Episode Two: The Black Tortoise Charges! Fight, Heroes!
The sun was only beginning to rise over Mirai Academy when Izumi Hamasaki slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her roommate. She quickly changed into her black and pick exercise sweats and running shoes and pulled her long, dirty blond hair into a high ponytail before looking into the bathroom mirror and giving herself once last once-over.
Izumi grinned and the tanned, freckled girl in the mirror grinned right back. "Alright!" she told her reflection, still trying to keep her volume at a reasonable level. "Let's make today another winner!"
And Izumi was off. Now that school was back in session, she had to get up extra early to get in her morning cardio, but that was fine. The life of a future superstar gymnast was all about hard work and guts! And besides… there was no way Izumi could have slept soundly after the other day.
Even as Izumi jogged around the perimeter of Mirai's campus, visions of the disastrous junior high opening ceremony played in her head. The faceless doppelganger who had replaced the headmistress. That huge snake monster. The strength and color draining from her body, forcing her right to her knees and straight to the edge of consciousness. And then… and then …
A flash of light. A flurry of delphinium petals. And a silver-haired warrior in blue that had stood up against the doppelganger and the monster, restoring peace to Mirai… for now.
Izumi knew she hadn't dreamed it. When she had come to, the air was abuzz with talk of the headmistress' fate (she was found safe, if shaken, in an adjoining room in the entrance hall), the fate of the icebreaker (cancelled, unfortunately), and most importantly, the strange mystery warrior.
No… the strange Pretty Cure. Izumi knew what she had seen. After all, even if it was a distant, hazy memory, she still clearly recalled meeting them before.
A giant beast, much like that one from the entrance ceremony, looming over her. Herself, a small child, unable to muster the strength to move. And then a sparkling flash of light and a blur of white, as a strange lilac-haired girl scooped her up in her arms and bounded off.
As she looked back, vision blurred with tears, she could see four more figures - teen girls in blue, black, and red, and an adult woman in gold, working to take down the monster.
The girl held Izumi close as she carried her to safety.
"It's okay!" she said. "Pretty Cure is here to protect you!"
Pretty Cure… they had suddenly dropped off the face of the earth ten years ago. Izumi had not seen a trace of them since that day… until now. She saw no reason to doubt what she had seen. Pretty Cure had returned and they were at her school .
Izumi stopped by the side of the road to do some hamstring stretches, taking in the sweet scent of hyacinths nearby as she watched the sun continue to creep up over the horizon. A new day. A new semester. And from the look of it, a new dawn for Pretty Cure.
"Doesn't that just rule all?" Izumi asked herself as she moved on to doing quad stretches. She paused mid-stretch, humming thoughtfully. "Man, I wonder if they'd take sign-ups." She laughed, even as she resumed stretching. "That'd be too wild!"
Wild and implausible. After all, becoming a magic warrior wasn't like signing up for the gymnastics team. You were chosen by destiny to become a transforming hero or you weren't. She had watched enough magical girl stuff to know how this business worked.
Still, she told herself as she resumed her morning jog, being a Cure would be a pretty sweet deal. The most important thing was strength - and you couldn't get that kind of power solely through training.
For a moment, the events of the other day had seemed like a dream. Then Hiroko had woken up to Muse and Kichu lying curled up on top of her the next morning, and the weight of what she had done and what she had chosen rapidly settled down on her shoulders. Even now, as she and Jun walked to the entrance of Mirai Academy's main building, she could feel that weight pushing down on her.
She didn't regret agreeing to carry that weight, mind. If she had not acted, the consequences for Jun and the student body as a whole would have been terrible. That aside… being Cure Seiryuu had felt amazing in a way little else did. But then there was the matter of why she was Cure Seiryuu. At the end of the day, she had been handed a lofty task. Not only was she a Mirai student, she now had to save the world by-
"Restoring the barrier? That's Kichu's job?"
Hiroko was half-collapsed in an armchair in Marina Ishii's office with a half-opened bottle of juice and a few cookies - refreshments from the now-cancelled icebreaker. Jun sat in a chair next to her, eagerly helping herself to cookies and juice, while Kichu, still glowing faintly, was seated on Marina's desk, happily leaning into ear scritches from the green-haired woman.
"Yup!" Jun chirped between bites of cookie. "Pretty Cure purifies the Nikuina, and Kichu uses the energy it releases to build a new barrier! He's a very special little guy!"
Kichu looked very proud of himself. "Chu chuu!"
Marina looked lost in thought for a moment. "I see… the Hallowed Wellspring must have changed tactics since my team was active."
Jun nodded. "Yeah… I don't know that much about how Mama ran things as Cure Ouryuu, but the head priest told me things had to be different this time around. So… Kichu is here!"
Hiroko did a double-take. "Inoue-san… Muse's mom was a Pretty Cure? And you worked with her, Marina-san?"
She was still trying to process Marina being a Cure, on top of everything that had led to her own awakening. What else was she going to learn today?
"That's right." Marina said. "Clio led our team ten years ago, during King Kagemera's first attempted invasion." Her eyes met Jun's briefly… before she tore her gaze away. "I apologize, Muse, Hiroko-chan. I had a feeling we were only buying time back then, but I didn't think it would be so soon."
"It's okay!" Jun insisted. "Even if… even if there's been a setback or two, I have Hironyan now, and she's amazing! And, and we still have Genbu and Byakko's crystals! It'll work somehow!"
"Marina-san, you said you were Cure Genbu once, right?" Hiroko asked. "Can't you join us? With your experience-"
For once, the usually unflappable Marina looked completely defeated. "I'm sorry, but I can't." She looked aside. "The four of us completely burned out our spirit power back then. I'm only now beginning to get it back. I'm not sure if I can handle the Genbu crystal properly anymore."
Jun's smile faltered slightly on 'the four of us' before she quickly recovered. The sight didn't escape Hiroko, but well - would it be right of her to pry?
"That aside," Marina continued "I have my own responsibilities to worry about. I'm an adult with a family of my own and students to look after. I will aid you however I can, but I have to be mindful of my other obligations. I apologize, Hiroko-chan. I do wish I could do more."
"No, no, it's okay!" It wasn't entirely okay by Hiroko, but she didn't want to make Marina feel worse. "The two of us can find allies on our own… once we figure out where to start looking."
"You said it yourself, didn't you, Hironyan?" Jun asked. "There are plenty of amazing people in Mirai Academy! We'll find Genbu and Byakko in no time at all, don't worry!"
"Then I guess that's our next task." Hiroko told Jun as the two walked side by side, past the parking lot in front of Mirai's main building. Most of the cars here were owned by the faculty, but there were a few students who lived off-campus and rode their bicycles or even their mopeds to class.. "Well, right after class, anyway…"
Jun didn't seem to be paying attention - the blue-haired girl had her head set to one side and seemed to be listening for… something Hiroko couldn't hear. Hiroko was about to ask what Jun was so taken by… until she heard it too. That was definitely the rumble of a motorcycle engine.
As Hiroko and Jun watched, a wiry figure on a dark green motorbike pulled into a parking space before dismounting said bike in one fluid motion. Said rider wore a Mirai Academy uniform, complete with pants, black lace-up shoes, and the royal blue necktie of a high school student, along with black fingerless gloves. They took off their helmet, revealing an androgynous teenage boy with slate gray eyes and short, slightly wavy teal green hair.
Hiroko and Jun weren't the only ones who had been watching the rider's approach. Before either could react, a handful of female Mirai students pushed past the pair and swarmed the teal-haired boy - "Siegel-san", if Hiroko had heard one of the girls, all of whom seemed to be talking over each other, correctly. He barely had time to put his helmet away before the schoolgirls hurried him off, excitedly talking up a storm the entire way.
Jun stared after Siegel and his groupies, her eyes sparkling. Kichu, who had popped his head up from her school bag, looked no less enraptured.
"That was… way too cool!" She turned to Hiroko. "Hironyan, I want a motorbike! Imagine how fast I could go! Will I be popular with girls too if I have one?" Her eyes widened. "We should both get one, Hironyan! Then we can be popular together!"
Hiroko opened her mouth, ready to point out that neither of them was old enough for a motorcycle license and that being popular with girls was… well, she did feel a bit envious of Siegel, but a boy being popular with girls was to be expected, it wasn't like she should want…
...and then the sound of footsteps thundering towards her caught her ears. Hiroko instinctively stepped out of the way, as the blond girl from the other day came thundering towards her and Jun at top speed. Said blond stuck out one sneaker-clad foot as she drew close to the pair, bringing her to a sliding stop mere inches away.
"Safe!" the blond called, making an umpire-like motion with her arms. Her hair was no longer done up in its ponytail, and her blazer was hanging open. She wore a crimson necktie, which she'd only put the barest effort into actually tying, and she wore bike shorts under her skirt. The blond looked around, eyes lingering on the green motorbike before she heaved a sigh. "Oh, darn. I guess they got to Sieg-kun before I could."
Hiroko blinked in confusion. "Sieg-kun?" Maybe the blond was another one of Siegel's groupies? "Oh, you just missed Siegel-san, Miss-"
"Izumi Hamasaki!" Izumi grinned and flashed a peace sign. "And it's cool! Sieg-kun and I can always hang later. The three of us can hang now." She nodded to Hiroko. "I really wanted to talk to you again anyway."
Hiroko's face was warm again. Why did this keep happening? "That's fine by me, Hamasaki-san." she told the blond as the three of them made their way towards Mirai's main building. "I'm Hiroko Tsubsa, by the way. I hope we can get along."
"And I'm Jun Inoue!" Jun chirped… before moving to shush Kichu, who was ready to greet Izumi as well. Luckily, she didn't seem to notice the little mouse.
"Inoue… Tsubasa…" Izumi's eyes lit up. "That's right! You guys were on the same list as me!" She pumped her fist and gave a loud cheer, oblivious to the nearby students who were staring at her. "3-1 students unite! This year is gonna rule all, I just know it!"
Hiroko just managed her best smile. She didn't know what to make of this girl yet, but she was at least friendly. That was a relief, if nothing else.
"I certainly hope it will."
"Why has Pretty Cure returned?!"
Kagemera was lunged forwards in his throne, fangs bared and pupils dilated with fury as his form trembled with equal parts rage and pain. Echoes of his outburst, loud and powerful enough to shake the walls of the Shade Palace's audience chamber, reverberated around the room. The portion of the Tree of Wrath that grew through the audience chamber shook and trembled as if blown by a harsh wind, the sound of frantic, agonized whispering joining the echo of Kagemera's outburst.
"Now, with all due respect, Your Grace, it was just one lone, inexperienced Cure." sputtered Kagemera's majordomo, who was currently bracing onto the king's throne for dear life. He was a tall and lean man with short, well-coifed hair, red eyes, and whisker-like markings on his face. He wore a tailored red and black suit, complete with black gloves that terminated in sharp nails, sharp black dress shoes, and a red cravat. "Rest assured, you did crush the former-"
Kagemera rounded on his majordomo without a second's hesitation before letting out another audience chamber-shaking roar.
"I don't care WHO she is! ANY Cure existing is UNACCEPTABLE!"
The force of this new outburst sent the majordomo reeling backward, flailing his arms as he narrowly managed to avoid taking a spill on the floor. Tamakushi, who was genuflecting before Kagemera, let out a disdainful snort, while another, much larger figure, partly hidden by the shadows that surrounded the Shade King's throne, simply watched in silence.
"My apologies, Your Grace!" The majordomo was holding his hands defensively over his head. "I simply meant that-!"
King Kagemera stared at the cowering man before him, contempt written all over his face… before he abruptly collapsed back into his throne, chest heaving and form shaking.
"Your Majesty!" Tamakushi started forward without thinking.
Kagemera ignored her in favor of his majordomo. "Hinyu." he rasped. "Medicine. Now."
The majordomo, Hinyu, dropped into a shaky bow. "Of course, Your Grace! I hear and obey!"
Hinyu scuttled out of the room, looking for all the world like a fox pursued by hounds. Tamakushi, back to genuflecting, let out a disdainful 'tch' as she and her silent compatriot watched him go. She remained silent for some time, waiting for Kagemera's breathing to get a bit less pained, a bit less ragged, before she spoke again.
"Your Majesty, I had no intention of troubling you with this news. I merely wished to inform you of a problem that will soon be dealt with."
Kagemera, who was still half-slumped in his throne, said nothing, but he did manage an absent grunt of acknowledgement. That was good enough for Tamakushi.
"As your most stalwart majordomo pointed out," Tamakushi continued "this new Pretty Cure is inexperienced and weak. Were it not for the barrier, I would have extinguished her myself. If I may request another Wrath Seed-"
"Denied."
Tamakushi looked up, tilting her head in confusion. "Your Majesty?"
"You know what it does. The barrier." Kagemera rasped. "You were starting to lose your physical form, Tamakushi."
"A mere setback." Tamakushi said. "You know as well as I do that such things can be recovered fr-"
Kagemera cut her off. "After a time. And you might never be the same. You're valuable, Tamakushi. I need you in one piece." He looked beyond Tamakushi, to the larger figure who was still looking on stoically. "You are not the only member of the Dark Triumvirate anyway."
Tamakushi nodded and rose to her feet. "Of course. Who am I to argue with Your Majesty's divine judgment? I shall take my leave, then."
Kaegemera watched her vanish in a burst of light blue foxfire. Once she was gone, his gaze honed in on the other figure.
"Seimono."
The silent figure stepped out of the shadows. He was an intimidating presence, broad, muscular and easily over seven feet tall, with metallic skin the color of burnished gold, coal black eyes, and short horns growing from his bald head. He wore loose black pants tied with a red sash, black geta, and a red and black longcoat that sported gray fur trim around the neck and was worn open over his bare chest, which sported a nasty-looking jagged scar. A massive two-handed sword was worn in a sheath on his back.
As he approached, another figure followed right after him, hovering an inch off the ground the entire way. They were much smaller, standing a little over five feet tall, had a frail build, and appeared to be made of off-white cloth. They had a mop of white yarn hair and black button eyes and wore a patched-up cloak made of green and tan rags. Numerous parts of their body sported stitches, including a set that ran from ear to ear.
The larger figure, Seimono, genuflected before King Kagemera. The smaller figure followed suit.
"You have need of this one, Your Majesty?"
Kagemera smiled, exposing a row of pointed teeth. "Take the field. Crush Pretty Cure before they become a nuisance. I shall give you a Wrath Seed to accomplish this task."
Seimono nodded solemnly. "Of course. This one is yours to command, as always."
Moments later, Seimono and the smaller figure left the audience chamber side by side. Seimono, who now held a pulsing red-black seed pod in his hand stared straight ahead, his expression unreadable, while the smaller figure hovered close by him, worry written all over their face.
"I don't want to do this." They reached out, grabbing onto one of Seimono's arms. "I don't want Seimono-sama to get hurt again."
Seimono paused in his tracks and glanced at the smaller figure. He smiled sadly and shook his head.
"Ours is not to reason why, Kamryou. Please understand that."
Kamryou looked ready to protest... for a half moment before they nodded. "Of course. Seimono-sama is always correct."
"Your words do me far too much credit." Seimono said as the two resumed their trek out of the Shade Palace. "But they are appreciated. As always."
Kamryou said nothing in response, past latching themselves onto Seimono's arm the rest of the way, as if they were afraid he'd vanish if they let go.
After everything that had happened at the entrance ceremony, the thought of introducing herself to her vastly more talented and ambitious classmates wasn't quite as scary for Hiroko anymore. That didn't mean she didn't still feel out of place when Izumi led her and Jun into the junior high school wing of Mirai's main building and then into Classroom 3-1.
She recognized Kou (who went out of his way to call out to her) and Emi (who smiled shyly and offered the three a small wave) but most everyone else was unfamiliar to her. Most of them seemed more occupied with chatting among themselves (mostly about the entrance ceremony and everything that had gone down there - Hiroko tried her best not to try and eavesdrop, no matter how much she wanted to) than paying any mind to her…
...except for one willowy student with long, silky black hair, who sat up towards the front. Their orange eyes briefly flitted up from the fashion magazine they were reading, carefully scrutinizing Hiroko and Jun's every movement as they passed by. Hiroko tried not to let her nervousness show, but Izumi must have picked up on it.
"Himura does that to everyone." she informed Hiroko under her breath. "Don't let it get to you, Tsubasa."
"I can hear you, Hamasaki-san." Himura sniped without looking up from their magazine. Izumi did not dignify that with a response, instead hurrying Hiroko and Jun towards the desks further to the back of the room.
"You guys can sit next to me!" Izumi gestured to two desks on either side of her. "Makes it easier for me to look out for you, you know?"
Part of Hiroko wanted to point out that she would be a bit more comfortable sitting closer to the front of the classroom… but Jun had already taken the seat offered to her, and Izumi was being so earnest about it, that saying 'no' felt wrong. So instead she obliged with a polite "Thank you, Hamasaki-san."
Their homeroom teacher was a petite woman with short and curly black hair and gray eyes - Mieko Shiroka, who doubled as the coach for Mirai's rhythmic gymnastics team as Izumi proudly explained… right before Mieko quieted her with a harsh stare.
The rest of homeroom wasn't too bad at least once the introductions of Hiroko ("I am honored to be a part of Mirai Academy's student body - I hope we are able to get along") and Jun ("Hello! I grew up overseas, moved back to Japan last month, and now I'm here! Let's be pals!") were out of the way. Neither was first period - history was a subject that Hiroko had always excelled at, and Mieko's way of approaching the curriculum didn't seem that different than that of her old school. The utterly lost look on Jun's face as Mieko's lecture proceeded didn't escape her, though. Jun wasn't even from Earth - of course she wouldn't know what was being talked about.
"It's okay, Inoue-san." Hiroko told Jun after first period had ended and the ten-minute break started. "I promise I'll tutor you."
Jun immediately lunged over and pulled Hiroko into a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you!" She cuddled up close to Hiroko, seemingly oblivious to the stares she was getting from the other students. "Hironyan is the best!"
And then Hiroko got up from her desk and descended the stairs to the front of the classroom in an attempt to visit the water fountain... only to be swarmed by several of her classmates.
"Tsubasa-san, right?" Himura said. "What is your goal, exactly? You and Inoue-san left that out of your introductions."
"Oh, lay off, Shinobu-chan." Kou sniped at the black-haired student before shifting his focus to Hiroko. "Tsubasa! You saw it too, right? The first Pretty Cure sighting in ten years! Emichi and I are gonna hunt her down - wanna come with!"
"Kou, I have work today…" Emi groused. "I mean- Tsubasa-san, are you doing alright? Do you like it here?"
Hiroko looked from Shinobu to Kou to Emi to the several other students that were crowding around her and also pelting her with question after question… and then past the group, where Jun stood nearby, school bag in hand, getting a similar amount of attention.
"So, you grew up overseas, Inoue-san?" a boy was asking. "Where overseas, exactly?"
Jun looked lost in thought for a moment… before she nonchalantly chirped "It's a mystery country!"
Another girl laughed at that one. "You're so witty, Inoue-san!"
Shinobu Himura sighed, bringing Hiroko's attention snapping back to the group surrounding her. "Tsubasa-san? Did you hear me? I said-"
And then Izumi, who had stepped out briefly herself, came charging towards the group like a Hiroko-seeking missile. "Oh! Tsubasa!" She pushed through the crowd and gently grabbed Hiroko by one arm. "C'mon! I need you for... stuff!"
Izumi locked eyes with Hiroko, silently asking for the latter's permission. Once Hiroko nodded, she led her out of 3-1.
Jun's head snapped up as Izumi hurried Hiroko out of the classroom. She bowed apologetically to her new classmates before scrambling out of 3-1, still clutching tightly onto her school bag.
Hiroko didn't realize how overwhelmed she was until she and Izumi arrived at a nearby stairwell, and she found herself needing a few minutes just to catch her breath. Izumi said nothing, even when Jun caught up with the two of them, instead idly leaning against the wall and doing some standing knee to chest stretches. She did not stop until Hiroko appeared to have pulled herself together.
"You feeling better, Tsubasa?" Izumi asked. "Sorry about all of that. Guess everyone's making for that icebreaker that got ruined."
"It's fine." It wasn't, not really, but Hiroko felt ashamed for getting this overwhelmed over this little. "I just wasn't expecting all this attention."
"Well, icebreaker aside, most people start attending here in their first year of junior high, so transfer students are kind of a novelty." Izumi said. "Especially two in a row, like? You really don't see that every day." Izumi hummed thoughtfully. "Say… you guys don't know anyone here that well, right? Since you're transfers and all." She glanced at Jun. "I mean, Inoue was overseas or wherever for years, right?"
"That's right!" Jun said. "And it's true that I don't really know anyone here! But that's okay - I have Hironyan now, and we're gonna make tons of friends this year!"
Izumi grinned. "Well, congrats! You just made another one!" She a pose, proudly pointing at herself. "Starting today, you two are under the care of Izumi Hamasaki, gymnastics superstar!" She paused, as if waiting for applause, before offering a hand to Hiroko. "Let's get along from now on, okay?"
Hiroko hesitated before accepting Izumi's hand… and finding the blond pulling her into a very enthusiastic handshake. "Thank you, Hamasaki-san." she said once she took her hand back. "I do appreciate it."
"Oh, me too!" Jun offered her hand for Izumi to shake… and pumped the blond's arm up and down once Izumi accepted said handshake. "You're so nice, Izunyan! I hope we can be the very best of friends!"
Kichu popped his head up from Jun's schoolbag. "Chu chuu!"
Izumi stared. Kichu stared right back. Hiroko tried to look somewhere else. And Jun slowly let go of Izumi's hand before stepping back and gently urging Kichu back into her schoolbag.
"You didn't see that!" she said. "That was definitely not my little brother!"
Hiroko laughed nervously. "It's amazing how real dolls can look these days, isn't it?"
Izumi stared. Blinked. Stared some more. Finally, she managed an awkward "I... guess so? Technology sure is incredible."
Fortunately the bell for the next period rang, sending the three back into the classroom and away from any further awkwardness… for now, anyway.
By the time lunch period rolled around, Hiroko was absolutely certain of one thing about Izumi Hamasaki - the girl didn't do anything she had the heart for halfway, be it looking out for her designated protectorate or participating in gym class.
While Hiroko, who was decidedly not an athlete, and Jun, who was worried about turning into a cat in front of everyone if she pushed herself too hard, trailed behind as they ran laps around the gymnasium, Izumi had torn ahead of everyone else. While Hiroko had struggled to do a pull-up, Izumi had kept doing them until the teacher had asked her to stop. And while Hiroko's performance in the class' game of volleyball was clumsy at best, Izumi's spiking technique was out of this world.
"Izunyan is amazing! Too amazing!" Jun said as she and Hiroko walked down one of Mirai Academy's outside corridors, en route to the spacious outdoor dining area utilized by most Mirai students. Both she and Hiroko were carrying the lunches the latter had made. "A girl like that must have tons of spirit power!"
Kichu poked his head up from Jun's schoolbag. "Chu!"
"I'll defer to your judgment there, Muse." Hiroko smiled warmly at the blue-haired girl. "You seem to have a really good eye for future Cures."
"Well, I do try! I think I'll try and ask this time before-" Jun started, before realizing Hiroko's attention was elsewhere. "Hm? Hironyan?"
Hiroko was looking past Jun, in the direction of Yasu Fukuda. The cerise-haired girl was walking towards them from the adjoining building, a stack of papers in her arms. She really did carry herself like a noblewoman, Hiroko mused as Yasu drew her way. Every movement of hers was measured and graceful, as one would expect of the daughter of Mirai Academy's headmistress.
As Yasu passed Hiroko by, the two's eyes briefly met. Distantly, Hiroko was aware that her face was warm again, her heart was pounding a bit, and she was staring once again, but also…
Fukuda-san's eyes looked so sad. I wonder if something happened.
Hiroko hesitated for a moment before turning and calling out to Yasu. "Fukuda-san!"
Yasu froze before hesitantly turning around. The girl was clearly disused to being addressed out of nowhere, and it briefly showed all over her face before she resumed her usual emotionless expression.
"Is something wrong?"
Hiroko's mouth worked silently before she managed a "Thank you very much. For yesterday, I mean. I really did appreciate your guidance." She hesitated a bit before adding "And I hope your mother is doing well. I've been a little worried after… well, you know."
"I didn't do anything important." Yasu said. "And Mother is perfectly fine. Your concern is appreciated." She turned away. "I'm sorry - I have flyers to copy. Excuse me."
Yasu departed, her pace a bit quicker than before. Hiroko stared after her, oblivious to Izumi standing behind her and Jun until the blond finally spoke.
"Man... you really are something else, Tsubasa. I've never seen anyone just speak to the Ice Princess like that."
Jun inclined her head curiously. "Ice Princess?" Her eyes lit up as she visualized Yasu clad in a beautiful, elaborate white gown and a fancy jeweled crown, residing in a magical castle made of ice and snow, complete with ice spirit guardians and a talking snowman companion. "That sounds so cool!"
Izumi looked a bit puzzled. "No, I mean- look, don't bother with Fukuda-san, you two. She hates people, and I don't want you guys getting hurt." She shook her head. "Dunno how someone like her and someone like Haru-kun came from the same family."
Hiroko frowned slightly. Yasu hadn't seemed that terrible when they had interacted, but she wasn't particularly inclined to argue with Izumi, who seemed to know her better anyway. She would hold her tongue for now.
Izumi clapped her hands together. "Anyway! C'mon, let's get some lunch, you guys! I'm starving!"
And with that said, Izumi charged towards the outdoor dining area, forcing Hiroko and Jun to hurry after her.
Hiroko, Jun, and Izumi were seated at one of the many circular white wrought iron tables at Mirai Academy's outdoor dining area - a spacious circular courtyard with tile that sported the same multicolored rose motif as the academy's central courtyard. Each table was surrounded by four semi-circular seats and was shaded by a golden umbrella in the middle. A lattice fence, woven with roses, surrounded the area.
There were several food stands here and there, and a nearby set of doors led to the cafeteria of Mirai Academy, which was no less fancy or impressive than the outdoor dining area or anything else in Mirai. But as far as Izumi seemed to be concerned, all of that paled in comparison to the bento Hiroko had made for her and Jun.
"Oh my god, that looks so good!" Izumi had forgotten the yakisoba bread she had purchased in favor of the two bento before her - a cat face formed out of carefully arranged omurice and ketchup, accompanied by two croquettes and some fresh fruit. "Like, professional quality! Did you make that yourself, Tsubasa?"
"She did!" Jun slipped pieces of her croquette under the table to Kichu as she spoke. He eagerly snapped them up, making soft, contented squeaks. "Hironyan is way too amazing!"
Hiroko waved off the praise. "It's just a silly hobby of mine. That's all." she said. "I am glad you like them though, Hamasaki-san. I could make one for you next time if you'd like?"
Izumi looked delighted by the bento offer. "Would you? Oh my gosh, you're the best, Tsubasa!" With that said, she tucked into her first yakisoba bread as if she had not eaten for years. She took a moment to swallow the enormous bite she had taken before adding "So... I've gotta know. Is there anyone you guys like? Anybody here catch your eye yet?"
Hiroko paused mid-bite, staring at Izumi. "Where did this come from?" Oh god, she was already dying internally. "I mean... I'm sure there are lots of cute boys here, but I don't know anyone that well, so-"
Frankly, Hiroko wasn't sure if that would have mattered. Her first and second years of junior high had been full of girls presenting her with guys, demanding to know which one Hiroko found cuter, and Hiroko arbirtarily picking one to favor. It had nothing to do with the boys, mind. They were fine. Inoffensive even. But Hiroko had felt nothing for any of them, past "that certainly is a boy".
Back then, she had assumed all girls felt that way. But something told her Izumi didn't, which made her the strange one. Maybe she was just a late bloomer? Maybe...
"Is there someone you like, Izunyan?" Jun asked.
"Yup!" Izumi winked at Hiroko. "Don't worry, Tsubasa- I know where to find all the cute boys in Mirai! My heart's already taken. In fact... hold on just a second!"
Izumi pulled out her cellphone and texted someone. Hiroko heard a rock and roll-esque ringtone and a soft "excuse me" from a few tables away before someone approached their table - Siegel, the teal-haired motorbike-riding boy from earlier. Hiroko felt several pairs of eyes burning into the back of her neck. She briefly turned to find several girls - Siegel's groupies again - several tables over, staring daggers at the three of them. She quickly averted her gaze.
"Did you need something, Izumi?" Siegel asked.
"Yeah! I wanted to introduce you to my new friends if that's cool with you?" Izumi motioned for Siegel to take a seat next to her. He shot a heistant glance towards the groupie table before doing so. "Sieg-kun, meet Hiroko Tsubasa and Jun Inoue! And Inoue, Tsubasa… meet Shun Siegel, the Speed King of Kyoukai!"
Shun went slightly pink. "Izumi, th-that's a bit-" He caught himself, coughing a bit before speaking again. This time, he sounded considerably more composed, and well, princely. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Tsubasa-san, Inoue-san. I hope Mirai Academy's been treating you well."
"It has!" Hiroko said. "Izumi has been a great help so far. I really do appreciate her company."
"You're the 'Speed King'? So, are you racetrack royalty? Or are you royalty who races?" Either option was more than good by Jun, judging by how enthralled she looked right now.
Shun laughed. "Oh no, I'm a perfectly ordinary girl! That's just a nickname." Her eyes briefly flitted to the side. "I haven't grown into it yet anyway."
"But she will!" Izumi insisted, seemingly oblivious to how flustered Shun looked for a moment. "Sieg-kun is gonna be the number-one racer in all of Japan one day! She's already a motocross superstar!" The blond could not have sounded prouder of the older girl if she tried. "I'm so lucky to know her!"
Hiroko just stared, practically hearing a record scratch in her head. Shun was a girl, then? Izumi had a girlfriend, not a boyfriend? That... made something uncomfortable stir in the pit of her stomach. It felt almost like jealousy. She tried not to let it show on her face.
She must not have done a good job, because Shun was looking at her with concern now. "Tsubasa-san? Is something wrong?"
"Oh no! Not at all!" Hiroko had probably sounded a bit too insistent there. "I just think that's really neat, Siegel-san! You must be really accomplished!"
"As much as a first-year high school student can be." Shun smiled warmly at Hiroko. "But I'm sure you have plenty to brag about yourself. Izumi is drawn to remarkable people."
Hiroko went tomato red. Shun didn't appear to notice - or maybe she was more focused on the decisively unfriendly looks her groupies were giving Hiroko, Jun, and Izumi. She muttered a quick apology to Izumi before getting up and moving to return to her table… only to pause midway and turn back to Hiroko and the others.
"If you guys are interested, I'm competing later this afternoon. No pressure, of course."
Izumi didn't even hesitate. "Oh, the three of us will definitely be there! We wouldn't miss it for anything, Sieg-kun!" She saw the teal-haired girl off with a wave before turning her attention to Hiroko and Jun. "This is gonna be so great, you guys! The three of us can hang, and then we can enjoy some motocross! It's the perfect way to end today!"
Once again, Hiroko found herself swallowing her words. She didn't remember agreeing to something like this. But again, Izumi was so earnest in her enthusiasm that the very idea of saying 'no' felt terrible. Besides… it wasn't as if she had any other plans, past locating Genbu and Byakko. And if Jun was right about Izumi, then...
So Hiroko just smiled. "I'll look forward to it, Hamasaki-san."
The shopping district of Kyoukai was abuzz with activity that afternoon. A warm ocean breeze gently wafted throughout the town as its citizens milled about, some shopping for groceries, others spending some much-needed time with their families after work, and still more simply enjoying time with their friends. None of them noticed the subtle shift in the air as two figures slipped through a gap into their world.
The figures themselves did not go unnoticed once they began to mingle with the crowds, however. It was difficult to miss the first one - a very tall tan-skinned bald man in a pink floral shirt, khakis, and sandals. The contrast he made with his companion, a much smaller androgynous olive-skinned person with a mid-length mane of white hair and loose, earth-toned attire, made them stand out just as much.
Seimono did not seem to notice the stares and whispers he was getting. He simply took in the sights around him with weary black eyes and hummed thoughtfully.
"So, this is Kyoukai. It's hardly changed a bit in my absence."
Kamryou, who had been clinging to Seimono's arm the entire time and fixing anything and everything in their vicinity with a cold glare, clung tighter. "I hate it." they said. "Too many humans. Too many people ." They stared up at Seimono with quizzical black eyes. "Does it not displease Seimono-sama?"
"My personal feelings have nothing to do with this, Kamryou." Seimono responded. After a moment, he added, more to himself than anyone "It isn't all terrible anyway."
"Seimono-sama?"
"It's nothing." Seimono continued onward. "We have time. Let's replenish our strength before we move out. Hopefully, the place I'm thinking of is still there."
And the pair was off. They did not notice the tall, rather frail-looking woman with long, sea-green hair and a sky blue dress staring after them as they departed, nor did they notice the way her gray eyes narrowed.
"Was that...?"
Kimiko Yoshimoto had no way of confirming it was him, mind. But even if she had mistaken some other very tall gentleman for one of her old adversaries, there were other things she definitely couldn't write off - the subtle shift in the air, the prickle on the back of her neck, the sensation of something around her being chipped away at. Kimiko had been able to sense such things clearly for the past few years, and she knew they were never to be written off.
She withdrew her cell phone from her purse and moved to text Marina. Her former comrade needed to know about this, as did her successor.
Shun's race wouldn't be for a while, which left Hiroko, Jun, and Izumi with a good amount of time to kill. And as far as Izumi was concerned, that time was best spent grabbing a bite to eat with her new friends at the "best restaurant in all of Kyoukai" - Western Paradise, located in Kyoukai's shopping district.
"Eye-catching" was the best word Hiroko could think of for the restaurant in question as Izumi eagerly ushered her and Jun inside. Every inch of it was done up in bright shades of white, pink, turquoise, and purple, complete with colorful geometric wall decor and pink and turquoise checkered tile flooring. Numerous booths and tables laid about the room, and a small soda bar was up front.
This seemed to be a popular spot, Hiroko noted - there were quite a few people in here already, from students in Mirai Academy uniforms to families with small children to a very tall man in a pink shirt who was enjoying a large slice of pepperoni pizza while his smaller, white-haired companion glared at their own slice as if it would immolate itself if they stared at it hard enough.
"Ah, Izumi-chan! Welcome back!" a brightly-dressed heavyset man with dark maroon hair called as the three entered Western Paradise. He wore a neon purple tie covered with yellow stars and had a bushy mustache. "And I see you brought some friends along! Hello to you as well!"
Moments later, Emi, now clad in a waitress' uniform, showed up next. "Oh! Tsubasa-san and Inoue-san! Welcome!" She nodded to the maroon-haired man. "I'll take it from here, Papa."
Emi led the group to a window-side booth, not far from the odd couple. "Will you be having the usual, Hamasaki-san? Or should I fetch a menu for you as well?"
"Oh, I'm definitely getting the usual!" Izumi said as she plonked herself down in the booth. "Gotta have lots of energy to cheer on Sieg-kun. And to look out for my friends, of course!"
'The usual' turned out to be a sizable pineapple and ham pan pizza, which Izumi eagerly tore into, as if she had never had lunch at all. In fact, most of the menu items here were types of pizza, Hiroko noted.
In the end, Hiroko went for a caramel bubble tea, while Jun ordered an extra large cookie. She slipped pieces of it under the table to Kichu, who seemed as eager for more food as Izumi was.
"This is pure heaven! Pineapple pizza is the best!" Izumi said between bites of pizza. She shot a concerned glance at Hiroko. "Are you sure you're not hungry, Tsubasa?"
"I'm alright, don't worry." Hiroko said. "It does look delicious, though." Well, maybe not the topping. Pineapple on pizza was an... inspired choice, at least. She would keep that one to herself. "Maybe I'll come back once-" She was interrupted by the sound of her phone vibrating in her school bag. "Ah, hold on a moment."
Hiroko felt something catch a bit inside her as she saw the message, which she showed to Jun. It was a text from Marina - possible shade kingdom activity detected. be vigilant. will update if anything happens on my end.
Izumi tilted her head quizzically. "Everything okay?"
"It's fine." Once again, Hiroko found herself lying. "It was just a message from a family friend about… personal matters. That's all."
"Oh man… for a minute, I thought the city was getting attacked again." Izumi said. "I mean- not that I'd want that to happen, but…" She trailed off into silence for a moment before adding "It would be a nice excuse to meet that new Pretty Cure. I've been a huge fan of theirs for a while."
Jun immediately perked up. "You're a fan of Pretty Cure, Izunyan?"
Izumi nodded. "Yup! They saved me once, ten years ago. I mean, I don't remember it too well, 'cause I was a little kid, and the monsters did that… thing, like at the entrance ceremony? But I know for a fact that it happened. I wouldn't make this stuff up."
The very tall man was listening intently to this conversation. Hiroko and the others did not notice this, nor did they notice the troubled expression that crossed his face.
"That's right - I heard someone saying Pretty Cure was active in Kyoukai ten years ago." Hiroko said. "I'm glad they were looking out for you that day, Hamasaki-san."
Izumi blinked. "You are?" Hiroko nodded, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad... people usually laugh at me when I tell that story. But it's true. It did happen, and it changed my life. I've wanted to protect people like that ever since. Even if I don't have powers, I can still try and be there for people, you know?" She took a sip of her soda and added "Besides, it feels good to be relied on."
"It's a lot of pressure, having everyone depend on you." For a moment, Jun sounded a bit more solemn than normal. She quickly perked back up "But I'm sure Izunyan handles it well!"
"I try." Izumi said. "Pretty Cure went out of their way to protect me - I decided I wanted to be relied on like that. Hell, I rescued my first princess that same day!" She winked and grinned at Hiroko, sending a bit of heat to the latter's face before sighing wistfully. "I just hope I can thank them personally one day. For... well, everything."
"I'm sure you'll get your wish one day, Hamasaki-san." Part of Hiroko wanted to tell Izumi that Pretty Cure was closer by than she thought, but blurting her identity as Cure Seiryuu in public sounded like a terrible idea. "I'm definitely cheering for you."
Izumi beamed. "Thanks, Tsubasa. You guys are the best." And with that said, she promptly switched gears. "Anyway ! Are you guys hyped for some motocross? You're gonna love it - the energy in the crowd is like nothing else!"
The odd couple at the table exchanged glances on "the energy in the crowd", even as Izumi rambled on about motocross to a very confused Hiroko and a very enraptured Jun. None of them noticed the large man slipping… something to his white-haired companion, who nodded dutifully and slipped out of Western Paradise, leaving their pizza untouched, until they had been gone for a while.
"Are any of the other racers there girls?" Jun was asking. "Do all the girls like them too? Where did they get their motorbikes? Do lots of girls like motorbikes?"
"I mean, you've gotta admit, a girl on a motorbike is super charming." Izumi responded. "Going cruising along the beach on the back of one? That's the dream, Inoue."
Hiroko couldn't manage to contribute anything to the conversation, past smiling and nodding. All she could do was turn the matter of Marina's text over in her mind as she wondered when the next attack would come… and if she would be facing it alone when it did happen.
Hiroko's heart sank the moment she, Jun, and Izumi arrived at the vast, state-of-the-art motocross track that was located on the edges of Kyoukai City. That feeling of wrongness was in the air again, and Hiroko had no idea what to do about it, past waiting for the Shade Kingdom to show their faces again and being ready to fight them off when they did. That she was already accepting this as an inevitability was a very strange feeling indeed.
Kichu felt it keenly as well. Jun was cuddling him close with one hand while he attempted to stay as still and plush-like as possible, even as he trembled and let out the occasional distressed squeak. If Izumi noticed that, she gave no indication. Something did appear to be weighing on the blond as she took her place at the bleachers, in between Hiroko and Jun.
Jun tilted her head quizzically. "Is everything okay, Izunyan?"
"I'm not sure." Izumi said. "Part of me feels like something bad's about to happen." She laughed nervously. "Maybe the conversation from earlier is getting to me. There haven't been like, any bad accidents on this track that I know of, so..."
"If something does happen, I'll do whatever I can to help." Hiroko's hand instinctively went to the Puricell in her bag as she spoke. "I promise."
Izumi looked a bit puzzled, but she still managed a smile. "I appreciate the spirit, Tsubasa. Thank you."
And then the racers actually took the field, and for a moment, Hiroko almost managed to forget her anxieties about an impending Shade Kingdom attack. True, she had no interest in auto racing and would have never gone to something like this on her own. True, even now, she found the noise of the crowd and the roar of the engines to be a bit overwhelming.
But there was something downright infectious about the way Izumi cheered on Shun with all her heart as the older girl pulled ahead of the rest of the crowd. It was difficult to believe the figure in green and black racing sweats that maneuvered her way through the winding race track like a pro, all without losing a hint of momentum was a high school girl, even if Hiroko knew that was the case. Shun was something special - no wonder Izumi loved her so much.
"Go Sieg-kun, go!" Izumi shouted from the bleachers. "You've got this!"
"Go for it, Siegel-san!" Hiroko shouted despite herself. Something about Izumi's enthusiasm, combined with the energy of the crowd around her was catching. "We believe in you!"
Even then, the feeling of wrongness in the air persisted. Hiroko could hear Kichu's distressed squeaking from here, even if the roar of the engines and the loud cheering of the crowd did a great deal to cover it up, and Jun's clear nervousness served as an equally potent reminder of what was surely about to happen.
And far above the bleachers, Kamryou hovered, unnoticed by anyone present. Discontentment was written all over their face as they stared at the site of the Wrath Seed Seimono had given them - a stack of tires located near the track's starting and finishing line. Even now, they could sense the Wrath Seed taking root, spreading tendrils throughout the tires and pumping like a beating heart as it fed off of the incredible energy of the crowd. This was a great place to plant a Nikuina.
Kamryou locked eyes with Seimono, who stood in the bleachers in his human guise. He gave his partner a small nod.
Shun pulled over the finish line, her opponents trailing right after her. She removed her helmet as she dismounted her bike, flashing a bright smile to the crowd... before homing in on Izumi specifically and waving at her.
Seimono quietly made his exit as a surge of cheering rippled through the crowd in the bleachers.
Izumi jumped up grabbing hold of Jun and Hiroko's hands and boosting them in the air as she gave a triumphant yell. "Alright, Sieg-kun! You're the best!"
And Kamryou raised a hand glowing with reddish black energy. "Appear! Nikuina! Cast the world into despair!"
Kamyrou clenched their fist as the stack of tires began to glow with red-black energy. There was a flash, and in the place of the stacked tires stood a massive humanoid construct comprised entirely from tires. One upright tire served as its head, complete with a pair of red eyes.
"Nikuina!" the monster roared, sending reverberations throughout the racetrack. As it roared, it drew tendrils of golden light into the tire served as its head.
Panic immediately set in all around the motocross track. The cheering of the crowd was replaced with a cacophony of screams as most everyone in the bleachers scrambled frantically for the exits. Shun shot a worried glance in the direction of Izumi and the others before rounding on the Nikuina. She looked ready to try and fight the monster herself before one of her fellow racers managed to get her to flee with them. Izumi stood frozen, maintaining a white-knuckled grip on the railing in front of her as she took in everything happening before her eyes.
And then the color rapidly drained from the sky... and from the people. Most everyone still present collapsed weakly to their knee as two new figures appeared on the field in a burst of golden smoke - a massive horned man and a floating ragdoll-like figure.
Hiroko and Jun were the only people in the audience left standing. The two nodded to each other and started off... just as Izumi, who had been driven to her knees once more, weakly reached towards the pair. She looked visibly confused by the lack of effect the Nikuina had on either of them.
"Huh? Tsubasa... Inoue... what are you-?"
Hiroko just smiled. "Don't worry, Hamasaki-san." she said. "I promised I'd do whatever I could to help."
And Hiroko was off. Jun kept pace with Kichu in tow. As Jun ran, she transformed into her cat form, Kichu riding on her back once more. And as Hiroko ran, she readied her Puricell.
"Pretty Cure! Spirit Unleash!" She transformed into a flash of blue light, blue delphinium petals swirling about her form as she touched down before Seimono and Kamryou. "Soaring blue star, Cure Seiryuu!"
Seimono nodded approvingly at the sight before him. "A new Cure Seiryuu... I see. I am Seimono, member of the Dark Triumvirate and faithful servant to King Kagemera. Now - show me what you're capable of!"
Cure Seiryuu barely had a half-second to react before the Nikuina came barreling towards her, swinging massive fists her way. She leapt backwards out of the way, shakily touching down on the ground right as it charged towards her. She narrowly sidestepped its wildly-aimed punch before countering with several wind-charged punches of her own.
The Nikuina staggered backward as Seiryuu extended a hand glowing with blue spirit power towards it. A high-pressure gust of blue wind leapt from her palm and pushed the Nikuina back several feet, tearing a huge gouge in the ground and kicking up an immense cloud of dirt. For a moment, the Nikuina looked as if it was going to topple over... and then it suddenly got its second wind and came right back at Seiryuu.
And as this went on, Izumi Hamasaki struggled to keep her eyes open in spite of her leaden-feeling body and the all-consuming desire to do nothing but wait for the miserable end she deserved that threatened to subsume most of her consciousness.
She forced herself to focus on it all as best as she could. The crackle of energy in the air. The sight of blue delphinium petals. Clouds of dirt rising into the air. And a silver-haired figure in blue trading blows with a massive construct made of tires as the two opponents darted all over the motocross track.
"Pretty Cure…?"
It was her, wasn't it? The one from the opening ceremony. The one Izumi had wanted to meet, if only so she could thank her personally. And here she was, lying here uselessly, unable to properly acknowledge one of her heroes, let alone make sure Hiroko and Jun were...
...where had those two gone off to? And why hadn't this monster affected them?
"If something does happen, I'll do whatever I can to help."
Come to think of it, there was something familiar about Cure Seiryuu. And the more Izumi thought about it (as well as she could think, at present), the more evident it seemed to her.
"...Tsubasa ?"
Kamryou made a noise of annoyance as they watched Seiryuu and their Nikuina tearing up the motocross track. The Nikuina was proving to be a tough and sturdy opponent that Seiryuu could barely unseat - she may have been faster, but it was far stronger and more durable, allowing it to weather the wind-charged blows she rained upon it.
But… they couldn't sit back and leave this to the Nikuina. They had their marching orders from King Kagemera, after all. And defiance was... unacceptable.
"I'm going." Kamryou darted towards Cure Seiryuu-
-only for Seimono to grab their arm and shake his head. They stared at him in confusion.
"Seimono-sama? We were ordered to-"
"-crush Pretty Cure. I'm aware. But nothing was said about the methodology. And I refuse to take arms against weak opponents."
Kamryou was about to ask what Seimono meant by that… and then the Nikuina managed to land a blow on Cure Seiryuu, sending her flying backwards. She narrowly managed to land on her feet-
-right as several gigantic tires detached from the Nikuina's body and rolled straight at Seiryuu. She managed to divert one from its course with a well-aimed gust of wind, sending it careening away from her and straight into a racetrack barrier. In doing so, she missed another tire coming straight at her. Seiryuu was forced to hold the tire back with both hands. She made a noise of exertion as she channeled her spirit power into her arms, trying to muster the strength to overcome the tire's momentum and push it away.
It was a losing battle. No matter how much spirit power Cure Seiryuu put forward, the massive tire proved stronger. Her boots cut massive gouges in the ground as she was pushed further and further back-
-and then a third tire came hurtling towards her. Seiryuu had no time to react as it slammed into her hard from the side, knocking her high into the air. The blue Cure crashed into the ground, leaving a small crater in her wake.
Muse came darting towards the prone Seiryuu. "Hironyan!"
And something surged up within Izumi. That had been Inoue's voice. And that was Hiroko out there. Hiroko was fighting that monster all by herself, and at this rate-
Seimono's expression was unreadable. "As expected. She's unseasoned and shall be easily dealt with."
Seimono averted his eyes as the Nikuina, who was now missing several sections of its body, charged towards the prone Seiryuu and Muse, who was glowing gently with golden light and frantically headbutting Seiryuu as the blue Cure struggled to get up and Kichu squeaked up a storm.
Kamryou tilted their head. "Are you not pleased, Seimono-sama?" Seimono did not answer.
The sensation that had surged up within Izumi kept building. She gritted her teeth as she channeled every ounce of strength she had into moving her leaden body. She had to. She had to do something. It didn't matter that she was far weaker than anyone on that field. It didn't matter that she had no hope of becoming a Pretty Cure herself, because that wasn't how that worked. All that mattered was... all that mattered was...
"Even if I don't have powers, I can still try and be there for people, you know?"
"It's okay! Pretty Cure is here to protect you!"
She was going to pay it forward. She had to pay it forward. Not only because Hiroko was one of the Pretty Cure Izumi owed everything to, but because she had promised to look out for her and Jun. Letting her protectorate - her friends get hurt while she did nothing would be unforgivable.
The Nikuina swung a massive fist towards Seiryuu, Muse, and Kichu, intending to crush them all in one go-
-and something roared up and burst within Izumi. Color rushed back into her form and an aura of dark violet energy surrounded her as she sprang to her feet.
"TSUBASA! INOUE!"
Time seemed to stop for Izumi as she dashed towards the Nikuina. All thoughts of her own safety fell by the wayside. All that mattered in that moment was protecting her friends.
Seiryuu had a split second to lever herself off the ground before she saw Izumi throw herself in between her and the Nikuina's fist.
"Hamasaki-san!"
The impact never came. There was a burst of dark violet light, and when it cleared, Izumi was very much alive and unharmed. She stood in front of Seiryuu, Muse, and Kichu, glowing steadily with dark violet energy as she assumed a defensive stance and stared down the Nikuina, which had been pushed backward several yards. The black crystal emerged from Muse's collar and hovered in front of Izumi. Just like before, it glowed before transforming into a black and bronze Puricell.
"It is you!" Muse looked over the moon. "Izunyan! You're our next Pretty Cure!"
Seimono simply took in the sight before him. "Ah. A tactical misstep on my end." He sounded perfectly casual about it - a constrast to Kamryou, who was clinging to him like a limpet and trembling with barely-suppressed rage. "I see."
It took a moment for Izumi's brain to process what had just happened and what Muse had just told her. None of this felt real, especially the part about her being a Pretty Cure. But making sense of any of that could wait. Right now, what mattered was keeping her friends safe.
Izumi grabbed the Puricell without hesitation. "Pretty Cure!" She pushed the five front buttons on the Puricell in sequence as her form roared with dark violet energy, which flowed into the device. "Spirit Unleash!"
Izumi was suspended in a sparkling dark violet void, her clothes replaced with a robe of sparkling dark violet light. She snapped her fingers and a gymnastics ribbon made of shimmering violet water appeared in one hand. Izumi twirled about, letting the ribbon swirl around her form.
As the ribbon of water swirled about her, her outfit appeared piece by piece in a burst of water - first a black midriff-baring top with bronze shoulder pads, then puffy black shorts with dark gray trim and a bronze belt with a short bow in the back, followed by wrist-length dark gray gloves with black tortoiseshell trim and bronze ornaments on the backs of the hands, and finally dark gray thigh-length stockings with bronze trim, and black ankle-length boots with bronze cuffs.
The ribbon broke apart in a flurry of bubbles as Izumi came to a stop. She flexed as the bubbles danced about her form, causing a short, dark gray vest with sharp black trim and a bronze tortoiseshell chest bow with a black crystal brooch to appear in a burst of violet light. Her eyes turned gold, and her hair tinted bright blond, grew out past her waist, and tied itself into long, whiplike twintails with black ribbons.
She gained black heart-shaped earrings, a bronze turtle shell-shaped hairclip in her hair, and a bronze snakeskin-print scarf as a pink and white pouch holding her Puricell appeared at her waist. Finally, she touched down on the ground, an explosion of violet water surging up around her and violet hyacinth petals swirling about her form as she posed.
"Rushing Black Star! Cure Genbu!"
Seiryuu struggled to her feet, a mixture of relief and joy written all over her face. "Cure Genbu!"
Genbu briefly turned back to Seiryuu, giving the blue Cure a smile and a nod before she rounded on Seimono, Kamryou, and the Nikuina. Her gold eyes shined resolutely as she stared them down. "Barging in on a precious place like this... hurting my friends..." She pointed at the three accusatorily. "You have truly crossed the line!"
Seimono said nothing - he seemed to be more concerned with his increasingly-distressed partner. He simply nodded towards the Nikuina, who roared and sent more tires rushing in Seiryuu and Genbu's direction.
Both Cures immediately leapt into action. Seiryuu diverted yet another tire from its course and far away from her with a well-placed gust of wind, as Genbu leapt and twirled out of the way of the one rushing in her direction with the grace of an expert gymnast. As it turned around and rushed towards her, she met it with a hard leaping kick charged with spirit power. Her attack connected in an explosion of water droplets and sent the tire careening down the motocross track.
The black Cure blinked, visibly shocked by the strength she was now capable of before she broke into a grin.
Seiryuu keenly regarded the Nikuina as it gathered itself and prepared to send more tires at the pair. It was missing more bits of its body now, its remaining parts hovering in place. And the more of itself it lost, the more sluggish and weak it was becoming. It already seemed to be struggling a bit.
"Genbu, you can go on ahead!" Seiryuu said. "Don't worry about me - I'll be okay!"
Genbu hesitated... but only for a moment. As the Nikuina sent more tires in Seiryuu's direction, the black Cure charged full-force towards the monster. As Seiryuu put everything she had into dodging more tires without getting blindsided, Genbu insinctively reached a hand glowing with dark violet energy towards the increasingly-sluggish Nikuina. A high-pressure burst of water from her palm struck it head-on.
The Nikuina roared in pain and rounded on Genbu. It was at a disadvantage this time - a good chunk of its body was gone, and its strength and stamina had gone with it. It found itself struggling to hit the black Cure who did handsprings away from it before striking it full-force with a backflip kick. Before the Nikuina could recover, Genbu sprang towards it and pelted it with a rapid-fire flurry of water-infused blows.
There was no recovering for the Nikuina this time. It staggered forward before abruptly collapsing into a disconnected heap of giant tires. The tires that Seiryuu had been fending off sudddenly become inert and fell onto their sides.
Genbu's eyes lit up as the words for what to do next came to her unbidden. "Let's end this!" Her form began to glow with dark violet energy as she focused her spirit power. "Pretty Cure!" Globules of water rose around Genbu and violet hyacinth petals swirled about her form as a steadily-growing ball of dark violet water formed between her hands. "Black Maelstrom!"
Genbu flung her arms out, sending the immense ball of water towards the Nikuina. It gave one last roar on impact before it dissolved in a shower of light particles, which quickly dissipated, leaving behind a pile of tires and another spent Wrath Seed pod. Genbu proudly took in her handiwork... before collapsing to her knees in exhaustion.
Seiryuu hurried to Izumi's side, feeling her own transformation involuntarily fade as she extended a hand towards the blond. Izumi accepted it, allowing Hiroko to pull her to her feet...
...and then several tendrils of cloth shot towards them and yanked them both roughly into the air. Kamryou hovered above them, the cloth tendrils extending from their body as they fixed both Cures with a glare. The more the pair struggled, the tighter their grip grew.
For once, Seimono looked genuinely upset. "Kamryou, there's no need for-!"
"Let them go!" Muse cried. She leapt towards Kamryou, teeth and claws bared... only for the latter to off-handedly smack her away with another tendril. Kichu scrambled to her side, squeaking up a storm.
Kamryou looked from the struggling Cures to the terrible scar on Seimono's chest and back again. "There's every need!" they shot back. "Finish them off, Seimono-sama! Finish them off or I'll-"
And before Kamryou could finish that sentence, an arrow of red fire struck them across the side. They cried out in pain as they involuntarily let go of their quarry. Hiroko and Izumi dropped two feet to the ground as Kamryou collapsed in a heap. As they laid there, looking more like a pile of abandoned rags than a person, their form began to flicker.
Seimono was at their side in an instant. He scooped his fallen partner up in his arms before looking back at the Cures. "Not bad for a first showing. May you be stronger in time for our next encounter."
And then the pair vanished in a puff of golden smoke. Hiroko and Izumi were left to catch their breath as Muse and Kichu hurried to their side, both spirits showering the pair with concern. And as Hiroko tried to recover her bearings, she glanced up towards the top of the bleachers.
Distantly, she could see her and Izumi's savior - a figure in red and orange, who held a red longbow and had long, flowing orange hair. The figure locked eyes with Hiroko for a moment... and then she was gone.
Just who had that been?
Everything after the incident at the motocross track had seemed like a blur. Hiroko dimly remembered Izumi charging off to make sure Shun was alright, Shun being just as worried about Izumi (and very insistent on her, Hiroko, and Jun not getting to leave until they'd had some time to rest - and had helped themselves properly to some of the bottled water and konpeito she had on hand), and finally, Izumi escorting her back to the dorms.
Izumi had asked Hiroko for assurance this wasn't a dream several times. Hiroko didn't blame her. It still hardly felt real to her, and she didn't have the long-time admiration of Pretty Cure that Izumi did.
Hiroko had slept soundly after that. She was still sound asleep, Muse and Kichu curled up on top of her once more, when she was woken up early next morning by some very over-enthusiastic knocking - and found Izumi, clad in exercise sweats at her door.
"C'mon, Tsubasa!" Izumi called to Hiroko, who was struggling to keep pace with her as they jogged around Mirai Academy together that morning. "If we wanna do the original Pretty Cure proud, we've gotta be in top shape!"
Muse, who was keeping pace at Izumi's heels, turned to Hiroko. "You can do it, Hironyan!"
"I'm trying!" And Hiroko clearly was... but it was equally clear she was disused to this. Moments afterward, she came to a stop and doubled over, panting heavily. "Sorry, I-"
Izumi just ran to her side and patted her on the back. "It's okay! You said it yourself - you're not an athlete. You'll get there, Tsubasa. And then..." Her eyes lit up and she pumped a fist in the air. "We'll be a powerful Pretty Cure team, and we'll crush the Shade Kingdom together! This will just rule all!"
Hiroko straightened back up and smiled. "It will. I look forward to working with you as Cure Seiryuu, Hamasaki-san."
And moments later, the two Mirai students and the cat spirit were off. They did not notice Yasu Fukuda, who had been sitting behind a nearby tree, sketchbook in hand as she drew the sunrise over a nearby pond, as they departed, but she certainly noticed them. She stared after the trio, inclining her head curiously.
"Pretty Cure?"