A rumbling sound shakes the floor we sit on, and spider-like cracks start to appear on the walls. "What's going on?" Cat asks me, and I pull him to his feet quickly. "I think it may have something do with the Miraculous and tied to the mask. The more Scorpius uses his powers, the more drained he becomes. And who knows what hidden powers are behind that mask." "So, we need to get his Miraculous?" I rub my chin, nodding. "Yes. But it wouldn't be easy, and we'll need our friends help."

A huge chunk of stone hurtles down from the ceiling, and dust makes us cough. "Come on, Bugaboo. I don't think we have much time before the castle goes completely."

We hurry from room to room, searching for our friends and our enemy. Cat suddenly grabs my arm, holding a finger to his lips. "M'lady, do you hear a rustling sound?" Focusing hard, I do. "It sounds like many wings beating. On three."

Together, we count to three then burst open the door. A swam of butterflies surrounds us and its hard to see. "Scorpius, call off your butterflies!" I yell, seeing our enemy standing at the back of room, watching. "Give me your Miraculous and we have a deal...ahhh!" Scorpius lets out a painful hissing sound, and Cat and I look at each other. What was that about?

Cat rushes forward, baton at the ready, and rips off Scorpius's mask. I gasp aloud, bile rising in my throat. No wonder he wears a mask, like the castle, he too is crumbling as cracks web across his face.

"You'll be sorry you did that, mangy cat!" he yells. He and Cat begin to fence, cane and baton clashing against each other, making a loud echoing sound. "Its not to late to repent and get you back to the Temple to be healed. Choose right!"

"No, I was forgotten and always beaten, always the second best. And it was your Father and Crumb who always had the upper hand, me groveling at the their feet. No longer will I listen to a bunch of old men, your Father, and most of all, you!"

I shake my head to concert ate, I have to think fast as the butterflies surround me. Frantically, I dig in my compact for the Horse Miraculous, putting on quickly. "Khailli, Tikki, unify!"

A flash momentarily stuns the butterflies and I call up my Lucky Charm. Two butterfly nets drop down in my hands. I toss one to Cat. "Let's chase some butterflies."

Scorpius laughs as we run around, scooping up butterflies, then I send them into the portal. "You won't be able to stop me, Ladybug. I have many more where they came from!"

The floor starts to shake, and Cat grabs my hand. "Its getting to dangerous to fight in here, love. We must flee!" I glance back at Scorpius, the butterfly Miraculous right within reach. Then more chunks start to hurtle down and Cat scoops me up in his arms. "What about Hydra and Lyra?" I ask, as we run for our lives, me over Cat's shoulder. "They're smart, they'll get out on their own.

The palace is a maze of corridors and hallways, and I cry out when we reach a dead end. "Stay strong, M'lady. Cataclysm." The wall is nothing to my Kitty's cataclysm crumbling to dust under his touch.

At last, we reach the outside as a thunderous boom explodes behind us, and Cat uses his baton as a springboard, and we fly towards the woods.

I'm tossed from Cat's shoulder, and hit a tree, blacking out, crashing onto more branches and leaves falling around me. I don't know when I hit the ground.

"Easy, easy. Stay still, Ladybug." My eyes open slowly, to find Hydra and Lyra staring down at me, and my head rests in Hydra's lap. "Cat?" I immediately try to sit up, but Lyra gently pushes me back down.

"He's fine. He's taking care of Scorpius," she tells me, but her voice sounds sad. It takes a moment for it to sink it. "Taking care of?" I ask. "We saw the whole thing. Once you and Cat escaped, the castle collapsed. Scorpius was chasing after you, but he was buried in the rubble. I told Cat where he fell. He should be back shortly. Now, stay still, while I flush your cuts out with water and Lyra puts on disinfectant."

I would as I'm told anyway, but the news of Scorpius's death numbs me. Even after all the chances Cat and I both gave him, he still choose evil over good. I've only had success with bringing two villains to the good side, and now their Cat and my best friends. After all, they were us just in another world.

But as Cat reminds me, we cannot save them all. Speaking of my partner, he comes limping up, and I spring to my feet. "Cat!"

I lock my arms around his neck, and he squeezes me tight, staying in the position a long time. He opens his fist, showing me the small Miraculous. "Oh, Cat…" I whisper. "should I….should I put it the box now?" "No," Cat's voice is hard. "It's caused so much suffering and heartbreak. When we see Crumb I'm going to ask if I can destroy it."

I nod. Cat is right in every sense of word, and our friends agree. Just then, a portal opens and Crumb walks out a twinkle in his eye. "Did someone mention my name?" he asks. "Permission to destroy this, Master," Cat asks, with a small bow of respect. Crumb clears his throat. "Well, you must ask the current Guardian as well, but you have my permission." Cat turns to me. "M'lady?"

I have to clear my throat twice before answering. "Permission granted, Cat Noir." Cat takes a deep breath, keeping his eyes on mine. "Cataclysm."

The little brooch turns to dust, blowing away on a sudden wind.

The mood should be happy, but I know all my little group, including myself is only feeling subdued.