{+}{+}{+}
Juleka's P.O.V
I let out a long sigh while mixing my latest concoction. I glance over at my family's portrait hanging on the wall then stare down at the glowing, green liquid bubbling within my cauldron. The only noise in this room is coming from the rumbling pot and an occasional rat nearby. Not even the city above can break through the soundproof barrier I placed around my home.
Although, it can get very lonely and quiet hiding away. It is difficult to go much elsewhere since magic is outlawed. There are so few witches and wizards and magic users left these days thanks to that Secret Sorcery Slayers (or the SSS).
At first, I did not mind being alone when I went into hiding. I worked endlessly without any disturbance or distractions. I moved levels higher than other witches around my age and achieved many accomplishments. I would rarely come out from hiding unless I was desperate enough for certain things.
That is until I met my apprentice and partner in sorcery.
I never knew how much color my apprentice brings into my dull home until being away for a while. I miss my student's presence. Hopefully, my apprentice's assignment is proving effective and is helping us take a step forward to solving Hawkmoth's identity.
Until then, I will have to proceed without my partner by my side.
I snap out of my saddened state when feeling something rubbing against my leg. My eyes travel down to the floor, seeing a purple cat with stripes trying to get my attention. A small smile creeps onto my face. I stop stirring and pick up my familiar.
"Hello, my darling, Roaar," I greeted, petting the cat, "Do you bring any good news from Master Fu or spy anything interesting?"
Roaar enjoys my pets for a minute longer before hopping out of my arms. The purple cat scurries over to the nearest wall and displays its claws. It scratches the wall, tearing open a small pocket world. The feline leaps into the space.
Roaar hardly takes a few seconds when it reappears from the portal with a scroll. The hole disappears upon Roaar's arrival and trots over to me. I kneel and take the paper into my grasp. The rolled-up paper is sealed with my apprentice's emblem, much to my dismay.
We have not spoken since the day she left.
I break the seal and read the letter.
One line immediately catches my attention.
"It...It cannot be," I spoke in disbelief, "It is not possible..."
{+}{+}{+}
Chat Noir's P.O.V
"On your left!" I shouted. Ladybug dodged the flying purple goop just in time. It continued to hurtle until hitting a wall and melting a hole into it.
"Thank you, Kitty," she said.
"Kitty? Seriously?" I questioned, nose wrinkling in disgust.
"What? Can I not give you a nickname? I thought we were growing closer as friends?" She replied with fake innocence.
"I would prefer if you did not—watch out!" I yelled again, tackling her to the ground as another round of purple goop nearly hit her, "How about less talking and more fighting."
"Fair enough," Ladybug agreed.
"Do any of you have a plan?" Carapace asked, protecting Vesperia from the acid-like goop. The giant snail monster gurgled. It slowly moves through the city, leaving a purple trail and melted, steaming destruction. Its shell contains many hidden windows opening in different areas, making the shooting goop unpredictable.
In other words, it is difficult getting close to the slow-moving monstrosity. Making this more strenuous, we have no clue where the Akuma could be hiding. I grit my teeth and look over at Ladybug, hoping she has a plan.
"Do you have a plan to stop this thing?" I asked her.
"I do not at the moment..." she said, thoughtfully looking over at the other two heroes, "...but maybe, we can stop it from getting any further. Carapace, I need you to protect Vesperia so she can get close enough to paralyze the Akuma."
"I understand," Carapace called back. He raised his green shield into the air and yelled out "shelter." A turtle's shell-designed barrier was built around the two heroes. The two leaped off the side of the building and disappeared from our sight.
It does not take long for a stripe of yellow to move up the creature's body and freeze it from going any further. Unfortunately, it did not stop shooting unpredictable blobs of goop. Ladybug and I dodge the attacks before taking cover behind a building.
"The snail must only be the transportation," I explained to a confused Ladybug, "There must be some blasted little demons inside the shell and shooting the death slime."
"The Akuma must be inside the shell too for extra protection," Ladybug added on, "We need to get inside...but how? The snail's body will melt us into a puddle before we even manage to get inside."
This is true. We would be goners the moment we would try stepping in. Not only can the goop melt, but it is also sticky and consumes like a living being. We would need some sort of protective force that can withstand the acid-like goop.
"Use your lucky charm," I explained, "It might give us a clue on how to beat this foe."
"Indeed," Ladybug agreed. She threw her yo-yo in the air, shouting out, "Lucky Charm!"
Ladybug catches the object in her hands. We both look down at the teapot in confusion. What are we supposed to do with this? Throw the snail a tea party? It seems I am not the only one having trouble with figuring this puzzle out. Ladybug stares at the teapot and looks around the area.
"I do not know," she admitted, defeated, "I do not know what to use this for or what it is trying to tell me."
"Tell her?" I thought, raising an eyebrow before my eyes widened in realization.
"I know what this is for," I said, taking the teapot, "This is a hint for me as well."
"Do explain, please," Ladybug said.
"I just need you to follow me. We do not have a lot of time," I replied, hooking the teapot to my belt. I grabbed my baton and began to vault in the direction of the poor section. I glance behind me, seeing Ladybug is following.
Good.
I just hope I am right about this. It has to be if Ladybug cannot figure out what to do. Or maybe, she needed a bit more time to look around?
"No," I thought, "The teapot is definitely telling us to go see Master Fu."
We arrived at the dojo and slip in through the skylight. Ladybug followed me through the hallways until standing in front of the old man's room. I open the door and hurried inside. Master Fu is sitting on his mat in a meditation pose, not disturbed by my abrupt entrance.
"Chat Noir and Ladybug, what a surprise to see you both here," Fu greeted, opening his eyes. Ladybug stayed outside the room and gave him a sheepish wave. I did not question why she decided not to enter the room. We do not have time for nonsensical questions. So, I did not hesitate to get to the point.
"The Lucky Charm told us to come here...I think," I explained, holding up the teapot.
"What do you mean, "you think?" Ladybug questioned me but I ignored her.
"Yes, I believe I know exactly what you are here for. In fact, a friend of mine knew as well and dropped off a special package just recently," Master Fu told us, pointing over at the table. A small wooden box sat on the surface, apparently from a "friend."
Who this friend is? I do not have a clue and will have to talk about it with him later. I grabbed the wooden box and lifted the lid. Two vials laid in some hay contained with a purplish-pink cloud inside. I tilt my head to the side in confusion. What is this?
"Those are protection spells. They will allow you to pass through the snail's dangerous components without harming you. You only need to pour it above your head," Fu explained how the potion works.
"I understand," I replied, shutting the box. I am still wary about using these substances without knowing who crafted them. Yet, I trust Fu would not give Ladybug and me something he did not deem worthy.
"Let us make haste back to the battle," Ladybug spoke up for the first time. Ladybug and I rushed back to the Akuma still at large. Although, I did not miss the feeling of being watched once we left the dojo.
{+}{+}{+}
Master Fu, P.O.V
"I must say, you surprised me," I complimented, "Your teacher would be very proud with how much you have improved, Princess Fragrance."
The teen entered the room with a cheery smile and slightly flushed cheeks.
"Oh, it was nothing," Princess Fragrance replied, bashfully, "While protection potions are easy to make, the ones I gave them unfortunately will not last very long. I am not at that skill level yet. It will probably only last an hour before it wears off."
"It is okay. I believe they will finish within that time," I assured, "They may not know it at this moment but they make an excellent team."
Princess Fragrance nodded in agreement, "I have seen them in action once. It was quite a sight to watch those two and their team."
I hummed before changing the subject, "Did you find out anything about Hawkmoth?"
Princess Fragrance pursed her lips in thought, giving me an odd look. I patiently wait for her to answer but wonder what is on her mind. It seems she might know something but nothing at the same time.
"Well, I might have found some information on Hawkmoth and something else that might catch your interest," she answered.
"What might that be?" I asked, intrigued.
"I am sure you know of the old dictator of Paris before he was mysteriously murdered and Mayor Bourgeois took over," she started.
"Leon Rouge," I answered.
A devious wizard who took over Paris and ruled with an iron fist. Compared to Leon's time as Paris's ruler, our current time is child's play. He killed many innocent civilians, made deals even Hades would be squeamish over, and took many children from their homes to be his slaves.
A heinous monster.
He stole the peafowl and butterfly miraculous from me, using the peacock's power to create an army that helped him take over. Yet, the butterfly miraculous was never used during his time and kept hidden somewhere. The butterfly miraculous did not come into play until Hawkmoth used it some years later.
Fortunately, a mysterious warrior stopped Leon's evil rein and slayed him. What is not fortunate, we believe the warrior took the peacock and butterfly miraculous. Yet, I do not know why the unknown assassin is not using both miraculous.
"Indeed," Princess Fragrance agreed.
"What of him?" I asked.
She smiled, "I may be on the trail leading me to who his killer is."
A smile broadens my face. I stroke my chin in great interest. No one knows of the mysterious killer who had taken down Paris's greatest threat before Hawkmoth. If we find out who this skillful assassin is, we can find the missing miraculous, take them back, and might find out Hawkmoth's true identity.
"This is outstanding news," I said, joyously.
"Do not place your hopes too high. I am still unsure if I have found anything. I do not want to frame someone who has not committed any crimes," Princess Fragrance explained, "This could all lead us to a dead end and return to having no leads."
"Yes," I agreed, "but it is something. Even the tiniest piece of information can help us take another step forward to win this war."
Princess Fragrance is an optimistic person. Yet, she seems to be somewhat upset about something still.
"What is the matter?" I asked, seeing her fiddling with her fingers.
"Even if we do stop the war with Hawkmoth, witches, wizards, and other magic users will still have to hide," Princess Fragrance sourly spoke.
"The Secret Sorcery Slayers are still active. The only reason they have not shown their faces in this war is that they do not know who Hawkmoth is either. The miraculous rebels are the only ones who can protect Paris unlike them."
"Do not worry about that," I reassured, "I did promise many sorcery users that I will help in getting rid of that group. I do not plan on taking back my word."
A small smile formed on her lips, her positivity returning, "Thank you. As a fellow user of those arts, I very much appreciate it."
"It is nothing when helping out my friends," I replied, returning the smile.
{+}{+}{+}
Gabriel's P.O.V
"Emilie," I started, softly, "It has been some time since I came to talk with you. I apologize for that. I have been busy with a few things but I did not forget my oath to you and our son all those years ago. I will soon get our revenge on the one who took you both from me. I just need some more time."
I gently place a bouquet on my wife's grave and a smaller one on my newborn son's. I was quite disappointed I could not bury my son's body, considering it was never found. I lost all hope that he could still be alive and return one day.
Yet, it has been eighteen years...since I last saw him. It has been eighteen years since my wife died.
Eighteen years since I swore an oath to reenact my revenge on those wretched rebels.
{+}{+}{+}