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Fuwa Power☆Pretty Cure! Episode 2

A Sparkling Song! Cure Shine's Stellar Debut!

In a cozy corner of Mahou Monogatari, Mochizuki Maika chattered endlessly, asking question after question without pausing, much to Nighty’s dismay. Twyla sat in Maika’s lap and watched as Ms. Yumeno approached with a well-loved serving tray in her hands.

Ms. Yumeno set the treat-filled tray down on a nearby table and took a seat across from Maika. She enjoyed indulging the girl’s curiosity. Not only that, but watching Nighty’s continuous failed attempts to interrupt her was wonderful entertainment.

Yumeno carefully listened to each question posed, making a mental note to write them down so as not to interrupt her friend’s train of thought. When her young charge stopped to catch a breath, the imminent explanation—and a desperate nudge from her feathered friend—led Yumeno to break Maika’s chattering streak.

She sighed. “Maika, dear. There is much to discuss. You know of our homeland, yes?”

That ceased her companion’s excited rambles. The girl shook her head. “I know the Sweet Dream Kingdom’s name. That’s it though.” She began fiddling with her hands, a stark contrast to her wild energy mere moments earlier. “The only time you guys mentioned her was when Nighty said she had fallen. Does that mean…?” Green eyes grew wide with realization, anticipating the answer she wished wouldn’t come.

The blue owl perched beside Yumeno nodded silently. In Maika’s lap, Twyla slumped heavily, seeking wordless comfort in the warmth of her friend’s sweater.

Ms. Yumeno spoke, “Queen Chiharu was the ruler of Sweet Dream Kingdom, a land where we are able to see and control Yumeki; Magic that is produced by resting one’s self.” She explained, “Chiharu was a benevolent woman. She began her journey as my own pupil. “ As the memory of her late protégé surfaced, she clutched her skirt in one hand and stroked Nighty’s soft feathers with the other. Nighty took over and leaned into her touch.

“A short while ago, our Queen fell ill. She was knocked down so suddenly, it almost seemed unnatural. With Our Lady so sick, Nocturna’s rebellion known as Dream Eaters were given the perfect opportunity to pounce. They attacked the palace, and Queen Chiharu fought until she no longer could; Determined to protect her people.

“I was there for the last exchange between her and Nocturna, too weak to move. As Her Majesty was struck down for the final time, she used her remaining power to place a curse on Nocturna. A spell of eternal insomnia, which took away her ability to produce Yumeki.”

Shaking out his feathers, he finished his tale, “But Nocturna won’t give up. Even though she can no longer sleep and generate her own magic, she is bent on remaining powerful. That’s why she’s here. Stealing the Yumeki of others is just the beginning. If she finds Queen Chiharu’s Dreaming Candle—her magical staff—there’s no telling what she’ll be able to do.” Nighty finished, his tiny and tense figure being pet gently by his old friend. Maika cut in, eager to get the answer of her most pressing question. “That Dreaming Candle, where is it? If Nocuturna is sending people to Fuwayama then it has to be here.” She suddenly made to get up. Twyla squeaked in surprise when lifted from her friend’s lap so abruptly. “That means she could find it any minute! Why are we just sitting around?”

A calloused hand raised to calm her. Yumeno spoke, “I know Nocturna. She is not foolish. Sending her magic-wielding army to a small Japanese city with no clue of the staffs whereabouts would never work.”

Nighty spoke once more as Maika sat herself down. “Just before she was defeated, the Queen tried to send the Dreaming Candle here; Straight to Eiko. Nocturna did her best to stop her, but only succeeded at breaking the staff into pieces. The separate parts of it still got to Fuwayama, thankfully.” He sighed with a slight smile, “Where? We don’t know. The silver lining, though, is neither does Nocturna.”

With their dilemma properly explained, Twyla jumped at her chance to pitch in. She leapt back into Maika’s lap and tapped a tiny, soft hoof to her sweater. “That means you and the other Pretty Cure need to find all the pieces before she can~twi! Together, we’ll fix the Dreaming Candle and stop her for sure.”

Maika gasped, feeling an anticipatory grin spread across her face. In the whirlwind of revelations she had thrown herself into, she almost forgot about the most important part of her mahou shojo story; Her team!

Determination flooded her heart. This mission seemed dangerous, yes, but what good story lacks high stakes? As Cure Reverie and her powerful team of Pretty Cure, Maika would defeat this great evil, no doubt! She gave an empowered nod, eyes shining with anticipation.

“What are we waiting for, then? Let’s find my team!”

~☆~

“Hmm… I wonder if I get a weapon?”

Three days after her life-changing encounter with the Sweet Dream Kingdom escapees, Maika sat at a desk in her half-occupied dorm room. She sighed and looked out of one of her two windows. The first few days of classes had been mostly uneventful, aside from the familiar realization that her academic ability is nothing compared to her classmates. She crossed her arms and fell victim to her wandering thoughts.

It was still quite hard to believe that she was a magical warrior now. Though her favorite manga protagonists had proven that a clumsy girl doesn’t make a clumsy fighter, Maika highly doubted any of those titular characters required being physically restrained by a (surprisingly strong) old woman to keep from spilling their fantastical secret.

“I can’t believe they didn’t let me tell the Fuwayama Feature! A news station like that would eat this up. It’s only natural that I’d be over the moon about getting magical powers.” She whined to herself, head lolling to the side and eyes locking onto the single Cure Clock placed before her on the desk.

“Besides, if my three other Cures saw the news, they’d come running to us! Problem solved,” a playful smile graced her features, “and the sooner we find them, the sooner I can be friends with them!” The whimsical image of her future, color-coded teammates clouded Maika’s mind with no resistance.

A sudden, powerful knock at the door sounded, shocking Maika out of her thoughts—and chair—with a soft thunk on the carpeted flooring. The doorknob turned, letting in the hallway’s fluorescent light.

Through the threshold, a bright figure appeared. Maika, blinded by their radiance, was wholly unprepared for the shining star that came to greet her.

“Hello yellow! Your new best friend, Hirano Kirari, is here!” The mesmerizing girl stood tall as she scoured the room for her assigned roommate. It took her no time to notice the starstruck redhead splayed out on the floor. She leapt forward and reached out a flawlessly manicured hand.

In a flash, the poor girl was yanked up. “Mochizuki Maika, yes? It’s so nice to meet you! The school uniform looks so adorable on you! I love how the room looks! I hope we have class together! This is all so super shining!” Kirari’s words came out at a lightning-fast pace, her ecstatic aura almost visible with how strongly it emanated.

One could easily be put off by such a high-energy introduction; Such spirit is hard to come across on a Wednesday afternoon. Maika, however, once recovered from the initial shock of her roommate’s debut, responded with equal enthusiasm. After all, the Kirari standing before her was a once in a lifetime encounter. “You’re Kira-Kirari! My roommate is a pop star?” She gaped.

“The one and only, darling!”

With that response, the girls—both bursting with happiness—grabbed each other’s hands. Excited giggles filled the room, reaching through the opened door to alert neighboring dorms.

~☆~

“Mai-Mai! It’s time to get up!”

A groan came from under the covers of the right-most bed. Without leaving her warm cocoon, Maika’s hand blindly reached for her bedside table and retrieved her glasses. She sat up, slipping them on and scratching her horribly tangled hair. A low whine left her throat. “Kirarinnn… how are you already dressed? It’s only 8. I wanna sleep!” She slurred.

Kirari, ready to go and humming a song, chuckled at her friend’s sleepy complaints. “Mai-Mai, it’s 8:20. We start class in ten minutes.”

Suddenly, Maika shot up, glasses slipping down her nose. “WHAT? WHY DIDN’T YOU WAKE ME UP EARLIER?” She cried, leaping into action and speeding through her morning routine.

“You looked so cute all cuddled up! I didn’t want to interrupt.” Blue eyes followed the blur of red around the room. “And if we’re late, I’ll tell the teacher that you were just showing me around,” she comforted. “I’ve got your bag. Are you ready?” Kirari handed her roommate her school bag as Maika, no longer looking like a disaster, walked up to her.

With a nod from the shorter girl, both set off to classroom 1-A. As they walked through the main first-year building, all students roaming the hallway went quiet. The only audible words were no louder than a whisper, everyone present astonished by the new student walking among them.

Maika, despite knowing her peers paid her no attention, began sweating bullets. All eyes turned to the pair of girls. She took a deep breath, wondering how Kirari could ever deal with such an overwhelming amount of focus on her. She nudged her roommate’s arm, opening her mouth to ask, “Kira—”

Before she could utter another sound, the crowd pounced.

“Kira-Kirari, is that you?”

“You never announced that you’d be coming here!”

“What class are you in? I need to tell my sister. She’ll be so jealous!”

Dozens of students swarmed Kirari, who tensed but handled the situation with immense grace. She reached for Maika’s hand, hoping to drag them both away, but was surprised to discover that Maika had disappeared!

Of course, she hadn't really. But with the mob’s sudden movement and the rapid rise in volume, Maika was pushed back and out of Kirari’s way. She fell into a wall, narrowly avoiding a straight hit to her nose. In a hurry, she made to run back to her friend’s side without realizing how dizzy she became. After managing only two very uncoordinated steps, she stumbled into a pair of arms.

“Are you alright, Mochizuki-San?” The kind voice of an upperclassman asked.

Maika’s green eyes shot up, meeting the pair belonging to her savior. A bright blush exploded across her cheeks in surprise. She so desperately wished to step back and prevent further embarrassing herself but found that she couldn’t bring her legs to move. With an unusually squeaky voice, she greeted, “Takahashi-Senpai!”

The upperclassman, Takahashi Airi, sighed fondly and helped Maika regain her balance. “Be careful, Mochizuki-San. It looks like Kira-Kirari already has quite the fan club trailing after her.”

“How could she not,” a bright voice chirped! A girl around Maika’s age stepped away from the crowd, her fluffy blond curls bouncing with her every excited step. “Kira-Kirari is amazing! I’ve been to every one of her shows this year! She’s performed at, like, every venue in Fuwayama.” Brown eyes seemed to sparkle as they settled on Maika and Airi.

Now fully reoriented, the redhead spoke. “You’re so lucky, Nao-San! I’ve never been to one of her shows. Maybe I can ask if I can come with her to the next one. I’d be a bad roommate if I didn’t support her, right?” Maika’s face scrunched up slightly in thought, unaware of the sudden shock on Nao and Airi’s faces

Nao jumped forward; Just enough to tiptoe on the edge of Maika’s personal bubble. “You’re her roommate?” She squealed. When she got an energetic nod in response, Nao immediately released her barrage of questions. Only a few were able to make it out, though, as a soft hand came down on her shoulder with a surprisingly stern grip.

“Hidaka-San. You can ask questions later. Right now, we should get to class.” Airi’s sweet voice instructed. She gently pulled Nao away from Maika and looked down the hallway, making a pleased sound. “Thank goodness, the mob is gone. Now we won't have to fight our way to homeroom.”

Airi gave both underclassmen a gentle pat on the head. “Have a good day, Hidaka-San, Mochizuki-San. I hope to see you two around,” she said, before making her way to her own homeroom.

A pouty Nao followed suit, leaving Maika to stand alone in the hallway that, only moments before, was filled with the ecstatic cheering of her classmates. She wiggled her fingers and took a breath—preparing for the inevitable chaos that came with her famous roommate’s first day of class—and set off.

~☆~

Over the excited chattering of Class 1-A, Fuwayama Prep’s newest student wrote her name with showy letters and took a bow. “Hello to all my shining stars! Hirano Kirari, pleased to meet you.”

The only thing stopping Maika and her classmates from erupting into ecstatic applause was the strong look of warning from their teacher, Miyano-Sensei. She turned to Kirari, her glare replaced by a polite smile. “We’re so glad you’re here, Hirano-San. Please take a seat. Your desk is right beside Mochizuki’s.”

Kirari nodded, giving a sharp salute before making her way to sit at the desk right of her spectacled friend’s. She leaned over and gave Maika a cheeky thumbs up. “I can’t wait to start the day. Please, take care of me, Mai-Mai!” She whispered. The redhead nodded and returned the gesture of encouragement.

It was an hour into class when Maika realized that Kirari, in fact, did not need someone to ‘take care of her.’ In a short time, she had already proven herself as an outspoken, intelligent, all-around star student.

Classmates would swarm Kirari’s desk the second a period ended. Though she’d already made it clear that she wouldn’t be giving autographs or anything of the like, Class 1-A was still ravenous for any interaction they could get with the local celebrity.

By lunchtime, Maika had lost track of her roommate. She walked through the school’s courtyard with her lunch in hand. “And here I was hoping I’d have a permanent lunch buddy,” she sighed. She stopped at a tree residing in the far end of the courtyard. Just as Maika was about to sit down, though, she heard the tree… humming?

“Mai-Mai! Fancy seeing you here.”

Maika looked up and screeched, almost dropping her food. Up in the tree’s branches was none other than Kirari!

“Ki-Kirarin?!” The shocked girl stuttered out. What on earth had possessed her friend to eat lunch among the leaves?

Kirari chuckled. “The one and only! Are you surprised? Turns out I’m good at singing AND climbing trees.” She explained. “And, honestly? I really didn’t want to eat lunch surrounded by our entire grade. I love all my fans, but I came here to make friends, not have daily meet-n-greets.”

“Wow! That crowd didn’t just happen this morning, then? I don’t know how you do it,” Maika said staring upward.

Kirari’s eyes lit up in relief and happiness. She shifted downwards, reaching her hand out to Maika. “Would you like to join me up here? The breeze feels wonderful.”

A green-eyed gaze met bright turquoise, and Maika responded, “I’ve actually never climbed a tree before. I won’t break my back if I fall, right?” She lifted her left hand.

Her caution was met with a playful laugh. “Mai-Mai, this tree is tiny compared to the ones I grew up around. You’ll be fine, I won’t let you fall. So don’t worry.”

Maika gripped the offered hand tightly and let out a small yelp as she was half-led, half-pulled up into the branches. She settled across from Kirari; Eternally grateful that her boxed lunch was still intact. As she adjusted herself to find a secure way to sit, she noticed Kirari’s right uniform sleeve had been pulled up when lifting her. On the usually covered wrist was a well-worn and colorful bracelet of plastic stars.

“That’s such a cute bracelet, Kirarin! Where’d you get it? It looks old” Maika asked, only realizing a moment later that her last comment might have been a little rude. She slapped a hand over her mouth and bowed the best she could while sat on her branch. “Sorry! Sorry! I didn’t mean that in a bad way!” She stuttered to try and explain herself, but stopped when Kirari burst into a fit of genuine, joyous laughter.

The laughing girl steadied herself on her branch as not to fall and wiped away a tear. “Don’t be silly! You’re right about it being old. I got this bracelet when I was 5. It’s super special to me, so I almost never take it off.” She lifted her wrist and held it at eye level. “I call it my lucky star. I’ve never preformed without it.”

Fully invested, Maika leaned forward slightly. She tossed away any thoughts of finishing lunch and inquired further. “Did your parents give it to you?”

Kirari shook her head and began fiddling with the colorful plastic. “No, I got it at a hospital.”

A curious tilt of Maika’s head urged Kirari to continue as she pleased. “Were you sick a lot as a kid?”

With a fond smile, Kirari responded, “I wasn’t, but my little brother Akio was. My parents said he had very bad asthma. We lived far from the city so he could breathe easier, but we still had lots of fun together.

“My mom had a conference in Tokyo when I was 5, and we made a family trip out of it. But before we went back home, Akio had a really bad asthma attack. We got to the hospital a little too late. That night, I remember waiting for Mom and Dad so we could leave, when Akio’s nurse came out and sat next to me…”

~☆~

“Are you Akio’s big sister, Kirari?”

Five-year-old Kirari sat on a bench, cuddled into her large yellow sweater dress. She looked at the source of the voice, seeing a young nurse seated beside her. The little girl sniffled and nodded.

The brunette nurse gave a sad smile and pat the child on the head affectionately. “Your Mom said she’s very proud of you for being so brave, today. And Your father was just telling me about how wonderful of a big sister you are. He said you’ve always been Akio’s hero.”

Kirari sniffled and shook her head, small fluffy ponytail frantically swishing with it. “Nu-uh! I can’t be his hero anymore if he can’t see me. I couldn’t save him, and that’s what heroes are supposed to do.” She wiped at her cheeks, chasing away her remaining tears.

“Being a hero isn’t just about saving people. Did Akio only like you because of that?” The Nurse’s point was met with a reluctant shake of Kirari’s head. She reached into her pocket. “Y’know, I helped take care of your brother whenever he stayed here. He loved to talk about you and how lovely your singing is.” The nurse gently took the child’s wrist, still damp from tears, and placed a colorful bracelet made of plastic stars on it.

“What’s this?” Kirari asked, looking at the stars in wonder.

The nurse gave the little girl another fond pat on the head. “Akio won that prize the last time he stayed here. He said he was going to give it to big sister, but forgot to bring it back.” She rubbed her misty eyes. “I held onto it for him. He isn’t here to give it to you now, but would you still like it?”

Kirari stared at the plastic accessory with sparkles in her eyes. “I love it,” she whispered, “Big sister loves it, Akio!”

“Kirari-Chan, it’s time to go home.” An exhausted looking man opened the door residing next to the bench. He saw his daughter cradling something around her wrist and leaned down. “Are you ready, sweetie?”

The child nodded.

Akio’s nurse stood and gave Mr. Hirano a polite bow. “I apologize for leaving the room. I thought little Kirari could use some company while mom and dad were busy. My sincerest condolences.”

Mr. Hirano, though tired, smiled at her. “Thank you, Nurse Masako. We really appreciate it. Right, Kirari-Chan?”

His daughter hopped off the bench. “En. Thank you, Miss Masako.”

The father picked Kirari up and kissed her forehead. Mrs. Hirano came out to join them. Both parents' eyes were red from crying, but regardless, they bowed and wished Masako a nice night.

However, before she could be carried out, Kirari wiggled free from her dad’s arms. She landed lightly and started running back to Nurse Masako. Nobody spoke as Kirari tackled her with a tight hug. “Akio says thank you, too,” she whispered.

Masako returned the embrace with tears in her eyes.

~☆~

Kirari finished recounting her story and gave her bracelet another fond look. Her concentration was broken by a loud, ugly sob from Maika.

Fat tears rolled down her cheeks, fogging up her glasses. “I-I’m so sor-sorryyyy! I did-n’t kn-know it was like th-hatt!” The noise that followed could only be described as, ‘every sound in the alphabet smashed together’ as she sobbed, unaware of the scene she was making.

A hand wiped away her latest stream of tears. Maika sniffled and locked eyes with Kirari through her clouded glasses.

“Awe, Mai-Mai, don’t cry! You didn’t know. And besides, I love telling people about Akio. He was my first fan, and look at me now.” Kirari sounded strangely cheerful as she watched Maika’s crying subside (not without wiping away a tear of her own).

Before she could speak again, the idol was tackled into a hug. “You’re amazing, Kirarin,” the teary-eyed redhead cried, “I’m going to make Akio proud! I’m going to cheer his big sister on, louder than anyone else! You’re going to be super shining!” Maika’s words filled with determination and vigor as she threw Kira-Kirari’s signature phrase back at her.

Kirari’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean you’ll be at my concert this weekend?” She asked, though the answer was quite obvious.

Suddenly, Maika lost her little balance, pulling both girls off the branches and down the short distance to the ground, hitting the soft grass just as the bell rung. Lunchtime was over. “Kirarin, you liar! You said you wouldn’t let me fall!” ~☆~

That Saturday, at the Fuwayama Amphitheater and surrounding park space, people from all over the city gathered for a night full of music and fun. Some families laid out blankets and watched as their children played under the evening sun; Other attendees browsed the charming selection of pop-up stores; A few simply sat and admired the sky’s ombre of color.

Maika and Kirari arrived a few hours beforehand, making sure the small dressing tent was set up for the idol’s performance. Alongside Kirari’s manager and childhood babysitter, Fujiwara Kaede, they prepared everything in record time. However, to her dismay, Maika found herself shooed away so Kirari could practice. She found herself wondering the lively event ground when a familiar voice called out to her.

“Ah! Maika-Chan, I thought I’d see you here.” Ms. Yumeno waved from behind her pastel booth counter. She motioned for the girl to come closer, paying no mind to the shaking ‘plush’ owl sitting at the head of the table.

Following her friend’s call, Maika excitedly jogged over to see the display for Mahou Monogatori. The modest stall was decorated with folded stars and colorful crayon drawings scattered across it’s paper table cover. Many wares were on display, a majority of which Maika added to her mental wishlist of MahouMo products.

Twyla sat in Yumeno’s lap, snuggled up against her pink sweater, unaffected by the static she created when nuzzling her wool into the soft material. Nighty, on the other hand, was vibrating with anticipation to speak with his new pupil.

“Ms. Maika!” He discreetly whispered, careful not to move his beak too much. Maika smiled, amused, and picked him up.

Yumeno laughed at her old friend’s antics and shook her head. “He’s been asking all week for you. I swear, if you don’t find another Pretty Cure soon, he might blow the top hat off his little head.”

“I’ll lose much more than my hat if we cannot locate another Precure soon,” Nighty spoke through his clenched beak. Oh, how Maika loathed what she had to confirm. She would have thought a cute little fairy like him would be full of sunshine and happiness; Rather than that however, Nighty was full of anxiety and overbearing.

Maika looked at Twyla, still curled up against Yumeno’s pink sweater. Her pint-sized backpack had been removed and set down by Nighty. “The Cure Clocks are still in there, right?”

“They better.” Nighty whispered under his breath. A loud laugh erupted from Yumeno, who received a sharp, yet ineffective glare from her friend.

In a desperate bid to avoid being yelled at by the tiny, adorable creature, Maika set Nighty down. She made a show of looking down at her Cure Clock, now worn as a decorative watch. “Oh, wow! Look at the time. Kira-Kirari is going onstage soon! I have to go make sure she’s ready. What kind of friend would I be if I were to just… abandon her?” While giving her (admittedly, embellished) speech, she slowly backed away. Yumeno and Twyla gave her a wave goodbye, while Nighty puffed his feather in irritation.

Though she did overstate the importance of her finding Kirari, it truly was almost time for her performance. Kaede was sure to let Maika into her client’s tent by now.

Maika’s thought was proven right when she ducked under the entrance to her friend’s dressing area. Kaede was holding a clipboard and frantically mumbling what Maika assumed to be the paper’s contents to herself. She paid the girl no mind as she bounded over to Kirari, sitting down next to her in front of a small portable vanity.

“Mai-Mai! You’re going to watch from backstage, right? Kaede got an extra pass for you.” Kirari was practically bursting with excitement as she handed her roommate a backstage pass attached to a lanyard. Maika put the pass on—only struggling to pull it over one of her buns this time—and fiddled with the plastic holding the card.

It was only after she put on the lanyard did she notice the bright costume Kirari wore. The milky pink of her dress was complemented wonderfully by a number of decorative stars on her belt, choker, and overskirt. The strong yellow accents added around the ensemble fit her perfectly, as did the miniature top hat pinned in her hair. Tying the whole piece together was Kirari’s beloved bracelet; Her ‘Lucky Star.’

Kirari’s sparkle was always present; During class, at nighttime, even when up in a tree! This, however, was different. It was as if the glimmering dress had taken her usual spark and turned it into a bright, shimmering shine.

“Kirarin, you look—” Maika was cut off by the source of her amazement.

“Super Shining? There’s a reason it’s my catchphrase.”

Maika’s affirmative response was instantaneous. She was completely in awe of her friend, only able to be shaken from her starstruck daze by a firm hand landing on her shoulder. The young idol smiled up at the woman standing behind Maika, excitement practically radiating off of her. “Kaede! Is it time?”

She received a nod in confirmation. “Yep. You better get out there, Kira-Kirarin. Can’t keep the crowd waiting, can you?”

“No way! Come on, Mai-Mai.” Kirari leapt out of her seat, unaware of the small string protruding from her sequined skirt that almost caught on her bracelet. She took her roommate’s hand and pulled her up. “Are you ready to be dazzled?”

Maika met her friend’s excitement with no resistance, meeting her halfway with an ecstatic skip in her step.

“Come on, Kira-Kirari! Show me what you’ve got!”

~☆~

A show put on by Kira-Kirari was like no other. Despite it only being her standing on Fuwayama’s favorite stage, the energy couldn’t have been more lively.

“And surely someday! As a promise to our selves, Let's go and aim for that Original Star!”

The final notes of Kirari’s penultimate song rang out, and the audience couldn’t help but cheer for more of their favorite local star. Said idol gave her crowd a wave up high before rushing offstage in order to get one last costume change in.

Maika, who had been tasked by Kaede to be the ‘laundry basket’—or, the poor soul tasked with catching each part of Kirari’s frantically shed costume—awaited her friend’s arrival in the wings. She held out both hands with an almost militaristic stillness.

When Kirari finally made it to her small changing corner, Kaede immediately took charge, unzipping Kirari’s costume to reveal a modest changing dress underneath it. They worked together with impressive precision as Maika stood to the side, unmoving aside from the occasional stumble to catch an accessory flung a little too far off.

“I can’t wait for the finale! The crowd is going to be so surprised when they got a completely new song for the encore.” Maika whispered excitedly. She jerkily moved from side to side in order to catch every piece of costuming thrown her way.

While tying a ribbon in the front of her final ensemble while the back was zipped up, the idol gave her friend a confident smile. “I won’t let you down, Mai-Mai! This song is about you, after all.”

A soft bell rung backstage, signaling that it was time for Kirari to go. She was given one last look over by Kaede before sending a peace sign her helpers’ way. The crowd-goers’ cheers of “Encore,” and “One more song!” were answered as the opening notes for a brand-new song started up.

Everyone was ready for Kira-Kirari’s grand closing. The cheers only grew louder as she went to take a microphone in hand.

SNAP. Suddenly, time froze for Kirari as she felt something on her right wrist catch and break. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed star-shaped charms flying across the floor.

Maika watched in horror as the beloved ‘Lucky Star’ bracelet broke into pieces when caught on a rogue strong of costume fabric.

The music for ‘Kirameku Moment’ continued on despite the prolonged silence from its singer. Kirari stood stagnant onstage; Maika could see her trembling in shock.

“Oh no!” Kaede’s eyes widened as she realized the gravity of that small mistake. She raced off somewhere, presumably to find a way to stop the backing track. The crowd’s cheers died down and were slowly replaced by whispers of confusion.

Kirari stood still, staring at her now bare wrist. That bracelet had been with her through everything. Lucky Star couldn’t have broken so easily, right? How else would it have gotten her where she is today? She needed her star, her guiding light. What was she supposed to do without it; Without Akio?

“A new feeling was born when I first met you, Hit me with such force, I can’t stop smiling…”

From the wings, a shaky voice sang words meant for the idol. It was unsure, and slightly flat, but managed to shake the idol from her stupor. With a whisper barely audible to even herself, Kirari named the one that slowly walked towards her.

“Mai-Mai?”

The music picked up, and with it so did Maika’s nervous steps. She jogged to her friend’s side and took her right hand.

“Hey everyone! Kira-Kirari needs your help!” The redhead shouted into the microphone a little too loud. Her green eyes searched the crowd for a familiar face to hopefully calm her nerves. Thankfully, only a few rows away from the stage, Yumeno stood with Twyla in her arms and Nighty perched on her shoulder. All three noticed Maika’s begging gaze, and gave bright encouraging smiles in response.

“Our favorite idol is a little scared right now. She really wants to sing for you, but even idols freeze up, y’know? So what do you say? How about we give our shining star the encouragement she deserves!” Maika continued, her voice growing a little more confident with each word. Slowly, cries of support started to rise in volume. Children clapped and parents cheered. One voice, though, was heard above all the rest.

“Keep on shining, Kira-Kirari! Keep on shining!” A brunette woman standing near Yumeno cupped her hands and yelled into them.

Turquoise eyes sparkled with tears as they locked with the eyes of their loudest supporter. “Nurse Masako?”

Both girls standing on stage stared in disbelief at Masako, who never relented in her cheers. With a sudden renewal of her vigor, Kirari jumped forward with Maika’s hand still in hers. The crowd burst into cries of happiness when a melodic voice burst into song once more.

“The future is never set in stone, who knows what this day will bring? All through my mind, a nerve current! But when the stars aligned, KIRA-ME-KU moment!”

Maika stood next to her, their hands still intertwined. She continued the song as well, even if she could barely be heard over the star of the show.

No jealously was felt, though. She realized then, that quietly singing by her friend’s side brought her a happiness she hadn’t known before. It was a rush of pride. Despite simply being a supporting player in this one moment she felt triumphant all the same.

The final song came to an end. Kirari breathed loudly, heavily as a result of her exhilarating performance. Both girls stared out at the lively crowd with bright smiles. “Thank you! Thank you, everyone! You all, you light up my world!” Kirari cried into her microphone. Directly after thanking her fans, she shot her arm up with Maika’s in tow and lowered them both in a deep bow.

Not a minute after she left the stage, the young singer took off to find a certain someone.

It’s her. It’s really her. Those two thoughts were all that raced through Kirari’s head as she ran with all her dwindling energy towards the woman she never thought she’d see again. Nurse Masako was there. She saw Kirari mess up; She saw Maika step in; She saw little Akio’s hero, who rose to the challenge.

“N-Nurse Masako!”

The brunette woman in question looked at Kirari, her expression emanating surprise or even, disbelief. The look on her face melted away not a moment later, her anxiety now replaced with overwhelming pride. “You were super shining up there, dear. Akio must be proud,” She said with a gentle smile.

Kirari leapt into waiting arms, unexpected tears of joy threatening to spill from the miraculous surprise.

From her spot beside the amphitheater’s stage, Maika watched the reunion in awe. “That’s amazing,” She mumbled. Beside her, Ms. Yumeno—with Twyla and Nighty in tow, both riding in her shoulder bag—chuckled.

She lightly pat Twyla’s fuzzy wool in an attempt to lure the lamb to sleep. “It’s no surprise that woman is such a fan. Who can resist the magic of Kira-Kirari?”

~☆~

From her perch atop a nearby building, Ran-Ran let out a laugh.

“That Kira Kid wasn’t half bad. It looks like that brat Encoru has some real competition.” Her ruby red eyes followed the idol’s frantic path. “Hm? Why’s she in such a hurry? The girl’s got to be tired—”

“Nurse Masako!”

A wicked smile spread across Ran-Ran’s face at the joyous shout. Her job had just been made a lot easier. With her sharp teeth bared, she tapped the star in the center of her bodice’s ribbon. “Sorry to steal your spotlight, Little Miss Idol. It seems the show is far from over.”

With her finger pointed and target clear, the purple-haired girl shot the star straight at Nurse Masako.

“Bullseye.”

~☆~

Ms. Yumeno slipped the top over the last container and let out a satisfied huff. In front of her, Maika fought for her life against a folding table.

“JUST. GO. DOWN.” She commanded through gritted teeth.

The old woman couldn’t help but laugh, eyeing the paper taped under the table that read, ‘INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKEDOWN.’ Her young friend’s antics would never not be amusing. A shushing noise came from Yumeno’s foldable chair. “Ms. Maika, quiet! Please~hoo!” a blue-feathered wing motioned downward, catching the attention of his allies.

Nighty, as quietly as possible, pulled a small blanket over the sleeping Twyla. Though he was physically smaller than the childish lamb, his eyes when looking at her were sincere, protective.

“Aww! Who knew Nighty could be such a sweet guardian. I thought you only wanted to find more Precure,” Maika commented. She and Yumeno shared a mischievous look and made their way over to the pair of fairies.

Nighty could already feel the embarrassed blush creeping up his puffed cheeks. He huffed, looking anywhere but the approaching pair. “Of course I care for Twyla~hoo! She’s like a daughter to m—AUGH!”

The little owl’s declaration was cut off by none other than the subject of his words. Twyla’s head shot up without warning, knocking her caretaker over without realizing.

“Mai-Mai,” she cried, “where’s your sparkle friend?”

“My sparkle friend?”

“Sparkle Friend! I think she’s the one~twi! Papa, she was in my dream, and the Cure Clocks. Where are the…”

Maika’s eyes widened as she pieced Twyla’s frantic words together. Her realization came just in time. When the ground started to shake and horrified screams erupted throughout the park, it became clear that now more than ever the Pretty Cure were needed.

The redhead reached into her pocket, pulling out her pink PreCharm. She gave her surroundings a quick once over, and locked eyes with Yumeno once she deemed it empty of others.

The PreCharm snapped into place at the center of Maika’s watch and began to glow. “Pretty Cure! Dreamy Switch On!”

~☆~

Cure Reverie dashed towards the looming monster as fast as possible, weaving her way through groups of frightened festival-goers. There, standing over the outdoor theater was an Osoroshii and it’s commander.

Ran-Ran leaned over the top of the creature’s nurse-esque hat with a cocky smile on her face. She could easily pick out the blur of pink frantically running towards her creation, even if it was surrounded by a sea of panicking civilians. Just above her rested Nurse Masako trapped in a floating glass case.

A small but mighty voice reached Ran-Ran’s winged ears. “Nurse Masako! Checker Lady, What did you do to her?”

Offended, the ‘Checker Lady’ bared her pointed teeth and yelled back, “None of your business, Kira Kid! Call me Checker Lady again, and you’ll be joining her!”

From below, Kirari glared at the lavender-haired villain. How dare she victimize Kirari’s hero right in front of her! Without responding to Ran-Ran’s retort she stepped forward and kicked the tall monster’s leg with all of her might.

The Osoroshii was barely effected, but Ran-Ran’s pettiness would never let a kid get the last laugh. She slapped her creature’s forehead and gave a sharp command. “Crush that twerp! She’s getting on my nerves!”

“OSOROSHII!” The monster roared in response and lifted the leg Kirari had just kicked at. Its human target stepped back and took off to escape, but the creature’s reach was farther than she could realistically run. The menacing shadow grew closer and closer.

“No, no, no, no, I’m not going out like this!” Kirari cried. She couldn’t sprint fast enough, she was just about to give up hope. But then—

She was suddenly scooped into slim, strong arms. In the blink of an eye she had been safely whisked away and taken out of the monster’s field.

“KIRARIN! What were you doing? That thing is the size of a building!” A pink-clad girl yelled in the idol’s face. She was panting, arms shaking slightly. Her blonde hair was frazzled, but her green eyes held solid determination.

Kirari recognized those eyes, the nickname. Somehow, her savior was her roommate? “MAI-MAI?” She cried in response. Cure Reverie yelped and jumped back. There was no way! Nobody ever recognized the magical girl in her favorite manga!

Before her roommate could question her more, Reverie turned around and jumped away, racing back to the fight at hand. “STAY THERE, AND DON’T SAY ANYTHING!” She yelled as a goodbye, her face flushed in embarrassment.

~☆~

Cure Reverie jumped out of her hiding place and went straight for the Osoroshii standing in the field. She was overwhelmed beyond belief. The crowd of screaming people, the pushing and shoving from those trying to escape, the excessive noise and stimulation was making it difficult for the teen to focus on her intimidating task.

Nevertheless, with shaky hands and twitchy toes she attacked Ran-Ran and her partner. Reverie’s heeled boots dug into the monster’s belly and kicked it back, knocking its master away and into the air. She clumsily flipped away.

“Ran-Ran! Stop this now, please!” She desperately yelled, tirelessly blocking and throwing punches at the Osoroshii.

From her place in the air Ran-Ran scoffed. “As if, brat! My queen needs magic, and this place is a Yumeki jackpot!” Her monster swung its large fist at the exhausted girl, catching her off guard and slamming her into the ground.

“MAI-MAI!” A familiar voice cried out. Kirari screamed for her friend whose impact had made a dent near the ground she hid.

Cure Reverie moved, but rather than pushing herself up, she raised shaking hands up to cover her ears.

Kirari looked at her friend in horror, unsure of what to do. She whispered to herself, trying to take in the state of both her roommate and her childhood hero.

“Sparkle Friend! We need you~twi.” Squeaky cries came from a trio approaching Kirari. She snapped her head to the source, barely being able to take in the talking lamb and owl before a small charm hit her chest. Looking up, the idol recognized Maika’s beloved Ms. Yumeno as well as…two sentient plushies?

Somehow, she thought, not the weirdest thing I’ve seen today.

“Kirari-San! I know this is quite bizarre, but please; Ms. Mochizuki needs help!” The elder woman placed a light blue analog clock in Kirari’s hands to match the yellow charm.

“You have the power to save her—to save them!” The owl accompanying Yumeno cried.

Kirari gave an enthusiastic nod, her mind was made up. She ran towards Reverie, who was still struggling to stand. “Don’t worry, Mai-Mai!” She cheered, catching both Ran-Ran and the osoroshii’s attention. The red-eyed commander looked at the idol in horror.

With her hands raised, and a powerful sparkle in her eyes she locked the charm and clock together.

“I will never leave you in the dark! Pretty Cure! Dreamy Switch On!”

~☆~

A melodic ring sounded as sparkles exploded from the clock, covering Kirari in a yellow glow. Her performance attire was replaced with a romper-like garment of silk fluorescent fabric. The world had become nothing more than an endless colorful space with stars decorating every corner.

The source of magic attached itself to the center of her chest. A layered, off shoulder collar with sleeves burst out from under it and suddenly, the romper has molded into a bright yellow costume. Around her waist, a bow made of cloud-like fabric held together by a large decorative star. She reached up, allowing a pair of bright yellow gloves to adorn both hands. What looked to be a miniscule comet flew around Kirari’s neck; exploding into sparkles as an orange ribbon tied itself together under a decorative star.

A star large enough to carry the girl shot by. Kirari effortlessly hopped on, her hair growing longer and more vibrant as she surfed through the sky. Two large, puffy pigtails were brought together by bands of multicolored beads. She plucked a sparkle from the sky, tossing it up and snapping in time with the sparkle’s transformation into a bright yellow top hat. The girl reached for the hat and brought it down to rest on her head.

With her head tilted to the sky, Kirari prepared to jump off her surfing star just as a bright energy encircled her legs. The magic solidified as a pair of sneaker-like shoes under long, fluffy leg warmers. She leapt off the star with no hesitation and gracefully made her way down a spiral of light that seemed to follow her every move.

The light cut out, leaving only the night sky visible. That is, until the star of the show touched down on a platform and reignited the sparkling stars. With a tip of her top hat, she took command of the stage.

“Full of light and endless energy!” Newly transformed and ready to go, she knew the spotlight couldn’t get enough of her. She reached outwards with one hand, grabbing the rim of her hat with the other and stuck a pose.

“Up and at it, Cure Shine!”

~☆~

In place of the sparkling idol Kira-Kirari, Cure Shine stood in all of her yellow glory. The evening gloom was no more. Instead, the sky’s ombre radiated warmth and excitement.

Cure Reverie stared up at her companion in awe. How could she have missed it? Kirari, or rather, Cure Shine, was prime teammate material!

“Ugh, Seriously? Another one ALREADY?” Ran-Ran cursed under her breath. The Osoroshii stood in wait for its master's command, but instead of a command it received a smack on it’s head. “What are you waiting for, you big lug? Just get rid of them. NOW,” the girl in purple growled.

The monster immediately leapt forward, looking to land another punch on the Precure. It roared at the girls—both of which were vulnerable as Shine helped Reverie reorient herself. But just as the fist was about to connect, the evening sun’s light hit the reflective surface of Nurse Masako’s prison.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cure Shine noticed the glare. It took only a moment for her to pivot and catch the beast before it could get her.

BOOM!

Dust clouded in the air from the impact. A breeze flew by, blowing the dust away to reveal a yellow gloved hand connecting with a monstrous fist. Shine laughed at the absurdity of her newfound strength.

“Now this—is super shining!” She cheered and pushed forward with all her might, knocking Ran-Ran away from her creation and sending the Osoroshii flying backwards. It recovered quickly and went to attack the girls again. Cure Reverie, shaken but standing nonetheless put a hand on Shine’s shoulder.

The girls made eye contact, and nodded. Then they were off jumping in separate directions. Cure Shine towards a tall and sturdy tree; Reverie setting off to catch the monster from behind.

“They make quite a team. Don’t they?” Yumeno asked Nighty from their place behind the stage. She lightly poked Twyla on the nose. “You really know how to pick them, darling.”

With its targets out of sight, the monster grew agitated. “OSOROSHII!” It raged, smashing its fists into the ground and shaking the earth where Yumeno and the fairies stood.

Cure Reverie stumbled, catching herself with her gloved hands and wincing at the scratches left behind from impact. She glanced at the tree Shine had landed on. A yellow gleam from between the leaves confirmed that her partner was ready.

“HERE!” The blonde cried as she sprinted towards the Osoroshii’s back. Lightning quick hits came at her from the beast, forcing her to maneuver between the large fists while sustaining momentum. All the strain was worth it when she leapt into a sliding kick and knocked her opponent’s feet out from under itself. She skidded to a stop facing the beast’s front. Rustling could be heard from the tall tree.

In a split second, Cure Shine was up in the air, aiming to hit the Osoroshii right at the center of it’s laid flat form. She brought both hands down, cheering in excitement as she smashed into her target, eliciting a monstrous cry from it. The powerful strikes didn’t cease. Shine dug a deep kick into the beast’s head and hands before flipping her way back onto the grass. Cure Reverie pointed to the Cure Clock resting at the center of Shine’s chest. She gave her friend a big thumbs up, signaling it was go time.

Yellow gloves went to turn the wing-shaped hands of the Clock in a full rotation, then tapped the PreCharm in the middle of it.

Shine clapped her hands twice, summoning a bright spotlight pointing directly at the fallen Osoroshii. “Pretty Cure!” She jumped up high, a trail of glitter following behind her.

A bright ball of glowing energy came into view; The source of the spotlight. The yellow-clad hero pulled her hand back, clenching it into a fist. “Shine,” she shot her hand forward, punching the orb with all her might, “Supernova!” Suddenly, the light burst into a blinding beam and struck the monster, dead center. A ‘BANG’ sounded, and the Osoroshii was engulfed in a yellow radiance.

The monster’s red light slowly disappeared, as if it were an eye closing. “Good Night!” It said groggily before it vanished in a flash.

Ran-Ran staggered to her feet, recovered for only a moment before the intense flash of Shine Supernova forced her to step back and shield her eyes.

“AUGH!” She cried out in surprise. When the light faded, she was met with not only the defeat of her monster, but the glass casket holding her captive breaking and the woman inside falling into the newest Pretty Cure’s arms.

The lavender-haired girl stomped her foot in anger. “NO! NO,” She yelled, knocking herself on the head lightly. “Encoru is never going to let me live this down,” she lamented through clenched teeth. Not wanting to watch the happy reunion in defeat, Ran-Ran disappeared.

“Nurse Masako!” Kirari cried in relief, quickly de-transforming to greet the Nurse as she woke up.

Thick lashes fluttered open, brown eyes focused on the girl staring back at them in worry. Masako smiled.

“You’ve come a long way, Kirari-Chan. Akio would be so proud.” She whispered, tenderly touching the idol’s cheek before losing consciousness once again.

~☆~

Back at Mahou Monogatari, Ms. Yumeno went about setting up a sleeping area for the girls, as it was far too late for them to walk back to their dorm. It was well past dark once the ambulance holding Nurse Masako and her family went off to the hospital.

“I can’t believe you called her ‘Sparkle Friend, Twyla!” Maika groaned at the fluffy lamb cuddled up in Kirari’s arms. “She has a name!”

‘Sparkle Friend’ chuckled at her friend’s embarrassment. She pat Twyla on the head, humming, “I don’t mind, Mai-Mai. Nicknames are fun. Plus, I could never get mad at this cute little angel!” Her hands scratched at pink wool, lulling the lamb into a sleepy daze.

“Don’t fret, Mochizuki. After all, it was Twyla who identified ‘Sparkle Friend’ as the next cure. Without that, who knows what would’ve happened?” Nighty spoke from his perch on a nearby bookshelf. “All that matters is the fact that we’ve gained a new precure,” He turned to Kirari and bowed in all his feathered glory.

“Welcome to the team, Kirari-San.”

Kirari smiled brightly and lightly bowed in return. “Who knew I’d start the school year like this?” She giggled. “‘Legendary Warrior’ is going to look great on my resume. Talk about a triple threat.” The girl joked, her friend laughing along at the faux arrogance.

Ms. Yumeno made her way over to the quartet. “I’ve got your futons ready, girls. Make sure to get some rest, you deserve it.” The roommates nodded and followed the kind old woman, snickering and whispering to each other.

“What are you two going on about?” Yumeno teased, amused.

“Oh, it’s nothing Ms. Yumeno,” Maika stated.

Kirari smiled cheekily, stopping and striking a dramatic pose. “Oh, but it isn’t, nothing, dear Mai-Mai!” She declared. “From this day forward, I, Hirano Kirari, deem you all official members of the Kira-Kirari Idol Posse!” The girl smiled, shining so brightly not even the full moon could rival her. “Everything really—Today has been…

“Totally super shining!”

#fuwapowertime!!

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