It was too tense.
Belle wasn't sure if they were going to make it.
Malin's grip on her wrist was tight, near painful, as the fox frantically pulled her along. His teeth were bared, eyes wild and frantic. He turned sharply to the left, ducking around the corner of a building, twisting the tired Belle around so she was in front of him, and he was closer to the akuma while they pressed their backs to the wall. A dead end at the end of the alley.
Heart pounding as he spared a nervous glance to the exhausted bird, he searched frantically for a solution.
His ear twitched when he heard a shy whisper.
Turning, he caught sight of a shy little ghost floating close, whispering how close the akuma was. "Shit," he mutters.
Belle was too tired to move, already she was leaning heavily on him, her breathing heavy, eyes half lidded.
She couldn't run.
He wasn't strong enough to move fast enough to carry her.
He could rush off and lead this akuma away, but what if they saw Belle? In general he didn't want to leave her when she was like this.
Maybe he could do an illusion, send this akuma on a wild goose chase.
It was a maybe...
He heard the heavy steps of the akuma, and Malin made a decision.
Bringing his flute to his lips, he played a little tune, summoning his magic. Flicking his flute, he sent the illusion of Malin and Belle away, only to be destroyed by the akuma. With a sneering laugh, the akuma called, "You think that would work, little fox?"
Malin growled, pushing Belle further back.
She grabbed his wrist, squeezing him back, tail feathers rustling. "M-Malin," she whispers, her miraculous flickering.
He shushed her, running a hand through her hair. "It'll be alright," he eases. He was clever. He could get them out of this.
If cornered, a fox was capable of fighting, even if it wasn't their forte.
If it came down to it, he could do damage.
...And there was still his special move.
Surely that could get them some more time.
Belle pressed forward, clutching him tightly. The akuma's heavy steps came closer, and Malin's mind flew, frantic and nervous.
Or maybe he should try making a nightmare instead? Not risk loosing his power and speed in five minutes.
Another big, heavy step and Malin jumped, heart pounding.
He was almost there.
Her miraculous was sparking, warm against his chest.
His own flared to life, tickling his collar.
In a tired, heavy voice, he heard her whisper, "Play."
He did.
He blew into the flute, his fingers fluttering over the holes, and the music rose up out of it. In his thoughts he wanted something frightful, something that would scare the akuma away, something that would fight if it had too; something that could help them.
He heard a creaking rumble, and looked up in surprise.
Large floating fox-like skulls loomed over him and Belle, drooling orange smoke out of their jaws.
He felt Belle shift, peering at them fearlessly.
Squeezing her shoulder, Malin waved his flute out, sending those floating skulls out to the akuma. Arm tight around her shoulder, Malin leaned out to watch. He was surprised to see those skulls attacking the akuma, the giant villain yelping as fangs sunk into the enemy, banging against him and toppling him over.
They were actually fighting the akuma, not breaking at all.
Those skulls were real...
He gave a start when he felt a nudge. Meeting Belle's eyes, he nods when she said, "Let's go."
They left the akuma struggling against the skulls.
They were surprised when Juuno burst out of the jewel with loud wails. "I'm so proud of you two!" the kwami cried, muddled with tears.
When Vixx popped out, she tackled Juuno, screaming over his cries, "THEYDIDITTHEYDIDITTHEYDIDIT!"
Marinette and Adrien stared at the two kwamis, blinking in surprise as the two babbled excitedly. "Um?" Adrien uttered, pulling Marinette into his lap and settling against his chest.
Turning to them, Vixx screamed, "YOU DID IT!"
"We did what?" Marinette asked, running her thumb over Adrien's knuckles.
Juuno drew near, giving them a watery beam. "Something the peacock and fox hasn't done in a long time."
"To be fair," Vixx voices, "the fox and peacock hasn't worked together in a long time."
"That is nor my fault," Juuno sniffs.
"Yeah,"Vixx agreed. "Usually it's always more mine."
"Guys," Marinette stresses.
Clearing his throat and sniffing, Juuno straightens. "You two are aware that of the Miraculous Seven, there are three pairs."
"We know Ladybug and Black Cat," Marinette bids.
"And Fox and Peacock," Adrien adds, nuzzling Marinette.
"And Turtle and Butterfly," Juuno finishes.
Vixx explains, "These miraculous balance each other out, and when combined, have a great power to use, it's met by either wearing both-"
"-Or the users share a great bond between each other," Juuno finishes. Adrien perks, Marinette blinks in surprise.
"The Black Cat and Ladybug together gives a power akin to a god," Juuno said, "the Turtle and Butterfly will make the ultimate Champion and Hero."
"The Fox and Peacock," Vixx voices, wiggling in excitement, "makes reality." Pointing to Marinette, she said, "You are truth," to Adrien she said, "and you are the illusionist. Together, you make reality. You bring truth to his illusions, and you provide the creations. You make a reality together."
"I'm so proud of you two," Juuno loudly sniffs.
"Oh Juuni you old emotional bird come here."
"Don't call me old!" he cried out, smearing his face into his paws as Vixx hugged him, nuzzling his cheek.
"Woah," Adrien whispers, wiggling where he sat on the floor, "we reached our ultimate power!"
"It's incredible," she agreed, a little breathless, a little flustered.
Giving a loud squeal, he nuzzled his girlfriend, declaring, "We should tell them, especially Buzzkill!"
She snorts, turning her head to catch his lips in a chaste kiss, grinning at him.
Sans from Undertale inspired the idea of giant, attacking skulls.
And Loosescrewslefty brought the what if idea of the peacock and fox combining power, making illusions a reality.