Master Fu awoke with a start, a cold sweat covering his body.
"Wayzz?" He called softly, folding the sheet back from his body.
"Yes Master?" Came the kwami's reply, the turtle turning from his perch.
"Would you go check on Haryana please?" Fu asked. "I have a feeling…" he trailed off, knowing the kwami felt the same unease he did.
"Of course," Wayzz leapt into the air, a hurried nod sending him off.
The kwami knocked softly on the door to Haryana's room.
"Haryana?" He paused. "Trix?"
No reply.
He phased through the door, the silence unnerving him.
The room was empty, the window open.
He sighed, turning back to inform Fu, a growing knot of worry forming in his gut.
This can't be good.
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Her forehead felt like it was burning, and she knew her scar was glowing.
He was here.
She groaned, shifting against her bonds but unable to open her eyes.
She could sense Him coming towards her, the temperature in the room dropping with each of His steps.
He was beside her, bare feet as white as the moon, raising her chin with icy fingers.
She squeezed her eyes together tighter, the stench of his breath making her nauseous-
Haryana.
A faint voice turned her mind.
Haryana! The voice sounded again, louder. Her eyes cracked open, dark slits of green fearing what they'd see.
The room was dark and the floor cold beneath her. Her shoulder was aching from where she'd been pushed to the ground.
The Dark Lord was not there.
She released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding, and shivered, a cold sweat coating her frame. Her head was pounding – had she fallen asleep?
Trix? She called hesitantly.
You were having a nightmare, came the kwami's muted reply.
Instantly alarm shot through Haryana's body, the faintness of her kwami's voice sending her heartbeat into a flurry of panic.
But she kept her eyes closed – knowing the Witch was undoubtedly watching over her. Her wand could be at her throat, for all she knew.
How long have I been asleep? She asked.
Not long, Trix's reply was delayed, labored. But I can't keep you transformed for much longer. The Witch was trying to pry into your mind while you slept.
Haryana swallowed, fingers tightening subconsciously around her staff. She was surprised it hadn't been taken away from her.
They haven't touched me, she thought dully. They must be waiting…for Him. She swallowed again.
Thank you for protecting my mind, Trix.
A soft humming came from the back of her mind, the kwami accepting her charge's gratitude.
Help will come soon, Trix said softly. Ladybug and Chat Noir have reawakened –
Haryana stiffened, but quickly forced her muscles to relax.
Are they coming here? She asked.
Yes, Trix replied. The Jade Turtle found them and lifted the spells on them. They are coming now.
Haryana's eyes squeezed together tighter, pain blossoming in her chest.
Tell them to turn back, she said softly.
A pregnant pause weighed in the air.
I cannot, Trix said.
Haryana's eyes flew open, fists close to crushing her staff. They must turn back. They will die if they come here.
They will come anyway, Trix said sadly, voice growing fainter. There is nothing you can do.
Haryana stared at the open space before her blankly, breath coming out shallow gasps. She'd never be allowed to use her staff to contact Ladybug or Chat. So what could she do to warn them?
Haryana lowered her head to the floor with a dull thud, the sound echoing in the dark chamber.
Pain.
Her eyes flew open again. Pain – that was the key. She knew Chat felt it when she was in pain – she could warn them to stay away that way.
Trix, I need you to detransform me, Haryana breathed. You need to rest.
Haryana, Trix's tone held a hint of warning. She knew what she was thinking. She always knew.
It's the best way to warn them, Haryana sighed, sitting up.
The Witch was across the room, watching her. She made no move, but followed Haryana with her eyes.
Haryana lifted her wrists slowly, finding them chained together, the cool metal pooling where it hit the floor. Warily, she looped the chain around her neck, swallowing thickly.
I don't want to hurt you, Trix. Haryana thought. Detransform me and save your strength.
A moment of silence passed; She could feel the reluctance of her kwami, but her own resolution stood firm.
Without a word, the transformation disintegrated, the orange flash filling the room, the chain around her neck tightening.
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"She's gone!" Ladybug exclaimed, coming to a rigid standstill on the roofline. "Rousette's indicator just disappeared," she breathed, eyes fixated on her yo-yo.
"She must have detransformed," Chat grit, landing beside Ladybug. His head was still fuzzy from the immobilization spell that had held him captive, his limbs numb at the tips.
It had all happened so fast – a green blurr, the sudden jarring of his muscles, the slow renewal of strength as an elixir resuscitated him. It had been like warm honey flowing through his veins, burning him to his very core.
The Jade Turtle.
Chat swallowed, the remnants of the elixir still coating his tongue. He didn't know what it was, but it had freed him, and Ladybug.
Jade hadn't stayed long – only long enough to check that they were recuperating, and warn them of where they were going. "You must find Rousette," he had rasped. "It will be dangerous where she is," his eyes darkened. "Be careful, please. I am too weak to be of help to you two in this form, but know that I am watching over you. All three of you."
And then he'd left, a green blur and warm smile.
Unanswered questions clouded Chat's mind, but he shook his head, eyes refocusing in the present. Rousette was in danger.
"Her kwami must be exhausted." Chat's eyes narrowed, the city glowing ominously. "But it doesn't matter; we saw where she last was," he stood. "Let's go-" he started, voice crisp, but faltered mid-sentence, breath caught in his throat. He dropped to his knees, hands flying to his throat.
"Chat!" Ladybug exclaimed, instantly sliding to her partner's side. He was clutching his neck, as if he were choking, making Ladybug's eyes widen in alarm.
"Is it Rousette?" She breathed, taking one of her partner's hands. He stared at her with fear in his eyes, mute.
"We need to hurry," he rasped, putting one foot to the ground.
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Author's Note:
Oh my, when did this story get so depressing? My goodness!
Well, I can promise that important stuff happens next chapter :)
