Chapter 254

The Best Partners in the World

“Curses, what is this!”

The gigantic mutated whale construct was entangled by the Gasha Train, as Ash perfectly executed the act of landing the final blow on a fallen foe. He immediately drew out his mirror from behind and aimed it at it.

“Go, Another Dark Unpaired Dragon!”

The dark giant dragon ascended to the sky. Having recovered its strength, it had grown exponentially compared to when it was beaten by little girls before. Along with the Gasha Train, it wrapped its iron body around the whale while bitersteel fangs continuously tore off pieces of its skin.

Ai held Ash from behind as the six girls and one dog jumped onto the raging tentacles under the whale. They kept dodging the attacks while closing the distance to its core.

“Wild beasts stuck in the past, don’t interfere with me!”

With a renewed surge of resentment, the whale construct broke free from the two monsters and prepared to shake off the “ants” that dared to offend it. A white light stream shot up from below.

Wounded and screaming in pain, it started to fall. The light stream composed of rainbow particles pierced through the metallic body, leaving a thick trail of smoke.

“What was that just now?”

“Is this really the time to ask?” Ash quickly pulled Ai back a few steps. A falling tentacle hit the spot where she had been standing only moments ago, causing a shock.

But Ash still couldn’t resist glancing down, confused? No one had moved.

The opponent would not let them break into its body so easily. Everyone immediately faced severe counterattacks. At the critical moment, Makoto and others stepped forward to block the attacks.

“Mana, you go first. We’ll follow!”

Without any qualms, Ai turned around and rushed into the fog with Ash and Mallo.

Entering deep inside, the narrow passage’s journey was far from easy. Countless mannequins, household appliances, and abandoned items surged towards them like a tidal wave.

“Mana, over here!” Mallo leaped and stomped on her enemies’ heads. She bit off several plastic heads and threw them ahead to their left. “That guy is right here!”

“But there are simply too many enemies!”

Even though these foes were no match for her, their sheer numbers outweighed quality. Ai struggled to fend off multiple attackers.

The sound of an airborne sword made Ai anxious; she had no time to defend. But someone stepped in front of her first. Ash kicked the sword flying with his leg and grabbed the mannequin’s arm, spinning it around and throwing it at a new wave of emerging enemies.

“Watch your back!”

Standing back-to-back, Ash showed no fear. The battle expert, ignited with fighting spirit, clenched his fists and heard the cracking snap of his half-finger gloves.

“Yes, I will protect your back, Ash!”

“Then leave it to you.”

This was their first side-by-side fight.

“Haaah—!”

Ai punched a clear path, with Ash seamlessly continuing her strike. He kicked horizontally with both legs, sweeping through the incoming enemies, then flung them aside like shreds of material.

A giant composed from scraps charged at them. Both raised their palms firmly halting it, as Ai turned its punch away with grace. As Ash stepped in close, using a leg sweep akin to a guillotine, he severed the joint connecting to the punching arm. In an instant, Ai struck with lightning-fast punches, reducing the giant to rubble.

Their synchronized moves revealed not a single flaw in the battle. Not only was Ash’s combat intuition exceptional, but Ai, his partner, also matched each step. Their cohesion reached unparalleled heights.

“Haaaahhh—”

In the moment they landed, the iron fists enveloped in pink aura divided all the enemies before them, opening a path.

“I’m so happy!”

Exhausted yet elated, Ai ran and fought, her face lit with genuine joy.

“To run with Mallo again!”

“Bow-bow!”

“To fight alongside Ash for the first time!”

“Hmph!”

The seclusive gear gun in Ash’s hand pointed directly at Ai’s head. The charming girl tilted cutely to the side to dodge, resulting in the mannequin behind her being shot off.

“Watch her back.”

Smilingly, Ai struck out at Ash, the wind from her fist lifting her dark hair. The wooden effigy attempting a sneak attack met a devastating punch, dispersing it.

“You too.”

Though this was their first team-up, their actions were flawless, as if they had known each other for years. In the midst of battle, they grew incredibly familiar with each other’s every move.

They were the best partners ever!

“This is it!”

They reached the heart of the construct. Suspended in the air, the clarinet was channeling energy into the enormous construct.

“Cursed, what was that attack? My circuits… How could they have broken into me?!”

“Heart! Ash!”

From behind, the rest arrived via the newly created path. Without further ado, the Pretty Cures summoned their newfound power.

“Let’s go, Crystal Mirror (MagicalLovelyPad)!”

A burgundy tablet materialized in the girls’ hands. This device represented one of the three sacred treasures obtained through trials, evolving from a historic compact mirror suited for modern use in the form of a tablet.

“Are you talking about this new power?” Ash turned his head, intrigued by the fresh weapon of choice.

“We were planning to show this to Ash first.”

Akuri seemed disappointed they hadn’t used it on him yet.

“Pass on our powers, CureHeart!”

Several cards appeared on the tablet. The other four Pretty Cures projected card powers toward Ai’s MagicalLovelyPad, merging into a golden heart card.

“PrettyCureLovelyStraightFlush!!!” (Heart-Shaped Flush)

With immense focus, Ai touched the card, sending the golden heart aimed at the clarinet, which emitted a streak of rainbow光芒。