As soon as he passed through the tent doors, Nikolai's senses were overloaded with stimuli. The smell of animal scat and old hay filled his nostrils. Cliché circus music thundered in his ears, deafening him. Several lights swirled over the crowd, blinding him when they passed over. Nikolai edged through the crowd, making a beeline for where his friends were sitting.
"Where were you?" Nino asked as the Venetian squeezed past him.
"Toilet," Nikolai lied. "I forgot to go before." Alya cracked a joke about the size of boy's bladders to the girls, who giggled.
"Thank you for letting me use your jacket." Juleka smiled, handing the garment to him. "You must be cold, right?"
"Keep it," Nikolai replied. "It's cold in here."
"So you use it!" Juleka pushed it into his chest
"A Spaniard's blood is always hot!" Nikolai joked, giving her a grin. "You wear it, please." Nikolai was insistent, literally placing it over her shoulders. What he said was true, but he used to hate the cold. Emphasis on used to. Ever since the Dragon's Anklet was in his possession, a fiery warmth radiated through him.
"I thought you said you're Italian?" Marinette asked, eying the foreigner, as if trying to trace her heritage just by his face.
"He's half-half!" Adrien answered on his behalf.
"Honestly girl, don't you pay attention?" Alya teased, flicking Marinette's pigtail. Nikolai would have lightly teased Marinette, but the lights went to pitch black, the noise of the crowd dimming with the lights. After half a minute of nothing, what seemed like ten times more though, the speakers began to drone their music as the ringmaster walked into the limelight. He was a fat man, who wore a suit several sizes too small. The ringmaster looked sheepish in front of the crows, as if it was his first time on a stage. Nevertheless, the Parisians cheered him on, eager to see the exhilarating performance begin.
"G-good afternoon everyone," the ringmaster mumbled into a microphone. The feedback sent a bloodcurdling screech through the speakers. Nikolai, like many others, cringed and covered their ears. "There is some unfortunate news I must announce. Due to unforeseen circumstances today's show is cancelled." The crowd echoed a sigh of sadness, rustling amongst themselves.
"What a shame," Rose sighed. "I really wanted to see the circus!"
"I'm sure they've cancelled for a good reason," Marinette smiled at her reassuringly.
"The policy that we have only compensates people injured during the performance…" An awkward cough took over, as if he was trying desperately to keep the news at bay. "There will be no refunds." Sadness quickly turned to anger, people enraged that they had been ripped off.
"What?" Nino threw up his arms. "That's rubbish!"
"I paid good money for these seats!" somebody shouted, booing the ringmaster.
"Entertain us, you goon!" another hollered, throwing their drink at the man. It was not long before other people joined in, demanding either the show or their money back. Each person had paid hundreds of euros for this, and expected to be compensated. The ringmaster was helpless to the abuse that followed. Swearing, booing, food ad drink hurled at him, large majorities of it hitting home. If Nikolai was honest with himself, his emotions towards the man was mixed. No one deserved this kind of torment. But at the same time, having eavesdropped on the conversation prior to the start of the performance, there was some justice in this. The ringmaster, desperate for allies and salvation from the barrage of thrown items, turned to where the rest of the troupe was standing. Yet no help came from them. The actors and performers only laughed, relishing at the irony of the situation. The thick PVC coated walls of the tent kept almost everything out; the wind, snow, and noise. But the one thing that the tent did not kept out was a tiny black bug. The butterfly fluttered over the crowds, weaving its way between the volleys of popcorn and soft drink. No one even saw it, until it landed on the director's microphone hanging on the ringmaster's belt. As soon as the bug made contact it exploded, sending its evil through the instrument. The man arched his body back, spasming in shock. The neon purple outline of a moth traced his face, allowing communication between master and host.
"My poor friend," Hawk Moth's voice filled the ringmaster's head as his face darkened. "In times past you were the light of people's lives. Now they mock you, and your friends betray you. I will give you the power to become the greatest entertainer ever seen, but first you must get me the Miraculous held by Chat Noir and Ladybug!"
"The première is over," the man smiled an evil look. "The main show is about to begin!" A black and purple sludge enveloped the man, transforming him. Nikolai raised an inquisitive eyebrow as he leaned forward in his seat.
"Oh no…" Marinette gasped as Alya pulled out her phone. "Alya put that away, this isn't a time to film!"
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the strange mass bellowed. "Boys and girls! Welcome one and all to the spectacular, mysterious and utterly dangerous Big Top Bonanza Circus! I am your master of ceremonies…" the crowd gasped as the sludge revealed the monster beneath. "Ringmaster Balthazar Beauregard!"
The akumatised M.C stood at over seven feet tall. His cheap and tattered suit had been replaced with a smart colonial-styled red jacket with golden lining and black highlights. Black trousers were tucked into his immaculate velvet boots. Atop his head sat an oversized red hat, in its black ribbon sat a flurry of snow white feathers. He was quite fashionable, except for his monstrous height and appearance. Balthazar Beauregard's skin had turned stone grey and clammy. The features on his once plain face had been deformed and demonised. Three meaty fingers occupied each hand, sharp claws on each. The flat, human face had been morphed into an elongated snout. On each side of his bulbous nose was an extraordinarily long handlebar moustache. Balthazar's small piercing eyes twinkled and he licked his sabre-toothed mouth.
"Akuma!" somebody shouted. While the Parisians were stunned by what they saw, the word was enough to cause a panic. People practically climbed over each other to try to escape the tent.
"Where are you going?" Balthazar snarled. "The show has just begun!" the Akuma pulled a whip from his belt and cracked it several times. "You must stay for the performance I have for you!" The tent walls began to bleed the same black and purple substance that reformed Ringmaster. It oozed down, covering the tent walls from the soil to the great peaks. Amidst the chaos of everyone scrambling to flee, Nikolai sprang into action. It was his time to shine!
"Come with me!" Nikolai shouted, grabbing Rose and Juleka by the wrists and pulling them down the bleachers.
"Nikolai!?" Juleka gasped as he pulled them along. Underneath the bleachers was vacant space that had been used to put all the storage crates. The Venetian used what boxes was there to create a crude fortress.
"Hide here," instructed he, piling the crates higher and higher. "That's an Akuma out there. Things are going to get hectic!" satisfied with his work, Nikolai climbed over his creation and looked back at them. "Don't leave until I come back!"
"What are you going to do?" Rose squeaked, her sweet face filled with terror.
"I'm gonna go get the others, then see what I can do to stop it,"
"But you can't!" Rose protested, but he was already gone, out amongst the terrified civilians. They had created a mosh pit around the doors, trying to escape. Most of the people inside the tent had crowded around the exits, trying to escape.
"Nino!" Nikolai saw him amongst the crowd. "Where are the others?"
"Alya's filming the big guy!" he answered, pushing towards Nikolai. "I haven't seen Marinette and Adrien though." Nikolai led him to where Juleka and Rose were sheltered, practically throwing him in with them.
"You three stay here," Nikolai instructed, tipping more crates into the wall that protected the students. "Do not leave here, understand?"
"Now hang on buddy, why are you risking yourself?" Nino protested, standing up to him. Even Nino was taller, Nikolai puffed out his chest with an authority that was unlike him. The authority and confidence of Dragon Fire.
"Because…" the Venetian paused. Because I'm Dragon Fire? That was the correct answer but he'd never reveal that. "Because don't want you to get hurt!" Nikolai vaulted over the palisade of crates and made his way to the ring.
"Have to find somewhere to transform…" In the centre of the ring Balthazar was cracking his whip at the civilians, barking orders through the shouting device.
"And you my dear, shall be a juggler!" Balthazar smiled evilly. The woman that was hit seemed to enter a trance, robotically walking towards where the supplies were and began to juggle clubs, balls, and knives.
"H-help me!" she cried. The her eyes darted to and fro, desperately trying not to drop any of the dangerous equipment on herself. It seemed as if she was hexed, her body being controlled by the Akuma. Yet her eyes and mouth showed her true fear and intentions.
"He has the power to control people with the whip?" Nikolai mumbled as he spied a curtain used by the magician for his tricks. The Venetian kept his distance, weaving his way through the people who had been made to preform against their will. Nikolai and his Kwami hid there, looking out at the monster.
"Sounds like a hell of a show out there!" Draggo said, peeking out from behind the curtain.
"Why don't we join the fun then?" Nikolai smirked, assuming a wide stance. "Draggo, flames up!" The Kwami roared in delight before zipping into the Anklet. The blue eye flared to life, its energy spreading through the band and the golden dragon. Nikolai felt the blistering heat of the flames that spewed from the Anklet swallow him whole. He thrusted his arms out as the magical armour fused onto his skin. Nikolai fluffed his hair back, taking the shape of the pointed horns. With his gauntlets now on, the Venetian pressed the gloves against his face. His face flashed on fire as the hands came away, revealing the mask and recoloured sclera. The belt around him constricted his torso as it wove itself into his tail.
'This feeling…' Nikolai thought as his back hunched over, wings bursting from his shoulder blades in a gory, bloody mess. 'I feel so powerful!' Dragon Fire roared as his canine teeth elongated, sharpened like daggers. The fires faded and the smoke cleared, leaving behind Dragon Fire. The dragon stretched his muscles, flexing his extra set of limbs.
"Here we go!" Dragon Fire beamed, running out into the fray. Dragon Fire took a moment to analyse the scene before him. Ringmaster Balthazar was cracking his whip rabidly. The unfortunate people hit began to preform his tricks. Clown acts, to trapezing, to attempting to lift weights that required superhuman strength. Across the ring Dragon Fire spotted Alya Césaire crouching between the chairs, filming the Akuma on her phone. The dragon man spread his wings, looking up with terror.
"Not much room to fly," he cussed, folding them again. "Cazzo tenda, I hate tents!" Dragon Fire made a mad sprint for the girl, weaving through the crowds of scared people. Alya spotted the anomaly in the crowd almost instantly, and changed the camera's angle to him.
"Alya," Dragon Fire started. "We-"
"You're that guy who showed up when the Janitor attacked!" Alya gasped, taking several photos during the recording. "What's your name again?"
"Dragon Fire," answered he, looking over his shoulder at the conflict. "Listen, we need to get you somewhere-"
"Can I get an interview? Oh! Who's your secret identity? Do you know who Ladybug is?"
"Later," Dragon Fire scoped his arms around her, picking her up by the waist.
"What're you doing!?" Alya shrieked as Dragon Fire hoisted her over his shoulder. "Put me down!"
"You need to hide!" Dragon Fire retorted. "Or else-" the Venetian gurgled in surprise as something dug into his spine, twisting right between his shoulder blades.
"No one picks me up!" Alya protested, driving her thumbnail in further. "Not even my boyfrie-"
"Ow!" the Miraculous user cried, almost dropping the girl. "Stop it!" Such a small point of pressure had completely paralysed him. Even though the power of the Anklet had made Nikolai incredibly strong and able to sustain most injuries, it seemed his nervous system was still vulnerable.
"I won't leave until I see Ladybug!" Alya declared, tugging on his wings. Dragon Fire almost dropped her, sliding the tomboy off of him.
"Crap that hurt," Dragon Fire winced, rolling his shoulders and trying to rub the tender spot on his back. "If Ladybug shows up will you promise to go hide?"
"Yeah yeah yeah whatever Dragon Man," Alya pushed him away, resuming her filming. "Look! There she is!" Sure enough the Miraculous Ladybug swooped down from the bars that were covered in lights. Ladybug observed the scene before charging at the Akuma. Her yo-yo was snapped out of the air by the Ringmaster's whip, sending it clattering away. The Ringmaster pressed the advantage, perusing the heroine with murderous intent. Dragon Fire spread his wings and shot into the air, keen to aid her. The yo-yo rolled to a stop beneath a cannon that had been primed, but lacked shot. Dragon Fire swooped over the weapon and grasped it in his hands.
"Ladybug!" Dragon Fire shouted, watching her roll and leap over the assault of whip cracks. "Catch!" The Venetian pitched the ladybug-patterned yo-yo like a baseball at its owner. Ladybug caught it as she backflipped away from another strike from the weapon.
"You again?" Ladybug rolled her eyes. "What're you doing here kid?"
"My name is Dragon Fire," the name owner was by her side with a mighty beat of his wings. "You best remember that because I'm here to stay!" Dragon Fire could hear her groan and almost feel her annoyance.
"It's great that you're another Miraculous user, but Paris has got enough of us. Chat and I have got a good thing going on here." At that very moment Chat Noir ran past them screaming his lungs out, chased by a horde of elephants on giant balls. God Himself couldn't have chosen a better time for that to happen.
"Clearly," Dragon Fire snorted, crossing his arms and smirking. Ladybug grumbled, throwing her yo-yo out onto a beam across the ring.
"If you have to help, get the civilians out of here. We'll deal with the Akuma. Do not make that dragon appear, got it?" Before the Venetian could even reply she was gone, saving her partner.
"Si, signora." Dragon Fire sighed, saluting sarcastically. He pushed his way through the crowd towards one of the many exits.
"Are you an Akuma!?" Someone next to him shrieked. "Don't hurt me!" the crowd instantly backed away, as if someone announced he had the bubonic plague.
"Relax, I'm one of the good guys." Dragon Fire smiled, making his way to the front. "What's the problem?"
"We can't get out," a woman cried, beating her fist against the door. The purple and black ooze had solidified, encasing them inside.
"I got this," Dragon Fire boasted, cracking his knuckles. "Stand back everyone!" Nikolai Moreau was on the weak side when it came to humans. But in Miraculous form, Dragon Fire was as strong as Chat Noir, possibly greater. The Venetian reeled back and punched the wall. Nothing happened, except for a bruised hand. Dragon Fire punched with both hands in quick succession, followed by a kick.
"Not even a dent…" Dragon Fire mumbled, rubbing his gauntlets.
"That was helpful!" A man snorted. "Are you helping us or what?"
"Star zitto," Dragon Fire spat, his tail twitching in annoyance. Dragon Fire swiped his left hand across the stone on his right gauntlet. The crystal spiked out in all directions, creating a guard for his firearm. The thin blade crackled outwards, forming out of the air. He took a few steps back, trying to eye if their were any breaks or veins in the wall. Despite the pattern being a random conglomerate of colours, it seemed solid. Dragon Fire charged roaring a battle cry his ancestors would have been proud off. The blade dug into the wall, creating horrible blue sparks and grinding noises as the sword slashed through the wall. It was rock solid, but gelatinous at the same time. Dragon Fire's crystal sword came out, but the walls seemed to repair themselves.
"Did it work?" Someone asked.
"There's a mark on the wall, at least," another shrugged.
"Merde," Dragon Fire cursed. "Hang on, I think I can do this!" his wings shot out with a satisfying thwomp! Taking to the skies, Dragon Fire shot into the air and flew in several large circles. He gained more and more speed with each lap. The Venetian launched himself at the door, his arm thrust out in front of him. The substance made a horrible scream as the crystal sword drove its way through the wall. Dragon Fire crashed into it with his body with such a force that would've shattered an ordinary persons bones.
"Crap…" Dragon Fire grumbled, struggling to his feet. He tried to remove the blade from the substance, only to find that the blade had been embedded so far that it would not move.
"You okay kid?" somebody asked, watching the Venetian stagger around.
"Never better," Dragon Fire lied as he swiped his left hand over the guard of the sword. The blade fell from its socket and was instantly replaced by another.
"I don't think you should do that again, you'll break your neck!" The man smiled, helping Dragon Fire recover. The man wore a blue shirt with an eyeball on it, almost identical to-
"Nino!?" Dragon Fire gasped. "I thought you were hiding!" What was his friend doing out of cover? As a victim of being an Akuma and witness to countless attacks, he more than anyone would know the dangers of the beasts.
"I was but Nikolai said he was going to go get Alya, and neither of them have come back!"
'Oh yeah,' The man underneath the mask thought. 'Oops.'
"I'm sure they're both fine," Dragon Fire replied. "Please get back to safety, I'll deal with-"
"I'm not going without Alya!" Nino protested, pushing through the crowd towards Ringmaster. Dragon Fire gave chase, ignoring the job that Ladybug had given him. Dragon Fire stood at the edge of the ring, observing his surroundings. Huge amounts of civilians had been bound to Ringmaster Balthazar's curse. Ladybug and Chat Noir were still evading all attacks from the Akuma and trying to free his victims. Balthazar turned to watch Nino run for Alya, who'd been up to this point undetected.
"Oho, I see you up there little lady! You seem to love to watch others and look at the odd one out. I think you'd be right at home in my troupe, as a bearded lady!" Balthazar's whip glowed a neon purple as he aimed it at the diva. Alya seemed too shocked to move from her place.
"Oh no you don't!" Ladybug grumbled, looking to help her best friend. She picked up the nearest discarded bag and threw with all her might.
"Hey!" Dragon Fire gasped, seeing the object thrown. "That's my-" it was too late, his favourite messenger bag had intercepted the Akuma's whip and took the dark magic for Alya. The bag's trajectory was thrown wild from the impact, rolling to a stop by Dragon Fire's feet. The Venetian gaped in shock and disgust as his treasured bag started to grow a several foot long beard, moustache included.
"Ti bastardo!" Dragon Fire roared. "I got that for my birthday!" Dragon Fire ran to engage the Akuma, but was bowled over my a black mass. The bodies groaned, wondering why their running had been met with eating the dirt.
"Wha?" The body in black leather grunted, looking at the body below him. "Oh it's you! Bonjour, Dragon Man!"
"We have got to stop meeting like this, Chat Noir," Dragon Fire smiled, kicking his hips back and using the momentum to jump up. Try as he might, the Venetian was never one for acrobatics and fell right back onto his arse. "Otherwise I might think you're falling for me!" Chat Noir laughed, the joke and irony of him falling again tickling his funny bone.
"Seems like you're the only one who's falling buddy," Chat Noir grasped his open hand with a clap, hoisting him up. "What took you so-"
"Look out!" Dragon Fire shouted. The herd of stampeding elephants had been gaining on Chat Noir this whole time, bearing down on the cat. Before Chat could turn and protect himself from being trampled, a body wrapped itself around him before springing upwards. Chat expected to be crushed beneath the elephants' feet, but was only crushed by the embrace of Dragon Fire's arms as he flew to the other side of the ring.
"Nice save!" Chat beamed. "Merci, my friend." Their prey now out of reach, the elephants grew bored and docile, huddling out of the way of the Akuma.
"We gotta stick together, right?" Dragon Fire smiled in response, setting him down by the trapeze tower. "Anyway I was hoping for your help. Ladybug wants me to get the people out of the tent but it's impossible with that barrier. Maybe you could use Cataclysm?" Ringmaster Balthazar's whip cracked again, landing in the centre of the target's back.
"I see such a gorgeous specimen there!" Balthazar bellowed. Dragon Fire gaped in shock, watching the body go limp. "Oh how I'd absolutely love to see how you fare against the king of the jungle!"
"Chat..." Dragon Fire mumbled, watching the body shuffle towards where Ringmaster pointed for him to stand. One of the other minions had placed a whip and a small chair down in the there, whilst others rolled the caged lion towards him.
"M'lady?" Chat Noir tried to move his head to look for her. "I could use some help!"
"Oh there's nothing she can do for you now," Ringmaster cackled, provoking the lion with the butt of his whip. "Nothing escapes the thrill of my Big Top Bonanza!"
"Kitty!" Ladybug cried, running for him. Her yo-yo shot out and smacked Balthazar in his huge nose. The Akuma grunted and staggered back into the cage, clutching his face. The lion inside snarled, clawing at the metal bars that separated it and the Akuma's rear. Enraged, Ringmaster cracked his whip wildly, calling forth his slaves.
"Make them suffer!" A horde of the possessed people charged at Ladybug and Dragon Fire. Many shouted in protest and apologised to the pair. Dragon Fire drew his sword, ready to engage.
"No!" Ladybug cried, grabbing his arm. "We can't hurt them, they're civilians!"
"But they're-" Dragon Fire protested as they bowled him over. He was pinned underneath a mass of fists and open hands whacking and slapping him. Ladybug managed to escape the assault, zipping off to where they couldn't reach her. Dragon Fire was not so lucky, taking the brunt of the attack. Dragon Fire struggled to sheath his weapon, lest one of the possessed souls fall upon it. With nothing to protect him from their blows, he took every attack. Pain rippled through his body, every blow bruising his body. Ringmaster Balthazar parted the slaves, walking up to the bent over Venetian.
"You have not been a good audience member!" Ringmaster snarled, winding back his leg and swinging. Dragon Fire let out a gurgling cry as his stomach crumbles under the blow. Blood gushed from his mouth as the kick sent him rolling across the ring. Ladybug looked on in horror as Ringmaster's boot crunched down on Dragon Fire's face.
Dragon Fire felt like he'd been thrown in an acid bath. Everything burnt and stung. Opening his eyes felt a herculean task, and moving nigh impossible.
"Wake up," a voice barked, only inches form his ear. His eyes opened upon instruction, taking in his surroundings. Ringmaster stood by his side, forcing his arm back. Dragon Fire realised that he was strapped against a flat circular board, his hands and feet cuffed against the wood.
"Ladybug?" Dragon Fire looked around for the heroine. From the corner of his eye he saw the young woman tugging at Chat Noir's arm. The cat held his own whip and a wooden chair, keeping the lion at bay. Ladybug tried everything to free him from the hex: scaring the lion with her yo-yo, pushing it back into the cage, she even kissed Chat Noir on the cheek!
"Now, we need another participant!" Ringmaster purred, uncoiling his whip.
[16/03/2017, 12:51:51 am] Spenney Deeeeeeeee: Most of the people in the big top had gone into hiding, terrified for their lives. Hiding behind the cannon was Alya, still filming the events in front of her.
"Alya we her to go!" Nino was by her side, tugging her towards where the Rose and Juleka had promised they would hide. "That hero dude told us that's where Nikolai and the others are!" But Alya was having none of it, she refused to abandon her duty as the moderator of the Ladyblog. But with Chat Noir hexed, Dragon Fire trapped, and Ladybug too distracted trying to help her partner, no one was there to save Nino and Alya. Ringmaster's whip glowed purple as it flew through the air. Alya flinched, covering her head to protect herself from the cord. It cracked, yet she felt no pain.
"Come, child." Ringmaster Balthazar smiled gleefully. "It has been oh so long since I've had the pleasure of seeing a live knife throwing. Come and join the fun!" Alya could only watch stupified as Nino left her side and walked mechanically to Ringmaster. From his brilliant jacked he produced several dangerous blades, thrusting them upon the man.
"W-what's happening!?" Nino cried, trying with all his might to regain control of his body. "I can't control myself, man!" Nino pressed a button on the wheel that Dragon Fire was tied to. A motor whirred and the wheel began to turn.
"Oh god..." Dragon Fire heaved, watching the world spin. "I'm gonna barf." Nino stood approximately ten metres away from his target, selecting his knife. "D-dude!" I'm sorry I can't do anything, I'm sorry!"
"It's okay Nino," Dragon Fire tried to smile, still spinning. "Just miss!" Dragon Fire was hoping that his aim would be so bad that it would sever the ropes that held his arm in place. If he could get his sword then he could cut himself out and fly away. Draggo had boasted that the armour he gave his champions was impregnable, but that had yet to be proven. Nino'a hands shook, the knife blade wobbling betwixt his fingers.
"Stop stalling," Ringmaster barked through his megaphonium. "Throw already!" Nino closed his eyes and thew. Time slowed. The blade spiralled through the air, spinning towards the Venetian. Dragon Fire could only watch as he spun around on the wooden board. Dragon Fire prayed to God, Allah, Bhudda and Zeus alike that he would hear the clack of steel against wood. It looked like they heard his prayers, the blade flying for the board. But as he came around on another cycle the blade made a sickening thud as it hit flesh.
Ladybug turned to the sound of the scream. The sight of Dragon Fire tied up on the spinning board made her observe the situation for what it truly was. Her two allies were incapacitated and unable to fight. Civilians were being injured left, right and centre thanks to Ringmaster's cruel orders. All she had was one trick up her sleeve.
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug cried, throwing her yo-yo skywards. A ladybug patterned boomerang dropped into her hands. "A boomerang? Really?" For a power called Lucky Charm,Ladybug sure was unlucky with what mystery item she was given. Looking at the battlefield Ladybug doctored up a plan in her mind. Several objects flashed in her mind's eye. Ladybug skidded underneath the crack of Ringmaster's whip, hurling the boomerang.
"I'm so sorry!" Nino wailed, picking up another knife. Dragon Fire didn't reply, adrenaline flooding through his systems to nullify the pain of the knife. A second knife left Nino's hand, flying for the Venetian's face. The blade whirled closer with each passing second. Dragon Fire closed his eyes, waiting for his end. Yet it did not come. The boomerang collided with the knife, knocking it off its course. The Venetian felt the rope around his hand come lose, he saw that the knife had sliced it cleanly in two. Dragon Fire roared, tearing at the other ropes, snapping them easily with his sharp claws.
"Thanks Ladybug!" Dragon Fire beamed, dropping to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Ladybug asked, catching the boomerang as it came back around.
"I'll live, what's the plan?"
"Ringmaster's nose seems to be a weak spot. I'll throw my Lucky Charm at it to stun him, then you swoop in to steal that megaphone thing!"
"It's called a megaphonium," Dragon Fire corrected, watching Nino's hex break. The DJ ran to where Alya was beckoning for him, throwing her arms around him.
"Whatever, just go!" Ladybug snapped. Dragon Fire's wings shot out and he took to the sky. Dragon Fire clung to one of the support towers whilst the plan unfolded.
"Hey, Ringmaster!" Ladybug shouted, hurling the curved wooden instrument. Ringmaster turned as the boomerang smacked into his nose. He howled, staggering backwards. Ringmaster crashed into the cage that Chat Noir had been goading the lion into. The impact sealed the door, giving Chat the freedom he craved. Dragon Fire swooped down onto the Akuma. The Venetian held the cuffs of his jacket, his feet dug into the beast's fat belly.
"You're done now, coglione!" Dragon Fire snarled, their faces an inch from each other's. Ringmaster went for his whip. As soon as his arm moved he was howling in pain. Dragon Fire had driven his sword through his forearm.
"Don't!" Ladybug gasped, watching the blade twist through the Akuma's flesh. Ringmaster went to strike Dragon Fire with his other hand, only to be repelled as the blade cut further up his arm. As soon as the whip clattered to the ground, Dragon Fire snatched the megaphonium from his belt and sprung away.
"Dragon Fire!" Chat Noir waved to the teenager flying over his prey. "Throw it!" Dragon Fire did as instructed, pitching the sound amplifier at the cat.
"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir shouted, the power charging his hand with destructive magic. The megaphonium disintegrated upon contact, leaving nothing but a pile of dust. From the dust emerged a black and purple moth, flying skyward to escape.
"No more harm, little Akuma!" Ladybug said, drawing a line across her yo-yo. The top of the tool folded back, revealing a pool of light within. Ladybug spun it around her body, the whole device becoming a beacon of light. "I'm freeing you from evil!" The Akuma had no chance of escaping and was caught in the large sweep she sent in its direction. Dragon Fire could only watch in awe as this unfolded, the true power of the Miraculous Ladybug.
"Incroyable," Dragon Fire mumbled, landing some distance away. Ringmaster had fallen to his knees beside him, his source of energy stolen.
"Gotcha!" Ladybug smirked, catching the yo-yo. Ladybug drew the same line on the tool and a snow-white butterfly fluttered away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly!" The woman in the suit threw the boomerang up in the air, shouting her name. A wave of energy flew around the room, restoring order where there had been chaos. Wounds were healed, items repaired, and trauma repressed. Ringmaster Balthazar was no more.
With Ringmaster defeated and the Akuma purified, the barrier that sealed them in dissolved. The civilians flooded out of the tent, glad to be in sunlight and fresh oxygen once again.
"Good Job!" Ladybug and Chat said in chorus, fist-bumping each other with a beam. The sound of wind whooshing nearby them alerted the pair to Dragon Fire landing nearby.
"That went as well as it could've!" Dragon Fire smiled. "How'd I do?"
"Where do I start?" Ladybug scowled, crossing her arms. "You were going to attack civilians, you disobeyed orders, and you maimed the poor Akuma!"
"Poor Akuma?" Dragon Fire scoffed. "That bastard was tearing the place up! I got the job done."
"Well you didn't do it properly!" Ladybug retorted, pushing her face against his. The pair glared at each other, Dragon Fire bearing his fangs while she pouted.
"I think that's enough, m'lady!" Chat laughed, pointing to the now open doors. "Let's head on out. This kitty could use some air!" Chat grabbed Ladybug by the arm and literally dragged her away. Dragon Fire shrugged and followed. Awaiting them was a fleet of journalists, paparazzi, medics and police. The media workers flooded to the three of them, cameras flaring and people shouting questions over each other.
"Ladybug!" Somebody shouted. "Did you defeat the Akuma?"
"Were there any casualties this time?"
"Who was the Akumatised person?"
"How is your investigation into discovering who Hawk Moth is going?" After several months of the media hounding after the pair of heroes that protected Paris, Ladybug was still taken back by how much attention she was given, her civilian form usually not noticed.
"The Akuma has been defeated, safe and sound!" Chat Noir smiled, stepping up to the crowd. "We were fortunate enough that there were no casualties, only minor injuries." Behind the flash of paparazzi and journalists the man who became Ringmaster was being handcuffed and pushed into a police cruiser. No one was ever charged for the things they did whilst they were an Akuma. He was being arrested for the horrible conditions of his circus,
"Who's the man next to you?" A reporter asked, nodding to the Venetian. "Is that an Akuma?"
"Non, that is our new friend! His name is… er, his name is-"
"My name is Dragon Fire," Dragon Fire answered. "I was recently given the gift of my Miraculous, and, I admit, I still have much to learn." The cameras and reporters almost pushed Ladybug and Chat out of the way, eager to get a look at their new protector.
"How do you get a Miraculous?" a reporter shouted, thrusting a microphone into the Venetian's face.
"Are you sure you're qualified to handle an Akuma? You don't have any experience fighting them!"
"What can you do that Ladybug and Chat Noir cannot?" Dragon Fire looked to Chat Noir, not sure how to handle this situation.
"Be honest," Chat Noir mouthed. "These people want to know who their guardian is. Let them love you, not fear you."
"One does not simply get a Miraculous, you are chosen. Each of us, or at least I was, were random civilians. Our actions made us a candidate for who or whatever chose us." The cameras flashed like a strobe light in his eyes. They were so intense that Dragon Fire used his wing to shield his eyes. Seeing them only made the journalists shout louder, cameras flash brighter, and more microphones and recording devices.
"Dragon Fire!" Alya Césaire pushed her way through the crowd. "You promised me an interview! How are you gonna help Ladybug when she defends Paris just fine?" Before he could even think about the question, someone shouted, pointing to his torso.
"Oh my god!" A woman gasped. "Is that a knife!?" Sure enough the blade that Nino had thrown at him was still nestled in his gut. Blood had been flowing openly from the wound, dripping a red trail behind him. As soon as he saw the blood did Dragon Fire's body feel the pain. It was excruciating, like his stomach was on fire. The burning was not only form the outside, but inside as well.
"Everyone step back!" Chat Noir intervened, seeing the dragon go pale and scrunch up in pain. "We'll take care of this!" Ladybug put his arm over her shoulder, steading him. "Dragon Fire, we're gonna get you some-"
"I-" Dragon Fire spluttered, pushing them back. "Idonneedyourhelp!" his wings spread and Dragon Fire shot into the sky. The reporters went crazy at the spectacle, trying to follow him. Chat used this distraction to scrub away the drops of blood, lest someone use the DNA it held to track the man under the mask.
"I don't understand," Ladybug mumbled, watching him limp away towards the labyrinth of buildings on the far side of the park. "Miraculous Ladybug is supposed to heal all wounds and repair everything. Why didn't it work for him?"
"Who knows?" Chat Noir stood beside his love. "I just hope he'll be okay."
.
.
Dragon Fire's everything was on fire. His stomach was bleeding profusely, his torso burned with every movement that he made. But he had to get away. Dragon Fire needed to detransform and tend to his wounds. An alleyway no wider than a Smart Car was where he finally set himself down. Dragon Fire wrenched over, vomit exploding from his mouth. All that spinning mixed with huge amounts of adrenaline had taken a toll on him. The Venetian wiped his mouth with the back of his gauntlet and put his hands to the wound. The wine red gloves came away a brighter shade, the shade of fresh blood.
"Okay," Dragon Fire took several deep breaths, his hands grasping the hilt of the weapon. "You can do this." Dragon Fire had only touched the blade and he already wanted to scream. The pain rocketed through his body as he began to pull the blade from its bed. Dragon Fire almost passed out, his cries of agony masking the squelching of the blade being fiddled out of his intestines. Tears blinded his vision was steadily narrowing down to a pinpoint, as if the darkness was closing in on him. The serrated knife seemed to have no end. Pain flared even more so before it lessened. His vision was restored as the knife clattered to the ground. Blood spurted from the wound as the blade no longer tapped the flow. Dragon Fire felt his body become enveloped in flames once more, his Kwami left the Miraculous.
"Crap that hurt," Draggo groaned, whizzing around manically. "What a fight though!"
"You got hurt? I was the one who got stuck by a knife!" Nikolai wheezed, clutching his stomach. "Oh fuck, I think I'm gonna die."
"You'll be fine man. I was able to absorb most of the damage." The Venetian's hands shook violently, his own blood caking his hands.
"How the fuck did you absorb anything!? Look at me!" Nikolai lifted his shirt to show Draggo the damage he sustained. "What the-?" The bleeding had stopped. The wound had closed and sutured itself. All that remained was a horrible red scar across his gut.
"I was able to heal the wound as I detransformed," Draggo explained, fluttering down and sitting on Nikolai's chest. "I told you I was the best!"
"If you're the best then how come I got hurt?" Nikolai snapped. "I thought you said that your armour was impenetrable!" Draggo hummed in thought, leaning forward to rest in Nikolai's cleavage. Logically, he should've been able to protect him, yet he didn't.
"Guess it's because I haven't been actively used for a long time," Draggo mused, pawing at the amulet that lay beside him. "Perhaps we haven't had enough time to bond either." Nikolai sighed as he pushed his shirt down and groaned as he pulled himself up.
"I can still feel it…" Nikolai hissed, clutching his stomach. "Merda, fa male."
"Toughen up!" Draggo scoffed. "Are you a man or a pussy?" Nikolai ignored him, limping back towards l'Cirque Phénix where his friends, both superhero and normal, were waiting.
The old man's eyes fluttered open, his meditations drawing to a halt.
"What news?" A small green creature asked, floating before him.
"The champion is a suitable one," Master Fu nodded. "He preformed as expected."
"Are you sure giving the boy the Anklet was a good idea?" Wayzz asked, aiding the man up from the tatami mat flooring. "Draggo has always been volatile and reckless. And the power that the wielder can summon makes him an abomina-"
"Wayzz," Master Fu waved dismissively. "The boy will be fine. I trust him." Master Fu looked at the gramophone on the mantle affectionately. What looked much like an antique held so many secrets. Several Miraculous had been hidden there. So much power at his fingertips, yet the old man did not use it, for there was no need.
"Master," Wayzz persisted. "The Anklet is too dangerous. Why you ever recovered it is beyond me!" Master Fu sighed, shuffling into the kitchen to make some tea for the pair of them.
"Because, my friend, it is one piece of the Four."
"So why give the Venetian the Anklet? If you had to give him one of the Four you have the tiara right there! Better yet, give him the Bee's Comb or the Fox's Amulet!" The kettle whistled as the old man poured the contents into a mug and a thimble, each with leaves already placed in them.
"No, I have a plan for Nikolai." Master Fu hummed, sipping his drink. "First, I must locate the missing pieces of the Four…"