Author's Note: I know these are really short chapters, so I'm starting a train of thought that maybe I should post two chapters a day instead one…? Cuz this chapter is really like a "teaser" for the next chapter, which is going to be a real doozy. Anyway, thanks for the reviews you guys! Really appreciate it :) As always, I hope you enjoy this next installment and thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or elements relating to Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Miraculous: Borderline
Chapter 4: Paris Burning
It was a wonder what Hawk Moth saw through Marinette's eyes.
She had the clearest insight of anyone he'd ever connected with. Her rage was like an ocean of energy he could feed off of and, in turn, provide to him to fuel her borrowed powers.
But also, because of Marinette, he had finally gotten his first glimpse at the Ladybug kwami.
The one called Tikki.
"Wrath," Hawk Moth hissed. "Get me that kwami, now."
Wrath ignored him.
She smiled at the Ladybug kwami as the kwami cowered before her. "Marinette is no more."
Wrath raised her hand and swung her arm as if she were erasing the kwamis before her with a swipe of her hand. Instead, waves of flames shot out from her palm and enveloped the kwamis. With a squeak, both kwamis disappeared.
"Where'd they go?" Hawk Moth yelled.
Wrath smiled. "Relax, Hawk Moth. They have simply phased through the fire to fly back to their masters. But I'll get them soon."
Their masters, Hawk Moth mused. He considered the girl before him, and the more he thought about it, the more intriguing his speculation was.
Hawk Moth had to wonder: How did Tikki know where to find Marinette?
And how had she known her name?
With an exhale from her lips, Wrath blew the wall apart in a shockwave of an explosion. She could feel the energy Hawk Moth had given her running strong through her veins like liquid lava that empowered her.
Wrath stalked through the smoke and came upon a boy staring up at her in shock.
Adrien.
Wrath's lip curled in disgust. "You," she hissed.
Hawk Moth's voice came to her mind. "Wrath," he warned, but whatever he was about to say, Wrath didn't hear because at that moment, the Ladybug kwami flew into her face.
"Marinette, stop!" Tikki cried. "Remember what Ladybug told you—control your emotions!"
Faintly, Wrath could feel Hawk Moth's mind receding from hers as he drew back to ponder something, but Wrath couldn't care less what it was. All she wanted to do was destroy whatever was in front of her—including the pesky kwami that stood in her way.
"Move," Wrath growled, and with a flick of her fingers, a dry wind whisked through the broken courtyard and swept into a roaring tornado.
Wrath leaned back and laughed, feeling a reckless abandon enter her blood and set her free.
"We have to do something," Adrien said desperately, staring at the destruction from where he crouched behind the staircase.
Plagg was uncharacteristically silent. "Okay," he finally said, without any enthusiasm.
Adrien paused. "Plagg, what's wrong? Paris is about to be destroyed because of Marinette being akumatized and all you can say is 'okay'?"
Plagg glared at him. "What'd you want me to say, Adrien? Just transform already! This is a whole big mess you're going to have to clean up!"
Adrien stared at him for a moment. "Don't you mean 'Ladybug and me' and not just me?"
Plagg looked away and snorted, but Adrien knew what Plagg was trying to hide. He didn't need Plagg to tell him what he already suspected anyway.
Adrien swallowed and whispered, "Plagg, claws out."
"Hello, Paris!" Wrath cried in a booming voice as she stood on top of the Eiffel Tower, arms outstretched as she survey her work below.
Paris was burning away merrily, rooftops engulfed in flames and citizens running for their lives as random gusts of wind Wrath conjured up would come howling down the streets to rip them off of their feet and slam them into cars and buildings.
"Isn't it beautiful," Wrath whispered.
She could sense Hawk Moth's presence in her mind.
"Absolutely wonderful, my child," Hawk Moth assured her. "You are my most powerful villain yet. You will definitely be the one to take down Ladybug and Cat Noir and bring me their miraculous."
Wrath chuckled and looked down at her fingertips, examining the smooth material of her suit as if searching for clues within its fabric.
"Oh, I think I already have that covered," Wrath said softly, more to herself than to anyone.
A familiar voice made her turn, and Wrath's lips curled up in a smile.
Finally.
End of Chapter 4: Paris Burning
Author's Note: How did I do this time? What'd you think of "Wrath"? Too cliche, maybe? Hmmm, and should I post the next chapter soonish? Let me know, and thanks for reading!