“You can do it,” the little turtle thing said, floating before Mylene, staring down and watching her tremble. “With my shield no harm would come to you.”
Mylene didn’t answer it, sitting in a tight ball, shaking like a leaf, her breathing coming fast.
Wayzz turned to Ladybug, brows furrowed, a silent question directed at her certainty of this choice to use the turtle miraculous.
Ladybug didn’t meet the turtle kwami’s stare, frowning softly as she took Mylene in, taking in that fear. She breathed in and drew near, coming to across Mylene, reaching out and setting her hand on Mylene’s shoulder.
“Hey,” she whispered, drawing Mylene’s honey eyes up to her. She smiled, reassuring, “You’re ok.”
“I can’t do it,” Mylene whispered. “I can’t be brave. I’m not brave. I can’t…” Mylene’s voice broke, her eyes starting to shine with tears. She closed them tight and curled up, burying her face into her elbows. She gasped, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I, I can’t…”
“It’s ok,” Ladybug repeated, leaning forward and resting her head on Mylene’s. “I understand. It is scary. It is overwhelming. I didn’t think I could do it either...” the lives that had been at risk because of her mistake, the disaster it made…
Mylene peeked up, her lips trembling, her eyes glistening. Ladybug continued, “Real courage isn't being without fear, real courage is acting even when you're scared.” Ladybug squeezed Mylene’s shoulder. “You can give me the turtle back after this.” She rose up and raced off, not answering Wayzz when he called after her.
Wayzz sighed behind Ladybug, turning to glance down at the girl he had been left with. This Mylene was still curled up, her eyes to the floor. On her wrist, the turtle miraculous glowed in the light. She never once glanced to him, just sitting there, sniffing and trembling. The turtle kwami drew near, frowning as he considered what to do.
It wasn’t often that he was left with those that were scared. Most that were given the turtle had a strong drive to act, to protect, to keep things sound and structured. Not that the fear was never there, but usually, that drive was enough to override it. Here though… Wayzz was optimistic, for the most part.
He came inches from her wrist, eyes on the turtle miraculous before turning to her. Gently, he prompted, “Mylene.” She tensed for a moment, peeking at him with big honey eyes. “We need to help,” he said. “You can help.”
“I, I don’t,” she babbled, quickly cutting herself off, closing her eyes as she pressed her forehead against wrists. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I can.”
Wayzz fidgeted, sparing a fretful glance back to the fight. Then he gave a soft sigh, seated himself on Mylene’s wrist, his paws clasped together as he watched the fight. While he was meant to serve the greater good, he also had a duty to whoever wore his miraculous. If she need comfort more, then so be it.
In this moment, Mylene sat still, kwami on her wrist, working on her breathing, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. Her cheeks felt warm and stiff, her breathing fast and uneven from all the stress she was feeling. Why Ladybug thought she could do this was beyond. Why Ladybug thought she could be the shield Mylene couldn’t grasp. To be out there? It was too much. She couldn’t—
There was a grunt that reached her ears, a voice far too familiar for Mylene to miss. She looked up, feeling her breath leave her as she watched Ivan stumble back, rubbing his shoulder as he glared up at the akuma. Behind him Rose and Sabrina ran away, the larger boy being standing his ground to see them get away from the akuma that was rearing back for another punch.
“Ivan.” Mylene was on her feet in seconds, a new sensation of fear filling her. She blinked when the turtle floated before, his gave firm and resolute.
“Guard up,” he told her. “That will make you the shield.”
She echoed his command, feeling the magic wash over, racing forward to bring her shield up, ready to take that blow.