The Pact Keepers (D&D-Miraculous Ladybug Crossover)

Chapter 8: Ways of Magic

"Ah, I've been wanting to do this for a bit."

Marinette jolted awake to see Arcano looming above her. A black figure, lying right next to her, stirred a little.

"Don't worry, your identities are safe."

The girl's eyes darted to her hands and she breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the familiar black-spotted, scarlet material of her suit. Cat Noir slowly raised his head, rubbing his eyes.

"Dammit, I just went to bed- M'lady?!"

Arcano smiled gently. "Rise and shine, cub."

Cat Noir stretched. "How the hell did we get here?"

"I simply drew you both into a conjoined dream," the dragon said matter-of-factly. "Now, I want to tell you both a bit about the spells that I have provided you with. As I give you more, I will provide information on those too."

The two heroes nodded.

"Due to our pact, you will innately know how to cast each spell, but not its effects, so I will cut to the chase and tell you. Firstly, your cantrips."

Ladybug and Cat Noir listened attentively.

"The one cantrip I have given both of you is Eldritch Blast. It fires off a blast of magical energy. As your power grows, you will be able to fire two at once, then three, and finally four. Simple, but effective, and a cantrip that most warlocks obtain." The dragon's eyes darted to Ladybug. "To you I have given the cantrips Minor Illusion and Mage Hand. Mage Hand is fairly straightforward: it conjures a single spectral hand. This hand can carry up to 10 pounds. This hand lasts for one minute, until you dismiss it, cast the spell again, or if the hand is more than 30 feet away from you. The hand cannot be used to directly harm another creature or activate a magic item, however. Other than that, it can do anything a normal hand can."

Ladybug nodded.

"Minor Illusion will allow you to create a sound or illusory object in a space within 30 feet of you that can fit within a 5-foot by 5-foot by 5-foot cube. If you conjure a sound, it can be of any volume that cannot cause injury, deafness, or any other sort of harm. An illusory object cannot create light, sound, or any other sensory effect and can be seen through with close inspection, although most Akumas you fight don't seem to have the foresight to do that. Apart from that, anything is free game, as you humans like to say." Arcano chuckled. "Given your... somewhat deranged imagination and problem-solving abilities, I'm quite sure that you could come up with some clever uses of this cantrip."

He turned to Cat Noir. "Booming Blade is another combative cantrip. When cast, the next time you strike a target, they become infused with repressed sound. If they move at least five feet willingly, said energy is released and injures them. As you grow stronger, the attack itself will ring with thunder when you strike, and the damage done when the target moves increases as well. Mind Sliver, on the other hand, is a more... disabling sort of magic. You strike directly at your target's mind. If their will is weak, they are injured and the next time they must resist or avoid danger, the spell saps their strength. You'd best take advantage of this, however, for this effect only lasts for a few seconds."

Cat Noir saluted. "Yes, sir."

"Now, to your proper spells. For now, you may only cast a true spell once per day. Both of you can cast Armor of Agathys, which will give a small boost to your fortitude and, for as long as this boost lasts, any enemy who strikes you will become stricken with wintry magic. The spell can last for up to an hour if not ended prematurely. Now, granted, it is quite weak now, but due to the nature of pact magic, it will grow stronger as you do. This goes for all spells of 4th level or lower that are strengthened by upcasting."

Again, the dragon's gaze swept over them. "To you, Cat Noir, I have given the spell Hex. When you cast it, you place a curse upon a creature that you can see within 90 feet of you. Said creature is afflicted with deathly energy every time you strike it, and when you curse it, pick a certain physical attribute of your choice: their strength, their agility, their fortitude, their will, their force of self, or their intelligence. This attribute will weaken. The effects of this spell last for one hour or until you stop concentrating on it.

Arcano paused for a moment, letting the information sink in a little.

"To you, Ladybug, I have granted the spell Protection From Evil and Good. For ten minutes or until you lose your concentration, one willing creature you touch - this can include yourself - will be warded against extraplanar threats, namely aberration, elementals, celestials, fey, fiends, and undead. They cannot strike said creature with attacks as easily, nor can they charm, frighten, or possess them. If such a creature is already under one of these three effects, they will be able to resist the effect more easily, if they get such a chance."

The dragon lay down on its stomach, looking at them the way a kind teacher might look at a new student. "Was such an explanation sufficient and concise enough?"

Ladybug nodded. "Yes."

"It worked purr-fectly, thank you."

"Cat Noir!"

The dragon laughed. "Ah, I don't mind. I'll be sending you off now, I don't want to pester you all night."