It's the Little Things That Count - Gabenath Drabbles

Day 15: You're Hurt/Never Again

In other circumstances, the Miraculous Ladybugs would've healed all physical wounds. But not if the battle continued afterward.

After the usual defeat, Hawk Moth and Mayura would retreat. Ladybug and Cat Noir wouldn't follow.

Today, though, the two heroes seemed to hold a grudge. They pursued the villains, who'd become separated.

Mayura was already feeling exhausted from the battle and the damage from her Miraculous, and Ladybug on her tail wasn't helping.

Jumping over rooftops, Mayura underestimated the distance between two buildings. She hit the ground hard, grimacing as her ankle twisted and her knees and elbows scraped the ground. She climbed to her feet in the alley, struggling to regain her breath as Ladybug approached. If things took a turn for the worse, she could only hope that Hawk Moth had escaped.

"Give me your Miraculous, Mayura," Ladybug snapped. "I'm not in the mood for games today."

"Neither am I," she retorted, hastily looking for a way out. She hardly noticed that she'd leaned against the wall for support, her breaths faint and uneven.

Ladybug looked at her sympathetically, annoyance disappearing. "I honestly don't want to fight you anymore. Just give me your Miraculous. If you can convince Hawk Moth to as well, we'll give you both a second chance."

The girl's kindness was surprising, but she knew Gabriel would never agree to Ladybug's terms.

"He won't-" Mayura slumped to her knees, head spinning.

Sounding panicked, Ladybug whispered, "Something's wrong . . ." She raised her voice. "Mayura, whatever's happening to you, if you give me your Miraculous, I'll help you. You know I could've easily taken it already."

Mayura uselessly covered the brooch with her hand. Part of her wished she could accept the girl's help, but her loyalty to Gabriel stopped her. Even if she knew the superhero was right.

Nathalie had never been a fan of fighting against teenagers, but she'd enjoyed playing the role of a supervillain, at least while she had the man she loved by her side. It was a good way to escape everyday life. Now, all she wanted was for Gabriel and Adrien to be happy.

Ladybug offered her hand. "Please. We can forget any of this ever happened."

She wasn't given a chance to respond as her dizziness overwhelmed her and she fell to the ground.

"Mayura?" The girl actually sounded concerned.

She remained in a daze, head and ankle throbbing as a new pair of footsteps came closer. "M'lady? What happened?"

"I don't know, kitty, she just collapsed. Where's Hawk Moth?"

"I lost track of him. He was too fast," Cat Noir replied. "Why haven't you taken her Miraculous?"

"I was trying to give her and Hawk Moth a second chance if they handed them over without struggle. She seemed to be considering it too, but . . ."

Their voices were starting to blur together, leaving her unable to make out what they were saying. Until familiar hands settled on her shoulders.

"Hawk Moth . . ." she whispered as he pulled her into his arms.

The heroes didn't sound as relieved to see the man. She could hear the whoosh of Ladybug's yoyo as the girl exclaimed, "Hawk Moth!"

"Did you do this?" His voice was low and threatening, sending chills down Mayura's spine.

"No!" Ladybug replied quickly. "She collapsed!"

"Listen, Grandpa, we aren't the villains here," Cat Noir added.

Mayura broke into a coughing fit and he held her tighter. "This is the one time I will request that you let us go with no conflict."

Cat Noir snorted. "You wouldn't have the same sentiment if one of us had collapsed, would you?"

Through her blurry gaze, she managed to catch Hawk Moth's eyes, trying to show him that she was alright. Simply a dizzy spell like all of the others. She even tried to smile.

"Just this once," Ladybug told him.

"We won't have another chance like this!" Cat Noir said desperately. "Please reconsider, M'lady!"

"As you said, kitty, we aren't the villains. That's why I'm letting you go."

Hawk Moth didn't bother to thank the heroes as he lifted Mayura and stood, leaping to a rooftop.

Before she knew it, they were both back in Gabriel's office. He'd de-transformed without her noticing.

He set her on the sofa, removing the brooch from her chest.

"Never again."

"I know I almost compromised my identity, but-"

"No, Nathalie, I can't stand seeing you so sick anymore. Not when I can prevent it. You're hurt and it's my fault."

"It was my decision."

"That you only made to help me. I told you before, the cost isn't worth it." He sat next to her. The next few minutes passed in silence as he bandaged one of her elbows.

"Ladybug was willing to give us another chance," she told him suddenly, mind still foggy.

He rolled her sleeve back down. "What do you mean?"

"She said if we give her our Miraculous, she and Cat Noir will forget about everything we've done. Maybe she could even help Emilie . . ."

He sighed, shaking his head. "Even if we accepted their offer, the only way to bring her back is through the wish. There's no other way to revive the dead. And that would mean our identities would be revealed. Everyone would find out eventually, even Adrien." His eyes lingered on the portrait of his wife.

"Well, it's up to you, sir. Whatever decision you make, I'll-"

"Thank you, but I can't ask you to be Mayura. Not after Emilie died from using the peacock Miraculous. Never again."