Hi. I wanted to let readers know I changed the landmark where Kuro Neko takes place. I wanted to play on the idea of cat scratch towers, and I thought the Eiffel Tower was a better scratching post.
After the meeting with his lawyer last week, Su-Han wasn't expecting another visit for another few weeks. However, he did receive a visitor and he was taken to the lounge to meet his visitor.
He raised an eyebrow when he saw Nicole Gardien aka Peace Keeper, waiting for him at a table. She put down some papers she had with her and thanked the guards for doing their job.
As soon as they were relatively alone, Su-Han started speaking in the Guardian dialect. "What are you doing here? I thought you said that some of the governments were still negotiating matters before the transfer?"
"They are Celestial Guardian. From my estimations, everything will be finalized in three months. I'm here for another reason that is related to your position in the Order."
Su-Han's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. What did his status have to do with his legal case? "Can you enlighten me by what you are referring to?"
Nicole/Ning slid the papers she had been reading toward Su-Han. He picked them up and started to read. It was a transcript from a private meeting between her Chinese supervisor, the representatives involved in the case, and a government official in China.
The meeting was discussing his case. Specifically, the part of his incarceration where they would be attempting to take his magic for military purposes. It wasn't a surprise yet the Celestial Guardian couldn't believe how far the country had fallen.
"My supervisor endangered his entire career by giving me this transcript. His orders to me were to figure out how to prevent his government from weaponizing you."
"I see your persistence in explaining the dangers associate with governments and magic bore fruit."
Nicole/Ning admitted they had been on her side for a while now. Her supervisors were having to come up with ways to persuade their governments to stop attempts to weaponize magic.
"It took me a while to come up with, I admit, a simple solution to the problem. It took very little to convince my superiors it was the best option. The hard part deals with you."
He knew what she was going to ask. He had realized the solution to the problem weeks ago. That's what he had been meditating on and he had ultimately come to a decision.
"You wish me to pass on my title and power to your father. That way my magic can't be used by China or any other government. You also were going to bring up the suggestion of using a diluted form of memory powder on me."
He enjoyed seeing the shock in the young woman's eyes. "Enough to erase the knowledge I possess on the Miraculouses and magic, but not enough to forget who I am or my past. Is that correct?"
Nicole/Ning nodded in disbelief. The woman admitted that she was shocked that the Celestial Guardian had outmaneuvered her, despite being two centuries behind in common knowledge.
Su-Han replied he was more knowledgeable when it came to magic than the day-to-day things. "The difficulty in this solution is privacy and travel. I cannot leave the jail for any reason except for legal purposes"
"It is also impossible to bring Fu here to do the ceremony. I've learned that there is an international airport nearby that would take me directly to China. There will be no layovers."
Nicole/Ning's eyes dimmed at this statement. She had to be cautious with what she said next considering she was being recorded. She didn't know for certain, but she suspected the prison had hired a dialect expert to translate their conversations.
"My supervisors believe that they can convince the representatives to let you return to France for a short time. The French government is willing to forgo a prison sentence if you pay your fine early. As well as clear up the misunderstanding during my Father's akumanzation."
Su-Han raised his eyebrows once more. "What happens if they don't agree to this?"
"My supervisors will be offering them option two. I do believe that it will not come to that."
Su-Han hoped so considering magic got him into trouble in the first place. He knew how important Nicole/Ning's duty was to her. He didn't want her to lose what was most significant to her life.
Nicole/Ning looked at the clock on the wall. "My time with you is nearly up. I'll be staying in the city for a week. Once my supervisors give me an update, I'll return."
Taking the transcript back, she put it into her suitcase. "Please stay on your best behavior until return." She nodded at the guards and headed for the exit.
Su-Han was escorted back to his cell. "I hope Fu's daughter knows what she's doing. The danger on the horizon is worse than she can imagine."
In Paris, Marianne was working on a puzzle with her boyfriend. He had been stressing a great deal about the danger on the horizon. He already had to use the Kwami Embodiment Spell once, and he was fearful he would have to do it yet again.
Letting his mind focus on the puzzle pieces was a good distraction. "I do believe I found a piece that goes in the middle." He gently pushed a black puzzle piece into a large section of black pieces.
"Indeed, you did my love. By the look of it, our ying-yang symbol is coming along nicely. By the end of the week, the puzzle should be finished," Marianne remarked.
"Marianne, are you sure you want to stay here that long? You have your life in London to think about," Fu insisted. He didn't want her to be in danger any longer than required.
"You still need me here. I know you're worried but I can take care of myself. Plus, I miss Paris," she stated as she put a white piece in the correct spot.
London was a wonderful place to live, but her heart kept yearning to return to the city. The long-distance relationship wasn't working for her.
Was she concerned about Shadowmoth targeting her for information? Yes, she was. However, it was more of risk should her love be akumatized again.
Ning wasn't here enough to trick Shadowmoth. She also doubted that Nooroo and Duusu could prevent the terrorist from going through Fu's mind a second time.
The Kwamiis had been watching the couple put the puzzle together only to get bored after a little while. Honorra and Wayzz had suggested a play session in his wielder's bedroom.
The SVMC were all for it. They were playing the kwami version of bowling. The pins were eraser heads that were sturdy enough to stand in place.
The alley was the underside of a lid to a shoe box. A colored pen was used to draw the lane. They had used scissors to make groves on the sides of the lane before gluing paper clips in place to act as gutters.
The bowling ball was a marble. Arrow had volunteered to be the ball return/pin setter and Goball the scorekeeper since their bodies weren't the best for playing this game.
The remaining Kwamiis had divided into two teams. Wayzz, Cheeks, and Squeek were one team. The other consisted of Honorra, Balloon, and Sanna.
Manny wasn't present because he was the last one to experience the modern world. He was being taken care of by Marinette right now. His "siblings" hoped he would have a nice time by himself.
Wayzz was up first. He held that little marble tightly before sending it spinning down the lane. It was on target and knocked over five pins. His teammates cheered.
Arrow returned the marble to him and the turtle-kwami rolled it again. This time he knocked over four pins.
Wayzz let a rare smirk appear on his face. "So, which of you is bowling first?"
Honorra and Sanna stepped aside to allow Balloon to roll first. The koala-like kwami's tail bump wiggled in delight.
With unbelievable strength, Balloon hurled the ball down the lane and got a strike. She also picked up the spare.
The next pair was Sanna and Squeek. They both tied with getting eight pins. Honorra managed to knock over three pins. However, Cheeks was able to get seven.
The next eight frames were very competitive. Wayzz was determined to outdo Balloon. Sanna and Squeek were trying to break the tie between them. Honorra was taking Cheeks' advice to help her bowl better.
Goball and Arrow cheered for both teams. It was fun to watch the "cousins/siblings" trying to prove who was superior. The Kwamiis were too engrossed in the last frame to notice the Great Guardian and Marianne watching from the doorway.
Wayzz held the marble tightly. He had already gotten two strikes and was resolute to make the third one. He shifted his weight and let the marble roll.
The marble hit the pins with full force. Nine pins fell while the tenth stubbornly stayed up. "Darn it!"
"My turn. Here's hoping I get a perfect game!" Balloon cheered. She adjusted the marble and rolled it down the lane. Once, twice, three strikes! She had gotten a perfect game.
Sanna and Squeek were not going to end the game tied up with each other. Squeek used his tail to lift him an inch before rolling the marble. After two throws, he knocked over eight pins.
Sanna used her tail to help her balance better. This time she managed to take down nine pins. She cheered that tie had ended in her favor.
Cheeks managed for his final role seven pins. He helped Honorra get a grip on the marble. She got eight pins, her highest number yet!
Goball tallied up the scores and announced the girls the winners. Everyone shook their paws/hands. The Kwamiis were all startled when they heard clapping.
"Master! How long have you been watching us?" Wayzz asked with a blush creeping up his face.
"Since the final frame. I'm pleased that all of you can have fun and be good sports about it."
Marianne also praised them for not having a spat after the game. She had seen a few of those in her lifetime.
"Would you like to help us finish the puzzle in the kitchen?"
"YEAH!" the Kwamiis shouted. They phased through the walls back to the kitchen. The old lovebirds chuckle to one another.
Two days later, Nicole Gardien was reviewing reports from her peacekeeping teams in Antarctica and Australia. Currently, she was going over Team Five's (Antarctica) monthly report and suggestions.
According to the report, the team had helped keep the peace between the countries with claims in Antarctica. They had only had to intervene a few times when scientists from two different countries started a fight.
Team Five's report aligned with the information she had been given during her visit to Argentina concerning the Antarctica Treaty. With several new discoveries being made, there was a real emphasis on preserving the continent.
Interestingly, the team suggested that she speak to her supervisor about presenting an idea to the General Assembly. The team suggested scientists from all over the world could come together to fix the melting ice caps. They were hoping to create a device that would generate new ice all over the continent.
"Well, that's one way to fight climate change," she commented to herself. She was picking up the report from Team Nine when she got a phone call. The report would have to wait.
"Nicole Gardien, who am I speaking with?" she asked.
"Peace Keeper, we have good news for you. We have obtained all the countries involved permission, for a short trip back to Paris to pay the fine. Also, the prisoner can clear up matters with the city's police department," the French Representative informed her.
"How long do I have?"
"Five days. You'll have to wait until Saturday afternoon. It's the earliest flight we could get to travel without causing a panic. Will you be ready on time?"
"There are a few things I need to take care of first. I assure you though, I will be ready. I will not let the man leave my sight."
Ending the call, she sent a text to her Father. He needed to prepare for her and the Celestial Guardian's arrival.
Back in Paris, Gabriel was busy making something. When Nathalie saw what he was making it caused her eyebrows to raise. "Sir, are you making toys?"
The man put down a doll that looked like a fox. "Not exactly Nathalie. I read something a few nights ago. It gave me an idea of how to replicate what Nooroo did for Peace Keeper."
Nathalie still didn't comprehend. "Are you going to use the dolls in a spell to take the Kwamiis powers?"
Gabriel shook his head. "The Kwami Charms Peace Keeper owns contain a tenth of a kwami's power. Nooroo's blessing gave her half of his power. Since I can't forge new charms, my only approach is to force a situation where the Kwamiis willing bless me with their powers."
His assistance eyes widen upon hearing this. With more power, they would have a better chance of saving Emilie.
"These dolls will be used in place of the Kwami Charms. I will have access to all their powers. I can then use them to not only claim Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculouses. I can use them to take the Celestial Guardian's power for myself!"
Nathalie did think it was an excellent idea. She did ponder why Gabriel was making the toy dolls. "Sir, you're an excellent designer when it comes to clothing. When it comes to making cloth dolls your skills are a little lackluster."
The fashion designer looked at the doll. The ears were droopy and the snout looked more like a trunk. The seams at the paws were already pulling apart.
"You may have a point. Maybe I should have someone else do this."
Nathalie said that Adrien's girlfriend knew how to make cloth dolls. Gabriel insisted on someone else. It would look suspicious if he asked her to do this.
"Ms. Dupain-Cheng is highly intelligent. She will instantly connect the dolls to heroes' animal themes. We can't allow her to know about this," the fashion designer said implored.
"I'll see who I can find to make the dolls." Nathalie was already researching her tablet. "When I find one, I will make sure to order them under my name."
Gabriel clapped his hands in satisfaction. "Excellent. I have a few matters to attend to. Oh, and make sure to remind Adrien that I need to speak to him tomorrow."
Later that night, Ladybug and Chat Noir were patrolling the streets. Chat Noir was looking a bit glum. Ladybug stopped them at their favorite rooftop.
Hey, what's going on with you? You seem unhappy about something," Ladybug pointed out gently.
Chat Noir tapped his claws and looked away. "It's nothing. Just a stupid thought."
Ladybug placed her hand on his shoulder. She squeezed it, softly assuring him that whatever was on his mind she was here to listen.
"Okay, you know how your costume changes these days when you summon a Lucky Charm or you make those magic charms?" The heroine nodded.
"I want to change my costume like that! I still like my current look, but seeing your costume change, it's like a power-up without the recipes, in our normal forms."
Ladybug was surprised to hear what Chat Noir's issue was. "Have you talked with Plagg about how to change the costume?"
Her boyfriend nodded before repeating what he had been told. "Plagg told me to change the costume, I need to tap into other parts of my personality. I've tried focusing on the traits I display when I'm plain Adrien."
"Let me guess? Nothing changed?"
He nodded and went on to say he also tried to think about a new costume while using Cataclysm only for nothing to happen. He looked at different cat theme clothing and tried to transform his suit into them.
"I know I shouldn't be obsessing with a costume change. I guess since I wear what my father designs all the time, I want to create a design of my own making."
He added that his current costume had more to do with his fanatical love for anime than actual design.
Ladybug opened her mouth to say something but was caught off guard by a loud explosion. The two heroes looked in the direction of the Eiffel Tower. They could see something outlined against it. They couldn't distinguish what it was because it was black as night.
"That costume change is going to have to wait. We need to go now!" Ladybug snapped.
The two heroes hurried off to see what was going on. When they arrived, they saw something that took them by surprise.
An enormous black maneki-neko was scratching its claws against the tower. On top of the cat's head stood a small girl who had been transformed into a neko-musume with the same markings as the protector.
Her human and cat features blended perfectly. Her hands and feet had changed to paws with long claws. She had a cat mouth, nose, and ears. Her outfit was a short black dress with gold coins on it. Her tail was bobbed and white.
The little girl's voice carried over the wind. "Where are those heroes? I need them here right now!" She stomped her foot angrily and the protector climbed to the top of the tower.
"My Lady, I'm not going to be using any puns tonight," Chat Noir promised.
"That's a relief. Come on, we need to figure out what this Akuma wants." The duo started bouncing up through the tower until they came to the viewing platform on top.
The entire tower shook as the protector jumped to the platform. The tower started to tip heavily to the left. The two heroes' backs hit the railing and they nearly fell over.
The Akuma jumped off her protector. "Lucky Cat, go search for our friend. I'll take care of Ladybug and Chat Noir."
The giant maneki-neko meowed loudly before pushing off the tower. Once on the ground, it started running through the streets looking for something.
The neko-musume girl beckoned the heroes. "My name is Kuro Neko! You better give me those Miraculouses. Because if you don't, I'll have Lucky Cat destroy the whole city to find my friend!"
"Who is your friend? Maybe I can help you find them," Chat Noir replied in a calm tone. He kept his hands low trying to show he wasn't a threat.
It didn't calm Kuro Neko, instead, it set her off. She leaped the length of the platform. She drew back her claws and thrust her hands at Chat Noir's face.
The hero used his baton to block the claws. The cat girl kicked at him only for a yo-yo to snag the other. Ladybug pulled the string however Kuro Neko did a flip and the string relaxed letting her slip free.
The young Akuma slammed her hand on the floor. She raked her claws back causing them to dig into the metal. The claw marks started glowing gold before the marks started spreading across the metal.
The claw marks touched the tip of Ladybug's toes. Suddenly, Ladybug started to scream in agony as more claw marks appeared. They shredded parts of her costume, leaving painful scratches all over her face.
"Like it? I like to think of this power evens up the odds," Kuro Neko laughed. A cat grin appeared on her face as she did a few flips until she landed next to the heroine.
She reached for the earrings only for her tail to be yanked. She spun around halfway before a powerful punch sent her plummeting to the ground. Twisting her body in midair she landed on her feet unharmed.
Growling, she took off in the direction her protector went. The duo pursued her, unwilling to let her get to her protector. "We need to be careful Chat! Her scratch marks are incredibly painful."
"Understood. Do you have any idea what the Akuma's item is?"
"Not yet. I didn't get close enough to look at her outfit. You should keep an eye out for it."
Kuro Neko and Lucky Cat were at the stadium. "Have you found him yet?" the Akuma asked the big cat. Lucky Cat shook his head.
"Then keep looking for him! I won't be happy until he's safe again!"
"Until who is safe?" Ladybug asked as she entered the stadium. Chat Noir wasn't in sight. "Please, we help you."
Kuro Neko hissed at Ladybug. "You had your chance to help and you didn't! Now, I have the powers I need to find my friend! Lucky Cat, slash her to pieces!"
The maneki-neko raised its paw before smacking it down. Before its paw could slash down Chat Noir reappeared. He smacked the paw away with his baton. He expanded the weapon right into Lucky Cat's eye.
The protector backed up a little. Chat Noir pressed his attack, swinging the baton repeatedly. Lucky Cat tried to fight back but none of his attacks could connect.
Chat was ready for another attack when the protector disappeared. Duusu's powers must have reached their limits. Now, all they had to deal with was Kuro Neko.
He felt something touch the back of his neck. He whipped around and saw Manny hovering next to him. "Where have you been, Manny?" he demanded. He knew Ladybug had brought the kwami with her, yet he hadn't seen or heard him the whole night.
"I apologize for my absence until now. I am a heavy sleeper and was not aware of the attack until just now," Manny explained politely. He waved his hand/paw in the direction of Ladybug and Kuro Neko's fight.
His lady's costume had been shredded in several areas, exposing her skin. Deep, bloody scratches were dotting her arms and legs. The heroine was twirling her yo-yo like a shield as the Akuma struggled to get past it.
The neko-musume snarled. Her little bobbed tail fluffed up in anger. She glanced to the side to see Chat Noir standing while talking to a tiny creature.
"Kuro Neko! Scratch them both!"
Kuro Neko clicked her claws together three times. Each click caused the claws to grow a little. Smirking, Kuro Neko did a horizontal spin, slashing the ground over and over.
The golden scratch marks made their way toward the two heroes. Manny flew over to Ladybug and called out, "Appeasement!" The power copied the attack coming at the wielder. When the two attacks met, they canceled each other out.
"Chat Noir, watch out!" Ladybug hollered as the claw marks neared her partner.
A peculiar feeling came over the cat hero. It felt like the Miraculous was tapping into some part of his brain he hadn't used before. His claws on his dominant hand turned neon green.
He didn't notice how his costume had changed (Cat Walker's version). His hand did a diagonal slice. The neon green claw marks shot through the air and landed on Kuro Neko's right hand.
The Akuma yelped as green marks sent a tingle throughout her body. She ran across the grass and then pounced on top of the cat hero. "I think you deserve to have cat scratch fever!"
The girl intended to use her power to scar his face. The neon claw marks glowed and Kuro Neko's attack did nothing to the hero. She tried again only to realize her powers were gone.
Chat Noir used both feet to push the girl off him. Springing to his feet, he gave the Akuma a sly grin. "Like my new power? I'm going to call it Jinx. After all, I cast bad luck on you. In this case, you lost your powers."
Kuro Neko screamed at the top of her lungs, "THAT'S NOT FAIR! I needed those powers to locate my missing cat!"
Ladybug and Chat looked at each in bewilderment. The cat girl had been akumatized because her cat went missing? Shadowmoth must love irony.
That's when Ladybug realized something. The coins on the Akuma's dress were Japanese yen. But one was a euro. That had to be the akumatized item!
"Lucky Charm!" A toy mouse dropped into her hands. Her vision highlighted the toy mouse, the Akuma, and Chat Noir.
It couldn't be that easy, right? "Chat! Catch!" She pitched the toy over to her partner.
Kuro Neko was too short to grab it. When she saw the toy mouse in Chat Noir's hands, she got furious. "That's the toy I wanted for my cat!"
She ran towards Chat Noir who jumped over to the exit of the stadium. "If you want this mouse, you'll have to steal it back." He darted out of the exit and into the streets.
The enraged Kuro Neko followed behind him, ignoring Shadowmoth's commands. Ladybug followed behind, searching for a cat that matched the Akuma's color scheme. Her gut told her the cat was nearby.
Three blocks away, she spotted a frightened cat huddled next to a sign. The cat was black and wore a red collar with a gold coin-shaped tag. Its ears perked as the Akuma's voice shouted at Chat Noir to drop the toy.
Ladybug swooped down and gently picked up the scared feline. Chat came into view and tossed the toy at her.
The little cat snagged it before playing with it happily. Kuro Neko skidded to a stop when she saw her beloved pet in Ladybug's arms. "Rhyme! I missed you!"
The cat girl demanded that Ladybug give her back her furry friend. The heroine agreed if the Akuma handed her the euro. Kuro Neko ripped the coin off the dress and rolled it to Ladybug.
The spotted heroine released the cat, minus the toy, and watched Rhyme jump into his owner's arms. She hugged him firmly, as she continued crying into his fur.
The little girl didn't realize she was back to normal until Ladybug cleared her throat. "Hi, what's your name?"
"My name is Rhythm. Thanks for finding Rhyme. I don't know what I would do if he got hurt."
The black cat meowed happily as he rubbed his head against Rhythm's.
Chat Noir walked into sight again. His costume was now normal.
"My Lady, you should head out. You only have a minute left. I'll get this cutie and her fur baby home," he promised. His partner nodded and gave him a quick peck before swinging away.
Once he was home, the hero quickly undid his transformation. "Can you believe it, Plagg? I expanded your powers! I can't believe I did that!"
"Congratulations Adrien! I had a hunch you would be the one to expand my powers. Did you get the idea from my ability to curse bad Guardians?"
Adrien admitted that was part of the reason. The rest came from reading folklore about cats. "It was like in an instant, I realized I could put those powers together."
Plagg smiled and offered Adrien a piece of cheese. Adrien laughed before declining. Instead, he brought out a tin of passion fruit macaroons to eat.
Su-Han was very still as he marched through the corridors. Earlier, he had been allowed to put on his own clothes. Now, he was anxious as he arrived at the release point. Nicole/Ning was waiting for him with an intense look in her eyes. The warden was also with her.
"I trust the prisoner is in good health?" she asked.
The guards nodded and looked at the warden. He signaled to the guards.
One unlocked the cuffs around Su-Han's legs. The other then strapped a tracking anklet to his leg.
"Are you sure you can handle the man by yourself? I would feel better if some of my guards were to accompany you on the plane ride," the warden stated to the U.N. liaison.
"Your men escorting us to the airport and getting us clearance to board early is enough. The French authorities will be waiting for us when we arrive. I assure you; they and the heroes will keep us safe."
Nicole/Ning looked the warden straight in the eye. "I promise I will have the prisoner back within the time frame. The only thing that might delay us would be traffic or canceled flights."
"I believe you, Ms. Gardien. Just keep a close eye on the prisoner, understood?" the warden asked as his eye bore into Su-Han's.
Su-Han nodded at the warden. He wouldn't risk this one chance to keep magic out of governmental hands.
There was a loud beep, followed by the gate opening. Following Nicole/Ning, the two magic users mentally prepared themselves for the journey. The balance was about to change once more.