Hyssop wrinkled her nose as she boiled the herbs, then mashed them into a smelly paste. She worked quickly and efficiency, as they had no time to waste if Claw and Emile were to survive.
She was glad Marinette was occupied as she slipped the concoction into a small tube, and walked over to Claw's bed. The antidote was fed through a IV, and Claw thrashed and moaned. Hyssop hated to see Adrien like this, but he was going to make it, he must endure this pain.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Temple….
Marinette felt the piece of clothing slip through her fingers as she froze. Something wasn't right, and her thoughts immediately flew to her partner. Cat stepped over to her, a concerned look on his face. "You okay, Marinette?" "Excuse me," she pushed past him running for the door.
Her heart bumped loudly as she ran through the halls, her breath coming in gasps as she burst into Claw's sickroom. She was about to call out, when Hyssop put a finger to her lips. "I know it doesn't look good, Marinette, but its the only way to leech the poison from his body." Marinette nodded, brushing Claw's bangs aside and giving him a tender kiss, holding his hand.
"Cat Blanc volunteered to accompany to the Supreme's fortress," Marinette explained to Hyssop in a low voice. "I'm leaving in just a few hours." "Its good to have strength in numbers, Marinette, but I think you forgot one tiny detail. Though Cat may look like Claw, his suit is snow white, and the Supreme would snap him instantly. You must fight solo."
Blood and color drained away on Marinette's face. "Do you think I'll be able to defeat him alone?" "Even if your partner woke up right now, he'd be in no shape to fight, and he may not be the same for awhile." "Am I a coward if I say I'm scared?" Marinette whispered. Hyssop gave her a gentle smile. "No, it only makes you braver, being to admit it like your doing. Do it for Claw, and do it for Emile. Free the world from evil, Marinette. Paris is counting on you."
Marinette knew until the Supreme was defeated, she and Claw would always be hiding or on the run, and Paris would live in a constant state of fear. He might have powers beyond her wildest dreams, but Marinette had power on her side too: the power of love.
"Marinette, take this," Marinette looked up as Hyssop slipped the ring of Claw's finger, and handed it to her. A green flash of light filled the room, and she looked over at Adrien. The dark spider lines were prominent, though he slept peacefully. "He'd want you to have it," Hyssop confirmed. Marinette slipped the ring on her finger.
"Its time, love. Collect your things and I'll make you a portal." Marinette nodded, mutely, then crossed the bed, looking down at Adrien, peacefully for now asleep. "Get better while I'm gone. I love you."
She longed to kiss his lips, but drew back. "Take care, Marinette," Hyssop hugged her hard, then Marinette slung her pack over her shoulder. "I'll be back soon." Then, without a backwards glance so she wouldn't cry, she stepped through.
The smell of antiseptic left Marinette's nose, only to be replaced with a foul smelling smell. It was black and oily, and she choked on the smoke. She dug through her pack quickly, wetting a bandanna and tying it over her mouth and nose. There, that was better. Through the smoke in the hazy distance, she could see the silhouette the Supreme's castle looming in the distance.
If she transformed and headed to the rooftops, she would make better time and possibly get above the smoke line.
It was careful going, and soon the trees disappeared, leaving Ladybug to drop into an empty field. She kept her yo-yo close as any enemy could clearly see her and there was no place to hide.
Ladybug grew weary with hunger and fatigued, but pushed herself to find cover before she stopped for the night. Around sunset, she made it to the castle walls, shivering as she watched the crows circling overhead.
A moat ran around the perimeter and Ladybug powered up, slipping into the water, not wanting to make a splash. If she could find a drain or grate, perhaps she could enter the castle undetected. The water was murky and cloudy, and Ladybug strained to see.
The water was cold and an invisible current pulled her along, no matter how much she struggled. Now she knew what it felt like to be trapped in a spider's web, but making very effort to escape. A large shape loomed in front her, and she closed her eyes, waiting to be hurled into the solid object, bracing herself for pain.
But the pain ever came, and Ladybug opened her eyes, being sucked into a small vent, falling into a small puddle. "Ow!" she rubbed her rump. She was no longer in deep water, and she crawled over to a small ledge, finding herself in a small sewer system.
She wandered carefully along the paths, trying to locate a ladder that would lead her up into the castle. At last, she found one, and starting climbing, her fingers growing numb as she gripped the cold steel. It was a long drop if she fell, and even in her suit, now was not the time to have a clumsy moment.
Peeking through a trapdoor, Ladybug looked right and left before darting out, and finding a small nook to hide in.
Just then, she heard footsteps echoing along the chamber floors, she willed her rapid breathing to quiet, less she give herself away.
"Make sure the purple cape is of the softest velvet," she heard the Supreme say. "I want my clothes to be immaculate as soon I'll be attending a funeral for my enemies." Ladybug ground her teeth together, forcing herself to keep calm.
But now wasn't the time to fight, it was time to make a plan. She waited till the footsteps quieted, then scurried into the shadows to wait for nightfall, it was time to regroup and recover.