CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:

HEROES UNITE

Alya smiled as she saw Marinette embracing Adrien.

The romantic moment was broken by a tenor cry of "Aly!"

The redhead barely had time to prepare herself before Nino practically tackled into her.

She laughed into his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him, savouring the warmth of him. He reeked of dungeon, and she probably did too, but Alya was thrilled to see him nonetheless. She didn't care that everyone else was watching as she peppered Nino's face with kisses, making her way down to his lips.

When they pulled apart, Alya rested her head on Nino's shoulder. "Good to see you too, babe," she whispered softly.

She looked over to see Tom and Sabine pulling their daughter into a crushing group-hug, and the latter was weeping with joy.

"We thought we lost you forever," Marinette's mother whimpered.

Tikki took her turn and grasped the blunette's cheek in a hug. "What would you do without me?" she said as big, fat tears fell from her large eyes like raindrops.

Marinette patted the ladybug kwami in return, her smile deepening.

"Psst."

Alya blinked and pulled away from Nino to look down at her feet... and she smiled.

Then, the former thief turned to Marinette and said, "Mari? There's somebody else who wants to talk to you." She gestured down at her feet.

All eyes followed the gesture.

Trixx popped her head out from behind Alya's leg and waved shyly at Marinette. "Hello," she sang weakly.

Marinette's bluebell eyes went feral. "You!" she snapped, stomping over with an accusatory finger. "You set us up!"

Trixx cringed and hid behind Alya's leg again, her tail quivering.

"Marinette..." Alya began.

"How can you show your face?" her best friend went on, her face steaming-red. "You're nothing but a –"

"Marinette!" Alya grabbed the blunette's hand and forced her to look at her. "Trixx rescued us!"

Suddenly, the anger in Marinette's eyes subsided, as though she had just been hit by a wave of cool water. She blinked rigorously. "Rescued... Wait. What?!" she blurted.

"It's true!" Tikki insisted, swooping in front of Marinette. "If she hadn't freed Plagg, Wayzz, and me, you and Alya wouldn't have made it."

Plagg and Wayzz nodded.

Now Marinette was utterly dumbstruck. "But... But I thought... Volpina..."

Thankfully, Adrien came over and placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "Marinette, Trixx played Volpina so that she could help Alya escape and save you," he said, casting a warm smile at the fox kwami. "She didn't have to, but she did anyway."

Marinette's face softened, and while she was still surprised, a small smile began to form. "You... You helped? Really?" she asked Trixx.

Trixx poked her head out again, and grinned nervously. "Please note: did not have to, but did," she said.

Alya smiled at Trixx too, knowing the real reason why the little fox chose to give her the enchanted pendant back.

Just then, Trixx shot up into the air and blurted out hysterically, "Now we should be fleeing for our lives, if you don't mind!" She turned around and proceeded to fly away.

That is, until Marinette's sharp words stopped her.

"I'm not going anywhere," she declared, pounding a fist into her palm, "not until I stop Volpina."

Trixx winced and floated back to the group in defeat.

Sabine gave her daughter a distraught look. "No, Marinette!" she stated. "She's far too powerful!"

Marinette turned to her mother. "Volpina thinks I'm dead now, Mama," she said with a sly grin. "I'll have the element of surprise on my side."

"No way," Tom said, suddenly towering over the group. "No daughter of mine is going up against that witch alone."

Like a knight to his princess, Adrien moved to stand beside Marinette. "She won't be alone, Tom," he stated, giving his fiancée a brave smile. "I'm going with her."

King Gabriel stiffened.

Alya walked over to her best friend's other side. "So am I," she said with her chin raised.

Tikki flew proudly onto Marinette's shoulder. "Me too!"

Nino stepped next to Alya. "Count me in," he said, buffing up his arm muscles.

"Bring it on!" Plagg snarled as he flew up onto Adrien's head. "I owe Long Ears big time for turning me into a stuffed animal!"

Sabine's face fell, as did Tom's.

"I'm afraid that may not be enough," Master Fu said gravely. "Volpina has more power than I ever imagined. Even with the kwamis and Alya's magic, I fear you don't stand a chance against her."

Alya saw Marinette's brow crinkle with worry. No doubt she was wondering if the Great Guardian had already seen into the future. Would they live and triumph, or would they fail? Alya wasn't sure she wanted to know.

Trixx nodded with satisfaction. "See? The old man speaks wisely. We should heed his advice and hit the road while we still can." She looked at Alya pleadingly, as though she was more afraid for the redhead's safety than her own.

It made Alya sigh. "We can't just give up, Trixx," she urged gently. "No one is safe so long as Volpina roams free."

Adrien nodded firmly. "There has to be some way we can defeat her; some kind of weakness we can exploit."

Alya looked over at Trixx, who shook her head with a shrug.

"Sorry – I got nothing," the fox kwami admitted. "Besides, Volpina's a kwami now. She's far more –"

Alya's face lit up. "A kwami," she repeated. "That's it – Volpina's Miraculous!"

"What?" Gabriel, Tom, and Sabine asked in unison.

Trixx blinked confusedly, but then her violet eyes brightened as well. "Ohhhhh... I keep forgetting about that."

Plagg held up a paw. "Yeah, um... Hate to burst your bubble, Alya, but I highly doubt Senõra Psychopath will let us live long enough to get one wish out of her."

Marinette grumbled to herself. Adrien sighed through his nose. Nino scratched his head. Alya gritted her teeth in frustration.

Then, Master Fu spoke up. "You're absolutely right, Plagg." He cast a grim but unwavering look at the four friends. "The Miraculous must be destroyed."

"You mean... we have to smash it?" Nino asked.

Trixx grinned at him. "No, we have to eat it. What do you think, Sherlock?!"

Wayzz flew up beside his master. "A Miraculous doesn't just hold a kwami's powers," he explained with a hint of empathy. "It holds their life-force. On its own, a kwami cannot be killed by any power on this earth."

Nino scrunched his nose. "Huh... That explains why Plagg couldn't zap Volpina with his cataclysmic powers earlier."

"Precisely," Master Fu said. "On the other hand, if anything should happen to the Miraculous the kwami is bound too..." He paused for emphasis, like a teacher encouraging a student to finish the sentence.

Understanding lit up Alya's eyes. "You're saying that if we destroy Volpina's amulet, we destroy Volpina?"

Master Fu nodded. "Which is exactly why she will be protecting it at all costs," he added with a hint of caution.

Marinette clenched her fists determinedly. "She can't protect it forever," she stated. "We have to get that amulet. This has to end."

Trixx zoomed into her face. "Reality check," she sang before blurting out, "Volpina is large and in charge!"

Alya frowned at her.

That's when King Gabriel finally spoke up. "There's no telling what she will do to Agreste," he said with a stormy expression. "Marinette is right. We have a responsibility to uphold."

"Maybe you do," Trixx snapped with folded arms, "but I don't. I'm only responsible for me, myself, and nobody."

Alya sighed and shook her head. I guess even those who change have limits, she thought. She looked up at the little vixen and said, "I understand, Trixx. You've done enough. We can take it from here."

Trixx's face fell, and then she bit her lip agitatedly.

Alya didn't blame her. Anyone in their right mind would be afraid of Volpina. Sometimes she scared Alya too, but the former thief had been fighting to survive for most of her life. If she could stand against bandits, thieves, and black-hearted knights, she could stand against a psychopathic sorceress.

Master Fu, to the redhead's bewilderment, smiled. "If that is your decision, Trixx, then you'll all need some extra protection." He turned to the turtle kwami beside him. "Wayzz, I'd like you to go with Nino."

Everyone's mouths fell open with a "Huh?", but not as incredulously as Nino.

Wayzz smiled and bowed. "My pleasure, Master," he said.

The Guardian smiled and took off his jade bracelet. Then he handed it out to Nino. "I always believed that one day, you would earn this bracelet, my friend," he said. "Remember what I told you: a shield can have as much power as any sword."

Nino glanced between the Guardian and his kwami, and then looked away. "Master, I appreciate the gesture, but... I'm not worthy of that power."

Alya stared at him, her eyes distraught.

Adrien looked the same. "Nino..."

Nino looked over at his three friends. "Every time I try to help, I only make things worse. I can't look after anyone, no matter how hard I try. I'm no hero..." He glanced forlornly at Wayzz. "... and I'm certainly not a protector."

Wayzz's eyes saddened.

Alya felt her heart sink, listening to her boyfriend's words and seeing him so ashamed of himself. It made her think back to when she had tried to be a hero for their friends. She had put herself down, and Nino had been the one to bring her back up.

Time to return the favour.

Alya reached out and touched his cheek. "My sweet, silly boy," she said with a grin. "So what if you slip up a bit? It happens."

Nino blinked as he realized those were the exact same words he had said to her not too long ago.

Alya cupped his face with both hands, making sure he was looking right into her amber eyes. "You were the one who convinced me to never to give up hope," she explained. "To fight for others even if I make mistakes. To get back on my feet no matter what. Don't you see, Nino? You have a strong heart; you believe in others when they start to lose faith in themselves, and that makes you a hero in my eyes." She smiled proudly at him. "That's why I love you."

Nino's brown-sugar face turned a rosy shade of pink. That was the first time either of them had said the L-word.

Behind Alya, Marinette inhaled with a squeal.

"Oh, please..." Trixx moaned.

Alya ignored her. She just waited to see that glint of hope and confidence in her boyfriend's eyes.

She saw something even better: pure, unadulterated gratitude and devotion.

Nino smiled back. "I love you too," he choked. Then he kissed her.

"Oh, geez!" Trixx groaned.

"You get used to it," Plagg said.

Alya almost laughed as she returned the kiss with a passion before pulling away. "Now..." she said breathlessly, "put on that bracelet, and let's go kick some sorceress butt."

Nino's smirk was as good a confirmation as anything.

He strode up to Master Fu, who smiled and placed the bracelet into the boy's open hand. Then Nino slipped the thing on and clenched his fist.

"So..." he stated confidently before glancing over at Wayzz, "what do I have to do?"

Trixx snorted. "We're off to a great start," she said.

Wayzz flew up to Nino's ear and whispered something.

Nino's eyes lit up. "Ah! I gotcha." He lifted the bracelet above his head and said, "Wayzz, shell on!"

The jade piece glowed with luminous green light, and then the turtle kwami vanished in a whirling ribbon.

Alya shielded her eyes from the blinding flash. When it was gone, she peeled back her fingers with anticipation.

Needless to say, when she saw her boyfriend again, she suddenly felt feverish.

Nino was now clad entirely in turtle green, with a slim bodysuit that bore hexagonal shapes in a lighter shade on the chest, not to mention the whole thing showed off his chest and arms quite nicely. Grey pads sat on his shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Dark green boots were strapped to his feet. A green hood covered his head, and instead of glasses, Nino now wore goggles with yellow lenses. In addition to the suit, Nino had a broad, round shield strapped to his back, and it greatly resembled the shell of a turtle.

Alya's mouth became all dry and gnarly, and her insides became a jungle gym.

"Wow!" Marinette, Adrien, Tikki, and Plagg gasped in unison, all of them with excited grins.

"Oh, my goodness..." Sabine breathed.

Tom's mustache curled upward. "Now that's impressive."

Even King Gabriel looked intrigued by the transformation.

Nino glanced over himself and then puffed his chest out and put his fists on his hips like a soldier ready for combat. "This. Is. Awesome!" he squealed.

Alya fanned herself. "Okay... Is it getting hot out here, or is that just me?" she asked absent-mindedly.

"Kid," Trixx groaned. "Reel it in. Seriously."

Nino looked back at Alya with a smile that said, Thank you.

Alya blushed.

"Looks like it's our turn now," Marinette said, looking over at Adrien and taking his hand. "You ready, Kitty?"

The prince showed off that feline grin of his. "Always, Milady."

Marinette's parents look like they were about to object, but no words left their mouths.

Alya stepped back as her friends shouted out their calls:

"Tikki, spots on!"

"Plagg, claws out!"

The ladybug kwami soared into Marinette's blank earrings.

"Wait!" Plagg cried. "I forgot to pack some camem… BERT!" His cry faded away as he slipped into Adrien's silver ring.

Another flash of light, this one with double the luminosity, and within a few seconds, Ladybug and Cat Noir stood hand-in-hand before the group.

Marinette's eyes sparkled through her mask when she pulled out her magic yo-yo. "Oh, yeah – still got it," she said with a grin.

Adrien pulled out his metal baton and lengthened it into a staff. Then he extended his hand to Nino. "Shall we?"

"Wait." The king walked over briskly to his son. "At least let me gather a squadron of guards for you," he insisted. "You'll stand a better chance in numbers."

Adrien's cat-like eyes softened and he shook his head. "No, Father. A host of soldiers will draw too much attention and put Volpina on her guard. We need to do this stealthily if we're going to get that amulet."

Gabriel pursed his lips. He usually didn't show emotion, except whenever he was with his son. Now Alya was really seeing the true, softer side of him; the side she had caught a glimpse of back at the oasis.

"I can't..." The king cleared his throat. "I almost lost you to that witch once, Adrien. Don't ask me to bear that again."

The prince smiled and placed a gloved hand on his father's shoulder. "Don't worry, Father. We still have a wedding to plan, remember? And I still need help choosing a good sash. I can't decide between the green one or the blue."

Even Alya had to giggle.

Gabriel's voice caught in his throat, and then chuckled softly. "You are too much like your mother – always changing the subject to make me feel better." Then, the King of Agreste did something Alya totally didn't expect: he embraced his son.

Adrien pulled his father close, and neither of them said anything else. Perhaps the hug alone was all they needed to say.

Alya looked away to see Marinette going up to the Great Guardian.

"Master Fu," the blunette said, "can you look after my parents for me?"

The old man bowed graciously. "Of course, my dear," he replied kindly. "I'll find a safe place for them."

Marinette smiled and then turned to her mother and father, who came up to her at that moment.

Sabine was getting all teary-eyed. "No matter what happens..." she said, pausing to sniffle. "We love you, sweetheart... and we... couldn't be more proud of you."

Tom was already crying himself. "I don't like the idea of watching my little girl going off into battle," he said, "but I guess... you're not so little anymore, are you?"

Marinette smiled through her own tears. "I'll be all right, Papa," she assured. "Trust me. You're going to walk down the aisle with me. That's a promise."

As the three of them drew closer, Alya felt a heavy lump rising in her throat. Marinette and Adrien had so much to live for – a family, a future, and a happy ending. If anything happened to just one of them, all of that could come crashing down.

So Alya decided to make a promise of her own: to make sure that this family – her family – would live on to see those days of happiness. And if Alya had to pay the ultimate price in the end to see that promise fulfilled, then so be it. Better her than Marinette, or Adrien... or Nino.

As if he heard his name in her thoughts, Nino took the redhead by the hand and gave it a good squeeze. "Hey, you good?"

Alya swallowed before turning to him with half-a-smile. "No, I'm terrified," she replied, "but it's either this or run away. And I never back down from a challenge."

Trixx sighed sadly. "A human after my own heart," she mumbled as she flew up to Alya's pendant and gave it a small tap. The sunset jewel shimmered a bit before going dim. "There – a little extra juice just in case. Just... try not to do anything drastic, okay?"

Alya smiled at the little vixen. A part of her wished they could have one last fight together as Rena Rouge, but she knew better than to force Trixx to do something against her will. Well, it was fun while it lasted, she thought.

So the redhead bent over and kissed Trixx on the head, right behind the ears. The kwami stiffened with pupil-less, violet eyes, making Alya giggle.

"Thank you, Trixx – for everything," Alya said. "I'm glad you're one of the good friends."

She caught the kwami's eye one last time before she turned away and walked over to Marinette.

Trixx was still reeling from that kiss by the time Marinette took Alya in her arms and spun her yo-yo around.

Simultaneously, Nino held onto Adrien as the latter elongated his staff like an enormous javelin.

Trixx watched as the four of them shot up into the air; the girls swinging by a string, the boys vaulting away on a pole.

Only then did the fox kwami fly up to the edge of the dome and call after them, "Hey! I did my good deed! I don't owe you crazies a thing – you hear me?!" She paused long enough to see the humans vanish beyond the palace towers before she sighed and flew back to the adults. "Not a thing."

Using her magic, Trixx levitated the four of them down to one of the balconies.

King Gabriel gave Master Fu directions to a hidden chamber in the tower where he and Marinette's parents would be safe. Then, the king slipped away without a word or an indication of where he was going.

As Tom and Sabine huddled together in comfort, Trixx took this time to speak privately with Master Fu.

"Just... for the sake of knowing," the kwami said, patting her paws together nervously, "do they... you know... win?"

The Great Guardian stared down at the floor solemnly. That gesture alone was answer enough.

Then Master Fu whispered, "If things stay as they are, I fear greatly for those four brave children. They may succeed in destroying Volpina..." His brown eyes became grim and foreboding. "... but their victory may come at a terrible price, and it will be shrouded in sorrow."

Trixx didn't know what to say, but her mouth trembled. What's that supposed to mean? she thought. Is one of them going to die? Which one? Mari? The prince? Trixx swallowed hard. Alya?

What did it matter? Trixx was a coward. She double-crossed Volpina in the end, yes... but now she wanted nothing more to do with the witch. Meanwhile, Al and her goody-goody friends were risking their necks to save the kingdom.

Only now, the old man was saying that someone was going to die?

Trixx turned away from Master Fu and hung her head down. "Why?" she grumbled with self-loathing. "Why should I risk my own neck for them? What good will it do them even if I helped?"

Behind her, the old man murmured kindly, "Perhaps you should be asking a different question: what good will it do you if you do nothing?"

Trixx slowly lifted her head up, deep in thought.

But when she turned around to question Master Fu further, the old man had already disappeared.