Chapter Forty
"Pollen, Nooroo– unify!" Mellifera called.
Nooroo turned into a burst of lavender light, being drawn into the brooch on Mellifera's chest, swirling with energy as the unification took hold. Silver Paw watched on, clutching Blue Scute close. As the light faded the drained heroes looked on to see their newest foe.
Gold and purple decorated her form, hair done up into beehive style, the Bee Miraculous tucked within. A mask shaped like a butterfly rested over her face. The deep purple stripes on her dress spiraled up the yellow fabric, and four translucent wings hummed as she rose up into the air, opening her eyes– which were pure gold in color.
She looked down at silken gloves, and Silver Paw knew what she was feeling. The power of two Miraculouses running through her, both draining, yet invigorating all the same. How the auras of Subjection and Generosity would blend, Nino did not know, and could only watch as she brought her hands together, an insect forming between her fingers.
"Mellifera, look at what you're doing," Ladybug said, stepping forward. How she found the strength to stand once more even when much her life force had been ebbed away, he did not know. "Look at what Emilie has been put through, left in a terrible limbo for so long. She's not alive or dead– it's just not right!"
"It is Mellifluent now," Mellifluent said softly, soothing voice seeming to fill the room. There was a power to it, yet it carried the same softness as when the Butterfly would whisper in one's mind. "And soon she will be alive and with us once more."
Mellifluent opened her hand, letting her creation fly forth. It was neither bee nor butterfly, but a graceful blend of the two, flitting into the air, looking as if it were made from the morning sun. Silver's eyes were locked on it, not knowing what sort of powers would be awakened from the combination. Into the air it flitted, twisting about so gracefully, as if it would be harmless.
The insect descended down onto a Vemoned Gabriel, who was instantly freed by its touch. He stumbled forward, rage and bitterness flashing in his eyes as he whipped about to face Mellifluent. But like an akuma the bug has already merged with his ascot, a mask flaring over his face.
"Pestilence," Mellifluent whispered softly. "This city has continually been against you, doing all it could to keep Emilie from being returned to you. They stood by and did nothing as she suffered, and she deserves justice. So I will grant you the power to seek your revenge, and you can inflict this horrible city with the same pain she went through while you grow stronger."
Silver Paw's blood ran cold.
"Your presence will inflict disease on those around you, they will find their very body failing them. Screams will become gasps of air, their very blood will carry illness instead of strength. You will make the city suffer for what it's done, and any to touch you will find themselves empty as Emilie now."
Gabriel's rage towards Mellifluent had been clear just a few moments ago, but with the words she had spoken it was gone. Instead a cruel grin had spread over Gabriel's face, the eagerness in his eyes clear. There was no hesitation as he spoke, turning towards them with that dangerous spark in his eyes.
"Oh yes, Nathalie, I will gladly accept such power." Gabriel murmured, and dark energy bubbled over him, the powers beginning to take hold. "And these heroes will be the first to taste this sweet revenge."
Mellifluent just shook her head as Pestilence fully formed, looking almost apologetic. "The power to seek revenge I have given you– but it is not vengeance that we are looking for, Pestilence."
A golden glow entered Pestilence's eyes, the same eerie glow of when a Sting took control. The man who had once been Gabriel Agreste went completely still, the appearance and powers of an akuma still pulsing through him, but now completely under the Subjection of Mellifluent. Silver had seen Hawk Moth speak through akumas before, using their form to pass along a message– but as Pestilence began to move he knew this was something else entirely. An akuma with dangerous powers not controlled by the raging emotions of someone– but a force completely under the control of their enemy.
"When you are ready to surrender your Miraculouses, you may come and find me," Mellifluent told them, looking at the weakened heroes who were struggling to even stand. "Once you decide that the city shouldn't suffer for your selfishness, once you decide not to let these innocent civilians die– then this can end."
With that, Mellifluent spread her wings, rising up into the air, flying towards the Cataclysmed entrance in the ceiling. She didn't look back at the children she was leaving behind, her akuma merely leaping for the wall– climbing up the side with ease. Like a fly he crawled up, his form still human– and yet something completely different. A wrongness that seemed to emulate from him as he scurried across the ceiling, then vanishing through the same hole alongside Mellifluent. Away from the crypt, away from the heroes, away from Emilie– straight into the vast city where there was no one to protect the civilians.
Ladybug's own wings flapped fervently, her toes scraping against the ground as she tried to rise, before she fell down to the platform, gasping for air. Panthera was immediately by her side, an arm around her– yet neither could rise. Instead Panthera sank down onto the platform next to Ladybug. Holding her, comforting her, but both were losing the strength to even stand.
Blue Scute's transformation was the first to fall away.
Silver Paw cradled the unconscious boy in his arms, Adrien's head lying in his lap as green light surrounded him– a very exhausted Wayzz appearing above them. The Turtle immediately swooped down, paws pressing against Adrien, taking in his weakened form. Skin was pale saved for purple bruises– on his arms, his wrists, visible under the edges of his clothes. Sweat was running down him, eyes pressed tightly shut. Everything about him looked ready to shatter– a faint heartbeat pulsing under Silver's fingers, shuddering breaths that couldn't be getting him enough air, a small trail of blood that dripped from his mouth.
"N-no," Silver Paw croaked.
"I will be back," Wayzz said, and before Silver Paw could offer any protest the kwami zipped up towards the ceiling– vanishing.
Sapphire Wing was the only one among them who had any strength left– yet she was still trembling as she approached, looking down at Adrien with horror in her eyes. She collapsed next to him as the Peacock Miraculous beeped frantically, grabbing Adrien's hand with one of her own.
"You– you–" she stammered out. "Wake up, Adrien– you have to wake up."
Silver Paw couldn't move, he couldn't even find the strength to say anything. He just sat there, holding Adrien so closely, fear pulsing through him each time his chest struggled to rise. The broken Miraculous had already pushed him so far, but this was the worst he had ever seen him. His body having been pushed to fight when it had already been broken, the last traces of life having been ripped from him by a sentimonster.
But he was still breathing, and that was the only thing keeping Silver Paw from slipping away.
Sapphire Wing's transformation fell not long after that, leaving a shaken Chloe sitting there, desperately clutching Adrien's hand. Duusu peered out, tears in her eyes as she looked down at her little chick, and all could feel the pure fear pulsing out from the kwami– the fear, the sorrow, and the love.
"A-adrien?" Duusu croaked as gleaming tears fell from her eyes– but he didn't even twitch. The Peacock rushed down towards him, curling up in the crook of his neck– and began sobbing.
"Wh-what do we do?" Silver Paw croaked, looking up as Ladybug and Panthera limped their way over to them, the two literally depending on the other to hold them up. To help them move forward. Perhaps it was thanks to their transformations that they could even do such, their kwamis supplying them with their magic, giving them this last remnant of strength.
Silver Paw could barely hold up Adrien, let alone stand right now.
"Paris," Ladybug whispered, fear having woven its way through her voice. "Th-they– the city– she's– she's– she's–"
A sick, horrible feeling was working its way up Silver Paw's throat. Because despite this horror in front of him, that was not the full terror that was out there. Mellifluent's voice echoed in his mind, the powers she had granted Pestilence lulling through him.
What had happened to Emilie would be inflicted on the city. What had happened to Adrien was going to spread across their home. As long as Pestilence was out there, it could not be safe. This was not just an akuma rampaging, this was... this was...
"Daddy," Chloe croaked. "They're– they're going to– Daddy's out there, he's–"
And it wasn't just the city. It was their families, their friends, everyone that they knew. Nino's mother, Chris... they might have been hidden away, but as long as they were still in Paris then there was a chance that Pestilence's powers could reach them. And if Mellifluent were able to find them...
"We– we have to go, we have to stop them–" Ladybug stammered– only to be stopped by a scoff by Chloe.
"How?" She snapped, fear and the blatant truth dripping from her lips. "You can barely even stand. And if that akuma's power hits any of you..."
"It will only get worse once we're out there," Panthera muttered. "If we go anywhere near him we'll–"
"If he touches us we're as good as dead," Silver Paw muttered.
"I... I'll go," Chloe said, pushing herself to her feet– sounding like this was the last thing she wanted to do. "I'm the only that's– that's well–"
"Chloe– n-no," Ladybug took in a strained breath, reaching for Chloe as the horrible rasp in her voice took hold. "Peacock– Duusu–"
"The Peacock Miraculous is broken," Silver Paw said in a strained voice as Pantherea supported her wheezing partner. "If you keep using it, it will do the same thing as it did to Adrien."
"Should... should we have let her make the wish?" Panthera whispered in a hoarse voice, and they looked at her. "I– I mean..." Tears were falling from her eyes. "We've failed, and the city is paying. Between Hawk Moth and them..."
"We can't control the wish," Ladybug said quietly. "Mellifluent's offer meant nothing– we have n-no way to know if it would have taken G-gabriel or... or anyone. Maybe it would have taken more than one, maybe it would have–"
Ladybug was cut off by her own shuddering breaths, curling up on herself as she gasped desperately for air.
Silver Paw sat there, trembling as he held Adrien– shaking fingers feeling his chest weakly rise and fall. His vision blurred as tears stung his eyes, a new emotion taking hold in his heart. A horrible one that grasped at him, and wouldn't let go. Cold claws digging into his skin as the sensation of hopelessness settled into him. Tears fell down his face, mouth twitching as unspoken words fell from his lips. They couldn't go fight, not when they could barely stand, and even if the Miraculouses were to be handed to another... those who had never had to face such dangers before...
How could they even fight a foe that would rip away their very health? How could they take the akumatized item from a foe where one touch would as good as kill them?
Silver Paw hunched over, not even wanting to know what was in Mellifluent's mind to create such an akuma. Not just the fact that she had brought it to life– but that she had to let it out on the city. That she was demanding a surrender, not just claiming her victory. Did she think that they would have been able to stop her like this? There had been nothing stopping her from claiming the Miraculouses from them in this state!
She perfectly embodied Subjection– someone who embraced control within her very heart. Silver didn't know if it was the fact that they had refused her offer, or if she just wanted the feeling of control of the whole city under her fingers– but that had to be what had pushed her to turn the akuma to Paris. She had victory, and they all knew it, but she decided she wasn't going to simply walk away with her prize. And worst of all, it wasn't a moment for them to use to strike back– because one step near that akuma would only finish what Leech had started.
These thoughts plagued all of their minds, echoing in the silence as they sat there, for standing was no longer an option for those Leech had drained. Trapped there in the crypt with Emilie Agreste's lifeless form lying not far from them– her son curled in the midst of them about to fall to the same fate– the city perhaps to suffer the same.
The whirling of machinery ripped the heroes from these thoughts, all looking up to see the elevator that led to this cursed basement moving. Silver Paw pulled Adrien closer– because he wasn't sure if anyone that knew the way down here could be someone to be trusted.
A hulking figure stepped out from the carriage as the doors opened, who Silver Paw immediately recognized as the bodyguard that they had fought while under the effects of Sting. The man seemed completely different now that he was free from the mind control, eyes flickering across the basement in a frightened awe. His eyes soon landed on the weakened heroes– and he immediately broke into a sprint as he saw Adrien's still form.
His heavy footfalls shook the metal platform they were on, a metallic ring in the air. Silver Paw barely had time to react as the bodyguard fell to his knees in front of him, giant hands reaching out to take Adrien from him. A part of Silver Paw wanted to reach out, to take the boy back– but he couldn't risk Adrien being put under any more physical stress.
Wayzz hovered near the bodyguard's shoulder, looking down as Ezra pressed his ear to the boy's chest, tears forming in his eyes as he heard the faint heartbeat. He gingerly held Adrien in his arms, body quivering with silent sobs as he cradled the boy.
"Ez-ezra...?"
Silver Paw's eyes shot up as he heard the weak voice, choking on his tears as he realized that Adrien had spoken. Ezra looked down at Adrien in his arms, pure concern in those eyes as the boy's unfocused gaze settled on him.
"Adrien," Silver Paw croaked, shakily pushing himself forward.
"Is... is over?" Adrien asked, words slurring, a dribble of blood falling from his lips– and Silver wanted to throw up.
These words, however, seemed to be the breaking point for Ladybug– who broke down sobbing. A horrible cry that seemed to be made from pure anguish. Eyes turned, even Adrien's head twitching as the sound echoed around them.
"I'm sorry!" Ladybug cried. "I– I– I was supposed to save you, a-and I blamed you! I was supposed to protect the city, and I failed– I failed you and I– and I–"
And she couldn't say another word, falling into Panthera's arms– who no longer had the strength to hold her up. They laid there on the cold metal walkway of Hawk Moth's lair, tears falling as their strength failed them. Silver Paw could not move forward, he was barely able to sit up, let alone move. Chloe reached a hand out towards them, but she did not know what to do.
"This... this is it, isn't it?" Chloe whispered, eyes wide with panic. "How do you beat an unbeatable akuma?"
"I..." Silver Paw whispered, gaze flickering across everyone. "I... I don't know."
Adrien was the last one anyone expected to answer, curled limply against his bodyguard's chest– but his quiet voice was heard with ease among the silence. "F-feast..."
Ezra shifted Adrien, looking down at him, as if hoping he would explain his words.
"Feast," Adrien croaked again– before coughing up a spatter of blood, falling quiet once more.
"Are... are you suggesting another avatar like Feast?" Wayzz asked with uncertainty, shuddering. "I mean yes, a creature like such could probably approach Pestilence, but... but such a being should not be summoned to this plane again– it brings too many dangers."
Duusu lifted her head from where she was nuzzled against Adrien's neck, tilting her head slightly as if listening to something, tears falling down her face, voice a whisper. "Feast was supposed to be unbeatable."
"How is Feast supposed to h-help us now?" Panthera asked.
Duusu rose up into the air, waving her arms about. "No no, you don't get it– Feast was supposed to be unbeatable– but you guys won. You've beaten an unbeatable foe before– so you can do it again!"
"Duusu," Wayzz said sadly. "The children cannot even stand. Even if Pestilence didn't have his powers... they could not defeat him like they did against Feast."
"We didn't defeat Feast," Silver Paw said as a flash of realization ran through him. "Trixx did."
"What?"
Silver Paw struggled to sit up, a hand grasping his Miraculous. "We– we only won that fight because of Trixx, he couldn't be harmed by Feast the same way we could–" Silver Paw looked up at Wayzz with wide eyes. "Can kwamis be affected by sicknesses?"
Wayzz's brow furrowed. "Not by human disease, our 'illnesses' are not linked to the physical plane, but to the magical."
"Trixx, let's rest!" Silver Paw crocked out, a sudden pulse of hope running through him as he realized that they might have a chance.
Or at least, their kwamis would.
Light fell around him, and as the magical transformation faded Nino felt himself immediately collapsing to the ground– weakened far beyond what he realized now that the magic was no longer pulsing through him. He blinked up at the two figures looking down at him in worry, Trixx and Wayzz hovering above him.
"Heh, you're a crazy kit, you know that?" Trixx asked, ears back with worry, but a smile on their face. "So crazy, but it just might work."
Wayzz didn't look as excited by such an idea, but dipped his head. "We just might be the only ones that can even get close enough to the akumatized object– but it is not that simple. Ladybug would need to be the one to purify and cast the cure– Tikki's raw power would be too much for the city. We would have to bring the object back here, and if Mellifluent or Pestilence were to follow..."
"What choice do we have?" Trixx snapped.
Wayzz closed his eyes, hovering there. "...We don't." His yellow gaze opened, shifting to Ladybug and Panthera. "Release Plagg and Tikki– we are going to need everyone."
Had this request been given any other time, Nino knew that Ladybug would have refused. An adamant denial, especially with Chloe, their enemy's son, and a stranger in the room right there with them. But there was no hesitation as Ladybug muttered her detransformation phrase, only an exhaustion– pink light surrounding her as the magic fell. Panthera did the same, a flash of green joining them as all five kwamis took shape in the room.
"Heh," Chloe said in a laugh that had no feeling behind it as she looked at Marinette and Alya. "Of course it is you two."
Nino reached into his pocket, pulling out the mints he had stored in there, holding them out with a trembling hand towards the kwamis. The small creatures swarmed him silently, swallowing the food without a word, without complaint all five hovering near the other. They glowed faintly, an energy about them as they peered at each other. The only one that didn't carry the same heavy stare was Duusu– who frantically darted between them all.
"We'll have to move quickly," Tikki said softly, the Ladybug kwami looking solemn. "If Pestilence claims any lives, we cannot bring them back."
Wayzz said nothing, just swooping down towards Adrien, sliding the bracelet off from his wrist. He held his Miraculous close, causing the Black Cat kwami to narrow his gaze. "What are you doing?"
"One of us needs to stay here, in case they decide to come back," Wayzz replied, holding out his bracelet towards Ezra. The man hesitated for a moment, before reaching out to accept the Miraculous. "It is 'shell on' to transform."
The bracelet was slid onto his wrist, a wave of green washing over the man with a few swift signs. Nino looked up at the Turtle holder in front of him, Adrien still in the man's arms, as the protective force of a Shell-ter washed over them. All of them safely within the protection of the forceshield, tinting their world green.
And without another word Trixx, Duusu, Plagg, and Tikki rose up into the air, phasing through the shield– and out into the city.
"Can I just kill them?" Plagg asked as he glowered over Paris.
"Tempting," Trixx said in agreement.
"If your Cataclysm gets near them you'll not only destroy them, but Nooroo and Pollen's Miraculous along with it," Tikki snapped, a hum in the air. "Same with the akuma butterfly– we'll have to bring the object unbroken back to Marinette."
"Is that Gabby?" Duusu asked, pointing a feathered paw off in the distance as they flew. All the kwamis' gazes followed her, looking at the figure that was moving its way through the streets. It was much larger than what they had seen of Pestilence before– which was frightening enough on its own, but its figure had changed as well.
Pestilence was hunching over, arms elongated and curled out in front of him, hooked and bladed. Not only had he grown, but a clear insectoid shape was taking hold. A second set of long spindly legs supported his form, vestigial wings flicking on his back. A horrifying hybrid between human and mantis it prowled forward, the golden glow in its eyes visible even up here. The way Pestilence was moving was unakuma-like, not rampaging or desperately searching, but methodically moving up the streets, raptorial arms prying at doors and cars, methodically seeking.
"The akuma has to be on him, right?" Duusu asked, tilting her head. "What are we waiting for– let's go get it."
Trixx grabbed Duusu by the tail before she could bolt. "I'm afraid that's the last thing we want to do. We need to be careful how we do this, we can't let that lady see us. Not yet."
She tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because she'd already won this, and she knows it," Plagg spat, fur raised. "I've seen humans like this– and this little 'attack' is her victory parade. She could have grabbed the Miraculouses a thousand times over with the state the kittens were in. She never needed to come out here."
"If we move too quickly, if she sees an actual threat, there's nothing stopping her from sending Pestilence on an actual rampage," Tikki said quietly to Duusu. "If anyone is touched by that akuma then my Miraculous Ladybugs can't bring them back, and we cannot risk that."
Tears stung Duusu's eyes. "Like you can't bring back my hen?"
"I'm so sorry, Duusu."
Duusu wiped away the glittering tears, sniffling. She curled up slightly on herself, her sorrow pulsing from her. Trixx tried not to look at Duusu, she was hurting this much at a holder she had already lost, and with her current one teetering at the edge of life... They needed to be quick, yet careful. They looked down at their paws, knowing that their powers could hide them, could weave any story they needed, but what they needed right now was a plan.
"To win this, we need Mellifluent to think that she's still winning," Trixx said, extending out their paws, a golden glow surrounding them. "Mirage."
The powers flooded out from the Fox, the carefully restrained energy instantly surging through the city. The Fox's tail twitched as they tried to take hold of every ounce of Deception near them. They only needed a fraction of it to craft the wanted illusion on the rooftop below– and the rest Trixx tried to guide outward. To take on the appearance of clouds in the sky. Of the sound of birds chirping, to smell of running cars– illusions that wouldn't raise alarm– that could merge with the city as if they belonged.
"Why couldn't I have the big guy?" Plagg muttered, crossing his paws as he looked at the Mirage below.
Trixx tried to give as much life to the five illusions of heroes below, who were all looking about nervously, as if this were truly their first battle they were running into. Sapphire Wing was the only recognizable one among them, as she was the only one that Mellifluent would reasonably expect to appear. The Mirage of the Fox holder below was modeled after Ezra, or at least what Trixx imagined such a man would manifest with his Miraculous. The Ladybug, Black Cat, and Turtle holders weren't based off of anyone in particular– which was all part of the illusion. As if new holders had been desperately chosen to carry on the fight, a final stand.
"Because an adult Fox will explain any spare illusions Mellifluent might run into when she sees them," Trixx replied, sending the Mirage of the human heroes scattering across the rooftops, as if scouting. "I should be able to maintain them for a while, since Mellifluent shouldn't be suspicious of them avoiding direct engagement with Pestilence."
"But we need a way to keep it from civilians," Tikki whispered.
"Ooo!" Duusu cried, zipping up. "I can do that, I can do that– Avatar!"
Duusu's feathery paws were held out, and none of the other kwamis had time to stop her from activating her powers. Trixx wasn't sure what would form from her raw abilities, because unless she was creating something powerful they didn't know where the extra energy would go. They could only watch the blue light in front of Duusu take form, not even needing a feather to take shape. It was small as it materialized, barely bigger than the kwamis, a soft pink.
At first Trixx didn't think that it would have been enough, that raw Emotion would radiate out from it– but as the small being opened its blue eyes Trixx fully realized what Duusu had created, and perhaps it would be just enough to actually contain all of her raw power.
"...A floating cat?" Plagg muttered, sniffing the larger feline uncertainly. "What good will that do, Duu?"
Trixx clapped their paws on Plagg's shoulders. "That's no cat, Destruction," Trixx said with a grin. "Duusu just gave us a Mew."
"...Mew?" Plagg said uncertainly.
"Mew!" The Pokemon replied, doing a flip in the air happily.
"Go fight that big meanie Gabby!" Duusu declared, pointing out towards Pestilence– who was now even bigger. Mew looked at the strange insectoid as it moved about, those golden yellow eyes scanning the illusion of heroes that ran on the rooftops about it. Then without any hesitation the psychic feline dove down towards the streets, glowing as its body began to change.
As the Mew Avatar hit the road it had taken on a much larger form– easily the size of a bear, if not bigger. It was on all fours, bright yellow fur sparking with electricity, and long saber fangs gleaming from its maw. The Raikou charged forward, slamming into Pestilence from behind, releasing a powerful Thunderbolt as it struck. The giant creature staggered, mantis arms attempting to slash behind it– but the Mew had already pulled away, changing form once more– rising up into the air as a burning Moltres, fire billowing from its wings.
"Oh," Plagg said, blinking. "Handy."
"Now the question is, where is Mellifluent?" Trixx muttered. As long as she held two Miraculouses, Pollen and Nooroo would be enslaved to her. And without reclaiming their brethren, more akuma like this could be created– even if they laid claim to the akumatized object.
"We'll need to attack her the same moment we claim the akumatized item," Tikki said, seemingly reading their mind. "Rid her of the Miraculouses before she realizes we're there, and give no moment for Pestilence to rampage when she loses control."
"She might come to engage with the 'new' heroes directly," Plagg said.
"Can she come close though?" Duusu asked, tilting her head. "She's human too– so can't she get sick?"
That was a good question, one that made the kwamis pause. Yes Mellifluent had control over Pestilence– but how did the powers work? Did it infect a whole area when activated, or individual targets? If it was the former that meant that Mellifluent wouldn't get near, and they'd have to split up while trying to execute their attacks at once. Trixx didn't like the risks that opened up, and turned to Plagg– the one whose natural powers aligned closest to Pestilence's abilities.
Plagg sat up there in the air, eyes slightly unfocused, as if listening. He then glanced at Tikki, looking hesitant. "Pestilence has already infected a lot of people, I can sense it. It's progressing faster than any real disease."
Tikki hesitated. "Has anyone...?"
"I don't think so," Plagg muttered. "But I'm not Death. But at the rate it's going..."
"Plagg, I need you to stabilize me," Tikki said, voice sounding slightly grim. "I'm going to try to release a steady flow of healing energy, hopefully enough to keep Pestilence's powers from claiming anyone."
"Too much would be no better than what Pestilence will do," Plagg said.
"Mellifluent is ensuring that will happen no matter what."
Trixx was listening, but couldn't take their gaze off of Pestilence. In the time that the conversation had passed, the akuma had changed even more. It seemed to be a steady transformation that he was going through, looking more like a praying mantis than when they had first arrived, slowly losing its human features– all the while it got bigger. Blade-like arms slashed out, and Trixx had to carefully navigate their illusions out of the way, all the while making sure it appeared the 'heroes' were being infected by the akuma's presence.
Mew had taken on the form of a Regigigas– and was facing the threat head on. Giant arms grappling to meet the mantis, keeping its focus away from the buildings surrounding them. The streets they were on were relatively empty, fortunately– people having taken shelter in the nearest building– but that didn't mean they were clear. The Regigigas stepped on abandoned cars as it threw its weight against Pestilence, wheels of bikes getting tangled in the spindly legs of the akuma as it fought back.
"How many infected people are we talking about?" Trixx asked.
Plagg shuddered slightly. "Seems its presence impacts the buildings it passes."
Trixx gritted their teeth. "Go. Do what you need to do."
Tikki zipped straight up into the air, and Plagg was quick to follow behind. He tugged on the Mirage of the fake Ladybug holder, willing it to retreat towards where the Ladybug and Black Cat were heading. A risk, but if they wanted to maintain this illusion then whatever powers were about to manifest needed to appear to come from this hero.
"What should I do?" Duusu asked Trixx, tilting her head as she watched them puppeteer the show below.
"We need the akumatized object– I'm not seeing anything on Pestilence from here that could be the ascot," they looked at the Peacock. "You need to get in close, and see if you can locate the object. Remember, Mellifluent can see through Pestilence's eyes. You cannot be seen."
Duusu grinned. "I can do that!"
The Peacock didn't hesitate, immediately turning to go and dive down towards where Mew and Pestilence were fighting, looping about and letting out a whoop. Trixx watched them for a moment, a heavy feeling in their chest. A pain that Duusu didn't even realize what state they were in, and that they didn't fully comprehend the threat in front of them.
Trixx planned the illusion's movements carefully as Duusu grew close, knowing that they would have to account for the possibility of Duusu forgetting the importance of this mission. So he let the Mirage of the Sapphire Wing fumble, let her fall from the roof– and 'land' among where avatar and akuma fought.
They hated the fact that they knew exactly how to mimic the symptoms of the disease that Pestilence was inflicting. That they had spent so much time with Nino at Blue Wing's side that they could perfectly give the illusion of Sapphire Wing being gripped by the same hold, that the stumble and trembles were mirrored from one who had truly suffered, and not just the imagination of Deception shining out.
Mew had transformed once more, this time taking on the form of an Xerneas– a large stag-like Pokemon with a rainbow of gems erupting out from white horns. The great deer lowered its horns, ramming into Pestilence, forcing it back down the road as it charged. If only an avatar had the power to mimic more than just the Pokemon's shape and elemental attacks, if only it could truly radiate life like this creature was said to do within the games it was from.
But this wasn't a game, and they did not have the power of life at their paws.
As soon as Pestilence had been forced back Trixx had the Mirage of the Turtle hero spring down to grab the illusion of Chloe– having made it looked like her transformation had fallen away. They retreated, and hopefully any possible glimpse of Duusu near the scene would not raise alarm.
Trixx worked from above in silence– it had been a long time since they had used their powers in such a way– manipulating so many Mirages without a holder being nearby. It was to a degree they knew that a human couldn't manage; with so many illusions spread out so thin, some not even directly in Trixx's sight. But like in chess, every piece needed to be accounted for. The fake Fox and Black Cat dancing about the true fight taking place, as if desperately staying out of reach. The illusion of the Turtle had 'hidden' Chloe away, allowing them to drop her illusion as they had the Turtle go to return to the rest of the 'team'.
Trixx only had a moment to act when he felt Tikki and Plagg's powers hum in the air– urging the illusion of the new Ladybug holder to move. Whatever was about to be released may have been tempered by Plagg, but it was still coming from Creation herself. They drew on the Deception in the air, ready to expand the Mirage around the city to work the illusion of whatever was coming to be something realistic.
It wasn't a true Miraculous Ladybug that was summoned– but the hoard of glowing ladybugs that poured out from where the two kwamis had been carried an energy of their own. They didn't swarm across the city, but instead moved along the buildings, radiating out. Immediately Trixx had a Mirage surround them– making their numbers appear smaller, have the fake Ladybug hero among them as if this were something the new heroes had planned. Trixx could easily see through the illusions theirself, however, and could observe the true path of the ladybugs.
They didn't swell across the city, nor take to the air. Instead they moved along the buildings that had been in the path of Pestilence, where those within must have surely tasted of the akuma's powers. They crawled in through the windows, down chimneys and vents, into any cracks they could find. Trixx didn't know what they'd do– heal the disease, revert it, or perhaps merely keep it at bay– but this was merely extra time they were borrowing, not their trump card.
"I found it, Trixx, I found it!" A voice called, and he looked to see Duusu rising up towards him, tail feathers spread out. "I was going to grab it but you said not to be seen so I didn't!"
"The object?" Trixx asked, watching as the Xerneas was sent flying back by a swipe of Pestilence's front arms.
"It's still shaped like an ascot!" Duusu reported proudly. "It's just bigger! And the same color as the exoskeleton! It's tied right around Gabby's neck like always!"
"Good job, Duusu." Both kwamis turned, and saw Tikki and Plagg drifting towards them, Plagg supporting his other half as she panted heavily.
Duusu darted over to them. "Can we go get it now? Can we?"
"We need to locate a certain hag first," Plagg growled.
"I don't know where Miss Nathalie is," Duusu reported. "I wasn't looking for her, I was looking for the akumatized object."
"Mellifluent couldn't have gone far," Tikki replied, slowly pulling herself away so she was flying on her own. "If she thinks the Miraculouses she wants are currently active then she's going to be ready to claim them."
"If you need bait," Trixx replied, silently urging the Ladybug hero Mirage to come closer. "Then I can offer it."
"If we remove the Bee Miraculous too soon, the power of Sting will fade, leaving Gabriel in control of his akumatized form and powers," Tikki said.
"And if we remove the akumatized object and don't break it immediately then Mellifluent will know what we're doing," Plagg finished with a growl. "And can make Pestilence rampage herself."
"How fast do you think we can get the akumatized object back to the mansion?" Trixx asked. "How short of a window can we make it?"
Trixx glanced down towards Pestilence, who was currently trying to target an untransformed Mew– the small feline gracefully flying between each slash with a giggle. He had the illusion of the heroes' retreat father back, reuniting with the Ladybug holder– not wanting Mellifluent to strike and discover the illusion before they were ready.
"Including time for Marinette to transform and cast the cure in her current state?" Tikki asked. "I– I think two minutes is the shortest we can manage, at best."
Two minutes. Such a short moment of time, especially to a kwami– yet it was far too much time to give a being like Pestilence. The Mew may have been engaging it now, but all it would take was a command from Mellifluent to have it turn its attention elsewhere. And if Gabriel was given control again they all knew his only focus would be on the city itself– or maybe turn right around and go after their vulnerable holders without hesitation.
"Gabby's wings look bigger now," Duusu remarked, glancing at Pestilence. "He always was upset that he couldn't get wings with a Miraculous, I could sense it, though he never said anything."
Trixx's ear flicked up. "What are the chances you think it would follow the avatar into the sky?"
"The sky?" Duusu asked, blinking.
Plagg grinned. "There's no one for the akuma to target in the sky, Duusu."
The Peacock's eyes went big, and she covered her mouth with her paws. "Oooh! So if we got Gabby to fly up high then he couldn't hurt anyone!"
"Wouldn't take it long to come back down though," Tikki said quietly.
"We just have to hope it's long enough," Trixx replied. "Duusu, get your avatar ready to fly. Tikki, you'll be retrieving the akuma and getting it back to the kids. I'll use my illusions to bait out Mellifluent, and you get the Miraculouses, Plagg."
"What about timing?" Tikki asked, zipping back and forth.
"If the glow leaves Pestilence's eyes, that means we have the Bee," Trixx said. "And if we see Mellifluent react we'll know you'll have the akuma– that will be our signal, whatever happens first– then we move."
Duusu raised a paw. "Can I bite Gabby?"
"Once he's deakumatized do whatever you want to him," Plagg said.
"But before then, no– remember, this is going to be a sneak attack!"
Duusu did a flip. "Oh, how fun– I love surprises! Are we going to go now? Okay– one, two, three, let's go now!"
With that Duusu turned, rushing off towards the fight once more. Tikki barely had time to follow after, a streak of pink as she put on a burst of speed. That left Trixx and Plagg up in the air, the two regarding each other for a moment. They didn't need to say a word, easily recognizing the burning in their eyes. Trixx had their illusions scatter as they followed Plagg, keeping the Ladybug and Black Cat moving below, all while hiding themselves in yet another fraction of the Mirage.
Trixx had been in the hands of corrupt humans before, and so had Plagg. It was something that drew them close in their time between holders, a reality they didn't have to imagine like other kwamis did. Nooroo and Pollen had been confined long enough, and both kwamis were more than willing to be the ones to remove the Miraculouses from this woman.
Trixx let their Mirages move slowly, having them over-calculate each step. They were meant to be ones wearing a Miraculous for the first time, not quite understanding the full powers in their hands. Vulnerable not from being weak, but from experience they lacked. They let them move as if they had a destination, though the illusion's fate was to only be found. Fox and Cat scanned the rooftops and the streets below, searching for any sign of the one they were seeking.
A shadow fell across them, and both kwamis momentarily glanced up – watching as Pestilence pursued a Yveltal into the sky, black wings spread wide. The avatar led the akuma straight up, luring it as far from the city below as possible.
It was at that moment that Trixx felt both of their Mirage's below fade– and they swiftly looked down at where they had once been– two golden insects zipping around where the illusions of the heroes had been moments before. Immediately both Plagg and Trixx were on alert, looking for where the creatures had come from.
"Not surprised," a voice mused, a faint fluttering of wings hitting their ears as Mellifluent rose up from a nearby alleyway, landing on the roof where the illusions had been. "Very easy for a Fox holder to cast illusions... but that wasn't a Fox holder, was it, kwami?"
Mellifluent looked about, eyes scanning for them. The two creatures she had created– neither bee or butterfly– immediately flew back to her. One landed on the Bee Miraculous, and the other on the Butterfly, standing guard over both Miraculouses. Her wings swayed in a slight breeze, the woman looking skyward at the avatar and akuma fighting above, unconcerned.
"I know you can use your powers on your own," Mellifluent called out. "You've done it before– seeing that Silver Paw and Carapace are one and the same. I remember a fight where the illusions were beyond anything we had seen before, more than just a holder casting illusions. No, the whole weather had seemed to change... there were stars in the middle of the day..."
Trixx gritted their teeth. The battle against Stormy Weather had been a moment they had used their powers on their own, but they hadn't thought about that fact of it being recognized now.
Mellifluent smiled. "Besides, I know that no Peacock holder could create an avatar that could just become anything so easily– I would have Adrien create that months ago if that were so. So that must have been Duusu's own work, or perhaps an even more impressive illusion for my creation to fight. Either way, why don't you come out and let's talk."
"Talk about what?" Trixx asked– having only weighed the risks for a moment before deciding to reveal themselves, removing the illusion that had been hiding them.
Mellifluent turned to locate them– those golden eyes locking straight on Trixx as they drifted forward. Mellifluent held out her hands invitingly, the strange fused insects still crawling on her Miraculouses. "There you are, I don't think we've ever properly gotten to meet. Trixx, correct?"
"Rather not hear my name on your slimy tongue," Trixx replied, flicking their tail.
"Hm," Mellifluent hummed dismissively. "So, how are the heroes doing? The real ones, not the little show you created."
"No comment."
"You know, I truly wouldn't be beyond having them healed in my wish," Mellifluent said, strolling closer to Trixx. They raised a brow, taking in their confidence.
"You like to barter," Trixx remarked.
"I believe in offering fair chances," she said.
"You didn't give one to the city, you didn't give them a chance at all," Trixx replied.
"I find it interesting, you kwami's investment in humans," Mellifluent said, looking truly fascinated by them. Trixx slowly drew back, hesitation on their face, but the human kept closing the distance. "Beings of pure unimaginable power, with the whole universe in hand– yet you care so much for little creatures on a little rock. We won't even last a moment within your true lifetime, will we?"
"No," Trixx replied. "The reign of humans will be like a mere second to us, in the end."
"So why do you care?" Mellifluent pressed, still walking forward as they drifted to the edge of the building. Even as the roof gave way to a street far below she still followed, wings opening up to carry her. "Why not let me have this one moment then, if it will mean nothing to you in the end?"
Trixx's tail wrapped close to them. "It will mean something to the humans we cherish."
"How pathetic," Mellifluent mused, shaking her head. "Gods, gods that do nothing. Gods that gave the dust below them powers to control them– what foolish beings you are."
"You said it yourself, it will be nothing in the end," Trixx said, and they stopped drifting. They just hovered there in the air, the middle of the street far below them. Mellifluent circled about them once, it was clear that there were so many thoughts in her head. Trixx's eyes flicked skyward– watching as dark energy bubbled about Pestilence.
"Perhaps we truly cannot understand one another," Mellifluent said softly, looking up for a moment as well. She frowned, before lifting a hand to her chest. She let her little insect crawl from the Butterfly Miraculous and onto her finger, before holding it out.
Trixx's eyes widened as they watched the being fly to their tail, the insect slowly crawling over them. The stinger brushed against them, only seconds away from a Sting if it were to strike. They looked up at Mellifluent, a slight tremble in their paws as they held eye contact, pleading.
"You are going to retrieve the Black Cat and Ladybug Miraculouses for me, kwami," Mellifluent told them. "Your fellow kwamis will not doubt you, I know your holder will trust you."
Trixx swallowed, feeling the insect crawl onto their chest, stinger posed right where their heart would be– if kwamis had such an organ. Trixx's ears fell back, looking up at Mellifluent as she smiled down on them.
"You don't have to do this, Nathalie."
"Words from one who can do nothing," Mellifluent replied, smirking– and the stinger was plunged into the kwami.
Trixx's eyes turned a vibrant gold the moment the stinger struck, the Fox immediately freezing up. Paws went stiff, each strand of fur frozen how they had been bristled in fear. The kwami drifted in the air, unmoving as Mellifluent let out a small laugh, flying forward to pluck them from their levitation.
"So simple minded," she mused. "Perhaps their reality is too complex for anything more."
Mellifluent turned the frozen Fox about, examining her prize. A gloved thumb ran through the fur, enjoying that vivid glow in the eyes that showed that she had control. She continued to stroke the Fox, thumb sliding down Trixx's snout.
Then with a flash of fangs, Trixx's teeth sank into her hand. Mellifluent let out a cry of pain, having no time to react as the kwami phased through her grasp, lunging for her chest– small paws wrapping around the Butterfly Miraculous. Trixx ripped it away from the horrid woman, a glow surrounding her as the magic of Generosity fell from, leaving her as Mellifera once again, bee wings buzzing to keep her in the air.
"You said so yourself," Trixx hissed, eyes gleaming. "We're practically gods– did you really think your powers could truly affect a kwami?"
"Why you..." Mellifera glowered at Trixx, reaching for her trompo.
Nooroo materialized in a flash of lavender light, immediately rushing away from the woman. As he passed below Trixx the kwami tossed the brooch to him, the Butterfly rushing up to clutch his Miraculous. He held it tightly in his paws, tears filling up in his eyes as he took shelter behind his fellow kwami.
"I think you need to remember, Mellifera, that these powers were never yours," Trixx said quietly, their tail wrapping around a quivering Nooroo. "They were always ours. Kwamis are the ones that granted you everything. Your costume, your mask, your powers... and right now, most importantly– your wings."
Mellifera realized the meaning of their words a moment too late. The Fox enjoyed the way her eyes suddenly widened, hand reaching for the comb in her hair– but small black paws had already seized it. Plagg ripped the Bee Miraculous away from her, ridding Mellifera of the last of her magic. Her mask vanished, her costume vanished, and most critical of all her translucent wings faded in a burst of golden light– leaving Nathalie with nothing between her and the street below as she plummeted from the sky.
There was no remorse in the kwamis' gazes from above as they watched her plummet, the fall of a few moments perhaps feeling as something much longer for the woman. Plagg's eyes gleamed as he watched her crash into the street below, while Trixx turned towards Nooroo– who immediately pressed against them in a hug.
"Shame," Plagg muttered– and Trixx looked up to see a wave of pink light rising up from the sky. The Miraculous Ladybugs surged out, rushing across the city to repair all that had been harmed, to heal all that had been hurt. As the kwamis watched some of the ladybugs spiral down towards where Nathalie laid, they knew the fall had not taken her. "Couldn't wait a few more minutes, Sugar Cube?"
There was a blur of gold amidst the pink– Pollen having formed once her Miraculous had been removed. The Bee hadn't stopped to greet her fellow kwamis or embrace her freedom– but instead charged down towards Nathalie with her fellow insects. Trixx drifted down after her, curious to what they'd find with the kwami confronting her former captor.
Nathalie had not moved, laid on the street gasping for air, her body suddenly whole compared to what it had been moments before. She did not get a moment to sit up, or to even say a word– as a much larger snarl drowned out whatever words she might have mustered.
"Venom!"
Pollen's voice buzzed with the hum of what sounded like a whole swarm, her stinger glowing yellow as she jabbed it straight into the human. Immediately Nathalie was consumed in a violent flash of yellow light– freezing up as raw energy engulfed her. It did not stop there, the yellow light surging out to cover the street– hitting litter, pigeons, and cars– all of which were encased in the honey-like light. Rendered into nothing but statues, the Venom continuously spreading out to engulf the whole street.
"You do not know how long I've been waiting to do that," Pollen hissed as she hovered there– the loud buzzing still filling the air.
"Heh, want me to Cataclysm her?" Plagg asked, a grin on his face.
"I'd prefer to keep Paris standing," Pollen replied.
"Want this?" Plagg asked, holding up the Bee Miraculous. Immediately Pollen rushed towards him, snatching the comb from him, holding it in her arms. The Bee closed her eyes, as if collecting herself, before looking up.
"...It's over," Pollen said softly. "We're free... Nooroo– we're free!"
Then Pollen was rushing towards Trixx and Nooroo, tackling the Butterfly in a hug. The two kwamis spiraled about each other, the reality of their situation seeming to slowly sink in. Trixx looked up, smiling softly as they watched them. Plagg drifted up next to him, paws crossed, smiling as well.
Then Pollen and Nooroo were darting back towards them, hugging them once more, their Miraculouses awkwardly pressed between them as the kwamis embraced. Pollen clutched Plagg tightly, tears in her eyes, while Nooroo had wrapped himself in Trixx's tail once more.
"Thank you," Nooroo whispered. "Th-thank you."
"What about Duusu?" Pollen asked, looking up at them.
"She was confronting the akuma with Tikki," Plagg said, glancing at Trixx. "She probably went back to the mansion with her."
"Then who's w-with Master?" Nooroo asked in a small voice, and all the kwamis shared a nervous glance– before rushing off into the city.
Their worry proved to be in vain, however. The four kwamis darted above several streets before they saw the horrible man they had been seeking– who was laying in the streets with a Pokemon perched right on top of him. It seemed that Mew had decided to show their victory by taking on the form of Victini– who was holding Gabriel down to the road with psychic powers.
Yet as they all descended down, it did not feel like victory had been won. There was a heavy feeling in the air, a stark fear that seemed almost tangible. Trixx looked about, watching as humans slowly started making their way out from the buildings they had taken shelter in. Yet they did not seem cheerful or relieved– but instead tears were falling down their faces. Several were sobbing, others shaking, desperately clinging to each other.
"Duusu!" Pollen cried– rushing forward in a blur of gold, and Trixx froze as they realized what they were all sensing. This potent sorrow could only have one source– and there was no doubt it was coming from the kwami of Emotion herself.
They all immediately followed after Pollen, who was rushing away from the streets and towards a small alleyway. The kwamis crowded about each other as they hovered in the entrance, peering down at the small blue shape huddling within the shadows, shaking.
Duusu had her head covered with her paws, glittering tears falling down her face. Her tail was draped about her, as if she were trying to bury herself within it. Heavy gasps seized between her sobs, and instantly she was swarmed by her fellow kwamis. Their presence didn't seem to do a thing– the Peacock letting out a long cry.
"Duusu!" Trixx cried, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Duusu, talk to me– what's wrong?"
"My–!" She gasped. "My–! My–! My chick!"
"Adrien?" Nooroo asked quietly.
"I can't sense him!" Duusu screamed, pulling on her feathers as a wave of coldness washed over Trixx. "I can't feel his emotions! I can't feel them! They stopped! They stopped! They stopped!"
"No..." Trixx whispered, eyes wide.
"We need to get back to the mansion, now!" Plagg cried, his eyes holding the same panic. Trixx didn't wait for any other reply, turning and phasing through the nearest wall. They pressed forward as fast as they could, going through buildings, furniture, people– not caring what was in their way.
Yet it still took far too long to reach the silent manor– no longer bearing any signs of Cataclysms or that a fight had been there. Trixx was the first to arrive, hovering out there for a moment, listening to the others following after him– before diving straight towards the building and through the wall. The inside was just as pristine as the outside, and Trixx dove through the floor and into the hidden basement.
They were all still down in the crypt– and Trixx should have been relieved to see the children standing. Ladybug, Nino, Alya, Chloe– but four wasn't enough. Fear pulsed through him as he watched Nino throw himself against Ladybug, who was using her strength to keep him back, super strength seeming to barely be enough to restrain him.
"No!" Nino screamed, eyes locked on Ezra's towering form, who was kneeling down. "No, please– please!"
Trixx slowly drifted forward, watching the repetitive motions of the bodyguard, hovering over a limp figure. Adrien's skin was pale, empty eyes looking upwards. Ezra's hands were pressed against Adrien's chest, repeatedly pressing down in rhythmic compressions. The man's own breathing seemed slightly ragged, desperation on his face as he pressed the chest compressions against Adrien.
Chloe was clinging to Alya, who seemed too shocked to move herself, tears falling from her face. Ladybug's eyes were pressed tightly shut, though that did not stop her own crying as she held Nino back, her arms wrapped around his shoulders.
"B-blue," Nino croaked, and arm reaching out. "Blue... A-adrien... Blue..."
Trixx needed to act now, forcing themself out of their stupor, and they rushed to their holder. They flew in front of Nino, paws on his face. "Nino?"
"Trixx!" Nino cried, and instantly they were seized in the boy's hands, being slammed against him in a desperate grasp. Held fast to his sobbing chest, where they could feel every tremble in the child's body. "T-trixx– d-do something– help him!"
Trixx phased out from Nino's grasp, hovering in front of his face once more. They reached out with a paw, pressing it against Nino's cheek, fur instantly becoming wet with tears. "Nino, it's going to be okay."
"He's– he's– he's–!" Nino's words were barely such, more like desperate gasps being drawn in. He shakily fell forward, Ladybug being the one to keep him from collapsing, lowering him to his knees. Trixx moved with him, staying at eye level. He pressed up against his cheek, trying to let their words reach the boy through his panic– everything telling them to calm their Kit down.
"Adrien is going to be okay," Trixx said calmly, paws against him.
"He's... he's..."
"He'll be okay," Trixx swore, curling up into the crook of Nino's neck. "I promise."
It was easy to make it sound believable.
They were Deception, after all.