Ch10
Lila entered her cubicle and sat down with a satisfied expression on her face. Oh Paris you are my oyster. She looked at the various photos and articles she was to put together, the soft hum of the office's air conditioning filling the otherwise quiet room. To anyone else, she appeared to be just another employee diligently working away, but her mind was far from the spreadsheets and documents before her.
Hidden within her palm was a delicate, black butterfly brooch, pulsating with an ominous energy. Time to reign chaos in this city. A smile spread across her face as she put the brooch away. She craved power, chaos, and had been testing the miraculous' power in secret for years learning how to better use and control it.
With a wicked smile curling her lips, her fingers tapped on the keyboard, pulling up a map of the city. She traced her fingers over the screen, marking locations in her mind – schools, businesses, parks, and even her former classmates. Each spot held a piece of her future chaos.
"They'll see that Lila Rossi is not to be underestimated."
A picture of Cat Noir appeared on the screen, no doubt from one of the images her boss used to attack the hero. "You think you can outsmart me?" Lila whispered. "I'll show you what real power looks like kitten."
With a few clicks on the keyboard she got into contact with some of her suppliers and subordinates. Most of them were petty thieves and crooks but some were more serious offenders. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, sending out a chain of messages and manipulating events behind the scenes. They didn't know who she really was and even if they were caught there was nothing that the authorities could use to find her.
Ten years of waiting and planning. Ten years of waiting for the right now. A smile spread across her face. Paris will fall into my hands and when I get both miraculouses no one can stop me.
"No turning back now," she whispered. In secret, she had trained and learned how to use them to their full extent. Now she was ready to strike. Years of planning, training, and gathering resources will soon pay off; once she gets what she wants the world will be hers.
It wasn't easy at first but she was used to living multiple lies. So her dual life continued a delicate balance between orchestrating chaos and maintaining her façade as an innocent girl. As she sat in her office, surrounded by the trappings of a mundane job, she tapped her fingers on her desk, her mind focused on her next move. I don't know what happened to the old Ladybug but Cat Noir will definitely be a pest.
A knock on her door caught her off guard. She turned to face her boss who had a sweaty grin on his face. "Hey how's that paper about the akuma attack coming along?"
"It's going along well," she said. "I've been thinking about ways to boost our newspaper's sales. I believe we could engage our readers more effectively, perhaps by exploring sensational stories."
Thomas Astruc leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Sensational stories, you say? Well, Lila, I'm all ears. But we need to ensure that the stories are captivating enough to warrant the increased effort."
Her lips curled into a sly smile. "Don't worry, Thomas. If the akumas are back, there will be more than enough exciting content to report on. We could lead the charge in covering these supernatural occurrences."
Thomas' eyes lit up at the prospect. "You might be onto something, Lila. A surge in akuma attacks would indeed provide us with dramatic material. I've always aimed to make the Daily Horn the biggest newspaper in Paris, at any cost."
Her smile widened, hiding the darkness within. "I knew you would understand, Thomas. Together, we can achieve greatness."
Luckily her boss was a simple man who only cared about himself and his profits. As their conversation continued, the topic shifted to the city's heroes, or more importantly a certain cat hero. Oh such a useful puppet.
Thomas's expression turned disdainful. "Cat Noir, he's nothing more than a flashy nuisance. An inferior hero in every way. He is nothing but a flunky."
She nodded in agreement, suppressing a chuckle. "You're absolutely right, Thomas. He's just a sidekick, unable to accomplish anything on his own." She said those words with enough honey in them, though it didn't take a lot of effort after all her boss hated Cat Noir for reasons she didn't fully understand.
Thomas laughed. "Maybe these akuma attacks can show the city who he really is." His expression hardened. "A filthy cat not worthy of the powers he wields or being a partner of the greatest hero in Paris."
"Of course." She leaned in closer, her tone conspiratorial. "Thomas, rest assured, nothing will get in the way of our newspaper's success. If anything threatens our interests, I'll make sure to handle it personally."
Thomas grinned, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I like your determination, Lila. With your help, the Daily Horn will become a force to be reckoned with."
"I'll do my best to make your dream come true," she said.
"Good! We'll be number one for sure!" Thomas said before leaving her office to prepare for his next show.
Her heart was pounding with excitement and anticipation. Her web of chaos was weaving itself intricately, connecting all the pieces of her plan. Paris was on the brink of a cataclysm, and she was its dark conductor.
She chuckled to herself as she rested in her chair. Oh Paris you'll fall into my hands one way or another.
Marinette's room was cloaked in an oppressive silence, mirroring the weight in her heart. Crippling depression had woven its suffocating tendrils around her, leaving her feeling like a mere shadow of the girl she used to be. The room, once vibrant with her creativity, now felt like a prison, trapping her in a cycle of despair.
Years had passed since the last akuma sighting, but now, as the city's skies darkened with turmoil, her fears resurfaced. The memories of battles fought and victories won were overshadowed by a haunting truth; a truth that gnawed at her soul and gnashed her confidence to pieces. She was doing her best to overcome it but it wasn't easy, each day was a struggle but she fought mentally to move forward.
Gabriel Agreste was no more, and the responsibility for that tragic end weighed heavily on Marinette's shoulders. Adrien, the love of her life, the one who once held her heart, had turned his back on her. The fire of his love extinguished, replaced with icy resentment that chilled her to her core. Finally there was Cat Noir, her once trusted partner, looked at her with eyes that held a mixture of accusation and disdain. The harmony they once shared shattered, replaced by the dissonance of hatred.
She sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and self-loathing. Could I ever pick up the mantle of Ladybug again? Could she, in her fragile state, bear the weight of her mistakes and the world's expectations? The city needed a hero, but Marinette felt like nothing more than a broken vessel. I killed the family of the one I loved the most, how could I dare face him?
In the midst of her internal turmoil, a soft knock on the door brought her back to reality. Alya's voice, warm and reassuring, cut through the silence, "Marinette, can I come in?"
She hesitated for a moment but took a deep breath and called out to her friend. "Sure."
Alya entered, her eyes reflecting concern. "Marinette, I know you're hurting. But you're stronger than you think. You're not defined by your mistakes. You've saved this city countless times, and you've inspired all of us." Alya took a deep breath. "You need to make the decision now."
Her gaze remained fixed on the floor, tears forming in her eyes as the memories of her past filled her mind. "But I failed."
Alya took a step closer and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I have something for you." She held out a small, ornate box with the Ladybug emblem etched onto its surface.
Her heart clenched as she stared at the box. Fear and anxiety swirled within her, a storm threatening to drown her. The box contained the Ladybug Miraculous, a symbol of her duty, her destiny. A duty she had once embraced with all her heart, and a destiny that now seemed like a burden too heavy to bear.
"Marinette, you are worthy of being a hero," Alya said firmly. "The city needs Ladybug; the real one. Paris needs you now more than ever. We all make mistakes but right now with akumas the city needs you, not me."
Her breath was caught in her throat as she looked at the box. She turned her gaze to Alya, searching her friend's eyes for a glimmer of hope. The tears finally spilled over, but they were no longer tears of despair. They were tears of release, of the possibility of redemption.
"Do you love the city enough to put your old feelings for Adrien aside?" Alya asked. "The akumas are back and the city needs its true hero again."
"I loved him so much," she sobbed as the image of Adrien passed through her head. "In the end I took it all from him."
Alya placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Are you going to let the city burn for a person you hardly knew? Marinette a new Hawkmoth is here and we need to take him down." Her friend met her gaze. "You said you wanted to get better, make the first step here and now."
A fiery resolve built up inside of her as Alya's words hit something deep inside. She was done moping around in sorrow and feeling sorry for herself. Yes she did face some traumatic experiences but right now people needed her help. "I lost a lot but I love this city and can't let this new Hawkmoth trample over it." The fire inside of her grew, yeah she still had anxiety and a bit of depression but she couldn't be sad forever. I'll do better for myself and the city.
Her friend took out a small box. "Take it and be the hero you are."
With trembling hands, she reached out and took the box. As she opened it, a surge of emotions rushed through her. Fear and anxiety still lingered, but they were now accompanied by a spark of determination. For the sake of Paris, for the sake of the people she loved, she would face her fears. She would embrace the role she was born to fulfill.
With a resolute smile, she closed the box, her heart lighter than it had been in ages. "Thank you, Alya."
Alya smiled back, her support unwavering. "Remember, Marinette, you are Ladybug. And no matter the darkness that tries to consume you, your light will always shine through."
Upon opening the box Tikki flew out her eyes wide. "Marinette I'm always here for you, but right now the city and countless others need you more. Please for them can you do it?"
Tears poured down her face. Her heart and mind were in conflict as much as she wanted to take up the mantle again she didn't want to face what had happened in the past. "I know. I'm sorry for being such a failure."
"You're not a failure!" Tikki said calmly. "You are a great ladybug and the defender of this city and right now the city needs you more than ever. The past is the past, right now people will get hurt if we don't act."
She nodded, her resolve solidifying. She was ready to fight her fears, to defend the city, and to prove to herself that she was still worthy of being a hero. Even if Cat Noir no longer liked her, even if Adrien's love was lost, she would stand strong as a defender of Paris.
With newfound determination, she took a deep breath and whispered, "For Paris."
Adrien paced his office looking at the video of the akuma attack. "After all this time he's back." In his heart he didn't want to admit it but he knew that whatever Hawkmoth was planning he couldn't face alone even with government backing.
Plagg flew out of his ring. "Adrien-"
He cut the kwami off. "I know what you're going to say." Clenching his fist he looked at the image of Ladybug on the screen, just looking at her made all sorts of negative memories come back. "I'll fight the akumas for the city."
"W-With Ladybug?" Plagg asked half optimistically.
His gaze turned to the photo of his father on the desk, and a sinking feeling spread throughout his body. Closing his eyes he could still see his father dying in his arms, his blood coating the floor. "Just for the city," he said his body shaking.
Plagg looked down. "You've helped a lot of people but right the heroes of Paris cannot be in disharmony."
He clenched his fists and took a deep breath in an effort to push the anger and resentment out of him. "If we do cooperate it'll just be as coworkers, and I use that term loosely." Frankly if she wants me as a teammate she better treat me as one instead of a sidekick.
Sitting down in his chair he placed his head in his hands, he winced as that evening replayed in his head. His father's bloodied body as the life left his eyes.. "We can never be the same again." He swallowed the lump in his throat. I'm no longer a foolish child, I won't let anyone take advantage of me or give my feelings out freely.
"Paris just needs its heroes to defend it," Plagg said softly.
Taking a deep breath he looked at the ring on his finger. "We'll take him down."
AN: I had a friend help me write this since I was feeling under the weather. Anyway I decided I'll take a little break from this story and come back to it at a later time.