Shattered - A Miraculous Ladybug fanfic

Chapter 2

They were standing in the basement of the mansion once again. Adrien could feel his heart sink as he watched his father approach them. His twisted nature finally showing itself to Adrien, the boy let her mind conclude what Gabriel Agreste was. A villain.

"Focus, he has no idea who you are" he mentally told himself, not letting his trademark grin drop for even a second. "Ladybug needs you" He spared a glance at his lady, and saw her confused expression.

"We wouldn't want Gabriel knowing my secret now would we?" his voice was quiet so Gabriel wouldn't hear him. He tried but couldn't hide the brokenness of his voice, so instead, he just squeezed her hand and looked back at their enemy.

"Well, well," Gabriel said as he came into speaking range. "Aren't you full of negative emotions today?" he didn't hide his identity or intentions. Ladybug heard his conversation with his son and all three of them knew it.

Ladybug tried to look confident but she knew she failed at it. She was desperately holding onto Chat's hand as if she'd collapse without it. Her brain was racing and she had no idea how to stop her thoughts. Every fight she ever had with Chat, every argument, every time she rejected him for Adrien, and all of the times Chat came to her as Marinette flashed in her mind as if playing tag.

It was a  warped race between all the memories and emotions competing for dominance over her. But the game could not be won by the happy memories. It couldn't even be won by the bad ones. No, she wasn't strong enough to force the memory of herself fading away out and once it entered the game, everything else faded. "Chat," her hand slipped and her knees gave out.

Chat felt Ladybug's grip loosen up and thinking she was ready to fight he let go. He only realized her mistake when he heard the clank of her knees colliding with the metal. He immediately snapped his head towards her, not caring what his father was doing. He knelt down and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Ladybug?" his voice was so clear yet it barely reached Ladybug's brain. "I think we should go."

Ladybug didn't answer. She couldn't. She heard the words but they didn't make sense in the pool of emotions and memories that was her brain at the moment. She wanted to scream. She wanted to push herself into a corner. But perhaps more than anything she wanted to back away from Chat's touch.

Her muscles wouldn't budge though. Her heart felt content feeling his hand real and warm on her shoulder. Feeling the gentle touch of Adrien. Through her hazy eyes, she could see the concern in his eyes. His deep green eyes.

"Oh but my akuma would have a feast on her guilt and trauma" Gabriel, now fully transformed interrupted. "What do you say Ladybug? Do you want to keep your precious Chat noir safe?" he asked releasing a black-purple butterfly. Ladybug didn't know if she could resist him. To her luck, she didn't have to figure it out.

"Oh no, you don't!" Chat yelled, using his power to get rid of the akuma, and grabbed Ladybug before leaving. Ladybug buried her face in his leather outfit and started sobbing.

"What was I thinking?" her voice was shaking. She should have known she couldn't fight Gabriel but she foolishly ran into it anyway.

Chat felt Ladybug's hold tighten as her soft voice questioned herself. He had to get her help and fast. Not knowing where to go, he decided to visit a friend. Luka was always able to help him as Adrien so he should be able to help Ladybug. Or so he hoped with every fiber of his being.

"What the..." Alya's voice startled both heroes as Chat landed on Luka's boat. His ring sounded the final beep and everyone knew what that meant. The three present stood up at the sight, Alya rushing to take Ladybug in her hands and Luka to lead Chat away. Alix just stood there, waiting for something to happen.

Marinette gathered all her strength to stand up and go with Alya. She couldn't tell them why everything happened. She could not let them know what could happen. "It would just make it more likely to happen," she thought as she de-transformed. But she couldn't hide anymore. Chat noir had to carry her away from a fight because she couldn't focus.

"Girl, what happened?" Alya asked worry coloring her voice as Marinette de-transformed. "I have never seen you this broken down. Plus you were hanging onto Chat noir as if he was some kind of liferaft." Marinette sighed and looked down.

"We know who Shadow moth is," she had to give Alya something. She was way too upset to pass it off as being tired or anything else. "It's Gabriel Agreste"

Alya stared at her best friend, not quite believing the words she was hearing. She now saw why Marinette was the way she was. Or partially she did. Marinette didn't look her in the eye and that meant only one thing. She was keeping something from her.

"Okay, but you've gotta get it together." Alya sounded torn although Marinette couldn't figure out what was going on in her BFF's head. "If we know who Shadow moth is we can beat him" Alya finally said, standing up and offering a hand to Marinette.

"She's right Marinette," Tikki said as Alya pulled the black haired girl up. "I know you want to protect Chat but the best way to do that is to beat Shadow moth." Marinette looked at Tikki with a slight smile. She now had two reasons to worry for the safety of Chat Noir.

"Wait, what are you talking about Tikki?" Alya asked. Marinette's head snapped towards the brunette and her eyes went wide with fear.

"That isn't my secret to tell," Tikki replied to the relief of Marinette. "Marinette will have to tell you when she's ready."

"Sorry Alya, but... I can't" Marinette answered the girl's unspoken question. Her head was filled once again with possible outcomes of Alya knowing. All of them ended one way.

Her head was once again hazed and her chest way too heavy. She tried to take deep breaths but every single breath that filled her lungs was devoid of oxygen. Her head felt oddly light and she started wavering, her legs all but giving out. As she felt her heart pound against her ribcage with increasing speed her breath hitched and she lost all control almost collapsing on the ground.

Alya caught her before that could happen and sat down with her. She took even breaths as she stroked Marinette's back.

"It's okay Mari, I'm here," she said while keeping her demeanor calm. "Breathe with me," she said making sure to take as deep and even breaths as she could. At first, Marinette could only take one deep breath at a time but slowly she matched Alya's pattern, and her muscles relaxed under Alya's hands.

"Thank you, Alya," Marinette said. For all his good intentions, Adrien didn't seem to know how to handle a panic attack. They stayed quiet for a while before Alya spoke up.

Your friends will always be there for you." she looked sheepish which scared Marinette. "Which reminds me. Everyone here... well, we know your identity." she blurted out. Marinette's eyes once more went wide and anger filled her brain. Did Alya tell Luka and Alix? Why? she had to know.

"What?!" her voice snapped out. Hanging onto the breathing exercise she tried to control herself. Alya was her best friend. She wouldn't tell anyone her identity.

"They figured it out and well..." Alya stood up. "I think you should talk to them." with that she left to get the two other people besides Adrien on the boat.

Marinette was so focused on Adrien/Chat noir being okay and not akumatized that the possibility of Shadow moth having a different target didn't cross her mind. Well, it did, since he tried earlier but she didn't think he could succeed with her friends around.

She fell to her knees as tears of rage and betrayal started falling down her cheeks. She tried to remind herself that they were still her friends, but all alone, with no one to keep an eye on her or destroy the black moth approaching, she was easy prey. She vaguely heard Tikki speak but she didn't comprehend the words. the akuma flew into her purse and she felt the presence of Hawk moth immediately.

"Princess justice. We meet again" the spiteful words rang In Marinette's brain. She saw Alya and Luka approach but she was under Hawk moth's spell. And she couldn't warn them.