"It all started long ago," I begin. I didn't get to finish speaking though because an alarm went off. The sound they made was so deafening that Ms Bustier's shouting was barely audible. Everyone jumped out of their seats and went into ready position. I could tell from their faces they were either scared senseless or ready to fight to the death. Something else told me this wasn't a drill and a real, life-threatening situation was occurring, and that something told me it had something to do with Hawkmoth...
"Ok class," Ms Bustier clapped her hands gathering our attention, "This isn't a drill. An akuma's gotten into the barrier and is heading towards the school. Alya, Nino and Adrien we need you to hold it back, while Marinette purifies it."
The other three nodded, while I stood there just blinking. Me? Purify the akuma? I barely managed to escape the test room back in Paris! How could I take down an akuma?!
"Marinette?!" Chloe shrieked, "What about me?! I'm one of the top four!"
She expressed all my shock in that one statement. In that one word: Marinette. I was just Marinette, not a heroine or legend like Tikki or my mother. I wasn't special, or powerful. I wasn't even trained! How could I do this?! Why did it have to be me? Sure I can purify akumas but who says I can fight one. Then a voice of reason cuts into my doubt: But I'm the only person with that ability and I have to fulfil the responsibility that comes with it. I smile to myself as I think that. I am special and I've prepared for this, well I hope... My thoughts were then broken by Ms Bustier talking again.
"That's why we need you here Chloe," Ms Bustier sighed, "We've seen footage of Marinette fighting an akuma beforehand and only she can purify it, that's why she's on the field. Plus we need you back here in case the akuma gets further than the fields."
"Fine," The blonde grumbled, "But if it gets past the fields it won't be my fault."
"It won't Chloe," Adrien put a hand on her shoulder, "You saw how Marinette can fight. Plus she's got Alya, Nino and me. We'll be fine."
"Ok, but only cause you said so Adrikins," She smiled and then turned to me, "You better purify that akuma or you'll face my wrath."
"I'll do my best?" I say half questioning myself. I knew she was only grumpy because she didn't get to show off in front of anyone. Not that she didn't already...
"You'd better," She said turning her back on me.
"Ok lets go to the panic room!" Ms Bustier ordered her students into a line.
"No fair!" Alix whined, "I want to help! They could use Bunix's help!"
Bunix was her code name for stealth practise. I hadn't gotten mine yet and Adrien, Alya and Nino didn't tell me theirs. I wonder what mine would be...Spots? No too doggy. Bug? Ew! I didn't really know but I did know I had to focus on the task at hand. I tune back into the chaos that was unfolding before me.
"Yes but they've got it covered for now," Ms Bustier sighed looking stressed, "Now lets focus on getting the class to safety."
"Fine!" A group who wanted to fight as well mumbled as they all filed out of class.
Alix winked at us, Lila snarled, Chloe glared, Sabrina smiled and so did Juleka, Max and Nathaniel, Mylene gave us a thumbs up, Ivan grunted and Kim waved as they left the room.
"Good luck guys!" Rose called once they were all out of the room. The last voice to come from the once full room.
Then we were left all alone. Just us four facing a dangerous and possibly blood thirsty akuma. It was once the class left my fear and panic kicked in...
Once all of my class left I let out a big sigh of relief and collapsed onto my knees, causing the others to look at me. My legs had been shaking like jelly for the past few minutes and once I wasn't around so many people, I buckled. I look at the others' faces and see Alya and Nino looking confused, while Adrien looked concerned. I blushed and felt my heart rate increase. Maybe I should've done that at another time...
"Sorry," I gave a small smile, "It's just I've never faced an akuma, except from in the test room in Paris and that was a simulation."
"Which you defeated!" Alya squealed, "You practically whooped its ass!"
"Yeah but that was simulated, not real," I whisper, suddenly feeling small. I'd never felt like this before, even when we were evacuating. This was all so new to me...
"You'll be fine Marinette," Adrien helped me back up to my feet, "Real or not you defeated that akuma. We've never faced one either, so we're all in the same boat."
"He's right dude," Nino sighed looking out of the window. He stood there for a few seconds before his eyes widened in shock, "It spotted us dudes! And it looks like its approaching fast!"
"Wait what?!" Alya rushed to the window, her brows frowning in confusion, while Adrien helped me stand up straight. I gave him a smile as thanks before looking over at the window.
I caught a flash of midnight black hair, skin that looked like the stars in the night sky and a face that looked sour. They were right, the akuma was here and it was coming fast.
"Guys we should go..." I say pointing to the door.
"Yeah we should," Adrien agreed his voice sounding a little nervous, "Alya? Nino?"
"Just a sec dudes," Nino protested.
"Yeah this'll be a major scoop on the school blog!" Alya squealed getting her phone out. As if on cue the akuma began to vent.
"They did this to me!" It yelled, "And you all watched as I suffered! As he...he turned me into something I wasn't! And all you 'heroes' just watched, doing nothing! Now I'll take back what you took from me!"
Before any of us could react, the akuma burst through the wall as a rhino. Bricks, debris and dust went everywhere. I felt a few small hard objects fall against me and tried to dodge as best I could. From the smoky atmosphere, I heard the trample of its hooves and sharp exhale of its breath. I coughed as my vision was temporarily taken by the cloud created by the dust. I'd lost sight of the other three a few seconds after the akuma rammed itself into the wall. Everything was so blurred now and it didn't help that my heart was pounding inside my chest. Sweat began to form on my brow and I felt so alone and useless. I began to shrivel up into a small ball, letting the gradual darkness take over my vision. I Curled up into a ball and sat on the ground, feeling completely helpless like a lamb about to be slaughtered. Why did I have to be chosen?! It was a huge mistake. Maybe I'm just a mistake! Tears fell onto the floor beneath me as I sat there, giving up all hope.
Everything was still and all I could hear was the desperate sobs coming from myself. My tears ran down my cheeks, making my face damp and I felt as if something was always tugging me into the darkness. I tuck my head into my arms and sit in a ball for minutes before breaking down into a crumpled mess. I've failed everyone! For all I know the akuma could've killed everyone while I sat here crying like a child. My head fills with all these degrading thoughts and I fall victim to every single one. A thousand years could've passed and it would've felt like a million to me...
Suddenly, I heard a small clatter behind me and jumped at the sound, my tears stopping instantly as I gasped. There was nothing but darkness in either direction and my mind began to trick me into thinking something was hiding out there, waiting to get me and drag me away. After all the akuma could easily hide in the pitch black twilight zone it had created in the school because of its night sky complexion. I whipped around, anyway, only to be met by darkness and blurred vision, just as I'd expected. I felt so small and useless and the feeling was way worse than being alone or facing my deepest fears. It felt like something sinister slowly consuming your mind and soul until you lost all sense of who you were. I needed to feel someone else's presence just anyone's to feel sane or even comfort. I needed to find my friends. I needed to find some sort of comfort, however small it may be.
"Alya?!" I called out, hoping to get a response, "Nino?! Adrien?!"
At first I was met by silence but then I spotted two neon green eyes in the darkness. They were bright and were hard to miss, however something seemed familiar about them. I couldn't put a finger on it though... I whimpered as I watched the two bright green eyes approach me through the darkness. They were like a fire in the never ending pit of darkness that the akuma created, they felt safe and warm, but also dangerous if I came too close. Instinctively, I crawl away. My legs quiver as I shakily shuffle backwards, until I hit something hard. My head pounded from the pain from hitting the thing I was backed against: A wall. I cower in fear as the eyes come closer. I wasn't ready to die yet... but I could tell this was it. I was done for and the whole world would pay for my mistakes...
"Alya!" I yell in panic, as a desperate final plea for help, "Nino! Adrien!"
"Marinette it's me," Adrien whispered. His voice was directly in front of me. But the green eyes were as well, but I'd noticed they'd stopped coming closer and blinked as his voice said this. But that couldn't be possible, I was sure the akuma's eyes were those ones. Plus I thought he was taken by the akuma and it was trying to trick me into falling in its trap. Unless his eyes are the ones I'm backing away from... I am such an idiot.
"Adrien?" I ask into the darkness, dumbfounded.
"The one and only," I could hear the smirk in his voice, before he sounded sheepish, "I guess I should've told you about my eyes? Sorry."
"It's fine," I smile, "Do you know where Alya and Nino are?" Like I said they went missing not long after the akuma broke the wall down.
"No," He sighed, "I think the akuma got them. Luckily I have night vision and they didn't get us."
"Yeah for you and me, I guess, with the second point," I laugh, "So how are we meant to find them if the akuma creates darkness wherever it goes? Let alone purify it!"
"Do you trust me?" Adrien spoke.
"Seriously," I nearly face-palmed, "Are you quoting Aladdin?"
"Ignore that," I could tell he was blushing, "No seriously do you trust me?"
"Yeah but w-" I suddenly felt a strong warm arm warp round me and the warmth of someone behind me. I could tell he was carrying me from the sudden heat increase and blushed, "Really?! I can walk you know!"
"Yeah but you can't see," He teased, "Plus it's way quicker."
"Sure it is," I rolled my eyes, "So do you know what direction the akuma went in?"
"I think it headed towards the panic room," He replied still looking around, "Though I don't know for sure."
"Great," I groaned. Like I said earlier, today can't possibly get worse or harder... "Well we'd better find the others and then purify that akuma!"
"Panic room it is!" Adrien began to run forwards, me still in his arms.
It didn't take long for us to get to the panic room, although we had to take a detour through the vents because the akuma blocked most of the hallways. The lighting was brighter outside the panic room and I could just about see Adrien if he wasn't too far off. The whole time, he carried me, except for in the vents when we used my yo-yo as a rope, and we spoke for a bit. I told him a bit about life in Paris and he told me about growing up in the school. It turns out he's old friends with Chloe and she's a bit clingy and he wasn't in the least bit interested in Lila. He even vented about how he sometimes hated being a Black Cat.
"Why?" I say raising a brow.
"It just seems to bring me bad luck," He sighed.
"Meeting me wasn't bad luck," I blush realising what I'd just said, "Sorry I meant to say that differently!"
"No it's fine," He chuckled before coming to a halt, "And we have now arrived M'lady."
"M'lady?" I look at him.
"What it just seemed fitting?!" He shrugged blushing.
"It's fine," I laugh, "I actually don't mind if you call me that, Kitty."
"And the score is 1-1," Adrien grinned his emerald green eyes showing a slight glint of mischief, making us both burst into a fit of giggles.
"Ok now lets actually get this over and done with," I sigh my cheeks still red from laughing.
"That's fine by me," Adrien smiled, "The sooner we deal with this akuma, the sooner I get to sleep."
"You're so lazy," I say flicking the bell on his collar.
"Depends on what I have to do?" He shrugged. He seemed a lot bolder in his suit than as Adrien. Like the suit gave him a extra confidence boost, like how a suit of armour makes a person stronger in a sense. It was actually kind of interesting to think about.
"Well right now we have to purify this akuma," I get back into serious mode, "Let's go!"
I run forwards only to trip over something on the floor. A pain spreads through my leg as my shin makes contact with the hard object. "Shit!" I say as I rub my shin, "Looks like you've gotta help me."
"Not a problem," Adrien smiled helping me up and picking me up once again, "You ready?"
"To probably die doing this?" I raise a brow.
He looked back at me with a serious look in his eye. He wasn't joking.
"Oh yeah," I blush, "Sorry. Yeah I'm ready!"
He then began to sprint forwards into the panic room, hopefully this was where the akuma went...
The room was pitch black and I could hear the quiet whispers and movements of the akuma. "Turn back Ladybug and Black Cat. No one's safe here, but I'll spare you if you leave." Adrien shuddered as the akuma said this and I felt it, as he was carrying me. I try to make out what was in the room, but the darkness ruined my vision. Only Adrien knew what was there and I had to trust him, not that I didn't! Cause I totally did.
"A Ladybug," The akuma sang in its twisted voice as we stopped in the centre of the room, "Oh and a Black Cat! This is rare. And to think you two are getting along..."
"So?" I raise a brow jumping from Adrien's grasp, "What's so wrong with that?"
"You two are natural enemies," The akuma, possibly, shrugged, "Like the sun and moon. Alike but oh so different."
I looked around for any other students and so did Adrien as the akuma continued its speech. All that I could make out was the faint outline of sticky dark pods, dotted with white, looking like a sky full of stars. I shuddered.
"It's a shame I have to kill you. You two seem like decent people, unlike them," It then paused as a butterfly shaped outline appeared before its face, illuminating the room a little. Adrien and I looked at each other confused.
"What's with the sudden pause?" I ask as he shrugged back just as clueless.
"Yes sir. I won't fail you," The akuma then broke the silence and the outline disappeared, "It's time to come home little bug and kitty!"
The lights suddenly flashed back on and the room turned into a startling white. I shielded my eyes as the light blinded me temporarily, a throbbing going through my head. I reached beside me, hoping to grasp Adrien, only to trip over something.
"Can you see anything?" Adrien grunted from not too far off.
"Nope," I replied, "I'll try to use lucky charm."
"But if you do you'll be drained," Adrien protested.
"It's either that or death," I sighed, "Plus I've been practising. I should be able to purify it after using Lucky Charm."
"Are you absolutely sure?" Adrien replied, his tone laced with worry, "We can't afford to risk anything, including our magical energy, right now."
"Definitely," I smile, "Lucky Charm!"
I could hear the akuma chuckle as two blindfolds landed in my hands. I knew exactly what to do as they landed in my hand. I tied one around my eyes and opened them. It was much better than enduring that blinding light. Now all I had to do was find Adrien and tell him my plan...
"Blindfolds?!" The akuma chortled, "The great Ladybug clan reduced to this puny descendant. What a shame! I guess it's time to end this."
I heard the fast-paced footsteps of the akuma and knew I had to act fast. Who knows what she could do next? I had to divert her, even just for a little bit so I could get to Adrien.
"Wait!" I say sounding urgent, "Can I at least say something to my friend before you kill us or take us or whatever?"
"Fine!" The akuma huffed, "But only because you two seem decent."
"Thanks," I say rushing over to the spot I last heard his voice from, tripping over things as I went. Luckily my Ladybug luck was working because he was just there.
"What are you thinking?" I could hear the smirk in his voice.
"Just put this on," I pass him the second blindfold and make sure it's in his hand, "It's better than seeing that light."
He was silent for a moment and I could hear the motions of him putting on the blindfold. Once he was finished he sighed.
"Hey you're right," I felt a blush crawl onto my cheeks as he said this. I genuinely felt good about myself for once.
"I'm always right," I tease, "Now have you done this before in training it's called: Trust your senses."
"Sure have," I didn't even need to imagine him winking.
"Ok," I nod, "That's what we'll do. Wait until you hear her approach you."
"Got it," He grinned as I began to move back to where I was.
"Alright are you two love-birds done?" The akuma huffed as I came to a halt.
"We're not love-birds!" I snap at her, "We're friends. And yes end us now...What's your name?"
"Constellation," I heard the connection of a face-palm.
I then began to hear her face-paced run again and the pounding of her feet filled my ears. I stood there sweating. My heart was pounding rapidly and my hands began to feel sweaty. 'Not yet, not yet, no yet,' I repeat inside my brain until she's a few inches away, and I spring into action.
I throw my yo-yo to the right, hear the familiar sound of it wrapping around a beam and zip in that direction. The akuma groaned as I escaped her grasp. She then decided to head for Adrien judging by the sound made by her running. Adrien was quick to catch on and used his baton to get to another beam right next to mine.
"Nice thinking, M'lady," I could hear the wink in his voice.
"Just doing my job, Kitty," I reply, "Once we've dealt with her, we need to find Alya and Nino. Just keep doing the same thing, but lure her to ram into the beams."
"Gotcha!" Adrien sounded cheerful, before I heard him scamper off to another beam further off, "Hey Constellation! Bet you can't get me off this beam."
"I bet I can~" The akuma sang in her eerie voice. I then heard the sharp exhale of air and familiar trample of rhino hooves. She was falling into my plan perfectly. I swung to a beam further off and heard the clatter of bricks, steel and concrete as the rhino made impact with the beam. Adrien landed beside me and one of the blinding lights turned off making a hole in the roof and natural light come into the room. I took off my blindfold and smiled at Adrien as he took his off.
"Hey!" I smile, "We don't make a bad team."
"Yeah we don't," He chuckled smiling back.
Then the rubble shifted and a mangy looking Constellation emerged. Her hair was limp and her dress was ripped in places, she growled as she spot us both on the beam, her dark violet eyes turning red.
"Why can't you just stay still!?" She scrambled out of the rubble, "And you!" She pointed directly at me, "I don't know why Hawkmoth wants you so much, but you're coming with me!"
"No she isn't!" Adrien stood between us.
"Then I'll take both of you!" She leapt towards us and I noticed a hairpin glint in the light.
"Use cataclysm," I whisper to Adrien as we try to dodge her attack, "On her hairpin. See?"
He looked at the akuma and nodded, "I'll try my best. Cataclysm!"
The akuma then paused looking weary, before glaring at us both, "Oh Kitty's come to scratch me to protect his lovebug. Pathetic! I'll finish you both!"
She lunged forward once again and I dodged while Adrien was tackled down by her. She pinned him down and only his Cataclysm hand was free. I had to do something. She was too busy trying to hold him down and he was too busy trying to get free, so I noticed what I could do. In a flash I was by their side and grabbed Adrien's hand.
"What are you-"
"Shhh," I winked, "Trust me."
He nodded and continued to struggle, making Constellation feel as if she was winning. I then made his hand touch the hairpin destroying it. The pin was of a shooting star and was silver. Constellation gasped as the hairpin broke and rolled of Adrien, before passing out from fatigue. I then watched as the black and purple butterfly emerged from the object about to flutter back to Hawkmoth.
"Not so fast little akuma," I recited the spell, "No more evil doing for you. Time to de-evilize!"
I charged my yo-yo with my magical energy and released it, trapping the butterfly inside. After a few seconds I opened my weapon and watched as the butterfly flew off. It was now white and back to its natural and harmless state. I sighed as I stumbled towards Adrien and Constellation, who was now revealed to be a teenaged girl.
"What am I doing here?" She held her head as if she were in pain, "The last thing I remember is Hawkmoth invading my village and taking me away. Then he..he-" She collapsed into tears. I knew what she meant, Hawkmoth had raided her village and taken her away, then he used her negative emotions to create an akuma. This wasn't good. I looked at Adrien and he gave me the same look back. He knew what she was going through too.
"What's your name?" He asked trying to cheer her up.
"Celeste," She answered sniffling.
"Well I'm Marinette and this is Adrien," I say smiling at her and Adrien waved at her, "We'll help you."
"Really?" She looked up at us, her eyes glistening with hope, "I just want to go back home and see papa, and the stars! Those beautiful stars."
"You like stars huh?" Adrien raised a brow looking at the girl.
"Oh yes I absolutely adore them!" She clapped in delight, "But I haven't seen them in ages...not since the raid anyway."
"Well you can see them here," He smiled, "And it's no mystery that you're a descendant either."
"How could you tell?" She blinked.
"Oh there were a few clues," I shrugged.
"And only descendants can cross the barrier," Adrien added, "And akumas."
"Oh," Celeste sighed, "Guess I have a lot more to explain then..."
"You sure do," I chuckle, "We can do it-"
"Marinette! Adrien!" Alya yelled running towards us.
A/N: A little Ladynoir/ Adrientte whatever you guys wanna call it in this chapter. I might progress it, might not. I'll see how this happens. Anyway hope you guys enjoyed! Thanks for all the kind reviews too!
Till next,
D.L.D