HEARTSTRINGS { Lukanette FF } [COMPLETED]

18 - Manipulator PT. 1

I tried not to scream out loud when he got on his knee and held my face gently in his hands. 

"Don't worry, my Blueberry. I would never hurt you," he said sweetly, his red eyes staring into my terrified soul.

"L-Luka...!" I let my tears roll down my face. I don't want to fight the boy I love!

Luka looked at me sadly, drying my cheeks. "I'm not Luka anymore, I am Manipulator."

"No! Please, you don't have to do this!" I cupped his face in my hands.

He smiled, lifting my chin and leaning in. I felt heartache build up in myself as he gently pecked my lips. His kiss seemed desperate, sorrowful.

When he pulled away, my tears started flowing again.

He held my cheek, "I love you, Blueberry. I always have. You're the most extraordinary girl Mari, as clear as a music note, and as sincere as a melody. You're the music that's been playing in my head since the day we first met. I won't let anything happen to you."

Without another word he left the room, screams followed seconds later.

I was left there on the ground, tongue-tied. He loves me...

"Marinette! Wake up! We've got to defeat Manipulator!" Tikki told me. My hands shook, "But... I don't wanna hurt Luka." I winced.

"We aren't going to hurt him, we're going to save him!" Tikki reminded me.

I nodded, but still not fully convinced.

"Tikki, spots on!"

After I transformed, I ran out of the locker room, stunned to find no one present in the area.

"Ladybug!" Alya ran to me, looking terrified. "Alya! Where is everyone?" I demanded, without warning, Alya wrapped her arms around me.

"Ladybug! There's an evil akumatized person! I'm scared!" she cried, but something in her tone told me she wasn't being genuine.

Before I knew it, she was reaching for my earrings. "Hey! What are you doing!" I jumped away, covering my ears with my hands.

"Haha! You like my little toys, Ladybug?" Luka's voice threw me off. I whipped around and saw his scarlet eyes piercing my blue ones.

"What?" I exclaimed with confusion. "I control them now, they're like my marionettes." he grinned, his gaze darkening.

He can control the actions of people? Oh, of course. Manipulator.

"So let me take your Miraculous and this nightmare can end quickly!" both Alya and Manipulator shouted simultaneously.

"Not a chance, Manipulator!" I growled, dodging them both and swinging a floor up.

"You can run, Ladybug. But you can't hide! I can smell your fear from a mile away!" he let out a wicked laugh I never knew he was capable of.

He can smell my blood, and manipulate people? Not cool.

I looked at Alya again, two distinct red marks were on her neck, did he bite her?! Is that how he manipulates people?

I shivered at the thought of his teeth coming into contact with my flesh. I gotta be careful around this powerful villain.

"What's up, bugaboo?" Chat's teasing voice caught my attention, "Chat, thank goodness! This one's a really tough supervillain." I whipped around.

"There you are, I've been looking all over for you, Adrien." Manipulator's voice shook the earth.