Eyecatcher B: Chibi Natsuko and Shun dance as Clara and the Nutcracker. They bow.
999
The difference between yesterday and today, aside from the obvious Chaos Dragon attack, was that when Teiko waited by the gate after school, Natsuko had met her, alone. Teiko had apprehensions about meeting Natsuko, and had even considered not messaging her at all, but knew she had a duty and agreed, even though her first impression of Natsuko left a faint, unpleasant taste in her mouth.
"Hi, thanks for waiting. I'm sorry I ditched you yesterday. I didn't think about my brother at the time." Natsuko bonked herself lightly on the head with a fist. "I've got dance in about an hour, but I thought we could talk for a while. I know a good place where we won't be disturbed. Want to go?"
"Ok," was all Teiko responded with. Natsuko motioned for her to follow, and they began walking, Teiko remaining a pace behind her companion. Much of the walk was conducted in silence; Natsuko feeling too out in the open, and Teiko not knowing what to say.
Eventuqally, the two crossed a four lane road and entered a park.
"Here we are." Natsuko gave a grand, sweeping gesture as an introduction to the green space.
The park was beautiful. Golden afternoon light filtered through the trees and the shadows of leaves danced on the ground at their feet. Teiko found herself wondering how she had never been here, despite living in this town her whole life. Together, they walked the path and took a seat on the first bench they came to. As before, no one else was around, so the two colorful swans popped out of the girls' bags and joined them in the bench.
"Since we'll be working together from now on, we should get to know each other better. It will help our teamwork. This is what we do in dance: Each person introduces themselves, then we go around the circle, well, we only have two-"
"What about us?" Pai interrupted.
"Sorry! I was just thinking about us. You may certainly join in!" Pai looked appeased. "We'll go around the circle, then, or the line," she said, looking down the bench, "and each say something about ourselves. The last person gets to pick the next topic. Ok? I'll start." Natsuko shifted on the bench so that she was facing more towards Teiko. "My name is Natsuko Akiyama, as I hope you still remember. I'm 14 years old and in class 2-4 at Mizuwa." She gestured towards Pai, who was sitting next to her. He stood and puffed his chest out.
"I'm Pai, a beautiful swan fairy from the Cygnus Kingdom and I'm three rotations old," he said, proudly. Pointing both wings at the other bird, he said, "And this is my friend, Zeta!" indicating that it was his turn.
"I, am indeed Zeta, a super cute swan fairy from the Cygnus Kingdom. I am also three rotations old, and if you're wondering, we know each other from the academy!" he said, pointing at Pai. Zeta's introduction had sounded to Teiko like he was trying to out pompous Pai. She rolled her eyes internally. Her turn had come up, so she shifted on the bench and adjusted her glasses.
"I'm Teiko Hakucho, 13, and in class 2-2."
Natsuko smiled and looked at her expectantly. When she did not continue, Natsuko prompted her. "You were the last one, so you pick the next topic and start."
"Ok," Teiko said, but her head was all fog. She grasped, but no thoughts, no topics would come to mind. Getting more nervous at the three pairs of eyes watching her, she finally looked at the two swans sitting between the two girls and asked the easy question. "How did you meet Pai?"
"You mean how did we meet our swan friends?" Natsuko asked.
"Y, yeah."
Natsuko watched her.
"Oh yeah. I go again." Teiko shifted on the bench once more. "I met Zeta down by the lake. Actually, I had seen him flying overhead with some other birds in the morning. Then I went to the lake to look for him. I thought I wouldn't find him, but then he flew right down near me. I took some pictures; it was really cute. Want to see?" Teiko said, reaching for her phone.
"What? You still have those?" Zeta exclaimed, jumping up. "No, delete them!"
Teiko smiled and held her phone away from the swan. "But this was our first meeting. We'll never have pictures like this again."
Zeta quieted down and looked away slowly. Teiko thought she saw him blush.
"Let's see!" said Natsuko.
Teiko loaded one up and leaned over so Natsuko could see.
"Hey, bring it down here!" Pai said, jumping up and craning his long neck. She did, and as they looked at the pictures of Zeta, Teiko realized how open she was being. There were only a few pictures, and the others liked them, laughing and fawning, but that meant the slideshow was over quickly. Teiko folded up her phone and held it in both hands on her lap. She was quiet for a while. Natsuko sensed her discomfort and gave her time.
How much time had passed? Had it only been a few days? Teiko had a strange feeling about how long she had been a Pretty Cure; her transformation was something which had both always been there and was brand new. Perhaps this was the result of the trauma she had experienced from Arbo's first attack. Who could be expected to deal with such a thing? But she had, and she survived, then did it again. Even with the defeat of the Konton, those memories still stirred up fear in her stomach. Teiko swallowed and took a deep breath before continuing.
"Zeta explained some of why he was here, then that was when Arbo attacked us."
"Who's that?" Natsuko asked quietly.
"He's the Chaos Dragon who attacked the school," Teiko answered. Natsuko nodded her understanding, but did not speak. "Zeta gave me a brooch so I could transform," she said, removing it from her bag to show Natsuko. Teiko was not sure why, but somehow this act felt very personal, and she was glad to put it away a few moments later. "I kind of fought him off, but mostly we just ran away." Teiko took another deep breath. "That's it. That's how I met Zeta."
Natsuko could see Teiko's muscles relaxing after having finished her story. She felt a bit sorry for the other girl, since, while still terrifying, her own first encounter was not as traumatic.
"It was actually here that I met Pai," Natsuko began, looking up at the trees, then at the swan. "This weirdo jumped up behind me and shouted 'Become Pretty Cure!' I thought I was being attacked or something, and smacked him with my bag." Natsuko shook her head, while Teiko cracked a small smile. "Pai tried to explain what he was doing, but wasn't very convincing. Well, that all changed the next day when we came back here and met a Chaos Dragon of our own." Teiko looked up at that; Zeta looked at Teiko.
"Here?" she asked.
"Yes, right by that bench," said Natsuko, pointing to the next one down the path.
"Are you sure we should be here then?" Asked Teiko, nervously.
Natsuko gave her a half grin. "I don't think there's any threat. Really, I think the Chaos Dragons could show up wherever they wanted to. This place feels peaceful. I like it." A lull. "I don't actually know the name of the Dragon I met here. I don't think she mentioned it. It was definitely a woman, though. Or female, I mean. Her skin, or scales, I guess it was, were completely black, and she had on a black dress, too."
"She was incredibly powerful," Pai chimed in.
"But we didn't fight. I don't know why, but she didn't want to. In fact, the first time I transformed was at school when we met."
"I would be interested to learn her name," Zeta said, after a pause. "I was telling Teiko before that I thought there may be more than one Chaos Dragon here on Earth. Looks like I was right," he said, then under his breath, "of course." Sneaking a glance around to see if anyone had heard him or seen his smirk, he continued, "I know Earth was supposedly a prime target because of the levels of Chaos Energy generated by humans-"
"Wait, Chaos Energy is generated by humans?" Natsuko blurted out.
"To be technical, it's generated by chaos, and that's what humans generate, so that's basically the same thing."
"How do we generate chaos?"
Zeta looked at Natsuko with a pitying expression. "Little girl, open your eyes," he said gently. "Humans create their own suffering. War, hatred, fear, stress; these are everyday subjects for you. The norm. You're used to them. You accept them. These are the reasons Earth has so much Chaos Energy." No one said anything for a minute. "I've been growing more and more concerned that the Chaos Dragons might be planning something big for Earth. And now that there are two of us," he gestured towards Pai, "two of you," then towards Teiko and Natsuko, "and two of them…" he trailed off. "Now my concern is that this isn't the end of it."
A breeze blew through the trees, ruffling hair and feathers while the four of them were left alone with their own thoughts. Hardly any sound from the outside world managed to work its way to their ears, but despite the calm of the trees, lounging lazily in the afternoon light as they had for decades, the atmosphere surrounding the bench was the opposite.
"Are you scared?" Natsuko's voice startled even herself when it broke the silence.
"Yes," Teiko replied, in a voice so soft, she would not have been heard if they were walking down the street. Once Cure Albireo had shown up, the fears she had from before had slipped away, because despite her outwards display of independence, Teiko was subconsciously elated by the fact that there was someone else; she just did not know how to express it.
"I am, too," Natsuko said. Her sad smile was a window into the fear she had just admitted to. Shun. What a strange situation. She would gladly do anything for his safety, but still had to remain safe herself. A life without the other would be unbearable for either.
Natsuko reached across the bench and placed her hand lightly on top of Teiko's. Teiko's heart lept, but she remained still, despite the surprise. The feeling was not uncomfortable, but to someone who often shied away from it, the touch was startling and somewhat foreign. Natsuko's fingers folded around Teiko's and squeezed, reassuringly. Teiko did not return the gesture, but thought she heard a faint sob from the other girl.
Natsuko stood up, releasing Teiko's hand, taking a deep breath and stretching. "I have to go to dance now, Teiko."
Teiko also rose, brushing her skirt down in the process. "Ok," was all she could say.
"Well be in touch, ok? Message me sometime." Natsuko picked up her bag and held it open for Pai, who climbed in. "See you tomorrow?"
Teiko took a moment to realize that Natsuko's last sentence was not a statement, but in fact, a question. "Ok," she said again.
"Great! Bye now!" Natsuko's face beamed as she started walking away. Teiko stared after her, then collected her own bag and Zeta and turned towards her apartment.
999
A hot bath can cure all. But even that night, Teiko could still feel a tingle where Natsuko had touched her hand. Despite the heat, Teiko shivered.
(Is this what it means to rely on someone?)
999
Saturday came around, bringing with it more normality. Teiko and Natsuko ate breakfast with their respective families, left their homes and traveled to school. Once there, they attended class, chatted with classmates and packed up. School was only a half day on Saturday, so once done, Teiko made her way to the gate, not sure of where else she would meet Natsuko. She had been quieter than usual during class, but no one seemed to notice. Thoughts of Pretty Cure floated through her head, going as far as pushing aside the lesson she was supposed to be learning at times.
"Hey, hello?" Natsuko said, waving her hand in front of Teiko's glasses. Teiko startled; she had been daydreaming about her new responsibilities, what they meant now and for the future, and how things would turn out.
"Sorry, I was thinking," Teiko said embarrassedly, running one hand through her hair.
"You shouldn't do so much of that!" Natsuko was all smiles, but Teiko felt a weight in her stomach. Natsuko noticed this and commented. "Hey now, are you ok? You look sick."
Teiko shook her head. "Too much thinking." Though she gave Natsuko a fake smile, her feelings had not changed.
"We should do something about that. It's Saturday, so let's go out! Have you eaten yet?" Teiko shook her head again, but in honesty, did not feel very hungry. "OK! Let's go to the old shopping arcade. You know the ramen shop there? I looooove their stuff. I'll even treat."
"Ok," Teiko said, even though she had brought a lunch, and waited for Natsuko to lead. When she remained in place, Teiko looked away awkwardly.
"Stop thinking!" Teiko was suddenly jolted forward, and her glasses slid down her nose. Natsuko had started walking, and slapped her on the back as she passed. "What did I tell you about that?" she said, walking backwards, away from the school. Her first inclination was to be mad, but Teiko smothered it, instead deciding Natsuko might be right.
Teiko pulled out her phone and quickly sent a message to her mother, stating her plans to hang out with Natsuko, then put it away again and took a deep breath. With lungs full of crisp, fall air, Teiko could feel stress rolling off of her. Natsuko had stopped a way ahead of her, so Teiko half jogged to catch up.
"Alright, let's go!" Natsuko said.
Perfect blue sky and bright noon sun made for a beautiful day, so the two decided to walk from school to the shopping arcade. There were several blocks between the two locations, but their jackets and the sunlight kept the chill at bay.
"So what do you like to do, Teiko?" Natsuko said, hands holding her bag behind her back. "We didn't get as much time to talk yesterday as I thought we would."
Teiko thought about her response for a few steps. "I like to play video games."
"Oh yeah? On your phone?" Natsuko said, before Teiko could continue.
"Uh, well, there is a phone version of the one I like, but my phone can't play it."
"That's too bad." Natsuko paused. "I like playing games on my phone. Maybe too much! Hee hee." She gave a mischievous grin and they walked a few more steps. "What else?"
"I read a lot of books." Teiko deliberately hesitated, but Natsuko did not interrupt this time. "I like spending time with my family."
"Me too! Well, my brother, at least. My mom is kind of a pain, you know?"
"Oh."
"I mean, she means well, but sometimes it's just like she's too overprotective. I love her, but…" Natsuko's eyes fell a little as she trailed off. Teiko noticed and stepped in so she would not have to go on.
"I have two sisters. My older sister, Ayumi, is 18. She's going to be going to college next year. And my younger sister, Harumi, is 10."
"That sounds cool; having sisters of different ages. Sometimes it's hard to be a twin. Oh, did I mention that before? My brother and I are twins."
"That's interesting."
"Yeah, I'm 41 minutes older than him." Natsuko grinned. "We're pretty much best friends, though. And his name is Shun." Teiko nodded her understanding, but did not say anything. "Oh!" With a surprised look on her face, Natsuko stopped suddenly, then Teiko did, too. Natsuko looked around sheepishly. "Uh, I guess I should tell you. Shun knows about me being a Pretty Cure." The budding sense of openness that had been growing inside of Teiko closed quickly at this revelation. "I forgot until just now. He saw our fight with the dragons. He was inside, so he wasn't affected by whatever they were doing." Natsuko sensed her companion's apprehension and quickly added. "I didn't tell him about you, though! He asked who the other Cure was, but I didn't know if you would be ok with him knowing, so I didn't tell him." Teiko felt that bud begin to open again, touched by Natsuko's thoughtfulness. She had not expected that anyone else would know about Pretty Cure yet, but to hear that Natsuko had kept her secret caused her respect for Natsuko to increase.
"Thank you. I, I'm not sure I want to tell anyone yet," Teiko said.
"I understand." Another pause in the conversation.
"So, what do you like to do?" Teiko dared ask.
Going into a twirl and leaping gracefully, Natsuko said, "I am a dancer." Teiko was impressed, and rightfully so, as Natsuko's moves were indeed professional. She smiled upon seeing Teiko's face light up, and, taking it as a cue for more, proceeded to perform, as well as can be expected, encumbered with a school bag, and all. Teiko watched with rapt attention, clapping excitedly at the end.
"That was amazing, Akiyama-san!"
Natsuko blinked; that was the first time Teiko had addressed her outside of Cure form.
"Hey!" came an angry shout, from inside Natsuko's bag. Pai forced his head out of the top and said, "Careful with all that jumping around and stuff! I'm in here, you know!"
"Sorry, Pai!" Natsuko said, rubbing the back of her head. Turning to Teiko, she waved her hand in front of her face, saying, "No, no, you don't have to be so formal! I'm just Natsuko, that's all."
"Sorry, I was just showing respect for my sempai," Teiko apologized.
At the word "sempai," Natsuko was taken even further aback than at having been called "Akiyama-san." She was about to ask what Teiko was talking about when she remembered the conversation from yesterday: "I'm Teiko Hakucho, 13, and in class 2-2."
"That's right, you are only 13. How did you get into our grade? Shouldn't you be a first year?" She said, as they resumed walking.
"Yeah, my birthday is in December, which was supposed to be too late to start school that year, but my parents argued with the school board to get me in a early."
"Wow, are you a genius?" Natsuko said.
Teiko looked away and laughed a little. "I don't think I'm a genius. Just smart."
"Hey, what are you doing in literature right now? Do you think you could tutor us? Shun didn't understand it, either."
"Uh, I don't know; I've never tutored anyone before."
"You should come over sometime. We can do homework together."
Teiko saw right through Natsuko's plan. There was nothing in it for her... Except that now they were both Pretty Cure and maybe she really should get to know Natsuko. She was nice. Besides, Teiko did not often get a chance to go out with friends, and they were closer to acquaintances than to true friends.
"I'll think about it," she said, not committing to anything yet, but her smile said she definitely leaned in one direction.
"Yay! Now let's get that ramen! I'm starving!" Natsuko cried, flinching inwardly at her choice of words.
"Un!" Teiko agreed, her eyes twinkling behind the frames of her glasses.
The rest of the walk was spent making other small talk about school and the like, and soon the duo found themselves at the entrance to the shopping arcade.
"Come on! It's just down here!" Natsuko lead the way, turning down an alley which Teiko had never traversed before. In this dark and slightly damp corridor, was a small ramen shop. Natsuko walked in, followed by Teiko. She then followed Natsuko's lead and sat at the counter, setting her bag on the floor in front of the stool. Natsuko recommended and ordered two steaming-hot bowls of ramen for them. She dug in with an impressive level of gusto and was finished much before Teiko, who wondered if her own bowl was actually a portal to the noodle dimension. She noticed Natsuko eyeing it even before she was done, so once Teiko reached her limit, she slid the bowl down the counter to her companion. Where did she put it all?
As promised, Natsuko paid at the end of the meal and lead Teiko back to the main road of the shopping arcade. The two girls walked from store to store, looking for nothing in particular. A few stores down the road, a noise from her bag caused Teiko to peer inside.
"I'm hungry, Teiko."
"Ok, just a minute." Teiko looked around for someplace to sit while Natsuko, who was standing next to her in an attempt to keep anyone else from seeing what was in the bag, looked crestfallen. "There," Teiko said, pointing to a bench. When she saw Natsuko's expression, she asked what the matter was.
"I forgot about them," she said, pointing to her bag.
Teiko just smiled. "It's ok, I brought a lunch, so they can share it. Let's go sit down."
"Our savior!" Zeta said with tears of joy streaming down his face.
"You're so dramatic," Teiko said, and closed the bag on him.
Teiko and Natsuko sat down on the empty bench and set their bags upright between them. Thusly hidden from view, the two swans enjoyed Teiko's lunch.
"So I guess I should pay you back for lunch," Teiko said, a little embarrassed.
"What? No way." Natsuko waved her hand. "I know you're not a mooch. You don't seem that way. Besides, we'll end up buying each other lunches and stuff all the time, so it'll balance out."
A boy ran through the crowd.
She was not about to bring it up, because it would be an awkward question, but Teiko wondered if Natsuko considered them friends.
(I still haven't decided yet.)
Someone else ran by, then another person. Teiko and Natsuko looked at each other, then in the direction from which the runners came. The frightened screams which now emanated from down the road were almost drowned out by the sound of her heart pounding in her ears.
"Let's go," Natsuko said, voice slightly wavering. She was already standing.
"Sorry, Zeta, you'll have to finish it later." Zeta stuffed two more wingfulls of rice into his beak, which he could no longer close, then gave her a feathery thumbs up. Teiko quickly repacked the contents of her bag, Zeta included, then stood as well. Natsuko, with Pai in the bag she carried, nodded; Teiko nodded back.
By this time, there was a venerable crush, and the two girls found it difficult to advance through the frantic crowd. So instead, they went with the flow and slipped down the alley where the ramen shop was located. Swinging around the corner onto the next street over, where there were much fewer people, they ran in the direction of the disturbance.
There was no doubt about it; the closer they got, the stronger the oppressive feeling of dread got. At one intersection, they turned back towards the shopping arcade and came upon the source of the panic.
Before a group of cowering shoppers, stood a Chaos Dragon.
The swans popped out of the girls' bags and flapped to the ground.
"How many are there?" exclaimed Zeta.
The Chaos Dragon heard, and turned towards them. This dragon had green scales and bright red spikes from the crown of its head, down its back and all the way to the tip of its tail. The military uniform was identical to Arbo's, with the exception of having holes cut in it to accommodate its wearer's spikes. Green eyes glared at them from over a short snout with long, serrated fangs.
Teiko and Natsuko, with grim faces, pulled out their brooches and set their feet.
"Yo hold on babes I gotta finish setting this Chaos Energy collector up," the dragon said.
Teiko's jaw dropped open and hung there. "Whaaaat?!" screamed Natsuko, taking offence to being called a 'babe.' "No, that's exactly why we're here, so that you don't!"
The Chaos Dragon turned a switch before facing the two girls again. "Aww man why you gotta be like that?"
Natsuko screamed in frustration and held her brooch out in front of her. "That's it! Teiko, let's teach this guy a lesson!" Two arms shot up into the air.
"Precure Take Flight!"
A flash of light obscured their figures from view, but when it dissipated, Cure Deneb and Cure Albireo stood in their place.
"Outshining the sun, the tail that maintains balance, Cure Deneb!"
"Two bright eyes in the darkness! The beak which leads the attack! Cure Albireo!"
Cure Albireo pointed a finger at the Chaos Dragon, said, "You're going down, jerk!" and launched herself at him. In a laid back, unexpectedly fluid motion, the Chaos Dragon turned away Albireo's punch, and her momentum carried her past him. Cure Deneb tried next, coming at him from the other side, but again, he just dodged it.
"Ah wait man I forgot to turn it on." The Chaos Dragon simply walked away from the fight like it was not even his business, pressed a button, and the machine hummed to life. Immediately, the strange mist that had been present during the fight with Arbo began rising from the terrified group of shoppers, cowering in the road on the far side of the Chaos Dragon.
Deneb charged again, this time, stopping in front of the dragon, to trade blows face to face, but Albireo had been following right behind, and ran into the back of Deneb when she stopped. She grunted as they collided, but quickly sidestepped to the left, so Deneb went right.
The Chaos Energy collecting device began making a beeping sound.
Albireo and Deneb both charged, from opposite sides, but the Chaos Dragon stepped up to meet Albireo, evaded her punch again, this time, grabbing her wrist and tossing her into Deneb. The two Cures tumbled on the pavement, but got up quickly.
Albireo was the first to attack again, actually engaging the Chaos Dragon, as Cure Deneb had tried at first, instead of just being brushed aside. The two combatants both blocked each other's punches as they got a feel for the other. Deneb, who thought she had snuck around behind the Chaos Dragon, came in with a kick. He was more attentive than she gave him credit for, though, since just before her kick was going to land, he spun away, making a full 360-degree rotation and placing his own kick in Deneb's back, knocking her into Albireo again.
"Come on!" Cure Albireo shouted at her partner.
"I didn't run into you!" Cure Deneb defended.
"Just stay out of my way!"
Meanwhile, the Chaos Dragon had walked over to the machine collecting Chaos Energy.
"Sweet timing man," he said, raising his hand to a small, black vortex which was opening to his side. Out of the vortex, he pulled an egg that size of a fist, then approached the Chaos Energy collector. He opened a door in the side of it and stuck the egg inside. The beeping stopped.
A moment later, he reopened the door, removed the now glowing egg, turned towards the Cures and threw it at them. Deneb and Albireo split to avoid the egg, but once it hit the ground, a huge cloud of smoke billowed out , concealing a large, vague shape. When it blew away, a dark grey Konton stood in front of them.
"Konton!"
Cure Deneb and Cure Albireo were now caught between the Konton and the Chaos Dragon. Zeta and Pai flew over to meet them and give some direction.
"You really have to work together!" Zeta said. Albireo and Deneb looked at each other, both somewhat upset with the other, but knew it was true.
"Before the Chaos Dragons showed up, you were getting along so well," Pai added. "This is new to both of you, but you have to understand that the only way you can hope to win is to work together! There are three confirmed Chaos Dragons and they can summon those Konton things, so you're outnumbered! If you go alone, you will both fall individually." The other three stared at Pai, not having expected something like that from him.
"You take the Konton," Albireo said. "I'll fight this guy."
"That guy? Ah man you do me wrong. I'll have you know I'm Salu the Green Dragon the third strongest warrior in the Chaos Dragons."
"What?" Cure Deneb said in confusion, causing Cure Albireo to look over. "I thought Arbo was the third strongest."
"He said that ah man he's nothing I'm where it's at."
"Whatever! Let's just take these guys out!" Cure Albireo said, running towards Salu. Cure Deneb turned to the Konton.
Albireo and Salu threw punches at each other, none of them reaching their intended targets, as they were about equally quick. Albireo jumped back.
"Ha speaking of nothing that's you," Salu taunted.
(If I could just do that laser attack...)
Another charge, and Salu sidestepped the punch and roundhouse kicked Albireo in the back, sending her sprawling on the pavement, which, miraculously did not result in road rash.
Meanwhile, Deneb struggled with the Konton. In addition to being fast and ten meters tall, the dragon also had the advantage of a tail, which it used to attack as well as balance. Deneb could not get close to its back, and its fists and feet proved hard to dodge. Deneb was knocked into a shop stand, sending the merchandise flying everywhere.
Deneb felt bad about the damaged goods, but had to move, as the Konton pressed on.
(I can't get the upper hand!)
"No! Team up! Team up! Both of you take on one of them!" Zeta shouted.
"Then what about the other? Are they just going to sit around and wait their turn?" Cure Albireo responded angrily. Salu's massive fist cuffed Albireo on the side of the head, knocking her off her feet.
"Albireo!" Deneb shouted.
"Pay attention!" Albireo replied, getting back up. Deneb turned back just in time to see the Konton kicking out at her, and she ducked. Deneb moved in, but the Konton twisted around and flicked its tail. Deneb got her arms up in time, but was still thrown backwards down the street from the blow.
The Konton swept its tail around again, similar to what the first Konton did, and recognising this, Deneb read the attack. Because she did not have to think about dodging, she was free to concentrate on a counter, which she did by leaping over the tail and landing in the Konton's blind spot. She aimed a kick at the dragon's massive knee and when her foot impacted it, the leg buckled. Deprived of its support, even the additional stability provided by the tail could not keep it upright.
"Albireo! Switch!" Deneb shouted, surprising even herself with this order. But switch they did, and Albireo came rocketing in to deliver a devastating kick before the Konton even hit the ground.
"You think you can turn your back on me," Salu said from behind, but he was intercepted by Deneb before he could reach Albireo, and, taken by surprise, Deneb's flying kick sent him crashing into another store.
The Konton was beginning to get up from where it fell in the road. Albireo was about to advance, but she heard her companion shout again. Deneb was running towards her with a determined look in her eyes. "Albireo! Let's finish this!"
Without any prior experience, as before, the two Cures came together and shouted in unison,
"Precure Option α!"
Aiming towards the Konton and standing directly behind Albireo, Deneb performed her Illumination, but the light was drawn to, and absorbed by Albireo's Twin Parallel Laser, creating larger, more powerful beams to pierce the Konton.
With a cry of "Konton!" the forenamed monster glowed brightly before exploding into a grey red smoke.
"Oh man they're for real," Salu said, then slipped into the shadow of an alley. Like after their first victory, any damage to the storefronts vanished, the red mist of Chaos Energy dissipated and the people from who it was being harvested fell asleep.
Cure Deneb and Cute Albireo looked at each other, both breathing heavily, but pleased with their efforts.
"Yes! You did it!" shouted Pai.
The shoppers were beginning to stir, so Deneb motioned for Albireo and the swans to leave the area. Once safely out of sight in a different alley than Salu escaped to, the two Cures reverted back to their civilian forms. Still shaking from fear, heavy exertion, adrenalin and excitement, Teiko and Natsuko laughed together.
"We did it. We can do this!" Natsuko said.
"I can't believe it," Teiko said, removing her glasses to wipe away small tears from the corners of her eyes.
They could hear disoriented, confused talk from the main street, but left the alley in the opposite direction to avoid being caught up in the questioning. As they walked away, they chatted.
"I'm so glad we were able to win. Doesn't that make you feel good?"
Teiko nodded. "Maybe we should practice. I heard that playing those dancing games in the arcade can help raise people's synchronization levels."
"What? Where did you hear that?" Natsuko asked.
Teiko turned pink and looked away. "Oh, it was on TV or a DVD or something," she said.
Natsuko giggled. "I don't think we need to sync up, exactly. I think we need to spend more time together, get to know and be more comfortable with each other."
"Yeah, that sounds good."
(I can rely on her,) Teiko thought.
"So much for our afternoon shopping," Natsuko lamented. "Well, we could go uptown."
"Ok," Teiko said, then, "Yeah, let's go uptown. There's a good arcade there. They have some dancing games." She smiled jokingly at Natsuko, who returned the smile and elbowed her gently.
"You."
999
Together, the two new friends found their way uptown, where they enjoyed an afternoon of browsing shops and relaxing after working hard all morning. But their journey had only just begun and there were many more challenges that awaited the Northern Cross Pretty Cure…
999
Next episode:
"Hi, I'm Natsuko!"
"And I'm Teiko!"
"What an exciting episode!"
"Yes, we're lucky to have gotten through that."
"But there's more ahead! Those Chaos Dragons got away!"
"Next time on…"
(together)
"Futari wa Pretty Cure Northern Cross!"
"Northern Cross Pre- what?"
"I thought…"
"Wait, who's that?"
999
Ending song: ganBALANCE de Dance, N.C.P.C. ver.