Chapter Text
Tsubasa: Ngh…
Tsubasa: W-where am I?
Tsubasa rubbed his eyes tiredly, as if he’d just woken up from a very long sleep. He looked around the room and saw that he was sat in a classroom. Confused, he stood up. Where was he? He had no reason to be in a classroom, especially not sleeping. And, come to think of it, why was he alone? And where was Princess Ellee?
Tsubasa: Princess? Princess?!
No response. This made Tsubasa worried. Where on earth was the princess he’d sworn to protect? He decided to thoroughly investigate the room he was in, in hopes of finding any clues as to his whereabouts. All he found was a single piece of paper that said: Welcome to Hope’s Peak Academy, Yuunagi Tsubasa. You are the Ultimate Aerodynamicist. Wear this title proudly as you hone your skills in our wonderful institution.
Tsubasa: I’ve never heard of Hope’s Peak Academy before.
Tsubasa: And how did I get here in the first place? Surely I’d remember that.
Tsubasa: I wonder if there’s any other students that could explain the situation.
He left the room and the first person he saw was-
Tsubasa: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
Battamonda: I COULD ASK YOU THE SAME THING!
Tsubasa: I’m here as the Ultimate Aerodynamicist, but I bet you’re only here to cause trouble.
He grabbed hold of his Mirage Pen and Sky Tone but before he could transform, Battamonda cut him off.
Battamonda: Wait! I’m also here as an Ultimate. I’m the Ultimate Villain, a rather fitting title if I do say so myself.
Tsubasa: Oh.
Tsubasa: You don’t happen to know why I arrived here without any memories of the journey?
Battamonda: Nope. It’s the same for me. No clue how I got here.
Tsubasa: You haven’t taken the Princess have you? I can’t find her anywhere.
Battamonda: Sorry kid. I haven’t seen her in a while.
Battamonda: And even if I had, I would’ve taken her to the Undergu Empire already.
Tsubasa: Oh, yeah true. Thanks anyway, I guess.
Tsubasa: I’m going to see if I can find anyone else who might be able to help.
Battamonda: Sounds like a plan. I’ll probably stay here though.
Tsubasa: Sure.
Tsubasa still didn’t really trust Battamonda but at this point, there wasn’t really any reason to not trust him either. Worrying about Princess Ellee, he headed off elsewhere to see if there was a teacher or other student. He started walking through the hall until he encountered someone new. She had short, brown hair and brown eyes and appeared to be an athletic person.
Tsubasa: Hello! I’m Yuunagi Tsubasa, the Ultimate Aerodynamicist! What’s your name and ultimate?
???: I’m Misumi Nagisa! The Ultimate Lacrosse Player.
Nagisa: You, uh, don’t happen to know how I got here do ya? Haha…
Tsubasa: No, sorry. I’m in the same boat as you.
???: WE’RE DOOMED-MEPO
Tsubasa: Huh? What was that?
Nagisa: Ahahaha, it was just me! AAAAA WE’RE DOOMED-MEPO!
All of a sudden, a beige creature popped out of Nagisa’s blue phone holder keychain.
Nagisa: Mepple! What are you doing?!
Mepple: It’s fine-mepo! I can sense that this boy is also a precure-mepo!
Nagisa: Is he right? Are you also a precure?
Tsubasa: Yep! I’m Cure Wing!
Nagisa: Oh cool! I’m Cure Black!
Tsubasa: Well, it was nice meeting you! I’m going to see who else I can find!
Nagisa: Good luck, Tsubasa! I’m gonna do some more exploring over here.
After leaving Nagisa and Mepple, he found a second classroom, labelled classroom 1-A. Just as he approached the door, he heard some voices.
???: Wow! You’re a princess?
Tsubasa’s interest was piqued.
???2: Yep.
That didn’t sound like Princess Ellee but even still, this princess might know where his princess was. He entered the classroom to introduce himself to the pink-haired girl and the purple-haired girl.
Tsubasa: Sorry for interrupting but I couldn’t help but overhear that one of you was a princess?
???2: Yes, that would be me. I am Akagi Towa, the Ultimate Princess.
Tsubasa: I’m actually looking for a princess. Her name’s Princess Ellee. I don’t suppose you’ve seen her around?
Towa: No, I’m sorry. I hope you find her soon.
Tsubasa: It’s alright, thank you though. Oh, I should probably introduce myself as well, shouldn’t I?
Tsubasa: I’m Yuunagi Tsubasa, the Ultimate Aerodynamicist.
???: Oh cool! I’m Mishou Mai, the Ultimate Artist by the way.
Tsubasa: I’d love to see your art sometime, Mai!
Mai: Thanks Tsubasa! I hope you find your princess as well.
Tsubasa: I hope I do too! I’ll see you guys around, I’m going to continue looking around.
He left the other classroom, which looked identical to the one he woke up in, and continued in his exploration. He found a door and decided to head through; it took him to what looked like a dormitory area. Glancing around, he noticed two others having a conversation as well. One appeared to be dressed for a warmer climate and had long, red hair. The other was listening intently and had shoulder length, brown hair.
???: So, you’re a precure as well?
???2: Yep, Cure Flamingo.
???: Oh, that’s so cool! I love all animals so much!
Tsubasa: I’m not interrupting anything, am I?
???2: No, you’re all good. We were just introducing ourselves. I’m Takizawa Asuka, the Ultimate Big Sister.
Asuka: Though, I’m not actually a big sister. People just seem to view me like that.
???: And I’m Hanadera Nodoka, the Ultimate Helper!
Tsubasa: It’s nice to meet you both! I’m Yuunagi Tsubasa, the Ultimate Aerodynamicist. I heard you mention precures earlier, correct?
Asuka: Yep, I’m Cure Flamingo.
Nodoka: And I’m Cure Grace.
Tsubasa: It seems like most people here are precures then. I’m Cure Wing by the way!
Nodoka: Oh wow!
Tsubasa: Have you guys seen a princess around here anywhere?
Asuka: Do you mean Towa? I think she’s in a classroom or somewhere near there.
Tsubasa: No, I’ve met Towa already. I’m looking for a small, purple princess named Ellee.
Tsubasa: As her royal guard, it is my duty to make sure the princess is safe but I can’t find her anywhere.
Tsubasa: I hope she’s okay…
Asuka: Chin up, Tsubasa! I’m sure she’s fine.
Nodoka: And if, for whatever reason she isn’t, me and Rabirin will definitely help her!
Asuka: Me as well!
Tsubasa: Thanks guys! I’ll see you around!
He left the room and headed through the large double doors with a knife and fork sign. Tsubasa was getting pretty hungry and he figured there was probably food in there. Once he’d walked into the room, he saw several large tables and another doorway that probably led to a kitchen area. Then, he heard voices and headed towards them, hoping one of them knew where Princess Ellee was. There, he saw two girls with purple hair who seemed to be getting along pretty well.
???: The moon really is beautiful.
???2: Isn’t it?
???: I wish I could go up into space and see it.
???2: I’ve actually been into space before. Two of my best friends are aliens in fact. I do wonder how they’re doing.
Tsubasa: Sorry to interrupt you two ladies, but I was wondering if either of you have seen a small, floating princess?
???: No, I’m sorry. I’ll keep my eye out for you though.
???2: Me neither, but I’ll also look for her, don’t worry.
Tsubasa: It’s starting to seem like she might not be here. But I can’t give up hope. I will find her. I swore to protect her, I have to.
Tsubasa: That’s fine, don’t worry. Everyone else I’ve met here hasn’t seen her, so it’s seeming unlikely that she’s anywhere here. But I’ll keep looking!
???2: I hope you find her soon.
???: What’s your name, by the way? I’m assuming you’re also an ultimate and a precure, given that you’re here.
Tsubasa: Yes, I am! I’m Yuunagi Tsubasa, the Ultimate Aerodynamicist.
Tsubasa: I’m also Cure Wing!
???: I’m Tsukikage Yuri, the Ultimate Student. Also, Cure Moonlight.
Tsubasa: Ultimate Student? You must be really smart to have that title.
Yuri: I suppose so. I think they just ran out of ideas for my talent though, considering being a student isn’t really a talent. Being an aerodynamicist must also make you quite smart.
Tsubasa: I mean, I am a bird so I know quite a lot about how wings work in the wind.
Tsubasa transformed into his bird fairy form to prove what he was saying. He flew about the cafeteria for a bit before transforming back into a human.
???2: Wow, I’m guessing you’re from a different planet?
Tsubasa: I guess? I think it’s more like a different world, but I’m from a place called Skyland. What about you?
???2: I’m from Earth but I have two friends from different planets. Lala’s from the planet Saman and Yuni’s from the planet Rainbow.
Tsubasa: I’ve never heard of those planets, but they sound cool!
???2: They are. I’m Kaguya Madoka, the Ultimate Student Council President. Cure Selene once I’ve transformed.
Tsubasa: Wow, two moon themed precures with similar talents. What a coincidence!
Madoka: I think Yuri was right, whoever brought us here ran out of ideas. But everyone at my school does seem to think I’m a great president so I guess it’s not too inaccurate.
Tsubasa: Fair enough. You two seem lovely but I should probably get back to searching for the Princess.
Yuri: Sure, nice to meet you Tsubasa.
Madoka: I think I saw someone head into the kitchen earlier. They might know something?
Tsubasa: I’ll head there now, I was getting kind of hungry so I’ll see what food there is as well.
He waved goodbye to the two girls and headed towards the doorway at the back of the cafeteria. As he walked in, a sweet smell filled the air.
Tsubasa: Smells delicious in here. Is someone baking? I wonder if they’d share some with me.
He looked around to see if he could find the source of the enticing scent and hopefully ask for some. He spotted a brown-haired girl focused on decorating the cake in front of her. It appeared to be a white and gold heart with a large gemstone shape in the middle. He silently approached the girl, not wanting to accidentally ruin the decoration by scaring her.
Tsubasa: Wow… That looks so intricate…
???: Can I help you?
Without breaking her focus, the girl had noticed Tsubasa. She kept decorating as Tsubasa introduced himself and asked if she’d seen a small, floating princess anywhere.
Tsubasa: That cake looks really detailed, how long have you been working on it?
???: Not long, maybe about 20 minutes? I woke up here and decided to start baking for a sense of familiarity.
Tsubasa: I guess that makes sense. What is it supposed to be? I’m not sure I’ve seen anything like it.
???: It’s my Cure Module.
She pulled a similar looking object out of her pocket to show Tsubasa.
Tsubasa: Wow, that’s incredibly accurate, you’re really good at this!
???: Thanks! Wait, I’m not sure I told you my name. I’m Minamino Kanade, the Ultimate Musician. Though I’m also a good baker.
Kanade: I want to take over my parent’s cupcake shop when I’m older!
Tsubasa: That sounds like a great dream!
Then, something clicked in his head.
Tsubasa: Wait, did you say it was called a “Cure Module”? Are you also a precure?
Kanade: Oh, yes I am! I’m Cure Rhythm! I’m guessing you’re also a precure?
Tsubasa: Mhm! Cure Wing!
He pulls out his Mirage Pen to show Kanade, who looks in awe at it.
Kanade: By the way Tsubasa, would you like a slice of this cake when I finish making it?
Tsubasa nodded politely and Kanade smiled before returning to the decorations. He then noticed the red-headed person in the room, who was silently making some chocolates on the other side of the kitchen. He walked over to them and apologised for not noticing them earlier.
???: It’s fine, Tsubasa. I’m only really doing something similar to Kanade anyway.
???: Woke up in here, and started making chocolates. I usually make some for my sister because it cheers her up…
Tsubasa: That sounds amazing. You sound like a great brother.
???: Sister. Don’t worry though, people make that mistake often. One of my closest friends thought the same for a while until I became a cure alongside her.
???: I’m Kenjou Akira, the Ultimate Chocolatier.
Tsubasa: Nice to meet you! Anyway, I really need to keep looking for Princess Ellee. I’ll see you two later!
He waved goodbye and left the room. Heading back through the cafeteria and into the hallway, Tsubasa headed back towards the classroom he had woken up in to explore more around there. He found a room labelled “A/V room” and walked inside, hoping Ellee would be there. Instead he found three girls, all with purple hair. One sat on her own, looking like she wanted to join the conversation but didn’t know how. The other two were sitting on the other side of the room, talking to each other. He headed over towards the girl on her own and introduced himself.
???: Nice to meet you. I’m Hikawa Iona, the Ultimate Fighter.
Iona: If you’re looking for a princess, I’d ask the one with the lavender hair. She’s a royal guard so she might know something. Sorry I can’t help more.
Tsubasa: That’s fine, no-one here has seen her so far. Could I ask why you’re not joining in with their conversation?
Iona: I don’t really know how to…
Tsubasa: Just go over and say hi. I need to talk to them anyway so why don’t you come with me?
Iona: Sure.
The two headed over to the others and Tsubasa apologised for interrupting them. Neither knew anything about Ellee, unfortunately.
???: Sorry. I’ve never even heard of Princess Ellee. I’m usually defending the Trump Kingdom for Princess Marie Ange.
???2: I’ve never heard of her either, my apologies.
Tsubasa: Don’t worry about it! I just hope she’s okay…
???2: That’s understandable.
???: I felt the same when Princess Marie Ange disappeared after the Jikochuu took over.
Tsubasa: Did you ever find her?
???: It’s complicated… But I suppose that yes, we found her.
Tsubasa: I’m glad you found her, at least. What are your names by the way?
???: I’m Kenzaki Makoto, the Ultimate Royal Guard.
???2: And I’m Higashi Setsuna. I don’t have an ultimate…
Tsubasa: You don’t have an ultimate? How come?
Setsuna: No idea. The piece of paper next to me when I woke up didn’t give me one.
Tsubasa: That’s strange…
Setsuna: Mhm…
Tsubasa: Well anyway, I really should keep looking for the princess. I need to make sure she’s safe.
Makoto: That’s understandable. Good luck, Tsubasa.
Tsubasa waved goodbye to the trio and headed back into the hall. Looking around for any rooms he hadn’t been in, he spotted a sign for some sort of medical area. Curious as to what was inside it, he headed in. There, he saw two red-headed girls having a lively conversation. He headed over and introduced himself.
???: Nice to meetcha dude!
???2: Yeah, same here!
Tsubasa: You haven’t seen a small purple princess floating around anywhere nearby, have you?
???: Sorry bro…
The two shook their heads sadly, and apologised for not having seen her.
Tsubasa: Don’t worry about it. No-one else here has seen her so I don’t think she’s here. I hope she’s okay…
???2: Chin up! I’m sure she’s fine!
???: Yeah!
???: Oh, we should introduce ourselves as well, shouldn’t we?
???: I’m Hino Akane, the Ultimate Volleyball Player!
???: And I’m Natsuki Rin, the Ultimate Jewelry Designer!
Tsubasa: It’s nice to meet you both!
Just then, the monitor in the room turned on with a chime and a silhouette appeared on screen.
???: Ahem! Is this thing on?
???: Ah, good! It is! Please head to the gym for a special presentation by yours truly~
Tsubasa: Must be some sort of welcome ceremony. This is a school after all.
Akane: True, but I don’t think I remember ever signing up.
Rin: I don’t even remember how I got here.
Tsubasa: That’s weird, me too…
Tsubasa: Well, we should probably get going. It would be rude to keep them waiting.
The three of them left the nurse’s office and looked around for the gym. They saw a few others heading one direction and decided to follow them. With everyone gathered in the gym but no-one else to be seen, amble chatter began. Everyone introducing themselves and talking vaguely about how they don’t know how they got here.
???: Ahem!
The clack of maiko shoes could be heard on the stage in the gym and everyone turned to look towards it. There, they saw a woman with long red hair with a light pink ombre. Strands of her hair were tied into a bun on the right side of her head and held in place by a jewel with a red flame design attached to a gold stick. Her red eyes stared at the crowd of sixteen as she readjusted her dark red obi sash.
???: Good! You’re all paying attention to me now!
???: I’m Zakuro, and I’m in charge of you lot now that you’re here!
Zakuro: Don’t look so terrified! Your school life here will be wonderful!
Zakuro: Wonderfully despair-inducing that is!
She began to laugh while everyone looked at her with confusion. Tsubasa was the first to speak up.
Tsubasa: What does that mean, exactly?
Zakuro: You’re going to remain here for the rest of your sad lives. From now until you drop dead, you won’t be allowed to leave~
Tsubasa: Wh-
He looked around the room at everyone else, almost all of whom had had the exact same idea as he had. He pulled out his Mirage Pen and Sky Tone and prepared to transform. Most of the others had pulled out their various items and prepared to transform alongside him.
Rin: Precure! Metamorphose! The red flame of passion, Cure Rouge!
Setsuna: Change, Precure Beat Up! The crimson heart is the proof of happiness! Freshly-ripened, Cure Passion
Yuri: Precure! Open my heart! The flower that gleams in the light of the moon! Cure Moonlight!
Kanade: Let’s play! Precure Modulation! Strumming the tranquil tune, Cure Rhythm!
Akane: Precure! Smile Charge! The brilliant sun! Hot-blooded power! Cure Sunny!
Makoto: Precure, Love Link! L-O-V-E! The blade of courage! Cure Sword!
Iona: Precure! Shining Star Symphony! The star of hope glitters in the night sky! Cure Fortune!
Towa: Precure, Princess Engage! Princess of scarlet flames! Cure Scarlet!
Akari: Cure La Mode, Decoration! Chocolate! Strength, Love! Let’s La Mix It All Up! Cure Chocolat! Ready to serve!
Madoka: Star Colour Pendant! Colour Charge! Light up the night sky! With the secretive moonlight! Cure Selene!
Nodoka: Precure Operation! Raise the Element Level! Cure Touch! The two overlapping flowers! Cure Grace!
Asuka: Precure! Tropical Change! Fluttering Wings! Cure Flamingo
Tsubasa: Sky Mirage! Tone Connect! Soaring Change! Wing! Courage Soaring High! Cure Wing!
With a flash of colours and glitter, thirteen of the sixteen transformed. Nagisa and Mai explained that they couldn’t transform without their partners, and Battamonda explained that he’s not a cure.
Zakuro: Aww, how cute~ They think they’ll defeat me by transforming!
Zakuro: TORAME! Get out here and help me demonstrate our true power.
Torame: Okay!
From out of nowhere, a boy with spiky dark yellow hair that was tied into a low ponytail appeared. He landed next to Zakuro and nodded.
Torame: Alright then. If we’re going to demonstrate this now, then let’s get on with it.
All of a sudden, the two transformed into a pair of wolves. Zakuro was black, with a red and grey mane. She had a flame-like tail and white feet with flames attached. Her eyes were red and she wore a necklace with the jewel her human counterpart wore. Torame was also black but with a yellow and grey mane. His tail was yellow and flame-like and had white feet with flames attached. He also wore a necklace, identical to the one Zakuro had. The two snarled at the precures but they refused to back down.
Torame: If we could summon a gaogaon right now, you’d all be toast.
Zakuro: Hm, fine. If you won’t back down, we’ll have no choice but to surrender.
Zakuro: Although~ It’s not like you can get out of here anyway. Not even your special moves can bust this place down!
Tsubasa: …!?
Battamonda: Guys, I think they’re being serious. As a fellow enemy to the precures, I can tell that they’re not joking.
Tsubasa: He’s right. They’re strong opponents, and if they’re being serious about this place being immune to our powers…
Nagisa: We have no choice but to stay and get stronger. That’s what you were gonna say, right?
Tsubasa: Yeah.
Torame: You know… There might be a way we could let you leave.
Nagisa: FOR REALS?
Zakuro: Mhm! All you have to do…
Zakuro: Is kill someone and get away with it!
Rin: H-Huh?!
Towa: There’s no way that anyone will do that!
Zakuro: Say what you want, but mark my words. One of you will snap.
Nodoka: T-That’s not possible! We’re all precures! We would never stoop so low.
Torame: Then stay here for the rest of your lives! We’ve provided each of you with a personal room and gaonpad.
Akane: Gaonpad?
Torame: It’s like a phone, but without the ability to call anyone outside of this building.
Zakuro: It has many features to aid your killing school life! There’s a map of this building, a chat function for the other 15 you’re here with, profiles with information on your potential victim, and a place to store all the evidence you find once somebody has been killed!
Zakuro: Isn’t it wonderful~?
Yuri: Far from it.
Zakuro: Well, anyway~ You’ll find your gaonpads in your pockets! Enjoy your killing school lives!
And with that, the two wolves disappeared leaving everyone in the gym. They stood in silence, staring at each other with a mix of confusion and distrust. Tsubasa didn’t like this feeling, but how could he know if he could trust anyone here? How could he know that no-one wasn’t planning his murder this very second?
Asuka: Well! According to the gaonpad, it’s getting quite late into the night. We should all head to bed and discuss plans in the morning.
Nodoka: T-that sounds like a good plan but what if one of us dies before the morning comes?
Asuka: I don’t believe that anyone will. Let’s meet in the cafeteria for breakfast every morning. Then we can check that everyone’s still alive, how about that?
Iona: Sounds like a plan to me.
Makoto: Yeah. I’m going to bed at least. Good night.
They all headed towards the dorms and into their respective rooms, using their gaonpads to unlock the doors. Once he’d changed into the provided pyjamas, Tsubasa laid in his bed. He looked up at the ceiling and questioned everything he’d learnt in the past few hours. His biggest question was why. Why were he and 15 others here, and being subjected to this weird form of torture. And even with these questions swirling about in his head, he slowly drifted off to sleep.