Song: Iczer 1 OST - Eien no Iczer1
Just recently, Kaoruko Hanasaki would see her grandson off. As the portal closed, so did any sight of him remain no longer seen from the naked eye, fighting elsewhere. The comfort that she had was that he promised to come to KiraPati, in Hagukumi, tomorrow.
"Hmm," Coupe, her old fairy partner, would hum.
"I worry for him too, Coupe," Kaoruko smiled sadly yet softly, looking at him before turning back to the direction where her grandson went off. "He still hasn't fully forgiven himself for what had happened a year ago. One thing is for certain, Guinevere is right, George needs the PreCure, more than ever."
Even though things lay quiet, it seem to symbolize the current state of affairs that Kaoruko would ponder. She and many others could only hide the Proxy Wars for so long for the modern day Cures. They didn't need to worry about this conflict too much. Yes, they were warriors who had defeated a variety of threats even ranging into the cosmic, but they were still young at the end of the day. Not like her. Not like George. Not like anyone else.
George's childhood in fact was completely stolen from him because of the Proxy Wars. There were others like him who were dragged into the conflict as well.
There was a time, before the current time, when the world was unknowingly plagued by forces from beyond, from the very outer darkness. Since the year 1971, Kaoruko had encounters, not just with the Desert Apostles, the faction that she fought as the latter tried to turn the world into a desert, but had also encounters with something else.
Ancient spirits of the underworld. The old dark gods of graves and shadows. The fallen demons of the inferno.
She, and many other Cures of long ago, long before her granddaughter's time, had fought against them. And in that time, she met a special young man that was a constant to her life.
She recalled visiting the old sacred tree. The Tree of Hearts (*1). She was still younger back then, close to her granddaughter's age when the latter started out as a PreCure, in middle school.
...Her eyes saw the tree's leaves blew like a kind, gentle breeze.
When she was younger, she saw a young man, standing near the tree. He looked at it with a silent, and solemn gaze. He had black-rimmed glasses on his face. He had a golden crown placed on his head, crimson robes and cape that covered his grey formal clothes. A young king, in stature, in attitude, looking at the sacred tree that connects to the lives of the Heart Flowers, and was the birthplace of many fairies.
"...Who are you?" She would ask, softly.
It took a long moment for the young boy to respond, but she did notice the softness of his gaze that was directed at her. Like he knew her.
"...No one," He simply replied, as he bowed his head. "Just a person paying his respects, obaa-chan."
That response utterly confused her. Obaa-chan?
"Wait a minute, that's a little rude," She said, putting her hands to her waist, looking at him with a slightly corrective look and tone. "I'm not that old yet to be called that, since I'm still 13."
"I know," The young man replied, with a smile. "You had your 13th birthday. Happy Birthday by the way... Cure Flower."
"...?!" The young Kaoruko paid attention to him. "Do you know me?"
"...Yes, but not now," The young man stated as he looks back towards the tree. "One day, in the not too distant future, you're going to meet me again, though I would not recognize you then. I was but a young child, lost, alone, with almost no one. That's when you will eventually understand. Though you should not worry about that point now."
The man would eventually walk away, as he continued to speak. "There would be other battles that lay ahead of you. The Desert Apostles?" Kaoruko recognized the name of her enemy. "They would not be the only ones that you would have to fight."
"What do you mean by that?" She asked. Other enemies to fight? What would that be? She was a little wary of trusting a stranger, especially one who was near the Tree of Hearts, but there was something about him that just - she did not know why - made her pay attention. Like she could trust him.
The young man did not answer. He only said one thing. "Give my regards to Cure Rose for me." He mentioned the name of her mentor. "Tell her the name, King George Artorius (*2), she will tell you the rest."
The first time, when she met her grandson, was a time when he knew her. Out of place and out of sync meetings. That was the lot of her life when it came to her grandson. She smiles in reminiscent. She recalled her late mentor's words to her, when Kaoruko had mentioned the name that the young man had given her, and how she described the young man in particular.
She saw her old mentor smiled, sweetly, fondly, yet sadly.
"...Saint George Artorius. Yes," She smiled. She was Cure Rose. An old woman with violet hair that flowed on her back and brown eyes. "That is a name that I, and my predecessor, and all who came before, knew."
"...Who exactly is he, sensei?" She asked, looking attentively at the old woman, wiser than years, having seen and experienced more than even her.
"It is the name of a man, who traverses through and beyond the boundaries of time. In a word, he is a time traveller," She explained simply.
"Time traveller?" Kaoruko grew interested. "Like, he can travel through time?"
"Yes," Cure Rose nodded. "And, he is present throughout all of our history, of the history of the PreCure. Everywhere, everywhen. And as to who he is for us... he is the Twilight Guardian of Hearts. It is he who keeps our world safe from threats that lie beyond. Threats that had plagued our world long ago, long before even the Desert Apostles came into conflict with the first PreCure of our line, Cure Ange (*3)."
It was not long after that, that when Kaoruko had her very first taste in combat, against a foe aside from the Desert Apostles.
...She readies her stance. Her pink eyes narrowed. She had now transformed into Cure Flower. What stood before her, was something that reeked of pure darkness - a corruption of what used to be, a formerly holy being of light.
It had a humanoid appearance, but the face of a bird. The face of an Ibis. He had a long, sharp beak. His eyes glared in subtle malevolence. It had a dark pitch black halo that glowed behind near the back of his head.
"...You have fought bravely, PreCure," It would state, with a tone of regality. "But it is time for you to meet your end. In the name of my Lord, justice will be swift."
She didn't know back then, but what she had fought was called a Lord. A Fallen Lord. It belonged to a pantheon where there were two supreme beings. Theos (Overlord of Darkness) and Prometh (Overlord of Light). What stands before was a fallen angel of wisdom. An Ibis Lord.
He summoned what appeared to be a spear, that glowed with a crimson glare. He would throw it towards her. Cure Flower had the instinct to dodge... ...but she saw that spear cut down by a sword of bright white light. Both her and the enemy paid attention to who would interrupt the fight.
"...You dare speak of justice, despite having fallen so far like the eveningstar," The one who spoke was the familiar young man. George Artorius. Though, he no longer wore his kingly robes. He wore a simple brown jacket with white lines on his shoulder.
"...You!" The Ibis Lord was outraged and incensed at he recognized the new interloper standing before him.
The young man evaporated his cross, before he puts both of his hands to the side, with clenching fists, as he faces the Lord with a defiant, cold glare. As his clenching fists tightened, he would swipe his right hand towards the left before moving it to his right side, and his left arm was now raised to the right upward direction.
"Hen..." He said, as he moved his left arm to the left upper corner, before he raises both arms to the right. "...shin!"
Then, a sudden transformation of pure light, as a strange belt would materialize, as watchbands would encircle around him.
RIDER TIME!
KAMEN RIDER BLACK! ZI-O!
There were a few red-colored katakana letters that would attack the Lord, sending him crashing towards the trees. Various metal pieces would flow around him, as steam came out of his armor that formed from them. The katakana would return back to him, placing it on his visor. His mouthgard resembled a grasshopper, and had a V-shaped antenna. His face resembled a clock.
He has transformed into Kamen Rider Zi-O - Century King Form.
"...Kamen...Rider?" Kaoruko looked a bit surprised. Because she had heard that name before.
Yes, in the current year of 1971, there was a show that was premiering on the television shows of the nation of Japan. Kamen Rider. But Kamen Rider was a fictional character. So how was a Kamen Rider standing in front of her? In fact, why was he different from the show?
"...Graaah!" A violent crimson aura would glow from the Ibis Lord's body. "...Damn you!"
The young man, transformed into Kamen Rider Black Zi-O, stated with a subtle tone. "You are in violation of the laws of temporal concord. Surrender now, and I would offer you leniency."
The Ibis Lord looked disgusted at the offer. "I do not need such offerings from a lowly human!" Something was materializing. A group of spears that converged on the Lord's body. They followed a counterclockwise pattern. "Die!" He sent the spears telekinetically after Black Zi-O. But...
...He swipe them all with a transformed spear that came out of his hands, twisting them left and right. The Spear of Valor. He then made a battle stance, putting his legs together, as he narrowed his eyes against a fallen messenger from the heavens. The Ibis Lord took the bait as he would try to begin jumping forward, at high speeds that no mere mortal eye can ascertain. But the Lord was kicked over by the chest, from a powered kick that came from Cure Flower, who when coming down to the ground, made her feet steady, as she readied her posture.
She glanced back at him, who nodded to the former in subtle thanks. Thoughts of curiosity formed around the young Kaoruko's mind. Who truthfully was this person? She knew now that he was someone that her mentor and other PreCure of the past knew, but they never mentioned him to be a Kamen Rider, a character of fiction. She may need to ask more questions, from either this lone warrior of time, or from her mentor.
But right now, she was focused on the threat that was presently before her.
They both turn to the Lord, who has his chest feel like it was burning a bit, as smoke came out. The Ibis Lord got up from the ground, as black wings suddenly sprout from him. He took flight, but he was faster. Cure Flower can barely keep up, as she spotted the Lord already throwing his spear on her. That was parried by Black Zi-O, who spoke to her.
"Careful," He spoke to her as glanced at the enemy. "This thing is called an Ibis Lord, a fallen angel of its kind. He's quite tenaciously dangerous in terms of speed."
The Ibis Lord did not make more time for further conversation as it dived below and started to launch a string of spears, which both Cure Flower and Black Zi-O dodged with ease. Black Zi-O's weapon had lighted up again, choosing another form. A bow. The Bow of Wisdom. He would use that to good effect, with almost perfect accuracy, as he materialized shots of white bluish energy arrows that came out from the string. It launched itself quickly towards the Lord, who would get struck down as he crashes down to the ground.
Not wanting to waste time, Black Zi-O pulled a watch. A Ridewatch. It had the year "2001" on it, with the face of a Kamen Rider that had golden horns, red eyes, and silver mouthguard. He would twist it, pressing the central trigger: "AGITO!". He placed it on the left side of his belt, which allowed the belt to analyze. He titled the belt before moving it to another 360 degree angle.
CENTURY ARMOR TIME!
Katakana would come out from the belt, along with various pieces that formed from a tube of sorts that housed a humanoid shape. Then it all came back to him, as it formed around his armor.
READY TO GO! COUNT ZERO! KAMEN RIDER AGITO~!
"Grrraaahh," As the Lord was still feeling the brunt of the PreCure's attack, he gnashed his teeth at the familiar hallowed energy, that strangely enough, was a unnatural mix of Light and Dark. He recognized the presence. The presence of the God he rejected in favor of serving his new Lord. "Agi...to!"
"Let's go," Black Zi-O stated, as he transforms his bow into a spear once more.
"Hmm," Cure Flower nodded.
They would both begin to draw forward, as Cure Flower takes the right, while Black Zi-O takes the left. They would begin their forward attacks, which the Ibis Lord tried to parry to the best of his stature, using his own spear to block and make his own moves. The minutes draw out, as they continued with relentless endeavor. The tip of the Lord's spear was aimed at Black Zi-O, who dodges as he twists his legs to perform a kicking maneuver to kick the Lord's face, sending him towards Cure Flower's position and kicked him high in the sky.
"Now, Cure Flower, use your final attack on him!" Black Zi-O exclaims.
Then, instinctively, Cure Flower made a posture, as she began to concentrate and drew energy from the very earth. "PreCure!" She exclaims as she brought the petals of flowers to materialize from her hands. "Flower Carnival!" She exclaims as she threw the petals upward, which created multiple Cure Flowers that sprout from the petal of flowers that bloom. They would perform various punching and kicking maneuvers, damaging enough that would make the Lord grunt and howl in pain, no longer able to block and counter this ferocious attack. And as the multiple Cure Flowers disappear, only two remained, who performed a double kick to the chest, which sends it crashing on the ground.
"KRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
It crashed, leaving behind a crater. The two Cure Flowers disappeared, leaving behind the only Cure Flower that was still on the ground. Black Zi-O would move a little closer behind her, as they both observed the Lord slowly getting up from his position.
"Grk!" The Ibis Lord could start to feel its end, as the holy energy of the Cure was catching up and breaking into his being. His blackish halo would glow upward, as it sparkled. "Grrkkk...Graaahhh! Graaahhh! PreeeeeCuuuureeeee~" That was the final words that it had, as it met its permanent demise, leaving nothing but an explosive fume, and ashes.
It was over. Black Zi-O detransformed back into his civilian form, sighing. Cure Flower did not transform back, but kept an eye on the young man in question.
"...Who actually are you, really?" She would ask softly, raising an inquiring eyebrow.
George would look at her with a slightly incredulous look. "I would have thought you knew? Didn't Cure Rose told you... or am I too early?" He spoke with a troubled expression.
That was when Kaoruko recalled something that her mentor had told her.
"The important thing you should know about George is that, he isn't always the same person you would meet every time you encounter him," She would say.
"Why is that, sensei?" Kaoruko asked.
"Well..." Cure Rose smiled softly. "Such is the complex nature of a time traveller, Kaoruko. What was his past for him, could very well be our future. I believe that it would be wise if you were to have a notebook to write, in case you were to keep track of him. I did that myself, when he was visiting me all of those times ago. It would no more be the same with you."
That was what she said.
She relayed this to George, who sighed in relief. "Oh, good, that means I'm not too early. Our histories connect in that forefront. So you at least recalled the time when I visited the Tree of Hearts."
"Yes, that was one week ago for me," Cure Flower stated.
"...Right," George nodded, before looking at the crater. "...I should probably get going." He would make his first step back, but he was stopped by Cure Flower, who looked incredulous.
"Wait, you're leaving already?" Cure Flower said.
George hesitated for a bit, before responding. "I have no more business here in the past. The threat has been dealt with. Of course, this is hardly the only threat that you would be facing in the future, there will be others, different or similar than the last. Those are the periods in time that I need to watch out for and go too."
As he tried to walk again, Cure Flower would stop him by grabbing his shoulder.
"Can you at least stay for a bit?" Cure Flower asked. "I'm sure that my sensei would love to see you again. And besides, since you're a time traveller, surely the other times can wait? Why not focus on now?"
George pondered over her offer for a long moment, before he eventually acquiesced. "Alright," He faced her. "I suppose a visitation would not hurt. And besides, if Cure Rose wants to see me, how could I refuse."
And thus began the strange relationship that she had with her grandson. Those adventures were still etched into her mind, on what may as well be an entire lifetime, from this all the way to the 21st Century.
"It is quite a beautiful full moon this very night."
Kaoruko widened her eyes, as she glanced towards the left. Coupe also heard the voice, and too felt the familiar presence. A familiar voice. It was a tall man, with black hair, wearing an office attire that consisted of a black business suit, with a white collar and blue necktie on the center, accentuated by a beige trench coat. The man's bluish-white eyes glowed like the evening twilight, looking up at the stars and the moon with a contemplating gaze.
"Lord Zadkiel?" She spoke softly, addressing the man with respect, bowing her head low before raising her face upward. Coupe's response was similar to his partner. "What brings you here at this late hour?"
(*4) Zadkiel the Archangel. The Supreme Commander in Chief and Skyfather of the Black Hosts. Belonging to the race of angelic beings known only as the Anawim (*5).
She knew him since her earliest days as Cure Flower. He, as an Angel, was in charge of more, greyish concerns, to put things mildly. There is a concept within the realms of PreCure History. The Sacred PreCure Chronology. It was a set of predetermined events that all need to happen for their universe to function smoothly. To give an example, the main points of predetermination included the formation of her granddaughter's team, the HeartCatch PreCure, and all of the other modern day teams of her granddaughter's generation.
Those were, in a sense, the last predetermining events, before the world can move on its own, and any future that is written down, can be made from the hands of those who had achieved it on their own. Those who had fought for it, as the world continued on towards peace.
"Nothing quite important," Zadkiel reassured with a calm and courteous voice. "I was just silently keeping an eye on your grandson."
"Ah, I see," Kaoruko understood immediately, as sadness tinged on her face. "I take it that he's still under the Shamayim's (*6) Probationary Protocol."
"Even after a year had passed for both my universe's Earth as well as yours," Zadkiel says with a confirming tone. "There is no denial of George Artorius' part in the coming about of Zero Flashpoint. That was not deliberate, which Shamayim's Supreme Tribunal acknowledges, but it does acknowledge that his power had been used by HYDRA to brought about their machinations. But, that's a lesser reason on the side of my personal thoughts."
"...George Artorius has been crowned High King of Camelotgard, succeeding Lady Guinevere. All eyes look to him now. And, the meeting of the Lords of the Infernal Sovereignties of the First Degree would begin in a matter of a few cycles. I have considerable worries about that event, and I'd reckon, so does Artorius."
Then Zadkiel had a thought that came to him. "...It seems that he's keeping his promise to Lady Guinevere."
Kaoruko nodded with a smile. "Yes, my grandson would finally show himself to the Cures."
"And to think, we kept them almost ignorant for so long, same as the others," Zadkiel muttered, as his contemplative gaze seem far away.
Trivia Section:
(*1) - From Pretty Cure Wiki: The Tree of Hearts (こころの大樹 lit. Great Tree of Hearts)? is a magical tree that connects to all Heart Flowers in Heartcatch Pretty Cure! and is responsible for giving birth to fairies. If a Heart Flower wilted completely, it would weaken the Tree of Hearts.
(*2) - This was around the time when George was still only King, not High King, and Guinevere Morgan le Fay was still alive as High Queen, from George's perspective.
(*3) - Cure Ange was an ancient PreCure, and the first PreCure associated with the line of the HeartCatch PreCure.
(*4) - Zadkiel the Archangel, Supreme Commander in Chief of the Black Hosts, (Earth M616-Prime) is one of the Shamayim Skyfathers, who is tasked with leading the Black Hosts, a host of Anawim that are tasked with clandestine and temporal operations, as well as overseeing the infernal sovereignties.
(*5) - The Anawim (Hebrew for "Poor in Spirit") (Earth-M616 Prime) are the race of higher degree angels who lived in Shamayim, located in the Sphere of the Gods (Earth-M616 Prime). They are celestial beings and children of the Almighty Presence, who were created as warriors of the Heavens and defenders of mankind and other mortal sentients.
(*6) - Shamayim (Hebrew for "Heaven" or "The Heavens") (Earth-M616 Prime) was the complex multiversal realm of the Anawim. It is said to be so vast and immeasurable for all of its ten regions.
Hell Lord Profile:
* Masked Spider, Bucio.
In case you're both curious, I send this profile of an enemy that appeared in the second chapter.
* The Inferntaur.
- Universe of Origin: Earth-M616 Prime.
- First appeared in Twight Guardian of Hearts (Chapter 2).
- On what was known was the War of the Heavens (which was part of the Proxy Wars), which occurred during the Third Cosmos Era of Earth-M616 Prime, a malevolent god-like being known as Asterion, The Blapshemer, defied against the Olympian Gods, and challenged the authority of Zeus. He was the God of his own pantheon, consisting of what are called the Inferntaur, which are divided into twelve choirs, consisting of the names of twelve constellations. The ones that George Kurai/Kamen Rider Black Zi-O and the Hirogaru Sky! PreCure had dealt with belonged to the twelfth choir, the lowest choir, the Lepus Inferntaurs.
