I just realized how long its been since I updated. Sorry! Sorry sorry sorry sorry!
Disclaimer: see last chapter.
Chapter 30: Copycat, Part 1
Adrien was not looking forward to this one.
Sure, Copycat wasn't the most powerful akuma, nor did he slam Chat Noir into the walls multiple times, but he was a villain that Adrien was personally responsible for. And, being human, Adrien did not like coming face to face with his failures.
But at the same time, he needed a break from being slammed into walls or blasted off of towers, so he figured Copycat would be a good break physically. It had even been him who had suggested it.
When the winds died down, Adrien found himself in his room in the middle of searching his gym bag. Plagg immediately dived for the stash of cheese.
"We should get going," Adrien said. "Catch Copycat before he has a chance to frame me. Plagg-"
"Plagg's not home," Plagg croaked. "Please leave a message."
Adrien sighed. "I guess you've earned some cheese. Just be quick."
"Why am I holding Adrien's phone?" Marinette squealed, dropping the phone on her bed.
"Because you stole it from his locker to delete an embarrassing voicemail," Tikki reminded her. "Which Alya will help you with later. Now we need to worry about Copycat."
"You're right," Marinette replied, swinging her legs off the bed and onto the floor. "I'll grab some food from the kitchen and we can eat next to the Louvre while waiting for Copycat and Chat Noir."
"Do you know how you're going to tell the difference between the two of them?" Tikki suggested.
Marinette groaned. "No. I guess I should have planned something out with Chat Noir beforehand. At least I know that the akuma isn't in the ring, so I won't be fooled into accidentally taking Chat Noir's miraculous."
"As long as you have a method, you'll be fine," Tikki said.
Marinette stood up, making sure her weight was on her good foot. "And if I get there soon enough, I can confront Copycat before he commits his theft and clear the air before the police try to arrest Chat Noir. Let's go."
Grabbing an umbrella to use as a cane, Marinette wobbled down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Marinette? Are you limping?"
Marinette froze in her spot and slowly looked to see her parents in the living room, watching her with concern. She quickly plastered on a smile.
"Oh, I just twisted my ankle," Marinette lied. "Going up the stairs to the roof. You know how clumsy I am."
"Well you shouldn't be walking on it," her mom said. "Come and lie down on the couch, dear. I'll get you whatever it was you needed."
Marinette's mom ushered her to the couch, making sure she propped her ankle up and that her pillow was comfortable.
"Now, what was it you were looking for?" Her mom asked.
"Oh, just a quick snack," Marinette replied. "I hadn't really decided yet. Maybe a croissant and a cookie?"
"One croissant with a cookie coming right up." Her mom pointed at her dad. "Don't let her get up."
Great, Marinette thought. Just what I needed.
"Do you need a drink as well?"
Then again, this might be exactly what I need.
Chat Noir landed right behind Copycat, in the most dramatic fashion known to man.
The small crowd of civilians around the Louvre all portrayed various expressions of shock. Many started taking videos.
Chat Noir straighten up. "Nice try, Copycat. But the original is always better."
He extended his baton and spun it around a few times to prove his point.
Copycat turned around and extended his baton. "We'll see about that."
Metal against metal, the resulting clang of their batons colliding wasn't pleasant on the ears.
Chat Noir leaned into his attack, confident that now the playing field was even, he could hold his own against Copycat. He pushed his opponent's baton away and moved to strike again.
Copycat smacked his baton into Chat Noir's side, knocking the breath out of the superhero. Chat Noir barely had time to catch his breath before deflecting a second attack from Copycat.
Chat Noir pushed through, sending Copycat onto the pavement. Copycat rolled up onto his feet before Chat Noir had the opportunity to push his advantage.
Their batons collided again, and Chat Noir saw his own determined face reflected back at him.
Without letting his baton waver, Chat Noir swiped Copycat's feet from under him and sent his opponent into the pavement again.
Copycat rolled back onto his feet, panting heavy.
Chat Noir fell back into his fighting stance. "You're a terrible copy, Copycat."
Copycat grunted and charged again.
Marinette started the bath water.
"I hope this is enough to keep them satisfied," Marinette muttered. "I don't need them checking on me."
"I'm sure it will be fine," Tikki replied. "And now that we've both had plenty to eat, we'll be able to take on Copycat with no problem."
Marinette nodded. "Especially with this nice brace they found for me. I guess I'm lucky to have such caring parents."
"You are very lucky," Tikki agreed.
Marinette watched the bathtub fill up before stopping the water. She added a couple pumps of scented body wash to add another layer of deception.
"That's what makes it so hard to lie to them," Marinette said. "But I can't leave Chat Noir by himself. Tikki, spots on!"
More action to come!