Happy Tuesday everyone. Not much to say this week so let's jump right in.
Content warning: Fear induced panic attack, life threatening situation, guilt, old injury and of course fear.
Chapter 5
The Gift
Ladybug was quick to return and when she did she was not alone.
"Tanuki, this is Pigella." He recognized her as the holder of the Pig Miraculous. Unfortunately she was one of the newer ones Ladybug recruited so he didn't know her identity.
"Ah, nice to meet you Pigella." It was a little awkward since not too long ago he was the one on the attack.
"Nice to meet you too! Ladybug said you were helping out." Her overly positive attitude was ringing a bell in his mind but for some reason he couldn't place it. He'd have to worry about that later though.
"Pigella is going to be our back up. If either of us need help getting past the rocks she can use her powers to fill us with positive vibes." Ladybug explained and he had to admit it was a good plan. It also explained how she avoided the red rock's curse in the first place.
"Your plan is to use the amber solution to cut the red rocks off from the source?" he said, holding up the bottle of yellow liquid. She nodded, taking the lead.
The group raced into the subway tunnel. They felt the power of the red rock less while transformed but it was getting increasingly more difficult to move forward the closer they got to their destination. The decreasing light was also becoming a problem. After making a wrong turn Tanuki pulled something out of his pocket.
"Is that a glow stick?" He nodded, shaking it up to mix up the chemicals making them glow.
"Oh that's so pretty!" Pigella exclaimed admiring the pink light it was admitting.
"I grabbed it while you were picking up Pigella. Figured if we had to go underground it was safer than lighting a fire down-" he stopped as the light from his glow stick illuminated what he thought was a rock but it turned out to be his Dad trapped in amber. He backed off shaking his head as Pigella came up to him.
"You OK?" He knew it wasn't real but the memory was. And that was affecting him more than the illusion. But he shook it off, he had to. They had one chance to make this work, they had to keep going.
"I'm fine, come on we don't have far to go." He noticed Ladybug had paused as well.
"Ladybug, you coming?"
"What?" she seemed to snap out of whatever she was seeing too. "Sorry, you're right, let's keep going."
Pigella frowned as she watched the two holders. It was clear they both had been through a lot but were trying to stay strong for the sake of everyone else in Paris. She was happy that Ladybug had asked for her help but surprised that Tanuki was helping as well. She hoped this meant he was turning over a new leaf; he did seem eager to help after all.
When they were just outside the unused service tunnel and their destination, a large red rock shot up right in front of them, nearly missing Pigella. She stumbled back knocking into Tanuki causing him to drop the vile of Amber Solution. A few drops splashed onto a black rock nearby causing the amber to sprout up and grow out of control.
Tanuki looked up horrified to see Pigella standing just inches away from being consumed.
"Pigella watch out!" He pulled her away as quick as he could but his hand got caught in the process. Ladybug ran up and ripped his glove off, freeing him from the same fate as his father. The three of them ran from the area after scooping up the vile.
Finally the trio arrived at their destination and sure enough this place was covered with red rocks from top to bottom. The fear was thick here and despite their best efforts it was starting to sink in. After catching their breath Pigella turned to Tanuki.
"Thanks for saving me. You really-"
"I'm sorry…" he cut off in a shaking voice making her pause. "I-I got careless again and you almost…you could have…" She ran up to him touching his arm letting him know that she was still there.
"Tanuki it's OK! I'm alright!" she looked down and saw the redness was starting to creep up his legs.
"Every time I try to help someone always gets hurt." He hugged his arms as the redness kept spreading.
"Ladybug he-" but Pigella's eyes widened seeing Ladybug in a similar state.
"This is too much…I can't handle this, I'm going to fail everyone!" Ladybug was turning red as well; she almost didn't notice since it was the same color as her costume.
Pigella took a deep breath. It was up to her now this was why Ladybug brought her in, this was where she could do the most good. She was afraid of course but she wasn't about to let that stop her from helping her friends.
"GIFT!" She used her powers to show the two holders what they cherished the most and almost instantly the red started to go down.
Marinette felt a hand on her shoulder even though she knew nothing was there.
"Adrien?" she asked, turning to see the boy she had been in love with for so long.
"It's alright Marinette, you aren't alone." She looked to see all her friends and family by her side and a tear of relief rolled down her cheek.
"I…I don't…"
"You don't have to shoulder this burden all by yourself." Alya said from behind her. "We're with you. If not in person than in spirit." Everyone behind her cheered and she felt the love of all her friends and loved ones all at once. She had to do this, for them and for herself. She would do this.
As for Tanuki he found himself sitting at the dinner table as Varian with Gabriel on one side and his father on the other. Across from him was Adrien and Emilie who was straightening out his hair. This should have felt strange but it felt so right and so warm.
"You don't mind if Varian has a few friends over for dinner do you Gabriel?" His father asked and Gabriel smiled.
"Of course not, he and Adrien have a lot of the same friends after all." Adrien beamed and suddenly Luka, Kagami, Alix, and Max appeared at the table along with a bunch of Adrien's other friends from school. He knew this wasn't real, but he wanted it to be so badly.
"Why are you all here?" he asked, confused and a little afraid of the answer. Luka turned to him.
"We're here to support you." Max nodded.
"Indeed your formula could help quite a lot of people." He wanted to believe that but…
"But it almost caught Pigella and-" he was cut off by a new voice.
"And you saved me!" Pigella had somehow appeared at the table as well next to Luka who looked back at him.
"And me." Luka said with a smile. Gabriel put a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's not forget what you did for Emilie." Gabriel praised as Adrien gave him Mom a quick hug.
"You also helped get me away from Jacques." his brother acknowledged.
"I guess that's true but-"
"No buts!" Alix interrupted. "You've helped so many people. Sure you made some mistakes, everyone does."
"They are correct." Kagami interjected. "I have no doubt you can do this Varian." His own Dad put a hand on his shoulder.
"Go on son. You've got this." And for the first time in a long time he believed it.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Adira fought the urge to roll her eyes as she realized the Sundrop and her companions were once again sidetracked and once again in trouble. She tracked them to a large house made of seashells with their horses and caravan still in the stables.
She was sure they were in this strange house but try as she might she was unable to get in. It didn't help that the door kept moving or disappearing all together. Just as she was about to try and break the window she heard a familiar kwah, one she hadn't heard in years.
"Hamuel?" To her surprise the upside down bird dropped a scroll in her hands as he crashed into a bush. She had not received any word form King Edmund since she was banished for seeking the Sundrop all those years ago. Why would he be writing to her now? She would deny it to her dying day but she was shaking a little as she opened the message from her King and fellow Brotherhood member.
It was hard to go against her family even if she knew in her heart she was doing the right thing. That didn't mean it didn't hurt the way they all turned their backs on her. Quirin was at least sympathetic even if he was skeptical about her theory. She hadn't seen him very much since he got married and only once after he sired a child, one she had yet to meet, and that was only to give her a letter. He had instructed her to give it to his son if anything happened to him before his son turned 18.
She kept it on her at all times unopened as he requested but she was unable to give it to the recipient. After the battle of Old Corona she had to choose between following her brother's last wish or guiding the Sundrop to her destiny. Many nights she lay awake wondering if she made the right decision.
But she was getting distracted. She opened the scroll and nearly lost her footing at the news of the Moonstone's power being stolen. She had no idea how this was possible, but it must be if the King was granting her a temporary pardon to get her opinion on it.
She looked back at the house of shells and frowned. She knew it couldn't be Rapunzel but a number of evil forces have been trying to stop her from reaching her destiny. Was it Zhan Tiri's disciples? Could the demons have gotten free when Hector pulled out the spear from the Great Tree? Whatever it was she was convinced this odd house with surprisingly strong magic had something to do with it.
She wrote back to her King with the promise to help but also vouching for Rapunzel and her crew. She wasn't sure she would be believed but she had to try. As Hamule flew off with her reply she drew her sword more determined than ever to get in there and find out what was happening.
Only…the house had disappeared.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
While Pigella couldn't see what her gifts were since it may compromise the holders' identities, she could easily see the effect they were having on Ladybug and Tanuki quite clearly. The red had vanished from their bodies and they held themselves a little higher. Ladybug handed Tanuki back the vial.
"You ready to finish this?" He gave her a sly grin.
"Let's rock."
"Oh that was worse than one of Chat Noir's puns. Anyway, LUCKY CHARM!" She shot her yoyo into the air and received…"
"A rock!?" Tanuki almost laughed.
"It's a skipping stone."
"The Lucky Charm knows we want to get rid of the rocks right?" She rolled her eyes looking for the best place to use the amber solution.
"There! It looks like they started emerging from that service entrance." The entrance was completely sealed by the rocks but it looked like the perfect spot.
"Good, all we need to do is-" he paused as if realizing something. "Damn it!"
"What's wrong?"
"This solution works on the black rocks but I've never tested it on the red ones. I'm really hesitant to try it now." They both looked at Pigella remembering how she was almost caught in it the first time.
"That's a problem." Ladybug said, looking around. "I don't see any black rocks in this area that we can use." Pigalla was looking around herself.
"Oh, I do! There!" She pointed to a far wall with three tiny black rocks close to the ceiling.
"Do we have enough for all three?" Ladybug asked, eyeing the rocks and the vial. Tanuki looked doubtful.
"Technically yes but the moment we use it on one the amber will start growing at a rapid rate. I don't think we'll have time to hit all three and we don't have any other containers." Ladybug looked at the vile, the rocks and then the stone in her hand.
"I've got an idea. Tanuki I need you to throw the vial directly at the center one on the count of three." He looked unsure but he recognized that look. It was the look she got when she solved the Lucky Charm. He'd been on the receiving end enough times to know whatever idea she had was a good one.
"Alright, just say the word."
"One, two, THREE!" He launched the vile thankful he was a better athlete in his transformed state. It soared through the air but just as it was about to hit its target Ladybug threw the skipping stone. It ricocheted off the walls before shattering the vile and coating all three of the black rocks.
"YES!" Tanuki shouted and just like they planned the amber was spreading rapidly cutting off the red rocks. And it kept expanding. "Annnd we should get out of here, NOW!" The three of them raced out with Ladybug retrieving the Lucky Charm.
The amber from earlier had almost closed off the tunnel luckily there was just enough room to squeeze through. But as Tanuki braced himself against a wall his bear hand brushed against one of the black rocks. He quickly pulled his hand away from the strange sensation. These days he almost never took off his gloves so he was caught off guard. He didn't think much of it though, he was a bit preoccupied trying to outrun the amber. He didn't know this simple little act would alert someone else to his presence.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
In the storage area of the museum high above from where the three holders were escaping, Jalil felt it. He had little to no control over this entire situation but he could sense a shift it the rocks. It was hard to explain; it was almost like they had found something they were desperately searching for. Apparently the ghost girl felt it too.
"Ah, so our prodigal son has come home, or at least made contact." She snickered as the rock shifted their current host into a more stable possession. "The missing piece has been found, a shame that means the rocks won't spread any longer, unless of course he leaves the city."
Jalil was barely paying attention, he was so tired. He hadn't slept since he started this ill fated journey and now he couldn't seem to keep his eyes open. 'Maybe,' he thought, 'I'll wake up back in my bed and this will all have been a bad dream.' He was finally allowed to sleep.
Zhan Tiri chucked again at the young man's plight. "It's for the best, my little pawn. Sleep long and deep. With the Moon Child accounted for we just have to wait for the Sundrop to find her way here. Then the fun can begin anew."
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Now safe from danger the three holders took a moment to catch their breath. Ladybug released the Lucky Charm unsure if it would really do anything but felt she had to try.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" The energy from the charm flew through the air and went out to the city above. Tanuki was relieved to see that the red rocks were finally gone. They still had the black ones to deal with but he'd take this little victory. The few red stature people they saw coming in were now moving around again almost as if nothing happened.
"Guess the Lucky Charm got it right this time." He said eager to leave to make sure his foster family was OK.
"Thanks for the help we couldn't have done it without you." He looked down and away unsure how to respond as Pigella bounced up to him.
"You make a good hero. Why don't you join us and-"
"I can't!" she backed away at the bite in his tone. "Listen, thank you for helping us through the red rocks."
"You're wel-"
"But don't ever do that again!" Both Pigella and Ladybug were taken aback by his sudden tone shift. "What you showed me was wonderful but it wasn't real. It's something I could never have." He clenched his fist around his staff. "A promise is a promise. We won't attack while the rocks are still wreaking havoc but it won't be forever."
Both Pigella and Ladybugs' limit was almost up. "You've been warned." And with that he vanished the others unable to follow without risking their identities.
Ladybug sighed. She'd always suspected there was more to Tanuki than just your run of the mill villain. Today she got to see another side of him which was great but he quickly reminded her he was not on her side. They just had a common enemy, that's all. Still it was a reminder there was a person behind that mask.
She wasn't sure how to react when she saw him again.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Varian raced home as fast as he could without being seen. There was a part of him who wished he could be the hero the Pigella described but that vision was a harsh reminder. There was no scenario where everyone was sitting together at that table. At some point he was going to have to make a very hard choice.
When he first got here that choice would have been easy now that was making real friends and connections that choice was becoming much harder. And then there was the fact that the Lucky Charm seemed to be unable to do anything to destroy the rocks. Could their magic even work against them? They got rid of the red rocks but the amber was left behind.
Was he chasing an impossible wish? Maybe his Dad couldn't be saved, even by a miracle. His thoughts were racing as he entered his home. He was relieved to see both Gorilla and Nathalie there, not looking like they were scared out of their minds.
"Oh thank God you guys are OK." Nathalie looked up and saw him.
"Ah, Varian there you are. Yes, we're fine except for a bit of time loss." Varian looked up confused.
"What do you mean?" she shook her head.
"We'll talk about it later. Gabriel wanted a word with you in the study." Which was code for lair. He nodded and ran there as quickly as he could. Gabriel was standing by the window looking concerned.
"Gabriel are you alright?" The memory of the man screaming in terror was more than a little disturbing to him.
"I was hoping you could tell me. One minute I noticed some new red rock that had sprung up in my house the next they're gone but several hours had passed." Varian blinked in surprise, he didn't remember any of this afternoon? Although given what he saw in his own vision maybe it was for the best that the man didn't remember what happened. He quickly explained what happened along with his team up with Ladybug and Pigella to fix the problem.
Gabriel looked conflicted. While he did agree to the truce it must have been frustrating to know his partner was close enough to learn Ladybug's identity. Still once again he had been a victim of the rocks and hadn't even known it.
"So you really don't remember anything?" Varian asked.
"Not at all. I suspect the Lucky Charm saw fit to erase our memories so as not to have half of Paris traumatized." or vulnerable to an Akuma which was left unsaid. Varian thought for a moment.
"Maybe because I was transformed I still remember? Ladybug and Pigella remembered everything as well."
"But I'm a holder as well but forgot just like everyone else." Varian nodded. "Then I'd say it's important that 'Varian' forgets as well."
He nodded, already coming to the same conclusion. He was almost ready to leave but Gabriel had one more thing to add. "Oh and one more thing." Varian paused. "Good job out there. It must have been rough fighting through all those nightmares but once again you did this family a great service. Thank you."
That warm feeling was starting to grow again.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Once making sure Alya was OK, Marinette discovered that no one else seemed to remember what happened when the red rock started to sprout. She thought it was for the best. With her nightmare as well as the good dream still swimming together in her mind she decided to call Adrien and a few of her other friends to make sure they were alright.
"Hey Adrien, weird day today right?"
"Hu? Oh yeah, weird." His voice sounded a little shaky.
"Are you doing OK? I know it was weird that most of Paris just forgot several hours but how are doing?" There was a bit of a pause before he answered.
"Sorry I was watching some videos of people freaking out and turning into statues. Thank goodness for Ladybug right?" She blushed trying not to smile too much. "Now it seems like no one remembers."
"You think that's a bad thing?" she asked since he still sounded off.
"No, I think it's for the best. It's just going to take some getting used to."
"Are you sure you're OK? If you need to talk I'm more than happy to listen." On the other end Adrien smiled, falling a little more in love with her.
"Thanks but I'm fine, just a little tired that's all." She reminded him he could always call her if he changed his mind but then let him go to get some rest.
As soon as the phone call ended Adrien put his head in his head the vision from earlier replaying in him mind,
"Why didn't I forget like everyone else? Is it because I was a holder?" Plagg popped out but could only frown. He didn't have an answer for him since he was caught in the red rock's curse when it hit Adrien. He remembered but he was also a Kwami.
Adrien wished he did forget. While he was tired he was a little afraid to sleep. The nightmare would be bad tonight. Absently he rubbed his upper arm where his injury continued to pulse and throb once again.
To Be Continued…
Next time: With things finally starting to stabilize Varian and the others are doing their best to help out the people in their community. They've even planned a charity concert featuring Jagged Stone. But would his greedy producer really sabotage the show for his own gain?
