Resentment in the team, possible feelings on the other hand ... all this isn't easy.

To the person who suggested an idea for another fic : I'm sorry, but I don't know Persona 5. I can't write a crossover because I wouldn't know what to write exactly.


The next day, Carlotta attended an unusual scene between her children : a complete silence. They were ignoring each other. Every morning they welcomed their sibling with a smile, wondering about each other's classes of the day, their friends, or they would discuss the previous soirée. There, nothing at all. Did they quarrel by any chance ? But they practically never argue. What on earth could have happened ?

" Is everything okay dearies ?" asked Mrs Sandiego.

" Hm hm." was all she got.

They were mad, it was obvious. Did a videogame party turned wrong yesterday ? Wasn't their type to fight for such a futile thing. Before she could make another attempt, they both stood up and left the kitchen. They grabbed their school bag, and exited the home still in silence. Player decided to go by bus. Ivy was the first to notice the Latina's mood.

" Hey, what's wrong ?" asked the ginger.

" Nothing, just a quarrel with my brother." replied Carmen, leaning on her desk.

" Wish to talk about it ?" proposed Ivy.

" Not really."

Ivy didn't insist. She talked about what happened during the night, which wasn't welcome as well. Ivy realized soon that her friend wasn't listening at all, contrary to the usual. Chase arrived at that moment. Carmen watched him. He nodded to her with a little smile. She flashed a large one, blushing in addition. At least, that was something to cheer her up. She could forget about her quarrel for an instant. Chase on his side, had mixed feelings : he couldn't act cold toward Carmen, she wouldn't get it, however her attitude from the night before had wounded him. She didn't even let him a chance to explain, that her trust was already gone. What would happen next time a villain appear ? Each for himself, solo missions ? Wasn't very wise. Devineaux might have not appreciated a partner at first, but then he pondered the situation.

Her presence was necessary. That, he accepted it. Being not alone had its perks too : someone to share the burden with, to discuss this, comfort each other. Chase had ended up liking Ladyfox. At the same time he befriended her real identity, discovered that she was Ladyfox. He kept that secret, he wanted to continue teaming with her. Even if she made the mistake to come training with her brother. Did he preached her on that ? No, of course. He let her made her decision. She was the one who involved him to begin with. Somehow he understood she had been very worried about him. But the situation had required it. She should have been able to seize that.

Now how should Chase act with Carmen ? Perhaps he should took advantage of knowing her secret identity to reassure her. Fine, he'll try that. And hope that once they would face as superheroes she'd accept a talk and reconciliate. He glanced at her during the maths lesson. Her argue with Cedric had marked her. When recess arrived, he followed her to see if the siblings would talk. Not this time apparently. Cedric was mad at his sister as a dark look confirmed it to Chase. He turned eyes to Carmen : her brother's reaction hurt her, but she too wasn't in the mood. He sighed. Time to act. He walked to her.

" Carmen ?"

That one startled.

" Yes Chase ?" she said with a slightly higher tone than usual.

" Hum, I know I'm maybe mingling into something that's not my business, but you don't seem okay and it might be a family matter." he started.

She waited.

" So I was wondering if I could be of any help. Like listening to you or talking to him."

Carmen refrained a smile. She had to discreetly take a breath for calming her heart and not blush.

" Oh … don't bowie we're fine. I really appreciate your stretch, but I got this."

Ahem, apparently calming down failed. Chase stared at her for three seconds. He … more or less got it. How was he supposed to not bowie by the way ?

" Huh, okay."

Now let's go before making knots to his brain. Ivy was surprised too, but she didn't utter a sound.


Chase didn't made another attempt for the day, so to not be indiscreet. He'll see tomorrow if the siblings reconciliated or not. He had other business to attend, such as a new akumatized. How will this go with Ladyfox ? He transformed and hurried to the place. Ladyfox was already here, and her face darkened when she saw him. Fine, message received. Lone Wolf distracted their enemy, she used her Lucky Charm and good day everyone. Ladyfox didn't wait any more second and disappeared.

" The game just became funnier." sighed Chase.

He left the place too. Carmen went back home and change back.

" I still think you should talk to him." said Suri.

" No. I can do this on my own." replied Carmen.

" You know very well that's not a solution and not wise either. I don't even understand why you're so mad with Cedric." continued the kwami.

" Really Suri ? You have lots of siblings, I thought you'd understand on the contrary. On the other hand, they have powers so it mustn't be the same."

Suri blinked. Then she flew and stopped right at her bearer's eyes level.

" One of my brothers is currently serving Lord Butterfly, and knowing him it must sadden him greatly. I'd appreciate any help to free him. That's precisely what Cedric did : the situation was dire and help was more than needed. He had the power to do it, and do it safely. He perfectly carried on his role and saved you. Helping each other is also what family members do."

Carmen lowered her look. Objectively speaking her kwami was right. Lone Wolf had had little time to find someone to entrust his miraculous to. But she had been so afraid for Player. She saw what akumatized persons could do, they could imprison someone forever, badly hurt or maybe kill even. It was her job to protect her baby brother. Something she failed at when he got bullied. Carmen didn't notice anything and felt guilty for that. Because what if Chase hadn't been here ? How far would it have gone ? A question was also tormenting her : did those thugs lay a hand on him ? They never talked about the details. So when she unmasked him, it reminded her of that. Her own failure. Sandiego shook her head. She had homework to do. Suri lowered head. Her bearer didn't seem ready to analyse the situation for now. So she gave up for the moment.

Carmen had some trouble to focus on her homework for five minutes. She did half of it when one for History class reminded her of her work with Devineaux. He suggested his help one more time. The scene surfaced.

" Wait a sec."

Carmen was visualising the moment when she answered him. The shock when realizing what she actually said sounded like a broken glass.

" I didn't say that, in real ?"

The scene rewound.

" AUGH !"

Her head slamming on her desk alerted Suri. The kwami went above her head, perplex.

" Is something wrong Carmen ?"

" I just realized I acted dumb before Chase." moaned Sandiego.

She explained it in detail, making her kwami chuckle. Carmen straightened, then finished her homework. Time to go dinner, then to bed. During dinner, Cedric and Carmen ignored each other royally. Carlotta tried once more to be aware, in vain as they assured that just have a lot in mind, homework over the head, exams and all. On that, goodnight everybody.

" Do you like Chase ?"

Carmen, who had just switched off light, opened eyes wide. She blinked.

" Huh, excuse me Suri ?"

" Do you like Chase ?" repeated helpfully the kwami.

The light was back. Sandiego stared at the little fox.

" Why the hell are you asking that, and why now ?"

" Because you seemed like catastrophized by what you told him. I pondered it while you were eating. You wouldn't mind that much if he was only a friend." detailed Suri.

" No I'm not … it was embarrassing, that's why." blushed Carmen.

" I'm starting to know you Carmen. You already lived an embarrassing situation or two, and you didn't react like that. So my guess is you might have a crush on him. Proof to that would be how thrilled you were before the dinner you had."

Carmen had had taken particular care with her outfit that evening. To her hair as well, when everyone else were just properly dressed. And yes, she'd been on a little cloud all the while.

" You're reddening harder." pointed Suri.

" Eeeeek ! No, leave me alone Suri !" she whined, hiding her face with her hands.

" Fiiiine. I'll let you muse on this." agreed the fox, flying away.

Carmen fell back on her pillow after switching off her lamp. She stared in the dark. True that she appreciated him, they used to friendly compete during sport, sass at each other on every occasion, do their homework at the school library when they could … she liked those moments. She liked to be with him. Was it enough to say that she was in love with him ? His image appeared before her eyes. Her heart raced, her cheeks warmed. Those were more serious clues. She turned on her side. Hm, honestly having a boyfriend with her current situation wasn't a good idea. How would she explain to Chase, providing it's him, her absences in order to fight an akumatized ? How many dates would be cancelled ? She couldn't tell him she was Ladyfox.

He'd be in danger.

Carmen realized she didn't want him to be in trouble, she'd never forgive herself if something was to happen to Chase. Meaning … she really cared about him. Suri might be right. She closed her eyes to try to find sleep. During the following morning, Carmen's eyes went more often than once on her classmate. Each time with heart beats. Perhaps …

" Hey." made Graham.

Some around turned head or eyes to him.

" Is it me, or is it raining … rice ?"

They looked closely outside. It was raining alright, nothing weird for the season. However, after a close look to what was glued to the window, they noticed that it was really rice. Miss Argent interrupted her lesson when seeing her whole class spreading the new. She too glanced after understanding that this rain wasn't normal. Everyone understood it was certainly an akumatized handiwork. The teacher wondered if she should lead the students somewhere else. But here was the question : where exactly ? Julia decided to exit her class, recommending her students to remain here until she had further indications. In the hall, someone announced to go fetch the director.

Inside, Carmen and Chase wondered how to get out and transform. Finally, the director's voice raised. Given that the problem was outside, they were safe inside the building, and could continue their class. However, they should be ready to leave at any time, to gather in the gymnasium. For now, he'll check the situation from time to time and inform them.

" Damn. If me and Carmen decide to leave now it will raise suspicion. We have to find a way." thought Chase.


Carmen was thinking the same, while the lesson resumed. She leaned to the window : the rice was accumulating, was it really a good idea to prevent them to exit while it was still possible ? As she was thinking this, something else happened : a liquid added to the rice. It spread even faster, beginning to flood the courtyard.

" Miss Argent ! There's something like a red liquid spreading pretty fast, it's already flooding the courtyard ! Is it really safe to stay here ? What if we're stuck ?" she asked.

" She's right, look !" said Antonio.

Julia approached. Its level was increasing fast. What if the building was to be entirely flooded ? But could they get still get out ? A colleague knocked and opened the door.

" The director want us to go to the roofs. Rescue are to evacuate everybody."

" And here is my occasion." thought two students.

They calmly followed their classmates when their teacher ordered it. They tried to be in the rear, ready to vanish. However, the rice outside formed pellets who started to invade the school. Screams soon resonated, as students and professors got glued in it. Carmen seized a moment of panic to disappear. Alas for him, Devineaux wasn't so lucky : a giant pellet of rice pushed him against a window.

" Shit !"

He had to get out of here and fast ! He began by lifting his arms. The pressure was certain, but he managed to fold his arms. Now, to dig. It wasn't as hard as rock or cement, simply sticky.

" Hey wait a minute. That's rice, it's edible. I could use that."

So Chase started to chew on the rice, spitting out from time to time. On the meantime, Ladyfox had arrived. Students called her when they spotted her outside. She noticed Devineaux dealing with rice.

" Oh no, not him." she let escape.

Or rather … him first. Ladyfox darted to him. Her yoyo broke the window, she snatched the glass before calling him.

" Oh, miss Ladyfox. Please to meet you." he said.

" Come here, I'll take you out." she said, reaching.

Chase couldn't turn, still prisoner of the rice. Ladyfox, pulled him by the shoulders, then lead him outside. They landed on a roof, safe from this weird invasion. Chase smiled and thanked her. Carmen blushed.

" You … have rice around your mouth." she noted, surprised.

" Oh. Well since it's rice I ate some to try to break free." he explained, wiping.

" Not bad." she commented.

" Your partner isn't here yet ?" asked Devineaux.

" No, but I'm fine on my own. I should get going by the way. Take care."

Ladyfox leaped.

" Oh really ? You can duplicate yourself ? That's practical." he commented once she was gone.

Thankfully Tagg hid in his pocket when he heard the order of evacuation.

" Tagg, fangs out." said Chase, behind a chimney.

Lone Wolf got inside the school. He used furniture to block what seemed gravy to increase more.

" Wolf mist !"

The fog destroyed all the rice in the hall, freeing dozens of students. He didn't wait for their thank and continued. Tagg ate rice to regenerate before his bearer transform again. Though that wasn't his favourite food.

" You should go help Ladyfox ! All of this will vanish once the akumatized dealt with." said the kwami.

" And if someone is about to suffocate in here ?" objected Chase.

He used his power on another floor. His kwami was not wrong, this would take too long. He should go help his partner, even if she didn't want it. So Lone Wolf exited the place. Finding the source of the problem wasn't very hard : long green ribbons were snaking in the horizon. Carmen was already there. In front of her, was a true Asian menu : pellets of rice, nori seaweed snaking to the sky, piece of salmon snapping like whips, pellets of meat too … she scratched her head. What was the meaning of this ? Anyway, she had to get closer.

" There you are Ladyfox !" welcomed a woman.

" Yes, hello and you are ?"

" I'm Foodsan. Here to prove that my street food has all its place in this city !"

" That sure is a way to make advertisement for it." deadpanned Ladyfox.

" Then how about you give me your opinion ?"

Foodsan sent a nori seaweed to capture her.

" Hey ! Am I not supposed to choose my own menu ?" asked Carmen.

Egg roll followed, trying to crash her, then pellets of rice … Ladyfox managed to dodge it all. Gyozas were sent, cutting ones. Lone Wolf sneaked to Foodsan, busy with his partner. Suddenly, Red Drone floated before his face.

" Hey there Lone Wolf ! Need a hand ?" said Player.

" Why not. Can you tell me where's the akuma ?"

The drone turned to Foodsan. That one was perched on the pit of a rice mountain, on her stand. The dark butterfly was in her ladle. If he could destroy it … however, rice was upholstering the whole place. Walking in here was tiresome. Lone Wolf was looking for a way, glancing to check on Ladyfox at the same time. He gathered rice to form a compact ball he sent to Foodsan, distracting her from using a rice vermicelli net. Ladyfox didn't notice the intervention as she was sheltering. Lone Wolf leaped on a building so Foodsan wouldn't notice him yet. Ladyfox summoned her Lucky Charm. The yoyo delivered a slingshot. Looking around, the heroine saw fox pattern on the rice around. Yes of course, she could make balls to shoot her. Foodsan created five dolls made of rice, salmon, and meat she sent to her opponent. On the meantime, Chase managed to detach some seaweed. He rolled it like bolas, then sent it as hard as he could.

At least one of the doll was captured that way. Ladyfox shot at Foodsan, aiming at the ladle she spotted then her head. The akumatized lost it. Carmen leaped above the guards, grabbed it and break the tool.

" Time to de-evilize."

The akuma got purified.

" Miraculous Ladyfox !"

Paris was cleaned from all the rice and gravy. This done, she quickly left the place to return to school. Once there, a desperate Ivy welcomed her.

" Caaaarmen ! I couldn't record anything this time !"

" Oh. Too bad, next time then." smiled Sandiego.

This time, the students were allowed to leave earlier. She found her brother outside. Cedric was fine, which was a relief. He followed his friend Marco in the bus. She lowered eyes. Once home, Suri got out of her bag.

" Carmen, I think you should talk with your brother. You won't stay mad at each other forever."

" Yeah, I thought about it the whole day. I hope he'll accept." sighed Carmen.

She headed to her brother's room. After a knock, she entered.


" Hi. I … huh … wanted to discuss what happened." she said, a bit shy.

" Hm hm." replied Cedric.

He invited her to sit on his bed with a hand.

" First of all, I'm really sorry. It's just that when I understood it was you, that reminded me when you got bullied and that I couldn't help you. I failed protecting you although that's supposed to be my role, my duty." began Carmen.

" You didn't help because I didn't let anything show. I … thought I could handle it myself, because I have to solve my problems on my own sooner or later." explained Cedric.

" True, but asking for help from time to time isn't dramatic, you're still young." made Carmen softly.

" That's basically what Chase told me. Anyway, protecting or helping is also part of a little brother's duties." resumed Player, crossing arms and legs.

Carmen smiled, he returned her the smile. Carmen was relieved : it was going well and reconciliation was on its way. They rarely quarrelled, even when they were children.

" I'm sorry I got mad. You did great and certainly saved us back there."

" Which makes me think : you have to know that I wasn't Lone Wolf's choice." revealed Player.

" Really ?" was surprised his sister.

" Yup. He went to find Ivy but it was too late : she'd been hypnotized. I was the one who asked to replace her."

So that was it. Carmen felt bad : she accused him although he wasn't responsible. He knew she'd disagree, as Player precised, but had to accept due to short time.

" I'll have to apologize to him as well. Won't be simple I'm afraid though : he didn't show today, what if he gave up because of me ?" said Carmen.

" No he didn't. He was there." resumed her brother.

" What ?"

" I talked to him, said where was the akuma. He sent a rice ball to Foodsan and neutralized a doll."

So he didn't let her down despite their argument. Sandiego felt both glad and ashamed. If she knew his secret identity she'd go immediately. Anyway, Cedric accepted her apology, understanding she got scared for him. They were good again. Carmen asked him how it felt to be a superhero.

" It was awesome ! The physical abilities, the special power and costume ! I loved it." he said enthusiast.

" It is, indeed. Well, I think that should be there a next time we'll call you again. If you're with me then I'll be able to watch over you." decided Carmen.

" Alright, thanks for trusting me."

Now that this was settled, they still have homework to do. Later, Carlotta saw that her children had overcome their problem, and smiled.

Farther, someone else was musing. Lord Butterfly was defeated again.

" Marri, de-transformation." he ordered.

He left the room where his butterflies were roaming awaiting to be transformed. He arrived on a room, all in darkness. A light in the bottom switched on, revealing a long box with a glass lid. The man walked to it. Inside, a young child, seven years old. His eyes were close. Very light blond haired, pale skin he looked like he was sleeping. The child was small and thin for his age. On the box, a sign : Raphaël Maelstrom.

" One day, I'll awake you. With my wish I'll grant you the strong body you should have had. My experiments failed, but I know I can bring you back, and improve your body." he said.

Behind, Marri was watching with mixed feelings. He was aware for now about his bearer's goal : bringing his child back to life. The kwami questioned his master about it. Maelstrom said that his son was weak and ill. He tried to heal him, in vain. That should have reassured the kwami somehow, knowing that his master was doing all this for a good cause. However, each time Marri looked at him, he had a bad feeling. Gunnar Maelstrom, renowned scientist was hiding sinister motives. Something was wrong, and not because the price to pay for such a wish would be heavy. The look in Maelstrom's eyes was what alerted the kwami on this. He had to do something, and he had an idea. All Marri needed was an occasion. And he will find one. For now, he returned to the little space his owner granted him : a shelf in the room with the white butterflies.

He curled up in a cardboard he designed : foam and fabric to form a bed, then separated from it a living-room with a chair he folded and a small table. Marri sighed. So lonely. He saw right when their eyes met that Gunnar wouldn't be a nice bearer. So long he was only a tool. His previous bearers were at least conversing, sharing food, took care of him. Marri hoped that his kwamis siblings were getting along with their bearer. Speaking of which …

" Gwaaaaah !" sort of moaned Tagg.

" Weird, that's not in your ordinary vocabulary." commented Devineaux.

While the young man was doing his homework, his kawmi was agonizing on his bed.

" It's all the rice you fed me. I hope that won't constipate me. You owe me major Chase."

" Because you can go to the toilets now ? That's new." retorted his bearer.

" Why wasn't it a cheese maker that got akumatized ?!" complained Tagg.

" Ha ! Good idea, I'll just have to send you to solve the problem. Just hope you wouldn't eat the cheese maker as well." chuckled Devineaux.

" Nooo, I have way too much respect for those people. He or she would just receive a goooood huuuuuge French kiss." joked the wolf.

Chase straightened head. Just. EW.