The first half of this chapter did not go the way I planned at all.
Chapter 35: The Climb
Kota was there as soon as she could be, barely a second before Ladybug arrived.
"There's people caught in the attack," Kota said.
Ladybug brought out her yo-yo, using the camera to zoom in on Nathaniel and Marc.
The scene was a mess. The akuma was on the street, hands raised up, and the buildings and pavement around him was lifted into the air. Nathaniel and Marc were huddled together on a piece of pavement floating seven or eight stories above the ground.
Chat Noir landed behind the superheroes, followed by Pegasus.
"There's two civilians near the akuma, but it looks like the people in the buildings are safe," Ladybug reported. "Getting up and down is going to be a problem. I wonder-"
"Goat miraculous?" Pegasus asked.
"Yeah, but I don't know who to give it to," Ladybug said. "Chat, do you-"
"Ladybug!"
All four heroes turned, to see Alix behind them, panting and out of breath.
"I want to help," Alix declared. "That's my best friend out there."
Ladybug and Chat Noir looked at each other, having a silent conversation. Watching their expressions, Kota could tell this wasn't the first time they had considered Alix for a miraculous.
She wasn't surprised. Alix definitely had the makings of hero.
Ladybug turned back to Alix. "I have a job for you. You three, keep the akuma's attention off of the civilians."
"Got it!"
"Understood, Ladybug."
To Marinette's surprise, Fu already had the goat miraculous ready for her.
"You have an ally in mind?" He asked.
Marinette nodded. "Yeah, Alix."
"The girl who will become Bunnyx?" Fu asked. "It would be a good test run for her. Make sure she's not afraid of heights, first."
"Oh, Alix isn't afraid of anything," Marinette replied. "Especially not heights."
Fu nodded. "I look forward to hearing how she does."
Ladybug landed in the secluded space she had brought Alix.
"Alix Kubdel," Ladybug said. "This is the miraculous of the goat. It grants the power of climbing. You will use the miraculous to help us against this akuma. Then you will return the miraculous to me." Ladybug held out the box. "Consider this a trial run for your time as Bunnyx."
"I understand."
Alix grabbed the box and opened it. A bright light flashed, and the goat kwami, Ziggy, zoomed out.
"Hello! I'm very excited to be working with you. I'm Ziggy, the goat kwami, and I represent the concept of climbing and ascension. To transform, just say 'ascend!' To activate your powers, the word is 'footholds' and it will grant you and your allies ledges to push off. You can use this power as much as you want once activated, but because of your age you will detransform after five minutes. To detransform, the term is 'descend'. Understand?"
"Yes," Alix said. "Ziggy, ascend!"
The transformation washed over her. Horns grew from her head, curving upwards then backwards and downwards. Her hair changed from bright pink to brown and pixie cut-short. She had a white turtleneck covered with a brown sweatshirt, which bunched up around her elbow pads and white gloves. Her pants were brown and fuzzy, with black knee pads and white boots with buckles like in-line skates. At her hip, a grappling hook appeared.
Alix grabbed it, pointed it at a building, and released it. It hit and stuck to the building.
"I can work with this," Alix said, recalling her hook.
"Then let's go."
The three heroes attacked in unison.
The akuma sent a piece of building flying at them, forcing Pegasus and Kota to dodge. Chat Noir vaulted over it without hesitation and landed in front of the akuma.
He was dressed in a purple three-piece suit, with nothing but the butterfly mask to indicate he was an akuma. Nothing stood out as to where the akumatized object was.
Chat Noir swept his feet out from under him. The akuma waved his hand, sending the piece of pavement he was standing on into the air. Chat Noir flipped off and hit the ground with a roll.
The akuma stood back out, only to take a kite to the face.
The ground underneath Kota began to rise, but she easily leaped off. She expanded her kite to full size, using it to ease her fall. The akuma threw a piece of pavement at her, and she dived to avoid it.
The akuma got a horseshoe in the face, just in time for Chat Noir to move in.
The three heroes continued, staggering their attacks but working in unison.
Pegasus went flying, and landed roughly on his ankle. Kota kicked a piece of pavement that was headed his way, giving him time to recover.
"Thanks," Pegasus said.
Kota was too out of breath to respond, so she gave him a thumbs up.
Ladybug arrived with another hero - presumably Alix - in tow, and the heroes regrouped.
"Any idea where the akuma is?" Ladybug asked.
"None," Chat Noir said.
"Perhaps this is like Dark Owl, and the akuma is not on him?" Pegasus suggested.
"That's allowed?" Kota questioned.
"Unfortunately," Chat Noir replied.
"Are the civilians safe?" Alix asked.
Chat Noir shook his head. "We can't get to them."
"What about a portal?"
"The ground is too unstable," Pegasus said. "I c- there's a large chance we'd end up in mid-air."
"That's what we need you for," Ladybug said. "You and Pegasus get the two civilians to safety, the rest of us will deal with the akuma."
"Understood."
Alix gave Pegasus specific instructions for where to place the portal.
"I don't know how accurate it will be," Pegasus warned as the portal opened at their feet.
"It'll be close enough," Alix replied.
She shot her grappling hook upwards, sticking it to a streetlight, and jumped through the portal feet first.
The portal was about two feet to the left of the pavement Nathaniel and Marc were stranded on. Alix had to swing over.
"Psst."
Nathaniel and Marc both jumped, having been enthralled with the fight on the street below.
"Need a ride?" Alix asked, offering her hand.
Marc took it tentatively, and Alix wrapped her arms around him. She retracted her grappling hook, shooting them both up and through the portal.
Soon, both Marc and Nathaniel were safe away from the portal.
"Thank you," Nathaniel said. "Uh, do you have a name?"
Alix hesitated. The first thing that popped in her head was Goat Girl, and that was not happening.
"Ibex," she eventually said. "My name is Ibex."
"Pound it!"
The five heroes fist bumped as the purified butterfly flew away. The akumatized object had ended up being butterfly cufflinks, and only a well-placed cataclysm and lucky charm had enabled the heroes to get close enough to break them.
"Good job, Ibex," Ladybug said. "You were a great help in getting those civilians to safety. You proved that you could be an amazing hero."
Ibex blushed. "Thanks, Ladybug."
"And Kota, Pegasus, excellent teamwork," Ladybug continued.
"And again, thanks for the save," Pegasus said. "You are very agile."
Kota felt her cheeks heat up. "Thanks. You did good too."
"I need to return the goat miraculous," Ladybug said. "See you on patrol tonight."
"Last chance to back out!" Kim boasted.
Lacy rolled her eyes. "You've said that twice already."
The belayers were definitely on Kim's side, since they kept eyeing Lacy weird. Alya, who was recording but not here to climb, Max, and Ondine all agreed. But Alix, Nathaniel, and Marinette were all firmly on Lacy's side.
"Recording?" Lacy asked.
"Yep," Alya replied. "Live on our class's page."
Lacy and Kim repeated the required dialogue with the belayers, and Max counted them off.
"Go!"
And Lacy was off.
She didn't have to think where to step, she just did. Up and up, until she was at the top and hitting the metal bar to declare she won.
She beat Kim by just a slither - but enough to be a clear victory.
The two repelled down, Kim scowling.
"Maybe you had the easier path?" He suggested.
Lacy shrugged. "Then let's switch sides."
The other side was even easier, and there was a full second between Lacy and Kim hitting the bar.
"I think it's clear who the winner is," Alya said when they back down.
"Don't feel bad, Kim," Lacy said. "I'm practically a professional."
Kim scowled, but Lacy could tell he wasn't too upset.
Alix slapped Lacy on the back in congratulations, and Marinette and Alya sent her wide grins.
"That was awesome!" Marinette said. "I know you said you used to rock climb, but I've never seen anyone move that fast!"
"I have," Alya added. "But only like superheroes. Chat Noir is super fast when he needs to be, and that new hero Ibex was fearless."
"But that's beyond the point," Marinette said. "Don't ruin her victory."
The high from the victory lasted for the rest of the evening. After their time at the climbing gym was up, the six of them headed to the Dupain-Cheng bakery for something sweet. Kim tried to see who could stuff the most macaroons in their mouth, but everyone else wanted to savor the food.
"You could always try to enjoy something without getting wrapped up in bets," Alix pointed out.
"But that's how I enjoy something!" Kim argued.
They were literally halfway out the door when Alix stopped and turned to Kim.
"Hey Kim, I have a theory I want to run by you," Alix said.
"Now?" Lacy asked.
Alix shrugged. "Why not?"
Lacy didn't have an answer, so she waited outside while Alix and Kim talked.
"I wonder what they're talking about," Max said.
Despite knowing, Lacy shrugged. It wasn't a conversation she particularly wanted to have, but there was no reason Alix couldn't have it. It had been Alix's theory anyways.
"Alix gets weird ideas," Nathaniel added.
Lacy watched, but she couldn't make out facial expressions from this angle. She wasn't worried - Alix would never spill her secret on purpose, and it really wasn't a secret - but she was surprised to find she was curious.
Alix came out looking victorious, which gave Lacy her answer.
"Told you!" Alix whispered. "He said his dad was a Norse god - Tyr, I believe."
"Haven't heard of him," Lacy said. "I don't know much about Norse mythology."
"I'll look it up when I get home," Alix replied. "Tell you all about it tomorrow."
I have to admit that Ibex's weapon was inspired by Pidge's grappling hook from Voltron. I had not planned on giving Alix a miraculous besides the rabbit, but she was there, and it made no sense not to use it, so surprise!