Chapter 52: Clock Maker
It's Friday morning at the Agreste manor. (I have no idea where weekends fall in this fic any more.) Dr. Gerald Theroux is taking care of Gabriel and Emilie; neither has shown any sign of awakening. Nathalie Sancoeur and Adrien Agreste are waiting for the results of his check-up, and he delivers the news that there's no change in their condition. Adrien voices frustration about his parents' state; there's some obvious anger at himself that he can't help them. (This is his character development trait—his sense of justice. Or in this case, it's manifesting as a sense of injustice—and thus, anger at himself and his own powerlessness.) Nathalie asks Dr. Theroux for the specifics on their health. Dr. Theroux admits that's where he's flummoxed, as they should be awake and healthy. He focuses his attention on Nathalie, asking her if she has any knowledge at all as to why they won't wake up. Nathalie denies knowing anything. (It's not as if she can admit Gabriel Agreste was Paris's biggest terrorist, Hawk Moth.) There's a moment where it appears as if Dr. Theroux suspects something, but he lets it slide.
Nicholas Sancoeur interrupts at that moment, reminding them that it's time for school, so Adrien needs to depart. Adrien excuses himself and walks with Nicholas to the limo, where Felix Graham de Vanily and the gorilla, Solomon, are waiting. Along the way, Adrien tries to strike up a conversation with Nicholas. He figures Nicholas must be really hurting with his father dying and all, and he tries to offer Nathalie's nephew support. Nicholas, however, is as taciturn and professional as his aunt, and betrays no sign of his emotions. The group departs for Francois Dupont High School.
On the way to the school, they overtake Marinette Dupin-Cheng and Luka Couffaine. Luka is giving Marinette a ride to school on his bicycle. Marinette spaces out pretty badly when Adrien drives by (poor Luka, the guy she's with). Luka snaps her out of it unintentionally as he waves to Alix Kubdel and Stella Tenebrae. Alix is skating to class while Stella is jogging beside her. Many other students have gathered on the steps of the high school, include Jakeel Aristide, Cameran Tylor, Le Chien Kim, Tsuyu Asui, Fumikage Tokoyami, Kagami Tsurugi, Mylene Haprele, and Nicolette Lacroix.
Luka pulls up just as Felix, Adrien, and Nicholas are exiting the limo. Marinette hastily thanks Luka, but it's clear her attention is on Adrien. However, Kagami moves in first. She takes Adrien casually by the arm and strikes up a conversation with him about fencing. Marinette jaw-drops. Kagami glances at her and shrugs, her expression says everything. I gave you plenty of time to speak to Adrien; since you're not, I'm making my move. Luka doesn't notice any of the exchange. He locks his bicycle to the rack and continues his conversation with Marinette. They enter the building together.
Etienne Fontaine is examining his own reflection in the glass window as they walk by. Lila Rossi is trying to salvage her image by boasting about the charity work she did a few days ago (lies). Meera Pugliese is half-listening, half filling in what Lila says with her own daydreams. Pierre Lefevre is hanging on Lila's every word. Gilles Chastain greets Nicholas warmly. Nicholas is surprised. "You've shown me around the school already. Your duties are done. Why do you continue to approach me?" Gilles says "because we're friends." That seems to surprise Nicholas, and he seems uncertain how to process things. They head to Ms. Mendeleiev's classroom where Gilles continues his organic fertilizer testing and Nicholas helps him with the equipment (he's quite handy with tools). Marie Chauveau heads right to Felix and tries to chat him up. Suzette Rault falls behind. The bell rings for class. Aurore Beaureal and Mireille Caquet arrive just then, barely making it on time from their morning work. (All class images can be found here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 ))).
Before heading to class, Alix takes one last look at her cell phone. Her father sent her a text message, reminding her that it's Friday and they're doing dinner together. He also mentions he's excited as one of their ancestor's timepieces will be on prominent display in the Louvre, where he works (this is the same ancestor who helped adult Bunnyx way back in the Cheshire chapter). It's from their family's personal collection. Alix is anxious, as she knows he'll want to see the pocket watch he entrusted her—the watch she no longer has because it returned to its place in the future as a miraculous. She believes her older self's words that she'll be given the rabbit miraculous before her father knows it's gone. "Ladybug will choose you because you know how to keep a secret." However, Alix isn't sure that's true. In the prior chapter, she didn't keep a secret. She told the art teacher and thus the whole school about Rose Lavillant's illness, which resulted in a bad day for Rose and Juleka being akumatized. Alix doesn't regret what she did—she knew Rose needed medical help. However, she still spilled a secret, and she believes that that makes her not good enough for Ladybug.
Stella notices Alix is mopey, so she asks why. Alix denies there's anything wrong. After all, she can't explain to anyone, even her best friend, what she knows about miraculous. Stella believes her without suspecting anything, and they head to their different classes.
Miss Bustier's lesson covers Alice in Wonderland, and they discuss how the book deviates from movie versions. Miss Bustier asks them to name characters, and she's answered with Alice, the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the Cheshire Cat. But Miss Bustier draws their attention to some of the less media-focused characters like the Caterpillar, the Walrus, the Dodo, Father Time, the Duchess, the Knave of Hearts etc. Nathaniel Kurtzberg is actually more into the conversation than usual (as he's usually drawing in class), but he admits Alice in Wonderland is a personal favorite of his. Lila Rossi claims to have an original sculpture of the White Rabbit in her house, made by a famous sculptor. Chloe Bourgeois sees the whole discussion as a waste of time and is styling her hair. Le Chien Kim gets a fair bit wrong as he didn't actually read the assignment, so all he knows is from pop culture.
The lecture is interrupted when Madam Gros pops in to excuse one student for her daily mental screening. This time, she calls Alix Kubdel. Alix heads off without another word. Lila, again trying to restore her reputation, wishes Alix well in a falsely cheerful way. Alix merely raises an eyebrow at her.
The door closes to Madam Gros's office, and she begins to ask Alix questions about her family, grades, emotions, hobbies per the usual. It's soon apparent Alix has a lot on her mind, and Madam Gros is able to get Alix to reveal that she's worried about meeting her father for dinner. Madam Gros is that coy in getting information out of people. However, Alix does have enough sense not to mention the pocket watch because that gets too close to revealing it's a miraculous.
Madam Gros misreads the situation and wonders if Alix is at odds with her father, which Alix denies. The counselor tries to figure out the real reason why, and Alix keeps making excuses on the fly to hide the fact that her family has kept a miraculous for centuries and that she's supposed to inherit it soon. "Curiouser and curiouser." The conversation gets quite tangled, and Alix eventually asks to return to class. Madam Gros allows it and marks in her notes that Alix is an "oddball."
Meanwhile, Alix's father, Alim Kubdel is putting the final touches on his art exhibit featuring his family's best timepiece. He's pretty happy as his work is coming along nicely and he's looking forward to dinner with his daughter. The clock itself is pretty small, about mantle size, but there's been a ton of work put into its gilding and casing. Alim brags that it's kept perfect time ever since his ancestor made it, and it highlights all of the styles and techniques of its creator.
A well-know appraiser is also working that day. The appraiser often works alongside Alim and helps with the collection development at the Louvre. When the appraiser looks at the timepiece, he turns up his nose and calls it a "cheap imitation" of another clock maker's style and an "obvious knock off." The appraiser can't see why Alim is proud of something so "mundane." Alim argues back, pointing out all of the details that mark his ancestor's signature. The appraiser retorts that it's likely counterfeit—a replica of another master's work. It's way too advance for the period it was created.
Alim, who is usually very calm and collected, snaps. He pounds his fist on the table and calls the appraiser a liar. He begins to point out evidence that proves his clock is genuine. However, the appraiser interrupts in a very patronizing way, telling him to "calm down" and that "the truth can be hard for some people to handle."
Across the city, Nathalie senses Alim's increasing stress and indignation. The patronizing attitude is making him have all the more negative emotions. Nathalie checks to make sure that Amelie Graham de Vanily, Dr. Theroux, and Solomon aren't watching her. She heads into Hawk Moth's lair and transforms, sending an akuma to Alim.
The akuma lands on the antique clock, which Alim has a hand on at the time. This akumatizes him into Clock Maker, inspired by Father Time from Alice in Wonderland. His design draws inspiration from Julius Monrey from Alice in the Country of Hearts. The antique timepiece also changes from a mantel clock to an enormous grandfather clock. Instead of numbers on the clock face, the timepiece depicts various Alice in Wonderland characters on the hours. This notably includes the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, Tweedle Dee and Dum (which, iirc, are actually Alice Though the Looking Glass characters), the Mad Hatter, and the Caterpillar. Hawk Moth promises Clock Maker a team of allies who'll prove his ancestor's work is not counterfeit and will help him oppose everyone who'd ever look down on him and his work. All Hawk Moth wants in exchange is any miraculous that fall into Clock Maker's hands. Clock Maker agrees. (Of course, Nathalie is still speaking through a synthesizer to sound male.)
Clock Maker immediately turns on the appraiser, who tries to flee. However, Clock Maker catches up to him and uses him to demonstrate his powers. Clock Maker's massive timepiece chimes the third hour. The appraiser vanishes, trapped within the large clock. His silhouette appears on the third hour, where the Queen of Hearts was. The clock's doors open, and out of them steps the Evil Empress. You see, Clock Maker has the ability to summon any akumatized victim, past or present or future, who was based on an Alice in Wonderland character. And since Evil Empress is based on the "off with his head!" disproportionate retribution, she fills the role of Queen of Hearts. Now note, this doesn't akumatize the actual human in the present. Miranda Edgarov is elsewhere in Paris, doing her own thing. Clock Maker's clock basically created a doppelganger, one who is completely loyal to Clock Maker's commands. Clock Maker orders her to track down anyone who disrespected the art of the Louvre as well as lure out any miraculous wielders. Evil Empress complies. Both set off in different directions. Clock Maker has an oversized pocket watch on hand, which serves as a weapon as well as remote access to his master clock.
Of course, it doesn't take long for Evil Empress to blow her top and start attacking people indiscriminately for perceived slights. This attracts the attention of the news and the police, as well as dozens of civilians who post what's going on through the Akuma Alert.
At Francoise Dupont High School, the school goes into akuma red alert and are shuffled to a safe site. Again. This is becoming old hat to them. Of course, Marinette and Adrien sneak off during the evacuations to transform. Nino and Alya find each other and whisper in low voices if they should help. But they remember their promise to only come to Ladybug and Cat Noir's aid if they're called upon, so they agree to sit tight—even though it's hard. Alix Kubdel realizes that the akuma victim is her father, which makes her incredibly anxious.
Sabrina Raincomprix also gets the notification on her phone and sees the antagonist is Evil Empress, who is the akumatized form of her ex-best friend, Miranda Edgarov. Sabrina hesitates in mid-evacuation. She knows her promise to Ladybug—the same one Alya and Nino made. But Miranda was still a friend, and for all Sabrina knows, Miranda has been akumatized again. She talks to Barkk, asking for advice. Barkk is a bit distracted and excitable, but she does emphasize loyalty and following your heart. Sabrina accepts this and sneaks out to transform.
Ladybug and Cat Noir meet up outside, still very close to their high school. They're surprised to see each other there (Ladybug less so, as she knows Cat Noir is Adrien) and come up with rather flat excuses why they're in this part of the city and not where Evil Empress is. They hurry together to deal with her.
(Because this akuma attack happens in mid-day, Madam Gros doesn't get her second mental health screening in this chapter.)
With Evil Empress('s doppelganger) creating the largest disturbance, it takes a while before anyone realizes Clock Maker is at large. But eventually other civilians report a second akuma through the app. Ladybug and Cat Noir get the notification too. They're up to their eyes trying to deal with Evil Empress, and now they realize they'll have to split up to deal with Clock Maker too. However, they both know how dangerous Evil Empress is. And since both have feelings for the other, both are unwilling to leave one alone with her.
That's when Hachiko jumps down and helps defend the two of them. She apologizes for coming without being called but then insists that they go and deal with Clock Maker while leaving Evil Empress to her. Ladybug thanks Hachiko for her good instincts and asks if Hachiko will be able to handle Evil Empress alone (knowing about Sabrina and Miranda's history). Hachiko answers with a confident "yes." Ladybug and Cat Noir accept this and make beeline to Clock Maker. Hachiko tries to reason with Evil Empress, but since this is just a doppelganger, her pleads fall flat. The two fight. This reveals to Paris that the dog superheroine is named Hachiko, as it has not be publicly revealed at this point.
Back at Francoise Dupont High School, most of the students are hunkering down and waiting for the all-clear sign. Chloe Bourgeois, like most of the students, is watching events unfold on her phone. She sees Nadja Chamack broadcasting Hachiko's arrival. Her fingers grip tighter around her cell phone as she knows Sabrina is Hachiko. She looks up—sure enough, Sabrina isn't with the student body in the safe zone. Chloe grates, and Barbarra can see that Chloe is about to snap. The Scorpio kwami whispers, trying to keep Chloe calm, but it's clear Chloe is about to jump into things. That's when Chloe gets a text from Madam Gros. "Interfere and I will take your miraculous." Chloe sours but ultimately stays put. (Madam Gros is banking on this incident revealing Cat Noir, Ladybug, or Hawk Moth's identities—or both sides exhausting themselves and her going in to clean things up. She has Tarantula watching things on the sly and doesn't want any of her pawns interfering and realizes Chloe is currently the loosest cannon.)
The same, however, does not happen for Lila Rossi, who still possesses the peridot raccoon choker given to her by Adamantus. A wondrous plan dawns for Lila—one way she can save her reputation. She'll sneak out and transform. Then, she'll watch from the shadows. The moment it appears as if Ladybug and Cat Noir are in trouble, she leap in and save them. She'll prove her powers (as she can use her special abilities more than once since her item is more like the miraculous without kwamis than a real miraculous). Ladybug and Cat Noir will not only be grateful—they'll owe her, big time. Then she'll lie and claim she turned over a new leaf. She'll reveal her identity as Ringtail to everyone and be Paris's newest superheroine. She'll be more respected than Queen Bee easily—more respected than Carapace and Rena Rouge, since she'll be "honest" and reveal who she really is to everyone and make platitudes about serving the greater good and helping people. Then, she'll continue her heroics and surpass even Ladybug. Everyone will be eating out of the palm of her hand; Adrien will be impressed, and her mother will regret neglecting her. All she has to do is be a hero and lie about her motives. Perfect. So Lila sneaks out of the lockdown as well. (Which means Francoise Dupont High School has to have terrible lockdown procedures if this many students can sneak away without anyone noticing them.)
Of course, Ringtail, Hachiko, Queen Scorpion, Carapace, and Rena Rouge aren't the only super-powered individuals on hand. There's also Sir Silver Hart and Shark Regina—but both of those know to sit tight and not defy Madam Gros. Pigella and Dauphin are in the crowd, but neither have their miraculous/magical item on hand. There's also Kamaitachi, who similarly sits out, like Carapace and Rena Rouge—honor and integrity has been drilled into Kagami Tsurugi, after all. Adamantus is somewhere too.
The B Team is furiously texting each other. Again, they don't even realize that most of them (Alpha/Luka, Dauphin/Kim, Firefly/Nathaniel, Snow Leopard/Giselle, Honey Bee/Aurore, Froppy/Tsuyu, and Tsukuyomi/Fumikage) are in the same lockdown room as only Dauphine/Ondine attends a different school. They discuss if they should interfere or not, if the situation is severe enough for them to enter, and if they can risk it knowing Hawk Moth has a finger on their items. Alpha encourages his pack to stay alert but remain untransformed, as it seems as if Hachiko is providing Ladybug and Cat Noir the help they need. Froppy again offers to try to hunt down Hawk Moth, who has to be actively transformed at this moment. But she lets it slip that she and Tsukuyomi would have to sneak out of their school's lockdown to do so (other high school are also locked down, so this doesn't give anything away). Alpha tells them to stay put; he doesn't want to risk anyone in his pack getting grounded or detention unless they need help. He also cautions Honey Bee and Snow Leopard against transforming because they don't have secret keepers. Honey Bee voices some conflicting emotions over all the secrets they have to keep—which secrets should be kept and what should be shared, and with who. Firefly grumbles about always being benched. Even though he's over his feelings for Ladybug (mostly), he still loves being a superhero and wants to help out. Plus his secret keeper is right on hand. (As is Alpha's). Dauphin and Dauphine admit they're not near each other, so without secret keepers, per their self-imposed rule, neither should transform. Alpha repeats the need to observe the situation for now.
Back with the golden duo, they find Clock Maker, who is actually simply enjoying art at the Musee d'Orsay and fairly oblivious to the crowds that are fleeing from him (as he's recognizable as an akumatized victim by his off-colored skin). Ladybug and Cat Noir order him to stand down, but he refuses. He openly admits he's "not much of a fighter." Then he spins the hands of his pocket watch. A loud, long DONG rings though Paris as the master timepiece changes to the fifth hour. Roger Raincomprix, who was trying to help with the civilian evacuation, disappears. His shadow appears on the main clock—and out of the clock steps Cheshire, Suzette Rault/Miraculous Thief's future akumatized self as a doppelganger.
Ladybug and Cat Noir exchange a look, confused, since Cheshire appeared in the Louvre. All they saw is Roger Raincomprix vanish. The golden duo uses this opportunity to charge Clock Maker, who defends himself fairly well with his pocket watch as a shield. However, it doesn't take long for them to realize what Clock Maker did when Cheshire blindsides them from behind. After all, the Cheshire doppelganger at this point has the power of Voyage (from the future horse miraculous, which the original Cheshire stole), as well as intangibility (given to the original Cheshire by the future butterfly miraculous user), and time travel (given to the original Cheshire by Gabriel Agreste as Hawk Moth).
Fortunately for the golden duo, they know Cheshire's gymnastic-like, martial arts moves. Unfortunately, Cheshire is still very skilled. She's able to keep the pressure on the superheroes and drive them back. When needed, Clock Maker also defends Cheshire or makes a move for the heroes' miraculous. It's tough, with many close calls.
That's when Ringtail leaps between the heroes and the Alice -themed villains. This stuns everyone as no one expected Ringtail to interfere. Even female Hawk Moth is stunned—and infuriated—that Ringtail made a move against her akumatized victim. All sides back up, Ladybug and Cat Noir together while Clock Maker and Cheshire take the other side. Ringtail is in the middle, with everyone eyeing her up, uncertain why she's there.
That's when Ringtail leaps over to Ladybug and Cat Noir's side. She apologizes for attacking them before, calling it a "lapse of judgment" and claiming that "she's seen the truth and turned over a new leaf." She insists she wants to help them—to be the kind of hero Paris needs. This, of course, is all lies. Cat Noir buys it enough and welcomes her aboard, saying he's glad to have her help at a time like this. Ladybug remains a bit skeptical. She starts to ask Ringtail why she attacked Alya Cesaire before and where her powers come from, but they're cut off when Cheshire and Clock Maker renew their attacks. (Lila/Ringtail still fully intends on stealing the fox miraculous from Rena Rouge should the opportunity arise.)
Ringtail, with her Steal ability, proves quite useful in keeping Cheshire off guard. This allows Ladybug and Cat Noir to corner Clock Maker. Ladybug swipes one of his accessories, but the akuma isn't there. Cat Noir theorizes it's in the pocket watch he's carrying, which Clock Maker instantly gets protective of. Certain of their victory, Ladybug and Cat Noir move in.
Meanwhile, Hawk Moth wobbles on her feet. Lila suddenly activating her powers is taking a toll on her health. Hawk Moth is in a state of tranquil fury. She contacts Adamantus through long-range telepathy, ordering him to retrieve Ringtail. Adamantus affirms the order and heads off. Hawk Moth doesn't stop there. She sends a wave of pain to Ringtail, paralyzing the rogue heroine.
In mid-fight against Cheshire, Ringtail suddenly seizes up. This confuses Ladybug and Cat Noir and allows Cheshire to drive Ringtail into the wall. Fortunately, Ringtail's suit allows her to endure the hit. Ringtail growls in her throat, wondering what's going on. She knows her powers are a loan from a mysterious "sponsor." She suspects this sponsor is Hawk Moth, and the sudden pain affirms her suspicions. It only makes sense, since her opponent is one of Hawk Moth's akumatized victims. Why else would her mysterious sponsor try to stop her now? However, Ringtail refuses to be anyone's pawn. She struggles to her feet, determined to enact her plan where she lies about turning over a new leaf and pretends to be a heroine, restoring her reputation.
Hachiko is still confronting Evil Empress. Since Sabrina was present when Miranda Edgarov was previously akumatized, she knows where the akuma is hiding. That's where Hachiko strikes. However, instead of releasing the akuma, Evil Empress disappears. Back at the master clock in the Louvre, the appraiser is released from the clock, and the silhouette at 3 o'clock vanishes. This leaves Hachiko dumbfounded, wondering where Miranda went and what's going on. She takes a moment to compose herself, then she uses her weapon to contact Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Ladybug has her hands full but still manages to answer. Amid dodging and striking with her yo-yo, she learns what happened when Hachiko defeated Evil Empress. Ladybug quickly figures out what this means and relays to Cat Noir that only Clock Maker is the real akuma victim—all the others are just constructs of his. If they can defeat Clock Maker, all of the others will vanish.
Clock Maker flinches, confirming this to be the truth. With Ringtail slowly recovering and Cheshire returning to help Clock Maker, Ladybug tells Hachiko to hurry over and help them. Hachiko agrees and takes off to the main fight.
Unfortunately, this winds up playing into Clock Maker's hands. With more pressure put on him and the heroes increasing their allies, Clock Maker activates his ability again. The clock hands swing to six o'clock. Hachiko vanishes, trapped within the master timepiece. And out steps Mad Hare. This causes a massive "oh crap" from Ladybug and Cat Noir as they both remember that they lost to Mad Hare, which resulted in so many bad things happening. Mad Hare's spam teleport is even faster than Cheshire's stolen Voyage. Ladybug doesn't hesitate in using her Lucky Charm—which happens to be the same item she got when she faced Mad Hare the first time.
Ladybug and Cat Noir aren't the only ones to have a huge "oh crap!" moment. The entire B Team has one too when they see Mad Hare. Alpha/Luka says that this calls for intervention. He says that he and Firefly will head in (since they have their secret keepers ready). Froppy says that she and/or Tsukuyomi could join in, but Alpha wants them on stand-by. After all, he and Firefly have seen Mad Hare in action first hand. Luka and Nathaniel both sneak out of the lockdown—further affirming that Francoise Dupont High School's lockdown procedures suck.
Cat Noir insists he can handle all three villains and protect the injured Ringtail at the same time. He hands Ladybug the rabbit miraculous. Ladybug doesn't believe this to be true—she remembers what happened to Adrien when they faced Mad Hare. Cat Noir counters that they can't let history repeat itself. Ladybug has to go get help—she knows who. If she doesn't, then Mad Hare will win again. Ladybug does not want to leave Cat Noir alone, but he is very forceful.
When Ladybug hesitates again, Cat Noir begins to wonder if he's right. If Ladybug does like-like him. But before he can ask, Firefly and Alpha join them. Alpha insists they're here to help, and Firefly encourages Ladybug to do what she needs to do. Ladybug nods and finally takes off, leaving the three superheroes to deal with Cheshire, Mad Hare, and Clock Maker.
Between Cheshire and Mad Hare, it's insane spam teleport. Luckily, Firefly also has his own version of ally teleportation. When it looks as if Alpha or Firefly (or even Ringtail, on occasion) is in danger, Firefly uses Beacon to teleport them to himself and out of harm's way. With Alpha on hand, Cat Noir is actually able to use Cataclysm a few times. Ringtail, obviously injured, even gets off a Steal or two. Hawk Moth keeps trying to subdue Ringtail remotely, but Ringtail keeps powering through out of sheer ego.
Ladybug arrives at Francoise Dupont High School and singles out Alix, possibly with some help from her Lucky Charm to get Alix away from other people. Alix is surprised, "shouldn't you be fighting the akuma?" Ladybug presents Alix with the rabbit pocket watch and tells her it's time for her to step up as Bunnyx. This thrills Alix, who happily accepts. She thanks Ladybug, admitting that she knows Clock Maker is her father and that she wants to help him. Alix transforms into Bunnyx, and the two sprint back to the fight. Ladybug asks Bunnyx if she knows why Alim was akumatized, but Bunnyx doesn't know yet.
They get back as things are intense between the two sides. Ladybug returns with Bunnyx, and Cat Noir says that he's glad to meet her again for the first time. Bunnyx (who represents both the White Rabbit and Alice in the story) responds in kind. Then she recognizes Mad Hare as her older, akumatized self and asks what's going on, apprehensively. The golden duo reassure her that this isn't a real person, just some type of construct that Clock Maker made based on real people from any period of time. While that consoles Bunnyx (she won't be "killing" herself), it is unnerving to know she'll be akumatized like that in the future. Ladybug adds that she's "depending on Bunnyx" as the power of the rabbit is the only one that can compete with Mad Hare. Mad Hare vanishes in her signature spam-teleport as young Bunnyx nods, and Bunnyx activates her Burrow to keep up. Now, Bunnyx should only be able to activate Burrow once, putting her at a significant disadvantage—and everyone knows this. However, Alpha is on hand, and his Howl is able to allow her to use it repeatedly.
Which Clock Maker figures out. So he targets Alpha, using his pocket watch. Alpha gets imprisoned in the master clock too, and the hour hands swing to nine o'clock. Out steps someone we haven't seen akumatized before. His name is Knave, and he's obviously inspired by the Knave of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. Which means that Knave is a future akuma victim. His ability involves throwing playing cards as weapons, somewhat like Gambit from X-Men.
There's something about Knave's mannerisms that seems familiar to young Bunnyx. Though she has her hands full with Mad Hare (and is limited to one more use of Burrow with Alpha being captured), it dawns on her who Knave is. "Jalil?" she asks. His reaction confirms it—Knave's future human identity is Jalil Kubdel, Alix's older brother. This throws Bunnyx off, and nearly gets her lost in time thanks to Mad Hare. However, Firefly's Beacon is able to rescue her at the last moment (as he can still use Beacon multiple times even without Alpha).
Ladybug puts two and two together, and Cat Noir follows right along with her logic. "Clock Maker is trapping people somewhere. If he isn't holding them prisoner here, then it has to be elsewhere. And I bet that elsewhere is where the akuma is!"
Ringtail immediately offers to go find this location and free everyone, as she's still banking on looking like a heroine and then revealing her identity for reputation points. She's also still fighting off Hawk Moth's paralysis. Ladybug cuts that idea short as she still is wary of Ringtail. She knows she needs Bunnyx on hand to handle Mad Hare and Cheshire. With Hachiko and Alpha captured, that just leaves Firefly and Cat Noir.
Ladybug and Cat Noir argue over who should go and who should stay. Cat Noir points out Ladybug was already able to safely leave and return (with Bunnyx), so she should be the one to go. Ladybug argues it's his turn (as she wants Adrien safe). She points out his Cataclysm would be best to destroy an akumatized item, but he argues she's needed to purify the akuma. All of this arguing happens while they're fighting the antagonists. The golden duo does a quick rock, paper, scissors to solve things. And Ladybug, being lucky, wins.
Ladybug tells Cat Noir to go and seek out the real akuma hiding spot and where the prisoners are being kept. Cat Noir doesn't want to leave Ladybug alone with four antagonists, but she argues that she knows he can handle it and that Firefly can summon him back immediately afterward. Cat Noir reluctantly agrees and leaves, telling her to be careful (again, "be careful.") The real reason, however, that Ladybug chose Cat Noir over Firefly is that she wanted him away from Mad Hare—she remembers, all too well, that the last encounter ended with Adrien Agreste in a coma.
Firefly is very touched she trusts him to this extent. Though he is working on letting go of his feelings for her, he is still very happy that they can be friends despite it all. Ringtail makes a gagging motion, as all the sentiment is "making her sick." Ladybug raises an eyebrow, and Ringtail reins it in and lies, denying she ever said anything.
However, Clock Maker isn't just going to let Cat Noir hunt down the master timepiece, so he sends Cheshire to follow him. (Cat versus Cat!). This leaves Knave, Mad Hare, and Clock Maker against Ladybug, Firefly, Bunnyx, and Ringtail (of dubious alliance). All fights are very speed oriented fights as Cheshire, Bunnyx, Mad Hare, and Ringtail are all very fast. However, Ladybug get a eureka moment with her Lucky Charm, and is able to use everyone else's abilities to reverse things for Clock Maker. At the same time, Cat Noir out maneuvers Cheshire and is able to locate the main timepiece.
Cornered, Clock Maker makes one last attempt to win. Just as Cat Noir activates his Cataclysm to destroy the master time piece and release the akuma, Clock Maker remotely targets him. He traps Cat Noir in the clock, and the hour hand swings to twelve o'clock—the Caterpillar.
Out steps an adult woman in purple and silver with a long, brown ponytail held in place by a silver butterfly. She introduces herself to Cheshire, who is present. She's Fox Moth—the future user of the butterfly miraculous. (Because caterpillars become butterflies.) Cheshire welcomes Fox Moth as a fellow ally, and together they race back to the main fight.
Ladybug is stunned to see Fox Moth and demands to know what happened to Cat Noir. Cheshire laughs that Cat Noir has been trapped, which really upsets Ladybug as she sent him away so he wouldn't get captured. She's not the only one who is stunned. It doesn't take long for Ringtail to realize that Fox Moth is her future self. She's taken off guard by this at first, but quickly accepts this future and is actually excited by it.
Without Cat Noir and with Ringtail getting more flaky (the present Hawk Moth is still trying to get Lila to stand down), the tides turn against the heroes. While Bunnyx is able to trap herself and Mad Hare in a Burrow and keep her from harassing the others, Firefly and Ladybug are truly starting to struggle. Clock Maker laughs, realizing what a powerful ally he summoned in Fox Moth. Of course, the present Hawk Moth is trying to digest what this means for her—and for Gabriel Agreste.
If it weren't for two unpredictable things happening, the villains might just have won this one. Carapace leaps into the fight, defending Ladybug from getting her miraculous stolen. Rena Rouge interrupts with a well-timed Mirage. This allows Firefly to strike Cheshire's formerly akumatized item, which makes her disappear instead. And frees Roger Raincomprix from the clock. Ladybug admits she's glad to see them, and Rena Rouge says that they were keeping an eye on the situation, and it looked as if Ladybug needed help. Carapace apologizes for coming without being called, but Ladybug applauds their good judgment. (And yes, the high school's lockdown procedures suck that much.)
Second, present Hawk Moth is finally able to overpower and subdue Ringtail, with some of Ringtail's skin beginning to turn grey. Ringtail collapses, and Adamantus dives in to retrieve her. He again hefts Ringtail over his shoulder, despite her protests. Firefly demands to know whose side Adamantus is on and what he plans on doing. Adamantus says he's just her to reclaim the rogue and he won't interfere with their fight. He leaves with Ringtail. This leaves everyone very confused how Adamantus fits in between Team Draco and Hawk Moth and the miraculous. They know he has a "sponsor" and that he wants the other miraculous for himself. But his and Ringtail's powers aren't like an akuma victim—nor or they like a miraculous with Ringtail's skin sometimes fluctuating. However, before they can discuss things, Fox Moth pressures them.
It's still a very close fight as Fox Moth is very skilled at what she does. But Clock Maker himself isn't all that good of a fighter, so he has to rely on Knave to defend him. However, against Firefly, Ladybug, Rena Rouge, and Carapace, he's eventually out-flanked. They're able to push him back to the Louvre (perhaps Ladybug fakes a phone call from Cat Noir, making it seem as if he escaped the clock and is about to destroy it, forcing Clock Maker to flee to it to defend it) and destroy his akumatized item, and Ladybug does her world-healing wave. This frees Alpha, Hachiko and Cat Noir from the main clock and erases all of the doppelgangers. Everyone "Pounds It."
Hawk Moth feels her akumatization break. She growls, swearing she'll get all the miraculous so she can wish for Gabriel Agreste to be healed. Before she can finish speaking to herself, she's seized with a fit of coughing that wracks her whole body. She places a hand on her head, clearly overcome with dizziness too. She collapses. This transforms her back into Nathalie Sancouer. Duusuu and Nooroo hover, worried, but there's little they can do but keep an eye on her, as she isn't even moving beyond breathing hard.
After exchanging a few lines with Ladybug, Firefly heads off to check on Alpha. Rena Rouge and Carapace say their good-byes and head back to school (not knowing, of course, that Ladybug and Cat Noir would be going there too). Hachiko says that she is also happy she was able to help. "It's like having a friend again." She promises that she's been taking great care of Barkk. She, too, leaves. Cat Noir returns to Ladybug's side, and she is very obviously relieved that he's all right. Cat Noir asks if she was worried about him, which Ladybug denies in a way that convinces no one.
The golden duo thank young Bunnyx for her help. Bunnyx wonders if she can really live up to their expectations, as she's still a bit conflicted over the events in the prior chapter. Ladybug affirms that Bunnyx did the right thing and that Bunnyx has shown great judgment in both when to keep a secret and when to share it. She trusts Bunnyx will have their backs both now and in the future. Bunnyx thanks them for their trust. She then realizes what time it is—she's late (for a very important date!). She has to find her father for their dinner plans. Since both heroes already know her identity, Bunnyx transforms back to Alix. She promises Fluff food off of the dinner table as she races to the Louvre to check on her father. Ladybug and Cat Noir also part ways, taking different routes back to their school.
Meanwhile, Ringtail is finally able to struggle free from Adamantus. She chews him out for abducting her, and throws in some vitriol about the mysterious "sponsor" trying to stop her from rebuilding her reputation. Adamantus coldly points out that Ringtail broke her word about not using the raccoon choker unless called upon. He further adds that Ringtail's actions harmed the sponsor's plans. Which confirms to Ringtail that the sponsor is Hawk Moth, which she was pretty sure of anyway. Adamantus holds out his hand and tells her to return to choker. Ringtail refuses and prepares her giant paintbrush to fight him. Adamantus responds in kind with his twin screwdrivers.
Ringtail pulls off some pretty impressive moves, trying to disable him so she can make her escape. (She hadn't thought far enough ahead as he knows her civilian identity, so he knows where to find her even if she did escape). However, Adamantus, being the diamond unicorn, has unparalleled defenses. He tanks her strikes and then counters with a swift strike of his own, severing the collar from her neck without even hurting her. He catches the choker as she transforms back into Lila Rossi. "Your use to us has ended." Adamantus leaves, and Lila has no way of following, so she just roars furiously at the sky. She vows revenge, right there, against not only Team Ladybug and Rena Rouge, but against Hawk Moth as well.
That evening, Alix meets with her father at the restaurant. She hugs him, glad he's free of being an akuma. It doesn't take long for the conversation to turn to the pocket watch he entrusted to her, which Alix is able to proudly pull out. (Though she might need to hide Fluff to keep her from revealing herself to him.)
At the same time, Firefly returns home to an empty apartment. Again. It doesn't surprise him, though that doesn't make the loneliness any easier. He lands in his bedroom. A feeling of calm and tranquility washes over him before he can transform back into Nathaniel. Firefly zones out as his powers grow brighter around him. Solid light encases him, picking him up off the floor. He's encased in a cocoon of light, created from his own magical item.
Elsewhere, Alix enters her own bedroom that evening. She's surprised to see her adult self waiting for her. Adult Alix congratulations young Alix on getting her miraculous. Alix wonders why she's here. Adult Alix explains that the rabbit miraculous is a heavy responsibility as it comes with a whole lot of knowledge about the present and the future—knowledge Alix is going to have to keep express secret, otherwise, she'll break the timeline. Adult Alix figures young Alix probably needs someone to talk to during all this, so she's offering. Young Alix accepts this. They both transform and enter the Burrow…
To be continued in Chapter 53: Rhino…