Chapter 446

Chapter 181 Destiny · Showdown

Déjà vu.

It’s already been so many times that it feels like it’s just padding the word count at this point.

Created as a clone, a battle machine, their sole purpose was to defeat their original self, with no other meaning in existence, never having the chance to experience any joys of life, only to die at the hands of their original self in the end.

Perhaps there were just too many occasions like this, so Ash could empathize with her loneliness and find déjà vu in Dark Pretty Cure.

“Once again, a clone named ‘Shadow,’ known as ‘Blackbeet,’ was created to fight against the hero called Bluebeet, nearly identical to you.”

“Even though there were countless opportunities to turn back, ‘Shadow’ never repented, until the very end, when Light and Shadow perished together in combat, and as a clone, ‘Shadow’ died utterly meaningless.”

Ash paused for a breath, seemingly to emphasize his statement.

“No one remembers anything about him except me and Dead Enemy Bluebeet!”

“It was then I realized that neither Shadowmoon nor Blackbeet deserved such fates!”

Even as warriors knowing death on the battlefield, they must not die like that!

Hearing Ash’s words, Little Dark seemed to feel that same strange déjà vu, subconsciously embracing the doll in her arms, causing cotton to leak out from the patch’s tear once more.

“L-little Dark… No, Dark Pretty Cure, listen. I can make up countless excuses to deceive you, lure you aboard my ship again with your name on it.”

As he spoke, the man couldn’t help but cup her cheek with his hand, gently stroking her smooth green hair, making her unique eyes, like those of a Persian cat, meet his gaze.

“But you’re my friend, not my enemy. It wouldn’t be fair to you if I schemed against you just because I helped Pretty Cure.”

“After all, you’ve always said if you didn’t trust me, you could stab me in the back.” The man laughed. “Since I’m still alive now, and you trust me, I must trust you too.”

“Therefore, I’ve told you everything including my mundane thoughts, handing over the choice to you. Whatever decision you make, I won’t interfere; I’ll bear witness to it.”

The sincerity in Ash’s tone conveyed neither command nor plea, but genuine emotion rarely seen.

“My actions are entirely determined by myself. Though I don’t consider myself insane, I certainly cannot be considered normal either — so little Dark, you not trusting me is perfectly fine.”

“However —”

The first feeling he inspired was heartfelt joy.

Next came an overwhelming sense of panic, unlike any felt even in the heat of fierce battle, accompanied by —

Fear.

Leaving aside trivial matters, everything she had done since being born as Dark Pretty Cure was largely driven by orders, including making Ash a friend and counting him as one of two important people in her life, both decided easily.

Doing something based on her own will? She never had a chance to do that!

Dark Pretty Cure looked at Ash with desperate confusion seeking a lifeline.

“Do you think it would be better if I stayed with you? I don’t want this…. But I don’t want to ignore or stand idly by either!”

Please just tell me! Tell me what I can do, and I will have the courage to act!

“No, there’s one thing I won’t ‘tell’ you, little Dark. You’re no longer just a combat machine but a person who can think and act independently.”

Unlike the lost girl, Ash’s pupils now burned with resolute determination.

“So this time, you have to decide yourself!”

The girl, scared as never before, curled herself into his embrace, her favorite doll’s creaks growing louder and harsher.

“I don’t know…. If you ask me, I have no idea what to do!”

“I don’t understand… I don’t…”

Facing such intense stress from her actions, Ash’s silence lasted a moment before he finally gave in,

“If you really want to hear my opinion…,”

“If you’re unsure, don’t act. At least then… you’d still be alive.”

A trace of grayish light appeared in her eyes.

——— Pretty Cure Separation Line———

“Tsukikage, are we good?”

“I don’t know….” Moonlight Lily sighed deeply, her whole body exuding fatigue like after battling numerous Desert Apostles. “After returning home, Mom quietly held Dad close while crying and saying they had finally reunited.”

“Isn’t that great? So why is something off?” Lei sensed it was complicated, as Tsukikage’s furrowed brows hadn’t relaxed.

“The key issue is with Dark Pretty Cure.” Lily wasn’t sure if she should appear angry or sad. “Dark Pretty Cure is indeed a clone made from my genes by Dad when he was Shabak, technically my half-sister.”

Coming back after years away, discovering a sister almost her daughter’s age didn’t drive the mother to kick her out on the spot, truly showing their depth of love.

“Also, Dad didn’t treat her purely as a tool. Therefore, as I am now…”

Unable to stop herself, she clutched her head in agony.

Kuron, Ash… please any of you, tell me how to face this former enemy, now another aspect of myself!

Crack!

While everyone pondered, a crow’s feather pierced through the window, shattering the glass and embedding itself beside Lily.

“What’s this?!”

The shock made everyone jump, especially Lily, whose expression worsened when she pulled out the feather.

“This carries Dark Pretty Cure’s aura, she left a message meaning to say —”

Upon hearing the message, the other Pretty Cures hurried to gather around to decipher it.

‘To CureMoonlight, mutual burden-sharing between us is pointless, our destinies dictate it.’

‘It’s time to settle this. At the designated location today at dusk, XXXX, it will just be the two of us. Only one will emerge victorious.’

‘CureMoonlight, Tsukikage Lily!’

Her palm clenched tightly.

“She wants destiny’s challenge from me…”

Wasn’t it said that someone destructive like Doon was coming to destroy Earth? Yet here it was…

The broken feather drifted slowly out of her hand.