Chapter 3: miraculous tales of Beetle and shadow claw
**Ookami Residence - Night**
Jake was at home, trying to explain to Fang why he had left him during the sludge villain attack.
"So Fang, I had to help someone who was hurt. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. That was my bad, big brother," Jake said.
"It's fine. I was just worried about you. You missed something amazing! Some kid in polka dots defeated the sludge villain. His name was Beetle, and he was amazing," Fang said, as he saw their dad coming downstairs in his hero costume.
"Hey Dad, why are you in your hero suit?" Jake asked.
"Because, son, the sludge villain broke out of Tartarus. He goes by Grim Sludge now," Ookami said.
This made Jake's heart stop for a bit. "I thought I stopped the sludge villain. This is all my fault," he said to himself.
"Well, I'm off. You two stay here and be safe. Fang, you're in charge," Ookami said as he walked out the door.
"I'm just going to be in my room, Fang. Talk to you later, bro," Jake said as he headed upstairs.
"Okay, bro," Fang replied, a concerned look on his face
**Jake's Room - Night**
Once in his room, Jake paced around, worried and muttering to himself. "Why didn't I see this coming? It's all my fault. Maybe Kamui Woods and Death Arms were right. Maybe I should have left it to them," he said.
Kwasi popped out of Jake's pocket. "Jake, you couldn't have seen this coming. It's not your fault," Kwasi said, trying to cheer him up.
"Yeah, it is, Kwasi. Maybe you should find a new holder," Jake said, taking off the earrings and making Kwasi disappear.
Jake collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of his decision. As he lay there, the events of the day replayed in his mind. He couldn't shake the guilt and doubt gnawing at him.
Meanwhile, Kwasi reappeared, floating in front of him. "Jake, you can't just give up. Being a hero means facing challenges and overcoming them, not running away from them."
Jake sighed deeply. "I know, Kwasi, but what if I'm not cut out for this? What if I just make things worse?"
Kwasi hovered closer, his eyes filled with determination. "Every hero faces doubts, Jake. It's how you handle those doubts that defines you. Remember why you became Miraculous Beetle in the first place."
Jake looked at Kwasi, his resolve slowly returning. "To help people. To make a difference."
Kwasi nodded. "Exactly. And right now, people need you. Grim Sludge is out there, and Beetle is the only one who can stop him."
Jake sat up, taking a deep breath. "You're right, Kwasi. I can't give up now. I have to fix this."
Kwasi smiled. "That's the spirit. Now, put those earrings back on and let's go show Grim Sludge what Miraculous Beetle is made of."
With newfound determination, Jake put the earrings back on, and Kwasi merged with him once again. "Time to transform. Kwasi, Spots on!" Jake said, feeling the familiar surge of power as he transformed into Miraculous Beetle.
As he looked at himself in the mirror, Jake's eyes reflected a fierce determination. "Let's go save the day."
Musutafu Streets - Night
Grim Sludge was wreaking havoc, throwing cars and destroying everything in his path.
"Hahaha, this is so much fun! Now, where are those heroes?" Grim Sludge taunted as he continued his rampage.
Suddenly, a wall of ice appeared right in front of him.
Grim Sludge turned to see Frost Fang standing there, a determined and angry expression on his face.
"Frosty, you're not the hero I was looking for, but you'll do for now," Grim Sludge sneered as he shot out two tendrils toward the hero.
Frost Fang quickly created an ice sword and cut through the first tendril, but the second one struck him, sending him flying into a car. As he struggled to get up, he saw Grim Sludge looming over him with an evil grin.
Frost Fang gritted his teeth, pushing himself off the ground. "You're not getting away with this, Grim Sludge," he said, summoning ice shards in his hands.
Grim Sludge laughed maniacally. "Is that all you've got, Frosty? You're just delaying the inevitable."
Just as Grim Sludge lunged again, a black figure leapt between them, landing gracefully on all fours. It was Midoriya, now transformed and going by the name Shadow Claw.
"Back off, Grim Sludge!" Shadow Claw shouted, his eyes narrowed with determination.
Grim Sludge recoiled slightly, momentarily surprised by the new arrival. "Who are you supposed to be? Another wannabe hero?"
"I'm Shadow Claw," Midoriya replied, standing tall. "And I'm here to stop you."
Frost Fang, now on his feet, gave a nod of appreciation. "Glad you're here. We need to work together to take him down."
"Right," Shadow Claw agreed. "I'll distract him, and you hit him with everything you've got."
Grim Sludge snarled, his tendrils flaring. "You're both fools if you think you can defeat me!"
As Grim Sludge prepared to attack, Shadow Claw dashed forward, using his agility to dodge the villain's tendrils. "Now, Frost Fang!"
Frost Fang concentrated, forming a massive ice spear in his hands. With a mighty throw, he launched it directly at Grim Sludge, striking him in the chest and causing him to stagger.
Taking advantage of the moment, Shadow Claw leapt onto Grim Sludge's back, his claws glowing with power. "Cataclysm!" he shouted, and his claws disintegrated a portion of the villain's body, weakening him significantly.
Grim Sludge roared in pain and frustration, collapsing to the ground. "No! This can't be happening!"
"We did it," Frost Fang said, breathing heavily.
Shadow Claw nodded, stepping back as Grim Sludge was subdued. "Yeah, we did. But this is just the beginning. We have to stay vigilant."
Suddenly, Grim Sludge attacked the two heroes, sending them flying into a building.
Shadow Claw's ring beeped, and he instantly transformed back into Midoriya and Ravage.
"What happened?" Midoriya asked.
"When you use your power, your time runs out. You can only use it once before you need to recharge," Ravage explained.
"What are we going to do now?" Midoriya asked, seeing Frost Fang knocked out nearby.
"At least he's unconscious and hasn't seen me," Midoriya muttered under his breath.
Grim Sludge let out a roar and taunted, "Come on out, kitty kitty kitty. Don't you want to play?" He struck multiple times, shaking the buildings around them.
Suddenly, other pro heroes arrived and tried to take down Grim Sludge, but their efforts were futile. They were defeated easily.
Midoriya's heart pounded as he watched the chaos unfold. "We can't just sit here. We have to do something."
Ravage nodded. "We'll need to be smart about this. Find a way to distract him long enough for you to transform again."
Midoriya took a deep breath, determination hardening his resolve. "Alright. Let's do this."
Grim Sludge was about to strike another hero when a yo-yo whipped in, pulling the hero away from the attack.
"Sorry I'm late," a voice said.
All the heroes looked up to see Beetle standing on top of a rooftop, spinning his yo-yo.
"There you are. I was wondering where you were, bug boy," Grim Sludge said.
"Sorry for the delay, I had to make a grand entrance," Beetle retorted with a smirk, his yo-yo still twirling effortlessly.
"Looks like someone's got a flair for the dramatic," Grim Sludge sneered, his sludgy form pulsating with malice.
"Hey, when you're saving the day, style points count," Beetle quipped, his confidence unwavering as he prepared to face off against the formidable villain.
Grim Sludge sent three tendrils hurtling towards the building where Beetle stood. With a swift jump, Beetle spun his yo-yo and hurled it towards a nearby lamppost, using it as leverage to swing out of harm's way. He attempted a kick at Grim Sludge, but the villain grabbed his leg and hurled him into a parked car.
"Ouch, that stings," Beetle groaned, picking himself up from the wreckage.
"I'm going to enjoy ending you," Grim Sludge threatened, until Hawk Moth's voice echoed in his mind.
"You won't lay a hand on him until you secure the miraculous earrings. You've already failed to capture the cats," Hawk Moth commanded.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll deal with the boy first. The earrings can wait," Grim Sludge replied dismissively, launching two more tendrils at Beetle.
Beetle swiftly deployed his yo-yo, using it to block the incoming attacks, but he knew he needed backup. "I could really use some reinforcements right about now," he muttered, scanning the area for any sign of assistance.
Musutafu Building - Night
Midoriya paced around anxiously, feeling helpless.
"What are we going to do? I can't help Beetle like this," he fretted.
Ravage scanned their surroundings until something caught his eye. "Izuku, do you know what building we landed in?" he asked.
Midoriya shook his head. "I don't care, Ravage. I just want to find a way to help."
"Well, before you were panicking, I found something interesting," Ravage revealed.
Curious, Midoriya inquired, "What did you find?"
"We landed in a cheese building! So, I'm going to indulge," Ravage declared as he flew away, devouring all the cheese he could find.
As Ravage flew off to enjoy his cheese feast, Midoriya sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement at his kwami's antics. Despite the chaos around them, he couldn't help but smile at the sight of Ravage happily munching away.
"Alright, Ravage," Midoriya chuckled, "enjoy your cheese. I'll figure out how to help Beetle on my own."
Taking a deep breath, Midoriya focused his thoughts, trying to come up with a plan. He knew he couldn't just stand by and watch as Grim Sludge wreaked havoc on the city. With determination in his heart, he set off to find a way to make a difference, even without his powers.
Musutafu Streets - Night
Beetle leaped and somersaulted through the air, desperately trying to evade Grim Sludge's relentless tendrils.
"This is getting harder and harder," Beetle muttered as he attempted to maintain his distance. Despite his efforts, he was struck by one of Grim Sludge's tendrils, sending him tumbling to the ground.
As Beetle struggled to rise, his yo-yo still clutched tightly in his hand, Grim Sludge taunted him with a malicious grin.
"I'm going to enjoy this," Grim Sludge hissed, unleashing five more tendrils at Beetle. But just as the tendrils were about to strike, Midoriya appeared, blocking them with a steel pipe he had found on the ground.
"Oh, I remember you," Grim Sludge sneered, his expression twisted with malice.
"Hey kid, get the hell out of here!" Beetle yelled at Midoriya, concern evident in his voice.
Ignoring Beetle's warning, Midoriya stood firm, steel pipe in hand, facing Grim Sludge with determination.
"I can't just stand by and watch," Midoriya said, his voice trembling with resolve. "I have to help."
Beetle's eyes widened in surprise at Midoriya's bravery. "Kid, you're going to get yourself killed," he warned, but Midoriya didn't falter.
"I may not have powers like you, but I can't let innocent people suffer," Midoriya declared, his grip tightening on the steel pipe.
Grim Sludge chuckled menacingly. "Well, well, looks like we have another hero wannabe here," he jeered, his tendrils poised to strike.
Midoriya took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battle ahead. "I may be quirkless, but I won't back down," he said, determination blazing in his eyes.
Beetle and Midoriya both lunged at Grim Sludge, their weapons in hand.
As Grim Sludge's tendrils shot at Midoriya, he quickly slid under them, while Beetle leaped over the others, narrowly avoiding their grasp.
Beetle and Midoriya closed in on Grim Sludge, ready to confront him head-on.
"Stay back, kid!" Beetle shouted to Midoriya, his voice filled with determination.
Midoriya nodded, understanding Beetle's warning, and readied himself for the battle ahead.
Grim Sludge's tendrils shot out, grabbing Midoriya's foot and hurling him backward into a pile of rocks.
Gritting his teeth in frustration, Beetle continued his relentless assault on Grim Sludge.
Meanwhile, Midoriya lay against the rocks, clutching his chest and breathing heavily.
"Okay, okay, that wasn't your best plan," Midoriya muttered to himself, his thoughts interrupted by the arrival of Ravage.
"Hey, Izuku, I'm ready now," Ravage said confidently.
"Oh, really?" Midoriya replied sarcastically.
"Yeah, the cheese wasn't Camembert, but it was something, I guess," Ravage remarked.
"Okay, time to help Beetle the right way," Midoriya declared. "Ravage, claws out." With those words, his ring glowed, transforming him into Shadow Claw.
Amidst all this, other spectators and pro heroes observed the intense battle between Grim Sludge and Beetle.
The spectators and pro heroes watched with bated breath as the intense battle unfolded before their eyes. Some were amazed by Beetle's agility and determination, while others expressed concern for his safety as Grim Sludge unleashed his powerful attacks. Whispers of admiration and fear circulated among the onlookers, and a sense of urgency filled the air as they realized the gravity of the situation. With each clash and maneuver, the tension mounted, and everyone held their breath, waiting to see how the confrontation would unfold.
Beetle found himself backed into a corner, with Grim Sludge smiling menacingly at him.
"Time to finally squash you, bug boy," Grim Sludge said, poised to strike. Suddenly, something flew in and hit Grim Sludge in the eye, causing him to stumble back.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to hit you there," a voice said.
Everyone looked to see Shadow Claw jump right next to Beetle.
"Who are you?" Beetle asked.
"Oh hey, I'm your partner. Call me Night Claw. Wait, No, no, just call me Shadow Claw," Izuku said, giving him a smile.
"Okay, thanks for the save, partner," Beetle said.
"So, do you have a plan?" Shadow Claw asked.
"No, not really," Beetle admitted.
"Why don't you use your lucky charm? We can make this fast," Shadow Claw suggested.
"I've never gotten to use that yet. Sometimes I forget I even have it," Beetle chuckled.
"Okay, bug boy, I'll handle the sludge monster. You figure out what to do," Shadow Claw said as he charged at Grim Sludge with his staff in hand.
"Okay, please give me something good, something to actually beat this monster," Beetle said to himself.
"Lucky Charm!" he exclaimed, throwing his yoyo into the air. As it spun, baking soda materialized from it.
Beetle caught the baking soda and stared at it for a moment, contemplating its potential use. Then, with determination in his eyes, he turned back to face Grim Sludge and Shadow Claw's intense battle.
"Alright, let's do this," Beetle muttered to himself, clutching the baking soda tightly. He scanned the area, searching for a way to contribute to the fight.
Meanwhile, Shadow Claw was engaged in a fierce struggle with Grim Sludge, dodging his attacks and striking back with swift movements. The two clashed, their powers colliding in a dazzling display of light and shadows.
As Beetle observed the battle unfolding, a plan began to form in his mind. He glanced at the baking soda in his hand and then at the chaotic scene before him.
"I've got an idea," Beetle said to himself, a determined gleam in his eyes. With newfound resolve, he dashed forward, ready to put his plan into action and turn the tide of the battle.
Hey Shadow, what happens when you mix baking soda and water with a whole bunch of sludge? Beetle asked.
"When baking soda mixes and water and a lot of sludge, it creates a reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas," Shadow Claw explained, deflecting a tendril of sludge with his staff. "This reaction can weaken Grim Sludge and give us an advantage."
Beetle nodded, grasping the concept. "So, if we can get enough baking soda onto him, it might help us defeat him."
"Exactly," Shadow Claw affirmed, blocking another attack from Grim Sludge. "But we need to find a way to apply the baking soda to him without getting caught."
Beetles scanned their surroundings, searching for a solution. Suddenly, he spotted a nearby fire hydrant.
"I think I have an idea," Beetle said, a hopeful gleam in his eyes. "Follow my lead."
"Alright, Shadow Claw, I need you to use your Cataclysm on that fire hydrant," Beetle instructed, pointing to the nearby hydrant.
Shadow Claw glanced at the hydrant and nodded. "Got it. Just keep Grim Sludge busy for a moment."
Beetle spun his yo-yo and charged at Grim Sludge, dodging tendrils and launching attacks to keep the villain's attention. "Hey, sludge-for-brains! Over here!"
Grim Sludge growled in frustration and focused his attacks on Beetle. Meanwhile, Shadow Claw sprinted to the fire hydrant. He placed his hand on it, activating his Cataclysm. The hydrant crumbled instantly, and water burst out with immense force.
"Nice work, Shadow Claw!" Beetle called out. He quickly threw the baking soda into the stream of water, creating a fizzy, bubbling mixture.
Grim Sludge, now soaked in the baking soda and water mixture, began to weaken. His tendrils started to dissolve, and he roared in pain and anger.
"Now's our chance!" Beetle shouted. "Let's finish this!"
Shadow Claw and Beetle charged together, combining their attacks to overwhelm Grim Sludge. With the villain weakened and unable to maintain his form, the two heroes quickly subdued him.
As the battle came to an end, the pro heroes and spectators cheered for Beetle and Shadow Claw's victory. The heroes rushed in to secure Grim Sludge and make sure he was properly contained this time.
Beetle turned to Shadow Claw, a smile on his face. "Great teamwork, partner."
Shadow Claw grinned back. "Yeah, we make a pretty good team."
"One more thing," Beetle said as he walked over to the cops.
"Can I see the bottle for a second?" Beetle asked.
"Yeah, why?" a cop replied.
As Beetle took the bottle and broke it in half making all. the officers freak out .
"What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do that?" all the cops reacted in shock.
When Beetle broke the bottle, an akuma flew out.
"This is why," Beetle said with a smile.
"No more evil doing for you, little Akuma. Time to de-evilize." Beetle spun his yo-yo, catching the akuma. When he released it, a white butterfly flew out. "Bye bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Beetle!" he yelled as red lights shot out, returning everything to its original location and transforming the Sludge Villain back to normal.
The cops looked at Beetle in awe, still trying to process what they had just witnessed.
"That was... incredible," one of the officers said. "But who are you exactly?"
Beetle smiled and gave a small bow. "I'm Beetle, your friendly neighborhood hero. And this," he gestured to Shadow Claw, "is my partner, Shadow Claw."
Shadow Claw nodded, still catching his breath from the intense battle. "Glad we could help."
The once-transformed Sludge Villain, now back to his original state, looked around in confusion and fear. "What happened? Where am I?"
"You're back to normal, thanks to these two," a cop explained, handcuffing him. "And you're going back to Tartarus."
As the cops led the villain away, Beetle turned to Shadow Claw. "Nice teamwork out there. We make a pretty good team, don't you think?"
Shadow Claw smiled, though he still looked a bit unsure. "Yeah, we do. Thanks for having my back."
"Anytime," Beetle said. "But we should get out of here before too many people start asking questions. Ready?"
Shadow Claw nodded. "Let's go."
The two heroes exchanged a nod, then quickly disappeared into the night, leaving behind a city that was safe once more, thanks to their bravery and quick thinking.
Musutafu random rooftop - Night
As Beetle and Shadow Claw retreated to a nearby rooftop, they took a moment to catch their breath and survey the city below.
"That was intense," Beetle said, leaning against a ventilation unit. "But we did it."
Shadow Claw nodded, still feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Yeah, we did. But... I still can't believe I'm actually doing this. A few hours ago, I was just a regular kid."
"Well, you're definitely not regular anymore," Beetle said with a grin. "You're Shadow Claw, hero of Musutafu."
"Thanks," Shadow Claw said, managing a smile. "But I have to ask, how did you know what to do with the baking soda and water?"
Beetle chuckled. "Science class. Sometimes those random facts actually come in handy. Besides, you've got some pretty cool moves yourself. That pipe trick was impressive."
Shadow Claw looked a bit embarrassed. "I just did what I could. But there's still so much I don't know. Like this 'Cataclysm' power. It's a bit... overwhelming."
"You'll get the hang of it," Beetle assured him. "It takes practice. And you'll always have me and Ravage to help you out."
"Thanks, Beetle. That means a lot," Shadow Claw said sincerely.
Suddenly, Beetle's yoyo beeped, and he glanced at it with a serious expression. "Looks like we've got more trouble. A small-time thief causing chaos downtown."
Shadow Claw stood up, determination in his eyes. "Let's go. We can't let anyone get hurt."
Beetle nodded, and the two heroes took off into the night, ready to face whatever challenges came their way next. As they leaped from rooftop to rooftop, they knew they were just beginning their journey as partners, and the city could rest a little easier knowing that Beetle and Shadow Claw were on the job.
Unknown location - Night
Hawk Moth slammed his fist onto his desk, the impact echoing through the dark room. "They keep getting in my way. I was so close this time," he muttered to himself.
A voice echoed from the shadows. "Calm yourself, Hawk Moth. Anger will not aid our cause," the mysterious figure said.
Hawk Moth turned sharply. "Don't tell me to calm down. This is the second time they've thwarted my plans. I need a new strategy."
The figure stepped into the dim light, revealing a pair of glowing eyes. "Perhaps it's time we find a stronger akuma, someone with a deeper resentment, a more powerful drive for revenge."
Hawk Moth smirked, his frustration giving way to a sinister grin. "Yes, you're right. Someone who can match their strength and outwit them. I know just the person to target next."
The figure nodded. "Then let us proceed. We will not fail again."
Hawk Moth turned back to the window, watching the city lights with renewed determination. "Enjoy your victory, Beetle and Shadow Claw. It won't last long."
Midoriya residence bedroom - Night
Shadow Claw slipped back into the window and detransformed into Midoriya and Ravage.
"Oh my God, that was so cool! I'm not useless; I actually helped people!" Midoriya exclaimed.
"Yeah, I told you, you did good," Ravage said with a smile.
Midoriya's excitement was palpable. "I can't believe it. I actually fought alongside Beetle and made a difference!"
"You did more than that. You stood your ground and helped save the day," Ravage said, fluttering around happily.
"But what if someone saw me? What if they find out?" Midoriya's worry began to creep back in.
"Don't worry about that now," Ravage reassured him. "The important thing is that you were there when it mattered. And now you know you can do it again."
Midoriya took a deep breath, calming himself. "You're right. I just have to be careful. And I'll keep training to get better."
Ravage nodded. "Exactly. We'll get stronger together. Now, you should get some rest. We've got more hero work ahead of us."
Midoriya smiled, feeling a newfound sense of purpose. "Thanks, Ravage. Good night."
"Good night, Izuku," Ravage replied, settling down.
Midoriya lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing with the possibilities of what tomorrow could bring. For the first time in a long time, he felt like a true hero.
Ookami residence, Jake's room - Night
Beetle snuck back into his room through the window, landing quietly on the floor.
"Okay, that was great. Spots off," he said, detransforming back into Jake and Kwasi.
"So, what do you think about Shadow Claw? Cool partner, right?" Kwasi said.
"Yeah, he's cool. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this," Jake replied.
"Yeah, that's true," Kwasi said.
Suddenly, the light in the room turned on.
Standing in the doorway was Fang, holding a bowl of food that he dropped in shock.
Jake and Kwasi looked at him, equally surprised.
"I can explain!" Jake yelled.
.Musutafu Streets - Evening
**Flashback**
A few moments earlier...
"I am here!" All Might announced in his muscle form, appearing around the corner. But he quickly realized that no one was there. "What the?! I could have sworn he was coming this way," All Might said, confused as he looked around, trying to follow Midoriya. "I was hoping to ask Midoriya to be my new successor. Maybe I'll meet him again at the U.A. entrance exam," All Might said before leaving, hopeful to see the boy again.
Musutafu Streets - morning
Present Day
All Might walked through the bustling streets, lost in thought. "I need to find Midoriya again," he murmured to himself. "There's something special about that boy."
Just then, he noticed a crowd gathered around, chattering excitedly. All Might pushed his way through to see what was happening. Onlookers were pointing at a TV screen mounted on a storefront, replaying footage of Beetle and Shadowclaw's battle against Grim Sludge.
"Isn't that the sludge villain I fought?" All Might wondered aloud, watching the fight unfold. His eyes widened as he saw Shadowclaw in action. "Wait, is that... Midoriya?"
The screen showed Shadowclaw, transformed back into Midoriya, and All Might's suspicions were confirmed. "So he has a miraculous," All Might thought, amazed. "I need to speak with him."
Meanwhile, Midoriya was walking home from the store . As he approached his house, he noticed a familiar figure waiting for him at the gate.
"All Might!" Midoriya exclaimed, running up to him. "What are you doing here?"
All Might smiled warmly. "I've been looking for you, young Midoriya. There's something important we need to discuss."
Midoriya's heart raced. "Is this about what you saw on the news?"
All Might nodded. "Yes, I saw your heroic actions. You showed great courage and strength. I believe it's time we had a conversation about your future... as a hero."