Chapter Forty: The Bigger Predator
Ladybug toppled across the ground as she appeared in the dressing area. Most of the enclosure was vacant, but some of the fashion experts looked up, startled. Her bluebell orbs flew open, and she erupted in a fit of nervous chuckling.
"Took that wrong turn," she laughed, short, diminutive. "You know…Albuquerque," she said playfully. "Hyuck hyuck." Nobody laughed, and she cringed, getting to her feet as she rubbed the back of her battered skull. Pegasus was already ahead of her, shaking his face, and to her dismay, the people slowly filtered out of the room.
"Perhaps you should stick to jokes relevant to this generation," he offered, and she scoffed.
"Sure, because that would have made this less awkward." He smiled and shook his head again, the glow dissipating as he shifted a moment. "What is it?" Her voice was anxious as she followed his gaze.
"Thought I saw…something come through the portal behind us just before it closed," he whispered steadily. "It's not likely though," he added, still spying around.
Ladybug turned to survey the entire room, not seeing anything out of place, and cringed, shrugging. "You might be on edge," she offered. "However, I appreciate your assistance today, and you're welcome to go back home to your family Ma—Pegasus," she said.
He hesitated, giving the chamber another long sweep before he nodded, and disappeared through another self-made portal. Okay, now, all she needed to do…was disappear and reappear as Marinette to get dressed for the party…
"Where is…MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG!" Someone shrieked from beyond the room, and she was already moving to intercept the perceived threat. It was that voice. It was the female voice. She recognized it almost immediately, and the familiarity finally clicked, but nothing made sense. Mayura?
She thrust her arms forward to shove the doors open to emerge out into the courtyard, but something snared her, yanking her backwards before she could complete the motion, and a tongue slid up the side of her face with languid, sensual ease.
"Mm, I think thisss might be one fight Ladybug issss going to have to sssit out," Viperion moaned, grasping her tight against his body, locking her right arm against her side, trapping her yo-yo to her hip. "After all, we can have fun all by ourssselvessss" he hissed, and the sound was prolonged, tingling her ear as he darted his appendage out to lick her lobe.
She opened her mouth to shriek, and he clamped his free hand over her lips, stifling the sound. Viperion lifted her completely off her feet as she kicked, and Ladybug squeezed her eyes shut, darkness clouding her mind. She was immediately back in that room, and she was fucking him.
It was her fault, all over again. She had betrayed her lover. She had turned her back on the man she loved. She didn't deserve Adrien. She was a stain on the world. She didn't deserve to live, or feel happiness, or to love, or to be loved. Everything bad that happened to her…was karma…and justified, but it didn't stop her body from thrashing or her heart from frantically beating against her ribcage.
The bluenette reached her free hand to her ear, instinct telling her to protect the Miraculous, despite the other one being exposed, and he grabbed her digits, yanking. She gripped her cartilage, refusing to let go, nails digging into her flesh, but his strength beat hers. The jewel ripped free…tearing from her delicate flesh, and a scream tore up her throat as her lobe shredded. The agony was muted by his palm as he dragged her away from the doors...even as her armor began to dissipate.
***POV Change***
Adrien shoved Chloe sideways as a spray of infected feathers burst through the air, piercing several bystanders. The victims shrieked with agony, and they collapsed, convulsing as a multicolored foam oozed from their rapidly bloating lips.
The white feathers were tinged black and emerald, wavering, and the woman doubled over, gagging, her eyes wild with hatred and insanity each time she projected an attack.
"Give me Marinette! She has to pay for seducing my boyfriend!"
"She isn't here," Adrien hollered, pushing his friend to avoid another bombardment of diseased amok plume.
"L-Liar," she wheezed, clutching herself, and he faltered as she shuttered. She was weak…sick. Something was wrong with her.
"I'm not lying," he tried honestly, sheltering the blonde behind his broad form as he took a bold step forward. "She was delayed," he said truthfully. "She's my girlfriend, so I would know."
Violet eyes swiveled to regard him, and she stilled, relinquishing her attack for several moments. "Sh-She belongs to you?"
Adrien smiled, warm, bright, full of confidence. There was no hesitation as the love and compassion filled his chest, and he nodded. "She is mine. I know her, inside and out, and I'm not sure who your boyfriend is, Mayura, but I assure you, Mari would never betray me. There is no force on this Earth that could convince me otherwise," he said firmly.
He watched the conviction in her unsteady orbs waver, something in her fractured eyes warring, threatening….fighting for dominance, and he took another calculated step forward. His emerald orbs captured a glimpse of something grey sheltered in the hem of her feathered sleeve, and he squinted. It was…a…hairpin? He frowned, inspecting the woman closer, and a pair of frightened brown eyes peered out from the mass of fluff around her neck. Pollen. Shit!
Mayura's entire form jerked, lurching forward, and he took a chance, diving, hand outstretched. His fingers closed around the tiny object, barely clasping the Miraculous as he rolled by her convulsing form, but he had managed, and he threw himself diagonal before another onslaught of mutated feathers slashed through the air.
"Traitor! Thief!"
He groaned, managing to handspring backwards towards his closest friend, twirling to grab her, throwing them behind a barrier of stone pillars of the building shielding the entire courtyard. Feathers spewed through the archway, hitting anything not covered, but he panted, closing his eyes within his mask as he slid to his ass.
"A-Adrikins," she whimpered, worried.
He held up the comb, smirking, and he felt her entire body come to a halt. "Is there still venom in Queen Bee's sting?"
"God, you did all that, because you saw m-my Miraculous? Wh-what kind of stupid man does that?"
He swallowed as she retrieved the pin from his fingers, and he touched his own ring, reassuring himself. He felt Plagg stirring in his pocket, and it steeled his resolved. "The kind of man who isn't just an ordinary civilian," he said firmly, opening his vibrant orbs to glare at her.
Her eyes widened as he stood, tearing his mask and hat free. Next came his cape, and he thrust his fist forward, the obsidian being bursting from his pocket. If…Chloe couldn't be trusted…everything about his life was a lie…and he couldn't live if that was true. "CLAWS OUT!"
***POV Change***
Marinette groaned softly, her entire body shifting, but an aching pain settled deep in her muscles and bones. Her lips parted, releasing her agony.
"You're awake," he commented softly, and fingers touched her bare back. God, she was naked. The thought alone made her want to vomit, and she refrained, but she shuddered, curling up upon herself, throat clutching.
"A-Adrien," she cried softly, whimpering. The sound was organic in her mind, but the way it echoed in the chamber seemed manufactured…false, and she cringed, pulling her palms over her forehead.
"Oh, no, no," he chided. "None of that."
"P-Please," the bluenette whimpered, making her form smaller. "Where is Adrien?"
"No Adrien,' he said firmly, almost angrily. "Only me." His hands gripped her ankles pulling her across the hard floor until she was flat on her back, shrieking in surprise and fear. "Mine," he whispered possessively, his palms gripping her forearms. "Love me,"he demanded, lips descending to lick along her naked stomach, and she gasped, quivering. He pushed her arms until they flattened to the ground, no longer covering her eyes, and she sobbed, his body moving over hers.
"S-Stop!" Marinette screamed desperately, throwing her head from side to side.
"No," he countered, moving both her limbs above her head, pinning them to the hard surface. He used his free hand to undo his pants, kicking her thighs apart with his knees, pressing against her moist sex, moaning. "Mmm, you're always ssssso wet," he whispered, his breath hot against her neck, and she couldn't help but shiver. "Does…Adrien…ssslide his tongue between your thighs and whisssper how much he wantsss you?" Luka's free hand gripped her hip, and his naked shaft rolled along her bare slit, drawing a delightful friction she couldn't ignore if she wanted to, and Mari moaned, biting her tongue.
"Does he…taste you…sssweet Mari, and drive you to heightsss you never knew," he whispered, his mouth skimming to her ear, caressing, his hardness invoking pleasure as it grazed her most sensitive nub, and she curved, gasping, shivering, feeling betrayed by her own body and mind as her core dampened more with need…want.
"P-Please stop, Luka," she tried to say evenly, forcing herself to look up at him. His eyes were half-lidded, like he was intoxicated with desire, and he smiled.
"You always like it ssso rough," he mused, and she frowned. The confusion gave way to panic as he pressed against her entrance, and she reacted. She thrust her spine into a curve, and smashed the crest of her forehead into his nose as he lurched forward. It was enough to loosen his grip, and she wriggled, shoving her knee up between his thighs, shrieking her anger and fear with the motion.
He groaned in pain, relinquishing her arms, and she shoved him off of her, kicking him for good measure as she rolled away to her feet, scrambling…running.
***POV Change***
Chat spat blood onto the stone ground, grinning as Queen Bee danced nimbly beyond Mayura's reach.
"Stand still you pesky insect," she shrieked. "I hate bugs!"
"Sure, I'll hop right on that," Bee snorted, throwing her hand in the air. "But you first. Venom!"
"Not so fast," Hawk Moth snarled, slammed into the stone between her and Mayura, pulling his sword free from the cane sheath.
"What are you doing in Venice," Chat hissed, disconnecting his batons into two, spinning them both with expert skill in his agile fingers.
"That is none of your concern," the man countered, eyeing the duo.
Mayura let out an ear piercing shriek and lunged, but as Chat stiffened to defend himself, he realized she wasn't attacking them. "Traitor!" The woman slashed out with her fan, and Hawk Moth hopped out of the way, but he didn't counter.
"M-Mayura," the villain croaked, and Chat's brows pulled together.
"You're fucking that girl! After all I've done for you!"
His emerald eyes slid to Bee, and she nodded, inching closer to the butterfly wielder. "You don't understand," he retorted, dodging another onslaught of slashes from the infuriated woman, and Chat circled around opposite Chloe. While they were distracted, perhaps, the heroes could get the upper hand.
"I LOVED YOU!"
The blonde man faltered, brows shooting up. A spray of feathers burst through the air, and it was only Chloe's body colliding with his that kept him from getting pierced with several infected pieces of fluff.
They hit the ground, rolling for a moment, and he wheezed. "Thanks," he grunted, pushing her off just as quickly to find his feet. He'd offer proper gratitude later, however…
"Shit! Where did they go?" The courtyard was empty.
Bee sat up a little, groaning, and blinked. "Oh, man, I messed up," she said sullenly. "I stung her before I tackled you. I guess he grabbed her since she was immobile and ran, I'm really s-sorry," she sniffled. "I fucked it up."
He touched his claws to her quickly dampening cheek, and shook his head. "You did great, Bee, chin up. We live to fight another day." He offered a goofy grin, and she snorted, rolling her eyes.
"You always were a dumb cat," she teased as he pulled her to her feet.
"Me-owtch," he chuckled. "I guess you do sting."
She punched his shoulder, and he chortled louder, scooting her along. "You're going to drop transformation soon. Meet me in the changing area. I'm going to at least check to make sure nobody was hurt."
She gave him a sardonic salute, and he flicked her ear before she could retreat, making her giggle. Chat shook his head, tail flicking as he approached the doors, pushing them open, stopping the moment he did.
His nostrils flared, eyes narrowing dangerously as the familiar scent plagued the back of his throat and mind. "Mari?" He didn't see her, but the scent was incredibly strong, and there was something wrong with it.
It smelled like…fear, and it was…dissipating. It was still so strong though. Under that, he could taste something else on his tongue, and he followed the trail cautiously. It was…metallic, but sweet. Blood, her blood, and his veins ran cold as he saw the fine crimson droplets across the floor.
His ears swiveled, and he tensed as someone approached him from behind, but as his nose flared again, he relaxed…minutely.
"What is that," Chloe gasped.
"Blood," Chat said grimly, squatting to touch the miniscule spray. It wasn't anywhere near enough to indicate she was severely hurt, but the fact that she had…been here…mere feet away, and someone had made her bleed…He clenched his fist, arm trembling with the effort. "It's Mari's."
"Oh, God, Chat, I'm sorry. So…she was here, probably hiding from the fight, and someone attacked her," she breathed.
He flinched, and he tilted his head, eyes drifting to the corner. He prowled on all four, making the ridiculous motion look graceful and predatory. He reached out with trembling claws, scooping up the very tiny object, swallowing audibly.
"Fuck," he whispered in horror. "She wasn't hiding; she was coming to join the fight."
"What do you mean, what is that?"
He shook his head slowly, the sound barely leaving his throat as he held up the single earring in his palm for her to view. "One half of Marinette's Miraculous."
AUTHOR NOTE:
Wow, I truly appreciate all the supportive words! You guys move me, and as I've said, on multiple occasions, without you, I'd be nothing! I love you guys, and appreciate all you do.
b.d.p.r4454, thank you for the kind words! I'm trying to feel better.
Kazza2182, yeah, Gabriel is a prick…but he still cares…a bit..for Adrien..ish. It might very well be Lila, and…thank you *huggles* I'll live, just trying to get through the depression.
Calerose, you're very kind, and yeah, I always thought his nose/taste would pick her up (should pick her up) if they ever got super intimate outside the suits, so I don't find it far-fetched. Snakes have great scent factors too, so it makes sense here too. I'm awful for the cliffhangers. Here's another for you sorry.
Trying414, thank you, and thank you…I hope yours is coming along as well. Can't wait for chapter 20 ;)
Faefolk11, yeah…I can't disagree, unfortunately, especially after this chapter, despite the fact I think he's an amazing character in the show. Sorry….Luka hurt her again…but I'm pretty sure she hurt his nose and his 'boys' quite a bit too…if it helps…I'll try not to…I have a long self-deprecating history, so it's hard to break a habit especially when you have low self-esteem, but thank you, as always, for being dedicated and sticking with me *hugs*
Nymphadora, you're very kind. I just like to make people happy is all, and I feel like I'm letting them down. I don't know. The writing doesn't feel as good as it should be. I'll work on it, but I will message you! (I did message you) however *hugs* everyone is great here, you're all being so wonderful!
Emjrabbitwolf, I'll cover most of these topics in the next few chapters, but yeah, I love how Adrien stood up to dear old daddy. He was very mature and strong and damn if Gabriel doesn't have a lot to be proud of…and guess what…it isn't even his doing…so …maybe he shouldn't be proud because he didn't have a hand in it? Chloe is like…the underdog true hero of this story so far…keeping everyone on their toes and level, I actually like the constant niche she's created for the duo in keeping them centered during the chaos, but as for 'mystery' woman? Well…she definitely has an ability *taps finger to mouth* how she got Mari's pheromones? Guess we should cover that, huh? :P *hugs* thanks, for always being here to egg me on ;)