start notes—

In which Plagg wants to destroy the Agreste Kingdom, and Tikki wants nothing more than to save it.

my tellonym: milkisande

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mythology

if god's the game you're playing,
well, we must get more acquainted.

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"TIKKI, I believe I've warned you from meddling in human affairs."

She barely looks up from her cloud, continuing to peek at the mortal world down below.

"I'm not going to do anything, Wayzz," the goddess mutters offhandedly. "I just like to watch them."

"Really?" The god of Protection muses, tapping at his chin thoughtfully. "If I recall correctly, it was only last week that you meddled with the Bourgeois and Tsurugi families."

"It was a friendly nudge in the right direction," she huffs. "If I hadn't interfered, their kingdoms would have gone to war. I've saved us a lot of trouble in the long run."

"More like ruined my fun," a new god suddenly drawls, dressed in dark garments that starkly contrast the pristine white of the skies.

"Ah, and what are you doing all the way here, Plagg? Got lost on the way to your hovel down under?"

"I've noticed a terrible lack of dead bodies in what I was promised for the month. Spoke to the fates, realized a war had been wiped off history, and came up here to find out why." The god of Destruction spares her a flippant glance, then smirks. "Though I should have figured this little ladybug had something to do with it."

Tikki stands up, visibly irritated. "I thought I told you to stop calling me that," she growls, before pointing at him sharply. "Wayzz, I still don't understand why we still keep him around. All he brings to mortals is pain and sorrow; we should just lock him up and be done with it."

"Or maybe we could lock up the meddler and stop her from messing with history all the time. She's throwing our prophets into disarray and chaos." Plagg grins. "I'd be proud if her actions wouldn't bother my work so much."

The pair of gods turn to glare at each other again, to which Wayzz tiredly rubs at his forehead. How many times will they have the same argument? It's been millennia.

"Now I'm sure you're both aware of the importance to keep balance between gods," he starts saying. "Especially between you two. Life cannot thrive without death; positivity without negativity; good and evil. Whether you two like it or not, you're two sides of the same coin. Creation cannot be without destruction, and the opposite holds true. You are meant to be together."

Tikki rolls her eyes, and Plagg makes a gagging motion.

"Whatever," the god finally says. "As long as she stays in her domain. And as recompense, I'll be starting another war." (He looks absolutely thrilled by it.)

"Between who?"

"Hmm...," Plagg pauses thoughtfully, then smiles; almost sadistic. "The Agreste Kingdom."

"You can't do that!" Tikki says abruptly, before quieting down at Wayzz's serious expression. "Sorry. But the Agrestes are kind and reverent rulers— harming them would bring the gods nothing but disdain and disbelief from the mortal world."

"But we've been kind for too long. The mortals no longer fear us, and it's time we give them a reminder of how powerful we truly are." Plagg says it clearly, and as much as it hurts the other gods to say, he's right.

Wayzz nods. "But why the Agrestes, in particular?"

"They have power and influence. Some have even looked up to their family as gods. For a tragedy to strike them is the perfect reminder that humans are nothing when compared to us."

The three fall silent, as Wayzz contemplates his proposal.

Tikki is clearly against it, but can't say as much. Especially since the matter is largely of her own fault.

After a moment, the god of protection nods.

"You have my permission."

"But Wayzz—!"

"No buts, Tikki. This is only divine retribution; payment for your own mistake." He pauses, then stares Plagg dead in the eye. "But know your limits. Humans are tricky; we do not want their hate and anger, only a reminder of their limited ability. Do too much, and I will intervene."

The god of destruction smiles, then nods. "You've got yourself a deal."

As soon as Plagg leaves, Tikki speaks up.

"You cannot allow him to do this, Wayzz."

"We have no choice. There must be balance, else the whole world descend into chaos. What else would you have me do?"

The goddess pauses, then stares at him with sudden determination.

"Let me intervene."

"How do you mean?"

"You said it yourself, right? There must be balance. In darkness, born light. In gloom, born hope. And in villainy, a hero shall always rise up to fight against it."

"... And who shall you choose as your champion?"

Tikki looks back down at her cloud, to the young woman she'd been watching only moments ago.

Clumsy, but with a golden heart she's confident will always do the right thing.

The ray of light that will save her home's future.

"I know who would fit the role perfectly."

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The news of Queen Emilie's passing strikes not only the Agreste Kingdom, but the entire country.

King Agreste takes a complete turn in personality. He becomes cruel, borderline tyrannical, and retreats to his palace completely.

The townspeople no longer see their ruler, and the kingdom succumbs to ills and wrongdoings.

Plagg hastily collects the souls he's long since promised.

"So what do you think of my masterpiece?" He smiles, carefully watching Tikki's expression for any sense of anger or loss.

They're cloaked, hiding inside the castle as they walk down the hallway.

She seems strangely calm.

It unnerves him.

"What are you so calm for? I'd have thought you'd be fuming by now."

"Your plan for mass destruction will fail. The Agreste Kingdom will survive, and even thrive long after this war."

"And how would you know that?"

"Because good always conquers evil. A hero will bring back the peace you've robbed from them."

He doesn't have to wait another moment for an answer, as a figure in red runs down the empty hallway.

"Who is that?"

Tikki smiles. "A hero."

Then suddenly, she crashes into another body, sending them both tumbling down the floor.

Plagg laughs. "Ha! You really chose such a klutz as your champion? She cannot defeat him."

The smile doesn't leave the goddess' face. She only tilts her head forward, urging him to continue watching.

The other intruder, donned in all-black, scratches his head.

He smiles, offering his hand to the girl.

"You must be my partner. I hope the goddess Tikki has told you about me?"

She takes his hand, then laughs softly, evidently awkward with the whole situation. "I'm sorry for bumping into you, I'd have thought we'd get a more dignified introduction."

"I don't mind," he says easily. "To meet the woman the gods themselves have chosen for me, this isn't anything less than an honour."

She raises her eyebrow. "Do you always flirt with someone you've just met?"

"You're the first," he winks. "And I'm hoping the only." He pulls her up, then bows down. "Now I do believe we have a kingdom to save. Shall we?"

Her smile is bright and determined.

"We shall."

As soon as they leave, Plagg faces the goddess in disbelief. "How did he become your champion?"

She shrugs almost offhandedly, a victorious smile teasing the edge of her lips. "As I said, good conquers evil. A hero will always rise up against the villain. He rose up to the challenge immediately— even without my interference."

"But him?" Plagg repeats. "To have a young man go against his father... I can't quite decide who between us is more evil."

Tikki smirks. "I have no comment about that. But I do play to win."

Plagg looks almost impressed, before offering his hand. "Then, let's see how this will go. I'm looking forward to another epic battle between creation and destruction."

She takes it without hesitation.

Her eyes shimmer, almost with excitement.

"Let's do it."

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end notes—

this was FUN :^) i hope y'all enjoyed/got the plot twist in the end w that second hero: yk i couldnt make him a villain their dynamic is just too good:

also did smth a little different w this prompt by not really focusing on the love square (though im weak and still implied it lmaosks) i hope you still liked it though ! it was a refreshing change of pace to write abt other characters for a change3

anw five days left until auyeah august is over ? DANG i cant believe i actually got this far while updating consistently omg i stan me hskdsls ,, gonna miss this but w classes coming up- am also ½ so ready for all this to be over hahsd as always !

thank you for reading! ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～