I can feel myself moving, but then realize that I'm in Cat's arm as we're walking. Also, how did it get so hot in here? The cave was cool not even an hour ago. "Cat, what's going…." a cough attacks seizes me, and I struggle for breath. "Sh, save your strength, Princess." Exhausted, I wipe spittle from my mouth and close my eyes.

A new voice alerts me, and though I keep my eyes shut, I'm listening. "Come, set your partner down here." The mystery voice is deep and silky, and I feel myself being lowered to a bed of moss. "Now, what is your name?" Hot, rank, breath is breathed into my face, and I have a feeling that whoever is helping us is not human. Still, I answer. "Marinette." "Cavern. Nice to meet you. Now, lets see if we can fix you up. Cat, you may sit on those rocks there." "If its okay with you, I'll stay here by Marinette for now." "Suit yourself," comes Cavern's reply. I finally open my eyes and take in my surroundings. We're still deep in the cave, but this is looks like a side room that has been turned into a small den or home. The rock ceiling soars above us so far above our heads, I can't see where it ends. A bubbling sound fills my ears and a strange vegetation aroma fills the air. Soon, Cavern ladles some kind of soup into three bowls. I can hear a slight dragging sound and wonder if he is injured, for when I watch him approach he walks with a slight limp. "Eat up, this will cure your sickness. But you must rest, Marinette." I take a cautious sniff as I sit up and accept my bowl. "What is it?" "Nettle soup. Trust me, you'll love it."

Even with its mossy flavor, the food is warm and soothing on my throat. "Your not from around here, are you?" Cavern asks, just a little bit apart from Cat and I. "Marinette's from Paris, and I live in the woods. We're going to stop Hawkmoth from sending out all those akuamas." "Well, aren't you brave. There was a whole swarm of butterflies that circled the cave just to nights ago. But my bats took care of them." He sounds smug. I drop my piece of bread into my bowl at this new information. "Wait, your bats?" "There's a colony of fruit bats that live in this cave. I care for them and love them, and when a baby bat gets orphaned, I nurse it back to help. Its the least I could do, since I'm half-bat myself." "Half-bat?" Cat asks. Cavern stands and spreads his arms out, and I can see in the dim light that he has wings. Suddenly, his left wing droops along the ground and he cries out in agony. "What's wrong?" I cry, wanting to help, but the moment I sit up I feel dizzy and room fades to black.

When I come to, Cat is nowhere to be seen, but I feel a heavy warmth covering me. I peep through one eye to see a blanket covering me, and Cavern at his small stove with the oven door and a orange fire burns brightly. I cough and lay back down with my head resting against the pillow. Cavern turns and sees me awake, and walks over with two steaming mugs. He sits down beside me on the cave floor. "Your partner told me you like coffee with cream in the mornings." "Oh! Oh, Cavern you didn't have to do that!" I smile at him. "But I'm glad you did." "You passed out after your coughing attack. I'm glad your okay." "Never mind, me! I heard you scream in pain!" "I try to cover my injury by keeping my wings folded, but sometimes this old injury plays me up." Slowly and carefully, I unfurl his left wing, stopping when I hear Cavern wince with pain. "Should I stop?" "No, there's a tear in my wing. Right here," he points with a finger-like claw.

A ragged hole stares at me from the middle of wing. I examine it closer, nodding my head. "I can fix you up." Cavern eyes me. "I'm a designer who sews and I have the supplies to heal your wing. I just need my bag with my supplies." I look up as I hear a shuffling sound and find Cat yawning and rubbing his eyes looking sleepy standing in the doorway. "Morning, Kitty! Could you pass me my bag?" Cat picks it up and comes over, plopping down and giving me a kiss on the cheek. I flush and rummage through my bag and take out a needle and special dissolving thread. "Can you get closer, Cavern? I'm going to sew up your wing. Though I'm warning you, it may hurt at times." I set to work, weaving my needle in and out. Cavern's expression doesn't change much, but once in a while he gives a slight hiss.

Cat watches for awhile, then heads over to the fire to nap. Soon, the soft snores and a gentle purr fill the air. Its all very peaceful. "He's very protective of you, isn't he?" Cavern says. "We're protective of each other. Cat needs all the love he can get, as he didn't get much as a child." "I haven't known you long, Marinette, but your gentle and determined nature make you a perfect match for Cat." "I don't know who's under the mask, but it doesn't matter. I love whoever under there." I finish the last sitch with a flourish, just as Cat sits up. He yawns, a small meow escaping and Cavern gives a small chuckle.

"Now that my wing is feeling better, and Marinette is too. I'm going to make you the best breakfast in the world." Still feeling tired, I doze off with my head in Cat's lap, cozy in my blanket. But when the food is ready, all of us are more then ready to eat. "Mm, I taste banana," I say. "Its a banana pancake, made from mashed bananas and oil,"

After our food settles, its time to go. Cavern gives us direction to the cave's exit and he says he'll guide us. Going back into the gloomy darkness isn't my favorite thing, but at least we won't get lost this time.

"Cat, look up ahead! I can see daylight!" "It may look close by, Marinette, but looks can be deceiving," Cavern explains to me. "We'll get there, Princess. Don't you worry," Cat whispers to me.

We stop for lunch, and I'm glad for the brief respite as I'm still tired. Cavern with his senses brews us tea and we eat nuts and dried fruit from the packs. Though the light at the end of the tunnel is bright, as each hour passes it seems to grow dimmer.

"Not far to go now," Cavern tells us, and for one with such a serious attitude, you can hear the excitement in his voice.

But just as we reach the cave exit, another bat swings down staring at us, and blocking the cave entrance. I walk backwards and duck behind a rock and put on my spots.

Its another half-bat creature, but this one is evil, and its onto its feet, keeping his beady gaze locked on me. "I know all about you, Ladybug. I'm one of the bats that Cavern here was talking about. But Cavern and I aren't friends anymore, not after that tasty butterfly I munched last night and I think your next."

"I won't try that if I were you," I warn. "I can secrete a poison onto my suit." "You may have powers, but I have a advantage over you. I can fly."

I look over at Cat, who has his baton in hand. "Keep him talking while I try to find where the akuma is hiding."

Then I groan, if he "munched" a akuma last night, that means its fluttering around in this bat's stomach and we'll have to make it throw up somehow.

"Your right, you do have an advantage over me with your power of flight." Cat eyes me, but stays quiet. "But it wouldn't be a fair fight if we can hardly see what we are doing. Let Cat and I get to the forest and then we'll fight."

"What if your lying?" "I don't lie. Ever." "Very well, I shall give you a head start, starting now!" Now? I'm barely recovered from my sickness, but there's no choice. I walk over to Cat and take his hand. "Don't worry, I have a plan."

Then we're off and its a race for our lives. To soon, I feel a cramp coming on a wonder if my food will stay down. But if I stop, I could die. The wind whips past us as we go faster and faster and the world becomes a blur.

We don't have much before we see the Cave Bat take off. "Cat, we only have a minute, so listen close!" I cup my hand to his ear. "I'll distract Cave Bat while you look for any rotten fruit, but make sure its not to rotten for we want to use it as bait!" Cat's eyes light up and he leans down to kiss my hand. "I knew their was an idea cooking. See you later!" He turns to go, then tosses me his baton.

Cave Bat swoops down, and spreads leaves out. "Ready to battle?" I nod. Oh, please, hurry Cat. But then Cave Bat gives a small cry, but its different then the one Cavern made last night. "I forgot about the sun! Cursed light source!"

"To bad you don't love the sun, it gives me energy!" He stumbles towards me, swinging a wing and I jump back but as I do, I fall into the leaves. Great, even in this suit guess I'm still clumsy. Cave Bat seizes his opportunity and pounces.