Being a superhero and a normal girl is a difficult task. You have responsibilities, school, favors, and you think there's no time for fun and games. That's exactly what Lucy is going through. With her being Celestria, she ended up letting a ton of stuff pile up. She's hardly have time for herself.
"The Louvre Museum was built as something else before it was made into a museum. What was it and for what purpose?" Stella asked.
"Stella, I don't have time for silly questions." Lucy said as she tried doing all the work she can like making a shirt for her friends' band.
"But it's for your history test tomorrow." Stella said.
"Uh... It was originally used my Parisian military for..." Lucy said as she tried to think of an answer.
"Lucy, you're writing on the new shirt you made." Stella pointed out. Lucy looked down and saw that she just ruined the shirt she just worked on. All her work has been piling up and she can't take it anymore.
"This is nuts!" Lucy complained. "I've got my duties as Celestria, school, working on a new song and shirts for Sting's band, even Erik Cobra asked me to work on another album cover for him, and so much more!"
"Lucy!" Jude called as he came up to her room. "Your mother and I have seen you've been working so hard lately, so we thought maybe you like to have some fun." He said as he held up some controllers. Lucy felt so tempted to do so, but she tried her best to resist.
"No! I can't, Dad!" Lucy said. "I have a lot of work I need to get done. I don't have time for such things."
"No time? Lucy, you're still so young. You shouldn't be working on so much at once like this." Jude said.
"Well, I don't really have a choice, Dad. I've got a lot to do and I don't really have time for games." Lucy said.
"Well, if you really think so." Jude said as he just left alone. He went down and felt a little bummed that his little girl was growing up so fast. "Why does she have to grow so fast?"
"It's just part of life." Layla comforted and soon swiped a control. "Best of five." She said as the two of them went and had some fun, laughing and playing. Lucy so wanted to go down there, but she has too much work to do. This is what comes when you don't manage your time and try to take on too much at once.
...
The Next Day
"Lucy... Lucy..." Lucy has been so busy that she actually fell asleep in class. Alzack tried to wake her up. When she finally did, she realized what she did and shot straight up. "It would seem you need some sleep, but school is not the place. At least you did manage to finish your test."
"I did?" Lucy said as she saw she did and was relieved that she was able to.
"I programmed a cool game that features etheriouized villains. I just need another person to help me test it." Lucy overheard Hibiki talking and it sounded like he was talking about something fun. "What do you say, Teresa? I'm sure someone as amazing as you would surely do great."
"Sorry, Hibiki. I love to, but I'm actually meeting Jenny Realight about possibly being in her new video." Teresa denied, although that was probably a lie. Still, Hibiki believed her and was disappointed she couldn't play.
"Hey, Loke. You want to come over and try my new game?" Hibiki asked. "You get to battle other villains, and even play one."
"Sounds fun, but I can't. Ashely and I have a date." Loke denied as well. Hearing about a fun game like that was tempting Lucy, but she soon realized she had a lot more work to do.
"No! Be strong, Lucy. You can't give in." Lucy said. She knew she had to get out of there or else she wouldn't be able to refuse. That's why she hurried out of there as fast as she could. Hibiki wasn't going to give up just yet. He asked others if any of them wanted to play his new game. Sadly, he couldn't get anyone.
"I can't. I promised my cousin Kurt that I help improve his training. He wants some brain power to see if he could make it more challenging." Levy said.
"Sorry. Your game sounds fun, but I've got fencing and my lessons." Natsu claimed.
"We can't. Juvia and I have a science project that we're working on together." Gray said.
"Sorry, Hibiki. We have some band work to do, and we're still waiting on Lucy with that new song." Lisanna said.
"Lucy! That's it!" Hibiki said as he thinks he found the perfect person to play his new game. "She and I did partner together for that tournament. There's no way she'll say..." "No!" Lucy shouted. Hibiki went to talk to her about the game, but she turned him down before he could even ask anything.
"But you don't even know what I was going to ask." Hibiki said.
"I do know. It's about that new game your programmed. You want someone to test out to see if it has any bugs. If you ask, I won't be able to refuse, and I have to refuse!" Lucy said. Not what Hibiki wanted to hear. "I'm sorry, but I have songs, clothes, album, homework, and more."
"What Heartfilia is saying with these obvious fake excuses is that she doesn't want to play your game." Taylor mocked since she overheard. "In fact, no one does because everyone has a better life than you. All those looks and you're nothing but a nerd with no life. What a shame."
"That's not nice or true, Taylor." Lucy said. "I'm really sorry, Hibiki. The thing is that I just have too much to do." She gathered all her stuff and just left, but felt bad for Hibiki. Hibiki just wanted someone to play with, but no one is available. When Hibiki went back to his locker, he spotted Main.
"Main! I'm sure you'll play with me!" Hibiki said.
"Sorry, Hibiki." Main said as he was in the middle of programming. "I'm busy cracking a program that could help those in debt and eliminate tax fraud and such. This could help many people save money." Main was his last chance. Now Hibiki has no one to play with and it upset him. Everyone is too busy to have some fun, but there was one person that likes to play games.
...
Black Wizard
"It can make you feel lonely when no one wants to play with you. Well, I know how to take your game to the next level. A level will everyone will have to play." Black Wizard said from sensing Hibiki's misery. He took an etherious and filled it with some dark power. "Flyaway, my evil etherious, and evillize him!" He released the etherious and was ready to play his own game.
...
Hibiki
"Well, I suppose I could try by myself." Hibiki said as he put on a set of glasses and tried working on his game, but it wasn't as fun with him playing alone. Feeling a little lonely, the etherious was drawn to him. It went into his glasses and connected him to Black Wizard.
"Player, I'm Black Wizard. No one wants to play your game? Well, let's turn it into a game that no one can resist." Black Wizard offered.
"Sounds like it could be a lot of fun." Hibiki said. "Thank you for giving me a second chance."
"That's what makes games fun. You get more than one chance." Black Wizard said. "However, there's one high score I need you to reach."
"Claiming Celestria's and Salamondra's miraculous. That shall be the ultimate prize in this game." Hibiki said as he took the offer and became Player once again.
...
The Sports Arena
Player decided to set up in the sports arena. When he decided that, a black pyramid formed right inside.
"No one wants to play my game? They won't have a choice." Player said. He put his plan into motion and several people began to disappear. Everyone who was ever etherious began to disappear and were downloaded into Player's game.
...
Lucy
As for Lucy, she was finally getting some work done. She finished up some clothes for her friends and was glad to be getting something done.
"Finished! What do you think?" Lucy said as she showed the shirt, but her friends suddenly disappeared right before her eyes.
"Celestria and Salamondra!" Player called as he appeared on every screen in the city. "I'm challenging you to a game. Everyone who has been etheriouized has been downloaded into my game. If you want to save them all, you'll have to come and play."
"Looks like you'll have to take a break this time." Stella said.
"Fine, but let's make this quick. I still have a lot to do." Lucy said. "Stella, Twinkle!" Wanting to get this all over with fast, she transformed and headed out.
...
The Sports Arena
Celestria hurried over as fast as she could to the sports arena. It was hard to miss a giant pyramid in the middle of the city. Once she got there, she landed on a nearby rooftop and tried to find some way in.
"What's up, my little star." Salamondra said as he landed next to her. "You say we don't have time for games, but it looks like we do now."
"Actually, we don't. I have a lot to do, so let's find a way inside and get this over with." Celestria said as she wanted to get this all over with. That was when two pods flew over to both of them and opened up.
"Celestria and Salamondra, I'm so glad you both could make it." Player said as he appeared on a set of screens. "Step inside to your controllers and we can get started."
"What if it's a trap?" Salamondra questioned.
"No. He just wants to play." Celestria said. "Still, let's stay in touch." Both of them pulled out communication devices from their weapons and placed them in their ears. Once they did that, they both stepped inside to one of the pods. Once they were both inside, they grabbed a hold of the controllers, but their hands were locked in place and they couldn't get free. When that happened, the pods flew back inside the pyramid. Inside, there was an arena floating inside with Player in a pod across from them.
"I'm so glad you two could make it." Player said.
"Let's get this over with, Player." Celestria said.
"Sounds like someone really needs to calm down and learn how to have some fun again." Player said. "Very well. Let me explain how this works. I have captured everyone who has ever been etheriouized." He said as he showed a selection screen that had some of the villains they faced before. "I have given them their supervillain identities again. If you wish to free everyone from this prison, you'll have to make your way to me and win. The way to win is to either knock them out of the arena or break their etheriouized objects."
"You mean we get to play as other villains and use their abilities? Awesome!" Salamondra said. "It seems like a simple combat game."
"Fine. I get it, so let's get started." Celestria said as she wanted to get going. So, she went on ahead and tried to select a character. Player followed along and tried to picking a character. Soon, both of them selected one.
"Midnight vs. Fleche!" Both characters appeared in the arena with Player as Fletch and Celestria as Midnight. "Fight!"
"En guard!" Player said as he had Fleche attack, but Celestria quickly got a grasp of the controls. Midnight bent space around him as Fleche tried swinging at him, but all of her attacks wouldn't hit.
"Nice going. Midnight's powers are quite tricky." Salamondra said.
"That's why I'm ending this." Celestria claimed. Fleche jumped and tried to attack, but Midnight rolled under her. He unleashed more of his power that knocked Fleche right out of the arena. As soon as she touched the ground, she was disqualified.
"Winner: Midnight!" Once the fight was over, both of their objects were placed in a storage section. However, Celestria thought it was over, but she was still trapped.
"I won, Player! Let us out!" Celestria demanded.
"One game? Where's the fun in that?" Player said. "The game will only be over when every villain has gone at least once, and we reach the final battle."
"You've got to be kidding. This is going to take hours." Celestria complained.
"Exactly. That's the point." Player said as this was just what he wanted.
"This sounds like fun! My turn!" Salamondra said as he tried selecting someone as Player picked Miserain. "Who do I pick? Angel? Black Steel? Everyone of them has some awesome powers, but do I want to start with someone that good right away?"
"Hurry up! Just choose someone that is strong so we can get out of here quicker!" Celestria shouted right in his ear.
"Fine. How about this?" Salamondra said as he selected a villain, but it ended up being Kitty Cat.
"You've got to be kidding me." Celestria said as this wasn't what she wanted.
"I guess you can say I'm a cat person." Salamondra said as both characters appeared in the arena.
"There aren't even any cats in this arena." Player mocked. Salamondra gave Kitty Cat's powers a try as she rang the bell and a black cat came straight to her.
"I've got one, and it's a black cat. That's bad luck for you. I'll name him Panther." Salamondra said as he petted the cat with it resting on her shoulders.
"Kitty Cat vs. Miserain! Fight!" Miserain started by using her powers on Kitty Cat.
"Cat Jump!" Salamondra called as Kitty Cat jumped high in the air and avoided her attacks. "Cat Scratches!" She came straight down and scratch Miserain multiple times.
"Aw! That's going to far!" Miserain said.
"In that case, Panther will play." Salamondra said as he threw Panther at her. The cat clutched on to Miserain's face with her trying to shake it off. Thanks to Panther, he knocked her little doll off and passed it to Kitty Cat with her tearing it apart. When the doll was shredded, Miserain disappeared.
"Winner: Kitty Cat!"
"Meow!" Salamondra finished.
"Okay, you've had a couple wins, but it's time I get serious." Player said.
"Whatever. Let's just get this over with." Celestria said as she took her turn. She went through the options until she landed on Black Steel with Player selecting Puppetress and both of them appearing in the arena.
"Black Steel vs. Puppetress! Fight!"
"This ends now!" Celestria said as she had Black Steel turn his arm into a club and stretched it out, but Puppetress easily moved out of the way. Puppetress used her powers on a doll of Black Steel and had control of him. When that happened, Celestria lost any and all control of her character. Puppetress caused Black Steel to jump off the arena and he ended up disqualified.
"Winner: Puppetress!"
"That was almost too easy." Player taunted with Celestria getting annoyed.
"My turn again, and I know which one to pick. This brings back memories." Salamondra said as he went and picked Mirrorina while Player selected Rune Knight.
"Mirrorina vs. Rune Knight! Fight!" They were allowed to fight, but they both stood still. It was a western showdown where they were both waiting to see who would make the first move.
"Come on already!" Celestria said as she was running out of patience. Both of them moved and attacked, but Mirrorina was just a little faster as she turned Rune Knight into a copy of herself. When that happened, Rune Knight couldn't balance himself in Mirrorina's shoes.
"See me cat walking." Salamondra said as Mirrorina was walking easily in the shoes. Something Rune Knight can't do as he was dangerously close to the edge. "Don't be hating." She simply pushed Rune Knight off the arena and caused him to fall right out of the arena and lose.
"Winner: Mirrorina!"
"This is fun!" Salamondra said.
"This is not fun! It's a waste of time!" Celestria said as she tried to select another character like Player. She selected Sweet Witch while he selected Purple Flare.
"Sweet Witch vs. Purple Flare! Fight!" Sweet Witch started by jumping on her ride and started flying around the arena. She took her little blaster and fired her candy right at him, but Purple Flare used his powers and flew straight up like a rocket and avoided all the candy. When he was up to her level, he formed a purple fireball and threw it straight at Sweet Witch. It blasted her right off her ride and she fell passed the arena and ended up loosing.
"Winner: Purple Flare!"
"Ha! What's wrong, Celestria? You wanted to end this fast!" Player taunted.
"That's it!" Celestria said as she was getting frustrated and went on ahead.
"Hey, it's my turn." Salamondra reminded.
"I won't lose!" Celestria declared. Seeing she was getting serious, Salamondra just let her do her thing. She selected Stealth and Player selected Sema.
"Stealth vs. Sema! Fight!" Both characters were brought in. Stealth tried turning invisible, but Sema just shined a light through the whole arena and revealed where Stealth was hiding and blinded him.
"Using invisibility against someone that shines? Not too smart!" Player said. Sema flew straight into Stealth and knocked him out of the arena and ended up loosing again.
"Winner: Sema!" Celestria messed up in that one. Her impatience caused her the match.
"No offense, but maybe we should rethink strategy." Salamondra said, but Celestria just remained silent as she felt bad. She wants to get this over with fast, but too fast will cause them to lose. "No worries. I'll take it from here." Salamondra took his turn and picked Scorpion with Player selecting Angel.
"Scorpion vs. Angel! Fight!"
"Let's rumble!" Salamondra declared. Scorpion charged right at her. Angel flipped a coin and called on one of her angelic figures with her resting on his shoulder. The Angel tried smashing a fist down on him, but Scorpion jumped up and landed on the arm. When he was close enough to the figures face, he shot a substance from his mouth and blinded the giant. He shot it again and it hit Angel's eyes and blinded her as well.
"Hey!" Player complained as she tried to clear it off, but Scorpion tackled her off her giant minion. When they hit the arena, Scorpion took the coin and smashed it and won another round.
"Winner: Scorpion!"
"That's how it's done. Pretty good. Right, Celestria?" Salamondra said, but she didn't really say anything. "Celestria?"
"Salamondra... I don't know what to do? I just can't seem to enjoy playing or winning." Celestria said.
"Okay. I got this." Salamondra claimed as he continued on without her. He selected Phantom Writer while Player selected Fiend Justice.
"Phantom Writer vs. Fiend Justice! Fight!"
"Let's see how you deal against this swordsman!" Player said as he had Fiend Justice charge right at her, but Salamondra was ready for it. Phantom Writer wrote "Freeze" and caused Fiend Justice to be frozen.
"Celestria, playing isn't about winning or loosing." Salamondra said as he continued playing on as different villains and found ways to enjoy himself. "It's about doing things you wouldn't normally do. To enjoy playing, you just got to enjoy doing something you like doing, something you always wanted to do. So just relax and try to have some fun, my little star. It will all come to you." Celestria thought about what he just said. It helped when Player selected his next villain.
"Playing is the best way to do something you wouldn't normally do." Celestria said as she was starting to get it. "There is something I would like to do. Let me take over now." Salamondra was glad to hear it and let her take over with Celestria choosing Dark Regulus.
"Dark Regulus vs. Corva! Fight!" Both characters appeared on the field with Corva using her illusion powers and made multiple copies of herself. However, Dark Regulus just formed a giant dark fireball and blasted Corva with it and Corva was sent flying and knocked out of the arena.
"Oh! That felt so good!" Celestria cheered as she loved giving her a good whack. Once she did that, she got a hold of how things were going now. She and Salamondra continued playing the game and was finding ways to have fun with it. They got to do things they normally couldn't and found ways to enjoy it. While they were enjoying it, Player was getting frustrated.
"No! I'm the master of this game! I can't lose!" Player complained.
"Now who's not having fun?" Celestria taunted.
"Looks like we're down to just you now." Salamondra said as Player was the only villain left on the board.
"True, but there are two opponents for me." Player said. "We must find a way to decide who fights who, and there's only one way to do that." Player activated another system of his game and selected the two fighters. It was a surprise.
"Celestria vs. Salamondra! Fight!" Player made it so that the two of them were have to fight each other in order to fight Player. This was something neither of them could do.
"We can't let this happen." Celestria said. Salamondra agreed and already had a way to prevent that.
"I can't bring myself to fight you, Celestria, but I do know you'll figure something out." Salamondra said as he backed away. "I know you'll beat this game and find a way to free everyone." Celestria realized what he was doing, but she didn't like it. "You've got this as always. I believe in you, just as always."
"Salamondra, no!" Celestria called as she raced to him, but Salamondra willingly fell off the edge. As soon as he touched the ground, he disappeared.
"Winner: Celestria!"
"Well, that was a surprise." Player said. "Either way, you finally get to face me, Celestria. Now, since this is the final battle, you're free to choose any four items from your arsenal and have access to that person's powers. Have fun." Celestria had a variety of choices. She selected four quickly out of frustration, but she remembered what Salamondra told her and rethought her choices.
"You know what, Player... I will." Celestria said as she had another plan. "Open the Celestial Gate!" She used her own powers and ended up getting a squirt gun with the Pisces sign, but it was filled with goo instead of water. "Okay..." She thought about how to use it and saw what items she can use. She ended up selecting Salamondra's ring, Corva's necklace, Nightmare's pillow, and Punk's pen. "Ready."
"You won't be ready for me." Player said as he appeared in the arena.
"Celestria vs. Player! Fight!"
"You can't best me at my own game!" Player said as he changed forms between other previous villains. "I'm the master of this game. I can become any character I desire. My power is limitless here."
"We'll see about that." Celestria said as she hopped on Nightmare's pillow. "Dragon Fire!" She used Salamondra's power and placed her hand against the arena. That caused the whole thing to fall apart and break into pieces. However, Gamer quickly changed into Sweet Witch and was flying in the air.
"You honestly think that can stop me? Be a good child and give me the miraculous!" Player said as he fired some candy at her, but Celestria used Punk's pen and became transparent. Everything passed right through her. "Hey!" He didn't like this. Player changed into Purple Flare and tried flying right at her, but he passed right through her. "That isn't fair!"
"What's the matter, Player? There's nothing in the rules saying I can't do this. Besides, you wanted this game to go on, right?" Celestria said as she thought it was at a stalemate, but her earrings were alerting her of the danger.
"Looks like you don't have the time!" Player mocked as she is going to change back any minute. Celestria had to move fast. Celestria pulled out the squirt gun and fired some slime at him. It hit Player right in the face and blinded him. "That's just not cool." Celestria took the chance. When Player cleared his vision, Celestria used Corva's powers and made multiple illusions of herself.
"Catch me if you can." Celestria said as the illusions flew around and tried to confuse him. All it did was make Player irritated. He changed into Reversion. He took some of her airplanes and threw them everywhere. They flew around and passed right through each one, the illusion disappearing until there was only one left.
"It's all over!" Player said as he flew at the last one left standing. He nearly crashed into her, but it caused her to fall off and plummet to the game. "I win!" Celestria hit the ground, but nothing happened. That wasn't expected. "What happened?! You should have lost!"
"Uh... I think there's a glitch in your game." Celestria said.
"What?!" Player questioned. He didn't get how there could be a glitch. He flew down to check it out himself. When he touched the ground with his hand, he turned back to normal and it marked that he lost. The Celestria with him was just an illusion while the real one came out of hiding.
"Or maybe just skilled player." Celestria said. She won his little game, but Player accepted it rather than fight against it.
"Good game, Celestria." Player said before he disappeared and Celestria could take his glasses. Once she grabbed them, she broke them apart and freed the etherious inside.
"No more evildoing for you, little etherious." Celestria activated her whip and twirled it. "Time to de-evillize! Gotcha!" She claimed from catching it. "Bye-Bye, little guy. Miraculous Starlight!" She tossed the squirt gun in the air and unleashed the magic stars that freed everyone, including Salamondra.
"I knew you would find a way." Salamondra said.
"Pound it."
...
Black Wizard
"The game is far from over, Celestria. You might be undefeated for now, but you'll make a mistake eventually. Enjoy all the fun and games you can because you won't be having fun when I get through with you." Black Wizard claimed. He's someone who needs to have some fun in his life.
...
The Heroes
Celestria and Salamondra were all finished up at the arena and were heading out. However, there was something Celestria needed to ask him after all of this.
"Salamondra, let me ask. With all the fun you have in your regular life, aren't you afraid you're going to give it all up for this?" Celestria asked.
"The time I have the most fun is when I'm with you, Celestria." Salamondra claimed. "Look, I may not know what's going on with you, but I can tell you think you don't have time for the things you enjoy. Find a way to make the time. It's all about managing your time better. Everyone needs a balance of work and pleasure after all." That was all he said before he took off and Celestria thought that was pretty good advice.
...
Lucy's Apartment
Celestria was able to make it back home just before she changed back. When she landed down on her balcony, she changed back into Lucy. She thought about what Salamondra just said and she sees he might be right. She needs to find a way to make time to have some fun in her life so she doesn't feel overworked. That was when she got her chance when she looked down and saw Hibiki passing by.
"Hey! Hibiki!" Lucy called and got his attention. "Do you still need someone to play that game? I bet my parents would help out, too." Hibiki was glad to hear Lucy would help him. Everyone needs to have some fun in their lives no matter how much work they have. As the four of them gathered together to play his game, Lucy felt like she was having fun for the first time in a long time.
