Paris' New Hope

Chapter 34: Shadow Titan

In a nearby alley, a shadow wisp appeared from under the sewer grate and looked at the Agreste Mansion, before a swarm of shadows enveloped it as the dark figure's voice said to it "Shadow Titan, I'm giving you the job of retrieving the Miraculous Book somewhere in that pitiful mansion. Smash it up if you can, just give me the book intact." Shadow Titan then said in a deep, intimidating voice "Yes master, I shall do what you ask."

Meanwhile, Adrien and Tekla saw Marcus sitting on the edge of Adrien's bed, looking down while he rubbed his wrists unpleasantly. He then subtly noticed them and said "You guys can sit next to me… It's no trouble at all." Adrien and Tekla looked at each other in concern, before they sat on either side of him and he said "I'm sorry I left the table… I just can't stand the thought of losing my father as well." Tekla hugged Marcus out of pity as Adrien patted his back and replied "It's okay man. I… can't stand the thought of losing my family either."

Marcus smiled a little, before he asked "Adrien… I couldn't help but notice that your parents treat me like a son… Well, I mean… *sighs* I understand if you wouldn't take me in, but I'd be happy to join the family." Adrien is surprised to hear this coming from Marcus, but isn't sure if he's hearing it right, so he asked "I'm sorry, can you say that again?" Marcus made a chuckle and said "I said…" He paused for a moment and turned to the windows facing the back wall and saw a large, hulking mass of shadows forming with two yellow eyes in the alleyway and Marcus finished "We should transform. Like right now!"

Shadow Titan made a gluttonous roar that trembled the ground before he threw a massive fist at the window, narrowly missing Marcus, Adrien and Tekla, who shut the bathroom door behind them and both Adrien and Marcus nodded before they said "Plagg/Tekla! Claws out/Power up!" They then transformed into their respective alter egos, when they ducked just in the nick of time when Shadow Titan swung his arm horizontally. Downstairs, Beatrice and Gabriel heard the roaring and felt the Mansion being ripped apart, when both Nooroo and Duusu both exclaimed "Masters! There's this huge Shadow being thrashing inside the mansion for the book!" Both Gabriel and Beatrice replied in shock "What?!"

Somewhere else in Paris, Ladybug is patrolling near the Louvre when she heard loud roaring in the general direction of the Agreste Mansion and said under her breath in shock "Adrien…"

Back at the mansion, Shadow Titan pulled back the bathroom walls with ease, looking for clues to where the book is hidden, when he noticed a pile of rubble moving in the corner and took off a large wall slab to see what looks like a strange looking wall slab. When he peered closer for a better look, he was bashed forcefully backwards into a stagger and crashed into an apartment complex; when he shook his head, he saw Guardian and Cat Noir standing up defiantly against him, making him growl in anger. He then plucked up a nearby lamppost and threw it like a javelin, which Cat Noir flinched but not Guardian, who closed his eyes peacefully just as the lamppost base stopped right in front of his face, receiving a curious growl from Shadow Titan.

As both Beatrice and Gabriel burst through Adrien's bedroom door, they saw the scene and also what stopped the lamppost from hitting Guardian: Ladybug coiled it with her yo-yo just in time and pulled it towards Shadow Titan with such force that it slammed right into his face. Unfortunately, Shadow Titan knows where Ladybug is and he grasped her before she could evade and tried to resist the grip, but it was too powerful, even for her. Cat Noir exclaimed "Bugaboo!" Ladybug winced in pain as she replied "Kitty…" As the Shadow Titan grinned maliciously, he suddenly screamed in pain and let go of Ladybug, who fell down towards Guardian, who quipped "Good night?" Ladybug rolled her eyes and asked "How did you…?" Guardian jerked his thumb towards Shadow Titan's waist and saw a burn mark from a pure light that looks exactly the same as Guardian's weaponry.

Ladybug then thanked Guardian, before he placed her on the ground and suddenly felt replenished, when she noticed Guardian's gauntlets glowing pure blue and realised he had healed her, when Cat Noir landed next to her and said in between breaths "Bug… a… boo… you… alright? *Whew!*" Guardian raised his brow and inquired "You okay, man?" Cat Noir replied, still in between breaths "I'm… panicking… a… lot… that… I'm… hyper… ventilating… hoo…" Shadow Titan roared and threw a punch at them, when Guardian, without looking, countered with his shield and staggered him backwards again. Shadow Titan then fell on a nearby car and bellowed "Oh come on!"

Guardian then said to Cat Noir and Ladybug, who isn't wincing in pain anymore oddly "May I take care of this?" They both nodded, before Shadow Titan got back up and charged towards them, before Guardian spun around and threw his shield towards Shadow Titan, sending him backwards so hard, he damaged the road and got shocked from a power line. Although he got back up, he began to pant in fatigue; the dark figure then said "Stop messing about, Shadow Titan. Get… that… book!" Shadow Titan nodded and gripped his fists and gritted his teeth before he charged towards Guardian, before Guardian charged towards him and yelled "Guardian Shield!"

Suddenly, his shield lengthened to the point it almost covered the width of the road and reached the rooftops; Shadow Titan then tried to stop charging in panic, before he said as he was about to be hit "Oh…" When Guardian's Shield impacted Shadow Titan, a seismic wave radiated around them, taking out the windows and lamplights and setting off car alarms left and right. It was a few moments of suspense before Shadow Titan fell to his knees, panting hoarsely and unable to continue fighting Guardian. Guardian's Shield then formed back to regular size and he said "Who sent you and why are you attacking the Agreste Mansion?" Shadow Titan leered at Guardian, before replying "My master sent me to take the Miraculous Book from the mansion, even if it means reducing it to rubble."

Guardian heaved an annoyed sigh and said "I don't mean to correct your master, but the Book isn't in the safe. It's somewhere else in the city." Shadow Titan gripped his fists in frustration and pain, before releasing them and said "Well, there's one thing I know for sure: When you and my Master fight, it'll be a fight that will shake the heavens. If I can't stop you, HE will." Guardian glared at Shadow Titan in suspicion, before the latter dispersed into specks of shadows as Guardian said "He is welcome to try…"

As Guardian went back to Adrien's room, he was pulled into a hug by Beatrice, who thanked him for saving not only Adrien, but the Mansion and Paris as well. Guardian then hugged her back and said sympathetically "Sorry about the damage, that thing caught us by surprise… wait a second, where's Ladybug and Cat Noir?" Beatrice then replied "Well, they went over to Marinette's place to check that her parents were alright…" Guardian then nodded and asked "Where're the lovebirds going to sleep?" Gabriel then replied "Spare bedroom."

Guardian then repeated "Where're the lovebirds going to sleep?" Gabriel then replied "Marinette's place until the damage has been repaired. Though it's a good thing we gave the Book in more trusted hands than mine." Guardian nodded and looked down before asking "And you guys… you know… still shook up?" Beatrice then replied "Ehhh… a little, but relieved all the same." Guardian nodded with pursed lips, before noting "I should go now…" Beatrice and Gabriel agreed, before Guardian grabbed the duffel bag and went back to the warehouse, pondering if his father is okay.