The Double Face of the Designer's Son

Chapter 12.

Ladybug swung through the city on the string of her yo-yo. Things were shaping up so that it would be a solo fight today if Analyst truly had Cat Noir subdued, as she claimed. One's identity was the biggest secret a superhero could have, so it would be understandable if Cat Noir skipped this fight. Finally, the heroine arrived at the Eiffel Tower.

"Oh, good, you're here. Five minutes early, too... guess you didn't want a manhunt, did you?" Speakers all around blared the voice of Analyst, but she couldn't be seen anywhere.

"Why don't you come here and fight like a real villain, Analyst?" Ladybug got into a combat stance and made sure the cameras were watching her. Analyst chuckled.

"I already am there. Might want to turn around, or I could squish you like the bug you are." Ladybug turned and immediately jumped to the side. A drone sped past her, giving her a small cut on her face. Analyst laughed. "You know, this would go a lot faster-" she paused as a robot vacuum rammed at top speed into Ladybug's feet, tripping her, "-if you'd cooperate with me here. Now," a drone with a camera flew up close to her, and she crawled back into a wall. "This drone is armed with a flamethrower. You might want to just-"

Analyst had been interrupted when a staff smashed into the drone threatening Ladybug. The staff also crushed one of the villain's speakers.

"What's going on?!" Analyst sounded like she was panicking. The frantic pushing of buttons could be heard through the remaining speakers."I'm as confused as you are," Marinette said, trying to keep an illusion of innocence.

"You must have something to do with this. I need to know what's going on, Ladybug..." A camera mounted on a drone came very close to Ladybug's face. The woman remained silent and glared bravely into the face of danger. "Alright. You've chosen your fate. Now it's time to do my job," Analyst growled. A laser scan ran over Ladybug's body. "Oh," Analyst muttered. "Paris' greatest hero is worried about her partner. Cat Noir? I know him in real life. I know how he is. I don't think you'd like him then."

"I was just buying time. Time for you to meet my... Lucky Charm!" Ladybug's power fetched her a taser. She looked around, then realized its purpose. She used the taser to electrocute the drone.

"Ha! You think that'll stop me?" Ladybug grinned.

"No, I think it'll distract you!" The sounds of glass crashing came through the speaker.

"The jig is up, Analyst!" The brave voice of Ladybug's partner startled her, but she didn't feel relieved.

"Not so fast, smitten kitten. I know everyone would love to know your real self. I'd hate for that to happen." The sadistic tone in Analyst's speech struck the heroine with anxiety. This had slipped her mind, and now her cat-like comrade was in danger.

"Cat Noir, no!" A screen with the view in Analyst's lair flashed alive. Cat Noir's eyes looked into the camera straight at his ally.

"Even if the whole world knows who I am, only the people I love will truly know me." He looked with courage into Ladybug's eyes, smiling gently. Something familiar struck her heart. All these years and he would never change. He still had the heart of a lion, only now it loved Marinette. Ladybug's eyes welled up with tears.

"What will Hawkmoth do if he finds out?"

"Hawkmoth is gone. He passed the Miraculous to a new holder who calls himself Ghost Moth."

"I'm getting impatient, you common alley cat. Cut the talk," Analyst spat. "Give me the Miraculous, or I reveal your identity and take it by force. Simple." Her smile curled into an evil grin.

"Okay, okay. Put out your hand," Cat Noir looked grim as he put one hand on his ring.

"No!" Ladybug rushed to the screen and put her hands on the glass. Her tears shimmered in the light of the pixels. Cat Noir closed his eyes... and moved swiftly.