MIRACULOUS

CHAPTER 32

(THIS IS NOT A) SWAN SONG PART 2

Location… Unknown…

In a dark office on the top floor of a metropolis city, someone sat on the desk, looking at the only light source in the room. He typed on his laptop as he hacked into traffic monitor cameras throughout Paris, keeping taps on what was going on in Paris and witnessed the chaos from the comforts of his office.

""Well, this certainly took a turn," he said to himself. "I wonder if this will have an effect on your plan, Emilie. It would still take a few days to finish summoning the taken from those who perished that day…"

The office door opened and quickly shut as two figures entered. The man took note and his eyes stared at them without moving his head then back at the laptop monitor.

"Kind of a scary thought that one day your future self comes to tell you that you're going to change the world and recruits you herself."

"Not really," A young female voice replied. "I'm actually stoked put kick the world's ass!" she said punching her palm with her other fist.

"Yep, just as I remembered saying," Future Alix said with a grin.

"Are you willing to take on Mister Bug and the other?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Alix said with a smirk.

Paris…

"SHELL-TER" Carapace shouted as he protected Rena and Ryuko who have been beaten down. Cthulu's giant claw struck at the barrier, causing him to flinch on impact.

"Ni… Carapace?" Rena called weakly. Ryuko's was more defiant as she made more of an effort to get up.

Meanwhile, Rocket tried to claw into Cartman, trying to make conversation.

"What do you know?" He asked. "What's it to Mayura and the kid? Is it something between them huh?"

"God, shut up!" Cartman retorted. "Trying to squeeze the amok out of me, huh? Not gonna happen!"

"You know something!" Rocket roared and jumped on him, only for Cartman to block him and push him off. Landing on his back on a rooftop, he struggled to get up. Cartman jumped from the top of the beast towards his about to pummel him with his fan. Rocket shut his eyes from the pending impact, but it didn't come. He opened his eyes and saw a feminine figure in black with green outlines and her hair was dark with a long braid.

"Guess who's not dead after all!" Lady Noir said in a sing-song voice.

"Kid!"

"No worries, this kitty's got your back," Lady Noir turned to face him with a grin. She deflected his attack by spinning her staff, causing him to fall back.

"So, that's what Mister Bug planned, huh?" Cartman said. "Goody two shoes."

"Amok, now!"

"And not letting me stopping the 'stang?"

"What do you mean?"

"BUGWASH!" Mister Bug swung by and kneed him on the side of the head.

"AAAAHHHH!" Cartman bellowed on impact. Mister Bug jumped off and landed side by side with Lady Noir. The two stood back to back facing Cartman.

"Good to have you back, My Lady," Mister Bug said.

"Thanks for receiving me, that was one hell of a welcome, Bug-a-boy," Lady Noir complemented.

"AHHAHAHAHAHA!" Cartman laughed. "You two are so lame."

"Where are the others?" Lady Noir asked.

"Pegasus and the Queen Bees are recharging," Mister Bug replied. "The rest aren't doing so hot either."

Lady Noir looked down the building and saw that Ryuko tried to carry Rena before Carapace took over and saw that his bracelet was blaring its warning alarm.

"Damn," Carapace whispered.

Mister bug began to spin his yoyo.

"I'll keep him busy, find out what you can about him," He said as he began to charge at Cartman.

"Got anything from him?" Lady Noir asked.

"Kinda," Rocket admitted. "What I do know that is has something with Sanceur."

"Nathalie Sanceur? What does she have to do with any of this?"

"Heh heh," Rena chuckled. "You missed out quite a bit, girl…"

Before she could respond, her communicator in her staff rings, and she quickly responds.

"Yes?"

"Talk about great timing, huh?" it was Future Queen Bee.

"Chloe?" Lady Noir recognized her. "You look… different."

"Never mind about that right now," Future Queen Bee said. "I'm starting to remember what the amok is."

"'Remember?'" Lady Noir repeated.

"Long story," Rocket stepped in. "What is it?"

"Nathalie has had a soft spot for Adrien since the beginning and begged him to take a picture with her after one of his photoshoots."

"A picture," Lady Noir said. "That's the amok?"

"Marinette you have to…" Future Queen Bee was cut off by a shadow looming over her, she looked up.

"LOOK OUT!" Present Queen Bee shouted and both screamed.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!" the call was cut off.

"Crap!" Lady Noir sneered and got ready. "Mister Bug!"

"I know," He said. "I heard everything! Rocket, head to the Agreste Manor. That's where you'll find Nathalie." He commended. Knowing her, she probably already busted herself out after being gone for this long.

"Should I ask her?"

"She might know what it is…AAAARGH!"

"Mister Bug!" Lady Noir shouted and the transmission got cut off. "We'll keep him busy, head for the manor!"

"Gotcha!" Rocket affirmed. Lady Noir spun her staff and charged. Rocket sneaked out quietly and ran all fours jumping amongst the rooftops.

Agreste Manor…

"You are aware that Emilie and the Blue Mustang will want your head," Gabriel said from her tablet.

"They're not following me," Nathalie assured. "They don't need to."

"Still, hopefully, Adrien succeeds in putting a plan to a halt. But there is no telling what she'll do next."

"Maybe we should talk to her," Nathalie suggested. "We should tell her that Adrien is all right and you can be a family again," She concluded, Gabriel closed his eyes and shook his head. "Gabriel?"

"Not going to happen…" Gabriel said. Nathalie gave a light surprised gasp. There was almost a minute of pause before she finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry…"

"For what? You're not the one who…"

"I'm sorry… that she broke your heart…" Nathalie lamented.

"She betrayed me, Nathalie," Gabriel said. "She just couldn't let it go. She went as far as to trick me into doing such terrible things… She knew I loved as much for me that she would set up such a trick. And I fell for it, just another puppet at her show…"

"No," Nathalie said. "She doesn't know it but she's a puppet, too. That's all the more reason why she needs to be stopped."

"Are you sure they'll let you contribute?" Gabriel asked.

"I don't expect them to forgive me," Nathalie's demeanor had changed to sheer determination. "But I will do my part in setting things right. Whether they want me or not."

"Good," a voice said. "You can start by telling us what your most important connection with Adrien is."

With a gasp, Nathalie turned to the source. It was Rocket, inclining on the window railing.

"Who are you?"

"Lady, you can call me, Rocket."

"I know that voice… Rigby?" Gabriel wondered from the screen. Rocket fell off the window and fell face-first on the ground. He got up and snapped back.

"Stop talking!"

"Yes, most certainly him," Gabriel sighed. Nathalie sighed.

"How did I not recognized you?"

"ARGH! Not the time for big mouths!" Rocket said as he got back up. "We need your help, Nathalie."

"Huh?" Nathalie was taken aback by this.

Meanwhile…

"ARGH!"

"OOF"

Both Mister Bug and Lady Noir landed on their backs. Nino and Alya were hiding far away attending their kwamis. Ryuko was charging at Cartman with her sword. The sentimonster continued its rampage at its violent search of Emilie Agreste. The two Queen Bees stared from the rooftop, the two nodded at each other and went upward.

"Any ideas, my lady?" Mister Bug asked. Lady Noir looked up and gritted her teeth.

"We can't risk using our powers until we know where the amok is."

"Hope Rocket can get the info out of her."

"Can we really trust Beefcock's information?" she asked. Mister Bug couldn't help but break into a snicker.

"'Beefcock…'" he repeated.

"Bug-a-boy!" Lady Noir called with her fists on her hips. Mister Bug shook his head.

"Right," he said. "We better hurry. Kagami is not in a good spot right now," He whipped his yoyo and pulled himself upward.

"Huh?" Lady Noir said as she jumped with her staff. "What do you mean?"

"Tell you later!"

"FIRE DRAGON!" Ryuko shouted as her body got covered with fire.

"Carousel" by Linkin Park plays.

Ryuko charged at Cartman as he cackled while he easily dodged her attacks. But then punched him on the side of the head, causing it to catch a small flame.

"Hot, hot, hot!" he said as he tried to put it out.

With the distraction she stabbed the sentimonster on its head, causing it to flinch, and attempted to grab her.

"NOW!" Future Queen Bee shouted they both jumped down from the building.

"VENOM!" They both shouted in unison, nailing the sentimonster, and with a roar, it began to struggle to move, before it could grab Ryuko off it.

"It won't hold it forever!"

"Now's our chance!" Mister Bug shouted as he and Lady Noir joined Ryuko. He threw his yoyo at him, only to be deflected by Cartman's fan again.

"Really?"

"Now, my lady!"

"Huh?"

Lady Noir charged from behind as she tried to snatch the peacock brooch from him with her claw. Cartman quickly caught on and tried to dodge away from him. But Lady Noir quickly summoned her staff back and caught him on a chokehold.

"Ah, ah, ah, I don't think so," she said. Ryuko pointed her sword at him while the two Queen Bees joined in and both made sassy poses.

"Quite a dramatic way to end this, huh?" Future Queen Bee said.

"Gotta hand it to you," Present Queen Bee turned to Ryuko. "You gave us white an opening for the venom." She concluded. Ryuko's heart raced at that.

"Much obliged," she said. "I must admit, it was not what I had intended."

"All right, little piggy," Lady Noir said. "Where's the amok?"

"Hey, don't call me little pig, you test tube 'bryo!" Cartman retorted. Mister Bug stepped in and punched him in the face.

"Low blow, Cartman," he said.

"Screw you, Bug-a-boy!" Cartman shot back. Lady Noir tightened her grip. "AAARGH!"

"Only I can call him that!" Lady Noir said.

"Ok," Mister Bug said. "Let's do this the hard way."

Mister Bug hanged his yoyo upon Cartman's face and started to swing it lightly like a pendulum.

"What are you…"

"Shhhh…" Mister Bug hushed. "You're sleepy very sleepy…" he continued the hypnosis for a minute.

"Ehhhhhh…."

"Wow, that was fast," Present Queen Bee said.

"I didn't know it could do that…"

"Now you will tell me where the amok is…"

"It's in Nathalie Sanceur's apartment,"

"Now either tell me what it is and you admit what I want you to admit…"

"I… am…a…little…pig…HEY!"

Everyone bust out laughing. Ryuko tried to suppress her laughter and quickly turned stern. Future Queen Be noticed that she was standing right in front of the creature's burned stab wound.

"Ryuko, wait!"

She was about to remove the brooch from Cartman who was struggling to break free from Lady Noir's grip. Ryuko accidentally stepped on the stab wound, causing the Cthulu sentimonster to regain some of its movement, making the scene vibrate.

Almost everyone lost balance and Cartman took the chance to elbow Lady Noir on the rib. He punched Mister Bug in the stomach, grabbed Lady Noir by the braid.

"Ow! Hey!" she shouted. "WHAAAAAA!"

"AAAAAAAHHHH!" Cartman screamed as if it was a battle cry.

Cartman tightened his grip on her braid as he pulled her and swung her around, knocking all the others around him, and finally let her go. She was thrown far away to the city, landing on the side of the building hitting the hard pavement.

"Marinette!" Alya shouted. Lady Noir heard her from the distance.

"Wait what?" Nino said.

Song ends

Later… Nathalie's apartment…

"You actually paid the rent even though you haven't been here in months?"

"I may plan here when you least expected, or I could set a trap here."

"The cops could have raided the place."

"Oh, they tried," she said. "Emilie took a massive chunk of Gabriel's wealth when she left. So she could afford to call in a few favors if you catch my drift. Plus the mayor is not exactly a fighter…"

"Yeah, no kidding," Rocket agreed before receiving a call from Mister Bug. "Anyway, what was really your stake with Adrien?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, according to Cartman, something that binds you with him is the amok…" Nathalie gave a light gasp. Then her expression became a sad one and sighed.

"Cartman," she repeated. "I should have known he would take a low blow like that," she said as she went to her desk. She opened a drawer and grabbed a more intimate picture of herself with a younger Adrien.

"Whoa…" Rocket sighed. "Judging how he looks in the picture, I'd say it was around… last year?"

"It was only a month after I was hired by his parents and right after I had revealed myself as Blue Mustang and introduced her to the miraculous," Nathalie began. "She was seeking us out in her quest to bring her daughter and I posed as a secretary to infiltrate the family. I once was tasked to take Adrien a day out of little Tokyo in New York. I did one thing I never had done in my life."

"And that is…?" Rocket asked.

"I had fun," she said with a smile. There was a brief moment of silence before she turned back to the photo. "When we got back home, Emilie berated me and prohibited me from hanging out with Adrien again. I tried my best to forget that day and focus on my part…." She began to tear up. "But I couldn't… I didn't know what had happened to me…"

"You got attached to him," Rocket concluded. Nathalie couldn't help but giggle amidst her tears.

"I did," she admitted. "It wasn't until Emilie left when I realized how my heart shattered and how much I wanted a son of my own…"

Nathalie cut herself off and Rocket approached her and placed his hand on the picture.

"If this is really it… Gimme the photo…"

Nathalie looked at him new tears streaming down her face.

Meanwhile…

Lady Noir was stroking her head as she tried to get up. Alya and Nino, along with their kwamis were tending her in a safe place. When she came to and opened her eyes.

"Uhhhh…Marinette?" Nino asked, earning him an elbow to the rib. "Ahhh…"

"Real smooth, Nino," Alya said. "Real smooth."

"Wait, you know?" Not exactly the time for secrets, girl," Alya suggested. She and Nino helped Lady Noir up.

"So it's true," Nino said. "You really are Ladybug?"

"For the time being, no," Lady Noir replied, looking down but quickly looked back at him. "But it's not the time to dwell on that now."

"I believe we must be ready to enter the frame again," Wayzz suggested.

"Mister Bug and Ryuko are on their own, right now," Trixx added.

"Rocket must make haste," Wayzz said.

"Ummm," Lady Noir said. "Who's Rocket?"

"Oh, boy," Alya said, scratching behind her head.

"Let's just say you missed out a lot while you were gone," Nino said.

Then a loud noise shook everyone to the core as the vibration made them stumble amongst each other.

"What was that?" Alya asked. They all stepped outside and they were all astounded.

"Guys," Lady Noir said. "We're going back in soon. Hope you're ready…"

The Cthulu sentimonster demolished another building. Ryuko had used up all of her dragon abilities and she's running out of time before she detranforms. Mister Bug had to face off the monster himself as the Queen Bees had to retreat. With his yoyo, he tried many times to get back to Cartman, unsuccessfully and is now barely holding on. With everyone else off commission, he knew he couldn't risk using his lucky charm yet.

"Hehehehehehe," Cartman mock laughed. "You can't get back at me. Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah."

"Damn it," he sneered. "We can't keep this up!"

"Now how about we find them and finish them off before they come up with some other crazy plan," with those words the sentimonster began clawing its way where Mister Bug and Ryuko had gone to.

Ryuko stabbed her sword on the ground as she tried to stand up. Mister Bug immediately took notice and ran to her side.

"Save your strength," he said.

"The two Bourgeois have gone to hiding as well," Ryuko said. "We cannot go on like this!"

"We might not have to…" Mister Bug said with a grin.

"What…?"

"Kagami…" Mister Bug asked. "How do you feel?"

"I do not believe it is the moment…"

"Then let's make it quick," he said. Kagami pondered for a moment, looking down in sadness.

"I… *sniff* I curse my fate because that means I do not have the liberty to choose… That I will never have the life I desire…" She curled her knees to her chest then hugged them. "I envy you all. I have to misfortune to be fated to a destiny I did not choose to ensure that everyone will have that choice. What would you feel?" she said as tears began to fall. It was almost that the loud noises of Cartman's rampage. Mister Bug swallowed as he began to think what it would've been like in her shoes. He heard a sniff from Kagami, he turned to her and saw her tears finally cascading down her cheeks. She hugged his chest and gently sobbed. "What hurts me the most is that I will never…"

"Shhhh… Don't talk," He whispered. He hugged her back and kissed her on the forehead.

The final warning alarm sounded and detransformed back to Kagami with an exhausted Longg, landing on her hands.

"Ohhh…" Longg sighed. "It has been so long that I have had such a grueling experience.

"Go on and hide somewhere," Mister Bug said and patted her on the back and got back on his feet.

"What are you going to do?" Kagami asked. Getting back on her feet and wiped what was left of her tears. Mister Bug turned back to her and began spinning his yoyo.

"What else?" he asked. "To kick his ass!" he swung away.

Cartman was savoring the moment. Waving his arms around and pointing down the city like a madman.

"You all better show up with your miraculouses or I will actually destroy this city!"

"Hey!" Mister Bug screamed. He once again dodged the creature's attacks and landed on Cartman with a kick. He completely countered and pinned Mister Bug to the ground.

"You never learn, do you?" Cartman sneered. Mister Bug, however, did not lose his grin.

"Actually," he said. "I do…"

Rocket sneaked behind him and roundhouse kicked Cartman in the head.

"Imma, take this!" Rocket tried to take the peacock brooch from Cartman only for him to kick him off the way, knocking him off the creature's head. Rocket landed on Cthulu's claw and tightened his grip. "AAARGH!"

"Rocket!" Mister Bug saw the amok, which seemed to be a framed picture, and tried to get up but Cartman pinned him to the ground. "The… Amok…"

"Ah, ah, ah," Cartman taunted. "So you figured what it was… never mind." He pressed his foot on him. While the creature crushed Rocket with its claw.

"AAAARGH!" Rocked moaned painfully. "Damn it…"

"WIND DRAGON!"

"Huh?" Cartman wondered and was pushed off Mister Bug by the wind. "ACK!"

Ryuko appeared once again and tried to help Mister Bug up.

"Get up, Mister Bug," Ryuko prompted. "You must purify the amo… AH!"

Cartman grabbed her by the neck with a haymaker and grabbed on a headlock.

"I don't think so!"

"WATER DRAGON!" Ryuko shouted and quickly escaped from his grip. By that point, Mister Bug had got away.

"Yoohoo!" a female voice called from behind. It was Lady Noir who gave a little wave before punching him in the throat and jumped off.

"ACK! EH…!"

Ryuko and Mister Bug landed a hard kick on its inner elbow, causing it to let Rocket go. They all landed far from each other.

"Rocket!" Mister Bug shouted at him from afar, catching his attention. "Throw it over here!"

"Go long!" Rocket shouted. "Go long!"

"Stop them!" Cartman shouted as he looked for the three down the streets. He quickly found Rocket and was about to lounge after him…

"Yo!"

Cartman was once again slammed in the face by a green shield. He and Rena jumped back in action and charged at him.

"The brooch!" Ryuko shouted.

"AAAARGH No!" Cartman jumped off.

"He's after the amok!" Lady Noir went after him. Before the other could join, the creature took note once again and grabbed the other from its head and slammed them to the ground.

"Are you guys ok?" The two Queen Bees stepped in but stopped dead on their tracks when the creature slammed it's its fists on the ground which made certain areas of the city inaccessible. They saw that Mister Bug and Ryuko were missing.

"Did we miss anything?" Present Queen Bee asked.

"Mister Bug, Ryuko, Lady Noir, and Rocket are on the other side of the rubble, dealing with Cartman, now! Where's Pegasus?" Carapace asked.

"Still needs time attending his kwami," Future Queen Bee replied.

"So I guess they're on their own now…" Alya said. They all readied themselves to keep the monster busy.

"AAAAAAAAHHH!" Cartman landed on top of Rocket and took the picture frame and ran off. "Screw you guys, you ain't getting the amok!"

"Damn it!" Lady Noir growled. "Mister Bug!"

"Right!" Mister Bug affirmed. "LUCKY CHARM!"

He threw his yoyo in the air, and the object landed on his hands both Lady Noir and Ryuko raised their eyebrows, it was…

"An American football?"

"I fail to see the relevance of such sport in this situation," Ryuko said.

"Welcome to my world," Lady Noir said, rolling her eyes. "Mister Bug, you have been in this mantle for a while, right? Have you accessed what it can do by now?"

"Once," Mister Admitted. He held the football with both his hands like a player about to throw a long pass. He closed his eyes and opened again and saw his black and white vision. Ryuko's sword, the football, a couple of plain surfaced rubble, Cartman, Rocket, the framed picture, finally Lady Noir herself flashed red with black spots. "Wait, I think I got it! Ryuko, use your fire dragon to clear a path and then…"

Meanwhile, Rocket is taking a beating from Cartman, who was way too heavy for him to kick off. Aside from the painful beating, he also had to endure his nasal cackling.

"Hehehehehe, you suck dude," Cartman mocked as he enjoyed beating him up. "You couldn't get the amok to your hippie bug."

"Stop talking!" Rocket yelled, trying to shield himself from his opponent's fist.

As if on cue, there was an explosion from the debris behind him. Something red bounced amongst the debris around them and hit Cartman right in the back of his head. Rocket took the chance to punch Cartman off him and moved away from him.

"EARTH DRAGON!"

Cartman started to sink on the ground as if it was quicksand and then harden while he was half sunk. He was now stuck on the hard pavement with only his hands and head sticking out. Ryuko emerged right in front of him.

"Sit," she said. "Stay"

"G-Goddammit!" Cartman growled.

"Hey Rocket," Mister Bug shouted from the distance. He saw him and Lady Noir waving at him. "About that pass!"

Grinning he got back up to his feet and grabbed the framed picture.

"Go long!" he threw the picture as if it was an American football. Mister Bug ran back and jumped, catching the frame. He saw what the picture was; it was a picture of himself with Nathalie, remembering that night at Little Tokyo in New York. He never really paid attention to that picture due to the harsh berating session they got from his mother and Nathalie never took him out again. He hasn't realized how happy she looked in that picture.

"Mister Bug?"

"Huh? Oh, right," he said and passed the frame to her. "Would you like to do the honors, My Lady?" he asked, hiding his sentimentality. She saw the picture and inhaled and held her breath.

"My Lady?"

"Oh, right," she said.

Meanwhile, Cartman suddenly broke free from his pavement prison, catching both Rocket and Ryuko by surprise. Knocking them both out, he free ran towards the due as they're about to destroy the amok.

"NO!"

"CATACLYSM!"

She destroyed the frame, releasing the black feather.

"No more evildoings for you, little amok," Mister Bug opened his yoyo. "Time to de…" he was cut off when Cartman came out of nowhere overhead.

"GIMME BACK THE AMOK!" Cartman body slammed Mister Bug with his elbow.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!" Mister Bug was horrified by his size as Cartman landed on him, both going through a hole.

"MISTER BUG!" Lady Noir screamed at the hole.

Before she knew it, the amok was already high above Paris and multiplied faster than anyone could've reacted. Black feathers multiplied and spread all over Paris as one Cthulu monster after another appeared all over the city.

The other heroes, who were already having a hard time fighting against the original sentimonster saw that the other creatures surround the area. Rena Rouge, the two Queen Bees, looked around helplessly, not knowing what to do. Carapace lowered his arms in both annoyance and exhaustion.

"Well, we're boned!"

Author's note: Whew! I had to write this one in a hurry.

As previously stated, I'll be moving to a new address and I wanted to get this out before the heavy lifting began. I may not have the chance to work on the next chapter until I have settled by the end of the month.

I will work on the next chapter whenever I can and I hope to post it by the end of April.

Thanks for reading!

Constructive criticism is appreciated.