Orb of Neglect: Caves of Ignorance

"Ow…" Asuna grimaced, rubbing the back of her head. What she had experience was pretty hectic. Thanks to Tears and Joker, the Keybladers and the Smile Precure ended up falling down beneath the chasm, falling deeper and deeper into this world Joker created. What's more, the team ended up separated as they fell, as Asuna was able to notice as they fell. She turned around, and saw a dazed Donald on his back, Miyuki, now out of her Precure form thanks to the fall, Candy, and Pop, as they were together in a small open area in the cave.

"Are you guys okay?" Asuna asked, crawling over and pulling up Donald to a sitting position.

"I'm okay…" Miyuki answered, looking to Candy and Pop, "What about you guys?"

"Somehow, we are safe, de gozaru." Pop replied.

"But what about the other, kuru?" Candy asked, "Where did they go?"

"We got separated in the fall." Asuna replied, "I saw the others split up from us as we fell."

"No…!" Miyuki realized, scared for her friends. She had just brought them back to their senses, and now, they were separated again. What if they got brainwashed again? She looked up at the ceiling, seeing the hole they fell through, the top so high up, that no light could reach them. "We gotta save them!" she exclaimed, getting up and readying her transformation device.

"Hold on, Miyuki!" Asuna stopped her, placed a hand over her Smile Pact, "I wouldn't worry about them. I was able to catch glimpses of the others as they fell, and I can assure you that Kirito, Sora, Goofy and Yui are with the others. Trust me. They will protect them."

Miyuki looked to Asuna, asking, "Are you sure?" Asuna smiled and nodded to her, assuring her of what she saw. Miyuki then put the Smile Pact away as she sighed, "Thank goodness."

"Preserve your strength for now when we need it." Asuna ordered, "You just dealt with a series of strong opponents already. And we have no idea of what Tears plans to do with that giant monster." She spoke about the Akanbe that Tears encased in darkness.

"She's right, Miyuki." Pop agreed, "For now, let's wait until we actually have a threat in front of us, de gozaru."

Miyuki nodded in agreement, before smiling and stating, "But it's a really good thing you can now become a Precure again! I thought you said it was asleep."

"It was, but you girls woke Ellen's Soul Pact within me." She replied, touching her heart, "I was even able to reach the Advance Burst with her Soul Pact. I wonder…" She closed her eyes, connecting with her awakened Soul Pact before saying, "Soul Armament." Her body shined, and her garments and hairstyle changed. Her attire had the look of a Pretty Cure, more specifically Cure Beat's attire. It was very similar to her Cure Soul attire, only the reds were changed with blues, and the style was slightly different. Also, her hair was tied in a curled ponytail, though it had not changed color nor length.

"EH?!" Miyuki, Pop, and Candy gasped, before the human questioned, "You can turn into a Pretty Cure like that, too?! And is it just me, or is that Cure Beat's attire?!"

"No, not exactly." Asuna corrected her, "This is more of a altercation to my attire, changing my looks and giving special effects. But this isn't a true Precure transformation. Look. Soul Armament!" Her attire transformed again, going into Lightning's Knight of Etro attire, showing it off to the trio.

"That's so cool, kuru!" Candy exclaimed, as Asuna reverted back to her original attire.

"Wait a moment…" Asuna realized in a low voice, "Then this could mean that…" She closed her eyes, concentrating as she called out mentally, 'Ellen, are you there?' She felt herself fade out of reality after she said this.


Moments later, she found herself standing on her Station of Awakening, with the very girl she called out to standing in front of her. Ellen was the same as before; a young teen with long dark purple hair, a side ponytail held by a yellow scrunchy, and piercing yellow eyes, which Asuna knew from she was a cat-like fairy. Her attire was a black open jacket, a lilac long sleeve top underneath, both of which had red hearts on the left sides, a purple short skirt with a black belt, black stockings, brown and gold boots, and black bracelets.

"Asuna." Ellen greet her, smiling happily at her.

"I knew it." Asuna confirmed, "My past experience with your Soul Drive helped bond our souls strongly to allow me to speak to you now."

"Is that what's happening?" Ellen asked, slightly confused, "Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around what's going on."

"I guess this is a bit confusing, but what matters is that your soul is now reawakened thanks to the Smile Precure, and we can talk like this." Asuna stated the silver lining.

"That is true." Ellen agreed, smiling graciously at her younger generation of Precure waking up her Soul Pact.

"Just curious, but do you know anything about what you are doing after we parted ways?" Asuna asked curiously. The last time she saw Ellen and the rest of her Precure allies, they finished taking out Fusion threat.

"Not much has changed." Ellen answered, "I still spend time with all my friends, including Hummy, now that things are peaceful and musical again."

"I'm glad." Asuna replied, "Still, I will need your help from now on. Will you join me in saving the light, Ellen?"

The former antagonistic girl gave a confident smirk as she replied, "You know I am with you all the way. My power is yours to command, Asuna."

"Thanks. I'll be sure to talk with you once in a while, okay?" She closed her eyes as she decided to go back to reality again.


When she opened her eyes again, she was surprised to see she was still in the Station of Awakening. "What's going on?" Asuna asked, looking about, "I swore I was waking back up again." She then saw in front of her, the two figures she could freely speak with before, Lightning and Ellen, in front of her, only they were facing each other instead of at Asuna.

"I remember seeing you during our final fight a while back." Ellen told Lightning, recalling when everyone gathered during the fight against Unversed Oberon.

"I think I remember you, as well." Lightning responded, "Though, you looked completely different then."

"True. This is the first time you've seen me as a civilian." Ellen understood.

"You know, I am fully aware that you and I are the eldest souls in Asuna's heart." Lightning pointed out.

"Come to think of it, you are right." Ellen realized, looking up, "I remember you being Asuna's first Soul Drive. And I'm pretty sure I was her second. That…kinda puts a lot of pressure on me, since there will be so many other souls that'll join Asuna."

"How does that put any pressure?" Lightning asked.

"Because we're basically the ones who have the greatest amount of experience with Asuna. There will be a lot of others who will look up to us as their, well, soul-senpais."

"I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but I'm sure you are overthinking it." Lightning pointed out.

"Well, there are probably souls of older people than me." Ellen argued, "I've been use to being a senpai for the Smile Precure, but complete strangers, especially anyone far older than me? Not to mention that they might be enemies with her before becoming allies, like myself…"

"In my personal opinion, I think your age and history is an irrelevant factor in this situation." Lightning started, "It is what you said that we have the greatest amount of experience with Asuna. However, let me put it this way; I am your elder in regards to being bonded with Asuna longer than you, and I'll admit I'm the most ideal role model considering my history, but I don't feel any pressure when living up to your expectations. The only thing that matters is if I'm living to my own expectations."

These words impacted Ellen, and her eyes opened up in revelation. She then smiled as she stated, "I guess that is true. I really should've expected as much from my senpai. Then again, you don't look like the kind of person who gets pressured."

"You couldn't be further from the truth…" Lightning muttered, causing Ellen to be confused, "But that's a different story. We just have to be there for Asuna as well as the souls she bonds with, and be an example of how they can reach their potential."

"Sure, that's no pressure." Ellen muttered with a sweat-dropped expression, "But I just have to be sure I live up to my own expectations, and not think of other's, right?"

"Exactly." Lightning answered. Just as her words finished, Asuna was blinded by a white light that surrounded the place.


In a split second, she found herself back in reality, in the tunnel with Miyuki, Donald, Candy, and Pop.

"Asuna?" Donald called to her.

"Are you okay, kuru?" Candy asked.

The female Keyblade wielder blinked, before shaking her head as she answered, "Don't worry. I'm totally fine. Just feeling the connection of my Soul Pact, is all. Come on. Let's see where this tunnel leads." The team understood, and passed by Asuna as she followed from behind, thinking.

'Lightning and Ellen together? Didn't expect to see that.' She told herself, 'I wonder why they encountered each other like that? Could it be due to the fact that they were fully bonded Soul Pacts? Could that mean that if any of my Soul Pacts reach their peak potential, I would witness them encounter the others within me? I should let Kirito and Yui know about this.' With her thoughts on the matter finished, she pressed onward with her friends.


(Insert 'Adamas Amalee ver.', TV version)

Music intro

(Rushing through black darkness, glittering shards of light pass by. As music starts, the three main Keyblades suddenly shoot forward like shooting stars, circling around from a distance, then crossing one another, shining brightly, forming the logo of the series.)

I'm trying to understand it but it's making me numb

(Left half of Sora's serious face, the other half hidden by the teeth of his Kingdom Key.)

This swirl of karma leaving such a bitter taste on my tongue

(Right half of Asuna's determined face, the other half hidden by the Lambent Light's teeth.)

'Cause I know the pain and sorrow, it has only begun

(The upper half of Kirito's face, with glaring eyes, the lower half hidden by the Elucidator's teeth.)

Who-o-oa, Who-o-oa, Who-o-oa

(Flashing through the faces of each hero; Donald, Goofy, Yui, Mickey, Riku, Leafa, Kairi, Axel, and Kayaba.)

Now I'm surrounded by my enemies, but luck's on my side

(In the dusty fields of the Keyblade Graveyard, the camera pans around the circle of the six main heroes as they ready their weapons.)

So I shatter through the walls and change the course of the tide

(In the same field, the camera pans the opposite way around the six other heroes as they ready their weapons.)

Can't stop this surging fate like a volcano set to break, Take a breath until you're set to

(Allies of the multiple worlds they will or have visited pan across the screen, finally ending with the silhouettes of the four Lost Princesses of heart, with the one in the center opening her hands to reveal a bright light.)

face that voice of fear. That god of death that's always looking down on you

(Philia stands on a lone green hill, staring at a card with the picture of Castle Oblivion on it. She feels a hand behind her, and looks to see Flair and Hinata standing behind her, giving assuring smiles, with Tinkerbell coming out of her pocket, and Samson giving a thumbs up.)

"Do you believe yourself?" I won't stop til I've won

(Maleficent and Dr. Temna stand together, with Pete and Tears next to them, and a swarm of Heartless and shadowed foes ready to strike.)

A glimpse of that bright future that's just begun!

(Xehanort's maliciously smirking face appears, as he and fifteen others float together in a circle. Screen splits in half as half of Heartless Oberon and Gouxus take the screen, their eyes shining from yellow to violet.)

Shining like a diamond, The emotions in your heart reflect like crystal

(The six heroes team up together, taking down Heartless, Nobodies and Unversed that come across their path with their weapons, skills and magic.)

As we vow an oath that will ignite your light and mine - And we will rise!

(A Demon Tower nearly falls on top of the six, but they get away, with Kirito, Asuna and Sora in the air, performing Soul Bursts and Keyblade transformation, creating Cloud's Buster Sword, Asuna's SAO Lambent Light, and Sora's twin guns, unleashing a sword beam, ice spears, and magic shots as one.)

So many times I've gotten back on my feet to make it to this moment

(A group of dark energy orbs shoots down the trio from a cliff above, hitting them into the ground. The attack comes from Xehanort, Heartless Oberon, and Gouxus.)

It's time our prayer that's waiting in the dark. Is set free so light the spark and let it shine!

(Sora, Asuna and Kirito get back up on their feet, shaking off their injuries, and raising their Keyblades as they charge forward, beams of sunlight shining upon each of them as they all take a leap at the Organization XVI, with their friends, the other heroes, including Roxas, Xion, Recon, Terra, Aqua and Ven, joining them from behind.)


Kirito's Team

"Waaaaaah!" Kirito shouted, falling from the ceiling and hitting the ground, causing Yui, Akane, and Nao to flinch at the crash. He got back up, massaging the back of his head as Akane asked, "Hey, uh…are you okay?"

"Yeah…I'll be fine." He answered, getting to his feet again, "But it looks like running up the hole isn't gonna work."

"Even I don't think that was gonna work." Nao argued, "And I'm practically the runner here."

"Guess the only path we can take is forward." Kirito summed up, drawing the attention to the path ahead.

"I just hope the others are okay." Nao muttered, looking worried.

"There you go with your motherly personality." Akane told her off, "Kirito said they're fine, so we should trust him and his friends."

"Akane is right. Mama, Sora and the others will take care of them, Nao." Yui assured her. Nao looked to the two of them, before nodding in understanding.

"We should probably go find them, if you two are worried about them." Kirito told the girls, "I'm worried about Asuna, Sora, Donald, Goofy and your friends, too."

He had just started to make his way forward when Akane said, "Hold on a moment." He turned back to the two civilian-formed Precure, before the auburn-haired girl started, "I just want to say thanks to the both of you for saving me from being brainwashed back there."

"Same." Nao followed up, "I do vaguely remember you coming to my aid on the roller coaster. And…I also remember you talking about how you dealt with despair, and how you overcame it."

Yui looked to Kirito, knowing full well of his past as he replied, "It's not a problem. Asuna, Miyuki and the fairies were determined to save you. Plus, it's like I said; Without my friends, I'd probably never get any further than I have today. I might've even fell victim to this world just like you girls. I'm glad I have important people who helped me, just like you guys have Miyuki, Candy and Pop." Akane and Nao smiled and slightly giggled in agreement.

"By the way, we haven't been fully introduced just yet." Akane realized, "I'm Akane Hino, also Cure Sunny."

"And I'm Nao Midorikawa, as well as Cure March." Nao followed up.

"Nice to meet you two." Kirito greeted, "My real name is Kazuto Kirigaya. But just call me Kirito."

"Alright, Kirito! Let's find our friends." Akane declared, and the four charged into the cave.


Sora's Team

In another area, Sora, Goofy, Yayoi, and Reika were standing looking up at the hole they fell through, with Goofy stating the obvious, "Guess we're stuck down here."

"But…what about everyone else?" Yayoi asked, "What if they get brainwashed again like we were before?"

"Don't worry, Yayoi." Reika assured her, "Our resolve to overcome is a lot stronger than it was when we first entered into this area. Miyuki, Akane and Nao won't be brainwashed as easily as before."

"And even if they were…" Sora started, drawing their attention to them, "…We'll still snap them out of it, as many times as it takes. All my friends and I wouldn't let their hearts be turned like that." Goofy nodded in agreement.

Their words caused the worries to ease up in the two girls, as they smiled at them, with Reika adding, "Thanks for the assurance. It's good to see that Asuna has to many friends like you guys."

"Yeah! And you were so cool during that fight against that monster." Yayoi added, "You were like superheroes!" Sora and Goofy both looked embarrassed at this, but pleased all the same.

"May I ask what your names are?" Reika asked.

"Oh, right! I'm Sora." The Keyblade wielder introduced himself.

"Nice to meet ya. I'm Goofy." The captain of the knights followed.

"A pleasure to meet the both of you." Reika responded, "Forgive me for our late introduction. I'm Reika Aoki."

"A-And I'm Yayoi Kise." The yellow-haired girl followed up.

"Awesome!" Sora answered, turning to the path ahead, "Let's get going! The others are probably somewhere ahead." He led the team down through the caves, towards their destination.

"So, Sora. How long have you been fighting these Heartless?" Yayoi asked curiously.

"A couple years, actually." Sora answered, "First, it was just me, Donald and Goofy, along with Jiminy. Then, a little over a year later, I met Kirito, Asuna, and Yui. I've had so many other friends join me on those journeys, stopping the Heartless, the Organization, and all sorts of other bad guys."

"So cool." Yayoi said in amazement.

"And we've been friends together since those days." Goofy added.

"You guys do seem very close friends, just like we are." Reika compared.

"Yeah. I'd be lost without my friends by my side." Sora agreed, with Yayoi catching up to his side. She smiled and giggle in agreement.

Just then, Sora felt his mind flash, as for a moment, instead of Yayoi by his side, he suddenly saw a slightly younger Philia racing alongside him, smiling as she stared at him. He felt like he was back in his early years as a Keyblade wielder again at that point. However, just as it soon appeared, it vanished again. Sora continued his running, surprised at the sudden moment, almost stumbling as they entered into a large chamber from the tunnel.

"You okay, Sora?" Yayoi asked.

"Y-Yeah…" he answered, shaking his head as he questioned what that was all about. Why did he see Philia there for a moment?

Suddenly, the tunnel entrances were sealed off by energy, startling the team as Air Soldiers, Gold Beats, and Wild Oni appeared before them.

"More Heartless!" Sora growled, readying his Keyblade, as Goofy readied his shield.

"We'll help out!" Yayoi declared, pulling out her Smile Pact.

"Right. We must pull our own weight after our absence." Reika followed, pulling her pact out. They both activated their devices as they shouted, "Precure Smile Charge!" Both used their magic powder puffs to transform, Yayoi clapping her powder puff to spread the electrified magic powder about her, while Reika blew on her puff to spread her snowy magic powder about her, changing their garments, hairstyles, and eye colors. Their Smile Pacts were placed on their waist.

"Sparkling and Glittering! Rock, Paper, Scissors! Cure Peace!" Yayoi called out, doing a rock-paper-scissors game and holding out her hand like a rock, before striking her pose.

"The snow, falling and gathering! A noble Heart! Cure Beauty!" Reika followed, striking her own pose.

Sora and Goofy looked back as the two did their transformation, Sora stating, "Man, I wish I could do an awesome transformation like that."

"You've the Keyblade and all sorts of other cool powers, too." Goofy noted.

"Yeah, you got that right." Sora agreed, "Let's go!"

The four charged in, The Air Soldiers flying down at Sora with flying kicks. Sora evaded, and kicked and smacked the two away. Peace followed up with a thunderbolt that shocked the two Heartless. The Gold Beats launched forward, and unleashed lightning as well onto the team, forcing Sora and Peace to go on the defense. This allowed a Wild Oni to come in and attempt to strike the pair. Fortunately, Goofy and Beauty came in and protected the two, bashing and kicking the ogre-like Heartless away.

"Stay on your guard!" Beauty told the pair.

"Right!" Peace understood, as Sora unleashed a Fire spell on the Gold Beat Heartless, burning them. He then shifted into Blizzard, which Beauty followed by unleashing a gust of icy wind to join his attack, freezing the Heartless started and making them vanish. Meanwhile, Goofy threw his shield like a discus at the Wild Oni, with Peace going in to unleash a barrage of punches, sending him flying into another Wild Oni, causing the pair to fall over, the first one vanishing from taking too much damage.

The quartet continued up the fight, Peace and Beauty displaying their physical strengths like Happy. However, they did have differences involving their own elements. Peace was able to create electricity, as well as create small electric fields that she could teleport right into to get up close with her target. Meanwhile, Beauty was able to unleash icy winds, as well as summon ice swords to slash her targets. Sora and Goofy also displayed their own powers to them, including the Goofy Bombardment Team Attack, and Sora using the Second Form of his Kingdom Key Keyblade.

"Sora, I'm getting a feeling here!" Peace called out.

"Same here!" Beauty followed up.

"Right, let's do it!" Sora answered, unleashing their own Team Attack.

Beauty summoned a large ice sword, and threw it up high, turning into a large icicle. Peace then followed by throwing a bolt of lighting into the icicle, encasing it in the electricity. Sora, now behind them, leapt up as the two girls shouted, "Precure…!" Sora reached the electrified icicle, pointing his Keyblade at it, joining the girls as they finished, "…Thunder Blizzard!" With the power from his Keyblade, he shot the attack down on the group of Heartless, causing an explosion of thunder and ice, destroying the remaining Heartless. As soon as everything was cleared, the barriers blocking paths onward and backwards vanished.

"Way to go, you guys!" Goofy called out.

"That was an excellent combination." Beauty acknowledged.

Peace looked pleased, before looking to Sora, and gasped, "Oh, no! Sora, your weapon is still sparking!" Sora looked to his Keyblade, and saw the electricity coursing throughout the blade. "I'm sorry! My attack is shocking your key!" Peace apologized, bowing profusely, "You should probably drop it before it shocks you!"

"Weird, cause it's only affecting the blade." Sora noticed, as Goofy got closer to look at it.

"Hey, I think that's another Elemental Strike." The anthropomorphic dog realized.

"An Elemental Strike?" Beauty and Peace echoed.

"Yeah. What was it called again? Start… Spike… Spice…?"

Sora looked at the electrified Keyblade, closed his eyes to connect with the attack, before spinning around with an electrified slash, shouting, "Sparkstrike!" The slash left a trail of electricity in its wake.

"Yeah, that's it!" Goofy responded.

"Awesome! I got an upgrade to my skills!" Sora realized, turning to Peace, "Thanks a lot, Peace! You just helped me out!"

"I…I did?" She asked, surprised, before sighing in relief, "Thank goodness."

"That is quite amazing that you were able to gain a power-up just like that." Beauty acknowledged.

"I can't wait to show the others this new move." Sora stated, turning to the path ahead, "Come on, let's keep going!" They all agreed, and charged on ahead.


Kirito's Team

"So, Kirito…" Akane started as they walked, "Do you do any sports? You kinda seem like a sporty guy."

"I use to do kendo because my grandfather taught it." Kirito answered, "I hadn't done it for a while, but I'm relearning it to help Yui. These days, in my normal school life, I had been studying mechatronics."

"Mecha-what now?" Nao asked, completely confused.

"Papa is learning how to create programs and machines." Yui explained.

"Wow… so you're basically super smart in those kinds of things." Akane stated, "Kinda seems contrary to the athletic guy you look like."

Kirito wanted to say something about the intense amount of VR gaming he done that led him to be this kind of a person, but decided to follow world order and not explain this. Instead, he asked, "How about you guys? I take it you're into sports?"

"Heck yeah! I'm on the volleyball team in my school." Akane asked.

"And I'm in the soccer team at school." Nao added.

"Volleyball? Soccer team?" Yui echoed, "I remember reading those kinds of things. I would like to partake in them some time."

"If we have time, I can show you how great volleyball is!" Akane told Yui.

"And 'I' can give you tips on how to be an awesome soccer player!" Nao added from Yui's other end. This ended up causing the two girls to glare lightning bolts at each other, while Yui quickly thought of a way to console the situation.

"Save your strength, you two!" Kirito called out to the pair, getting their attention, "We're in a situation here." Unbeknownst to the girls, they ended up in a large cave area, and saw a swarm of Heartless, including Soldiers, Shadows, Vermillion Sambas, and the wolf Heartless the individual teams encountered before.

"Where did they come from?!" Akane and Nao asked, while Yui focused herself, analyzing the wolf Heartless.

"The wolf ones are called Hunter Wolf." Yui read, "They're as fast as their claws are sharp. They use that speed as well as howls that cause whirlwinds."

"Good thing I fought a lot wolves in my life!" Kirito stated his VRMMORPG experience, producing his Keyblade.

"This isn't the situation to compete with each other." Nao stated, pulling her Smile Pact out.

"Agreed. Let's get back at these monsters for messin' with us!" Akane followed up, pulling her own Pact out.

The two activated their devices, shouting, "Precure Smile Charge!" The two's devices produced their individual powder puffs, using them to transform, with Akane igniting hers in flames to tap it about her body, while Nao drew a triangle of magic powder that bursted into wind, transforming their garments, hairstyles, and eye colors.

"The brilliant Sun! Hot-Blooded Power! Cure Sunny!" Akane shouted, taking a pose as flames exploded behind her.

"Intense courage, a straight up bout! Cure March!" Nao shouted, striking a pose as a gust of wind blew behind her.

Yui watched them in awe, while Kirito took a glance behind, before focusing on the Heartless, literally so as he shouted, "Shotlock: Sonic Slash!" Kirito threw his Keyblade at the nearest Hunter Wolf, before flying in and catching it into a Sonic Leap Sword Skill, followed my a multitude of other slashes on the swarm too quick for the eye to see, causing them to split up. Witnessing the Heartless dividing up, this gave the three girls open opportunity to charge in and unleash their attacks, Yui joining March as the two unleashed a whirlwind and wind-encased punch together, destroying a couple of Vermillion Sambas. Meanwhile, Kirito joined Sunny as the girl got towards the Soldiers and Shadows, and with a roar, she punched the ground, unleashing an earthquake that caused the grounded Heartless to be flung up from the shockwaves. Kirito then unleashed a Flamestrike, striking the Heartless and destroying them.

Kirito and Yui were witnessed to the strength and speeds of the two athletic Precure, while they fought the Heartless about them. Sunny upper-body strength was incredible, as she not only could punch earthquakes, but also grab large boulders and toss them at her targets, and imbue her fists in flames to unleash fiery blows. Meanwhile, March had incredible speeds, dashing past opponents to throw them off their feet, or gathering up the wind built up by her speed to punch her target hard. She was quite evasive to avoid attacks, like the Vermillion Samba fire attacks, or the Hunter Wolves's speedy strikes.

Kirito got the feeling deep within, realizing what it was, and shouted, "Sunny! March! Time to deliver a combination!"

"Okay!" The girls answered, and they triggered their Team Attack.

Sunny summoned up a fireball above her, and used volleyball expertise to leap up and spike it towards Kirito. At the exact same time, Sunny produced a ball of wind, and with her soccer skills, punted it at Kirito. "Precure…!" The two shouted together as the balls neared the black swordsman, who took the two attacks simultaneously, brought them together, causing the flames to encase the wind ball in a large sphere. He pulled it back as he and the two girls shouted together "…Fire Shoot!" He threw the attack with all his might at the remaining Heartless, and with a great explosion of wind and fire, they were able to destroy the Heartless in one go.

"Nice Team Attack, everyone!" Yui called out.

"Heck yeah!" Sunny cheered.

"You really united our attacks together, Kirito!" March stated.

"I'm just glad that even took out those Vermillion Sambas, as well." Kirito admitted, "We'd better keep moving. I bet we'll be joining the others soon!"

"I can feel that, as well!" Yui agreed. With that, the four charged ahead, making their way along the path forward.


Asuna's Team

Asuna led Donald, Miyuki, and the fairies along the tunnel, going up a couple levels together. "So I kinda have been wondering something for a while. Who was that jester that created this place?" Asuna asked, looking to the others.

"Joker. He's a member of the Bad End Kingdom, de gozaru." Pop answered, "They are a group who's goal is to revive their master Pierrot, so they can bring about the worst ending, de gozaru."

"The worst ending?" Asuna echoed, feeling chills from that phrase, "That's sound very ominous, and similar to what Tears and the Organization seem to have planned."

"Yeah, about them. Just who are they?" Miyuki asked as they reached the next level, "Tears seemed to be working with Joker, while that other guy in the black coat was different."

"The man in the black coat is Gouxus. He was originally a man Kirito saved me from after trapping me." Asuna explained, "Now, he's part of a group that plans to consume all worlds in darkness. Not only that, but from the past involving Gouxus and another version of him, we're sure he will try to control everyone's hearts."

"Control everyone's hearts?!" Miyuki gasped.

"That would be terrible, kuru!" Candy exclaimed.

"That's why we're here to stop them!" Donald proclaimed.

"But what about that other person, Tears?" Miyuki asked him.

"Well, uh…" Donald started, but didn't know how to finish.

"We're not sure." Asuna answered, "We know she is working for her father, a man named Dr. Tenma, and their goal is to gather darkness for a greater purpose. What that purpose is, we don't know. We don't even know about Tears much, but we do know she seems to have a connection to Yui."

"She's connected to Yui, kuru?" Candy asked.

"How so?" Pop asked.

"Even that part, we're not sure." Asuna answered, "But we have someone who asked us to take a picture of Tears, so we can see if he recognizes her. I'll have to remind Sora to have his Gummiphone at the ready to get her photo."

"I'll remind him!" Donald told Asuna, "He's forgetful without us."

The team reached an open area, where they soon discovered a swarm of Heartless in it. Not only that, they were Cyber Heartless, composed of Shadows, Soldiers, and Majimps, all cybernetically enhanced.

"More of those Cyber Heartless!" Donald squawked, pulling out his staff.

"Guess Tears doesn't think we can handle this." Asuna assumed.

"I'll fight with you, de gozaru!" Pop proclaimed, joining their side.

"Same here!" Miyuki declared, pulling out her Smile Pact. She activated it as she shouted, "Precure Smile Charge!", producing a powder puff, and tapped it all over her body, transforming her garments, hairstyle, and eye color. "Twinkling and shining, the light of the future! Cure Happy!" She declared, striking a pose.

"I'll protect you guys, too, kuru!" Candy called out, ready to help when necessary.

Asuna, Happy, Donald and Pop went to work on the Cyber Heartless, dealing with their cybernetically-enhanced limbs or weapons, especially the Majimp's lasers from their orbs. There even popped up Large Body Cyber Heartless, with armor on their bellies that boosted endurance and offense with its charging attacks. The four offensive fighters fought with all they had, while Candy utilized her healing from afar, while running away from enemies. Asuna and Donald even unleashed Donald Summon to destroy a good portion of the opponents, but still many remained.

"Can't we do something to finish them off, de gozaru?!" Pop questioned, slamming down a pair of Shadow Heartless with his can presser form.

"I hate these things!" Donald squawked angrily.

Asuna, Happy and Candy were grouped together at this point, when they felt a surge from between the two of them. "I won't let you stop us!" Happy shouted, "Our friends are ahead, and I refuse to let them wait for us!"

"Right then. Let's combine our powers together!" Asuna told her, with Candy leaping up to Happy's shoulder, prepared to join them.

Candy leapt off her shoulder, and shouted, "I'll share my power with you, kuru!" She shot a beam from her forehead, producing Cure Decors that Happy and Asuna took respectively. They shined, as they transformed into golden tiaras on their heads. "Precure…!" Happy called out as the two girls raised their palms together, their backs to one another, before drawing a large light-energy heart with their palms, which filled its interior and exuded with energy. The two girls pulled back their hands as Candy leapt up in between them, before the trio shouted, "…Royal Shower!", thrusting their arms together, and unleashing the burst of energy forward, consuming the remaining Heartless in its wake, while Pop and Donald watched in awe. When the attack died down, the tiaras on the girls heads vanished.

"Well done, Happy!" Asuna cheered, giving her a high five.

"That attack was ultra-awesome!" Happy cheered, turning to Candy as she added, "You did an amazing job, too, Candy!"

"I'm happy to help, kuru!" The fairy replied, leaping up into Happy's arms as she embraced her.

"Come on! No time to waste!" Donald shouted to the girls, as he and Pop waited for them.

"We should keep pressing forward, de gozaru." Pop told them.

"They're right." Asuna agreed, turning to Happy, "Let's go on." Happy and Candy nodded in agreement, and they ran together to the path onward.


Orb of Neglect, Slothful Ravine

Moment's later, dealing with a couple more rooms of Heartless each, the three teams finally found an exit to the cave, where they came together simultaneously. "Everyone!" Happy and Candy greeted their friends, glad to see they were all okay.

"Happy!" The four Precure responded, gathering back with them, along with Team Keybladers.

"Glad you guys kept everyone safe." Kirito told the other teams, raising a fist to Sora, who bumped it with his own.

"Glad we managed to pull through that trap." Asuna sighed in relief.

"I'm so glad you girls are okay, de gozaru." Pop told the girls.

"Same." Happy admitted, "I was scared that you guys would get brainwashed when I wasn't looking again."

"Hey, don't go thinkin' that about us, Happy." Sunny told her.

"Sunny's right. We're a lot stronger and more sure of ourselves after you, Asuna-senpai and the others woke us up." Peace agreed.

"We're not gonna stop marching forward to our dreams, okay?" March assured her.

"So don't go worrying about us, okay?" Beauty told her. Happy, a little teary-eyed from worry, nodded in assurance. The heroes watched from a distance, glad to see them back together again.

"Ugh! I think I just threw up in my mouth a little." Spoke up a familiar voice. The others spun towards a boulder on the path ahead of them. Sitting on it, was Tears, arching her back as she stretched herself from waiting.

"Tears!" Asuna shouted, the heroes and Pretty Cure all prepping to fight her.

"You certainly are persistent, and it's annoying." Tears scoffed, jumping off the boulder to confront them, "Still, all the persistence will amount to nothing in the end."

"What do you mean by that?!" Happy questioned her.

"Because during this time, that little monster Joker created is getting an upgrade with my darkness, becoming a Dark Hybrid." Tears answered, leaning forward, "Soon, you're gonna WISH you just gave into this world's influence instead of fighting my it off!"

"Why would that be a good thing?!" Sora demanded, "All this world is doing is preventing them from moving towards their dreams."

"The dreams of light-hearted fools are pointless." Tears scoffed, "There is no need to pursue something like that."

"You're wrong, kuru!" Candy cried out, getting the team's attention, "Miyuki, Akane, Yayoi, Nao, and Reika. They are all trying to reach their ultra happiness, kuru! When they forgot all of that, they weren't the same dear friends I remember, and that scared me, kuru!"

"Candy…" Happy muttered, relating to her when she saw the state of her friends when they became negligent and brainwashed.

"What matters is that despite the troubles it takes to reach those dreams, it'll all be worth it in the end." Asuna finished up.

"Will it, though?" Said another voice, causing the team look to the left area, where a small bluff was at. A dark corridor opened up to reveal Gouxus, appearing on the scene.

"Why do you keep coming back?!" Donald demanded.

"Who is that guy?" March asked.

"Bad news." Kirito replied.

"Stay out of this, Organization fools!" Tears barked to Gouxus, "You have no part in this world, whatsoever!"

"Then consider what I have to say as a little bonus." Gouxus replied, looking from her to the heroes and heroines, "After all, these children fail to understand the inevitable truth."

"What inevitable truth?!" March demanded.

"What happens when you reach your dreams?" The Nobody of Sugou questioned the team, "Say you reach your goals, what then? You find your happiness, but that can only last for so long. You scrambled your way to that very goal which you seek, gone as far as you could but realize there is nothing else beyond it. You've reached the peak of your happiness, but even that will end up boring you. Happiness is finite, and rushing to it will cause you to get bored of it even quicker."

"That's not true!" Happy retorted.

"We won't be bored after our goals have been achieved!" Beauty argued.

"That's right! Our dreams will always be full of happiness, for us and the people around us!" Peace added.

"And how long will that last?" Gouxus asked, "The same, single-minded goal you reached. The same thing day after day after day. In the end, it'll be a continuous wheel that'll eventually wear down, until it breaks apart." The Smile Precure looked frustrated, worried that he might be onto something.

"Okay, that is a good point. Not bad for an obsolete Organization member" Tears stated, smirking at what he was saying to them, before looking to the heroes and heroines, "Let's leave them with those thoughts for a bit." She raised a hand, and with a snap of her fingers, five familiar Heartless appeared, at the ready. Ones they only encountered once in the world of Tribe Cool Crew.

"High Crowds!" Kirito recognized.

"So she's producing them, too?!" Yui asked.

(Insert Tribe Cool Crew OST 'Get Ready')

The High Crowds started to dance to the music, unleashing dark shockwaves with their dancing, causing the teams to brace themselves against the attacks. "What is this?!" Akane demanded.

"I'm feeling sick to my stomach hearing it!" Peace exclaimed, covering her ears.

"The High Crowd are a special kind of Heartless!" Sora called out, "They can't be beaten in the normal way! We gotta-!" Another shockwave caused him to stop mid-sentence, causing him to endure again.

"With that, I'll step away to enjoy the results." Gouxus stated, smirking as he turned and walked into a newly-produced corridor of darkness.

"Just face the facts, kids!" Tears shouted at the girls through the shockwaves, "Is reaching your goals really that great?! You light-hearted kids think so optimistic, that you never understood the end consequences! All that struggle for one goal, and that'll be all you have, until your dream is run dry for all of its joy! And all you have is an empty void in your heart, with no way to fill it up with that single-minded dream!"

The Smile Precure were struggling, especially with the dark shockwaves starting to seep into their hearts thanks to Tears's words. They were struggling to endure, and didn't think of a single argument against it. However, someone else did.

"You talk like they only have one goal to reach in their lives!" Asuna argued, stepping forward through the shockwaves, "Like even if they reach as far as they could, succeed in their happiness, that's it. It's all over. But the thing about dreams is that there are as many dreams as there are hearts, if not, infinitely more! So when you reach one dream, you can always try something else! Even if you fail at it, you can still try more and more, until you are able to do so many things, bring all forms of happiness! Try everything!"

Asuna started to feel something within her, and looked down at her feet, which started to glow brightly. She then concentrated, and drew a circle around her with her feet, leaving a glowing light as a trail. She then looked to the High Crowds, and saw, in her vision, the level of dance they needed to achieve to defeat them. "What's she doin', de gozaru?!" Pop questioned.

"I think she's setting up for a Dance Stage!" Yui realized.

The light circle created formed a barrier to block off the shockwaves, as she understood what she was doing, and turned to the Smile Precure, shouting, "Girls, we're not gonna let Gouxus or Tears's words doubt our hearts! Remember that there are more dreams than just the ones you are reaching. Let's show the High Crowd and Tears we're willing to try and succeed in everything!"

The Smile Precure were able to endure the shockwaves, hearing Asuna's words, before nodding in agreement. They rushed over and joined Asuna's side, who glared at Tears and the High Crowds, saying, "Time to get this on before we start. Soul Armament!" Her clothes glowed, turning into Cure Beat's attire, before concentrating herself, and shouting, "Dance Stage On!", stomping the ground, causing her light-elemented dance energy to spread about, changing the scenery around them. Kirito, Sora and the others witness this take place, seeing Asuna take center stage.


Stage: Star-shaped performance stage, surrounded by stadium spotlights, white and shining in the center, the five points darkened out. Asuna stood in the center, still in Cure Beat's Soul Armament, wearing a headset mike, while the Smile Precure stood on the five points, waiting. Clouds surrounded the area around them, blocking out the audience.

(Insert 'Try Everything', sung by Shakira)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (x4)

(Asuna stood in the center of the stage, as the camera circled around her from far off, before coming in close to circle her and stop in front of her face.)

I messed up tonight, I lost another fight

Lost to myself, but I'll just start again

I keep falling down

I keep on hitting the ground

But I always get up now to see what's next

(Asuna started dancing as she lip-synced to the song, being subtle with her movements as she utilized her jazz and idol-esque moves, even doing moves based on the lyrics.)

Birds don't just fly

They fall down and get up

(Asuna steps up her dance as the five girls started to bop to the beat in the lightless star point platforms.)

Nobody learns without getting it wrong

(The points light up in each Precure's signature color one at a time at every second beat, each girl striking their signature poses as they light up.)

I won't give up

No, I won't give in till I reach the end

And then I'll start again

No, I won't leave

I want to try everything

I want to try even though I could fail

(Repeat)

(Asuna started dancing as the other girls around her mimicked her dance steps, which she kept the dance skills to their level. She was able to throw in moves she could pull off, while the others did more subtle versions of said dance steps.)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Try everything (x3)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

(The platform beneath them suddenly rose up and scattered apart, splitting the five points the Precure were dancing on from the pentagon part Asuna stood on, which rose up as the girls's platforms spun around her. She then stepped forward as her pentagon platform broke two-fifths off, flying away as Peace & Beauty's platforms connected to her's.)

Look how far you've come

You filled your heart with love

Baby, you've done enough

Take a deep breath

(Asuna sang to both Peace & Beauty, taking each of their hands, and twirling them across each other, as the two-fifths of her platform appeared in front of her, with Sunny & March's platforms joining it.)

Don't beat yourself up

No need to run so fast

Sometimes we come last, but we did our best

(Asuna sang to Sunny first, then to March with the next verse, as Happy's platforms joined in front of them, and they finished with both Asuna & Happy punching the air in victory.)

I won't give up

No, I won't give in till I reach the end

And then I'll start again

No, I won't leave

I want to try everything

I want to try even though I could fail

(Repeat)

(The girls danced together with Happy and Asuna in front, and the other four dancing triangular from them, in total sync, mixing jazz, idol, and a bit of ballet in their dance. The platforms divided up into three parts, with Sunny and Peace on one platform, March & Beauty on another one, and Happy & Asuna on the final one.)

I'll keep on making those new mistakes

I'll keep on making them every day

Those new mistakes

(The camera shows off Sunny & Peace dancing, before showing March & Beauty dancing, and finally Asuna & Happy dancing, as the three platforms merged together into an arch-like form, with the image of a tiara right behind them.)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Try everything (x3)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Try everything

(The six girls danced with fluidity, their dance steps becoming lighter and not as strong, before finishing with the Precure surrounding Asuna, as she sat down on the edge, singing the last lyrics.)


Asuna gathered up the dance energy from their performance into her feet, and with a stomp, she sent it flying to the High Crowd, who took the full blast, and faded away into existence. With that, the scene reverted to normal as only the Precure, Asuna, the rest of Team Keybladers, and Tears remained.

"Tch! So you kids also learned that power?" Tears scoffed.

"You see? Even if we fail, even if we reached the peak of our dreams, that doesn't mean it's all over!" Asuna argued.

"That's right! Our ultra-happiness is never-ending!" Happy finished, with the other Precure nodding in agreement.

Tears looked frustrated at the group in front of her, before calming herself as she responded, "You light-hearted idiots are so annoying, trying to find the positive in anything! Fine then, let's see you act the same way once my Dark Hybrid is created!" A swirl of darkness surrounded her, and she vanished from sight, leaving the team alone.

"Asuna!" Donald cried out, "We forgot to take a photo of her!"

"Oh, darn it!" Asuna realized, "And after I reminded myself before."

"What about a photo?" Sunny asked.

"We need to take a photo of Tears. A colleague of ours feels like he would know something about her." Asuna explained.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." Sora realized.

"Honestly, me, too." Kirito admitted.

"Same here." Goofy finished.

"Why did you guys forget?!" Yui asked them, "This is important to me!"

"Sorry about that." The three boys apologized.

"We'd better catch up, put a stop to her and the Akanbe, and get a picture of her in the process!" Happy told the team. They all nodded in agreement, and took off.


Getting through the Orb of Neglect's wastelands was no easy feet, though they literally saw light at the end of the road, as far off in the distance, there what looked like a crack in the very world itself. From what Pop assumed, the Precure's explosion of energy that awakened Asuna's Pretty Cure Soul Pact was responsible for that. However, there was a swirl of darkness forming in front of it, made by the gathering of darkness from Tears and Joker, creating the Dark Hybrid Akanbe. The team had to get there before it got too powerful, and that wasn't easy, especially since they were constantly blocked by the Heartless, regular and Cyber Heartless. They were able to demonstrate their Team Attacks to one another, as well as Sora demonstrating his new Sparkstrike attack, which impressed Kirito and Asuna.

The team was nearing the area when they ran into another form of interference. "What is this?!" Yui asked, looking up at a huge rectangular colorful wall with a picture of a jester on it. It was emanating a dark aura around it.

"Is that…a joker card?" Kirito asked.

"Kinda looks like one." Goofy replied.

"Joker. He's blocking our path forward, de gozaru." Pop growled.

"Well, this is the only path forward." Beauty pointed out, "Unless there is another way around we don't know."

"Let's try bashing through it!" Sora declared, readying his Keyblade.

"I'm with ya!" Sunny agreed, flexing her arms, while Donald joined in, readying his staff. Despite Asuna's and Beauty's call out to them, they charged together, and unleashed a triple strike on the card. However, that attack failed, and they were instantly ricocheted off, forced away by an energy exuding from it. They collapsed together on the ground, grimacing in pain.

"Even I knew that was a bad idea." Kirito told the trio.

"It was worth a shot." Goofy noted.

Candy propped up towards the card, looking up at it for a moment, before saying, "I think there's a way to get rid of this, kuru!"

"How can you tell, Candy?" Happy asked.

"Dunno. Just a feeling I am having, kuru…" She looked to either sides, which had different pathways, stating, "There seem to be something in both directions that are holding the card in place, kuru."

The dozen characters behind her looked at each other, with Kirito asking, "So what should we do?"

"Do you even ask?" Sunny questioned, "Let's go with Candy's judgement on this."

"Right. Candy won't make idle judgements like this." Happy argued.

"Then we'll go follow her choice." Asuna responded, "However, let's stick as a group, just in case. No splitting up on this one."

"Yeah, we did it one too many times as it is in this place." Sora argued, with Peace and Donald nodding in agreement. With that decision made, the thirteen heroes took the left path towards the first destination.


It took about ten minutes to reach an open area, where they discovered a pillar that looked like it was made of cybernetic material, with an open book on top of it. Surrounding the pillar were a swarm of Heartless, which were mainly Wild Oni, Hunter Wolf, and Majimps. There were even leaders, which were Cyber Heartless. Apart from the Majimps, the Hunter Wolf had metal claws, a sharp-bladed tail, and half-cyber metal masks on, while the Wild Oni had cybernetic chestplates with spiked shoulderpads, and their clubs were replaced with new ones that were hi-tech, and with glowing orbs on the tips.

"That's gotta be what's holding that massive card in place." Donald assumed.

"Considering what's in between us and it, that would be a very good assumption." March answered.

"Let's go, everyone!" Asuna shouted to the girls, "Soul Burst: Tifa Lockhart!" The image of the female brawler appeared above her, before diving into her Keyblade, transforming into gloves, which she tugged at the sleeves before getting ready to brawl.

"Soul Burst: Yuna!" Yui shouted, producing her own Keyblade, and summoning the illusion of the summoner herself, before she dove into her Keyblade, transform it into the summoner's staff, and calling out her Valefor to the field.

"Guess I'd better get on this, too! Soul Burst: Second Form!" Kirito shouted, summoning the illusion of his past self before diving into his Keyblade, transforming into his Elucidator.

The thirteen combatants took on the swarm of Heartless, with the three Soul Burst-users unleashing the most damage out of all of them. Of course, they all had their assistance from the others, such as Asuna, Happy and Sunny unleashing their own storm of fists and kicks together on the opponents, Donald and Peace riding on top of Valefor, unleashing a fusion of water, lightning, and Sonic Wind attacks from from Valefor onto the populace down below, or Sora, Beauty, and Kirito bringing out their swords and unleashing literal field of slashes all about them, destroying any that came their way.

Eventually, the groups took on the three 'general' Cyber Heartless, with the Majimp unleashing energy blasts to compete with Valefor's attacks, the Wild Oni enduring attacks while unleashing shockwaves by slamming his enhanced club on the ground that shoved back any close combat combatants, and the Hunter Wolf shredding through with claws and front roll spins with his sharp tail, clashing blades with blades.

"They are really giving us a run for our money!" Asuna stated, backing away from being flung back by another shockwave from the Wild Oni, while Candy healed up Happy from her injuries.

"Then let's switch out with one another!" Kirito shouted while Beauty & Sora held back the claws of the Hunter Wolf, while Goofy charged in with bash to the metal head, "We'll go after the Magimp!"

"Then let us handle the Wild Oni!" Yui called out, as March and Pop were dancing around the scatter fire that the Majimp was delivering.

"Right. Let's make it happen!" Asuna respond, "Everyone, switch out!" The three teams backed off from their respective opponents, allowing another to take it. Their plan worked, as dealing with with different opponents made their tasks easier.

"You can't catch us!" March shouted to the Wild Oni, running around the Wild Oni, confusing it, before she backed off as Pop went into alicorn form, and bashed right into it, before March came from the opposite side, and delivered a flying kick that pressured the Wild Oni hard. This left it vulnerable, as Yui used Valefor to unleash Energy Ray onto it, destroying it outright.

At the same time, Kirito and Sora, who had his Shooting Star Keyblade in his Magic Launcher form out, charged in as one, unleashing a Sonic Leap, before Sora unleashed a shot from his cannon, doing some major damage. The Majimp tried to counterattack with a energy beam from its magic orb, but Beauty came in, shouting, "Precure Beauty Blizzard!", unleashing her blizzard stream in response, the two attacks pushing off of one another, before canceling each other out. This gave able opportunity for Sora to leap up with Goofy, and unleash a Goofy Bombardment, striking the Cyber Heartless from above, and eliminating it.

Simultaneously, Happy and Sunny were running as the Hunter Wolf pursued them, unleashing a spin to bring down its bladed tail on them. They split up as it caused the floor to crack from impact, only to turn around and unleash a mixture of light and fire attacks together to damage it. It was able to get up and howl in rage, only for Asuna to come in, punch it several times with her gloves, back off, before unleashing a Dolphin Kick, doing a backflip kick that sent a dolphin striking the Heartless from below, causing it to fly upwards, and vanish in defeat.

As they finished their opponents, and started to go in at the pillar, Asuna and Yui stopped, their eyes glowing as they felt themselves fade out of reality. Both of them were entering their Station of Awakenings once more.


From Asuna's end, she reunited with Tifa again, with Tifa saying, "Seems like you and I are starting to form a closer bond since the last time."

"Yeah, we are." Asuna responded, "In any case, back to the subject before. You remember?"

"Right. We spoke about how you seem to know me, but I don't know you." Tifa recalled.

"Right. Kirito had a similar encounter with the soul of Cloud." Asuna compared, "The only thing I could think of is that you're a different version of Tifa from the one I know."

"So there is another version of me out there, huh?" Tifa realized.

"Although…" Asuna examined Tifa carefully, before continuing, "It might be just me, but I seem to notice just how much more physically fit and beautiful you are now than you were then."

"Really? Was the other me not this physically fit?" Tifa asked curiously.

"No, you definitely were." Asuna answered, recalling the physical strength she exuded back then, and how it even made Sora and the others not want to mess with her, "It's more like, I don't know, your figure is more noticeable than before. Sorry, I don't know how to explain it any better, and I'm starting to feel more awkward the more I speak about it."

"Yeah, agreed." Tifa understood, "Although, it isn't the first time. I do get a lot of attraction from people based on my looks. That is, until they were introduced to my fist and foot."

Asuna giggled at this, noting, "I've had my fair share of looks, as well. But then they see how I get into the front lines with my rapier, along with who my boyfriend is, and back off."

"Yeah, speaking of which…" Tifa started, "What is this other me's relationship with Cloud? Just curious."

Asuna thought back to her encounters with her, especially during the battle between Sephiroth, before answering, "You were Cloud's light. The one who kept him from falling into the darkness."

Tifa looked down, thinking on that, before smiling as she understood, "I was Cloud's light, huh? That doesn't sound too bad." She looked up at Asuna as she asked, "Does this mean you're the same for your boyfriend? Are you his light?"

Asuna smiled as she closed her eyes and placed a hand over her heart, answering, "I would like to think so. He has constantly been dealing with darkness, so I have to be there for him when it is too much for him to handle."

"In that case…" Tifa started, producing a ball of light in her hands, "This should help you out. Catch!" She tossed the ball up and punched it towards Asuna, who got a chest full of the orb. It didn't hurt, but entered into her, and she felt the new surge of energy from it. "These are my best weapons, and my best skills. You'd better use it to help your boyfriend out."

"Understood." Asuna answered, as the area started to white out, "I'll put it to good use!"


At the same time, Yui reunited with Yuna again in her own Station of Awakening. "You have been fighting along with my aeon very well, Yui."

"Your Valefor is very helpful, and fun to ride." Yui admitted, "I can see how he's one of your friends."

"Yeah…" Yuna admitted, her joy faltered by the statement, "Although, he was necessary in my pilgrimage."

"Pilgrimage?" Yui echoed, "You mean, you went on a journey to do something?"

"Yes." Yuna answered, "A great disaster called Sin had resurfaced in our world, and as a summoner, it was my duty to go and expel it. Valefor was my first aeon, and throughout my pilgrimage, I gathered more and more aeons in order to use them to stop Sin."

"Were you able to stop it?" Yui asked.

"Yes, although not the way that was initially done." Yuna answered, "You see, the tradition was that in the end, the summoner would sacrifice themself in order to create a moment of calm in the world, until the Sin would resurface once more."

"So when you said before about sacrifice, you were talking about yourself?!" Yui gasped, "All for a temporary amount of peace?"

"Yes…" Yuna answered, "But thanks to someone named Tidus, I was able to see there was more to my life than just sacrifice. A life I didn't want to let go of. So, thanks to him and many of my friends, we were able to break the cycle."

"That's great!" Yui praised her, "I'm so glad you didn't have to sacrifice yourself. As someone who has seen enough people give up their lives, whether for other or to escape their torment, I am glad you didn't choose that path."

"You dealt with a life like that?" Yuna asked, looking shocked at what Yui spoke about.

"Yes. I could only be a viewer, even though it was my duty to console those who are going through mental pain. But thanks to mama and papa, I was able to be free, and help so many people."

"So they were to you what Tidus was to me." Yuna understood, placing a hand on her heart, "Tell you what? I can grant you access to my full roster of aeons. They can aid you in future battles."

"Really?" Yui asked.

Yuna smiled and nodded, placing a hand on her heart, before producing an orb of light. With a puff, she blew the orb to Yui, who felt it enter her body, feeling the new surge of energy. "I look forward to the results of how you use it." She told the little girl, "Please, protect people with it."

"I will!" Yui answered, as the area when white, and faded away from her.


Back in reality, Asuna and Yui opened their eyes, there bodies glowing as they felt the new surge of power given to them. This drew the attention from everyone else, and they turned to the pair, who felt the power, before shouting one after another. "Advance Burst: Premium Hearts!" Asuna shouted. "Advance Burst: Grand Summoning!" Yui followed.

Asuna's glow became channeled to her fists, as she crossed her arms, her eyes closed, before thrust her fists upwards, her leather gloves replaced with new fist weapons, which were gold and silver, with exhaust pipe-looking pieces on the back, and blue gem fronts with a familiar heart symbol on them. She then held a pose as she placed one fist on her hip, while holding the other arm out at an angle.

At the same time, Yui raised her staff high, as it transformed into a new staff, which had a more phoenix-like head to it, and a bit more intricate. Yui then spun it around, as multiple summoning circles appeared in the air, with not just Valefor appearing, but Ifrit, Shiva, Ixion, and Bahamut. They were then retracted into their summoning circles as Yui readied herself for combat.

"Whoa! What in tarnations?!" Sunny gasped as everyone witnessed the new power-ups.

"Asuna and Yui were able to unlock the Advance Burst forms in their Soul Pacts!" Kirito realized.

"Awesome!" Sora cheered.

"Way to go, girls!" Goofy hollered.

The mother and daughter duo looked to each other, then at the active pillar, before Asuna told Yui, "Let's take it out as one!"

"Right!" Yui replied, spinning her staff, before summoning Ifrit to the battlefield. The fire spirit and Asuna leapt at the construct, the former summoning a flaming meteor, and hurling it at the construct in the Meteor Strike move, while Asuna went into a flying kick as she became encased in flames, unleashing her Burning Arrow technique. The two attacks combined onto the pillar, the combined damage destroying it entirely. Asuna flipped back to Yui's side as Ifrit vanished into another summoning circle.

"Man, those two put my fire to shame." Sunny admitted.

"They took it out in one blow!" Peace stated, her eyes glittering in admiration.

"That was so cool, kuru!" Candy exclaimed.

"We can't rest just yet, though, de gozaru." Pop informed them.

"Right. We have one more of these pillars to destroy before reaching the monster Tears is making AND the exit." Asuna told the team, deciding to prematurely deactivate her Advance Burst form, along with Yui, "Let's hurry up and get going!" With the decision made, the team raced back the way they came to get to their next destination.


Another twenty minutes later, the team were able to get to the other destination, with Candy's help, reaching the next pillar, which had more or less the same kind of situation; tons Heartless, with leading Cyber Heartless behind them. However, the setup was different, as it contained Soldiers, Large Bodies, Vermillion Sambas, and Gold Beats, with Cyber Heartless versions of Large Bodies, Vermillion Samba, and Gold Beat. The two floating Cyber Heartless had cybernetic caps, as well as had the rings around their bodies remade, the Vermillion Samba had fire cannons on their rings, while the Gold Beats had what looked like mini railguns on their's.

"Let's clear things up in one go!" Sora shouted, as he got close to Peace and Beauty.

"A triple Team Attack?" Asuna asked, with Candy and Happy right by her.

"Sounds like the plan. Let's go!" Kirito declared, as Sunny and March came to his side.

The three teams channeled themselves, and unleashed their Team Attacks together. Sora's team unleashed the Precure Thunder Blizzard, Asuna's team unleashed Precure Royal Shower, and Kirito's team unleashed Precure Fire Shoot. The three attacks completely decimated the swarm of Heartless, and caused a lot of damage to the three Cyber Heartless.

"We'll clear things up!" Yui shouted as she, Donald, Goofy, and Pop charged in at the weakened Cyber Heartless. Donald unleashed his Blizzard spell twice over to destroy the Large Body. Goofy did a clean uppercut with his shield onto the Vermillion Samba, while Pop turned into a can crusher and sumo-slapped it into oblivion. Yui dove at the Gold Beat and unleashed her Fan-Fair, spinning several times while slicing up the Heartless, destroying it.

"Great job, guys!" Sora cheered for the clean-up crew.

"Now to destroy this pillar!" Happy declared, rolling her shoulder, as her four dear friends joined her side. Together, the five Smile Precure leapt at the pillar, and with a unified blow, they destroyed it. Far off, the giant joker card's aura vanished, and it felt down, opening up the path ahead.

"That should clear the road ahead." Kirito said to the team, "We did a great job together!"

"Couldn't have done it without Candy telling us how to open up the path." March admitted, looking to the little fairy.

"Yeah. You helped us a lot, Candy!" Peace praised her.

"I'm just glad I could do something for my friends, kuru!" Candy replied, rubbing the back of his head. Meanwhile, Sora looked at Candy, thinking on something. A thought occurred to him, but he wasn't sure whether it was true or not. Deciding to hold onto the thought, but not vocalize it, he joined everyone as they raced back towards where the blockade was at.


Reaching the area where they first started, they saw the card had fallen, and the open path ahead, with the looming orb of darkness containing the Akanbe, and the crack of light just beyond it. "We're almost there, everyone." Asuna told the team, "We've kept Joker and Tears waiting long enough for us. Let's put an end to their plan." Everyone nodded in agreement, and charged ahead down the path towards their destination.


Orb of Neglect, Absent Crater

At the said destination, Joker was hovering right in front of the orb of darkness surrounding the roller coaster Akanbe, smiling eerily up at it, while Tears stood on a cliff side right underneath it, watching her work. The area where they were at was a massive crater, with a ravine that entered the crater at one end, and the light crack in the Orb of Neglect on the opposite end.

"Ah, what a beautiful sight." Joker noted, "This darkness is just so tantalizing. This could truly bring about a bad end to those girls, along with those other 'interruptions' of yours."

"Do not underestimate those 'interruptions'." Tears retorted, "As much as I do NOT like to admit, those light wielders are annoyingly persistent."

"Indeed. As are the Pretty Cure." Joker admitted, "But no worries. I bet with this darkness, not only can we eliminate all those who get in the way, but also achieve my goal in reviving my lord and master, Perriot."

"You can do that yourself." Tears scoffed, "My daddy's goal is all that matters. You, your powers, and this place just fit into what I want."

"But of course. And your powers fall into what I want." Joker replied, not even looking a bit offended by it.

From a distance, Gouxus watched the two and their conversation, not even stepping in to intervene or make a comment. Instead, he just stood there, until he noticed another area of movement. The heroes and heroines have arrived on the scene, racing out of the ravine, staring up at the orb of darkness.

"We made it!" Sora exclaimed.

"Joker, we're here to stop you, de gozaru!" Pop declared.

"Right! And after that, we're gonna leave this place together!" Happy followed up.

"Are you, now?" Joker asked, turning to the group with a sense of bravado, "Well, unfortunately, your little happy ending will not work that way!"

"It will!" Candy replied, "My friend and I will all reach our dreams with our own hands, kuru!"

"And with our hearts united, our dreams are never beyond our reach!" Asuna replied, punching her fist forward.

"Listen to yourselves. How idiotic can you be?!" Tears questioned, "Just because YOU claim to reach your dreams doesn't mean it will happen! I am going to make sure that optimism is taken down a peg!" She thrust her hand upwards to the dark-encased Akanbe, shouting, "Initiate Dark Hybrid!" The dark orb wrapped itself tightly around the Akanbe, Before turning it black. It then shape-shifted, its skin died black with a white belly, violet and yellow scales on its back. The face changed quite a bit, from having Heartless-like spirals in its eyes, its tongue becoming forked, and its clown-like nose becoming black and growing a flaming mustache from it.

"Marvelous!" Joker exclaimed, his teeth becoming sharp and maniacal, "This is truly the ultimate version of an Akanbe!"

"Indeed. Now for a fitting name…" Tears stated, "Let's call it the Kuro (Black) Akanbe!"

"KUROOO AKANBEEE!" The monster roared, causing shockwaves that the team braced against. When the waves died, they regained themselves as Asuna declared, "Everyone, let's take this monster down!"

"RIGHT!" Everyone answered, and they charged into the fight.

The Dark Hybrid flew down at the group, and charged at them, its flaming mustache turning into a fiery cone around its upper body. The heroes saw the attack, and evaded the best they could. However, the charge did cause the group to get flung about the place, forced off their feet by the shockwaves of the charge. The Kuro Akanbe climbed up into the air, and spiraled around as it faced the group again, before diving down at them, slamming its body down at where Kirito, March, Peace, Yui, and Pop were at. The five saw it coming, and scrambled out of the way, barely avoiding its pounce. The breaking of ground forced the team on the defense, knocking them back.

The force of the attack did stun the Dark Hybrid a bit, allowing the others to make a move. Asuna, Sunny, and Donald worked together, Asuna and Donald channeling two Fire spells into Sunny's fist, causing it to become a grand inferno, which she used to punch hard into the Akanbe's head. Meanwhile, Goofy and Beauty raced up together, Beauty utilizing her freezing winds to blow Goofy into a headlong shield bash into the side of the Kuro Akanbe. On the other side, Sora and Happy came together, roaring as one as with a punch and a slash, they struck the monster on the other side.

The Kuro Akanbe recovered itself, and flew back up into the sky, circling around and roaring its name at the group. Its eyes glowed, before firing dark laser eyes at the group, who evaded out of the way. The laser was continuous, and pursued Sora and Happy, who panicked as they saw it coming at them. It closed up on them, and had it not been for Asuna and March's intervention by speeding in and yanking them out of the way, they might've been hit. When the laser eyes had no target, the Kuro Akanbe ceased its attack.

"Can't we hit it while it's in the air like that?!" Sunny questioned.

"It's too far away for any of us to reach!" Kirito answered, disgruntled.

The Dark Hybrid opened its mouth, and fired out a large ball of darkness at the team, causing them to evade the attack the best they could. Unfortunately, the impact did catch Beauty, Kirito, Goofy, and Donald, while Pop, Candy, Sunny, and Peace got flung by the shockwave of the attack. "GUYS!" Happy and Asuna shouted, seeing the damage it caused, causing both Tears and Joker to cackle at the damage they took.

"Asuna, let's heal them up!" Sora shouted to the stunned Keyblade wielder, getting her back into focus again. She joined Sora, unleashing Soul Armament, and entering into her Cure Beat's attire, which had a boost to Cure spells. Using the spell alongside Sora, they healed up the team, though the ones who got caught in the blast were still injured. Fortunately, Candy came in and healed them with her magic.

"You guys are a lifesaver…" Kirito thanked them.

"Kirito, I know you are tough, but try to react better to stuff like that!" Asuna talked down her boyfriend.

"Right, sorry about that." Kirito apologized.

"Hate to intervene on this lover's quarrel, but it's firing again!" Sunny shouted, pointing to the sky, as they saw the Kuro Akanbe firing another energy orb at them.

Sora's instincts kicked in as Happy joined him, telling her, "Let's try knocking it back at the Akanbe together!"

"Eh?! Is that possible?!" Happy questioned.

"Dunno. But I feel like we can do it!" Sora answered, "Let's go!"

Together as one, the two made an incredible bound that shot them into the air, Sora spinning his Keyblade like a propeller as Happy wound up her arm. The two made contact with the dark orb, Sora thrusting his spinning Keyblade while Happy thrusted her fist into it. The two unleashed all the energy they could against it, even though it was slowly pushing them back. They wouldn't give up, and were able to slow it down to a stalemate.

"Happy! Sora!" Shouted a group of voices. Sunny, Peace, March, and Beauty leapt up together to join the pair, and struck the orb with their fists and feet, roaring as one as together, they were able to send the orb hurling backwards at the Kuro Akanbe, causing it to explode in its face, before it crashed to the ground.

"Nice going, everyone!" Asuna cheered as while the six came down from the sky, the other seven raced to the fallen Dark Hybrid.

"Donald! Let me power you up!" Yui shouted, switching out to her Keyblade, and shot a beam at Donald, activating his Soul Release, Donald Summon, unleashing his Filolial swarm onto the fallen Dark Hybrid.

"I'll get serious, too!" Asuna shouted, placing her hand to her Wayfinder, before shouting, "Soul Burst: Suite Precure!" She produced a Golden G-Clef, and fused it with her Wayfinder, turning into her Cure Module. At the same time, her Keyblade produced the image of Cure Beat, before diving into her Keyblade, and turning into a Red Fairy Tone, which fell into the top of her Cure Module. "Let's Play! Precure Modulation!" Asuna chanted activating her transformation, and entering into her Precure form. "Strumming to the Soul of my Beating Heart! Cure Soul!" She finished, striking a pose.

Cure Soul took a leap forward and unleashed a flying kick that struck so hard against the Kuro Akanbe, it ended up flipping over, and she ended up flying into the air, producing her Love Guitar Rod. "Soul Sonic!" Asuna shouted, unleashing a power chord as multiple energy notes appeared around her, turning into arrows as they homed in on the beast. Kirito and Goofy unified themselves and unleashed a Goofy Bombardment that did a lot more damage to it.

"What are you doing, Kuro Akanbe?!" Joker questioned, "You got a lot of power! Now take down those fools!" The Dark Hybrid woke up, and buffered everyone away from it as it took to the sky, roaring at them.

"We gotta keep the pressure on it!" Kirito shouted as Sora and the Precure joined the rest.

"Then let's give it all the pressure it deserves until it pops!" Sunny declared, cracking her knuckles.

The Dark Hybrid did have two stages it did. One stage was a head-on approach, where it would charge at the team surrounded by flames, or whipping its body at them like a whip. If given a chance, it would come crashing down headfirst into the ground at any of the heroes, though it would daze it for a moment, giving it a chance for the team to strike. The other stage is when it unleashed long-ranged attacks, from its laser eyes that pursued the team, to scattering small dark orbs at the team fired from its mouth, to a giant orb of darkness fired at them. The only way they could get it in range was if Sora, Kirito, or Asuna, along with the Precure, knocked the giant orb of darkness back at it. While they were able to deal plenty of damage to it, the damage it delivered, plus the amount of stamina, was both staggering.

"You children should give up while you have a chance!" Tears scoffed at the group, who looked worn down from the fight, as did the Kuro Akanbe, who was panting from its tongue, "Why are you trying so hard to achieve your hopes and future?! Your dumb happiness is not worth all this pain and suffering! Even if this battle is over, there will always be another fight, and another fight after that! Just end it now instead of prolonging the inevitable!"

"Persevering through all the pain with others by your side will lead you to a brighter tomorrow!" Yui retorted, getting everyone's attention, "My mama and papa. Sora, Donald, Goofy. They have shown examples of how they were able to push past the pain and not only save themselves, but everyone else around them, and achieve their goals! Even Happy and her friends are fighting for a brighter future, and I know that they will reach it together, one step at a time!"

Tears glared at Yui, who glared right back. Suddenly, a throbbing started to take place in her head, and Tears grimaced as she braced her head with one hand, trying to focus. There was something about this little girl that felt familiar to her. Something that caused her head pain, like something wanted to break out.

"What nonsense is this?!" Joker scoffed, "You're just spouting words that will do you no good! Words only mean so much, but your actions are completely different! In the end, MY goal will be achieved: a Bad End where my master Perriot will reign supreme, and any form of happiness, and future you want to achieve, and any hope you have will disappear into nothingness!"

"I won't let you do that, kuru!" Candy shouted, "My friends are trying to achieve dreams that not only bring happiness to themselves, but to everyone around them, kuru! All you are achieving is the complete opposite, kuru! We won't let you take anyone's ultra-happiness, kuruuu!" Candy's body glowed brightly, as everyone looked to her in shock. Even the Kuro Akanbe was backing away from her.

"What's with this power?!" Tears questioned.

Off in the distance, Gouxus narrowed his eyes, before forming a smirk as he muttered, "It looks like that creature might be one of them."

Back in the battlefield, the Precure and the others watched Candy's body glow, before a bright light appeared appear above, and transformed into what looked like a makeup case with a clock for a mirror. "The Royal Clock, de gozaru!" Pop realized.

"What is that?!" Asuna asked.

"It might just be what we need to finish this fight once and for all, de gozaru!" Pop answered.

"I won't let you!" Joker answered waving a hand forward, "Send them to oblivion, Kuro Akanbe!" The said monster's eyes glinted, and it opened its mouth wide as it tilted it upwards, and started to create a giant sphere, which grew larger and larger, practically being the size of a large meteor.

"What do we do about that?!" Donald squawked in shock.

"We gotta destroy it and the Dark Hybrid before they unleash it!" Kirito replied, "The question is how!"

"Look out!" Goofy hollered, as small orbs of darkness started to spill from the massive one, and nearly hit the team. The trio of Keyblade wielders were able to deflect the attacks, until one break stimulated a power in Sora, causing him to feel something.

"Guys, I think I got an idea!" He shouted.

"Great! We'll take care of it with our power together!" Happy answered, as the Smile Precure joined forces around Happy and the Royal Clock.

The five girls then summoned out magic wand with stems that looked like candles to their hands, placing their decor on them, making the tips shine. "Pegasus, lend us your power!" The five shouted together, and their wands summoned out Pegasus-shaped energy. At the same time, their attire transformed, gaining more white layers, making them look more royal-like, including golden tiaras and halos above their now longer hair. Each of them had a glow significant to their trademark colors.

"Princess Happy!" "Princess Sunny!" "Princess Peace!" "Princess March!" "Princess Beauty!" The five girls chanted one at a time, indicating their new forms, before unifying together, with their energy unicorns, shouting together, "Precure Princess Form!"

The Royal Clock appeared before them, as Princess Happy placed a new golden decor onto the base of it, circling her hand around the clock hands as she chanted, "Open! Royal Clock!" Candy followed up as she chanted, "Make everyone's powers as one, kuru!" She leapt up and pressed the gem on top of the Royal Clock, making it shine a golden hue, which bursted out into the air, which ignited and became a phoenix.

The five princess-formed Precure got onto their pegasus, and took off at the Dark Hybrid, as Sora exclaimed, "That's so awesome! Let's go join them! Attraction Flow: Mountain Coaster!" With the power of Sora's magic, he summoned up the neon-lit roller coaster train like he did in Olympus, utilizing a light-element coaster track. He and everyone else, including Pop, got onto the carts, with Sora in front, Donald and Goofy in the second cart, Asuna and Yui in the third, and Kirito and Pop in the fourth cart.

They rode up into the sky after the Precure, who were in pursuit of the Kuro Akanbe that circled around its massive orb of destruction, which slowly started to fall towards the ground. They had to catch up and weaken the Dark Hybrid before finishing it off.

Princess Happy joined the Mountain Coaster's side as they went in pursuit of the Kuro Akanbe, merging their powers together to unleash magic fireworks and light streams at it, dealing damage to it continuously. It dove into the dark orb like a worm, evading their attacks, before popping out from the side to try and attack the Mountain Coaster team. Fortunately, Princess Sunny and March came in on their pegasus to knock it for a loop, giving a chance for Sora and Princess Happy to circle around and come at it, attacking it continuously again. After about fifteen seconds, it dove into the orb and tried the same trick again, only this time, Princess Peace and Beauty hit it before it could strike dazing it again.

After another volley, Sora guided the train away from the falling orb, while the Akanbe dove into it, trying to avoid getting hit again. As the Smile Precure flew in to join them, Asuna felt Cure Beat's Soul Pact resonate and explode with energy in this moment. It was reacting to the energy emanating by the Smile Precure, and it wanted to unleash with them. The surge was causing her body to glow, getting Yui and the boys in the fourth cart's attention.

"I'll join in on the final attack!" Asuna decided, leaping out of the cart, and roaring as the Soul Burst: Suite Precure was unleashed. In an instant, her power went past the Soul Burst, and straight into Advance Burst: Crescendo Tone, flying down in front of the Mountain Coaster, and guiding the team forward, her power accelerating the speed of the train.

"Deliver the light of hope!" Happy shouted, followed by the rest of her team, "Fly into the future shining with light!" Through their flight, they left a trail of light that formed a phoenix, which ignited in flames. At the same Soul guided the Mountain Coaster, chanting, "Let the symphony of light resonate to the future of the world!" The railway of the Mountain Coaster turned rainbow color, and the phoenix the Smile Precure enhanced their attack.

"Precure Royal Rainbow…!" The Smile Precure started, zooming in with their wands pointing ahead of them. "…Session Ensemble…!" Soul followed up, thrusting her arm forward as she and the Mountain Coaster became consumed in the phoenix. "…Burst!" The girls all shouted together, as the phoenix shrieked and shot the Mountain Coaster, with the boys and Yui riding on it, Donald crying out at the top of his lungs, right into the orb. Like a bolt of lightning, and as quick as one, they destroyed the orb and the Kuro Akanbe in one go, causing it to cry out in agony as it vanished, while Tears and Joker braced themselves from the explosion of energy, which caused the realm around them to crack till it shattered apart.

Happy blew out her candle as Soul landed right next to her. "Shine!" The two girls called out, as the other four girls stood at their sides, finishing, "Happy smile!"

The area was filled with a bright light, blinding everyone on the scene. When it came to, the Smile Precure, along with Candy and Cure Soul, who immediately reverted back to Asuna again, stood together, with the boys and Yui standing right behind them, not even questioning how they reappeared back there, but noticing they were back in the construction zone where they started before. Tears and Joker were standing in front of them, the latter's face contorted in anger.

"Even that Kuro Akanbe was defeated?!" Joker questioned, "How? Did the Royal Clock give them such power?! Or was it those other wielders?!" He turned to Tears, who had her hand held out lazily in front of her, absorbing all that remained of the Orb of Neglect. He demanded, "I thought your power would defeat the Precure! What happened?!"

"It's like I said, the light-wielding fools are more persistent than you realize." Tears answered, finishing up gathering the darkness, "I was hoping things would work out. How was I suppose to know even your light-wielding troublemakers would also pull off a miracle like that? Regardless, I got what I came here for. If you want to continue getting power to defeat them, you'll have to work under my daddy."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Joker scoffed, "The only one I serve under is Perriot! I must find what I need to revive him and stop the Precure!"

"Then we're done here with our alliance." Tears told him, waving him away, "You and I couldn't stop them together, so we'll do it individually." Joker clicked his tongue, before summoning up a card big enough for him, flipping it around to summon a portal, and vanishing into it, causing the card to vanish.

Tears glared at the heroes and heroines, stating, "You just had to pull off another miracle, just like those stupid Heart Sisters before!"

"The Heart Sisters?" Sora echoed, realizing she was speaking about Philia and her friends.

"I got what I came here for." Tears repeated, "And while it was fun to torture the lot of you, these kinds of mind games are not my thing. Enjoy whatever fleeting future you have!"

She turned and was about to summon up a portal, when she heard Sora shout out, "Wait!" She stopped and turned around to them again, only to hear a snap of a camera. Sora had pulled out his Gummiphone, and took a picture of her.

She was taken aback for a second, before slyly grinning at him, asking, "What's this? Trying to take a photo of a beautiful girl without her approval? You naughty boy, you."

"What? That's not it!" Sora answered, flustered at her comment.

"Forget it, Sora." Asuna intervened, knowing what she was trying to do, "We're just getting a photo of who we're dealing with." Tears only had a hint of curiosity, but dismissed it almost as quickly, before opening up a corridor, and vanishing.

In the forest, Gouxus, unscathed by the explosion of energy that broke the Orb of Despair, watched the team gathered together, celebrating their victory, and enamored by the Royal Clock's power. Finally, he said, without anyone listening, "Your hearts yearning for the hopes and dreams of the future won this battle for you. However, you are not the only ones who have hopes and dreams to achieve. WE have something we want to achieve, as well. One we will achieve, no matter the cost." With these final words, he opened up a corridor of darkness, and vanished.


With things calming down, and the Precure reverted to their civilian forms again, Kirito sighed in relief as she stated, "I don't know about you guys, but I think that was way harder that it should've been."

"Yeah. Joker and that Akanbe was not an easy target to fight off." Yui noted.

"Agreed." Reika answered.

"Not to mention Tears was a pretty tough customer." Akane added.

"Yeah, and Gouxus nearly got to me a couple times." Miyuki admitted, "I bet things are gonna be tougher from now on."

"But as long as our teams work as one, and our hearts are united, then not even the Bad End Kingdom, Tears, or the Organization can stop us." Asuna told everyone, who smiled and nodded in agreement.

"It seems you all grew up a lot stronger from this, de gozaru." Pop stated in satisfaction.

"Yeah, and that last attack we did was kinda fun." Goofy chuckled.

"Uh-uh! I am not doing that again!" Donald retorted harshly, causing everyone to laugh at his statement.

"Does this mean you guys have to go?" Miyuki asked Asuna.

"Yeah, it does." She replied, "But don't worry. We can come back and visit. Maybe Ellen and the rest of the Suite Precure can join us!"

"Yeah, that would be fun!" Miyuki agreed.

"And Hummy can join in, too, kuru!" Candy added.

Yui looked to Sora, who had been pretty quiet all this time, thinking on something. "Are you okay, Sora?" Yui asked, "You are never this quiet."

The others looked to him as he hummed to himself in thought, before answering, "It's just, I had this funny feeling recently."

"Are you hungry?" Yayoi asked.

"No, not that kind of funny feeling." Sora answered, "I'm talking about Candy." Everyone looked to the said fairy, who looked confused.

"Why? What about her?" Pop asked.

"I don't know… I was just thinking there was some sort of connection between her and something else." He looked like he could hurt himself thinking this hard, before gasping, "That's right! The young heart!"

"Young heart?" Miyuki echoed, the Smile Precure looking to each other.

"Well, Candy does act pretty young, to me." Akane argued, "That goes without saying."

Meanwhile, the other five allies of Sora suddenly realized what he meant when he said this. "You mean… the young heart whose bonds of friendship can bring about miracles?" Yui summed up.

"One of the Lost Princesses?!" Donald squawked.

"Actually, it really fits Candy to a 'T'." Asuna realized, "Sora, you might be onto something!"

"Sorry, but we have no idea what you guys are talking about." Nao stated.

"Mind explaining to us?" Reika asked.

"You see, we didn't come here just to stop Tears, Gouxus and the Heartless." Asuna explained, "We are also searching for four individuals called the Lost Princesses of Heart."

This brought interest from the group, before Miyuki gasped, "Wait, are you trying to say that Candy is one of them?!"

"There's only one way to find out." Asuna answered, looking to Candy, who was perplexed. Drawing out her Keyblade, she closed her eyes as she focused her heart on the individual as she pointed down at Candy. She could feel the great amount of light within Candy, and her heart made a beat that she could feel throughout her entire body. Suddenly, her Keyblade sparked and swirled with light, before the light softly fell onto Candy. As soon as it did, light started to form from the place her heart was at, and she looked down at it. The Smile Precure and Pop looked startled at this. Asuna pulled back her Keyblade, twirled it about, and swung the tip up, sending a shower of light into the air, which fell down directly onto Candy like rain. Her body glowed as she touched her heart, feeling its glow.

"I feel something ultra-amazing inside of me, kuru!" Candy proclaimed, "This light is filling me up with an incredible energy, and making me fill with happy thoughts, kuru!"

"That's gotta be the sign that it is really her!" Sora realized.

"She's one of the four Lost Princesses!" Goofy cheered, whooping with joy.

"Kinda incredible she's the first, considering who she is." Kirito argued.

Asuna lowered her Keyblade, making it vanish as Candy looked up at her, seeing her smile as she asked, "We're so glad to find one of you. Candy, you are a lot more special than you realize. Not just to this world, but to this entire dimension."

"Really? I'm that important, kuru?" She asked.

"I knew she would be important, but not like this, de gozaru." Pop admitted.

"But…" Yui started, getting the others attention, "…The question is what do we do now? We found a Lost Princess, but it's not like we can protect her all the time. There are other places we must go to."

"You don't have to worry about that." Said a voice that caught everyone off guard. They looked about, until a portal opened up nearby them, causing some to be on guard. However, who came out relaxed them. The familiar pink, curled-tip twin tail hair, the machine like headpiece, and the dress.

"It's Dreamcast!" Yui recognized.

"Who?!" Akane asked, bewildered at her appearance.

"No worries. She's an ally." Asuna assured them, as she approached the group.

"Mistress Gretinal want to say in advance on congratulating you for finding the first Lost Princess of Heart." Dreamcast told the team, "Not bad on finding your first one!"

"We're thankful for the compliment, but why didn't she just call us?" Kirito asked, "We still have the orb for communication."

"Well, there are a couple reasons behind it." Dreamcast assured him, "First of all, she did give you the following order; bring the Lost Princess back to the Realm of Arrival."

This surprised the Keybladers, with Sora asking, "You mean, we have to take Candy with us?"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Miyuki interrupted, "What do you mean Candy has to go with them?! Does that mean we are going with her?!"

Dreamcast shook her head at this, responding, "She holds a responsibility that you girls unfortunately do not. As such, she must go alone, without any of you."

"But…" Miyuki started, looking horrified at being separated by Candy.

"You can't just take her!" Yayoi exclaimed, almost about to cry.

"That's right! Candy is our dear friend! We can't just let her leave like this!" Nao added.

"That's right! I don't want to leave my friends along, kuru!" Candy cried out to Dreamcast.

"I understand that you want to do this. But keep this in mind; opponents like Tears and Gouxus will just keep popping up in this world. As long as they are around, you are a threat to your friends." The news horrified Candy, not wanting to put her beloved friends in danger.

"But if she leaves, we won't be able to unleash the power of the Royal Clock, or even unleash powers that require Candy's help, de gozaru!" Pop argued.

"Oh, that's the other reason why I'm here." Dreamcast responded, digging into her pocket, "Now, let me see here. Where did I… ah, got it!" She pulled out a seed-shaped pink jewel. She held it up, and it shined brightly, causing the others to nearly go blind by it. Through their limited vision, they saw Dreamcast shrink down. By the time the light vanished, they looked down in shock. Dreamcast had just turned into a fairy-like creature almost the same as Candy. Heck, her hairstyle could almost be the same as Candy's.

"Mistress Gretinal created this gem specifically for occasions like this." The transformed girl explained, "It allows me to basically replicate her powers and abilities, including her appearance, until the danger passes for her to return."

"You mean…Candy will come back?" Reika asked.

"Of course! We're not stealing her away from you!" Dreamcast assured them, "After all, you guys are friends with her. We just need her help protecting the light from the darkness."

The Smile Precure and Pop looked to each other, and at Candy, who looked like she had mixed feelings. Finally, Sora stated, "We'll take good care of her!" This statement drew their attention, as he smiled and stated, "Candy is our friend, too. And we will make sure she is safe and protected. Right, guys?"

"Yeah!" "Right!" "Of course!" Donald, Goofy, and Yui answered respectively.

"But…" Miyuki started, only to be stopped by Asuna placing a hand on her shoulder, saying, "We wouldn't do this to you or Candy if it wasn't important. But right now, this is bigger than you realize. We need her help to save the light of many worlds."

"Although, in the end, it is up to Candy on whether she wants to come or not." Kirito argued, looking to the little fairy.

Everyone else looked to her, who looked back at everyone's faces, before closing her eyes, touching her heart, where the light shone before. Finally, she answered, "I really, really don't want to leave my friends behind, kuru. We already went through so much so far to separate, kuru. But… something in me now is telling me I need to go and help out there, kuru."

"Candy…" Miyuki muttered, looking to her in surprise.

Candy turned to the five girls, stating, "I want to stop Bad End Kingdom, but I also want to do my part to protect not just my friends, but so many others, kuru! I promise I will return, but…I feel this is right to me, kuru!" Hearing her resolve, the girls were surprised, before understanding the importance.

"We'll be glad to have you with us for the time being, Candy." Asuna assured her.

"Yeah. Besides, we need all the fun we need." Goofy pointed out, "And our ship does run on happiness."

"And you are the V.I.P when it comes to that!" Yui noted.

The moment of farewells was difficult. Miyuki, Akane, Yayoi, Nao, and Reika all hugged her with tears in their eyes. Pop tried to hold back his tears as he hugged her, but it was a battle. With a vow to see each other again, Candy hopped into Yui's arms, and she carried her as the Team Keybladers backed away from the girls, Pop, and Dreamcast, who told them to immediately go to the Realm of Arrival in order to get Candy prepared for the journey.

"Don't worry about the future. We will bring you back again, with even greater ultra-happiness than before!" Sora told the girls.

"Right! Take care, Candy!" Miyuki called out.

"Come back home soon!" Yayoi cried out.

"I will! I promise, kuru!" Candy responded, as Yui activated the teleporter, and in an instant, the team vanished from the world.

When they reappeared on the Swiftwing Gummi Ship, Yui let go of Candy, who looked about at the bridge of the ship, amazed. "This is your ship, kuru?!" She asked.

"Yep. This is how we travel to other world." Kirito answered, as Candy hopped from one place to another, before looking outside, seeing her world off in the distance. It was bittersweet, but she knew she had to leave.

"Come on! There's gonna be lots more fun till we get to the Realm of Arrival!" Sora told Candy, "We'll show you around!"

Candy looked at the six allies, before smiling as she answered, "I cannot wait, kuru!" As they started, Yui and Donald guided the ship back towards the Realm of Arrival, with the first of the Lost Princesses of Heart now discovered.


Next Time on Sword Art Kingdom III:

BT Floor 20! Preparing the Young Heart!