Chills crawled along my spine when I landed on the house neighboring the Agreste mansion. I could feel the heavy weight of eyes watching me. I whirled around when I could take it no more. I tensed, ready for anything that would spring at me. I have been jumpy ever since Cat Noir disappeared. I froze. Something slinked back into the shadows. Chills raced up and down my spine. They still watched me.
The heavy weight disappeared when a soft voice called the owner. I watched as a dark shadow shifted before disappearing all together. Shudders raced through my body. I turned my attention to the building before me. I sprang forward, aiming for the polls at the very top of the Agreste mansion.
I lowered myself to the front door. I gently tugged on the string before the yo-yo zipped back to me. I stiffened when the heavy eyes returned. I glanced over my shoulder only to see street lights flickering off and on. I couldn't ignore the heavy foreboding feeling following me whenever I got a tail. Tikki says that it was extreme bad luck. I had yet to meet the owner of such luck.
A tremor ran down my spine. I stared at the ivory double doors looming before me. I wasn't scared of anything. Especially Adrien's father. Though he acted like a heartless man. I growled softly at the thought.
I took a deep breath before knocking. The heavy weight of the gaze left as soon as the doors opened. I stared at the woman who answered. She adjusted her red-rimmed glasses. Her dark-purple hair had been laced into a neat bun. "Mr. Agreste has been expecting you for quite some time now." The woman said in an emotionless voice.
I nodded before following the woman in, the weight of my watcher returning as the door closed. "Hello Ladybug." A male voice called. I turned my attention to the speaker. Gabriel Agreste descended to the bottom step of his massive staircase. He signaled for his assistant to leave. She complied by stepping outside. The doors closed with a quiet thud. "I assume you are here searching for your partner?"
I bobbed my head before focusing my attention on him. "You are his father. Do you know why he hasn't been showing up for his patrols?" The first week he didn't show to school or patrols, I perceived it as his father being over protective. I didn't think much of it. I also figured that his Father knew about his double life.
The second week of Cat Noir's absence was worrying. I was beginning to speculate if I had imagined Cat Noir as Adrien. I wondered if he had been injured somehow but wasn't telling me. It was already onto the fourth week and neither Cat Noir nor Adrien have shown up to anything. I couldn't ask Kitty what was going on. Not even Cloé or Nino knew what happened to him.
I straightened myself. No time to brood on such thoughts. The only thing that mattered right now was my partner's safety. And the only person I could think of that knew, was Adrien's father.
"I can't tell you anything about Cat Noir." Gabriel said in his deadpanned voice. I narrowed my eyes. How could he not know anything about his own son? "All I can really tell you is his identity; but, even then you must already know who he is since you are here searching for him."
"How can you not know about your own son?! He has been missing for four weeks!" I fumed as Gabriel raised a silver eyebrow.
"He isn't missing. He has gone to his cousin's; in other words—Ladybug—he's gone into hiding." I stared at him. My jaw hanging.
"What?"
"Adrien Agreste no longer lives here."
"Then you must surly know where he is if he is hiding. You are his father."
"I decided it was in his best interest if I didn't know where he is currently living. I don't know about his current whereabouts. All I know is that he shows up to his photoshoots with his cousin."
"Cousin?" I stared at him blankly. I didn't know Adrien had a cousin to begin with. And that was saying something. I knew everything about the boy model. Gabriel nodded as he looked at his watch. The front door opened once more. Is he just saying things to calm me down; or to get rid of me? Cat used to say that Hawkmoth sent the Akumas to Adrien's, err, his home because of Gabriel; could that be why Adrien moved?
"Now if you'll excuse me Ladybug, I'm expecting a call," he turned around and started up the stairs. His assistant tapped my shoulder. I turned my attention to her as she pointed to the front door then pushed her glasses up her nose.
"Thank you for stopping by Ladybug. I'm sorry if Monsieur Agreste couldn't answer your questions." I glanced at the woman; she probably didn't know anything about Adrien or Cat Noir. Probably the reason why she was outside. Adrien's father didn't want her to know. I never really did get a good look at Cat's face. I huffed as the door closed behind me. I'm beginning to think that Adrien has moved for his own safety and Cat Noir is ashamed of his actions. Yeah that's it. That's why he is refusing to show his face.
"Thank you for taking the time to let me into his busy schedule." I mumbled to myself before turning my attention to what once was Adrien's bedroom window. He was gone. Where does his cousin live? Where has he gone to? Thoughts whirled around in my head at possible scenarios of what could have happened to Cat Noir. My chest tightened with worry.
I froze when someone's burning gaze rested on me. My skin crawled. The feeling of the cursed luck seeming to be worse than before. I slowly turned to face the fence. I stared at the black figure balanced on the points of the very top on the right side. The foreboding feeling of the cursed luck oozed from him. I flinched when one of the street lamps exploded, plunging his left side into darkness. The moon shone on his right.
He stared at me with his dark eyes, no emotion sparked within them. A soft breeze blew his wild pale gold locks from his eyes, revealing sparkling sapphires. The blonde hair brushed his shoulders. I still couldn't tell who he was with his black mask. His tail swished back and forth behind him— reminding me of Cat, though his tail was longer— passing his thigh high boots. He looked familiar. I just couldn't place where I had seen him before.
He raised a pale brow from the way I stared at him. A soft breeze messed with his collar, having it brush against his jaw bone; which led down into a V-neck that had a large golden bell hanging there. It chimed softly with his slightest movements. It was almost hard to hear. I flinched when the sound of metal clanging echoed throughout the silent night.
He bowed low, dragging my attention to his left arm as he held it out beside him. I raised an eyebrow at the sight of his glove reaching his mid-forearm. There were also pink cat pads on his finger tips and beneath his fingers; they stood out against all the black. I couldn't tell if he was an imposter, or just a big fan of Cat Noir. His black suit was similar to Cat's. It didn't shine like his; it was less shiny.
My gaze dropped to his compartment belt, wondering if he had one. My left eye twitched at the silver cat face buckle of his belt. Both belts crisscrossed beneath the silver cat-face, both seemingly resting on his hips before stretching behind him. I wouldn't be surprise if the belt was one. "I have a message for you, Ladybug," he said in such a soft sultry voice. His voice was devoid of any emotion. He straitened himself.
"Who are you?" I demanded while falling into stance. He looked familiar, even his voice was familiar but I couldn't place where I had seen him before. Perhaps my cousin knows him? Alya should be able to find something about him, if he truly is a hero. "Why do you look like Cat Noir? You're not an Akuma, are you?" Unless he is the cat that was partnered with Bri. Alya is not going to find anything about him. As far as the Parisians are aware of, the Ladybug before me didn't have a partner.
"Who I am doesn't matter." He folded his arms, his cold expression reminding me of a returning customer at my parent's bakery. "Cat Noir simply wants me to tell you not to worry about him." His voice echoed, giving me chills. He reminded me of Bri's crush. I blinked.
Shock burned my veins. He was no longer on the fence. The metal fence groaned and tilted forward. I could see that it was rusted and needed to be cleaned. "Hey wait!" I called and raced to the barrier. I scanned the area only to catch a glimpse of moving shadows. I scowled as a familiar voice laughed in the distance. I sprang over the fence, careful not to touch the rusting metal. I darted to where the laughter came from.
I grit my teeth as I halted at an unlit poster board. I landed on the grate at the bottom. Searching for clues to who was here and, if possible, Cat Noir. That Mystery Cat was here. I can feel his lingering bad luck.
A cry of frustration escaped me. I dropped to the grate. Hot tears stung the corner of my eyes. I was growing tired of this charade of searching. I always had a feeling that he was near but out of reach and out of sight. There were always little hints that he was following me. A flash of black or silver. His laughter and random puns that seemed to echo with the wind. Even a flash of his staff. But then again, that could be Copycat.
I froze, feeling someone's gaze burning. I snapped my head up, wondering if Mystery Cat had shown up once more. Lady Noir stood on the building below. There were two more milky shadows behind her, both posed and ready. I stared at them. One of them was Mystery Cat. I could feel it. Bri and Tikki told me that only Ladybugs, can sense the cursed luck of the black cats.
I kept a wary eye on them as I turned my attention to the female akuma. I clutched my yo-yo, prepared to use it. "Wait." Her crystal like voice called out as I scowled. I wasn't in the mood to deal with her.
"What is it?" I huffed as one of the shadows slinked closer, walking along the edge of the shadows as his tail briefly came into sight, his silver tail tip gleaming before vanishing into the shadows. Cat Noir. My heart raced before I pushed the idea out of my head. It could be Copycat. Even if it was Cat Noir, I've been told that his bad luck was currently too weak to track. I would have to really focus to know if it was him.
Lady Noir cleared her throat. "Here." She took off her collar with the golden bell. "This is where my Akuma resides." I raised an eyebrow. She returned my stare, urgency growing in her blue eyes. "Hurry before he takes control." I sighed before springing off the grate, landing gracefully in front of her. I looked up in time to see a 'Cat Noir' disappear farther into the shadows followed by the other cat. Bad luck swirled in the air, almost as thick as ink. I blinked staring at what appeared to be inky darkness. I quickly grasped the collar. I didn't have time to think about it. There was an akuma to deal with.
"Why are you, exactly, doing this?"
"Because Cat Noir hasn't been seen in a long time." She said before she went ridged. Her blue gaze turning to glass. A pink butterfly outlined her face as she snatched the collar free from my grasp, startling me. "I'm sorry she isn't putting up much of a fight, shall we fix that?" Lady Noir purred; a frozen smile slowly curled her lips.
She tilted her head stiffly, reminding me of a doll. She clipped her collar back on with jerky motion. She grasped her staff. I flinched when a flash of silver zipped through the air, knocking hers out of her hand. Two silver staffs clattered to the ground before rolling towards the edge. Lady Noir scowled as she turned around with erratic movement. Something disappeared into the shadows. A frozen smirk graced her lips as she lifted her nose into the air, inhaling deeply.
She glanced back at me over her shoulder with the creepiest smile I had ever seen. Chills raced down my spine. "So the kitty has decided to come out and play?" Lady Noir hummed. "I have missed you." Lady Noir stiffly tilted her head, reminding me of a marionette. A protective growl vibrated as Lady Noir walked towards the shadows.
"Leave him." A deep voice resonated. I jerked my attention towards the shadows, searching and wondering who had spoken. They hadn't stepped from the shadows. Lady Noir rolled her eyes, humming to herself. She reached into the obscurities. Two black shapes slinked away from her. I stared at them; one remained in the shadows as the other slipped out.
I stared at him. He was the very same black cat who gave me Cat's message. He folded his arms. He seemed very lax. He also appeared to have no weapons other than his claws and exposed fangs. His expression was cold and blank of any emotion. "Cat Noir?" Lady Noir jerked back, her glassy eyes widening. "But I thought you no longer had the ring!" The Black Cat's right eye twitched as a familiar scowl curled his lips. He glared at her.
"I don't." He snapped. "And it's Phantom Cat." The butterfly outline sputtered. I watched in surprise as Cat Noir snuck up behind the female cat, his tail twitching behind him. I stared at Cat. My heart hammered in my chest, a soft flush colored my cheeks as joy pulsed through me. He is still here.
"So this is the previous Cat Noir?" Lady Noir's cold gaze flicked up and down his lean form rather quickly. She scoffed. "This loser?" She laughed. Phantom Cat growled, exposing his lengthen canines. "The loser turns into what? A ghost?" He narrowed his eyes, a familiar frown curling his lips. I immediately got the distinct feeling not to mess with him.
Lady Noir shifted, seeming to sense the cursed luck flowing around him as his surroundings darkened a little. I saw the grin curling Cat's mouth, as if he knew Phantom's secret. The butterfly outline glowed brightly as Lady Noir became Hawkmoth's puppet once more.
"You've been around for quite a while." Phantom Cat murmured. Lady Noir gave a startled cry when the collar suddenly disappeared from around her neck. She whirled around as Cat Noir danced away from her. She sprang at Cat Noir. He hissed, biting the collar and darting away on all fours.
Phantom dived at her. She slipped away. Cat Noir perched himself on the chimney beside me. He was staring at her, his vibrant green eyes sparkling in amusement. His eyes narrowed as a growl vibrated from his chest. I froze when I felt fingertips brush against my earlobe. I smacked the hand. A hiss. I whirled around and flung my yo-yo before tugging on the string. I stared at the red and black weapon when it returned to me.
Cat Noir tilted his head, still holding the collar in his jaws. Lady Noir wasn't going after it. She was trying to get my earrings. I grit my teeth. Did Hawkmoth not care about losing his puppet?
Cat dropped to the ground and handed me the collar before going for his metal staff. He watched Lady Noir from the corner of his eye. Phantom Cat seemed to be watching, like a teacher watches a student. Lady Noir charged me. I spun my yo-yo prepared to attack her when Cat Noir sliced his staff under Lady Noir's legs. She yelped.
Lady Noir glared at me with her glassy blue eyes. She rolled back onto the palms of her hands, kicking her feet up, allowing her body to follow the momentum. She got to her feet. I didn't understand how she did that with all her jerky movement. She swung her leg out, tripping me. She sprang on top, quickly snatching her collar from my grasp. She danced away from the outstretched claws of Cat Noir.
A startled cry escaped her when Phantom Cat stepped from the shadows. His clawed hands grasping her arms as his long belted tail wrapped around her legs, giving her little space to move. I flung my yo-yo towards the collar. I grasped the velvet black ribbon and tore it apart before dropping it onto the ground.
A snarl escaped the black female cat as she tried jerking forward. Cat hissed in response. My foot slammed down on the bell. I spun my yo-yo before releasing it towards the black-purple fluttering butterfly. Briefly, I saw a flash of impossible green eyes; staring intently at the butterfly. White teeth gleamed before the butterfly was snagged in my yo-yo.
I freed the insect. I directed my gaze in the direction I saw the teeth and eyes. I blinked, surprise coursed through me. Both cats were gone. Was I imagining Cat Blanc's eyes just now?
I turned my attention to the woman wearing black clothes as I grabbed her repaired collar, my thoughts briefly turned to the paper of Stoneheart before I dismissed the thought. Destroyed objects don't always need a 'miraculous Ladybug' to repair them.
I returned her collar as she looked around confused. She looked up at me. I gave her a friendly smile that seemed to calm her. "Can you get home by yourself?" I asked the woman as she gave a slow nod. My heart ached with nostalgia. I missed doing so many things with my kitty. Fist bump being one of them.
I released a sigh before handing her the spotted end of the yo-yo. She clung to the string as I lowered her to the ground. I turned and listened to the shadows, feeling the lingering bad luck. I slowly walked towards the edge of the building. Something wasn't right. I could sense it. It wasn't just the luck that I was sensing from both Cats either; well mostly the older one.
I didn't know if it was just my paranoia or how badly I missed Cat Noir. I searched the dark street, surprised to see dead street lights and occasionally wilting street lamps. I just knew that there was something wrong with Cat. Knowing him, he most likely hasn't shared his worries with anyone.
Ever since I believed I figured out who Cat was, I always could tell when something was bothering him. I don't know if it worked both ways or if it was only me. I assumed because he was the embodiment of bad luck. Something was always happening to him. Whether it was in or out of uniform.
Poor Ladybug and Chat Noir. Something seems to be separating them.