The city never truly slept — and neither could Kai.
Since the subway battle, whispers had been growing louder. Not just about Fuseburn, but about other shadows flickering just beyond the edge of Paris' glow.
But Kai wasn't ready to face all of them alone.
Kai stood before the small, ornate box resting on his cluttered desk — the Iguana Miraculous.
His fingers trembled slightly as he traced its smooth green scales, an ancient energy humming softly beneath the surface.
Fiero hovered beside him, wings fluttering nervously.
"It's time," the Kwami said, voice low. "You're ready."
Kai swallowed. "Ready for what?"
"To hold two Miraculouses."
A silence filled the room.
"You mean…" Kai's voice caught, "two Miraculous?"
"Not many can," Fiero explained. "But your spirit is strong. This gift is not just power — it's trust, balance."
Kai nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's do it."
A gentle green light pulsed as Kai clasped the Iguana Miraculous, feeling a strange calm wash over him, the promise of shadows bending to his will.
The bell rang.
Students streamed into the hall, but all eyes flicked to the new arrival.
Celeste Bourgeois moved like a storm contained — cool, measured, deadly in her precision.
Juleka gave Kai a quick look.
"Watch out," she murmured. "She's not just Chloe's sister. She's something else."
Kai's gaze met Celeste's for a heartbeat — the girl's emerald eyes glinting with something unreadable.
At the lockers, Chloe scowled quietly.
Celeste didn't even glance at her.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit chamber deep beneath the city, a circle of figures sat cloaked in shadows.
One hand rested on the Scarab Miraculous, another on the Dolphin. A soft glow radiated from the Owl and Maneki.
They spoke in whispers, wary of Gabriel's growing schemes.
"We cannot let the balance tip," one murmured.
Another nodded, voice steady. "Kai and his fire may be the spark we need — but the shadows grow restless."
Their leader's hand brushed over a leather-bound tome.
"The Raven Miraculous is awakening. Chloe's sister has the key."
Kai met Juleka behind the school, near the old fountain where no one ever lingered.
She watched as Kai shifted, fire flickering at his wrists, then a shimmering green light crawling over his arms.
"You're adapting fast," she said.
Kai flexed his fingers, feeling the Iguana's power making his movements smoother — lighter.
Juleka smiled softly, tiger stripes glowing faintly around her eyes.
"We'll need all the strength we can get."
Their friendship had deepened, but Kai sensed something more under the surface. Juleka's eyes lingered a moment too long.
He looked away.
The city's hum shifted.
Kai's phone vibrated.
A new alert: "Power fluctuation detected in the western district."
He leapt into action, flames lighting his path.
At the scene, a figure cloaked in shifting shadows waited.
The air chilled.
"Not everything burns, Phoenix Blaze," the figure whispered.
Kai's wings flared, green and red light weaving together.
"I don't need to burn it all — just the darkness."
The figure's laugh echoed as shadows twisted and surged.
"You're only beginning to understand your power. But be warned — balance isn't just about fire and stealth."
Kai braced himself.
The shadows whispered, and the fight had only just begun.
Back at the café, Kai's phone pinged again.
A message from Juleka: "Meet me tomorrow. We need to talk — about us."
Kai stared at the screen.
Fire and shadow intertwined.
The city needed heroes.
And maybe, just maybe, so did he.