AN: Finally, we've reached the part of the story that I find most exciting! From here, there's really no "slow" chapters! Kind of like in the show…we've hit the "akuma battle" part where it's all action! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Chapter 6: Cat, Mouse (Ladybug), and a Little Luck!
Cat Noir drove into action with all the speed and agility of the animal for which he was named. Ladybug barely had a chance to jump out of his way before she could be taken into his grasp. For a time it started to feel like they had both taken on the roles of the animals from which their superhero personas were named. He was the quick and agile black cat pouncing upon the poor little ladybug as it tried to fly out of the feline's reach.
Ladybug couldn't believe how fast Cat Noir was as he continued to swipe at her, his ultimate goal to take her earrings. She knew Cat Noir was an excellent fighter, but he was going up against her one-on-one without even drawing his weapon. Of course, Ladybug didn't have time to reach for her yo-yo either. Cat Noir was just too fast and Ladybug could barely keep up with him. All she could do was continue to sideswipe his attempts.
As she dodged, Ladybug made a mental note to practice sparring with Cat Noir. The thought of asking Cat Noir to do this had crossed Ladybug's mind before in the past. After the first time when Cat Noir had fallen under the influence of an akumatized victim's power (if she recalled correctly, it was when they had fought Kim who had been turned into Dark Cupid), Ladybug had debated about posing the option to use one of their patrol nights each week to spar and train against each other. Ladybug thought the idea would be a smart one. They never knew when one of them would be forced into submission by an akumatized person and be unwillingly controlled to fight against the other. However, Ladybug never did bring this idea up with Cat Noir because she already knew what his answer would be. He'd never agree to it. "No, that would feel too much like fighting you and I could never do that. You know that already, Bugaboo." What Ladybug would not give to hear Cat Noir say those words right now!
Maybe he'd change his mind about sparring now after fighting her while akumatized. Of course, Cat Noir would never remember anything that happened today, but Ladybug could definitely relay all the details to him after this was all over. One step at a time! Ladybug reminded herself yet again. She still had to save Cat Noir first. The hypotheticals and changes to their dynamics would come later.
A swipe from Cat Noir toward Ladybug's head brought her back into the battle in front of her. She couldn't afford to get lost in her thoughts. Cat Noir was too skilled of a fighter. If she let her guard down even for a second, Ladybug would not win this battle, especially since her partner's power had been amplified by the akuma.
Ladybug's mind raced as she tried to figure out a plan to save (not fight, if at all possible!) Cat Noir. It wasn't going to be easy if she had to continue to remain on defense, shielding herself from his attacks. Somehow, she knew, she would have to find a way to call on her Lucky Charm. There was no way that she could succeed otherwise!
She still continued to sideswipe the attacks from Cat Noir. That was really all that she could do at this point because, surprisingly (or maybe not), he always seemed to be two steps ahead of her, always prepared to counter whatever defense or maneuver she used. This was probably the only time that she cursed their impeccable synchronization.
Finally seeing an opening, Ladybug danced around Cat Noir and grabbed her yo-yo from her hip before he could stop her. Keeping her eyes locked to his so that she did not give her partner any indication of what she planned to do, Ladybug threw out her yo-yo so that the string circled just above the top of Cat Noir's boots. With a fast tug, the string tightened, bringing Cat Noir's legs together and flooring him.
Still keeping a firm grip on the string of her yo-yo, Ladybug raced behind a chimney. As she hid and prepared to call for her Lucky Charm, Ladybug unfortunately realized that she would need her yo-yo back to use her special power. That would release Cat Noir again and he would be quick to find her once he was set free. She wouldn't have much time to make this plan work!
Surely luck would be on her side in this! Closing her eyes and praying for luck to be on her side, Ladybug tugged sharply on her yo-yo string. She could feel it go slack as it returned to her hand. As soon as the yo-yo was back in her hand, Ladybug called out, "Lucky Charm!"
If Cat Noir hadn't already known Ladybug's location before, he most certainly did now! There was probably no other person (besides Ladybug, herself) who was more familiar with the Lucky Charm power than Cat Noir! Luckily fate seemed to be on Ladybug's side today as a small tube of lip balm fell into her hands. It bore the familiar red and black ladybug pattern. This was her Lucky Charm object to use to win the battle. It was a rather strange Lucky Charm but not the weirdest that she had ever gotten.
"Found you, M'lady!" Cat Noir sneered. Even though he'd used a familiar term of endearment, it sounded so sinister in his twisted and manipulated voice.
Ladybug jumped back out of the reach of Cat Noir once again. As she looked to his face, Ladybug honed her attention in on his lips. Then, she looked down at her Lucky Charm. Instantly, a plan formed itself. She knew how to use this Lucky Charm to win the battle and save Cat Noir. She was not looking forward to it, though. Tightening her fist around the Lucky Charm lip balm, Ladybug steeled herself. Whatever it takes to save Cat Noir, she reminded herself, even if it means…that…
Well, now…whatever could Ladybug's plan be now? I guess we'll find out…eventually!
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