Chapter 405

Chapter 140: The False Kamen Rider

“[Dominateup!]”

“[Add! Dominateup! Batta (Grasshopper)! Scorpion (Scorpion)! Anomalocaris (Anomalocaris)! Condor (Vulture)! Genomix!]”

Four twisted energies from the belt spread throughout his body, and with countless torturous electric currents coursing through him, Ash clenched his teeth against the pain as four heavy gene armors covered his body.

The spines of Anomalocaris for punches, the tail stinger of Scorpion, the hind legs of Batta transformed to reverse joints, and the steel wings of Condor—these four reinforced armors turned Timons into a living monster in front of Lily.

“Quad-Gene Armors… Hmm… It seems I really am an idiot.”

But now he found himself with a tiny bit of a chance to compete with the current Pretty Cure.

“!”

Facing the trembling Lilypads of Lily, the bulging muscles on Grasshopper’s foot tensed up like twisted cords. At an exact moment, all the power was released, sending Ash’s body flying like a shot from a cannon towards Lily, colliding with force powerful enough to shatter the street lamps and send shockwaves outwards.

Without pause, the two engaged in nonstop punching, their fists crashing like machine guns. The air around them was filled with the sound and the shock waves carved semicircular pits around them.

With her wings flapping behind her, Lily sprang forward and kicked with a crescent-like motion, evading Ash’s body but catching his back wings instead, sending him spiraling downward headfirst.

Despite the aerial assault, neither paused in their exchange, each punch and kick landing with devastating impact, causing the air around them to waver.

“Boom!”

When they landed back on the ground, the stalemate continued with Lily gritting her teeth. Ignoring the pain shooting through her hand from the Anomalocaris blade, she wrestled with the twitching blades, forcing them apart.

“Snap—snap—snap—”

High frequency use caused the bladed tips hanging from the Anomalocaris blades to fall off and scatter at their feet.

“Aah~ Despite everything, the skill gap is still too large. You can take pride in that, but Lily—”

A few inches away, Spider-head moved close enough to almost touch noses with her.

“Even at this level, you still lack.”

“Wh—why!?” Lily’s voice broke through tears. “What do you expect from us?!”

“I’ve only ever expected one thing: your strength.”

“You’re lying!” Lily tightened her grip, and cracks formed on the Anomalocaris blade. “Lying, lying, lying, lying—lying! Ahhh!!”

For someone usually so composed, the moment something they couldn’t tolerate was violated, the explosion of rage and despair was overwhelming.

Thrown back by forces beyond resistance, Ash crashed into the wall but remained kneeling on the ground, blood-streaked visor reflecting the damage to his control panel.

“I can’t hold on anymore—this burden will soon consume you!”

“I know!” He pulled out the stolen Heart Seed quickly. “One of the motives, yes!”

He pressed hidden buttons on the helmet, the jaw armor dislodging and landing loudly. Ash removed a seed and, before Lily’s eyes, chewed it down.

“Crunch, crunch, swish~”

With sudden vitality surging through him, it matched the force from the Heart Tree. This light yet benevolent power balanced out the darkness in his body.

“Haah… Relying on her power, I’m such a useless man!”

“Ash…”

Lily, ready to chase him, caught sight of his bleeding mouth. The most striking feature was his bloody smile despite it.

Why do you keep fighting even after this? Is there something I did wrong?

Her weakened resolve filled her with emotions, wanting to end the conflict.

“Ah…” Sorrow surged, bringing her closer to breaking point. Exhausted, she fell to her knees, unable to shed more tears.

“Earlier, you said the store owner was incredible… How could this happen?”

Her finger, encircled by a ring which had since dimmed in brilliance, trembled.

Suddenly reminded of Dark Pretty Cure, new revelations flooded her. But Lily wanted none of it.

So, this is defeat… Losing, is it me?

“That won’t do. If you’re weak—”

A ghostly voice echoed beside her, making her instinctively swipe but missing.

“Wh—”

Only air met her strike. Standing there, embedded into the ground, was the Scorpion’s tail. Ash had used his tail to launch himself behind Lily just prior to being attacked.

Ash realized CureMoonlight’s strength was no small feat, even for four layers of Timons armor. But Lily seemed to have lost composure due to various reasons, simplifying the problem: all Ash needed was to bait her out… to find the flaw!

“[Charge]! [DemonsFinish]!”

Thus, now—

Rapidly pushing the drive belt, demonic aura ignited over him, his spider limb-embellished fist struck Lily’s unprotected back, immobile from corrupting force.

“[More]!”

Immediately, Ash seized the opportunity, again pressing hard on both sides, finishing with a powerful move.

“[Batta (Grasshopper)! Scorpion (Scorpion)! Anomalocaris (Anomalocaris)! Condor (Vulture)!][DemonsRequiem (Timons Requiem)]!”

Armors dissipated onto particles, concentrating onto Ash’s right leg. From there and his back, spider legs extended, concentrating all power into a single spinning kick impacting Lily’s waist.

Infused with immense force, Lily, rendered disoriented, was tossed half a circle before crashing into the ground, creating ruts. Crimson energy had stained her silver purple outfit. Dark lightning paralyzed her, leaving her motionless before Ash.

“How… how is this…”

“So, you’re not strong enough.”

“But I have an idea.” Ash offered his hand amidst Lily’s disbelief. “Even without reason, why don’t you join me?”

“If you come, I can provide the safety a woman needs.”

…

Lily looked bewildered at the masked figure. Hearing Ash’s changed voice, she reached out hesitantly to the offered hand.

Yes, if she held onto his hand, Ash would be there guiding her, providing her peace. But…

To abandon her promise to become Pretty Cure for him, the meaning of everything he had taught her, all those days and emotions, what would it signify then?!

“This can’t be!”

“Alright,” Ash took his hand back, seemingly unperturbed. Rather, understanding gleamed in his eyes.

“You should stay like this; they need you now. With the task complete, now wait until that thing is delivered to me. Next…”

Turning to leave, Ash didn’t notice Lily’s hand reaching out to stop him. His shadow, silhouetted by the moon, lifted two fingers in farewell.

“Ciao~”

Ash was nowhere in sight.

Looking at the ruins around her, she felt disoriented—could this be a memory lapse?

Yet… the reality was undeniable.

Her emotions—confusion, resentment, anger—culminated in her gripping the dirt-stained fists beneath her, pounding on the ground with bitter anger.

“Ahahahaha——!!”

Her cries resonated, reaching the sad moon above.