Chapter Thirty-Four
Marinette laid a hand on Alya's back, wishing there was something more they could do.
They were sitting in Ella's hospital room, the girl fast asleep, from both medicine and exhaustion. It was better this way, she couldn't imagine the pain the young girl was in when she was awake. Even when asleep she didn't look rested, fading burns and marks across her where skin had been grafted. There was an oxygen tube resting under her nose, the sound of beeping echoing through the room.
Ella was never left alone– one of her parents always in the room with her, asleep or awake. Nora had started doing the same after she had been released from the hospital, giving her parents a chance to be at the hotel with Etta and Alya, or just to rest, but with her own injuries still fresh she couldn't sit in the hospital chair for long.
Alya had mostly been the one taking care of Etta, the young girl not having full understanding what had happened to her family, but today Alya and Marinette were keeping Ella company. It was hard, seeing her in this state, and Alya was the most torn up Marinette had ever seen her. She couldn't even bring herself to look at Ella, just staring down at her hands as Marinette rubbed her back.
"I should have done more," Alya whispered. "I– I should have been there, I'm suppose to be a hero and I was just standing there–"
"Alya, stop," Marinette whispered. "This was beyond us."
"But–"
"Kid, shut up," Plagg said from Alya's shoulder, earning a sharp look from both Tikki and Marinette, though he didn't seem phased. "'What if' this, 'what if' that, it ain't going to be doing a thing, okay? I am Destruction, I know what dangerous forces are in the world, and that sister of yours is lucky that she isn't dead."
Alya let out a shudder.
"Right now she needs time to heal, not your thoughts focused on what's already happened– but on what's going to happen," the kwami's tail flicked back and forth. "It's going to be better for you if you stop focusing on imaginary scenarios of what you could have done, and the better headspace you're in the more you can help her."
Alya closed her eyes tightly.
"I think comfort instead of critique is what your holder needs," Tikki said coolly. The Ladybug was curled up near Ella on the hospital bed, as if hoping her mere presence could make a difference.
"The truth is better than a bunch of fluffy words that don't do nothing," Plagg replied. "What happened happened, and she's going to pull out of this– and that's what's important."
"Maybe if Togekiss was still around," Alya whispered. "It… it was healing people, even after everyone left…"
The Pokémon avatar had been around for several days after the fire. It had been a good thing, people able to see what the Peacock Miraculous was truly able to do. Just a harmless creature roaming about, not attacking– Togekiss had also been the only sign of Blue Wing after the fire, the bird flying free throughout Paris unlike its creator.
No one was afraid of the Pokemon who would swoop down into parks to play with children, or fly by hospitals as they summoned their powers, easing the wounds of those it came across. Their feathers shone in the sun as they flew, the sound of their light cries seeming to bring a sense of peace. It was a harmless creature, the manifestation of Blue's desire to help. The avatar had never stayed in the same place for long, giving no hint of where his creator could be.
Togekiss' end came roughly after a week the fire had destroyed Alya's home– Mellifera herself flying through the skies, delivering a powerful Venom to the Togekiss' sleeping form, slipping away before any heroes could show up, vanishing as swiftly as she had appeared, leaving the parazlyed Togekiss on the park grass.
Togekiss had vanished away into a mere feather five minutes later, the last sign of Blue being swept away in the wind.
"Mama...?" A small voice called out, and immediately their attention turned to the girl in the hospital bed as she slowly awoke. Tikki and Plagg ducked out of sight as Alya sprang to her feet, rushing over to Ella.
"Ella," she whispered, and Ella looked up at her.
"Where's Mom?" Ella whimpered, staring up at Alya.
"She... she will be here soon," Alya promised, reaching out and gently touching her hand. "But I'm here right now. Do you want something to eat? Some... some water?"
Tears welled up in Ella's eyes. "I want Mama."
Tears appeared in Alya's own eyes– desperate to make things right– but yet she couldn't be the one her sister wanted. She just squeezed Ella's hand tightly, mouth opening for something to say. Marinette put a hand on Alya's shoulder, then looked down at a panicking Ella.
"I'm going to go call your Mom, okay?" She told Ella. "She's going to be coming, and Alya will wait here with you until then."
Sobs bubbled up from Ella's throat, body shaking, making her wince in pain, her heart rate jumping. Alya knelt by the bed, still grasping her hand. She clearly wanted to pull her into an embrace, to do something, but with the burns on her that would only make things worse. Marinette pressed the call button for the nurse as she slipped out of the room, hoping that they could give Ella something more to ease her pain. She pulled out of her phone as she stepped into the hall, calling up Marlena's number.
"Hello?" Marinette said softly. "Hi Otis, it's me, Marinette. I'm at the hospital with Alya and I just wanted to tell you and Marlena that Ella just woke up. She... she's stable, but really wants Marlena. She... she's really stressed." Marinette gripped the phone tightly as she listened to Otis, wishing more than ever she could summon a Miraculous Ladybug and make things right. "I'll tell them that you're both on your way... yes, see you soon M. Césaire."
With that she ended the call, and carefully stepped back into the hospital room– to find Ella looking even more stressed than before. She clutched Alya, hiccuping as she cried and gasped for air, shaking.
"I don't wanna die!" Ella cried.
"You're safe, Ella, you're safe," Alya whispered desperately, tears falling fast. "I promise you, you're okay!"
"I don't– I don't wanna– I don't wanna go, Alya, I don't wanna die, please, please–!" Ella gasped, and Marinette covered her mouth as tears stung. The words were painful enough, but hearing them from someone so young…
"You're not dying, Ella," Alya's voice was begging. "I promise, I swear, you're going to be okay."
"There was an angel," Ella whispered with wide eyes. "An angel found me– I don't want to go!"
"An angel?" Alya said softly.
"There was an angel," Ella whispered fearfully. "Everything was hurting, and he had wings, and he carried me, he was carrying me into the sky... and I don't want to go, I don't wanna, please."
Alya held her hand against her cheek. "Oh, Ella... Ella, it's okay, it's okay..." She swallowed. "He saved you, Ella. He saved you. He's the one that made sure that you're okay."
"He did?" Ella whispered, voice quiet and confused.
"He did," Marinette said, stepping forward, hands on Alya's shoulders. "He saved you, and now the doctors are going to make sure you get better." She smiled softly at her as Ella watched them. "And guess what? Your mama and papa are on their way, and they're going to be here soon. Do you want to see them?"
Ella closed her eyes, nodding her head, before sagging down against the bed in exhaustion. It was at that moment a nurse came into the room, took one look at the machine that was beeping with Ella's racing heartbeat, and moved forward. Alya pulled away, Ella's hand slipping out of hers as the nurse took over.
"Your mom will be here soon," Marinette said softly to Alya, knowing that she needed her parents just as much as Ella did.
Alya turned, hands wrapping around Marinette. "She r-remembers."
"Alya?"
"She remembers the fire, and Blue Wing," Alya whispered shakily. "I... it was so horrible Marinette, I didn't want her to remember that, she doesn't deserve to go through this, she– she–"
"Remember what Plagg said," Marinette said fiercely, returning the embrace. "Ella is going to be okay, and that's the most important. She will get through this."
"I w-wish she didn't have to go through this!"
"I'm sorry, Alya, I'm so sorry..."
Carapace flung his shield down to the ground, cement cracking at the impact. Panthera jumped at the action, but he said nothing as he snatched the shield back up, clutching the turtle shell tightly. So many emotions were racing through him– and he didn't know what to do. The rage was strong– towards Hawk Moth, towards the akuma they just fought– an anger at the reality he was living in.
"Carapace," Ladybug said quietly. "You need to calm down."
"I can't!" He cried, spinning about. "Not when we've been getting nothing but akumas! No Blue Wing, Mellifera has only come out once– this is getting us nowhere!"
"We're protecting the city," Ladybug said calmly.
"But it isn't stopping Hawk Moth!"
"There's nothing else we can do," Panthera whispered– and Carapace had to fight the turn to spin about and shout at them– because they had done nothing. This wasn't their fault, they had done more than anyone else, and taking his anger out of them would only make things worse.
"Unless Hawk Moth comes out himself, or if Blue Wing makes another appearance, all we can do is make sure these akumas don't destroy Paris," Ladybug said quietly. "We need to be ready for when that moment happens, so we can take action when the opportunity arises."
"Or we take out Mellifera next time she shows up," Carapace muttered.
"Carapace, we can't be reckless," Ladybug said. "Mellifera is dangerous to approach– if she can paralyze one of us there's nothing we can do to keep her from taking our Miraculouses."
"And she can use more than one Venom," Panthera said.
"...Blue Wing," Carapace muttered. "Blue Wing is the one we need. We need to get him to safety, we... we can't let him go back. We can't."
"And we won't," Ladybug promised. "We're going to end this, and we'll get the Miraculouses back– all of them."
The words were meant to be a comfort, a goal, something that was in reach– but never had it felt more far away.
Adrien didn't know how many days had passed, but he could count how many akumas had been sent out. His father would still come up to the lair to transform, and Adrien would be as still as he could not to attract any attention as he huddled there on the floor. Sometimes Nathalie would join and transform into Mellifera, flying out to join the battle, other times it was just Father who came.
Whenever he heard the sound of the elevator he would pray it was Nathalie bringing him food (which meant Pollen bringing him medicine), or that father was sending out an akuma. There had been five in total since he had been locked up here, though no hint of how many days had passed.
So when he heard the elevator today he held his breath, watching as two people stepped out. With both Nathalie and Gabriel here he was sure that meant akuma, and he was about to let himself relax, only for that to turn to fear as his father turned straight towards him.
"I hear you want out of here," Gabriel said softly, arms behind his back as he looked down at Adrien. "Even though the reason you're still up here remains?"
Adrien said nothing, heart pounding.
"Quite a selfish thought, I must say," Gabriel said, kneeling down next to him, running his hand through his hair. "But perhaps you do deserve a break, son. Duusu told me something very interesting today, and I think you can help us."
"I… I can come downstairs?" Adrien whispered.
"No, but you can go outside for tonight, with Nathalie with you, of course," Gabriel replied. "If you do exactly as you're told."
"I will, I will, Father, I promise…" Adrien whispered, a feeling welling up inside him: hope.
"Good," Gabriel said, and he dropped something on the floor in front of him, which clattered as Adrien stared at it. "Disobey once, Adrien, and you'll be spending the rest of your time in the basement."
Adrien shakily reached for the fallen Peacock Miraculous with wide eyes, which felt warm in his hand. A burst of blue light surged up from it, and he felt tears in his eyes as he saw Duusu take shape, the kwami rushing down towards him.
"Adrien!" She cried, crashing into him, snuggling up against his chest. "Oh, chick, I've missed you so much!"
"Duusu," he whispered, clutching her close.
"Stand up and transform, Nathalie will tell you all you need to know," Gabriel said.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Nathalie asked Gabriel as he walked away. "It's a risky plan, perhaps we should go the route I suggested."
"I want Emilie alive and well, not just merely awake," Gabriel snapped. "And we need the wish for that."
"Whatever you say, Gabriel," she replied, watching him coolly as he turned towards the window.
"Nino!" Trixx hissed, pouncing on Nino's face, and he groaned. "Nino, wake up, now!"
"Is there an akuma...?" He muttered, blinking tiredly as he was suddenly woken up, his room dark. He pulled Trixx off of him, sitting up as his eyes tried to adjust to the darkness. "What's wrong?"
"There isn't an akuma yet– but I saw Blue Wing!" Trixx said, and Nino was instantly awake. One hand grabbed his glasses, the other locking straight onto his kwami, who was darting back and forth nervously.
"Y-you did? Where?"
"He and Mellifera, I saw them not far from here," Trixx reported. "I'm not sure what they're doing, but–"
"But we have no time to waste," Nino replied, rolling out of bed. "Trixx, let's pounce!"
He grabbed Wayzz as he transformed, the Turtle kwami being jerked awake at the sudden burst of light, before he was tucked away in Silver Paw's pocket as he rushed to the window. He pushed it open, leaping out on the fire escape, before making his way up towards the roof. Silver only paused for a moment, trying to feel Trixx's presence in his mind– before heading into the direction that felt right.
Trixx guided him through impressions to where he had seen the other Miraculous holders, but of course there was no sign of them by the time he arrived. He didn't pause though, just turning until his kwami was able to point them in which direction they had been heading, and racing off as fast as he could. If there was no akuma he could have only hoped that they had been trying not to be caught and moving carefully, which could give him a chance to catch up.
And soon he was able to spot them– a blue and golden figures off in the distance.
"...The Louvre?" Silver whispered in confusion, watching as Mellifera and Blue Wing silently slipped into the museum.
Yes, Mellifera was a criminal, but a museum break in wasn't what he was expecting from their plots.
He supposed he was going to have to add that to his own lists of crimes, however, as was making his own way forward, ready to follow them inside. Each footstep was carefully placed, not wanting to alert them to their presence as he slipped his way into the museum himself– which felt so empty at night. He had no doubt that the security was state of the art, though he didn't have any plans on snatching any artifacts away.
"Is that it?" A cool voice asked up ahead, and Silver Paw stiffened up in surprise, but carefully made his way forward.
"Y-yeah," Came the small voice of Blue Wing, and Silver's mouth went dry. "I– I can sense it."
Silver Paw peered around the corner, and found Mellifera and Blue Wing standing in front of a large black rock that was on display. His eyes quickly scanned them– finding that the trompo and fan of both Miraculouses were tucked away at the Bee holder's side, leaving Blue weaponless. Even in the dark he could see the condition that Blue was in– wings held askew, feathers dull and shriveled. Even his stance was off, and Silver had to resist the urge to rush forward and pull Blue Wing away.
"Don't tell me that's what I think it is," Wayzz whispered– making Silver jump slightly. He glanced at the kwami, who was hovering near his shoulder, eyes wide as he stared at the statue.
"Awaken it," Mellifera snapped, and Wayzz flinched back. Silver's eyes snapped back to the statue, watching as Blue Wing held out a hand towards it, the other wrapped around the Peacock brooch.
"I– I don't think we should," Blue whispered, opening his eyes, taking a step back. "This avatar... you don't understand the Emotions behind it, it's powerful."
"We are well aware," she said coolly.
"It is a literal embodiment of rage and hunger," Blue Wing pleaded, sounding shaken. "And it is all directed at Miraculouses. We– we're wearing Miraculouses, it will come straight at us, and I can't control this thing, I didn't create it, it's– it's going to kill us!"
Mellifera sighed, pulling out her trompo, and Blue Wing tensed. "Your father and I planned for this, and you should know better than to question him right now. I'm going to let out the akuma, and if you know what's good for you then you will awaken this sentimonster, unless you are that keen to go to the basement."
Silver saw red.
With that she opened up the top of her trompo, where a black butterfly fluttered up from within. The moment it was released Blue Wing reached out his hand again, breathing heavily, and a small glow surrounded the statue. The rock around it crumbled, a small blue frog-like creature crawling out from the rubble– which immediately lunged at Mellifera.
"We need to run, now," Wayzz hissed in his ear.
Trixx echoed the same sentiment within Silver Paw's mind, but he stood transfixed, watching as Mellifera nimbly dodged out of the way, raising her weapon overhead as she cried out: "Venom!"
"Mir-a-cul-ous!" The being bellowed.
"One more attack and you'll never move again," Mellifera snapped, which made the creature pause. "Sentimosters touched by a Venom are as good as your amok being taken from you– which Blue Wing will do if I tell him to– do you really want to be destroyed?"
Avatar tossed its head in frustration, but took a step back. Mellifera smirked, then looked up at the akuma flying overhead. The butterfly descended down and immediately the avatar swallowed it, a glowing mask surrounding its eyes. Blue Wing stumbled back, looking at the being in front of him with nothing but pure fear. Silver took this as his time to act, muttering as quietly as he could to summon an illusion, having it surround him and Blue before he stepped forward.
He moved swiftly, keeping his footsteps as quiet as he could as he approached them. Hawk Moth seemingly spoke with the avatar, while Mellifefa stood by with her Venom in case it attacked again. As soon as he was right behind Blue Wing he reached out with his hands, willing the Mirage to give the illusion of silence as he wrapped his arms around Blue, one covering his mouth to muffle his cry of surprise as he dragged him away.
"Blue, it's me, I have an illusion up so she thinks you're still there," he whispered, and instantly Blue Wing went still, and grabbing his wrist he hurried him off towards where he had been hiding.
And it was only now that he was close that he realized what terrible state Blue Wing was in. The bruises visible on his skin, the dim light in his eyes, how he was shaking to keep on standing.
"Silver you need to run, now," Blue Wing whispered, pure fear in his voice.
"No, I'm getting you out of here first," Silver Paw said, his gut twisting as he took in Blue Wing's state. "I– I can carry you, we'll get you to–"
He was cut off as Blue Wing grabbed him by the shoulders, the desperation in his eyes clear. "Nino, you don't understand– Father is giving Feast the power to track Miraculouses, and this avatar was created from a feeling of pure hunger– it's going to eat anything that will stand in its way, and it's going to come straight for you and the other heroes!"
Silver stared at him with wide eyes.
"You need to find Ladybug and Panthera and warn them," Blue whispered. "Or else Feast is going to kill them."
Silver's mouth was dry. "D-destroy it. Stop it now, Blue, and we can run."
"I can't," Blue whispered, tears in his eyes. "Mellifera was lying to it– yes I can sense the amok, but it's out of reach. I don't know if it's because I didn't create it or what– but I can't grasp it– I can't stop this avatar."
Wayzz's and Trixx's desperation now seemed so much more clear.
"Listen to me," Blue Wing whispered, gripping him tightly. "With an akuma's influence Father is going to direct it at all Miraculous holders but us. It's going to track down the heroes right to their homes– and it will all be over. Either they'll be exposed or dead and– and you have to warn them, you need to warn them, please, I don't want– I didn't want–!"
Tears were in his eyes, and Nino didn't know if it was the guilt or his state that were doing this to him. He pulled Blue into a tight hug, tears of his own welling up. "Stay near Mellifera no matter what, she might be the only one that can stop it. I'll warn the others, and we'll stop this, I promise, Blue."
"Nino, I–" Blue began– but he was cut off as dark energy surrounded Feast, instantly having him swell in size, and there was no time to pause. Blue pushed him away, and Silver had no choice but to turn and run. He could feel the Mirage breaking as he rushed and crashed through the nearest window– the sounds of Feast's roars and alarms drowning out the noise of his flight. He didn't stop as he burst out of the museum, and took off running down the street.
"Nino, the Guardian is also in danger– he has the most Miraculouses of anyone in Paris!" Wayzz cried, coming out of his hiding spot and rushing by his side. Silver Paw risked a glance over his shoulder, and saw the museum wall in the distance crumbling. "We need to warn him too!"
"Trixx, let's rest," Silver cried as he ran around the corner, pulling off the necklace and the bracelet, holding them out to both kwamis, who took them in surprise. "Tell me where to find the Guardian, see if you can lure the monster with your Miraculouses, and when you get the chance go warn Marinette and Alya!"
"I'll warn Alya and distract Feast– Wayzz you take Marinette," Trixx said, clutching his Miraculous as he rushed back towards where Feast was coming– and they could only hope a closer Miraculous would veer the creature away from the others.
Wayzz began to recite an address, which Nino muttered under his breath– because he couldn't forget it, not in his panic. "You need to go quickly, Nino, without a Miraculous you can't be tracked– but you will be vulnerable. We will hold the avatar's attention for as long as we can, but it will be drawn to the Miracle Box full of the Miraculouses. Find the Guardian, break down the door if you must– he lives in a massage shop right along the Seine."
"Go," Nino said, and without another word Wayzz rose up into the air, his Miraculous in paw. This plan was risky– far too risky. They were risking their Miraculouses to draw Feast away from the Guardian and the heroes– giving time for Nino to find this Guardian. But with a whole box of Miraculouses in the city soon Feast's attention would be drawn there.
Nino took off sprinting down the street, his heart pounding in his chest. When he saw a bike propped up against a building he had no time to even feel guilty for taking it, stopping only for a moment to hop on and take off down the street. The front door of the store was thrown open, someone shouting after him, but he just rounded the corner as he pedaled.
He pulled out his phone, trying to stay balanced with one hand as he pedaled, speaking the address Wayzz had given, and immediately a map pulled up. He risked a quick glance at it, swerving out of the way of a lamppost, before tucking the phone away and biking even faster towards what was hopefully the Guardian's home.
He found just what Wayzz had promised– a small row of buildings running along the Seine, a closed massage shop looking empty as it stood there. Nino let the bike fall to the ground as he got off of it, panting as he went up to the door, trying the handle– but of course it was locked for the night. He leaned against the door for a moment, exhausted and desperate, mind trying to catch up to what was happening.
"Hello?" Nino called, knocking on the door. "Is anyone there?"
Silence.
Nino then slammed a whole fist against it, the door shaking, and he raised his voice. "Emergency! Villain attack! I need to talk to you, sir!"
Wayzz had suggested breaking down the door if all else failed, but Nino honestly didn't have the energy to do so. Again Nino tried the handle, the door shaking on its hinges, and in the distance he could hear what had to be the sentimonster rampaging through the city– and soon it would be coming here.
"Wayzz sent me!" Nino called through the crack in the door– but he heard nothing.
He turned back towards the bike, wondering if he could use it to break a window– when he heard the sound of a lock turning. He turned and saw a short older man pushing the door open, looking half awake. He looked out at Nino for a moment, before pushing the door open wider– and Nino immediately bolted inside.
"If Wayzz sent you, then why did he not come to awake me?" The man asked as he shut the door behind him. "Or why didn't he unlock the door himself?"
"There's a sentimonster with the power to track Miraculouses and it's going to be coming this way!" Nino blurted out, and the old man stiffened up. A purple kwami on his shoulder looked out at Nino with wide eyes as he continued. "Wayzz and Trixx are trying to distract it with their own Miraculouses, and they're going to try to warn Marinette and Alya when they can, but since the most Miraculouses are here, Feast is probably going to be coming straight here!"
He was telling more than he intended– Trixx and the heroes' names showed that he had and knew more than what he was supposed to– but in the moment it did not matter. Lives were at risk, Miraculouses were at risk, and Hawk Moth's victory seemed more likely than ever.
"I... I see," the Guardian said after a moment, though he looked quite shocked. His eyes flicked across Nino's face– no doubt taking in the scar that ran down it. "Come with me, young man. What is the avatar like? Is there an akuma with it?"
"It is the akuma," Nino explained as he followed the Guardian lead him into a backroom. "It... it was this frog statue thing in the museum, and Blue Wing was forced to awaken it. He– he told me that he can't destroy it, someone else made it– but it is supposed to have a hunger for Miraculouses, and it got huge after it was akumatized and now it can track Miraculouses."
The Guardian stiffened up. "...No. It can't be."
"Sir?" Nino asked uncertainly, glancing at the window– expecting Feast to come crashing through the walls.
"If your story is true, Nino Lahiffe, then we are in great danger," the Guardian said with wide eyes. "Because this avatar might be the very one that caused the fall of the Order that once protected the Miraculouses... the very avatar that I once created."