Boom!!!
The sound of the explosion echoed through the streets of Paris, and Cat Noir and Spider-Man were thrown backward with great force.
Cat Noir rolled several times on the ground, then stood up angrily while gripping his staff tightly.
Spider-Man landed near him, panting heavily.
"There are too many of them! We won't be able to defeat them like this!!"
Cat Noir said angrily while dodging a strike from one of the stone monsters.
Spider-Man jumped onto the hand of one of the monsters that tried to grab him, ran along it, then leapt over its head.
Spider-Man fired webs from his wrists.
The webs stuck to the monster's back, then Spider-Man swung around it and wrapped his webs around the monster's entire body.
Spider-Man landed gracefully on the ground, then pulled his web forcefully.
The monster stumbled, lost its balance, and fell onto its back. Before it could get up, several thick webs covered its body and pinned it down.
Spider-Man flipped in the air and landed near Cat Noir and said, "Where is your partner, Cat Noir?! Where is Ladybug?!"
"I don't know, okay!!"
Cat Noir said tiredly while blocking a blow from one of the monsters.
One of the monsters managed to grab Cat Noir and throw him far away.
Cat Noir flew through the air, and before he could land, one of the stone monsters punched him hard in the back.
Cat Noir flew and crashed into several cars.
Boom!!
The cars exploded violently, and Cat Noir disappeared in the middle of the explosion and burning metal.
"CAT NOIR!!!"
Spider-Man screamed in worry and anger, then felt one of the monsters grab him by the head, lift him up, and slam him into the ground.
"Aaaah!!!"
Spider-Man screamed in pain, then was beaten by the stone army.
"Oh my God! Oh my God!! Alya, we have to get out of here now!!"
Ned screamed in extreme panic while trying to pull Alya forcefully away from the chaotic battlefield.
"No!! Ladybug will come and save the situation!!"
Alya said stubbornly while filming the brutal fight.
This was Paris's history being rewritten, and since she wanted to become a journalist, she was not going to miss the chance to film live footage of her city's heroes fighting evil.
"Alya, are you crazy?! We will be killed if we stay here!!"
Ned shouted angrily.
What is wrong with this girl?! Doesn't she see that her presence here will only make the heroes' mission harder and put her life in danger?!
Alya turned to Ned and said, "I appreciate your concern for me, Ned, but I know how to take care of myself!!"
Then she turned back to filming Spider-Man and Cat Noir fighting Stoneheart's army again.
Ned rubbed his head and didn't know what to do, then he saw something that made his blood freeze with fear.
He saw Cat Noir being thrown violently and crashing into several cars, then he saw the cars explode on him.
"CAT NOIR!!!"
All Ned heard was Spider-Man's scream of despair.
"Oh my God!!"
Alya said in fear as she looked at the scene in shock.
"Damn it!! You're coming with me whether you like it or not!!"
Ned screamed hysterically, then grabbed Alya and dragged her with force.
"Ned! What are you doing?! Let me go!!"
Alya said in shock and disbelief.
"NEVER!!"
Ned screamed madly, saliva coming out of his mouth from all the shouting.
The situation was completely insane. Cat Noir had just died in front of their eyes. Ned was not going to stay and be next, and he was definitely not going to leave Alya alone to die.
One of the stone monsters roared angrily, grabbed a nearby car, and threw it at Alya and Ned.
Alya's and Ned's eyes widened in shock, and time seemed to stop for them.
Spider-Man looked at the scene, and his eyes widened with rage.
"NO!!!"
Peter shouted angrily when he saw his friends' lives in danger, then pushed away all the stone monsters hitting him and stood up, firing his webs at the flying car.
Click. Click. Click.
All Peter heard was the sound of empty web-shooters.
"No!! Damn it, not now!!"
Peter said angrily, and before he could react, one of the monsters punched him hard.
Peter flew and crashed into a nearby building.
Boom!!
The wall of the building exploded, and Spider-Man fell inside it and couldn't get up again.
The flying car approached Alya and Ned and was about to hit them, but a figure dressed in black jumped out of the flames at tremendous speed toward them.
It was Cat Noir.
"NOT ON MY WATCH!!"
Cat Noir shouted angrily and threw his staff toward Alya and Ned.
The staff extended over them and struck the car.
The car flipped in the air and moved slightly away from Alya and Ned, but it fell on top of them and trapped them between it and a nearby building. Luckily, Cat Noir's staff was in the middle, so the car did not crush Alya and Ned.
"Aaaah!!!"
Alya and Ned screamed in fear as they found themselves trapped between the car and the building wall.
Cat Noir sighed in relief at the sight.
It wasn't a perfect rescue, and he was sure Alya and Ned had broken some bones, but at least they were still alive.
Cat Noir looked at his body in admiration.
Several cars had just exploded on him, and he didn't even have a single scratch. His suit was simply amazing. He felt… invincible.
One of the stone monsters grabbed Cat Noir by the head with force before he could react and lifted him off the ground.
"Oooh!! Let go of me, you rock head!!"
Cat Noir shouted with a muffled voice while kicking the air, but it was useless.
Regret spread through Cat Noir's chest. He had lost focus in the middle of the fight, and now he was in this miserable situation.
The stone monsters stopped attacking and destroying, then slowly moved toward the Eiffel Tower.
Alya held onto the surface of the car and groaned in pain. She felt severe pain all over her body. She tried to free herself from the car on top of her but couldn't, then she saw Ned unconscious with blood flowing from his head.
Alya's eyes widened in fear and deep worry, then she felt overwhelming guilt and wished she had listened to Ned.
"Ned? Ned? Come on, Ned, open your eyes!!"
Alya shouted with a trembling voice as tears gathered in her eyes, then she shut her eyes tightly and screamed toward the sky:
"HELP!!!"
She screamed with strength, pain, and fear from the depths of her heart.
At that moment, Marinette arrived at the scene and looked at the sight in shock and terror. When she saw Alya's expression, her features hardened with seriousness and determination. She opened Alya's bag that she was holding and grabbed the small box containing her Miraculous.
Marinette ran into a nearby alley where no one could see her, then opened the box with resolve.
Inside were earrings shaped like a ladybug's back.
A pink light came out of the earrings and floated in the air in front of Marinette, then dispersed, and Tikki, the Kwami of Creation, appeared.
Tikki opened her eyes and looked at Marinette.
"Paris needs Ladybug, Tikki!! My friends need me!!"
Marinette said with determination as she quickly put the earrings on.
"I knew you would change your mind!!"
Tikki shouted happily.
Marinette finished putting on the earrings and said, "Tikki!! Spots on!!"
Tikki was pulled forcefully toward Marinette's earrings and entered them.
A pink glow spread across Marinette's entire body, then faded to reveal Ladybug instead of Marinette.
Marinette looked at her hands covered by her magical suit, clenched her fists tightly, and felt the immense power flowing through her veins, then ran out of the alley without hesitation.
She moved toward Alya and Ned and swung her yo-yo.
The yo-yo wrapped around the car quickly.
Marinette pulled the yo-yo hard, and the car flew into the air and slammed onto the ground.
Alya inhaled deeply when she felt the weight of the car lifted off her, then fell onto the ground.
Marinette walked forward slowly, grabbed Cat Noir's staff, looked at Alya seriously, and said, "Take your friend and go hide in a safe place until I fix the situation."
Alya looked at Marinette in shock and didn't speak.
"Oh… my head. What happened?"
Ned sat up, holding his head in pain.
"Ned!!"
Alya shouted excitedly, then immediately hugged Ned and apologized repeatedly with great intensity.
Marinette sighed in relief when she saw that Ned was awake, then said, "Go now!! This place is very dangerous for both of you!!"
Alya and Ned stood up, and Alya said, "Okay, Ladybug!! Go and get them!!"
Marinette nodded, then ran quickly, threw her yo-yo, swung through the air toward Stoneheart's stone army.
Spider-Man groaned and slowly got up.
He shook his head, then his eyes widened in fear when he thought of Alya and Ned.
Spider-Man ran quickly and jumped out of the massive hole in the wall toward the street. When he landed, he sighed in relief when he found Alya and Ned standing near each other.
They were injured and bleeding from some places, but at least they were alive.
Peter walked toward them and said, "What happened? Where did Cat Noir and the stone army go?"
Alya looked at Spider-Man and said, "Ladybug saved us, and then Cat Noir was captured by the stone monsters."
Peter ordered Alya and Ned to go to a safe place, then took out new web-shooters from his belt and put them on his wrists.
Peter jumped and fired his webs at a nearby pole, then began swinging toward the sounds of screams and terror.
"Ladybug, huh? Looks like I'll finally meet you,"
Peter said to himself as he sped toward the stone army.
Ladybug jumped over the army, threw Cat Noir's staff toward it, and shouted,
"CAT NOIR, CATCH!!"
The staff slipped between the massive stone creature's fingers.
Cat Noir grabbed his staff and immediately extended it.
The staff extended and loosened the giant creature's grip.
Cat Noir fell to the ground, and before he could react, the stone monster tried to grab him again.
Ladybug's yo-yo wrapped around its ankle and pulled it hard.
"Whaaa!!"
Cat Noir shouted in surprise as he found himself hanging upside down from a lamppost, with Ladybug standing on top of it.
"Sorry I'm late,"
Ladybug said with a smile.
Cat Noir smiled when he saw his partner, put his staff back into his belt, and said sarcastically,
"Have I ever told you that you turn my world upside down?"
Ladybug smirked and said, "Oh, you really love joking, don't you?"
"Aaaah!!"
The stone monsters roared angrily and charged toward them.
Ladybug's expression turned serious.
"But we don't have time for jokes."
She jumped into the air, pulling Cat Noir with her onto one of the rooftops.
Cat Noir shouted in surprise, then found himself on a rooftop.
He quickly got to his feet, grabbed his staff tightly, and said,
"Alright then, it's time for round two!!"
"Wait, Cat Noir, we can't face them head-on."
A third voice interrupted him.
Cat Noir stopped and looked toward the source of the voice, then saw Spider-Man landing near them.
Cat Noir looked at Spider-Man and said,
"Why? Can't you see they're wrecking the city?"
Spider-Man said seriously,
"They're indestructible. Our attacks don't affect them, and they're very strong. Every time we hit them, they grow stronger instead of weaker. If we want to defeat them, we have to go to the—"
"The source,"
Ladybug interrupted.
Spider-Man and Cat Noir looked at Ladybug.
Ladybug said confidently,
"If we want to save all the people of Paris and defeat them, we have to go to the source—to Stoneheart."
Spider-Man nodded and said,
"That's right. I assume you're—"
"Ladybug. Call me Ladybug. And I assume you're Spider-Man, right? I've heard a lot about you and your heroic deeds,"
Ladybug said with a smile.
"Yes, that's right. But I'm surprised you know me, unlike Cat Noir,"
Spider-Man said with slight surprise.
"Of course I know Spider-Man, the friendly neighborhood hero. I've heard many amazing stories about you. Thank you for your efforts in protecting Paris,"
Ladybug said with a smile.
She wasn't lying. Ned had told her many amazing stories about Spider-Man and his heroics, and she was grateful to him for saving Ned's life.
"Thanks… I guess,"
Spider-Man said slowly. Ladybug was… very kind.
Throughout his career as a hero, he had never received such support and encouragement, not even from his mentor Tony Stark.
"Well, now that you two are done introducing yourselves, can we go save Paris?"
Cat Noir said irritably. He felt like a third wheel, completely excluded from the conversation.
Ladybug rolled her eyes and said,
"Alright, Cat Noir. Let's go save Paris."
Spider-Man nodded, then he, Ladybug, and Cat Noir ran across the rooftops, leapt into the air, and headed toward the Eiffel Tower—toward Stoneheart.
Boom!!
Tatatarraa!!
Kiiillliiill!!
Tiu tiu tiu!!
RPG!!!
Kaboom!!
The area around the Eiffel Tower looked like a battlefield from World War III.
The French army, police, and French special forces (COS) surrounded the area, firing bullets and rocket launchers at the invincible stone army.
"Aaaahhh!!"
The stone monsters roared angrily, then all of them glowed green and grew in size.
They began destroying everything in their path and killing any unfortunate soldier who stood in their way.
"Retreat!! Retreat!! Our weapons are useless against them!!"
Mayor Bourgeois shouted angrily and anxiously, ordering his forces to withdraw.
The situation was extremely dire. First, hundreds of Paris residents had turned into giant stone monsters and remained frozen for days. Then today, suddenly and without warning, the stone monsters came back to life, destroyed everything, and caused many casualties.
What gave him a headache was the fact that they couldn't use lethal force because these monsters were originally innocent civilians—and even if they did, their weapons would only make the monsters stronger. Worst of all, the leader of these cursed stone monsters had kidnapped his daughter.
"WITHDRAW!!"
Lieutenant Roger Raincomprix shouted forcefully, and all forces pulled back from the Eiffel Tower perimeter, allowing the monster to enter the area.
The stone monsters surrounded the Eiffel Tower, standing together as one unit, and stopped moving.
Several helicopters flew around the tower while journalists filmed intensely.
"This is Nadia Chamack!! We are witnessing a major turn of events as many stone monsters have rampaged and destroyed everything in their path in Paris!! The police, the French army, and special forces have been unable to do anything against this massive army!! Even superheroes like Cat Noir have been crushed and defeated!! We are now looking at the gathering of the strongest army in history near the Eiffel Tower!!"
Nadia Chamack reported with fear and concern, broadcasting the news brilliantly to the entire world.
Every country, every city, every home watched what was happening on television, while some prayed for the situation in Paris to improve.
"What did the United Nations Council say about sending the Avengers?!"
Mayor Bourgeois shouted angrily at his personal secretary.
Nina Wilson adjusted her glasses and said,
"They rejected your request, Mr. Mayor."
"Damn them!! Can't they see the situation of Paris's citizens?!"
The mayor roared angrily.
Meanwhile, Nick Fury watched everything on the monitors with a serious expression. The destruction in Paris was… horrifying.
Maria Hill rushed into Fury's office and said,
"Nick, Tony Stark is very angry and is demanding to assemble the Avengers and go to Paris."
Fury opened his mouth to respond, but Tony stormed into the office in a furious rage.
"What is this, Fury?! Why won't the United Nations Council allow us to intervene?! When we signed the Sokovia Accords, we didn't sign up to let people die!!"
Tony Stark shouted angrily.
Fury looked at Tony and said,
"I don't know, Tony. The Council hasn't sent any response."
"Damn the Council!! I won't sit idle while the people of Paris scream in terror!!"
Tony said angrily and raised his hand, about to press the reactor in his chest.
Fury quickly glanced at his assistant with a clear signal.
Maria Hill grabbed Tony's hand, twisted it, slammed him to the ground, then pulled out a stun gun and shocked Iron Man hard in the neck.
"Aaah!!"
Tony Stark screamed in pain as electricity surged through his body, paralyzing him.
Before he could react, he found his hands cuffed behind his back.
"Nick Fury, you one-eyed bastard!! What are you doing?!"
Tony roared angrily.
Nick Fury stood up and said angrily,
"You signed the Sokovia Accords, Stark!! You can't intervene unless you're ordered to!! If you do, you'll become a wanted terrorist like Captain America and his team!!"
Tony fell silent, not knowing what to say. He began to regret signing that cursed agreement in the first place. What kind of farce was this? People were dying and screaming in terror, yet they were stopping him from helping because of their selfish desires?
Tony regretted signing the Sokovia Accords with every part of his being, and he realized that… Steve was right.
"I'm sorry, Peter. I failed you again,"
Tony thought sadly.
Nick Fury exhaled sharply and sat back down, a large vein bulging on his forehead. He was extremely angry.
But under the authority of the United Nations Council, he had no power to intervene or send the Avengers to Paris.
From the bottom of his heart, he hoped that Ladybug and Cat Noir would save the situation.
Stoneheart stood atop the Eiffel Tower, looked at the helicopters flying around him in annoyance, then roared angrily.
"Aaaahhh!!"
The air shook from the force of the roar, and the helicopters trembled violently.
"Dad!! Help me!!"
Chloé screamed in terror.
"Let us go, Ivan! You're not forced to do this!!"
Mylène pleaded.
Mayor Bourgeois cursed himself again, grabbed the megaphone, and shouted,
"I demand my daughter be returned immediately!!"
Stoneheart smirked and said,
"You want her? Take her back!!"
Stoneheart threw Chloé forcefully as he finished speaking.
Chloé flew toward the ground at high speed, screaming in terror.
"NO!!!"
Mayor Bourgeois screamed in pain and despair as he watched his daughter fall helplessly.
But before Chloé hit the ground, a red-and-black blur rushed in and caught her midair.
Chloé slowly opened her eyes and saw Ladybug holding her and lowering her safely.
"Are you okay?"
Ladybug asked seriously.
Chloé nodded slowly.
Ladybug gently set her on the ground.
"Dad!!"
Chloé shouted happily and ran toward her father.
"Chloé!!"
He pushed through the guards and police and hugged his daughter tightly.
Spider-Man and Cat Noir landed lightly near Ladybug.
"Nice save,"
Cat Noir said appreciatively.
"Thank you,"
Ladybug replied politely, then turned to Lieutenant Roger and said,
"I want to ask you to retreat, evacuate the area, and let us handle this."
Roger looked at Ladybug irritably, growing more annoyed when he saw Cat Noir and Spider-Man with her. Those two had caused massive property damage more than ten days ago, Ladybug and Cat Noir had failed to stop Stoneheart the first time, and now she had the nerve to ask him to withdraw?
"Impossible!! You failed to stop Stoneheart the first time!! Why should I listen to you?!"
Lieutenant Roger Raincomprix shouted angrily and ordered his men,
"Prepare to attack!!"
The police drew their weapons and aimed at the stone army.
"No!! Wait! If you attack, you'll only make things worse!!"
Ladybug said anxiously.
Roger waved his hand and said,
"I have a solid plan, unlike you. Now step aside and let the professionals do their job!!"
Ladybug fell silent and looked down sadly.
Mayor Bourgeois stepped forward and said,
"Listen to her, Lieutenant Roger!! No one attacks! Hold your fire!!"
The soldiers and officers lowered their weapons immediately.
"But sir, we shouldn't trust—"
Roger began, but stopped when he saw the mayor's sharp glare.
The mayor turned to Ladybug and said,
"We all trust you. Paris is under your protection, Ladybug. We will withdraw as you wish."
He spoke gratefully, since Ladybug had just saved his daughter. If the cursed United Nations Council wouldn't send its heroes, he would bet the lives of his people on Paris's own heroes.
He ordered his men to withdraw and clear the area for the heroes.
Ladybug turned to Spider-Man and Cat Noir sadly and said,
"They're right, you know. If I had captured Stoneheart's akuma the first time, none of this would have happened. I knew I wasn't the right person for this mission."
Cat Noir placed his hand on her left shoulder and said,
"No, they're wrong. If it weren't for you, she wouldn't be here now,"
he pointed at Chloé.
"And without us, they won't succeed. We'll prove it."
Spider-Man stepped forward and placed his hand on her right shoulder.
"Yeah, Cat Noir is right. Yes, you made a mistake—but we all make mistakes. I've done that many times myself. And that didn't stop me from being a hero, did it?
"When I first started being a hero, the main reason I fought crime was because, due to my own failure, I lost someone very dear to me. I swore from that moment on that I would make sure no one else loses someone they love as long as I'm able. Even though I've been doing this for two years, I still have a lot to learn. But I'd be happy to learn more with you guys—and teach you a few things too."
"Spidey's right,"
Cat Noir agreed.
"Trust us."
Ladybug whispered,
"Okay."
"Aaaaahhh!!"
Stoneheart roared in pain and fury, releasing several black butterflies striped with purple from the top of the tower.
Stoneheart's eyes rolled back, he lost consciousness, and fell onto his back.
The black butterflies gathered together and formed a human face.
A sinister aura spread from the face formed of hundreds of akumas, pulsing through the air.
Everyone froze, staring at the massive face in shock.
"People of Paris, listen carefully. I am Hawk Moth,"
the villain announced.
"Hawk Moth?"
the three heroes said at the same time.
"He must be the one who has the Butterfly Miraculous and turns people into supervillains!"
Cat Noir said angrily.
Spider-Man glared at the floating face, clenching his fist.
So Hawk Moth was the one who turned his aunt into a stone monster.
All of Paris—and the world—watched Hawk Moth's announcement with fear and concern.
"Ladybug, Cat Noir, give me the Ladybug earrings and the Cat Ring now!! You have caused enough harm to these innocents,"
Hawk Moth commanded.
A powerful, oppressive, sinister aura spread from him.
Everyone trembled in shock—until they heard clapping.
Ladybug clapped mockingly and stepped forward.
"Nice try, Hawk Moth, but we know who the real villain is here. Let's not switch roles. Without you, none of these innocent victims would have turned into villains."
Ladybug stood in the middle of the square, pointed at Hawk Moth's face, and shouted loudly,
"Hawk Moth!! Listen to me carefully and carve my words into your memory!! No matter how long it takes!! No matter how much time passes!! We will find you!! And when we do, you will hand over your Miraculous to us!!"
Ladybug rushed toward the Eiffel Tower, threw her yo-yo around two lampposts, used it like a slingshot, and launched herself toward the floating face.
"It's time to put an end to evil!"
She opened her yo-yo, releasing a pink light, reached Hawk Moth's face, and swung the yo-yo rapidly around it.
A pink flash appeared, slowly destroying the face.
"Aaaargh!!"
Hawk Moth screamed in pain as his face vanished.
Ladybug landed on top of the Eiffel Tower, catching the last akuma trying to escape.
The whole world watched in shock at what she had done.
Ladybug stood up, looked at the helicopters and cameras, and said loudly:
"Let me make you a promise, people of Paris!! No matter who wants to hurt you!! No matter how hopeless and difficult the situation is!! Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Spider-Man will do everything they can to protect you and ensure your safety!!"
She released hundreds of butterflies from her yo-yo.
White butterflies filled the sky.
"Oh!! Yes!!"
Tom, Marinette's father, shouted excitedly while hugging his wife, unaware that the heroine on TV was his daughter.
"Woohoo!! Yes!!"
The people of Paris cheered, hope returning to their hearts.
"My God, that girl is amazing!"
Cat Noir said.
"Indeed,"
Spider-Man replied, nodding in awe.
"Aaah!! Damn Ladybug!!"
Hawk Moth cursed furiously in his lair.
He gritted his teeth and said bitterly,
"That's the problem with superheroes. They exaggerate their heroics."
"Stoneheart, they're trying to take your beloved from you,"
Hawk Moth said telepathically.
"You must take their Miraculous so they become powerless."
"Alright, Hawk Moth,"
Stoneheart said as he slowly stood up.
Stoneheart held Mylène tightly in his massive hand and roared angrily.
The stone monsters immediately responded, climbed the Eiffel Tower, and surrounded Ladybug.
Spider-Man and Cat Noir looked at each other, then rushed forward and leaped toward the Eiffel Tower without hesitation.
---
To be continue