With or without Chat Noir's help, Ladybug knew she would have to take care of this by herself. As quietly as she could, Ladybug ran over the rooftops, occasionally stopping to duck behind a chimney to stop herself from being seen. Now that she was closer to the villain, she could see him clearly.
The villain was a tall man, now wearing a pale grey bodysuit, making his body look like mist. Around his waist was a wide black belt emblazoned with a white question mark. Even from her distance Ladybug noticed how terrifying his face was. It was almost completely blank, like the features had been scrubbed off, but then Ladybug noticed that a silver mist swirled around his face, it was darker around where his mouth should be, and every time he spoke it moved. Although his face was almost featureless, Rememberwrath had piercing dark grey eyes with bright white pupils that darted around everywhere, constantly scanning the houses for any sign of Paris' two heroes. At his high vantage point from the top if the Eiffel Tower, he would be able to see all of Paris clearly; however, he failed to see Chat Noir's golden-blonde hair poking out from behind an abandoned car next to the tower.
Ladybug watched from behind a roof of a house as Chat Noir fought the villain. He seemed to be doing quite well.
Until he wasn't.
Ladybug closed her eyes as Chat Noir was slammed against the Eiffel Tower with such force Ladybug felt for him. She was well within earshot now and was looking about for any sign of what this new villain could do. Apparently, he could fight well. Really well.
Then, Ladybug saw some of the civilians who had been hit earlier. They were wandering around across Paris with no sense of direction, just going in circles, muttering to themselves. Ladybug tried to put the pieces together. What was this villain's power?
And then she realised.
This victim was dangerous.
And she had to warn Chat before it was too late.
Chat Noir struggled on the floor with his back to Rememberwrath, trying to get up. Despite being in a most undignified and weak position, he knew he need to get straight back up, if nothing else just to seem like he was doing ok if Ladybug happened to be watching. He wanted to show her that he didn't need her to be a good superhero.
Meanwhile, Ladybug was even closer to the scene, waiting for the right moment to get close to Chat Noir and explain to him what was going on. Before she could do anything, she noticed that Rememberwrath was ready to shoot Chat Noir, a ball of fog in one al the palms of his hands. It crackled and hissed, fizzing dangerously. Grey eyes glinting with a malevolent, hungry look, the corner of his mouth curled into a sick, twisted grin.
He grunted with effort, launching the ball of mist with force at Chat Noir. Still with his back to the enemy, Chat Noir struggled back to his feet, head screaming in a dizzy agony. Clutching his head and gulping in air, Chat spoke to himself, his mind powering onwards, driving him forward.
Don't stop.
Don't fall.
Don't get beaten.
Don't stop.
Don't fall.
Don't get beaten.
Don't –
"STOP!" Ladybug screamed, voice piercing the air. Chat Noir had never heard her scream with such intensity before. Whipping his head around to see if his partner was ok, Chat Noir stopped. He fell to his knees.
He'd lost.
Ladybug had charged at Chat Noir, leaping into the air as the blast of fog was just centimetres away from him. Throwing herself in its path, she braced herself as it hit her instead, injecting itself into her veins, seeping through her suit, crushing her strength so she couldn't stand.
2 knees buckled.
1 thud on the floor.
Footsteps, so many footsteps.
"LADYBUG!"
In a second, Chat Noir was at her side, leaning worriedly over her.
"Oh well, I guess Ladybug did remember to show up after all. Enjoy your last few seconds with her kitty, I've got some more terrorising to do," Rememberwrath laughed bitterly before jumping over the buildings and out of sight.
None of that mattered now.
"Ladybug?" Chat Noir whispered, his voice breaking.