#onceupre

The morning was very tranquil in the little village of Meruhen. The birds chirped a lovely little tune. The morning dewdrops left trails of water as they trickled down the tree leaves, creating a warm shimmer as the morning sun showered the trees with its light.

Akane was lying in her bed on the second floor of the bakery. She slept peacefully in her loose tee and shorts, her go-to for sleepwear. As she snoozed on, she dreamt of various sweet nothings. As the crisp morning air met the warmth of her fuzzy red blankets and fluffy polka-dotted pillows, she found herself lulled into an even deeper sleep with each passing minute.

And then her dad burst through her door.

“AKANE! Wake up! We have a deeeeelivery!” he said, feeling chipper.

Akane was startled and jolted up, her hair a mess. She then became angered

“WHY do you need to wake me up like that??” she angrily responded.

“Because as our one and only delivery girl, you must deliver this order of blueberry muffins! Plus it’s time for you to be up anyway.” he said with a hint of reprimand.

Akane looked at a clock on her wall with the time reading 8:45, and she made a face of disgust.

“Eugh, it’s not even double digits yet man….” she exclaimed, putting her pillow back over her head to try and lull herself back into the dark void that is sleep. Her father walked over and took the pillow from her, much to her dismay.

“Well our patrons don’t dilly dally, they're up and going about their days, and so should you!”

Akane rolled her eyes, clarely disinterested in what her father had to say. Why should she when he can’t be bothered to kindly wake her up to begin with?

“What-EVER!” She stretched her arms out and sat upright on her bed so she wouldn’t be tempted to fall back asleep. 

“Where’s this delivery headed anyway, huh?” She said while properly getting up to stretch her legs.

“The Izumi Ballet Hall.”

Lebed, who lay lifelessly on Akane’s bed still acting like a plushie, overheard those words. Her eyes grew wide with wonder at the mention of a ballet hall.

Akane, however, froze when her father uttered those words. The ballet hall? That ballet hall?! She couldn’t even believe what she’d just heard. The old ballet hall was constructed early into the village’s founding. It was practically ancient! From its pillars to the faded wooden window frames–not to mention the musty smell– Many villagers questioned how it still stands today. Akane wouldn’t be caught dead near there! She’d never hear the end of it from her guy friends if she steps near there. They’d probably say she ‘Wanted to play ballerina with all the other girlies at the hall.’ BLEH!

…

“No frickin’ way-” 

“LANGUAGE, AKANE!”  Her father scolded.

“C’mon, Pops! You can’t be serious! The ballet hall? Might as well put me in a tutu!” Akane complained.

“Now, Akane, business is business! If some lovely girl wants to treat her ballerina girlfriends to our steaming hot blueberry muffins, who are we, as the ones to make profit, to complain?”her father preached.

“Okay, first, don’t ever say ‘ballerina girlfriends’ again,” stated Akane, shuddering at her dad’s attempt to be hip. “Second, why me? Can’t Ma go? She’d be a much better fit for that crowd!”

“Well, she’s busy helping me prepare another, quite large order. And, you are our shop’s ‘delivery girl’! You gotta live up to your title, hon!” he gleamed, knowing he’d won the battle.

Akane sighed in defeat, and her father gleefully smiled as he left her room. Akane had to shut the door after he left, a bad habit he keeps doing that slightly annoys her. Once the door was closed, Akane’s “plushies” all rose up, after hearing the conversation.

“A BALLET HALL AAAAAA!! ~LELE” Lebed squealed, as Akane made a pose in reaction to the sudden outburst, shushing the bird.

“Be QUIET! You don’t wanna alert anyone about your existence or anything right!??”

“I do apologize but, a ballet hall is the LAST place I’d expect from a….rustic village like this. I’m simply overjoyed! ~lele” Akane pretended not to notice the bird’s jab at her home village with that comment.

“Why do you care so much about ballet?” Akane questioned.

Lebed turned towards the brunette almost instantly, as if she was severely insulted at her mere comment. “Seriously? Have you not heard of Swan Lake?~lele”

“Vaguely? It's that one ballet dance thing, yeah?”

“Well… that's a simpleton’s way of phrasing it yes. ~lele But it’s also revered as one of the more sophisticated fairy tales known to man! ~lele”

Akane rolled her eyes at Lebed’s once again uncalled for comment.

As they conversed, Akane got ready for the day: a white tank top with red detailing around the arm areas, paired with a black sports bra underneath for coverage. She also wore her white shorts with a red stripe and black trim, paired with her black leggings with laced details near her ankles, near her red laced up sneakers. She tied the look together with her signature red hoodie around her waist…in case it gets chilly outside!

“Ain’t that a bit stereotypical? A swan fairy likin’ ballet?” She jabbed in response to the swan’s rude remarks made earlier.

“Well I’d never!~lele” Lebed puffed her feathers in defense to Akane’s amusement.

“We fairies come from a place known as Everafter Garden ~lulu We’re…uhh..”

Lupo thought of a way to carefully phrase his next statement, not wanting to reveal too much info until a proper Precure team is formed.

“...essentially we’re born from well known fairy tales ~lulu”

“Mine’s Goldilocks!~ lili!” Lionceau chipped in.

“Mine is the ever so extravagant avant-garde Swan Lake! ~lele!” Lebed posed rather dramatically at her own announcment.

“And mine is Little Red Riding Hood ~lulu!”

Akane smiled. She may have her reservations, but these animals have been growing on her. Lupo’s last sentence made her brighten up a bit.

“Hey Lupo, that’s my favorite fairytale y’know?” She grinned

“Really?~ lulu. I knew you had good taste hehehe ~lulu” he blushed with a sense of pride at their shared appreciation of the fairy tale.

------

Akane stuffed the fairies inside a conveniently large basket she found to hold not only them but the delivery as well. Once she was situated she set off towards…the ballet hall. She huffed at the thought of having to be there.

She followed the path she frequented through the little village she called home. It wasn’t terribly busy here, it was very quiet and peaceful. The only noises that could be heard were the chirps of the birds soaring overhead and the occasional buzzing from the cicadas. Only the shopkeepers were out this early, setting up shop for today’s easy day of business. A shop for fruits and veggies, one for books and quills–even a tailor that took your measurements and sewed for you as you conversed with them! 

Akane swung by the fruit clerk and got her daily apple from them, and at a fair price too!

“Out on another delivery dear?” The elderly woman happily asked her usual patron.

“Yeah, some muffins today. I have to take them to the ballet hall…” Akane grimaced in reply.

The woman took notice and wanted to pry a bit.

“Why the long face dear? It’s truly not so bad, when I was a little girl I wanted to train at that same hall. The sight of it is truly one to behold, alas it wasn’t in my family’s budget for me to go…” the woman trailed off a tad bit upset.

Akane took notice and patted the woman’s shoulder in condolence.

“Sorry to hear that,is that why you became a fruit vendor then?”

The woman closed her eyes gently. “Yes, after all my family was known for their tasty affordable fruits, tradition is important in a town like this y’know.”

Akane flinched a bit at that comment.

“But” the woman continued “There’s no such thing asa ‘bad’ change. After all, now there’s scholarships for the Izumi Ballet Hall, so it’s more accessible for us non-rich folk!” She chuckled. “Just try not to be too discouraged dear, things happen for a reason, and you never know what’s waiting for you along the path you take.”

Akane smiled and nodded. She thanked the woman and headed back on route, taking a bite from the juicy apple with a mighty crunch, though she may have bitten off a bit too much, as she found herself wiping juices from the corners of her mouth. Once finished, she threw the browned fruit core into a trash bin as she continued to her destination.

-----

Within a desolate dark land, a singular open clam lay dormant on the ground. Operetta was inside, fixing her appearance at a vanity within the crustacean. She was brushing her hair with a fish’s skeleton as a brush of sorts.

“Damned girl….Damned Cure Hoodie….” She muttered to herself.

A cackle was heard from behind. Operetta didn’t bother to turn as only one woman with a laugh so sickly could only be-

“Castella. Could you please go be hideous elsewhere? I’m busy fuming.” Operetta jabbed, not even bothering to face the old woman who approached her.

The stout woman could only sneer at her acquaintance. She wore a leather dress, with a pumpkin shaped skirt. She also had two toned striped leggings in two different shades of green, to compliment her pale green skin. She had a rather large nose with some warts adorning her face, and a prominent snaggle tooth. Her big witch’s hat seemed a bit stereotypical, but is a classic detail nonetheless.

“Oh? I’m hideous? Well considerin’ you’re using a corpse for a brush I must be at least smarter than you.” She snickered as Operetta turned around, glaring daggers at her.

“Don’t you have a cauldron to fall into you hag??”

Catsella smirked. “Precure. I hear ya yappin’ about that to yourself. You DO know losing to them will only anger our lord more? Or is all that caked on makeup clouding your memory?”

Operetta practically growled at Castella’s taunts.

“I ALMOST HAD HER!”

“And that right there, almost! And ya still lost! You young people give up so easily, never wanting to put in hard work even with all your technical advancements. Failure isn’t an option you know~”

Castella cackled as Operetta’s face grew red with anger. Normally she’d brush the woman’s remarks off with a thought of reassurance, usually about her looks being far better. But the guilt Operetta felt from losing against her foe was like gasoline igniting the flames of Castella’s scorching jabs.

“You’re RIGHT! I don’t wanna work too hard, otherwise I'd have more wrinkles than you!” Operetta said instinctively, to no avail of easing her emotions though.

Castella glared at the serpent, knowing she struck a nerve, but at the cost of being insulted in terms of beauty once again.

“Besides! I never said I was giving up! I just needed my beauty rest-”

“Clearly.” Castella snapped in.

“...and THEN. I was going to get my revenge!”

Castella shrugged “Whatever you say deary, just don’t lose again. Otherwise you’d look ridiculous… Well, moreso than you usually do~! KEHEHEHE!”

Castella laughed as Operetta shook with anger. She needed an outlet, and teleported within an instant back to earth. She was furious all right, and ready to take out her frustrations on the girl who did her wrong; Cure Hoodie.

------

Akane stood in front of the ballet hall, a look of displeasure painted her face. Lebed peeked out of the bag, and marveled at the glorious structure. Such fine pine flooring shone as it may have been freshly polished, the structures marble pillars framing the entrance glistened, as light greenery grew out, giving the building an even more earthy feel.

“This. Is. Magnificent ~lele!” Lebed whispered from within the basket.

“I betcha one of my guy friends put me up to this as a joke. I HATE places like this.” Akane muttered, a thought of her friends hopping out with a camera to catch her in such a girly place flashed into her mind. 

She grimaced and took some steps to the entrance. Akane knocked on the large doors of the structure.

“An uncultured swine knows no difference from a jewel to a rock.~ lele”

“ Say one more thing you bird, I dare you-”

Akane was cut off as the door opened, and a docile looking girl was facing her. Akane stopped in her tracks, a little taken back by how prim and proper the girl was.

The girl was fair skinned. Her hair, a neatly put together bun with side swept bangs, was a deep navy blue in color, practically black almost. The color matched her grayish bluebelle eyes. She wore a typical ballerina outfit, one in a pastel baby blue color with white tights and matching pastel baby blue laced up slippers.

 Akane was stunned, and her face felt a bit flushed…

“Yes? Oh! Hello, are you the blueberry muffin delivery?” asked the girl in a quiet yet smooth sounding voice.

“M-Mhm…. Uh I mean, yeah! For uhhh… what uh, who are you?” Akane stuttered a bit. Must be the nerves of being in an unwanted and unfamiliar place.

“Hmm? Oh!” The girl giggled with her hand on her mouth as Akane smirked goofily, feeling a bit out of place at the moment once again.

“My apologies, I forgot myself. I am Hakuchou Junko, one of the ballerinas of the Izumi Ballet Hall!” She smiled softly at the brunette.

“Junko? Yup! These muffins are definitely for you then missy!” Akane held out the basket and Hakuchou took it and inspected it. She looked puzzled to Akane’s worry.

“Are these… plush dolls?” The girl questioned as Akane comedically froze, forgetting the fairies were also in said basket.

“Y-YEAH OH AHAHA! Sorry! I totally forgot about those in there, they're my uh, lucky plushies, yeah! Gives me luck on my deliveries ahaha…” Akane’s faux laugh trailed off as she realized how lame she must’ve sounded then.

Hakuchou stared at the brunette, and then giggled. She gestured for Akane to enter the hall.

“OH! I uh… don’t really fit in well here-”

“Nonsense. All are welcome at the Izumi Ballet Hall. Besides, I have to retrieve the payment, no?” Hakuchou questioned.

Akane gulped, and nervously followed the girl inside. The halls were pleasantly kept clean, with little to no dust in sight. Akane took notice of rooms the pair passed by, with hardworking ballerinas seemingly warming up along poles attached to the walls.

She also took note of the hanging photos that adorned the walls they walked by, showcasing various things from assumed alumni to celebratory photos taken of prizes the dancers won.

 Hakuchou led Akane to a room with the label ‘4B’ plastered on a plate on the wall adjacent to the door of the room. When the door was opened, Akane could see it was  filled with about 6 ballerinas, each practicing a different technique.

“Group 4B, Muffins are here!” Hakuchou declared, and the girls excitedly hurried over to grab a muffin from the box she took out from the basket. Lebed peeked out and marveled at the ballerinas adorned in their usual attire. It filled her with a familiar sense of belonging.

As Hakuchou handed out the muffins Akane started up a small conversation.

“S-so… these your friends or..?”

“Ah, this is my group I regularly train and perform with! I wanted to treat them to some food for all their hard work we’ve accomplished recently.”

“Hard work?” Akane questioned and quickly realized how condescending she must’ve sounded.

“I-I MEAN-”

“It’s ok.”

Akane was taken aback by the nonchalant response.

“I believe all hard work should be eventually rewarded, is all.” Hakuchou smiled and Akane couldn’t help but return one back at her earnest response.

A short bit later, Hakuchou led Akane outside the room, and handed her payment for the goods. She took note of how soft Hakuchou’s hands felt, she must use some nice skin care products.

“I assume you’ll be on your way now?” Hakuchou asked straightforwardly.

“Ah yeah! This scene isn’t really my…I mean! My job is done so yeah I am haha” Akane rubbed the back of her head, a bit embarrassed of how uncool she was probably coming off.

Lebed rustled from inside Akane’s basket., Hakuchou took notice of the it, and looked concerned.

“Did your basket….move?”

“AH! LEMME SEE HERE AHAHA!” Akane replied as she turned and shoved her head in the basket comically, Hakuchou looked on in concern…

Akane whispered within the basket to the fairies inside.

 “What are ya DOIN??”

“We can’t leave yet!~ lele! The sights are amazing! I must see more. ~lele”

“No way, nuh uh! I hate places like this! We are leavin’!” Akane snapped back, not even entertaining the thought.

“But ~lele! I sense a Precure also! ~lele!”

“REALLY??” Akane said a bit more loudly than she would’ve liked.

“I-Is everything ok?” Hakuchou questioned, a tad more concerned that the girl was seemingly talking to herself within her basket.

Akane jolted up in embarrassment at the sudden realization.

 “HAHA YEP! Just my uh, phone!”

“Oh…I don’t recall seeing a phone in the bag…” Hakuchou said looking up, placing a closed fist to her chin trying to recall correctly what was inside.

“It was uh hidden in the plushies! They double as phone cases haha! ANYWAYS! I don’t really have anywhere to be, mind givin’ me a tour of the place?” Akane pleaded.

Hakuchou looked surprised and blinked.

“Really? Didn’t you say this wasn’t ‘your scene’? Hehe” The docile girl giggled, to Akane’s burning face. She feels a bit humiliated, but it’s for the greater good! Hopefully…

“I meant uhh, my SEEIN’ of a ballet hall in forever! In fact at all!” She hoped Hakuchou hadn’t realized her changing her words to make the offer more genuine.

Hakuchou giggled, knowing fully well Akane was lying. 

“Well, let’s be ‘seein’’ the hall then!” Hakuchou led the way as Akane followed. Akane felt she was thrown off her usual game of coming up with smooth lies in this situation…

They entered many places in the hall, and Lebed was living for all of it, marveling at the various ballet related things they would come across. She felt like she found a diamond amongst the unfamiliar sights of earth that she and the other fairies have been exposed to thus far.

They took a break at the back garden of the hall, there was a stone bench on a fenced in porch outlooking a small pond, hosting a few graceful looking swans gliding by along the water.

“So how is the tour?” Hakuchou asked inquisitively.

“Really good! This place is pretty cool, lots of space, must be good for stretchin’ your legs and whatnot!” Akane replied happily.

Hakuchou smiled. “Yes, this place is like a home to me, I’ve attended this hall’s ballet program for about 9 years now…”

Akane was stunned, for some reason the thought of someone seriously committing to a dance technique never crossed her mind before today.

“That is commitment. Ya really like all this twirlin’ n stuff huh?” She playfully teased the blunette who giggled in response.

Hakuchou closed her eyes “It’s a bit more complicated than that, but yes. Being able to hone my skill has been very fun for me. The poses and exercise helps clear my mind of any worries I may have. Once I’m in the zone, I feel it’s just me  and the stage floor..”

Akane couldn’t help but smile.

“Your parents must love watchin’ ya huh?” She grinned as Hakuchou could only smile in response.

“...You wanna know why I love ballet?” 

Akane looked puzzled at the sudden question.

“It’s because I'm not just dancing. I’m telling a tale. Being able to fully immerse myself with the movements of the dance, it truly is a tranquil feeling I absolutely adore… It’s as if I am one with the story I wanna portray.”

Before Akane could speak, sniffling came from the basket, Akane froze in fear as Lebed leapt out onto Hakuchou’s lap, catching the girl off guard.

“BEAUTIFUL ~LELE! THAT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING EXPRESSION OF THE TRUEST FORM OF EXQUISITE ARTISTRY KNOWN AS BALLET ~LELE!”

… KYAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Hakuchou got up and stepped back, leaving Lebed flapping in the air. She was unsure of what was going on.

“T-The plushie!! THE BIRD TALKED!” Hakuchou pointed at the small swan accusingly.

Akane pinched her brow in frustration and grunted.

After a short explanation, Hakuchou seemed a bit more composed, albeit still uneasy at all this newfound information of things that sounded out of this world to her.

“Precure? Magical Vigilante’s who protect earth from….?”

“The Grimm Empire ~lele!” Lebed chirped with precision in her voice.

“R-right…sorry this is just all so much out of nowhere…” 

Akane held her head in her hands, full of shame of how things rolled out.

“And you are the next Precure ~lele! I can feel it!” Akane looked up a bit more excitedly than she would’ve liked to lead on at that statement.

“....I beg your finest pardon? I don’t think I’d be a good fit for that at all!”

“Aww it’s not so bad! You get super cool powers and a new look ‘n everything!” Akane sheepishly added, trying to smooth over the ridiculous request.

“Well… ok, but fighting? That's not really me at all… I’m sorry, but I think I should go-”

“PRECURE”

The group looked across the pond to a devilishly smiling Operetta, who had seemingly conjured up a swan like monstrous Poisonink. Hakuchou trembled, as Akane lept in front of her instinctively.

“Don’t worry! I’ll keep us safe!” Eclaimed the brunette as she made a cool pose showing off her Precure Storybook.

“Precure! Curetime Everafter!"

"Hooded in red, journeying towards victory! Cure Hoodie!”

Hoodie lept into action and Hakuchou stood there, stunned at what’s unfolding in front of her. Hoodie ran up and jumped, aiming to land a sharp kick to the beast, when it started to flap it’s wings erratically, sending a huge gust of wind blowing Hoodie away into the hall’s walls with a giant crash!

“NO!” Hakuchou screeched with fear and anger seeing the hall take such a toll. Hoodie stood up slowly, trembling a bit at her knees. 

“A-are you alright??” Hakuchou asked with concern, as Hoodie nodded and ran back out into the fray.

 Hakuchou could only stare as she trembled, she heard screams from inside and footsteps of girls exiting the building. The place that was a home to her got damaged, the battle in front of her playing out dramatically until Hakuchou couldn’t contain herself anymore.

“P-PLEASE STOP THIS OBSTRUCTION AT ONCE!” Everyone within the battle froze comedically, and then Operetta slithered up quickly to Hakuchou, pointing her scythe at the girl.

“Such a frail girl trying to act tough hmmm~?”

“Leave her ALONE!” Hoodie jumped at Operetta, only for the Poisonink to tackle her, once again hitting the hall.

“N-NO! PLEASE STOP!” Hakuchou begged with desperation while reaching out towards Hoodie.

“I can make this nightmare end for you little girl. After all, such a beauty as yourself doesn't deserve to exist when someone like me is here!” She raised her scythe, and Hakuchou froze. Was this her final moment of being alive!?

“LELEEEEEEE~!!!!” Lebed flew in front of Hakucchou, to protect her. And in the process a huge beam of light shot down on the two instantaneously.

“WHAT?! NO!’ Operetta screeched with hatred, well knowing what’s occurring in front of her.

Hakuchou blinked and came to the realization she was surrounded in a warm feeling light. Lebed flapped her wings happily in front of her. She felt safe here.

 “Where….am I….?”

“We’re safe now. ~lele My name is Lebed, and I feel like we can help each other Hakuchou! ~lele!”

“By making me a Precure right? I just… I don’t know…”

“Those monsters are ruining the structural integrity and antique beauty that is the Izumi Ballet Hall! ~lele We cannot allow them to continue. If they wreck that hall, how else will you continue to dance?! ~ lele?”

Hakuchou looked discouraged, not totally believing she could be of assistance.

“It’s scary ~lele. But you CAN be strong, true strength comes from wanting to protect those you hold dear, no? ~lele.”

Hakuchou looked surprised.

 “That…is true….” she thought “The ballet hall… I don’t want to see it being damaged anymore. I want to help protect it, and everyone else, too!”

Suddenly a Precure Storybook materialized, and Lebed smiled as she pulled a swan themed charm out of her mirror shaped broach, extending it to Hakuchou.

“All you need to do is use this charm and say ‘Precure Curetime Everafter ~lele! I’ve felt this potential since laying my eyes on you! I have faith in you, Hakuchou ~lele!”

Faith…..in her…..

Hakuchou smiled and grabbed the charm and the book.

“Precure! Curetime Everafter!”

She gracefully transforms, her leaps and twirls enveloping her body as more pieces of clothing appear, and she finishes with a soft landing, water rippling as her heel touches the ground.

“Gliding upon blue waters of tranquility! Cure Pirouette!”

The light dispersed, and everyone in the scene stared in amazement as the newest Precure stood tall. 

Hoodie smiled.  “Cure Pirouette….” 

Meanwhile, Operetta growled. “NO NO NO! NOT ANOTHER ONE! Poisonink, DESTROY HER!”

“POI-POISONINKKKKK!” the large bird began to flap its wings when suddenly Pirouette zipped around behind the bird, and gave it a swift kick to the back of the head, stopping it from continuing its gusts.

“So fast!” Hoodie marveled in awe. 

Pirouette got a look at herself quickly, astounded by her speed. She noticed small water droplets glistening in the sunlight around her like gems.

“I felt like I was…gliding on air!” she said to herself in amazement.

The monster flapped its wings again, catching Pirouette off guard and blowing her into the nearby pond. Hoodie gasped out Pirouette’s name as Operetta laughed, feeling they were gaining the upper hand.

“Not so fast now are….you?”

The crash of water from the impact subsided, and Pirouette was still standing, in fact she was gracefully gliding…atop the water’s surface! She gracefully leapt off the waters, treading a small wave behind her leave, and aimed it at the Poisonink, soaking it in water!

“P-POI! POI! POI!” The beast cried out, preening its feathers in retaliation of the wave’s crash.

“No! Stop preening at ONCE!” Operetta screeched in frustration.

Hoodie jumped to Pirouette’s side, a huge smile adorning her face.

“You are AMAZING Pirouette!” she beamed with pride.

Pirouette smiled. “Thank you, Hoodie. I just needed a little more faith in myself I suppose” she said, while looking at Lebed warmly,

Lebed smiled back “Now ~lele! Use the storybook to purify the monster ~lele!”

Pirouette nodded, and faced the preening beast.The slot where the charm was inserted was glowing, and she pressed it down lightly twice, activating a symbol to trace on the left side’s mirror. She took the quill pen and traced. As she did, simultaneously the emblem was drawn out in front of her with raw energy. Once finished, the swan shaped emblem glowed, and she touched it with her quill pen, absorbing the core of the emblem within her pen. 

“Precure!” She did a graceful motion, charging up “Graceful Resolution!”

She pulled back, and pierced the glowing outline with a resounding HA, releasing the energy at the Posionink in the form of an elegant swan. Once it made contact, the beast was purified with a relaxing “Happily ever after~!” as Pirouette closed her Storybook into itself in triumph.

The red jewel from the beast shattered, returning the now purified nostalight back to a ballerina who was knocked unconscious just outside the ballet hall

“Dammit… my hair is soaking wet, and after I just brushed it too! YOU’LL PAY, PRECURE!!” Operetta swore, vanishing and returning the setting to its prior form.

-----

“So that’s what being a Precure is…how exciting!” Hakuchou giggled, Lebed joining in as she flaps beside her gleefully.

“You were amazing ~lele! Truly a fine specimen of a girl, do I know how to pick ‘em or what ~lele?!”

Akane extended a hand towards Hakuchou a bit awkwardly “G-guess this means we’re p-partners?” Why was she stuttering at that word?

Hakuchou smiled, and took her hand. “Yes, but I would also love to get to know you more, and be your friend, too!”

Akane eagerly nodded in response. “Yeah! I’d love that!”

The group laughed merrily to themselves, now assembling a small reliable group to fight this long lasting battle.

-----

Behind a nearby building, a brunette girl in a lolita dress with orange and yellow colors hides herself from the group’s sight. On her cutely decorated phone displays photos of the Precure and their battle.

“P…precure?.... What in the world is going on here…?”