At the same time as Truthseeker... Now that Mavis is no longer watching over the miraculous, Celestria and Salamondra are going to have to work even harder. For Lucy, it means that she has to decipher coded messages and phrases in order to learn everything she can about the miraculous. For Natsu, that means he's going to need to try and get out of his busy life sooner. Being a superhero means that you have to constantly lie to people in order to do what you must.
"What a day." Natsu complained as he went into his room and set his phone to give the illusion he was playing the piano. "Modeling, multi-language learning, and the day isn't over yet."
"Well, I say we take the time to relax." Igneel said as he helped himself to some meat.
"Can't do that." Natsu said. "Now that Mavis is no longer around, we've got a lot of work to do. Igneel, Fire Up!" He had Igneel pulled into the ring and was now Salamondra. After checking to see he had no messages from Celestria, he headed out. Salamondra headed on out and went straight for the scheduled rendezvous for the patrol with Celestria. However, by the time he got there, there was no sign of her around. When he didn't see her, he gave her another call.
"Hey, my little star. Calling you to remind you about our little patrol." Salamondra claimed. "I'm at our rendezvous, but no sign of you. Did you forget? I'm here waiting for you." With that, he just waited around for Celestria to show. He just waited and waited, but she never showed. "Where is she? I guess her being the new Guardian takes up more time than I thought." He complained with her not showing up. "Well, I can't just sit here all day." He's decided to go on ahead and went on patrol, but nothing was really happening.
...
Salamondra
Salamondra patrolled around city and looked for anything that might be trouble, or at the very least something that will get Celestria to come, but nothing was really going on. He kept checking for messages, but there was nothing from Celestria or her answering back to his last message.
"Where could she be?" Salamondra questioned as all he really wanted was to see her, but Celestria never showed. Sighing with annoyance, he did notice something down in the streets. He looked down and saw Yukino doing some shopping with Sorano. Yukino looked so happy. Salamondra certainly enjoyed seeing that look on her face. "Well, looks like she's a no show. Might as well head home." He claimed and just went straight home.
...
Dragneel Manor
Salamondra went straight back to his room. Once he got there, he changed back with Igneel heading straight for the meat.
"Well, that was certainly uneventful." Natsu complained.
"At least you got a bit of downtime." Igneel said. "I know you were hoping to see Celestria again, but I know you had an eye on someone else. A certain someone with short white hair." He teased with Natsu a little unsure what to say. "Natsu, maybe it's time you just let Celestria go. Now that she's Guardian, she's not going to be as available as before. Yukino is nice and there. Maybe you should give her a real chance now."
"We'll see..." Natsu said as he wasn't sure what to think. Just putting the whole thing behind him, Natsu went down to the dining room and had a lonely lunch with his brother busy as usual and Invel doesn't appear to be doing so good. Just then, he got an alert on a table that was from Invel.
"Natsu, I got a message that says your fencing lesson has been moved to an early time." Invel said. "Finish eating and be ready to leave."
"Thanks, Invel." Natsu said, but he thought was weird. Why would his fencing lessons have been moved early?
...
The High School
Natsu finished his lunch and got his stuff together for fencing. He had Jacob drive him down, but he was surprised when he got there and saw Yukino at the stairs.
"Yukino?" Natsu questioned as he went over to her. "You shouldn't really be here. My fencing lessons are going to start soon."
"I just came to grab a few things. I was hoping you could help me." Yukino said. Natsu didn't understand what was going on until Yukino winked at him and he figured this was something more secretive. Natsu went along with it as they went into the school, but saw no sign of anyone else.
"That's weird. I'm the only one here." Natsu said.
"That's because I might have told a little...lie to Invel saying I had a message for you saying that your fencing time was moved to an earlier time." Yukino said as she felt a little sneaky with Natsu surprised. "Come on. I want to check out the art room." She said as the two of them went up to the art room.
"Yukino, why would you lie like that?" Natsu questioned.
"I was just trying to get us to spend some time together." Yukino said with her blushing and Natsu feeling flattered she did that for him.
"So, how come you wanted to check out the art room?" Natsu questioned.
"I knew we would have to find a place to lay low until your fencing lessons do begin." Yukino said as she had a look around at all the paintings and work. "I wanted to hang out here because I've always been a fan of the arts."
"Really?" Natsu said as he didn't know that.
"Yes. Painting, sculptures, music, writing, and more. What I really like about art is that it's hard to lie in them. It's almost like you can see the truth about someone." Yukino said. "Of course, Mother wouldn't approve. She says that if I want to be artistic, I should focus on modeling."
"I hear ya..." Natsu said as she joined her and took a look at some of the work himself. "I bet that's why you like Lucy. She's pretty creative and crafty herself. You and she have a lot in common."
"I know. Even people can be a work of art." Yukino claimed as she grabbed a hold of his hand and moved closer to him. The two of them have gotten rather close, especially if Yukino is willing to lie just to spend some time with him. She leaned a little closer to try and kiss him with Natsu not really sure what to do. Just then, he spotted something out the window. He saw a stampede of cats under Kitty Cat's control.
"Uh... I think I forgot a bit of equipment for practice. I better hurry and get it before my lessons really begin." Natsu said as a lie so he could go and transform. He hurried off to handle the situation and left Yukino puzzled.
"Wouldn't they have spares or something?" Yukino questioned.
...
Celestria
Celestria was finally in action since Kitty Cat was causing havoc, using her kittens like wrecking balls. That was when she finally noticed the message from Salamondra that he left earlier.
"Hey, my little star. Calling to remind you about our little patrol. I'm at our rendevou, but no sign of you. Did you forget? I'm here waiting for you." Salamondra left a voicemail, but the real Salamondra snuck up behind her as she was distracted.
"Boo!" Salamondra called, but she got spooked and threw him off the roof instead.
"Salamondra?!" Realizing it was him, she used her whip to save him with him swinging against the window. "Stop fooling around, Salamondra. I could have seriously hurt you."
"You're telling me to be more responsible when you missed our annual patrol?" Salamondra questioned.
"Sorry. I've just been distracted lately." Celestria said as she tried getting him back up.
"I bet. Being Guardian must be a real honor." Salamondra said as he got back up there.
"Well, let's end this fast." Celestria said as the two of them got to work.
...
Days Later
From there, Natsu ran into similar problems as Lucy did as she was with Sting. When he and Yukino went to get ice cream together, he spotted the candy embodimonster and hurried to help Celestria. He told her a lie to go help her. Even when they were leaving Natsu's school together, he spotted an etherious and told another lie to handle it. One lie wouldn't be too bad since it could easily be forgotten. However, Natsu keeps telling one lie after another. Yukino was greatly offended by all of this because it seems like Natsu doesn't trust her. Yukino's been telling lies herself, but it's different from what Natsu wants. Even when they were at Gajeel's houseboat, they ended up having a great time together with their friends as the band finished performing.
"Come on. Let's here another." Natsu said.
"Actually, there's no time Natsu." Yukino said. "We need to get going. My mother and your brother want us to attend the birthday party of someone rather important."
"I know, but I think we have some time." Natsu claimed, but Yukino was looking for something else.
"We really should get going." Yukino said as she grabbed his hand and was luring him off the boat. Natsu just went with it, even though he tripped on the way out. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Natsu asked as he got up and got moving, but Yukino noticed he dropped something. It was the charm that Lucy gave him once before, so she grabbed it for him knowing it was special to him. "Hang on. Our cars aren't even here."
"I know, but we can be together like this." Yukino said.
"We'll have plenty of time for that at the party. There probably won't be that many people our age there." Natsu said.
"But we'll be alone like this." Yukino said. "I... I'm really happy with you, so you should be able to tell me anything." She claimed, but Natsu wasn't paying much attention as he noticed Celestria jumping into action back at the boat. "What are you looking at?" She asked.
"Uh... Just a bird." Natsu lied again.
"Do you... Are you even happy with me?" Yukino asked as she was starting to get hurt.
"Excuse me?" Natsu questioned.
"Natsu what's going on? It's like your mind is somewhere else." Yukino said.
"Uh... Oh wait. I forgot something back on the boat. You go on to the party and I'll meet you there." Natsu said as he lied again and just left Yukino there. She's not aware it's so he could become Salamondra, but the constant lies still hurt. Still, Yukino had nothing to accuse him of being a liar and is trying to trust him, but it's getting hard. Meanwhile, Natsu found a safe place to transform. "Igneel, Fire Up!" Natsu transformed and hurried over the boat to see Celestria in trouble as she fell under Truthseeker's spell.
"Time for the biggest secret to be revealed. Celestria, who are you really?" Truthseeker questioned and Salamondra knew he had to act now.
"I am..." "A super swimmer!" Salamondra called as he dived in and got her out of there before she could say anymore. That was where their fight against Truthseeker took place.
...
Yukino
Yukino went on ahead to the party happening just like Natsu wanted, but she couldn't get any of it out of her head. She wants to trust Natsu, but it seems like he keeps saying things to get away from her. She soon arrived to the party where her mother and Sorano were waiting for her.
"There you are!" Sorano said.
"Where's Natsu? I thought you were going to come together." Vanessa said.
"He... He couldn't. His...brother needed him for something. Natsu will show up later." Yukino lied and it seemed like it worked. However, Yukino didn't feel good about lying. It's having her think that Natsu really is lying to her even more.
...
Celestria and Salamondra
After a hard fought battle, Celestria and Salamondra were able to outsmart Truthseeker and beat another foe.
"Well, even if you are the Guardian, I'm glad to see not much has changed." Salamondra said as the two heroes made their way over the rooftops. "Seems like it was just another typical and normal day for us."
"If you think fighting a ball of light with a supervillain that nearly exposed our secret identifies normal." Celestria said.
"Seems like lots of new things are coming like Black Wizard now calling himself Black Knight. The name does sound more menacing and makes things a bit more interesting." Salamondra said.
"He can change his name all he wants. He'll still never win." Celestria said as neither of them are giving up either.
"Well, I need to get going." Salamondra said as he hurried off so he could get to Yukino and that party before either of them get into some trouble. As time was running out on his miraculous, he moved as fast as he could and soon changed back.
"Eat quickly, Igneel." Natsu said as he handed him some meat. "I hope Yukino is doing okay at that party."
...
Yukino
The party seemed like one of those more sophisticated ones. Some big, important, or special people were there. Officer Lahar was there to handle security of course. The most exciting thing there was probably Erik Cobra bringing his pet Cubelios with him. Yukino wasn't having much fun and went outside to wait for Natsu to show. As she waited on the stairs of the entrance, she soon spotted Natsu showing up, but she wasn't happy as usual to see him.
"Hey. I hope I didn't keep you waiting." Natsu said.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Yukino asked as she was suspicious now.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah... It was...that charm Lucy gave me." Natsu said as he dug around his pocket, but couldn't find it. "Oh man. Did I lose it? Uh... Again?" He said as he couldn't find it, but said he did.
"Are you talking about this?" Yukino asked as she showed she had it the whole time. Natsu felt like he was in trouble now. "You know, I've been lying too. I lied to my mother so that we could spend time together, just the two of us. It would seem that we're both a pair of little liars. Except that there's one difference. I've been lying because I want to be with you. It seems like that's not what you want. You've been lying because you don't want to be with me."
"It's not like that. It's..." Natsu tried to explain, but he couldn't. Yukino was greatly hurt by this. All she wanted was to be alone with him, but Natsu is lying to her instead of just saying he doesn't want to be with her. That's even more hurtful.
"I'll go in first so people WON'T see us together." Yukino said as she turned away and went on inside and just left Natsu there. Yukino was greatly hurt like her heart is actually broken, more than how her mother treated her. They say lying is bad and she now sees why that is. If mere lies could cause the kind of pain she's feeling, she wishes for a world without lies.
...
Black Knight
Black Knight can grant that wish. He could sense the great feeling of despair and pain coming from Yukino. It's just what he needed to create another villain.
"Having one constantly lie to you is indeed a painful thing." Black Knight claimed. "Some might lie for a good reason, but it's never good when it hurts someone. Well, it's good for me at least." He claimed as he took an etherious and filled it with dark power. "Fly, my evil etherious, and evillize her!" He said as he resorted to using his old methods.
...
Yukino
Yukino walked in heartbreak with the etherious following after her. Since Yukino was still holding Natsu's charm, it went straight into there and connected her Black Knight.
"Liar, I'm Black Knight. Lies can only bring pain and misery. Wouldn't it be better if people were unable to lie? I'm giving you the power to do just that. The biggest liars are Celestria and Salamondra. Make sure you take care of them.
"No more lies." Yukino said as she accepted the power. Just as Natsu walked in, he saw Yukino transformed into a clear figure with her holding the charm. Seeing this as trouble, he backed away so he could transform.
"I really messed up. I've got to help Yukino. Igneel, Fire Up!" Natsu called for Igneel's power and became Salamondra again today. Meanwhile, everyone was having a nice time in the party.
"Excuse me, Mr. Cobra. Are you allow to have that thing in here?" Lahar asked as he was referring to Cubelios.
"Cubelios is good. She's not going to hurt anyone as long as I'm around." Erik claimed. That was right when they all noticed something strange. A dome of light came right into the room.
"Who here has told lies? Anyone who has never will be able to again." Liar claimed.
"Yukino? Is that you in there?" Sorano questioned.
"I know you've lied, Sister. You lied to Mother before." Liar claimed.
You have?!" Vanessa said.
"No!" Sorano lied again. Just then, Liar took a step forward and have Sorano into the light. When the light passed through her, Sorano was completely frozen in time. She wasn't moving or anything. It also caused the light to grow wider.
"No one can lie in my light. Anyone who has lied will never be able to again." Liar warned.
"Stop in the name of the law!" Lahar ordered as he was ready to act.
"Have you ever lied, Officer Lahar?" Liar said.
"Of course not. I'm a police officer." Lahar said.
"That doesn't matter." Liar claimed as she had the light go around him and trapped him as well with him being frozen. That was right when Salamondra showed up and saw what was going on.
"Hey! Turn down the light!" Salamondra called.
"The biggest liar of all." Liar said as she noticed Salamondra. She had more people get caught in the light and they ended up frozen in place. The more people that got caught in that light, the more it expanded. Knowing that light was dangerous as it got closer, Salamondra hurried out of there. He kept running until he found himself outside, but not even walls could block out that light as it just passed through everything. It was a light where there was no escape from.
"Salamondra!" He looked and saw Celestria arrived just in time. "What's going on?"
"The usual. Black Knight has made another villain in attempt to make everyone miserable and defeat us." Salamondra said.
"Well, we better get to work." Celestria said as she was ready to charge in.
"Wait!" Salamondra said as he stopped her from doing anything. "I already know what's going on. The person etheriouized is Yukino Agria. If you go into that light, you'll end up frozen if you ever told a lie."
"Not good." Celestria said as that means they can't go in after that villain. As the light continued to expand, the two of them did their best to keep their distance from it.
"Have you always told the truth? I haven't lately." Salamondra said.
"Of course not. We're superheroes, Salamondra. We have to lie to protect our identities." Celestria said.
"So, how are we going to deal with this one?" Salamondra said.
"By getting a little help." Celestria said as she's hoping she gets something of real use to them. "Open the Celestial Gate!" Celestria called on her powers and ended up getting a large box with the Leo sign on it. "This better be good." She said as she opened it and showed it was a drone with a camera, a claw, and a controller that came with a screen. "We might not be able to go into that light, but this thing is unable to lie. You keep her distracted while I take a look inside. Let's make sure to keep in touch." She said as they both took their ear pieces and added it to their ears.
"You're wish is my command. That's no lie." Salamondra said. Celestria took the drone and went to higher ground so that light couldn't reach her. "Hey, Liar! I admire Black Knight, my least favorite color is red, and people say I'm hot stuff! Any idea which one is the lie?!" He called out and got moving to keep ahead of that light. While he was keeping her distracted, Celestria piloted the drone and sent it into the light. Since that drone is not capable of lying, it was completely immune to the light.
"Soon, there'll be no liars left in Paris." Liar said as she stood out a balcony.
"That's right. Celestria and Salamondra are the biggest liars there is." Black Wizard told her. "They lie all the time with their secret identities. Get their miraculous and expose the truth." Thanks to the camera on the drone, Celestria could see the inside and was able to see her and Liar holding the charm just before she chased after Salamondra.
"Okay. I saw the item that holds the etherious." Celestria said.
"Great! Smash it!" Salamondra said as he tried to keep away from the light, but as Liar passed through the streets, the more people got caught in it. The more people who ended up frozen in the light, the more the light expanded.
"With what?! I can't use that drone to do it, and I can't go into that light." Celestria said.
"You're right. Only someone who has never lied can pass through that light, and that doesn't exist. Everyone has told at least one lie in their life." Salamondra claimed. Celestria tried to think on what she was going to do until she spotted someone who was still moving: Cubelios. That was when she figure it out.
"Not everyone! Erik Cobra's pet snake: Cubelios! She never told a lie!" Celestria said. "She's an animal! She can't talk! There's no way she could have lied!"
"You're right!" Salamondra said.
"That's also what the claw on the drone is for!" Celestria said now that she knows what to do. She used the claw on the drone and used it to lift Cubelios off the ground. All she has to do now is get her to Liar before it's too late. Salamondra kept moving until he reached the highest building in Paris, but even that wasn't high enough from that light. He even got on his staff and extended it straight up, but seems like the light just keeps coming. "This isn't good! If Liar sees it coming, or if I run out of time, we're toast!"
"There are only a few people left in Paris, and we know how to keep Liar distracted." Salamondra said.
"Salamondra, no!" Celestria said as she knows what he's thinking. "What if I fail?!"
"I trust you." Salamondra claimed as he let go of the staff and was falling into the light.
"Salamondra! You're crazy!" Celestria called.
"Crazy about you, my little star." He claimed before he fell into the light.
"No. Just crazy, reckless." Celestria said as she can't fail now. She had to pilot that drone as fast as she could. As for Salamondra, he was now frozen with him on the ground and unable to move. That means nothing can stop Liar from taking his miraculous. She was right over him and grabbed the ring, but Celestria made it just in time. She dropped Cubelios right near Liar. Liar was so scared from the snake that she dropped the charm. The sudden movements caused Cubelios to stretch out and, by some luck, she bit right through the charm and freed the etherious in it. Without the etherious, Liar became Yukino again with the light fading away. Once that happened, Celestria arrived and finished it. "No more evildoing for you, little etherious." She said as she activated her whip and twirled it around and caught the etherious with it. "Gotcha! Bye-Bye, little guy." She released it and finally ended it. "Miraculous Starlight!" She tossed the drone into the and the magic stars fixed everything with everyone moving again. Of course, Salamondra freaked when he saw Cubelios and carefully moved away from it. "Seriously! You've got to stop doing this to me!" She said as she beat against Salamondra.
"Come on. I knew you would fix everything." Salamondra said.
"What if I haven't?! What if I failed?! You've got to start thinking about these things!" Celestria said.
"You really need to relax more. Pound it?" Salamondra asked as he held up his fist, but Celestria punched him in the chest instead.
...
Black Knight
"You can't hide forever. Every liar is found out eventually." Black Knight claimed. "I might be no better, but I will find you and at long last will defeat you. That is no lie." He claimed as Black Knight will expose Celestria and Salamondra eventually.
...
Natsu
Soon, Natsu and Yukino met up and talked more about their situation. Natsu didn't like what happened with Yukino, but he has to continue lying.
"I'm really sorry, Yukino." Natsu said. "It's not what you think...but I can't tell you the truth. I just hope you're not mad."
"I'm not, but I'm not sure if I can really trust you now if all you're going to do is lie and won't tell me why." Yukino said as she stood up. "I'm sorry, Natsu. Maybe this just wasn't going to work between us." She claimed as she just walked away and decided to just end things with Natsu. Even if Natsu was going to move on from Celestria, it looks like it's not going to be with Yukino.
...
Celestria and Salamondra
Given both of their situations and circumstances, both heroes have realized just how much of big liars they really are and what they have to give up because of it.
"You know the difference between us and the rest of the world, Celestria?" Salamondra said. "We can't tell the closest people the truth about who we are or about anything.
"Yeah..." Celestria said as she understand that feeling well.
"But we do trust each other." They both said. Even though they have to constantly lie to others, and perhaps to each other, they find a way to make it work because they can trust each other just enough to work together. Hopefully, that trust can last and they will find people they do hold great trust in.
