Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or elements relating to Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Miraculous: Borderline
Chapter 14: Irreplaceable
Queen Bee lashed out with a powerful kick and Hawk Moth blocked it with his cane. He drew his sword and swiped at Queen Bee's head. She gracefully pirouetted and dodged the strike, sweeping her leg under Hawk Moth's and bringing him crashing down.
"See how it feels to be defeated, Hawk Moth," Queen Bee snarled and swung a punch down at his head.
Hawk Moth moved his head just in time to feel Queen Bee's fingers graze his temple and punch the ground instead, cracking the hardened soil and leaving a deep indent.
Hawk Moth landed a solid kick on Queen Bee's torso and sent her crashing back several feet.
So Marinette really isn't Ladybug, Hawk Moth mused.
Queen Bee aimed her yoyo straight at Hawk Moth's head, forcing him to block her blow with his rapier.
But she must know who Ladybug is.
Hawk Moth knocked Queen Bee down with a straight punch and made to stab her through the arm to pin her down with his rapier. Queen Bee's leg shot out and caught him in the jaw, paralyzing the right half of his side and sending him buckling to his knees.
She seems to know everything, after all. Which means she will be a very valuable asset, whether or not she is willing.
Hawk Moth stumbled back as Queen Bee slowly rose to her feet. She drew a hand across her mouth to wipe away the blood from the cut on her lip then raised her yoyo.
"Wait—" Hawk Moth started to say when he felt a portal open up to his mind.
I am Mayura. Let me help you.
"No," Hawk Moth choked, but it was too late.
A giant gorilla materialized as a form of protection, and it immediately went for Queen Bee's throat. With Queen Bee distracted, Hawk Moth was able to limp away and de-transform.
Nooroo floated above his shoulder nervously. "Master?"
Gabriel Agreste leaned on the wall of the building for support. "I've got to get to Nathalie," he said to himself, his stomach clenched in fear.
Ignoring the pain shooting up his legs and into his side, Gabriel started running down the block towards the mansion.
"Argh!"
With a final yell, Queen Bee drove her poisonous yoyo through the gorilla's neck, and the gorilla disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke, leaving behind only a delicate feather that floated down softly onto the ground.
"Buzz off," Marinette growled and her costume vanished to be replaced by Pollen.
Before Pollen could say anything, Marinette caught a glimpse of black and her eyes darted up.
Cat Noir was leaping from rooftop to rooftop in the general direction of Adrien's home.
At the thought of Adrien, Marinette deflated. She walked over to pick up the backpack she'd dropped and shouldered it.
Pollen seemed to sense that Marinette felt lonely so Pollen zipped up to Marinette's shoulder and hovered there to offer her company.
"You did great, Marinette," Pollen said cheerfully. Her eyes were encouraging and bright, and Marinette felt a little better.
"Thanks, Pollen," Marinette said, forcing a smile.
Marinette started the walk home, and although Pollen faithfully stayed by her side, Marinette couldn't help but think that Tikki was a much better kwami.
And no matter how many kwamis Marinette was going to surround herself with, no one could replace Tikki, her one and only Ladybug kwami.
"Nathalie!" Gabriel cried as soon as he burst into the underground chamber.
Nathalie lay crumpled on the ground, the peacock miraculous a few feet away from her as if Nathalie had been in the middle of taking it off when she'd collapsed, dropping the miraculous.
Gabriel could care less about the peacock miraculous. He rushed to Nathalie, sliding the last few feet on his knees and cradling her head.
"Nathalie," Gabriel whispered. "Please, wake up."
Nathalie's eyes fluttered, and Gabriel could not explain the immense wave of sheer relief and joy he felt at seeing her awaken.
"Mr. Agreste?" Nathalie whispered, her voice hoarse.
Gabriel smiled, for once forgetting about his vendetta against Ladybug and Cat Noir and only thinking about how beautiful Nathalie's blue eyes were.
"Nathalie," he breathed. He hugged her, and felt comforted by her presence.
After a moment, Gabriel drew back and his relief was replaced with anger.
"Nathalie, I told you never to use the Peacock miraculous!" Gabriel scolded Nathalie.
Looking at Nathalie, he felt the familiar fear creep in. Fear that he would lose her the way he lost Emilie.
Nathalie blinked. "Sir, I had to save you. I told you before…"
Nathalie smiled at him weakly. "I would give my life to save yours so that you may fulfill your wish."
Nathalie raised a weak hand and gestured. Gabriel followed her gaze and saw his beautiful wife resting in her chamber, her face set in peace.
Oh, Emilie.
"Nathalie, I still won't have you using that miraculous. It's too dangerous," Gabriel asserted. "I forbid you from using it."
Nathalie struggled to sit up and Gabriel grabbed her shoulder to support her. Nathalie nodded but suddenly burst into a coughing fit.
Gabriel looked on worriedly, feeling helpless as he watched her wheeze.
"I promise, sir," Nathalie coughed out.
She looked up at him, her eyes soft, and Gabriel suddenly wondered how it was that he never saw how much Nathalie actually cared for him. It made him feel both immensely happy but also really confused.
How can I—
Nathalie suddenly collapsed back against Gabriel, and instinctively, Gabriel took her hand, not knowing what else to do.
"Nathalie," Gabriel said desperately.
Nathalie opened her eyes one last time. "I believe in you, sir," she whispered, and then Gabriel felt her last breath leave her lungs, and Nathalie didn't stir again.
Gabriel choked. "Nathalie," he cried, his voice wracked with pain and guilt.
Gabriel bowed his head over her body and shook with the force of his silent sobs.
He would avenge her. He would make everything right. Once he had both miraculouses of Ladybug and Cat Noir, he'd bring his wife back.
And then he'd bring Nathalie back.
"I promise," Gabriel whispered.
End of Chapter 14: Irreplaceable