one step back, two steps forward (pt. 26)
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Sleep deprived.
Marinette woke up with a heavy feeling in her chest. It was the feeling she would have when a particularly nasty akuma would be on lose. Tikki said it was her instinct of a guardian. Shooting a quick text to the team she packed extra macaroons for Tikki.
With a sigh, she left the room and left after saying goodbye to her parents and gave a few instructions to Kaylan. They walked in the class before anyone else and took their seats.
It wasn’t long before everyone started filling in as well. Adrian, who had Lila clinging to his arm like an anaconda, looked at Marinette who ignored him and started talking to Chloe about something.
He was happy that Marinette made friends with Chloe but if only she had laid low she wouldn’t have been isolated. The painful sensation of nails digging in his flesh brought him back to his senses. Lila was talking to Alya with a vice grip on his arm.
He barely managed to get her off him and sat next to Nino. Kaylan wrote something on the desk with her finger. She traced it again and again before looking up abruptly.
And soon enough, the akuma alert started. She and Marinette looked at each other before running off. On the other side Adrian also jumped out of the window. Other started panicking and running off in different direction. Alya grinned and ran towards the danger while recording.
Hiding in the library, far away from the prying eyes, the girls brought out their Kwami. Tikki and Nova nodded before they transformed.
Nova, full moon!
Tikki, spots on!
Just as the transformation died off, Luna raised an eyebrow. Ladybug’s costume changed.
(Again credit to the artists. I can’t draw to save my life so you have saved my life.)
Her costume was mostly black. Except for the chest plate, kneepads and shoulder pad. She even had a pair of wings folded on her back hidden in the back armor.
You look like ladybug. Thank god that childish spandex is gone.
Ladybug smiled before sighing in relief. A strong tremor brought them to their senses and they ran out towards the akuma. Just as they reached the akuma they jumped away from a beam that could have roasted them if hit.
The roof which was hit had a hint of frost on them.
....Or froze.
Luna muttered before jumping the alley avoiding another blast. Her eyes fell on the other two members of the team hiding in another alley as well. The stream of blast making it impossible for them to move out and attack.
Who pissed them off? / Who got akumatized?
Ladybug and she asked simultaneously before looking at each other. Luna looked away awkwardly while ladybug shook her head exasperation.
Some worker! Apparently her boss had been pushing his work on her and she had been sleep deprived for a long time.
Well that’s one way to make an akuma.
Ladybug slapped her upside her head. But she wasn’t wrong. Everyone knew that they were emotional hostage here and yet they still did things like this intentionally. Ladybug sighed.
Humans really are selfish.
What else?
Well..........she snapped when her vacation got cancelled and her boss pushed more work on her.
Ryu recounted the information she got from the colleague. Well, she did threaten them.
And the akuma?
Luna asked before looking out from the corner only to turn away barely saving herself from the blast.
Her name is sleep deprived. Anyone who got hit by her blast had their energy sucked from them. Victim freeze.
That explains the frost.
Luna muttered before her ear twitched. A mechanical whirling sound fell in her ears making her look at the general direction. Her behavior made the rest of the team stand on their guard as well.
A light blinked in the dark alley before a round object came floating.
A drone.
A spherical drone stopped in front of them before many other came. It was the size of a tennis ball. The camera moved as if focusing on the heroes before a holographic screen appeared.
I hope you wouldn’t mind if we see the battle first hand.
A familiar face appeared on the screen. Luna smiled when she recognized the face.
Wonder woman.
The Amazonian smiled and waved at the rest of the team before turning serious.
We had an alert that there was an akuma. We were hoping to see what you have before we discuss what you need. I hope it’s not a problem.
W-wait. Ladybug cut them off. Her eyes were wide as she looked between Luna and wonder woman. You want to observe us?
Of course. Though we will be out of the way so don’t worry.
Wonder woman. Luna pushed ladybug away who was shocked and nervous about the whole observing. It would be best if you don’t question our decisions and don’t interfere with what happens and what we do.
Of course. Unless you ask, we do not plan on interfering.
Luna nodded before looking at the crowd of heroes behind her. Adults, teenagers and kids all were there.
Looking back at the team, she saw the surprised faces of the team. With a snap of her figure, she teleported the other two near her.
If you can get a hold on yourself, we can talk business.
That did the trick. They remembered the akuma and the people in trouble. Ladybug called for her lucky charm. An empty miracle box fell in her hands.
Wait which miraculous am I supposed to bring?
Just as she was thinking, the akuma broke the wall behind them before opening fire.
Second chance!
W-wait. Ladybug cut them off. Her eyes were wide as she looked between Luna and wonder woman. You want to observe us?
Python looked to his side, seeing ladybug and Luna talking to wonder woman. He saw what happened before the second chance. Gritting his teeth, he moved forward.
Ladybug! Luna! Get out of that alley! The akuma is going to attack there! We need to get out of there!
Luna looked at the camera before gesturing something and then holding ladybug’s hand and teleporting to the other side.
Python, did you use second chance!?
I did. You called for your lucky charm. It was an empty miracle box. You were asking which miraculous should you bring. But forget all of that we need to relocate.
Python panted. What he saw was scary, he actually saw his life flashing before his eyes. Not sure how he managed to use second chance.
The team relocated to another alley. One that had been through akuma’s destruction. A few people who took cover, were found and frozen. Luna winced seeing those horror stricken faces.
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In the justice league head quarter, many heroes felt bile rising in their throat. If this is something these kids had to deal with on daily bases they should be ashamed of themselves.
Robin was unnaturally quiet, as he watched the terror. Superboy was frowning. Raven tried to calm herself down. Beastboy looked greener than his green skin. Many speedsters, felt a little change in the timeline. Like it went back.
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We need a plan. But we can’t make it if we don’t get close to the akuma........ This is bad. It’s like syren all over again.
Ladybug glared at the akuma but she couldn’t get out. Luna observed the akuma before calculating.
Milady!
Their focus broke at the call, making the team groan in irritation. Chat noir stood behind them with a wide grin before slinging his arm on ladybug’s shoulder. A low growl came from Luna’s throat.
That slimy cat was back and .........could he not see how uncomfortable ladybug is looking. Ryu snarled. One could see smoke coming out of her nostrils.
Aw come on milady! I can’t believe you haven’t sent the temporary users back. How about we go to André after the battle to get a couple ice cream?
Chat! We’re in the middle of the battle. Can we focus!?
I always focus on you.
*****
Wonder woman frowned. She didn’t like what was happening. Well........no one did.
Can’t he see she’s not comfortable?
He’s harassing her.
If that filthy cat did took his hands off her I have no issue skinning him.
There was an abrupt silence. Every head turned towards robin who simply raised his eyebrow.
What?
Nothing baby bird. Please carry on.
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Luna separated them rather roughly. Pushing ladybug behind her before growling.
If you didn’t stop messing around, I’ll skin you alive and I won’t even pretend to be under mind control for that!
Chat noir hissed at her making her growl again in warning. The battle for territory was useless right now.
Please stop. We have to fight an akuma!
Luna clicked her tongue in distaste before backing off. Chat noir smiled smugly.
Alright. Let’s get to the plan. I need a miraculous for today’s battle. If I’m not wrong, she went for Eiffel tower. Python you’re on standby before that, recharge. Ryu we... chat! No!
Without listening, chat dashed out making the team grab their heads again. Luna seeing this, ran after him but instead of helping him she used chat as a distraction and went to fight while she still had a chance. A drone closely follow the two miraculous users.
Ladybug gritted her teeth. She wasn’t worried about Luna. She was worried about chat. He was so reckless always treating all of this a game and nothing more. Luna, while she looked reckless, all of her moves were calculative.
She definitely took her chance. She’ll use chat as a shield to fight.
Ladybug punched the wall in frustration before taking a deep breath.
Let’s go.
The pair didn’t even dared to speak. Every time it was chat in battle, she had to go an extra mile just too save his skin. They all knew Luna wouldn’t save him at the cost of her own, so they had to swallow the bitter pill and run in different directions.
Just as drones were about to follow, Ryu stopped them.
It would be advisable to not follow them. They are going to transform. We don’t want you finding out our identities.
The drones make a mechanical sound before following her.
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Wonder woman paced around when she saw how frustrated ladybug looked. Cursing the cat, she once again settled down. If not for the words she gave to Luna she would have jumped in the battle. But the league wanted to see what they were capable of.
Batman watched the whole ordeal. Chat’s arrival had threw the team off balance. His attitude and recklessness has got him killed by many akumas.
Why is she acting reckless?! She shouldn’t act reckless like him!
Flash stood up watching as Luna followed the black cat dodging the onslaught of the beams.
She isn’t reckless at all.
W-wait but she just ran after him?
That was a calculated move. A bit evil but necessary.
Batman used footage from air above the running heroes. While chat had been dodging the beams left and right, Luna quickly separated from him before jumping on the rooftops, her steps quieter and quicker.
Just as chat was about to attack, Luna unwrapped her whip before swinging it in a wide arc, hitting the akuma in the side. The akuma hit the fruit crates before trying to get up.
Landing beside chat she gave him a side glance.
Stay away.
The warning came out cold before she swing her whip again hitting akuma once again and sent her flying. Jumping on a roof top she followed again swinging around with the help of her whip.
Chat, feeling left behind, also followed. But Luna was faster compared to ladybug or she didn’t care. Just as akuma was about to land, Luna cracked her whip one more time but the akuma was prepared. She grabbed the whip and pulled Luna towards her. Expecting the retaliation, Luna simply let herself being pulled forward.
She just adjusted and gave a flying kick before letting go of her whip and punching the akuma in the gut. The akuma stumbled and opened fire but Luna just jumped down from the roof avoiding it.
Why?! Just why?! Why are you trying to stop me?!
The akuma repeated hysterically, giving her time to swing her whip again. With the first hit came the onslaught of multiple hits. Luna wasn’t giving her time to recover.
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Holy shit!
Language.
Superman glared at flash. But he just shrugged and pointed towards the screen.
Well, they can’t blame him. It’s not every day that you get to seen magical butterfly causing havoc. And the kids protecting their own city. Or to what lengths those kids have to go just every day.
Robin smirked at her strategy before giving a feral grin to his brothers. There is no way he won’t adopt Luna. He needed a best friend/sibling just like everyone in the family.
Dick has Jason, Tim has Cass, Barbara and Stephanie and that leave him all alone with his pets. So sue him for wanting a sibling that has his back. And there is no way he will choose just anyone.
You’re thinking about again, aren’t you?
Superboy gave a bright smile to his friend making him scowl.
Watch it Kent.
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Luna was about to hit the akuma with the final blow before her ears stood up and she barely dodged the attack of a baton.
Chat’s baton to be exact. He hissed at her with a glare that she returned with her own.
He was irritating. Her attack stopped because of a cat and the akuma took advantage of it and opened fire making them duck for cover in opposite direction.
I’ll kill that cat!
Luna hissed as a drone floated near her. The holographic screen formed again. This time it was batman.
Have you ever been attacked like this before? Or ladybug for the matter?
Fortunately no. Unfortunately, it’s his first attack and he won’t stop at this.
Batman narrowed his eyes.............well it looked like eyes. Just as she was about to open her mouth, her ears twitched making her look towards her side. Chat was glaring at her like her wanted to set her on fire or something. But Luna just ignored it and left the alley.
Staying at one location was risky. Especially if the akuma checked every crook and cranny.
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