The ladyBug and the Black Cat

O N E

Marinette stood on the edge of her balcony, the cold white railing shooting invisible fractals of ice into her bare hands. Her tense arms shaking as she droops her head looking down onto the floor below her, the vines of the evergreen plants encase her vision. Why couldn't she be a plant? Life would be so simple, forever calm and the only thing she would have to worry about was having a person who would give her water. Marinettes arms continued to shake, as she finally lifted her head to view the city she loved. At least everyone was safe for now.

"Tiki" Marinette called out to her kwami " I don't know how long I can do this" Her chest began to rise and fall rapidly and tears threatened to stain her rosy cheeks. Marinette continued to look out over the rooftops. Her chest weighing her down, her head clouded by emotions.

"Don't worry Marinette, we will find Hawkmoth soon!" Tiki always had a positive attitude which normally cheered her up however Marinette was tired. Worn out from all the foes she had been facing. Marinettes bluebell eyes were stained red and puffy as she blinked she could feel them argue as they begged her to keep them closed.

"Tiki, Chat Nior and I have faced 3 akumatised people today. I'm so tired" she sighed standing up straight again. Marinette had to be on high alert, HawkMoth had been keeping her and chat Nior busy both day and night. Maybe this was his plan? Tire them out till they collapse.

"Maybe I should give Alta the Fox Miraculous, I might actually get a break" Marinette reached up to touch the beloved jewels on her ear. The very thing that gave her purpose, responsibility, courage and strength however she wished she could stop time, just for a day. "Rina Rouge and Chat Noir can fight the bad guys while I sit here and read a book" Marinette laughed, however, she knew that only the ladybug miraculous could capture akumas. Tiki flew into Marinettes vision, the red and black-spotted creature, foreign to most of mankind sat upon the railing as she looked up to the gentle giant.

"Marinette you are the best ladybug I have ever had. You will defeat Hawkmoth and stop him from hurting the people of Paris" Marinette smiled as she looked at her Kwami.

"Thanks Tiki, I just think since Master Fu made me the guardian of the miracle box... I just don't know what to do" Marinette sighed and looks back out over the city she had saved countless of times.

"It is Hard Marinette however Master Fu would not have made you the Guardian if he did not believe in you" Tiki little legs left the edge of the railing and she swiftly few onto Marinettes shoulder as they watched the city drift into silence.

"I wish I could still ask him questions, I don't know what I'm doing Tiki" Marinette watched as the lights in the distance flickered on and off as she reached her pony tails and tugged at the elastic that held them up. Her dark hair blended into the night as she placed her hands on the white railing again, this time relaxing her body as her and Tiki enjoyed each other's company.

"Marinette you are doing the best you can do, and that is all master fu would want" Tiki's big eyes were now looking at Marinettes. She always believed in Marinette and knew that she would defeat Hawk Moth.

"Thank you Tiki. I just wish I could be better" Tiki snuggled into Marinettes neck. The peaceful black sky created a perfect canvas for the stars above as they echoed light through Paris. Maybe Marinette could be a perfect star? Something that shined but blended perfectly into the background. Marinette enjoyed watching the stars at night it reminded her how simple life could be just floating, drifting instead of being bound by the chain of responsibly. If she was a star she could choose to shine brighter than everyone else, or slowly disappear and burnout and nobody would notice. She could enjoy being sixteen rather than having to save Paris every day.

Marinette looked towards her ever-growing plants again. If she could choose to be a plant or a star which one would she be? A plant could be simple, and easy, however, could a Star could be too bright for Marinette. Maybe Marinette is too bright for the star?

"Uhh Marinette" Tiki's squeaky voice erupted through her thoughts. She was happy however, late-night thoughts were weird but tired thoughts were weirder. "Marinette!" Tiki broke through to Marinette again as she shook her head to see that the little creature was hovering looking out over the rooftops. Her eyes followed them as she saw what had Tiki on edge. A person running across the dark night sky feathers cascading out of there arms, following through the wind as they jumped from roof to roof. Marinette could only see the silhouette of the mysterious person but their presence felt different, if they were akumatised surely they would be destroying the city by now.

"Tiki is that? A Miraculous holder?" The mysterious person moved into the moonlight exposing them a little bit more. Marinette could see them clearer now, she saw the grey, black and purple suit shimmer quickly before they dived back into the darkness. Marinette couldn't explain how she felt about this person, were they a threat? Are they working for HawkMoth? Or was she wrong and they are akumatised?

"I don't know Marinette but there is only one way to find out." Marinette nodded

"Tiki spots on!" Marinette watched as the red and black polka-dotted suit wrap itself around her body. Even though she felt weighed down by the responsibly she still loved being a superhero. The freedom it gave her, the ability to help people in ways that no one else could. For this, she could never give up being LadyBug, no matter how hard it got or the pain she felt.

Marinette leaped into the air successfully jumping onto the roof across the road, she continued to chase the mysterious person jumping from rooftop to rooftop after them. LadyBug was running at full speed but somehow they continued to outrun her by a significant amount. Marinette felt her feet pound on the concreted roofs below her as she continued to leap from building to building. Ahead she saw the person stop and look across the street, this was her chance. LadyBug increased her speed, trying the close the distance between them. For a moment she looked across the street wondering what they could be looking at. Immediately her heart stopped as well as her feet coming to a complete halt, it was Adrien's house. Marinette knew that house from a mile away, how could she not? It was the house of her one true love after all and there he stood. She could see his perfect body through the crystal window, his blond hair perfectly positioned and his emerald green eyes stared into her belle blue ones. Frozen in place, she couldn't move as her heart started beating faster and faster. Adrien looked away, giving her the power to move again she turned left and threw her yo-yo, tugging the string slightly she now felt the air glide along her skin. Her feet landed on the next rooftop just meters away from the suspected miraculous holder.

The person on the roof beside her stopped. They stood tall and was comprised of a black and grey costume with purple highlights. Feathers covered their arms from shoulder to hand as they stood particularly in the moonlight. A hood fallen down rested on the back as silver wavy hair cascaded around her face. Her face covered by a small grey mask. Her hand reached up to her head and sent LadyBug a salute, the girl ran to the side of the building pushed off the concrete and fell between the building.

Marinette's feet carried her to the edge of the building, a mad dash to see where this mysterious girl had gone. Marinette slightly stumbled as she struggle to stop herself and grabbed onto the railing. She looked around the lit-up street to see no one dressed in a bird costume.

"Who was that?" She asked herself. "I must keep looking, that could be another one of HawkMoths akumatised Victims".