Alright everyone, here's the next part of the story! Will the villains be stopped? Let's hope so…

Chapter 9

Sabrina and Libby ran as fast as they could, but it was no good. The giant sentimonster was getting closer every second, with its two riders still onboard. It was only a matter of time before Star Perfectionist caught up with them too, and they'd definitely be trapped. Libby tried using her powers on the hedge maze as they ran through it, hoping to find an exit or something, but nothing she did could affect it.

Suddenly both of the girls tripped over a root and fell over. As they tried to stand up, the path they'd been following was barricaded by a hedge, turning it into a dead end. There was nowhere to go. To escape the maze, Sabrina and Libby would have to fight the villains—even Vega. Libby shook at that thought and fearfully clutched Sabrina. "I can't fight Vega," she whispered in agony, "I can take on the Wishworld villains, but not her!"

Sabrina held her hands, doing her best to sound more comforting than scared. "I'm sorry, Libby. Neither of us has a choice."

"But she's my friend! Maybe she's under a spell that turned her into a villain, but she's still my friend!"

The sentimonster was now face-to-face with them. "It doesn't have to be this way," Hawk-Moth said, a creepy smile on his face, "The wish I want you to grant isn't what you think it is."

Libby scooted back a little, in fear. "Wishers don't do negative things when they want a positive wish to come true!"

Star Perfectionist flew over their heads and stylishly landed behind Libby and Sabrina. "I'm sorry I have to do this," she told them wickedly, "but if you won't follow his orders, I'll have to make you follow them."

Libby immediately realized what she meant. Quickly, she covered Sabrina's eyes and closed her own. "Don't look at her! She's going to use her mind controlling powers on us!"

Star Perfectionist laughed. "As if that will help! Whether you look at me or not isn't important! All that matters is that I can still see you!"

Sabrina and Libby hugged each other tightly and braced themselves, waiting for the corrupted Starling to place them under her spell. Much to their surprise, however, that didn't happen. Instead, the girls heard Star Perfectionist let out a sudden scream, and then a magical sound that could only mean someone was doing wish energy manipulation. Hawk-Moth and Mayura let out some yells too, and curious as to why, Libby and Sabrina opened their eyes. They gasped in starmazement as they saw what was happening: Gemma had appeared from out of nowhere and was using her levitation powers to lift the villains—including the enormous sentimonster—high into the air. This had caught Star Perfectionist off guard, saving her intended victims from falling under her spell. Unfortunately, this only lasted for a starsec, for the sentimonster suddenly flapped its gigantic wings, creating a gust of wind that knocked Gemma over and made her lose her grip on the villains. Star Perfectionist fell to the ground, and the sentimonster levelled itself.

Gemma stood up, and then Tessa, Adora, Leona, Cassie, Piper, Astra, Clover, Lady Stella, and Professor Lucretia Delphinus appeared by her side. Sage arrived a starsec later, using her levitation powers to transport the still-paralyzed Ladybug and Cat Noir (Sabrina wasted no time in pointing them out to Libby, who was seeing them for the first time). Scarlet, who had apparently used her gravity manipulation abilities to cut a path through the maze, arrived last and lowered her outstretched arms. The hedge they'd all walked through immediately sprung back into its original form. Libby and Sabrina cheered in victory, but Hawk-Moth and Star Perfectionist angrily yelled, "WHAT?!" Mayura didn't say anything, but she clearly wasn't happy either.

"Libby, Sabrina, stand back," instructed Lady Stella. Both girls obeyed her, and the headmistress stepped forward with the professor. Instantly the two women began hurling balls of wish energy at the villains, only for Hawk-Moth to deflect each one with his cane and Mayura to deflect them with her feather fan. Star Perfectionist started to lock eyes with the Star Darlings and place them under her control, but before she could do it, Sage set Ladybug and Cat Noir down and stepped aside, allowing Leona to summon a bright yellow surge of wish energy. It shone so bright that it blinded Star Perfectionist, giving Cassie and Piper the opportunity to restrain her and hold her back.

With Star Perfectionist busy trying to free herself, the others were able to give Lady Stella and Professor Lucretia Delphinus a hand. Scarlet and Gemma combined their powers and held the sentimonster in place, with Tessa using her own abilities to prevent the creature from flapping its wings and sending them flying. Hawk-Moth and Mayura noticed this, and they became too busy trying to save the sentimonster and deflect Lady Stella and the professor's attacks to pay attention to Astra and Clover, who used their powers to shove the two villains backwards and onto the ground. While Libby and Sabrina quickly went to help Astra and Clover pin the adult villains down and (instructed to do so by Sabrina) try to break the cane and release the feather controlling the sentimonster, Adora walked toward Ladybug and Cat Noir and began conjuring sky blue wish energy. She was getting ready to use her healing powers on the heroes, Cat Noir first.

Sage stepped toward Star Perfectionist and used her powers to read her mind. Once Sage began concentrating, her opponent's thoughts began to play in her head. Got to do something…can't let them take the wrist brace…can't let them get the akuma out of me… Sage gasped. Star Perfectionist's wrist brace! That had to be where the akuma was hiding. She bent down to remove it, but the hedge maze, still under Star Perfectionist's spell, somehow seemed to sense what she was doing. A branch-like shrub suddenly flew out of the hedge closest to Sage and wrapped itself around her, then swiftly zooming up into the air and taking her with it. Sage screamed and tried to break free, but she was stuck.

"Hold on, Sage!" Leona called. She rushed over to save her, forgetting about her bright wish energy surge and causing it to disappear. No longer blinded by the yellow wish energy from Leona, Star Perfectionist was able to regain her focus, and with a loud scream, she leapt into the air and spun around. Blue beams shot out of her wrist brace as she spun, hitting Cassie, Piper, Lady Stella, and Professor Lucretia Delphinus and turning all of them into stardust.

"No!" Libby yelled. She instinctively rushed away from the villains and bent down, touching the piles of stardust with worry. With Libby off of him, Hawk-Moth was able to shove Astra off as well, though he wasn't quick enough to stop her and Clover from using their Power Crystals to destroy his cane. The blue feather was released, and Cat Noir, whom Adora was now finished healing, rushed forward, yelling, "Cataclysm!" The sentimonster disappeared, black energy surrounded one of Cat Noir's hands, and he touched the feather with that hand, destroying it. But Hawk-Moth wasn't worried about the sentimonster. Now that it was gone, he had a perfect view of Adora, who was now using her powers on Ladybug. It was quite clear that the powers Adora was using on her were healing her—a sight that made Hawk-Moth smile for reasons only Mayura knew.

"Star Perfectionist," ordered Hawk-Moth, seeing she was making a beeline for Cat Noir, "stand down! You can immobilize them, but don't take their Miraculous yet!"

Everyone else gasped in shock. That was the one response no one would have expected from him in particular! Of course, Star Perfectionist asked him why he suddenly changed his mind, but first she used her action-controlling powers to freeze Ladybug and Cat Noir in place again. "I thought you asked me to take their Miraculouses!"

"She's right," said Mayura, "Remember the goal we're trying to achieve?"

"We'll take the Miraculous if it doesn't work," Hawk-Moth said. Pointing right at Adora, he announced, "She has the solution we should have thought of long ago! We must bring her back to Paris with us!"

"Adora?" Gemma exclaimed.

Tessa nodded. "What do you need her healing powers for?"

"Doesn't matter," said Scarlet, protectively standing in front of Adora, "We're not letting you take her."

"Oh yes you will," snarled Star Perfectionist. She fired a blue beam at Scarlet, who ducked just in time. The beam kept going and hit Clover instead, turning her into stardust. With her gone, Mayura was able to shove Sabrina to the side and stand up. Accompanied by Tessa, Scarlet charged toward Star Perfectionist and readied her powers, but the villain locked eyes with both of them and whispered, "Help me out. Help me out. Help me out. Help me out." Scarlet and Tessa froze, for Star Perfectionist now had control over their actions. Against their will, the two Starlings helplessly began using their powers to restrain Gemma, Astra, Sabrina, and Libby when they tried to stop the adult villains from slowly approaching Adora.

"Stay away from her!" Sage yelled. She tried to free herself from the shrub branch, but it held onto her tightly. Leona tried using her powers to direct Sage towards the ground, but Star Perfectionist fired a blue beam at her, and Leona was turned into stardust. The shrub branch jerked back, and Sage was sent flying out of the maze and into the shapeshifting campus fountain. Libby yelped, and mustering all her strength, she broke free from the clutches of Scarlet and Tessa's telekinesis. With Sabrina grabbing her hand just in time, Libby levitated over the maze and out to make sure Sage was okay. Luckily, Gemma and Astra were able to use their own powers to prevent the villains from stopping them!

"Get the wrist brace," Ladybug shouted, "That's where the akuma is!"

Gemma rushed toward Star Perfectionist and began battling her while Astra snuck past them and headed for Adora, hoping to protect her from Hawk-Moth and Mayura. Unfortunately, Astra was quickly pulled backward by Scarlet and Tessa, who each clutched one of her arms. "Star apologies," Tessa gulped, "I promise, I'm not trying to hurt you!"

Scarlet felt her hand conjuring some wish energy. Realizing what was going to happen next, she yelled, "Gemma! Watch out!"

Pink energy came out of Scarlet's hand and headed straight toward Gemma. She jumped back just in time, only to instead get hit by one of Star Perfectionist's blue beams. Gemma was instantly turned into stardust, allowing Star Perfectionist to shift her gaze towards Adora. Seeing Hawk-Moth and Mayura approaching her, Adora used her powers to send them flying into the hedge wall in front of her. She then rushed over, wrenched Astra free from Scarlet and Tessa's hold, and started to run away, but her legs surprised her by stopping in their tracks. Astra gasped and quickly covered Star Perfectionist's eyes, but she knew it was already too late. The akumatized Star Darling had already placed Adora under her spell and now had complete control over everything she did.

Hawk-Moth laughed sinisterly as Star Perfectionist led Adora to him and his partner. "Now bring us back to Paris, and bring Ladybug and Cat Noir in case her powers don't work."

"Yes, Hawk-Moth," replied Star Perfectionist. She then sent a blue beam sailing toward Astra, hoping to turn her into a shooting star as she did with Alya back in Paris. Luckily, with both super speed and teleportation as special powers, Astra was able to escape without any villains touching her. When she was gone, Star Perfectionist groaned and summoned another beam, causing Tessa to turn into a shooting star instead. And with that, all three villains, with Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Adora reluctantly trailing along, entered the shooting star and took off for Wishworld.

Scarlet, who was now alone in the hedge maze, groaned. She hoped she had enough willpower and strength to at least stand a chance of breaking free from Star Perfectionist's control. After all, her friends—especially Adora—needed all the help they could get.

Once they landed on the ground outside the maze, Libby and Sabrina headed straight for the fountain. They soon found Sage, who was sitting next to the fountain, dazed but unharmed.

Libby gasped. "Sage, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Sage said, "The fountain caught me while it was changing shape, and it softened my landing."

The fountain shifted downward a little, as if it were taking a bow. The girls laughed. The shapeshifting fountain always changed shape just to get people to look at it longer, and this was definitely no exception. "Thanks," Sabrina told the fountain, knowing it could hear her, "You're a true hero!" In response, the fountain circled its geyser around Sabrina in a joyful way, making her, Libby, and Sage laugh even more.

"You're very sweet," said Libby, "but I'm afraid we have to go help our friends. Don't worry, I promise we'll come back and admire you when we're done."

The fountain moved its geyser up and down, which the girls took as an "okay" or a "star salutions." In response, Sage, Libby, and Sabrina waved before starting back toward the hedge maze. About halfway there, however, they bumped into Astra, who was running up to them with her super speed.

"Astra?" Sage said. "What happened?"

Astra took a moment to catch her breath and explained everything. "The villains kidnapped Adora and the Wishling heroes. Scarlet and Tessa were put under the action controlling spell, and everyone else is just stardust now!"

The trio went wide-eyed. "They did?" Libby gasped.

"Why would they take Adora too?" asked Sabrina. "I thought they just wanted the Miraculous."

"So did I," said Astra, "but apparently Hawk-Moth was suddenly interested in Adora's healing powers. Almost sounded as if his main goal in life was to heal someone, and for some reason he couldn't think of giving his victims that kind of power."

Sabrina thought for a moment. "Maybe that is his main goal."

"What?!" Sage exclaimed in disbelief. "Sabrina, you said he's merciless! He's tried to hurt so many people, even Chloe!"

"Maybe it's his way of lashing out after something tragic happened," suggested Libby, "But you're right, Sage. If he does end up using Adora to heal whoever he's wanting to heal, he's sure to learn the hard way that this isn't what he or she would have wanted."

"Or maybe it's another villain he's trying to heal," said Sabrina, "Someone we don't know about yet."

Astra stubbornly put her hands on her hips. "Well there's no way I'm risking it in case it's a villain. We've got to give Ladybug and Cat Noir a hand before it's too late."

Suddenly they heard a loud scream coming from the hedge maze, and a bright fuchsia light briefly shown from somewhere inside of it. A pink comet soared into the sky, landing in front of the girls with a loud BOOM! The light cleared away, revealing Scarlet, who was on her hands and knees, breathing heavily. Libby bent down to see if she was okay, but Scarlet batted her hand away. Libby backed away from her, letting her stand up once she was ready.

After dusting herself off, Scarlet looked up and noticed Astra. "I guess you already know most of what happened down there," she said.

Sage nodded. "How did you get here? Didn't Star Perfectionist—"

"I had enough in me to break free," said Scarlet, "Still starprised by it. And Tessa's been disintegrated, so don't bother going back in the maze."

"We'd better go to Wishworld before the villains force Adora to grant their wish," Libby told them, "To the Wishworld Observation Deck!"

Sage, Libby, Sabrina, Scarlet, and Astra rushed to the big building as fast as they could. As they went, Sage helped her friends come up with a plan that was sure to work. By the time she was finished, everyone was looking forward to trying it out—especially Sabrina.

"Moons and stars," murmured Star Perfectionist.

She and Adora (who were using their levitation powers to transport Ladybug and Cat Noir) were being escorted to a huge Wishworld building—a mansion. It was the most gigantic building the two Starlings had ever seen.

Hawk-Moth went up the steps and faced the girls, telling them, "Before we go in, I must tell you that you are not to breathe a word of what we're doing to anyone." Everyone nodded, and he opened the mansion doors. After leaving the superheroes outside the mansion as though they were statues, Star Perfectionist and Mayura followed her inside, while Adora was a few steps behind, straining to overcome the spell she was under, but to no avail. They walked through a wide hallway until they came across a portrait of a Wishling woman. Adora had to admit the woman was pretty. She had blonde hair, and a kind smile that somehow made her feel a bit less scared.

Hawk-Moth pressed his hands against the portrait, and the tile he was standing on descended, taking him down a secret passage under the floor. Mayura led the Starlings toward the area where the tile had been, and once it came back up, she had Adora, Star Perfectionist, and herself travel into the secret passage as well, one by one. Soon everyone was in a secret underground room that reminded Adora of the secret space underneath Lady Stella's office—the one they usually went to when a Wish Orb would soon choose someone for a Wish Mission. Except unlike that room, this one didn't have a sparkling waterfall. Instead, a shiny glass coffin lay in the front of the area. A woman lay peacefully inside the coffin, and as they came close to her, Adora realized it was the same woman from the portrait upstairs. She gulped, now realizing why the villains had decided to abduct her.

Four shooting stars landed in Paris; Sage in the first one, Scarlet in the second, Astra in the third, and Libby and Sabrina sharing the fourth. It was the first time the Star Darlings didn't bother changing their appearances so they'd look like Wishlings—for obvious reasons, this visit to Wishworld was unlike any other.

Sage took out her Star Zap. "Take us to Adora," she instructed, and directions appeared on the device's screen. The girls followed the directions, which led them to a huge building.

Sabrina gasped the moment she saw the building. "That's the Agreste Mansion! Oh, I hope Adrien's not in danger too…"

"Look," said Libby, pointing toward the wall on the right side of the front doors. The others followed her gaze and saw Ladybug and Cat Noir, who were once again as still as statues. The girls hurried over and looked for Adora and the villains, but they were nowhere in sight.

Cat Noir's ring was beeping like crazy. "Close your eyes, ladies! I'm about to transform back!"

Sabrina, Ladybug, and the Star Darlings quickly closed their eyes, and then Cat Noir transformed back into his civilian form. The girls heard an unfamiliar male voice groan and ask, "Uh, sparkly girls, would you mind taking some cheese out of my owner's pocket for me?"

Scarlet huffed in frustration. "Freaking fireballs! You really think we have time for a snack right now?"

"Not for you, for me," said the voice, "I'm Cat Noir's kwami, and I need to eat so I can recharge!"

"What's a kwami?" Astra asked.

"Just give him the cheese," sighed the boy who was really Cat Noir. Sage nodded, and although she couldn't see the cheese, she was still able to levitate it out of the boy's pocket. She felt the kwami grab the cheese and heard him gulp it down. When he asked for more, Scarlet groaned and levitated all the cheese there was out of the pocket. A nasty smell suddenly filled their noses, and Sabrina began fanning the air.

When the kwami was finally done his snack, he seemed to notice everyone was overwhelmed by the smell. "Sorry," he said, "but Camembert is my favourite!"

"Did you see where the villains took our friend?" inquired Libby.

"They went inside the mansion," replied Ladybug, "but I'm not sure which room they're in."

"Don't worry, we won't let the villains get away with this," said Sage, "But um…since you're under Star Perfectionist's spell again, we will have to borrow your Miraculouses for a starmin."

Ladybug was a little nervous. "Promise you'll give them back without figuring out our secret identities?"

"We promise," said Sabrina. With a chuckle, she added, "Can I be the one who uses the Cat Miraculous? I used to dress up as you a lot, Cat Noir, and well…it would be nice to experience the real thing." She gasped. "Hey, maybe Libby can use the Ladybug Miraculous too! We're BFFs now, and if I'm gonna be Cat Noir, she can be Ladybug!"

"Starmendous idea," agreed Libby, "My special talent is changing objects into other objects, and you said one of Ladybug's is to create new ones..."

"We all have special talents," reassured Scarlet, "Your magic jewels will be safe with us."

"Okay," said Ladybug, "Tikki, spots off." The girls heard her transform back as well, and with her eyes still closed, Sage used her telekinesis to guide Ladybug's earrings from her ears to Libby's, and Cat Noir's ring onto Sabrina's finger.

"My transformation phrase is 'claws out,'" explained the boy who was really Cat Noir, "and m'lady's is 'spots on.'"

"Thanks," said Sabrina, "See you after we defeat the villains!"

"Bug out," said the girl who was really Ladybug.

With the kwamis leading the way into the mansion, Sabrina and the Star Darlings headed inside. Once they were in the entrance hallway, they were finally granted permission to open their eyes. The girls gasped when they saw the kwamis, who were basically fairy-like creatures that greatly resembled the animals their Miraculous represented. "OMS," Libby exclaimed, "you're both so cute!"

The red ladybug kwami smiled, a little embarrassed. "Cute? How dare you!" the green-eyed black cat kwami exclaimed in horror. Scarlet gave the cat kwami a look of sympathy while the rest of the girls—including the ladybug kwami—burst into laughter.

"Sorry," said Libby after the laughter died down, "we didn't mean to upset you. It's just…" She turned to Sage. "Don't tell Cassie I said this, but these animals are cuter than her glowfur!"

Sage chuckled. "I won't say anything."

"Are you gonna transform or what?" Astra said.

Sabrina nodded. Striking a dramatic pose, she announced, "Claws out!" At the same time, Libby threw her hands into the air and called out, "Spots on!" Both kwamis turned into comets and absorbed themselves into each Miraculous. Sage, Scarlet, and Astra watched in fascination as Libby and Sabrina swiped their hands past their eyes, causing a black mask and a red mask with black spots on it to appear on their faces. A pair of black cat ears attached to a black headband appeared on Sabrina's head, and with a large amount of green dust, her Wishling outfit was replaced by a black spandex suit. Purple, blue, and white paw prints decorated her arms and legs, a black tail-like belt appeared around her waist, and a steel staff formed on her back. Libby's hair curled into a fluffy ponytail below her neck, held in place by a red elastic. Her pink Starling attire made way for a spandex suit that came with a yoyo and even a skirt. The suit was entirely red with black spots, except for the arms and legs, which were crimson with red spots. A sparkly pink star brooch rested at her collar, and the sight of it made her smile in excitement as she and Sabrina each struck a pose to finish off their transformation sequences.

Sage and Astra were speechless. "You look startacular," Scarlet said, smiling and photographing them with her Star Zap.

After taking a moment to admire their new appearances, Libby asked, "Um, Sabrina, do you happen to know how to activate Ladybug and Cat Noir's powers?"

Sabrina smiled reassuringly. "I think I've seen them do it enough times to memorize the words."

"Then let's go," said Sage. She pulled out her Star Zap to look at the directions that would lead them to Adora.

Oh boy…what did you think of all that? Can the girls save the day? Next chapter coming soon…;)