WARNING: fight scenes are NOT my thing

Disclaimer: the language used for Alterna's incantations is Vulcan from Star Trek. I thought an 'alien' language would be appropriate.

3. The Show is About to Start

Alterna jumped off head first from the top of the Eiffel Tower and allowed her body to free fall. Her wings propelled her towards the ground. She stopped a meter above the cemented floor floating in mid air before she could make impact.

Lifting her head, she faced Ladybug and Chat who tensed and raised their fists in defense.

"Welcome Lady Creation, Master Destruction," to the heroes surprise and confusion, the Akuma smiled cheerfully and bowed respectively to them. Ladybug jolted when she felt her earrings hum. Was the Akuma addressing their Kwamis?

"As much as I'd like to have this dance with you, I need to be somewhere else. But so long, you can enjoy the show," Alterna said, gesturing towards the big screens that had appeared at the top of the Tower, she sighed, "but of course you aren't just going to stay here quietly."

Ladybug shook her head into focus, now isn't the time to think about how odd the Akuma was. She only had less than 10min to purify the Akuma and could not allow Alterna to leave. She eyed Alterna critically. The Akuma wore an exotic jumpsuit that was midnight blue with hundreds of stars scattered all over. The only object she could see is a maroon crystal necklace. That had to be it.

She shared a glance with Chat before they both sprang into action.

Ladybug threw her yoyo, intending for it to wrap around the Fairy so that Chat could grab the necklace.

Alterna waved her hand upward and whispered an incantation, "terra."

Rock shot up from the ground creating a shield to block the yoyo.

In a flash, she flew into the air out of reach. She aimed her hand toward Chat and whispered again, "salan."

A mighty wind shot out and slammed Chat off his feet so that he flew into Ladybug. The crowd around them gasped and rushed out of the way as the duo rolled into a heap of limbs.

Chat grunted and pushed himself off of Ladybug, "She's strong."

Feeling dizzy, Ladybug stumbled onto her feet as her world righted itself. "Lucky Charm!"

Her pink magic spiraled above her and dropped an object into her hands. Ladybug blinked incredulously at the jetpack.

"Wow bug, your power actually gave us something obvious." Chat said.

It didn't feel right. Ladybug bit her lip. But her powers haven't done her in before. Her eyes searched around for a clue.

Ladybug grew disturbed.

"What's wrong my lady?" Chat asked in concern.

"It's strange, I don't see how I'm supposed to use this." Of all the times for her power to give mixed signals, now really wasn't the time. She glanced at the screens, 5min left. Ladybug's heartbeat increased, her ears started to ring from anxiety.

"Well, it's a jetpack. Maybe you should put it on so that you can fly after her." Chat answered nervously, also well aware of their time.

"And do what? She can blast me out of the sky."

"Then how are we supposed—" Chat was cut off when Ladybug placed a finger over his mouth.

"Shh. Wait Chat. Look." Ladybug pointed to where Alterna was in the sky. The butterfly symbol over her unfocused eyes. Alterna was unknowingly slowly descending. "She's not aware of her surroundings. Now is our chance." Ladybug slipped the jetpack onto her back. "I'm going to fly up there and trap her with my yoyo. Once I drag her down, I need you to get the necklace."

Ladybug switched the jetpack on. She and Chat winced when it made a deafening growl to life. Unfortunately, this interrupted Alterna's argument with Papillon.

"I'll get their Miraculous later." Alterna snapped. She then focused on Ladybug who shot up from the ground and spun in a uncontrolled circle before gaining balance. Alterna of course, already knew the future and what would happen if she didn't properly immobilize the two heroes. Ignoring Ladybug, she flew to Chat and whispered another incantation. "Naf-elakh."

Silver chains spiraled around her like slithering snakes before pouncing at Chat. Chat jumped backwards and dodged three chains. But the next three were too quick. He raised his staff and spun it to shield himself. The chain wrapped around his staff and Chat struggled to hold on.

"Chat!" Ladybug yelled in alarm.

Alterna concentrated more magic and pulled back harder and managed to unarm Chat of his staff. She shot two more chains at Chat which wrapped tightly around him. With Chat Noir's staff in one hand, Alterna turned to Ladybug who flew towards them and threw her yoyo. She deflected Ladybug's yoyo with the staff.

Groaning in frustration from her lack of mobility, Ladybug slipped out of her jetpack onto the ground. She rushed to Chat's side, yoyo spinning at her side. Ladybug has never before felt so helpless in a fight. She felt as is she was on the losing side. Usually her good luck was enough to help them out of a pinch. But Alterna was so unpredictable. So different from any Akuma before her that Ladybug was beginning to wonder if she was an Akuma at all.

"Cataclysm!" the chains around Chat disintegrated into nothing. He stood up at his Lady's side, ready to protect her even though they may be fighting a losing battle. They both only had a few minutes before they detransformed.

"One minute and thirty-five seconds left," Alterna sang.

"Why are you doing this? What do you gain from revealing us?" Ladybug asked in a strained voice.

"Oh this isn't about me." Alterna said, a moment later her eyes clouded over, "this is all about you. Do you know why you were chosen to be Ladybug and Chat Noir?" She waited a beat for an answer but was met with stunned silence, "not just anybody can wield Tikki and Plagg like you do. You have to have just the right spiritual essence. Not only that, but your souls must complement each other. Otherwise you can't work together."

"Who are you?" Chat asked. It's a good thing Chat still had his voice, because Ladybug was sure she lost hers.

"Not important right now. The show is about to begin and I have some business to take care of, but first. Ifis-hali," in a flash they were transported to what looked like a small apartment. "Welcome to Gustave Eiffel, the secret apartment on top of the Eiffel Tower."

Ladybug and Chat looked around, there was a TV screen against the wall showing that there was ten seconds left and a comfy couch in front of it.

"See ya later," Alterna disappeared, leaving the two heroes alone.

AN

The language used for Alterna's incantations is Vulcan from Star Trek.

Translation:

Terra = Earth

Salan = Wind

Naf-elakh = Chain

Ifis-Hali = Transport

The next chapter is Origins part 1. I promise that I won't just transcribe the episodes. I'm open to discussion so please review your thoughts.