Author Note: Apologies…I haven't felt like myself lately. I'm sorry this one is so short. I'll try to do better. Hope you enjoy. Hope everyone is safe.

Chapter Fifty: Paths

The ground trembled beneath Chat's morphed feet, forcing him to take a stance on all four as he galloped over the uneven terrain. He adapted as quickly as his ancient mind allowed, leaping over the collapsing rubble around him to gain the speed he required to close the distance to his prey. Not even his rapidly accelerated heart, which threatened to choke him from the confines of his throat, slowed his motions.

Maim. Destroy. Kill.

Paris was tearing apart at the seams, a crack forming along the sky. It peered into a space depicting nothing beyond a violet abyss speckled with obsidian hues. Screams of panic and pain chorused around his lithe form, but they remained unheeded as his singular purpose dominated every molecule in his predatory state. He would avenge his mate. Their mate. Ladybug would have justice.

I advissse that massssster rethink hisss—

Emerald power appeared through his mind, emanating outwards in a visible crackle along his skin and Sass hissed angrily before he fell silent again. The snake kwami didn't offer any other words as the destructive magic receded as quickly as it appeared, and Chat propelled himself deftly over a sinkhole in the middle of a large intersection.

He didn't need advice on how to deal with an enemy. He especially didn't need advice on how to deal with the person who had stolen everything from him. No, not just him. The person who had stolen everything from Paris and the world.

Ladybug was a symbol of hope and courage. She was pure and stood for all that was good and right in what was otherwise a broken and fractured existence. She gave love where there was infinite hatred. Ladybug was the remedy that mended hearts left broken by despair and anguish. Beyond that, even in her civilian form, Marinette gave light where darkness reigned endlessly. She was irreplaceable.

As the thoughts formed a whirlwind along his conscious brain, infecting the subconscious root of his being, something erupted in the background of his actual form. The sky splintered several notable fractions and crimson chunks spewed violently from the gaping seam. The debris sprayed the visible world around the agile feline, forcing him to avoid the anamorphous blobs out of instinct.

As the material collided with solid matter, it dissolved on impact. The gummy substance disintegrated everything it touched within moments. It was probably a good idea to avoid the scarlet fluid.

Talk about ssssstating the obviousssss.

Chat growled, baring his teeth, but he didn't reply as he bounded over another obstacle, aiming his gait towards the Agreste mansion.

***POV CHANGE***

Chloe's golden eyes ignited with power as illumination marched down the forearms of her suit, spiraling in thick honey lines to drip from her twitching fingers. Her lips twisted into a sardonic smile as she stared across the room at the villain before her, seemingly defeated by her surprise entrance.

"Ah, Ms. Bourgeois, you finally made it," Hawk Moth snorted, shaking his head with ease. "I thought your injuries had rendered you incapacitated in our final battle."

"Nothing would stop me from avenging my friend," she snarled back, lashing a hand outwards.

Vibrant sunshine energy laced with onyx spots curved in a wide arc from her splayed fingers towards her target. The power sliced through the floor and ceiling where it connected, and the butterfly barely dove in time to avoid its wrath as it passed where he had been standing to carve a path in the wall behind him.

Her heart pounded so violently in shock at her own actions that she had to swallow twice before she regained composure, lifting her chin in defiance. Despite the hatred and anger spiraling through her veins, a miniscule voice dictated the immorality in her actions. However, she would not be swayed.

"You will pay for what you did to her."

"What I did was mercy," he replied from the shelter of his desk, scoffing. "She was not suited for the role she was thrust into. Marinette never wanted it to begin with."

"Liar," Chloe hissed, the sound akin to buzzing as she stomped closer to his hiding place. The corrupted energy rippling off her charged body pushed the nearby inanimate objects away, and the floor set ablaze beneath every step.

"No, actually," he offered easily, appearing just as quick to avoid the molten heat of her power, and Chloe stumbled back in surprise, frowning. Something about his appearance was wrong. Completely out of place. It couldn't be…shouldn't be.

"Tikki…" He grasped the creation kwami in his palm tightly, holding her upwards. "Nooroo….unify…"

He was wearing Ladybug's earrings. The sudden lavender and rose hued light exploded outwards, engulfing the entire room before dissipating just as swiftly. Silence ensued, for the barest of breaths, and then…the entire building collapsed.

***POV CHANGE***

Aqua eyes fluttered open, staring along violent streaks of color molted in a never-ending sky. Something about the overhead feature seemed askew in the echoes of her tumultuous mind. However, each moment she endeavored to shift her focus solely on the flaw, it dissipated just as rapidly…like a badly woven dream.

Help. She called, but the sound never left her swollen lips as she blinked up at that mysterious sky. Time shifted erratically, but eternity suspended itself along her weary shoulders as the warmth of tears clouded her aching eyes.

I'm so tired.

"And that, my dear, is well understood." The voice whispered along the fleeting current of air, but she couldn't turn to face it. The weight only intensified against her body, tearing an actual cry of agony from her mouth as she refused to sink further through the vast expanse of sky she seemed to be lazily floating along.

She wanted to disappear. She wanted to fade. She wanted to sink below the line of this foreseeable horizon, however; her form could not obey. She was shackled to nothingness, awaiting the next blow to fall. After all, it was her duty…it was her priority. It had become her life.

In hindsight, had she been lost, as a person? Had the girl been consumed by the role? Where did the duty begin and her own life end? Was it here? Was it now? She'd spent countless hours throwing herself in the midst of battle for others. What had been left for her? Love?

She tried to scoff, but the sound merely echoed within the corners of her own mind. She'd spent so long denying the only man that loved her…for one who barely knew she existed. Her, Marinette….only to find out they were one in the same. Should she have trusted fate more? Instinct? Should she have thought less and experienced more?

"Your revelations are mild, and honestly, not as imperative as they should be."

Another derisive sound attempted to escape the young woman's lips, but it merely vibrated through her parched throat. Who are you to chastise my revelations? Either way…it no longer matters. The flashes of crimson and pain possessed her form as her final living moments erupted through tangible memory before quickly fleeting beyond her grasp. My time was wasted.

A tinkering spell of laughter filled the sky, caressing along the heroine's aching skin. "Ah, if that is how you truly feel, then you are absolutely correct." The sky broke, vibrating angrily before dissolving into a solid sheet of scarlet. "However, we thought you had more work to do."

Mari's brows pulled together before the first audible gasp dripped from her gaping lips, watching the swarm descend from the vast pool above her.