Promise (Discontinued)

“You’re going to Paris?” A young lady spoke. She brushed Lizette’s hair with quite the worried expression.

Lizette leaned back, much to her dismay. “I’m going to support Dulce. You know anywhere he goes, I go.” 

The woman swiftly smacked Lizette in the head with the brush, “Don’t move.” She pushed her back forward. “Don’t you hear about what happens in that town? The akumas?”

He let out a whine, “What is an akuma? Are you making new words to confuse me again, Jasmine?” Lizette looked ahead and to the mirror. She used it to stare at her hair stylist.

“You hurt me so,” Jasmine sighed. She leaned to grab the phone on the table. Unlocking it, she typed away. “Look, I’m not lying. They barely exit out of Paris. But it’s a genuine thing. Here! I mean there’s heroes. Some ladybug and cat themed ones.”

Lizette snatched Jasmine’s phone, looking at the articles. Article after article. Live footage. Some Ladyblog. From what he could tell, they were innocents being taken over. “Do you think they have awareness? Like, they’re aware of their surroundings but can’t control themselves?”

“Maybe. No one interviews the victims after. Though there are support groups from what I can see.” Jasmine grabbed her phone back. “That’s why I worry. I don’t want you going there and seeing things. People die and then come back to life.” She let out a gasp, “I’m so sorry. I’m probably scaring you. Let’s change the topic.”

She couldn’t help but be scared. Liz had dealt with death before, but she was much younger. He didn’t remember his mom’s death, nor did he remember how his dad died. It was a scary thing to think about. 

Lizette had thought about the words of Jasmine the entire photo shoot and all the way to the point he sat in the car on the way home. He had remained silent, staring outside the window.

“Liz? You okay?” Dulce brought a hand over, giving his sister’s hand a squeeze. 

She looked over and gave a weak smile. “I’m a bit worried about moving. Those akuma things, yknow?”

Dulce sighed, “Yeah. Those seem pretty scary. But come on! You got your strong brother around!” He deepened his voice and flexed his free arm.

Lizette giggled, “Yeah, yeah. I’m just scared. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.” 

“You won’t. That Hawkmoth guy won’t know who’s coming when I get there! I promise I’ll always take care of you, okay?” Dulce glanced over at his sibling for a moment. “Okay?” He repeated.

“Okay.” Lizette said simply. Her worries didn’t go entirely away, but he had promised.

Dulce began to speak. His voice had changed. In and out of comfort and fear. “I will always take care of you.”

Lizette’s eyes shot open. The last thing he had remembered was his brother sprouting wings. Dulce had grabbed him and shot up into the sky. The fact they were hundreds of feet up into the air had been too much, and out like a light he went. But where was he now?

“Ah! Lizette. ¡Mi hermanita!” Dulce had rushed to his side immediately. He was still akumatized.

“Where am I? Dulce?” Lizette sat up, trying to look around. It was cold. They brought their legs in to try and keep warm.

“It’s not Dulce, remember? Your Guardian Angel.” He hummed slightly. His wings uncovered the two, revealing the view. “You’ve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, right? Well, you can stay here and enjoy the view while I go take care of things.”

She got a good sight of her brother now that there was more light. His once all white attire had blood splattered along the bits and his wings were now dirty. Lizette, at the sight, moved quickly to throw up. His kind eyes were replaced more by sadistic ones. “Why? Did you kill them? Don’t- you can’t. You can’t hurt anyone else.” She started to cry. Tears spilled down her face.

“Hermanita, don’t be so dramatic. I had to do what I needed to. Your Guardian Angel is here to protect you.” His voice dripped with venom, a hand brushing against Liz’s face. “Now, I need to go find that Lila girl. Don’t worry, I’ll bring her here!”

Lizette let out a cry, “Please, don’t!” He outstretched an arm to try and grab him, but there he went. They were left alone at the top. He fell back and curled into a ball. “What do I do? Please help me.” She whimpered out for anyone to hear. Anyone at all.

“Lizette?” A quiet voice came from behind her. 

It caused Liz to jolt up, “Hello?” When she turned, there stood a polka dotted hero. Was that the hero Jasmine had spoken about? “Who are you?” 

The hero gave a smile, one that was reassuring. “I’m Ladybug. My friend Marinette told me she saw you in an akuma’s arms and ran to get me.” She bent down next to the guy. “I’m here to help. Can you tell me what happened?”

“My brother- he- we went to the principal’s office. The principal wasn’t going to do anything about this girl who lied about my family. He said my brother was being violent and told us to get out.” Lizette tried to inhale, her voice shaking as she tried to explain. “My brother turned into someone else. He took me here- the principal. Is he okay? Please tell me he’s okay!” She grabbed onto Ladybug’s arm. He was begging for some form of reassurance.

Ladybug kept her smile, but her eyes changed. They were sad. They were hurting, and that was everything Lizette needed to see. Her arms wrapped around Lizette as she cried. “It’s not your brother’s fault. Hawkmoth does everything he can to wreak havoc on the people of Paris.” She explained, running a hand through Lizette’s hair. “He can’t control what he does.”

Over the device on Ladybug’s hips came another voice. This time it was more masculine, “Bugaboo, we have a serious issue. Seems bird boy is heading your way. You need to get out of there!”

She sighed, “Alright, Lizette. Is it okay if I pick you up? We need to get out of here before your brother comes back.” Ladybug placed a hand gently on Lizette’s head.

Lizette remained quiet and nodded. Though she was a bit worried how this scrawny girl was going to carry her. Until she did with ease. His cheeks reddened. “Oh my god.”

“Hold on tight, okay?” Ladybug  grabbed her yoyo and swung off the tower. As she went to hit the ground, a bright ball of light hit them. The two hit the ground and rolled, though the grip remained on Liz. “Are you okay?” She spoke quickly, glancing down at her.

Lizette nodded, “Yeah.” She whispered quietly and shifted their look to the attacker.

There was a Guardian Angel, wings flapping. Thankfully, there was no Lila Rossi in sight. “Ladybug! Step away from my sister!” He flew down. He dug his growing nails into Ladybug and pinned her down.

“Ladybug!” Lizette struggled to sit up. His body wobbled with every attempt. “Dulce, stop!”

Ladybug winced. Her arm attempted to reach her yoyo that was just inches away. “Dulce, right?” She wheezed out, “If you can hear me, you have to fight him. Your brother is scared. I know you’re scared. Please.”

Guardian Angel himself seemed to be having a battle. A hand was raised, ready to strike down on the hero. Yet, tears spilled. They dripped onto Ladybug’s face. “I promised.”

“Fight him, Dulce! You’re right. You promised you’d be okay!” Lizette bawled as she weakly crawled towards her brother. He reached out a hand to grab him and-

Dulce flew back, tumbling into a nearby fountain. It caused a pained squeak from Liz.

There stood a different hero. A cat with a baton. “Now this is where I take my wonderful entrance!” He hummed happily, tail flicking behind him.

“Chat Noir.” Ladybug groaned, “Why did you do that? Couldn’t you see the situation?” 

“I’m sorry. Shouldn’t there be a thank you? I saved your life!” Chat Noir hmphed, stomping slightly. 

“You’re half right, Chat. I’m thankful that you got him off me, but you should have waited for a better moment.” She weakly stood. Blood soaked through the red suit, being just barely noticeable.

Chat Noir rolled his eyes, “If I’m doing the wrong thing then I won’t help! You figure this out yourself.”

A few feet away, the akuma got up. “I need to protect my sister.” He growled. He clenched his fists, nails digging into the palm. Dulce seemed to ignore the bleeding coming from them. “And you two are in the way!” A ball of light emitted in his hand. It aimed towards the two heroes.

The two dodged, Ladybug diving to grab Lizette. “Do you remember where the akuma went?” Ladybug asked, her voice rushing every word.

“No- he was facing forward. Um, he was wearing his favorite tie and that was glowing before he fully transformed.” Lizette stuttered out, “I don’t know if I’m right, though.”

“It’s a chance I’m willing to take.” Ladybug slid away from Lizette, “Lucky Charm!” She sang. A confused look as the item appeared in her hand. “Chat, do you think you could try and cataclysm the tie?” When there was no response, she looked up. “Chat?” He was gone.

Lizette’s mouth was agape. Where was that guy? His partner was wounded and he just left! Their eyebrows furrowed together with anger and worry for the hero.

Ladybug groaned. She had begun to dodge the repeated balls of light that were sent her way. What could she do with her charm? The hero couldn’t close. But she knew someone who could. “Lizette! I have a plan.” She lifted her and ran to a nearby alley.

The two spoke quietly and Lizette’s eyes widened. “I don’t know if I can-“ 

“Only you can do this. I trust you completely. You’re a strong girl.” Ladybug placed a hand onto Lizette’s shoulder. “This plan relies on only you.”

Lizette swallowed the lump. “Okay.” He took the moment to stand and run out of the alley. “Dulce!” He cried. “Guardian Angel! I need you.” She called.

Dulce appeared right by her side. “You’re okay! I need to take you away from her. But I need to get rid of her before, okay?”

“No!” Lizette spoke a bit too loudly, before changing his tone. “I mean. No. I’m scared. I want to go home. And- we need to go now.” 

Guardian Angel sighed, “Okay. Anything for you, hermanita. I’m just glad you’re not scared. Hold on, okay?” He lifted her up bridal style and kept her close.

He winced, feeling the cold, red liquid touch her. She shook just being against him, but she couldn’t back out now. Lizette brought a hand down and pulled something out of her pocket slowly. “I can do this, I can do this.” Without a second to waste, he cut Dulce’s tie. In his hands was a pair of scissors.

“No!” Guardian Angel hissed out, dropping Lizette. “You betrayed me!” He bent down and grabbed onto Lizette’s throat. His nails poked the skin, enough that blood began to leak. “I’m only protecting you and you do this?” He shouted enough to hurt her ears.

“Dulce-“ Lizette choked out, placing both of her hands onto his. She weakly scratched at his hand. “Ladybug- help-“ Tears pricked her eyes. He was hurting her- Liz’s vision went spotty. Dulce was hurting her. He was hurting her- his eyes shut tight, tears spilling. “It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.”

Something was said, but she couldn't hear. Suddenly the pain was lifted. In fact, all of it was gone. The weight on him had fallen off. There was a sob coming from beside her. When Liz opened his eyes, Dulce was back to normal. He was crying. “Dulce!” Lizette followed his sadness, wrapping his arms around him.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.” He muttered. His voice was shaking and the words were barely out as is. 

Ladybug approached the two siblings, no wounds in sight. “It wasn’t your fault.” She bent down, looking at them with pity. “Hawkmoth takes advantage of every single emotion. You can’t control yourself. It’s numb. It’s overwhelming. Are you two okay?” With barely any answer, she sighed. The look of worry still remained. “Let me take you two home.”

Though she couldn’t carry both of them, she did walk them home. Ladybug remained outside the building until she knew they had entered. She could only hope they could be okay.