Author's Note:

Didn't expect this much attention for this fanfiction story idea I had to be honest. Also check back in the previous chapter I edited the Chat and Ladybug interaction slightly. Hope it flows better.

Also didn't expect to write a third chapter to be honest. Welp hope you guys like this chapter and whatever other chapters I write from here on out cause I have no idea what to do now lol. Only thing I can be sure from here on out is that I'll be focusing heavily on the sacrifices the two heroes make in both of their lives.

Also thank you for pointing out CHAT says Princess to Marinette and not to Ladybug.

"CATACLYSM!" The dark energy engulfed Chat Noir's hand. "Alright, I think I got this down now," the hero breathed, a sweat slowly breaking out on his face, painted in an expression of utter concentration.

Chat Noir closed his eyes as he focused on the energy in his hand. Following Plagg's earlier advice, he imagined Cataclysm's energy as a mold around his hand. He slowly tried to extend that mold and solidify it from its usual energy form into the shield.

*BEEP* *BEEP*

*BEEP* *BEEP*

*BEEP* *BEEP*

After a few minutes of extending the energy beyond his hand, Chat Noir cracked open his eye to see the familiar black shield from the fight with Electricackle.

*BEEP* *BEEP*

With a gasp he let the shield dissipate..

*BEEP* *BEEP*

The final warning from his ring made Adrien look down as Plagg shot out of the now silver ring and Chat Noir's disappearing suit on his arm.

"I think," wheezed Plagg as he crawled to a pile of camembert cheese that had been set up before the practice. "You got the Cataclysm Shield down." With that, the black kwami, slightly larger than Adrien's hand, began munching on blocks of cheese bigger than him.

Adrien sighed as he collapsed onto his bed, exhausted from the twelfth, and finally successful, attempt at making the Cataclysm shield. It only took two days to finally do it again.

Adrien knew it was risky to transform into Chat Noir during his few breaks from his busy schedule, but he knew that this new power of his could help him and Ladybug from sticky situations if needed. Plus, he needed to understand it better before using it again against another akuma. Speaking of, no akuma sightings for the past three days, which was a surprise with how many akumas sprung up frequently before Electricackle. The best reason that he could come up with is that Hawkmoth was just as surprised as he and Ladybug were about his new power and was rethinking his next moves carefully.

Adrien turned over on his bed, now looking at his computer, which showed the ever present Ladyblog he left open. Alya had been there at the scene, of course, and had recorded his new power. Many people were scrambling with questions wondering about how Chat gained a new power and how long he had it.

Adrien wished he could suit up and easily answer those questions honestly in an interview as Chat Noir, but knowing that Hawkmoth would most likely watch with everyone else who was curious. He had to keep Hawkmoth guessing, make him think that both Ladybug and Chat Noir have powers that neither have.

Reflecting on that last thought, his mind wandered to Cataclysm Shield. It felt much like Cataclysm, more of a last resort if needed, but he felt like it would be used less than Cataclysm itself. Every time he used Cataclysm Shield, his ring would drain a lot faster. This meant that the shield itself could only hold itself until he was forced out of his transformation, meaning that it shouldn't be something he should rely on fully as a future akuma might not run out of power like Electricackle had.

Adrien shivered. That was a scary thought. What if he had discovered Cataclysm Shield at a different time? Would it have been as useful? Or would it have put both his and his Lady's life in danger?

He pushed that thought away. It wasn't something worth thinking about. He protected Ladybug with everything he had and succeeded. She was alive and well now, living her civilian life much like he was now.

He paused and sat up, looking out his window at the dark night sky, remembering Ladybug two nights ago with her sad expression. Adrien wondered just who in her civilian life could make her feel that way. If only he could know who she was under that spotted mask and help in some way shape or form. It was best not to try to remain jealous as he had come to terms a while ago that much like she didn't know he was a model for Gabriel Agreste and his son, he had no idea who she was and what she liked. Especially as boyfriend material. He definitely didn't what happened when he experienced himself if someone got too jealous. Adrien smiled. Didn't want another Copycat akuma terrorizing Paris.

"You really think he'll be here at school today?" Marinette asked. "He's been busy with modeling the past two days."

Alya brushed a strand of her long, brown hair back into place. "Of course he is girl. I got it from my most reliable source." With this she meant Nino, Adrien's best friend and her boyfriend.

"Well if it's from him, then I won't…" Marinette's words were forgotten as said source and his certain blonde model friend walked into class and greeted the Alya and Marinette.

Alya responded, but Marinette entranced by Adrien's smile could do nothing but smile a little awkwardly and wave perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. When the two boys took their seats and struck up conversation, Marinette turned to Alya who was giving her a "I told you so" look before handing her a note.

Marinette giggled nervously before frowning at Alya's note.

Is it just me or is Mr. Sunshine looking a little tired?

Marinette looked up from the note and studied Adrien. She would have either way, but she decided to put a raincheck for admiring him for later as she realized that Adrien did look a little tired. His voice was low, his posture had him leaning over his desk a little more as if he was contemplating to sleep in class (something he never did), and his eyes looked like they were struggling to stay open.

She wrote back to Alya:

He does. You think he worked hard these past two days?

Alya shook her head and wrote back:

According to Nino he had a normal day when he's away from school. Same old, same old. Maybe something is on his mind? Or is he not telling Nino something?

Marinette was preparing a response when an inhuman shriek sounded outside the school. She felt the purse she had always present vibrate a little, Tikki's signal of confirmation for what Marinette had already guessed. Akuma.

Author's Note:

Hope you all liked this chapter.