AN: Okay, so…let's see, Ladybug has called upon her Lucky Charm and she has an idea how to use it. I am so excited! We're reaching the halfway point of this story and the pace is going to pick up greatly from here! Hope you enjoy reading as much as I've enjoyed writing!
Chapter 7: Cataclysm!
"Cataclysm!"
Ladybug heard the familiar sounds of Cat Noir's power as he activated the dark destructive force that he held in the palm of his hand. She knew the power well, much in the same way that he knew her Lucky Charm power. Yes, Ladybug knew all too well what he was capable of doing when he used his Cataclysm. It frightened her to be on the receiving end of it. For a moment, Ladybug was reminded again of when Cat Noir had been brainwashed by the arrow of Dark Cupid. He'd called upon his Cataclysm then too, ready to use it on his most trusted partner. Even now, Ladybug could still remember the words he had said that day. "I've often wondered what would happen if I use my Cataclysm on someone." The thought made Ladybug's heart hurt. Her poor sweet Kitty couldn't possibly want to use Cataclysm on another human being, right? Even just that time when he'd accidentally used Cataclysm on Uncanny Valley, an android, he'd been crushed, almost giving up his Miraculous in remorse.
"If you won't give me your Miraculous, I'll just destroy it instead." Cat Noir held up his right hand and Ladybug could see the dark power bubbling, waiting to destroy the first thing with which it made contact. "I know that you never wanted this burden, Ladybug. I could sense it from the moment that we met, how you hesitated to jump into the fight against Stoneheart. You want relieved of your duties as Ladybug and I'm the perfect Cat for this job. You know as well as I do that only my Cataclysm can destroy a Miraculous." He stepped closer and Ladybug found that she couldn't look away from his green eyes. "Now, just stay perfectly still. I don't want to hurt you, Ladybug."
Ladybug knew what Cat Noir was trying to do. He was trying to manipulate her actions by playing to her feelings, saying exactly what he thought she would want to hear. It was true, though, what he had said. At first, Ladybug had not wanted to be a superhero and she had hesitated because of her doubts. Now, though, Ladybug could not imagine her life any other way. While she still harbored those doubts, she also knew that she'd always have Cat Noir by her side…well, until today.
Frozen in her fear, Ladybug watched as a glowing mask appeared to overlay Cat Noir's face. Ladybug knew what this meant; Hawk Moth was telepathically communicating with Cat Noir. Though she had seen this very same mask appear over the faces of other akumatized persons, it looked so foreign on top of her partner's face. Cat Noir had been the last person that Ladybug had ever expected to see this way. She could almost guess what Hawk Moth was saying to Cat Noir. "Don't destroy the earrings, Cat Noir! You are to bring them to me."
Cat Noir scoffed as the bright mask disappeared. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Hawk Moth! I still think the world will be better off without these Miraculous, but, of course, my ring can't be destroyed."
Ladybug realized then that Cat Noir had spoken the truth. Only his Cataclysm could damage or destroy a Miraculous. The magic jewels were indestructible to everything else. Since the Black Cat ring held the power of Cataclysm within it, there was no possible way to destroy it without the Holder using Cataclysm on himself and even that might not work. What was there to say that the Cataclysm would not just turn the Holder to dust and leave the Miraculous, the Black Cat ring, to sit gently on top of the pile of ash left behind? Well, that was a disturbing thought!
While she had been deliberating on the paradox that was the Black Cat Miraculous and its power of destruction, Ladybug had forgotten that Cat Noir planned to use that very same dark force against her. It was not until she heard his approach that Ladybug snapped back into the battle that lay before her. She barely had a chance to dodge before the attack made contact. If she'd been focused, Ladybug could easily have dodged the attack, leaving Cat Noir to waste his one Cataclysm on the chimney behind her. However, she could only shift slightly, removing her earrings out of reach of Cat Noir's gloved finger. Instead, he made contact with Ladybug's chest and the effect was instant. Even though Cat Noir had only touched Ladybug's chest with just one of his fingers, the full force of Cataclysm took hold. Ladybug shuddered as she felt several of her ribs break. She wanted to cry out in her pain, but knew that screaming would hurt worse. Instead, she opened her mouth in a silent scream and she knew that her face was contorted into a grimace of pain. In all of her wildest nightmares, Ladybug had never imagined taking a Cataclysm to the ribs and, even if she had, she could never have guessed the sheer amount of pain it would cause.
Ladybug remembered the day that she and Cat Noir had fought against Miraculer, Sabrina Raincomprix akumatized because her best (and only, really) friend, Chloe Bourgeois, had abandoned her again. Hawk Moth had given Miraculer the ability to steal powers from Miraculous Holders and she'd started by taking both Ladybug's Lucky Charm and Cat Noir's Cataclysm. Miraculer had timed her attack to show up right after Ladybug and Cat Noir had just finished another battle against the Lollipop Sentimonster. Because of this, Ladybug had to leave the fight to Cat Noir (who'd been lucky enough to not use his Cataclysm during the previous battle) so she could transform back and give Tikki a macaroon to recharge. When she'd met back up with Cat Noir later, Ladybug had regretted that decision. Though he had tried to play off that he was fine, it had been clear that Cat Noir was anything but okay. She had handed him the Bee Miraculous to give to Chloe and he'd carefully put it into one of his chest pockets. Then, as he made to leave, it became even clearer how much pain he had been in and Ladybug's heart had hurt when he told her that he'd taken a Cataclysm to the ribs after she'd left him alone to fight Miraculer. Though it had hurt to see Cat Noir that way, Ladybug could never have imagined the pain that she was experiencing; now, though, she knew all too well the strength of the destructive power.
This hadn't been a part of Ladybug's plan today, but she figured that she could still somehow make this work. Sure, it would be harder now that she could barely move as the pain continued to bring tears to her eyes, but the reminder of how important Cat Noir is to her kept her pushing forward through it all. At least by doing this, she'd gotten Cat Noir to use the Cataclysm so he shouldn't be able to call upon it again until after he detransformed and fed Plagg; that wasn't something that Cat Noir would be doing while akumatized. How she was still able to process thoughts logically, Ladybug didn't know; the pain in her chest was excruciating.
Through half closed eyes, Ladybug looked to Cat Noir to see his reaction to what had just happened. She expected him to be apathetic or to see that twisted sneer upon his face, mocking her pain which he'd just caused. Instead, what Ladybug saw surprised her. As she watched, Cat Noir's expression changed. His features softened and the sneer faded to a grimace. Recognition seemed to spark in Cat Noir's eyes. "L-Ladybug?"
Oh man…can you tell that this is one of my favorite chapters from this story? I know…evil cliffhanger…and poor Ladybug! Now how is she going to save Cat Noir? I guess we'll just have to keep reading to find out!
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