"So LB, what's the plan?" Rena Rouge unsheathed her flute.
Ladybug took stock of all the villains' positions as she calculated their odds. "I think the best way to utilize our strengths is for you four to distract Scarlet Moth's army," She pointed to Carapace, Rena Rouge, Queen Bee, and Rocket Rooster. "Break their akumatized objects and get them to safety. If you can make Chat Noir and I a corridor to the Tower, we can stop this war at its source. We'll help until we get our opening." The heroine once again stood on the ledge of the building.
"Alright, team. FOR PARIS!" She shouted.
The others took up her war cry as they set out to their assigned tasks. As soon as they moved, the akumas surged forward.
Ladybug lost track of how many objects had been broken and purified. A surge of triumph flowed through her before her mind whispered, Is this too easy? A cry whirled her around.
A group of purified victims stood between Ladybug, Chat Noir, and the rest of the team. Carapace shouted as he pointed to a nearby rooftop. Dark Cupid perched there, smirking. Ladybug dropped her gaze to the friends they had just save and her heart sank. Dark Cupid had filled their hearts with negative emotions, opening themselves to become re-akumatized.
"NO!" She screamed in frustration. Now there was a group of villains between her and her team. They began pushing Ladybug and Chat Noir away from the Eiffel Tower into the city.
"Go on, LB!" Rena bashed Princess Fragrance over the head with her flute before destroying her perfume gun. "We've got this. Keep yourselves safe!"
The girl hesitated before she felt Chat nudge her elbow. "We'll be back! I promise!" She shouted. Turning, the duo took off down the maze of Parisian streets.
Chat risked a glance over his shoulder. "I think we're in trouble, Mi'Lady!" They skidded to a stop. An overturned bus blocked the road. "What in the-"
"We can be heroes too, Parisians!" Nora Césaire appeared over the top of the barricade, a hoard of people behind her. Sabine Cheng proudly hoisted the Parisian flag as high as she could. Ladybug almost wept at the beautiful sight. Nora noticed the heroes. "Ladybug! Mister Whiskers! Get your butts back here!" They didn't hesitate.
"What is all of this?" The girl accepted a bottle of water from her grandmother to take a quick swig.
"Hawkmoth and Prime Queen have been filming the whole thing," Gina Dupain pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. "Not so smart when heroes who are supposed to be dead and traitors appear on air, proclaiming that they plan to take back Paris."
Alya's mom, Marlana, placed a hand on Chat Noir's shoulder. "Seeing you heroes back and fighting gave us hope. It reminded us that we can do something about this too. We're Parisians, after all! Rebellion's in our blood." She winked.
"Thank you!"
Marlana grabbed a piece of plywood from a nearby alley. "We'll slow these guys down. Do what you need to do and save the world!"
Chat shook her hand as he ran backwards. "You're all fantastic. VIVE LA FRANCE!" He shouted.
"VIVE LA FRANCE!" The rebels took up the cry.
Ladybug shot him a look as he smiled playfully. "What? Every good revolution needs a war cry."
xXx
Scarlet Moth stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hm. I did not expect the people to respond in such a way." He glanced down at the battle below. The remaining heroes were holding off his akumas, but Dark Cupid was reclaiming them faster than they could break the objects. "These new heroes are more resilient than I expected as well." He turned to the woman by his side before glancing at the girl sitting behind him.
Lila, now Catalyst, sat in a meditative position touching butterflies as they returned to her. She filled them with darkness, sending them back out into the fray.
"Catalyst, do you have enough akumas in the fight for now?"
The girl took a deep breath. "I think so. What do you have in mind?"
Scarlet Moth returned his gaze to the battle. "While having these Miraculous would be nice, I still need Ladybug's earrings and Chat Noir's ring. They'll return eventually to help their friends… and for me. For now, instruct the akumas to make sure these heroes don't get up again. Break their spirits." He smiled as he met Mayura's gaze. "I believe it's time for Phase Three…"
xXx
Ladybug and Chat Noir made their way to Marinette's house via the sewer system to refuel their kwamis and regroup. Before they exited the sewer, they detransformed.
Marinette shook with anger as she unlocked her family's apartment above the bakery. They were barely inside the door before she punched the wall. Tikki flew from her hiding place, hiding behind Adrien's shoulder. He patted her head.
"It's okay, Tikki." The boy whispered. "She just needs to let off some steam. Let's get you guys some food." Adrien couldn't hide his flinch as the sound of crashing books came from the entry way. Tikki and Plagg shared a glance before grabbing their snacks and fleeing up the stairs. They would ride out this storm in safety.
Adrien looked up from brewing a pot of tea at the silence that now permeated the space. Marinette had taken up residence on the couch, her head held in her hands. He grabbed two mugs for the tea. The girl didn't react as her boyfriend settled in beside her.
"Feel better?"
"No!" Marinette exploded. Adrien held out the second mug as a peace offering. She accepted, downing as much as she could without burning herself. "We shouldn't have left the others!"
"Marinette, we were separated and being pushed back. There was nothing we could do!"
"I should have at least tried Lucky Charm." She berated herself. "We ran before using our ace in the hole."
The boy rubbed her shoulder, trying his best to soothe her. "Okay. Say you used the Lucky Charm. What if Hawkmoth had gotten to the rest of the team, to us? Would that be better than us regrouping and deciding what move we should make next?" He sighed as he saw the comment registered with her. "So, the question is, what now?"
The girl chewed her lip in contemplation. "We've regrouped and the kwamis are refueled. We also know, rather we suspect, that Hawkmoth has a third partner boosting his powers so that he can akumatize so many people at once." Marinette scrubbed her face as she stood to pace. "It's only safe to assume that since we retreated, Hawkmoth may have taken the rest of the team out of commission. I hate the thought, but we may have to plan on it being just the two of us."
Adrien grinned as he stood. "Like day one. You and me against the world, Mi'Lady."
She pushed his face away, grinning as well. "Alright then, kitty. Let's suit up."
xXx
After transforming and sneaking through the city, the heroes had stationed themselves at the rear of the Eiffel Tower. Gamer and Glaciator appeared to be the only sentries at first glance. They had taken up positions at the front, not even glancing backwards. "Okay, this is too easy, isn't it?" Chat Noir hissed. "I mean, Hawkmoth has most of his army out searching the city for us, but only left only two of the big guys to protect him?"
Ladybug felt the same, but a shred of hope remained. "Maybe the rest of the team managed to escape and some of the baddies followed them." It was easier to keep the wobble out of her voice when she was in her alter ego, but the worry for her friends remained.
Chat stood from his crouched position, cracking his knuckles. "Well, Mi'Lady, looks like it's now or never. What's the plan?"
"I think we sneak up the back of the tower, then rush Hawkmoth and Mayura before they know what's happening. We break his cane and her fan. That will take out the control of the akumas and any of those… amucks that Mayura can create." She murmured.
"But what about the third mystery player?"
"Chat, we have to work with what we've got. Once Hawkmoth and Mayura are down… I hate to say it, but we'll have to wing it." Chat sighed, leaning forward on his staff.
"It's the best plan that we can come with right now. Let's go for it."
The sun was beginning to set as Ladybug and Chat Noir snuck up the metal latticework of the Eiffel Tower. In the dying light, Ladybug saw fires dotting the Paris skyline. Even the park in front of the tower was not spared.
The girl paused. What were those black splotches lining the road? "Please don't be the Alya. Please don't be Nino. Please don't be Chloé. Please don't be Nate." Tears pricked her eyes as she prayed each name. Once the obstacle in front of her was dealt with, she would deal with the aftermath.
Finally, the duo made it to the edge of the viewing platform they had seen Hawkmoth on earlier. Ladybug quietly counted them down before they launched themselves at the villains. Before they could do anything, however, Ladybug and Chat Noir found themselves trapped inside of four invisible walls. After pounded on thin air proved futile, they saw their targets emerge from the shadows.
"Thank you, Mr. Mime." Scarlet Moth nodded to the man who stood off to the side. He then turned to his 'guests'. "Well well. I do believe that this confrontation has been long overdue. Have you enjoyed what my friends have done with the city?" Scarlet Moth strolled past the invisible cage to gaze at his handywork.
"They're not your friends!" Chat Noir spat. "They're innocent people that you've taken advantage of!" That got the other man's attention.
"Oh, but young kitten. Once you hear why I have done all of this, what I plan to do with your combined Miraculous, I think that you will actually join me on my quest."
Ladybug scoffed. "Yeah right."
Scarlet Moth's eyes darted angrily to the young woman. "This does not concern you, Ladybug. This is a family matter."
Silence swallowed any thought or retort either teen had been about to throw. The blood drained from Chat Noir's face.
"No…"
"Welcome, Adrien. We need to talk, son."