Thanks to kakyo55, 165072, JellyB3ll, Misheru08 for the Favs and ShadowWolfDemon19, 165072, , Misheru08, RainaFox, WhiteRed, megzilla01 and minnatarek for Following! (Sorry if I named you guys before, I'm trying to get back into this)
I'm trying to be more productive so that chapters can come out faster. I'm very sorry for the hiatus, I was procrastinating and doing whatever my adult life needs me to (which sucks, by the way). I'm also supposed to go to school again but I will kick myself in the butt because I love you guys and this story so bear with me okay? And please comment after this chapter, I'm really excited to see your reactions because THE SHIP IS SAILING, PEOPLE! Enjoy!
-/ / /-
I punched you in the face but now you're kissing me?!
Part 2
Peacock jumped down, flashing a bright blue and Ambre walked out from the alley, looking up as the two other heroes made their way to Le Grand Paris. She signed and Eno poked out from her jean's pocket to meet her face-to-face.
''I need food to recharge my energy so you can turn back. You packed croissants riiiiiight?''
Ambre reached in her back pocket and handed the kwami a plastic bag containing the pastery. Eno shrugged, knowing it was the best they would get and settled on her shoulder as she started making her way to Chloé's.
''I'm annoyed to admit but the cat has a point : where did you learn to fight like this?''
''It's not important.'' She responded, causing Eno to not look impressed.
''I know what you used to do -and what you are still doing sometimes when you think nobody's looking- but this kind of fighting style, someone must have trained you. I'm pretty sure simple crimimals without a military or wrestling backround wouldn't know a wristlock.''
Ambre turned her head a bit, surprised, ''...You recognized it?''
''I am the Peacock kwami, I helped the greatest heroes of history gain victory in the Egyptian, Medieval and the Elizabethan eras! Of course I know of different ways of fighting.'' Eno said, puffing its feathers in pride.
''I just didn't picture you, the gracious peacock you keep saying you are, knowing about brutal holds.''
''Don't judge a book by it's cover, young lady. Oh and by the way knocking out your friends is not the greatest way of showing your love for them, did you know that?''
Ambre threw up her arms in the air, people turning to look at her strangely as she seemed to talk to herself.
''Yes Juleka is my friend, but she was a threat and she needed to be neutralised for the time being. What do you want me to say? 'Oh sorry, it was an accident! The amount of pink you were wearing shocked me so much my hand slipped and banged your head on a hard surface'?! She's going to forget anyway when everythin turns back to normal.''
''Oh no, don't get me wrong. I was just wondering if you would do the same to Nathan when you'll face him, that's all.''
''Eno, I swear to-''
''We're here!.. I think. Let's go.'' It pointed with its tiny arm to a big hotel. It was a six-story building, white with red fabrics awnings on the windows. The way to the entrance had a red carpet and the automatic doors were surrounded by a black dome of metal in an intricate design. There wasn't a doorman so Ambre guessed the akumatized people must have already taken control of the hotel. She hoped Ladybug and Chat Noir were already in and keeping the situation under-
Ambre ducked behind an Adrien Agreste advertisement and moved her head just enough to spy from her hiding spot. The Evillustrator walked out through the entrance, stopping and glancing around. He was probably the look-out for Maleficient, keeping people in and out of the building for her so she could do her business unbothered. ''Eno, you done?''
''Nearly, give me a minute.''
Ambre groaned before looking back at the Evillustrator. She remembered when Nathan had told her about the time he had been akumatized because of Chloé and how much it had distressed him to become... This. And now it was happening again. She knew a normal person would feel worried for their friend, hurry to transform into the Peacock to find Maleficient and free their friend
from their evil persona, but...
Ambre was, actually, really pissed off.
She hid Eno in her pocket against its will and made her way stealthy to the hotel. When the Evillustrator wasn't looking her way, she went and hid behind a car then a bin. She waited a few minutes and he started drawing on his tablet out of boredom. She took a rock, judged its weight and threw it to a car's front window, activating its alarm. The Evillustrator immediately walked to it to investigate and Ambre hurried behind him, half-hunched.
Before he had time to aknowledge her, she wrapped her leg around his, grabbing his left arm, twisting it to make him loose the grip on his pencil. She then turned him so he would face her, grasped his right arm and pushed him against the wall, putting her forearm on his throat.
''Did you.. really think I would let you get away after you pushed me?'' Ambre rasped out before looking at him in the eyes, Grey vs. Turquoise. ''Gee Nathan, I thought you knew better than that.''
His expression became furious, ''I am-''
''I don't give a shit who you are! No one touches me then get out of it without a scratch.'' He started struggling so she thrust her arm more into his neck and tangled his leg with hers, getting them nearer. He put his unrestricted hand on her forearm to try and loosen her hold on his gosier but ceased all of a sudden. Ambre focused back on his face and he was... blushing? Their faces were closer but she could see the red on his cheeks, appearing even more on his white akumatized skin. She hesitated, thinking he was about to pass out. She released him, letting him drop on the ground on all four. ''If this is a trick, I will break your nose. Even if you're my friend.'' She added the last part mostly for Eno, feeling it fidget.
The Evillustrator stayed down, rubbing his hand on his sore throat. He wasn't reaching for his pencil so she gave him some space. She knew that having oxygen cut off, even a little, could be shocking to the human body. Everyone had a different reaction to the fight-and-flight response emitated from the brain, it happened to her too the first time she had be showed this move.
''...Ambre?'' The Evillustrator gasped and raised his head to look at her, his facial expression unsure.
She raised her eyebrow, ''Well duh, who else would it be?''
''What-'' He started and got up shakily. He shook his head from side to side, putting his hand to his temple. ''What happened?''
''You got akumatized but not really, Maleficient awakened the villain in you and brought the Evillustrator back,'' She told him and reached down and took his pencil. ''So if I hand this back to you, are you going to go berserk again?''
Nathan stood up straight and scratched the back of his head, ''No, I don't think so. If Maleficient is the one that changed me then Hawk Moth can't affect me. I think.''
She gave him the pen back, ''Good enough for me. If anything happens I can always-''
''GET AWAY FROM HER, EVILLUSTRATOR!'' A male voice shouted from the sky and Nathan quickly drew something on his tablet and a big wall of glass appeared before them and Chat Noir came face first into the barrier and slowly slid down with a screech, both Ambre and Nathan's eyes following his descent as he finally fell down.
''Me-ow,'' He let out as he passed a gloved hand on his face and Ambre couldn't help but roll her eyes. A red and black yo-yo knocked over the wall and it broke into blue pixels. Ladybug landed and Chat Noir jumped back on his heels to stand up and Nathan quickly placed himself between them and Ambre.
''Back away from Ambre- I mean this girl!'' Ladybug demanded, her and Chat Noir taking their fighting stance.
Ambre went to ask how she knew her name but noticed something, ''Hey, how come you're taller than me?''
Nathan turned to her, ''What?''
''I mean, we're the same height normally but you're a few inches taller now.''
He bent his fingers and compared their heights, ''Uh, you're right.''
The cat and his lady glanced at each other, ''Are we interrupting something?''
Nathan scraped the back of his head sheepishly and Ambre explained, ''Somehow by strangling him, I broke him out of the akumatized's... hypnosis? I dunno.''
''And by 'strangling', you mean?'' Chat Noir pointed out.
''Exactly what she meant, I won't be surprised if I bruise,'' Nathan joked, brushing his neck.
Ambre crossed her arms. ''Don't be a wuss.''
Ladybug intervened, ''Not that I don't appreciate your help but you should leave. The akuma is in the hotel, it's dangerous and I don't want you to be caught in the crossfire.''
''She's right!'' Nathanaël agreed and seized her shoulders so his friend would face him, ''Maleficient is after Chloé but that doesn't mean she won't hurt you if you're in her way.''
''Dude I can take care of myself, don't worry.''
''Yes, I know that first-hand. Though I doubt that could take an akuma head-to-head, now could you? If it helps, I can help Ladybug and Chat Noir defeat her.''
''I-'' She started but Eno moved around her pant's pocket so much she had to cover the bulge. ''Ok ok, I'm going.''
He let out a relieved breath, ''Thank you Ambre.''
She waved her hand and jogged back into the street she came from while the other three entered the building from the entrance. She went in an alleyway and Eno was freed from its prison of tissue.
''How could you go confront him without me?'' It squealed at her.
''You mean your powers?''
''Semantics. Now hurry and transform or your boyfriend will leave without you!''
''He's not my- Ah screw it. Feathers Fluffed!''
-/ / /-
Peacock climbed back up on a nearby building and brought the top of her staff to her eye. She peeked in and saw throught a window that the heroes and Nathan were already on the second floor, Ladybug swinging her yoyo at someone or something. Hooking the staff in her back, Peacock stepped back, ran to the edge and dived to the window feet first.
The glass brust into shiny fragments as she landed on the hotel's floor to meet face-to-face to a girl with short brown hair, wearing a dark spandex costume with a strange fluorescent pink on her torso.
She had a phone in her hand and Peacock guessed she was Lady Wifi. Ladybug shouted from behind her to watch out as Lady Wifi swiped on her phone. Peacock swung her staff at the oncoming crismon attack but her weapon stayed in place no matter how much she pulled. She realised the attack was a 'pause' button that was stuck to it.
Wifi laughed cruelly and swiped again. Chat Noir dragged Peacock out of the way and hid behind a turned up table. ''Uh.. Thanks?''
The man-cat grinned, '' See, you can be polite when you want.''
Peacock made a face, ''Shut up.''
''Now is not the time for you two to become bffs, there's a battle going on!'' Ladybug told them as she and Nathan were avoiding the attacks. ''Chat Noir, Peacock, the tables. Evillustrator, draw a cage!''
The bird and the stray started flipping tables at Wifi and while she pausing them in the air, the Evillustrator followed Ladybug's order and the cage materialized and fell on Lady Wifi. She was trapped.
''I'm taking this,'' Peacock winked at Wifi who grit her teeth as the other crushed the phone with her foot.
''One down, two to go,'' Ladybug said and rilled her yoyo in. ''That's quite a change of pace, 3 of us against an akuma. Well. 4 of us for today.'' She smiled at Nathan.
He passed he fingers throught his hair again, ''I'm just trying to help out, I promised my friend after all.''
Peacock felt a light smile stretch on her face, if only he knew I'm right there. She noticed Chat Noir watching her with curiosity but didn't say anything.
She saw movement out the corner of eye and turned toward Nathanael. The scenery of the room seemed to move by itself and she suddenly remembered.
''Vanisher!'' She pointed at where she assumed she was but then door leading to the stairs banged open and Reflekta walked out. ''What the? I knocked you out!''
''And you'll pay for this!'' Reflekta warned and shot at them with the jewel on her wrist. Everyone separated to avoid the lasers and the door behind Reflekta opened and the Vanisher vague form climbed up the stairs.
''The Vanisher is leaving! N- Evillustrator, come with me. Lady and the stray, you guys take care of Reflekta this time.''
''Got it!'' Ladybug agreed and covered them when they ran for the stairs.
They rushed up to the 4th floor, expecting to find the Vanisher alone. Instead, Maleficient was the one expecting them. Nathan froze at the sight of her and Peacock was instantly on-guard.
''Evillustrator, why are you helping them? Didn't you want to have your revenge on Chloé?''
''I promised my friend- I won't help you.''
''Was your friend hurt by her?''
Nathan lowered his eyes and bit his lips.
''We both know how Chloé is. Egoistic, cruel, selfish. She hurts others for own her pleasure.'' Maleficient slowy walked to him and put her hand on his shoulder, ''Don't you want to avenge you friend? I'm sure she would understand. She would agree, even.''
Don't assume what people feels, you bitch, Peacock thought, clenching her fists. Don't listen to her, Nathan!
''I guess..'' He trailed on, his eyes becoming glazed over.
''By stopping Chloé, you will protect your friend... Evillustrator. Now,'' Her eyes turned to the Peacock. ''Get her miraculous for me, will you?''
''Yes, Maleficient.'' He rolled his pencil over his finger and faced Peacock with a cold expression. He started drawing on his tablet as Maleficient left through the opposite stairway.
Peacock had forgotten to take her staff back after defeating Lady Wifi, so she had no way of deflecting the wrestling gloves the Evillustrator flew to her. She avoided most of them but one got her in the back and sent her in the kitchen, hitting the door then the kitchen counter. It hurt like hell, but the belt of her costume got stuck on the side of the counter and her miraculous got loose and slipped, transforming her back without her will.
''Woah!'' Eno yelled as it rolled over itself in the air. It shook its little head and grasped the gravity of the situation, ''Ambre, you transformed back! Hide!''
Ambre did as told, took her miraculous and hid beneath the counter as the Evillustrator opened the kitchen door. ''Show yourself, Peacock.''
It was too late to change back, he would see her and her secret identity would be blown. Come on Ambre, think!
''Hey, he's going to check in the freezer, now's your chance!'' Eno advised, to Ambre's relief.
She looked out as he reached the freezer's handle and bounced. He opened the door and pushed him in and closed it fast before leaning onto it, breathing out. She heard a noise coming from inside and a gloved hand grabbed her bicep. She couldn't help but scream, her stress too high. She turned around, clenched her fist and punched him right on the nose.
''OUCH!'' The Evillustrator shouted and fell on his butt. Ambre noted the door was half-erased and assumed it was another of his powers. She pressed her hand to her chest, her heart pounding. ''Ambre?!''
The Evillustrator stood up, holding his nose and looking at her as if she had grown a second head. She scoffed, ''You don't get to look at me like that. You scared the shit outta me!''
''And that's a reason to break my nose?'' He asked without waiting for a responce, ''What are you even doing here? I told you to leave!''
''B-Because I was worried,'' She turned away to hastily place her miraculous back on her belt, ''I had a reason to be, you became evil again.'' He didn't say anything but he was clearly uncomfortable. Ambre signed and rubbed her forehead. ''Ok, what's the situation?''
''Uh... Ladybug and Chat Noir are fighting Reflekta downstairs and the Peacock and I- wait, where is she? She's supposed to be in here.''
Ambre coughed, ''I don't know, I sneaked in and was able to hide in here then I heard a fight outside and that Peacock girl barged in and took off.''
''That's strange, why would she leave?''
''I dunno, alright,'' She crossed her arms and spotted flour bags in the corner. ''There's an invisible villain right?''
Nathan agreed, taken aback, ''How do you-''
Ambre took one of the bags in her arms, ''Do you know where Chloé could be?''
''I'd guess on the top floor, she lives there with her dad.''
''Of course. Let's go.''
''What? No! You can't go, it's too dangerous.'' Nathan tried to stop her but she was already out of the 5 stars kitchen. ''Ambre, I'm serious.''
''Same here,'' she huffed and put the bag over her shoulder. ''Apparently you can't stay level-headed without me around so, sorry-not-sorry but you're stuck with me. You coming?''
He signed out of desperation and joined her on the stairs, ''Fine. But stay close to me, I don't want you to get hurt.''
''Yes mom.''
-/ / /-
They arrived on the 5th floor but opened the door slowly, to be sure no one was waiting for them. Ambre touched Nathan's arm and pointed to the shimmering in the middle of the room, ''I have an idea, make her come to us.''
Nathanaël quickly draws something and they heard screams and hurried footsteps. They stand in position, both holding the ends of the bag and she comes out running face first into it. The flour dispersed, the Vanisher coughing but now visible. Nathan draws again and she falls down, tied with a rope.
''Good job!'' Ambre and Nathan high fived. ''I'm kind of wondering, what did you do to make her this scared?''
Without a word yet smirking, he opened the door and she saw a giant Chloé with red skin, horns on her head and a goatee, made of cardboard. Ambre snorted, ''That's such a great real-life portrait.''
''I know.''
They shared a look and started snikering. Ambre patted him on the back when their laugh died down but Nathan stared at her. She questionned him, ''What?''
''Nothing, I like your smile that's all.''
Astonished, she had no witty response to that. She had never been used to genuine compliments, especially ones that came from someone she cared about.
...Cared?
She blushed, flustered. Nathanaël smiled, took her hand and they stepped over the Vanisher tussling on the ground. They had walked up a few stairs when a loud crash came from upstairs.
Ambre urged him on, ''They need help, come on.''
She threw the door of the top floor open, bypassed a line of fake, plastic trees and faced the battle that was taking place on the roof. Another villain had joined the party, he was flying with red and black wings that were mostly the colors of his entire costume. He had a white broken heart on his chest and was holding a bow as his weapon.
''Great,'' The thief complained. Chat Noir and Ladybug were trying to get past him to get to Maleficient who was smiling smugly at Chloé, standing on the small tower and holding her body over the edge, the blond screaming at the top of her lungs. ''Any ideas?''
''We have to deal with Dark Cupid first, then we'll get to Maleficient.'' Nathan said, making his friend look at him, baffled.
''Please tell me that's not his real name.'' He merely shrugged and she face-palmed.
''Lucky Charm!'' Ladybug used her power and a winch fell in her hands. ''What am I supposed to do with this?'' She asked herself and looked at Dark Cupid, the railing of the roof and Nathan and Ambre, though she didn't seem too suprised to see her again. ''Chat Noir, keep him busy.''
''Your wish is my command, my lady,'' He purred and lengthent his silver staff, nearly hitting Dark Cupid who moved out of the way.
Ladybug ran to the railing, ''Evillustator, draw me a wakeboard!''
''A what?''
''It's a tray thing with wheels to hold the winch, now hurry!'' Ambre answered and he quickly drew and the object appeared outside the rail. Ladybug bounded the winch to it, pulled the metal string between railing's pillars and swing it toward Dark Cupid to anchor it around his leg, pushed a button on the winch and dragged him down.
''Ambre, his bow! Now!'' She ordered as Dark Cupid neared the ground. Ambre precipitated and snatched the bow from his grip, taking an arrow from his quiver. She ran and slid on her knees, readying her stance. Maleficient turned to her and widened her eyes, locking her gaze on Ambre's waist, the purple outline of a butterfly appearing on her face. Ambre withdrew the bow's twine and shot the arrow onto Maleficient's heart. The villain gasped, her lips turning red... and let go of Chloé.
''...Shit,'' Ambre admitted, Chat Noir and Ladybug dashing to the tower just as Maleficient spread her wings and flew down. A few seconds later, she came back with Chloé in her arms.
''I'm so sorry Chloé, I should have never tried to hurt you!'' She apologized honestly. ''I don't know what came over me.''
''Let go of me you lunatic!'' Chloé shouted and pushed herself from Maleficient's grasp and fell down. ''I'm going to tell daddy!''
Ambre scowled and put the bow down, standing up to fix her t-shirt back over her hips, didn't notice the fabric had rolled up and showed her miraculous minutes prior.
''She never learns, does she.'' It wasn't even a question, Nathan walking next to her and watched the ordeal in front of them.
'' 'Don't think she has enough brain cells for that,'' Ambre agreed.
They were silent for a few moments before Nathan talked, ''I can't believe I won't remember any of this.''
''It's fine, I'm a good story-teller.'' She assured him, Ladybug trying to stop Chloé from accusing Maleficient of 'the trauma her hair had endured' and Chat Noir shifted his sight to them and walked his way over.
Nathan dropped his stare to the floor, furrowed his eyebrows and turned to Ambre. He took her hand and rotated her to face him, ''Ambre, I just wanted to say... You were amazing.''
She looked at him, confused, ''What do you mean?''
''You helped Ladybug and Chat Noir defeat an akuma and broke me, twice, out of the transe Maleficient had me under. You know how to defend yourself, too!''
''Of course I do, I... I have to.''
''It's just- what I mean is, you're amazing Ambre. Ever since we met, you keep surprising me and...''
Chat Noir slowed his pace but she stayed focused, ''Nathan, why are you telling me this?''
He swallowed and took her other hand, tightening his over hers slighty, ''I want to tell you, but I'm always so scared as the real me. I guess this time is best as any. I'm not going to remember, but at least you'll know.''
Ladybug walked behind Maleficient and grabbed her wings.
''A-Ambre...'' He stammered and looked in her eyes. He lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips. ''I like you, more than a friend likes another.''
He moved back, leaving Ambre as red as a tomato. ''W-wait! What?! I-'' She heard Ladybug say her catch-phrase, all the villains were engulfed with dark purple mist and she threw her lucky charm in the air. ''WHAT! NO!''
The mist left and Nathanael went back to his normal self, ''Where am I?'' He looked around and watched his friend put her hands in her hair. ''Amb-''
''FUUUUUUUUUCK!'' She roared, everyone on the roof turning at her swear. She ruffled her hair and Chat Noir tried to contain his laugh, having witnessed the whole thing. ''Don't you dare judge me! It's the first time I was ever-'' She stopped and glared at Nathan, still blushing furiously.
''W-What? What did I do?'' He put his hands up, unsure yet trying to make himself non-treatening.
''...Nothing.''
The roof's door opened and Alya, Juleka and Sabrina walked out, ''Oh no, I missed the whole thing!'' The brown-haired girl signed.
''NOTHING!'' Ambre shouted again, then forced herself to breath in and out and relaxed. ''Ok, I'm good. For now.'' She made her way to the disguised girl and held out her hand. ''You're Liz, right?''
''Y-Yes, that's me.'' Liz affirmed and accepted her help.
''I saw you at the contest and I just wanted you to know, I love your cosplay.''
Liz instantly beamed, smiling brightly, ''Really?''
''Or course! It's so detailed and accurate to the character, you obviously worked hard on it. I'm sure you'll win, you deserve it.''
''Uh no she won't!'' Chloé's annoying voice came to them and planted her feet beside them. ''She's never going to win with such a horrible costume and besides, the contest is already over.''
''Well now that won't do,'' Ambre wrapped her arm around Liz, ignoring the blond and walked over to the three newly arrived girls. ''...Alya, right? A little birdie told me you run a popular blog.''
''Yeah it's the Ladylog, why do you ask?'' The brow-skinned girl wondered.
''I was thinking you could take a picture of Liz and publish it on your website, maybe even ask your fans to try and show it to Jagged Stone himself,'' Ambre explained. ''Sorry, I don't know all the technical terms of computers yet.''
''Oh, no I wouldn't want to bother you!'' Liz expressed to the blogger, sincere.
''Girl, I don't mind at all,'' She whispered the next part. ''And driving Chloé mad is too funny to pass on.''
At that, Chloé retreated into the hotel angrily followed by Sabrina. Ladybug smiled and waved as her and Chat Noir left. Kim, Juleka, Nathanaël and Ambre watched as Alya took multiple pictures of Liz.
Thought the clics of Alya phone's camera, Ambre glanced at Nathan who was talking to Juleka. She groaned internally, thinking how much the escalator's ride was going to be awkward.
-/ / /-
I was so excited for this chapter, gosh. I did my best to write it fast and kicked myself in the butt instead of waiting for inspiration. Also, I think there is around 3 or 4 chapters left to this story and I am considering a sequel already, so I hope you guys tell me if you'd like one! Thank you for reading, I'll see ya soon.