Chapter 20: Whale Savors
A couple of hours have passed as the villagers on the island are still cleaning up the mess Turp created to make his base. Most of the base structures are removed and all the villagers' homes that were fenced are now removed and accessible to get to their houses and huts. The Pretty Cure team also did their best to help the villagers clean up village as they are working hard removing every material Turp and the Blots have forced the villagers to make. Sage Brushette comes forth to the Pretty Cure team with a small grin on her face.
"Why don't you Pretty Cures stop here and take a break." the sage said. The team heard her and stopped what they were doing. "It's not much left to remove of all Turp's dirty work, so we'll take it from here."
"Are you sure Ma'am?" Cure Sword asked.
"Of course, you've done more than enough to help us fix our island home." So the Pretty Cure team finished the last task they did and stopped for a breather.
"Woo…, that was a lot of work." Cure Black stated.
"Indeed, it was a lot of material to remove from this village." Cure Beauty noted.
Sage Brushette continues to speak, "I know you Pretty Cures like to help out, but you've got a mission to save Spectrum Land, and I can't let you young strong kids waste your energy to repair our home the whole time. You need to find the Wonder Color Blue that's being held deep within depths of the sea."
"So you know where the Wonder Color of this ocean is?" Cure Rhythm said in little surprise.
"Of course I do, I mean this old lady still has magic and wise intuition within me."
"Then…, can you take us there?" Cure Dream said happily.
Whack! The sage hit Dream's head. "What do you think I am, a submarine?" the sage grumped, "I can't use my magic to transport all of you in such big matter. And even if I did, I still wouldn't since I don't know exactly where the Wonder Color is."
The Pretty Cure team was shocked and upset. Cure Peach then speaks, "B-B-But you said you knew—"
"Yes, I did say where the Wonder Color is…, only in a special place where no land living being or me could find." The team became curious and confused, but the sage speaks, "The Wonder Color is being held in a place called Coral Castle."
"Coral Castle?" Cure Rosetta asked.
"Yep, that's the place you need to go. The only troubling part is that no one here in this village has seen this castle before including me. You can try searching for it with all your might, high and low, but finding that hidden place is like finding needle in a haystack."
"So it's like Yellow Desert all over again." Matt said in little complaint. All the Pretty Cures, the fairies, and Tint are now in a pickle.
"Now what do we do?" Cure Peace said in concern.
"How can we find an underwater castle in such a vast area like the sea?" Cure Blossom said in distress.
"You don't need to fear everyone." Bubbles said out loud to the team. Everyone heard her and turned towards her. "I happened to know where the castle is."
The team widens their eyes as some of the Cures smiled in joy. "Really!? You do!?" Cure Marine asked with joy.
"Sure I do, all sea creatures like me know where Coral Castle is. Truth be told, all sea creatures that live here in Blue Ocean have a special homing instinct that they are born with that can find the Coral Castle. It is said that they can visit this castle to see this wonderful princess and can grant their desires."
"A princess?" Cure Aqua wondered.
Bubbles nodded, "Mm-hmm, a mermaid princess."
"A mermaid princess!?" said a few Cures in sync and surprise.
"Wow, to think to actually meet a mythical creature that's based on a fairy tale story." Cure Lovely said in great happiness as she thinks about seeing a mermaid princess.
Sage Brushette became curious about Bubbles. "So you know about the princess of Blue Ocean?" she asked to Bubbles. Bubbles nodded in response. "Uh, tell me young one…, what's your name?"
"Oh, my name's Bubbles, why?"
Sage Brushette became more curious, "Hmm…, well it's not your name I'm wondering, but what's a sea angel like you doing here of this part of the sea." Bubbles makes a confused look. "It's just that of all the sea creatures I've encountered on this island, I've never expect to see a sea angel here in this tropical part of the ocean."
"Oh, well…, I'm a special sea angel. I just like this place, that's all."
Before the sage continues on for questioning, Cure Melody drops in and speaks to Bubbles. "Hey Bubbles, tell me, is the mermaid princess really magical?" Melody asked.
Bubbles smiles to Melody, "She's not only magical, she's beautiful. She happens to be the caretaker of the Wonder Color Blue, and she uses it to help protect her sea creatures from harm. She's a very lovely princess, and they call her Princess Pearl."
"Princess… Pearl…" Cure Lemonade said in amazement, "Wow…"
But after Bubbles' last statement, Sage Brushette raised one of her eyebrows. But suddenly, Mollusk, the elder's friend, came forth to the team and the sage as he was huffing and puffing. The team and the sage noticed Mollusk's presence. "Sage Brushette…, (huff)… we have a problem."
"What is it?" Sage Brushette asked.
"Follow me, I'll show you." Mollusk leads the way as the sage and the Pretty Cure team, including Bubbles, followed him. They followed Mollusk for a few seconds and arrived at hill's edge where Conch, the elder shellian, is standing and looking out toward the sea. Mollusk catches his breath, then he speaks to the elder shellian. "Conch, I've brought them."
"What seems to be the problem Conch?" Sage Brushette asked in a firm mood.
Conch slowly replied, "Sage, look at that." He pointed toward the sea he's looking.
The sage and Pretty Cure team looked to where Conch is pointing. And they were completely surprised when they witness that the sea is still covered with turpentine liquid that's spreading slowly in the oceanic water.
Conch continues to speak, "We don't know how to stop this contamination spread, but if we don't do something, Blue Ocean will be polluted for good and all the sea creatures will suffer and die."
Sage Brushette makes a firm look on her face. "Grr…, this is really bad." she said, "We got to fix this before it's too late."
"Sage Brushette, is there any way to stop the turpentine spread in the ocean, especially and huge spread like this?" Cure White asked.
"With this huge spread, I'm afraid my magic isn't powerful enough to stop this contaminated liquid." the sage in complaint. The Pretty Cure team is now in deep concern. "There is however one way." The team listened. "And it's the only choice we've got."
"What is it?" Cure Diamond asked.
"We need the mermaid princess' help. Only she and the Wonder Color of this ocean can create a powerful magic to purify the contaminated ocean and save all the sea creatures within it." Sage Brushette makes a firm look, "Pretty Cures, you must get a move on and head to Coral Castle to find the mermaid and the Wonder Color before it's too late."
"Except only one problem," Tint interrupted, "how can we get to that castle in a huge underwater place. We might not hold our breath enough to reach there in time."
The Pretty Cure team was definitely in a pickle, including Bubbles. But then Conch speaks up, "Hold on! I think I might know how." Everyone listened to him, "Rumor has it that some people spotted a huge whale just on the other side of this island. They said it visits there for some reason and it likes to show up that area very often. I think that whale may help you to reach Coral Castle in a jiffy."
"If that's true, then maybe that whale can show you where Coral Castle is." the sage stated. "Pretty Cures, this is the only chance you've got to save our island and ocean and find that Wonder Color."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Cure March said to the team, "Let's get a move on."
"But how do we get to other side of the island?" Cure Pine asked.
"I'll show you." the sage responded. She then walked up ahead as everyone followed her.
After a few minutes, the sage showed them a grassy pathway with a river next to it. She then pointed down the path. "Take this path with the river next to it, and I'm sure you'll reach the other side of the island in no time flat."
"Thanks Sage Brushette," Cure Ace replied, "we'll take it from here."
"You be careful now young ladies. There might be more dangers once you get closer to Coral Castle."
"We'll keep that in mind." Cure Mint said.
"Hold on Pretty Cures." Bubbles called to them, "Is it okay if I can still come along with you to Coral Castle. I know very much about that place like the back of my… uh… flipper."
"Of course you can," Cure Lovely responded, "like they said, the more the merrier."
Bubbles was delighted, and the team started to walk down the grassy path. Sage Brushette makes a curious look toward Bubbles as a thought occurs in her head. "Thinking about Bubbles?" the sage heard the voice and turned toward Matt who said it.
"Et tu, young man?" the sage responded.
Matt puts his fingers on his chin and makes a curious look on his face, "It's just that… something about Bubbles seemed funny that it ticked me. It's like she knows so much about Coral Castle like she already visit that place so many times."
"I know what you mean. I think mister is that Bubbles…, is no ordinary sea angel." the sage then makes a calm request to Matt. "Young man, would you do me a little favor for a kind old woman."
"Sure, what is it?"
"I'm very curious about that Bubbles, but I have to stay here in this village to help fix the mess that general Blot created. Would you mind figuring out who Bubbles really is?"
Matt smiles to Brushette, "Of course, anything for kind woman. That's what a gentleman does. And solving mysteries is my kind of thing."
"You're a very sweet young man." Matt nods and he dashes off to catch up with the Pretty Cure team. "Good luck young ones, and be careful!" The sage waved and smiled to the team.
Meanwhile back on Blue Ocean's main land beach side, the Blots were exhausted from their battle of the Pretty Cures. Turp who is with the Blots stares out toward the sea with his firm look.
"I may have lost my base due to those Pretty Cure pests," Turp said in a grudge, "but I still have a trick up in my sleeve to find that Wonder Color."
A Blot heard Turp's words as it approaches him. "Gwop-po?" it asked.
"How you may say? Why, I just know how will going to find that Wonder Color of this boring sea." Turp then pulled out a remote device that only had three buttons, one big and two small buttons. Turp presses the big button on the remote as he aims it towards the ocean. Suddenly a rumbling sound appeared and waves started to splash on the ocean's surface. The Blots were shaking in fright as if something big is about to appear. Within seconds, something is coming out of the water. To everyone's sight is something really huge and made out of metal, and it's big enough to carry a whole team of Blots and Turp. "Those Pretty Cures won't stand a chance against us when we're in this fine piece of machine." Turp evilly grins.
Back on the island's grass route next to the riverbank, the Pretty Cure team is walking down the path as they try to reach the other side of the island to find a huge whale. Along the way, some of the Pretty Cures started talking to each other.
"Y'know, when this over, why don't we hit the ocean water and have some fun." Cure Melody asked with glee.
"Melody, we can't go for a swim yet unless we get that Wonder Color first." Cure Rhythm said in a firm tone.
"Aaa… but I want to swim on this fine sunny day."
"Me too, I really like to swim in the water." Cure Bloom wished.
"Me three." Cure Princess followed.
"Well we can't yet," Cure Fortune noted, "Even if you did have the chance to swim, you're going have trouble breathing if that turpentine still exists in the water." Melody, Bloom, and Princess then flinched after they remembered what Fortune said. The three Cures then started to droop in sorrow.
"Cheer up you three," said Cure Rosetta, "I'm sure we'll get a chance to splash in the ocean once we retrieve the Wonder Color of this area."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." said Melody in little sorrow.
A few other Cures giggled in laughter from their silly friends. Matt watched the Cures talk back and forth in a friendly state as he makes a curious thought. "Hey girls, I'm wondering something…," Matt asked, and the Pretty Cures turned to him, "How did you girls become Pretty Cures? Were you born from another world and brought to Earth for a reason?" Once the Cures heard Matt's question, they all simply smiled back to Matt Oda.
"Not really Matt," Cure Muse first responds to Matt, "It's true that only a few of us were from another world, but we didn't became Pretty Cures right off the bat."
One of Matt's eyebrows lifts up. "What do you mean?"
"The only reason we are Pretty Cures is because we wanted to help others for those who are need from grave danger." Cure Lemonade stated.
"Also, it was our gold, pure, and compassionate hearts that summon the power of the Pretty Cure in order for us to transform and fight." Cure Pine noted.
"To tell you the truth Matt, we didn't want to become Pretty Cures…, at first." Cure White said.
"Really?" Matt said in little surprise, "but then…, how come you are now?"
"We didn't want to fight at first," Cure Aqua explained, "but I think our destiny wanted us to protect people and chose us to become Pretty Cures because due to our compassionate and cherish hearts that we share our love to everyone."
"It was uneasy at first," Cure Blossom said, "but once we understand our Pretty Cure powers and why we have them, we then realize it is our duty to use these powers for the good of the people we love and protect."
Matt became a little intrigued from hearing the Cure's statements. "So that's how…" he said, "So all you do is fight bad guys and destroy them for good."
"Not necessarily," Cure Passion said in a calm mood, "To be honest, I was once the Cures' enemy." Matt blinked in surprise. "I was a cohort fulfilling a master's order, but Peach and the others have always defeated my minions and me back then. And when I thought I lost everything, Peach and her friends gave me hope. Because of their kindness, I wanted to do the same thing to repay them, and my heart became pure and I became a Pretty Cure to fight alongside with them."
"So did I." Cure Beat followed, and Matt heard her. "I was once a vile enemy to Melody and her friends, but that was because the evil took control over me and I lost myself. But Hummy and the Cures showed me about true friendship, and I saw the light and wanted to help others and make them feel happy with a warm smile. That's when I became a Pretty Cure to fight for the good of the people."
"Oh cool," Matt said in amazement, "I just met two reformed enemies of the Pretty Cures who are now Cures fighting alongside." Matt then thinks, "To think, not just Pretty Cures powers, but the power of friendship can really change an enemy's impure heart and reach out to everyone."
"Indeed Matt," Cure Lovely replies, "Our job isn't to destroy our enemies; we want our enemies to understand their wrong actions, and we want to purify their hearts."
"And that Matt is the true power of Pretty Cure and our friendship." Cure Moonlight followed with a smile.
Matt became even more astounded from hearing all of the Pretty Cures' statements. He never knew fighting for the good isn't defeating enemies, but to reason them to understand their mistakes. Matt is learning about these Cures' every minute. Bubbles and Tint were also amazed by the Cures' stories as well.
"Wow, these Pretty Cures aren't heroes; they really have wonderful hearts and love to everyone." Tint thought with a smile.
"These lovely ladies are really special." Bubbles thought with a grin on her face, "I'm so glad I've met them."
Candy, on top of Cure Happy's head, started to twitch. "What is Candy?" Cure Happy noticed.
"Look up ahead-kuru." Candy said and pointed toward outward.
Everyone looked up, and up ahead is the other side of the island where there is an inland beach that is connected to the ocean. There were plentiful palm trees encircling the beach each carry a different fruit on them. There is also a high rocky hill that's right next to the beach. And the river is connected all the way to the inland beach. The Pretty Cures have made it to the other side of the island.
"It looks we're here." Cure Sunshine stated.
"But…, where's the whale-deshu?" Potpourri wondered.
"I don't see it either." Cure Marine said and looked for it.
"Could it be that the whale is not in right now-desu?" Coffret wondered.
"Well, maybe if we get in a closer look I'm sure we'll find that whale better." Cure White suggested.
"A good thought," Cure Rouge responded, "let's check it out."
Everyone agreed and headed toward the inland beach for a closer look.
Within seconds, the Pretty Cure team arrived at the inland beach as they are on the sandy shore. They looked everywhere high and low to find the whale, but no dice. All they spotted are the trees with different fruit on them, the vast ocean connected to the inland beach, and a small blue island in the middle of the inland ocean.
"I'm looking as hard as I can," Cure Sunny said to everyone, "but I can't spot the whale anywhere."
"Me either, "Cure Sunshine followed, "but how hard is it to find a whale?"
"Could it be that the rumors from the village people were wrong?" Cure Pine wondered.
"If that's true, then it's back to square one again of figuring out how to get to the underwater castle." Tarte said in concern, "And y'know I can't breathe underwater for long."
"The whale has to be here, I just know it." Cure Beat said in a firm mood.
"Yeah, but…, where-nya?" Hummy replied with concern.
Matt looks carefully for the whale, but he was surprised to see Cures Melody, Black, Dream, and Bloom not looking for the whale but looking at something else in the palm trees. Matt gets a closer view to the Cures to find out that they're drooling to see all the fruit in the trees. Bananas, pineapples, apples, oranges, pears, and of course coconuts. Matt became firm to the distracted Cures.
"Come on girls," Matt said concern and in a assertive mood, "You can eat those fruits once we find the whale, get the Wonder Color, and save Blue Ocean."
"Aw Matt, just one bite." Cure Dream begged.
"NO!" Cure Rhythm shouted and came in right next to Matt who flinched in fright. Rhythm is in a strict mood, "We must find that Wonder Color, so no eating!"
The starving Cures jolted in fright from Rhythm's aggressive attitude, then the girls gloomed in sorrow. "Okay…," The Cures said in sorrow.
The Fresh Pretty Cure kept looking for the whale, but no dice.
"Hmm, I still don't see the whale." Cure Berry said in concern.
Then Cure Peach got an idea and pointed. "Hey, maybe I can on that small blue island over there and see if I can spot the whale further out toward the sea."
"Okay, but be careful." Cure Pine cautioned her.
Peach nodded to Pine. Using her Pretty Cure powers, Peach crouch for a second, then took a big jump to leap on top the small blue island. She landed safely on the hill unharmed. Peach then looked up ahead toward the opening vast ocean to see if she can spot the whale. She looked very carefully, but can't find the whale.
"Do you see the whale?" Cure Passion shouted to Peach.
"No, nothing." Peach replied back. "Hold on!" Peach crouched and jumped again, but this time straight upward to get a better view up high in the air. She looked again, but still can't find the whale. She landed safely on the hill again, and she started to jump up again for another try. She jumped again as many times to find the whale, but what she didn't know is that she is stomping on something lively that's on the island and in the water. The moment Peach landed on the island again, she suddenly lost her balance as the island she is standing on started to shake back and forth.
"Hey Peach!" Tarte shouted to her, "What's wrong!?"
"Waah! This little island is moving!" She shouted to Tarte and everyone. Just then she heard a gurgling sound. She looked around to find the source of the sound. She then spotted a hole that's below her as she heard the gurgling sound coming from it. She observed the hole closely for a moment, when… WHOOOSSH! A geyser shot out of the island and sent Peach flying into the sky as she screams in surprise. Peach was flying into the air with her arms and legs waving back and forth as she was headed toward the Pretty Cure team.
"We got you Peach!" Cure Melody shouted as she, Matt, Cure Rouge, and Cure Bloom volunteered to catch Peach. Peach was heading towards the catching people, and when she got close to them… BOOM! Peach landed safely unharmed, but the four catching people were buried underneath Peach in pain.
"Ah…, thanks you guys." Peach said in relief and rubbing the back of her head.
"Hey! Look!" Cure Blossom shouted and pointed toward the blue hill. Everyone heard and looked the hill.
With great surprise to everyone, the small blue island started to rise and get bigger as it came out of the water. It got bigger, bigger, and bigger. But it turns out, it's not an island. Stood in front of the Pretty Cure team and staring at them in a gloomy look is a humongous whale. Everyone's jaws dropped to see the whale is at least as big as a giant blimp. The whale is half aquamarine blue on top and half white on the bottom of his huge body. While the team is stared at the whale with their mouths down, the huge whale starts to speak.
"Hey…, that hitting on my head hurts." the whale said in a gloomy manner.
Cure Diamond snaps out of her stunning surprise and replies. "We're sorry. We didn't know that the island Peach jumped on is you."
"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" Cure Peach apologized as she bows many times in sympathy.
The whale looks at Peach's sorry state for moment, then it speaks. "Well…, you didn't mean to, so I'll let you off easy." Peach heard and she felt relieved once again. "But right now, I don't have the energy to play with you right now."
"Why? What's wrong?" Cure Princess asked.
"Well…, usually I like to have a whale of time swimming throughout the wonderful ocean, but right now… I'm very sick."
"Really…? What happened?" Cure Heart asked.
"Well, first of all… My name is Bloat, and I happened to be Blue Ocean's biggest and fastest swim sea creatures here in Spectrum Land… or that's what I used to be. (Cough) …But one day while I was swimming freely having fun, I have breathed something terrible within the water, and I became dizzy and sick. I came to this part of the island… (Cough)… to rest and get better."
"That's terrible to hear-coco." Coco said with concern.
"But what was it you breathed in the ocean water-natsu?" Natts asked.
"I don't know…," Bloat said with a little groan, "…but I did remember that what I breathed taste something so oily like I've never tasted before. Plus…, (Cough)… it smelled like chemical gas at that time too."
When they heard those words, oily and chemical gas, one thing popped into the Pretty Cure team's mind: Turpentine.
"This is horrible," Shiny Luminous said with little fright, "the turpentine has poisoned this whale."
"That's so wrong-popo!" Porun shouted as he is Luminous' carrying pouch jumping up and down.
"What are we going to do?" Cure Lemonade said with concern for Bloat.
"Well…, we can't just leave it here and suffer in pain." Cure Egret said with pity. "We need to help it."
"You're probably right," Matt followed, "plus, if we help him, maybe he can help us find that Coral Castle that Conch mentioned. He said this whale might get to Castle and find that Wonder Color."
"Yeah, good idea Matt." Cure Sword said with a grin, "It'll be convenient for all of us to find that undersea castle with this huge whale's help." The other Pretty Cures agreed to Sword.
Bubbles came forth to the sick Bloat with a gentle smile on her face. "Hey Bloat, we can help you get better, I promise." she said.
"Really…?" Bloat said with a groan, "…That would be very helpful… (Cough)…, but are you sure you little fellows can do it?"
"Of course," Cure March said with confidence, "we're here to help you get better."
Bloat smiles a little, "Gee…, you guys are really kind… There is one thing that can cure me…, but it's really hard to reach."
"Doesn't matter how hard it is, we'll still help you." said Milky Rose with a wink.
"…Okay, I'll let you help me." The Pretty Cure team then listened carefully, "All these fruits grown on the palm trees are my favorite snacks…, so I come here, eat, and relax to regain my energy. There's actually one fruit that can really cure my sickness…, (Cough)… and that's called the Vita-Star Papaya. That is a rare fruit that can cure any living being here in Spectrum Land, but they grow in very limited places. (Cough!) (Cough!)… If you can grab it and bring it back to me, then I'll be a happy whale again."
"Where can we find one of those papayas?" Cure Rhythm asked.
"I know one that grows here on this part of the island, but…," Bloat slowly turned toward the tall rocky hill. The Pretty Cure team looked to see where Bloat is looking. "The only tree that grows the Vita-Star Papayas is way up on top of that high rocky hill. (Cough)… I'm not sure if you guys can scale a rocky hill like that."
The team analyzed the rocky hill as they judged the height of the hill to be at least 2,000 feet high. It is a very tall hill as some of the Cures are a little bit surprised and shocked.
"Oh man," Cure Black said in shock, "We have to climb that huge hill!?" She then slumps in sorrow, "I don't believe this…"
"Oh Black…" Cure White said in little concern.
"Is is too much you guys…?" Bloat said in concern.
The team stared at the hill for one moment, then they all made firm faces and turned toward Bloat.
"It may look tough, but we'll accomplish this and get you all better." Cure Heart said with confidence and a wink.
Bloat is a little stunned by the Cures confidence, but he then smiles. "Wow you guys…," it said, "Well…, (Cough)… be careful then, that hill looks unstable to me."
The team nodded to Bloat in complete understanding, but then Cure Fortune speaks up. "We should let some of us stay here and watch Bloat, while the rest climb up the hill and get that papaya."
"A good thought Fortune," Cure Diamond followed and agreed, "so who will stay and go?"
Everyone on the team started to decide who will climb the hill and retrieve the papaya. After a few seconds, those who will climb the hill are the Cures: Mint, Milky Rose, Sunshine, Ace, Moonlight, Berry, Passion, Marine, Sunny, Rouge, Beat, Honey, and Sword, including Shypre and Potpourri. The rest will stay and watch over Bloat's condition. Once everyone has decided what to do, they started to move out, but…
"Hold on girls," Matt called out to the Cures who are going to climb up the hill. The Cures heard him and turned to him. "I'll come too. You're going to need someone to carry those papayas back without carry them in your hands."
The Cures are a bit concerned about Matt. "Are you sure you're going to be okay about this?"
Matt makes a firm look, "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll just be extra careful and watch my step when we climb up that hill."
The Cures were still a bit concerned, but they all decided to let Matt come along with them. "Okay Matt," Cure Moonlight responds to him, "just be careful." Matt nods and understands.
"I'll tag along too." Tint speaks up to the Cures and Matt.
"No problem for you, since you can fly." Cure Sunny said in a calm manner.
"Just be careful Tint." Cure Mint warned her. Tint nods and understands.
With all said and done, the climbing team headed toward the hill as the rest of the Pretty Cure team watched the others with concerned looks on their faces. "Good luck, and be very careful!" Luminous called out to them.
Seconds later, the climbing team arrived at the base of the steep rocky hill. They all looked up to observe the hill's condition. It was all rocks to climb over making look like the hill is safe to climb, but they still remember Bloat's warning that the hill maybe unstable. Everyone took a breath and then started climbing.
"I don't have a good feeling about this," Cure Rouge said with concern, "but we need to help that whale if we want to get that Wonder Color." She then starts to climb up the hill.
"It sure is steep," Cure Honey said with little concern, "but we must keep moving ahead." She then starts to climb.
The climbing team pressed forward as they are a quarter way up. They can feel the altitude breeze as they progress their climbing.
Cure Passion reaches the next rock to climb over. But just when she grabbed it, the rock slipped off from the wall as Passion almost lost her balance. She quickly regains her balance as she held tightly to the rocky hill's wall and watched the falling rock heading towards surface. Cure Berry, who is next to Passion, almost freaked out if Passion fallen off from the hill.
"You okay Passion?" Berry said with little fright.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Passion responded as she catches her breath from a shock. "Let's keep moving." Berry nodded in agreement.
Minutes have passed as the climbing team is a few feet to the top of the hill.
"We're almost there!" Matt shouted to the Cures. "Just a few more steps to climb."
"How you doing Matt?" Cure Sword called to him. "Need any help?"
"No, I'm good Sword. Just keep climbing."
"Well be careful Matt," Cure Ace warned him, "We don't want to lose a new teammate of a sudden."
"Don't worry, I will."
Cures Rouge and Mint were getting close to reach the top as they are within inches.
"Almost there," Cure Rouge said as she uses her strength to reach for the next rock to climb, "I just need… to… reach…" Rouge is close to grabbing the next rock. When she did, the rock Rouge grabbed came off all of a sudden as she loses her balance. She started to tilt back as she is about to fall. Matt, Tint, and the other Cures see Rouge as they all flinched in fright. Rouge slowly started to fall back…, CLAP! but Mint quickly saved Rouge from falling over to her plunging death when Mint grabbed Rouge's hand.
"I gotcha Rouge." Mint said with a grin.
Rouge felt relieved and catches her breath. "Thanks Mint." said Rouge in relief.
The other Cures, Matt, and Tint relaxed as they felt relief that Rouge is safe. Once everyone caught their breath, they continue to climb as they reached the top of the hill.
Everyone uses their last strength to pull themselves up as they are now top of the hill. Once everyone is on the top surface of the hill, they all try to catch their breath after their long climb. After the team got their energy back, they all looked up to see where they are.
"So we've finally made it up." Cure Beat said while huffing and puffing a little.
"And look." Cure Ace said and pointed.
There stood in front of the team is a lone tree standing in the middle of the hill. And growing inside the tree's branches and leaves are yellow star-shaped fruit.
"That must be the Vita-Star Papayas that Bloat mentioned." Tint stated.
"You might be right Tint," Milky Rose followed, "Let's grab some and hurry back."
Everyone agreed with Milky Rose as they all approached the tree. When they arrived at the tree, they looked up and see the papayas that are a few feet above their heads.
"I'll climb onto the tree and toss some down to you guys." Cure Sunshine said.
"I'll go too." Cure Moonlight followed and volunteered.
The two Cures then took a big jump and headed into the tree's branches. The two landed on thick trunks of the tree and started to pick some papayas off from the tree. They then toss the papayas toward the other members below as they catch the fruit. Matt volunteered to put all the papayas inside his messenger bag for a carrying storage.
"It looks like we have enough for Bloat." Cure Berry said, "I think that should do it."
"Okay, but I'll toss you one more papaya just in case." Sunshine said to team.
"I'll catch it." Cure Marine volunteered and got herself prepared.
Sunshine sees Marine that she is ready to catch, and she tosses the last papaya to her. Marine reaches her arms to grab the falling papaya, but silly as always…, Bop! the papaya bounced off of Marine's head. She rubs her head of where the papaya hit her for a moment, then she looked up to find the papaya only to her shocking surprise the papaya is rolling to the edge of the steep hill. Marine panicked as she dashes for the fruit before it falls of the edge. Marine took a big leap toward the papaya and reaches out for it. Marine then grabbed the papaya in the nick of time.
"Ha! Got it." Marine shouted happily.
"Uh…, Marine…" Cure Honey said in fright.
Marine heard looked back at the team as they are scared to see her. Marine became confused, but when she looks down…, she is in mid-air. Marine jolted to discover that she gone off the edge of the steep hill. Marine tries to get back on the edge, but the gravity got her and she started to fall.
"MARINE!" Some of the Cures shouted.
"Oh Lord!" Matt shouted.
"Hold on Marine!" Coffret shouted, "I'm coming!" he then dashed for Marine. With quick speed, Coffret caught up to the falling Marine. "Hang on Marine! I'm with you."
"Coffret! Help! Do something!" Marine cried and panicked.
"Quick Marine! Use me!"
"Huh? Why?" Coffret didn't respond but makes a firm look to Marine. Marine stared at Coffret for a moment, when… "Oh right! I almost forgot you can make me fly." Coffret smiles, then he turned into a blue cape worn around Marine. With that, Marine stopped falling, and she felt relieved. Marine checks to see if she has the papaya in her hand, and it is still in her hand. "Okay Coffret, take me up." And using Coffret powers, he lifts Marine back up to top of the hill.
The rest of the climbing team are in a frightened state thinking Cure Marine is dead. But just when they admit she's gone, Marine appeared in front of the team telling them she's alright.
"Marine! You're alright!" Cure Sunshine said with a smile.
"Oh, Thank goodness…" Cure Berry said in relief and touching her heart.
"Whew…! I thought she was a goner." Ace said in relief, but a little bit of fright.
Marine came close to the group with her grin on her face.
"Marine, you scared us." Cure Rouge said with concern.
"Sorry about that," Cure Marine said in little embarrassment and rubbing the back of her head, "But everything's okay now, right?"
"Just don't do anything that dangerous again." Cure Moonlight said with concern.
"Don't worry I won't."
"But Marine, how did you survive?" Matt said in little surprise and confusion, "And how are you able to fly?"
Then Marine's blue cape turned back into Coffret again. "Coffret helped me." Marine stated, "He turns into a cape for me, and he makes me fly."
"And I got to her just in time." Coffret said with confidence.
"Oh wow, I didn't know you can fly like that." Matt responded with a smile.
"Whoa, and here I thought I was the only one who can fly." Tint said in surprise.
"Well, I managed to get the last papaya." Marine stated as she shows everyone the last papaya in her hand.
Everyone looked and grinned to see the papaya is still in one piece. "Alright then, let's back to others and cure Bloat." Cure Mint said. Everyone agreed and started to climb down the hill.
Meanwhile back at inland beach, the rest of the team is trying to comfort Bloat from getting sicker. Bloat felt even more gloomy and sick by the second, and the other Cures hope that the climbing team have got the papaya and started to make their way back. Bloat begins to cough grabbing the other Cures attention.
"It's going to be alright," Cure Peace said trying to cheer Bloat up, "I'll bet the others on their way back bringing that special papaya for you."
"Yeah…, but I hope they're okay." Cure Diamond said in concern.
Just then…, "Hey everyone!" The whole gang turned toward the sound and coming towards them is the other cures, Matt, and Tint. The rest of the team smiled to see that the other team is back safe and sound.
"Hey you guys." Cure Lovely said with joy.
"So, did you get it?" Cure Aqua asked.
"We sure did." Cure Sword replied as she approached the team watching over Bloat.
"And we got plenty of them." Cure Beat followed.
Matt came forth and showed the rest of the Pretty Cure team a plethora of the papayas inside his bag.
"Wow, that's a lot." Cure Happy said.
"Did you have any trouble getting these papayas?" Cure Rosetta said in little concern.
"Not at all." Cure Berry replied. "It was tough at first, but we are perfect to scale that mountain to the top."
"Although we almost one of our comrades." Cure Sunshine in little embarrassment. Cure Marine giggled in embarrassment.
"Really? What happened?" Cure Muse asked.
"Marine tried to save a papaya from falling off the edge of the hill, but she was the one to fell first." Cure Ace stated. Everyone widen their eyes for a moment.
However Marine comforts them, "But my good pal Coffret came to me, and he helped me make fly before I hit the ground. So everything's A-Ok."
"Whew, that's good to hear." Cure Black said in little relief.
But then a thought came into Shiny Luminous' mind, "Y'know, since a few of you girls can fly, couldn't you use your flying abilities to reach up the hill and come back?"
When they heard that, the Heartcatch Pretty Cures and the Happiness Charge Petty Cures flinched in realization.
"And couldn't Passion use her teleporting powers to transport herself up the hill and back?" Cure Heart said. Passion flinched in realization.
After seeing their reaction, Matt's makes a firm look. "You mean to tell me you're expert and experienced Pretty Cures, and you forgot you have the ability to fly and teleport all this time so we wouldn't waste our time climbing that steep hill after all?" The Cures giggle in embarrassment.
"Hahaha…, sorry 'bout that." Cure Marine said bashfully.
"It sort of slipped off in our minds." Cure Princess said in warily.
"Hey Matt, you knew we can fly and Passion can teleport, and you've forgotten about that." Cure Sunshine stated.
"True…, no complaining or arguing here." Matt said and understood.
"Well…, all it matters is that we got the papayas for Bloat." Cure Moonlight stated. Everyone agreed with her.
"Well then, let's cure him." Cure Fortune called out to the team.
And team did as Matt approached Bloat's mouth and bring out the papayas from his bag. "Here Bloat, we've gathered a lot of these Vita-Star Papayas for you." Matt says to Bloat, "I hope they will help."
"…Oh…, thank you very much… (Cough)." Bloat said in an ill manner, "Just toss them into my mouth." Then Bloat opened his mouth really wide open as Matt tossed all the papayas into Bloat's mouth. Once every papaya is inside Bloat's mouth, he closed it and starts to eat the papayas. He chews them for a few seconds, then he swallows them. After a big gulp, Bloat suddenly widens his eyes. He didn't move…, but then he slowly sinks into the ocean water. The Pretty Cure team became worried and wondered that if the papayas they gave Bloat made it worse on him.
"Oh dear, did the papayas made him even more sick?" Luminous said in concern.
"I don't know." Cure Pine said in concern too.
The team waited for the anticipation for a few seconds, when suddenly… Gurgle! Rumble! Gurgle! Rumble! Bubbles were appearing on the water's surface and the ground started to shake. The team kept their balance and watched the water that keeps bubbling. It was then in a snap…, WOOOSHH! Bloat popped out of the oceanic water and into the air. Bloat shouted in great joy and starts to fall back into the water. But as he is coming down to the water again…, "Oh snap…" Matt said in little fear.
SPLAAAAAASSSHHHH!
A huge wave is created as it washes everyone and everything on the inland beach. Once the giant wave is gone, everyone on the team were soaking wet. Their hair, clothes, boots, fur, everything were all wet. As everyone tries to dry off, Bloat appeared before them as he pops out of the water. He is smiling happily at the Pretty Cure team.
"Oh! Thank you very much you guys!" Bloat said in the most cheerful and happy manner. "I feel great! All that papaya I ate really did the trick. I can really swim and roam around free in the ocean again. I feel so happy I could just jump out of the water again."
The team flinched after Bloat's last statement. "No, Don't!" Cure Diamond shouted, "We get it. You're back being healthy again."
"We're just happy that you can move around again." Tint said trying to make Bloat not jump again.
"Thanks for all your help, I don't think I've felt this better since that weird liquid I swallowed." Bloat said. "I have to say you guys are really brave and tough to go up to that hill and get the papaya for me. I'm wondering…, who are you guys?"
"We happen to be the Pretty Cures at your service." Cure Dream said with confidence.
"Pretty Cure…?" Bloat pauses for moment of that last statement and thinks. Then he reacts, "Hey! You're the heroes of Spectrum Land." He smiled even more, "Wow, it's no wonder you got the papaya so good for me. I can't believe that the guys who've cured me are the heroes here to save Spectrum Land. I've heard so much about you from the villagers and my sea friends. There has to be some way that I can repay you for making me healthy again."
"And that's why we are here." Tint said, "Some of the villagers told us that you might know where Coral Castle is. We need to get there in order to find the Wonder Color of this ocean and meet the mermaid princess so she can help us."
"There's a chemical pollution spreading in the ocean, and the only hope to save the ocean is to meet the princess." Bubbles explained, "She can use her and the Wonder Color's powers to purify the ocean again."
"Is that so?" Bloat said raising one of his eyelids. "Well then, I'll be happy to carry you to Coral Castle." The Pretty Cure team smiled. "I know just where it is in this huge ocean place. I've been there many times just to see its magnificent beauty structure. One time I carried some land living people over there just to meet the princess for a favor."
"So, you will take us to Coral Castle?" Cure Princess said with a grin.
"Of course, but remember, things are starting to go out of control ever since that chemical oily stuff entered our ocean."
"And that's why we are here to fix and clean the ocean before all those sea creatures get sick." Cure Melody said with confidence.
"I'm really glad you Pretty Cures are here to save Blue Ocean. Okay everyone, hop onto my head and I'll take you there."
But just before they were about to get onto Bloat, a thought came to Cure Egret. "Wait, if the castle is underwater, how are we suppose to get to it if we can't breathe underwater."
Bloat smiles, "You'll see when we get there. Now hop on Pretty Cures."
"Alright! Let's go!" Tint shouted to the team.
In a second, the team jumped onto Bloat's head. Once everyone is on board, one of the team members gave the cue to Bloat that everyone is ready. "Okay everyone, hold on tight." Then Bloat started to swim away out from the island's inland beach and into the vast ocean. The huge whale kept swimming toward its destination as everyone on Bloat's head turned back to the island as it starts to vanish on the horizon. Then everyone turned back to look where Bloat is going.
"At this rate, we'll be reaching Coral Castle in no time at all." Cure Sunny said with confidence.
"And that Wonder Color is going to be ours." Cure Bloom said with a smile.
"Coral Castle, here we come!" Cure Lovely shouted with joy.
As everyone is excited to go to Coral Castle, a thought occurred in Bubbles' mind. "Finally, I can see my sea people again." she thought, "And I can finally return into my true form."