Ladybug watched after Calico's back, walking far ahead of the group on their way up to the next floor. She's been keeping her distance ever since Volpino's defeat. Not that Ladybug knows what to say to her anyway. Rena Furtive has explained to her what she learned about the future cat. All the pieces fell into place, starting with the floor boss's name.
Renard Rouge is Blake's name as a Miraculous wielder.
Volpino is Blake's name when he was an akuma.
No wonder Volpino was so confident the future Ladybug's Mirakung-fu wouldn't work on him. Su Han said so himself, Mirakung-fu doesn't work on supervillains created through the magic of the Miraculous.
Then there's Volpino's last words were about danger following those who wield the Miraculous. And their parents having left them behind. Ladybug can't even begin to imagine a life without her parents. All the twins had left were each other. Yet his sister was given the Black Cat Miraculous. He begged his sister not to leave him too…
This was why he got akumatized, isn't it?
It also explains why he considered the future bug's greatest failure was convincing their guardian to let his Chat Noire keep her Miraculous. With the Miraculous back on her, she remained in danger.
She could leave him like his parents did.
And why did the guardian want to take back her Miraculous? Because their Hawkmoth now knew who she is. She's in even more danger than ever.
Their Hawkmoth found out through her brother.
This changes everything she thought she knew about this cat. To think, this whole time, this cat has been carrying such a heavy struggle. She never gave Ladybug any indication of what she's going through. Blair would just smile, flip her hair and say she's got it all under control.
It's what she did when Ladybug asked her if she's alright after Volpino's revealing parting words.
It's what she did when Marinette caught her suffering from qi deficiency.
It's what she did the first night she got stuck here.
Being a convincing liar is something Blair and Lila had in common. The act was there right from the start and Ladybug was blind to it. Through Volpino's eyes, Ladybug got to see beyond the unflappable image this cat projects for everyone to see. She got to see Calico be petty, scared, and brought back from the brink of defeat… Her bug really got under her skin, dragging out those sides of her.
Ladybug swears to never let this cat fool her with her smug façade again.
Up ahead, Calico hasn't slowed down in her ascent in the slightest. She never once looked back as she strode up with a confident bounce to her step.
Is she actually okay or is this another lie?
Rena Furtive said she'd check on her, but Calico's turned off her comms.
"Girl needs help!" Rena Furtive said over the line. "She's definitely putting up a front right now. Please, talk to her for me."
This further emboldened Ladybug on what she wants to do about this.
"I'll make sure she's alright."
Somehow, she'll make things right. Fixing things up is what she's good at. She'll make it up to this cat.
0-0-0-0-0
Crud.
Crud. Crud. Crud. Crud. Crud.
This was her once beyond a lifetime chance to impress her brightest role model! Just when Ladybug finally let up and accepted her… It was everything she wanted out of the legendary heroine, but at what cost?
"Wait up!"
Right on cue. Her idol swung up the stairs and landed a few steps ahead of her. Carapace and Ryuko were far behind them. Calico took her chance while they have no audience.
"How much did you see?"
"Nothing bad."
Calico frowned. "I'm gonna need you to be more specific than that. Just… Please, tell me what you know."
Ladybug caved and so she elaborated with her rubber face and wavy noodly arms. It turns out, Volpino mostly showed Ladybug what's going on with them on the hero side of things. He didn't linger too much on Blair… But it was still enough to show Ladybug things aren't going all that well in the future. Blake got akumatized. Blair's identity is discovered by Hawkmoth. Her bug is doing his best to keep things together despite everything around them falling apart.
This made Ladybug worried.
This is so NOT the impression she wanted to give.
"What he showed me helped me see you in a different light," Ladybug reassured. "I-I was wrong to yell at you earlier. I'm sorry! None of this is your fault! You were only doing your best to help. You're just… so different from what I expected and I misjudged your actions… I'm so sorry about, well, everything that happened to you. I can't imagine… It must've been hard."
On top of what Volpino showed her, Ladybug definitely heard Volpino's parting words. The more Calico thought about it, the more Calico wanted to jump off this tower and run.
This was supposed to be her only chance to have complete control over people's perceptions of her! No one has to know she's an orphan and feel sorry for her. No one has to know she's become a liability to her Ladybug. No one has to know what she doesn't want them to. For once, she could rebuild her image into the way she's always wanted it to be: a strong and capable hero that can be trusted.
"But it doesn't have to stay that way," Ladybug looked at her like a stray in desperate need of shelter from the rain. "You may not be able to interfere with the present, but that doesn't mean we can't help you come up with something you can take with you to the future. You don't have to deal with it alone. Let me help you."
Now, Ladybug probably just sees her as a charity case. A pitiful, helpless girl who isn't cut out to be a hero and this legendary bug hero has to clean up after her.
"But I'm fine as can be. Things aren't as bad as that Volpino clone made it out to be," Calico kept her face devoid of her inner turmoil. She stepped around Ladybug and climbed up the stairs as fast as she could without looking back.
But just like Bugsy, Ladybug didn't give up easily when it comes to helping others. As if to deliver the final blow on her beaten up pride, Ladybug said:
"You don't have to lie anymore!"
Calico flinched in place.
So, Ladybug thinks everything she's ever said and done – her display of strength, her cunning, her competence – was a big fat lie!? Calico wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. She failed epically! Just like that, her hopes were dashed and the one silver lining to her predicament has disappeared.
When left with no choice, she does what she does best: distract and deflect.
"Oh, look! It's the door to the next floor! I'm gonna go scout ahead! Byeeeeee~," Calico jumped ahead.
… That excuse was almost Shizuke levels bad. Whatever. She closed her eyes. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Just five minutes of peace. Five minutes to sort herself out and refocus on the task ahead.
Just keep.
Moving.
FORWARD.
How Calico reacts to things is the one thing in her life she could always control. No matter where she goes, she can always count on herse-
"Calico! Look out!"
Solid ground disappeared under her feet. Calico would've met a gruesome end on the pitfall's spikey bottom had Ladybug's yoyo not tied itself around her ankle and fished her back up.
0-0-0-0-0
Carapace and Ryuko finally got to the third floor, just in time to see Ladybug pulling Calico up from a pit fall trap. Ladybug tried to offer her a hand up but Calico ignored it in favor of hoisting herself up.
"I meant to do that," Calico had the audacity to say like it's the truth. Crossing her arms behind her head, she ever so casually looked over the pitfall and whistled. "That's one less trap to worry about.~"
Ladybug shot her a wry look.
Carapace could sympathize, but he also gets why Calico is being like this. Before Ladybug could start another intervention, he patted Ladybug on the shoulder and guided her away from Calico. It's just him, her and probably Rena Furtive on the other end of the comm in Ladybug's ear. Carapace had no doubt his girlfriend either urged Ladybug to get Calico to open up or was supportive of Ladybug wanting to do the same. Those two are cut from the same cloth. They are women of action.
"I totally get you want to make sure she's okay, but like, I think you should give the girl some space," Carapace let out a sigh, rubbing a hand behind his head. "It ain't easy talking about a lost parent, let alone two…"
Adrien is in the same boat after all. Nino has known the dude for almost a year now, yet he's never opened up about his mother to him. Everything he knew, he got from the tabloids. Even during Adrien's mother's death anniversary, he chose to be alone with his father. If Adrien isn't comfortable talking about it to his best friend, then Calico is understandably not cool about it.
To his relief, Ladybug considered his words and accepted his advice easily. He let out a nervous breath as Ladybug made her way back to the front.
0-0-0-0-0
As much as Ladybug would want to make sure Calico's alright, she's gonna have to take Carapace's call on this one. Calico's already shutting her out so badly she didn't notice she's already at the third floor and fell into its first trap. Helping the poor cat make contingency plans on how to handle her Hawkmoth for when she returns to her time? That can wait for now.
"How could you be so distracted as to walk into a trap?" Ryuko said in a tone that's more concerned than her stoicness would suggest.
"Could you blame me for checking out my bug's floor?~" Calico cheerfully replied. She looked around the area and let out a whistle. "It's just so shiny.~"
There she goes, changing the subject. Ladybug had to admit, this floor is shiny. The last floors were an earthy cave labyrinth with the cavern of crystals towards the end and a foggy wintery forest set at night. In contrast, the third floor is set indoors of an ancient castle.
Golden treasures and armory lined the floor and decorated the stone walls and ceiling.
Also different from the other floors, this one is just one long, tall hallway. No turns, no doors, no windows. Just one path with the floor boss's door standing at the end. The tapestry embroidered with the Ladybug Miraculous' emblem draped over the tall wooden door says it all. Three small chandeliers lined the hallway, each with a golden key hanging right under.
Ladybug looked down at the pitfall trap Calico triggered, then back at the seemingly empty hallway.
"It's a trap. All of it."
Gamer 3.0 took that as his cue to show up, his hologram floating over the pitfall Calico almost fell in.
"Astute observation as always, Ladybug," said Gamer 3.0. "I've decided to do away with the maze and make this an obstacle course."
The hologram proceeds to explain the challenge for this floor. There is no mini boss to fight. The whole floor itself might as well count as a mini boss with everything in it being a trap. They just gotta charge past all that somehow, grab the keys, and get through the floor boss's door.
"A straight and narrow path we have to bulldoze through. This challenge has Bugsy's name written all over it," Calico snickered.
"Once you start, there is no turning back," there was a grumbling noise echoing behind them. "Your challenge starts now."
Gamer 3.0 vanished just as the door behind them opened to reveal a giant round boulder rolling towards them.
When he said there was no going back, he meant it.
"RUN!"
0-0-0-0-0
This floor's challenge was hardcore. Every other tile sprung a trap. Arrows and darts flew everywhere. Axes swung from above. Fire spewed out of paintings. Suits of armor attacked them. The works.
Carapace made full use of his shield. Calico did her best to slow down the boulder behind them with her baton. Ryuko took down every animated armor that came to life. It was chaos!
They somehow managed to get through it without using any of their powers. Calico is the most frustrated one of them all because her unlimited Cataclysm would've been so handy for this but she's only got one real shot. With the upcoming boss ahead, they're gonna need cram as many tricks as they could in their sleeves.
By the time they're at the boss's door, everyone's HP bar has taken a blow. Ryuko and Carapace are still in the green zone at around 80%. Calico is in the yellow zone at 60%. And Ladybug…
"Ladybug, whatever happens in the fight, I think you should step aside," Calico scrutinized the stupid bar above Ladybug's head. "Your HP bar is halved, and my bug is a scary good fighter."
Carapace stared at Ladybug's HP bar in shame. This wouldn't be a problem if she didn't insist they use the Honey Cure on him.
"The more of you there, the better your odds against him. You guys are no pushovers either. There is strength in numbers," Ladybug said pointedly at Carapace, trying to ease his guilt. "Besides, I don't have to be in the middle of the fight to help out."
Ryuko and Carapace's eyes glint with determination. While Calico is smirking as smugly as ever at her. Is she being for real or is she feigning confidence again?
Before Ladybug could ask Calico about the other bug, the slab of floor they were standing on sprung them through the door, forcing them to start the boss fight without any preparations from Calico.
Boss music blared around them as the room lit up with the sconces on the walls and the chandeliers above. Much like the deadly hallway that led them here, the boss room is designed like a castle fortress decorated with golden ornaments. There were plenty of pillars holding the room together, draped with crimson tapestries that had the Ladybug symbol embroidered on them.
Up on a throne stood the same ladybug boy from Volpino's illusions… Ladybug is suddenly very grateful to Volpino. She's not walking in completely blind thanks to him.
He approached them with a strong and steady gait of a trained fighter. It reminds Ladybug of Su Han. But there was one thing off about him from Volpino's illusions.
"Calico, why are his eyes glowing pink?" Ladybug asked.
Not just glowing pink, but his pupils are heart shaped.
"Chat Noire!" the other bug yelled, glaring at them with his glowing pink heart eyes. "I don't care how many allies you bring to your side! You will not stop me from saving Dark Venus!"
Everyone but Calico was dumb founded. Dark Venus? Wait a second… Ladybug remembers one of the memories Volpino showed: The one where the future bug got hit by a cupid-based akuma and was brainwashed into fighting his partner. Calico was particularly frazzled in that memory.
At present, Calico was cringing.
"… I'm guessing it's because the bosses are based on how I remember them when I fought them?"
Without a warning, the future bug threw his yoyo at them – he was aiming at Ladybug.
Ryuko intercepts with her sword and proceeded to charge at him.
0-0-0-0-0
"If it's a challenge you want, you're gonna find it with my Ladybug. He practices a martial art that specializes in neutralizing Miraculous wielders."
Ryuko kept in mind what Calico told her about the future's ladybug as she launched a chain of attacks at him with lightning speed. Let's see what he's got.
The other bug didn't budge from where he stood and blocked every single one of her strikes with the yoyo in his hand. It's like he knew the exact points she'd hit and reacted accordingly.
Just as Ryuko's attack frenzy was wearing down, the other bug pulled out his yoyo string to a short length. In quick succession, he managed to tangle her sword hand in his strings, disarm her, kick away her sword, and Judo throw her over his shoulder. Ryuko was staring up at the ceiling, disoriented with all that happening in a second.
The other bug eyed the Miraculous around her throat with recognition.
"The Dragon Miraculous? Here? Tsurugi-san, is that you?"
How does he - never mind. He's from the future and Ryuko's identity is hardly a secret.
This is when Carapace and Calico attacked him on both sides.
The other bug flings Ryuko at Carapace and side-stepped Calico. The cat twisted her body around to swing her extended staff at him, but the bug bent over backwards to dodge. He did a backflip before throwing his yoyo at Calico, their weapons tangled up together.
"Watch out everyone! Don't let him grab you!" Calico yelled over her shoulder as she struggled against her bug, evading his swipes.
The other two heroes got up and rejoined the fray. But no matter how hard the three of them tried, the other bug keeps seeing their attacks coming and kept foiling them. It doesn't matter where they were. Get too close and he'll get them locked in a hold. Get too far and he'll drag them back to him with his yoyo. The best they could do was to disrupt him before he could get their Miraculous and get away until someone else gets caught and the cycle repeats itself.
To say this bug would be a challenge was an understatement.
This is what Calico meant by this bug specializing in neutralizing other Miraculous holders. Based on Kagami's vast knowledge of multiple martial arts, courtesy of her mother, Ryuko recognizes many of the other bug's fighting stances.
"His base martial art is Judo," Ryuko stated within Calico's earshot.
"Yup," Calico said as she dodged a swipe from the other bug, ignoring all his yelling. "Ladybug's specialty is grappling you with an iron grip, throwing you off balance and pinning you down!"
"Seiryoku-Zenyo. It means to use energy efficiently to maximum effect."
Carapace charged at the other bug with his shield ready to bash him. The other bug responded by grabbing him by the wrist and using Carapace's momentum to flip him over. In a threatening voice, he asked him where they're hiding this Dark Venus person.
"Such as using your opponent's force against them," Calico added as she came to Carapace's rescue by attacking the other bug. "Turning defense into offense in one go."
Kagami had that philosophy engraved into her mind from a young age. Her mother insisted she be able to fend for herself with or without her sword. Judo was at the top of the list of martial arts she had to learn alongside the art of the sword. In real life, one can never determine the sort of opponent you will face. But with Judo, height, weight and strength difference matters very little. It's all about using flexibility, momentum, and balance to bridge the gap. Even a girl with her slight build can stand a chance against a grown man if she plays her timing right.
Ryuko followed after Calico to back her up. Calico continued her explanation once she was within earshot.
"Combined with reading your opponent's next moves and that yoyo to expand his range, it makes Bugsy almost unbeatable in combat."
0-0-0-0-0
Ladybug thought Su Han was a tough opponent. At least he was limited in range. This future bug has come far from the clumsy bug who got tangled up in his own yoyo strings. This is the fruit of his labor.
The other bug pulled Calico back to him with his yoyo when she tried to put some distance between them.
Ryuko came to her rescue, only to get disarmed again. This time, the other bug threw her sword to the ceiling so hard, it remained embedded there.
Only the timely interference of Carapace stopped the other bug from taking Ryuko's Miraculous. Again.
Strength in numbers was the right call. He can take them down easily in a one-on-one but if another kept intervening, there's always a chance to get back up… But they can't keep this up forever. While he has yet to take any of their Miraculous, they have yet to dent his defenses either. He's gonna wear them down eventually. Whether it's because the real bug had stamina to spare or because he's just made of data, the boss bug hasn't broken a sweat. Neither has his HP bar.
This is what a real guardian-trained Ladybug should be like.
No. This is not the time to think like that. Focus!
Careful to stay out of the other bug's sight, Ladybug considered her surroundings, seeing if there's anything of use.
A plan starts to form in her head.
She asked Rena Furtive to call her once the floor boss stands on a certain spot. That's when Ladybug can get what she needs to end this.
0-0-0-0-0
"Had enough yet?" the other bug asked the three tired Miraculous holders. He swung his yoyo round and round like a shield as he approached them. In a dangerous tone, he said, "I can do this all day."
Calico had the audacity to snort because it was a "superhero reference". Ryuko and Carapace shot her a wry look. This may be a different cat, but her sense of humor is just a different kind of bad.
This is bad.
Ryuko's disarmed. Carapace is worn down. Not even Calico could land a hit.
All this time, the other bug kept pace with them but never overstrained himself. He stayed calm in the middle of a storm. He deflected everything they threw at him. Not once has this bug gone all out yet. Seiryoku-Zenyo, indeed.
"Surrender your Miraculous, tell me where your Ladybug is and I promise to let you go unharmed!" the other ladybug tried to negotiate, knowing full well he has the advantage.
There was a flash of red flying around the columns accompanied by a familiar zipping sound. A loud crack and the stone columns and ceiling fell on the other bug. A cloud of dust obscured everyone's visions.
Calico grabbed Ryuko and Carapace to hide behind some of the ruins with calm, grinning Ladybug.
"Calico, listen carefully. I got a plan."
That's when Ryuko knew.
It's only a matter of time before checkmate.
The earth shook.
The debris that buried the bug collapsed in on itself as a drill spun itself out of the hill, shooting up in the air before he stops.
It was the other ladybug, but his suit is different. Spiky earthen armor and a drill attached to his arm retracted into his gauntlet. A new form?
The other bug spotted them immediately.
0-0-0-0-0
"We'll buy you some time," Carapace puffed up his chest in confidence. He pointed at himself with his thumb while his other hand tapped Ryuko by the shoulder. "Between me and Ryuko, surely we can buy you a minute or two."
"Sure," Calico failed to grin with confidence.
Carapace deflated.
The sound of a zipping yoyo was their only warning before Bugsy swung down to where they were.
"There you are!" the floor boss threw his yoyo at the group.
Ryuko got caught in it. Bug tried to yank her towards him, but Ryuko dug her heel to the ground to stall.
"We don't have much of a choice," Ryuko said with a grunt. "We're counting on you two."
The boss bug's strength proved to be too much for Ryuko and she was sent flying towards him.
"Water Dragon!"
Ryuko melted into a puddle, freed from the bug's grasp. The bug hero was momentarily caught off guard.
With an overzealous battle cry, Carapace charged at Bugsy, shield raised to bash.
Bug boy ducked at the last second and snatched his wrist, twisting it around to reveal the Turtle Miraculous.
"I'll be taking this!"
Before he could do so, he froze.
A powerful jet of water hurtled golden weapons and treasures towards them.
Bug pulled Carapace around to use his shield to protect them both.
Ryuko didn't give up on her barrage of gold and tried again at a different angle.
Seeing this, Carapace dropped his shield and kicked it away. He was willing to take the friendly fire so long as the bug gets hit with him.
A drill formed around Bugsy's fist, scrapping the floor up to form a stone wall, blocking her attacks. The water dragon didn't hesitate to charge at it in an attempt to break through and make the wall fall on him.
The other bug anticipated this.
He thrust his drill into the stone wall, crushing the stone to create fine powder that fell like a wave on Ryuko, weighing her down into a pile of quickly stiffening mud. It forced her to revert to solid form to get out of that clay situation. Her HP bar has been reduced to the red zone.
"Now to take back your Miraculous to where it belongs!" said the other bug.
Carapace swallowed. This bug had him pinned down. He could do nothing but close his eyes, waiting for game over.
Crack!
Calico batted the other bug off Carapace.
The other bug didn't bother to fight her for his hold on Carapace. His attention was elsewhere.
From behind a pillar, Ladybug jumped out holding up her Lucky Charm – a folded cloth in her signature colors.
"Time to show you what a REAL Ladybug can do!" Ladybug taunted, making a move to unfold it.
"Not if I stop you first!"
The other bug summoned his own Lucky Charm – a hunter's bolas. Aiming low, he ensnared Ladybug from the hips down, causing her to fall to the ground. Her Lucky Charm fell away from her grasp.
"No!" Carapace couldn't help but yell, tired and disarmed as he was on the floor. This is just like him in the last floor: power spent and minutes numbered until it's game over!
"I can't believe I won!" the other bug cheerfully yelped before remembering the fight isn't over.
There was still one last party member standing.
Calico stood between the two ladybugs; her staff pointed to her partner's chest.
"How's about one last spar? For old times' sake?" Calico said with an unfazed smirk.
The other bug's features hardened. "You're on!"
0-0-0-0-0
The battle between the future Ladybug and Chat Noire was as intense as one can expect. Calico was doing pretty well keeping up with his every move. He's just an amalgamation of everything she knew about her partner. Nothing more. And yet…
"When are you gonna use your Cataclysm? Think you can beat me without it?!" Bugsy yelled as he fended off all of Calico's attacks.
"I swear," Calico grunted as she ducked under the bug's yoyo. "I'm giving it my all."
Even though this is a mere echo of her real partner, she has to approach him with caution. With her Cataclysm only allowed to destroy one thing in this cursed tower, she can't shoot it off willy nilly like she usually does. The only upside to this situation is there's hardly anything from the boy behind his mask that he could use to surprise her.
"Since when do you give your all in anything?!" the floor boss slammed his drill into the floor, cracking and loosening the tiles beneath their feet.
Calico stabbed her staff into the ground to stabilize her footing.
"You're just a selfish cat who'd prioritize herself over others!"
His words stung. He wasn't wrong, that's how she was like before. And that sparked a conflict between them that tore apart their partnership in their first month together.
"It's never too late to learn to do better," Calico replied with a rueful smile. "You taught me that."
Her bug's eyes glowed pink, emphasizing his heart shaped pupils.
"Then prove how unselfish you've become by letting me save Dark Venus! She's out there somewhere… Who knows what Hawkmoth would do to her if I don't get the Miraculous! She'll hurt her more than she already did! Please! Isn't she your friend behind that mask?"
Calico blocked out those horrible memories. That was a long time ago and Hawkmoth hasn't targeted Talia again. A voice that sounded an awful lot like her twin brother felt the need to tack on a "yet".
"It's all the more reason for me not to give up," Calico said, devoid of emotion.
This only made the lovestruck bug angrier, making him more aggressive.
"I should've expected as much. Clinging to what power you got instead of giving it up for the greater good. You're hardly a hero!"
Calico pretended that didn't hurt.
Rena Furtive signaled through her comm.
"You should know that me quitting would only lead to a Cataclysm!"
It felt like an eternity since she felt that familiar chaotic energy surging through her.
Her bug made use of his terra suit's drill to send debris flying her way. Calico met his attempt by twirling her staff around to shield her. A cloud of dust formed from their clashing attacks.
A yoyo wrapped around her wrist and yanked her forward. Knowing her bug, he's planning to make her waste it.
All according to plan.
Another yoyo wrapped around Bugsy's gauntlet, preventing him from using his drill. On the other end of the yoyo string was…
"You won't be claiming anyone's Miraculous!" shouted Ryuko.
"We'll see about that!"
The other bug pulled her towards him but Ryuko dug her heels into the floor. To help her out, Calico held on tightly to the yoyo wrapped around her wrist and pulled the other way. Bugsy stood firm between them, feet literally planted to the floor thanks to his terra suit. That's fine.
A ladybug patterned bolas was thrown high into the air.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug called from somewhere unseen.
A swarm of Ladybugs flew everywhere fixing everything, completely reshaping the desecrated battle field – such as rebuilding a column standing tall right in front of the floor boss.
Carapace bodyslammed the other bug into the pillar, freeing his feet from the ground. Ryuko and Calico made a mad dash around the pillar, wrapping the two yoyo chords around Bugsy and the pillar.
"I won't let it end like this!"
Stubborn to the bitter end, Bugsy retracted his yoyo to pull Calico towards him. It was probably a last ditch move aiming to make her Cataclysm the pillar. That's her bug, alright.
Calico let her hand touch the pillar… except nothing happened. Bugsy was dumbfounded. With careful claws under his chin, Calico delicately turned his head to face her.
"How did you-"
"It's okay, Bugsy. Sometimes, even I forget I can turn it off too," Calico bopped him on the nose before stepping away from him.
"… I should've known," the other bug scowled.
Shutting down Cataclysm was the very first skill Adrien's manual taught her before she was given access to the rest of it. It was just dumb luck she looked into her copy of Cataclysm for Dummies on her baton for tricks when she tried to insist on contributing to Ladybug's genius plan just now. What can she say? She's looking for a way to impress her idol. She hoped for a cool move but the first page that greeted her was 'How to Cancel Cataclysm'. She sure took this skill for granted.
Calico doubts her bug would've forgotten. The floor boss was right. He should've known.
He… he knows her. Arguably, better than anyone. Not even her twin understood her the way he does. It's both heavy yet freeing to have a person like that in her life.
If it were the real thing here, would he have made different choices than the clone made up of her memories? Their plan hinged on what he'd do if Calico were to use Cataclysm. Wouldn't he not waste efforts in trying to get her to use it up and instead act more cautious?
Calico shook her head. It was futile to think of what-ifs and what-could've-beens. Just be glad it's not her real partner they fought and move on.
With her bug fully restrained with Carapace and Ryuko holding out either of his wrists, Ladybug picked off his earrings. The mirror image of her partner vanished into the game code.
Ladybug came down to meet with the rest of her team and they all cheered.
The obligatory CONGRATULATIOINS flashed above.
It was finally over.
That last bit where it's just one move after another…
It was clever of Ladybug to provoke Bugsy into playing right into her palms.
"Mirakung-fu isn't the only way to predict an opponent's next move. Sometimes, you just gotta goad them into it," Ladybug folded a tapestry until all Calico could see is the ladybug symbol's spots.
First, she goaded Bugsy into using Lucky Charm by making him believe she summoned hers as well. Fight fire with fire. Classic. And as for anticipating the kind of Lucky Charm the floor boss would summon…
"I'm glad I sat through Volpino's illusion show. I'm sure whatever your bug gets, it'll either be something defensive or something to restrain me with. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he just doesn't seem like the sort who likes oversized swords," Ladybug snickered to herself, to which Calico could only raise a brow.
And she was right. That's how a lot of Calico's bug's plans tend to go. He was never a fan of hurting others, especially not akuma victims. What a softie. It's amazing how Ladybug had him pegged in such a short amount of time.
"You know him best. I'm sure you would know how we can get the right reaction out of him," Ladybug slapped a sticky note on her yoyo and gave it to Calico. "Get this to Ryuko. While you find a way to provoke him into lassoing you."
"I can do that," Calico said, her thumb hovering over her staff's phone button.
What better way to get her bug to lasso her than to use Cataclysm? Seiryoku-Zenyo and all that – he'd want to eliminate that threat as soon as possible by redirecting it. Except that's what Ladybug would want him to do.
There's so many other holes Ladybug exploited from Bugsy's fighting style. Staying out of his range until the very last second. Restraining his arms in opposite directions. Sudden changes in the environment – who knew Ladybugs can trigger the miraculous cure through a bootleg Lucky Charm?
That Miraculous Ladybug restored everyone's HP bars to the way they were before they fought her bug, along with their weapons, giving everyone the heroic second wind they needed to finish off the floor boss. Now, they're all in much better shape than when they started.
It was incredible to watch Ladybug completely turn around what looked like a hopeless situation. She didn't let the odds break her, she persevered. She thought things through until nothing can bite back at her no matter how powerful they are. She snatched back control the minute she had it all figured out and everything fell into place. Calico can see how this girl grew into the legend she knew her as. That shine will continue to grow into a beacon of hope the world will look up to like a brilliant star.
This is why Blair looks up to her.
This is exactly the kind of person Blair wants to be.
The kind of hero Blair wants to be.
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On the way up to the next and final floor, the whole party was in good spirits from their latest victory. However, a certain bug was still concerned over a certain cat.
"With what you did back there, think you can still Cataclysm something for the next round?" Ladybug asked, examining Calico's Cataclysm hand.
Curious, but holding back. Ladybug won't ask for specifics. She's not supposed to pry too much into the future… but she can already guess why such a skill would exist.
Chaton never wanted to hurt anyone with his Cataclysm.
This is why Chat Blanc was so horrifying to Ladybug.
"Well, Gamer 3.0 did say I can destroy one thing here permanently. So far, I haven't destroyed anything yet so I think I'm good."
"Hah!" Carapace cheered. "Now that's a Cataclysm, two Lucky Charms, a Mirage, a Shellter, and two thirds of the dragon power... We got this tower in the bag!"
"The odds are in our favor with the many moves at our disposal," Ryuko agreed in a calmer manner. "Who will we fight next?"
"Moi," Calico answered at the same time Carapace said, "The mean turtle lady."
Calico burst out laughing at the moniker while Carapace chuckled good naturedly.
"I guess a mentor can count as a team mate," Calico said in between laughs.
It turns out, that's the nickname some other future person stuck in this tower called Calico's guardian, Master Hisui. Her full hero name was "Hisuikame".
"Uh… How much can I know about her that wouldn't count as a spoiler?" Ladybug nervously asked.
Guardians, from her experience, are tough and unyielding. They barely survived the Ladybug with proper guardian training last time… How much harder can a full-fledged guardian be to beat?
"If it's based on what I know about her like the rest of my team, then probably a fair bit. It's probably not her, though," Calico said, much to Ladybug's relief.
Calico explained her theories on how the floor bosses' AI operates. They are based on what she personally knew about them and how they respond in a fight is based on how they reacted when she fought against them. Be it in a sparring ring, as an akuma or brainwashed by an akuma… the result is a mixture whichever happened. The more she knew about them, the more competent they are.
Hisuikame however, they've never really fought. She gave instructions and critique, but never sparred nor was ever caught in an akuma's clutches. Sure, even in her advanced age, Calico expects her to be a willy opponent. But she doesn't know how. It's just like how Calico believes her real partner would've remembered she can cancel Cataclysm even though she forgot – and so the floor boss forgot like she did. If Calico doesn't know, neither would they.
There's not enough memories to base a proper floor boss on Master Hisui. At least, that's Calico's theory.
"There's only four of us on the team. If it's not her, it's probably me…"
The rest of the team shuddered at the thought.
If a floor boss's competency is based on Calico's knowledge, then a floor boss based on herself would be more challenging than the past few bosses.
Well, this is a disaster. Either a fully trained guardian Hisuikame or Calico awaits them at the end. They're just gonna have to power through this.
0-0-0-0-0
To their surprise, the next floor didn't open to another challenge. It went straight into the final boss's room.
The room was a minimalist black with glowing green lines forming grids all over. There weren't any props to take advantage of like in Bugsy's floor, nor an annoying muddy terrain to trudge through like in Twinsie's floor. It was a plain flat floor with the one exception being this elevated throne.
"You've finally made it," Gamer 3.0 sneered from his throne.
"So, it's your floor," Calico asked, relieved. His color scheme fits. Whatever he has can't possibly be worse than her.
"Correct," Gamer 3.0 stood from his throne. "Who better to be the final boss than someone who can play every role of your team. It's amusing to me how well they fit the standard RPG party archetypes."
Each step he took down from the throne, he took a form of one of Calico's teammates.
"You've got a supportive cleric," he twirled as Princess Honey, making the ruffles on her skirt flutter as he did.
"A tricky rogue," he said as Renard Rouge, rather than Volpino, twirling his flute. The trench coat look gives off a more subdued impression than the heroic skintight suit.
"A strong warrior," he said as Ladybug. Gamer 3.0 stopped at the bottom of the steps to flex with Bugsy's athletic build, sweeping a hand over his dark blue hair before doing yoyo tricks. "I did not anticipate this from a Ladybug. He's got a surprising amount of strength and stamina stats in contrast to the Ladybug I'm familiar with."
Gamer 3.0 grinned at Calico. "There's also you, the offensive powerhouse. The mage. If I were fighting any other team, I would've chosen to play as you. Mages are fun. But I have to play it safe."
"But that's not all, isn't it?" Ladybug swung her yoyo in anticipation.
Something green flew over their heads. Whatever it was, it ricocheted off the walls, building momentum before striking down Ladybug's group.
Carapace fell back from the impact when he intercepted. Some of his HP got taken out.
The green object bounced off the shield and flew into the waiting hand of a lean, muscular figure standing back at the throne.
"Four against one is hardly fair, even if that one is a boss."
The figure with the athletic build made his way down, revealing himself. He donned dark green suit with pieces of armor and cloths that made his outfit a mishmash of a samurai, a ninja and a monk. The shield reattached to a gauntlet. The bottom half of his face is covered with a mask and his dark blue hair was swept back, exposing his angry brown eyes which were further emphasized with red eye makeup.
Calico's eyes widen in recognition. Cold sweat trickled down her throat. No way.
"He's not a team mate."
"But you wished he was," Gamer 3.0 said.
The future temporary turtle hero stopped by Gamer 3.0's side.
"It took me some time to manually reprogram him to see you all as his enemies while seeing me as you, Calico. I ran numbers on all your teammates. Statistically speaking, he is the best I could've chosen to be my assistant boss."
When the turtle's eyes zeroed in on Calico, the turtle glared at her with the intensity of three suns.
"Pavonis," he growled. "How dare you… And you call yourself a hero?!"
Calico's ears folded back at him. This much animosity directed at her… he was never this mad at her. He was only ever this mad for her.
Ladybug and the rest of the team were shooting Calico concerned looks. No, don't look at her like that.
Not waiting another second, the turtle threw his shield at them. Calico side-stepped the shield and was just in time to block a hook from the snappy turtle.
"I'll take him!" Calico said before the others can jump into the fray. "Take care of the akuma!"
Carapace threw his shield at Gamer 3.0 only for it to be stopped by a green force field. Shellter. The other turtle may be busy fighting Calico, but he never stopped guarding Gamer 3.0.
"Between how protective he was of you and how determined he was to beat his enemies… He's the perfect tank. I can see why you wanted to recruit him. If only he didn't expose his identity on his first day."
That day… It was her birthday. There was supposed to be a party. For the first time since her identity got exposed to Hawkmoth, Blair was gonna relax and enjoy the day with her family and friends… and him.
But instead, Hawkmoth attacked. Pavonis came back only to help Hawkmoth take her family and use them against her.
Worst of all, he got taken hostage.
The guardian found her hiding in the dumpster.
But where's her haori? Her cane? Her feet were bloody from running around without footwear. Her eyes were rimmed red from tears she forcefully wiped away. Shaky, bony hands placed a jade turtle bracelet onto Chat Noire's claws.
"Blair Crawford, here is the Miraculous of the Turtle which grants the power of Protection. You will use it to save my grandson. Can I please trust you?"
Blair decided at the time, instead of unifying with the turtle, she'd smuggle it off onto Shizuke so he can save himself. He did amazingly well for a newbie – which figures. He's the guardian's grandson. Who knows what kind of training the guardian snuck into his upbringing. It's unfortunate he had no choice but to transform in public lest he end up going the way Gwen Stacy did. He would've made a fine addition to the team.
With so much going on, he didn't bother giving himself a name that time.
Keagan ended up tagging him with the name, "Midorikame".
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Cataclysm for Dummies: Chapter 0
Basically, how to call off Cataclysm. When done before breaking the one-use timer, this wouldn't stop the wielder's timer from running out as the energy used to cast Cataclysm was already spent. It's a safety precaution for all Black Cat Wielders. Adrien made it a requirement to learn before unlocking the rest of his manual. It's something he always regretted about himself, how he used to recklessly use Cataclysm. Upon his Lady finally confiding in him about Chat Blanc, Adrien took it upon himself to never be like that. Ever. So long as he could help it. Hence, this technique was born. It may not completely solve things, but it's always good to know no one can ever force him to Cataclysm anything against his will if he can put it out.
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Enhancement Potions
Not only do they help a Miraculous Holder adapt to any terrain, they can no give the wielder some degree of elemental control. It's still no match to, say, the dragon's water dragon form, or an actual elemental mage, but it's still a handy upgrade.