8 Letters

Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I do not own the series Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. No copyright intended. I do own the story line, because I made that all up with my brain.

I checked the time on my phone for the 5th time, 12:38 am, blinked back at me and left me increasingly worried. Where was he? His shift ended at 11 pm and he hasn't been answering my text or phone calls. I texted his mom and his sister in case he stopped at home first to grab anything before coming over here but they both told me he hadn't been home. This is so unlike him, he never does not answer me, something is up. Frustrated, I stand up in my bed and walk out to my balcony. I look around me making sure the coast is clear before I take a breath.

"Tikki, spots on."

I open my eyes after the transformation and swing my yo-yo around. I start with the last place he was, his job. I get there in no time and de-transform as I touch down on the ground and walk around up front. Suddenly thankful that he works at a 24/7 diner now, I walk through the door and up to the counter.

"Hey, Connie. Is Luka still here by chance?" I asked the kind older woman as she was wiping down the bar counter.

She looked over at me as she blew a bubble with the gum she was chewing and shook her head. She was a thin petite woman, brunette hair pulled back into an updo as she wore makeup and had dangle earrings.

"Sorry doll, he's not here. I actually thought he took off early to see you and forgot to tell me." She admitted.

I pouted, "No. H-he didn't come over, he wo-won't even answer me. I don't know what's going on or where he is and-and I'm getting so worried."

I babbled on the verge of tears. Seeing me still in my pajamas didn't help, I must have looked crazy crying to her wandering around at night in my pj's. Her gaze softened and brows knitted together in worry as she opened up the counter to let me through and gave me a hug.

"Alright darlin', we will figure it out. Kat was the last to see him, let's go talk to her, okay?"

I nodded to her as she led me into the kitchen where Kat was mopping the floor. Kat is Connie's daughter, petite like her with the same brunette colored hair.

"Hey, Kat. Have you seen Luka?" Connie asked her.

"No, ma, like the last time you asked me. He went to take the trash out for me and didn't come back." She said, sighing not looking up from her task.

Connie cleared her throat and Kat looked up and paled when she saw me. I smiled and waved. "Hey, Kat."

"Sorry didn't know you were there Mari." She said, sheepishly.

"It's okay. You said he took out the trash? Where's the back door?" I asked.

Kat set the mop against the wall and walked me over to the door, opening it for me as she held the door open as Connie came out with me. Both of us looked around for any sign of him when something shiny reflected off the street light, it was lamely tossed aside but as I got closer to it I recognized it as a needle. I turned around to Connie crying again and called her over. She gasped when she saw what I saw and took her apron off to grab the needle, realizing it was attached to a syringe.

"What would a syringe be doing in your alley, Connie?" I asked.

She sighed, "I don't know but it doesn't look good. Now I'm getting worried."

She and I stood up and went back inside, "Let me check to see if he even took his things." She mused aloud, showing me to the break room where all the lockers and her office is held.

My stomach dropped and I got a bad feeling as I saw his jacket still hung up, I instinctively went over to it and checked his pockets, finding Sass curled up around the bracelet. Oh no. He doesn't have it on. So he's out there without his miraculous and there's a strange syringe found out back his workplace. This is bad. This is very, very bad. I grab his jacket off the hook and drape it over my arm, I then reach in my sweatpants pocket to get out my phone, faking a call from his mom.

"Oh he's home now, Anarka." I said into my phone.

"That's okay I'm just glad he's safe. Yeah, I'll be over soon." I said then fake hung up.

Connie raised a skeptical brow at me, "So he's home then?"

I nodded, "Yeah, he says he's sorry for bailing on the last hour. Something came up and he had to leave in a hurry. Well thank you for your help but I'm going to go over now and see him."

"Do you want me to drive you, honey? It's really late out and you really shouldn't be out like that." She asked me, concerned.

"No, no. I don't wanna trouble you, I'll be fine. Well, you two have a good night, bye." I said in a hurry, hoping they wouldn't notice as I walked out of the diner.

I quickly went to the back and transformed into Ladybug once more, wearing Luka's jacket as I got to the rooftops. And quickly made it back home, my feet touching my balcony effortlessly as I took a breath to calm down. I shake his top pocket a bit where Sass is to wake him up.

"Sass, Sass, wake up." I whispered.

The kwami groaned as he yawned and floated out of the pocket. "Yessss?"

"Is there any way you can sense Luka?" I asked him.

He looked at me confused, "Luka isss misssssing?"

I frowned, "Yes. He never came over after work and I was just there where I found an empty syringe. I think something bad has happened to him."

"Hmmm, let me try thisss." He said, then closed his eyes and looked as if he were meditating.

The holder and kwami have a special relationship, they go hand in hand and can often communicate through each other's mind, like telepathy if the bond is strong enough. I know it will be increasingly harder for him to locate Luka without his bracelet. I watched his face twinge in concentration.

He sighed after a while, "All I could seee was darknessss but I will try again. I'm sssorry, Marinette."

My shoulders dropped, defeated, "No it's okay Sass. You tried your best."

Just then a dark chuckle made itself known and I watched the figure jump down from the shadow of the roof and land right before me. Sass quickly hid in my hair to be out of sight. My hand instantly moved to my mouth in shock and fear. No. No, not again. Chat Blanc walked towards me with a menacing grin.

"Poor little bug has lost her snake has she?" He said, tilting his head.

"Chat…what happened to you?" I said, breathless, still in shock.

"I'd call it an upgrade, wouldn't you?" He said, smirking.

I shook my head, "No, Chat. Whatever Monarch has promised you, it isn't worth it."

He came closer, leering down at me. "Why, he promised me you. And I think you are worth everything, Marinette."

Everything stopped as I looked at him with wide eyes. How did he figure it out? I was so, so very careful. I hadn't told him anything. He seemed to get off on my shock and panic as he started laughing.

"I was thinking we could make this a game."

"What?"

He grinned, "If you can find your lover boy within the hour, I'll let you go but if not, your miraculous is mine. Deal?"

I gasped, "You. You're the one that took him?"

He just grinned at me as I fought the urge to punch him in the face, "Where is Luka?! What have you done to him Chat!"

He chuckled, "All will be revealed in due time. Now, do we have a deal or not?"

I scowled at him, "I don't have much of a choice now, do I?"

He clapped his hands together in delight, "I knew you were a smart girl. Tick tock, mi'lady, where he is I'm afraid time is running out. I'll give you a hint, water."

I looked after him as he lept off my balcony, my heart pounding. Water?! That could mean anything. The pool. The Seine. I panicked and slipped on the bracelet to keep it safe until I could find Luka.

"Sass, I need you to try really hard this time. Please." I pleaded with the kwami.

Sass nodded and went back to meditation as I held him in one hand as the other swung my yo-yo running towards the poolhouse as that was my first guess.

Luka's P.O.V

I groaned as I held my head, waking up immediately getting a headache. I blinked as I took in my surroundings, finding it mostly in the darkness and what was that? I looked down to see my feet wet, then around me black metal walls? I was in a metal fence cage being lowered into the water, like one of those things you go diving in, only I didn't have the equipment. I looked down to see Adrien standing there on a platform, casually eating some macaroons, but not just any. Those came from Tom & Sabine's bakery. He's been around Marinette! I banged on the cage, growling at him.

"Where is she!" I yelled at him.

"Oh good, you're awake. I was beginning to think I overdosed you." He said, finishing off the cookie.

"What did you do with her, you piece of shit!" I yelled at him again.

"Temper, temper, Luka. Don't worry, she'll be here soon if she's clever enough."

"Where the hell did you take me?"

He grinned, "You're in my basement, I suppose, you could say."

I looked around to see a greenhouse in the distance of this place, so I'm in some strange secret room under his greenhouse, locked in a cage without my miraculous, as he dangles me above water like a fish. Perfect. A sharpness dug into my mind and I cringed at the feeling then a fuzzy and faint voice broke through. Lukaaa. My heart pounded, Sass? He was somehow trying to communicate with me.

"You're insane Adrien!" I yelled to keep him occupied.

Sass, is that you? Adrien just laughed as he grabbed a small controller out of his pocket. Yesss Luka, you can hear meee? He said back, hissing. I've never been so relieved. Am I glad to hear you, where is Marinette? I asked him as I kept an eye on Adrien, fiddling with the controller. With me, we are trying to find you. Can you tell me where you are? All I see isssss darknesssss. I mentally relaxed knowing that she was okay. The Agreste manor, there is a secret room under the greenhouse. I told him.

"Insane or not, I'm so sick of being the one being tossed aside. I deserve to get a happy ending too and the only one that makes me happy, well I keep breaking her heart. Imagine that." He said, laughing bitterly.

"Adrien, listen to me you don't have to do this. You're a lot of things but you are no killer."

He scoffed, "A lot of people keep saying that but honestly, I don't really care anymore. About anything, well except seeing that look on your face when you know you've been beaten." He chuckled.

"Want to hate me? Fine, hate me just leave Marinette out of this."

"That's rich coming from you. She's the center of it all, I just want her to love me again like she did before. Before you came in and took her for yourself."

"She fell in love with me on her own, Adrien. I never forced her."

He bared his teeth and grimaced, "There you go again with that righteous attitude, it is so annoying. You aren't that pure, Couffaine."

He then sighed really loudly and dramatically, checked his watch and grinned. "Time's about up. Plagg, claws out." in a green light he turned into Chat Noir.

Then when he gave some kind of signal, an akuma came flying towards him and he embraced it as it turned him back into Chat Blanc, grinning at me as he held the controller. Get ready Luka. Sass said.

"You know I almost feel a little bad about this, oh well. Enjoy your swim." He said, then clicked a button and the cage started descending in the water.

Just then a loud crash came through as Ladybug broke through the roof of the greenhouse, glass falling all around her like rain and landing on the platform with ease. Then she looked back up and locked eyes with Chat Blanc, I've never seen her more determined and angry in my life. It was actually kinda hot.

"I'm done playing your stupid game, Chat. Where. Is. Luka." She said, her voice low in warning.

Okay yeah, I'm turned on. I shake my head, get a grip, Luka. This is definitely not the time to be thinking about that. Chat Blanc laughed, and held his gut like it was too much for him.

"Aw for a minute I thought you wouldn't make it. You never fail to impress me, mi'lady. Lover boy is over there, that is if you can get to him. Our deal was you get to him within the hour and that time's almost up." He said, grinning.

She looked around her and spotted me almost instantly and I swear I heard her growl at him, "No, you said I just had to find him within the hour. Well, I did, so let us go."

He clicked his tongue, "Mmm 'fraid I can't do that. This way is much more fun."

She stomped her foot, "You can't just change the rules like that!"

"I can and I did. Tick tock, princess, he's not looking too good." He said laughing.

It was then I realized that half of me was already submerged in the water. "The controller, Ladybug! He has it!" I shouted to her.

"Hey, giving out hits is against the rules." He said, grinning as he dodged Mari's attacks.

I watched as her eyes scanned him and she matched his movements, as if she knew where he would strike before he did. Though it went both ways as he kept blocking her, I suppose being partners all these years gave them time to learn each other's moves. But then he slipped and that didn't go unnoticed as she used his own body against him and was able to grab the controller and slide under him as she flipped him. Badass. She grinned as she pressed a button and got the cage to stop moving then, she pressed another one and I heard a lock click. She looked over and smiled at me as I opened the cage which wasn't easy to do, to push against water. Then a foot flew and kicked the device out of her hand but it wasn't Chat Blanc who did it. It was Alya, or otherwise known as Lady Wifi. That's when I noticed that all of our friends have been re-akumatized and are all under Monarch's control, Chat in the center of them.

Chat grinned, "I suggest you hand over your miraculous now, mi'lady, before things get ugly."

End of Luka's P.O.V

Time Skip: 2 hours later

My throat becomes raw as I cough, making my way through the ash filled sky. Fires are burning everywhere, distruction is everywhere as akumas swarm the streets, turning anyone that's able. I wiped the blood from my cheek, spilling out from the gash he left. I stand on shaky legs and take deep breaths to get my bearings. I open my eyes and look over at him, anger in determination in my heart. He casually swings his white belt around that serves as a tail, as he stands over a beaten Luka. I look down at the bracelet around my wrist then back at the man I love. Hold on, Luka.

Chat Blanc yawns and makes a show of it, "As fun as this is, it's getting tiresome, mi'lady. Just hand me your miraculous and all of this can be over."

"I will never give you my miraculous, Chat Blanc. You've been a very bad kitty." I said, grabbing my yo-yo and swinging it around to form a shield.

He rolled his eyes and kicked Luka, I heard him groan and my heart broke. "Trade for trade unless you don't want to see your darling lover again."

Chat kicked him over to me and I knelt down to him, covering my face with my hands. I hesitantly touched him as he rolled onto his back. Bruises and cuts were all over him and his clothes had been torn, I could tell he was in pain but he wasn't going to back down that easily. He's playing with him, making it seem like he's down for the count, that wink he gave me told me as much.

I gasped, "No, Luka. What did he do to you?" I said, tears in my eyes as I crouched over him.

I put on a show of crying over Luka, which really wasn't all that fake, it honestly pained me seeing him so hurt but I knew for this to work Chat had to believe I was distraught, just long enough for Luka to take his miraculous back. The magic from it would heal him and give him his impenetrable suit to protect him.

"Yes, yes, quite devastating isn't. Seeing the one you love looking so defeated."

I turned to look at Chat and stood up, "This isn't you Chat. You're not thinking clearly because there's been a moth in your head and as soon as I purify the akuma, you'll be back to normal."

Chat chuckled, "I'd like to see you try, princess."

So I did, I started fighting Chat and matched him blow for blow. He turned his baton into a spear and charged for me when I almost had his bell in my hand. I easily slipped under him and grabbed the spear, breaking it in half and tossed it aside. He growled in annoyance then shot lasers at me, I dodged but they cut off part of a roof and I noticed a civilian in the way. I quickly swung my yo-yo up to grab hold of the balcony of a nearby building and got the civilian out in time but not before some of the debris hit my leg. I hissed in pain as I rolled to dodge anymore falling building pieces and stood back up on wobbly legs. When Chat kicked me in the abdomen, slamming me into another building and knocking the wind out of me. I could barely get out of it as he appeared before me, pinning me to the wall. He grinned at me while I was fighting to get away from him, his knee dug into the spot I was hit on my leg to keep me in place while his one hand was holding both my arms, his strength out matching mine. With his free hand he dragged his claws down my cheek, breaking skin. He licked his lips and kissed me, I turned my head from him to get out of it and spit in his face. He smirked at me as he wiped it off then took my face in his hand, squeezing me and digging his claws in.

"You are so beautiful, even when you're defeated, I couldn't resist. There's nowhere to turn anymore, my father has all your little friends under his control and your boyfriend is a little worse for wear. I do apologize as I might have done a bit too much, his face is very punchable. There is no one coming to save you this time. It will soon be over, just give me your miraculous, Marinette."

"Never." I said, breathing heavily.

"I didn't want it to come to this but it seems I have no choice. You'll give it to me, one way or another. I'll squeeze that defiance out of you if I have to." He said darkly, his hand moving from my face and down to my neck.

I look back up at him, terror strickening throughout me as I look up at him wide in fear as he starts to squeeze. My hands immediately came up to get his hand off my throat but his hold was firm, I was struggling to get him to let go. I felt him take my earrings out and I panicked, I fought against him more. Punching at him, hitting him to get him to let go. I even tried to knee him where it counts but with how weakened I am, it was no use. Dots clouded my vision and all I could hear was a ringing in my ears, everything else fading away as I started to lose consciousness.

"Sleep Marinette. When you wake, you'll be mine."

Luka's P.O.V

I rolled onto my side, hating how weak and pathetic I am right now as I struggled to get onto my feet. Anger clouding my mind as I watch him. I yelled as I charged at him making him lose his grip on her and he stumbled backwards, hitting his head off the pavement. I turned my attention back to Marinette as my heart dropped. I looked at her, she was on her knees struggling for air after Chat strangled her to get her miraculous. She punched the ground, crying and looking so lost. So defeated. I knew what I had to do. A small voice said, Luka don't do it. It's too risky to travel back in time that far, there is always a price to pay. I sighed, thinking mentally. I know, Sass, but what choice do I have? I knew what that price was. I grabbed onto her shoulders as I knelt down beside her.

"Mari, you're going to forget me."

She looked at me confused but quickly understood as she saw me transformed, "No. I won't, I won't. I could never forget you, Luka." She said, her voice horace as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Marinette, you will."

"You're going to have to find some way to remember me, okay." I said, nodding to her hoping she will understand and let me do what I have to do to save Paris. To save her.

She sobbed more as she held me, I hugged her tight and kissed her forehead.

"Remember how you were the first girl I danced with or how I had a crush on you since we met, remember our song. Remember how you've saved my life."

"You saved my life too." She said, voice breaking.

"Just remember…..remember I love you." I looked into her tearfilled eyes and kissed her.

I kissed her knowing this would be the last time I would kiss her in a very long time if ever, she held onto my hands so tight as I pulled away, not wanting to let go. But we have to. I turned away and slipped my hands out of her grasp and ran away hearing her yell my name in the distance. I wiped my tears as I faced Chat Blanc. He was shaking his head and was standing up when I got to him.

"Hey asshole! You're forgetting something!" I yelled after him as I landed behind him.

He slowly turned around with an amused grin on his face, "Oh? And what would that be, Couffaine?"

"You haven't won." I said, raising my arm up to show my miraculous.

"Second Chance!" I shouted right as realization dawned on his face at what I was doing but it was too late.

In a blinding white light, I traveled back in time. When it all began.

End of Luka's P.O.V