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Something changed, Chat Noir was sure of it. He could feel like something was following him whenever he was transformed. Even with his improved hearing and vision, he couldn’t locate whoever was following him. It took him hours of erratically running across Paris before he felt comfortable enough to detransform after going for a simple run. Trying to drop his transformation midway through a fight was a nightmare. He didn’t have the luxury of running around in circles to try and drop his stalker, forcing him to use riskier and riskier spots out of desperation and a burning need to get back to the fight.
He was scheduled to meet up with Hesperia in person today to replenish the cash funds he was using to pay for the hotel and food. Placing his communicator into his ear, Chat Noir called Hesperia. “Hesperia? Are you at the meeting spot yet?” He asked once the line connected, his eyes scanning the horizon.
“Not yet Chat Noir. Is something wrong? You sound on edge.” Hesperia replied with concern lacing his voice. He didn’t need the Butterfly Miraculous to know that Chat Noir isn’t doing well, not since Ladybug disappeared. He tried to get the other holder to open up about his feelings, but he was constantly met with silence.
“Don’t go. Stay hidden today, I have a feeling something is going to happen today.” Chat Noir explained, pacing around a random rooftop a grimace stuck on his face. All of his instincts were screaming at him that something was coming, but he had no idea what could be setting them off. One thing he was certain about ignoring his instincts would be a massive mistake. “We can have one of your champions drop off the next months’ funds at a random location.”
Chat Noir’s cat ears started to twitch and moments later he heard the sound of a yo-yo headed right for him. Leaping to the side, he watched as a red and black yo-yo sailed harmlessly in front of his face. “Shadybug foun-“ He tried to warn Hesperia before something solid hit him in the side of the head, destroying the communicator in the process. The attack left him stunned for a moment as he regained his bearings. Chat Noir was confused, why would they be after him? Hesperia was always their primary target, often ignoring him and Ladybug whenever Hesperia was on the field. Yet here they were attacking him without Hesperia anywhere near the area.
Shaking his head, Chat Noir knew he needed to escape. He couldn’t fight Shadybug and Claw Noir at the same time by himself in broad daylight. Even with his senses being better than the other two, he had no way to counter both when they are constantly calling for their superpowers. Dropping to all fours, he picked a random direction and started running. His best bet was to keep running around the city until he felt confident that he lost Shadybug and Claw Noir.
Hours passed and Chat Noir knew he needed to stop soon. The sound of something scraping against the rooftops paired with constantly beating behind him was the only thing keeping from stopping. “Dammit, when did they get new powers?” New powers were the only plausible explanation he could come up with for the new sounds he was hearing. The timing made sense; it wasn’t more than a week since he almost got Claw Noir’s Miraculous thanks to his superior senses.
When he made the leap to the next rooftop, Chat Noir misjudged his leap and he could tell he was barely going to miss clearing the gap. Thankfully he was able to grab onto the ledge of the building and with some effort he was able to pull himself onto the rooftop. “I’m getting sloppy.” He mumbled to himself, lowering himself into a crouched position so he could catch his breath. Chat Noir knew what he was feeling was the consequences of how little sleep he’s had in the last couple of weeks.
His cat ears twitched as the sound of beating drew closer, they would be on top of him in less than a minute. Staying here would mean that he would certainly get captured, but no matter how much he tried to move his body refused. Hearing someone land on the rooftop, Chat Noir knew it was game over. He was spent, Ladybug was missing, and he told Hesperia to go into hiding.
The sound of claws scraping against the rooftop indicated whoever was coming closer. What happened next occurred in slow motion. The scraping stopped; someone swore; there was a loud bang with a bright light; and finally Chat Noir felt someone pick him up and carry him off.
“I’m glad I made it in time. Hesperia said you were in trouble.” The Champion reassured Chat Noir as they ran.
“Tell him tha-“ He only got through about half his words before the exhaustion finally took hold and he passed out.