"Origins of Competence"

Hawkmoth POV

Hawkmoth clenched his cane, his butterfly-shaped Miraculous pulsing with dark energy. Somewhere in Paris, someone's pain was ripe for corruption.

He activated his powers with a sharp motion. A pulse of purple light erupted, forming into an Akuma that swirled away into the night.

"Yes, I can feel it. A new weakness."

He leaned forward, his expression hardening. "One more Akuma... and this time, I'll make sure they fail to stop me."

Hawkmoth's fingers hovered over the butterfly Miraculous as he focused his thoughts on the target. 'I'll strike at the heart of their pride. At their weakness.'

He saw the victim in his mind's eye—a person overwhelmed by anger, humiliation, someone ripe for his corruption. 

"Fly away my Akuma, and EVILIZE him!!"

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Luka Pov

My feet barely touched the next building as I made my way clumsily across the rooftop, eyes scanning the horizon. One task was on my mind—the Akuma I knew would appear today.

It wasn't a question of if the villain would strike. It was only a matter of when. And after what felt like an eternity of watching the city the heroes appeared from the tall buildings. From his vantage point, he spotted Ladybug and Cat Noir charging into an open football stadium, he could tell their movements were rushed and disorganized. With how they where fumbling about and my future knowledge I had a clear idea of how things would go.

Ladybug and Cat Noir. They were heroes, sure, but I could already see their weaknesses. Ladybug's determination, Cat Noir's impulsive nature. Both would fall short of truly understanding the magnitude of their powers.

But I wasn't going to sit by and watch while they stumbled through the mess of Hawkmoth's endless schemes. "I'll show them what it means to be truly powerful" I thought, a small smile playing on my lips as I began adjusted the strap of my guitar I always carried. 'And I'll do it on my terms.'

His mind wandered for a moment, his thoughts going to Marinette, the girl who was Ladybug, and Adrien, the boy who would become Cat Noir. The fates of these two had already been set in motion, but my place in all of this was still unfolding. I didn't know exactly how it would play out, but he was no fool. I had a role to play, its now or never.

The perfect time to strike is coming. I just need to wait for the right moment.

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Hours later...

The Akuma was attacking with relentless force, but the heroes—Ladybug and Cat Noir, were struggling. Their movements were too erratic, their coordination still lacking. I'd already seen it all before, the predictable mistakes, the way Ladybug would try to fight with precision, only for Cat Noir to rush in and cause an accident. It was almost painful to watch.

Luka let out a sigh, stepping out from the shadows. It wasn't his fight, not really. But watching the two heroes bumble through their mission was almost... unbearable.

I knew something needed to change.

As Ladybug and Cat Noir squared off with the Akuma, Luka moved quickly but quietly, positioning himself in the background. 

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Ladybug's Perspective

"Cat, get back!" Ladybug yelled, her voice strained as she swung her yo-yo halfhazardly to knock back the Akuma's latest punch. Cat Noir was charging forward, unhinged, his claws extended, ready to attack.

"Got it, my lady!" Cat Noir grinned and leaped into the air, aiming for a direct strike. But just as he reached the Akuma, his landing was awkward—he missed his target entirely, crashing into a nearby lamppost instead.

Ladybug groaned in frustration. This is getting ridiculous.

The Akuma smirked as it took advantage of the distraction. Another powerful gust lifted the ground toward Ladybug, but she barely managed to dodge in time. She landed on her feet, trying to steady herself, but it was clear they were losing control. They can't keep doing this...

Suddenly, something unusual happened.

"Stop!" came a clear, but loud voice from the sidelines.

Ladybug's eyes darted to the edge of the rooftop. Luka, of all people, was standing there, watching them with an almost detached gaze.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, still fending off the Akuma.

Luka raised a hand, stepping closer. "You're doing it wrong."

Ladybug froze for a moment, confusion crossing her face. "What? Excuse me?"

"I said, you're doing it wrong," Luka repeated, his tone much too calm for the situation. "You're reacting instead of anticipating. Cat, stop charging in without a plan. Ladybug, use your surroundings to set a trap instead of just attacking head-on. You're both being too predictable."

Ladybug and Cat Noir exchanged a brief glance. Cat Noir, still recovering from his crash, seemed frustrated but intrigued.

"You think you can do better?" Cat Noir called out.

Luka gave a small, knowing but kind smile. "No, but I know how to help you do better. If you trust me for just a second, you'll win this. You have to stop playing their game and start playing yours."

Ladybug glanced at Cat Noir, her brow furrowed. He's right... she thought. Their tactics weren't working. Why not take a moment to regroup?

"Okay Fine," she said, taking a deep breath. "What's your suggestion instead?"

Luka stepped into the action, not as a hero, but as a guide. "Cat, you need to stop going for the flashy attacks keep your feet on the ground for more precise attacks. You're rushing in when you should be waiting for the perfect opening. Ladybug, don't just try to out-fight the Akuma. Set a trap—draw it into the open and catch it off guard."

Ladybug and Cat Noir exchanged another glance.

"Alright," Ladybug said, her confidence growing as she heard Luka's calm instructions. "Cat, follow my lead. I'll create an opening. You make sure you don't miss it this time."

Cat Noir nodded, cracking his knuckles with a grin. "Got it!"

As Ladybug moved forward, she swung her yo-yo and drew the Akuma's attention, leading it outside towards a narrow alleyway. She could hear Luka's voice in the background, offering quiet, sharp advice on where to position themselves next.

"Now, Cat, get ready!" Luka's voice rang out, his calm tone cutting through the chaos.

Cat Noir nodded, taking his position. When the Akuma shot forward, distracted by Ladybug's movement, Cat Noir sprung into action—this time, with precision. He landed a perfect hit, knocking the Akuma off balance.

Ladybug took advantage of the opening, swinging her yo-yo with perfect timing to trap the Akumatized stone giant and rushed to break and purify it.

"Got it!" she exclaimed, as the butterfly fluttered away, purified.

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Luka Pov..

I stepped back into the shadows, watching the heroes as they celebrated their small victory. I personally wasn't one to relish in the spotlight until I was capable enough. I'd guided them out of a jam, but that wasn't my main goal.

Ladybug and Cat Noir didn't realize it yet, but this was just the beginning of the bigger game. Luka wasn't here to be a hero in their world—he was here to change the rules.

He turned and disappeared into the night, his thoughts already racing toward his next move. He had just proven something important to himself: he didn't need powers to control this city. He had something far more powerful. He had strategy.

"I still wanted power though" I mumbled to myself.