MIRACULOUS
Ch. 48
My Enemy Part 1
"Well, what do you know?" Afterglow wondered.
"We, I'll be damned," Rena agreed.
"Cat Noir succeeded?" Ryuko asked. Afterglow summoned her neon mask.
"Yes, but I'm afraid it's not over yet," she said. "There seems that the stronger husks such as the United Heroez are still within her grasp."
"I say you go after her," Viperion suggested. "We'll hold off these…. Wha…whaa... AAAAAAHHHHH!"
Viperion was swept away by a strong wind from a tornado created by Hurricane.
"Viperion! OOOF!" Carapace shouted but was abruptly swiped away by Mercury.
"Go, we got your back!" Viperion told Afterglow and jumped off.
Tour Montparnasse…
"NOOOOOOO!" Etheria screamed, running towards the light tornado until she reached the edge. She then collapsed to her knees.
"Amazing…"
"Impossible!" Etheria sneered as she observed the light tornado fading.
"I can't believe it," Queen Bee's smile crept in. "We were right! Wait till Kagami hears about this…"
Etheria looked back with the craziest look in her eyes.
"You…!" she sneered. "I needed those souls to bring back my children!"
"No!" Queen Bee countered. "You would've wiped everyone off…"
"Everyone be damned!" Etheria sneered and charged at her opponent. Etheria tackled Queen Bee to the ground and started to strangle her. "This world should burn for what it took from me!"
"You're insane!" Queen Bee choked.
"I needed those souls so when I had my hands on their miraculous!"
"So you knew?" Queen Bee kicked Etheria off her. They rolled away from each other and then quickly charged back. The two women spoke as they fought.
"WHO?"
"Huh?"
"Who did you revive?"
"Wouldn't tell you if I knew!"
"I'll kill you all!" Etheria took her rapier and slashed at her opponent.
"VENOM!" She charged at Etheria with her top tip, but she dodged it and kneeled her in the stomach and kicked her off her. She used her weakened power to summon the husks that remain within her grasp as she refused to let go.
"KILL THEM! KILL ALL OF THEM!" Etheria screamed as she ran off to jump to another rooftop.
"Where do you think you're going?" Queen Bee ran off after her.
Etheria suddenly snapped her fingers and another husk, still under Etheria's spell appeared right in front of her, halting her in her tracks.
"Zoe…?" Queen Bee whimpered.
"Venom," Vesperia whispered in an eerie echo, just like last time, and charged her top at Queen Bee's chest.
Queen Bee reacted quickly and grabbed Vesperia's arm to stop the top from reaching her chest. But the force of the impact knocked them both off the building. They both plunged to a nearby construction site, while still fighting, Vesperia tried to mindlessly subdue Queen Bee while she merely defended herself as she spoke…
"Zoe, please!" she pleaded. "You have to let go!"
Queen Bee's words seem to have reached her somewhat as she stopped fighting and clenched her head and whimpered in pain.
"Zoe, remember!" Queen Bee shouted, tearing up. "It's me, Chloe!"
"Chloe?" Vesperia whimpered as she stopped struggling.
"Yes, it's me," Queen Bee pleaded. "You remember me?"
"Ugh… AAH!" she let Queen Bee go and clenched her head in pain again. The two girls drifted apart as they still fell.
"Zoe…! AAAACK!" Queen Bee was cut off as she landed on her back on a bundle of construction I beam, tied together hanging by a thread of a tall crane. She fell the rest of the way down, unconscious.
Down the sewer…
Blue Jay's eyes readjusted to the darkness again as the light essence coming from Adrien and Setibug faded. Adrien was back in his civilian personal as both kwamis landed on the floor, tired.
Sentibug landed on the floor as well. He saw the light essence fading and he finally saw her… All of her. Though her hair was now all down and she no longer had a Ladybug suit… She still resembled Marinette in every single way… Except she was now completely naked.
"Uuhhh…" Blue Jay didn't know who to tend first, so he shook them both at the same time. "Hey, Adrien, kid. Bugette?"
They both moaned and stirred. Sentibug got up first and wiped the sleep off her eyes.
"Ohh…" She soothed. "So brief, yet it felt so good."
"Uhhhh…" Blue Jay didn't know what to say, so he turned to Adrien. Who had a tougher time getting up.
"Kid," Plagg said as he himself woke up. "You did it."
"It worked?" Tikki asked. "I can't believe it."
"Come on kid," Plagg said. "It's not over yet."
"Ok," Adrien whispered as he finally sat up.
"You ok, kid?"
"Yeah, just a little tired," Adrien replied. He searched his pocket and gave camembert and a macron to their respective kwamis.
"We gotta hurry," Plagg said. "Etheria must still have a hold of a few husks to still cause a ruckus!"
As the kwamis ate, Adrien turned his attention to Sentibug. She was on her knees staring at Adrien with wide innocent eyes, seemingly unbothered by her complete lack of attire. Adrien gulped, considering this might be how Marinette actually looked like. In some way, this is the first time he saw his lady naked, but quickly snapped back to reality and got back on topic.
"How do you feel, Bugette?" Adrien asked. She looked down and raised her arms a little as she took a quick look at herself. She seemed curious and fascinated by her newfound flesh and blood.
"Excited," she said. "Yet scared."
Adrien noticed that she sounded a little gentler than before.
"She sounds, kinda different now," Blue Jay added.
"I am real," she said softly, Adrien realized that this is her voice now, taking soft-spoken to a whole new level. "But now I realize that I don't have a purpose…" she looked like she was about to tear up. "When I was a sentimonster… I had a clear goal in mind, but now… I don't… I'm scared, what will I do?" she hugged herself.
"Yeah you do," Adrien grabbed her bare shoulders.
"Huh?"
Adrien took off the Ladybug earrings and offered them to the former Sentibug.
"Adrien?" Tikki asked.
"Her name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the real Ladybug is fighting up to the surface as we speak. She's now using Hawk Moth's miraculous to fight. The city is in chaos and we need you to be Ladybug.
"Ladybug?"
"Except you will be the real Ladybug this time," Adrien reassured. "If you wanted a purpose, well here's your chance!"
Sentibug looked down at the earrings on Adrien's hand and then back into his eyes.
"We need your help," he said. "Ladybug needs your help."
She stared back at his palms where he held the earrings once again. Tikki, having finished her macron, finally gathered the courage to approach her.
"Hello," she greeted. "I'm Tikki, if you accept I will lend you my power for this mission. Ummmm… What should I call you?"
"Yeah, that's right," Adrien realized. "You need a name."
"I do?" Sentibug asked.
"Can't call you Bugette, I mean, can't connect you with the real Ladybug forever…" he pondered. He looked into her innocent blue eyes. Only now does he realize that there is a hint of green in those blue eyes, an interesting contrast to Marinette's pure azure blue eyes. That made it quite easy to tell her and Marinette apart. Considering his own eyes are pure green, then he thought of his sister and how her eyes would've been. Somehow he knew his stillborn sister's eyes would have been green as well, then it hit him…
"How about… Emma?"
"Emma…?" she repeated in her soft gentle voice, she gave a shy smile. "I like it!"
"Then it's settled. Emma Dupain-Cheng, I present you the Ladybug earrings, they will give you the power of creation," Adrien offered.
Her heart accelerated, finding it beautiful to have a heart beating in her chest. It was happening so fast, she exists again, she became human and was now given a new purpose. She was once terrified of dying again. Now even if she died again this very day, she could not be more grateful for this second chance. She took the earrings and put them on. She stood up on her bare feet and gave a look of pure determination.
"I'm ready!" she said.
"Wait, shouldn't we get her some clothes first?" Blue Jay looked away.
"TIKKI, SPOTS ON!" she shouted, ignoring Blue Jay. Tikki was sucked into the earrings and Emma was once again engulfed in the Ladybug suit, even her pigtails returned.
"Whoooa… Can't even tell the real one apart," Blue Jay awed.
"Uh, shouldn't we call you something else? So we don't get crossed with the real Ladybug?" Adrien asked.
She playfully crossed her arms in thinking and stroked her chin.
"How about, Sentibug?"
"Huh?" Adrien was caught off guard by this. Considering her short first life, he wouldn't have thought she would have quite the sense of humor about it.
"Yeah, think about it," Sentibug said. "I was a sentimonster, so…"
"Come to think of it, I did think of it as a nickname," Adrien pondered.
"Uh, guys? I would rather if we hurry," Plagg urged.
"I almost forgot!" Blue Jay.
"All right, let's…" Adrien slurred off as he stumbled off his feet.
"Kid!" Blue Jay said, catching him from falling. "You ok?"
"Cat Noir," Sentibug.
"Heh? You've seen my face," Adrien realized.
"Yeah, better not tell her your name," Plagg said.
Meanwhile…
"Rena, I need you to stay behind and aid carapace and the others," Afterglow ordered.
"Heck no, I'm coming with," Rena replied.
"No," Afterglow countered. "Rena, please, I have to release them from their power once the city is clear, I need everyone to keep an eye on them, and I can't keep track of all of them while I face her."
"But you can't do this alone!"
"I have to…"
"Then wait for Cat Noir!" Rena cut her off.
"He said he'd be back, didn't he?"
"He didn't blow up the world, that's for sure," Afterglow grinned.
"Also, you said it yourself," Rena said. The city is almost cleaned up.
"Emphasis on 'almost' Rena," Afterglow argued.
"Look, I'm sure she's not even there anymore so it's best not to rush in blind!" Rena places her hand on her back. Afterglow looked back at her then back up the building.
"You're right," Afterglow conceded. Her communicator's alarm sounded off, which she answered.
"Afterglow," Viperion said. "There are still husks at City Hall, I think they're trying to hold the house hostage to lure you guys out! OW!" he was attacked by Lady Dragon.
"Viperion? Viperion!" Afterglow shouted.
"We gotta help them STAT?" Rena said.
"Right!" Afterglow agreed and then called Blue Jay.
"Blue Jay!"
"Afterglow," Blue Jay greeted.
"Blue Jay, tell Cat Noir it's not over yet to meet us at city hall!"
"Gotcha! Kid, take a piece of the action! Kid?" Blue Jay said as the transmission was cutting off.
"Blue Jay?" Afterglow asked. "Is everything all right?"
The Signal was gone.
"Damn!"
"Don't think about it too much, we gotta head to city hall now!" Rena urged.
"Uh, right!"
Meanwhile… At the construction site next to Tour Montparnasse…
Adrien tripped again as they made their way out of the sewer. They didn't make it far when Blue Jay noticed that Adrien seemed weaker.
"Kid, you don't look so hot," Blue Jay was concerned.
"Damn it, I was hoping I could shake it off," Adrien said. He stumbled once again and held on to a wall for support. He took out his mask and put it on.
"It's happening, isn't it?" Blue Jay asked.
"Cat Noir…" Sentibug soothed as she clenched his fists on her chest. "Are you all right?"
Adrien gave her a chuckle.
"It's just like Nathalie said," Adrien said. "It's the consequence of using both miraculous to bring you back, I'll drift off… I… I may not wake up…"
"NO!" Sentibug whimpered.
"I should've known," Plagg was devastated.
"You know about this… huh?" Adrien said, with his back against the wall and sliding down. "Please give it to me straight."
"It's no use, Adrien," Plagg lamented. "It's just as we feared, your body couldn't take the toll. You feel your strength fading, don't you?"
"Yeah," Adrien said, resigned. "I think…"
"Kid…"
"I think this is it for me…"
"Is this my fault?" Sentibug whimpered, once again on the verge of tears.
"No it's not," Adrien countered weakly. "Hey Bugette…" he soothed and caressed her tear-stained face. "Shhhh… Don't cry. Please live, be there for Marinette. Please?"
Sentibug caressed his hand on her cheek and held her in place. She sniffed but did her best to smile.
"Ok… I will for her… and you…"
Adrien was breathing deeply and strained as he was fighting a war to stay awake.
"I gave you a second chance," Adrien said. "Don't waste it…"
His head fell down and succumbed to his eternal slumber.
"KID!" Plagg shouted.
"Cat Noir!" Sentibug bawled. "Why did you bring me back? I wish you didn't…"
"Don't even think about finishing that sentence!" Blue Jay growled, grabbing her by the shoulders.
"Huh?" Sentibug stared at him wide-eyed, frightened.
"What did he just say?" he said. "He gave himself up to give you this chance. Fight, survive, live! Do it for ladybug! Do it for Cat Noir!"
Sentibug's unshed tears still emerged from her eyes as she sheepishly stared back at him then back at Adrien. She closed her eyes and they opened again to look back at him with a newly determined face once again and nodded.
"All right," Blue Jay said. "You coming, Plagg?"
The black cat kwami was nowhere to be found.
"Plagg?"
City Hall…
"Please, take everything but let me go," the city mayor begged. The lady Dragon husk emerged from behind and kicked him on the back.
An unhinged Etheria grabbed the mayor by the neck and held him close to her face.
"Do I look like I care for anything you offer?" she asked in a venomous voice that would make Audrey Bourgeois jealous. She looked around the building and had everyone right where she wanted them.
Hurricane and Snowflake had Pegasus frozen in an isolated ice crystal, rendering him unable to move.
Eagle had both of Viperion's arms pinned, thus leaving him unable to move.
Majestia had both Carapace and Ryuko pinned down with her strength.
Doorman had Rocket trapped on an interdimensional loop.
"AAARGH!" Rocket yelled as he clearly had the worst of the deal.
The other former heroes from New York had circled the area.
Afterglow and Rena Rouge observed from the distance. Afterglow had explained to Rena the dangers to sic the akumatized citizens on her, blind. Besides, I have the akumatized to help around Paris, that takes priority, too."
"What's the plan?" Rena asked. Afterglow groaned.
"UGH! No choice," she said. "We have to wait 'till Cat and the others are here."
"Seriously?"
"I mean, we can distract them for a while with your mist. But…"
Suddenly, Doorman lifted up with a grunt and disappeared rescuing Rocket.
"Huh?" Afterglow blurted out.
"What?" Rena asked.
Sparrow and Uncanny Valley lifted and disappeared with some hard-hitting noise followed.
"Wait a minute," Afterglow realized that they are being pulled by a string, the Ladybug yoyo.
"What is it, Afterglow?"
"What was that noise?" Etheria sneered. "Sparrow!" she looked around but there was no response.
"Haa!" Sentibug tried to dropkick Etheria, only to be blocked.
"Who the…"
"IS THAT?" Afterglow's adrenaline spiked like never before as she saw an exact copy of herself, even with her previous pigtails. But quickly realized she was being reckless.
"Sentibug, no!" Blue Jay came from behind. "KECHO ZEN!" He threw glowing blue fans at Etheria which she blocked away and kicked Sentibug in the stomach, knocking her off her and clashing on top of Blue Jay in the process.
"Bugette!" Afterglow was unable to hold her excitement. Everyone looked up and she quickly realized her mistake. "Uh-oh."
"It's the real ladybug!" Etheria pointed at Afterglow. Majestia flew towards her. Afterglow stood no chance against her without her akumatized helpers. She raised her arms, shielding herself.
Amid the confusion, everyone broke off their bounds.
"Afterglow, for the love of…" Rena duplicated herself and slowed Majestia down as much as they could.
"Rocket to the rescue!" Rocket's own clones jumped in and managed to overwhelm the Majestia's husk.
"AARGH!" Rena growled. "You know what they say, the bigger they are…"
"The more bones they break," Rocket said.
"Don't jinx it!" Rena said between her teeth.
With everyone distracted by the confusion, Ryuko took the chance to kick her captors off and break free. She jumped up the roof to aid Afterglow. Only to be intercepted by Hurricane, who began creating a hurricane.
"Out of my way!" Ryuko shouted. "WIND DRAGON!"
Both of their clashing tornados added to the confusion of what is happening in city hall.
Carapace break danced his way out of his enemies and made his way towards the hostages.
"SHELL-TER!" Carapace shielded the hostages on his barrier. "Everyone, follow me! Yo Pegasus, get us outta here!"
"No need to ask!" Pegasus replied as he created a portal to fit everyone within the sphere.
"Where do you think you're going?" Etheria snapped. "Lady Dragon!"
Lady Dragon husk jumped after them.
"She's after the hostages!" Ryuko said.
"Not if I can help it!" Afterglow said and communicated to her champions to defend the hostages.
"Looks like they'll need the extra help, BARRAGE!" Rocket shouted and another set of clones scattered throughout the city.
Meanwhile, Sentibug and Blue Jay regained consciousness.
"You okay, Sentibug?"
"Uhhh…"
"Sentibug?"
"I… I don't know what's happening, fighting wasn't as easy as I remember…" she curled into a fetal position.
"I wouldn't say that," Blue Jay said. "I'd say you handled the yoyo pretty well… I GOT IT!" he got up on his feet, pushing her off him.
"WHAAA!"
"I know how you can do this, Yakuza style!"
Meanwhile, Ryuko was still her wind struggle against Hurricane. Snowflake made a sudden appearance and added a blizzard on Hurricane wind, hindering Ryuko even more.
This made fighting difficult as the winds as Rena and Afterglow had no choice as they had to handle Majestia with her bare fists. While Afterglow's strength was enhanced due to her miraculous, she's still a far cry from Majestia.
Viperion and Blue Jay were taking care of Sting and Thorn.
"I don't suppose Peacocks or snakes have any advantages over plants?" Viperion asked.
"Nope," Blue Jay lamented.
"I cannot hold…" Ryuko collapsed on one knee as Hurricane and Snowflake pressed on her.
"Yo, blowers!" Sentibug's voice was heard and grabs Hurricane with her yoyo string. "You need to chill out!" She flipped Hurricane with her string and flipped them on their head. "Sentibug, SMASH!" She spun the husk towards Hurricane, weakening his wind, which gave Ryuko the advantage. With her wind, she grabbed both her opponents and lifted them up in the air.
"Now!" Ryuko shouted.
Sentibug used her yoyo to tear them to shreds.
The two heroines two a moment for a breather, both panted and stared at each other for a moment before Ryuko spoke up.
"What are you…?"
Before she could ask properly, a mechanical bound caught her. An electrical current goes through her body, paralyzing her.
Sentibug jumped back and spun her yoyo, idle stance.
"It is Victory," Ryuko blurted out, despite her pain. "She uses gadgets and technology, stay on your guard… ARGH!"
Victory kicked Ryuko, knocking her out.
"BULLY!" Sentibug threw her yoyo at her. Victory grabbed it easily and pulled it towards her. Victory tried to taser her but grabbed her arm before that could happen. Sentibug kneeled on Victory's elbow, causing her to drop the taser. Sentibug barraged Victory's stomach. She enveloped her opponent's head with her arm and slammed her to the ground, breaking her neck.
She looked around and saw the rest of the team struggling to fight off their opponents.
Thorn wrapped Viperion and Blue jay with their vines, with the former's arms, kept separated. Sting looked like they were about to do their move.
Afterglow and Rena weren't doing so well either, Majestia's flight and strength overwhelmed them and Rena's mist could only confuse her for so long. Sentibug remembered something.
"Of course," she realized. "LUCKY CHARM!"
It was an electric resuscitation device.
"How did Ladybug do this?" She asked herself.
"Bugette!" Afterglow had noticed the Lucky charm glow. "Hold on!" She jumped back after a Majestia attack and saw that a few Rocket clones had stayed behind.
"We'll keep her busy," Rena said. "Just help this Ladybug out!"
"Rena!"
"I can take care of it! I'm not alone!" Rena winked at her friend as she was aided by both her and Rocket's clones.
"You have to make it! Don't die on me!" Afterglow made her way towards the confused Sentibug. The two stared at each other for a moment as Afterglow took a moment to sink in who she was dealing with.
"Um, Marinette?" Sentibug asked. Afterglow snapped back to reality and focused.
"Oh," she blurted. "Look we don't have much time so listen carefully. You have to focus and the Miraculous will help you!"
"I don't get it," Sentibug admitted.
"Just take the first step on the solution and your power will guide you the rest of the way," Afterglow gripped her shoulders. "Look out!"
Afterglow pushed Sentibug away, who saw her original counterpart being whisked away by Thorn's vines. Among them she saw that Rena has been captured as well, she was on her own. She backed away for a few steps, knowing she was outnumbered. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to muster whatever focus she can gather. Being only a few hours old, she felt like the fate of the world is on her shoulders. A world she had no prior stake in, yet she accepted that responsibility and she's going to see this through… She opened her eyes and it was all black and white. The resuscitator, Ryuko's bind, Ryuko herself, and the vines.
"Of course!" Sentibug realized.
With that she sent a small shock on Ryuko's mechanical bound, releasing her while the shock woke her up. Ryuko jumped up to her feet and tore her bound with pure strength.
"WATER DRAGON!" she shouted. She shot a wavy towards the vines, drowning everything out. The vines became loose enough to release everyone. "EARTH DRAGON!" She caused an earthquake that began destroying the vines and trapping the husks to the ground below crushing them. However, due to her strength, Majestia seemed to be making her way out of the earth. Sentibug jumped down onto where she was and landed on Majestia, breaking her neck. She quickly jumped back up on the highest peak nearby for safety.
"NOW!"
"MIRACULOUS SENTIBUG!" she threw the resuscitator up in the air.
The damage was remedied before Ryuko's earthquake could do further damage. They were all standing there as if nothing happened.
Everyone looked up and saw Sentibug getting up on her feet and overlooking the scene as the wind blew her hair. She took a strand of her hair behind her ear and jumped down to check on everyone else.
"I knew you could do it!" Afterglow greeted her with glee. "Ummm…"
"Sentibug," she introduced herself.
"I knew there was something different about you," Viperion said, approaching. Sentibug caught a glimpse of him and say directly into his eyes and was immediately intrigued as to who was that under the mask.
"Hi…" Sentibug soothed. Viperion was caught off guard. "Who are you?"
"Well, I guess you can call me Viperion for now… Ummm."
Sentibug simply gazed at him, with wide green-blue eyes that were strangely intoxicating him with ecstasy. Rena looked left and right between the two and grinned like an actual fox.
"What's this feeling?"Sentibug thought.
"Hm?"
"You know what? I'm gonna check on the others. Follow me later! Come on Rena," Viperion jumped off.
"What? Awww, just when it was getting good," Rena begrudgingly followed Viperion.
"Wait," Sentibug said smoothly, knowing he wouldn't hear her. She just stared as he left.
"I may not know who you are," Ryuko said. "But I must admit, you handled yourself well."
"Hehe, looks like Cat Noir's gamble paid off," Blue Jay said.
"Speaking of Cat Noir, where is he, anyway?" Afterglow asked. Blue Jay was a paralysis, realizing the situation he put himself in.
"Uhhhh…." As if on cue, Sentibug's final warning alarm sounded from her earrings. "Whoa whoa!" he grabbed Sentibug and shoved her in the women's bathroom where the final alarm went off and she detransformed.
"What is the meaning of…" Ryuko started before Blue Jay cut her off.
"Hey, Afterglow, you don't happen to have something to feed Tikki, do you?"
"Are you all right, Marinette?"Tikki greeted Afterglow.
"I'm more worried about you, Tikki," Afterglow answered. "How is she doing?"
"She's a little lost and confused," Tikki said. "But I think being Ladybug is all she's ever known."
"We can show her other things when it's over but we need her now," Afterglow said. "For now let's get you some sweets."
"Hey, Ryuko," Blue Jay said. "Mind helping me keep taps on Emma here while Afterglow gets Tikki recharged?"
"Emma?" Afterglow took note.
"Why are you hiding me?" Emma asked.
"You're naked!" Blue Jay blurted out but quickly covered his mouth. He turned his eyes towards Afterglow and Ryuko, who gazed at him with blinking eyes.
"Ummm… Why is she…?"
"Not to worry," Ryuko affirmed, cutting Afterglow off. "Afterglow if you please?"
"Oh, right!" Afterglow affirmed. "Let's get you charged quickly!"
"Always with you, Marinette!" Tikki followed.
"I believe it is best to know how the others are doing as we wait," Ryuko suggested to Blue Jay.
"Good idea!" he agreed and communicated with Rocket.
"Hey Rocket, how are things on your end?"
"NOT GOOD!" Rocket said.
Construction site near Tour Montparnasse…
Nino and Max lay injured among the recaptured hostages. Her last husk Mercury was searching everywhere for anyone hiding. Rocket could only hide for so long before he was found.
"Search everywhere! That Raccoon cannot be far," Etheria shouted at Mercury while he held down a struggling Nadja. "You can blame your precious heroes that you will now never reunite with your daughter!"
"You monster!" Nadja struggled. "You took my Minon from me…"
"How long do you intend to hide? You know what will happen if you don't show yourself."
"I could use Queen Bee, right about now," Rocket muttered. Catching a glimpse of a hidden but still unconscious Queen Bee.
Viperion and Rena hid elsewhere as they observed from the distance. Rena made a fist but Viperion placed his hand on hers and shook his head. He looked at his bracelet and briefly considered rewinding, but decided against it.
"My Lady," Lady Dragon greeted Etheria from behind.
"Did you find them?" Etheria turned to see Lady Dragon, holding someone over her shoulder.
"I have found one," she confirmed. Etheria's adrenaline rushed. She lifted his head and saw the mask she saw on the viral videos. Etheria grinned. She looked at his hand, no ring. Ladybug and the others must have it.
"Cat Noir, your misguided allegiance to that farce of a person was your undoing. Just as I predicted," she said. "Maybe we can take advantage of that."
Back in city hall…
"We're on our way!" Blue Jay, replied and was cut off. "Ladies ready?"
"TIKKI SPOTS ON!" Sentibug emerged from the restroom. "Ready!"
"Hey Afterglow, are you good to akumatize the hostages?" Blue Jay asked.
"I have already deakumatized my champions and warned them to stay away. I should be able to muster a few when the time comes."
"We must part, then," Ryuko said.
Then they were off as the fraction of the team jumped amongst the rooftops, making their way to the tallest building in Paris where Rocket revealed their location.
Meanwhile…
Rocket's buckle began to sound off as his time was starting to run out.
"This is bad," Rocket muttered. "I used up all my shadows."
"I really wish backup was here so I can power them up while you make a break for it."
"Hope they get here before…"
"What's the sitch?" Afterglow asked from behind.
"Whoah," He looked back at her with the others.
"Sorry but your champions were no match," Viperion lamented. Afterglow gasped when she saw Nadja, Jagged, Nora, and others were among the hostages.
"This is my fault…"
"Don't think about it, now," Rena interjected. "Focus on the now."
"Ladybug!" Etheria shouted. "I know you're here! Or should I say, Marinette!"
Afterglow's world froze, her secret was now out to all of Paris.
"Yes, the new face of Gabriel Agreste Fashion. I could only see him doing this because of the object you are. Gabriel always had a good eye for pristine figures. I always knew the way you looked at my son, I would have approved of you being with Adrien if you were a real person."
"That witch…" Rena growled, and was about to get up but was pushed down by Rocket.
"You stay put!" he sneered.
"I'm not done yet."
The hostages gasped in horror when they saw someone coming. It was Lady Dragon's husk carrying a hooded masked young man, he didn't seem to be conscious. That dark hoodie with glowing green lines, that mask with electric lights. Afterglow immediately recognized who it is… Is he…? Her world froze once again. That kitty who always lightens up her days prancing around, spouting his terrible jokes and puns. The hero on a black catsuit she had seen as a guardian angel. Now laid lifeless in Lady Dragon's arms like a hunter's prey.
"Guess who disregarded the consequences of mishandling such power!"
"NOOOOOO!" Afterglow screeched at the top of her lungs, jumping from her hiding place without even thinking.
"KID, NO!" Rocket shouted.
"THERE THEY ARE!"
"Great," Viperion rolled his eyes. "Attack!"
He, Rena, Sentibug, and Blue Jay were the only ones left right now as they went against Lady Dragon and Hurricane.
Afterglow charged at Etheria, who snapped her fingers and the husk of Glacia suddenly appeared, stopping her dead in her tracks.
"Mother…" she whimpered. She stood frozen for a second. She quickly made a fist with a stern expression on her face. She opened the palm of her hand and drilled a hole onto it with her other hand as if her arm was some sort of sword sheath as she took out a long rapier, similar to the one Hawk Moth hid on his cane. She readied her rapier at a defensive position, ready to fight.
"Well, what do you know," Etheria wondered. "It thinks."
"MOTHER!" Afterglow screamed as she charged.
Author's note
I'm gonna leave it there.
How Afterglow took out her rapier I got it from the character Shaka Virgo from "Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac" where he whips out his sacred beads in a similar manner to fight off Hades' forces.
Welp season 4 has come and gone and once again, very little progress to the story and characters has been made. I mean did we really have to wait four full seasons for Marinette to make a mistake with actual lasting consequences? Especially when they could've done this the previous season by denying Chloe from becoming Queen Bee which caused the stir that led to Hawk Moth finding who the master was in the first place.
Then there was Psychomedian when Cat noir finally takes point and given a chance to shine… ONLY TO BACKPEDAL THE NEXT FRIGGIN EPISODE! Seriously what gives!?"
So yeah, I finally had the stomach to check out season 4. The characters and their interactions' charm are still pretty much present here and reminded me why I got into the show in the first place. However, the problems persist and the full extent of Marinette's behavior and lack of responsibility as well as the painfully slow progression bogs it down big time, but I'm just repeating myself at this point.
Let me know what you think, constructive criticism is appreciated.