Adrien sat at his desk and threw his head down- banging his forehead slightly before doing it a few more times "what am I doing...getting Marinette involved! I... thought she could be Lady Bug! How ridiculous is that Plagg?!" Plagg laughed awkwardly "haha yeah I mean totally insane!"
Adrien sighed and slouched back in his chair and covered his eyes with his arm "that Kiss though...wow it blew me away! I have always had my eye on Marinette, but I always fought any feelings I have for her because I love Lady Bug and I didn't want complications...well guess what! It's become complicated! Ugh Adrien you IDIOT!" Plagg sat on top of Adrien's computer mouse "maybe that's why you thought Marinette could be Lady Bug? Maybe it had already become complicated and you were deeply wishing that they were one and the same to avoid complications?" Adrien's arm fell and he laughed bitterly "you know what Plagg...I think you are right"
Adriens phone buzzed in his pocket so he pulled it out "its a message from Nino...'Hey dude. Check this out! hmm wonder what this is about..."
Lady Bug took out her Yoyo and rang Cat Noir "ugh he's not answering! I guess I will leave him a message...Hey erm Cat Noir? I need to talk to you...It's kinda important so will you meet me? I will be waiting for you...remember where you planned that dinner for us? I think that will be a good place to...talk. Okay?" She took a single step up her ladder before hearing foot steps "AH NO! I need to change back!" Marinette jumped down and sat on her bed trying to act casual. Alya burst through the door and it was clear she was in a panic "Marinette! I am soooooo sorry! It's a disaster! Pleaseeeeee don't hate me!" Marinette rushed over to her and grabbed her gently by the elbow and signalled for her to sit down "Alya...calm down! I don't know what your talking about so be cool and explain what's going on!" Alya took a deep breath and knitted her fingers together uncomfortably "Ok so here's whats happened..."
Adrien opened the link in Nino's message and gasped "OH NO! Plagg it's..." Plagg flew over and peered at Adrien's phone "okay...Adrien this is bad!" Adrien threw his phone across the room "who took this picture! Why would they post it on the internet! I need to go and see Marinette...no Cat Noir does...Claws out!"
Cat Noir frowned as he heard a beeping sound "Lady Bug has left me a message!" he listened to her voice mail has she seen this picture? Is she mad at me? "she wants me to meet her? She doesn't even sound angry...she sounds excited? What do I do? I need to go see Marinette!"
Cat Noir sighed why does this feel like I am being made to chose between the two? I can't do that! I need to prioritise instead. Lady Bug didn't mention the nature of her 'talk' I can only assume it is to do with saving Paris; she wouldn't call me for any other reason. I need to go there first... seeing Marinette will have to wait!
"I was on my way to yours to hang out, I saw Cat Noir on your balcony...I saw your kiss and I took a picture! I was never going to send it to any one! I wanted to show it to you and ask you about it, then I was going to delete it! I swear! But I got all excited like an idiot- squealing and stuff but I didn't realise Chloe was passing by! She grabbed the phone off me and was all 'wow look at this gossip!' and so she shared it to everyone!"
Marinette's heart failed as soon as Alya showed the picture to her "Girl! Why didn't you tell me you and Cat Noir had a thing?!" Marinette fell to her knees "oh no, what if Adrien sees it! I am sure it will ruin my chances with him...wait no. What if Hawk Moth sees! It could be used against Cat Noir! Why would you take a picture in the first place Alya! Don't you even see how STUPID that is! What? Did you need something for your Lady Blog that much?!"
Alya stood there with her mouth open. She sniffled and turned towards the door "I am sorry Marinette...you're right! I should have never taken a picture...it was stupid!" She started crying and turned to leave. Marinette ran forward quickly to stop her "stop Alya! There's an Akuma! NOOOOOO!"
Marinette watched in horror as her best friend once again turned into Lady Wifi "oh no! This is all my fault! I am so sorry Alya! I know you wouldn't have meant any harm and I know you wouldn't have put it on your Lady Blog!" Marinette knew she couldn't transform and reveal her identity and she feared that Cat Noir was waiting for Lady Bug! Lady Wifi chuckled as Marinette looked around the room desperately for an idea "I am afraid you need to come with me Marinette...you have an appointment with Hawk Moth!"
Cat Noir was sat patiently on the roof waiting for Lady Bug however nerves were starting to set in and so he began to pace. What did Lady Bug want to talk about? Why isn't she here? What is taking her so long? An unease settled in his stomach and he knew something was wrong. He frowned as he looked towards Marinette's place "something is wrong! I need to check on her!" he jumped off the building and ran through the rooftops to reach her place. He ran through the door and looked around frantically "she's not here! Is that where Lady Bug is? Is Marinette in trouble? This is all my fault! I shouldn't have kissed her!"
He noticed something strange on Marinettes computer; it was switched off yet it had a mail sign flashing on it. He walked over and touched it. A video started playing on the screen. Marinette was in a room somewhere tied up. Cat Noir placed his hand on the screen "NO! Where is she?!" He banged his fist down on the desk as the voice of Hawk Moth emerged from the screen "good evening Cat Noir. I knew you would slip up eventually and tonight you did...I saw an interesting photo tonight, it seems that this young lady is of interest to you?" Cat Noir shook his head with a fake grin "Ha! As if this Cat would be tied to one person! That was just a one time thing for a fan you know! Do you really think I will come and hand you my Miraculous just for a girl I barely know?"
The incriminating picture flashed on the screen "really? It looks quite intimate for a bit of fan service...I guess if she really doesn't mean anything to you I can dispose of her" he looked closely at the picture and lowered his head It really does look intimate! Gah that's when she grabbed my ear and it drove me crazy! There is no lying about that! "Fine...you win Hawk Moth. What do you want?"
He clenched his fists tightly as a chuckle erupted from the screen "Tell me Cat Noir...was the kiss worth the price you must now pay?!" Cat Noir remembered the feeling of her lips on his and sighed "I said you win! Now tell me what I have to do!" he looked at his ring and sighed "where are you Lady Bug!" a Map flashed on the screen "come to this address and bring Lady Bug too! I will see you soon Cat Noir"
The screen turned blank and Cat Noir fell to his knees "what...do...I do?" he left a message for Lady Bug to come help as soon as she could and raised his head "Its ok! I trust that Lady Bug will come...I know everything will be ok! I need to save Marinette for now!" he left Marinette's room and headed towards the place requested by Hawk Moth I know this place well...its near my house!
Marinette struggled against her restaints with no luck! Tiki flew out of her bag and started pulling at them with all of her strength "I can't do it Marinette! You need to transform!" Marinette shook her head "I can't Tiki! I can't risk it...he can't know who I am! Gaaah Tiki hide- someone is coming!" the door opened and a tall man entered "Marinette I presume? My name is Hawk Moth" Marinette's jaw fell to the floor "you're Hawk Moth!" he chuckled "not what you were expecting?" Marinette scowled "I'm not sure how about you lose your mask and show me who is underneath, then I can tell you what I expected" he paced around her as he laughed in amusement "hmmm you have a sense of humour my dear, but I am afraid it will not be my mask that is removed today...it will be your beloved Cat Noir along with Lady Bug"
Marinette struggled against her restraints more and Hawk Moth chuckled louder in response "there is no need for that, as soon as Cat Noir and Lady Bug give me their Miraculous you will be free to leave" Marinette laughed sarcastically " I am suprised you have the guts to be here in person! Isn't it your thing to get others to do your dirty work" Gaaaaah! What am I saying? Why am I trying to antagonise him! Hawk Moth simply laughed once again as though he was rather entertained.
"you have spirit Marinette...I now see why Cat Noir is so taken with you...ah speak of the devil...or should I say Cat" Marinette groaned "ugh I though Cat Noir was the only one who had bad jokes" Cat Noir jumped down from a window laughing "hey my jokes aren't that terrible!" He turned to face Hawk Moth "I can't believe I'm finally standing face to face with the elusive Hawk Moth! This has final battle written all over it...don't you agree?"
Hawk Moth nodded his head with an arrogant grin "I agree...this will be our final battle because I will take hold of your Miraculous! But before we get to that part...where is Lady Bug?" Cat Noir shrugged his shoulders "I am afraid I couldn't get in contact with her" Hawk Moth put his hand on Marinettes shoulder "what a pity...I am rather fond of Marinette" Cat Noir stepped forward with his hand raised "wait! You have it all wrong! I am not in love with Marinette! I love Lady Bug and all this time I have been desperate to find out her true identity...I thought that Marinette could be her but I realised I was wrong! She isn't Lady Bug I know that now! That kiss was an experiment...to see if she was Lady Bug...but she isn't! Lady Bug wouldn't kiss me... but Marinette did! I selfishly dragged her into this in a selfish attempt to find out Lady Bug's true identity! Please...please don't drag her into this because of me...you were right that kiss came at a price...please don't make Marinette be the one who has to pay it!"
Hawk Moth tightened his grip on Marinette with a grin "you mean to tell me that you don't even know Lady Bug's true identity?! You expect me to believe that?" Cat Noir looked down sadly "it's the truth! She wouldn't tell me because she feared situations like this and now I see that she was right...no matter what you do to me or Marinette or anyone; I can never tell you her identity because I don't know!" Hawk Moth pulled a strained smile "oddly enough Cat Noir- I believe you. How about you Marinette? I spectated every time someone was akumatised and your face was one that I happened across often...don't tell me you don't know anything?"
Marinette sighed as she looked at Cat Noir "I don't know anything either!" Hawk Moth pulled her chin up to make her face him and scrutinised her face as she spoke "I will ask again Marinette. Do you know who Lady Bug is?" Marinette stared back at Hawk Moth fiercely "No!" his eyes widened "you are lying! I can tell!" Cat Noir frowned as he looked at Marinette's flushed face "you...you know who she is?" Marinette looked down guiltily but remained fierce "yes Cat Noir...I know who she is...but you can't find out like this! I WILL not say anything!"
Hawk Moth smirked widely "very well Marinette...how about I let you go and you lead Cat Noir to Lady Bug?" Cat Noir laughed cockily "what makes you think we will come back if you release Marinette? What are you up to letting us both go?" Marinette lowered her head and sighed "we have to come back Cat Noir...he has Alya...she turned into Lady Wifi again because of me! He is letting you come too so that it will be faster for us to get Lady Bug and return- he knows we need to bring Lady Bug here to catch the Akuma!"
Cat Noir nodded and turned to face Hawk Moth "so that's your plan? One more question...why haven't you demanded to know my identity yet?" Hawk Moth untied Marinette and shrugged "it doesn't matter you and Lady Bug will return and you will hand over your Miraculous' and I will find out your identities any way!"
Cat Noir picked up Marinette "Fine! I trust I can drop her off at home too? If I come here with Lady Bug you won't need Marinette anymore right?" Hawk Moth nodded once before his body scattered into hundreds of butterflies and he was no longer there.