//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 - Les do dis // Story: A Miraculous Adventure // by Saro0fdemonz //------------------------------// Applebloom tensed up, glancing around That was a spike of Chaos...Not Miss Fluttershy. It wasn't Pinkie either...or even Nyx...It kinda almost feels like Pa, but it's too strong to be him, Twilight would never let him use this much power She struggled with herself. She blinked as Tikki tapped her arm. "Tikki, whats wrong?" Applebloom asked, slouching in her seat. "I can sense an Akuma! We've gotta go!" Tikki said in a hushed whisper. Applebloom stared, glancing over her shoulder. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were busy making out...Nyx hadn't come back yet. No one would notice if she snuck off. She was the Ladybug Miraculous holder, the only one that could Purify an Akuma, she couldn't just ignore this! She nodded to Tikki, doing her best to calmly make her way out of the theater, breaking out into a run once outside. She slipped around the back of the building, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Alright...Tikki...SPOTS ON!" EARLIER "Talk Darling? About what?" Rarity wondered. Applejack chewed her lip, grabbing Rarity's hands. "Rarity...Ah...Ah've fallen in love with Discord" Applejack blurted out. Rarity stared at her with wide eyes. "Y-You can't be serious! Applejack...H-He took advantage of you! He left you to raise Applebloom alone! He tried to kill all of us!" Rarity yelled. "Ah know...An we've talked 'bout all o' it so many times, ah ain't sayin ah'm gonna marry th' damn nutjob. But these feelin's have been botherin' me fer a while now a-and Dash said th' best thing ah could do was jus' tell th' truth!" "You told Rainbow Dash?! You went to HER for advice?! You just couldn't wait to profess your love for that maniac could you?!" Rarity cried. "Rarity, that ain't it! Ah swear! Please, jus' listen t' me..." Applejack begged, wincing as the door slammed in her face, knocking her to the ground. "Rarity..." Applejack sighed. ___ "How can she say such things? T-That creature...he's in her head...he's taking her away from me..." Rarity began to cry, wrapping her arms around herself. She glared at the ring clinging to her finger, balling up her fists and punching a hole in her wall as she screamed in pain and frustration. She gasped as a chill ran through her body, a voice echoing in her head. "Poor poor thing, the love of your life belongs to another, you've been betrayed, cast aside...but I can help you. I will give you a gift, power to take down the one who dares to steal your love, but in return, I need something from you...There will be those who dare to oppose you, bring me their Jewels, their Miraculous!" the voice beckoned. "Miraculous? And...if I do this...Applejack will love me again?" Rarity sobbed. "Of course she will, you'll free her of that thief's spell, and she'll be all yours once more," the voice assured her. "T-Then...I-I'll do it!" "That's my girl...My Nightmare Rarity," Nyx grit her teeth, forcing her senses on a sole target, the source of the spike of Chaos she had felt. There were only so many people with a powerful Chaos signature in Eraville, and Nyx knew all of them well. While it had felt vaguely familiar, it most definitely wasn't anyone she knew. Or so she thought. She glanced at the small cylinder in her hand, leaping from one building to the next. She had thought of teleporting, or flying, but if she could feel a magic signature, surely someone else could. Her magic and wings would be a dead giveaway to her identity. "It's strange though...there's this strength buried in this transformation...I've been running non-stop, but I hardly feel it..." she mumbled to herself, running her thumb along the cylinder, gasping as it suddenly extended, smacking into the ground and catapulting her forward. She ran her thumb over it once more, quickly twirling it and repeating the action, laughing as she launched herself across town. "...This is amazing!" She cried out, her ears twitching as a scream rang out. "That's...Applejack!" She realized, sending herself soaring forward once more. She rolled in the air, skidding to a stop in front of Rarity's shop, eyes wide at the scene before her. Applejack was scrambling to her feet, her armor forming around her as a woman hovered before her. Long flowing purple hair ran down to just below her knees, a large lone streak of white running between the luscious locks. Her eyes were a deadly serpent green, eyes that Nyx knew all too well. The Eyes of Nightmare. A strapless black dress clung to her frame, parted at the leg. "Nightmare!" Applejack cried out, gasping as Nightmare raised her hand, Applejack being flung forward and her armor shattering as Nightmare clutched her throat. "Hm...yes Darling?" Nightmare purred, Applejack's eyes widening. "R-Rarity?" Applejack realized. "Ah, so you can still tell it's me Darling? Good...Now, hold still Darling, I have to be sure you'll never leave me for that monster..." "STOP!" Nyx roared, holding up her weapon, the staff as she had now come to realize, extending, smacking against Rarity's hand, causing her to drop Applejack. The Gaian coughed and rolled away, her armor appearing once more. "You can't fight her Applejack, she's been Akumatized..." Nyx warned her, twirling the staff above her head. "What in th' hell are ya'll goin' on 'bout? An whats with th' getup?" Applejack demanded. "I can't really explain myself too well, but please, just believe me on this, there's only one way to get your Rarity back," Nyx said quietly, her tail flitting about and her ears twitching as she stepped to the side, avoiding Rarity's magic. "Hm, well well kitty, aren't you a keen one?" Rarity murmured. "Stop this Rarity, whatever is hurting you, you don't need this power!" Nyx cried out. "I am more than just Rarity...I am Nightmare Rarity, and with this power, I'll finally destroy Discord! He will pay for stealing my Applejack from me!" Nightmare Rarity screamed, Nyx gasping as she was flung back by the force of her shout, Applejack grounding herself. "Tch, look here cat, ah don't care what ya'll say. That there is my girl, an ah ain't jus' leavin' her like this!" Applejack argued. She blinked as a yo-yo looped around her arm, tugging her out of the way of Nightmare's grasp. "Sorry about this Mo-uh! Ma-am! Sorry about this ma'am, but that cat has a bit of a point. I don't expect you to just back down, but maybe get some help?" a girl in a red skintight suit chuckled nervously, black spots decorating the outfit. The Ladybug! Nyx realized, sliding in front of them and throwing up her staff, twirling it and knocking away a spell. Wow, that cat wasn't screwing around, this is a pretty handy stick, Nyx mumbled to herself. "This woman, she's been poisoned by thoughts of betrayal...she's been consumed by the Nightmare," Nyx explained, glancing over her shoulder at the Ladybug, who gave a nod, tugging her Yo-yo from Applejack. "We need to find the Akuma," the Ladybug sighed. Applejack stared at their backs, a small smile touching her lips. "Ya'll be careful...Rarity herself is a force t' be reckoned with when she's mad..." she warned as she stood. "We understand Ma'am, you should go let your Princess know what is happening here," the Ladybug said with a wink over her shoulder. "Hey bug? She's attacking!" Nyx called out, shoving her out of the way and sliding out of another spells path. Okay...now, how do I do this? Applebloom fumbled with the Yo-Yo, a shudder running through her body as the Chaos spiked again and again. She didn't have time to play around, people were in danger! She grit her teeth, holding up her hand, preparing to snap her fingers. Wait...if ah do that...Nyx will feel it, so will Fluttershy and DEFINITELY Pinkie Pie an Pa...if any of them are around, they'll know it's me under th' mask...Shit, looks like ah'm walkin'...wait... Again her eyes seemed to focus, the Yo-Yo in her hand glowing brightly against the bland background of everything else. A lamppost nearby matching the glow. Without thinking she twirled the Yo-Yo, flinging it at the light and crying out as it reeled her towards it, flinging her into the air. In a panic she latched onto a chimney, throwing herself into the air once more. Oh gods this is amazing! Wait, horrible things are happenin', focus! Applebloom grit her teeth, throwing herself high into the air, her eyes focusing on the battle already going down. A cat and Applejack against... "Nightmare? But this Chaos 'round her...There's somethin' strange 'bout it...That must be the Akuma!" Applebloom realized, flipping over a lamppost and landing behind Applejack, catching her arm with her Yo-Yo before she rushed into the fight again. Nyx chuckled a little, her ears pinned back as Nightmare Rarity glared at her. "You okay bug?!" she called out. The Ladybug dusted herself off, twirling her yo-yo in her free hand. "Just peachy kitty cat, you didn't have to throw me you know," she scoffed. Nyx gulped as she glanced at her. Oh wow she's...beautiful...Nope! Focus, besides, Applebloom's the girl for me! Nyx argued with herself. "Alright, well, I hear you've got a little talent for getting rid of Akuma, got any bright ideas?" Nyx asked. "Why don't the both of you just hand over your Miraculous now, hm? It would save me the trouble of taking them from you...It would also save us the time of this pointless battle. I have much more important matters to tend to after all. I know you are watching Discord! You're always watching, you horrible, disgusting..." "STOP IT!" The bug yelled, glaring at Nightmare Rarity. "Sure, he might not be the best person, but he's none of those things!" she yelled. "Whoa bug, chill out, if an Akuma gets you I'm sure I'd be screwed," Nyx joked, the Ladybug blinking and taking a slow breath to calm herself. "Sorry about that...I just can't stand hearing someone be talked about like that...Whatever this person did to you, it isn't worth this power miss. Please, let us help you," the Ladybug practically begged. They both quickly leapt away as Nightmare flared out her power, the ground scorched around her. "Well, anymore bright idea's? I don't think she cares to talk," Nyx chuckled nervously. The Ladybug glanced around, her eyes darting everywhere. "It's dangerous...but we'll have to use our powers. She wants our Miraculous, well she'll have to try and take em!" The Ladybug boasted, spinning the Yo-Yo and seeming to mumble something under her breath, tossing her weapon into the air "LUCKY CHARM!" "I hope this works..." Applebloom grumbled under her breath, tossing her Yo-Yo high into the air "LUCKY CHARM!" She cried out blinking as a hand-mirror appeared, dropping into her hand. "A mirror, what am I supposed to do with this?" she mumbled, holding onto her forced accent. She could feel Applejack in the distance, but there were other people around who might recognize her rather specific form of speech. She couldn't afford to have those puzzle pieces fit together. Right now she had a harder puzzle to solve. "Heh, well that's cute, gonna polish up your face Bug?" The cat snarked. "Don't you have a power you could be using Kitty?" Applebloom asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well of course I do, but there's an innocent woman beyond those powers, I'd rather not be responsible for harming her," the Cat pointed out. "What?" "My power is the power of Destruction little bug. I destroy everything I touch, kind of a bad luck cat, got it?" the Cat winked. "You destroy everything you touch huh?" Applebloom mumbled, a lamp post glowing before her, the hand mirror glowing as well. As she glanced around she noticed the glow around the Cat's claw. She smirked as a plan started to come together. "Think you can take out this pole?" Applebloom asked, pointing to the post. The Cat shrugged, holding up her hand. "CATACLYSM!" She cried out, darkness consuming her hand. "Not so fast!" Nightmare called out, flinging a spell at both of them. Applebloom grit her teeth, holding up the mirror, the spell bouncing harmlessly off of it and into the ground, leaving a scorch mark. The cat dodged with ease, free hand grabbing her pole and smacking the spell into the ground as she twirled in the air, landing and continuing her rush for the pole. She slammed her hand into it, the wood decaying instantly and tipping over. Applebloom grinned, flinging her Yo-Yo into it and splintering it, the rest of it crashing hard into the ground and kicking up dirt. If this really was Rarity Akumatized, then she only had one real weakness. Her appearance. In the cloud of dust she moved, barely noticing the Cat flanking Nightmare Rarity's other side. "The hair!" Applebloom called out, gasping as something latched around her throat, dragging her through the dust cloud. The cloud shifted away, leaving Applebloom to stare eye to eye with Nightmare. "You little brat...how dare you?!" Nightmare shrieked, a few stray hairs standing on end. All that and all ah got was jus' a few measly hairs? she groaned to herself. She gasped and kicked as the invisible force tightened around her throat. "Well, no matter, give me your Miraculous and you can walk away from this. I'll even overlook you trying to muss my hair," Nightmare offered. "What about me?!" The Cat laughed, chucking her pole, Nightmare easily tilting her head to the side and avoiding it, her eyes wide as the Cat's claws flashed, cutting her long flowing hair to ribbons, leaving her with barely shoulder length hair. Applebloom coughed, holding up the mirror for her to see what had become of her hair. "AHHHHHHHHH!" she screamed, dropping Applebloom and clutching the mirror. "I-It's not so bad, I mean, it's short, and short is hardly ever in season...No, this is terrible!" she continued to panic. Applebloom rubbed at her throat, her eyes latching onto the ring Nightmare was wearing. "H-Her ring! Break it!" Applebloom cried. The cat nodded, twirling around Nightmare and hooking a hand under her elbow, snatching her wrist and tossing her over her shoulder and into the ground, bouncing her. "Sorry miss, but you'll thank me later," the cat promised, placing her fingers around the ring and squeezing, the ring shattering. A pitch black butterfly flew out of the remains, Applebloom pushing to her feet and twirling her Yo-Yo. "The Akuma!" she gasped, flinging her Yo-Yo at it, she watched in surprise as the Yo-Yo opened, capturing the Akuma. She pulled on the rope, catching the Yo-Yo and placing her finger on it, jumping in surprise as it opened up, the butterfly now pure white. She smiled as it flew around her and vanished into the air. "I...I did it?" Applebloom mumbled. Nightmare curled up in a ball, having dropped the mirror. Applebloom lifted it, gasping as the Cat patted her shoulder. "Nice job! I guess that's what Purifying is. Seems your Kwami has a good head on its shoulders, mine didn't tell me much...only that I'd need you," The cat chuckled. "Well, to be honest, mine said I'd need you, nice to know one of those chosen has my back...but now what? She's still transformed..." Applebloom murmured. "But you Purified the Akuma..." the cat argued. Applebloom clutched the mirror, an itch at the back of her mind. An urge that grew. She grit her teeth, throwing the mirror into the air, watching as it shattered into a crowd of Ladybugs that ran rampent through the town. First was Rarity's door that patched itself back together, then the Pole returned to where it had been before the Cat had destroyed it. The scorch marks on the ground vanished, and finally the bugs swarmed around Rarity, the Nightmare being peeled away and leaving behind only Rarity. "Rarity!" they both cried out, kneeling beside her. "Are you okay?" the cat panicked. Rarity blinked, looking between them. "What? W-Where am I?" she muttered, sitting up slowly, she gasped as Applejack skid across the dirt, hugging her and clutching her close. Applebloom smiled, standing up and holding out her hand, blinking as her earrings BEEPED at her. Right, ah used my power...which means ah'll change back any minute now! She realized, the cat chuckled, tapping her wrist. "Looks like we're out of time Bug, I suppose we'll have to do this again sometime, until then" the Cat winked and her pole extended, sending her flying over a building behind her. "Yea..." Applebloom sighed, glancing at Applejack and Rarity before throwing out her Yo-Yo and rushing back for the theater. "TWILIGHT!" Applejack cried, blinking as Twilight teleported in front of her. "Applejack...are you alright?" Twilight asked, looking her friend over. "No, ah mean, ah'm fine, but Rarity, she's been taken over by Nightmare! My element was useless against her! Then this girl in some kind o' catsuit showed up, ramblin' on 'bout Aku somethin or other, ah don't rightly remember...An when ah tried t' keep fightin' another girl showed up sayin' th' same thing!" Applejack continued to panic. Twilight tapped her chin, her brow furrowing in anger. "I see...this is troubling...does anyone else know about this?" Twilight asked. "What?" Applejack asked. Twilight sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I think they will be just fine Applejack. If the Elements won't work...their power surely will," Twilight said with a smile. "I'll accompany you however, Rarity is going to need all of us," Twilight smiled. Applejack shook her head, leading the way out. Did Twilight know something about these two? Whatever it was, she could ask later, for now, she had to figure out how to explain herself to Rarity. However, As she came upon the battlefield, she found Rarity returned to normal, the Cat and the Ladybug smiling at one another. She wanted answers, but all she could think about was Rarity being back to normal. Without thinking she slid on her knees, tossing her arms around Rarity and sobbing into her shoulder. "Ah'm so sorry Sugarcube...a-ah didn't mean fer none o' this...Ah jus' wanted ya t' know what was on my mind...ah ain't leavin' ya...far from it," Applejack cried. Rarity gasped, slowly looping her arms around Applejack. "You mean...Y-You just...had to get it off your chest?" Rarity asked quietly, Applejack nodding. "Yer th' only one fer me Rarity...Ah ain't ever gonna leave ya. Ah can't help th' feelings in my heart, but ah'll act on th' ones that mean th' most t' me...and that's all fer you sugarcube..." Applejack whispered. Twilight smiled, watching the sky as the Cat and Ladybug raced away. "DISCORD!" Twilight yelled. "Whoopsie..." he mumbled, wincing as Twilight appeared, tugging on his ear. "OW! That's sensitive Princess!" he cried. "What happened to a day hm? And Rarity? With Nightmare's powers!?" she growled. "They won didn't they? And they learned control of their abilities, and Applejack admitted having the hots for me! I mean, me! Come now, I needed the ego boost after a mere child toppled all my power," he scoffed, Twilight tugging on his ear again. "B-Besides, I might've just SAVED their relationship! Rarity was distraught. What if someone had really gotten into her head? In this manner, she's had a chance to truly hear Applejack out and their bonds have only become stronger. Am I wrong?" Discord argued. Twilight gave one last yank of his ear. "Fine, so you did the right thing. But there could've been innocents involved. Be a bit more careful with this new freedom of yours," Twilight grumbled, marching away. He sighed, rubbing his ear. It was going to be a long month. "Bro, did you SEE that?!" Button gasped, replaying the footage on his phone. Rumble nodded, watching it play. "Super heroes...in Eraville. Don't we have the Crusaders already?" Rumble pointed out. "Yea, but come on, not even Applejack was tough enough to stand against that thing, and they beat it up like it was nothing!" Button argued. "We've gotta get this to the paper!" Nyx clung to the shadows, tossing a pebble into the wall to draw away the attention of the man working the ticket booth, sliding through the door and leaping up to the ceiling, gritting her teeth as her ring beeped, the final paw print starting to flicker out. She spun around a support beam, chucking herself into the bathroom just as her transformation faded, groaning as she smacked into the wall. "Ow..." she sat up, rubbing her head, Plagg laying on her leg, worn out. "Sorry about all of that Plagg...As soon as I can, I'll get you some cheese, alright?" She promised, the cat nodding weakly. She lifted him, dropping him into her vest pocket and pushing to her feet. She still had time left to get back to the movie, but how was she gonna explain her trip? She wasn't even entirely sure how long she'd been gone... "I'll just...wing it," she mumbled, stepping out of the bathroom and making her way back into the movie, sneaking to her seat. But Applebloom was gone! "Maybe she's getting a snack? But I didn't see her on my way back here..." Nyx mumbled, jumping and silenced by Applebloom's hand as the farm girl sat beside her with an armful of snacks. "Didn't mean t' scare ya Nyx. It was kinda in a repeat cycle o' them wonderin' what th' other thought about em, so ah figured it was a good time t' grab some snacks," Applebloom giggled. Nyx smiled, happily accepting a small bag of popcorn, Plagg poking his head out and reaching out his arms toward it. She glanced at Applebloom, quickly tucking a piece of popcorn into her vest, Plagg munching away happily. hm, so Cheese and Popcorn? What a weird little cat... "Crap crap crap crap crap crap" Applebloom practically chanted as she landed behind the movie theater, glancing around in panic as her transformation faded away. She hugged the wall, catching Tikki and tucking her into her bag pocket, snapping open her ziploc full of cookies. To her luck, someone stepped out of the backdoor, and she quickly slipped in. "Crap! There's Nyx!" She gasped, hiding as her friend walked by. Ah can't jus' say ah was in th' bathroom...she was there! An ah'm a terrible liar anyway, c'mon Applebloom, think! she continued to panic, looking around, until her eyes landed on the snack counter. "Bingo!" she smiled, forcing herself to calmly walk over rather than run. She had to seem natural after all. Though after purchasing an armful of snacks she didn't really feel too natural. "Oh well, ah had th' extra bits anyway," she sighed, smiling and sneaking up on Nyx, dropping beside her and quickly putting her hand over her friends mouth to keep her quiet. Scootaloo raised an eyebrow as she watched Nyx sneak back into the theater, Applebloom following shortly after with snacks. hmmm, did they really sneak out? Did they leave together? She wondered with a smirk, she turned to Sweetie Belle, the Magian raising an eyebrow and shaking her head. "Nyx is still too tense, there's no way anything happened," She whispered. Scootaloo sighed. "Those two are so hopeless, we should just tell AB!" Scootaloo decided, wincing as Sweetie Belle squeezed her arm. "You can't do that Scootaloo. What if Applebloom doesn't feel the same way? And even if that's not the issue, we'd be breaking Nyx's trust and she'd be completely embarrassed" Sweetie Belle argued. "Yea yea, I know. I just...I can't stand just watching them like this..." Scootaloo sighed. Sweetie Belle shrugged. "They'll sort it out eventually, until then, we can just give Nyx what advice she asks for," Sweetie Belle smiled. "Yea..." "Ugh, that was terrible..." Nyx groaned as her and her friends marched out of the theater. "I thought it was sweet! And in the end, everyone was happy" Sweetie Belle cheered. I meant the 'date' not the movie...but it was kinda crappy too Nyx thought to herself. Rather than spend the movie with Applebloom, she had to run off and fight an Akuma, and in the end she hadn't done much. "Ah dunno, it seemed a bit too forced t' me, th' idea behind it is sweet an all, but th' real world is so much different," Applebloom pointed out. "It's just a romance flick girls, I don't think it's supposed to match real life or logic," Scootaloo added. Nyx sighed, tucking her hands into her jean pockets, the ring clinking against her keys. She couldn't keep her mind off of The Ladybug. No matter how much she tried to focus on Applebloom. "Ugh, I think I'm just gonna head home girls..." Nyx sighed "You okay Nyx?" Applebloom asked, grabbing her shoulder and squeezing gently. Nyx gave a weak nod. "Yea I just...I'm just tired...I'll see you girls later, okay?" She smiled, taking a step back and quickly teleporting to her room. She fell into her bed with a groan, Plagg zipping into the air above her. "I gotta say, you did pretty well out there," he admitted, sitting on her end table. "I could've really hurt Rarity, Plagg...I don't know what came over me or why I attacked her like that..." "Hm, beats me!" Plagg shrugged. "Ugh, you're no help cat..." she grumbled, her mind shifting to the Ladybug again. She called me Kitty Cat...I mean, what else was she gonna call me, not like I gave her my name or anything! But the way she said it...Ugh, come on Nyx, you just met this girl! You've known Applebloom your entire life. Though...Applebloom just sees me as a friend...and I can't even speak my mind around her... Nyx argued with herself. "Well, one thing is for sure..." Nyx mumbled, looking at her hand, remembering the power of her transformation. "We need to train Plagg..." "The hell do you mean an Akuma attacked?!" Scootaloo growled, Trixx waving her arms. "Wait! Calm down kiddo, look, it ain't a big deal. Remember those friends I mentioned? Well they handled it, definitely The Ladybug, can't really stop an Akuma without it, and...the other felt like the Cat...those two have been at this game fer ages kid," Trixx chuckled. "So what? Am I just not needed? What's the point of being a super hero if I don't get to save the day?!" Scootaloo groaned. "Did you say something Scoots?" Sweetie Belle called from upstairs. "N-Nothin'!" Scootaloo called back. "So you just felt an Akuma attack and didn't say anything?" Scootaloo grumbled. "Well ya told me to hide, how was I s'pose t' tell ya?" Trixx argued. Scootaloo wanted to argue back, but the little fox had a good point. "You know...Applebloom and Nyx both ran off during the movie...maybe they saw something?" Scootaloo wondered, leaning against a wall. She was standing in Sweetie Belle's home, also used as Rarity's shop, waiting on Sweetie Belle to change into something other than a dress. While most of her plans for the day were sappy romantic junk to make Sweetie Belle happy, she'd also planned a training session in the moonlight. Something she felt she had to pat herself on the back for. While Sweetie Belle was always worried about overdoing things, she always was able to let loose and have fun in a sparring match. "What is taking her so long?" Scootaloo sighed. "Hurry up Belle!" "I can't believe I didn't notice. Are you sure Pollen?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Mhm! But it was defeated almost as quickly as it appeared. Which means the Ladybug has been chosen!" the bee buzzed excitedly. "Well, that's good I suppose...and it means I didn't have to abandon Scootaloo. She did plan out an entire day for us after all..." "...day?!" Scootaloo's voice echoed. "Scootaloo? did you say something?" she called back "N-Nothin'!" Scootaloo yelled. Sweetie Belle frowned at that, digging through her dresser. "So, whats the rest of your plans?" Pollen wondered, sitting on top of the dresser. "Well, Scoot's borrowed one of her mom's telescopes, so we're going stargazing, and then she wants to spar a bit before the day ends," Sweetie Belle giggled. "Hm? Spar?" "Mhm, well...before you came along, and a lot of other stuff...We used to protect this town from monsters. I guess it's kind of fate that I'd get to protect the town again. We've always kept our skills sharp, just in case we're ever needed again, seems like it was a good idea huh?" "Hurry up Belle!" "C-Coming Scoots!" "Are you okay Applebloom? You've been so quiet since your friends left..." Tikki murmured worriedly. Applebloom smiled, rubbing her finger gently over the Kwami's head. "Ah'm fine Tikki, jus' thinkin' is all. Would ah have been able t' save Rarity without that cat?" She sighed, clutching the strap of her bag. "Well that's why she was there! Ladybug and Cat Noir have always worked together!" Tikki said as she zipped into the air in front of Applebloom. "Ladybug and Cat Noir?" "Mhm, you're Ladybug now Applebloom, and there have been others like you, but they've always been partners. Ladybug, who purifies Akuma, and Cat Noir, who protects her," Tikki explained. "So her name is Cat Noir?" Applebloom asked. "Mhm. Ladybug represents Good Luck, Cat Noir represents Bad Luck, and together, they maintain balance!" "Balance...kinda like the Elements of Harmony. Do ya...Do ya know anythin' else 'bout her Tikki?" "Train? Pfft, what for?" Plagg scoffed. "Because I'm useless without that girl. She knew exactly what to do...and all I did was stumble about until she showed up. I've gotta get stronger Plagg!" "Aw c'mon, Ladybug and Cat Noir have always worked together ya baby, now...wheres that cheese you promised me?" "Cat Noir?" "Uhhh, yea, that's you kid, now, cheese?" "Hm...I see...can't really walk around with a normal name huh? And she's just Ladybug? Why aren't I just Cat?" Nyx questioned. "Because we're better than that, we've got more...more...Flair! Now! Cheese?!" Plagg demanded. Nyx sighed, snapping her fingers, a piece of cheese falling into her hand and quickly devoured by the needy cat. "I don't know...she had some flair of her own you know," Nyx said with a small smile. "Hmm, eh, I guess," Plagg shrugged, patting his bloated stomach and letting out a satisfied burp. "Doesn't change anything though, we need to get some practice in Plagg. CLAWS OUT!" "Aw, not again!" Plagg cried out as he was sucked into the ring. Nyx patted herself down, still curious about the outfit and its material. It didn't FEEL like leather, and it was incredibly comfortable. She shrugged, stepping out of her room, stopping midstride as Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all stared at her. "Ha ha, this isn't my house!" Nyx laughed, turning to run away, gasping as something tugged at her collar, dragging her to the center of the group. "Wait right there little miss," Rarity spoke up. Nyx gulped, looking over her shoulder, realizing Rarity's magic held her. "I didn't get to properly thank you earlier...I wasn't using my head properly, I let my emotions get the better of me...You and that friend of yours, I owe both of you dearly," Rarity said with a small smile. "Oh well uh, j-just doing my job Miss!" She chuckled nervously. "What does your job have to do with being here though?" Rainbow asked with a smirk. "OH! Well, I uh...Something about this place felt strange so I decided to investigate! But um, everything seems just fine so I'll be going now! Bye!" Nyx waved, leaping out an open window, one of Rainbow's favorite exits. She quickly extended her staff, throwing herself across town and letting out a sigh. "Geez that was close...note to self, do not transform at home," she mumbled to herself, landing on top of a building and looking out over the town, her ears flicking at every little sound. During the fighting, she had managed to focus everything on Nightmare, but now...she could hear everything...smell everything. She sank to her knees, clutching her ears, holding them against her head. "Just gotta...calm down..." Nyx growled to herself, the sounds being reduced to whispers. She let out a sigh of relief, sitting back and leaning back on her hands. "There...much better. Though, it's strange...Plagg said Ladybug and Cat Noir have worked together before, maybe I can find some books on them? Mom could definitely get a hold of them...But I've gotta get my hands on them without outing myself..." She sighed, spinning the silver baton between her fingers with ease. She'd never held a baton before, and her normal weapon of choice was a pair of twin daggers. She hardly knew how to wield a staff, yet she felt at home with the little stick. "Maybe that has to do with Plagg? If he's been doing this for a while, maybe all the knowledge on how to BE Cat Noir is in the transformation?" she pondered. She looked over her claws, flexing her fingers, her tail flitting about. "Geez, I really am a Cat..." she chuckled. Curiosity got the better of her, her claw poking at the bell at her collar, suddenly realizing it was actually a zipper. She glanced around, tugging it down a little and gasping as she saw her bare breasts, quickly zipping it back up. "Where are my clothes?! I-I mean, I-I had them when I changed back s-so maybe it just transforms my clothes? But the ears and tail are real...And these claws..." she sighed, closing her eyes and focusing on her breathing, her heart beat slowing and her thoughts becoming less erratic. "Okay, calm, cool, collected, crazy kitty cat of destruction...I should get to practicing I guess...But how am I supposed to practice my Cataclysm? I can't restore things like Ladybug can...Unless I get Ladybug to train with me!" She gasped, standing and twirling her pole, stopping in her tracks. "And I have no idea how to find her in the first place, way to go cat," she groaned. It wasn't like she'd just get the chance to ask Ladybug to train, she doubted Ladybug would even show up unless there was an Akuma attack. She'd just have to train alone for now. They sat in silence as the cat panicked and leapt out the window. Twilight waited for a moment before letting out a laugh. "And you're sure that cat is our Nyx?" Rarity asked, turning to Twilight. "Yes, yes she is. Though..." Twilight held up her finger, showing she was holding a large amount of mana. "Your memories of this conversation are going to be a bit...shifted. I now realize I can't allow anyone to know just how far this goes, especially if one of the Akuma can so easily possess any of you. Whenever I will it, your normal memories will take over, but otherwise you'll all be in the dark. Any objections?" Twilight asked, looking between them. "Meh, it'll be fun tryin' to figure it out," Rainbow scoffed. "Though, all things considered, I couldn't even tell who they were up close, is there more to this Transformation of theirs we don't know?" Rarity wondered. "It strengthens their bodies, acting like armor, giving them special abilities, and even hides who they are. Remind you of anything?"" Twilight asked over her cup of tea. "Like th' Elements!" Applejack realized "I admit, it took me longer than I'd like to realize it myself. I think this will be good for them. What with my Barrier over the town, Rainbow's patrols into Everfree, Fluttershy and Pinkie's Chaos Radar, Rarity's networks, and Applejack's First Warning...they haven't had any adventures," Twilight sighed. "Well, that settles that ah s'pose, we'll leave here none th' wiser. Looks like our home has some new heroes," Applejack chuckled, standing and holding her hand out for Rarity. "Oh, and tell Discord, jus' cause my heart is confused, don't mean he's off th' hook. Me an him are havin' a conversation later" "Of course Applejack, take care," Twilight smiled and waved, finishing her spell as they left. She glanced over at Rainbow, her smile fading. "Aw c'mon Twilight. Sure, I can keep a secret, but I'm terrible at lyin to Scoots. It's better if I don't know," Rainbow smiled, squeezing her hand. "I know Rainbow, I know...I just...Nevermind..." Twilight sighed, leaning into Rainbow and kissing her, looping the spell around her and snagging it tight. "Oh! H-Hello, you're rather strange aren't you?" Fluttershy asked, looking the catgirl up and down slowly. "Heh well uh, I guess you can say that miss. I didn't mean to bother you, I was really just passing by!" the cat assured her. "Are you a Beastkin?" Fluttershy asked, the cat taking a step back. "S-Sorry uh, I'm...in a hurry! I'll see you around Miss!" the cat said quickly, vanishing into Everfree. "Spike..." Fluttershy sighed, the dragon chuckling as he stepped out from behind a tree. "You've sharpened your senses," Spike smiled. "Do you know that girl?" Fluttershy asked, ignoring his normal attempts at shifting the conversation. "To be honest, nope, she seems familiar though. But I'm sure I'd remember a Black Cat. Besides, those ears and tail were real, but she was in a suit, no fur," Spike pointed out. "But you can shift parts of your body can't you?" "True...Hm...I guess we'll never know," he shrugged, walking past her, gasping as she caught the collar of his jacket. "You aren't lying to me, are you Spike?" she asked softly. "I could never lie to you Shy," he whispered. "Applebloom!" Applejack called out, Applebloom tensing up and standing a little too straight. Oh no, don't tell me I've been found out already! Applebloom panicked, watching as Applejack walked toward her alongside Rarity. "How was your day Darling?" Rarity asked, Applebloom blinked, thinking back to the fighting and chuckled nervously "Oh ya know, jus' saw a movie, an been tryin' to get some work in," she said. It wasn't a lie, she really had done all of that, she just left out the entire 'became a super hero' bit. "That's good t' hear, you uh...didn't feel anythin' weird happen?" Applejack wondered, glancing at Rarity. "Well, ah coulda swore there was a spike o' Chaos earlier, but it musta been my imagination," "R-Right! Your imagination! See Darling, nothing strange, now, if we could move along?" Rarity laughed. They are acting weird...OH! There wasn't really anyone around during Rarity's rampage...she must be scared someone saw her Applebloom realized, watching them walk home. She let out a sigh, giggling as Tikki poked her head out of her shirt. "It looks like everything is really back to normal," "Yea, but fer how long Tikki? Another Akuma could attack anytime couldn't it? An what about this Evil Miraculous Holder? How am ah s'pose t' stop em?" Applebloom sighed, leaning back into a tree and skidding down to the ground. "I don't have all the answers right now Applebloom, we'll have to figure this out together," Tikki smiled, hugging her cheek. Applebloom sighed, placing her hand gently on Tikki's back. "Yea, together..." "Sun's setting, everything's perfect!" Scootaloo grinned, setting up the telescope, Sweetie Belle giggling at how excited she was. "Scoots...just how long were you planning this?" Sweetie Belle wondered "Oh well uh, you know, just like...a week?" Scootaloo admitted, flumping down on the blanket she had spread out. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, patting her lap. Scootaloo happily laid her head in the Magian's lap, sighing as she looked up at her. "Don't tell anyone I'm this sappy," she repeated herself as she always did, closing her eyes as Sweetie Belle twirled her fingers around in her hair. "Don't worry Scoots, I want all this cute for myself," she teased, laughing at Scootaloo's blush. "Scoots! The sunset!" Sweetie Belle squealed, Scootaloo cracking open her eyes to watch the sun drift beyond the horizon, gentle night replacing the ocean of orange. "It's beautiful..." Sweetie Belle sighed happily. "Yea, you are," Scootaloo said with a smirk, Sweetie Belle gently smacking her shoulder. "Now whose being sappy?" She murmured. Scootaloo just shrugged, closing her eyes and relaxing. "Hey Belle...I kinda wanna talk to you about somethin..." I guess there isn't much to really practice... Nyx realized, a bit out of breath and leaning against a tree. As she had thought, with the transformation came the knowledge to wield its power. Each thing she practiced felt as if she'd been doing it for ages. "That's kind of interesting. You don't smell like a beast, but you definitely aren't human," Spike?! SHIT! she panicked, standing upright and shifting her stance, her weapon extending into staff form. Spike held up his hands and smiled. "Whoa! Easy there kitty, I'm not gonna hurt ya," he joked. "I'll be the judge of that. You did follow me after all," she shrugged. "Out of curiosity," "You do know curiosity killed the cat, don't you?" she pointed out. "Yea, but you're the cat here, not me," he winked. Nyx frowned at that, her ears pinned back. "Look, I'm not gonna do anything. I just wanted some answers is all. There was some strange energy flying about today, and you match a lot of it," Spike explained himself. "There's not much I can really say, but I'll answer what I can," Nyx offered. Spike nodded, taking a step back. "Who are you?" he asked. Nyx twirled her staff, rubbing her thumb across it and tucking it above her tail as it shrunk. "Cat Noir, part time super hero," she winked "Super hero huh? This town has a lot of heroes already," Spike argued, crossing his arms. "Yea, that's true, but none of them are cat enough to take down an Akuma," Oh Gods, did I just pun? It wasn't even a good one either! "An Akuma?" "It's normally a peaceful spirit, but they are being manipulated, transforming innocent people into monsters through their negative emotions. Heroes like me are the only ones who can fight them...much like how those Elements of Harmony are one of the few weapons to combat Chaos," Nyx explained, holding out her claw. "I possess an artifact that grants me the ability to fight Akuma," "I see. You seem a bit young," "You're one to talk," Nyx shot back with a knowing smirk. Spike shrugged at that, tucking his hands into his jean pockets. "Well, if that's the story, I'll just have to roll with it. Be careful out there hero," Spike chuckled, taking a step back and vanishing. Nyx sighed, twirling her staff and sending herself flying. It was time to call it quits. She stopped behind a closed down stall, letting out a sigh and closing her eyes as her transformation faded, Plagg hovering in front of her. "I guess I should've just listened to you Plagg, there really isn't a point in training is there?" she asked. "Well, when you transform you take in all the techniques an skills of every Cat Noir before you. Maybe you'll add somethin for the next Cat Noir," he shrugged. THAT was a sobering thought. She didn't think about her life too often. She was Nightmare incarnate, which made her just a tad bit on the immortal side. Not in the sense of being invincible. But she wouldn't die to old age, much like Celestia and Luna. But being Cat Noir wasn't exactly the safest profession. She could very well die. Though it wasn't any change from being a Crusader. The danger had always been real, but she hadn't taken the time to think on it much as of late. "Yea...maybe I will, lets go home," "Everythin' okay Pa?" Applebloom asked as she walked alongside her father. "Well...I believe your mother is rather upset with me, over what, I can only imagine..." Discord chuckled nervously. "Ah'm sure it ain't nothin', though she an miss Rarity did seem kinda tense...an they've been at th' house ever since," Applebloom noted. Discord sighed. "I don't suppose I could ask you to wait outside?" He asked with a weak smile. She rolled her eyes and hugged him. "Sure thing Pa, ah won't watch mom beat ya t' a pulp," Applebloom joked. "That's exactly what I'm afraid of..."