The White Cat

Chapter 8: Crumbled

I closed my trap door before locking it. I dove under the bed, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stared at the wooden slats. Plagg told me to hide as soon as I returned; but, he had absolutely refused to tell me why. My arms shook as I searched for Tikki, making sure she had made it in with me. Plagg and Tikki made me go everywhere before coming home; Tikki said it was Plagg's idea. He won't tell me why I should avoid Cat as Marinette.

A few minutes later, I heard something land on my roof. I swallowed as I fumbled with my phone and pulled it out. I angled it enough to see Cat Blanc peering through the trap door, his eyes roving all over. I quickly yanked my phone to my side when his gaze seemed to linger on it. Panic began to set in. What is he doing here? Does he know who I am?

"Plagg, does he know who I am?" I hissed as he blinked and looked up at me, with a blank look. He shrugged before he went back to hanging his head. He felt really bad for Cat's transformation. I wouldn't be surprised if he even blamed himself for it.

I jumped when I heard the sound of Cat walking towards the edge of my balcony. His footsteps fell silent. I didn't dare remove myself from beneath the bed. I waited and waited till Plagg got fed up and floated through the bed. I jumped with squeak when Plagg suddenly reappeared in front of me.

"He's gone," he snorted, hiding his pain. Tikki approached him and wrapped her arms around him, comforting the little Kwami. He took deep breaths before he focused his attention on me. "Ok, we need to get this done and over with it. I need to share the information that could help."

I nodded as he inhaled and closed his eyes, regaining control over himself. "I can track Cat where ever he goes." Plagg opened his eyes as he focused on me. I nodded as I crawled out from under the bed; he followed me out and settled on my bed by my side. "Since Cat has been Akumatized, no one can remove his miraculous stone." My heart sank at his words. That's where Cat's Akuma is. "No one can unless he wills it so, even then only Ladybug can." I groaned at his words. That wasn't much help still. I can't do anything let alone cleanse a butterfly. "Only you can get him to give you his ring, not even," he hesitated, "not even he can remove the ring."

I groaned. "That's encouraging. He's already tried to kill me. Twice." I huffed as cracking sounded above me. I froze when something landed on me, pinning me to the bed.

"Marinette!" Cried Tikki and Plagg as I felt claws go through my hair. I froze as soft purring filled the air. I could feel the cool air above my legs from the swishing tail. I grit my teeth as the gentle bubbling sound of cataclysm next to my ear. I growled as I swung my head back hitting him as he yowled and got off me. I rolled off my bed as he hissed and swiped at me.

I looked up to see Cat glaring at me through his sinuous lashes, his right hand flat on my bed as it turned brown. He sprang off it before it crumbled to dust. "Marinette?" Came the voice of my parents as I slid down my stairs with Cat right behind me.

"Why are you after me!?" I played helpless as Cat perched on my desk, a dark smile curling his lips before my trap door flung open. Cat's eyes flicked to my parents as they gasped. His smile widened when he glanced at them. I stepped in front of them, my arms spread open. "Don't hurt them please." I whispered as he smirked.

"I know who you are, Milady." Cat said in a silky smooth voice as he leaned forward before letting his legs dangle off the edge of my computer desk. I flinched when his eyes roved over my room. He frowned before laughing. "Are you obsessed with this boy or obsessed with the fool his father is, Ladybug?" He cooed as he lightly touched a picture on my desk, watching it crumble away with amusement.

I stiffened at the name he called me. My father suddenly pushed me behind him. "What do you want with my daughter?" He demanded as Cat frowned and pushed himself off the desk, causing it too to crumble. He casually walked forward, looking up at my father. "My daughter is no Ladybug," he snarled as I grabbed his shirt and tugged on it.

"Dad-"

"No, Marinette." Tom interrupted me as Cat smirked.

"Your daughter isn't telling you everything, but I will say this," he narrowed his eyes as he scowled. I screamed as he launched his hand forward, placing his palm firmly on my father's stomach. "I will remove whomever stands in my way." Cat hissed as he watched Tom collapse on to the ground.

"Call the ambulance!" I cried as I grasped my father's arm. He growled in pain but glared at Cat who turned his gaze to my mom while she disappeared down the ladder. "Leave her alone!" I stepped in front of Tom as he grabbed my leg. I glanced down before returning my gaze to Cat Blanc.

I gasped when he grabbed my arm and yanked me into him. I tried to dart away as he hissed at me, causing me to flinch before he wound his arm tightly around my waist. He dragged me towards a wall above the open street. He slammed his palm against it. He leaped out the hole onto the side of a building across the street.

I gasped as he threw me up. I closed my eyes, expecting to fall to the ground only to feel hands gripping my arms. I blinked as I watched Cat release his grip on the wall. I cried out and tried reaching for him only to feel my captures' grip tighten as they lugged me over the side of the building.

I gripped the edge tightly. I stilled upon hearing a building crumble. I looked up rn trme to see Cat backflip away from my home as it collapsed in on itself. "Mom! Dad!" I exclaimed as I struggled to break free. The other Akumas held onto me tightly. I wanted to save my parents but I couldn't find Tikki, nor did I know where she was. "No!" I wailed as Cat Blanc vaulted himself over onto the building next to us.

"Don't worry. They're not dead," he pointed to the street as I followed his finger to see Sabine, my mother, staring at me wide eyed. She was unable to do anything. She returned her attention to my father who was being loaded into an ambulance. I flinched as I was dragged away from the edge. I glared at Cat as he lifted my chin. "Now, where is Plagg?"

Did Cat save my parents? Does that mean there is still good in him? Hope flared in my chest as I searched his gaze. He tightened his grip on my jaw, a scowl marring his features.

"Cat." I whispered as I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes. "Oh, my kitty." He bristled at the pet name. Cat Noir was still in there and he wanted me to help him. So did Cat Noir rescue my parents? "Hang in there. I will help." I whispered as his face twisted into disgust.

"I am not your Kitty," he hissed and released me. "Now, where is Plagg?" I snorted at his demand.

"I don't know. He's your Kwami." I snapped as I suddenly yanked my arm free, surprising the Akuma holding me. I swung my arm forward, slugging Cat in the nose. He howled in pain as his hands flew to his face.

Another hiss came from my right as I kicked the woman in her inner thigh. She cried out as I ran towards the edge of the building. "Grab her!" Cat yowled when I leapt off, aiming for the card boxes in the ally when I felt my body tingle. I blinked as I instinctively reached my yo-yo, flinging it towards the building in front of me.

I gasped as a wolf Akuma landed in front of me when I landed, holding his clawed hands out to grab me. I prayed for rain when I saw the Norte Dame church out of the corner of my eye. If I could no longer hide at home, maybe I could at the church. I gasped as thunder boomed overhead. I heard Cat yowl in frustration when buckets of water began to fall from the sky.

I swung over the wolf as he growled and glared at me but never pursued. I ducked low among the buildings. I slinked behind another torn poster of Adrien. I peered around the board to see Cat standing on a building's edge, two Akumas in front of the billboard I was hiding behind. He almost seemed lost and alone.

I grit my teeth as Plagg appeared beside me, excited. "Cat is still in there. He is fighting the Akuma." I rolled my eyes at him but hide the relief I felt.' "That means he will be willing to give the ring when Cat Noir manages to break free of Cat Blanc, however brief."

I Sighed. "So that means I haveto time it right."