Volpina landed down on top of the Mayor's hotel, taking in the pedestrians and cars.

"Draw them out, Volpina," HawkMoth spoke into her ears, "and once you take their miraculous, you can protect all of Paris without their fatal mistakes."

"I understand, HawkMoth," she grit her teeth, "I won't let them abuse their powers any longer."

She hopped down to the ground, shocking civilians. As she began to play on her flute, a multitude of large rats scurried along the ground, scaring away everyone in sight. Soon the entire city was filled with them, veering traffic aside.

They won't hurt anyone, Volpina thought, but they're bound to draw those wannabe heroes into the open.

"Lila!"

"Marinette?" She turned to find the young girl running up to her before bending and catching her breathe, her pigtails drooping. "What are you doing here? Leave, I'm about to fight for the safety of the city."

"No!"

"N-No?"

Marinette stood and held her arms up. "You've been akumatized by HawkMoth, again! Please, Lila, don't do this, you're better than the akuma!"

"What do you know? All you ever do is talk about all the positives of Ladybug, but have you ever stopped to think about her faults?"

All the time. If only you knew, Lila.

"I won't hurt anyone but them," Volpina turned her back to her, "and once they're defeated, Nathanael will be safe – and Graham can truly be honoured."

"Graham…is this really what he would have wanted?"

Her voice, Volpina looked over her should to find Marinette staring at the ground, it...it cracked.

"Do you really think Graham would have wanted you to…to fight his favourite heroes?!"

"Ignore her, Volpina," HawkMoth yelled, "Ladybug and Chat Noir will come soon, and when they do, you must defeat them!"

"Ah," she lost control of her hands for a brief moment, "I understand!"

"No…I won't let you!" Marinette ran through three rats as she charged at Volpina.

"Enough, Marinette!" Volpina spun around and with a swift kick, sent Marinette bouncing onto her back on the street. "…If you won't listen, then you're only in my way!" She jumped into the air, holding her flute above her head, ready to swing it down.

Marinette saw Volpina coming right for her from above. "Lila, stop!"

"Don't get in my way!"

SWACK!

…I…didn't get hit…someone's holding me…Chat Noir?

Marinette opened her shut eyes to find something big, round and colorful shielding her from the sun – and from Volpina's flute. "…!"

"Hey," Volpina growled as she pushed her flute against the shield, made of greenish-gold feathers with decorative eyes on the rounded tops, "what's the big idea? Who are you?"

Marinette took in with great care the stranger crouching beside her, the feathered shield held in his hand by a leather handle. He wore a sleeveless, azure blue suit and matching fingerless gloves; a beautiful Mardi-Gras mask surrounded his dazzling, bright blue eyes, with its hues of blue, green, yellow and sparkles of gold; and three long head feathers hung from the back of his pitch black hair, short and cut neat.

…The Peacock…just like in Master Fu's book!

He stood and brought her to her feet as he shoved Volpina away. "Who are you to stop my attacks?"

"I am Povas," he spoke with a clear, authoritative force, "and you won't be harming anyone, save for me – if you can."

"Marinette!"

Marinette turned as Chat Noir jumped down beside her and looked her over. "Are you alright? What happened…hey…you?"

"Take the girl," Povas didn't take his eyes off Volpina, "I'll deal with the akuma."

"How? Only Ladybug can-"

"Quick, Chat Noir," Marinette interrupted as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "so you can come back and meet Ladybug!"

"Got it!" He picked her up and leapt to the roofs. Volpina watched as they disappeared before returning to Povas; his shield unfolded into layering feathers that he hung from the side of his belt.

"Povas?!" HawkMoth practically screamed the name. "How?! Volpina, you must deal with him quickly! He, too, left Nathanael to the fires!"

"I wouldn't put your shield down if I were you. You're going to need it." Volpina twirled her flute and placed it to her lips, ready to play.

"…"

"Thanks, Chat Noir," Marinette slipped out of his arms onto the ground in front of her family's bakery, "now you need to get back and help Povas!"

"Understood!" He took a few steps away before stopping. "…Um…have you been to see that boy? The, uh, artist from your school?"

"Nathanael?"

"Y-Yeah. Is he…is he okay?"

Oh, Chat.

"Don't shoulder the blame. No one has the right to blame you for something like this."

He gave her a sad smile. "Thank you, Marinette." With that he swung up and off, leaving her alone. Tikki stuck her head out of the satchel.

"Ready, Marinette?"

"…Ready. It's time to see who this Povas really is, and save Lila for real this time! TIKKI, SPOTS ON!"

"Povas," Chat Noir called out as he reached the top of the Mayor's hotel, "hang on, I'm coming!"

I can't believe it's really him! Graham was right, he was…Graham…

Chat Noir slowed to a halt on top of the white banister surrounding the roof. "I…oh…"

Volpina was on her knees, breathing heavily and glaring at Povas, who stood, holding her flute. Her necklace seemed to weigh her neck down as she let her eyes fall to the ground before she pounded it with her fists. "How are you so strong?! I'm the one with super strength!"

"We all have increased stamina and strength, Volpina," Povas examined the flute, "your illusions are your specialty; something you can't do without the flute."

And so he took the flute – and snapped it over his knee.

"Wait," Chat noir pointed to the necklace, "her akuma is in the necklace, not the flute!"

"I understand," Povas replied as he took one part of the flute, its broken end sharp like a spear, "but now she won't be nearly as much trouble." Taking the part, he aimed at Volpina, who rose and started to turn –

And threw right at her chest.

"No!"