"It's great we're all back together again. Honestly I can't picture doing something like a high stakes treasure hunt without you guys." Hope said.
"Yes, it certainly has been a while." Ace said as he was sporting a new outfit, which was an open top shoulder long sleeve white and black shirt along with black pants that had a hip pouch attached on the left leg and a cloth with his symbol draped on the right, a leather glove on the right hand, and a large leather multi belt wristband on the left wrist, while still having his signature air goggles and pendant.
"We were just finished with exams too, so we're ready to kick off our summer vacation with a bang!" David said.
"I'm glad you're fired up David. Even though August has just started." Hope said.
"So, you went through your final exams, huh? How did you do?" Valfor asked.
"I'm ranked 15th out of the whole school. Sachiko is number 9." David said.
"Whoa… We got some brainiacs over here!" Zamazenta said.
"It was all thanks to the tutoring Leopardmon and I gave." Crusadermon said.
"No kidding. Your tamer is top of the class." Gallantmon said.
"I think we better make up for lost ground ourselves." Rayleigh said. "Give these guys too much legroom, and they'll end up outpacing us."
"Are you kidding? We heard about how you guys helped defeat Zenos Road just a couple weeks ago." Vashyron said. "That battle at Tigenhoff made the Multiversal Economic Journals papers."
"For a lot of different reasons, Vashyron." Glacius said. "Anyway, even before that, we were taking a bit of a trip through the Future Universe. It was quite refreshing, to be honest."
"The Future Universe… You guys have been making quite the mark there lately, have you?" Miu asked.
"We sure have. First with the Bloody Valentine Wars, and now the Algo system." Jessica said.
"Just goes to show that people have different stomping grounds for making waves." Miu said.
"Yeah, Connor would agree. He's been busy himself, what with his last job. He tore down the corrupt infrastructure of Vandelay Technologies, and stopped their CEO from using an AI that would control their consumers' minds so they could buy what they wanted."
"Easily the stupidest evil scheme we've ever heard." Catra said.
"Yeah, very lacking in the logic department." Mayumi said.
"The Universal Villains come up with schemes better than that. Speaking of, it's no surprise they are active and going after something Miraculous related." Hope said.
"Uh, get us up t'speed here, most of us new guys to this Ladybug girl don't really know anything about what goes on with this whole Miraculous Stuff." Peacock said.
"Alright, basically Miraculous are pieces of jewelry imbued with a being known as a Kwami that grants the user magical powers. Ladybug being one of the users." Mari explained.
"Gabriel Agreste is a mogul in the fashion industry, but behind the scenes, we found out he's a villain named Hawk Moth. He uses the Butterfly Miraculous to create akumas, granting powers to those who have negativity in their hearts so they can do his bidding. And what he's really after are two Miraculous in particular: Ladybug and Cat Noirs."
"The reason why he wants them is his wife's coma. He hopes that gathering them both would bring her back." Raine said.
"See, if you put both the Miraculous of Creation and Destruction together, apparently, the one who does can have one wish granted. Dragonball Stuff." Flamberge said. "Gabriel wants them so he can wish for his wife to recover."
"But there's a cost to making said wish." Ace said.
"In exchange for one life, another's taken." 2B said.
"In his case… Most likely his own." Leopardmon said.
"But the thing he doesn't realize is, Cat Noir is Hawk Moth's son." Dynasmon said.
"Well, duh. Of course he doesn't. Otherwise, what's the point in keeping it a secret from him?" Captain Cold asked.
"Yeah… Finding out could break Cat Noir beyond belief. We found that out the hard way." David said.
"Yeesh…" Peacock said. "So what's the story with this Prodigious thingy? You guys ever heard of it?"
"Not that we know of, records of Miraculous never mention anything about a Prodigious." Adora said.
"The Universal Villains must know something if they asked Theodore about it." Gohan said.
"After the whole Heroes' Day bit, things with Hawk Moth have been getting a bit dicey lately." David said. "Ah, speaking of which… Are you guys gonna be okay being here?" he asked Reformed Society. "I don't mean any offense when I say this, but… You guys don't have the best reputation around these parts."
"Don't worry, Ishihara. We'll be fine." Cheetah said.
"Still, it's been a while since we went on a full-blown journey with you guys. Not since you broke off from us in the Tokyo Olympics." David said. "I hope you guys haven't gotten rusty."
"Don't worry, we knocked the rust off while we were fighting Zenos and his goons." Captain Cold assured.
"Then be prepared to shine when the fighting starts. We're approaching the Miraculous World in the Hero Universe." Mark said.
In another flight, a certain group of villains were riding.
"Did you get the time checked out, Nathalie?" Gabriel asked.
"All the conditions necessary for the Magical Eclipse will be met tomorrow as planned." Nathalie replied from a computer link.
"Excellent. You know, I wasn't sure about this whole magical jewelry thing but now I am amped." Flux said.
"And it's going to be all ours." DaDan said.
"Please, masters, think! It is for good reason that the Prodigious was abandoned in favor of the Miraculous! It was secured in that cave because it is too powerful, too dangerous!" Nooroo spoke up.
"Duh, Nooroo! Why do you think we're going to steal it?" DaDan snickered.
"What does this thing even do exactly? Ain't it just like those other jewels you're after, Gabe?" Spinel asked.
"The Prodigious is the predecessor of the Miraculous. Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous have been holding me in check for too long. I won't pass on an opportunity to destroy them with this higher power. What I started 15 years ago I will finish tomorrow. At last…" Gabriel said.
"You've been at this for 15 years? Okay, that's kinda a red flag there." Ian said.
"Calling the kettle black there, Ian. How long has Amadeus been at this gig for exactly?" Boba Fett asked.
"Since that fool Jexi was a little kid. I tried to abduct the Wisps, he ruins my first scheme single handedly." Flux said.
"That's all in the past." Techno spoke up. "Once we have the Prodigious, we can begin to look to the future. Photon, start scanning the city for magical signatures."
"Of course." Photon said, getting to work.
"By the way, Flux, did you do that thing I asked?" Techno asked.
"Yes. I have them tied up and secured in the plane's luggage. You know it wasn't easy to capture those crazy people." Flux said. "If they ditch you again, you're recollecting them yourself next time."
"Of course." Techno promised. "Hopefully, we can come to an agreement soon. But for now…we have a miracle to obtain."
It wasn't long before the Galaxy King touched down at Shanghai's city limits, hiding the ship in a bamboo forest not too far off.
"Alright. Let's go sightseeing. Hopefully we can find Ladybug and Cat Noir and catch them up." Hope said.
"Uh, I just have one question." Scorpia said. "Who's gonna watch Sleeping Beauty while we're in the city?"
"We'll do it." Nesma said. "Like David said, we don't have the best reputation in these parts. So, it's for the best that we stay out of sight."
"We'll stay with Cheetah and her crew." Bismuth volunteered as Peridot was with her. "If she does wake up, we'll bring her up to speed."
"So, where do we start looking for Ladybug and Cat Noir? We know their identities, so it shouldn't be a problem looking." Flamberge said
"Wait, Marinette's uncle lives here in Shanghai right? Maybe his restaurant would be a good place to start." Al said.
"Yeah. I think he said it was called the Thousand Delights." Twilight said.
"Sounds like a good place to start as any. Cheetah, you and your crew stay put on the ship and watch the girl. Don't let anyone suspicious come near her." David said.
"Of course. After all, for all we know, Amadeus asked Theodore about her as well. A Divine Dragon would be something he simply can't ignore." Cheetah said.
"Alright, then we're off. Bismuth, Peridot, make sure you can find out anything more about her. And stay alert if there's trouble." Hope said as the other teams disembarked.
"Will do!" Bismuth smirked.
"Bring us back plenty of Chinese Delicacies!" Peridot called.
Soon enough, in the streets of Shanghai…
The group was walking through the city streets, looking for the Thousand Delights restaurant while taking in the city scenery.
"Whoa… so China's gonna look like this after a couple centuries?" Lei K asked, looking at all the modern buildings.
"Yeah. Shanghai is one of the largest cities in all of China." Ranma said.
"Surprisingly, Shanghai is not China's capital, despite it being a global financial hub." David said. "Yeah, this place is where all the rich people come to hang out."
"In short…a place we'd never thought we'd be in ten years ago." Double D remarked. "It's quite fascinating how life can turn out, isn't it?"
"It's pretty cool that Marinette's uncle owns a restaurant in this place." Mark said. "We should try and eat there if we get the chance."
"Yeah, we heard he's a really nice guy who cooks like a champ… when he's not using his food to kill people while Akumatized." Zephyr said.
"Damn that Hawk Moth, is nothing sacred to him?" Saber asked.
"If it doesn't involve his job, his kid, or getting his wife back, then no, it's probably not." Eddy replied.
"Wang was only akumatized because Chloe tampered with his food." Mari said. "Selfish girl…"
The group continued on before seeing a scene up ahead where a familiar girl was surrounded by the local people.
"Uh…you all are so nice but…" Marinette said.
"Marinette." Elisabeth called.
"Huh? Oh, guys!" Marinette said. "Finally, some people I can actually understand."
"These guys giving you trouble?" Vashyron asked as they came up to the secret superhero.
"Uh…not…quite. See…my purse got…stolen." Marinette said.
"STOLEN!?" the group said in shock.
"Yeah. My phone, my earrings, my Kwagatama, Tikki…they were all in there." Marinette said.
"And you've been having trouble finding your way around the city looking for whoever snatched your purse because you don't speak a lick of Mandarin." Sakura said.
"Pretty much." Marinette aid.
"Well we can help you look for them." Baril said.
"Thanks. I could really use the help right about now." Marinette said as they headed out. "So, what brings you guys to Shanghai?"
"Long story. We'll fill you in on the way." Jexi said.
"Got it. Sorry I haven't been around much, school comes first." Marinette said. "Wish I could've been there to help you guys out with Theodore and the Elite a couple weeks ago."
"They had it handled." Hope said.
"Yeah, the UEJ reported as much. Morgans really told the story." Marinette said.
"Yeah, but right now, we need to get your purse back. Personal belongings are one thing, but Tikki and your Miraculous are in there. And not to freak you out, but the Universal Villains are here in Shanghai." Ochako said.
"What?! I can't let them get their hands on Tikki!" Marinette shrieked silently, looking on the verge of a panic attack.
"Breathe, Mari-Bug, breathe. We'll get her back." Scarlet Fist assured her, helping the girl to calm down. "Alright, think back: when did you notice your items were gone?"
"A few hours ago. I've been looking since then." the girl answered.
"Okay…did you happen to bump into anyone, or were you involved with any altercations before then?"
"I did see a girl getting chased. I think it was around that time." Marinette said.
"Could you tell what she was wearing?"
"She came by so fast, I couldn't get a good look…I think she was wearing a black open jacket though." Marinette said.
"Okay…guess its a start." Jexi said as they headed off.