Fictions Mentioned:
Episode 34
OP Song:
Summertime Render OP/Opening 2 Full『Natsuyume Noisy (夏夢ノイジー)』by Asaka
Insert Song: Start
Dies irae - Animation OST: Ewige Wiederkunft
PART 1
The rain was still falling. The mystical raindrops of which contained the swirling of beautiful energies tainted with the colors of pink, blue, yellow, and purple colors that accompany the colorless, vibrant liquid, giving it a new kind of life that signified an event that had now taken place.
Yes, George Kurai had just gained his first Pretty Cure Ridewatch, born from the bonds forged between himself and the HUGtto! Precure.
A significant event where he—Kamen Rider Zi-O—had the Ridewatch formed the glowing energies that came from Hugtan, the baby who was once known as Cure Tomorrow, a past version of her that had yet to return back to normal.
George would simply stand up, slowly as he was accommodating the baby that he was still carrying. He looks at her, his alternate daughter, Hugtan, smiling at him with a cheerful smile, waving her little hands, her reaction that was not out of fear like before, not crying like before, but was glad to see her father again, her father not covered in the darkness of his own interior grievances.
He looks to see every one of the HUGtto! Precure, all of them, smiling. Then he looks to their past versions who looked stumped beyond belief. George could tell that they never really imagined seeing the reactions of their future selves in relation to him.
He was their friend? Someone close to them?
Just not too long ago, the Past HUGtto! Precure were fighting George Kurai, one from the future, the timeline where both Hugtan and Harry came from. But now, there was one revelation after another. George Kurai/Kamen Rider Zi-O, Kamen Rider Impasse, more Kamen Riders, their fellow Precure from the future, the Gokaigers, and whatever random factor that had gotten shoehorned in at the very moment when all hope seemed lost to them.
And of course, there was George Kurai, the younger present day version. Never have they imagined him breaking down like this, never have they seen him this contrite-hearted, never have they seen something like this, Hugtan calling him papa, which was a bit of a shock, especially for the Past Hana Nono, who had yet to fully and truly understand the significance of it.
She looks at her future self, one who smiles and cries, cheering up this younger George.
"I know what you're thinking," the Future Hana Nono would say with an empathetic smile. "I know how confused you really be, and I know how betrayed you feel right about now, and I know that you have a bunch of questions that you're asking yourself, but..." She glances at George with a happy smile, one of love and care, making Past Hana confused even more. "...I will say that, even in spite of everything, we cannot turn our backs on anyone, even the ones who may have betrayed us, even ones who have yet to do what they would do tomorrow. Because if we did, then we would not be any better. After all, since we believe in everyone's tomorrow, shouldn't we rather not try to reach out as much as we can, even the ones who had once abandoned and betrayed us, giving them a second chance as much as anyone?"
George couldn't help but be gutted to the heart when he heard Hana say that. Yes, that was exactly the type of person that did those things. His alternate future self—George Kurai. Hana was referring in a summary kind of way without spoiling too much of her feelings of that time, of a time when she felt betrayed by someone that she thought was a good person. Actually, it was much more complicated as this person was none other than the leader of her enemies, the Criasu Corporation, and with it, he planned to stop time, due to reasons of selfishness and grief clothed with good intentions.
Yes, that was the man in a nutshell. One potential future, a dark mirror of what George Kurai could and would have become. But that future is no longer connected, no longer coming to pass, for the efforts of the HUGtto! Precure and with a bit of help along the way have paid off. Now, a new future was redirected, an unknown future, one that people of good will and with dreams of their own would look forward too.
But even then, the nightmares still remain for George Kurai—Kamen Rider Zi-O. Even now, that wonderful and bright future, a potentiality that culminated with the choice of every Precure Team, from the Futari wa Precure all the way to the HUGtto! Precure, from the Star Twinkle Precure and beyond, s threatened by various individuals and groups, those with villainous and nefarious intentions. Many of those enemies are nothing like what the Precure are used to deal with. Some are cruel, some are brutal, some are deadly. Casualties are very extremely possible. It doesn't matter who. Family, friends, loved ones, even random civilians. There is that series of nightmares that George experiences in his ever-present journey as Kamen Rider Zi-O.
He remembers every bit of pain, and he remembers the faces of the villains he fought, and he remembers the darkest moments when he had to give his all, to protect the Sacred History of the Pretty Cure, for the sake of everyone that was inspired by the Precure, for the sake of the Precure themselves, their hopes and dreams, their precious smiles that shouldn't be wasted and swept aside.
Is not that one of the main reasons why George Kurai accepted the task entrusted to him by Kamen Rider Ichigo? To be the Pretty Cure Protector?
For that is what he must do. For that is what he will do. And this realization hits him as he looks once again at the Cure Yell Ridewatch with a sense of resolve.
"...Wh-What do you mean by that exactly?" Past Hana Nono wanted to ask. She was not bright in many things, maybe even someone who doesn't really have many good talents to work with, but she was not by any means stupid. She notices that little hint of subtlety, both in the words and from the expressions that her future self was giving to George. There was also this young woman right beside George who seem to be familiar, and whom her future self was also looking at with the same expressions of love and care.
"...That...is a secret~" Hana would smile at her past self, making a cheeky expression. That only made Past Hana Nono even more curious. "I cannot really say anything. I cannot take those experiences away from you, even if you wouldn't really remember this conversation. You are going to have to discover this on your own, with a little help from our friends of course."
That reassurance made Past Hana look at her fellow Precure who were just as curious as Hana. They didn't know what to make of this except to be reassured of one thing. That this George Kurai, the young man who cried with a contrite heart, one that protected Hugtan, was not their enemy. How can he even be so when they would see him like that? They lack the context, but they could not ignore what they see. A future, one that was hidden from them, laid bare for their eyes in a glimpse like the afternoon sun.
Then suddenly, there was a time portal that lead back to the present time. It was created by Professor Paradox who smiled gently.
"Everyone," he said. "I believe that it was about time for all of us to go back home, don't you all think?"
Everyone who had gathered on the single spot near the bench would nod with varying reactions, many of them sad and resigned from the Precure themselves.
"Yeah, I suppose your right, Paradox-sensei," Tatsuya Kaname smiled a bit, sighing.
"I understand, Paradox-sensei," George nodded, before looking at his newly formed Ridewatch again.
At this moment, George would gently offer Hugtan back to Past Hana for the latter to carry. The latter accepted as she gently carried the baby with care, then she looked at George.
"Umm...Thank you..." Past Hana said with an expression that didn't know what to make of all this except being politely grateful. Then she was mesmerized by George's young-old eyes, like she had seen a mirror of a tortured soul that had undergone so much that cannot be explained in simple words. "Thank you...for everything you did," Past Hana said as she embraced Hugtan who was now cheerful and bright.
"...You're welcome," George smiled, slightly bowing his head politely.
"Will I...Will I see you again?" Past Hana asked,
George, with eyes slightly widened. He looked to Hana who smiled at him. He looked to Hagumi who smiled at him. He looked to Saaya, Homare, Emiru, and Ruru who smiled at him. Then he remembers the same question from another time in the past, from the very first time when Hana Nono became Cure Yell, when she had once asked that question again.
"Yes..." George smiled as he confirms his answer. "One day..." He will answer that same question, every time. He will reassure Hana Nono no matter where and when that she will see him again, this him and not the alternate future him. It was a sacred promise, stretching through the past, the present, and the future.
"I see..." Past Hana slowly nodded with a sad smile, satisfied. "Then...I will wait for you then..."
George simply smiled sadly. "I know you will..."
And then, George and everyone else would head to the time portal which would allow them to return to the present.
"Well, I guess this is our way of saying goodbye," Hariham Harry patted his past self on the back with a supporting smile. "Take care of the girls for me, would ya?" He said before eventually walking towards the portal.
"Ye-Yeah," Past Hariham Harry said, showing a bewildered and troubled expression.
"Well, senpais, guess this is goodbye, for now, but don't worry, we'll meet again, that I'm sure of it," Hikaru Hoshina smiled as she grabbed both of Past Hana's hands ina reassuring manner and smile.
"The same can be said for me and for my friends as well, senpais," Nodoka Hanadera flashed a smile.
The Past HUGtto! Precure would simply smile a bit, comforted by the cheerful and reassuring smiles from the leaders of Star Twinkle Precure and the Healin' Good Precure, the team that they had yet to even meet.
"We'll definitely look forward to that day, Hoshina-san, Nodoka-san," Past Saaya smiled.
And then, Hikaru let her hands go of Past Hana's hands as she, Nodoka, and the rest of their fellow Precure all head towards the portal.
While everyone else would head for the portal, only George, Hana, and Hagumi were looking back as they watch their past counterparts and the past versions of the rest of the HUGtto! Precure standing up and looking at them.
"...Buh..Bye, bye! Papa! Mama!" Hugtan cheerfully waved goodbye, speaking in her innocent, baby voice.
"...!"
Both George and Hana would glance at each other. Then they smiled, with a bit of sadness to be found in their eyes. They knew that they can never see Hagumi as Hugtan like this ever again, at least when it came to their relative timeline. They were simply enjoying the time that they – as parents who loved their child no matter what time or place – would feel.
"...Bye, bye, Hug..tan..." Hana smiled, her heart feeling heavy as she clearly remembered the very last time she and Hugtan would wave goodbye as they go back to the future. Her eyes threatened to leak tears as she wiped them softly with her hand.
George would be silent, simply raising his right hand and waving it at Hugtan.
At the same time, Hagumi Kurai was simply waving at the Past Hariham Harry, speaking. "Bye, bye, Harry."
"...!"
Past Hariham Harry would have his heartache as he would see someone he deeply cared for going away once more. He did not want to see himself cry in front of everyone, so he covered his reaction, saying softly. "Goodbye..."
And then, the three family members would walk to the portal together as it disappeared right behind them, leaving the Past HUGtto! Precure in the soft, mystical rain.
A few moments later, time would stop and reset back to how it was once again.
"Hm?"
From another point in the past, both Keima Katsuragi and Ichika Orimura, who had already dealt with the side problem at this precise moment in the past and was just waiting for the go-signal, would notice the time portal that was opening for them to cross.
"Well, that's our cue to ride out of this time zone, I suppose," Ichika smiled as he begins walking towards the portal. "Let's go."
Keima simply touched the bridge of his glasses in response before walking towards the portal.
And now, back to the present moment in time.
At the same time, George Kurai was ceremoniously greeted by none other than Kaoruko Hanasaki, the elderly woman who was his adoptive grandmother and who he knew as Cure Flower. The latter was giving him a very kind, but sad smile, patting him gently on the head and embracing him. George simply lets his grandmother do as she will while breathing a heavy sigh.
"Oh, George," Kaoruko said, gently chiding him. Tsubomi Hanasaki and the rest of the Heartcatch Precure were close behind, with their worried expressions. "You had me quite worried admittedly so."
"Sorry, obaa-chan," George spoke with a contrite tone.
And then, both Keima Katsuragi and Ichika Orimura were walking from another time portal and showed curious, concerned expressions, seeing and recognizing their fellow Kamen Rider.
"Thanks for the portal, sensei," Ichika thanked Professor Paradox who was standing nearby with his cane.
"It was my genuine pleasure, Ichika," Paradox nodded with a smile.
"Hey, George, over here!" Ichika called out to George which made the latter notice the former.
"?! Orimura-senpai, Katsuragi-senpai," George looks from his left, seeing the two Kamen Riders, detransformed back to their respective school uniforms.
"?!"
Every one of the Precure and the mascot fairies — including especially Hana Nono, Hagumi Kurai, and the rest of the HUGttto Precure, along with Precures like Nodoka Hanadera, Yukari Kotozume, Yuri Tsukikage, and others — noticed the two individuals that stepped from the time portal as it closes. All of them were curious of the two young men who, as many of the Precure who stayed and watched from the hangar bay, would recognize as the ones who saved the Past HUGtto! Precure from Another Ex-Aid as seen from the holographic screens.
"Ah?! They're the guys that we saw fighting Another Ex-Aid?!" Kirara Amanogawa pointed out as she raised her right index finger, showing a surprised expression.
"They are Kamen Riders, mofu!" Mofurun jumped in excitement.
And then, an entire herd of overly excited Precure mascots would suddenly form an overarching crowd that would gather around Keima and Ichika, with the two blinking in bewilderment at the sudden presence of the jumping fluffy furries.
"Well, I guess we have no need to introduce ourselves for the most part since these girls and their fairies clearly recognize us," Keima muttered, raising his right arm to find Pollun excitedly hanging on to him.
"I mean, from what I know of this universe, Kamen Rider is an in-universe tv show, plus George probably told them about us at some point so this is to be expected," Ichika shrugged his shoulders a bit. Then he noticed that his shoulders were now occupied by Chypre and Coffret who were showing expressions of awe and admiration.
"Huh, so you guys get all of the attractable attention while we just get ignored to the sidelines for some reason?" Shougo Fujimura muttered with humor. And then, he noticed something tugging the back end of his shirt and dragging him without mercy. "What the?!"
"Fujimura-kun," a shiver ran down Shougo's spine as he would glance to see a scarily smiling Honoka Yukishiro who was speaking to him in a sweet tone that promised a bit of pain. "I hope you didn't forget about our promised talk just now, correct?"
"N-N-No," Shougo shakes his head in fear.
"Good, then I believe it is about time we have a little talk," Honoka stated while dragging Shougo with no sense of mercy.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Kiriya, please save me!" Shougo made an expression of hilarity, with light tears accompanying his begging. The rest of his fellow Gokaigers could only look on with a wince of sympathy with the exception of Momo Belia Deviluke who was giggling in amusement.
"Oh dear," Kiriya Irizawa winced a bit. He looks at Tatsuya Kaname. "I'm...gonna have to be taking care of something in the meantime."
"Yeah, sure, go ahead, I'll take care of George and company on my end," Tatsuya made a side nod.
"Thanks," Kiriya said. Then Tatsuya would see Kiriya, along with Nagisa Misumi and Hikari Kujo following behind with their own concerned expressions.
While Seiji Sagara was looking at his fellow Sentai being dragged away by his childhood friend, he would glance from the corner of his eye, Megumi Aino, Hime Shirayuki, Yuko Omori, and Iona Hikawa encircling around him with introspecting expressions. Seiji felt the urge to sweatdrop for some reason if only because of the rather intimidating states from the girls. He can also detect...worry? Concern? Probably multiple questions on what or how or why he became a Sentai, specifically a Gokaiger?
"Seiji," Megumi's tone was one of worry. "You're...a Sentai?"
"...Y-Yeah," Seiji raises his right hand and rubbed the back of his neck, his expression being contrite. "I guess so...I may need to explain what I know, well, preferably when Shougo comes back and survives whatever wrath his childhood friend would instill upon him." He said as he looks towards the direction where his fellow Sentai got dragged.
And from another point of view...
"George-onii-chan! Onee-chan!"
"Hm?"
Both George Kurai and Hana Nono would look a little to the left and sees Kotori Nono, Sumire Nono, Shintarou Nono, and Tanpopo Anno, the entire Nono Family, coming towards them.
"Ah, Kotori-chan, otou-san, okaa-san, obaa-chan!" Hana muttered softly. Glancing from the corner of her eye was Hagumi Kurai who was taking a subtle, interested, and concerned expression as the Nono Family came close. That was right, Hana thought. Hagumi was her daughter, thereby making her a part of the family. But her family doesn't know about that yet. She is going to have to tell them one day about this complicated topic.
How would they react? That there was her daughter from a disconnected alternate future, a future that, while it would no longer come to pass, nevertheless still maintained an impact on Hana and on everyone else who had fought to ensure a much brighter future separate from that future.
"Commander Mars had called for us a while ago," Shintarou spoke with concern, referring to the Clone Commander that was standing a few meters away along with a few 14th Legion Clone Shock Troopers. "He said that there was another attack happening in the past and it relates to you and the rest of your friends."
"That is correct, otou-san," George nodded grimly, still holding on to the Ridewatch. Tatsuya, his best friend, would come near him as George continues to explain. "But you should not worry about it as I and the rest of my friends, fellow Kamen Riders and others, had managed to thwart the attack. History is stabilized, for now at least as I have a few suspicions that I have in my mind."
"Do you mean...that this is not the only time something like this would happen?" Sumire asked.
"No," George shakes his head. "Even before this, there were many times when under different circumstances, the timeline of the Precure, all of them, have been altered through various degrees. And that is where I and a few others come in. We make sure to keep history on track, turning history back to how it is supposed to be."
"Hm?" Kotori would notice something in George's right hand. "George-oniichan, what's that you're carrying?"
"Oh?" George notices Kotori's staring expression. "This is...well, a Ridewatch showing Cure Yell, your sister."
"Eh?!" Kotori became a bit excited and surprised. The common expression of shock and curiosity can be said for the rest of the Nono Family, looking at the Ridewatch.
Kotori Nono had watched Kamen Rider before. In fact, she knew all of the series, including Zi-O, so she would know what a Ridewatch really was. She would see George turning the dial clockwise, pressing a center button as a holographic image of Cure Yell would begin to show. And then there is a voice and sound effect coming from the Ridewatch.
YELL!
"...Ah," Kotori made an amazed gasp. Her eyes appeared to look as if stars were lightly shining.
"...Amazing," Saaya Yakushiji said with an interested expression as she and the rest of the HUGtto! Precure were gathering close and inspecting the Ridewatch. "A Ridewatch containing Cure Yell's powers and abilities, and even probably her history."
"And then there's these Ridewatches showing you girls," Tatsuya would raise his arm showing the Cure Ange, Cure Etoile, Cure Macherie, and Cure Amour Ridewatches, grabbing the attention of the aforementioned Precure and a couple of Precure nearby.
George Kurai would eventually turn his gaze towards the Cure Yell Ridewatch, examining it with interest. What did this mean now? Remembering what Paradox had spoken about, this Ridewatch would signify the bond that was formed between himself and the HUGtto! Precure. Meaning that this would not be the first time. There will be other battles, and in turn, the creation of the other Ridewatches, signifying the forged bonds that he would have with the First Generation Precure.
"Paradox-sensei," George looks at Paradox who simply smiled empathetically at him. "Is...Is the problem over...for now at least, since I feel that every one of the Precure and everyone else needs a bit of rest after everything that has happened."
"Since this has nothing to do with spoilers, I can guarantee that yes, there would not be any more problems for some time. You are quite right that the girls need some bit of rest after everything that has happened, so it is best that they do so."
"...(Sigh). That's reassuring at least. Thank you, sensei," George nodded.
A few hours or so had passed by.
Everyone—all of the Precure from Futari wa Precure up to the Healin' Good Precure, the Gokaigers, the Kamen Riders, and a few others—were now gathered in a specific part of the base where it was likened to a control room, filled with multiple technicians, many of whom were part of the STARS 14th Legion Clone Troopers.
George Kurai was currently looking at the Cure Yell Ridewatch hovering on the large rectangular holographic table with a mixture of feelings ranging from perturbation and deep thinking. There were many things that came to his mind such as...
"Hmm," Keima Katsuragi—Kamen Rider Ex-Aid would look ponderingly at the newly created Ridewatch with an analytical eye and mind. Accompanying him was Ichika Orimura—Kamen Rider Build who was also examining the Ridewatch. Both Keima and Ichika were located on the left and on the right, just nearby George's sides. "A Pretty Cure Ridewatch connected to the leader of the HUGtto! Precure. I would say that this...quite a concerning development."
"Not just that, but..." Ichika was shaking his head. "Considering the circumstances that lead to the creation behind this Ridewatch, we should be more concerned about what's going to happen in the future. We all remember what our Kamen Rider senseis told us regarding the events of Zi-O."
Ichika was in fact referring to what had happened in the World of Kamen Rider. During the years of Zi-O, the Ridewatches from Kuuga to Build were created, but there came quite a bit of a cost to that due to time travel complications. One main factor was the slowly but surely grim retcon of nearly every Heisei Kamen Rider, and the eventual Showa Riders. And even that was derailed into more problems along the way.
If one were to think of this from a meta-perspective, some people, in this case the World of Pretty Cure, who have watched Kamen Rider Zi-O, thought of it as a convoluted mess, then they were not entirely wrong. However, that's because of the fact that the tv screen can only show a fraction or glimpse of what really happened during those events. George, Ichika, Keima, and every other Heisei Main Successor Rider were told the entire true story, even showing them what had happened. Of course, it was a properly guarded secret that they never told most people, even if it was their family, friends, or loved ones due to the risk that something like that would happen again.
"I mean, Paradox-sensei, who is currently not here once again, having gone to parts unknown, to no one's surprise, did say something about it being the symbol of a bond between George and the Precure so we can at least assure ourselves that it wouldn't outright erase different Pretty Cure histories," Ichika said, trying to weigh in the positives while at the same time thinking about the negative connotations. "Although, I wouldn't really rule out the possibility of some people making at least worthwhile to create potential temporal paradoxes and who knows what else."
"Does that mean that the situation is far from over? That Hana-chan and the rest of the girls could be in danger at any time?" Shintarou Nono, being near George's location alongside his daughter and his family, along with his daughter's friends, showed paternal concern, if only because this meant that his daughter and all of her friends could be in danger at any time, and it would not even need to be at this time as someone can just do anything in the past that ripples back into the present.
"...I'm afraid that's the case," George nodded grimly. "Not like this is the first time either as there were plenty of attempts to alter the history of the Precure."
"And we stopped all of that, every single time, with a few close calls here and there," Tatsuya briefly related the past experiences.
"But there is the potential danger for those trying to change history to be bolder than the norm like most of those times, as it was right now," Keima pointed out.
"...That's what really worries me," George looks intently at the Ridewatch, pondering in deep thought.
A Ridewatch's creation could mean many things, for good or for ill. In light of the specific circumstances, there are potential dangers signaling a warning of sorts. A warning, he thought. Paradox did hint about something like that, but he didn't say it out loud. The creation of the Pretty Cure Ridewatches that he would gain, it could mean a number of factors that could be exploited. The latest two incidents relating to the HUGtto! Precure are a direct example of someone or a group of individuals trying to interfere in the past that had led to the events of which the Ridewatches of the HUGtto! Precure came to be.
...Wait a minute, George thought.
"Hold on," George knitted his eyebrows, his expression darkening.
"What is it, George?" Hana touched his right hand, showing concern when she sees his expression. Everyone was paying close attention.
"...Ultron," the word that left his mouth made most people, all of the Precure, especially those who were present to bear witness to the platinum monster and his brand of destruction. "Why was he there? What was he waiting for?"
"Ultron?!" both Keima and Ichika muttered in shock.
"The Professor hasn't explained to you both yet, has he?" George asked.
"No," both of them shake their heads.
"Well..."
And so, George Kurai would explain to his two fellow Riders that Ultron had lead a minor invasion that left the city of Hagukumi in a state of panic and destruction. Thankfully speaking, no one had actually died, but it was a literal close call, and there were suspicions that Ultron was holding back at that time, the entire invasion being a distraction for what would occur in the past. The Precure in general would also give their respective accounts of the recent events in question, never capable of not remembering the burning infrastructures and damaged surrounding area, the red neon light from the visors of the jack-o-lantern faces as they coldly uttered that they were to be terminated with extreme prejudiced, a tone that gave shivers down their spine.
"...Damn," Ichika cursed with a grimace. "So Ultron's involvement isn't gonna be ruled out, is it?"
"No," George shakes his head. "I have a feeling...that like Paradox-sensei, Ultron knew, he knew somehow or somewhat of what could happen. The creation of a brand new Ridewatch, one containing the powers and abilities, and the history of the Cure Yell."
"Ultron has a plan that may potentially involve the Ridewatches," the hyper-artificial intelligence A.R.S.E.N.A.L., located in Ichika's right wrist gauntlet that his powered exoskeleton called the Infinite Stratos (IS) had taken its current shape and form. "Or perhaps, this may also be a potential plan to sidetrack us from what his real goals are. Either way, we cannot allow Ultron to get anywhere near a Pretty Cure Ridewatch, any of them. With its power, Ultron could use it in several destructive ways, ones that even I dread to think of."
"You mean, something already much worst than changing history?" Yuri Tsukikage, who was nearby, asked the AI.
"That is correct, Tsukikage-kun," ARSENAL confirmed.
"Umm...What could be worst than changing history and well... blowing up the universe in the process?" Yayoi Kise asked.
"Forget Ultron for just a second," Keima muttered, with arms crossed. "Just as there are multiple routes to a game, so too would it apply here. Back to the other main point which is that other people and factions may have similar ideas to try to change history. This would however mean that GameOver and Ultron would not be the only ones that you, and probably the rest of us, would have to fight, George. So anything can really happen in the coming days ahead. Some of our enemies, as you may know..." Keima stopped for a bit as George continued the line of thought.
"Yeah," George nodded. "Some won't hesitate to kill."
He looks at every single Precure who, the moment they heard "kill", would have varying reactions ranging from horror to worry. He sighed heavily before continuing.
"...This is one of the main reasons why meeting you all was a terrible idea," George muttered, which in turn made Hana and every Precure and mascot sport shocked expressions.
"Wait, what do-" Hana's voice trailed off when she noticed George's pained expression.
"Hana...Everyone..." George gently squeezed Hana's hand gently. He looks at her and every Precure that was present. "...As you already all know...I have a lot of enemies, some you already are familiar with." The Smile Precure winced, being reminded of Joker, an enemy long thought to be dead. "But...there's still more where that came from. Some...of my enemies won't hesitate to kill, as in taking your lives, whether it's the Precure...or just any random civilian."
The Precure and the mascots paid close attention as George continued further. As he spoke, the Precure and the mascots were all brought back through a few moments of recall, ones that relate to the psychological manipulations of Joker to the cold and yet brutal efficiency from Ultron. The proof was staring at them right in the face. The Precure themselves weren't that naïve or ignorant as they have some experience in dealing with truly evil villains. But they have a good and terrible feeling that George's enemies are of an entirely different spectrum than what they were usually used too.
"That's really one of the main reasons why I didn't want to have any form of direct contact with any of you, with any of the Precure, as obaa-chan would already know," George pointed out Kaoruko Hanasaki who was just nearby, alongside Doctor Traum. She was showing a concerned expression. "...I was...I was afraid...Afraid of what could happen. I...I know that all of you can handle yourselves just fine, but...But I was just trying to keep letting all of you see the more...ugly side of how I and my enemies fight. When we fight, there is a guarantee that there may be someone that is going to die, and...and I cannot be everywhere at once."
George's hands grew a bit too cold as he recalls the screams, the suffering, and everything else. He can still recall all of them. But...
"George," Hana made a firm expression, squeezing his hand tightly. "Didn't I already say that we aren't going anywhere?"
"...You did," George muttered hesitantly and contritely.
"Then, that's simply the end of that," Hana said. "We are not going anywhere."
"And you can't get rid of me that easily either, papa," Hagumi Kurai was standing near to George, holding onto his arm, her expression firm.
"...(Sigh). I know," George pinched his eyes a bit. His voice was one of self-surrender, knowing just how stubborn the Precure are. "Please forgive this stupid papa of yours, Hagumi."
"Papa?" Keima and Ichika muttered with knowing smiles.
"...Yes, I...I know," George made an exasperated look which made all of the Precure and the mascots laugh.
"Hehehe...Okay, now that we got the dark clouds out of the way for a bit, let's ask some important questions, such as..." Hime Shirayuki pointed at Seiji Sagara and his fellow Gokaigers. "Seiji! Time to explain! How and when did you become a Sentai?! When did all of you become Sentais?!"
Everyone was now focused on Seiji Sagara and the rest of the Gokaigers. Seiji noticed that Megumi Aino was just right close to him, and she was...looking at him with very subtle but extremely worried eyes. Seiji winced a bit. He hadn't seen this kind of reaction since...well, that one time when he got turned against them by Red, the villainous god behind the machinations of the now-defeated Phantom Empire whose main goal was to plunge the entire world into deep sadness and eternal despair, ridding it of all positive emotions such as love, hope, courage, and everything that makes humans them or makes life worth living.
"...Seiji?" Megumi asked.
The guilt was still there. The regret was still there. The helplessness was still there. It never left him even long after the events that had come to pass. Seiji puts both of his hands into his pockets and breathed a heavy sigh as he would try to explain the very beginning.
"Alright..." Seiji looks directly at Megumi, Hime, Yuko, and Iona. "Megumi...Everyone...I'll..."
"No," Seiji became surprised when he looks to his back to find Shougo Fujimura placing his right hand on his shoulder, offering him a smile. He would also see his fellow Gokaigers offering him a smile as well. "We will all tell them how and why we became the Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger."
"That's right," Kenji Harima nodded with a smile, with arms crossed. "We have been through too much together, and you, Sagara, are and will always be our leader. There is no chance for you to explain everything by yourself alone."
"That's right," Tohru Honda made a gentle, calming smile as she placed her hand on Seiji's other shoulder. "Whatever you do, we follow your lead."
"Because...we're a team, right?" Momo Belia Deviluke made a cheerful, encouraging smile. Both of her hands were placed behind her back as she bent slightly.
"Every one of our teammates has a point, Seiji-kun, and besides," Brian Taylor smiled gently at Akane Hino and the rest of the Smile Precure. "You're not the only one who needs explaining to one's fellow Precure."
"Minna..." Seiji looks at each of his teammates in wonder and awe. Then...he smiled slowly as he nodded, reassured at least. "Yeah, thanks, guys."
Megumi, Hime, Yuko, and Iona looked at the Gokaigers in awe and curiosity as they see Seiji's expression. One of reassurance, one of absolute trust built upon very long experiences. It already begs the question of how long exactly did Seiji Sagara become a Super Sentai.
"...Listen, Megumi, everyone, it all started...well, just a few days long after you all defeated Red and Phantom Empire. And well, for you all to understand what had happened to me and to my team, I might as well ask George to help me with the visualization of my and my team's memories," Seiji explained.
George nodded. Then his eyes narrowed. And then, all of the Precure, especially the Happiness Charge Precure!, would all notice that their entire surroundings had changed, and all of the Precure and their mascots would bear witness to something.
Insert Song: End
Insert Song: Start
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Full Theme Song
PART 2
In the past, there were six individuals who were handpicked and chosen throughout the Multiverse, brought through an endless void being adrift in space. And yet they were all standing as if gravity were still there, applying in a place that shouldn't even have such. From the endless void, there was someone standing near them. It was AkaRed, a mysterious figure in the History of Super Sentai. With his wardrobe consisting of a high collar surrounding his neck and a large V and an infinity symbol across his chest, and with an infinity symbol in his buckle belt.
"...Welcome, all of you," AkaRed would say in a contrite and solemn tone. "I am sorry to call all of you here on very short notice, but time is of the essence and the waiting could not be any longer than now."
The first noteworthy person here would be Seiji Sagara, a young man who lived in the World of Pretty Cure—IU Coordinates: PC Universe-2004. He was an ordinary young man attending Pikarigaoka Middle School who was close to the superheroines protecting the Earth called the Precure, or to be more specific, the Happiness Charge Precure. He acted as a supporting friend, a young man who would be present to act like the shoulder to lean on. And he is a young man who was in love with the main member of the Happiness Charge Precure. Megumi Aino - Cure Lovely. His childhood friend and neighbor. He can be calm when he needs to be, friendly to everyone he meets with no ill intent or will, and noble to a fault. He has a strong sense of justice and will always lend a helping hand to those in need.
The second person would be Shougo Fujimura, a young man who comes from the same world as Seiji Sagara. Attending Verone Academy, he was also an ordinary young man who would be close to his Precure, or to be more specific, the Futari wa Precure. But unlike Seiji, he would be somewhat uninvolved in whatever fight that the Precure would end up on, or just become the slight collateral victim of the week. In other words, he would barely do much, if at all, being blissfully unaware of what was occurring in the background for the most part. He is the sporty and athletic kind, with soccer being his trademark sports skill. To most people around him, he may look rather oblivious to the crush that his kouhai and Precure, Nagisa Misumi, has for him, but he really wasn't. Instead, he was trying to delay it, by not being very obvious about it. And it works like a charm as no one appeared to notice anything. Well, almost everyone as he recalls his best friend, Kiriya, noticing it. But why was he avoiding it? Why was he avoiding the issue? Maybe he was afraid of something? Well, that is a complicated issue in and of itself.
The third person would be Tohru Honda, a young woman who comes from an entirely different world—IU Coordinates: DCMK Universe-Prime. Attending Kaibara Municipal High School, she loves to cook, describes herself as an excellent housekeeper, and has an after-school job as an office janitor to pay her tuition fees to avoid being a burden to her relatives. She is depicted as a polite, optimistic, independent, extremely kind, and selfless person with a nurturing personality. Following her mother's death, which left her orphaned, she began living with a few people after accidentally setting up a tent on their property, and later being hired as their landlady.
The fourth person would be Kenji Harima, a young man from the same world as Tohru. Attending Yagami High School, he has an indisputable talent for fighting, speaking of a mysterious past. One of the more stranger abilities that he has is his ability to communicate with animals, being a sort of psychic, while at the same time having a large number of animals under his care. There was one girl that Harima had been interested in, but every time he tried to confess his feelings, misunderstandings ensue and nothing seem to go his way. He's no scientific genius, but he isn't dumb either as he has street smarts and common sense to add to his credit traits. He's also very good at and excels in any kind of sport. There would also be his interest in motorcycles, of which he can drive with ease. Even with this aside, to most people that thought had known him, there was a secret life that he lead that he never brings up which they do not know, and it all lead back to a special school - a blue police box that can travel in time and space. In this case, he is one of the two that had been brought who seem unsurprised by these events.
The other person that wasn't surprised at all was the fifth person, Momo Belia Deviluke, a young woman who is native to the same universe as Tohru and Kenji, but is not from Earth. Yes, she is an alien princess, third in line from the throne, from the planet Deviluke, the homeworld of a powerful intergalactic empire. She and her two older sisters are currently staying on Earth due to confidential circumstances that would take much to explain, with the summarized part relating to a young man who has the power to transform into Kamen Rider Fourze, to whom she had been smitten and taken an interest too. Right now in her stay on Earth, she would attend Sainan Metropolitan High School. As most people only know of her by her sweet, kindhearted, and innocent side, there is another side to her that she doesn't show to others much. Her highly perverted demeanor. She is also a foremost expert in the study of both plants and animals throughout the universe, having been collecting plants and animals alongside her older twin sister, Nana Astar Deviluke.
The last person that needs to be mentioned was Brian Taylor, a young man from the same World of Pretty Cure as Seiji and Shougo. Born and living in London, England for the most part, he once became a transfer student to Nanairogaoka Middle School in order to learn about Japan: its cultures, its traditions, and its languages. Of course, it wasn't as simple as travelling from one country to another due to one measly problem which was the language barrier which was a bit of a pain to deal with. But with the help of Akane Hino and the rest of her friends, the Smile Precure!, he managed to improve a bit and was grateful for all of their help. He never forgot about their help, and the face of Akane Hino who helped and support him along the way, being the first to know him.
Now, with all of that said, all of these details and plenty more were being instantly transferred to each individual, with of course mind the privacies of each individual such as personal secrets and those that didn't need to be known. The memories are more of a general background for the six individuals to understand one another.
Seiji Sagara was bewildered though, not because of the memories, but because he was in the presence of someone who by all rights was a fictional character. In fact, he was still holding the iconic cellphone used by the Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. What did this mean for him? What did this mean for the ones who were here with him as he can also see them holding the iconic cellphones? Does this mean what he thinks he meant?
Judging by the basic memories that they received via a phenomenon connected with their cellphones, they were quite the unorthodox bunch. Most were from one world, some from another. And yet, each one has their own share of general weirdness, one way or another.
"What do you mean by that, AkaRed-sensei?" the young man, Kenji Harima, asked with a serious expression.
"AkaRed...sensei...?" Shougo Fujimura showed a surprised expression due to the familiar and respectful tone that Kenji was using. Could it be that they had met before?
"The Blue Ribbon Empire is making their move, Harima-kun," AkaRed spoke with a grave expression. The mere mention of the name would make Kenji and Momo pay close attention, meaning that these two already know who AkaRed was referring to. "The World of Pretty Cure (PC Universe-2004) and the World of Mega-Cross (DCMK Universe-Prime) is in grave potential danger, not now, but soon. The machinations of this interdimensional empire are now making a few heads turn."
"The Blue Ribbon Empire...?" Seiji Sagara would say, feeling a strange shiver run down his spine despite not knowing who they are.
"They are a powerful empire of evil," AkaRed would state with a grave tone, and at the same time, strange images would show of the decimation that came in the wake of the Blue Ribbon Empire. Most of the ones who are here: Seiji Sagara, Shougo Fujimura, Tohru Honda, and Brian Taylor, were shocked at what they were seeing. In Seiji's case, it was outrage as he clearly sees with his own eyes of the cruelty, one without any sense of compassion or mercy. He would see faceless armored troops in blue-white armor carrying rifles that were...shooting at everything in sight, even actual civilians, and gunning them down. There were even sightings of advanced aircraft that were raining down a hail of laser fire from the skies, decimating buildings and the people who are in it. For Kenji Harima and Momo Belia Deviluke, they were not surprised, but they were disgusted at what they were seeing.
In Seiji's mind, comparing this...Blue Ribbon Empire to the former enemies of the Precure like the Phantom Empire would be severely understating it. This...level of destruction, one that would leave actual dead bodies in their wake, is something that most villains of the Precure could not even boast about. Nor probably dare to dream of.
"Already have many universes fallen into their insidious hands. But...Sagara-kun, you and those who are of your world must also be aware that their presence has now touched upon your world, already influencing it in some degree from the distant past," AkaRed explained.
"Wait what?!" Seiji, Shougo, and Brian all said with shocked expressions. "Are you saying that this...this Blue Ribbon Empire had infiltrated our Earth?" Seiji asked.
"Yes, for a very long time, they have infiltrated your world, and they could be potentially anyone you know, or you may think you know. Many machinations are in the mind of this empire. They do not just suddenly announce their presence and declare their intent. No, they are shrewd as snakes, hard to put down like roaches, and an overall patient foe that would not show its hand so soon," AkaRed explained.
Multiple images would begin to show of three individuals. The Kamen Riders, most thought. More focus was drawn to three young men, one of them Shougo would recognize with a wide-open expression.
"...Hold on, Kiriya!" Shougo exclaimed. He was shocked at the fact that he was seeing Kiriya again, and fighting as a Kamen Rider. The last time he saw him, it was...a while actually. He thought that Kiriya had moved away for a while.
"The Heisei Successor Kamen Riders are doing a fine job in handling this crisis, but they would need more of a few helping hands from other heroes. On the Super Sentai's part, Akarenger wants to form a new team, a special kind of Super Sentai that would carry the legacy of all Super Sentai, from the past to the future," AkaRed explained.
"You want us to become Sentai, isn't it?" Seiji asked, cutting right to the chase with a serious expression, making everyone stare at him.
"Eh?!" Tohru muttered softly. "Sentai?!"
"That is correct, Sagara-kun, and I do not ask this from all of you lightly," AkaRed explained.
"Then count me in," Seiji stated firmly. He didn't hesitate, one that made everyone look at him in either shock in the case of Shougo, Brian, and Tohru, or curiosity in the case of Kenji and Momo.
"...That is quite an awfully quick response, Sagara-kun," AkaRed, after pausing for a bit, spoke with a careful and concerned tone. "Do know that I am not forcing you or anyone else here to take this task, even when each of you has been handpicked at least by the original Kaizoku Sentai Gokaigers to inherit their powers of transforming into them and every Sentai."
"Then there wouldn't be second thoughts from me, AkaRed, with all due respect," Seiji said, recalling what he had just seen. "From what I've just seen, there is this threat that could probably threaten my world and the Precure, right? Then I would not simply stand by and watch as this Blue Ribbon Empire do as they please."
"Count me in too!" everyone was surprised when Tohru raised her right hand, with no hint of a hesitant expression. "I want to help too. After what I just saw, I cannot stand to see anymore unnecessary bloodshed! I want to help as much as I can...although," She hesitated a bit, with both hands touching and twirling. "I'm not that good at fighting."
"I do not think that would be much of an issue, Honda-san," Kenji answered with a reassuring tone. "In any case, I will also agree to be a Sentai as I have already given much thought to it for quite some time."
"Count me in too," Momo smiled with a nod. "I believe that Rito-san, the boy that I know back in my world, may need a pair of extra hands admittedly."
"Count me in too!" Brian smiled, raising his right hand in excitement. "I always wanted to be a Power Ranger!"
"..."
Everyone grew speechless for a moment, showing bewildered and facepalming expressions.
"...Taylor-kun," AkaRed patiently explained. "While you are in a sense correct, the proper term to be used is Super Sentai."
"Oh, I know, AkaRed," Brian smiled with a cheerful demeanor that seem to brighten the atmosphere. "I'm just saying it the way the Western audience can understand."
"...Meta-jokes, really?" Seiji raised an eyebrow.
"...Umm...I guess I'm in then," Shougo didn't know what to say other than that, with a bewildering expression on his face. With everyone agreeing, it felt like he was being left out. Maybe he was just going with the flow here, but...he felt that it was right. That he would agree to this admittedly large undertaking. The fate of the world and all that. Plus, he could repay back everything that the Precure have done for him in the past, being rescued by them a few times, so this was one way to repay them.
"...Alright then," AkaRed nodded in satisfaction. "So be it. From this day forth, you shall all be known as the Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. Your current mission: To stop the spreading terror, subtle or otherwise, of the Blue Ribbon Empire and to assist the Kamen Riders. Your stories have now been aligned with one another, if one goes, then all must go, and you, Seiji Sagara, will be the leader of this team. Welcome, Sagara Seiji - Gokai Red."
Seiji Sagara would nod with a solemn expression.
Insert Song: End
ED Song:
Kamen Rider 4 [Time - Mitsuru Matsuoka]
New Characters:
AkaRed - VA: Toru Furuya