I know what you're thinking. 'DoubleA135, where have you been?! What were you doing?!'
If you must know, things have gotten busy in my private life.
That, and I've been busy making ideas for new stories all at once.
Sorry about that.
Hope this makes up for it.
Okay, now to say a few more things before you guys start asking questions.
Starting off, DUDE, I loved the Miraculous Movie on Netflix.
It was different from the show, but like a good different.
I'm thinking about making a story based from the movie, but I'll put that where all my other ideas are for now.
Also, I watched the rest of the season of the show, and let me just say, I have some mixed feelings. In a good way.
R.I.P. Gabriel Agreste. He wasn't the best person. He was just trying to get back his dying wife but he did it with the worst methods. I say he made up for his mistakes after the events in the Season 4 finale.
At least that's what I think.
I have yet to see the New Miraculous World thing, so please, no spoilers.
Anyway, time for an original chapter!
Shoutout to FaeBlack59380 for the original akuma!
I hope you guys enjoy!
On a random day at...
Okay, for once, we're not starting with Aaron this chapter.
At this time of day, the only people at school were those who had fencing class.
And coincidentally, today was tryouts for a new student to join
Speaking of which, that expensive-looking white car that just pulled up to François Dupont Highschool has one of the tryout attendees.
Said person thanked the driver before stepping out and approaching the school with a neutral expression on his face.
He's five foot nine, has fair skin, and auburn hair. He's wearing a white shirt with a black tie under a blue sweater over black trousers and brown shoes.
Meet Hanzo Matsubara.
As he walked through the school doors, he appeared just in time to spot the end of a match between two of his hopefully-soon-to-be classmates.
When they each took off their helmets, they appeared to be Nilak and Kagami.
Mr. D'Argencourt walked over to congratulate saying, "Remarkable work, Nilak. Seems Kagami was right to reconmend you."
"Thanks, Mr. D'Argencourt." She said with a smile, "It's nice to be back in a fencing class again."
The mention of her name, what Nilak said, and seeing Kagami made Hanzo think about something.
The instructor then walked off to tend to another beginner with another student of his, as Kagami said with a smile, "I told you that you were capable enough to join."
"I never doubted you, I just thought I was a little too experienced to need a class."
"Still, I-" She stopped herself when she saw who was at the door of the school.
Wondering why she stopped, Nilak turned to see the reason, only to have the same expression she had.
Matsubara said nothing before walking towards Mr. D'Argencourt.
I know he had a blank expression, but did anyone else feel that anger in the atmosphere?
Adrien came from the other side of the courtyard.
He noticed the girl's expressions, looked at who they were staring at, then asked,
"Who's he?" asked the Agreste boy.
"Hanzo Matsubara." Kagami answered, "One of our past sparing classmates. Like me, he came from a generation of nest fencers."
"Hasn't looked like he's changed much." Nilak said honestly.
He was refurring to the fact that he never really spoke much at most times.
Maybe it has to do with the fact that in a family like Hanzo's there's a rule like this: 'You're the best in the room, or you're nothing.'
She turned to Kagami. "Did you know he was trying out?"
"No. I never even knew he was in Paris."
These two knew Matsubara in their old fencing class alright.
He wasn't that well liked in class because he could never let go the fact that everyone was attempting their best to do what they could whenever they could.
His reply was 'Your best doesn't matter unless you can truly express it' and he'd always win at every spar.
That didn't roll whenever he went against Kagami or Nilak.
They were at the top of their class and those two won against him, as much as they tried going against themselves only for the girls to tie with each other.
He kept devoting himself to be the best in class since then.
He didn't want to dishonor his ancestors...at least that's what his father said.
Mr. D'Argencourt suddenly said to his class, "May I have your attention, please?"
"We have ourselves a late entry. And he wishes to spar with the top fencer in class. Adrien?"
Adrien felt the déjà vu, but he shrugged it off and went to spar against Matsubara.
When they started, they seemed to almost be in sync.
But what no one saw coming next was the fact that they touched each other at the same time, like when Kagami first tried out.
D'Argencourt called a rematch, and it happened again. Then twice more.
On the fifth, however, everyone went silent with the results.
"I-I lost?" said Adrien.
There was a very small, almost missable, very faint, close to invisible smile on Matsubara's face, but it was there for two-three seconds.
"Phenomenal..." D'Argencourt said, at a loss for words.
Before anyone could say anything else, Nilak spoke up.
"Mr. D'Argencourt, I'd like to take a shot against Matsubara."
"Apologies, Ms. Carter, but I don't think-"
"Mr. D'Argencourt," Nilak said, with every ounce of seriousness visible on her face, "I know what I'm doing."
He said nothing back, and Nilak and Matsubara went at it.
The latter was ready with every fiber in his being. It was first or nothing.
When they started, Matsubara attempted the first attack, but Nilak dodged before making her move forcing him to block.
Attacks similar to this happened more than once.
But this happened.
Determination in his eyes, Matsubara lunged forward, making Nilak dodge to her right. When he went too far forward, he turned back to strike only for her to lean back far off, and with her fencing sword, she crossed it under his, locked the two together, then spun around. That pulled the sword out of Matsubara's hands and across the schoolyard, and in the confusion and surprise, she managed to strike him.
All before anyone could react.
When they did, the only one with their mouth not agape was Kagami who smiled at Nilak.
"Incroyable." Mr. D'Argencourt said.
How on earth'd she manage that?!
Matsubara said and did nothing but glare at Nilak for a second before walking out.
The class cheered for her, but she was lost in thought.
Can I tell you a secret?
In her old fencing class, unlike the other students, Nilak could feel that Matsubara was having a personal issue.
Like something was driving him to become the 'best in the room'...
She just couldn't tell what.
Later, in a park...
Sitting under a tree, Matsubara was still silent.
Suddenly, he pulled out a pendant he never wears out of his pocket, and looked at it.
It was silver with 力[Power] in onyx black.
It was passed on from generation to generation in his family from his dad's side.
Every time he looked at it, it reminded him of the thing his dad always told him.
"'It's either you're the best in the room, or you're nothing.' How can that be true if there's always someone better?" He said, venom being heard in his tone.
At the last second, he saw an akuma fly into his pendant.
"Odachi." Shadow Moth started telepathically, "I am Shadow Moth. You want to really become the best in the room? Well, I can give you the power to assure that you will remain the best."
"...Give me a reason I should believe you."
"Survival of the fittest is a necessary principle. The strongest survive, and everyone respects their strength. You desire respect and approval, so you try to be the best. Since I understand, I know I can be able to help you to reach your goal.
When I help you, all I ask for in return are the Miraculous of Ladybug and Cat Noir. Do we have a deal?"
He thought for a second."...Deal."
Back at the school...
We see the girls and Adrien leave the building for the day
"Good job today, Nilak." Said Kagami.
"It doesn't really feel good..." she responded under her breath.
Kagami and Adrien's rides pulled up and the three of them were just about to go their separate ways.
But then, this happened.
Not sure what, but something sharp narrowly missed both of the girls' heads, and dug straight into the school door behind them.
The three looked at the item, eyes wide, and mouths agape.
It was some kind of...blade?
Adrien looked in the direction the blade came from and immediately tackled the girls to the side saying, "Look out!"
Just in time to avoid someone who was about to strike them with some kind of sword.
They looked and saw as the sword decomposed at the hand of the new arrival.
Someone in black samurai armor which had various silver swords, knives, blades and such all over it. The only non silver or black thing on him was the word '力' in red on his helmet.
"I've come for a rematch." he said, glaring at the three on the ground.
Nilak, realizing the cause of the bad feeling in her, said, "Matsubara?"
"Now."
Losing his short patience, but not losing his glare, he grabbed Nilak's collar and pulled him up to meet his eyes.
"Rematch. NOW." he said as a new sword materialized in his hand. It extended before the tip was a centimeter from her chin.
Thinking fast, and with the same thing in mind, both Adrien and Kagami shoved back Matsubara, and it made him let go of Nilak.
Right when he was about to strike back, Adrien and Nilak moved fast.
Adrien turned and ran back through the school doors, and Nilak grabbed Kagami's wrist and they ran for the back seat of her car.
After the second they entered, it drove off.
Matsubara gritted his teeth and started to go in the direction of the car.
Adrien's bodyguard did come out of the car to intervene, but as he walked away, Matsubara raised his palm behind him and four blades projected from his wrist.
They didn't kill the bodyguard, but they came at him hard and fast enough to dig into his clothes, and send him flying back and leaving him stuck in a far wall.
At the same time, we can see Cat Noir coming from the top of the school building.
"There you go little guy."
If you're wondering, that was Aaron as the Twilight Fighter.
If you're wondering what's happening, he's helping a baby bird back into the nest.
"I think this counts as my good deed for the day." Twi thought out loud as he placed the bird in the nest.
After, he jumped down and landed on the ground.
He and his relative thanked him before they went on their merry way.
Right when Twilight was about to walk off, he noticed a certain car speed right by him.
"Isn't that Kagami's ride? Where's it goin' in such a hurry?" he thought.
He got his answer when he noticed the samurai from before jumping across the rooftops.
"...Please tell me those are fake." he said, referring to the blades on him.
When the samurai swung his arm, a large curved blade materialized and went for the car.
It completely divided the car's front and backseats!
"They're not fake. Light Speed!"
Twilight then ran to see what he could do.
Nilak and Kagami were about to get out of what was left of the car, but Matsubara landed right in front of them.
Another sword formed in his hand and he just when he was about to strike them, Twilight quickly blocked it with his katanas.
The girls saw this opportunity to split, and they each went in different directions.
"Who are you supposed to be? What'd they ever do to you?" Twi managed to get out. It was a little strenuous to keep him back a bit.
"My name is Odachi." was all he said to reply.
In the next second, Twilight felt his super sense go off, and he got down just as Cat Noir came in with a flying kick which knocked back Odachi.
"Well, Odachi, didn't your mom ever tell you not to play with knives?" the cat quipped, landing next to Twilight, who just got up.
After that, Odachi got a look at both the heroes before the sword in his hand dispersed.
He then crossed his arms and suddenly his arms converted into blades.
Both sides took fighting stances before charging at each other.
While fighting, Twi asked Cat, "Ladybug on her way? *blocks attack*"
"Yeah, called her while chasing Blades and Brawn here. *tries to attack but gets blocked*"
Before Twi could say something else, both boys suddenly struck and sent flying.
Twilight crashed into a stack of boxes on the side of the street, and Cat Noir into a stack of bricks next to it. Hard.
Twilight winced and inhaled through his teeth at Cat's misfortune.
"...Well, at least our Miraculous reduces the pain we receive by a bit."
"Doesn't mean we still won't feel it...Ow..."
With his Light Speed still active, Twilight quickly helped Cat onto his feet, his left arm over him to help him stand.
A second later, his super sense went off, and with his free hand, he blocked Odachi with an incoming attack with on of his katanas.
Unfortunately, he couldn't block anything with his other arm.
And what's worse was when Odachi was about to slice at them with his free blade arm.
Luckily, when he pulled back to get a good strike in, his arm was pulled to a halt by a familiar red and black spotted yo-yo.
Odachi looked back to see that it was Ladybug who stopped him, and Twilight took this chance to bring the samurai a quick and sudden kick to the face, which knocked him back.
Thinking quick, Ladybug yanked a dumpster over to her with her yo-yo over to her, and it landed on Odachi, trapping him.
Then as fast as Twilight could, he stacked the bricks the Cat Noir crashed into earlier on top of it.
Feeling a bit relieved, Twilight and Cat Noir let out an exhale.
"Are you boys alright?" Ladybug asked, coming over.
"Could be better." Twilight replied, "This guy is a demon with his powers and skills. I'm shocked he blocked me with my Light Speed. Who is this guy?"
"From what I got, he's an old acquaintance of a Ms. Nilak Carter and our friend Kagami." Cat Noir said, feeling better and able to stand up,
"He was trying out for fencing when Nilak beat him in a match with her. He must not've taken it too well."
"Okay," Twi started, putting his hands together, "Now we know how this happened, we gotta find out how to fix this mess."
The dumpster then jerked up a bit.
"And fast."
Ladybug thought about what to do next.
She now had an idea.
"We're stronger in numbers, but not in combat. Let's turn the tables on that. Twilight, think you can bring one of your friends for this one?"
"...I know just who to get."
"So do I. We'll go get our teammates. Cat, I need you to lead him somewhere and buy us some time."
"You can count on me, M'lady."
The second they saw one of Odachi's blades come through the dumpster, the three split up.
Odachi cut his way out, and he didn't look too pleased when he saw that no one was around.
Then he saw Cat Noir on top of the nearest building, waving at him with a smile.
Odachi then started a chase after him.
Later...
This chase lasted until they were both between the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero Fountain.
While on the ground, Odachi was chasing Cat Noir and he had enough song and dance.
He leapt into the air, and made multiple swords materialize around him.
He then forwarded them into the ground in front of Cat.
Said hero had to stop dead in his tracks to not get impaled.
He turned around just in time to see Odachi land before his eyes.
He materialized one of his blade arms, and pointed it at Cat Noir.
"Hand over your Miraculous and I just might spare you."
Instead of answering, Cat saw something behind Odachi and smirked at him.
"Fine. Have it your way."
He leaned back to strike, but then Ladybug's yo-yo wrapped around it and stopped him in time.
Right after, he was hit away from Cat with a flying kick from the dragon-themed hero, Ryuko.
He looked at who did it, and she said, "You'll have to go against me if you want the Miraculous."
"So be it." was all he said.
The three heroes were fighting against Odachi.
Ryuko had the best experience in this sort of combat, so she had to take the lead in this while the Cat and Bug duo backed her up.
That was harder than it sounded.
They need more hands; where was Twilight and his backup?
To answer that question, Twilight was hiding behind the Trocadero Fountain with his back up.
Who of which turned out to be Blizard.
There's a small problem with this plan however.
Twilight picking Nilak for this mission was a great idea. She had the right skill and the right power for this plan.
The problem was that a range weapon like a bow wasn't the best choice for close melee combat.
Luckily, Crystal told Aaron about a hidden power that could change that.
"Copy what I do." Twilight said to Blizard, holding his hand out.
While confused, she copied his movements and traced a glowing symbol in the air, which surprised her.
It surprised her more when it flew into her chest when they finished.
"...What was that?"
"Just something to give us a little edge. Okay, listen. I'm gonna go invisible and do what I can. You engage when the time's right."
"When'll that be?"
"You'll know when you see it. Phantasm." Twilight then disappeared.
Blizard then held her bow and prepared for her to join.
"I wish a had a different weapon, but this is better than nothing."
After she thought that, she felt something off with her bow.
It glowed, then split apart into glowing snowflakes. The snowflakes formed the shape of a sword, and when the glow went away, there was a sword that went with her outfit and theme.
After saying the words so many times, saying Crystal was shocked or surprised feels soft.
So that's Crystal's hidden power; whoever has her Miraculous can change their weapon.
If you thought I was gonna make Twilight the only Elemental Miraculous holder that had kwamis that held a hidden power for their wearers, you must think I'm sick in the head.
Shaking her shock out of her head, Blizard mouth grew a smile knowing she could be a little more useful in this fight.
She watched and waited to see when Twilight was gonna do something, and it turns out she didn't have to wait too long.
She saw Ladybug hold Odachi back by the left shoulder via her yo-yo, then Cat Noir and Ryuko hit them from behind with their weapons.
Right after he stumbled forward a bit as the yo-yo released, something hit him in the face from the front a bit below, making his head jerk up and back. Immediately almost after, he was hit multiple times, but he managed to block only that with his blade arms.
Twilight was invisible to make things easier for his team. It's kinda hard to fight something you can't see.
He parried, pushing Twilight away, and tried to attack, but both his arms were blocked by both of Twi's katanas.
Right before he could try something else, Blizard came in and just as Twi moved, she struck him and knocked him back with her sword.
Odachi looked at the new opponent and scowled. It was either because these heroes were cowardly for getting more teammates, or now he had to put even more effort to put more effort into getting some jewelry.
While the fight continued on, Ladybug leapt away to use her "Lucky Charm!".
When she saw it was "A drag chute?" she then pondered what she could do.
Sure, she could put the chute on Odachi and tell Ryuko to use her Wind Dragon power, but he could always come back.
They only way Odachi could actually stay in place is if Blizard could use her Cooldown ability, but she'd need a clear shot for that.
For all they knew, his samurai armor would be too thick, so Blizard would need a shot at his face. He'd need to be in a situation for her to get a straight shot at him for that.
Her eyes landed on the Eiffel Tower behind them all, the blades in the ground that were thrown at Cat Noir earlier, then after, her eyes directed to Odachi then Ryuko.
Now, she had a plan.
"Cat Noir! The swords! Twilight! Catch! *throws drag chute*"
The invisible Twilight caught the chute, and spun it around with his Light Speed, as Cat Noir threw the swords into the back of it.
Odachi's focus was on Ryuko and Blizard.
These two were surprisingly good at this fighting style.
Mid-fight, the Ice Miraculous wearer's weapon switched for a flail with a hooked blade. I'm astonished she could fight with that.
"Blizard!" she heard Ladybug call out, "Get ready to use your Cooldown! Ryuko! Zap the Eiffel Tower!"
They both nodded before hitting Odachi back with their weapons.
"Lightning Dragon!" Ryuko called out before she made a semi-large bolt of lightning zap the Eiffel Tower.
Fifth grade science question: what happens when certain metals get a hold of an electric charge?
Answer: they become magnetic.
But for larger things, it'll take some time.
Not that much time, because the second Ryuko zapped the tower, Twilight put the chute on Odachi and flipped over him, landing in front of him.
The now electromagnetic Eiffel Tower made some metal things in the area lean towards it, and the things that weren't rooted into the ground flew towards the tower and attracted to it.
Now watch this.
"Luminosity. *goes visible* See ya."
Twilight pulled the cord for the chute and the chute itself popped out, showing all the blades impaling it.
They all suddenly were caught in the magnetic field, and they were all pulled towards the tower, dragging Odachi with them.
Before he could process what just happen, Blizard said, "Cooldown!" and her flail transformed back into a bow.
She pulled back on the string, and an arrow appeared with the arrowhead glowing. She shot the arrow, and it hit Odachi in the face, and the samurai now had an icy blue aura and was stuck stiff.
When the swords in the chute stuck to the tower, Odachi was left there attached to it, stiff as a statue and swinging a bit like a pendulum on a grandfather clock.
They all went over to Odachi.
Seeing how there wasn't anything physical for the akuma to be on, they assumed the akuma was in the helmet.
The assumption was correct after they broke it apart.
Ladybug captured the akuma, fixed everything with her magical ladybugs, and the five of them did their signature "Pound it!".
After, Ladybug made one of her charms.
They looked at Matsubara who was kneeling on the ground.
He couldn't remember everything that happened, but for a reason, he felt grief, shame, and a lot of regret.
He looked at the pendant his dad gave him, and picked it up.
He gripped it hard almost making it bend a little.
"Hey, you alright?" He saw Twilight go over to him.
"No..." he responded, "I just realized I've been chasing some goal that I shouldn't be even going for.
'It's either you're the best in the room, or you're nothing.'? Why did I listen to you dad?"
A little angry, he threw the pendant away.
Ryuko said nothing, because she didn't know what to say.
She expected Matsubara to be one of those 'gotta look out for number one' people. Turns out, she and him weren't so different.
As for Blizard, she was quiet but had sympathy.
She finally found out what that feeling about a personal issue he had was.
She knew what to do though, so don't worry.
She held out her hand to Ladybug, showing she knew what to do.
Ladybug gave her the charm, before hearing the beeping from her and Cat Noir's Miraculous.
"I trust you, Blizard. C'mon, Ryuko." she said before she and Cat Noir went on their way.
Ryuko took a look back at Matsubara before going after Ladybug to give back the dragon Miraculous.
"Hey," she started as he approached Matsubara, getting his attention, "I can't imagine what you've been through, but I have a friend who's gone through something like you. Their parent wanted them to be something decided for them. Not many friends, looking out for themselves.
It doesn't sound right because it isn't. Just because it's something expected of your child, that doesn't mean they're not their own person.
Your dad built a door for you, but that doesn't mean you gave to go through it."
She showed him the charm.
"Close it and make yourself a new one."
Matsubara thought about it. He then took the charm from her hand and looked at it.
He stood up and put it on. He looked at Blizard before saying, "I'm human who was born to live, not a torch to carry a flame passed on for generation. Thank you, Blizard. I'll take your words into consideration."
He then walked away. He looked back at the remaining heroes, and with the first genuine grateful smile Blizard's ever seen on Matsubara's face, he said, "Thank you again. Both of you."
He continued on his way.
Twilight nudged her shoulder saying, "I knew you were cut out for this job. C'mon, let's go."
Twilight leapt ahead, and Blizard took one last look at Matsubara with a smile before going after him.
Wow, I have no idea how this took me so long.
Again, shoutout to FaeBlack59380 for the original Akuma. I hope she likes it.
Guess I got nothing else to say 'cept see you guys in the next chapter!