Chapter 14
Burning Store
Ladybug and Cat Noir landed on the roof across the street from the burning building. It was a small shop that looked like a bookstore. From the front windows they could see fire burning and from the doorway came thick black smoke.
Both heroes were trying to figure out what to do when they heard crying nearby. They ran over to the other edge of the roof and saw a little girl crying in the alley. She was leaning down next to a man who had been beat up a little and was trying to rest. The heroes jumped down to the two.
"What is wrong? I am glad you both are okay." -Ladybug tried to reassure the child.
"Do you know whose store that is?" -Cat Noir asked.
*Sniff* "Yes, it is our store but we are okay now." -The child replied.
Cat Noir and Ladybug turned to face the burning building and started to walk towards it when Ladybug felt the child grab her hand.
"I think my uncle is still inside! So is the bad man that hurt me and my dad!" -the child explained in her bravest voice.
"Who was the bad man?" -Ladybug leaned down and asked.
"He had on a lot of purple...OH and a silver mask!" -the child described.
Ladybug and Cat Noir looked at each other with near pale faces. There was only one person who fit that description. Both heroes immediately ran to the front of the burning building. The heroes could hear the clash of swords inside, but could not see through the windows due to the flames.
"We have to get in there somehow! But you should leave, Ladybug. I have more time than you." -Cat Noir warned Ladybug.
Both heroes only had about 2 minutes left before they transformed back, but Cat Noir did have more time than Ladybug.
"No, I am not leaving you alone with this! Now let's get this door open!" -Ladybug replied, trying to shake the door open with her hands, but the door was blocked.
"Stand back!" -yelled Cat Noir.
It took 3 hard kicks, but on the 3rd kick he was able to break the door open. Smoke poured out, but even so, both heroes ran into the building without hesitation.
Inside they saw many of the bookshelves knocked over, some of them burnt and on fire. It felt very hot, and both Cat Noir and Ladybug coughed due to the intense smoke and heat.
But there in the middle was what they were looking for, two men fighting each other. One was clearly Hawk Moth, but did not seem like the super villain they had seen before. Instead of looking confident and devious, he was angry, frustrated, and tired.
What they were more shocked to see was who was fighting him was Mr. Croix. His outfit had various tears in it from where he had been struck by Hawk Moth. He was bleeding in several places from where he had been struck. He was exhausted, worn, but still fighting on.
Hawk Moth launched again for another attack which Mr. Croix was able to defend against. When their weapons clashed, sparks shot out in all directions.
For a few seconds the heroes were frozen at what they were seeing, but then Hawk Moth noticed them. Suddenly his evil smile came back.
"Surrender now Hawk Moth!" -Cat Noir shouted as he extended his staff.
Mr. Croix turned around to see both Cat Noir and Ladybug standing at the entrance, ready to fight.
"Get out of here NOW!" -yelled Mr. Croix at the duo.
With his back turned, Hawk Moth thrusted his sword forward, but Mr. Croix was able to swing his rapier over his back and block the attack.
Suddenly the floor above them made a large creaking sound, as it was about to give way and collapse due to the fire.
"It's time to go, Hawk Moth. Neither of us need to be in any more danger today." -Mr. Croix tried to reason with him.
"Hmmm maybe you are right, so long as you do not live after today." -Hawk Moth announced as he attacked.
The first attack was blocked by Mr. Croix, but Hawk Moth let out a large roar as he thrust his sword forward. Mr. Croix went for the block, but as his blade hit Hawk Moth's thrust, the rapier blade shattered.
Ladybug let out a high-pitched scream as Hawk Moth's blade punctured Mr. Croix's stomach, the tip of the blade piercing out from his back. Mr. Croix looked down at the blade which entered him and at his broken rapier in his hand before coughing up blood. He looked up at Hawk Moth who had a look of delight on his face.
Hawk Moth was not prepared though as Mr. Croix grabbed him by his chest and pulled himself closer, forcing the blade deeper in. With what energy he could muster, Mr. Croix dropped his broken rapier and grabbed Hawk Moth's miraculous.
"NO!" Hawk Moth yelled out as the Butterfly miraculous was ripped off.
Hawk Moth started to de-transform, but before Cat Noir and Ladybug could see who it was, the burning floor above the two collapsed, landing in between the two heroes and the two men. The debris and fire prevented the heroes from seeing who Hawk Moth really was.
At the same time Ladybug's earring beeped again as it was down to its last minute, and Cat Noir's ring was about to do the same. Cat Noir looked at both Ladybug, who was in tears, then to the fire in front of them. He then looked up to hear the floor creak again as more was about to collapse on the duo heroes
Cat Noir turned to face Ladybug and picked her up, turning towards the door.
"Cat Noir, what are you doing! We need to save Mr. Croix!" Ladybug cried out, struggling to get out of his grip.
"You are about to transform back, and I will not let you get hurt! Don't worry my lady." -Cat Noir reassured Ladybug as he used his strength to safely throw her out of the building.
Ladybug landed on her feet and turned around staring at Cat Noir. He smiled at her before turning around and jumping into the flames in front of him towards Mr. Croix and Hawk Moth. Ladybug started to run forward back to the building when the entire front collapsed. Ladybug jumped back to avoid the debris and flames, but looked on as there was now no way for her to get back in.
"Cat Noir!" -she cried out as loud as she could.
Suddenly to her sides came water shooting at the flames. When she turned to look there were dozens of firefighters arriving in their fire engines and starting to attack the fire with their hoses. She then felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Alex, the de-akumatized firefighter.
"Go Ladybug, we got this!" -she reassured her.
Ladybug swung her yoyo and got away from everyone. She was able to get a few blocks away to a nearby alley before she transformed back into Marinette.
Marinette rested her back against the wall, collapsing to the ground with tears in her eyes. She looked down in her hands to see Tikki laying there exhausted but looking at her.
"Don't worry Marinette, if anyone can make it, it is Cat Noir." -Tikki said in a soft voice.
Marinette wanted to go back, but knew there was nothing she could do with Tikki weak. She placed Tikki in her bag and began to run back home so she could get Tikki some food. She knew Tikki was right about Cat Noir, but still worried about him, and what happened to Hawk Moth and Mr. Croix.
