A muffled sound, like voices—is there a fight? Unaware until the metallic clang drew near, she tensed.

They’re at the fork, in the sewers, with a high ceiling, it’s dark and damp, and the smoke from a fight nearby is making sure they move cautiously, looking for any sign of an attack.

She gripped her glowing torch, her only weapon, as Damian signaled her to stay steady before they moved forward.

A muffled groan from the other corridor made them cautiously approach; unseen, she saw the Leviathan battling someone. A purple blur, like lightning, flashed in the deep silence. Before the Leviathan troops could attack, a silent, unseen killer had moved, silently eliminating them.

Damian stayed put, silent.

Observing the five Leviathans lying down and groaning, she realized they were not dead.

Until.

A figure, shadowy and unreal, took shape in the center, violet shimmers sparking like diamonds from the darkness, creating the illusion of a human form; a low hum vibrated in the air. Clad in a sleek white suit accented with purple streaks and a metallic backpack. A curved, blade-like weapon was held in their hand. The mask is recognizable;

Her eyes widens, terror, hate.

Merde!

It’s the Chrysalis Mask with six spider eyes that glow purple.

“Oh, you’re already here. I was just getting rid of some pests.”

”Maya, I’m relieved you’re safe.” The Wayne Heir replied.

She stops dead in her tracks, a chill crawling down her neck as she sees Chrysalis, Hawkmoth successor, in full supervillain regalia; the sight sends shivers down her spine.

Overwhelmed, her trauma resurfaces.

The disembodied voice only made itself known when the akumatized victim’s control.

Filled with dread and anger, she lunged, wielding the bright torch as a weapon, swinging wildly as Chrysalis, with practiced ease, sidestepped the attack, using her blade to block it; an adulterated rage consumed her—it wasn’t fair, this villain was a trained killer, a martial arts expert. In the heat of hand-to-hand fighting, she knew, as she wildly attacked again without strategy, that she had no chance of winning.

”Dupain-Cheng, that’s pathetic” her taunts, grating.

Lila wanted the miraculous for some nefarious plans.

Her attacks are consistently failing without Miraculous aid; however, she refuses to surrender.

Trying once more, she thrust the torch at her enemy, but Chrysalis swiftly dodged in the dark, effortlessly disarming her of the torch, leaving her defenseless.

“Stop this pointless fighting!” Wayne commanded, his voice sharp, “You’re just toying with Marinette, Ukth.”

Lila flinched and quickly withdrew her hands. As she stood,

Shame overwhelmed her as she faced the villain. She can't even land a hook.

“Are you two done? We have a bomb to defuse.” The Wayne heir rebuts, with cold stiffness.

She steadied herself, pushing aside her tantrum to compartmentalize her feelings.

She’ll deal with Lila later.

Chrysalis offered Marinette the discarded torch; though her hatred was clear, cooperation was necessary, so she accepted it as Lila advanced. She held the torch tight.

The five unconscious Leviathans were secured, disarmed, and their weapons discarded in the sewer.

”Follow me.”

Chrysalis commanded with her disembodied voice

Moving forward, all that could be heard were the echoes of their footsteps.

Their pursuit lasted only a moment, ceasing as soon as they spotted La Plage’s entrance.

With a chaotic jumble of scrunched-up books and scattered tomes all around her, she didn’t even notice the presence of the skeletons in the midst of the overwhelming number of books.

She obviously did some research. Maya or Lila would totally do something like this.

Chrysalis unmasked, showing Lila with mascara, her brown hair up in a bun.

“Glad you could make it to my hideout!” waving her hand like showing her toys.

“Do you like it? I designed it to be the ultimate supervillain lair—it totally matches my style!”

A feral ease marked her smile; it was like an inside joke she didn’t understand.

”Tt. But my lair on Lazarus Island is far bigger, more intimidating, and terrifying than this, Ukth. Just tell us your plan and what artifact you stole.”

Though amused by their banter, the way Wayne crossed his arms hinted at a deeper connection Marinette couldn’t yet grasp.

An Island? She can’t fathom the Wayne Heir is truly rich, owning an island. Kwami ,she hates this more, tangled in this conspiracy with these villains or antihero?

She didn't even know anymore.

”Damian, you’re such a buzzkill, always being so practical. So Marinette, what’s the verdict? Your supervillain has pretty good taste, right?”

Lila stares intensely at her, really focusing as she gazes back, she notices the color of her eyes, no longer hazel-brown but like emeralds, a deep reflection of the forest.

“What happen to your eyes?' “she blurted out.
She looked again.

Lila flinch, her smile makes more fake, as Damian move forward and grabbed Lila's shoulders, looking directly at her eyes.

She watched as his grip tightened in silence, feeling the cold air and tension rise as they engaged in a silent battle. She couldn’t comprehend the significance of Lila’s changing eye color.

Could it be magic? It felt familiar to her, a chaotic magic reminiscent of Plagg’s.

“Tell me, have you used it, Ukth? Who did that to you? Who is responsible for this? Where is the pit located? Is it here? Ukth, tell me? Who hurt you?”

She watched as Damian, his emerald eyes brimming with tears, broke down. Though Lila remained silent, her smudged mascara spoke of tears as she and him clung together in a silent, strained embrace.

Marinette wonders if the two have been through something difficult. Yet, she understood the significance of this familial embrace, these private moments.

Wayne’s voice, breaking and unconvincing, betrayed not anger but a convulsive rage she couldn’t understand.

” Who killed you, Maya? Who?”

Killed? What’s happening? If Lila died, how is she still here? Had something happened to her? Which pit is he referring to?