Chapter Text
It was like he was a doll being pulled by the arms in two different directions. The world comes in and out, making Evillustrator lose his balance which messes up his painting; a problem to fix once he sorts this problem out. Suddenly, everything comes snapping back into place and he’s standing in a hallway full of paintings without anyone around him.
He can feel strings pulling him towards somewhere but Evillustrator plants his feet and tries to give himself a moment to process what’s going on. It’s clear that Hawkmoth wasn’t the one to summon him since there were no strong emotions to be found…actually, there are no emotions to be found. It’s almost like Evillustrator is cut from his counter.
Everything is still the same. He can feel his fingers and the book in his hand. The cool, stale air of the museum, and can even hear the sounds of the police. Nothing seems to be out of place other than the fact that he can’t feel his counter. Which is impossible and insane. Akumas are created by strong emotions and used to fuel themselves. Without it then they are running on empty and be deakumatized soon. Nothing like that seems to be happening.
Suddenly, Evillustrator is yanked forwards with a child’s voice filling his head. Strangely similar to Hawkmoth but far too demanding and controlling for Evillustrator’s taste. A child managed to summon him here and wants something – come play? Stop ladybug? – but the voice is muffled and hard to make out. Evillustrator just sighs and allows himself to be pulled along.
…
Puppeteer – nothing more than a child – was the one that summon them here. She seems happy and asks so many questions as they wait for Ladybug and Cat Noir to arrive. The same old task from Hawkmoth that none of the previous Akumas had managed to complete. Evillustrator felt bad for only a moment before everything went mute again.
Rogercop and Lady Wifi have been quietly talking this whole time while Evillustrator was stuck drawing Puppeteer a few different things. Sure, the Akuma has some interesting ideas but that doesn’t mean that Evillustrator wants to draw any of them. He draws the line at making any more dolls that Puppeteer can use to bring to life, however.
Faintly, he can hear Hawkmoth speak to Puppeteer about her task. Even Evillustrator knows that the child isn’t going to listen unless it’s going to be fun and the fight coming isn’t going to be fun in any shape or form for either party.
“What happened to you?” Puppeteer quietly ask as her focus shift and settles on the butterfly that Evillustrator is moving around. She seems far too young and scared than she was before. “What will happen if I fail? Will I disappear forever?” Tears spill over but her gaze never left the butterfly even when she tries to stop the sobs. “I don’t want to disappear.”
Evillustrator freeze for just a second but it was enough for even more tears to come spilling out of the child before him. It draws the attention of Rogercop and Lady Wifi as the two stop talking and watch the two of them instead. What can he say? He’s not the Akuma you go to for emotional support.
“Only for a moment,” Evillustrator said as he makes the butterfly move again and brings it down to pull Puppeteer’s attention towards it again. “You’ll disappear for only a moment and then you’ll be home, and we’ll be there you greet you. We’ll have a party with cake and music, anything you may wish.”
“Like the story?” Puppeteer looks up at the older Akuma with a strange glimpse of something that Evillustrator has never seen in any other Akuma before. “Like Alice and Wonderland?”
Evillustrator felt something soft bloom from his heart as he smiles softly down at Puppeteer. “Just like Wonderland and you’ll be like Alice.” Though once Puppeteer is in Anti-Paris, she won’t be able to leave as easily as Alice did.
Puppeteer looks away and towards the doors where Ladybug and Cat Noir should be coming through. “That doesn’t sound so bad, I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she directed the last part to the three of them. “I only wanted to play…maybe we can play some more in Wonderland?”
Lady Wifi chuckles softly and nods. “Of course, we can. There’s plenty to do there and so many new friends to make.” The leader of the Akumas offers her hand out to Puppeteer, who hesitantly takes it. “No one will hurt you there but we’ll protect you just the same…we’re all family there.”
Rogercop suddenly alerts them of the arrival of the heroes and the four of them set themselves up to greet them. Puppeteer still holds the fear of disappearing but Evillustrator can tell that their words had made her feel a bit better. And maybe those same words also work on the three of them as well.
…
The world comes snapping back into place as Evillustrator is staring up at his ceiling. The mute feeling is gone and everything comes crashing down around him. A paintbrush is held gently in one hand while the other felt the wooden floors beneath him. The sounds of Bubbler’s music drift through the house.
Then there was a knock at his door.
He takes his time to stand, grabbing his hat from the floor, before going to his front door. Behind stands Lady Wifi and Puppeteer. The younger Akuma is gripping tightly to her dress and staring down at the floor.
Evillustrator moves out of the doorway and welcomes the two inside. Lady Wifi quickly made herself at home as she takes a seat on his couch and moves a few sheets of paper. He’s not sure if those are blanks or actually have something on them. Puppeteer stands in the archway of the living room, still staring hard down at the floor and holding even tighter to her dress.
The Akuma took a second to look for his drawing pad and pencil. It only takes a second before a doll of Cat Noir sits in the palm of his hand. However, the colour is wrong since the doll is white instead of black. Which is odd but Evillustrator is sure that it’s fine. So, he holds it out for Puppeteer to take.
She looks up and her eyes widen; unsure if she should take it. Evillustrator held it closer to her. Once she takes it, he pulls away and steps away.
And just like that, Puppeteer is quick to take a seat with Lady Wifi and tell Evillustrator about everything she has seen and done so far. She even talks about a party that Bubbler is going to help her set up, even convincing him to make it Alice in Wonderland-themed. Puppeteer asks Evillustrator if he is willing to help her set up the party as well. Of course, Evillustrator agreed.
It’s like a breath of fresh air just came blowing through Anti-Paris.
Maybe Puppeteer was the Akuma they were waiting for to shake things up.
Evillustrator isn’t complaining and is even glad to have her here.