Book Two: Chapter 11
Cat and Mouse
Cat carried her home, soothed by her steady breathing, and by letting Father stress over Adiren's whereabouts. He'd make up a story later, but for now he deserted to wonder if Adrien would ever come home at all. It was a relief not to have to pretend he knew Father had been Hawkmoth. For three years he'd bit back retorts and built a wall of ire towards the man.
But his desire for emotional revenge against Father paled compared to holding Marinette and Tikki, both unconscious and boneless in his arms. The way she'd looked at him just before she collapsed would haunt him. Maybe she was sick, or maybe the magic of Tikki was waning as more Kwami were locked away. Hell if he knew, but he needed them to be okay. Both of them.
Marinette stirred in his arms as he approached her building.
"Shh," he held her closer, relief washing through him. What if he's lost her? "Rest. I'm taking you home."
She nodded into his chest and held on, her grip tight even through the suit. A deep part of him settled, while another part of him worried more. He wanted to be with Marinette both in and out of their alter egos. An urge to run swept through him. To never let her down and just keep going until they were so far outside the city that no one could find them. He thought again of the cottage he'd taken her to when they finally learned each other's identities. Could they hide there?
But he couldn't run. She'd never let him.
They arrived at her balcony and he set her down carefully on the lounge.
"What happened?" She rubbed her temple.
"I'm not sure. Is it possible you and Tikki exhausted?" Saturday morning dawn crept over the horizon.
"No. This felt different." She tried to stand and fell against him.
"Stop." He guided her back down and then caught sight of her earring. A deep crack scarred the center of the now-black stone. "Shit." He took her chin and forced her to look left and right. The other earing was okay. "Your Miraculous is cracked, but just one."
"What? When…" She pulled them free and examined them. "Where's Tikki?"
Adrien reached into the collar of his suit and extracted the tiny red Kwami. She snored lightly. The Guardian must have managed to touch one of her earring at the house, though he was sure he hadn't managed to. Unless it hadn't happened at the house, but before?
"Tikki, wake up. Please wake up?" Marinette pulled out a cookie from her purse and tapped it at Tikki's mouth. Barely, her lips opened and Marinette all but crammed the cookie inside. Tikki's eyes bounced open and she swallowed.
"Marinette, Cat Noir?"
"Thank goodness." Marinette hugged Tikki close. If it had been Plagg he'd have reacted the same way.
"Marinette." Cat trailed a finger over her cheek. "Whatever he did could be dangerous. I—" She wasn't going to like this next bit. He swallowed. "You shouldn't transform until we figure this out."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm not. That crack… I think he did it a while ago. You've been dizzy for a while now and tonight…" He trailed off, once again seeing the wild look in her eyes. "We don't know how he's binding the Miraculous, but the others are inert, their Kwami's locked in. We can't let that happen to Tikki."
"I can't abandon the city. Or you." She straightened and rested Tikki on her lap.
"Marinette, he's right." Tikki said while Marinette made an apoplectic sound. "At least until we understand how to fix this, okay?"
Marinette crossed her arms, ever the stubborn woman. It made him smile, which was a mistake. "This isn't funny."
"Not in the slightest." He cupped her shoulder, but she rolled away. "You saved me you know."
"What's new about that?"
He laughed. "You're impossible. Just be quiet and let me love you."
"But if I can't—"
He quieted her argument with a soft kiss, eating away the words she wanted to use until she huffed through her nose at him. Her lips softened and her hands entwined in his hair. He let her have some air.
"I'm glad you're okay," she said.
He leaned his forehead against hers. She ran a finger along the sore spot on his cheek where the knife had made a shallow cut.
"You're taking this all rather well," he said.
"No, I'm not. I'm not going to let Tikki be poisoned by whatever that Guardian did."
"Not that part."
She narrowed her eyes at him, then they suddenly flew wide. "Shit. They know who I am. Oh my g—"
"There it is."
She punched him, which of course felt like a light pat through the suit, but then a cloud of darkness seemed to collect around her. "They know." She palmed her forehead. "This is it then, isn't it? I can't use any Miraculouses. They'll come for me no matter what now."
He stroked her back, letting his nails scrape just enough for a light scratch. "That wasn't the only identity discovered tonight. I know who Mayura is."
She stared at him. "Don't scare me like that. I thought you meant you. Who is she?"
"It's Nathalie." Cat looked away.
"Oh." She leaned into his shoulder. "You're sure?" He nodded. "I'm sorry. I know you've been closer to her since..."
He swallowed hard. "I have to get back. Seems no one in that house can be trusted with power. I wonder if I should go to power addiction meetings and ward off the inevitable."
She cupped his cheek. "You are not your father, or Nathalie. But your identity is safe, right?
He nodded and she sighed in relief. "Good. We must protect your identity above all else. No one can know."
"No one except you of course." He ran his thumb over her bottom lip.
"Be extra careful around Mayura." He frowned and she smoothed his brow. "What is it?"
"Do I attract evil? Is there something about me that draws this kind of villainy?"
She straddled his lap and took his jaw in her hands. "No. Never. The only thing you've attracted is me. Well, me and half of Paris." She amended with a smile. He settled his hands on her hips and leaned in. She rewarded him with another kiss, moving closer, sliding up further on his lap. He felt a delicious pressure between them. Aware that Plagg knew everything that happened while he was Cat, he reluctantly broke off their kiss, wishing desperately they were alone instead. "I'll come back later."
"I'll hold you to that." Her breath was heavy, and her eyes were intense. "Adrien." Her expression turned pained. "You know what this means. My identity is truly compromised now. Even if Etan hadn't harmed my Miraculous, I'm out of choices. Best I can do is warn the temple and the other Guardians about Etan's plans. They might demand the box immediately to keep it safe."
That… wasn't a terrible idea except it would mean there was no way to keep their partnership as superheroes. He wasn't ready to give up and gripped her tighter. "Maybe, but no matter what we'll fix this. I'll be back soon." He kissed her nose and easily slid Marinette free.
As he hurtled himself from the balcony, his mind churned over ways to keep Marinette fighting by his side. Being Cat Noir without his Lady wasn't right. There had to be away.
###
For three days, Marinette's nerves vibrated as she waited for Nathalie or the rogue Guardian to attack her in civilian form, but they didn't. It was unusually quiet. No Sentimonsters, no hint of them working to take her down. Maybe they figured they had her cornered, and all they had to do was wait for her to relinquish her Miracle Box? Master Fu had trusted her with immense power, and she would be damned if she didn't live up to that duty. He'd scarified himself for her, she wouldn't let that be in vain.
Tonight, she and Cat would meet with the others. She hadn't been willing to return their damaged Miraculouses, but she also hadn't been willing to take off hers.
Tikki was more tired than usual, but still her cheery self. The initial dizziness and exhaustion Marinette had felt in fighting Mayura and the Guardian had faded away with little lasting effects. Clearly, the Guardian hadn't fully landed an attack with the poison or potion or whatever it was, or Tikki wouldn't be able to remain outside her Miraculous. There was a way to fix this. There was always a way.
She examined the Miracle box, even though the clock warned that she'd be late for class. There were more important things than her final year of school, and as she rested her hand over the box humming with the quiet power of the Kwami, she knew she shouldn't go out unprotected. She was a primary target, so just in case, she slid the box open and selected Mullo's pendant.
#
The bell rang just as Marinette swung the door open to the classroom. Mrs. Caron gave her a hooked eyebrow, but otherwise huffed and let Marinette take her seat. Adrien's gaze flickered to her necklace, then back to his work. There wasn't time to catch up with Alya, who still had heavy circles under her eyes, but they shared a smile.
Class dragged by. Learning the intricacies of grammar didn't hold her attention. Instead she kept hearing a tap-tap-tap. She half-glanced to where Adrien tapped his pencil three more times on the desk, deep concentration on his face as he bent over his notes, but his eyes briefly flickered towards hers.
She drummed her knuckle four times in response. It felt too obvious, but right now she didn't care. There were limited days left where she could be anonymous like this. As long as Adrien's secret stayed safe it would be alright. Soon she might not ever feel the freedom of swinging through Paris, protecting the citizens as Ladybug, but she'd still have Adrien.
As Marinette packed up her bag and notes, Chloe and Lila stopped in front of her desk.
"What is that?" Chloe pointed at Marinette's necklace.
"It's disgraceful. Like wearing one of Alix's rollerblade wheels." Lila joined in.
Marinette sighed. "It's just a new necklace."
"But aren't you hoping to get into FSD? If I were them, I wouldn't even process the application of someone wearing a cheap plastic pendant." Lila crossed her arms. Why did they always have to gang up on her?
"I'll put in a word with my mother and Mr. Agreste, this sad excuse can never be allowed into the fashion world." Chloe made a cloying expression then flicked her hair and took Lila's arm. They marched away together, laughing in a grating self-satisfied way.
"Don't listen to them, girl. Your necklace is fine." Alya nudged her, then slid her hand along her throat, but drew it away quickly, looking embarrassed. Nino made a timely appearance at her side and took her hand.
"You two go on ahead. I have to stop by my locker anyway." Marinette shooed them on. They'd been together through the catacombs, and now they were both missing a Kwami sized part of themselves. Guilt churned her stomach. Part of her wanted to give them additional Miraculouses, but it was safer to keep as few as possible from Mayura and Etan's reach. She had to protect the Kwami as a Guardian, not just her friends. She brushed the necklace. Perhaps Adrien was right, and she shouldn't be wearing her earrings or any Miraculouses. She was being reckless.
#
That night she activated Mullo and arrived at the top of the Montparnasse Tower ten minutes before the others were due to show. Ryuko would arrive half an hour later than the others. But she'd decided. The fewer Miraculouses out there, the less chance the Guardian had at poisoning them, too.
Cat jumped up and over the edge of the tower, landing gracefully. "Lady-mouse."
"Mighty Mouse, technically."
"Not to me." He gave her a quick peck on the lips.
Alya and Nino arrived together using the roof access door. Luka only a few minutes after them.
"Who's this?" Luka's gaze was steady, but Alya was in full inspection mode.
"Ladybug's alter ego." Cat grinned. She rolled her eyed.
With all but Ryuko present, Ladybug—or rather Mighty Mouse—sat with her allies and explained.
"We can't let the Guardian or Mayura trap and break any more Miraculouses. Your Kwamis have gone dormant and we can't risk more falling into their hands. Cat and I will patrol and find a way to heal the Miraculouses, but until then, we're recalling them all." She took a breath. "Also, Etan knows my identity." She didn't want to look up at the others' disappointment. They must think her a failure. Then a hand pressed on her shoulder and she looked up into Luka's blue eyes.
"They know our identities, too. They're clever and resourceful. Don't blame yourself."
She was speechless in the face of his kindness. Alya and Nino nodded in agreement.
"Lady-mouse," Cat tapped his chin. "Do you remember when we, or rather our Kwami, healed Dusuu? They pulled her out of the Miraculous pin by force. She'd been posioned by—"
"A rogue guardian." Lady-mouse palmed her face. "I don't know why I didn't see it earlier."
Nino and Alya shared a look, but Luka said, "Then there's a way to fix the Miraculouses."
"It's a lead, but it wasn't perfect. Dusuu could never rest for very long. We think it led to her being captured and used by Mayura."
"But if you don't give out more Miraculouses, you'll be cornering yourself into fighting them alone." Nino held unexpected tenderness in his voice.
Lady-mouse swallowed the lump in her throat. "I can handle it."
Cat glared at her, clearly not in agreement. "I'll protect her," he said to the others. "I can follow her in my civilian form. Her safety will be my only priority."
"Cat, don't be ridiculous."
"I'm not. Nino raises a good point. We can't let you be isolated. That might be what the Guardian is hoping for."
"There might be another way." Alya's eyes brightened. "Use the Butterfly Miraculous."
"What?" Cat's lip curled. She could understand his hesitation, but Nooroo had been abused by Gabriel. It wasn't the Kwami's fault for the evil deeds Hawkmoth enacted.
"What did you have in mind?" Lady-mouse asked.
"The Butterfly Miraculous can give you all the allies you want. Instead of Akumatizing regular people, you'll create beta heroes to back you in any situation, including us. I'll always have your back."
"Me too," Nino agreed.
"Myself and Ryuko, too. We're not going to let you shoulder this alone." Luka set his hand on her shoulder with a reassuring squeeze.
Hear heart swelled at tears prickled the corner of her eye. She didn't deserve them, but she was damn grateful they were by her side.
"Then there's only one bit of business left." She took a deep, steadying breath. "I don't know why the rogue Guardian hasn't exposed me. It's possible he means to blackmail me. It will work. I won't risk any of you, your identities, or the Kwami. I've written to the Guardians asking for help, but it will take a few days to arrive. If I can, I'll turn Etan and myself over to their law."
"No." Four voices chorused as one.
"I'm sorry, I can't let you all get hurt because of me. To stop Etan will cost me the Miracle box." The rightful Guardians had given her a deadline, and now with her identity compromised there was no hope of a trial or judgement to allow her to remain Ladybug.
"And we can't let you sacrifice yourself for us. You can't give up. That's not who you are." Luka's voice turned fierce.
"I won't let her," Cat said offhandedly with a shrug.
"Cat, the mission must come first. We have a duty."
"Screw duty. It's all nothing without you."
The others murmured agreement. Lady-mouse hung her head. She'd have to do this without them, then. "If… when my identity is leaked, please forgive me. When it happens, this is over."
"Over my nine lives." Cat crossed his arms and glared.
#
Alya and Nino left together. Luka waited for Ryuko to arrive. She flurried in on the wind and took the news well.
"Mighty Mouse, I agree with your assessment. Duty must come first, it's one of the reasons I admire you so much." Ryuko unclasped the choker from her throat. "Longg, open sky." Her magic flared hot and red, then Kagami revealed herself behind the magic wearing her typical modest shoes, skirt, sweater, and softly swept hair. "I'll continue to serve you with honor. Whatever you need." She handed over the Miraculous. Lady-mouse tied it around her neck for safe keeping.
"Thank you." She wrapped her arms around Kagami, then drew in Luka for a group hug. When she broke away, her eyes were blurred with unshed tears. They believed in her so fiercely. She hoped to live up to their belief.
"Don't make me chase you, little mouse." Cat offered out his hand. She took it and held onto his side as he gave their allies a quick salute, then used his staff one handed to take them out across the city.
Cat took her to their spot on the Eiffel Tower and set her down.
"Thank you." She touched her earring. Tikki was residing in them at the moment, so she knew they were red and spotted, but it felt weird to be disconnected from the powers that felt so much like a part of her.
"How do you feel?" Cat sat on the edge of the tower, dangling his feet. His focus stayed out over the city, watchful. Good. She was too distracted and worried to keep her mind on the city.
"Fine. If I don't use the Ladybug Miraculous."
He nodded and pat the platform beside him. She sat.
"Did you look over the other Miraculouses we took from Mayura and Etan?" he asked.
"Yes, they're like the Fox and Turtle. Cracked and dormant. The whole Miracle Box we took has similar damages."
"So the rogue Guardian is trying to trap all Kwami. I'd bet he's incapable of truly destroying any of them. The Kwami aren't even of this dimension and didn't have access until a monk crossed the astral plane and found them. Plagg was trying to give me a history lesson, but I think he was mostly answering my questions for extra cheese." Cat hung his head. "I don't want anything to happen to him, so I know how you must be feeling."
She didn't answer him. She'd already let Tikki get hurt. "I'll fight as long as I can, and I'll figure out a way to heal the Miraculouses. I promise."
"And I promise not to give up on you, partner." He grinned at her with his ever-infallible confidence. "But I liked Alya's idea. You should wear the butterfly Miraculous. We have friends willing to help, so we might as well use them. I don't think I could trust anyone but you with that particular Miraculous." He nudged her shoulder.
"I know. I agree, we should use them, but I don't want more Miraculouses falling into the Guardian's poisonous hands."
"Good thing I'm here to play cat and mouse then." He scanned her up and down.
"That... sounded suggestive." Heat filled her cheeks.
He chuckled. "Maybe a little."
