Author's Note

I took some time deciding which character I should focus and ultimately, I went with Ellen. Also, I have starting to finalize my next work ideas. I may or may not write a teasing prologue just so everyone knows the setting and possibly get some feedback before I go any further into world-building for that one. So... Keep an eye out!

Chapter 45: Ellen's New Step, Idol of Autumn!

Late at night, Ellen is staying up working on a song.

Ako rolls over to the edge of her bed and asks "What are you doing?"

Ellen looks back "Oh, sorry did I woke you up?"

Ako shakes her head and Ellen answers "I am writing a song. I feel like if I write everything out, I can truly get over my past."

Ako "That's…"

Ellen "I know, I'm fine. However, this is what I want to do right now."

Ako looks at Ellen for a moment before smiling "I see, then good luck."

Ellen nods "Ohh!"

Ako then goes back to sleep and Ellen continues to work on her new song.

In the ABC headquarters, Ruen is having a meeting with the chairman Ahino.

Ahino "So you are saying the Precure obtained our power?"

Ruen "Yes sir. I don't know how but…"

As Ruen speaks, someone knocks on the door.

Ahino "Come in."

The door opens and Gyaku walks in.

Gyaku "I think it's about time I reveal my next plan."

Ruen "Huh? You who lost already are still trying to butt in? Don't forget you are still here is all because you still have your use."

Gyaku "I'm well aware, that's why I sent the Precure a little gift."

Ruen frowns "Little gift, hold on…"

Ahino then burst out laughing "Hahahaha, so it has been completed?"

Gyaku nods "Yes if it proceeds smoothly…"

Ahino begins to look confused "If it proceeds smoothly?"

Gyaku takes a step back "No, nothing. I just hope mister Ruen here will continue to help."

Ruen then asks "Hold on, explain to me what is going on?"

Ahino "What the Precure use to power up, it will leave a taint on them. We have another project in research. Once that is complete, the Precure will become powerless."

Ruen "That's... I see, so that is what happened."

Gyaku "So can you keep them busy? You are the only one around capable of keep on attacking."

Ruen smiles "If I can get more seeds, of course. With the Precure powering up, I'll need more."

Ahino nods "Of course we will provide you with more seed. Gyaku…"

Gyaku walks over to a shelf and unlocks a secret mechanism that reveals a large briefcase. Gyaku grabs it and holds it up for Ruen to take. Ruen takes it and immediately opens up while supporting the briefcase with one hand.

Ruen looks at it with his eyes wide open "Three Seeds? This is quite a bit."

Ahino "Yes and there is more being made."

Ahino looks at Gyaku and Gyaku says "Expect at least 3 or 4 more. It should be ready once those are used up."

Ruen smiles "This is awesome. I never thought I'll get this many seeds."

After a short pause, Ruen asks Ahino "If I can defeat the Precure, may I?"

Ahino "Go ahead."

Ruen bows "Thank you. I will immediately get ready!"

Ruen walks out and leaves chairman Ahino and Gyaku alone.

Ahino "How bold of you to do that. Gyaku, I'm disappointed. Didn't I tell you to let me know once it is completed?"

Gyaku looks at Ahino with confidence "Chair… No, father. I know what I am doing. Soon, there won't be any issue with Precure."

Ahino squints his eyes "I hope so. You may leave."

After Gyaku leaves the room, Ahino sighs "I need to take over that world soon. We are taking too much time and resources. Precure, I will not let any of you stop me!"

The next day morning, Ellen is on a jog outside of the academy. Hummy is also running beside her.

After a while, Ellen asks Hummy "Hummy, about those spheres… Do you have more?"

Hummy looks up at Ellen "Yep-nya! I got enough for everyone-nya."

Ellen slows down and takes a break "Then… Do you think you can give me one?"

Hummy looks slightly concerned "Why?"

Ellen sits down and thinks for a moment "Yume manage to get over it and accept everything. However, I'm still a little hung up on mine. What she did is probably the worst and yet… I can't even get over with mine completely."

Hummy nods "Okay, but you should let everyone know first."

Ellen looks at Hummy with a disappointed smile "I guess I have to do that don't I."

As Ellen stands back up, her Aikatsu Mobile rings. When she answers, it is their Ako.

Ako "Ellen? I just got a package from mom. There is something that is for you."

Ellen questions "For me? But why?"

Ako "I don't know, but it's in a small box."

Ellen thinks for a bit "Alright, I'll be right there."

Ako "Then I'll be waiting."

The two hang up and Ellen immediately starts moving back to the dorm. As Ellen is on her way back, she runs into Yume and Rola.

Yume waves "Ellen!"

Rola waves at Ellen as well. She looks at the both of them and it seems like they just came back to the academy.

Ellen waves back "Yume, good morning. Did you two have work this early?"

Yume shakes her head "No, I just went out to check on a few people. Rola noticed so she followed."

Rola smiles "Of course! There is no way I'm letting you go alone!"

Ellen "Check on a few people? Wait, do you mean the girls that you…"

Yume nods "It's the least I can do. Luckily, it seems like they are doing alright."

Ellen "I see…"

Yume then asks "So what are you doing? It seems like you are wrapping up early on your training."

Ellen "Ah, it seems like I got a package queen Aphrodite. I was about to pick it up."

Rola then asks "Hold on, how did she send the package? Isn't she in another world?"

Yume "Oh, that's right. Is there a delivery service across the two worlds?"

Ellen "I don't think so but…it's not impossible?"

Rola "Hmm, if possible, I'm interested in visiting your world."

Yume "Let's at least check out how she sent it! Let's go!"

Yume grabs Rola's and starts running. When passing by Ellen, she grabs Ellen's hand as well.

While running, Ellen looks at Yume and thinks "Yume, she seems a bit different but… Maybe that's what it means to get over ourselves."

Within Ellen and Ako's room, Yume and Rola are there with them.

Ako gives Ellen the package "Here it is."

The three girls take a look and all it says is "To Siren"

Yume questions "Siren?"

Ellen explains "Ah, that is my original name before I became a human."

Rola and Yume are left dumbfounded.

Rola then asks as Ellen opens the package "Wait, so what were you?"

Hummy answers "My best friend-nya!"

Yume "Best friend? Wait, was Ellen a cat too?"

Ellen laughs "Haha, yeah. It's a long story… Eh?"

After Ellen opens up the small package, she sees her old pendant with a note. She takes the note and reads it.

Ellen "I'm sorry this took so long. Here is a new pendant that you had before. This one is more durable, so it shouldn't break anymore."

As Ellen picks it up, Hummy gets excited "That's! Siren!"

Ellen nods "Yeah."

Ellen puts on the new pendant and looks at the mirror. She nods and turns around to face everyone.

Yume "Cute! That fits you really well."

Rola and Ako nod and Ellen replies "Thanks, but…"

Ellen rubs the pendant and looks at Hummy "I'm… not changing back yet. Right now, I'm an idol. If I were seen changing…"

Rola "Ah, it'll cause a huge ruckus."

Yume "Aww, I wanted to see Ellen's cat form. It's probably really cute."

Ako then comments "Rather than cute, Ellen is a pretty black cat."

Rola "Now I'm interested too."

Yume's phone rings and she takes a look "Ah, it's time for our next job."

Rola "That sure is fast. Alright, let's go!"

As the two are leaving, Yume looks at Ellen "Ellen, don't worry. You can do it!"

Yume and Rola leave as Ellen is trying to comprehend what Yume means. After thinking for a bit more, Ellen believes Yume must have known about Ellen's past and is trying to cheer her up.

Ellen looks at the time and says "I guess I should leave soon as well."

Ako "Oh, you landed a job for a commercial the other day right? Are you going to start filming today?"

Ellen nods "Yeah, it'll be my first time."

Hummy "It was the one for a watch right-nya?"

Ellen "Yeah, it is. But I heard there is a tough idol that is supervising the studio we'll be filming. I'll have to try my best to meet her expectations."

Hummy "It's okay-nya! I know you will be alright-nya!"

Ako "I think so too. But still, Good luck!"

Ellen "Thanks!"

At the studio, Ellen is greeting everyone. Then when she finds the director, a woman is having a discussion with him.

Ellen "Good morning!"

The two stop and the director answers "Good morning! I'll be expecting a good shooting today."

Woman checks on Ellen before speaking "So you are the one… I'm Horizawa Nina. The supervisor of this commercial."

Ellen straitens up "Ah yes! I'll be in your care!"

Nina "Alright, hurry up and change. I want to see what you can do."

Ellen immediately reply "Yes!"

As Ellen is rushing to the changing room, Nina calls out "Hold on, I changed my mind. Come over here, show me what you can do right now."

Ellen "Eh? Ah, yes!"

A staff gives Ellen the newest edition watch and Ellen begins to act out the script. However, Nina stops her halfway.

Nina "Stop! Kurosawa Ellen, what are you doing?"

Ellen "Uhmm, I'm trying to act out the script and promote the watch."

Nina sighs "I can see that, but I'm not talking about that."

Ellen "Ah… I see…"

Nina "I don't know what is going on but you have a job to do."

Ellen nods "I understand, please let me continue!"

Nina quint her eyes and stares at Ellen "In that case, make sure you…"

Before she finishes, someone fell over and hit a table with refreshments. Everyone looks over and sees Kari.

Nina "Kari! What are you doing here?"

Kari "Ah, I happen to be around so I thought I'll surprise you. Hmm? Aren't you… Kanade's friend?"

Kari looks at Ellen and Ellen nods.

Nina then asks "Kanade? Ah, the girl you gave your brand to."

Kari "Yep! Kanade totally brought out a whole new side of my brand. Wait… hmmm…"

Nina facepalm "What kind of bright idea do you have this time?"

Kari "Hehe, since it looks like… Uhmm, what's your name?"

Ellen blinks before answering "Uhmm, it's Ellen."

Kari "Ellen, right. Since Ellen is having some personal issue, why don't you cheer her up with that song of yours?"

Nina "Which one? A song that can cheer… Oh. Hmm…"

The director then recalls "Ah, if it is that song, then I'm sure it'll help."

Ellen "Uhmm…"

Kari "Then it's decided! This is so exciting! It has been so long since the idol of autumn stands on the stage!"

Nina sighs "Okay okay, don't push. I'll do it."

Kari stops pushing Nina and turns around with a V sign with her hand.

Director looks at Ellen "Hahaha, well aren't you the lucky one."

Ellen "What do you mean?"

Director "Nina was part of the S4, along with Kari a long time ago."

Ellen "I see… Then I got to watch her performance closely."

Director nods while Kari is feasting on the refreshment.

Nina is in the changing room and takes out her card.

Nina "Soul Spark, I never thought I will be using my brand again. That Kari, seriously…"

Nina closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

When she is ready "Horizawa Nina, bringing myself to you!"

Nine changes into her dress and walks onto the stage.

Before the performance starts, Kari comments "Sparkling Future Coord, that still looks amazing on Nina."

Ellen took a mental note and waited for the performance to start.

When the song begins, Nina shouts "Get up and grab the future!"

Followed by a short dance, she continues "Reach out to the unseen world, Your shaking emotions are in turmoil. Beyond the darkness that spreads before your eyes, even the light that can be seen is fleeting."

While wearing a dress seemingly hard to move in, Nina's dance and moment carries power.

Nina "Stand up, common sense is broken out! Stand up, crawl from the ground! Stand up, the weak and then strong! Yes, there's no time to stop!"

Not long after the last verse, Nina continues "Though there are dark nights when anxiety strikes, I remember your voice and step out. I'm moving forward to the future!"

Then Nina's singing begins to pack more power "Wow, now the time for battle has come!. Wow, with you, I'm not afraid! Wow, knock down the high walls! Wow, believe in yourself! I'll sing, get up, grab the future!"

As that portion ends, Nina starts her special appeal. She jumps high up and does a backflip and sprout beautiful blue mechanical wings. She flies at sonic speed around a few times and leaves a trail of her aura. She then turns around and strikes a pose.

Everyone claps and Ellen mutters "That song… It's amazing. It makes me feel stupid to keep worrying over my little thing."

Director "Hahaha, that's fine. Worry all you want, but just make sure you move forward."

Nina walks off the stage while whipping off her sweat "Looks like you are ready this time. Kurokawa Ellen, make sure you do it right this time!"

Ellen smiles with confidence "Yes!"