*Sneaks in* So here is the final chapter of Shattered Iron. In this chapter we back up just a smidgen so yeah. Lots of acion and movement and getting the wording right for some of this was a royal pain in the brain. Also I love how almost every review I got had some kind of exclamation of DON'T KILL HIM! Hehe it almost made me want to break you're hearts... *Dodges rock* Ok, ok! kidding sheesh... In any case this is another massive freaken chapter close to 4000 words. Apparently I had a lot to say since this story is 38 pages in a word document. Also I'm saying this now, yes I know my science is a little broken for this story. I am using what I like to call Anime/Cartoon science so get over it. Hope you all have enjoyed my cliffhanger ridden, double akumafied roller coaster ride. See you all next week!
Avatar NIX… I love your reviews and they make me giggle like the happy little fool I am. My mom thinks I'm nuts tho... Thanks for that.
HannahDelaware123321... Please draw away I will take it as the highest complement possible! If I could draw something besides monsters I would but the whole people thing is outside my forte. Just tell me where to find it so I can go squee over it!
Forever-Young890...Thank you, thank you, cliff hangers are a specialty of mine. If you do try and find me make sure you look up. I enjoy climbing trees and hiding in tall places.
Lala...Like they say there is more than one way to skin a cat and dozens of ways to tell a story. Lets see how you all feel at the end.
ARainDragon... I'm so glad you liked the cliffhanger and I hope you have enjoyed the other completed stories as well. I'm glad my stories could keep you entertained on your car ride.
After a fight with an akuma goes wrong Chat and a knocked out Ladybug hide in a closet to wait for their transformation to recharge.
I own nothing... Except my imagination.
Shattered Iron (Part 6)
It had taken Ladybug off guard when Ironclaws nails had extended to stab into her and of course at her cry of pain Chat had leapt into action practically tackling Ironclaw out of the way down the street. The statues behind her were on their feet and moving towards her once more and Ladybug couldn't pull her feet free of the metal encasing them. Hearing the statues metal feet striking the street with every step Ladybug knew she had to make a plan before they ran out of time. With a final glance at who Chat was glaring down Ironclaw she missed what the akumasized person said as she made her decision.
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug cried throwing the yoyo into the air.
It was a mistake, one that she would never make again if they survived the mess she had gotten them into. Never in her life had Ladybug seen a person move as fast as Chat did in that moment. Chat threw himself forward as the light above her head coalesced but Ladybug didn't look to see what formed. Instead her eyes were glued to the scene unfolding before her. Ironclaws nails shot forward aiming at her but something got in the way before they even came close to reaching her.
That something was Chat.
Ladybugs heart practically stopped when Chat jerked forward slightly as the claws struck him and she could see the tip of at least one poking out through his costume.
"No, nononono…" Tiki squeaked rapidly in her head voicing what she couldn't and Ladybug felt the Lucky Charm land in her hands but she couldn't look down to see what it was.
Her mouth formed the words 'Chat' but no sound emerged and Chats eyes rose to meet hers. Green locked with blue and he managed to say "It's in the glass pendant."
A snarl of frustration sounded from behind Chat and his body lifted into the air suspended by the claws before being tossed sideways into the wall of the nearby building. The nails snapped back to Ironclaw who shook her hand flicking Chats blood from her metal coated fingertips.
The Lucky Charm in Ladybugs hands hit the ground at her feet as she screamed "CHAT!" her body thrashing as she tipped forward.
Ironclaw laughed at her distraught scream and Ladybug hit the ground jerking her body forward the metal splintering suddenly as one foot came free. Heart in her throat fury in her blood Ladybug glanced back at her still trapped foot and saw the canister that had been created as the Lucky Charm. LN2 was spelled out on the side and she recognized the abbreviation from science class.
"Liquid nitrogen…" Ladybug whispered then ducked as claws slashed past her head digging into the metal behind her.
Shooting to her feet once more Ladybug twisted avoiding Ironclaws second attack and knew what she had to do as a nearby statue reached for her. Swinging her yoyo Ladybug caught the close shambling statue around the middle and swung them out towards Ironclaw. Trying to duck Ironclaw didn't manage to move quite fast enough and the statuefied person slammed into her knocking her down once more. Knowing she had only bought herself a few seconds Ladybug dropped into a crouch. Grabbing the canister she hit the spray top pointing it at the metal around her still trapped foot. The metal creaked as the liquid nitrogen hit it and snatching up Chats staff she dropped the canister before using both hands to slam the end of the baton into the frozen metal twice. The metal shattered and Ladybug was off Chats staff in hand. Her first instinct was to go to Chat but she ignored it. If she wanted to save his life Ladybug knew she had to defeat Ironclaw. The clock was ticking and Ladybug didn't know how long she had left. The statue person was tossed sideways allowing Ironclaw to scramble to her feet while she screeched her hair a mess and her eyes wild.
"You stupid bug! I will stab you so full of holes like I did that cat…"
Ladybugs yoyo caught her in the side of the head cutting off her screeching. In the next instant Ladybug was close enough and she swung the staff cracking it into her arm and side with a sharp clang. The blow knocked Ironclaw sideways jarring Ladybug as well and as Ironclaw fell she threw her one arm out to catch herself as the other flashed upwards claws extending. One slashed past Ladybugs cheek cutting it open as another stabbed into the flesh near the top of her shoulder close enough to her neck that she had no doubt as what Ironclaws true intent had been.
"He's fading." Tiki whimpered in her mind as Ladybug leaped back to avoid a second serious blow.
Tears filled Ladybugs eyes as she dodged in under Ironclaws nails trying to get a shot at her chest where she could see the hammer shaped pendant under the metal skin. Using his staff more like a rapier Ladybug stabbed at the spot and was met with the sound of screeching metal. The end collided with Ironclaws throat and she fell back a step with a grunt then slid sideways as she grabbed the baton yanking Ladybug off balance. Stumbling forward Ladybug was unable to dodge as Ironclaw threw a hard punch expanding the metal on her hand for a larger surface. The fist caught Ladybug right in the gut throwing her back several feet. Hitting the ground hard Ladybug rolled to the side her body running on adrenaline as she desperately tried to ignore the pain. Trying to push herself up Ladybugs arms collapsed as pain radiated from her ribs causing her to gasp in agony.
"We need to get that pendent now!" Tiki cried her voice full of pain for both her chosen and Chat.
"The metal is too thick to break through and…" Ladybug began only to pause as a flash of red caught her attention. "Of course I'm so stupid."
Ignoring the pain and taking shallow breaths Ladybug forced herself up scrambling forwards to snatch up the Lucky Charm canister.
"Time to join your partner Ladybug." Ironclaw sneered advancing on her.
"I don't think so." Ladybug snarled in answer rolling to her feet as Ironclaw flashed polka dotted while the rest of the world greyed out. Throwing the canister at Ironclaw as hard as she could, Ladybug charged forward even as the canister left her hand. Ironclaw slashed the canister in half just before it hit her and liquid nitrogen burst from it coating her chest and shoulders making her shriek along with her metal skin. The strange canister was still stuck on her now frozen claws and she slung it off, the halved canister striking the ground and sliding under a car nearby. Stumbling back the aching cold biting into her, Ironclaw didn't even register Ladybugs presence until her fist smashed into her chest. Ladybug hit with enough force to buckle Ironclaws legs and they both struck the ground Ladybug on top as she snatched the now exposed vibrant purple pendant from her throat. In the next instant she screamed as claws slammed through her torso and flung her sideways over a car. Ladybug hit hard the pendant shattering as her body collided with the ground. There was a moment of silence as she lay on her side staring at the pendant that faded in color as the purple butterfly started to wiggle free. Ladybug slammed her yoyo over it before it could take off unsure if she would be able to even able to catch it if it managed to escape into the air. Pain throbbed through her as her fingers pressed the yoyo again freeing the white butterfly within.
"Bye, bye little butterfly." Ladybug managed for the second time that day her eyes closing as she rolled onto her back. Everything hurt, she could feel warmth spreading over her chest and in all honesty she was totally, completely exhausted.
"The charm Marinette! Get the charm!" Tiki cried and Ladybug turned her head eyes opening as she realized the halfed Lucky Charm was under the car next to her. It was just barely within reach and pulling it out she used the last of her strength to toss it into the air from her prone position calling
"Miraculous Cleanse!"
Her voice came out as a squeak and the canister didn't even clear the roof of the car but it was enough to activate the magic within the item. Light poured around her then swirled off and Ladybug felt her eyes close exhaustion flooding her even as the pain thankfully stopped.
"Marinette you can't fall asleep here! Please wake up!" Tiki cried and Ladybug blinked as someone called her name.
"Ladybug… Ladybug! Are you ok?"
Forcing her eyes open Ladybug stared into a strangers eyes. "Chat?" Ladybug asked and the person looked up at someone nearby.
"Hey she is awake! Where is Chat?" The called as they gently helped Ladybug sit up.
Her head pounded and using the stranger as leverage she managed to make it to her feet.
"Hey I don't think you should get up…" They called as she stumbled forward using the car as a prop.
The initial dizziness she had faded as she moved forward and she came around the end of the car spying the woman who had once been Ironclaw looking around bewildered as well as the dozens of other people who had been under her control as statues. As fast as she dared Ladybug stumbled to the spot where she had last seen Chat yelling "Out of the way, please move!"
People stood around him in a loose circle although they moved aside to let her pass and Ladybug made it to his side dropping to her knees in the next second calling his name in a lost sounding voice. There were no holes in his costume and Ladybug flipped him over onto his back before pressing an ear to his chest.
"Please let me have made it in time…" She whispered her eyes closed as she listened intently.
The crowd around her went silent and from deep within his chest Ladybug could hear the faintest thump. A second later his chest rose slightly under her ear and Ladybug felt something within her chest break as she pulled him into her lap a dry sob leaving her lips as she clutched Chat to her.
"Is he?" someone in the crowd asked as their miraculous beeped.
"Alive." Ladybug managed her voice broken but audible.
A sigh of relief echoed around her and Ladybug agreed whole heartedly. A glance at his ring showed two pads left and Ladybug realized she had to get him away from these people and somewhere safe now.
"Do you need a ride to the hospital? They said you were unconscious like Chat when they found you." A woman asked and Ladybug shook her head lifting Chat up onto her shoulders in a fireman's carry. She almost stumbled as she stood her body feeling weak and shaky but once more she relied on Tikis strength to stand firm. Several of the people had shifted forward when she nearly stumbled and she flashed them a wane looking smile.
"Thank you but I've got him." Ladybug answered and threw her yoyo one arm gripping Chat tight to keep him steady as she pulled them both up onto the rooftops. Without even looking back Ladybug ran like an akuma was chasing her trying to beat the timers that were steadily counting down.
"Hurry Marinette I can't hold out much longer." Tiki whimpered
A moment later her feet hit her rooftop and she tumbled in through her trapdoor matching flashes of light signifying the end of their transformations. Exhaustion pulled at Marinette, her head hurt and in all honesty she wasn't totally sure how she had managed to make it to her house in time. Adrien lay sprawled out on the bed next to her and the two kwami lay where the miraculous expelled them exhausted as well. Forcing herself to stay conscious though she felt like she could sleep a week Marinette scooped Plagg and Tiki up in her hands kissing them both on the head. Plagg just grumbled his eyes closed and clung to Tiki. Tiki patted his head with a tiny paw and gazed up at Marinette with bright blue eyes.
"Are they ok?" Marinette whispered turning to place the two kwami on a pillow off to the side.
Tiki nodded "Plagg kept his boy alive although Adrien fought to stay just as hard. They are both exhausted and so are you. Marinette you were critically injured there right at the end. If the Lucky Charm hadn't been under the car you both probably would have died."
Marinette managed a small smile although it felt as if she were going to pass out at any second. "I guess that's our luck huh? I don't think I have the energy to go get you food right now… Not sure I'll be awake much longer…"
Eyes closed for a brief moment and Marinette shook herself the blood loss and fight in general leaving her wrung out. Placing the kwami on the pillow she managed to flop back down so that she was curled up right next to Adrien. Marinette didn't hear Tiki reply as she wrapped an arm around him and within moments she was sound asleep.
It was a dream… she hoped. Chat was laying in the street and Ironclaw was nearby laughing as she raised her hand in a killing blow. Marinette tried to move forward but she couldn't and realized with growing horror that she was coated in metal and one of the shambling statues that were scattered about.
"NO!" she cried and in the next instant shot upright heart throbbing painfully. It was dark outside and as she pressed a hand to her chest trying to control her ragged breathing a grumble sounded out next to her. Adrien lay beside her still asleep and Marinette let out a shuddering breath as she reached out to press a gently hand against his chest. His heart beat strong beneath her palm and with a sniffle she lay back down curling against him.
"Marinette?" Adrien queried his voice groggy.
"I'm here." Marinette whispered pushing herself up on one elbow so she could see his face.
Moonlight streamed in through the window above them and for a moment Marinette felt her heart stutter as he smiled at her one hand rising to brush her cheek. Dear God he was handsome in the moonlight hair ruffled and green eyes bright. Pressing her free hand to his she sighed against his touch moving so that in the next instant she was draped across his chest.
"I had the weirdest dream." Adrien said suddenly his hand lifting from her cheek to run through her silky soft hair.
"Really?" Marinette asked happy to feel his purr start up as she ran a hand through his hair in turn.
"Yeah we were fighting an akuma and you said you were Ladybug." Adrien answered
Marinette shot up startling him and she stared down at Adrien in disbelief. "I am Ladybug you idiot!" she burst out hoping he was messing with her and yet she wasn't totally sure.
Adrien blinked cocked his head to the side then reached up and pinched himself hard on the arm only to wince. "I'm not dead?"
Marinette gaped at him a million emotions running through her then she reached out, plucked a pillow off her bed and slammed it into Adrien.
"You stupid cat… you stupid boy! How. Dare. You. Ask. That!" She shrieked her voice gaining pitch and volume as she slammed the pillow into him again and again.
Adrien yelped and rolled trying to block the pillow as Marinette continued to yell at him. "Sorry! Marinette I'm sorry! I didn't mean! Ghaa!"
Adrien yelped as he rolled a touch too far and went over the edge of the bed. A second later Marinette appeared looking downright furious with tears in her eyes.
"Do you even know how much it hurt to see you get injured like that? Do you even realize that I almost lost you?!" Marinette snarled the tears falling as she glared down at him.
He moved swiftly pushing up off the floor to snag Marinette in a tight hug pulling her shuddering body against him. "Marinette I'm sorry. The last thing I remember is Ironclaw trying to skewer Ladybug but I knew that she was you and I just couldn't bear to lose you. Marinette if I lost you I would lose myself. I'm sorry but between my life and yours, you always win."
Marinette clung to him as she sobbed into his chest and he barely made out "Stupid cat."
After a moment she pulled back to glare at him tear tracks marking her cheeks and fresh tears making her blue eyes shimmer in the moonlight. "How do you think I feel when I see you get hurt. Ironclaw almost killed you! If I hadn't been able to use Lucky Charm when I did you could have died!"
"You both would have died actually." A grumpy growly voice said from the pillows to their side.
"Plagg!" Tiki squealed and the two kwami floated up into the air rubbing at their eyes sleepily.
Plaggs words struck Adrien like a physical blow. "What?" he gasped
Tiki swatted Plagg and he huffed but still answered since he knew Tiki wouldn't. "Little miss Ladybug there tends to fight rather dangerously when you go down Adrien. When your life is on the line she puts hers down as well in an effort to finish as fast as possible. This time was certainly no exception. The wounds she sustained were as bad as yours plus her previous injuries from the day made it worse. To be honest I'm surprised you even woke up tonight Marinette. "
Marinette felt her face heat up. That was the most she had ever heard Plagg speak at once when not complaining about the lack of cheese and his tone left absolutely no doubt in her mind that he was annoyed.
"What grumpy cat here is trying to say is that we could have lost you both today. You both need to be more careful and neither is expendable. Marinette will always fight to save your life Adrien and you will always fight to save hers. It's something you both need to work on." Tiki said her voice a much gentler tone than her partners.
Tears formed in Adreins eyes at the thought of Marinette getting killed for his sake lifting her chin Adrien spoke his voice gentle. "Is what Plagg said true?"
Marinettes chin jutted out stubbornly "You protect me and I in turn protect you. I can't and won't do this without you, either as Adrien or Chat. I will fight to keep you by my side even if it kills me just as you will take a killing blow meant for me. I may not be able to stop you, but once you go down Adrien you can't stop me either. It shouldn't be that way but it is."
The tears in Adreins eyes overflowed at her declaration and the two floating kwami sighed knowing exactly how she felt. Adrien knew he should be angry and he was fearful about how reckless Marinette could get. He knew he should probably tell her she should never do anything to put her life on the line since she was the only one who could fix the messes that the akuma created. However he also knew that he should practice what he preached. Instead he pressed his lips to hers eyes closing as her arms went around his neck pulling him closer. Their tears mingled on pressed cheeks as her hands trailed up into his hair. Tilting his head to deepen the kiss Adriens hand moved to cup the nape of her neck as a purr rumbled its way up through his chest. Finally they both needed air and they pulled back panting and flushed.
"Marinette I love you. From now until the day I die you are mine to protect and care for." Adrien whispered sending a bright red blush staining across her cute freckled cheeks.
Marinettes hand left his hair and gently she drew her thumb across his cheek swiping a tear from his smooth skin. "I've al-always loved you. I-I just had to get used to your cute kitten side and now that I have I will never let you go."
Gently she pressed another kiss to his lips and he sighed against her climbing back onto her bed as she slumped against him. They were both still exhausted and in need of more sleep so as Adrien settled down Marinette pulled their shoes off tossing them over the edge. Lifting the covers Adrien held them up letting Marinette snuggle down next to his the two of them eyeing the kwami who floated above their heads.
"Did you guys eat something?" Marinette asked barely withholding a yawn as she wrapped and arm around Adrien her head resting on his chest.
"Don't worry Marinette we will find something." Tiki answered and Marinette nodded as Adrien wrapped an arm around her.
"Goodnight princess." Adrien whispered pressing a kiss to her hair.
Marinette smiled at the nickname. "Goodnight kitty, I love you."
Adrien tensed then squeezed her gently as she rested her head on his chest.
"I love you too Marinette." He whispered a purr rising in his chest once more as he saw the smile that creased her lips when she heard him. He couldn't help but smile in return wrapping her safely in his arms. With the sound of his purr as a backdrop the two heroes lays curled around each other and together finally got some much needed sleep.
That's it for Shattered Iron folks! I have one more oneshot for this arc and then we will probably be moving on to something different. See you guys in a week!