Against the World

Cat-astrophe

Catching Queen Bee turned out more difficult than hoped. There was no rhyme or reason to her appearances. She would show up in the middle of an akuma attack, launch her buzz bombs at any or all of the participants, and spiral off without pause. She could skim the rooftops at night attacking absolutely nothing. She would sweep in as she had the first time and spar on the heels of an Akuma attack while Ladybug and Chat Noir were on borrowed time. She never stayed to fight any length of time, and her jetpack allowed her to lose any impromptu pursuit.

Ladybug and Cat Noir sat together on a rooftop after one more failed pursuit. Cat Noir was still in Astrocat form, amusing himself by swiping at his glowing bell while Ladybug pulled double duty in the frustrated grumbling department.

"We've got to come up with some way to pin her down." She fumed, looking up at the glittering stars with the nagging feeling one might swoop down at any moment to light up another street in Paris with bombs and mayhem.

"I'm sorry M'Lady. I don't think we can beat her for speed, maybe if we worked together to ground her next time?"

"Maybe." Ladybug slumped her shoulders,"I was worried about trying this because now I'm afraid she'll be on guard for it. If she gives a chance we'll both transform and go after her, but who knows when that'll be? If she sticks to Akuma fights we can't both go running off."

"Whoever she is, she's playing it smart, always running away. Do you really still think it's Chloe?"

Ladybug brought her knees up and rested her chin on them,"It doesn't really sound like her, but I don't know who else it could be. If it's Shadowmoth using a Sentimonster I have no idea what his game is. He's normally pretty direct in coming for us. It's easy when you know the villain wants to fight you. This is something new."

Cat Noir tilted his head in thought,"Well, speaking as a cat, if you want to catch a rat you need some cheese."

Ladybug raised her head, shooting him a confused look,"Is the air getting thin in there kitty?" She knocked on his enclosed helmet.

Cat Noir puffed up,"Not at all bugaboo." he hopped up, pacing with a swagger as he spoke,"She always runs right? We just need to lure her out with something she wants. Then she won't run, she'll come right to us and snap!" he clapped his hands together,"One rat in a trap. We just need the right cheese. If it IS Chloe, what does she want?"

Ladybug's expression changed as he spoke from skepticism to understanding. Shethought for a moment,"Vesperia. She hates not being Queen Bee any more. I mean look at her costume now." Ladybug shook her head,"I don't want to risk any of our allies while she's still out there though. I've never tried the ladybugs when there wasn't an akuma involved somehow. I don't want to find out it can't restore people while fighting a mad bomber."

"Hmm." Cat Noir dropped back down to sit, turning his retracted staff over in his hands,"How about an Illusion? You could fuse Fox and Ladybug. That way no one else needs to be at risk."

Ladybug chewed on the idea,"Not bad kitty, but I think I've got one better. Tomorrow you stake out the hotel. I'll have a friend help lure out Queen Bee. If it's Chloe you might be able to catch her leaving. If it isn't, I'll be at the fake sighting and I'll call you if Queen Bee shows up."

Cat Noir nodded,"And if she doesn't show up at all, then at least it's one person eliminated."

Ladybug stood, unhooking her yo-yo,"Yeah, and I'm not sure which I want more. Chloe wasn't the best miraculous holder but really, I don't want to believe she would go this far."

Cat Noir stood,"You so sure about that bugaboo?" he teased. It earned him a frustrated head shake before they split up to head their ways for the night.