Gotham Mouse, Paris Bug

Chapter 5

Ladybug scanned the Akuma quickly, watching as she flung fire-bolts at civilians who refused to get out of the way.

Still, Ladybug sighed, it was a fairly simple looked gunner Akuma. This could be taken down in minutes if Chat would cooperate. But Chat Noir wasn’t here yet, he’d actually been late to Akuma before she left for Gotham. But him continuing that trend as this was her first Akuma since… her parents was concerning.

Speaking of her parents.

It had been hard for Ladybug to not notice the flyers. They were posted on every bulletin board she had run across, in the store windows, she used to frequent as well.

Ladybug had stared at her, at Marinette, no matter where in the city she went. And it made Ladybug want to vomit.

The fliers were simple, her face and name along with the bakery phone number and address. Below was a brief statement.

“Marinette ran away when we placed more restrictions on her. She doesn’t understand what’s going on and only needs to come back so everything will go back to how they should be. If you see her, please hand her over to us as soon as possible. We miss our baby girl.”

Oddly enough, the concern laced into the message made Ladybug feel more uncomfortable than if they had insulted her or called her a delinquent. She was just glad they hadn’t ousted her identity. Then again, maybe they didn’t want people knowing they let their child place themselves in that much danger? Or maybe they would reconsider their stance on her being Ladybug.

She had hesitated briefly, it was possible, after all, emotions had been running high that night. But they hadn’t been akumatized so they couldn’t have been that upset.

“Everything will go back to how they should be”

She had shaken her head, not having time to dwell on whether or not The Dupain-Chengs had come to their sense. Truth was that Marie was happier being, well, Marie.

Not Marinette.

She had turned from the paper launching herself onto the rooftops and heading towards the smoke.

Quickly, Ladybug threw her yo-yo out to jerk the Akuma’s aims balance. She liked to keep the PTSD inflicted to a minimal, which meant saving the civilians with no sense of self-preservation safe. Seriously, you’d think by now that they would take a hint and run from the Akuma attacks.

“Ladybug, I’m supposed to get your miraculous. But where’s your furry,” The Akuma taunted. “I am Sunspot! And I won’t rest until Damocles learns what it’s like to be fired!”

Ladybug really wished she was surprised. Mr. Damocles had probably fired whoever had dared to call out Chloe or some other rich kid.

She prepared for the incoming attack, knowing if she could keep Sunspot’s focus on her then she could possibly get her to overheat or forget about the civilians at least. The pen in her hand was a good bet for the Akuma, and the red coat tail that stuck out from her fire suit would be a good way to pull her off balance.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to paw-use you there Sunny,” Chat Noir called nonchalantly. His smirk was bright and carefree, standing in front of some civilians. Ladybug felt panic twisting in her gut. She knew what was coming, Chat always called the Akuma’s attention before, ducking out of the way of whatever the attack was. Ladybug felt her breathing speed up, struggling to remain calm as she called after him a moment too late.