A/N: Hello! Sorry about that cliff hanger (hides). Please forgive me. I hope you are all well this fine Monday. I was watching Miraculous, and couldn't help but notice every time someone is akumatized they are usually isolated. I can only think of dark blade as the exception to this, but if you think of others let me know. I have also been looking around to see how others handle this. I have a few MLB terminologies I want some grammar help with. When there is more than one Miraculous I say Miraculouses, is that correct? Also is kwami already plural? Should we just say Plagg and Tikki are kwami and not kwamis? Let me know what you think on my weird grammar debate if you have any insight or opinions.
Please let me know what you think of this chapter. Things are going to be a bit intense for a bit, so hold on folks. Thank you for reading. Please comment and review and I will get the next chapter out soon.
Love you all,
Traditional Twist
Chapter 26: Scepter
"You two need to transform now!" Tikki squeaked. Her eyes were filled with panic as she twirled aimlessly in the air.
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"Whatever it is, it is terrifying!" Plagg hunched over on all fours and hissed as if an ally cat defending his territory.
Adrien's eyes grew wide as he saw Plagg act so instructively. "Plagg, claws out!"
"Tikki, Spots on!" Marinette called out.
Red and green light filled the room as both teens transformed. Blue eyes met green eyes as the transformations completed.
"This isn't good," Chat Noir said glancing down below them.
Ladybug pushed open the ceiling hatch to the balcony. "Come on, we need to go through the front to not cause suspicion."
Her partner nodded and rushed up the ladder with her. Once he reached the roof, he pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers. "I hope this holds off the withdrawals," he thought.
"Me too," the spotted hero responded pressing her lips back against his. They released their hold, and walked to the edge of the roof. "We have to get going. Whatever put Tikki and Plagg on edge, we have to be ready to face."
They leaped from the roof and landed in the street in front of the bakery. Marinette growled as she saw the front door ajar. "Someone is inside the bakery!" Fear struck as she realized that it was not just the bakery, but her home. Her parents were inside and unsuspecting of something about to occur.
Chat Noir placed a hand on his partner's shoulder. "Let me go in first, LB," he said pulling him behind her. "I'm the one who can see in the dark."
Ladybug nodded hesitantly. "Alright, but I'm staying close."
The black cat lead their way into the building. His piercing green eyes were wide and on high alert as scanned the shop. He looked at every table, chair, the stairs that lead to the owner's home upstairs; all were clear. The he heard it. Chat Noir's leather ears twitches. He heard Tom's muffled voice boom from the doorway of the kitchen.
"What did you here?" Ladybug asked her partner.
"I heard Tom," he said. "They have to be in the kitchen; whatever is in there with your dad- that is."
"Then we need to hurry." The spotted hero rushed towards the door and kicked open the entryway to the kitchen. She gasped as her partner arrived by her side. There was her father. He was cornered with a golden hand pressed up against his throat. Tom's hands were to his side not fighting or wailing at all. He had a panicked look on his face, and his eyes grew wide or with fear as he saw the two heroes enter the kitchen.
The hand stretched down to the body of a slender woman. She was illuminating. Bright gold skin shone past a black glass like mask that shielded her face. Her body was covered with glowing gold skin as well. There was only a slight amount of sparkling gold armor that covered her torso in a leotard shape. Black wing tips protruding from her hips. On her head was a round, golden crown that had large black horns piercing it. She carried a scepter with her that matched her body and armor's gold color and luminosity.
"Ah, the two heroes," The woman spoke with a cool and calm demeanor. "I didn't expect you both to arrive too quickly. No matter. I'm fine with you observing my methods for your demise."
"Get away from him," yelled Ladybug.
The villain clicked her tongue and shook her head. "It's not that simple sweetheart."
"Look at her scepter," Chat Noir yelled in his head. "That must be her akuma."
She glanced at the golden rod, and saw a purple butterfly floating in the "Good eye," Ladybug said as she wound up her yo-yo and threw it. It wrapped around the base of the staff. Ladybug pulled tightly, but struggled to get the staff away from the woman's grip.
"Trying to take borrow from me when I haven't even introduced myself; tisk, tisk." She tightened her grip. The golden woman's hand and staff faded into floating dust. The yo-yo fell to the ground.
Ladybug and Chat Noir's jaws dropped. They watched as the gold flakes formed back together into a hand and scepter. Marinette growled with frustration. "Who are you?"
"And what do you want with the baker? A golden flake croissant?" Chat Noir added.
The villain chuckled. "I am Style Queen. My partner and I have decided that this akuma must be placed very...delicately."
"Partner?" Ladybug was taken aback.
"Hawkmoth, is no partner," Chat noir interjected. "He's just controlling you."
"Hawkmoth has no control over me," Style Queen smirked. "You two will understand soon enough." The hand against Tom's neck began to glow. The baker gasped as he was slowly lifted in the air.
"Put him down!" Ladybug yelled. She charged at the woman, lassoing her yo-yo above her head before whipping it towards the golden being. Style Queen faded into tiny bits of dust, and tripped the spotted hero. She turned and laughed at the girl's second attempt to tackle the cloud of gold and falling back to her original spot; becoming distracted by Ladybug's attack. Ladybug felt dizzy. She tried to push herself up off the floor but her head was beginning to spin from the withdrawals.
Chat Noir took the moment to charge; staff prepared for a full swing as she solidified her golden exterior. Style Queen reformed herself just in time to block Chat Noir's staff with her scepter. She scowled as she pressed her strength into the staff. Chat Noir had stable footing, but was beginning to shake. She felt the boy's quivering and vibrate his baton and smiled. "Seems that you are not as strong as you make yourself out to be." She gave a solid grunt and pushed up with her scepter; sending Chat Noir flying into the kitchen wall.
"Chat!" Ladybug called, wobbling to stand to her feet.
Footsteps came rushing down the stairs. A woman with blue hair pushed open the doors to the kitchen. She yelped with fear as she saw the Parisian heroes on the ground and her husband in a choke hold. "What is happening?" Sabine cried.
"Stay back, Sabine," Chat Noir panted. He placed his staff on the ground and used it raise to his feet.
Style Queen cackled. "You two are weak and pathetic. You can't protect this man, just like he can't protect his daughter. He feels powerless, and that feeling is one of the stronger than any other negative emotion. Know that all of you in this room have exhausted you will, and will bow before the Style Queen!"
The head of her scepter began to glow. The akuma trapped inside began to flap its wings. She pointed the head at Tom's chest, making it perfectly level with his heart. A light beam began glow. "This can all be avoided right now, Ladybug and Chat Noir. Give me your miraculouses, and this man stays the baker he is."
Marinette began to panic. Standing alone was becoming a daunting task. How was she supposed to protect her father? How could she keep Paris safe from such a powerful villain? Style Queen was too powerful. "No!" She reached her shaking hand up towards one of her earrings.
Style Queen smiled. "Yes, learn how to be submissive now."
"No! Don't!" Tom managed to gasp.
Ladybug looked up at her father. He stared at her with sincerity. She heard Adrien speak in the back of her head. "Be strong for him. He is seeing the bigger picture. We can't give Style Queen our power."
The red hero shook her head and stood up with more stability. "I can't give you my Miraculous!" she said.
Style Queens smile faded to a frown. "Then you leave me no choice. Time to give this man a spotlight." The bright light flashed at Tom's chest. The black outline of the akuma stood out against the beam and flew into the baker's chest.
"No!" Scream Ladybug and Chat Noir in unison.
"Tom!" Cried Sabine from the doorway.
Style Queen laughed continuously until the bean turned dim. Tom fell to the ground clutching his chest. His eyes began to glow, and a purple butterfly outlined his face. "Someone, who truly feels helpless and powerless only holds one thing dear; their heart. Good luck getting the akuma out of him without killing him. And while you deal with him, I'll be digging some gems hidden underneath our feet. Good luck." Her entire began to glow and split into a powdery version of herself. The dust glowed, as she formed into a golden cloud, and flew past Sabine in the doorway and out of the bakery.
"Come back here!" Ladybug screamed. "She's getting away!" Ladybug tried to run out of the kitchen but fell after a few step. Sabine caught the girl before she hit the ground. She was too weak and dizzy to run straight. Defeated, ladybug began to cry.
Chat Noir brushed passed his partner and went straight to Tom. He couldn't give up. Tom was a strong man. He refused to believe Tom could feel as powerless as Style Queen claimed he was. "Don't listen to Hawkmoth, Tom! Everything they say is a lie. You are strong. And if you want to protect your daughter, you are going to need to fight this akuma off. You need to kick it out! Tell them no! If you let them win, then you will not be protecting her. If they get in your head, everything is doomed. I will fight for you, and I will fight against you. Please don't make me destroy you, to keep her safe. You need to be strong, and be the father I know you are. Fight back, and get it out. You have control of your heart, not the akuma!"
Tom began to grunt. The purple butterfly mask began to glow. Chat Noir watched as the man screamed in pain. This was a battle only the strongest could win. Tom would have to be strong if he wanted to protect Marinette. If Hawkmoth gained control, who knew how safe their identities would be. "Ge out of my head!" Tom grunted between heavy breaths.
The boy placed his hand one the man's shoulder. "That's it Tom! Keep fighting!"
Ladybug held her mother and watched as her partner kept calling to her father to fight. Tears began to fill her eyes as she saw her father convulse from shocks of pain. He was fighting for her even though she didn't have the strength to protect him. "You have to be strong. I don't want to fight you." She managed to call out to him.
The purple mask lit up and the man's face grew red. "I said get out!" Tom roared. "Get out!" Tom let out one last yell and the purple mask shattered. The black butterfly flew out of the man's chest and Tom collapsed into Chat Noir's arms.
"Ladybug!" Chat Noir yelled.
"I'm on it!" She stood up. "Time to de-eivilize!" She threw her yo-yo and the butterfly and trapped it in her yo-yo. She fell to her knees and released the now white butterfly. "Bye bye, butterfly," she mumbled as she collapsed onto the ground shaking.