{Adrien's POV}

I groan lightly, hearing screams of pain and yelling.

I bolt up to see Hawkmoth's hands around Ladybug's throat.

No!

A glimmer from my peripheral vision catches my eye and I spot a metal bat. I pick it up, and with all my strength, swing it across the back of Hawkmoth's head.

He falls to the ground next to Ladybug. I drop the bat, breathing heavily.

I kick Hawkmoth's limp body before shoving him farther from Ladybug.

Leaning down, I pick up her small, frail body, carrying her bridal style.

"I'm sorry, M'lady," I whisper as I carry her downstairs. I walk into the empty bakery.

"Hello?" I call.

I hear a door creak, and I turn my head to see Marinette's parents. I breathe a sigh of relief.

Sabine covers her mouth with her hands. "Marinette..." she whimpers.

I give her a look of sympathy as I use my right hand to brush a stray hair away from her face.

"She's unconscious." I say quietly.

Tom wraps his arms around his wife's shoulders as she begins to sob. I walk over to a couch located by the far right of the bakery near a mini library and set Ladybug down.

Her earrings beep, and Tikki flies out.

She floats next to me as Plagg comes out of hiding.

"I'm sorry, kid," he says sadly.

"Marinette's strong. She'll be okay." Tikki gives us a small smile, but I feel like she's saying it as a reassurance.

I take in a deep breath and release, walking back over to her parents.

"May I have a first-aid kit, please?" I ask, no emotion in my voice. Tom reaches from below the cashier counter and pulls it out.

"Thanks." I say as I walk back over to Mari, opening the box.

I take out a few saline wipes and band-aids. I wipe her bloodied nose and the cut across her nose with the saline wipe and put a band-aid over her nose. I open another saline wipe and wipe the cut on her cheek before placing a band-aid there. I lift her hand and discover her split knuckles. I repeat the process.

"I promise, we will defeat him one day. He will pay. I promise you my life." I let out a deep, low growl as I speak about that foul man upstairs.

{Future Asia: Adrien... I wish I didn't make you say that... I'm so sorry...}

Once I'm done, I attend to my injuries: my busted lip, my bleeding knuckles, and the deep cut on my eyebrow. I wince as I touch my eyebrow. It burns.

I throw out the the used items and return the first-aid kit.

"Please, don't let her out of your sight. I've got some business to take care of." I tell Mr. and Mme. Dupain-Cheng. They nod, and I head back upstairs.

Before I open her trapdoor, I whisper, "Plagg, Claws Out," and transform.

"Cataclysm."

It didn't kill him the last time, but I'm sure this time it will.

It's time to end this madness.

It's time to win.

I swing open the trapdoor and quickly jump inside.

But no one was inside; just the skylight trapdoor leading to the roof open.

I mutter a colorful word under my breath.

I should've took his Miraculous when I had the chance! Gosh, why am I such an idiot?!

"UGH!" I shout in anger, pulling my hair in frustration. I stomp my foot angrily.

"WHY?!" I shout again. "BULLSH—"

"There's always next time," a voice from behind me interrupts, startling me. I turn around, using my Cataclysm as protection, only to find Marinette.

"You're okay." I smile sadly as I hug her, making sure not to touch her with my Cataclysmed hand.

She hugs me back. "Of course I'm okay, silly kitty. I already told you that I'll always be by your side. Always."

I pull away. "We'll get him. We'll get him and make him pay for all of his misdeeds. I promise. I promise."

I stare into her beautiful bluebell eyes, showing her my sincerity.

"I believe you, Chaton. I believe you." She plants a kiss in my cheek, smiling.

We stand in silence, looking at the destruction the fight caused. Her chair was in pieces on the floor, papers scattered throughout the room, glass littering the ground, and sketchbooks were somehow torn. The walls have marks on them as a sign of struggle and the carpet had a few bloodstains.

"I'm sorry," I say, looking down. Marinette interlaces her hand in mine.

"For what?"

"I'm sorry for this mess, I'm sorry you got hurt, I'm sorry I was too weak to protect you, I'm sorry couldn't catch him, I'm sorry I—"

"Shut up." She says sharply.

"W-what?" I stutter, looking at her in confusion.

"I said shut up!" She suddenly exclaims. "You've got nothing to be sorry for! You've did so much for me. You did nothing but support me, love me, and keep me strong in my darkest moments! This is nothing but a small inconvenience," she finishes.

"Plagg, Claws In."

I soon as I detrasform, I wrap my arms around her.

"But we failed." I sigh sadly. "He got away."

"If anything, I see this as a victory," Marinette says. "We only have a few cuts, scratches, and bruises. He's the one who ran away. In my mind, he's afraid of us,"

I smile. "I'm so lucky I have you," I mutter, a tear unwillingly escaping my eye. "Thank you."

She hugs me back, and I could practically feel her smile.

"No, kitty, thank you." She nuzzles he face in my neck, causing me to blush.

"This isn't over. We know his identity. I'm done with this. Even if it means my mother not coming back..." I trailed off. "At least I got you."

She started swaying side to side. I sway with her, music only heard in our heads. I place my hands in her waist as she wraps hers around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder.

We keep swaying, throwing in occasional twirls. We laugh softly, dancing to our own beat. She starts doing a funny version of the sprinkler and I do the cabbage patch.

After an hour of doing this, we fall to the ground, laughing at our weirdness and breathing heavily.

"I love how weird we are." Marinette says.

"Me too."

After a few moments of silence, I say, "We should go to the movies with the rest of the gang and celebrate this victory, them discuss our plans after over some pizza."

"I agree. When should we do it? Tomorrow?" Marinette asks.

I nod. "I'll text our group chat now."

We stand up and bring out our phones.

To: Together We Can

HaveAKitChat: Hey guys, Marinette and I are planning a get-together at the movies tomorrow. Say, 13:00? Then we have some things to talk about over pizza. You guys in?

TurtlesGoMooD00d and 2 others are typing...

TurtlesGoMooD00d: sure, dude. See everyone then!

Foxiana: only if you're paying!

Bugabae: of course, alya 😂

QueenOfTheMeanBees: I'll go, but I might be a few minutes late because I have a mani-pedi appointment. (Ps, girls, we'll have one all together soon! Promise~)

HaveAKitChat: can't wait.

Bugabae: Á demain!

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Hey guys! This chapter wasn't how I wanted it to be, but I decided I won't give you guys more heartache. . .

. . .for now!! Muahahhaha!

Anyways guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you did, be sure to leave a vote and a comment!!

Until Next Time, My Wattpad Famille! Baii~!

Au revior,

Peace Out,

  ~Asia✌🏾♥️✌🏾♥️