Chapter 5 –Monsters and Heroes

Mayura spirited along the rooftops with a ballerina's grace, perching lightly above the park where the rally had taken place. Though streamers and balloons festooned the area, most of the crowd was gone, likely having run for shelter.

Or possibly having run somewhere to watch the highlights in safety, she mused.

Ladybug fans were an odd mix. Most of them were realists, trusting Paris' Heroes to handle the problem but smart enough to stay out of the way. Others clearly had seen Ladybug restore the city one too many times and developed a casual take on the whole thing. Supervillians weren't dangerous or scary. No, these people saw them as live entertainment complete with "splash zones" for those who got too close.

She saw a few such idiots milling around waiting for the party to resume.

But, Mayura smiled behind her feathers, even the most trusting Ladybug fan has their limits. Those who remained were tense. She could see them shifting nervously in place, unsure what to do with themselves. The same people, who were always so confident of Ladybug's power, were on edge this time. The uncertain results of the battle with Chat Blanc was driving them to distraction.

Mayura could practically taste their fear. Imagine what such potent emotions could do if they became tangible, she thought. A dark feather drifts along and moments later, people are screaming and running again. Oh, this sea of anxious emotions was just begging to be exploited.

But Mayura reigned herself in. Technically, she wasn't here for that. Not yet, anyway. She had to find out what went wrong with Chat Blanc's Akuma. Perhaps, this could end in a win for Hawkmoth after all.

Mayura moved on, crouching low to avoid detection. A Ladybug balloon floated past her, and she paused long enough to swat it away. She promised herself that every festival in history would pale next to the one she and Gabriel held when 'Ladybrat and Chew Toy' were gone. They wouldn't even have to celebrate alone. (Disregarding that Gabriel's wife would be there) Mayura knew there were others in Paris who'd be glad to see the "Bug and Kitten" lose their Miraculous. Such people saw the "Teen Dream Team" as the realproblem. As far as they were concerned, the akumatizations could end if Ladybug and Chat Noir just turned in their jewelry. It was the heroes' own fault that things had lasted so long.

These people called themselves "the Peacemakers," but online most people just referred to them as the "Cult of Hawkmoth." Natalie stumbled across their manifesto while conducting research for Gabriel. She had to admit they were pretty persuasive for people with no personal stakes in the fight. She wasn't sure how big their following was, but it reassured her to know that if worse came to worse, and Hawkmoth ever lost her, he wouldn't have to carry on alone.

Hmmm, and speaking of allies… Mayura set her sights on a favorite of his surrounded by a small audience. Lila Rossi.

Lila Rossi was a rare bird. Beautiful. Intelligent. Armed with a politician's charisma and a supervillain's rage. Mayura didn't know if Lila was part of the Cult, but if so, she probably took over the whole operation in a day or so. Who knows, she might've penned their manifesto, too.

Across the street, the girl in question was focused on her listeners, drawing them into her latest tall tale about her tragic breakup with Prince Ali. As Mayura, Nathalie could hear every word.

"And he was really heartbroken?" A girl squeaked. Mayura didn't know her real name, but she was pretty sure the kid akumatized into Princess Fragrance.

"Yes, he was," Lila said, putting a comforting hand on the shorter girl's shoulder. "I had to do it. I couldn't let it go on any longer knowing I'd fallen in love with s… um, with someone else…."

Mayura's attention drifted, but she heard Lila's stumble. Hm, that wasn't like her. She's usually so suave. Her gaze returned to Lila…

Only to see Lila Rossi staring straight back. The women locked eyes for a beat… Then, Lila looked away. "That I'm in love with Adrien," she said, resuming her story as if nothing happened.

Mayura's first instinct was to think Lila hadn't seen her. After all, the villainess was well-hidden by her perch. But she knew better. Lila gave nothing away, but Mayura knew she'd been spotted… and recognized. It was confirmed a moment later when Mayura felt the surge in Lila's emotions. A dangerous cocktail brewing just beneath the surface.

Frustration at not being chosen sooner.

Longing for superpowers.

Desperation to show up Ladybug.

And excitement. The thrill of being chosen now. It didn't even occur to Lila that Mayura (and Hawkmoth) would pick someone else this time.

Nathalie had to admit such self-confidence was impressive.

Not to mention, the potency of Lila's emotions had her light-headed. It was absolutely intoxicating. Without thinking, Mayura plucked a feather from her fan. What would such emotions become if she made them tangible? Her hand fisted around the amok as darkness poured in.

She was just ready to release it on her willing victim, when a glowing outline appeared over her eyes and a deep voice spoke in her thoughts.

Mayura, What are you doing? What do you see?

Mayura purred There is no sign of Ladybug or Chat Noir, Hawkmoth, but… She smiled again. I may have a way of drawing them out.

Not far away…

"Master Fu!" Marinette shoved her way into the studio so fast, she tripped over the threshold and face-planted on the floor. She barely got her head out of the carpet, when the Guardian appeared offering her a hand.

"What is it, Marinette?"

"It's Chat Noir, Master. Tikki says he's in trouble. In fact, she said…" She trailed off, unwilling to repeat the next part.

"In fact, what, Marinette?"

The young girl swallowed hard. "She said he's dying! We have to help him."

"Of course, we will. Follow me. There is a Kwami who has the power of healing. We will send you two to help him." He led her to the old gramophone record player waiting in the back.

Marinette was hot on his heels, eager to get the Miraculous and go…

But then, a shadow passed over her eye. She turned to see a massive, green serpent snaking its way up the window.

"What the…? Master?" She called, but Fu was too focused to hear. Nervous that this snake was another Akuma victim (or something worse), she ran outside to investigate, but Fu didn't notice that either.

He went on speaking as if she was still behind him. "There is one other thing," he said as Miraculous box cycled up from its hiding spot. "Under no circumstances are you to learn Chat Noir's true identity. Is that clear?"

Silence.

"Marinette?" He turned to where she'd stood a minute ago, but she was gone. Then, he noticed the window.

Outside, Marinette stood in the street trying to make sense of what new horror was taking over her city.

In retrospect, she might've preferred a giant snake. Instead an enormous web of thick verdant vines covered the street while reaching out to climb the buildings as well. They grew so fast that in seconds a single vine covered the doorway to Fu's building. Marinette was trapped outside, unable to pull or tear the vines away, much less get back indoors.

Fu must've noticed the problem because he stood at the window gesturing to her.

She didn't have time to decipher what he was saying. "Master, I have to go find Tikki. Together, we can stop this," she called up to him. She wasn't sure, but she thought he mouthed the word, "Go."

Thinking that was the last she would get out of him before the vines completely blocked the window, Marinette spun on her heel and sprinted down the street as fast as she could without tripping over the writhing mass underfoot.

She couldn't fail.

Paris needed her.

Paris needed Ladybug.

Author's Note:

Hey, Everybody!

So….. Um it's been a while, but uh...

Let's start with the apology. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a year, but to be fair, I have a good reason. I work in a Medical Field, and well….

Ugh

I'm a writer and I still don't have words for what this pandemic has meant for those of us in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. At one time, we had 75% of our patients test positive for COVID along with more than half the staff. This meant that any employees who didn't have COVID were working around the clock day after day, week after week until our coworkers were cleared to return.

Simply put, I had neither the time nor energy to write much. And even when I did, my headspace was so dark that my writing devolved into something I didn't want to publish.

But things have calmed down, and with the hope sparked anew, I plan to finish this before the one year anniversary…

But I make no promises.

Till next time