Plagg and the other kwamis felt (or sensed) that the Shifter kwami was in trouble.

However, due to none of their wielders being close to Shifter's wielder, they couldn't reach out to assist the kwami.

***

"You're correct, bunny girl," Alice answered as she squeezed the kwami harder.

"B-But we thought that you were--"

"Dead?" Alice asked, cutting Janis off.

"Well, I was, but a yellow blur helped me out. Now, that I'm alive and my form looks hideous, I need your ink," Alice firmly stated as Janis stared at Angelina in pain.

"On one condition," Janis slowly said as Angelina and Bendy's eyes widened. "You let the small thing go and leave my friends unharmed," Janis firmly stated as Alice smirked.

"Oh, I won't be doing the harm here. Do we have a deal?" Alice asked holding out her hand. "Jana, don't do it. Maybe, we can negotiate Alice and try to find another way," Bendy suggested as Alice overheard this.

"We can. If you don't want to sacrifice your ink, that's fine. In exchange, I only ask for your necklace," Alice reasoned as she pointed at Janis's necklace.

"My necklace?" Janis asked hesitatedly as Alice nodded.

"Yes, darling. It's either your necklace or your ink. Choose," Alice sternly stated as Janis ran through the possibilities in her head.

"Hurry up, Janis. Time is ticking," Alice impatiently added as her ink hand grew tired of waiting. For extra measure, Alice squeezed the kwami with all of her strength.

Watching, Janis couldn't hesitate any longer. "Fine! You can have my ink," Janis defeatedly said as Bendy glared at Janis.

"You can have mine instead. Besides, we're angels and my ink is pure," Bendy quickly said as Alice stared at Bendy.

"I mean, Janis's only half human. That's such a waste of ink wouldn't you agree?" Bendy asked, trying to change Alice's mind.

"Bendy, what are you doing? If she takes your ink, you'll turn into your..." Janis nervously trailed off as Bendy nodded.

"I know the risks," Bendy firmly confirmed as Janis lightly gasped. "Time's ticking," Alice snapped as Bendy sighed.

"Okay, it's a--"

"Deal," Janis finished, shaking Alice's hand before Bendy could get to her.
"Janis, no!" Bendy cried as Janis weakly smiled at her.

"Yes!"

Reaching towards the necklace, Bendy quickly noticed and took the necklace from Janis. If there's one thing he could save, it'd be the necklace.

"Fool!" Alice exclaimed before huffing. "No matter. I have this little creature. I'm sure it would do my Master some good," Alice cooed stroking Angelina as Janis growled.

As she did, Janis's human features started to morph into a more ink-like monster. It started as her hair began to drip ink.

Grinning, Alice touched herself and found that she was no longer covered in ink. She was the 'perfect' angel.

"Thank you, Janis. You did me a huge favor," Alice said before walking off, carrying Angelina with her.

"B-Bendy, please save Angelina."

"I-I--"

"Don't worry about me."

Smiling reassuringly, Bendy saw that her right leg had started dripping ink. Pretty soon, Janis would be dying.

"I'll save you Jana!" Bendy called before chasing after Alice, closing their apartment door from behind them.

From that distance, two cloak figures watched laughing to themselves.

"Perfect. Phase One is complete."

"Excellent. These mortals have no idea of our plan. Zelia shall rise once more."

Cheering, the two laughed at more.

***

Bendy ran outside the apartment complex as he darted his eyes. "Where are you Alice?" Bendy asked himself just as his neck hairs tingled.

Turning around, Bendy saw that no one was behind. It was just his shadow.

Laughing at himself, Bendy wondered if he was going paranoid.

Glancing down at his shadow, Bendy saw that his shadow transformed into his cartoon side with tattered wings.

"Come on," the voice calmly said ever so slightly. "Release me and I can help you save Janis," the voice added as Bendy blinked.

In that same moment, his shadow went back to a human pose. Shuddering, unwanted memories flooded through Bendy's mind.

Slapping himself, Bendy winced at the pain.

"Come on, Bendy. Hold yourself together. Just find Angelina and then we can work on the second part of the plan," Bendy firmly told himself.

"Here I thought being a puppeteer might do the trick."

Afraid at how familiar that voice sounded, Bendy began to run. Faster than he had in his life.

Sighing, the figure only had an amusing smile.

"Let's test out one of Zelia's tricks," it said and from the distance transported himself inside Bendy's head.

"Yes! Zelia would've been so proud at how rapidly my progress is at. Thanks to her, I'm able to manipulate people's emotions," it told himself opening every door and growing deeper inside Bendy's mind.

"Hmm..."

Casually gliding around, the figure found a door titled Deepest Fears: Keep Out!

"Perfect."

Opening the door, the figure walked inside. It would only take Bendy a few minutes until he noticed a change. Then, by that time, the figure's job would have been completed.

True to this, Bendy fell as he gripped his head. "What's... Happening?" Bendy croaked much to his discomfort.

Snapping his fingers, the figure appeared out of Bendy's mind and found himself on top of a building. Watching Bendy, the figure felt a overwhelming sense of pride.

"Now go find Alice," the figure ordered as Bendy looked around dazed. However, only a few moments later, Bendy nodded and began his journey.

Let's see if he'll manage.

***

"Stop moving!" screeched Alice as Angelina consistedly tried to free her way out of this mess.

"P-Please you don't have to go through with this!" Angelina pleaded as she opened her brown eyes and pouted her lips to form a innocent-like look.

However, Alice wasn't buying it.

"Drop the act."

Huffing, the small kwami could only hope that Alice wouldn't follow with Bill's plan. Better yet... The last person who had the necklace was Bendy.

Ugh! I should've told him to say 'Let's Shift'! Why do ideas come afterwards? This would've saved me loads of times!

"Relax. You'll see him, soon enough," Alice simply said, humming afterwards with a grin on her face. Growling, Angelina bit Alice.

"Ow!"

As Alice cried 'ow', Alice loosened her grip on Angelina as she quickly took a chance at this opportunity. Before, Angelina would've been consumed by the ink.

Flying fast, Alice facepalmed. Alice was disappointed at herself for not holding the small creature tighter.

"Come back here!"

Using her speed, Angelina tried to escape before getting caught. Looking up, Angelina saw Bendy and excitedly squeeze his right cheek.

However... Bendy didn't return her gesture. Instead, Bendy grabbed Angelina while holding up the necklace in his other hand.

"Where is he?" Bendy asked as Alice blinked. "Switching sides, I presume? Okay," Alice said before holding a gold-chain necklace with the demon's face on it.

"I summon thee Bill Cipher!"

Pressing on Bill Cipher's face, Bill appeared at once. Glancing over, he saw Alice along with Bendy holding both Janis's kwami and her necklace.

Impressed, Bill pushed Alice aside as Bendy smirked. Hurt, Alice's pained expression was only noticed by Angelina.

"I have the necklace and the kwami like you requested, sir," Bendy monotonously stated as Angelina blinked.

Nonononono... This can't be happening! I'll not lose to some triangle!

"Bendy, please don't do this," Angelina begged as she tried to escape Bendy's grasp. Meeting her eyes, Angelina saw that his eyes looked dull. It was almost as if he was...

Emotionless.

"I knew you would catch on," Bill said, reading Angelina's thoughts as she silently cursed herself for thinking in her head.

As long as Bill was around, Angelina's thoughts were never truly be safe.

"You did this to him? But, only--" Cut off, Bill grinned. Only, in reality, Bill didn't do this.

"With his boasted self, my plan will come into action soon enough," the figure spoke as they transcribed a code inside Bill. Instantly, he began to decipher (hehe) it as he spoke.

"Zelia can? Yeah, well she taught me some tricks before Zelia was defeated and trapped in a half-cartoon's soul. That's okay though, because I have you and the necklace. Now, Zelia will rise and Janis will..." Trailing off purposefully, Angelina was afraid to ask.

"Will what?"

Too late.

"Hopefully, stay her inked self!" Bill said, laughing shortly afterwards. "Now, bring the items to me," Bill added demandedly as Alice helplessly watched. Angelina knew that she had to act fast.

Panicking, Angelina watched as Bendy began to hand Bill the necklace.

Before she could have second thoughts, Angelina phased through Bendy's hand. Then, quickly grabbing Janis's necklace, Angelina began to flee away.

Glancing at Bendy, Bill quickly snapped his fingers and began to follow Angelina.

***

Janis meanwhile had barricaded herself in her bedroom door. She knew that there was a monster brewing inside her.

"Give into it! Get revenge on those who deceive you!" the voice inside her head persuasively ordered as Janis gripped her head. Falling onto the ground, Janis felt her whole body fighting.

"No... I won't hurt people," Janis weakly said as she could hear laughing from inside her.

"Foolish girl. Your precious kwami can't protect you from your destiny."

"What destiny?"

As stupid as Janis thought she was, Janis couldn't believe that she began to talk to herself. All of this happened in her head.

"Is that what you think?"

Taking the words out of her mouth, the voice began to transfer over to Janis's drawer mirror.

Staring at her mirror, Janis immediately gasped. Unfortunately, it came out like a small whisper. In front of her reflected herself.

Moments later, the image of Janis shifted into herself wearing a dark purple dress. Now, Janis was in her human form.

Then, before Janis could form a proper response, the image rapidly shifted to a bunny girl with purple eyes and a purple aura surrounding her.

"Who are you?" Janis whispered frantically. In response, laughter was only heard.

"Why, I'm you but better! My name is Zelia, darling."

In that excruciating moment, a flashback sneaked its way into the back of Janis's mind.

Evil laughter was heard across the hall as Janis's mother frantically tried to hide her daughter.

"You can't hide her for long!"

"Maybe not, but it's better than you getting her!" Janis's mother shouted back as the light-skinned mother forced tears from coming out.

"M-Mommy, what's going on?" Four-year-old Janis asked as she clutched onto her stuffed animal. The animal was a bunny, something Janis loved dearly.

Carrying Janis, Janis's mother panicked as she found shelter in a old cartoon building. Janis's mother knocked loudly, ignoring her daughter's question.

"M-Mommy!"

Glancing down, Janis's mother softly frowned as she bent down and gently kissed her daughter's forehead.

"We'll meet again, my precious Jana," Janis's mother softly said as Janis's smile faded away.

"W-Why are you making it sound like a goodbye?" Janis gently asked, her heart torn between hope and despair.

"Because all good things must come to an end, my sweet Jana," Janis's mother softly said as the two heard the doorknob open.

"Now, go inside and forget all about me," Janis's mother sternly ordered, as she hid. Blinking, Janis tried to call to her own mother, but... No words came out.

Soon, a older man appeared with a pencil and a sketchbook.

"What are you doing all alone, little girl?" the man gently asked, his voice soothing and bringing the frightened girl comfort.

"My... I... Don't know," Janis whispered as she tried to recall any memories, but failed.

"Well, it's okay. You can stay with me," the man said holding out his hand.

Glancing around, four-year-old Janis nodded, took the man's hand and walked inside the animation studio. As the door closed, Janis's mother sighed in relief.

"You!"

Glancing back, Janis's mother faced Zelia and laughed.

"There's nothing you can't do. I erased her memories and you'll bring her no harm," Janis's mother firmly stated as Zelia darkly laughed.

"Maybe not, but I can harm you..."

Brought back to reality, Janis felt her head pounding much to her dismay.

"Painful, huh? I bet your kwami didn't mention your mother at all," Zelia lightly cooed watching as the ink surged through Janis.

Crackling, Zelia wished that she had popcorn on her. Unfortunately, without an actual host, Zelia was left pretty... Hostless.

"Stop!" Janis pleaded, struggling to fight the monster from inside her. "Release it," Zelia urged with a sick grin.

"No... I can't, I--"

"You're a girl with too many excuses. Just once, try to see what its like to feel invincible."

Phasing her hand through Janis's mirror, Zelia grinned.

"Let me help."

Debating, Janis shook her head at last.

"Are you sure?"

Before Janis could answer, another surge of ink crawled inside Janis.

"Ahhh!"

"I'm taking that as a no," Zelia simply said and grabbed Janis's hand. Instantly, Zelia took over Janis's body, but... Janis was still Janis.

Zelia wasn't powerful enough to overtake her host's body, but she had enough power to manipulate her host's mind. At least, before disappearing once more.

"Now, let's unleash this monster."

Skimming through Janis's mind, Zelia found a particular memory and smirked.

"This will do me well," Zelia said before proceeding to snicker. As Zelia manipulated this 'mystery' memory, Janis instantly felt despair and hatred.

Overwhelmed by this, Janis then began to attack Paris.

"My work here is done. Now, I just need Bill to get that necklace!" Zelia spoke to herself before fading away once more.

^^^

Run.

Run.

Run!

Racing from the collision of ink, Nino had to check on his girlfriend Alya.

However, before he could, Nino lost track and bumped into a small creature holding a necklace.

Right behind the creature stood a man with blonde hair wearing a bright yellow suit.

"Give me the necklace!" the man ordered as the creature shook her head. "Fair enough," the man simply said and began to walk away.

Shocked, the creature started to move until the man turned around and blasted his magic towards the creature.

Reacting quickly, Nino protectively held the creature dodging the man's attack in the process. "I'll be back," the man ordered and vanished in thin air. Blinking, Nino uncuffed his hands as the creature sighed in relief.

"What are you?" Nino curiously asked as the creature scanned for excuses in her head.

Unfortunately for her, she had none and her wielder was in grave danger. Placing the necklace on Nino, the creature felt her heart racing.

"No time to explain! Just say Let's Shift and I'll do the rest!" the creature squeaked panickingly as Nino stared at 'it' bewilderedly.

"Okay... Um... Let's Shift?"

Despite it coming out as a question, the creature was suck inside the necklace as Nino transformed into Shifter.

"Now, what?" Nino nervously asked, glancing at his attire. "Now, you follow my lead," the creature said as she quietly winced.

"Wait, what--"

Suddenly, Nino found himself jumping across the sky with ease. Though, he wasn't truly doing it.

In fact, the mastermind was the little creature. Controlling a human mind would get the kwami in serious trouble, Angelina knew.

However, Nino wouldn't remember a thing so... That was a plus. The kwami knew that even having another human see her was exposure.

Fortunately, Angelina only had to do this in a few (and rare) occasions. This was one of them.

If she had to attend a meeting, she'd make a mental note to not explain her recent actions... Unless the senior kwami, Tikki brought it up. Then, she'd explain everything.

Until then, saving Paris and her wielder became her number one priority.

°°°

"She's late."

"Ladybug, she'll be here," Chat Noir calmly said as Ladybug huffed, crossing her arms rather impatiently.

"It's been over an hour! Usually, she's the first one here," Ladybug stated as Chat Noir realized that his friend (and crush) was stressed.

"LB, just calm down. Shifter is going to arrive. She was probably going through a delay with the ink monster," Chat suggested as Ladybug merely sighed.

"Possibly, but... Hawkmoth didn't summon it right? Because, I don't think we're facing an akuma," Ladybug slowly said, pondering on her theory.

Chat Noir nodded, agreeing to Ladybug's words. "Even so, how would we defeat it?" Chat Noir curiously asked as a thump sound startled the duo.

"That's where I can in. Shifter, at your service."

Blinking, both Ladybug and Chat Noir saw that Shifter wasn't a female. Instead, it was a guy. Regardless, both heroes treated Shifter the same.

"It took you long enough. Come on. It's only a matter of time until that monster finds us," Ladybug stated as Chat Noir awkwardly nodded.

"So, what's the plan?" Shifter asked, before Chat Noir could register those words out of his own mouth.

Frowning, Chat Noir stared ahead mumbling something along the way referring to as 'Copycat'.

"The plan is simple. We--"

Hearing a crash, the trio stared.

"Improvise! Now, let's go be heroes!" Ladybug quickly finished, throwing her yoyo across a statue and swung forward.

Holding his baton, Chat Noir followed pursuit with Shifter on his trail.

°°°

"We need a plan!" Alice whined as Bendy paced the deserted area. "I'm thinking of one," Bendy snapped at Alice.

"Well, think faster!" Alice ordered as she rubbed the side of her forehead. Pulling away though, Alice saw a trace of ink following her.

Frowning, Alice flicked her right hand as the ink faded from her. "Now, that's better," Alice said composing herself.

Rolling his eyes, Bendy scanned Alice and noticed the ink monster from the distance.

"We can evacuate the other civilians. Something tells me the heroes will take care of the rest," Bendy lightly said as Alice groaned.

"Fine, but if they have poor hygiene, I'm leaving them to you," Alice stated at last as Bendy shrugged. "That works with me. I just need you to get a move on," Bendy ordered much to Alice's bitterness.

Keeping that fact to herself though, Alice followed Bendy leaving behind a gold triangle-themed necklace in the process...

***

Janis was rampaging the city as the reporters took notice of this. With her ink side powering the humanity in her, Janis wasn't herself.

Striking the camera at once, glass shatter as the camera dropped, causing static all over Paris.

The news reporter Nadia Chamack briefly coughed.

"It seems as though we've experienced some technical difficulties. We'll hopefully have more information to you viewers in a jiffy. In the meantime, don't be alarmed. It's just the news!" Nadia finished as Gabriel turned off his television.

Observing from his window, he noticed ink covering parts of the city.

"Interesting. If one person can cause so much damage without an akuma, then maybe I can make them my ally," Gabriel amusingly stated glancing at a picture of his wife Emilie Agreste.

"Don't worry my love. I'll bring you back."

/\/\

"Shifter, strike left! Chat, strike right and I'll strike from the middle!"

With orders from Ladybug in position, Shifter and Chat Noir both struck from their respective command.

Confusing Janis, the ink monster tried to gain control.

"Lucky Charm!"

In response, a flashlight appeared.

"Are we lighting up the city?" Chat teasingly asked as Shifter rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Chat?" Ladybug asked though her lips formed a playful smile.

Scanning her surroundings, Ladybug's Lucky Vision came into play as she stared at her lucky charm to Chat's belt to Shifter.

"Chat, I need your belt. Shifter, can you transform into a owl?" Ladybug sternly said/asked as Chat handed Ladybug his belt while Shifter nodded.

"Yes!"

"Say Shift Repeal."

"Shift Repeal!" Shifter called as he transformed into a white owl.

Grabbing the flashlight, Ladybug tied Chat's belt to her as she held onto the now animalized Shifter. Flashing the bright light at Janis, the ink began to melt due to the radiant.

Ladybug continued this process until the ink completely evaporated, leaving only an unconscious girl.

"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug yelled throwing the flashlight into the air.

Disappearing, a bright light formed scattering across Paris replacing all of the damage caused during their fight. The trio fistbumped until Shifter smirked.

"This bird has to soar."

With that, Shifter ran and hid behind a wall. Detransforming, Nino was back to his normal self. Holding a necklace with Janis's name engraved on it, Nino became confused.

Making his way back to the two heroes, he was glad to find Ladybug and Chat Noir.

"Dudenette, I found this necklace. Could you give it back to the right owner?" Nino asked Ladybug before handing Ladybug the necklace.

Staring at it, Ladybug smiled and nodded. "Will do. Thank you Nino," Ladybug softly answered as Nino grinned and tilted his cap to Ladybug.

"At your service, LB."

Walking away, Ladybug's eyes widened at Nino's statement.

"Shifter, at your service."

"At your service, LB."

"The words flipped. Is it possible that Nino was Shifter?" Ladybug asked herself as Chat Noir helped the girl raise her head.

Adjusting to the sun, the girl scanned her surroundings. "What happened?" the girl asked as Ladybug approached the two.

"We don't exactly know, but you were covered in ink. Is your name Janis?" Ladybug lightly said/asked the girl trying her best not to overwhelm the girl.

"Yes," Janis answered as she found that she was back to normal.

You could say, the 'Miraculous Ladybug' ending effect lift the ink monster that was engulfing Janis.

"Here. A boy by the name of Nino Lahiffe found this," Ladybug said handing Janis back her necklace. Janis stared at the necklace and back at Ladybug.

What if she knows? What if Nino knows? I'm--

"Thank you," Janis softly said as Chat Noir helped her stand up. On cue, Ladybug felt her earrings beep. Getting distracted from helping Janis, she nodded.

"Anytime. I have to go. Bug Out!" Ladybug exclaimed throwing her yoyo and leaping away from her standing post.

Holding onto her necklace, Janis was careful to not place it on in from of Chat Noir as he walked her home.

Minutes later, Janis had arrived where she found Bendy rushing to her holding onto her tightly.

"Woah, I'm okay!"

"You can't scare me like that!"

Chuckling to himself, Chat Noir stealthily left. By the time Janis pulled away, Chat Noir disappeared.

Huh.

Closing the door, Janis stared at her necklace once again. "Hey, what's wrong?" Bendy asked as Janis fumbled with the amulet.

"Nothing," Janis had casually said adding a simple yet innocent smile afterwards.

Yet, it was a lie.

Deep down, Janis felt trapped.

By what?

She doesn't know.

Author's Note,
Chapter 4 is complete! Enjoy!