Always Find You

Chapter 23 - "I'm Sorry, Ladybug"

Marinette tries to distract herself by watching the news for any recent akumas. By some stroke of luck, it's been quiet since she's been gone.
Even with the newscasters' voices blaring in the background, her mind still goes back to what happened. The wound on her side stings and her stomach turns at the memory of that dungeon. And earlier when she almost died... Marinette takes a moment to really think about that: she almost died. She doesn't understand why or how Hawk Moth/Mr. Agreste didn't actually kill her, as it was clear his intention was to do so. He definitely still managed to get her earrings though, and her heart feels hollow with Tikki gone once again.

The news story about an extremely obese hamster on the TV suddenly goes black and is replaced by an image of Chat Noir from the shoulders up. Marinette's heart leaps for a moment, relieved to see him again, but her relief turns to worry as she notices his unusually calm demeanor. Maybe something went awry and he's telling the news station?

"Citizens of France," He begins.

'All of France?' Marinette thinks, 'How many stations is this on?' She clicks through the channels, each news station - local or international - bears his face and continues his speech.

"You might not all know me," Chat clears his throat, "My name is Chat Noir. I'm what you might call a superhero here in Paris."
He glances around the camera as if looking at someone and continues, "I- uh... I have something important to tell you. My partner, Ladybug," His voice cracks when he says her name, "Has been indisposed for awhile now, leaving me at the mercy of the akumas."

'What?' She thinks, 'I've been gone for a week, and there's been no sign of any akumas!'

"That's why..." Chat hesitates, looking behind the camera, wincing monetarily before putting his stoic face back on, "She... she can't be my partner anymore."

Marinette unconsciously gasps, her parents now looking at the tv with her.

The boy stares at the camera, his eyes watering slightly, but he keeps talking, "The Ladybug that you all know and love is nothing more than a c-clumsy, immature teenager."

At this point, Marinette can swear that he's looking back at somebody for instruction, as he does it for a third time before continuing,
"She has risked my life more times than she's saved me, and only hurts our team," Chat clenches his jaw, "So, in an effort to find a new Ladybug, I thought you should know that this Ladybug's real name is...." He stops again, obviously holding back tears now, but he sniffs and says, "Her real name is..." Looking behind the camera one more time, he yells, "Cataclysm!"

~ ~ ~

  Adrien struggled through the entire speech that Hawk Moth had him memorize. He realized that he couldn't bare to betray either side of his Lady, though, so he decided to risk destroying the ropes around him with his Cataclysm.

'Five minutes,' He thinks, 'I have five minutes to take Hawk Moth down before my transformation wears off.'

As soon as Chat jumps out of his seat, Hawk Moth dives for him in a rage. They fight hand to hand — Chat missing his staff — still in front of the live camera. The boy lands a few hits on his father, but Gabriel is much bigger than him and soon gets the upper hand. All of France watches as their hero falls to the floor, getting absolutely pummeled.

Hawk Moth picks Chat up by the bell of his collar and drags him back in front of the camera so everyone can see his bloodied face.

"Is this your hero, France?!" Gabriel yells, "A little boy who is nothing but a coward?"

Adrien coughs, spitting out a bit of blood, and looks right into the camera's lens, "I'm sorry, Ladybug."

~ ~ ~

The screen turns black again, leaving Marinette's eyes burning with the image of Chat's face. She needs Tikki so much right now, she doesn't know what to do. Her partner needs help, but she's stuck in this stupid hospital bed because of stupid Gabriel Agreste. She can't believe she used to look up to him.

The door to Marinette's room squeaks open, interrupting her thoughts, and a short doctor in a surgical mask walks in, "Mr. Dupain, Mrs. Cheng?"

Her parents stand up from their chairs.

The doctor continues, "The front desk needs some info from you, if you wouldn't mind."

Her dad nods his head, "I'll go."

"No no, they need you both." The doctor's eyes crinkle kindly behind his mask.

"Of course, thank you, Doctor." Her mom says.

He leads them out of the room and walks back in, removing his surgical mask.

"Master Fu!" Marinette whisper-shouts, "Why the disguise?"

The old man chuckles, "I had to get rid of your parents somehow. I have a very important task for you."

"I would love to do whatever this 'important task' is, Master, but I can barely even move."

"Marinette, you need to help Chat Noir. I am old and can't do so anymore. He might not make it if you don't."

"Please. You need to find someone else, I won't be the same Ladybug while I'm injured... I don't even have my Miraculous anymore."

"I know. I don't want you to be Ladybug right now," He takes his turtle bracelet off his wrist, "Chat Noir needs protection. He needs Carapace."

"Isn't that supposed to be Nino's job?"

"Perhaps. But you're the one for this job, Marinette. Please."

She glances at him, realizing that this is probably his last resort, "I'm still injured. Dying isn't going to do anyone any good."

"Wayzz will protect you and Chat Noir. You have to trust him."

Marinette looks between him and the Turtle Miraculous in his hand, "I trust you, Master Fu."