"A new threat has been put upon Brooklyn. You guys seem only appropriate to be our superheroes. Someone named Valentine had been secretly sending demons after people years ago. And now- he's back. But planning to use dark magic to allow actual humans to turn into demons using akumi, creatures that feed off bad energy. They bury themselves inside an object that is important to the person who is being turned- a piece of jewelry for example." Magnus explained, flailing hands with his words.
"What?!" Alec asked. "Goodness, I understand how you would want us to be superhero with all our time in fight training, but what do you mean Magnus? Magic? Who even are you?"
Magnus looked over at Alec, cat-like eyes gleaming. "I'm a six hundred year old warlock. I've been caring for these kwamis for America for years. These things and people like me are all around the world- ever heard of Miraculous Labybug and Chat Nior in France? Or Fearless Falcon in Australia? That is their purpose."
"Kwami?" Jace said. "And what might that be?"
"Kwami," Magnus explained, huffing, "Are bug like creatures that give these superheroes power. They come with a piece of jewelry called Miraculous you keep so you may transform into your superhero form whenever needed."
Alec's mouth dropped, pulling his black hair back covered with sweat. "Your a 600 year old warlock?"
Magnus gave a smirk. "So, are you up for the challenge?"
Isabelle smiled. "Well, I suppose it could be fun. Hard work maybe, but I think I'd rather save the world than stay inside and attack punching bags."
Magnus looked at the three siblings across from him, sitting on the leather couch in awe.
"So without further ado," Magnus said dramatically. "Here are my gifts to you. Make sure to take this seriously. From now on New York is in your hands."
"For you Isabelle," Magnus said, dropping a ruby necklace into her hands. "And you-" he dropped a gold chain into Jace's hands, "And you Alexander," Magnus winked as he dropped a silver ring into Alec's shaking hands.
"Oh- one more thing. There may be someone else joining you soon." Magnus mentioned. "There is still one Miraculous left, and I believe I have chosen who to give it to, but of course I'll have to catch her."
The others nodded. "You will meet your Kwami soon enough. I have told them to wait in your rooms. They will tell you more about your powers. Hopefully you will not have to transform for a while, although I sense
Valentine is getting ready to attack."
Clary nudged Simon's shoulder. "I'm nervous," Clary admitted. She was going to her second year in high school, but even so, she just wanted to do her best.
"We'll be fine, Clary! We're not freshmen anymore. And we have more classes together." Simon said with enthusiasm. She wished she was as excited as him, he seemed confident, despite the complete nerd he was.
"Thanks for being my best friend Simon," Clary sighed. They continued walking to the front of the high school when Clary noticed some new students at the front of the school. The three were mostly dressed in black, the girl wearing a silver top being the only difference. They sat on a bench, talking, with the exception of the girl stretching her leg on the bench, leaning back and reaching out with her arm. Clary recognized it as a ballet stretch that she probably did when she was six in dance class, (which she frankly quit after two months). It was unusual having someone else sitting on the bench. It was the bench Clary and Simon sat on everyday before school, reading or trying to compare math homework answers. Clary assumed they were siblings, although the boy with the dark hair looked older.
"They're sitting on our bench," Clary said softly to Simon as they walked over.
"We can just sit next to them," Simon assured her. But really Clary could see him staring at the girl. Dark curls poured over her back, and were accompanied by red, seductive color lips. Then again, Clary wasn't entirely innocent herself. A tall, muscular blonde boy sat there, giving a very signature asshole smirk. He didn't look like one who would be a jock, but maybe some type of skater boy who prodded jokes at girls, and Clary was gawking at him.
They headed to the bench beside them, and Clary tried to avoid her gaze returning to the blonde hair boy, but eventually she caught her gaze to a curl of ink up his arm.
"What's that?" Clary couldn't help asking. Simon was trying to look away from the girl, turning his attention to the blonde boy.
The blonde boy shook his head and smiled. "Family tattoos. It's a tradition, every family member has one. We get them when we're 16." He said. His voice was slightly gruff but also lively.
The girl took her leg off the bench and walked over. She pulled the front of her shirt down, just to reveal the top of her chest. In between her breasts was the same tattoo.
"The angelic symbol. It represents power, but for us it's more a family thing." Her voice was as soft as silk, and gave a slight Latina accent.
"So hot-" Simon muttered. The girl giggled, and Simon shook his head back to reality. "I mean, it's hot outside. Like temperature wise- and wow, I'm sweating we should go inside where there's air conditioning."
"I'm Isabelle," The girl said, holding out her hand.
"Simon, nice to meet you." He said smiling.
"Clary," Clary mentioned.
The blonde boy grabbed her hand and shook it. "Jace. And my brother Alec."
Isabelle suddenly walked over to Clary. "That is a beautiful necklace!" She exclaimed.
Clary looked down at her neck. Wait, that wasn't there before.
A brown stone was laced onto black string. She had never seen it before in her life.
Clary was confused, but regardless went along with it. "Yeah- thanks."
Did these siblings have something to do with it?
The bell suddenly rang and they walked into the halls. Maybe these people would make good friends, but Clary was weary of the sudden piece of jewelry on her neck.
She and Simon had lockers near each other, and Clary stuffed her items inside before meeting up with Simon. The other siblings were waiting there.
Everyone in tenth grade had electives first, so Clary checked her schedule again to see what room she would need to go to. She didn't have art classes with Simon, but they had the next hour together. Jace took off to physical education first, which left the fact Alec had art with Clary and Simon had drama with Izzy. Clary didn't know Alec all that well, but he seemed to have a resting bitch face most of the time. Hopefully he would be okay.
Clary followed Alec into the art room.
The first half of the day went smoothly. Alec was quiet yet mindful, and lost himself in his work, both in art and woodshop after that. Other than Simon accidentally snorting sawdust up his nose, the usually clumsy two went without injury.
After math and science, Clary burst into the lunch room, sighing with relief. She sat on their usual table paper bag in hand until she looked up and realized Simon was in some sort of ordeal.
"Sorry!" Simon squeaked. "I didn't mean to ruin your jacket!" Standing in front of Simon was a very angry Raphael, a boy who Clary only knew from her Social Studies class the previous year. Raphael swept cranberry juice off his jacket, cursing. "You will pay for this Simon-"
Simon backed away, hands ruffling in his hair flusteredly.
Raphael stormed out of the lunchroom to the school courtyard.
Simon sat next to Clary, watching as Raphael went to sit down outside. Another person accidently knocked into him, their drink spilling down his jacket. He yelled at them before sitting down with a huff.
But then, a butterfly flew towards him, dark purple. Clary watched curiously as the butterfly landed on his jacket- and then as Raphael was overcome in black.
Clary gasped, earning a few looks from people around the room. Raphael stood outside the school, and completely jumped straight into the air. He was gone.
And then he was in the lunchroom, flipping open the door that lead to the roof. "I am the vampire! And all of you mortal swines will bow down to me and my master!"
Simon's eyes widened in fear, and he grabbed Clary's hand, dragging her into the hallway. The rooms erupted in screams, and Clary ran along with Simon until Raphael- or The Vampire, stood in front of their tracks.
"Simon Lewis, you will come with me. And seek my revenge. Forgive me for getting upset for something this small, but you have always been a clumsy loser who has messed up my life. Now I will get revenge."
"Run Clary!" Simon protested when Clary tried to stand in front of them. Raphael pushed Clary through the bathroom doorway.
Clary's head hit the floor, a ringing erupting in her ears.
"Simon!"
But he was gone, and Clary could barely hear his screams in the distance. She looked to her left to see a floating creature, the size of a mouse.
"What the hell?!" Clary screeched. She must be hallucinating. The creature put a hand in front of its lips. "Calm down, I'm real. I'm your kwami, a magical creature who helps you obtain your powers. My name is Werra. You've been selected to keep New York City safe."
The creatures orange wings fluttered as it attempted to stay in the air.
"You, miss Fairchild, are Miss Fiery Phoenix. Your job is to save the world along with the other superheroes from the villain Valentine."
"What?!" Clary screeched. "I'm a superhero? Why me?"
"Shh!" The kwami insisted. "You cannot tell anyone who your identity is! And you need to help save your friend!"
"Simon," Clary remembered solidly. "I have to save him- but what am I supposed to do?"
"You will have to fight. You have two blades that come out of your wings to fight with. You also have your special power, art bind. You will need to use that power to save Raphael from the demonic butterfly within his jacket. Break the jacket with your fellow superheroes, and then capture the butterfly in the golden cup that appears when you use your special power. The butterfly will transform into a piece of art, trapped inside paper, safe and sound away from the city."
"I don't think I understand-" Clary cried in confusion.
"Quickly! Say fire up!" Werra yelled.
"Fire up?"
And then Clary was engulfed in flames, a suit of beautiful orange. Red wings connected to her arms, and a feathered mask went over her eyes.
Clary suppressed another scream. "Werra?! Where did you go?! What do I do?"
But the creature was gone.
Clary gingerly ran out of the bathroom onto the streets. She looked at the wings on her arms apprehensively and flapped them, not expecting to float up.
But the wind caught under her wings and she pumped her arms, trying to get higher and not fall down below. It was so far down- if Clary dropped down she would be dead.
Finally she gasped, landing on the top of the school building. She had to find Simon. She raised her wings again, flapping gently, then flying as fast as she could muster around the city. Suddenly someone crashed into Clary, knocking the breath out of her.
"Watch where you're going!" Clary shouted. She opened her eyes to see a black figure sprawled on the top of a building a few feet away. A girl looked up. "So you must be our new sidekick," she muttered. She stood up, brushing dust off a short dress she wore. Black fabric ran down her shoulders and barely over her thighs, accompanied by black boots and black wings. Her eyes were covered with a mask as well.
Clary gaped at her as she picked up a silvery whip and slung it over to the next building, before pulling herself over the gap.
"Come on, we've got to save the akuma victim," she told Clary. Clary sat up. "Who are you?"
The girl turned around with a dazzling smile before flapping her wings upward. "Black crow. Pleasure."
"Wait up!" Clary protested. She flapped her wings to catch up to the girl.
She flew, barely catching up to her, and saw Simon, being held by the Vampire, who dangled over the building.
Clary resisted screaming out Simon's name- people would figure her out if she did, probably, so she ran over, landing on the building. Two other boys were there already, one dressed in a golden suit decorated with black spots, and the other one in a grey suit, shooting arrows at Raphael from another building.
"Ja- Golden Leopard!" Black Crow screamed. "Watch out!"
Raphael jumped onto the boy with the golden suit, leaning down to sink his teeth into the boy's neck.
That kwami thing said she had blades in her wings- she had to help him. Sure enough, at the seams of her wings she pulled out two wooden blades. Clary lept forward and smacked the Vampire with the blade, watching him hiss in pain and roll over.
"Thanks!" The boy winked. Clary shook her head and grabbed onto Raphael's jacket. He hissed at her and tried to run away, but an arrow from the other boy caught at the Vampire, and Clary tore away his jacket, and Golden Leopard, or whatever his name was, stabbed his own metal blade into the jacket. Out of the jacket came a purple butterfly.
Clary backed away, alarmed, until she realized that she had to capture the thing.
She struggled to remember the words for a moment. "Art Bind!" She shouted. Suddenly, a bright light flashed before them, and in Clary's hand appeared a golden cup. She captured the butterfly in the cup, covering the top with her hand. When she opened her hand back up, inside was a beautifully painted card of a white butterfly.
The akuma was in there!
Raphael laid on the ground, coughing as he returned to his usual self.
Clary shook her head and looked down, hearing congratulating screams and applauds from below. A crowd of people was gathered below the building.
"Thank you superheroes!" Someone shouted. Clary actually just saved someone. She looked over. Simon was sitting on the top of the building, panting.
"Woah- you guys saved me- thank you so much! How- why?!"
The rest of the heroes seemed relaxed, waving to the crowd. Black Crow grabbed Simon and put him on the ground gently,
giving him a warm smile.
Golden Leopard pulled her aside.
"Hey- Phoenix girl-"
"Fiery Phoenix," Clary corrected.
"Thanks for helping us out today. Just make sure to stay cautious, because I'm not so sure Valentine will be as gentle next time with his attack after seeing what we did. Good luck."
And with that, they ran away. Clary looked down to the brown gem necklace, seeing a brown spot fade away. There were four more brown spots. Did that mean she was almost out of time in her superhero position?
She rushed back to school as soon as possible.