Episode 37

Op: "We are Passion Heart Precure~Hybrid Mix."

"Sing! The Flutes Love Song!"

The soft buzz of the ceiling fan was beginning to fade away as the dull sound of the teachers voice was slowly drowned out in to nothing, but a silent hum. Waki starred blankly at the chalk board ahead of her, her eyes focusing less and less on what was actually written on it. Waki tried to stay awake, but it was getting increasingly difficult to keep her eyes from shutting. Her chin was slipping from her palm, as a wave of tiredness washed over. Just as she was about to give in to sleep the loud clamor of the school bell shook her awake with a jolt.

Waki collected herself, trying to shake away the heavy feeling of sleep. But, taking note of the students around her it was clear no one took any notice of her so, Waki picked up her school bag and shoving her belongings inside, went on her way.

"No cleaning duty means I get to leave." Waki said to herself with a smile on her face. She tossed her school shoes in her locker and quickly checking her phone began her usual walk home. "Let's see." She muttered, glossing over her phones contacts. "Orie said she had drama club today, Rei has cleaning duty and she promised to help out Orie...guess I'm walking alone."

Waki shoved her phone away in her pocket, her feet dragging while she walked as she let out a sigh. She kicked a pebble to the side of the street, as her eyes remained fixed to the ground. Waki hated walking alone, it was boring and well...lonely.

"Hey!"

Waki raised her eyes towards the sound of the voice, coming to a stop when she laid her eyes on the familiar face. Waki smiled as she spoke. "Hey Tokie, what are you doing here?"

Tokie greeted her with a bright smile, eyes shining with excitement, though what was so exciting Waki did not. "Waki, are you walking home alone?" Tokie asked, clutching her school bag with a tight grip. "I am too, but to be honest I hate it. Can I join you?"

Waki shrugged, saying. "I don't know...where do you live?"

"Down town, you know the busy district part where all the complex's and businesses are." Tokie explained as she tugged Waki's hand, pulling her forward to begin walking.

"Oh..." Said Waki, nearly stumbling as she was pulled along. "Than yea, we can walk home together...I mean you do mean Valor Business District, right?"

Tokie nodded eagerly, glancing back a Waki with a reassuring smile. "Yep, yep that one!" Tokie let out a light laugh as they crossed the street in to the subway. "Sorry, I'm still trying to get use to all the names around the city. Valor city is huge! Sometimes I feel like there's smaller cities inside it , ya know?" She said with a slight laugh.

Waki giggled, brow quirked in a questioning fashion. "Hold on, getting use to? Are you new around Valor?"

"Sort of..." Tokie muttered, eyes searching across the small font of the train schedule. "I take the A-line to that elementary school, what about you?"

"Same..." Waki muttered, mind beginning to buzz with thousands of questions.

"Great, it should be here in ten minutes, let's go!" Tokie pulled Waki along to the platform, were the two stood patiently waiting for the train.

Waki glanced at Tokie and than towards the platform, she pushed a lock of her hair back as she spoke. "So...when did you move here?"

Tokie shrugged. "Mhm...not really sure maybe a month or two ago? Maybe more, maybe less."

Waki turned to her with an awkward giggle. "Wait, do you seriously not know? How could you not know?"

Tokie kept her eyes glued to the track, stepping back as the train pulled in. "Don't know, guess I just forgot."

The train doors opened with a soft chime from the train, Tokie motioned for Waki to follow her as she stepped inside. Waki eyed Tokie, curious, as she boarded the train. The girls were pressed closely to each other, both silent. But Tokie's gentle voice quickly broke that silence.

"So, got any plans?"

Waki giggled, brow raised. "Depends? What do you have planned?"

Tokie could not pull her eyes away from the steaming plate of food that was placed out in front of her. The still hot food seemed to sparkle with an air of flavor, just one whiff of it made Tokie drool. She looked to Waki, giving her a thumbs up before snatching up a spoon and diving right in to the dinner.

"Wow!" Tokie exclaimed with a mouth full of hot rice and sweet curry, currently burning in her mouth though she did not care.

Waki laughed at the over excited child. "Careful, it's still pretty hot."

Wataru, Waki's younger brother, could hardly hold back a laugh, spoon falling from his hand and back on to the plate. "Do you really like it that much? I mean Waki's not a terrible cook, but I've definitely had better."

"Hey, watch it." Waki said, playfully hitting her brother. "My cooking's great, right Tokie?"

Tokie nodded with vigor, a stained smile on her face. "It's the best!" She said through a mouthful.

Waki sat down to join them, a confident smile about her. "See? It's the best."

Wataru rolled his eyes, turning back to his dinner. "Whatever..."

The three finished dinner rather quickly, it seemed everyone had a bit of a big appetite. After washing up the plates and cleaning the table, Waki plopped down on to her couch with a loud sigh. Tokie joined her, legs crossed and hands folded over her knees. Waki laughed at how proper Tokie was acting.

"You should have let me help you clean up." Tokie said, pouting.

"No way, I never let guess do the dirty work." Waki said, sitting up to a more comfortable position. "You know, you can relax. It's just us here."

"What do you mean?" Tokie asked.

"You don't have to cross your legs or anything like that. Go ahead slouch down or whatever, no need to be so wound up."

Tokie adjusted herself, but remained sitting in her proper position. "I am comfortable..."

Waki shrugged, pulling herself up and away from the couch. "Suite yourself... follow me I'll show you my room."

Tokie followed behind her, taking note of all the portraits that lined the hall of the apartment. "Nice pictures, did you take them yourself?"

Waki laughed, opening her door with a bit of a slam as she made herself comfortable on her bed. "No way, those were taken by my dad. He's a photographer, he goes all over the world to get pictures like that."

"Oh, well there beautiful." Tokie said, taking a seat on the near by desk chair. "And your mother, what does she do?"

"She's a business woman. Always keeping her company out of trouble and securing deals. All that stuff." Waki explained, with little interest. "What about your parents?"

"Mhm?" Tokie uttered, as though she was pulled away from her thoughts. Tokie shrugged and quickly changing the subject. "Oh, um...don't know. Anyway it must be hard to have parents with those jobs, are they always out of the house?"

Waki eyed her, suspicious, but shrugged away the thought as she spoke. "Um...no not really. It's pretty rare to have them both gone at the same time. My dad's home more often than mom, but I don't know I never really felt...lonely."

Tokie smiled, as though that was the answer she wanted. "Good. Now what do you do for fun?"

Waki smiled with a slight laugh, eyeing Tokie. "What's with all the questions?"

"What? Are they too personal, I don't want to cross any lines or anything like that." Tokie explained. "I just figured I should get to know you, now that were teammates. After all our very first encounter didn't go so well."

"Oh, yea...I kinda snapped at you right?" Waki said.

Tokie waved her hands as though to assure Waki no feelings were hurt. "Don't worry about that, I had something you needed, so I'm sure it was a bit frustrating, but anyway back to my question if you don't mind. What do you like to do in your free time?"

Waki shrugged at first, thinking the question over. "Um..." She uttered. "Not much really...I mean I use to play the flute, but I dropped that a while ago."

Tokie leaned forward, brows scrunched together as she frowned. "Really? Why, haven't you ever thought about picking it back up."

"I have...I mean I play sometimes when I'm home alone, but I haven't taken it back up seriously." Waki explained. "I was going to enter in to the performance at Valor city hall, but only for fun. You know?"

"Mhm..." Tokie said, eyeing Waki closely. "Right, well I wish you luck on your show. Maybe it will be just the thing you need to pick the flute back up."

"Right..." Uttered Waki.

Tokie stood up, dusting off her uniform skirt as she readied to leave. "You know Waki, it's nice to have things to do for fun, but is there anything you're really passionate about?"

"Tokie..." Waki called her name, a confusing tone in her voice. "I guess so...I mean there are things I like to do...so yea."

Tokie smiled softly, though something about it seemed forced, like she was hiding something. "Well who knows, maybe the flute is your passion and if it is, than I wish you even more luck after all going after your passion is the best thing to do. Anyhow, I'll see you later."

Waki was left alone to sit in the growing silence of her room, the echo of the front door the only thing to break the quiet. Waki slouched against the wall, pulling her knees close to her as she thought over Tokie's words with much confusion.

"What is that girl even talking about?" She said to herself. "Passion and all that stuff...what does she even mean?"

Waki's phone buzzed beside her, screen lighting up as it received a message. Waki read over the text with a sigh, falling over on to her side and pulling the covers over herself. Her mother would be late once again, according to the text. Seconds later her phone buzzed with yet another text, this time from her father. He too would be late, leaving Waki in charge of Wataru.

Waki snuggled under her covers, eyes starring at the wall as her mind drifted off with random thoughts. She yawned as she felt herself begin to drift away in to a deep sleep. For the next few hours Waki slept, though even in her dreams she felt bothered by Tokie's comment. It seemed even in sleep she could not shake off the worry Tokie's words had instilled in her mind.

She tossed and turned, groaning in her sleep as her mind was a stormed with thousands of thoughts. But she was suddenly awake, bolting forward at the sound of a loud crash that seemed to come from her kitchen. Waki brushed back her hair with a hand, throwing the covers away from her as she jumped out of bed and ran towards the kitchen.

"What's going?" She asked, voice shaking with panic.

Her mother, who was currently kneeling over a pile of broken class, froze in place, eyes starring in to Waki's. Tsubomi laid the dust pan she held in her hand on the ground, her expression changing in to one of worry.

"Are you alright? I didn't startle you did I?" She asked, eyes narrowed in concern.

Waki let out a heavy sigh, hand placed over her chest as she calmed down. "Yea, you did. All I heard was a crash and I thought the worst. Are you alright though?"

Tsubomi gestured towards the table, motioning for Waki to sit. Tsubomi swept up the pile of glass, dumping it in to the trash and than joined Waki at the dinner table.

"Sorry, I wanted to eat before bed but the plate slipped from my hands." Tsubomi explained. "Were you asleep?"

Waki nodded, a clear expression of tiredness crossing her face. "Yea, I fell asleep hours ago. But anyway, when did you get back?"

"Oh, about an hour ago. Which reminds me." Tsubomi slid a paper towards Waki, a smile crossing her face. "I picked up the entry form for the performance at the city hall."

"Oh..." Waki uttered, voice low as she glanced over the paper. "Thanks..."

Tsubomi clasped her hands in excitement, a small cheer escaping her. "How exciting! It's been so long since you've played and now we get to see you perform again!"

Waki starred at her mother, confused. "We? Wait a minute...are you coming? H-how, don't you have work?"

"I requested off." Tsubomi said with a cheer.

"But why? It's not really that big of a performance..."

"Nonsense! I never had a chance to see you play and I figured since you gave up the flute a while ago, that this could be my only chance." Tsubomi said. "I didn't want to miss it."

Waki dropped her gaze, her voice coming out like a small whisper. "Oh..."

Tsubomi stood from the table, pulling Waki up from her seat. "Now go on, it's late and you need to wake up early to drop the paper off. So off to bed you go." She shooed her away, still cheering with excitement.

"Hold on a minute." Waki faced her mother with a bit of hesitation to speak, she lowered her gaze and asked. "Mom, do you like what you do?"

Tsubomi eyed her, puzzled. "Yes, I suppose I do." She answered.

"But, do you like it or love it?" Waki asked.

"Well, yes. I mean not everyone has a job they like or even love, but I do." Tsubomi said, smiling softly as she spoke. "But I do, I really do."

Waki gripped her arm, still keeping her gaze down. "Would you say you're passionate about it?"

Tsubomi's brows scrunched together in suspicion. "Waki, what's with all these questions?"

"Nothing!" Waki threw her arms up defensively and her voice cracked as she spoke. "I-it's nothing, just...well I was just wondering if people do things even if they don't like them. You know like me and the flute, not saying that I hate it or anything it's just..." Waki began to ramble on as she spoke, confusing her mother.

"Waki, slow down." Tsubomi laid her hands on Waki shoulders. "Why do you want to know that?"

Waki shrugged. "Don't know..."

"You know, it's alright to do things for fun. Not everything has to be so...serious."

A small smile crossed Waki's lips and she asked. "Really?"

"Of course, after all you have all your life to worry about that. Now, go on and get some rest alright?" Tsubomi kissed Waki's head, patting her gentely on the back as she returned to the kitchen.

Waki giggled to herself, feeling silly to even have worried. She crawled back to bed, but did not fall back asleep immediately. Waki could not shake her mothers words away, there was something about them that just stuck with her and they kept her up, tossing and turning unable to find sleep.

"I have all my life to find something I'm passionate about..." Waki said to herself, settling down under her covers. "But what if I never do..."

Waki shut her eyes, telling herself to forgot about it all and soon she fell asleep. But it was not long before her alarm clock went off, blaring loudly in her room, jolting her awake with a start. Waki thought about shutting the alarm off and staying in bed a bit longer, but with a disgruntle sigh Waki forced herself out of bed and dressed herself for the day.

She tossed her bag over her shoulder, snatched the entry form up from her desk and hurried to catch the train. An hour later, Waki found herself sitting in the waiting room of Valor City Hall. She read over the form, filling in the questions with a look of boredom drawn over her face. When she had arrived she was told to double check her form and wait till she was called, that was about fifteen minutes ago and being the impatient person she was, Waki was beginning to grow annoyed.

"Takara Waki."

She jumped in her sit a bit as though pulled from her boredom. "Finally..." She muttered so she would not to be heard, as she walked towards the woman who had called her.

"Thank you so much for waiting, we usually don't run things this way, but this year we seem to have gathered more interest then usual." The woman explained.

"It's alright..." Waki said, handing over the form with a forced smile. "How much more people have signed up?" She asked, curious.

"About one hundred roe than expected!" The woman said, clasping her hands in excitement.

"Wow, why so many this year?" Waki wondered aloud.

"It seems that this little performance has garnered quiet the reputation, some of our performers use it as a chance to show case their talent to potential talent scouts." Explained the woman.

"Oh, people take this pretty seriously..." Waki said, voice low.

"Yes, but we always remember to keep the spirit of things light and happy. Now, we look forward to your performance."

Waki nodded, muttering a low 'Thank you' as she turned away from the woman and began to exit the building. Waki's eyes were fixed to the ground, a blank stare about them as she bit her lip, deep in thought. Waki glanced back at the desk counter, considering to withdraw her entry from the show. She clicked her tongue, shaking her head as though to dismiss the thought.

"It's just one silly little show..." She muttered to herself.

"Waki."

Waki came to stop at the call of her name, turning on her heel with a hum of her voice. "Hm?" She hummed.

Gab Prine stood across from her, flute held tightly in her hands as her eyes narrowed to look at Waki. "Are you performing?"

Waki chuckled under her breath, running a hand through her hair as she spoke. "Well, hello to you too."

Gab clicked her tongue, already annoyed. "Waki!" She whined, stomping a foot down.

"Yes, yes I am. I take it that you're performing too." Waki said.

Gab straightened up, a confident smile crossing her face. "That's right, I am. But don't think I'll hold back, I'm going to try my hardest."

Waki raised a brow, not sure what Gab even meant. "Um, alright...you know it's not a competition or anything. I signed up just for fun."

Gab dropped her shoulders, mouth parting as she whispered a confused. "What?" Gab collected herself and said. "Hold on, so you're not here for any talent scouts or anything like that?"

Waki shook her head. "No..." Waki suddenly felt, embarrassed though she was not sure why. She crossed her arms as though wanting to hide herself away. "Is that why you're here?"

Gab nodded. "Yes, well right now I'm practicing, but that's why I signed up. You know this performance has become a way for talent scouts to seek the best musicians. I saw you walk in with the form and I thought that maybe you were at least going to use this to return to the music world. But I'm not right, am I?"

A small sigh escaped from Waki, feet shuffling beneath her as she paused before saying. "Yea, I'm not really here for that."

Gab tightened her grip on the flute case she carried, clearing her throat and saying. "Well, than I can't wait to see your performance. Until then, goodbye." Gab turned on her heel ready to walk away, but she stood still and a cold air gathered around her.

"Gab?" Waki called to her.

Gab looked over her shoulder, eyes peering in to Waki's. "You know, you should really consider coming back. I hate to admit it, but you were good. But I guess you just...didn't care enough."

As Gab walked away, there was a tension left in the air, one that seemed to choke at Waki the longer she stayed. Waki licked her lips, holding her arms to herself as she remained standing in a wave of confusion. Waki dropped her arms to her side and with a loud huff stormed out of the building. She sat herself down on the building's steps with a heavy sigh.

"What's here problem?" She asked herself angrily. "I cared, jeez. Why does she care that I quit? She's so annoying!" Waki leaned over her legs, covering her head with both arms, feeling it would be best to try and calm down.

When the sound of foot steps crossed her ears and she felt the sudden presence of someone beside her, Waki raised her head allowing her eyes to fall on the person who was now beside her. Tokie's usual smile greeted her along with a small wave of her hand. Waki forced a smile as she straightened herself up, keeping her gaze towards the ground.

"Do you mind me sitting her?" Tokie asked.

"Hm?" Waki hummed to her question. "Oh, no I don't..."

Tokie crossed her leg over the other, resting a hand on her knee. "Right, so what seems to be the problem?"

"Excuse me? Why do you think there's a problem?" Asked Waki.

"Well, normally people don't often sit on steps and bury their heads in their arms unless there's problem." Tokie said. "So, what's bothering you?"

Waki chuckled, sounding a bit awkward. "Um, nothing really. I ran in to an old...friend and she said something that stirred me up a bit."

"Oh, well are you alright? I mean what did she say?"

"Nothing really, she just suggested I get back in to the whole music scene in a rather harsh way." Waki explained. "Listen it's really nothing."

"Okay, but is that all? I mean it looks like something else is on your mind?" Tokie asked, urging for Waki to speak more.

Waki shrugged. "No, no...it's just it seems like everyone's a little to excited to see me play. I mean I've explained that I'm only doing this for fun, but my mom's taking a day off work, my old friend wants me to start playing again, like seriously playing. I just didn't think this performance mattered to anyone, but seeing how important it is to some people, well...now I feel a bit dumb for wanting to play."

"Than maybe you shouldn't."

Waki turned to Tokie, confusion laced in her stare. "What?"

"Well Waki you said it yourself, everyone's taking this performance very seriously and it's not fair to them if you're not just as serious. Maybe you should drop out and dedicate your time to something else."

Waki stared at Tokie in complete silence, a look of utter shock across her features. "W-what?" She stammered,

Tokie bit her lip, adjusting herself on the step. "Listen, all I'm saying is that I agree with you. You shouldn't be doing anything you're not gonna give a hundred percent in. I mean why let people down, right?"

Waki blinked, turning away from Tokie. She scoffed as she stood herself up, in disbelief of what she was told. "Um, actually Tokie I have somewhere to be so, um, I should get going...goodbye."

"Hold on." Tokie said, reaching out towards Waki. "Where are you going?"

"Like I said I have to get going." Waki said to her without even a glance in her direction.

Waki stormed away in a fierce march, brows scrunched together as a frown painted her face. She had no idea where exactly it was she was walking to and she honestly did not care, she was far too mad to care at the moment. However after what felt like hours, Waki realized she was know angrily marching around downtown, earning a few puzzled stares from the people around her.

Waki collected herself, digging through her pocket for her cell. She unlocked her cell and spared no time in writing up a text than quickly hitting send, "I'm coming over.", read the text. Waki waited, eyeing the contact's name; It was Orie. When her phone buzzed again and a small message that read "Alright.", light up her screen, Waki marched off with a huff towards her friends house.

Within the next hour Waki was sitting across from Orie in the garden of Orie's house, the two taking small bites at the deserts before them. Waki took a swig of her tea, clearing her throat as though to break the silence. Orie meet her stare, shuffling in her seat to a more comfortable position. Orie set her tea and desert aside, dabbing at her mouth with a napkin before speaking.

"So, not that I don't appreciate the visit or anything, but why are you here?" Orie asked, curiously eyeing Waki. "I mean, something seems off about you? Is everything alright?"

Waki lowered her gaze with a deep sigh, index finger tapping away at the table. "You can say that..." Her voice was low, nearly a whisper.

Orie frowned, eyes narrowing. "Waki." She said with a serious tone.

"It's...it's everything!" Waki shouted as she slammed her hands down on to the table.

"Waki." Orie said with a jolt.

Waki let out a heavy sigh as she slumped back in to her chair. "I spoke with Tokie a few days ago and she started talking about how I should find something I'm passionate about and I saw her again earlier today and she told me to give up playing in the show and find something 'worth my time'."

"What?Why would she ever say that?" Orie asked, concern draped on her face.

Waki shrugged as she spoke. "I don't know, but maybe she's right...I mean what do I have in my life that I care about? Like really care about? It's like ever since I spoke to her I've been questioning all I do...am I overreacting?"

Orie leaned against the back of her chair, a soft smile crossing her features. "I think you might be...just a little. I think you should be upset with what Tokie's said to you, but maybe she's just trying to get you to find something you really like to do."

"But why?" Asked Waki. "See that's what I'm not getting, why does she care so much about what I do?"

"I'm not sure either..." Orie admitted. "But you remember how she was like the day we meet her, it's obvious she loves helping people so maybe that's it."

"Maybe..."

"Listen." Said Orie. "I think you should forget about what she said. Waki I know that you're a kind and loving person and not just me Rei and everyone else who knows you would agree with me."

"You really think so...?" Waki asked softly.

Orie smiled as she spoke. "I really do. For as long as I've know, I got to see how much you care about what you do. Just because you don't focus on one specific thing doesn't mean you don't care about anything and although you might be stubborn-" She poked Waki jokingly. "And we've had our disagreements, but I know you. You always give thinks your all. So, just forgot about what she said."

Waki began to smile, feeling comforted by her words. Waki sat up straight, a confident air about her. "You're right, I shouldn't give it so much thought...thanks."

"Of course."

"No I mean it." Waki said. "Thanks Orie, thanks for cheering me up and for being there for me. Having you around has been like the greatest thing to happen to me."

Orie giggled and playfully punched Waki's arm. "Waki, we're friends no need for thanks."

Waki shuffled in her seat, eyes falling to the piles of boxes that littered Orie's garden. "So just to get my mind off earlier, what's with all the boxes hanging around?"

"Mhm?" Orie uttered, turning in her seat. "Oh, those, well we have so much to pack away I figured I should put some out in the garden space just so the house won't get too cluttered."

"Packing away? Oh, yea you're moving...almost forgot." Waki said.

Orie nodded. "Yup, in just a few months I'll be gone..ha." She said than chuckled to herself. "It's weird I still haven't really wrapped my mind around it."

"Yea, I don't think any of us have." Waki said. "You know if you want I could help pack some stuff away."

"Really? It's not really any fun are you sure?"

Waki nodded, beaming a smile towards Orie. "Of course, plus it'll be just the kind of thing I need to take my mind off of today."

"Alright then, let's get packing!"

The city was beginning to settle down as the the day was drawing to an end. The sun was gently shining the remainder of it's light on to the city, the streets crowded with citizens all hurrying to get home. Tokie eyed the crowds with a heavy pout, she sat alone on a bench clearly upset. She kicked her legs back and forth as she mumbled to herself.

"Why did she get mad?" She asked herself. "It's not like I was trying to upset her, I was just making a point...I was right about it anyway..."

Tokie had been trying to figure out why Waki had gotten so upset earlier, to most people it would be obvious, but to a stubborn girl like Tokie the fact was very unclear. Having spent all day trying solve the matter had just made her angry and now all she could do was sit and mope.

"I was just trying to be helpful, why can't she see that?" Tokie continued to speak to herself, despite all the stares it raised from the passing crowd. " She should take my advice, if she has nothing to be passionate about then...how could she possibly be a precure. Than again maybe I was a bit harsh"

Tokie felt her shoulders drop, she slouched forward and hung her head with a troubled sigh. As Tokie sat, realizing her mistake there was something that had caught her attention. It was not an object or a person it was more like a feeling, a feeling of complete lost, a feeling of despair. She raised her head and surveying the area, noticed a trail of what looked to be a mist.

A dark hazy mist, almost like fog, trailed behind a figure to far for Tokie to make out clearly. Her heart began to race and her head burned almost like a sudden fever, Tokie watched at the mist grew smaller, fading from her eyesight as the figure grew further away. Tokie looked to those around her, it seemed they had not taken any notice to such thing, was she imagining it?

"I can't take that chance..." She said in a low whisper. Tokie jumped to her feet and broke in to a sprint, chasing behind the mist though where it would lead she was not sure. But one thing was certain, the figure shrouded within the mist was nothing, but evil.

Eyecatch 1: The camera is zoomed in on Rei's face, she winks and than the camera moves down a line of hearts made by the girls hands. A bright light shines than the camera zooms out to show Cure Adore, Merry, Rose, and Cupid as the Passion Heart Precure logo appears.

Eyecatch 2: Chibi versions of Rei, Orie, and Waki stand side by side, arms raised as they are consumed by a bursting light, transforming in to their cure forms. Than Cure Cupid comes crashing down, landing on the girls and waving to the camera with a wide smile as the Passion Heart Precure Logo appears.

"You can just set that one aside in the garden." Orie's voice echoed in the halls of her home as she spoke from the opposite end of a room.

Waki carried a box in her arms and with a loud huff as she set the box outside beside the others, she wiped at her forehead and leaned against the wall behind her to rest. But before she could get in a good break, a loud crash caught her ear. Waki jumped forward with a start, peeking in to the house from the back with a puzzled expression.

"Are you alright?" She asked, shouting in to the hall. When she did not receive an answer Waki stepped back inside the house, eyes wondering the halls in search of Orie. "Orie, you alright?"

Still no answer. Waki grew suspicious, but she was not panicked perhaps Orie had not heard her calling, after all the house was massive in size. So kept calling, walking along the halls.

"Orie!" She called. "Where did she say she was, upstairs? Orie-" Waki's voice grew low until she stopped speaking all together, there was something pulling at her ankles. She looked down, confused to see a pool of mist surround her feet. "What's..." She turned around, following the source of the mysterious mist, but she did not have to go very far. Her brows hung heavy over her eyes, which narrowed at the figure before her. "You."

A low, cold laugh filled the air, Asphodel's voice. "It's been a while, don't you think."

"What do you-" Before Waki could get another word out, she felt the floor slip from underneath her. "Ah!" Her shrill cry echoed for just a moment followed by silence.

In a matter of seconds the two were gone, as if they were never there to begin with. A moment later Orie came running out, brow raised in confusion.

"Waki did you call me?" She asked out-loud. She looked the hall for any sign of Waki, but was lost to see that she was nowhere to be found. "Maybe she left..."

Orie believed she had come to the right conclusion, turning to go back to her packing. But there was something nagging at her, a feeling that told her something was not right. She turned herself back around and headed towards the garden. As she ran through the halls, nearly to the garden, a small flicker of blue light caught her eye. It came from a phone that lay on the floor, the light flickered from a message, Orie recognized it as Waki's cell and almost immediately panic set in.

"Oh, no." She said with a gasp. "W-what do I do?"

Orie paced around, mind heavy with panic. She bit on a nail as she thought of what to do, when suddenly she noticed a light trail of fog appear by her feet. Orie was sure that fog had something to do with Waki, though how she still was unsure. But either way she followed it out in to her garden hoping to find Waki, but she was still alone, the mist hanging around her.

"What is going on?" She asked herself.

"I'll tell you what's going on, you girls are done for."

Orie turned around with a quick spin, what once felt like panic to her quickly grew to anger. "Asphodel." She hissed with narrowed eyes. "What have you done now?!"

A slim smirk stretched itself across his lips, a cold stare within his eyes as he spoke."I've finally have the upper hand."

"Where is she!" Orie cried out in anger. She lunged at him without thinking, forgetting to even transform. She threw a punch towards him, but before she could even sink her fist against him she was suddenly falling forward as if she had lost her footing, Asphodel began to cackle and as she fell she passed right through him as though he was just an illusion.

Orie stumbled to get her footing and when she did she surveyed her new surroundings. Darkness covered every inch of her, if she would try to walk forward all she would find is more darkness. It was like being trapped in a room with no lights or windows, a cold chill running through.

A twisted cackle echoed from within the darkness and Orie could just make out a small flicker of light from the opposite end that grew bigger as it came towards her, she stepped back in fear of what would happen next. The light grew and roared as it raced towards Orie with an overwhelming force behind it.

Orie threw herself to the ground, avoiding the attack by mere inches. She clicked her tongue, still lying on the ground as she tried to wrap her mind around what exactly was happening. She jumped up to her feet and quickly transformed. She could hear a pair of foot steps grow louder as they came close to her, expecting the worst she snapped her fingers to summon her the darkness was heavy and she struggled to make anything out, Merry felt a breath of relief escape her as Cupid's familiar face came in to view.

Cupid was panting heavily, out of breath. She rubbed at her face to swipe away the sweat that clung to her skin, small scratches littered her face and arms. "Merry, hurry he's right behind me!" Cupid's voice echoed in a distressed cry.

When Cupid reached Merry, she snatched her wrist and pulled Merry alongside her, the two running hastily. Merry looked over her shoulder trying to see through the dark, but it was useless.

"Where's Rose? Or Adore?" Merry questioned with a panic. "Are they okay?"

Cupid glanced at her than behind in to the darkness, her mouth parted as she took in a breath to speak. But before she could answer Merry, a bright explosion of light went off behind them. The girls stumbled as the ground shook due to the attack, they cam to a sudden stop and froze in place as a sharp cry rumbled in the air and a purple flash flew by them.

"Rose!" Merry cried out as she watched her teammate come to a hard crash against the ground. She ran to her side and pulled her to her feet. "Are you alright?"

Rose groaned, rubbing at her head. "I'm fine don't worry about me."

"She's right." Cupid cut in, back turn to the two girls. "Get ready you two, he's coming back for more!"

"Wait what about Adore, where is she?!" Merry asked, worried.

"She was keeping Asphodel distracted, but she couldn't hold him back for long, so I distracted him. But Adore's leading him here, get ready!" Rose explained with haste. She summoned her sword.

Adore finally came in to view, shield held up in defense as Asphodel threw punch after punch against it. Adore dropped to the ground and kicked his legs from underneath him, signaling for the girls to attack. Rose lunged at him ready with a quick swing of her sword, but she just barely missed him, the surface of her blade only touching the tip of his nose

Asphodel pushed himself up back onto his feet, he threw a punch that slammed against Rose's face, dazing her. She stumbled backward, her sword slipping from her hand as Asphodel sunk his leg against her side. Rose fell to the ground with a pained groan feeling a sharp pain in her body.

"Hold on!" Cupid shouted. She summoned a small harp and tapped it against her hip. "Cupid, Love Song!" Instantly a flurry of small arrows flew from the harp as a melody was strummed.

The arrows rained down on Asphodel with fury, he threw his arms up as a shield though it offered little protection. Cupid turned to Rose and pulled her up, her eyes narrowed as though she was angry.

"Pick up your sword quickly, don't let him get the upper hand." Cupid said to her with a cold tone to her voice.

"She's right, come on!" Adore charged at Asphodel, ordering the girls to follow suit.

Asphodel had little time to recover from Cupid's attack when Adore rammed her shield against him, knocking him down. Merry slammed her mallet against the ground releasing a deafening shock wave that shook the ground. Asphodel covered his ears to block out the noise, ears ringing from the sheer volume of the attack.

"Rose, get him!" Adore ordered.

Rose leapt in to the air, sword above her head as she came down above him. However, Asphodel would not just lay on the ground helpless. Asphodel rolled to his side just as Rose brought her sword down causing her to bury the blade in to the ground. Rose clenched her jaw as she struggled to free her sword, while Rose scrambled to free the blade Asphodel took the chance and attacked. He charged up a light beam and unleashed it, sending Rose tumbling across the floor.

"Rose!" Adore called out to her with a sharp cry. She ran to her side, keeping her shield up. "Come on, before he attacks again we have to fight back now!"

Rose whimpered from the pain she felt as she was rushed back up to stand. She leaned against Adore in a slouched poster, breathing heavily. "I'm trying..."

Cupid looked back at Rose with a scornful eye, lips pulled in to a dissatisfied frown. "She's getting her butt kicked." She said lowly before turning back to Asphodel. "Come on, Merry!"

"Right behind you!" Merry assured as she dashed towards him.

Cupid tapped her harp once more, Merry lunging at Asphodel with an onslaught of punches that kept him at bay. Asphodel jumped back to escape her attacks, Cupid's arrow's landing on the floor just in front of his feet.

"Come on!" Adore said to Rose, pulling her with her towards Asphodel. "Rose, take the left!" She ordered.

Rose nodded and sprung up to attack with sword in hand, pointed towards Asphodel while Adore distracted him. Adore threw her shield like a disc at full force, the shield crashing against Asphodel's jaw. Asphodel stumbled for a moment in a dazed state, but he could see Rose coming from his side to attack. He whipped around to her and planted his fist in to her gut. Rose gasped for a breath, falling to her feet and cradling her stomach, sword vanishing as it hit the floor.

"Seems like you can't do anything right today can you?" Asphodel mocked.

Adore eyed him with a cold glare. "Hey, don't forgot about us!"

Asphodel scoffed, charging up another attack. "Believe me I haven't."

Asphodel charged at Adore, but she leapt up to avoid the blow. Merry jumped towards Asphodel with her mallet in hand and sunk it against his side. Asphodel bit his lip as he tried to muffle a cry.

"Cupid, check on Rose. We'll hold him up!" Adore gave her the order and quickly returned to fight.

Cupid ran to Rose's side, kneeling beside her. "What's with you today, you can't land a single blow!"

"I'm sorry, I guess I've just been distracted..." Rose spoke softly as though every word pained her.

Cupid shook her head, face clearly pulled into a look of anger. "No, that's not it. I knew this would happen."

Rose looked at her, lost. "What? Knew what would happen?"

"This!" Cupid exclaimed, nearly shouting. "Don't you get it, the reason you can't fight him. The reason you've been so sloppy today. You have no passion as a cure and it will only get worst from here, if you keep transforming you'll only hurt yourself."

"Wait a minute what are you talking about?" Rose tried to stand up, but winced from the shock of pain her body felt.

"Rose, as a precure you need to have a strong sense of passion and love. With out that, were will you gather your strength? You're no good like this, stay here we'll take care of him." Cupid turned away from Rose, ready to finish Asphodel off with or with out her help.

But Rose held her back, demanding she explain herself. "Listen, I know we don't really have time to talk, but what do you mean? Today and the day before you've been going on about me having passion and now you bring it up during a battle?! You need to stop joking around and help me up!"

Cupid kept a stern look on her face, glancing to Asphodel and than to Rose. "We can't just sit and watch you lose to him, we have to stop him and you're holding us back. Now just stay out of the way!"

Cupid slipped away from Waki's grip and lunged at Asphodel, planting a swift kick against his back. She jumped back and readied her harp, tapping it on to the side of her hip. Asphodel fell to his knees as he felt the air in his lungs flush out of him before he could even catch a breath a swarm of small arrows began to pelt him.

"Girls, now!" Cupid shouted towards Merry and Adore.

Adore looked to Merry the two sharing a confused glance before eyeing Cupid. "We can't, not without Rose!"

"There's no time just combine your powers!" Cupid demanded.

"She's right, let's just try and finish this!" Merry said in agreement, she knew Cupid's attack would not hold Asphodel off for long , they needed to act now.

Adore was hesitant, glancing towards Asphodel knowing he would soon over power Cupid's attack, but she knew there was a chance that Merry and herself would not be able to over power him. But there was no time, Cupid would not be able to stall forever.

Adore threw her instinct aside and agreed. "Alright let's hurry!" Adore and Merry stood shoulder to shoulder, holding their arms outward as their powers came together. "Precure, Adore Merry, Sonic Bomb!"

A roaring storm of light raged from the palms of the two cures, massive chimes shook the ground from the sheer intensity of the sound. Cupid lowered her harp and quickly fled to safety, leaving Asphodel to the mercy of the light.

Strangely, Asphodel did not even shiver with an ounce of fear. There remained an eerie calm about him as the attack came charging his way, not even the incredible sound of the attack seemed to phase him. The light from the attack quickly consumed him and burst the second it made impact, leaving a cloud of smoke behind.

Merry and Adore dropped their arms, both trying to peer through the cloud of smoke that had risen. The two could hardly believe it when Asphodel stepped out from the smoke unscathed, not even a scratch. There was a black aura surrounding him and his once fiery eyes were now a deep and cruel purple.

"What's going on?" Merry asked Adore.

Adore shook her head, not sure of what to even expect. "We need to attack together. All of us, where's Rose?"

"Right behind you!" Rose dug her heels into the ground, skidding to a forceful stop. Merry reached out towards her, keeping her from falling over. "What happened?"

Adore turned to her, wondering where she had been. "What took you so long? Are you alright?"

Rose nodded. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Let's just say Cupid doesn't really know how team work works."

Adore eyed her. "What?"

Rose shifted her eyes from Adore at the sight of a glimmer, Asphodel was charging another attack. Rose summoned her sword to her hand and pushed her way forward, pushing the girls behind her as she blocked the attack with her sword.

Asphodel's eyes began to narrow in on Rose, he focused his strength in to the attack beginning to power it more and more, slowly overwhelming Rose. He could see her struggle, her feet slowly slipping as the attack pushed her back. He scoffed as her arms began to tremble, barely able to hold up her sword.

"Adore, raise your shield!" Cupid sprung in to the air holding her harp out, strumming the strings and aiming towards Asphodel. Adore, hesitantly summoned her shield glancing towards Cupid as though asking for permission. Sensing her hesitation, Cupid shouted. "Now!"

"R-right!" Adore pushed Rose behind herself, raising her shield to hold back the blast of Asphodel's attack. "Cupid, hurry!"

"Cupid?" Asphodel looked up and saw the oncoming storm of arrows fly his way. He moved back and narrowly escaped the attack.

With his concentration broken, his attack quickly vanished. Adore dropped her shield and looked back at Rose, face drawn with concern.

"Are you alright?" Adore asked. Rose nodded, assuring Adore of her safety.

Cupid landed on the ground in front of the girls, a gleam of anger in her eyes directed towards Rose. "Rose, I told you stay out of the way."

Rose meet her stare, confusion painting her face. "What? What's with you?"

"Cupid what are you talking about, we need her." Said Adore.

"No, we don't. She needs to stay out of our way, she's no use to us like that." Cupid argued. "She has no passion, no love, how could she possibly fight the very people who want to get rid of that?!"

"Amazing." Asphodel's cold voice caught their ears, the girls turning towards him defensively. He kept a distance from the girls, but it did not appear as though he was going to back down. "It must be my lucky day. Cure Rose is consistently failing and not even her own team believes in her."

"That's not true!" Said Merry. "Rose isn't failing at anything and we haven't given up on her, so just quit thinking you've won."

A low chuckle rumbled in Asphodel's chest. "You girls never lose hope do you? Foolish!" Like a sudden flash of lightening, Asphodel charged at the girls.

Merry jumped in front of her teammates and using her mallet, attacked Asphodel. However, Asphodel was quick to act. Merry's mallet came to an abrupt stop, caught by Asphodel's hand. The two struggled over the weapon caught in a brief scuffle, but Asphodel proved the victor. Asphodel sunk the mallet against Merry with one single hard blow to her stomach, Merry crashed back from the blow, knocking down Cupid and Adore along the fall.

Merry's mallet crumbled in Asphodel's hand soon after, but it did not matter, by the look of things the girls were done for.

"I always aim to take the weak first." Asphodel said, turning towards Rose. "And it appears to me that you are the weakest link, goodbye Cure Rose." Asphodel rose an arm above his waist, palm burning with a deep purple light.

"No!" Merry's voice shook as she cried out. "Leave her alone!"

"Quiet, your demise will come soon." Asphodel said, dismissing Merry's plead without so much as even glancing towards her.

But Merry would not just lay there and watch him hurt her. "Get away from her!" Merry lunged at him with all the strength she had left, which was not much to even garner a punch.

Asphodel snatched her by the wrist with his open hand, still focusing the other hand towards Rose. "I find it wonderful how you still protect her, don't you understand she'll bring you down? She's weak and useless and according to your own teammate, poses no love to even protect. She's-"

"Shut up!" Merry silenced him. "She's not useless, she's not weak! Rose is our friend, our teammate and she'd never let us down! Sure, you have the upper hand, but just like always we'll win and I know that's because Rose is on our side! Rose would never let us down and if I were you I wouldn't be so confident about taking her down! She's strong and she cares, she more love in her heart than you'll ever know! I know it!"

Asphodel stared in to her eyes, a firm frown laid on his lips. "I grow bored with this conversation, maybe it's you I should finish first!" Asphodel threw Merry aside like a doll, turning the aim of his attack towards her. "Maybe this will shut you up."

Merry felt her breath hitch as fear over took her, her eyes blinded by the light. Rose meet Merry's gaze, she could see the fear within her eyes. It was strange to Rose, but she felt a surge of strength surround her. There was no way Rose was going to let Asphodel hurt Merry, not while she was around.

Rose gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, slowly pushing herself up, making sure to stay quiet. But Asphodel's attack went off without warning, without a second thought Rose lunged at the blast with sword in hand with speed she never knew she had. Rose sunk her sword through the stream of the blast, instantly defusing it.

Rose turned to Asphodel and raised her sword, meeting the frigged glare of his eyes. "Precure, Rose Thorn Shower!"

Asphodel was taken back, frozen in shock. He was swarmed by an onslaught of rose thorns and left helpless by the attack. Rose turned to her team, a confident aura about her and urged them to her side.

"Quickly girls, let's finish this." She ordered.

Rose and Merry stepped in front of Adore, placing their hands on top of each other. Adore held an arm out towards the sky, her palm illuminating with a pink light. Adore brought her other arm over towards the girls, she laid her hand a top of Merry's and Rose.

In unison Rose and Merry called out. "Precure!" At the center of the hand pile, a small flame ignited, forming into a heart.

Adore brought the arm that she held up down on top of the heart and called out. "Love Burst!"

Like a coward, Asphodel fled at the mere sight of the attack. When the blast crashed against the ground a burst of light consumed the dark world, when the light vanished the girls found themselves safe and sound in Valor City Park. The girls changed back out of there precure forms, left to wonder what Asphodel's goal was this time around.

"Isn't his plan the same as always, defeat us and take over the world for Aster?" Said Orie.

Rei shook her head. "Of course, but what was it with the whole world of darkness thing? Where even were we and how did we end up here?"

Waki, who was wasn't really paying much attention, turned to Tokie with a less than pleased expression. "Tokie." She called to her. "Can we talk for a minute."

"No need, you were right..." Tokie could not bare to even meet Waki's eyes, the embarrassment she felt was far too overwhelming. "I thought you would only bring us down, but I was wrong."

Waki ran a hand through her hair, a soft sigh escaping her. "Tokie what's going on? Why did you say all that stuff earlier, why did you think I couldn't help this team? Do you think that little of me?"

Tokie raised her head, a pained look in her eyes. "Of course not! I just, I just thought that I was being a good teammate. I had this idea that if someone was chosen as a precure they would have to have love and passion in there heart and I thought that maybe you didn't."

Waki chuckled, recalling what Tokie had said to her just the day before. It all suddenly made sense. "That's why you came home with me, why you started asking me all those questions. Tokie, do you really think I wouldn't be able to fight evil just because I don't play the flute anymore or I don't have any after school club to go to?"

"It's not that exactly it's just, people who devote themselves to what they love are always so strong." Tokie explained her reasoning further. "To me it seemed that you didn't have anything to devote yourself too which just meant that you didn't have anything that made you passionate."

"So you thought if I wasn't passionate about anything, I wouldn't be passionate about being a precure. Right?" Said Waki. Tokie nodded, lowering her gaze. Waki stepped closer to Tokie, ruffling her hair as though to show she was not upset. "Tokie I get what you were trying to do and I admire that you care about being a precure so much, but you don't know anything about me. I would never abandon my team or my friends."

"I know that now, I'm so sorry for the way I acted..." Tokie apologized. "I really thought I was doing the right thing, but I should have had more faith in you...I guess I don't know you as much as I thought I did."

"You know Tokie." Rei cut in. "It's true, Waki's one of the greatest precure I know! She always gives a hundred percent to being a precure, this is something she would never give up on."

Waki smiled, finding comfort in Rei's words. "You know Tokie, if there's one thing you made me realize it's that you really made me think about what I love the most." Waki looked at her friends and laid an arm around their shoulders. She pulled Orie and Rei close to her with a bright smile. "It's my friends! This city, I love it all! And I promise you that I would never let any harm come to what I love."

"Waki, I feel like there's a lot I need to learn not just about being a precure, but about you girls too." Tokie said, she smiled as she felt a warmth in her chest. "I really hope we can grow closer, I want my love for you girls to grow even more!"

"Tokie!" Rei exclaimed. She embraced Tokie, smiling brightly. "You're so cute!"

Waki laughed at Rei and patted Tokie gently on the back. "Tokie, I'd love for us to get to know each other better. After all, we are friends now."

Tokie light up like a star, her smile was bright and a twinkle shone in her eyes. "Right!"

"Come on girls, let's get going." Said Orie.

Rei, who still held Tokie close to her, said her goodbyes and pulling Tokie along began her walk home. Just as Orie bid her farewell, turning towards her own path home, Waki took her wrist and held her back.

Orie turned to her with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong?"

"Thank you." Waki said.

"For what?"

"For earlier, for defending me against Asphodel. For saying all those things, thank you." Waki had a serious look about her, but it was not of anger. She gave an aura that read she was being sincere and serious.

"Waki..." Orie smiled softly, she freed her wrist from Waki's grip and embraced her. "Of course, you know I would never let him hurt you. You're one of my best friends."

Waki felt relaxed in her arms, like nothing could harm her. But she pulled away and meet Orie's eyes, her own glazing over with a look Orie did not quit understand. Waki felt her lips part, but the words were lumped in her throat. Her face grew red and it only drew more suspicion from Orie.

"Orie, Tokie really made me put things in perspective." Said Waki. "And I realized that I can't let go of things I do love. My family, Rei, Tokie, this city...I love it all, but you. Well you Orie..." Waki's voice softened and her words stopped, she froze up and did not know what do.

Orie eyed her, brow quirked in question. "Waki, you alright?"

Waki licked her lips and swallowed, clearing her throat and saying. "I just want you to know that you're important too."

Orie smiled and a light giggle fell from her lips. "I know, you're important to me too." Orie reached for Waki's hand and taking it, began to pull her forward. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

"Alright." Waki said as she followed her. Waki took a quick glance at Orie, shifting her eyes ahead before Orie could notice. A smile crossed Waki's face and though she could not see it, she just knew her face was still flushed. Waki giggled to herself as a thought came to mind. "Well, she'll just find out next time."

Ed: "P.R.E.C.U.R.E Love!"

Next Time:

Tokie: "I keep having these strange dreams."

Rei: "Wait, is it about a girl?"

Tokie: "No, it's strange some woman is always there calling to me."

Waki: "What does she say?"

Tokie: "I can't remember to well, but it's never my name."

Orie: "Mhm, what could it mean?"

Next Time on Passion Heart Precure:

Episode 38: "The Truth Within a Dream."