Fragile as a flower (MariChat)

Faster!

Marinette's POV

I sat in my room on Saturday afternoon. I cuddled up in my blankets and had some jasmine green tea as I listened to the sound of the heater on in my house. Tikki was soundly asleep on a warm cookie that lied on my desk. I had just begun stitching the final accessories of my new outfit. It felt new, light, and...pretty. Just looking at the outfit made me feel more outgoing. I liked it. It's light and flowy fabric bounced when moved, yet it still felt comfortable and free. I tried it on and looked at my body in the mirror

(Credit to original artist)

I felt like a whole new person, but I knew on the inside that I was still me, and that made me feel so happy. I took a moment to step back and acknowledge my achievements. I couldn't wait to wear this to school the next day. As I admired the outfit in full completion, I was interrupted by the sound of my name. 

"*mumbling* Ladybug *mumbling"

I turned around to look at my computer, which I now always have on no matter what. Paris needed Ladybug! I dropped what I was doing and looked straight at the computer screen. An out of control train?! Never heard that one before. I realized that I had to hurry if I was going to save it in time. In a hurry, I transformed.

"Tikki, spots on!!" 

I rushed over to where I thought the train was. I saw it, but only for a second. It was so incredibly fast- within a blink of an eye, it left my radius. Oh no! This looked like the toughest akuma yet. I ran and flied over the rooftops as fast as possible. Faster, faster, faster, FASTER!! I had to go as fast as I ever could. I couldn't let people down anymore, I had to be the Ladybug that they all wanted me to be! I saw smoke sputtering out from the back of the train, sparks began to erupt. If not careful, the train itself could explode. Even if it didn't explode, the people could die if it goes to far on a turn, or if the akuma forces it off the track. Anything can happen. Faster and faster and faster I went, as I got closer to the train, a burnt smell filled the air. I wasn't getting close enough. In a hurry, I grappled my yo-yo onto the train and thrusted my body into the air to try and get closer to it. My body slammed hard onto the side of the now faster train. Pain spread quickly throughout my entire being and I felt a hard shock of pain. 

"Aaugh!" I yelled. But, now wasn't the time for fooling around. I had to get this over with. It couldn't be too hard, right? It's an akuma after all. Akumatized people aren't in their right minds and can't think straight. I forced myself up the ladder. The pressure from the movement made it hard to move. It was begging to give me a headache. The loud sound of air crashing against my ears at high speed distracted me. My hair hit my face, burning it as it went crazy in the wind. I slowly inched toward the front of the train. Surely the akuma is there. Maybe the steering wheel. Or whatever it's called. I inched closer.

"Well, well, well." I turned around. The akuma! Weird, she didn't have a gigantically obvious outfit like the rest, she just looked a bit...beat up. "If it isn't the all mighty  ladybug herself. How has you're life been treating you? Terribly, I hope."

"I won't let you win, akuma!"

"Sure, because you're Ladybug! the one and only hero that can help everyone. You're so special and unique, wow!"

I silently growled at her comments. Somehow, she knew they hurt me. My heart sank into my chest and pounded through my body. I could feel my face slowly heating up. I had to stay focused. I looked around me. I needed to stop this train. 

"Lucky Charm!" 

Rope. I already have a yo-yo. What was I supposed to do with rope? I looked around. The lucky charm didn't seem to match with the Akuma. I had to use my brain. I needed my yo-yo to stop the train. If I could just... tie her down! I needed the akuma to stay out of my way. 

"Come here!" I leaped towards her. Somehow, she wasn't much of a fight. I tied her safely to the ladder, her body unable to be separated from it. Even though she was the enemy, I really wanted her safe. Oh no! I looked in front of me, at the large gap in the track. The akuma must have caused it. Yo-yo time! My body still throbbing from pain and pressure, I threw my yo-yo and strung it around at least a hundred times in a couple seconds. Faster! The train was still fighting! Faster!! I can't risk any lives! Faster, faster! The train, still very close to the end of the track came to a stop. Relieved, I relaxed. I peered inside the train, people looked back at me in awe. I smiled weakly, hoping they wouldn't notice my pain and struggle. I leaped back on the top of the train. I stood for a second to think. I had to get the people off of the train in order to keep them away from a possible explosion or any other danger while the akuma was still active... akuma! She hadn't been purified yet! I walked over to the ladder where I tied her.

"Let's get you de-akumatized." I smiled and looked down at her....or what I thought was her. Only rope remained. Had she fallen off?! Did she-? D-did I k-kill h-h...her?!! OH NO!! I screamed and stumbled back. My tembling hands covered my mouth. Everything became blurry, I felt the sky turn grey. My eyes began to tear. 

"Looking for someone?" I turned. It was her! She wasn't dead! Relieved, I turned towards her. Once I fixed her, I'd give her the biggest hug. Somehow, she managed to untie herself. 

"Actually, yes. You. The kind person underneath hawkmoth's control." I looked for where the akuma might be. All I could see was a ring. Might as well. 

I lunged towards the ring, but then she placed her hand on my throat, and one on my earring. I froze.