Chapter 9 Criasu's President
The darkness in the hallway leading to the main room was the worst that Hikaru had ever experienced, and that is not even taking into account the fact that she was about to come face to face with President Kurai. The henchmen of the young woman held onto her shoulders like their hands were glued to her. Hikaru was scared, scared of what might happen in that room, scared of the fact that she couldn't transform, scared of the possibility that the plan could fail. If the plan failed, that was it. Hikaru would be stuck in this parallel universe forever.
The door opened, allowing Hikaru to see that she was in a spacious, circular room with a high ceiling. Around the room were desks that were floating in midair, as well as platforms that were doing the same. The two men brought Hikaru over to a grounded platform, and it was only once she had stepped onto it and a force field surrounded her as she rose into the air, that Hikaru could breathe slightly easier. The henchmen weren't with her anymore. The only one who was close to her was Dr. Traum, who was standing on a platform right next to her. Ruru was standing in the middle of the room, staring up at the ceiling.
"Thank you, Gelos, Jinjin, Takumi," Listle said to the Criasu employees who had escorted Hikaru. "Now that she is here, the meeting can commence."
Everyone's eyes directed up toward the ceiling. Hikaru looked up, and a frightened gasp escaped her throat. There he was: President George Kurai. He was...Hikaru didn't know what he was. He looked partially like a man, but he had skin and hair greyer than smoke. His teeth were gritted into a fiercsome expression, and his eyes….they looked like the fires of hell.
"President Kurai," Ruru spoke up. If she was unnerved by the appearance of the president, she did a good job of hiding it. In fact, her inflection was so monotone and stoic that it reminded Hikaru that Ruru was, in fact, a robot. "Dr. Traum and I hope to be of good use to Criasu Corporation. During our time as allies to the Precure, we have gathered information about them that we have no doubt you would find valuable."
Hikaru exchanged a look with Traum. What Ruru was telling Kurai wasn't concerning, at least not as much as it could be. Before they had left, Dr. Traum had discussed with the Precure what Ruru could say to the president when she was brought before him.
"We have also brought Cure Star, leader of the Star Twinkle Precure team, to you," Ruru continued. "Considering that you have went through a lot of trouble to bring her here, I assume that would want her as a hostage."
Kurai's eyes narrowed, making shivers run down Hikaru's spine.
"We can definitely use the information you have regarding your former comrades," he said. Hikar looked at Traum and saw that he was a little uneasy. "However, what use do we have of a Precure who can't transform and whose powers we have already exploited?"
Hikaru looked down at Ruru. She had no idea how Ruru would answer this. Despite this, Ruru remained poised.
"The power within Cure Star's transformation device has already proven to be of use to the company, Mr. President," Ruru said. "If you manage to get all of her team, then just imagine the possibilities with that kind of power at your disposal."
Hikaru's eyes grew wide. Was Ruru suggesting that they brought her friends here? Hikaru looked at Traum, he looked pleased.
"Hikaru," he whispered, "if your friends are brought here, they will be able to help us defeat Criasu!"
Hikaru glanced back at Ruru, beaming.
"You're right!" she exclaimed. "We didn't even discuss this; Ruru's very smart."
Dr. Traum smiled and dried a tear from his eyes.
"That's my girl," he said happily. The president looked to be considering it. After a minute he smiled.
"You have proven yourself to be useful, RUR 9500," he said. "You will accompany Listle and Dr. Traum as they work on a way of reviving Cure Tomorrow."
Hikaru smiled warmly as the platforms that she, Ruru, and Traum were standing on were lowered to the ground. Once she was no longer airborne though, the door burst open with intensity. Bicine entered, his face vicious and nasty.
"They are spies, every single one of them!" He held something a loft in his gauze covered hand, and Hikaru gasped at the sight of Hariham Harry. "I found this guy in the room where Cure Tomorrow's being held. He was trying to open the capsule!"
"Harry…" Hikaru whispered in fear and shock. Harry looked down at the floor in defeat.
"I'm sorry guys; I should have been more careful." Above, President Kurai growled.
"Seize them!"
Before any of the three could run, Jinjin and Takumi had Hikaru's and Traum's arms pinned behind their backs. Gelos approached Ruru and held her by the arms.
"Take them down to the basement and lock them up," Kurai ordered. The three employees started to lead them away, but before they could even move a foot George spoke up. "Except...for the android. I think I can make use of her. Gelos, shut her down!"
Gelos tightened her grip on Cure Amour. Ruru wriggled and squirmed, trying to pry free from her.
"Let me go!" she cried.
"Hold still!" Gelos demanded. She started searching the back of Ruru's neck. "Where's the off switch on this thing?"
As soon as she finished saying that, Gelos managed to find a button. A sound could be heard, as if a computer monitor was going dead. Ruru went completely limp in Gelos' arms.
"System shutting dowwwnnn…" Gelos dropped her to the floor, where she laid there like a sack of potatoes.
"Now," President Kurai addressed Gelos, "take her down to the lab and get her reprogrammed."
"NO!" Hikaru and Traum cried. Traum started struggling against Takumi's grip.
"Ruru chan!" Gelos walked past them with Ruru in her arms. Hikaru was horrified to see that Ruru's eyes were empty and vacant, her pupils completely gone in the misty violet of her lifeless irises. Not knowing what she could do, Hikaru stared at the floor as Jinjin and Takumi started to lead their prisoners back to the basement. Once they were about halfway down the hall, Traum let out a little whimper. Hikaru looked at him and saw that his face was drenched in tears.
"Are you alright?" Hikaru asked. Traum sniffled.
"I can't lose her!" Traum said, his voice breaking. "Ruru can't get reprogrammed! I can't let that happen!" He sighed in defeat. "But what can we do?"
Hikaru thought about it, but in all honesty there wasn't a lot to think about. Things did look pretty bleak.
"I don't know," Hikaru admitted. Suddenly, a sound fell upon Hikaru's ears. It sounded….melodic, sparkly. Jinjin and Takumi must have heard it too, because they stopped. Traum looked at Hikaru.
"What is that?"
The sound grew louder and louder. Hikaru looked up and saw a ball of light forming in the dark hallway. Suddenly, a screaming noise could be heard as well. Then, when the ball of light was big enough, a portal opened up and a girl dropped to the floor. Traum gasped.
"What the…?" he exclaimed. The girl stood up, and Hikaru's eyes grew wide with shock.
"Lala?"
Lala, fully clad in her Cure Milky attire, stared at Hikaru with her teal eyes. Her starry pupils twinkled in wonder and amazement.
"Hikaru?"
