Coughs alerted the heroes and the surrounding civilians back to the issue at hand, turning just in time to see StoneHeart collapse backwards and a cloud of black butterflies swarm around to form... a face?
"People of Paris- listen carefully. I am Hawkmoth."
"Hawkmoth?" The teen trio questioned.
"Ladybug, Cat Noir- give up the Raven's Wing or give me the Ladybug earrings and the Cat ring. You three have done enough damage to these innocent people-"
A burst of laughter and clapping interrupted the villains threats.
Raven was clutching her sides while tears streamed down her cheeks, she was laughing so hard, and Ladybug just stepped up with a smirk on her face.
"Nice try, Hawkmoth but let's not reverse the roles here. None of these innocent people would be akumatized if it weren't for you."
"So no- we're not gonna give up our Miraculous. Quite the opposite actually." Raven chimed in, wiping away the remains of her laughter and her face turning serious.
"We'll defeat you and you'll hand over your Miraculous! Raven's Flight!"
In a flash of purple and blue light, Raven shape-shifted into her namesake. The size was two times bigger than a normal raven and as she flapped her wings to fly up beside a charging Ladybug, the wings glinting in the sun- seemingly looking like feathers but were actually stronger than steel.
Raven swung her wings ahead of her, allowing a barrage of steel feathers to blast forward and pin the akumas down for Ladybug to capture them. Once they were gone, Ladybug landed and turned to the crowd, Raven landing beside her and transforming back.
"Let us make this promise to you! If there's anyone who wants to harm the citizens of Paris, Ladybug, Cat Noir and Raven will be here to protect you no matter what!" The pair shouted, Raven letting her wings spread while Ladybug opened her yo-yo to allow the purified butterflies out. With a strong wind from her wings, the butterflies were accelerated alongside Ladybug's own power and they spread out, finally free.
Cat Noir's mind didn't quite process the cheers going on behind him, his eyes locked on the winged female. He couldn't help the admiration and pure crush status lodging its way into his brain and heart.
"Wow... I don't know who that girl is under that mask, but I love her."
"Stoneheart- they're trying to take your loved one away from you! Snatch the Raven's Wing miraculous so you can change your fate and be with your love forever!"
Noise from behind the heroes signaled Stoneheart moving, prompting them to jump to meet him.
"You'll never take Mylène from me! Come to me, my stone beings!" And away he went, up the tower.
Cat went the edge, eyes growing wide at the sight of the stone giants climbing the structure.
"We're surrounded! What do we do? We can't just attack him!"
"Yeah but we know where the akuma is." Raven commented, motioning up to the retreating figure with her wing. Cat had to really resist the urge to reach out and stroke the feathers.
"In his clenched fist. The one he's holding Mylène in. So..."
"So we know he's in love with her..." Ladybug pondered, her eyes flitting between Stoneheart and Raven. "That's it! We don't separate Stoneheart and Mylène- we bring them closer together! They're made for each other, right Raven?"
Said girl, having understood the spotted hero's earlier glances, was already letting the glow fade from her eyes as she nodded.
"So it's true! But they just don't know it yet!" As Ladybug began making her way to the top, a beeping alerted the remaining heroes to Raven's choker: three of the four feathers were black in color and the last one plus the center jewel were flashing blue.
"I only have two minutes left... I have to go."
"Wait!" Cat reached out and gently caught her wrist, drawing a questioning look from the girl.
"I know this all isn't something you said you wanted to do, but I'm really glad you were here today. And just as much as Paris needs Ladybug, they need you too. Come fight when you feel up to it, okay?" The teen finished with planting a soft kiss of Raven's right cheek, smirking as a deep blush settled on the girls face, before letting go of her wrist and following after Ladybug.
Raven stood in love-struck awe, her eyes staring off after Cat Noir, until a rapid beeping reminded her she only had one minute before transforming back.
Spreading her wings again, Raven took off back towards the Trocadéro, landing between the pillars out of sight.
"Touch the ground..."
Out of the dimmer light, Kiismet fluttered in excited exhaustion around Ella's head; the teen looking like she'd seen a ghost.
"Holy crap what did I just do, Kiis?"
"You pushed past your walls and stepped up to help people- like a hero. You pushed past your comfort zone and I am so proud of you, Ella!" The kwami nuzzled the teen's cheek, her little arms gripping at Ella's nose and ear to pull herself closer. It took a few seconds before Ella's hands reached up and wrapped around Kiismet in a faux hug.
"Thanks for everything, Kiisy. I wouldn't be who I am- or Raven- without you."
"You're welcome, Ella-bean."
Even though running was the last thing she wanted to do, Ella sprinted down the Troca steps and down the avenue back to the Eiffel Tower. White ladybugs zipped around, repairing the damage done during the attack. Just ahead, she could see Ladybug and Cat Noir at the tower base with the two other teens. Glancing around, and seeing no one, Ella checked that Kiis was finished eating and ready to go.
"Touch the sky!"
Just leaving Ivan and Mylène alone, Ladybug startled as Raven landed beside her and Cat Noir.
"Sorry I had to dart."
"It's no problem, my angel." Cat Noir purred, taking Raven's hand in his and giving it a kiss. Ladybug playfully rolled her eyes at Raven's deep blush, and moved her gaze to the other teens.
"Oh, I'm so glad they're made for each other." She cooed.
"Like me and angel here." Cat Noir commented, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders and pulling her close. But in the cute moment, Ladybug smiled sadly, was interrupted by items beginning to beep.
"Time to go. See you guys."
"Wait- before you go Ladybug!" Raven started, as the blunette unwound her yo-yo to swing away.
"I know, as a miraculous user, I'm supposed to help you and Cat Noir with the akumas."
"Raven..."
"No Cat. I-I'm- I never wanted to be a superhero. I got my kwami when I was a kid and she was my only friend. I- ugh I'm not explaining this well." The teen took a deep breath, accepting Cat's hand sliding into her own.
"At first I wasn't gonna help or become your guy's partner, but after today... you can count on my to fight by your side."
Ladybug stared wide-eyed for a moment before gently smiling at the teen.
"I hope you'll tell me the story behind all this- seems like our resident kitty cat already does. But I'm glad you'll be fighting at our side. See you two later!"
And she was gone, zipping off.
"I'm happy you've decided to help, Raven." Cat smiled at the girl, as she ducked her head to hide her embarrassed blush. He opened his mouth to say more, but his ring insistently beeping pulled the attention down.
"You should go. We can't see each other's identities. I'll see you around, Cat Noir." Raven smiled and spread her wings.
"I'll meet you at the Eiffel Tower at night, okay?" Cat called as Raven flapped into the air. Instead of answering, the girl smiled wide and nodded before taking off into the sky.
"This is not the end, I swear it. I will have the Raven's Wing miraculous- I will change my fate and make my secret wish come true! In the very least, Ladybug and Cat Noir, I will get your miraculous' if you won't give up the Raven!"