It was a normally boring day of school for Ben. As usual he as daydreaming about Sumo Slammers and not playing any attention to the lesson the teacher was trying to teach.
RIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG! went the bell signaling the end of the class and beginning of lunch break.
As Ben made his way out of the classroom and into the courtyard he noticed Marinette looking kind of panicky and alert like she was expecting something bad to happen.
Ben walked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder causing her to jump and whirl around.
"Adrien I can explain!" she exclaimed only to realize that she said it to the wrong person.
"Um I was just going to ask if you were ok since you seemed scared or something." said Ben.
"Oh uh yeah just expecting someone." replied Marinette.
"You mean Adrien." said Ben
"Uh yeah I kinda have to explain something to him." answered Marinette
"Is it why you act so weird around him?" asked Ben
"Me no weird. I mean no weird me. Gahhhh! Weird me? No. I don't act weird around him why would I?" spluttered out Marinette.
Ben raised an eyebrow in skepticism at that.
"Ok fine I do act strange around him so what?" rebutted Marinette.
"Uh nothing just why do you act like that around him?" asked Ben
"Uhhh because I..." Marinette was saved by Alya butting in with "Hey Marinette we still up for getting pastries at your bakery?"
"Huh? oh Yeah yeah we are. Uh see you later Ben." said Marinette as she walked off with Alya.
As they made their way down the front steps Marinette took a sigh of relief and said "Thanks Alya. I owe you one."
"You owe me more than one and I can't believe you were going to tell Ben about your crush on you know who." said Alya but whispered that last part.
"He cornered me. I wasn't sure how else to deflect his questions." said Marinette
"Also he was right about what he asked. Why were you acting so strange and alert lately?" asked Alya
"Because of what I said to him yesterday." answered Marinette blushing in embarrassment.
"You mean when you told him you would take the coleslaw home?" asked Alya rhetorically gaining a nod of confirmation from Marinette.
"Girl if he wanted to know what you mean't than he would have asked you before you left. He was just really weirded out by that." said Alya
Marinette sighed in relief at that as they took some seats on a bench in the park. They took out their packed lunches from home to eat. However the second part of what Alya said took a moment to sink in and as it did it put her right back into panic mode.
"Gahh! Alya I weirded him out! Now he'll think I'm a freak and will never speak to me again." cried Marinette
"Girl once again your overreacting. Like I said before. If he was going to say something about it he would have said it earlier." responded Alya taking a bite of her sandwich and looking at her blog.
"Yeah you are right Alya. I have nothing to worry about." replied Marinette as she calmed herself again. Of course Marinette's words soon took an ironic effect
"Hey what just happened to my phone!" exclaimed Alya dropping her sandwich to figure out her phone. Marinette looked over and saw she wasn't the only one dealing with these issues. Others in the park were having the same problem and so were electronic billboards and advertisements.
The static and blank screens soon ended with a shadowy face appearing on all the ads and devices.
"Greetings Paris." said the deep mysterious voice.
"I bring to you this command." the voice stated.
All of Paris was watching from Alya and Marinette in the park, to Ben and Gwen in the Rustbucket, to Gabriel Agreste in his office, to the mayor of Paris Andre Bourgeois.
The face moved out of the shadows to reveal the creepiest clown ever seen. He had tufts of blood red hair sticking out left and right underneath his black top hat. His face was even creepier. Unlike cheerful clowns he wore dark face makeup giving him grey lips, black button nose, and black eyeshadow. His teeth were an entirely different story. They looked so gritty and disgusting yellow that no one could tell if they were rel or part of his clown appearance.
As he spoke his formerly dark voice was now that of something you would expect from a clown. Goofy and stupid. "Hahah hello Paris I am Zombozo! Normally I would put on a show for you lovely Parisians but I need to get straight to business."
"Zombozo? What is this a joke or something?" asked Alya rhetorically
"Now last week your Parisian superhero Ladybug and what is rumored to be an old acquaintance of mine. Got my gang of freaks locked up. Can you believe that folks?!" pleaded Zombozo rhetorically however he wasn't done yet. "So I'll get straight to the point!" joked Zombozo pulling out a sewing needle. "If Frightwig, Thumbskull, and Acid Breath aren't released from police custody in One hour. I will have to do something you'll all regret." said Zombozo changing his tone to a more dark and serious one on the last line.
The screen was turned to show kidnapped civilians tied up and gagged together on top of a painted target on the floor of wherever they were being held captive. "So I will use this needle to pop that balloon up there. (camera shift to a floating balloon holding a cinder block somehow) To drop the cinder block onto a wooden plank flipping and launching this cauldron of flesh melting acid onto the poor poor innocent people over here." said Zombozo with false sympathy for his captives. Also earning a look of horror upon the captives faces as they tried to struggle.
"Your time Paris. Begins now." said Zombozo lifting up an hourglass and flipping it. Before he ended the hijacked transmission he added " Also if there is anyone trailing them after their release. Well I can't be blamed if I get a strike on one of my new bowling pins!" Zombozo said that last part with a wicked grin and emphasis on the strike part with his bowling pun, prior to ending the transmission which caused all devices to return to normal.
Alya began with "Oh my gosh Marinette! This is going to be crazy! I've got to get this for my blo- Marinette?" but realized she was talking to the wind since Marinette has seemingly vanished from the spot.
Marinette felt bad ditching Alya but knew it was for the greater good since she was going to save Paris. As she ran down the street she looked for somewhere to transform. Unfortunately the only place she saw was a dumpster.
"I am so going to need a bath after this Tikki." groaned Marinette as she leapt into the dumpster and uttered "Tikki! Spots On!"
Moments Ago...
Adrien was practicing his piano while Plagg was gorging himself on cheese whilst watching some car racing show on the TV when suddenly Zombozo's broadcast appeared catching his and Adrien's attention.
After the broadcast ended Adrien knew it was time for the cat to come out.
"Plagg we've got to save them." said Adrien with determination.
"O come on Why did it have to be now I wanted to see who won the race." complained Plagg
"Plagg Claws Out!" shouted Adrien as Plagg was sucked into the ring transforming him into Cat Noir.
Cat Noir opened his window and leapt out of it to meet up with Ladybug to form a plan.
Same Time as Adrien finished seeing the Zombozo broadcast
As Zombozo's broadcast came to an end Ben and Gwen knew what they should do now.
Ben had always hated Zombozo since he was afraid of Clowns but what really ticked him off was him draining his family of their happiness a few years ago.
"Its time Zombozo went back to clown college." said Ben
"Really thats the best you can come up with?" said Gwen
"Well their's no good clown puns ok." rebutted Ben.
Ben was about to activate the Omnitrix and Gwen her magic when Grandpa Max got up from the driver's seat and said "Hold up you two! This isn't an akuma attack and its also a trap." ordered Max
"Well what are we supposed to do Grandpa? If we do nothing then the freaks get let go and then they go back into hiding again." said Ben
"What we need is a plan Ben. And how are we supposed to find Zombozo? We have no clue where he is." stated Grandpa Max
"Simple. We follow the freaks after they're released." answered Ben
"Yeah and get the hostages killed Doofus! Remember Zombozo said if anyone follows them than he'll 'strike the pins'" added Gwen.
"Yes but he won't see me following them." answered Ben
"And how do you plan on doing that Mr Smart Guy?" questioned Gwen.
"With Ghostfreak." said Ben. When Ben said that there was a moment of silence in the room. Ghostfreak always creeped them out and after Ben got him back in the watch after his plans of blocking out the sun failed, He had never used him again since he feared it could release Ghostfreak from the Omnitrix again.
"Ben you know the risks with Ghostfreak. It's too risky." said Grandpa Max
"But what other choice do we have Grandpa. All of my other aliens could be spotted but Ghostfreak can turn invisible and have a guaranteed way of following them without being caught." answered Ben
"Unless you time out." said Gwen
"That's a risk we'll have to take." said Ben sternly.
Grandpa Max sighed and caved in "You're right Ben it may be the only way."
"Wait I can track their Mana. I only need something that belonged to them." added Gwen
"One We don't have anything that belonged to them and Two they could see you following them." answered Ben
"Not if I use an invisibility spell." said Gwen
"You can do that?" asked Ben and Grandpa Max simultaneously
"Yeah I used the spell before to investigate the freaks last crime scene." answered Gwen
"So you can make all three of us invisible to follow them?" said Ben
Gwen flinched at that. She hadn't thought of that the spell is single person use only "Oh yeah the spell is sort of single use only. Can't cast it onto others." answered Gwen with a frown
"Wait so once you find their hideout call us and we'll be there." added Ben in hopes of making the plan work.
Ben and Gwen turned to face Grandpa in hopes of approval of the plan. He gave it a moment of thought and then said "Its our best bet with out using Ghostfreak. So Gwen once you find their hideout call me and Ben and we'll be there ASAP."
"Got it Grandpa." said Gwen confidently as she transformed into Lucky Girl.
Ladybug and Cat Noir met up at the Eiffel Tower.
"Always great to see you again M'lady." greeted Cat Noir with his staff between his shoulders.
"Cat Noir you've heard whats been going on right?" asked Ladybug
"Yup. Evil clown wants to release some circus freaks you caught last week or something." replied Cat Noir
"Yeah and not just that but the police are giving in to his demands." added Ladybug showing him a clip of the latest news from the police.
At a podium a police spokesperson addressed the media with "If we are to save the lives of the innocents this mad clown Zombozo has abducted then we must give into his demand. So it is with great regret that we must release The circus freaks as they have come to be dubbed. Also to allow them to flee the country if they so desire and not follow them or track their whereabouts unless risking the safety of Zombozo's captives." Ladybug closed her yoyo after the finishing statement.
"So what are we going to do then M'lady." asked Cat Noir
"We follow them." answered Ladybug
"Uh don't you remember that zombie clown said if anyone follows them then he will strike one of his pins meaning kill one of his hostages." said Cat Noir
"True But today luck is on our side. Lucky Charm!" shouted Ladybug as she tossed her yoyo into the air (getting tired of rewriting the lucky charm scene over and over)
What fell into her hands was an advertisement poster. Ladybug and Cat Noir looked at it and read "Ozobmoz's circus! Laughs and fun guaranteed with Ozobmoz the clown." The rest of the ad was just show times and locations.
"Ozobmoz? That's a terrible name even for a clown but hey look it says its here in Paris today in the park." pointed out Cat Noir
"Good eye kitty. So I think this means we need to head to the circus as soon as I recharge my miraculous." said Ladybug
At the city jail
The guards undid the last of the freaks cuffs officially letting them go.
"Alright get out of here you mutant criminal scum before I change my mind on releasing you!" ordered the police captain
"Sure thing captain." said Acid Breath in his ghastly voice.
The freaks walked away to go who knows where.
"Sir do you really think that they'll release the hostages?" asked an officer.
"I hope so. I hope so." was all the Captain said before returning inside.
The freaks walked past a certain RV across the street from the police station. They were also noticed by those inside the RV.
Max closed the shades and said "Okay Gwen now's the time."
"Understood Grandpa. Invisibilia!" shouted Gwen as she suddenly disappeared from sight.
"Uh did it work?" asked Ben
"Of course it worked Doof-" Gwen was interrupted by Max "Gwen go now before they get too far!"
"On it Grandpa." said Gwen as she opened the Rustbucket door and walked out following the freaks.
After following the freaks for what felt like forever but was really ten minutes of watching them scare people off with their very presence sd they went to their destination, The freaks turned towards a circus. Lucky Girl read the sign "Ozobmoz's Circus Laughs and Hilarity Guaranteed!"
"Wait a minute! Ozobmoz is Zombozo spelled backwards!" exclaimed Lucky Girl in her head.
The freaks walked into the circus tent and disappeared underneath it. Lucky Girl didn't follow for she knew now was the time to call Ben and Grandpa. Before she could dial in their number however she heard a zipping sound.
Lucky Girl looked up to see Ladybug zip down onto the ground behind a bush nearby followed by Cat Noir.
"No they could blow everything!" panic-whispered Lucky Girl as she made her way over to them.
"This sure looks like the place on the flier M'lady." said Cat Noir
"Yeah but if it is we can't get to close or they'll spot us." replied Ladybug peaking out through the bushes.
"You two shouldn't be here!" said Lucky Girl as her invisibility dropped from behind Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Cat Noir jumped and got into a fighting stance but relaxed at seeing it was Lucky Girl.
"And you should be here and not us why?" asked Ladybug
"Because I have invisibility you to don't they could see you and execute the hostages!" whisper-yelled Lucky Girl
"She makes a good point." added Cat Noir crouching back down to hide his position.
"No she doesn't if we all work together than we all stand a better chance of freeing them!" whisper yelled Ladybug
"I had a plan you know but you two may compromise it by being here! Zombozo is not stupid like the other freaks. There's a reason he's their leader!" whisper-yelled Lucky Girl
"You know Zombozo?" asked Cat Noir
"He's an old nemesis." answered Lucky Girl
"Wait so do you know if he has any weaknesses?" asked Ladybug dropping the topic of the previous argument.
"Uhh well...?" mumbled Lucky Girl. The answer was technically no but Ben had explained to her how Ghostfreak beat him up easily when they first encountered him. But Ben never wants to use Ghostfreak again unless he has to.
"No... I don't." lied Lucky Girl
"So I assume you didn't beat him before then?" asked Cat Noir
"Me no, B-uhhh my alien partner has." answered Lucky Girl catching her slip up.
"Where is he then? Shouldn't he be with you?" asked Ladybug
"I was going to call him over but then I saw you two showing up and had to make sure you didn't compromise the captives safety." answered once again Lucky Girl as she pulled out her phone and speed dialed Ben
"Yello?" said Ben as he answered the call
"Yeah get over here they're at Ozobmoz's circus. But keep it stealthy and alone." said Lucky Girl
"Got it I'll have Grandpa drive me a few blocks away of wait where is it?" asked Ben
"In the park near the school. Now get a move on there's no time to waste!" said Lucky Girl who then ended the call.
"Yes indeed no time to waste." said a voice from behind them.
This caught everyone's attention as they all got into battle stances to see Zombozo appear in a burst of confetti.
"Welcome one and all to Ozobmoz's circus or should I say Zombozo's recreated circus!" exclaimed Zombozo in his clowny voice.
"Let the captives go Zombozo you got what you wanted." said Lucky Girl lighting up her fists with mana.
"Let them go? Haven't you ever heard of a captive audience?" joked Zombozo rhetorically
"That's not even close to being funny. I should know my jokes and puns are paw-some." punned Cat Noir earning a face palm from Ladybug.
"Not funny? How about this one then. Surrender now and join my circus or We'll take you prisoner and DRAIN YOU OF YOUR SOULS!" Zombozo said the last part in a super creepy voice with his yellow teeth on full display.
"Now I get why you're so creepy." commented Lucky Girl
"Never Zombozo!" exclaimed Ladybug
Yeah and if You haven't noticed we outnumber you three to one!" added Cat Noir
Zombozo grinned and replied with "I was never good at math but I do believe four is greater than three." as soon as he said that the freaks came out of hiding surrounding the heroes.
Lucky Girl, Cat Noir, and Ladybug huddled up into a defensive circle.
"To bad you didn't accept my offer because now. We'll have to take you by force and I will eat your souls. Isn't that lovely?" said Zombozo rhetorically which was also the signal for the freaks to attack.
Thumbskull took on Ladybug, Frightwig Lucky Girl, and Acid Breath Cat Noir.
Thumbskull launched a heavy punch at Ladybug who backflipped away to dodge. Frightwig aimed her hair and struck it at Lucky Girl who put up a mana barrier to deflect the hair. Acid Breath removed his muzzle, inhaled, and released his toxic breath at Cat Noir. Cat Noir leapt over Acid Breath and tripped him with a leg sweep whilst the acidic breath killed the grass he had stood on.
"Oooh. Now usually it's the clown that gives the entertainment not the other way around." said Zombozo as he walked over to a bench, sat on it, and pulled out popcorn he had kept somewhere in his pants.
Ladybug threw her yoyo and it wrapped around Thumbskull. He struggled against his bonds causing him to fall over.
"Not so strong after all huh." quipped Ladybug
Thumbskull growled at that and rolled causing the yoyo to be pulled along with it and Ladybug to the ground. When she hit the ground she lost her grip on her yoyo thus freeing Thumbskull.
Ladybug got up clutching her head only to get her lights knocked out by a heavy punch to the skull. If she was a normal person it would have cracked her head but the magic of her miraculous protected her but failed to keep her conscious.
At the same time
Lucky Girl was blocking off several hair whip attacks from Frightwig. Lucky Girl got tired of that so threw the shield forward striking Frightwig to the ground.
Frightwig was not down as she launched an attempt to grab Lucky Girl with her hair but was blocked by a handheld size mana shield and then hit with a mana blast forcing her down.
Frightwig was going to get up but a glowing mana claw coming from Lucky Girl's fist was keeping her down.
"Don't even think about moving." commanded Lucky Girl
"Alright I won't move." said Frightwig when suddenly her hair wrapped itself around Lucky Girl restraining her and causing her to lose concentration.
"Gahhh!" groaned Lucky Girl in pin as the hair was restraining her.
"Bit of advice. Go for the hair not the body." said Frightwig whilst tightening her grip on Lucky Girl.
"Tur... Turbo!" shouted Lucky Girl summoning a windy vortex from within her blowing Frightwig and her hair away.
Fright wig was about to get up from being thrown to the ground when the mana claw restrained her again. She tried moving her hair again only for another one to clamp down onto it as well.
"Bit of advice. Don't leave the mouth free." said Lucky Girl. Lucky Girl was suddenly tapped on the shoulder.
She turned only to be sprayed in the face.
"Gah hey..." Lucky Girl was sprayed in the face with knockout gas by Zombozo whom had gotten off from his butt seeing that Frightwig was going to lose. Lucky Girl's limp unconscious body fell into Zombozo's arms.
"Now can't have you ruin the show now can we." said Zombozo
Also at the same time
Cat Noir leapt and rolled out of the way of several of Acid Breath's toxic breath blasts.
"Hold still so I can destroy you!" complained Acid Breath
"And where's the fun in that." replied Cat Noir
Acid Breath inhaled to prepare another stench blast but Cat Noir beat him to the punch. He had throw his baton right into Acid Breath's mouth breaking all of his remaining teeth (If you notice his appearance all of his teeth are rotted or missing prior to the baton to the mouth)
Acid Breath's eyes became wet with tears as he spit out the baton along with most of his teeth
"AHhhhhhhhouch!" cried Acid Breath
"Ooh sorry. Uh maybe Miraculous Ladybug could fix your teeth?" said Cat Noir
Acid Breath however took advantage of Cat Noir dropping his guard and leapt at him.
"You'll pay for destroying my teeth!" boomed Acid Breath whilst trying to claw Cat Noir with his hands.
Cat Noir however kept sidestepping him and dodging his reckless strikes.
"Hey I said I was sorry." said Cat Noir and leaned underneath another reckless strike from Acid Breath.
Acid Breath only growled in response only to have his leg swept and knocked down and fall into unconsciousness.
"Not much of a fighter are you?" commented Cat Noir as he picked up his baton.
"Surrender now Cat person. Or your teammates will parish." said Zombozo drawing Cat Noir's attention
Cat Noir saw Frightwig holding Lucky Girl in her hair also gagged with the hair and Ladybug held by Thumbskull in his arms also being restrained. They were also both unconscious.
Cat Noir inwardly contemplated his options. If he tried to free them then they could rip Ladybug in half or strangle Lucky Girl like a python. He also didn't have time for one of Lucky Girls alien partners to show up and help him.
"So what's your choice? Surrender or watch your teammates kick the bucket?" asked Zombozo
Cat Noir sighed and dropped his staff.
"Good choice." said Zombozo who then sprayed Cat Noir with the knockout gas as well.
Cat Noir coughed at first but then passed out as well.
"Well then my team of freaks. Looks like the plan worked. Revenge on those that imprisoned you before has been achieved.
"Uh actually boss. The black cat guy didn't capture us." said Thumbskull
"What do you mean?" questioned Zombozo.
"The other one that helped capture us was that kid with the alien watch Ben 10." answered Frightwig
"Ben 10. I should have known he would be involved. Tie them up with the other hostages. I'll prepare a new trap for my own revenge on the boy who cost me everything 3 years ago." Zombozo finished the last part with a wicked grin of evil on his face.
Part 1 complete
Yes this is a part 1. I would say part 1 of 2 but I might actually make this a 3 part chapter/mini story arc. If I don't then well spoilers can't say that.
Hope you all enjoyed. Fortunately school restarting hasn't delayed my story making yet so that's good. I'll see you all next chapter. Please review and follow so you'll know when part 2 comes out.