Losing Identities

Chapter 10

Ladybug's POV

Six villains.

I can't just waltz right in. I have to take a sneakier approach. I hurry around the perimeter of the building, looking for open windows. There's one by the dining room,so I hop inside.

"Adrien!" I whisper-call. "Adrien!"

There's no sign of him, so I crawl back out the window. I glance through each pane of glass I see, careful not to be spotted by villains.

One window has dark curtains over it. Through a large rip in the fabric, I notice golden blond hair. Gasping, I slip in through the nearest open window and sneak into that room.

The place is completely ruined. Broken bits of decor and furniture litter the floor. The wallpaper is ripped, along with paintings and photographs. Clothes are strewn all over the mess. Adrien is lying in the middle of it all, sobbing.

Heart breaking, I tiptoe over to him. Hearing me, he curls up into a ball.

"It's okay," I whisper. "It's me."

"M-Marinette?"

My heart starts pounding. Um... "Marinette sent me."

He glances up at me. "Oh, Ladybug." He smiles a bit to himself. "I knew Marinette wouldn't fail me."

"Yeah, she was very concerned about you," I reply, trying my best to control my blush.

"Of course. She's the most caring person I've ever met," he says.

"I can tell her you said that, if you want."

"Yes."

She's already been told. And she really appreciates the compliment. She can't stop blushing, even in the dangerous situation she's in.

"I wish she hadn't left." Adrien sniffles, his smile gone. "Everyone got along so well while she was there, and then..."

I examine him a bit closer. His clothes are ripped and covered in splinters and shards of glass. He has bruises on his arms. Various cuts ooze red.

"They hurt you," I mutter sadly.

He takes a tearful deep breath. "They did."

"But why? Were you the one who made them angry?"

"No. It was... something else."

Something else? I don't understand. I shake my head. "Where's your friend?"

"Akumatized," he whispers.

"I'm getting you out of here."

Adrien reaches for me, and I scoop him up, trying my best not to touch his injuries. He's so hurt!

"Ladybug, you're..."

"I know," I say, letting the tears stream down my cheeks. "I just hate it when things like this happen."

He sighs, fighting tears. "Where are we going?"

"Is there a place you'd be safe?"

"Marinette's house," he replies softly.

Wow, I can't believe he feels safest with me! It'll require a quick transformation, but it'll work. "Good. I'll drop you off there, and then I'll call Chat Noir to come look after you."

Adrien's face falls. "He... he won't respond."

"What? Why not?" Chat Noir's always been reliable. Sometimes he's late, even super late, but he always shows up.

"He just... won't," Adrien says, choking on the words. He leans into me.

"Is he okay?" I ask. Worry fills me now.

"He..."

Just then, a villain bursts into the room. He looks a lot like Nino. "I found her! In here!"

He starts running toward me. The window's in another room! I can't escape!

Another villain with Kim's appearance storms into the room.

"We should have known!" says a Max-villain as he and an Ivan-villain rush in. "Adrien's here!"

"Leave us alone!" I yell.

They start to corner us.

Don't panic...

One of them reaches for my earrings.

"No!" Adrien screams, swatting their hand away.

I cling tight to him, but they rip him out of my arms and throw him across the room. No!

"Adrien!" I cry.

How could they? Filled with rage, I start kicking and punching everyone. How dare they hurt him? How dare they?

Someone picks me up.

"Put me down! Put me down!" I demand, still fighting.

And then I'm flying and hitting a wall. I sink down next to Adrien. Ugh, everything hurts...

"Look out!"

He pulls me to his chest, shielding my head with his hands.

"Let her go!" someone bellows.

"Never!"

Someone grabs his hands and pulls, but Adrien holds on with all his strength. I cling to him.

Suddenly Adrien is yanked away from me. I feel myself shriek. My arms and legs are held in place as someone reaches for my ears.

"No!" I scream with all my might. "You can't do this! No!"

One earring is gone.

Then, barely a second later, the other.

I feel so weak. Completely powerless. The world needed me. And now I can't protect them anymore...

"We have what we need now. Let's leave them here."

Heavy footsteps fade and disappear into nothing.

I choke on tears.

I'M SORRRYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Ahh, my emotions are all xcvbunimokjhsxcfvhbjnc!

Hawk Moth, come get me.