres," she apologized, swinging into the kitchen.
"What are you in such a hurry for?" he asked, poking his head through the kitchen doorway as Sofía tossed two slices of bread into the toaster.
"Today's the first day of Pretty Cure camp! I can't be late, those kids are counting on me," Sofía insisted, dashing back up the stairs to brush her hair. Andres loitered in the doorway with his hands behind his back, looking at the ground sheepishly for a moment before he spoke.
"Hey, remember that little pink bat you used to keep in your room?"
Sofía jumped slightly at the question, but nodded slowly, eyes locked on her brother in the mirror. Her family may have known about being a Pretty Cure, but keeping an animal in the house was still a huge no-no. How had he found out?
"I noticed I hadn't seen it around, and I thought you might've lost it. Dad's been teaching me how to sew and stuff so I uh… I made you another one just in case." In one hand he held out a small stuffed bat with bright pink ears and a stitched on smile. "I mean dad helped too but I thought you might want to take it with you today, as a good luck charm." Sofía turned around and her brother averted his gaze, though he kept his hand outstretched towards her. Gingerly she lifted the stuffed animal from his hand and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Thanks, that means a lot."
With her stuffed bat in her bag Sofía peeled out of the driveway and onto the road. When the school board pitched the idea to them of hosting a weekend activity camp for grade schoolers, she thought it was ingenious. Getting Bing to promise to work with kids had proved to be the biggest challenge, but eventually she caved. The first stop was Fay's house, the towering blonde waiting for her with a duffel bag at her feet by the front door. As soon as Sofía pulled up the long dirt drive she trotted up to the car and tossed her bag in the trunk before sliding into the passenger seat and giving her girlfriend a quick peck on the cheek.
"Tyler will be out in just a second, he couldn't find his tennis shoes," she explained, the young boy appearing shortly thereafter in the doorway. He hopped down the porch steps with vigor, Mr. and Mrs. Weaver standing in the doorway and waving to the girls in the car. Clutching his backpack straps tightly Fay's younger brother slid eagerly into the backseat.
"Hi Sofía!" he chirped, buckling himself up as they pulled out of the driveway with a wave to Fay's parents.
"Hey there Ty! How's it going?"
"Good. I'm excited to meet new people at camp today."
"I'm glad! I think everyone will have a lot of fun."
Next stop on the list was Bing's house, the volleyball prince standing in the driveway and talking to her mother who Sofía and Fay both agreed they had never seen set foot outside the house before. "I just want you to know how proud I am of you," the woman spoke, pulling her daughter into a hug. "I couldn't have asked for a better daughter." Bing returned the hug, embarrassed to see Sofía and Fay grinning at the both of them inside the car. Waving goodbye to her mother Bing climbed into the backseat alongside Tyler, and the car puttered off once again.
Arriving at the town's recreation center they found a welcoming committee waiting for them outside. There were people they hadn't met, and plenty they had. Peyton, Audrey, Saanvi, Nia, and Colette all waved as they parked, each of them wearing matching Camp Pretty Cure tee shirts and bright smiles.
"Hey everyone! This is my little brother Tyler," Fay introduced, leading the boy up to the group of volunteers. "Could someone show him where the rest of the kids are?"
"I can!" the tiniest of the volunteers pushed her way to the front of the group, reaching out a hand to the boy who approached shyly. "Hey there! My name's Evelyn!"
"I'm Tyler," the boy responded with a timid smile, looking down at the ground.
"Nice to meet you Tyler, come with me I'll introduce you to all the other kids," she insisted cheerfully, taking the boy's hand and guiding him into the building.
"Well I guess we had better get this party started!" Sofía cheered.
One of the adult volunteers, whom the Pretty Cure recognized from their previous scheduled appearance, nodded enthusiastically. "We've got a lot of kids signed up, and even more for next week! They're all excited to get to spend the day with you, so why don't we get you all in there!"
The room was abuzz with the chatter of children, all of whom sat in little plastic chairs at tables set up throughout the space. Each child had a small name tag affixed to their shirts with their desired Pretty Cure name, all the kids excitedly explaining their Pretty Cure selves to their new friends. Evelyn seemed to be having the most difficult time explaining to her peers how to pronounce "Cure Cerberus" to the others, but took it all in stride. The hum of their conversation stopped immediately when a puff of purple smoke burst into the room, quickly followed by orange and blue clouds that glittered under the overhead lights. With a flourish all three girls appeared in their Spooky! forms as the smoke dissipated, each striking their signature pose.
"The mischievous silhouette on a moonlit night fighting for hope! Spooky! Cure Witch!"
"The warm smile on an autumn night fighting for happiness! Spooky! Cure Pumpkin!"
"The ghostly chill on a frightful night fighting for love! Spooky! Cure Spectre!"
"Evildoers beware, for we are the ambassadors of fear and emissaries of courage! We are Terribly Spooky! Pretty Cure!"
The children all stood and cheered excitedly, even the volunteers looking impressed with their little performance. The rest of the day was spent with the children, doing whatever it was the camp goers wanted to do.
Despite her reservations around children, Pumpkin proved to be a hit as kids climbed all over her, hugging around her legs or swinging from her arms as they playfully attempted to pull her to the ground. Even Pumpkin couldn't help but smile as she swung the kids around, finally giving in and falling to the floor, careful not to smush anyone as they all climbed victorious on top of her.
Spectre sat at a table with a group that had invited her to their tea party, where she sipped imaginary tea with dignity and grace. With her pinky extended she leaned forward, asking one of the girls for more of her delicious brew.
Witch sat at a table of kids who were drawing pictures of what they would look like as Pretty Cure, pausing to giggle occasionally at the purple cure's terrible drawing of herself. Another camper managed to snatch the hat straight off her head, running around with a group of his buddies as each took turns trying it on. A small group of girls sat behind her, braiding and twisting and adding all manner of beads and bobbles to her long purple pigtails before creating beautiful Pretty Cure hairdos for one another.
When the day drew to an end, all the Curelings quieted down as the trio approached the front of the room. "We really want to thank everyone for making our first day of Camp Pretty Cure a success!" Witch cheered, earning a smattering of quiet cheers in response.
"We really hope you all had fun too," Pumpkin added, more cheers punctuating the end of her sentence.
"And lastly, we hope to see you all next week too!" Spectre finished.
A young girl in the back of the room raised her hand to speak. "Will we ever really become Pretty Cures?" she asked, a few murmurs of approval rising out of the crowd of children around her. The three Spooky! Cures looked at one another for a moment before Witch spoke up once again.
"Right now there is peace, and the Pretty Cure aren't really needed," she explained, "but there may be a time in the future when they are. And if we are gone by then, I am sure each and every one of you would make fantastic warriors. But as long as the three of us are here we promise we will fight to protect this world. Wherever there is someone living in fear we will be there to hold their hand until they can find hope again. If you are ever afraid, know that we are right beside you cheering you on. And you can do the same, be the light for those around you living in darkness. In that way, you are all already Pretty Cure."
The three girls chattered on as Sofía drove the gang back to her house once all the children had gone home. Even Bing spoke animatedly about the kids she encountered that day, and the three laughed as they opened up the door to Sofía's family home. Sofía was surprised to find no one sitting in the living room as they entered, and she popped her head into the kitchen to see if anyone was there.
"Hello?" she called, receiving no response. She looked back over her shoulder at Fay and Bing, both of whom shrugged uncertainly. Checking upstairs they found no one, but opening the back door revealed Andres, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Lara hunched over in the back yard.
"What's going on?" Sofía asked as the three came outside to inspect. "What are you all doing out here?" Mrs. Lara turned over her shoulder and beckoned the girls closer.
"We found this little guy here, and it just won't leave! It's so strange," she explained, the girls each peering over to see what they huddled around. Before them stood a dog that sat wagging its tail happily, looking up at them with bright purple eyes. Its fur was perfectly split down the middle, white on one side and black on the other. The three girls froze, looking at one another
"Have you ever seen a dog with markings like that?" Mr. Lara asked in awe, holding out a hand which the dog immediately nuzzled.
"Dad can we keep it?" Andres pleaded to his parents, who looked warily at each other.
"I don't know Andres…dogs are a lot of work," Mrs. Lara reminded gently.
"I'll help take care of it too!" Sofía exclaimed, the dog dropping to the ground and rolling onto its back playfully. "I think it wants us to take it in, don't you think?" The dog's purple eyes looked up at Sofía, closing one for the briefest of moments.
"Oh my god Sofía did you see that? It totally winked at you!" Andres exclaimed joyfully. "Please please please can we keep it?"
Mr. Lara shrugged, his wife heaving a long, drawn out sigh. "I know you two have always wanted a pet…so you have to promise to take care of it or else we'll have to give it up," she said sternly, though Andres leapt to his feet with joy.
"Thank you so much mama! What should we name it?"
"How about Cerberus?" Fay piped up, Bing nodding thoughtfully at the suggestion.
"I like that name," Sofía decided, the dog jumping up and barking playfully, tail wagging.
"Seems like the dog likes it too!" Andres laughed, petting the mysterious canine on the head. "Cerberus sounds good."
That evening they all spent playing with the new dog, which apparently knew quite a few impressive tricks. Mr. Lara was convinced that the dog was some kind of circus runaway with the ability it showed to listen to commands, and the three girlfriends had to try not to let their amusement show. As the night grew darker, the trio eventually fell asleep dog piled on Sofía's bed with Cerberus curled up at their feet. Sofía clutched the small stuffed bat tightly to her chest as she lay between her partners. A gentle jostling, like the softest tremor in her heart, let her know she was here as well.
With a small smile and a peaceful sigh, she drifted off to sleep.
Author's note:
This is it! The end to Spooky! Precure :') I've never been so rapid fire with a project before, usually it stews around in my brain for like a year, then I start sketching, then I outline and usually never even get to writing. Altogether from conception to completion this project has taken less than a year, so in a way I almost feel like I haven't gotten to spend enough time with this story and these girls.
That said, I'd like to do a "movie" standalone story in the future, and maybe even release updated chapters of the story itself since I kept myself on such a tight schedule I feel I could definitely increase the quality with revisits and edits.
Thank you all so much for going on this adventure with me, I really enjoyed myself! The precure community has been so sweet and welcoming to me which I really appreciate. I wouldn't have cranked this out so fast if it weren't for you all inspiring me to continue!