Chapter Thirty-Nine
Panthera Cataclysmed their way into the basement.
They knew there was an elevator somewhere– Plagg had told them that much, but there was no time to go searching the giant manor. Instead Ladybug had used their map of the catacombs and where they had found the basement wall to estimate their way in, before flying down into the rubble as cement and flooring caved into the hidden crypt below, not sure what was going to come charging at her while Panthera went to recharge.
She had to recharge once, while Panthera had done so twice already– and they had yet to even see Hawk Moth himself.
Dust rose about Ladybug as she landed, clouding her view of the basement. She raised her hand as she coughed, and spotted a figure rushing towards her from among the debris, and she spun her yoyo about to act as a shield, blocking the incoming Venom from Mellifera. The weapon forced the Bee holder to fly upwards, her wing beats scattering the remaining particles of dust outwards.
A dark shape pounced right onto Mellifera as she rose up– Panthera's claws digging into the woman. Mellifera let out a hiss, twisting about midair to force her off. Panthera fell, but easily landed on her feet, grabbing her baton in the same motion. Ladybug gave her a nod, eyes scanning about the room, ready for Hawk Moth to come attacking.
"Ah, Ladybug. Panthera," Hawk Moth's, Gabriel Agreste's, voice said as the dust began to settle. "I was wondering if you were going to show up. I thought identities were still intact, but I knew better than to underestimate you two. It's not just anyone who can last so long against my akumas, after all."
"Is that what you say to help yourself sleep at night?" Panthera sneered, leveling her baton towards him.
"Let me introduce you to my wife," Hawk Moth said, laying a palm a white pod he stood near. "Blue Wing's mother, forever trapped in status. I was wondering if perhaps you'd be willing to bring her back to us, for him? We don't have to fight like this."
Ladybug knew that Hawk Moth had no reason to try to play nice, so she whipped around to scan the room. She saw a flash of gold flying towards them, and she lashed out with her yoyo without a second thought. The golden bee of Sting was immediately snapped inside as she did with the akuma butterflies, rendering it harmless before it could Sting one of them.
"We've long passed that point, Hawk Moth," Ladybug said quietly. "If you truly wanted peace, you'd give us your Miraculouses right now."
"I believe that was going to be my line," Hawk Moth said, as if he hadn't had Millefera try to take away their very free will. He drew his sword from his cane, stepping out in front of the white pod. "But if you don't want peace, then I'll be taking those Miraculouses now."
Ladybug felt her wings snap open, and she flew straight at Hawk Moth, yoyo spinning. She knew just how powerful the man was, yes– but all the times they had faced him before ended with his sudden retreat. That would not be happening this time, as there was nowhere for him to flee too, no mask that sheltered him. This was his final retreat, and he was cornered here.
And like a cornered animal, there was only desperation as he lashed out. He sprang to meet her, weapon being slashed down upon her. The suit protected her from the cutting edge, but the force of the blow sent her flying off away from the platform, careening into the cement wall. Thin wings beat furiously to lift her back into the air, keeping her from falling into the water below.
Panthera came charging at him from behind, and Hawk Moth turned to take on the new threat. Ladybug was unable to join her, as Mellifera was flying forward to engage her. Ladybug let her wings carry her upwards, making sure to keep the Bee holder's focus solely on her. It swiftly became an acrobatic chase, a loud hum in the air as insect wings buzzed– each diving and swooping about each other, unable to get close without the zip of their weapons forcing the other back. The trompo came far too close one too many times, and if she got entangled in its grasp she knew she would be fodder for a Venom.
Neither made an escape for the hole in the ceiling– both seemingly not wanting to leave their partner behind. Every time they came to a pause from their aerial dance Ladybug's eyes would lock on the Bee Miraculous that was tucked into Mellifera's hair. It seemed so easy, just the thought of flying over and plucking it out, but drawing close was exactly what Mellifera was waiting for– activating her Venom anytime the Ladybug swooped near her.
Panthera wasn't able to get the same luxury of having the entire room to fight in– her and Hawk Moth limited to the metal walkways that crossed about the room. She was able to leap up onto the railings and barriers, easily able to keep balance as Hawk Moth swung his sword down at her, darting out of the way– but he was the one gaining ground. Pushing Panthera farther back, forcing her to be purely on the defensive as he ruthlessly swung his blade down onto her.
Had this been an akuma fight, there would have been so many directions they could have gone to turn the odds in their favor. Cataclysm the platform and force Hawk Moth into the water below. A Lucky Charm that would perhaps let her entangle Mellifera's wings– but neither heroes had dared summon their powers now that they were within the basement. Walls enclosed them on every side, and there was no city for them to escape into while their timer counted down. Any moment Panthera spent trying to climb for the hole in the ceiling would just be a moment she could be attacked from behind, and if Ladybug flew up Mellifera would be right behind her.
And she'd be leaving Alya to fight Hawk Moth alone– which she would never do.
They had the magic of their suits to protect them, to enhance their strength and speed– but that was all they had. Any activation of their powers would lose them their one defense, and leave them exposed. Ladybug had seen what Hawk Moth's blade had done to Nino while transformed, and she didn't want to imagine what it would do without any magic to protect them.
That's when she realized that out of all of them, Mellifera was the only one using their powers.
Hawk Moth had yet to summon an akuma butterfly– not one to seek out an ally to strengthen the numbers to his favor, nor even to Mellifera to empower her further. There was not even a sentimonster down here fighting nor helping guard the upstairs, even though they could have very easily forced one to be created with Blue Wing trapped under the effects of Sting.
Or perhaps, they already had created them.
"Panthera!" She cried as she wove through the air. "We need to be ready for–"
She didn't get to finish her sentence, Hawk Moth bashing the head of his cane into Panthera's stomach, sending her flying across the platform. Everything in Ladybug screamed to rush to her, to cover her partner before Hawk Moth could progress, but the buzz of Mellifera's wings reminded her that she couldn't turn her back on her own fight.
Panthera landed among roots that surrounded the pod where Blue Wing's mother rested. She groaned, raising her baton in preparation for Hawk Moth to bear down on her now that she was grounded, but the man wasn't coming towards her. Ladybug's eyes flickered from Hawk Moth, who was still standing back, to Mellifera– who too drew had drifted back in the air.
Then the white pod burst open, a dark slick mass lurching out where Ladybug had been expecting a body to be resting. Everything in her froze as the strange morphing blob lashed out, bringing Panthera into its grasp.
"No!" Ladybug shouted, diving down. The sentimonster had a tight grasp on Panthera, twisting about her, as if trying to draw her in. Ladybug landed on the walkway, desperately running towards her partner, ready to rip the strange being away from her.
She was tackled before she could reach Panthera, who was now completely engulfed by the sentimonster, and Ladybug began thrashing, determined to break free of the one holding her back, only pausing for a moment when she caught a glimpse of the one who was clinging to her– Silver Paw.
"Let me go!" She screamed at him. She had to get to Alya, she had to reach her before that thing consumed her, how dare he hold back, how dare he–!
Then the sentimonster suddenly retreated, pulling back towards the white pod, leaving Panthera laying on the platform. She pushed herself up, taking in a desperate gasp– and with a final furious push Ladybug was able to pull free of Silver Paw, racing down across the metal platform and to her fallen partner, helping her to her feet.
Something of the sentimonster remained on her, however– slick and pulsing as it clung to her neck. Ladybug reached for it, trying to pull the remains from off of her, but her fingers slid right across it– where it seamlessly met her skin. Ladybug's eyes widened in horror, and Panthera looked up at her with wide yellow eyes.
"What did you do to her?" Ladybug snarled, whipping towards Hawk Moth, who had a terrifying gleam in his eyes, but he didn't answer. "What did you do?!"
"Ladybug– get away from there!" Silver Paw cried, a shadow falling over her in the same moment. Silver Paw was cut off as Mellifera dove towards him, and Ladybug turned to find that the morph that had attacked Alya was back. Panthera pulled herself between the two of them as it lunged forward.
She grabbed Panthera, wings snapping open as she tried to carry them both into the air. The sentimonster managed to latch onto her leg as she attempted to escape, seeming to anchor her as she desperately tried to get away. Her wings buzzed, Panthera clutching her tightly as they slowly rose higher into the air. The globule sentimonster seemed to be stretching, losing its grip on her. With a final pull upwards she burst free, zipping up towards the ceiling.
"Ladybug," Panthera whispered in worry, and she looked down to find that she hadn't completely pulled free from the sentimonster– a mass of form wrapped around her ankle. It pulsed and writhed, before slowly making its way up her leg.
She landed near the elevator, the metal walkway rattling under them as they stumbled to a stop. Panthera pulled herself out of her arms, part of the sentimonster still clinging to her neck. It seemed to be affecting her breathing, ragged and uneven as she looked at Ladybug in worry. The blob that had been clinging to her was now inching past her hip, and she tried to rip it away– the mass instantly jumping to cling to her hand instead, crawling up her arm.
"Don't let it touch your skin!" Panthera cried, but the morph had already reached her shoulder and up to her neck, where her protective suit ended and exposed skin began. The sentimonster instantly clung to her skin, up her neck and across her cheek as it began to latch itself into place. Just like with Panthera it seemed to be drawn into her very skin– leaving no difference between it and the mass as she clawed at her face in a desperate attempt to pull it away.
Her head spun, and the magical energy surging through her didn't seem quite as strong as it had before.
"No!" Silver Paw roared. "Let them go!"
"You know, I think this is fitting," Hawk Moth said with a chuckle, hands on his cane as he watched them. "Watching you two heroes slowly die... it will be very satisfying indeed."
"What did you do?" She spat through gritted teeth, as her limbs felt just a bit heavier as she rose to her feet.
"Me?" Hawk Moth asked, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, I did nothing. Leech, however, is just my son's last creation with the Peacock, its powers heightened by what will be my final akuma. All Leech claims will slowly have their life drained from them, and restored to my beautiful Emilie."
"Wh-what?" Panthera whispered.
"It's on Blue Wing too!" Silver Paw cried, the fury in his voice clear, but it didn't hide the waver. "It– it won't let him leave, he can't leave, it's going to drain him... it's going to drain you..." His breathing had grown ragged, and Silver Paw turned towards Hawk Moth, eyes desperate. "Let them go, you're going to kill them– let them go!"
"You all have been a constant thorn in my side," Hawk Moth replied, unfazed. His wild eyes remained locked straight on Ladybug and Panthera, watching as Leech pulsed against them. "You are all going to die here today, 'heroes'! You will pay for getting in my way!"
Ladybug's heart raced as she took in these words, fear climbing up her throat as the realization fully settled upon her. She could feel her energy fading by the moment, but it wasn't energy. She wasn't growing tired– her very life was being drawn from her– she was slowly being killed.
Panthera's hand grabbed hers tightly, and together the two of them pulled themselves to their feet. Limbs felt heavy, pain echoing from where Leech had taken root on her face. Hawk Moth stood near the white pod, which Leech had retreated back into. Seemingly lingering near Emilie Agreste's form, transferring the life it stole onto her. Mellifera had landed on one of the railings, watching as Silver Paw slowly approached Hawk Moth.
The amok, they had to find where the amok was... they had to destroy it before... before...
"Let them go," Silver Paw said once more, not from a desperate fear this time– but instead his eyes locked straight on Hawk Moth. "You... you don't need all of them to bring her back, r-right? Adrien's not going to be enough with the state he's in, so... so take me instead."
Hawk Moth seemed surprised at this, raising an eyebrow as Silver Paw continued drawing closer. He pulled back one of the sleeves of his coat, revealing the skin of his arm to the man.
"Use my life force to bring your wife back," Silver Paw said quietly. "And have Leech let the others go."
Hawk Moth drew his sword from his cane. "What? So the real you can attack, you think this illusion can fool me?"
He lunged forward, slashing at Silver Paw with the blade, clearly expecting it to vanish as the illusions did when struck– but instead the sword hit Silver Paw in the side, knocking him across the platform and among the roots that surrounded the pod. He let out a pained gasp, but forced himself to sit up.
"If you truly want your wife back, then let the others go," Silver said, eyes locked straight on Hawk Moth. "And use my life instead."
"Don't you dare, Nino!" Panthera snarled.
"We have to find the amok," Ladybug whispered, eyes desperately scanning Hawk Moth. "One of them must be controlling it right now– one of them has to have it!"
"Well, if you insist," Hawk Moth said, eyes narrowed right at Silver Paw. "Then there's no need to resist, hmm?"
Once more Leech burst out from the white pod, and this time Ladybug was able to catch a glimpse of the resting form under the sentimonster– Emilie Agreste laying there peacefully, as if she were merely asleep. She knew that sleep could not describe the woman if it was a broken Miraculous that had put her in that state, however– her body would be weakened, perhaps shattered. Organs failing, the state of the Miraculous having been carved into her very form.
"Nino, run!" Ladybug called as Leech moved away from Emilie, oozing its way past Hawk Moth and to Silver Paw. The boy didn't even make an attempt to stand, however, just holding out his exposed wrist as the sentimonster drew closer. Marinette could only desperately hope that this was an illusion, her and Panthera supporting each other as they moved forward.
Mellifera turned towards them, trompo in hand, and Panthera aimed her baton at the woman, as if daring her to come closer. Ladybug's wings buzzed against her back, wanting to take to the air, but she couldn't get them to beat fast enough. Instead they buzzed and twitched away her as Leech lunged for Silver Paw, wrapping around his hand in an instant.
The sentimonster instantly retreated, as if expecting a counter attack immediately, but nothing came. Instead the mass that clung to Nino instantly coiled around his wrist, fusing itself with his exposed skin. Silver Paw let out a gasp, clutching his hand to his chest, but Ladybug was sure it was already as deeply rooted as it was to her and Panthera.
"Let the others go," Silver Paw whispered, breathing heavily as he sat there. "Let them go now, you have me."
"I do indeed have you," Hawk Moth said. "And I will happily watch you perish right alongside the others, Nino Lahiffe."
Eyes widened at these words, and Ladybug hated the fact that she couldn't even be surprised. She clung to Panthera, who was clinging to the railing, both still under the watchful gaze of Mellifera. The woman was eyeing them, as if waiting for something. If she had the energy to, she would have been wary– but she could only muster desperation.
Amok. I have to find the amok.
Silver Paw was on his feet, even with Leech beginning to sap away his lifeforce. He charged forward, flute raised over his head, which was easily parried by Hawk Moth's blade as he stepped out of the way. He was unconcerned, eyes gleaming triumphantly, but they couldn't let that stay. The amok, they amok, surely Hawk Moth was the one that had it, who was guiding the sentimonster's every movement, the mass lunging forward towards Silver Paw once more, wrapping around him in the same way it had Panthera.
"No!" Panthera cried.
Silver Paw wasn't going to let himself be dragged away, however, having wedged his flute between the railing of the platform, and was desperately hanging onto it Leech tried to pull him back. Its grip didn't seem strong enough, however, slowly peeling away from him. Hawk Moth was watching the struggle, seeming amused– and Ladybug decided to rush him before she grew weaker.
She pulled away from Panthera, feet slamming against the platform as she ran, putting all her energy to move forward. It wasn't fast enough, however, Hawk Moth turning as he heard the thundering of her footsteps. She threw her yoyo, and he raised his cane, letting the wire wrap around the blade. Had it only been minutes before she would have had the strength to rip the weapon from his hands– but instead Hawk Moth used it to yank her forward, Ladybug stumbling and falling down at Hawk Moth's feet.
She was just grateful to see Silver Paw retreating from Leech– having been able to escape its grasp.
"Someone needs those wings clipped," Hawk Moth murmured as he let the wire from the yoyo fall off of his cane– before raising the blade overhead.
"Let go of the Ladybug!" A voice cried from above, causing Hawk Moth to pause for a moment.
Gazes turned upwards, watching as a graceful figure jumped down from the hole in the ceiling straight down towards Hawk Moth. The man pulled back, eyeing the new opponent as they landed, a fan in hand.
For a moment, Ladybug thought it was Blue Wing– blonde hair, blue outfit, Peacock brooch pinned to their chest. Blazing blue eyes flashed about the room, the girl locking eyes at her for a moment, before her gaze landed on Hawk Moth, who had move back towards Leech. The girl held the fan out in front of her, a small tremble in her stance as she glared down at the terrorist.
Hawk Moth stared at the newcomer for a moment, blinking. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Your downfall!" She shouted. "It's what you get for hurting my Adrikins, you bastard!"
Hawk Moth looked even more confused, and slightly impatient. It was Mellifera who broke the silence, looking at the new Peacock holder in surprise. "Chloe?"
"It's Sapphire Wing to you!" Chloe screeched, before charging straight at Hawk Moth with her fan raised overhead.
Sapphire Wing's costume definitely matched what Ladybug would expect from Chloe. A bright brilliant blue dress, the same shade as her eyes, laced with small gems. She had no wings, but instead silk stripes of cloth extended from her wrist to her waist, almost giving an illusion of such. Even if she were not a perfect welder for Emotion, the expression on her face was clear– a pure unbridled fury, fueled by pure desperation.
Hawk Moth held his sword, ready to attack the new threat. He moved swiftly, raising the weapon up as he bore down onto Chloe. A burst of green light filled the room, the sword rebounding off of the newly formed Shell-ter, Sapphire Wing standing inside of the dome. All eyes drifted upwards once more, where a Turtle holder was clinging near the edge, weakly holding onto a shield aimed straight at Sapphire Wing.
"Blue!" Silver cried.
"Blue Scute– get out of here!" Sapphire Wing snapped. "I told you that I'd handle this!"
Blue Scute glanced down at them, and with the state he was in Ladybug had no idea how he had managed to drag himself from the entrance, his arm visibly trembling to keep his shield up, its weight pulling him ever so slightly towards tumbling into the Cataclysmed hole.
Mellifera's eyes flickered up for a moment, narrowing on Blue Scute. Ladybug didn't like the expression she was seeing, and with her fading strength she lunged forward. She was instantly blocked by a spinning trompo, but it was enough to draw the villain's attention away from Blue, who looked like he could barely keep himself up. Yet not long ago he had been fighting under the influence of Sting, even with Leech sapping what little remained of his life. It had been mind control, but if Blue had been able to stand and fight in his state, she had no excuse. Pink wings flared up, flapping furiously. It took all of Ladybug's concentration, but slowly her feet left the platform below.
"No, both of you shouldn't be here!" Silver Paw was calling. "I told Duusu to run, I told her to get away."
"No, you told Duusu to go get help," Sapphire Wing snapped. "And I'm helping!"
"Gabriel," Mellifera spoke, her carefully composed expression shifting. "Break through the Shell-ter, get the–"
Ladybug cut her off by crashing right into her.
Ladybug and Mellifera tumbled off of the railing, falling straight into the canal below. The water was freezing as they plunged into it, and she could feel Mellifera thrashing against her. Ladybug released the woman, pushing herself away so she wouldn't be pulled down further. She twisted herself so she was swimming up towards the light, trying to ignore the mass that pulsed on her face, which made every movement heavy.
As she breached the surface of the water Ladybug snapped her wings open, surging up with the last of her strength, and putting all of her power into her wings. They beat furiously, her form weighted down by water and sheer exhaustion, but that didn't stop her from rising up into the air, sending a spray of water as she rocketed up towards the fight.
"You have to release the amok, Chloe!" Blue Scute was calling above. "You can sense where the feather is, you have to–"
Ladybug wasn't the only one to have escaped the water, however, Mellifera having surfaced shortly after. Her eyes locked up on Blue far above, narrowing. She raised her trompo, sending it flying upwards. The top pulled free of the string, spiraling up towards Blue in a fury. He managed to shift his shield slightly to keep the weapon from directly striking him, but the force of the blow was enough to throw off what little balance he had left– and he began to fall into the crypt below.
Ladybug knew that she couldn't stop his fall, not in this weakened state, but that didn't stop her from flying up. Her arms wrapped around the falling Blue just as her wings seemed to give out, the two of them spiraling down towards the ground. She clutched them tightly, hoping that between her and the magic they'd be able to protect Blue in his fragile state. They never hit the platform, however, as Ladybug found herself being wrapped in a warm embrace. Silver Paw groaned as he held both of them, shuddering as he landed with both of them in tow, having taken the brunt of the fall. He set them down, breathing heavily. She could see Leech twisting about his wrist, steadily seeping his life from him. From all of them.
Hawk Moth was furiously beating on the Shell-ter that covered Sapphire Wing, attempting to break through what would have been an unbreakable shield at any other time. But now Blue Scute was lying still on the platform, having seemingly gone unconscious during the fall. His timer was beeping, and Ladybug was not surprised to see cracks appearing in the Shell-ter that stood between Hawk Moth and the Peacock Miraculous.
"I– I don't know how!" Sapphire Wing choked out, having retreated to the back of the Shell-ter as Hawk Moth slashed at it. Her fury was still there, but it was fear that was creeping up onto her face now.
Silver Paw and Panthera's gaze desperately fell towards Ladybug– but she did not possess the knowledge on what it was like to wield the Peacock. The only one who did was out cold, taking in shallow breaths. Silver Paw wrapped his arms around Blue, pulling him into his lap, cradling his head. Panthera had attempted to move forward to drive Hawk Moth away from the Shell-ter, but Mellifera had reclaimed her trompo, and stood in front of the Butterfly with a Venom ready to sting whoever came near.
All of them had been claimed by Leech, save for Sapphire Wing– who had no experience and a broken Miraculous on her chest. Sapphire Wing let out a scream as the cracks of the Shell-ter widened, the tip of Hawk Moth's sword having begun to piece through the shield, who pulled back to strike again.
"Chloe, you have to release the amok– or else we're going to die!" Ladybug cried, and she knew it was cruel to place it all on the shoulders of one who had never been in battle, but she was there only chance.
Sapphire Wing closed her eyes, flinching as Hawk Moth's sword swung about again, once more piercing the shield. Sapphire Wing clutched the Miraculous on her chest, one hand held out. Her consciousness being plunged into the plane of Emotions. How it felt taking them in with a broken Miraculous, Ladybug did not know, but there was only instinct and Duusu to guide Chloe now.
A feather fell from Sapphire's fan the same moment Hawk Moth swung his sword once more– the Shell-ter shattering just as a new avatar formed.
The feathered being stood protectively in front of Sapphire Wing, talons curled, flames sparking from its wrists and ankles. Hawk Moth looked up at the creature with wide eyes, which instantly moved forward at blazing speeds, slamming its knee straight into Hawk Moth's gut, sending him staggering back.
"You insolent little–" Hawk Moth snarled as he hunched over, but the Blaziken pulled back a curled fist, punching Hawk Moth straight in the face.
The man was able to recover from the blow, but was barely able to raise his sword to block the next strike from the Pokemon. The avatar easily dodged his slash, continuing to press the man. Sapphire Wing used the moment to retreat, slipping past Mellifera and running down the walkway towards where the others had gathered.
"Adrien?" She croaked, looking down at Blue Scute, whose timer was beeping. The boy didn't move, and tears stung her eyes. "Adrikins– wake up!"
"Chloe, there's a sentimonster that's draining our lifeforce," Ladybug said, pointing to the mass that clung to her face. "You have the power to destroy it by removing the amok."
"It's leeching off of Blue as well," Silver Paw said desperately. "He's– he's already been weakened by magic, I don't think he can– can last–"
Tears were falling down Sapphire Wing's face. "I– I don't know how. I don't know how."
"Chloe, calm down," Panthera said, stepping forward, hands wrapping Sapphire's. "Look at me, okay? That Blaziken you summoned, you can sense it, right?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Can you sense where the feather you used to make it went?" she asked.
"M-my fan," Sapphire whispered. "It's in my fan, it was drawn back into the fan–"
"Okay, good," Panthera said softly. "Then you know what the connection feels like. I need you to find another one just like it, it should be nearby. Either on Hawk Moth or Mellifera, can you do that?"
Chloe closed her eyes, apparently reaching out. The sound of Hawk Moth and the Blaziken clashing echoed through the room, but all eyes were on Sapphire Wing. She clung to Panthera desperately as she did so, and in that moment Panthera's gentle expression fell– her fear and desperation showing through. She let that vanish as Chloe's hands tightened around her once more. "I– I think I sense it."
"Good," Panthera said. "Destroy it."
"H-how–"
"Reach out with your mind, and rip the connection away," Panthera said. "Avatars– sentimonsters– they are not physical beings, even if they have a physical form. They're abstract, magical, just like the connection to sense now. You have control over it, and you only need your mind to destroy it."
The flutter of wings made Ladybug turn, and found Mellifera rushing towards them. She didn't have the strength to face her head on, but she did have the energy to throw her yoyo. The weapon zipped straight towards the Bee holder, forcing her to turn away unless she were to become entangled. Mellifera rose up, as if intending to attack from above, when her trompo bubbled with dark energy– a feather drifting out from it, followed by a black butterfly.
Leech, who had been knitted to Ladybug's skin, began to loose in the same instant. As its form peeled away it seemed to melt, at last being free of its grip. Exhaustion still clung to her, the force that had been leached away still gone, but no longer steadily so. She pushed herself to her feet, eyes locking into the white pod, watching as the remains of Leech vanished into the air.
"No!" Hawk Moth roared in desperation, having been able to barely stave off the Blaziken's attacks. But his falter created just the opening the avatar needed, a powerful kick connecting with Hawk Moth's chest, sending him flying off the platform and into the water below.
The Blaziken paused, before looking back at them. Sapphire Wing was breathing heavily, as if barely believing that she had succeeded. Panthera had a hand on her shoulder, the other rubbing at where Leech had been clinging to her. Silver Paw wasn't looking at any of them, however, still cradling Blue Wing in his arms, who wasn't moving save for the shallow rise of his chest. Ladybug forced herself to turn, sending her yoyo out at the corrupted butterfly and feather, catching them before they could drift away.
Mellifera was flying over to where Hawk Moth had fallen, looking at the water below. She seemed unconcerned about the heroes as they were pulling themselves together– even with Leech gone they were still weakened from its attack. So it was Blaziken that moved forward, fire sparking around it as it charged at the last threat.
The Bee holder spun around to meet her opponent, a Venom pulsing around her trompo, plunging it into the Pokemon's chest before it could strike her. The Blaziken immediately stiffened up, connection between them and Sapphire Wing rendered obsolete. The Peacock Miraculous let out a chirp as the Blaziken toppled to the ground, there being only a few minutes until she would transform back. With the last threat taken care of, Mellifera rose up, and flew down towards the canal, where Hawk Moth was cursing and thrashing.
"Come on," Ladybug said, standing at the ready. They may have been weakened, but they still had the advantage of numbers. "Don't take your eyes off of them, and don't let an akuma touch you."
Leech may have been destroyed, but now Hawk Moth could summon another akuma to take the sentimonster's place. She and Panthera stood next to each other. Sapphire Wing right behind them as they watched Mellifera rise up, carrying Hawk Moth in her arms. She landed on the platform, unbothered by the snarling figure she carried.
"I will kill you, Ladybug!" Hawk Moth screamed at them. "I will kill all of you! I will make you–!"
His words were cut off as Mellifera placed her trompo against his back, whispering quietly: "Venom."
Hawk Moth instantly froze up as the powers of Subjection took hold of him– while the heroes stiffened up in surprise. Mellifera's hand snaked about his shoulders, grabbing the Butterfly Miraculous on his chest. A flash of lavender light surrounded Hawk Moth as it was pulled away, leaving a paralyzed Gabriel Agreste behind as the Bee turned the brooch over in her hand once, before raising her head towards the heroes.
"This is what you want, correct?" Mellifera asked, holding out the Butterfly Miraculous.
"We need all of the Miraculouses returned," Ladybug said firmly, eyes swiftly scanning Mellifera. "Hand them over quietly, and we'll let Paris know you played a role in stopping Hawk Moth."
The Bee holder smiled, amused– and her hand curled right back around the brooch. Ladybug wasn't surprised at this action, gaze locking on the Butterfly kwami that hovered fearfully near Mellifera. She didn't know what the woman's next move would be, but she couldn't lower her guard.
"How about we make a deal then," Mellifera said. "The Bee and Butterfly Miraculous in return for one little wish."
"No one is making a wish!" Ladybug snarled.
"All I want is my dear Emilie back," Mellifera said, tilting her head. "Silver Paw, surely you will listen to reason. Just bring Adrien's mother back to us, and this will all be over. This fight will finally end."
"It's equal exchange," Silver Paw croaked. "A life for a life. We can't– you can't–"
"I am well aware of what I am asking for," Mellifera replied. "But I think this would benefit all of us." She laid a hand on Gabriel Agreste's shoulder, smiling. "A life for a life– so why not a husband for a wife? Hawk Moth would be gone, the one who has hurt you and Paris would be dead– surely you cannot object to that."
"Yes we can!" Panthera cried, stepping forward. "We are not killing anyone, Hawk Moth or not! We are not betraying our kwamis by having them be unified like they fear!"
"Mellifera, let's end this here," Ladybug said, stepping forward, holding out a hand towards her. "Give us the Miraculouses. Help us, and I promise we will help you. Don't throw your life away in pursuit of a wish that will never happen."
Mellifera regarded them. "Emilie was my life."
"Mellifera–" Panthera said, but they knew at this point that words would not be stopping her.
She took the Butterfly Miraculous, pinning it to her chest. Nooroo shrank back, but he could not escape the commands on his new master.
"Pollen, Nooroo," Mellifera called, raising her hands up. "Unify!"