Author Notes:

The events of this story would take place sometime after the events of DW: Night Baron Case Files: Corpse Party. This is part of an arc that I would call the First Trilogy Saga.

The chapter is revised, in case anyone notices the differences.

Fictions Mentioned:

Episode 1

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Dies irae - Animation OST: Ewige Wiederkunft

The World of Pretty Cure.

It was one unique kind of universe in the Multiverse. On the surface of the planet Earth, it was just like what one would expect of such a world. It was a universe that mostly had the same general history and timeline of events that one can or would be familiar with. Why mostly? Simple. There is one factor that made the difference. Because the PreCure are the ones who are an element of this world and by extension this universe.

Who are the Pretty Cure, or PreCure for short?

Many things. But to describe them, they are the penultimate warriors of light, a specific group of magical girls who battled against the forces of evil and darkness. Local, planetary, galactic, and universal threats have tried to conquer this world, but to no avail, for the PreCure had prevailed against them time and time again. One of the more latest achievements is defeating a powerful eldritch entity that almost succeeded in destroying the world, but in the end, she too would fall and become one of the PreCure. They are warriors who were told through the lens of stories, both near and far. They are the inspiration and source of dreams and hopes for everyone. Legends and myths, and yet proven to be a timeless concept that would stretch even to the age of the modern era and its future. Loved by many, for even children, especially young girls, would look to the skies and see their heroines do battle, and inspire them to never give up.

And now...

The PreCure would now face their next challenge. But it would be something entirely new. A side of the world that they would never have imagined. Their enemies, old and new, would come and return in a way that may not be expected.

Now, the time has arrived... ...for the Multiverse to be open to them... and meet their unknown Protector.

A PreCure Protector.

A battle had taken place within the deep forest of Japan.

Elusive alien creatures, dangerous beyond compare, roam through with hostile intent. Their forms were of various shapes and sizes, relentless without sleep. The nefarious intent to kill every human in sight knew no boundaries. An enemy beyond reason. Pure instinct was its only will. A soulless weapon designed merely for one singular purpose. These creatures were called the Noise, and they were not supposed to exist in this world, for they came from another. The World of Symphogear. A world similar to theirs, but set more into the future, a world that had its own magical heroines, archenemies of the Noise.

Now, upon this night, as the moon shines, a knight in shining armor, invoking the appearance of an imaginative and futuristic, reminiscent of a wristwatch, slashed through them like blades of grass.

ZIKAN GIRADE! KEN!

A taint of magenta colors was seen, coming out from the blade that he carried, hurled through multiple directions, sending a wave of mini-explosions that turned these monsters to dust and ashes.

The armored hero was courageous but silent, with the intent to wipe these creatures of anathema away from this world. He will do whatever is necessary, this he swore, on the day he took his power... ...as a God-King of Space-Time.

He turns his blades to the sides and to the four front corners, slashes and turns, cutting the rest down with ease. Five minutes passed by and it was over. Not even a challenge to this mighty but mysterious hero. Taking care of the last one, stabbing it behind the back as it dissipates into nothing, he breathes a sigh underneath his helmet. He glances back and forth as if to assess if the threat is genuinely gone. A moment later, he found none and could sense nothing.

The armored hero would now turn his attention to the skies. His eyes, hidden underneath his clock-based helmet and visor, would look upon the shining lights that permeated throughout the vaults of heaven, complimenting the moon.

The stars. They were something of a rare comfort, one of a few, that would allow the man underneath the suit of armor to look back and contemplate his life. His past, mysterious it may be, and yet, always one for complications. Memories of an older self were running from his mind, and with it, guilt came, one that never goes away. Walking through his memories, there was an object - an old classic pocket watch - one that an older self of his had given to him before eventually disappearing to parts unknown.

He detransforms back into a normal young man. He looked fourteen years of age, though he was older chronologically, about seventeen mentally, and soon to eventually be eighteen years of age. Black hair and golden-purple brown eyes hid a peculiarly old and worn-out person. He wore casual clothing, a jacket, and pants, with brown shoes.

He takes something out of his pocket. The pocket watch, whose clock hands reminded him of Big Ben, the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, England

"...The future huh..."

He - George Kurai, softly muttered to himself. His expression turns solemn as he looks back into the sky and sees its twinkling rays.

What is the future?

Insert Song: End

Insert Song: Start

Dies irae - Animation OST: Amantes amantes

"I hope that you are adjusting well to your new school after transferring from your former one, George-kun."

"Of course, Uchifuji-sensei, I'm used to not staying in one place for too long."

George was stewing with a mixture of emotions even as he was calmly talking to the teacher who was escorting him to his new classroom. Feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and a little fear. A million thoughts swirl in his mind. He had wondered just what the old man had been thinking, sending him to this particular place that had a rich history, and for George, not in a good way.

This was L'Avenir Academy, and he was currently inside its school building. He wore a prepared male uniform consisting of a white shirt that was worn underneath a blue jacket. A red tie is tied around the neck of the students. Black shoes were on his feet.

He was having second thoughts that he wrestled with his mind. His desire to bolt out of there was strong because he did not intend to meet with someone attending this very school. A young woman and two of her friends. Three of many young women who are known as the PreCure. They - with the young woman as their leader - form a PreCure team called the HUGtto! PreCure and they have a history with him.

...Or to be more accurate, a history relating to George's other self - his older self from a different future that no longer applies to the present timeline.

A few steps later, he and the teacher, a man with black hair and brown eyes, were stopped just near the closed doors of a homeroom. George felt a little tense. This door is the only thing that would separate him from the rest of his potential classmates, including the PreCure who were there, for he could sense their pinkish-bright aura, a much different presence compared to the rest. His throat was gulping while biting his lip a little. If the door opens, it will allow him to walk into a new uncharted world.

"Are you ready, George-kun?"

The teacher had asked him with a reassuring smile, putting his hand on his shoulder. George could only raise an incredulous eyebrow before he eventually relaxed it a little, realizing that this teacher, along with most people who lived in this simple town of Hagukumi, had no idea of just what kind of history that he - or rather his future self from a different timeline - had with some of his students.

Now that he was here, he was thinking of how to alleviate the situation. If he is not careful of what he may say or do in front of the magical superheroines, things may get a little tense very fast. One could say that he was just being a bit too worried, but that's part of the job. It was a job that was given to him when he was very young, about ten years of age.

No, it was more than a job. It was a legacy.

Kamen Rider.

It was a very significant name in his world, though it is only considered in the realms and lens of fiction. Because Kamen Rider was a fictional character that appeared in 1971 and has since spanned through numerous fictional works, watched by very young children. And the specific Kamen Rider that he became - at the time he and the world he lived in did not realize because this Kamen Rider was only fully known by 2018.

He could remember the first time he had been given his belt - the Transformation Belt Ziku-Driver. But...

...No, he could not think about it now. He shook his head. This was neither the time nor the place.

"George?" the teacher asks with a worried tone, noticing a little of his reaction.

"I'm fine, Uchifuji-sensei, it's just... ...a little thing that I recall back at my home, something that my uncle and I had talked about, nothing too problematic," George reassured.

"Ah, I see," the teacher smiled a little. "Then I'll head inside first."

George nodded. He would see the teacher eventually head towards the door and would begin to slide it open.

"("Nono Hana... ...To think that I and you would cross paths once more... Though this time, here and now... ...To think that we would finally meet properly face to face... You and your teammates... ...the HUGtto! PreCure.")"

A certain promise from long ago had been brought to his mind.

Was he truly ready to meet her again? After all this time?

Her name was Hana Nono. But to most people who would see her in action as a PreCure, she was known as Cure Yell.

Magenta-colored eyes, young and bright. Slightly wavy hair worn down with a few green hair clips on each side. Her height was petite, shorter than most people of her age. Long ago, she tried to cut her hair, which resulted in short and uneven bangs due to a mishap. She may have considered that an embarrassment once upon a time, but now, it was more of a happy but sober reminder of past experiences. There were good and bad memories. But she treasured all of them. Hooray! Hooray! Me! Is what she would say to herself for her own encouragement as well as for others.

She was wearing her uniform, with a pink shirt, and a red tie around her neck. Grey skirts with white linings, brown suspenders, white stockings, and brown loafers.

Normally speaking, she was brim with energy, shining with positivity, and everyone knew it. Excitement always follows those who knew her and the aspect of a cheerleader archetype that brightens everyone's day without fail was no exception. Though for now, and a few times before, she would reminisce of a certain someone who is no longer here.

George Kurai. A man who had once been her enemy. An enigma from a future that she still often thought of.

"Until next time... ...Perhaps once more for me, too..."

Or so he would say before once more disappearing from her sight. The only thing that was left, picked up from the ground, was a craspedia flower which she took care of and cherished. It was now somewhere in the bedroom of her home, placed on a pot that had a little ground for it to not wither and die. She has watered it almost every day ever since.

George Kurai. The man who was once her enemy. The man who brought a lot of pain and suffering only for the sake of achieving his goals, no matter how futile it may be.

She now wonders at this point where he was. What was he doing right now? Even now, she still had no true idea of what and why this enemy - George Kurai - had interest in her, even more than her teammates. She was curious about this man from a future who had obviously been suffering in his own way. He was grieving. He was in pain. She still wondered what was the full story behind the man's descent into the path of a villain, being the leader of a corporation, and with it, fighting against her and her fellow PreCure.

She hoped that he was happy despite everything, and had found some semblance of peace.

How long had she been thinking of that man?

Well, ever since he disappeared. At that time, she had more adventures, meeting other PreCure teams that came after her and her team, including experiencing her world almost ending before eventually being brought back due to the efforts of some of her fellow PreCures. Sometimes, she was thinking of George. And in the past few days before now, she could not care any less about being discreet somewhat compared to before.

She had these strange dreams. Most of the details were something she could not make out, but they were feelings of sadness, grief, pain, anger, and many others. Shapes that she could not recognize. Names she could not recall. Dreams that seem like past memories. But one of the clear memories that she could glean from was George, who looked younger, and yet sadder than even his older self. However, she felt - despite lacking context - that there was something different as well. It was like night and day. She could see him... ...but she could also see tragedy, most she could not make out, only feel.

But she once dreamt of a younger George, kneeling on the graves of two people, with the softer rain coming down. She could see her cry, which made her cry.

There was a thought for Hana to explain these strange dreams to her friends, but she could not do so, covering it with a smile on her face. As if nothing was wrong. How can she explain something that she could not have any context about?

"Alright everyone, I'd like to introduce a new transfer student for today," the homeroom teacher said as he entered the classroom through the sliding door.

"Eh? A transfer student?"

The one who spoke was Hana's best friend, Saaya Yakushiji, who was looking at Hana's other best friend, Homare Kagayaki. Their expressions were one of surprise, Having a transfer student in the middle of this school year was a rarity if anything. Many of the students in the class were talking about this in whispers. While this was happening, Hana, who had been glancing through the window a few moments ago, glanced back at the teacher, curious at this sudden announcement just like the rest.

"Alright, you can come in now," the homeroom teacher said.

And then, the transfer student walked inside. But it was the face that made Hana slowly widen her eyes in shock.

It was a young man whose physical appearance was about the same age as she was, wearing the prescribed male uniform of L'Avenir Academy. Black hair and purple-golden brown eyes.

Then everything, from Hana's perspective, was an instant slow motion. Memories of George Kurai flood back into her mind. Flashes of encounters and battles. Flashes of ideals and disagreements. And in the end, Hana Nono - Cure Yell won the war. Bad memories, but also sad memories.

The young man - the young George Kurai - looked a bit hesitant and pensive. He was not even looking at everyone who was staring at him. Hana could hear a few whispers from her classmates, especially the girls who could not help but get a little excited. Admittedly, they would say, they find the new transfer student quite handsome, giving his cool and lone wolf aura.

"Oh, is that the new transfer student?"

"He looks so cool. What do you think his name is?"

"Cool? He looks a bit shy. He's not even looking straight at us."

"Ohh! Is he actually a bad boy type?"

Hana would glance back and forth between both of her friends who were just as concerned about this development as she was and the young George who was now taking a chalk and walking towards the blackboard in order to write something. He was writing a name in katakana.

George Kurai.

...There was no denying it. It was George. A George that looked very young, looking around their age. What was going on here? Was this a Criasu Corporation plot? Though Hana doubted it since that corporation had dissolved since the current CEO, George Kurai, had gone missing. She recalled one of the members of that corporation, Doctor Traum, telling her this a while back.

...Then, what was this? What was going on?

"...Eh?" Saaya muttered softly, shocked at what she was reading on the blackboard and the mere mentioning of the name of their greatest adversary to date.

"...No way," Homare muttered softly, shocked at what she was reading on the blackboard and the mere mentioning of the name of their greatest adversary to date.

The young man would turn to face them. His expression was professional. Though he was staring at the class in general, Hana noticed that he wasn't staring at her, nor her other two friends. Did he know who they were? Did he know who she is?

"...Um," George was hesitant a little, glancing a little to the side, looking a bit uncomfortable, before continuing as he bowed his head politely. "Good morning, everyone, my name is George Kurai, a transfer student of Teitan Academy. It's a pleasure to meet you all and I hope that we can get along from now on and..."

George discreetly glances a little at Hana, who notices it. Hana would look a little wide-eyed and self-aware.

"...And in the future."

"Wait, Teitan Academy?!" one of the students, a male student, spoke with a surprised expression. "Isn't that like that prestigious school in Tokyo where the smartest and brightest of Japan go too?"

And everyone was whispering in excitement. George looked a little discomforted before nodding a bit.

"Yes, umm, that's the same one."

Hana would anxiously look at George. Even now, time seems to stop. Looking at him now, she admitted that she found him... ...quite handsome, cute even because he looked like he was a little shy. It was a far cry from the suave, confident, and imposing George Kurai that she had met in the past. She examined him from head to toe and found a sense of hesitance sported on his expression. What was he thinking right now?

It looked like the young man was about to bolt out of the room. If it was an anime, she may have even been able to spot the sweat that draws down from his face.

Is it because of her? Is it because of her friends, Saaya and Homare? All of them who are PreCure? Was he the George she knew? Or was he just his past self?

Somewhere within her gut, memories of her dreams seem to come back to her. The ones she could not remember much in terms of greater details and ones that related to George - the younger one. Despite how many questions she had right now, there was only one thing she was most certain of.

"("...I won't let you walk away this time. I promise to make you smile. Whatever it takes. You won't feel sadness ever again. Hooray! Hooray! Atashi!")" she declared, her fists clenched and raised, and her expression set to being determined.

George looks a little in Hana's direction, looking a little twitchy. He knew that she was looking at him.

"Um...Kadoya-sensei?"

Souta Mizushino - Kamen Rider Decade, a young man from another world, was using a pair of binoculars to simply observe the classroom where George was currently at present. He was a sixteen-year-old young man with straight brown hair that reached down to his neck and amber-brown eyes worn over by a pair of glasses. He wears a red collared shirt, a black formal suit, black formal pants, and black formal shoes. There was a pink vintage-like camera strapped around him.

"Is this really such a good idea? Letting George interact with the girls?"

He asked the question because he knew that his kouhai Kamen Rider was somebody that had a history with this specific PreCure team - the HUGtto! PreCure. It relates to a future self that had since gone missing and whose current location is unknown.

He was speaking to a man in his mid-thirties, with brown hair and brown eyes. He wears a red collared shirt, a black formal suit, black formal pants, and black formal shoes. There was a pink vintage-like camera strapped around him.

The man, the myth, the legend, the original Kamen Rider Decade.

Tsukasa Kadoya.

He and Souta were observing George through a pair of binoculars. He smiled a little as he spotted Hana looking at George.

"George-kun needs this, my protégé," Tsukasa said, lowering his binoculars. "Him being there would be more than good for him. I think it's about time he faces this part of his life. He's been avoiding it for far too long. Besides, George-kun needs a break. You and I both know how much of a workaholic the kid is.

"...That's honestly true," Souta spoke with a little sadness. "I mean, we just recently took care of the Corpse Party Incident after all." He looks back at his sensei. "But still, I've got the feeling that there's more to this than just George-san having a normal life, Kadoya-sensei."

"As expected of my protégé," Tsukasa sported an impressed smirk. Then his expression turned serious. "Yes, there is more to this than just a normal life. The kid's gonna have to interact with the modern-day PreCure teams eventually. What better way to start than to meet with the PreCure team that was most familiar with him? Though it isn't about social interactions either. You've heard the rumors and seen the reports, right?"

"Yeah," Souta nodded with a grim expression. "HYDRA's been a little too close to home around here. My guess is, they're watching the PreCure, all of them."

"And George being there would keep the girls safe," Tsukasa muttered, looking back at George via his binoculars. "Whether in this timeline or any other."

Insert Song: End

OP Song:

Metamorphose (w/ lyrics and translation)