Cataclysm

A monster for a monster

Adrien walked towards the bakery that saturday evening, smiling to himself. He managed to leave the mansion without the gorilla following him, and he didn't even have to sneak out this time. His father just told the bodyguard to let him be, since it was a short walk to Marinette's. He was pondering if he should buy her flowers on the way when he recognized a familiar face.

''Lila'' He whispered to himself, though he knew Plagg could hear him just fine. She was chatting with Mylene. Probably trying to make sure her story was still being believed by the class. She shouldn't even bother, thought Adrien, sour. She had that girl eating from the palm of her hand already.

He had the urge to hide from them for some reason, but couldn't do it on time before the Italian girl saw him. She stood in her position in front of the boy, suddenly paralyzed, eyes wide open.

''Hey Adrien'' Said Mylene, oblivious to the tension between Lila and the model.

''Hey Mylene'' Greeted Adrien, utilizing one of the famous Agreste smiles. Mylene responded with one of her own. ''Would you mind if I robbed Lila from you for a second? I just want to chat'' He said. Lila looked a bit panicked still, but Mylene accepted anyways. ''Just don't fight, ok?'' She warned before leaving them alone.

''What do you want, Agreste?'' Asked Lila with all the poison she could infuse her voice with. He smiled again, actually liking being in an honest situation with the liar. No one to watch, no more pretensions.

''You are gonna die if you keep doing what you are doing'' He said, voice low. She opened her eyes in fear again, but then composed herself and anger took over.

''Is that a threat?'' She demanded. He shook his head.

''You know what I mean. My mother was a holder of the peacock too, you know. Before she ''disappeared'''' He tried his best to not lose it while mentioning his mother to the girl, and he succeeded. He had gone over so much since the last time Lila riled him up by mentioning Emily. He now knew what happened to his mother, the tightness in his chest he felt was different. It was a muted longing, nostalgia mixed with still some sorrow. But no more anger because he didn't know why she left, no more desperation at trying to keep his memories of her intact. It still hurt, but he had control over it now.

Lila still looked like she wanted to run away from him and Adrien realized that this was not an act. There was no one around to misdirect, just him.

''Why the sudden worry, Kitty'' She teased after seemingly getting a bit over her slight trembling. He hated how the nickname sounded coming from her mouth.

''I don't like you, and I never will. But saving people is still my duty, you are playing with things you know nothing about, Lila. It's time you stop'' He said and then he took one arm out, hand open, waiting for her to give up her miraculous. He knew it wasn't gonna work just like that, but he had to try. Lila let out a fake laugh.

''Don't pretend to be a hero now, we both know what you are'' She said full of vitriol, then she whispered ''You are destruction, a monster, and I will show Paris the truth'' Lila smirked, though her lip was still trembling, and walked past him.

''See ya'' She said as if they just had a talk about the weather.

He watched as she turned the corner of the street, then ran to an alley. This was his chance. He called for his transformation before Plagg could say whatever he tried to tell him, and sneaked above the Italian girl. This was it, he would find her house, get the miracle box back, and finally fix this mess he got his friends in.

The cat hero followed Lila around for an hour before she finally went back home. She talked to a bunch of people, both from their class and outsiders, throwing more lies at them about how bad she had it after Chat Noir destroyed her house. He had to stop himself from intervening a couple times and just let her do her talking. As infuriating as it was, he knew it would be a futile effort to try to defend himself, she would just double down on her attacks. Besides, he smiled sharply, this is what he wanted all along. Lilas new house location.