Chapter 3—Joining Forces with Hawkmoth

XANA had been scrying from his reflection pool hidden away in his cave. He saw nothing of import until he noticed something unusual in Paris. There was a young seismologist named Jerrica Lichen that had been predicting 'the big one' for years while other scientists mocked her, derided her, rejecting her years of painstaking research on her one and only passion (and source of income).

Doctor Jerrica had predicted the 'mother of all quakes' coming this very day, but when it turned out to be a bust, her employer fired her, tired of her so called 'predictions' turning out to be fiascos. She pleaded with her boss to take her back but he denied her even though she was begging, prostrate before him.

Dejected, totally depressed, she sat outside the Louvre crying. Hawkmoth felt her pain, her discontent and ultimate melancholy. He immediately sent out his akuma and transformed her.

'Tremora, I'm Hawkmoth, your new lord and master. Make those who laugh at you pay with making your prediction reality. You can assist me as well by getting Ladybug and Chat Noir's miraculouses.', he commanded. Darkly, her face drastically changed behind tinted horn-rimmed glasses, she sneered.

'Yes, Hawkmoth.'

'Well, well, well, how the tides have turned. I'm strong enough now that I can leave my cave and befriend this mysterious fellow who seems to have hypnosis as his main talent. That will come in handy.', XANA thought. He broke the confines of the seal and firewall that had been imprisoning him and travelled quickly down the wires into Hawkmoth's lair.

Hawkmoth had not been expecting guests. Though he was sort of reclusive, he always had his puppets do his dirty work for him. XANA wasn't much different in the fact that he had sent monsters after the Lyoko Warriors on so many occasions. He nearly sent his butterflies after him but stopped himself in his tracks. XANA introduced himself with a flamboyant and courteous bow, proving himself a gentleman of respect and not a villain one would want to cross unless necessary. Hawkmoth was already impressed with him, asked him all the inquiry he felt pertinent and shook his hand. Yes, it was the beginning of a sinisterly beautiful alliance. One, they both thought, would begin the ruin of France and perchance, the world following thereafter.