The Wicked

Chapter Seven: Advent

Once Lila was placed in the care of her parents, Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Volpina converged atop the Eiffel Tower, their bodies still sore from their encounters. Within minutes, all three returned to their human forms, releasing their Kwami. The winds were still cold as the wicked plotted and planned to exact their hellish revenge.

"We've missed you so much, Trixx," Tikki declared as she hugged her dear friend.

"I've missed you guys too," the fox Kwami happily declared. "There's so much I have to tell both of you, but I think we have bigger problems right now."

"Yeah," Plagg fearfully agreed. "I'm hungry and there's no cheese!"

"Calm down, guys," Marinette called out as she pulled a small container from her pocket and opened it to reveal several cheese and peanut butter crackers. "Trixx, I'm not sure what you like, so I hope this is okay."

"It's perfect, Ladybug," Trixx happily exclaimed.

"You can call me Marinette," the dark-haired young woman replied with a smile. "You all did great back there, by the way." With that, Marinette handed the three Kwami their treat and watched them happily munch away.

"So, who are these guys that attacked you two?" Alya asked as she wrapped Marinette's ankle. "And how do we stop them?"

"They're all friends of ours," Adrien answered while gazing out over the city, his left eye bandaged and under an ice pack. "Akumatized who never really let go."

"Stormy Weather, Dark Cupid, The Pharaoh, Mistake, and Dark Sorcerer," Marinette gravely explained. "They're nothing like they used to be. They won't hesitate to kill us, just to try to win back Hawk Moth. The thing is, Hawk Moth doesn't seem to know they exist."

"If the Akuma are really taking control, doesn't that mean we're all in danger of being Akumatized again?" Alya asked as her fear began to grow.

"Not if I can purify everyone," Marinette answered as her friend finished bandaging her leg. "Chat Noir and I learned something about our powers: There's so much more to them, including yours, Alya."

"What do you mean?" the redheaded young woman replied.

"That we can't look at them as one-dimensional," Adrien explained. "They're more than destroying objects and purifying Akuma's. I don't know much about your powers, Alya, but I'm sure there's more to them than making illusions."

"They did mention something about using my powers to find the truth, instead of creating lies," Alya thought back. "I don't know what that truth is, though. This whole thing is so crazy…you know? I mean, I know I wore the Ladybug Miraculous for a few hours, but then it just went away. Now, I'm starting from step one with a Miraculous I know nothing about. And now there's Akumatized who don't even have Akuma's in them. It's like the whole world changed its rules."

"It's sad to think fighting brainwashed bad guys and having superpowers was one of the only consistent things in our lives," Adrien said as he looked up at the stars.

"I'm sorry you had to get dragged into this, Alya," Marinette sorrowfully declared. "I never wanted this for you."

"Marinette, you don't need to protect me anymore," Alya replied with strength, even as her entire world shook. "I wanted to fight alongside you guys since the day I saw you. You guys have always been my heroes. And now, we're a team. I can take the risks and make the sacrifices that come with that."

"I'm not sure you can," the dark-haired young woman argued, though there was no spite or anger in her voice. "Alya, Adrien and I have been fighting Hawk Moth for years, and we nearly died. There's no way to tell what's coming, or what it's gonna take to make it all right."

"Look at you being all philosophical," Alya lovingly snickered. "I remember when we were in grade school, you know? I was always the one with all the answers, and you were the one who always closed her locker on her shirt." Marinette chuckled, though her emotions were at war.

"But this is bigger than us now," Adrien realized as he sat down beside his friends. "Those five can send this city straight to hell if we don't stop them. But it's not as simple as that anymore. We have to save them."

"And they don't even want to be saved," Marinette sorrowfully added. "…When I first became Ladybug, things were pretty bad. I used to think it was all about stopping crime. Then I realized that wasn't enough: That the people needed to be inspired. I never saw it as a matter of salvation or damnation before."

"God, this is heavy," Alya exhaled as she leaned back. "…How can we save people who don't want to be saved?"

"I have no idea," Marinette confessed. "I guess we just…try to show them there's another way."

"But what if we can't?" Adrien fearfully asked. "What happens if they're too far gone?"

"…Then we try harder," the bearer of the ladybug Miraculous decided. "That's all we can do. But Adrien, there's something else that's been bothering me…Why would Hawk Moth send Lila after you? What connection does he have with you?"

"I have no idea," Adrien answered. "And that's what scares me. I should call my dad, or Nathalie, or…"

"And how are you gonna tell them you can't come home yet?" Alya interrupted, not meaning to be as cold as she sounded. "We can't just go home while our friends are on a rampage. We can call and warn them as Ladybug, Chat Noir, or Volpina, but not as Marinette, Adrien, or Alya."

Adrien paused for a moment, his mind spinning violently with uncertainty and unease. Finally, he took in a deep breath, let it out slowly, and made his choice: "Marinette, my father trusts Ladybug," he declared. "Please, let him know Hawk Moth is after us and that he and Nathalie should go to the panic room. Tell him that I'm safe with you and Chat Noir until they can figure out what's going on."

"On it," Marinette agreed as she stood up and approached Tikki. "My leg feels a lot better, Alya. Thank you. By the way, nice teamwork, you two." Alya and Adrien blushed slightly as their friend transformed and dialed Gabriel Agreste's phone number.

"Thanks, Alya," Adrien whispered. "You might be pretty new to the Miraculous world, but you're a pro at saving our asses."

"You and Marinette are getting better at it, I must confess," Alya happily replied.

Despite their moment of peace, it didn't take long for Marinette, Adrien, Alya, Tikki, Plagg, and Trixx to return to the horrifying reality surrounding them. As soon as their wounds had healed, the Agreste family had been warned, and the Kwami were rejuvenated, the greatest battle of their lives would begin.

Gazing down at the city, her eyes flowing with tears of blood, Aurore recalled the humiliation she had endured when her peers rejected her, the cold stares and cruel whispers that awaited her when she reluctantly returned to school after Stormy Weather was defeated, and how loving and gentle Hawk Moth's voice had been, and would be once she proved herself to him. Then, all the suffering and fear would end.

Cowering against the corners of the rooftop, her tears endlessly streaming from her red eyes, Bethany shot her head in every direction, constantly sensing prying, judgmental eyes upon her. Since her childhood, she wanted nothing more than to be like those around her: To not feel different, bad, ugly, or simply not good enough. When it all became too much, Hawk Moth found her, blessed her with a wonderful curse, and told her she could finally be whoever she wanted to be. All he asked in return were Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous. In the end, the so-called heroes crushed her dreams, returned her to her meaningless life, and went away to live their lives happily in the sun. Now, they would pay, and her nightmare would finally end in Hawk Moth's loving arms.

Sitting atop the ledge of the rooftop, his heavily armored arms crossed over his breast, Jalil tried to calm and slow his spiraling mind. However, reality as he knew it was far from a comfort. The echoes of his father's disappointment and constant dissatisfaction continued to roar within his unhappy mind. For so long, all he had was his escape: Dreaming of a wonderful, loving queen who would hold him at night, walk him through his troubles and suffering, and deliver him from his wicked father. Then, Hawk Moth provided the means to finally save her, only for Ladybug and Chat Noir to ruin his plans and leave him forever alone. Not even the Akuma was without its price, though.

Jean paced back and forth, trying so hard to contain the powers that threatened to tear him apart from within. All his life, the young man, now too old to be a child, had feared what was inside. What doctors dubbed "self-doubt" or "low self-esteem", he knew, was truly his containing the evil he was capable of. Still, despite his heroic struggle, his mother continued to weep for him night after night. Hawk Moth was his escape from the darkness looming inside of him. Hawk Moth's darkness would swallow his own and transform it into a beautiful light. The freedom from choice was a freedom to live without fear. Ladybug told him sweet, beautiful lies, but after so long, he saw through them. Now, he knew the damage the so-called heroes had done to him, and to the world. Soon, their reign of terror would be over, and light would shine from the boy once known as Jean, warming the entire world like in a fairytale.

His tired, decaying wings having completely molted their white feathers, Kim desperately carried himself upward with black feathers. His eyes and nose bleeding and his body aching, the young man slowly rose up to the building where his comrades took refuge. Along the way, he remembered his vain pursuits of love, and how badly those he cared about had hurt him. Since birth, love had been denied him, and pain filled its void. In his loneliness and sorrow, he lost his position on every sports team, felt his friends slipping away, and finally lost the will to fight on. Dark Cupid was once a bad memory, but soon, he saw that his darkened persona was truly an angel sent to answer his prayers. Dark Cupid had hardened his heart and protected him from love and its sting while preventing others from getting close and hurting him. Though he had once thanked Ladybug and Chat Noir for returning him to normal, he now knew to curse them. His arrows had wounded Ladybug once, and with a new bow, they would succeed once again. Soon, Hawk Moth would answer his prayers, and peace would be his once more.

The wicked ones all turned to the western edge of their haven as Kim flew up to meet them. His black wings outstretched, he formed a smile on his bloodied lips. "Send the message," he instructed, knowing his allies had recovered.

Marinette gazed up at the stars, her heart heavy. "It's so quiet now," she declared. "But the wind is still cold…Alya, you know those five are different now: Their only goal is to kill us. They might not stop until all three of us are gone."

"I know," Alya gravely answered. "But I'm not afraid…I'll protect you guys as much as I can."

"We protect each other," Marinette corrected her friend. "Don't take any extra risks for my sake. And if things get really bad, I want you to run and save yourself. Same to you, Adrien."

"No way!" the redheaded young woman forcefully declared. "I'm not leaving you, especially now."

"She's right, Marinette," Adrien added. "We're a team. You'll never fight alone."

"Just…don't put yourselves in danger for me," the raven-haired young woman begged. "Promise me that."

"Only if you promise the same for us," Alya answered. Marinette nodded her head.

"It's a deal then," Adrien declared with a smile. "We've got this." Alya and Marinette each smiled and nodded their heads.

Suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning struck down within the city, as if sending a message. Marinette, Adrien, and Alya each stood up as their Kwami floated beside their respective partner. Each Miraculous and their Kwami looked at one another, nodded, and struck their pose:

"Tikki, Spots On!" Marinette called out as her Miraculous energized.

"Plagg, Claws Out!" Adrien cried as his Miraculous energized.

"Trixx, Let's Pounce!" Alya exclaimed as her Miraculous energized.

"Sir, they gave us their word that Adrien is safe," Nathalie tried to comfort his employer. "I feel the same way that you do, but we have no choice but to trust them for the time being."

"You couldn't possibly feel the same way I do!" Gabriel hollered as he jumped from his chair, knocking it on its back. "Never equate your feelings on Ladybug to mine! Much less your concern towards Adrien."

"Sir, I care very deeply for Adrien," the purple-haired woman pleaded. "Please, I only want what is best for him."

"…I'm sorry, Nathalie," the silver-haired man sorrowfully lamented as he picked up his chair and sat down, facing away from his only friend. "I truly am…You have done nothing wrong. And now, Ladybug is catching on to me. She'll discover Hawk Moth's ties to Adrien, and then…"

Suddenly, Gabriel felt two warm, soft hands cross atop his chest as two thin arms draped over his shoulders. Nathalie hushed her beloved friend as she laid her head against his neck. "There is nothing to worry about," she lovingly whispered. "Everything will be alright, sir. I will always protect you." Gabriel let out a heavy sigh of relief as he closed his eyes and rested his head against Nathalie's neck. For now, he had found peace. Outside their window, however, feathers as blue as the sea slowly fell to the earth alongside drops of icy rain.