Chapter1
There wasn't time to do much more than dodge his constant attacks
"You cut down my tree's, I'll cut down you!"
I jumped behind a car on the side of the street trying to hide from the crazy axe wielding Akuma victim, with only one question going through my head, where is Cat Noir?
The car that had been giving me shelter let out a crunch as the LumberJack jumped on top of it.
"Now, stop hiding and give me your miraculous or die."
Not a chance.
I threw my yo-yo across the street and it wrapped around a railing that was connected to a balcony. I pulled on the string and it pulled me forward as I used it's momentum to kick the LumberJack squarely on the chest, knocking him off the car. I reached the top of the balcony and looked around once again hoping to see any signs of cat Noir, but I can't wait forever.
I threw my yo-yo in the air
"Lucky Charm!"
Out of thin air materialized a red and black bag.
I instantly looked around to find a way that this bag could be used, it was pretty big I could use it to put heavy things in there and hit him with it- no that's stupid. I could really use Cat Noir, his cataclysm would be useful, I could use the bag to cover his head and push him under this balcony and Cat Noir could take out the balcony supports and we would have one subdued Akuma victim.
The sound of screams tore me out of my thinking and I saw that The LumberJack was headed towards three civilians that had taken refuge in a nearby alleyway but were now trapped as the LumberJack headed towards them.
No more time to think.
I lept off of the balcony and did the only thing I could think of, I pulled the bag over the LumberJack's head and ripped the axe out of his hand and threw it as far behind him as I could.
"Go!"
The three civilians looked on, frozen in terror.
"Run, hurry! I've got him."
They finally snapped out of it and sprinted away, I felt short relief before I was thrown off the LumberJack. He stalked towards me and I threw up my yo-yo again trying to evade him but as I zipped upwards, he caught my leg and forced me back down.
I lost the grip on my yo-yo and fell to the ground landing painfully on my back.
"Now, Ladybug, you're trapped. Hand over the miraculous."
"No!"
"Very well, then I'll have to take it from you."
I tried to move between his legs but he grabbed my arm and pinned me against the wall. I struggled against his grasp but it was futile, I couldn't move, I couldn't do anything.
He reached towards my earrings and I struggled even harder, I couldn't lose them. I couldn't let down Tikki, I couldn't fail this wasn't happening. All of Paris would be in danger My parents, Alya, Adrien.
I closed my eyes leaning away from the LumberJack, when it all stopped, his hand was no longer pinning me to the wall and i could no longer feels his hands clawing towards my earrings.
I opened my eyes and saw a very confused Parisian kneeling in front of me
"Wha-" I looked around and finally saw Cat Noir holding a broken axe I lept into action picking up my discarded yo-yo and catching the Akuma and de-evilising it.
I picked up the discarded bag and threw it in the air
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
it dematerialized and dispersed, fixing all the damage that the LumberJack had done.
I finally turned to Cat Noir.
"Good job LB, we sure kicked that guy's axe."
He paused to laugh at his own pun but instead of the small annoyance that usually accompanied his puns, I felt nothing but anger.
"Where were you!?"
"Awww, did you miss me My Lady?"
"Cat Noir, this is serious, I needed you here today and you weren't. We're supposed to be partners, but if I can't count on you..."
I subconsciously reached up and touched my earrings trying to erase the feeling of helplessness.
"If I can't count on you then I can't work with you."
My earrings beeped just in time and I backed away.
"Ladybug, wait!"
I threw my yo-yo and flew to the top of the closest building, fleeing the scene as quickly as I could I want to go home and lie in my bed for the next week.
I jumped down into an empty alleyway next to the bakery and transformed back.
"You were a little harsh on Cat Noir back there Marinette."
"I know, I don't know what got over me, I was just so scared, if I lost you, or if I failed and put my family and friends in danger, I don't know what I would do with myself."
Tikki zipped around and hugged me.
"Marinette, that won't happen, you're a good ladybug, The LumberJack was one of the toughest Akumas we've seen and you took him on alone, you're much more powerful than you think you are."
"But I almost lost you Tikki."
"But you didn't! Cat Noir was there Marinette, just like he always is."
I shook my head, she was right, I needed to apologize to cat Noir as soon as possible. He was late, but he was there just like he always is.
I walked into the bakery feeling terrible.
"Hey mom!"
I waved at her and she smiled
"How was school Marinette?"
"It was pretty good, there was an Akuma attack so we got out of school a little early."
"You'll be safe right? I get so worried, every time I turn on the news there is a new Akuma threatening the city. I worry about you."
I walked behind the bakery counter and gave my mom a hug.
"Don't worry mom, Cat Noir and Ladybug were there and they always save the day, don't they?"
Yes, we're very lucky to have Ladybug and Cat Noir. but they can't be everywhere. I need you to take care of yourself.
I kissed her on the cheek.
"Don't worry mom I know the drill, run and hide."
"Exactly."
"I'm going to my room."
"Alright Marinette, don't forget to do your homework.
i trudged upstairs until finally collapsing onto my bed. I wouldn't be doing any homework, I left my backpack in the classroom again, I sighed burying my face into the pillow. If only crime fighting counted as credit towards any of my classes, that way maybe I'd be able to pass them all.
My phone started buzzing, it was alya.
"Hey Alya, what's up?"
"Marinette! Why'd you disappear?"
I winced softly, "Ooh yeah, I wasn't feeling well."
"That's like the sixth time this month, are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I just got dizzy after lunch and decided to stay home, I feel a lot better now."
"Oh well, then maybe I should bring your backpack over right now, it would be terrible for you to miss out on any of your homework."
I groaned loudly, "Oh, I think I'm feeling sick again."
She laughed over the phone, "Give me an hour, I'll be over and we can do the work together."
I was exhausted but I was always excited to see Alya.
I stood up and crossed the room rifling through my drawer.
"I'm going to take a shower Tikki, are you good?"
She was lounging on her pillow on my bed eating a cookie.
"Go ahead Marinette, I'll still be here."
I took a long shower, letting my sore muscles soak, I took my time trying to find out how to apologize to Cat Noir, I had really messed up. He was the best partner anyone could ask for. HE always had my back, he always believed in me. He went along with my crazy schemes, had faith in me when I didn't have faith in myself. His puns are, amusing sometimes and his lightheartedness and confidence was infectious.
Without him... I could never be Ladybug, he is the one who gives me the confidence to suit up, just the thought of him facing an Akuma alone was enough to make me sick, we are partners and he is the one I can count on the most.
I put my head against the wall letting the water hit my back, I can't believe I told him I didn't want to be partners with him.
"Marinette!" Tikki came into the bathroom. "Alya just knocked on the door down stairs, she'll be up in a few minutes. I'll be on the balcony.
I stepped out of the shower and quickly got dressed before drying my hair and running a brush through it quickly and met Alya at my stairs.
She handed me my bag and she sat on my bed while I took the chair.
"Yeah, you don't look to good Marinette, are you going to be okay to go to school tomorrow."
I smiled, even if I was sick, I had to go to school, unfortunately, being Ladybug takes up most of my absences.
"Yeah, I feel a lot better than I look."
"Good because I have just received some news from Nino that you are sure to like."
I jumped out of the chair already knowing what she was going to say, "Adrien's back!?"
She smiled, "Yup, apparently he flew in sometime around lunch and he's coming back to school tomorrow."
I sat down but nothing could wipe the grin off my face.
"Finally! He's been gone forever."
Alya laughed, "It's only been like three days Marinette."
"But it's felt like a life time."
"Girl, you need to get a hobby."
I have one.
"Yeah, maybe I could help you run your Ladyblog."
She snorted and rolled her eyes.
"What?" I said defensively.
"No offense girl, but you are nearly the last person on earth I would ask to help run my Ladyblog."
"Why?" I mused. nearly laughing at the thought of me being turned down to help write a blog about me.
"Marinette, you've got to be kidding me, you don't even like Ladybug."
"Sure I do."
"Anytime I ask you if you want to go watch her fight or even watch her on T.V. you bail on me with the lamest excuses."
oh. "Well, I just have a busy schedule"
"What ever you say Marinette, but I don't believe you, two weeks ago I asked you if you wanted to go to the Ladybug and Cat Noir appreciation day you told me you had to water your plants."
"My plants did need watered."
"Marinette, it's winter, your plants died like a month ago."
I winced and smiled apologetically at her. "I'm really sorry Alya, I love Ladybug, really, I do but sometimes I just need a break from all of the Ladybug Cat Noir stuff."
She just shrugged. "Don't apologize, I get it Marinette, as someone who has listened to you talk passionately about different types of fabric, I understand that something just aren't appealing to other people."
I smiled, she really was the best friend I could ask for.
"But as you are my best friend, you are forced to listen to all my ladybug theories and you have to act totally into it."
I laughed, "I thought we were going to do homework."
"No, you're obviously to sick to have to subject yourself to the grueling process of homework."
I smiled and gestured for her to continue.
She beamed at me brightly. "You are looking at the smartest person in Paris, because I have discovered a full proof way to discover the identity of ladybug."
great. "Have you?" I wasn't worried, this is the same girl who suspected Chloe of being Ladybug.
"Yes, I have. I'm going to write a list of every single person I know and I'm going to cross out anyone who has been Akumatized, because they couldn't possibly be Ladybug and I will also cross out the name of anyone who has been seen with or near Ladybug."
My mouth fell slightly open, that really was a pretty good plan.
"Wow... Alya that's a... pretty good plan."
she squealed in excitement, "I know!"
"Are you sure you should do that?"
it was her turn to stare at me open mouthed. "What are you talking about Marinette? This has been the one thing that I have been obsessing over for months."
"I know but let's say you find Ladybug let's pretend that you discover that Ladybug is Juleka, what would you do then?"
"Well, it couldn't have been Juleka, she's been Akumatized."
"Well, just bear with me. You have done all the research and you discover that Juleka is in fact Ladybug, what would you do then? She obviously wants to keep her identity a secret, it would be a breach of trust to go against her wishes and find out who she is."
"No, it wouldn't be a breach of her trust. I could help her, I could keep her secret."
"What makes you think she wants your help?"
Alya's face fell and I could see the hurt in her eyes.
"Alya, I didn't mean it like that."
"No but you're right, she wouldn't need my help, I'm just an obsessive fan, what could she possibly need with my help?"
I'm so stupid, first Cat Noir, now Alya, I'm just a walking train wreck. I sat next to her and put my hand on her shoulder.
"No Alya, I'm wrong, why wouldn't ladybug need your help, you're always there at the front lines cheering her on, you've faced many Akuma victims, you're probably one of the only people besides Ladybug and Cat Noir who are brave enough to do that kind of thing. Plus, you're smart, and you've been to nearly every attack, you pick up patterns and other things that Ladybug and Cat Noir miss, they've probably even turned to your blog for help" I can vouch for that.
She hugged me.
"And if you want me to help you with this project, count me in."
There, I've done it not only will that be the last nail in my coffin but I've gracefully helped her hammer it in. She pulled me out of the hug and the gratitude on her face was enough to make me want to tell her right here right now that I'm Ladybug but I can't, I've promised Tikki.
"Thank you, but let's start tomorrow after school, you really do look terrible."
After several goodbyes she finally left and I shut the bakery door behind her and locked it, Tikki appeared behind me a moment later.
"What are you going to do Marinette?"
"I turned off the lights in the bakery and shut everything down.
"I don't know Tikki, but one thing's for sure. I can't tell Alya that I'm Ladybug, she'll be so hurt that I hid this from her."
"Marinette it's more than that. You need to convince her to stop looking for the identity of Ladybug, if Hawk moth gets the impression that she knows anything..."
"He'll send the Akuma victims after her."
I finally went upstairs and laid awake in the dark trying to figure a way around Alya's plan.
