The sky was gray today, reminding Marinette that winter would soon be coming which meant snow. She was excited for the fall to end and for winter break, and especially for christmas, but the one thing Marinette was most excited for was winter fashion. Not only were more accessories used in the winter, there was something about big coats and scarves that really screamed Marinette's name. She had spent her free period, scribbling designs down in her sketchbook, hoping to at least get four outfits completely made and photographed for her portfolio. University applications were coming soon and she needed to have enough projects if she wanted to even be considered for some of Paris's design programs.
She wondered what ChatNoir did, or if he was in school what he wanted to do? The two had been seeing each other regularly for nearly two weeks now, and in that time Marinette had solidified her decision to be just friends with Luka. ChatNoir had boosted her confidence if she was being honest. It was nice to spend time with someone and not expect anything from them. Chat was there for her and vice versa, she found herself enjoying his company more than she had expected.
Screaming caught her ear before she was even finished with the first jacket. Several students around her, sat up straight, everyone having enough experience with an Akuma attack to know what it sounds like. It was silent for a moment before an explosion boomed through the school. She jumped in her seat, the sound of chairs scraping against the floor mixing with the screams outside as people scurried to evacuate the building. She pretended it was taking her longer to grab her things before she was the only one left in the building.
"Another Akuma attack." She said, looking out the window at the people scrambling outside. The dark sky caught her eyes and she looked up confused. It was 2:00, and yeah the sky was gray but this looked like it was midnight, that was concerning.
"They're getting more frequent." Tikki said, flying up to look at her.
"Well, no time to waste. Tikki, spots on!"
Ladybug exited the classroom looking left and right to make sure there were no students who might recognize her as the last one in there. She followed the sounds of explosions and realized how fast everyone had gotten out. Or maybe they'd been captured. She took a deep breath walking through the hallways and peering into empty classrooms. It was slightly frightening how bare the halls were.
"Hey Bugaboo." She clutched her chest and turned to ChatNoir. "Woah, hey sorry didn't mean to scare you. No need to be so jumpy."
"I'm not scared." She said quickly. "I'm just confused why it's so empty."
"I didn't see anyone in here when I was coming in either." She turned to say something when the lights in the building shut off.
"Uh Ladybug…?"
"I can't see anything. Crap." She sucked in a breath as Chat grabbed her hand pulling her forward.
"I can, just hold on to me." She clenched her teeth but gripped his hand anyway.
"We need to find a way to get some light in here." Ladybug muttered, stumbling blindly behind Chat. "Do you see anything?"
He didn't say anything and when she went to speak he clamped a hand over her mouth, pulling them quietly into a supply closet. Her back was pressed to his chest, and his hand was still covering her mouth. He brought his head down whispering quietly in her ear.
"I saw him, and I think we're going to have to get the lights on before we fight him."
"Why?"
"I haven't seen an Akuma quite as creepy as thisnone, but he's got this long stick thing and no eyes."
"Might have something to do with the lights, maybe if he can't see he doesn't want anyone else to see?" She whispered back. She could hear footsteps approaching and sucked in a breath. This reminded her way too much of the movies they had watched a few nights ago, and if it followed the same story line, they would be dead in five seconds. Ladybug shook away those thoughts, this wasn't a movie. This was an Akuma, and she'd dealt with plenty of Akuma's already.
"Ok, I don't hear him anymore. Let's go find a way to turn these lights on." Chat opened the door, Ladybug couldn't see but she could hear the door open and wondered how the Akuma hadn't. She assumed he was looking out of the door before tugging her behind him.
"It's a school, maybe there's a breaker box?"
"I don't think it's an electrical problem though." Chat said, pulling her faster. "I'm not exactly sure how we could-" Chat's grip loosened on her as he tripped before getting dragged back. Ladybug squeaked as he let out a shout before she was left in total darkness. This was the worst thing that could've happened. She felt pressure on her back before the wind was knocked out of her, her body sliding across the floor.
"Ladybug!" At least Chat was still here. A sinister laugh echoed through the dark and Ladybug jumped to her feet quickly.
"Who are you?"
"Me?" His voice was soft and it sent shivers down ladybugs spine. "I'm Overshadow, and you, you're going to give me your miraculous." Ladybug heard more commotion before her hand was snatched again. She was about to flip them over her shoulder but she smelt the familiar scent of Chat's hair.
"Come on!" He tugged her quickly moving through the hallways. "He can't see, he's following us through his hearing."
Ladybug allowed Chat to drag her around before she felt the ground disappear beneath her feet. Her and Chat let out a scream as they fell through the flooring of the second story. They landed on the ground in a heap, both groaning in pain. She blinked her eyes rapidly realising they were in the common area of the school. There was a bit of light trickling from outside. She realized it was police lights and people with their flashlights. Bless the people of Paris.
"Move!" Chat gripped ladybug rolling them out of the way as Overshadow jumped down behind them. She rolled to her feet and Chat struck Overshadow with his staff sending him flying. He seemed to be able to make shadow portals, or whatever they were it was causing big dark masses which seemed like they could be passed through. She knew ChatNoir could handle Overshadow for the moment as she ran outside to the bystanders. She ushered them all closer.
"Listen, I can't talk very loud, this Aluma relies on his hearing and he seems to capture all of the light he passes by. I need you all to shine your lights into here please, but don't get too close or he'll cancel them out. I I can't see in the dark and I need to be able to see to capture his Akuma." The people nodded and flashed their lights into the building. "Thank you."
She ran back in, only to see chat gripping onto his staff hanging through an open portal. "Ladybug!" She felt her heart jump in fear running over to him, she reached to grab him before she was sent flying through the wall into the schools office. If she was correct, that shadow Chat was hanging in would have no bottom, who knows how long he could fall for or if it would ever stop. She groaned pushing herself up and attempting to move forward.
"It's lights out for you Ladybug." Overshadow smirked standing over her. She gripped her yoyo sending it out to wrap him up but he seemed to hear it ducking under the string and moving toward her, a long stick cloaked in shadow. She still couldn't see very well, the office still dim from the lights two rooms away. She rolled away, hoping Chat could pull himself up.
"Luckycharm!" A small matchbox landed in her hand and she stared at it in confusion. "Matches?" An angry yell tore her from her stupor and she jumped grabbing Overshadows head and lifting her legs above him sending him stumbling behind her. ChatNoir finally showed back up and she held up the match box before she got an idea.
"Overshadow relies on his hearing right? Well, lets give him something to listen to then." She grinned, grabbing the match box and striking it. She ushered for chat to grab the papers around the floor. "Wrap those on your staff!" She dodged another one of Overshadows attacks though she screamed when he touched the floor beneath her. She felt her legs lose grip as she dropped. She extended her yoyo wrapping it around the hanging light of the office. "Chat!" She threw the match box at him and he lit the papers extending it to the fire detectors. "Come on!" She groaned, hoping it would move faster as the light she was dangling from loosened through the concrete above.
Finally the alarm went off and Overshadow dropped to the ground screaming. The water sprayed all over them drenching them and the office. Chat quickly ran over gripping Ladybugs yo-yo string right as the light gave way, he slipped briefly on the wet floor nearly dropping them both and Ladybug grunted, though he finally got her up. She moved quickly grabbing the pole and snapping it half, relief filling her as the akuma fluttered out. She captured the Akuma quickly and released the butterfly.
Overshadow melted to reveal a small boy, thick sunglasses on his face looking around confused. The lights snapped back on and Ladybug sighed in relief. "What happened? Where am I?"
"Don't worry kid." ChatNoir said, helping him up and handing him his guide stick.
"I'm so sorry I didn't mean to."
"We know." Ladybug smiled, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "How about we get you home?"
He nodded slowly, and she left ChatNoir with that task. She went back into the nearly destroyed classroom finding the match box and throwing it in the air. How lucky it was that she had a power to fix everything an Akuma had ruined.
Her earrings beeped and she made her way out of the classroom window, transforming back into Marinette once she was safely on the floor.
"That was kind of scary." Tikki mumbled, munching on the cookie Marinette handed her from her purse.
"I felt so useless Tikki, if ChatNoir hadn't been able to see in the dark I don't think we would've gotten through that."
"Well that's why you guys are partners! He makes up for what you lack, and vice versa."
She crossed her arms staring at the floor. It was nice to have the light back outside and she only hoped that nothing like that would happen again. What would happen if next time, it was something that tripped them both up? She supposed there were other miraculous for that but now it was all on her. There was no Master Fu for advice. There was just Marinette and that was the scariest thing she could imagine.
She felt alone, maybe it was time for her to bring ChatNoir in on this. She couldn't do this alone, she felt her breathing start to get slightly erratic. She felt completely alone, she never asked for this, she never asked for this stress. For this responsibility, she was supposed to just be Marinette.
"Marinette? Hey are you ok?" She felt like she couldn't breathe. That fight wasn't even that difficult what on Earth was happening to her. "Hey hey!" She felt arms wrap themselves around her. She couldn't even see who it was and simply dropped into them. Her brain felt like it was skipping tracks, things were moving so slowly. How was she going to survive this? How were they, two kids going to defeat hawk moth? Would this ever end? Had she signed up for a lifetime commitment at only 14 years old? That hardly seemed fair. She felt something rubbing her back and she focused on that, trying to calm her breathing. She slumped into the person holding her and took a deep breath feeling in control of her body once again. That smelt like Chat noir shampoos She opened her eyes and nearly jumped out of her skin when she realized it was Adrien holding her. She felt her face warm and was sure she looked like a tomato. Had Adrien just witnessed her breakdown? "You alright?"
She spluttered trying to speak but Adrien, probably thinking she was shaken up by the Akuma attack simply pulled her back into him hugging her tightly. "It's ok Marinette. Everything is all right now." God if only he knew how much worse he was making this. She was the opposite of calm at this moment, she found herself wishing it were ChatNoir holding her. She shook that thought away as quickly as it had come.
"I'm ok...I'm just uh scared of the dark is all!" She lied, clenching her eyes shut. He didn't let go though and she felt so awkward but also elated to be in his arms. "I'm ok Adrien. Thank you." He slowly let go, holding her shoulders still and looking her over.
"Did you get hurt at all?"
"Nope I'm fine, I hid out here." She said, pointing to the open window.
"Marinette! You can't just jump out of windows!" He scolded, and she jumped slightly.
"I'm ok! Really I'm totally used to it!"
He sighed, rubbing his head. "I don't know if that should make me feel better or worse."
"Better?" She said, giving him a smile, though it wasn't convincing. He shook his head though he was smiling now.
"Do you want me to walk you home?" She stared at him eyes wide. She supposed plenty of students would be going home after that. What's the worst that could happen?
"U-uh sure." He smiled starting to walk and she jogged a bit to catch up.
"It's pretty scary how used to Akuma attacks everyone is now huh?" Adrien said, looking down at her.
"Yeah I guess it is. It's been happening for so long I guess everyone just kind of knows the drill."
"Yeah, plus most people have been akumatized by now, or at least know someone who has so there isn't going to be any hard feelings."
"Yeah, I mean look at our class. I think almost everyone in there has been akumatized at least once."
"You haven't." Adrien added. Marinette panicked for a brief moment before smiling nervously.
"I guess I'm just good at handling my emotions is all. I don't ever want to be a problem for Ladybug and ChatNoir. But, now that I think about it, you've never been akumatized either Adrien."
He simply shrugged. "When your whole life is basically dealing with negativity, you get fairly good at not letting it take over." she frowned at him. Marinette couldn't imagine what Adriens life was like, let alone the responsibilities and pressure that was probably on him.
"I'm sorry." He turned to her and gave a bright smile.
"There's nothing to apologize about Marinette. It's not your fault."
"I know, I still wish there was something I could do though."
"Just being my friend is enough."
She wouldn't lie to herself, those words still stung. But, this time she didn't stress over it, because Adrien would still be here. He would still be around, and even if it was just as her friend she knew that would be enough.
For now.
"Well, thanks for walking me home."
"No problem Marinette. Make sure you get some rest too. Most people brush it off because it happens so often, but akuma attacks can be mentally exhausting." Marinette wish he knew how right he was. "And even if we're not the ones fighting, we still need to take care of ourselves."
"Thanks Adrien." She knew her face was bright red. "Don't forget to follow your own advice ok?"
He laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll try. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. Tomorrow see, i mean see you tomorrow." She inwardly groaned, slipping into the bakery and shutting the door.
She needed to talk to the kwamis about ChatNoir. If there was one thing she knew, it was that she couldn't do this alone.
She needed Chats help
