Eternalia was a glittering city made of crystal. Some were made of a single jewel, but many were constructed from bits of crystals put together.
Ladybug tripped on her heels yet again. "I knew I should've picked different shoes."
"Relax, you're doing amazing," Keefe said, but he still grabbed her arm to keep her steady.
She shook her head to get the butterflies out of her stomach. "When will we know when this Council shows up?"
"Oh, you'll know," Sophie said. "They'll show up in their regal finery."
Ladybug busied herself by twisting a lock of red hair around her finger when she noticed something. A white ashy substance. "What's this?"
Sophie's eyes welled up. "There was a statue to honor a Councillor. Kenric Fathdon."
"The Neverseen had Fintan light a fire then he died in it," Keefe muttered. "And then your counterparts destroyed the statue the gnomes and dwarves made."
Ladybug and Cat Noir shared a terrified look.
"Guys, they're here," Biana told the group, and the teens all turned their heads to see twelve older elves glitter out of nowhere, with a dozen grey creatures that looked like Sandor surrounding them.
"That's your Council?" Cat Noir held back a snort. "What's with the jewels?"
"It's a way they try to establish authority," Tam shrugged. "Especially now that your evil pair is running around the place."
"They can't be all that bad," Linh protested. "I'm sure deep down they know this is just them being the Neverseen's pawns."
Ladybug stared at her hands.
Unfortunately for the group, it was the one thing she was banking on; a secret she wasn't willing to tell anyone, not even Cat Noir.
One of the Councillors, with shoulder-length hair and glowing dark skin stepped forward. "As you know, I've invited those here today for answers about the new threat running around the Lost Cities. We're here to clear up any rumors you might have."
"Is it true that the Neverseen have new members?" an elf shouted.
"Are they really based from humans?" another asked.
The Councillor held out his hands and the crowd silenced. "Yes, those rumors are true. The Neverseen have somehow created two people with one order: to destroy anything and everything the Neverseen force them to. And yes, we have speculation that they used two ordinary humans for their new members."
"She is not ordinary," Cat Noir hissed under his breath. "Ladybug is the greatest girl I've ever met."
For some reason it made Ladybug's cheeks redden a little, but she needed to focus.
"We've sent out our best goblins to hunt them down," the Councillor continued. "But now we feel it will be best for you to know their names, should you ever encounter them. Antibug and Cat Blanc."
Whispers flew around at the mention of the names.
"I wouldn't give in to fear just yet."
Everyone turned to see Mr. Forkle stare at the Councillors.
"Councillor Emery, I'm afraid you don't realize the Collective are one step ahead," he continued. "We know there's only two people for the job. And we're in the process of collecting them."
"But he already—" Ladybug began when Tam covered her mouth.
"They're just trying to reassure the Council before they realize we didn't clue them in on this," he whispered. "I kinda wish you two weren't in disguises—would've loved to see them flip out over the fact that you two are here."
"You seem to really like messing with adults," Ladybug whispered back underneath Tam's hand.
"You think?" Tam held back a laugh.
"I'm afraid you didn't make us aware of this," Emery said.
"We didn't want to put too much on your plate," Mr. Forkle said. "But we decided with everyone here that we'd like to put down all the fears and worries that we know the exact two people who can save us. We can arrange a meeting to properly get acquainted."
"Provided you collect them in time," a Councillor with caramel-colored hair said.
"Right, yes," Mr. Forkle said. "We should be able to retrieve them and bring them to the Lost Cities in the next day."
"Perfect," Emery declared. "So we have enough time to assess the threat, we'll schedule the meeting for tomorrow."
Ladybug wrinkled her nose. She wasn't interested in meeting with the Council tomorrow.
"Ladybug, are you okay?" Dex asked.
"Oh, yeah," she nervously brushed back her hair, still not used to her disguise self without bangs. "I'm fine."
In truth, she was positive they would kill her if they found out what she'd done.
Ladybug sat out by the glowing gates. Well past midnight.
"You've got some nerve summoning me."
Ladybug turned into an identical pair of blue eyes.
"You've got five minutes to tell me why I shouldn't just kill you right now," Antibug snapped.
"You listened to me," Ladybug said. "That's reason enough."
Antibug rolled her eyes. Ladybug couldn't help but notice how the Neverseen had done too good of a job. The only difference really was the colors of their costumes.
She was hoping.
"I... uh... I've been noticing what you and Cat Blanc did," Ladybug said after an uncomfortable silence.
"Pfft, I noticed what he did to you," Antibug scoffed. "Really, I've been telling him to stop getting over his obsession with you—"
"His what?"
Antibug's eyes widened, like Ladybug would if she accidentally revealed something to Cat Noir. "I don't know what you heard, but it's wrong."
"No, you said Cat Blanc was obsessed with me," Ladybug pressed. "Why?"
Antibug shrugged. "It's either that or his constant devotion to this stupid Neverseen."
"Did you just call the organization that technically gave you life stupid?"
"I said no such thing."
"You did."
"Did not!"
Gosh, the Neverseen did too well. Ladybug had no idea how to find the chink in her own armor.
She took a cautious step closer. "Why are you listening to the Neverseen?"
Antibug crossed her arms. "They didn't give me a choice. I have orders to destroy everything and try and get Cat Noir close so I can kill him faster. They gave orders for Cat Blanc to take you down but of course he had to fall in love with you."
Ladybug's fingers fell to the scar on her face. "This is love?"
"They've been trying to twist our minds, make us more devoted to the cause," Antibug confessed. "I used to be until I saw the moonlark. And gosh, she's powerful. I was hit with a blast of her inflicting and then Gisela threatened me for not killing Cat Noir when I had the chance! Didn't even ask me if I was okay!"
Ladybug recoiled a little in surprise.
Neither heroine nor villain could say anything for the longest of time, and Ladybug worried that someone would find out what she'd done.
"Well, I should probably go soon," Antibug said. "I'm not sure why I even showed up."
"Because I knew you would."
She turned to see Ladybug smiling softly.
"Mr. Forkle said it himself," Ladybug said, courage brewing in her stomach. "We currently have the same mindsets. And... deep down, I can feel you don't want to do this."
Antibug stared at her hands. "But... I've already taken down a castle. And Paris could be on the Neverseen's target list. I could destroy your home."
"Which is why I asked you to come tonight," Ladybug walked up closer to her enemy. "They want me and Cat Noir... to possibly get rid of you."
Antibug furrowed her brows. "So we've basically been ordered to kill each other."
Ladybug nodded. "But I'm not really the type for that, you see."
"Same here!" Antibug exclaimed.
"Finally, someone understands," both girls exhaled.
They looked at each other.
"So... we just secretly try and solve this ourselves?" Antibug clarified. "But what if the Council, Black Swan, and Neverseen find out?"
"They won't," Ladybug smirked.
For the first time, Antibug smiled back. "It's a deal then. But tell anyone and I'll make sure you won't win."
Ladybug gave a subtle thumbs up and both girls departed before anyone realized what they'd done.