Chapter 58: Ruddiger
This chapter picks up shortly after the prior one left off. The Agreste household is surprised and happy that Nathalie Sancoeur has woken up. Amelie Graham de Vanily has slipped into stepford smiler territory because she was really banking on taking custody of Adrien while Nathalie was unconscious and couldn't legally argue back. Adrien is happy Nathalie is awake and wonders if it means his parents will wake too. He hurries to their room to check on them. Dr. Gerald Theroux examines Nathalie and says that while she is conscious, she's far from being at the peak of health and needs to take it easy. He tells her that he is still keeping her on bed rest. Nicholas Sancoeur is in the corner, watching things unfold, no longer transformed into Adamantus.
When they finally get a moment of quiet, Nathalie asks what happened. Nicholas explained he fixed the peacock brooch, which Nathalie examines. She's stoically stunned that Nicholas was able to pull off such a feat. She wonders if he was able to use the grimoire, but Nicholas denies it. He says he just used his tinkering while transformed into Adamantus and talked to Duusuu and Nooroo. That leaves Nathalie wondering where such powers came from—because she didn't include Nicholas's fix-it skills when she created him as a senti monster. With the answer unclear, Nathalie merely thanks him, to Nicholas's surprise.
Nathalie then asks how long she was unconscious and what happened in the meantime. Nicholas says she was only out for just under two days and that he completed his mission. Jean Duparc had the turquoise squirrel glove and has been assimilated into the main superheroes. They suspect nothing. This thrills Nathalie. She states that it's time to move to the next step into the plan, which is to push the heroes to fully trust Jean/Chip Bluestone. Then she needs to bolster her own numbers with the remaining items.
Nicholas's face furls with worry. Nathalie wonders why. Nicholas states that he's worried that if she continues to push herself, she'll get sicker and sicker and won't wake up next time. Nathalie is more than willing to sacrifice herself if it means success in waking Gabriel—but she is again surprise that Nicholas, a mere senti monster, cares about her fate. Nathalie awkwardly reassures him that she'll be fine because the brooch is fixed now. When she sees he's not convinced, Nathalie adds that she'll take it easy. However, with Draco and Rhino and Tarantula and who knows who else active, she can't delay. She needs the information she is hoping her mole, Chip Bluestone, will provide.
Speaking of Chip…Jean Duparc is currently transformed into his superhero alias. He's standing outside the gate to the cemetery where Firefly told him the B Team will be meeting. He's a bit nervous about going in and meeting superheroes all alone. But he focuses, swallowing the nerves like he swallows any stage fright before performing, and enters. Chip keeps to the mausoleums, leaping from one to another, as he figures it'd be easier to evade an ambush that way.
However, his caution was unnecessary. He arrives at the planned lot, and seven of the B Team are there waiting for him: Alpha, Firefly, Dauphine, Froppy, Tsukuyomi, Honey Bee, and Snow Leopard. Only Dauphin is absent on account of having to share with Dauphine. Alpha welcomes him, and Firefly states that he's glad that Chip showed up. Chip thanks him for inviting them. Alpha tells Chip not to be nervous as they're all here to help. They're learning about their powers and items together, supporting each other and helping Paris when it's in need.
Firefly explains to Chip that he already informed the B Team about what Chip told him—how he just randomly found the glove in his bag and transformed due to emotions. Chip is glad they already know as it saves him from repeating himself. Honey Bee remarks that that's exactly what happened to her. Froppy thinks aloud that it sounds different though. All seven of their magical items appeared within two weeks of each other (with Chloe Bourgeois having the bee comb and Snow Leopard retiring for a month). Why did the glove show up so much later? None of them have an answer to that, and the rest of the team don't see it as a reason for concern.
Tsukuyomi asks Chip about his abilities, and Chip explains the heightened jumping and how he can use Escape to create a door in a solid wall with his keystaff. Froppy asks him about his element. Chip gives her a blank look. Froppy explains they all have elements: sound for Alpha, light for Firefly, fresh water for herself, salt water for the dolphin pair, darkness for Tsukuyomi, flowers for Honey Bee, and ice for Snow Leopard. Chip admits he has no idea what his element is. This leaves Froppy pondering. Alpha says it's okay as they'll discover it with time.
For now, there's basic house-keeping. The B Team encourages Chip to join their chat server. They also tell him about their self-imposed rules: to only act for the greater good, to only get involved if it looks like Ladybug and Cat Noir need help (or in self-defense or defense of another), and to have a trusted secret keeper in case things go wrong. This leads the B Team to explaining what happened to them on Heroes' Day and the fact that they're more or less sure Hawk Moth himself is connected to the items they use and could force them to turn—though they don't know exactly how or why he hasn't attempted it again, but they theorize it has to do with him turning "red." This alarms Chip—he wonders how they can continue being heroes when at any moment they could become a tool for the enemy. Tsukuyomi explains that when they see someone in trouble, it's impossible to sit on their wings and do nothing.
It's getting late, but Alpha feels they have to tell Chip one last thing before they have to depart. They tell Chip about the fact that if he continues to use his powers, he's liable to "cocoon up" for several times, at which point a kwami will be born. Firefly and Froppy then explain what a kwami is. This leaves Chip's head whirling. Honey Bee gently says it's okay if Chip doesn't want to pursue this. There's a lot of risks. Alpha adds though that if Chip isn't going to use his powers for the greater good, he shouldn't use his powers at all. Dauphine states that it's okay if Chip needs to take time to make a decision as this is all a lot to take in. Chip agrees that it is, and he appreciates having some time to think things over. Snow Leopard encourages him to join their chat anyway—talking through things could help. Chip agrees.
Alpha suggests they get some practice in before curfew, so he pairs Chip up with Snow Leopard to see if his Escape can get through her ice walls. Tsukuyomi, Froppy, and Firefly all have to be careful with using their special abilities—since they now do have kwamis, they wind up on a timer after a single use of Abyssal Black Body, Camouflage, or Beacon respectively. After some practice, they all depart.
The next day is a school day. Gilles Chastain greets Nicholas Sancoeur when he arrives with Adrien Agreste and Felix Graham de Vanily. Gilles asks Nicholas about his aunt, and Nicholas replies that Nathalie woke up. Gilles is relieved for Nicholas, and Nicholas is surprised by the empathy. They meet up with Jean Duparc, Jakeel Aristide, and Pierre Lefevre to talk before class. Nicholas makes his own quiet observations about everyone. He notes that Gilles had been akumatized into Black Thorn, Jean Duparc into the Magician of Mayhem and the Magician of Misfortune, Jakeel into Mr. Laughter, and Pierre into Truthsayer. He files away the information that would be useful to his aunt.
Luka Couffaine takes a moment to check the Team B chat server before he has to stash his phone for class. He leaves a message for Ladybug and Cat Noir—how is finding out a way to halt, speed up, or otherwise circumvent the whole cocooning process going? As leader, he's looking out for his pack and wants to help them before someone winds up trapped with furious parents. Of course, neither are online at the moment, so Luka can only hope that he has a message from one or the other after class.
Elsewhere, Nicolette Lacroix tries to break the ice with Etienne Fontaine, the school narcissist and her crush. It seems like she's making headway, but then it turns out he's not actually listening to her—he's fixing his own hair. Meera Pugliese and Raissa Deschamps corner Giselle Winters-Blanchet and ask her how it's going with being Snow Leopard. Giselle is a bit surprised that they would bring it up, but she remembers that they are her secret keepers. Giselle admits she's very nervous—and she confides in them about the possibility of being trapped by her powers. This floors Raissa, but Meera finds it incredibly interesting and wonders aloud if the kwamis that result are from the Seelie or Unseelie court.
Ivan Bruel and Mylene Haprele are listening to music on her phone, sharing a pair of earbuds. Rose Lavillant tells Juleka Couffaine that she has a doctor's appointment that evening, so she has to cancel their plans. But she urges Juleka not to worry, as it's just a routine check-up. Juleka looks worried anyway. Tristan Fortier invites Rachel Beauchene (his girlfriend) and her best friend, Meg Delphinus, to his upcoming boxing match. Rachel accepts eagerly. She also mentions she's been watching Intro to Kendo videos on Youtube, and that she's looking for somewhere in the city where she can take real lessons. Sabrina Raincomprix waves to Yvonne Garnier and Genevieve Faucher as they arrive. All three sport identical nail colors but with different sticker decals. (Everyone's image is here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 )))
Once classes begin, Madam Gros again comes to Miss Bustier's room looking for Lila Rossi. However, she is out of class again still "on a cruise." Madam Gros then picks Ivan Bruel for his mental health screening.
Even sitting down, Ivan Bruel basically towers over Dolores Gros in her office. She begins by asking him about his interests and grades. Ivan admits to liking death metal, lacrosse, and playing the drums for Kitty Section. His grades are average, and he usually studies while listening to Zombie Skull Crushers, which his mom forever yells at him to turn down. When Madam Gros asks him about his future plans, Ivan give a half-baked answer about wanting to play in Kitty Section through college and then see where education and/or music take him. However, Madam Gros senses that isn't the whole truth. She pries very coyly to get his true intentions. Ivan eventually folds and admits he has no idea what he really wants to do in the future. He doesn't know about jobs or college or travel. There's just one thing he does know—he wants to be a father, and he wants to have lots of kids. Madam Gros, who was actually hoping for some deeper inner darkness, waves this off with a brief "there's nothing wrong with wanting a lot of children."
She then pulls up his file and points out he was the first person to ever be akumatized—into Stoneheart. Ivan buries his face in his hands as that was so embarrassing for him. Madam Gros wonders if Ivan has some misanthropic or philomisiac tendencies. Ivan has to ask her to define those two things. When he learns their definition, he's highly offended. He loves his family and girlfriend deeply, and he doesn't hate people or love or humanity or anything in general. Madam Gros then asks him about Hawk Moth. Ivan says he's just fed up with how long Hawk Moth has been operational and that it really is long overdue for Hawk Moth to be stopped. Madam Gros considers this, as she could offer Ivan an Eastern miraculous under the guise of promising him the power to stop Hawk Moth himself. However, she also notes his gentle giant personality, in both his manners used during the conversation and in notes left by Miss Bustier. She hesitates, but she decides to trust her instincts and sends him back to class. She jots in her file of Ivan that if she did give him a miraculous, he seems to be the type to be easily swayed by Ladybug and Cat Noir. (Which is true, considering Ivan is also Blue Ox.)
After lunch, Madam Gros interviews Tsuyu Asui. The interview reveals that Tsuyu has great grades and a strong emotional foundation. She loves her family very much, and they are very supportive of her. She supports them too—when her parents are working, she often babysits her little brother and sister. Madam Gros asks her about her plans for the future. Tsuyu thinks a moment and then says she would like to get involved with ocean rescues or the coast guard or maybe help areas affected by severe flooding. Madam Gros is a bit surprised and comments that that would take a lot of training. Tsuyu acknowledges this (and has already started at Froppy).
Madam Gros questions Tsuyu about how she handles stress and relational arguments. Tsuyu says that she doesn't often get stressed, but she deals with it by focusing on the goal and taking it "one hop at a time." She adds that she doesn't often fight with her friends. Madam Gros asks her if this includes a boyfriend, which does cause Tsuyu to pause. There is a guy she's close to, and she thinks it's pretty obvious that they care about each other—more than friends, for sure. But there's not officially together. Tsuyu falls silent. Do I actually want to make it official with Fumikage? The thought warms her. The counselor pushes to see if there's any fears or worries, but all of Tsuyu's answers prove she is very emotionally stable and grounded.
Dolores turns to her usual final tactic and asks about Ladybug, Hawk Moth, Mayura, and Cat Noir. Tsuyu actually gets a bit gushy over superheroes and says she thinks it's so cool that there are people who are so self-less and self-sacrificing in Paris as Ladybug and Cat Noir. Concerning Hawk Moth, she does voice concern about his ability to hurt people. She worries that her friends could really suffer if he isn't defeated soon. To the reader, it's clear she's worried about the B Team either being controlled by Hawk Moth or being trapped in cocoons—but Madam Gros doesn't realize this. Madam Gros asks Tsuyu directly if she hates Hawk Moth and/or Mayura. Tsuyu shakes her head; she finds hatred to be unproductive. It's better to focus on the people she loves and the good she can do in the world. The counselor thanks her for her time and sends her back to class. Then puts a big X through her name.
Classes end, and everyone departs for home or after school activities. Adrien, Felix, and Nicholas are returned to the Agreste manor together. Nicholas and Adrien take a moment to visit Nathalie while Felix heads off alone, not even bothering to see his aunt or uncle. Nathalie is still in bed, due to doctor's orders, but she is doing better. Nicholas offers to bring her dinner, and Adrien wishes her the best. He then goes to see his parents, who aren't any better.
Once Adrien is gone, Nathalie tells Nicholas to forget dinner for her. She has a mission for him. She produces the peridot raccoon choker, which had previously been loaned to Lila Rossi. She wants Nicholas to bestow the item on someone else as the next part in her plan.
Nicholas Sancoeur wonders if it would just be easier to take over Dauphine, Snow Leopard, Honey Bee, or Alpha directly. Or Chip, for that matter. Nathalie states that taking over the remaining B Team is something she'll only be able to do one time before they're forever driven away. She wants to capitalize on that one moment at a time she can use them directly against Ladybug and Cat Noir. After all, the B Team is experienced and strong. It would be foolish not to maximize that strength. Chip and the new raccoon, however, will be very inexperienced. And while she could take over Chip directly—and even easily, since she personally made the glove he's using, unlike the B Team who are using items made by a previous butterfly—she feels the B Team, Ladybug, and Cat Noir are too guarded. She wants a mole to get close to them—so she is personally going to orchestrate the circumstances to get her mole all the closer. The reason Gabriel succeeded with Mad Hare is because of her precision planning abilities—and she's going to weave another trap to bring him back.
Nicholas submits to this way of thinking and asks who is going to target. Nathalie scans her tablet, swiping through several possible candidates. As one passes his line of sight, Nicholas stops her. "Might I suggest that one?" Nathalie pauses for a moment, then nods in agreement. Jakeel Aristide. Nathalie hands the choker to Nicholas and tells him to depart immediately. Nicholas agrees, transforms into Adamantus in front of her, and leaves through the window.
Adamantus finds Jakeel buying a couple baguettes for his family from the Dupin-Cheng Bakery. Marinette rings him out, and Jakeel plays a prank on her with a fake coin. Marinette laughs at it because Jakeel is getting better at learning his audience and doing tasteful tricks. He scoops up his bag of baked goods and leaves. As Jakeel turns the corner, Adamantus slips the raccoon choker inside the same bag without Jakeel even knowing he's there.
Jakeel gets on the nearest subway rather than walking home. The subway car is half full, and Jakeel finds a seat in the corner. The bread smells delicious, and he's pretty hungry. So he pulls a baguette out to snack on. This pulls the choker out with it. Jakeel picks it up and turns it over in his hands. He has no idea where it came from. He wonders if it came from Jean or Pierre, playing some type of prank on him in return. But the collar doesn't appear to have ink or wires or anything like that in it. It also doesn't look like anything Marinette or her parents would wear, so he doesn't think it came from the bakery. He twirls it around his finger—and then decides to put it on.
Elsewhere in Paris, Nathalie sits up straight in bed. I didn't think he'd put the choker on so soon! Although she's surprised, it still works with her plans. I need to test these items to ensure the heroes don't realize they share the same source of power as akumas. Nathalie listens carefully—everyone who lives in the manor is busy. She slides out of bed, puts her slippers on, and sneaks down into Hawk Moth's lair. There, she transforms into Hawk Moth—which means we actually see her transformation sequence with pajamas.
She contacts Adamantus first, through long range communication. It's possible since Adamantus is currently transformed using the diamond cufflinks she made using the butterfly miraculous. She tells him to stay close to Jakeel, approximating what subway stop he'll leave. It's important that the two boys work side-by-side.
Female Hawk Moth then stretches her senses, getting a rough feel for the miraculous without kwamis. She can feel them converging towards a single point—the same location they gravitate towards every other night. Hawk Moth takes this to mean that the B Team is meeting, as usual, but they have not yet arrive. They're all en route. This includes Chip. Perfect.
Jakeel steps off of the subway and heads up to the streets. However, midway up the stairs, he freezes as Hawk Moth's emblem appears across his eyes. Sleep. Sleep and forget. Jakeel's eyes close. And yet, despite this, he transforms into a raccoon-themed hero (or, maybe perhaps, villain). His outfit is similar to Lila's time as Ringtail, but he has an actual raccoon tail made of yarn instead of using his hair. Though his black hair does now have Richard Reeves' style skunk stripes. He also doesn't have a mask—his facial covering is actually face paint in the shape of raccoon markings. His outfit includes shin-length black boots, a utility belt with several pockets, elbow-length black gloves, and a grey and white unitard. His weapon has also changed shape compared to Lila/Ringtail's. Whereas Lila as Ringtail had a giant painbrush, Jakeel as the raccoon has a series of smaller paintbrushes of various shapes that form attached to his utility belt.
Adamantus lands next to him and asks him if he's ready. Jakeel, now transforms, acknowledges that he is. Adamantus tells him to follow, and Jakeel does so without hesitation or question.
From afar, Hawk Moth guides them. She can sense where Chip Bluestone is as clear as day, and can even pinpoint his mood and somewhat of what he's doing. Hawk Moth tells Adamantus were to convene. Adamantus affirms the command and tells Jakeel to follow. Jakeel again agrees, sounding distant.
Chip Bluestone is on his way to his second meeting with the B Team. As he leaps from rooftop to rooftop, he's pretty distracted as he has a lot on his mind. He's still stunned and a bit afraid that the item he's using power could come from Hawk Moth—part of him was even debating never using it again. But being able to jump across Paris is addicting. So is the idea of impressing Rose Lavillant. Still, he's arguing with himself. He makes a self-deal that he'll meet with the B Team one more time. If he still feels uncertain about the glove, he'll hand it over to them. But if he feels assured and that he can do good against Hawk Moth without becoming a pawn, he'll join them.
That's when Adamantus strikes, both screwdrivers drawn. Chip barely leaps aside in time. However, his dodging puts him right into the path of the raccoon, who kicks him across the stomach. Chip collides with a chimney, winded.
The raccoon asks Adamantus, "is he the one?" Adamantus affirms this. Both ready their weapons.. For the raccoon, this involves selecting one paintbrush and twisting the head with his thumb. By doing this, the raccoon can change this brush to a lock pick. All of his other brushes have other uses, such as changing them between a brush and a dart or a hook or a scalpel. (The brush part is to mimic the bushy tail of a raccoon.) The tools of a thief. Chip struggles to his feet and asks who they are, in part stalling for time. Adamantus introduces himself as "Adamantus, the diamond unicorn." His partner is quiet for a moment, then says his name as "Ruddiger." (Yes, the name is borrowed from Tangled: The Series—namely, Varion's pet raccoon. I wonder what it says about Jakeel that his subconscious would pick that name.)
Chip quickly weighs his odds: two against one. He readies his keystaff. Ruddiger charges in first, and Chip parries the attack. Adamantus then tries to cut him off; however, Chip dodges. This corners the squirrel against a wall. It looks as if Ruddiger and Adamantus will be able to take him out, but that's when Chip uses his ability of Escape to draw a door in the wall and run through it. When Ruddiger tries to follow, the door reverts back to a wall. Adamantus tells Ruddiger to hurry, and they go up and around, the long way.
This gives Chip enough time to access his smart phone's features through his keystaff. Since he has not yet joined the Team B chat server, the best he can do is send out an akuma alert. However, akuma alerts are verified as more and more people report the same akuma. With just one report, it's liable to be ignored. Chip realizes he has two choices—he can lead the villains to the B Team and hope they back him up, which would reveal the B Team's secret meeting place (as he's unaware that Hawk Moth already suspects its general location). Or, Chip can lead Ruddiger and Adamantus to where there's more people. More people, more sightings, more alerts sent—but it also would place more innocent people at risk. Before Chip can settle on a plan, Ruddiger and Adamantus ambush him, forcing him to flee.
Chip's eyes dart across the area as he searches for an escape route. He occasionally uses his ability to try to evade his pursuers, but they're always just on his tail. Chip finds himself in a more crowded area near the Louvre. Which fortunately means more people sending akuma alerts as they give Adamantus and Ruddiger space. What no one realizes is that this is what Adamantus and Hawk Moth wanted all along.
Adamantus motions to Ruddiger with a nod of his head, and the raccoon again charges Chip. He strikes with his full body weight, pushing Chip to his knees. Adamantus then leaps in with his screwdriver raised and makes a bold statement. "I'll be taking that glove now!" Chip tries to defend himself, but he know he won't make it in time.
That's when Ladybug and Cat Noir both land and protect Chip from the blow. Chip is surprised and very relieved to see them. Ladybug asks if he's okay, and Chip nods. Cat Noir asks what's going on, and Chip tells them that Adamantus and Ruddiger ambushed him and that that's all he knows. Both Ladybug and Cat Noir recognize Adamantus as a reoccurring enemy. Cat Noir asks about Ruddiger, and Ladybug recognizes Ruddiger as having the exact powers that Ringtail once had. Adamantus says Ruddiger is his new ally. Ladybug asks about Ringtail, and Adamantus calls her a traitor. Cat Noir notes that Ruddiger's skin is normal, which means he isn't akumatized. "So why are you helping the bad guys?!" Ruddiger tells them that "you help your friends, and I help mine." He then activates his ability, Steal, which takes Chip's keystaff and replaces it with Ruddiger's paintbrush—so Chip cannot continue to escape.
Now, it was fully intentional on Ruddiger's part not to use Steal earlier when Chip was fleeing. Adamantus and Hawk Moth wanted to buy time until Team Ladybug or the B Team showed up. It's also worth noting that this is a sub-aspect of the butterfly miraculous. In canon, we've seen the short-term, dark side of the butterfly with akumatization. And in this storyline, we see the long-term, light side use of the butterfly with the miraculous without kwamis/antique akumatized items. Now, Ruddiger (and Chip as well, though Hawk Moth isn't actively pursuing that venue for the squirrel as part of her grand plan) showcase a long-term, dark side use of the butterfly. It's a combination of the two previous examples in that the akuma is in the item before it gets to the target as well as it can turn the target's moral alignment and conscious decisions. It also is possible for these kinds of items to become too overbearing and slide into full-on akuma corruption—it almost happened to Ringtail when her skin started to turn. This is why Nathalie feels so strongly about testing her crafted items and perfecting them so that doesn't happen. But, of course, the heroes realize none of this.
Adamantus states that it was convenient that they saw Chip passing by on Paris's roofs by sheer coincidence. They intended to use that opportunity just to deprive him of his magical item. But now that Ladybug and Cat Noir have shown up, he and Ruddiger will take all three items. Ladybug wants to know why he and his "sponsor" wants their miraculous. She tries to tell him about the price that comes with using the ladybug and black cat miraculous together. Adamantus emotionlessly states that he wants to live in the world that will exist when that happens. He does not admit that he is working for the current Hawk Moth, and the heroes have yet to learn this fact either. All that they know is that Adamantus wants the miraculous and that he opposed Draco's team. Ruddiger also acknowledges that he is not working for Hawk Moth (which he is, but while bespelled).
Cat Noir shouts that if Adamantus isn't serving Hawk Moth and isn't serving the Western Order (whom Master Fu confirmed is where Draco belongs), then who does Adamantus work with and where does his powers come from? Female Hawk Moth perks when she hears this. A Western Order of the Miraculous? And with Ladybug and Cat Noir having allies from the eastern zodiac… The wheels in her mind turn, and she recalls images she's seen in the grimoire.
Ladybug wonders if Adamantus is from a third order. Or maybe he's using something like the prodigious? Or a miraculous without a kwami? After all, they don't really know how many of those there are. However, before they can really ponder answers, the villains press their attack. Chip charges in with Ruddiger's weapon. Ruddiger grabs a leaf off the ground and activates Steal again, swapping the paintbrush for a leaf and leaving Chip weaponless. Adamantus aims for Ladybug, and she has her hands full keeping up with his speed and high defense. Cat Noir lunges to help Ladybug, but Ladybug orders him to back up Chip, who is vulnerable and less experienced.
These five aren't the only ones active in Paris. By now, the entire B Team has assembled in the graveyard and are watching events unfold as random civilians live stream. They don't have to rely on their chat server since they can communicate face to face. Dauphin (who is present instead of Dauphine this time) wonders if they should get involved. Alpha is eager to help; he already sees Chip as a part of their pack. Froppy points out that Chip didn't officially agree to join, but Tsukuyomi argues that that means nothing. Someone who needs help is someone who needs help; and they all agreed to help Parisians in need. Snow Leopard points out that they don't really have their secret keepers handy since they tend not to be present during the training sessions. Firefly wants to hurry into the confrontation. He again proposes that a kwami like Lucciola should protect him (and Froppy and Tsukuyomi) from "going red." Honey Bee says she's willing to sideline herself in favor of those three as she still is scared about winding up in a cocoon.
Alpha looks at his pack and makes the decision as leader. He agrees that Firefly has a point about the kwamis. However, with Adamantus's high defenses, they're going to need his (Alpha's) ability to empower allies to overcome him. He says that he and Firefly will head in to help Chip, their ally. The rest can follow their plan—see if they can find Hawk Moth's lair. Snow Leopard points out that there's no akuma victim. Alpha encourages them to try anyway. "Adamantus had to have come from somewhere. Follow him if he tries to escape." Tsukuyomi, being the second flyer on the team, volunteers to do so. The rest agree to scatter and look for Hawk Moth's lair and/or information they can use about Adamantus and/or the location of Draco's team—as the live streaming isn't that great, so the general public, including the B Team, don't yet realize that Adamantus is claiming to be a third faction entirely. The B Team fist bump in solidarity and then scatter to their various assignments.
Back at the main fight, Chip Bluestone realizes he can't do much without his weapon. So he comes up with a plan using a sleigh of hand to distract Ruddiger (not realizing that Ruddiger is actually one of his best friends). Ruddiger falls for it (his mental state and thought processing are not at their peak), and Chip reclaims his keystaff. Ladybug tries to ensnare Adamantus, but he evades. Frustrated by how this is getting drawn out, and knowing full-well how dangerous Steal can be, Ladybug then activates her Lucky Charm (before Ruddiger Steals her yo-yo and makes her special ability impossible).
Elsewhere, Hawk Moth inhales sharply. Not so much at the Lucky Charm—but because it's the harbinger of Ladybug's world-healing wave. If Ladybug undoes all the damage caused, will she also undo the hold I have over the raccoon? It would be a very important piece of data to Hawk Moth regardless, but she really does need Jakeel Aristide to stay in her control. Now, she knows that Ladybug's "Miraculous Ladybug" did not erase or undo the peridot raccoon choker or diamond unicorn cufflinks—or even Nicholas's existence. However, at those times, Hawk Moth had not forcibly overcame anyone's free will like she is now doing. Not to mention Rudigger is the direct cause for the chaos this time—which Ladybug's healing usually targets. Unlike prior times when Adamantus was mostly a spectator. Concerned, Hawk Moth tells Adamantus that they have done enough. He and Ruddiger need to fall back but make it look convincing. And protect Ruddiger from Ladybug's second ability.
However, at that moment, Alpha and Firefly arrive. Adamantus, though stoic, realizes that escape got a lot harder. Tsukuyomi, unknown to everyone, watches from the distance. Alpha says that he noticed that Ladybug and Cat Noir could use a hand, so he offers a Howl to boost their speed and attack. Firefly asks Chip if he's okay, and Chip affirms he is. He states he got careless and Adamantus saw him "on the way to the meeting," and ambushed him.
Adamantus realizes he has to act quickly before his opponents come up with a plan. He nods to Ruddiger, and they both charge Cat Noir. This causes Ladybug to move in to defend him. Ruddiger banks out of his feint and uses Steal on her Lucky Charm conjured item. Ladybug facepalms. She used Lucky Charm early in case her yo-yo got stolen—and now the charm itself is swiped! (Fortunately, Alpha's Howl also filled her timer.)
Firefly levitates and begins to pelt the villains with light bombs from his spring. Most of which Adamantus simply tanks. Alpha and Chip coordinate together to catch Ruddiger in a pincher attack with their polearms (spear and keystaff). They'll either be able to capture Ruddiger or he'll be forced to Steal, which means relinquishing Ladybug's Lucky Charm.
Ruddiger opts for the later and again swipes Chip's keystaff, causing Chip to groan. Ruddiger deflects Alpha's strike and puts distance between himself and his attackers. Chip throws the Lucky Charm back to Ladybug, who figures out what it's used for. Whatever device she creates, she's able to pin down Adamantus so he can't move. Alpha moves in and points his spear at Adamantus's neck to prevent any further struggle.
Cat Noir tells Ruddiger to surrender. Adamantus is captured, and the raccoon won't be able to escape. "Escape?" That gives Ruddiger an idea. He makes four massive slashes with the stolen keystaff. Lines appear on the cobblestones. "Escape!" The ground opens up and drops them all into the catacombs/subway.
Not again! Alpha complains as this exact thing happened to him during Desperada's chapter. They all fall except for Firefly, who is in the air. However, he can't see for all the dust.
Adamantus gets free and falls back to Ruddiger. He orders Ruddiger to use Escape again, giving them a route through the wall. Both flee before the heroes regain their bearings.
Ladybug asks if everyone is okay as they pick themselves up. They all say they are. Cat Noir admits he had no idea that whoever uses the raccoon could also steal the ability of a hero if the hero's ability uses his or her weapon. Ladybug admits she didn't know this either; Ringtail never did anything like that. Regardless, it now means they have a third opponent to worry about. With no avenue left to pursue, she throws her Lucky Charm into the air, fixing the damage. This also returns Chip's keystaff. "Pound it!"
Elsewhere, Adamantus notices the world-healing wave. A second later, he sees the staff vanish from Ruddiger's hands. Ruddiger then begins to topple. Adamantus catches him. He looks at Ruddiger's face. Did the mind control break? Ruddiger snores. Adamantus reports this to Hawk Moth, who notes it as part of her ongoing data collection.
Did Ladybug's ability actually break my hold over those who use my items? I should empower them further to conquer that, just in case. However, it didn't undo the sleep I put him under. Very curious… Hawk Moth orders Adamantus to place Ruddiger somewhere natural; somewhere where he won't suspect a thing. She then reverts Ruddiger back to Jakeel Aristide. His skin did not show any symptoms of corruption; but I cannot count on that flaw being resolved. It's possible had he used the peridot choker for longer, he would have become corrupted. Further testing is needed to count for all variables. Fortunately, I have nine more items I can use.
Adamantus leaves Jakeel on a park bench and then retreats to the shadows. Hawk Moth herself ponders how Ruddiger was able to use someone else's ability. Are abilities locked in the weapons? Or the heroes? Is it only the raccoon who can also steal abilities, or can anyone else use an abilities if they steal the weapon? This also requires more testing. I will wait for the right time and control him again. Just like I will all the others—I just also need to increase my own power as Peacock Moth to do so on a larger scale.
When Jakeel wakes, he heads immediately home. He has no memories that anything unusual happening; he isn't even aware that he's still wearing the peridot raccoon choker.
Alpha talks to Tsukuyomi, but Tsukuyomi admits he was unable to follow Adamantus since they used Escape to create a route underground while Tsukuyomi was in the air. Alpha says that Tsukuyomi did well, but Tsukuyomi admits he was humbled by his failings. The rest of the B Team report a similar lack of success. Ladybug and Cat Noir thank the B Team for the backup. Alpha asks if there's any progress with the grimoire. Cat Noir suggests setting "a date" with Ladybug to translate. Ladybug turns her back to him as her face spazzes. She agrees. Alpha thanks them.
He and Firefly then turn to Chip and again offer Chip the chance to join their team. Judging from the fact that Adamantus called Chip's glove a "magical item" and not a miraculous, like he did Ladybug and Cat Noir's jewelry, means that Adamantus knows something about Chip's item being different…more similar to theirs. And he is being targeted. Alpha promises his pack will help protect him. The only other option Chip has is to never transform again.
Chip acknowledges this choice and admits he was struggling with it. However, he was honored when both they all came to help him today. They're the kind of people he wants to work with, and he's honored to be a part of their group. He promises to join their server that night and will do his best to train with them for the greater good of all of Paris. The heroes cheer. And Ladybug adds a promise of her own "I promise to do all I can to break the history your items have with the butterfly miraculous. Until then, please be careful. (Yes, "be careful" again.) And if you do lose your way, I promise Cat Noir and I will be there to bring you back. Because you're all heroes. And Paris needs heroes like you to stand beside us against Hawk Moth and the Western Order." Cat Noir agrees with what she said, though a lot less eloquently. Alpha and Firefly are likewise honored. Firefly smiles gently at Ladybug and says he is so very glad to be her friend. (He has now come to terms with his emotions and is happy with being a friend to her, as he is over his crush). They all depart.
Elsewhere in Paris, Madam Dolores Gros snarls at the stream of the fight so nastily that Ellie the elephant kwami hides. She wants to know what's going on. With the exception of Ladybug and Cat Noir, "none of those items are miraculous!" Where are they all coming from?! It's her crew's purpose to eliminate magic and the knowledge of magic from the general population. So who keeps creating more?! Dr. Gerald Theroux, who is briefly off-duty from his responsibilities at the Agreste manor, suggests that they dig out the old resources from Canada to see what they could learn.
Madam Gros is frustrated by this suggestion. "Most of those were devoured when we turned on the Order and reclaimed our rightful powers." Dr. Theroux points out they do still have some of the books. He hands her one with a crane on the cover and gives a dark smile. "Remember, the Order has had an ally on this continent since before the War of 1812. I think it's time we learn how we can call in the old covenant."
To be continued in Chapter 59: Uglifier & La Belle Vampire…