Till Evening Princess
Apologies in advance, I didn't have time to double edit so there are going to be more spelling and grammar errors than normal. Again really sorry, I just wanted to get it out when I said I would. Anyway, woo-hoo, now it's time for all the major Marichat chapters. I've been looking forward to this. Thank you once again to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed, it really means a lot to me. Fair WARING, there may be triggering contents in this chapter for sexual assault read with caution. Thanks once again to Nesthellshirt for putting up with my fangirl tantrums and editing for me. I don't own anything except for an OC who will finally make his official appearance in this chapter Miraculous Ladybug and Chat Noir belongs to its amazing creator. Enjoy.
No One's Hero
Adrien slept through all his alarms the next morning, Nathalie never came to wake him. When he did wake up and see that it was noon he began to panic.
"Father is going to be so mad that I slept so long." He groaned hopping on one leg trying to put his pants on. "I've lost so much time. I'm going to have to catch up in all my lessons. Aw and I have another photo shoot today."
"When don't you have a photo shoot?" Plagg raised a brow.
"Not the point." Adrien hissed. "This is really bad."
"Calm down kid." Plagg sighed chewing on some cheese. "So what if we slept in a little. Considering what happened yesterday I think we've earned a little more rest."
"Father won't think that. He'll be disappointed that I allowed myself to be so lazy."
"Seriously. You were exhausted. You've been spending most nights watching that girl more than sleeping. I'm surprised you didn't give into it sooner."
"C'mon Plagg, we've got to go." Adrien urged running out the door.
He ran all the way to the dining room, expecting to find a seething Nathalie—you know how she seethes in her stone faced stoic way—and maybe even his father. But neither of them were there. He waited for a while, but no one showed up. Finally, he decided to find Nathalie. He started at her desk since that was mostly where she spent her time. Just as he thought, she was there.
"Um Nathalie, I know I over slept but does that really warrant ignoring me all together." He asked only half joking.
She stopped typing giving him an unamused look.
"We are not ignoring you, Adrien." She informed. "You father decided you needed a day to yourself, so he has canceled all your lessons and appointments."
"So your saying… I have the day off?" he didn't believe it.
"Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying. Now run along, I have a lot of work to do." She dismissed him with a nod before going back to her work.
He stood there unsure of what he was supposed to do for the longest time before going back to his room.
"So what now kid?" Plagg pondered watching as Adrien sat on his couch.
"I don't really know. I haven't had a day off since… well before the first akuma." He said dazed.
"We could play video games or go to the park."
"We could… or…"
"Oh c'mon kid, I let you transform last night because I knew you wouldn't be able to help yourself. Today we're supposed to relax. No Chat Noir."
"C'mon Plagg, you know it's like my one addiction."
"And weirdly it's not the power you're addicted to."
"Please."
"If I say no your just gonna keep asking, aren't you?"
"You know me so well." Adrien smiled.
"Fine. But only for an hour or so."
"Got it. PLAGG, CLAWS OUT!"
It was weird being Chat Noir during the day and not having to worry about an akuma. Everyone could see him clearly but they didn't it was an amazing rush. Any moment it could end if anyone were to see him so he had to be careful. But he was mostly just excited to be free for a day. He wondered if that also meant an akuma attack, he hoped it. He could go one day without an akuma attack. Either way, for the moment he was free. He explored the city, seeing everything in a new light without having to focus on a battle or it being dark. This was what he was working for. Getting the miraculous would lead to more days like this. No, wait, no miraculous talk today. This was most likely the only day he would get where he didn't have to think about that and he was going to use it. He wasn't sure what he was going to do. Beyond running around and seeing the city he hadn't thought of much else. But of course, like always, his mind wandered to Marinette. He wondered what she was doing. Considering it was a Friday he would assume she was in school. Come to think of it, he's never really seen a school before. Well he has seen the school whenever there was an akuma there. But he never saw what a normal day looked like. It couldn't hurt for him to have a glimpse, it would also be a good way for him to watch over Marinette… fine stalk her, whatever.
It wasn't hard to find the school—he's been their multiple times since most of the akumas his father turned were high school students. But he did have to circle it a couple of times to find Marinette's class. Once when he spotted her he settled himself on a roof across from said class and watched.
She was in literature class it seemed. His sensitive ears picked up most of the lecture and the conversation going on and some of it put him on edge. Cloe Bourgeois was in her class. He knew Cloe from childhood. His father wanted to have good connections with the mayor so he scheduled play dates for him and the mayor's daughter. The whole time was mostly spent with Cloe bragging about her new toys or clothes. He knew she was selfish and a bit conniving but he didn't realize how bad she really was. He could hear her talking to her little mousy friend with the glasses about how she thought Marinette was a klutz that didn't deserve an internship at the Agreste company and how her designs were only fit for homeless bums. They were also scheming how they were going to bring "little miss look at me, I'm a designer" down a peg for being a snobby brat. Like hell he was going to let that happen. When the bell rang to excuse them for lunch he texted Cloe so she would be too distracted to execute whatever plan she had. It worked since Marinette made it out to the courtyard without any bumps or bruises, but then he saw he had another problem. A tomato haired boy was talking to his princess. He could tell by his body language and his pink cheeks that he had a thing for Marinette. It did please him however that Marinette seemed to have no such feelings for him. The boy was foolish to think otherwise. Come to think of it, he remembered this boy. His father had turned him into an akuma before. He could make his drawings come to life. As he remembered his father could not control him at all. He went on to attack Cloe to enact his revenge and draw out Ladybug. It worked but he left before he could get her miraculous. Turned out his true goal was to make Marinette fall in love with him. This was before Chat started watching her. Though he supposed this was the night that made him suspicious of her and go to spy on her. She tried to take his pen, tried to get rid of the akuma. This is what peeked his interest in her prompting him to watch her. It was thanks to this boy that he found a small ounce of light in his life. But still he would be damned if he let the little tomato steal his princess.
"So I drew some more of the comic if you wanted to read it." The tomato, Nathanael, said.
"I'd love to." Marinette smiled.
"Pfft." Chat scoffed. "I could draw a better comic."
Yeah, no you can't. he lamented mentally.
"I'll read it after school and get it back to you tomorrow if that's alright?" she asked sheepishly.
"Yeah, that's alright." He nodded handing his sketch pad over.
"Thank you."
"I've… I've got to go now. I have to meet with a teacher. See you later."
"See you later." She called after him.
"Girl that boy is crushing on you hard." Alya snickered.
"He is not." Marinette denied.
"Oh please. Remember the whole Evilistrator incident. After that you can't tell me he doesn't feel something for you."
"Yeah, but I ruined that when I tried to be a hero and take his pen with the akuma. The sad thing is I probably would have managed it if it weren't for Chat Noir showing up. In the end all I managed to do was tick off Evilistrator and put Cloe in danger."
"Not to mention gave Chat Noir a greater motivator for Evilistrator. Man, that guy is just so annoying. If it weren't for him I think the city would be a lot safer. I'm surprised he hasn't started attacking people just to get Ladybug out in the open. That would make a lot more sense than using all those akumas."
Well that is the last time I try to save your life. Chat growled to himself, fist clenched.
"I think you and everyone else have Chat Noir all wrong, Alya." Marinette sighed.
"Um what?" Alya gawked. "Girl are you crazy. That guy is as bad as they come."
"I don't think he is. I think he is just trying to make his father happy. Everyone seems to forget about Hawkmoth. He's the real villain. We just blame Chat Noir because he's the one we see. He might not be as bad as everyone thinks. I bet he would even make a great hero if he switched sides."
"Wow, I know you try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but really Mari. That boy is dangerous. Best to stay away from him."
"I still think your wrong." Marinette shook her head with a sigh.
Chat smiled fondly at the girl. He never thought he would have defended him like this. Everything she said was true, well not he hero part. Yet there were things that Alya said that were true as well. He was dangerous. Really she should stay away from him. Where he goes, there is only bad luck and disaster. Every minute he's near her is another closer to an akuma attack. He really should have figured this out before. The longer he stayed near the more danger she was in. He should stop this. It wasn't like Chat had a chance with her anyway. Even Adrien was too dangerous to be around. He swore to protect his princess, but he was only putting her in peril. It was time to leave and he couldn't come back this time if he wanted her to be safe.
"Hey there Mari, that ass get firmer since I last saw or is it just me?"
And like that his hackles raised and his thought of self-torment went out the window. Like hell he was going to leave his princess when there were hormone driven boys hanging around her. He glared daggers, his eye twitching, tail swishing irritably, at the group that had surrounded the girls. They were all upper classmen and one of them had draped himself over his princess.
"Linus, back off already. She's not interested in a pig like you." Alya growled ready to kick this boy's ass.
"Butt out lady-fan, I'm talking to my girl here." Linus, a tall lean boy with dark hair and eyes and a model physique, snarked out.
She is not yours, you toad. That is my princess your touching. He snarled through gritted teeth.
"Linus, I need to get to class." Marinette tried to be civil but Chat could see how tense she was.
"C'mon doll, it wouldn't hurt to skip the rest of the day. You can hang out with me and the boys. We'll have lots of fun." His smirk was sickening, broken briefly as he licked his lips dramatically.
Marinette looked on the verge of a panic attack. No doubt reliving the attack two nights ago, Chat realized with a growl. This kid was going to regret ever touching his princess. He wanted to leap down there and beat the crap out of this Linus, but he doubted Marinette would like that and he may even get mobbed. So instead he settled for taking a stray stone that made its way onto the roof and hurling it at the offending zit.
THWAK.
"Ow, what the hell was that?" the kid growled looking around. "Who was the dumb ass that did that?"
Everyone stared at him not understanding what he was on about.
THWAK.
Another one tagged him this time in the forehead.
"What the hell." He snarled clutching his head. "Who is doing that?"
THWAK. THAWK. THWAK!
"C'mon guys, we gotta get out of here." The pig squealed as he and his sounder scuttled away.
"Whoa, that was cool." Alya smiled. "Wonder where those came from?"
"I… I think I have and i-idea." Marinette sniveled, hugging herself.
"Marinette, are you alright?" the blogger questioned rubbing her friends back.
"I… I need to go home." Marinette whimpered eyes beginning to water.
"Okay, I'll take you. Don't worry I've got you." Alya soothed wrapping an arm around the ravenette, guiding her.
"Princess." Chat murmured following closely behind them, his worry growing with each step.
She thankfully made it with her friends help—though he wasn't a fan of Alya he was grateful for her if only for Marinette's sake. She explained to her parents that she wasn't feeling well and needed to lie down. They took one look at her shaking form and agreed thanking Alya and sending her on her way. It wasn't long before Marinette was alone and settled in her bed, letting out soft whimpers as her tears fell. He wanted to go to her, but he promised. Only when she called. He would have to watch until then.
A few minutes passed before anything happened.
"…Chat." Her soft murmur barely touched his ears making them burn. "If your there, I… please come here."
There was no hesitation, he took a running start and leap onto her balcony before gently knocking on the hatch door. He heard shuffling as she came to answer. The sight of her broke his heart. Her eyes were red, moist tears trailed down her red cheeks curling under her chin. If he ever saw those monsters again he would bruise them for every tear she shed.
"You came." She cried with a broken smile.
"Princess…" he trailed off reaching out to brush away a tear mid descent. "Can I come in."
She nodded, moving back so he could hop down landing unexpectedly on her bed. He waited till she closed and locked the latch before pulling her down on the bed with him. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable he let her lie back on the pillows while he leaned against the wall letting her clutch his hand. She curled around it, keeping it close to her chest like it was her life line. He mournfully ran his claws through her hair which had become loose some time since she entered the apartment.
"I'm sorry princess." He gritted. "I wish I could take the memories away."
"You saved me. That's all I can ask for." She sniveled.
"But you're still hurting."
"… Did you mean what you said?"
"What do you mean?"
"Have you been watching me?"
"… Yes. I'm sorry if it seems creepy. I just wanted to be sure you were safe."
"You've been doing it before that night?"
"Yes."
"When did it start?"
"After the Evilistrator. You peaked my interest and I wanted to understand why."
She was quiet after that, letting him pet her hair while she took comfort in his presence.
"Was that you today, with Linus?"
"Yes." He had to grit his teeth to keep from growling.
"Do you normally watch me while I'm in school?"
"No. I just had some free time today. I'm not trying to stalk you I swear. I just couldn't stop wondering if you were alright. I haven't really been able to check up on you after that night."
"Thank you." She sighed bringing his hand to her cheek.
He smiled rubbing the soft flesh with his thumb gently so as not to scratch her with his claw.
"Does he do that a lot? That pig?" now was his turn to ask questions.
"… Not until the beginning of this school year. He didn't even know I existed before that."
"But you knew him?"
"I knew of him. He is kind of the schools 'bad boy' but really he's just a jerk with an attitude."
"What changed do you think? What brought his attention to you?"
"I don't know. I wish I did. If I knew what I did to make him come at me like this I would change it."
"Marinette, look at me." He growled softly.
She tensed, slowly bringing her eyes up so she could see his blazing green ones baring down on her.
"You did nothing to bring this on. Whatever it is, it's his fault. I don't want to hear you ever blame yourself again. Understand?"
The intensity in which he spoke seeped under skin into her heart, she believed him. He was right. This wasn't her fault. She smiled up at him, giving a small nod. He nodded back still angry at the little toad for putting her through this.
"Why me?" she suddenly asked.
"What?"
"Why did you chose to protect me? There are plenty of other girls, prettier ones, that you could help. So why me."
He chuckled, finding it funny that it wasn't obvious to her.
"Marinette, you underestimate yourself. You are kind, brave and beyond selfless. Your beauty comes from within and shines outward like a celestial being. There may be other pretty girls, but my eyes only follow your beauty princess."
Her blush was priceless. Eyes so wide they resembled gemstones. He smiled down at her hoping she could see he spoke no lies.
"You are my princess, I will always protect you." He took the hand she was holding to her cheek, using it to gently pull her hand to his lips and press them to her knuckles. "No matter if you come to hate me or not, I will always protect you."
"Silly kitty." She hissed pushing her face deeper into her pillow.
He chortled letting her hide her blush thankful he had managed to distract her successfully from the memories of that night and the ugly encounter she had with the toad boy. She would be okay. He was relieved.
"Are you going to leave now?" she mumbled through the pillow, thankfully his heightened senses picked it up.
"Do you want me too?" he asked softly.
She shook her head still buried.
"Then I will stay until you tell me to leave." He assured.
She peeked up at him, a small smile gracing her lips.
"What would you like to do for the rest of the day then, princess?"
"There is something I could use your help with."
"Anything."
"I designed this outfit that was supposed to be in a photoshoot, but it never got to show. You seem pretty close to the build; would you try it on?"
"Um… are you sure?"
"Yeah. I don't think it's going get its spot light moment, but I think if a hero modeled it for me I wouldn't mind so much."
"I'm no hero, princess."
"You're my hero."
A scalding heat brushed across his face urging him to look away so she wouldn't see. How was he supposed to say no to that? Simple answer, he wasn't.
"If this is what you wish, then I shall oblige, princess." He smiled as soon as he got himself under control.
That was how he ended up behind her screen, stripping out of his leotard—which he did not know that it could come off without turning back into Adrien—and putting on the t-shirt and jeans. He of course left the mask and ears on thankful that he didn't have to wear a hat. He kept his boots since they were the closest thing to combat boots in the apartment and he doubted that Mr. Dupain-Cheng's shoes would fit him. When it was all on, he confidently stepped out into the open where Marinette was waiting.
"Well what do you think?" he smirked. "Is it perfect or what?"
"Wow, it fits like a glove." She beamed clapping her hands happily.
Say something quick or she'll put two and two together. He mentally screamed. She made this specifically for Adrien remember?
"Ah, yeah, it does, I mean it's a little tight on the chest and biceps. But other than that, it works." He hastily covered up, scratching the back of his head.
"I'm sorry about that." She pouted pulling out her phone. "Just let me get a few pictures and then you can change back."
"Um, you sure that's a good idea? What if someone sees the?"
"I'll just say I photoshoped them. The piece was meant for a photo shoot. Seems kind of sad it didn't get one. So why not have our own?" she smiled.
He felt bad. She didn't get her chance to shine because of his father and his stupid mission. The least he could do was this impromptu shoot for her. As soon as the camera was trained on him he became his professional self. Posing with each snap giving his best confident smile like the natural he was.
"Wow, those turned out great." She chimed showing him the pics. "You can change back now. Thank you for doing that."
"No problem princess." He nodded going back behind the scene. Yet this still didn't feel like enough. "So, your pretty bummed about not getting to do this shoot huh?"
"Kind of." She sighed.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Don't get me wrong. I was really excited about the shoot and very grateful to Adrien Agreste for making it happen, but it felt like cheating. I felt like I didn't really deserve the shoot. I've only been working there for a few months. I haven't really done anything noteworthy to suddenly get the spot in the shoot. It felt like I was using my friendship with Adrien to get it. I'd rather have gotten the spot because I earned it. Maybe I did, I mean Adrien liked my designs and so did his father. But it still didn't feel right to me. I know that one day my work will be show cased in a shoot and I'll have gotten it there because of my skill and determination. For now, I'll just have to work my way there. Pretty silly, right?"
Fully clothed once again he came out from behind the screen with a gentle smile gracing his lips.
"No, I think it's very noble of you." He encouraged. "I know that you'll be a professional designer soon enough."
She smiled letting a little giggle slip.
"Thank you Chat."
They stayed like that for a moment, just smiling at each other. That is until the moment went on a little too long making them both fidget.
"So, what would you like to do now, princess?" he asked clearing his throat.
"Um, I don't know. How are you at video games?"
He regretted agreeing to play against her. She kicked his but three times over. There was just no beating her.
"Yes." She exclaimed.
"How do you keep doing that?" he gaped looking between her and the screen.
"I'm just that good I guess." She smiled.
"Maybe at battle games, but how about horror games?" he smirked.
"I never tried one." She admitted.
"You're kidding."
"I never saw any reason too."
"What, too chicken?"
"You wish. Put one on, we'll see who's chicken."
This was one of the scariest games he knew of, a game where you were a reporter locked up in an asylum when the patients have just managed to take control. Worse yet, there was a malevolent supernatural being that was out to get you. He didn't expect her to be jump in out of her seat screaming at all the chase scenes but he was surprised to see her reaction to all the jump scares.
"Ah!" She cried dropping the controller and falling out of her seat..
"Princess!" He yelped going to help her.
"No, get the game he'll kill me if you don't get the character running." She urged.
So it just sort of became habit for him to grab the controller and take over after each jump scare until she was composed enough to get back in the game.
"You know this game is supposed to be one player, right?" He chuckled taking the controller again.
"It's not my fault." She pouted from behind her chair. "They just keep popping out of nowhere."
"Who knew the great brave Marinette was so jumpy." He snickered.
"Oh hush. I'm good now hand it over."
"As the princess commands."
They carried on like this all non-the wiser of the world outside they're own. So it came as a great shock when they heard a bunch of yelling from downstairs.
"How dare you insinuate such a thing!"
They both jumped on their seats staring at the trap door that lead to the downstairs.
"What was that?" Chat asked going into defensive mode.
"It sounded like my papa." Marinette murmured. "Wait here."
He really didn't want to do that. Wherever there was negative emotion his father was sure to show up. But he doubted her family would be happy to see him on their home. So for now he would do as she said. Still he had an uneasy feeling. He crawled across her floor, pressing his ear to the door concentrating on the voices bellow.
"I'm only stating the obvious Mr. Dupain-Cheng." He didn't recognize this voice. "It's obvious you use artificial flavoring rather than real fruits and such. With all the other awful things I've found around here you'd be lucky if you stayed in business for another day once I write my review."
"This is ridiculous. Everything you've said is false. There is no way you can get away with this." Tom snarled.
"Doesn't matter if it is or not." Chat could just hear the smirk in the critic's voice. "I have millions of readers worldwide. Once when they read my review no one will ever come here again."
"Papa, what's going on?" Marinette asked having made it down stairs.
"Marinette go back upstairs." Tom ordered harshly.
"Oh is this your daughter?" the critic asked.
"Leave her alone." Tom snarled.
"Better start packing up little girl." The critic chortled. "Come this time tomorrow I imagine you'll be evicted."
"What is he talking about, Papa?"
"I want you to leave my store now. GET OUT!" Tom roared.
This isn't good, at this rate Marinette's father will become- and that was when he saw it. He happened to glance out Marinette's window seeing a fluttering black mass.
"No." he hissed throwing the trap door open, sprinting down the steps heading for the bakery.
"Papa calm down." Marinette urged more aware than most of what her father's emotions could bring.
"Marinette, look out!" Chat shouted bursting into the bakery.
"Chat?" she yelped.
Chat wasted no time leaping into action, literally, causing the food critic and Tom to cry out. But Chat ignored them focusing only on the akuma. He grabbed for it, tried to smack it away but each time it evaded him. Still he was keeping it busy and away from Tom. That's all he wanted.
"Marinette, you have to get your father out of here." He urged grabbing once again at the little monster.
"Papa we have to go now." Marinette cried pulling at her dad's arm.
"What is he doing in my bakery." Tom roared watching as Chat continued knocking things over and breaking stuff.
"He's here to help. You must trust me on that. We have to get out of here." She pleaded pulling harder.
Just then Chat leaped from a shelf trying to catch the akuma mid-air. But it slipped past him and he landed with an oof face first on the floor. When he pulled himself up to try again he saw he was already too late. The akuma embedded itself in Tom's apron creating shadows under his eyes.
"Marinette move." Chat hissed grabbing her wrist and pulling her behind a shelf.
"No, we have to help him." She screamed.
"Shh." He urged holding her still, covering her mouth as gently as he could while still being firm. "My father can't know I'm here and I won't let anyone hurt you. Just stay quiet for now, please."
"Yes hawkmoth." He heard her father laugh just before he was transformed.
He was turned into a chef with red skin, yellow eyes, clawed hands and two red horns. Becoming an image of a chef demon. He wondered for a moment if that's what his father named him.
"I am Baker by the Evil, and you Mr. Critic will be my next delicious treat." The new villain laughed evilly.
The critic stared wide eyed at Baker by the Evil then wised up and booked out the door and down the street with demon chef close behind him.
"Papa!" Marinette cried trying to go after them only to be stopped by Chat. "Let me go. I have to help him!"
"Marinette, listen to me." Chat urged forcing her to look at him. "I promise I will do everything in my power to save your father. But I need you stay here where your safe. I can't focus unless I know your okay. So stay here."
She nodded trying to keep her tears at bay.
"What are you going to do?" she asked as she watched him make his way to the door.
"… I'm going to buy some time till Ladybug comes. She'll cure your father. Don't worry, everything is going to be okay." he assured keeping his eyes on the door. "I'll find you when this is all done. So stay here okay?"
"I'll be here when you win."
"You mean when Ladybug wins."
"When you both win." She insisted.
He chuckled humorlessly at that.
"I'll be back." He promised before taking off after the new villain growling all the way. "You've gone too far father. If anything happens to Mr. Dupain-Cheng I won't ever forgive you."
Chat followed Baker by the Evil who chased down the critic to the park closest to the bakery. There the critic was running around like a chicken with its head cut off while the Baker was blasting baking ingredients at him. It was like one of those games you play with the water gun at a carnival.
"Run all you want." Baker chuckled throwing some batter. "Eventually you'll be caught and then I'll have to decide if I want croissants or eclairs."
Chat had a plan, but he had to wait for Ladybug to show up to pull it off. For now all he could do was damage control. Moving civilians out of the way or redirecting attacks so they wouldn't hit anyone.
"Jeez, you would think that critic would think about where he's running." Chat hissed deflecting another attack. "Run where there are no people to get hit."
His ears twitched as he heard the unmistakable sound of a whirling wire. She was here. He had to intercept her before she could get to Baker. Using his staff to propel him into the air, he hurtled at her colliding and bringing her to the ground. She recovered quickly throwing him off her standing ready for a fight.
"Chat Noir." She growled. "Get out of my way, I don't have time for this."
"Listen to me." He hissed so only she could hear. "If you want to get the akuma you have to follow my plan."
She raised a brow at him.
"Why the hell should I trust you?"
"You shouldn't." he admitted. "This isn't a change of heart, just a temporary truce."
"Why?"
"Let's just say that that man should never have become an akuma. Otherwise it's none of your business."
"… fine, I'll bite. What's the plan?"
"Knock me out."
"What?"
"I need an excuse as to why I can't be in the fight. I'll stay down until you get the akuma, his apron. When that happens, I'll grab the critic and use him as a hostage. I'll ask you to give me your miraculous and the akuma, you'll cooperate till the last moment. I'll have activated my cataclysm, use that to destroy the akuma and knock me aside. Then do what you do and bug out." He finished.
"That… sounds needlessly complicated."
"It needs to be believable and if I let this slip one more time without getting at least close to getting your miraculous then there will be some major consequences."
Something flashed across her eyes that he couldn't name, he didn't have time to figure it out as it moved to quickly and they didn't have time for it.
"Fine." She agreed. "Just so you know, this may feel a little personal. It's not."
"What?"
Before he could comprehend what was happening she was swinging her leg in the air. Her foot connected with his chest stealing his breath and sending him sprawling backwards. Though it didn't knock him out he stayed down and acted like it did. Still, he was going to get her back for that.
He watched as she leaped into action, deflecting the Baker's attacks, while taking care to not hurt him. There was a tortured look in her azure eyes he's never seen before and he wondered if she knew him as a civilian. Either way, he needed to keep his eyes out for when she got the akuma all while keeping his eye on the critic, who was cowering behind a trash can… yeah, he's probably not going anywhere.
"LUCKY CHARM."
A cane? Great now she can razzle dazzle them with a dance.
"Yeah, putting that away for latter." She sighed, tucking the cane in her belt.
And again, they were at it. He was starting to think she was never going to get close enough. Serves him right for putting his faith in a self-important, show off who only ever- oh wait spoke too soon. Just when he was getting ready to get up and help her she slid on her knees past the Baker grabbing the tie for his arson and pulling as hard as she could. That was his cue. He pushed of his hands and shoulders, leaping up making a bee line for the critic.
"Sorry pal, nothing personal." He assured grabbing the man and holding him close. "CATACLYSM!"
"Chat Noir, no." Ladybug cried playing along.
"This is how this is going to go." Chat smirked with a lie. "You're going to hand over your miraculous or I'll destroy this man."
"Yes, do it." Baker cheered making both Chat and Ladybug flinch though neither of them saw it.
"Better make up your mind." He called letting his hand drift a little closer to the critic. "Is your power worth more than this man's life."
"Oh, god please help me." The critic cried watching Chat's claws with wide eyes.
"Don't." she urged holding up her hands. "I'll do as you say."
"Put them in the apron and put them on the ground, right in front of me." Chat ordered.
If this wasn't all a ploy to save Marinette's father, this might have worked. But he wasn't interested in the miraculous right now. He just wanted to save Mr. Dupain-Cheng and see Marinette smile again.
"Alright." She agreed, pretending to take off her earrings and wrap them up in the apron. Slowly, she came forward, her eyes on Chat the whole time. Then she smiled. "Think fast."
The next thing he knew the apron was flying at him. He used his only free hand to catch it while she used the cane to yank the critic out of his reach. Too late he realized that he was using his cataclysm hand to grab it. This was the plan of course, but there was still a bit of panic that ran through him when he saw it. The apron disintegrated, falling apart in his hand letting the akuma free. Ladybug wasted no time capturing it and purifying it. He watched helpless once again as she threw the cane in the air releasing a swarm of ladybugs that went about the city fixing everything.
His ring beeped reminding him that he needed to get out of there. He turned to leave but only got two steps when she stopped him. Why he stopped he doesn't know.
"Chat." She called out. "Why did you help me?"
"I told you, it's none of your business." He growled.
"We made a good team." She smiled. "It's not too late. You can be the hero too."
"You think I would just betray my father like that." He hissed clenching his fists.
"You did just now."
"The circumstances were different." He shook his head, turning his back on her. "I'm not the hero, I never will be. This won't be over till I get the miraculous. Truce over by the way."
With that he took off to find a place to hide while Plagg recharged before going back to check up on Marinette. Unaware of the sad eyes that followed him. Ladybug sighed holding herself to keep it together.
"Your wrong Chat." She murmured. "You'll always be my hero. No matter what, I won't give up on you. I know your good and I know the rest of the city will see it too. I'll see you back home."
With a sad swing, she made her way home feeling a little helpless that she couldn't do anything for him as her alter ego. Marinette might be the only one that can save her kitty. She'll do whatever it takes, she will make him see that he is good. He'll be a hero yet. That was a promise, to herself and to him.
Chat had maybe two minutes before he switched back. He did not want to be out in the open when that happened. So he opted for a roof top that was secure enough so no one could see him and no one was likely to randomly come up there.
BRING-BRING-BRING
Before he could turn back though his staff started to ring.
"Yes father." He answered getting ready for the chewing out he was most likely going to receive.
"You did well Adrien." Hawkmoth said smile evident in his voice.
That was not what he expected.
"But I didn't get the miraculous. She tricked me."
"Yes, but you almost had it. I'm quite proud of the little trick you tried using the hostage was a good idea."
It did not sit well with Chat at all that his father approved of that.
"Th-thank you father." He said with some difficulty.
"And besides, we may have another chance yet. Your little stunt with the hostage gave me an idea."
"What do you mean?"
"While you were fighting with Ladybug, I recharged Nooroo and made another akuma. He is a high schooler with an obsession over one of his school mates."
Suddenly Chat felt ice cold.
Please don't be him. Anyone but him, god please. I'll do anything, just don't let it be him.
"As we speak he is tracking her. I want you to find her first and use her to control the akuma. I've sent you a picture. Don't fail me this time son. This was your idea after all." With that chilling note he hung up.
Chat didn't want to look. If he didn't see, then it couldn't be her. this whole thing didn't happen if he doesn't look… he wished it worked like that. He had to look to see his target. He just prayed it wasn't her.
Sadly, his time was up. Green energy ran up his body revealing his civilian clothes. Yet he managed to get a glimpse and that was all he needed.
"No." he whimpered.
"Kid, you can't do this." Plagg urged. "I've gone along with this psycho circus but this is where I draw the line. You can't do this to that girl. Not just for her sake but yours as well."
"If I don't do this then that new akuma will get her." Adrien cried gripping his hair. "Plagg hurry and eat. We have to find her before it does."
"Then what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to keep her away from it. That's all I can do."
"Kid, you have more options than that."
"No I don't. Your wasting time. Eat, and make it quick." Adrien insisted beginning to pace.
Plagg grimaced chewing as fast as he could. This wasn't going to end well and he knew it. He just hoped that Adrien would come to his senses and do the right thing.
"Hang on Marinette." Adrien gritted looking in the direction of her home. "I'm coming, just stay safe till I get there. I'll won't let him touch you princess."
And that is it till next week. Let me know what you think and pre-warning the next chapter may be a bit heart breaking. And remember, fanfiction authors need love too.