The Corrosive Claws of Carrion
Almost immediately, Spidey started mentally shooting through his options. It’s very obvious that an ideal strategy would be attack and fall back, perhaps ideally webbing her eye shut so as to disable her Medusa vision effect. Of course, this strategy is not of much use when there’s a hulking monster about to bite your head off. So a more immediate solution would be to change that before he gets too lost in thought. Thankfully it seems that while Wither might look like she’s a part of the Venom family, she lacks the enhanced durability that such a member would have, as an uprooted paving slab to the back of the head was enough to bring her down. For now, at least. Ok, still four Sinister Sixers to avoid stumbling into, and there’s still Carrion to avoid as well, until they can work out how to stop her. Perhaps if Iron Fist can read her chi, perhaps he could also manipulate it to allow the original personality to reassert herself? Possible, but Spidey didn’t remember seeing Danny try that before. He didn’t even know if Iron Fist can manipulate a person’s chi. So back to square one. Or maybe not just yet, as Carrion launched a claw swipe at him there, so he had to go web bungee on her first, dual kicking her in the ‘chest’ and knocking her back a few feet, before she opened her eye and went for another Medusa beam. Oh no… oh no no no no… don’t look at her eyes, don’t look at her eyes! Somewhat fortunately he survived as Ava thoughtfully took the bullet for him, freezing into a stone statue. Seemingly content with his ancient enemy’s fate, Kraven turned his attention towards Spidey and Ladybug, drawing his spear for a quick strike attack. But Ladybug took the hint and pushed Spidey out of the way. Her yoyo clashing against Kraven’s spear echoed across the battlefield, until the hunter finally lost all patience, activating the powers of the Miraculouses he stole from her feline allies earlier that very day. Then the real fun began, as Spidey soon found himself in a tighter position than he’d estimated, as Scorpion and Electrocutioner sprung into action as well. The trademark stinging tail almost caught Spidey completely off-guard, only via a sudden Spider Sense was Spidey able to dodge in time, sending the Scorpion’s signature weapon slamming into Carrion’s ‘chest’, provoking her into screaming wildly and thrusting both hands onto his tail, pulling him in sharply and giving his face a corrosive touch. He screamed for a couple of seconds before falling unconscious. Ok, another one down, Parker luck showing mercy for once. Though it didn’t save him from a massive surge of electricity moments afterwards, when Electrocutioner finally landed a blow. Only his healing factor, combined with the resilience of his Iron Spider armour, saved him from going completely unconscious. He got in a pair of repulsor blasts before Electrocutioner struck again, generating a massive lightning storm around himself, the sheer power of which sending Spidey flying skywards. But then Spidey went into web bungee mode again, springing himself directly into Electro’s chest, smashing open his armour and releasing the akuma. As he screamed in frustration of being de-akumatised again, Ladybug took the opportunity to leap off of Kraven and swing out her yoyo. In seconds, the butterfly was purified and Electro was slam-dunked onto a fire hydrant, the resulting surge of water overloading his powers and blasting him directly into the Jardins du Trocadéro, knocking him out. From six to three villains. Ok workable, Spidey thought to himself. Though at this point, Ladybug was Clout-ed on top of him, knocking them both down as Kraven and Carrion began their evil approach. This was certainly inconvenient. The self-proclaimed greatest hunter in the world, currently in possession of two Miraculouses, and a skater girl turned rabbit superhero turned unwillingly into a fear spreading gorgon supervillain, menacingly approaching them both, both desperate and eager to strike the fatal blow and secure their prize. And in Kraven’s case… Kraven was the one who killed Cat Noir and possibly crippled Purple Tigress. And he collects magical artifacts to achieve his dream of being the world’s greatest hunter. Spidey and Ladybug were both certain that he might see it fit to betray Ock and Doom and take the Ladybug Miraculous for himself, and probably the same for all of the others as well. No wonder Peter’s Spider Sense was going like a firehouse bell as he struggled to get back up. Kraven had already killed once that day. If he did so again, if he killed them both, if he got every Miraculous in the Zodiac box… he would become unstoppable. So the question naturally became, ‘how to stop these two before we both get killed or akumatised…?’
“Although strictly speaking, would that formula Ock’s got actually work on someone like me or Ladybug? Hmm… probably not an answer I’d want the answer to any time soon. Ladybug, any ideas?”
“Besides me getting off you? Urgh… not just yet… oooh… urgh… my leg’s still numb… This could be tricky…”
“I can already tell. A touch from either of them will prove fatal. And I don’t really want to join Uncle Ben just yet… or my parents for that matter… Urgh, not the time, Spidey! I really need to work out a plan…!”
“I know, Shadow Moth’s akumas usually have some form of exploitable weakness; Lady Wi-Fi has her Wi-Fi dependency, Horrificator had her dependency on fear consummation to retain her strength and size, Stoneheart had his love for Mylene… But I’m not seeing anything like that with Carrion…”
“Well, maybe you could Lucky Charm up a mirror so we could get her to petrify herself?”
“Possible, but remember that’s my friend in there! If my powers can’t reverse hers, she could be stuck as a statue forever!” At that remark from Ladybug, Spidey finally managed to muster up the strength to spring back to his feet, instantly backflipping over Kraven as he slashed out with his claws. The feralised hunter turned around, snarling animalistically. He called for Cataclysm. The dark energy engulfed his claws as he leapt forwards, aiming for Spidey’s mask. He barely managed to web his eyes before getting hit, and as his armour slowly disintegrated, he swung the villainous hunter across the ground and up into the spot where Manon had been held by Vulture a couple of minutes ago. Frustrated at Kraven’s overconfidence and inability to defeat Spidey, Doc Ock decided not to bother with a rescue. He looked at Shadow Moth, as if silently asking him to join him in battle with the Spider. Shadow Moth nodded. Both sprang into action as Spidey evacuated his Iron Spider armour, webbing Carrion from behind to stop her targeting Ladybug. It certainly worked… for a couple of seconds before her eye opened wide, emitting another blast of her Medusa vision. It took some quick thinking on Spidey’s part to work out a counter, by webbing the paving slab that had taken out Wither and holding it in front of his face. Using it as a shield, he was protected from petrification. Ok, now time to strategize a bit, he thought as he jumped suddenly to dodge one of Ock’s dashing tenacles. This is going to be a tricky challenge. In addition to her lethal touch, he’s got to dodge her ranged attacks as well, as in the Medusa vision and the weird nubs on her forearms which extend into thrashing tendrils. And he doesn’t know if her tendrils have the same acidic touch as her hands. Either way, it would be wise to avoid physical contact with this one. Ideally until Ladybug can get back to her feet. And quickly out shot her yoyo, wrapping itself around Carrion’s legs, making her trip and fall flat on her face. Then Ladybug struggled back to stand up as her leg slowly regained feeling.
“Ladybug! Feeling any better?”
“Leg’s still a little sore, but I can still fight on… hopefully… Urgh… ok, priority one, get some breathing room!” She ducked as Shadow Moth drew his swordstick and slashed out at her. Meanwhile Spidey took the opportunity to web Carrion down. Facing Ock and Shadow Moth could be enough of a challenge by itself…
“Alright Spiders, you might well have defeated all my minions and rescued the girl, but I still have my arms – and the serum! I’d estimate I have enough left for another injection…” He menacingly pointed at Ladybug and Spidey, “and I see TWO volunteers!”
“I’m afraid I’m quite worried about what that would do to my health, Doc. I have to decline.”
“Nonsense, Spider! It won’t hurt at all… for long…!” A mechanical arm shot out rapidly, narrowly missing Spidey as he ducked backwards. In seconds it reached its full extent, forcing Ock to retract it. Furious, he resumed slashing his arms down at Spidey, narrowly missing repeatedly as the wallcrawler back jumped out of harm’s way. Eventually, and somewhat amusingly, bumping into Ladybug doing the same thing while trying to dodge Shadow Moth’s sword strikes. Both seemed stunned for a moment, but both managed to dodge when their antagonists went in for a dual attack. They crashed into each other, affording the insects a little breathing room.
“Ok, Ock’s down for the moment, the Six and their cronies are too, White Tiger’s frozen, Nova and Iron Fist are down… Luke is… Where is he?” Spidey looked around, deeply concerned for his friend, until he caught in the corner of his eye the sight of a large African American male in a yellow and black costume being airlifted back up to the Tri-Carrier. Those acid burns must be worse than they thought. Still, the matter remained, make sure Ock and the others stay down, and catch Doom before he escapes. Both objectives being tremendously complicated at that very moment as, unbeknownst to either hero, Carrion’s eye had begun to open. In seconds, she got her corrosive palms onto a single strand of webbing, dissolving it off of her in milliseconds. Hence why Pete’s spider sense started ringing like an alarm bell. He barely managed to turn around and dodge Carrion’s massive slam attack in time. She gave a bloodthirsty roar, or was it one of pain? Regardless, Spidey took the opportunity to fire another webbing burst, only for her nubs to extend into long thrashing tendrils and block the spinning spider strings, and ultimately rip them apart in fury. Ok, that’s not going to work a second time… Desperately attempting to think of something before Carrion decided to unleash another Medusa blast and petrify him, Spidey suddenly came up with an idea. He shot out another web, this time snagging Ladybug just as Shadow Moth was about to strike the killer blow, and another one to the top of the Jardins du Trocadéro. They were both winched up quicker than Carrion could strike again, even as Wither regained her footing.
“Ok, now we’ve got a little time to think of what to do. SHIELD’s holding off the Doombots well enough, but Doctor Doom himself isn’t stupid, he’s the world’s greatest criminal mind for a reason! And then there’s the matter of all my friends they’ve evillised! How are we going to get them back?”
“I’m sure we’ll think of something, Ladybug.”
“If you even survive my retribution, Spider Man!” Both turned around. Kraven had regained consciousness. Sure, it seemed he’d lost the Miraculouses by now, but he’s still a formidable challenge anyway. His laser knives drawn, he furiously charged at them both, only to receive a face-full of webbing for his troubles. Then came the fateful moment Ladybug decided to call for a Lucky Charm. It was a hunting net that generated over head. Hmm… like that needs too much overthinking. Alley-oop, and the hunter was entangled, causing him to stagger off the edge backwards.
“The insects fight well towards their certain demise. I’m starting to worry we might have underestimated their resolve…”
“Calm yourself, Shadow Moth. Carrion and Wither will finish them off for us, and then at last, everything I’ve been working so hard for will be mine! Oh, and just to be certain the spiders would be calling for aid… Carrion, turn your petrifying gaze upon Nova and Iron Fist!” Both heroes had barely made it back to their feet when Ock gave the order. Unable to resist, Carrion obeyed, her good eye opening wide and erupting its terrible red Medusa beam. Neither hero manged to dodge in time. Both were petrified, leaving only Spidey and Ladybug to go. Both Carrion and Wither leapt up after the insectoid heroes, just as Otto generated the syringe on one hand again… “But just to be certain… time to get serious…”
On top of the Jardins du Trocadéro, the insectoid heroes were a little too busy to worry about what Ock meant, especially since two hulking monsters that had under an hour ago been two of Marinette’s best friends had just landed either side of them. Wither was the first to make a move, dropping to all fours and leaping animalistically at the heroes…
“Spider Man… Ladybug… must… devour… must devour…!” she snarled with a vicious hiss between words. Spidey barely managed to dodge her bite attack as she snapped forwards, gifting her a mouthful of web as her reward. That wasn’t enough to subdue her ferocious bite, as he discovered as she leapt back at him and thrust her jaws around his head. That’s bad news. If she bites down, it’ll take his head off. And the telltale sign of a beeping Miraculous also filled the air, seconds after a feral roar - or was it a groan? – from Carrion. That’s worse news. If Marinette’s now on a timer before she reverts, stopping Carrion will be so much more difficult. But both of them were in luck. Unable to resist Ock’s programming, Carrion also made a move for Spidey, clearly intending to slam her corrosive hands around the back of his neck and burn through his body that way. So a quick instinctive web line fired in the general direction of her yoyo allowed him to strike Wither’s jaw, forcing her to release him, and then he backflipped out of the way as Carrion charged at him, resulting in her acidic touch striking Wither instead, making her fall to her knees, hissing in pain.
“Looks like old freaky here’s just as much a threat to her friends as she is to us!”
“Not the best time, Spidey! I’ve got less than five minutes before I change back! How are we going to take down Alix?”
“Just a pity I lost the Iron Spider armour, I’m sure it’d fit you!”
“That doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence, Spidey! Even without your web shooters, you’re still Spider Man, but without my Miraculous I’m just a girl!”
“Boy, girl, that’s not what matters. It’s what’s inside the armour that counts, kid.” That comment quickly set off a lightbulb in Ladybug’s head. That’s what they’ve been doing wrong! They’ve been trying to fight Carrion from the outside. They’ve forgotten what’s on the inside! And as Carrion charged forwards, her weird hand nubs transformed into tendrils at maximum length, and her corrosive touch primed and deadly, that was the moment to strike…
“ALIX, STOP!!!” The shock of that name brought the rampaging creature to a sudden halt. From what could be made out of her face from under her underbite head cover, it seemed she was genuinely confused. She growled out something that sounded like an approximation of “what did you just call me?” Much like Mylene as Horrificator had been, and like the fate that now befell Zoe as Hornex, it was evident that in her new form, Alix was unable to speak, at least in a recognisable tongue. Spidey was about to take the opportunity to strike again, before he suddenly noticed Ladybug approaching Carrion tenderly. She must be trying to appeal to what remains of Alix inside that hideous monster. Recognizing that Ladybug probably knew what she was doing, Spidey stood down. “That’s right. I called you Alix. That’s who you are and who you’ll always be.” For a brief moment, Carrion seemed troubled, as if Alix’s consciousness was starting to fight back, to resonate with Ladybug… just as her transformation timed out, and she reverted to Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Carrion’s renewed snarling fit ceased immediately, and she fell down on one knee at the sight. “Yes it’s me, it’s Marinette! And honestly, I cannot even begin to imagine what being like that must be for you, but I know that one of my best friends is somewhere inside there, desperately trying to take control!” Carrion began screeching incoherently, as if desperately trying to fight the inner conflict inside of her mind, even rearing her own corrosive claws over her face, scratching viciously at her own face for a few moments, until finally, with a massive, deafening final screech of agony, the strain proved too much for the creature’s feral mind to handle, and she fell flat on her face. “Alix…?”
“Wait for it…” Still nothing happened. “Wait for it… actually, let’s just give her a little wake up call.” Out shot two more taser webs. The shock surged through the unconscious monster for a moment, until finally, she began to twitch and breath once more. And when she clambered back to her knees, the monstrous fury in her eye had dispersed, showing only the pained expression of a former classmate.
“Urgh… Mari… Marinette…?”
“Alix! Yes, it’s me. I’m here for you. And so is Spidey here.”
“You’re Ladybug… you’ve been running a superhero club for months and didn’t invite me…?” Before Marinette could respond, Alix doubled over, clutching her head in pain. “Urgh! Argh! That’s… urgh… painful…”
“I shouldn’t be surprised, given what your touch did to Luke.” Alix glared at Spidey for a moment, before she shut her eyes and dropped her hands.
“It’s not just the touch. Ock gave me a double dosage. I’ve been trying to regain control for ages… for the last few minutes, I’ve been a prisoner in my own body!”
“Ok, maybe that was a little insensitive.”
“And that’s not even the worst of it!” She struggled to her feet. “Look at me! Akumatising me again contorted and twisted my body so much, simply being like this is agonising! Like, it’s hurting so much I can barely concentrate enough to even talk with you guys…!” With a deeply sympathetic look on her face, Marinette took her friend’s hand, being careful not to burn herself in the process.
“Look Alix, I get this is a hard thing to take in, but don’t worry, we can get you help, we can fix this! At least, I hope so…”
“Urgh… I wouldn’t get your hopes up, Nette.” Alix slapped Mari’s hand away in despair. “They forced me to tell them your plan! They were going to turn Ivan otherwise…! And while they were torturing me at their base, that octopus guy said his… urgh… argh…! …concoction can’t fail! And he said there’s nothing you can do to cure us this time! Don’t you see, I’m going to be stuck like this forever!” She slumped back down to her knees, seemingly unwilling to resist what could be her grim fate, stuck as a monstrous supervillain who petrifies anyone she looks at for the rest of her life. Marinette turned to Spidey. Neither of them had much idea on how to help her this time. This evilisation was far worse than the time she’d spent as Timebreaker. Alix had technically killed in that form, but this one actively mauled or petrified anyone she saw or touched, which would undoubtably make relationships rather difficult to say the least. Not to mention the fact Carrion was one of the scarier looking akumas… But appearances can be deceiving, and underneath her monstrous hide, Carrion was no different from Vulture; a teenager who’d been experimented on against their will and forced to do evil deeds. Though at least he didn’t show any visible signs of permanently being in constant pain… Still, Alix’s fears over her new form didn’t stop Spidey having a decent idea. There is someone he knows who could fix her…
“Maybe not forever… I do happen to know a DOCTOR who can work STRANGE miracles… I could refer you to him if it helps…?” It’s certainly possible that the Sorcerer Supreme might know some way to reverse what Shadow Moth and Doctor Octopus have done that Spidey and Ladybug don’t. But there’s no guarantee he’s ever encountered something like this before. Although given his arcane academicism, it’s a pretty safe bet he has at least heard of the Miraculouses before…
“I just hope we can sort this before Ock gets any ideas regarding Ivan…”
“Exactly, Alix…” Ladybug’s attention quickly turned to the view below them. “Where are Ivan and Mylene by the way?”
“I think I saw Fury herding them into the Tri Carrier alongside Power Man. They should be safe…” Spider Sense! “…unlike us… Spider Sense is going crazy! Danger, danger, danger…!” And the Spider Sense never lies, unless you happen to be a symbiote, in which case Spidey may never see you coming. He certainly didn’t at this point, when a red and black tentacle clobbering him in the ear, forcing him to web his way back to the Jardins du Trocadéro, and to the sight that awaited him. Climbing up to their level was a terrifying monster: a horrifying fusion of Monster Ock from the 2000 Spider Man video game and the octopus mutant form he took on in the finale of the proper show. It didn’t take Spidey too long to piece together what had happened. Ock… actually took the serum himself? That can’t be good… Indeed it wasn’t, as immediately afterwards, what can only be described as a moth/human hybrid flew up above them, radiating immense power that surged down into the ground with every beat of his wings, reanimating each of the former Miraculous Holders that they had previously defeated. All of them, and indeed the Sinister Six that created them in the first place, were surrounding the heroes. No matter where they went, they could not run from this one. The villains were everywhere and all-consuming. Nothing they could do would stop them. SHIELD was too preoccupied with the Doombot reinforcements to do anything to help them.
“I think it’s pretty clear we’re going to lose this one…”
“As much as I hate to admit it, Marinette, you’re right. There’s just no winning here. We’re surrounded and there’s not another free hero for miles! It’s over this time…” Intrigued, Ock leant in closer.
“What’s this I hear, Spider? The insectoid fools who dare defy us actually surrender?” Spidey stepped forwards.
“I know better than she does, Ock. There are some battles you cannot win, no matter how hard you fight.” Marinette fell to her knees as Doom walked up behind them, pushing his way past Scorpion and Electrocutioner, equally eager to see if the dominos would fall in his favour.
“You can have my Miraculous. But only if you promise to spare my city once you rule this world.” Doom seemed content for a moment, as Marinette turned to look up at him.
“I will… but you must bow to the better warrior.”
“Like Spidey said, there are some battles you can’t win. I’ve tried to do the right thing all my life, I’ve fought so hard to save this city… and all it repaid me with are ungrateful citizens and the need to push away everyone I’ve depended on. And it even got my partner, Cat Noir, who I now know to have been Adrien Agreste,” This part took Shadow Moth by surprise. Adrien… was Cat Noir all along…? His suspicions had been correct all along? Frustration come over him, how could he have been so blind, it would have made getting the Cat Miraculous so much easier! Then, just as quickly, the sorrowful realisation hit him. Kraven had killed Cat Noir. That means Gabriel, in his obsession… got his own son killed… his one and only child… What has he done…? “…outfought and murdered by a sadistic hunter, who later crippled one of my closest friends. You hear me, Kraven?! Juleka’s in critical condition, she might die! And thanks to you, she might never walk again!”
“Ha ha ha, such rage, such raw fury. You would make an excellent hunter, Ladybug. In truth, I do not enjoy the news of Miss Couffaine’s… unfortunate… condition…” Kraven’s stoic expression began to wane… “…this was a teenage girl whose life I have completely ruined…” …but he shook off the guilt easily enough. “But I must remain strong in front of my party.”
“Being a hero just isn’t worth the danger to everyone I meet. It’s not worth fighting it.” Unaltered, Spidey stood up defiantly.
“Whoa… these past 48 hours really have hit you hard, huh? But bad news. If you want to be remembered as a hero, you’ve got to go down fighting. And that’s something else I didn’t get the chance to say, Marinette… just because you cannot win, does not mean you shouldn’t try. You know what I say? You want her Miraculous, come and take it!”
“I was hoping you’d say that! ALL UNITS – DESTROY THEM BOTH!!!!” The Sinister Six and their army didn’t need telling twice. At the order to charge, charge they did. An entire army of supervillains and not another free hero able to get there in time. Spidey and Marinette were able to fend a couple of them off, even managing to get the mess of supervillains sprawling out to ground level again, but their chances were still negligible, despite Alix/Carrion purposefully staying out of the fight to avoid her primal nature taking over again. Their chances fell even more so when Spidey ran out of web fluid while trying to web Ock’s thrashing tentacles. Their defeat was inevitable. As the armoured dictator of Latveria knew all too well, as he watched the carnage from hovering above. As he landed, the ground shook in terror. With Marinette and Spider Man preoccupied, the time of his final victory was at last at hand! Using his dark powers, Doom levitated the stolen Miraculouses out of Kraven’s bag, that he’d dropped when re-engaging the heroes. And then came the moment he’d been waiting for. Marinette had taken one from Scorpion’s tail. She was sent flying, landing perfectly at Doom’s feet. He knelt down and held tight to the earrings, sniggering in evil glee underneath his metallic mask, and Marinette howled in anguish, which in of itself was enough to attract Spidey’s attention, as the evil mastermind proceeded to rip them straight out of her lobes. Spidey swung over too late. Blood streaked like crimson waterfalls down the sides of her neck and she was fighting back tears of pain as she clutched her ears. Not that Doctor Doom cared. Now his ultimate dream was within reach!
“Yes… yes… yes…! Even now, in their dormant form, I can feel the power! At last, it is time! Now after so very long,” his voice rose to a triumphant shout, “NOW I WILL BE THE CHAMPION OF EARTH!!!” Such a declaration was enough to catch Ock and Shadow Moth’s attention. They turned around in shock, followed by the rest of the Sinister Six and their mutated brethren.
“You?! You are no champion… Latvarian scum!”
“So you show racism towards my people, Shadow Moth?” Doom faked a hurt look. “And I had such glorious plans for our partnership…” And then Ock’s eyes went wider than saucepans.
“You… this was all about you…? All this… converting children into monsters to get the Miraculouses… all that…” No one believed Ock could look any angrier than he did at that moment of realisation. “YOU USED ME TO…!!!” He didn’t get any further before the air filled with screams of immense pain, not just from those they’d converted, but from the Sinister Six and Shadow Moth as well, as they were all overcome by the fury of Doom’s incredible dark magic powers in the form of mystical lightning that swarmed through them all like a lightning rod.
“Now who’s the fool, you insufferable oaf?” Doom burst out a menacing laugh as the Six’s akumatisations instantly reversed in clouds of purple mist, just as the Moth and Peacock Miraculouses forcibly detached themselves from Shadow Moth and flew into Doom’s palm. In seconds, the Six had fallen, as had their monstrous allies. None of their akumatised allies had reverted to human form, thanks to Ock’s serum. Instead they all littered the grounds of the Jardins du Trocadéro. Ock and Shadow Moth were the last ones to revert, Ock collapsing while struggling to breathe, clearly the de-transformation had affected his breathing apparatus, and Shadow Moth’s purple suit evaporating, revealing the villainous fashion designer who Marinette had considered an idol. Her eyes went wide as Spidey ran up to them, obviously concerned.
“Ock! And err… whoever he is…! Doom, you fiend! What have you done to them?!”
“Simply used the combined power of the Kwamis by siphoning their power through the physical restraints of their jewels to restore Mr Agreste and Dr Octavius, and indeed their allies, to their mortal form. In Mr Agreste’s case however, since he had been in his superhuman form for so long over the past few weeks, it seems his body’s energy levels have been drained ten-hundredfold, all at once!” Doom let out a mocking laugh as Marinette staggered over, followed by Nick Fury and a barrage of armed SHIELD agents, clearly attracted by the ruckus of the overwhelming battle from a few moments ago.
“All the lies and betrayal… the murder of Adrien… of Spidey’s team… Gabriel Agreste even got his son killed… and for this…? Why, Doom? WHY?!”
“I could explain, but why don’t I just show you?” Doom pressed a button on his gauntlet, causing his breastplate to open up into some form of machine, similar to the Kwami cages Monarch used in season five of Miraculous proper. A slot for each Kwami. Inserting roughly half of the Miraculouses into each hand, the dark power he commanded brought forth the very Kwamis themselves… “Kwamis of the Zodiac Box, I am your master now! I command each and every one of you… give me your power! Every last ounce of it!” Despite their evident protests, each Kwami couldn’t escape the power of Doom’s incredible invention. All were sucked into and imprisoned in the cages as the breastplate closed up again. “Through the power of my Kwami-Cager 3.0, I am about to absorb their entire matter, not just their powers, but every ounce of their being, so I will get the full potential of their powers! At last, not only am I about to become the most powerful supervillain in the universe, but I will carve this country, and then every other, into a global empire that shall last unto eternity! Feel free to watch helplessly as the Earth you know and love becomes New Latveria! For the moment of my final victory is at hand! Kwamis of the Zodiac Box – POWER ON!!!” Instantly the skies flushed with lightning as the evil Lord of Latveria underwent a terrifying transformation. In seconds it was complete. The most obvious difference was the size. Normal Doctor Doom is around 6.2 feet, whereas this ultimate form was approximately the same height as the Eiffel Tower, around 1083 feet. Design wise, not much seemed to change too much, aside from his armour now texturally resembling the various colours of the transformed holders. There were some differences, mind. Take for instance one gauntlet being reshaped to resemble a tiger’s claws and the other one transforming into a hammer resembling the one Minotaurox wielded. Or the entirety of his lower half transforming into the lower body of a snake, with a sword resembling that of Ryuko at the tip of the tail. His hooded cloak, now gold, black and red, became much more tattered, like someone had slashed at it with a sword or something. Most drastically of all was how the shoulders had changed, now sporting numerous spikes the size of a T Rex tooth, and the reshaping of his mask to better resemble a skull wearing a crown with a red jewel of immeasurable power on the front. His eyes, a deathly fusion of crimson and emeralds, bore a hole though the bodies of both Spider Man and Ladybug as he gave a triumphant declaration: “I must thank you, insignificant insects, for your aid… shedding off the chains of my old existence, to be reborn – A BEING OF POWER BEYOND ANY COMPREHENSION!!! THIS DAY, DOCTOR DOOM HAS BREATHED HIS LAST!!! FROM NOW ON, CALL ME – DOOM INCARNATE!!!!” And the blood ran cold in the veins of every onlooker.