A/N: Last chapter, we got a night from Marinette's point of view. This time, we'll see how Adrien has been faring ever since the Entity got a hold of the two. Adrien has been a bit more resourceful than his dear friend. Though Marinette is arguably more strong willed at keeping herself together. The poor cat doesn't exactly do the best at trying not to let all of this horror get to his head.
I've also featured more of a background showing how Adrien got to where he is now. Probably something I should have elaborated on with Marinette. This chapter also features plenty of examples of Adrien's natural bad luck, another detail of Marinette's I slightly neglected to show. The more I think about how much I put onto Adriens side makes me think about how little I gave her. I'm probably going to keep that mind the future.
And with all that, I hope you enjoy the chapter.
DISCLAIMER: Miraculous Ladybug property belongs solely to Zagtoons and Thomas Astruc. Dead By Daylight is developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by Starbreeze Studios. I own no rights to these properties and this is purely a non-profit fanwork. Please support the official show/game.
2:Black Cat
"Similar to this mysteriously lucky survivor I have seen, I've found her mirror. He's shown up in my nights far less frequent than his counterpart, however, I've watched him long enough to notice the path of misfortune he leaves in his wake. In the killer's eyes, he has become something of an obsession. Initially not sure why or how he came to this place, many said he ran around without purpose. Most of the times, this was right into waiting jaws of our captors. Once, being close enough to witness a chase between him and the beast that wields bear traps as a tool of pain, it was nothing short of grimly comical. The boy acts with a raw haste unseen in most panic-stricken lives. Dodging and running from his pursuer almost on an animal-like instinct. The actions of his hunter is what perplexed me the most. Compared to the focus and precision he channels into his misshapen machete to cut down even the most hardy survivor, his actions seem more like he's flailing aimlessly. Hardly trying to injure the lanky blond-haired boy who taunts him with his very existence. The kid had ran to a nearby shed, ready to lose his problem with some quick misdirection. But he misjudged the distance and the determination of his predator. As I saw the sharp metal club raise again to land a fatal blow, I was certain he would be another victim. With reflexes that shouldn't be possible to the common man, he ducked and the swing went wide, the weapon being lodged into the wall instead. Roars pierced the air as I saw him escape, the 'Trapper' trying to dislodge his now stuck weapon.
Of the contact he's had with others like him, many have described him as a liability of sorts. More than willing to earn his keep, people have noticed he is quick to help others repair the generators scattered about or warn others of approaching danger. Unfortunately, his misfortune that follows him not only extends to our hunters, but us as well. Even those who claim to be the most mechanically apt in charge of repairing the generators that allow our escape have said they've managed to blow a fuse they were reattaching. While he was diligently at work with repairs across from them. Scouts who keep a well trained eye out for danger manage to blindly walk into a trap left on the ground, the now panicking boy trailing behind having generously offered to be another pair of eyes . At this point, he's become known amongst the handful of people still left as a walking target for tragedy. Wherever he walks, bad luck and destruction chases him like a pet to it's owner. Those who know of this avoid him, saying it's better to be alone than risk being near him. Others with malicious intent manage to use him as bait for whatever's chasing them, just to have a moment of reprieve. I'm not sure if the boy or the girl have ever run a trial together, or know that the other exists. I'm not even sure if his terrible luck has ever managed to get him killed or if he's endured so much agony he's grown used to the feeling. But this I know for certain. Despite all his good intentions, any place this boy goes, misery ensues." -Benedict Baker's journal, indeterminate date.
Terrifying was probably the best description for whatever this was and still is. Adrien has been terrified since being trapped here in this place. That terror remained up to now, and it is something no amount of his patented 'Chat Noir' confidence could wade off. He would say it helped, but when he encountered even the slightest hint of danger, all his decisions became ruled by fear. And considering how well that's worked for him each night…
Adrien's sarcastic sentiment slowly brought about a new wave of feeling. The sensations started out as small tingles across his skin before flaring up into unpleasant throbs. Phantom pains of the nights he'd rather forget highlighted where his mistakes and scars should have been. Adrien came to his senses and shook himself awake. The pain stopped all at once as he got a hold of himself and his body. Nevermind...he didn't even want to think about the previous hunts.
Now he had been armed with knowledge he previously didn't have before. After first coming here, he had a quick and rather blunt meeting with one of the serial killers that reside in this realm. A first lesson that involved possibly more running than he ever had to do in his life. The amount of distance he had to cover in three nights surpassed all the rooftop gaps of Paris he bounded across as Chat Noir.
Ever since that first encounter, he learned to stay away from the hulking monsters that's only purpose was killing. Instead he started to find other human survivors like him. One of the first people he met he remembered being a dark skinned man who introduced himself as 'Trey'. From his accent when he spoke, he assumed he had to come from Britain, if not some part of the UK. Being a world renowned model, Adrien often had to leave Paris to go overseas to usually the US or another part of Europe. This gave him a little bit more of an understanding of the English language than some of his friends. Making speaking to Trey much easier than normal.
When Trey heard Adrien had absolutely no idea what he was doing here, he explained as much as he knew about where they are and what to do to survive. He got to explaining how the generators scattered about were all connected to powering the giant exit gates around the walled perimeter, the rickety scrap metal gates that separated them from escaping through the endless fog and eventually ending up back at camp. Adrien voiced his doubts almost immediately when he heard that 'repairing' something was involved. He wasn't trying to sound like it was beneath him, but he was more than sure in his skillset that playing 'Mechanic' was not one of them.
A little assurance from Trey helped ease Adrien's doubts, the british man walked him through one of the generators they found out together what it took to get working. With some help, the blonde model studied the intricacies of the very used looking generator for later reference. They eventually repaired it, despite Trey's observation on how it seemed much harder than usual, and not a few seconds later they heard a siren and saw the large floodlights of the exit gates come alive in the distance.
"Ey, man, come on! Let's get out of here."
Trey and Adrien took off toward the closest spotlight they could see. Weaving through the dense trees and rocks that littered the field. Adrien swore he could have heard a grunt come from Trey, but he passed it off as just the effort they were putting into their sprint to the exit. Tunnel vision took over his senses and the only thing that existed in this world for a moment was the bright red light at the end. Adrien came out of the forest and slowed to a stop when he saw the fog covered world that would eventually lead back to the campfire. He also noticed another person come out from behind the wall. Rougher looking than Trey, the man wore a leather jacket with rider pants made for motorcycles and a pair of aviators, a flashier ensemble compared to the nondescript jeans and t-shirt of Adrien's new friend.
He approached Adrien hesitantly from his hiding place behind the open gate and spoke to him with his gravel-laced tone.
"You the only one who got out, boy?"
After taking some time to catch his breath, Adrien looked over at the man and managed some of his best English.
"Yes. He was here. He should be right behind-"
When Adrien turned back, he noticed no sign of his recent friend. Being one of the heroes of Paris made him a little fast, of course. But it only made him a hair faster than Trey. He should have been here at the exit by now.
"Be...hind me…"
The guy with the aviators said nothing this whole time. Letting Adrien's eyes scan the forest several times. After a few minutes had passed, both began to assume the worst.
"Come on, kid. He's probably at the other exit." The rough man reached out and tugged on Adrien's arm, trying to pull him away from a possible panic attack or possibly trying something stupid.
"No. No, he should be here...was here…" Adrien gently shrugged off his hold and took a step forward back toward the forest.
"Kid, trust me. He's probably long gone by now at the other gate. We need to get going, now!" Again the man made a grab for him, this time grabbing his shoulder and giving him an even rougher shake.
"NO! He's going to be here. Need to wait-" Before Adrien could move one step closer away from safety, the man grabbed hold of his arm and forcibly tugged him back toward the exit.
"Kid, if we don't get out of here, we'll both be good as dead. Now come on! You'll see your friend later. We're leaving!" Adrien pulled back against the man and got out of his hold. Both parties began to stare each other down. Adrien's green eyes met brown. One filled with despair at the thought of losing someone he just met, the other void of emotion and unsympathetic toward anyone but themselves. With one last look over his shoulder, Adrien's eyes did a final sweep, his mind confirmed it's current greatest fear.
Turning his attention toward the void, Adrien broke out into another sprint, launching himself into the fog covered outside. It always ended the same way on the nights he managed to get out alive. He ran for what seemed like minutes, sometimes a few seconds, and he eventually found himself back at the campfire with either three people he didn't know or familiar faces much too shaken to make friendly conversation. In this case, he didn't see the face of the Brit who gave him all the knowledge he needed to survive. Not that morning, or the next three mornings after.
He never saw Trey again.
Brought back to the present. Adrien woke up on the dirt ground next to an oil barrel and walls of compacted cars. The barrel still had a fire going and across from it was another one of these damn hooks he saw everywhere. He made a conscious effort to avoid looking at the hook he managed to wake up near.
'It's going to be one of those nights, isn't it…'
Pushing himself to his feet, he made a resolve to get started. Hoping and praying that this night would at least be one where his rotten luck would manage to stay calm for a while. Or at the very least, he wouldn't get someone else killed because of his terrible relationship with fate. Pressing against one of the junk walls, he took a cautious look out into the distance. Adrien made out the telltale flickering light of an inactive generator in the distance, and thankfully no sign of the night's hunter yet.
He was slightly more sensitive to detecting the killer than many of the other survivors he met. The model chalked it up to his alter ego's heightened senses bleeding into his civilian life. Adrien was by no means a god of telling when and where the group's stalker will be, but his sixth sense gave him more situational awareness than the average survivor. And right now his instinct was telling him whatever was chasing him wouldn't be around this area for a long time.
Realizing he can sacrifice stealth and safety for the time being, Adrien dashed over to the generator in the distance. As he got closer, he heard the sound of gears being moved and switches being tested. Someone else was already repairing this generator. Which was fantastic luck, with both of them trying to fix the rusted old block, they would be able to find out what's wrong and get it running in no time.
The survivor behind the generator seemed to notice the sound of something running at his position as well, his head craning around the side to see what exactly was making the noise. Adrien slowed down into a walk as he caught eyes with the man. He looked to be Asian, a slightly tanned face with firm lips set in a straight line meeting his own curious expression. It seemed as if he recognized Adrien, because in the next second his face lit up in realization as he turned and started to run away from the now confused boy. His form disappeared into the fog, his shaggy dark hair, green parka, and muddy boots becoming less visible every second.
Adrien heard about a reputation he had begun to develop among the survivors. If they didn't recognize him as teenage model Adrien Agreste first, it was always as the unlucky boy second. Adrien couldn't blame them, seeing firsthand from survivors who didn't know just how bad things could get. If they knew what happened to people like Trey from just being near him, Adrien wouldn't want to partner up with himself either.
Banishing the thoughts from his mind, he decided to focus on the generator instead. Something he should be doing anyway if he wanted to escape this night alive. He got to work, kneeling down and trying to examine the work already done by the other guy. It seemed like the man knew what he was doing. All that was left that Adrien's very basic knowledge could see was a few wires that needed to be mended and a part or two placed in the completely wrong area. Two very easy tasks that he could do, but without the proper tools became an anxiously long process.
Adrien remembered meeting people that had things they brought into the realm with them. Including flashlights to see through the dark with, medkits which it's purpose was very obvious, and toolboxes. God, what he wouldn't give for a toolbox right now. The first time he saw someone carrying something, it piqued his interest. He asked how it was possible that they had these things with them. Did they already have them when they got trapped here? Did they find these things here? Adrien vaguely remembered seeing trunks scattered around the fields while he was running. The answer he got was cryptic, someone told him that the only reliable way to get things like that in this realm was to 'open your mind to the entity'. That answer very quickly made Adrien stop asking any questions about toolboxes or medkits for a while.
A few hand-spliced cables and setting a few parts back into place later and everything internally looked to be in order. Adrien went to the panel on the generator and flipped the switch labeled 'Test'. A sputter and a few seconds later, the generator came alive as the sounds of the timing belt whirred and the previously flickering lights above him were now a solid light. Even though Adrien still had no idea what logic went into these generators powering the exit gates that allowed them back to the camp each night, he couldn't help but admit that each generator he activated flooded him with hopeful thoughts.
"At least one thing is going right tonight." He murmured, standing up from his kneeling position he adopted.
Scanning the environment, he saw no evidence that anything was hunting them. Not a growl, a sharp clank or splintering sound of a weapon going wide and hitting a tree or rock, not even a scream. This put Adrien even more at ease. But the feeling of dread that filled him wouldn't go away. Sometimes when it came to the trials, the silence was much worse than chaos. This wasn't the place for one to let their guard down.
His inability to withstand his anxiousness was probably the reason why he wasn't a fan of horror movies, Adrien mentally snarked. He always was more of a fan of animated films anyway.
Setting off again deeper into the rows of car parts, splintered planks, and barrels, Adrien treaded carefully forward. He had learned within the first few hunts that recklessness got you discovered, and killed, much quicker. It was simply a balance between reckless and carefulness in this place, a happy medium that made the nights go fast and meant less sightings of their predator.
Reaching the end of another junk wall, he leaned out just enough to take in his surroundings. Thankfully there still seemed to be no sightings or signs of the killer. The thought meant to put Adrien's fears at bay only made his stomach churn with grim anticipation. What he did manage to see in the distance, was another survivor. From what he could make out, it wasn't the same man from before. Instead of a green parka and muddy jeans and work boots, this man looked straight out of a corporate office. Sporting a dirty white button-up, striped tie, and a pair of brown work slacks that would have been sharp if not for the accumulated mud and dirt that now stuck to it's material.
Adrien couldn't recall having seen this man before. Maybe his luck had finally started to turn after all. If he didn't already know about Adrien's reputation to spread misfortune, he could offer to help fix these generators with him. Two heads are always better than one, or in this case two survivors fixing the same thing would take no time at all.
Before he could even take a step out from his position, the doubts started to settle in about whether he really would help him.
'If you try to help, you're only going to make things worse. He's safer alone.'
This thought tore him in two. Part of the reason why he decided to adopt the 'Chat Noir' persona was because he could make a difference. The freedom and ability to speak and act freely was always the first and more selfish reason. But being able to help people would always be a huge part of his alternate identity. If he helped, they could be rid of tonight much sooner, another life safe from the uncaring grasp of death. If he stayed away, Adrien wouldn't have to introduce his bad luck, and leave this man to his own devices. What could he possibly do?
The universe seemed to have heard his internal struggle and decided to answer the conflicted boy. Sharp, heavy bell sounds pierced the air as Adrien's eyes witnessed a form slowly materialize from bright orange embers into a tall, grey-skinned body covered in bandages and a tattered shawl, bell held in one hand and a scythe in the shape of a spine and skull in the other. Adrien had heard about this one from the others. Survivors noticed it's ability to turn invisible from the ringing of the bell held in his hand. The one they dubbed 'The Wraith'.
This 'Wraith' now charged the man previously working on the generator. As soon as the bells began to ring, his head snapped back to find the slowly materializing monster heading his way. He stopped his work on the generator immediately and broke into a run in the opposite direction. The Wraith's initial swing went wide, clanking harmlessly off the metal shell of the generator. Adrien's mind off-hand wondered if that was part of the vexing effect of his luck. Recovering quickly, the shawl clad stalker gave chase to the now sprinting office worker.
With the head start the survivor had been given, Adrien was more than sure he would make it. He soon realized he miscalculated the raw physicality of the pursuer, as the Wraith had managed to catch up and swung its scythe yet again. This time, it found it's mark, slashing into the man's side with a wet schlick and a loud grunt. Adrien cringed when he heard the sound even from how far away he had been. Of all the time spent in these never ending hunts, these sounds were ones that would always haunt him.
The man fell, clutching his side, but he didn't stop. Pushing himself back to his feet and breaking into another sprint with a now noticeable limp. His hunter only stopping to wipe the blood and traces of torn clothing off his weapon. Trying to clean it for the future use it would be seeing. When it was finished, Adrien saw it slightly turn it's head and shuffle off in the direction it's prey ran.
Letting out a breath he wasn't aware he held this entire time, Adrien leaned against the wall. Now feeling weak for having only watched instead of acting.
'You could have done something, idiot!'
'And what exactly could you have done against a monster like that.'
The all knowing-doubtful voice was back.
'ANYTHING! Anything would have been better than standing here.'
Sighing, Adrien made sure that would be the end of his internal argument. That he should instead turn his attention back to staying alive. Not a moment sooner, and he would have not noticed the Wraith in the distance, moving at the same large stride as when he walked off. Adrien was confused as to why he made a complete u-turn and was now heading in his direction. The blonde didn't have to look long to notice there was no sign of his previous victim either. Yet another showing of his bad luck, the killer had lost his previous plaything and accidently stumbled into a new toy.
'No. No. No.'
The bell-toting giant stalked just several feet to the right of his current position. The grass below his feet would be just high enough to completely cover him if he crouched low. Hiding in plain sight would be extremely risky. But with the current distance the imposing form was steadily closing, it was probably the best plan he had.
Adrien used the wall to brace himself, hunching lower and lower, until eventually the greenery he stood in enveloped him completely. He slowed his breathing and made sure to remain as quiet and unnoticeable as possible. For the most part, his makeshift plan looks like it worked. The Wraith continuing on as if it had never saw the boy standing against the junk wall.
Having just about passed him, Adrien began to prepare himself to walk off the second it's back was facing his way. Grabbing onto the wall of junk, his hand fell on a very brittle, and not at all secure, muffler that snapped apart with a loud clang. Adrien fell onto his back, top half now clearly exposed. A single snarl and the projected red tint of the killer's vision covered his body. He didn't have to look at the murderer right next to him to know his eyes were now burning a hole in him. Just like he didn't have to mention what caused this to happen.
'Crap!'
Adrien recovered to his feet and took off running before he even heard the confirmatory growls of being chased. He dashed through the high walls of crushed car parts and splintered wood dotting the ground. When he had to cross a wide open field, he made sure to make use of the abandoned decrepit cars, making roundabouts in an attempt to throw off the chase. As he headed back toward more sections of walls, he heard the determined growls spurring him forward still.
Gritting his teeth, he ignored his legs screaming at him to stop with the strain they were being put under. Instead, Adrien headed deeper into the junk walls, his body making split decisions for him. He vaulted over as many open spaces in the wall as he could think of, tried to run around in as incoherent a pattern as he could manage, yet another snarl and a low growl told him he was not alone.
'What does it take!'
Adrien ran straight through a smaller section of the wall, noticing out of the corner of his eye a well-hidden, solid, and wide plank of wood resting between the small space. If he wasn't going to outrun him, he would just have to get more bold with his tactics. He made sure to slow down, looking over his shoulder to confirm he had enough distance to pull it off. When he saw the Wraith round the corner he had just been, charging forward and desperate to pounce, Adrien forced himself back into a sprint just fast enough to beat him. His hunter raised his scythe, readying the motion to bring it down in a gambling lunge. What wasn't expected, was when Adrien stopped and gripped the hidden plank tightly, pulling it down and causing his predator to run straight into the obstacle. Right where Adrien assumed his midsection would be.
The surprised growl it let out was enough for Adrien to know he was safe for the time being. Taking advantage of the dazed creature, he ran in another direction he assumed the killer wouldn't head in after recovering from the sudden trauma. When he reached an open clearing with barely any walls or objects to conceal himself, Adrien started wishing he had gone in the other direction instead.
The only thing that was readily apparent in this slightly open clearing was the one red closet that accompanied a small section of wall, an embedded still functioning headlight flickering every so often. He remembered people mentioned these closets managing to make brilliant hiding spots in a pinch. Who was Adrien to argue about a possible safe haven from being chased again. Not like he had any other options at this point.
Rushing to the door, he slowly opened one side, seizing with each creak the old hinges let off. Stepping inside, he made sure he was comfortably standing against the back before pulling the open side closed. Although Adrien was slimmer compared to the average boy his age, the cabinet was very clearly standing room only. Even with himself inside, he realized he could barely fit another person in here, at least without it being uncomfortable.
Nights grew worse and worse for the boy, and the entire string of events further proved his inability to find peace and tranquility with his misfortune. He had no idea why this dimension exaggerated it to an unmanageable degree, but it did. From what he heard of the 'Entity', he could only assume it was the being's doing. Making him barely able to work with survivors without indirectly sabotaging them in some way. But in that same respect, why would that be. Since it seemed to be indiscriminate, spreading to the killer's ability to focus on it's only task. Was he just the cosmic being's comedy act? Any and all evidence pointed to that. The whole situation was simply too much to take in, and until Adrien was sure he would be safe again, all he had inside this closet was him and his thoughts.
His mind was still a jumble at this point, though he evaded capture not a minute ago, the chase still managed to break his nerve. No amount of 'Chat Noir' bravado would be able to hide the fact that he was terrified. He wished a thousand times over to be back in Paris, waking up to another regulated breakfast without father. Another trip to school in his limo driven by his bodyguard. Another day of school and fencing and Mandarin practice. Another normal day. He wanted to see his friends again. Nino talking about his new set for DJ ing, Alya going on about her Ladyblog updates, even Marinette's stammering and excitement over her new designs. Something familiar to him.
More so when he thought about things that were familiar to him, it was his ability to patrol Paris. The city he swore to keep safe. Alongside the person he had the utmost confidence and trust in. Ladybug had been his best friend and partner for so long, and now he was trapped here without her. Never to know about the infinite torture that comes with every night's hunt. Never to know her partner was alone and in need of her help now more than ever. Never to know just how much he really wanted to know who was under the mask, so he could let that her know the impact she made on his life. If there was one thing he wished was here right now, he'd wish a thousand times over that he had Ladybug here by his side. So she could make him feel safe and protect him so they could conquer this realm together. At the very edge of breaking down, Adrien put everything into praying to any deities he could think of to give him what he desperately needed.
His sorrow filled instability was promptly interrupted after his prayer by a loud creak from the door and the feeling of an elbow burying itself into his abdomen.
"Wha-"
The elbow hit him again, less forceful this time. It had to have been a person that was thrashing around to make room in this closet with him, but for kwami's sake, they could have at least been gentle about it. Who the hell was this?
"Who is that!"
Adrien hissed out, sounding more hostile than he meant to while trying to keep his voice low.
"Shh~"
His new companion sounded back with a very testy shush. The nerve.
"Who are you?"
"Be-"
It appeared the voice wanted to quiet him down with another exclamation, but what happened next was something Adrien could have never predicted. The voice turned into one that he knew very well. Something normal.
"A-Adrien?"
It was her.
"Marinette?"
A/N: Deja vu? Right?
Adrien knows a lot more about how to escape than Marinette does. Unfortunately, knowledge like that puts him in far greater danger than Marinette would ever face. And he's been on the receiving end of it far more than he would be willing to admit.
I know Adrien's bad luck had become a kind of focal point of the chapter. I wanted to focus on the extraordinary properties of Adrien's bad luck before and since becoming Chat Noir along with Marinette's good fortune since becoming Ladybug. Trying to make them a kind of trait, like how the other survivors in-game have their own unique perks that define them. Being trapped in some kind of dimension with a malicious god gives me a kind of freedom to make it believable.
