Thunderstorms Series: Part 3 (Drenched)

Chapter 25

Ladybug stared down at the message. She felt like she was frozen in place. This confirmed it. He was kidnapped. Hawkmoth had to have gotten to him. Why? Why would his father do something so awful? He would take his own son just to take his miraculous and harm all of Paris for self gain? Ladybug closed her yo-yo and saw the others still searching for Adrien. She swallowed, wondering if she should tell them. She gripped her fists.

The message said to come alone, or Adrien would pay the price. She knew it had to be a trap... but it was Adrien. She couldn't let him get hurt. Hawkmoth... Gabriel... his father wouldn't hurt his own son... would he? She didn't know anymore. She couldn't take that risk... She didn't want to take that risk.

Ladybug twirled her yo-yo and made her way to the location that was typed to her, not signalling or notifying the others of where she was going. She landed in front of an abandoned building. The windows were busted and there were no lights inside. If she weren't a superhero... she wouldn't want to be there. She walked up the steps and gripped the door knob. She swallowed and slowly pushed the door open.

She walked inside and saw the entire house was almost dark except a light near the back, which seemed to be coming from the kitchen. She shut the door behind her gently trying to keep quiet and then proceeded to walk toward the light. She took out her yo-yo, holding it firmly in her hand just in case. As she made her way to the kitchen she saw Adrien tied to a wooden chair. He was bound by his arms and legs. There was a gag in his mouth so he couldn't speak and he also had a blind fold over his eyes. Ladybug rushed to his side, taking the blind fold off his eyes. She then untied the gag behind his head so he could talk. She saw him spit it out and take a deep breath.

"I-It's a trap LB! You need to run!" Adrien warned.

Ladybug looked around wearily but didn't see anyone. She turned back to Adrien, trying to untie his hands when she saw it.

"A-Adrien..." She said,

"I'm sorry LB..." He said with a frown.

"Your ring..." Ladybug said, turning back to face him.

"I...I tried my best." He grit his teeth trying not to cry.

Ladybug frowned and kissed his cheek, then continued to proceed to get him free from the chair. As she was trying to free him she noticed how tight the rope that bound him was. His wrists were red and sore from him trying to get away and seemed to be almost cutting into his skin.

"Who did this to you, Adrien?" Ladybug asked.

"Mayura was there waiting for me in my mother's room." Adrien sighed.

"So it was Hawkmoth and Mayura afterall." Ladybug narrowed her gaze as she snapped one of the ropes.

"How did Mayura find out about your ring to begin with?" Ladybug asked, snapping another part of the rope.

"You're almost there, I can feel it loosening." Adrien said, wiggling his hands.

Though as she was trying to untie him Adrien's eyes widened.

"Milady! Watch out! Someone's here!" Adrien warned.

Ladybug turned around and saw someone standing in the doorway. They were standing in the darkness so they couldn't see who it was. Ladybug took out her yo-yo and started to spin it, ready to fight whoever it was.

The person stepped forward and Ladybug's eyes widened.

"Felix! What are you doing here? Also why are you detransformed?" Ladybug asked, letting out a breath of relief.

Adrien sighed a breath of relief, looking to Ladybug.

"Nevermind that. I found Adrien. Watch for Mayura and Hawkmoth while I finish untying him." She instructed him,

Ladybug put back her yo-yo and kneeled back down to Adrien to try and untie him.

Adrien watched as Felix just stood there instead of doing what Ladybug asked of him. Instead he stepped closer and rushed to Ladybug grabbing both of her arms. Felix pinned Ladybug down onto the floor with a thud. Ladybug turned her head and saw Felix looking down at her with a saddened expression.

"Felix! What are you doing?" Ladybug said wide eyed.

"Leave her alone!" Adrien demanded.

Ladybug grit her teeth and used her head to hit her head to his, stunning him for a second to get herself to her feet. She got herself to her feet but he tried to go back after her, instead she kicked him away from her, making him stumble backwards. Ladybug started to reach for her yo-yo but as she did, a staff hit her in the hand, causing her to flinch in pain.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Ladybug turned her head and saw someone walking through the darkness toward her. As they walked into the light she saw a girl with long brown hair in a catsuit. She was out numbered.

"Thank you for helping Felix." she smiled.

"No problem... Lila." Felix replied.

"Lila!?" Ladybug said wide-eyed.

"I've always despised you, Ladybug. It's time I know who you really are under that mask. I know who Chat noir really is under that mask, now it's your turn." Lila grinned.

Lila and Felix both jumped toward Ladybug. Ladybug tried to get away but found herself outnumbered. Felix pinned her down once again and Lila had a cataclysm to Adrien's face if she resisted. She had no choice but to play along.

"Take her earrings." Lila smiled.

"Ladybug no! Don't do this! They will have both of them!" Adrien pleaded. "For once, don't worry about me. You can restore everything you're ladybug!"

"Ugh... Adrien... just be quiet. You already lost." Lila rolled her eyes.

Felix looked over at Adrien and smiled. He saw how angry his cousin was. He was burning with anger. He couldn't blame him.

Felix took both earrings from Ladybug and the flash of her detransformation in that dark room caused everyone to close their eyes. Felix shoved Marinette away into a corner and stood up, walking toward Lila with the earrings in his hands. Lila started to walk over to Marinette who was not able to be seen by them because of the darkness but Felix stopped her.

"What are you doing? I want to see who Ladybug really is." Lila said glaring.

"Does it matter? There is no more ladybug. She knows that, you've made that happen." Felix smirked.

Lila thought for a moment and then smiled, turning away and took hold of the door knob with her hand that still had the cataclysm, causing it to turn to ashes.

"Come on whoever you are, Hawkmoth would love to see you." Lila winked, before making her leave.

"It's Felix... I'm sorry Adrien. You'll understand soon." Felix said.

"Get out. Leave me alone." Adrien said, turning away, not able to look at his cousin.

Felix followed Lila, disappearing into the night. After a few seconds he looked toward the door to make sure they were gone. His gaze then drifted to Marinette who sat in the corner of the room.

"M-Marinette? Are... are you alright?" He asked, still tied to the chair.