Volume 1 — Chapter 6: The Power Stone — Red Part 1 — The Labyrinth of the Red Stone

Far beyond the city, in a place untouched by human eyes, something ancient began to awaken.

Deep beneath the ground, surrounded by darkness and silence, an unusual stone rested inside an enormous chamber.

It had been sleeping there for countless years.

No one knew who had placed it there.

No one knew how long it had been waiting.

But now...

The stone began to move.

A faint red glow appeared on its surface.

Then the glow became stronger.

Brighter.

Brighter still.

Until the entire chamber was filled with red light.

The Power Stone — Red had awakened.

It was one of the mysterious Power 

Stones mentioned in the ancient legend.

Unlike ordinary stones, it contained an extraordinary ability.

It could change space.

It could distort the shape of locations.

And, at its full power, it could even alter dimensions.

The stone slowly rose into the air.A powerful red energy surrounded it.

Then—

WHOOSH!

The Power Stone — Red shot into the sky.

It flew faster and faster, leaving a trail of red light behind it.

Its destination was not random.

Something was calling it.

Something connected to the two chosen hearts.

The stone crossed the sky and headed toward the city.

Toward the school.

The School Begins to Change

The afternoon was coming to an end.

Airi Mizuhara and Rina Tachibana had finished their activities for the day.

They were preparing to leave school.

Airi placed her books into her bag.

— Finally! I'm exhausted.

Rina closed her notebook.

— You say that every day.

— Because it's true every day.Rina smiled slightly.

— You should get used to it.

Airi stretched her arms.

— I think I'll go home, eat something, and forget about school for the rest of the evening.

Rina looked at her.

— You still have homework.

Airi froze.

— Don't remind me.

Rina laughed.

The two girls walked through the hallway together.

Everything seemed completely normal.

Students were leaving classrooms.

Teachers were finishing their work.

Some members of school clubs were preparing to go home.

Nobody suspected what was about to happen.

Then—

A faint red light appeared outside the school.

Airi stopped.

— Rina...

Rina turned toward her.

— What?

Airi looked toward the windows.

— Did you see that?

— See what?

Before Rina could say anything else

FLASH!

A brilliant red light passed through the school.

The walls suddenly began to shake.

RUMBLE...

Airi grabbed the railing.

— What's happening?!

Rina looked around.

— I don't know!

The hallway suddenly stretched.

The walls moved.

Doors changed positions.

A corridor that had always been straight twisted into a completely different direction.

A classroom disappeared from where it had been.

Another door appeared on the opposite wall.

The floor itself seemed to move.

Students began screaming.

— What's happening?!

— Where's the exit?!

— The hallway changed!

Airi stared in disbelief.

— This isn't possible!

Rina's expression became serious.

— The school is changing.

Another wall moved.

Then another.

Within seconds, the familiar school had become something completely different.

A giant labyrinth.

The Power Stone Arrives

Far above the school, the red stone suddenly stopped.

It began to glow intensely.

Then it descended.

The Power Stone — Red passed through the roof without causing any damage.

It entered the school.

The moment it reached the building, its power spread through every corridor.

Walls twisted.

Rooms moved.

Doors appeared and disappeared.

Stairs led to places that shouldn't exist.

The school had become a maze.

Airi looked around.

— How are we supposed to get out of here?!

Rina carefully examined the changing corridor.

— We can't rely on the original structure anymore.

Airi looked at her.

— What does that mean?

— It means the school is no longer following normal spatial rules.

Airi stared at her.

— Can you say that in a way I can understand?

Rina sighed.

— We're trapped inside a giant labyrinth.

— That's much worse!

Suddenly—

BEEP!

Both girls froze.

Their Miracle Phones began shining.

Airi looked at her device.

— Again?

Rina took hers out.

Both Miracle Phones were glowing brighter than ever before.

Airi held hers tightly.

— It must be connected to what's happening.

Rina nodded.

— I think so.

A strange symbol emerged from the screen.

It floated in the air between them.

The symbol looked like a glowing heart surrounded by red light.

Then a mysterious voice echoed through the room.

"The Power Stone has awakened."

Airi's eyes widened.

— The Power Stone?

Rina immediately understood.

— One of the Power Stones from the legend.

The symbol changed.

A red light appeared in its center.

"Find the Power Stone — Red."

Airi looked around the labyrinth.

— So this is what caused the school to change?

Rina nodded.

— Most likely.

Airi clenched her fist.

— Then we have to find it.

Rina looked at her.

— Yes.

The Miracle Phones released another pulse of light.

A faint red trail appeared in the air.

It pointed deeper into the labyrinth.

Airi smiled.

— Looks like we have a direction.

Rina nodded.

— Let's go.

The Search Begins

The girls ran through the labyrinth.

The school no longer looked like a school.

One corridor led into another.

A staircase suddenly turned into a bridge.

A classroom door opened into a completely different hallway.

Airi looked around.

— This place is insane!

Rina remained focused.

— The Power Stone is manipulating the space around us.

— Can it change everything?

— Apparently.

Airi suddenly stopped.

— Wait!

Rina turned.

— What?

Airi pointed toward another corridor.

— I think the path changed again.

The hallway behind them had completely disappeared.

Rina looked carefully.

— You're right.

Airi sighed.

— We're going to be lost forever.

Rina shook her head.

— No.

— How can you be so sure?

— Because the Miracle Phones are still showing us the direction.

Airi looked at her phone.

A small red light moved across the screen.

— You're right.

She smiled.

— Then let's keep going.

They continued through the labyrinth.

At one point, the hallway split into three paths.

Airi looked at the choices.

— Left?

Rina shook her head.

— No.

— Right?

— No.

— Middle?

Rina nodded.

— The energy is strongest there.Airi smiled.

— Good thing you're here.

Rina smiled back.

— Good thing you're here too.

They continued deeper.

"Shine Shine New Power"

As they moved through the labyrinth, the 

Miracle Phones began releasing a gentle rhythm.

The red symbol on their screens pulsed with the beat.

Airi looked at Rina.

— Do you hear that?

Rina nodded.

— Yes.

The music grew louder.

It was as if the Miracle Phones were guiding them.

Shine, shine, new power...

Airi smiled.

— It feels like the phones are giving us 

strength.

Rina nodded.

— Perhaps the power is responding to our determination.

They continued forward.

The music accompanied every step.

The labyrinth seemed enormous.

But the girls didn't stop.

They passed through endless corridors.

They climbed strange staircases.

They crossed rooms that seemed much larger inside than they were from the outside.

Finally, Rina stopped.

— Wait.

Airi stopped beside her.

— What?

Rina closed her eyes.

She concentrated.

— I can feel it.

Airi looked ahead.

— The stone?

Rina nodded.

— Strong energy.

Airi smiled.

— Then we're close.

They followed the energy.

The corridor became darker.

The red light became stronger.

Then they reached a large door.

Airi placed her hand on it.

The door opened.

The Power Stone — Red

Inside was a huge empty room.

At its center floated a brilliant red stone.

It slowly rotated in the air.

Red energy flowed from it in every direction.

Airi stared.

— That's it.

Rina nodded.

— The Power Stone — Red.

The stone released another pulse of energy.

The entire room shook.

Airi stepped forward.

— It's really powerful.

Rina looked at her Miracle Phone.

— The device is reacting.

A strange symbol appeared on the screen.

Then a small container-like image appeared.

Rina immediately understood.

— The Power Stone Box.

Airi looked confused.

— The what?

— The Miracle Phone can store the Power Stones.

Airi smiled.

— Then let's take it!

Rina nodded.

Both girls raised their Miracle Phones.

The devices began glowing.

A powerful light surrounded the red stone.

The stone resisted.

The entire room shook.

— It's fighting back! — Airi shouted.

Rina concentrated.

— Don't stop!

Airi clenched her teeth.

— I'm not stopping!

The red light grew stronger.

The Power Stone began moving toward the Miracle Phones.

Slowly...

Closer...

Closer...

Then—

FLASH!

The Power Stone disappeared into a brilliant light.

A small image of the red stone appeared inside the Power Stone Box.

The Miracle Phones stopped glowing.

Silence returned.

Airi stared at the device.

— We did it.

Rina nodded.

— The stone is safe.

Airi smiled.

— And now the labyrinth should disappear.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

BOOM!

The entire school shook.

Airi jumped.

— What was that?!

Rina turned toward the door.

— I don't know.

Then they heard screaming.

The Shadow Beast Arrives

The girls ran back through the labyrinth.

But suddenly—CRASH!

A huge section of the school wall exploded.

Dust filled the corridor.

Airi covered her face.

— What's happening?!

A massive creature stepped through the broken wall.

It was enormous.

Its body was covered in dark shadows.

It had the head of a bull.

Two enormous horns rose from its head.

Its eyes glowed red.

The creature roared.

ROAAAAAR!

Airi's eyes widened.

— That's not good.

Rina looked at the monster.

— A Shadow Beast.

The Minotaur.

The monster Reiji Kurogane had sent to find the Power Stone.

The Minotaur looked around.

It sensed the stone's energy.

But it was already too late.

The Power Stone had been taken.

The monster became furious.

It swung its enormous arm.

Students nearby screamed and ran.

Airi immediately stepped forward.

— Everyone, run!

Rina shouted:

— Get away from it!

The Minotaur attacked indiscriminately.

Its fist smashed into the floor.

BOOM!

The school shook.

Airi saw several students trapped near a classroom.

— Rina!

— I see them!

The girls ran toward the students.

Airi grabbed one student's hand.

— Come on!

Rina helped another student escape.

— Hurry!

The Minotaur raised its fist again.

Airi looked up.

— We can't let it hurt anyone!

Rina nodded.

— Then we need our powers.

Airi reached for her Miracle Phone.

— Together?

Rina held out her hand.

— Together.

Their hands met.

Miracle Hearts

The Miracle Phones immediately began shining.

Pink light surrounded Airi.

Blue light surrounded Rina.

Their hearts began beating in the same 

rhythm.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Airi looked at Rina.

— Ready?

Rina nodded.

— Always.

The light became brighter.

Their ordinary clothes transformed.

Pink and white magical energy surrounded Airi.

Her Cure Pink Heart outfit appeared.

Ribbons of pink light formed around her.

A glowing heart symbol appeared on her chest.

At the same time, blue light surrounded Rina.

Her Cure Blue Heart outfit appeared.

Elegant blue ribbons formed around her.A glowing heart symbol appeared on her chest.

The two girls stood side by side.

Their powers merged.

The Miracle Phones released a powerful wave of energy.

The music of the Miracle Hearts Opening echoed through the transformed school.

Airi raised her hand.

— Cure Pink Heart!

Rina raised hers.

— Cure Blue Heart!

Together they stepped forward.

— Miracle Hearts!

The Minotaur roared.

The battle began.

The Battle Against the Minotaur

The Minotaur charged.

Airi ran toward it.

— Come on!

The monster swung its fist.

Airi jumped over the attack.

— Too slow!

She landed on its arm.

Then she jumped higher and kicked it in the shoulder.

BOOM!

The Minotaur staggered.

Rina raised her hand.

— Blue Heart Power!

A stream of blue energy struck the monster.

BAM!

The Minotaur roared.

It charged toward Rina.

Airi immediately jumped between them.

— Leave her alone!

She blocked the attack.

The force pushed her backward.

Rina shouted:

— Airi!

Airi dug her feet into the floor.

— I'm okay!

She smiled.

— We're stronger together!

Rina nodded.

— Exactly.

The two girls stood side by side.

Their energy began to merge.

Pink light.

Blue light.

Together they created a brilliant heart-shaped aura.

The Minotaur attacked again.

Airi and Rina moved simultaneously.They dodged in opposite directions.

The monster looked around.

Airi appeared behind it.

— Now!

Rina understood immediately.

She raised both hands.

— Miracle Hearts!

Airi rushed forward.

— Together!

The girls launched their combined attack.

Pink and blue energy spiraled around them.

A giant glowing heart appeared between their hands.

The power continued growing.

Airi shouted:

— Miracle Hearts—

Rina continued:

— Heart Strike!

They released the attack.

BOOOOOOM!

A massive explosion of pink and blue light filled the school.

The Minotaur screamed.

Its body began breaking apart into dark particles.

The monster tried to resist.

But the combined power of the two 

Miracle Hearts continued pushing forward.

Airi and Rina refused to let go.

— Together!

— Together!

Their powers became even stronger.

The Minotaur finally disappeared.

The dark energy scattered.

Silence filled the school.

Reiji's Plan Fails

Far away, Reiji Kurogane watched everything through his dark crystal.

His expression became furious.

— Impossible!

The image of the Minotaur disappeared.

Reiji clenched his fist.

— They already found the Power Stone!

The dark crystal flickered.

Reiji stared at the girls.

— And they defeated my Shadow Beast.

He was silent for several seconds.

Then his expression became cold.

— So this is the true power of the Miracle Hearts.

He looked at the empty place where the red stone had been.

— The Power Stone — Red is now in their possession.

Reiji turned away.

— This battle is far from over.

The School Returns to Normal

Back at the school, the strange energy suddenly disappeared.

The walls stopped moving.

The corridors returned to their original positions.

The stairs became normal.

The classrooms returned to where they belonged.

The labyrinth vanished completely.

Students looked around in confusion.

— What happened?

— The school is normal again!

— Is everyone okay?

Airi and Rina stood together.

Their transformation slowly disappeared.

The magical costumes vanished.

They returned to their ordinary school clothes.

Airi looked around.

— Everything is back to normal.

Rina nodded.

— The Power Stone was controlling the space.

— And once we took it, the effect disappeared.

Rina looked at her Miracle Phone.Inside the Power Stone Box was a small red stone.

It glowed faintly.

Airi smiled.

— We actually got it.

Rina nodded.

— Our first Power Stone.

Airi looked at her.

— Do you think there are more?

Rina remembered the legend.

— Definitely.

Airi sighed.

— Then our work is only beginning.

Rina smiled.

— Yes.

Together, We Are Stronger

Later, when everyone had safely left the school, Airi and Rina stood outside.

The evening sky was calm.

Nothing remained of the strange labyrinth.

The school looked completely normal.

Airi looked at her Miracle Phone.

— You know what I realized today?

Rina turned toward her.

— What?

Airi smiled.

— When we're together, our powers become much stronger.

Rina nodded.

— Our abilities complement each other.

— So we're basically unbeatable!

Rina laughed.

— Don't get too confident.

Airi grinned.

— But it's true!

Rina looked at her.

— As long as we stay together, we can overcome anything.

Airi held out her hand.

— Partners?

Rina took her hand.

— Partners.

Their Miracle Phones briefly glowed.

The red Power Stone inside the Power Stone Box shone brightly.

Airi looked at it.

— One stone down.

Rina nodded.

— And many more mysteries ahead.

They both looked toward the evening sky.

They knew now that their adventure was only beginning.

There would be more Power Stones.

More Shadow Beasts.

More battles.

And more secrets about the Miracle Hearts.

But they had also discovered something important.

Their greatest strength wasn't simply the power inside their Miracle Phones.

It was their bond.

When Airi and Rina stood together, their combined strength seemed limitless.

And no matter what challenges awaited them, they would face them side by side.

Somewhere far away, Reiji Kurogane was already preparing his next move.

The battle for the Power Stones had entered a new stage.

But for now, the first Power Stone was safe.

Power Stone — Red: Acquired.

Miracle Hearts: Together.

The next battle was only a matter of time.

To be continued...

End of Chapter 6, part 1.