AN: Before going ahead, I just want to say a few things. This fanfic is based of Miraculous World: New York, United Heroez. It was partially inspired by tptplayer5701's Mind Games-verse. Unlike in the special, in this story's universe, Eagle and Uncanny Valley haven't met the yet-to-be-named Guardian with the Native American Miracle Box. This fanfic also contains some OCs, while also containing some of the characters who appeared in the special. Lastly, this fanfic might use characters, concepts, and other material from other shows under the Zag Heroez label other than Miraculous in the future. With that out of the way, I hope you enjoy.
2
It had been around two and a half months since Ladybug and Cat Noir appeared in New York during French-American Friendship week. After they stopped Techno-Pirate with the help of Uncanny Valley and Sparrow, currently known as Eagle, several changes were made:
First, the turrets hidden around New York were removed, with President Camilla Hombee calling them a "public safety hazard", on the off chance that a person (namely a villain) were to hack into and take control of them.
Second, Knightowl revealed herself to actually be female to the public, instead of male like most people thought. To accommodate this, she changed her suit to be more unique to her.
Third, but not least, Jessica Keynes gained the Eagle Miraculous, allowing her to transform into the hero known as Eagle. This signified her gaining more independence, as well as more of her own identity. People wouldn't think of her as 'Knightowl's sidekick', but her own hero, just as capable as any of the others. But this change of identity left a question. Who would become the next Sparrow?
Friday, 4:12 PM
"Please remind me: what is our reason for going to this convenience store?" Asked Aeon.
"They have these really great sour gummies I've wanted to try."
"Are not confectionaries meant to have a sweet taste?"
"Some people like a sour taste. I'll try to explain in a bit."
While the girls were looking for the sour candy, a boy around their age was making a choice of his own.
Cherry or orange? Maybe grape? Why exactly do they have a cola flavor if they sell the regular kind?
While contemplating which cold, fruit flavored drink to get, his phone briefly vibrated in his pocket, alerting him of his message
Keith Wolfson was a new kid at Jess and Aeon's school. Moving to New York during Winter Break, he mainly flew under most people's radar. That didn't mean he didn't have friends of his own, though.
While checking his friend's message (as well as various other notifications), another figure walked into the store. Only this one had some ill intentions.
A spraying sound could be heard as a figure covered in black from head to toe covered the cameras with a viscous, black substance. The same opaque substance sealed the doors behind him.
The clerk stood with fear behind the counter.
"Just empty the register and hand it to me."
The convenience store was being robbed by none other than the villain known as Inkblot. He had the power to control a thick, black substance, giving him his namesake.
As Jess and Aeon rushed towards the restroom (presumably to hide, Keith thought), Aeon's foot was stuck to the floor. The dark substance then solidified around and past both her shoes, leaving her unable to move from her position.
"On second thought, I might get a lot more cash if I had a hostage…"
Keith hid in between the snack-filled aisles, filled with a blend of terror and confusion. A supervillain came in, has his classmate immobilized, and doesn't know what he can do to ease the situation. That is, if he can. As he was trying to calm down in the predicament, he remembered a quote from Majestia during last year's Heroes' Day:
Even in the face of fear, the true heroes are the ones who can stand up to it.
She was right. The heroes who protected New York every might be scared, but even then, it doesn't stop them from doing what's right. They risk themselves every day to help so many people.
I might be afraid, but I have to put that aside. After all, isn't that what heroes would do?
Keith felt his fear remanifest itself as determination. Determination to help and protect anyway he could.
"Since I'm here, you might as well give me a few scratch-offs." Inkblot said to the cashier, complying out of fear. "And by a few, I really mean a ton."
While Inkblot was busy with the cashier, Keith snuck towards Aeon.
"Don't worry," Whispered Keith with a finger over his lip. "As soon as I get this off, run."
"I would not recommend attempting this." Whispered Aeon after crouching down. For both of our safety, I suggest hiding until a hero arrives."
"I can't just leave you here. What if he tries to hurt you?"
The black gunk on Aeon's foot wouldn't budge. Keith kept pulling at it to no avail.
Alright, this isn't working. He thought. I guess I'll have to take a different approach.
Keith focused. Neon yellow energy emanated around his hand. Chunk by chunk, the viscous substance came off of Aeon as if it was made out of wet sand. Keith was taken aback at first, but he quick
While Aeon was in the process of being freed, her sensors were mesmerized by the energy coming from Keith. She didn't know what it was, but she was actually able to analyze it, unlike magic.
"You know, maybe I'll get more cash with more hostages."
Inkblot turned is attention towards the two, giving an opportunity for the cashier to take refuge in the employees area behind him. Keith got in front of Aeon to try and ensure her escape.
"You won't get away with this." Stated Keith, hiding the slight nervousness that remained.
"Who says I won't?" Replied Inkblot. "You know, hearing how stoic you sound reminds me of the heroes I've delt with. And you know what I do to heroes."
Inkblot secreted Ink from his hands, forming it into a thick tendril. Keith held his arms in front of him, concentrating as a bright yellow glow formed around his open hands. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Keith readied himself for the oncoming impact.
Before the tendril could even get close to Keith, a bullroarer coming from behind wrapped itself around Inkblot's legs, tripping the villain.
Eagle dashed, spinning her bullroarer to shield the two behind her.
"Go." She commanded. "I'll take care of him."
Keith got down unprompted, quickly removing the remaining gunk off Aeon. The two both ran towards the unsealed side exit. As Keith went to get a good distance from the ensuing battle, Aeon hid away into a nearby alley
I hope that Jess is doing alright.
As thick, black tendril came down in her direction, Eagle dodged, leaving a crack on the tiled floor. The tendril receded to Inkblot's arm, compressing into a blade. Eagle swung her bullroarer at the blade, wrapping around it. Tugging it, she delivered a hard uppercut to Inkblot's jaw.
"Give it up, Inkblot!" Eagle said as her opponent was on the ground.
"I'm not stopping without a fight!"
Inkblot manifested a massive, claw-tipped tendril. Snatching Eagle with his grip, he forcefully threw her, towards the store's previously unbroken window and out onto the street. As he stepped out and walked towards his target, Inkblot was met with a concussive blast to the chest. While he was mildly stunned, Eagle pounced back up, taking the opportunity to deliver a swift but strong roundhouse to the head, knocking Inkblot out. Another villain was stopped by Eagle and Uncanny Valley.
"Thanks for the save."
Friday, 7:05 PM
The Keynes-Hill family sat at their dinner table, surrounding a pizza topped with grilled chicken, mushrooms and green peppers.
"So I heard you two stopped Inkblot today." Said Olympia, beginning a conversation. "I'm proud of you both."
"About that, me and Aeon wanted to talk about something that happened." Replied Jess.
"Did you get hurt?" Responded Olympia, with slight concern.
"No, its not that, we were fine." Jess turned towards Barbara. "Mom, you know how you wanted to find someone to be the next Sparrow? I think we found someone. Aeon?"
Aeon projected footage from her point of view.
"When Inkblot entered the convenience store, he used his powers to bind my feet to the floor. One of our classmates named Keith Wolfson freed me by using what appears to be a type of energy manipulation."
Barbara and Olympia were surprised as they saw
"So what do you think?"
"I think he could be a good addition to the United Heroez."
"Hold on." Interjected Barbara. "We don't know that much about him. For all we know, he could be secretly associated with a villain."
"To be fair, Keith's a pretty good kid. He's not annoying or a bully. We don't really talk, but I can tell he's pretty great." Responded Jess
"Honey, why not give him a chance? After all, how can he help people without any guidance?"
Barbara reflected. Olympia had a point. Sure, Keith was an unknowing outsider, but she herself was once in the same position. She was once young, but still wanted to do good and help people. She was completely unguided until being mentored by her Knightowl. If Jess could be trained, why couldn't Keith?
Barbara let out a breath after reluctantly pausing.
"Alright. I'll give him a chance." She said to the girls. "But on two conditions. First, you'll oversee his training. And second, until he gains our trust, do not reveal your identities to him. Is that clear?"
"Yes ma'am." The two responded in unison.
"Good. If you two think you can manage find him, then go."
Keith sat at his PC. He still couldn't believe how close he was to an actual villain attack. It was one thing to be in the same building as one, but it wouldn't be long, as most people would evacuate but willingly staying in was a different story. Keith felt as he did something wrong. Not trying to protect Aeon, but by exposing his powers to anyone who happened to be looking. While burdened by the thought, Keith tried to think of a few upsides. Aeon didn't seem to be the gossiping type, so his secret was safe with her. Plus, even if Inkblot saw him, he was just one face in a city of millions. To Inkblot, Keith could've just been some random kid who so happened to have some type of energy power.
It's all going to be fine, right?
While on playing a platforming game, Keith heard a knocking on his window. Walking over to it, he was filled with surprise as he found two of New York's youngest heroes standing on the fire escape.
"Mind letting us in?" said Eagle.
Keith couldn't believe that Eagle and Uncanny Valley were standing in his own room. The small fanboy side of him was tempted to ask them to sign some possessions and take pictures, but he had a feeling they weren't there for a simple meet-and-greet.
"How did you guys find me?"
"I connected into the GPS into your phone to signal your location."
"Ok… Slight privacy violation aside, how come you guys came here?"
"I saw how well you handled the Inkblot situation earlier today, and we wanted to ask you something. Knightowl and Majestia thought you would be a good pick."
"A good pick for what?"
"Keith Wolfson." Said Uncanny. "Do you wish to become a hero and receive the mantle of Sparrow?"
"Wait," Keith asked. "Are you guys serious?"
"More serious then Captain Redlight when he sees someone speeding." Answed Eagle. "So, what do you say?"
Keith thought. He wanted to help people, and being a hero would allow him to help much more. Though it would come with various challenges, he wouldn't be alone.
"I'll do it." He responded confidently.
"Great!"
"So exactly when would I start?"
"This shall let you know."
Uncanny handed Keith a capsule with a timer on it.
"What is this?"
"This contains what you'll need to become Sparrow." Answered Eagle. "Knightowl put a timer on it so you'll be ready in time for training."
"Training?"
"We just want to see how well you'll do. Try to be ready at around 8. If anyone asks, just say your going for a walk or something?"
The two heroines headed towards the window.
"Oh, and by the way," Eagle announced, "Good luck. Fledgling."
Eagle and Uncanny headed off, as various questions filled Keith's head.
No matter what happens, I'll be ready.
So that was the first chapter. Hopefully Keith's training goes well.
