We're back again, sorry for the delay. I was having a hard time with another project. Anyways, you can start up your Honoka-chan counters. Now, let's jump back in!

Both girls found themselves in momentary state of shock, but that would soon pass and Honoka found Kotori grappled onto her. Kotori looked a little shaken up, so it was only natural Honoka would try to help her.

"Are you okay, Kotori-chan?" Honoka questioned.
"Yeah.." Kotori replied nervously. The ash-brunette's anxious state got Honoka a tad worried too.
"Did something happen?" The gingerhead wondered.
"Well.. I was trying to find you, and then I.. Thought I fell down a hole.." Kotori replied.
"EHH?! Really?" It wasn't like Kotori to not pay attention to her surroundings.
"Where are we anyways, Honoka-chan?" Kotori had finally caught a glance at the cavern they were in.
Honoka went on to explain her situation.
"Ah.. I'll do my best to help, Honoka-chan!" Kotori cheered.
"Let's go!" Honoka proclaimed.

And so, the two journeyed off. Climbing down a ladder, the two encountered a pink button ahead of a yellow cracked wall. Honoka stepped on the button, curious of the result, and the wall rose up into the ceiling. Beyond the door was a pit with two more buttons, and another door to be opened. The two managed to easily press both, but the doors closed very quickly. After some practice, Honoka and Kotori managed to scramble through the doors to find YET ANOTHER button. After yet another scramble through more doors, they got their reward, a new treasure chest. The contents of this one was a well polished crystal ball resting on a red pillow.
Honoka quickly pulled off her loot bag to put the ball in, and Kotori took notice of it.

"Wow! Honoka-chan, did you buy that recently? It's very cute!"

"Well, it fell near me when I fell down, I don't know who it belongs to.." Honoka replied, still a bit confused on the owner's whereabouts.

Venturing to the right, Honoka noticed a gray spot on the ground; It looked like it could be climbed under. Slipping under it, the two 2nd years landed in more water with a current pushing them through a passage. Eventually, the two got back on ground and Honoka busted some blocks above them to get them both to safer ground. The ginger found a strange sight in seeing a cherry lying on the ground and Kotori had noticed a cookie behind them. The cherry wasn't questioned too much, there were plenty of flora to warrant them being there; The cookie was a different situation, nothing in the cave so far made it's appearance make sense. Honoka picked up the cherry, and after a bit of checking, split the fruit to share half with Kotori. The fruit was very good, but Honoka's attention had turned to the cookie behind her. Despite Kotori's warnings to not attempt to eat it, her hunger got the better of her and the pastry was already in her mouth. To much surprise, it was pretty good and Honoka couldn't help but smile in delight.

Delicious pastries aside, there was still something above them, so they went up to check. Above lied a new chest to open. Once opened, it's contents was a beckoning cat. Nothing too special, lucky cats were pretty common in Japan, but this one seemed to be in pristine condition despite it's location. After another quick swim, the next area brought a menacing sight. A sizeable vat of magma; and the platforms among it didn't look too stable. Despite that, both of the girls had an easy time by simply flying over the magma. Climbing up to higher ground, the friends came across a stubby, cycloptic orange creature swinging on a chain. Honoka tossed her charm at the cyclops, and the charm produced an orange colored star this time. This star changed the ginger's outfit too; as she now sported a white skirt, red and blue top, and bit of orange from a newly formed hat and cape.
Kotori thought she couldn't have been more amazed, but her best bud debunked that the moment she shot a whip-like beam from her fingertips. The beam had destroyed a carved block, causing a chain of blasts from below; A loud thunk coming from below caught the duo's curiousity. There was a chest suspended above the magma pit by the untouched platforms. It was risky, but Honoka quickly leaped to it, quickly slammed the lid open, nabbed whatever was inside and jumped back towards safety. The ginger could finally examine the azure-bladed sword she took; She was grateful she grabbed it by the handle, as it felt very sharp. Honoka put it in the bag regardless. From there, the two had discovered a bomb block under a platform. The explosive block had removed a few blocks below them, with a new chest in sight. Honoka opened the chest and pulled out an unusual object..
[Screw Attack]
[Damage enemies while somersaulting]
That didn't seem very helpful.. Thus it was dumped into the star bag quickly. There appeared to be a similar carved block above them upon jumping out. Destroying it didn't clear all of the blocks however, but it appeared the stones beyond it could be easily destroyed. After clearing out some stones to the right dropped a chest right below them; right in front of a peculiar door. The chest took priority with it holding a piece of candy. The ginger would've been thrilled, if it's look didn't give away that it had been there for a very, VERY, long time. The door besides the treasure had led the two to a very calm room with nothing but a large blue pad; The area felt very safe despite not seeming too important. Although the girls had felt renergized while in the room, they decided to continue their adventure.

There appeared to be more carved blocks along the two's path, but the pair couldn't figure out what they did. Looking back, the girls had found a pool of water they had missed. They swam through to find a chest, that looked like the reward for smashing the carved blocks. Within was a mask with black and white halves, and a bunch of keys taped to the back... Weird. Pushing onwards through the door above, landed the girls in a long corridor. All of a sudden, a gorilla-like creature wielding a giant hammer ambushed the two! At least.. It would've if the ground below hadn't been taken out by a frightened Honoka; The gorilla had fallen to it's doom below. The ladder beyond the failed ambush led up with a opening to the left. A blast of plasma had taken the girls by surprise from a being of plasma with hands. The sneak attack reverted Honoka back to normal, so she lobbed her star right back at the wisp. The ginger now sported a sleeveless dress, a headset, and some black fingerless gloves and boots. The outfit change got Honoka to remember how she brought Kotori here, maybe it would be worth it to try again? The ginger's thoughts brought her to her other childhood friend, Umi Sonoda. Umi had always enjoyed exploring, so maybe she'd be willing to help!
She really didn't think this through...
Thanks for Reading!~
Next time, Umi joins the party, more treasures will be found, and an intense fight will take place! Hopefully it won't be as long of a wait...