Clarion

Chapter 3 - Breakdown

"Whatever you have worked yourself up about, I swear it's not what you're thinking." Alya said in a reassuring manner. Marinette inhaled deeply, tears still streaming down her face. "Remember when you came round and I told you that Adrien invited me to stay over?" As Marinette began her story, she begins to recall details of the day, relaying them to Alya...

Days earlier, Marinette was laying face down on her chaise in her bedroom, feeling utterly confused about the day's events. Lost in her own world, she didn't hear the hatch door swing open, revealing a very out of breath Alya.

"Marinette. What's going on with you?" She asked. "You were fine up until lunch and then..." She paused for a moment. "...I don't know, you just seemed so distracted".

"It's Adrien." Marinette answered, her face still in the pillow.

"Again?" Alya sighed, taking a seat next to her.

"He invited me to stay over…"

"And?" Alya remarked slyly.

"... with Kagami."

Alya looked confused.

"Did you think Kagami wouldn't be there?"

Marinette sat up, now looking at Alya.

"Both of us? At the same time? On the same night? Is he crazy? Am I crazy?" Marinette let out an exasperated cry, her hands pulling at her pigtails.

As she finishes her story, Alya gives Marinette a hug. "Of course I do," Alya confirms. "I also recall telling you to stop over thinking the matter and just go to his house with an open mind". Marinette scoffs turning her head away. Alya sighed.

"Please don't tune me out. I'm trying to help you." Her voice strains as her patience wears thinner.

Marinette raises a brow, thinking for a moment, then sighs. Slowly turning her head back, she starts her confession of how she feels about the phone call and how she feels the need to get back at Adrien for hurting her. Marinette fails to mention her rendezvous with a certain feline friend. Alya chuckles.

"So what you're saying is, you're losing sleep thinking about spending the night in the same room as Kagami and Adrien?" Alya lets out a laugh. "Girl, your head goes to some strange places."

Before Marinette can respond, a loud crashing noise is heard close by. Marinette and Alya bolt to their feet.

"We'll talk more later. I'm off to get some footage for the Ladyblog." Alya says, with a wave of a hand and a sly wink.

Alya leaves in a hurry. Now out of sight, Tikki peeks out from her hiding spot.

"Marinette? Are you sure everything is okay?"

Plastering on a smile, Marinette turns her gaze to her Kwami. "Yeah, everything's fine." She puts on a brave face and runs to find a discrete spot in the school.

Over the streets of Paris, Chat Noir is leaping across the rooftops, using his baton as a form of transportation. He is chasing down the latest akumatized victim, trying to get a good vantage point. Finally stopping on one of the many vacant flat roofs, Chat Noir ducks behind a chimney breast, making sure to stay out of sight.

He cautiously peers his head around the large stack to get a better view, when his ears twitch.

A wire sound zips by, shortly followed by a soft thud behind him.

"Hey Chat." Ladybug greets him with a smile, presenting herself in full superhero mode, pose and all.

"M'Lady." Chat Noir answers, turning his head back around to face her, then following up with a courteous bow. Ladybug averts her gaze, pretending to look off into the distance.

"So what have you got for me?" asks Ladybug.

Chat Noir sighs. "Unfortunately not a lot. I've been chasing her down now for a while. She keeps shooting at me, so dodging her attacks is all I've been able to do."

Ladybug hums quizzically to herself, watching the streets below. The shooting sounds grow louder, as the hero's hiding place becomes compromised.

"Looks like that's our cue." Chat Noir says, as he ducks out of the way of a beam of light. The duo waste no time and take off across the Parisian rooftops.

"Ah!" Ladybug gasps, as she loses her footing.

"Ladybug!" Chat Noir calls out, diving to safety as the light beam sweeps across the roof near his feet. Ladybug swings her yoyo. It clasps onto a balcony rail, and the momentum swings her towards Chat Noir.

Stumbling, Ladybug lands back at her partner's side.

"I'm okay," she says, brushing off the fall.

"Good to hear M'Lady." Chat Noir replies, looking relieved. "So what's the plan?"

"It appears she isn't targeting anyone in particular, which is the good news. The bad news is that the people she is hitting start to act out…?" As Ladybug speaks, her voice trails off.

Chat Noir gives a quizzical look as he tilts his head a little to one side.

"I need more time to know what's happening. Kitty, go distract her."

"With pleasure Bugaboo." Chat Noir says, grinning. He takes off towards the panicked people down on the streets.

Ladybug hangs back for a little bit, watching. The akumatized victim appears to have a vendetta against people who stand in pairs. Ladybug spots a young couple trying to hide. As the light beam strikes them, the pair begin to bicker and argue like sworn enemies. Readying herself, Ladybug flicks out her trusted yoyo and swings herself to join the fight with Chat Noir. Sneaking a quick glance at her partner, she sees him distracting the villain as planned.

"Woah!" Ladybug says, nearly colliding into the building in front of her. She shakes her head before rebalancing herself and continuing on.

"Chat Noir!" The Villain greets her prey, venom oozing through each word. "I was wondering when you would catch up with me!"

"Leave these people alone!" Chat Noir demands, his voice echoing through the streets.

The villain taps her chin for a moment, as if pondering the request but then laughs. "No. I don't think I will."
The Villain stands proud, wearing a long white coat with a gold trim. Her eyes, a glowing icy blue, a few shades lighter than her darker blue skin. On her right hand, she has a silver wedding ring with a glowing red ruby.

Chat Noir narrows his eyes and grips tightly to his metal pole. As shots resume, he moves skilfully, dodging every attack that comes his way.

"Stay still!" The Villain yells.

"No thanks!" Chat noir answers, spinning expertly around on his pole. "Besides, I love a good workout!"

"That's enough from you!" Ladybug demands, swooping in and knocking the newest akumatized victim to the ground. Ladybug stands stoically over her prey. "Now, tell me who you are!" she shouts.

Getting back to her feet the Villain sneers. "My name is Clarion and I will force the people of Paris to acknowledge their darkest emotions! The people of this city won't harbour any more secrets!"

"People need secrets to protect others..." Ladybug answers, her voice much lower.

"Ha ha! You're wrong Ladybug! All that secrets do is hurt the people we love! Just like what you're doing right now!" Clarion yells.

Ladybug's eyes go wide as a single shot of light makes its way full speed at her. In one quick motion her vision goes dark and she feels a pair of arms wrapping around her. "Chat?"

"M'Lady…" Chat Noir's voice trembles. "Are...You.. Alright?"

"Chat…" Ladybug breaths.

"Foolish boy." Clarion snarks. "You would sacrifice yourself for someone who won't be honest with you?"

Chat Noir grips tightly to Ladybug, shaking against her body. Ladybug brings her arms up and wraps them around him.

"Chat? Please?" Ladybug pleads. Clarion laughs.

"Young kitten, perhaps you have a secret or two to tell your precious bug-friend?"