Chapter 14: Animan
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry this one took awhile since the original episode had Nino getting together with Alya in this I had to make some personal changes to get it to work for my story. I hope you like it. Please Review and Enjoy.
It was a normal day at school and Sam and Alya were giving Marinette a pep talk.
"Alright girl you got this, he's right there." Alya said pointing to Adrien across the hall.
"You remember what you're going to say?" Sam asks.
"I'm gonna try to ask Adrien out." Marinette said.
"Alright girl go for it." Alya said pushing Marinette towards him.
"Whoooaa oh hey Adrien." Marinette said trying to act casusal.
"Hey Marinette, what's up?" Adrien asks.
"Uh well I was I mean if you wanted we could." Marinette tries to say but ends up stuttering.
"And there she goes again." Sam sighs.
"At least she's getting better at talking to him." Alya said as Marinette walks back in defeat.
"I blew it." Marinette sighs.
"Marinette if you ever want to ask Adrien out you have to at least be able to ask him." Sam said.
"I'm sorry it's just so hard." Marinette sighs. "Sam when you wanted to ask Alya out how you do it?"
"Well after I got Alya out from suspension asking her out was pretty easy." Sam shrugs.
"And I don't think anything like that can happen to Adrien." Alya said.
"Guess it's back to square one." Marinette sighs.
Alya looks to Sam. "Is there anything else we can do to help?"
"The only way Marinette could get a date is if we did all the talking to get Adrien to say yes." Sam said when Alya smiles.
"Sam that's it." Alya smiles kissing him on the lips.
"Not that I'm not enjoying this, but what did I say?" Sam asks.
"Go talk to Adrien and meet us at the front of the school. We're going on a Double Date." Alya smiles.
"I love the way you think." Sam smiles before walking over to Adrien. "Hey Adrien, are you free this afternoon?"
"Uh yeah why?" Adrien asks.
"I kinda need you to be my wingman on a date I'm going on with Alya. We want to go to Zoo together, but Marinette wants to come along with us. She's Alya's best friend, would you mind keeping her company?" Sam asks.
"Sure Sam sounds like fun." Adrien smiles.
"Thanks buddy." Sam said walking away and taking out his phone. "He said yes Alya, we'll meet you and Marinette at the zoo for our date."
"I love you so much right now." Alya said.
"Love you too Alya." Sam smiles when he realizes something. "Wait a minute how are we gonna get Marinette to even say a complete sentence around Adrien?"
"Don't worry Sam I got this." Alya said hanging up.
At the zoo Marinette was sitting on a bench with a Bluetooth microphone in her ear.
"Hello, one two three testing. Do you read me?" Alya said on the other side of the microphone.
"I hear you, but I don't think I can do this." Marinette said.
"You got this Marinette just remember be yourself." Sam said.
"Don't you remember what happened the last time I was myself?" Marinette said making them remember when they both told Marinette that advice and ended up walking into the boy's restroom.
"Fine be yourself and look where you're going." Alya said.
"You know Alya even if this double date thing was a lie I wouldn't going on a regular date with you." Sam said.
"I would love to." Alya kisses Sam on the lips which he gladly returns.
Back with Marinette she was sitting down patiently.
"Oh, where are you love of my life?" Marinette asks when Tikki pops her head out of her purse.
"How can he be the love of your life if you can't even talk to him?" Tikki said.
"Tikki, stay hidden. I'm gonna talk to him. You'll see, I will talk to him." Marinette said.
"That's it girl, way to be motivated." Alya said.
"Uh yeah." Marinette when she heard footsteps. "Oh there he is." But when she looks over she sees Max and Kim.
"Hi, Marinette." Kim said as she sighs in relief.
"False alarm. Hi, Max, Kim what are you doing here?" She asks.
"We heard there's a new panther here. I wanna see who's the strongest." Kim said.
"Do you want to come with us?" Max asks.
Right before she was about to answer Alya spoke into the microphone.
"Marinette target at 10 o'clock." Alya said.
"No!" Marinette jumps surprising them. "Uh I mean, no thanks I'm meeting someone."
"Well see you later." Max said as they walked away.
"Marinette here he comes." Sam said as Marinette looks to see Adrien walking over.
"Hey Marinette." Adrien waves.
"Oh, uh hi Adrien." Marinette said nervously.
"So, where's Sam and Alya?" Adrien asks.
"Tell him you don't need us." Alya said.
"You don't need me uh I mean them." Marinette said.
"Tell him you want to hang out just the two of you." Alya said.
"Not yet." Marinette whispers.
"What was that?" Adrien asks.
"Uh nothing." Marinette said. "Uh why don't we wait for them?"
"No, we're not coming it's just the two of you." Alya sighs.
"Better sit down Alya this could take a while." Sam groans.
At the panther exhibit the Zookeeper was giving the panther her lunch.
"Look what daddy's brought you. Only the finest for my baby." He said as the panther started to eat.
"Wow! Look at the size of the piece of meat it's eating." Kim said as he and Max approached the exhibit.
"Typical diet for a feline requiring the strength to run at 60 mph." Max explains.
"Only 60? I thought they were faster than that. I bet I can beat it in a race easy." Kim brags.
"Impossible. No human can compete with my panther." The Zookeeper said.
"Really? What place did your panther come in at the Country Athletics? I came in first." Kim said.
"You can't honestly compare yourself to my panther." He said.
"No need. I'm obviously the better looking one." Kim said causing the panther to growl. "Hey, kitty. How about a race? Last one's a rotten egg."
"Let's see, 6ft per second wind and the sun at 45 degrees…you wouldn't be a rotten egg. You'd be lunch." Max said.
"Your friend's right kid. Now please leave, she needs peace and quiet while she eats, you're stressing her out." The zookeeper said.
"Aw what's the matter kitty?" Kim taunts making the panther growl.
"Leave now or I'll have you kicked out the zoo!" He said.
"Come on Max, let's leave the kitty with her mean old babysitter." Kim said walking away laughing with Max right behind him making the Zookeeper growl like his panther.
At his unknown location Hawk Moth saw all of this.
"Unleashing the animal within all of us. I like that idea. Hawk Moth said as he turns a butterfly into an Akuma. "Go ahead, my evil little Akuma, fly off and take control of that zookeeper"
The Akuma flies out the window towards the zoo.
At the bench Adrien and Marinette were sitting in silence.
"Come on Marinette you got to say something." Alya said.
"Are Sam and Alya not coming?" Adrien asks.
"Repeat after me." Sam said taking the mic. "Adrien what do you say we go look around while we wait?"
"Uh Adrien what do you say we uh go look around?" Marinette asks.
Adrien looks at her and smiles. "Sure, beats sitting around waiting all day." Standing up he holds out his hand to help her up. "Shall we?"
"Uh sure." Once Marinette touches the hand she turns bright red.
In the bushes Sam and Alya pump their fists.
"Finally." Alya sighs happy.
"I thought she'd never say anything." Sam said before looking to Alya. "You know when I told him to hang out with her I said because we were going on date. Care to join me?" Sam asks.
"Absolutely." Alya said taking his hand.
Outside the panther exhibit the zookeeper was standing there patiently when an Akuma goes into his shark tooth bracelet.
"Animan, I am Hawk Moth. I offer you the power to see revenge for a price." Hawk Moth said telepathically.
"Yes, Hawk Moth." Animan grins as he transforms into a panther with his tooth bracelet still on his wrist.
With Max and Kim, the two of them were looking at the Gorilla exhibit.
"Hey kiddo, still want that race? Go on I'll give you a head start." Animan said with a group of zoo animals behind him.
Seeing them Kim and Max ran away as fast they could.
"He's mine." Animan said leading the charge chasing after them.
With Adrien and Marinette the two of them were about to check out the exhibits when Max and Kim ran past them.
"He's coming!" Kim yells as Animan sprinted past Marinette and Adrien.
Marinette and Adrien look in shock to see the rest of the zoo animals making their way towards them.
"I really hate to cut our trip short, but I think we better go before it becomes feeding time." Adrien said as they both ran off.
Turning to the side Marinette lets out Tikki.
"Man, after I finally got some alone time with Adrien this happens." Marinette groans.
"We'll worry about that later, time to transform." Tikki said.
"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette said as her earrings glowed and she transforms into Ladybug.
"Time to transform." Adrien said letting Plagg out who merely sighs. "Plagg, Claws out!" Adrien said as his ring glowed turning him into Cat Noir.
Running away from some animals Sam and Alya turn a corner.
"What kind of zoo lets animals run around freely?!" Sam asks.
"I don't know but right now we better run!" Alya said as they ran past a janitor's closet.
"Alya over here!" Sam said leading her inside. "Please stay here I'll be back soon."
"What? But what about the animals?" She asks worried.
"Don't worry I'll be safe I promise." Sam said closing the door and running into the bushes allowing Faang to come out.
"For your sake you better come back to her." Faang said.
"Tell me about it. Faang, Teeth out!" Sam said as his bracelet glowed transforming him into the Silver Claw.
As Kim ran as fast as he could Animan sprints past him and turns around.
"You lost kiddo. What do you think of panthers now?" Animan asks.
"That panthers are awesome." Kim whimpers.
"Well what do you think about Ladybugs?" Ladybug asks dropping in front of him along with Cat Noir and Silver Claw.
"Or another black cat?" Cat Noir said.
"Or maybe a Wolf." Silver Claw said.
"I think I'm higher on the food chain." Animan growls.
"Animan take their Miraculouses, their jewelry." Hawk Moth said telepathically.
"If you value your life, get out of here now." Ladybug said as Kim made a run for it.
Animan tries to pursue him but Ladybug throws her yoyo tying him up allowing Kim to escape.
"Cat Noir Silver Claw the Akuma must be in his bracelet." Ladybug said.
"You hold him, and we'll grab it." Cat Noir said, but as they were about to walk over they see Animan's animal army walking over.
"Get them!" Animan orders.
"We should probably run." Silver Claw said as the three heroes made a run for it.
"We got to get them back in their cages!" Cat Noir said.
"Yeah I bet they'll all cooperate without a fight." Ladybug sarcastically.
As the three of them ran they soon found out there were too many animals and jumped onto the roof.
"There's no way we can cage all of them." Silver Claw said.
"Guess it's back to Plan A. If we destroy his bracelet I can capture his Akuma and make all this return to normal." Ladybug said.
"Sounds like a plan." Cat Noir said.
Heading back to where Ladybug tied up Animan they look to see only her yoyo was there.
"How did he escape? This is unbreakable." Ladybug said picking up her yoyo.
"Look closely, he didn't break out." Silver Claw said looking at it.
"Either way we better find Kim…I mean that boy before he does." Cat Noir said.
Jumping up onto the rooftops the three heroes look for any trace of him.
"Over there!" Cat Noir points to the bridge where Kim was backing away as Animan got closer.
"It's down to just you and me kiddo." Animan said as Kim fell to the ground in fear. "And then there was one." Animan pounces at him but Ladybug throws her yoyo tying up his legs like last time.
"You're not getting away this time!" Ladybug said as Cat Noir and Silver Claw jump down.
"Quick run into the first building you find." Cat Noir said to Kim before placing a tracker on his back as Kim ran away.
"Alright Kitty let me show why canines always come up on top." Silver Claw said drawing his sword.
"You'll never hold me!" Animan said as he transformed into an eagle and slipped out of the yoyo surprising everyone.
"He can change into other animals?" Silver Claw said.
"Well now we know how he got out the first time." Cat Noir said.
"Where's Kim?" Ladybug asks when Cat Noir shows the tracker he put on him. "Good kitty." She said as they ran off to save Kim.
At Marinette's family bakery Kim rushes through the door.
"Please help me! Save me." Kim said before dropping to his knees exhausted surprising Marinette's parents.
"Hang on son you're safe here." Tom said as they helped him.
Up above the three heroes land on top of the roof.
"He's safe here, panthers can't open doors." Cat Noir said.
"But what if he morphs into a smaller animal like a mouse?" Ladybug asks.
"At least since we know where Kim is we don't have to run around looking for Animan." Silver Claw said.
"We better use our time to think up a plan." Ladybug said.
Looking out they saw a bear scaring a man away from his car.
"Something tells me we better hurry before Paris becomes a jungle." Cat Noir said.
"Follow me." Ladybug said as they jumped down and walked in through the front door. "Hi mo…madame."
"But you're…you're Ladybug." Sabine said surprised.
"Yeah, exactly." Ladybug nods.
Upstairs in the house above they saw on the news about how the animals were roaming all over the city.
"Can I borrow this?" Ladybug asks gesturing to Kim's armband.
"Uh sure." He said taking it off.
"Come on guys we've got work to do." Ladybug said walking over to the door.
"Be sure to lock all the doors and windows." Silver Claw said.
"Don't worry, we got this." Cat Noir said.
"Thanks for everything da…I mean sir." Ladybug said.
"Our pleasure Ladybug." Tom said.
Walking down the stairs they wrap Kim's armband at the bottom post at the stair case. "And voila." Ladybug said.
As they waited Silver Claw and Cat Noir were looking outside to see all the damage being caused.
'I hope Alya's ok." Silver Claw thought when Ladybug sprays them both with something.
"Hey what's that?" Cat Noir asks.
"Air freshener, that way Animan won't smell us." Ladybug said.
"Good thinking, I've always wanted to smell like a summer breeze." Cat Noir said when he spots a small box. "You think we could trap him in this?"
"Only until he grows into something bigger." Ladybug said.
"Well, what about that?" Silver Claw points out the window and they see an open bus.
"That'll definitely work, but how would we get him inside?" Cat Noir asks when his ears perk up. "Get down." He said as they all ducked under the window just as Animan flew in and circled the area.
"It's working, he's sniffing out Kim." Ladybug said when she noticed Cat Noir sniffing her.
"Seriously dude." Silver Claw narrows his eyes.
"Follow me." Ladybug said as they made their move.
Following Kim's scent Animan transforms into a Ladybug and slips through the doors to the arm band when he did Ladybug traps him in the box.
"A Ladybug? Smart choice." Ladybug grins when Animan transforms back into a panther.
"Run for it!" Silver Claw said as they bolted out the door with Animan right on their tail.
"Couldn't he have chosen a slower moving animal?!" Cat Noir said as they jumped into the bus.
Hiding behind the seats Animan searches for the heroes when Ladybug gives the signal and they jump over him allowing Cat Noir and Silver Claw to draw their weapons.
Ladybug runs to the door only to see it was closed. "Seriously?" She tries pressing buttons only to see there no key in the ignition.
Turning into a bear Animan swats Cat Noir's staff away before knocking him to the ground.
"Take his Miraculous! His ring!" Hawk Moth orders.
Jumping up Silver Claw attempts to slash Animan but he transforms into a Ladybug to dodge it. When he transforms back into a panther a tired expression appeared on his face.
"All these transformations seem to tire him out." Ladybug grins.
"You two thinking what I'm thinking?" Silver Claw asks.
"Let's let him tire himself out." Cat Noir said running to the controls. "Cataclysm!" Cat Noir's ring glows as dark energy surrounds his hand.
Slamming his hand on the controls the bus goes haywire as the alarms and doors go off and on. Using the opening the three of them jump out leaving Animan trapped inside.
"And now we wait." Silver Claw said as Animan transformed into a bear, ladybug and a gorilla trying to break out, but none of them work forcing him to turn back into a panther.
"It's working." Ladybug grins.
Suddenly Animan transforms into something large shocking them as a T-Rex bursts out of the bus and roars at them.
"Please be a plant eater! Please be a plant eater!" Silver Claw panics.
"Since when do extinct animals count?" Cat Noir asks.
"T-Rex might be extinct, but it's still an animal." Ladybug said as Animan roared.
"Well I know of some other animals that will soon be extinct: the cat, the wolf, and the ladybug!" Cat Noir said as they made a run for it.
Animan chases the three heroes around the area until he rams his head into a building while trying to bite down on them.
Using this opening they ran behind some cars to hide.
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug throws her yoyo into the air and from it a carjack appears.
"A Carjack?" She said.
"Too bad Animan doesn't have any flat tires." Cat Noir said.
"Look at how small his front arms are." Ladybug notices.
"So he can't play basketball. What are you getting at?" Cat Noir asks.
"You get onto his back and distract him while Silver Claw deals the heavy hit and then I'll floor him." Ladybug said.
"Sounds good to me, I can be very distracting." Cat Noir flirts when Animan crushes the car they were hiding behind with his foot. "This is going to be close!" Cat Noir said as he jumped onto Animan's back.
Anima tries to shake him off, but Cat Noir hangs on tight. Using the opening Ladybug loops her yoyo around Animan's legs.
"Now Silver Claw!" Ladybug said.
"Right. Moon Call!" Silver Claw's bracelet glows as he takes a deep breath and releases a sonic howl sending Animan crashing to the ground with his legs tied up.
"It's weird we didn't have to use this." Ladybug said holding up the carjack.
"I guess it means we rock as a team." Cat Noir said walking over to get the akuma.
"Cat Noir wait!" Ladybug said as Silver Claw pulls him back as Animan was about to bite him in half.
"What is it?" Silver Claw asks.
"I know what to do." Ladybug said running towards Animan.
"Ladybug!" Cat Noir and Silver Claw yell.
"Enjoy your meal!" ladybug said as Animan bites down on Ladybug swallowing her whole.
"NO!" Cat Noir screams as he and Silver Claw drew their weapons.
"You're gonna regret that you stupid lizard." Silver Claw glares.
The two of them were about to charge when they see Animan's mouth open to reveal Ladybug had used the carjack to prevent him from biting down on her.
Both heroes smile as Ladybug walks over and breaks the bracelet releasing the akuma.
"No more evil doing for you little Akuma. Time to de-evilse!" Ladybug throws her yoyo catching the akuma and turning it back into a butterfly. "Bye-bye little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug throws the carjack up in the air and it the bright lights bring all the animals back to the zoo, undoes all the damage and turns Animan back to normal.
"Pound it." Ladybug said holding out her fist, but instead Cat Noir hugs her.
"Please don't do that to us again. We thought we lost you." Silver Claw said.
"Agreed." Cat Noir nods.
Suddenly they both heard beeping and look to see their time was up.
"Whoops looks like we better get moving." Cat Noir said as he and Silver Claw made a run for it.
"Thanks boys." Ladybug smiles before walking over to the zookeeper.
"Where am I?" He asks.
"Everything's fine, but you should go back and check on your animals." Ladybug said.
At his unknown location Hawk Moth was furious at his newest fail.
"Curse you Ladybug! This was not how it was supposed to end! But one day it will be me at the top of the food chain and you'll be nothing!" Hawk Moth vows.
Back at the zoo Alya walks out of the closet and looks around concerned.
"Sam? Sam, where are you?" She calls out worried.
"Alya!" Turning around she sees Sam running towards her making a big smile appear on her face.
"Sam!" She runs over and gives him a big hug. "What happened? I was so scared something might have happened to you."
"It was crazy as the animals were loose I had a gorilla chasing me when Silver Claw jumped in and took me to away from all this. I came running back to see if you were okay." Sam said.
"Well I'm fine, but I don't think Marinette is very happy her date with Adrien was ruined." Alya smirks.
"Well the animals are back in their cages and we still have some time. What do you say we go off and have our own date?" Sam suggests.
Alya smiles and wraps her arm around his before kissing him on the cheek. "Lead the way."
At Marinette's House she was sighing as she laid on her bed.
"I finally got to hang out with Adrien and then this happened." She sighs.
"Don't feel too bad Marinette, maybe you'll get another chance." Tikki said.
"Yeah in a million years." Marinette said when her phone started to ring. "Hello?"
"Hey Marinette." Adrien said appearing on the other line.
"Adrien?! Uh I mean hi what's up?" She stutters.
"I just wanted to check if you were okay after the zoo animals got out I wanted to make sure you were okay." He said.
"He cares about me." Marinette said silently to herself.
"Listen if you want to hang out again I'd be happy to meet up." Adrien said.
"Really? Uh I mean yeah sounds great." Marinette smiles.
"Great, see you at school." Adrien said hanging up.
"Oh my goodness Adrien wants to hang out with me again! This is the best day of my life." Marinette cheers.
Tikki giggles. "I got a feeling Sam and Alya will be helping her with this one too."