Author's Note: Ohmigoodness, I'm a terrible author! I'm sorry! I swear I had started working on this and then left it out T_T I'm sorry! But I promise to have this extra-long…? Hehe…but um…let's get going?
Shout Outs: Thanks to acosta perez jose ramiro for reviewing the story. Thanks to GuardianAngel1234567 for reviewing the story. Thanks to Junior VB for reviewing the story. Thanks to gleamqueen for following and favoring the story and for following and favoring me as an author. And thank you to everyone else who favored, reviewed and followed!
Chapter 16: The Return
Marinette stood there in shock as Chloe was staring at her with disbelief.
"How…how long were you there?" Mari stammered.
Chloe crossed her arms, frowning. "Long enough to see you transform," she scoffed. "I can't believe my arch nemesis turns out to be the idol who I adore!" she exclaimed.
Mari narrowed her eyes. "Well then. Life's full of surprises, isn't it? Too bad that sometimes we don't like how Fate plays out."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "And I can't believe that you were the one who said I was Queen Bee!" she shrieked.
"Yeah trust me when I say that I didn't want you to be a hero."
Chloe glared at her. "Well I hope you're happy because my Miraculous got taken away and I can't transform," she hissed.
Marinette glared at her as her breathing became rapid. "And it all happened because you were too busy being stubborn about complaining how you're not a hero! You should've been more careful and you should've called us when that fiend came in! Maybe then the situation could've been different!"
"Oh so now it's my fault? Well then, I apologize," Chloe sneered. "At least I didn't have Chat Noir running away from you."
Marinette stared at her with an empty look as she felt her heart stop beating. She hung her head low at the thought of the missing cat. She still hadn't found him and it troubles her. However, she had come close to a conclusion that…Chat Noir could've been taken by the forces of evil.
She shook her head.
No. That's not true.
Chat Noir wouldn't let that happen to him. The villain would have to think twice about even capturing him in the first place.
"Aw, what's the matter? You faced the cold hard truth?" Chloe let out a harsh laugh. "I wouldn't be surprise if you know who Chat Noir is. Tell me, Ladybug, do you? Who's underneath that mask?"
Angered, Marinette curled her fists. "You know what, Chloe? Screw you. You don't deserve to know the truth about Chat Noir."
Chloe smirked. "I can only assume that you yourself don't even know who it is. If Chat Noir is so trust worthy, then he wouldn't have no problem telling you who he really is. And he wouldn't run away when things got rough."
Shaking, Marinette screamed. "GET OUT! Chat Noir doesn't have to tell me anything because we both promised each other not to tell! You don't know anything about friendships, Chloe! And Chat Noir would never run away from battle even if they turn out to be hard! He would put his life first in order to protect the citizens. That's selfless, Chloe which is something what you don't have."
Tikki watched at the distraught heroine—the heroine that was once cheerful and happy and clumsy. But now she was depressed, cold and isolated. The girl was lying on her bed, curled into a ball as she hugged the pillow to herself. It seemed she had fallen asleep after torturing herself from crying. She was so isolated that she kept ignoring her calls from her best friend, Alya and Tikki was tempted to just fly out and reach for her.
Tikki was also shocked when Marinette would just ignore the door knocking that would be from her friend and the Kwami was surprised that Alya and the rest weren't tempted to climb the house themselves.
The Kwami was really worried for the heroine. Marinette had even skipped school a few times and headed straight for her room without even acknowledging her parents.
As if that wasn't bad, Chloe had been insanely meaner than before which would often send the two of them to the principal's office where occasionally, their parents would come and pick them up after sorting it out with the principal. The principal had also noticed the sudden change in Marinette and when he asked her what's wrong, Marinette would simply brush it off and told him that it was nothing and said that she was simply tired.
Her grades were also dropping as well which concerned the teachers too. She hadn't even touched any of her homework and she was falling behind badly. As if that's not bad enough, many of the classmates were wondering what happened to Adrien.
Not even Marinette knew. All she cared about was Chat Noir.
Tikki sighed as she tore her gaze away from her and watched at the window where the skies are now cloudy, matching Marinette's current emotions.
"Oh Marinette…please don't be too hard on yourself. Everything will turn out the way it would be. I promise you. Please…go back to your regular yourself. Everyone's worried for you…even Adrien," Tikki whispered.
She paused when she thought she saw the girl slightly stir but it flashed right before her eyes, making Tikki think that she imagined it. After staring at her for some time, an idea went inside her head. Narrowing her eyes with determine, Tikki glanced back at her once more before she headed towards the window.
"I'll be back, Marinette."
Tikki phased through the window and flew towards her destination while also being careful not to get caught. She couldn't afford that not at these times. Marinette desperately needed a friend.
Shaking her head, Tikki focused on her destination and had eventually reached it.
"Hello? Anyone here?" Tikki called out but the room was empty.
She sighed after a few minutes of searching. No one was here which made her be disappointed. As she was about leave, a voice called out.
"I sense that you are troubled and need help for some guidance…"
The spotted Kwami turned around and breathed out a sigh of relief. "Oh, Guardian! You're here! Thank goodness. I thought you had left…"
Master Fu gave her a small smile but it quickly vanished as it got replaced by a dark, serious expression.
"Something is deeply troubling you, Tikki…" he said softly.
Tikki hung her head low before she lifted her head and floated towards him with a saddened look.
"I am, Guardian. It's…Marinette. She's been so devastated lately and I don't know what to do anymore. I tried reaching out for her friends in a disguised voice but that didn't work out; she completely ignored them. I was surprised that they weren't tempted into climbing up the house to see her. She didn't even acknowledge her parents when she got back from school and several times, she got sent to the principal's office and Chloe has been nastier than usual. And if that's not bad enough, Chat Noir is missing. And Chloe knows Marinette is Ladybug. What should I do?" Tikki wept.
Fu sighed as he gently caressed her cheek with his finger at the broken Kwami.
"Things are getting heavier and more sinister with each passing moment. Hawk Moth is going to get stronger. If this is true, then he would already have two miraculouses. The world is in greater danger but Marinette cannot lose hope. Not now. Not when things are depending on her. You must bring out the best in her, Tikki. You must bring her back to her usual self. It is crucial. Do everything that is in your power."
Tikki choked on a sob as she slightly nodded her head. "I'll…try…"
Fu smiled softly. "And do not worry about Chloe knowing Marinette's identity. I knew it was only a matter of time before the reveal and soon, Chat Noir will also show his true self when he comes back."
Chloe ran against the hard cement ground as the rain poured heavily. Her breathing hard and with short breaths. It was cold but she didn't cared as her legs were burning, pleading for her to stop. Gasping, Chloe suddenly tripped over an uneven ground and harshly fell down to the ground.
Her hand was scraped against the rough ground, earning a cut across the palm, stinging a bit as dry blood came out. But she didn't care. But as she fell, her body was shivering from the cold and she knew, judging by how the time flew, she knew her father was looking for her.
But, she didn't care.
All of a sudden, she broke down in tears; sobs racking her body.
She was alone. Yes, she had Sabrina but sometimes, it feels like Sabrina didn't even want to be around her at times.
Right after school, Chloe declared to herself that she would be looking for her Kwami, Vee. Even if no one—meaning Ladybug or anyone else—would want to help to look for her.
Nevertheless, Chloe got up and headed towards the direction to where that…horrible battle had taken place. If there were clues in there, maybe just maybe she may be able to find as to where her Kwami could be taken.
Chloe shakily breathed as horrid flashbacks entered her mind when she saw the badly damaged store. There was still the yellow caution tape around the shop and the shards from the windows and the rubbles from the rooftop and the counter were still scattered around, untouched.
A crunch came from underneath her shoe as she stepped on the broken shards. She ignored as she resumed studying the area though it only brought awful flashbacks from the battle. She shook her, trying to get it rid of it.
But so far, nothing came up.
"Ah, what it feels to have victory. Yes, I'm so close to the ultimate power, I can just feel it!" Hawk Moth hissed in the dark. He chuckled as he closed his eyes, recalling the bad deeds he had done so far.
He now had a Miraculous—the Bee Miraculous. He wasn't as powerful as he wanted to be but he was getting there. He was two times stronger than he was before and so taking that into account, his akumatized villains should be now a bit stronger than before.
Hawk Moth reopened his eyes as he sensed another hatred and he grinned nastily. It was time to release a new Akuma. But before he could proceed, footsteps came which caused an interruption from his chain of thoughts.
"What is it?" he asked annoyed.
"Ah, nothing much. Just wondering what do evil beings do in their free time? You were preparing for a monologue or…?"
Hawk Moth growled at the cocky voice. He had to go and use this guy but no matter. It'll come. The pain will come for the other one. Till then, he would have to get use to him…
"Is that what bad guys do then? Prepare a speech before sending out their Akumas."
"Get out, you insolent brat!" Hawk Moth snarled. "Leave me be! I did not ask you to show up yet. Your time will come!"
The newcomer titled its head to the side. "So…that time is now, right?"
Hawk Moth opened his mouth before he let out a groan, face palming at the irritation.
"You know what? Go, you fool! Don't mess this up!"
The figure chuckled. "Whatever you say, boss."
Twitching, Hawk Moth turned around to face the blue window and he angrily took another Akuma.
"Go, my Akuma! Go and make the Ballerina's dreams come true! Evilize them!"
The butterfly flapped its wings until it reached the two twins that were feeling upset and angry.
"The twins…how horrible it feels to not be appreciated and to come last. You have put all your efforts in and for what? Only to be thrown away! But I can help you there. I am Hawk Moth and I can give you the power to feel appreciated and to always comes first but in return, I need you to get my the Ladybug Miraculous!"
"We accept!" the twins proclaimed as they stood up and the butterfly sunk into their batons.
They laugh, a high pitch laugh, as they glared evilly at the distance.
"Pas De Deux made an appearance!" they giggled impishly before releasing their ribbons.
Chloe sniffed as she exited out of the store. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She hadn't come up with any evidence or clues that could help her out. She came out empty handed.
"Vee, I'm sorry," she sobbed.
She was cold, miserable and angry at herself for letting this happen in the first place.
Sighing, she got out of the store only to hear screams and chaotic.
What the?
As she turned around, Chloe gasped as she saw car being thrown towards at her direction. As she was about to duck down, as though in slow motion, something grab her out of the way, away from the harm's spot and the vehicle was broken in half a second later.
Chloe blinked as she slightly lifted her head. That was weird. Why wasn't she smashed into pieces? She straightened herself up and saw Ladybug in front of her with the most furious look on her face Chloe had ever seen. Even though Chloe knew who Ladybug was now, it still didn't change her mind about being mad at Marinette.
No wonder Ladybug knew her name.
"Mar—Ladybug?" Chloe asked, eyes narrowed.
"Get yourself to safety, Chloe. I'll handle it from here," Ladybug growled as she was in a fighting stance, twirling her yoyo from the side.
"Oh, the hell I am!" Chloe snapped.
Eyes flashing dangerously, Ladybug sharply turned on her heels and stared coldly at her.
"For once in your damn life do as I say!" she snarled.
Chloe glared at her before she dropped her defenses and then walked away. Once Chloe was way into the distance, Ladybug sighed but still kept her guard up as she was looking for the source of the chaos.
"Come out! Show yourself!" Ladybug demanded.
The annoyingly high pitch voices came but before Ladybug could even avoid the attack, she suddenly felt a tight grip around her which made her look down and realized that she was tied up. She struggled to get free but failed fruitlessly. She looked up only to see the second attack going straight at her. Nevertheless, she still struggled to get loose but she knew she was running out of time. All of a sudden, she felt something grab around her waist and pull her to the sides, away from danger. Anger went back in her again as she thought it was probably Chloe.
"Chloe, I've said—"
As she looked up, she gasped at the scene and the attack got cancelled and the two enemies screeched in pain as they got impacted from the blow.
Marinette stared numbly at the savior and her mouth went dry, finding it hard to swallow.
"Well, this was fun," the newcomer spoke as it brushed off the invisible dirt as though it got hit. "I think we should do it again…"
Blinking, Marinette finally managed to find her voice and utter the name she hadn't used in a long time.
"Chat Noir?"
Author's Note: Bumbumbummmm…someone definitely made an appearance! And who doesn't love annoying Hawk Moth? XD Pas De Deux is a term for 'a dance of two' so why not? :p What happens next? Find out! Toodles!