Futari wa Pretty Cure: A New Legend

by Ashbel Longhart

Ichi Dai had a somewhat good life. Working at his uncle's orphanage, taking care of the kids, and so on. But on his birthday, he was suddenly transported to PreCure no Sekai. After a year of living in this new world, he later finds out that Grongi are here, causing chaos and death wherever they go. As the new Kamen Rider Kuuga, he must protect this world's smile. "Chou Henshin!"

20. Ride 20: Dai's Rising Power

Hello Fanfiction readers! This is Ashbel Longhart here! Happy 2019! I hope you all a wonderful year, mine was alright, could have been better. Now I'm sure by now you people have heard of the new Star Twinkle PreCure coming out in February. With a new Cure comes new plans. But I'll talk about that later. Cue disclaimer!

Alright, last time, Dai was down in the dumps after what happened with Daguva, but thanks to the girls, he's back up on his feet, more determined to get stronger. Let's hope by the end of all this, he's strong enough to go toe to toe against Daguva again. Also, the girls, with some help from the Special Investigation Team, defeated Poisony once and for all. But now, they must face off against her little brother, Kiriya. Who knows what that boy must be feeling right now. His sister just died after all. But that's why we're here, to see what's to come. So let's get right into the story! Chou Henshin!

---

Ride 20: A Shocking Date! Kiriya's True Identity and Dai's Rising Power

---

(One Year Ago)

The Wakabadai Public Library was open from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Until it's closing, the books and tables of the building was free to use by all that entered. This is where Honoka frequented to whenever school ended and she didn't feel like returning home just yet. She wasn't the only Verone student to visit this library, but that didn't mean they knew each other personally.

So there sitting at one table, Honoka, all by her lonesome, sat quietly as she did her homework with books surrounding her.

"Oh? Well isn't this a surprise?" Hearing a familiar voice, Honoka looked up from her work and saw the man she had recently gotten to know, Ichi Dai, carrying a small stack of books in his hands.

"Oh, Ichi-san."

"Is this seat taken?" Dai asked, gesturing to the seat across from Honoka.

"Oh, no, go ahead."

"Thank you." With a smile, Dai said as he set his books down on the table before sitting down. "You here doing homework?"

"Yes, and I'm assuming so are you?" Honoka asked back.

"Yeah, just a few reports I need to do for classes." Dai said, getting out his work from his school bag before looking at the pile of books surrounding Honoka. "Are you...falling behind on something?"

"Eh?" Honoka blinked before she realized what Dai meant. "Oh no! These are, uh, well..." Honoka took a moment to think of what to say to Dai who was just blinking and looking at her, waiting for her explanation.

"I don't have that much work left. These are just books that I...plan to read later." Honoka said that last with a bit of a blush, holding the paper she was working on up to hide said blush.

Dai blinked in surprise for there were quite a number of books with Honoka. He took a glance at them and said, "You must love reading, huh."

"Well, it's not so much as reading, than learning." Seeing the confused look on Dai's face, Honoka grabbed a book titled 'Biology' and held it up for Dai to see. "I like learning new stuff that I don't know about, which is why I come here often to do just that: learn. My ojī-chan(grandpa) used to call me a curious person because of this."

"I see." Dai said, rubbing his chin. "I guess that's why you're called the Chishiki no joō(Queen of Knowledge)."

"Eh? Joō(Queen)?" Now it was Honoka's turn to look confuse.d

"Yukishiro-san, you don't know?" Dai looked a little surprised at Honoka before explaining. "A lot of guys at the school call you that because you know so much despite your young age. They say you're so smart that you could skip a few grades if you wanted to."

"Oh no, I'm not that smart." Honoka said, waving her hand in front of her while downplaying herself. "I just know a lot of things because I'm curious. That's all."

"Is that so?" Dai said with a raised brow. Truth be told, he thought Honoka really was capable of skipping grades. He didn't know of Honoka knew or not, but the books next to her were high school level. Heck, a few were even bordering close to college level.

"Well, what do you know?" Dai asked, wanting to know just how much knowledge Honoka has.

"What do you want to know?"

"Well, how about..."

And so, completely forgetting about their homework, the two sat there and talked with one another about the things they know and didn't know. Later on, the way they would address each other would change, signifying their relationship as friends.

---

(One Year Later)

*POOF!*

In a puff of smoke, the Stone Guardian in charge of looking after the Prism Stones appeared, looking a bit tired.

"Ahh, yesterday was so..." The Stone Guardian stifled a yawn. "So sleepy...so girls and friends, what's up?"

"Don't 'what's up' us!" Nagisa shouted angirly at the Stone Guardian's face, it's attitude angering her.

"He's so dreamy-mipo..." Mipple said in a small daze, her eyes twinkling a bit.

"Yeah right." Of course, this made Mepple jealous.

"We have another Prism Stone for you." Honoka said, kneeling down and presenting the Prism Stone she and Nagisa obtained from Poisony.

"Just as I'd expect from the legendary warriors, Pretty Cure." The Stone Guardian said. "Nice work guys, keep it up!"

"Gah!" At the Stone Guardian's attitude, both Nagisa and Mepple face faulted with Mepple tripping over while Nagisa face planted on Honoka's bed.

"'Keep it up' he says? What's with all the people from the Garden of Light? Are they all so self-centered?" Nagisa said, thinking back to the fight with Poisony. If 'keeping it up' entailed more fights like that, then she wanted out.

"Did you say something?" The Stone Guardian said.

"No, no..." Nagisa said as Honoka placed the new Prism Stone into the Prism Hopish.

"Alright, five down, two more to go." Dai cheered, smiling down at the Stones which showed how much progress the girls have gone through. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders and said, "We've really all come a long way."

"You're right about that." Nagisa said, seeing what Dai was saying. Before she had knew it, they had five out of the seven Prism Stones back.

"The revival of the Garden of Light depends on you." The Stone Guardian reminded them all before saying, "Farewell." And with a literal *poof* he was gone.

"Even if everything depends on us, it's just too much." Nagisa said, complaining a little.

"There, there, just hang in there." Dai said, patting Nagisa's back.

"Mipple," Honoka turned to her fairy partner. "Suppose we collect all seven Prism Stones, what kind of things will happen?"

"The true power of the Prism Stones, the power of creation, should reveal itself and revive the Garden if Light-mipo!" Mipple said.

"And then both of you will return to the Garden of Light, right?" Dai said, remembering what Mepple had told him and Nagisa.

"We don't know exactly-mepo." Mepple admitted before he and Mipple smiled at one another. "But that's got to be it-mepo."

"Only two more to go..." Nagisa muttered, realizing just how close they were to their goal.

"We're nearly there." Dai said before he gave everyone his usual thumbs up and smile. "Let's keep it up, minna(everyone)!"

At that did everyone nod in agreement.

---

(Insert STRIKE BACK by BACK-ON)

(Instrumental) The song starts as the camera rises up to show the legs of Kuuga before we get a sudden screen shot of Cure Black and Cure White before go back to Kuuga. Just as the camera is at the Arcle, we get a sudden shot of Mepple and Mipple before the camera gets to his chest. We then get another sudden shot of The PreCure cards surrounding Gouram before we go back to Kuuga whose back was facing the camera. He then suddenly turns around and punches the screen, cracking it as the title appears.

(Kidou sura kaerarenai kurai no kakuritsu da to shite mo) We now see Nagisa playing lacrosse with her team, catching a ball as Mepple is seen sleeping from Nagisa's bag.

(IPAASENTO demo areba mochiron teikou desho?) We then see Honoka with the members of the science club, doing an experiment that ended in an explosion as Mipple just giggles at the scene.

(Shosen, "unmei" to nagetsukerareta tte, No I won't!) We go to the city where police are examining a dead body. Ryō looks at the body before he walks away and gets out his phone, calling Dai.

(Hikkuri kaeshite, Because datte kimi to mirai wo miretara saikou janai?) Dai, riding on the TryChaser 2000, gets the call from his radio and speeds up, passing both Nagisa and Honoka as he races to meet up with Ryō.

(Bring it on! 'Cuz I'm just gonna grow up in the battle HEY! buchinuku donten!) Suddenly, the sky turns dark before the Dark King and his subordinates appears as well as an army of Zakenna appeared. Appearing with him was a shadow figure of N-Daguva-Zeba along with an army of Grongi.

(Still burning my fire ten wo kirsaku raimei I gotta kakikesu Nightmare tada mirai ga mitakute!) Nagisa and Honoka step in fear before Dai suddenly appeared behind them and gave them his signature smile and a thumbs up.

(Kako, mirai, soshite ikiteru ima, I ain't scared of my past and now for takusareta asu) Seeing his smile seemed to steel the girl's resolve as they took out the Queen PreCure and Dai summoned the Arcle belt.

(Screaming out for my pride!) A light then suddenly appears and appearing from it was Kamen Rider Kuuga along with Cure Black and Cure White, ready for battle.

(Namida mitakunai kara, sakebi tsudzukeru yo! Zutto...) Cure Black and Cure White engage a battle with some Zakenna before taking on Pisard, IIkubo, Poisony, Kiriya, and Gekidrago.

(I'm never falling down! oi kaze wo se ni fukitobasu Destiny!) Both sides trade blows for a bit before both girls held hands and fired their signature Marble Screw.

(Kono senaka ni aru, egao mamoritai kara! Zutto...) We see Kuuga kicking way a few Grongi, bashes them with the Dragon Rod while in his Dragon form, shoots a flying Grongi with his Pegasus Bowgun in his Pegasus form, slash a few more Grongi with his Titan Sword in his Titan form.

(I gotta blast off your pain for you and me! kanashimi nante Rest in peace!) Dai and the girls meet regroup as they face both the Dark King and N-Daguva-Zeba. Dai charges up a Mighty Kick before he jumps.

(Nando demo...) The girl then threw another Marble Screw as Dai kicks towards the two beings of darkness with the Marble Screw following close behind him before a light overtakes everything and we see a quick look at the blue sky before the song ends.

---

(Dark Zone)

"Power..."

In the dark, swirling vortex that is the Dark Zone, the Dark King's voice echoes all around.

"Get me the power of creation. The Garden of Light...The Garden of Light will be ruined by its own power! The stones...The seven Stones!"

*BOOM!*

Thunder rains down from above, brewing up debris and smoke, but this does not faze Kiriya who watches.

"My sister has returned to the darkness." Kiriya said, his tone lacking almost no emotion. "To defeat Pretty Cure and Kuuga, that is my mission."

'But things haven't gone as I expected.' Kiriya thought to himself. Images of Nagisa, Honoka, and Dai flash through his mind, showing all the times he's been together with them.

"The Dark Zone's power, the power of darkness, consumes everything." Ilkubo said, standing behind Kiriya. "That power is even eating away at Dark King-sama's body. There can be no more delays. They have already recovered three of the stones, but it's not too late. They should all be in one place. If we defeat them, we should be able to get them all back."

"I...I will defeat them." Kiriya said, not turning to face Ilkubo.

"Your existence is linked to the feelings of our Dark King. Do not forget that."

"I know."

"I had thought it was only that boy, but those girls have shown that they too are improving. It's almost unfathomable." Ilkubo clenched his fists as he turns to the other occupant with them. "Things would not have escalated to this point if you hadn't stopped me."

"That maybe true," Daguva said, sitting on a slab of stone, playfully letting his legs dangle. "But where's the fun in that? It's much more exciting to fight and defeat stronger opponents than weaklings."

"That is your philosophy, not mine." Ilkubo said before turning back to Kiriya to give him one last piece of advice. "Do not underestimate your opponents."

"I know." Kiriya said before he took his leave, his stride filled with determination.

---

(Hospital)

The sound of keyboards being hit were heard as Mizore typed away at her computer. With her in the room were Nagisa and Honoka with the former helping the latter take off her bandages.

"You don't have to help me with this, Nagisa. I can do this much by myself." Honoka said as she watched her friend remove her bandages with care.

"I'm doing this because I care about you, Honoka. You're finally getting these off today so I want to make sure everything's okay." Nagisa said as she removed the last of her friend's bandages. With no bandages to cover Honoka's arm, what laid under it was finally revealed.

"So that's what it looks like." Nagisa said, unable to stop herself from wincing a little. Honoka didn't blame her for wincing as she too winced at the scar on her arm.

"May I see your arm?" Mizore asked and Honoka presented her right arm to the doctor.

After about two weeks of wearing bandages, Honoka's arm was finally healed, but that did not mean the scar was gone, far from it.

The burn scar on Honoka's right arm was big, covering almost the entire surface of the arm as it stretched from her shoulders down to her fingers, reaching just past the knuckles.

'It was this bad...' Nagisa thought, frowning. Due to being unconscious for days after the fight with Daguva, Nagisa never got a good look at Honoka's injury. But seeing the massive scar on the girl's arm, she could imagine just how bad it was.

"How does it feel?" Mizore asked the girl, doing gentle pokes on the arm.

"It's fine." Honoka simply answered.

The purple haired woman nodded before typing away at her computer again. After that, she turned back to Honoka.

"How does it feel when you move it? Anything feel weird?"

Honoka slowly moved her arm. First she flexed it up and down, next she spun it around, and then she curled her fingers, gripping her hand strongly in order to find any discomfort, but found none.

"Everything feels fine, no problems." Honoka informed the doctor.

"Good. That means you've made a complete recovery." Mizore said before taking out a lollipop and offering it to Honoka. "Want one?"

"Thank you." Honoka, not wanting to be rude after all the doctor has done for her, accepted the candy.

"So, how's the kid?" Mizore asked, asking about Dai.

"Dai-kun?" Mizore nodded, popping her own lollipop into her mouth. "Honoka and I got a chance to talk to him, and we told him everything wanted to say."

"So he's alright now?"

Honoka nodded. "He'll be just fine."

"That's good to hear." Mizore said, a small smile creeping up to her. "By the way, where is the kid? I thought he'd come here with you two considering the little lady is getting her bandages removed."

"He said he had some training to do." Nagisa said while Honoka put back on her shirt.

The doctor raised an eyebrow at that. "Training?"

The girls nodded as Honoka said, "He said it was very important training."

"I see...That's too bad." Mizore said. "I wanted to see about those aches of his."

"Aches?" The girls look at the doctor in confusion.

"He didn't tell you two?" Mizore looked at the girls, a bit surprised. "Ichijo told me that the kid's been having weird aches for the past week. He seriously didn't tell you two?"

"Apparently not." Nagisa said, narrowing her eyes as a wave of silent anger came off of her.

'Keeping secrets from a girl, does that kid have a death wish?' Mizore thought to herself.

---

(With Dai)

While the girls were getting checked at the hospital, we find our hero at the park, sitting cross legged under a tree, eyes closed and hands relaxed on his legs, in quiet meditation.

'Back during my fight with Daguva, from what Honoka had told me, in my rage I assumed Kuuga's Amazing form. Which means...' Dai brings a hand to his chest and feels the pulse of his heart beating. 'Right now, the power needed to assume Kuuga's Rising forms, the 'golden power,' is inside of me, waiting to be used. No doubt it's the source of these aches I've been having for a week.'

For the past week since the battle with Garume and Poisony, he's been having these weird aches for some time. He planned to go see Mizore about this, but as he sat here, meditating and thinking back to the battle with Daguva, he unexpectedly found the answer.

'But I shouldn't have enough power to assume Amazing form yet. Which means...' Opening his eyes, Dai looks down at his hand and clenches it into a fist. 'When I assumed the Amazing form, my anger must have fueled the transformation.'

That was the only logical conclusion Dai could make. In the TV series, in order to assume Amazing form, Godai Yusuke had to be struck with more lightning thus gaining more power and allowing him to access the black form. But Dai knew for certain that he did not have that kind of power yet. Which means when he transformed into Kuuga's Amazing form, the form had run off of his anger. Following this theory, it would certainly explain why he had gone berserk during that time. But this revelation only brought up a new problem for Dai.

'I can't manage my anger.' Dai always thought of himself as a calm and collected person. But that was when he wasn't fighting. When battling the Grongi, Dai found that he would get swept away in his emotions. For the most part, it wasn't bad, but the incident with Daguva proved that in his current state, he would do more harm than good. Also...

'I have to control my anger.' Dai thought, closing his eyes again and resuming his meditation. 'If I can't manage to do that, then when the time comes that I need Ultimate form, then I will surely lose control.'

Kuuga's Ultimate form. A very powerful form indeed, but also a very dangerous one as well. If Dai is not careful, he will get swept away in its power and go berserk, much like he did against Daguva.

'I can't let that happen!' With a determined resolve, Dai thought back to any times that made him angry beyond control.

People getting killed by the Grongi, the families and friends affected by this, Shugo getting run over by Gyarido, Ryota getting hurt during the fight against Gekidora, and finally, Nagisa and Honoka getting hurt during the fight against Daguva...

All these thoughts flashed through Dai's mind, he found himself greatly angered. An animal-like growl escaped his mouth, but he quickly gritted his teeth, clenched his fists tightly, and tried to calm down. The process was much harder than he had expected. But he did not give up. Thoughts and events that brought anger to him flashed through his mind, and he practiced trying to calm down his anger. But as mentioned before, the process was much harder than he thought.

'But I can't give up!' Dai thought to himself.

And so, there he sat under that tree, meditating and trying to control his emotions. Today had been a normal day. School and clubs were normal, and there had been no Grongi attacks since yesterday. Dai doesn't expect it to remain that way. For the past week, more Grongi of the Me Group have been popping up. He's dealt with them each time, but the casualties were growing. Dai did not let this get to him. No matter what, he will bring an end to the Gegeru. And the first steps to that were to reign in his anger.

---

(The Next Day, Investigation HQ)

Once again, in the conference room, Ryō and many other men were gathered together to discuss the current situation of the Unidentified Lifeforms and any new info they have learned. Already, the meeting was underway with Hiwagawa speaking.

"Our experience with Unidentified Lifeform No. 31 and No. B1 who met with Ichijo-kun have confirmed that they can speak our language. It is also confirmed that the reason for their killings seems to be just a game. It's hard to believe, but we have no other clues to go on and we have no idea what they're doing. From a second analysis we've concluded that this is the most likely explanation."

They had double checked all the items they have of the Unidentified Lifeforms. The bracelets, the boards, ruined dummies, it all lead to one thing. A game. This new info did not sit well with the men.

"From Ichijo-kun who has spoken with No. 4, we've also learned that the reason why No. 2 has been traveling between Tokyo and Nagano. It is collecting pieces of No. 0. It is still unclear as to why it does this, and its current whereabouts are still unknown. From its actions, it may be possible that is has nothing to do with this game."

'But that's only a possibility.' Ryō thought to himself, making a mental note to keep an eye out for No. 2.

"Anyway, their actions as of late have become more intense. We have no choice, but to formulate a more effective plan to counter them."

At that did everyone nod. Ryō himself planned to call Dai later.

---

(Verone Academy)

*Kick!*

With one strong kick, Dai send the ball flying through the air. To the eyes of others, the ball was a blur as by the time the goal keeper blinked, the ball had already flown past him and struck the net. By the time he registered everything, the whistle blew, signaling a point for Dai and his team.

"Yosh(Alright)!" Dai cheered, pumping his fist up before giving high-fives to those that helped him.

"Geez, Dai's on fire today." Kimata commented as he watched his friend dominate the field.

"Yeah, kind of makes me want to go out there myself." Shugo said, itching to play against his friend and soccer rival.

"Easy there, Fujipi. That honors goes to Kiriya today." Kimata said as the mentioned boy switched places with another player.

"I see you're doing well today." Kiriya said, facing Dai. "Did something good happen today? You're smiling."

"Yeah, I guess." Dai said, showing off his go-lucky smile. "I just can't help, but think that I've got some of the greatest friends ever."

"Is that so? Well, not like it matters to me." Kiriya said as he got ready to move, smiling challengingly. "I'm happy you're like this, Ichi-senpai. Taking you down will be just that more satisfying."

"Oh?" Dai raised an eyebrow as well as give his kouhai a challenging smile in return.

Soon after the whistle blew and the ball was thrown into the air. At the same time, both Dai and Kiriya jumped for the ball, but being the taller of the two, Dai reached it first and headbutted the ball where an awaiting team member was there to receive it. Immediately, Kiriya and his team were on him.

"It seems Dai's not the only one who's excited." Kimata commented.

"Yeah." Shugo nodded. "His sister died a week ago to one of those Unidentified Lifeforms and hasn't come to school since then. Seeing him like this, it's unbelievable."

"I know what you mean. Seeing him like this, it's hard to believe he's actually quitting school." Kimata said. "He said his parents want to move out of the city due to all the attacks which is understandable. But it's still sad nonetheless. He was just starting to get along with everyone."

"Yeah..." Shugou said, frowning as he continued to watch the game. Kiriya attempted to get the ball from Dai, but failed as the Rider jumped with the ball to avoid Kiriya's sweep. For the rest of P.E, the two continued to face off against one another.

---

(Later)

Hour later, the school bell rang, signaling the end of school. Minutes later, students started filing out of school with Honoka being one of them.

"See you later, Honoka." Yuriko said, waving goodbye as she took her leave.

"See you later." Honoka waved back before taking her leave as well, only to see someone she hasn't seen for a week. It was Kiriya.

"Kiriya-kun?" Hearing his name, Kiriya turned towards her and gave her a small smile.

"Hey. Mind if we talk for a bit?"

"Huh? Uh, sure." Confused, Honoka went with Kiriya anyway as they walked together.

For a while, the two said nothing, simply walking in silence as Kiriya walked ahead of Honoka. Despite saying what he wanted to talk, the boy hasn't said a word. Wanting to do something, Honoka decided to break the ice.

"Kiriya-kun, I haven't seen you in a while. Ichi-kun told me you haven't been coming to school for a week. Is something the matter?"

For a while, Kiriya didn't say a thing. Honoka was starting to worry, until the boy finally spoke.

"I haven't been coming to school because my sister was killed."

That surprised Honoka. "What!?"

"They say it was an Unidentified Lifeform." Kiriya added.

'The casualties involving the Grongi have been getting worse as of late due to the Grongi getting more intense. Her sister must have been one of the casualties.' Honoka thought before saying, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"It's fine. I've had time to heal." Kiriya said. "Anyway, Honoka-san, do you like that school?"

"Eh?" The sudden question caught Honoka off guard so it took her a moment to answer. "I do. I have good friends there. I guess it really suits me."

Kiriya clenched his fists tightly, but Honoka doesn't notice this as the boy talks.

"When I transferred to this school, I just couldn't get used to it," Honoka blinked in surprise at Kiriya, but the boy kept going. "But now I'm glad that I was able to come here. I had a little fun, and I met you, Honoka-san."

"Yeah! Like that time we all went to help out on the farm." Honoka said, smiling. "It was really fun! We should do it again sometime."

As soon as Honoka mentioned the farm did the memory of Honoka putting a bandage on him flash through Kiriya's mind. he then continued speaking.

"And, I never had anyone do that for me..."

"Eh?" Honoka titled her head a little, confused at what Kiriya was talking about. As if sensing her confusion, Kiriya clarified.

"When you apologized to me during the love letter incident."

At that did Honoka blush from embarrassment.

"Uh, back then, I really..."

"It's okay." Kiriya said as above the two, dark clouds were starting to form. "Nobody had ever communicated with me like that before."

"Kiriya-kun, you're acting strange today." Honoka pointed out. "What's the matter?"

*drip...drip...drip...*

*drizzle-drizzle-drizzle-drizzle!*

Suddenly, without warning, rain started falling down in a heavy downpour. This surprised Honoka, but she had come prepared, bringing out her umbrella from her bag. As she quickly unfolded it, she saw that Kiriya didn't have an umbrella with him and so went over to him.

"Here." Honoka said, sharing her umbrella with the boy who was surprised at first, before his demeanor turned serious, something that caught Honoka's attention.

"Kiriya-kun?"

"I...won't be going to school anymore."

"Eh? What are you saying?" Honoka said, confused.

"I'm quitting school."

"You're quitting?" Honoka blinked in surprise as Kiriya walked out of the cover of her umbrella.

"Honoka-san, you didn't notice?"

"Notice what?"

"Then, how's that doing?" Kiriya asked, pointing to her bag, more specifically the carrier that held Mipple. "When I wasn't around..."

"Kiriya-kun, what are you saying?" Honoka placed a hand over Mipple's carrier as she looked at the boy in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm different...than everyone."

"Different?"

"Mipple, was it? Try asking her about it..."

"She's sleeping right now..." Honoka said until she realized just what Kiriya had just said.

"I see." Kiriya said before he reached inside his shirt and pulled out a necklace with a yellow jewel hanging from it. He then showed it to Honoka who looked at it in confusion, until she recognized what the gem in Kiriya's hand was. After all, she had seen the same thing after the defeat of Pisard, Gekidrago, and Poisony.

"Masaka(It can't be)...Kiriya-kun, you..."

Honoka didn't want to believe it, she really didn't, but one look from Kirita's eyes told her that what she was thinking was in fact true.

Kiriya was from the Dark Zone.

*Boom!*

A bolt of thunder rained down. In her surprise, Honoka's hold on her umbrella loosened until it flew out of her hands and fell into the nearby river, washing away. Honoka could care less about her umbrella right now as she stared at Kiriya in shock.

"My mission is to take away the seven Prism Stones, for the sake of our lord, Dark King-sama." Kiriya said, closing his hand and gripping the Prism Stone.

"It can't be..." Honoka said in disbelief, so shocked that she took multiple steps back and looked at Kiriya in disbelief. "Tell me it's a lie!"

"Defeating you, Misumi-senpai, and Ichi-senpai is the only path left open to me." Kiriya said. "It's the only thing I can do."

"Then you know what we all are?" Honoka asked.

"I do. And I won't run away from my fate, even if I suffer from it."

"Kiriya-kun..."

With the rain drenching him from head to toe, and his bangs covering his eyes, Kiriya looks up to the grey sky and wondered out loud.

"Perhaps, if I were instead born into this world, my fate could have been different."

"Unmei(Fate)..."

Kiriya continues to look up into the sky for a good minute until he turns away from Honoka.

"That's all I wanted to say. See ya."

"Kiriya-kun, wait-!" Honoka ran up to the boy to grab him, but just as she was about to reach him, he disappeared as if he teleported, leaving Honoka all alone in the rain.

"Kiriya-kun..."

---

(Meanwhile, with Dai)

The rain had come down so suddenly, forcing people to quickly take shelter. Yet despite the rain, it did nothing to hinder business for Date's Ramen Stand as both Dai and Ryō, each with a bowl for themselves. Like he had planned earlier, Ryō had called Dai in order to meet up and talk. Since it's been a while since they've been to Date's Ramen Stand, they decided to meet up there. Already Ryō was on his fourth bowl while Dai was on his second.

"In the case of No. 35, how many casualties were there?" Ryō asked.

"There were a total of 874." Dai answered, gripping his chopsticks tightly to the point that they almost broke, but Dai quickly reigned in his anger. It would do no good to get upset. But that doesn't mean the feeling of failure wasn't painful.

"It's frustrating...and painful..." Dai said, head hung low until Ryō placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault."

"I know, but still..."

"It was thanks to your info that casualties didn't reach the thousands. And in order to limit casualties even further, we have to come up with better plans to counter the Grongi." Ryō said, taking his hand back. "And that's why I called you out to meet. According to your notes, there should be only one more Grongi from the Me Group. Is there anything that you can tell, like who may appear next time?"

"If it's the Me Group, then no doubt it's the leader that's left." Dai said. "Ichijo-san, before you ran into Baruba, you said you saw one of the Grongi be handed a double bladed weapon, right?" The man nodded. "That's who will appear next."

"What can you tell me about her?"

"Her name is Me-Garima-Ba. Besides being the only female Grongi of the Me Group, she's also the leader of the group. The weapon she was given isn't for show. She's very proficient with it, swinging it at superhuman speeds faster than an eye can blink. Her victims don't even realize they were killed until later.

"She sounds dangerous, though that's a given considering what she is." Ryō said. "Is there anything else you can tell? Something that'll allow us to formulate a plan to counter her?"

"Unfortunately, there's not much else I can tell." Dai said. "Her way of killing is a lot more trickier as she uses the Go method of killing."

"Go method?"

"It's how Grongi of the Go Group kill their prey." Dai explained. "Their game roles are themed on personal rules they have placed on themselves, working on a certain number of people they picked personally. Garima follows this rule when her turn comes around. The key here is to figure out what kind of special rule she'll use. If we can figure that out, then we can minimize casualties."

"I see. Special rules, huh..." Ryō said, deep in thought. Thinking back to past Grongi's they've faced, their methods were quite direct. If what Dai told him was anything to go by, then dealing with the Grongi from now on was going to be a lot more difficult.

"It sucks, but we have to wait for her to make the first strike." Dai said, finishing his bowl. "We may not be able to prevent her from killing, but the least we can do is minimize casualties."

"Yes. That's the only thing we can do." Ryō said, finishing his own bowl. It was frustrating, how this is the extent of what they could do. But even so, no matter what, they'll save as many lives as possible and stop this game as soon as they can!

"By the way, how are those aches of yours?" Ryō asked, bringing up another subject as well as getting another bowl for himself.

"They're fine. I plan on seeing Enokida-san when he's available." Dai said, sweat dropping a little at the sight of Ryō eating. Seriously, how much can this man eat?

"Enokida? You're not going to see Tsubaki?" Ryō raised an eyebrow. Mizore was assigned to be Dai's personal doctor due to what he is. Yet he was planning on going to see the scientist?

"These aches are related to my powers. I'm going to see Enokida-san because I think he has something that can help me." Dai explained.

"I see." Ryō simply said as Dai got up.

"Well, I better get home. I've got some homework to finish." Dai said, grabbing his helmet that was on the table and turning to leave only to stop and see that the rain had stopped. "Hey, the rain stopped."

"That's good, isn't it?" Ryō said and Dai nodded.

"Yeah. See ya, Ichijo-san!" Dai said, taking his leave as he went over to his parked bike. Taking out a towel form his backpack, he wipe down his seat before getting on it. Slinging his school bag over his shoulder, Dai was about to put on his helmet when he spotted someone from across the street. It was Kiriya.

"Kiriya?"

---

(With Honoka)

When Honoka had returned home, she had said nothing to her Grandma as she immediately went to her room. Sanae was of course worried about her granddaughter, coming home wet and all. She didn't ask what was wrong as she took Honoka's clothes to clean and dry. Hours later and dressed in her pajamas, Honoka just sat at her desk in silence, having finished her homework a long time ago. She didn't bother turning on the lights when Nighttime hit, making everything in the room dark.

"Honoka, something's not right-mipo." Mipple pointed out as she looked at her partner in worry. "Did something happen today-mipo?"

"Not really." Honoka lied, unsure if whether to tell the fairy about Kiriya.

"You seem down-mipo." Mipple pointed out again. "Are you sure you're okay-mipo?"

"I'm fine." Honoka insisted before smiling down at Mipple. "Thank you for worry though."

Then, food steps were heard, approaching closer to her room. Knowing it was her grandmother, probably finished with drying her cloths, Honoka quickly grabbed Mipple who returned to her Card Commune form and quickly hid her away before her grandmother arrived.

"Honoka, I'm coming in."

"Okay!" Honoka said before her grandmother entered the room.

"Did something happened today? You came home soaking wet, and didn't even turn on the lights." Sanae said, turning on the lights before she got to work in putting Honoka's clothes away.

"...hey, obāchama(grandma)..."

"What is it?"

"May I ask something strange?"

"Something strange?"

"People's fates...are people's fates something that can't be changed?"

"Unmei(Fate)...my, my, you're suddenly asking me such a difficult question." Sanae said, pushing the drawer that contained her cloths back in before getting up and turning to her granddaughter.

"If you wanted to change it, would you be able to?" Honoka asks.

"That...probably depends on the person." Sanae said as she went and slid the door of the room open, letting the cool night air in. "If you want to change this thing called 'fate' it requires perseverance. That's something Kenji once told me."

"Ojī-chan(Grandpa)?" Honoka blinked in surprise at the mention of her grandpa.

"Yes. You see, Kenji and his friends once met this man who was fighting against a fate he never asked for. It was only though great perseverance that that man was able to change and overcome that fate, though he did have a little help." Sanae explained. "I only ever met the man once, but I could tell he went through a lot to change his fate. Which brings up one more important thing."

"An important thing?" Honoka repeated. "What is this important thing?"

"It's the strength to stand up against fate.

"The strength...to stand up against fate..."

"That's right." Sanae nodded before looking up at the night sky. "Well look at that. The rain's cleared up. Tomorrow's weather should be quite nice."

Honoka looked outside with her grandma and couldn't help thinking the same.

"Here."

"Huh?" Turning, Honoka saw her other handing her a bag with a lighter in it.

"I found this when I was washing your clothes." Sanae said. Though she was still smiling, a dark aura that made Honoka scared surrounded the old woman. "Care to explain why you have this?"

"Wait, obāchama, I can explain!" Honoka frantically waved her hands as she explained. "I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings when I was on my way home! Some people were handing these out and I absent mindlessly took one! That's all!"

"Is that that truth?"

"Yes!"

"Good. I thought as much." And just like that, the dark aura surrounding Sanae vanished. "I'll be holding onto this, then. Oyasuminasai(Good night), Honoka."

"Oyasumi(Good night)." Honoka said back before Sanae took her leave. Once gone, Mipple came out from her hiding place and commented.

"Your grandmother can be quite scary when she wants to be."

"Yeah..."

---

(Meanwhile)

In the dark of night, a man wearing black from head to toe with white robes on him is seen walking under a bridge. In his arms is an abacus. To others, he seemed to a dark, strange man. But he was, in fact, a Grongi, but not just any Grongi. He was a judge, much like Baruba. Right now, he was here, under this bridge in order to meet up with his fellow judge.

"Ra-Dorudo-Gu." Hearing his name, the Grongi in disguise turned to see his fellow judge, Ra-Barube-De, followed by Garima who was carrying her double bladed katana scythe weapon in hand.

The now named Dorudo looks around before turning back to Baruba and asking in almost perfect Japanese, "Is she the only one left?"

"Yes. The only one left of the Me is Garima." The mentioned Grongi did not seemed bothered by this fact as she continued to stand proudly with her weapon in hand.

*VROOM!*

Suddenly, the sound of a motorcycle was heard, making everyone turn their heads to see a motorcycle driving towards them before stopping. Getting off and removing his helmet, it revealed a young, handsome man with his dark hair in a small afro. This is Go-Badaa-Ba.

The Go Grongi stood with confidence as he took a coin out of his pocket and started flipping it.

"The Final Gegeru will start soon...with just the Go, huh?" He said, flipping his coin one more time before stopping.

"I'll join you soon." Garima declared.

Badaa laughs a little at that. "Sounds fun."

"But, it won't be easy." Baruba said, glancing over at the last Me Grongi. "You have to kill 288 within 18 hours."

"Waketteru(I know)." Garima said, smiling confidently. "Also..." She then removes a handful of claws that were hanging by her side and tossed them to Baruba who catches and examines them.

There was a certain scent on them. Lighter fluid, she identified. Garima had mentioned that she had gotten on a train earlier with a bunch of people. Those people had been marked, Baruba concluded. This method...

"I will do it like the Go do." Garima said, confirming Baruba's thoughts. "Let me enjoy it."

With confidence, Garima swung her weapon out, nearly hitting Badda as the bladed stopped just right in front of his nose. Not intimidated in the least, the Go Grongi slaps the weapon down and away from him.

"Do your best then." He says to the Me Grongi before smiling and laughing mockingly.

This angers Garima, but she does not attack the Grongi. Instead, she turns and heads out to do what she needs to go.

Once gone, Dorudo turns to Baruba. "There's another matter we need to attend to."

"It has to do with the revived Grongi, right?" Baruba said and Dorudo nodded. "The Lintos call them Grakenngi."

"Daguva-sama is most displeased with their existence."

"As am I." Baruba said. "The Gegeru has no need for weaklings. Losers don't get a second chance."

"And yet you're keeping that old bat with you." Badaa pointed out, talking about Gooma who was probably in Nagano at this time.

"He has grown even more unsightly since when he was alive, but he still has his uses." Baruba said. "Old he may be, he's the only one fast enough in locating Daguva-sama's missing parts. Once he has collected everything to bring Daguva-sama back to full strength, then will I dispose of him."

"I see. Then I leave the matter of cleaning up the leftovers to you." Dorudo said before they all took their leave.

---

(Meanwhile, with Dai)

A can of soda drops form the vending machine and Dai grabs it out before opening it. After the rain had cleared up, the night was rather humid. Sipping his drink, an orange Fanta, Dai then turns to Kiriya, sitting at a nearby bench with his own drink in hand, a can of Sprite. He goes over to the younger boy and sits down next to him. Silence falls over the two as they do nothing, but drink their selected beverages.

Then, Dai breaks the silence.

"So, it's true. You're quitting the school."

Kiriya nodded. "Yeah."

"Well that sucks. You were just starting to fit in." Dai said before sipping his beverage again.

"Yeah, but it can't be helped." Kiriya said before bringing up another subject. "How's Honoka-san? I heard she recently got her bandages removed."

"Why? Worried about her?" Dai asks with a teasing smile.

"Of course I am." Kiriya said before narrowing his eyes at Dai's smile. "And why are you smiling like that?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Dai said. "I'm just trying to tease you."

"Tease me? About what?"

"About your feelings for Honoka-chan." At that did Kiriya start blushing.

"Wha-!? Th-That's ridiculous! Honoka-san is just a friend!"

"Oh come on, Kiriya. It's obvious you like her a lot." Dai said. "Hey, before you leave, why don't you tell her how you really feel about her?"

"I will do no such thing! Honoka-san is just a friend! That's all!" Kiriya exclaims loudly as Dai starts laughing. "Stop laughing!"

"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry." Dai wipes away some tears from his eyes before finally answering Kiriya. "She's doing fine. There were no problems with her arm. Though I'm sure it's going to hard for her to wear anything with short sleeves."

"I see." Kiriya said as the red of his face slowly dies down. Soon, another moment of silence descends upon the two before Kiriya speaks up again.

"I heard the police have acknowledged No. 4 as an ally and have created a hotline for tips regarding the Unidentified Lifeforms."

"Yeah. Now people know who to call should they ever run into one." Dai said, smiling happily.

"That must be very good for you, Ichi-senpai. Now you can save people much more faster than you did before."

"Yeah. It took a while, but I'm glad the police can think of me as an ally."

Silence soon takes over the two once again. They continue to sit there, letting the night pass as they sip their beverage. Only when they were done did they start talking again.

"You didn't seem that surprised when I told you what I am." Kiriya said, throwing his drink behind him without looking where the can successfully made into the trashcan.

"Oh trust me, I was surprised, I just hid it well." Dai said, copying Kiriya's actions where his can successfully got in the trashcan as well.

"What gave me away?" Kiriya asked, curious.

"I had my suspicions the first time you transferred." Dai said. "I don't know how, but I sensed that you were a bit different from others. Of course I had no evidence to back this up, so I didn't call you out on it. But when you came back to school today and said that your sister was killed by an Unidentified Lifeform a week ago, you confirmed my suspicions."

"And just what was it about my sister that helped confirm your suspicion?"

"It was the timing." Dai explained. "The following day, after I defeated No. 31, the news announced who had been killed by him and amongst them, there wasn't a single female, let alone anyone with your surname."

"I see." Kiriya laughs a little. "Guess that's what happens when I don't watch TV. But I didn't lie about my sister's death."

"I know. I sensed some truth in your words." Dai said. "But it wasn't a Grongi who killed her. Your sister...it was that woman the girls defeated, wasn't it?"

"Her name's Poisony, in case you were wondering." Kiriya said before standing up. He breathes in through his nose before breathing out.

"You really are amazing, Ichi-senpai. Misumi-san and Honoka-san never once took notice, but you suspected me from the very beginning."

"...Does it really have to be this way?" Dai asks, a pained, sad expression on his face.

"Unfortunately, it does." Kiriya said before he quickly turns around and thrusts his hand towards Dai. From his hand comes a shockwave that sends Dai flying off the bench and back, crashing into a monkey bar before falling to the ground.

Getting up quickly, Dai looks up to see Kiriya walking towards him with his eyes changed. Seeing it, he could now see the resemblance between him and Poisony.

"Transform, Ichi-senpai. Or else this is going to be a quick, painful death for you." Kiriya said, threateningly.

"Tch! Guess I don't have much a choice here." Dai said before summoning the Arcle. Going through the hand motions, Dai shouts. "Henshin!"

As soon as Dai shouted that did Kiriya dash up to him. Surprised, Dai quickly reacted and raised an arm to block a punch from Kiriya as said arm soon transformed. Kiriya threw another fist which two was blocked by Dai's other arm. As that arm soon transformed, Dai quickly grabbed Kiriya's arm, brought them down before delivering a headbutt to Kiriya, stunning him as the Young Dark General stumbled back holding his head. Shaking his head to get rid of the dizziness, Kiriya looked up to see Dai fully transformed.

"Kiriya, please, can't we talk about this?" Dai pleaded with the boy.

"There's nothing left to talk about." Kiriya said. "You've become a major threat to the Dark Zone and our Lord. Which means here and now, I will defeat you in the name of Dark King-sama!"

"Dammit!" Dai cursed as Kiriya dashed towards him so fast, he looked like he was flying.

Kiriya threw a punch once close enough and Dai crossed his arms to block said punch before pushing the boy back. Flipping in midair, Kiriya landed safely on his feet before closing the distance between him and Dai. He threw a punch only for Dai to knock it away. Kiriya threw another one, only to get knocked away again. Kiriya soon threw a flurry of punches that were almost too fast for the human eye. But they too were all deflected away before Dai caught both of Kiriya's fists and delivered a knee strike to the boy's gut, making him gasp out in pain before falling to his knees.

"Stop this, Kiriya! It doesn't have to be this way!" Dai pleaded as he still held onto Kiriya's fist to prevent him from using them.

"Urusai(Shut up)!" Kiriya said before he leaned back, falling to the ground as he dragged Dai with him. Before Dai could fall on top of him, Kiriya tucked in his legs so that Dai fell on top of them before kicking the Rider off of him. Once the Rider was off of him, Kiriya got back up and turned around to see Dai already back up on his feet. Seeing that his punches would never reach him, Kiriya thought up a new plan of attack before dashing forward.

Dai watched Kiriya close the distance between them before raising one of his hands to catch the boy's arm, stopping Kiriya's fist from just reaching his helmet.

"That won't work, Kiri-!" Dai never got to finish as Kiriya opened up his fist and from his palm was a shockwave. Faced with the sudden force at close range, Dai's head was snapped back before his whole body flew back. Using this chance, Kiriya dashed forward and flew under Dai and passed him before stopped ahead of him when he then kicked the incoming Dai in the face, sending the Rider crashing back against a tree.

"Get up, senpai. I know this isn't the extent of your powers." Kiriya said, watching as Dai pushed himself back up.

"Kiriya...why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you fighting me?" Getting up to his feet, Dai looked straight at the young Dark General. "Your group's goal is to gather all seven Prism Stones, right? You've had plenty of chances to get them from the girls, yet here you are, fighting me."

"I already told you, you've become too much of a threat to the Dark Zone. As one who serves under Dark King-sama, it's my mission to take out any threats to him." Kiriya said. "Once I defeat you, then those girls are next."

"Is that it? Is that really the reason you're doing this?" Dai asked.

"It is. I will defeat you and then I will defeat Pretty Cure." Kiriya said, raising a hand and clenching it into a fist. "That is...the only path left for me."

"The only path left for you?" Dai repeated, looking down in thought, but was brought out of it when Kiriya spoke up again.

"Here I come, Ichi-senpai!" Kicking off his feet, Kiriya flew over towards Dai, flipping over to deliver a flying kick. In response, Dai jumped up, flipped, and kicked out much like how he would execute a Mighty Kick except there were no flames this time.

Both feet met one another before the two passed each other and landed on the ground. Dai was fine as he got up with no problem. Kiriya, on the other hand, did not come out unscratched.

"Gh!" Gritting his teeth to bear through the pain, Kiriya held his leg. His shoe and the hem of his pants were torn apart and his foot was slightly burned. Despite not having called upon energy to empower his kick, power still flowed through Dai's kicking foot. Now, Kiriya was experiencing a fraction of the power Dai held.

"Kiriya, please! We're friends!" Dai pleaded with the boy once again.

"Friends?" Gritting through the pain, Kiriya slowly stood back up and turned to face Dai. "You've known about me since the day I transferred to your school, and you still have the nerve to call us friends?"

"I do." Dai boldly declared.

"Then I've overestimated you, senpai." Kiriya said. "I was a spy sent by the Dark Zone to study you and the girls. We were never friends."

"I refuse to believe that!" Dai said. "I refuse to believe all the time we've spent together was a lie!"

"Well it was!" Kiriya exclaimed loudly. "I am your enemy. From the very beginning, I was never your friend."

"Quit lying to yourself, Kiriya."

"You think I'm lying?"

"I do." Dai said before explaining. "I've been suspicious of you since the very beginning, but I never called you out even when I had plenty of chances to."

"Didn't you say it was because you lacked proof?"

"Yeah, but there's another reason I held back." Kiriya raised an eyebrow at this as Dai explained. "It was only after we got to know one another. As time went by, I noticed that you, Kiriya, were having fun."

"I was having...fun? That's nonsense."

"Then what about our time at the farm? Or the time we've spent together on the soccer club? You can't tell me you felt nothing from those!"

"I-!" Kiriya opened his mouth to deny Dai, but to his surprise, he found himself unable to. Memories of his time on the farm, his time with Honoka and Dai, flashed through his mind. Then the time during the exams, where Dai helped him sort out his feelings in the most unorthodox way. He wasn't supposed to feel anything from them, but as he looked deep inside of himself, he found himself proven wrong, but he didn't want to admit it.

"I knew it." Dai said, seeing Kiriya's silence as enough of an answer. "You may not have planned on it, but you, Kiriya, grew feelings the more time you spent with us."

"T-That's absurd!" Kiriya frantically denied what Dai said. "Feelings? A being born from darkness like me has no need for such things!"

"Then what was that reaction when you had that argument with Honoka-chan!" Dai countered, getting Kiriya to shut up. "Deny it all you want, Kiriya, but the fact is that you've come to enjoy the life you have here!"

"Damare(Shut up)!" Whipping his arm out, Kiriya shot another shockwave at Dai who held his ground and only skidded back as opposed to being flown back like usual. The previous times, he was caught unprepared, but he wasn't this time.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Kiriya kept repeating, sending shockwave after shockwave at Dai who held his ground and was slowly advancing closer towards Kiriya.

"Don't talk as if you know everything! This fate of mine...this is the only path I have left!"

"It doesn't have to be that way! Fate can be changed!"

"I don't want to hear that garbage!" Again and again, Kiriya kept throwing shockwaves at Dai, but no matter how many he sent, Dai still kept getting closer, making him frantic. "Changing fate? As if it were that easy! You need strength to change fate, and I don't have that kind of power. So if I can't change my fate, then I have no choice, but to accept it!"

"In that case-!" Clenching his fist, Dai reared his arm back as his arm crackled with electricity. For a brief moment, Dai's form changed as his formed was outlind with gold. Then, Dai punching forward and sent a shockwave that surprised Kiriya, forcing him to close his eyes and cross his arm in front of him.

Shortly after, everything died down and Kiriya lowered his arm. Opening his eyes, Kiriya stepped back in surprise when Dai's fist was inches away from his face.

"That fate of yours, I deny it!" Dai said before lowering his arm and staring right at Kiriya. "I'm not fighting you, Kiriya." With that, he turned and walked away.

Kiriya took a moment to collect himself before he glared angirly at Dai and shouted.

"Why!? Why won't you fight me!? I'm from the Dark Zone! If you let me live, I'll attack your friends! I'll attack Honoka-san and Misumi-san! Will you really just stand by and let me hurt them!?"

"Go and fight them all you want, you'll get the same results." Dai said, canceling his transformation as he reached his bike and got on. Grabbing his helmet, he turned back to Kiriya. "You say we're enemies, but since the beginning, you haven't stopped calling me 'senpai.'"

Kiriya blinked in surprise, having not noticed that.

"If you really considered me an enemy, then you would have stopped calling me that." Dai said. "I don't fight friends, Kiriya. And no matter how much you want to deny it, you and I and friends."

Kiriya gritted his teeth and gripped his fists so hard that his nails were digging into his skin. Tears were starting to form from the corner of his eyes as he fell to his knees.

"..." Dai said nothing as he watched Kiriya struggle with himself. Putting on his helmet, Dai soon drove off, leaving Kiriya all alone.

---

(The Next Day, Morning)

It was early in the morning with barely anyone up at this time. In the parking lot of an airport, a young couple is seen together, smiling happily with one another as they pulled their luggage behind them. The two had plans to go somewhere, a vacation they had earned from all their hard work at their respective jobs. And with the attacks in the city, this vacation also made it possible to get away from the danger. It was a win-win.

But up ahead, targeting to young couple, was Garima, smiling maliciously. With her weapon in hand, Garima started walking, approaching the two at a normal pace. The young couple, too busy in their tack with one another, did not take notice of the Grongi in disguise until it was too late.

*SWISH!*

Faster than the eye could blink, Garima swung her weapon just as she passed the two who kept walking as if nothing had happened. But then...

"Don't turn around."

The young couple stopped and turned around, having heard what she said. And that's when it happened.

The was the strain and snapping of bone from the neck before suddenly, the heads of the couple fell off, and a fountain of blood erupted form the now headless couple. Soon after, the bodies fell and Garima smiled as she marked her bracelet with her recent kills. Now, onto the next one.

---

(Nagisa's Apartment Home)

"Irasshai(Come on in)." Nagisa greeted the second she opened the door and let Honoka in.

"Sorry for calling you so suddenly." Honoka said, holding a box of cookies in her arms. She wore a simple white dress with a long sleeved white jacket over it. The right sleeve was longer than the left one due to Honoka unfolding the cuff of the sleeve and rolling it down in an attempt to hide as much of her scar as possible.

"It's okay, today's Sunday anyway, so I'm free." Nagisa said.

"And your homework?"

"Dai-kun helped me finish."

"I see. That's good." Honoka said before handing her friend the box of cookies. "These are some cookies my grandma made. She told me to bring them with me."

"Thanks. These smell good." Nagisa said, smelling the nice, warm scent of the cookies inside the nicely sealed box.

"Honoka-san!" Suddenly, rushing over to them was Ryota, Nagisa's little brother. "Irasshai(Welcome)! I've been expecting you!"

*BOP!*

Before Ryota could get anywhere near Honoka, Nagisa went and slammed her palm against his face, stopping him in his tracks.

"Ryota-kun, kon'nichiwa(good afternoon)." Honoka greeted politely.

"And why have you been expecting her?" Nagisa asked, irritated and suspicious at her brother.

"Could you tell me a story again?" Ryota asked.

"This is none of your business." Nagisa said, releasing her brother as the boy fell down.

Honoka giggles at the siblings antics before Nagisa took her to her room.

"My mom and dad are out today, so please wait inside here." Nagisa said, opening the door for Honoka and letting her in.

Stepping inside, Nagisa closed the door and left, no doubt to get refreshments, leaving Honoka all alone. With nothing to do, but wait, Honoka looked around Nagisa's room. Multiple posters hung on her wall as an array of plushies sat on her bed.

"Her room is surprisingly cute." Honoka commented as he eyes wondered over to Nagisa's desk where Mepple laid there.

*poof!*

"Mipple!" In a puff of smoke, Mepple appeared in his true form.

"Mepple!" Hearing her lover call out to her, Mipple jumped out from her carrier and transformed as well, snuggling with Mepple.

"Cool as always-mipo!"

"Cute as always-mepo!"

Honoka couldn't help, but sigh. "They always look like they're having fun..."

"What was that-mepo?" Mepple said, he and Mipple having heard her.

"Never mind." Honoka said, turning away from the two.

*knock-knock!*

"Huh?" Honoka blinked in confusion, having heard a knocking sound. There was a third knock and Honoka turned to the balcony entrance where right there poking his head through the door was Dai in his casual outfit.

"Yo." Dai greeted the girl. In response to his sudden appearance, Honoka cried out in surprise.

"Wha!? Ichi-kun!? What are you doing here?"

"I live right next door to Nagisa-chan." Dai said as he entered the room.

"Oh right...wait a minute." Walking past Dai, she exited out to the balcony and saw just how far Dai's balcony was from Nagisa's. Turning back to the Rider, she asked, "How did you get over here?"

Dai answered with two words. "I jumped."

"You jumped?" Honoka looked at Dai in disbelief. The distance between the two balconies wasn't exactly close enough where one could safely jump over. Even then, the floor they were on was pretty high.

'Nagisa once told me that Ichi-kun would jump over to her balcony despite how risky it is. I didn't think it was true.' Honoka thought, closing the door to the balcony behind her as she entered the room again. At the same time, Nagisa finally came back with drinks and a bag of chips in her mouth.

"Fanks for waiting." Nagisa said, her words a bit jumbled due to the bag in her mouth as she used her feet to close the door. Turning around, she cried out in surprise when she saw Mepple in his true form and Dai in the room and started speaking. But due to the bag in her mouth, her words were hard to identify, much less understand.

"I can't understand what you're saying-mipo." Mipple said.

"Just a sec," Mepple said. Having lived with Nagisa for as long as he has, he knew what Nagisa had wanted to say. "'Ryota might come in and discover us, he always barges in without knocking', is what she's saying-mepo."

"She also said, 'How many times have I told you to come through the door like a normal person, Dai-kun. I swear, you always do this.'" Dai translated before going to the door. "Don't worry, I'll keep Ryota busy. I'll be right back." And with that, he left the room.

"Well that's good, I guess." Nagisa, having removed the bag from her mouth, said as she laid the drinks on the table of her room. Since she had only grabbed drinks for her and Honoka, Dai would probably be back with his own soon.

After setting down the drinks, she then proceeded to open the bag of chips and offered it over to Honoka.

"These potato chips are really good. Try some."

"Thanks, but I'm good." Honoka said.

"If you say so." Nagisa said before she took some chips and ate it. "So whats up? You came all the way to my house and all..."

"The truth is..." Honoka began, thinking about what happened yesterday with Kiriya and how she should explain to Nagisa. "Yesterday I met Kiriya-kun after school."

"Oh, you did?" Nagisa said, taking some more chips and eating them, not seeing what was the problem yet.

"And then, he confessed to me."

"Pffft-!" Nagisa did a spit take the second she heard what Honoka had said, spitting bits of chips all over Honoka's face as Nagisa started choking.

"Daijōbu(Are you okay)!?" Honoka asked in alarm as Nagisa's face was starting to turn blue.

Quickly before she choked to death, Nagisa grabbed her drink and drowned it in one go. Once there was no more, Nagisa gasped, able to breath again.

"I thought I was gonna die..." Nagisa muttered, taking a few seconds to catch her breath before looking up at Honoka in surprise. "Confessed? For real?"

"Yeah." Honoka, wiping her face with a handkerchief, nodded. Technically, the boy did confess, but not in the way Nagisa was thinking.

"Oh, I'm surprised." Nagisa smiled. "I didn't think that Kiriya-kun would actually confess to you, Honoka."

"Confess!" Climbing on top of her shoulders, both fariies said with smiles matching Nagisa's.

"That's not what I meant by confession." Honoka said, blushing a little when she realized what her friend was talking about. While she did think Kiriya was a good and interesting person that left quite a big impact on her, she didn't see him in an romantic sense. In anything, she saw Kiriya as a sort of little brother. Him being younger than her played a bit of a part in that with the other part being his personality.

"Then, what did you mean?" Nagisa asked, leaning over the table and towards Honoka as the fairies repeated what she said.

"Actually, Kiriya-kun said..."

"Kiriya-kun said..." Nagisa leaned in closer.

"...that he came from the Dark Zone." Honoka finished.

"Oh I see, Kiriya-kun came from the Dark Zone..." Nagisa said...until she and the fairies realized what Honoka had just said. "Eh!? Dark Zone!?"

Honoka simply nodded.

"Wait just a second, what are you saying all of sudden?" Nagisa asked, getting up as she couldn't believe what Honoka had just said.

"It seems he's in league with the bad guys." Honoka said before the door of the room opened and Dai entered with a drink in his hand.

"Who's in league with the bad guys?" Dai asked, having heard Honoka when he opened the door.

"Honoka says Kiriya-kun's working for the Dark Zone!" Nagisa said. She expected Dai to be surprise,d but all she got was Dai looking at her as he titled his head.

"Wait, he never told you?"

"Eh?" Nagisa blinked in surprise while Honoka looked at the Rider in surprise.

"Wait, you knew?"

"He approached me last night and told me." Dai explained, placing his drink down on the table before sitting down. "We also fought last night."

"You fought each other!?" Both girls looked at Dai in surprise.

"Kind of." Dai said. "He wanted to fight, but I refused and ran away before things escalated."

"So it's true, he's a part of the Dark Zone?" Nagisa asked and Dai simply nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "But, he's been close to us this entire time! He's had so many chances. Why has he waited for this long?"

"That's definitely true." Honoka said. "Unless we ask him, we won't know. But..."

"But...?"

"From now on, I think things have changed." Honoka said, getting up. "I think Kiriya-kun is determined now."

"Then, if things stay like this, we and Kiriya-kun might..."

"You'll have to fight." Dai bluntly said, speaking out the girls' thoughts.

"What should we do?" Honoka asked, looking torn and confused at what to do.

"Fighting against Kiriya-kun, arienai(I can't believe this)." Nagisa said, looking down in disbelief.

"You girls don't want to fight him, I get that." Dai said, standing up as well. "I ran from him because I didn't want to fight him either. But he seemed dead set on fighting us, no matter what I said."

"No way..." Honoka said in disbelief. Wasn't there anything they could do to change this?

*Ring-Ring-Ring!*

Suddenly, Dai's phone started ringing.

"Geez, way to interrupt the mood." Nagisa mutters, annoyed. They were discussing some serious stuff here right now.

Smiling apologetically, Dai takes out his phone and answers. "Hello?"

{Dai, there's been an incident.} The voice that came through was Ryō.

Dai's demeanor turns serious, something that doesn't escape the girls' eyes.

"Is it...?"

{It's another Unidentified Lifeform. This one can speak Japanese as well and seems to be carrying around a weapon. No doubt, it's the Me Group leader.}

'Garima. So her turns finally up,' is what Dai thinks before asking, "Where?"

{The location is Chuo. No. 36 has been killing passersby with a large blade, like you said.}

"I understand. I'll be there soon." Dai said before ending the call. Putting away his phone, he faces the girls and says, "Duty calls."

"Dai!" Just as Dai turns to leave, Nagisa stops him by calling out his name without honorifics. Turning to the girl, it looks like she didn't even realize what she did, instead staring worriedly at Dai before saying, "Be careful."

Dai's response is to just smile and give her a thumbs up before running out of the room, leaving the girls alone with the thought of what to do about Kiriya.

---

(Later, Minato District-Roppongi)

*SWISH!*

In a highway tunnel, the swinging of a blade is heard before the slicing of flesh soon follows. A hat is seen falling on the ground before a pool of blood begins to from a mother and her child. Standing before her recent kill, Garima sees that the mother and daughter were still holding hands. Together even in death; it was almost poetic, not that Garima cared or anything. Moving two beads to mark her kills, she begins to move again.

She raises her head into the air and sniffs. Her enhances sense of smell picks up another one of her targets nearby. Good, at the rate she was going, she would soon hit a hundred before half the day was over.

"The next one's this way." Speaking in Japanese, Garima treads along, her steps filled with confidence. Everything had gone well so far and Kuuga hasn't even shown up yet.

*Vrooom~!*

A motorcycle drives past Garima. She ignores it as she doesn't smell the specific scent she used to mark her targets. But the Rider brakes to a stop, and the rider removes his helmet to reveal Dai. Speak of the devil and he shall appear, so the saying goes. Though Garima didn't know such a thing.

"Woman, carrying around a double bladed weapon, and that bracelet...yep, definitely Garima." Dai said before putting down his helmet and getting off his TryChaser.

Dai quickly summons his Arcle and goes through the hand motions before shouting. "Henshin!" Seconds later, Dai dons his Mighty form and takes a stance.

"Kuuga!" Garima smiles at the Rider's appearance. If she can take him down, this would earn her lots of points. But she soon wipes away the smirk, knowing not to get cocky. The leader of the Me Group she may be and a female at that which attested to show how powerful she is, the fact that she was the only Grongi of her Group left showed just how powerful Kuuga was. She would not underestimate the warrior which had defeated the Zu Group and her men.

"I, Me-Garima-Ba, shall kill you in the name of my Group." Garima spoke in her natural language before she charges towards Dai, transforming into her Grongi form.

Me-Garima-Ba is a Mantis Grongi. The scythe-like weapon in her hands may as well have been ironic considering what she is. As a Grongi, her skin was dark, forest green. A loincloth and ragged skirt combined to act like shorts to cover Garima's lower region as short greaves protected her ankles. Breast armor protected and covered her...well, breasts while a pair of gauntlet and pauldron protected her arms. Finally, a specifically designed helmet protected her mantis-like head.

Garima swings her weapon at Dai as soon as she transforms which only took a second. Quickly, Dai ducked under the swing and moved away from the armed Grongi. Turning around, Dai was forced to duck again when he saw Garima swing her weapon around, aiming for his neck. Dai managed to duck under the blow before jumping back to avoid a third swing, this one aimed for his exposed gut. Knowing that he can't keep dodging forever, Dai jumped forward and grabbed Garima form behind, trying to wrap his arms around her neck and hold her down, but the Grongi removed one hand from her weapon and used her new free hand to elbow Dai back and away from her before swinging her double bladed scythe with one hand. Dai managed to duck in time to avoid the weapon, but the blade sliced through a pole of a nearby sign clean off, showing just how sharp the weapon was. Dai looked at the fallen sign in surprise before looking back at Garima and eyed her weapon with caution.

Garima swings her weapon again, but Dai predicts this and ducks under in time before throwing a punch to her ribs, making her stumble back before Dai closes the distance between them and goes to grab her weapon in order to pry it out of her hands. He only got as far as grabbing it as Garima sees what he was trying to do and charges forward, pushing Dai back which surprised him as Garima showed strength that belied her appearance.

He was pushed up against the wall with Garima's weapon to his neck. The Grongi continues to push, attempting to choke the Rider, but Dai pushes her back with a knee strike to her sides, making her stumble back enough for Dai to push the weapon away and jump back as Garima swings her weapon again. Her weapon hits the wall Dai had been pushed against, but it does not stop the weapon as the blade slices through it cleanly, leaving a gash on the wall as the blade continues forward. Dai ducks before rolling back to avoid a downward swing. Dai stops and gets up to his knees only to see Garima already on him again, swinging her weapon down again. Thinking fast, Dai jumps back and kicks his right foot out. His foot connects with the handle of Garima's weapon and right before their eyes, the bottom half of the weapon comes off. Garima looks down in surprise and Dai uses this chance to throw a strong punch to her gut, making the Grongi stumble back as she held her stomach.

Now with some space, Dai gets up before he places his hands on the Arcle. The Amadam Stone turns from red to purple before the belt begins to pulse.

"Chou Henshin!" Dai shouts before he assumes Titan form. Once done, he goes and picks up the fallen piece of Garima's weapon and it soon turns into the Titan Sword.

Now with a weapon of his own, Dai advances towards Garima menacingly. Garima wasn't frightened and charged in to meet with the Rider. She swings her now turned scythed shaped sword at Dai who blocks it with his own sword. The two struggle for dominance for a brief moment before Dai wins as he pushes Garima back and continues walking forward. Seeing that she was losing the struggle, Garima pushes her weapon upward, bringing Dai's weapon with it before Garima pulls back and swing towards Dai's exposed stomach. The blade connects, but it doesn't pierce flesh like she thought it would. Before she could pull back, Dai knocks the sword away with a downward elbow strike before he swings his Titan Sword down. Garima manages to move out of the way in time before swinging her sword and strikes Dai across the back. The blade doesn't make a dent in his armor and just sends the Rider stumbling back. He turns around and sees the Grongi going for his neck. Not wanting to know what would happen if the blade met his neck, Dai ducked before quickly moving out of the way of another swing. Unfortunately, the second swing he had dodged and struck and sliced off a part of his bike, making Dai cry out in horror.

"AH! My bike! You monster!" Now pissed, Dai gripped his Titan Sword with both hands, planning to execute the Calamity Titan only for sparks of electricity to appear from his arms and sword, surprising the Rider.

'The golden power!' Dai exclaims in his mind as he looks at his sword. Briefly, he saw his sword change, becoming longer, as his gauntlets briefly change as well, becoming more purple and outlined in gold. Dai tries concentrating in holding the form, but the two soon return to normal as quickly as they had changed previously.

In his moment of wonder, Garima takes the chance to get close and swing her sword. Snapping out of his thoughts, Dai quickly brings up his sword to block and succeeds, but Garima manages to overpower him as she begins to push him back. She then suddenly draws back, leaving Dai open as Garima used the handle of her weapon to hit Dai's stomach, making the Rider reel over before Garima raises her sword up and brings it down. Quickly, Dai bring sup his sword again to block and succeeds, but unfortunately, the Titan Sword gets knocked out of his hands and he is forced to use his bare hands to stop another downward swing.

*ZZZZZZZZZ!*

Suddenly, from the entrance of the tunnel appears Gouram. Both the Rider and the Grongi were surprised to see it as Dai doesn't remember calling upon the living horse armor. But as Gouram flies over to him and knocks Garima away, he decided to not question it as Gouram then hovers above the Trychaser 2000. Seeing what Gouram wanted, Dai runs over and gets on the bike. Soon after, Gouram splits apart before combining with the TryChaser to become the TryGouram.

Up ahead of Dai, Garima starts to get back up after getting knocked away by Gouram earlier. Quickly, Dai takes off, driving towards the Mantis Grongi as the horns of the TryGouram begin to be covered in flames. By the Garima gets back up and turns to face him, it was already too late as Dai rammed right into her as the flaming horns struck Garima, sending her flying back. Dai then brakes to a stop and looks at Garima's downed figure. Slowly, she gets back up as a huge mark from the Try Attack covers her entire torso. Dai waits to see cracks form on Garima, but to his surprise, through sheer force of will, Garima lets out a cry before the flaming mark on her disappears. She had survived the Try Attack finisher.

'Damn! So she can withstand the Try Attack.' Dai thought, having assumed that the Try Attack would be enough to put downed the armed Grongi. But apparently, she was showing just why she was the Me Group leader.

Gripping the handles of his bike, Dai plans to use another Try Attack when the pieces of Gouram start flashing. Soon after, the pieces of Gouram become stone and fall off the bike.

"Dammit! Not now!" Dai curses, looking down at the pieces of his friend. Sure he could revive Gouram later, but it was a bit of an annoyance to pick up the pieces.

Looking up, Dai finds that Garima, in his moment of distraction, had fled. Dai curses under his breath, but calms down as a police siren is heard behind him. Undoing his transformation, Dai looks behind him and sees Ryō pulling over before getting out of his car.

"Dai!" Ryō jogs over to the boy as he gets off his bike, being careful not to step any pieces of Gouram. "What happened to No. 36?"

"Sumimasen(I'm sorry), it managed to get away." Dai apologized before he looked down at the pieces of Gouram. "She was a lot stronger than I had thought. Not even Gouram was enough to take her down."

"I see." Ryō said, looking down at the pieces of Gouram in worry. He had seen the kind of power Gouram provided Dai when he needed the sentient Horse Armor, so to hear that it wasn't enough worried him greatly.

"Looks like I really do need Kuuga's Rising forms." Dai said, grabbing his wrist as he clenches and unclenches his hand. "The aches started happening again, but I think I now have a hint in how to access more power. I'll have to see Enokida-san for help though."

"He should be free sometime later." Ryō informed him. "I'll have some men collect Gouram. You do what you need to do."

"Thanks." Dai smiles and nods before goes over to his bike to leave, taking careful steps over Gouram's pieces.

Ryō watches the Rider leave before he takes out his phone and makes a call to collect the piece of Gouram. After that was done, he goes back to his car to simply wait. With the Gouram in pieces on the street, someone had to look after it until the clean-up crew arrived. He could have just left, but the last time the Gouram had been in pieces and no one was watching over it, the boy had began to freak out.

"He really loves that thing." Ryō said to no one until he sees in his rear view mirror a car pull up behind him. Ryō gets out of his car and looks behind him to see Rai step out of the car.

"So the kid couldn't beat it, huh?" Rai said as he stepped out of his car. "Looks like we got a tough one on our hands."

"It is concerning how strong No. 36 appears to be." Ryō said, glancing over at the pieces of Gouram before turning back to Rai. "So, was there anything you could find about her?"

"There was nothing really at the scene that could tell us where she's gone to, but there's something else that concerns me." Rai said with a grim look on his face.

"What is it?" Ryō asks.

"She left witnesses." Rai said. "Usually, those monsters would kill everyone in the area, but some survived this time. I doubt anyone actually managed to fight her off, so I'm concerned as to why there are survivors this time."

"That does raise suspicion..." Ryō said until he remembered something form his conversation with Dai yesterday. "Special rules..."

"What was that?"

"It's something Dai told me yesterday." Ryō explained. "He said unlike the previous Unidentified Lifeforms, this one is playing under special rules. Apparently, No. 36 is playing under a method where she first marks her targets before going after them later under a certain time limit. There must be a certain link that connects all of her victims together."

"And if we can figure out the link, we can guess who her targets might be and put a stop to her." Rai said, seeing what Ryō was saying. "Okay, let's run a background check on the victims then."

Nodding in agreement, both men went back to their cars. He glances over at the pieces of Gouram on the ground before mentally apologizing to Dai as he gets in his car and leaves.

---

(With Honoka)

Defeating you, Misumi-senpai, and Ichi-senpai is the only path left open to me. It's the only thing I can do.

Those words seem to echo in Honoka's mind as she sat down at a bench in the park, holding a serving of takoyaki she had gotten earlier from Akane. She had took her leave from Nagisa's place after some time and visited Akane's tako stand for a small snack. She ad Nagisa had tried to brainstorm ideas on what to do with Kiriya, but they couldn't come up with anything concrete. Even now, as she sat there on the bench, having not touched the takoyaki in her hands, she still didn't know what to do.

"Honoka-chan?" Hearing her name, Honoka looks up and sees none other than Dai, walking over to her with some takoyaki of his own.

"Ichi-kun?"

"I didn't expect to see you here. Thought you'd still be with Nagisa-chan." Dai said as he sat down next to her.

"I left not too long ago." Honoka said. "Nagisa and I tried to think of something we could do about Kiriya, but we don't have anything that's concrete."

"It's not easy, having to fight someone you know so well." Dai said, eating his takoyaki as Honoka nodded in agreement.

"I don't want to fight him, but I also want to protect Mipple from him." Honoka said before turning to Dai. "I don't know what I should do."

"I'm sorry that I can't help much." Dai said. "I ran from Kiriya because I didn't want to fight him, but I don't think Kiriya will allow you girls to just run. You and Nagisa-chan are his main targets. You two will have to figure something out on your own."

Dai watched as a conflicted look appeared on Honoka who looked back down, still unsure of what to do. Unable to see Honoka like this, an idea soon made its way to Dai's head.

"Hey, Honoka-chan. Are you free right now?"

"Huh?" Honoka looked back up at Dai in confusion. "Um, yeah, I guess. I was thinking of returning home, but I don't have to go back now."

"Good. You remember Enokida-san, right?" Honoka nodded. "Well, I was planning on going to see him later. Since you're free, do you want to come?" Dai then pointed down to Honoka's untouched takoyaki. "Also, are you eating those?"

---

(Unknown Location)

In an alleyway where there was no one around, we see leaning against the wall is Garima, breathing heavily as she held her gut, the spot where Dai's Try Attack had struck her. She had managed to prevent the attack from reaching her belt and thus killing her, but the attack still damaged her greatly as evident to the pain coursing through her right now.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard, making Garima turn to the source. From the shadows appeared Dorudo. At the appearance of the judge, Garima did her best to hide how much pain she was in as Dorudo stared down at her.

"You're running out of time." Dorudo stated.

"I know." Garima said, grunting as she used her sword as leverage to push her up to her feet.

"So the Me can't beat Kuuga either." A third voice taunts, belonging to Baruba who also appeared from the alley shadows. Garima glares at the judge who is unfazed by the Me Grongi's gaze.

"Shall we carry on using the Go Method?" Dorudo asked.

"I'll take care of the rest of the prey." Garima said as she raised her sword. "Just shut up and watch."

With that, the Me Leader takes her leave, off to find her next victim. Both judges watch her leave, their eyes expressing their doubt.

---

(Meanwhile, with Ryō)

"It's not open yet?"

The employee nods. "We only planned to open the day after tomorrow."

"Then this lighter..." Ryō takes out from his pocket a small plastic bag containing a lighter.

"This? We used this in the publicity stunt yesterday. It was to advertise the opening of the store." The employee explained.

"Where was that?" Rai asked.

"It was at the entrance of Kawasaki Station."

"Do you know what time?"

"Yes. I believe it was from 12 at noon till 7 in the afternoon. Though because of the rain yesterday, we had to stop around 3 to 4. We had part-timers handle the hand outs."

"I see. Thank you." Ryō and Rai thanked the man, bowing before taking their leave.

"What do you think?" Rai asked. "Is is trying to kill the passengers who came around that time?"

Ryō hummed to himself as he looked at the bagged lighter in his hands. 16 out of the 41 victims Garima had killed all had the same lighters, but 12 out of the 16 didn't have cigarettes on them, meaning only 4 of them were actual smokers. Noticing the brands on the lighters and bags, he and Rai had come to this drug store to find that the place was a brand new store just about to open in a few days.

"The victims all had lighters." Ryō said before he remembers something when he had gone through the items of the victims. "If I remember correctly, 11 of them passes for the Keihin-Tōhoku Line which Kawasaki Station is a part of."

"So No. 36 began her markings at Kawasaki. But if we can't figure out what time she did it, we can't narrow down how many people took the train." Rai said.

"There must be something we overlooked..." Ryō said as he looked at the bagged lighter in his hand, as if hoping a new clue would pop out from it.

Imagine his surprise when he did find a clue from the bag. In fact, this one clue helped narrow down what time Garima began marking her targets.

"3 to 4 in the afternoon..."

"Huh?" Rai looked at Ryō in confusion.

"3 to 4 in the afternoon." Ryō said again, a look of realization appearing on his face. "That's when she began to mark her targets!"

"Wait, how do you know that?" Rai asked, still confused as to how Ryō came to this conclusion.

"Look here, closely." Ryō held out the bagged lighter to Rai. Looking closely at it, Rai didn't find anything besides dried up wet spots...wait.

"Dried wet spots..." Slowly, Rai's eyes widen in realization. "The rain!"

"That's right." Ryō nodded. "It started raining some time around 3:30 PM yesterday. If these lighters were handed out until 4 in the rain, then these dried spots are from raindrops."

"Which means No. 36 began marking people on the train during that time, between 3:30 and 4:00!" Rai exclaimed excitedly. "Alright, we got a lead!"

"Let's hurry and report this." Ryō said as he and Rai ran back to their cars.

---

(With Dai and Honoka)

Opening the door to the Science Research Institute, Sayuru led both Dai and Honoka inside as the latter looked around once inside the room.

"Sorry if the place is a mess, I get so caught up in my work that I get really disorganized." Sayuru said as he closed the door.

"That's okay. I just need your help with something." Dai said.

"Ichijo said that you needed my help with something," Sayuru said before turning to Honoka who was looking around the room. "But why is she here?"

"There's...a lot going on right now. I thought bringing her here would cheer her up a bit." Dai said.

"And how exactly does bringing her here cheer her up?" Sayuru asked, not understanding Dai's logic.

"Are these...cells?" Honoka suddenly spoke up, getting the two males to turn and see her looking at the monitor of a computer, showing a depiction of what appear to be cells.

"Ah, those?" Sayuru walks over to the girl and seeing the curious look, decides to explain. "Indeed, these are cells. Specifically, these are the cells of recent Unidentified Lifeforms the shōnen(boy) here defeated."

"Why do you have these?" Honoka asked.

"To study them." Sayuru said before explaining. "Back when we first met at the hospital, you asked what I do in order to help the boy here. Well, what me and my team here do is study the remains of the Unidentified Lifeforms and find ways for men to fight back against the Unidentified Lifeforms."

"You study corpses?" Honoka said, a bit disgusted, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious.

"Ha! I wish, then we'd get better results." Sayuru said, getting a confused look from Honoka so he explained. "We don't study corpses, Yukishiro-san. What we study are remains, literal pieces of Unidentified Lifeforms. We do this in order to make counter measures against the Unidentified Lifeforms that are still out there. But what we've made so far hasn't been very effective. The reason why a corpse would be better to study is because then we can study the body closely and find out what makes these guys tick. Most of the dirty work is done by the surgeons and we at the Science Institute study the autopsies they send us and work from there. But since we only have literal pieces and not a whole body, the best we can do as speculate and hope whatever we make works."

"That's...fascinating." Honoka said, causing Sayuru to blink in surprise.

"Fascinating? That's certainly not what I expected you to say. Are you not disgusted at the fact we're basically studying dead body parts?"

"Oh no, I am, really. Knowing what you're doing has me a bit creeped out." Honoka admitted. "But, at the same time, I can't help but think everything you've told me so far is...very interesting."

"...You wouldn't happen to like science, would you?" Sayuru asked a random question.

"Well, I'm part of the science club at my school and it is my favorite subject." Honoka said.

"I see...You might make a good scientist one day in the future."

"What? Oh no, I still have much to learn."

"Ahem!" Suddenly, Dai cleared his voice loudly, getting the two's attention and reminding them why he was here in the first place.

"Right, sorry." Sayuru apologized before asking, "So, what do you need my help for?"

"It's actually about my aches." Dai said.

"The ones you've been having for a while?" Dai nodded. "Then why come to me about them? Shouldn't you go see Tsubaki-san?"

"Actually, my aches have something to do with my powers." Dai explained. "I want to try something, but it might be dangerous so I was wondering if you could help me test out my theory without any people around."

"Your powers, huh? Hmm, I don't know..." Sayuru hummed to himself, thinking if there was anything he could do to assist the Rider. And then, moments later, it came to him.

"That's right, we can use that room!"

"Do you have some place in mind?" Dai asked the scientist.

"There's this room that was built when the building was rebuilt. I think it's just what you might need." Sayuru said before moving to the door. "Follow me, I'll show it to you."

"Right!" Dai smiled before turning to Honoka and waving her over to follow. "Come on!"

Honoka nodded and went to follow Dai when her phone suddenly vibrated from her pocket. Taking it out, she had received a message from an unknown address.

"Who can this be?" Curious, Honoka opened her phone and looked to find the message. Once she found it, she froze.

Seeing this, Dai grew worried and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"...It's Kiriya-kun." Honoka said, looking up from her phone with a worried expression. "He wants to meet up with me and Nagisa at 5 PM."

"That's about an hour from now." Dai said, looking at a nearby clock to see what time it was.

"...Ichi-kun...what should we do?" Honoka asked, looking for help from the Rider.

"I said this is something you'll have to figure out yourself." Dai said. "But if you want my advice, do what you think is best."

"What I think is best..." Honoka looked down in thought, contemplating Dai's words.

"I...I don't want to fight Kiriya-kun." Honoka said after some thought. With only one hour to meet up, there wasn't a lot of time to come up with a decent plan. But at the very least, she knew what she wanted to do.

"Then you should go tell him that." Dai said.

"I will." Honoka nodded before she ran out of the room while dialing her phone to call Nagisa.

"Good luck." Dai said as he watched Honoka run off before he followed Sayuru. The girls had their battle, and he had his.

---

(Meanwhile)

*SWISH!*

"Don't turn around."

A man and a woman, fellow co-workers of the same company, froze at those words. Slowly, they both turned to the woman who had passed them and the woman, Garima, turned to face them. Then...

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" The man screams in horror as the woman beside him falls to the ground without her head. As her blood splashes all over him, he falls on his down on his butt, shaking with horror.

Watching all this, Garima smiles as she marks her recent kill before raising her head into the air. It took only a second for her to track down her next target.

As the Grongi in disguise leaves, the people who had watched this horrendous murder quickly contacted the police while others remembered the hotline used to contact the Special Investigation Team to notify them about Unidentified Lifeform activities.

---

(Later)

{So the victims were all entering Kawasaki Station and took the train at 3:30 to 4:00 PM?} Chief Hiwagawa said through the phone, talking to Ryō. {Is that right?}

"Hai(Yes)." Ryō said. "An earlier call from Sakurai-san confirmed this. The victims all got on the train at Kawasaki Station."

{But how did No. 36 manage to trail them? Surely they got off at different times and stations?}

"We believe that she got on the train and placed some kind of marking on them that allows her to trail them later." Ryō explained.

{I see. In that case, find out who else was on that train, and using the media, gather them together.}

---

(With the girls)

An hour had passed since Honoka received the message from Kiriya. Meeting up with Nagisa during that time, the girls made it to the spot Kiriya wanted to meet them. Coincidentally, or perhaps intentionally, the place of choice was the same place the girls had defeated Pisard months ago.

Arriving at their destination, the girls found the boy they were meeting up with standing on top of the bridge above them, Kiriya. Traces of the fellow classmate they knew were gone. Standing in just an orange shirt, pants, and sneakers with eyes that told the girls of his linage to the Dark Zone, the boy that stood before them was no doubt a Dark General.

"Kiriya-kun..." Honoka looks up at the boy who looks back down at them.

"Hey, let's stop this." Nagisa said, trying to reason with the boy. "Aren't we classmates?"

"That was just my selfish wish." Kiriya said. "I came from the world of darkness. In order to give Dark King-sama immortality, it is necessary to have all seven stones. If you don't want to fight, then give me the Prism Stones."

"No!"

"We can't do that!" Honoka said, she and Nagisa obviously refusing Kiriya's demands.

"Then it can't be helped." Kiriya said as he jumped off the bridge and landed safely on the ground, facing them.

"Wait, Kiriya-kun! What you guys are trying to do is wrong!" Honoka said.

"Just thinking about your own fate, destroying other worlds, do you really think that's okay?" Nagisa asked.

"Enough talk! Here I come!" Kiriya said before he made the first move.

In the blink of an eye, Kiriya flew past the girls and stopped right behind them. The girls turned around to face him, but without looking, Kiriya sent two shockwaves from his hands, sending the girls behind him flying forward. The girls were barely hurt from the attack, but the fact Kiriya had actually attacked them shocked them, more so for Honoka than Nagisa as she turned around and looked back at Kiriya.

"Kiriya-kun...open your eyes!"

"Don't you get it yet?" Kiriya said, looking down at the two. "This is the real me!"

Sensing another attack coming, the girls quickly stood back up, but another shockwave sent the girls flying and tumbling down a hill where they landed roughly on the ground, almost falling in the river. Up on the hill, Kiriya looked down at the two.

"Kiriya-kun..." Honoka mutters, looking back at the boy as she and Nagisa pushed themselves up.

From Nagisa's pocket, Mepple pops out and spoke.

"If you don't transform, you'll be killed-mepo!"

From Honoka's pocket, Mipple popped out and spoke as well.

"It's dangerous for you to remain like this-mipo!"

"I guess we...don't have much a choice." Nagisa said, still conflicted, but it was true that if they remained like this, they'll eventually be killed.

Taking Honoka's hand, Nagisa looked at her friend, silently asking if she was ready. Despite being still conflicted, Honoka nodded back before they stood up and took out their respective Queen cards.

"Duel Aurora Wave!"

Light erupts from underneath the girls. Refusing to look away, Kiriya stares directly into the light as a sheen of sweat can be seen from his forehead. Attacking the girls had been mentally harder than he thought. But as the girls finished their transformation, Kiriya gathered back his resolve as the girls began their introduction.

"Hikari no shisha, Cure Black!"

"Hikari no shisha, Cure White!"

"Futari wa PreCure!"

"Yami no chikara no shimobetachi yo…"

"…Tottoto ouchi ni kaerinasai!"

"So you decided to transform after all." Kiriya said.

"It's in order to protect Mepple and Mipple!" Nagisa said.

"The reasons don't matter to me. Now, let us decide our fates!"

'Fate...' Honoka bit her lips at the mention of the word before she remembered what her grandmother said last night.

"That fate..." Honoka began before shouting to Kiriya. "That fate, it's okay to change it!"

It doesn't have to be that way! Fate can be changed!

Kiriya's eyes widen before they narrow with anger. Dai had said the same thing to him when they fought last night. He responded in the same way he did to Dai.

"I don't want to hear that garbage! It's already...already...!" Kiriya pushed the conflicting emotions inside of him down before he charged down to the girls. The girls jumped back in response, but Kiriya quickly followed them and forced them to separate from one another when he threw a punch and kick out.

Gritting her teeth, nagisa threw a kick out, but Kiriya easily dodged it. From behind him, Honoka swung her arm out for a chop, but Kiriya just ducked under it. Flipping over, Kiriya performed a bicycle kick, kicking Nagisa down to the ground.

"Black!" Worried for her friend, Honoka quickly went to her side, but Kiriya quickly flew under her and stood in her way. Spinning around, he backhanded Honoka back, sending her skidding across the ground.

"White!" Nagisa cried out in worry for her friend while Kiriya looked surprised at what he did before quickly hiding it.

"If things continue like this, we'll be beaten-mepo!" Mepple said from within his carrier.

"Hurry up and use the Pretty Cure marble Screw-mipo!" Mipple said from within her carrier. But to her surprise, Honoka shook her head and Nagisa nodded in agreement with Honoka.

"Oh? You're not going to use that technique you always use? Thanks for the gift." Kiriya said.

With a stern face, Nagisa firmly said to Kiriya, "We won't use the Pretty Cure Marble Screw!"

Kiriya looked at Nagisa in surprise before Honoka spoke up.

"How could we do something like that to a friend?"

I don't fight friends, Kiriya. And no matter how much you want to deny it, you and I and friends.

Dai's words once again echo in Kiriya's head before he shouts out in anger.

"I am not your friend!

"That's a lie!" Honoka instantly replied back. "Didn't you actually start having feelings like us?"

"Gh!" Kiriya actually flinched at that as déjà vu came over him. He was starting to see why these two were friends with Dai.

"We had fun together because in your heart and mine, we have the same feelings!"

Quit lying to yourself, Kiriya.

As Dai's words echo in Kiriya's head again, Kiriya snaps.

(BGM: Futari wa PreCure-Heart to Heart)

"Be quiet!" Kiriya shouts before he goes and jumps towards Honoka, throwing a flying kick which Honoka blocks by crossing her arms.

With a bit of effort, Honoka manages to push Kiriya off of her and send him back where Nagisa jumps in at the perfect time and kicks him in the back. Kiriya lets out a surprised and pained grunt, but he recovers as he jumps back, flipping over on his hands before coming to stop kneeling.

"There's still time!" Nagisa pleads with the boy.

"To change your fate, you must be brave!" Honoka exclaims.

"Damare(Shut up)..." Kiriya grips and claws the dirt under his hand in frustration, fighting the emotions inside of him. "If I quit now, I'll have to return to the darkness!"

"Fine then!" Nagisa said. "Even if we have to force you, we'll make you understand!"

"Ha!" And with that, all three of them jumped back into the action, meeting one another as they clashed fists.

"Didn't you have a lot of fun playing soccer?"

You can't tell me you felt nothing from those!

Memories of Kiriya's time in the soccer club appear in hsi head, surprising him. But as soon as they came, he forced them down, focusing on his fight instead as he and Nagisa begin to trade a flurry of punches and kicks as they seemingly fly around the area while doing so. Kiriya throws another punch, but Nagisa moves out of the way as Honoka appears from behind her, flying in with her own punch which forces Kiriya to move out of the way before he quickly turns around and catches a punch from Nagisa.

"Kiriya-kun, you still don't understand Honoka's feelings, do you? Honoka is serious. She's trying with all her might for you!"

Memories of Kiriya's time with Honoka begin to flow through Kiriya's head. Try as he might, he couldn't stop them from appearing.

"It was fun! And she was doing her best" Nagisa keeps speaking as she throws punch after punch at Kiriya who either blocks and dodges the blows. "You...You don't understand Honoka's true feelings!"

Kiriya wanted to shut Nagisa up. He opened his mouth to do so, but the memories in his head prevented him from doing so. So instead, he tries to kick the girl only for her to dodge. Regrouping, Nagisa and Honoka jump back to gain some distance before leaping towards Kiriya for another attack. Seeing this, Kiriya cries out as he sends another shockwave from his hands, sending the girls flying back as they were separated from the attack.

Honoka crashes against the hill and falls down to the bottom, covered in dirt. Kiriya lands right over her and raises his hand for a finishing punch.

"Not yet..." Honoka mutters to herself as she slowly pushes herself back up. Seeing this, Kiriya found it hard to throw his attack as the emotions inside of him battle for control.

"White!" Kiriya's inaction costed him as Nagisa appears and rams him away form Honoka hard enough to send him skidding across the ground hard.

"We..." Nagisa begins as she and Honoka push themselves up.

"...can't lose." Honoka finishes.

"Why?" Kiriya asks, wiping some dirt and a bit of blood form his mouth as he looks over at the girls. "Why do you try so hard for the people of the Garden of Light? It doesn't involve you two at all."

"We're the only ones that can protect them." Nagisa said. "The Garden of Light, Mepple, and Mipple!"

"No matter what happens to this body, we will never give you the Prism Stones!" Honoka said as she finally gets back up to her feet. But it was short lived as she falls to her knees, exhausted.

"White!" Nagisa quickly catches her before she falls. "Hang in there, Honoka..."

Seeing the exhausted state Honoka was in, Kiriya found himself growing worried, surprising himself. His body moved to go see if Honoka was alright, but he stopped himself from doing so as Nagisa looks over at him.

"Kiriya-kun, did you want to see Honoka like this? Will you be satisfied with getting the Prism Stones after doing something like this?"

No. No he would not. That answer alone surprise Kiriya to his core. And that's when he finally realized it.

Deny it all you want, Kiriya, but the fact is that you've come to enjoy the life you have here!

As Dai's words once again ring his his head, Kiriya sighs. He didn't want to admit. He wanted to deny it. But the truth is, because of the time he spent here, going to school, joining the soccer club, getting to know people, especially Honoka and Dai...he enjoyed it. All of it.

I don't fight friends, Kiriya. And no matter how much you want to deny it, you and I and friends.

'Friends...' Kiriya thinks to himself as he walks over to the girls and looks down at them. Nagisa places protect arms around Honoka while the latter looks up to him. His decision right here, right now, would seal his fate.

Raising his hand, Kiriya grabs the yellow crystal containing the Prism Stone around his neck and takes it off. He then raises it up...before handing it to the girls, getting surprised looks.

"I...do not have the power to change my fate. However, I think that you two have that power. It's amazing, the power which connects you two. The stones have the power to change one's fate." Kneeling down to the girls, Kiriya takes Honoka's right hand and places the Prism Stone in it. His eyes wander to the burn scar that speaks out from under Honoka's sleeves before looking back up to Honoka.

"I can feel the other stones' power attracting this one..." Kiriya curls Honoka's fingers so that she doesn't drop the crystal. "The one drawing out that power...is probably you."

"Kiriya-kun..." Honoka stares at Kiriya. The way the boy looks, it looks like he has resigned himself. But to what?

"However, this is as far as I can escape my fate." Kiriya said before he turns to his left. The girls follow his eyes and gasp at who was standing not too far from them.

"That's...!" Standing not too far from them was Ilkubo, his robes blowing in the wind.

"Sayōnara(Goodbye)." Kiriya bids his farewell before he smiles. "It's been...fun." And with that, Kiriya turns to take his leave...if it wasn't for the figure approaching from behind the girls.

(BGM End)

"Abunai!"

*SWISH!*

*SLICE!*

"Eh?" The girls both blink in surprise when Kiriya suddenly ran up to them and pushed them to the side. The next instant, blood erupts from the boy's chest before he falls to the ground on his back. It takes a moment for the girls to process everything before their eyes widen in horror.

"Kiriya-kun!" Getting her second wind, Honoka gets up and quickly goes over to the boys side while Nagisa turns to see who had injured the young Dark General.

"Tch! I missed." Swing her weapon, blood is removed from the scythe-like blade. As the sun finally sets and the night begins to take hold, standing before everyone is none other than Garima.

"You...!" Kiriya grits his teeth, fighting the pain in his chest as he tries to push himself back up, but fails.

"Kiriya-kun! Hang in there!" Making it to the boy's side, Honoka kneels down and helps him up.

"You..." Nagisa cautiously looks at the woman, but Garima hasn't even spared her a single glance. Instead, her gaze was locked onto Honoka.

"You." Garima speaks up, pointing her weapon at Honoka which gets her attention.

"Me?"

"You will be my 80th kill today." As soon as she finishes saying that does Garima begin to move towards Honoka.

"Kill?" Honoka looks at the woman in confusion before Kiriya tries to move again. "Stop! You shouldn't be moving."

Kiriya ignores her as he looks over at Garima who advances towards them.

"Stop! Honoka...She has nothing to do with your game!"

"On the contrary, she's just unlucky enough to be marked." Garima said, her eyes never leaving Honoka.

"Marked?" Again, Honoka was confused until she recognizes Garima. "Wait a minute, you...you were on the train yesterday.

Garima doesn't respond back. Instead, she assumes her Grongi form.

"A Grongi!" Nagisa gasps in surprise as she looks at Garima who continues to advance towards Honoka. Remembering what Garima had said earlier, Nagisa quickly jumps into action. "As if I'd let you!"

Kicking off her feet, Nagisa leaps over at Garima and throws a flying kick. Garima, seeing the girl from the corner of her eye, ducks under the dick before turning to the girl and swings her weapon. But just as the blade was about to reach the girl, Garima stops. Seeing this, Nagisa takes the chance to kick Garima away. Stumbling back, Garima growls.

"Move it, girl!"

"Never!" Nagisa raises her fist and stands her ground. "You'll have to get through me if you want White!"

"Black!" Honoka gets up to go support her friend, but she doesn't want to leave Kiriya's side. Especially when Ilkubo was standing not too far from them.

"White, stay with Kiriya-kun." Black said, never taking her eyes off of Garima and the weapon in her hands. "I'll take of her."

"By yourself?"

"Would you rather leave him to that guy?" At the reminder of Ilkubo's presence, Honoka found it hard to retort.

"...be careful." Honoka finally relents.

"Oi, don't worry about me. Just-" Kiriya tries to convince Honoka to leave him and go help Nagisa, but one look from the girl shuts him up.

"Be careful, I have a bad feeling about that weapon in her hands-mepo." Mepple says from his carrier.

"Yeah, I know." Nagisa said, keeping a close eye on the weapon in Garima's hands while also wondering why she stopped herself from using it before.

"Step aside, girl. You are not my prey." Garima demanded.

Nagisa responds back firmly. "Never."

"Then I guess I'll just have to move you myself!" Garima spins her weapon around, holding it in reverse before she charges towards Nagisa who does the same.

Unknown to the two fighting, there was someone watching from afar. Up on top of a high rise building, using his enhanced vision, Daguva smiles to himself as he watched the fight between Grongi and Cure from afar.

"Daguva-sama." From behind him, Baruba and Dorudo appear before him and kneel down.

"Ah, Baruba, Dorudo, so good to see you two again." Daguva said, but does not turn to look at them, instead watching as Nagusa ducks under a blow from Garima before fighting back by throwing a punch.

"Daguva-sama." The mentioned Grongi turns to see Dorudo hand him a bag of...well, he didn't know what it was. But if one of his trusted judges was handing him it, it must be something good.

"Thank you, Dorudo." Accepting the bag, Daguva grabbed a piece of whatever the bag held and threw it into his mouth. A salty, buttery taste rolled around his tongue as he munched on the snack. "Hm, this is good. What's this called?"

"The Linto of this era call this...popcorn." Dorudo said. "Apparently, it's kettle corn when heated up to the point the pressure inside ruptures and the kettle expands."

"Huh, you leave the Linto alone for a few millennium and they go and make a few surprising things." Daguva comments as he pops more kettle into his mouth while continuing to watch the fight far away.

"Daguva-sama, if I may ask..." Baruba waits until Daguva gives her the go ahead to speak her mind. "Why are you watching Garima's fight?"

"Well, besides being bored, I think you know exactly why I'm here." Daguva said, eating more popcorn as his eyes locks onto Garima's weapon. He could feel it. Embedded into the weapon was a piece of him. No doubt, that survivor from the Nu Group used it to strengthen the weapon Garima was now using. How else could it have such a powerful slicing ability?

"Shall I go retrieve it for you?" Baruba suggests.

"You can do that after the weakling's been killed." Daguva off handily said. He didn't expect much from the mid-tier Grongi. She had wanted to use to Go method of killing, yet she wasn't even through half of her needed kills to win the Gegeru.

"Do you expect that Linto warrior to best her?" Dorudo asks.

"Oh no. While I'm sure that girl could do it if she tried, that honor goes to a certain someone." Turning his head, Daguva watches as a motorcycle speeds down the road, heading to where the others were at.

Back to the fight, Nagisa crosses her arms, blocking a punch from Garima, sending her sliding back before falling to her knees.

'Damn! The earlier fight with Kiriya-kun took more out of me than I thought!' Nagisa thought as she tried to push herself back up. For the most part, she was keeping up with Garima, but barely. The bruises on Nagisa's face were evident of the blows Garima manage to land, but Nagisa was able to get in a few blows of her own in, though once can't really tell.

As Nagisa gets back up to her feet, her eyes wander to the weapon in Garima's hand which the Grongi has yet to use against her.

'Why? Why hasn't she used that thing against me? She looked ready to use it on Honoka earlier.' Nagisa thought to herself.

"Enough of this!" Garima shouts, looking annoyed. "I do not have time fo this! If you won't move out of my way, then I will simply just move past you!"

Before Nagisa could ask what the Grongi meant, Garima spun her weapon around, holding it the right way, before in a burst of speed, she moved past Nagisa and headed straight for Honoka, blade ready.

"No!" Surprised at the sudden speed Garima displayed, Nagisa quickly turned to jump after her, but she would not make it. Honoka hugged Kiriya protectively despite being the one targeted, but to her surprise, in a burst of strength, Honoka was shoved aside as Kiriya stood up and spread his arms out, using his body to shield Honoka.

"Kiriya-kun, no!" Honoka screamed as Garima's blade neared him.

Garima's eyes widen in horror. The Go method was to kill only those she targeted and Kiriya was not one of her targets. If she killed him, she'd have failed the Gegeru and would not be allowed to play again! And the boy protecting her target, he fully intended to give his life for her!

"Kiriya-kun!" Both girls scream out for the boy who only smiles as his death nears.

'So, this is how I die.' Kiriya thought to himself as he glances behind him. Honoka was getting up to try and push him down, but she wouldn't make it. This was fine. He would gladly give his life away.

Hey, before you leave, why don't you tell her how you really feel about her?

'Ah...damn.' Kiriya thinks to himself as Dai's words once again echo in his head. So it was true. He really did have feelings for Honoka. Why else was he able to do this?

'Sorry, senpai. I don't think I'll be able to tell her.' Kiriya thinks to himself as he closes his eyes and accepts his fate.

*CLANG!*

Kiriya opens his eyes at the sound of steel hitting steel. Right before his eyes, a sword suddenly flies by and hits Garima's weapon, knocking it out of her hands and away from Kiriya. At the same time, Kiriya gets pushed down by Honoka who then uses him as leverage to leap over and kick Garima right in the face, sending her flying back to Nagisa who jumps, grabs her, and proceeds to throw her away, sending her skipping across the ground rather painfully.

*VROOM!*

The roar of a motorcycle engines draws everyone's attention up to the hill wear arriving at the scene is none other than Dai, already transformed and assuming his Titan form.

"Dai-kun!" Nagisa smiled towards the Rider, glad that he was here.

"Thank god." Honoka breathes a sigh of relief, figuring out that the sword from earlier was from him. He had saved Kiriya.

Dai quickly gets off his bike, taking out the Try-Acceler Rod from his bike, and runs down to the others where Nagisa and Honoka are helping Kiriya up.

"Is everyone alright?" Dai asks.

"We're fine, but Kiriya-kun..." Honoka said, looking worriedly at Kiriya's injury.

"This is nothing, don't worry." Kiriya insists before looking up at Dai who looks back.

...

...

...

"You've got everything sorted out?" Dai asks.

"...To an extent." Kiriya said after some thought before looking over at Ilkubo. "My fate remains the same, though."

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Dai said, turning to face Garima who gets back up with her weapon in hand.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why go so far...for me?" Kiriya asks, looking at the back of Dai's hand.

"Do you really need to ask?" Dai said as the Try-Acceler Rod turns into the Titan Sword. "We're friends. That's all the reason I need."

"Friends..." Kiriya begins to tear up as he looks on at Dai in...admiration? Yes, that's the word. In awe, he and the others watch Dai step forth to battle Garima.

"Kuuga! Come to get in my way again?" Garima said.

"As long as you and the other Grongi continue this sick game, I'll always get in the way." Dai said, brandishing his Titan Sword as sparks of electricity appears from his arms and surround his sword, surprising everyone.

"Dai-kun...?" Nagisa looks at Dai, sensing something different with the Rider.

---

(With Sayuru)

Sparks from broken cables and plugs spark out, but Sayuru wasn't bothered by it as he looked at the sight before him.

"Damn. That kid is something else." A bead of sweat rolls down the man's head as he looks at the wreckage of the room.

The protective glass before him was shattered. The walls were torn apart, exposing the inner circuitry within. The only spot that remain untouched was the spot Dai had been standing on hours ago.

"And this is all from one transformation." Sayuru said as another bead of sweat rolls down his head. "Shit. I'd hate to be the guy who pisses him off."

---

(Back with Dai)

With both hands, Dai thrusts his sword forward, but Garima deflects it with her own sword and moves in close. Her sword goes for his neck, but Dai duck under and turns to see Garima's blade coming for him again. Quickly, his sword gets in the way and stops the blade from coming any further. The two struggle for dominance, but just as quickly as the struggle began, Dai wins as he begins to push Garima back. Seeing the disadvantage position she was in, Garima manages to push Dai's sword away and swing her sword back down. Dai jumps back, narrowly avoiding the the blade from touching his face before he trusts his sword forward. Garima jumps back for enough to be out of the weapons reach as the blade stops just in front of her neck.

Slowly, the two start to circle one another as Dai slowly moves his sword away from Garima and holds it up at the ready. Garima does the same, holding her sword at her side as she contemplates the right time to attack.

To the side, the others watch the fight in silence.

"Shouldn't we go help Dai-kun?" Nagisa said, yet she doesn't make a move.

"I want to, but...there's something about Ichi-kun that's...different." Honoka points out. She couldn't explain it, but whatever it is about Dai that's changed, it was preventing her and Nagisa from jumping in. It was like some force was compelling them to just stay back and watch.

Back to the fight, Dai enters another struggle with Garima. Unlike last time, Garima is using more strength, making it difficult to overpower her. As Dai grits his teeth beneath his helmet, sparks of electricity start to appear from his hands again which in turn spark around his sword. Both sword fighters become alarmed at this before Dai acts quickly and punches Garima away. With some space to himself now, Dai looks down at himself as more electricity starts to appear. It was time.

"Here goes nothing." Dai said before he breaths in and looks deep within himself.

Power. He reaches out towards it. The power that sleeps deep inside of him. Dai calls upon the rising power within him, and the Amadam Stone embedded into his belt responds to his wishes. It brings it up to the surface and erupts like lightning.

From his hands, electricity appears again. From his legs, more sparks of electricity appears. Soon after, sparks of electricity start to cover his entire body and sword, surprising everyone as right before everyone's eyes, Dai began to undergo a change.

The silver that made up most of Titan form's chest armor and gauntlets turns purple. The purple outlines that previously outline the armor turn gold as ancient letters cane be seen from within the golden lines. The upper part of the Titan Sword becomes replaced by a golden blade, looking as if someone had slapped on and combined a piece of thunder on the sword. Finally, the main portion of the Arcle, the buckle, becomes golden as the Amadam Stone embedded within turns gold. Dai's transformation was complete.

"What is that!?" Kiriya exclaims in surprise as he senses an increase in Dai's power. It was unbelievable!

"Nagisa, is that..." Honoka said as she and Nagisa recognize the form Dai is now taking. They had seen it in his journal after all.

"Rising Titan..." Nagisa said, muttering the name of Dai's new form.

"Wha...? What is this?" Garima said, taking a step back as she could feel the overwhelming power from Dai.

The Rider himself turns to Garima and brandishes his newly upgraded sword, the Rising Titan Sword.

Garima expected Dai to say something, words like 'It's over' or 'Your'e finished.' But no words come from Dai and that somehow angers Garima more. Stomping down her fears, Garima lets out a battle cry as she charges straight towards Dai, sword raised to finish off the Rider. Dai makes no move as Garima gets closer and closer. He still does nothing as Garima finally swings her blade down at him. He still does nothing as the blade nears his neck. Because...there was need to move.

*BREAK!*

Garima's eyes widen as her jaw drops in disbelief. The second her blade had struck Dai's neck, the sword had broke! In her shock, she misses the last words she'll ever hear from Dai.

"You've taken your last life."

*STAB!*

Before Garima could blink, Dai's Rising Titan Sword is thrust straight through her gut. Garima gasps in pain as she reaches down and tries to pull the sword out, but it was already too late as cracks start to form and reach her belt. With one last cry, a huge explosion occurs, forcing everyone to cover their eyes from the shockwave as the explosion caused from Garima was much more huge than previous explosions from previous Grongi. Once the winds died down, everyone looked up to see that Garima was no more as Dai stood there, victorious.

"Sugoi(Amazing)..." Nagisa mutters as she stares at Dai's new golden form.

"So that's the golden power..." Honoka said as she takes in Dai's new appearance.

Kiriya, on the other hand, is speechless. He looks at Dai in awe as Dai turns over to them...and gives them a thumbs up.

"...damn." Kiriya hangs his head down, but smiles. Dai, his senior, was just too amazing. It's no wonder he never won against him.

"It's time." Suddenly, Ilkubo speaks up, reminding everyone of his presence.

Alarmed, the girls held onto Kiriya protectively.

"Stay back!" Nagisa said.

"We won't let you have Kiriya-Guh!?"

Before Honoka could finish, Kiriya removed himself from the girls before striking their stomachs, hitting hard enough for the girls to be forced of their knees as they held the sport Kiriya had struck.

"Kiriya-kun, why?" Nagisa manages to get out.

"I said it before, this is as far as I can escape from my fate." Kiriya said, holding his bleeding chest as he walks over to Ilkubo.

"It can't be..." Honoka mutters, Realizing what Kiriya was about to do, she rises up to stop him, but Nagisa grabs her, preventing her from going any further.

"No! Don't go! Kiriya-kun!" Honoka cries out, trying to get out of Nagisa's hold, but Nagisa held on strong. As much as she wanted to stop Kiriya too, she knew that they were in no condition to do so.

"You won't be running away?" Ilkubo asked Kiriya.

"No." The young Dark General replied without hesitation.

"You understand what happens to someone who betrays Dark King-sama's will?"

"I am prepared."

"Kiriya-kun!" Honoka screams the boy's name in vain as Ilkubo opens his robes to reveal nothing, but darkness. With resignation, Kiriya enters the darkness.

"Kiriya!" The boy stops himself as Dai's voice calls out his name. Turning his head, he sees Dai standing over the girls, his transformation undone and with nothing, but the Try-Acceler Rod in his hand.

"Ichi-kun! Please! You have to save Kiriya-kun!" Honoka begs the Rider for help, but Dai shakes his head.

"I wish I could." Dai said, looking down at the girls. Honoka wanted to ask why when she figured it out form Dai's gaze. Even if he did try to save Kiriya, Ilkubo would go after them. Dai was choosing to prioritize their safety over rescuing Kiriya from his fate.

With a heavy heart, Dai accepts that there wasn't anything he could do to help Kiriya now. But that doesn't mean he'll do nothing.

"Kiriya!" The boy turnd to him when he hears his name. Taking a deep breath, Dai puts on the best smile he could muster and says to Kiriya what may be the last words they'll exchange.

"I'll see you later."

"!" Kiriya looks at Dai in surprise. Those words, such a thing would be impossible. But as he looked at Dai's smile, Kiriya couldn't help, but want them to be true. So he said back to the Rider, no, his friend...

"Yeah...I'll see you later." With the biggest smile he could muster, a smile that looked quite awkward due to him never smiling this big before, Kiriya gave Dai and the girls a thumbs up. The was the last thing Dai and the girls saw before Kiriya disappeared into the darkness before being hidden away by Ilkubo's robes.

"What is this power of yours?" Ilkubo said, looking at the trio before him. "The legendary warriors of the Garden of Light...the ancient warrior known as Kuuga...the powers you three possess...it's inconceivable." And with that, right before their eyes, Ilkubo vanishes like a ghost with no trace of him to show he had been there.

---

(Later)

Minutes go by as the only ones in the area were just the three of them. As time went by, a car pulls over and out steps out Ryō. When the man stepped out of his car, the scene he comes upon were the girls sitting at the hill with Mepple and Mipple out in their true forms. Dai, meanwhile, stands next to them while leaning on his bike.

Sensing the mood in the air, Ryō goes over to Dai and asks, "What happened?"

"I defeated Garima..." Dai said before turning to Ryō. A sad frown replaces his usual smile. "But we lost a friend today."

Ryō's eyes widen in surprise before he looks down at the girls, understanding the mood now.

"I see." Is all the man can say before he goes back to his car to report while also giving the three friends some privacy.

"Kiriya-kun...I wonder if he really did have fun at school?"

"Eh?" Nagisa, Dai, and the fairies look over at Honoka.

"Wasn't he just a normal junior high school student? He must have had the same feelings as us when he came to school."

"Honoka..." Nagisa stares at her friend in worry. No doubt, the girl must have felt like crying, but Honoka wasn't allowing herself to do that right now.

"Friends, companions, I hope he understood them."

"He did." Dai suddenly speaks up, getting everyone to turn to him as Dai places a hand on Honoka's shoulder in a comforting way. "I'm sure, that in the end, he understood them."

"...but why?" Honoka looks down at her hands where she holds the Prism Stone Kiriya gave her.

"Honoka..." Nagisa looks at her friend in worry before she decides to speak out her thoughts on the matter. "Kiriya-kun...I guess Kiriya-kun couldn't change the fate he's had since birth. But, in the end, by giving up his Prism Stone, he showed us the courage to fight against fate."

"Courage?" Honoka looks at her friend at that.

"That's right," Nagisa stands up and looks up at the stars in the night sky. "And in order to honor that courage, we must protect Mepple and Mipple until the end." She then looks at Dai. "And also bring the Gegeru to end as soon as possible."

"Right." Dai nodded in agreement as he looked at the stars with Nagisa and Honoka soon joined them.

For Kiriya, their dear friend, they'll all do what they need to do. That was a promise they all intended to keep.

---

And...done! Wow, you people have no idea how difficult it was for me to write this. The problem doesn't lie with the characters or the handle of it, though I do have some opinion on that, no the problem lies with how I handled Garima's turn. Specifically, how she marked her targets before going after them. As you all know, the Grongi go everywhere all over Japan, mostly Tokyo, in order to play their game. Well, the thing is, it's never really explained just where exactly the girls live. The "Garden of Rainbows" really doesn't give a lot of clues, if any. So I went to the wiki and found out that the girls might be living somewhere in the Greater Tokyo Area, specifically, somewhere between Kawasaki and Yokohama. So after going through and researching different train lines and calculating distances on Google map, I decided to say "fuck it" and decided that the girls' school, Verone, might be somewhere in Kawasaki, while the girls' homes are somewhere in Yokohama and worked from there.

Anyway, now that that's out of the way, let's talk about my future plans for this series. Specifically, some now crossovers. With Hugtto about to come to an end comes the new, upcoming PreCure team, Star Twinkle. Just from the name, you can guess it's space related. And what Rider do we think of when space is mentioned? Fourze. "But Ashbel, don't you already have Fourze crossed over with another team?" Yes, but there is literally no one better to pair up with Star Twinkle than Fourze. So with that, I had to make a few changes. So without further ado, here are the new crossovers for this series.

Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart: Agito

Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star: Double

Yes! PreCure 5: Ryuki

Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!: Faiz

Fresh Pretty Cure: Den-O

HeartCatch PreCure!: Kabuto

Suite PreCure: Hibiki

Smile PreCure: Ghost

DokiDoki! PreCure: Blade

HappinessCharge PreCure: Decade

Go! Princess PreCure: Kiva

Maho Girls PreCure: Wizard

Kirakira PreCure a la Mode: Gaim

Hugtto! PreCure: OOO

Star Twinkle PreCure: Fourze

So if you read closely, I am now pairing Smile PreCure with Ghost. If you're wondering why, it has to do with similar concepts. For Smile, it was "true happiness is not about winning or losing, but about giving your best." For Ghost, it's: "cherishing your one life." The early episodes of Ghost always felt that way to me before it became the mess it did later on and I felt these two concepts could work hand in hand together. Which is why I decided to pair them up. Look out for a preview I have planned, if I can get to it since my winter break is about to come to an end soon.

Anyway, that's all I have to say for now. I hope you all liked today's chapter and Dai's first use of Rising Titan! This has been Ashbel Longhart here, signing out. And like always, here's...

---

Pretty Cure: Rider Fun Facts

"Hello minna-san! Mepple and Mipple here along with our partners here to bring you another new episode of Pretty Cure: Rider Fun Facts-mepo!" Mepple said as he and Mipple stepped onto the stage along with Nagisa and Honoka.

"Man, today was a chapter of emotions." Nagisa comments.

"You can say that again-mepo!" Mepple said. "While the author feels like he could have done better with handling Kiriya's character, he still has plans for the kid so you haven't seen the last of Kiriya-mepo."

"So Kiriya's not dead?" Honoka asked hopefully.

"Nope, but you won't be seeing him in a long while-mepo." Mepple said. "Anyway, time to get to why we're really here-mepo."

"Is it about Dai-kun's new form?" Nagisa asked.

"That's correct!" Mepple said as appearing on the screen as Dai's new form, the Rising Titan form.

"With a punching Power of 7 tons, and a kicking Power of 10 tons, Dai's stats haven't really changed at all-mepo. It's the same for his jumping ability and running speed-mepo."

"Eh? But when that Garima lady swung her sword at him, it broke." Nagisa said, pointing out that one scene.

"That's right-mipo." Mipple spoke up, taking over. "While Dai's stats havne't changed, his defenses have increased as you saw before-mipo. Not only that, but his regular Titan Sword has been upgraded to the longer, stronger Rising Titan Sword-mipo."

"He can even create a second sword if he wanted to, giving him the ability to duel wield-mepo." Mepple added.

"Really? That sounds awesome!" Nagisa exclaims excitedly.

"What else can Ichi-kun now do in this form?" Honoka asks.

"With this new form and sword, Dai can now perform a new finishing move, the Rising Calamity Titan-mipo." Mipple said as the scene of Dai defeating Garima plays on the screen. "This is a stronger version of the regular Calamity Titan, as people can probably guess. And if Dai were to use two swords, her could perform the Double Rising Calamity Titan-mipo."

"Wow that's a mouthful-mepo." Mepple comments with the girls nodding in agreement. "Welp, that's all the time we have folks! Tune in next time for the gang is going to summer camp-mepo! Until then, see you next time!"

As the gang wave goodbye, the title for the next episode appears.

Next Time: Danger! The Summer Camp Nightmare and The Great Grakenngi Hunt!?