Ch24
Well it was a matter of time before some fed up tourist got akumatized. Cat Noir dodged Prettyinpink's attacks. She wore some sort of Greek style armor but was colored from head to toe in pink. She wielded a spear in her arm from which blasted pink beams of energy from.
In addition various members of the Butterfly Legion were firing at him with guns. He dodged a beam of pink of energy, the blast destroyed a car and turned the rubble pink. "You both can't keep running forever!" Prettyinpink yelled as she charged at them with her spear in hand.
Twirling his baton he blocked the attack and tried to land a hit when Ladgybug swooped in and kicked her back. "Glad you made it," he said politely.
Ladybug nodded and twirled her yoyo. "Better late than never."
"I'll take care of the goons quickly," he said as he twirled his baton in his hand.
"I'll distract her," Ladybug said as she twirled her baton and flew at Prettyinpink.
He quickly vaulted himself over to the goons and landed amidst their ranks. "Play time is over," he said as he quickly punched one in the face.
The goons tried to shoot and stab him but he quickly blocked their attacks and knocked each and every one of them to the ground as the bullets were knocked off him. Using his baton he knocked them all to the ground before lunging at one of the gunman and kicking him so hard he flew against the wall.
"Alright that just leaves whiny pink," he said as he turned to see Ladybug knock Prettyinpink down on the ground.
"You people are so ridiculous!" Prettyinpink yelled as she fired a beam at them.
He quickly dodged the attack and charged at her dodging various pink beams before punching her in the gut and sending her flying a few feet. "You are a sad little troll."
Prettyinpink got up and blasted beams of energy their way. They both leaped out of the way of her attacks. Alright where would your akuma be.
He noticed the necklace on her neck and a get feeling came over him. Lets see how tough are. Leaping from the building he kicked her back and knocked the spear out of her hand with his baton. "Cataclysm!"
His attack hit the necklace and a wave of energy flew throughout the area as the akuma flew out. "Ladybug its all yours!"
Ladybug nodded and swung her yoyo capturing it. "Miraculous Ladybug!"
In a flash the city was repaired and in the place of Prettyinpink was what looked like an American tourist in a denim jacket. He watched as the butterfly flew off into the wind as the girl got up. "Ugh this place is the worst," The girl said as she rubbed her head. "I'm going to home." With that she ran off into the streets and disappeared into the crowds.
"Ladybug how are you feeling?" He asked, his heart racing in his chest as he peered off into the distance.
"I think I might have to recharge," Ladybug said. "What are you going to do?"
He calmly met her gaze. "Meet me in about an hour ready to fight. My cousin and benefactor will be there, we'll end this now before it gets out of hand."
Ladybug's eyes widened. "You mean battle Hawkmoth?"
He nodded. "We'll defeat this sly fox once and for all. Will you help?"
Ladybug's gaze drifted to the ground before looking back up at him. "I'll be there."
"Be ready," he said as he twirled his baton and leaped into the sky.
As he approached the park he noticed a few police officers guarding the area as Mr. Dubois sat on the park bench. He landed in front of the officer. "Any news on Lila Rossi?"
"She has a string of coincidences around her that might not hold up to legal scrutiny," Mr. Dubois said. "Furthermore, we've been watching the Daily Horn's headquarters and recorded this."
Mr. Dubois showed him the laptop and in it he could make out a black akuma flying in the sky. "So our hunch was correct," he muttered as a burning fire formed in his stomach.
"Most of our released butterflies have been congregating around that area," Mr. Dubois said. "Will you take action now?"
He nodded. "We will. Ladybug and an acquaintance of mine will help. Can you seal the area off?"
"We will," Mr. Dubois said firmly. "Be safe Cat Noir."
A smile spread across his face. "I always am."
Ladybug could see the Daily Horn's building in the distance. Calm down it will be alright. Yet despite the reassurance her stomach turned as she looked at the building her stomach turned and a shiver went down her spine.
"Ladybug."
She nearly jumped as she saw Cat Noir land not far from along with a young man in blue wielding a peacock fan.
"Hey Cat Noir, is that your… friend?" She imagined it was Felix as she felt the young man's gaze look over her with a calculating gaze.
Cat Noir nodded. "This is Argos. He'll be assisting us along with local police units."
Out of the corner of her eyes she could see a few cop cars placed around the area. "Will they be fighting with us?"
"No." Cat Noir turned to the building. "It'll just be us three. Argos here will support us, are you ready?"
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Lets finish this."
We'll finally put an end to Hawkmoth. Her legs trembled as she looked at the building, for a moment she was a little girl again charging into the Agreste mansion… No! I won't let the past hold me back anymore. She would make her stand here, she couldn't change her past but would forward and carve out her own life.
"Argos support us from back and make sure she doesn't escape," Cat Noir said as he grabbed his baton. Her partner's gaze was as hard as ice as he looked at the building.
Argos fanned himself. "Got it."
She took out her yoyo and twirled it. "Lets finish this."
I can do this. Leaping off the building she broke through one of the windows of the Daily Horn and landed on the ground.
"Ladybug!" Looking up she saw Thomas Astruc his face a mixture of shock and confusion. "What are you doing here? Oh wait you're here for an interview am I right?" The man laughed. "I knew you'd come eventually."
Then Cat Noir landed next to her and Thomas Astruc's face turned into a sneer. "You aren't welcome here you tom cat."
Cat Noir went up to Thomas Astruc and kicked him to the ground. "Where is Lila I won't repeat myself."
Thomas Astruc glared at him and spat blood onto Cat Noir's feet. "Go screw yourself!"
Cat Noir picked him up and threw him against the wall. "Where the hell is she?" He held out his claws and placed them on Thomas' cheek. "Or else I'll start slicing."
A shiver went down her spine when she noticed the back butterfly. "Cat Noir look out!"
In an instant Cat Noir threw Astruc to the ground. "Cataclysm!"
The butterfly crumbled under Cat Noir's fist. "Still denying it?"
Thomas Astruc stared at them in shock. "Wh-What's going on. This must be a-"
The sound of clapping made her tense up. "Bravo. Bravo."
Her eyes widened as she saw a figure walked down the hall and enter the studio. A woman in a black butterfly outfit and a cane in her hand with a crocodile smile on her face walked down the corridor.
"Lila," she growled.
"It's Hawkmoth now." Lila twirled the baton in her hands.
Cat Noir stepped forward. "It's over Lila!"
Hawkmoth laughed. "It never is." She raised her staff. "Animaestro come to my aid!"
She turned around and saw a black butterfly hit Thomas Astruc. The man screamed as he was turned into Animaestro.
"Now I believe I've had enough of this small newsstand." Hawkmoth then quicky ran towards the window.
Animaestro blocked their path. "Foolish Cat Noir! You and Ladybug shall perish and your miraculouses will be mine! I will be the greatest creator in the world!"
"Oh get over yourself!" Cat Noir yelled just as the wall to the building broke down.
Hawkmoth swore as she was pushed back by a large insect and a copy of herself and Cat Noir. Felix or Argos jumped in front of Animaestro. "I'll deal with this clown you two take care of the real target."
She looked at him and nodded. "Thanks." Turning to Hawkmoth she swore she saw irritation in her eyes, for once Lila Rossi was cornered.
Now's our chance. She charged at Hawkmoth who blocked her kick with her staff. We can't lose our momentum.
Cat Noir came to assist her and kicked Hawkmoth through the wall and into another room. "It's over Lila," Cat Noir spat on the ground his gaze hardening. "We won't let you continue this."
Hawkmoth smirked at them. "We'll just see about that." Holding her staff she clicked a button and the ground shook beneath them.
Cat noir swore as the building shook. "Don't let her get away."
Rubble fell from the roof as Hawkmoth ran down the corridor. Oh no you don't. She ran through the shaking building dodging rubble as she saw Hawkmoth run. You've destroyed too many lives Lila. She swung her yoyo at Hawkmoth just as Cat Noir lunged at her.
Her yoyo wrapped around Hawkmoth's leg tripping her. Lila let out a scream as Cat Noir pounced on her and broke her staff with one solid and grabbed the butterfly miraculous on her chest.
"NOO!" Lila screamed just as the walls on them began to crumble down.
"It's over Lila," Cat Noir said as he knocked her out with a strike to the neck.
It's over. She wanted to cry but the building started collapsing.
Argos appeared down the hall with Thomas Astruc in his arms. "Hey guys we need to leave now!"
"Lets go!" Cat Noir said as he picked up Lila's body.
They ran through the crumbling all and met up with Argos as the building began to collapse on itself. Her heart raced in her chest as she jumped out of the window. The Daily Horn's building collapsed behind them as they fell to the ground.
"We did," she said her heart racing in her chest. The sounds of police cars filled the area as various officers came out with their weapons drawn.
Cat Noir handed Lila to a police officer before turning to her, for once in a long time she saw light in his eyes. "We did."
She held her fist and he bumped it.
"Pound it!"
"Wait you got the wrong guy I'm telling you!" Thomas Astruc yelled from his cell. "Believe me I'm the best animator there is I wouldn't commit terrorism!"
Yet his voice echoed throughout his cell and no one cared enough to hear. It's alright people get akumatized all the time I'll be out of here in no time. He laughed to himself as he rested in his cell. Where's Lila? She would be able to help me. A smile spread across his face, she needed him. He could take her places in the world of entertainment.
Suddenly the lights dimmed and flickered before going out. "Hey what's the big idea!" He stood up and the lights turned on and to his surprise someone was in front of him. "A-Adrien!"
Adrien Agreste looked at him calmly. "Hello Mr. Astruc."
He went up to the bars. "Please you got to help me! I'm innocent I tell you!"
Adrien's gaze was unreadable. "Tell me Mr. Astruc why do you like me so much yet hate Cat Noir?"
He stared at the boy in confusion. "Wh-What do you mean? Adrien you are the perfect angel and Cat Noir, he's lucky Ladybug is around to bail him out. That goo for nothing tomcat has nothing going for him!"
To his surprise Adrien only smiled. "Really?"
Adrien looked at him with a cruel smile. "Plagg claws out!"
His eyes widened as he saw Adrien transform. "No! No! No!" He fell to his knees as Cat Noir stood in front of him on the other side of the cell. "This must be a lie."
Cat Noir knelt down and smiled coldly. "I am Cat Noir you dumbass."
He pulled at his hair and let out a scream as he tried to reconcile the image of Cat Noir and Adrien, his perfect Adrien.
"This must be a lie!" He shook his head as he fell to the ground."
"By the way Lila Rossi left some incriminating things about you. They will also be a part of your case against you."
He let out a scream as he tried to cope with all the stress.
"I'd keep your opinions to yourself Mr. Astruc. We wouldn't want any accidents to happen now would we?" Cat Noir's eyes turned dangerous as they went a shiver down his spine.
"No this can't be," he muttered as the sanity slowly left him. Cat Noir only laughed as he walked down the hall twirling his baton
That was fun. Cat Noir smiled to himself as he walked down the hallway towards Lila's cell. Per communication with Mr. Dubois the surety cameras were having maintenance issues and had to stop filming for the next hour and the guards were all on lunch break.
Was it legal? Probably not. But a lot of people in the government didn't want a repeat of Hawkmoth and Lila was seen as a dangerous liability if she were to face a court with that silver tongue of hers.
That's where I come in. He found Lila resting in her cell, her limbs bound together. "Hello Lila."
Lila looked at him and smirked. "Don't think this is over. Sooner or later I'll be out of here and I'll come at you all again."
"That wouldn't surprise me or anyone else," he said as he unlocked her cell and walked in. "Too bad for you I'm here?"
Lila looked at him cautiously, she couldn't move and for once her gaze betrayed unease even a bit of fear as he approached her and lifted up her chin. "What are you going to-"
He cut her off by shoving his fist into her mouth and grabbing her tongue before she could react. "Cataclysm!"
He focused the attack on her tongue and felt it disintegrate in his hand. Gross. Lila let out a shriek as he pulled his hand out of her mouth. She spat and tried to form words but only gibberish came out.
"There goes your silver tongue." He cleaned his hand on the bedding. "Don't worry that was disgusting for me too." He then took a small vial that he had been carrying. "Consider this a gift from the people of France."
For once Lila's gaze was filled with fear. She tried to scream and move away as he grabbed her face and forced the liquid down her throat. "There goes your lies," he said as Lila began to cough.
A smile spread across his face as he looked at Lila sobbing as she tried to form words. "You will no longer be able to trick people anymore. Goodbye Lila."
With that he left Lila who made a sound that sounded like a half sob before passing out.