Miraculous: New Beginnings

The Eleventh Hour

The Miraculous Six ran inside the modified version of Raphael's house, only to be greeted with a metal room with no doors. Apart from the one they entered from, of course.

"The only way to advance is to leave one of you behind."

Loupe turned round and tried to locate the voice. "Who the hell was that?! Is there an intercom in here?" He asked the group.

"I... believe that's the A.I. From the press conference," Coyote deduced, "Remember? The one that can control a house. Medusa... Medusa must've possessed it, somehow. That explains this room..."

"Which is all good, but how do we stop an A.I?" Cottontail sagged her shoulders. "They don't really have a physical form, do they?"

"We could get to Medusa directly, perhaps," Talonarrow suggested, "If we stop her, she can take away the possession. I bet she couldn't resist being nearby..."

"Yeah! She could even be in this place!" Minette giggled excitedly. "Maybe that's why she's so eager to split is up. One against six isn't very fair."

"L-Let's just focus on this room for now," Monarch told the others, "RAPH, what did you mean one of us would have to stay behind?"

"If you would take a look at the corner of the room... there's a button. Said button opens the door, but locks the user inside. In order for your group to escape to the next room, one of you will have to stay behind. No getting around it."

Cottontail ran towards the button and gasped. "Oh! That's what it's for. It looks like the glass cage seals around you... uh, or something..." she chuckled. "Maybe that's how Medusa plans to split us up, so by the time we get to her, there will only be one of us. That way, she can take us out one by one."

"That's... that's a brilliant deduction, Cottontail," Talonarrow smiled at her. "Good job. But this begs the question - which one of us should go up against Medusa?"

The team stared at each other. It wasn't a question they thought about a lot. Which one of them was the strongest - up until now, they'd all worked together as a team. Their numbers made them stronger.

"M-Maybe we shouldn't think about that right now," Minette gestured to the button. "Let's think of it like this - as we go along, who should stay behind? Not 'who should face Medusa'. You never know, two of us might run into Medusa. In that instance, we should... uh..."

"Leave the weakest behind." Coyote stared at her. She didn't want to say it. "That's what you mean, isn't it? I hope you people don't have weak feelings."

"No, no, I... I suppose it makes sense," Monarch admitted, "Let's hurry this up. If you think you're the weakest in a fight against Medusa, stay behind. And explain why you think you're the weakest... maybe..."

There was a moment of silence before Minette spoke up. She stepped onto the platform and gestured to her weapon. "Well, uh... I can't see a ribbon being that useful in a fight in close range, can you? I'll keep a lookout in case anyone comes in."

"Thanks, Minette... we won't let you down!" Cottontail told her, giving her a thumbs up.

Minette nodded and pressed the button, sealing herself in. The door to the next room opened above them. They would have to climb upwards to get to Medusa, who was at the top of the tower.

Talonarrow grunted as he helped Cottontail up into the next room. "Makes sense, I suppose. Medusa being right at the top," he commented, "She could've at least put a ladder here, though."

When they reached the next room, there was another button in the corner. The exact same layout as before. The same challenge.

"Please repeat until you've reached the top." RAPH instructed the group.