Chapter Text
It was a scene so foreign to her mind, yet one that seemed so familiar to her all the same. She stood facing a building, legs shaking. She looked up, seeing a small purple cat sitting atop. She watched as the cat jumped off and stared as it was a girl with dark purple hair who landed. Any sounds she heard in the background, Kanade fighting a Negatone alone, Hummy yelling, the Trio de Minor laughing, were all drowned out by the quiet steps of the girl as she approached.
She felt her legs start to buckle under her weight. She couldn't stop shaking and couldn't understand why. She looked at the girl, who stopped as her face was just in front of her own, and leaned in close.
"I should've known only one Precure would be trouble. You've just been dragging her down."
"W-what are you talking about!? We've been fighting together this whole time!"
"Then why is she fighting on her own?"
"W-we just got separated!"
"I meant, why is she fighting well enough on her own? Can't you see? She'd be fine without you. She's the one who belongs on this battlefield, not you. You're just a boy playing dress up."
She froze, tears starting to well up. "W...wha-"
The girl stared daggers into her. "At least she's a real girl."
Hibiki quickly sat up from her bed in a cold sweat. Her breathing was heavy and a few tears had streamed down her face. She looked at the clock, which read 3:17 AM. Hummy and the Fairy Tones were still asleep. What happened in her dream echoed in her mind. Eyes wide and heart still beating fast, she whispered to herself.
"...Ellen...?"