Derniere Danse

"Pound it!" I fist-bumped Cat Noir using our trademark phrase. It was another day of conquering evil well done. Another day of protecting the city we lived in and loved.

It wasn't until the news reporters arrived that things started to get a little hectic. "Ladybug! Cat Noir!" called Nadja Chamack, the head news reporter. "This Saturday is the Valentine's Day Dance, being held at Le Grand Paris and hosted by Mayor Bourgeois himself. Will you both be attending?" She asked, her cameraman facing the camera at us so our reply would be seen by everyone.

A beeping noise sounded in my ear, alerting me I had only a few minutes before I de-transformed. "Well, I'll most certainly attend." Cat Noir stated, winking at the camera. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "What say you, Milady?"

"Um, well--" I was distracted by another warning beep. "Uh yes, I will be there." I said with uncertainty. "Gotta go. Bug out!" With that, I aimed my yo-yo for a tall building some distance away, tugged, and began my way home.

. . .

"Marinette! We're leaving!"

"Coming, Mom!" I called, setting down my knitting. I raced down the trapdoor and stairs. I found my parents waiting at the door, my mom wearing her usual attire, only adding a beautiful pink plumeria to her hair. My father was wearing a nice black suit with his hair slightly slicked back. The days had flown by, and it was now Saturday night. The night of the dance.

"Have fun, you guys!" I enthused, hugging and kissing Mom before moving on to Dad. "Thank you. We'll see you later." Dad replied, before taking my mother's hand and walking out the door. The bell chimed as it closed.

Before I went back to my room I turned the sign on the door, that way it would read "closed" to the people outside.

I reached the trapdoor to my room and pushed it open. Climbing in, I closed the trapdoor and flopped onto my bed. I sighed contentedly. I had nowhere to be, nowhere to go, just free time to my--

"Marinette, don't you have to attend that Valentine's Day Dance?" asked Tikki, coming to my side and looking at me curiously. I sat up rigidly, eyes wide. "I completely forgot! And it starts in--" I glanced at the clock. 6:50 pm. "10 MINUTES!!"

I scrambled off my bed, falling flat on my face in the process. "I don't even know what I'm gonna wear!" I said despairingly, looking up to find Tikki rummaging through my closet. "How about this dress?" She asked, holding up a pretty ocean blue satin dress.

"Too blue for this occasion." I answered. She put it away, and began searching again. "Ooh, this one's nice!" She said brightly, holding up an orange chenille dress. "That won't go with my mask very well."

Tikki put on a determined face, and began to search furiously. Suddenly she gasped. "What about this one?" She asked yet again. I turned my head to look and gasped. "Perfect! Thank you Tikki!" I grabbed the dress. "You're welcome!" She said.

"Okay. Tikki, spots on!"

. . .

I jumped from building to building, using my stick. I only had a minute before the dance would start, and as Cat Noir I shouldn't start a reputation for being late.

I smiled in relief as I spotted the hotel. Taking one final leap, I landed with my stick in front of the entrance. I was almost breathless as I dusted off my suit. Because this was a formal event hosted by the mayor, I decided to wear a simple but stylish suit over my Cat Noir catsuit.

"Cat Noir! I'm so glad you could attend this event!" Mayor Bourgeois walked over and addressed me warmly. "I said I would attend, and I wasn't going to break my word." I replied, bowing respectively. "But where is Ladybug?" Mayor Bourgeois asked. "She'll be here soon." I answered. He nodded and went off to greet the other guests. My smile faded, and I began to search the sky for Ladybug. I hope she's still coming.