Chapter 5

Extra Case File 5 Collision of Flames

The flames soared high, with warm winds lifting Wono Hanako’s bangs. The shockwave from the explosion reached the surrounding crowd, who were gasping in astonishment. Before they could react, Hanako quickly drove the Melody Sword into the ground to conduct energy, filling the surroundings with light that restored the destruction of battle and dissipated the explosive blast.

“Gurugurugu—”

The sensitive hearing of the Pretty Cure caught an unusual freezing sound at the cellular level. Sharp-eyed, she observed a small, dark spot emitting cold air fall to the ground where the Final Monster had originally stood.

“PressFreezeCompleted (Compression Freezing Complete).”

The drained sensation within her body caused the suppressed pain to resurface. Hanako gritted her teeth, enduring until the warmth of light soothed everything from the battle.

It is over, then what next?

Hanako swept away the virtual sweat on her forehead, struggling to support her nearly collapsing body towards him.

Who are you?

“TIMEFIRE.”

“Eh?”

The red fighter approached her with crisp footsteps, a semi-transparent helmet with flowing data streams reflecting Hanako’s surprised face.

“Timefire.”

“This is my name… heh, haven’t heard of it?”

“Not…”

Kagari honestly responded, the strange name clearly different from the naming rule of Pretty Cure—if she had heard it, she would surely remember it.

“Is that so? It seems this world lacks Super Sentai.”

Hanako was about to speak further when her words were physically blocked as the man’s fingers, wrapped in combat attire, lifted her chin upward, leaving her unable to speak.

“Mmm…”

The forced raise of her chin made her feel uncomfortable.

“You dare treat Miss Yell like this, it’s unforgivable…”

Ignoring the murmurs of resentment from the spectators, Ash seemed to playfully fiddle with her head, inspecting Hanako’s disheveled face with disdain.

“Precure… Pretty Cure? Heh, interesting.”

After casually releasing her, he crossed his arms.

“The fireguard visor can give immense pressure.

“Do you know, Cure Yell?” He mentioned the name he noted from the fleeing pedestrians, speaking in a tone that seemed to resonate with some sense of familiarity. “This is all your fault.”

“Eh?” Hanako never imagined the other party would say such things.

“It’s because you protected them too well, so this is your fault.”

“You, you can’t accept that! That’s overly harsh!”

All I did was my duty; Pretty Cures protect those without the power to defend themselves. If they can’t do it, leave it to me—what’s wrong with that?

Do you want me to stand by idly while people die? Unforgivable!

“Hm, who knows?”

“YOU!”

The taller and shorter figures remained locked in confrontation. Onlookers, having learned their lesson, hid behind buildings, not daring to make a sound amidst such tension.

“Isn’t this town called Baozhi Town, right?”

As if mocking, the man raised his wrist, and the DV Guardian struck the V Commander, producing a clear sound.

“I’ll take it without reservation.”

“What?!”

It almost sounded like something from a villain wanting to conquer the world. However, upon reflection, Time Fire’s actions did align with a villain—attacking civilians and insulting Pretty Cure.

“What do you mean?” Hanako held the Melody Sword, her hand trembling, knuckles turning white.

“Exactly what it says—look, now you’re so ineffective that even the Final Monster didn’t put up much of a fight. Do you really have the ability to protect everyone now?”

“I … I’ll give it my all … I’ll protect everyone!”

“Would it help? Even if you tried your hardest now, you almost died just now, right?”

As Hanako’s expression deteriorated, Ash prodded her forehead.

“Anything is possible, anyone can be anything … those are just thoughts for middle school kids in dreams. Fool.”

“How dare you!” Hearing her efforts dismissed infuriated even the most patient person. Hanako pointed the Melody Sword at Time Fire.

“Clang!” Though the sword remained sharp, the energy-depleted wielder couldn’t advance further, and the blade was easily deflected.

“Heh.” A mocking chuckle. With a push, Yell, weakened, couldn’t hold her holy sword and fell to the ground.

So painful, so painful!!! Pain everywhere, as if broken bones embedded in muscles.

Struggling to rise, she sensed her limits being tested, failing repeatedly before collapsing again.

Unacceptable, unacceptable………

Straining to lift her head, it fell again.

Teardrops fell.

“Hey, what’s with these tears? Did you finally realize your uselessness and inability to protect anything anymore?”

“…”

Hanako stayed silent.

She refused to admit that his words were mere nonsense.

Yet, he was right… Is it because the wounds are too painful to think?

Time Fire’s words rang true—she couldn’t deny her current state.

“I……”

“Damn you!!!!”

A shout came from afar, shaking Hanako out of near-collapse.

A pink-haired girl in a middle school uniform, face flushed in anger, clenched her teeth at the red warrior before her in a desperate situation.

“Huh, so you didn’t leave, huh.”

What, there’s actually someone with guts among a bunch of cowards.

Dismissing her, Ash kept his gaze fixed on Hanako, acting as though the brave ordinary person didn’t exist.

“What right do you have! Sister Yell has always protected us, never retreating!!!!”

“You, this random intruder, how could you possibly understand! You’re just a punk relying on power who looks down on everyone else! What right do you have to criticize Yell, a real hero?”

“Bam bam bam!!”

With three shots, smoke rose around the girl.

“You have ten seconds to leave.” His tone turned ominous, seeming to herald something far darker.

“Now, starting count.”

“Ten.”

“No way! You, you if you have that courage, kill me!”

Perhaps it was genuine love for Yell or sheer fearlessness, but despite trembling from gunshot sounds, she stood, advancing towards Time Fire and Cure Yell.

“Halt.” The man’s voice lowered.

“This is an order!”

“No way!”

How dare you, standing in front of Sister Yell, how dare you belittle her with irrationality!

Gathering courage from her actions, her steps steadied, progressing cautiously then becoming a mad dash.

Finally, she positioned herself between Time Fire and Hanako, arms wide.

“If you want to hurt Yell, you’ll have to get past me!!”

Her determination met with Time Fire’s icy gun barrel pressed to her forehead.

“So, killing you is fine?”

“As you wish!!”

Fearful as she trembled, the girl didn’t back down, shouting defiantly with closed eyes.

Silence descended. Spectators hiding felt ashamed, eyes fixed on the standoff with the girl.

Time Fire looked at her, mask hiding his true emotions. Hanako’s difficult gaze held disbelief.

“You……”

“Yell sister, you always protected us, now it’s my turn!!”

Everything paused here.

Clap, clap, clap————

The girl awaiting death heard clapping instead.

That of Time Fire.

“95 points.”

Your courage deserves this score.

“That’s…” the girl was puzzled.

“As you see, I’m applauding you.”

Turning away to retrieve the debris at the Final Monster site, Time Fire picked up the remains.

“It seems I need to reassess my opinion. Not everyone is a coward running away. At least you aren’t.”

“Thank her, Yell, you saved your life.”

Throwing the compressed Final Monster into a special elliptical containment tank, Ash lifted his wrist control to the silver lips on his mask.

“V-REX, let’s go.”

“Roar!!!”

A roar echoed overhead. Nerves tightened once more. Everyone looked to its source.

Heavy footsteps shook the ground, giant mechanical shadows casting darkness over everyone.

The girl, once brimming with courage, now weakened and collapsed, lips moving silently.

Red stripes added color to the steel citadel, armored with a cannon, the mechanical dinosaur sprinted through city streets.

This shouldn’t exist in this era—such a monstrosity surpasses imagination.

Named “V-Rex,” this was the “gift” brought by obtaining Time Fire.

Time Fire leaped onto a dragon’s head.

“This story was somewhat satisfying, but—”

“Think about it later, Yell. Your ‘fan club’ is impressive, but don’t know for long.”

Then,

Crouching atop the dinosaur’s forehead, Ash shook his head.

“Ready to fight me? When healed then.”

Taking a step, covered under astonished gazes, V-Rex charged through the suddenly appearing light gate, vanishing beyond sight.

In stunned silence, minutes passed before the kneeling girl regained consciousness.

“Yell…”

Recalling Yell lying on the ground, glancing back revealed—

Nothingness behind her.