Miraculous Team ✔️

14

Carapace felt the scream tore his body in half. It was Rena's, and that was all he needed to know as he ran towards the sound in an inhuman pace, even for a superhero. He landed next to Rena and blocked the villain's blow just in time.

"Al- Rena Rouge!" Carapace cried, using his shell to prevent any more attacks from going anywhere near Rena, "Are you okay?"

Rena clutched her shoulder and groaned in response. It was... bleeding. Carapace stood petrified to the core at the sight.

Queen Bee, who just arrived, grabbed hold of Carapace's arm to get his attention. "You take care of her. I'll fight the akuma."

"I'll be right back." Carapace assured her, before gently lifting Rena up and leaping gracefully off the building.

Queen Bee turned her eyes on the villain. It took her a second to realize that she had just asked to be left alone with the akuma, who looked more scary than usual. You couldn't even see the figure of a man. It was just a foggy black smoke, with eyes and a mouth that reminded Queen Bee of the cheshire cat. It's voice was deep and hideous. It was as if Hawkmoth took Chloe's remark about his taste from earlier very seriously and decided to make his akumas more frightening. Not that Queen Bee appreciated it.

"Give me Cat Noir's Miraculous!" The akuma screeched like an evil spirit.

"You don't stand a chance!" Queen Bee shouted, trying to get closer to the villain to paralyze him.

Dark beams came at every direction. Queen Bee desperately dodged them, painfully aware of what happened to Rena. Carapace appeared and used his shell his protect Queen Bee.

"Where even is the akuma?" He asked.

Queen Bee shook her head, her eyebrows furrowed. "No idea."

"How are we supposed to defeat this guy? I barely know what I'm doing!"

"Give me Cat Noir's Miraculous!" The akuma screeched again and again like a broken radio. It seemed like that was the only thing it could say.

"Help me get closer to him." Queen Bee told Carapace, "I'll paralyze him first, then maybe we'll see where the akuma is located."

For the next ten minutes, which felt like eternity to the pair, Carapace tried closing in on the villain, his shell in front of his face. But it was nearly impossible. The akuma moved further away when they tried getting near. Carapace grew weary.

"I don't think I can hold this up much longer." He grunted.

Suddenly, he saw two figures appear behind the villain. It was... himself? And another Queen Bee?

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" He asked the Queen Bee next to him.

Queen Bee came to a realization. "It's Rena Rouge's illusion." She whispered, "She's trying to help us."

The clones quickly got the villain's attention and started distracting him. Carapace dropped his shield down to the ground and exhaled loudly, then quietly gave thanks to his girlfriend. Seizing the opportunity, Queen Bee rushed forward, more ready than ever. She thrusted her hand at the villain and his body, or whatever it was, became still. The illusions faded. Queen Bee reached into the smoke and pulled out a black clipboard. She turned to Carapace.

"The honor is all yours, dudette."

Queen Bee smiled and snapped the clipboard in half. A dark purple butterfly escaped.

"Let's go." Carapace said, fastening his shell back in his back, "We need to help Rena Rouge."

Carapace had dropped her off in an alley so that no one would see her detransform. Hong Kong had many small alleyways. Carapace and Queen Bee changed back to their usual form as soon as they hit the ground.

"Oh no." Chloe said softly. The blood from the wound had seeped through her checkered shirt. Chloe felt like she was staring at death itself.

"I'm fine." Alya muttered.

"Alya Cesaire!" Nino scolded, lifting her up, "There is nothing fine about this."

Alya's instinct was to protest, but she knew this was one fight she'd had to sit out.

Wayzz shook his head. "I told you guys not to f-"

"Let's not talk about this now." Pollen cut in, before flying up to Trixx, "Are you alright?"

"Do I look alright?" Trixx asked, "The illusion... took me everything. I feel like... I just... ran out of energy."

"Wayzz, please tell me we can bring her to the authorities." Nino pleaded, "I know it's risky but-"

"Just go. We don't have much time. Try getting Trixx some food. I'll go tell the others at home."

(At Lew's apartment)

They already knew. The live footage of three superheroes battling the villain was played on the TV screen over and over again. The public's response was frantic. Brie bit her nails. Life seemed so normal before all this happened. Wayzz came through the window, delivering the news.

"Alya knew what risk she was taking." Lew said, "Bad things happen, but you need to understand, this is the price of being a superhero and preventing a greater lost in the future."

Marinette wasn't buying his words. She stood up and grabbed her shoes. "I'm going on a walk."

"I'll come with you." Adrien said.

"No." One simple word. It stored the fury of a thousand flames. "I want to be alone, Adrien. And you should stay here, it's safest for you."

"How about you?" Adrien asked, his voice rising slightly, "Hawkmoth can just pick you off the street..."

"I don't have any Miraculous left for him." Marinette answered, dismissive. She opened the door.

"It's not just about Hawkmoth, Mari!" Adrien swallowed hard. "It's dangerous out there, for you, especially now than ever. Hawkmoth can still take you, to use you against us, or maybe for no reason at all. That man is evil. And... I don't want you to get hurt, okay? Is it that much to ask for? For you to stay safe?"

Something in Marinette's mind screamed for her to turn around and walk back into the arms that had held her tightly in an embrace. But her feet kept moving, and they carried her down the twisted staircase and out the gate.

Marinette found herself crying when she made it out the building. She pulled out her phone and texted Adrien.

"I'm sorry."