Author's Note

No real song used this time. I feel like it's time to try moving the story forward a little more with the villain parts. This chapter turns out a little more interesting and different from usual. Might have rushed a few things a bit, but I think I like how it progresses. If this seems too rushed, let me know. I will rewrite it.

Chapter 48: Nega Autumn, Shining Beat & Rock!

A few days after the movie shoot, everyone decided to have a small party. However, none of the girls were expecting Kari and Nina to show up together.

Director "Thank you all for coming. Now the recordings are all done, let's celebrate a little. Everyone here helped out a lot."

Kari laughs "Hahaha, don't worry. It's not like we were completely out of the loop anyways."

Hibiki "Eh? But I didn't see any of you before…"

Nina "We helped out designing Kanade and Ellen's dress… or perhaps we should call it uniform."

Lira then says "You two designed them? They are so good!"

Kari smiles "Just because they inherited our brand, that doesn't mean we will stop designing and performing."

Nina retorts "You can keep doing both, I'll just stick with doing a few designs from time to time."

Kari smiles "Nope, let's perform together some other time."

Nina stares at Kari without saying anything.

Ellen "Haha, seems like Kari is in control. Was Kari the leader?"

Kari "Leader? Ah, you mean during our time as S4? Nope!"

Hibiki "Eh? I thought you were."

Kari "Well, in a sense, I'm the sub-leader."

Nina then adds "Honestly, even the fans thought Kari is the leader at first. However…"

Kari then slaps Nina's back and says "What's with that face? Don't worry, I'm over it."

Kari then looks at every "Audrey kept getting better and better. Eventually outshined all of us. We tried our best, but she is just obviously better."

Rola "Haha, sounds like someone here."

Everyone in the current S4 looks at Yume and Yume points at herself "Me?"

They all nod and everyone laughs.

Subaru "Haha, Yume, you really make everything interesting."

Yume retorts and sticks her tongue out "Oh shut it! It's not your business!"

Subaru "Hahaha, sorry. I didn't mean anything bad."

Yume pouts as Subaru puts his hand on her head and says "My bad, okay?"

Yume reluctantly answers "Fine…"

Kari then asks "Hmm, are you two going out?"

Yume and Subaru immediately break away and blush.

Nina shakes her head "Kari, that is not a question you should ask!"

The director "Hahaha, that is something amazing. Both amazing idols are going out, that is something that everyone would be shocked to find out."

The director then looks at his staff "Hey, all of you, make sure this doesn't leak out. Let them enjoy whatever time they can. After all, they are at that age."

The staff nod and agrees to keep it a secret.

Hibiki asks "Anyways, can we start the party?"

Kanade, Ellen, and their Ako look at Hibiki with disappointment. Yurina, Suzu, Miyuko, and Kisuna are having the same reaction.

Meanwhile, Lira agrees "Yeah! Let's start it!"

Director "Hahaha, yeah, we should start. Let's wish for the movie to be a success and a cheer for the top idol couple!"

While everyone cheers and says "Kanpai," Yume and Subaru mutter "Unhh…"

Afterward, everyone enjoys the party. During the party, all of them gather up and sings a bit or act out a part of the movie.

After the party, Nina and Kari leave last. As the two of them are walking towards the train station, Kari suddenly remembers and looks into her bag.

Kari "Ah, wait… I forgot my phone. Hold on, let me go grab it."

Nina "Jees, you are still forgetful at always. Hurry up, I'll wait here."

As Kari runs back, Nina waves. Afterward, a man walks up behind Nina from the shadow.

It slowly shows Ruen and he says "Horizawa Nina and Shinohara Kari. I'm a little surprised that the two of you are still friends."

Nina turns around and looks at Ruen "You are… Kosei Ruen."

Ruen looks surprised "I am not expecting you to know me."

Nina looks at him and stays cautious "Of course, I still keep myself up to date with idols. However, you are the worst idol I have ever seen."

Ruen frowns "What do you mean?"

Nina "Your performance, is nothing but a fake. You don't care about your fan or the stage at all. All you care about is your skill and showing them off."

Ruen smiles "Is there something wrong with that?"

Nina stares "Are you saying there is nothing wrong?"

Ruen "Of course, and it is not like you are any better."

Nina "What do you… Wait, how did you know that?"

Ruen "I have my ways. As for you, you still haven't changed. You still prioritize skill and talents."

Nina "That's…"

Ruen closes in on her "What a bad girl, you know that's the truth and yet still trying to deny it."

Nina could not say anything and Ruen takes out an egg as he whispers "Let me help you."

Ruen then puts the egg inside Nina as Nina looks at it entering her.

Nina 'Wha… what is this?"

Ruen answers "Don't worry, you'll be reborn with this."

After the egg goes inside Nina, Ruen takes a few steps back. Darkness begins to envelopes Nina and her consciousness begin to fall into it.

Within the darkness, Nina sees a figure of her younger self wearing the S4 uniform.

S4 Nina "Pathetic…"

Nina "Eh?"

S4 Nina "To think the future me just give up on everything and start doing pointless stuff."

Nina "I didn't…"

S4 Nina shouts "don't lie! Deep down, you still want to stand on the stage and continue being an idol!"

Nina couldn't retort and silently agrees.

S4 Nina "Let me continue our dream…"

As the S4 Nina says that, the real Nina slowly falls unconscious.

Then Nina's body comes out of the darkness and is now younger and is in an easy to move in wedding dress.

Ruen "Hoo, seems like this one is quite strong as well. What will be your name?"

Fake Nina "A name? That's easy. I'll be called Nega Autumn."

Ruen "Nega Autumn, not bad. As expected from one of the most talented idols. Now then, why don't we try out your power? It'll probably be too much for you to take on everyone so…"

Nega Autumn "I know, but first… I need to erase someone."

Ruen "Huh? Wait, don't…"

Nega Autumn then says "Reckless? I won't. If things turn south, I'll just hide."

Autumn then jumps high up and uses the building's foot top to travel.

Ruen "Will she be alright?"

As Ruen questions Autumn's action, he sighs as he watches her jump away.

Within the waiting room, Ellen and Rola are in a room together. The two of them just returned from a recording.

Ellen "Ah, I'm drained."

Rola "Are you okay?"

Ellen nods "Yeah, this is my first time doing a duet."

Hummy then takes out a water jug from a bag and pours drinks for both of them.

Hummy "Good work-nya!"

Ellen and Rola grab it and say their thanks. After ellen takes a sip, she put it down and looks at Hummy.

Ellen "Hummy, those spheres… I want to give it a shot."

Hummy looks at Ellen worried "But…"

Rola "Spheres? Oh, is it the one Yume used? Can I have one too?"

Both Hummy and Ellen looks at Rola

Ellen "Eh? But Rola, you…"

Rola smiles "This is for me. Besides, I think I already know what my hurdle is. I will be fine."

Hummy thinks for a bit "But…"

Ellen looks at Hummy "Hummy, I know you are worried. However, we can't possibly rely on Yume to fight against those new enemies."

Hummy "Ahh, I get it-nya."

Hummy gives in and takes out two spheres and gives one to each. The two of them look at each other right before using it.

Ellen "I don't know what we'll find but let's not lose."

Rola smiles "Of course, let's see who can conquer this power first."

Ellen smiles and nods as both of them use it.

Within Ellen's consciousness, she sees Majorland as everyone is singing and making music. Then suddenly, the singing and music stop. She sees everyone trying to make a sound, but nothing comes out.

Ellen "This is…"

Then a fake Ellen shows up in front of Ellen.

Fake Ellen "This is what happened, what you wish for."

Ellen looks at herself "What I… No, I no longer wish for this!"

Fake Ellen "Are you sure?"

Ellen thinks for a moment and then smiles "I see, so this is the challenge."

Fake Ellen "A challenge do you think you'll be able to overcome? This past that'll forever hunt you."

Ellen shakes her head "I'll never overcome it. That's because I do want to get better than anyone."

Fake Ellen "Then you know what you should do."

Ellen shakes her head again "No, that's too much. Besides, I'll never get better if I were to use such a method. Instead, I'll tackle everything head-on!"

Fake Ellen "You are only asking for the hardest path to take. If there is an easier and faster route, why not taking it?"

Ellen smiles as she walks closer "Then I know for sure, I'll regret it someday. I believe that I.. No, we will be able to make it. I want to get there fair and square so I can be proud of myself when I do!"

Fake Ellen smiles "That's true, the only way to be truly satisfied is probably that."

Ellen nods "And the reason why I would take such route is…"

Fake Ellen "We absolutely love to sing and be on the stage."

Ellena and Fake Ellen "Let's reach that stage together!"

Then their surrounding clears up and becomes a blinding white space.

At the same time, Rola is experiencing a similar event.

Rola starts seeing sceneries of her losing to Yume over and over.

Rola "What a bad taste…"

Then a Rola from her first year time walks out from the scene.

Young Rola "Is it? This is all connected to our regret."

Rola looks at her younger self and questions "Regret?"

Young Rola "Yes, somewhere in your heart, you regret ever making friends with Yume."

Rola "What are you saying? I…"

Young Rola "It's the truth, after all… I am you."

Rola stares at her younger self "You are… Oh, hahahaha, you are right. I guess a part of me do regret it."

The young Rola then says "Then I have a suggestion, why don't we…"

Before she says anymore, Rola says "But you know what? It is a good regret to me. Because it also gave me the wall and rival that I could never ask for."

Young Rola retorts "But because of Yume, we…"

Rola shakes "There is no point in trying to compete with Yume anymore. We are still rivals, but we have different styles. I… we should just focus on what we can do to improve ourselves."

Young Rola closes her eyes "Going my way… Do you think we'll be able to reach higher than her?"

Rola smiles as she walks closer "I don't know, but I'm not going to change and stray from the path we have decided to walk on."

Young Rola "Our style all the way huh?"

Rola nods "Yes, let us…"

Both of them then say "Rocking our own way!"

Ellen and Rola snap back at the same time and finds themselves holding the same badge Yume got.

Hummy looks at it "It's the Star Glitter-nya… You two are ahwawa!"

While Hummy is praising them, an explosion happens right outside of the building.

Ellen "What the… Is it an attack?"

Rola nods "Likely, let's go!"

Ellen nods and the two of them run out of the building. They see Nega Autumn in front of them.

Nega Autumn "Finally came out, it's time to get my brand back."

Autumn looks at Ellen as both Ellen and Rola are confused.

Ellen "Your brand?"

Rola "Could it be, Nina?"

Ellen "No way, how?"

Rola "That Ruen guy must have done something again."

Autumn "Enough chatter, give back my brand!"

Rola "Anyways, let's take care of this first."

Ellen nods "Yes!"

Both of them together "Precure, Live Modulation!"

The two of them quickly change into their Precure form.

Ellen "Cure Beat!"

Rola "Cure Rock!"

Autumn immediately jumps in with a wide kick. Beat and Rock blocks it with their arm. However, the kick pushes them back and crashes into the building they came out of.

Beat "Ow…"

Rock "What power…"

The kick leaves a mark on both Beat and Rock's forearm.

They stand back up and Beat says "I guess it's time to test it out."

Rock smiles "Of course!"

Autumn jumps in with an energy fist. Both of them manage to evade at the last moment and quickly attacks it.

Beat "Beat Sonic!"

Rock "Rock Blaster!"

The attack hits Autumn and they look at each other. Noticing their chance to use Star Glitter, they proceed to transform further.

Beat and Rock "Let me shine to the brightest, Star Glitter!"

They set the Star Glitter onto their Live Module and begin to transform further. Their outfit receives a similar upgrade and also gains a pair of wings.

Beat "Precure, grade up! Shining Beat!"

Rock "Precure, grade up! Shining Rock!"

Autumn "Shining Beat, Shining Rock, so what?"

Autumn charges in and attacks. Shining Rock backs off as Shining Beat engages. They exchange a few blows before Autumn backs away.

Shining Rock gets behind her and throws out a kick. Autumn blocks the kick but was pushes flying. She quickly recovers in mid-air and uses a street light as footing and jumps right back in.

Autumn "Nega Bloom!"

She gathers energy into her fist and throws out a punch clad in energy.

Shining Beat rushes in front of Shining Rock with her guitar and shouts "Precure, Shining Barrier!"

Autumn's attack strikes the Barrier and they are in a deadlock. Shining Beat then plays a note and the barrier vibrates at an intensity that dissolves the energy on Autumn's fist. The barrier goes down while Autumn is still surprised.

Shining Rock gets right below Autumn with her own guitar "Precure, Shining Shaker!"

The sound makes everything around her float for a moment before the sound waves all focus on Autumn and shoot her high into the sky.

Autumn looks down at the two of them "Did I misjudge their capability? I guess it's too early to fight them right now…"

Shining Beat and Rock look at each other and they join together back to back. The two of them start playing their guitar and music notes start to materialize. Soon, their surrounding is surrounded with shining music notes.

Both of them "Precure, Rocking Sonata!"

A super nova-like attack is formed. As the nova shoots up, Nega Autumn's face immediately turns into fear.

Autumn "Crap! Not good! Time to hide!"

Nega Autumn then crosses her arms and as she is hit by the Rocking Sonata, she quickly turns back. However, Rocking Sonata expends and ends with a sphere of notes in the sky. It then explodes with Nina turned back to normal. Shining Beat and Rock jumps up and carry Nina away. They set Nina on a bench of the nearby park and then leaves.

Hummy then catches up to them "Good job-nya!"

Shining Beat "Thanks!"

Shining Rock "Told you it'll be fine."

Hummy nods "Yeah, sorry-nya."

Shining Beat then looks in the direction of the park "However, if we didn't have the Star Glitter, it might have been really dangerous."

Shining Rock "Yeah, I feel like that one kick almost broke my arms."

Shining Beat looks at Hummy "Hummy, do you think we should let everyone have those sphere soon?"

Shining Rock then adds "I agree. We are lucky this time, but I think if everyone should hurry up and get their Star Glitter."

Hummy thinks and reluctantly nods "Alright-nya. Then let's gather everyone together!"

They nod and start heading back to the Four Star Academy.