MIRACULOUS PRETTY CURE!
Chapter 2
Unleash the Light Within! Lucky Charm!
- o - 0 - o -
A flash of scarlet light burst through the scenery, blinding everyone in the vicinity, including an enraged man with a top hat and a huge black monster in knight armor.
"The light of fortune that blooms over the land. Cure Ladybug!"
When at last all the magical lights faded, a masked young girl with blue-black long hair tied in two pigtails appeared. Her red blouse and skirt shone in the afternoon light, the black spots dotting here and there complementing her outfit. Once the last of the lights vanished, Marinette's too-focused mind brought her back to reality.
"What the?" Marinette looked around her, taking a look at the dress she suddenly found herself in. "Why am I wearing this? What happened, Tikki?"
The kwami was nowhere to be seen, but Marinette could hear her excited whispers. "You did it, Marinette! You've successfully become a Pretty Cure!"
"A Pretty Cure?" A thoughtful expression appeared on the girl's face. "Like one of those magical heroines of justice?"
A few seconds passed before Tikki replied. "I'm surprised you know about them. The Pretty Cure are legendary warriors who protect the world together with the kwamis and the Miraculous."
"The Miraculous…" Marinette touched her ears. "You mean these earrings, right?"
"Yes, you have the Ladybug earrings. With its help, you can become the light of fortune, Cure Ladybug!"
"Cure Ladybug…" Marinette looked at her gloved palms and then at her bright red outfit peppered by black spots, reminding her of a certain insect that brings good luck. "I am Cure Ladybug."
Their conversation was interrupted by the enraged roar of the man with the top hat. Cure Ladybug gasped at how the calm top-hatted man changed. His purple eyes looked insect-like and his hands sharpened into claws. His top hat also turned into a bright red color as he growled like a wild beast. "Pretty Cure," he intoned and there was such a murderous intent in the sound that Cure Ladybug held her ground and readied herself for an attack.
But the attack did not come. The man's top hat turned to yellow then back to its original black color. He shook his head and tutted. "My, my," he said. "I shouldn't let my temper get the better of me."
The man eyed Cure Ladybug and she did not like the smug look on his face. "It doesn't matter if you're a Pretty Cure," he said, more to himself than to anyone else. "You are nothing but a toddler in training wheels."
Cure Ladybug felt her confidence rise. "I won't underestimate me, if I were you," she taunted and was pleased to see that the man's calm expression drop.
"Very well," the man said, pointing a finger towards the heroine. "I, Luciferin, accept your challenge, pesky little Pretty Cure!" He turned to the black armored monster. "Akuma, crush that little bug!"
At once, the Akuma obeyed Luciferin's command and jumped towards Cure Ladybug. The monster was going to literally crush her!
With speed she didn't know she had, Cure Ladybug ran outside of the falling Akuma's shadow and jumped out of the way. But what she had in mind was a small hop, but her leap sent her soaring into the sky!
"Waaahhhhhhhhh!" Cure Ladybug was freaking out at how high she was - the huge Akuma on the ground looked like a tiny speck from her vantage point.
"Calm down, Cure Ladybug!" Tikki's soothing voice pierced through her self-induced panic. "The Miraculous had given you enhanced strength, speed and durability. Use it to your advantage!"
Cure Ladybug nodded as she felt gravity take a hold of her. An idea popped into her head as she fell with surprising speed. Two can play that game, she thought…
And the Akuma toppled into the ground, as the heroine dropped into its broad back, using both her legs and the gravity as her weapon. The impact blew out a tremendous amount of wind, creating a buffeting breeze. Cure Ladybug nimbly landed a few feet from her landing point, while the Akuma tried to stand up and recover.
Cure Ladybug took advantage of this moment of weakness and raced towards the monster. Her legs moved faster than she anticipated and she ran past the Akuma.
"Oops!" Cure Ladybug stopped a little too late and found out she was exactly in front of the raging monster. The Akuma dropped its sword towards her and knowing she couldn't dodge in time, she raised her hands and stopped the blade's descent.
Cure Ladybug was surprised at her strength. The sword wasn't heavy for her, even though the Akuma was forcing it down with all its power. With a heave and a push, she threw the sword back to its owner and the Akuma lost its footing. Quickly, she stepped forward and threw her arms out, pushing the monster's body with her all might. She expected the Akuma to tumble and fall into the ground, but the monster's body was catapulted away into a nearby building. She looked at her palms, did she just hurl a gigantic monster to a few feet with the simple press of her hands?
"Rise, Akuma!" Luciferin commanded the monster and Cure Ladybug saw it stand up. Despite crashing into concrete, the monster looked unharmed as it focused its sights on the heroine once more.
Cure Ladybug readied herself as Tikki telepathically whispered to her once more. "There's a weapon on your belt. Use it, Cure Ladybug!"
"Okay!" Cure Ladybug nodded and grabbed the round object that was strapped on her belt. She took a moment to stare at it. "Is this a yo-yo?"
The monster dashed for an attack and Cure Ladybug didn't have time to think things through. She threw the yo-yo towards the Akuma, but it raised its shield and the round item was deflected. She gaped as the weapon fell uselessly on the ground and had only a moment to look up as the Akuma tackled her with its shield.
Cure Ladybug was blown away by the attack, landing roughly on a pile boxes near an empty delivery van. She felt pain all over her body, but knew that she would have lost consciousness if she was hit by that attack without the Miraculous' protection. A spot on the round emblem on the ribbon on her neck suddenly greyed out after a loud beep.
"Are you alright, Cure Ladybug?" Tikki's voice was soft and concerned. "You have to be careful; as you receive damage, the spots will fade one by one. If you lost all the spots, you'll transform back and we will have to wait for the Miraculous to recharge."
Cure Ladybug stood up, feeling relieved that nothing in her body seemed to be broken. "So it's like an HP bar then?"
Tikki took some time before answering. "What's an HP bar?"
"Never mind." At least Cure Ladybug knew her limits now and it would help her gauge the fight from then on. Her video game knowledge as Marinette will definitely work in her favor; now who said video games don't teach you anything useful?
Cure Ladybug retracted her yo-yo back. "Don't I have any other weapon?" She hoped she had an inventory of items like in a good old-fashioned RPG.
"That's the only one you have for now," said Tikki a little cryptically. "But its indestructible, its string will not break and can reach a great distance. It also obeys any of your commands."
Cure Ladybug took this new information in mind. The armored Akuma was on its way towards her, its sword and shield glimmering in the sunlight. It was reckless and dangerous, but she had no other plan at hand, so she went with it.
The heroine threw her yo-yo and as expected, the Akuma raised its shield to repel the attack. She willed the yo-yo to avoid the shield and wrap around the hand that held it instead. To Cure Ladybug's relief, it actually worked and she had the monster trapped now.
Cure Ladybug pulled and the monster moved a little. But her strength was not enough to stay aground when the Akuma pulled the string instead. With a yell, the heroine was off her feet for the second time that day. The Akuma spun around, taking the yo-yo, the string and its owner with it, until Cure Ladybug lost her grip and she was ferociously thrown away. She landed with a crash on a parked car this time and two beeps meant that she already lost three of the five spots now.
The heroine was winded as she tried to ease both the pain and the dizziness when the surroundings suddenly darkened. With a horrified look, she realized that the Akuma had jumped once more, its shadow lengthening around her as gravity reclaimed it. She tried moving but her legs felt like jelly and she closed her eyes as she waited for the inevitable crash.
The resulting crunch was ear-breaking as two armored feet smashed against the vehicle. But Cure Ladybug did not feel her bones break, but the touch of two gentle yet strong arms pulsated through her tense nerves instead. She slowly opened her eyes and met a pair of emerald-colored cat-like irises.
The air rushed through her body as she was taken into the air by her rescuer. All she could see perched over his arms was sharp teeth etched in a grin, a black mask over the eyes, honey-colored tousled hair and are those cat ears?
Cure Ladybug didn't have enough time to process her thoughts as they landed softly in the roof of a nearby building. Her rescuer gently let her down and she turned to him and gape. Like, she couldn't help but ogle.
He was tall, with broad shoulders yet a lean body clad in a black leather suit. There were indeed black cat ears on his head and she watched as it actually twitched. A golden bell hung on his neck and it was the only different color in his otherwise night-as-black outfit. White sharp claw-like fingernails were on his gloves, that were formed like a cat's paw. To complete the look, he even had a tail, but it was made of some kind of soft, black leather that resembled a belt. The guy had an enormous grin in his face as he regarded her.
"First day on the job, I presume?" He asked lightly, his tail flicking back and forth like a real cat's. "Not bad for your first time, but I guess you needed a little help?"
"Are you…" Cure Ladybug paused, wondering if she should voice this out. "Are you a Pretty Cure?"
The cat-boy snickered and Cure Ladybug flushed red in embarrassment. Really, weren't the Pretty Cure heroines of justice? "Nope. I'm way different than a Cure. You could even say that I'm the complete opposite of a Pretty Cure."
Cure Ladybug gulped. "So you're a villain then?"
"Wrong again, my lady." He grinned, suddenly taking Marinette's gloved hand and pressing a kiss on it. "But whatever I may be, I am on your side, you could be sure of that." He finished his statement with a wink and Marinette blinked.
"So if you're not a Pretty Cure and not an Akuma either…"
His grin was impish and a little breath-taking. "You can call me Chat Noir."
"Chat Noir?!" Tikki's voice was loud and incredulous and Cure Ladybug winced.
Chat Noir's playful smirk faded when he saw her expression change. "Cure Ladybug, are you okay?"
"I'm alright." Cure Ladybug waved her off but noticed something was off. "How did you know my name?"
Chat Noir blinked - looking like he had just realized he did something that he really shouldn't have. But his expression quickly changed into a nonchalant, happy-go-lucky look. "The spots gave it away," he told her. When she didn't look convinced, he added with a shrug, "And I may or may not have some knowledge over certain legendary warriors of justice."
"You cannot trust him, Cure Ladybug," said Tikki urgently.
Cure Ladybug regarded him. Chat Noir looked older than her, but probably only for a few years. His posture was steady and upright and had an easygoing grin plastered on his face. He didn't seem evil, but he was definitely mysterious and quite possibly dangerous. "I don't think I can trust you," she told him.
Chat Noir didn't seem disturbed at such an announcement. "And I would ask you not to," he replied simply, surprising the heroine. "I was only passing by and I couldn't help but notice that you needed a little assistance, buginette."
The smirk on Chat Noir's face as he said that made Cure Ladybug's blood boil. And who gave him the right to give her nicknames? "I would ask you not to give me silly nicknames," she told him with as much as a glare she could muster.
"Why, isn't it purr-fect for you?" Cure Ladybug resisted the urge roll her eyes on him. Chat Noir didn't seem to notice her discomfort as he gave her a wink and a salute. "Well, it was nice meeting you, my lady but you better recharge fast." He looked at the the ladybug button on her ribbon and the heroine remembered her current predicament.
She was preoccupied with her dwindling limits that she didn't notice the leather-clad cat-boy jump backwards to the roof of the nearby building. "Catch you later, buginette!" He called as he hopped into another one, his cat-like agility and speed catching Cure Ladybug off guard. She formed a retort in her mouth but the mysterious cat-man had already disappeared from view.
Cure Ladybug stood in the roof, open-mouthed. "What the heck was that?"
There was a buzzing noise and a flash of red scarlet light and Marinette replaced Cure Ladybug. She was surprised at the sudden de-transformation and watched as Tikki reappeared in front of her, looking anxious but otherwise unhurt.
"Tikki!" Before she can stop herself, Marinette hugged the kwami, glad to see the fairy-mentor once more. But more pressing matters burned on her mind. "But why did I turn back? There were still some spots left."
"That's right," explained Tikki. "But I reckoned we need to recharge first so that we can take on the Akuma at full power."
Marinette nodded, silently agreeing with her. But now that she was out of the powerful and confident guise of the heroine, she could feel her doubts return. "I didn't do so well, did I?"
"Nonsense, Marinette!" Tikki hastily reassured the girl. "It was your first time, so it couldn't be helped if you cannot properly take control of your powers. It will take some getting used to, but I'm sure you will learn fast."
Marinette sighed. "I wished I have the same faith in myself the way you had for me." She looked up at the kwami. "I think you might have chosen wrong…"
Tikki knocked her head with one of her tiny fists, but it was gentle and loving one. "The mere fact that you could transform is undeniable proof that you were meant for this," she said in a rather stern tone. But her smile and voice softened as she regarded the unsure girl before her. "Tell me, would you turn your back, knowing that Alya and the city of Paris needed you?"
Marinette closed her eyes and contemplated on this. Sure, she was scared and had little confidence in herself, but she would never turn her back on people who needed help. Especially if she could do something about it. She recalled Alya's words inside the Akuma and her sense of justice. Finally, she remembered her resolve to change, to turn her luck around this year. She was done with running away, with crying herself to sleep, with pretending that she couldn't do anything. Marinette knew it would take some time but she had to take the first step or the journey would not start. All she needed was a leap of faith.
"You're right, Tikki," said Marinette, opening her eyes, seeing the rising smoke in the horizon. Her precious Paris was in danger and it was up to her to save it. "I will never forgive myself if I ran away."
"I know…" Marinette looked at Tikki, who looked so glad and relieved. "You have a strong light within you, Marinette. I knew it the first time I laid eyes on you - you are destined to become a Pretty Cure."
"Thank you, Tikki." Marinette bumped foreheads with the fairy, a gentle gesture that reaffirmed the bond between chosen and fairy. She knew she still had more things to learn, but with Tikki by her side, she knew she can do anything she set her mind to.
"Are you ready, Tikki?" The kwami nodded. "Then, let's go, we have an Akuma to stop!"
- o - 0 - o -
Luciferin couldn't help the grin forming in his mouth. With the pesky rookie Pretty Cure out of the way, his Akuma was free to rampage and create havoc. He could feel the wrath emanating from the Akuma, as it cleaved its way over the traffic. People were running out of their vehicles and Luciferin enjoyed the chaotic scenery.
He was following the Akuma's warpath and he knew it won't be long before that newbie Pretty Cure will return. Hawk Moth's orders was to make as much chaos as possible, but he was sure his master would be overjoyed if he can bring him a new Miraculous. He waited for the mouse - or the ladybug - to fall into his trap. He even brought the cocoon with the girl with him, levitating just a few feet behind him.
There was a high-pitched shriek and Luciferin watched as the Akuma grabbed a pony-tailed blonde girl, who was hiding behind a limousine. He watched as the girl struggled, screaming something.
"Unhand me you monster!" The girl looked annoyed rather than terrified. "If my father - the mayor - knows about this, he'll sic the entire military on you!"
Oh? Luciferin approached the girl, who kept scrambling uselessly. "Tell me, petite dame, is what you're saying true? Are you the mayor's daughter?"
The brat snorted. "Do you like, live under a rock? Everybody knows I'm Chloé Bourgeois since absolutely everyone adores me." For some reason, Luciferin did not entirely believe that claim. "Help me and my father will pay you anything."
"Ah, but I don't require money, petite dame." He gave her a scathing and cruel look and was delighted at the girl's mortified expression. "But since the Akuma is fixated on your demise, I'll make some use of you, one way or another. Now come, Akuma."
"Noooooo! Daddy, help me!"
The brat's wailings were like music to Luciferin's ears.
- o - 0 - o -
Marinette managed to go down from the roof and exit the building, but noticed that the Akuma had already left. She was lucky the entire structure - which was actually the office of some business enterprise - was practically empty so she didn't have to explain why she was there in the first place. But her luck had soon ran out, there was no sign of the Akuma and the top hat man accompanying it. Alya's cocoon had disappeared, too.
Tikki was once again safely tucked inside her backpack, munching on some cookies that she packed before leaving the house. According to the fairy, kwamis needed nourishment so that the Miraculous could recharge faster.
"Tikki," said Marinette, panting after she ran over the entire street. "I can't see the Akuma anywhere."
"It probably relocated," commented Tikki, though that was quite obvious for Marinette. "I can still feel its energy somewhere in the city. Somewhere north of here."
Well, that was better than nothing, Marinette thought. She got ready to head north when she noticed the news update on the displayed television in the nearby appliance store.
A short-haired female reporter was on the screen. "We are currently in Champ de Mars as the unidentified monster continued its rampage," she said as the camera focused on the Akuma. The Eiffel Tower was in its backdrop, looking tall and beautiful despite the chaos around it. "The monster has kidnapped a young girl and the police had no way of coaxing it down."
"Oh no," whispered Marinette. She looked closely as the camera zoomed at the hostage and she gaped. "Is that… Chloé?!"
Marinette could hear the blonde's pleas of help as the Akuma held her in its grasp. Though Chloé was mean and selfish, she didn't deserve this kind of treatment. Well, she had it coming but Marinette had a job to do and personal feelings needed to be set aside for now.
"Let's go, Marinette," said Tikki. She didn't need to be told twice.
- o - 0 - o -
Police cars surrounded the entire Eiffel Tower while the media tried to recklessly cover the situation. While none tried to come close to the knight-suited monster, it didn't move the whole time it was there, like it was waiting for someone to arrive. Aside from the noisy sirens of the police cars, Chloé's screams pierced through the sky.
"Someone!" Mayor Andre Bourgeois approached the gathered forces. "Someone help my daughter!"
"Dadddddddddy!" The girl's shrieks were starting to grate on Luciferin's nerves as he stood atop the Eiffel Tower, watching the commotion below with the cocoon of the Akuma's host. The brat was not a good hostage with all the wailing and the struggling and he could feel his temper rise. The rookie Pretty Cure was nowhere in sight and patience wasn't one of his virtues.
"Daddy, help me pleaaassssssse!"
"Someone save my daughter!"
The drama was too much for Luciferin. He leaped out of the Tower and landed nimbly in front of the Akuma, silencing both father and daughter from their irritating cries. The police stiffened at his arrival while the media focused on him. Well, he did like some well-deserved attention.
"I am Luciferin," he said. "Loyal servant of Hawk Moth. Citizens of Paris, surrender the Pretty Cure or you will face our wrath!"
As he expected, his proclamation was met with hushed whispers and questions regarding Hawk Moth and the Pretty Cures. But no one was brave enough to confront him, as the police shrunk and the media people content on seeing what will happen next. Cowardice, panic and apathy - such delicious emotions were swirling in the atmosphere and it will only make his master happier.
"Please return my daughter!" The obese mayor was the only one courageous - and foolish - enough to step up, shivering on his pig-like legs.
"Oh." Luciferin acted like he was interested on what the mayor had to say. "And why should I do as you requested?"
"I can pay you!" The mayor was desperate and Luciferin took pleasure on that. "I'm sure I can pay you much better than this Hawk Moth person!"
Luciferin's face contorted with anger and his top hat turned explosive red. "How dare you," he intoned, his features becoming more beast-like that the mayor fell into his knees and crawled backwards. "How dare you insult Hawk Moth!"
"If you want your daughter back that much," he continued, seething in rage as he looked at the Akuma. "Then you can have her corpse back! Akuma!"
No one expected what happened next. With one swift motion, the Akuma threw the blonde girl into the sky. Chloé screamed as she flew into the sky, waving her arms wildly like a demented windmill. The acceleration of the throw was soon lost and she cried loudly as she was falling down into her doom. The people gathered gasped and yelled, but nobody could do anything in time.
There was a flash of red and black and Chloé was torn away from the sky and into the ground. The people gaped as a masked girl in red dress with black spots appeared from nowhere, cradling the crying blonde safely in her arms.
Cure Ladybug sighed as she arrived in just the nick of time to save Chloé, who was trembling and weeping in her arms. "You're safe now," she told her as she let her down. The mayor and the nearby cops were reluctant to join her but she nodded to them and soon the girl was being hugged by her father and escorted out of the premises.
"And so you arrive," Luciferin eyed her, his top hat going back to its normal dark color. "Such heroics. You simply cannot turn your back on someone in grave distress, hmmm?"
"Your rampage ends here, Luciferin." Cure Ladybug's tone was high and clear, all the more for the people around to hear her. "I will defeat your Akuma and save Paris!"
"Big words for a little bug," replied the top-hatted man. "Akuma!"
The knight-like black monster raced towards Cure Ladybug, readying a strike with its sword. She deftly evaded a vertical strike by moving to her right and dodged the succeeding horizontal slash by jumping upwards. She landed on the blade, rushed to the hilt and aimed a kick at the Akuma's butterfly mask, sending it toppling towards Luciferin, who quickly jumped out of the way.
The surrounding people cheered as Cure Ladybug gracefully landed on the ground. Luciferin looked annoyed as he commanded once more. "Crush her, Akuma!"
The monster stood up once more and leaped into the sky. People gasped as the Akuma seemingly soared in the sky but Cure Ladybug was not falling for the same trick twice. She pulled out her yo-yo and thrown it into the jumping monster's direction, wrapping around one of its huge feet. And with all strength she could muster, Cure Ladybug pulled and sent the monster back to the ground, crashing on its back on the open space in front of her. The impact sent dust flying all around, fogging the entire field.
The cheers grew louder as the cameras zoomed on the heroine that battled the monster. Luciferin grew furious as his top hat glowed yellow. "Just who are you?!"
Cure Ladybug was happy to answer the villain's question, making sure that he will remember who she is this time. "The light of fortune that blooms over the land," she claimed as she did a pose. "Cure Ladybug!"
The press grew restless and excited at her proclamation. "Evil being that preys on the weakness of the heart," she continued, as she swiped away the gathering dust in front of her with one hand. "I, Cure Ladybug, will free you from oblivion!"
The cheering grew louder and Luciferin's top hat turned into a burning red. "Akummaaaaaa!"
Luciferin's frustrated howl pierced through the clamor and silenced a few of the gathering crowd. But Cure Ladybug mustered the courage within her and fear could not hold her beating heart. As the monster rose to its master's command, she did not miss a beat and ran towards the abomination, bent on giving the first strike for once.
With a shout of her own, Cure Ladybug placed a well-aimed punch on the Akuma's body, which stiffened as it pressed its feet down. She somersaulted for a kick, but her feet met the monster's raised shield. The sword was pointed to stab at her, but she used the shield as a springboard, jumping out of the way with the strength of her legs. She did a backflip and landed on the ground and leaped once more as the Akuma's blade came crashing down into the concrete. She used the sword as a bridge once more as she raced to the hilt and her fist connected with the butterfly mask once again, which cracked at the collision.
The monster stepped back, howling in pain. Cure Ladybug leaped out of the Akuma's grasp and landed behind it. Tikki's hurried whisper answered the formulating query on her mind. "The butterfly mask! It's what's controlling the Akuma! If you can break it, you'd put it out of commission and it will be the perfect chance for you to purify it for good!"
"Got it!" Cure Ladybug smiled. Tikki's revelation made it clear on what she needed to do and she was going to do it with style. She took out her yo-yo once more and aimed it at the monster's butterfly mask.
But the Akuma was not going to make it easy for her. The monster lifted its shield once more and her attack was easily repelled. Then it moved faster than she anticipated and its sword gleamed as it swiped towards her. There was a clanging sound as the blade hit its mark and Cure Ladybug was catapulted towards the Eiffel Tower.
Cure Ladybug heard two beeps as two dots faded from her ladybug button. She waited for the inevitable impact - for her body to meet the steel of Paris' most iconic landmark. But she was softly lifted out of the air and found herself placed softly on one of the tower's platforms. She turned and met a familiar pair of green eyes.
"Chat Noir!"
The leather-suited cat-man gave her a grin and winked. "It seems like you keep falling into my arms, my lady. Is this love, purr-haps?"
Cure Ladybug gave him an exasperated look. "I'd like to thank you but you're being annoying, so I won't."
"Me-ouch," Chat Noir said as he feigned being hurt. "What happened to the struggling girl from before?" He shook his head. "Kids grow up fast these days."
"Well, shove off, grandpa," she told him, a teasing smirk appearing on her face. "If you didn't notice, I have a job to do." She turned her back to leap out of the tower but a hand on her wrist kept her.
"Wait!" Cure Ladybug turned to the cat-boy with an irritated expression but it faded as she met his serious and pleading gaze. "You don't have to do this," he told her as she gaped at the earnest glint of his emerald eyes. "You can give the Miraculous back - this isn't a burden you need to carry."
Cure Ladybug staggered at this proposition. She thought that maybe Chat Noir was trying something underhanded - since Tikki clearly stated that he cannot be trusted - but he looked sincere and concerned. She could feel that he meant what he said - it felt like she could see his very soul inside his eyes, like he was willing to bare everything to her if she asked. But her sense of duty bubbled inside her and Tikki's words replayed on her mind.
"Tell me, would you turn your back, knowing that Alya and the city of Paris needed you?"
"I can't," she muttered and Chat Noir looked utterly surprised. "I know I'm being unreasonable, that I'm just an ordinary girl trying to be someone else but…"
If Cure Ladybug - and Marinette - had to convince him, then she would tell him her most sincere thoughts. "But I don't want to have regrets," she said simply. "I'm tired of running away, of waiting for others to do the job for me. I was granted the power to protect those who are dear to me and I will not fail those who believed in me." She could hear the people cheering for her name, the same people she promised to protect. "I'm sorry, Chat Noir, but I've made up my mind and there is nothing you can do to change it."
Chat Noir's grip loosened and Cure Ladybug used the opportunity to leap out of the tower and back into the ground, to the people who trusted and cheered for her.
As she fell, her super outfit slowed her descent. She took out her yo-yo and it spun out of her grip and latched unto one of the tower's trusses, giving her leverage to change her direction and momentum. With acrobatic flips and jumps she could only do with her enhanced athletic abilities, she landed safely on the ground next to the Akuma.
The Akuma turned to her, its butterfly mask flashing red. Beside it, Alya's cocoon shimmered while Luciferin gave her a scathing look while pointing towards her. "Akuma, you know what to do!"
The knight moved at once and aimed a swipe with its sword. Instead of dodging, Cure Ladybug held her ground and met the blade with her two hands. The people around her gasped as she pushed the sword back and as she expected, the Akuma lost its footing as it stumbled backward. She did an impressive spinning motion with her body and let the yo-yo zip. One twirl, a second twist and with the third spin, she channeled all the strength inside her and brought the yo-yo down on the Akuma's outstretched blade. With her heightened muscles and the stored energy on the spinning she made, the yo-yo broke the sword into several pieces.
To Cure Ladybug's immense pleasure, Luciferin looked outraged. "How? How did one small yo-yo break the sword?"
"The yo-yo being indestructible helps," she countered as she stepped forward, spinning her yo-yo once more. The Akuma raised its shield and Cure Ladybug pounded on it with repeating strikes from her weapon. True, each attack was deflected each time, but her theory was proven right with the sword's destruction - the shield could only endure too much damage. Her rapid strikes also kept the Akuma on the defensive - the monster was trapped on its own personal bubble of protection. And when a crack fractured on the shield, Cure Ladybug found her opening.
Putting all her strength in one final strike, Cure Ladybug shouted as the yo-yo was brought down on the shield for one final time. The defensive cover was cleaved, the two pieces flying towards opposite directions. And with one twisting motion in mid-air, Cure Ladybug aimed on her target and the yo-yo struck on the butterfly mask, breaking it into a thousand tiny pieces.
Triumphant, Cure Ladybug jumped back as the Akuma fell into its knees. Luciferin screamed in frustration and it was the best thing she had ever heard. But her job was not done as Tikki excitedly quipped inside her mind.
"Now, Cure Ladybug, we have to purify the Akuma! Gather the power inside your weapon and unleash the light within!"
The instructions were vague but Cure Ladybug could feel her instinct and her heart take over. "This purifying light shall grant you good fortune…" she intoned.
She spun the yo-yo with one hand and she could see the scarlet light coming out from her body and collecting into the round object. "Pretty Cure…"
When the yo-yo felt warm with all the light it absorbed, she released it and aimed for the Akuma. "Lucky Charm!"
Cure Ladybug watched as her yo-yo grew into humongous proportions and turn into a gigantic orb of scarlet light. The sphere swallowed the Akuma whole and she could see its body dissipating into the light. Once all the darkness was gone, a manga flopped into the ground and a white butterfly flew from its depths. The orb of light then exploded, turning into swarms of ruby-colored ladybugs, which flew into different directions, fixing all the damage in the city. The last of them spiraled on the purple cocoon and Alya was released, looking confused but otherwise okay.
"Bye-bye, little butterfly!" Cure Ladybug cooed as she took the yo-yo back, looking at the winged insect as it soared back into the sky.
The gathered crowd cheered and Cure Ladybug felt the urge to join them in the celebratory mood. Instead, she contented herself with whispering, "I did it, Tikki!"
Tikki's reply was short and pleasant. "Like I knew you would!"
Cure Ladybug approached the puzzled Alya and the girl gaped at her. She handed over her manga and Alya glanced at it then back to her. The redhead tried to open her mouth to speak…
But their conversation was cut short by a gathering dark cloud beneath the Eiffel Tower. The people shrieked and ran for cover as a the image of a face appeared from the black fog. It was of a man's, with cruel and cold blue eyes and a gray mask almost covering his entire face.
Cure Ladybug watched as Luciferin approached the mirage. "Lord Hawk Moth!"
"Hawk Moth…" So this was the person who brought the darkness over Paris. Cure Ladybug left Alya's side as she approached the villain's image, not noticing that Alya took out her phone to record what was happening.
Hawk Moth's voice was booming yet malicious. "People of Paris, listen carefully. I am Hawk Moth. Cure Ladybug, surrender your Miraculous at once. You've done enough damage to these innocent people!"
"Nice try Hawk Moth, but we know who the bad guy is!" Cure Ladybug faced the apparition, while the people around her found their courage on her words. "Let's not reverse the roles here. Without you, none of these would have happened!"
Luciferin growled at her words. "How dare you speak to my master like that!" With an outstretched claw, he rushed towards the heroine. She easily evaded her enraged assault and sent him flying with one swipe of her yo-yo.
With the commander out of the picture, Cure Ladybug stepped up and fixed Hawk Moth her fiercest glare. "Hawk Moth, no matter how long it takes, I will find you and I will defeat you!" And using her yo-yo, she dispelled the illusion with a well-placed strike.
With the mirage and his master gone, Luciferin stood up and scowled at the heroine. "You haven't seen the last of me, Cure Ladybug! For my master's sake, I will steal your Miraculous!" His top hat expanded and swallowed him before disappearing.
Cure Ladybug sighed; the adrenaline pumping on her body was slowly fading. As the press rushed for an interview, she gave them a reassuring smile and a wave and used her yo-yo to propel her out of the situation.
"Great job, Cure Ladybug," Tikki whispered to her.
"Thanks, Tikki. Now, let's go home." Cure Ladybug pulled her yo-yo and strap it to the next building, swinging her way back to her house. She was looking forward to her bed; this crazy first day of school - and of being a magical heroine of justice - had her spent.
As Cure Ladybug fled the scene, a lone figure stood atop the Eiffel Tower. His cat ears twitched as he saw the heroine disappear in the distance.
"Cure Ladybug," whispered Chat Noir, his melancholy voice fading into the wind.
- o - 0 - o -
When Marinette came home, she was so exhausted that she climbed into her bed and fell asleep at once. She only woke up when her mother called her to dinner and after looting a few cookies for Tikki, she went back to bed once more. Her parents did not question her behavior, attributing it to the headache she mentioned earlier that day. And so it was with her immense pleasure that she woke up quite early the next day.
Marinette arrived at school a few minutes before it started. She quickly entered the classroom and met eyes with Alya. She froze, thinking about her behavior the day before, but the auburn girl gave her a small smile. Encouraged, Marinette smiled back and took her seat beside the girl.
"Marinette," Alya started. "I'm really sorry about yesterday and-"
"It's okay, Alya." Marinette cut her off, flashing the brightest smile on her lips. "I should have stood my ground and not run away."
Alya was surprised at her words, but her expression quickly changed into one of immense pleasure. She offered the other girl her hand. "Friends?"
"Friends!" Marinette agreed as she took the offered hand and shook it.
"Ohhh…" The snide tone was unmistakable as Chloé approached them, her lackey Sabrina just behind her. They were wearing similar haughty looks of superiority as they sneered at the two girls. "What are you two shaking hands for, the loser's coalition?"
Alya opened her mouth for a retort but Marinette beat her to it. "Want to join us, Chloé?" The blonde spluttered at the defiant look on the dark-haired girl's face. "That crying face you showed in television made you more than qualified." Alya's resulting snort gave Marinette more courage and confidence as she gave the bully an unamused stare.
Chloé looked like she had been slapped. She stuttered as she tried to form a comeback. "H-how dare you!"
"Look, Chloé," said Marinette as she stood up and she grinned pleasantly as the blonde suddenly stepped back, as if frightened by her sudden change in attitude. "I may have endured your actions in the past, but there's no way I'm letting you step all over me again. So take your attitude with you and leave us alone!"
An eerie silence penetrated the atmosphere as everyone in the classroom looked in with bated breath. And when Alya cheered, the bubble popped and the rest of the class broke out into a noisy clamor, celebrating Marinette's decision to stand up for herself for once. Chloé stamped her feet and left for her seat, her cheeks flushed a deep, angry red.
Marinette sat back on her seat and was enveloped by a sudden hug from her seat-mate. "That was awesome, girl," said Alya. "You really put Chloé back in her place."
Marinette smiled at her. "Heroines of justice won't put up with such behavior, would they?"
Alya nodded and returned her smile. "No, they won't." Then, she broke out into an excited babble. "Speaking of heroines of justice, I can't believe France has its very own Pretty Cure! Cure Ladybug was her name and she saved me yesterday! She's so unbelievably cool!"
"I'm sure she is," chirped Marinette as she turned and winked at the ladybug-themed doll inside her backpack. Tikki, the kwami, secretly returned the gesture.
- o - 0 - o -
Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle was as busy as it could be. Even in the early morning, airplanes come and go, together with its passengers. The plane from Milan, Italy just recently arrived and its guests were already piling on to the airport.
One of these guests was a young girl of around fifteen years old, with long, cascading and slightly wavy blonde hair. She was wearing a simple white dress with blue ribbons, brown heeled sandals and an aquamarine-colored beret. A pair of dark glasses was over what could be bright green eyes. As a young man in a butler's black uniform tailed her with a trolley full of suitcases, the girl walked to and fro and back and forth, as if she was searching for someone.
"Don't worry, Felice," said the butler, after seeing the girl's worried expression. "He will be here soon."
Felice sighed. "I hope he's not working too hard, Brent."
Brent the butler did not answer; his hesitant look enough for Felice to know what he was thinking about. He wanted to reassure her, but he didn't want to lie as well. She sighed once more, her eyes shifting from person to person, looking for a tall young man with stylish blonde hair and emerald-colored eyes.
And when someone with that profile entered through the door, Felice could feel her smile reach up to her cheeks. "Adrien!"
Adrien Agreste looked up and smiled. He did not move an inch as the girl dashed towards him and put her thin arms over him in a warm, fond embrace. He patted her head as the girl choked, tears probably forming in her eyes. But he knew the exact words she needed to hear.
"Welcome home, little sister."
- o - 0 - o -
Author's Note:
And so, Cure Ladybug's origin story is completed. Next time, we will learn more about Felice Agreste and what her role will be in the grand scheme of things.
I hope the battle scenes were good enough. Pretty Cures fight with their fists and their feet, but I also can't disregard Ladybug's own flair with the yo-yo. Her first attack would definitely be Lucky Charm of course, but I made it into a flashy purifying move instead of its normal use in the series (which will be difficult to portray and implement in a Pretty Cure story). And time limits don't really exist in the PC-verse (minus Cure Ace, but she was special anyway) so I use the old-fashioned too much damage = de-transformation style. Chat Noir is relegated into the Tuxedo Mask stereotype but he will be much more useful and will appear consistently throughout the story. And if the foreshadowing didn't clue you in, he has a very significant role in this fic.
Anyway, adieu for now and see you in the next update. Drop a review or I will forever be trapped in a prison of oblivion. ;-)