Sorry for the short chapter. I could have probably just added this on to the end of the last one, but it was getting rather long. On the upside, it's a new chapter! And we get to learn a little bit more about Emma and the time she came from. Hope you like it!
Plagg's energy surrounded her, transforming her into the familiar black cat superhero. However, Emma noticed that this time it felt different. Uneasy. Unfamiliar.
Of course, she realized, this is the first time we've done this. She could feel Plagg exploring her soul, getting to know it. Once he seemed to be settled, she reached up and gentle touched the bell under her neck.
"You alright in there?" she asked, using her abilities to talk to him.
"Uh...yeah, yeah. I'm fine!" he said quickly. She could tell he was shocked and maybe a little excited. But he was also trying not to reveal anything about her soul. It was unfair, but she also knew that if Plagg even hinted at what she shouldn't know until her awakening, her very life would be at risk.
"Alright, let's get out of here." she said more to herself than him, reaching for her staff. Carefully, she balanced one end on the floor and then extended it upwards so that she was lifted up towards the window. Once she was next to it, she saw it wasn't locked and then gently pushed it open, letting in a cold blast of air. She shivered slightly, but didn't let the cold stop her from slipping outside. Wanting to get away as quickly as possible, she used the staff to take off into the night without taking the time to look around. She focused on navigating rooftop to rooftop until she felt she was a safe distance away from wherever she had been.
Once she came to a stop, she looked up and saw what, to her, was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. Only a few blocks in front of her stood the Eiffel Tower of Paris, France. Seeing the illuminated structure made her gasp and almost drop her staff.
"Paris?" she whispered to herself, "I'm in PARIS?" A wide grin formed on her face as she stared at the famous landmark. Her heart swelled with memories. Her father, lifting her up onto his shoulders to see the fireworks on Bastille Day. Sitting on her mother's lap eating Andre's famous ice cream. Visiting the lock her parent's had placed on Pont des Arts bridge at the end of their wedding day.
Emma could feel Plagg's confusion, but she knew she couldn't explain. She couldn't tell him that Paris was now a city of crime and that she had been forced to flee. She could explain how badly she wanted to come back.
I will come back, she told herself, making sure to not share her thoughts with Plagg. I will come back and save Paris! I promise, Papa.
Plagg shifted inside her, and Emma knew she had paused too long. Holding the staff close to her face, she adjusted it so she could call Ladybug. It was the only feature of the staff she had never used seeing as there wasn't a Ladybug to answer. Emma waited anxiously as the staff buzzed. Before she could even process who was about to answer, she saw a pair of bluebell eyes staring back at her from behind a red mask. The familiar pigtails matching the coloring if her own long, dark hair.
"Emma?" Ladybug asked. The sound of voice brought a rush of pain over Emma, but she maintained her calm exterior.
"Emma! Are you alright? Where are you?" Another voice called out, one Emma recognized as her father's. He grabbed what she knew was Ladybug's yo-yo and turned it slightly allowing her see both Adrien and Ladybug. Her Papa's green eyes were filled with worry and concern. His face was right next to Ladybug's and the sight of them both started to break Emma's defenses down. She closed her eyes and tilted the staff away from her so they wouldn't see her body shaking. The pain was too much and tears slowly started to roll down her face.
I can't do this, she realized, I can't do this!
"Emma?" her mother's voice drifted out to from the staff. "Emma, are you alright?"
"Yeah," she managed to croak, "I'm just…"
"Emma, it's alright. Don't be afraid." she said gently, sending a small wave of comfort over Emma. "Just tell me where you are. I'll come get you. We are here to help you."
"I...I…." Emma looked around and realized that despite her memories of Paris, she had no idea how to navigate the city. "I'm in Paris?"
"Where in Paris?" Her Papa asked. "Can you tell us where?"
"Not...not really. I can see the Eiffel Tower." She answered, finally regaining a little control over her emotions.
"Alright, go and wait on the second level for me. I'll be there soon." Ladybug answered.
"Ok," Emma answered before hanging up on the call. Standing, she wiped the tears from her cheeks. Extending her staff, she took off.
I will come back, she promised herself, I will come back and save you Maman.