𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 1

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"𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘬𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘺."

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

playing: [Silver Soul (Instrumental)] - [Beach House]
1:00 —————♡——————————— 4:59

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[008]

You were pacing around your room, thinking of what to do for today. You could go shopping, but if your fans caught you they would bomber you asking for pictures. Wait. Maybe you could invite Adrien to hang out but then again his father barely lets him go out, or anywhere in general. You let out a loud groan as you threw yourself onto your bed.

The Kwami noticing your distress, spoke up, "Don't you have an event today with Ladybug?" Plagg asked, eyes closed as he devoured his cheese.

You look at him with a blank face as you sat up from your bed, "Event? Ladybug?"

"Don't tell me you forgot."

You gave him a sheepish glance, "No?"

He groaned, rolling his eyes.

Suddenly your phone rang making you, and Plagg, whip your head at your desk; where you usually left your phone. You haven't given anyone your phone number besides Adrien and Alya, so you istantly answered thinking it was either one.

"Hello?"

Your brows quirked up in confusion when you only heard silence, "Hello?" You said once again.

"...𝘯𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵, 𝘈𝘭𝘺𝘢!"

If your phone wasn't pressed against your ear, you might've never heard the soft voice coming from the person who was on the phone. It was distant, but you could still make out the voice of the caller.

"Marinette, is that you?"

"H-Hey! How are you doing?"

Somehow, she still managed to speak to you the way she usually did even through the phone—secretly finding it somewhat charming. You just hoped she'd be less awkward with you and more comfortable as time passes by.

"Great. How about you?"

"Totally fine, especially now that I'm talking with you."

Your eyes widened slightly as a small smile rose from your face, something that you yourself haven't noticed usually formed instantly from your face whenever you talked with her. You heard her sheepishly mutter out more words but Plagg's teasing faces had been taking most of your attention. You sent him a glare when he pouted out his lips, forming kissy faces.

"Anyway, is there something you wanted?"

Another beat of silence came from the other end of the call, making you wonder if she ended it or not.

"Yes...I was just wondering...if you wanted to go to the movies?"

Unlike other occasions, she didn't stumble upon her words this time—catching you off guard for a moment. Though she seemed hesitant in asking you, it made your chest slightly flutter as you processed her words.

"Sure, you have my number. We can plan it together whenever you like."

—

"Who called you?" Plagg questioned.

You placed your phone on your desk shortly after the call ended, eyeing it for a while and decided to save her number on your phone. You wanted to question how she had your number, but you had given Alya your number and it's no surprise that she could've given it to Marinette.

"A friend." You said, not explaining further purposely.

You now remembered the 'event' Plagg previously mentioned about. Realizing you being a few minutes late to the event, you immediately transformed into your alter ego.

—

Landing on where the unveiling of the sculpture was held, you greeted the audience; waving at them with a smile.

"Excuse me, Chatón Noire. But Ladybugs not here." A man spoke, startling you.

"Oh uh, she must've met something along the way. She'll get here soon, don't worry." You assured him, returning your attention back at the crowd after.

Pulling out a photo of Ladybug, he spoke once again. "It's just that I wanted to ask her to sign this photo."

You thought he'd end there but his grip on the photo tightened slightly as his voice dripped with admiration, "She's amazing, brave, and smart. The way she always saves everyone."

You quirk an eyebrow, unaware that you were glaring at him as he looked at the photo in awe.

"Perhaps the ceremony should commence, it might bring her here faster." The mayor insisted.

"Please. Wait one more minute, Mayor Bourgeois. She's going to come. I can feel it."

Despite his plea, the Mayor decided to commence the ceremony. You and the crowd applauded him when the statue was revealed, you were slightly annoyed at the moment but you knew talent when you saw it.

Stealing a glance at the man, you saw him sigh in disappointment when ladybug didn't show up—though you were also made as a sculpture, you knew better. He only wanted Ladybug's attention when it would have been revealed and it made you grimace, not because of jealousy but because you were told by the lady blog that Ladybug was young. Trying to avoid akumazition, you walked up to the man, trying to cheer him up.

"The statues are gorgeous, though I'm sorry Ladybug didn't show up." As if. For once you're glad she isn't here.

"Ladybug didn't show up. I just wanted to express my adoration for her. Let her know that everything I had went into her statue. I'm sure if she took a little time to know me, she would see how much we have in common. Our devotion to the things we love."

He's sure? Anyone could call you petty, but the way he talked about her unsettled you. A man in his grown age shouldn't be allowed to speak that way to her about anything regarding his feelings; so you didn't hesitate coming to her rescue.

"She's Ladybug and you're you. If she were to meet with a man like you, she'd be better off by herself. Besides, she and I are like this." you crossed your fingers; giving him a dirty look as you did so.

He scoffed, returning your dirty look before turning around to walk away from you.

—

Landing back at your house, you sat on the living room watching TV to pass time; especially with your parents not being home so it just made the day slower.

The show the channel had on was interrupted by the news reporter, Nadia, bringing up new news.

"And in some astonishing news, there's been a spectacular theft at the Louvre. Amateur video shows without a shadow of a doubt that the thief is none other than the famous heroine, Chatón Noire."

Quirking your brow at the sight, the clip showed you robbing a painting from the Louvre. Well you obviously knew it wasn't you who robbed it, but it also had to be someone else.

"This painting is the cat's meow." Your doppelgänger said, running off with the painting in their hand.

You squinted your eyes at the screen, repeating the doppelgänger's words, "Cat's meow?" You could hear the Kwami's laugh from your desk.

"Plagg you better not laugh, I swear. Whoever that is, is a terrible fake version of me." You retorted, bringing your hand out to transform.

It's almost funny how fast you get yourself into trouble when Ladybug isn't there with you; shrugging to yourself, you landed on top of the Louvre, dangerously close to the police force. Not the best idea, but if you had nothing to hide from them, you wouldn't need to secretly head inside. You felt uneasy as they gripped their baton, not hesitanting in attacking you.

"Woah, you guys got the wrong cat. I'm innocent. It had to be someone else, I'm the real Chatón Noire."

From your explanation, Roger Raincomprix—you believe, signaled the other officers to lower their weapons; to your relief. As you slid down from the top of the Louvre, he stood there, hands on his hips.

"Mind if I took a look inside? I have a natural act of finding clues. Animal instincts, you know?" You joked, softly punching his arm.

"Of course, come with me. Thanks for your help, Chatón Noire."

Something had to be wrong. The officer you were closely following behind was stubborn enough to not take any risks in trusting anyone, so you had to keep an eye on him. As you guys walked on the scene, you've noticed a chewed up straw sitting on one of the seats. Picking it up and inspecting it; you noticed it belonging to the man you saw earlier. Huffing out a breath, you resist the temptation to roll your eyes at the man's so obvious hurt from your words and Ladybug's lack of attention on him.

So lost in your mind, you didn't notice that officer didn't fully follow you where you were at, standing near the entrance to keep you locked inside.

"What? What the hell are you doing?! I'm innocent."

Walking away, he talked into his walkie talkie. "Kitty's in the slammer. I repeat, kitty's in the slammer."

Groaning softly, you waited until he left so you could call out your cataclysm. Once he did, you activated your powers and touched the bars, making them rusty enough to break them. You took two steps back, running at them to get free. Once you ran down the stairs towards the entrance, you met another group of police officers.

"Sorry for what I'm about to do, but once again; I've already told you. You guys have the wrong cat." Gripping your staff, you ran towards them to push them away with it.

Once you got out, you landed somewhat far from the location so you could call the heroine with your staff.

"Kitty! What's going on?"

"You know I'm innocent. Don't you, bug?" You asked genuinely, her words seemed like she had been convinced you did something.

"Of course. But who could possibly want to act as you and get you into deep trouble?"

Letting out a sheepish laugh, you responded.

"Some guy from the unveiling. But I had my reasons, I swear. I wouldn't intentionally provoke someone to do all this running around."

You could see her face turning into a small frown as she looked at you in concern, but before she could say anything a big helicopter flew behind you; making you slightly flinch.

"Sorry, bug. Have to go. Bye!" You ended the call, immediately running away.

With the helicopter flying after you, you ran building to building; somehow faster than it. "Give yourself up, Chatón Noire!" More helicopters joined, making you run even faster than before.

Since no one knew your identity, the best idea was to detransform and act like you weren't aware that the one of the famous heroines in the city, is being followed all around the city.

You looked inside your jacket, seeing Plagg dig into a slice of cheese, "We both saw this coming, I don't know what you expected." He muttered.

You roll your eyes at him, a grin placed on your face. "Should've seen his jealousy coming from a mile away."

You saw him stop his cheese midway to his mouth, the most skeptical look you've ever seen from him placed on his small face, "Yours or his?"

Scoffing, you pushed him into your jacket once again; already running to transform.

Jumping from building to building, you finally came across the building L'atelier. You weren't surprised when you scanned the area already seeing your doppelgänger, or rather your copycat. He must've been aware you'd find him as when you landed inside, he wasn't there. You brought your staff up to call your partner, you had to tell her where you were.

"Chatón Noire! Where are you?"

You could hear the scowl in her voice, her obvious concern for you, and you replied back.

"I'm at the copycat's den."

Sneakily, you tried looking around for more details on the place.

"I'm not getting you. Just tell me where you're at, kitty."

Her nickname for you came back, signaling you that her anger cooled down slightly. Though, the demand on her voice still signaled you that she was still annoyed with you.

"I'm at L'atelier."

Scanning the area, your head perked up as you saw a ceramic cat on a crate, set up to hold an envelope around its arm.

"Come quickly. And I'm sorry for dragging you into this silly mess, bug."

"That's why we're partners, kitty. I'll get there as fast as I can."

Ignoring the fluttering in your stomach, you hung up the phone from your staff and grabbed the envelope to open it and read what's inside. Cat's in the bag?

Before you could assume anything of it, the crate exploded and cuffs were attached on both your wrists. You immediately yelled for your cataclysm, albeit was useless as the copycat grabbed your wrists and placed your hand on a board.

"I don't get what Ladybug sees in you. A fool who so easily falls into my trap."

"Is that why you feigned being me? Grow the hell up! She doesn't want you." Yelling, you tried grabbing your staff from behind.

He quickly took notice as he swung the staff in front of him mockingly, "Looking for this?" He cooed, acting if he'd hand it you.

"Anyway, which one should I pick up? My one or my one?" Your staff rang, silently answering his question. He gave you a smirk before answering it, "Ladybug, hurry up. I've caught the imposter."

"I'll be there in thirty seconds!"

Gritting your teeth, you gave him a glare when he hung of the phone; his smirk intensified. "The hells wrong with you?" You spat.

"Ladybug's coming soon, cat. Which was my plan all along."

"She won't be fooled, she knows me too well."

"You're acting like I don't know you well too. After all I used to be your fan. But, from now on, she'll love me instead, not you!"

You eyed him skeptically, "Love me?" Right, "You're right. That's why she'll be able to determine whether or not you're the copycat."

He extended his staff near your foot, distracting you so that he could easily push you away; straddling your legs so that he could grab your ring more easily. Coming to your rescue, as always, Ladybug came swinging inside the warehouse.

"There you are!"

His voice sounded exactly like yours, albeit slightly different than it did before—more softer as he looked ahead at her. Did your voice sound like that when you talked with her? No wait, looked at her, as his face turned red with a smile on his(your) face.

Ladybug looked between you both, bewildered. "Chatón Noire, he really looks like you."

"That's because I am me."

Ignoring you, she looked at the copycat on top of you, "Where's his akuma?"

Tilting his head, his smile never faltered. "In the ring, grab it." He extended your hand at her, eyeing her.

When she tried to grab your ring, you clenched your fist to make her unable to slide it off. Her eyes widened slightly, "He even has the same powers as you."

Shrugging he smirked, "Truly fascinating, isn't it?"

Groaning, you spoke up. "If you don't believe I'm me, ask him about our love for each other." You suggested.

She was taken aback by your comment, eyeing you suspiciously. So you assured her, "Don't worry, bug. You know me better than anyone, I wouldn't lie to you." You winked at her.

Her shocked face turned serious as she leaned closer to your copycat, "I hope you didn't tell him about us."

"W-What?"

"That we're...y'know, we made a promise." Ladybug booped his nose, humming as she leaned impossibly closer.

"Uh...yes of course!"

Ladybug's face never fell, even when she caught him in the act, "We've never made a promise."

He scowled, emphasizing his love for her, "I love you, Ladybug! I'm way better than this mangy alley cat!"

"Sorry, but liars are losers. Chatón Noire is many things but a liar."

"Thanks for the compliment," you thanked, sending her a smirk. Taking advantage that he was distracted, you kicked him off of you.

"If I can't have you, nobody will! Cataclysm!"

You grimace at his words, disgusted.

"Let's wrap this up. Lucky charm!" Yelling for her charm, she received a spoon. "A spoon? What am I supposed to do with this?"

Before Copycat could hurt you with his cataclysm, ladybug grabbed the chains and held it in front of him so he'd destroy that instead. To his surprise, you hit him with your staff; pushing him away hard enough to throw him on a wall destroying it.

Looking at her over your shoulder, you could see a small smile on her face, "Thank you, bug." She sent you a wink in response.

"Where's his akuma?" She asked.

"A photo in his pocket." You eyed the ring on your finger, "let's hurry up so we can get out of here."

You could hear Copycat's mocking laughter through the dusty air his attack made, "You're going to change before me." Emphasizing that he had more time, he brought up his fist; showing you his ring. You ran towards him, though he managed to keep up with you as he deflected most of your attacks.

Ladybug took her chance of attacking, throwing her yo-yo at him but just as he did with you, he dodged her attack with his own staff. Ladybug managed to jump away, knowing fighting hand to hand wouldn't suffice.

"He's pretty good," she commented.

You could tell he liked her compliment as he became distracted, so you decided to attack him again, to no avail as his reaction to your attack was instant and avoided it, "Told ya I was better than this cat."

You rolled your eyes at his arrogance.

Due to his behavior, Ladybug had already wrapped her yo-yo around his second staff—or your staff, pulling it away. "But I'm better than both of you."

Her cockiness didn't annoy you like it did with your doppelgänger so you slightly smiled at her, you weren't mad she found herself slightly more superior than you; after all she did always come to your rescue. You didn't think much about it much further as she threw you back your staff.

You heard him growl as he ran at you with his staff. After both of your staffs had been flying on the air, you decided going back to fighting hand to hand. Until Ladybug came down and wrapped her yo-yo around your wrist, preventing you from attacking him further. "Hey it's me."

"No, I'm the real one! He's lying."

Groaning, she stomped her foot. "You're both annoying me now. Show me your rings. How much pads do y'all have left?"

You raised your hand, showing her your ring. As she looked at it attentively, she let go of her hold on your wrist. "Kitty, scratch attack!"

Smiling, you jumped forwards to attack the other cat. After she used her charm to use, she made a fishing rod to grab the copycat from his belt. Returning his previous mocking gestures, you sent him a wink as he got lifted up and you opened his pocket so that ladybug could get the photo inside.

After ladybug did her usual thing, everything returned back to normal. Even the man, as he fell from the air. You caught him, despite his behavior and set him on the ground.

"Nice catch." She complimented.

"Thanks, bug. Anyway, I'm glad you could tell the difference between him and I."

She smirked as she stole a glance at you, "Once I figured out which cat was in love with me, it was a no brainer."

Your ring beeped again, signaling you that in a few moments you'd really de-transform. "Exactly. See you later, bug." You gave her a soft smile as you playfully poked her arm.

Ignoring the way your heart dropped, you left to head back home.

—

"Plagg, did you think she forgot to send me a text?" Asking, you glanced at the phone in front of you; no sign of Marinette texting you.

Plagg sat on your bed, already eating most of the cheese you had left for him. He seemed uninterested in your question as he continued eating his cheese but he still shrugged his shoulders nonetheless.

"Okay. Whatever." You mumbled, turning off your lights to go to sleep.