p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9fafaa349a923f04251bac61cbc1667b"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"A/N: Apologies now for the multiple POV changes in this chapter. It's a long one, so be prepared. Sorry for the delay, hope you enjoy~!/em/span/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ba1150bcd25bc5a560804838c904cf89"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26478db11a74b3c8675f463fee30cba7" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1876435d638954696d3b170043c905a9"By the time all the students had gotten a turn to ask a question, it was time for their Literature period. A desk has been set up for me at the front of the class and I "observed" the lesson. In reality, I was writing down the information I could clearly remember from the show under the guise of taking notes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0746b8081ff93eb583c1f8d797339194"I wasn't sure what knowledge I had that could be useful, but I knew for certain I couldn't reveal that I knew the true identity of Hawk Moth. As much as I would have wanted to put a stop to the misguided efforts of Gabriel Agreste, the time for that to be revealed was not yet upon us, as clearly shown by the fact Master Fu was still The Guardian of The Miracle Box and not Ladybug. It had been between seasons of the show when my world was swallowed by Darkness, so it was perhaps best that we arrived in this world during a time I was familiar style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /In my notes, I made sure to use the pen Merlin had been kind enough to gift me that hid what I wrote down from unwanted eyes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cfe201de5943405c840233fec4378a45" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1c7b0143b6117456d8b58fe4704dfe5d"⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Miss Bustier - Akumatized:/span ZombizouHomeroom teacher at Collège Françoise Dupont. Kind yet firm with her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Adrien Agreste - Cat Miraculous Holder/span: Chat Noir span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Alternate timeline Akumatized:/span Chat Blancbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /An aspiring model who just wants to live the life of a normal teenager. He has skills in fencing and at times uses this skill as Chat Noir. A loyal friend, but watch out for his style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Chloe Bourgeois - Temporary Bee Miraculous Holder: /spanQueen Beespan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Queen Wasp, Anti-BugHas been the instigator in multiple incidents that have led to Akumatizations. Superiority complex. Daughter of Paris's style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Ivan Bruel - Akumatized:/span Stone HeartWas the first to be Akumatized. Tough exterior but in reality very sweet. Member of band Kitty Section. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Alya Cesaire - Temporary Fox Miraculous Holder:/span Rena Rougespan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Lady Wifi, Oblivio, Rena RogueVery outgoing, she is always eager to get the latest scoop on anything hero-related. A resourceful ally. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Juleka Couffaine - Akumatized:/span ReflectaShy girl with self-esteem issues, but slowly coming out of her shell with the help of friends. Member of band Kitty Section. Best friends (possible lover?) with style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Marinette Dupen-Chang - Ladybug Miraculous Holder:/span LadybugA strong-willed girl, at times a klutz, especially around Adrien, who she secretly has feelings for. A brilliant tactician who likes to think outside the box. Family owns a style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Mylene Haprele - Akumatized:/span HorrificatorAt times a bit of a scaredy-cat, but very supportive of her friends. Passionate about the environment. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Max Kante - Temporary Horse Miraculous Holder:/span Pegasusspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Gamer, Gamer 2.0A wiz with technology, he even created a robot, Markov, to play video-games style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Alix Kubdel - Future Rabbit Miraculous Holder: /spanBunnixspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span TimebreakerAn athletic teen with a thirst for competition. Has races regularly with classmate Kim. Is aware of future in which she obtains the Rabbit style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Nathaniel Kurtzberg - Akumatized:/span EvillustratorTimid, likes to keep to himself. Very talented comic style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Nino Lahiffe - Temporary Turtle Miraculous Holder:/span Carapacespan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Bubbler, Shell Shock, Obliviobr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Life of the party, always there to cheer up his friends. Best friends with Adrien. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Rose Lavillant - Akumatized:/span Princess FragrancePure sunshine. Wishes to be everyone's friend and hates to see those she cares about get hurt. Best friends (possible lover?) with style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Le Chien "Kim" - Temporary Monkey Miraculous Holder:/span King Monkeyspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Dark Cupidbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Your typical jock with a goofy side. Constantly challenges Alix to races. Competitive style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Sabrina Raincomprix - Akumatized: /spanVanisher, MiraculerChloe's faithful lapdog. Will do anything to please Chloe. Father is a police style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Lila Rosie - Akumatized:/span Vulpina, ChameleonA constant attention-seeker and manipulative liar. May be working for Hawkmoth. Possible target for Unversed or Heartless. Do span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"NOT /u/spantrust her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b7d02b64f9e47354bf0b62bf4c2cd954" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2ccc53e3c4481ce7ab2985a28f117178"I had just finished my notes when the bell rang to signal lunch. I placed the notebook and pen in the small bag I had brought, just before most of the class approached my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"We're all going to the cafeteria for lunch," Mylene style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Would you like to join us?" Rose style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I nodded. "That sounds lovely."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /And so, the teens led me downstairs and into the active lunchroom. It was probably good they had invited me since I had been so worried about being able to infiltrate the school that I had completely forgotten to bring a style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I ordered a chicken parmesan pasta and a small caesar salad, then sat down with my meal at one of the large tables with the class majority, situated between Adrien and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The group started up a new round of questions and I was more than happy to answer them between bites. Once again, I felt at ease conversing with others in my age group. It was also somewhat strange as my friend group back home was very minimal - in fact barely existent- so having so many people truly wish to get to know me made my heart style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Hikari?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I turned at the sound of my name, seeing Marinette a few seats down next to Alya looking at me with a somewhat nervous expression. "What's up?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Um, does the name "Tsubasa" mean anything to you?" She style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I paused, having not quite expected the question. For a moment, I felt my stomach drop a little. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Did she already figure it out, that /emI'm em style="box-sizing: border-box;"the one who saved her yesterday? No, that can't be it. She wouldn't ask a question like that with knowledge of my secret without possibly risking her own, especially with so many people around. /emI decided to play dumb, tilting my head to the side and dawning the most confused look I could muster. "Tsubasa is a Japanese name that translates to "wings" in English. I don't believe I know anyone by that name." I took a brief moment, pretending as though I was contemplating something as I leaned my head back slightly and placing my thumb and pointer finger on my chin. "Although come to think of it, during my travels, I'd heard of a hero that helped whoever she could, only to quickly vanish soon after, like a spirit or angel. Tsubasa could very well be her name or at least one of many she could have been given. Again, she came and went so fast I'm not sure many people - if any at all- ever caught her true name."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Marinette, did you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"meet /emthis mysterious hero!?" Alya exclaimed, getting her phone out to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"N-N-No," her friend frantically proclaimed, shaking her hands and head. "I-I just thought I had heard the name somewhere and read online that it was Japanese, that's all. I thought that perhaps Hikari would know more."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /My body relaxed as the group began to laugh lightheartedly as Marinette continued to blubber. She hadn't put the pieces together so there was no need to worry just yet./p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d21c9d881eba6988be480efab45de2b9"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"XXXXX/span/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="da575378b23660062d450131537a987e"The school day came and went, and I returned to Master Fu's apartment after the quick interview I had promised Alya./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8e6db80378a2a2e17f9b3326ec46e25a""Welcome back," the elder greeted, sipping a cup of tea as I stepped style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"How were things at the school?" Riku asked, who was once more sitting in the window style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Everything seems okay." I placed down the bag by the door, then transformed my outfit back to my original garbs. I then pulled out the notebook and handed it to the silverette. "Everything I could remember about this world is in there. Not sure if any info will be useful, but it was the best I could think of."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Any information you have is far better than none at all," Riku stated, already beginning to skim through the style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Adrien and Marinette seem to be doing well," I continued, turning to Master Fu. "They seemed a little distracted during class, but I'm guessing they were just thinking over what happened yesterday. I think they need a little more time to settle from the encounter before we thrust any new information on them."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I agree," he replied. "We also have yet to confirm whether or not our foes have joined forces yet. Our facts should be in order before briefing Ladybug and Chat Noir."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Right." I nodded before turning to the window and noting the setting sun. "I was thinking of following a few leads in the city after dark. Riku, what's your plan?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Said teen looked up from the book. "If it's alright with you, I'll stay here in case any Heartless or Unversed show up."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That's fine. It's probably best that way. If I'm not back in three hours, contact Ayame."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Alright. Be safe out there."/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="69970d3a3e319461b9068e2bdce19677"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"General POV/span/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c22f5442d3736d8cf66b435065a45e81"The City of Love was beginning to brighten with the lights of the evening as the sun disappeared behind the buildings to the west. Shops and cafes closed for the day, while restaurants, bars, and clubs were just starting to open their doors to the night style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Ladybug watched as her home came alive with the festivities one could only experience after the sun had gone down. While she had lived there all her life, it wasn't until she took on the role of protector and Miraculous holder that she realized just how stunning Paris truly was. She thought: em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Perhaps this is how tourists feel; in awe and wonder in a city like no style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em"Milady!"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Ladybug spun at the familiar voice and released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. While she wouldn't openly admit it - and possibly boost the black-clad hero's ego- she was very relieved to see her partner safe and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm so glad you're alright," Chat Noir stated upon landing on the rooftop beside his partner, a relieved look in his emerald-green style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Me too, kitty," the heroine replied. "She told me you were safe, but I wasn't sure-"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Wait," her counterpart interrupted "Who said I was safe?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That would be me."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Both teens spun at the new voice. Chat Noir stared in awe as a young woman glided towards them on large wings of black and white, before gently touching down on the rooftop a few feet in front of them. Once she was on solid footing, the wings disappeared in a burst of feathers and golden light, baffling the hero even more. Even in the fading light, her eyes shined a brilliant turquoise, almost ice-blue, which were tucked behind a domino mask the same navy-blue shade as her pants and ribbon weaved into her chocolate-brown style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"It's nice to finally meet you, Chat Noir," the stranger greeted with a soft smile. "I'm Tsubasa."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"So em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you're /emTsubasa. There's been quite a bit of chatter about you lately," Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Tsubasa shrugged. "I try to stay out of the spotlight. I've just been lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and yesterday was no exception. I'm just glad to see that you both appear well after yesterday's events."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You said you'd explain everything in due time," Ladybug interjected. "Will you tell us em style="box-sizing: border-box;"now /emwhat's going on?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I-" Tsubasa was cut off when a swarm of creatures similar to the ones the teens had encountered the previous day appeared. "We can talk more after we've dealt with em style="box-sizing: border-box;"them/em."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" / Ladybug and Chat Noir stared in shock as the winged hero reached out her right arm and a key-shaped weapon materialized in her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The heroes pulled out their own weapons but still appeared style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"The last time we fought these things, nothing seemed to even faze them," Chat Noir retorted. "How are we gonna stand a chance?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"It's a little hard to explain, but the best I can tell you is that the Unversed are afraid of my weapon," Tsubasa offered. "Since I'm here, once you take them out, they em style="box-sizing: border-box;"should /emstay away."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Should/em?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"There's no harm in trying, kitty," Ladybug said, twirling her yo-yo and swinging it towards a raven-like monster. When the impact seemed to inflict damage, the heroine smiled. "We're also at full strength compared to last time."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Well, if em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you're /emwilling to give another shot then so will I, milady." Chat Noir smiled as well and jumped into battle, whacking a jellyfish beast with his staff and sending it flying into its style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Try to ground the flying ones if you can," Tsubasa called from a few rooftops away. "They'll be at a disadvantage at your level. Stunning them will make it easier to bring them down."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Stun them?" Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"She means catch them by surprise," Ladybug elaborated. "Sneak up behind them or throw them into something solid." As if to demonstrate, she wrapped her yo-yo around a Scrapper and, using both hands, swung the trapped creature into a chimney style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The fight was fast-paced. With Tsubasa's Keyblade and magic, and Ladybug and Chat Noir's renewed energy, it was only a few short minutes before the last Unversed was defeated and the rooftops of Paris were quiet once style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The teens took a couple of moments to catch their breath, the Parisians putting away their weapons and the winged hero drinking from a green vial that glowed slightly. Once they had recovered, they all turned to one another and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You both did well against the Unversed," Tsubasa praised. "Just what I'd expect from Paris's heroes."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Those things were nothing like Akumatized villains or Sentimonsters," Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Unversed are not as powerful as other creatures I've encountered, but they make up for that weakness by overwhelming their opponents in sheer numbers," Tsubasa clarified. "Even so, do not let that put you at ease for they will no doubt return in time with more and stronger allies."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Why are they here in Paris though?" Ladybug style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"The Unversed manifest and gain strength from negative emotions," the older female answered. "The one who controls them must have learned about the Akuma and came here possibly to team up with Hawk Moth."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Does that mean the Unversed and their leader are em style="box-sizing: border-box;"also /emafter the Miraculous?" The polka-dot heroine held a hand to her chest style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Tsubasa closed her eyes and shook her slightly bowed head. "I can't say for certain, but I em style="box-sizing: border-box;"do /emknow that if they are not stopped soon, the damage they will no doubt cause could be irreversible."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Then what can we do to ensure that em style="box-sizing: border-box;"doesn't /emhappen?" Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Tsubasa sighed. "I'm sure you won't be happy with this, but please give my partner and me a little more time to find the person behind this. I know it's your city at risk, but if either of you were to get hurt like the other day, I could never forgive myself knowing I put you in that position unprepared. I promise I'll tell you both the full story, but it's just not that time."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You're right, we em style="box-sizing: border-box;"don't /emlike it," Ladybug remarked. "However, I understand your reasoning. Going into a battle blind em style="box-sizing: border-box;"never /emends well. We will continue to fight the Akuma and hope to rely on your help with these Unversed until this threat is dealt with. Sound fair?" She offered a hand to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The older teen looked at the heroine before smiling and shaking Ladybug's hand. "That's all I can ask for."/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="323b002663af37b913a4536389b06d63"Back at the Agreste home, Gabriel stood in front of the glass casket that held his wife, resting a hand against style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Soon, my love," he whispered. "Soon I will have what we need in order to bring you back. The Unversed could very well be the key to em style="box-sizing: border-box;"everything/em."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c7be9ab146d04d6b9a695847db6fd4e8" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="674c363b8e466471e9cc7f3d3dbab5d4"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="391ebf420f14a30510c1762756cc906d" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4005b28e0bc52246ddcacf7ab6b34963"The next few days following our arrival went by without incident. While I was at the school, Riku would watch the city and search for any Organization members or Unversed. After school, the students would show me around and I found myself gaining a sense of normalcy I hadn't felt since that whole adventure started. They took me to parks, historical sites and even invited me to a Kitty Section rehearsal. I made sure to get their autographs for Chise as Luka was her favorite character and would no doubt be thrilled to learn that there was another world she knew and was fond style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Still, the fact that neither Hawk Moth nor Organization XIII had made a move by that point made me feel uneasy. What exactly were they waiting for? Had that one night just been a test to see how Ladybug and Chat Noir would fair against the Unversed at full strength? And where was Genji's state of mind? Was he still trying to fight Vanitas or had his heart fallen into the shadows completely?br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /As I walked back to Master Fu's apartment, a voice I hadn't heard in some time spoke in my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Do not lose hope, Hikari. The moment you do, it will be all over."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;""Master Aqua? Where have you been?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;""I'm so sorry, Hikari. The Heartless within the Dark Margin have been restless as of late and I fear something terrible may soon take place. Master Xehanort may be planning to make his big move soon. You need to be careful."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;""I know. I just sometimes wish we'd already be /emdone em style="box-sizing: border-box;"with this and I'd be back home with my family. Especially considering tomorrow is..."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0b33bce0ff90b5f124c17db49cea55f4" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f6128338ba2b7cbdc902645a4b54317"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Riku's POV (Third Person)/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9b9d857e00066da25df6f924992546cf" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="009acf3ecddd8e759f480020252deca4"The following day, Riku left Master Fu's apartment a little before Hikari, hoping to run his errand quickly and get to searching the city like he had been doing for the last few days. In only a few short minutes, he made it to the first half of his trip, but before he entered the store, he quickly took out a large, long, oak brown case from his inventory and slung it over his head and shoulder with the strap on the back. Once the item was secure, he turned back to the door and stepped inside, a bell above signaling his style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You have perfect timing," the large man behind the counter stated with a smile upon seeing Riku enter. He ducked down for a moment, then came back up with a white box tied with a burgundy ribbon. "I just finished packing your order, so let's get you rung up."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /He walked a few paces to the nearby register, where he typed in a few keys, then gave Riku the total, which the teen handed over. The till chimed as the drawer opened and the baker placed the currency inside, before closing it and handing the box and receipt to the silverette. "Thanks for coming. Hope to serve you again soon."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku nodded with a small smile and turned towards the door to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm off to school," a female voice called from style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Have a good day," the man style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Oh, here, let me get the door for you."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku looked and saw a girl not much younger than himself come up to him and opened the door. "I appreciate it, thank you," Riku style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /They stepped out onto the street and the girl smiled. "No worries." She seemed to notice the box in Riku's hands and added: "I saw my dad make that cake. Special event for someone?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Yeah, a birthday. The person I'm giving this to actually doesn't know I'm doing this and I wanted to surprise them." Riku paused, suddenly realizing he had no idea how to get to the school from their current location. "Except, I seem to be lost. I don't know the area well as I'm not from around here."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Oh, well I might be able to point you in the right direction," she offered. "Are you taking the cake to your friend's work?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Sort of. She's actually taking part in a student-teacher program at I em style="box-sizing: border-box;"believe /emCollege Francois Dupont," Riku replied, careful to try and pronounce the name style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The younger teen's eyes grew wide. "Wait; you're friend wouldn't happen to be em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Hikari/em, would it?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku hesitated, suddenly realizing Hikari had stated in her notes that Ladybug's -or rather Marinette's- parents owned and ran a bakery. He just hadn't thought the first bakery he had come across during his search of the city would end up being em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"So em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you're /emthe boy she's been traveling with," Marinette continued. "I'd be more than happy to show you the way. It's just a few blocks down the road."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I guess as long as I avoid Chat Noir it should be alright. /em"Thanks, I could use a guide."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /With that, the duo headed down the street, Marinette fiddling with something on her cell phone."So what brought you and Hikari to Paris?" The pig-tailed girl eventually inquired once she put her phone style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"A mentor asked us to check on an old friend of his," Riku carefully responded. "We're currently staying with him while Hikari finishes her internship."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That was certainly nice of him, not having you worry about finding a hotel." Marinette seemed to note the box slung on Riku's back and asked: "What's in the case?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku glanced briefly over his shoulder and smiled. "A gift from Hikari's parents. They wanted me to hold onto it in the event we didn't see them again before her birthday."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That couldn't have been easy hiding it from her for so long."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku just chuckled. Having magic-enhanced inventory pockets certainly made carrying larger items easier, but he wasn't going to tell her that just yet. He suddenly stopped, thinking he saw a flash of black out of the corner of his eye. He looked across the street, his eyes widening when a figure in a familiar black coat could be seen just outside an style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Marinette, however, didn't seem to notice as she turned to the building to her left. "Well, here we are. It's still a few minutes before the warning bell rings, so I'm sure you can come in and-"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /She was cut off when Riku hastily handed the cake box to her and set down the case on his back."I'm sorry, but can you give these to Hikari for me? I'll apologize to her later." The silverette didn't give the younger teen a chance to respond before he rushed across the street, which was strangely empty, and towards where the figure style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku turned to the alleyway, catching a glimpse of the coat rushing around a corner. The Keyblade Master gave chase, only managing to briefly spot his foe before they vanished once style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /After a few minutes of seemingly unplanned detours, the chase came to an end in a deserted park. The Organization member stood atop a carousel, seeming to wait for his pursuer to catch style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Good to see you again," the Nobody style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku's eyes narrowed. "I know that voice."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The cloaked figure pulled back his hood, revealing graying black hair and a familiar eye patch. Xigbar smirked down at the teen. "Been a while, young Keyblade Master."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aba90e3a4c7ecd6343b4803b4bf6c2a7" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5cf05cae43590d331efe7a4cc307270f"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"General POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5a9e00b096dd7df77004010806f934ae" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bfdb87ebae6f44217fdc89a9d8aa8b5b"Marinette watched in confusion as Riku ran across the street and vanished down an style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Marinette!"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Said girl turned away from the street and back towards the school, finding Alya coming down the front style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That guy just now-" Alya started "-was he...?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Her friend nodded, looking back briefly to where the silverette disappeared. "It's strange though. He seemed like he wanted to give these to Hikari himself," she explained, indicating to the boxes. "But as soon as we came to the steps, he asked me to give them to her and that he'd apologize later, then took off."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Well, we can wonder about it later," Alya offered. "Hikari hasn't shown up yet, so we should get this stuff inside and let the rest of the class know."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The twin-tailed girl nodded, then followed Alya inside, the case slung over her shoulder and box in hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c9546dea3f1643d9779401a2f45047f4" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8738b3cbaf07bce7c1866b9d3c76da34"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e4a6df1cd1e16821ae7c037b9f6797b2" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1efc01815d063372241e5fd4ac4cefc5"I hurried up the steps in front of the school, trying not to look frazzled over nearly being late. I somehow missed every crosswalk light and I came close to just flying over to the school at one point out of pure style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I sighed in relief when I entered the courtyard and saw a few students still out mingling. I reached the second floor at a more relaxed pace, letting my racing heart calm down. It certainly wasn't a great start to my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /When I opened the door to Miss Bustier's class, I was confused to find the lights off and the blinds drawn. However, before I could ponder over why the class was dark, it was suddenly bright once more and I could see the students and teacher, standing towards the front of the room and smiles on their style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Happy Birthday, Hikari!" They cheered style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /For a moment, I was too stunned to do anything except blink in shock. Eventually, I managed to snap out of my stupor and looked around the room, noticing Marinette near the head of the group, a box in her hands. "How did you guys...?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I ran into your friend at my parents' bakery," Marinette explained. Looking down at the box she added: "It seemed he wanted to give this to you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"himself/em, but something seemed to come up, so he asked if em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I /emcould do it in his place."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku em style="box-sizing: border-box;"did that? But then, how did /emhe em style="box-sizing: border-box;"know?/embr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"He also had this," the bluebell-eyed girl added, indicating something towards Miss Bustier's desk. "He said it was from your parents."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;"So /emthat's em style="box-sizing: border-box;"how he found out. /emI looked to the desk, my breath briefly leaving me when I saw what the object Marinette mentioned exactly was. I slowly approached the desk and used both hands to undo the clasps and open the case. I felt my eyes shine when they landed on the recently polished instrument, glistening a pearly sheen on the dark-brown wood the same color as my hair. I delicately picked it up, admiring the soft curves and matching bow on the case's inner lid. I ran my fingers over the side of the stem, feeling tears begin to form in my eyes as I read the message carefully carved on it: "Don't just fly, soar." Next to it, a bird in flight was carved as style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"What a em style="box-sizing: border-box;"beautiful /emviolin," Miss Bustier admired from style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Look, there's a note as well," Rose pointed style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Indeed, right under where the violin had been, was a folded piece of paper with my name written on the front. I instantly recognized it as my mother's handwriting and opened it with my free hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ed95fcac35226d55b9132a1d4b5b60e7" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6fdb6783fab921a7cef3e065d7477a0a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Dearest Hikari,/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6fdb6783fab921a7cef3e065d7477a0a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"We couldn't be more proud of the young woman you've become. No longer the timid little girl who was once our neighbor, you've blossomed and shown how strong your heart truly is. I hope you will continue to let us watch you grow as you continue to discover yourself on this journey you've taken on. We knew how much music meant to you and happened to stumble upon a shop during our stay at that sea-side village and had this custom made for you, which Riku was kind enough to retrieve (make sure you hang on to that boy.) We love you dearly and pray you will stay safe and return style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;"Love,br /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;"Mom Dad./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b922278241ec8e9614518809fa9531bd" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f3d8b10b948954055c3fa8b56ce8a45f"I felt myself smile and also choke up as I felt tears well up in my eyes, which I tried to wipe away with the back of my hand that still held the letter. Again I wondered how it was possible to have such loving people in my life, despite all the hardships I had faced. It was also a little embarrassing that my mom had seemed to try and push Riku and me closer, which made me wonder if my feelings for him were that style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I eventually felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Adrien giving a warm smile. "Seems like you have really loving parents," he style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I nodded, finally managing to stop crying and drying my eyes. I set the note down and held the violin with both hands, once again admiring the craftmanship. "I may not be their daughter by blood, but to them, that makes no difference. They love me for who I am and honestly, that's all I've ever wanted. I wouldn't trade them for the world."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Well then, let's not waste such an opportunity," Alya chimed, pulling out her phone. "Could you maybe play something?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The other students joined in with their own style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"If it isn't too much trouble," Ms. Bustier stated, seeming just as style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I don't see why not," I replied with a nod, before picking up the bow from the case. I took a moment to tune the instrument and, once it was where I liked it, I began to play my favorite song./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8531a036145c49b9d245c88a4288be6b" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13646da2aca44fcfa4c0e17acad0d0a7"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"[Play "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman]/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7cdf3811d5ea4f53a93a3a5ece5829e8" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="74a67f801e35ae8cc31663410bfd6125"From the moment the first note hit my ears, I felt the tension that had built up over the last few weeks ebb away, even if just momentarily. The world around me faded into the distance, allowing myself to take a more relaxed stance as I released a long breath I didn't realize I was holding, letting instincts take over. At that moment, nothing else mattered; it was just me and the art that I loved, my worries lost in the melody resonating from my instrument. Music had always held a special place in my heart, mostly because it reminded me of my grandmother and the proud look she would give whenever I would play for her, so being able to play for others that appreciated it made my heart style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The room was quiet, seeming entranced by my music. I had never performed in front of an audience before, mostly because no one in my small town probably would have bothered to listen given they had already made quite clear what they thought of me. I smiled as the main chorus and upbeat verse started./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1a01fde562a45e76d46d6a58fb48b8b4" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d4d716c5236ab6046fb8054cd407fd7c"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Riku's POV (Third Person)/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="56ce2480e0d7b54fa2eeb474765bf5a0" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="327cd56c96746982ff3f5cb7421f7058"Meanwhile, back at the park.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c74d85a5f8334516fd617ad7d5ee0c7c"Riku glared at the now hoodless Organization XIII member, who in turn, was giving his usual smug style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Seems that Sora isn't the only one with a familiar angry expression," the older man chided. "However, you and the other guy keep it in the eyes; so much hatred, I almost feel honored to be the reason behind that look."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The Keyblade Master summoned Way to the Dawn, shifting into a fighting stance. "Where is Sora!?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Xigbar, however, made no move to prepare for an attack. "Wouldn't em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you /emlike to know? There's no need to worry your little head though; we no longer have need of Sora to be our thirteenth vessel. We're just holding onto him for insurance purposes."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Then what are you doing on this world?" Riku remarked. "Do you plan on using the Akuma to further your control of the Darkness?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The one-eyed man laughed. "As if. Even though the power Hawk Moth has is quite impressive, he can't quite seem to accomplish even the simplest of things like beat a few kids."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku felt a small smirk rise from the corner of his lips. "Well doesn't em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that /emsound familiar."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Xigbar didn't seem fazed by this remark; if anything, it only seemed to incite him to brandish a smile of his own. "Everything happens for a reason, kid. You honestly believe you and your friends' 'little triumphs' weren't exactly how we anticipated them to end? As if." He folded his hands behind his back as he strutted atop the carousel. "The three Keyblade wielders disappearing, Sora losing his heart, Roxas leaving the Organization, Axel's betrayal, your Mark of Mastery exam; all this was predicted and orchestrated so our em style="box-sizing: border-box;"true /emgoals would be realized. You just happen to be a piece on a board; nothing more than a pawn in the old man's game."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You can't psyche me out with your elaborate monologues," Riku retorted. "That's one thing I have over Sora."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Xigbar's smug expression, however, didn't falter. "Perhaps, but there is something neither one of you seem to recognize."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku's eyes narrowed. "And what would that be?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /A dark gleam seemed to shine in the older man's single golden orb. "A diversion."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /It took a moment, but when Riku finally realized what Xigbar implied, the teen's eyes grew wide as he spun towards the direction of the school. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Hikari!/em He started running back down the street, while Xigbar just watched him style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm afraid you'll be too little too late," Xigbar stated quietly, before disappearing into a Corridor of Darkness./p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3513b76a947fb992b5692cfc8cc8064a"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0a28c8c6cd9f29f96d708d43c00a850f"Back at the school.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="84c9da702e04010908fc6b4c48bdbb30" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e44b061b8a1b3438ad8f83ac68dd0233"When the final note faded, the classroom applauded, a few "woo-hoo" ing, much to my embarrassment. As I lowered the violin, everyone started to swarm me, voicing their praise and asking questions, mainly about the music's name and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"The song is called "This Is Me"," I explained, placing the violin back in its case. "It's about a group of people who- despite being shunned by everyone- continue to stay strong, proud of who they are on the inside and not the freaks others make them out to be. Being honest with yourself; I find that inspiring."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That's strange, coming from em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you/em."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Everyone fell silent and I spun towards the direction of the voice, which happened to be the door. What felt like a bitter, icy chill rushed through my veins when I saw a figure in a familiar black coat, standing in the open style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I acted on instinct and rushed closer to the hooded individual, putting myself between him and the class. "What do you want here?" I style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /He chuckled. "No need to sound so hostile." He pulled back his hood and I felt my heart drop upon seeing oak-brown hair. "After all, I came em style="box-sizing: border-box;"all /emthis way to see you, Hikari."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /While the face he wore was that of my cherished sibling, the eyes he possessed were no longer the pure pine green they once were. Instead, they held a tint of gold much like the man with the eyepatch we had seen on Mew's world. The voice that left Genji's lips was also not entirely his own, for another seemed to talk over it. Add that with the fact I could feel the cold metal of my necklace and it led me to conclude that what Lord Arceus had said was coming true; my brother was losing control of his heart right before my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Hikari?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I turned briefly at the sound of my name, seeing Miss Bustier having taken her own protective stance in front of her students, but had just as equal of a concerned expression as everyone style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Do you know this person?" The teacher style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Before I could respond, my brother, no, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Vanitas/em, style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Aww, you didn't tell them about me? That really hurts my feelings." He pretended to wipe away imaginary tears from his eyes. "I would have at em style="box-sizing: border-box;"least /emthought you'd tell your new friends about your em style="box-sizing: border-box;"family/em."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Family?" A few of the students echoed in style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I clenched my hands into fists, fighting the urge to summon my Keyblade in front of everyone. "Don't you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"dare /emclaim that title, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Vanitas/em," I spat his name like it was bile on my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The boy smirked. "So you saw right through me, huh? What gave it away? My eyes? My voice? Oh, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I /emknow: that silly little trinket around your neck sensing the Darkness surrounding me, am I right? Doesn't matter; I'm sure you're em style="box-sizing: border-box;"quite /emaware as to why I came here. My powers have certainly grown in this world driven by emotions."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Be quiet!" I felt my hands hum from having the veins constricted in my ever-tightening style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"What's he talking about, Hikari?" Marinette nervously style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Vanitas turned to the teen, his dark grin ever-widening. "Ah, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you /emmust be Marinette if memory serves me well."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I heard said girl take a step back. "H-How do you know my name?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Oh I know quite a lot about you, Miss Dupen-Chang," the cloaked boy snidely remarked. "Shall I share what I know with the class?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Vanitas." My voice held a tone of warning. Even em style="box-sizing: border-box;"if /emhe was a member of Organization XIII, he em style="box-sizing: border-box;"knew better/em than to expose the existence of outside worlds to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Hmm, on second thought-" He reached out his hand and, to my horror, a Keyblade formed by gears and wrapped in a chain appeared in his grasp before he finished "-I'll just take your heart and the Light within it." With that, he shot forward at reckless speed, aiming his weapon towards style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /It all happened so fast; my body moved before my thoughts could catch up. When I was once again aware of things around me, I was standing in front of Marinette, Keyblade drawn and blocking Vanitas's style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Whoopsie; looks like your little secret's out," Vanitas style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I didn't care. All that mattered at that moment was protecting the class, as well as Marinette and Adrien's secret. Going forward, I pushed the boy back and out the door, pinning him against the railing outside. "Your fight is with em style="box-sizing: border-box;"me/em, so leave the others out of this."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Vanitas never dropped his smirk. "Fair enough." Suddenly, he vanished into thin air, only to reappear several meters away on top of the glass overhangs. "But you should know by now that Organization XIII doesn't play fair."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Hikari, behind you!"/embr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Ayame's warning came a second too late, for by the time I spun around, a black butterfly fused itself with my necklace, followed by a familiar voice speaking in my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;""So you're the one they call Hikari. /emI em style="box-sizing: border-box;"am Hawk Moth."/em/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ba1150bcd25bc5a560804838c904cf89"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26478db11a74b3c8675f463fee30cba7" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1876435d638954696d3b170043c905a9"By the time all the students had gotten a turn to ask a question, it was time for their Literature period. A desk has been set up for me at the front of the class and I "observed" the lesson. In reality, I was writing down the information I could clearly remember from the show under the guise of taking notes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0746b8081ff93eb583c1f8d797339194"I wasn't sure what knowledge I had that could be useful, but I knew for certain I couldn't reveal that I knew the true identity of Hawk Moth. As much as I would have wanted to put a stop to the misguided efforts of Gabriel Agreste, the time for that to be revealed was not yet upon us, as clearly shown by the fact Master Fu was still The Guardian of The Miracle Box and not Ladybug. It had been between seasons of the show when my world was swallowed by Darkness, so it was perhaps best that we arrived in this world during a time I was familiar style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /In my notes, I made sure to use the pen Merlin had been kind enough to gift me that hid what I wrote down from unwanted eyes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cfe201de5943405c840233fec4378a45" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1c7b0143b6117456d8b58fe4704dfe5d"⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Miss Bustier - Akumatized:/span ZombizouHomeroom teacher at Collège Françoise Dupont. Kind yet firm with her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Adrien Agreste - Cat Miraculous Holder/span: Chat Noir span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Alternate timeline Akumatized:/span Chat Blancbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /An aspiring model who just wants to live the life of a normal teenager. He has skills in fencing and at times uses this skill as Chat Noir. A loyal friend, but watch out for his style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Chloe Bourgeois - Temporary Bee Miraculous Holder: /spanQueen Beespan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Queen Wasp, Anti-BugHas been the instigator in multiple incidents that have led to Akumatizations. Superiority complex. Daughter of Paris's style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Ivan Bruel - Akumatized:/span Stone HeartWas the first to be Akumatized. Tough exterior but in reality very sweet. Member of band Kitty Section. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Alya Cesaire - Temporary Fox Miraculous Holder:/span Rena Rougespan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Lady Wifi, Oblivio, Rena RogueVery outgoing, she is always eager to get the latest scoop on anything hero-related. A resourceful ally. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Juleka Couffaine - Akumatized:/span ReflectaShy girl with self-esteem issues, but slowly coming out of her shell with the help of friends. Member of band Kitty Section. Best friends (possible lover?) with style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Marinette Dupen-Chang - Ladybug Miraculous Holder:/span LadybugA strong-willed girl, at times a klutz, especially around Adrien, who she secretly has feelings for. A brilliant tactician who likes to think outside the box. Family owns a style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Mylene Haprele - Akumatized:/span HorrificatorAt times a bit of a scaredy-cat, but very supportive of her friends. Passionate about the environment. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Max Kante - Temporary Horse Miraculous Holder:/span Pegasusspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Gamer, Gamer 2.0A wiz with technology, he even created a robot, Markov, to play video-games style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Alix Kubdel - Future Rabbit Miraculous Holder: /spanBunnixspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span TimebreakerAn athletic teen with a thirst for competition. Has races regularly with classmate Kim. Is aware of future in which she obtains the Rabbit style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Nathaniel Kurtzberg - Akumatized:/span EvillustratorTimid, likes to keep to himself. Very talented comic style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Nino Lahiffe - Temporary Turtle Miraculous Holder:/span Carapacespan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Bubbler, Shell Shock, Obliviobr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Life of the party, always there to cheer up his friends. Best friends with Adrien. Dating style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Rose Lavillant - Akumatized:/span Princess FragrancePure sunshine. Wishes to be everyone's friend and hates to see those she cares about get hurt. Best friends (possible lover?) with style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Le Chien "Kim" - Temporary Monkey Miraculous Holder:/span King Monkeyspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Akumatized:/span Dark Cupidbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Your typical jock with a goofy side. Constantly challenges Alix to races. Competitive style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Sabrina Raincomprix - Akumatized: /spanVanisher, MiraculerChloe's faithful lapdog. Will do anything to please Chloe. Father is a police style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /⦁span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Lila Rosie - Akumatized:/span Vulpina, ChameleonA constant attention-seeker and manipulative liar. May be working for Hawkmoth. Possible target for Unversed or Heartless. Do span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"NOT /u/spantrust her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b7d02b64f9e47354bf0b62bf4c2cd954" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2ccc53e3c4481ce7ab2985a28f117178"I had just finished my notes when the bell rang to signal lunch. I placed the notebook and pen in the small bag I had brought, just before most of the class approached my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"We're all going to the cafeteria for lunch," Mylene style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Would you like to join us?" Rose style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I nodded. "That sounds lovely."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /And so, the teens led me downstairs and into the active lunchroom. It was probably good they had invited me since I had been so worried about being able to infiltrate the school that I had completely forgotten to bring a style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I ordered a chicken parmesan pasta and a small caesar salad, then sat down with my meal at one of the large tables with the class majority, situated between Adrien and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The group started up a new round of questions and I was more than happy to answer them between bites. Once again, I felt at ease conversing with others in my age group. It was also somewhat strange as my friend group back home was very minimal - in fact barely existent- so having so many people truly wish to get to know me made my heart style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Hikari?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I turned at the sound of my name, seeing Marinette a few seats down next to Alya looking at me with a somewhat nervous expression. "What's up?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Um, does the name "Tsubasa" mean anything to you?" She style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I paused, having not quite expected the question. For a moment, I felt my stomach drop a little. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Did she already figure it out, that /emI'm em style="box-sizing: border-box;"the one who saved her yesterday? No, that can't be it. She wouldn't ask a question like that with knowledge of my secret without possibly risking her own, especially with so many people around. /emI decided to play dumb, tilting my head to the side and dawning the most confused look I could muster. "Tsubasa is a Japanese name that translates to "wings" in English. I don't believe I know anyone by that name." I took a brief moment, pretending as though I was contemplating something as I leaned my head back slightly and placing my thumb and pointer finger on my chin. "Although come to think of it, during my travels, I'd heard of a hero that helped whoever she could, only to quickly vanish soon after, like a spirit or angel. Tsubasa could very well be her name or at least one of many she could have been given. Again, she came and went so fast I'm not sure many people - if any at all- ever caught her true name."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Marinette, did you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"meet /emthis mysterious hero!?" Alya exclaimed, getting her phone out to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"N-N-No," her friend frantically proclaimed, shaking her hands and head. "I-I just thought I had heard the name somewhere and read online that it was Japanese, that's all. I thought that perhaps Hikari would know more."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /My body relaxed as the group began to laugh lightheartedly as Marinette continued to blubber. She hadn't put the pieces together so there was no need to worry just yet./p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d21c9d881eba6988be480efab45de2b9"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"XXXXX/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f38f085c1b938f2edbdd66de2f73e709" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="da575378b23660062d450131537a987e"The school day came and went, and I returned to Master Fu's apartment after the quick interview I had promised Alya./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8e6db80378a2a2e17f9b3326ec46e25a""Welcome back," the elder greeted, sipping a cup of tea as I stepped style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"How were things at the school?" Riku asked, who was once more sitting in the window style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Everything seems okay." I placed down the bag by the door, then transformed my outfit back to my original garbs. I then pulled out the notebook and handed it to the silverette. "Everything I could remember about this world is in there. Not sure if any info will be useful, but it was the best I could think of."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Any information you have is far better than none at all," Riku stated, already beginning to skim through the style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Adrien and Marinette seem to be doing well," I continued, turning to Master Fu. "They seemed a little distracted during class, but I'm guessing they were just thinking over what happened yesterday. I think they need a little more time to settle from the encounter before we thrust any new information on them."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I agree," he replied. "We also have yet to confirm whether or not our foes have joined forces yet. Our facts should be in order before briefing Ladybug and Chat Noir."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Right." I nodded before turning to the window and noting the setting sun. "I was thinking of following a few leads in the city after dark. Riku, what's your plan?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Said teen looked up from the book. "If it's alright with you, I'll stay here in case any Heartless or Unversed show up."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That's fine. It's probably best that way. If I'm not back in three hours, contact Ayame."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Alright. Be safe out there."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f7cdf788f714778039f9e6c4f71a6a1" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="69970d3a3e319461b9068e2bdce19677"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"General POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fd28fa46e51d32fdcf8be80b3f7acb6b" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c22f5442d3736d8cf66b435065a45e81"The City of Love was beginning to brighten with the lights of the evening as the sun disappeared behind the buildings to the west. Shops and cafes closed for the day, while restaurants, bars, and clubs were just starting to open their doors to the night style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Ladybug watched as her home came alive with the festivities one could only experience after the sun had gone down. While she had lived there all her life, it wasn't until she took on the role of protector and Miraculous holder that she realized just how stunning Paris truly was. She thought: em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Perhaps this is how tourists feel; in awe and wonder in a city like no style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em"Milady!"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Ladybug spun at the familiar voice and released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. While she wouldn't openly admit it - and possibly boost the black-clad hero's ego- she was very relieved to see her partner safe and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm so glad you're alright," Chat Noir stated upon landing on the rooftop beside his partner, a relieved look in his emerald-green style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Me too, kitty," the heroine replied. "She told me you were safe, but I wasn't sure-"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Wait," her counterpart interrupted "Who said I was safe?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That would be me."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Both teens spun at the new voice. Chat Noir stared in awe as a young woman glided towards them on large wings of black and white, before gently touching down on the rooftop a few feet in front of them. Once she was on solid footing, the wings disappeared in a burst of feathers and golden light, baffling the hero even more. Even in the fading light, her eyes shined a brilliant turquoise, almost ice-blue, which were tucked behind a domino mask the same navy-blue shade as her pants and ribbon weaved into her chocolate-brown style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"It's nice to finally meet you, Chat Noir," the stranger greeted with a soft smile. "I'm Tsubasa."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"So em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you're /emTsubasa. There's been quite a bit of chatter about you lately," Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Tsubasa shrugged. "I try to stay out of the spotlight. I've just been lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and yesterday was no exception. I'm just glad to see that you both appear well after yesterday's events."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You said you'd explain everything in due time," Ladybug interjected. "Will you tell us em style="box-sizing: border-box;"now /emwhat's going on?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I-" Tsubasa was cut off when a swarm of creatures similar to the ones the teens had encountered the previous day appeared. "We can talk more after we've dealt with em style="box-sizing: border-box;"them/em."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" / Ladybug and Chat Noir stared in shock as the winged hero reached out her right arm and a key-shaped weapon materialized in her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The heroes pulled out their own weapons but still appeared style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"The last time we fought these things, nothing seemed to even faze them," Chat Noir retorted. "How are we gonna stand a chance?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"It's a little hard to explain, but the best I can tell you is that the Unversed are afraid of my weapon," Tsubasa offered. "Since I'm here, once you take them out, they em style="box-sizing: border-box;"should /emstay away."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Should/em?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"There's no harm in trying, kitty," Ladybug said, twirling her yo-yo and swinging it towards a raven-like monster. When the impact seemed to inflict damage, the heroine smiled. "We're also at full strength compared to last time."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Well, if em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you're /emwilling to give another shot then so will I, milady." Chat Noir smiled as well and jumped into battle, whacking a jellyfish beast with his staff and sending it flying into its style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Try to ground the flying ones if you can," Tsubasa called from a few rooftops away. "They'll be at a disadvantage at your level. Stunning them will make it easier to bring them down."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Stun them?" Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"She means catch them by surprise," Ladybug elaborated. "Sneak up behind them or throw them into something solid." As if to demonstrate, she wrapped her yo-yo around a Scrapper and, using both hands, swung the trapped creature into a chimney style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The fight was fast-paced. With Tsubasa's Keyblade and magic, and Ladybug and Chat Noir's renewed energy, it was only a few short minutes before the last Unversed was defeated and the rooftops of Paris were quiet once style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The teens took a couple of moments to catch their breath, the Parisians putting away their weapons and the winged hero drinking from a green vial that glowed slightly. Once they had recovered, they all turned to one another and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You both did well against the Unversed," Tsubasa praised. "Just what I'd expect from Paris's heroes."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Those things were nothing like Akumatized villains or Sentimonsters," Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Unversed are not as powerful as other creatures I've encountered, but they make up for that weakness by overwhelming their opponents in sheer numbers," Tsubasa clarified. "Even so, do not let that put you at ease for they will no doubt return in time with more and stronger allies."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Why are they here in Paris though?" Ladybug style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"The Unversed manifest and gain strength from negative emotions," the older female answered. "The one who controls them must have learned about the Akuma and came here possibly to team up with Hawk Moth."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Does that mean the Unversed and their leader are em style="box-sizing: border-box;"also /emafter the Miraculous?" The polka-dot heroine held a hand to her chest style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Tsubasa closed her eyes and shook her slightly bowed head. "I can't say for certain, but I em style="box-sizing: border-box;"do /emknow that if they are not stopped soon, the damage they will no doubt cause could be irreversible."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Then what can we do to ensure that em style="box-sizing: border-box;"doesn't /emhappen?" Chat Noir style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Tsubasa sighed. "I'm sure you won't be happy with this, but please give my partner and me a little more time to find the person behind this. I know it's your city at risk, but if either of you were to get hurt like the other day, I could never forgive myself knowing I put you in that position unprepared. I promise I'll tell you both the full story, but it's just not that time."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You're right, we em style="box-sizing: border-box;"don't /emlike it," Ladybug remarked. "However, I understand your reasoning. Going into a battle blind em style="box-sizing: border-box;"never /emends well. We will continue to fight the Akuma and hope to rely on your help with these Unversed until this threat is dealt with. Sound fair?" She offered a hand to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The older teen looked at the heroine before smiling and shaking Ladybug's hand. "That's all I can ask for."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="931399f0a3b6c2440ae21d18f2fea804" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="323b002663af37b913a4536389b06d63"Back at the Agreste home, Gabriel stood in front of the glass casket that held his wife, resting a hand against style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Soon, my love," he whispered. "Soon I will have what we need in order to bring you back. The Unversed could very well be the key to em style="box-sizing: border-box;"everything/em."/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="674c363b8e466471e9cc7f3d3dbab5d4"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="391ebf420f14a30510c1762756cc906d" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4005b28e0bc52246ddcacf7ab6b34963"The next few days following our arrival went by without incident. While I was at the school, Riku would watch the city and search for any Organization members or Unversed. After school, the students would show me around and I found myself gaining a sense of normalcy I hadn't felt since that whole adventure started. They took me to parks, historical sites and even invited me to a Kitty Section rehearsal. I made sure to get their autographs for Chise as Luka was her favorite character and would no doubt be thrilled to learn that there was another world she knew and was fond style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Still, the fact that neither Hawk Moth nor Organization XIII had made a move by that point made me feel uneasy. What exactly were they waiting for? Had that one night just been a test to see how Ladybug and Chat Noir would fair against the Unversed at full strength? And where was Genji's state of mind? Was he still trying to fight Vanitas or had his heart fallen into the shadows completely?br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /As I walked back to Master Fu's apartment, a voice I hadn't heard in some time spoke in my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Do not lose hope, Hikari. The moment you do, it will be all over."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;""Master Aqua? Where have you been?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;""I'm so sorry, Hikari. The Heartless within the Dark Margin have been restless as of late and I fear something terrible may soon take place. Master Xehanort may be planning to make his big move soon. You need to be careful."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;""I know. I just sometimes wish we'd already be /emdone em style="box-sizing: border-box;"with this and I'd be back home with my family. Especially considering tomorrow is..."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0b33bce0ff90b5f124c17db49cea55f4" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f6128338ba2b7cbdc902645a4b54317"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Riku's POV (Third Person)/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9b9d857e00066da25df6f924992546cf" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="009acf3ecddd8e759f480020252deca4"The following day, Riku left Master Fu's apartment a little before Hikari, hoping to run his errand quickly and get to searching the city like he had been doing for the last few days. In only a few short minutes, he made it to the first half of his trip, but before he entered the store, he quickly took out a large, long, oak brown case from his inventory and slung it over his head and shoulder with the strap on the back. Once the item was secure, he turned back to the door and stepped inside, a bell above signaling his style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You have perfect timing," the large man behind the counter stated with a smile upon seeing Riku enter. He ducked down for a moment, then came back up with a white box tied with a burgundy ribbon. "I just finished packing your order, so let's get you rung up."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /He walked a few paces to the nearby register, where he typed in a few keys, then gave Riku the total, which the teen handed over. The till chimed as the drawer opened and the baker placed the currency inside, before closing it and handing the box and receipt to the silverette. "Thanks for coming. Hope to serve you again soon."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku nodded with a small smile and turned towards the door to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm off to school," a female voice called from style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Have a good day," the man style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Oh, here, let me get the door for you."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku looked and saw a girl not much younger than himself come up to him and opened the door. "I appreciate it, thank you," Riku style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /They stepped out onto the street and the girl smiled. "No worries." She seemed to notice the box in Riku's hands and added: "I saw my dad make that cake. Special event for someone?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Yeah, a birthday. The person I'm giving this to actually doesn't know I'm doing this and I wanted to surprise them." Riku paused, suddenly realizing he had no idea how to get to the school from their current location. "Except, I seem to be lost. I don't know the area well as I'm not from around here."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Oh, well I might be able to point you in the right direction," she offered. "Are you taking the cake to your friend's work?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Sort of. She's actually taking part in a student-teacher program at I em style="box-sizing: border-box;"believe /emCollege Francois Dupont," Riku replied, careful to try and pronounce the name style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The younger teen's eyes grew wide. "Wait; you're friend wouldn't happen to be em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Hikari/em, would it?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku hesitated, suddenly realizing Hikari had stated in her notes that Ladybug's -or rather Marinette's- parents owned and ran a bakery. He just hadn't thought the first bakery he had come across during his search of the city would end up being em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"So em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you're /emthe boy she's been traveling with," Marinette continued. "I'd be more than happy to show you the way. It's just a few blocks down the road."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I guess as long as I avoid Chat Noir it should be alright. /em"Thanks, I could use a guide."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /With that, the duo headed down the street, Marinette fiddling with something on her cell phone."So what brought you and Hikari to Paris?" The pig-tailed girl eventually inquired once she put her phone style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"A mentor asked us to check on an old friend of his," Riku carefully responded. "We're currently staying with him while Hikari finishes her internship."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That was certainly nice of him, not having you worry about finding a hotel." Marinette seemed to note the box slung on Riku's back and asked: "What's in the case?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku glanced briefly over his shoulder and smiled. "A gift from Hikari's parents. They wanted me to hold onto it in the event we didn't see them again before her birthday."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That couldn't have been easy hiding it from her for so long."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku just chuckled. Having magic-enhanced inventory pockets certainly made carrying larger items easier, but he wasn't going to tell her that just yet. He suddenly stopped, thinking he saw a flash of black out of the corner of his eye. He looked across the street, his eyes widening when a figure in a familiar black coat could be seen just outside an style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Marinette, however, didn't seem to notice as she turned to the building to her left. "Well, here we are. It's still a few minutes before the warning bell rings, so I'm sure you can come in and-"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /She was cut off when Riku hastily handed the cake box to her and set down the case on his back."I'm sorry, but can you give these to Hikari for me? I'll apologize to her later." The silverette didn't give the younger teen a chance to respond before he rushed across the street, which was strangely empty, and towards where the figure style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku turned to the alleyway, catching a glimpse of the coat rushing around a corner. The Keyblade Master gave chase, only managing to briefly spot his foe before they vanished once style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /After a few minutes of seemingly unplanned detours, the chase came to an end in a deserted park. The Organization member stood atop a carousel, seeming to wait for his pursuer to catch style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Good to see you again," the Nobody style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku's eyes narrowed. "I know that voice."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The cloaked figure pulled back his hood, revealing graying black hair and a familiar eye patch. Xigbar smirked down at the teen. "Been a while, young Keyblade Master."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aba90e3a4c7ecd6343b4803b4bf6c2a7" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5cf05cae43590d331efe7a4cc307270f"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"General POV/span/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bfdb87ebae6f44217fdc89a9d8aa8b5b"Marinette watched in confusion as Riku ran across the street and vanished down an style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Marinette!"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Said girl turned away from the street and back towards the school, finding Alya coming down the front style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That guy just now-" Alya started "-was he...?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Her friend nodded, looking back briefly to where the silverette disappeared. "It's strange though. He seemed like he wanted to give these to Hikari himself," she explained, indicating to the boxes. "But as soon as we came to the steps, he asked me to give them to her and that he'd apologize later, then took off."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Well, we can wonder about it later," Alya offered. "Hikari hasn't shown up yet, so we should get this stuff inside and let the rest of the class know."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The twin-tailed girl nodded, then followed Alya inside, the case slung over her shoulder and box in hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c9546dea3f1643d9779401a2f45047f4" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8738b3cbaf07bce7c1866b9d3c76da34"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e4a6df1cd1e16821ae7c037b9f6797b2" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1efc01815d063372241e5fd4ac4cefc5"I hurried up the steps in front of the school, trying not to look frazzled over nearly being late. I somehow missed every crosswalk light and I came close to just flying over to the school at one point out of pure style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I sighed in relief when I entered the courtyard and saw a few students still out mingling. I reached the second floor at a more relaxed pace, letting my racing heart calm down. It certainly wasn't a great start to my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /When I opened the door to Miss Bustier's class, I was confused to find the lights off and the blinds drawn. However, before I could ponder over why the class was dark, it was suddenly bright once more and I could see the students and teacher, standing towards the front of the room and smiles on their style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Happy Birthday, Hikari!" They cheered style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /For a moment, I was too stunned to do anything except blink in shock. Eventually, I managed to snap out of my stupor and looked around the room, noticing Marinette near the head of the group, a box in her hands. "How did you guys...?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I ran into your friend at my parents' bakery," Marinette explained. Looking down at the box she added: "It seemed he wanted to give this to you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"himself/em, but something seemed to come up, so he asked if em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I /emcould do it in his place."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku em style="box-sizing: border-box;"did that? But then, how did /emhe em style="box-sizing: border-box;"know?/embr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"He also had this," the bluebell-eyed girl added, indicating something towards Miss Bustier's desk. "He said it was from your parents."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;"So /emthat's em style="box-sizing: border-box;"how he found out. /emI looked to the desk, my breath briefly leaving me when I saw what the object Marinette mentioned exactly was. I slowly approached the desk and used both hands to undo the clasps and open the case. I felt my eyes shine when they landed on the recently polished instrument, glistening a pearly sheen on the dark-brown wood the same color as my hair. I delicately picked it up, admiring the soft curves and matching bow on the case's inner lid. I ran my fingers over the side of the stem, feeling tears begin to form in my eyes as I read the message carefully carved on it: "Don't just fly, soar." Next to it, a bird in flight was carved as style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"What a em style="box-sizing: border-box;"beautiful /emviolin," Miss Bustier admired from style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Look, there's a note as well," Rose pointed style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Indeed, right under where the violin had been, was a folded piece of paper with my name written on the front. I instantly recognized it as my mother's handwriting and opened it with my free hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ed95fcac35226d55b9132a1d4b5b60e7" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6fdb6783fab921a7cef3e065d7477a0a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Dearest Hikari,/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6fdb6783fab921a7cef3e065d7477a0a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"We couldn't be more proud of the young woman you've become. No longer the timid little girl who was once our neighbor, you've blossomed and shown how strong your heart truly is. I hope you will continue to let us watch you grow as you continue to discover yourself on this journey you've taken on. We knew how much music meant to you and happened to stumble upon a shop during our stay at that sea-side village and had this custom made for you, which Riku was kind enough to retrieve (make sure you hang on to that boy.) We love you dearly and pray you will stay safe and return style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;"Love,br /emem style="box-sizing: border-box;"Mom Dad./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b922278241ec8e9614518809fa9531bd" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f3d8b10b948954055c3fa8b56ce8a45f"I felt myself smile and also choke up as I felt tears well up in my eyes, which I tried to wipe away with the back of my hand that still held the letter. Again I wondered how it was possible to have such loving people in my life, despite all the hardships I had faced. It was also a little embarrassing that my mom had seemed to try and push Riku and me closer, which made me wonder if my feelings for him were that style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I eventually felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Adrien giving a warm smile. "Seems like you have really loving parents," he style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I nodded, finally managing to stop crying and drying my eyes. I set the note down and held the violin with both hands, once again admiring the craftmanship. "I may not be their daughter by blood, but to them, that makes no difference. They love me for who I am and honestly, that's all I've ever wanted. I wouldn't trade them for the world."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Well then, let's not waste such an opportunity," Alya chimed, pulling out her phone. "Could you maybe play something?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The other students joined in with their own style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"If it isn't too much trouble," Ms. Bustier stated, seeming just as style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I don't see why not," I replied with a nod, before picking up the bow from the case. I took a moment to tune the instrument and, once it was where I liked it, I began to play my favorite song./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8531a036145c49b9d245c88a4288be6b" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13646da2aca44fcfa4c0e17acad0d0a7"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"[Play "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman]/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7cdf3811d5ea4f53a93a3a5ece5829e8" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="74a67f801e35ae8cc31663410bfd6125"From the moment the first note hit my ears, I felt the tension that had built up over the last few weeks ebb away, even if just momentarily. The world around me faded into the distance, allowing myself to take a more relaxed stance as I released a long breath I didn't realize I was holding, letting instincts take over. At that moment, nothing else mattered; it was just me and the art that I loved, my worries lost in the melody resonating from my instrument. Music had always held a special place in my heart, mostly because it reminded me of my grandmother and the proud look she would give whenever I would play for her, so being able to play for others that appreciated it made my heart style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The room was quiet, seeming entranced by my music. I had never performed in front of an audience before, mostly because no one in my small town probably would have bothered to listen given they had already made quite clear what they thought of me. I smiled as the main chorus and upbeat verse started./p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d4d716c5236ab6046fb8054cd407fd7c"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Riku's POV (Third Person)/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="56ce2480e0d7b54fa2eeb474765bf5a0" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="327cd56c96746982ff3f5cb7421f7058"Meanwhile, back at the park.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c74d85a5f8334516fd617ad7d5ee0c7c"Riku glared at the now hoodless Organization XIII member, who in turn, was giving his usual smug style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Seems that Sora isn't the only one with a familiar angry expression," the older man chided. "However, you and the other guy keep it in the eyes; so much hatred, I almost feel honored to be the reason behind that look."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The Keyblade Master summoned Way to the Dawn, shifting into a fighting stance. "Where is Sora!?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Xigbar, however, made no move to prepare for an attack. "Wouldn't em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you /emlike to know? There's no need to worry your little head though; we no longer have need of Sora to be our thirteenth vessel. We're just holding onto him for insurance purposes."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Then what are you doing on this world?" Riku remarked. "Do you plan on using the Akuma to further your control of the Darkness?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The one-eyed man laughed. "As if. Even though the power Hawk Moth has is quite impressive, he can't quite seem to accomplish even the simplest of things like beat a few kids."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku felt a small smirk rise from the corner of his lips. "Well doesn't em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that /emsound familiar."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Xigbar didn't seem fazed by this remark; if anything, it only seemed to incite him to brandish a smile of his own. "Everything happens for a reason, kid. You honestly believe you and your friends' 'little triumphs' weren't exactly how we anticipated them to end? As if." He folded his hands behind his back as he strutted atop the carousel. "The three Keyblade wielders disappearing, Sora losing his heart, Roxas leaving the Organization, Axel's betrayal, your Mark of Mastery exam; all this was predicted and orchestrated so our em style="box-sizing: border-box;"true /emgoals would be realized. You just happen to be a piece on a board; nothing more than a pawn in the old man's game."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You can't psyche me out with your elaborate monologues," Riku retorted. "That's one thing I have over Sora."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Xigbar's smug expression, however, didn't falter. "Perhaps, but there is something neither one of you seem to recognize."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Riku's eyes narrowed. "And what would that be?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /A dark gleam seemed to shine in the older man's single golden orb. "A diversion."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /It took a moment, but when Riku finally realized what Xigbar implied, the teen's eyes grew wide as he spun towards the direction of the school. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Hikari!/em He started running back down the street, while Xigbar just watched him style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm afraid you'll be too little too late," Xigbar stated quietly, before disappearing into a Corridor of Darkness./p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3513b76a947fb992b5692cfc8cc8064a"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hikari's POV/span/p
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p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0a28c8c6cd9f29f96d708d43c00a850f"Back at the school.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="84c9da702e04010908fc6b4c48bdbb30" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e44b061b8a1b3438ad8f83ac68dd0233"When the final note faded, the classroom applauded, a few "woo-hoo" ing, much to my embarrassment. As I lowered the violin, everyone started to swarm me, voicing their praise and asking questions, mainly about the music's name and style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"The song is called "This Is Me"," I explained, placing the violin back in its case. "It's about a group of people who- despite being shunned by everyone- continue to stay strong, proud of who they are on the inside and not the freaks others make them out to be. Being honest with yourself; I find that inspiring."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"That's strange, coming from em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you/em."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Everyone fell silent and I spun towards the direction of the voice, which happened to be the door. What felt like a bitter, icy chill rushed through my veins when I saw a figure in a familiar black coat, standing in the open style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I acted on instinct and rushed closer to the hooded individual, putting myself between him and the class. "What do you want here?" I style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /He chuckled. "No need to sound so hostile." He pulled back his hood and I felt my heart drop upon seeing oak-brown hair. "After all, I came em style="box-sizing: border-box;"all /emthis way to see you, Hikari."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /While the face he wore was that of my cherished sibling, the eyes he possessed were no longer the pure pine green they once were. Instead, they held a tint of gold much like the man with the eyepatch we had seen on Mew's world. The voice that left Genji's lips was also not entirely his own, for another seemed to talk over it. Add that with the fact I could feel the cold metal of my necklace and it led me to conclude that what Lord Arceus had said was coming true; my brother was losing control of his heart right before my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Hikari?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I turned briefly at the sound of my name, seeing Miss Bustier having taken her own protective stance in front of her students, but had just as equal of a concerned expression as everyone style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Do you know this person?" The teacher style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Before I could respond, my brother, no, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Vanitas/em, style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Aww, you didn't tell them about me? That really hurts my feelings." He pretended to wipe away imaginary tears from his eyes. "I would have at em style="box-sizing: border-box;"least /emthought you'd tell your new friends about your em style="box-sizing: border-box;"family/em."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Family?" A few of the students echoed in style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I clenched my hands into fists, fighting the urge to summon my Keyblade in front of everyone. "Don't you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"dare /emclaim that title, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Vanitas/em," I spat his name like it was bile on my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /The boy smirked. "So you saw right through me, huh? What gave it away? My eyes? My voice? Oh, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I /emknow: that silly little trinket around your neck sensing the Darkness surrounding me, am I right? Doesn't matter; I'm sure you're em style="box-sizing: border-box;"quite /emaware as to why I came here. My powers have certainly grown in this world driven by emotions."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Be quiet!" I felt my hands hum from having the veins constricted in my ever-tightening style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"What's he talking about, Hikari?" Marinette nervously style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Vanitas turned to the teen, his dark grin ever-widening. "Ah, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"you /emmust be Marinette if memory serves me well."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I heard said girl take a step back. "H-How do you know my name?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Oh I know quite a lot about you, Miss Dupen-Chang," the cloaked boy snidely remarked. "Shall I share what I know with the class?"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Vanitas." My voice held a tone of warning. Even em style="box-sizing: border-box;"if /emhe was a member of Organization XIII, he em style="box-sizing: border-box;"knew better/em than to expose the existence of outside worlds to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Hmm, on second thought-" He reached out his hand and, to my horror, a Keyblade formed by gears and wrapped in a chain appeared in his grasp before he finished "-I'll just take your heart and the Light within it." With that, he shot forward at reckless speed, aiming his weapon towards style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /It all happened so fast; my body moved before my thoughts could catch up. When I was once again aware of things around me, I was standing in front of Marinette, Keyblade drawn and blocking Vanitas's style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Whoopsie; looks like your little secret's out," Vanitas style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /I didn't care. All that mattered at that moment was protecting the class, as well as Marinette and Adrien's secret. Going forward, I pushed the boy back and out the door, pinning him against the railing outside. "Your fight is with em style="box-sizing: border-box;"me/em, so leave the others out of this."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Vanitas never dropped his smirk. "Fair enough." Suddenly, he vanished into thin air, only to reappear several meters away on top of the glass overhangs. "But you should know by now that Organization XIII doesn't play fair."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Hikari, behind you!"/embr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Ayame's warning came a second too late, for by the time I spun around, a black butterfly fused itself with my necklace, followed by a familiar voice speaking in my style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /em style="box-sizing: border-box;""So you're the one they call Hikari. /emI em style="box-sizing: border-box;"am Hawk Moth."/em/p
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