Chijinda's eyes dimmed as he looked up into the strobing overhead white lights.

"Aaugh!"

Chijinda winced as the robosurgeon started threading the stitches.

"Hang in tight Chijinda. You've gotta be strong for your wife, remember?" the Chief said.

"Y-yeah. I know."

Chijinda was breathing heavily. The operation was not painless, but given the lack of anesthesia and of course the relatively short time span they had, a painless surgery wasn't something they had time for. Speaking of which-

"How long do you think his recuperation time is going to be, Chief?" Trixx asked.

The Chief sighed.

"I'd say about 2 weeks at minimum."

"2 weeks?! But we don't have time for that."

"I know, but there's nothing I can do to speed up the recovery process."

"Heh. Those akumas really did a number on me."

"Don't speak." The Chief chided.

After saving Yabaize, we immediately headed for the Agency and as soon as we got inside, we proceeded to detransform, starting with Narue, whom I used a hallucinating trigger to obscure her detransformation process and then followed by me, where no one but her would be able to see me detransform as I was in her hand at that time.

"That- smarts!" Narue's eyes widened as she struggled to hold herself up. I wanted to comfort her but likewise I felt that my limbs had become very sore. Even worse. It felt as though I had-

"Aaaugh! My back! Oh shit! Narue don't! Be care-"

Narue could no longer hold it. As her consciousness started to fade away I fell from her hand as she crashed down. With the last bits of my strength left, I exclaimed,

"Psychokinesis."

Now safely on the ground, I could hardly move a muscle. Was this it? Were we going to die? The last thing I remembered before passing out was the Chief standing over me and the sound of heavy machinery, like that of a very large IV machine being operated.

1 week later…

"Members of the Agency. You have all been summoned here today under my command as Head of the Agency. No doubt you're all aware of the catastrophe that has stricken our beloved home."

The black screen changed. It was a death toll.

"To give a refresher. These pink butterflies, which grant various 'superpowers' to whoever accepts their guidance and help are attracted to high intensity emotions and given relatively recent reports, aren't limited to just negative emotions. Second, whomever they empower, that is to say transform has a high tendency to lose all sorts of inhibitions. In other words they go off the deep end. Here's what you will do. You'll divide up into teams of at least 3. I want you all to go and run some field experiments, i.e. at least one member of your team must accept the pink butterfly's power. This is essential to figuring out how exactly their powers work. Yes, I realize this runs contrary to what we've been practicing over the past year, but given-"

"Excuse me, Chief."

"Yes Yuni. What is it?"

"If these 'magical' pink butterflies tend to cause whoever accepts their power to go loco, then wouldn't we be taking a huge risk by accepting their power? Aren't we more likely to do something we would regret?"

"Yeah Chief. My cousin was transformed last week. When they finally managed to removed that magical pink butterfly, he said he couldn't remember all of what he did."

"I hear your concerns and they are quite valid. Indeed it is true that whoever accepts their power will also forget about the time and the actions they took while transformed, yet on the other hand if you accept their power, you will not forget."

"Wait a minute. How do you know this?" another subordinate asked.

The screen then changed to show a live video recording of a group of 5 supermonsters being defeated and reverted back to their ordinary selves. Next, the scene then showed each member, apparently a convict being contained within an interrogation room. When pressed, all of them showed signs of remembering what they had did while they were transformed.

"So as you can see, if you actively seek out the pink butterfly's power beforehand, you will be able to remember everything you did."

"I still don't think it's a good ideal." Yuni objected.

"Yeah Chief. What good does it do us if we still end up going berserk?"

"I'll tell you what good it does." a voice cried out. The crowd turned to see a man covered with bandages leaning on some crutches. "Those pink butterflies may increase the intensity of your emotions, but they can never control your actions. Just take a look at me. You know how I've harbored feelings for that giantess Narue. At first I wanted to take her for my own and frankly I still do."

"So what makes this time different?" a coworker called out.

"I want her to come to me, goddamnit! But I'm not about to lose my dignity a second time. No, I will defend her honor."

"You speak as though you remember everything. How is that the case?"

"Simple. When the man of the pink butterflies came along, I just knew I had to do whatever it took to save her."

"So you sought out the pink butterfly's powers and that's why you can remember everything you did."

The man nodded. At this the crowd grew silent. Half an hour later the Chief then dismissed his subordinates. Several still felt uncomfortable at the prospect of acting like bait for the pink butterflies in order to fully comprehend how to utilize them.

"We could always gather volunteers." Yuni said. "How about the local Elementary?"

"No! That's a bad ideal!"

"Yeah, we shouldn't be drawing kids into this."

It would take some time to get things sorted out but eventually the Agency had come up with a plan to try and see how they could utilize the pink butterflies. As his subordinates left, the Chief dialed a number on his smartphone.

"Oh Chief. Didn't expect you to call so soon."

"Yes, yes. How's the situation with Medea?"

…

"Can she talk? Is she available?"

…

"Hello?"

"Yes, this is the Head of the Agency and Kanda's employer. MIss, it's still Miss, right?"

"Correct. We haven't gotten married as it's way too.."

"Yeah. I know. Anyways, Miss Medea. I heard from Kanda you've recently been exposed to the akumas."

"A lot of folks out here have been."

"Yes, but you're a witch, so maybe there's something you could share with us."

"Depends."

The Chief pondered for a moment.

"How does the sound of 1,000,000 yen sound to you?"

"That's…"

At this point Kanda interrupted.

"We appreciate the offer, but I'm more concerned about what's going to happen if these akumas get out of control."

Medea nodded.

"You're right. I ought to get my priorities in order. So what is it that you need to know?"

"First. Our current information. How much of that is correct?"

"You mean the ones one the akumas being attracted to sentient folks with high intensity negative emotions?"

"It's actually high intensity emotions in general."

"Oh. So then what do you know?"

At this, the Chief began to fill in Kanda and Medea's repertoire of information concerning the pink akumas. When compared to ordinary akumas, their differences only seemed superficial, a color change scheme at first glance. Both were attracted towards intense emotions, both allowed their targets to transform and gain superpowers based on the emotions that drew them in and both ultimately required the consent of the recipient. Of course, there were some notable differences. For starters, while ordinary akumas would establish a telepathic link between the holder of the Butterfly Miraculous and the recipient should they happen to be within distance, no such link was ever found to be established with the pink akumas. Next, the pink akumas appeared to have some sort danger awareness. While both could be destroyed using conventional means provided no emotions were involved, the pink akumas not only were able to evade 90% of all attacks not involving emotions at them which when compared to the ordinary akuma's dodge rate of just 5% could only mean one or possibly two or three things:

Either these pink akumas had at least a human level of awareness and intelligence or

The pink akumas are somewhat clairvoyant or

All of the above

Additionally, while they normally just floated about how an ordinary butterfly would, these pink akumas could react and move at speeds roughly 8,500% times faster than that of an ordinary butterfly, which translates to a top speed of 51,000 mph. For those using the metric scale, that's 8,2076.54 km an hour which…

hold on...

8.5 = 850%

85 = 8,500%

Whoops. Looks like there's a calculation error. Anyways, let's continue on.

20 minutes passed.

"I see. Yes, that will do for now."

The Chief sighed. This was going to be a long and audacious battle, no, possibly even a full blown war. Just what were Udaspes Folus's objectives? All he knew, was that he was evil and had to be stopped.

It's funny. As you mature, you tend to realize not everything's black and white. The funny thing is, even kids as young as 5 years of age are capable of somewhat perceiving the world in shades of moral gray and even achieving a stage 5 of Lawrence Kohlberg's levels of moral reasoning. Do note that this is an exception.

Here's something to try out. Ask a group of kids this question:

Suppose there's a train conductor who sees a group of 5 individuals tied to the tracks. The train conductor has no ideal how that group of 5 got there and all they really know is that they only have enough time to pull the lever to switch tracks. The only problem though is that there is a person also strapped to the other track. Either the train conductor pulls the lever and by doing so spares the 5 but causes the death of the one by their very action or the train conductor simply does nothing and thus spares the one but kills the 5 via their inaction.

Let's assume our hypothetical train conductor decides to pull the lever. As a result, the train conductor is charged with 1st degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Now let's assume the same thing happens with another train conductor except this time they do note pull the lever. As a result of their inaction, they are charged with criminal negligence and sentenced to 5 months in prison.

Is this fair? Why or why not. Have them explain their reasoning.

And with that out of the way, let's continue with our tale.

1 week later…

"Chijinda. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine, Chief. And Narue? Where's my wife?"

"Can you stand? Can you walk?"

Chijinda just nods.

"Then come with me. Your wife wishes to see you."

Pressing a few buttons on the control panel, the cylinder spun draining out the vitro fluid. Chijinda took a step out and immediately began feeling wobbly.

"Careful. It's been a while since your body's been exposed to being pushed against. Anyways, let's go see your wife."

Taking a few steps, Chijinda soon regained his posture and then his body adjusted accordingly. Up the stair he climbed and as he pushed through the double doors, Chijinda found that his strength had fully returned to him.

"Narue!"

Narue smiled placing her hand down and allowing her husband to climb aboard. The Chief took out his cigar and puffed. He felt.. at ease. Like a moment of serenity.

"You two do remember what's going on in the city right? With the world?"

Sighing, Narue turned to look at the Chief.

"Yes, we're quite aware. But that can wait."

"Besides" Chijinda said as he piped up "We know what it is our enemy wants and because of that, we can arrange the situation".

At this the billboard behind them sprung to life as a pink haired man wearing an eye visor spoke to them.

"And what? Bait me? Sorry, I don't bite but you're going to have to come to me."

Udaspes smiled a cruel smile.

"After all, there's so much you need to answer for."

The background changed to show the entirety of Japan being utterly wrecked and destroyed before panning out to show multiple news media showcasing that the damage was not limited to just Japan but the world over.

Raspberry lighting crackled in the background around the supervillain.

"Just imagine a world of new possibilities. I'm certain it's a world your descendents would like to see? Ehehehehe"

At this Narue closed her right hand into a fist but it was Chijinda who was perched on her shoulder who cried out.

"You're such a coward, Udaspes!"

"Maybe, but at least I'm quite resourceful. How about we settle this once and for all. But first. Would you like to hear about this world I have envisioned?"

"Keep it to yourself." Narue spat out.

"Heheh, very well. That I shall."

At this point the billboard updated to showcase the current population percentage prior to the beginning of the month.

Japan . . . 2%

Wait! What?! 2%?! That's- that's like-

Sighing, the Chief began to speak.

"I have no ideal about this world you envision, Udaspes and frankly I don't want to hear about it either."

Chijinda grinned.

"Does anybody even want your world?"

"Heheheh, oh you'll see. At the very least, don't you have duty to the people you've sworn to protect?"

"Oh we have a duty alright." Narue said,

"Yeah. A duty not to shatter their newfound hopes and wishes within us." Chijinda boasted proudly.

BGM: The Grand Finale (Yoko Shimomura)

"How trite." Udaspes Folus snapped his fingers and suddenly the scene changed to a tall rise building.

"I'm here. If you truly are the heroes of Japan then face me. Or perhaps you're all some kind of fake?"

"We're more than we were before!" Chijinda shouted.

"You're going to regret messing with my family." Narue growled.

"Ahahaha! I can feel it. Oh don't worry. I won't run, not this time."

The screen turned off and Narue was still seething. Chijinda felt it too. He was furious.

"Be careful you two. I'll send backup."

Narue began running off towards the direction of where the supervillain was hiding.

This was it. They were finally going to face off against the villainous Miraculous holder. They've gone through many trials and tribulations before, I'm certain they will overcome this one as well, the Chief thought to himself as he headed back inside. Now I need to start helping with evacuating the city and-

"Chief?"

"Hmn? What is it, Yuni?"

"I've finished finalizing that report like you wanted me to. I think there's something you should see."

Yuni handed over her report. The Chief quickly scanned it before abruptly stopping, handing the report back and rushing back outside.

"Chijinda! Narue! Wait!"

"No can do, Chief. This is a personal matter. This is family business."

"No! You've got to listen to me and-"

At this point Narue had fled beyond the point where either side could communicate using solely their voices. The Chief then dialed a number on his smartphone.

Silence.

Goddamnit Chijinda! Pick up the phone damnit! This is important!

The clouds had darkened considerably and rain poured down, bright flashes of pink lighting streaking the skies. This was it, the grand finale!