Buzzing on pure adrenaline and fear for her Kwami, Marinette limped down the street, heading right towards the chaos. if Chat was anywhere, he would be there. The akuma seemed to have been neutralised, but she knew it would only stay that way if she could heal Tiki and de-evilise the thing. She wondered if Chat Noir had de-transformed yet. She hoped she would be able to find him before he did.
"Marinette?" Marinette turned to see Alya coming out of a grocery store, a concerned look on her face. "Are you ok?" Alya rushed over to her. Marinette winced as Alya put Marinette's arm across her shoulders, helping to support her friend.
"I need to find Chat Noir!" Marinette gasped out. Alya glanced around.
"He was heading this way. Are you sure you should be out and about? Did you get attacked by the monster?" Alya ran an assessing eye over her friend. Marinette smiled and looked away.
"Yeah, something like that."
Alya looked up at the skyline again. "It's strange that Ladybug hasn't fixed everything by now. I wonder what's going on thereā¦" she mused, mostly to herself, missing the way Marinette's face dropped. She needed to find Chat, and fast! They hobbled along, Alya supporting a great deal of Marinettes weight, before Alya stopped them, removing Marinette's arm.
"This might go faster if we split up. I can run. If I see Chat or Ladybug, I'll send them your way!"
"Thank you Alya," Marinette held an arm across her aching ribs. She leaned against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment, willing herself to walk on. To find help. Tiki was counting on her.
"Marinette?"
She turned slowly at the sound of her name. relief washed over her at the sight of her black-clad partner. "Chat!" she stumbled over to him.
"Are you ok?" he ran a concerned gaze over her.
"I - Ladybug needs your help!"
At the mention of Ladybug, Chat's gaze darted around, scanning for the red-clad superhero.
"What's wrong?" he looked worried. Marinette thought fast, coming up with an idea where she may still be able to protect her identity. It was a flimsy hope, but it was all she had.
"Her Kwami isn't waking up. She hoped yours might know what to do, how to help?"
Chat nodded seriously. "Where is she?"
"At my place." Marinette shuffled nervously, her cheeks heating up. Chat's attention zeroed in on her.
"You know who she is?" he whispered. Marinette shrugged, looking away. "She asked me to come find you. She wan- needed to protect her identity."
Chat nodded seriously. "I'll meet you there, give me ten minutes!"
"Thank you!"
Chat disappeared around the corner and Marinette pulled out her phone to call Alya.
"I found him, thanks for all your help!"
"Ok cool. Do you want to come over to mine for a while? I have a wild new Ladybug theory that I want to discuss!"
"I'd love to Alya, but right now, I think I need to rest until Ladybug fixes everything."
"Of course! I'll see you at school tomorrow!"
Marinette pocketed her phone, bracing herself to return home. Pain was radiating down her side as she moved, but she ignored it, determined to get home before Chat.
Adrien hung his head in his hands as Plagg chowed down on some camembert.
"What's got you so down in the dumps?" Plagg asked between bites.
"Mari knows who Ladybug is." Chat whispered.
"So?"
So, Ladybug knew Marinette. Trusted her. Maybe knew him, but didn't trust him. It hurt, considering all the battles they had fought together, all the Akuma's they had defeated. He had thought he was finally getting somewhere, but apparently not. He wondered how Marinette had come to know Ladybug. He didn't remember saving her..
"Hello?" Plagg, now satisfied, flew up into Adriens face, pulling him from his thoughts. "What's the big deal?"
Adrien shook off the thoughts. Now was not the time to be having these useless, morose thoughts. Ladybug needed him, and he only had two minutes left of the ten he had promised Marinette. He stood.
"Plagg, Claws OUT!"
he leapt out the window and flew through the city towards Marinette's house.
Nearly there. She was nearly there. She just had to put one foot in front of the other for another block and a half. She closed her eyes and clenched her teeth, but with the adrenaline wearing off, the pain was becoming impossible to ignore.
"Marinette?"
She stopped but didn't turn. It would take too much out of her. She leaned against the wall for support, and soon two black clad arms had swooped her up and she was being held against a warm chest.
"Why didn't you mention that you were hurt?"
They were in her room a few moments later, Chat Noir gently setting her on the bed, searching her face. Marinette motioned over to where a small red Kwami lay on the dresser. He didn't see anyone else in the room. He glanced back over to Marinette.
"Where is she - Ladybug?"
Marinette shrugged, and then winced at the pain the movement brought. She slumped back and gestured to Tikki.
"Can you help her?"
Chat returned his attention to the unconscious Kwami, frowning. He needed to check with Plagg. He glanced back over at Marinette, thinking how best to go about this. Ladybug obviously trusted her, and Adrien knew she was trustworthy. And kind. And sweet. And this would help Ladybug, and they needed Ladybug to de-evilise the akuma. Plagg might have something to say about it, but his mind was made up.
"I have to check with Plagg."
Marinette nodded absently before her eyes widened with realisation. She put her hands out shaking her head, but it was too late, he was de-transforming.
KC
AN - Sorry for the long delay between chapters! Was going to try and fix this a bit more, but figured I've already kept you waiting long enough! Hope you enjoyed, and Thank you so much for the kind reviews and follows!
