Lost and Found

Tragedy

Marinette had been doing this hero thing for three years now. She had no intention of stopping after Hawkmoth was defeated even though she was to give up her miraculous. But unfortunately, Lila was making that resolve crack slightly, and Marinette was beginning to doubt the goodness of humanity.

The League of Assassins hadn't even managed to do that for Marinette, so the fact that one girl with an affinity for lying could was honestly very impressive.

Yet here they were, Marinette was transformed, and watching the destruction of Paris into a fiery black spot on the crust of the earth. Lila was akumatized into one of the most powerful akumas she and Chat had the displeasure of encountering, and they were at a loss.

Her name was Inferno, and she had the ability to control and create fire. You would think that it would be easier to deal with that than it was, seeing as how basic her powers were, but the two heroes couldn't even get close. If they tried they nearly got burnt to a crisp, and the two learned quickly just how little their suits protected them.

"We need a plan," she said aloud, not necessarily to Chat, but he was the only one there, so he was the only one capable of a reply.

"Is there a way for us to somehow flood Paris or something? It would put out the fires, and give us an advantage," he suggested. He had become much more helpful in the planning aspect of the hero work over the years.

"Maybe, and we would be able to reverse the damage afterward, but that's a tall order, and I don't know how we could possibly accomplish that." Marinette sighed, Paris was becoming more and more engulfed in flames by the minute, they had to think and work fast if they didn't want Inferno to get any more powerful.

"You might be able to if we can overflow the sewer system," Marinette heard a voice from behind. It was Nightwing. Marinette turned around to look at him. He was covered in soot and ash, and he had a gas mask on so he could breath through the smoke. He didn't have the advantage of magic on his side.

"Yes, but how are we supposed to do that?" she asked. Chat had turned around to face Nightwing by then as well.

"LB, you go watch Inferno, look for weak points, but stay out of sight as long as you can, I'll take Chat down to go overflow the sewers and canals, we'll be on coms the whole time, so call for help if you need it," Nightwing said as he pulled out two ear pieces, handing one to each of the others.

Marinette nodded, his plan was sound, and if they managed to flood the city then they might have a chance.

So they went their separate ways, the boys off working on their half of the plan, and Marinette working on hers.

Inferno had the weakness of lack of experience, she could tell that much. She fought with terrible form, and had a habit of leaving her head and her sides exposed. That much Marinette could tell by just going in with quick blows and getting out as soon as possible.

Marinette was about to go down again and see if she could spot another weakness when she heard a noise behind her. She quickly whipped around, to come face to face with the Joker. He was wielding a large knife, and he looked positively delighted to have caught her alone. It was, in short, terrifying.

"Well well, little bug, looks like you not only look like a bat, but you act like one too," he grinned, then laughed to himself. Marinette didn't waste any time. He knew her identity, which meant Nightwing be damned, she'd be the one to take the bastard down.

She lunged, and he dodged. He swung at her, she took his knife. He got her yo-yo away, she kicked him in the gut. For at least a minute, it seemed like they might be evenly matched, then he got the drop on her. She didn't know how he had done it, but pretty soon she was thrown against a wall and a knife had taken a slice out of her side.