Chapter 29: Riposte

Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. This one was hard to keep up with since the fights were so fast, but I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.

It was after school as Sam was dressed up in a fencing uniform trying on helmets when Faang flew out.

"You know I'm surprised that you wanted to try out for this." Faang said.

"Well D'Argencourt is the best fencing academy in Paris, if I get in it could really help improve my skills as Silver Claw." Sam said.

"I'm proud of you for taking this seriously." Faang said as Sam put on a helmet that fit great. Smiling he was about to walk out the door when it opened from the other side. "Faang." Sam gestured and Faang flew into his jacket as the door opened to reveal Marinette.

"Sam?"

"Marinette?"

"What are you doing here?" Marinette asks.

"I'm trying out for the fencing team." Sam said.

"Me too. With those two open spots I had to try." Marinette said.

"How cool would it be if we both made the team?" Sam asks.

"So cool." Marinette smiles.

"Well I'll see you out there, you better get ready." Sam said walking out.

The second he closed the door Tikki flew out.

"It's always better when you have a friend with you at these kinds of things." Tikki said as Marinette put the gear on. "It really suits you Marinette."

"Thanks Tikki, let's hope wielding a saber is easier than finding a helmet that fits. I gotta ace these tryouts. This is the most prestigious fencing academy in Paris. I have to get onto the team." Marinette said.

"You've been reviewing the rules all weekend. It'll be great." Tikki said.

"You're right. I'm gonna make quite the impression on Adrien." Marinette smiles finding a helmet.

Outside Sam and Marinette were lined up with the other students trying out.

"I am the fencing master, Mr. D'Argencourt. As I am sure you are all aware we only have two spots open on the team this year. So, to select the best candidates I will observe the beginners performing attacks on the experienced students."

"Where's Adrien?" Marinette asks looking around.

"Get into position." Mr. D'Argencourt said as all the students paired up.

"You looking for someone?" A student asks walking up to Marinette.

"II thought Adrien was here. A boy this tall, blonde, nice, super handsome." Marinette said.

"Thanks for the compliments." He lifts up the mask to reveal it was Adrien surprising her. "I didn't know you were into fencing."

"Adrien! Nice to fencing! I'm totally into you! Er I mean nice to see you. Yeah I'm totally into fencing." Marinette stutters.

Both of smile as they began fencing.

With Sam he was facing off against another student who lunged at him, but thanks to his Silver Claw training he dodged and countered with ease.

'Wow this is a piece of cake compared to dealing with Hawk Moth.' Sam thought looking over he saw Marinette and Adrien facing off. 'Those two are pretty decent too.'

"Not bad Sam, have you taken fencing classes before?" D'Argencourt asks walking over to him.

"Not really. I taught myself." Sam shurgs.

"Impressive." D'Argencourt grins liking what he heard.

"Hey you!" Looking to the front they saw someone in a red fencing outfit walk in. "Are you Mr. D'Argencourt, the fencing master? I want to join your team."

"Only the best are admitted, you knave." He said.

"And I was, everywhere I went." The fencer said.

"This whippersnapper has nerve. Very well I shall consider your application if you can best one of my students." D'Argencourt said.

"Which one of you is the best combatant?" The fencer asks as they all moved out of the way to reveal Adrien.

"Adrien, please give our visitor a lesson in chivalry." D'Argencourt said.

Adrien nods as the two of them put on the electric fencing gear.

"So much for both of us making the team." Marinette sighs.

"Yeah this guy is good." Sam said watching him practice his swings.

"Not quite, he still has to beat Adrien." A fencer said.

Both Sam and Marinette watched as Adrien and the red fencer faced off, moving quickly they attacked until they appeared to have touched each other at the same time.

"Whoa, they're good." Sam said.

"I could have sworn Adrien touched first." Marinette said.

Doing a round two they both attacked again but like last time they couldn't figure out a winner.

"Abstain." D'Argencourt said.

"What does that mean?" Marinette asks.

"It means he couldn't tell that time." Sam said.

"Wait. I suggest we do things the old-fashioned way. We'll be much more at ease without the machine." The red fencer said.

"Adrien?" D'Argencourt asks.

"Fine with me." Adrien said as they took off the electric clips linking them.

Once the match began the red fencer lunged at Adrien and the fight started moving up the stairs to the next floor.

"Whoa!" Sam said blown away.

"Is this what fencing is all about?" Marinette asks equally blown away.

"Par le far. This is what fencing is all about." D'Argencourt said as he and all the students ran to the base of the stairs.

Marinette and Sam try see but couldn't.

"Sam, over here." Marinette said as she and Sam ran up the opposite stairs to get a better view.

"The fateful moment has arrived!" D'Argencourt said excited when all of his students literally ran over him so they could see it.

Continuing their fight Adrien and the red fencer made their way into the library just as Sam and Marinette arrived to see it.

Books and even a library cart went flying as the fight intensified.

"Let me through! Move!" D'Argencourt said when all the students ran out of the way and the cart smashed into him.

"Let's finish this!" The red fencer said as they both lunged at each other and their sabers hit at the same time. Turning to Sam and Marinette the red fencer moved out of the way. "Who got the first hit? Who?"

"Uh…well." Sam and Marinette looked to each other hoping the other saw it when D'Argencourt crawls over.

"Who touched first? Tell us now!" He said eager.

"Uh I don't know. It all happened so fast." Sam said.

"I think…maybe it was Adrien." Marinette said not sure when D'Argencourt stood up.

"Ha Ha! Wonderful! This victory is an honor to the D'Argencourt Academy!" D'Argencourt said excited.

Sighing the red fencer turned to Adrien and shook hands before leaving.

"Are you sure Marinette?" Adrien asks walking over.

"It all happened so fast, but I think it was you." Marinette said.

"I think he touched me first." Adrien said.

"The referee has last word." D'Argencourt said.

Not liking the sound of that Adrien looks to see the red fencer stabs his saber into the ground before walking out in frustration.

At his base, Hawk Moth saw the whole thing.

"A champion whose victory has been stolen. Crushing defeat is the ideal steel with which to forge a blade of revenge." Hawk Moth said as he turned a butterfly into an Akuma. "Fly away, my little Akuma, towards this spite and petulance and evilise that fencer."

Flying out the window the Akuma makes his way towards its target.

Back at the school, Adrien turns to D'Argencourt.

"I'm going to offer him a decisive match." Adrien said running down the stairs, grabbing the red saber and chasing after the red fencer.

As the fencer walks to their car Adrien calls out to him. "Hey wait! Your saber!"

When Adrien catches up the fencer takes off his helmet to reveal he was actually a girl with blue hair and brown eyes, this was Kagami surprising him when he notices a strange logo on her ring. "Let's…do a decisive match."

"What's the point? You won. There's no such thing as a second chance in my family. Goodbye." Kagami said as she got in her car and drove off just as Sam and Marinette walked out.

"Maybe we both still have a chance to get onto the team." Sam said when Adrien got in his car.

"Follow that car." He tells his butler.

As they drove off both Sam and Marinette saw the Akuma fly by causing them both to gasp.

"Uh you know I'm gonna go inside see if I made it or not." Sam said.

"Yeah I gotta do something too. See you later." Marinette said as they ran off in different directions.

Running down a subway, Marinette took out Tikki.

"I gotta stop it before someone gets akumatized." Marinette said.

"I'm at your service." Tikki said.

"Adrien's in danger. I gotta help him. Tikki, spots on!" Marinette said as her earrings glowed and she transformed into Ladybug.

As Sam ran into some bushes he took Faang out.

"Ready for some real sword training?" Sam asks.

"Let's do this." Faang said ready.

"Faang, teeth out!" Sam said as his bracelet glowed and he transformed into Silver Claw.

At a stoplight, Kagami took out her phone and called her mom, but she wasn't there.

"Mother, you thought I was good enough, but I lost. I won't be joining the D'Argencourt Academy." Kagami sighs when the Akuma flew into the car and entered Kagami's ring.

"Riposte, I am Hawk Moth. I'm giving you a second chance to prove that you are the best fencer of all. But in return you must bring me the Miraculous of Ladybug, Cat Noir and Silver Claw." Hawk Moth said telepathically.

"Oh my honor, Hawk Moth. I shall be victorious!" Kagami declares as she transforms and cuts a hole in the roof of her car allowing her to escape.

In Adrien's car, he was looking up the logo he saw on her ring and found it.

"She's the only daughter of a family of prestigious fencers. Her mother and grandfather were champions. I've read about them before. She and her mother just moved to Paris, how incredible." Adrien said when something leaped in the air slicing his car in half separating Adrien from his driver.

Falling out of the seat Adrien looks up to see a girl with silver skin, red eyes, silver armor and a helmet with what appeared to be a sword attached to her right hand.

"I've decided to take you up on your offer for a decisive match." Riposte said as Adrien picks himself up.

"I can't fight you like this. You're not yourself." Adrien said.

"Fight!" Riposte insists.

"Halt Riposte! You may seek your revenge, but only after you take hold of Ladybug, Cat Noir and Silver Claw's Miraculous first." Hawk Moth said telepathically.

"Understood Hawk Moth." Riposte said as Adrien tries to make a run for it, but she stops him. "Where do you think you're going? Stay there nice and patiently." She points her sword at him when a yoyo flies in and ties up the sword.

Looking over they saw Ladybug had arrived.

"How'd you like to start a duel with me?" Ladybug asks as she tries to pull the sword out of her hand but failed. "It's merged with her hand?"

Swinging her sword Ladybug and Adrien jump out of the way to dodge the slash.

"Give me a minute Adrien. I'll finish her off first. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. I won't be long." Riposte charges at Ladybug and stabs her with her sword. Using her yoyo Ladybug is able to deflect all the attacks.

"Don't let her close in on you! Fight back!" Adrien said tossing Ladybug the fencing saber.

"Thank you, but get out of here. She doesn't deserve you." Ladybug said as she tried fighting off Riposte but was knocked to the ground.

"Watch out Ladybug!" Adrien said when he grabs Ladybug and rolls her out of the way.

Adrien holds his knee in pain. "You're hurt." Ladybug said worried. "I've got to get you as far away from that girl as possible."

"Sounds like a plan." Adrien said.

Ladybug grabs Adrien and throws her yoyo bringing them both up onto the rooftops.

"What kind of fencing was that?" Ladybug asks.

"Nothing I've ever seen." Adrien said as they hid behind a chimney.

"It'll be hard for me to fight and protect you at the same time." Ladybug said as she dialed Cat Noir. "Where are you Cat Noir?"

"Maybe he's busy." Adrien said when Riposte cut the chimney they were hiding behind to pieces.

"Allow me to explain the rules to you. You're not allowed to quit at any time. Adrien is mine. I will defeat you both and I will be the best fencer!" Riposte declares.

"No one's denying that, my friends just made a bad call." Adrien said.

"Yeah even the referee can make mistakes." Ladybug said.

"Well this time I'll be the referee!" Riposte charges when Silver Claw leaps over Ladybug and clashes swords with her.

"Silver Claw!" Ladybug smiles.

"Sorry I'm late." He said pushing her back.

"Perfect timing. I need to get Adrien to safety can you handle her for a little bit?" Ladybug asks.

"You got it. En garde." Silver Claw said raising his sword.

"So, another swordsman has joined the battle. Very well." Riposte charges and the two of them clash while Ladybug grabs Adrien and takes him as far away from the battle as she could.

Riposte swings her sword but Silver Claw parries and slashes back forcing her to retreat.

Lunging forward Silver Claw knocks her backwards towards the wall.

"I must say you know your way around a sword." Riposte said impressed.

"You're too bad yourself." Silver Claw admits.

"But you're still not good enough!" Riposte attacks thrusting multiple stabs, but Silver Claw blocks them all before tripping on some roof tiles and falling backwards. "Gotcha!" Riposte leaps at him but at the last second Silver stabs his sword into the chimney and leaps up kicking her with both legs sending her flying off the roof and into the dumpster.

"That was close. I better go help Ladybug." Silver Claw said as he ran off.

Down below Riposte pulls herself out of the dumpster with an enraged look.

At the Louvre, Ladybug and Adrien land at the front entrance.

"Akuma alert! You must leave now! Evacuate the premise immediately!" Ladybug calls out.

"This way ladies and gentleman." The police said as they evacuated everyone from the Louvre.

Making their way inside, Ladybug took Adrien to the Egyptian area where she put him inside a sarcophagus for safety.

"I'm sorry but at least you'll be safe in here." Ladybug said about to close it.

"Please be careful Ladybug." Adrien warns.

"Uh…I'll be fine. Thank you. And you stay out of harm's way, ok?" Ladybug closes it and kissed the part of the sarcophagus where Adrien's face was.

As Silver Claw raced to the Louvre he saw Riposte was right on his tail swinging her sword at him. Ducking out of the way the hero and villain engaged in another sword fight as they ran to the Louvre.

Leaping in the air Riposte slashes the roof off allowing her to jump inside to see Ladybug was waiting for her.

"Where did you hide Adrien?" Riposte asks.

"You actually think I'd tell you?" Ladybug asks as Silver Claw drops in behind her.

"You want Adrien, you'll have to get through us." Silver Claw said.

"You can't cut it? Fine. I'll defeat you both and take your Miraculous, then I'll go find him." Riposte said.

"I won't let you lay a finger on him!" Ladybug said as she and Silver Claw charged at her.

Back in the Egypt exhibit, Adrien let out Plagg.

"It's time we went out and joined Ladybug and Silver Claw." Adrien said.

"Didn't you hear? She said to wait here. You can't disobey her." Plagg said.

"I've got to help her. Plagg, claws out!" Opening the sarcophagus Cat Noir walks out and closes it. As he made his way to help his friends his foot was still in pain making it hard for him to run.

Down the hallway, Ladybug and Silver Claw were fighting off Riposte, but even with the two of them they were having a difficult time with them.

Swinging her sword Riposte knocks Ladybug to the ground and the saber out of her hands. Moving in Cat Noir jumps in and blocks the attack.

"A fencing tournament at the Louvre? Why didn't anyone tell me?" Cat Noir asks.

"Where have you been?" Silver Claw asks.

"Let me guess. At the groomers?" Ladybug asks.

"I was preening myself milady. You know how long it takes cats to get ready." Cat Noir said.

With the three of them attacking at the same time they knocked Riposte to the wall and pointing their weapons at her.

"Checkmate Riposte." Ladybug said.

"You've got the wrong sport Ladybug. I think you mean Attaque et point!" Riposte said knocking Silver Claw and Cat Noir away.

Cat Noir tries to get up but his leg hurt.

"You okay?" Ladybug asks concerned.

Using this opening Riposte knocks Ladybug down the hall. When Silver Claw and Cat Noir ran to help Riposte hits the arm causing metal bars to close down the section they were in so the two male heroes couldn't get to her.

"Ready to lose Ladybug?!" Riposte charged at Ladybug, but she maneuvered down the stairs dodging her attacks.

"Cat Noir use your Cataclysm." Silver Claw said.

"Good idea. Cataclysm!" His ring glowed as dark energy filled his right hand. Touching the bars, they instantly turned to rust as Silver Claw kicked them down.

As Silver Claw ran ahead, he turned to see Cat Noir limping after.

"Cat Noir, what's wrong?" Silver Claw asks.

"It's just my leg. Keep going I'll catch up." Cat Noir said.

"No way, she needs both of us." Silver Claw said as he helped Cat Noir down the stairs.

In the Egyptian exhibit, Riposte knocks Ladybug to the ground causing the saber to fall out of her hand. Groaning in pain she looks down the hall to see the sarcophagus she put Adrien in was still there, but unfortunately Riposte noticed.

"Of course!" Leaping past Ladybug, she lands in front of the sarcophagus. "The hour of revenge has struck!"

"No!" Ladybug screams as she sliced the sarcophagus into 4 pieces, but Adrien wasn't inside.

Gasping Ladybug throws her yoyo trapping Riposte in the exhibit as Silver Claw and Cat Noir arrived. "He's gone!"

"What…uh who's gone?" Cat Noir asks.

"Riposte is trying to get revenge on Adrien Agraste. I hid him in the sarcophagus." Ladybug said.

"Then what happened?" Silver Claw asks.

"Maybe he was feeling claws-trophobic." Cat Noir jokes.

"Let's look for him together, Ladybug, and finish this match!" Riposte swings her sword slicing the bars in half with ease.

"Lucky Charm!" Throwing her yoyo into the air and a radiator appeared. "A Radiator?"

"Well that'll really heat things up." Cat Noir said.

Ladybug looks ahead and noticed her family crest at the end of her sword and gets an idea.

"The Akuma must be in her sword."

"Way to get to the point." Cat Noir said.

"Let's go!" Silver Claw said as they charged at her with their attacks, when Riposte tried to counter the sword went right through the radiator giving Ladybug an idea.

"Cat Noir I need your belt!" Ladybug said.

"You got it." Cat Noir nods.

"Silver Claw distract her!" Ladybug said.

"On it!" Charging in Silver Claw and Riposte engaged in a second round clashing swords and causing sparks to fly.

As Riposte thrusts Silver Claw sidesteps at the last second causing the sword to go through the radiator. Using Cat Noir's belt they tied it up so Riposte couldn't pull through.

"Now!" Silver Claw slams his sword into Riposte's breaking it in half and releasing the Akuma.

"No more evil-doing for you little Akuma. Time to de-evilise!" Throwing her yoyo Ladybug catches the Akuma turning it back into a butterfly. "Bye-Bye little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!"

Throwing the radiator into the air Ladybug undoes all the damage and turns Kagami back to normal.

"What happened?" Kagami asks.

"Pound it." The three heroes said as they fist bumped when Cat Noir's ring started to beep.

"Gotta go. Vet's appointment. Will you two take care of this young lady?" Cat Noir asks running off.

"I gotta go find someone, do you mind?" Ladybug asks Silver Claw.

"Sure." He nods as he walks up to her. "Everything's gonna be okay."

"I don't know about that. I lost." Kagami sighs.

"Even so, there's nothing wrong with losing. From failing you learn a lot more than you ever could by success." Silver Claw said surprising her. "Don't take that small mistake to heart. If you want to be the best fencer get back up and try again."

Kagami looks ahead to see Adrien with her saber in his hands and a soft smile appears on her face. "You know, you're right."

The next day at D'argencourt's Academy, the tryouts were finally over as Adrien and Kagami had a decisive match, but this time she won.

"Attention students." D'Argencourt said getting everyone's attention. "I know you have all tried hard to get in but the two students who will be joining my Academy are Kagami…and Sam."

"Me?" Sam said surprised.

"Way to go Sam." Marinette smiles.

"I'm sorry you didn't get in." Sam said.

"It's okay, you and Kagami really earned this." Marinette said as Adrien walks up to him.

"I look forward to hanging out with you at practice." Adrien said.

"Yeah me too." Sam smiles.