I first want to sincerely apologize for taking so long getting this chapter up. I was in a rough depression and had no energy to even open up my computer. We've also had a few health scares in my family over the last few months so that probably didn't help my mental state. I feel like now I'm more clear-headed and motivated to get this world finished, with my goal to finish the story by the end of 2024.
I also want to clear up a few things since there seems to be some confusion about the cliffhanger I left you all in the last chapter. When I started drafting this chapter, season 3 of Miraculous had just barely concluded and season 4 was a far-off dream due to production being halted when the pandemic struck, so I decided Master Fu would still be the Guardian of the Miracle Box in our story for simplicity's sake. As mentioned, Hikari states how her world was swallowed when the show was between seasons and is aware of the clear time difference when she realizes Master Fu is still around. It was a similar case when I wrote the Pokemon chapters; the Sun and Moon anime hadn't been released in North America and that group traveling with Ash and Pikachu was the most current one Hikari was aware of.
Most of this story has been planned out and rough drafted for over three years now, and given that the chapter Hikari and Riku arrived in Paris was originally posted way back in October 2020, I had no way of knowing what direction the creators of Miraculous would take the story when production resumed the following year. By default, Hikari would have no way of knowing that in season 4, several Akumatized villains were able to break free of Shadow Moth's control by sheer willpower. Even if we take season 4 into consideration, there has only been a very small handful of those able to accomplish such, as seen in the episode Guiltrip, where - despite Rose encouraging Juleka to fight Shadow Moth's influence and not to listen to him- she was still Akumatized in the end.
However, the main reason I allowed Hawk Moth to be able to get to Hikari is that I wanted to take the opportunity to show her weaker side. We've already briefly seen back in Atlantica, as well as during the Q&A chapter, that Hikari struggles not to keep her feelings bottled up. She often sees herself as a burden and - with her family being separated and how things have transpired with Genji's fall to Darkness- a failure for not being able to protect those she cares for. Miraculous fans will know that this is exactly what Hawk Moth seeks to find when sending out his Akuma. Hikari is so focused on trying to protect everyone else that her well-being is all but forgotten. I wrote her this way on purpose because even though she has all these incredible powers, in the end, she's still only human. Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Edward from Fullmetal Alchemist, Meliodas from Seven Deadly Sins, and even Itachi from Naruto; all are viewed as incredibly strong individuals, but their weakness tends to show when it comes to the sake of their loved ones. I've had so many problems with people calling Hikari a Mary Sue, that she's too perfect and therefore not a story worth reading, so going the "tragic hero" route seemed like the best way to remedy this. They draw sympathy from the audience and- in some instances- form a connection with those who have experienced similar moments in their lives. While I may not have been adopted like Hikari, I faced similar hardships in my childhood. I was bullied by kids and seen as a burden by adults, which often led to me thinking the whole world was against me. I couldn't show my feelings in fear of more criticism, so I kept it buried, only to release it all when the pressure became too much. Sounds familiar, right? It's because - like so many other writers- I made a character I could relate to so that when Hikari faces a situation, I'm able to ask myself "What would I do?" and use that answer to further along the story.
Sorry this turned more into a rant. This chapter will be 2 parts due to the excessive amount of POV changes, but the other part should be finished very soon, leading to the conclusion of the Miraculous world.
Riku's POV (Third Person)
"I'm such an idiot," the silverette growled lowly, rushing back to the school. "Ayame, what's going on?"
"I-It's Vanitas," the spirit shakily replied. "It looks like he's nearly taken full control of Genji's body."
Even in the short time Riku had known Ayame, not once did she act like the child she was forever trapped as, but someone wise and mature. Hearing the spirit so distraught concerned Riku deeply, and for good reason. Emotions had great significance in that world, so if one were to let negativity take control...
Riku's eyes widened in realization, forcing him to push faster, using flowmotion to jump onto the rooftops, bypassing the maze of alleyways. "Ayame, I think they're going to try to Akumatize Hikari!"
"Oh no. I have to- Hikari, behind you!" Ayame's voice and presence suddenly vanished upon speaking those last words.
"Ayame!?" Riku called aloud, only to be met with silence. "Hikari, just hang on. Don't let the Darkness consume you like it did me."
Hikari's POV
"This can't be happening." I couldn't believe that I was so careless as to let Vanitas get to me and expose my weakened heart to Hawk Moth. "I have to fight this."
"Aww, but why waste this opportunity I'm about to bestow you?" The villain's voice chimed in my head. "After all, I've learned quite a lot about you and know what your heart truly desires."
"Don't listen to him, Hikari!" I could faintly hear the students call out to me, but it sounded muffled and distant as if a wall separated us.
"Nothing you offer me would be worth the price you ask," I replied sternly, trying to focus on regaining control of my emotions.
"Don't think I'll let you off that easily!"
I barely had a second to look up and jump to the side when Vanitas rushed forward with his Keyblade raised in an attempt to strike me down.
While I struggled to fend off my brother, Hawk Moth continued. "Are the Miraculous truly more important than your own family?"
"They're equally important!" I snapped back. "Yes, I want my family together again and to go back home, but not if that means taking away this city's protectors."
Vanitas chuckled. "Stop with the whole "selfless hero" act; no one's buying it." He swung his weapon downwards, forcing me to raise my Keyblade above my head with both hands as he continued striking at my weapon.
"Everyone deserves to be a little selfish," Hawk Moth pushed. "There's no harm in that. After all, you've already done so much with nothing in return. Surely you don't believe that's fair, do you?"
"Hikari!"
From the corner of my eye, I could see Riku appear on a nearby rooftop.
Unfortunately, so did Vanitas. "Oh? Looks like your knight is here to save you, but we still have business with you." He chuckled, then snapped his fingers on his free hand, summoning multiple Unversed ranging from familiar Jellyshades, Archravens, Busters, and what I could only describe best as walking plants in shades of purple or green. "Honestly though, I've grown bored of this, so I'll let you figure out which is more important: saving the students or fighting the Akuma." With that, he shoved me away, before jumping backward into an awaiting Dark Corridor, vanishing from sight.
"Quite the dilemma he's put you in," Hawk Moth retorted with a chuckle of his own. "I can feel your strength fading, so there's no point in continuing to struggle. Allow me to grant you the power you deserve."
He's right about one thing, I thought to myself. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up, but I need to get the school evacuated... I guess I have no other choice than to use that power. I released the spell on my clothes, returning them to my regular travel attire, before reaching into the pouch attached to my hip and pulling out Aki's Summon Gem.
Holding it close to my chest, I focused my thoughts on the gem and very quickly, a familiar golden light surrounded the object. It pulled away from my hands, floating before me as the light caused the gem to disappear and form a figure. Within moments, my Sylveon counterpart appeared.
She opened her teal eyes, which almost immediately widened upon seeing me in my current state. "Hikari!"
"I'm sorry, Aki, but I don't have much time, so please listen carefully. I need you to get everyone out of here and..."
Riku's POV (Third Person)
Riku struck down an Archraven, allowing a handful of students from the ground floor classrooms to make a run for the exit. As much as he wished to join Hikari's side, the Unversed threatening the school had to be dealt with first. He had felt his chest tighten upon seeing the shadowy outline of a butterfly around Hikari's eyes, confirming his fears that Hawk Moth was attempting to Akumatize her. Riku could only hope though that his companion's willpower would be enough to fight back the tempations he had once battled himself.
"Master Riku!"
The silverette turned at the sound of his name, just as a swarm of Jellyshades was blown away by star-shaped projectiles. From the parted sea of Unversed, Aki came towards him, Miss Fontaine's class sticking close behind her.
When the Sylveon was standing beside Riku, the Pokémon turned to the group, ushering with her head and ribbons towards the exit. "Keep going, everyone. Get as far away from here as possible."
The students and teacher complied as they headed out of the schoolyard. Both Adrien and Marinette gave surprised looks as they passed Riku, but didn't stop as they were dragged along by Nino and Alya respectively.
After shooting off another Swift attack at encroaching Hareraisers, Aki turned to look at Riku.
"Are you able to put up a barrier around the school?" She asked.
The Keyblader gave a confused look but answered: "Yes, but why? Where's Hikari?"
"Once you and I are out of the building, put up the strongest barrier you can around the school," Aki continued, seeming to ignore the second half of Riku's question. "We'll have to find Ladybug and Chat Noir and update them on the situation; we'll need their help on this."
"Aki!"
The Sylveon flinched but refused to make eye contact with the teen.
"Where. Is. Hikari?" Riku repeated, this time, slowly.
The Pokémon hesitated but eventually mumbled: "She said she can't fight it much longer. I'm sorry."
Riku's eyes widened as he spun back to look at where he had last seen his companion.
On the second floor, Hikari stood on shaky legs, The Angel's Keyblade raised. The teen looked over and her eyes met his. Even from afar, Riku could see the exhaustion on her face.
With a sad smile, she seemed to mouth an apology, before turning back to her weapon and gripping it tightly. Black and white feathers began to appear around the Keyblade, quickly multiplying and spinning around like a tornado. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and then slammed her Keyblade into the ground with a resounding crack, the supposed name of the attack leaving her lips.
"Angel's Judgement!"
General POV
Hikari lowered her Keyblade, momentarily trying to catch her breath as she fell to one knee. Her magic was almost completely drained and every muscle and bone in her body was screaming.
She briefly looked down into the courtyard, spotting Aki and Riku ushering what appeared to be the last of the students and staff out of the school.
Thank goodness, she thought to herself. Though she couldn't hear them, she could see the duo talking to one another, however, it seemed Riku wasn't pleased by what Aki was saying. I hope you can forgive me, Riku. There's just no other way.
Slowly, she got back to her feet, raising her Keyblade high into the air. Master Yen Sid told me that I shouldn't use this power under any circumstances, but it's the only chance I've got to clear out the Unversed. Riku and the others shouldn't have to worry about fighting them and an Akumatized villain.
Her eyes once again drifted down to her companions, who were looking at her with widened eyes and shocked expressions. Hikari could only give a sad smile as she whispered "I'm sorry." Then, she turned back to The Angel's Keyblade, her grip on the weapon tightening as she called forth the forbidden power. A whirlwind of black and white feathers manifested around the Keyblade, growing in numbers and size at an accelerated rate. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, before spinning the tip of the blade toward the ground and forcing it into the concrete, screaming the spell's name.
"Angel's Judgement!"
Immediately, the feathers exploded outward all around her, creating several tornadoes of wind, feathers, and golden light that spread throughout the school. Windows rattled in the harsh gale and any Unversed that got too close to a tornado was violently sucked inside before being destroyed.
Meanwhile, down on the lower floor, Riku and Aki tried to shield their eyes against the blasts of air. Riku had known that Hikari had a great deal of power and that her Keyblade was different than his or Sora's, but the sheer force behind that attack he had never heard of, was just unreal.
"We need to go!" Aki called out above the screaming winds, grabbing the teen's attention. "Once the spell ends, Hikari will have no strength or willpower left to fight the Akuma's influence. We need to put up the barrier so we can buy time to explain the situation to Ladybug and Chat Noir."
It was true; as the attack Hikari unleashed continued to take out any Unversed that tried to get away, he could feel the Light within Hikari beginning to fade. He could only hope though that there would still be just enough to save her from falling into Darkness completely.
With great reluctance, Riku turned away and followed the Sylveon out of the school. Once they reached the bottom of the entrance stairs and ensured everyone had evacuated, they looked back, the Keyblade Master summoning his weapon.
"I'll lend you some of my power to strengthen the barrier," Aki offered, one of her ribbons reaching out and resting on Riku's shoulder.
The silverette nodded in appreciation, feeling a warm stream of power flowing into him and transferring to Way to the Dawn. He took a deep breath, then called out the spell, causing a beam of light to manifest from the Keyblade and head for the school. The light expanded, encircling the building in a slightly transparent dome.
With the barrier up, Riku sighed, lowering his Keyblade. I just hope you know what you're doing, Hikari.
Back inside...
Hikari felt her body quickly grow heavy as Angel's Judgement began to disperse, forcing the teen back down to her knees. Above her, she could make out a barrier being placed, which caused her to sigh in relief.
"So it seems you've finally given up," Hawk Moth remarked with a chuckle.
Hikari managed a weak smirk, her vision blurring and beginning to go dark. "Perhaps, but don't underestimate the strength of the Miraculous as well as the Keyblade. It may very well end up being.. your... downfall." The Angel's Keyblade disappeared, and, with nothing holding her up, she collapsed, losing consciousness just before her head hit the floor.
Hawk Moth sported a grin of his own, excitement welling up within him as the darkness began to transform Hikari. Finally, the power of a Keyblade was within his grasp, and not even Ladybug and Chat Noir could stop him.
Suddenly, though, a voice he did not recognize broke through the link he shared with the Akuma.
"You may have control of her body, but I will not allow this child's heart nor the weapon she wields to be corrupted!"
The villain felt a tremendous force from inside Hikari, causing him to take a step back in surprise.
However, it almost instantly vanished, leaving everything quiet once again.
After a few moments, Hawk Moth straightened up, but still with a confused expression on his face. Who had that voice been just then? It certainly didn't belong to the one called Hikari, but he was certain that's where it had originated. He shook his head and refocused on his newest creation.
The Keyblade wielder was definitely under his control, but something didn't feel right. Hawk Moth could no longer sense the negative emotions that were rushing through his latest victim just a few moments before. In fact, he couldn't feel any emotions from her. It was as if- the man's eyes widened in realization.
It would have seemed that somehow, Hikari Kurai's consciousness had either been sealed away or completely left her body, yet still giving Hawk Moth control over her. She was nothing more than an empty husk; a puppet.
Hawk Moth's grin once more appeared. This could prove to be quite the opportunity. "Dark Tsubasa; I am Hawk Moth. I have given you the power to absorb the Darkness in anyone's heart. You will continue to grow stronger with each fragment you take in. All I ask in return is for you to bring me Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculouses. Can you do that?"
The Akumatized Hikari lifted her head and stood up, her expression blank. With a monotone voice, she replied: "Yes, Hawk Moth."
Riku's POV (Third Person)
Riku was running. He didn't know where to. All he knew was that he had to find Ladybug and Chat Noir fast, as the barrier would only hold so long with him not near it. There was also no telling how powerful Hikari would be once she Akumatized. Aki had vanished not long after he started running, an ominous sign that the last of Hikari's magic and strength had run out. Master Fu's place was out of the question, for Hawk Moth could very well have had eyes that would follow him to the Guardian's location.
Suddenly, Riku felt a sharp pain in his chest, causing him to stumble and skid to his knees. The Keyblader clenched his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, his right hand clutching his shirt where the pain seemed to come from. Never before had he felt such discomfort; the best way he could describe it was like he had been stabbed. There was also a sensation of emptiness like a piece of his heart was no longer there. This made him wonder: Had Hikari fallen further into Darkness than they anticipated when she was Akumatized?
"Hey, what happened!?"
Riku opened his eyes to find Chat Noir rushing up to him. The hero kneeled and a concerned look appeared on his masked face. "I'm glad I finally found you," the silverette stated, beginning to feel air return to his lungs.
"Hey, man, you don't look so good," Chat Noir remarked, placing a comforting hand on the other's shoulder. "Take it easy."
"Chat Noir!" Ladybug swung in on her yo-yo and landed next to her partner. She noticed Riku and her blue-bell eyes widened. "What happened?"
The sudden rush of pain Riku felt was starting to fade, but the feeling of emptiness remained. He slowly got to his feet, still holding his clenched fist to his chest, before looking at the two heroes.
"I think my connection with my partner has been cut off, so we don't have much time. I need to explain things before my barrier is broken."
Hikari's POV
"How long will the seal hold?"
"I don't know. I can only hope the Keyblade Master and Miraculous holders purify the Akuma in time."
I slowly opened my eyes, noticing I was on my stomach on a familiar stained-glass platform. When I sat up, my suspicions were confirmed as I looked around; I was back inside my heart.
Is this what happens to those possessed by the Akuma? I privately wondered. I suppose it's better than not having control over your emotions and watching yourself destroying the city.
"You're awake!"
I turned in the direction of the voice, just as I was tackled by the small form that was Ayame. Her arms wrapped around my neck and I returned the gesture by hugging her torso.
"I'm sorry, Hikari. It's my fault you're in this mess," she apologized. "If only I had noticed the Akuma sooner, you wouldn't-"
I pulled away and quickly pressed a finger to her lips, cutting her off. "We talked about this already; you can't blame yourself for everything that goes wrong. You weren't at fault back at Amber Lake, and you certainly aren't at fault now. I only have myself to blame for letting my emotions control me, falling right into Hawk Moth and Vanitas' trap."
"But it's thanks to your willpower that you were able to hold back the Akuma's influence long enough to get those students to safety and take out the Unversed."
My eyes darted towards the new voice, finding a figure clad in a white cloak. Their voice belonged to that of a young man, but beyond that, there were no distinguishing features, for his face was hidden in the shadows of his hood.
Where have I seen that cloak? I thought to myself, eyeing the stranger.
Ayame must have felt my unease, for she placed a hand on top of mine, her tone reassuring as she stated: "Don't worry, Hikari; we can trust him."
Even her with saying that, I wasn't sure what to think of the newcomer. Was he another resident of my heart like Ayame, or just a visiting soul? If it was the former, how had I not noticed him until that moment? Had he purposely hidden his presence there, and if so, was Ayame aware the entire time?
"I can understand your uncertainty," the stranger stated.
"It's not that," I replied with a shake of my head and got to my feet. "I just feel that I've had enough surprises in the last few weeks to last a lifetime."
He nodded. "That's understandable. The trials you have faced thus far were certainly strenuous, but you've done well to overcome them."
"So I take it then that you've been watching me for a while."
Another nod.
"Then... who are you?"
General POV
At Disney Castle...
King Mickey sighed as he closed the book he had just finished skimming, adding it to the increasing tower of parchment and leather beside his desk. His search for answers concerning the Cornerstone of Light had turned up fruitless thus far. No mention of the power that created the magical artifact nor other abilities the orb might possess had surfaced.
"Perhaps I should see if Radiant Garden's castle library holds any clues," the small king mumbled to himself.
"Oh!" Came the surprised voice of Queen Minnie.
Mickey looked across the room, finding his partner holding a thin but large, faded book.
The queen turned to the king, her eyes wide and bright and she shuffled over to the desk. "This is it, Mickey. This is the book we've been looking for."
The Keyblader took the offered book and gazed down at it. The cover and parchment inside the binding were very worn, the colors that had - at one point- been vibrant, were now dull and browned with years of handling. Even the text was faded a light grey tone than the usual stark black, but still, Mickey easily recognized it. "Your childhood storybook?" Mickey questioned with an eyebrow raised to his wife. He didn't recall the premise of the story, only knowing it told the tale of a long-lost world, and that the book held great sentimental value to Minnie as she had had it since her tot years.
The female mouse nodded. "Look at the third page."
Obliging but still a little skeptical, the king opened the book and turned to the indicated page. As he read, his unraised eyebrow soon joined the other, his eyes then growing wide. After a few moments of silence, Mickey quickly but carefully closed the book and jumped from his chair. "I'm gonna need to borrow this for a bit, Minnie. I must report to Master Yen Sid immediately." He barely gave her a second to nod in acknowledgment before rushing out of the library and towards the Gummy Ship hangar.