Hello Fanfiction readers! Ashbel Longhart here back with another chapter for you all to enjoy! Sorry that this took a while, but college life needs my entire attention. Luckily for me, I managed to find some time to work on this chapter. Before I go any further, cue disclaimer!
(Disclaimer: I do not own Kamen Rider Kuuga or Futari wa Pretty Cure. They both belong to their respective owners. I just own this story and my OC's.)
Now then, last time, it was summer break for the gang and the girls were at their summer camps, joined by Dai who had to hunt down some Grakenngi. But during the camp, Illkubo showed up, distracting Dai while he dealt with the girls. In the end, the Dark General succeeded in finding Wisdom and took him away. It's up to the girls to save the Prism Stones and with Dai along for the ride, things are bound to get crazy.
I'm almost there people. The halfway mark is nearly in sight. Just a few more chapters before I go back to working on my other stories. Stick with me readers because this is going to be a long ride. Chou Henshin!
Ride 22: Decisive Battle! Pretty Cure and Kuuga vs. Illkubo!
(One Year Ago)
"Eh? Honoka-chan left on a summer camping trip?" Dai asked the old lady that was Honoka's grandmother.
"Yes. She didn't tell you?" Sanae asked and Dai shook his head. "Oh my, Honoka's usually not that forgetful."
"It's fine," Dai assured the grandmother while he gave the family dog, Chuutaro, gentle strokes across its fur. "I haven't been around as much as I usually see her at the library. My friend Nagisa-chan also left on a summer trip so I was hoping I could hang out with Honoka-chan."
"Is that so? It must be lonely, not having your friends around." Sanae said.
"I won't lie, it is," Dai said before flashing a smile at the grandmother. "But it's fine. They have their own lives after all. It's not like I have a huge part in it."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Sanae said. "Honoka's been a lot more cheerful thanks to you."
"Me?"
"Yes. Back before she met you, Honoka used to be a lot more reserved," Sanae said, looking up at the sky. "She's been like that since the passing of my husband. Her parents aren't usually around much due to their work so she spent most of her time with Kengo and me. They were very close, so it hit her harder when Kengo passed away on the day of her birthday."
Dai couldn't help but wince at that last part. To have a family member die on the day of your birthday? That would be hard on anyone.
"It's been years, yet I don't think Honoka ever really got over it," Sanase said before turning to Dai. "Until she met you."
"Me? What did I do?"
"You befriended her. I'm not sure if you know, but Honoka doesn't have many friends. Not only that, but you remind me a bit of my husband."
"I do?" Dai asked and the old woman nodded.
"Honoka told me once about your tendency to help others. Kengo was like that as well. It was that very same reason why he joined the army."
"Your husband was a soldier?" Now that bit of info surprised Dai.
"Yes. A WWII veteran, he was," Sanae said, dropping another surprising bit of info. "He...changed a little after the war, but his need to help others never disappeared. I'm sure that's why Honoka's changed since meeting you."
"Because I remind her of her grandfather?" Dai asked.
"I believe so," Sanae said. "I'm sure she knows that you're not Kengo, but your presence has helped Honoka relax more nonetheless." Sanase then goes and places a hand on Dai's. "Which is why I would like it if you'd continue to be friends with Honoka and help her when she needs it.
"Of course," Dai responded immediately. After all, helping friends is what friends do.
(Now)
"Does everyone understand? This is an emergency meeting." The Vice Principal said as everyone was gathered in the cafeteria.
"Not only the electricity but the phones aren't working either. With that being the case, we plan to try and get off this mountain tomorrow morning, so go to bed early tonight, everyone." No one spoke up, looks of worry still on everyone's faces. Hoping to cheer them up, the Vice Principal spoke again, but even he was worried for themselves.
"We promise that everyone will get home safely so do not worry. Your moms and dads will surely get to see your youthful faces once again. Let's all pray to the god of the mountain that we'll be able to go home alive."
"Now now, Kyoutou-sensei, this isn't going to be a disaster." The Principal said to his colleague who was tearing up.
"Uh, certainly..."
"Everybody, in this kind of situation it's important to stay calm," Ryō said, stepping in. "Everyone please work together and stay focused."
"Hai(Okay)~!" Everyone said as one.
"Ichijo-san is absolutely right. Everyone is expected to go to bed right after dinner so please prepare for tonight." Kyoutou said and everyone responded with another "Hai!" before everyone stood up to prepare for tonight.
"Isn't it scary, Nagisa?" Shiho said to her friend, but the girl did not respond back. "Nagisa?"
"Huh?" Hearing her name, Nagisa turned to Shiho. "What?"
"Can you not doze off like that? If you of all people get like this, then we'll all get anxious," Shiho said.
"Gomen(Sorry)." Nagisa apologized as Shiho walked away to prepare for tonight.
"Yukishiro-san, you think you can explain all this?" Rina asked the famous 'Chishiki no joō(Queen of Knowledge).'
"Eh? Um..." But of course, Honoka couldn't explain it to the girl for the reason behind this was unscientific and downright unbelievable.
"So even Yukishiro-san doesn't know." Taking her silence as the girl not knowing, Rina turned to Dai who had been sitting with them. "What about you, Dai-kun?"
"Sorry, if Honoka-chan doesn't know, then I don't know either," Dai said with an embarrassed smiled, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"I guess that's true," Seeing as she won't be getting any answers, Rina went to go join up with Shiho, leaving the three alone with Ryō who had stayed behind so he could talk with the three.
"The lake dying up, the leaves falling off of trees, and the fact we can't get any electricity running as well as having no way to contact the outside..." Ryō listed off before turning to the girls who were more used to these situations. "It's those people again, isn't it? The Dark Zone?"
"Hai(Yes)." The two girls nodded, confirming the man's suspicion.
"Well, this is just great," Ryō sarcastically said, adjusting his glasses. With no way to contact the outside, he couldn't call for reinforcements. Not only that but there were many civilians here that could get caught up in the crossfire. He did not like the current situation, not one bit.
"What should we do, Ichijo-san?" Dai asked the adult. All they could really do was wait for Illkubo to return. There was no need to worry about any more Grakenngi as the fairies confirmed that there were no more dark presences in the forest. Even still, they all had to be hot on their toes for the incoming danger that could strike at any moment.
"For now, we keep this to ourselves. Try not to make anyone more anxious than they are right now, it'll only cause trouble." Ryō explained before pointing to the girls. "You two should head to bed after dinner like everyone else. Dai and I will keep watch overnight in case if the enemy comes knocking at outdoors."
"I suppose that's the only thing we can do," Honoka said as she and Nagisa got up from their seats.
"I don't like this." Nagisa outright stated. With the Prism Hopeish now in enemy hands and with how powerful Illkubo is, she was worried if she and Honoka could protect the last two Prism Stones held by their respective fairies.
"Me neither, but all we can do is prepare for the upcoming fight," Dai said before placing a hand on Nagisa's shoulder. "Make sure you and Honoka-chan get plenty of rest. We need all the energy we can muster if we want to reclaim the Prism Hopeish." He then showed off his signature go-lucky smile. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to support you two. With all three of us combined, we can't lose."
Nagisa and Honoka couldn't help but smile back as they nodded, encouraged.
And so, after dinner, which was managed by both Dai and Akane, everyone went to bed as told with Dai and Ryō patroling and keeping watch, switching every few hours. Unknown to all, evil was closely watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and claim the last two Stones for his master.
(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 screenshot 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 the 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, Ilkubo, Poisony, Kiriya, and Gekidrago.
(I'm never falling down! oi kaze wo se ni fukitobasu Destiny!) Both sides traded 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.
(Nighttime)
All was quiet through the night. With no power running through the building, it soon turned dark before the moon even rose up. Like they had been told, all the students went to bed after eating dinner. However, two were currently up, sneaking out of their room and out of sight.
Holding up the card that would summon the Stone Guardian known as Wisdom, Nagisa swiped it against the scanner, but unlike before, nothing happened.
"Nothing..." Nagisa had expected this, but she held onto a small hope that the Guardian would pop up if she used the card. But this just confirmed that there was no easy way of getting Wisdom back from Illkubo.
"Just as I thought, we can't summon the Guardian-mepo," Mepple said, confirming Nagisa's thoughts.
"We'll just have to search for the Guardian and the Prism Stones then," Mipple suggested.
"Mipple, we can't be too hasty-mepo," Mepple said, turning to his lover. "If we move carelessly, the two Prism Stones we carry with us will be put in danger-mepo!"
"The danger is irrelevant-mipo," Mipple said. "If no one's going to go, then I'll go by myself-mipo!"
"Mipple!" Both the girls watched in surprise as the fairy jumped out of Honoka's hands and tried moving away, but she never got far due to still being in phone form as she fell to the ground, transforming into her true form in the process.
"Mipple!" Concerned for his lover, Mepple transformed as well and hurried on over to Mipple side, helping the fairy up. "Calm down-mepo."
"That's right." Both girls said as they picked up their respective partners.
"I want to hurry and get the Prism Hopeish back too but..." The fact that Illkubo was the one who had the Prism Hopeish, the guy she and Honoka have yet to even win against, their chances of rescuing Wisdom was slim. "...what should we do?"
"We can't forget about what the man said. He'll be back for the other two Stones," Honoka said, sharing Nagisa's thoughts.
"There's no telling when that guy will appear. Just what can we do?"
"Can we even protect everyone with our current power?" Honoka said as she and Nagisa looked outside through the balcony window, doubt filling their eyes as they stared up at the moon.
"If you think like that, then you've already lost." Suddenly, a voice spoke up before a flashlight was pointed at the girls, making them cover their eyes. Lowering the light, the one who spoke was none other than Ryō.
"Ichijo-san!" Seeing the man, the girls relaxed a little, having thought it was one of the other adults as Mepple and Mipple were still out.
"Couldn't sleep?" The man asks as he walks up to the two, four if he included the fairies.
"No..." Nagisa admitted as she held up the Guardian card. "We thought we could summon the Guardian, but it didn't work."
"Dai told me what happened," Ryō said so that the girls didn't have to explain. "He also told me the guy responsible was the same one who showed up along with No. 0."
At the mention of Daguva, both girls unconsciously rubbing where their scars were at.
"Are you two feeling doubtful that you can stop such a person?" Hesitant at first, the girls eventually nodded their heads, admitting to the man's words.
"Before, the previous people we fought from the Dark Zone, despite how powerful they were, we always somehow managed to pull off a win," Nagisa said before looking down. "But with that guy..."
"He's not like the others we faced before," Honoka said, continuing for Nagisa. "He's strong, unbelievably so. The only reason why Nagisa and I are still here is that he always lets us go in the end. But this time..."
"This time it might be different," Nagisa said. "We don't know what we should do."
Ryō looks at the two girls who were drowning in doubt. Thinking to himself, the man tries to think of a way to encourage the girls even if such a thing wasn't exactly his strong point.
"I can't tell you what to do. I'm only human after all."
"We're human too you know," Nagisa mutters, but Ryō heard her.
"I know, but you two are humans with powers, much like Dai," Ryō said, adjusting his glasses before continuing. "But do you see me giving up against the Grongi?"
"Eh?" Blinking, the girls look at Ryō who explains.
"What sets me and you two apart is the fact that you two have powers no one has ever seen before, much like Dai. We in the police force, despite our constant efforts, always have to fall back and rely on Dai to finish the job against the Grongi. If it wasn't for Dai's constant aid, I'm not sure I would even still be alive right now. However, despite how dangerous the Grongi are, I still keep going to fight them. Yes, they're much stronger than me, maybe even smarter too, but I'll never stop fighting. No matter the odds, I refuse to give up. If there's something I can do, I'll do it."
"That's why you two shouldn't give up either," Ryō said to the girls, looking at them. "I've seen you two fight. Despite the odds against you, you two always got up and continued fighting. The same goes for Dai as well. Despite the odds, despite how many times he gets hurt, he keeps fighting. You two have seen it for yourself, haven't you?"
The girls said nothing, but they knew what Ryō was talking about. Many times was Dai hurt to the point of bleeding. And many times, Dai felt frustrated over the deaths caused by the Grongi. Even still, he still kept fighting.
"We all have our own battles, and we all have our moments of doubt. But the most important thing to do is to never give up," Ryō said. "You said before in your fight against that woman, right? That you two are still growing? You won because you found a way to win. It's the same here, and it's the same with us. No matter how times it takes, we'll always try to find a way to win. It's the only thing we can do."
"Ichijo-san..."
Ryō gestures for the girls to go back to their rooms. "Get some sleep you two. If what you say is true, then you'll need all the energy you'll need if you want any chance against the guy you're fighting against."
"...Hai(Yes)!" Nodding with renewed resolve, the girls thanked the man before heading back to their rooms. Ryō watches the go before he too takes his leave, continuing his patrol. There wasn't much he can do in this situation, but he'll do what he can. After all, it's the only thing he can do.
And so, the night went on without incident. The girls, while still doubtful, managed to fall asleep, encouraged by Ryō's words.
Unknown to all, however, evil had already struck.
(The Next Day, Morning)
Breaking through the half-closed blinds, sunlight pierced through and struck Dai's closed eyes. Nothing happened at first even as the rays of the sun grew warmer. But then, from inside of him, the Arcle glowed brightly from within him before the glow dimmed down and disappeared. After that did Dai finally start to move. Feeling the warmth of the rays, Dai let out a grumble as he slowly sat up from his bed and let out a yawn while stretching. Looks like he got plenty of rest last night...which shouldn't have happened.
"Hm?" Blinking in confusion, Dai got out of bed and looked around the room he basically had to himself as, excluding the adults, he was the only male here.
"Did Ichijo-san forget to switch shifts with me?" He and the detective had only switched shifts once as the man told him about his conversation with the girls last night before changing. Confused, Dai exited the room and gasped. Laying on the floor not too far from his room was an unconscious Ryō, flat on the floor with the flashlight he used last night discarded next to him.
"Ichijo-san!" Alarmed, Dai immediately rushed over to his side and tried to shake the man awake. "Ichijo-san! Ichijo-san! Okite(Wake up), Ichijo-san!" The Rider shook the man as hard as he could, but the detective would not wake up.
"Something's not right..." Deducing that something was amiss, Dai leaned Ryō against the wall before taking off. He ran to where the teachers were staying in and with a quick "Shitsurei shimasu(Excuse me)!" he entered the room and found both the Principal and Vice Principal still in bed. Going up to the teachers, Dai tried to wake them up.
"Sensei! It's morning, wake up! Sensei!" Dai first shook the Principal but got no reaction from the man. Going to the Vice Principal, he got the same results.
"It's the same as Ichijo-san. What about-!" Worry growing, Dai ran out of the room and headed towards where the girls were at, running through the halls until he made it to the dining hall where he promptly ran into...
"Ah!"
"Oof!"
Just as he turned the corner, Dai caught a brief flash of the color ginger before running into someone, sending the person falling down while Dai stumbled back and would have fallen as well if he didn't recover his balance.
"Ichi-kun!" With his body not shaking anymore, Dai saw Honoka looking at him in surprise while down on the ground was Nagisa.
"Ow..." Nagisa groaned as she rubbed her behind, having fallen on her butt.
"Nagisa-chan! Honoka-chan! Thank god you two are okay!" Dai exclaims in relief.
"We can say the same," Honoka said as she helps Nagisa up. "Everyone's acting weird."
"Are they all sound asleep and not waking up?" Dai asked and the girls nodded. "It's the same with Ichijo-san and the teachers. What about Akane-san? Wasn't she helping with keeping watch?"
"She like everyone else, sound asleep," Nagisa said, having been the one who found the woman unconscious.
"So it's just the three of us," Dai said. "For something like this to happen, it could only be..."
"Nagisa!" Suddenly, Mepple spoke up and the girl took out the fairy from her pocket, opening it up to reveal a worried looking Mepple. "I have a bad feeling-mepo!"
"Same here!" Taking her fairy partner out, Honoka held up Mipple as she spoke. "It's definitely coming here-mipo."
"It's got to be..." Both the girls and Dai said, realizing what the fairies were talking about.
"It's here-mepo/mipo!" Both the fairies said before closing themselves up. Just as they did, the front door suddenly swung open as a large gust of wind blew through, sending leaves flying in as the trio held up their arms to shield against the wind.
"Come on!" With no other choice, Dai led the way as the girls followed him outside where a small tornado was occurring right outside the camp. From within the tornado, a figure could be seen until the tornado subsided, revealing none other than Illkubo.
"It's him," Nagisa said as everyone put up their guard. "What have you done to everybody?"
"You mean the people sleeping inside this camp?" Illkubo said before holding up a ball of darkness much like the one the three had seen when he first appeared with Daguva. "Their life force, their vitality, is all in here."
"Change everyone back!" Honoka demanded from the Dark General.
"Impossible. As if now, this all belongs to Dark King-sama."
"Playing with people's life energy, we won't forgive you!" Dai exclaims, having unfinished business with the Dark General as this would be the second time he fought him since his first appearance.
"If that is how you feel, then try and take it back by force." Illkubo challenged the three, lowering the ball of energy and putting it away as he approached the three. "I can't believe I'm having so much trouble dealing with you. Now then, hand over the last two Prism Stones that you have!"
"There's no way we'll do that!" Nagisa exclaims in defiance.
"You might think yourself strong, but your powers are weak. Everything will bow to the will of Dark King-sama!" With his powers, Illkubo lifted up a fallen tree and chucked it at the three. Quickly, the three ran out of the way just before the tree lands right where they used to be. With a thrust of his hands, a shockwave explodes right in front of the tree, kicking up dirt as they all stop running and faced the Dark General.
"If you think we'll just get on our knees and bow, then you got another thing coming!" Dai exclaims as he summons the Arcle around his waist.
"Nagisa! Hurry and transform-mepo!" Mepple cries out.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Getting out their respective Queen Cards, the girls swipe the card while Dai goes through the hand motions and shouts.
"Duel Aurora Wave!"
"Henshin!"
Once again, blinding rainbow lights erupted from the girls, hiding them from sight as the light also hides Dai's form. As the pulsing of the Arcle was drowned out by the noise the lights were making, Dai finished transforming into his Mighty form just as the light subsides, revealing the now transformed Pretty Cure.
"Hikari no shisha, Cure-!"
"No time!" Dai suddenly barged in, interrupting and stopping the girls' introduction before it could even begin.
"Uh, right!" Recovering from the sudden interruption, Nagisa and Honoka stand by Dai's side as they all face Illkubo.
"No matter what you try, even with extra help, the results will be the same," Illkubo said.
"We'll see about that!" Dai said as he practically leaps towards Illkubo, throwing a punch which the Dark General catches. Dai throws another punch which ended in the same result and the two enter into a power struggle.
"I see you've already dispatched the Grakenngi I sent after you, well done," Illkubo compliments the Rider as he tries to overpower him.
"I thought those Grakenngi were acting more crazier than normal, so it was you!" Dai said as he tries to overpower the Dark General but finds it harder than he anticipated.
Suddenly, the girls jump in, both of them spinning around as they aimed a double roundhouse kick towards Illkubo's face. Seeing the two Cures coming, Illkubo manages to push Dai back and leans back in time to narrowly dodge the girls' kicks. Landing right behind him, the girls turn and throw a double punch towards his back. Turning around faster than the girls thought he would, the Dark General blocks their punches with no effort. The girls then throw punches and kicks at Illkubo, hoping to scare a hit in, but the Dark General perfectly blocks and deflects all their attacks. He is then reminded of Dai's presence as the Rider comes in from behind him, throwing a straight punch towards him. Just as the punch was about to hit him, Illkubo suddenly teleports away, making Dai miss and the girls stumble forward due to his lack of presence. Confused, the three look around until the Dark General reappears right behind them and with a loud cry, yells out a powerful shockwave that sends the three crashing into the camp building. Not a second later, the three jumps out, the Cures punching through the roof while Dai simply jumps out from the now broken windows.
"As I said, despite the extra help, the results are once again the same. Your fates are in the palm of my hand and this hand will destroy anyone who opposes Dark King-sama's will."
"We're done yet!" Dai said, assuming his stance.
Seeing as the three were far from discouraged, Illkubo suddenly says, "Why don't we take a look at what kind of future you have."
With a wave of his hand, everything suddenly starts shaking. Jumping down from the roof, the girls rejoin Dai's side as the three watch their surroundings change. Buildings in complete ruin rise from the ground, surrounding the camp building as more and more appear until they were completely surrounded.
"Your struggle is useless. You cannot escape the great Dark Power anymore," Illkubo said. "What do you think? Isn't this a suitable scene for your grave?"
"Like hell it is!" Dai exclaims.
"No way will this be our graves! Here I come!" Nagisa shouts as she recklessly charges at Illkubo only to be sent back by a blast of force from the Dark General.
"Black!" Quickly, Honoka goes to catch her friend and succeeds only to fall down with her.
"White, hang in there-mipo!"
"Black, are you okay-mepo!" From their carriers, the fairies cry out in worry for their partners.
"Why you...!" Angry, Dai tries his luck with the Dark General, charging straight forward. The Dark General sends out a blast of force, hitting the Rider, but he was able to stand his ground by planting his feet firmly down. Gathering power into his feet, Dai shoots off and throws a punch at Illkubo who catches it. He throws another only to end up like last time.
"You're just like those two, never learning from your mis-!" Dai proceeded to shut the Dark General up with a headbutt to his face, surprising him as the Dark General stumbles back holding his face which gave Dai the chance to deliver a well-placed kick to Illkubo's gut, sending the Dark General back skidding against his feet.
"You were saying?" Dai said, smirking under his helmet.
"Impressive. Just what I expected from a fellow warrior of darkness." Illkubo said, straightening up.
"Warrior of darkness?" Honoka, hearing what Illkubo said, repeated in confusion as she and Nagisa got back up.
"Dai-kun?" Nagisa looked towards the Rider who made no comment.
"Yes. Surely you two have seen it before," Illkubo said.
At Illkubo's words, the times where Dai's exploded into rage appeared in the girls' head as they vividly remembered the darkness that erupted from him during those times.
"The power of darkness is strong within you, Kuuga," Illkubo said. "Yet why is someone like you helping warriors of light such as these Pretty Cures? You should be fighting them like I am, not aiding them."
Before Dai could say anything, Nagisa and Honoka suddenly interject by coming in, aiming flying kicks towards Illkubo.
"Dai-kun's not like that!"
"That's right! Ichi-kun isn't like you!"
"Hmph!" Not taking them seriously, Illkubo sends another shockwave from his hands, sending the girls screaming and flying back where they crashed against one of the ruined buildings and fall down.
"Girls!" Dai turns over to where the girls landed at and gasp in horror when the building they crashed into suddenly shakes and begins to fall down. "Abunai(Watch out)!"
Pushing themselves up, the girls could only gasp as the watched the building come toppling down towards them. Closing their eyes, the sound of debris crashing into the ground was heard, but the girls felt no pain. Slowly opening their eyes, the girls look and gasp when standing above them was Dai, arms spread out as he used his body to push back a stack of stone, brick, and steel beams, preventing them from crushing the girls.
"Probably...should've used...Titan form...!" Dai grits through his teeth too focused on pushing the pile on top of his back to transform into a form that would make his situation much easier.
"Dai/Ichi-kun!" The girls cry out, worry and guilt evident from their expression.
"You two...alright?" The Rider asks the Cures.
"Us? What about you!?" Nagisa exclaims in worry.
"This is...nothing!" Dai grits out as it was clear that he was struggling.
"Hold on, we'll help you!" Honoka said as she and Nagisa get up to do just that when suddenly, the pile of weight on Dai was blown off by none other than Illkubo.
"Eh?"
"If you were crushed under that, it would be troublesome to find the Stones," Illkubo said. "Now, give me the Stones!"
"We won't give them to you!" Honoka exclaims in defiance.
"Ever!" Nagisa added as she helps support Dai up.
"You brats really are stubborn," Illkubo said before turning his attention to Dai. "And what about you? You saw what happened. Because of those two, you're in the state right now. They're simply holding you back."
Both the girls wince at the Illkubo's words. As much as they wanted to deny it, a part of them agreed with the Dark General as guilt once again fills them.
"I think you're misunderstanding something here," Dai speaks up, pulling away from Nagisa and he straightens up. "It's true, Kuuga's powers can be considered dark when compared to the girl's powers." He then raises his hand and pointed at Illkubo. "However, just because I may use the powers of darkness, doesn't mean I'm evil like you!"
"Dai-kun..." Nagisa mutters as she and Honoka look at the Rider in surprise before smiling.
"He's right!" Honoka said loudly. "Ichi-kun is nothing like you!"
"No matter what you say, we'll never give up!" Nagisa exclaims before turning to Honoka. "White, let's try the Marble Screw!"
"Eh? But yesterday it had no effect."
"We have to at least try, for Dai-kun's sake too!" Nagisa said. Despite the strong front he showed off, she knew that Dai was hurting under his armor. Because of them, he's...
"Let's try it!" Nagisa insisted and Honoka eventually compiled as the two clasped hands together.
"Black Thunder!
"White Thunder!"
*BOOM!*
From the sky, the pair of black and white thunderbolts rain down and land in the girls' raised hands. Tightly gripping their hands together, the girls thrust their hands towards Illkubo and shout their signature finisher.
"Purikyua no utsukushiki tamashī ga…"
"... Jaaku na kokoro wo uchikudaku!"
"Pretty Cure Marble Screw!"
The blast of a black and white shoot out from the girls, coiling around one another as the attack neared Illkubo. Not even batting an eye, Illkubo holds up one hand and stops the coiled blast. Then, with both hands, he completely cancels the attack.
"No matter how many times you try, the results will always be the same!"
"It didn't work after all, is there any way to win?" Honoka said, growing doubtful.
"No, don't lose faith!" Nagisa said.
"But without a miracle, we can't hope to beat him like this." Their attacks were ineffective and Dai was currently the most injured. As the way things stand, they had little chance of winning.
"Don't be like that. Remember what Ichijo-san said to us!" Nagisa said, reminding her friend and partner their discussion with the detective last night.
"We all have our own battles, and we all have our moments of doubt. But the most important thing to do is to never give up."
"Despite the danger, Ichijo-san never pulled back in facing the Grongi. He never gave up and neither should we!"
"She's right," Dai said, joining the girls' side as they all faced down the Dark General before them. "We can't expect a miracle to come crashing down to save us. So the only thing we can do make a miracle of our own!"
Honoka looks at the Rider. "Make our own miracle?"
"That's right." The Rider said, turning over to Honoka. "If you give up now, you'll forever regret it. Do you really want that? You'll disappoint your Ojī-chan in heaven if you do."
A look of surprise appears on Honoka's face before it's soon replaced with one of resolve. "No way!"
"That's the spirit!" Nagisa smiles. "As for me, I'll never stop until I knock this guy a good one!"
"As expected of the legendary warriors-mepo!" Mepple said from his carrier.
"Honoka, no matter what happens, I'll stay with you to the bitter end-mipo!" Mipple says from her carrier. "Now's the time to show the power of the legendary warriors-mipo!"
"Yosh(Alright)! What's the plan?" Dai asks as he gets ready to move.
The girls hum to themselves, thinking of what they could do until Nagisa speaks up.
"That pendant on his chest," Nagisa points over to the said pendant hanging around Illkubo's neck. "Why don't we target that?"
"It's worth a shot," Honoka said.
"Then let's go!" With Dai taking the lead, the girls follow behind as the three charge towards Illkubo.
"You guys are terrible at giving up," Illkubo comments as he allows the three to get close to him. With unbelievable skill, he manages to block every attack sent at him. Punches, kicks, nothing got past him, not even Dai who was slowed down by his injuries.
"No matter what, it'll always be futile."
"Not yet!" Throwing a feint, Dai catches Illkubo by surprise with a surprise uppercut to the chin, sending the Dark General stumbling back and holding his chin. "Nagisa-chan, Honoka-chan, now's your chance!"
"Ha!" Using Dai as leverage, the girls jump up onto his shoulders before jumping off and twirled straight towards, Illkubo, sending out a double screw kick.
Honoka was the first to reach him as Illkubo quickly crosses his arms to block the kick only to have his arms pushed back. Honoka smiles before Illkubo grabs her and throws her away only to see Nagisa coming in quickly. He hastily brings his guard up only for Nagisa to push through as her kick strikes the pendant hanging around his neck.
"I hit it!" Nagisa smiles and cheers as she leaps off of Illkubo, sending the Dark General skidding back as she lands right next to Dai and Honoka.
Suddenly, the ruined buildings around them suddenly turn transparent until they completely vanish, bringing them all back to the forest.
"We did it! We made a miracle!" Honoka cheered.
"We can do it if we just try!" Nagisa said as she sends a smile at Dai who responds back with an agreeing nod.
"Gh!" In the beginning, he was calm. But now, Illkubo was mad. "I won't hold back anymore!" Leaping into the air, the Dark General starts sending out multiple shockwaves at the trio, forcing them to run and get away from the camp.
The three ran and jumped through the trees of the forest, dodging the shockwaves sent by Illkubo until they came upon a cliff that used to be filled with water. Turning around, they saw Illkubo, having caught up to them.
"This ends now." Illkubo declares. Just as he does, the carriers that held Mepple and Mipple started moving.
"Mepple? What's wrong?" Nagisa asks her fairy as from the sounds of it, he wasn't moving on purpose.
"Something's pulling me-mepo!"
"Tasukete(Save us)-mipo!"
"Mipple!" Quickly, the girls place a hand over the carriers, but whatever force was pulling them shook their hands off.
Looking away from the fairies, Dai looks over towards Illkubo to see him with his hands stretched out and in deep concentration as the veins in his head were visible.
"It's no use...!"
"The Prism Stones are...
"He's trying to take the Prism Stones!" Dai quickly realizes as both Mepple and Mipple shine brightly from within their carriers. Before Dai or the girls had a chance to stop it, something flew out and into the waiting hands of Illkubo. Looking over to the Dark General, in his hands were currently a blue and a red colored gems in the shape of a heart. They were the last two Prism Stones.
"Ah!" The three gasped in surprise.
"My...my Prism Stone was taken-mepo," Mepple said.
"Mine too-mipo," Mipple said, confirming that her and Mepple's Prism Stones were indeed taken and now in the hands of Illkubo.
"Now I have all the Prism Stones," Illkubo declares as he begins to laugh victoriously. "At last, this will complete Dark King-sama's existence. The power of creation, it will ensure our Dark Zone's immortality!" Suddenly, the Stones in Illkubo's hands shine a bright rainbow color, reacting to the other Stones Illkubo has with him as the light blinds Dai and the girls.
"Shit! What do we do now!?" Dai said as his mind races for any ideas as to turn this situation around.
Illkubo smirks. He would not allow the three a chance to take back the Stones. All he had to do was leave and bring the Stones to-!
"Hm?" Suddenly, Illkubo feels something wrong. Pools of darkness erupted from the Stones in his hands-no, that darkness was coming out of him! He was losing strength!
"W-What's going on here?" Illkubo wonders out loud as groans of pain escape his mouth.
"What's happening?" Nagisa asks, shielding herself from the light.
"I don't know," Honoka said, having no clue as well.
"This light, it must be the power of the seven Prism Stones-mipo!"
"What amazing power-mepo!"
Slowly, the groans of pain turn into muffled cries as the light converges into the pendant he's wearing where his Prism Stone was held in as the Stones he took from Mepple and Mipple glow before flying out of his hands and returning to the fairies.
"The Prism Stones came back-mepo/mipo!"
"That's great!" Dai cheers before he and the girls look back over to Illkubo. An aura of rainbow colors surrounded his body and he seemed to be growing weaker by the second.
"I never thought...that the power of the seven stones was something like this...!" Illkubo groans as he falls to his knees.
"He's weakened!" Dai pointed out.
"It must be because of the Prism Stones' power-mepo!"
"Now might be your chance to win-mipo!"
"Yosh(Alright)!"
"This time...!" The girls clasped hands once again while Dai assumed his kicking stance, preparing his Mighty Kick.
(BGM: Futari wa PreCure OST 1 Track 27)
"Black Thunder!
"White Thunder!"
*BOOM!*
From the sky, the pair of black and white thunderbolts rain down and land in the girls' raised hands, surrounding them in power for the second time today. Meanwhile, Dai's right foot is enveloped in flames, signaling that his own finisher was ready.
"Purikyua no utsukushiki tamashī ga…"
"... Jaaku na kokoro wo uchikudaku!"
"Hissatsu(Finishing Move)!"
Tightly gripping their hands together, the girls thrust their hands towards Illkubo and shout their signature finisher while Dai runs out and leaps towards Illkubo, kicking out with his flaming foot.
"Pretty Cure!"
"Mighty!"
"Marble Screw!"
"Kick!"
The blast of black and white shot out from the girls' hands and coiled around Dai, propelling him forward as his kick and the energy of the Marble Screw combine as one. Illkubo manages to get back on his feet and cross his arms, blocking the kick only to hear the bones in his arms breaking as the pendant around his neck glows and gives the finisher more power!
"All the Prism Stones are boosting the Marble Kick-mepo!" Mepple informed, shortening the name of the finisher.
"HaaaaaaAAAAAA!" Gripping their hands even tighter than before, the girls send more power into their attack.
"You're finished!" Dai declared as sparks of the Golden Power surround his foot, blending into the energy of the Marble Screw and empowering the finisher even further. The end results were Dai kicking straight through Illkubo's arms and hitting his chest as the blast of the Marble Screw take both the Rider and the Dark General up to one of the nearby transmission towers, tearing straight through it and sending Illkubo flying. The Dark General's screams were the last thing the group heard from him as the finisher completely destroys him, leaving nothing behind except for the Prism Stone he held on him which Dai promptly caught as he landed back on the ground.
(BGM End)
Suddenly, as if everything was an illusion, all the damage that was done by Illkubo; the trees, the lake, everything was back to normal. Even the transmission tower Dai kicked through was fixed, much to the Rider's relief.
"It's over," Honoka said as she and Nagisa took deep, exhausted breathes.
"It really was a miracle," Nagisa said as Dai walks over to them, holding up the purple Prism Stone in his hand.
"We did it," Dai said, holding up the Stone in one hand while using the other to give the girls a thumbs up. A second later, his transformation was undone, revealing a toothy smile.
Smiling themselves, the girls give the Rider a thumbs up of their own as their own transformation came undone.
"We finally have the last Prism Stone," Honoka said before looking around. "But where's the Prism Hopeish?"
"Maybe the card to summon him will work now," Dai suggested.
"You're right!" Quickly grabbing the card, Nagisa held it up and prayed. "Please come out, Guardian." With a swipe of the card, the Guardian known as Wisdom appeared on a nearby tree stump.
"Ah, I'm saved."
"Guardian!" The girls and Dai all cheered at the sight of the Stone Guardian.
"You're late!"
"Huh?"
"What were you guys dilly-dallying around for?"
"Hey, do you know what we just went through?" Nagisa said, not liking Wisdom's tone.
"Now, now, as long as we got the Prism Hopeish back, isn't it okay-mepo?" Mepple said.
"What kind of grown-up thing is that to say? Mukatsuku(How annoying)." Annoyed, but knowing what Mepple said was true, she simply closed the fairy in an act of anger.
"We'll leave the Prism Stone to you," Honoka said, placing the Purple Stone in the Hoepish. "And that makes 5 Stones. If you add in the two Mepple and Mipple carry, we have all seven of the Prism Stones gathered.
"Which means..." Another smile slowly forms on Dai's face and the girls plus their fairies soon follow as they all shout out:
"WE DID IT!"
(The Next Day)
After the defeat of Illkubo, everyone in the camp began to awaken. surprised to see that everything had returned to normal. Even the power into the building had returned. Not knowing if everything was a dream or not, the plan to leave the camp was still the plan and all the students got on the bus that would take them off the mountain. Dai had to stay behind with Ryō, telling the adult what had happened while everyone was unconscious while they waited for reinforcements to investigate the forest. The investigation had taken a long time and Dai only returned home last night.
It was morning now with the sun brightly shining in the sky. After a quick phone call, everyone gathered at Honoka's house, currently in her room. Sanae was currently asleep in the living room so it was safe for the fairies to be out for the time being.
"Mipple, let's take out our Prism Stones-mepo."
"Okay-mipo." Holding up their tails, both the red and blue Prism Stones came out and into the waiting hands of the girls.
"Now, give me the remaining Prism Stones," Wisdom said, having been summoned not too long ago.
"Right." Honoka nodded before placing the blue Stone in her hands into the Hopeish,
"Ah, how many times have I dreamt of this moment-mipo!" Mipple said, fidgeting with anticipation.
"With this, we will return peace to the Garden of Light-mepo," Mepple said, also excited as he turned to Nagisa. "Now..."
As Mepple gestures to Nagisa to put her Stone into the Hoepish, the girl...just sits there, her expression one of worry.
"I said, now...!"
"You say that, but is it really okay?" Nagisa asked, worried that something might happen. "Won't something weird happen? What will happen anyway once I put it in?"
"I don't think he knows," Dai said, pointing out the nervous expression on Mepple as he refused to look at his partner in the eye.
"Just hurry up and do it-mepo," Mepple insisted.
"Somehow I'm not too reassured by that," Nagisa said, but nonetheless placed the red Prism Stone into the Hopeish, making a total of seven. Cyan, green, blue, yellow, purple, orange, and red. They had finally collected all seven Prism Stones. The minute Nagisa placed the final Stone in...nothing happened.
"Huh?"
"It looks like nothing's happening."
"Eh, that can't be." Reaching out to the Hopeish, Dai pokes the item a few times to get some sort of reaction from it. "Is it broken or some-WOAH!"
Suddenly, the Prism Hopeish begins to shine blinding rainbow colors much like the time Illkubo briefly held all seven Stones.
"What did you do!?" Nagisa exclaims in surprise as the Mepple jumps into her arms in surprise with Mipple doing the same with Honoka.
"I don't know!" Dai exclaims, panicking a little as the light is filled with bright, blinding light.
Suddenly, the sound of the sliding doors creaking caught everyone's attention as they looked and saw the door flying off from their place. Feeling like staying in the room was dangerous, the group quickly ran out of the room and turned around to see what was happening.
"Look-mipo!"
"Sugoi(Wow)! A rainbow is coming out of my house!"Just as Honoka had said, a rainbow was indeed coming out of her house as it rose into the air as if reaching up to the heavens themselves.
"It looks like we could cross over it," Nagisa pointed out, noticing how the rainbow was like a bridge.
"It's like a rainbow bridge," Dai said, looking in awe at the rainbow as this was the first time he's been so close to one. "It's beautiful..."
"This rainbow must be connected to the Garden of Light-mepo." Mepple guessed.
*shine!*
"Hm?" Blinking, Nagisa notices what looks like a star coming down from the rainbow. "Something's coming..."
Seemingly riding the rainbow, whatever was coming landed in Honoka's room before bouncing up and flew straight towards the group. Faster than anyone could blink and in a similar fashion to how Mepple arrived, the star crashed right into Nagisa's face, sending the girl falling down where Dai quickly caught her.
'Talk about déjà vu.' Dai thought as everyone looked to see what had arrived from the rainbow.
In a tiny explosion of light, what had come down from the rainbow was some sort of large bean or heart-shaped laptop. The base is white and the outside has a mint flap with a pink gem heart in the middle. On each side is a pale colored strap with buckled clasp. When the device opens up, the inside of the lid is pale pink with a white window where a strange creature much like Mepple and Mipple resides in. On the bottom half is a pink screen or pad with a design on it, along with a rounded mint and white mousepad that resembles his tail, and a mint directional pad on the opposite side.
"Popo!" The creature, probably a fairy like Mepple and Mipple, said the second the device opened up.
"Ow..." Nagisa groans as Dai helps her up.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I just remembered something I'd rather not," Nagisa said, rubbing her head before looking up at the fairy that showed up. "What is it this time?"
"It's Pollun-mepo!" Mepple identifies the fairy.
"Pollun?" Dai and the girls repeat in confusion, looking at the new fairy.
"Pollun! Pollun!" In a puff of smoke, the device, which was called the Pretty Comune, transforms.
The fairy known as Pollun is white with mint green coloring, and a furry neck. On his tail is an orb which unusually looks like a spherical computer mouse. He also wears a crown and looks reminiscent to a small dog or mouse with long ears. His ears have long heart highlights on them, his eyes have the same colored highlights that are pointy and go out words and his forehead mark is a heart with a diamond shape coming from the top, looking similar to the male gender symbol.
"I'm Pollun-popo!"
"Another fairy," Dai said.
"This time it's -popo," Nagisa comments.
Leaning down, Honoka asks the fairy, "Did you, perhaps, come from the Garden of Light?"
"I'm the Prince of Light that guides the way to the future, Pollun-popo." Pollun introduces himself again in a more grander fashion. "Now we go to the Garden of Light-popo."
"And if we do? Sheesh, Princes of Light, Chosen Hero..." Nagisa starts ranting.
"Pretty Cure come too-popo..." Pollun said as he starts to tear up, but Nagisa doesn't hear him.
"There really is a huge gap between names and looks among you guys. Why are all the people from the Garden of Light..."
"Uh, girls?" Dai interjects, stopping Nagisa's rant and making the girl process what Pollun just told them.
...
...
...
"Eh!? You want us to go to the Garden of Light!?" Both the girls exclaim in surprise.
"The Queen told me to bring Pretty Cure back with me-popo."
"Even if you say that..." Nagisa said as she, Dai, and Honoka look at one another.
"It's not like just going around the corner..."
"Plus there are still the Grongi to deal with..."
"No! No! No! No! No! No!" Suddenly, Pollun falls to the ground and starts to whine. "Together-popo! Pretty Cure come with me-popo! The Elder is waiting-popo!"
"He's like a little kid..." Dai comments.
"Once Pollun starts whining like this, he'll never give up-mepo," Mepple explains, speaking from experience.
"I guess it can't be helped," Honoka said with an awkward smile.
"Eh? What are you saying, Honoka?" Nagisa looks at her friend in surprise. "We don't know where we're going—it's probably REALLY far away! Isn't that like, really dangerous? We might not be able to come back once we've left."
"That's a problem," Dai said, intending on going with the girls if they do decide to go to the Garden of Light. But if they weren't able to return once they left, then that'll mean he'd be leaving Ryō and the others to deal with the remaining Grongi alone.
"This, this is...Arienai(I can't believe this)~!"
"Come-popo~!"
And...done! Whew, that took longer than I thought, but I managed to do it. I think the chapter came out quite nicely. Short chapter when compared to previous ones, but again, that's fine since I'm not jamming so much extra content from what is essentially two episodes into one. But now, I am two chapters from reaching the halfway mark. Almost there! We're almost there people! Stay tuned for I've got some juicy plans for the upcoming chapters. Until then, this has been Ashbel Longhart here, signing out. And like always, here's...
Pretty Cure: Rider Fun Facts
"Hello, minna-san!" Mepple greets the audience along with Mipple as their respective partners show up on stage. "Mepple and Mipple here back for another segment of Pretty Cure: Rider Fun Facts-mepo!"
"It may have been about a month since last time, but I'm glad the author was able to find some free time to do this even when he's so busy," Honoka said.
"So, what are we talking about today. Nothing new showed up today," Nagisa said, nothing coming to mind.
"Well, before we begin, we have a new guest...assisting us, yeah let's go with that-mepo."
"Assisting us?" Nagisa raised an eyebrow, until...
"Popo~!
"Huh?" Looking up, something landed right on Nagisa's face, sending the girl down to the ground as none other than Pollun jumped off her face and landed right next to Mepple and Mipple.
"Hello everyone! I am the Prince of Light, Pollun-popo!" The new fairy introduced himself to the audience.
"Oh who decided to bring this kid here?" Nagisa said, rubbing ehr face as Honoka helped her up.
"The author-mipo."
"Great..." Nagisa sarcastically said before asking, "So, what're we talking about today?"
"Today, we're talking about one of the enemies Dai has already faced-mipo," Mipple said. "In other words, it's a Grongi that wasn't shown on the TV show."
"Oh, one of those guys." A disgusted face makes its way to Nagisa face as she remembers a certain fly Grongi.
"What are Grongi-popo?" Pollun asked, having just shown up after all.
"Well explain later-mipo," Mipple said.
"Who are we talking about?" Honoka asks.
"We'll be talking about one of the Grongi Dai fought in the last chapter, Gorigi the cockroach Grongi-mepo," Mepple said as a picture of the Grongi in its Grakenngi state showed up on the screen.
"Ugh! Not this guy!" Nagisa sticks out her tongue in disgust and her feelings were shared with Honoka who also looked bothered.
"We'll try and make this quick then," Mepple said. "Now there isn't much to say about Gorigi. Besides his strength, the only thing that really stands out is his stubbornness-mepo."
"Stubbornness?"
"He's really hard to kill-mepo," Mepple said, gesturing to the scene where even with nothing but his upper body, the Grongi was still alive. Mipple covers Polluns eyes and ears as Mepple continues speaking.
"According to the author, he's not all that smart either and when his turn came around, he simply walked around and killed anyone that bumped into him. After killing a civilian, police were on him in an instant before Dai and those of the special forces came and finally put the Grongi down. He lasted about a few days when compared to others that came before and after him, but his body count almost reached 70 with most of the victims being officers."
"Geez, how did Dai take this guy down?" Nagisa asks.
"With lots and lots of kicks-mepo," Mepple said. "Interesting fact, because of this direct approach which is more like the Zu Grongi than the Me Grongi, Gorigi may have previously been a Zu Grongi before being promoted to a Me Grongi much like Garume-mepo."
"Hmm, that might be the case." Honoka comments.
"Anyway, that's all the time we have for today-mepo," Mepple said, turning to the audience.
"Eh!? But I just got here-popo!" Pollun cried out.
"Quiet you. Anyway, tune in next time where Dai and the girls come along with us to the Garden of Light! It's gonna be quite exciting-mepo."
"Finally, we get to go home-mipo," Mipple said, looking forward to the next chapter.
"I wanted to help too!" Pollun exclaims as he starts to whine.
"Oh boy, uh, until next time everyone! And Happy Easter!" Nagisa said, finishing off today's segment as she and the others try to stop Pollun while the title of next episode showed up.
Next Time: To the Garden of Light-Popo! There, Kuuga Sees...!