Chapter 76: Arabian Knight
It's evening; the same evening as the prior chapter. Raissa Deschamps is freaking out as cracks have appeared in Snow Leopard's cocoon. She's being quite loud, but in the Deschamps household, this is nothing new, so the rest of her family ignores her. She grabs her phone and starts calling Meera Pugliese when the ice shell shatters, and Snow Leopard drops on her back. The ice vanishes without melting or soaking anything. Raissa hurries over to her to see if she's okay while having a split conversation with Meera, who is on the other end of the phone.
Snow complains about being exhausted and wanting to go back to bed; she wonders why she's even at Raissa's apartment. Her bracelet is beeping all the while until it hits zero and shuts down, releasing a small snow leopard kwami from within. Raissa hugs Giselle because she's so relieved her friend is okay. Giselle asks what's going on. Raissa starts to explain that Giselle was trapped in ice and that Ladybug brought her here. That's when everything comes back to Giselle; she sits up, wondering how long she was asleep. Meera's voice can be heard through the phone, demanding other answers. Raissa tells her to hurry on over.
That's when the snow leopard kwami clears his throat. Raissa just about leaps out of her skin. The she squeals about how cute the kwami is and hugs him tightly. He pricks her with his claws to get her to let go and makes a small but fierce growl. To Raissa, this only makes him look cuter, so she hugs him all the tighter. Finally the kwami just fazes through her arms to get away from her. Giselle asks if he's her kwami, and he confirms he is. Raissa barely understands what a kwami means, so Giselle and the new kwami explain it to her.
At that point Meera Pugliese enters. She's also thrilled Giselle is awake and hugs her. She attempts to put the kwami in a glass jar for her collection of paranormal things, but again the kwami fazes through the glass. This prompts a repeated explanation about what kwamis are. The kwami insists he's to serve Giselle as long as she bears his miraculous—the bracelet. This does make Raissa and Meera even more excited as their friend has a real miraculous.
Giselle is getting a bit overwhelmed. Plus, like the rest of the B Team before her, she's pretty tired as a lot of her own energy went into helping the new kwami exist. She takes a moment to gather her thoughts and asks the kwami if he knows about Ladybug and Hawk Moth. He does not, but he does know he is required to keep secrets—especially identities, represents (insert unused concept here), will help Giselle transform with a special phrase, and will do his best to guide her in making the right choices for the greater good. Giselle thanks him and rubs his head; he insists she don't do that. He's a fierce leopard, after all—despite the fact he's just about purring from the back rub. Raissa jokes that the new kwami needs to "chill out and relax," which leads to the snow leopard kwami being named "Chill."
Giselle then bolts up, realizing her father must be worried sick. Raissa and Meera explain that Rena Rouge has been covering for her and that they had taken care of things for Giselle at school. Giselle thanks them both. But she does need to get home, and to contact the B Team and tell them what happened. The three head to the bus stop together, excitedly talking the whole way. On the ride home, Giselle logs into the Discord server and catches up in all she missed by reading the backlogs as well as informing the rest of her allies that she's safe and awake. (Her father never realizes that Rena Rouge had been poking into his home for two days.)
It's another school morning because the author has no idea where weekends fall in this storyline. Fumikage Tokoyami is going through his morning routine in his dimly lit bedroom with Dark Shadow the crow kwami trying to have a conversation with him. However, Fumikage's mind is very much elsewhere; furthermore, it's clear he didn't sleep much the prior night. He's certain he saw Chip Bluestone talking with Adamantus the prior night. There's no mistaking Chip's top hat or Adamantus's glimmering horn. But why? Why would Chip willingly talk to Adamantus, and why would Adamantus talk to him back? And why was Chip even using his magical glove when the B Team all agreed it wasn't safe? And Chip doesn't even have a secret keeper yet! Fumikage feels deeply uneasy. He knows he should probably tell someone. Alpha? But he hesitates; he feels guilty. Because he's suspecting his own ally of being dishonest. Of being a traitor… But if he doesn't tell anyone and it does turn out that Chip shouldn't be trusted… I'd be letting my closest allies, my closest friends, get hurt instead.
Nicholas Sancoeur takes a moment to visit his aunt before departing to school for the day. She's busy keeping up Gabriel's work, but she's glad to see Nicholas as she has a task for him. She first pulls up five different profiles on her tablet. Then she produces her briefcase and unlocks the secret compartment, revealing the remaining five items she created. Nathalie explains that she decided the five remaining targets—people who, when akumatized in the past, came closest to success. She hands the items to Nicholas and instructs him to sneak them to her chosen wielders. Nicholas takes a moment to study the five profiles on her tablet: Prediction, Desperada, Acid Rain, Accelerator, and…Nicholas gulps…Black Thorn.
Solomon knocks on the office door; it's his way of telling Nicholas it's time for school. Nicholas follows him out. In the lobby, Felix Graham de Vanily is waiting in addition to being lectured by his mother as it's clear she knows he ditched his afternoon classes the prior day. Felix is as sullen as ever as he just silently endures it. Amelie tells him he'd better not skip anything today. Adrien then comes down the stairs, and the three boys head to school.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng arrives at school earlier than she usually does. She planned this with Alya Cesaire, who arrives at the same time. They wanted to have a bit to talk just the two of them before the rest of their friends showed up. Marinette personally thanks Alya for all she did yesterday to help them against Tenrec and Scarabug as well as covering for Snow Leopard. She wonders if Alya heard the good news that Snow is awake, and Alya says that she is one of the first people Snow contacted. Alya admits she wants to see the new kwami, and Marinette says that Alya probably could arrange things with Giselle. They're friends, after all. They continue the conversation, breaking into giggles on occasion, as it is nice to have someone to share the burden of secret identities with.
The conversation also veers into crushes. Alya asks Marinette what she plans to do about Cat Noir, who makes it clear how strongly he feels about her and isn't exactly moving on despite being rejected. Marinette stammers, "you know how I feel about Adrien. Nothing is going to change that." Though it's not as if Marinette can admit to Alya that she knows Adrien and Cat Noir are the same person because it's not her secret to share. Alya walks away from the conversation privately wishing Cat Noir would just give up as it's clear Marinette/Ladybug is never going to reciprocate because she's head over heels for Adrien.
The Agreste limo arrives, and Nino Lahiffe and Adrien Agreste head off together. Felix walks off to be alone, simmering about his mother forcing him to remaining in a school like this for a prolonged period of time. Nicholas Sancoeur starts towards the building when Gilles Chastain intercepts him and talks to him like a good friend. He asks Nicholas how his tinkering is going and what he likes about Paris and if he's homesick for Italy yet. Nicholas again finds it odd that Gilles wants to spend time with him. We're friends. That's what Gilles told him. But friendship is an emotion outside what the senti monster knows. It's something he wasn't supposed to feel at all. And yet… Nicholas feels the weight of Nathalie's five remaining birthstone items. Aunt Nathalie chose Prediction, Accelerator, Desperada, Acid Rain, and…Black Thorn. He looks at his best friend. It's Gilles. Gilles was the one akumatized into Black Thorn. Nicholas has his orders from his creator. He needs to place an item secretly within Gilles's possession. He tucks a clasp inside the palm of his hand and reaches for a side pocket of Gilles's backpack when Gilles isn't looking. But…But… He can't go through with it. He withdraws his hand, item still hidden inside.
Adrien and Nino hang out, making sure to keep out of convenient eavesdropping distance from everyone else. They continue their discussion from the day before now that both know each other's superhero aliases. Nino mentions that he thought hard about Adrien's remaining riddle the night before, but he has no solution. He wanted to do it to "help the little guy" (Wayzz), whom he knows is worried about "the master." Adrien appreciates the help regardless. Adrien hesitates and then asks Nino if he (Nino) thinks it would be okay if Adrien acted more relaxed, like Cat Noir, around their classmates. Nino assures him it'd be fine, and he's surprised Adrien held such a fear for so long. Adrien confesses that he just wanted to be liked, to have real friends, for once in his life. And he doesn't want to sabotage that now that he does have good friends at school. Nino tells him they'd all appreciate him being himself. Adrien admits he's not so sure as when he turned Chloe down and confessed his crush is Ladybug, she hasn't spoken to him since. Nino says that that's different being Chloe and romance and all. He walks away from the conversation privately realizing that he needs to detour Marinette and Kagami away from Adrien as it's clear Adrien/Cat Noir is only head over heels for Ladybug.
Speaking of Kagami Tsurugi, she seeks out Marinette once she's dropped off at school. Alya greets Kagami in a friendly manner, and Kagami asks to speak to Marinette alone. Alya heads off, and Marinette asks Kagami what's on her mind. Kagami admits she wants to thank Marinette for giving her closure on her relationship with Adrien. Marinette goes through an array of emotions from confusion to happiness to hope to gloom as she was certain she had helped Kagami and Adrien get back together. Kagami shakes her head. She was serious when she said it was over between her and Adrien; she's let go of her romantic feelings. However, yesterday at the Cat Café, she and Adrien were able to talk and make some amends and agree to be friends. And for Kagami, that is every bit as important. So she thanks Marinette for allowing that chance; otherwise, she would have become bitter. Kagami turns to leave and then repeats her caution to Marinette, "If you're going to continue to pursue Adrien, don't forget he's still a big flake who stood me up three times in a row. I wouldn't want to see you get your heart broke. You're my friend too."
Giselle Winters-Blanchet meets up with Raissa Deschamps and Meera Pugliese, and they talk as excitedly as if they hadn't just seen each other the previous evening. Meera pulls out some bonito flakes as she wants to feed Chill, and both her friends remind her not to spill the secret that Chill exists or Giselle's secret identity. Giselle again thanks them for collecting her homework while she was out; she wonders if she missed anything else interesting. They reply with just a couple of akuma attacks, nothing abnormal. Sad that that is the new normal.
They pass by Marc Anciel and Nathaniel Kurtzberg, who are talking about the soon-to-air in their universe TV show, Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars). Nathaniel is incredibly excited, and he wants to host a watch party at his apartment for the premiere. "After all, it's not like my parents are going to be home anyway." Giselle pivots on her heel. Ahsoka Tano is only two days from airing?! Well, she was unconscious for half a week. Nathaniel notices how she stops short and remembers from before that she likes the Knights of the Old Republic. So he extends his invitation to Giselle and her friends. Giselle accepts immediately before remembering she probably should ask her father for permission first. Raissa and Meera also accept the invitation with Meera commenting that her favorite episode is "Trouble with Tribbles." Marc suggests that they open the invite to others in the class, to which Nathaniel agrees (because it's not like his parents are even around, again). They ask a couple of people whom they pass in the hallway, but Fumikage Tokoyami and Viktor Vasiliev aren't that into scifi. Nicholas Sancoeur and Gilles Chastain get roped into the conversation by Raissa (who also sees herself as a friend to Nicholas). Giselle recalls her penpal, Vivica, also loves Star Wars and asks about inviting her too. Nathaniel agrees, so Giselle sends Vivica a text.
While no one is looking, Nicholas slips one of his five items into Raissa's satchel as Raissa was on Nathalie's target list. She was Acid Rain.
Also that morning, Rose Lavillant finds Juleka Couffaine. Rose is on cloud nine. Prince Ali is back in the city, and he's volunteering at the hospital Rose usually goes to. He asked for her personally to help, so that afternoon Rose is going to join Ali in reading books to children and putting on a puppet show for the older patients and leading a craft time for families. They're going to work alongside a community service dog, the public library (who also sent a good number of cards for the patients), the nearest rehab clinic, and even Jean Duparc, who'll host a magic show. Juleka is glad for Rose, and Rose suggests that Juleka joins her as they could use the extra hands to help pass out craft supplies and snacks. Juleka agrees because she doesn't have to go on stage or anything similar.
Jean Duparc is nearby and overhears this. He attempts to work up the nerve to talk to Rose as a large part of the reason he volunteered was to get closer to her. But his words tangle on his tongue as badly as Marinette does. So instead of Jean approaching them, it's Lila Rossi. Lila cooes about how wonderful it is that Rose was able to be a part of something so big in the community. Rose points out that Lila could help too. Lila lies and says she's already doing her volunteer work at another hospital that afternoon. After all, patients all over Paris benefit from having their spirits lifted. "Maybe next time." But she does wish Rose the best as she flounces off. Juleka watches Lila leave, not fully convinced that Lila is being honest. But Rose is an optimist and truly does want to see the best in people and decides to give Lila the benefit of the doubt.
(Once yet again, everyone is here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 )).)
The bell rings for classes to begin, and everyone disperses. Madam Gros heads to Ms. Mendeleiev's class and requests that Viktor Vasiliev comes to see her again (as he had verbally shut down during her previous mental health screening with him). Viktor actually finds his voice enough to protest (as a result of wearing the citrine ring), but Ms. Mendeleiev tells him to go, so he gathers his things and follows the counselor.
He sits in her office, staring mostly at his fingernails, but he does do better at making eye contact this time around. Madam Gros tries to pry into his psyche, asking him about how he handles stress and deadlines, what his family and friends are like, and what he is currently planning for his future. Viktor says he usually paces himself with homework and doesn't have too many deadlines beyond that. When he gets stressed, he plans a DnD campaign or reads something from the Forgotten Realms. He admits to often being lonely. Once school is out, he doesn't have many people to talk to at all. He confesses he would love to have people to text and email and voice chat with. But he has a hard time making friends, and his interests are so niche that there's not many people he can connect with at school outside of Fumikage Tokoyami. But…But maybe now…Maybe not as Viktor, but maybe as Tenrec, maybe I can be someone else…Maybe I can become friends with Adamantus and Scarabug and our other allies…
When asked about his family, Viktor reveals that it's him, his sister, and his mother while his father is away in the service. This does worry him a lot, but he's proud of his father. And he doesn't like mentioning it to other people because he doesn't want them to pity him. Though he does admit sometimes he feels pressured as he knows his father would be incredibly proud if he joined the service too. But Viktor doesn't believe he's physically up to it. Besides, he'd rather study engineering. Madam Gros asks him if that's true as she senses he's still being reserved. Viktor hesitates and replies that it would pay well and appease both of his parents…but in an ideal world, he would become a novelist. He admits of being jealous of his classmates, Nathaniel Kurtzberg and Marc Anciel, because they are already published. But Viktor knows he has to face reality and accept that writing books doesn't pay bills, so…engineering it is then. Now, as a counselor, Madam Gros knows she could pursue this venue to actual help the kid and boost his confidence. However, it wouldn't serve her purpose of finding pawns, so she just lets it slide.
Dolores Gros brings up Ladybug and Cat Noir, Hawk Moth and Mayura. Viktor gets a bit cold and jagged at that point. She pries it out of him that Viktor now believes that it's only a matter of time until Ladybug and Cat Noir lose. At best, they have Hawk Moth at a stalemate. But they have made zero progress in actually stopping him in over a hundred people akumatized. "All Hawk Moth has to do is win once." Madam Gros sees an opening and asks Viktor if he, personally, would like to see (and help) Hawk Moth stopped. Viktor merely shrugs as his ring glints. He doesn't really care about Hawk Moth's fate. "Would it really be that bad if Hawk Moth got the miraculous? Maybe the government should just compromise with him so he'd go away."
Madam Gros ponders his answer and her notes on him. She'll finish her interviews today, and she still has six unclaimed miraculous. She doesn't think he's the best candidate she's gotten by far. His lack of self-esteem is a definite weakness. But at this point, she's a bit desperate. So she takes out the Western Miraculous box and offers an anklet to him. Viktor just stares at it with wide eyes as Dolores Gros explains about miraculous and opposing the Eastern Order and how she can empower him, personally, to take down Hawk Moth.
However, the citrine ring is whispering in the back of Viktor's mind. He already has his loyalty. He is Tenrec. He turns her down. Which, of course, results in her transforming into Ivory and nailing him with "Oblivion." Viktor leaves the meeting with no recollection of its final events.
Lunchtime rolls around. Giselle Winters-Blanchet gets a reply back from Vivica, who is thrilled to be invited to an Ahsoka Tano watch party and says she'll be there. Giselle passes word of the invite onto Nathaniel, who has also invited Le Chien Kim. Kim is always game for a watch party. He wonders if he should invite Ondine too, but Ondine being fully ungrounded at that point seems unlikely. Kim does invite Max Kante and Markov though, who accept. The group of attendees delegate out who is bringing what snack as they plan on making an afternoon of it.
Fumikage Tokoyami seeks out Tsuyu Asui so they can eat lunch together (by now the whole school generally knows they're dating). Tsuyu can pick up pretty quickly that something is on Fumikage's mind, so she asks him about it. Fumikage is initially reluctant to share, but eventually he confides in Tsuyu about how he saw Chip Bluestone talking with Adamantus the previous night. Tsuyu asks him several times if he's sure, and Fumikage says he is. Dark Shadow confirms the sighting as well. Fumikage then admits he doesn't know what to do. Should he tell the rest of the B Team? They have all trusted each other implicitly up until now, and he doesn't want to shatter that. But if Chip really is working for the enemy…He doesn't even want to think about that possibility. Tsuyu feels the same difficulty her boyfriend is. They discuss things and then figure the best course of action is to only tell Alpha, as he is their leader, and see if the three of them can come up with a better approach to the situation.
Luka Couffaine is on his way to find Marinette; he plans on inviting her to lunch with just him. After all, they really did hit it off at the Cat Café. However, his cell phone vibrates. He's surprised to find it's a text message from his father—and he's really not used to having his father in his life. Jagged Stone, in brief text form, encourages Luka to do well in school today and then says he has time in his schedule free that evening…He offers to pick up Chinese for the family so that all four of them can eat dinner together. That is, of course, if Luka and Juleka want to have dinner with him. So instead of finding Marinette, Luka seeks out his little sister. Juleka, of course, has received a similar text message. She wonders about it, as she did offer to help Rose at the hospital that afternoon. They talk about things a bit between themselves and decide it might not be too bad to have dinner with both parents. So they call Anarka and ask. Anarka has also already received word about the invitation from Jagged, and she's still bristling about it (as she's still not 100% at the point of forgiving him). But she talks to her kids and agrees to at least be civil, so they make plans to have dinner together in the later evening, the four of them, at the houseboat.
They aren't the only ones busy during lunch. Nicholas Sancoeur quietly makes his way through the student body in the lunch room. His targets are clear: Prediction, Accelerator, and Desperada. He already delivered the item to Acid Rain/Raissa Deschamps. But he failed to turn on his friend, Black Thorn/Gilles Chastain. Nicholas also knows that Desperada/Vivica doesn't even go to his school. So that leaves Prediction and Accelerator.
Nicholas finds Accelerator/Stella Tenebrae eating lunch with some upperclassmen who are also members of the track and field team. They're discussing upcoming events and practices and don't even notice Nicholas sliding a small object into Stella's gym bag. However, someone does notice. Alix Kubdel. And she has to bite back her words. She hates what she knows is going to happen. But she's responsible for maintaining the timeline. Which means she has to accept that bad that is about to happen—even though it means one of her good friends is going to suffer.
That just leaves Prediction, who was Mireille Caquet. Nicholas finds her in the library, where she is getting some studying in before her afternoon classes. After all, working part-time as a weather forecaster and celebrity really does take up a lot of her schedule, and Mireille doesn't want her grades to plummet and affect her career. She's so engrossed in her textbooks that she doesn't notice when Nicholas slides an item into her backpack. However, he just about leaps out of his skin with Aurore Beaureal calls Mireille by name. Mireille looks up and greets her friend while Nicholas quietly shuffles off, hoping neither cared to remark on his presence.
Aurore sits down by Mireille and joins her in studying. After all, she needs to keep her grades up too, being another of the school's celebrities. However, Aurore's mind is elsewhere. She just saw the update on the Team B Discord that Snow Leopard is awake and with a kwami. That just leaves her and Chip Bluestone—and she's been Honey Bee for notably longer than Chip has been active. Which means any further use of her item is likely to cause her powers to surge. However, her hair comb has been in her family's safe since Crimson due to the issues with it and Hawk Moth. What do I do? Do I never become Honey Bee again? If I do…what do I tell me parents? Fortunately, Aurore is in a place where her parents already know her secret identity. Should I…tell them the truth? All of it? She mulls over a plan while Mireille attempts to study with her. Needless to say, Aurore doesn't retain much information.
It's just about the end of lunch, and Luka has just finished playing phone tag with his parents to coordinate dinner. He takes a moment to check the Team B Discord, just in case, and is surprised to see he has a message from Tsukuyomi. He opens it, and his eyes go wide as Tsukuyomi explains what he saw concerning Chip Bluestone and Adamantus. He types a reply, wondering if Tsukuyomi is certain. Tsukuyomi replies immediately, saying that he is. His kwami, Dark Shadow, can also verify it. Tsukuyomi mentions he already spoke to Froppy, and they're both unsure how to continue or what to do with this information. They don't want to suspect their teammate, but it is a suspicious situation. Tsukuyomi then invites Froppy to join, so it's a three-way private chat. Froppy recalls that during Ursa's chapter, there was a suspicious hole left in the stadium when they tried to trap Ursa—a hole that could have easily been made with Chip's Escape. Despite the fact Chip isn't supposed to even be using his magical item without a secret keeper—or, well, at all due to the events of Crimson. Luka, under his Alpha screen name, thanks them for what they saw. He asks them to keep quiet about it, just for the immediate future, while he ponders what to do. They agree to. Luka looks away, concern and stress written across his face.
Lunchtime ends and students head back to their classes. Felix is staring out the window rather than paying attention in Mr. Haprele's class. Madam Gros knocks on the door and invites herself in before declaring that it's time for Felix to have his mental health screening. He insists he's fine, but Mr. Haprele points out that this is required of the student body. Felix rolls his eyes behind their backs and heads to Dolores's office with her.
Felix sits across from her desk with great posture while Madam Gros begins asking him about his grades and interests, as well as how he's adapting to living in another country. Felix keeps his answers curt and short, making it difficult for Madam Gros to pull anything out of him. She even tries to pry into his family situation, what with his own father recently deceased as well as his aunt and uncle winding up in comas. However, Felix shuts that line of questioning down as well. She asks him about stress and how he handles disappointment. Felix cuts that off too.
Finally, Madam Gros says she's heard enough. "You've heard it too, haven't you?" Felix whirls around to see his mother enter the room. The entire conversation had been piped to her over her phone while she was waiting in the conference room just next door. Felix demands to know why Amelie is here. Amelie begins to explain that usually a counseling session between a student and Madam Gros would be completely confidential. However, given the situation…well, there are some unusual circumstances this time around. Two rings, Emilie and Gabriel's engagement rings, glint on her finger.
Felix still demands to know what's going on. Madam Gros starts to explain about magic and the Western Order when Amelie cuts her off and offers to explain. Dolores gives Amelie the floor. So Amelie explains the Graham de Vanily legacy: twin rings, passed to the oldest child upon marriage, that contain magic within. The magic is the family treasure and has allowed for its prosperity. However, there is a catch—when their ancient allies call upon the pact for help, the family will answer fully and without question. The pact dates back to a life debt as well as immigration that's tied with both the French Revolution as well as the War of 1812, but Amelie won't bore Felix with those details now. She can explain that part at home. (Felix: This isn't home. Home is in London.)
Amelie continues and says that the pact has been called in. And Madam Gros, as the current leader of the Western Order, is the one they're obligated to respond to. Felix rolls his eyes at the magic part, obviously disbelieving that some rings are mere magic (yes, this is a strong deviation from canon). He is also skeptical that his family, with all its power, would be obligated to follow the instructions of some random Canadian. Amelie raises an eyebrow at him. "I thought you knew your own mother better than that. I'm not just turning belly over to a stranger. We have a deal. Don't we, Madam Gros?"
Madam Gros acknowledges that they do. Felix tries to read their faces, but he can't tell what either woman is thinking. That's when a small creature darts out from behind Amelie's back and flies around Felix's head. He tries to swat it out of the sky like it's a bug. Amelie catches his hand and tells him to relax. She then introduces Gracee, the crane kwami who belongs to the twin rings of the Graham de Vanily family. (It's one of the reasons why the rings are traditionally passed down as wedding bands. With husband and wife each wearing one, Gracee cannot form, so the secret about the magic within the rings is kept.) Gracee bows at her introduction to Felix.
Felix is now baffled as he has no idea what a kwami is—but it's getting pretty hard for him to deny the existence of magic. So Amelie explains with a word he does know: miraculous. She explains that her family's rings are miraculous, belonging to the Western miraculous box. And that the family will aid the Western Order when called upon—and now, that order falls under Madam Gros. Felix wonders why and what this is all about.
Madam Gros clears her throat and explains that miraculous and magic are supposed to be the utmost secrets in the world. Paris should not know about miraculous; the world should not know about miraculous. However, the Eastern Order has failed its duty by allowing its entire miraculous box circulate among the population of Paris. With them being so blatantly shirking in their responsibilities, it's up to the Western Order to stop them. She also implies her standard lie about too many miraculous creating chaos magic that would threaten the world. Which is why Madam Gros called in the old favor from the crane.
Amelie chimes in then and says she isn't going to work unconditionally for Dolores. She has one stipulation: and that stipulation is that Felix gets a miraculous too. Felix's eyes slowly grow wider. Amelie explains that magic is their family's legacy, and with Emilie being unable to pass that on to Adrien, she is going to ensure that Felix becomes its rightful heir (yes, there is some inner family power play and drama going on). Felix cannot find the words to speak.
With him silent, Madam Gros pulls out the Western Order's miracle box. She says she had hoped the mental health screening would reveal that Felix was more attune to the goals of the Western Order and would be a better candidate. But she is not impressed with his sullen, sulky, self-focused nature. However, she did promise Amelie, and a promise is a promise, so Felix will get a miraculous—as long as he can keep everything spoken in this room a secret and will use his powers to further the objectives of the Western Order. Felix lets out a small, uncertain nod. So Madam Gros opens one drawer from the miraculous box and hands him a tie clip…
(And yay! After how many chapters, I have finally completed all of the mental health screenings for the whole student body! Maybe now some of these longer chapters will be shorter.)
Three o'clock finally comes, and the student body is dismissed from school. Adrien Agreste heads to the limo and is surprised to see that not only is Felix there already, but so is Amelie. Amelie shrugs it off as "being in the neighborhood" and decided to catch a ride home with all of them. Felix is as quiet as ever, but his face is much less sullen and much more contemplative.
Juleka Couffaine finds Rose Lavillant as they plan on catching public transportation to the hospital together. However, Jean Duparc also finds them. He swallows his nerves and explains he's part of the hospital visit, performing his magic show. Rose points out, politely, that she already knew that, causing Jean to stammer. But he continues on and says that his father is giving him a ride there—so he could also take Rose and Juleka, since they're going to the same place. Rose and Juleka accept, and Jean has to turn around so his blushing doesn't give away his affections.
They all arrive at the hospital where Prince Ali and the other volunteers are already busy getting things set up. Prince Ali greets Rose like an old friend and introduces himself to Juleka and Jean. Jean, seeing how Rose acts around Ali, definitely feels jealousy. Ali shows them around about what's already been done, how the stage has been set up, and what the schedule of events is. Jean needles Ali a bit, he can't really stop himself due to his feelings of rivalry for Rose's affections. Jean asks why Ali is so interested in doing charity and volunteer work in foreign hospitals. Ali replies, very calmly and professionally, that he does the same in his home kingdom too. He finds it to be incredibly fulfilling to help people. He also implies that there was once a serious illness in his kingdom when he was a small child. He had to watch, too young and powerless to help do anything. He watched his people suffer and even implies he might have lost a loved one during it. He won't let that happen again in the present. He then diplomatically changes the subject and escorts them to their places, all ever under the watchful eye of his chaperone.
The hospital event goes swimmingly. Rose's craft goes over well with the kids, and patients of all ages are delighted with Jean's magic. The therapy dogs are also a big hit, and Prince Ali often finds himself just sitting with the long-term patients and listening to them, trying to provide encouragement and hope for their struggles. Juleka passes out snacks, which suits her just fine as it's mostly a "behind the scenes" and "no one really notices you" kind of position. During his free moments, Prince Ali does talk with Rose and Juleka, becoming even more friendly with them. It's even possible that "there may be something there that wasn't there before" the kind of beginning of a spark of maybe-more-than-friendship affection between him and Rose. But definitely only the beginning.
They all pitch in cleaning up too, helping the nurses and other hospital staff. The chaperone comments that Prince Ali really shouldn't be reduced to cleaning of all things, but Ali is humble enough to help wherever needed. He bags up some trash and then notices Rose talking with one of the nurses. It's clear from the expression on the nurse's face that it's serious although Rose maintains her bright, optimistic smile.
Ali approaches them. It's not as if he was trying to deliberately eavesdrop, but he does catch the tail-end of the conversation unintentionally. And it's enough for him to learn about Rose's chronic illness, causing him to go pale and drop the trash bag he's holding. Rose looks a bit alarmed and questions if he heard that. Ali repeats he did, and then, very concerned, asks if it's true. Rose, a bit reluctantly, admits it is. But she asks him not to think of it and to just continue to treat her normally. Prince Ali dons a smile; he's practically been trained to all his life. He insists he'll treat her every bit like the lady she deserves to be treated as. After all, that's what he likes most about her—she treats him like a normal person, not like royalty. She doesn't try to suck up to him or grovel or walk on eggshells around him. She looks him in the eye and acts like a genuine friend. No different than how she treats Juleka and Jean. So he insists that her secret is safe with him; he will guard it close to his heart. Rose looks very relieved and thanks him.
Prince Ali continues then to haul the trash out. However, once he is alone, his professional smile fades into one of deep concern. Worry grips him. He could tell by what he overheard from the nurse that the condition Rose has could become really serious at any point in time. (As revealed when Rose was interviewed by Madam Gros, Rose often wonders how much time she truly has left. And I truly wonder what her condition is so that I could properly represent it.) Prince Ali recalls the plague that ran through his country, the civilians who suffered, and how he even lost his beloved older half-sister to it. What if I lose someone else? He hates how he ultimately can't do anything; he can do all he can to lift people's spirits. However, he's not a doctor. He can't heal people's bodies. And maybe, had he been born into another family, he would study to become a doctor. But he's royalty; his path in life has been laid out before him. Still, he can't shake the grip of fear that shadows his heart in learning about the struggles of his friend.
And it's the fear, that worry, that concern and feeling of helplessness, that Hawk Moth preys upon. Or rather, Peacock Moth. She sends her akuma to Prince Ali. She promises him the ability to uplift both people's spirits as well as their bodies; he can grant wishes. Just so long as he hands over any miraculous in return. Prince Ali agrees and is akumatized into Arabian Knight. Of course, this is all spoken through a synthesizer so Peacock Moth sounds male. She then sets down her tablet and speaks in her own voice (pretending to be Mayura) and sends a senti monster to aid Arabian Knight in his quest. He gains a flying carpet to aid his mobility. Arabian Knight turns back to the hospital, determined to make everyone better by making their wishes come true.
The first person he comes across is an exhausted nurse. He grants her wish and lets her fall asleep, right on her feet; no matter how hard other people try, they cannot wake her. He comes across a patient in a manual wheelchair who wishes his was motorized. So Arabian Knight grants his wish, turning the wheelchair into an out-of-control race car wheelchair. The patient disappears down the hallway with a loud, terrified "WEEEE!" For while Arabian Knight can grant wishes, the wishes he grants are a "monkey's paw"—they're wishes with a severely negative twist.
That's when Rose and Juleka come around the corner, their arms full of craft supplies to put away. Both stop short when they see Arabian Knight there. Arabian Knight focuses all his attention on Rose. Both girls flinch back, but they hold onto their ground like champs and don't run off in terror. Arabian Knight approaches Rose and says he can grant her wish—he can make her well. Forever. Rose tilts her head, "…Ali?" Arabian Knight's response affirms he's the akumatized version of Prince Ali. Rose then insists she loves her life and she doesn't need a wish, any wish granted. Arabian Knight doesn't believe this and doesn't handle her declaration well. He lashes out. Juleka responds just as quickly. She grabs Rose by the wrist and pulls her out of the way. Then they both flee.
The hospital immediately goes into lockdown—and it has to have a better lockdown procedure than Francoise Dupont High School. Those who can evacuate can. Those who can't lock themselves in their rooms. Nurses and doctors who are able help patients as well as sending out Akuma Alerts to notify the heroes. Adrien and Marinette are both at their homes when they get the message; they immediately head for the hospital.
Juleka is able to help maneuver Rose so that Arabian Knight loses track of them. They duck into a bathroom and lock the door. Juleka insists they'll be safe here. Rose replies that she doesn't want to be safe when she knows everyone else in the hospital is in danger. They're people she knows personally as well as other patients who aren't able-bodied like them and need help. Plus, Prince Ali is a friend. Juleka freezes up, clearly fearful for what is going on. Rose tells Juleka she doesn't have to come. Stay where it's safe. Rose then leaves to help the others while Juleka hesitates.
Ladybug and Cat Noir arrive in time to see Arabian Knight granting the wish of a child patient, who wants tons and tons of rainbow cake. Cue enough rainbow cake to fill the entire hallway. Ladybug gets the child out of the way just in time. Ladybug and Cat Noir pose to take down Arabian Knight. However, instead of attacking, Arabian Knight proposes that he could grant their wishes instead. What do they want? Great grades, beauty, popularity, wealth? He could give it to them. Ladybug and Cat Noir flatly turn that down. So Arabian Knight asks "what about love? How would you like to have the person whom you love loves you back?"
That does cause Cat Noir to hesitate just enough in his moment of weakness. He glances over at Ladybug only to see that she is already looking towards him. And in that moment he averts his eyes, Arabian Knight orders his flying carpet forward. It ensnares Cat Noir in a full body bind and spirits him away. Ladybug calls after him, but Arabian Knight steps in to stop her. He grants the wishes of several nearby patients, making them able-bodied but taking away their free-will so that they swarm Ladybug to slow her down. Then Arabian Knight takes off after his carpet and Cat Noir to steal the black cat ring miraculous. Ladybug tries to follow, but she can't without seriously hurting innocent civilians, who prevent her escape.
By the time she's free, she's lost sight of Cat Noir. Ladybug does her Lucky Charm. It gives her an idea although she's not 100% certain as to how to use it. But at least those two are here now! Ladybug straps her Lucky Charm item to her back and takes off down the hospital wing. Along the way, she encounters more of Arabian Knight's wishes go awry: a tangled rose plant with huge blossoms that has taken over an entire room, giant walking teddy bears, a few more doctors asleep on their feet, and plenty of "healed" patients who have lost their free-will and start pursuing her.
Ladybug first finds Rose Lavillant as she's helping a couple of elderly patients into the elevator so they can escape. When Rose sees Ladybug, she sends them on ahead and stays behind herself. Before Ladybug can even speak, Rose pleads with her to save Prince Ali. She knows he means well and has a good heart. This isn't him. It's all Hawk Moth's fault! Ladybug says she knows, and she wants Rose's help too. She needs Pigella. Ladybug pulls the pig miraculous out of her purse and hands it to Rose. Rose doesn't hesitate. She puts the anklet on and transforms. Pigella then asks when Cat Noir is. Ladybug explains that Cat Noir has been captured. And they need more help to save him.
Meanwhile, the entire B Team has logged into the chat server. Even Dauphine is there as her parents have lightened up at least a little on her punishment and have granted her limited use of her phone. She admits her miraculous is still with Dauphin, but she offers everyone encouragement. Alpha delegates out tasks, telling Snow Leopard and Dauphin to search for any signs of Hawk Moth's lair by the Seine. Both agree and move out. Alpha suggests everyone else remain where they are and keep an eye on the situation in case their talents are needed. Alpha carefully monitors Chip's responses the most. However, Chip seems perfectly normal and is fine with being benched. Yet Alpha still feels uneasy about the information he was given by Tsukuyomi and Froppy.
While all of that is going on, Cat Noir is struggling against the flying carpet senti monster. His hands are curled to his side, making it incredibly difficult for him to use his Cataclysm without him breaking his own ribs in doing so. Arabian Knight catches up to them on the roof of the hospital and demands Cat Noir's ring.
Cat Noir laughs in his face, pointing out that to get his ring, which is buried inside the carpet's folds, he would have to release him. And when that happens, "Cataclysm!" Arabian Knight argues with him, say he (Cat Noir) should be glad that Arabian Knight is making everyone's dreams come true. "Wouldn't you want your deepest desires to be real? Imagine if Ladybug loved you back." Cat Noir looks him dead in the eyes and replies that forcing Ladybug to love him isn't real love at all, and that is never what he would want for the person he cares most about in the whole world. Pissed off at his vision being rejected, Arabian Knight hauls Cat Noir away to the streets of Paris, hoping to find more people's wishes to grant so that they can help subdue Cat Noir without him being able to escape or Cataclysm anything so that Arabian Knight can claim the black cat ring and make Rose well.
Back in the hospital, Ladybug tells Pigella to bar the wings so that the patients who were victimized by Arabian Knight don't hurt themselves. Pigella agrees and hurries off to do so. This gives Ladybug time to seek out Juleka without risking anyone learning her identity.
Ladybug finds Juleka, who has left the bathroom and is timidly searching the area for Rose. Juleka practically leaps out of her skin when Ladybug jumps in front of her. Ladybug says that she needs Tigress and offers the tiger miraculous to Juleka. Juleka hesitates a moment before accepting it; however, she is happy to see Roarr again. Roarr encourages Juleka, who puts on the slave bracelet and transforms. Ladybug welcomes Tigress back, and the two of them retrace their steps.
They find Pigella, who has just finished securing the hospital and trapping the brainwashed patients in the cafeteria. Ladybug thanks her, and the three girls pursue Cat Noir and Arabian Knight. Ladybug notes that Pigella and Tigress don't seem to recognize that they're best friends. Which is probably good because keeping their identities secret keeps them safe. Ladybug also realizes that it's not her secret to tell, much like with Blue Ox and Minimouse. If Pigella and Tigress find out… Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
On the streets of Paris, Arabian Knight has turned his powers on civilians. Roger Raincomprix gets a pimped-out police car that chases him down the road. Xavier Ramier finds himself shrunk with his beloved pigeons trying to eat him instead of let him ride them. When Arabian Knight turns his attention on some waiters in order to have servants who can subdue Cat Noir, the hero is finally able to squirm into a more favorable position. "Cataclysm!" He rips the senti monster apart and escapes with a backflip, landing just as Ladybug and her allies arrive with all four probably literally taking a sentai pose.
Ladybug is obviously relieved and asks Cat Noir if he's all right. Cat Noir replies that he is, and he's glad she's okay too. Arabian Knight is getting irritated at this point as he lost his mount, so he orders all of his mind-controlled civilians (some of whom have had wishes granted for augmented powers) to take on all four of them. Ladybug nods at Tigress, who uses her Intimidation roar to weaken the battalion that's against them. Ladybug asks if Tigress can handle the rest alone, and Tigress (now much more confident as she doesn't have fears of people mocking Juleka because of her actions) says she can. She dives into the fray and single-handedly fights and restrains the civilian populace.
Ladybug and Cat Noir lunge forward in unison, fighting against Arabian Knight in tandem. But he is able to hold his own against both of them with his scimitar. Nonetheless, the golden duo are able to maneuver him into position when Pigella leaps forward with her Present. Arabian Knight has his hands full with the golden duo, likely being restrained by Ladybug's Lucky Charm; he can't stop Pigella. So he sees his heart's greatest wish. It's not to take away people's free-wills or give them messed up wishes with monkey paw side effects. Instead, he sees people being discharged from the hospital, happy and health, surrounded by their loved ones. He sees them celebrating together, having picnics and making friends. And standing in the hospital door frame is himself, grown up, as a doctor. Rose is there as well, health as can be, and is pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair who then rises to her feet. Now, while it's unclear is Arabian Knight/Ali sees this as a romantic interaction with Rose or not, it is clear that part of his deepest wish is to see his friend healthy, grown, and doing what she wants to do—which is help other people by becoming a doctor too.
As a single tear of joy slides down Arabian Knight's face, Ladybug and Cat Noir wrest the akumatized item from him and yank it apart, freeing the akuma from within. Ladybug captures and purifies it, which causes Prince Ali to plummet. Pigella catches him as he falls, bridal style. Ladybug throws her Lucky Charm into the air to perform her world-healing wave, which also sweeps the civilians off of Tigress and back where they came from. It undoes all of Arabian Knight's wishes, and the wishees largely agree that his form of "healing" was not worth the side effects, up to and including loss of free will. The four heroes "Pound it!"
Down by the Seine, Snow Leopard and Dauphin see that the crisis has ended. Dauphin from the river shouts to the shore if Snow Leopard has seen any evidence of Hawk Moth. She shakes her head, and Dauphin admits he saw nothing either.
Meanwhile, the heroes help return Prince Ali to the hospital and his chaperone. Ali thanks them from deep, heart-felt gratitude. By now, Ladybug especially is low on her timer. However, she does have one more thing to attend to. Cat Noir asks her if she needs help, but Ladybug tells him that she'll be fine finishing up. They say their good-byes, and Cat Noir heads out.
Ladybug turns to both Pigella and Tigress and again requests that they keep their miraculous full-time so that she can call upon them directly if she needs them. Paris needs them. Tigress and Pigella exchange a look as both of them ponder the decision. Tigress, as Juleka, doesn't like the idea about keeping a secret like this from her parents and Rose (who is right next to her without her realizing it). However, she sees Roarr as a friend, knows the burden her brother has carried alone as Alpha, and enjoys the confidence that being a heroine helps her obtain. She tells Ladybug she's honored to keep the tiger miraculous. At the same time, Pigella/Rose feels very uncomfortable keeping such a secret from Juleka, her family, all her friends as school, and her new friend Prince Ali. On the other hand, she truly and deeply enjoys helping people as Pigella and giving them hope amid akumas and amoks. She hesitates just a bit longer than Tigress, but she too decides to serve the greater good and help all of Paris. Plus, Daizzi is just so darn cute. Ladybug thanks them deeply for agreeing to this responsibility. She then quickly informs them about the Team A Discord server, orders them to not use their powers unless called upon, to take care of their kwamis, protect their identities, and to serve Paris against Hawk Moth and Adamantus and Ivory (though I don't think Ladybug knows Ivory's name yet). Both give their solemn promises. Ladybug "bugs out" and transforms back into Marinette as soon as she's out of sight. Tigress and Pigella chat a tiny bit longer, just a short "it's nice to be working with you" before they head off in their own directions. They find each other under their civilian aliases less than a minute later with neither knowing the other is a heroine.
Cat Noir returns to his room and turns back into Adrien Agreste. He gives Plagg a gourmet piece of cheese and then checks his cell phone. He has a text from Nino. "I saw there was an incident, and I just wanted to make sure you're all chill. Kay?" Adrien smiles and tells Nino he's fine and that he appreciates the follow-up. It is kinda nice having someone know I'm Cat Noir—someone who cares.
Marinette arrives home on foot; she tells her parents she was stuck in a subway under lockdown due to the akuma incident. "But I'm fine, fine! Really! The akuma never went anywhere near me!" When she heads to her room, she sees she has an email from Alya, checking up on her and obviously implying the incident and her role as Ladybug. Marinette smiles and thanks Alya for her email and affirms that she's doing well. Like Adrien, she feels a huge weight off her shoulders knowing that there is someone out there who knows and cares and has her back.
They're not the only ones on their computers/phones. Aurore Beaureal is fiddling with her tablet, checking her schedule for the next week between her work as a celebrity and her classes. She touches the back of her head, where her hair comb usually goes. Her mind churns with how to handle the situation about her magical item actually being an antique akumatized item on the verge of becoming its own miraculous. She ponders how much she should tell and who she should talk to. Aurore stares at her schedule again. Then, a look of determination crosses her face. She files for a vacation. Once that's settled with her agent, she sends a private message to Ladybug outlining her plan.
To be continued in Chapter 77: Hypnos…
