Chapter 3: The Response
"Lucky charm!" Our polka-dotted hero shouted awaiting an item that could save Paris from yet another akuma.
"A flashlight. How am I supposed to use this in broad daylight?" Ladybug questioned, racking her brain for a strategy. Her brainstorm, however, was cut short as the akuma shot a barrage of blinding rays at the super heroine. With a graceful leap she dodged the attack, launching herself behind a dumpster.
"Come on Ladybug. You know hiding is only going to prolong your demise. You should just reveal yourself and surrender. It'd be easier for all of us." The akuma shouted followed by a shrill laugh
Choosing to ignore the akuma's jabs, she analyzed it for outlying signs of weakness. Upon further notice the villain appeared to work as a detective. He sported a flowing brown trench coat atop a black, skin-tight suit accompanied by a fedora and magnifying glass. The magnifying glass posed as his weapon. It could shoot rays capable of shrinking or enlarging objects they touched.
His magnifying glass! That's it! The apparatus didn't just emit light, but refracted it too...
Somersaulting into action, Ladybug unveiled her whereabouts.
"You're gonna have to be quick if you wanna squish this bug!" She yelled, goading the akuma to strike.
Phase one of her plan worked, as the akuma released another onslaught of beams. The super-heroine hastily dodged the assault.
I need to find a source that will reflect a flashlight's beam off the akuma's magnifying glass at just the right angle. If I could just get into position... Ah hah!
Just a block away, rest a school bus that would provide enough cover for the girl to execute her plan.
After putting a sufficient length of distance between her and the assailant she crouched behind the vehicle. She counted down as the akuma drew closer and closer.
"Ladybug! I'm growing tired of this waiting game. Show yourself!"
3, 2, 1!
"Well, game over. Your time's up!" She countered whilst turning the flashlight at the side mirror. Despite the sunny weather, one could discern the beam from a mile away as it bounced off surface after surface. In a matter of seconds, the beam reached the akuma's magnifying glass and shone off into his eyes.
As the akuma yelped in pain, Ladybug stole her opportunity to knock the contraption loose from his grip and retrieve it with her yo-yo.
"Looks like I cracked this case wide open!" She exclaimed breaking the tool. Once doing so, a seemingly harmless butterfly fluttered from the remnants. A butterfly that could cause more damage than one may ever think possible. Without a sweat, she ensnared said insect in her yo-yo which holds the power to purify akumas.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" She shouted restoring the wreckage brought on by the akuma.
Ladybug let out a breath of relief.
Another job well done.
"Pound it." She mumbled, recalling her partner's absence throughout the whole scuffle. It almost made her victory meaningless without him there.
Where are you kitty?
(Adrien's pov)
"She's so strong. I would never have thought of that." Adrien praised whilst watching the latest battle posted on the Lady blog.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You love Ladybug. That would be great if I had some Camembert to snack on. I'm so hungry." Plagg complained.
Adrien rolled his eyes. "It's in my gym bag at the foot of my bed."
The kwami wasted no time in uncovering the decadent treat. One would think he hadn't eaten in days as he tore through the supply, block by block.
"Do you think she's even noticed my absence?" The bedridden model asked, his eyes downcast.
"Probably." The kwami mumbled through a mouthful of cheese. He swallowed. "There's been three attacks since you were hurt. She's probably exhausted without her partner there to liven up the battlefield." Plagg assured the teen.
Adrien gave him a sad smile. "I guess you're right. It's just that I miss seeing her. Fighting together. Joking around... He trailed off glancing at a picture of the super heroine on his computer screen. "I just want everything to go back to normal."
"Well you've never been normal Adrien." Earning a frustrated sigh from the teen. "But, I'd say this is the most "normal" thing that's happened lately. I mean, all you did was fall. You weren't fighting an akuma and you weren't jumping from building to building as Chat Noir. You had an accident like every other teenage kid does. Granted it was off a prop you were using to shoot a glitzy commercial with, but that's practically part of your everyday routine. And now you're recovering. You're recovering in a bed, at your house where your friends and family have gone out of their way to make sure you're alright. Just look at what they've done for you."
Adrien's gaze fell upon Marinette's basket of cookies.
Following Adrien's stare, the kwami hovered towards the basket. "These cookies in particular were pretty great. They almost made me forget about my lovely Camembert."
"Well, if I'm gonna be stuck lying in my normal bed I guess I should make use of my time." The celebrity remarked, smiling at the kwami.
Fishing out a piece of paper and a pen, Adrien began writing.
(Marinette's pov)
"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" Marinette yelled upon entering the quaint, little bakery her parents ran.
"Welcome home sweetie." Her Dad greeted with a warm hug. "Your Mom is finishing up with our last customer. She'll start dinner as soon as she's done. Sorry we're running a bit late."
"It's no problem. I'll just be up in my room working on homework 'til dinner then."
"Before you go, a letter arrived for you." Her dad mentioned, pulling out an elegant envelope.
"Oh, thanks Dad." She said taking the letter and rushing upstairs. Leaping on her bed with a grunt, Marinette curiously ripped the envelope open.
Thanks for the cookies. They were s"crumb"tious!
