Fictions Mentioned:

Episode 38

OP Insert Song:

Aoi Kaze No HOPE [HISTORY OF TRUNKS ENDING]

Start:

Thunder from the skies still clap as the rain was now coming down that would extinguish whatever flames were in the vicinity. It made the scene even more haunting. Only smoke would remain, and the remains of the bodies that lay on the corrupted ground.

As the Great Calamity—Nullus Nihilum had broken the Miracle Light in his hand, this would strike hard at the seriousness of the threat that the PreCure are facing, many of the PreCure Teams could not help but involuntary gulp or even take a little step back. Even the heroes who fought him in the case of Keima Katsuragi and Ichika Orimura or even the heroes who have known about him in the case of the Kaizoku Sentai Gokaigers would flinch at the mere sight of the familiar Beast of Destruction.

Shintarou Nono and Sumire Nono, parents of Hana Nono, could not help but worry and fear at the sight of a very young George (especially) and Tatsuya about to confront this...monster. That's the only word that could appropriately describe something of this kind. And they worry when they see George glaring coldly at the monster, showing that there was a dark history behind the two.

"Nullus Nihilum," Kiriya Irizawa spoke with a grim tone, grabbing the attention of all of the PreCure Teams and the Nono Family, especially Honoka Yukishiro, who are watching right now. "That is the name of the monster you see before you. And..."

"...My worst nightmare," George Kurai responded with an ominous tone that made the entire Nono Family concerned.

Everyone would see Past George and Past Tatsuya raise their Ridewatches in response.

For Past George Kurai, he would raise both of his arms and show what he was holding. It was much larger than a regular Zi-O Ridewatch. From behind, there was an elongated white base with gold, pink, and white markings with a silver faceplate with his Rider mask on the front, a silver rotation dial on the right-hand side, and a button on the left-hand side.

He presses a button. A hologram showing a bright circular light of pink and gold would interlace between each other as it joined together and the Zi-O visor would flash with a gold and pink blended color. His entire body was glowing with a pinkish aura. It, along with the rain that was falling down and dripping his wet black hair, made it seem that the PreCure was looking at a portrait that had an element of a hidden tragedy behind it. Even the purple golden eyes were seen to narrow with an electrical golden-pink static flash.

ZI-O-II! ALL FOR YOU!

He turned the rotation dial and saw the silver faceplate move closer to the dial, revealing the face of an adult, beautiful young woman, an adult PreCure, and it was the Future Cure Yell, something that shocked both Hana Nono and Hagumi Kurai, along with everyone else. She had long pink hair and gentle but firm eyes. Her smile that was depicted in this image was sweet and maternal, loving but strong. For Hana Nono, it struck her. What was the meaning behind that?

ZI-O!

He then begins to split the Ridewatch in two and immediately slotted them into his belt. He would press the center button of the Ziku-Driver to activate the transformation sequence, making it tilt counterclockwise a little. A digital tune would begin to beep as he would begin to slowly raise his arms, positioning them towards his right side before he moved over his head and eventually landed in position. His left hand was raised to the upper right side with his left palm outwards while his right was by the hip with his right palm open. It was similar to the movement of the hands of the clock, and the clock in a general sense of the word was ticking. Two giant holographic clocks would be seen appearing behind him which were each moving in different directions from clockwise and counterclockwise, along with a pink cellphone with a red and gold button on top and a black screen hovering from above the two clocks. Said black screen was now showing the year "2018". The HUGtto! Precure Team would all recognize it to be a PreHeart.

"("George...")" Hana Nono, Saaya Yakushiji, Homare Kagayaki, Emiru Aisaki, and Ruru Amour muttered within their minds, looking back and forth between the Present Day George Kurai who was watching with a grim, cold silence and the Past George Kurai who was about to transform into something that they had never before seen, and they had all watched the television show: Kamen Rider Zi-O. The worry and anxiety between all of them were becoming increasingly trepid and anxious because they can sense that an upcoming fight was about to happen.

"("Papa...")" Hagumi Kurai, like the others, was looking back and forth between the Present Day George Kurai and the Past George Kurai. She would also have similar feelings of concern.

"("I've never seen something like this before...")" Hariham Harry muttered in his mind, watching Past George Kurai's transformation.

"("George...")" Shintarou Nono and Sumire Nono would both mutter in their minds. A great parental concern was now starting to bubble in their hearts as they see Past George Kurai transform. Here was a young boy, no less than eleven to twelve, about to transform and fight something that would strike a cord in their hearts due to its analytical, cold demeanor and chilling, sharp irises, along with the dead bodies of children and teachers that were lying on the dried up ground. They don't know if they can bare to watch something like this because they have a feeling that this fight would become a bit too graphic.

"("George-onii-chan...")" Kotori Nono, terrified completely at the sight of Nullus, was even more surely worried for the Past George Kurai who was now transforming to fight. Her onii-chan and his best friend is going to try to take on this monster?! She did not know whether to feel comforted by such a notion.

"("George...")" Nodoka Hanadera would mutter in her mind as her heart was shaking in dread, watching back and forth between Present Day George Kurai and Past George Kurai.

"Henshin!" Past George Kurai muttered in a solemn, resolving tone.

And then, he would backhand the Ziku-Driver as it begins to spin 340 degrees counterclockwise until it went back to its original position while bringing his arms in an X pattern before bringing them back to his sides. The entire world at that very moment seemed to have split into two different directions, one going clockwise and the other going counterclockwise with golden and pink edges. The two giant analog clocks would produce the pink katakana for 'Rider' on their newly formed Zi-O visor-like faces as two golden-pink watch straps would appear and hover over his shoulders while small dials and clocks appeared around his feet. The katakana would fly in a straightforward line before it would eventually head back towards him.

RIDER TIME! ALL FOR YOU! ALWAYS FOR YOU! AOI KAZE NO HOPE! KAMEN RIDER ZI-O II!

And instead of the usual overlapping voice that accompanied Zi-O II, there was the usual normal tone that announces Zi-O when it says 'Rider Time', but then the voice would change into a more solemn and sober maternal tone, one that was Future Cure Yell's voice, as if speaking directly to the Past George Kurai when she says 'All for you, always for you', before the voice changed once more into the more familiar Dragon Ball song that the PreCure Teams would know as the line sung by the famous singer Hironobu Kageyama, when the line would say 'Aoi Kaze no Hope' and mentioning the name 'Kamen Rider Zi-O II'.

The golden watchstraps turned silver and draped over his shoulders, his black rider suit now had pink-white 'wings' protecting his shins, waist, gloves, and shoulders. The large crest-like shoulder pads were golden-edged with silver and pink curved lines under his neck and a golden neck-guard. But his mask was the most changed, having the pink katakana for 'Rider' still remained, but his silver clock face had etchings of the watchstraps, two watch crowns on either side of his head, and two sets of clock hands over his eyes, depicting 10 and 2 o'clock. There was also a golden-pink cape that is attached to his back that was being blown by the ominous wind and two watchstrap-like bio-enhancement devices that run vertically on both sides across his helmet and chest. There was now a heart-shaped PreHeart that would now attach itself to the left center of the chest.

For Past Tatsuya Kaname, he would raise both of his arms and show what he was holding. Along with the Geiz Ridewatch, there was another Ridewatch that look like an hour glass with a blue-orange base with black edges, a clear screen with two symbols inside the glass that had the orange-white circle symbol "悟" being visible on top while the red-yellow shield crest symbol being covered by beads that could change color depending upon the form change in question. Right now, the beads are orange. This other Ridewatch is known as the GeizRevive Hope Ridewatch. He presses the buttons of both Ridewatches.

GEIZ!

GEIZ REVIVE! GO-KU!

"...Eh?" Yayoi Kise muttered as she and other PreCure were surprised by what they had just heard.

And then, he would slide both of the Ridewatches into the belt, and would punch the crown button of his Ziku-Driver with his left clenched fist. Then he puts both of his arms before him, swings his arm, and grabs both ends of the driver. Behind him were holographic greyish gears and wires that turned shining blue at the bottom and a burning orange at the top with the protrusions becoming like a digital watch projecting themselves.

"Henshin!" Past Tatsuya Kaname muttered in a solemn, resolving tone.

Then he would backhand the Ziku-Driver as it begins to spin 340 degrees counterclockwise until it went back to its original position while bringing his arms in a downward pattern before bringing them back to his sides, forming clenched fists.

RIDER TIME! KAMEN RIDER GEIZ! LET'S REVIVE! AOI KAZE NO HOPE! GO-KU!

As the voice would announce in its normal tone 'Rider Time' and 'Kamen Rider Geiz', afterward, there was the voice of the famous singer Hironobu Kageyama who begin the singing lines of 'Let's revive! Aoi Kaze no Hope! Go-ku!'.

Now, he was surrounded by black digital watchstraps before they solidified upon him, giving him a black bodysuit with white hourglass-style shin-pads, white patched shoes, and gloves. On his chest and back were what appeared to be the orange-white circle symbol "悟" which stands for wisdom" or enlightenment. His helmet had an orange elongated hourglass design in the middle with elongated hiragana yellow lettering for his visor which read 'Rider'.

Now, they had both transformed. The transformations themselves however were something entirely new.

Hana Nono felt something when she was looking at Zi-O's new form. She felt a very similar power to her own, except much more raw and full of experience from fighting battles throughout the overtly long years. Yes, the instincts in her heart told him that this was indeed her power, but it was a power from another her. This Ridewatch connects with Hana Nono's entire history and the bond that was forged between herself and George Kurai, no matter where or when.

End:

Insert Song: Start

Inevitabilis · Yuki Kajiura

And then...

"...!"

A static was occurring throughout the memory. Like one dividing line. Hana Nono, Hagumi Kurai, the rest of the Nono Family, and all of the PreCure Teams would see a memory flashback. There was the Past George Kurai, a few hours before his transformation, heavily bruised and bloodied, crouching and looking distraught with tears. And there was nothing except the clasp and rumbling of thunder, and rain falling down. And...

"...!"

...They would see a young adult woman somewhere in her late twenties that would caress Past George's face with a smile, speaking his name softly as she lay down on the dried grass like a wilted flower. She has long wavy pink hair with a pair of buns on top held by red ribbons and daisies. She wears a pink and white midriff top with three white and gold button straps in the middle. Her translucent sleeves are puffy and off-the-shoulder. She also wears light yellow wristbands that resemble pom-poms with light pink ribbons. Her skirt matches her top and is pleated with a translucent layer and mint green ruffle on top of it. Her cracked, damaged PreHeart hangs on her left hip over a pink pompom bow with a white ribbon. She wears short light pink and magenta boots with red bows and yellow pom-pom trim with white thigh-high socks. Her accessories include a pearl headpiece with a pink heart on it and green clover earrings.

She appeared like she had taken a rather heavy beating, looking bruised for wear as her clothing appeared damaged, and appeared to be bleeding. But even so, she was smiling, if only for Past George's sake.

"...Masaka..." Much to the horror of Shintarou Nono and Sumire Nono, along with Kotori Nono and Tanpopo Anno, along with the rest of the HUGtto! PreCure Team, would know to recognize that they were seeing someone that they knew, the Future Hana Nono - the Future Cure Yell.

"...Why..." Past George Kurai muttered softly, crying in tears after everything. "...Why...Why did you have to take that hit?...I...I had his attention, I could have led him away from you...From you and your team...You...You didn't have to suffer like this again..."

"Shh," the Future Hana smiled at him just as her body was becoming transparently bright. She was still caressing his face in spite of feeling completely sore with agonizing pain. "George...you can't die here...not now...If it's true about what you said...about how in the future, my...our daughter would eventually become a PreCure, then there is still hope in this world..."

"...Mama," Hagumi Kurai was watching with widened eyes, lightly gasping in horror as she was bearing witness to the very day when her mother would pass away.

"But it didn't have to be that way! I shouldn't be that way!" Past George exclaimed, almost careful not to be so loud, and touch the hands of Future Hana Nono. "I can change it. I can change this future, make everything that happened here never even happen."

"Now...you know that you can't do that, George," Future Hana was still accommodating to him. While watching, Present George grew sadder and his eyes grew softer, almost like he wanted to cry upon seeing this painful memory.

"Can't I?" Past George asked himself, now crying. He makes his point by letting her see the Zi-O II Ridewatch. "I have the power of the Zi-O on my hands. I can make sure to reverse all of this, and make sure that you or your daughter wouldn't have to suffer just what history had said you would. Nothing's written in stone. I did change time once. I reversed at least a few moments in time for me to save my uncle from a psychopathic monster. Now, I can extend that by saving you."

"But then...what about you...?" Future Hana muttered, still smiling.

"...?...What about me...?" Past George asked in confusion.

"If you do this...what happens to you...? Future Hana asked, still smiling. She was not judging him nor was she dissuading him from his proposal. She was simply asking him to think for a moment. But a moment seems to be worth naught as time seemingly runs out. Future Hana's clothes would transform back into a more normal adult form of clothing, the transparency already being completed.

Past George, when thinking about what she said, and really thinking about what she said, can only mutter. "...I don't know."

He doesn't know. That was the point. Say he changed this timeline, make sure that Nullus Nihilum would never have to rise in this timeline, then what? This wasn't really his universe, it would be fine to change this timeline, and make sure that these events never happened, in other words, modify the timeline a bit, and make it so that this world was not greatly deprived of its once greatest protectors, the PreCure. Except, whatever happens here would have a ripple effect in his universe because if he changed this point in time, if he changed something this major such as the death of one Future Hana Nono, then what would become in this timeline? Would it be good or bad?

There is that temptation saying, worry about what's happening in a potential future for later, focus on right now, focus on trying to save her. And the temptation was heavy, too heavy.

"...George," Future Hana's smile, even in spite of looking worst for wear, was still just as bright and kind, strong and not giving in, was gently caressing his face. "...I...I don't want to take your future away from you...You have so much for you to do...More than you know...Ugh ugh..." She was coughing rather badly with blood, something that horrified everyone that was watching, including the Nono Family who could not bear to see something like this happen to Hana, no matter what world or timeline.

"...George, please..." Future Hana spoke further. "If you...If you feel guilty about me, then don't. Don't let this guilt define you. You are more than who you believe to be..."

"...I...I wished I could believe that..." Past George muttered before shaking his head in tears. "No, I wanted to believe that, more than anything."

"And you are...Believe me, you are..." Future Hana muttered with a smile. "If you choose to change this future, there may be a very good chance that the me of your world may not meet you...since she wouldn't have known you..."

And she was right, Present George thought as he watches this memory with a sorrowful tone. He knew that he had to let her pass away. She needed to be a symbol of hope for her daughter to eventually be inspired by. The world, this world, still needs the PreCure, no matter how small their numbers are now, and they are so very small. Change a circumstance, what makes one think that the universe would allow such a thing to go unpunished? He was not his sensei. He was not Sougo Tokiwa, the original Kamen Rider Zi-O. Yes, he has great power, but even so, he still has far too much to still learn about the delicate balance of time.

In history, there are happy times and there are sad times. There are good times and there are bad times. And then there are worst times, but things would get worst before they ultimately turn out the better. This universe, Hagumi Kurai's universe, which was once a part of the prime timeline, had separated completely. This universe had been designed like a back up plan, for the sake of this future to never have to come to pass in his native universe, the prime reality, the World of PreCure.

"...I..." Future Hana would smile as she cried too, surprising Past George and making Present George who was watching trying to hold his tears back. "...I don't want that...I cannot let the memories we would eventually share, the memories that you two would eventually share, would simply not exist. I...I cannot bear that...I cannot bear losing my husband...or you..."

And that was when Past George would remember. The promise that he had made just a long time ago from his perspective. He was still eleven years old, talking with his alternate future self. He made a promise. He made this promise. He cannot go back on it.

Past George would tuck in his Zi-O II Ridewatch and would take the old classic golden pocket watch with Roman numerals that his alternate future self, Future Hana's husband, had given to her. Future Hana was surprised a bit when she saw it, recognizing the fob watch. And then, she would smile sadly.

"...My husband gave this to you, didn't he..." she asked with a smile.

"...Yes," Past George muttered softly. "For you, it would be the future, but for me, it would be the past."

While watching this scene, Hagumi Kurai was crying a bit, with Hariham Harry immediately walking towards her and giving her a gentle hug while watching this scene with a serious expression. Sumire Nono was crying as she sees a future version of her daughter and a past version of the boy who was close to her present-day daughter suffer like this. Shintarou Nono was also of similar mixed feelings with his wife, and his youngest daughter Kotori Nono and his mother-in-law Anno Tanpopo would feel it as well as they cry in their own way.

"He asked me to take this...for my journey...towards the unknown road of fate...since my future had yet to even be decided...and...he said something to me..." Past George would explain a bit, and Future Hana would smile with teary eyes as she still caresses the young George's face. "He said...One day...I'm going to meet this very special woman. And yes..." Past George stopped a bit, looking teary-eyed before continuing. "...She was truly special as there seems to be almost no one like her...like being a rarity...He would also say that she would brighten up my life in ways that I could never imagine experiencing..."

Future Hana smiled sadly. "That...definitely sounds like my husband...I'm...I'm just glad...that he's alright in some way...knowing what you know now..." But Past George would gasp as he would notice Future Hana's eyes slowly closing, and it would make everyone who was watching showing an expression of horror and shock.

"Ne...George..." Future Hana smiled before closing her eyes. "Promise me two things..."

"Anything," Past George said with no hesitation. But Present George would say it too, muttering clearly which made Present Hana become slowly teary-eyed and with her mouth trembling.

"Promise me...that you won't let me go in your world...and that you would take good care of our daughter..." Future Hana asked with a sad, resigned smile.

"...I promise," Past George said with no hesitation, even when he have a few misgivings on the matter. But Present George would say it too, muttering clearly. It made everyone around him pay close attention.

"...Thank you..." Future Hana smiled contently as she still caresses his face. "...George...I...love you...no matter where...no matter when..."

And then, just like that, her arms would suddenly lower before she eventually passed away with a smile, knowing that everything would be alright. Everyone who had been watching, all of the PreCure Teams, both PreCure and mascots, have been either crying or staying silent respectfully but still in tears. Hana Nono was crying as she sees all of this. And then, it clicked on her. It all made sense, and no doubt the other PreCure would catch on. One of the main reasons why George would want to stay away from her and simply be content to watch her from afar is because...

...Because he did not want to experience something like this ever again.

And suddenly, a bright light would now be seen from Past George's left trembling hand. It was similar in appearance to the Zi-O II Ridewatch. It was the gift that Future Hana Nono would leave him as she passed away with a smile. He would keep the fob watch in his pocket and use both hands to examine the brand-new Ridewatch. He presses a button.

ZI-O-II! ALL FOR YOU!

And Past George could not help but cry after everything. He looks at the now-deceased Hana Nono. He gently touches her hair which was wet by the rain before gently caressing her face. And he cried as he laid his head on her body.

Insert Song: End

Insert Song: Start

Venari Strigas · Yuki Kajiura

And now, the scene would cut back to the main present flashback where two Kamen Riders, Zi-O and Geiz, had already decided to transform with their respective new armor.

Nullus Nihilum was simply standing there, not moving an inch except to put his thumb to his chin as if in deep thought. At this point, knowing the context, every one of the PreCure and the mascots glared in varying degrees towards the abomination that did all of the tragedy while also worried for the two Kamen Riders. Yes, this was in the past, but that did not change the fact that this battle may perhaps turn up rather brutally.

The PreCure has absolutely no idea what Nullus was capable of doing or what he's planning or whatever was going on inside his head. The only known accomplishments so far that they knew would be that he had single-handedly exterminated much of the human race and killed off most if not all of the PreCure and rendered the entire world into a state of devolution and despair.

"...That bastard!" Shintarou Nono glared hatefully at the monster that was responsible for the death of his daughter in that timeline.

Nullus was not making any sudden movements even as the rain was dropping. Both Zi-O and Geiz were very careful, keeping their feet planted on the ground, making deep breaths, and never taking their eyes off Nullus.

"What the heck is this monster waiting for?" Hariham Harry asked with narrowed eyes, noting that it had been about a minute since Nullus had decided to attack.

"He's very calculating," Present George would explain. "Or rather, he's simply very patient, if a bit on the extreme end. He knows not to charge right in for the kill nor does he gloat about whatever it is that was in his mind. What makes him quite dangerous is that you can never really use the old trump cards that the PreCure would usually handle to the villains."

"Most of the villains are a little too gloatful and boastful and prideful, too much underestimation before suddenly turning to their downfall. Too much monologuing without any actions to speak for themselves unless there is that rare element of providing a distraction. And I can think of at least one who can do something like that," Present Tatsuya explain.

"Like Joker," Miyuki Hoshizora said in a worried tone.

"...Yes, like Joker," George confirmed with a serious nod. "Hmm?" George would notice someone hugging him. It was Hana Nono, who had been recently affected by what she had just seen, and she was still crying and could not say anything. George simply smiled a bit, gently wiping the tears from her eyes before embracing her as he continues to watch the memory of his past.

And then...

"...I am rather impressed...Toki no Ouja," Nullus Nihilum would now speak with a tone that sets everyone on edge because there was nothing to discern about it. He was speaking to George Kurai - Kamen Rider Zi-O specifically. "...The fact that you have the Zi-O II Ridewatch at your fingertips, and with it, the power to reverse time or the timelines with ease, making every tragedy that had ever happened here, to be undone. It would have been my defeat...and yet, you did not take the bait."

Zi-O was only silent, with only the rain falling making a noise.

"As silent as it is normal. Is this perhaps about Cure Yell for instance?" Nullus asked with a cold tone of interest.

Zi-O simply clenched his fists and glared at him with a hot boiled anger. Everyone who was watching this memory was also glaring at him in varying degrees and while also be concerned for the Present George who stood silently, watching a conversation of long ago.

"Why not simply use the Zi-O II Ridewatch? Reverse it. Reverse what I have done. It is merely as simple as pressing a button. Why not make this world a much better one with your power to reverse time?" Nullus asked, as if trying to tempt Zi-O with abusing his time powers.

Oh, that temptation to do that would be a strong thing in George Kurai. But...he made a promise. He cannot break it. He simply did not respond and only thought of the young woman who would give him the drive to try to hope again as he can feel her presence. It almost felt like he was being embraced by her.

"George..." An echoing thought had penetrated George's mind, and it is one that everyone who was watching, would hear and be surprised by. "I am...always with you."

Both Past and Present George Kurais closed their eyes simultaneously, crying on the inside as they breathe in and out in synchronicity. Eventually, both of them would open their eyes. Even with tears, there is determination.

"But of course, if you refused it, then there is nothing to be done. Still a penny for your petty thoughts if it feels like it comforts you," Nulllus simply said before he suddenly disappeared into thin air.

"What the?!" Nagisa Misumi exclaimed in shock.

And then, both Zi-O and Geiz would immediately notice something behind their back even before the attack due to their precognition kicking in. They both rolled to different directions as a heavy barrage of pink heart energy, one that Miyuki Hoshizora - Cure Happy would recognize in shock. "Ah, my attack!"

Both Zi-O and Geiz were dodging with ease, teleporting from rooftop to rooftop as multiple explosions occurred that would set the ruined buildings tumbling down. As Zi-O and Geiz made a teleportation landing on a rooftop nearby, one that was a dilapidated building that had over a few ten floors. And then a large red beam that was in the shape of a heart would suddenly fire upon them, making them transmit themselves out of there.

"Ah! Wait a minute, that's my attack!" Aguri Madoka was in shock as she sees her attack being turned into a weapon against the Kamen Riders.

And then, another sudden barrage of energy attacks which were raining down upon the deserted city that needed to make Zi-O and Geiz dodge by either teleport or through evasive maneuvers. They did not know which way to attack. Nullus was hiding, and he was not making any fights fair play.

"Ah!" Zi-O's eyes widened as he begins to fire a pink energy blast with his left hand after sensing Nullus' presence right behind him. Only...

"Kaah!"

Nullus had been anticipating the attack. He made a flying kick that would send Zi-O straight through at least five buildings, decimating them and leaving behind clouds of smoke.

"NO!" Hana exclaims in worry. Of course, she was supposed to know that this was a flashback, but considering what she had seen so far, she does not want to see George get hurt like this, and especially not wanting to see him fight a monster like this, and this monster can seemingly use the attacks of the PreCure as if casually.

And then, Nullus appears, but there was more than one Nullus surrounding Geiz who was powering up with yellow ki that was brightening up his body. The many Nullus' that were surrounding him were like a mirage of sorts. You wouldn't know about where or when to hit. Fortunately for Geiz, he knew where as with his sharper focused senses, he can see where.

He fired a blue energy blast which struck the lower right corner, dissipating the illusions. But...

"KAH!"

Nullus was one step ahead as he simply blasted Geiz with the Futari wa PreCure Marble Screw from behind, sending him down violently to the ground, creating a sonic boom. What about the Nullus that Geiz had hit? It was simply a temporal remnant that he had created specifically just for this moment, a copy of him if one will, taken from at least a fraction of a few seconds from a possible future where he had been blasted by Geiz. Yes, Nullus has the ability to make copies of himself through the use of temporal machinations.

"He's too fast, mepo!" Mepple grew worried as he and his fellow mascots were witnessing the battle.

A teleport later, there was Zi-O who was right in front of Nullus as the former made use of a sword that seem like a combination of a Saikyo Girade and a Melody Sword, called the Yell Sword, unleashing a wave of pink energy.

RIDER! RIDER GIRIRI!

And a sudden burst of sword attacks came from Zi-O spanning all directions which were being parried by just Nullus' hands. You're not the only one who can summon temporal remnants, Zi-O thought as he would suddenly explode like a violent vacuum, sending Nullus tumbling, and surprising the PreCure who were watching.

Zi-O teleports at least a few meters south and managed to intercept Nullus by using his sword to swipe the latter. But it was not as simple as that unfortunately because Nullus fired a beam of red heart energy that would make Zi-O dodge and teleport upwards. Then he senses Nullus clapping his hands and was conjuring what appeared to be flowers encircling in the air.

"Flowers..." Haruka Haruno became troubled before realizing what she was now seeing. It was her attack. "Oh no!"

The now-formed flower circle was violently chasing Zi-O like a tornado, but the flowers were simply incinerated by Geiz who had arrived via teleport. Then Zi-O and Geiz senses Nullus behind them as he tried to deliver a roundhouse kick. Only Zi-O blocks it with his shoulder as Geiz makes a counterattack by firing multiple high density blue beams on Nullus, striking him a bit, and then Zi-O and Geiz were on the offensive as they unleash their barrage of punches and kicks which were almost perfectly countered by Nullus.

The shockwave was being felt everywhere. The rain would scatter wherever this happens. The ruined buildings would vibrate a bit. The hovering ground would shake. The ruins of an old world shook as three powerful warriors landed blow for blow against each other. But Nullus seemingly was not fazed in the slightest as is expected. Nullus would unleash a variation of Marble Screw, sending black and white thunder upon multiple directions, which made Zi-O and Geiz dodge by teleport, landing on a rooftop before firing a quickly gathered large energy that they formed like a ball and hurled the blue and pink balls at Nullus, only for Nullus to fire his own brand of explosions as he unleashes a much more powerful variation of Pink Forte Wave, sending a wave of explosions that engulf the energy beams.

And then, more physical combat ensues as Zi-O and Geiz were teleporting just right behind him. And they continued to fight with their bare hands and feet, punching and kicking. Nullus of course counters as he punches Zi-O on the solar plexus before shoulder punching him on the back, sending him downward for a few meters before Zi-O retaliates with an energy beam that would, unfortunately, hit Geiz as Nullus used him as a human shield, and would throw him off for about a few miles towards a nearby building, creating a shockwave that decimates a building.

But Nullus was suddenly hit with the brunt of full force by Geiz's Kamehameha technique as he was actually in the sky during this time and waited for the perfect opportunity to strike, having created a temporal remnant to keep him occupied, sending Nullus down on the ground before the ground exploded and a lot of cars were being thrown off and landing on nearby buildings.

And Geiz would suddenly get kicked off by Nullus at least three times before grabbing his neckline and would try to break his neck, only for Geiz to seemingly explode, making Nullus fall back due to the temporal decoy, which in turn made Nullus vulnerable as he was suddenly tackled by Zi-O who would suddenly teleport himself and Nullus somewhere else, somewhere away from this Earth.

Geiz, having anticipated this and knew where and when to go, would follow Zi-O through the clock portal that Geiz had conjured.

The Garden of Light.

Well, it used be to be the Garden of Light at least, before the First Cataclysm several years ago had happened.

"...!"

All of the PreCure, especially the Futari wa PreCure Team, would be shaken to see what they recognized to be the Garden of Light. There was no mistaking it. The once green beautiful grass was now nothing but a barren dried ground with nothing to decorate. The once-visible palace on the hill on top was seemingly desolate and broken down by remains of what appeared to be holes made by unnatural attacks. The skies were now darker than it had ever been, even darker than the Dotsuku Zone. Only dark clouds and rain exist here, but no rainbow, nor a Rainbow Bridge which had evaporated so many years ago. Ruins of small buildings were the inhabitants used to live. And...

"No...No...No, popo!" Porun cried out in horror as he saw what appeared to be the remains of fairies that were just lying on the ground. Mepple and Mipple would see this as well, showing their own expression of silent horror. The other mascots' reactions were not better either as they see the corpses of their fellow fairies all lying there like skeletal bones that did not get a proper burial.

And then, they would see Zi-O and Nullus battling it out. They were fast. If it were not for Zi-O, the PreCure Teams or the Nono Family would not be able to keep up with such fast opponents. And Zi-O and Nullus became even faster as both fired and parried tons of high-density energy beams that were whirled on each other.

"Ne, George-kun," Yukari Kotozume walked towards George with a serious and concerned expression. "Is it just me...or is Nullus deliberately holding back right now?"

"You are right in a sense, Yukari-san," George muttered softly. "This isn't even Nullus at his strongest, never mind the fact that the Nullus who I and Geiz are fighting is merely yet another temporal remnant. Nullus has a nasty habit of making various contingencies just in case if something were to happen to him, like per se, somehow getting defeated by the heroes which are beyond his calculations to manage."

"Not his strongest?!" Homare Kagayaki exclaimed in shock. "Are you telling me that this is not all that he can do?!"

"Unfortunately," George confirmed grimly.

"...And the proof is whatever we had just seen in the ruined city on Earth and...whatever had happened to my homeland, isn't that correct?" Hikari Kujou asked with a serious expression that carries a kind of outrage found in a queen, carrying Porun and comforting him.

"...Yes," George confirmed grimly.

With each punch and kick, Nullus would counter. One uppercut, countered. One side kicking, countered. One energ attack, countered. Every attack, calculated, then countered. Both Zi-O and Nullus were hopping back and forth in a zigzag fashion from the ruins of the ancient city where the dead only rest and only rain would fall from the sky. No longer was there any daytime. Only darkness and despair reside here.

A swipe from Zi-O's sword, carrying a pink energy wave that was countered by Nullus as he made use of a red heart-colored shield. Zi-O teleports by firing a barrage of pink heart energy that would carry violent explosions. And Zi-O did not stop for a moment as he fired one round after another as his teeth gnashed...

And then...

"...!"

They would see yet another memory while Zi-O was still fighting. But it was quick. It was Nullus Nihilum who was holding...Kaoruko Hanasaki by the collar of her shirt and...

"...!" Tsubomi Hanasaki, Erika Kurumi, Itsuki Myoudouin, Yuri Tsukikage, Chypre, and Coffret were in horror as they saw that quick flashback, seeing the elder PreCure suddenly being turned to dust. Nothing flashy, just a word. They turn to Kaoruko who was just right beside them, only looking at them with a saddened expression.

"NNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" They can hear Zi-O's echoing scream as he charges right in with a full burst of speed, but Nullus would simply swat him like a fly, sending him just crashing into the nearby trees.

And then another one that Zi-O could remember. Much to the shock of the Mahou Tsukai PreCure Team, they would see the buildings of the Magic School of the Magic World completely burned down to the ground and the bodies of many students that lay dead on the ground.

And then another one that Zi-O could remember. To the horror of the KiraKira PreCure A La Mode, they would see themselves all bloodied and bruised. All except for Ichika Usami are dead, and she was trying to raise her right hand and her reach...was something that was walking from the distance...and it was Nullus Nihilum...

And then, there were so many other memories that showed the wake of terror that Nullus left across everywhere in existence. Even other planets, galaxies, and other universes were not spared.

And with all of these memories, it only made Zi-O to fight harder as he dodges a stockpile of dangerous energy that exploded upon impact, burning all of the ruined houses and forming large craters.

"George...what is this?" Saaya asked in horror, seeing all of these memory flashes.

"...Memories, observatory or experiential, whether of Hagumi's universe or of other universes," Present George sadly stated with a grim tone. "To tell you the truth, Nullus Nihilus is an individual that has already destroyed over twelve universes, each containing their own PreCure, specifically alternate versions of the Futari wa PreCure, Splash Star PreCure, Yes! PreCure 5, Fresh PreCure! HeartCatch PreCure! Suite PreCure, Smile PreCure!, DokiDoki! PreCure, HappinessCharge PreCure!, Go! Princess PreCure, Mahou Tsukai PreCure!, and the KiraKira PreCure a la Mode." As he mentions this, the aforementioned teams were appalled and shocked. "Hagumi's universe, the universe that had taken a different road, has most of all life decimated by Nullus. Only Earth remained intact, at least, if you could call it that way. But when your very own protectors had bitten the dust, safe to say that this universe had been crippled. But then, Hagumi's universe is linked to his own timeline, so of course he needed to tread lightly if he doesn't want to call in most unwanted attention."

"Who is...Who is this Nullus exactly?! What kind of monster are we dealing with that can destroy Miracle Lights, kill most of the PreCure Teams, kill most people on the planet or other planets, and destroy our homes?!" Coco said, angry at this monster already as he was seeing the devastation that was being enacted by the monster.

"...He is a creation of the Blue Ribbon Empire," Present George explained.

"WHAT?!" Everyone was surprised.

"It's true, everyone," Seiji Sagara nodded, confirming his fellow hero's explanation. "And if you want to be more specific, he is a bio-android, a creation of a dangerous mad scientist of the empire by the name of Doctor Gehenna Xerox. The term of this insidious project was known as Project: Common Disaster. The project was supposed to be designed to create the perfect super counter-soldier against the PreCure, the only heroes standing in the way of the Blue Ribbon Empire to subjugate our universe and harness its infinite resources and powers. But..."

"...Apparently during his activation, Nullus immediately went rogue and killed Doctor Xerox and every other Blue Ribbon Empire scientist and soldier. He left no survivors in his wake," Kiriya Irizawa spoke with a grim tone.

"And Nullus had been activated in Hagumi's universe, or our universe before events diverged enough that Hagumi's universe was born, and the awakening of Nullus was a determinative factor in the divergence of our universe and Hagumi's." Present George explained grimly.

RIDER TIME! KAMEN RIDER GEIZ! LET'S REVIVE! AOI KAZE NO HOPE! SUPER-MAN!

And then, a shockwave occurred during the battle between Zi-O and Nullus. It was Geiz, who had switched form modes from Goku to Superman, becoming extremely fast and taking on Nulllus who receives every single punch given to him, sending him flying like a ragdoll in several directions before eventually landing on an abandoned building. Zi-O fires a pink energy beam, causing an explosion.

Geiz now made himself visible. What changed in the bodysuit was the color scheme which is now of a deep black and blue color. There was a red cape attached to his back. On his chest and on the back of the cape, there was the shield crest symbol "S" which stands for hope. His helmet had a blue elongated hourglass design in the middle with elongated hiragana yellow lettering for his visor which read 'Rider'.

And then, the battle would quicken the pace as the two would take to the skies by teleporting before a barrage of black and white thunder would strike at them. Nullus teleported straight behind them, causing the both of them to parry, creating an echoing shockwave that carried artificial winds. And then another. And then another. And then another. In about one hundred attacks and counterattacks.

After more than a few fifty punches and kicks, Zi-O transports himself to the ground and fires a high-density magenta-colored energy beam with his right hand. A few reaches or so, Nullus would swat it like a fly before firing a red-colored heart energy against Geiz which would not work if only because he has Superman's invulnerability.

"Time to change tactics," Nullus Nihilum muttered with an analytical tone before teleporting.

And then, Nullus would unleash a dangerous variation of the Rainbow Burst, raising both hands to unleash a barrage of it on Zi-O and Geiz. But then, another Nullus would suddenly appear, kicking Zi-O several meters away. And then again. And then again. Before Zi-O fires an energy beam from his right hand before eventually getting punched to the chest by Nullus, sending him a few meters away before using his Yell Girade to stab the ground, creating little cracks on the dead ground.

...And he can only see Nullus simply walking ominously on his front point of view, with his cold yellow irises narrowed. Then he looked around and sees all of the ruins that were there. All of the scorch marks. All of the unburied bodies.

"...The Garden of Light," Nullus Nihilum spoke with a reminiscent tone. "Once it was known to be the realm of light in contrast with the darkness that is the Dotsuku Zone. Now...they too had fallen in my hand so many years ago when others such as the Dark King have failed."

"...!" Every one of the PreCure, especially the Futari wa PreCure, were angered by this statement and the implications behind it. The dead bodies were more than proof of it.

"I suppose you really love being an admirer of your own piece of work if you think I want to waste my time listening to your ideas of eloquence," Zi-O muttered in anger.

"Less of an admirer and more of a factual dictator," Nullus simply spoke with narrowed intent, his eyes sharpening. "If you catch my double meaning that is."

And then, he would sense Geiz coming at him at full speed from a mile away. But Nullus was prepared as he simply raise his arm and form a right fist, performing a punching maneuver that would send Geiz away like a rocket to the sky and eventually crashing on a barren hill. Zi-O flinched a bit, raising his Yell Sword with a firm grip.

"Irony, the super had taken out the man with one punch," Nullus quipped with a cold tone, with glowing eyes narrowed.

And so, the two archenemies would begin to make their own battle stance.

Insert Song: End

ED Song:

Kamen Rider 4 [Time - Mitsuru Matsuoka]