Chapter 17: In the Shade
In Clay Outpost, the residents of the town surrounded in front of the Pretty Cure team. Mayor Shellby, Khrisp, Tone, Dusty, Ruby, and Topaz all stood in the front entrance as they said their last words for the Pretty Cures' parting. Rusty and Musty are already inside their truck waiting for the Pretty Cures to hop on board. The Pretty Cure girls went back into their civilian forms again, and stood in front of the residents of Clay Outpost to say their farewell to them.
"You Pretty Cures are amazing and worth the effort to claim the Wonder Color Yellow from the pyramid." the mayor said. "You lovely ladies have what it takes to save our world."
"He's right," Ruby followed up, "so all we can do now is wish you the best of luck in finding the other Wonder Colors and restore the Prism Diamond."
"Indeed," Topaz followed, "thank you for everything Pretty Cures."
"No problem, we are glad to help." Alice replied with a smile.
"And we are happy that your town is still in one piece." Komachi stated, "That Scribbelle really did a number on the whole place."
"Ah, but it's thanks to your kind offering that we cleaned the whole town." Dusty mentioned. "You are such wonderful girls."
"We hope that we see you again soon." Khrisp, the son of Dusty, said, "Please come by and visit us when you have the chance."
"We sure will." Love said with a thumb up and a smile.
Tint then flies in front of Tone and speaks to him, "We got to get going Tone. Take care of yourself, and… stay out of trouble."
"Don't worry, I will." Tone replied with a wink. "I'm going to stay here in Clay Outpost for my research a little bit longer, and then I'll head back to Pigment Village to rest up." Tint nodded in complete understanding.
Soon the Pretty Cures, Matt, the fairies, and Tint hopped aboard inside Rusty's truck without time to waste. Once they are inside the truck, the team signaled Rusty for their leave, and Rusty starts the truck. "Alright partners! Let's head back to my place and head home!" Rusty said from his telecom device. Then the truck started to move and heads towards Rusty's Transportation Service building. The residents of the town waved goodbye to the Pretty Cure team, and the team inside the trailer stick their heads out to the windows and waved goodbye in response.
"So long Pretty Cures!" Krisp happily shouted.
"Farewell Pretty Cures," Topaz called out, "and good luck!"
"Take care young brave warriors!" Dusty shouted with a smile.
"Thank you again, and may the rainbows of the light guide you well." The mayor said happily.
The whole residents of the town waved goodbye to the team as the truck and the trailer is at a vast distance. Still, the Pretty Cure team inside the trailer kept waving goodbye at Clay Outpost as they are at a vast distance from the town.
After a half hour passed by of riding through the desert, The Pretty Cure arrived at Rusty and Musty home and service as they were outside of the building ready to leave the area. Rusty and Musty stood on the front porch as he smiles happily to the team.
"Well partners, I hate to say goodbye, but you fellers got a world to save." Rusty said with a little bit of sadness. "But hey, you are welcome again to visit me and my pet Musty anytime you want." Woof! Musty barked with joy. "That's right my boy, we wish you the best of luck."
"Thanks Rusty," Yuko replied, "and thanks again for all the help you did for us."
"We hope you and Musty will do good business here when we stop the Blots." Hikari commented.
"We sure will." Rusty responded, "Well…, Adios Amigos."
Some of the girls made a confused look on their faces wondering what Rusty said. But Matt leaned to them and speaks, "He said, 'farewell friends.'" The girls nodded in complete understanding.
"Right then…, let's head off." Tint commanded with a grin. And everyone did as they start walking back to the entrance of Yellow Desert and the painting leading back to Pigment Village. As they were walking back, the whole team waved goodbye to Rusty and Musty who are at the service station.
"So long, Rusty! So long Musty!" Urara gleefully shouted.
"Take care of yourself!" Hime said.
"Bye partners! You have a good one!" Matt shouted.
Rusty waved goodbye to the Pretty Cure team in response. "Bye Purdy Cures! Good luck on your journey!" Rusty shouted happily. Arf! Arwooo! Musty happily howled saying goodbye to the Pretty Cures. The team faded into the distance, and Rusty and Musty kept waving goodbye.
Back at Rainbow Castle and inside the luxurious living room, Scribbelle sat on a comfy chair with her legs sticking out and laying on a puffy stool. She was wrapped in bandages and her dress was ruined. A blot doctor nursed her to health as he is next to her. Then Erass showed up next to Scribbelle with a concern look.
"I see the Pretty Cures got the best of you." Erass commented.
"Grr! Curse those frilly brats!" Scribbelle yelled and complained. "They're going to pay for what they did to me!"
"I'm assuming that they already got the second Wonder Color?"
"You think, Genius?" Scribbelle makes a scoff, "I was so close to finding that Wonder Color, until those Pretty Cures ruined everything."
Erass sighed, "The king is not going to like this. I hate for him to scold us of our incompetent progress."
"Hmm! Well with this condition I am, I won't be able to move out until I'm fully recovered." Scribbelle makes an aggressive look, "The next time I meet those Pretty Cures, I will ruin their lives for good."
"You better Scribbelle. The king is counting all three of us generals to conquer the other areas of Spectrum Land and obtain the Wonder Colors. We must not fail."
"Speaking of which, where is the other guy, the one with the tannish overalls?"
"Him? He already left and told me he found a Wonder Color somewhere in the ocean. What's more interesting is that he's turning a base of his own in that area. Last time I heard he said he's turning a town into a factory to find the Wonder Color in the ocean."
"Really?" This made Scribbelle surprised and amazed a little. "Well…, maybe he's not worth the trouble after all. He said he is determined to succeed, even though he's stubborn." Scribbelle makes an evil look. "And I'll bet the Pretty Cures are too slow to reach their next Wonder Color in time."
Erass puts his hands on his hips. "I hope so Scribbelle. I hope so."
Back in the Warp Gallery Room, Sage Mark waits patiently as he sat in his chair waiting for the Pretty Cures to return. The sage, with his eyes closed, is quietly thinking and channeling his magical powers, until… Splash! Splash! Sage Mark opened his eyes and sees the desert painting waving back and forth. And out popped from the painting is the Pretty Cure team in one piece. Sage Mark smiled.
"Hey Pretty Cures, welcome back!" Sage Mark said happily.
"Hey Mark, we made it." Mai said.
"And we got the second Wonder Color!" Nozomi stated.
Matt showed Mark the Wonder Color Yellow that's inside the case, and Mark smiled in amazement. "Oh my Pretty Cures! You've obtain the Wonder Color Yellow!" Mark said with delight. "Keep it up, and you'll bound to have all the Wonder Colors in no time."
Love begins to sigh, "Whew! All that fighting and desert walking has made me really tired."
"I know what you mean," Nagisa said, "I'm tired and hungry myself."
Sage Mark notices and speaks, "It seems you young warriors are exhausted from traveling in the desert. Why don't you take a break and freshen up at the Create-Your-Own Café?"
"A good idea," Rikka replied, "We're going to need a lot of energy before we search the next Wonder Color."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Erika said, "Let's grab a bite."
But just as they were about to leave, Sage Mark remembered something. "Oh! By the way, while you're on your way to the café, Tint there is someone there who likes to see you."
Tint ponders, "Huh? Really? Who?"
"You'll see when you get there."
The Pretty Cure team shrugged not knowing what Mark just said, but they continued and head to the café.
After a few minutes of walking down the streets of Pigment Village, the Pretty Cure team arrived at the front entrance of the Create-Your-Own Café. Just before they were about to head inside, a thought came to Tsubomi.
"I wonder what Sage Mark mean about someone who likes to see Tint?" She asked.
"Don't know," Kanade responds, "maybe it's a good friend or something?"
"Tint, do you know?" Inori asked her.
"I'm not sure." Tint replied, "I have a lot of good friends, but I'm not sure who exactly is it that wants to see me."
Saki grabbed the front door's handle and slowly opens it. "Well let's go inside," she said, "I'm starving."
And they all did. But just as they step inside, the team spotted a butterfly-like fairy floating in mid-air. The fairy is just like Tint, only this time it has purple wings, short light purple hair with its bangs sticking to the side, wears small glasses below its eyes, and has a small purple bowtie on its neck. The purple fairy noticed the Pretty Cure team and grins at them. "Well hello there Pretty Cures," the fairy said in a manly voice.
"Um…, hi…, but who are you?" Aguri asked.
The team kept staring at the fairy in confusion…, but Tint popped up and smiles to the purple butterfly fairy. She dashes towards him, and hugs him tightly. "Oh wow! Shade I'm so glad to see you!" Tint said in great happiness.
"Shade!?" some of the Pretty Cure girls said in shock.
"It's nice to meet you again Tint." Shade said happily and calmly.
The Pretty Cure team kept staring in silence, but after a few seconds Matt speaks up. "Uh, Tint…" he said, "not to break the moment of your happy reunion, but who is this Shade guy you know?"
Tint blinked in surprise after she forgot to introduce to the Pretty Cures about Shade. "Oh, I'm sorry." Tint said with little embarrassment, "Allow me to introduce to you. This is Shade; he's my best friend and my mentor."
"Hey there everyone." Shade said as he winked and waved at the team.
A half hour passed and the team is eating their snacks at a huge table while they're discussing everything about Shade. The team introduced themselves to Shade and told about their success of obtaining the Wonder Color Yellow. Tint continues the conversation about his best friend. "You see, Tone, Shade, and I are in the same classes together from Rainbow Castle while the queen instructed and lectured us. We are best friends and classmates, and Shade here is a very smart fairy. He's training really hard, and he's a magical alchemist."
"A magical alchemist?" Nagisa questioned while eating her chocolate cake.
"That's right Nagisa," Shade responded, "I study and create magic potions, cures, and spells using chemical ingredients. It may seem like it's challenging, but actually it's a skill I'm born with."
Tint continues to talk, "One time back then when I was young, Shade created a potion that turned a colorful flower into a huge flower tree and pollinates powder paint particles. Shade won a ribbon for his incredible alchemist skills."
"Wow, that's pretty amazing." Hibiki said in awe while eating her cupcakes.
"Before you continue on, how did you know about us Pretty Cures, Shade?" Matt asked while he holds a soda drink in his right hand.
"Oh simple," Shade responded, "Sage Mark told me everything about you. I just visited him a few hours ago, and with his crystal ball, he showed me you girls, fairies, and you Matt that you're the Pretty Cures here to save Spectrum Land. I was impressed that you saved Clay Outpost from that fiendish pink woman."
"She was feisty, but it was a piece of cake." Erika stated.
"No doubt, I'd never seen an enemy so aggressive and stubborn like that before." Hibiki said, "She kind of reminds me Kanade."
"What was that!?" Kanade shouted to Hibiki.
"AH, AH, AAHH…, nothting! Nothing at all!"
Shade smiles, "Well I'm glad you young ladies retrieved the second Wonder Color. Spectrum Land is indeed counting on you girls to save this world."
"Don't you worry," said Makoto, "We will save this world before you know it."
Matt takes his last sip from his soda drink, and then he speaks, "So Tint, how long did you and Shade know each other?"
Tint closes her eyes and tries to remember everything, "Well, Shade was already in school before me and Tone attended. Before I entered in Queen Chroma's classes, I read reports that Shade is a wonderful fairy student who completed many courses and earned a lot of degrees. He was so amazing that most people in Drawville and Pigment Village call him the 'Fairy Wizard.' I always wanted to meet him, and I wanted to attend at Queen Chroma's classes. Sadly I couldn't since I wasn't eligible enough due to my lack of royalty experience."
"Well then…, how did you get in?" Mana asked.
"I don't know why, but when I was in Drawville and examining some of the artists' incredible artwork, Queen Chroma came up to me from behind and smiled at me. She then said, 'Tint you are a good fairy. I can sense great magic within you. Would you like to attend my royal classes and become a wonderful fairy?' After hearing those words, I didn't know what to say except I smiled and agreed the offer."
"Whoa! You met the queen?" Miyuki said in shock.
"Yep, and once I attended on my first day of the queen's class, I was so nervous and speechless. The queen introduced everyone in her class who I am, but I was still shy. That is…, until Shade appeared in front of me and smiled. He was a generous guy and he showed me everything about the queen's royal classes, and he helped my studying assignments and responsibilities tasks. We then met Tone who also arrived the same day I attended, and we three became best friends and studying partners. Tone sometimes struggles with his studying skills, but my best friend Shade is always there to help out. Shade is a wonderful guy, and if weren't for him, I've never would've got this far in my training."
"Wow, sounds like Shade is a really famous fairy." Rin noted.
"Oh…, I'm not that famous." Shade said while rubbing the back of his head.
"But it sure sounds like you really know how to take care a friend and student really well-coco." Coco stated.
"Hey, when it comes to being a good student in Queen Chroma's royal classes, one must always lend a hand to a lower classman who's new and in training."
The Pretty Cure team smiled and so did Tint. Then Reika realizes something and asks a question. "Say Shade, what's your dream goal?"
"Me?" Shade heard and paused for a thought, "Well…, I like to become someone who's recognizing and important, somebody that my skills can be very useful for Spectrum Land."
"Ooo…, that's a big dream." Yayoi said in little amazement.
"It sure is." Karen said. "I assuming you're going to be the captain of the guards, or a mayor of a town?"
"Mmm…, you could say something like that." Shade replied calmly.
After everyone ate their break time snacks, Yuri makes an announcement, "Well I'm ready and full of energy. What do you say we find the next Wonder Color?"
"Good idea Yuri," Honoka responds, "I'm ready to tackle the next area and find the next Wonder Color."
"Me too, I'm ready to go." Yuko stated.
And everyone agreed as they are full of energy and ready to find the next Wonder Color. Everyone left their tables and exited out of the café. As soon as they are in front of the building, Shade speaks up to the Pretty Cure team. "Well, I got to get back to my studying." Shade said, "I wish you girls a good luck for finding the Wonder Colors and saving Spectrum Land."
"Thanks Shade," Itsuki replied, "We'll do our very best to save Spectrum Land and the galaxy."
Tint flies in front of Shade. "Take care Shade." she said, "I hope we meet again."
"I'm sure we will." Shade replied, "You just be careful and watch your back from those blots. From what I heard, the Blots are getting stronger."
"Gotcha, we'll be careful." Tint nodded and understands, but Matt raised one of his eyebrows in curiosity after hearing what Shade said. But he shrugged and just forgets about it.
"Well I'm off. Later!" Shade then flies in the other direction and heads back home.
"See ya Shade!" Tint shouted.
"Alright then everyone. Let's get the next Wonder Color." Nozomi commanded, "It's decided!" The whole team agreed and continued to head back at Sage Mark's house.
Inside the Warp Gallery Room, everyone waited patiently as Matt placed the Wonder Color Case on the pedestal. "Alright, let's see what the next area the case will show us." said Sage Mark as he is right near the pedestal. Tint, who is next to Matt, nodded and opens the case's lid and spins the center spinner. Then the case glowed really bright, and a rainbow beam shoots out from the case and onto a painting next to the Yellow Desert painting. After the beam made impact on the painting, it glowed in a blue aura color. After a few seconds the beam disappeared, and lines on the painting start to appear and drew a picture. Then the painting is filled with color. Depicting on the painting is a beach with a bright sun and an island far out on the ocean.
"Ah, what a magnificent place." Sage Mark commented. "That place is called Blue Ocean, and it is said to be the best paradise area of Spectrum Land."
"Ooo! The ocean!" Hime happily shouted, "I can't wait to feel the beach breeze and dive into the water!"
"Yeah, me too!" Love said excitedly.
"Now you two, we're here to save Spectrum Land, not take a vacation." Iona stated with a concern look. Hime and Love gasped in realization, and then they giggled in embarrassment.
Nao and Akane stare at the Blue Ocean painting for bit, and then they speak. "Judging by the painting, I say it looks a great beach resort." Akane commented.
"You're right Akane," Nao followed, "I would guess that place has a deluxe restaurant."
Tint smiles to see the next area of Spectrum Land appear. But then she was interrupted when Sage Mark speaks to her, "So Tint, how's is good friend doing?"
"You mean Shade" Tint responded, "Oh, he's doing great, and it's really nice to see him again. I really owe everything to him."
"I'm glad he's doing alright. I'll bet he's coming up some way to end those blots by using alchemy skills."
"You sure seem know Shade very well Mark." Ellen noted.
"Yes indeed ma'am. Shade is one of the finest and smartest students Queen Chroma has had in her classes." Sage Mark looks up toward the ceiling, "Shade is one determined fairy that is bound to reach his goals no matter what obstacles stands in his way. Why I can see something great coming from him once he completes his training and graduates from Queen Chroma's classes. I'm sure he's doing everything in his power to save Spectrum Land from those evil Blots."
"You're might be right Mark," Setsuna stated, "you might be right."
Everyone smiled about Shade, until… "AH!" screamed Hikari. Everyone turned to her as she makes a shocking and scared state.
"Hikari, what's the matter?" Nagisa asked.
Hikari pointed, "Look."
Everyone looked to where Hikari pointed, and they were shocked in fear. They see the Blue Ocean painting that has a dark gray and cloudy aura surrounding the whole painting. And the picture in the frame is starting to get dark. Everyone became completely stunned by this scary scene.
"Hey…, what's happening to that painting?" Kurumi said with little fright.
"Why is that painting giving a dark aura on it-kuru?" Candy questioned with concern.
Sage Mark observed, and then he blinked, "Ah! Oh no!"
"What is it?" Tint asked while panicking, "What's wrong?"
"This is not good. Blue Ocean is in grave danger! The Blots have already invaded that area and are starting to conquer that place." The Pretty Cure team blinked in shock. "Pretty Cures, you must leave and head over now before it's too late."
"Why? What's going to happen?" Megumi asked with concern.
"We sages thought about this dreadful situation. You see all these paintings in this room are suppose to transport you Pretty Cures and other people to different areas of Spectrum Land for the quickest route. But if the Blots ever invaded an area of Spectrum Land and successfully conquer it, then these painting will create a seal lock on them to prevent any Blots from using these paintings as a quick route from that area to their headquarters."
Matt blinks and speaks to Sage Mark, "So…, you're saying is…"
"Yes Matt, Pretty Cures, fairies, and Tint, you must hurry and get rid of those Blots before they take over Blue Ocean completely. Because if you don't, not only they will take over Blue Ocean, but this painting gateway to Blue Ocean…, will be closed and sealed for good."
The whole team gasped.
"If that happens, then we'll never retrieve the Wonder Color in that area." Tarte stated and panicked. "They'll get it first before we do."
"Spectrum Land will doomed-desu/deshu." Chypre, Coffret, and Potpourri said in unison while they were panicking.
"And our world and the galaxy will lose all the colors and life-nya!" Hummy said in fright.
"Well, that's not going to happen!" Ako shouted in firm and confident mood. "We're going to get that Wonder Color and save Blue Ocean before it's too late."
"Right! Let's go everyone!" Tint shouted and commanded.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Matt took the Wonder Color Case off the pedestal and puts it into his messenger bag. Then the whole Pretty Cure team dashed toward the Blue Ocean painting, and they all jumped into it.
"Good luck Pretty Cures! And please, hurry!" Sage Mark shouted as he watches the team jump into the painting.