Slice!
The ribbons restricting Chloe snapped, and drew back like angered snakes.
Chat Noir pushed Chloe back, who immediately ran to safety. "Hey dollface!" Chat Noir grinned, twirling his staff and going into a defensive stance. He watched The Marionette carefully, gulping a little when his eyes met hers. Marionette tilted her head, and smiled.
"Chat Noir..." He thought he heard relief in her voice, but he wasn't sure. "Stay out of my way, I'm not out for you." She finished, and went to stride past him. He shot out his staff, blocking her way.
"Sorry, but you know the drill. I gotta rough you up a little bit!" He teased, then swung the staff. It connected with Marionette, a solid hit to the gut. She stumbled back a bit, but didn't react much otherwise. He left after her, and let loose a graceful kick to her face, intending to knock her off her feet. However, a large crack resounded, and he stopped and looked over in worry.
Like delicate porcelain, her skin around her left eye had cracked. It was spidery and fine, but still there. Chat Noir hesitated, but tried another hit.
It was like beating up a dummy. She didn't even move. Her fists were closed tight, and eyes squeezed shut. Her teeth were grit, and with every hit she only stumbled back. Even when the glowing butterfly showed up, she only went stiffer. Usually that motivates Akuma's further...
"Why are you holding back?" Chat quipped, walking closer with caution.
"B-because...you're Chat Noir...I'm not supposed too-" She winced. "But I need your Miraculous. But that's not what I'm- shut up!" Marionette growled, holding her head. She was silent, and Chat Noir inched closer.
"Marinette?" He questioned, leaning down.
"Don't call me that" She hissed, suddenly grabbing the wrist with his ring. Chat gasped and tried to pull away, but her grip was like an iron clasp. She smirked and reached for his ring, but stopped halfway. She shook her head and started to slide it off, but Chat whacked his bow staff across her head desperately. She cried out in anguish and loosened her grip, and Chat twisted out of it and slid back, catching his breath.
Heart pounding, he unconsciously held his hand close to his chest, with false security. Too close, way too close. Marionette recollected herself and stood up, holding her face. When she lowered her hand, Chat gulped, a little guilty. The crack on her face had widened, and a few pieces had fallen, revealing only a void-like black color.
"Ok, now where is that pesky Akuma?" He muttered to himself. This fight needed to end, right now. He looked her up and down, looking for any prominent accessories. Ribbon around her dress? No, that's new...Mask? No, Mari wasn't wearing a mask. How about...her hair tie? The bright red ribbon was holding back a bun, and looked pretty prominent. Lets try that.
He rushed forward, dodging the two ribbons that struck out at him. He reached out for her with his bowstaff, but with one smooth movement she ducked and twirled away. He almost fell, but caught himself and looked back to find a ribbon racing towards him. It knocked his staff right out of his hands, and clattered uselessly to the ground across the school yard. The other ribbon wrapped around his wrist, and yanked him back to Marionette.
The Marionette grabbed his shoulders and slammed her knee right into his chest, knocking the air out of him. He grunted in pain, and slid to the ground. 'Dirty move Marionette' He thought grimly, and glared up at her. She smiled back and knelt down, reaching for his wrist. He jerked it back, and growled out.
"Cataclysm!"
His fist bubbled with energy, and he touched it to the ribbons holding him down. They sizzled and melted, and pulled back. Marionette scowled, and turned and ran for his bow staff. Crap! He almost forgot about it!
She grabbed it and looked at him smugly, and waited for him to take the bait. Chat went to go after her, but a small beep stopped him.
Oh, wonderful.
"Uh, keep it doll! I gotta run, meet you later?" He said nervously, starting to back up. Luckily her ribbons were melted and useless, and only small stumps hung limp. Maybe with out her powers she'll be easier to outrun? That's the case with most Akumas.
Oh no. He was wrong.
Since when did Marinette ever know how to fight so well?
She had sprung forward, graceful despite her stiff ball joints. She swept his feet from underneath his feet, then grabbed the collar of his suit and lifted him into the air.
"Aw, why not stick around kitty?" She purred, and threw him to the ground. He went to get up, but was slammed back down by his own staff. "Maybe you should run, actually- no, he's gonna stick around until he transforms. I hope he kicks our butt- Gah!" Her jaw slammed shut as Chat delivered an uppercut, then kicked her in the gut to send her back.
"You seem a little conflicted, Marinette." He said, silently testing something out. He was right, when he said her name her eyes softened a bit, and she hesitated with her would-be fist to his face. He was able to slide back, just in the nick of time. "I'll let..uh, you two sort yourself out, ok?" He smiled, then dodged another blow from her and ran as fast as he could, after jumping over her.
He looked over his shoulder, and saw her stepping forward, but stopping and shaking her head.
Strange.
:
He whipped into an empty alley, his transformation just beginning with a flash. Plagg collapsed in his palm, completely exhausted. He also opened Marinette's purse, letting Tikki pop out and land on his shoulder.
He himself plopped down on the ground, leaning against the wall. "Geez...that was a little intense. How come she's so powerful? She must've been really upset." He sighed, while digging through his bag for camembert for his Miraculous. "Here Plagg." He opened the container, wincing at the smell but letting the greedy sprite dig in.
"She's powerful because...because..." Tikki began, looking to Adrien nervously. "Uh, she was near me all day. If you're in the presence of a Miraculous, their power will rub off you!" She explained, biting her lip. She knew Marinette wouldn't want her identity as Ladybug revealed, but it really irked Tikki to lie so much. Plagg snorted and rolled his acid green eyes, and Tikki scoffed.
"Oh...that's going to make my job so much easier." Adrien frowned. "So, where is Ladybug? You said she was really sick?"
"Ah, yes! I did! She...she's sneezing like crazy, and can barely stand with out getting dizzy!"
"So why did she get Marinette to look after you?" Adrien asked, curious. Tikki's eyes went wide. Plagg snickered.
"Ah, well, I just couldn't see her so miserable and down, y'know? Ladybug said that she doesn't like seeing me so sad for her too, so she called up Marinette and asked her out to take me out. Just for some fun, right? Ladybug hates seeing anyone sad, especially because of her." Tikki said, sighing in relief when Adrien nodded.
"I can see that. Ladybug is so great!" He gushed, with a goofy smile. Tikki smiled as well, a little sadly. If only he knew...
Adrien stood up, tucking Marinette's purse into his own bag, along with Tikki and Plagg. "I just need to make sure Adrien isn't completely MIA to people" He explained. "Then, we're freeing Marinette."
:
Most of the students were sent home and advised to stay indoors, but those who didn't make it were gathered at the fancy Bourgeois Hotel. Chloe had locked herself up in her room, uncharacteristically quiet, while all the kids were kept in the lobby, all chatting nervously and excitedly.
Adrien burst in, pretending to be out of breath. Nino and Alya pushed themselves through the crowd to him. "Adrien! What happened bro? We lost you in the panic!" Nino demanded. Alya had her phone out, obviously live streaming.
"I think I got knocked over. Last thing I saw was the ground. Chat Noir himself woke me up and got me to safety!" He explained, rubbing his head. Alya turned her camera to him.
"So, we saw Chat Noir, what about Ladybug?" She asked.
"I asked the same thing, Chat said she was badly injured. She should be back soon though." Adrien shrugged. Alya nodded, in thought.
"How horrible! Our Ladybug is down, and only Chat Noir is left to defend us." Alya exclaimed, pointing her camera to herself. She had obviously regained her usual composure, her little break down earlier forgotten. "Can our favorite cat save us from this Akuma?" She asked theatrically, like a true reporter.
Adrien found himself asking the same question, and he suddenly looked solemn. He needed to pull himself together and get that Akuma. No matter what, he needed to save Paris, Ladybug or not.
:
A/N
The stakes rise! Oh my! Whatever will Chat Noir do? Whats wrong with The Marionette? And can Tikki keep lying like this?
Haha, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed! I decided to combine two chapters here, even though it didn't seem like it, because I blended them together pretty well. Thanks so much for all the follows and favorites, and reviews! Ya'll are awesome! I have school this week, so updates may slow down a bit. Not much. I never have homework, because I am a nerd. Yes, its true. Also, do you like the new cover? Made it myself ;3 I'm just starting drawing again, I kinda gave up a year ago because I was really discouraged about my art for awhile. But I'm trying again!
Anything you want to see in this story? I can include it! (I know half of you are gonna scream ADRIENETTE and I'm going to holler back 'YEA BOI') This stories plot is pretty flexible and can go anywhere, really.
Anyways, thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day/night! ;3
