A/N: Well, well, well. We're here at the second chapter. Honestly, I didn't think I'd make it this far. Anyway, this chapter's gonna move deeper into the plot, since the first chapter was basically Introduction. So...here's the chapter I guess.
Ladybug couldn't believe her eyes. A miraculous? I mean, it seemed rather obvious with the white tiger outfit and abnormal weapon. But how could this have happened? Why would Master Fu give a Miraculous to such an...irresponsible owner? She wanted to know exactly that. "Nope, that's impossible.", Ladybug concluded with confidence. "Master Fu would have never given a Miraculous to someone like you."
Tigre Blanc shifted his expression, showing signs of confusion. "Who the hell is Master Fu?", he asked. "I didn't get this trinket from a guy with that name." Cat Noir managed to stand up after the fight. "What are you talking about?", Cat Noir angrily demanded. "Master Fu is the only guardian in Paris". Tigre Blanc's arms flopped down in confusion. What the hell is a guardian?", he asked again, raising his voice. Ladybug tried to intervene, but Cat Noir chimed in again. "Guardians are keepers of the Miracle Box!", Cat Noir replied, as if Tigre Blanc was an idiot. "It carries miraculouses for heroes to defeat Hawk Moth!"
"WHAT?!", Tigre Blanc snapped, before regaining his calm state. "Look, I've heard of you guys, and I admire what you do.", he started. "But I didn't ask to be a Hero, and I certainly didn't ask for whatever Drama you two are tangled up in!", he hissed angrily. Before Cat Noir could fire back, Ladybug quickly pressed a finger to Chat's lips, silencing him. Ladybug glared at Tigre Blanc in annoyance.
"If you didn't ask to be a hero, why are you suddenly a Hero?", Ladybug demanded. Tigre Blanc sighed in annoyance. "Okay, I sort-of asked to be a hero, but I didn't ask for the consequences that came with it.", he responded.
"Consequences?! What, like having to save the city?! The stress of the job?! Or is facing "baddies" to hard for you?" Ladybug rebuked. Tigre Blanc pinched the bridge of his nose, with his eyes closed shut with anger. "Okay, possibly a stupid question, but I need to know for sure.", he began. Ladybug folded her arms, waiting to here what he was about to say. "...Can you...uh...turn back to yourselves?", he asked. Ladybug blinked in confusion. She had to have heard him wrong.
"Of course I can turn back. Heroes with Miraculouses like me and Cat Noir can de-transform back into our civilian selves after crime fighting", Ladybug responded matter-of-factly. "Oh really?", Tigre Blanc snapped. "Then why doesn't MINE come off?", he finally blurted out. Cat Noir stepped into the conversation once more. "What do you mean?", Cat Noir asked. "ALL superheroes can de-transform. Why can't you?" Tigre Blanc sighed, not an angry sigh, but a more gloomy sigh.
"The man who sold it to me told me exactly how to work it. What to say, what to do, and how it works. I tried it out, and when I returned home, I did what he told me to do. And it didn't work. The suit didn't come off.", he finally revealed. Ladybug shook her head in disbelief. "Okay, who sold you the Miraculous? Who is this person? Where is this person?", Ladybug asked, egging him on. Tigre Blanc held his hands in front of him defensively. "No no no, Spots. We're done here. The Police will be here soon, and I can't risk being seen." Ladybug tugged at her Yo-Yo, which was still wrapped around his wrist. Cat Noir prepared his staff. "Sorry, but we can't let you leave just yet.", Cat Noir said, threatening him.
Tigre Blanc resisted the grip for a moment, before yanking as hard as he could on the Yo-Yo, which sent Ladybug flying in his direction. He connected this with a Clothesline, knocking Ladybug over. He examined the Yo-Yo, before untying it from his wrist. From the corner of his eye, Cat Noir dashed full speed at him. Tigre Blanc rolled out of the way in time and scooped up his Katana, just as Ladybug got up. He made a beeline for a closeby building, before leaping across it with ease. Ladybug and Cat Noir were hot on his trail, and kept sight on their opponent.
Ladybug leaped high into the air and flung her Yo-Yo at Tigre Blanc, who barely managed to dodge it. But he looked away for too long, and was met with a staff to the face. He was knocked off balance, so Ladybug sprung into action. Tigre Blanc and Ladybug exchanged in close combat, which ended after Ladybug leapt over Tigre and used his back as a springboard. He was quicker this time, so he grabbed Ladybug's ankles while she was in mid air. She hit the roof hard. Yet she lifted her upper-body up from the ground with ease. "Now!", she shouted.
Tigre Blanc turned around, but was met with a flying kick to the face, courtesy of Cat Noir. He slipped off of the roof and latched on, only to swing through the window of the building. Cat Noir examined Tigre Blanc's location, just as Ladybug started to get up. Cat Noir turned around to face Ladybug, who put a finger to her lips. They slowly inched to the other side of the building, so they would be ready for an ambush.
They weren't ready. As soon as they were close enough, Tigre Blanc bursted through the window and flipped upwards from the top of the window, before kicking Ladybug with both feet, knocking her to the other side of the roof. He then simply throws Cat Noir to Ladybug's location. He reaches for his Katana, only to realize it wasn't there. He looked up, and saw Cat Noir holding it smugly. Ladybug and Cat Noir nodded to each other, before Cat Noir threw the Katana into the air and smacked it with his staff like a baseball bat. Tigre Blanc barely managed to dodge and grab his Katana, but he turned around to face Ladybug and Cat Noir dashing at him, full speed. He was cornered.
They got closer every passing second. He had to think fast, or he would be caught. Just as they were about to grab him, he shuts his eyes and shouts "INSTINCT!". Suddenly, Ladybug and Cat Noir's vision was blinded by a white light. When the light cleared, Tigre Blanc casually stepped around Cat Noir and Ladybug's bodies, which were practically frozen in time. He picks up his Katana and simply walks around Ladybug and Cat Noir. As soon as he was about to exit, he looked back with his glowing, white, pupil-less eyes and snaps his fingers.
As soon as he did this, Ladybug and Cat Noir jolt back into motion. They regain their conscious states at the last second, before shouting as they stumble and fall off the building. Ladybug tries to fling her Yo-Yo, but Cat Noir falls on top of her in mid-air. The Yo-Yo caught on a light post, and they hung on it, tangled up. They were facing each other upside down. Cat Noir smiled awkwardly, as Ladybug shook her head in annoyance.
Cat Noir entered his home through his window, which happened to be conveniently opened. "Claws in", he whispered, before he de-transformed back into Adrien. He limped over to his Bathroom, before returning with Disinfectant and a Cloth. He managed to make it to his bed without falling over. He sat down on the bed and leaned against the wall, before lifting up the pant leg to his right ankle. He cringed at the sight of the ghash that was left on his flesh. Plagg flew out to observate.
"Hm. In all the years I've been around, I have never seen a Miraculous holder go THAT far in a battle.", Plagg confirmed.
"Plagg, is this a legitimate Miraculous holder?"
Plagg shrugged
"Dunno. Master Fu has a Tiger Miraculous and Kwami in the Miracle Box, but he was never like...well...what you just fought.", Plagg stated. Adrien groaned in pain as he dabbed disinfectant on his wound with a cloth. "So...Adrien", Plagg started. "How about some Camembert?", Plagg asked with a grin on his face. Adrien reached for a piece of Camembert of a plate, which was left on his night stand. He smirked and lifted the piece of cheese up, tauntingly waving it in front of Plagg.
"You want THIS Camembert?"
"Yes...yes I do."
"Are you SURE you want it?"
"YES. I really really do!"
"You really, really, REAAALLY want it?"
"YES! YES ADRIEN!"
Adrien smirked at Plagg's reaction. "Then go get it!", he exclaimed as he tossed the cheese to the other side of the room. Plagg chased after it and picked it up from the floor, before gobbling it up. Only then did he frown, realizing what he had done. He facepalms in embarrassment. Adrien sat back and chuckled at Plagg's ridiculousness. Even then, he made a mental note to take down this new miraculous holder: whatever it took.
The morning hit Marinette like a train. Her body still ached from her fight last night, and she hadn't got much sleep. She rubbed her tired eyes and strolled out of bed. Tikki sat along the side of her bed, munching on a Cookie. Tikki could see that Marinette was tired, so she ate the rest of the cookie and flew into Marinette's bag with no protest. It was gonna be hard to get through the school day. Hopefully, no one would be Akumatized.
After Breakfast Marinette ran to school, only to duck behind as Tikki peeked from her bag. "You look exhausted, Marinette", Tikki squeaked. Marinette rubbed her eyes. "It's not just that Tikki. We were pummeled last night, by a simple Miraculous holder. Me and Cat Noir's enemies are getting stronger, so we need to get stronger too if we're going to thrive. What if Hawk Moth was watching? What if he managed to create a villain too powerful for both of us, as well as the other heroes? I can't let that happen", Marinette concluded, sounding stressed.
"I'm sure you'll figure something out. You always do.", Tikki responded. Marinette rubbed her temples and nodded, before entering the school. She entered the classroom and sat down next to Alya, who wasted no time making conversation. "Hey Marinette", she started, but soon frowned. "You don't look so good. Are you okay?", Alya asked. Marinette couldn't exactly say "I'm Ladybug, and I fought a new hero(who happens to be a murderer) and got my ass handed to me, so I'm stressed and tired from the job.", so she just had to lie. "Just...not enough sleep. I'm fine.", Marinette lied with a reassuring smile.
"Okay, then. Anyway, Nora's been boxing again, and she's going to fight her rival today. I just hope she doesn't lose."
Marinette smiled brightly. "Don't worry Alya, Nora's the best fighter I know. She'll be fine. And when she wins, you, me, nino, and Adrien can go congratulate her!", Marinette replied cheerfully. "Speaking of which, where his Adrien?", Alya asked. Nino leaned over Marinette and Alya's shoulders. "Adrien said he hurt himself, so he had to stay home for the day.", Nino said. Marinette's eyes widened.
"Hurt? He's hurt? I hope he's okay.", Marinette starts, before gasping. "B-But what if he's not okay? What if the injury is serious and he has to go to the Hospital?! I can't bear the thought of tha-"
"Okay, Marinette. Calm down. I'm sure he's fine, and he'll be back tomorrow.", Alya reassured. Marinette took a deep breath. "Now, let's stop talking, class is gonna start.", Alya whispered. Miss Bustier stood up with a warm smile, papers in her hand. Good morning, class. Today, we'll be learning about the Mayor's of Paris over the course of history", Miss Bustier said. Chloe raised her hand with a sinister grin on her face. Miss Bustier pointed at Chloe, allowing her to sleep.
"Why would we need to learn about other Mayor's when we already have one better than them?", Chloe asked like the stuck-up girl she was. Miss Bustier sighed, but before she could respond, she was interrupted by screams coming from outside of the building. The class quickly looks out the window, and sees a man, around 17 years old, running away in fear(wearing boxing gear) from a dash of yellow and brown. It was Anansi, akumatized once again. The class gasps, and Marinette slips away, unnoticed. She goes into the Restroom. "Time to-", she starts, but here's a flush coming from the stall near her. Tikki retreats into Marinette's bag, as the girl in the Stall walks out.
Marinette puts her hands behind her back with innocent wide eyes, looking "normal". The girl takes her sweet time, slowly walking over to the sink and slowly washing her hands, as Marinette paces around awkwardly. The girl finally walks out, and Tikki immediately flies out. "Okay...that was a little weird. Anyway, time to transform!", Marinette exclaims. "TIKKI, SPOTS ON!", she yelled, as she was transformed in a flash of light.
The man in the boxing outfit anxiously ran from the enraged Anansi, who had been re-akumatized. Hawk Moth's voice rang in her ears. "Very good, Anansi.", he bellowed. "Once you get your revenge, Ladybug and Cat Noir will have no choice but to arrive!" Anansi cracked her neck confidently. "Don't worry Hawk Moth, I'll snap this brat like a twig; and do the same to Ladybug AND Cat Noir!", Anansi exclaimed.
She flipped a car over, and found her rival hiding. He had beat her in a Boxing Match earlier that day, so negative emotions were present. Hawk Moth just couldn't resist giving her another chance at becoming Anansi. The man crawled away, before being stopped by a wall. "P-Please Anansi. Have mercy.", the man pleaded. Anansi laughed at her now cowardly rival. Bit of advice buddy, Anansi doesn't do mercy!", she yelled. She lifted up her arms to smash the man to smithereens, but an extended Staff blocked her. Cat Noir.
"Jeez, Anansi. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Want to sit down and talk about your feelings?" Cat Noir taunted. Anansi gritted her teeth in anger, and dashed at Cat Noir, rapidly swinging her fists. Cat dodges every punch, before landing a couple of his own. Anansi wasn't fazed, and grabbed Cat Noir and held him above her head. "Oh no.", Cat whispered. Anansi threw Cat Nor into the air, before Ladybug swung by and caught him, before lowering him to the ground safely. Ladybug and Cat Noir got into a battle position. "Surrender, Anansi!", Ladybug shouted.
Anansi put up her fists. "Never! I'm not giving up a rematch to make up for last time! Let's do this!", she shouted. Ladybug and Cat Noir ran at her, with Cat Noir sliding under Anansi's legs, and Ladybug taking the higher angle. Ladybug managed to flip away from Anansi's punches, as well as kicking her in the chin while she was at it. She flung her Yo-Yo at a Streetlight, which she yanked and threw at Anansi, who swatted it out of the way. Ladybug still smirked with confidence, since Cat Noir was going to perform a surprise attack. Suddenly, a civilian peeked from a car and shouted "WOO-HOO! GO CAT NOIR!" Cat turned around. "Oh come on, you again?!", he hissed. Anansi also turned around. Cat kicked at her face, but she gripped his right ankle before it could hit her.
This aggravated his ankle wound, so Cat Noir cried out in pain. He swung is staff and struck Anansi across her face. Ladybug flings her Yo-Yo around a nearby light post, and swings on it, before kicking Anansi across the face(poor Anansi's face). "HOLD STILL!", Anansi screams. She backhands Ladybug, sending her flying. She smashes into a wall, stunned. Cat Noir runs to go help her, but is grabbed by Anansi. "Yes, Anansi. Now, TAKE HIS MIRACULOUS!", Hawk Moth screamed maniacally.
Anansi took it one step further. The last time she was this close to taking a Miraculous, she was tricked, and overpowered. She was going to make sure he didn't get up. It wouldn't kill him, of course. But it would certainly get him out of the way. She lifted Cat Noir up by his neck. He tried to squirm away, but her other arms held him in place. She squeezed is neck, cutting off his air supply. Air was mandatory. He had to do something. He tried to choke out a "Cataclysm", but he couldn't. As air left his lungs for too long, everything went black.
Anansi drops Cat Noir's limp body to the ground. As she reached for his Miraculous, Hawk Moth's boomed in her ears again. "Anansi, did you…", Hawk Moth asked, his voice trailing off. "Relax, Hawk Moth. He's not dead. I just strangled him to the point of unconsciousness.", Anansi replies, as if nothing happened. She wrapped her fingers around the ring, but her Wrist was wrapped tight by a Yo-Yo. "You'll pay for that!", Ladybug yelled. Ladybug leaps into the air and launches continues attacks on Anansi, out of pure fury for Cat Noir's fate. She took every hit(even though they hurt like hell), and grabbed Ladybug, before smashing her to the ground. Ladybug attempted to escape, but Anansi grabbed her again and launched two hard punches on her stomach. She pins her to a wall and launches brutal punches repeatedly.. Over and over and over again, as Ladybug helplessly takes the beating. She was SERIOUSLY off her game today.
By now, citizens have started watching; whether they were near the scene, or watching the news, they were heartbroken to see this. Their beloved Ladybug, saviour of paris, being beaten to a bloody pulp by an old villain. Anansi squeezed out what little mercy she had and threw Ladybug to the ground. She wouldn't stay down for long, but Cat Noir would. She'd retrieve his Miraculous, then finish the job with Ladybug.
Ladybug mustered whatever energy she had left and limped to Anansi. Anansi rolled her eyes and turned around to punch Ladybug. It smashed into her face, and sent her flying. She had taken many hits in her career, but THIS one certainly finished the job. Ladybug leaned her back undera destroyed Car, trying to regain her composure. "Couldn't resist being the Hero.", Anansi grumbled. She picked up a Car and threw it straight at Ladybug. Life flashed before Ladybug's eyes. It was too soon. She had failed Paris. The Car was only a few feet away, in the air, ready to crush her. Until a blur went by, and the Car was cut clean in half. The pieces completely missed their target, barreling away into another direction.
Ladybug could barely make out what happened, since her vision was blurry. But as the figure landed a few feet in front of her, she immediately knew who it was. Tigre Blanc prepared his Katana for battle, and Anansi just watched in confusion, and annoyance. "Hey, wait a minute! I've never seen YOU before!", Anansi yelled. Hawk Moth growled in her ears once more. "A new hero. No matter, you can stop HIM too!", Hawk Moth boomed.
Anansi put up her fists and slowly walked up to Tigre Blanc, who had no emotion but rage in his eyes. She wasted no time with banter, and charged at Tigre Blanc, attempting to land a quick punch. He dashed out of the way, and launched a right hook across her face. She punched again, but he leaped over and kicked her across her face. She loses her temper and charges at him, and he does the same. The slides under her and slashes a cut in her right leg. Before he can land another hit, Anansi side-kicks him, sending him crashing onto a car's windshield. Anansi ran up and pinned him down. She wrapped her fingers around the watch and tugged, but it was stuck. Her eyes widened in confusion.
Anansi lifted her arms up to smash him deeper into the car, but Tigre Blanc slid off the car and grabbed a Sewer Lid. He smashed it across her face, breaking it on impact. He launched four punches on her stomach, before twisting around and kicking her across the jaw. She immeadietly retaliates with an uppercut, before grabbing him in mid-air and throwing him onto the concrete. She leaps into the air once again. He quickly shouts "INSTINCT!", as Anansi's movements drastically slow down. He leaps up and slams her to the ground. Once she's up, he launches a flurry of punches too her stomach and face, before shoulder-ramming her into a brick wall.
He throws his Katana like a javelin, which BARELY missed her head and clips the helmet in half. An Akuma flies out. Tigre Blanc desperately looks at Ladybug, who was still recovering. He leaps up and grabs the Akuma, before examining the strange creature. He would've crushed it, but it didn't seem like the smartest thing to do in a situation like this. Ladybug finally got up, and prepared a glowing white Yo-Yo, ready to de-evilize the Akuma. Instinct had deactivated, so she was able to move at normal speeds; transforming the Akuma into a butterfly within a minute or so.
Once the Akuma had been de-transformed, Tigre Blanc ran over to Cat Noir and picked up his body, before dropping it near Ladybug. He offered a hand to help her up, which she accepted because she could barely stand. She moaned out a "Thank You", before collapsing. He caught her before she could hit the ground, and looked at Cat Noir's unconscious body. Ignoring the audience from a distance, he lifted both of them over his shoulders, before leaping away.
Marinette woke up with a slight headache, and soreness in her entire body. She lifted her head up, to see Tikki sitting at her bed. Bandages had been applied to Marinette's wounds, as well as an Ice Pack for her head. "Are you okay, Marinette?", Tikki squeaked softly. Marinette rubbed her head. "Yeah, I think so.", she groaned. She noticed a slip of paper lying next to her. She unfolded it and it read:
You're welcome, Spots.
And don't worry, Cat Noir's fine, and I anonymously tipped your Parents and School that you were wounded while trying to escape, so no suspicions are needed. Although they were surprised when they came to check on you, while you were stitched up.
Anyway, meet me at the Eiffel Tower at sundown tonight(As Ladybug). We have some things we need to discuss.
-Tigre Blanc
Marinette looked up at Tikki, who simply shrugged in response. None had any idea of what to expect.
A/N: Hot damn, that chapter was long. Anyway, next chapter will dwell deeper into Tigre Blanc's character, as well as the story. A new villain to deal with will also be brought into the spotlight. Tell me what you think so far, and always comment down suggestions or requests. Until the next chapter...
