How does the saying go? Is it that people do change or is it that people don't change? Change isn't easy, but it takes real commitment and effort for a person to do just that. At the same time, things just seem to stay the same. That's what Lucy and her friends are going to find out.
"Here we are. This is the place." Lucy said as she, Erza, and Levy arrived at a fancy café.
"Wow. This place looks so nice." Erza said.
"And just smell that aroma." Erza said as she took a good whiff of the coffee scent. "This place actually smells relaxing. How did you find out about this place?"
"A good friend told me about it." Lucy said.
"And would that good friend actually have salmon hair?" Levy teased as they both thought she was talking about Natsu.
"Not everything is about Natsu for me." Lucy said. "In fact, it's going to be just us girls. The one who did tell me about this place should be here any moment." The three of them just stood around until they saw a car pull up and the one who came out was Yukino.
"Lucy! I'm here!" Yukino called.
"Hey, Yukino. I'm glad you could make it." Lucy said. "Erza and Levy, you two remember Yukino, don't you?"
"Yeah. You do some modeling with Natsu, and you actually dated him for a little while." Erza pointed out.
"Thanks for telling me about this place." Lucy said. "I can't wait to try this café out."
"Yukino, are you going to let me out?"
"Oh! Sorry, Sorano!" Yukino said as she moved out of the way and they all saw her big sister come out of the car. "Lucy, you remember Sorano, my older sister. Right? I hope it's okay that I invited her to join us. She loves this café."
"Of course." Lucy said as she didn't mind.
"Well, I wasn't so sure about coming, but it's hard to say no to my little sister." Sorano said as she ruffled Yukino's hair. You can tell by looking at them that these two sisters are really close. "Let's go. I love to have one of their scones." She said as they all walked in and were glad to have a day where they could just relax and enjoy themselves.
"Eew. Who let the nobodies in?" All of them looked and they were surprised to see Taylor was there with Samantha doing Taylor's nails.
"Taylor? So much for our relaxing afternoon." Erza said.
"We didn't think to find you here." Levy said.
"This place is for classy people. If you want to hang out, go hang with the other nobodies down by the dump." Taylor said. "Oh wait! Did I say nobodies? I meant to say freaks and major losers. Now, you better get out before I call pest control."
"We have every right to be here as you do." Levy said.
"Taylor, how about a change of pace? For once, can you not bother us and try to make us feel bad about ourselves?" Lucy questioned. "For once, can't you just act like a normal person and not cause any problems? A lot of people got etheriouize because of you."
"Like it's my fault I'm just naturally better than any of you." Taylor said. Taylor hasn't changed at all. She's just as nasty as always.
"Taylor? Isn't she that girl you told me about?" Yukino questioned. "The one who is really mean and likes to treat people like dirt just to make herself feel good?"
"Yeah. That's her." Lucy confirmed.
"And who is this new loser?" Taylor questioned.
"Don't you remember her, Taylor?" Samantha questioned. "Her name is Yukino. She actually dated Natsu for a while and does some modeling like he does."
"She dated Natsu? No wonder I don't remember her." Taylor said. "She was probably a somebody when she was with him, but now she's a nobody again." She said with Yukino feeling bad and Sorano getting upset. "Wait! Now I remember you! You're that clumsy model I've heard about! You're almost as pathetic as Lucy, and I didn't think that was possible."
"Hey, that's completely uncalled for." Sorano said as she stepped forward to defend her sister like always. "I don't know what your deal is, but no one likes a bully."
"A bully? I'm just speaking the truth." Taylor claimed. "If anything, you're even more pathetic than she is. I know about you."
"What are you talking about?" Sorano questioned.
"I seem to remember someone lost in a little voting contest done by kids." Taylor mocked. "It must hurt when even little brats like someone a whole lot more than you. You lost badly. On top of that, your younger sister is clearly doing better than you. Your little sister is better when you're the superior one. Plus, you were among the first set of people to be etheriouized, one of the first villains created. What did you call yourself? Angel? You certainly don't look like one now." She was hitting Sorano where it hurts with her worst moments and it seemed to be working. Sorano was getting upset. Yukino wanted to say something, but she didn't have the nerve. "Once a villain, always a villain."
"That applies to you too. You've been more etheriouized more times than Sorano." Erza pointed out.
"And unlike you, people do change." Lucy said.
"Yeah right. Losers will always be losers." Taylor said. "I don't need to change because I am perfection personified."
"Actually, you have changed. Changed for the worst." Levy said. "All because Celestria never gave you a miraculous, which you never deserved in the first place."
"You losers haven't changed either. Heartfilia still babbles like an idiot around Natsu, thinking she even has a chance with him." Taylor said. "McGarden still never uncovered Celestria's identity. Scarlet, what have you even done in the first place? You three will always be losers, and it looks like you found even more losers to be around. Let's go, Samantha. I don't want people to think I'm actually with them." Taylor just walked out of there with Samantha following her like a little servant. That hasn't changed either.
"She really is awful." Yukino said.
"Spoiled brat. She doesn't know what she's talking about." Erza claimed, but it looks like her words really got to Sorano. Yukino noticed it and wanted to do something.
"Sorano, never mind her. Let's just sit down and eat." Yukino offered.
"I lost my appetite." Sorano said as she walked out of there. Yukino wanted to go after her, but Levy stopped her.
"Wait. Maybe give your sister a moment." Levy suggested, but Yukino had a bad feeling about this.
...
Sorano
What Taylor said really got to Sorano. It made her feel like she hasn't done much with her life. What Taylor said kept replaying in her head and it was just making her irritated. She reached inside her pocket and pulled out a coin she kept for luck. She wasn't feeling that lucky anymore.
"Rotten little brat... What I wouldn't give for her to..." Sorano mumbled as she was furious, but that was good for someone else.
...
Black Knight
"I sense an anger I haven't felt for a long time." Black Knight said as he picked up on Sorano's anger. "It would seem my angel is looking out for me." He took an etherious in his hands and filled it with negative energy. He surely hasn't changed his ways either. "Fly, my evil etherious. Let's bring back an old friend!"
...
Sorano
Sorano just kept walking and staring down at her lucky coin until the etherious made it's way to her and went into the coin. When that happened, she was connected to Black Knight once again.
"Hello again, Angel. I am Black Knight. Someone has spoken ill of you, thinking you haven't changed. Well, as an angel, let's bring about divine punishment to those who wrong you. Including two others that got in your way before because there's something I want."
"I know. It's the same as always. You want those miraculous things and I'll get them this time." Sorano said as she turned into Angel once again. "Let's show that little brat that I'm much more powerful." She flipped her coin and called on one of her angels: Shamsiel. "She'll see what happens when you talk bad about an angel."
...
The Café
After what happened, the girls were just trying to enjoy themselves. They got drinks, scones, and Lucy managed to sneak some to Stella in her purse. However, Yukino felt bad for her sister and bad that she didn't handle that well. Her own sister was upset and she didn't really do much of anything.
"You okay, Yukino?" Levy asked.
"Don't let what Taylor said get to you. Taylor hates just about everyone, even if you have something she likes." Erza said.
"It's not that. I'm just worried about Sorano." Yukino said.
"You and she are real close?" Levy asked.
"Always since we were kids. You've met our mother and saw what she's like, Lucy." Yukino said. "Mother has always been so demanding and expects a lot out of us. When we can't deliver, she gets upset. I've never had the courage to speak against her, but Sorano always did. She's always watching over me."
"That sounds great." Lucy said.
"Yes, but I can never do anything for her." Yukino said as she felt guilty over that. "I guess things haven't really changed for me. I'm still useless."
"Yukino, don't say such things about yourself." Lucy said. "You're not the only one who has trouble changing. Take me for example. All three of you know how I feel about Natsu and yet ever since day one, I stumble with my words. I haven't gotten anywhere with him."
"Come on, girls. Don't talk so bad about yourselves." Levy said. "Change is hard for everyone, but look at all the great things that have changed. I mean...I never thought I see myself with Gajeel, but it's actually one of the best things that happened to me."
"And sometimes change just takes a little more effort." Erza said. "In fact, all our lives have changed since we have two local heroes watching over us. If you want change, sometimes you either have to wait for it naturally or make it happen." It certainly is something to think about. Change is complex. However, one thing that has not change is the attacks. They all heard a commotion going on and could see people were running and it looked like a car was thrown across the sky.
"What's going on?!" Lucy said.
"Hold on!" Levy said as she brought up the news and saw Bisca reporting again.
"I'm coming to you live from our local news helicopter where it appears that the villain known as Angel has returned." Bisca reported as the cameras showed Angel riding on Shamsiel and causing trouble and destruction.
"Sorano?! Oh no!" Yukino said as she just ran out of there.
"Yukino! Wait!" Lucy called as the three of them went after her. "What are you doing?! It's too dangerous!"
"She's my sister! I've got to help her this time!" Yukino called as she didn't slowed down.
"There's no way she can help her sister like that!" Erza said.
"But Celestria can." Lucy said as she ducked down to a place she can transform. Once she found one in an alleyway, she let Stella out. "Stella, Twinkle!" Lucy transformed into Celestria and quickly got to work.
...
Angel
"Go on, Shamsiel! Let's bring about divine punishment upon all." Angel ordered as her angel unleashed intense blasts of light and caused some damage. Angel watched with delight on the top of her angel's head as this all went on. However, she felt something wrapped around her and pulled her right off. She was thrown right against a roof with her angel disappearing.
"It's been a long time, Angel." Celestria said.
"Yes, but things won't go as they have before." Angel said. "Why not do something different this time and just surrender your miraculous?"
"That's something that will never happen." Celestria said as she was sure on that. She threw her whip right at her, but Angel dived out of the way.
"Come, my angels!" Angel called as she threw her coin in the air. "Unleash your fury upon Celestria!" That one coin called upon dozens of white creatures with rotund bodies and sent all of them upon Celestria. Celestria twirled her whip around and tried to keep them away. It was like a bunch of pinballs bouncing around.
"Is that really all you..." Celestria didn't finish that she spotted a much larger one came at her and it was too big for her to stop. She tried moving out of the way, but she didn't move fast enough. It charged right at her again and smashed right against. It had a lot of force behind it and sent her flying.
"That shows you shouldn't mess with an angel." Angel taunted. Celestria flew through the air until she was saved. Salamondra showed up just in time as he jumped through the air and was able to catch her.
"This is a turn of events. You're usually saving me, but I'm the one who just saved you." Salamondra said. "What a fun turn of events, my little star."
"One thing I wish would change is the constant flirting." Celestria complained as she let herself down. "Come on. Angel is causing havoc in the city. Do you remember where the etherious would be?"
"Yeah. It would be in that coin as usual." Salamondra said.
"So let's go." Celestria said as the two of them moved out. Meanwhile, Angel dived down on the streets and was ready to spread more of "divine punishment" on others. In fact, she knows who is next on her list.
"Sorano! Wait!" Angel turned around and spotted her sister.
"Yukino..." Angel said.
"Sorano, please stop what you're doing. Whatever Black Knight promised you, you know he can't be trusted." Yukino said. "He's only using you to get what he wants. He doesn't really care about your problems. You know this isn't right." Yukino tried reasoning with her sister to try and talk some sense into her. Celestria and Salamondra landed down on a rooftop and saw what was going on.
"Yukino? We need to get her out of there." Salamondra said as he was ready to take action.
"Wait." Celestria said as she stopped him from doing anything. "That happens to be her sister down there. It looks like they're talking. Let's just watch and see what happens. Maybe she can reason with her sister." She said as she thinks Yukino can handle this.
"Sorano, please. Don't let what that mean girl said get to you." Yukino said.
"She thinks I'm a villain. Once a villain, always a villain. That's what she said." Angel said.
"But you're not a villain." Yukino said.
"It wasn't just that. Nothing really has changed for me while a lot has changed for you." Angel claimed. "Maybe that's because I really am a villain. If I'm a villain, why not act like one? That's what I'm going to show that rotten brat." It seems that she's given in to her role as a villain, but Yukino doesn't see it like that.
"Sorano, please. This isn't right." Yukino said. "So what if things haven't changed for you like they have for me? That can be good because you're still my sister, and you're still watching over me. Does that need to change?" That might have gotten her as that was a good question where those were good qualities that weren't different.
"Don't listen to her, Angel." Black Knight told her. "If you want things to be different, you'll need to make it happen yourself. You couldn't do that before, but I've given you the power to do so." It seems he got her to stick.
"Yukino, I'm the older sister. It's my responsibility to watch over you. It shouldn't have to be the other way around." Angel said. "I'm sorry, but you are not getting in the way of this." She said as she clipped her coin. "Descend from the heavens, Barakiel!" She called upon another one of her angles with it having three faces and it looked like it was about to attack.
"Yukino!" Celestria called as she swung down and was able to get her out of the way as a pillar of light erupted from the sky and unleashed immense shockwaves. Both heroes moved out of the way and was able to get a safe distance. However, the light faded away and Angel managed to escape. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. Thank you, Celestria." Yukino said.
"What was that about?" Salamondra questioned.
"Let me guess. The mean girl she was talking about... Her name wouldn't happen to be Taylor Allard, would it?" Celestria questioned.
"Yes. That would be her." Yukino said.
"I'm not surprised that she has something to do with it." Celestria said. "Angel might be going after her. As rotten as Taylor might be, we still can't let anything happen to her." Salamondra agreed to that, but Yukino grabbed her arm and stopped Celestria from leaving.
"Wait. Please let me go with you." Yukino said.
"What? We can't do that. It's just too dangerous." Celestria said.
"Oh... Of course... You're right, I'm right." Yukino said, but she seemed rather disappointed.
"Are you okay?" Salamondra asked.
"It's just... She's my sister and I want to help her." Yukino said. "Sorano has always been watching over me. She's always trying to protect me. I thought this could be a chance where I can help her this time, but it seems like nothing does change. I'm always the one needed protecting and I can't seem to help her." She seems to hate how thing are between those two, but it seems like she can't do much about it. The two heroes felt bad for her.
"Sometimes change comes naturally, and sometimes we need to make change happen." Celestria said. "Take me for example. I doubted my own abilities. Not to mention I was given so much responsibilities. In fact, there are still changes in my life that I didn't even ask for."
"Heck, we're not the same as when we started out." Salamondra.
"Speak for yourself." Celestria said. "I'm the one always improving. You're the one who keeps acting rash and immature." She claimed, but focused back on Yukino. "And there are still many great changes to come. Sometimes, you just need to make them happen rather than wait for them to happen We're always adding new recruits to our team. That reminds me... I believe I have something I never gave you." Celestria saw how Yukino can help. She took out her whip and was able to open a small portal to bring the phoenix miraculous. "Yukino Agria, this is the miraculous of the phoenix. You will use it for the greater good."
"Me? I thought you changed your mind since you never gave it to me before." Yukino said.
"You want a change? This will be a big one, and you really can help your sister now." Celestria said. That's exactly what Yukino wants as she took the miraculous in her hands and Flynn flew out.
"Hello. We finally get a chance to work together. I'm Flynn, your kwami! Are you ready to turn up the heat?!" Flynn said as he was rather excited. Yukino was glad that her chance finally came as she took the comb and placed it in the back of her head with it turning blue and white. "All you need to say now is "Flynn, Ignite"!"
"Flynn, Ignite!" Flynn was pulled into the comb and Yukino began to transform. She was given a red outfit with a yellow skirt around it. She was also given a pair of black boots that reached her knees with some black gloves that reached her shoulders. Yukino was also given a mask with flames on it and even her hair grew as she was given a gold bun in her hair where the comb was. She was also given a bow as a weapon.
"That's a big change." Salamondra said as he was impressed with how different Yukino looks.
"Welcome to the team, uh..." Celestria said as she didn't know what to call her.
"Phoenixcher. You may call me Phoenixcher." She said as she has her own hero name.
"Great, but what's the plan? How are we going to stop Angel?" Salamondra questioned.
"The power of the phoenix miraculous will allow Phoenixcher to create an arrow of fire that can cause rejuvenation or destruction, but it can only be used once." Celestria said as she tried to think of how they can win this. "Hang on. Angel isn't aware of our new recruit." She said as she might have an idea to make this work.
...
Taylor
As for Taylor, completely ignorant of the danger, was just doing some sun tanning while Samantha was being her servant again. However, her moment was ruined when she felt something shadow over her for a moment.
"Who is trying to ruin a sun tan?" Taylor questioned.
"That would be me." They both looked up and spotted Angel as she dived down and landed on her roof. "You think I'm some pathetic nobody? You think I'm just another villain. Well, let's see what you think of me now."
"See? Once a villain, always a villain." Taylor said.
"And once a spoiled brat, always a spoiled brat." Angel said. "I think it's time you face divine punishment." She flipped her coin and called on another one of her angels. "Come forth, Raguel!" She called on the angel that had multiple faces with musical horns. "Sound the end time and bring about her own end!" Taylor was starting to get nervous as she and Samantha could be in real trouble. Just as Raguel was about to sound it's horn, Celestria and Salamondra jumped in and got both of them out of the way just in time as the sound blast was used. Both of the heroes got the two of them out of the way and placed them safely on the street.
"This never would have happened if you just gave me a miraculous in the first place, you know!" Taylor complained.
"Or you could have just been nicer to people." Celestria said. "Both of you just get inside where it's safe."
"And now you have no choice but to protect me. You're even more pathetic and utterly ridiculous than before." Taylor complained before she and Samantha ran inside the building for safety.
"Why do you bother protecting her knowing how awful she is?" Angel said as she rode on her Raguel down to the streets.
"Taylor might have said things she shouldn't have, but that doesn't mean you should blow her head off." Celestria claimed.
"That doesn't really sound like what an angel would do." Salamondra said.
"What about this?!" Angel said as she snapped her fingers and fired a series of dark shots at them, but both of them kept moving out of the way. As for Phoenixcher, she looked ready to act, but Celestria signaled her to keep herself hidden until the time was right.
"You might be an angel, but I'm afraid we have to clips your wings. Open the Celestial Gate!" Celestria used her powers and ended up getting a whistle with the Scorpio sign on it. When she got that, she instantly knew what to do with it. Using hand signals, she conveyed a message to Phoenixcher and she understood it.
"Ignition!" Phoenixcher pulled back the string of her bow and formed an arrow with it. All she had to do now was wait for the signal.
"Salamondra, let's see what happens when you use your Dragon Fire on that angel!" Celestria called.
"Is that a little risky? Wouldn't that be the same as when I use it on an embodimonster?" Salamondra questioned.
"She'll have to get rid of it either way." Celestria said as that was what she was really aiming for. Salamondra just went along with it.
"Dragon Fire!" Salamondra called on his own powers and jumped straight at Raguel. He was able to place his hand on it, the whole thing cracked and fell apart like it was a statue.
"You think that will stop me?! I'll just call another one!" Angel said as she tossed her coin in the air, but that was when Celestria blew the whistle. The whistle was used as a signal and Phoenixcher released the air. The power of that arrow with the phoenix miraculous is that it never misses it's target. The target ended up being the coin as the arrow flew right through it and destroyed it. Once that happened, the etherious flew out of it.
"No more evildoing for you, little etherious." Celestria activated her whip to catch another one. "Time to de-evillize!" She threw it and caught it like usual. "Gotcha! Bye-Bye, little guy!" She said once releasing it. "Miraculous Starlight!" Celestria tossed the whistle and all the destruction that was caused by Angel was completely restored and Angel became Sorano again. When that happened, Phoenixcher hurried right over to her.
"Are you okay?" Phoenixcher asked.
"Yes, but who are you?" Sorano asked.
"I'm Phoenixcher. You're sister should be here soon to get you." Phoenixcher assured. Since the enemy was defeated, Celestria formed another charm with it being blue and white with an angel wing in it.
"Sorano, hold on to this. Let it be a reminder that change or things staying the same can be a good thing." Celestria assured as she gave her the charm and Sorano will try to keep that in mind.
...
Black Knight
"It might seem like things never change, but that's not true. Nothing lasts forever, things are always changing." Black Knight claimed. "That's why it will be a real change of pace when you are finally defeated."
...
The Café
Since everything was back to normal, Lucy attempted a redo of what happened at the cafe. She invited Sorano and Yukino over and the three of them were able to sit and talk without Taylor to ruin it this time.
"I'm sorry about Taylor, Sorano." Lucy claimed. "She's been like that for years and she has no intention of being any different."
"It wasn't just her. She had a point." Sorano claimed. "Lately, it seems like things haven't really gotten better for me unlike they did for Yukino here. Look at what you've done, Yukino. You dated and then broke it off with Natsu, who is a top model. You also made some great friends. Any changes I've had ended up being bad ones."
"Perhaps, but there are somethings that are fine just the way they are." Yukino claimed as she placed her hand over Sorano's. "There's the fact that I still think you're an amazing sister who I can always count on. That is something I certainly don't want to change." Sorano didn't think of it like that, and it certainly made her feel better.
"I guess that is pretty good, but it's funny. Earlier today, I felt like you were watching over me." Sorano claimed. Another thing that isn't going to change is how close these two sisters are.
"Of course, you need to make things happen for yourself if you want them to be different, like how Lucy wants to go out with Natsu. She has to try different approaches each time." Yukino teased.
"Get out!" Sorano said as she was surprised to hear that.
"What? Go out with him? Who I'm in love with him? I am not anything!" Lucy stumbled around as she tried denying it. Change can be good or bad while somethings stay the same. It happens naturally and sometimes you need to make change happen. You just got to turn something bad into something good.
