Chapter Twenty-Three
"Now, for an announcement from our class representative– Marinette," Miss Bustier said as she wrapped up her own announcements for the class as she stood in front of the class. She smiled at Marinette, who pushed herself to her feet, Alya right behind her, the two of them heading to the front of the classroom.
Alya caught her eye as they headed up, smiling, and Marinette felt her heart grow warm. She flushed slightly, as she had many times before– but this time it was different. No secrets between them, no hidden feelings or hidden lives. Alya knew exactly what the earring in her ears meant. And Marinette was aware of what the orange ring on her finger was– the Miraculous for Alya's to keep.
"As you know the end of the term is coming up," Marinette said with a smile. "And the school board wanted to do something fun to celebrate– so coming up in a few weeks we're going to have the opportunity to have a school dance here in the gym."
"A theme has yet to be decided," Alya said. "As M. Damocles wanted to leave it to a vote– which there should be more information about by next week."
Chloe snorted. "A dance? Here is the dump of a gym? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous– Sabrina, remind me to have a talk with my Daddy about this!"
"Of course, Chloe!" Sabrina said. Usually Chloe running to her father wasn't the best thing, but the class perked up slightly as this news– because the possibility of a school dance being hosted somewhere Chloe saw fitting would be ten times better than the gym.
"Officially M. Damocles wants it to be a 'girls ask boys' dance, to 'mix things up' from the end of school dance last year," Alya said, leaning against Miss Bustier's desk. "But like, unless you're Mylene and Ivan, that's probably not going to work for our class... so go wild."
"When are we going to have a 'nobody asking nobody' dance?" Alix asked.
"As soon as M. Damocles lets us have a 'ask whoever you want' dance," Kim replied.
"Now, we're supposed to encourage you to have fun asking someone to the dance," Marinette continued. "But it doesn't have to be anything fancy. In fact, I think a good start would be turning to the love of your life and looking them in the eyes."
As she spoke she turned towards Alya, both of them having a gleam in their eyes as a sharp breath ran through the classroom. She grabbed Alya's hands, tugging her so was sitting up, before clasping her hands tightly.
"You then lean in very close," Marinette continued, leaning towards Alya. "You tell them what they mean to you, how much you care for them..." Everyone was silent, watching with wide eyes, and Marinette could feel Alya shaking with silent laughter. "Gather up your courage, and..."
"Kiss them on the lips!" Alya exclaimed– tugging Marinette forward and pressing her lips against Marinette's. They smirked as they kissed– their class erupting the moment they came together. They heard someone gave a whoop, several cheers echoing out.
"About time!"
"Finally!"
"Kim, you owe me ten euros!"
"Wait– how long has this been going on for?"
They pulled back, hand in hand. "Well," Marinette said lightly. "I think that's all me and my girlfriend had to announce."
The both of them rushed back to their seats, hand in hand.
Everyone was talking at once, but with Nino right in front of them it was him that Marinette focused on as he turned to face them. "Wait, how long have you two...?"
"Few days," Alya said with a shrug, grinning.
"Do you know how long we've been waiting for you two to get together?" Nino said.
"Well maybe if someone would have spoken up sooner..." Alya said, smiling at Marinette.
"What about Ladybug?" Nino asked.
Alya grinned. "She's my free celebrity pass. Marinette gets Panthera or whatever her name is nowadays."
Marinette snickered, and Nino was watching the two of them closely. She wasn't sure what to make of the expression, as he looked lost in thought, and after a moment an expression of understanding washed over his face. He looked at the two of them, his eyes flickering down to their hands that were clutched together, and he smiled at them.
"Congratulations," he said warmly. "I'm glad to see things are going okay."
"Things have been a bit rough," Marinette said honestly. "But things have been better with Alya."
"You're stuck with me for life now, girl."
"Wouldn't have it another way."
"Anyone you're thinking of taking to the dance, Nino?" Alya asked, leaning forward with a smile.
He shrugged. "No. Not really."
"Oh come on, nobody?" Alya asked. "You can't think of anyone who would want to go?"
Nino hesitated. "Well, um, I do have one friend who'd probably enjoy coming. He's homeschooled so he's probably been to nothing like this before, but... but we haven't been talking lately."
"Who is he?"
"You wouldn't know the dude," Nino said, looking away.
"Oh come on," Alya muttered. "You gotta give me more than that! There's someone you'd want to take to the dance and you don't say anything else?"
Nino's cheeks warmed. "Wh-what? Take? No, I mean he'd probably enjoy the event–"
"But he's the first one you thought of?" Marinette said teasingly.
"Dudettes, stop, please," Nino said quietly. "We... we had a fight last time we talked."
"Lovers' quarrel~" Alya said a moment before she registered Nino's tone, and he glowered at her. She fell back in her seat. "Nino, I'm sorry, I didn't mean–"
"Shut up," he muttered. "You two wouldn't care about him anyways."
Marinette blinked. "What? Of course we'd care about your friend–"
"No you wouldn't!" Nino snarled, voice rising. "You don't know what he's going through, and you don't care!"
Marinette was startled by the sudden bitterness in Nino's voice, pulling back slightly. "Nino–"
"You two are like half of the reason he's suffering and you don't even care!" Nino shouted. "I know what he's going through everyday and I can't even protect him! I can't do anything but stand there and I'm useless and a worthless friend and nothing but a coward–!"
"Nino!" Miss Bustier snapped, and Nino jerked back, as if just remembering that he was in a classroom. There were tears in his eyes, and he swayed back and forth slightly. The teacher's voice softened. "Nino, is everything okay?"
"I– I need a moment, Miss Bustier," Nino muttered, hastily pushing himself to his feet. "I'm sorry, I– I just– I'm sorry!"
With that Nino rushed out the door, leaving the confused class behind. Marinette shared a glance with Alya, who was rising to her feet, but Marinette squeezed her hand tightly, shaking her head. There was definitely more going on with Nino than they realized, and they had pushed him too far. She could feel the Black Cat Miraculous on Alya's finger as they held hands, and Alya slowly sat down.
If Nino needed a moment alone, that's what they would give him.
"I can't keep doing this, Trixx," Nino muttered as he stood in the bathroom, the Fox cupped in his hands. "I can't just stand back and do nothing while Blue is–"
"Nino, you saw what happened when you pushed him too far last time," Trixx said.
"That Miraculous is hurting him–"
"Nino," Trixx said, their voice firm. "If you walked up to him right now and said that to him– would he believe you?"
"He–"
"What if I told you your mother was hurting you everyday, Nino?" Trixx continued, bright yellow gaze watching him.
"She isn't–"
"No, she isn't– but what she does is all you know, Nino," Trixx said, drifting up into the air. "She's your family, the one that's always there. For someone to come into your life and say anything otherwise... it's a hard thing to imagine." Their tail swayed. "That's what you did to Blue Wing last time, Nino. You told him the one he loved was hurting him."
"That man doesn't love him," Nino seized. "No one could love someone and just let–"
"You don't know that," Trixx said quietly, and they held up a paw when they saw the outrage on Nino's face. "I'm not saying that Hawk Moth has done anything right, because he most definitely has done terrible things to Blue Wing, things that cannot be excused– but hurt doesn't always come from hate. And if that's the only possibility you see... then it's no wonder that Blue couldn't believe you if you feel that's where Hawk Moth's actions are coming from, because he would know if his father hated him."
"He– he–"
"Blue Wing is a perfect match for Emotions, Nino," Trixx said quietly. "He is not ignorant to what those around him feel."
"That man is killing him," Nino whispered.
"And if you said that to Blue, I doubt he would believe you," Trixx finished.
Nino closed his eyes, tears falling down his face, and he felt something warm touch his cheek. He opened his eyes and saw Trixx laying a paw against him, eyes filled with concern. Nino swallowed, and the kwami offered the smallest of smiles.
"One thing I am sure of though, is that Blue Wing knows that you care," Trixx whispered softly. "Your friendship is not over, I promise you that. Everything will be okay, you just need to give him time."
"I miss him," Nino whispered. "I miss him so much, Trixx, it hurts."
"I know."
"There hasn't been any akuma attacks since the Bee was taken," Nino said shakily. "And who knows what could be happening to him. Anything could be happening to him, and I'm just sitting here like nothing's wrong, like–"
"You need for him to come to you on his terms," Trixx said. "He was hurt by what you said."
"I wasn't lying."
"I know," Trixx smiled softly. "It's strange to have such an honest Kit– usually trickery is what makes a good Fox, but you're not like that, Nino. You keep secrets, but it's to protect. You don't hide your intentions, you just wish to support." Another paw touched his face. "You keep doing what you're doing, and I promise you everything will be okay."
"I need to talk to Blue again," Nino said. "I– I just need to know he's okay. That's, that's all, I just need to see him again, I just need to know–"
"Then let's go for a run," Trixx said after a moment of thought.
"But he hasn't–"
"He hasn't been to your rooftop," Trixx finished for him. "But you haven't been letting anyone see you. Let's go for a run, let Paris see Silver Paw on the search." They drifted closer. "Let Blue see you on the search. Let him know how much you miss him."
Nino swallowed. "Trixx, let's pounce."
"Adrien?" Duusu said uncertainly.
"Yeah?" Adrien asked quietly, laying on his bed. He had a history book laid out in front of him, though the words he was reading refused to stay on the page. Focusing only seemed to make them jumble and dance about, and so he was more than happy to look up at Duusu, who was watching TV.
"There have been no signs of any other Miraculous holder," Nadja was saying, the image behind her showing a gray figure standing on a rooftop. Adrien's throat tightened at the sight of Silver Paw– who was scanning the rooftops before jumping to another building. "Nor of akuma or avatar. This is the first time Silver Paw has been seen wandering on their own other than a mere glimpse, but officials say there is no reason to worry yet, as this Fox holder has never instigated a fight."
Adrien stared at Nino for a moment, before looking back at his book. "Huh."
"He's looking for you," Duusu said.
"...Probably," Adrien muttered.
"Aren't you going to go see him?" Duusu asked, drifting over towards him. "It would be fun to go out flying, you haven't been too happy here."
Adrien's hands curled around the book, but didn't acknowledge the Peacock– even though what she was saying was true. These few days since he had gotten the Bee... they should have been better. Father was in the best mood he had seen in months, their acquisition of the Bee and the appearance of the Black Cat giving him more hope than ever. Adrien felt like he could move about the house without worrying about stepping in at the wrong time, and Nathalie hadn't been having him avoid Father either. Things were going well, Father drawing up plans for their next attack, though Adrien hadn't been given the details.
"Would you hurt someone you love?" Nino's words entered his mind, and Adrien shrugged them aside. What had happened was only proving those words, after all– Adrien had done something right, and he had earned this love his Father was giving him. There was nothing to correct him on.
Everything felt like it was too hard to think when he thought about his and Nino's last encounter. Anger and frustration and guilt and longing and confusion and fear all seemed to crowd his mind. He hadn't like seeing Silver upset with him, but Adrien had no doubt he had done the right thing in taking the Bee, even Silver Paw seemed to no longer be angry when he had heard why Adrien had decided to do so– but it was what he had said after made such a clash, that he tried to ignore it simply for some form of peace.
Adrien was still mad at what Nino had said about his father– but he hated it even more how Nino's words seemed to stick in his mind. He didn't know what his friend had been thinking, comparing what his father had done to people who were so cruel. How he had thrown about the word 'abuse' so easily, and seemed to think it was fine.
Nino didn't realize how far his father went to protect him, how he literally had a bodyguard to accompany him when he left the house. How somebody even saying the wrong thing to Adrien would result in his father doing all that he could to make sure they wouldn't set foot near Adrien again, how carefully each interaction with the outside world was planned before he even left the house.
None of that changed the fact that he did truly miss Nino.
It had only been a few days, they had gone longer without seeing each other, but this felt different. It wasn't just the fact that they were apart, but what had arisen between them. His heart hurt simply thinking about it, but yet his mind seemed to only want to focus on Nino, which only in turn brought the hurt to the surface– the hurt he didn't want to be there.
Adrien closed his eyes, then looked at the TV again, which still showed Silver Paw roaming the rooftops. He watched for a moment longer, before closing his eyes.
"Duusu– spread my feathers."
Duusu was startled by the sudden transformation– letting out a yelp of surprise as she was drawn into the brooch.
Blue Wing had grown used to his name sake– and such it was strange to keep his wings so closely pressed to his back. He did not fly across the sky, but instead lingered near the rooftops so he wasn't spotted. People were clearly on edge with Silver Paw roaming about so freely, and Silver was someone that knew how to stay hidden. If anyone saw him he was sure that would set off an akuma alert, and that was a mess he did not want to deal with. Luring out the heroes before his Father's plan was ready? Before Nathalie was fully comfortable with her own wings? He would be in so much trouble.
So he had to go the slow route, jogging across rooftops to head to where Silver Paw had been spotted. Clearly he wasn't used to running like this though, having to pause and breath heavily every few rooftops, before continuing his careful route. Not only could he not be seen by anyone in the city, he couldn't let Silver Paw see him either.
He... he still wasn't ready to talk to Nino.
"Gah!"
Blue Wing jumped slightly at the shout, thinking that for a moment a civilian had seen him– but he recognized the voice. He retreated into the shadows, feathers puffing up slightly, looking over at the neighboring rooftop, where he saw Silver Paw. He was kicking at a chimney, face twisted into an emotion that he couldn't recognize.
"Nothing, Trixx, there's nothing," he spoke aloud to this kwami, even though the Fox couldn't reply. "And I don't even know why! I don't know if he hates me, or if that man won't let him leave!"
Silver was breathing heavily, as if waiting for a reply. Blue knew that he wouldn't get much of one, you could sense a kwami's presence when transformed, and their emotions if they willed it, but never any words. He wondered for a moment if that was something that all kwamis could do– or if it was only Nooroo and Duusu since their powers were so closely linked to emotions. He would have to ask Nathalie if she could sense Pollen at all.
"I can't just do nothing!" Silver cried, tugging at his hood. "He hurts him, he hurts him, and I can't do anything about it!"
For a moment, Blue Wing was tempted to go to Silver. To let him know that he was there, that he wasn't hurt, and that even though he was still angry at the Fox, he still cared. But he didn't move from where he hid, just standing there, listening.
"Mirage!" Silver shouted, waving his flute.
Blue was surprised at the sudden activation of his powers. He looked out, watching as the illusion formed in front of Silver Paw. The Mirage was small, taking the shape of a human– blond hair, green eyes, and shining wings. Blue stared at the illusion of himself, which Silver was looking up at, panting.
"I'm..." Silver muttered, staring at the illusion. "I'm sorry, okay, I'm sorry. I said things that hurt your feelings, things you weren't ready to hear, and no matter how true they were I hate the fact it upset you. I... I hate the fact that I haven't seen you, that I don't know if you're hurt and I... I don't know what to do!"
The Mirage didn't move, didn't say anything, Silver Paw not creating a conversation that wasn't happening, just looking at the image of him, who was doing nothing but listening. Little did Silver Paw know that Blue Wing was listening.
Silver sank down to the rooftop, clutching the flute in his hands. "You're... you're my closest friend. Your my only friend, and I thought that with a Miraculous I could help you, but I feel like I can't do a thing."
Blue Wing swallowed, before touching the brooch on his chest. He hesitated for a moment, before closing his eyes, and tapping into his empathic abilities, opening his mind to the Emotions around him, and in the middle of the big city, there was many to feel. All around him it was like things were lighting up, sensing those in the building below him, on the streets that surrounded him, it was everywhere and surrounding.
But he reached out towards Silver Paw, focusing solely on him. Nino's emotions flooded him: the pain and guilt and sorrow he felt so vividly– they were so potent. Tears stung his eyes at the sheer intensity, and he could feel the longing and loneliness, laced with a fierce worry. It was so complex it was hard to describe, each one overlapping and entangling each other– but all of them felt faded compared to the fiery feeling that engulfed Silver, encompassing, yet the Emotion itself was one so gentle.
Blue Wing choked as it washed over him, because while it was something he had sensed with his Miraculous before, it had been nothing like this. Love was a powerful Emotion, it was something he had heard before, and when he sensed it in those around him it was strong. Powerful walls that were built up, letting none escape or enter its embrace. But the love coming from Nino– he didn't know how to describe it. It engulfed him in his wave, yet it did not drag one down in its depths. It simply was... there. Lingering, waiting– it just was.
Blue Wing cut off his empathic abilities with a struggling gasp for breath, but the impression he had felt was still there. Tears fell down his face, the memory of the love seemed to surround him.
Silver looked over his shoulder, as if he had heard the gasp. Eyes scanned the rooftops, flute waving out to cut through the Mirage, the image of the Peacock holder flicking away. Blue Wing huddled in the shadows, heart pounding.
Then he fled.
"You can come out," Nathalie said as she entered her room, opening her purse slightly– and immediately Pollen zipped out, darting across the room as far as she could get. "You need to stay in this room, however."
Pollen ended up close near the ceiling, eyes locked straight down at Nathalie. Frightened wasn't the word to describe her gaze, it wasn't like when Nooroo curled in on himself. There was a spark in her eyes, sharp, rigid, waiting. Nathalie had found that she liked the kwami in their few days together, far more than the others of their kind she had interacted with– not that she expected the kwami to feel the same.
They had yet to make a public appearance as Mellifera, though she had transformed multiple times. They had just gotten back from one such session, Nathalie having been testing the limits of her wings. Gabriel had wanted her fully versed with her transformation and abilities before they made their next attack. Rushing out with the Black Cat Miraculous now in play would be foolish.
"Now, I know Gabriel has forbidden a few things," Nathalie continued– this was her first time she had been allowed to take Pollen back into her room, Gabriel had been questioning the being since they got her, seeing what wording would yield him the most information– though little had come from the Bee. "And just about all of that will apply when you're with me– however you are free to speak freely with just me unless I say otherwise."
"The Peacock Miraculous is broken," Pollen said, the words flowing from her mouth the moment the topic was no longer forbidden.
"Indeed, it is," Nathalie agreed. "We have seen its effects before."
Pollen looked horrified at this news. "And you're letting the child use it?"
"He is manifesting symptoms much more slowly," Nathalie replied, and a low hum seemed to fill the room. "It is clear his age allows him to endure longer."
"That isn't a good thing!" Pollen cried, the hum rising to a loud buzz, and Nathalie crinkled her nose slightly.
"I forbid you from shouting," she said after a moment, but the buzzing sound remained in the air. "And from... whatever you're doing now."
The buzzing died down.
"You... you should get that man to retire the Peacock Miraculous," Pollen said, voice falling. "You didn't need it when Hawk Moth first began attacking and... and you have mine now."
Nathalie regarded the small creature in fascination. "You are aware Adrien's the one that brought your Miraculous into our hands, are you not? I'm surprised you speak in his favor."
Pollen tensed. "Of course I am not happy with him– but that doesn't mean I wish for him to die!" Her voice was just short of a cry, the magic forbidding her from doing so. "You... you realize that's what will happen, don't you?"
Nathalie's lips twisted in thought. "...Hmm– follow me, why don't you? Nooroo is fully aware of what we hope to accomplish, and I see no reason why you shouldn't."
She headed towards the door, and Pollen drifted after her. The kwami looked hesitant, clearly wanting to know more, but didn't seem to know what she'd find. The hallways of the manor were empty, giving her no reason to hide. Nathalie descended the steps down towards the main level, and headed into Gabriel's office, which was empty. Pollen's eyes shifted around the place, before settling on where Nathalie's gaze had landed– on a large painting of an elegant woman.
"This is Emilie," Nathalie said, standing in front of the painting. "Gabriel's wife, and Adrien's mother."
Pollen stared at the image. "...Is she aware of what you are all doing?"
Nathalie smiled, before reaching forward to touch the hidden buttons within the painting. Pollen seemed surprised, and the floor below Nathalie began to shift downwards. Pollen spiraled after her as the elevator whisked them into the basement, her own curiosity pulling her rather than orders. She hovered near her current holder's side, watching as walls gave way to glass, showing the vast room that rested below the mansion– metal walkways and water flowing, and a lush platform at the very end.
As the elevator reached the same level with the walkways it opened up, and Nathalie strolled forward, heels echoing through the room as she moved forward. It was now Pollen drifted behind, uneasy, eyes locking onto the white shape on the far platform. There was something in the air that wasn't right, a magic that she couldn't quite put her paw on, but it just felt wrong.
It was now that her orders forced her forward.
As Nathalie reached the white container she pressed a button, and the top opened up, revealing what looked to be a coffin covered with a glass lid. There was a low beeping in the air, magic and technology flowing through the device, and within the coffin there was a woman who looked as if she could be sleeping softly– the same one from the painting.
"Hello Emilie," Nathalie said softly, though the figure did not stir. "We have gotten our hands on another Miraculous, and though not the ones we need, we are closer to bringing you home."
Pollen felt shivers racing through her, and she now realized what felt so wrong– it was this woman. The magic about her had an air of the Subjection she wielded, forceful and rigidly, but twisted in a way that was not meant to be. This machine was forcing the air into her lungs, her heart to keep beating, for a false sense of life to keep pushing through her when her end had come.
The kwami knew of some of the machines humans had, of medicine and technology that could help heal and support a weakened form, keep someone alive when they were inches from death– but those machines kept someone alive before they slipped away, but this woman was not alive. This pod was not the same.
This was unnatural.
"She used the broken Miraculous," Pollen said, things beginning to piece together in her mind. "She pushed herself too far, it drained the life from her."
"Not quite," Nathalie said softly, stroking the glass. "We got her in here just in time."
Pollen shook her head. "You don't understand," she said, drifting back. "She isn't on the brink of death– she's gone. Someone who has pushed a Miraculous that far... that's– it's– it's not natural! Her life force is gone, drained! This– this is a husk!"
Nathalie's fingers curled. "You're forbidden from calling her such."
This wasn't normal human intervention, this wasn't a device meant to support and heal. It was laced with magic, probably from Nooroo or Duusu, and it kept what was left of this woman in this state. Her life force having passed on, a point where a natural end should have taken hold, but this empty shell was being kept in this strange limbo by the magic.
"This– th-this... she is empty," Pollen whispered. "She's not sleeping, she's not in a coma, she's– I do not even know what to call this." She swallowed. "The same thing will happen to the boy if you let him keep using that Miraculous, he'll be gone."
"We won't," Nathalie promised. "Don't worry little kwami, we won't. As soon as we have the Ladybug and Black Cat, as soon as we can make our wish..."
"...Master wants to bring her back," Pollen said, looking at the shell of the woman in front of her. "You all do."
"Yes. No other magic has been able to awaken her, to heal her."
"That's because there's nothing to heal," Pollen said quietly. "Her body is probably in perfect condition because of your attempts. There's no one to awaken– there is no life force left in her." Pollen shifted from side to side. "A soul, a spirit, an aura, a conscience– whatever you wish to call it. It is gone, passed on."
"The wish will bring her back."
It would, the united powers of Creation and Destruction... it would be able to do such. "Nathalie, there would be a price. An equal price. If you were to wish her back... someone would have to take her place."
"We're aware," Nathalie replied, and she looked at the kwami. "Nooroo has repeated that many times, we're not ignorant as you think."
"It wouldn't be just anyone," Pollen whispered, voice breaking.
"We know."
"You're completely fine with the possibility of one of you taking her place?" Pollen snapped.
"Gabriel or Adrien would be the likely ones," Nathalie said with a slight hum, and Pollen went completely still with how easily she said this. "Her sister or nephew might be another possibility, with a blood connection and all, but since they're not close..." Nathalie hummed. "Personally, I don't care who it is. Gabriel, Adrien– Emilie is easily worth both of them."
Pollen stared at her with wide eyes.
"Oh yes, you are not to talk to anyone aside from me about such," Nathalie said after a moment of thought, tracing the glass again. "Gabriel of course is aware of him being a possibility though, which is why he decided to have Adrien take on the Peacock Miraculous."
The kwami was now shaking, tears forming in her eyes.
"The effects on him are slower, meaning he could actually assist in helping us gain the Miraculouses– but he also creates another bond with his mother in the process. He wears the same Miraculous, he is now laced with her same magic– Gabriel is confident that will create the kind of connection the wish is looking for. Giving us a chosen target, if you would."
Nathalie seemed to be lost in her thoughts at this point, not even looking at the kwami as small paws covered her mouth, tears falling down her face.
"Of course if Gabriel is spared then I'll have to find a means to take care of him once Emilie is back... but that will be simple compared to getting the Miraculouses. Especially now that I have you. As for Adrien... well, if the wish does spare him, I suppose he could stay. Not a great loss, either way, though."
"You're a monster," Pollen whispered, choking on her tears. "You're all monsters."
Nathalie smiled at her. "Wouldn't you do anything, for the one you loved?"
The kwami turned away in disgust, wishing to flee. To free herself of the presence of this empty shell, and this heartless woman. The magic was laced tightly though, allowing her to do no more than avert her gaze. Tears fell down her face, and she realized that no one truly knew what they were up against, what these villains of Paris were willing to do.