Chapter 196

Ninety-Third Chapter: Ash’s Victory

When Ash’s attention was diverted by ACE, the fairies seized the opportunity to crawl out of their pockets. Shivering with fear, they worried about calling out to their partners who were in such dire straits. However, the heavily injured girl could not help them now.

The fairies placed all their hope on this newly appeared mysterious Pretty Cure.

“How could someone treat a Pretty Cure like this? It’s too much! Mana… Mana truly saw him as a friend, Xiaolu!”

“Lan – Lan’s shoulders have swollen up… This is too cruel, Rash!”

“I hate him!” said Lance.

For some time, the fairies believed Ash when they saw his willingness to cooperate. They thought perhaps he had changed and decided to try trusting him. But no one expected it to end this way. How could that man who showed cooperation and occasional kindness be fake all along?

The fairies couldn’t understand why a human could change so drastically.

Explosions filled the sky; the fighting figures were no longer visible to the naked eye.

“They’re gone!?”

“No, they are continuously changing positions and engaging in high-speed combat! Hence, it looks like they’ve vanished.”

The fairies who had witnessed Ash’s merciless attack on Mana and the others understood how powerful Another Ryuga must be. This new Pretty Cure was able to match him, showing her immense strength!

“CureAce, please, you must win!”

Another clash, the flames from Another Ryuga’s dragon head were evaded as ACE spun around. His body collided with ACE like a spinning top, hitting her with double-fisted punches that echoed loudly with each impact. Despite being hit hard, Ash remained unfazed. In an unstoppable sweep, he forced her back!

“Nice work, CureAce! Is this the power of the ace?”

The two, after separating momentarily, both dug their feet into the ground, sliding backwards quickly, leaving deep trenches in the earth.

“This is what we call interesting!”

Seeing Ash become more excited instead of returning to his senses, ACE couldn’t help but clench her red lips, her emotions stirring.

Ketsu, did you say he wouldn’t let the world cry… Is that true?

Unsure of the reason, she recalled moments with Ash. Although his actions were chaotic and led her through a movie-like adventure, memories of the cake he gave her and his supportive words upon learning her identity made Akuri silent.

Suddenly, she began to understand why the other four Pretty Cures were eager to wake up the original Ash.

Despite his peculiar and often awkward behavior, he was definitely not the bad person he seemed now!

“Gah!”

In a moment’s distraction, Ash overpowered ACE, drawing his previously unused blade from behind. Charging with menacing intent, ACE dared not meet the blow head-on, only dodging and retreating.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong? You just thanked me, and now this?”

With her wrists aching, ACE lifted her hands to block a slash, seeing a face more terrifying than any Selfish Beast.

“Would you do it if I aligned completely against you? Don’t hesitate then.”

“So be it!”

She roared, her aura pushing Ash back. Calling forth her eyeshadow palette and inserting a new Love Kiss Rouge accessory, ACE summoned her personal weapon.

“Coloring, Love Kiss Rouge!”

The heart-shaped light emitted from ACE, transforming into a fine wand. Twirling the end knob, she extended a lipstick adorned with a fragrant aroma.

“Lipstick? That’s interesting indeed.”

Ash exclaimed, having seen countless worlds and weapons, yet using makeup as a weapon was a first for him, sparking his curiosity.

ACE charged at Ash, meeting him with a lipstick rod. Their blades clashed, sparking brightly, seemingly evenly matched.

“Ash, tell me!”

Stepping back, ACE lifted the lipstick, questioning him.

“Are you feeling pain now?”

“Pain? Sorry.” Ash twisted his neck, snapping his vertebrae audibly.

“Things like that don’t matter anymore.”

Fearless of death, would he fear pain?

Understanding dawned upon ACE. Taking a deep breath, she painted her lips with the lipstick, sending a kiss toward the man, which transformed into a massive beam aimed at Ash.

“Hearts Beating, Ace Shot!”

Standing still, Ash spread his arms, awaiting the attack. Empowered by Another Ryuga’s strength, attacks meant nothing to him.

“And you still haven’t learned your lesson.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Watching Love’s reaction to Ash’s ruthless attack, ACE remained vigilant.

When Ash sensed trouble, yellow heart-shaped light enveloped him, binding him tightly in vines that rendered him immobile.

Struggling, Ash found the resilient vines unbreakable, unlike brittle diamonds.

“Huh, clever move. If not directly harmful, it works.”

“Mm… uh… stop… painful.”

Perhaps her voice woke Love from her state. Staggering awake, she saw Red wrapping up Ash.

“New… Pretty Cure…?”

Eyes widening, Love realized there had never been five Heartcatch Pretty Cures.

“Now, hold your tongue.” Seeing the approaching danger, ACE hurried off with the others. “I can’t keep him restrained for long! We need to get out of here!”

Ding – Ding – Ding

ACE’s heart charm turned red and started flashing urgently.

Panicking slightly, though stronger than other Pretty Cures, Ace’s transformation lasted only five minutes. The red flash indicated her time was running out, not her rage meter filling.

Quickly, ACE gathered Rikka and Makoto, preparing to rescue the last. However, Ash ignited his dragon claw, burning away the vines. Passing through Four Leaves Asuka’s unconscious form, he lifted her gently.

“Sorry, according to the rules, I must take one.”

“Asuka Four Leaves is now mine.”

In this game, victory is mine.