"Lucy!" Layla called as she entered Lucy's dark room. "You'll be late for school!"
"I'm not feeling well, Mom." Lucy moaned. She could tell that wasn't true, but Layla left it alone because she tell Lucy was greatly upset about something. Layla and Jude were worried about her, but she can't tell them what's going on. All they can do is just give her some space and hope she snaps out of it soon. The true cause of this was that Lucy's heart was really broken after getting rejected by Salamondra.
"Lucy, you can't stay in your room forever." Stella said, but Lucy just remained buried in her bed. "What will you do if a villain appears?"
"For crying out loud, Stella. You can just take my miraculous to Levy or Erza and they can handle it." Lucy said as it seems like this kind of heartache was real bad.
"I know you're hurting, but you can't let this lack of love bring you down." Stella said.
"Why not?! Every love I could have failed because I'm so pathetic and can't do anything right." Lucy said. "Natsu? Couldn't get started. Sting? I had to keep lying to him. Salamondra? Just when it seems like I can return his feelings, I learned that it can't work like this."
"You're being too hard on yourself. You're Celestria." Stella said.
"Sometimes I wish I wasn't. I've done a lousy job since Dark Emperor got the miraculous I was suppose to protect." Lucy said. "I know I can't ignore the responsibilities. If it weren't for love, I wouldn't feel this way. I wish I could be upset about it, but I can't without getting etheriouize. I have to constantly choose between my normal life and superhero life." She complained with Stella feeling really bad. This is becoming mentally and emotionally exhausting for Lucy and it might be too much for her. Just then, Lucy's phone started to go off.
"It's Levy. Maybe you should talk to her or Erza." Stella said.
"They wouldn't understand. Besides, I probably ruin their great relationships for them." Lucy said. Stella feels so bad, but it seems like no one can help her. Having to deal with the struggles of both lives seem to be finally taking it's toll on Lucy.
...
The School
Levy tried calling Lucy and the teacher allowed the whole class to know about this because many of them were really worried about how Lucy hadn't shown up for school in days. When there was no response, they all seemed disappointed.
"Still no answer." Levy said.
"Ha! Reminds me of the good old days when Lucy bowed to me like she should be." Taylor said.
"Beat it, Taylor! This is for people who care about Lucy!" Erza said. Taylor easily obliged as she just walked out of there with Samantha following her.
"Levy, could you stop by Lucy's place and give her the homework?" Mirajane asked. Levy would have been glad to, but she just thought of a great idea that would help.
"I can't, but I do believe Natsu is available." Levy offered.
"Natsu? Could you?" Alzack asked.
"Of course." Natsu said as he gladly took the homework. Everyone in the class believed Natsu could really cheer her up and that this could be the moment they have all been waiting for.
...
Natsu
Once Natsu got a break from school, he walked right over to the bakery to see Lucy and try to help her. Of course, he's blaming himself because he's the only one that might know the truth.
"I bet Salamondra is the reason for Lucy feeling bad." Natsu said.
"You have to admit that it wasn't cool to lead her on like that only to break her heart." Igneel said.
"I know, but I didn't have a choice. She's a fan of Salamondra, and I just used Salamondra as an excuse to get closer to her." Natsu said.
"But what if she wasn't just a fan. What if what she felt for Salamondra was the real thing?" Igneel questioned.
"It wouldn't matter. She still can't know it's me and it wouldn't be fair to her." Natsu said. "I'm just gonna have to do what I can as Natsu, not Salamondra." The problem was that Igneel can see the truth in all of this and it seems like it's only getting more and more complicated.
...
The Bakery
"Lucy! Someone is here to see you!" Layla called.
"Tell Erza and Levy what I have is contagious." Lucy moaned. "They're two girls in love with the guys they want. I'm not someone they should be around."
"Good thing I'm a guy." Lucy knew that had to be Natsu's voice. She sat right up and was surprised to see him with her mother leaving them alone.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?" Lucy said.
"So should you." Natsu said. Lucy normally would have been happy to see him, but all she did was turn away from him and went back to bed. Seeing this was worst than he thought, he grabbed a chair and had a seat. "You want to talk about what's bothering you? It might make you feel better."
"I can't because no one can know the real me... No one could understand what I'm going through." Lucy said.
"You know, a lot of people don't know the real me either. They only see me on those ads my brother uses." Natsu said. "I guess... I guess that's why I like you. You actually saw the real me. That's why I want to know the real you, Lucy. You don't have to hide from me. You can tell me anything." Both kwamis were thinking that's a problem since they can't know each other's identities.
"It's not that easy." Lucy said as she took her earrings and reminded her that Celestria has to be her top priority. "I can't be open and honest with anyone. No matter how much I love them. Not even... Not even if they were someone like you."
"But you can. Lucy, people want to help you, but they can't if you don't tell them what's wrong." Natsu said. Stella and Igneel were worried they're going to tell each other the truth.
"It's not that easy." Lucy claimed since she can't do that without telling him she's Celestria, something she can't do.
"It can be if you just let go." Natsu said. "I'm not some stranger. I'm not some rotten person who would use your secrets against you. I'm just a friend who wants to help you. I just need to know how. I'm your friend."
"I... I..." Lucy said as she thinks maybe telling him the truth might actually help her. The kwamis weren't like this. Just as it seemed like she was going to tell him the truth, Natsu got up from the chair and accidentally knocked over Lucy's trash can with it holding photos of him in it. Before, Natsu just thought they were there because they're friends, but he now knows what they're really for. As for Lucy, they just reminded her to keep quiet. "I'm grateful, Natsu, but I'm just a failure at love. That's all I'm going to say." Thinking about what happened that other night, Natsu wasn't going to stand for it anymore.
"No you're not because I've fallen in love with you, Lucy!" Natsu said with Lucy surprised to hear his declaration. "I don't want to hear you talk like that!"
"I... I..." Lucy wanted to come out with the truth, but looking at her earrings told her that she has to be Celestria first. "I don't feel the same." She said as she has given up on love now.
...
The School
"Are you sure this is okay?" Rogue asked as he and Sting entered Lucy's school.
"I heard Lucy's been down. I just want to make sure she's okay and see if there's anything we can do." Sting said.
"Hold on. Do you hear music?" Rogue said. They then heard the faint sound of music coming from the art room. The two of them went up to check it out and were surprised at what they saw. They saw all of Lucy's schoolmates throwing a party.
"Sting! Rogue! What are you doing here?" Erza questioned.
"We heard Lucy was upset about something, so we came to see if she was doing okay." Rogue said. "What is all of this?"
"She was, but that was before." Levy said.
"Before Levy sent in the perfect medicine." Gray said. "Natsu went on over to her place. He's sure to cheer her up."
"And when they come, they'll finally be an item!" Lisanna cheered.
"It's the perfect plan!" Lyon said.
"But you don't know what happened. Aren't you guys getting a little ahead of yourselves?" Sting questioned.
"Trust us. It will work this time." Levy said as she ignored a call from her cousin. They all thought this was the time, but Sting and Rogue weren't convinced. How little they know they are setting up for disappointment.
...
Lucy's Room
Natsu was now the one heartbroken. He was right. He now feels like he missed his chance with Lucy. The only thing he can really do now is just leave her alone.
"I feel like we both missed out on something that could have been amazing." Natsu said with Lucy feeling the same. "Do you think we will get another chance?"
"I don't think so." Lucy said. All Natsu did was leave and he was now feeling broken hearted for he had a chance and he blew it. Igneel felt so bad for him.
"You know, it's not the end. I'm sure..." "Not now, Igneel." Natsu said as he didn't want to hear any false hope. Natsu just showed himself out of the bakery with Lucy's parents worried for him now. Natsu didn't even go back to the school. All he wanted was to be left alone.
...
Dark Emperor
"A boy who discovered his love only to find he lost it." Dark Emperor said as he could feel the misery. That was until he realized who it was. "Natsu?!" Dark Emperor might be a monster to everyone else, but he cares for his brother more than anything. He can't etheriouize him, but at least he knows his brother was in great pain.
...
Lucy's Room
This looked really bad. Both of their kwamis didn't like seeing their holders like this. Igneel couldn't take this anymore. That's why he snuck away from Natsu and went back to Lucy's room. Making sure Lucy didn't see him, he signaled Stella for the need to talk. Once Stella saw that, she hurried out and they were both on the terrace.
"Twinkles, this is just getting awful." Igneel said. "They have to constantly choose between love and the mission. Maybe we should have let things play out and have them be together. Look at what just happened because of the whole secret identity thing."
"But you know why they have to do that. The miraculous must be protected." Stella said. "I don't like this either, but I'm sure it will all be fine. Love is what gives them strength."
"But look at what is happening so far." Igneel said. "It might give them strength, and they clearly have feelings for each other, but they can't pursue that love. Maybe it's all not meant to be. This mess right now is because of what happened not that long ago."
"Of course they're meant for each other." Stella said. "They just need to be together as themselves, not as Celestria and Salamondra."
"But as long as Dark Emperor is out there, it might never happen." Igneel said. "Maybe we're asking too much out of them now. Maybe this whole thing has become too much for them to handle." Stella doesn't want Lucy to suffer like this anymore than Igneel does with Natsu. Igneel might have a point.
"So what do we do?" Stella asked.
"We have to free them from ourselves." Igneel said for they care too much about their holders to let them suffer like this.
...
The School
"It's about time it happened." Lisanna said as the others kept partying.
"It's been a long wait, but at long last. The wait has been worth it." Levy said with her ignoring another call from Kurt. Everyone else was happy about this, but Rogue and Sting still did not like this.
"Guys, have you even talked to them?" Rogue said.
"They say no news is good news." Erza said. Sting couldn't take this anymore. That's why he unplugged the music and glared right at everyone for being so foolish.
"Okay! If it means you two will relax, I'll call Natsu right now." Gray said. "Alliance, call Natsu." Everyone quieted down and waited for the call.
"What?" Natsu said and didn't sound happy. That wasn't a good sign.
"Hey, Natsu. Sorry to bother you and Lucy." Gray said.
"Gray, I'm not even with Lucy right now." Natsu said.
"What? What happened?" Gray questioned. "Didn't you go over? Cheer her up? Isn't everything great between the two of you?"
"No, it's not. I find out Lucy was in love with me only to find out too late." Natsu said with all of them surprised he would say something like that. "Look, I don't really want to talk. I'm just gonna be home." He just ended the call. This didn't go the way they all thought. Perhaps they should follow Sting and Rogue's lead.
...
Natsu
Natsu was pretty heartbroken about the whole thing. Invel did what he could to help him, but sometimes the best thing to do about a person is just give them some space. That's what Invel did after doing all he could to help Natsu, but he soon crossed paths with Zeref as he came by.
"Natsu is pretty upset." Invel said.
"I know. That's why I'm here." Zeref said as he tried to walk past him.
"Don't exploit it." Invel warned.
"I wouldn't cross that line." Zeref said and went on inside to see Natsu in bed. "Natsu? Are you okay?"
"Yeah... Sorry I'm not at school." Natsu said.
"I'm not concerned about that at the moment." Zeref said. "I know things between us have been a little rough, but you know you can come to me."
"Thanks, but I would rather be alone right at the moment." Natsu said.
"Very well, but let me know if there's anything I can do." Zeref said and just left Natsu alone like he wanted. That provided Igneel the perfect chance to do one of the hardest things he had to do as he floated down in front of him.
...
Lucy
At the same time this was happening, Stella took the opportunity to speak with Lucy. She came down to Lucy and got Lucy to look at her.
"Lucy Heartfilia, you have proven to be a great wielder of the star miraculous. You always used the powers of creation for good. However, the task has clearly become too much of a burden to you. It is now with a heavy heart that your mission is now over." Lucy was shocked that Stella would say something like that.
...
Natsu
"Natsu Dragneel, you have proven to be a great wielder of the dragon miraculous. Rather than using it for simple destruction, you always made the right choice with it. Despite that, I can't ask you to continue on with this responsibility when that is clearly destroying you. That is why I am going to take the miraculous back from you."
"What?! What about Dark Emperor?!" Natsu said.
"I will entrust the miraculous to someone else and they will take the responsibility." Igneel said.
...
Lucy
"No, Stella! I can do this!" Lucy pleaded. "I know I seem upset about everything now, but I will bounce back!"
"But this means you have no reason to run and hide from Natsu." Stella said. "You can finally pursue the love you desire with nothing to hold you back now."
...
Natsu
"By doing this, you can tell Lucy everything you want. You're free to be in love with whoever you want without any problems." Igneel said. "You've done well, but this is for the best now." Both Lucy and Natsu couldn't believe this was happening to them. After everything, is this really how it ends? It would seem so as both Lucy and Natsu removed their miraculous and finally relinquished themselves from being Celestria and Salamondra.
...
Lucy
Now that Lucy has given up the earrings, Stella flew off to find a new holder that can bear the responsibilities. Before leaving, she took one last look back at Lucy.
"I'll never forget you, Lucy." Stella said before she flew off.
...
Natsu
"I'll never forget you, Natsu." Igneel said as he did the same thing as Stella and flew off himself. It's hard to imagine. None of them thought it would end like this. It was hard for Natsu, but this leads to a new beginning as he looked at his bag and realized he failed to give Lucy her homework. Now that he no longer has to be Salamondra, he can spend all that free time with Lucy like he wants. That's why he grabbed the bag and hurried off to see her again. Lucy felt the same way when she saw her photos of Natsu. Now that she is free from the responsibilities of Celestria, she doesn't have to lie to the people she loves anymore. She can also finally be with Natsu like she wants. Now that it seems like he finally feels the same, they could finally have a chance.
...
Dark Emperor
It might seem all good for Natsu and Lucy, but Paris still needs heroes to protect it. Especially since Dark Emperor is up to no good. He might not etheriouize Natsu, but there are plenty of other targets out there.
"I can't use Natsu's despair and misery, but I do sense another strong negative emotion." Dark Emperor said. "I sense the frustration of defeat from someone who takes pride in his strength. I certainly know that feeling." He claimed as he took an etherious and turned it into a mega etherious. "Christina! Unify!" He called as he added her power to his own. "Voyage!" With that, he sends another etherious in the city, but who is the target this time?
...
Lucy's Room
Lucy already seemed to be getting better now that she seems free from her responsibilities. She turned the lights back on and was fixing up her room.
"Hey." Natsu said as he managed to get back to her room and scared her. "Sorry. I came back because I forgot to give you the homework you've been missing."
"Oh... Thanks..." Lucy said as she felt bad about things being left the way they were. "Listen, I'm sorry about before. I was upset and said some things just so people would leave me alone."
"So, does that mean you're ready to talk about what's been bothering you? It does seem like you're already doing better than when I left." Natsu said.
"Well, I can't really talk about it." Lucy said as she still had to keep the past a secret. "Let's just say that I've had a chance with love and it just never really worked out."
"Would that happen to have been with me? Were you really in love with me?" Natsu questioned, but Lucy was still being so bashful and wasn't sure if she could say it. She wants to, but her body won't let her. She even tried to force herself to say it, but nothing came out. "Lucy, it's okay. You don't have to say anything if you're not ready to say it." He said as he put the homework down behind her. "When I think about it, I had no problem telling others how I felt...except with my brother. I didn't understand before, but I think I'm starting to see it now. I always thought people don't say things they want to say because they use fear as an excuse. I'm starting to see now it's because some things are just simply hard to say; whether they aren't ready for it or just don't want to talk about it. Just know that whenever you are ready, I'll be ready to listen." Lucy was amazed with this. Natsu's being completely compassionate and understanding with this. Even if she wasn't ready to say it, the silence between the two speaks volumes.
...
The School
"Okay. It didn't go the way we thought, and seems the opposite has happened." Lyon said as all of their friends were having a meeting about this. "Rather than cheering Lucy up, Natsu seems depressed now. We need to figure out a way to help them. First, let's go over what we know. Lucy is in love with Natsu, obviously, and it seems like Natsu is discovering his own feelings for Lucy."
"So what's the problem? How much simpler can it be?" Juvia questioned.
"It's more complicated than these guys think." Sting said. Having know both of their identities, he can see why it would be difficult for them. As they were all talking, Stella and Igneel were up in the roof and were deciding on their new holders.
"I've already decided to make Erza my new holder, Igneel." Stella said since Erza made it work before. "What about you?"
"I've got to make sure to pick someone that won't have the same problems." Igneel said. "I know she's in love with that guy with the blue hair, so not him. Gray might be Natsu's best friend, but I'm not convinced. I don't think it's even his style."
"So, who are you going to pick?" Stella questioned.
"Guys, this is crazy!" Sting said. "I say we go talk to them first before we do anything!" Sting could really take how ignorant everyone was being and just walked out of there. Seeing the way Sting just acted, it sparked something in Igneel.
"I think I know now." Igneel said. Sting decided to handle things himself as he left the school and waited outside the bakery.
"Alliance, call Lucy." Sting asked. Using his alliance ring to give her a call.
"Hey, it's Lucy. Just leave a message."
"Lucy, it's Sting. I get how complicated love must be. Sometimes all it takes to feel better is just someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. I'm right outside your building if you want to talk." Sting said and ended the call. When he did, he felt something was thrown at him. When he looked down, he saw the ring.
"Psst." Sting looked to the subway and saw Igneel there. It would seem they really have their new holders.
...
Erza
Needing the restroom, Erza finished things up and was washing her hands. Just then, Stella showed up since she was alone.
"Erza! I need you." Stella said and got her attention.
"Stella? Did something happen to Lucy?" Erza questioned.
"No. I've decided to reclaim the miraculous from her. She'll no longer be burden with the responsibilities of being Celestria and can finally have her love story with Natsu." Stella said with Erza touched she would do that. "Of course, I need to find a new holder, and I have chosen you. You've proven to be a capable hero and you have used the miraculous of the stars once before."
"But what about Jellal?" Erza questioned.
"It's best he doesn't know." Stella said, but Erza didn't like that since she couldn't keep the secret from when she was Titania. "I understand if he's the reason you won't do it. I'll just find someone else."
"Wait." Erza said. "If it means Lucy can finally have the happiness she deserves, I'll do it." She accepted as she took the earrings and will become Starfighter once again.
...
Lucy's Room
Natsu and Lucy continued to gaze at each other with love, but it eventually had to end.
"Well, if there's nothing else you need. I think I should go." Natsu said. "You should probably call the others. They are rather worried about you." Lucy thought that was a good idea. Just then, they heard some sort of commotion going on outside. Both of them hurried to the terrace and could see a villain attacking the city. Not just any villain. It was actually Scorpion. Levy's cousin has become a villain again.
"Force!" Scorpion called as he smashed his fist against a car and had the added powers of the minotaur to help him. "That's right! I'm the strongest!" He claimed and continued his rampage through everything.
"I think you might need to wait before heading home." Lucy said.
"Yeah. Let's wait until Celestria handles it." Natsu said with Lucy realizing she doesn't have hear earrings anymore.
"Or Salamondra." Lucy said with Natsu realizing the same problem. Ups and downs of having to give up the miraculous.
...
Scorpion
Scorpion continued his attack on Paris in an attempt to prove his strength. He used the powers he had and was wrecking everything. It was time for Starfighter to go into action as she swung around and landed right on a roof.
"Scorpion?! Oh boy... I guess Levy should have taken that call." Starfighter said. That was right when her new partner showed up. He landed right on the roof with him wearing a red suit and had a flame-pattern covering most of it. He wore a red mask and blonde hair with some red streaks in it. "Who are you?"
"Who are you?" This was weird to both of them, but the destruction they saw going on got them to refocus. "Maybe the introductions can wait."
"You're seeing it here live, folks!" Bisca reported as she was in the news helicopter and was getting everything. "It looks like we have new heroes, but where are Celestria and Salamondra?" Lucy and Natsu watched from his phone and were amazed with the new heroes. Lucy got so tense by this that she actually cling to Natsu's arm.
"Well, let's see if we can make a good team." The new dragon hero jumped down and tried to strike Scorpion with his staff, but he blocked it. Starfighter used her whip and swung down for her to kick him back.
"What the heck? Who are you two?" Scorpion questioned. "What happened to the other two fancy-pansy heroes?"
"You should be honored to be part of the return of Starfighter."
"As well as the debut of Hotshot!"
"Dumb! I wanted a challenge, not deal with newbies." Scorpion complained. "Oh well. I still have to keep my deal!" He charged right at the two of them and was getting ready to attack.
"Jump! Keep your distance from him!" Starfighter said as they both moved away from. "Be careful around him. He moves like a boxer. He's strong, but he's light on his feet. It also looks like Dark Emperor gave him the powers of the minotaur miraculous to make his strikes more powerful."
"Does this mean you also know where the etherious is?" Hotshot asked.
"Those stingers on his arms are really boxing gloves. That's where it is." Starfighter said.
"Get back here!" Scorpion called as he jumped at the two of them and tried to strike them again, but both of them kept moving so he wouldn't have a moving target.
"How are we suppose to get close enough to destroy them?" Hotshot questioned.
"I guess this is where this happens. Open the Celestial Gate!" Starfighter opened the gate and ended up getting a paint can with the Aquarius sign on it. "A paint can? It's not even filled with anything."
"I don't suppose you inherited Celestria's thinking as well, did you?" Hotshot questioned. Starfighter tried to figure this out. She saw her whip, a flag on it's side, and Scorpion's head.
"I've got it!" Starfighter said as she filled Hotshot in on the plan and he went for it.
"Hold still!" Scorpion called as he tried to attack them again, but Hotshot intercepted his attack as he used his staff to deflect his attacks.
"All that might doesn't do you any good when you can't hit me." Hotshot said as Starfighter went to carry out the plan. Scorpion kept trying to strike Hotshot, but Hotshot kept backing away and tried avoiding his attacks. "Can't hit me! Can't hit me!"
"And you can't keep running!" Scorpion said as he gave Hotshot a powerful strike and it landed this time. The power of the attack sent him flying with him skidding against the ground before he was able to hold his posture and managed to stop himself, but it was still painful. "I think it's obvious that I'm the best of the best, so just give me your miraculous!"
"Can't fight what you can't see." Hotshot said.
"Bombs away!" Starfighter called as she released her whip that had the paint can dangling right over Scorpion. It landed right on his head and got stuck on it.
"Hey! Get this thing off me!" Scorpion called as he tried to pull it off, but couldn't get it.
"Dragon Fire!" Hotshot used the opportunity to use his new powers and managed to hit Scorpion's stingers. He managed to destroy one freed the mega etherious inside it.
"No more evildoing for you, little etherious. Time to de-evillize!" Starfighter did what Celestria always did with her catching the etherious. "Gotcha! Bye-Bye, little guy." She said doing what always is done and took the paint can back. "Miraculous Starlight!" She tossed the paint can in the air and restored everything to normal. It all went well with Scorpion turning back to normal.
"What just happened?" Kurt asked.
"We should be asking you that since you became Scorpion again. What was that about?" Hotshot asked.
"Argh... I lost a pretty big match and I was really frustrated about it. I tried calling my cousin to talk me down, but she wouldn't answer." Kurt said. "I guess I just wanted to prove that I was the strongest."
"Winning isn't everything." Starfighter said.
"I guess..." Kurt said. "Wait. You're not the real Celestria and Salamondra. Who are the two of you?"
"Starfighter."
"Hotshot."
"Pount it." Both of them celebrated by pumping fists. They both have done rather well for their first mission. It seems the kwamis made the right choice.
...
Lucy and Natsu
"Wow..." Lucy said as she was most impressed with them. Then, she realized she was holding Natsu's arm. "Oh! Sorry!" She said as she backed away.
"It's fine." Natsu said. "I don't know what happened to Celestria and Salamondra, but these new heroes seem pretty cool."
"Yeah... Well, it's safe now, so I guess it's okay for you to leave...if you want." Lucy said.
"Oh... Okay... I will see you at school, right?" Natsu asked. Lucy agreed to that. Without their miraculous, there doesn't appear to be anything holding these two back from being together. Perhaps the kwamis made the right choice...or have they?
...
Dark Emperor
Frankly, it didn't matter who Stella and Igneel chose. As Dark Emperor became Zeref again, he received an alert on his own alliance ring. An alert that indicates that they all just made the wrong choice.
"Abnormal human readings detected in two wielders: Erza Scarlet and Sting Eucliffe." Alliance claimed. Stella and Igneel might have chosen great new holders, but now Dark Emperor knows who they are. Now that he knows, there might be nothing that can stop him from getting what he wants.