Gavv offered no verbal response, his golden-yellow lenses fixed on the struggling Magia. His focus remained entirely on the immediate threat, his movements economical and precise. He moved to press his advantage, his Gavvgablade raised. Ladybug, however, continued her quick assessment.
"And what kind of villain is this one?" she asked, pulling her yo-yo tighter around the Magia's legs. "It's not an akuma, is it?"
"You must be Ladybug," Gavv stated, his voice a low rumble through his helmet. "You can think of it as a robot. We need to destroy it."
Ladybug blinked, her eyes widening slightly at the unexpected clarity from the candy-armored hero. She nodded once, her pigtails swaying.
"Alright."
Her yo-yo snapped back to her hand, pulling the Magia forward. Gavv moved with surprising swiftness, his Gavvgablade a blur of red and purple. He brought the flat of the blade down onto the Magia's exposed back plating.
CRACK
The creature shrieked, a high-pitched metallic whine, and thrashed violently against Ladybug's yo-yo.
Ladybug swung her yo-yo, hooking the Berotha Magia's legs again and yanking hard. The creature toppled, its emerald head-crest hitting the ground with a dull THUD. She landed gracefully beside Gavv, her red suit a stark contrast to his colorful gummy armor.
"You know," she commented, a hint of playful amusement in her voice, "it's not often I fight alongside a hero who smells like a candy shop."
Gavv offered no reply, his golden-yellow lenses remaining fixed on the struggling Magia. Its legs thrashed against the yo-yo cord, the Togamarder blades scraping uselessly against the cobblestones. He saw an opening, a vulnerable segment in its black plating. Gavv raised his Gavvgablade, intending a decisive strike.
"Hold on!" Ladybug shouted, pulling back on her yo-yo. The cord, still wrapped around the Magia, tightened, pulling the creature closer to her. Gavv's blade hesitated, inches from its target, the sudden tension from the yo-yo cord disrupting his aim. He pulled his Gavvgablade back, a low growl escaping his helmet. The creature continued to struggle, its alien form thrashing, its power still a significant threat.
"Oops, sorry!" she quickly added, releasing the yo-yo.
The Berotha Magia scrambled back to its feet, a guttural SCREECH tearing from its throat. Its Togamarder blades pulsed with emerald light, launching a barrage of energy projectiles toward Gavv. Gavv instinctively raised his Gavvgablade, the red surface of his weapon rippling as he deflected several incoming blasts. His gummy armor absorbed the concussive force, stretching and compressing with each impact. One stray projectile, however, zipped past his ear, narrowly missing Ladybug, who yelped, a flash of red and black as she ducked.
"Hey, rude!" Ladybug exclaimed, her yo-yo already swinging, its spotted cord whistling through the air. "Get its attention!"
She pointed toward a massive, overflowing metal dumpster, its sides dented and grimy, near the alley's mouth. Gavv nodded, understanding her intent. He thrust his Gavvgablade forward, releasing a focused blast of pure gummy energy. The translucent purple wave struck the Magia square in the chest, pushing it back, momentarily stunning it.
WHOOSH
Ladybug's yo-yo snapped around a nearby lamppost, pulling her high into the air. She used the momentum, swinging like a pendulum. Her red boot connected with the side of the dumpster, sending the heavy container hurtling through the air toward the disoriented Magia. The Berotha Magia's enhanced senses, designed for tracking and assassination, were overwhelmed by sudden, loud, chaotic stimuli, making it briefly disoriented. It registered the impending impact too late.
CRASH
The dumpster's sudden impact against the alley wall resonated with a dull, echoing THUD. The Berotha Magia thrashed against the metal container, its muffled screeches a desperate sound as it struggled in vain to free itself. Ladybug landed lightly beside Gavv, her posture radiating a calm assurance.
"This is our chance," Ladybug stated, her yo-yo already spinning with a determined hum.
Ladybug wrapped her yo-yo around the Berotha Magia's thrashing legs, pulling them together with a sharp tug. The creature shrieked, its body momentarily pinned between the dumpster and the taut yo-yo cord.
"Now!" she called out, her voice clear and decisive.
Gavv launched himself into the air, a blur of blue and magenta. His Gavv pulsed with light, building kinetic energy for his attack.
[CHARGE ME! CHARGE ME!]
He rotated, his leg extending, the translucent gummy material of his boot glowing with stored power. The world seemed to hold its breath as he descended, a vibrant, confectionery-themed meteor.
[POPPINGUMMY! FINISH!]
His foot connected with the Berotha Magia's chest plate in a spectacular explosion of color.
BOOM
The impact shattered the Magia's form, sending fragments of emerald-green plating and black armor scattering like glass. A cloud of colorful, candy-like particles erupted, swirling briefly before dissolving into sparkling energy. A faint scent of burnt sugar lingered in the air, a sweet, unnatural aroma. The Berotha Magia was utterly destroyed, its physical presence erased, leaving only the memory of its screeching form.
The last shimmering particles of the Magia dissolved, leaving only a lingering scent of ozone and burnt sugar. A strange, primal urge stirred within Gavv, a deep hunger from his Gavv organ. His abdominal scar pulsed with a faint, warm glow. An elongated, blue, candy-textured tongue unfurled from his Gavv, lashing out instinctively. It consumed the metallic and energy fragments in quick, slurping pulls. Ladybug watched, a flicker of confusion and mild disgust crossing her face. The sight was alien, unsettling, but Gavv quickly retracted his tongue, a rush of shame coloring his golden-yellow lenses. He wiped his Gavv with the back of his gauntleted hand.
A strange sensation coiled within Jazik's stomach, a subtle pressure that pulsed with an unfamiliar energy. It was faint, barely there, but he felt it, a nascent hum from deep within his Gavv organ. He chose to ignore it for now.
He began to turn, intending to find Marinette, to ensure she truly remained safe.
"Wait," Ladybug called out, her voice tinged with concern. "Have you seen a boy around here? About your height, dark hair, wearing a bomber jacket?"
Ladybug's voice was filled with a specific worry Jazik understood well; it was the same worry Marinette often carried for those she cared about. She had mentioned a lost boy earlier, a new arrival in Paris, during their patrol around the bakery. That boy, she had fretted, was now alone in a strange city, without family.
"The boy is safe," Gavv stated, a subtle reassurance in his tone.
"Good." Ladybug visibly relaxed, a small sigh escaping her lips. "I'm Ladybug… you already know that. Who are you?"
She extended a gloved hand, expecting a handshake. Gavv looked at the outstretched hand, then back at her masked face, his golden-yellow lenses holding a curious intensity.
"Kamen Rider," he said, the words quiet but firm.
Ladybug blinked, her hand still suspended in the air. "Kamen Rider? Is that like a superhero name too?"
Gavv withdrew his hand. He turned fully away from her, his broad shoulders squared.
"I am not a hero," he stated, his voice resonating with a quiet finality. "I only fought because the robot threatened me and those around me."
He took a step, then another, his form solidifying with every movement away from her. The vibrant colors of his armor began to shimmer, fading into translucent ripples of light. The blues, magentas, and purples softened, dissolving into the Parisian air. The sharp lines of his helmet blurred, losing their distinct shape. In moments, the candy-like armor melted completely, revealing Jazik, dressed in his dark bomber jacket and jeans, standing alone in the alley. He did not look back. He simply walked away, his gait quiet and determined.
Ladybug watched him go, her mind reeling from the abrupt departure and transformation. The alley, now quiet save for the distant city sounds, felt strangely empty without the vibrant presence of the candy-armored figure. She murmured to herself, the name echoing in the sudden stillness.
"Kamen Rider..."
Her brow furrowed in thought, a faint memory stirring. She recalled a conversation with Jazik earlier that day, a brief, almost dismissive mention of similar heroes.
"Didn't Jazik mention Kamen Riders?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Could he really be one?"
Jazik moved quickly through the labyrinthine alleys, a quiet instinct guiding his steps away from the confrontation. He pushed away the lingering unease of his Gavv's primal feeding, focusing instead on returning to the bakery, to the fragile sense of safety he had found there. The sound of Cat Noir's staff extending with a THWIP in the distance, followed by his signature landing, drifted back to him, a faint echo of the world he had just left. He knew that the black-clad hero was a formidable fighter, agile and strong, and Ladybug would be safe with him.
Cat Noir landed with a confident flourish, his extendable staff clicking as it supported his weight. His black leather suit, complete with feline ears and a long belt-tail, gleamed in the afternoon light. His green eyes, sharp behind the mask, quickly scanned the debris-strewn alley. A faint, sweet scent of burnt sugar hung in the air, mixing with the dust from splintered wooden crates.
"Did I miss the party, my Lady?" Cat Noir asked, a playful grin touching his lips, though a hint of genuine concern softened his tone. "Was it a quick one? And did you purify the akuma on your own?"
Ladybug, her arms crossed, looked at the remaining scattered debris with a thoughtful expression. "It wasn't an akuma, Cat Noir. It was something else entirely. A strange robot." She paused, a small smile playing on her lips. "And no, I had some help. From a very unexpected ally."
"Another hero in Paris?" Cat Noir raised a brow, a slight tilt to his head. "Are we starting a club? What was their deal, some kind of new sidekick in a sparkly suit?"
"He called himself Kamen Rider," Ladybug explained, her voice even. "He wore armor that looked like candy, all blue and magenta, and fought with a red sword. He moved fast, very direct. No wasted motion." She picked up a small, melted gummy fragment from the ground. "His attacks were… gummy-themed, somehow."
"Gummy-themed?" Cat Noir repeated, his ears twitching with amusement. "Sounds sweet, but I thought I was your only partner, Bugaboo. Is he purr-fect for the job?" A hint of playful jealousy colored his voice.
"He was effective," Ladybug conceded, ignoring the pun. "He destroyed the robot completely. But he just… walked away after. Said he wasn't a hero." She shook her head slightly, a small frown touching her lips. "Quite peculiar."
Cat Noir extended his staff, then retracted it with a practiced snick, leaning against the cool brick of the alley wall. He watched Ladybug, her gaze still fixed on the spot where the candy-armored hero had simply vanished.
"Well, my Lady, the city is safe once more," Cat Noir observed, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Perhaps we should celebrate your victory with a purr-fect Parisian night out? I know a great little place for cheese fondue."
Ladybug turned, her bluebell eyes meeting his, a hint of something new in their depths—a quiet thoughtfulness that pushed past his usual flirtation.
"Sorry, Cat Noir," she replied, her voice gentle but firm. "I actually have something important to do."
She swung her yo-yo, its spotted cord wrapping around a nearby lamppost, then launched herself upward with effortless grace. She soared across the rooftops, a blur of red against the deepening twilight sky. Her thoughts were already racing ahead, leaving the lingering warmth of Cat Noir's presence behind. She knew she needed to find Jazik.
Jazik's breath hitched, a faint gasp escaping his lips. He cancelled his transformation in a flash of shimmering light, the cool Parisian air brushing against his skin, feeling suddenly vulnerable without the comforting shell of his armor. The familiar abdominal scar pulsed with a low thrum beneath his clothes. He moved with a renewed urgency, his eyes scanning the chaotic street, searching for Marinette. The scent of ozone and shattered plastic lingered from the Magia's destruction.
He found her, small and pale, huddled behind an overturned flower stall. Scattered petals lay around her like fallen confetti. She was trembling, her wide bluebell eyes darting around, still reflecting the lingering shock of the attack.
"Marinette," Jazik said, his voice softer than he intended, a quiet relief washing over him.
She looked up, a startled cry escaping her, and then scrambled out from behind the stall, rushing to him. Her small hands gripped his arm, a silent tremor passing through her.
"Jazik, are you alright?" she asked, her voice a little breathless. "That… that robot. What happened to it?"
He offered a small, reassuring nod, his gaze fixed on her. "It's gone now. You are safe." The words felt heavy, even as he spoke them.
He knew he was a magnet for trouble. G.O.D. would send more Magia. This family was too kind. Their innocence and warmth only made his departure harder. He couldn't risk their safety. He had to leave.
"Marinette, I... I should leave soon," Jazik said, his voice low, almost a whisper. He gently pulled his arm from her grasp. "I cannot trouble your family much longer."
Marinette's bluebell eyes, still wide from the encounter, narrowed slightly. "What do you mean, trouble us? You're no trouble at all, Jazik." She paused, her expression softening. "Why would you say that?"
He looked away, his gaze drifting to the broken flower stall, the scattered petals like fragile memories. "It's… I can't keep imposing," he replied, the lie feeling heavy on his tongue. "You took me in, you fed me. That's enough." He offered a small, hesitant smile that did not reach his indigo eyes.
"But you do not have anywhere else to go, right?" Marinette insisted, her voice firm with a conviction that surprised him. Her hands found his again, holding them gently. "You're still lost. We can help you."
"Why?" Jazik asked, the word quiet, almost lost in the faint Parisian breeze. "Why are you helping me? We only just met."
Marinette tightened her grip on his arm, a gentle pressure that settled a little of his internal unrest. She looked directly into his indigo eyes, her own bluebell eyes earnest and open.
"I don't know, Jazik," she admitted, her voice soft but steady. "It just feels right. Like... you needed help, and I couldn't just let you go."
Jazik looked at Marinette's face, her expression unwavering and genuinely concerned. The thought of leaving, of once more being alone, suddenly felt heavy and far more daunting than any pursuing Magia. He sighed, a soft sound that barely disturbed the quiet alley.
"Alright," he said, the word a gentle surrender. "I will stay for now."
Marinette's face lit up, a bright, genuine smile spreading across her lips. A quiet sense of warmth bloomed in Jazik's chest, unfamiliar yet pleasant, a tiny crack in the emotional armor he had worn for so long.
"That's great!" she exclaimed, her hands still holding his arm, her grip still firm. "My parents will be so happy. We should head back to the bakery now."
The scent of warm bread and sugar enveloped Jazik as he and Marinette stepped back into the Dupain-Cheng bakery, a comforting contrast to the recent chaos. Tom and Sabine looked up, their faces softening with relief at seeing them both safe.
"Did you two have an eventful day?" Sabine asked, her voice calm, a hint of knowing concern in her eyes.
Marinette, ever bright, offered a wide smile. "It was wonderful, Mom. Jazik found some great clothes, and he wants to keep staying with us."
Sabine's gentle gaze shifted to Jazik, a quiet warmth in her expression. Tom, a broad smile spreading across his face, clapped Jazik lightly on the shoulder. "Excellent! You can stay for as long as you like."
"I don't want to just live off for free. I… I can help here, in the bakery," Jazik offered, the words feeling a little awkward on his tongue, a quiet offering to earn his unexpected place. "I can work."
"Nonsense, you're our guest," Sabine insisted softly.
"Though, an extra pair of hands with the kneading wouldn't hurt," Tom added with a booming laugh, a gentle wink in Jazik's direction. "Welcome to the team, Jazik!"
Jazik felt a subtle blush warm his cheeks, a feeling he hadn't experienced in what felt like lifetimes. He offered a small, sincere smile, a rare glimpse of genuine contentment. The bakery, filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods and the gentle laughter of his new family, felt like a harbor. It was a place where he might, just might, be able to simply stay.
***
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