2. Time
Papillon is unquestionably pleased with his newest Akuma. Surely, Alterna would be the one to finally retrieve him the Miraculous.
Alterna's power of clairvoyance is proving to be useful. But there was something odd about her. She displayed powers of illusion when she sent that fake video message to all of Paris. Alterna explained it to be an extension of her ability to see all reality. Akumas were connected, she said, therefore she could mimic a tiny bit Lady Wifi's power to manipulate the internet, she said.
Papillon said nothing in return, except raise a skeptical brow. It was the first time he was unaware of all intricacies of his Akuma.
And it bothered him.
Her appearance as a Fairy was surprising as well. He didn't plan that. He decided that it must just be a projection of one of her hidden desires. Whatever that was. Alterna had an unusual wish as well.
She wanted to know who Ladybug and Chat Noir were behind the mask. It was a curiosity that most Parisians had, none that besides Alterna and Lady Wifi had gotten Akumatized over. Although both their reasoning were different.
Whereas Lady Wifi had been humiliated, Alterna possessed a natural need to know who they were. An emotional need so strong that he was able to infect her necklace.
No matter. She is proving to be effective.
Alterna hovered at the top of the Eiffel Tower as she watched hundreds of people start to crowd at the bottom, Nadja Chamack in the lead. Her cerulean wings beat like a hummingbird and resembled that of a dragonfly.
She smirked, everything was going according to plan. In about 45min, all of Paris will know who their heroes truly were. The end would be complicated for them, but it would allow Fate to take it's natural course.
Fate, is sacred. Should be respected. And once all the Miraculous are retrieved, balance will be achieved.
For Ladybug and Chat Noir are meant to be. After today, their fates will forever be intertwined.
In truth, Papillon isn't their enemy. Just a man acting out of grief. The true enemy is hidden in the shadows, awaiting it's turn. And if the heroes hoped to succeed, they needed a stronger bond.
Ladybug swung over the rooftops, the Eiffel Tower becoming closer and closer. At her side, appeared a familiar leather clad figure.
They said nothing and chose to communicate silently through body language. Because they both knew. That if they didn't succeed in bringing this Akuma down, then their entire lives were about to change.
They stopped on the rooftop nearest to the Tower.
"This is bad my lady. So many people have showed up." Chat squatted down at the edge, looking over hundreds of heads.
If Ladybug noticed the lack of puns from her partner she chose not to comment. Just glad that for once he was taking this seriously.
"We've always been so careful. How does she know who we are?" Ladybug finally allowed herself to ask the question.
Chat's tail flicked, "maybe that's her power. To know things? Maybe, if we're lucky, she doesn't actually know."
"Are you saying that this could just be a trap to lure us out? It's possible. But I don't know Chat. We can't take that risk. Our identities depend on it. Let's go." Ladybug was about to throw her yoyo but stood still when she felt Chat's hand on her shoulder.
"Chat? What are you..." Ladybug's voice died as she took in the look on her Kitty's face. His cat-like green eyes were so intense it threatened to eat her up alive. She'd never seen Chat so serious before.
"Ladybug. I want you to know, if I find out your identity, whoever you are underneath that mask, I —it doesn't matter. You'll still be the most amazing girl I know, okay? Nothing could change that."
"Chat..." Ladybug felt her throat tighten with strong emotion. Her partner meant more to her than she ever realized. She valued their friendship tremendously. For the first time, Ladybug stepped closer to Chat and pulled him into a tight hug around the waist.
Chat was so surprised, he didn't know what to do. He raised his arms awkwardly before closing them around his lady's shoulders. He was trying to hold off a purr from rumbling in his chest to no avail.
Ladybug pulled away. A soft blush colored her cheeks. "Don't get used to that."
Chat pouted, "but my lady, you were as snug as a bug in a hug."
Ladybug groaned, "Let's just go!" She threw her yoyo and flung herself to the front of the Tower. Chat followed behind her chuckling.
Facing the Parisians, Ladybug was beginning to get pissed off. Didn't these people have anything better to do than invade their privacy?
They needed to get out of the way.
"Ladybug, how do you feel now that your identity is about to be revealed?" Nadja shoved a microphone in Ladybug's space.
Much to everyone's surprise, including Chat's, Ladybug took the microphone and faced the camera with a glare and aggravated voice. "How do I feel? I'll tell you how I feel. You'd think after saving Paris many times over you people would at least have a sense of loyalty to respect our need for anonymity. I'm disappointed in you."
And silence.
Everyone looked at her speechless.
Most at least started to look mildly ashamed. And minutes later about one third of the people in the area dispersed. Well, that was better than nothing, Ladybug thought.
"As hot as that was my lady, we don't have much time left before the Chat is out of the bag." Chat said pointing with his staff into the sky.
Four screens appeared in a circle near the top of the Eiffel Tower. Showing a countdown of 10min.
A ball of anxiety began to fester in their chests.
A.N
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