Wrong number

Chapter 36

She hadn't expected to see them; they were famous internationally; at one point they had been said to be nothing more than a myth created by local police to keep the ever growing number of villains at bay.

Though things had changed with the introduction of Robin, Batman's younger partner, that was when they'd been confirmed as real, as more than just a story.

She knew she shouldn't have been surprised at the idea of seeing villains in Gotham, but the sharp bang sounds as bullets starting to fly startled her. She stared at the man as others began to run screaming, at the sight of him and his followers.

It was all familiar in a way the looks of panic, menacing words yelled by the akuma and the destruction that would follow. This was different; it wasn't some man taking advantage of it was a person willing to choose his actions.

He was of short status, rather plump, with a long nose. He was wearing a top hat and a monocle all a part of his look alongside the suit. He stood centre of the group leaning on his umbrella as he began to speak.

She was still unsure of who he was but at the sight of him Damian grabbed her arm tugging her away from the hot chocolate stand they'd be in line for. Soon they'd been immersed amongst the crowd of civilians who were hiding.

Damian had pulled her between a gap in between two stalls, a small gap that kept them hidden in stalls shadow but allowed them to watch the scene unfold. As vigilantes began to appear.

"Are you alright?" he asked, staring at her looking for any sign of discomfort or fear.

"Yeah, just didn't expect to see superheroes today" Marinette muttered quietly watching the way they worked and how in sync they all were

"Vigilanties " Damian corrected, Marinette turned towards the boy, his eyes were scanning the scene with interest as though he knew something she didn't

"Pardon" she asked, voice quiet against the sounds of the fight.

"Batman and his prodigies are vigilantes not superheroes" he said simply, and she nodded

"Right, sorry, what's the difference?" she asked a little confused, she'd heard both terms during the early days of her time as ladybug but was mostly considered a hero.

"The difference is in how the two operate: a hero is recognised for doing noble acts that is authorised whereas a vigilante operates outside the law." he explained

"Oh that makes sense," she whispered, hearing the commotion get closer to where they were.

"Are you sure you're alright this was your first criminal attack correct?" Damian asked, eyes glancing over her scanning for any possible injury he could have missed the first time. Making sure the incident hadn't shaken her up

"Oh no, I've been through this many times before its fine" she spoke casually, not truly realising what she had said until after the words had been spoken

"Right of course" he said, nodding along until he paused what attacks had occurred in Paris there had been nothing that he knew of unless it was taken care of by the justice league but still father would have mentioned it.

But neither his father nor Marinette had mentioned this detail prior to this, but they couldn't have been that minor for it to occur many times.

"Paris has had villains? Like the rogues? Or other forms of attacks" Damian asked, trying not to pry too much so quickly, Marinette wasn't the most open person, not at first. Something he'd gotten to know over time.

"Not like this but there was a villain in the past. But the heroes defeated them" she spoke casually, trying to stay as vague as possible.

The last thing she needed now was someone digging up her past, especially now if anyone were to go to Paris looking for them they'd only find Plagg. He and Tikki were the only ones active and that was through years of tryst that they'd be kept hidden and safe with their permanent holders.