Blue Bunny
The city of Paris was at peace at night. Crime was low that night and few people were out. The winds of the night sky accompanied the feeling of easiness that it carried. But not all were looking for an easy night.
At the center of the city, Sapphire, a large jewel museum had just closed its doors for the night. But as the guard patrolled the entrance and the premises, someone zipped towards the roof.
The figure landed on the roof, with a trail of bright blue light trailing behind it. The light of the half waning moon casted a curvy silhouette with a pair of bunny ears and a parasole. The figure pulled back the parasole before it knelt down to the entrance of the skylight. It pressed its hand on the glass to see the security below. The figure's blue eyes saw a series of red lasers crossing the room from side to side, keeping the intruder from its price.
The figure pulled out a silver pocket watch. Opening to see the time, the figure pressed the crown, setting the timer to five minutes. Opening the skylight with the parasole, the mysterious being dropped down from the roof. Narrowing its eyes at the lasers, the thief moved with the grace of a ballerina; she dodged the lasers in mid air. It moved to the right in a flare of blue light before using the wall surface as a spring to jump past another level of lasers. Twisting and turning its body, it landed on the floor. The figure turned to her price.
A large emerald carved into the shape of a teardrop was held inside a thick glass case.
The figure pulled out a small blue bottle with a cork on it. It uncorked the bottle, dripping some of the blue liquid on the sides of the glass case. The figure observed the glass melt enough for it to make its next move. It put the bottle away before it grabbed the parasole from the top part. Using the curved handle on it, the figure pressed the handle to pull back the removed glass, laying it neatly on top of the case. The thief slowly moved the parasole back into the case, wrapping the handle around the large emerald the size of a child's fist. The figure smiled, pulling back with such speed that the jewel went flying to its hand.
"Well, aren't you lovely?" The thief's soft yet seductive voice called out.
The alarm went off. Blaring through the jewelry shop, no corner was silent. To most criminals an alarm like this one would be enough to send them into a panic. But the thief smirked at the blaring sound.
"About time," The thief said, putting a small blue rabbit inside the case.
The thief crouched down as its body became encased in bright blue light. In the blink of blue light, the thief sprung up and zipped past the lasers at lightning speeds. Bouncing and jumping on the walls like they were floorboards, the jewel thief jumped out the sky light, closing it with the parasole. Hearing the sirens coming towards them, the figure ran on the rooftop.
In a blink of blue light, the thief jumped from the jewelry store's roof to another one. The figure continued doing it over and over, getting distance between the cops and it. The feet quickly sprung through the rooftops, leaving nothing but light as the thief made her way out of the reach of her pursuers. Once she was several blocks from the scene of the crime, she pulled out the emerald and the pocket watch.
"Four minutes and a whole minute to spare." She giggled. "Getting better, Bunnix. Time to look for the next target. But this baby will make many kids happy." She added walking away, leaning her parasole on her shoulder.
That very night, Izuku and Mina were doing their usual patrol while listening to the radio news. The two officers were bored out of their minds after all the excitement of the last couple of days, only to be put back on regular patrol duty with the other officers.
"...and that was the latest news of how Lady Dragon stopped the gigantic villains with a swift lightning strike. Authorities claim that the villains were the ones responsible for the destruction of a few former mob hideouts where lost money was being stashed. This has been Nadja Chamack on the news."
"Aw man, we missed that bust," Mina whined. "Stupid Lady Dragon doing all that awesome stuff at the right place at the right time."
"Well, from the sounds of it, Lady Dragon was closest to the scene and with her miraculous was more than enough to defeat the villains. So it isn't that she was in the right place but more like she was the best one for the job," Izuku explained. "Lady Dragon is one of the few heroes that is patrolling the city during the day and night."
"Right, I forgot that you're a hero geek." Mina laughed just as their radio came alive.
"Calling all units available in the George V area, any units available?"
Mina snatched the radio before Izuku could do anything about it.
"This is officer Ashido and Midoriya responding over, what's the sitch?" Mina asked, hoping to get some excitement in the day.
"A jewelry museum is in need of assistance, head on to Rue du Pretz. And please don't break anything."
"Well, this night just got interesting. Isn't the jewelry store on that street remind you of something, Mina?" Izuku asked as he tried to remember.
"Not now, Izu, this night just got fun!" Mina drove off with speeds that most experienced racers wouldn't dare.
The small car drove at high speeds, crossing traffic with a marksman's precision. The driver of the car swiftly turned the wheel, taking a shortcut through one of the back streets. With one swift movement, the car found itself on two wheels, much to the fright of the passenger. By driving through the narrow streets, the car found its way to the jewelry store after pulling off a stunt few daredevils would attempt.
As Izuku hung on for his life from the handle, Mina gave one final wheel twist, putting the car back on all its wheels and face to face with the jewelry store.
"Wow, we made it here in less than five minutes. New record." Mina smiled.
"Yeah, but we could've taken the normal streets like everyone else," Izuku groaned as he got out of the car, regretting not getting his own car. "Looks like we made it before the others."
The two officers were then met with the visage of the jewelry store. It was a tall building with a simple yet humble name for all that wanted something precious for their loved ones. The sign was off but the name was still readable. The place had a few flashing lights coming from within but all the doors and windows appeared to be locked.
"Cute name," Mina said.
"I remember now, there was a case about the family that once owned this store. The owner was a man by the name of Alexander, he and his family ran this store but one day they disappeared without a trace." Izuku recalled.
"Hello?!" An old man ran to the entrance. "Are you the police?"
"No sir, we're just a couple trying out cosplaying," Mina giggled.
"What?" The old man asked.
"We are the police, sir." Izuku showed him his badge. "We heard that the alarm went off. Have you been inside?"
"Not yet, the old systems are meant to lock everyone inside. I'm afraid the criminals might still be inside." The old man shook in fear.
Izuku got a determined look on his face. It was time to get ready. The young officer didn't know what was inside, but his mind was going through many possibilities. Going from some common thugs that wanted to rob the few jewels the museum showed, his mind raced to ways in which they could stop them. He looked to Mina, who was slightly taken by her partner's serious face, as he pulled out his pistol and flashlight.
"Mina, get ready." Izuku turned to the owner. "Sir, open it."
"Y-yes," the old owner replied, punching the code to open the door.
The two officers went in first, while the owner stayed close behind them, trembling in fear of what might be inside. Izuku and Mina kept their eyes open as they held onto their service weapons as they had been trained. Every step they took was done as quietly as possible to keep themselves hidden from the possible burglars. The light of their flashlights illuminated their path through the halls as they searched. They scoured the museum from top to bottom but they were unable to find anyone apart from themselves.
"I think we're alone," Mina commented.
"Looks like it, but I think I know what the thieves took." Izuku pointed to the shattered glass. "I'm calling it in." He picked up his radio as Mina pulled off the owner from her leg.
The police arrived shortly after along with Detective Naomasa leading the charge. Police tape covered the scene of the crime as the other officers searched for any clues.
"Got anything?" Noamasa asked.
"Not really, there are no prints on the glass case, no footprints, and the only entrance was a hole in one of the sky lines just there," Izuku explained, pointing to the skyline. "Mina is with the owner, checking the cameras. This was done like clockwork."
"What did they take?" Noamasa asked, looking at the scene.
"So far we've only noted one thing missing; the Green Rabbit." Izuku pointed to the shattered glass remains. "According to the owner, Monsieur Alphonse, it's an emerald that was found in the outskirts of France by a rabbit breeder when he started an expansion of his farm."
"This is the third jewelry store hit in this week," Noamasa said, picking up a piece of the shattered glass. "But why only take one piece instead of all of them. There is enough to pay for a lifetime in this room alone."
Just then there was a crash behind them. Izuku and Noamasa watched Mina dragging the owner who clung to her leg. She held up her phone while pushing back the owner.
"For the last time sir, you can let go of my leg! I only want Izuku doing that!" Mina pushed him off, holding up her phone. "I get the thief on the camera, guys. You might want to see it."
Izuku blushed at Mina's declaration. He had been partners with her for quite some time and they had bonded through a lot of their experiences, be they arrests, stake outs, patrols, messes they had to clean up. But her overabundant flirty and playful manner had placed him in many, many, uncomfortable situations. Last week, she had accidentally slipped on the street and he had caught her to get a face full of her breasts. The week before that, Mina had gotten a new phone and was testing the different call settings that came with it, which ended up sending him a video of her wearing only a t-shirt and white panties. And yesterday, she tackled him and kissed him on the cheek for finishing all their paperwork. In a way, she was trying to be friendly, but Izuku's blushes were starting to make him look like a Christmas tree.
"You guys do know that there is a pool to see when you two are going to hook up?" Noamasa asked, lightly elbowing Izuku out of his thoughts.
"Wait, what?" Izuku asked, unsure of what that meant for him and the future of their partnership.
Mina managed to pull the owner off of her leg before reaching her partner and boss.
Once they were together, the trio watched the recording of the mysterious blue and white rabbit girl taking the Green Rabbit before zipping away in a bright streak of blue light.
"Well, at least now we know who we're dealing with," Noamasa sighed.
"She's clearly not shy," Mina commented. "But damn that suit looks pretty nice on her. She knows that she's rocking what she's got."
Izuku raised an eyebrow at Mina's comment. He could never when she was flirting or joking to get a rise out of him. He shook his head before looking at the video once more. He would have to take a closer look into this.
After taking all the information from the crime scene, Noamasa, Izuku and Mina went to talk to Monsieur Alphonse.
"Monsieur, it would seem that the only thing that was stolen was this emerald. Do you know of any reason why the thief only went for this one instead of the other jewels in that room?" Naomasa asked. "My officers just checked and there are some that are far more valuable."
"Oh no, not the Green Rabbit. Of all the jewels, not that one. This is a tragedy." Alphonse sobbed. "Forgive me, detective, but you are right. To many the Green Rabbit may be a financial goldmine but nothing compared to the many others put together. However, that stone holds great sentimental value to me personally."
"Um, why is that? If you don't mind us asking," Izuku added.
"It was a gift that was donated by the family that opened this museum years ago, the Dublek's," Alphonse explained, getting teary eyes. "I used to work for them before taking ownership from them almost 10 years ago."
"What happened to them?" Izuku asked.
"I fear that the eldest son and father were killed in a car accident on the outskirts of their old home." Alphonse dried the tear from his eyes with a handkerchief.
Izuku could tell that there was more to the story behind Monsieur Alphonse's story. If it had been a normal crime and theft of a jewel then the mysterious woman wouldn't have stopped at one. He needed to get more information about what was going on in the shadows.
The next morning at the police headquarters, Kendo had pulled Izuku, Mina and Naomasa into the conference room to discuss the state of the robberies. Behind them stood a white board with pictures of the last heists, written notes, what was stolen and a picture of the thief that stole them all. The board had several theories as to why the thefts were being committed as well as all the possible Miraculous abilities that the bunny thief could have at her disposal.
"Alright, the thief has struck three different museums and jewelry stores, only taking a few things from each place and leaving just as the alarm goes off," Kendo explained. "However, this is the first time she was caught on camera. Which tells us that she either wanted us to know it was her or this was a slip up on her part. Which is it?"
"According to Monsieur Alphonse, the cameras had just been rewired to a separate energy source, maybe the thief didn't know about it." Naomasa pointed to his notes.
"Possibly, but look at her, she's clearly not trying to go the stealthy route," Mina said. "I mean, white and baby blue with bunny ears and a parasol? Is she going to steal or to a costume party?"
Izuku internally agreed with his partner's opinion. He noted that the theft, though calculated and quick, looked also like an act of an impulsive thief. This made him wonder if this was meant to make them think this was a rookie thief getting cocky or if this was meant to throw them off the scent. But the only thing that made him take a step back was how she disappeared in a flash of blue light. Her Miraculous was something that puzzled him, maybe the video held more to the nature of her ability. But for now, Izuku had to find out where the next hit was going to take place.
"Do we know where she's going to hit next? If she's getting cocky then this isn't going to stop any time soon," Izuku suggested. "The first crime scene was on Monday at 11:59 at the St. Temps Museum."
"Yes, she stole 10 golden pocket watches, each worth around 900 to 1300 Euros." Kendo pointed to the picture of the watches. "The next robbery was on Wednesday at 2 in the morning at Spade's Jewelry Store where she stole several rings and jewels, including a diamond encrusted Egyptian-themed necklace and matching earrings."
"Both places were pretty far from each other, but they fall in the same radius as last night's theft." Naomasa scratched his chin, wondering what it meant. "Maybe she lives or knows that area. Which means her possible next hit will be in the similar area."
"Midoryia, Ashido, you two were at the last crime scene and know what the thief looks like, go around and ask questions. Our priority are museums and jewelry stores." Kendo ordered as Izuku and Mina saluted her.
"Yes, ma'm!" Izuku and Mina replied, rushing out of the room.
However, as soon as they ran out, they collided with the mail cart, knocking it over and sending the mail all over the floor. They groaned in pain as several officers slipped on the loose papers and mail, leading one of them to spill coffee on themselves.
"AAAAHHH! Why hot coffee?! Why?!"
Kendo smacked her face in tired annoyance.
"If those two were safety inspectors then the whole city could survive a hurricane," Naomasa chuckled.
"We both know that those two are worse than any natural disaster that could befall Paris," Kendo groaned, feeling like she had aged ten years in that single minute alone.
Throughout the rest of the day, Izuku and Mina had driven up and down the radius of the robberies. For hours they looked up all the other small museums and jewelry stores they could find. While asking the owners and employees of each one, they hoped to get someone that had spotted anything regarding their thief. But in each and every single one, they were met with no answers.
"Damn it all!" Mina got back in her car with Izuku following her. "We've been to six different jewelry stores and three other small museums and none of them have even seen anyone that looks like our girl."
"There is a possibility that what she's wearing is completely aesthetic and not how she really looks in her everyday life. Apart from the ears and costume, she looks like any other Parisian girl. Her Miraculous however is intriguing." Izuku played the video once more on his phone.
"Hey, you got a copy of the video?" Mina asked.
"Yeah, I thought it would help. So far I've narrowed this to be a form of super speed, but that still doesn't explain why she didn't use that to rob the whole museum instead of just escaping." Izuku paused the video.
"Maybe she just wanted the emerald. I'm more of a music sort of gal but getting such a rock would definitely make my day," Mina giggled. "Couldn't her Miraculous be teleportation?"
"If it were then she wouldn't have left a whooshing line from where she was to where she was before," Izuku replied before he noticed something.
"Did you just used 'whooshing'? As in the sound effect?" Mina asked, poking at his nerdy brain.
"Mina, check this out." Izuku showed Mina the video. "Look at this moment."
Mina narrowed her eyes at the screen. She saw the paused video showing how the bunny thief had looked at something from her pocket before putting it away.
"It looks like she looked at something," Mina replied.
"Exactly! She did it before dropping in and after taking the Green Rabbit." Izuku put away his phone. "It must be connected to the way her Miraculous works."
"Maybe it was a pocket vanity mirror. You have to look good, even for crime."
"Mina, please be reasonable." Izuku turned to his partner.
"Though it is a true statement, I didn't say anything," Mina replied.
Izuku and Mina turned to the window only to be met with the luscious caramel smiling face of their favorite reporter and acquaintance, Alya Cesaire.
"Hey guys, how's the day treating you?" Alya greeted with a peace sign.
"Oh, hey, Alya, how much of that did you hear?" Izuku sweated at the idea of Alya listening in on their conversation.
"I heard enough to tell you." Alya looked around before getting into the back seat of Alien Queen. "I know who you're chasing. And you guys need me to catch her."
"Um, Alya, we can't involve a civilian in an active investigation," Izuku argued.
"Izuku, you don't get it. This thief will only strike a number of times before disappearing," Alya said. "She's struck already, hasn't she? At what times?"
"She might've." Mina scratched the back of her head.
Izuku wanted to roll his eyes at Mina's antics, but he knew better than to turn away information after not finding any leads. He looked at Alya who was giving her best impersonation of a busty puppy. He crumbled with a sigh.
"What can you tell us, pretty please, Alya?" Izuku asked.
"Aw~," Alya cooed. "How can he blend adorable with handsome in a single sentence?" Alya caressed Izuku's cheek, making him blush.
"It's his gift and curse." Mina smirked. "What can you tell us, Alya?"
"Two years ago, I was looking into a series of strange robberies that had to deal with jewelry and time-themed objects of great value, not a lot mind you. She was careful not to leave any prints or so much as appear in camera except for one time. All her thefts occurred at different hours of the night and she disappeared before the cops or heroes could arrive." Alya pulled out some pictures from her purse. "Sound familiar?"
Izuku and Mina looked at the pictures, getting a good idea of what Alya was telling them. It was the same operation method that the thief had used in the last three thefts. She went in at the late hours of the night and stole a few things in a short window of time before disappearing. The same tactics were all used on all the thefts, even the appearance in one of the scenes. However, almost all the stuff that she stole was not following a specific pattern. Her style was much more like a child taking the first thing that caught her interest before running away. It also showed Izuku that the timing was somehow tied to the thief's Miraculous.
"Why are you so inclined to help us catch her, Alya?" Izuku asked.
"He means apart from the good of capturing a dangerous criminal and elusive thief." Mina elbowed Izuku for his tone. "This seems a little personal."
"That's because it is." Alya adjusted her glasses, making them shine with the light. "I got a tip of where this bunny thief would strike. I decided to go there before the police and the heroes got there, hoping to get the scoop. But I wasn't the only one hoping to get something."
Alya hid behind a car as she watched the Louvre like a vixen would look at a hen house. Her tip told her that the thief would slip into the glass pyramid at three in the morning to steal a painting. Her eyes landed on a shadow moving just outside the museum, opening a window not far from the corner. Alya followed after, hoping to catch the thief red handed.
"I followed after, hoping to get a good picture for my story." Alya grunted. "But I wasn't there by chance."
Alya looked inside only to see nothing but darkness. Narrowing her eyes at the darkness, she fought the urge to turn on her cell phone and use her flashlight. Her fox ears picked up movement under her. But just as she was getting used to the darkness, Alya felt a foot kicking her square on her generous behind, knocking her in. She fell into the museum, screaming in terror of the height. However, before she could become a flattened vixen, a green bubble with a shell-like pattern caught her.
The lights turned on around Alya, revealing that she wasn't alone. Guns were trained on her as the number nine hero Turtle Sentry held her in a shield bubble.
"Turns out that the tip had gotten to the police and Turtle Sentry, who had decided to make it into a sting! I was booked and processed before being released when I explained what had happened." Alya frowned back inside the car. "It was later revealed that after they took me away, the museum was robbed, with the thief leaving behind a card saying 'Thanks for the help Fox girl'."
Izuku could now tell where the conversation was headed, feeling sweat rolling by the side of his face as Alya grew comedically angrier.
"I was mocked for months and that thief got away. I want to help you guys take her down." Alya punched her palm for added effect.
"What we need is a lead on where she could be going to strike next," Mina said. "She seems to keep to a single area when she is in her capers."
Izuku started looking around the pictures, getting the addresses of the different locations that she had struck. He then started to look at the time, remembering that she had struck at different times. At first he thought the places were meant to be struck from easiest and then moving on to harder ones, but after hearing Alya's story another theory in mind. He looked at the pictures making sure he solidified the idea.
"Alya, at what time did they discover that the thief had taken something from the Louvre?" Izuku asked.
"Around two in the morning," Alya replied.
Izuku pulled out his notepad, jotting down notes on the different times and places where the robberies had taken place.
"The first robbery happened between 9:55 pm and 10:00, the second robbery between 10:58 and 11:03, and the last one was at 11:59." Izuku wrote down. "If you draw a clock around the area and point the different locations-"
"It looks like a clock!" Mina and Alya jumped on him to watch what he was drawing, causing them to slam him against the door window.
Izuku and Mina communicated the information to both Detective Naomasa and Captain Kendo, helping them compare the old theft reports. The two officers received great praise from their superior officers, which got them a front row seat at the sting. They were seated at the intersection of two streets behind St. Allar Jewelry store as time approached for the believed heist.
"Officer Midoriya checking in, 12:45 and no signs." Izuku talked to the radio.
"Copy that Officer Midoriya, west side clear."
"East side clear."
"Nothing in front of the jewelry store."
"Copy that." Izuku put down the radio.
"I can't believe we have to look out for the back door," Mina moaned. "We should be in front of the action, with snipers on the roof ready to shoot at anything with long ears. Why do we have to always be put down for back up? We got the idea for this sting, for crying out loud."
"At least we wouldn't accidentally shoot the Rabbit Hero Mirko by accident," Izuku shrugged. "We could use this time to figure out her Miraculous and how it works."
Mina groaned in exhaustion and annoyance. She had been wanting to get some action and here her partner wanted to talk when there were other things they could do. She turned to look at her partner as a sneaky smile appeared on her face, filled with mischievous energy and a desire to do one thing only: Tease her partner until he turned beat red and blubbered uncontrollably. Mina found it better than cable and internet music videos.
"I've got a better topic of conversation. Why did you choose this job?" Mina asked, leaning before Izuku's face. "You love heroes, so why didn't you try to be one?"
Izuku's eyes shifted, wondering if this was actually what Mina wanted to talk about. Her usual topics of conversation were not this personal, unless she was teasing him about what his likes on women, music or other personal stuff. However, given their time together, he figured that the topic was more than appropriate for them to talk about. Izuku cleared his throat before looking Mina in the eyes.
"Well, my father was a cop. He was always tripping on his feet but was always working hard. He was like All Might in spirit. When I didn't develop a Miraculous, I was crushed. But he cheered me up by giving me some of his old comics and noir tales." Izuku took off his hat. "That's what helped him make it to detective. He told me that back then, heroes only needed to be themselves and fight for what's right. Even if All Might was my favorite hero, my dad taught me that there was a way to be one even if the spotlight was never on you."
"Wow, that's deep. Feels a lot more personal than my reason." Mina couldn't look away from Izuku.
"Well, what was your reason? I figured that you wanted to be like an artistic dancer," Izuku said.
"Did you think I wanted to be a stripper?" Mina asked in her usual teasing tone.
"What?! No, no, no, no! I d-didn't mean it like that!" Izuku stuttered.
"I'm messing with you, silly!" Mina patted Izuku on the head. "Yeah, I wanted to be a dancer. But then… someone saved me."
Izuku grew concerned. Theories popped in his head of what she meant by 'someone saved her'. He needed to press on but with a delicate touch.
"W-What happened?" Izuku asked.
"It happened when I was just about to graduate from high school. I had decided to go to watch my favorite idol perform, show her some moves with my Miraculous and all. I decided to use my Miraculous to slide there, but I… slipped when I was crossing a bridge." Mina explained. "Next thing I know I was-"
Just then they saw a shadow jump above them.
"Did you see that?" Izuku looked up, wondering what he'd seen.
"This is Ashido and Midoriya, we have movement." Mina advised through the radio.
"Copy that dispatch. You got eyes on the target?"
Izuku spotted a pair of white ears on the rooftop ahead of them.
"I've got visual, moving in to check up and verify." Izuku got out of the car, not waiting for any confirmation or authorization.
"Izuku!" Mina called before running after him.
Izuku ran into a dark alleyway, changing into his costume before his partner could follow him inside. It had been a pain to hide his costume underneath his uniform, much more when he was stuck inside a car with his partner. But that no longer mattered. As he pulled down his mask and hat, he fired his grappling hook to the rooftop, pulling himself all the way up.
Chat Noir had arrived at the party. He knelt down as he looked for his target. A blue light caught his attention, making him turn his head.
There she was, the bunny thief, knocking out the last officer that had been placed on the rooftops.
Izuku ran towards her, pulling out his two kali sticks from his utility belt. He jumped high into the air before landing before the thief.
"Stop, you won't steal anything tonight!" Izuku said through his mask.
"Wow, you guys have been stepping up your work. Who are you supposed to be?" she asked, leaning on her parasol.
"I'm Chat Noir, and I'm here to stop you." Izuku pointed one of his sticks at her, which got her to smile. "Surrender yourself to the police and I promise that things won't get worse for you."
The bunny thief smiled, raising an eyebrow as she started to circle around the vigilante.
"You gave me your name, so I guess I'll give you mine. The name is Bunnix," Bunnix bowed with grace like a ballerina. "You aren't a hero, and you're not with the police, that's obvious. So, why are you here?"
Izuku narrowed his eyes. He still didn't know what her Miraculous was but he could only hope that he could take her by surprise.
"You're breaking the law, and it's a hero's duty to stop you." He tightened his hold on his weapons.
Bunnix giggled, twirling her parasole like a rapier sword.
"This is going to be more fun than the heist," Bunnix said. "En garde!"
Izuku rushed forward with his kali sticks to his sides. He clashed with Bunnix's parasole, using his sticks to block her makeshift weapon. Jumping back, he spun around, striking the parasole only to be parried off. He continued attacking but the bunny thief woman was a lot slippier than he had expected. As she dodged the incoming swing of his kali sticks, he was forced to dodge one of her kicks.
"Not bad," Bunnix said. "I usually try to stay away from heroes, but you seem a lot more fun than expected."
"Don't think this is a game, Bunnix." Izuku spun his kali stick in his hand.
Bunnix chuckled as she started swinging her weapon like a rapier, forcing Izuku to cross his sticks. She was enjoying this battle, but every so often she would look at her pocket watch. She was timing her moves with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. Something that was one of the things Izuku noticed about her. Despite her seemingly amateurish skill in combat she was quick to adapt and faster on the rebound. Each blow she parried was one more that she nearly landed, forcing the young vigilante to keep his wits on her at all times.
As the battle continued on, Chat Noir made a few notes on his opponent's technique and skills. Izuku noticed that she was faster than him, but he had more muscle than her and more experience. He easily parried and ducked under and around her parasol. As she got closer to the edge of the rooftop, he took his chance to land a blow. Reeling back his right fist, Izuku tried to knock out her weapon. But as his fist was about to land, Bunnix became a blue blur of light. Izuku closed his eyes out of instinct, almost falling off the rooftop.
"Wow, you're really a close one." Bunnix laughed from behind Izuku, making him turn to face her.
"How did you-?" Izuku asked while Bunnix looked at her pocket watch.
"My secret, hero. Isn't it about time you pulled out yours?" Bunnix put her watch away.
Izuku charged once more with a jump from above, swinging his kali sticks at the bunny thief.
Bunnix swiveled around his attacks, opening her parasol, pushing Izuku back.
However before they could continue their fight, a pistol was pushed behind Bunnix's head.
"Police, bunny, hands in the air!" Mina called out, panting.
Izuku froze on his spot at the sight of his partner getting involved in his battle. His mind raced at what would be the best way to aid in Bunnix's arrest without being arrested himself. But his thoughts were cut short when Bunnix smirked with a taunting scoff on her lips.
"What's so funny, Lola Bunny?" Mina asked.
"It's Bunnix, Pinky. And I believe I was standing behind you two minutes ago." Bunnix became a blue blur once more, moving swiftly behind Mina, catching her off guard.
Before Mina could do anything, Bunnix flipped her over her shoulder with a swift and elegant movement, sending the pink officer towards Chat Noir.
Izuku didn't think about it twice, jumping after his partner. He caught her in his arms before she could get hurt.
"Are you alright?" Izuku said through his mask.
Mina looked up, feeling her cheeks growing red at the sight of her savior. She was beyond embarrassed at having to be saved by the vigilante.
"Um, yeah, thanks." Mina replied as Izuku helped her to her feet. "Hey, where did she go?!"
Izuku and Mina rushed to the edge of the rooftop, desperately looking for any signs of Bunnix.
"Damn, she's a quick one. She gave us both the slip." Izuku put away his kali sticks.
"At least she didn't steal anything." Mina put her gun away, however she noticed that something was missing. She patted her uniform only to discover that she had been robbed. "That sneaky rabbit took my wallet! First she tosses me away like last night's garbage and then she takes my wallet?! This means war!"
Izuku used this chance to slip away. He hated leaving Mina alone on that rooftop, but he hoped that he could get some kind of clue of where Bunnix had gone. He snuck back into the dark alleyway he had used, changing back into Izuku Midoriya. If he was lucky, he could catch something in his day job clothes rather than in his night job clothes. He ran out of the alleyway, hearing Mina call his name. Believing that he was in the clear, Izuku went on his way with the hope of finding a way to stop the thief.
However, Izuku's small wardrobe change was not as invisible as he had hoped.
"Hm, I do like a man in uniform. This is going to be a lot of fun." Bunnix leaned against the railing of a fire escape, watching Izuku run after any clues he could find.
The night had not been as eye opening as Izuku had hoped. He had found no new clues or bits of information about Bunnix and was met by a very angry and foul-tempered Mina. And she wasn't the only one.
Captain Kendo had pulled them to her office the next day and demanded an explanation about what had happened.
"So you two deserted your post and went after a possibly dangerous criminal, nearly got thrown off of a roof and still she got away without any new information?" Kendo asked.
"Well, we did find out she calls herself Bunnix," Izuku muttered, although the pit in his stomach told him to keep quiet.
"You don't have to worry, boss! I won't rest until I get my hands on that bunny-eared thief!" Mina declared standing on Captain Kendo's desk. "You hear me, Bunnix! It's rabbit season and you've got a place on my wall!"
"Get your feet off of my desk, Officer Ashido." Kendo pulled out the files on the thefts. "Thankfully, we believe that she isn't done. Last time, she struck six times before laying low. We've got two more chances. Go out, take a breath, and come back with your heads cleared. Midoriya, I want to speak with you privately."
Izuku and Mina looked at each other for a brief second before Mina walked out in a huff.
Izuku waited until the door closed, but he had the sneaking suspicion that this had to do with his alter ego. He had appeared there before anyone and had gotten into a fight with Bunnix. But he hadn't left any evidence to link him to Chat Noir. Was it possible that someone had seen him change?
"Midoriya, you're a good cop. Just like your father before you. But last night, you made a move without my say so. Yourpartner was almost hurt because you weren't there to watch her back." Kendo sat down on her chair, looking at Izuku like a disapproving mother. "What happened?"
"I… I saw an opportunity and took initiative. I thought I could learn more about our thief and maybe catch her in the act," Izuku said, bowing his head. "I apologize for not following procedure."
Kendo sighed.
"Your heart is in the right place, but you tend to overthink things and act too recklessly at times. That's why you're partnered with Ashido. She's as responsible for you as you are for her." Kendo pulled up a file. "I know you have an interest in making detective and you've certainly been putting in the hours to make it happen. But there's only so much you can do on your own. Keep an eye on Ashido and maybe you two will get another shot at the thief."
"Yes, ma'm." Izuku saluted.
Izuku walked out and went with Mina to a nearby café to cool down. Mina was unusually quiet as Izuku paid and got their orders. She just sat at the table tapping her foot on the ground in frustration.
"Um, Mina, I got you a cappuccino, I hope you like it." Izuku sat down, giving Mina her coffee. "And some of those macaroons they had."
"…Are they strawberry?" Mina asked.
"They only had vanilla," Izuku sweated.
"Ah man. There's nothing good today." Mina dropped her head on the table, whining. "First a thief takes my wallet, then uses me as a distraction, and then we get scolded by the captain. I hate this day."
Izuku noticed some of the looks that they were getting as Mina whined. He felt more on the spot than if he had been in front of a firing squad. An idea popped in his head, causing him to blush at what he was about to do. Izuku slowly and carefully placed his hand on Mina's back, patting her for comfort.
"There there, Mina. It's not as bad it may seem." Izuku continued patting her back, which slowly got her to stop whining. "We'll find her and get everything she stole back."
Mina didn't look up, but she was no longer whining about their situation. A warm feeling was coming over her as she started to recognize the way her partner was calming her down. She looked up, picturing a moment in her past and a similar dorky smile staring right at her.
"Are you feeling better?" Izuku asked.
Mina blushed at the sight of Izuku's caring smile. She jumped back slightly, getting back on her chair without letting him see her blushing face.
"T-T-Thanks, Izuku!" Mina slurped down her cappuccino.
"Y-you're welcomed." Izuku felt a bead of sweat rolling down the back of his neck. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah. Sorry for that reaction," Mina apologized, sporting a foamy milk mustache. "You just reminded me of someone."
This got Izuku's attention.
"Does this have something to do with the story you were telling me?" Izuku asked. "We were interrupted before you finished it."
"Oh right… Want me to finish it?" Mina asked.
"If it's not too much to ask." Izuku took a sip from his coffee.
"It isn't, I need something to make me forget last night." Mina wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Well, I was on my way to meet my favorite idol when rain started pouring down."
Mina was skating on a bridge with a running river as rain started to fall down.
"I thought that I would make it to the other side before I got too wet, but I didn't know that slippery acid and water didn't combine," Mina continued to explain.
Mina slipped, falling off of the bridge and into the cold river waters. The rain and the wind had made the river into a fast moving watery trap, and Mina now found herself trying to escape it. She broke through the surface, snapping breath after breath as she fought the current. But for every time she broke free, the more she was pulled under.
"I tried to swim to the shore, but I wasn't strong enough." Mina somberly looked at the remains of her coffee as she remembered those days. "I thought I was a goner. There was no one around and no heroes to call out for. I had no one to call for help, almost as if I didn't matter. But then someone jumped in."
"Huh?" Izuku blinked.
Before Mina was swallowed by the waters, a shadowy figure jumped into the waters. She couldn't tell much about who it was as it swam towards her. She felt him pull her out of the water as they pulled themselves towards the shore.
"Before I knew it, I was back on shore. My hoodie and my clothes were drenched and my hoodie was covering my head. But he stood next to me as I got all the water out of my lungs." Mina smiled, causing Izuku's eyes to widen.
"D-did you see their face?" Izuku asked.
"He stood between me and the light of a street light. He patted me on the back before I told him that I was fine, planning to take a cab home." Mina explained. "All I saw was that he had a police hoodie on top of an old All Might shirt. Never saw him afterwards."
"And that's why you chose to become a cop?" Izuku asked.
"Yeah, I felt that I owed it to him. Never got his name though." Mina chuckled. "He did sound like a superhero though. Alright, enough feeling sorry for myself. Time to get back on the horse! Let's go catch a thief." Mina munched down on the macaroons and shot out to her car.
Izuku smiled, feeling a warm proud sensation at how Mina turned out. He finished his coffee before walking after her. After all, he remembered that day.
That night, Izuku had donned his suit as he went through the different crime scenes. With the cover of darkness and the lights of the night as his only companions, Chat Noir used this chance to learn more about his quarry. He'd been lucky last time until she used her Miraculous and started running circles around him. He had to find something about her power and how he could get the upper hand.
Izuku jumped from rooftop to rooftop as he went through the crime scenes and the evidence that he had seen. There was nothing. At least nothing he didn't already know. He narrowed his eyes as he tried to look for a link between the crimes. He knew how she worked, but the psychology behind her actions still eluded him. If he could learn her identity and more about her then he'd be able to know more about her.
"She has some kind of speed Miraculous, but she doesn't need to move to activate it. A similar Miraculous would be Enginium's." Izuku thought as he looked at the St. Allar Jewelry Store. "But he needs to move to activate his power. When Mina had her she didn't move a muscle before she was behind her. Maybe it is a type of teleporting Miraculous? Hm."
Izuku looked down at the streets from above the lights. Kneeling down on top of a large stone gargoyle, he thought back to the pattern of the crimes and what she had stolen.
"She took golden watches in her first heist. In the second, she took some jewels. And in the third one, she took the Emerald Rabbit." Izuku tapped his knee in hopes of seeing the connection. "There's no direct connection between them, not even with who manages them."
Just then he remembered the name of the previous owner.
"Dublek. Where have I heard that name before?" Izuku asked himself.
His phone started ringing.
"Hello?" Izuku answered.
"Hey, Izuku, I wanted to call you and tell you something I found from Alya," Mina said through the phone. "It may be nothing, but the piece that was stolen two years ago in her third heist was a pocket watch owned by the man that owned the jewelry museum, Mr. Dublek."
"What? That is interesting. We'll talk tomorrow morning, Mina," Izuku replied. "You did good, partner. Good night."
"Night partner." Mina hung up the call.
"Two things stolen from two places with connections to the same family, it can't be a coincidence." Izuku put his phone away. "I better look into this."
"You know, you have much more interesting night time hobbies than most officers I know."
Izuku turned around so fast he almost lost his footing. His eyes landed on the woman that had been plaguing his mind for the last couple of days. He saw her there. Her cocky voice and punk rocker attitude were all present before him as she sat on the edge of a roof, swinging her leg lazily. As she smiled with her parasol twirling over her shoulder, he could tell that she had been looking for him. And now she had him where she wanted. But that wasn't the thing that stunned Izuku the most.
"I think you have it wrong, ma'm. I'm not an officer of the law, but I will gladly hand you over to them." Izuku slowly walked towards her, getting ready in case she tried anything.
"You can cut the tough guy act, kitty. I know you are a softie under all the black layers." Bunnix slid off, landing before Izuku. "I mean, you don't use a gun. You preferred saving that pink beauty than chasing after me. You are something I haven't seen in a long time."
"And what would that be?" Izuku asked, loosening his fingers to grab hold of his kali sticks.
Bunnix got close up and personal before Izuku could stop her. She was smiling like someone that had just gotten her hands on that elusive thrill.
Izuku could get a better view of her entire being before him. Her clothes were tight but calling, almost as if daring to be spotted. She wanted to make sure that all her curves were easy to see, like a ballerina in the middle of a stage. It was all a show and a thrill for her. But there was something more, he knew that there was more.
"A fun date." Bunnix giggled.
"A 'date'?" Izuku asked before Bunnix kissed his cheek through the mask.
"Catch me if you can, copper!" Bunnix took off, smiling at him over her shoulder.
Izuku was briefly stunted by her sudden action. He felt like she was taking the roles of cop and robber all too literally. But he couldn't let her get away, she knew who he was. Somehow he screwed up and she had figured out his secret identity. The fact that she hadn't told the officers or held it over his head was telling that she wasn't malicious. But that wasn't such a calming thought as Izuku would've hoped.
Izuku ran after her like a love-stricken fool through the rooftops of Paris. Her laughter echoed in the night air like a siren's song urging and taunting him to keep up with her. He kept looking at her, not taking his eyes off of her fleeing figure. He was tempted to use his grappling hook to cut her off, but the thought of her using her Miraculous to escape him stopped him.
"Come on, kitty! Or are you too full of cop doughnuts to keep up?" Bunnix laughed.
Izuku's lower left eye twitched in annoyance at her jab. He pulled out his grappling hook, firing it at a gargoyle ahead of the two of them. Jumping off of the building, he used his grappling hook to swing above the city lights before going up into the night sky. He turned in the air, turning to look at Bunnix dead in the eye before landing before her like a defender of the night.
Before she could react or change her direction, Izuku lunged at her, cutting her off.
"Whoa!" Bunnix jumped back. "Now that's what I'm talking about! You are now making me excited!"
"Surrender now, Bunnix!" Izuku called out. "Return what you've stolen and you might receive a lesser sentence!" He pulled out his kali sticks, clashing with her parasol.
"Maybe you should join me in that confession, I bet your friends in the force would love to know their adorable co-worker is actually a badass vigilante." Bunnix thrusted her parasol, making Chat Noir to dodge.
"Adorable?" Izuku blurted out.
"Oh yeah, kinda like a little bunny playing at being a big mean cat." Bunnix bent backwards, dodging a swing from Izuku's kali stick. "Do you mind showing me more?"
"Of my fighting skills? With pleasure!" Izuku charged at Bunnix, swinging his kali sticks, pushing her back with his skills.
Izuku's strikes were fast and straight for her parasol, hoping to disarm her. He threw a punch only for her to duck and weave around his attacks. He was pulled by her parasol's handle, tossing him back. Izuku spun in mid-air, landing on his feet before landing a kick to Bunnix's stomach.
"Ow! That was rough!" Bunnnix snapped, holding her stomach.
"Crap, I-I'm sorry." Izuku approached her. "I-I didn't mean to kick you so hard-OOFF!" He was met with a whack by Bunnix's parasol.
"A tough gentleman, I like it! Gotta say, you're really scoring a lot of points with me, kitty!" Bunnix smirked.
He grunted in pain, holding his jaw. Thankfully it wasn't broken, but he would not be detained. Izuku charged in once more, knowing that this opponent could not be underestimated. Jumping in the air, he spun a kick to Bunnix's head, only for her to duck at the last moment. However, his kick moved her ears slightly. Izuku continued his attacks, putting the pressure on Bunnix.
"So, tell me, does every cop know those fancy fighting moves, or are you special?" Bunnix smirked, blocking the kali sticks with her parasol.
"If you only knew," Izuku muttered under his breath.
The fight continued, with Bunnix getting one too many close calls from Izuku's experienced attacks. However things turned sour as Izuku caught Bunnix's parasol, performing a judo flip on her. But he had flipped her onto the edge of the floor.
Horror filled Izuku's soul. His body lunged forward, jumping after Bunnix. He reached for her, only for her to turn into a blur of blue light.
"What?!" Izuku snapped, catching a window's edge.
"Phew! That was a close one."
Izuku looked up in shock at seeing Bunnix back on the edge of the building's rooftop, pulling herself up.
"I gotta say, this really made me work for it. You're getting closer, I'll say that. Next time, let's settle this over drinks, handsome." Bunnix winked at Izuku. "Bye, bye."
Izuku pulled out his grappling hook, pulling himself back to the top at top speed. He arrived at the rooftop, only to see Bunnix was gone. He cursed under his breath. He had been close and her Miraculous had helped her slip through his fingers.
"How does she keep getting away?" Izuku growled.
He looked at the rooftop, spotting where she had appeared. She hadn't teleported nor used super speed.
"Maybe, not one, but a mixture." Izuku realized something. "Dublek is the key."
Izuku and Mina went back to the office the other day and quickly got to work. Captain Kendo had given them another chance to help with the sting operation if they remained at their desks to clear their heads. As tense as they were, the two officers were well aware that they couldn't screw up.
Mina was going over plans on how she would catch Bunnix and the different possible targets that she could go after. She was writing more notes on her notepad at that moment than she had in the last month. The pink officer was not about to let someone like Bunnix get away after she went through all the trouble to turn off and apply for a replacement id and driver's license. Mina was out for blood but didn't want to get caught off guard.
Izuku meanwhile was focused on something else. He knew that it was a matter of time before she used his identity against him when she got bored of their cat and mouse game. So, he typed away at his computer, looking for a connection between her and the Dublek name. Izuku knew that there was a connection with them given her actions at the two places where she had allowed herself to be seen that had a connection to the name. He had also learned that her Miraculous was something that had to do with time and teleportation, which made her even more easy to find. Someone with that kind of Miraculous could not just disappear.
Izuku's eyes widened as a file popped up in his computer search on Dublek.
"'Alim and Jalil Dublek, father and son of the Dublek family found dead by their home'?" Izuku read out loud.
"What was that?" Mina asked.
"Oh, um, I'm looking into that connection you told me about last night." Izuku showed Mina his computer. "Bunnix stole two things from two places. It can't be a coincidence."
"Found anything?" Mina asked.
"I was just about to dig deeper when I found the report of the death of the father and son." Izuku typed, pulling up the image of a burnt wreckage. "According to the police report, the father and son died in an explosion caused by a crash. The car was a burnt pile by the time the police arrived and only one of the bodies was identified. Did Alya tell you anything else about them?"
"Not much, but she did tell me that she had something to show us. I can call her," Mina said. "You think this will get us our rabbit?"
"Maybe, it could answer a few loose ends." Izuku looked at the pictures of the two deceased men, noting their similarities.
Izuku and Mina met up with Alya back at her apartment, where she had been waiting for them. She was focused and was almost lacking in her usual flirting tone.
"Check this out my uniformed babes. The story of the Dublek family is one of humble beginnings to great prospects to crushing ends." Alya pulled up articles on the different members of the Dublek family, including the two deceased members and another elderly man. "This here is Baltazar Dublek, a clockmaker by trade and influential man by skill. He made all sorts of clocks that were full of tricks and secret compartments for his most distinguished clients. His business skyrocketed after a while only for him to die from a heart attack. He was survived by his son Alim Dublek and his own children. That's when the story gets interesting." Alya showed the pictures of Alim and his family, which showed two children with him.
"What happened?" Izuku asked.
"There were rumors that Baltazar had been approached by a crime family for a "business" opportunity because of his extremely rare Miraculous. Time Stopper." Alya suggested.
Izuku and Mina's eyes went wide. Time manipulating Miraculous were some of the most rare and powerful powers in recorded history.
"He had such a Miraculous?" Izuku asked.
"It was never seen or recorded. Like I said, it's a rumor. But there were a few strange calls to the house after his death. Also, Alim and Jahil dealt in the museums and shops with the aid of the fortune their father/grandfather had accumulated." Alya continued. "Some people believed that they used their businesses as fronts for one of the crime families that had them working."
"Like the ones that had been hit by Bunnix." Mina punched her hand.
"What happened to the other child?" Izuku asked.
"There isn't much on her, she disappeared shortly after the death of her father and brother. Her name was Alexandra Dublek, a former ballerina prodigy but she fell off the map with her mother." Alya sighed. "Sorry guys. That's all I could find."
"Thanks, Alya. You're the best," Izuku said.
"If you want anything you just say the word!" Mina gave Alya a thumbs up.
"And don't forget it when I ask you guys for a threesome!" Alya smirked, causing Izuku to crash against the door.
The drive back to the police HQ was a silent one, with Izuku pondering the new information that he and Mina had just been told. It made him realize how Bunnix's Miraculous worked and who she was. Now all that he had to do was stop her next heist and find a way to defeat time itself.
"Don't worry, Izuku. We will catch that rabbit tonight!" Mina cheered up, driving as slow as she could to not get pulled over.
Izuku smiled, knowing that his partner was with him.
Night had fallen and the police had prepared themselves for the sting at the Museum of D'Estragent Diamonds.
Izuku and Mina had been placed taking care of the back door once more. They were both sitting inside Alien Queen with enough coffee and food to stake out the place for a whole week. For their specific reasons, they were not going home without Bunnix in handcuffs.
"Alright, where are you, you sneaky bunny?" Mina grumbled, looking through the night vision binoculars.
"Mina, she isn't going to show up because you want it, right?" Izuku muttered, knowing that he'd have to look for a chance to change and go after Bunnix on his own.
"Well, I'm not giving up! She might've gotten the drop on me, but this time I will beat her tight ass!" Mina claimed. "I won't rest until I put that punk rocker bod down!"
"'Punk rocker bod'? What do you mean?" Izuku asked.
"Trust me when I tell you I can see that woman for who she is. You remember facts and things that have to do with heroes, and I can tell people based on bodies and how they move. And that ballerina punk rocker has the moves!" Mina growled.
Mina's words made Izuku think. He was sure that Bunnix was Alexandra Dublek but she had made sure to erase everything about her identity. She now had a different identity, and if he couldn't stop her tonight, he'd lose her for good.
Izuku's eyes then spotted a long-eared shadow poking down from the edge of a rooftop. He took the night vision binoculars. He looked up and saw Bunnix watching the museum with her own binoculars.
"Hey, what's up, partner?" Mina asked.
"I think we've got a party crasher." Izuku pointed to the rooftop as Bunnix jumped towards the next rooftop. "Call for backup. I'll go after her."
"On it." Mina nodded, pulling the radio out.
Izuku quickly ran after Bunnix, this time prepared for this fight. Narrowing his eyes he started to pull out his costume.
Up on the rooftop, Bunnix was looking at all the officers of the law looking out for her.
"So much for a quick in and out, time to improvise." Bunnix put away her binoculars.
"Your illegal shopping spree ends here, Bunnix." Izuku landed behind her with his kali sticks in his hands. "You're coming with me."
"Whoa, cat man, you are very persistent." Bunnix giggled. "Want another dance after last night?"
"This time you won't get away so easily." Izuku assumed a fighting stance.
"Oh I love a man that likes it rough." Bunnix jumped with her parasol drawn.
They clashed their weapons together, causing some sparks to come out. They were dancing around each other as they fought. Amidst the pale moonlight they were head to head, keeping one step against the other, skidding back whenever one made a move to dodge. Punches, kicks, elbows and knees were exchanged between them until they were face to face.
"Let's have some fun!" Bunnix became a blur of light before appearing behind Izuku, smacking his back with her parasol.
Izuku rolled on the rooftop before getting back to his feet. He saw her becoming a blur once more, going back to where she had been, landing a kick to his side. Grunting in pain, he started counting as Bunnix continued her attack. He ducked and weaved through her attacks before she turned into a blue blur once more. Izuku snapped his head, turning his body.
"There!" Izuku threw a punch just as Bunnix appeared behind him, landing it square on her chest.
Bunnix skidded back, coughing from the blow.
"What the?" Bunnix gasped.
"I think I've figured it out," Izuku replied. "Let's try this again."
Bunnix smirked as her blood pumped through her veins like motor oil. She became a blur once more, running circles around Izuku.
Izuku ducked under the swing of her parasol as she appeared above him. He had figured out the trick to her Miraculous, keeping track of the time between her jumpers, he was able to predict where she would appear once more.
"I don't believe it! You're keeping up with me!" Bunnix couldn't help but smile as Izuku parried her parasol.
"I know your quirk is a form of rewind. You can move back and forth between where you've been and where you are." Izuku sidestepped a kick to his stomach.
"Brains, brawn, and adorable to boot!" Bunnix smiled. "If you give amazing massages and love to rock and roll, you'd be more of my perfect man!"
The fight continued on with Izuku countering and managing to keep one step ahead of Bunnix's blurring speed. But for every two minutes he could predict, she was able to run around him for one minute. They panted in exhaustion as they stood in front of each other. They smiled at each other, although Izuku didn't like it. They were both using all their tricks to keep up with each other. Their fists collided as the wind of the night cooled them to keep on fighting. Whenever their weapons clashed, the sound of their steel echoed in their ears so much that they could tell what the other was saying.
"I gotta say, I'm gonna need a cigarette after this fight," Bunnix panted.
"Do you always talk this much in a fight?" Izuku asked.
"Only when I'm having fun with the one I'm fighting, but I tend to save it for pillowtalk." Bunnix leaned on her parasol.
Izuku wasn't buying her coy attitude for a second. The rewinding ability was clearly being used to the limit of her control. He could tell that she needed time to cool down and make notes of where and how she was at the moment of the rewind. Which meant that he could outlast her and take her down. The only problem was that he was also running on his last legs. His mind was working overtime to predict her movements while keeping track of the time between points and what she would do when she popped out. His grip on the situation was forcing him to rethink his strategy for one that didn't lead to fast exhaustion.
"You wouldn't be considering taking a five minute break, would you?" Bunnix asked.
"Oh, is the thieving bunny tiered?! Paris police!" Mina called out, sliding into the fight with her acid. "Hands in the air!" She pulled out a pair of handcuffs from her belt.
Bunnix dodged Mina's attempt to handcuff her. She grabbed her arm trying to flip her once more. But this time, Mina was ready for her tricks.
Mina handcuffed herself to Bunnix, pulling her down with her. The pink officer pinned Bunnix to the ground.
"Got ya!" Mina cheered.
"Ow, guess you're not the only one that likes it rough." Bunnix looked at Izuku as he processed what he had seen.
"Thank you for holding her down Chat Noir, but I've got it from here." Mina pulled Bunnix to her feet.
"Um, no problem, officer. Anything to help," Izuku replied, making his voice deeper to avoid her figuring him out.
"Hey, have you seen my partner? He was just after her tail." Mina shook Bunnix, taking away her parasol.
"Oh, he found me." Bunni replied.
Izuku froze.
"Gave him a kiss before knocking him out. He should be fine though." Bunnix unlocked the handcuffs just as Mina grew a furious blush.
Izuku lunged forward, spotting her sneaky action.
Bunnix turned into a blur of light, appearing before Izuku. She grabbed his face, pulling up his mask enough to show his lips before planting a kiss right on his lips.
"Wouldn't want her to think I'm a liar, now don't we?" Bunnix smirked, pulling back. "By the way, there's actually a five to ten minute limit to my Miraculous."
Bunnix turned into a blue blur of light, hopping away to another rooftop. She waved away at both Izuku and Mina, blowing kisses to them before fleeing the scene.
"Oh damn it! She got away!" Mina snapped. "Oh crap, Izuku!" She turned to go after her partner.
Izuku used this chance to slip away before noticing something in his pocket. He pulled out to find Mina's wallet.
"Guess I'll have to talk to her after this." Izuku groaned, noting a card from a bar. "The Broken Clock, guess I know where she is going."
Izuku managed to change and meet up with Mina, who tackled him into a hug. She was crying about how worried she was when Bunnix told her that she had hurt him. But her partner managed to help her back to her feet before handing her wallet back. Mina was over the moon and told Izuku that after he got all checked by the medics, she was going to take him drinking.
But Izuku had one stop he had to make.
Bunnix was taking a shower. She was surrounded by steam and hot water, letting out a sigh of satisfaction. After turning off her shower, she stepped out with a towel wrapped around her body. She walked through her small apartment that was covered with graffiti paintings, some books, a messy bed, and a few rockstar instruments.
Bunnix no longer had her white and blue suit, not her domino mask and ears, revealing her beautiful face with pierced ears and short pixie cut red hair. She sighed as she fell on her couch with her hands behind her head.
"Ahh, what a night. He was such a man." She stretched her arms while crossing her legs.
"Alix Kubdel. We need to talk."
The now named Alix turned around to see Izuku back in his Chat Noir costume.
"So, you saw my little gift. Want another kiss, baby green?" Alix asked, turning to face Izuku.
"I came here to know what your game is. You've known my identity for some days now, yet you haven't used it for your benefit and now you've told me who you are." Izuku kept his eye on hers. "What's your game?"
"Oh, I like the chase, and between you and me, the heroes barely notice little old me." Alix winked. "But you went after me because it was the right thing. Besides, what I steal isn't sorely missed by people."
"If this is a game, then why are you stealing things that belonged to your family?" Izuku asked, causing Alix to stiffen up.
"...You know who I am? And I'm still here?" Alix looked away before her smile returned. "...That means you don't work for him."
"What?" Izuku asked.
"Not important. But for now, let's keep this cat and mouse game going. I commit the crime, you chase after me and then we see where we go." Alix swayed her hips towards Izuku. "I gotta keep some of my secrets. Yours is one of them."
"I won't let you get away with this." Izuku grabbed Alix's shoulders.
"Oh, I look forward to that. Since we both have each other's respective identities, we don't need to be enemies. Friends with benefits sounds good for any Frenchman." Alix raised her eyebrow, only for Izuku to narrow his eyes. "Just food for thought."
Izuku turned away going out the window.
"Know this Alix, if you think I won't stop you at the cost of my identity, then you're wrong. I will find out whoever you're afraid of and I'll stop them." Izuku got out of the apartment. "And then, I hope to learn why you do this."
Izuku disappeared into the night, leaving Alix with a blush on her face.
"I was already naked and he still makes me blush." Alix sunk back into her couch. "This is going to be fun."
Izuku and Mina were drinking together at a small bar with Mina drinking both her frustrations. Izuku sat down as Mina had already drunk half a bottle of Scottish Whiskey in five minutes.
"That jerk bunny girl… Looted all my wallet's cash and now I've got back all the ID's and cards that I had to cancel… I'll get her…*hic*." Mina slurred. "What-shat do you think, Izuku?"
"I think I need to drive you home." Izuku paid for their drinks before helping Mina off her feet.
"I… I… can stand on my tippy toes. Tippy toes… *hic*That's a funny word." Mina giggled, clinging to Izuku like a baby koala.
Izuku drove to Mina's apartment while she danced in the passenger's seat. As she wrapped and sang to the radio, Izuku couldn't help but feel warm and happy that Mina was alright and that she was by his side today.
They arrived at her apartment with her singing while draped over him like a newlywed.
"At the top of the world~! I'm safest of all~! *hic* Lovely, lovely, lovely~!" Mina sang while Izuku opened the door with his spare key. "Hey… hey… when did you move into my apartment, Izuku? When did you start to pay rent~?"
"You gave me the spare key, Mina. Just like I gave you mine because you begged me." Izuku chuckled.
Mina stood at the doorway, wrapping her arms around Izuku's neck.
"You're amazing, Izuku," Mina said.
"You're amazing too, Mina. Good night," Izuku replied.
Izuku tried to leave but Mina had him pinned to the spot. He looked at her as she grew a sly catty smile on her face. He blushed as the smell of alcohol and female pheromones hit his nose.
"Um, Mina, are-are you okay?" Izuku asked.
"Izuku, y-you're so good to me. Always looking out for *hic* me and making sure I'm safe," Mina slurred her words. "I-I never get enough chances to s-say thank you to your handsome face. Especially when you saved my life."
Izuku was blushing furiously as Mina pulled him closer towards her face.
"You d-don't have to worry, M-Mina. That's what friends do," Izuku said.
"...Like jumping into a river and pulling me out of the waters?" Mina asked, causing Izuku to flinch. "Thought I wouldn't recognize you after so long?"
"Wait, you remember-?" Izuku began only for Mina to kiss him deeply.
Izuku was stunned for the second time that night. His body went limp as a heat spread through his body. Before he knew it, Mina had pulled him into her apartment, shutting the door behind them in a passionate embrace for the rest of the romantic night.