Watching Miraclebound

Resurrection

Nino gulped, staring almost cross-eyed at the seemingly harmless cane jutted firmly in front of his chest. He did not dare move, knowing somehow that there would be disastrous consequences if he tried. Instead, he fought back the tears and glared defiantly up at the corrupted holder, even as his heart pounded furiously in his ears, betraying every ounce of his fear.

Grimm stared back, seemingly puzzled by the scrawny sixteen-year-old sprawled out helplessly on the ground before him. This was who the High Guardian had chosen to protect him in his dire time of need? He snorted presumptuously. Adolescents. He obviously didn't see the appeal.

A quiet groan could be heard from deep within the avalanche of books, and Nino felt his panic loosen slightly at the realization that the Wyan was alive. Only slightly though, as he was in no condition to be jumping for joy. Not unless he desired a spear through the heart.

"You," Grimm sneered, his eyes flashing with recognition and rage, seeing the superhero without his disguise for the first time, seeing the boy underneath and knowing him immediately. "I should have known. I should have eliminated you when I had the chance. But then again, if I had, then I couldn't have followed you all this way and let you lead me right to the man who destroyed my life. So thank you for that."

You're not welcome, Nino growled, trying to heave himself up onto his hands.

"Ah, ah, ah," Grimm jeered, pushing him back down with his cane. "Don't be hasty. We have to wait for the guest of honor, after all." He chuckled. "How quickly do you think Griffon will turn himself in once he learns I have his precious baby brother?"

"As soon as I get there"

"Wait WHAT?"

"Nino, I would need too your life would be in danger"

"No, I would want you too fight him"

So that was it. He was just leverage for Grimm to get back at Nicholas. Grimm didn't care that Nino was a holder at all. He was only interested in playing with Nicholas's emotions.

Well, two could play at that game.

"He's not coming."

Hate-filled eyes swiveled toward him. "What?"

Movement out of the corner of his eyes. A flash of black and red. Tikki and Plagg moving from underneath the splintered remains of the table. They were all right. Marinette and Adrien surely heard the commotion. Ladybug and Chat Noir would be there soon. He just needed to stall for a little longer. "I said, Nicholas isn't coming." He inhaled sharply, trying to steady his voice and give the illusion that he wasn't afraid. "We...had a fight, a while back," he went on, lying but at the same time, feeling the sting of truth in his gut. "I...I told him I didn't want his help and that I didn't need him to save me. He said the same. We parted ways. He's not coming to save me so you might as well come up with a new plan, dude, because this one sucks."

"WHAT!? That never happened!"

"I know, but I needed to by myself some time"

A flash of green to his left.

A flash of red to his right.

Grimm stared, looking unsure whether or not to believe what this child was telling him. "Well," he said at last. "I suppose you'd better hope he changes his mind then, boy, because otherwise, I think I will take a little trip to Paris and see how many more of your family members have been eluding me all this time. And I will deal with them just as I did with your father."