Hyper! (Vol.1)

Incognito

*static crackle*

Don't be bemused; it's just the news.

We received a report of another sudden Akuma attack the previous night, and witnessed the emergence of a new hero known to the public as the Renaissance.

His civilian identity, as of now, is completely unknown.

Neither Ladybug nor Chat Noir arrived on scene, yet it seems that the Renaissance is capable of purifying Akumas on his own! What does this mean for the future of Paris, or our current heroes? Will Hawk Moth's reign be triumphed over at last?

This is Nadja Chamack from TVi News, signing off.

⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰

Luka sat cross-legged on his bed in his cabin, close to the brass porthole window, where the morning sun shone through. He absentmindedly plucked the strings of his guitar. This was it, the confrontation he wouldn't be able to avoid, and he wasn't sure how to handle it. His twin sister, Juleka, reacted the same way as how he feared. Within the hulls of the Liberty, no guests around, she could shed her usual quiet demeanor for something that suited her better; a flame of stubborn resolve. She stood blocking the cabin's arched entrance, hands on her hips.

"Be honest. Where were you last night?"

He let out a deep sigh. "I told ya, Jules. I was on my way back when the attack happened."

"I don't buy it," said Juleka. She approached him, wood planks creaking underneath her sneakers. "You know your way around this entire city better than anyone. I've seen it. Why didn't you take your usual route home? The shortcut, away from the crowds? It's like you're trying to get yourself captured."

Luka shrugged. "Maybe I just ran out of luck."

"What about your arm?"

"What about my arm? My arm is perfectly fine."

"You're a terrible liar, Luka."

The trail of bandages down the deck didn't help. Luka cursed himself. He should've woken up earlier to clean them up.

Last thing he remembered from the fight, he was nearly choked to death and seconds away from de-transformation. As a final resort, he'd sliced his harp across Picksprocket's bronze arm, freeing himself from her tight grip. He'd landed on shattered glass, his own left arm bruised by the impact. Left alone, his Miraculous remained in its place, its form disguised as a metal bracelet. He'd stayed there for a while, waiting for Ladybug to come and retrieve it, like she always did, but she showed no signs of arriving. Hence, he staggered his way back to the houseboat, the heroine's disappointment clearly pictured in his mind's eye. He had one job, a simple task, and he'd failed. Spectacularly.

He had to make it up to her somehow.

Juleka dropped herself on the bed to sit next to him. "Look," she said. "Ever since what happened with Mom and Jagged and his wicked guitarist with the skeleton makeup, you've been acting... erm... weird. Like, sneaky. Secretive. This isn't like you!" She curled up into a ball, pulling her knees against her chest. "The brother I know never keeps anything from me."

"Jules, I can explain—"

"Mom was worried sick about you! She got so freaked, she even called Lieutenant Raincomprix for help. You know how much she hates the guy!"