A/N: We passed 900, people. Thank you so much for the continued support of this fic :')
Chapter 21
"So, I saw you and Adrien getting cozy in class. And then you guys had lunch together! Is there something going on that I should know about?" Alya grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.
It was after school, Marinette and Alya were standing next to the main school steps. Adrien and Nino had already left, leaving the best friends to their 'girl time'.
Marinette blushed, but managed to brush off her suggestion. "Me and Adrien? Psh! You know I'm seeing Chat Noir."
Alya's mouth dropped. "It's official?! And you didn't tell me? Does this mean you're completely over Adrien?"
Marinette bit her lip, knowing she'd have to say just the right words. "Yeah, um, we have been for awhile. But to tell the truth...no, never mind."
"What? What is it? You can't just start off like that and not tell me!" Alya demanded.
Marinette suppressed a smirk. She had Alya right where she wanted her. She frowned and heaved a dramatic sigh. "To tell the truth...I just don't know if it's going to last. He's a criminal, I'm a good girl. We're total opposites! Plus I don't think I'll ever be fully able to get over Adrien."
"But you said that you can make him into a hero," Alya protested, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"I don't know, he's been very adamant that he doesn't want to be one. Oh Alya, I just don't know what to do!"
"You'll figure it out." Alya patted a comforting hand on the designer's shoulder. To Marinette's internal glee, Alya didn't have any clue that she was faking all this. "Who knows, maybe Adrien is the one for you."
Marinette sighed again. "I don't know. Plus I think me and Chat's relationship just...fizzled out. The spark is just gone, I guess I got used to him."
Good thing Adrien had already left, because she knew that if he heard that line, he would've made her regret it dearly. A blush began to rise on her cheeks on what kind of payback Adrien would have in mind for her, but she breathed and calmed down to dispel it.
"Got used to Chat Noir?" Alya's mouth dropped in shock. "How could you get used to him? Nino and I still have that spark, and we've been dating for two years!
Marinette smiled, hoping that Alya and Nino would be together for much longer than two years. They made a great pair.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but it's happened. I better get home, I'll see you tomorrow."
Alya shook her head. "Whatever, girl. See you."
...
That night, Marinette couldn't stop smiling as she sketched a new blouse design. Granted, her pencil strokes kept going where she didn't want them to go, but she couldn't have been happier.
She and Adrien were (secretely) dating, something she had wished for two years. She had planted the false information to Alya, so her gradual romance with Adrien would seem believable, and then they could publicly date.
Her gaze turned cloudy. They would be able to do all the couple stuff in public whenever she wanted. They could kiss, hold hands, cuddle...
She heaved a heavy, dream-like sigh at the possibilities.
Also, he might become a hero! Her dashing hero in shining leather would soon turn over a new leaf and help protect Paris instead of terrorizing it.
A small frown marred her features. She kind of wished she could go along with him and help save the city. Jump across buildings, with the moon at her back, feeling the wind through her hair...
She cast a tentative gaze to her closet, where her Ladybug costume was stored.
Maybe-
THUD
Marinette jumped at the sudden noise. Her gaze snapped to the trapdoor on her ceiling, half expecting for Chat to drop down on her bed and give her that Cheshire grin. But all she found was an empty bed.
Her eyebrows drew down, fully puzzled. He was never that loud when he visited her, he only made noise whenever he tapped on the glass panel of the trapdoor. She never heard him land on her balcony before, he was a master at silencing his footfalls.
So what the hell was that noise? Maybe he just wanted to scare her? It was a jerk move, but he proved to be a mischievous kitty.
Setting aside her sketchbook, she shifted her legs over the chaise and rose out of it. Clad in her sleepwear, she climbed up the ladder to her bed. When she got there, she looked outside hatch for any sign of the thief, but all she was met with was darkness and silence.
Gulping, she pushed open the door and ventured outside into the cool, night air. Shivering, she examined her surroundings.
No Adrien or Chat Noir to be found. Not a single trace.
She looked at her plants, looking for evidence that one of them fell, but they were all in the right place, not even touched. Her spool table was still upright, indicating that it hadn't fallen over.
So what caused the noise?
The blackette switched her gaze to her pink and white striped lounge chair, where she found a small piece of paper.
Curious, she walked closer and picked it up, gasping when she read the words.
Seems like your little kitty wanted to play! If you want to get your cat out of the bag, come back to Akuma. We'll be waiting for you ;)
A fox symbol was drawn beneath the seemingly innocent words.
"Volpina," Marinette whispered in astonishment.
The note dropped from her shaking fingers.
Adrien got kidnapped by Volpina. He was being held at Akuma, who knew what they were doing to him over there.
She took ragged breaths and pressed her hands to both sides of her head in a panic. What was she going to do? He could hold his own in a fight, but kidnappers generally didn't let their victims go to let them beat them up. There was no way he'd be able to escape.
Marinette's eyes darted around frantically, as if someone would leap out of the darkness and take her too. With another panicked breath, she raced inside back to the safety of her room, locking the hatch behind her.
She sat on her bed, staring at the opposing wall.
We'll be waiting for you
They were expecting her to go there and rescue him. She was just Marinette, she couldn't do anything.
But-
Her blue bell orbs gazed at the closet below.
-Ladybug can.
...
After slipping on the costume again, she frowned at her reflection as she put on the spotted mask. She thought she'd never put this on again, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Wait. Wasn't she wishing before to join Chat Noir, leaping across rooftops in the night while performing heroic deeds? Could this be the start of that?
She shook her head. Now wasn't the time for heroic fantasies, she had a cat to save.
Good thing her parents were asleep. She tip-toed out of her room, down the stairs, and soon she was out of the bakery. She hoped any possible muggers would keep out of her way for tonight, hopefully the costume will repel them.
She ran down the many streets to get to Akuma, taking many back streets along the way to stay off the main street. She wished she had Chat's staff so she can extend it and propel herself on top a building. Or maybe something that can help her swing by the streets with ease, something like a yo-yo perhaps.
Luckily, no one bothered with her that night. Hell, she didn't even see any suspicious people. With empty lungs and tired legs, she arrived at the not-so-abandoned warehouse.
She wasn't surprised to find the front entrance left open. Not even a touch surprised when she smacked a hand on the hidden button, revealing the secret staircase in the floor.
Without wasting another second she dashed down the staircase, Adrien being the only thing on her mind. How would she save him, exactly? She doubted a little sweet talking would do the job.
When she reached the end, she was met with an empty doorway. It was eerily dark and quiet, a stark contrast to the lit up club with the jazz music from the last time she was here.
Biting her lip, she walked inside. The stage was empty, tables abandoned of tablecloths and candles, bar empty of alcohol. The only light source being a couple lights scattered around the area, providing just enough light so you wouldn't trip over your own feet.
A fearful chill went up her spine. This must be what it's like to go into your school at night, only much more creepier.
But the worst part? Adrien was nowhere in sight.
She flinched, startled, when the sound of a microphone fuzzing echoed around the room.
"Ah, Ladybug. How nice of you to show up," a cold, masculine voice greeted.
Her eyes widened.
"Don't worry, Chat Noir is alright...for now. Be glad I spared his life so far, I don't take betrayal lightly."
"Hawk Moth," she gasped softly. Volpina must be working with him.
"You are correct. Such a smart girl you are, I'm never wrong when I sense a future criminal."
Future criminal? Her eyes narrowed.
"But I would much rather speak to you with this face-to-face. Come to the back left corner, you'll find a staircase. And then you will find me."