Book Two: Chapter 6

Heartbeat

The flock of monkeys swarmed. Ladybug snagged Cat's tail and yanked him back towards the open abbey.

"We can't fight them all at once." She skid next to a manhole cover and pried it open. Cat jumped inside and she followed, slipping the cover back in place. The tunnel was damp and dark, but glimmered slightly with hints of light leaking down from grates. At the base of the ladder she opened the yoyo and stuck her whole arm in, searching.

"It really weirds me out when you do that."

"Now is not the time." She felt through the warm shimmering magic for the feel of her powerups. There! She pulled back, bringing a long package of cookies with her. "How do you feel about flying?"

"In an airplane? No problem. Let's see if your Lucky Charm can conjure one up."

"Nice try." She tossed him a cookie and he groaned.

"Plagg, claws off." Adrien gave her a look as she, too, detransformed, quickly feeding Tikki the cookie. Plagg grumbled but ate his in one bite. "Do you have a plan?"

"Flying monkeys need a wicked witch. Let's go pour some water on her."

"And to find who that is?"

Marinette grinned. "Tikki, power up and spots on." Light momentarily filled the tunnel. "If you can't fight 'em…" She emerged as Ladybug with thin folded insect wings on her back.

Adrien transformed and was graced with furry black wings that would never work if magic wasn't involved. "Join 'em."

"That's the hope. Lucky Charm!" Two costumes fell to her outstretched arms complete with masks. She handed one over to Cat, then stepped into her monkey suit and then set her mask in place. She unfurled, but her wings were glossy and thin, unlike the rainbow feathers of the Sentimonster horde. She hoped they weren't intelligent enough to notice. Cat's wings were especially at odds with the colorful money suit, printed only on the inside with the red and black polka dot pattern.

It took them both a few tries to get a handle on flapping and then flying. Still, it was a relief that the power up had worked. Tikki hated the ones made from other creatures but using a ladybug for this was more like licking your own spoon. The result with Cat was a little unexpected. Furry wings? But despite the oddity, they seemed to work.

They exited the manhole to an empty abbey and immediately took to the skies. Hovering in twos and threes were four-winged monkeys patrolling the city. She zipped up to the nearest set, but they didn't acknowledge their arrival.

"We've lost them. We must report back," Ladybug told them.

"Report back." The nearest one parroted. Its neighbor repeated it. They wore little vests with tassels and kept flying in circles over the area, occasionally dipping down towards a street and then back up. Ladybug and Cat kept on their tail, following the same patterns.

"Any ideas?" he asked.

"How about bait?"

"You mean me, don't you." It wasn't a question, so she didn't answer and instead grinned.

"In the movie, the monkeys take Dorothy straight to the castle."

"Yeah, yeah. Cataclysm." Cat disintegrated his costume. "Oh, look. It is I, Cat Noir. Take me to your leader." His voice was utterly flat, and he held out his hands. Ladybug snatched his left wrist while another monkey took his right.

"See? That wasn't so bad," she whispered at him. The banter felt good, much better than his shock earlier at learning the Guardians were after her Miraculous.

The monkey swarm gathered around them like a guard.

One flew up and opened his mouth. "Where is the Ladybug?" A kid's voice came out, mismatched from the monkey's lips.

"She's got bigger problems than a bunch of damned dirty apes! This movie quote thing is pretty fun, actually." Cat winked.

There was no reply, but the mass began flying as one, all pushing towards the east. They led them to a small complex of storefronts with apartments above and a beautiful view of the city. The monkey landed across the long roofline, perching like gargoyles. A figured loomed in the dark. Ladybug let the other monkey lead as they half-carried Cat to the figure's feet. The person wore long black robes and a wide brimmed witch hat. Clearly, they'd taken the whole Wizard of Oz vibe to heart.

They tipped their head up and Ladybug stumbled to a halt at the familiar face.

"August?" Cat's eyebrows rose and he snuck a look at Ladybug. She pursed her lips.

"No, I'm the Wicked Witch and I want your Miraculous. Then I can be magic for real." His young voice was petulant and demanding, just what she'd expect from a five-year-old. His skin was turning green before their eyes. The Amoks bled back into their victims, but little August hadn't been a problem in years. Hadn't he been traumatized enough?

Ladybug yanked Cat to the side, breaking the other monkey's hold on him, and circled her yoyo as a shield.

"Cat, take out the tower!" She shoved him back and drew the others' attention. "August, this isn't you, buddy."

"I'm going to be a queen. I'm going to take out the bad guys and protect my baby sister."

"Being a big brother is an important job." She ducked as a monkey grabbed from behind, then dove between two and rolled to an empty patch of roof. August's attention was still on her and she kept him talking while Cat circled behind, aiming for the water tower on the next ledge.

"Cataclysm!"

August spun and squeaked as a rush of water rushed at him from the opened tank. Ladybug jumped, then remembered her wings and hovered as the water soaked August and half the monkeys. The other half took to the air as well. Cat soared over, his staff knocking two aside as he put his back to hers.

"Good timing, kitty."

"So you weren't kidding about the water thing." Cat Cataclysmed a monkey that got too close. It poofed out in colored smoke. The robes tangled around August like seaweed. Poor kid. Ladybug flitted down while Cat held back the monkeys, landing just out of August's reach. She pried out the elastic from her monkey mask and made it into a loop.

"August, it's time to tell us where the Amok is."

"No!"

A monkey zoomed out of her peripheral. She lunged out of the way and looped the elastic around August's wrist, then trapped his arm against his throat, her hold gentle, but not playing. She plucked off his bracelet. He didn't flinch. She tried his hat. He cried out and reached for it the best he could.

She kept it and released him, pushing herself away. "Cat, looks like we—" She flipped the hat over and had to grin. "Looks like we've been chasing our tails." Inside was a small stuffed squirrel monkey. She popped a seam and a black feather floated free.

After capturing the Amok and resetting the damage, she told Cat to take August home. The little boy held Cat's hand looking petulant, but safe.

"Lady, we need to talk. You should have told me you were being forced out."

She bit her lip. Even if their battle banter had been on, he hadn't missed what the Guardian said, or let it slide.

"We will. Take him home. I need to go check on the Miraculouses." He took a breath to argue, so she added, "Please, Cat."

He made a frustrated sound, then knelt to August's height. "Want to fly with me kid?"

August checked out Cat's furry wings, then shyly nodded. He was a good kid, if not troublesome. She watched them go, Cat flying lopsidedly as he attempted to correct for the boy in his arms.

Ladybug detransformed and fed Tikki, then transformed and swung across town, circling back into the city. Only she knew where the box was kept, but she suspected Cat knew she wouldn't leave it far from home.

Ever since she'd become a Guardian, she had to put her duty above them. Protecting the Miracle Box was bigger than even her job as Ladybug. There was too much power and potential, even with several of the Miraculouses partitioned out. Even if Master Fu hadn't been a fully trained and recognized Guardian, he'd still been hers, and she trusted his judgement, so she'd fight to protect what had been entrusted to her. But why would the other Guardians demand her Miraculous back now?

The storage facility where Master Fu left his final instructions for her was only a few blocks from the bakery. She left the Miracle box inside, afraid that keeping it at home wasn't enough protection. It felt too important to leave in her bedroom where anyone could stumble upon it, but now it felt exposed to have it even this far from her.

Inside were the precious items she'd saved from Master Fu, including the letter he'd left her. Usually she reread it for courage, but tonight she moved it aside and pulled out the box, entering her code to reveal the collection of Miraculouses inside. Gingerly she set the broken fox Miraculous in its place. She hadn't been able to call Trixx out at all.

She relocked everything up tight and made sure the coast was clear before leaving, staking out the storage facility to make sure she hadn't been followed until the sun crested the horizon. Nothing.

The night was over, and they'd lost Mayura and the Guardian with no sign of Alya. She didn't have the luxury of time to uncover the truth of the broken Miraculous right now, instead she had to hide the Miraculous box at home, placing it in a gift box and hiding it in the trunk of presents she would never let Adrien know about.

Then she heard the familiar soft footsteps from above and resigned herself to having a conversation she didn't want to have. Best get it over with. She climbed to her balcony, still in her suit.

Cat prowled up to her, a look in his eyes that she could barely meet. Perhaps she'd mistakenly believed her privacy was different than secrecy in this case.

"I'm not okay with this," he half-growled, his cat tendencies showing again. Cat fisted his hands at his side. She had to look up into his eyes, he was so close. His warmth washed over her, but not his anger. Oh, he was definitely angry, but not at her.

"I don't like it either."

"Why didn't you tell me. How long have you known?"

She looked out over the skyline. The palest line of light beginning to touch the edge. "Since June. At least that was the first time they contacted me."

"That's just after they were restored. How could they possibly have known so quickly?"

"They have other Miraculous Boxes that were restored when we defeated Feast. A kwami named Hoarry found me and has been delivering messages ever since. His owner is probably a proper Guardian, unlike me."

Cat made a face. "You were sworn in."

Ladybug matched his expression. "By a Guardian who was also not an official Guardian. He was just the last one standing when his Sentimonster got out of control."

Palming his face, Cat groaned. "Okay, we'll figure this out."

"My days as Ladybug are ending, Cat."

He grabbed her wrists and she found his eyes magnetic. "No. I won't lose you. I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

She gently rolled her wrist free and cupped his cheek. "That's the problem, love, you always put me first instead of our duty."

He puffed out a breath. She kissed him anyway, even if he was stubborn and relentless. Even if he'd never change and fight until his last claw broke just to keep her from getting a scratch. He'd always been like this, but she supposed he'd loved her as long as she'd loved him. Neither of them knew it at the time of course, but now she wouldn't take it for granted.

#

Marinette woke after an hour's nap to her alarm. Why. Why did she have to stay out all night?

She arrived to class two minutes before the bell—unshowered, rumpled, and with deep circles under her eyes. Without the magic of the Miraculous to hold off sleep, it threatened to hit her hard. Yawning, Marinette took her seat. Adrien glanced at her, his expression soft and worried. It took her a moment to realize they were staring at each other, probably with mirrored expressions. She blatantly looked away when really, she wanted to curl up in his arms.

When Mrs. Caron started the lesson, her words blended together into meaningless sounds, and as her voice droned on, Marinette's eyelids drooped further and further.

The classroom door clunked open and Marinette's head slid from her hand, jolting her awake. Alya walked in looking fresh and tidy, handing Mrs. Caron a note. Marinette nearly jumped from her chair. But all she, as Marinette, was supposed to know was that Alya had been out sick. Nothing more. Still, a tightness eased in her chest. When Alya took her seat beside Marinette her discomfort faded even more.

"Girl, you look like death. Not even death warmed over, just straight death."

Marinette laughed. They were both shushed, but she didn't mind. Her best friend was back safe and sound and nothing else mattered.

At lunch Nino invited them all to grab ice cream at Andre's to celebrate Alya's healthy return. "Oh, sorry dudes, not like a double date or anything," he said, his eyes darting between Adrien and Marinette.

"I know. Doesn't bother me," Adrien said with a gentle shrug.

"I'm not going to pass up ice cream." She couldn't have been more honest if she'd tried. Right now a shot of espresso ice cream was a medical necessity.

Alya and Nino walked together, catching up from their time apart, though Alya didn't say much, and probably couldn't. Wherever she'd been kept it was as Rena Rouge, and she had no idea her Ladybug and Cat Noir were right there with her, dying to ask her questions and understand what happened.

It was sweet to watch how Alya and Nino fell into their own little world. Would she and Adrien talk like that if they could? They'd been sneaking around for so long she wasn't even sure how normal couples interacted anymore. But right now, there couldn't be much harm in talking like normal classmates. Mostly because she needed to be kept awake, otherwise she was liable to start sleep walking through the park.

"Did you get any sleep?"

Adrien let their stride slow, putting distance between them and Alya and Nino. He kept his voice low and his eyes front. "Not much. You?"

She yawned massively, her jaw popping at the top. "A quick nap and maybe thirty seconds in our first class."

His careful posture turned a little towards her, mouth turning down. "You shouldn't do that to yourself."

She rubbed at the bruise on her arm without thinking. He noticed and she clasped her hands behind her back.

"Are you sure it's okay being out together like this?"

She sighed. "Unless your dad has drones watching our every move I think we'll be okay. We're classmates. We can't never talk. I wish we did things like this more often." This wasn't the kind of thing they got to do, and she regretted saying it when Adrien's mouth turned down.

"Marinette, I—"

"Looks like you two are finally getting along again." Nino turned and put his arm around Alya. She didn't react.

"We've always been friendly," Adrien said, but leaned away from Marinette. She tried not to take offense, but everything felt so blurry in her head. Why couldn't they at least be normal friends who hung out and went to the movies? Why did they have to keep so much distance between them all the time? She was so damn tired of all of it.

"Marinette, are you okay?" It was the first thing she'd heard Alya say in the last ten minutes.

"Fine. Totally fine." Her vision blurred. Hands rest on her shoulders, steadying her as the world tipped.

"I think we should take her home. Maybe she caught Alya's cold," Adrien said.

"It was one night. I'm fine." She pressed him away, her hands greedily remembering the feel of his chest. "I just need caffeine."

"We'll go on ahead then. Come on Nino." Alya grabbed his hand and started pulling him away.

"Whoa, babe, hold up. We've got to—ouch not so hard."

Marinette rubbed her head, then noticed that Adrien was rock still and barely breathing. "Don't react," he said very, very softly.

The shot of adrenaline was a good as a doppio and Marinette's synapses started firing immediately. She broke into Ladybug mode, ignoring how they looked or their rules. "What's wrong?"

"I don't think that's really Alya."

It took her a moment to connect the dots. Alya's movements were too smooth, her expressions a little off. "That's… not possible"

"If I transform, I'll be able to hear her heartbeat… or not."

"Go."

He nodded and ran off ahead. Sentimonsters were creations, not real creatures. They didn't have to breathe or blink or any of that, but a real convincing one would. The only thing they couldn't fake was a heartbeat. The sleep haze crept back into her head but worry for her best friend overrode it. She had to find the real Alya.

###

Adrien had to find a safe place to transform, but midday crowds made the usual spots too exposed. He slipped into a cafe and ducked into the bathroom.

"Plagg, claws out!" He knocked out the tinted restroom window and got back onto the street. Alya and Nino bad been heading towards the Carousel to find Andre, but now they were nowhere along the route. He couldn't see Marinette either. He stopped his frantic search and perched on the nearest bridge over the Seine, using his staff to call Marinette's regular phone.

"They detoured to the train station and—" She yelped and Cat heard her phone clatter. He tensed.

"Marinette? Marinette what happened?"

A scuffle. Then, "Shit! Alya saw me and jumped ahead onto a green line. Where are you?"

"Pont de l'Alma bridge."

"Stay there, I'm coming." She ended the call.

Damnit. He felt useless. Not only was a new Sentimonster in the shape of their missing ally, but the Guardian was going to take away his Lady. She'd done nothing but save this city time and again. Why strip her of her Miraculous? She'd proven herself. He knew it. She knew it. The whole damn city knew it. No one would ever think that she—actually there was one person. Father. What if he tipped off the Guardians and convinced them Marinette wasn't a capable Ladybug? He was the only one with enough pull to make it happen. He'd do anything to keep Marinette out of Adrien's life. He had to check.

Cat cued his muscles to spring, but Ladybug landed next to him. He half-aborted the jump and slipped from the railing off the bridge. Her yoyo wrapped around his torso and she pulled him back up.

"Graceful."

He brushed himself off and stood. "Should we warn the others?"

"I already did."

"Should we collect their Miraculouses?"

Ladybug shook her head. "Not yet. They don't know Rena and Carapace's identities, though this is definitely making me rethink the allowances I've let slip."

"Viperion and Ryuko were pinned down. It was an accident." He and Ladybug had been in similar situations dozens of times in the beginning, but she'd always been such a stickler for her responsibilities that he'd practically glued his eyes shut rather than risk losing her. Seemed they had unique self-control for such a thing since Viperion and Ryuko gave into the temptation quickly enough.

"We don't have enough information to figure out where Senti-Alya would take Nino."

"I think someone we know might have more information. I wouldn't put it past Hawkmoth to orchestrate this whole thing." Cat folded his arms and looked in the direction of the manor.

She followed his gaze. "He's behaved well for three years."

"Don't mistake his patience for compliance." Cat offered his hand. She hesitated but took it and they jumped off the bridge together.

The manor always looked different through the eyes of his mask. His sight was a little sharper, the colors bolder. The entryway smelled like roses, even though they were back in the library. Even the sounds were clearer, so when his father came down the hall Cat could tell he wasn't alone.

"Nathalie is with him," Cat whispered to Ladybug.

"Remember, we're just here to ask a few questions. We have to assume he's innocent," Ladybug whispered. Cat didn't have time to respond.

"Ladybug," Father entered and inclined his head, then gave another stiff nod to Cat. "It's been quite some time."

Nathalie stood two steps behind him, a tablet in her arms, poised to take notes if necessary. Cat was never sure if she'd known what Father had been doing in his spare time, but seeing as how she ran his life, he wouldn't be surprised.

"There's been a situation with Mayura and her new ally, two of our allies are missing," Ladybug said.

Both of them perked up. Cat's ears flattened. He didn't trust their reactions, even if their heart rates increased. After Senti-Alya, he'd make sure to listen to everyone's heart just to be sure.

Ladybug continued. "May I speak plainly?" She nodded from Father to Nathalie. He nodded. "If you have any information—"

"Why would I have any information about such a thing?" His voice turned cold, not that it had been particularly warm before.

Ladybug sighed, then stood straighter. "You know exactly why. Let's not waste either of our time. Do you know anything or not?"

"Not." He sneered at her, then at Cat.

Ladybug swallowed hard, her face becoming a mask. Cat knew that look, the mix of shame and anger that she'd carried ever since becoming the new Guardian.

Ladybug turned to leave, but Cat stopped her. "If he didn't tip them off, then why now?"

"It doesn't matter. All I care about is getting them back. He says he has nothing to do with it and I have nothing to prove otherwise."

"Nathalie, would you excuse us?" Father sent her away, then stepped closer to them as Nathalie disappeared into another room. "I have what I wanted." Father leaned in. Cat heard footsteps at the far end of the hall. "I wouldn't be foolish enough to risk losing Emilie again with a mere scheme to attack your allies, Ms. Du—"

Cat slapped his hand over Father's mouth—which was immensely satisfying—just as Mother entered the space. "You almost broke your agreement, Mr. Agreste. It would be a shame to expose you after all this time." It took a fair bit of control to remove his hand without leaving a claw or two embedded in his cheek.

Father grinned and lowered his voice for only Cat to hear. "You think you hold all the cards, but what would I really lose? My empire is protected, my wife is safe, and my reputation will remain untouched. But you would lose her."

"Has something happened?" Mother asked.

"Not at all. They were just leaving." Father straightened and fixed his cuff links.

Cat's muscles tightened along his back and legs. It felt like his chest might burst, but not in a good way.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Agreste." Ladybug took Cat's arm and pulled him towards the exit.

As soon as they were clear, he propelled himself as high and as far as he possibly could with his staff.

The sun was too high, too bright, and there was far too much in his head to deal with. So he threw his head back and roared like a lion over the lively sounds of Paris, releasing the pressure weighing down his chest.

###

Author's note:

Thank you for being patient with the chapter releases! I've been working on a deadline with my editor and had to let my fun projects take a back seat. I'll aim for an every other week release but flexibility will be required.

Thank you so much for reading. None of this would be worthwhile without you, dear reader 💜