Mine, His

It had been a rather disturbing week for the citizens of Paris. For one, the doctors around Paris were being scrutinized. If someone had helped in those abortions, they ought to know the patient. The problem lay in their sworn confidentiality. The children around Paris became more and more withdrawn, and some of them had begun asking questions, questions that their parents were not ready to answer.

'What's abortion, Maman?... Oh, is that what Aunty Kate did? Is aunty Kate who Chat Noir is looking for?'

'Papa, why is Adrien crying?'

'How did those kitties get hurt?'

'Did someone hurt Chat Noir to make him so angry?'

But as they asked more and more questions, thoughts lodged themselves in the minds of the a.d.u.l.ts all over the city. It became clear to them that everything that Chat Noir was doing was done out of anger. It should have been obvious, but until the last broadcast, everyone had just written it off as him being a maniac.

However, those fetuses did not fall out of the sky. There was no stork. No mail delivering system. Someone, a female someone had done that. And as much as Chat Noir was sick, he was extremely angry. Some Parisians argued that it was a good thing that Chat Noir's loved one had gotten hurt, because he had felt the pain they felt when their loved ones were attacked. However, these very people were shut up terribly soon when a close inspection of the victims had shown that they were people with criminal records. The police had no idea what to make of this information. Soon this tidbit spread throughout Paris like wildfire. Other Parisians argued that Chat Noir had every right to be pissed off, his authority(even though he shouldn't have had it) was being undermined and it was a great insult and blow to his persona.

The city had seen a huge decline in attacks, but strangely, there was an increase in the number of criminals knocked unconscious, beat up, slashed and dropped outside the door of the police station. Chat Noir was still very much active. They knew that.

The air in the city was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Everyone seemed to be almost robotic. It had been two weeks since Adrien Agreste had gone missing.

Just looking at the shoulders of the citizens would diverge just how tense they all were. The sky was a constant grey mass, and when it wasn't grey, the people were grey.

It was unnerving. Marinette pursed her lips as she awaited the arrival of her parents. She was at the airport, watching as the planes took off and descended. Somewhere, high up in the shadowy beams of the airport lay Chat, perched leisurely across a beam, thin enough to lay flat on it and still remain unseen. He kept his focus on Marinette, worried about her being out at this time. He knew he could protect her if he needed to, but he didn't want her to get caught in such a situation. He sighed, rolling over and propping himself up on his elbows. She looked to be deep in thought.

He frowned. What could she be thinking so hard about? Chat c.o.c.ked his head, he hadn't done anything wrong…or too wrong recently. He was eating, he took his medication religiously…he didn't attack anyone too badly…No, it couldn't be him.

…What if she liked someone?

He snarled at himself. That was an idiotic thought. No, Marinette wasn't like that. His eyebrows furrowed as he wracked his brain trying to figure out the cause of her expression.

He would have to ask Nino. Chat had to admit, Nino did know a thing or two about relationsh.i.p.s. After their 'fight' Nino had dropped the topic, but Adrien had overheard how easily Nino diverted arguments with Alya, he had to commend him for that, and perhaps ask him how he did it. He watched Marinette turn around and wait for her parents, she looked over at the disembarking passengers and stood on her tip-toes to find her parents. Chat glanced down at the sea of people and tried to figure out which ones were Marinette's parents.

He stared at one peculiar-looking couple, a Chinese woman next to a huge, monster of a man. He tilted his head and stared down at them. Green eyes widened as Marinette threw herself on the man before a smile overtook his face as he watched the exchange, happy that Marinette had a family that loved her so immensely. Her father picked her up, high above his head and twirled, as if she were still a baby, and her mother hauled her in for a hug just as her father set her back on the ground. He felt warm, just watching the intimacy of the family, but a cold pang stung at his c.h.e.s.t as he thought about his own family. He had not yet heard about his father, nor his reaction to his son's disappearance. All he knew was that his father had returned to Paris. Chat sighed, he guessed that his father was worried about what would happen to his company now that his son was missing. Chat shook his thoughts away. Marinette told him that it was a happy evening, and a happy evening it would be. He quietly slinked across the beams as the family began to walk towards the car waiting outside, and once they entered, he slipped out the doors of the airport. The car began to move and Chat dutifully followed it at a safe distance to ensure that his girlfriend and her parents got home without any hassle. Once at her house, he let himself in and sat quietly on the bed. The house was quiet except for the sounds of the house going under lockdown. Chat frowned at the quietness before waves of laughter flowed through the household.

"It was utterly amazing! Oh my gosh and the Phi Phi islands! And the WATER! It's like this clear-"Someone Chat assumed was Marinette's mum, said.

"No no it was clearer! It was like glass, but more watery…"Someone Chat assume was her father said.

"Well, it would have to be watery papa, seeing as it is water." Marinette laughed out.

Chat laid back on the bed with a fond smile, listening to their conversation with his enhanced hearing.

"Enough about us, we were so worried about you. I know you told us daily that there was nothing to worry about but so much has been happening here in Paris…Oh baby, thank God for your safety." Marinette's mum said.

"It's not fair that you didn't let us come home early." Her dad grumbled.

"Papa, you both really needed the getaway," Marinette said.

"Yeah, but we could have had a getaway watching the 'getaway places' on TV." Her father said.

"Oh, Tom, be grateful that your daughter is selfless." Marinette's mum said.

"But Sabiiiine…"Tom w.h.i.n.ed.

"No buts, now Mari sweetie, are you sure about wanting to have your own apartment? It's awfully lonely." Sabine said.

"I'm positive. I handled the fort fine for a month, so I think I'll survive." Marinette said with a smile evident in her voice.

"Your dad and I are paying for it." Her mum said with finality.

"But Moooom-"Marinette w.h.i.n.ed.

"Mari, remember you're still studying, you can pay once you're done with your degree. Till then, Papa and I will cover you. You are getting older, and we understand that you hardly ever have time to study with all the noise around here, so this was a wise decision on your part darling." Sabine said.

"Your mum's right kiddo. But first we have to check out the lockdown system on that house." Tom said.

"I already did, it's fully functional." Marinette said.

"That's great!" Sabine said.

"Most of my things are packed… I could move in tomorrow…"Marinette said.

There's a moment of silence.

"But…does this mean you're moving out forever?" Tom asked sadly.

Marinette was quiet.

"Can't you come to stay with us during the holidays? Or maybe for a few more years after you're done studying?" Sabine asked hopefully.

"We'll see what happens Mama, you guys know I really love you both, right?" Marinette asked.

"Of course…It's just…weird having you go so far…"

"Papa, it's literally a few doors away." Marinette laughed.

"Yeah but like the concept !" Tom g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

Marinette laughed again.

"I'll be fine, I promise." She said confidently.

Tom sighed.

Chat shifted on the bed into a cross-legged position.

"Oh Tom, leave her be, she's capable of taking care of herself, right darling?" Sabine seemingly asked Marinette who Chat assumed had nodded seeing as she did not speak.

"Now tell us sweetie, what's been happening with the Adrien case, did they find anything? Any leads?" Sabine asked.

Marinette sighed.

"I wished they did mum, I'm so worried that he may be hurt…Or worse, dead." Marinette said in a sad voice.

Chat snickered. Marinette was an excellent liar it seemed when it came to her parents.

"It's such a shame. I do hope this all ends soon." Tom said.

Chat smiled ruefully. "As do I." He said to himself, ever so quietly.

After a bit of small talk, the family agreed that it had been a long, exhausting trip and that they should all head to bed. Marinette entered through the trap door and shut it behind her, before turning to come face to face with the purring villain.

"Hi there." He said as he looked down into her eyes.

"Chat!" Marinette hissed. Her eyes darted to the trapdoor on the floor.

"Princess." Chat said, taking a step back to bow elegantly.

"What are you doing here?" She asked in a rush.

"Well, I was under the impression that you missed me too." Chat said with a little pout.

Marinette rolled her eyes.

"Oh kitty, you know I have, but my parents are here." She said with a little w.h.i.n.e.

"But princess, I'm being quiet." Chat said, looking at her with innocent eyes.

"I know you are, but my parents tend to check up on me a lot," Marinette said as her eyes darted from him to the trapdoor.

Chat tilted his head. "Then I can hide," he said simply.

"You're a tall male, clad in black, with an infamous reputation, in a room themed pink. Where would you hide?" Marinette asked as the villain smirked and sauntered over to the chaise.

"Truthfully I was never really good at hide and go seek. However I would most certainly hide properly if I needed to, but as to my hiding spot, well, I require payment for that kind of information." Chat grinned evilly, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Marinette raised a brow as they came to a stop next to the chaise.

"We accept payment in kisses only." Chat said, wiggling his brows.

Marinette blushed and rolled her eyes as Chat pulled her closer, his head began to dip and their eyes began to flutter shut…when all of a sudden Marinette's trapdoor flew open.

The same went for the eyes of the couple as they stared at each other in horror. Chat was about to turn and dart out the trapdoor above her bed, but the little lady had a different plan, swinging up the seating part of the chaise to reveal a hollow space underneath. She tossed him inside as slammed the chaise shut.

Chat lay uncomfortable and shocked inside the chaise. Firstly, he was unaware the top of the chaise was capable of swinging up to reveal a storing space and secondly, he had never seen Marinette move as fast as she did now, ever.

"Papa! W-what are you doing h-here?" Marinette laughed out nervously.

"Look, darling, I brought you sand!" Tom said happily.

"Oh, cool! Let me see!" Marinette

"I know, oh and check out this scarf I got you!" Tom said giddily.

"Whoa whoa whoa, is this a cashmere scarf? It's so soft, it's almost like water. Thank you so much, Papa." Marinette said, and it sounded like she had given him a hug.

Chat forced his hands down as they reached up to shove the lid of the chaise open. He could stay calm. He was perfectly capable of such a simple task. He just needed to keep his eyes closed and pretend to be anywhere except trapped inside a dark, stuffy, small, confined space, trapped like the controlled, caged creature that he was.

His eyes shot open as two weights sat atop the 'lid'.

He wanted to get out, but he couldn't risk letting Marinette get caught.

"Well, I'll let you go to bed, now, you have a big day tomorrow, kiddo."

Marinette gave her father a kiss and saw him out the trapdoor. She quickly put a heavy chair on it and ran back to the chaise, flipping it open to reveal a pissed off Chat.

He looked up at her with narrowed eyes, clearly unimpressed by her course of action.

"Don't look at me like that." Marinette said with a groan.

Chat sat up. "Well, at least we're not in trouble."

Marinette snickered.

"What?" Chat asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"I'm just thinking about how weird it is that Chat Noir, the infamous villain was worried about getting caught by my parents. You've gone soft." Marinette cooed, patting his head.

Chat rolled his eyes.

"On the contrary my lady, had it been any other middle-aged individuals, I would have had no problem dealing with them, however, seeing as these people are your parents , there isn't a lot that I can actually do with them without making you infuriated, now can I?" He drawled out.

He stepped out of the chaise gracefully.

"I guess not," Marinette said, walking to her dresser and pulling out sleepwear.

A light vibration noise caught her attention however, and she turned to the offending object –Her phone. Chat's eyes narrowed at the caller I.D.

"What does he want?" Chat pouted.

Marinette rolled her eyes.

"He's a friend. Friends phone each other." She said, picking up her phone.

Chat snuck up behind her and easily plucked the phone from her hands.

"Hey!" She exclaimed. "Give that back!"

Chat looked at her with a c.o.c.ked brow. The de ja vu was uncanny.

"What for? He's threatening my wondrous presence." He said, looking at the picture of Marinette and Nathaniel distastefully.

"Well isn't that a shame," Marinette said, and stuck her tongue out at him.

Chat grinned. "Keep sticking that out and I may be tempted to bite it off, Princess." He said casually, effectively making Marinette pull her tongue back in.

"Chaaat, what if it's an emergency?" She said exasperatedly.

"Can't he phone someone else's human? You're my human, there are plenty more for him to choose from." Chat said in a matter of fact tone.

"You're missing the point, what if he was dying?" Marinette said, irritated.

"He isn't." Chat said as the ringing stopped

"And how are you so certain of that?"

"Uhh, animal instincts. Duhhh."Chat said, stressing the last syllable.

"Animal? You wish." Marinette snickered.

"Is that a challenge?" Chat said silkily, his tail wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer.

"It's a fact," Marinette said.

"My lady needs a lesson in 'fact or fiction'." Chat said with a flirtatious look.

Marinette blushed.

"I-"She started, but the phone rang once again.

Marinette looked at it.

"I should really answer him."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" Marinette asked confusedly.

"Why should you answer him?"

"He could be in need of help or inspiration or advice."

Chat swiped the phone, rejecting the call.

"Or he could be in love with you and may just want to speak to you." Chat said a little sharply.

Marinette frowned.

"I am allowed to talk to people Chat, whether they like me as a friend or something else."

Chat blinked.

"Do you want him to continue with having feelings for you?" He asked quietly.

Marinette looked at him oddly.

"No, I don't, but Nathaniel is my friend, even if he does have feelings for me, I feel a platonic kind of affection for him."

"Yes, but you haven't said that to him, have you?" Chat tilted his head.

Marinette's brows furrowed.

"Well…No…"

"Is there a particular reason?"

Marinette hesitated for a second.

Chat's eyes widened.

"You liked him. Didn't you?" He asked, but his tone made the inquiry sound more like a statement.

"That was ages ago." She said, almost ashamedly.

Chat's c.h.e.s.t twisted.

"How long ago?" He asked, deceptively calm.

"Long before I met you or started University, it was like the first year of high-school." She said, embarrassedly.

"So what happened?" Chat asked.

"Huh?"

"Clearly he has feelings for you, and from the looks of him, I'd say he has had those feelings for years now. So if you and he both had feelings for each other, why are you both not together now?" He asked softly.

"I… I don't know. I guess I just stopped liking him in a romantic way and started seeing him as more of a brother." Marinette said as she rubbed the back of her neck.

Chat's eyes widened.

"Just like that?" He asked in horror.

"Just like what?"

"You had feelings…And then you just stopped. Boom, gone." Chat said.

"I think it was more of a crush, he's a nice person, but I don't feel any butterflies with him."

Chat looked at Marinette's face, searching her eyes for some sort of deception, but he found none.

He opened his mouth to speak but the phone rang a third time. He snarled, and before thinking, he answered the call.

"Would you quit it already!? Marinette is pooping right now, call back later." He said into the phone's microphone.

"CHAT!" Marinette hissed soft enough for Nathaniel not to hear but loud enough to make Chat realize that she was now very much infuriated, and mortified.

" Who's this ?"

Chat cut the call and tossed the phone on the chaise.

"Pooping? Pooping ? Really Chat?" Marinette g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

"Did he sound like he was dying? No, he didn't." Chat said, crossing his arms.

Marinette smacked her forehead.

"Chat, we need boundaries, you can't just tell a guy that I'm pooping!"

"This is no ordinary guy, this was your crush, and it's time to crush your crush."

"I don't have a crush! I love you, why would I have a crush on him?" Marinette g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

"I didn't say you had a crush on him…Do you have a crush on him?" Chat asked wearily.

Marinette grabbed his face.

"Chat Noir. You are beginning to annoy me. Firstly, we're a.d.u.l.ts. We do not 'crush'. Secondly, as I said, I truly and undeniably love you, and it's upsetting that you have such little faith in my feelings for you, thirdly, Nathaniel is in the 'bro-zone'. One does not escape such a place."

Chat sighed.

"But what if you just stop liking me too?" He murmured.

"I don't like you, I love you, that will not change, believe me."She said earnestly.

Chat's arm sn.a.k.e.d around her waist.

"I know princess…"He said, and wrapped his arms around her.

"I know that, but you really have no idea how much I'm afraid of that changing. You cannot begin to understand just how deeply I love you." Chat sighed. "It's not you. It's my insecurity. Something's wrong with me." he said, placing a kiss atop her head.

"Don't say that. Nothing's wrong with you. You just have some bad habits." Marinette murmured into his c.h.e.s.t.

"I do." He agreed. "but…I really am trying." he said.

"I know kitten, I know you are." She looked up at him.

Chat looked guilty.

"Marinette?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's say I stopped all my bad habits, and rectified all my mistakes, and I finally told you who I am, would it be easier spending forever with me?" He asked.

"I guess it would be." Marinette admitted.

"… You'll find out who I am, soon enough…My misconduct…well that may take slightly longer to change."

Marinette stared at him, wanting to say something.

"Also…I'm sorry for telling Nathaniel you were pooping. That was imm.a.t.u.r.e of me." He said ashamedly looking down. It was adorable.

"Just don't do it again." She laughed.

Chat grinned.

"I'll think about it." He said. "Now go shower, you reek of 'sweaty farmer'." Chat joked, kissing her nose and turning her around.

"I do not reek!" She said indignantly, subtly sniffing herself.

Chat chuckled. Of course, she didn't, she always smelled lovely to him. Pheromones, pheromones.

Chat perched on her chair and quietly watched her get all the necessities for her shower.

"It may be best if I don't stay here tonight." He said after a while.

Marinette looked at him oddly.

"But…You always stay over."

"Your parents weren't home then princess, and now, they are." He said apologetically.

Marinette sighed.

"But they're going to bed."

"I'm can't risk them coming up, princess." Chat said, as his ears began to droop.

Marinette placed her clothes down and walked over to him, sulking.

"Fine, if you must." She said, reaching to play with his hair. Chat pouted, leaning into her touch.

Eventually, he looks up when he heard shuffling coming from downstairs.

"Well, you needn't worry, we still have forever, right?" He nuzzled her hair, causing a little giggle to erupt from Marinette.

"We do, Kitty." She smiled.

Footfalls were becoming audible, Chat grinned and leaned down to capture her mouth in gentle, adoring kiss, but as quick as he arrived, he was gone as the trapdoor opened, a bit forcefully due to the chair atop it, Tom popping his head through.

Marinette blinked and looked at the locked trapdoor above her bed. This would have been her first night alone since they met. Frankly, she was not looking forward to it.

***************************

****************************

A light smile ghosted across his lips as he stared down at the home of the old man. This was too easy. For years, years, he had searched, poured over information, ran this way and that…and all this time, the old man was here.

In Paris.

An ironic laugh filtered through his teeth. If he had known that getting Adrien Agreste kidnapped would have helped him reach his ultimate goal, he would have kidnapped the handsome bastard himself years ago…Yet instead he was forced to work with the resources he had…but now, with the help of Gabriel Agreste, he could do anything. He was granted access to whatever information he wanted due to Gabriel's ties with the Mayor.

…he felt invincible .

That man…That old man…would pay.

Slowly, he stood, adjusting the metallic gadget on his hand. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the brooch from a little metal case attached to his waist.

"You know, love, if I'm not mistaken, your husband is feeling really, really distraught right now." He absently toyed with the brooch.

"I mean, ha ha, on one hand, you disappear out of the blue, and then, your son too…It's a shame really, that I am the only one who can see the Miraculous for what they truly are…A hindrance, an abomination to society... You, lost out on living. Your son, well, who knows what horrible things may be happening to him? Nevertheless, you can rest assured that I will get him back… After you lot of freaks are taken care of." He let his mouth twist into a cynical smile.

He then replaced the brooch and walked slowly towards the house.

"It was never anything you did. You really were a good person. You still are. But none of you could even begin to understand. You think you're doing something good and noble. I bet you wish you could take back what happened on that day… You can't though…And I won't let another soul suffer at the hands of Fu."

Fu woke with a start. Something was horribly wrong. He jumped out of bed.

"Aaaagh!" He doubled over as something pulled in his lower back. He forced his aged body over to the Miraculous box, removing it from under the gramophone.

"Tikki…Tikki, wake up." He said.

Wayzz stirred and flew over to Fu.

'Master? Is everything alright? Is Plagg okay?'

"He is Tikki but something is terribly wrong. I feel it. It's too soon but I have no other option."

'Master?'

Fu suddenly opened the box, and picked up the Ladybug earrings.

"Tikki, come out."

'Okay sir.'

Tikki was suddenly floating in front of him.

"Master Fu-"

"I have no time to explain. Tikki, I have no time to explain, and the others cannot come out of their Miraculous if it's not on their wielder, only you and Plagg can do that, which means I will have to fight… He cannot break the miraculous, but neither can he use them if I don't transfer you over, and he does not know all the loopholes so he will keep trying."

"Master you make no sense-"Tikki said in confusion.

Fu shook his head. He couldn't explain. It would be impossible to get all the miraculous jewels to the Wielder's, the evil was closing in, in about eight seconds, and it was near the door already. Hiding them would prove to be futile. Only Tikki could escape, and if she did, she could get help. Tikki needed to go.

"In your mouth, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. DO NOT LOOK BACK !" He all but hissed in his worried haste, shoving the earrings in the startled Kwami's mouth and throwing her outside. He put the miraculous box in the gramophone quickly.

Suddenly, the door to Fu's room was thrown open.

"Elijah." Fu said, taking a step back.

"Well if it isn't Ol' Master Fu. Keeper of the Miraculous jewels. Master of all abilities…Reason for the death of my wife and child." Elijah growled lowly.

"I'm afraid you're mistaken. I am not the reason for their prem.a.t.u.r.e deaths. You know that." Fu said quietly.

"Oh. Is that so?" Elijah said, walking into the room, a strange crackle coming from the metal contraption on his hand.

Fu stared at Elijah, sympathetically.

"My child, if I could take back that day-"He started but…

"YOU CAN'T!" Elijah bellowed, beginning to laugh humourlessly.

He ran a hand through his hair as he laughed.

"You say this wasn't your fault, well, then whose fault is it? Who was it that gave Madame Agreste the Miraculous, huh? The sun God? A fairy? A wisp?" He growled, raising a finger to the Fu's face.

"Who had the power to heal them after they were trapped in that burning, God-forsaken building? IT WAS YOU!" Elijah barked.

Fu looked down.

"Who could have sent out someone, anyone to help us, to save us, who could have sent the fox, the bee, the butterfly, the cat, or even the damn ladybug wielders out to save us but didn't ? Who didn't even show up at the damn scene?! YOU ! I trusted you…I helped you. They died, because of you! All those people died, because of you! I helped you, I looked up to you, I idolized you, and you betrayed me by running away when I needed you." Elijah gritted his teeth.

"But I can't blame you…You were just doing your duty as the Miraculous master right? So in reality. You're not to blame… It's the Miraculous jewels."

Elijah slowly pulled out the Peac.o.c.k brooch and Fu's eyes widened.

"But that's-"He started.

"Yes, yes it is. I'm sure Mrs. Agreste fully agrees with me that these Miraculous jewels do more harm than good. Imagine how she felt, being trapped in here, all these years. How did she get trapped in here again? Oh yes, her Kwami's failed reversal stuck her and itself inside the brooch, and why did her kwami attempt the reversal? Oh, yes, it was because you weren't there to offer her back up and she ended up almost dying." Elijah snickered.

"I wonder what you told the other Kwami's. Did you tell them that you were keeping Duusu aside because she was hurt? Don't you think they should know that their dear master had almost killed her because of negligence and then lost her jewel? Since they have been putting their safety in your hands, shouldn't they know?"

"That's not true! When I went back the building was collapsed, I had no way of knowing where she was, I did not know she would attempt a reversal." Fu said.

Elijah chuckled.

"You just don't get it. I can understand not being chosen to be a wielder. But I will never understand why  you  are the guardian. You do not deserve to be the Guardian. Nor will I let you be. Not another life will be ruined by your misguided judgement. Pray tell, when choosing the wielder for the Chat Miraculous, was this your intention? Did you aim to ruin and jeopardize everyone's lives?" Elijah asked, with a tilt of his head.

Fu was quiet.

"It doesn't matter. Who needs magic when science exists? Don't worry, I'll take good care of the Miraculous, I'll make sure nobody ever finds them." Elijah grinned.

His eyes flicked to something behind Fu and his smile dropped.

"Tikkiiiiii!"He growled.

Fu turned to see that Tikki had not flown off, but had instead listened in on the conversation.

Elijah lunged at her but as he did, Fu transformed quickly with Wayzz who had been hiding, shoving Elijah away. He was weak at this age. He could only hold Elijah back for a short amount of time.

He turned to the kwami.

"TIKKI GO!PLEASE, YOU'RE OUR LAST HOPE!" He yelled.

Tikki's eyes darted from Elijah to Fu as they fought. She knew why Fu hadn't asked her to carry the whole Miraculous box with her, seeing as it was an enchanted box acting as a gateway between the human and kwami world, Kwami's would be s.u.c.k.e.d in upon contact, and could only be called out by the guardian. The rules were binding.

A weird blue shot of electricity ran down Fu's body, from the strange gadget that Elijah wore.

She didn't want to leave her family behind, but she needed to find this Marinette person. Fu had not offered her a single bit of information about this girl.

She shut her eyes. Stealing her resolve, and flying off into the night.

She would find Marinette. Then she would save her family, no matter what.

*****************************

Marcus gripped his hair. He couldn't…He could not handle what he was being asked to do. He couldn't bear it any longer. He ran over to the bathroom and dry heaved over the toilet.

He was the devil for agreeing to her plans.

Three days till he was to see Marinette again.

Three days was all he had to decide if he would go through with Chloe's plan.

Three days…

A harsh vibration sound came from his room. He cussed. Agonized and weary, he began to make his way over to his phone.

"Hello." He answered lifelessly.

"Go to the Art Studio near Bottle Park. When you get there, the door will be opened, enter and you'll see a man with a red mask. He has the inventory for the big day. Phone me when you get there." Chloe said, before she cut the call.

Marcus pursed his lips and dropped the phone. He sat down on his lavish bed and stared at a beige pillow.

He was defeated. Completely and utterly defeated.

Marcus trudged away from the bed.

It was crime time...She didn't care though. She didn't care if he got attacked our killed. No, the world revolved solely around her.

Marcus walked into his walk-in closet, and made his way to the safe, after dialling the code, he hesitantly opened it…

If he was going to be out this late, he needed protection.

His fingers curled around the barrel of the revolver first. Tentatively, he brought it out of the safe.

Perhaps he wouldn't need to use it, he thought vaguely, but hopefully.

Shoving it into his pants, the brunette began to leave his home, slinking quietly through the shadows, he found himself at the studio, and as silently as before, he slipped in. He looked around wearily. He couldn't see anyone, but then, the man with the red mask came into view.

*****************************

"- of the final sunset, hmmm, I captured the memory of you in that sundress, and since you've gone away, I have nothing, nothing less than a battered Polaroid and the feel of your last breath…hmm, hmmm, and the ghost of our last kiss, lingering on these trembling lips, a whisper of promise that was broken by my tardiness, I'd chase after you…but you're happy…You're happier…So I'll be left behind, and smile for you, I'll draw back my cries, because you're happy,happier, happiest…when I'm gone." Nathaniel sang softly to himself. His phone was now dead.

He had been in his designated room in the art studio all day, the room itself had a lockdown system so artists could stay longer at the studio and be safe.

Absently the artist put his pencil in the space between his head and his ear.

His eyes scanned the beautiful sketch of a starry hill and he nodded, pleased with himself. His beautiful eyes looked out the heavily barred windows for the slightest of seconds, but in those few seconds, he instantly recognized the face of Marcus Monroe. The man looked like he really just wanted to get inside the building quickly instead of being outside.

Nathaniel wondered if the studio doors had been locked. He glanced down at the key on his hip. Well, he couldn't be too trusting…but he couldn't leave Mr. Monroe out there, after all, the model was an artist in his own right too.

Nathaniel picked up a heavy piece of wood, just in case.

He took a breath and disarmed the lockdown on the room. He was almost certain the studio doors were locked so he wasn't too worried about intruders.

The red-head walked quietly to the entrance of the studio which was down the hall, down a flight of stairs, to the left.

He was about to step down the last step of the stairwell when he heard the voices.

"- put this in her drink." A rough voice said.

"Will it hurt her?.." Marcus said, Nathaniel knew his voice.

"No, just knock her out. Mademoiselle Bourgeois says that you can feel free to knock 'the baker' around."

"I'd rather not." Marcus murmured.

"It's best to do as she says…I can only imagine what she will force you to Miss Dupain-Cheng after she has her." The voice said.

Nathaniel's eyes widened as he processed this information.

He blinked rapidly.

"…If her intention is to make Marinette suffer…I'd rather just kill Miss Dupain-Cheng quickly and painlessly." Marcus said sadly.

Nathaniel's jaw tightened.

Like hell he'd let that happen.

Like. Hell.

He had seen Marcus and Marinette a week ago, Marcus seemed so kind, but here he was, a part of a premeditative murder.

"I still have to give you some of the other supplies. It's in my art room." The rough voice said, and before Nathaniel could even move, they had rounded the corner.

Wide eyes fell on him as he stood there frozen to the spot.

"Nathaniel…"The man with the rough voice said I shock, Nathaniel could not see the man's face but he could not place the man's voice.

Nathaniel's eyes flickered to Marcus.

"Marcus."

Marcus's eyes widened.

"How much did you hear."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Nathaniel said, playing dumb.

"He's lying, he looks down when he's lying." The man in the mask said.

"We can't let him leave with that information." Marcus said.

"No...We can't let him  live  with that information." the masked man said.

Marcus pursed his lips.

"I don't want more people dyin' than necessary."

The masked man looked at Marcus.

"Then we don't kill him. We just make sure that he will never be able to talk again."

Nathaniel glared at the men. While they looked at each other he took the opportunity to make a run for it.

"Shit, get him!" The masked man said darting forward as Marcus stood frozen.

Nathaniel ran as fast as he could but the man was gaining on him. He looked at the wood in his hand, then turned and hit the man right on the head, making him fall to the floor, but not before grabbing the plank.

Marcus snapped out of his stupor and shot forward, just as Nathaniel took off once more.

His first idea was to get to his room and proceed with lockdown, but his heart stopped realizing that somewhere along the line, he had forgotten the key and remote to get back into the room.

"Shit." He hissed. He had to survive, or at least leave a clue.

A clue?

He suddenly became aware of the sound of a bullet whizzing past him. As it happened, he also realized with a shot of hope that he had a pencil with him, but with no paper…

He took a wild turn to the left and noticed the door at the end of the hallway. He dared to glance back and noticed that Marcus wasn't behind him…but he could hear the footsteps not far away.

He wrenched the door open and his heart dropped into his stomach realizing that he had opened a broom cupboard. Not the door to another room.

He could hear them coming.

With a fist clenched around the pencil, he entered the closet.

He needed to write on something…He needed someone to know the truth lest he was attacked and killed. There was nothing in the closet that he could write on without the men noticing.

His breaths came out in panicked huffs but stopped as he realized that he had all the canvas he needed, covered up in cotton...

He shoved up his sleeve.

Nathaniel stared at his pale skin. He could hear them just a few meters away. There was no time to think, so he didn't.

Instead he roughly pressed the pencil into his skin, grinding his teeth as he engraved the letters :

M.M +C.B= K.O M.D.C.

It was the shortest way to say that Marcus was teamed up with Chloe to kill Marinette. He hastily pulled the sleeve of his black blazer over his bleeding arm.

"He's in there! Look, his wallet!" Marcus said.

"Don't waste time, he'll try and attack if we go in, just shoot through the damn door."The other man yelled.

"I…I can't…"Marcus whispered.

"You damn wuss!"The other man said before all of a sudden, gunshots were fired.

Nathaniel gasped as he felt the first one go through his abdomen. The pain could only be described as white-hot agony. A second went through his arm. Another through his leg. The last bullet's movement seemed dull as he watched it whizz towards his head with hazy, pained eyes.

*****************************

Chat looked at the roof that he walked on, his hands were behind his back as he thought silently.

A few days ago, Marinette had spoken to him about seeing a shrink. He could understand her reasoning, she had competent, valid points. Apparently it would help if he poured out his soul to someone who could provide a proper diagnosis of whatever condition he had.

His lips twisted to the left. He had known ever since the anxiety attacks started that he had developed some sort of mental condition. He had never had it checked or given it a name, and he wasn't sure if he was really ready to accept that he was a lunatic.

Of course, he had acknowledged that something was wrong with him, no normal human had the kind of bloodl.u.s.t or over-possessiveness that he had. He just didn't really want it to be confirmed in the faint hope that perhaps Chloe hadn't won, perhaps she had just made him believe he was insane when he really wasn't.

It was rather perplexing, but Marinette seemed fairly certain that it had to be done, she hadn't exactly taken no for an answer.

Chat stopped for a minute to take a deep breath.

Honestly, he would do just about anything for that woman. He exhaled slowly and looked up at the moon. For a heartbeat he closed his eyes, just basking in the shine of the silvery night.

Just then the sound of gunshots pierced the cold air, and just like that, the spell was broken.

His ears perked up and he turned in the direction of the sound. Just then another loud crash was heard coming from the opposite direction. Chat's eyebrows furrowed.

It seemed Paris was being quite active tonight. It really wasn't any of his business…but he was a cat, and cats were known for curiosity.

Which place should he visit first? The place where the gunshots had sounded was closer. He shrugged, 'better check that one out first', he mused. He broke off into a run, with all the eating that he had done recently, healthy or not, he still needed to exercise.

He found himself standing in front of the art studio.

"Interesting." He murmured before entering. He heard shouting and followed the voices expertly with his keen sense of hearing.

"You killed him!" Marcus hissed.

"Look, we can't afford to get caught. We could always pass this off as Chat Noir's work." The man said.

"You moron, have you ever seen Chat Noir's victims with bullets in them?!"Marcus gripped his hair.

"He could have had an accomplice." The man said.

"What the shit are you even saying! He will find us and kill us if we frame him!"

The man rolled his eyes beneath the mask.

"Just go, I'll clean up this mess." The man said taking out a knife.

Marcus eyed the weapon. His eyes shot up to the door for a second. It was still closed.

He took a step back. Then another, and before long, he found himself racing out of the studio, never looking back, not even once.

The man pulled on some leather he opened the door and looked down at the still man before him.

He crouched and stared at the knife in his hands, he was an artist too, making Nathaniel's wounds look like scratches would be simple. So he got to work, slashing at his c.h.e.s.t, his leg, his side. Once he was certain that his scratches looked accurate enough, he looked at Nathaniel's face.

He sighed.

"You know, I'm getting pretty tired of getting framed." A calm voice said. The masked man froze. His hairs stood on end as he heard the voice of the city's most feared villain.

He spun around.

"C-Chat No-oir?"The man stuttered.

Chat grinned and tilted his head. He bowed low, never wiping the smile off his face or taking his eyes off the man's face.

"In the flesh." Chat purred out, standing back up.

The man took an involuntary step back.

Chat walked towards the man.

"Well, what have we got here?" Chat asked casually.

The man glanced behind him before looking back at Chat.

"D-don't come any closer. I-I'm warning you." The man said, trying to keep himself from fainting.

Chat's eyes narrowed and his nose twitched.

"Warning me?" He asked not ceasing his steps. "Or else what?" Chat all but hissed.

The man pointed his knife at Chat who rolled his eyes and scoffed. He vaguely caught the glimpse of a steadily enlarging pool of blood behind the man. He hummed.

He looked at the man and snarled, taking out his baton.

"Let's get this over-with." He said.

The man gulped, but could not do much more as Chat shot towards him with inhuman speed, punching him with impossibly human force. The man's head spun and he crumpled to the floor before earning a swift kick to the jaw.

Chat had drawn out his claws and he picked up the man and tossed him on the wall multiple times. The man croaked, coughing up blood, before falling unconscious.

Chat straightened up. Well, that would do. He hadn't hurt the guy all that much, he had been trying to tone down recently, and he wouldn't let his streak get destroyed.

He turned to the closet with the blood pooling from it. Swiftly he walked towards the doorframe but his body froze upon seeing the victim.

"Oh shit no." Chat cussed, his eyes widening.

He dropped to his knees.

"Shit, Tomatohead, you idiot!" He looked over at the bullet inflicted wounds.

One to the tummy, one to the arm, one to the leg…And one had grazed his temple.

Chat listened closely for a heartbeat.

…

…

…

Then, he heard the faintest beat he had heard in his entire life. Chat sat up abruptly, looking down at the man his age, his competition. He wasn't dead. He was alive.

Just… barely.

He bit his lip. He had one of two options. Firstly, he could let this man die and never have to worry about him again but let Marinette hurt for a bit…Or he could save the man, still have the competition and save Marinette from any pain of losing someone.

He g.r.o.a.n.e.d. He wasn't a hero. What the hell was he even doing anymore?

He slipped his arms under Nathaniel's legs and was about to pick his torso up when Nathaniel's eyes shot open and he s.u.c.k.e.d in a strangled gasp of air.

He looked up, blindly grabbing chats arm, it seemed he couldn't speak, but he turned to Chat. His expression remained pained, but it seemed like he was begging Chat to do something.

Chat pursed his lips, picking Nathaniel up.

"Don't worry. I'm taking you to the hospital." Chat said, beginning to run out of the studio. Nathaniel took a moment to process the information, but black spots clouded his vision once more, he frankly wasn't sure how he had woken up in the first place. He grabbed Chat's face.

Chat looked down at the young man as blood seeped from his wounds and poured out of his mouth. His body was already as white as a sheet.

Nathaniel yanked Chat's ear and started tapping his arm frantically.

"What? What is it?" Chat asked, not stopping his route to the hospital.

Nathaniel pulled his face and patted his own arm again.

Chat ignored him.

Nathaniel, realizing this, began to use his remaining power to struggle away from the black-clad super villain.

"What the hell don't be difficult-"Chat said, trying to hold the man still, but the blood was making him slip.

Chat looked at the arm Nathaniel was hitting.

"Okay, okay I'm looking." Chat said. He rolled up the sleeve. Nathaniel, couldn't stay awake any longer. He slumped.

"M.M+C.B=K.O M.D.C? What does that mean?" Chat looked at Nathaniel. He looked lifeless.

"Damn it!" He growled, picking Nathaniel up and running at top speed toward the hospital.

He looked at the barred doors.

"Cataclysm!" He yelled and the doors all fell away, leaving corroded steel in its wake.

Nurses and doctors looked at him, stunned.

"He's wounded. Help him!" Chat yelled.

The nurses were petrified of his presence. It wasn't their fault, Chat knew that, but at the time, images of Marinette being distraught and upset flashed through his mind and he realized he couldn't afford these people the time to stand and stare at him in gut-wrenching horror.

"If one of you don't help this bastard right now I swear to God I will kill every patient in this facility and damn it to hell I will kill you incompetent imbeciles too!" Chat practically roared at them.

The doctors snapped out of their haze, gesturing for Chat to lay Nathaniel on the stretcher. He did so and stepped back. He watched the doctor's work for a second before turning to flee the premises.

What the hell had just happened?

He had completely forgotten about the second sound that he had heard that night. Chat ran his hand down his face. For now, it was best if Marinette and her friends didn't know about Nathaniel until his condition was stable.

He rubbed his temple. Nathaniel had engraved those letters into his skin for a reason. They were somehow significant, and he needed to understand what it meant. He stood near the Eiffel tower, wondering what those letters meant. It had been hard to see through the blood. He wished that he had taken a longer look.

This was too elaborate. Had they not just had a little quarrel involving Nathaniel? And if she were to find out that Nathaniel was attacked on the night they had the said quarrel and Chat had not been in her sight during the time of the attack, he would have a lot of explaining to do.

Luck really despised him, it seemed.

With a deep sigh, he went back to Nino's place and dropped his transformation.

Nino was sipping water, his new favorite drink since Adrien had moved in. Plagg dropped onto the bed, groaning.

"Plagg? Plagg, what's wrong?"Adrien asked, freezing as the kwami lay limply.

"Plagg!" He exclaimed, picking up the little creature.

The kwami shivered.

"Kid. I need to see Fu."Plagg said.

Adrien nodded frantically, running to get a jacket. Nino looked at Adrien.

"Dude no! You can't go out as Adrien!" Nino said, jumping up.

"Plagg is sick." Adrien said.

Nino looked at Plagg who rolled onto his back.

"Kid, better idea, tomorrow." He croaked.

Adrien shook his head. "We'll be fine, we just have to be careful-"

"Not risking it. Nino will take me tomorrow." Plagg said.

Adrien opened his mouth to speak.

"I'll be fine, it's just that I'm a bit exhausted, relaaaax, I won't die, immortal , remember?" Plagg said, flying over to Adrien's hair.

"In the meantime, take your vitamins." Adrien wrung his hands.

"Plagg you should really-"

"Tell Nino what happened to Nathaniel, and the engraving." Plagg said suddenly.

Nino froze. He looked at Adrien with wide eyes. "What…What happened to Nathaniel?"

Adrien sighed.

"Well…"He began to tell Nino everything that had happened, including the calls at Marinette's house. He explained in great detail.

"…and then I came here…Now that you know, you can't tell anyone."

Nino looked at him blankly for a second before picking up his cellphone.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Adrien asked standing up.

"Telling Alya,"Nino said plainly.

"Did you not just hear me?" Adrien snarled. Nino pursed his lips.

"If there's anyone who can figure out what the hell those initial's mean, it's her. Nathaniel wouldn't self-harm, ever. He did that for a reason. He's given us a message. We just need to decipher it."

Adrien g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

"She's going to tell Marinette."

"Oh no, she won't, if I ask her not to."

"How can you be so certain?"

Green eyes stared at gold ones.

"Because I know her better than I know myself. I can trust her."

***********************************

"You imbecile! If he scratches that flamehead and the police think Chat Noir had a part in it, then that little s.l.u.t will find out and be mad at Chat Noir, aka the person you are impersonating and refuse to go out with you . UGH! What are you even good for?!"

"I'm trying my best!" Marcus said. His whole body was trembling.

"Shut up. Ugh. I'll have to message daddy and ask him to prevent the police and hospital from disclosing any information about the case from the public for a few days. He's going to be suspicious. Mark my words, if my plan fails because of your stupidity, there will be hell to pay! Understand?"

Marcus muttered a shaky yes.

"Two days. This needs to happen in two days."

The call cut and the model slid down to the floor.

"I'm sorry Marinette…I'm so sorry." He whispered.

*************************************

Plagg watched Adrien tell Nino the events that had occurred. He felt awful. Never in his life had he felt this exhausted and dizzy. He was almost certain that he had somehow gotten sick and not the common cold kind of sick. Magically drained was more like it.

…But other than that, something else was terribly wrong.

He could feel it.

The air itself felt strange. Dark, even.

He couldn't place what it was, but something was not right. A nagging suspicion told him that Tikki wasn't doing well…But he had no true way of knowing. The Kwami closed his eyes. He would sleep for now. Being anxious helped nobody at all, and so he slept, hoping that when the light of morning came, things would be different…

He didn't realise just how different things would be…