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Ladybug's P.O.V

Lioness is a tough opponent.

She is dressed like a jaguar with a realistic tail swaying mischievously. The villains brown hair is puffed out like a lion's mane. She has claws to help her climb and green, cat-like eyes to see in the dark. She has other jungle animal's abilities such as speed, strength, and stealth.

Yet, I noticed her weakness of performance in the city terrain. Unfortunately, she is accompanied by a plant amuck, Kapok. Its ability is to create a jungle to eliminate that weakness. Apparently, the earlier shaking is from the rapidly growing greenery Kapok is sprouting from under the streets and buildings, knocking them down.

The amuck is hidden somewhere in this hectic mess. The only reason why we know of Kapok's existence is because Lioness can somehow communicate with the amuck through the vines.

"How are we supposed to stop her?" Chat asked, seriously, "And don't say "How about you go chat with her since you two are the same species."

Chat Noir and I are currently hiding behind a chimney, outside of the slowly growing jungle. We had to regroup, seeing how we were being outdone by Lioness. She nearly managed to grab my earrings three times. I would have been vulnerable and exposed if it weren't for Chat's sixth sense.

"I wasn't going to say that," I responded, earning a unbelieving look from my partner.

"I'm sure you were thinking about it," he said.

"...okay, I'll give you that," I gave in, sheepishly. Chat Noir smiled a little until nearly falling over when the building began to shake. Then, it crumbled.

I pulled Chat Noir against me and quickly swung to the next building still in one piece. Luckily, this part of Paris has been evacuated do to the dangerous akuma and amuck's power. The landing isn't the best but at least we aren't being crushed by bricks. I rubbed my aching side and looked over at Chat to make sure he is okay.

   There's a slight scratch on his cheek but otherwise, he seems fine.

   "So, I ask again. How are we going to stop those two?" Chat repeated, pointing at the trees. I hummed in thought, staring at the jungle. As jungles are usually thick and dense, it will be difficult to get through even with superpowers. We might get tangled in vines or hit a branch. Or worse, run into the akuma.

   "We need to take away Lioness's advantage somehow," I said, "Which means, we need to get Kapok out of the picture and lure Lioness out."

   "Should I cataclysm Kapok? Its powers will go haywire but it might buy us time," Chat brought up. I shook my head, "No, that will only lure Lioness deeper into the jungle, assuming Kapok is in the middle."

   My gaze landed on the vines and a idea popped into my head.

   "Maybe we can't destroy the amuck but maybe we can get rid of it and Lioness's communication system," I explained, standing up and clutching my yoyo. I have a plan but I need to make sure I am not missing anything.

   I'm about to use my Lucky Charm when Chat Noir suddenly perks up.

   "Ladybug, watch out!" He warned me, dashing toward me. I barely had time to move when Chat suddenly pushed me out of the way from a blur of orange and brown. I shot up, drinking in the scene before me. Lioness has Chat Noir pinned down with a wicked grin pulled on her face.

   Her tail swished in the air and a giggle slides through her teeth.

   "My my, I was not expecting this," she purred, "but I can't say I am displeased."

   "Get away from him!" I yelled, throwing my yoyo at her. Yet, she grabbed my yoyo in midair, shocking me to bits. The villain used her bulky strength and yanked my weapon, sending me flying to a different part of the city.

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Chat Noir's P.O.V

   I growled struggling to get myself free from her grasp. Yet, her immense strength keeps my wrists bound to the floor. Lioness just stares down at me sinisterly, sharp teeth glimmering like a predator that has proudly caught its prey. She sniffed the air around me, making me incredibly uncomfortable with how close she is.

   "Oooo, I know this scent very well," she scratchily said, giggling like a hyena, "Fear. You are afraid of something, boy."

   I felt my heartbeat spike but did not let it show on my face, glaring the akuma down. Lioness's ears perked up as if she is able to hear the beating in my chest accelerate. Her grin knowingly grew.

   "Tell me, what is haunting the poor baby kitten's dreams at night?" She asked in a menacing way. I kept my mouth shut, holding my scowl.

   Lioness shrugged her shoulders, "Oh well, I tried. It's time I fulfill my end of the bargain."

   She rearranged my wrists until holding them with one hand above my head. I once again tried to free myself with only a little bit more movement.

   "She's too strong," I thought, watching her reach for my ring. Panic began to coil itself around my soul, desperately trying to think of a way to get her off of me. Lioness's hand drew closer until unraveling my ring finger. I continued to struggle. I continued to fight back. I continued to do everything that I could as to not let her steal my miraculous.

   Without thinking and sheer anxiety, I shouted out one word.

   "Cataclysm!"

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Ladybug's P.O.V

   I sprinted back, trying to reach the two as fast as I can before something bad happens. I had been thrown quite a few miles away and crashed through the window of a mattress store (a very lucky coincidence). I didn't have time to apologize, quickly getting up from a destroyed mattress and swinging out of the window I came through.

   Then, I speedily returned to the battle as fast as I possibly can.

   I can see the villain holding down Chat Noir ahead, beginning to slide his miraculous off of his finger. I know I won't be able to make it and need to somehow get the akuma away from my partner. I managed to grab my yoyo and fling it at Lioness.

Maybe, I can pull her away before she takes Chat's ring or hitting her in the head will be enough to distract her for a moment.

Yet, it isn't any of those methods that worked.

"Cataclysm!"

Before my yoyo could hit Lioness, she engulfed in black and diminishes into ashes. My yoyo continued through the ashes and clattered on the ground. My string went lagged on my finger before slipping off from my lacking hold on it.

I didn't pay it any attention, standing frozen in horror at what I just witnessed. The world around us is toned to silence. The slight wind scatters the ashes but it'll never be enough to blow the engraved memory away. It replays over in my head like a broken record until I finally am able to let it sink in.

My hand covered my mouth, staggering back in dismay. I felt my eyes grow watery and wondering how this went so terribly wrong. It was just another run-of-the-mill akuma. Sure, she was tough but we've faced stronger foes than her. It could've been a simple win without anyone else getting hurt.

How...How did this go horribly wrong?

Chat hasn't moved, not even a millimeter. He's still laying there in shock. Most of Lioness's ashes covered him from head to toe. His wide green eyes stare at the sky, once blocked my the jungle cat-themed villain. His breathing grew shaky and body began to tremble. His shock is starting to wear-off.

I can see the pure terror embroidered in his features and the look of someone who is about to flee. I quickly stumbled over and knelt down beside him.

   "Ch-Chat Noir, can you hear me?" I asked, trying my best to ignore Lioness's ashes. He didn't respond, still in a petrified state of mind.

   "Minou?" I tried again, gently shaking his shoulders. No response. I kept trying to coax him out of his stupor until he finally spoke something under his breathe I could not understand.

   "What?" I asked, softly. Chat Noir has a far off look and doesn't seem he is present in the conversation.

   "No..." he whimpered a little louder, voice broken. I felt my heart tug and tears finally spill over. I open my mouth but I can't find the right words to say. He shakes his head slightly in disbelief, "No...no...no no no no no NO NO NO!"

His breathing began going unsteady and shot up. I kept ahold of his shoulders tightening my grip so he wouldn't run away. I can't have him panicking while he's running atop the buildings. If he passes out from breathing too much...

"I didn't...no...I didn't...n-no," Chat Noir rasped about to look down at himself, "I'm not like...not like him..."

"No," I suddenly said, taking ahold of his chin and turning his gaze away from the ashes to look at me, "Don't look, just focus on me and my voice."

He stared at me as if I'm transparent and spoke another language. He went back to rambling. I can feel him body violently trembling.

"Chat Noir, if you can hear me, I need you to breath with me," I soothingly explained.

"I didn't mean to...I...I didn't...not like him...NO!" He continued to panic before blinking. His vision seemed to clear up a little but his panic didn't go away. Fear is evident, returning from wherever world he was lost in, "L-Ladybug...I-I didn't mean..."

"I know, Kitty. Right now, you're having a panic attack and I need you to breath with me. Okay?" I repeated, getting a nod from him. We both did some breathing exercises to steady Chat's breathing. I had to constantly draw his attention back to me as to not fall back into his state of shock.

   "Are you alright?" I asked, once he seemed calmed down.

   "Alright?!" I questioned me as if I asked the dumbest question on earth, "Of course, I'm not alright! I just...I just-"

   He growled and clutched his head, unable to spit out the words. He didn't need to say anything for me to know. I winced, wishing I didn't say anything. I guess it was a stupid question. My mouth is left slightly agape but no sound comes out. I want to reassure him everything will be okay and that we'll somehow fix this.

   Yet, this kind of situation isn't the type of problem that can be easily repaired. The damage has already been done.

I can only frown before pulling him into a hug. I rested my chin on his shoulder, doing whatever I can to give him some form of comfort. He doesn't return the hug but sinks into my hold, hiding his face in my neck. He drops his hands from his head and begins to cry. My eyes fill with unshed tears and making my vision go blurry.

We sit here for a few minutes, not saying or doing anything. I sniffled, holding in a sob and tried to stop my lip from quivering. I gulped, taking in a shaky breath before noticing two small things in the air. I blinked away the blurriness enough to scrunch my gaze and focus.

   A dark purple feather and butterfly.

   A spike of hope shot through my chest. I grabbed my yoyo and pushed Chat away. He looked at me confused but I am too focused on the two evil-doing anomalies.

I quickly captured the akuma and amuck. Once they are purified, I released them back into the air.

"Lucky Charm!" I called out, using my power. A ladybug-decorated object fell into my arm. I examined it before realizing what the object is.

   "A handkerchief?" I muttered, searching for whatever it is intended to be used for. The job is practically done except for the giant mess of plants and...remains.

   "Wh...What is it?" Chat Noir asked. I turned to him to answer before realizing what I needed to use the handkerchief for. I returned to sitting on the floor while green eyes watch curiously. I gave a small smile, wiping away Chat Noir's tears before it stained his cheeks.

   "We need to talk," I said in a serious tone, "Meet me at the Eiffel Tower in about an hour."

   Chat Noir frowned but skeptically nodded in agreement. Satisfied, I threw the handkerchief in the air, "Miraculous Ladybug!"

   The damage is being restored, the plants from the amuck has disappeared, and...

   The ashes of Lioness swirled like a flashy tornado before a girl with wild hair is looking around in confusion.

   I let out a relieved breathe. I fell back down next to an equally relieved Chat Noir. My legs felt like jelly, so glad this girl's death wasn't permanent. I helped and talked to the girl about the situation. Then I noticed Chat Noir's distant look, not wanting to come any closer to us.

   I can tell he's afraid. He doesn't want to do anymore harm. So, I left him be and offered to take the girl home. Besides, Chat Noir is nearly close to transforming back (his Kwami must be holding out the transformation).

   "Chat," I called to him. He paused and faced me with a tired look. I thinned my lips out, "I hope I see you later."

   He gave one final nod before vaulting off into the city. I grimaced, hoping to help Chat Noir out with whatever his dilemma is.

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