1399/The Cruel Fate of Cure Kinder Egg

The Cruel Fate of Cure Kinder Egg
Date of Scene:	10 April 2024
Location:	Penguin Park - Penguin Playground
Synopsis:	Phantom manages to mirror Cure Kinder Egg - unfortunately, she is able to get help in the form of Ginga Kingu, Sailor Mars and Guardian Daifuku - who drive Phantom off. But what to do with the mirrored Cure and her Compact?
Cast of Characters:	Phantom, Chiyo Sakai, Sugata Shindo, Rei Hino

---

Phantom has posed:
Rising gracefully into the air, the ribbons and dress of the light browns and yellows Cure Kinder Egg crosses her arms, turning the device on her wrist, "SURPRISE LUCKY EGG!" she calls out. In front of her, a large egg appears, and with a kick it is sent flying towards the ground.

On the ground, the egg flies towards a figure in white. The lanky teen with dark red hair gives a soft 'tch' of disappointment as he lashes out with his sword, sending out a brighter red slice of dark energy through the air that crashes into the egg, causing it to explode in a bright flash of light and smoke, as he tracks Cure Kinder Egg's descent to the ground.

Unable to run and feeling herself overwhelmed, Cure Kinder Egg tapped her device and sent out a message on the Cure Line. "This is Cure Kinder Egg, if you're hearing this, I'm in real danger at Peguin Park and need help! Please hurry!"

"Calling for help isn't going to save you." Phantom replied as he raised his bracer arm towards the Precure. "It is far too late for that." Another slash of his sword, and the red energy wave crashes into the Precure, causing her to scream out as she is held in place, frozen to the spot, her wrists and ankles trapped in red energy that interrupted her henshin, catching it in the glow of yellow around her of mid-transformation.

With her held in place, Phantom closed the hand on his bracer arm. "Eternal Gauge!" Four lances of energy whipped out from around Phantom and when they reached the Precure, they wrapped around and combining with her bonds, a flash of magic. And Cure Kinder Egg is gone.

In her place is a mirror in the shape of a coffin, colored in black. Within the mirror is the darkened form of Cure Kinder Egg, her outfit wrapped around her still trapped in that glowing mid-transformation. Her arms are lifted across her chest, settling with hands folded beneath her chin, arms crossed at the wrists. Across the front of the mirror, five red ribbons hold fast, keeping the mirror closed.

Clattering onto the ground is Cure Kinder Egg's sweets compact. The pact resembles a white and pale pink cake held together by a star-adorned piece on back. The top and middle has cream decoration, a hot pink star gem on the front while a gold medallion depicting a cake sits on top, surrounded by stars. Swirled around the top are sections of color coming in pastel green, blue, purple, violet, pink, orange, and yellow.

And with that, the dreams of a Precure came to an end, brought into a dreamless slumber. No longer would Cure Kinder Egg dream of wanting to be a cheerleader and acrobat, or hanging out with her friends or visiting the beach or graduating high school. All she was now is...

"Another addition for the graveyard." Phantom comments, bringing his arms towards his sides as he starts to move towards the mirror and device to collect his prizes and bring them to his pocket dimension to be safely stored away. A small tch at the fact that she had to land almost a football field away as he starts to cross the 100 meters to get to the mirror and device.

Cure Fortune (205) has posed:
Not too far from Penguin Park, everything was tranquil when suddenly Iona receives Cure Kinder's message through the Cure Line. It has been a while since the purple Precure has heard her voice, the last time they met when she stumbled on her being ganged on by two twin brother Terribads. A purple flash later and Iona has transformed, instantly taking out her Cure Line and quickly yelling "I am coming, Cure Kinder!", flying at speed towards Penguin Park once the bow on her back has expanded into wings.

Except when she gets there, only another failure and victim of the Phantom Empire awaits her. And most of all, standing there, it's him, Phantom, the stronger general of the Phantom Empire and Queen Mirage's right hand man, as well as the hunter of Precures everywhere.

Iona grits her teeth as she realises that another Precure is going to be brought into his Graveyard if nobody does anything. From her position overhead, Iona spins the dial of her Love Prebrace, the energy that gathers into her fist, exploding and propelling her towards the man in white, trying to take his attention away from the Precure he just mirrored. "Fortune Star Burst!", Iona yells, the fiery fist on a collision course with Phantom.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Guardian Daifuku wasn't a precure so had no way to hear this particular call for distress. She was however someone that often patrolled this particular area given it was an area that often saw quite a lot of trouble. After her own recent 'issues' she could use to find some trouble to vent some frustration.

At least that had been her thought when she began her nightly patrol only for it to prove rather uneventful. Her path had doubled back where she'd began about to seek turning in for the night when the flash of magic sparked from the area of the park drawing her attention.

"Well *something* is going on, finally."

Curiosity and a desire to help both bring her leaping along the rooftops toward the familiar park area in time to see Cure Fortune launch herself at the unfamiliar figure of Phantom.

She lands from a leap nearby with her Kine hoisted over her shoulder at the ready. It only takes a quick glance to spot the mirrored girl which doesn't exactly leave hre feeling good about it. Unsure of what else to try, while Cure Fortune attacks, she steps forward to swing the mallet at the mirror hoping it would break and free the girl inside.

Sugata Shindo has posed:
Sugata Shindo does not have access to the Cure Line. Of course he doesn't - he's fairly new to Tokyo, and frankly, he's never even heard of a Pretty Cure. But Penguin Park is a fairly popular area in Pikarigaoka and he's been informed that it's a good date spot.

(What anyone expects him to do with that information - well, it's not beyond him, but the one date he invited Wako out on... well, it hadn't exactly convinced him to try being more romantic, that's for sure.)

It is a nice place, though. He's never been to the zoo, or an actual museum; now that he has the opportunity, it'd be a shame to waste it. Between his plans for cleaning up the kendo club and Wako being more proactive with her ambitions, he'd have to figure out a good day for the three of them to make their way back here...

It's in the midst of these thoughts that Sugata hears the distant sound of yelling. A glance around the park reveals trouble at the playground.

"Apprivoiser!"

In just a few moments, Ginga Kingu arrives, glowing white Star Swordo Diamant in hand, and after a quick survey of the scene, launches forward with a strike aimed at Phantom's back.

Rei Hino has posed:
    Rei had a brief time away from the shrine in order to process paperwork, adn was already in a sour mood, and going to Penguin Park was supposed to be a refresher before she went to contend with tourists and people who didn't want to actually... do things at the Shrine. She in fact had a bag of shopping with a small plushie in a paper bag sticking out of it as she looks out over the park.

    In other words, it was pure coincidence that the Guardian of Flame and Passion just happened to be in the park today.

    There was screaming, and she ducked behind a handy stand, looking over her shoulder as she mutters "I knew I had a bad feeling about today!"

    she grips her pen in her pocket, stills her thoughts, and after a brief flash of fire, it's Sailor Mars who comes running out from behind the stand, ready for combat.

    Behind the stand, tucked into a support beam was the paper bag with the plushie poking out of it, and 'DO NOT TOUCH - OR ELSE!!!' written on the bag.

    Worth a shot.

Phantom has posed:
Cure Fortune. A consistent thorn in Phantom's side, as she comes flying in with the Fortune Star Burst, he's forced to turn his attention away from his prize in order to defend himself from Iona's rushed attack. His bracer is brought forward, crossed beneath the sword arm as the Star Burst slams into the shield full-force, knocking Phantom back a few feet as he slides to a halt. "Are you in that much of a rush to join her, Precure? I'm willing to grant you that mercy!"

His sword is lashed out, sending a burst of red energy lancing out to strike out towards Cure Fortune as he prepares to move, suddenly rushed forward, a blur of energy that appears right in front of the girl to drive a fist into her stomach, his other hand grabbing a hold of Iona to throw her.

As Daifuku swings the mallet around at the mirror, it slams into it with a resounding 'KRAK!' that echoes throughout the park. It was a really satisfying sound, but when the mallet is pulled back - there is no visible damage. The mirror was still in perfect shape.

The girl inside is not disturbed, in her peaceful rest, unmoving, her face on placid reflection of the joys she had in life. And at Daifuku's feet is the Precure's device.

Just as he was about to throw Cure Fortune, he senses the rush at him from behind, the soft noise of the machinery, and he twists about. Instead of Ginga Kingu getting to come at Phantom's exposed back, there's suddenly a purple Precure in his path, even as Phantom is using her as a shield to move in the opposite direction that Sugata diverts into.

Sugata Shindo has posed:
There's a muttered curse, and Sugata pulls the blow, swinging his star swordo back and to the side, covering his lef. With his other hand, he snatches the girl currently flying for him, drawing her close to try and stop an ungainly collision.

Their bodies still collide - but she isn't cut in half by an energy sword, so there's that, right?

"Are you alright?" The question is gruff - Ginga Kingu is already regaining stance, shifting to where Phantom dived away, trying to cover his exposed side.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Guardian Daifuku jerks her arms back trying to keep the reverb from that hit from shaking her grip. Given the mirror hadn't budged she'd definitely felt that impact. The Kine drops forward, resting on the ground as she just stares at the complete lack of ANY damage to it with a stricken expression. There was no other way she could try to free the girl herself.

Her gaze drops down to the mallet and as she does the colorful pretty cure device is spotted. Maybe... that would help. At least it wouldn't go with the person who was trying to kidnap this mahou. Without thinking more on it she bends to scoop it up and immediately drops it into a pocket of her apron where it would remain safe for now.

Turning her attention back to the fight in time to see Sugata catch the girl that had been thrust in front of him (thankfuly without either being injured) she grimaces. Her attention shifts just a bit as she calls out to the other Pretty Cure, "Is there a way to free them from this? I can't purify this way!"

Not without making someone eat. That was the drawback of her magic. Her purification was meant mostly for allies after all.

With Ginga Kingu and Cure Fortune currently entangled that left her the only one to possibly attack quickly.

Without another word she leaps forward swinging the Kine out to SLAM it into the ground with a cry of, "BAIN MARIE!"

The ground cracks as jets of steam burst forth aiming for Phantom.

Rei Hino has posed:
    Mars looks over the chaos -- Sugata catching the girl, the coffin-shaped mirror, and she takes a deep breath as Phantom gets a steam bath.

    This... really isn't great. If someone can capture magical girls -- what's going to stop them from catching Senshi as well? Well that's just not going to sit well with Sailor Mars.

    And that's when to Daifuku's left side, there's a burst of flame to accompany the steam burst from the kine, arcing around in a spiral and reaching out to Phantom to provide a spicy follow-up to the Bain Marie attack!

    The dark-haired Sailor Mars comes down for a landing, crouching as she looks to the mirror and then to Daifuku.

    "I can try, but I need to get close enough and have cover to do so." she comments to the Culinary Guardian, and then withdraws and Ofuda from her sleeve.

    "The more distance between the mirror and the monster, the better!"

Phantom has posed:
As Ginga Kingu is dealing with Cure Fortune, Phantom leaps backwards again, just as the ground erupts beneath him. Ugh, another defensive move he has to make, using the bracer to deflect most of the blast as steam rises from his clothing when he is knocked back by the ground eruption. A twist and landing on the ground, Phantom turns things to offense as he thrusts his hands out.

But before he gets that attack off, there's a burst of flame that catches him from the side, knocking him to the side and sending him into a shoulder slide before he pushes himself to his feet.

Becaus Sailor Mars is right, he's getting pushed further and further back from the mirror - and now the Precure device is missing and he's not sure who grabbed that. There's a grunt of frustration for him as his sword comes around and is lifted. "Fine. This is the way I need to deal with this... then..." A slash forward, and lightning leaps from behind him in the color of red.

It streaks out towards everyone, dark magic blasts that look to land a strike on them as he regains his bearings for a last attempt to go after the mirror.

Sugata Shindo has posed:
As Ginga Kingu is getting himself and Cure Fortune sorted (throwing an entire human at another entire human leaves a good amount of sorting to do, even when one human catches the other. Who knew!), attacks are flying - enough to get distance between their band of fighters and the enemy at large.

A fact the enemy clearly doesn't care for, because there's red lighting streaking towards them.

"Everyone," he snaps, a note of authority in his voice. "Get over here with me, or handle it yourself."

It? What exactly is it -

"King's Pillar!"

And a pillar of blue-white light crashes down around all of them, an overwhelming force power that strikes before the lightning can, separating the four heroes - and the mirror - from the villain.

It also destroys the ground, and any parts of the playground that are caught in the blast. Whoops! It also, might, if Phantom is not careful, crush him into the ground as well.

Not his problem.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Fire. Fire was something Daifuku knew rather well, and though she feels the heat of it shoot by toward Phantom as it passes her, she doesn't flinch. Fire was familiar. Even if it wasn't her own.

When Sailor Mars joins her she nods firmly at the girl in agreement as she shifts the weight of her mallet in hand. "I can carry it," she assures trusting in her own strength to get the mirror to safety.

A step or two is taken to the mirror to grab hold of it visibly hefting it up with strain. It moves though. Raised up in her grip she nods firmly at Mars, whom she was unfamiliar enough with but trusting due to the suit she wore. Only one group of girls wore THAT suit which she knew of.

"Moving then," she assures just in time for Sugata's cry to reach her ears.

Eyes widening she blurts to Mars, "Get near him QUICK!" Her own advice is taken as she bolts closer to him carrying the mirror with her in spite of the edge bumping against her cheek so hard it digs in and cuts in the process.

Rei Hino has posed:
    Mars isn't going to argue if someone wants to tank some lightning, her eyes had gone wide, and she was preparing for impact when the call goes out to stand behind Ginga Kingu -- and she's happy for the cover.

    The white light crashes down, momentarily blinding Rei as she lifts a gloved hand to shield her eyes. Count the breaths. One. Two.

    Move.

    She turns from the cover provided by the King's Pillar, and she goes on the attack -- Mars *is* the senshi of War, after all -- and she cooly executes her next moves, leaping out as she brings her hands together, index fingers out. Fire alights to her fingertips, and she concentrates her power, feeling the flame surge through her before she unleashes in a spiraling fire attack to follow up -- just in case King's Pillar missed. They had the mirror -- she could try an ofuda afterwards!

Phantom has posed:
After unleashing the lightning, Phantom was ready to move in on the offensive, just to realize that there's a giant pillar of energy that slammed down into the ground, destroying his lightning and he catches the edge of it as he grunts and is pushed back several feet along the ground, and fortunately already has his shield up as Mars' fire comes in, striking home as well.

Two massive, heavy attacks, that would have taken down most enemies. And after the smoke and fire clear?

Phantom is still standing, smoke rising from the scuffed bracer, his clothing singed, a burn mark on his face. For a moment, he considers pressing the attack. If that's the best that they can do, he may still be able to -- no. In this case, he does not want to give away everything. "Fine. Keep the mirror." he smirks slightly. "She's not going anywhere to help anyone."

With that, he leaps back, opening a portal shaped like a coffin. For a moment, one can make out the drab grey and purple field in the background. Amethyst crystals jut out of the ground at random angles and intervals. And among the field and amethysts?

More of those black mirrors. Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds. Each one of them a girl (sometimes two - thanks Cure Rome!) - caught in mid transform, quiet in their case. Trapped by red ribbons. So many girls.




And with the portal opened, he's stepping backwards into it, closing it up before anyone can try to force it open, or press an attack.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Guardian Daifuku closes her eyes tight against the lightning, and Kings Pillar, so that she doesn't end up blinded. She's safely behind Sugata though taking his word that 'stay by me' meant he would protect them from that attack. A good thing, because the *last* time she'd been hit by that much dark energy she'd been poisoned by it for a week at least.

Once her gaze opens again it's in time to see Sailor Mars press her own attack sending Phantom recoiling. A half-step forward is taken with the urge to leap in herself--But the sting to her cheek reminds her of the cold glass coffin-shaped mirror she was currently toting around. At the moment she couldn't do anything without risking losing it.

When Phantom opens the portal to flee though? Her gaze slips slightly out of focus to look *past* him at that massive graveyard of frozen mahou.

"... Oh my god, are those all...? *Ohmygod.*"

Rei Hino has posed:
    Sailor Mars looks at that portal -- the coffin shape, the darkness, the amethysts and the other mirrors, captured girls -- she bares her teeth and she charges the Phantom, only to be denied when the portal closes.

    "-- what... who *was* that... what *was* that --" she trails off a moment, and then she turns, looking to Daifuku and Kingu.

    "... ordinarily I do a whole introduction but... didn't seem like the time or place. I'm Sailor Mars."

Sugata Shindo has posed:
The enemy retreats - a coffin shaped door opens in the world, revealing the field of grey and purple, the strange atmosphere, and most importantly, the black mirrors. A truly horrendous amount of them, mahou trapped mid-transformation in glass, seemingly asleep.

It's only for an instant, that sight, but Sugata reacts in that instant, snatching up his Star Swordo Diamant and hurling it -

But the portal closes and the blazing cross-shaped sword of energy flies through the empty air.

"...I don't know who that boy was, or what that place is," Ginga Kingu says grimly. "It doesn't really matter, either. Those people are prisoners, and stopping him may be the only way to help them."

His gaze lands on the mirror, and the girl trapped within.

"...we'll need to figure out what to do with her, too..."

And then he shakes his head, realizing - "Right. Sugata Shindo. Or, as my partners call me, Ginga Kingu."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
For once there's no cry of 'Sugata, no!' when he makes a move that could very well have killed someone. Daifuku had been warned to keep an eye on him for such actions but really, the pit in her own stomach from such a revelation had her equally disturbed.

"Not sure," she adds as well while settling the mirror down on the ground to step away. A hand lifts to her cheek to press against the cut there. It wouldn't last when she changed back, likely, it was small. That sting right now somehow felt even worse for seeing how many others were trapped.

"I'm Culinary Guardian Daifuku. Or just Guardian Daifuku." Most of the other mahou she met tended to blanch a bit at the culinary part until they saw what she was capable of. Not that she had been much use this time around.

"Ah..." She looks between them both, then a quick glance around only to sigh softly. "Chiyo Sakai."

Looking at Sailor Mars fully she gives a nod. "You're one of Sailor Moon's, right? Nice to meet you."

"I'm going to suggest for now we get this current .." Her eyes shift to the mirror. "Girl, to The Shed. She'll be safe there. I grabbed something that I think belongs to her too. Maybe someone will now who he was, or how to undo this."

Rei Hino has posed:
TMars gives a quiet affirmation that she's part of Sailor Moon's group.

    "I can help move her if you want. I'm not sure where 'the shed' is but... I hope that being Friend is worth a little knowledge." she states quietly.

Sugata Shindo has posed:
"I'll grab the rear of the coffin and the two of you support the front? That, or I summon us an Uber? They'll keep quiet if they're tipped enough."

Sugata, why do you say that like you're familiar with the idea?

"Good to meet you, Guardian - ah." Suddenly the veil drops, and Sugata can recognize Wako's roommate, she who worked for the top sweet's shop in Tokyo. He offers her a faint smile, given the circumstances, and tips his head.

"The Shed's a sort of secret base on campus. Wako and Takuto have told me about it - we can let you in. Sakai-san here is a very respectable woman of business, and Wako has told me Sailor Moon can be trusted. If you are one of hers, I see no reason we shouldn't share such a secret with you."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Guardian Daifuku smiles at them both with a firm nod. "You're one of hers, so I trust you. She's family," she states in a way that makes it seem as if she really, truly believes that somehow. No explanation is given though. Instead she exhales slowly, then reaches over to heft the mirror up with a surprising amount of ease. "Either I carry it or ... An Uber, yes," she agrees with a grin.

"There's a safety on The Shed, but I'll check you both into it so you can see. ... And maybe we can get a sheet to put over this until we free her."