Chapter 4
The residents from Paris were the first to react followed soon by the native New Yorkers. One shout of fear that Marinette was sure came from Chloe started the massive rush to exit the room. The crowd hit the doors in a panic and for a second the fashion designing superhero thought the pure rush was going to free the crowd but the doors held firm.
"Now now lets not leave before the show has even started," Hawk Moth said with a grin as he raised his right hand. A aura of black energy Marinette usually saw surrounding one of the Akuma butterflies before she purified it covered his hand. "Stoneheart would you be so kind and watch the door for me."
Ivan's head spun around looking at the super villain at the mention of the name of the monster he had became. Marinette saw fear in the big teen's eyes before he was engulfed in the same dark energy that Hawk Moth was holding in his palm. The next instant people were launched back as the massive stone body of Stoneheart replaced the form of Ivan Bruel. Mylene's scream of, "NOOOOOOOOOOO," sent an ache through Marinette's heart.
Enough was enough, she didn't know how or why Hawk Moth was here but she was not going to let him hurt her friends again. This was the last straw. She would take him down. Even if she had to do it alone. Her partner was a ocean away still at home in the City of Love.
Almost as if her thoughts had conjured him a blur of black shot out from under the stage where a few moments ago a blonde teen model had been able to hide during all the chaos the rush to doors had caused. Chat Noir rebounded off the wall changing direction and gaining height on his jump as he launched an attack at the super villain.
Hawk Moth's cane shot up blocking Chat first attack and a flurry of strikes forced the leather clad hero to give ground for a second. He stood a few feet back from the villain automatically dropping into a en garde position. To his his surprise Hawk Moth mirrored his stance. "I was wondering if you or the bug would be joining us tonight," Hawk Moth's voice dripped hate. Chat Noir did a quick eye flick to the side to confirm that Stoneheart wasn't coming to the Moth Miraculous wielder's aid. He realized the stone giant was doing just what Hawk Moth ordered him too. He was guarding the doors.
His eyes locked on the villain's and his smile turned into one that would do the Cheshire Cat proud. "Really don't know why your here Hawky, but I have to say you did solve a problem I was having."
"And what was that ally cat?"
"I've been trying to find a souvenir for my Lady for when I went home. I think your Miraculous and maybe your head would be just clawsome don't you?"
Marinette almost rolled her eyes at her partner's pun only the fact that she was still shocked to see him here had stopped the usual reaction. She looked around desperately trying to figure out were to hide so he didn't have to face Hawk Moth alone. None were presenting themselves to her. Hawk Moth dropped out of his swordsmen stance with a sneer. "I will have to ask my Master if he could do something about you annoying humor when he makes you his servant. Tiger Claw would you mind handling this for me while I see to more recruiting."
Only his enhanced reflexes saved Chat as he jumped back a roar echoing through out the room as a figure lunged from the shadows at him. The attacker's claws coming a hair breath from his throat. Chat raised a masked eyebrow as he took in his new opponent. "What kind of Akuma are you?"
A fanged snarl answered him as his foe, a human shaped tiger apparently, drew a wicked curved sword from his back. "I am Tiger Claw, a tiger mutant and the greatest killer in all of Asia." He held up his other hand clearly showing off his claws. "And I will show you the difference between a cat and a pretender cube."
Chat smirked as he spun his staff. "So it's a cat fight then?" Tiger Claws response was another roar as he attacked.
Only to have a white ball smash into his face before it exploded in a burst of purple smoke. Three more smoke bombs landed around Hawk Moth and one smashed into Stoneheart's face. The next instant the room was filled with a thick purple smoke. "Chat Noir," the shout drew Adrien's attention to the side where April O'Neil was running up to him her battle fan already out. That why the smoke looked familiar he realized. It was the same that Casey Jones and his unseen friends had used on the Purple Dragons.
With a smile that had amazed more than he few professional photographers he turned to address the red head. "So my fame has already reached the States I take it if you know my name miss," he said with a grin.
"Yeah your that superhero that keeps hitting on Marinette," April said with a smirk of her own seeing the cat suited hero almost trip over himself over that statement. He stuttered something about his princess but the kunoichi in training cut him off. "Right now we need you to do that hero thing on the doors so these people can get out."
Chat Noir wondered if he had somehow conditioned himself to follow orders of strong willed females as he found himself already running for the door before he realized what he was doing. "Wait what about you? These aren't like some street gang. This guys are serious baddies."
April looked at him causing Chat to realize he may have screwed up mentioning the Purple Dragons. She didn't know he had been there. Before she could comment Tiger Claw emerged from the smoke like some big game hunter's worse nightmare. "Yes Ms. O'Neil what do you plan on doing about the baddies?"
April pulled her hand close to her the air around her stirring as she gathered her power. Then with a shout she thrust a hand out at the Foot Clan enforcer the iris of her eyes disappearing as they went pure white. A wave of force shot out slamming into Tiger Claw throwing him back and blowing the smoke away from her and Chat Noir. "I've got this. I've got friends coming but we need to get these people out of here."
The next instant a nightmare that looked like someone had combined a zombie and a werewolf and then pissed it off stepped from the smoke. "So the little wannabe ninja thinks she can fight us alone huh?" the creature smiled as it spoke. At least Chat Noir thought it was a smile all he could really focus on was that it showed more fangs.
April raised her fan dropping down into a fighting stance. "Shouldn't you be chasing cars Rahzar?" If the red head feared the monster Chat saw no sign of it. He stood for a second torn between helping his new friend and going to help the rest of the people escape. His cat ears twitched as he herd a familiar voice shout out from the smoke, "Spot's on," and caught a brief flash of pink light in the smoke.
No way his brain shouted to him. What were the odds she was here as well? Right in the crowd with him. He felt hope rise in his chest and couldn't help a happy shout as a red and black spotted figure practically flew out of the smoke planting both feet into the wolf creature's chest smashing him back with a pained grunt.
Ladybug flipped in mid air landing next to the redhead her yoyo spinning in her right hand. "She's not alone Chaten," she said never taking her eyes off the monster ahead of her. "Now be a good kitty and go save the civilians please."
Even though she couldn't see him Marinette knew her partner was bowing when he spoke. "As always willing to lend a helping paw my lady," he said before rushing towards the doors.
"Now we can't have that now can we?" the cool voice of Hawk Moth spoke as he emerged from the edge of quickly dissipating smoke. His right hand was once again covered by the dark energy. "Wouldn't you agree Lady Wifi, Darkblade?"
Twin shouts of pain sounded loud in the auditorium. One a man's the other a girl's that caused Ladybug to look over as she recognized it as Alya's. Before she could confirmed what she feared had befallen her best friend Tiger Claw and Rahzar chose that moment to renew their attacks on the two girls. Paris' hero found herself hard pressed to stay out of the way of the sword and claws of the tiger mutant.
Chat Noir found himself in trouble as his own fencing instructor, Armand D'Argencourt, had once again became the akuma knight Darkblade in a swirl of dark power and now blocked his path. "I do believe we didn't finish our duel to my satisfaction last time cur." The former teacher said as he attacked. Chat's parry was quick, skilled, and the move of a master swordsman. It was also the worst thing he could have done at that time he realized as Darkblade disarmed him so fast he was almost too stunned to dodge the thrust that would have speared his heart.
Chat would have cursed out load if he had time to spend on it, but as he was he found himself throwing all his energies into trying to stay out of the reach of Darkblade's sword tip. He had never been able to get pass Mr. D'Argencourt's skills in practice and now that they were both enhanced by magic he was finding he still couldn't match the man's skill. Unarmed as well meant going on the offensive was an impossibility.
"Doors are sealed boss," a shout rang out drawing Adrien's attention to the lock doors again for a second. There much to his horror stood Alya once again in her Lady Wifi outfit with her hand on her cell phone. The doors he had been trying to get to all now had a glowing lock symbol on them. Great now what more could go wrong Chat thought.
Hawk Moth spoke as if in answer to Adrien's thoughts. "Good job my dear now if you would please take care of the cat and bug for me." Looking at the crowd his smile grew. "Lets have some more friends come out to play as well shell we." The dark energy once more formed around his hand.
Chat once again had to dodge a deadly strike from Darkblade as Hawk Moth's shout of "Bubbler," distracted him. To his dismay the back flipped he did to get clear of the akuma's blade put him in a position to see the dark energy encase his best friend. Rage filled the usually good nature hero. The first time Nino had been akumitized was because of his loyalty to Adrien. Guilt had spread into the bearer of the black cat ring for months after the incident. Especially all the times he saw Nino needlessly apologizing to his classmates for what he called the hostage party.
And now Hawk Moth was making his friend go through that all again. Anger pushed Chat Noir as he rushed Darkblade using his greater agility and speed to shoot under his armored foes legs catching the akuma in the knee as he passed dropping him like a rock. Rolling to his feet with the real goal of his attack in his hands. Pointing his retrieved baton at Hawk Moth he snarled in a voice that was half human half the angry growl of a ally cat as he challenged the man that terrorized his home town for a year now. "Your going to pay for that."
A glint of amusement came to the super villain's features. "Oh scary," he taunted.
Chat started to move determined to wipe the mocking smirk of Hawk Moth's face but once again found his attack turned into defense as the Bubbler launched a volley of explosive and trap bubbles at the hero. Chat's baton became a blur of movement as his formed a shield around himself.
Thinking to call for help he caught sight of his lady and April. Both the girls were still being hard pressed by the cat and wolf monsters and he knew if he called for help it risked distracting his lady from her foe. He would rather die that see her harmed to save him.
Grimly he set his jaw and focused on his defense, briefly wondering when the friends April spoke of were going to arrive.
/
Splinter's meditation was interrupted by the sound of two of his sons arguing in front of the dojo door. Why this was by no means a new event, the sense of urgency and fear was not so common place. When he exited the dojo area of their home he noticed it was in near pandemonium.
Leonardo and Michelangelo were strapping extra shuriken and smoke bombs to their usual gear while Rapheal was adjusting the mini flame throwers he had made at the O'Neal farm to his wrist. Splinter raised an eye at this as his hot tempered son rarely used the weapons. Perhaps because of his own volatile nature he had a healthy respect for the power the devices held. The sound of the Shellrazor being tuned up by Donatello cemented the situation for the ninja master.
His sons were quickly preparing for battle.
"Leonardo report," Splinter's voice and thinking went from concerned father, the part of his life he took the most joy from, to that of a ninja master commanding his warriors. A role he was trained since birth to fulfill. There were many reasons his sons would be willing to go into battle. They ran the gambit of seeing an injustice that needed to be put right to boredom with what was on television, but there were very few reasons for them to even consider going out to fight during the day. The risk of discovery was far to great.
"April's in trouble," Leonardo said as he helped Raphael strap a second pair of sais to the lower half of his shell. Damn that was one of the few reasons for the boys to face the day light Splinter thought. The girl was not only his student and a future kodachi of the Hamato Clan, she was also a part of their family at this point. The first human to ever except his sons for the people they were and not the creatures the Krang's mutagen had made of them.
Leo finished helping his brother and turned to face his father. Splinter was momentary amused by the fact that the two got along the best when getting ready to go and do violence. Sadly for a second he found himself comparing their interactions with his adoptive brother before Saki had taken the name Shredder. They had been closest when their was a battle to fight as well. "That french super villain Donnie showed us is attacking the Expo," his eldest informed him as he himself went from dutiful son to his own mental version of ninja leader. "April was able to get a call for help out through Donnie's camera and we know from the Ladyblog feed before it went down that Ladybug and Chat Noir are there as well."
Splinter had a moment of surprise as he felt a small sense of irony. The reason he had been meditating since yesterday was because of the superhero duo. He had been wondering if he should seek them out and try to repay the debt of honor he owed them by just being a member of the Hamato Clan. Now it would seem fate was going to give him and his family a chance to fulfill an ancient pact without having to figure out how to sneak five mutants to Paris. For a split second he was so focused on his thoughts he almost missed the next thing Leonardo said. "Also Hawk Moth is being helped by the Foot Clan."
Hamato Yoshi was not a man that shocked easy, even before he had adopted four mutant turtles as his beloved sons and himself turned into a house cat's worse nightmare, nothing had ever surprised him for long. So the long shocked look on his face at his son's simple words most of showed greatly on his face.
"Father you okay?" Leonardo's voice was filled with worry. Worry that intensified when a very offensive Japanese word that Leo didn't even know his father knew growled out between clinched teeth.
"Shredder has become even more a fool than I had thought," Splinter spun on his heels reentering the dojo but practically yelling through the door to his sons. "I thought his foolishness had reached it's peak when he tried to kill me instead of trying to save the Earth."
Splinter came back out of the dojo with his jade cane sword in his hand and a strap across his chest lined with pouches. Leo knew that each patch was filled with everything from throwing stars to smoke bombs and probably a few things that him and his brothers wouldn't even known how to use. "We must make haste. Top priority must be to keep the Ladybug Earrings and the Black Cat Ring away from both Shredder and Hawk Moth."
The "we" part surprised both Leonardo and Raphael for a moment as they starred at their father stalk past them to where they kept their two ground vehicles. Before they could say anything the text message alert on Mikey's phone went off. The youngest turtle read incoming message. "It's from Casey. A-hole Footbots locked me out can't get to April. They sent a damn army. Then he sent a smiling pudding for some reason."
Raphael looked over at his brother's phone and then smacked the orange clad mutant upside the back of his head. "That not a pudding."
Michelangelo looked about ready to make a angry response to his brother when realization showed on his face. "Oh."
"Tell him to hold out we're on our way and we can take care of the locked doors." Splinter said as the four rounded the corner just as an impatient Donatello came running their way. The argument earlier had been him and Leo. Donnie was always snappy anytime April was in trouble and had lashed out at the eldest brother. The brief fight had already been forgotten by the blue clad turtle as he and the others knew Donatello's feelings for their human friend. It gave Donnie some room for error in situations like this even with Raph.
"Donatello can the Shellrazor armor crash through a cinder-block wall?" Splinter asked not breaking stride forcing his genius son to skid a stop before turning back around to keep up with the group.
"Easily," the inventor of the vehicle seemed almost insulted at the question.
"Good because for this mission stealth is a secondary concern and we have a wall to breach."
This statement caused all four brothers to stumble. Stealth is the Ninja's greatest weapon had been drilled into the boys' heads almost since they could form words. What was it about this mission that had their Master dismissing a rule he considered a foundation to his teachings?
Author's Notes:
This is a short chapter. I had more I wanted but was getting too many comments and stuff worried I had gave up on this story. I hadn't Just life getting in the way of my fandom.
