Italics- thoughts
Life: So here's the second chapter to Her Downfall, His Wrath. I loved the feedback this has been getting. My review corner if you please, Plagg.
Plagg: give me cheese first.
Life: you're lucky I adore cats, Plaggy. *tosses him a wheel a camembert cheese* review corner now paw-lease.
Plagg: fine…
~Review Corner~
Guest: gracias para gustar mi estoria. Aqui es que tu queria. Diviertate, purrrr favor!
Sheena Kushiashi: Can I let you in on a little secret? So am I, sorta. As long as they have a happy ending and twisted humor. Thank you furrr your purr-aise. I hope I live up to your expectations.
MetaGem: Thank you furrr enthusiastic and kind words. It made me ecstatic to receive the notification that your review was paw-sitive.
Mamanele: Well here's more!
PureMLTrash: Oh, don't worry, Chat will. Eventually. I hope I don't disappoint you.
SoulMore: Thank you! It's nice to have such a fan. Ha! I'm paw-ful.
Life: I don't own any of the characters. No matter how much I want my own Chat Noir. Le sigh…
Warning: negative, angst-filled, depressing thoughts.
Life: oh, and Gabriel Agreste is not HawkMoth in this fic; nor is he so hardened emotionally.
Chapter 2:
~Le Hospital~
"Someone please! Help our friend!"
Marinette barely heard her friends' voices through the haze of pain and shame that thickly coated her mentality. She just wanted to close her eyes and never open them again…
Why did you three have to find me…
"What happened to her?" a Nurse asked.
"We don't know. We found her like this. We're her best friends, and we've already called her parents." Nino's voice whispered through the daze.
I'm burdening you guys…
She heard the nurse call for assistance and soon enough she was lifted out of Adrien's arms onto a gurney. Panic start to set in as she was being driven away by her friends and she lashed out at the nurse and doctors shouting for Alya, Nino, and Adrien. She barely heard their voices calling to her to calm down. That she was safe. That she'd be better…
Alya, Nino, Adrien… I'm sorry. But I won't ever be the same again…
But they were lying… She would never be safe. Never again. Not even as her alter ego. Even being Ladybug couldn't save her as she felt a small prick in her arm and darkness claimed her.
Because I just want my pain to end…
~Adrien~
He waited until Marinette's parents came, and then he, Nino, and Alya began to break down telling their injured friends parents everything they they knew. Which wasn't much. But Adrien was determined to change that.
Alya's phone rang and she looked down seeing the caller ID. She excused herself and shuffled out of the waiting room.
~Alya~
I answered my phone already feeling the tears pricking my eyes as I cried out softly. "Maman… I know I'm supposed to be home already… But please listen. I-it's Mari, Maman…. She… She was assaulted in an alley."
I heard a small gasp from the other end of the line and slight murmuring. I assume she's relaying the news to my papa. "Tell us which hospital you're at. We'll be there as soon as we find a sitter for your siblings." My mother's soft comforting voice reached my ears through my phone.
I softly sobbed my thanks as we hung up. Heading to the bathroom quickly to fix my appearance, I took a good look at myself. My hazel eyes were rimmed with red from all my crying. The light amount of make up I always wore was long gone. Applying lip balm to my chapped lips, I tried to muster up a small grin, but knowing that my very best friend was in a hospital room with an unknown amount of injuries, internal, mental, and external…
I just won't be relieved and happy until I have my Mari back…
Walking outside the bathroom, I saw Nino talking on the phone; probably to his own parents about this whole situation. He glanced at me and I mustered a weak smile as he gave the same in return.
~Nino~
I quietly excused myself as I went to the hallway to call my parents telling them I might not come home tonight. When they asked why, I told them it was because Marinette, who they adore, was in the hospital due to unknown assailants. I received their condolences and they told me that they were coming over straight away. So I told them which hospital we were at and hung up after they informed me they would be here soon. I looked over at my girlfriend, Alya as she exited the bathroom and we offered each other weak smiles. I wrapped my arm around her trying to comfort her, and in a way myself, as we walked back to the waiting room.
Mari… Please be okay…
~Adrien~
It was about an hour before I received a call of my own. Looking down I saw it was Nathalie. No doubt wondering why I wasn't home yet. I wasn't feeling up to talking to her or hearing how angry or disappointed my father was with my behavior. Marinette was more important. I rejected the call and immediately turned my phone off. I would deal with the consequence later. First I have to find out all I could about Marinette's health, both mental and physical.
I couldn't help but feel responsible. I kept thinking if only I stuck to her as my other self. Maybe then she'd be safe at home curled up in bed with a book and a cup of that rose tea she loves so much.
If only… I could do more…
It was then that I got an idea. But it would have to wait until the doctor came out.
~A half hour later~
The doctor finally came towards us and from his grim expression, the news wasn't good. I was preoccupied with what could make him seem so solemn, that I didn't even notice Nathalie and the Gorilla walking up to me. I jumped slightly when I felt her hand land on my shoulder and I looked up at her, not caring what emotions were show on my face.
A flicker of pity shone in her blue eyes and she silently offered me comfort. I offered a weak smile to her and the Gorilla as I looked forward seeing Alya with her parents, Nino with his parents, and Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng talking silently with the doctor. I stayed silent watching as Sabine started to cry softly and Tom wrapped her in a tight hug trying to be strong for his wife.
I need to see her…
Walking forward, I locked eyes with the doctor. "Is it possible for us to see her?" I asked quietly.
He looked to Tom and Sabine, and as they nodded their consent, he began to speak. "Very well then. Follow me." He turned down the hallway and led us to a hospital room. Turning to us, he sighed heavily. "I must warn you that we had to induce her into sleep just to keep her from hurting herself while we tried to examine her. She may sleep for a while and when she wakes up she may be hazy and have temporary amnesia. Please try to keep quiet whether she's awake or asleep." The doctor opened the door and we allowed Tom and Sabine to enter first, knowing that they needed to see their daughter. I watched as her parents exited her hospital room and soon enough Alya entered with her parents, and Nino with his own parents. And finally it was my turn. I entered with Gorilla and Nathalie by my side…
~La Tour Eiffel, Minuit~
Standing high above on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France stood a lone black cat growling softly as he waits for his partner to show up. He had to… No, he needed to relay news to her about the contents of his day. A dear friend of his was made a victim due to some low-lives who he ached to tear his claws into. He had been out in the streets searching for hours. Starting from where he found his sweet princess. In the dark desolate alley. The police had been informed shortly after he found out what had happened to his princess, through Nathalie who had informed his father and they insisted on helping in any possible way. Now that alleyway was covered in yellow police tape as they investigated.
As soon as he showed up to that alley the police moved aside and let him do what he could to find any trace of the sacks of scum he was looking for. He caught a slight scent and proceeded to follow it, his green eyes narrowing as one word seemed to surface prominently in his mind.
It's time for the hunt…
~July 13th, Agreste Mansion, 11 heures~
Adrien groaned waking up slowly as he heard Nathalie knock and enter his room as she spoke to him. "Your father wishes to have a word with you over brunch."
Hearing her words made him rise from his bed, and soon enough he got ready for the day.
~A few minutes later~
Adrien walked down to the dining room and sat across from his father, Gabriel Agreste. Dressed in an impeccable suit made from his own fashion line, presumably, the older Agreste sported pale blonde hair and blue eyes that gazed at his tired son.
"Adrien. I wish to discuss with you about your friend." He began.
~Boulangerie Patisserie, Le Midi~
Alya smiled sweetly as her customer as Tom came out of the back carrying a tray of fresh assorted muffins and setting them up in the display.
"Those look great, Mr. Dupain." Alya said smelling the muffin-y goodness.
"Thanks Alya. I saved some in the back for you and the others once we get to the hospital." He said warmly.
Alya smiled. "You didn't have to, but thanks!"
"Nonsense it's the least we can do with how much you, Nino, Adrien, and your classmates have been doing lately."
"Marinette's our friend. We want to help you and Mme. Cheng in any way we can. She's the one who brought us together. Elle est la colle qui nous tient ensemble*. Nous avons besoin d'elle pour etre d'accord*. And that means having at least a few people she loves by her side at all times to try and get her to wake up out of her mind fog." Alya said solemnly.
Tom nodded in understanding as the bell rang and they looked up seeing that Rose entered with Juleka and Alix. Ever since everyone in their class had found out about Marinette's hospitalization, they had all begun to volunteer at the bakery so Marinette's parents could watch over their daughter. Well almost all of them. Sabrina sometimes dropped by and helped out for a few hours, but Chloe never helped them.
Yet now that I think about it… there have been anonymous extravagant get well gift baskets appearing in Mari's hospital room. Adrien and his father are already doing all they can with upgrading her room to a private one and making sure she has the best doctors caring for her. So it can't be them…
Shaking her head, Alya greeted her friends.
"The Gorilla is outside ready to escort you to the hospital, so Mme. Cheng and Nino can come home and rest up. Rose, Juleka, and I will oversee the bakery in your absence. Adrien is already over there with Nathalie." Alix said sternly as if daring Tom to argue with her.
Tom sighed as nodded knowing there wasn't a chance at winning this argument. He so desperately wanted to see his daughter.
Alya took off her apron handing it to Rose, who thanked her in return.
"Keep us all updated?" She asked softly.
Alya nodded, "Always."
Alya left with Tom as she grabbed her messenger bag and entered the limo with him to head to the hospital. Along the way she checked her Ladyblog and frowned. "Ladybug has been missing lately. No one's seen her in the past couple of weeks."
"Ah… Well it is summer. Maybe she's on vacation." Tom mumbled almost nervously.
Alya frowned again before sighing and nodded accepting his answer for now.
Mari… Please get better soon… I miss your everything…
~Le Hospital, Une Heure, Marinette's Hospital Room~
I hear those voices again. The voices that comfort me and bring me a sense of peace and love. I don't know how long I've been floating in this dark space of my own memories… my own dreams… and my own nightmares.
The voices were talking lowly but I could hear bits and pieces of their conversation.
"…Think… Strange…" said a worried hushed voice that sounded feminine.
Alya's back!
I twirled in this darkness and a smile bloomed on my face as I thought of my best friend.
Ohhhhh… I miss her so much.
"Maybe… Right… Vacation…" Said another voice that she assumed was comforting her best friend.
And Nino hasn't left to rest yet. That boy is gonna wear himself out.
"Don't know… Ladybug… Go… Vacation?" asked another voice that seemed warm and worried.
Ah~ Adrien… He's here again… Wait… Did they… Say… Ladybug?! Sacré Bleu! How could I forget about my duty to Paris? My promise to Tikki! Oh mon dieu! TIKKI!
As my thoughts turned frantic I open my eyes seeing the stark white of a ceiling before sitting up and shouting for Tikki. Not even registering the others in the room I started pulling out the IV tubes in my arm.
"Tikki? Tikki?! Maman, Papa! Where is she? I need her! Tikki, I'm sorry!"
~Adrien~
We were sitting calmly on the beds that were pushed together to connect to Marinette's bed. Marinette's bed was in the middle with a bed on either side of hers. Alya sat on one bed. And Nino and I sat on the other. Tom, Sabine, and Nathalie were down in the cafeteria getting some coffee. We were quietly talking about a topic we were all wondering about. Where was Ladybug?
"Don't you guys think it's strange?" Alya asked.
Now that Alya mentions it. It is strange. I'll have to ask Plagg later if he can still communicate with Ladybug's kwami.
"Maybe he's right. That she went on vacation." Nino said sighing.
But it wouldn't be that much of a surprise. It seems even HawkMoth is taking one.
"I don't know, man. Does it seem like Ladybug would really go on vacation when there's still criminals roaming the streets?" I countered.
It was then that the fourth occupant of the beds joined together, opened her eyes quickly and she started shouting for someone named 'Tikki'. We desperately tried to get her to respond to our questions about this 'Tikki' while also trying to calm her down before she hurt herself again.
"Tikki? Tikki?! Maman, Papa! Where is she? I need her! Tikki, I'm sorry!" Marinette yelled with desperation in her voice.
Sabine ran in with Tom right behind her and they calmed her down assuring that this 'Tikki' was alright.
Nathalie must have left to help father out.
"I- I need to see her. Tikki, please, I'm sorry." Marinette sobbed softly.
My heart broke seeing her cry and I wanted nothing more than to wipe her tears away.
My purr-incess, you have nothing to be sorry for.
A small red blob phased through Sabine's purse and into Marinette's hands. My sweet princess started blurting out apologies while crying harder while Tom shut the door after reassuring the doctors that Marinette was fine and they could check on her after they were done.
The small red blob started speaking softly to Marinette and it was then that I saw it had several black spots and large dark blue eyes. My eyes widened and my mouth tried to form coherent words.
"Children, what you see here cannot leak to the outside world. For your safety and for theirs…" Sabine said softly gazing at me, Nino, and Alya.
Mari… Marinette is Ladybug?! She's my… my…
The words left my lips before I could stop them. "My Lady?"
~Chapter 2 End~
Life: Here's the second chapter and boy it took me forever to worm this in between schoolwork and being a jungle gym to a 4-year-old and a 9-year-old. Thankfully I had my good luck charm who double as my soul mate. She's an absolute saint for helping me come up with the basic ideas of this chapter. I honestly don't know when I'll post the next chapter up, but I am amazed at the response the first chapter got. I mean, Wow, It's just amazing guys. 31 follows and 12 favorites and 6 reviews. I think that's the largest response I've ever gotten for one chapter. Thank you all so much. If you have any suggestions for the third chapter, PM me. ~Life out~