Chapter 3! Fun fact: here's what I wrote when initially posting this chapter: (GUUHHH I had TERRIBLE writer's block doing this one. Seriously, I was plagued by procrastination, internet cutting out every few hours, exam studying, family health emergencies (everything's fine now). I'm not bellyaching or anything, I enjoy doing this for y'all, I just wasn't in full-on writer mode for this) Enjoy!
Chapter Three
Ragnarok
Ladybug swung to the roof of the school, a grim expression on her face. These new draconite-akuma hybrids seemed to be a lot more aggressive than whatever Hawk Moth had made before, swooping and attacking civilians before transforming them. Already, they had re-akumatized most of the previous victims, even ones that hadn't been in the first Heroes' Day attack. Ladybug watched as the collective villains all froze in place for a moment, a golden, spiky butterfly light mask forming over their faces before the villains began to move towards the Eiffel Tower.
"Cat Noir," Ladybug said as she opened her phone panel. "I'm headed your way." Cat Noir smirked. "Please tell me I'm not the only one with déjà vu. I'm counting at least… thirty or so villains. Probably more on the way. Looks like Hawk Moth fine-tuned his plan from last year."
"That's what we're going to do," Ladybug replied as she appeared behind him. She gave him the Bee and Mouse Miraculouses. "You know Chloé's cousin, right?" she asked. Cat Noir nodded. "You chose her to be Vesperia?"
Ladybug shrugged. "It was more like she volunteered rather than I asked her. Oh, and before I forget…" She gave him the Snake Miraculous. "Make sure to teach her how to combine powers. I'm willing to bet Shadow Moth and Dragonus combined their powers to make these villains. We're going to do the same."
"Got it," Cat Noir replied. "Meet where we did last time?" Ladybug nodded. "They won't think we'll do it twice." Cat Noir placed the Miraculouses in his pocket and vaulted towards the Grand Paris, while Ladybug swung back towards Françoise Dupont. "Look out, Shadow Moth," she muttered under her breath. "Because Paris has just about had it with you."
"When all of this is over, I swear I am going to find Dragonus and rearrange his face," Alya muttered darkly. She and Nino had managed to duck into the locker rooms, avoiding the main crowd of corruption.
Nino chuckled slightly. "And I swear I'm going to help you do that," he promised. Alya's grimace was replaced with a smile as she leaned closer to Nino. "You always say such sweet things," she replied. Nino smiled back. "It's so easy to say them to you."
Their lips were just about to touch when Ladybug burst in. "Anyone else have this feeling of déjà vu?" she asked nonchalantly. The couple blinked twice in surprise.
"Ladybug? You're okay?" Alya asked. "I mean, I didn't believe you got destroyed, but…"
Ladybug gave her a single, tired laugh. "Can't always believe everything you see on TV, can you?" Nino sighed. "You probably won't want us," he said. "After all, last time, we got akumatized." A pang of pity struck Ladybug, and she moved to put a hand on Nino's shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. And besides, I've already taken steps to make sure it doesn't happen."
Ladybug quickly opened her yoyo and pulled the Fox, Monkey, Turtle, Horse, and Dragon Miraculouses from the Box. "Rena Rouge, Carapace, I'm going to give you extra powers to help fight these villains. We're facing a more powerful threat than ever before, so we need to be just as powerful. Alya, the Miraculouses of the Fox and Monkey are yours. Nino, you get the Turtle and the Horse."
The couple took the Miraculouses assigned to them, and after quickly transforming into Rena Rouge and Carapace, put on the second Miraculous they were given. Xuppu and Kaalki quickly introduced themselves, recognizing the urgency of the situation.
"How do we combine them?" Rena Rouge asked. Ladybug smirked as she put on the Dragon Miraculous. "Follow my lead. Tikki, Longg, Unify!" With a flash of red light, Dragon Bug stood in Ladybug's place.
"Awesome!" Rena said enthusiastically. "Trixx, Xuppu, unify!" A moment later, Rena Rouge's costume changed, adding light brown streaks along the side, rounded faux ears, and the staff weapon slung perpendicular to her flute. "Nice! Call me Rena Singe."
"Wayzz, Kaalki, Unify!" Carapace commanded. His goggles disappeared in favor of the Horse glasses, a false horse mane sprouted from his hood, the boomerang latched to his belt, and part of the lower back and sides of his costume turned brown, like a saddle. The wings on the ankles of his boots formed in brown and green. "Awesome! So… what's my name now? Horse Turtle? Shelled Gallop?"
"I think Turtlequine sounds nice," Rena Singe suggested.
"You're right, it does," Turtlequine replied, pecking Rena Singe on the cheek. Dragon Bug let a smile bloom across her face.
"Hopefully, we can end this nightmare before things get too crazy," Dragon Bug said. "Follow me! We're meeting up with Cat Noir and Vesperia." The secondary heroes nodded, then leapt out the window.
"And why are we shining a spotlight with a bee symbol on it?" Amber asked her cousin, arms crossed. Chloé scoffed. "It's for good luck and support! I'm showing my support for my replacement, since she'll probably need it!" she replied.
Amber laughed a little. "Alright, do what you want to get that lot over here," she said under her breath.
The spotlight went out, right as a black gloved hand tossed the plug towards the girls' feet. Chloé blinked in surprise. "Cat Noir? Why are you here?"
The feline hero shrugged. "I need to talk to your cousin. Can we have a little privacy?" Chloé blinked again in confusion. "Wait, you mean…" she turned to her cousin. "You're the new Bee holder?"
Amber shrugged. "Yeah, I am. I'm sorry if it hurts, but-" she yelped as she was cut off by her cousin hugging her. "I can't think of a better choice. Other than me, of course."
Amber sighed. "Thanks, cuz." When the two broke apart, Amber walked over to Cat Noir. "I'm going to hazard a guess that you need Vesperia for this mission?" she asked. Cat Noir nodded. "Well, maybe a little more." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the two Miraculouses.
"You're going to combine these two to get some more power," Cat Noir explained. Amber nodded as she quickly transformed into Vesperia and put on the pendant. Mullo materialized in front of Vesperia.
"Hi, I'm Mullo!" the kwami said cheerfully. Cat Noir slipped the Snake Miraculous on his wrist. "Follow my lead. Plagg, Sass, Unify!" In a flash of teal light, Cat Noir's gained the cyan highlights and full cowl of Snake Noir.
"Alright, then," Vesperia said. "As long as I don't have that cowl. Pollen, Mullo, Unify!" With a flash of silvery light, pink stripes spread across the black and yellow on her arms and legs, her antenna ribbons turning pink, the back and sides of her torso turned gray, the jump rope wrapped around her waist.
"Introducing the great Mousperia," the fused heroine said. "Though I don't particularly like the name."
Snake Noir shrugged. "It's okay for now. C'mon, let's go. This fight has gone on too long. Shadow Moth is going down." Mousperia nodded. "Before we go," she said as she turned to Chloé. "Promise me you'll keep my identity a secret."
Chloé nodded, a wide smile on her face. "I will!" Mousperia smiled, and then the two superheroes leapt towards the Eiffel Tower.
The five heroes met up on the roof of the Palais. "This is definitely going to be one for the history books," Mousperia muttered. Rena Singe shrugged. "It's happened before. We almost managed to capture Hawk Moth last time, and now we're even more powerful. This should be his last day." Turtlequine nodded. "He's going out with a bang this time!"
"Don't be too sure, Turtlequine," Dragon Bug replied. "He's here." The other four heroes turned to see Dragon Moth land at the Eiffel Tower, the midday light glinting off of his golden cowl and suit. Prime Queen's drone cameras flew up to him and began recording. A red dragon mask appeared over his face.
"Remember, the heroes are supposed to be gone, eradicated, annihilated," Scarlet Dragonus said through the link. "Maximum despair and fear is needed, or we'll never pull this off." Dragon Moth nodded and cut off the link.
"People of Paris!" he declared. "Your heroes are gone! I am taking my rightful place, and once I find Dragonus and take the Miraculouses from him, I will finally get what I want!"
"Don't bet all your money on that, Hawk Moth," Mousperia said. "I'm gonna make sure your plan goes all to pot." Snake Noir drew his staff and twirled it. "This time, Hawk Moth won't get away."
"I got your back," Rena Singe said. "And I got yours," Turtlequine replied. Snake Noir slid over to Dragon Bug. "Penny for your thoughts, m'lady?" he asked. Dragon Bug smirked. "We have more powers, we have more chances. Let's try and make this fight as short as possible." The other heroes nodded, but a chant coming from the Tower caught their attention.
"Hail Dragon Moth!" The assembled throngs of golden villains chanted. Dragon Bug inexplicably felt a pang of indignance. "He stole my-" she was cut off by Snake Noir's hand on her shoulder. "If he's calling himself Dragon Moth…" he began. A spark of realization struck through Dragon Bug's mind. "Dragonus is helping him! That's how the battle was done. Dragonus and Mayura must have created sentimonsters!"
"Paris, it doesn't have to be like this," Dragon Moth said. "Beneath all of the fear and despair, I can sense anger. It's faint, yes. Perhaps not strong enough to akumatize you. But you all are harboring a little rage at Dragonus for taking your beloved heroes from you." A small smirk crossed his face. "Perhaps we can work together to find him."
Dragon Bug could feel her molars grind. How dare Hawk Moth attempt to manipulate them? Snake Noir read her expression and nodded. "Ready when you are, m'lady," he said. The other three heroes nodded with him. Dragon Bug stood.
"Dragon Moth!" she called out. "You may have fooled everyone with the sentimonsters Dragonus and Mayura created, but we won't allow you to manipulate these innocent people anymore!" Snake Noir stood up next to her. "When today is over, we'll have taken back your Miraculous!"
Turtlequine and Rena Singe rose as well. "This time, we'll defeat you before any of your other villains get here!" Turtlequine declared. "And we won't fall prey to your akumas!" Rena Singe added. Mousperia was the last to rise. "You're going to wish you never left your butterfly garden!" The five heroes drew their weapons, ready to fight.
Dragon Moth laughed. "So eager to fight, I see. But you didn't stop to consider what else was coming. Or rather, who else." He stepped to the side, right as a crimson portal opened. A single winged figure clad in metallic red drew his sword, the energy parts of the blades flickering and sparking a darker red than the rest of his weapon.
"Enter the dragon!" Scarlet Dragonus yelled as he raised his sword into the air.
"All hail Dragonus! All hail Dragonus!" the villains cheered. Scarlet Dragonus smirked behind his helmet. "I can't hear you!" he yelled. The army cheered again. "One more time!"
The heroes faltered for a moment as they realized what they were going up against. The akumas had been hybrids of draconites and akumas, Dragon Bug thought. Even if we de-power Hawk Moth, Dragonus will take control of the army. She was snapped out of her thoughts by a dark laugh.
"I didn't think there would be three dragons here today," Scarlet Dragonus commented. "What's with the wardrobe change, Bugaboo? Decided you liked gold and now you've added it to your color scheme?" Dragon Bug growled lightly. "Don't call me Bugaboo, Dragonus! Only one person gets to do that!" she yelled. Snake Noir winked.
"You won't win this, Dragon Bug," Scarlet Dragonus said derisively. "This reminds me of something I read. 'And as the beast, clad in rubies, strode from the Pit, Creation and Destruction quaked as they faced their two fallen brothers, and the beast exclaimed, 'It is done. Transmission is alpha and I am omega, the beginning and the end, that which is, which was, and what is to come. And you will know our names as we lay our vengeance upon thee!'"
"And it is time that we unleash our vengeance," Dragon Moth said. Scarlet Dragonus nodded. "I couldn't agree more. Guitar Villain!"
"Frightningale!" Dragon Moth exclaimed.
"Music!" The golden army charged, and the heroes leapt into action.
"Keep an eye out for Dark Cupid!" Dragon Bug yelled. "We can't afford to let anyone we de-evilize get transformed again!" The other four heroes nodded. "Which of the big boys do we take out first?" Mousperia asked.
Dragon Bug thought for a moment. "I'm not sure yet. We need some time." Dragon Bug leapt back as Stormy Weather fired off a lightning bolt towards her. As Riposte dove for a strike, Dragon Bug parried with her own sword, forcing the golden samurai villain back. The Mime and Rogercop landed next to Riposte, the Mime drawing twin swords and Rogercop deploying his cannons.
"You can handle them, right?" Dragon Bug asked Snake Noir. He nodded quickly as he twirled his weapon.
"I'll help," Rena Singe said as she twirled her flute and staff. As the Mime lunged, Rena caught both invisible swords on her staff and quickly smacked the villain's hat off. She then threw it to Dragon Bug, who sliced it in half and caught the drakuma.
"They're supposed to be stronger!" Dragon Moth yelled angrily. Scarlet Dragonus tutted. "Brute force does not a victor make. You have the raw material to build your army in the form of your troops, yesss. It takes a strategist to bring it all together as a stable structure." The two villains watched as Pharaoh, Riposte, Rogercop and Princess Fragrance were taken down.
Scarlet Dragonus opened a link. "Take aim, Dark Cupid. Time to bring the queen into play." His link flickered to a second villain. "Sandboy, report."
"Ikari Gozen and the faculty are in place," the young villain replied. "Do I continue?" Scarlet Dragonus shook his head. "No, but bring Party Crasher and Desperada. We need the trauma angle." Sandboy nodded, and began to lead the two towards the battle.
"You've been planning," Dragon Moth remarked. Scarlet Dragonus smirked behind his faceplate. "I've been planning this day for a long time, moving every piece to its proper place. Even now, the most crucial is right where we need her. Out of the way." Dragon Moth came to a sudden realization.
"You're deliberately keeping Lila Rossi out of this," he accused. Scarlet Dragonus shrugged. "Yes. She'd be a liability. They'd expect illusions. What I have planned will take them completely off guard. You will get what you want, I will get what I want."
Dragon Moth sensed that Dragonus had an ulterior motive. The plan seemed too perfect, like there was a catch somewhere. A link from Catalyst opened. "If we need our backup plan, we can use it," she said. Dragon Moth nodded. He didn't dare say anything.
"Paris, just like last year, we will triumph over the villains!" Mayor Bourgeois told the press. "We cannot be overwhelmed! We cannot fall prey to the darkness! We will rise from this! We will-" he was cut off by a ringing from his phone. "Excuse me," he said. "Audrey, dear, what is it?"
"Come on, Andre!" the famous critic said. "If we're going to be 'surveying the defense', we might as well leave now!" The mayor sighed. "Yes, darling, I'll be there soon." He turned back to the various news crews. "I will be helping coordinate from the skies!" He rushed off towards the roof, where Chloé, Audrey and the butler were waiting.
"Where's Amber? I specifically told my brother she would be fine while here!" Audrey snapped. Andre shrugged. Chloé realized she needed to cover for her cousin.
"I, uh, saw her get captured by the villains!" she said suddenly. "Yeah, she was captured. I tried to save her, but… they overpowered me!" Unbeknownst to the group, Dark Cupid smirked and fired three arrows into the adults. Their mouths turned black as the hate plague surged within them. Dark Cupid was about to fire at Chloé, but Scarlet Dragonus stopped him.
"Leave her. Their rage will be targeted towards her now. Besides, it'll be more fun to watch her spirit break, wouldn't you agree?" the crimson villain asked. Dark Cupid nodded and flew back towards the Eiffel Tower.
"You mean you FAILED?!" Audrey screeched. "How could you?! Useless, utterly useless!" Chloé backed away. Andre sneered. "I can't believe you'd let her be captured. After all she's done for you?" Jean nodded. "You are a failure. Not even Mr. Cuddly can look at you." Chloé gasped as three drakumas fluttered down to the adults.
"Style Queen, Malediktator, Despair Bear, good to see you again," Dragon Moth said. "I can neither confirm nor deny my villains' involvement in your niece's disappearance, but I'll give you the abilities to find her. And punish your daughter while you're at it." Golden smoke enveloped the three, changing them to golden, reptilian versions of their previous villain forms. Chloé stepped backwards as the three villains came closer to her, snarls on their faces. The wrath and insults played in her head again, and even though she tried so hard to stay fearless, a drakuma flew closer and closer, finally infecting her necklace.
"Hello there, Antibug," Dragon Moth and Scarlet Dragonus said simultaneously through their link. "It is a shame your cousin disappeared like that. Perhaps you could lead them to her?" Chloé clutched her head as, to the villains' surprise, she fought their influence. Scarlet Dragonus laughed when he realized what was keeping her safe. "Your loyalty is true, genuine, my dear. Unfortunately for you… it's ours." With a scream, Chloé was engulfed in golden smoke, and after it receded, Antibug stood in a golden suit, her pupils slits.
"Yesss," Scarlet Dragonus said. "Welcome to the frontlines, our new servants, yesss. Welcome to the war!" The four teleported to the battlefield in a swirl of golden glitter.
"Your reign will be over soon, Dragon Moth!" Dragon Bug declared, then called for her Lucky Charm. A spotted bag appeared in her hands. Her mind raced. Snake Noir, Mousperia, Rena Singe, Turtlequine… street lamp… car engine… got it.
"Get ready! I need everyone! Cat, set up a Second Chance, just in case!" Snake Noir nodded and activated the power.
"They've taken the bait," Scarlet Dragonus said. Dragon Moth grinned. "Party Crasher, Desperada, begin." The two villains nodded in affirmation and leapt down to the battlefield, Party Crasher capturing Turtlequine and Desperada imprisoning Mousperia.
"Second Chance!" Snake Noir yelled as he clicked the bracelet head into place. A flash of light later, he returned to the moment before they were captured. "Turtlequine, move left! Mousperia, dodge right!"
The two heroes dodged the villains' attack while Dragon Bug hit Party Crasher's glasses and Rena Singe broke the guitar case. One lash of Dragon Bug's yoyo captured the two drakumas before they could fly away.
"Now, Ikari Gozen," Scarlet Dragonus commanded. The giant mechanical centaur exploded from the ground beneath them, sending terror through the civilians and re-drakumatizing them. "Uproar!" Rena Singe yelled as a fox plush materialized in her palm. She threw it at Ikari Gozen, who, to her surprise, batted it towards Snake Noir. The plush struck him right in the chest, and his bracelet began whirring.
"Sass, Plagg, Divide!" he called out in panic before anything catastrophic could happen, reverting to Cat Noir.
"Perfect," Dragon Moth said as he watched the now-drastically outnumbered heroes fight. "Desperada, Party Crasher, retreat. Cause more fear." The two villains nodded and slunk off, but even without their direct involvement, Dragon Moth knew that they were likely to succeed. "Now, Dark Cupid."
Dark Cupid took aim at Turtlequine, who was grappling with Rogercop. His shield fell and rolled over to Rena Singe. Quickly, she threw the staff at the flying villain, who dodged and let his arrow fly towards her at the same time. The arrow sunk into her arm, the hate infection corrupting her. With an enraged growl, she retrieved her staff and threw it at Rogercop.
"He's mine," she snarled. Turtlequine immediately knew what happened. "Rena, please, just calm down," he begged, sidestepping a swipe at his head.
"You failed, Shellface," Rena Singe sneered. "Just when I thought you could be strong, poof! You let me get hit! So much for protection!" A drakuma fluttered closer, but Dragon Bug snatched it out of the air.
"Rena! Don't let it overwhelm you!" Dragon Bug yelled, then yelped as she leapt away from a bolt of lightning. An idea struck her. "Turtlequine, a kiss breaks the curse!" she yelled. Cat Noir smirked. "Like with me?" he asked playfully. Dragon Bug sighed, clearly exasperated. "Not now, kitty!"
Rena Singe growled. "Like I'll let you get close," she said spitefully. Turtlequine approached her cautiously, trying not to aggravate her further. A dark laugh erupted from her throat before she lunged at Turtlequine, who deflected the strikes. "Don't let your anger get the better of you!" Turtlequine begged. A few attacks came his way from other villains, but Mousperia deflected them with her top and jump rope.
"Don't worry about me, Dragon Bug!" she called over. "I won't fall prey to my emotions!" Scarlet Dragonus chuckled. "'Won't' does not mean 'can't', little bee, yesss. I think you'll learn that in three, two, one…"
Four golden supervillains materialized in front of Mousperia. "No…" she hoarsely whispered as Antibug sent a yoyo strike towards her. She deflected the attack, dodged blasts from Style Queen and Malediktator, and leapt out of Despair Bear's reach.
Meanwhile, Rena Singe had disarmed Turtlequine and wasn't even letting him get close. At last, she threw him to the ground, pinning him under her foot. A drakuma fluttered closer to her necklace, enveloping her in golden smoke.
"'And so, the first of the angels fell, before rising in the colors of the horsemen,'" Scarlet Dragonus quoted. He opened a link to the new villain. "Welcome to the winning team, Famine."
Famine bared her new fangs in a grin as she kicked Turtlequine over. In that moment, his despair took over and a drakuma infected the Turtle Miraculous. "'And soon, her consort rose.' Wreak havoc, War."
Dragon Moth hummed in satisfaction. "Interesting names you've given them," he said. Scarlet Dragonus chuckled darkly. "They're our horsemen of the apocalypse, yes? Though I think our mutual 'friend' Dragon Bug will have to be… coerced into joining." Dragon Moth was silent for a moment, deep in thought. "There's four," he said suddenly. Scarlet Dragonus smirked. "That there are. And number three is about to rise."
While they were talking, Mousperia was fighting her corrupted family, and, fruitlessly, tried to pacify Antibug. She didn't notice Despair Bear creeping up behind her until he grabbed her leg. Commanding her to stop, it left her open for Dark Cupid to strike her with an arrow, and a drakuma fluttered into the Bee Miraculous, transforming the fusion heroine into a golden version of herself.
"A pestilence has struck them, wouldn't you say?" Scarlet Dragonus quipped. Dragon Moth frowned. "I thought it was Conquest," he replied. Scarlet Dragonus shrugged. "A mouse is more capable of spreading pestilence than conquest, and bees are bugs. They also die at an alarming rate due to parasites, so… Pestilence."
"Any chance of using that Lucky Charm now?" Cat Noir asked Dragon Bug. She leapt out of the path of a tag-teaming Famine and War, then replied. "It's just like last year! We waited too long!" The two were surrounded, fighting off ranged attacks, standing back to back. "I'll get us out of here, m'lady! Cataclysm!" He slammed his hand into the ground, creating a hole for the two heroes to leap down through and escape their fallen teammates and enemies.
"We were so close!" Dragon Moth roared. Scarlet Dragonus chuckled in amusement. "Don't stress over it. You'll turn your hair gray." Dragon Moth growled at his young partner. "I'd like to hear your ideas, then, boy."
Scarlet Dragonus ignored him. "They can't get far," he told the assembled villains. "Track them down, Animan. Lead a team, and make sure War, Famine and Pestilence are a part of it. Syren is already in place and we have other groups rooting out civilian holdouts. Even if the heroes attempt to spread a message of hope, there won't be enough to answer their call. We have effectively won."
"And that, Dragon Moth..." Scarlet Dragonus said as he turned towards the adult villain. "That is how one dominates."
Dragon Bug and Cat Noir raced through the sewers, their Miraculouses beeping their warnings one final time, they came to the junction and split up. They quickly transformed back to their civilian selves.
"You okay, m'lady?" Adrien asked. Marinette sighed. "No, honestly. I'm not. We were outmaneuvered, even with the fusion powers." Adrien put a hand on the wall. "We can't lose hope, can we? Even if we were beaten in the first round, Dragonus still seemed surprised to see our fusions. He doesn't know every detail. We can still defeat them," he reassured. Marinette smiled as Tikki and Longg finished their snacks. "Do you think your other powers are okay?" she asked.
Adrien looked at Sass. The serpentine kwami nodded. "Sass said he's okay. Looks like Uproar only affects a target for a few minutes." Marinette smiled. "If we manage to get out of this today, we'll reveal to each other. I promise." Adrien was silent for a moment, then sighed. "I hope this doesn't change too much between us."
"It won't, kitty," Marinette replied. "You'll still be my partner." The two stood in silence for a moment before they heard a pounding coming towards them.
"Let's go!" Adrien yelled as he threw Plagg a piece of water potion cheese.
"A little swim won't hurt!" Marinette replied as she threw a magicaroon to Tikki. They transformed into their aqua suits and dove into the water, just as the golden horde turned the corner. Animan leapt off the edge, turned into a mako shark and dove into the water, ignoring the discomfort of the cold.
Aqua Bug and Aqua Noir were almost through the tunnel until Syren blocked their path and Animan surged from behind. They dodged the shark's attack, Aqua Noir threw Syren in his path, and Aqua Bug shattered their medallions, releasing their drakumas. Otis and Ondine were released and quickly given the necessary respirators.
"We know Dragon Moth is using his cane to reakumatize his army," Aqua Bug said. "But since Dragonus is scarlet and Hawk Moth is golden, maybe there's some connection between the two," Aqua Noir added. Aqua Bug thought for a moment. "His sword, maybe?" Aqua Noir didn't respond, because a wall of ice was beginning to block their path and coming closer.
Dragon Moth laughed maniacally. "They may escape, but they only delay the inevitable, Parisians! Your heroes will fall!" Scarlet Dragonus shivered slightly. "Did you have to freeze Paris? I hate the cold!" He quickly conjured a flame in his hand and melted the ice around him. Dragon Moth paid no attention to the younger villain's complaining, as he was watching the heroes leap from the Seine and reunify their Miraculouses.
"Time to show Paris that the heroes are back!" Dragon Bug exclaimed as she released the butterflies, cured of their corruption and mutations. But Prime Queen did not catch this on her cameras, as Scarlet Dragonus had blasted the drones out of the air with streams of crimson flames. The unfortunate butterflies caught within the range of the fire turned to ash in a split second. Some butterflies managed to escape and fluttered among the streets, but there weren't enough civilians to watch them all.
"Thou art truly lost now, knaves!" Darkblade declared as his golden army rallied behind him. "Maybe we should regroup," Snake Noir suggested as the two heroes slowly backed away. When the army charged, they broke into a run.
"They can run as fast and as far as they want, but they can never escape!" Dragon Moth declared. Scarlet Dragonus muttered some affirmations, but in reality, he was putting in the next phase of his plan. He quickly snapped his fingers behind his back, and selected villains were de-powered. Dragon Moth immediately felt something was wrong.
"What's going on!?" he demanded. "Why are my villains disappearing!?" Scarlet Dragonus shrugged. "Maybe you're slipping. Maybe they have more resistance in them than we thought. I believe you guys have a, ah, revolution every century or so. Maybe this is the current one."
Dragon Moth immediately could tell that Scarlet Dragonus was lying to him. He knew the reptile had an agenda of his own, but he knew if Dragonus found out, the younger villain would overwhelm him with his sheer speed and ferocity. Best to let sleeping dogs lie. But if Dragonus tried anything like that again, Dragon Moth would not hesitate to correct him.
"Let's move," Scarlet Dragonus said as he spread his wings. "We still have the final phase to enact." Dragon Moth nodded, a dark smile playing across his face. They wouldn't escape this time.
"I swear, I feel like Dragonus is remaking this entire thing from our memories!" Snake Noir yelled as the two leapt over a barricade and the civilians began a charge against the villains. Dragon Bug nodded. "Keep your guard up, kitty. We're still running blind into this," she replied as they raced across the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower. Quickly incapacitating the Gamer and Glaciator with their own powers, the two heroes landed behind Dragon Moth. The adult villain turned to them, a dark smirk across his face. "Well, well. Ladybug and Cat Noir. How fortunate we were to meet again here."
"Not this time, illusion!" Dragon Bug yelled as she threw her yoyo at Dragon Moth. To her and her partner's surprise, Dragon Moth caught the yoyo. That smirk never leaving his face, he threw it back to Dragon Bug. "I learned my lesson from last time. You know what they say. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
"Where's Dragonus?" Snake Noir asked. Dragon Moth inspected his golden gloves. "He flew off a little while ago. Something about 'coordinating those chew-toy red-shirts you call troops.' I paraphrase, of course," he replied. He slung his cane over his shoulders, almost relaxed. "I expect there is going to be some 'your reign of terror ends here, Hawk Moth' speech, but you and I both know that's not true. You need me as much as I need you. Without me or an equivalent force, you have no reason to remain in Paris as heroes."
"We'd still work to make Paris a better place, Hawk Moth!" Dragon Bug replied. "We'll do whatever it takes to keep Paris safe from all evil, because we care about our city and everyone here! You only care about yourself!"
Dragon Moth laughed. "Close minded views like yours only serve to hinder your perspective. I want your Miraculouses for a wish. You assume that I want to wreak chaos and havoc on Paris. What would you do if you're wrong?"
"We won't find out, because we're taking your Miraculous back! Today!" Dragon Bug declared. Dragon Bug called for her Lucky Charm, a small, strangely pyramid-shaped Miraculous box, while Snake Noir set up a Second Chance and Cataclysm.
Little did the heroes know, the real Dragon Moth was hiding behind them, maniacally grinning as a link to Catalyst was open. "Finally, we'll succeed, Dragon Moth," she said. Dragon Moth quickly pulled himself up and began sneaking up behind them, as Dragon Bug and Snake Noir moved closer to the fake Dragon Moth.
"It's too late for you," Dragon Bug said, almost sadly. "I had thought you could've been a hero with us, but you've gone too far." Then she noticed the reflection in the box, and quickly pushed Snake Noir out of the way as she caught the two drakumas and Snake Noir threw his staff at Dark Cupid, who had been aiming at them.
"No!" the two Dragon Moths roared, the one they had talked to shifting back to Scarlet Dragonus, cloaked in his nanobots.
"You both are cowards!" Dragon Bug yelled. Snake Noir nodded. "You two have gone too far! This ends today!" Scarlet Dragonus laughed suddenly, catching the heroes and Dragon Moth off guard.
"Hey, kitty," Scarlet Dragonus asked Snake Noir. "Where's your staff?" The realization struck Snake Noir, as a golden arrow raced through the air and struck Dragon Bug right in the back. Her lips turned black as midnight.
"Just because I didn't use one illusion doesn't mean I won't use another," Scarlet Dragonus said menacingly as a few drakumas started flitting closer to Dragon Bug's earrings. Snake Noir was paralyzed with fear. "Did we just lose?"
Cliffhanger! Is all lost for our heroes, or does some ray of hope shine on them? As always, tell me what you think, leave a review, and stay safe, healthy, and a lotta y'all are probably in school by now, so good luck!
P.S: I put some pretty big Beast Wars references in this one. All BW fans, see if you can catch it/them, yeeesssss. Cya next week!