Author's Note

With this chapter, everything is back in order. However, at the same time, I will stop writing new chapters for a while. Why? Because recently, I heard that around chapter 10 or so, it is a bit boring/stiff. I'm really happy to hear such a review and I do plan on reviewing the chapters around there and rewrite if I have ideas to improve. Most likely around chapter 5 to 15. It'll probably take me a week or two to do that. Once I'm done, I'll start writing chapter 39 with a change log in my next note. Thanks to everyone for reading and especially those that gave me review either publicly or in messages!

The song this time is Iolite by Fujishiro Rie.

Chapter 38: Zinnia Floral Idol, Cure Rock!

Mahiru and others are chasing after Koharu.

Mahiru "That Koharu has gotten pretty fast. Let's hurry up."

Ako nods "Yeah."

However, when they turn around the corner, they run into Cure Shine and Mutsu. Mahiru stops while everyone else behind her barely crashes into her.

Ako complains "Mahiru, don't just stop so suddenly."

Ako looks at the two people stands in front of her "Nya… Aren't they the bad guys? Mahiru, let's run."

While Ako says that, Ruka is looking confused "Bad guys?"

Mahiru looks at Shine in the eyes and says "Are you… No, it's definitely you. You need to stop."

Shine looks at Mahiru a little surprised "Heh? So you are saying you know who I am?"

Mahiru nods "If my hunch is right… Yume."

Ako looks at Mahiru "Eh?" Then at Shine "Yume?"

Shine smiles and put her hands together "That's amazing, I didn't think you would figure out."

Ruka "Eh? Yume? Now I look closely… it is!"

Mahiru "Yume, you… you were robbing other idol's Aikatsu? Making them giving up on being an idol?"

Shine nods "Yes."

Ako immediately asks "Why?"

Shine "Why? That's because, in the end, there can only be one true top idol. I have to thank everyone for helping me realize that."

Ako "Us? You don't mean that misunderstanding, right?"

Shine questions "No, if you are talking about that, I already knew Suzu is the one tricking me. What I realize is, idols will be alone. It doesn't matter how much a friend you think your friends are, they are ready to leave you out at any time."

Mahiru "Leave you out… Ah! Yume, that's not what we meant to do!"

Shine "Really? Did you girls think if I would like to perform together?"

Ako "That's…"

Shine "On top of that, the four of you had fun, right?"

Mahiru and Ako could not say anything in return.

Ruka however, tries to avoid the situation "Ruka has nothing to do with it so I'll take my leave!"

Shine shakes her head and smiles "Nope, you are just as bad. After all, you should have known and could have told me, right?"

Ruka "Ah… Yeah… But… I! Ahhh!"

Ruka struggles while holding her head and swinging her head around.

After a while, she apologizes "Sorry..."

Mahiru tries reaching out to Ruka "You have nothing to apologize. Rather it's us…"

Mahiru and Ako both look like they are feeling guilty.

Shine smiles "I wasn't expecting it to be this kind of energy but it'll work. Mutsu, it's time."

Mutsu takes out a large marble that looks similar to the one Gyaku used. Mutsu crushes it with her hand and the dark energy begins flowing out. The two of them reach out with one hand and starts forcing the energy into the three of them.

As they start to feel uncomfortable, Shine says "Don't worry, I just need the three of you to help me fight against the precure. Now, no longer a star and corrupts, Negastar!"

As the three of them turn into Negastar, Shine looks down the hall where Rola would be "Now then, I guess I'll at least see how well you can perform compare to me… Rola."

Koharu is in Rola's room explaining what happened and Yume may be crying out for help.

Rola "As I thought, Yume doesn't think she is doing the right thing."

Koharu "What do you mean?"

Rola "Somewhere in Yume's heart, she must have realized her current self is not the idol she wants to be."

Koharu nods "I see, that must be it."

Rola smiles "That's why I'm going to sing with everything I got. I'm sure… It'll reach Yume."

Koharu looks at Rola and looks glad "Then I'll leave Yume to you."

Rola nods with confidence "Yeah!"

Rola takes out her cards and reveals her coord.

Rola "With my new song Iolite and this dress, Dream Rocker Coord."

Rola's dress is blue and white with a majority of the fabric that would easily reflect light. The top has an open shoulder with small pink trim lines. It also comes with a set of belt buckle glove that gives off a punk image. The dress has a short skirt with a small blue ribbon on the side that looks just like Yume's. Then it has high thigh boots with a set of earrings with small stars.

Koharu "That dress fits you so well. But why the ribbon?"

Rola "It's because I'm righting Yume, I'm her rival."

Koharu looks surprised at first, but she nods and says "Then go defeat Yume. I believe you can do it, Rola."

Rola nods "Sakuraba Rola, I will be rocking with all my heart!"

She immediately runs off to the changing room and dashes towards the changing device. After putting her cards into and don her dress, she jumps onto the stage.

Before the song starts, Rola does a short talk "Before I start, I would like to say something to my rival. Yume, this match, I will win! I may not have been the rival we wanted. However, this time, it will not be the same!"

Upon hearing Rola's declaration to win, the crowd is riled up. Afterward, the light dies down similarly to how Yume starts. As the music starts, the light turns on to the stage and shows a very rock concert-like props behind Rola.

Rola then starts singing "It was too bright yesterday. Unsure of the way forward, Holding the future. A ray of light, I'll get my hands on it. The chosen gemstone, looking for the dawn."

Rola slowly emitting her aura as the song goes on while continue to sing "I'm trapped in a bind from the sun's position. What am I looking for? The needle in the compass of my heart has stopped. I will not hesitate to move forward on my path."

Rola begins using her power and shines brilliantly. Her dance has also become wilder with much larger movements.

Rola keeps singing with her whole heart while trying to deliver a message to Yume "Feelings that are overflowing out of control. Don't extinguish the blue flame in your chest."

Soon, Rola tears up while mixing with her sweat "Yeah, I can't tell you how many times I've stumbled and stopped crying, burning up strong. I'm sure the tears decorate your unclouded eyes, reflects the truth. You're the only one going further, to the end of the world."

Rola starts her special appeal but it is different than usual. She is chained up and struggles to break free. Then a ray of light shines over her and with one more attempt, she breaks free and strikes a pose with a V sign with her hand.

Then another light shines behind her as if it signals her next appeal. Rola turns around with a smiles and grabs holds of it. The light disappears and shows a zinnia flower. Rola then points the flower at the audience and it scatters its petal and covers the whole stage. By the time it clears up, Rola resumes her stage. Her dress has also transformed a tiny bit. The trim lines on her dress are replaced with purple zinnia petals and the bottom of her skirt also gains the same petals. Rola continues her stage and sings with all her heart to Yume.

As Rola's stage reaching the end, Shine is looking down while shaking.

Shine mutters "Rola and everyone… Is it wrong for me to leave and break away? While everyone did that to me?"

Mutsu "Should we start?"

Shine nods "Negastar! Attack!"

As Rola's stage ends, three Negastar jumps onto the stage and screams "Negastars!"

While almost everyone else passes out, Rola manages to hold on.

Rola looks at the three Negastar "Negastar… But they are a bit… different."

Rola looks at the Negastars and the Negastar this time has small dark crystals on her chest, shoulder, and knees.

Shine walks onto the stage from Rola's left "That's right, it's because this time it's a bit different. Well, it should be about the time the Precure shows up."

As shine says that, Hibiki and everyone else shows up from the other side.

Elza "Cure Shine, that's enough. Just because you feel threatened by Rola's performance, it's unbecoming of you to do this. Is that what the idol who defeated me has become?"

Shine looks at Elza and others "Threatened? Maybe a little. But enough talk, go ahead and transform so we can fight."

Hime "Why do you want to fight us so much?"

Shine looks at Hime "Fine, I'll answer that question. It's once you girls are gone, I'll be taking one big step towards my dream as the true star."

Hibiki steps forward "Then we won't let you defeat us. Let's go!"

As Hibiki commends, all the girls transform into Precure.

Melody "Strumming the wild tune, Cure Melody!"

Rhythm "Playing the graceful tune, Cure Rhythm!"

Beat "Strumming the soul's tune, Cure Beat!"

Muse "Playing the Goddess' tune, Cure Muse!"

Center "To reach everyone with my live, Cure Center!"

Perfect "Perform with perfection, Cure Perfect"

Shine smiles when they finish transforming and commands the Negastars "Negastars, go!"

As the Negastar jumps in, Rola warns the Precure "Be careful! Those Negastars are different!"

The first Negastar is fast and quickly reaches the Precure. It goes in between Beat and Muse and does palm strike on both of them. Both of them jump away but it still touches them and pushes them back with powerful force.

Melody "Beat!"

Rhythm "Muse!"

The second Negastar then goes in at Melody and Rhythm.

Center "You two! Focus!"

Perfect "Let's go!"

When the second Negastar attacks them with a chop. Center and Perfect both return the attack with a kick. Their attack clashes at each other. After a moment later, the Negastar muster more power and breakthrough their kicks.

Perfect "What!"

Center "Strong!"

The Negastar lands and takes a deep breath. It then takes a stand just like a martial artist would.

Rola who is watching the fight notices the characteristic "Eh?"

Rola then looks at the third Negastar and it is slithering around Melody and Rhythm. The movement is very similar to that of a cat.

Rola then looks at Shine "Don't tell me, those three are… Mahiru, Ako, and Ruka!"

Shine claps her hand together "Nice observation. You are right. Now that is found out, I'll let you girls know something else. We used an Overload orb to turn them into Negastar. Ah, the Overload Orb is the thing that Gyaku used."

Melody "Wait, then if they turn back…"

Shine "Oh, it's okay. But if you girls want to save them, better not break any of the crystals. Those crystals are connected directly to their heart. If they break while still connected, it'll break their will to do Aikatsu."

After hearing that, the Precure could no longer attack as they wish. Slowly, they are getting hurt from the Negastars' attacks. While they try to grab the crystals off them, another Negastar would take the opportunity to attack. Their experience from working as S4 is allowing them to corporate really well.

Rola could not watch anymore and confront Shine "Shine! This is enough!"

Shine looks at Rola "Enough? I agree this fight is lasting a bit too long. Mutsu, go help the Negastar."

Mutsu nod "Yes!" Then runs in.

At that moment, Suzu stands in front of her "Mutsu, stop…"

Mutsu "No, this is the perfect chance for us to win and you can't stop me. You have left ABC for too long, you probably don't much that much power left."

Suzu closes her eyes and nod "True, but I want to help them. Even at the cost of my life!"

When Suzu is about to engage Mutsu, Noise quickly lands in between them in his true form.

Noise looks at Suzu "No need to risk your life, this is a good time for me to help so you just sit back. If something happens to you, everyone will be sad."

Suzu looks at Noise and she can tell he knows what Suzu is planning to do.

Suzu relaxes and smiles "Alright, then I'll let you stop Mutsu."

Shine and Rola watch the situation change and the fight is still ongoing.

Rola then shouts "Cure Shine! No, Yume! I will save you!"

Shine looks at Rola and gathers a black energy ball in her palm "I'm getting tired of you. Take a nap."

Shine toss the ball up and then jumps up "Breaker Spike!"

As the attack flies at Rola, Rola shouts out at Shine once more "Yume!"

Then a pillar of light in a faint blue color suddenly appears in front of Rola. Breaker Spike hits the pillar and bounces off it. Everyone stops and looks at the light. As they focus on it, a gray object took form within the light.

Rola "That is… If it is, then I can fight too!"

Rola reaches her hands in and grabs the object. As she pulls it out, it is the fourth Live Module.

Rola "This is… Live Module!"

Shine "So Rola will be the last cure."

Rola nods "Apparently so. Here I go, Precure Live Modulation!"

Rola begins transforming and her outfit is colored blue and purple.

Rola "Rock our souls and going my way, Cure Rock!"

Shine "Cure Rock, that sounds just like you."

Rock "Thanks. Now I'll be winning this fight and bringing you back."

Shine "You just became a precure, do you think you can win against me?"

Rock "I don't know, but I know I will make you understand our feeling. Even if it means to fight you!"

The two stares at each other for a while. The two dashes in and throw their punch at each other. Their fist meets and an explosive wave can be felt by everyone.

Shine look at Rock maliciously "I see you got the power."

Rock answers while smiling "Of course! After all, I'm your greatest rival!"

Shine and Rock put more power into their fist and both of them bounces back from the force.

Rock "Shine, why are you so stubborn right now?"

Shine complains "Stubborn? Aren't you the stubborn one? You always loose and yet, still here trying to compete with me while claiming to be my rival!"

Shine gathers up another ball and goes for another Breaker Spike.

Rock "That again? Don't look down on me that much!"

Rock points her first at Shine "Rock…" An energy forms around her arm like an arm cannon"Blaster!" it fires off.

At the same time, Shine hits the ball "Breaker Spike!"

Because Rock got her attack off faster, the two attacks hit each other and the power is even again. An explosion happens in midair and it blasts Shine away.

Rock chases after Shine while shouting "Shine! Remember what you said to me! Our promise! Didn't I manage to do it today? My performance today isn't inferior to you in any way!"

Rock leaps in and spin kicks Shine. Shine just recovers from the blast couldn't defend in time and it becomes a clean hit.

Shine "Aaah! That hurt!"

Shine withstood the pain and trikes back with a punch. Rock sees it coming but Shine's fist is faster this time and hits Rock in the face.

Rock "Uhnn!"

The two backs away a few steps and Rock cry out "That hurts!"

Shine retorts "Shut up! You hit me first!"

Rock "I just wasn't expecting that to hurt so much!"

Shine "We are fighting after all."

All the other cures who see their conversation couldn't help but smile happily.

Hime thinks "Having Rola compete against Yume turns out to be very good. If it continues, the chance to save Yume is there!"

Rock laughs for a bit then says "Round 1 is even, let's get started with round 2."

Shine "You can't tell me when to start!"

Shine jumps in and attacks Rock. She avoids and counters. The two then start exchanging blows with no clean hits. While engaging in close combat, they start having a conversation with each other.

Rock "Seriously, always going ahead by yourself."

Shine "Going ahead? I just take my opportunities! You guys are the ones trying to get ahead. Just like when you girls forming Angely Diva!"

Rock "That was a live for you! Do you think we did it just for fun?"

Shine "Do it for fun or not, I don't care! I would rather perform together!"

Rock "Then we'll break up! We are done!"

Shine "Eh?"

While Shine is surprised, Rock takes the opportunity and make a strong attack. She raises one arm and gathers energy in her hand. It then forms a blue light guitar and she plays some notes.

Rock "Precure, Soul Rocker!"

The attack creates a sound attack that surrounds the whole stage. Shine gets push back and the sound waves also cause the Negastar and Mutsu to be temporarily stunned.

Then all of the cures except Rock notices it and says "Right now!"

They all went in and grabs a few crystals off the Negastars. Melody and Rhythm go after Ako Negastar and grabs as many as they can and only the one on the left shoulder is left. Beat and Muse went after the Ruka Negastar and they grab just as many and only the one on right knee is left. Center and Perfect do the same but Mahiru Negastar recovers faster and tries to protect the crystals. However, they go for the ones exposed and combine with a few attack, they were able to grab four as well.

Mutsu recovers and sees the situation getting bad "Not good, at this rate…"

Before Mutsu tries anything, Noise goes behind her and trikes with a punch "You think I'll let you do something?"

Mutsu rolls forward to avoid the attack and clicks her tongue "This stupid bird."

At the same time, Shine jumps back in and stares at Rock "I admit, you are strong. However, I'm not going to lose here!"

Rock "No, I'll win and bring you back!"

Shine materializes her dark rainbow sword and Rock clade both of her hand in a smaller Rock Blaster without shooting it. The two leaps in and attacks each other.

Rock "Shine, do you think we betrayed you and trying to leave you out? Is our friendship that shallow?"

Shine "Of course I don't want to think that way! But with what happened, what can I do?"

Shine slashes at Rock while shouting in frustration and Rock meets the blade with her fist.

Rock "Just keep believing! In our friendship! All five of us, I'm sure we can be stars together! With you, we won't be Angely Diva, we'll be Angely Stars!"

Shine "Angely… Stars…"

Then as if Shine's will to fight is destroyed, Rock breaks her sword with one more push. As the blade breaks, Shine is pushed back and sees the dark rainbow sword's shard scatters. The darkness clears up and Shine sees her fun memories. From the moment she decides to become an idol with Koharu, to the moment before she leaves Four Star Academy.

Shine "These are… but I am already…"

Rock shouts out "It's okay! We are here for you! I'm sure we'll be able to solve anything if we are together! Yume!"

Rock leans forward and gives Shine a hug. Then as if it helps Shine realizes it's ok to go back, her transformation comes undone. The two lands together.

Yume "Rock... Rola… I…"

Rock "Welcome back, Yume."

Yume looks at Rock for a moment and closes her eyes then hugs back "I'm back…"

Mutsu looks at them "Is this a joke? She changed back just like that?"

Noise "It is not. Yume must have wanted to go back for a long time, but couldn't simply do so. She just needed a push. The darkness you forced into her must-have weakened by a lot."

Yume "Yes, I can feel it. To be honest, I don't think I'm fully back to yet."

Rock "Then let's finish this!"

Rock looks at the other precure "Precure, Soul Shaker!"

Mutsu jumps away and hides while the Negastars gets hit by the attack. This time, they react quickly and remove the last crystal while delivering a powerful hit. The Negastars flys and crash into each other.

Rock smiles and grabs her Live Module "Now it should be my turn."

Rock's module shines and gives her the cards and she nods "Yes! Aikatsu Mode!"

Rock enters her Aikatsu Mode and the outfit looks like Spice Coord's Sky Wish Coord. Except the top has a frilly end right below her chest and exposes her stomach. The headband is also replaced by a tiara.

Rock then proceeds with her performance and sings her new song, Iolite. She slowly cleanses the dark energy from Yume and Negastars. As it is near the end, Mutsu teleports behind Yume and attempts to kidnap her. Mutsu jumps up and prepares to teleport. However, Suzu suddenly teleports above Mutsu and falls on top of Mutsu.

Mutsu "What?"

Everyone else except Yume "Eh?"

Yume "Uhmm… Heavy…"

Suzu immediately gets off while pulling Mutsu off Yume while Mutsu is knocked unconscious from the fall.

Suzu "Sorry, I didn't notice I would end up teleporting on top of you."

Yume "Ehahaha, it's okay. Don't worry about it."

Suzu looks at Yume "Eh? You are already back to normal?"

Yume "Yes."

Suzu "Ah… Then I guess maybe I wasted my time getting this."

Suzu shows them a contract Yume had signed.

Yume "That's the contract! I was worried about that!"

Rock "We can celebrate later, let me turn these three back to normal first."

Yume and Suzu "Ah, right."

Everyone else smiles and lets Rock purify them.

Rock materializes her energy guitar again and plays a few notes "Precure, Rocking Score!"

Similar to Beat, she points the guitar head at her target but plays powerful notes to fires it at the Negastars.

Everyone walks close and undo their transformation.

Hibiki "Yume, what's that contract you mentioned?"

Hime then steps forward "Let's talk later, we should get off the stage before everyone wakes up."

Everyone else except Elza "Ah…"

All the girls hurriedly get off the stage while carrying Mahiru, Ako, and Ruka.