Chapter Ten
"...Claws out."
Pagg gave a faint smile as he held Adrien's hand, the kwami's last expression as he turned into a burst of green light, being drawn towards the ring. Adrien's eyes snapped closed as he felt an energy that had once been so familiar draping about him. He shivered as he felt his suit appear, chaotic energy humming about him as he slowly opened his eyes.
Chat Noir took in a shaking breath as he looked down at his costume, which seemed the exact same as the last time he had called for a transformation. Black cloaked him from shoulders to his toes, silver baton on his back and claws on the tip of his fingers. A mask was on his face, and a belt around his waist. Every sensation was heightened, faux-ears flicking on his head.
The only difference was the lack of a golden bell near his neck.
He didn't realize that words were being said to him as he stood there, his breathing slightly ragged as he stared down at his gloved hands. Memories flashed through his mind, of watching his own father crumble to dust from just a touch of his claws. The destruction that surrounded them, one that had not come from his ring. Everything and everyone he had lost that day was violently fresh in his mind.
"Adrien," Manon's voice cut through the memories like a knife, his consciousness rooting onto her voice. Manon was the one that cared for Emma, and so his focus was always needed when she spoke. She would tell him if she was safe, what was happening with her, what Emma wanted and needed–
Emma.
He took in a sudden gasp of air as the realization hit him once again, jerking his head up as he looked about his Father's lair, his five allies watching him in concern.
Heh. Juleka and Alya watching him in concern. He had thought that would never happen again.
"Emma," Chat whispered.
"Yes, Emma," Juleka said, voice tight, gripping her spear. "How do we get out of here?"
"...The window opens," Chat Noir said in a low voice, carefully making his way across the room to where the switch was. "Where is Hydra now? And... and Pavona."
Pavona. Lila. The one that had taken Emma.
She would pay.
"Both are still reported to be at the Eiffel Tower," Rena Rouge reported, her flute displaying a holographic screen. "The sentimonster is tearing it apart... and the mayor is begging for you to appear. The area has been evacuated, so hopefully no civilians will be caught in the crossfire."
Chat Noir barely took in any of her words, only focusing on where their enemy was waiting. Not too far from where they now stood, but still much farther than he was comfortable with. Every moment they wasted here was a moment Emma was in danger. Alone and helpless. Chat Noir watched as the butterfly-shaped window slowly parted, painfully slow in its movements.
He was startled with how easily he leapt up into the open window, perched on the edge like a day hadn't past since he had last transformed. "We need to try to stop the sentimonster– but our priority will be finding and restraining Pavona." His mouth was dry. "She has the information that we need."
He didn't stop to wait, leaping out of the lair and onto the rooftops. He was swiftly followed after– yellow, orange, green, magenta, and white all in his wake. They were swift and silent as they hurried across the city, towards where the snarls of the sentimonster could be heard, the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance.
For the first time in five years, Chat Noir was running across Paris' rooftops once more.
"Um, should we retreat, ma'am?"
Nadja glanced back at her cameraman, who was understandably on edge. They were the closest people to the Eiffel Tower, where the large lizard-like sentimonster was climbing. The only ones who had been able to get closer were the helicopters trying to get footage from above, but they had been forced to retreat when 'Hydra' had climbed up higher, using it's long neck to snap at the machines.
"No, the city needs to know what's happening," Nadja said to her crew. They were a bit on the hidden side, but still dangerously close. There were times where they were able to catch sight of the blue and purple 'Pavona', but since she had delivered her message to Chat Noir through them she seemed to be trying to stay out of sight. Leaving the only focus to be on the giant creature climbing and tearing at the tower.
The whole city seemed to be holding their breath, not sure what would happen if Chat Noir didn't arrive– it didn't matter if it was to meet Pavona's demands or to fight the creature, but without him they would be helpless.
It had been five years since the hero had last been seen, delivering devastating news that had broken the city. What if he wasn't here? What if he had left Paris due to the memories it held? What would they do then? What chance did they have against magic without the same force to fight back?
"Nadja!" A crew member cried, pointing behind them, and she turned. Nadja's heart soared when she saw six shapes running across the rooftops.
They were here. The heroes were here!
The only ones that were ones that she knew were the familiar Rena Rouge and Carapace, and of course Chat Noir himself at the head. Near him was a yellow figure that most certainly looked like a Bee holder, it wasn't the same costume as Queen Bee. The last were a hesitant white figure highlighted with black, along with a black silhouette who was covered with bold magenta stripes, who was carrying herself with a fierce determination.
"Caleb," Nadja said in a low voice. "You are filming this, right?"
"Of course, ma'am," the cameraman said, aiming the camera up at the rooftops.
The six heroes paused as they reached the edge of the roofs, leaving just the wide airspace between the buildings and the tower. They fanned out, standing on the edge, looking out at the creature on the tower. For a moment they didn't move, observing the sentimonster below, whose giant jaws were gnawing on one of the beams of the Eiffel Tower, unaware of the threat.
The Tiger was the first one to move, a spear in hand as she leapt off of the side of the building, burning golden eyes locked straight on the sentimonster. Carapace and Rena Rouge were right behind her, both of them familiar with being on the battlefield, even with the years that have passed. A few moments later the Bee hero threw her trompo, swinging off into battle.
Chat Noir remained frozen on the rooftop, the last new hero by his side. She seemed nervous, shuffling in place as she spoke to Chat Noir, eyes flickering about. Her gaze then landed on the news crew, watching them for a moment– before she leapt down towards them on the street. Despite falling from stories up, she landed on her feet with ease, swallowing as she looked at the news crew.
"Hello," Nadja said, stepping forward, slipping into reporter-mode despite the danger.
"Mo-ma'am," the heroine said, worried. "You shouldn't be here, please evacuate with your crew."
"Paris needs to know what is happening," Nadja insisted. "Who is Pavona? Who are you new heroes? Where has Chat Noir been the last five years? What did Pavona mean when she said she–?"
"I'm... I'm Chèvre," Chèvre stuttered out. "...Tigress and... Honeybee are joining us to defeat Pavonia. You need to leave, ma'am, please. It's dangerous here."
"Don't worry, this isn't my first sentimonster battle," Nadja said, standing up straight. "We won't interfere with you heroes at all– just do what you need to do."
She was surprised at the amount of concern in Chèvre's eyes, the Goat heroine hesitating. But she didn't say another word, turning and leaping up into the air with impressive height. She seemed startled at her own abilities, her bounding jump having carried her high up onto a building. Chèvre steadied herself, before rushing off.
Nadja glanced back at Caleb to make sure he was recording, before taking in a deep breath. "You heard it here first, Paris– our heroes have returned. Chat Noir, Rena Rouge, and Carapace are here to protect us once more, with the new heroes Chèvre, Tigress, and Honeybee backing them up as they take on this sentimonster."
"Rrrrhhhhhrrrr!" Hydra roared, the sound echoing through the empty streets.
"We can only hope that they can claim Pavona's Miraculous," Nadja said softly. "And that this will be the last attack Paris ever sees."
Carapace and Rena Rouge carried themselves with the most confidence, the two of them leaping beam from beam as they moved across the Eiffel Tower, trying to get the sentimonster's attention. Hydra didn't seem all too interested in them at first, tail flicking in annoyance, before continuing to gnaw on the tower.
It wasn't until the Tiger heroine came swooping in that the creature seemed to truly care– letting out a roar of pain as her spear was jabbed into it. Scales seemed to protect it from the worst of the wound, but those yellow lamp-like eyes locked onto Juleka's hero form as she landed, hissing in rage. It lunged towards her, only for a trompo to fly out and sag on one of Hydra's teeth, yanking it back.
"Be more careful!" Chloe cried, and it was still strange to see her in a Bee apparel that was not Queen Bee. "We're trying to defeat it, not make it more mad, idiot!"
"I don't need your help!" The Tiger snarled back, raising her spear to block a swipe from its tail– but Carapace got there first– summoning a Shelter around him and Juleka as the long tail slammed into it.
"Oh, and let me guess, you didn't need help right then either?" The Bee said sarcastically, but was forced to retreat as the Hydra's head came snapping at her. The Shelter vanished, and Carapace moved back towards Rena.
Chat Noir remained on the edge of the building, looking out at the fight with dread. The sight was all too familiar, and it only reminded him of that night...
He heard the sound of someone landing next to him, and looked up to see Manon looking up at him, her maduvu slung over her arm. She was nervous, feet shifting, and eyes flickering about. "I tried to get Mom to leave, but she wouldn't listen, insisting that she needed to film this."
"...I see," Chat said.
"I gave her names as well, I was hoping that would be enough," Manon added, hesitating. "I'm Chèvre now, and I said that Juleka was Tigress and Chloe was Honeybee. I, er, figured she didn't want to be called Queen Bee since her outfit is so different–"
"Queen Bee's identity was known," He replied. "She wanted to stay on the safe side." Chat Noir closed his eyes. "Well, we're not going to get anything done by standing here. Let's go."
He expanded his baton into a long pole, vaulting over the large gap. Chèvre seemed to have the jumping skills of a Goat, able to make the large bound with ease, both of them landing together on a lower beam of the Eiffel Tower– which shook with the battle going on above. Chat looked up, before beginning to scale up the tower, Chèvre right behind him.
Tigress was a blur of black and magenta, the rage clear on her masked face as she tried to get Hydra's attention on her. She didn't seem to just want to attack, it was like she wanted the creature to personally know the rage she felt.
Tigress leapt back from snapping jaws, golden eyes glowing. Her spear remained in one hand, and her agility was like that of a cat. She leapt up to higher beams with ease, the sentimonster's long neck reaching up towards her, only for the Tiger to be barely out of reach. She was forcing Hydra to keep climbing higher, having no care for Rena, Carapace, and Honeybee as they tried to fight as well.
As Hydra pulled himself up higher he reared his head back, like a snake about to strike– and this time Tigress didn't shift to move. Instead she just gripped her spear in both hands, before leaping up to meet the maw full of sharp teeth as Hydra leapt at her.
"Collision!" Tigress screamed, the tip of her spear glowing a pulsing orange in color. As Hydra tried to snap his jaws around her she plunged the spear into the roof of its mouth– a shockwave of energy rushing out as Hydra was knocked off of the side of the Eiffel Tower.
The sentimonser let out a scream of pain, Tigress ripping out the spear, which had gone through the top of his mouth. There was no blood of any kind, just an empty puncture as Hydra began to fall to the streets below. She grinned as she landed on the side of the tower, everything shaking as the sentimonser crashed into the street below. Tigress swung her spear over her back, breathing heavily.
"Are you an idiot?!" Honeybee screamed at her.
Tigress scowled. "At least I actually did something."
"The thing is called Hydra!" Honeybee screamed. "How stupid are you?!"
Down below the form of Hydra began to shift, pushing itself up onto its two feet, the scales on its head stiffening. Not just stiffening– but turning to stone. From where the spear had impaled it, and across its entire face and down its neck.
Then the stone crumbled to dust, leaving a headless beast in its wake. All the heroes watched as the stump of the neck began to bubble and boil– before two appendages sprang out from it, taking on the familiar shape of Hydra's long neck and reptilian head.
Except for now there was two of them, those angry yellow eyes locking up on the heroes above.
"What did I tell you?!" Honeybee cried. "The Hydra's whole myth is about regeneration– and the stupid Tiger went straight for the head like an idoit!"
"Then you do something!" Tigress snapped back, watching as Hydra began to climb the tower once more, with much swifter speed now that he had two jaws to use to latch up onto the metal beams.
"Venom!" Honeybee replied, diving off of the side of the tower and letting herself freefall towards the sentimonster, who opened both mouths to hiss at her as she came soaring down at them. One head stretched its neck out, snapping at Honeybee, teeth flashing.
She stabbed the pulsing Venom into Hydra's snout, landing on its nose, pushing herself off of the creature and throwing her trompo up, the string going taut as she swung about the tower, landing on a beam to look back at her handiwork.
The heroes could only watch in horror as the head that the Venom had struck had slowly turned to stone, before crumbling away like the first one had. The other head didn't pause in its climbing, even as the empty stump began to bubble and swell, two more heads sprouting out from the neck, each one snarling and helping the sentimonster scale up the tower towards the heroes with even more speed than before.
"Great going, insect," Tigress sneered, drawing her spear once more. "Why don't you go Venom the others while you're at it?"
"That was supposed to immobilize it!"
"It's like you said, hydras are known for regeneration," Rena Rouge said, scowling down at Hydra. "But in the myth it was only when the head was cut off– here it seems like any kind of damage it takes makes it shed its head and regrow."
"Giving us more opponents to deal with," Chat Noir muttered, eyes scanning the sentimonster.
"What... what's the plan, dude?" Carapace asked, looking towards Chat Noir. More eyes followed, even Rena's and Tigress', all of them falling onto the oldest hero, waiting to see what should be done.
"What if I Venom somewhere that isn't the head?" Honeybee suggested, holding up her trompo, a spark in her eyes.
"Do we want to take that risk?" Chèvre asked.
"It has to have a weak point!" Tigress snarled. "We need to find it and destroy it."
"We need Pavona," Chat Noir said.
"True, the amok is probably on her person," Rena mused.
"Maybe we should split up, we can't just let the sentimonster roam."
"Pavona is the real threat."
"Do what you want– we need to take this thing out now," Honeybee replied, watching as it climbed closer. "Venom!"
She went down the other side of the tower– one of the heads reaching through the beams to snap at her. Rena quickly placed her flute to her lips, trying to summon some illusions, perhaps to act as a distraction– but she was not quick enough. Images of Honeybee surrounded her, but the real one had already reached Hydra, delivering a Venom to its tail.
And just like with the heads, the tail went stiff and rigid, before turning to stone. As it crumbled away two appendages took its place– one swinging about and batting Honeybee away with a powerful blow.
"Shell-ter!" Carapace cried, launching a burst of green energy from his shield to surround Honeybee. It protected her from colliding with the tower, but the momentum still sent her tumbling about the forceshield.
One of Hydra's heads snapped at the Shell-ter she was in, fangs clasping about it, picking it up like a dog with a ball. It shook its head from side to side, thrashing Honeybee within the sphere, and Chat Noir dashed forward to try to capture the sentimonster's attention. But with three heads one whipped about to engage him, another snarling at an incoming Tigress– leaving the last one free to keep trying to break through the Shell-ter that Honeybee was in.
"Watch out for the tails!" Rena called as she jumped down to join them, the two whip-like tails lashing about. Carapace was trying to maintain the Shell-ter around Honeybee, Hydra's fangs sending cracks across the shield the more it bit and thrashed– and Carapace's eyes kept flickering to his other teammates, leaving them vulnerable in the process of keeping up his current shield.
Chèvre stood there, watching the chaos below her. Chat Noir raised his baton, catching a set of incoming fangs by ramming the pole between the bottom and roof of the mouth– stopping the bite, but leaving him wrestling for the weapon against the much larger beast. Rena had attempted to join Tigress in combating the middle mouth, but they couldn't land a true blow without risking it multiplying again. The head rammed into Rena, knocking her off the tower, and Tigress leapt after her, Hydra's tails lashing down at them.
The middle head whipped about, two of them now focusing on Chat Noir. Carapace fired a Shell-ter down at him, but with his focus split the one protecting Honeybee weakened, cracks spreading through it, and she let out a scream.
Chèvre could only stand there as the fight raged about her– not knowing what to do. Her maduvu seemed to both be a shield and weapon– but the metallic shield was small compared to the sentimonster, and attacking had already proved to be ineffective. She looked down at the two horns that jutted out from the ends of the maduvu, then back at her struggling teammates. She had powers now, she had a Miraculous.
Chèvre raised her maduvu above her head, hesitating for a moment. "Unison!"
Silver glow surged across the twin spiral horns– before it rushed out, a thin strand of light connected to all the heroes, and Chèvre swayed in place for a moment, trying to take in what was happening.
She was not the only one– she could sense the confusion from all of them. Not, not all, from them. Her mind was not her own, and neither was theirs. With the Unison linking them all, they were one. Emotions and thoughts ran through them, but they were quickly settling, a rational they didn't have before quickly forming.
All senses were shared. Chèvre could see through the eyes of Chat Noir, Tigress, Honeybee, Rena, and Carapace, and they could see through hers– their gaze now all glowing silver. Ideas spread through the web that interconnected them, the hivemind quickly shuffling what would work and what would falter. The only focus was on what would lead them towards success, no one pushing for a suggestion they now saw that could fail. No disagreement, no hostility, they just were.
Within moments, the heroes went from struggling against the Hydra, to flawlessly moving together to coordinate themselves. Carapace and Chèvre moved forward, shouting to distract the heads that were targeting Chat Noir, banging their shields against the metal beams to raise a clatter. Chat Noir seized his baton from the jaws of one, vaulting over the head of one, and rushing towards the third that was harassing Honeybee's fading Shell-ter. The baton was slammed down onto the third head, the creature letting out a roar of pain, and with a wave of his hand Carapace shattered the Shell-ter without even looking– Chat Noir's and Honeybee's eyes were enough to tell him what was happening.
As soon as the Shell-ter was gone the trompo in Honeybee's hand was thrown, snagging around Rena's flute below, instantly pulling her and Tigress back up towards where the fight was taking place. As soon as Tigress and Rena Rouge landed Tigress pulled her spear up, summoning a Collision that she slammed into the tower– causing the whole thing to tremble and shake. The Hydra scrambled for purchase as it felt itself slipping, but the heroes had already known the tremors were coming, and had secured themselves before Tigress had even called upon her power.
As soon as the trembling stopped Chèvre began leaping across the tower, her eyes searching the city about them. She was one of the most agile of the team, so she kept moving, looking for any sign of Pavona or civilians that came too close, so they would be ready to move the moment one appeared.
The heroes were silent, as there was no need to speak when their minds were linked as they were.
Hydra fell from off the tower, screeching as he fell. Rena Rouge put a flute to her lips, and Carapace launched a Shell-ter down towards the ground. Hydra landed on the forceshield, creating cracks from the impact– but better that than the structures below. As soon as the creature staggered to its feet a dozen illusions surrounded the beast– instantly capturing its attention to keep it from climbing up once more.
Chat Noir was now making his way down the tower, eyes fixated on the creature. All he needed to do was Cataclysm it– the thought clear in their mind. A single touch to the sentimonster would destroy the connection it had with the amok, meaning that it would no longer be under Pavona's control, meaning that it could not come to her aid once they found her.
Chat Noir landed on the lowest beam of the tower, eyes gleaming a faint silver as he and all the others observed the Hydra through his eyes. The creature was snapping at illusions in frustration, Rena Rouge summoning more for each one that was destroyed. The sentimonster was completely distracted, and they knew that their Cataclysm needed to land carefully. Hitting the head, tail, or any of the limbs might trigger its regeneration instead of severing the mental connection.
But the Hydra's back was right below them, open and unprotected. Hydra's three heads and twin tails were lashing out at the illusions that surrounded it, and Chat Noir raised his ringed hand overhead, voice starting out strong as everyone else's had as they spoke under the effects of Unison. No hesitation, only determination.
"Cata–!"
The word started out strong on his tongue, but Chat Noir found himself choking as he tried to speak that word. That horrible word. He blinked, eyes going from silver to green. He felt a snap deep within him– his mind breaking away from the hivemind of Unison, withdrawing into his own mind as memories rose to the surface.
A dark hand was raised, black energy crackling about it as he summoned his Cataclysm. Chat Noir launched himself at Hawk Moth. The moment destructive energy touched him Hawk Moth let out a cry of pain as his suit turned to ash, the Cataclysm eating away at it and his skin. He fell to his knees, Chat Noir ripping the Miraculous from his chest, standing to watch the monster of a man crumble away.
But as the mask dissolved, he did not see the face of a monster.
He saw the face of his father.
The Unison shattered as Chat Noir was torn from it– the connection between the heroes crumbling away as the silver light faded. Chat Noir trembled as he stood there on the beam, hand raised as he realized he almost summoned his powers. The power he had not called upon in so long, the one he had used to kill his father with his own hand.
The illusions from Rena Rouge vanished, and Hydra froze– before raising their heads up to look at the heroes, snarling as it turned. Cries echoed about, them all trying to call to each other to move, to attack– but the coordination from before was gone. Tigress and Honeybee pulled away from each other, Rena and Carapace moving towards each other. Chèvre was alone on the far side of the tower, while Chat Noir sat at the base in shock.
Unharmed, Hydra turned, heads letting out a deafening roar as the heads sounded together.
"What's your name?" Emma asked, looking up at the quivering sentibeing.
"...Tod," He answered quietly, staring at the girl he had taken. "My name is Tod Renard."
That was the name Lila had given him– Tod Renard. Fox Fox. It hadn't been chosen like when most people were named, with love and care, it was simply meant to be a title for his master to call him by. A name for him to use when he went out and about as a human.
But he had no master now. No magic to guide him as long as Hydra was around.
He pulled out Lila's phone from his pocket, it having only been left with him for him to receive information on what was happening with the fight, and if Chat Noir complied. Tod had yet to look at it until now, but he unlocked the device, opening it up to the news, staring at the most recent reports and articles that were popping up.
Sentimonster Attacking Paris Once More
A New Peacock Villain
Pavona– The New Mayura
Pavona's Message To Paris, And What It Means
Pavona Has CN And LB's Daughter– Is This Threat Fact Or Lie?
Ten Things To Know About Sentimonster Attacks
Will Chat Noir Surrender For His Daughter?
Top Ten Likely People To Be Chat Noir
Chat Noir Returns!
Heroes In Paris Once More!
Heroes Are Fighting 'Hydra'
Chat Noir Fights For Paris
Old And New Faces– What We Know About The Six Heroes Seen
Why Sentimonsters Are Government Propaganda
Hydra's Heads Can Multiply!
Paris' Mayor Has Yet To Comment On The Sentimonster Attack
Ladybug And Chat Noir's Daughter And Who She Might Be
Current Evacuation Routes
Tips for Dealing With Sentimonsters
The list went on and on, and Tod could have kept scrolling, let himself get lost like he was now, reading each title as if it could be an escape, but he forced himself to open the live feed of the fight he could watch the heroes go up against the sentimonster, fighting desperately against the creature.
"They need to destroy the amok as soon as possible," Tikki said, causing Tod to jump slightly, the kwami right over his shoulder. "Without Ladybug the city can't magically recover, so they need to stop him before more harm is done."
Tod glanced at her. "I don't think they would want to destroy the amok."
Small eyes narrowed on him. "What makes you say that?"
Tod shook his head, and he looked down at Emma, before his gaze returned to Tikki. "You don't even know what the amok is, do you? Where Lila is keeping it?"
Tikki watched him closely. "But you do?"
"Of course."
"What's an amok?" Emma asked quietly, the little girl having found the stuffed animal that had been brought with her, holding onto it tightly, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "What is happening?"
He turned his attention back towards Tikki, wondering if he should forfeit the information he knew. "...The amok is in the Peacock Miraculous."
"What?" Tikki cried, eyes widening as she pulled back. "But that means– that means–"
"It means that either Lila has to release the sentimonster herself– which she won't, or someone else has to put on the broken Miraculous to do it themselves," Tod finished.
Tikki covered her mouth. "But that would be too dangerous. They... they can't do that."
"I suppose they could destroy the Miraculous as well," Tod said with a shrug.
"No!" Tikki cried. "They wouldn't do that! Not to Duusu!"
Her panic was interrupted by Emma bursting into tears, the girl breaking down once more in her confusion. Instantly they both fell silent, Tikki rushing to the young girl's side, trying to comfort her. Emma dropped her toy, and grabbed the kwami instead, holding her closely to her chest. Tod watched them for a moment, his heart tightening.
For his entire existence, Tod had existed to be used. To do whatever Lila asked of him. He was a spy, a thief, a kidnapper– all at her word. This girl was here for no other reason than to draw Chat Noir out of hiding. So that his master could lay claim to the Ladybug and Black Cat, and make her wish.
Tod had only ever helped her move towards this goal because he had no other choice, but now that he was no longer under Lila's control... he could truly wonder about what he wanted.
Tod didn't have many desires, not when his life was to obey. But as he stood there, he realized that he did not want Lila to succeed. He did not want to see her triumphant grin, for her to cast aside Duusu, perhaps the only being that had been nice to him, for another kwami.
No, that wasn't true, Duusu wasn't the only one that had been kind to him– Emma had as well.
She had asked for his name, wanted to know what was causing him pain, had even offered for him to be 'adopted' by her guardian– even when he had been the one to take her away. To tie her up and keep her here.
Tod couldn't be adopted, of course, but he knew that he could adopt a new meaning to his life.
"I will help you," Tod said, drawing their blue eyes towards him.
Emma perked up slightly. "Y-you will? Can you take me back to Adrien, M. Tod, would you?"
Tikki looked more skeptical. "You will?"
"...Lila will destroy my amok one way or another. Whether it's from turning against her, or from her no longer needing me," he shrugged. "And I see no reason to help her if that will be my fate."
Tikki held his gaze for a moment, and for a second he doubted if the creature would ever trust him, but then she gave a short nod. "...Very well then, sentibeing. I accept your offer." She closed her eyes. "I know what we need to do, there's only one way to set things right."
"And that would be...?"
"I need you to go to Chat Noir," Tikki said. "And tell him not to fight the sentimonster– he needs to destroy the Peacock Miraculous."
Tod jerked back. "N-no– not Duusu."
Tikki's gaze softened. "She'll be okay, I promise. But I need him to destroy the Miraculous– and I cannot leave Emma to tell him myself."
Tod took this in silence. Going out in public, going to where Lila could see him... she would know that his loyalty no longer aligned with her. She would destroy him, and he... he would cease to be. He glanced at the two girls one more time, Emma watching him in almost a desperation, and Tikki's gaze strong.
The kwami was much more ancient than his short life would have ever been– she knew what she was doing.
"And what will you do?" Tod asked softly.
"We'll be right behind you," Tikki promised. "If you are willing."
Tod closed his eyes, and he felt his body begin to shift. His humanoid form vanished from him, fur covering his body. As the sensation faded a small red fox stood in his place, ears twitching. He gave a glance at Tikki, before turning and running for the exit of the building. Small paws silently ran over the cement floor, and the sentibeing took in a deep breath.
He could smell Emma behind him, a mixed scent of creation and destruction, what he had been born to find. Chat Noir... he would not be both, however. He would radiate pure Destruction, the power that according to Tikki was their hope to set things right.
Tod had never needed to trust someone before, but with Tikki that was his only option.
"Sugar?" Emma asked as Tod left, leaving them alone in the warehouse that had once been her prison. "What's going on? Why did M. Tod leave? I thought... I thought he was going to help us."
"He is, little one," Tikki promised, the red fairy drifting in close to her, wiping away forming tears. "He's... he's going to go speak to Chat Noir."
"The hero? Like in the stories my teachers told? The one that left?"
"Chat Noir came back," Tikki promised. "He came back... he came back to help you, Emma. But the woman that was here, Pavona... she is keeping him from saving you."
Emma's breathing picked up. "So Chat Noir can't save me? He can't bring me back to Adrien? But I thought he was a hero– isn't that what heroes do–?"
Tikki's arms cradled her cheeks. "Emma, listen to me," Tikki said firmly, and Emma hiccuped on her tears as she tried to focus. "Chat Noir will save you– but he's going to need your help. Just like the Warrior Princess helps Rachel the Queen of Kitties– remember, in your game?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Can you be like the Warrior Princess for me, Emma?" Tikki asked softly. "Can you be so brave to me?"
"Y-yes," Emma whispered– but she felt anything but that. She was terrified– and she didn't know how to tell Tikki that. She had been asked to be brave before, when Manon took her to the doctors and when the dentist checked her mouth, but this was nothing like that.
"Okay," Tikki drifted down, holding her hand with the bracelet on– where the special gems of Tikki's were pinned. "I'm going to need you to remember some very important magic words for me."
"And then I can go home?"
"This will get you home," Tikki promised. "This will take you to Adrien, and make sure the mean lady can never hurt you again."
"O-okay, Sugar..." Emma swallowed. "What are the magic words?"
There was a gleam in Tikki's eyes, a small smile on her face. "I just need you to say 'spots on'."