Chapter Text
In a flash of light, best friends Love, Miki, Inori, and Setsuna transformed into Cure Peach, Cure Berry, Cure Pine, and Cure Passion. The magical girl quartet stared down the city street in front of them, their sight falling on the two male representatives of Labyrinth who had challenged them moments earlier. Each of the four girls stood with defiant expressions on their faces, and the Labyrinth warrior named Soular eventually became impatient and broke the silence.
"Any time you're ready, Eas."
Before Cures Berry and Pine could question their rival's odd change in attitude, they both jumped in place as they heard a grotesque snapping sound. They turned in unison to see Passion pushing Peach's lifeless body to the ground, with Peach's neck broken and her pigtailed head twisted at an unnatural angle. Passion's face was now contorted in a psychotic grin, undoubtedly challenging the two remaining Cures. After pausing to give a short gasp, Berry growled in anger and summoned her signature weapon, the Berry Sword, into her hands. She lunged at the team's pink-haired traitor with a rageful battle cry, but Passion easily dodged to the side. As Berry wasted her attack on thin air, Passion reached forward to twist the mystical blade out of her hands. After procuring the weapon for her own use, Passion turned the sword against its rightful owner and used it to stab Berry's heart. Berry's corpse toppled to the ground along with Peach's, and Passion casually tossed the bloodied sword over her shoulder as she turned to Pine. The yellow Cure struggled to speak as she backed away in a swarm of fright and confusion.
"Se-... Setsuna, what are you doing?"
Passion raised her hand to brush her long hair out of her eyes, then shot Pine an angered glare as she spoke.
"Stop calling me that fake name."
She then moved her hand to her hip and cast a smug grin as she continued.
"And, to answer your question, I'm doing what I always vowed to do: Destroy Pretty Cure."
Pine gasped again at this response. The golden-haired heroine raised her voice to a desperate shout when she spoke again.
"But you're supposed to be one of us now! Don't you remember all that stuff Love told you about protecting the world and giving people hope?"
Passion shook her shoulders as she laughed briefly.
"Idealist garbage. I only played along with that stupid girl's speeches so I could complete my mission. There really is no hope left for your people."
Pine's eyes widened with horror as her treacherous enemy continued.
"You see, Labyrinth figured out a while ago that they would never be as strong as your team on their own power. Since I'm one of their only female members, it only seemed natural that I should try becoming a Cure myself to level the playing field a bit."
Passion's lips curled into an mischievous smile as she held the sides of her long red dress and offered a sarcastic curtsy.
"As you can see, my plan couldn't have been more successful. Now that you've shared your secrets with me and I'M a Pretty Cure, Labyrinth has solved their problem."
Pine remained wide-eyed and flabbergasted as she questioned Passion further. Tears of grief began flowing from her eyes as a result the deaths of her friends combined with Setsuna's betrayal.
"You... you were using us the entire time?"
The Cure of Happiness clapped her palms together and grinned in another act of sarcasm.
"Well, you're a clever one today, aren't you?"
She then tilted her head slightly and stroked her chin in thought, studying her shocked opponent with content eyes. She spoke again with curiosity in her voice.
"You're kind of cute in your Cure form, Inori, and I suppose we could use our own mascot. Have you ever considered joining Labyrinth yourself?"
Pine choked her tears and grit her teeth in nearly instant contempt toward her former teammate's offer.
"Never!"
She then held her arms forward, allowing the Pine Flute to appear in her hands. The weapon's yellow crown began to glow with magical energy as she pointed it to her deceitful opponent.
"You're wrong, Setsuna! Hope DOES remain in this world! For Love and Miki's sake, I'm going to protect it!"
Passion shrugged as she sighed in disappointment, then replied to Pine in a cold voice.
"Suit yourself."
She then raised one palm toward the feisty Cure of Prayers. Pine had no time to react when Passion effortlessly fired a scarlet-colored beam of energy from her open hand, reducing the final member of Fresh Pretty Cure to a pile of ash.
Cure Passion peered to the ground to study the remains of her conquest, then began approaching her allies in sultry strides. When she arrived at their side, Soular scanned her from head to toe before speaking.
"Interesting get-up, Eas. It's a little tacky, but I think you look better with your hair longer like that."
Labyrinth's Pretty Cure only closed her eyes and gave another disinterested shrug when she responded.
"It's definitely more powerful than my original form. I'll get used to it."
Soular stretched his arm to the side, causing a dark portal to appear in the air beside him. The silver-haired villain smirked when he spoke again.
"So, shall we?"
Westar and Eas nodded in agreeement, and the three minions of Labyrinth soon stepped into the portal to return to their home and discuss their next course of action.