Fifty chapters! Wow! I can't believe how big this story has gotten!
Chapter 50: Simon Says, Part 1
She knows.
It was easy to figure out how - his explanation for finding out her identity revealed that he had a familiarity with Marinette. And since almost everyone else she was familiar with had been akumatized, it made sense that she had figured it out.
Yet Adrien could not wrap his mind around the fact that she knows.
Nino bumped his arm with his elbow. "You alright dude? You looked a little zoned there."
"I'm fine," Adrien replied. "Just-"
The door banged open behind them as Simon Says made his entrance, cards at the ready.
"Simon Says-"
"Akuma," Adrien said. "Let's get out of here."
He pushed Nino towards the door, and the two darted for the exit.
"Not so fast-"
The door closed behind Adrien and Nino, cutting off whatever villain speech Simon Says was giving.
"We should split up," Adrien suggested.
"Dude, horrible idea," Nino replied. "Have you ever seen a movie before?"
"Just trust me," Adrien said. "If we split up, he can only get one of us."
"I'd rather he get neither of us," Nino replied.
"Nino-"
"Fine. Just be careful, dude."
Adrien put on his most reassuring smile. "Of course."
Just as the doors opened behind them, Nino turned left and Adrien turned right.
"Simon Says get them!"
The second he was out of view from the others, Adrien stopped.
"Alright Plagg, claws out!"
"Ladybug!"
Ladybug turned towards the source of the sound just as Nino ran up to her.
"What's happening?" Ladybug asked.
"The akuma," Nino said. "I didn't see what he could do but, my friend Adrien-"
"Don't worry," Ladybug said. "I'll find him."
"Thanks dude - I mean, Ladybug."
"Chat Noir's already in the building," Ladybug continued. "Just get to safety and stay hidden."
When Nino nodded and continued running, Ladybug pulled out her yo-yo and dialed Chat Noir.
He answered immediately, his picture moving as he weaved around the hypnotized soldiers.
"I'm on my way to you," Ladybug told him. "Hold on."
"My heart eagerly-" whatever romantic line Chat Noir had been about to say was interrupted by a body dive from the gorilla.
Chat Noir's face reappeared. "Just get here soon, okay?"
Ladybug nodded, closed her yo-yo and ran to the stairs, filing away the fact that Adrien Agreste had just tried to flirt with her for later.
She hadn't been trying to figure out Chat Noir's identity, but when he indirectly revealed he knew her, it was just process of elimination. And now, she was desperately trying to ignore the fact whenever she could.
It wasn't like she had a problem with her crush being Chat Noir. It was more like she had a problem with Adrien having an obvious crush on her.
And the flirting - but no, she wasn't thinking about that, thank you very much.
Ladybug turned a corner into the hallway where Chat Noir was being ambushed by Simon Says soldiers. He was twisting and turning under their attacks, or blocking with his baton when needed, but he was outnumbered and starting to be overwhelmed.
Simon Says stood between Ladybug and the ambush, snarling and tossing cards whenever he had a clear shot. Chat Noir dodged a throw, and a paralysis card missed and hit one of the soldiers instead.
"Hey," Ladybug called. "I think you need a new stylists, because your outfit is hurting my eyes."
"Simon Says you're nothing more than an annoying pest."
Simon Says launched his cards, and Ladybug dodged out of the way with ease.
"I'm a very effective pest, thank you very much," Ladybug replied. She tossed her yo-yo, wrapping it around his legs.
"Simon Says your yo-yo is-"
Not again! Ladybug recalled her yo-yo just in time to miss the card.
Chat Noir grabbed a soldier and tossed her at Simon Says. The bodies collided, and Simon Says stumbled forward, nearly dropping his cards as he did so.
Ladybug wrapped her yo-yo around Simon Says wrist, but he switched his cards to his other hand.
"Simon Says your-" Ladybug pulled his wrist, knocking him off balance, but he kept talking. "Yo-yo is useless."
He launched a card, and once again Ladybug narrowly avoided it.
The Gorilla's fist slammed into Chat Noir's side, sending him into the wall. Chat Noir groaned, but was able to roll out of the way as three other soldiers tried to dog-pile him.
Ladybug pulled Simon Says closer to her. "It's over for you."
"Simon Says it's over for you." He launched another card, right at Ladybug's face. Ladybug ducked, and the card soared right past her.
Simon Says used the distraction to grab her yo-yo string with his caught hand and pull it abruptly. Ladybug stumbled forward. Simon Says grabbed more cards and said something, and Ladybug launched herself forward to avoid being hit. Multiple cards hit the floor behind her.
Simon Says continued spraying her with cards, forcing her to constantly changed positions.
"Where are you even getting all these cards from?" Ladybug grumbled. "Aren't you going to run out?"
"They're magic cards," Simon Says. "Of course they aren't going to run out."
"That's not fair," Ladybug decided.
She watched as Chat Noir dodged a body dive from another soldier, just in time to twist out of the way of an attack from behind.
"We need a different approach," Ladybug called. "Lucky charm!"
The two superheroes collapsed in the bathroom, their transformations dropping together.
"That was close," Marinette commented, leaning against the wall.
"Agreed," Adrien said, back to the door.
They both let out a relieved sigh, before turning to each other.
Marinette's brain froze for a second.
She had figured out who Chat Noir was, so seeing Adrien there shouldn't have been a surprise. And yet, there was something about seeing him there that made her pause.
"What?" Adrien asked. "Do I have something on my face?"
Marinette blinked. "What? No, I just -"
Next to Adrien, a black kwami huffed. "It's about time."
"Plagg, be nice," Tikki chided.
"So, whats the plan?" Adrien asked.
"With us out of sight, he'll be heading towards-"
Marinette's brainstorming was cut short by Adrien's phone ringing.
"It's Nino," Adrien said. "Hello?"
Marinette couldn't hear what was being said, but she could guess. Lots of dudes, are you okays, and where are yous.
"Nino, I'm fine," Adrien said. "Ladybug found me. We're on the seventh floor in the bathroom near the elevators."
Marinette facepalmed. Why would you tell him that? He's going to try to find us now.
"No, you don't have to - I didn't mean for you - alright, I'll stay put." Adrien hung up and gave Marinette a hopeless look.
"Sorry, he's just worried," he said.
Marinette sighed. "It's fine. You just won't be able to transform for a while. We'll get you two safe at your place, where we'll keep your father safe and defeat Simon Says."
"And you better transform soon!" Tikki added. "Before Nino sees you!"
"You're right," Marinette agreed. "Tikki, spots on!"
The next chapter might be a little long, and consequently a little late, but it'll be worth it!