Adrien rotates his body to face the two before him, arching a brow as his sight lands on Marinette. Earlier, Hawkmoth demanded he captures Marinette and holds her for ransom, utilizing Chat's possible attraction to the girl to bribe him for the Miraculous of Destruction. Hawkmoth even informed him to use any means necessary for Chat to cooperate: broken bones, torture, and all forms of violence, apparently. What a pathetic bastard...
Hopefully, it will be worth it once it is said and done; if the deranged man keeps his end of the bargain.
"Adrien..." a voice snapped him out of his trance, the pleading in the voice causing him to frown under the muzzle. Forgive me...
"You should relinquish the power and surrender," Chat entreated, stepping forward. "Whatever he is promising, it's not worth it."
Marinette stood behind Chat, her attention fixated on him. This is a stark contrast to what he typically does with an Akuma. He never reasons with them-commenting that it is a waste of time to do so when you could be using that energy towards freeing and purifying. Why go against that now?
"Personally, I like to believe it is more than worth it," the enemy calmly stated, his focus shifted from Marinette to the approaching hero. "Possibility of fixing what is broken; possibility of turning the tides against a tyrant is a bonus."
The warning siren blared throughout the school, causing Chat to wince from its incessant wailing. Well, at least everyone will be evacuated beside them. Chat's face hardens as his jaw clenches, "Surely you jest..."
At that moment, a green spark surges through Adrien's collar, emitting a powerful shock that courses throughout his suit. His piercing shriek paired with the siren in a warped harmony that resonates throughout the halls as he collapses.
Without hesitation, Chat kneels beside his brother, who is writhing on the floor.
Chat's breathing is erratic- he hasn't the vaguest idea of what he can do to alleviate his brother's agony. Yes, he could destroy the bracelet; however, Ladybug is still absent; then there is the possibility of the electricity overpowering him- No. Stay level-headed here, don't overthink and waste precious time with your brother on the line. His get-up protects from life-threatening injuries for the most part. He'll still feel the pain for days, but that is a small sacrifice to pay. So, destroy the bracelet, and everything will cease.
"I'll get you out of this, Adrien," Chat whispers as he seizes his brother's right wrist, holding it down as the strong current shot up his arm, causing a sudden yelp to escape Chat's lips. He then sets his knee on Adrien's chest, putting his weight on it, cursing as the jolt of electricity rocketed up his leg and chest. Through gritted teeth, Chat uses his left hand to reach out to the tainted object, "Cataclysm."
Right before contact, a noise catches Chat's attention, whirling his head in Princess' direction. She is making a mad dash to god knows where. "Mar-" Only to be cut off by something slamming him into the ground and pinning him there. During this, his left hand grazed a locker that, in mere seconds, rusted and turned to dust.
Chat is startled by the sudden shift of position, with the additional rage of ALREADY wasting his ability. God, he wanted to slap himself in the face for being so careless. Looking at Adrien, Chat's face fell as a wave of sadness hit him as his mind played the same phrase-you caused this. "Adrien..."
"Raijū," the other boy firmly corrected.
"H-huh...?"
"My name is Raijū." Tears glimmer in the Akuma's eyes before clutching Chat's face and sending a high-voltage shock. Chat unleashes a primal, blood-curdling scream while Raijū holds his ground, begging for forgiveness. Chat digs into his brother's arms, scraping up and down them with his nails. The apologies are being drowned out by Chat's wails. He can't hold out much longer...He just...
The frightening scream halts Marinette, turning around to see the bright green emanating a few meters back. The scene makes her blood run cold as she witnesses her partner getting electrified, clawing at the Akuma to try and break free from his grasp.
Then silence.
Her Kitty blacked out. And that crushed her beyond belief.
Afterward, the Akuma drags Chat by the arm, opens the bathroom door, and tosses him without stealing his miraculous.
Marinette bolts down the hall, around the corner, with her mind firing off a string of questions: Why throw him in a room? He had his chance, so why waste it? What is the motive? Is he with or against Hawkmoth?
All she knows is that she needs to transform, beat this bastard and check on her Kitty. Marinette swung open the nearest door, stepping into the room, only to be pulled back out by her arm. She turns her body and is met with the Akuma cloaked in lighting and glaring at her. H-how did he-
"Where do you think you're going, Marinette?"
-
A blue light seeps under the crack of the bathroom door. Inside, Félix lies unconscious on the floor while Plagg collapses next to his holder, shaking from the intense pain. He took most of the blow-it would have killed Félix otherwise, but god, he is in pure, utter agony. Floating was futile, with each attempt only lasting a few seconds before he dropped to the ground, grunting each time. Not wanting to waste any more energy, the kwami limps closer to Félix, licking and nuzzling his face- purring all the while. "Wake up, Kid. We need to save Adrien and Marinette."
Nothing-not even twitching.
Plagg stares at his holder's chest, gently rising and falling as he breathes, then shifts to his face: paler than usual with some black marks where Adrien held contact and blood dripping from his facial orifices. He totters towards Félix's pants, where he keeps a stash of cheese, occasionally rubbing against his holder to, hopefully, stir him awake.
Shuffling into the crevice of his pocket, Plagg nibbles on a piece while resting. It was eerily peaceful- it would be pleasant if not for the circumstances...
That calmness was cut short by groaning. With haste, Plagg pokes his head out of the comfort of his little den, looking up at the rousing teen. Surprised his chosen is even coming to this soon. "Mornin' sunshine," Plagg greeted meekly.
The blond grumbles, feeling around for the black cat. Eventually locates the kwami tucked away in his pocket and gingerly pets the god. "Are you ok?" Félix rasped, gradually sitting up, trying not to accidentally disturb Plagg too much.
"Eh, I was feeling crummy but doing better after eating my power-up." Plagg waves the morsel of cheese with a cheeky grin. "What about you? How are you holding up?"
Before Félix responds, he swiftly covers his mouth with his hand as he coughs. "Worse for wear if I am frank," he mutters as he stares at his bloody hand, "however, I would be dead if I wasn't in suit. You have my gratitude, as always. "
Plagg flew in front of Félix, glancing at his hand and back at him. "Kid, sit this one out if you are too injured. I can find a temporary cat for thi-"
"If I can stand, I will fight!" Félix snaps, wiping the blood on his vest. "If I can't save my own little brother then what kind of fucking hero am I!?" Grabbing the counter, Félix slowly stands up, leaning on it for support. He curses under his breath as he coughs up more blood. "I already fucked up with Marinette when it comes to her safety. Then there is the indisputable fact that I would have lost my miraculous right then and there if the Akuma was anyone else but Adrien. Who still has a bit of his wits, mind you."
Nothing less than-
Perfect.
"I'm merely a teen who plays hero..." His voice is taut with disheartenment as he turns on the facet and splashes water on his face. Félix's whole body is rigid, breathing unregulated, pupils dilating. He takes notice of himself in the mirror- dilapidated and meritless- glaring at his reflection. Instinctively, touches the bruises on his neck while the mixture of blood and water drips down onto his shirt. His hand balls into a fist. Disdain is evident in his features.
He is Nothing.
But they are something.
Plagg never moved, appearing stunned at his holder's outburst. "Kid..."
"Another thing," Félix interrupts, shaking his head to rid some of the excess water. "If my little theory is correct, I doubt Ladybug is coming since she is currently captured, right?" He surmised, studying his kwami's expression, and much to his astonishment, the damn cat never faltered- remaining neutral when making that declaration. Honestly, Félix shouldn't be too surprised about that. This isn't Plagg's first rodeo, so it would be logical for the little cat to have a good poker face when it came to this topic.
Still-
Disappointing all the same. Félix wanted some form of confirmation, especially considering he is incapable of pressing Plagg further because of a lack of evidence. Regardless, they have been dawdling for long enough. He must save them both, or what good is he?
Félix breathes heavily through his nose, "Plagg, are you able to transform?"
"I am, yes, but you should reconsi-"
"It won't further injure you?"
Plagg shakes his head. "N-No. I am already healing from earlier. You, on the other hand-"
"Perfect. Plagg, claws in."
The kwami fought the pull with all his might, "Féli-" Eventually succumbing to the magic of the ring.
-
"Adrien..." Marinette breathes out. "Let me go."
Tightening his grip, the Akuma furrows his brows, "It's Raijū."
"Let. Go. Of. Me. Raijū." Snarkily enunciating every word with a scowl.
Raijū lets out a boisterous laugh. He adjusts his muzzle while tugging Marinette's arm, "I like you! Snarky, like Fé!"
Internally, panic creeps up on Marinette as she feels her heart pounding against her chest. She saw what happened to Chat, so what's stopping him from repeating it?
Without hesitation, she kicks his side, but he blocks and catches her leg. He now has her arm and leg in his grasp, trapped. Great. "Hey, hey! I would be wary if I were you..." Raijū warns, averting his gaze away from her. "Unless you want to..." He pauses, disconcertion overtaking his features as he motions his head down the hall. "Y-yea..."
She gulps, studying the green electrical current pulsing on his collar and chest. No, she cannot let herself be captured. There is no doubt Chat is out for the count for a long time, and with her being unable to transform...Further problems will arise.
Raijū sighs, swiftly pulling her forward and throwing her over his shoulder, making the girl squeak in surprise. "Please, don't resist. I have no intention of harming you. Just bait." He approaches the wall leading outside, punching a large hole in it, and walks through it.
Marinette flails, hitting his back and chest with all her might. "Bait? For what!? You had your chance to take it so why not do-" She yelps when her hand grazes the electric current on his back.
"I told you to be careful!" Raijū chides, "I can't hold you any other way that gives you less contact with it...Unless you walk, but I doubt that is happening."
Marinette rolls her eyes. "Gee, forgive me for not sitting there and letting you simply kidnap me and hold me against my will."
"...Touché."
She taps on his shoulder. "And you didn't answer my question."
In response, he taps her back once. "I don't want to answer," he sing-song, continuing to thump his fingers to an unknown rhythm.
She scoffs. Her mind searches for a means of escape; however, the constant fingers drumming her back are making her lose focus, and truthfully, it is irritating the shit out of her. C'mon, how can- Wait. That's it.
Marinette's breath hitches.
"What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself again?" Raijū questions.
"Chat! Over here!" Marinette shouts, waving her arms in the air.
Raijū freezes, "Already!?" He pivots around, scanning the area for the black-clad hero. But there is no one? Huh?
At that point, he was dealt a heavy blow on the back of the head, causing him to stagger. Taking advantage of the situation, Marinette struggles and frees herself from his grip. She lands on her back, quickly recovering enough to drive Raijū's face into the ground before scurrying away as fast as her legs will carry her.
Hopefully, that will buy enough time!
There was a loud bang behind her, immediately followed by a blinding flash of green in front of her. She squints her eyes shut and slams hard into an object with an audible smack. She steps back from the tingling feeling that burned about her skin, firing a barrage of curses as she rubs her face.
A gentle tap on the apex of her head startled her, making her jump back. She removes her hands. She stood there agape as she gawked at the damn Akuma that stood right before her-he caught up to her in no time! With his speed, she'll never be able to flee as long as he is aware.
"Are you ok?" Raijū asks, reaching out to comfort her before he stops halfway. He drops his arms to his side, shifting his gaze away from her as he fidgets with his bracelet. His expression carried such dejection. "Do you need anything...? At least temporarily until Ladybug fixes it." He chuckles with a soft blush creeping onto his cheeks.
Adrien's Akuma is bewildering her...He's not even trying to obtain their miraculous and seems oddly passive compared to others. Marinette blurts out, "Why are you staying like this?"
Raijū's eyes widen, drooping his shoulders before a wave of sorrow washes over his being. "I...I want to feel accepted, wanted."
"And this...feels that void in a way?"
The Akuma gave a curt nod, dropping his head in shame.
"But, it seems like Félix, and your dad loves you so dearl-"
"NO!" Raijū reacts violently, jerking his body away from her and wrapping his arms around himself. " Félix, yes- I think? Father. No! No, no. But- he seems to when I am good, normal. So, not sure. Maybe, yes-"
"Normal?" Marinette cut off his nervous rambling, curiosity taking the reins. They seem like a typical family. Well, as typical as an the obnoxiously rich can be, but nothing extraordinary beyond the fame. Gabriel is distant, and strict but makes sense with his predicament: work, losing his wife, and the endless media attention. With this sort of visceral reaction though, she is having second thoughts.
Ra-No, Adrien-this has to be Adrien, slowly nods. "I am unorthodox. That is what he told me."
"Ok...What does that entail exactly? Like physical issues, emotional...? Gotta give me a bit more than just that description."
"Um..." Adrien swallows hard. "I have-" The collar roars to life, discharging a green shock that consumes him. He lets out a guttural scream that is earsplitting, and horrifying. Marinette staggers, nearly falling from the force of the electricity coming from it. "Adrien!"
She tries to approach, but the sparks narrowly hit her. She retreats further back, watching as the model drops to the floor, ripping at his hair. "Stop, stop, stop it! I don't want to do that anymore! It hurts, it hurts. STOP! GET OUT! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE." His voice is hoarse, breathless-almost non-existent as he begs.
Oh god, the barbarity of it all... Her face twists into sheer terror as Adrien's pleas ring in her ears. She could escape. She should do as such...Yet, she stayed planted, unable to abandon him during his torment- at the very least, offering him a sense of comfort with her presence, if nothing else. She sat next to him, or as close as possible without getting caught in the crossfire, humming a soothing tune.
Donning his hero attire, Félix takes one last look at himself in the mirror, slouching, ears drooping on the side of unruly hair, tail unnaturally still, and his face...even he can tell he looks utterly beaten down, done with it all.
His ear twitches, hearing a scream coming somewhere close by-it sounds...masculine. In a span of a few seconds, he straightened his posture, ears and tail shot up, making a mad dash to the hall to be greeted by a green light show through the windows into the courtyard. The hollering is becoming unbearable as his hands move up to his ears-however, he is picking up something faint. Princess?
He rushes over to the wall, peeking through one of the windows, and at that moment- stress, confusion, and joy swirl in his mind as he stares at his brother squirming in an electrical field on the grass, and Princess sitting close to him. She should have high-tailed it out of there, yet here she is.
Opening a nearby door, he treks across the courtyard to them, stopping next to Princess. "You should have run." He plops on the grass, crossing his legs and slumping forward. He is fixated on the passed-out Akuma in front of them- his brother couldn't take it anymore, and that...ripped him apart.
"I didn't want to leave him..."
"Why is that?"
She remained quiet, her lips forming a thin line as she veers her head to Kitty. "Let's...just say I think he needs a friend, and I wanted to be that."
Chat's heart swells, his eyes glazed from the tears he is holding back. Taking a deep breath, he tries to level his voice. "You need to go. I'll be his buddy."
"B-but-"
"Leave."
She pouts, glowering at the stubborn cat, never moving from her spot.
He snarls- such tenacity at the wrong damn time. "It may be a while before Ladybug comes."
"What makes you say that." Her voice seems strained. Interesting.
Chat clicks his tongue, turning to her and studying her closely: leg bouncing and her expression carrying a sense of unease. He narrows his eyes, giving her a playful grin. "Just a hunch. She hasn't shown up yet." He pauses for a moment, noticing her hands ball up into fists. "So, I assume she got caught up in something. It might be a while, so you get away from the big bad while I stick around." He points to himself with his thumb, "You know, like the hero I am."
He could tell that a weight was lifted off her shoulders when he didn't continue to insinuate her. Additionally, it appears that was enough of a heart attack to get her to leave. Good.
He shoos her away, bidding her farewell. His ears twitch as he hears her footsteps leaving. Now that she is out of the way, he focuses on his unconscious brother. He takes the bracelet from Adrien: gentle, slow in hopes of not disturbing him. Quite ironic now that Félix considers the situation.
Right on cue, Ladybug lands behind him, rushing out her words breathlessly. It is an incoherent, jumbled mess, but he got the picture of her excuse. He tosses the bracelet in the air, catching it and then doing it again. "It's fine, but shouldn't you cast Lucky charm? Even if there is not much use for it?"
She muses about it, eyes traveling to the busted wall, to Adrien, then finally landing on him. He raises a brow at her before striking a pose.
She gave a small smile, "I agree." She casts her ability, forming into a single flower: Lily of the Valley. She sniffs the flower, grimacing at it. It smells like plastic! Damn this ability sometimes. She looks over at her partner to see him locked onto the flower as though he has seen a ghost. "Are you ok?"
"Y-yes." He chokes out, clearing his throat. "Anyway, I am ready when you are."
She nods, watching him crush the bracelet in his hand and releases a butterfly. She purifies it and throws the charm in the air. The little bugs swarm the area around them, tickling her as they go by.
"You always seem so ticklish," Chat comments, standing up when the bugs move away from him.
"I am a bit, yea."
Chat hovers over Adrien, kneeling down to shake him. The model groans, mumbling a sentence that not even Chat could understand.
"You wanna repeat that?" Chat asks, shaking Adrien once more. "My hearing can only go so far."
Adrien swats the hand away, turning over, "Five more minutes, Fé..."
Ladybug snorts, sauntering to where Adrien is facing, crouching down. "You need to get up. We have to check on you."
Adrien's eyes shot open, gawking at the heroine as he slowly sat up. A pink hue dusted his cheeks and ears. "Hello, Ladybug..." His voice wavering, instinctively reaching to his bracelet, patting his skin when he didn't feel it.
"How are you feeling? You remember anything?" she questions in a soothing tone.
Chat purses his lips, biting his tongue to hold his laughter. His little brother's reaction to talking to his crush is genuinely too pure and innocent. Precious.
Adrien switches to tapping his fingers, his face becoming a deeper shade of red. "I'm fine, good actually! Yea...I-I am sorry to tell you, but I don't remember much of what happened. "The corner of Adrien's lips twitch down, "Wait. Actually, there is something I can tell you." Chat's ears perk up, hastily scooting closer to his brother.
Adrien glances behind him, giving a small smile before facing Ladybug again. "It isn't much, but the only thing I can even recall was the emotion of it...? Like..." He rubs and ruffles his hair, sighing. "It is weird to explain, but I felt a primal fear or the apprehension of it like I do with-" Adrien shuts his mouth, panic-stricken as he touches his neck, "-Father."
Truthfully, Adrien had no idea why he went to his neck, and the anxiety of even speaking is worse for him currently, as though if he says the wrong thing, he'll be punished like a dog. Like Father is there, lurking around the corner, ready to strike for his fuck ups. He'll ask Fé about it later, once they reconcile...
He bites his lower lip, rubbing his neck, rushing out, "And I know what you are going to say! He is a villain, a terrorist. Of course, you would be. You just don't understand though- it is a completely different sensation when I am interacting with Father. "
A hand touching his shoulder causes Adrien to flinch. "It's me, Adrien." Chat reassured.
Adrien swallows hard, "I know."
Ladybug hugs the model, "I know it can be difficult, and we appreciate any info you can give us at this time."
Chat snickers at his brother's situation- God knows Adrien's brain is shutting down and trying to process what to do. "Yep," Chat enunciates the 'p' with a pop. "Buggy, I'm going to head out. Feeling a bit worn from the battle, so do you mind taking our little celebrity home?"
"Of course, rest easy!"
Ah, the internal screaming that Adrien ought to be having, Chat wishes he could hear it for himself- although, it MUST be mixed with his brother laying in on him with colorful language and all. Is it a bit mean to leave him alone with his crush, maybe.
Will he be hearing it from him back at home? Most definitely.
Is it worth it to witness this and the sweet ramblings that will follow from Adrien about being with Ladybug? Absolutely.
Standing up, Chat looks at the two of them, smiling- Oh yeah, that's right. "I'll see you for patrol tonight, Buggy."
"Um...?"
"We have patrol tonight," he repeated, hoping she catches on or inquires about it later. "I'll see you at the usual spot."
"Yes! I'll see you there."
Perfect. Chat vaults away on the other side of the building. He scans the area, and hides in a bush, reverting to his plain, broken self. That is when everything hit him like a ton of bricks: pain, mental and physical exhaustion, and a weird sensation coursing through his body. The cure only rids the surface-level injuries, everything else stays with you for a couple of days, and Félix loathes this part every-single-time.
He groans, handing Plagg a slice of that putrid cheese he holds so dear.
"You gonna be alright, Kid?"
"I'll manage...For now, we need to head back."
"To Ladybug and Adrien?"
"Yes. It'll be odd if I don't appear once hearing about the Akuma being my baby brother, no?"
"True, but take it easy. I can tell you aren't taking it as well as you say."
Félix snorts, rubbing the cat behind his ears, earning him a mewl. "No promises, but will do what I can." He motions to his pocket, "Come, we need to get going."
Plagg flies into the pocket, poking his head out, "You forgot to give the bracelet back to him."
Félix hums, raising it up to examine it. Weird seeing merchandise with your hero's logo on it. "Easy. Chat passed by, noticing he forgot to return it and gave it to me when I kindly asked for Adrien's location."
Pleased with the answer, Plagg dove into the pocket, circling in it before finally becoming comfortable.
Félix chuckles, poking at the bump before returning to his Princess and little brother.
