Finally! Here we go again guys! It will probrably be another month before I finish the next chapter as I am in deep shit with work. Adult life suck and people do know how to mess everything. But enough with my ranting.
L.E-Rae - Yes, I remember that one. Still suspicious of gumpry Gabriel having some sort of connection, a deep one. After all, why would Hawk Moth have a photo of Ms. Agreste inside his miraculous, right? Though, if not Gabriel, who would care for her enough to do such a thing? (That's what is killing me inside! Come on, Astruc! Give me something to work with!).
Thanks for exposing your opinion and your support. I hope we can continue this discussion later! Who knows, we might find out who is behind the mask before season 2!
MARINETTE'S P.O.V.
It was late when Tikki finally woke up and lazily took bites on the cookie I had left her, but she still wasn't herself. She was quiet and looked somehow disheartened and deep down I knew she was worrying about the akumas getting stronger each time.
"Tikki…" Words failed me. This was the opposite of what we were used too and I didn't know how to cheer her up.
"I'm sorry, Marinette" Her little voice was so low I had almost to pick her up and place near my ear. "I know I'm not at my best now, but I promise that I will be as good as knew after I rest a little more". I didn't know if she was telling the truth or just lying so that I wouldn't worry about her.
"But you never look this down before!" If she was lying it wasn't working. Tikki was a precious friend and usually in such high spirit that I obviously would worry if something was wrong. "Is this because the akuma are getting stronger?"
She had just finished her cookie and was already a little better. "Yes, but not directly". My face must have looked like a question mark because she giggled when I crooked my head. "That is how it works for me, I take longer to recover after hard fights, but I also guarantee that you won't be in too much pain from the fighting".
"Oh Tikki…" I felt a rush for affection for the little red "bug-mouse" (she will never let me live that down) "You're always looking after me, aren't you?"
"Of course I am!" She shot up, lightly brushing her head on my cheek. "I always look after my chosen as best as I can. All Ladybugs are precious to me! They are what makes me be me and you Marinette, is the best part of me!"
And here we were again back to our usual roles and I was beginning to consider Tikki's electric behavior to more a constant sugar rush.
However, her comment left me wondering how the others dealt with this kind of situation. Against my better judgement I voiced my concern "What about the others? How they handle the damage inflicted on them? Do their kwami protects them like you do?"
"Oh Marinette…" Tikki turned to me with an apologetic look in her big eyes "The magic works different for each one of us"
Those were the words that I dreaded "How is so?"
She didn't answer straight away, taking her time to do so "A simple answer would be no" She paused, the look on her face told me she was carefully choosing her words "Trixx and Pollen can take a lot of pain from their charge, but not as much as me or Wayzz".
"And what about Cat?" I was seriously hoping my partner had at least a little luck in this whole mess.
"Plagg can only take a little bit for his kitties" Her voice carried a sad tone to it, certainly having seen more than one Cat Noir sacrifice himself for the sake of their mission or to save their loved ones, but it still made me nauseous.
Cat Noir was always taking hits for me, pushing me out of away from harm and if the pain I felt sometimes when I was to careless could hurt quite a lot, I couldn't even image how much pain whoever was behind the black mask and cat ears felt on a daily basis because of me.
"But it isn't fair!" I may have shouted louder than intended, but I felt like I have just eaten a pile of rocks and was about to throw up all of them. I made me sick thinking I was the cause for so much pain, especially if it was for some as close to me as the leather clad boy. Despite all, he is one of my best friends as both Marinette and Ladybug.
He fought side by side with me, never backing down or letting someone get hurt whenever an akuma appeared and he visited me from time to time ever since we paired against the Evillustrator months ago. He was flirt, true, but meant no harm. A lonely boy who saw his duty as freedom.
But what surprised me more was to discover how sweet and thoughtful he could also be, giving tips on my designs and attentively hearing me go about the hardships of the day, which sometimes included trying to talk about an akuma we fought without giving him my identity.
The rare moments he talked about himself was always about how cold and lifeless his home was and how very few people seemed to care about him. During those times I couldn't help but compare him with Adrien even though I knew I shouldn't.
Both boys shared sad eyes, a cold home and distant relatives, all the while hiding their pain behind shining smiles and pretty faces. And by knowing that I always tried to make them smile truthfully.
Also it was thanks to Cat that I was getting better at talking with Adrien, slowly building my confidence and courage….not that I would let him know that. He would never let me hear the end of it. And let's not even consider the chance of him getting to know who Ladybug was behind the mask. Just no!
"I know it isn't, but that is how the magic was created and works" Sounded almost apologetic even though she wasn't blame of anything "The power of misfortune and destruction can pose a greater threat if by any chance Plagg ends up being used with evil intentions, so that weakness serves to balance things out".
That made sense, of course that would and I was being stupid to get angry at Tikki when she hadn't done anything wrong "I'm sorry for yelling at you" I rubbed her head and she seemed to already be beaming with pride and joy.
"It's ok, Marinette" She flew around me, planting a small kiss on my cheek "All in all, it only confirms that you are definitely the most suited to be Ladybug and I couldn't have chosen better!"
I may have already gotten over the whole thing of not being cut for this super hero stuff, but it did felt good to be praised and reassured "Thanks, Tikki!" I puffed my chest with pride.
"But it is true!" The little god continued all the while rubbing herself against my face "Every Ladybug always has a trait that is the most suitable to handle the problems of her age and, in your case, it is your golden and caring heart!"
I chuckled at that "Come on, Tikki, you are exaggerating now"
"No, I am not!" It seems she wouldn't take a no any time soon "Pure and genuine love is the emotion that this age need the most and you are the loveliest young lady in Paris, that is if not in the world!"
Now she had me loudly chuckling "Yeah, I am so full of love that I can't even tell my crush of it" Sarcasm emphasizing my helpless adoration for Adrien.
"Aww, don't be like that!" She lightly patted my head, clearly teasing with me "Look how far you got! You can make full and comprehensible phrases now and it only took a few months, so just wait and see that in a few years he might ask you to marry him!"
"Ha! Right! As if he will wait that long!" We were laughing to our hearts content now "And let's not jump things, but I could die happy with so much a date with Adrien"
"Oh Marinette, you might be surprised yourself one of these days" Yep, that was my partner, always the endless well of joy and optimism.
"I have to agree with Tikki on this" A deeper voice came from behind, startling and making me scream. I turned and saw Magus lazily seating on the chaise, placing a finger over his mouth and point to hatch with the other for me to speak lower.
"Darling, is everything alright up there?" My mother's voice came from downstairs and I could already hear her footsteps nearing.
"Yes, maman! Just kicked the corner of the cupboard!" I shouted back, hoping she would believe it.
"Oh, dear! Just be careful! Come down if you need some ice for that." Fortune was on my side this time.
"Nice save, I must say" Magus remarked coyly behind his mask and even without seeing his face directly I could see he had a sly smile on.
"What are you doing here? And how do you know who I am behind the mask?" I asked dryly, stepping back and taking a defensive stance. He might have saved us, but I wouldn't lower my guard until I was certain he was an ally.
"Straight to business and not trusting me, I see" He got up and slowly made his way to me, stopping right in front of me. Only now I could notice how much taller he was than me, he was clear over 1,80m and without the cape I could see he had a strong body despite the big shirt he was wearing.
I stared at his dark brown eyes, trying to be as fearless as I was when turned to Ladybug, but either I was failing miserably or he was just unimpressed by my performance.
"No need for all this" He pointed at all of me "But that was also I smart choice" He chuckled and all I could think was what the hell was wrong with this guy.
"You Lordship!" Tikki flew between us, bowing her head and earning herself a small nod from Magus.
"Hello there, Tikki, I pray you fared well since we last met" He petted her head with a gloved hand, scooped her and brought her to his face until both foreheads were touching.
"You can bet I have! Marinette has been an amazing Ladybug!" She then landed on my shoulder "Just wait and see! She will surprise you!"
Somewhat I felt self-conscious and remembering the poor first impression I had displayed earlier during our fight with the firefighter akuma. "I'm not so sure about that, Tikki. Remember I am clumsiness incarnated".
Magus burst a loud laugh and I felt annoyed and embarrassed, shrinking in front of him while losing any sense of pride that filled me moments ago.
"Don't worry about today, Marinette" He placed a hand on my head and bent until he met the level of my eyes. "We all have rough days from time to time and I happen to have over a decade of experience than you".
I could see in his eyes a giddy glee, a kindness and his words didn't have malice or sarcasm. "And that's precisely why I am here to begin with".
"I don't know about that" I understood what he meant. He was here to train us. "And Master Fu said we were nearing our limits a few weeks ago"
"Bullshit!" That seemed to angry him more than it should "There is always room for improvement". Magus shook his head in clear disbelief "I need to have a serious talk with him".
I wasn't understanding nothing now. Did the Great Guardian hide something from us? If so, why?
"Keeping you in the dark about your potential and slacking your training" He sighed, face palming over the mask "The old man has been slacking his duties"
"What do you mean?" There was a hint of hope in my voice that I wish it wasn't there, but if there was something that could help end this madness, I would do it.
He considered my question, tapping the bottom of the mask, but then he turned his face to the window and mumbled something I couldn't understand. "All in due time" He finally said with a sigh and walked towards my desk, writing down something in a piece of paper and handing it to me. It was an address.
"Come to this place tomorrow night" He said without giving any further explanations. "And you better hide, Tikki. An alley cat is coming to pay a visit" He snapped his fingers, dissolving in a cloud of smoke and Tikki flew off to find herself a place to hide. True to his words, it didn't take long until I heard knockings on the glass of my balcony.
Despite the low light of the dying sunset, I could still clearly see Cat through the glass with the usual glee in his eyes. That was a good new for if he was well enough to come here jumping roofs, that meant he hadn't got any serious injury from the last fight.
I opened the hatch so he could come in which he promptly did, landing softly by my side, but he took a while to stand, a light hiss escaping his lips. Ok, no injury didn't mean he wasn't in pain. "Good evening, Cat Noir!" I had to do something fast so he wouldn't feel uncomfortable with me knowing he was in pain.
"Evening, Princess" Cat and his nicknames, another good sign. "I'm just stopping by to see how you are. I saw crowd flooding your school earlier today and thought it would be nice to check you up"
Like I said, he could be cute and caring when he wanted. "Keeping tabs on me, Cat? Does Ladybug know about this?" Of course I knew the answer, but I was curious how he would deal with it.
"Truth be told, no." I wasn't expecting a strait and honest answer, perhaps he was still too tired from the fight to come up with a good excuse. "It is just the akumas rate there is pretty high".
Forget it. That was a good one as it made sense, but for some reason I had the impression there was more to it.
"That's a sad, but true nonetheless" I had to give it to him. My school seemed like a playground for Hawk Moth. "And speaking of today, how are you? I heard you took quite a beating."
"Oh no no, princess. I came here to check on you, not the other way around" Stubborn as ever.
"Come on, Cat, I know you like the role of damsel in distress" I joked, poking his side and making him flinch away, certainly a reflex of pain.
"I maybe be stunning, but I'm no damsel, mind you of this" He feigned hurt towards my words, leaning on the wall and winking at me. But I wasn't going to let it go so easily.
"You didn't answer my question. How are you?" One way or another I would get him to spill the beans if he was in pain and get something for him. "And don't worry, it isn't like Ladybug will know any time soon you came here begging me to kiss you better."
"I-I'm not a child!" He stammered, utterly flustered, and I couldn't hold myself anymore, giggling nonstop as I poking him again on the side where I knew he was more ticklish.
He soon couldn't take anymore and started to beg between the short breaks for him to recover his breath. "Okay! Okay! I'm in pain! Just stop, Princess, please!"
"See! That wasn't that hard!" I burst into laughter at his adorable pout, but soon the corner of his lips turned upwards in a soft smile, clearly at ease now.
My joy was short lived as a loud growl came from my stomach and was time to Cat to crack as my face heated enough to cook an egg. "Although I'm the only cat here, it is you who have a famish lion inside of you".
"That isn't true!" I crossed my arms, turning my back to him in annoyance and embarrassment. "I was just distracted and forgot to eat"
"Come on, Princess, how do you expect to keep such beauty if you skip meals?" He finally was back to his usual self. Insufferable, but caring in his own way. Let's just say you need to dig a little deeper into his persona to see how affectionate he could be when he wanted.
I opened the hatch and made my way to downstairs "I'm going to get something to eat. What do you want?"
He didn't even waste a single thought "Croissant with chocolate!" I giggled at his eagerness and how silly he looks ready to jump out of happiness for getting a treat. And I took a mental note to take some in one of our patrols someday, it seemed to be his favorite from the bakery.
I went downstairs as fast I could, grabbing a croissant for him and a sandwich for me along milk, iced tea and painkillers. It isn't that I didn't trust Cat, but I had my doubts he could keep his curiosity in check sometimes. To my surprise when I returned he had made himself comfortable on the chaise, patiently waiting with a grin plastered on his face while sniffing for the incoming sweet treat.
"You are the best, Princess!" He grabbed the plate with the croissant and started to savor it slowly, extending his delight as much as possible. He might have never said it out loud, but it was clearly he didn't have access to sweets as often as he wanted. I simply smiled at his simplicity, I mean, as much as his conceited ego would allow sometimes.
I wasn't in the mood for chatting and for once Cat seemed to be in the same boat, staying in silence while taking comfort and relaxing with each small bite. I was thankful for the silence as it would allow me to process everything that had happened today as I sat on the floor near the chaise.
The memories of the day came back to me. A bloody predator came real close to killing them, Cat had been heavily injured in the fight, desperately trying to protect her. I knew he did that out of affection and duty for my hero self and I could clearly see how much he fancied my alter ego, the fearless (and in his opinion, the epitome of heroism) Ladybug.
But that wasn't true. I wasn't true, in fact I was scared every time an akuma would show up, always hoping it wouldn't be a deadly encounter, that it wouldn't be the last time she saw her friends, Alya, always the prying one, but also cheering her since day one, and Nino with his constant smile of support. Her parents, her idols and inspiration for a healthy and steady relationship and love. Her new partners, Volpina and Queen Bee, always bickering. Her stray Cat, her partner, her friend, her loyal knight with a terrible repertoire of puns. And Adrien, the charming prince that took hold of my heart and wouldn't let it go.
He was caring, loyal to a fault, with enough patience to even tutor Chloe into a decent human being, but also a lonely boy who didn't have anyone to run to if he needed. The boy who lived in a house to big and cold to warm his heart, too distant from the outside world and from people that truly cared for him.
Today I have been too close to lose everything I held dear to me. That brutal akuma almost killed Cat while he was desperately trying to protect me and the weight of my responsibilities, my powers were always heavier whenever he took a hit for me, we all knew I was the only one who could prevent the akuma from spreading by curing it. That was undeniable, I was slightly more important for our mission then my companions. That meant they would always try to protect me from harm, even at the cost of their own safety.
I felt terrible knowing that there wasn't anything I could do to prevent them from doing so, specially Cat and his martyrdom for my sake. That is why I hoped that the new akuma would always be an easy one. I didn't want my friends getting hurt at my expense.
I don't know for how long we stayed like that, each one lost to their own thoughts and worries, but after a while I felt a soft touch on my shoulder. It was tender and... insecure? I turned to see a gloved hand and a concerned kitty timidly looking at me. "What's happened, Mari? Why are you crying?"
Only then I noticed the warm streams flowing from my eyes and down my cheeks. When did I start to cry I didn't know...nor could I put it to words why I was crying without giving myself away and to make matters worse I couldn't stop the tears. All the emotions, all the insecurities, all frustration and worries came to surface. Juggling a double life wasn't easy and being a superhero didn't help at all.
I was scared for my life, but nothing compared to the increasing dread I was felt now, knowing we were in a race against time to catch Hawk Moth and Le Paon before their monstrosities became too strong for us to handle.
I jumped to Cat, tightly hugging him with a silent prayer lost among my unrestrained sobs, hoping somehow I would at least to be able to protect this dear kitty of mine. I was thankful he didn't ask anything else, setting to embrace me even more fiercely, pulling me to his lap while gently combing my hair with his long fingers, whispering something along the lines of 'everything will be alright' and 'we will figure a way to deal with whatever is hurting you'.
I don't know for how long I cried before sleep finally took hold of me.
CAT'S P.O.V.
I was dishearten and raging furious at whatever could shake Marinette so badly. She was shy and clumsy, but also kind, brave and inspiring and was a dear friend of mine as she was the first I ever had. That's why although I pledge my love to Ladybug, I would try to protect her happiness no matter what. Whatever that was eating her from the inside would better be prepared to face a very angry cat.
Her sobs eventually came to a stop and when I look at the clock over her desk I saw she shed tears over half hour before at last falling asleep, her petite form nestling on my lap and within my embrace, her head resting on the nook of my neck, her breath finally calming the deeper her slumber fell. Only when I was certain she was sleeping like a log, I picked her up and ever so gently to not disturb her, made my way to her bed and placed her under covers.
"Kitty..." I tensed when I heard her moan my nickname, but soon relaxed when saw that she was still sound asleep. When I looked at her resting peacefully in the arms of Morpheus, her dark hair framing her pale and delicate face, lips slightly parted and a hint of smile on them, I wondered how I haven't noticed how beautifully mesmerizing she was before.
Of her shed tears nothing remained but the dry paths on her cheeks and an insurmountable desire to protect her took hold of me, to protect her tender heart and her contagious smile. She was the second ever person to stir such will in me, the first being Ladybug.
I had to get hold of myself and soon before I would something I would regret, but something was dragging me towards her. I kneeled beside her sleeping body, drowning in her sweet and entrancing scent. "Kitty..." There it was again, almost as a plea "Be careful". She was adorable while mumbling in her sleep and I was elated that she was dreaming with me and my safety.
"I will do my best, princess" It felt wrong to leave without at least answering to her kindness and before I could even register what I was doing I planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Curiously enough, I didn't regret it...it felt right, perhaps too right for my own good.
I opened the hatch and jumped to her balcony, swiftly closing it behind me so the cold of the night wouldn't disturb my princess sleep. 'Screw that, she is my princess' I conceded to myself, acknowledging I was becoming quite fond of Marinette. I took my staff out and made my way home, vaulting through the roofs and thanking the chill in the wind to help clear my thoughts.
I was madly in love with Ladybug already and I was falling for Marinette hard. Live a double life, difficult but not impossible, having two loves tearing your heart apart, excruciatingly painful. How could I still claim to love Ladybug if I would fall for another, which didn't mean that Marinette wasn't incredible by herself and was everything that I didn't have in my life. "Urgh, this is so confusing!" How could I leave torn between the greatest love of my life and another that was growing steady and strong by the day?
I continued on my way and already could see the mansion. It was only that, a mansion, it didn't feel like a home likes Marinette's. It was cold and deprived of love. Just three more vaults and I would be back in my cage.
I was almost landing in a roof across the street when a voice startled me and I misplaced my foot, prompting me a very inelegant and un-cat-ful fall. I turned to see the same guy who saved us earlier chuckling at my expanse, his cape fluttering to a non-existent wind.
"Come on, man" my voice left like a grunt from the exhaustion of the day and the roller coaster on emotion I been through "I am grateful and all for saving my fur, but it's the middle of the night. Don't you have something better to do like sleep now?"
"Ha! The pot calling the kettle black, lovecat" He pointed at me loudly laughing "And in your case, twice that much"
I had to give it to him, that was a good comeback and the nickname stung a little more than I would have thought. "Point taken" I dusted myself and picked my staff, turning to look at the golden mask half lit by the moonlight staring right back at me. "What do you want?"
He extended his hand, giving me a roll of parchment "You worry about not being able to protect what is dear to you, no?" I nodded, there was no reason not to as he at least wasn't an enemy. "Then follow this map and come prepared to one hell of a training, we have a lot to work on"
"Wait!" He eyed me tilting his head a little "You mean I can become stronger?" I exclaimed a little too excited much to his amusement.
"Not denying you are lovecat? How curious!" He marveled at my expense the second time that night already and I now knew how Ladybug might feel about my puns. I decided shrugging it off was the best course of action, otherwise, from personal experience, I doubted I would hear the end of that.
"Cat Noir, let me tell you at least this for now" He place a hand over my head, messing even more my already rogue hair to the point it became completely disheveled.
"There is much and more you don't know" There was a glint in his eyes I couldn't put into words, something I didn't see often, something mysterious and challenging. It was as if I was staring at a mixture of Ladybug's confident blue bell eyes and Master Fu's calm façade hiding ancient wisdom. "There is much work to be done if you want to see the end of the day".
What he did next was the last thi..no, not even in my wildest dreams that would happen. He embraced me. It was such an odd feeling, a good one, but still odd, foreign.
"I have faith in you, in all of you" He let go of me, taking a few steps back, smoking already rising to engulf him "Now you have to have faith in yourselves"
I tried to catch him, but it was to no avail. When my hand connected with the smoke, it simply went through, quickly dissipating, but not before his last words reached my ears and left me utterly lost. 'Find what you are fighting for'.