Chapter 12

The Shop: Library of Scrolls: History's Hidden Knowledge

"STOP YOU ARE HURTING HIM!" -cried out Isara.

Welkin was being held up against a bookcase by force. He was struggling to breathe as Hawk Moth kept a strong hold on him.

"Now let me ask you again, where are the hidden books?" -Hawk Moth demanded.

"I don't know what you are talking about! Anything I have for the special viewing is locked away, and you are not welcomed-" -Welkin responded, short of air.

Hawk Moth grew angry and threw him across the room into a bookshelf, causing it to fall down and severely injure Welkin. Hawk Moth started to walk over to him when suddenly Isara came running at Hawk Moth and started to hit and kick his legs. Hawk Moth was more annoyed by this and slapped the child away, causing her to cry out in pain.

"If you will not tell me what I want to know, then there are other ways to get the information from you."

Suddenly the door to the shop was kicked open. Hawk Moth turned in surprise at the commotion. Standing in the doorway was Mr. Croix, breathing hard after he ran to the shop several blocks away from where the heroes were fighting Flashfire.

"I believe this has nothing to do with you and you should leave, NOW." -Hawk Moth said, angry at the interruption.

"You are right, I should leave, and you will be coming with me." -Mr. Croix responded, finally regaining his breath.

"Once I get what I came for," -Hawk Moth replied as he grabbed Welkin from the ground.

"DADDY NO!" -Isara cried out again, with a visible red bruise on her face from being hit.

"Threatening innocents and hitting children now, Hawk Moth? Oh how the mighty have fallen so low. No wonder you are so blind." -Mr. Croix said, trying to provoke Hawk Moth. "Besides, he doesn't have what you are looking for. I do."

Out of his interior vest pocket, Mr Croix pulled out a small booklet which looked to be a thousand years old at least. On the corner of it had what looked to be the mark of a ladybug.

Hawk Moth threw Welkin back to the ground and turned to face him, gripping his cane in anger.

"Isara, take your father and get out of here! I will take care of this." -Mr. Croix told her.

"Right! Be safe Uncle Croix! You can beat him, just like Ladybug and Cat Noir!" -she cried out.

She ran over to Welkin who was now unguarded by Hawk Moth, and after getting him to his feet, both got to the back of the store so they could escape.

"So how about you give me that book now, and you can still walk out of here unharmed." -Hawk Moth asked as he reached out his hand.

"Sorry, but it will not be that easy" -replied Mr. Croix in defiance.

"Good. I can both find what I need to know and take out THE guardian in the process."

Hawk Moth grabbed his cane with his right hand and pulled out the hidden sword inside of it, a huge grin on his face.

"I hate to disappoint you, but I am not THE guardian, but I promise you I am not going down that easy either."

Mr. Croix put the book back in his vest pocket and reached behind his back. From under his vest he pulled out what looked like a cane handle, activating a trigger on it. A rapier blade shot out from the handle.

Hawk Moth was not expecting Mr. Croix to have a weapon but did not show his surprise on his face.

"Now let's see who is hiding under that mask." Mr. Croix taunted as he pointed his blade towards Hawk Moth.

Hawk Moth grinned as he positioned his blade as Mr. Croix attacked.