Ok, So I got inspired. It seems that writing in Comic Sans help out? I'm experimenting something that I read.
We are back on track. Tell me what you think, if you have any theories of what will happen, and please remember that feedback is always welcome.
Thank you for everyone that has reviewed!
They were past History and Geography homework when Alya decided to share her last theory. Marinette could only listen and determine if it is really safe or not to comment or if it was better to lead Alya to a crossroad. She's been ranting about this Celtic legend about women wearing red cloaks or something. Some women warriors in there too; apparently names were not documented. Then something clicked… Alya hasn't mentioned the Ladyblog nor Ladybug's identity.
"And so, the Claddagh women of Galway wear these red cloaks, and the first pictures are from 1913. I am wondering if they started wearing these red cloaks because there was a Ladybug or something throughout history." Alya finished to take the last of her orangina and then studied Mari's reaction. "So? What? Did you even listen to me this time?" The red head frowned inquisitively at her friend.
"Oh, sorry." Marinette shook her head. "It's just that I didn't hear anything about the Ladyblog and for what you've been telling me, you haven't posted any theory lately." Marinette gave her a soft smile as curiosity flashed her eyes. "Are you posting this in there?"
The redhead moved her weight from one cheek to the other. She changed her position, pulling her knees to her chest. Alya was almost as if she was uncomfortable. Marinette knew perfectly why. This is the first time that Alya shares something with her since Rena Rouge happened. The designer kept her poker face, but she was grinning inside. "Does this have anything to do with the videos you took off?" Marinette tried to push a bit more.
"Well, to be honest, yes." Alya answered fidgeting on her spot. "The thing is that after getting closer to Ladybug and Chat Noir, I realized that I should be helping them to keep their identities secret, instead of publishing it to the world." She hesitated a bit, then tried to cover a little more her words. "You know that they've given me several exclusive interviews and all." Her sight pledged for understanding.
Marinette smiled at her friend's words. "I understand Alya, it makes sense too. Can you imagine how creepy would be if you were any of them and all of a sudden everyone knows who you are?" Marinette shrugged. "It's probably like Adrien feels when he tries to be normal out there, and all his fans start chasing around." A flashback came to Marinette's mind, the chase and the Gorilla… "That was something I wouldn't like in my everyday life." The comment followed an awkward smile with one eyebrow up looking at Alya.
The redhead let herself relax to the comment and giggled. "I remember the picture." She took her phone to look for the photo that fan uploaded. Oh yes, she saved it! "Ha! Here it is!" She showed it to Marinette. "That towel was hilarious!" Alya laughed at her friend.
"Yes! Hahaha!" Marinette took a deep breath to calm down a bit. "And to think that I went out to the movies with Adrien wearing my pjs…" She shook her head trying to remove the memory from her mind. "Like I said… It's not something that I would like in my everyday life…" She looked at her hands, fists closed over her legs. "But if it's part of Adrien's life, then I wouldn't mind to be part of it." She smiled shyly at Alya. "Maybe I could get use to it?" Her cheeks somewhat pink already.
Alya smirked at her friend. "Mari, girl! I see bravery in there, and I like it!" She teased Marinette while taking her phone back. "And to answer your question. I will post the Celtic Women in Red's theory later, I am doing research still." Alya stood up and walked to the window. "Just because I am not posting about their identities anymore, it doesn't mean I won't be searching to find out." She stretched her hand to the window, as trying to catch something on top of it. "Besides, previous Ladybugs are not part of their secret identity, which means that I can publish this research with no problem." The redhead winked at Marinette.
The people were rushing away from the Mall. You could hear the things crushing in the distance. Chat Noir ran as fast as he could, the roofs of Paris being his racing course. He's the first one to arrive to the place. The police is already making a perimeter. Ladybug nowhere to be found. "Well, I guess it's my turn to shine today." Chat Noir frowned to himself. Ladybug and Master Fuu coming to his mind. "I'll show them…"
The Cat hero took his baton and left a voice mail for Ladybug. He's onsite already and he'll be able to find the akuma before Ladybug arrives. Now the trick will be to find the victim. The Center Créteil Soleil is already big enough. Maye if he was able to pin point the place where people were running away from, he'll be able to find something. "There! That place has the stores abandoned!" He mentioned to someone next to him, finding that his Lady hasn't arrived yet.
Some people were hiding their faces, and it seems that they covered with… spaghetti? There seemed to be people trapped in there. Could they move? "Hey!" He whispered to the people hiding in the spaghetti cage. "Hey!"
"Chat Noir!" one woman said. "Oh, thank God you're here!" She whispered back, crawling next to the hero. "That man, he wanted his pasta al dente, and we gave it to him that way, but he then complained, and we tried to…" She shook her head. "We tried, we really did!" Her eyes were watering.
"Don't worry. I'm here now, and Ladybug will be here soon!" Chat was trying to convince himself. If the akuma could trap people, he won't be able to fight full force… Especially if they were trapped next to him. He shouldn't use his Cataclysm just like that here either, he would only have 5 minutes and he should only keep it if he gets trapped himself. After clearing his thoughts, he looked at the woman in the cage. "Tell me, where is the akuma?"
"He went that way!" She pointed the direction where it went.
"Thank you ma'am. Now, try to not touch the cage." And he sprinted to find the akuma. "Please hurry My Lady…"
Alya's phone started ringing. "My Akuma notification!" She took her phone to check the report. "Yes! There's an Akuma at the Créteil Soleil!" She looked something else in there. "Seems Chat Noir's already there! I better hurry if I want to film it!" She took her bag and went down stairs.
Marinette followed her to the apartment. Her mother was having some tea. The TV was on, and the akuma attack was on. Her mom stood up to walk to the kitchen. "Oh hello!" She smiled to the girls. "Are you going anywhere?" She questioned the girls.
Alya paused to look at the screen "Oh! He found it already!" She said excited. "I'm going to film the battle!"
Sabine jumped to the door after listening to Alya. "Oh no! You won't young lady!" And she firmly stood between Alya and the only exit to the apartment. "Your parents know you are here. I won't let you go to danger yourself like that while you're on my watch!" She firmly glanced at the redhead who changed her sight.
"But.. But… it's for the Ladyblog!" Alya pouted.
"You can watch it and comment it from the TV. It's a Mall, there are cameras everywhere." Sabine gestured the TV. "Now! You two! Go back to Marinette's room!" She went ahead and locked the door. "I'll let you go after Ladybug fixes the place." She shooed the girls back to the trap door.
Marinette stood there stunned… She couldn't believe that her mom could 'ground' them during an akuma attack. How could she sneak out now that Alya was stuck with her?
Alya sighed out loud. "Marinette, I can't believe your mom just won't let us move…" She let herself drop on the floor.
Marinette looked for the stream of the attack in her computer. "At least she didn't made us stay in the living room…" The designer groaned… How is she going to sneak out?
"I'll start blogging the comments of the fight… That's what I do when my sister decides to close the door when there's an akuma attack and we are both at home…" Alya chuckled.
Marinette sat on the chaise long, she couldn't just say she'll go to the roof for air… Alya is probably going to look for her right after Ladybug clears the akuma. She couldn't disappear either, her mom was making watch in the living room and probably already told her father that she'll be staying upstairs until the akuma attack stops. Maybe she could wait for Chat to immobilize the akuma to join him in time to clear it and rush back home in time for no one to notice she disappeared? That's the best she could try. Sneaking away from Alya, she decides to go to the roof and talk to Tikki.
"Wow, that was a blow! But where's Ladybug?" The redhead had her eyes glued to the screen. "Marinette, it's so weird! Ladybug hasn't arrived!" She looked at Marinette with a worried look. "I wonder if she's ok!" She looked back at the screen. "I hope Chat will be ok…"
Marinette's heart warmed to the concern that Alya was showing towards Chat and her alter ego. "Maybe she got caught up into something? Don't worry, I'm sure that Chat will be able to manage while she gets there." Alya glanced at her with curiosity. "I'm going to take some air. I'll be right back." And Marinette climbed to her bed and went up to the roof.
"Ok! Don't take too long! You'll miss the fight!" Alya mumbled.
She could hear Alya's faint voice as she climbed the trap door. Now that she was up there, she closed the door behind and let Tikki out. "Oh Tikki! What am I gonna do? It seems I won't be able to sneak out that easily! And that place is not near by either!" The designer started to pace from one side to the other, while Tikki was trying to calm her down.
"Marinette, you'll figure it out! You've been in tighter situations than this, remember Nat?" The kwami flew in front of her and paused at her eyes height. "You weren't able to transform because you needed to be the bait. That didn't go badly either!" Tikki moved closer. "Trust in Chat and he'll come through.
"Ok Tikki…" Marinette sat on the stool. "That time I was able to show up and tell him that I was busy, so maybe I can contact him and let him know that I am stuck without being able to leave." She looked at her hand and closed it in a fist. "That's it! Tikki! I know what to do!" Her eyes glittered with the idea she just got. "Here's the deal, neither Alya or me can help right now. We are stuck with each other until Ladybug clears the akuma." She stood up again and started to pace once more. "So, instead of getting the akuma cleared, what if we immobilize it?" Marinette looked at the horizon and then turned around to see Tikki directly. "I will transform now, call Chat and let him know I'm stuck. Then, as I can't transform, maybe YOU can go to Master Fuu and ask for a miraculous to help Chat Noir. It could be the turtle, it shields innocent people and traps its opponents." She frowned to herself and placed her hand to her chin. "That akuma was trapping people in cages, for what I could see in the Mall cameras… Then I think that the turtle indeed will be the best fit."
"Marinette, it's a risky plan." Tikki said with determination. "But it seems that it is the only way to do it. Marinette transform before Alya comes up to look for you!"
"Tikki! Spots On!" Marinette was surrounded by the red light and now Ladybug was standing where Marinette was. "Ok, here goes nothing." Ladyug took her yo-yo and called the Cat hero.
"Ladybug? Where are you?" He answered, his voice agitated. "I don't know what else to do! I need help!" Chat's voice sounded desperate.
"Chat! I am stuck in my house. My friend is here and my mom is not letting her leave until the akuma attack ends… I cannot leave without them knowing…" Ladybug sounded anxious. She was letting her partner alone.
"What?! Wow!" The sound of a clash around Chat worried Ladybug. "What do you mean you're stuck?" His eyes narrowed when the comment left his lips. "Can't you go, like… take a shower or something and leave?" He was starting to feel frustrated again. First she didn't trust him, now this… This girl was going to drive him crazy!
"No Chat, the bathroom's window is not big enough for me, but I will send help. I have a plan. My kwami will find you. Trust her!" Ladybug finished with a serious tone. "Be careful"
Chat sighed, he was able to hide so he could listen to Ladybug. "Ok, I'll wait for your kwami. But you still need to purify the akuma!"
"Hey Girl! What are you doing? Chat Noir seems to be hiding!" Alya said through the trap door closed, but about to open it.
Chat heard the muffled voice through the phone and frowned at the interruption.
"I'm coming!" Ladybug shouted to her friend "I have to go Chat! My friend is already looking for me! Good luck!" She took the phone off from her ears and said "Spots off". Marinette was back, currently walking to the trap door. "I'm counting on you Tikki!" She whispered to her kwami, who parted her side to find Chat Noir.
Chat was able to hear the words, and heard the call disconnect through the speaker. "Well, then maybe I can de-transform in the mean time to gain sometime." Chat Noir ran up to the ceiling and found a door to the roof. Yes, it's a good place to wait. No cameras and he even found a hidden place. "Claws in!" He dropped the transformation and handled Plagg a piece of camembert. "So, Tikki is coming instead of Ladybug… what do you think?" Adrien question the cat kwami.
"Really? The sugar cube? He! It seems they ran out of options this time!" Plagg let a mischievous laugh out of his mouth. "They are going to 'break the rules' apparently."
Adrien opened his eyes in surprise "What do you mean break the rules?" Glancing at Plagg as if he will give the most precious speech.
"Keep it down kid! It's not the identities thing." Plagg floated in front of Adrien, savoring his cheese. Adrien looked dreadful after the comment. "I think it has to do with Master Fuu."
Adrien shook his head making sure he could listen properly. "With Master Fuu?" He frowned down to the ground. "And what would I even want to do with that old man?"
The black kwami grinned. "I think that we are close to find out! I can sense Tikki. "
Adrien started to pace from one side to the other. "So, what do you mean?"
Plagg studied Adrien's face. His eyes full with hope and his stand as sharp as ever. "Why don't we find out where the akuma is?"
"I think it's in his collar… It's the only thing that's not spaghetti anyway." Adrien shrugged at the thought.
"Ok, so we need a strategy to defeat him." Plagg was very determined today. "Let me hear what you have in mind while we wait for the sugar cube!"