Mounting Pressure

Chapter 16

Calm before the storm

/

/

Deadvolt reached down and scooped the mason jar out of the pond the cat-eared brat had thrown it into. He carefully removed the lid, and the trapped Akuma fluttered into the sky. He scowled and turned towards his main objective: claiming the lives of these children. A dirty business. Even freed as he was from his doubts thanks to Monarch, he didn't relish the task set before him. But his new master had made himself clear. Kill any heroes and bring their Miraculous to me. Only then will I grant your wish. He wouldn't waiver. Even if he had to burn the world.

Life for a life…

The blood Akuma twirled in the air, unperturbed by the loud clash of lightning as Deadvolt resumed the chase. It circled the park, trying to sense anyone it could latch onto. Like a parasite, it needed a host. But not just any host would do. It fed upon despair, and only despair would sate its existence.

People were screaming and running. Fear was thick in the air. But none seemed as satisfying as its last victim. It had developed a taste for Adrien's particular fears. It wanted to taste that despair again…

So even as Adrien ran with Ladybug in tow, the Akuma followed.

It reached the restaurant just as the boy was leaving again. The Akuma fluttered angrily before following, only for Adrien to move on again. But this time, it stopped and sensed the despair from the two adults in the bakery… no, only Adrien could satisfy it now. It slowly fluttered through the deserted streets of Paris, following his goal.

But it wasn't the only one searching for the boy…

/

/

"He said his name was Deadvolt," a male voice said.

A feminine voice asked something Juleka missed as she came too. A concrete ceiling came into focus before she sat up. Her head had been in someone's lap.

"Hey, take it slow."

Juleka held up a hand when she saw Ladybug reach out to steady her.

"I'm okay. Just need a minute… Where are we?"

"In the subway."

Juleka looked around the small room they were in. Carapace, Rena, and Ladybug were all looking at her with concern. She tried to put on a strong front, but it faltered when she tried to put her hand out, and a shooting pain shot up her arm all the way to her shoulder. Tigress hissed out before leaning on Ladybug's shoulder.

"Alright, maybe I'm not okay," she huffed out. That guy had given her a hell of a beating. She didn't even remember how he knocked her out.

"He clotheslined you, fried you with lightning, then grabbed your arm and slammed you into the concrete. I'm surprised you're even awake," Carapace said. Rena smacked his shoulder and gave him a stern look. He blinked and said, "What?"

Oh… thats how. Juleka thought before huffing out a pained laugh.

"We need to work on your bedside manners, hun," Rena muttered.

"...where's Chat?" Tigress asked and scooted over to sit against the wall. When she didn't receive an answer, she cracked open an eye at Ladybug.

"He can't help us. We're on our own." Ladybug said tiredly.

The room fell silent for a minute. The other three were waiting for their leader to elaborate. She didn't.

"What's the plan, then? How are we going to deal with this guy?" Rena asked.

"First, you and Carapace recharge in the next room."

Rena and Carapace exchanged a look before Nino shrugged and pulled himself up. It took some effort from the pain in his back. He hadn't gotten it as bad as Tigress, but his own beating had been thorough. Rena helped him limp for a few steps before walking on his own. The door shuts to silence, and two quick flashes of light are seen through the bottom of the door.

"You too," Ladybug said.

Juleka muttered, "Stripes off," before screwing her eyes shut from the loss of her costume and powers. Every ache throbbed all at once, making her groan.

"I hope Rose wasn't watching. She's gonna be so mad at me for getting hurt…"

She heard a soft intake of breath from Ladybug before she gently placed a hand on Juleka's arm.

"You told her?"

Juleka let out a humorless laugh.

"Of course I did. I love her."

"But thats dangerous! We can't involve civilians, Juleka. What will you do if-"

"She's already involved. She was involved the moment I accepted the miraculous. I won't lie to my girlfriend, Ladybug. Not even for you."Juleka said bluntly, cutting Ladybug off. They locked eyes as Juleka stood her ground. Seeing Juleka with such a steely resolve was enough to make Marinette pause in shock. It would seem Juleka had changed quite a bit in the last six months.

"If thats really a deal breaker, I'll give the Tiger back. Don't ask me to choose between it and Rose. I'll choose Rose every time." She said firmly.

Ladybug heard a noise that drew her eyes. Roaar was sitting in Juleka's lap, growling and glaring as if to protect her partner. The message was quite clear. Juleka smiled and rubbed the Kawmi's head before pulling out a bag with some dried meat. Roaar took the offering but kept her gaze on Ladybug. It was more weary than threatening, at least.

Was it really that simple for Juleka? Marinette's mind flashed with a litany of ways telling her loved ones her secret could backfire. Any time the idea came close to her, she squashed it down with cold logic. No, she loved her friends and family too much to drag them into this fight. The very idea of endangering Adrien's life for such a selfish reason appalled her.

"If we fail and I don't come home, how do you think Rose would handle that? If I just disappeared without her ever knowing why… Haven't you ever been in love?"

Ladybug's lips thinned, but she leaned back against the wall.

"Of course I have. It's because I love them I don't want them involved."

Juleka sighed and rubbed her arm, where a large bruise was now wrapped around it.

"I know a lot is riding on us. On you most of all. But we can't do this alone. I have to trust someone. I knew I couldn't hide it forever when Rose and I got together officially. She deserves to know the truth." Juleka stated plainly.

A silence stretched while Marinette mulled over her words through the haze of a migraine. An image of her parents crying if she just never came home one day flashed in her mind. Her friends looking for her. All the pain it would cause. All the pain being Ladybug has already caused… could she tell a lover the truth? ...Tell Adrien?

Would Adrien still want to "give them a chance" if he knew? What's the lesser evil? Never letting him in or lying to his face to keep him safe? Or dragging him into a dangerous fight and her mess of a life? She didn't know what he'd-… No, Marinette knew Adrien wouldn't turn away. That selfless boy would try to help in any way he could. That terrified her for a completely new reason. Ladybug told him to jump once, and he didn't hesitate. Almost like he had zero regard for his own life. Marinette didn't deserve that kind of trust. Not when she could never return it.

And now she was thinking about their trip to the movies. She was still slightly shocked about Adrien's actions and words from earlier in the day. A distraction that refused to go away. Of all the times Adrien could have asked her out, it just had to be right before an Akuma fight without her partner.

And being open with Chat? Letting him in and trusting him with her heart? Well, she's already seen where that leads. A broken world and a white suit. A shattered moon. Paris under water. Endless nightmares… Marinette didn't know which part of her problems was more frustrating. Her complicated feelings for either of the two boys or the bone-deep weariness and pounding headache.

"Roaar, stripes on."

The transformation snapped Marinette out of her thoughts. Tigress pulled herself up with the wall behind them and turned to look down at her.

"I don't know about you, but I trust the person I love with my everything. We're stronger together than I could have ever been alone… I choose to have faith in that strength."

Ladybug opened her mouth to retort, but a knock sounded out.

"You two ready?"

Ladybug sighed. This was all just a diversion. They needed to deal with the victim. She needed to deal with him. It was her failings that caused this whole damn mess. Akuma first, personal problems later. As always. She just wanted this day to be over.

"Yeah, come on in," she called out.

Her teammates filled in, and Marinette looked all three of them over. Most of the damage was gone from their suits, but there were spots where the costumes looked threadbare. Tigress's blackeye was showing, and Carpace still had a bit of a limp. All three of them looked worn out. Her team and the Kawmi needed rest, not a short snack break. Marinette sat on the floor while the others stood around or leaned against the walls.

"So, what's the plan?" Carapace asked lightly. Rena's lips thinned as she glanced at him. It had been evident to the girls that Ladybug didn't have a plan. Rena spoke up quickly to give her friend a cover. Whatever was going on with Marinette, Alya would have her back… but she was gonna grill the hell out of Marinette once this was over.

"What do we know about him? Besides his name?"

Rena caught Tigress's eye and they shared a nod. The four of them discussed Deadvolt and his powers. Carapace told them he didn't seem to have any personal goal besides wrecking the place and taking them down. Tigress warned them how getting hit could make you lock up. Carapace mentioned how he could probably break through his shelter with enough time. Rena asked what the Akuma might be hiding in.

"His toolbelt? Maybe he's an electrician. It's not like he's wearing a whole lot." Carapace said to the room.

Tigress shrugged her shoulders. "That or his ring."

The room went silent as the other three exchanged looks.

"What ring?" Carapace asked. Tigress crossed her arms with a raised eyebrow before answering.

"His wedding ring. I only noticed it because he always led with his right when we fought. It looked like his power manifests in his right hand first."

"That's something to go on, at least. But how do we get close enough to find out?" Rena wondered out loud.

The three of them started throwing ideas around while Ladybug listened, trying to keep her mind from dwelling on Adrien or Chat. Rena suggested submerging him in water to short him out. Tigress disagreed, worried it might have the opposite effect and allow him to conduct his powers even more. Then Tigress suggested a Faraday cage. Ladybug shook her head and confessed she didn't think the Ladybug could make something so complicated just then. They went back and forth without a consensus being reached.

Marinette's mind couldn't focus on the problem all the while, so she sat against the wall. She just kept thinking about Chat and how this mess was her fault. What would he do? Chat was agile enough to dodge most of Deadvolts' attacks, like some years ago when they fought stormy weather. She could picture him using his staff to ground the electricity. Say something stupid like, "What a shocking development!" or "I always knew there was a spark between us." All the while grinning like he was having the time of his life…

Then he'd save her ass somehow. She'd save him. She'd Lucky Charm. They'd work together and save the day, like they've done hundreds of times before…

Ladybug rubbed her eyes. Chat wasn't here. She was on her own for this one. She needed to think! There had to be something she could do! Why couldn't she just focus! Argh! This was getting them nowhere. Screw it. Maybe the Ladybug could give her a hint. Show her how she could take care of this herself without endangering her friends more than she already had.

"Lucky charm!"

A dimer-than-usual flash of ladybug magic trilled in the air before sluggishly condensing near the ceiling. The other three went quiet as Ladybug held her hand out to catch something small. When the object fell into her palm, she stared at it for a few seconds before clutching it and holding it to her forehead from frustration. Seriously!? I don't need your sanctimonious bullshit right now! How is this the answer? Just give me a damn solution! She muttered "fuck" under her breath.

"What is it?" Rena asked.

Ladybug wearily held her hand out to show them. The other three leaned forward to look and…

"A friendship bracelet?" Tigress asked.

Ladybug leaned back against the concrete wall again and closed her eyes.

"It's done this a few times before. It's saying I don't have a solution."

A short silence stretched while the other three exchanged looks.

"Then… who does?" Rena asked softly.

Ladybug sighed and held up the bracelet to inspect it closely. It had four charms the same size: a ladybug, Fox, turtle, and dragon, all spaced evenly around a tiger charm twice as big. Instead of a red and gold pattern on the dragon, it was black and gold, which made even less sense than the Charm being there at all.

"I think it's saying Tigress has to come up with a plan. But Ryuko isn't even here. Why show a dragon?" Ladybug said tiredly. Tigress recoiled slightly from surprise.

"Me? Why would the Ladybug think I have the answer?"

Ladybug shook her head again.

"I don't know… Is there anything you can think of? Anything at all?"

Tigress blinked a few times before adopting a pensive frown. She paced to the other side of the room. Was the Ladybug trying to say she had to devise a convoluted plan to stop this guy? Juleka wasn't stupid by any means, but Ladybug's plans had always seemed random and inscrutable to her.

Another impact shook the room as Tigress paced some more.

Maybe she wasn't supposed to think like Ladybug. Wouldn't it have given Ladybug some random item like usual if that was the case? Juleka preferred a more direct approach. What were her strengths? Well, she had a fully charged clout now. Instead of three super-powered shots, she could concentrate them all into one punch. Strength was her biggest strength. But that hadn't been enough before…

Wait, she was only thinking in terms of herself. The lucky Charm had shown all of them, not just Tigress. She couldn't do anything about the dragon not being here, but… Her eyes trailed over Rena's flute and Carapace's shield. A slow smile spread across her face.

"What do you think happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?"

"Alright, get into position Carapace. We're going with Tigress's plan," Ladybug said.

The other three nodded, and Carapace jumped away to get ready as distant thunder echoed through Paris.

"This is crazy. Are we really just going to brute force our way out of this?" Rena muttered under her breath.

"You have a better idea?" Ladybug asked and looked over at her friend.

Rena shook her head in the negative.

"Then we may as well try it."

The three women jumped towards one of the largest straightaways in Paris together. Marinette's first count for her time limit after calling for a lucky charm came and went, but she must have simply miscounted. It wasn't like her head was on straight today…

Then, another thirty seconds passed. Then another. She told her friends to wait and landed. Any second now… but the beep never came. They were already well past the first five minutes. She idly raised a hand to rub her right earring.

"What's wrong?" Rena asked with crossed arms.

Marinette looked up and shook her head before jumping again. Maybe she had passed some point of maturity without realizing it or some mastery level with the Ladybug. Or perhaps it was because the powers were so drained that they hadn't set a time limit like normal. Or this Charm was different somehow. It didn't matter. She'd take any kind of advantage she could get. Marinette was so exhausted it wasn't worth the energy to worry about it.

The three girls landed at the start of Rue de Vaugirard, one of the longest streets in Paris. Thunder clouds above rumbled and began covering Paris while a strong wind blew. A storm was quickly forming. They waited until Rena's flute chirped, and she checked it. "He's ready."

Ladybug nodded and pulled out her container for power-ups. This will be the first time she's ever used the yellow one. After eating the lemon-tasting cookie, a flash of light rolled over her body, changing the costume as it went. Her spots turned into black lightning bolts with a yellow outline and a yellow mesh pattern. The material felt more rubbery, and she pinched it. After inspecting it a bit, she looked up and nodded at her friends.

"Alright. Rena?"

Rena played a quick tune, then held her flute skyward…

/

/

Adrien sat on the oversized couch in front of his massive TV at his safehouse, hands clasped before him.

"This is Nadja Chamack, reporting to you live from our helicopter," a voice said over a sweeping view of the city.

"It has now been forty minutes since the superheroes Have confronted the new villain."

The camera whipped around a bit to focus on the electric monstrosity, currently standing on a tall building, scanning the city before the screen changed, running through a highlight reel of their last confrontation.

"Has there been no sign of Ladybug since, Nadja?"the news reporter back at the station asked.

"Not yet, Pierre. It seems like the calm before the storm," she said before a soft rumble echoed.

"Do you think the tempest currently heading for Paris is connected to the Akuma?"

"Impossible to say, Pierre. I just hope that- wait! Look there!"

The camera zeroed in on a firework being sent into the sky. After it exploded, it showed a cartoon chibi version of Rena sticking her tongue out with the words "come and get us" under it. Even with his nerves as shot as they were, Adrien couldn't help the small half smile. Alya sure had a way with words. It dropped back into a look of worry when the Akuma victim started flying towards it.

"Take us closer!"

The fight had already started back up by the time the news crew was close enough to get a clear shot. Adrien began to rub his ring absentmindedly, eyes glued to the screen. A loud clash echoed as the four fighters began battling in earnest.

"As you can see, Ladybug is currently engaging the victim once again," Nadja said calmly while the camera did its best to keep all the fighters on screen. "While there's been no sign of Chat, It would seem Ladybug has called in her other allies."

"This is the first time we've seen them engaging alongside Ladybug since she and Chat clashed with Monarch himself almost eight months ago."

"That's right, Pierre. It's hard to tell from this distance, but I believe I see Rena Rouge and Tigress fighting with everything they have. Once the battle is done, I will attempt to interview the-... oh my god."

"What!? What is it, Nadja?"

"It's… not looking good, Pierre."

The camera zoomed in to show the victim brutalizing Adrien's teammates. After trying to fry Ladybug with lightning and seeing how it hadn't worked on her, the man grabbed her face and slammed her into the concrete. He started punching her into the ground over and over. You could actually hear and see the street begin to break from the helicopter. It took both Rena and Tigress together to get him off her.

"Come on, LB… get up…" Adrien muttered.

By the time Ladybug was back on her feet, Rena had been sent into a building from another super-powered punch, and Tigress was duking it out with the guy like a boxer. That lasted about fifteen seconds before the man punched her in the stomach hard enough to lift Tigress off the ground. Adrien winced from the force of it. Nadja was just as transfixed on the fight as he was. She made a sharp intake of breath, forgetting she should be narrating.

As the fight went on, a massive storm started to cover Paris. Adrien looked out his window for a second and saw a few bits of trash and debris flying around from the wind. With every significant clash of the heroes, the storm would respond with an angry rumble. The camera lurched for a second.

"Keep it steady!... What?... I don't care how strong the winds are; we're not leaving yet." Nadja yelled sternly.

After a nasty exchange in the fight, Adrien stood up, nearly running for the door, but he forced himself to sit back down. Even if he left now and could magically help, they were over an hour away. And thats if he could actually navigate the currently broken city streets. His only choice now was to sit, watch, and believe in his team.

It took every ounce of his self-control. It wasn't just that his partner of four years was getting her ass kicked right in front of his eyes while he sat on his. That was bad enough. But now, there's the possibility it was Marinette as well. Adrien didn't think he could recover from losing his best-friend/current-love-interest and his partner.

After another twenty minutes, the heroes must have seen the chance they were looking for. An illusion faked the victim out while Ladybug grabbed his right arm and held him with Rena on his left. While the victim struggled, Tigress charged up an attack. She rushed forward…

A shockwave Adrien could swear he heard from his loft went off, and the man flew down the street like a rocket. Another few seconds pass before another shockwave shook the city. The camera focused on the three girls collecting their breaths, but the storm was now battering the helicopter.

"Alright! Take us back." Nadja yelled loudly.

"Is everything alright?" the newscaster asked from his desk.

"It's the storm! We can't stay airborne much longer!"

"Of course. Stay safe, Nadja. We'll be waiting for you."

The news returned to showing Pierre at his desk, and he started talking about everything they'd just seen. Adrien leaned back on his couch, finally letting some tension go. He looked out his window, tuning out the news.

I hope it's over…

/

/

Kagmi pocketed her phone before storming toward the cockpit of the jet. This time, the Akuma alert had been in the far red, with a full-scale evacuation order… and little to no sign of Ladybug or Chat. Longg was pressing into her like he had something important to say. A message, probably. She had an awful feeling. Like, end of the world terrible.

"Ma'am, please don't go any further. The cockpit is for personnel only and-" the stewardess tried to say, but Kagami ignored her.

She threw the door open and came up behind the co-pilot.

"How long until we reach Paris." She demanded. The Co-pilot answered.

"Miss Tsurugi, I must ask you to return to your seat. It's not safe for you to-."

"And I own the jet and pay your salary. How long until we reach Paris."

The pilot had only glanced at her before going back to the controls. Instead of arguing, he spoke up. He'd been a private jet pilot for thirty years. Eccentric members of high society were pretty standard. This wasn't the first time a client had forced their way into the cockpit.

"five hours, twenty-four minutes, give or take. However, we've been informed that a disaster is happening in the city. We may be delayed or redirected until the matter is handled."

"I see. Thank you."

Kagami about-faced back into the main cabin and passed her seat, grabbing the sword along the way.

"Katsuki, I am retiring to the backroom for some sleep. No one is to disturb me for any reason, understand?" Kagami said sharply without stopping.

"Ma'am?"

Kagami ignored the inquiry in her tone. The moment the door clicked home, Longg flew out of her pocket, who could sense her unease.

"Mistress! We're needed in Paris."

"Then we'll have to hurry."

"But how are we going to get there? Even with the power of wind, it'll still take us hours to arrive." Longg said with worry.

Kagami frowned and rubbed her miraculous in thought before her eyes went to the sword… It was told it could work true wonders… or cause terrible catastrophes that haven't been seen in centuries. A risk…

"We're not using your powers," Kagami said softly.

She carefully slid the black silk cover off the sword in her hand, revealing the famed Honjō Masamune, thought to have been lost since the end of the Second World War. When she gripped the sheath, the blade vibrated slightly. She could feel a kind of rough power from it like it was unchecked. Primal. Furious.

She hoped their conversation wouldn't be as fruitless as their last one. The spirit inside was quite rude.

"Is that wise? I don't like him, master. His powers aren't like the Kawmi's. I can't guarantee your safety, even with the dragon's capabilities. Plagg told me never to trust them. I disagree with the guardian's decision to involve them."

Kagami opened her mouth to retort, but the blade vibrated again. Angrily. Kagami set her jaw and used her thumb to push the guard up, bringing the sword out of its sheath by an inch. A shadow billowed from the opening. All Kagami could see from it was a formless black cloud with two red eyes.

"The Kwami speaks true. I do not serve the unworthy. Had I not made myself clear the last time? Why have you awoken me, Tsukumogami? Whom do you serve that refuses to let me sleep?"

Kagami cocked an eyebrow. Was that supposed to be some kind of insult from antiquity? The sword was only seven hundred years old, but the spirit was ancient. Kagami was surprised they could converse at all. Then again, the kawmi could speak any language they heard. Magic sure was convenient.

"I serve no one but myself."

A mouth formed below the eyes and stretched into a far too wide grin with sharp teeth. It glanced at Longg for a moment, but the kawmi seemed just as unsure as the girl was. She doesn't know what she is. How humorous. The red eyes zeroed in on her hand for a mere second. Her ring. It must be her totem. A product of the peacock. Perhaps she really doesn't serve anyone… how strange.

"Interesting… Again, what do you want, whelp?"

"I require your power."

"What do you offer?"

"Offer?"

"Ignorant child… I am far older than your little pet dragon. Nor am I so magnanimous. The Kawmi…" The shadow said, hissing the last word in disgust. Longg stuck his tongue out at the shadow and crossed his arms.

"Represent The ideals. The driving forces behind life itself. Oni… do not. Before there was creation and destruction, there was chaos. Before order had been so woefully installed, there was I. If you want my power, you must offer something in exchange. I am an Oni. We. Do. Not. Serve."

Kagami considered the thing in front of her with a steely gaze. If there was one thing she learned about the art of negotiation from her time with the company, it was never to show weakness. Without her, this thing would have to go back to sleep, and he obviously wants something. Kagami could use those as leverage. She needed to come into this from a position of strength. First was ironing out the fine print.

"What I offer depends entirely on what I gain, creature."

The shadow laughed before condensing into a small figure. It took the form of a small crow in a white Yukata with blue ocean waves across the chest and a matching Tokin on its head. A small red staff was strapped to its back. Cute, not unlike the kawmi. But she knew appearances could be deceiving. He landed on a small shelf and sat down leisurely.

"You have some steel in you… I like that. You may call me Tennsai. I am the Tengu Oni. Bringer of the storm. I have many talents… but I offer control of the weather for now. Control I can gift to those I deem worthy. To those I find with… adequate compensation. For the next six hours, my powers would be yours."

"And what do you want?"

The crow's beady eyes turned smug with another grin.

"Three days."

Longg spluttered with disbelief, drawing Kagami's eyes.

"No. Don't listen to him, master! This is worse than I thought. You must not trust this… this thing! He is evil! You must-" The kawmi tried to cry out before Tennsai snapped his fingers (wingtips? Where had that sound come from?), and a shadow whipped out to encase him.

Kagami's eyes went hard, and her hand shot out for the hilt to slam it back down.

"You won't make it in time without me."

Her hand stopped.

"Release him," she said roughly.

"When our conversation is over." the little crow said disinterestedly.

Kagami opened her mouth.

"he can't hear you to transform," he said, inspecting his wingtips.

Her mouth snapped shut.

They stared each other down for several seconds. The Akuma alert went off on her phone again. Kagami grits her teeth at the bored look Tennsai gave her. She hadn't trusted him before today, and if Longg told her he was evil, she was inclined to believe him. He had rudely told them to fuck off the first time she tied to draw the blade. Her position was quickly deteriorating. She didn't have time for this. The stalemate stretched for a few seconds before Kagami spoke up. That was one point towards the Oni.

"What do you mean, three days?"

Tennsai's smile turned wide with sharp teeth. It was only momentarily, but Kagami could see its true nature. A chill shot down her spine. She realized she had no idea what she was bargaining with, but whatever he was, he shouldn't be trusted. She felt like she had just taken the bait for a very deadly trap.

"Why, of the only thing that has any true value to mortals… three days of your lifeforce."

Kagami's face remained passive for several seconds, not revealing her shock or disgust with anything but slightly widened eyes. He knew she was desperate and was banking on it! She sat on the bed beside her, mimicking his laid-back attitude with crossed legs. The squirming need for haste forcibly held tight. A new tactic was needed. Two can play this game, little demon.

"Three days for six hours? Thats over a thousand percent increase on your side. Hardly seems fair."

Tennsai's eyes narrowed.

"You do not like the terms of the deal?"

Kagami smirked.

"No. I do not. And control of the weather? I have the power of the dragon Kawmi. Wind, water, and lightning are already under my control. What guarantee do I have it is even worth it?"

"Now you doubt my power? The arrogance! The kawmi are playthings next to what I can do! I should destroy this flying contraption right this second for your impudence, Welp!" The oni growled.

A storm seemed to be forming in his eyes, and Kagami could see dark clouds outside the window with a glance that hadn't been there a moment before. Good. Angry meant off balance. Not to mention a display of power she could quantify. He wasn't all talk.

"Then the sword you are bound to would be lost. Be calm, or our talk is over. Your threats are as harmless as you are, creature." Kagami said, emphasizing the last word. She needed to show him threats and insults would get them nowhere. Their deal would be as equals or not done at all.

Her hand began pushing on the hilt ever so slightly. A gamble. She had a feeling that, like the kawmi, Tennsai's power and freedom were limited without a human bond. The information she had secured about the sword had been sparse, but one thing was clear. He only brought calamity when wielded by a person.

Tennsai hesitated a bit in surprise. The clouds outside didn't dissipate, but the rumbling was gone. Kagami's tension slowly lowered. Her first victory, if a small one. One point in Kagami's favor. Tennsai considered the girl in front of him with interest for the first time since meeting her.

"And you need my assistance more than you show… Very well. I see you are not as weak as I first thought. I recognize your will. But watch your tongue, welp."

"Likewise."

Tennsai grinned at her again. He was starting to begrudgingly like her a bit. For centuries, humans had feared and revered his power like a god. To meet one who saw herself as an equal was new, to say the least.

"A counteroffer. Three hours for three hours."

Tennsai spluttered a bit. Her sheer audacity was off-putting for him.

"You think three hours of your life is worth three hours spent with the powers of a god?"

Kagami quirked an eyebrow.

"I am Kagami Tusurgi, a titan of industry and commerce. The economic prosperity of entire countries depends upon my actions. I am Ryuko, the dragon. I may not be a god, but my power is just as real. And you doubt me?" she said calmly.

Tennsai blinked before laughing. He brought up a wing to cover his eyes. She honestly saw herself as his equal. He. An immortal being of magic and chaos. Older than time itself. What an ego on this one! She's no mere golem. What fun we could have… It may be worth my time to deal with her. Just a little corruption and we could do such great work together…

"Ha! I must say, I have never met one like you before… Twelve hours of your life for three hours of my power. No matter how valuable your life may be, It is with your life force that my power manifests. I must gain something, no?" He finished with a grin.

Kagami frowned but held his gaze. She wanted to make him clarify what that meant. Her life would fuel his powers? Did that mean he would be keeping some for himself? For what purpose? And how much life force did it take for his ability to work? What was the ratio? But this was her very life she was negotiating for. That took priority.

"That's still too high. My offer-"

"Is rejected. You've talked me down to a pittance. You will receive no better offer. Take it, or our talk is over, child. You have impressed me. But that does not mean I will allow you to dictate our deal further. Know when you have gained enough." Tennsai said firmly.

Kagami swallowed as the room fell to silence. Her phone chimed again with the Akuma alert. She glanced at it. A complete state of emergency. That hasn't happened since before she left Paris. Not since the last major clash with Monarch himself. She had wasted enough time already. Who knows how fast she could even get there? What was twelve hours weighed against an entire city with the people she loved in it?

"Done. Now release my kawmi."

"We must seal the deal in blood first; take this," he said, plucking a feather from himself and handing it over. Kagami took it.

"Now, grip it tight. It will cause your hand to bleed."

She did so. The sharp feather was like iron instead of the softness she expected. Her hand started to bleed.

"Repeat my words. 'I offer my life in exchange for your power."

Kagami narrowed her eyes.

"I offer twelve hours of my life in exchange for your power."

Tennsai bowed in a stately, nearly mocking manner before looking up with a smile. She's a clever one… he thought. A petty trick. One he hadn't truly expected to work. But he wasn't seen as a demon god for nothing. The feather began absorbing the blood until it turned scarlet.

"Deal," he said and snapped his wings again.

The shadow ball faded away, and Longg continued his rant as if no time had passed for him.

"-seal him away! I will not allow you to barter your life-"

"Too late, little kawmi. The deal is struck."

Long's face fell as he looked from the grinning crow to his master and the red-black feather in her hand.

"Master…"

Kagami refused to meet his eyes. She called out before he could say anything more.

"Longg, bring the storm."

Her kawmi looked away as he was silently sucked into her choker for the transformation. Her usual red and gold outfit appeared. Kagami looks over at her new "partner" with hard eyes.

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

Tennsai flies over to land on her shoulder.

"One final step. Say, 'Tennsai, let chaos reign.' Just a heads up… this might sting a bit." The little monster said, grinning madly.

She took his warning in stride and repeated the words. Her worry for her friends was making her desperate and reckless.

He turned into a shadow that flowed over her body, changing her outfit as it went. Kagami screamed. Lightning began striking all around the jet, masking the sound. The black part over her hands extended to her shoulders and felt like creeping fire. A black crow wing design appeared over the rim of the emblem on her chest, with a larger one on her back. Her domino mask stretched to cover her entire face and turned black, leaving only slits over the eyes. The sword of the dragon on her back and the crow's on her hip. The moment it was over, she fell to her knees.

Thunderclaps echoed for miles as the sudden storm raged. Both outside the jet and in her veins. A madness took hold of her. Power. Fury. Rage. She pounded her fist against the floor, and the entire jet shook. Her blood was boiling. She wanted to lash out. Strike wildly. Destroy. It took a solid minute before the violent urges faded. A voice spoke in her mind, dripping with a mocking contempt.

"I hope you don't regret it, child. The very forces of nature are now at your fingertips. Remember. Three hours. So… what will you do with it?"

"What I have too."

She didn't know how she knew, but it was like an instinct drove her. She knew how his powers worked. This wasn't anything like the bond with her kawmi. She could feel his oppressive nature boring down on her. Almost like he was guiding her actions. Showing her what she needed to do… a much quieter force acted like a barrier. It was warm and gentle. She had never noticed it before, but a part of her realized it had always been there. I'm sorry, Longg. Just this once. They need me…

She gripped the hilt and became a storm by simply wanting to. She was lightning, water, and wind all at once. Her body slipped through the side of the jet as if she were incorporeal.

Her "eyes" turned towards her destination, and she flew. It wasn't enough. Kagami summoned the dragon's power of the wind to push herself faster. It took her an agonizing hour to reach the city. This meant she had an hour to deal with whatever was happening in Paris before returning to the jet.

A raging gale descended on the city...

/

/

Ladybug stumbled over to Rena to help keep her friend steady. She looked like she was about to fall over.

"You think it worked?" Rena breathed out, letting her friend take a shoulder.

Tigress sat down hard on a broken piece of building close to her. "God, I hope so. I'm exhausted."

"Les gow fid out," Ladybug said past her bloody nose, keeping her worries to herself. She was well past her limit for the day. Marinette was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.

She took a moment to try and clean her face up a bit, prompting Tigress to inspect Ladybug's nose before offering to set it for her. Marinette nodded. After starting a count to three (Tigress ignored it and went on two), she used her thumbs to set her leader's nose right. Marinette nearly screamed. She probably thought the word "fuck" at least sixteen times in rapid succession while her eyes watered from the pain. Yep, she was very done with today.

The three girls started walking down the street slowly before all of their miraculous beeped, and they checked them. A short message from Carapace: "he's out, but I don't know for how long." All three of them groaned loudly before picking up the pace. Marinette was too tired to think of anything but a straightforward hope.

Please let this day be over…

/

/

A/N

So, this A/N is going to be extremely personal. Feel free to skip it if you'd rather not hear about my life and problems. I don't know if this is inappropriate to put here, but I have a dedication I'd like to say.

If you've been following my story for a while, you'll know it's been a long wait for this chapter. This last hiatus for my story saw the passing of a very dear person to me. And I'd like to say something to her.

- This is for you, mom. Although she will never see the end of my story or the original book im writing, I dedicate both of them to her. Thank you for always believing in me. Even when I couldn't believe in myself.-

She was the last immediate family member I had left. I'm not okay. I think it will be a very long time until I will be. But life goes on. I still have to work. I still have to connect with people I care about… And I still really want to finish Mounting Pressure. I never imagined it would take me this long to finish this story. Haha, life can kick you while you're down sometimes.

But by god, I will finish this story. I've written a whole lot of all my favorite bits already. Their first date and kiss. A lot of chapters with them actually being together and all the challenges that bring. It always really bothers me when a story spends an insane amount of time with two characters getting together, only to never show the actual relationship afterward.

These funny little blorbo's written in this story really help me a lot. It lets me express things I don't get to very often. It helps me connect with all of you in some small way. If my story has made you feel anything, anything at all, I have succeeded in the only way that matters.

At the end of the day, I want to tell a story that connects. My childhood dream was to be a writer. Fan fiction showed me I can be one! I hope if you've made it this far, you'll stick around to read the ending someday, though I understand I've made (and will probably continue to make) many of you wait.

I am very much getting back into the swing of things. I hope to post the thrilling conclusion for Act Two in a much more manageable amount of time. I'm shooting for two weeks from posting this. I'll see you in chapter 17, friends.

OH! and I had some art commissioned up. Its a scene from chapter 7. still trying to figure out how to link it, though.