Chapter 7 – Déjà vu
Author's Note: First of all, a special shout out to Yellow 14! Thank you for reviewing. Even a few words gives me the boost to keep going.
Second, for the sake of this AU, I would like everyone to pretend the episodes "Timetagger (introduces Bunnix)" and "Weredad" were moved to Season two. I envision this story as a two-part premiere for Season 3. As a result, developments such as seen in "Chat Blanc," "Loveeater/heart-hunter," and "Miracle Queen" haven't happened.
Ok, so on with the show…
Tikki swerved drunkenly through the air, searching for Marinette.
Everything hurt. Her head pounded, and her tiny tummy was upset. Honestly, she was in no shape to transform, but what choice did she have? Paris needed Ladybug.
The vines didn't advance as fast as Frozer's ice or Siren's tears, but they were just as thorough. As the sun sunk lower, Paris transformed from modern metropolis into a dense jungle. Twice, Tikki doubled back when she misread landmarks leading to Fu's studio.
As if the path wasn't confusing enough, there were countless people calling for help. When Tikki saw them tangled in vines, crying out for Ladybug, she desperately wanted to do help, but the best way was to stop this problem at the source.
And to stop the vines, she needed to find Marinette and transform.
She bypassed families stranded in their cars and apartments without a second look. She did pause to watch a mother rescue a child suspended four stories off the ground. But as soon as Tikki was sure they were both fine, she darted off again.
She didn't notice a woman watching her from behind a blue feathered fan.
For her part, Mayura's eyes went wide when she registered the red and black blur. She couldn't believe her luck. "Amok, part for me," she called, and the vines obeyed, clearing a path just as Tikki disappeared through another leaf.
Ladybug was separated from her Kwami?
This was a dream come true! Mayura was in hot pursuit, willing the branches and vines to clear a path for her. Even if she just leads me to her master, the corners of Mayura's lips quirked upward, Hawkmoth will finally have the means to end Ladybug ONCE AND FOR ALL!
The greenery tunneled to the kwami, just as Tikki looked over her shoulder. It took her a beat to recognize that Hawkmoth's partner in crime was hot on her heels. Impulsively, Tikki dove to the left, phasing through the wall of vines. Behind her, a voice cried, "Amok, move these vines!" And to Tikki's horror, a new path opened between her and Mayura. She swerved again… and ran straight into "Marinette!"
"Tikki! Where have you been? How's Chat…?"
"There's no time," the kwami cut her off. "Mayura is right behind me. We have to transform NOW before she learns your secret identity!"
Marinette struck a pose in the tight space. "Ok, Tikki, SPOTS ON!" They transformed just as a thicket of leaves peeled back, revealing Mayura launching at them.
Ladybug leapt out of the way. Looking back, she teased the supervillain, "Well, look who decided to join the party? What? Was Hawkmoth too busy to come himself?"
Mayura didn't rise to the bait. "I see your kwami found you," she growled. "Pity." She closed the distance and struck the first blow. Ladybug deflected but lost her balance as the vines twisted underfoot. She fell, but flinging her yo-yo, she swung to safety.
Ladybug struck another pose. "Where is the amok, Mayura?" She was done playing games.
The villainess laughed. "I suppose, you'll just have to look for it." A vine surged to grab her, but Ladybug dodged. She tried to leap away, but a wall of greenery formed directly in her path, blocking her.
"Then again," the villainess went on, "I doubt you'll find it anytime soon… certainly not, before you need to transform back." Three more vines reached to ensnare Ladybug, but she deflected them with her yo-yo. Taking a better look around, she finally noticed that Mayura was slowly caging her in.
It didn't help that the twisting vines had her feeling dizzy. She lost a step, and Mayura sent vines to seize her as she fell. In moments, Paris' favorite hero was bound and dangling helplessly in midair. She struggled, but squirming only made them tighter.
Tiny light beams snuck in through the ceiling of vines and leaves, but Ladybug could still make out the silent disbelief in Mayura's eyes. Even the villainess couldn't believe she'd really done it. She'd captured THE Ladybug, singlehandedly. It felt too good to be true.
Mayura waited for the other shoe to drop. By all accounts, she'd as good as won, but she'd seen similar circumstances end in disaster for Hawkmoth. She wouldn't get cocky and declare victory before both Ladybug's Miraculous were both securely in her possession.
But that didn't keep a smile from ghosting her lips.
Only one of Mayura's eyes was visible, but it narrowed ever so slightly as she asked, "How much time do you have left?" Ladybug glowered, but her earrings answered for her with a familiar beep. Mayura's grin widened. "Sooner than I could have hoped."
Silently, Ladybug panicked.
WHY was she this close to transforming back? She hadn't even used her Lucky Charm yet! She should have plenty of time. Was something wrong with her powers? Was it Tikki? Her kwami went to help Chat Noir. Did that deplete her somehow? And speaking of Chat Noir, where was he?
For the second time in one day, Hawkmoth's goons had Ladybug dead to rights. It was like a sick sort of déjà vu. And this time it looked like there was no way out.
Then, a familiar halo outlined Mayura's eyes, and Ladybug watched things go from bad to worse.
Mayura, do you have them?
Speaking aloud, she answered, "I have successfully captured Ladybug, and at the rate her power is failing, she will be defenseless in moments." Mayura paused, and they both heard the earrings give a second beep.
Hawkmoth was aghast. You're just waiting for her to transform back?
"Yes, it will not be long now." Victory was so close Mayura could practically taste it. She didn't want to be hasty and lose everything at the last moment.
But Hawkmoth disagreed. No, Mayura, don't wait.
"Hawkmoth?" Mayura's confidence shifted to confusion.
Take her Miraculous now, before her partner can find her or she can get the upper hand. Take them now!
Mayura's gaze sharpened. She strode to the hero, alert for any tricks the teen might have up her spandex sleeves. "Well, Ladybug, it appears your unmasking comes early." She reached out a hand to the first of her earrings, but Ladybug jerked away, fighting to the last. Mayura flinched, expecting something worse, but relaxed, realizing that Ladybug was truly helpless.
She smiled, and then Ladybug saw that it was truly over.
She'd lost.
Hawkmoth won.
She should've read the handwriting on the wall when her partner was akumatized. Why didn't it occur to her that Chat Noir's fall would herald her own? She should've known better.
Oh, how she wished she could go back in time. Maybe she could accept Chat's offer for a "kiss for the cameras" or even take him on a date. Would a single date with Chat Noir really be worse than letting Hawkmoth and Mayura take her Miraculous?
A small piece of Marinette's heart wondered, but what about Adrien? Then, a logical part sassed back, Is it really better to stay faithful to a boy who has NO CLUE I like him romantically than to date one who's already in love with me?
Ladybug slumped forward in defeat as Mayura plucked the first earring from her ear. Her face tingled as Tikki fought to keep the mask in place, now with half of her power gone. Marinette knew it was useless.
Having successfully claimed one, Mayura jerked Ladybug's head to get the other earring.
Neither woman noticed the ceiling of vines turn black as cracks spider-webbed out from a single point. The dead vines crumbled until the entire ceiling collapsed in on them. A larger piece hit Mayura in the back, knocking her down. The villain must've inhaled some of the dust because she began coughing uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, Ladybug lifted her eyes to see a silhouette standing against the brilliance of the setting sun.
"Now, now, now…" the newcomer purred, "Is that any way to treat a lady?"
Ladybug's heart jackhammered in her chest. She could scarcely believe it. Could it really be "…Chat Noir?"
Author's Note: Thoughts, comments, suggestions? All any and reviews help.
Till next time…