Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews! You guys are awesome! Sorry about the previous cliffhanger but I swear it was a nicer spot than the one I had initially picked! Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, and I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the Akuma chase!
I love every ones theory's so far! Keep them coming!
(Slow Burn Detective AU!) Marinette is used to working alone on the streets of Paris as she strives to take down the Hawkmoth gang. When the thief Chat Noir comes crashing into her life things are bound to get magical, especially when co-detective Adrien returns to Paris and seems to want to be her new partner. Will their fated partnership end in a capture or a kiss?
Last Words
There wasn't time, nor the space to dodge and Marinette wouldn't be able to protect Manon by holding on to her. If she was going down, she was going to make sure that Manon at least had a good chance to escape.
"Get behind the grate!" Marinette screamed as she tripped and a heavy mass slammed her to the ground.
Tripping saved Marinette's life since it allowed the Akuma's claws to scrape fairly harmless by instead of impaling her as planned. The Akuma's chest crashed into Marinette's back, half squishing her for a second before the Akuma's momentum carried it forwards in a sliding motion and off of her. Not wasting any time, Marinette popped to her feet and almost collapsed again as the world spun around her. The impact had stunned her when it should have broken something instead, but Marinette gritted her teeth, stumbling a little to keep upright on her shaking legs. Breathe, just breathe, Marinette thought to herself pretending she was utterly fine as the akuma twisted around to face her with a snarl.
"Yeah, yeah, same… to you" Marinette panted, trying to shake off the dizziness that was making her feel as if she had just gotten off a tilt-a-whirl.
She was still in the alley restricting her movements while the Akuma was just barely in the courtyard. Marinette knew it was going to charge and she wouldn't be able to dodge, thanks to the confined space. She could try for sliding beneath it or launching herself over the Akuma as it charged but those sort of maneuvers never truly worked in real life. Glancing over her shoulder, Marinette instinctively knew the next alley down was too far. Even at her top speed the Akuma would catch her, and then… Marinette shuddered not pursuing the thought.
"Bad not-Kitty! Bad! Leave Marinette alone!" Manon screamed from behind the bulk of the beast and something, maybe a rock, hit the Akuma's hindquarters.
The Akuma whirled and Marinette yelled, "NO!" sprinting at the Akuma as it started to lunge.
It was the stupidest thing Marinette had ever done in her life and later she had no idea what exactly she thought she was going to accomplish, but in the moment, all Marinette could hope to do was distract the Akuma away from Manon. Leaping at the Akuma, she slammed into the thing's lower hindquarters dragging its back legs down and making the akuma let loose a shocked squeal. The Akuma bucked under her, tossing Marinette into the air and she flailed with a yelp before coming down solidly on its back. Instinctively Marinette dug her fingers into the fur-like texture, clinging desperately to it's back as the Akuma bucked under her again. Gripping with her legs, Marinette tried to think of anything that could help her at the moment. Horseback riding lessons would have come in handy she supposed, nearly breaking her teeth as they clacked together, but this Akuma wasn't anything like a horse except for maybe its size and she really doubted that a saddle would fit this beast. The Akuma reared and angry scream like sounds came from it before it bolted forwards knocking Manon clean over as it rushed the wall. It leapt before Marinette could think of bailing, its claws sinking into the terracotta-colored bricks and started scaling up the wall.
"Oh crap... ohcrapohcrap…" Marinette babbled, clinging with everything she had as the akuma scrambled over the edge of the building and tried to immediately buck her off again.
"Marinette, where's the Akuma?!" Stormy screamed through the earpiece.
"I'm on it!" Marinette screeched, nearly biting her tongue as the Akuma kicked up its hind legs trying to kick her off.
"You're what?!" Stormy cried as the Akuma bolted, nearly knocking her loose as it leapt across a gap Marinette wasn't even sure Chat could cross.
It came down hard, its claws cutting deep into the rooftop as it twisted trying to snap at her leg. Marinette shifted just in time to avoid the bite but it caused her to loosen her grip, which was apparently all the Akuma wanted. Lunging off the rooftop the Akuma slammed into the wall popping Marinette's other leg off and causing her to swing loosely. She yelped in fear, gripping the fur-like substance under her palms until the akuma shot off the wall twisting sharply causing Marinette to lose her grip completely. Flying off the Akuma's back, Marinette clenched her eyes shut knowing that there was a good chance she wouldn't survive impacting the ground. They had been too high and she couldn't twist enough to land feet first. Even if she did survive the fall, the Akuma wouldn't allow her to live much longer. A roar sounded out and something warm struck her midair just before the jarring impact made everything go black for a few brief seconds. Warmth brushed her cheek, her name whispered in worry, then snarls and the sound of something large smashing into a solid object echoed around her. Groaning Marinette shifted wincing at the pain in her body as she forced her eyes open. The Akuma was snarling and bleeding, lashing at Chat who parried its blows with his staff. Moving faster than Marinette could believe, Chat lunged under the Akuma's wild swing snarling, "Cataclysm!" seconds before his hand collided with the Akuma's chest.
The resulting screech was ear shattering and Chat fell back, his hands to his ears. The Akuma spun slamming Chat back with its body, Marinette forced herself to her knees as the stone at her waist vibrated a staccato of beats. Somehow the vibrations seemed to give her strength and she managed to gain her feet, stumbling to Chat's side as he jerked upright.
"Chat!" Marinette called, making him leap to his feet dodging in front of her as the akuma twisted back around.
He was about to haul her over his shoulder and take off but it was shown to be unnecessary as the Akuma collapsed to the ground. It was panting, bleeding heavily from the now gaping wound in its chest. "RRRRiiiilll eeee"
Chats jaw dropped, "No way…"
"You were right. It's Spike," Marinette managed, taking a deep breath as she leaned against Chat.
The Akuma whined at its name and Marinette felt the stone give another pulse. She had to do something, she wasn't sure what, and she moved forwards a little unsteadily.
Chat grabbed at her shoulders yanking her to a stop, "What are you doing?!"
Pulling away, Marinette fished out her miraculous stone which was now glowing, making Chat flinch back. "I- I don't know why, but I think I can help him," Marinette answered causing Chat to release her.
"He might just savage you," Chat growled, staying mere inches from her back ready to pull her to safety as she approached the Akuma.
The Akuma tried to snarl but it turned into a grunting hack as blood splattered the cobblestones before it. Ignoring the blood, Marinette reached forwards with the stone in her hand pressing it to the Akuma's head. Pink light flared and suddenly Marinette could see Spike standing before her even though she couldn't make out anything but white behind him.
Spike seemed a little startled as he glanced down at his hands, then back up at Marinette. Then all at once he shrugged as if he were accepting his fate and started to talk, "They came for me the night after our race. I was told I had been summoned to grovel at the feet of our illustrious master and they even loaded up my babies. I thought maybe Hawkmoth was interested in getting one of my dogs but they took us somewhere and dumped us in something that looked like an upturned fish bowl. My dogs were freaking out but I managed to calm them down and suddenly this dude in a lame lab coat came up to the glass. He told me that I had crossed the wrong people in the Hawkmoth gang but instead of letting them kill me as a lesson to others, he wanted to use me for an experiment."
Spike's shoulders fell and he looked Marinette straight in the eye, "They let this goo-stuff into the bowl with us and it… it did what the scientist wanted. They want Chat gone. They want his miraculous so they can activate something they have. They also have their eyes on you. I don't think you will be easy prey like I was but they're more than happy to release monsters to get what they want."
Marinette tried to speak but found she couldn't, Spike nodded at her seeming to realize she couldn't say a word. "You can't talk to the dead, Marinette, when you're not dead yourself. I know you wanted to help me even though I'm your enemy. Get that out of your head 'coz it's gonna get you or your weird cat friend killed. Hawkmoth, their leader, has got his eye on you. Whatever you're doing, back off so you don't end up like me."
The light around them was fading and an actual smile quirked Spike's lips, "Guess times up. Good luck staying alive and thanks for freeing me."
The light contracted sharply and Chat hauled her back as the Akuma lashed out, missing the two of them by the slightest of margins. Marinette felt dizzy, the stone pulsing against her hand in time to her heartbeat and she slumped against Chat's chest while the Akuma snarled. Its eyes were blank as it rolled up to its feet, the hole in its chest sealing up with a purple slime that oozed from the wound.
"Spike's gone, Chat. Can you kill that thing?" Marinette asked wearily, managing to stand on her own.
Chat growled as the Akuma stepped forward, its fur looking odd as it moved. Dragging Marinette behind him, Chat dropped into a fighting crouch but the Akuma simply collapsed making an ugly splatting sound when it hit the ground. It twitched its back legs, kicking awkwardly. Then it stopped and a smog seemed to settle off it, the massive animal disintegrating to a man-sized shape in a pool of slime.
"What just happened?" Marinette asked, pressing a hand to Chat's shoulder as he rose from his crouch.
"It died…Even though I didn't damage it catastrophically, it just died. Almost like it gave up," Chat muttered feeling how Marinette tensed beside him. He glanced back at her curiously and looked down at the miraculous stone still in her hand. "What happened when you touched the stone to it?"
Marinette shook her head tapping at her ear where the headpiece was miraculously still attached, "Stormy, has anyone collected Manon?"
"Two just arrived and she's pissed that not-Kitty knocked her over and she's telling them all about how you tamed the akuma and rode it off into the sunset to go find Kitty. She should be fine," Stormy answered. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Meet you there?"
"Yeah, I want to make sure Manon knows I'm ok, too," Marinette sighed and clicked the headpiece off before turning to Chat. "Will you be ok in your transformation if we go over to sit with Manon? She was out wandering because she was trying to find you. Apparently she has a big thing for black cats right now."
Chat chuckled a bit guiltily since he had a feeling that Manon's mis-adventure was largely his fault, "I'll be fine Marinette. I'm paws-itive."
"Yep, you're cracking puns. You're fine," Marinette huffed, taking a wobbly step forwards.
She felt drained. Like she had just run a marathon and crammed all night right after a mentally draining test. Chat lifted her up, ignoring her squeak of indignation, and said, "So, now that Stormy is off the line, want to tell me what happened with the stone? You're showing signs of using some kind of power."
Deciding that being carried really wasn't all that bad, Marinette slumped in Chat's arms, "There was a flash of pinkish light and I saw Spike standing in front of me. He said that he was turned into that Akuma by some guy in the higher-ups of the Hawkmoth gang as an experiment. They're hunting you for your activated miraculous stone and for the fact that they just want you dead. He thanked me for freeing him - whatever that means."
Chat hummed, avoiding Spike's body that was showing up more and more through the miasma-like slime. "Corruption," Plagg hissed mentally. "Looks like your girlfriend is showing the ability to purify. This means her skill set will probably be opposite to yours when the stone fully activates."
"Huh, that will be interesting…" Chat said aloud, making Marinette blink up at him. Realizing the comment had come out of the blue for her, Chat explained, "Some stones when activating allow the use of their powers when their host is in danger. Most times the environment surrounding the stones helps to create the individual powers for each one. Different stresses mean different powers, at least from what I understand. Speaking of powers, I have this for you. I forgot to give it to you last night. You don't have to keep it if you don't want to but this will allow you to call for my help if you ever need it."
Gently, Chat set Marinette down so he could pull out his baton and pop the remaining tracker out of the base. Accepting the tracker, Marinette looked it over, flipping it to eye the back before rolling it into the same hand as the miraculous stone.
"How d-," a bright flash of pink mixed with green light made Marinette yelp breaking off her question and she damn near dropped the stone as it rapidly heated up then cooled in a matter of seconds.
"What the hell?!" Chat demanded speaking for the both of them as he rubbed at his eyes.
"I'm guessing you didn't know that would happen," Marinette grouched. "What was that?!"
Eyes clear once more, they both looked down at the stone and discovered that the tracker button was gone.
"Uh… where did it go?" Chat asked feeling stupid as Marinette cast a look around to make sure it hadn't fallen from her hand. She couldn't quite believe that the stone, an inanimate object from her point of view, could flash, much less make something else disappear. Although now that she looked at the stone closely, Marinette could tell that it had changed slightly. in the black area, Marinette could just barely make out a slightly raised cat paw. That definitely hadn't been there earlier...
"Her stone absorbed it…" Plagg murmured stunned. "Kit, we are in for so much trouble…"
Chat was unable to ask Plagg what he meant by that cryptic comment since Marinette let loose a growl and shoved the stone into her waist band.
"Forget it. I don't want to know and I'm tired of random bits of magic and flashes of light. I need to get over to the courtyard where Manon still is. Can you help me get there, please? I don't have the strength to go roof-hopping right now," Marinette demanded, her exhaustion making her snappy.
"I would be honored to give you a lift, My Lady," Chat gallantly answered, cutting off his bow mid-movement since Marinette looked like she was ready to beat him with his own staff. "Uh... can you hang on piggyback or would you rather me carry you uh… bridal-style?"
The thought of clinging piggyback made Marinette's muscles cringe, but the idea of being carried bridal-style made Marinette's pride cringe, especially since several Whisperers were going to be on the scene.
"I won't make you look weak in front of your people," Chat said tenderly, causing Marinette to flinch since she realized she had remained silent too long.
"They're already going to be freaked and everyone knows I hate being carried so if they see you hauling me around they'll think the worst. I should just walk," Marinette grumbled, imagining the long walk already.
Chat had to hide a smile, although he too was worried about her physical health. She had taken several nasty blows and he could see a few rips in her jacket that were most likely caused from Akuma claws. He could even smell her blood, although he took solace from the fact that it wasn't a heavy, cloying scent from the loss of too much blood. The scent was light and probably from the scratch on her cheek which had already scabbed, and other minor scrapes.
"How about a compromise?" Chat offered walking her to the wall of the building before them.
Before she could ask what he meant, he slipped her arm around his shoulder, wrapped his around her waist and as she squeaked, he hit his staff to expand. They shot up the face of the building, coming even with the roof as Chat tipped them forward onto the roof's edge. Even though she was surprised, Marinette managed to time her footsteps with his so neither of them stumbled as they dropped off the edge onto the flatter, safer portions of the rooftop.
"You know, if you try that with anyone else you'll probably end up dragging their dead weight to safety or they'll tilt you the wrong way because they'll be totally freaking out," Marinette managed, somehow keeping her voice steady as she slipped out of his grip. "It's a good compromise, though."
Chat chuckled, "I don't let just anyone into my personal space, My Lady. You'll be the only one I willingly whisk off their feet although saving someone is a major exception."
"Let's hope you never have to save anyone then. Although, with all these Akuma out hunting for you, I wouldn't be surprised if you had to come save me again," Marinette grouched clearly not liking the idea of needing to be saved.
"You are not to go hunting the Akuma, Marinette. Didn't this one prove to you that you can't fight them?" Chat asked trying to keep his tone gentle.
Marinette shot a glare at him but she could tell he wasn't trying to be mean, he was just being factual, "I didn't go looking for this one, you know. And it's not like I could have left Manon dangling from the damned thing's jaws when I did find it."
Chat growled as he swung them to another rooftop, "You were riding it! I saw you riding the damn thing like it was a bucking bull or something! You're lucky I was close enough to grab you when it tossed you, otherwise you could have been killed!"
"It was a weird accident...? It's not like I asked it for a ride! It turned to attack Manon and... I don't know, I just reacted. I kind of had the idea to maybe surprise it to get it away from Manon, and when it tried to toss me I ended up on its back. And you know what? It never would have started attacking me in the first place if I hadn't smelled like you!" Marinette huffed.
Chat froze and it took a second for Marinette to realize that he had stopped, "You... The Akuma attacked you because my scent was on you?"
Suddenly Marinette realized what she had said and winced, "Um… I mean… yes, I guess? Spike didn't attack the moment he saw me. It was after the wind blew my scent towards him that he went nuts. I figured it was because I probably smelled like you. But Spike attacking me isn't your fault so don't even go there. Spike probably would have attacked for some other reason since he was clearly unstable as an Akuma. Your scent just happened to be a trigger this time around."
Chat didn't look very pleased by this idea either, but he looked less guilty which was all Marinette wanted, "I wonder how they even got my scent to start with… it's not like I left a shirt laying around the few times I fought against an Akuma."
"You said you've been injured fighting the Akuma before. They probably got some of your blood and used that," Marinette stated, coming to the edge of the roof and spying Manon and Stormy down in the courtyard below. Not wanting to have this conversation in front of them, Marinette backed up out of sight, dragging Chat back with her before they spotted them.
"That's a disturbing idea…" Chat grouched "But it would make a twisted sort of sense and it would explain how they've found me before and hunted others. They would have to train them, though."
"If we could figure out where they train the Akuma, we could shut the whole thing down. And if I could tie the Hawkmoth gang to these things with proper evidence, the normal folk in the gang would probably drop out. No one likes the idea of being used for experiments, especially deadly ones. This kind of news would be devastating to the Gang's hierarchy. All I have right now, though, is a dead man's word and a bunch of monsters running around," Marinette hummed already sinking into her thinking mode.
Chat grabbed Marinette's shoulder, instantly worried for her safety and quite possibly her sanity, "Marinette, I'm serious. You are not to go looking for anything related to the Akuma."
"They're connected to Hawkmoth, and taking down Hawkmoth is part of my job which is something that you shouldn't interfere with. Technically, you are part of my job to take out as well so unless you want to show off your ability to escape a jail cell, you won't interfere," Marinette snapped brushing Chat's hand off her shoulder.
The two of them glared at each other, personalities and stubbornness clashing until Chat suddenly growled, "You're going to give me an ulcer… if you find any leads, let me know. I'll watch your back. I won't interfere unless it's to save your life."
Marinette blinked a little shocked that Chat had given in so fast and then his words really sank in, making a warm, floaty feeling spread in her chest. Flustered, she chalked the sensation up to exhaustion and firmly told herself to focus.
"Then, here is to working together. May neither of us end up dead or in jail due to it," Marinette chuckled dryly holding out her hand to Chat.
Chat took her hand with a grin, "Partners in crime fighting! I like it, we'll be like a superhero duo! The Amazing Chat Noir and the Lovely Little Lady!"
"Hey! I'm not that little!" Marinette groused yanking her hand from his in irritation.
"Little enough to do this!" Chat snickered snatching Marinette up and leaping over the side of the building.
Somehow, Marinette managed to withhold her shriek of surprise and Chat released her the moment his feet hit the ground. Feeling the curious stares pricking at her back, Marinette slammed her fist into his shoulder making Chat yelp and stumble back.
"Next time, ASK!" Marinette snarled stomping over to where Manon was talking animatedly to Stormy.
Chat chuckled, rubbing at his shoulder and followed Marinette as she called out to Manon who shrieked in joy before darting at them.
"You found KITTY!" Manon squealed leaping past Marinette and right into Chat's arms.
Chat caught the child and cuddled her close, letting a purr rumble through his chest. Marinette hadn't mentioned whether Manon had seemed scared through the whole ordeal but he couldn't imaging that she was totally unaffected.
"Hey there, little kitten. I heard you went looking for me without permission," Chat said pulling back enough so he could look into her eyes.
Manon pouted, "I wanted to see you again! I got really good at hiding! No one could find me this afternoon but not-Kitty found me. I think he cheated!"
"I see," Chat murmured, even though he really didn't. "Manon, you can't go wandering around without supervision. Something could happen to you and no one would know."
"You would find me! Marinette is good at finding me, too!" Manon stated, her belief in them totally unshakeable.
Chat wanted to sigh and quite possibly beat his head against the wall, "We can't be everywhere at once, Manon. What you did today was really dangerous and you're going to be in trouble for it."
A pout settled onto Manon's features and Chat feared a tantrum, but then she sniffed and tucked her head under Chat's chin. "Marinette was scared. I don't like her scared. Will you make her better?"
Chat hugged Manon close, unsure if she was acting contrite just to get herself out of trouble, "Marinette was scared for you, Manon. I'm sure if you apologize and promise to never do this again she'll feel better, though."
Wiggling a little, Manon peered up at him, "You really think so?"
Chat nodded. Seeing the smile on Marinette's face, he turned Manon around so he could put her down, "Go find out yourself."
Manon raced over to Marinette who had been talking to Stormy and jumped up into her arms, babbling an apology as she did. Stormy patted Marinette on the back, ruffled Manon's hair, and then moved towards Chat.
"How bad was the impact?" Stormy murmured quietly. "Marinette says she's totally fine… Should I believe her? I mean, she was running up against a literal monster."
"She fared better than anyone else would have. Akuma are not something to underestimate. To try and fight them is just asking to be killed so make sure your people know that before they go out trying to copy Marinette. Even she can just barely hold her own when fleeing one of them. I was a bit worried since she seemed to lose consciousness for a moment after we hit the ground but she seems to have shaken it off completely," Chat lied keeping his voice just as low. He didn't want to be the one to say it but Marinette was favoring her left side a little and he wasn't sure if it was simple bruising or something worse. "Most of your people would have been killed within moments of running up against an Akuma. She's very lucky and surprisingly sturdy for such a small woman."
Stormy snorted then started laughing, unable to keep her voice low as she chortled, "So that's why she punched you! Get all thoughts of Marinette being small or weak out of your head! She is the best fighter we probably have and very few know Paris like her. Between her and an Akuma, I'd still put my money on Marinette."
Chat groaned, rubbing at his temples, "I never said Marinette was weak. She can get the best of me in a fight and just outrun or rather rode an Akuma. Just because she's small doesn't make her weak."
Stormy patted Chat on the back watching as a curious Marinette made her way over to them, "I knew you had a brain in there somewhere."
Chat wanted to hiss at Stormy, but technically hissing was rude so he just growled too low for her to hear as Marinette raised an eyebrow in question. When he shook his head, Marinette shrugged, patting Manon on the back, "This little one has had a really big afternoon and Nadja asked if I could bring her back. Do we have a vehicle nearby that I can use? I really don't feel like walking."
Stormy nodded, making the call on her phone a few feet away since she also had to call for someone to go collect Spike's body. As far as they knew, Spike didn't have any next of kin so at some point they would have to talk to someone in the Hawkmoth gang to see if they wanted the body. They most likely would and for the wrong reasons, but no one could say any of that in front of Manon.
It only took a few minutes for the car Stormy called to arrive and Chat walked them to the car since Manon was trying to make him promise to come see her later that week. Eventually Chat promised he would as long as she promised not to take off on her own again. It was a fairly easy thing to promise and Marinette was hiding a smile as she slipped into the car.
"Are you coming?" She asked holding the car door open for him.
Chat wanted to. He wanted to make sure she was really ok away from prying eyes, but he could do that as Adrien. Plus, the nervous look he was getting from the driver was already setting his teeth on edge.
"No, I can watch you from the rooftops. I don't do well in cars these days," Chat partially lied.
Marinette frowned at him, "Do not stalk me, mister. Otherwise, I have a spray bottle with your name on it."
To her surprise, Chat threw back his head and laughed, making the poor driver jump nervously and Manon start giggling, too. He did have a very nice, warm laugh that made Marinette want to smile as well. The feeling was squelched slightly when he scooped her hand up and pressed a chaste kiss to her knuckles, "Only you, My Lady. See you soon."
He didn't give her any time to reply, turning and leaping for the building. Within a few moments he was up over the rooftops and Marinette just sighed closing the car door so she could get home, hopefully somewhat early this evening.
Nope Marinette didn't die... guess you will have to keep reading! Drop a review if you like it so far!
