Return of a Killer

Miraculous

Marinette had to save Chat Noir. She was running at full speed, knowing that anything she said to save him would go unanswered. She didn't care that she wasn't Ladybug anymore. She didn't care that Chat Blanc could kill her in seconds. It was her turn to save him. Chat could find a different Ladybug, but she could never find a new Chat, a new Adrien. 

Chat Blanc's staff cut through the air in a deadly arc towards Chat's head, hoping to shatter his skull. Marinette dove in front of it, causing Chat Blanc to alter the staff's course to his side in a flash of panic to avoid hitting her. She landed hard on the ground a few inches from Chat Noir, quickly moving to shield the beaten boy with her own body. 

Chat Blanc stilled, just staring at Marinette. For a few moments, all he could feel was this distant, lonely longing. He used to shield Ladybug from any akuma he could. He always wanted to protect her, because he loved her. And now what had he done with that love? Chat Blanc was the very thing he had once tried to save her from.

Chat Blanc fell to his knees, his grief becoming stronger by the second. He heaved a broken sob, wrapping his arms around himself. Marinette didn't love him anymore. His father didn't love him anymore. His mother didn't love him anymore. Marinette was trembling in terror as she tried to save Chat Noir's life. His father had been begging for Chat to spare his in his last moments. His mother was laying half-dead in the basement of his own house.

Marinette shakily looked up, seeing the bloodstained supervillain begin sobbing uncontrollably. Being the kind girl she was, she couldn't help but slowly reach out and cautiously stroke his messy white hair. Deep down inside the layers of bloodshed and obsession, someone was down there. Someone who, judging by the akuma's strength, was in indescribable pain.

Chat Blanc's tears flowed in thin streaks, washing away some of the blood on his face. He moved his head so Marinette's hand cupped his cheek, the feeling of touch he had missed so dearly quickly washing away the monstrous thoughts and feelings inside him.

Chat Blanc noticed the feeling of Marinette reaching into his pocket in an attempt to find her earrings, and in his torrent of loss and wishes to see his Ladybug again, he let her. He wanted to see the love of his life in her full spotted glory again. Chat Blanc slowly and gently closed her hand around the earrings, putting his reddened hand over hers.

Marinette reached up to put her earrings on, not having felt the sensation of them being put on in so long. She felt strong again, that she could take on this akuma like all the others and succeed, like Ladybug always does.

Chat Blanc watched as she put on the earrings, and knew that he didn't have much time left with these memories, and with Marinette as he knew her. In that moment, he knew he'd give up everything for her, even himself. He stood up, " I know that I can't stay any longer," Chat Blanc began, " But, I want to do one last thing before you purify me and send me back, and I don't want to do it looking like this," he gestured to the blood covering his face and arms, " I won't run away, I'll come right back and you can finish me off."

Marinette nodded, standing as well. She was glad it didn't come down to a fight in the end, and it would all be over soon. She was ready to end all this and set things right.

" Spots on."

Chat Blanc walked away, not used to detransforming in front of anyone. He simply went behind a bush and crouched down. He took a deep breath.

" Claws in."