Return of a Killer

Bell

A little white kwami blearily floated out of Chat Blanc's ring. The now blonde boy stared at his longtime friend, not accustomed to seeing him like this. Before he could object, the kwami wordlessly darted off in Marinette's direction.

Marinette had finished her transformation, and became Ladybug once more. Strong, intelligent, and fearless once more. The first savior of Paris had returned.

Ladybug saw something small and white fly in her direction and jumped back, her mind flashing to the white spheres of destruction that had been fired at her in her last battle with Chat Blanc. She looked in the direction he had left in, betrayal clear on her features. But when the thing made contact with her, she didn't evaporate into dust. She landed, looking down to see what it was.

A little catlike creature was clinging to her side, white as snow and as long as her palm. It smelled very faintly of camembert. With her experience as Ladybug, she knew it must be a kwami. It turned its head to look up at her, and Marinette sucked in a breath to repress the scream that bubbled up in her. The little white kwami looked fine from behind and above, but that was only because one could not see its face from those angles.

Or, lack of such a face.

Its features were completely blank, and its face flat and smooth aside from its snout. It looked like some kind of clay doll that hadn't had it's features carved in yet. Thoughts of pity replaced her initial horror as its stomach grumbled loudly, and it placed a tiny paw over it in dismay. The white creature had no mouth, so it could not eat or speak. Tikki was always starving after she turned back, and Tikki was always fed immediately.

A thought struck her. Why would an akuma have a kwami? There was blatantly something more to this. She had to travel to the future to fight Chat Blanc, so maybe it had happened in reverse this time?

Ladybug jumped when she felt a hand relax on her shoulder, and turned to see Adrien. His expression was soft, almost mournful, as he looked deep into her eyes. He gently took one of her hands in his as he moved to stand directly in front of her. Adrien closed his eyes as he whispered, " Plagg, claws out."

The white flash came and went, revealing Chat Blanc, clean and bloodless. He set is free hand on her hip and took a deep breath, eyes closed. No amount of pity could stop Ladybug's heart from skittering uncomfortably as he began to lean in and pull her close. She pushed him away quickly, stepping back, " NO! I don't want to kiss you!" she cried out, " Not after what you did to me!"

Chat Noir began to stir, unnoticed by Ladybug and Chat Blanc. The pain had subsided already, due to his powers, and he had no real injuries. He pulled out his staff slowly, keeping stealth in mind.

It was all in vain, however, as Chat Blanc's eyes flickered downwards. Being rejected by Ladybug and seeing his rival still alive and breathing set off his heartbeat again, the violent thoughts that surged in his mind before began to surface, but not fully taking over.

" Do you remember where my akuma was last time?" he asked softly, refocusing on Ladybug, who nodded in response. Chat Noir had already stood up, standing right next to Ladybug. He reached out his hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.

Chat Blanc's heart gave a lurch of rage and jealousy. He put a hand to his bell, " It was here." Chat Blanc gripped it and pulled, dislodging it from his suit. He held it out to Ladybug.

He could feel the black butterfly wriggle in his ring.

Ladybug reached out to take the bell, only to have it snatched away from her.

Ladybug and Chat Noir could only watch in shock as Chat Blanc opened his mouth and shoved it inside, the bell tinkling softly as he swallowed it whole.