The reinforced fluorescent lights hummed from the ceiling, casting shadows in the corners. The whitewashed walls bore scars of countless stray hits and scratches - a testament to years of rigorous training.

I gulped nervously as I adjusted my body pads and gloves, bracing for the imminent storm.

Natasha stood across from me, her normally reserved demeanor replaced with an intensity that made the air crackle and the hairs on my neck stand on end. Her glasses lay on a nearby bench, and her curly hair was tied back with a tight pink scrunchie revealing a flame in her emerald eyes as she finished wrapping her hands and slipping on her gloves.

For once, she had swapped out her usual thick sweaters, robes, and jackets for a pink tank top and shorts, revealing a strength and agility in a lithe but athletic form that I had never suspected from her. There was something striking about the way she carried herself, something that made me acutely aware of the space she occupied, the room she breathed in.

"Well? Let’s go again," she commanded with a grin as her voice echoed around the room.

I swallowed nervously. Whatever self-defense ability I knew was basic. Just enough to survive in a rough neighborhood by Earth’s standards, really. Taking a deep breath, I charged in with an embarrassingly flatfooted boxing stance.

I switched stances into swift jab with my right hand — I hesitated for a fraction of a second, before feinting a jab at her head into a straight to the body.

Natasha deftly sidestepped, leaving me stumbling for balance. I barely had time to orient myself before her knee shot up, aiming for my midsection. I twisted away, barely avoiding a nasty hit and regaining my footing.

"You haven’t even been trying to hit me today, Ikki. That hesitation can get you killed," Natasha chided.

"Alright," I said, my voice steely. I reminded myself this was training, not a vicious brawl like the one I had with Willis weeks earlier. I didn't have to worry about hurting her; she could handle herself.

With newfound resolve, I lashed out with a snapping front kick to her chest. Natasha moved like a wraith, ducking under my kick and diving forward in a lightning fast blur.

I felt her arms wrap around my legs in an instant, catching me off-guard, and she swept them out from under me. I hit the mat with a gasp, the air leaving my lungs in a rush. Ignoring the discomfort, I instantly rolled to my side, narrowly avoiding Natasha's elbow that followed as she dove in to secure my legs. I quickly shoved her away using my weight advantage, rolling backwards to my feet, but she gracefully followed my movement, crowding my space even as I tried to frame against her.

She was giving me no room to breathe, no room to recover, constantly moving, constantly attacking. It was almost like fighting a whirlwind.

I blocked a swift jab aimed at my face and narrowly avoided an uppercut, before firing back with a snapping jab of my own on her cheek, feeling a shiver of satisfaction as I realized I'd read her footwork. Natasha took a step back, her emerald eyes assessing me, a hint of surprise visible.

But surprise could turn into an advantage. Using the brief lull, I lunged forward, aiming a committed punch at her midsection. Natasha twisted her body, my punch glancing off her side and elbow as she dodged. But I wasn't done; I followed it up with a hook aimed at her face.

The blow landed.

Not solidly, she'd managed to shift so it was more of a graze than a direct hit, but the surprise on her face was priceless. Then she grinned, a terrifyingly predatory smile that sent a shiver down my spine.

Before I could react, she lunged forward telegraphing an overhead elbow to my face. I raised my hands, but her other fist collided with my stomach and the breath whooshed out of my lungs. Stars danced in my vision as I doubled over, gasping for breath. But before I could fully recover, Natasha twisted, bringing her leg up in a sweeping arc.

A sharp pain blossomed on my ribs as she landed a precise question mark kick to my liver, her toes driving into the soft flesh. She immediately pushed off that foot and followed up with a spinning wheel kick, aiming for my chest.

I barely managed to block the kick with my forearms, but the sheer force sent me staggering backward, my feet stumbling to keep me upright. Natasha didn't relent. She gained her footing like a cat and dashed in.

A short jab-cross combination hit my gut and chest, forcing a grunt out of me. But I had been expecting the assault this time. I timed her cross and wrapped my elbow over it, yanking her forward. Then, I rammed my shoulder into her chest and neck. The unorthodox dirty blow caught her off guard, and I managed to send her sprawling and rolling back on the mat.

I took one quick breath, and just as I was about to give her some room to stand back up, I felt her legs sweep up across my ankles as she vaulted off her hands into a rolling dive . In a blink of an eye, the ground was yanked out from beneath me. She quickly rolled onto me, her weight effectively pinning me down. I attempted to twist my body, but she adjusted her position, effectively trapping my leg between her own and blocking my hips as she rolled me flat on the ground.

The sharp tension flaring in my trapped leg made me grimace, and I felt a trickle of sweat slide down my forehead. "Tap!" I managed to choke out, signifying my surrender . Her tight hold on my leg immediately relaxed, and she pushed herself off me, a small grin playing on her lips.

I rolled to a sitting position, massaging my aching leg. "That was nasty," I muttered, looking up at her with newfound respect. "And... well, amazing."

No matter how many times I’d been caught by her downright acrobatic wizardry, it never failed to take me by surprise. Where had she learned to move and fight like that? Was this all her alone? No magic whatsoever?

She shrugged off the compliment, her grin subsiding as she brushed a loose curl from her face. "You did well," she said, extending her hand to help me to my feet. "You should’ve kept it up with the dirty moves instead of giving me space, though.”

I took her offered hand, pulling myself up. "Yeah, well, to be honest, I didn't want to accidentally hurt you," I confessed, managing to meet her eyes. She had a rather strange glow to them; a soft glimmer that I'd only noticed when I was close enough to see it.

"Oh come on. Don't worry about me, Ikki," she said with a wink, releasing my hand after a playful squeeze. "I can take care of myself. And no offense, you don’t exactly hit like a Chaos Beast. Ready for another round?"

We squared off again, the air humming with renewed energy as we prepared for another round. This time, I felt the stirrings of anticipation. The physical exertion was cathartic, a way to channel my bottled-up emotions and concerns. And for Natasha, I could see it was more. It was an outlet, a means to reclaim her strength, her control in the recent days.

"Remember, in a real fight, there's no 'accidentally hurting' someone," she reminded me. Her voice had an edge of hardness to it, but her eyes - those brilliant green orbs, remained soft. "We protect ourselves and our loved ones, by any means necessary."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of her words. "Alright, alright, I’ve got it," I replied, swallowing a lump in my throat. I was more than aware of the price we'd paid for our hesitations and failures. Izumi. Carrie’s mom. Even Morada had been on the brink recently, and the others were still missing. I didn't want to add to that tally.

As we circled each other, Natasha's eyes shone with a subtle ferocity, the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. This was a side of Natasha that I hadn't really seen before the last two weeks - the fighter, the survivor. This was a part of her that she’d buried into an alter-ego, but she had chosen to share it with me.

Our bare feet padded softly against the mats, circling and testing each other, each seeking an opening. This time, it was less one-sided; I was learning quickly each session, adjusting to her swift, agile footwork and keeping her at bay with a jab.

"Oh! You know, you’re a surprisingly fast learner, Ikki," Natasha acknowledged, her lips curling into a small, amused smile.

I chuckled, shaking off the fatigue starting to creep into my muscles. "Is that a compliment? Should I feel honored?"

I saw Natasha's eyes sparkle with mirth, the warm glow from the overhead lights accentuating the contours of her face. Two weeks had passed by in the blink of an eye as we regrouped and recuperated. During that time, my perspective of Natasha had been torn down and rebuilt over and over. Each time I thought I had her figured out, she'd surprise me with another layer of her complex personality.

"It might be," she replied, her voice light. But the glint in her eyes warned me that she was far from done. "But don't get too comfortable."

With those words, she launched herself at me, her fists coming at me like a barrage. My body responded instinctively, using my longer reach to frame and keep her at bay.

I was learning a lot about her through our sparring sessions. Not just Natasha the magical girl, or Natasha the schoolgirl, but Natasha the person. The girl who struggled with guilt, self-doubt, and expectations, yet was fighting tooth and nail against her own demons. For the first time, I found myself looking past the timid exterior, the veneer of polite smiles and awkward silences, to see the strength underneath. The hero and warrior.

Suddenly, her foot shot out, aimed at my ribs again, and I quickly shifted my body to block, feeling the sting of impact travel up my arm. I counterattacked with a straight punch, but Natasha had already darted out of my reach.

She moved fluidly, her body twisting and turning with an ease that spoke of long hours spent training. I knew, with certainty, that her life as Celestial Sonata had not been as glamorous as many believed. It was a life of struggle, pain, sacrifice, and constant threat. A life that had molded her into the formidable fighter before me.

"Stay on your toes!" Natasha said, her voice breathless but firm.

Her eyes shone bright with determination, and a thin layer of sweat glistened on her forehead. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, but there was no sign of her wanting to stop. And neither did I.

We clashed again, a flurry of punches and kicks traded between us. My muscles screamed in protest, and my lungs begged for air. But I refused to give in, to let her down. Not when she was giving it her all, not when she was trusting me with this piece of herself.

A powerful kick aimed for my legs had me stumbling backwards, and I barely blocked a follow-up punch aimed for my face. In response, I lashed out with a sloppy sidekick, which Natasha dodged nimbly. She shot forward, a blur of motion, and in a split second, she’d jumped so that her back knee drove into my midsection as her other leg swept my leg out behind me. I groaned, doubling over as she dumped me on the ground.

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I looked up at her. She was panting heavily, her hair sticking to her forehead. She had a triumphant glint in her eyes, but there was no gloating, no arrogance. Instead, she extended a hand, her lips curling up into a tired smile.

"Good match, Ikki," she said, pulling me to my feet. Her hand was warm, and her grip was firm. “Seriously, improving that much in a week is pretty insane. You sure you weren’t holding out on me?”

I grinned back, accepting her compliment. "Thanks, and well, you’re a pretty good coach. You know… you're terrifying when you're on a warpath like that. But it's kind of inspiring, too."

Natasha flashed me a wink and shrugged, releasing my hand. "I think every one of us has a little bit of 'terrifying' within them, Ikki. It usually comes out when we're pushed to the limit but we learn to tame it, you know?"

"I guess that makes sense," I conceded, rolling my shoulder in a vain attempt to soothe the muscle tension. We retreated to the corner of the room, pulling out our water bottles and taking a well-earned rest.

We were both exhausted, but I could see a certain contentment in Natasha's eyes. The spark that had been missing from them since the incident was back. I was definitely amazed by how quickly she’d bounced back.

Sometimes, it felt Natasha had become a different person overnight. More intense, more genuine. This girl who had endured so much pain, had now found an outlet for her power, her grief, and her resolve. She was the same Natasha, but she was also Celestial Sonata, two sides of a coin. Those two sides weren’t exactly spinning in harmony right now, but she was taking leaps and strides forward.

And if I had to be honest, it was an outlet for me as well. We still hadn’t found any leads on finding Midori and the others, and I still didn’t know if my sister was dead or alive.

"Lunch is ready!" Talia's voice suddenly echoed from the kitchen. "You two better not be killing each other in there!"

Her green eyes sparkled, like she was seeing something new. "Let's get some lunch. You’ve done enough for today." She offered a small smile playing on her lips.

I laughed, clapping her on the back. "Best suggestion I've heard all day," I agreed, stretching out my arms. Every muscle in my body ached, but it was a satisfying kind of pain. It reminded me that I was alive, that I was growing stronger, that I was capable.

We left the makeshift training area, Natasha leading the way. The atmosphere felt lighter now, like an invisible burden had been lifted. As we walked, I glanced at her, marveling at how much she had changed in just one week.

From her steps, firm and confident, to her posture, relaxed but alert, she was a far cry from the quiet, glasses-wearing girl who sat alone in the back of the class. This was Natasha, the Celestial Sonata, one of the strongest magical girls in the world.

As we reached the kitchen, the smell of food wafted out, making my stomach rumble in anticipation. Talia, bless her, was putting the finishing touches on what smelled like a shawarma platter.

“Finally! I thought you two were going to spend the entire day beating each other up,” Talia said with a smile. She was always so cheery and welcoming, a ray of sunshine that kept our home bright even in the toughest of times.

"Good workout?" she asked, glancing at our flushed faces and sweaty clothes. Natasha responded with a nod, moving to wash her hands.

“Yeah, Ikki actually landed some solid hits on me this time around,” she admitted, glancing back at me with a teasing smirk.

I feigned offense, but I couldn't help but return the grin. It was nice to see her in better spirits.

“Getting stronger every day," I chimed in, earning a chuckle from Natasha.

Talia seemed to share in our mirth, her smile widening as she plated up the food.

"Alright, alright. Enough banters. Time to eat," Talia ushered us towards the table, her voice taking on an authoritative but gentle tone.

Natasha and I devoured the food with a fervor that had Talia chuckling. “Man, training really works up an appetite," I muttered.

"It's not just the training," Natasha admitted, reaching for another wrap. "Your cooking is amazing, Talia. Seriously. I haven’t given you enough compliments but it’s next levels."

The compliment seemed to catch Talia off guard. She blinked, then laughed, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it, Natasha. There's plenty more where that came from."

The rest of the meal passed in comfortable silence. With every bite, I found myself growing more and more at ease. The aches and pains from training were receding, replaced by a warm, soothing sensation that I couldn't quite place. It was as if, for a moment, we could forget about the looming threats and enjoy a simple meal together.

As we finished, Talia cleared her throat. She glanced between Natasha and me, her eyes suddenly curling serious expression. "...Okay, I think it's time we talk about something."

Her voice held a gravity that immediately caught our attention.

"We need to find Midori and Dior," she continued, her gaze never wavering. "We've been looking for them for over a week now on our own, and... we’ve gotten nowhere."

A silence fell upon the room. The thought of seeking help beyond our immediate circle hadn't crossed my mind until now. It was a bitter pill to swallow, admitting that we couldn't find Midori on our own. But Talia was right.

Natasha was the first to break the silence with a sigh.

"You're right," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I’d love to get on the ground myself with Morada, but the word is they won’t have a transformation catalyst available for me until next month."

"To put it simply, we can't wait that long," I stated, looking over at Natasha nervously.

Our friends had been missing for weeks, and the more time passed, the less likely we were to find them.

Talia looked between us, her face etched with worry. "We've been relying heavily on Project Raiju’s digital surveillance to chase down leads. Maybe it's time to try something different. To reach out for more help. Ikki and I have already sent out word and Natasha… I don’t want to put pressure on you, but I was wondering… even if you do not possess a catalyst right now. Would you be willing to tap into your alter-ego’s network?"

Natasha met Talia's gaze, her eyebrows furrowing. "What… you mean, to call in other Magical Girls? The Kong Conglomerate’s network?”

"That's exactly what I mean," Talia affirmed. "Look, Natasha, I know it's not really your style to ask for help. But this is different. I’m… I’m only asking because I’m desperate at this point. This is about finding our loved ones, and about finding a path back to Ikki’s family."

Talia paused, her gaze softening as she wiped away tears threatening to burst forth. "And I think... I think they'd be more than willing to help you, especially with the rumors circulating."

There was a hushed silence as Natasha chewed on her bottom lip, her brows furrowed in thought. It was a strange sight to see her so vulnerable, so unsure again. I wanted to reach out, offer her comfort, but I knew this decision was hers alone to make.

"Talia," Natasha spoke again, her voice trembling slightly, "I haven't truly been a part of the community in a long time. I don't know if anyone would listen to me. I mean, sure, I’m there for big missions that need me, but I’ve been operating more or less on my own for the last three years when I wasn’t training or recording. I’m just someone everyone sort of knows. And I didn’t exactly end things off on a high note with Carrie’s family. Sure, they still backed that media career at an arm's length, but I don't exactly have access to their full network right now.”

Talia reached out, resting a comforting hand on Natasha's shoulder. "Natasha… I can't speak for the Kongs, but when it comes to the Magical Girls, you've been there for them, Natasha. I’ve seen you out there. Ikki has seen you out there. You have no idea how many people hold you as their inspiration. You’ve given them hope. You've made them feel strong. Saved their lives."

Natasha shirked back a bit from Talia's touch, a hint of unease flickering across her face.

Talia took a deep breath, her eyes filled with empathy as she continued, "I understand you've been dealing with a lot. Natasha… I want you to understand that it's okay to feel like you can't do it alone. It's okay to ask for help. You've been this brilliant, shining star that they’ve all been trying to chase. But even stars can't shine without a little darkness."

Natasha bristled at Talia's words. Her jaw was set, her eyes hard with pain.

"It's not just that," Natasha said, her voice low. "Celestial Sonata. For years, that's what people knew, that's what they idolize. Celestial Sonata is a pristine idol. That’s what gives people hope and I don’t want to shatter that illusion.”

A silence fell upon the room.

"Natasha…" Talia began, her voice strained. "You are Natasha. That’s who you’ve always been. But yes, at the end of the day you are also Celestial Sonata. It’s not about one or the other. It's about finding a balance, about harmonizing the two."

Natasha shook her head, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "It's easy for you to say. You've never had to give up your normal life to save the world. You’ve never had to deal with the guilt of failing someone close, over and over again!”

Talia’s eyes softened sadly as she held Natasha’s fiery gaze. I blinked in surprise as I saw Talia briefly tear up before swallowing it back. “Natasha… I can't pretend to understand exactly what you're going through. But I’ll admit, I understand the burden. It’s why I ran away with Midori, and shirked my own responsibilities and disavowed me heritage because of that very reason. I come from a very old family of mages and wisemen. I can’t transform into a Magical Girl, but I do understand the heavy mantle you bear.”

Talia gestured to Natasha, then to me. “And Ikki, he understands the guilt of failing someone you care about, even when he wasn't equipped to help in the first place. The grief of losing someone close to you. The helplessness, but we carry on nevertheless. This isn’t about your status as Celestial Sonata. This isn't about the Magical Girls looking up to you. This is about us, as individuals, as friends and family, doing what we can to bring our people home. It's about letting those who are willing and able to help us, do so.”

Natasha looked down, a maelstrom of emotions playing across her face.

“You’re not alone, Natasha. We're not alone. And we don't have to do this alone,” she added softly.

“But it is Celestial Sonata they know, Talia,” Natasha whispered. “I have lived as her for so long, it’s hard to separate myself from her. The truth is, I’m not the hope, the inspiration they think I am.”

“That's where you're wrong, Natasha,” Talia said gently. “You are their hope. You are their inspiration. Not as Celestial Sonata, but as Natasha and Celestial Sonata. I can’t speak to everyone, but I look up to you not just because you are this strong, untouchable beacon, but because you're human. You make mistakes. You feel pain. You fall and you rise again. The tears you shed during the incident three years ago still paint an iconic image. And that's what makes you truly inspirational. Because you show everyone that even with all the power and responsibility you bear, at your core, you're just like us.”

"The world's heavy on your shoulders," Talia continued, her voice soft but insistent. "But you're not alone. And you have never been. I want to help you shoulder that weight. And I’m telling you earnestly, that we all do.”

"But I don't want to throw the weight of that name around anymore," Natasha replied, her voice barely more than a whisper, her gaze falling to her lap. "Sure, I plan on jumping back in, but I don't want to be the one everyone looks up to. I just want to be... me."

"Natasha, look at me," Talia insisted, clasping her hands around Natasha’s. " You don't have to choose. You can be Natasha and you can be Celestial Sonata. One does not negate the other. They are both you. And the Magical Girls out there, they owe you their lives, they look up to you not because of Celestial Sonta, but because you've saved their lives countless times. You’ve shown them what it means to be strong, and to care, and to be human."

"I’m sorry I’m so difficult. I know I have to sound crazy with how I’m approaching this. I know I’m not making sense right now but It's… it’s just not easy," Natasha muttered, but there was no heat in her voice now, only sadness. A quiet resignation. “

"No," Talia conceded, her fingers gently squeezing Natasha's. "It's not. But nothing worthwhile ever is. And you, Natasha, you are more than worthwhile. You are deserving of every bit of happiness, every bit of peace. I want you to truly understand you are not just Celestial Sonata, a Magical Girl. You are Natasha, our friend. Deserving of love and care and friendship. You're allowed to be human."

There was a silence, pregnant with anxiety and anticipation, broken only by the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. We were all acutely aware of the weight that this decision held, the potential it had to change the course of our efforts.

I watched Natasha as she drew in a deep breath, her eyes shimmering with a newfound, sharp resolve. She held Talia’s gaze for a moment longer before nodding, a quiet acceptance of the path that lay before her.

"Alright," she stated evenly. "I'll do it. I don’t know what good it’ll do, but I’ll do it."

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for her. She was such a vulnerable person, but when she switched that other side of her on, she was magnificent.

Looking between Natasha and Talia, I felt the air shift. The heaviness seemed to lift ever so slightly, replaced by a small spark of hope. Talia's face broke into a smile as she breathed out in relief. There was no guarantee we’d find our loved ones, but with Natasha's decision, we had a chance, and at the moment, I couldn’t ask for more.

I took a deep breath, my gaze shifting between Talia and Natasha as I smiled. "Alright, guys. Let's go call in some favors."