Paris, the city of Lights, a place that is said to spur more romance than any other city in the world. However, romance is not all that is within the city…
"Wow...can't believe we're back here. Feels like it's been forever." Lucy said.
"Consider we fought against gods, fighters and the like...it makes sense." Rainbow said.
"Alright! I am ready to FINALLY get a normal vacation!" Alkal cheered.
"Same here. Since we'll be here for a while, it'll finally be the perfect chance to work on my next film." Odd said.
"Hopefully we'll be able to relax, and it looks like there's going to be an upcoming music festival." Ace said.
"A music festival?" David asked.
"Yeah, looks like all of Paris's big names are attending, along with a few local concerts." Hope said. "Hey, you should set up for the festival, David."
"That's exactly what we plan to do. We're gonna be busy getting ready." Scott said.
"Yeah...I just want a normal vacation just like everyone else. So...Ace, no mentioning a certain villain here." Sunset said.
"What about the weird doll walking by itself outside?" Titanica said pointing outside as a small kitten plush walked on its own.
"Don't look at me, I'm keeping my mouth shut." Ace said.
"Somehow I doubt this is villain related." Jexi said as they got out and followed it to a large makeshift house. "Huh? Is this...made of sweets?"
"This is odd. Who lives in a house made of candy?" Spade asked.
"Oh, don't get us started on that." Hope said before the door opened as a young girl approached.
"Ah, little kitty. You've come back." she said picking it up before looking to the group. "Uh...goodbye." she said slowly shutting the door.
"What the heck was that all about?" Ochako said.
"Wait...I recognize her from that Color Fighters book. That's Loli, a user of the Doll Style." Sci-Twi said.
"Is that so?" Jexi said. "But it makes you wonder why she's…" he said before a man in white and yellow robes approached.
"Hey...you're the Hero Alliance, aren't you?" he said. "Then please leave. I'm too busy with my latest masterpiece." he added, holding a paper swan.
"Wait, what? We're not in your way, were just here on vacation." Hope said.
"That's a lie. You clearly know nothing about the art of origami!" he said.
"...Question. How is folding paper 'art'? It seems like something anybody could do." Eddy said.
"You dare...insult my art?" he said reaching for something before someone stopped him.
"Let it go, Litmus. They are not enemies." said a man in an archery costume. "They're allies of Master Rain Bow."
"What? But they..!" the man named Litmus protested.
"Ease up." the man said. "You must excuse Litmus. He's normally well tempered but explodes in rage when someone insults his art form."
"Oh, good to know." Hope said looking at Eddy.
"Apologize, Eddy. Origami is a sacred Japanese art, you know." David said.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry I insulted your art." Eddy said to Litmus.
"So you two are Color Fighters as well." Hope said. "And you are….?" He asked the archer.
"My name is Archie, I'm a user of the Arrow Style." he said. "Litmus is a user of the Paper Style."
"Wow, three Color Fighters met here in one day." Hagakure said.
"Actually there are seven of us here. But they're in the city right now gathering info and provisions." Archie said.
"For what?" Reflet asked.
"You really shouldn't get involved. As you said, you're on vacation." Archie said. "Besides, its secret info that cannot be shared with non-color fighters."
"How about us, then?" Sectonia asked.
"Yeah, we're Color Fighters." Scarlet said.
"But...um...oh what do I do? This info is secret but they are sort of like family. Well...I guess it couldn't hurt to share with just you five." Archie said.
"Actually, six. I'm one too." Francisca said.
"Okay, six. Just come in quickly." Archie said.
The six fighters followed Litmus and Archie into the candy house as the door closed.
"Okay… that was weird." Hagakure said.
"Please, sit anywhere you like." Archie said. "Allow me to pour you some tea."
"That would be nice, thanks." Francisca said.
"So, what have you been up to?" Sectonia asked. "If it really is top secret, then it must be very important."
"Well there's no harm in sharing. We're doing this cause our master had a premonition." Loli said sitting at the table.
"A premonition? About what?" David asked.
"We don't know. But there have been stirs in the darkness." Archie said. "Ever since the fall of the Dark Kingdom along with a number of powerful villains defeats and/or deaths, Harlequin and Mime being the major ones, there's been a vacuum of power in the criminal underworld. Powerful forces are fighting, trying to claim the top for themselves."
"Normally this would be something to ignore but...Master saw a major event involving many of those evils coming here." Litmus said.
"Here? In Paris?" Scarlet asked. "Did his vision show when exactly?"
"Unfortunately not. All we know is that it will happen in this city soon in the future." Archie said.
"And things got more suspicious cause...according to a guy we had inside the Universal Prison...he saw Boba Fett talking with a certain prisoner." Loli said.
"Boba Fett ... that Mandalorian bounty hunter we ran into on Cloud City? I thought he wasn't gonna be an issue, he mentioned he was done with multiversal villainy." Hope said.
"Well apparently he changed his mind. The person he spoke with was Tin. The key words talked about were device, Lost Universe and Ace." Litmus said.
"Our Ace?" Francisca asked.
"No. Another one. He was part of this Royal Flush gang we fought against during the battle against the Hundred Demons." Jexi said.
"As you may know, after Harlequin died, the Royal Flush was disbanded. Ace, or rather Achilles Flux, is currently living a quiet life here in Paris with his mother." Litmus said. "Which is another factor in why we're here."
"You're trying to get to Achilles before they do, right?" David asked.
"We tried that but he pushed us aside saying he wants nothing to do with heroes and villains. It's clear he has no intention of giving up his peaceful life." Archie said.
"I see. Knowing what kind of guy Harlequin is from what Hope told us, I can't exactly blame him." Francisca said.
"Yes. Normally we'd just leave him be. But...recently, a gravesite in a cemetery in the Beast Universe was dug up. The grave belonged to Mime." Litmus said.
"What? Who would…" Jexi said before a photo was shown. "You're joking right?" he said seeing DaDan in the photo.
"This was taken by the security camera at the gates. However, nothing was taken from the grave." Archie said.
"That's odd. He dug up the grave but didn't take anything?" Hope said. "Unless he was after some info."
"That's what we thought of as well. If he was after info, then there wouldn't be any point to steal from the grave. The info was likely Achilles' location." Archie said. "While DaDan has been sighted in Paris, we've yet to see Boba...that may be a good thing."
"Loli sent one of her dolls to tail him. She can see anything the dolls see." Litmus said.
"Nothing big yet." Loli said. "It looks like he's going to some mansion. The Agreste Mansion."
"I knew it. He's going to strike a deal with...him." David said.
"Hm? Who are you referring to?" Scarlet said.
"We figured something out the last time we were here. I prefer not to share it for Ladybug and Cat Noir's sakes." David said.
"From the contents...I can assume this is a bad thing." Archie said. "We won't pry any further."
"Wait...some more people showed up. A big fat kitty." Loli said.
"Pete?" Jexi said.
"And some other guy...someone in all black with gray on his mask." Loli said.
"Wait...the guy from the Training Camp. The cloning villain. Twice." Hope said.
"It's clear something's going on here." Jexi said. "It's not some coincidence they're gathering here at the same place."
"So much for a relaxing vacation." David said.
"Hmm. I think it's best we end the discussion here for today." Archie said. "This is a lot of new info to process through."
"We understand." Sectonia said.
"Remember, keep this information secret. If this gets out, it could cause a panic for the citizens." Litmus said.
"Don't worry. We're pretty good at keeping these kinds of things tight-lipped." David said.
"Hey, some kid just showed up." Loli said. "I don't know him."
"Kid? Adrien." Jexi said. "I forgot he was going to head home today."
"So? What's the big deal?" Hope asked.
"Did you forget we stole you know what from his dad's study?" Jexi said.
"The book." Hope realized as they left the house.
"Huh...did I say something I shouldn't have?" Loli said confused.
They ran into the Galaxy King and rushed into Levy's room.
"Whoa! What the heck?" Levy said.
"Sorry Levy but its an emergency, do you still have 'that' book?" Ace asked.
"I'm sorry but it's not here anymore." Levy said.
"Could Marinette have taken it?" Aluche asked.
"She couldn't have taken it cause I gave it to her." Levy said.
"What? Where is she?" ZS demanded.
"Chill. Tikki told her it was time to meet the master so I gave her the book and they went to Fu's place." Levy said.
"Oh well that's good, right? Marinette and Adrien may get new powers." Papelne said.
"Uh huh...that would be true if one half of that duo wasn't about to get punished." Dan said.
"Adrien." Aya said.
"He was in the room with us when we took the book." Nami said. "He's going to get punished for a crime we committed."
"We can't let that happen!" ZS said, turning to bolt out the room...before stopping. "Wait, what are we going to do? We can't just confess to the crime, can we?"
"Wait, what about the cameras Mari planted in the mansion? Maybe we could see what's happening first before we do anything." Ace said.
"Yeah...maybe that might be the right approach." Tails said as they tuned into the camera feed before they saw him tearing apart his private studio.
"Yeesh, talk about a tantrum." Kagura said.
"That anger stems from a feeling I know too well. That's the anger of betrayal." Robin said.
"So he's been betrayed before?" Eleanor asked.
"Uh...more like he feels betrayed." Sonic said.
"It was his son he accuses." Elementa said.
"Okay...he just left the room." Mari said. "But to where...I have no clue."
Meanwhile in a dark room filled with butterflies…
"Now go, my akuma!" Hawk Moth said as an akuma flew around the room. "Dark Wings...Fall!" he said reverting to normal.
"Master...why is the akuma still here?" Nooroo asked.
"I must become someone else to lead them astray." Gabriel said removing his brooch. "I renounce you!" he said as Nooroo went into the miraculous. "Temporarily, of course." he said as light shined on a single book as he held it up. "Come! Make me into the next villain!" he said as it flew into it, transforming him into a man dressed in white and black. "Haha. Behold! I am now the Collector! My book of inspiration was taken from me, so I will now fill this book with new ideas...maybe claim a miraculous or two on the way!" he said laughing.
Back on the Galaxy King
"We got a villain alert!" Mari said bringing up one of the cameras showing the Collector. "(Huh, so that's his game.)"
"Gabriel akumatized himself? That doesn't make any sense." David said.
"It would if he thought someone was close to figuring him out." Jexi said.
"Exactly, he's planning to lead Ladybug and Cat Noir astray from finding out his identity as Hawk Moth." Mari said as they saw the Collector trap Adrien's bodyguard in the book.
"So his power allows him to trap anyone who touches that book inside its pages." Izuku said.
"And like all akumatized villains powers, there's always a weakness." Mari said.
"Well we'd better figure it out fast, looks like Gaberiel's planning on collecting more than just his bodyguard and assistant." Hope said as the collector proceeded to go out into Paris.
"Oh my god! He's taken the Louvre!" Angie said.
"He's taken more than that. Jagged Stone, the news, the mayor...even the Eiffel Tower." Rainbow said. "He's gone nuts."
"Whatever it takes to keep his identity secret, but he's going too far with this. We've gotta stop him." Hope said.
It was later back at the Agreste Mansion that Ladybug and Cat Noir arrived with the heroes in tow.
"Where's Gabriel Agreste?!" Cat Noir demanded.
"There is no more Gabriel Agreste." a voice said as they saw the collector on the stairway. "There's only...the Collector!" he said tossing his book at them.
"Watch out!" Izuku said as they dodged, the book absorbing the front door.
"If that book touches us, it's game over." Kaminari said.
"Hmm, I think the book can only hold as much as the number of pages it has, so we just have to fill it up with random objects and he'll be powerless." Simon whispered.
"Good plan, but we have no idea how to do-WHOA!" Hope said dodging the book again.
"You heroes will be the perfect centerpieces for my new book of inspiration, along with Ladybug and Cat Noir." The Collector said.
"Adrien's room, go!" Aya said.
"You can't escape!" The Collector said as he chased them to Adrien's room.
"Well, at least we know Gabriel Agreste can't be Hawk Moth since he's akumatized, right?" Cat Noir asked.
"I somehow doubt that's the case." David said.
"Wait...this gives me an idea." Vector said grabbing a number of CDs. "Hey! Hot tracks, coming at ya!" he said tossing CD after CD at him only for the Collector to counter with the book.
"That's it!" Papelne said. "Vector, keep throwing CDs at the Collector and don't stop!"
"On it!" Vector said throwing CD after CD as the Collector absorbed them. "Uh oh...outta ammo!" he said.
"Enough!" the Collector said knocking them back. "I am tired of this." he said approaching Ladybug with the book. But the moment the book touched her, nothing happened. "What?" he said looking through. "All the pages are full!"
"Should've considered a bigger book!" Hagakure said snatching the book from his hands. "Your collecting days are over!" she said ripping it up as the Akuma flew out.
Ladybug quickly captured the Akuma and purified it and fixing everything.
"Huh? What...what am I doing here?" Gabriel asked.
"It's a LONG story. Let's get you back inside so you can rest." David said.
"Thank you. All of you." Gabriel said before realizing. "Adrien! Is he…"
"No worries. Your son's okay." Jexi said.
"Thank goodness. He means so much to me, you know." Gabriel said. "After my wife vanished...he's the only precious thing I care for in this world."
"Gabriel, there's something you should know. Adrien… he didn't lose your book." Hope said. "Truth is…"
"Truth is that...it looked amazing and I wanted to take a peek so I ended up taking it without asking." Marinette said appearing suddenly. "So I...wanna return it." she said holding it.
"Oh...I...I see." Gabriel said taking it.
"Uh...just curious but...where did you get that?" Marinette asked.
"It was a gift from a trip me and my wife took to Tibet." Gabriel said.
"Tibet, huh? That's all the way in China." David said.
"Interesting." Ace said.
"Since Adrien didn't lose the book, I will allow him to return to school." Gabriel said. "Now...please leave my house. I'd like to be alone with my son."
"No problem, sir. Stay safe." Hope said as the heroes left.
"Great work you guys." Mari said before taking her glasses off and cleaning them. "Seems Gabriel wants to keep his Hawk Moth identity a secret from Adrien as much as we do."
"Yeah. He might have his own reasons why he's using the Butterfly Miraculous for evil. But until we know what the Miraculous can actually do, we'll never know what he wants." Hope said.
"And we'll still keep it secret from Marinette and Adrien all the same too." Mari said. "I hope one day they find the truth later on in the future."
"Can't believe we lost the book." Miles said.
"Well...that's not true." Levy said as they returned to the ship as she took out a familiar-looking book from her desk.
"The spellbook? But how?" Hope asked.
"Remember when we were back in the redux? Well...I figured a situation like this might pop up so...I made a copy." Levy said.
"And Master Fu may have done the same thing. So we're not without the knowledge after all." Hope said.
"Yes and now I can work on translating the book without fear of having to lose it." Levy said.
"We'll be counting on you." Emiya said.
Meanwhile at the Agreste Mansion, Gabriel scrolled through his computer showing multiple pages of the book.
"I don't get it. If you already made a copy, why go nuts over that book?" DaDan asked.
"It was all necessary to maintain my cover." Gabriel said.
"I don't know...those heroes don't seem like the type to be fooled easily." Techno said.
"I'm very well aware they might already know who I really am." Gabriel said. "Even when I noticed these one day." he said holding one of Mari's cameras.
"You're pretty clever." Pete said.
"But isn't this kinda risky? I mean, they might reveal you to the world!" Twice said.
"No...they won't." Gabriel said.
"How can you be sure?" Bloody Eyes asked. "A Secret this big is too monumental to be hidden. Gabriel Agreste, fashion mogul, is the evil and dark Hawk Moth."
"Because if they out me, not only would it incriminate me but also my family as well." Gabriel said.
"Ah, I see. So they wouldn't mention it in front of Adrien, not liking how he might react." DaDan said.
"I need to make this clear in front of all of you." Gabriel said. "The last thing I want, more than anything ...is her back. Techno was it...you want me to join your little group right? I will do so but under one condition, you must promise to help me fulfill my long-time wish."
"A wish huh? Sure, I can work with that." Techno said.
"Perfect." Gabriel smiled as he led the group to his lair and pulling out the Butterfly Miraculous once again, summoning Nooroo. "Happy to see me again?"
"At your service, master." Nooroo said. "Um… who are they?"
"Our new partners." Gabriel said putting the miraculous on. "Nooroo, Dark Wings! Rise!" he said as Nooroo flew in as he became Hawk Moth once more.
"Just like old times, eh Hawk Moth?" Pete asked. "Remember, you and I did work well that one week huh?"
"Hmm. Indeed. But now...we have this new group of...let's say friends...to plan with." Hawk Moth said.
"Hehehe. See? The League of Villains, Maleficent's Faction and now Hawk Moth have joined our cause. Does this not please you, master?" DaDan asked Techno.
"Things are going rather smoothly. It won't be long before we announce ourselves to the worlds." Techno smiled as he walked into the light. "And when we do...a new era will begin for villains across the Multiverse."
"That's right. The Rebirth of the Universal Villains!" DaDan said. "I can't help but laugh when I think of how close our dream is!"
"Patience, kid. We can't just rush into this. Those hero guys find out about this, they'll crush us. Like we care." Twice said.
"Ugh, did Tomura really have to have us bring him along? He's killing our vibes here." Pete said.
"Hey, watch it, tubby. He wants to make sure you guys are legit. Not some wannabee's like the first Universal Villains." Twice said.
"I wouldn't worry about his personality. I've heard he has the ability to create clones of anyone he…" DaDan said before he was punched.
"Hey! No spoilers, okay!" Twice said.
"Okay, we don't need to know right now! But for goodness sake, don't hit my friend!" Techno said, helping DaDan up.
"Right. Sorry. Got carried away there." Twice said.
"The important thing is, we are now one." Hawk Moth said. "And with Ladybug and Cat Noir not knowing my identity, I can now resume my quest to capture their Miraculous. All I need now… is my next prey."