Ch8

(ten years ago)

The next few days he thought of the offer. Every day the company was losing profits and board members were getting more and more anxious. Bills had to be paid and taxes collected all while the numbness inside of him grew. He wanted to scream at the world at how unfair it was that he lost his family and now he was going to lose everything they built.

"Plagg I can't do this anymore," he said resting his head in his hands at the latest bill. The numbness was spreading as he looked down at the costs. "I can't lose everything Plagg."

His kwami looked down. "Yikes this a big one."

Rubbing his head he winced. "I can't do this forever." Looking up at the window he saw a figure jump around the rooftop across the mansion. His blood boiled as he leaped out of his seat. "She's here!"

His gaze narrowed on Ladybug. "Wait maybe she just wants to talk?" Plagg said softly.

"We have nothing to talk about," he said clenching his fist. All the anger and bitterness boiled up inside of him. "Plagg claws out!"

He ignored his kwami's protests. As soon as he transformed into Cat Noir he leaped threw the side window and out towards where he saw Ladybug. Gripping his baton he saw Ladybug waiting for him her arms folded. Yet something was off, her figure was a little wider, her complexion darker, and her hair shorter. "What do you want?" He asked coldly.

It's not her its Rena Rouge. That made him angrier. He never liked her in the first place and the fact that Ladybug held her in such high regard and confided in her made his blood boil.

"Look I just want to talk," Ladybug said holding up her arms.

"We have nothing to talk about leave now," he growled. His blood just looking at her, this wasn't Ladybug this was Rena Rouge. Do they think I'm that stupid?

Ladybug rolled her eyes. "Listen you have to trust us-"

He extended his baton and slammed it on the ground. Ladybug leaped to avoid it but he charged after her.

Rena Rouge was a decent fighter but it was obvious that she wasn't used to using the ladybug miraculous. He wasn't playing either, in a few strikes he knocked her off balance and kicked her to the side.

"Stay the hell away from the Agreste mansion and me," he spat. "I want nothing to do with either of you."

Ladybug coughed as she caught her breath. "Come on you two were partners-"

He laughed. "Partners? Like how she kept all those secrets from me? Treated me like a sidekick?" His boiled at how Ladybug treated him, in the past he looked it over but now that was different. She killed his father and he wanted nothing to do with her. "Whatever was between us is nothing more," he said coldly as he looked at her. "I want nothing to do with her and nothing to do with you. Unlike her I never liked you anyways."

Ladybug looked at him her brow furrowed. "Why are you so stubborn? Can't you just listen?"

"We have nothing to talk about," he said assuming another fighting stance. "We are enemies, stay away from me."

She opened her mouth but he didn't give her a chance to speak. Lunging at her he struck her in the gut. As Ladybug fell to the ground he gripped her throat with one hand as he fell on top of her and began to punch her.

It was then his pent-up anger and frustration blew up inside of him. The anger at his situation along with his past treatment by Ladybug boiled over as he began to punch Ladybug. His fist met her face as he held her down. He repeatedly hit her in the face while pinning her down.

Ladybug let out a scream, he didn't know Rena Rouge well but he knew her fighting style and he had her pinned down. He then struck her with all his might and again. Rena Rouge screamed but he wasn't in the mood to hear what she had to say.

Her tears and blood fell onto the concrete as he continued to hit her unleashing all of his anger and pent-up rage. I gave her everything and look what she did.

He knew that the miraculous gave its wearer increased durability but against another miraculous one could still feel the pain and right now Ladybug was balling struggling to no avail as he beat the day lights out of her.

"Tell me Rena Rouge why does she trust you so much?" He snarled as he struck her so hard against her nose it broke. "Why did never so much as trust and treat me like a crappy sidekick?"

She screamed in pain. He was so busy beating her that he barely noticed that there were helicopters in the sky watching him.

"No!" Screamed a voice that made his heart stop.

He turned around and saw a person wielding the horse miraculous. "Cat Noir please stop." Her outfit was brown and black and her eyes were pained. "Please lets just talk."

Gripping the fake Ladybug's throat tightly pressing down with all of his might. "So you trust Rena Rouge here so much with your miraculous?" He laughed coldly. "Good to know."

The real Ladybug tried to move forward but he raised his hand in the air. "Cataclysm!" The power of destruction filled his hand as he held it to the fake Ladybug's face he could see the fear in her swollen eyes as tears and blood fell down her cheek. "One wrong step and I'll finish her. Don't test me," he growled.

The eyes that he once admired began to tear up. "Please you aren't mad at her you are mad at me," the real Ladybug begs. "Please just let it go and we can talk."

Fake Ladybug began to choke underneath his grip and weight. "You took so much for me. Why should I trust you!" He glared at her. "I gave you everything and all you did was take."

The real Ladybug looked at him with a pitiful gaze that made his blood boil. "We are partners," she said softly.

He laughed while maintaining his grip on Rena Rouge's throat. "We aren't anymore."

"Please she is my friend," The real Ladybug said. "Rena Rouge is very close to me."

"So was I," he said coldly. I saw you as more than a partner. Tears fell down his face as he looked at her, things would probably never be the same again.

"I'm sorry for this," the real Ladybug said. In a flash she charged at him.

He barely had time to react but managed to dodge the kick as the real Ladybug grabbed her sidekick. "Oh no you don't!" He barely grabbed the fake Ladybug by the arm.

The problem was it was with his cataclysm. Rena Rouge let out a blood curdling scream as she collapsed to the ground her suit breaking around her arm. His posture was rigid as he watched them help each other up. The real Ladybug looked at him tears falling down her eyes.

The real Ladybug helped her friend up but their eyes met he could see a mixture of fear and anger in her eyes. "We aren't friends or partners anymore," he said coldly. "Come near me or Adrien Agreste or his mansion and you will regret it dearly."

Tears fell down his face, out of the corner of his eyes he could see Ladybug was also crying. Goodbye Ladybug.

With that he leaped off into the night tears falling down his face. She trusted Rena Rouge so much to let her borrow the ladybug miraculous. She never trusted me to begin with. I was just a person she used.

It took him a while to realize that the helicopters were still following him, he eventually decided to end his transformation in a quiet area before sneaking back to his mansion by that time he was soaking wet.

"Are you ok?" Plagg asked as he fell onto his bed.

"I'm done with her," he growled. Slamming his fist into his bed his blood boiled just thinking of Rena Rouge and Ladybug. "I meant nothing to her and she only took from me." Swallowing the lump in his throat he looked up at his kwami. "She took my family from me."

By the next day everyone knew of his fight with Ladybug. The city was divided with many wondering what caused it, some people supported him while other supported Ladybug.

His eyes went to the business card. "I can't keep this company up alone."

"Adrien, are you seriously thinking about working as a mercenary?" Plagg asked.

He looked at the mounting paperwork. "I don't have much left Plagg," he sighed. "I need allies in this world. I don't care about much but I won't let all my father built be destroyed."

"Just be careful," Plagg said softly. "You have no idea the can of worms that can be opened."

"I will," he said. After going to buy a burner phone he quickly dialed the number.

"Hello?" The familiar voice of Mr. Dubois said.

"It's Cat Noir," he said firmly. "If you are still willing I'acll cept your offer. That is if you are willing to work with me."

"We will gladly work with you Cat Noir," The man said on the other side. "Trust me we can make any bad publicity go away."

"Good. But I'll set my conditions," he said firmly.

"Anything," The man said the eagerness was evident in his voice.

He took a deep breath. "I am watching over Adrien Agreste since his father was murdered. Pull whatever strings you can to help him and his company. Also stop the press calling his father a criminal and after tonight get them off of my back too."

"Done," the man said over the phone. "Whatever you ask we'll give it you."

He took the card and looked it over. "We'll be in touch."

The man cleared his throat on the other side "I look forward to cooperating with you Cat Noir."

"We'll use burner phones and codes. Under no circumstance are you to even try to figure out my civilian identity," he said firmly.

"I understand your concerns. We will make the appropriate precautions," the man said. "Thank you for helping Paris."

He nodded. "No problem." I'll show everyone what Cat Noir is capable of. His gaze drifted to the picture of his father and Nathalie on his desk. I'll make you proud, this company will not fail.

(Present Day)

The morning rush was a usual routine for Marinette. "Thank you come again," she said with a fake smile on her face.

"Hey Marinette."

She froze as she saw Nathaniel approach the register. It was strange seeing him in person after so long. He had gotten taller and grew his hair out but sitll had a youthful look to him. "Hey Nathaniel the usual?"

"Just a coffee today. I have an important interview," Nathaniel said.

"Oh cool. Where is it at?" She asked as she quickly rang up Nathaniel's order.

"I got a referral for Adrien's company," Nathaniel said as he paid for his coffee. "I'm applying for a position in his advertisement division."

Her body froze. "O-Oh. Good luck." It took all her willpower show any emotion as she handed him his coffee.

Nathaniel smiled at her. "Thanks Marinette!"

As soon as he left she grabbed a tissue and cleaned her eyes. Good luck. I always wished I could work with Adrien. Sadly that was just a childhood dream of hers that was long gone.

"Marinette sweetie are you ok?" Her mom asked.

"Yeah I'm fine," she said as she discreetly threw the tissue away.

Shaking her head she forced herself to continue with her shift. When it was time for it all to be done she returned to her room and closed door. She sighed as she flopped on her bed her body sore from working all day at the bakery. How much longer can I do this for? Her stomach turned as she looked at the date on her phone, the anniversary of Gabriel's death was approaching.

She closed her eyes and the familiar images played out in her head. The images of Gabriel Agreste and Nathalie lying in a puddle of their own blood, Adrien's sorrowful gaze turning hard, followed by his accusation.

You murderer.

She winced as his words echoed throughout her head her heart contorting in sorrow. I'm sorry Adrien. Swallowing her sorrow her body went rigid as she thought of Cat Noir, his cold gaze peering at her.

Stay the hell away from me you murderer.

She sat up and covered her mouth as nausea hit her. I can't keep thinking like this. She wanted to move on, she really did. But how could she move on from the people whom she loved dearly? Her body shook as she got up and went to her computer. Turning it on she went to the Daily Horn's website.

As usual she saw Thomas Astruc's articles flaming Cat Noir while praising Adrien. "Ruthless Vigilante Cat Noir harasses neighborhood. When will the true hero of Paris put him in his place," She shook her head as she read the title over and over again.

She didn't have a problem with Cat Noir helping fight crime though occasionally she was worried at how hard he injured some people.

Kitty I hope you are safe.

The Daily Horn was a weird news outlet. On one hand the main writer Thomas Astruc hated Cat Noir but had this weird obsession following Adrien which was one of the main ways she learned about the Agreste brand. There was also the bit where he slandered Chloe but as much as she found it entertaining the depth of his hatred she found disturbing and Mr. Astruc stopped after a cease and desist letter.

Still the headlines about Ladybug made her feel something. A fluttering sensation passed through her heart as she remembered the good times she had helping Paris and saving people from Hawkmoth.

Could I do it? She winced, the memory of Adrien holding his father's body passed through her head. I'm sorry. Closing her eyes Cat Noir appeared in her mind his gaze full of contempt. A shiver went down her spine as tears fell down her face.

"Spots on," She muttered. A shiver went down her spine, she didn't have her miraculous on but the tears still welled up as the anxiety swelled inside of her. I don't know if I can ever do it again. She fell to her knees and let the tears fall. I'm sorry.

I can't keep doing this. Grabbing her phone she quickly asked Alya to come, her friend was always there for her and right now she needed to talk. It didn't long for Alya to come knocking at her door. "Marinette what is it?" Alya asked.

"I just needed someone to talk to," she said as they sat in her room.

Alya nodded. "Are you having the flashbacks again?"

She slowly nodded as her stomach turned. "It's almost the anniversary of his death." Taking a deep breath a shiver went down her spine. "Alya I don't want to live like this anymore."

"I know you can do it," Alya said firmly.

Grabbing a tissue she cleaned the tears that fell from her eyes. "I hurt Adrien and Cat Noir hurt you. It was all my fault."

Alya sighed. "Marinette I chose to visit Cat Noir that day. As for Adrien," Her friend paused and looked her in the eyes. "I think you should realize that you were not that close with him and frankly the way you viewed him wasn't healthy."

She flinched. "I loved him." Alya's words were something she didn't want to admit, something she always wished she could keep hidden deep down.

"Yet you never got to know him for whoever he was," Alya said softly. "You knew Adrien the model not Adrien the person. What you knew came from magazines and his model persona."

Her heart sank as Alya's words slowly hit her. "Was it that bad?" she muttered

"Well if he found his family would probably have put a restraining order on you," Alya said frankly.

Her heart sank. "I just loved him so much." She didn't see her interactions as that bad, she just wanted to get close to him and protect him from those who would harm him.

"Well you can't change the past," Alya said. Her friend folded her arms and met her gaze. "But you can choose to work on the present."

Taking a deep breath she winced as memories of her past filled her mind. "I want to move on," she said softly.

Alya smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I will be right by your side to help you."

She cleaned her face. "It won't be easy but I don't want to keep living like this."

"Don't worry you aren't alone," Alya said.

She smiled at her friend, she was glad to have someone to talk to through all of this. "That day when you tried to talk to Cat Noir." She paused as a shiver went down her spine. "I feared he was really going to kill you."

That night was one of the worst in her life. She cried herself to sleep as Alya recovered in the hospital, Cat Noir's cataclysm destroyed half the bones in her arm and left her bruised up.

"Me too," Alya sighed. "But it was my fault, I figured he would at least listen to me." She shook her head. "Looking back on it I should've known better. I think he tolerated me as Rena Rouge more and more."

"I know." Resting in her chair she looked over at where she hid the miraculous box. "I should've been more open with him, my biggest mistake was taking him for granted; even if I didn't mean to."

"Well it's obvious that he feels that you did," Alya said. "Even if you didn't intend to."

A pang hit her heart just thinking of her past with Cat Noir. She didn't mean to push him away but she was the leader and had to sometimes make choices that were for the good of all involved. "I know," She said softly.

"If you wish to work on it I'm sure you can rebuild a relationship with him. If you want to of course," Alya said.

She clenched her fist and took a deep breath as a burning fire lit inside of her pushing her depressive thoughts away. "I'll do my best."

Alya smiled. "I know you can do it."

Her eyes began to water as her heart raced in her chest. It won't be easy but I can't keep staying like this. Grabbing a tissue she cleaned her eyes as a burning determination alit inside of her.

AN: As for Mr. Dubois, he isn't based on a dreamworks character, I just chose a random French last name.

As for the romance, I honestly don't feel like writing a romance arc but won't put it out of the question.