"It's over BeastMaster." LadyBug called out towards the akumatized villain. She hadn't expected for her and Chat to come across an Akuma this late at night. Anything was possible, she guessed. The akuma had shown itself to them. It wasn't as menacing as the first two she battled but it was enough to keep her on her toes. BeastMaster was able to manifest any animal form he desired. He'd taken the form of a timberwolf, large with white fur that shone against the neon moon. His eyes were a hypnotizing blue that could paralyze someone in their tracks.

She hoped Chat returned soon. He needed to recharge his Kwami.

"But why would I surrender when there's a delicious LadyBug on the menu?" BeastMaster cooed, before lunging. His body shifted with a white glow. It became long, lacking any limbs. Snake…the size of one that was in those old Anaconda movies. Swiftly it took LadyBug off her feet before wrapping around her when she got back up. She felt the length of the snake pin her in place, trapping her arms against her body. She gasped but her mind couldn't process if it was the pain or lack of oxygen.

"Sssuch a ssshame I have to do thisss to sssuch a pretty girl." BeastMaster muttered.

"Hey! Only I'm allowed to take my lady's breath away!" ChatNoir's voice erupted from the darkness. LadyBug gazed over in his direction. His neon green eyes glared in fury and rage. It was as if he truly was a feline predator, angry about another animal touching his prize.

ChatNoir was quick like the feline his Kwami was. He charged, holding out one of his hands, claws exposed. He stepped up onto the backside of BeastMaster, aimed for his head. The akuma loosened his grip as Chat's attack hit, sliding down the top of the replies head. It was enough to loosen its grip on her, which she took the opportunity to escape.

"You little fleabag…" BeastMaster hissed, manifesting back into the wolf. "I think I'll have a feline for an appetizer first."

"Bring it, puppy." ChatNoir teased, raising his baton.

"Chat! His necklace!" LadyBug called out. She needed to get close to it. She needed to break it before BeastMaster got one up on them again. She called for a lucky charm and frowned when all that came out of it was a small can of Bear-be-gone. ""What am I supposed to do with this?!"

She looked around the empty street for a solution but found only the akuma lighting up. Maybe if she sprayed him in the eyes, she could get the object.

By now, Chat was on his back, shielding himself with the baton from the wolf's teeth. She used his distracted to her advantage. She quickly sprang into action, placing herself in front of the growling beast.

"Close your eyes." She told ChatNoir sternly as she extended the can of spray towards the wolf's eyes which had zeroed in on her. She quickly sprayed and watched as the mist worked its magic.

"Gah!" The beast roared, bringing a paw up to wipe against his called for his cataclysm, touching the necklace. Under his power it dissolved, freeing the black winged monster that LadyBug captured with no hesitation.

After throwing up her magical charm to fix everything she allowed a breath of relaxation out. ChatNoir had waved the man who'd been possessed off after his several apologies.

"Well, it wasn't what we were looking for but at least we managed to keep the city safe." Chat said, gazing at the moon above their heads.

"Not the outcome I was looking for." LadyBug sighed.

"Well, it's getting late m'lady. Best we be off before we discover who we are outside the costume." He nudged her shoulder as her earrings beeped a warning.

"You're right. Goodnight kitty." She waved before vaulting off into the skies.

…

Marinette wished her transformation held a bit longer. She was almost home and now she had to walk and sneak into her house. She needed to remind herself to keep something in her sachet for Tiki to eat.

At least she was only a block away but still…

She felt uneasy.

The moon's light wasn't enough to expose the dark alleyways she came across. It wasn't enough to shine down dark streets that had no lights. The wind chill made her wrap her arms around herself.

Something caught her eye, it was standing at the edge of the road. At first she thought it was a tree or some sort of street decor but then it moved. It was getting closer. When it stepped into the light she got a clearer visual of it. It was a person, much taller than her but that's all she could identify. They wore a long black cloak with a mask that resembled a black dog.

"Well, well what do we have here?" The voice was deep, male obviously but she couldn't make out who's voice it was.

"I.." She began, taking a step back. Could this be the person behind the killings? If it was, she was screwed! She couldn't transform. The only thing she could do was run.

"You'll make a great prize for my collection." His tone was sickening, sinister desire dripping like venom from the fangs of a snake from his lips.

Marinette bolted the opposite direction, running back and hoping that ChatNoir was still transformed and still present in the area. She slipped into one of the darker alleyways that cut into another street. She knew this was risky but she had to take the chance. If she ran in a straight line she was certain he'd catch her. She looked over her shoulder as she ran and found him threateningly close. His hand was extended out, fingers moving to grasp anything on her, succeeding.

Her body jerked backwards before being slammed against the wall. She felt a sharp metallic press firmly against her throat which sent her body into a panic overdrive. "Please.." She quivered, shutting her eyes.

"You really are outstanding…I didn't think beauty existed in this place." He observed her, using the blade of his knife to trail across her body. Marinette could feel the humiliation pooling across her skin. She was about to be ravished by a man who was no doubt older than her. Ravished and killed. This is how it was going to end for her? She was gonna be on the news as one of the police failed assault stops?

She was ready to embrace death and humiliation. All she could do was plead but it wouldn't get her anywhere.

"You live under their mask…"

The voice was low, monstrous. It came from the darkness. Deep, rough but strangely clear but mixed with something that sounded like growling.

"You'll perish under mine."

"Eh? And who the hell are you..and where the hell are you?" The masked man spoke, clearly not frightened by whatever this was.

Marinette opened her eyes, and followed the gaze of the man who was looking in the shadows beside them. She didn't see anything but she did feel the man's strength decrease off her. He seemed to be uneasy now, despite how terrifying he was.

The sound of rustling in the darkness was abnormal and coming closer. A foot made itself visible, undressed…and raw bone. She could make out the sharp talons on the edge of each toe. Parts of the darkness seemed to pull away.

Its body was large and covered completely in an onyx. Sharp pillars that she could describe as looking more like spikes trailed down the center of its back. Its head was shaped like a deers or wolf. That too was a complete skull without the flesh to cover around it.

It exposed its teeth as its mouth opened to release a sinister growl that started high pitch but ended low.

"Fuck." The man breathed. "It's you."

"You have sinned, along with your group of disgusting beings. I will purge your existence from this world." The beast beckoned.

The man seemed to be frozen in his tracks, his body quivering as if he was standing out in the midst of a cold winter night. Marinette could only stare as her own fear began to bubble into her stomach. What was this thing?

She watched as its hand reached for the man, wrapping its fingers around his throat.

"Please…" He whispered, begging. "I-Please..I'll give you anything you want, just let me go."

"I don't think so….you live under their mask…you'll perish under mine."

Marinette watched as its mouth unhinged, watched as the man was slowly lifted up towards it. It had placed the head of the man who attacked her between its jaws.

The crunk of bones breaking made her stomach turn.

She wanted to run but the terror made her legs feel like jelly.

The creature had spotted her, slowly lured its way to her.

Marinette closed her eyes and turned her head away, praying that this was just a nightmare…that this wasn't real. She could feel Tiki's tense increase.

It never attacked her. She felt the air shift as it inhaled her scent, felt the smoothness of its bone as it pressed its snout against her bare cheek. She could hear the scraping of its horns rattle along the wall beside her. A lower growl emitted from it before it pulled away and vanished from her proximity.

…..

Marinette called the police, she couldn't just walk away from that scene and live with herself. She told them of the man's intention with her and what she saw. She was ruled out of their suspicion as she was incapable of the damage that had been done to the man's body. Her parents were furious that she'd snuck out of the house but they were relieved she was okay.

She went to school and shared her story with Alya, Nino and Adrien. She told them of the creature and what she could see of it. Out of everyone, Adrien seemed the most curious. He wanted more detail. He didn't pry too much for his identity reasons but the more he knew about it, the more he could share with LadyBug. His eyes once and a while averted to Elise who was the only one who didn't seem too interested in the story but Adrien also saw something in her pools of green. Something he couldn't describe.

"So…this creature was like what are they called…A wendigo?" Alya's voice broke the silence.

"Yeah. I didn't think they existed." Marinette muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. "It sure was scary..and the sight of what it did.."

"I'm surprised you're in school." Nino commented. "I'd be locked in my room if I came across something like that."

"Well..It did kinda save you. Who'd know what that guy would have done?" Alya sighed. "Girl, why were you out that late anyway?"

Marinette shrugged. "I guess so..but to kill him? Why not let LadyBug or ChatNoir take him to a police station?"

"Because some of the officers are corrupt here." Elise interrupted, eyes falling onto Marinette.

"What?"

"If you pay a certain officer amount of money, they will let you go..or if they secretly work in an organization, you get off free." Elise shrugged her shoulders. "They are like that in America too. I think it's worse there though."

Marinette sighed, she couldn't imagine a police officer being corrupt or working for a crime lord.

"I wouldn't think too much about it." Adrien said softly, leaning back so that Marinette could hear him. "I'm just glad you got away."

"Oh! Uh-Th-thanks." Marinette could feel the heat in her cheeks flush.

He smiled sheepishly at her before turning back towards the chalkboard.

You live under their mask..you'll perish under mine..

Those words seemed to stick with her. She didn't understand what this creature was talking about..did it have something to do with the way that man was dressed? It looked like a simple mugger to her. Then again she never traveled anywhere at night so she wasn't sure what kinda weirdos were out there in the dark hours.

Whatever this creature was, it had a vendetta. The people it went for were supposedly bad. Regardless, it should be handled by the superheroes and police. This creature needed to be stopped and soon, probably sooner than HawkMoth. At least he hadn't killed anyone yet.

"Hey everyone!" A voice cried out. A voice that reminded Marinette of nails on a chalkboard. It was a voice that plagued the dreams of children, turning them into nightmares. The voice was worse than Chloe's!

Lila..

She stood in the center of the room, smiling at everyone with that sheepish-wolfish disguised smile. She was back from whatever "trip" she was on.

Mrs. Bustier smiled as she greeted and welcomed Lila back to class. Lila greeted her back with the same false warmth in return.

Everyone greeted her minus, Marinette who simply rolled her eyes at the girl. Elise also didn't welcome her. Instead she stared at the girl with irritation.

Lila greeted everyone as she passed by..minus Marinette who she sneered at before making her way to the back of the class where her devious eyes fell upon the new student. "Oh!" She chirped, trying to sound pleasant. "A new face!"

"Yup." Elise's voice was stale as it trailed off her lips, American accent heavy in her voice.

"Oh! You're American? I just love America. I've met the president, a super sweet guy. By the way, I'm Lila Rossi." Lila began, sweetly smiling to pull her act into perfect play. "I don't wanna brag but I'm well known by all the famous people so that makes me famous, you should feel honored to sit by me." Lila boosted. She always tried to make herself look better than everyone else.

It made Marinette sick.

"Maybe you and I could be friends." Lila finished, still smiling. "I'm friends with everyone in this classroom, despites Dupain-Cheng. She doesn't like me for some odd reason I wi-"

"-Maybe she doesn't like you because of your annoying ass voice and your ability to say shit that probably isn't true." Elise blandly replied, unamusement lingering in her tone.

"Well..you seem bitter." Lila licked her bottom lip to wet it.

"I am bitter, I hate people, especially ones as annoying as you."

"I thought Americans were cheerful..go lucky people." Lila hummed in response, eyes rolling towards the ceiling as if she was out of things to say. However, everyone knew Lila Rossi and the things she could say to ruin someone's day. "I could get you in trouble if you keep being this way."

Elise's eyes widened, as if Lila had just stabbed her in the back after a fatal betrayal. She raised a hand to the tip of the hat on her head, flinging her head back, an utter plea began to spree from her lips. "Oh! Please! No, don't do that. I haven't done a thing, why would you be so cruel?! "

Lila smiled, thinking she'd gotten through to the girl but the smile faltered when Elise began to laugh in amusement.

"Please do it, really. I don't care. My agenda isn't here at this school. I just choose to be here."

"Enough back there!" Mrs. Bustier called out, clearly displeased with the interruption of her lesson. "Lila please take a seat."

After an apologetic bow, Lila sat down beside Elise who didn't seem to show any interest in continuing their conversation through whispers.

"Chloe one day, Lila the next. This girl is on a roll." Alya whispered in Marinette's ear.

"I know, I'm liking her more and more every day." The bluenette girl giggled. "Maybe I should take lessons from her. I'd love to have the ability to say what I wanted."

"Then you wouldn't be my shy friend." Alya snickered, thinking about a bold Marinette telling her haters off.

Marinette rolled her eyes teasingly.

But she did say the truth, she really did wish she had the nerves to say the things she wanted to.

How grand it would be….

The classroom was silent as Mrs. Bustier went on about her lesson but again, Marinette's mind wandered elsewhere. She thought of HawkMoth and the strange creature. Maybe it was an akumatized person she and ChatNoir hadn't come across yet.

No… this creature didn't seem akumatized. It didn't appear until ChatNoir and LadyBug vanished. It wasn't after her Miraculous. It was after something else.

Something she or ChatNoir weren't aware of.

….

Though its sockets were completely eyeless, it could see very well. It wasn't like any old mortal creature that would be blind. It was mythical, a legend. No amount of mere mortal dysfunctions kept it from doing what it did. It hid well in society, acting as a human and playing the role better than expected.

It wasn't here to slaughter aimlessly for pleasure. No, it didn't want to harm innocent people, only the bad ones. It was hunting for people who lived under the mask of its mortal enemies and promised to purge them from existence. As long as they didn't bear the mark or wear the mask, they were spared.

It knew its stream of slaughter would attract local law enforcement, but they were only filling their pockets, or supporting whatever crime organization they secretly worked for. Not all of them were this way, some just wanted an end to the killings.

But it also knew its reign of terror would attract the cities duo heroes. LadyBug and ChatNoir. The beast had watched them, they were noble it seemed and neither bared the mark of sin, so they'd be spared as long as they stayed clear of it and its mission. It didn't want to kill them, they smelt pure and innocent, like a mix of sunshine and rain.

It would scare them if it had to.

The beast always stood amongst the shadows but today it was feeling dangerous and exposed itself to the light. It's onyx fur illuminating against the rays of the mid-afternoon sun. It opened its mouth to taste the air, fresh and warm.

It deed spotted the akuma flying overhead, tilting its head in a curious way. It had no idea what their purpose was or why whoever sent them did what they did but the creature did know one thing.

The person behind the Akumas was evil.

Speaking of those little devils…

One had come into eyesight, no doubt going towards a soul soon to be corrupted. The beast noticed it stayed high in the sky, above building tops, avoiding any unwanted gaze. It would have flown past had the man behind it not seen through the eyes of what stood atop the current building it was lingering on.

The change of direction confused the beast.

It could hear the gentle flaps of its wings which were abnormal despite its purpose.

As it neared, the beast was able to get a closer look at it. It had never seen one before the akumatization, so this was oddly surprising. Reaching out palm facing the sky, it waited for it to land.

A flash of violent purple appeared in front of its face as the little creature centered on its palm.

"Monster of the night!" A Ominous voice that sounded male spoke, clearly cheerful. "I've found you sooner than expected. My name is HawkMoth and I want to help you achieve your goals. As long as you help me with mine."

Fingers coiled in, crushing the small akuma with no effort, breaking away the connection from the devious man.

I work for no one.