So is any quarrel finally over ?


When Chase returned school, he had the pleasure to see the Sandiego siblings not only arriving together, but also joyfully chatting. Perfect, they were good again. He waited for them and greeted them. Carmen stiffened, but managed to control her emotions. Though she replied to his welcome with a more acute voice than usual.

" Glad to see you two are okay now." smiled Chase.

" Yes, thanks for your concern." replied Carmen softly.

The trio headed to their respective building. The first face they met on their way was the one of Sheena. Chase and Carmen didn't even want to say hello.

" Hey ! The baker and the poor little cloth seller ! Did your moms never learn you politeness ?" she hissed.

Chase's bag fell on the floor brutally. He made an about face and walked toward Sheena.

" Be extremely careful when you talk about my mother, you damn pest. Am I clear ?" he retorted, icy.

Sheena stepped back before this aggressivity he displayed. It was like he was about to bite her. Chase was usually quiet, not mingling with others but when he had to intervene he wasn't kidding. He turned his back on her in a supreme gesture of disdain. Sheena understood she better not utter a sound. Chase grabbed his school bag and headed for the class. Carmen watched him an instant before following.

" You okay, Chase ?" asked Carmen, once sat.

" Hm ? Yeah, I'm fine, just had to make things clear."

Apparently, his mother was a sensitive topic. Carmen noticed that Ivy was chatting with a male classmate. The way she was looking at him, putting a bang of hair behind an ear, her smile. Carmen had a smirk. Wasn't this interesting. He invited her to sit near him for today, his pal usually here absent for the day. Ivy blushed, then nodded. Perhaps … Carmen should take advantage of this as well.

" Huh Ch-Chase ? "

" Yeah ?"

" Ahem, mind if I sit near you today ? Ivy seems to want to be more acquainted with Remi."

" Oh. Well yes okay." accepted Devineaux, with a smile after a look at Ivy.

" WOOHOO. Thank you."

Cheeks slightly red, she put her bag near her new sit. Wow, her heart was racing right now. Chase on his side, felt his lips stretching. He was feeling her presence more than usual. That was nice. They crossed look, and smiled. Carmen would like to sit near him the whole day. Could Ivy do her this favour ? Maybe, seemed on the right track. While they were enjoying each other's presence, some streets away from the school a forty-year-old woman, carrying a backpack, arrived in a park. She walked until a specific part of the place, stopping before a hedge. A pack of dogs exited, wagging tail. The woman put three big bowls she filled with kibbles. The stray dogs wolfed in it. The woman let them eat, smiling. She came here every day when possible to feed those poor animals.

The police already warned her she shouldn't feed the dogs. Next time the impoundment would handle the case. The dogs' defender protested, in vain. Anyway, she took back the bowls when those finished their meals. She had other starving beasts waiting for her. The woman fed that way several packs or solitary dogs around her home.

" Mrs Dupuy, I already told you to not feed them !" interpellated cop Roberto.

" But I'm not doing anything wrong ! They're starving, I'm just helping those poor dogs." replied Mrs Dupuy.

" That's not allowed. I already call impoundment, they'll take them to a refuge and hopefully they'll be adopted." resumed the cop.

On the meantime, since she had already been warned to stop but didn't, Mrs Dupuy received a ticket. Pff, she couldn't care less and that wouldn't stop her. The woman resumed her activity : one last place to visit and she'll be over for the day. However, when she arrived there, stupid teenagers were throwing rocks at a dog.

" What the hell are you doing you bunch of savages !" she yelled.

Mrs Dupuy grabbed an empty bottle before throwing it to them. She picked several litter she sent. The young protested, tried to resist but finally gave up.


Then, she approached the unfortunate dog. She was wounded, and growled. To appease her, Mrs Dupuy threw some kibbles on the ground. The dog accepted it. However, the forty years old woman was mad : why did people abandoned their pet ? Why even take one when you had no time for it ? Those negatives feelings didn't go unnoticed..

" Anger and contempt for fellow citizens. A defender of the animal cause, that generates strong emotions. Well then, I shall help this good heart." declared Lord Butterfly.

He created an akuma he sent to her. The butterfly entered her backpack.

" Dog Master, I'm Lord Butterfly. I sense your distress for your protégés. I'll help you defend their cause by granting you powers. In exchange, you'll bring me Ladyfox's ear rings and Lone Wolf's chain bracelet."

" My loyalty is acquired for you, Lord Butterfly."

Mrs Dupuy transformed. Her costume resembled one of our superheroes : ears pointing out the head, a brown skinny attire with a fake fluffy tail. A long howl followed this transformation. Howl that responded all dogs in the city. From everywhere dogs rushed to the call. The howl was heard in school. From the window Chase and Carmen saw a column of dogs running.

" Well it's been a while." they thought.

Carmen texted her brother, requiring him to hack in the school system and trigger the fire alarm. Player exited his phone he hid behind a book. Connected to his system at home, he could that way act a distance. Five minutes later, the alarm rang. As told during previous exercises, the students stood up and proceed to evacuate. That allowed our heroes to transform quietly. Ladyfox went in the direction took by the dogs she saw. They were others racing to a specific point. Red Drone joined.

" That's quite the number of dogs, no ?" commented Cedric.

" Yes, that's what alerted me : they usually aren't that numerous, not to mention that howl we heard."

" If dogs are involved it won't be easy this time. You could get badly hurt." pointed Player.

Ladyfox arrived on building surrounding a park. Where there was the greatest concentration of dogs she ever saw.

" Oh my."

" Wow. I think you should get help this time sis."

" Another miraculous bearer. But I don't know nor who the guardian is or where he lives." she reminded.

" Perhaps Suri is aware." judiciously answered Cedric.

Ladyfox hid behind a chimney to interrogate her kwami. Suri floated and discovered the situation.

" Ah. Yes. Okay. I'll indicate you the address, ask for a miraculous able to immobilize an enemy." said the fox.

" Fine."

Once the place known, Carmen left guided by Player and his GPS. She arrived where Suhara was living. Suri would make the introduction. The man opened to her. He too, heard the call and was expecting a visit. So he was the one who gave the chameleon miraculous. Carmen exposed her request. Suhara went to fetch the Miracle Box.

" You'll need that one. The scorpion miraculous." he said.

" Okay."

Carmen picked a yellow bandana. Now, she had to visit the chosen one for this mission. She arrived in school, where everybody was waiting for the firemen's arrival. Those one had already been requested by the mayor to contain and capture the dogs. So the miss was tranquil for a while. Now, the question was to be noticed by the one she was destining the miraculous to. The young woman spotted Ivy. The ginger was trying to know what was happening. She noticed Ladyfox waving at her. Smiling, she approached discreetly.

" Hey there miss Ladyfox ! Can I help you ?" asked Ivy.

" Yes. Come here." replied Carmen, pulling her behind the wall where she was.

" Ivy Farlow, this is the miraculous of the scorpion, which will grant you the power of immobilizing your enemies. You'll use it for the greater good." announced Carmen, tending a box.

Ivy remained moth opened.

" You … you want me … to become a superheroine and help you ?" she finally said.

" Yes. Now hurry, we don't have much time." resumed Ladyfox.

" COOOOOOOL !" yelled the ginger.

She picked the box and opened it on a yellow bandana. A sphere of light appeared, before a yellow kwami, with a scorpion tail appeared.

" Hello you. My name is Stingg." she said.

" What is that ?" asked Ivy, pointing it.

" What will grant you your power. Once the mission completed, you'll give me the miraculous back." replied Ladyfox.

" Just said : Stingg, armor on !" precised the kwami.

Ivy repeated the phrase. Stingg entered the bandana she tied around her neck. Then, she got dressed with a yellow suit which stitching formed plates. A mask covering her eyes, and her hair were tied and grew very long to form a scorpion tail. As a weapon she inherited a bow carried on shoulder strap. Ivy admired herself, thrilled. Ladyfox encouraged her to follow. It was with marvel that the young girl leaped behind her. Running on roofs showed her the city on a whole new angle. This was the most beautiful day of her life, like a dream coming true. She was accompanying her hero. Carmen brought her to a park where the dogs were gathering. The duo remained hidden on a roof. Down there, standing on a statue was a woman.

" My dear dogs. The humans of this city have neglected you for too long. They're not worthy of your loyalty. So now I'm offering this town to you. That will teach them to take care of you better." she declared.

The dogs immediately spread after that. They entered some stores they plundered. Citizens were repelled and forced to shelter. Garbage cans were overturned, trash spread everywhere. They also started to damage cars with their claws.

" Ok, time to act. You should be able to immobilize them." said Ladyfox.

Ivy took her bow. But where were the arrows ? Right when she wondered that, a golden one appeared in her free hand. So she aimed.

" Venom !"

The arrow divided in a dozen of others, all reaching a dog. They yelped before freezing. They couldn't move a whisker, staying there like statues.

" It … it worked !" said Ivy.

" Then go and stop them, I'll deal with the akumatized." replied Ladyfox.

" Count on me !"

Both leaped down. Ivy covered her comrade by immobilizing each dog around. That allowed some order to come back, and less adversaries to worry about.


" Ah, Ladyfox. I was waiting for you." smiled Dog Master.

She whistled. Two Kangal shepherds gushed out and grab Carmen by a wrist. They pulled, forcing her to kneel down. Ivy noticed her in trouble, and armed. However, a German shepherd jumped on her back, immobilizing her while the remaining dogs surrounded her, growling.

" Good job Dog Master ! Now take her miraculous !" exclaimed Lord Butterfly.

Dog Master walked to her. Butterfly was feverishly waiting. Was it finally the moment he was waiting for ? However, a question arose : where was her partner ? Again, another miraculous bearer appeared, different from the previous one. Will this Furtileon come to the rescue ? As he was wondering all this, Dog Master was now in front of Carmen. She leaned to her. A powerful howl stopped her, startling everyone. The dogs emitted a worried sound, and Dog Master herself couldn't help but shiver. That … was announcing trouble. Someone was coming, someone able to challenge the alpha she was. That howl was giving off strength, wildness, power. But where was the responsible of it ? He landed on the ground. Lone Wolf straightened, glared at Dog Master before walking with a measured step.

Dogs on his way growled, only to be responded with his own growls, louder, and that made them nor roll on the back or flat. Lone Wolf growled at the dogs holding Ivy : they skedaddled with yelps. He arrived at Ladyfox's level.

" Grrrooooowl !"

" Yelp !"

" Hey ! Come back here !" ordered Dog Master, seeing her minions backing away.

" Oh ! Your opponent is me, so focus you pup." made Lone Wolf.

" Pup ?! How dare …"

Dog Master finished her sentence in a growl, that he interrupted with his own. Just like her pack, she felt like submitting. She might be an alpha dog, but he was a wolf. Different level. Ivy arrived discreetly at Carmen's level, inquiring if she was fine.

" Yes. We should deal with the dogs, because if Dog Master order them to attack he'll be shredded."

" I'm not sure. They seem scared of him. Plus … they're waiting." pointed Ivy.

" Waiting ?"

Carmen looked around. The dogs here were indeed watching attentively. No sign of aggressivity, just patience.

" You're right. A new comer has challenged their alpha and they're waiting for the outcome."

Lone Wolf and Dog Master were face to face, on guard. After a moment of absolute silence, they both raced to each other. From the get-go, Chase had the upper hand : more trained than his opponent he inflicted her several punches, with or without his staff. However, Dog Master had an ace upon her sleeve : an ultra sound whistle. Lone Wolf having wolf's ears he heard that and groaned in pain. Dog Master used that to retaliate.

" No !" made Carmen.

Ivy armed an arrow.

" Stay out of this !" shouted Lone Wolf.

The girls froze. He stuck his staff on the chain holding the whistle and snatched it. He crashed it under his foot, then knocked Dog Master on the forehead. She fell down. Dog Master rolled to get up, catching the staff and pulling. Using his body, Lone Wolf pushed and unbalanced her. Carmen decided it was time to act.

" Lucky charm !"

Ladyfox obtained a bag of marbles. Looking around, she understood she had to use it on Dog Master. Running, she opened the bag and spread the marbles. Dog Master rolled on it, tried to regain balance only to fail. The villain fell face on the ground. Ladyfox snatched her backpack, that Lone Wolf destroyed. The young man didn't wait for her to catch the akuma. He spotted Ivy on the way.

" Hi." greeted the ginger.

" Hello. Who are you ?" questioned Chase.

" I'm your this mission partner : Scorpia."

" Nice to meet you, Lone Wolf."

The mini foxes of Ladyfox fixing all damages spread around them. Lone Wolf resumed his walk when he heard Carmen calling him.

" Lone Wolf please ! I must talk to you !"

She managed to reach him. She asked Ivy to step back so she could talk in private.

" I'm about to turn back." he warned.

" I'll make it quick : I'm absolutely sorry about my behaviour last time. You did the right thing, but I was scared for our previous partner and … I lost my cool. I hope you'll forgive me, and that we'll still be partner. I'll make it up, just tell me how."

Well, that was a good new. Chase knew that since Carmen reconciliated with her brother he'd be next.

" Very well, I accept your excuses."

And off he was. Carmen had a sigh of relief, and smiled. Then, she turned to Mrs Dupuy, surprised to be here. She advised her to work for a refuge if she truly wanted to help dogs. Something the adult already considered, but she wished to do more thus her feeding strays. Ladyfox grinned before leaving with Scorpia. Once out of sight and near school, Ivy turned back. She took off the bandana she contemplated an instant.

" I'd love to keep it and be part of your team. But I guess that's not possible." she said sadly.

" Not permanently, but that doesn't mean I won't call you if needed." replied Carmen.

" Anytime you want, Ladyfox."

Carmen took back the miraculous. Both went back to school on their side, mingling among students. The firemen left rather unpleased to have been called for nothing, and Carmen thought to never use that trick again. Time to go back to class.

" Well well well. I have the confirmation of another miraculous existing. I have to find who is their guardian." commented Lord Butterfly.

Another half tone defeat for him. He gathered interesting information, and will now work at finding the guardian of the miraculous.

" Marri, what can you tell me about the guardian of kwamis ?" asked Gunnar.

" Nothing. I can't speak of that person just like I can't speak of you." replied Marri.

" Really. Then how come Ladyfox and Lone Wolf got in touch with that person ?"

" I don't know where he lives nowadays, you stole me before remember ?"

" True."

Maelstrom remembered that day very well. He was traveling abroad, he happened to be back from work quite late. His researches weren't going well, his child was sicker and he started to feel desperate. Then, as he looked around while waiting in his car for the traffic light to be green, he saw a man on a deserted street. He got wrapped on a pink light. Then, a little unknown creature appeared. What was that ? Gunnar went back to his hotel, unable to think about something else. What he witnessed … wasn't a scientific moment.


He spent the next day tracking the person he spotted. He learnt that a team of superheroes was protecting the city. He even saw one in action. So … magic did exist. What he hold for fairy tales was suddenly proved, in front of him. That was how Maelstrom considered another way to reach his goal. The scientist planned his attack. He surveyed the bearer of the butterfly attentively, found the place he used to relax. Then acted. A bacteria poured in his drink, illness, then death. Gunnar visited him disguised as a doctor, and stole the miraculous. He was amazed by the powers he could obtain. He thought about granting himself the power to heal, he did it. Alas, it was too late : his child died during his travel.

Gunnar tried his power, in vain. At first, Marri felt sorry for that man, understanding how desperate he'd been. But with time, he realized how evil he was. The kwami occupied himself when his master was working on the civil. He read newspapers. There was rumours about him experimenting on Raphaël. Some pretended it was the reason why the poor kid got ill, some said he was before and his father tested several medicine on him. According to some colleagues, the illness the child had wasn't mortal. Marri shivered in horror and even felt nauseous. What was wrong with that man ? Will he resurrect his kid only to continue his experiment on him ? How sick could he be ? Or was he having true regrets ? Part of the kwami didn't want to think about it.

Because he dreaded the truth he already caught a glimpse on. People came to his house. No one ever came. But it happened. The police. They were investigating on Raphaël's death. Gunnar dismissed the investigation by providing medical certificates, exams and all. Who called the police ? Certainly the grand-parents, Raphaël's mum passed away some years ago. Marri wondered what happened to her. Died in a car accident, said his bearer, but the kwami was doubting that. Anyway, Marri was so grateful magic was keeping him to talk about the guardian. His kind could always visit him, in case of need, and that was the weak point. Had he known where the guardian was now, Gunnar would force him to lead him there. Then, he'd probably kill Suhara before capturing all the other kwamis, certainly to create a whole army to defeat Lone Wolf and Ladyfox.

Gunnar dropped the subject for now, saying he'll find a way. Marri gulped. That was enough, he had to act now. His whole family was in danger, as well as the guardian and the new bearers. Marri waited for his bearer to be busy enough to act.

Back home, Suri was hearing Carmen announcing that Lone Wolf accepted her apologies, and that trust was back. The fox was relieved : them apart wasn't a good idea. The kwami was glad everything was back to normal. Carmen realized that her brother was capable of helping, so she asked her bearer if in the future he'd be there again.

" Well … I'll always be worried about him, but he will as well. If anything was to happen to me, someone will have to take over. I know Cedric will, whether I want it or not. So he better gain experience before that."

" I'm proud of you Carmen. You're realistic and wise here. You must indeed consider all options to reach your goal." said Suri.

" Thank you Suri." smiled Carmen.

There was also Ivy now, she'd certainly agree to land a hand as well. They were now four heroes to fight against Lord Butterfly. Carmen decided to check if Ivy posted something on her blog. She trusted her and hoped she was right. This was a different matter than school. Ivy was so excited about this stuff she might let something out. Carmen arrived on the blog. The young girl mentioned a fourth hero. Well, reporters as well just like with Furtileon, Otherwise would have been suspicious from her. However, Ivy presented it with the same enthusiasm : who was she ? How did she become a teammate ? Will there be others in the future ? In a word, nothing seemed to indicate she was Scorpia.

" Good job Ivy."

She made a good choice by placing her trust in her friend.

" And how is it going with your crush ?" asked Suri, head down at her bearer's eye level.

" It won't go anywhere Suri. I can't have a boyfriend as long as I'm Ladyfox." peacefully answered miss Sandiego.

" Then what will you do ? Your love for him won't fade just like that." resumed Suri, turning back on the right side.

" Nothing. I'll just live with it. That brings me happiness in no uncertain terms : I like being around him, I have fun, and I feel safe too. I know he'll be here when I need it. He's quite handsome too."

" Though I understand your position, it's sad." made the kwami.

Sadness shared by Carmen, as it briefly displayed on her face. Speaking of him, the day might have begun well, but wasn't ending very well : his mother was sat in their living room, looking sad.

" Something's wrong mom ?" questioned Chase.

" Oh hey sweetie. It's nothing, don't worry." smiled sadly Mrs Devineaux.

" Last time you said that, we were almost ruined. And it's too late, I'm already worried." pointed her son.

He put his back near the table and sat before her.

" Come on. I'm big boy I can handle some bad news. Plus, aren't we supposed to help and comfort each other ? You'd do the same for me right ?" he said, putting his hand on hers.

" Yes, thank you deary. Well … the store I'm working in isn't going well. They're going to close it. Everyone will lose their job." revealed Anne.

That was some bad new. Chase's salary as part time job would never be enough. They didn't have some savings thank to his damn father.

" Don't even thing about quitting school, my son. You'll need graduations if you want a decent life and better salary." made Anne.

Chase had a little smile : he considered that, indeed. Anne said she'll start looking for a new job right now, and since she worked for 15 years in that store she'll be able to obtain an unemployment benefit. All wasn't so dark.

" Alright mom. This will indeed let us some time." grinned Chase.

" Told there was no need to worry. Now, go do your homework."

On his way to his room, Chase knew that on the contrary, it wouldn't be easy from now on until his mother gets a new job.