8.The Fear Within
Ladybug's eyes followed the light high above. It was pale blue. Hauntingly beautiful as well. Floating over the dark streets like a sphere. Lingering above, only a few blocks away.
She was drawn to it like a moth and yet she wished for nothing more, but to stay away from it.
Somehow it made every hair on her body stand up in terror. Heart beating furiously, almost exploding in her chest. Breathing shaking, more and more with each passing second she was looking at the light above.
A strange sensation of fear overcame the heroine and she knew it came from the floating orb over her head. Lingering on her windowsill, her warm living room behind, the chilling summer night in Paris in front of her.
The young woman gulped, as treat filled every fiber of her being and she wished for nothing more, but to go back inside, wanting to hide within the safety of her bed, somewhere between her fluffy covers and pillows, not wanting to leave, until everything was over.
But she couldn't, knowing that she was the one to stop this poor, akumatized soul and hopefully the one to find out more about Lady Titalee.
… somehow…
Therefore she pushed herself forward, jumping towards the nearest roof, running while reaching for her yo-yo, swinging closer and closer to the feeling of fear and scariness and everything threatening.
Even though each step was harder than the one before. Limbs wanting to shake, even though she forbade them to do so, not wanting to lose control, as uncontrollable things wanted to happen.
Not now she called back into her mind – a mantra repeating itself to keep her going.
She only did stop, when she found the akumatized victim, down there in the streets, the blue light illuminating everything from high above them, shining and mirroring in the dark windows.
Ladybug narrowed her eyes, trying to see better in the darkness around her, trying to make out the mere fragile being, stalking through the streets. Wailing and whimpering. Hunching over while walking, black and long hair falling over face and shoulders, down her arms, ending by her fingertips.
Pale skin covered by a white dress.
Destroying lanterns, car headlights and traffic lights with her claws to make the streets fall into deepest blackness – she was clearly favored by the soft clouds covering the night sky with the moon and stars above.
Screeching, when somebody passed her. Not loud, or terribly shrill, yet with such an horrible effect when directed against a poor pedestrian.
The people she encountered screamed immediately, tumbling back, trying to run and hide, but most succumbed to the wailing. Those who couldn't run fell to their knees, crying and pleading, covering eyes and ears, whole bodies shaking. One crouching behind a car, another weeping on the floor.
Ladybug had enough, just as a poor couple fell to this scream.
She swung from the building, not even looking for Chat Noir, not asking for his opinion – she had been on her own for long enough, she would be able to do it alone. Flying past the being with ease, grapping both civilians to get them out of the woman's reach, letting them go two streets away.
They stumbled over, shaking, cradling each other in their arms.
"Everything is alright now…" Ladybug whispered, laying a caring hand on the woman's shoulder, trying to calm her down. "The being is gone…"
"Dark Banshee…", whimpered the young woman, not much older than Marinette, dressed in some flashy top and skirt, wearing gorgeous make-up and high heels. Both party-goers as it seemed. "Her name is Dark Banshee…, that was, what she called herself."
"She is horrible, Ladybug! And she had an army of clowns behind her…", whispered the young man in fear, sobbing.
"Clown army?", came it from the woman by his side. "She was covered in needles! And she wanted to poke them through me! Through my eyes. In my nose. Through my skin! I-it was horrible! So horrible! "
Ladybug gulped, trying to make sense of the things said.
She did not like, what she was hearing. Not one word and yet it all came together and made sense so easily.
"Are you afraid of these things?", she said calmly, helping both up to stand. "A fear? A phobia, maybe?"
They hesitated, but eventually nodded, still clutching at the other to keep steady and Ladybug gulped.
An Akuma working from the fears and phobias of people. Each seeing their own worst nightmares, having to deal it on their own. The black butterfly? Maybe in the light above…
She immediately reached for the yo-yo by her side, dialing Chat Noir – but he was already by her side, before the call could have reached his staff.
"Milady?", he asked, landing on all fours most casually, getting up and bowing as a greeting in front of the two by-standers, yet his eyes were never leaving hers. "You are already here? Saving people…"
Ladybug held back a smirk.
"You are a cat, right? And as that you surely understand the importance to keep one's territory safe and clean." She shrugged. "And I was around, already made the Akuma out and have a theory about how their powers work".
"Fear?"
"Mhm~", Ladybug hummed in agreement, nodded and turned once more to those she already saved. "And you two go hide and seek? Go home – it's safest place… We will take care of Dark Banshee and before you know it we have defeated them…"
They were gone, before she could have asked them once more, running away and towards the opposite direction from where they came from.
She looked after them, only noticing that Chat Noir was staring at her, when she turned back to face him.
It took her of guard, though she surely had to get used to it once more.
Though… how much was left of his love and devotion to her heroic alter-ego? Would he try to persuade her like the last time? Or was he over his crush for her by now and all that was left were the puns and jokes and nicknames.
"What?", she asked with irritation in her voice, bringing him back to reality, making him blink and shake his head. "Are you worried, that I find out your worst fears? What is it? Spiders? Mice? A dog?"
He chuckled.
"Neither of those, Bugaboo, but I would care to share if you'd tell me about your fears. Perhaps… loosing me?"
"Rather loosing my mind because of your silliness…"
"Ah, come on! I am not silly in any way and you know that", he said grinning, leaning on his staff with ease. "I am just a stray cat, that is willing to help! So? Any clue about the Akuma? Is there something on your mind, that could help in this fight? Ready to call the lucky charm?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Suddenly so eager to help me, after-" she bit her tongue, not wanting to repeat yet again, that he had been gone for 10 years. They both knew that and it wouldn't help them.
Not now, not in any other fight.
She merely remembered his words, those, which he had uttered in front of Marinette.
… those, of needing a friend.
Somebody he could trust and somebody who would give him their trust in return. Sure – he needed to earn that from her, but with Lady Titalee presence looming over them and Paris they should certainly start working as a team once again.
Now… and in every other fight, if they wanted it to be over once again.
For he was Chat Noir and once they said, that it was them against the world.
… maybe this fight was the right chance for him to proof that he was serious about him staying in Paris. That he wanted to be her partner and… that Master Fu had made the right choice in trusting the man underneath the mask with the Miraculous of Destruction.
So… she was now the guardian, maybe she should do that as well…
"A strange feeling of terror can be sensed around the victim", Ladybug said, pushing all dark thoughts out of her mind, using the silence between them as room to speak once again. "Of what I have seen she is able to produce horrific visions of the people's worst fears and phobias. Probably it's working best in sheer darkness – that's why she is destroying every light source. Nobody will be able to see, what another person is seeing… When we face her, we will be-"
"On our own…" Chat finished, licking over his lips nervously and he tried to avoid her gaze for a short moment.
Ladybug smiled softly, noticing the worried look in his eyes.
"Neither of us will know, what the other is afraid about. We can keep it a secret, if it does make it easier for you. But… I wouldn't judge…"
His features softened, his lips twitching.
"That's good… I am pawsitivly worried, that it could reveal too much about me. You wouldn't want that…"
"I wouldn't want that? Why?"
Chat shrugged.
"No identity reveal, right? So it's better to keep quiet about our fears, too…"
She heavily agreed about that, but said not much more.
Knowing, that they had to keep going to find Dark Banshee, to catch up with her, before her reign of terror would get worse and worse.
They came up with a simple plan – just easy simple hand-to-hand combat to find out, if there is some hidden strength they needed to be aware of. And to get close enough, to possibly find the object with the Akuma inside. Calling for the Lucky Charm and the Cataclysm, if needed. Retreating, before time would be up and if they needed to refuel their energy – neither had fought like that for the longest time. Muscleman not counting, for there had been some hidden luck, to fight such an easy villain at first.
Lady Titalee had merely been trying her new powers these few days ago. It wasn't serious back than…
Now she started to get serious and those Akuma's, which were feasting on a psychological power had usually the most impact. When being dominated and threatened and all at the same time…
Just like all these years ago, when she was fighting Chat Blanc – for sure he was immensely strong, but facing somebody she had deepest trust and friendship in, had always been the worst. Hawk Moth had surely known that…
… even now there were these nightmares about him – remembering these all to suddenly while swinging over the rooftops of Paris made her wonder, if – just maybe – she would have to face him tonight once again.
Though… was Chat Blanc really her worst fear, or merely the presence of something else – something lingering deeply within her.
Ladybug certainly didn't want to linger much longer within her thoughts, running next to Chat Noir and back into the direction of the akumatized soul – the blue sphere over her head giving Dark Banshee's current location away.
They stopped just as they found her, swaying down the dark streets, breaking any light source in her way, scaring poor people, as she went. Both leaned against the corner of a building, watching her, staying low and quiet for the moment.
Yet, she heard Chat Noir gulping behind her, noticed his shaking breath and she didn't need to ask for the reason behind it.
She felt it as well – the pure feeling of terror, just like before. It got worse with every passing second she was looking at the light over their heads and the young woman eventually pressed her lips together, shutting her eyes completely to calm her nerves.
"The sphere…?", she heard him whisper close behind her. "You feel it, too. Right? It's coming from the thing above her head. This… this…"
"… feeling of pure terror…", she nodded, turning around and opening her eyes to face him. "But we need to be careful about her screams, too. Directed at a person she can produce illusions of your phobias."
"Time for your Lucky Charm then?"
She smiled and shook her head.
"You are wishing for a pair of earplugs, yes? Remember, that I can't control the things, that will be summoned?"
A lopsided grin spread across his handsome features and his chest shook with laughter.
"Right… And we don't want to end up with some carrots, or something as ridiculous. Don't want to shove them inside my ears…"
She rolled her eyes, something sarcastic scratching at the back of her mind, but she held her words back, when she noticed a presence beside them.
Paling, a small "Shit…", escaped her lips and she was able to push Chat Noir down and out of the way of the incoming sound wave, that was Dark Banshee's scream, reaching for them, the fragile being standing only a few meters beside them.
Both landed on the floor, but were able to roll elegantly from each other, Ladybug standing landing the black hero on her feet, he hunched on all fours.
"Almost got me, Dark Banshee! You need to try harder to catch me! But a cat has 9 lives and I am ready to sacrifice each one for My Lady!"
Ladybug couldn't answer or comment on Chat's flirty words, for the villain rushed forward, dark red eyes shining in the darkness and were fixed on the man before her, hands with long claws on each finger held high, ready to attack her partner. He jumped up and against the wall, using the force to direct his next move towards the being, staff held high.
Ready to strike.
But Dark Banshee was strong enough, catching the staff with ease, hauling it – with Chat Noir still holding onto it – behind her without a care.
Launching at Ladybug a second later.
Striking with her claws from the sides. From above. Right towards Ladybug's stomach. Towards her face.
The heroine easily back flipped, dodging each move. Spinning on one foot, a kick aimed high towards her head, making Black Banshee fly against the wall, who merely fell back to the ground.
"Good move…", she heard Chat say from the other side, saw his lean, tall figure approaching, while she cautiously stepped closer to their opponent as well.
Dark Banshee laid almost unconsciously on the floor, arms and leg stretched away from her, chest heaving, eyes closest.
It would be easy for Chat to cataclysm the akumatized object – surely the blue orb above, for nothing else gave any hint on a black butterfly inside. For her to purify it.
… too easy…
Like a bad jump scare Dark Banshee got up again, floating above the ground, jaw opened wide, screaming at her from the top of her lungs. It pulled at Ladybug, dragged her down to the floor, hypnotized her in the worst way.
The world started to spin. Her limbs were shaking. Her vision became unfocused, narrowed down.
Her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
A scream escaped her, a tiny whimper followed.
She closed her eyes to focus, on her task and her duties and on the world around her.
But she couldn't.
"Ladybug…", came a tiny whisper, steps hurriedly approaching her. "Milady…"
With tears in her eyes she looked up, gasped.
Before her stood not her partner, a tall man dressed all in black, but a slightly shorter version, covered in white leather. Icy blue eyes focused on her. One tear hanging on the corner of his mask, glistening, even in this darkness. His hands outstretched ready to touch her with his deadly, white cataclysm.
"No!", she screamed, parrying the first hit, giving him a kick to the head, before she was stumbling to the side and out of the way, running past him and back towards the main street, where people were slowly recovering.
But not for her…
For Ladybug these poor souls were still lying motionless on the floor, some barely breathing, others with glassy eyes facing her.
Voices echoing around her. Spiraling over, when she fell to her knees, unable to keep on moving.
Memories returning of old times – of times, where she had almost given up.
Where Chloé and Lila trying to harass her, while still being in school. A memory of Master Fu had renounced his title as the Guardian. When Kagami had announced she will to fight for Adrien's love.
… when she found out for herself, that she was unable to love Luka the way she wanted to love him…
…and when her Papa had to go to the hospital for the first time…
All these situations came crashing down to her, clutching at her like a vice. And she immediately knew – even if she could voice it on her own – that she didn't fear these situations, nor the people in it.
But above all she was afraid to be powerless.
It was this simple… Nothing more…
And yet all these past realities pulled her deeper and deeper in this dark hole, where she was almost unable to escape herself from.
… until a source of warmth pressed against her back. Around her shoulders. On the top of her head. It brought her back to the now and then, that surrounded her.
Slowly, but effectively.
"I know, what it is like to be afraid, Bugaboo.", was a whisper, that reached her ears. "And I know, that it's hard to get out of this phase on your own. Especially when you are caught deeply within your fear. Don't worry. I don't need to know about your fear of spiders, mice or dogs. But I am here for you…"
Chat Noir's hold on her got stronger and after a few blinks of her eyes she realized, that it was him, who was behind her, holding her most tightly. With his arms around her shoulders, his head resting on top of hers, his weight leaning against her back.
He was truly there and he waited like that, until she started to calm down again.
"I am neither afraid of spiders, nor mice and dogs…", Ladybug merely whispered, when she felt ready to speak again, reaching up for his arms, tapping them with her fingers, until he let go of her.
He immediately did, stepping back, but helped her up by lending her a hand.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his green eyes gleaming in the darkness like two stars, that tried to guide her way.
"It hit you really hard…", he said, not judging, but stating it calmly. "Your fear really runs deep within you… Also you owe me one for hitting me a third time. Or kicking me – depending on how you see it."
He reached up for his chin, stroking it thoughtfully.
"I kicked you? But it wasn't… You weren't… it was…"
She sighed and shook her head.
He didn't know about Chat Blanc and she shouldn't tell him. Ladybug had thought, that this particular white cat had been a mere reflection of her fear – not a transformed version of her real partner.
The heroine sighed and shook her head.
"She caught me of guard. I won't let that happen a second time!"
"Won't let that happen again, either. And if she has the chance, then I will throw myself in the way!"
"Chat~", she complained. "You are back for a few days and start to flirt, again! What are you? In a desperate need of some loving?"
No…he was in need of a friend, she reminded herself, almost slapping herself for the last comment.
But he didn't take it too bad, chuckled and shook his head.
"Don't worry", he lifted his head up in defense. "I know my place – I am just your partner, who was gone for 10 years. I am just willing to earn my place in your heart back! And as I said – I know, that all these fears and phobias can get really bad, if you are on your own to fight them. But we are not alone against Dark Banshee – we have each other…"
She turned away to hide her smile about his sappy, yet kind-of cute words and even though she didn't know, where her willingness to accept his little speech was coming from, she knew, that she needed him by her side.
To fight Dark Banshee and Lady Titalee in the end as well.
"Where did she go?", Ladybug asked, nodding as a sign of approval and faced him once more. "Can't see the orb anymore…"
"She floated down the allay way. I know, that I should have followed her, but I was distracted by helping you. Old habits hardly die, right?", he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.
"Right…"
They started to run, back towards the allay way, past their hiding spot and further West, where they were assuming to find Dark Banshee.
"She is probably inside!", Ladybug shouted, once they reached the rooftops with ease, jumping and running, altering to look ahead and towards their partner.
"Right. That's why we can't see the sphere!"
"And she needs darkness. Her powers get stronger that way."
"And people to scare…"
They stopped, when they heard screaming down below.
People were running out of a building, clutching each other and disappearing as fast as they could. Crying. Stumbling away.
"A club…", came it from Chat Noir, who clutched his staff a little tighter. "Darkness, many people and she could trap us easily inside. The music makes it hard to navigate for many… As does the alcohol and maybe other… substances…"
"We need to stop her… Ready, Chaton?"
He smirked.
"Purfectly ready, Milady!"
They jumped down with ease, running inside the building, past the people, that tried to escape.
Inside they were greeted by darkness and the noise of electronic music. Only the blue orb was giving some light to the scene.
Some guests were hiding in the corners, some under tables and behind the bar. By the look of it there were a few, who were affected by the Banshee's scream, but it was time to stop her now.
Chat Noir nodded and she knew, what she had to do – she reached for her yo-yo and-
This time she was pushed out of the way – the floating being had emerged right out of the darkness and beside them, screaming once more.
They fell, she on the floor, stomach down and back turned to the ceiling and Chat Noir on her. Though there was no sound reaching her ears and she noticed only a second later, that he was covering her ears with his gloved hands, pressing as hard, as he could without hurting her.
And he started to shake, crawling away from her. His chest was heaving, his eyes darting around the room. He held his head up, trying to cover his face wit them, ducking away with quiet pleas.
"No…", he whimpered, "Let me alone… no…"
"Chat…"
It hurt her to see him like that. Because there was this strong, confident man, who had wanted to safe her – fulfilling his promise with that.
At the price of her poor kitty, that was succumbing to his worst fears.
Ladybug clenched her fists and got back up again, calling for the Lucky Charm, before Dark Banshee could have screamed at her once more.
A heavy flashlight landed in her hand – one, that is usually used for outdoor activities.
Of course… light…
Ducking out of her opponent's reach she ran over to Chat Noir, grabbing his arm to pull him behind her. Further away and until they could hide for one more time.
Yet he was still caught in this vision, crawling away from her and out of her reach, head covered once more by his hands.
It almost broke her heart to see him like that and she wondered, if he had felt that way as well, when she had been caught by these horrible realities.
"Chat… hey… it's okay…", she mumbled, crawling before her and carefully reached for his hands to pull them from his face. "It's me… You don't need to be afraid of me…"
His moving eyes stopped on her face, focusing on it once again and she felt him clutching her hands.
"…where are the camera flashes? The noises…? Where are the people?", he whispered, his voice shaking anxiously. "There were so many…"
"It's all gone now…", she told him calmly, eyebrows rising nonetheless underneath her mask, while she wondered, what made him feel this way. Yet, she didn't want to ask, for she feared, that her words might trigger yet another reaction. "It's only me. Ladybug… And now we will win this fight… okay?"
He gulped, but nodded eventually with determination.
"Okay!"
A few more words about her plan were whispered, and he left to the right, while she crawled back to the left, using the switch of the flashlight to turn it on.
White light came from the bulb within and Ladybug held it tightly in her hands, pointing the light to the floor, a few meters away.
Dark Banshee immediately emerged, shrieking, floating around the corner, claws reaching for the shining source on the ground.
She merely destroyed the dance floor and Ladybug pointed the beam against the wall, a little further away from her.
The wall was destroyed with ease.
Their cat and mice game continued, until Dark Banshee was in front of her once more, her dark eyes shining grimly at the heroine, as she noticed her, but she tumbled backwards, when Ladybug pointed the flashlight directly into her face.
The pale being hissed. Shrieked and held her arms up high.
Tried to attack with eyes closed.
But too late – for the electricity started to kick in and the spotlights, that were not destroyed before flickered on – all pointed towards Dark Banshee.
… thanks to Chat Noir, who had used the distraction of the flashlight to do as he was told by his lady.
And just like they have thought their plan worked out – the lights paralyzed the akumatized victim, making her disoriented and helpless.
"Now!", was all Ladybug could scream, while Chat jumped into action, his hand shining black with his power, using cataclysm on the blue orb.
It cracked and crumbled and released a tiny black butterfly – which Ladybug caught a second later with her yo-yo, purifying it at the process.
Magical ladybugs soared around, everything went back to normal.
The people's visions stopped. Destruction was repaired.
A young woman with long black hair left behind, wearing a night gown and the cracked, blue sphere shrunk down, revealing its self to be a nightlight.
She whimpered, clutching the light to her chest.
"It's over now…", Ladybug said calmly and put her hands on the woman's shoulder. "The Akuma is gone… There is nothing left to worry about…"
"To worry?", the woman sniffed. "But… what about the darkness? It's still there… And my light broke… I am… I am sorry… I mean…"
The heroine understood without further explanation – Lady Titalee used the woman's fear of darkness…
… what a poor soul…
"We will bring you home. And leave your light on tonight – tomorrow you can buy a new nightlight. Maybe a few more, in case one will break again…", Chat Noir said and the woman nodded, sniffing once more.
Ladybug took hold of her, easily lifting her on her arms and the three were gone, before somebody could have asked them about the Akuma.
It was late anyway, and both have used their powers – time to de-transform was nearing anyway.
The young woman lived only a block away and they sat her down on her balcony, biting her goodbye, leaving in a haste.
Though it was Chat Noir, who stopped his lady once more, only a few roofs away.
Even though she had barely any time left to get home on her own…
Yet, this time, when he reached for her wrist, she did not pull away, merely stopped walking and turned back around.
"… shouldn't we talk… you know… about… that?"
She looked up to his face as her earrings beeped and she shook her head. Smiling slightly.
"You don't have to… Neither do I want to talk about it…"
He frowned, shoulder slumping.
"You kicked me… so… are you afraid of me?"
She stared back, her gaze shifting to the right, towards the moon, that started to reappear behind the clouds.
… remembering, how his younger, akumatized self once destroyed the moon… and everything in this galaxy as well…
And he had almost succeeded in it and she just had to much, if she hadn't found a way to destroy the butterfly.
… powerless… yeah… she had felt so utterly powerless back then and right now this feeling started to creep up on her once more, with him disarming her with his mere presence.
Was this perhaps the reason behind her anger? Because he had made her feel this way once more, when he had left without word.
But he was here now. Willing to fight. Ready to be her partner once more.
… he had proven that in this fight…
But… now shouldn't be the time, where they revealed too much about themselves. It would make them vulnerable and Lady Titalee has proven with this Akuma, that they needed strength.
… and trust in each other…
"Another time… I am de-transforming in a few minutes and I am glad, if I reach my home before that…"
He nodded sadly, but started to smile a mere second later.
"One day all this rushing away will be over…"
"In your dreams~"
"Oh, I have wonderful dreams about us, Bugaboo!"
"Urgh! Could you just… focus, okay? Good! Since time is running out, I suggest to continue our search for Lady Titalee on another day. Tomorrow night, Eiffel Tower? We can do some talking, if you really insist!"
He beamed gleefully and nodded.
"And… Chat?"
"Mhm?"
"I am glad, that you are back…", she said honestly, but was gone in the night, before he could have answered.
A/N: Before I wrote this chapter I had merely thought of skipping ahead and pointing out the happenings within the next one. But I really enjoyed it and with the things, that were happening here I found it quite necessary. Also I really had fun, writing it down. Had went though the Miraculous Wiki to find out any fears of the two heroes, even re-watched some episodes, but found out nothing, that would be helpful.Yet, people change and so do their fears and phobias. And the theme of Marinette /Ladybug feeling powerless will be followed around the story.I really hope you enjoyed this chapter and that we will see each other again in the next one.Next chapter: Stories of Tom, Emilie and an umbrella...