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runawaycatwalker · 1 month

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Part 26. Asynchronous Expectations (Oni-Chan 2.0, part C)

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Description below the cut

Astrocat wings pattern from here.

Ladybug leaps through the air, swinging her yo-yo towards the Agreste mansion.

Ladybug: Those ribbons were coming from Adrien's place. Now where's the villain...?

Cut to Gabriel’s atelier, where Oni-Chan is throwing up her hands (one hand holding her sword upwards) in exasperation while looking at a sentimonster—the Unpublisher—as he holds up a single finger.

The Unpublisher: It looks like you want to know what my powers are. Would you like help?

Oni-Chan: Yes! I just said that!

The Unpublisher has an uncanny smile and holds up a hand in helpful explanation. (The Unpublisher is an unsettling inversion of Adrien Agreste—blue hair, dark blue skin, a black overshirt with a white undershirt, hair parted on the other side, and all line art with white lines instead of black.)

The Unpublisher: To delete a picture of Adrien Agreste: Hold my amok and order me to delete a picture of Adrien Agreste.

Oni-Chan picks up a photonegative that was left on the corner of the central platform of Gabriel’s atelier.

Oni-Chan: Is this it?

The Unpublisher: That is the amok belonging to the Unpublisher. Helpful tip: the Unpublisher is me! This amok can be used to control the actions of the Un—

Oni-Chan: I get it.

Oni-Chan holds the photonegative and points towards Gabriel’s computer. The Unpublisher looks at her with a large grin.

Oni-Chan: Look through that computer for Adrien Agreste photos. Delete all of them from existence.

The Unpublisher: Got it. Please be patient while I take care of that for you.

Ladybug throws the door open and leaps into the room, wielding her yo-yo. A couple black ribbons are starting to weave their way into the world.

Ladybug: Not if I have anyth—

Ladybug is abruptly swarmed by a dense slurry of the magical ribbons conjured by the Unpublisher as he deletes every image of Adrien that Gabriel owns.

Ladybug: —Mmph!

Cut to Rena Furtive looking through her telescope at Oni-Chan teleporting across the rooftops as the ribbons fan out across the world.

Ladybug (over comm): I can't get past these ribbons!

Rena Furtive: You might not have to. Oni-Chan’s mass-teleporting again. She’s holding something new—I assume it's an amok?

Ladybug (over comm): Then I’ll have to bring her to me...

Cut to Nathalie’s bedroom, where Nathalie sits on the edge of her bed as she speaks to Ladybug. Her room is largely untouched by the ribbons (though a few can be seen flowing past her windows). Note that Nathalie has a large map of the world on her wall.

Ladybug: Ms. Sancouer, I need your help. Do you have a picture of Adrien that Mr. Agreste doesn’t have copies of?

Nathalie: I believe so.

Nathalie (internally): As much as I want to find Adrien, I can't risk an akuma like Oni-Chan leading Gabriel to him first. If Gabriel asks, I’ll just say I couldn’t refuse Ladybug without rousing suspicion.

A closeup of Nathalie holding her tablet, on which is a picture of Adrien as he stole the grimoire. He has yet to be deleted.

Nathalie: Here.

Ladybug: Wait, don't look yet—

Oni-Chan teleports in and hits Nathalie (and her tablet with the offending image) with her sword, petrifying her. Oni-Chan looks towards Ladybug and waves an angry fist (which holds the photonegative amok).

Oni-Chan: Again, Ladybug? Why must you keep getting in my way?

Oni-Chan swings her sword towards Ladybug, who manages to deflect it with her yo-yo as she leaps back.

Oni-Chan: I just want to find Adrien! Don't you want that too?

Ladybug: Not like this! I won't let you hurt everyone just to get to him!

Close-up of Oni-Chan’s unyielding eyes.

Oni-Chan: Then perish!

Ladybug, on pure instinct, yells and throws her yo-yo.

Ladybug: Chat Noir, now!

Ladybug clenches her eyes shut, berating herself.

Ladybug (internally): Stupid reflex!

Ladybug yanks her yo-yo back before it makes contact with Oni-Chan.

Ladybug (internally): He's not here!

Ladybug uses her yo-yo to flee as Oni-Chan lunges towards her. But behind Oni-Chan, Catwalker has backflipped into the room behind her, his finger touching the amok with his Cataclysm.

Ladybug (internally): I have to fall back and try something els—

Catwalker: Cataclysm!

A closeup of Oni-Chan as she teleports away as the feather starts to emerge from the amok.

Cut to a closeup of the Unpublisher as he begins to dissolve, his mouth forming an ‘O’ as his final ribbon fails as it comes out his finger.

Cut back to Nathalie’s bedroom (she’s still petrified), where Ladybug raises a hesitant hand towards Catwalker.

Ladybug: C-Catwalker? Where’s the amok?

Catwalker: Oni-Chan took it with her when she teleported away.

Ladybug, face in panicked shock, clenches her fists.

Ladybug: No! That means I can’t heal the sentimonster’s damage!

Catwalker holds out an appeasing hand.

Catwalker: But it was only destroying Adrien Agreste’s modeling photos, right? No one got hurt. And I don't think Adrien would mind losing all that exposure.

Ladybug holds up her hands in infuriation.

Ladybug: Not mind??? Those pictures are incredibly important to Adrien and everyone who still cares about him! They were all anyone had left of him!

Catwalker slumps and touches the back of his neck.

Catwalker: I'm sorry.

Ladybug: What were you even thinking?

Catwalker: I thought... I thought I was following your orders...

Ladybug points her finger in accusation.

Ladybug: The only order I've given you is to stay out of my way. And you can't even do that! I am this close to taking that ring and giving it to someone else, screw what Mayura promised!

Catwalker backs up against the bedroom door, shamefaced, holding his baton in both hands in front of him.

Catwalker: You called for Chat Noir. Since he couldn't answer you, I just... did what I thought he would have done.

Ladybug shoves Catwalker through the doors, bursting them open. Catwalker loses grip on his baton as he tumbles backwards.

Ladybug: Don't you dare put the blame on him! You aren't Chat Noir! And me calling for him out of old instincts does not give you the right to act like you could ever fill his shoes!

Ladybug slams the doors shut.

Ladybug: Here's your new orders: Go home! You've put in your mandatory appearance, now leave me alone!

Cut to a conciliatory Rena Furtive calling over her comm, split screen with Ladybug as she answers over her comm, trying to get a grip on herself.

Rena Furtive: I'm sorry. I know how important Adrien's pictures have been for you.

Ladybug: I can't worry about what's been lost. I need to figure out my next move.

Rena Furtive: All the other heroes have been frozen by Oni-Chan. We're running out of allies. If we can't use Catwalker, I might have to expose myself and join in the battle.

Cut to Catwalker as he sits sadly on the floor on the other side of the door, hugging his knees and eavesdropping on Ladybug.

Ladybug (voiceover): I can handle this all on my own. I just need a...

Cut to the creation of a Lucky Charm. It’s a pair of gloves holding hands, one red covered in black spots with Ladybug’s emblem on the wrist, the other solid black with a red paw print on its wrist.

Ladybug: ...Lucky Charm!

Rena Furtive (over comm): What did you get?

Ladybug: A red glove glued to a black glove... holding... hands?

Ladybug looks frazzled and in deep denial as she lifts one of the fingers from the red glove and making it point somewhere.

Rena Furtive (over comm): I hate to say it, but that sounds like you do need to ask for help this time.

Ladybug: No! This can't mean that I have to use him! It's obviously just pointing towards...

Ladybug holds a pencil in the air, about to throw it, as she starts to cover her eyes with her other hand, one eye peeking as she takes aim.

Ladybug: ...This pencil! And if I close my eyes and throw this pencil at this map, it'll show me where Adrien is!

Rena Furtive (over comm): Uh... I don't think your Lucky Charm works like that...

A close-up of the map, where the pencil has embedded itself. Ladybug takes a picture of it with her yo-yo.

Ladybug: I've got the coordinates! Now I just have to follow them! Power up!

Catwalker watches Cosmobug flying through the sky via the window. In one hand, he uses his baton to take a picture of the map; in the other, he holds a purple piece of cheese to his mouth.

Catwalker (internally): I'm sorry, but I think I have to disobey you once more, m'Lady...

Catwalker (aloud): Power up!

A closeup of a pair of cuffed black gloves in front of magical green wings. He holds his baton in one hand and points at the picture of the map on its screen with the other.

Astrocat (internally): If I take a path curved away from the equator... I can get there before Ladybug does and—

Pull back to show Astrocat—the powered-up form of Chat Noir, not Catwalker—looking at himself in panic.

Astrocat (internally): Oh no. I powered up as Astrocat without thinking!

Adrien hides himself behind a wall and detransforms. Adrien closes his eyes and tries to focus. Plagg, meanwhile, helps himself to another piece of purple cheese.

Adrien: Claws in!

Adrien (internally): Focus! You're Catwalker. Perfect... Controlled... No more cat puns under any circumstances...

Adrien (aloud): Plagg, claws out!

Astrowalker—now in his proper form—resumes his flight to the location Cosmobug thinks she’ll find Adrien.

Astrowalker (internally): I really hope that no one saw that...

Cut to Rena Furtive, who Saw That.

Rena Furtive: Chat Noir...?

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #ladybug #catwalker #astrocat #astrowalker #rena furtive #oni-chan #nathalie sancouer #spanner in the works nathalie #akuma #sentimonster #thanks to masilvi for creating the astrochat seamless pattern!#it made my life SO MUCH easier when coloring astrocat/astrowalker's wings #i think this page has the most panels since the maternal instinct fight #there's just too much stuff to cram into one page during these battles #but when you've got a final panel in mind you find a way to make it work :)

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runawaycatwalker · 4 months

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Part 25. Best Friend Erasure (Oni-Chan 2.0, part B)

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Description below the cut

Catwalker approaches Ladybug as she stands on a roof. She points off in a far away direction.

Catwalker: Ladybug! Oni-Chan is back, and this time her powers are—

Ladybug: I need you to go to one of the rooftops way over there and stay right there.

Catwalker: Are you sure? I could do more here if I—

Ladybug: Just. Go.

Catwalker: ...Yes, Ladybug.

Ladybug swings towards a rooftop where the other heroes have congregated near a Find Adrien billboard. Viperion looks up at Ladybug.

Viperion: Ladybug! Why isn't Catwalker with you? Did you talk to him about... that thing I told you?

Ladybug: We talked. He wasn't hiding what you thought he was.

Viperion: Oh.

Ladybug stands in a ‘take charge’ pose right in front of the billboard with Adrien’s face. Most of the heroes gather in to look towards her, but Carapace looks off towards the direction Catwalker took instead.

Ladybug: And everybody, gather around! You should all know this. Catwalker is on probation until further notice.

Viperion: Probation? Isn't that kind of extreme?

Ladybug: I have my reasons. He's keeping his miraculous, but you're the people I'm going to rely on to beat the akumas. For now, consider him an observer and just ignore him.

Carapace starts using his shield as a phone to text his girlfriend.

Carapace (texting): Rena, why is Catwalker allowed to keep his miraculous? We *have* to stop him from causing more damage.

Rena Furtive (texting): I'm watching him, don't worry.

Cut to Rena hiding on a rooftop as she uses her flute simultaneously as a telescope to spy on Catwalker and a phone to tap out a reply to her boyfriend.

Rena Furtive (texting): But if you want to try to get more info out of him as Carapace...? I'm sure Ladybug wouldn't mind...

Carapace leaps towards Catwalker, who looks at him suspiciously.

Catwalker: Carapace? What are you doing here?

Carapace: Ladybug said you were alone, and I thought you shouldn't be.

Catwalker: You should go back. Ladybug needs every hero she can get.

Catwalker perches himself on the ledge of the building he’s atop of.

Carapace: Then why did Ladybug send you all the way out here?

Catwalker: She needs me. I just... need to wait here. Until she comes up with a plan for how she can use me.

Carapace: If you want to help, we can always work to protect Adrien Agreste.

Carapace opens his arms wide and tries to give a disarming smile, but he can’t help but show his underlying malice.

Carapace: If you know anything at all, I'm all ears! Even if it's something you need to keep on the down low, I can be your confidant. I'm a hero, after all! You can trust me to keep secrets.

Catwalker, completely uninterested in going through another round of ‘my best friend pretends to like me when I know he’s secretly mad at me’ points his finger in accusation.

Catwalker: I see what you're trying to do and I'm not going to fall for it.

Carapace: Whaaat? I'm not trying anything!

Catwalker: Nino.

Carapace: How did—I mean, who's Nino?

Catwalker: You forgot to tell Adrien that he shouldn't reveal secret identities to anyone.

Carapace, completely off put, tries to make this new bit of information add up.

Carapace: He told you about me? Why would that even come up? Unless... Did he tell you he had a superhero for a best friend to try and convince you he didn't need you?

Carapace points an accusatory finger at Catwalker. Catwalker tries to placate, but he’s distracted by a burst of red light in the distance in the direction of the other heroes.

Carapace: And then you forced him to leave when he didn't want to and—

Catwalker: You have it all wr—Oh no.

Oni-Chan rapidly teleports between temporary heroes (all of whom had just been staring towards the giant face of Adrien) and hits them with her sword in quick succession: Vesperia, Viperion, King Monkey, Purple Tigress, Polymouse, Pegasus, and Pigella are all frozen before they can do anything to fight back.

Oni-Chan: You! Won't! Get! In! My! Way! Anymore!

Oni-Chan lunges for Ladybug, but she manages to swing out of the way with her yo-yo and escape, unable to be tracked because she was the only member of the group who hadn’t been staring at Adrien’s face.

Catwalker: Come on! Ladybug needs our hel—

Catwalker leaps into the sky to follow Ladybug, but as he is in midair, a green sphere forms around him.

Carapace: Shell-ter!

After the sphere hits the ground, Catwalker looks up at Carapace, who stands at the edge on top of the nearest building tauntingly.

Catwalker: I don't want to fight you.

Carapace: Good! Because you won't be able to fight anyone!

Catwalker: Look, we're both heroes right now. We need to be able to work together to help Ladybug.

Inside the sphere, Catwalker kneels and looks down dejectedly.

Carapace: Ladybug doesn't want your help!

Catwalker: Maybe not right now, but—

Carapace: Why did you think she sent you so far out of her way? She can't even stand to look at you! No one needs you. No one wants you. You should just give up your miraculous and save us the troub—

Carapace’s attention is caught by something happening across the skyline of Paris: with the Agreste mansion at the epicenter, a flurry of black ribbons launches into the sky, each one racing toward a Find Adrien billboard. Where each ribbon touches, the place where Adrien’s picture should be has been replaced by an empty white void.

Carapace (to himself): What the...? ...the Adrien billboards... All the pictures of Adrien... He's gone.

Carapace points down at Catwalker accusingly and brings his shield in close.

Carapace: Why couldn't you have just done nothing and let his real friends help him? Some magic ribbons just wiped Adrien from existence!

Catwalker: That's impossible. A sentimonster probably just got rid of the Adrien ads.

Carapace: You don't get it! He exists nowhere! And I'll prove it!

Carapace uses his shield to navigate to the pictures on his phone. His hand touches at the shield when it displays a picture of Nino and Adrien smiling together, nothing erased.

Carapace: I'll show you how this picture of the two of us is—

Catwalker: Wait. Carapace, you need to drop it. Now.

Carapace (to himself): Huh...?

Catwalker: Adrien is alive, I promise—

Carapace (to himself): He's still here with me...?

Catwalker: —but she's going to find you if you keep looking—

Oni-Chan pops in and out of existence just long enough to stab Carapace in the back, sending his body off the edge of the building. Below them, Catwalker looks up and destroys the sphere around him.

Oni-Chan: Begone!

Carapace: Ack!

Catwalker: No! Cataclysm!

Catwalker leaps into the air, arms reaching towards Carapace’s petrified body, all while the shield Carapace dropped in the commotion falls next to them.

Catwalker: I've got you!

Catwalker tearfully embraces the frozen Carapace from behind.

Catwalker: I am so sorry. For everything.

Catwalker continues to hug Carapace tight as a flood of emotions spews forth.

Catwalker: I never wanted to hide behind a mask, especially not with you, Nino. You've always encouraged me to be myself. Even though I've never been able to fully show you everything I am, you accepted the 'me' I could give. It meant so much to know that you cared, not just about the idea of me, but the real me. And now I'm less 'me' than I've ever been. Maybe it would have been better if I did nothing. But when she tried to kill me, I just... ran. Ran and insisted I was fine like I always do. And now you're the one paying for my rash decisions and I feel so powerless to stop it. I hope one day you'll forgive me.

Catwalker places Carapace’s body upright and touches his back in a gesture of farewell.

Catwalker: I wish I could talk to you for real. But I can't. I can't leave when I might be needed. Even if everyone hates that I'm here, I've got to help however I can.

Catwalker gives Carapace a fist bump in one final promise of their friendship.

Catwalker: I'll come home as soon as it's safe again. I don't know how long it'll take, but I promise I will come back.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #carapace #oni-chan #akuma #ladybug #viperion #happy new year y'all #you have no idea how many obstacles got in the way of finishing this page #but finally it's done #now onto the *next* part of this akuma fight...

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runawaycatwalker · 7 months

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Part 24. Misaligned Approaches (Oni-Chan 2.0, part A)

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Bonus: The bread lesson Rolland teaches Adrien immediately before this page takes place that I had to cut to save space.

Description below the cut

Alya sits on Marinette’s chaise lounge looking at her phone. Marinette looks upwards, clenching her fists in vindication.

Alya: Preliminary results about Catwalker are in. Verdict: Pretty skeevy.

Marinette: I knew it! Tell me everything!

Alya scrolls through the messages on her phone.

Alya: My informant doesn't have any concrete evidence yet and most of this is just vibes, but...

Alya: Catwalker did specifically mention you by name.

Marinette: What??

Alya: When confronting my informant, Catwalker got defensive and asked if 'someone Marinette knows' sent them.

Marinette places her hand on Alya’s shoulder, looking shaken. Alya looks up at her with a look of uneasiness.

Marinette: Does that mean he knows you're Rena?

Alya: Or he might be on the verge of discovering your identity. Either way, I'm certainly not comfortable working alongside him anymore.

From behind, we see Marinette hold a hand up to the sky and clench her other hand in a fist in resolution.

Marinette: Because of Mayura we can't just fire him, but we can contain him. We'll rely on the rest of the team for all battles and restrict his interactions with everyone. If he steps out of line, all bets are off and we treat him like he's another akuma. And we keep investigating. I just know that he's up to something terrible right now and we've got to put a stop to it!

Rolland shuts a book between his hands entitled Pain. Adrien holds up a hand and offers a wishful grin. Behind them is the cabinet of things in Rolland’s living room, including the Lost flyer of Adrien, which is draped over a box.

Rolland: So: Shall we bake?

Adrien: I sure wouldn't mind if you showed me how to make baguettes...

Rolland: Bahaha! Baguettes! You are in no way ready to bake baguettes! No, we start with something far more traditional: the boule!

Rolland holds up a finger.

Rolland: But first: you must wash your hands.

Adrien: Of course!

Rolland: And take off that ring.

Adrien: Wh—what's wrong with my ring?

Rolland grab’s Adrien’s hand and points at the indentations in his ring.

Rolland: Just look at it! Flour is going to collect in all of those crevices! It is much simpler to just take off your ring while baking.

Adrien looks at his miraculous in thought. Behind him is the sink with the handle of a knife poking out of it.

Adrien (internally): I shouldn't take any chances of being caught without wearing my miraculous. But maybe if I don't stop wearing it...?

Adrien kneels on the ground and uses a knife to cut through the front rubber part of his shoe.

Rolland: What are you doing?

Adrien: Making a hole in my shoe! If I can't wear my ring on my finger... I can still have easy access by slipping it on my toe instead!

Adrien turns his knife aside and uses his other hand to slip his miraculous through the new hole in his shoe. Rolland’s hand reaches down from above dangerously close to the knife.

Rolland: You are using one of my knives to cut through rubber?!

Adrien: I'll clean it after I'm done, don't worry.

Rolland: That is not the point!

The knife’s edge cuts the back of Rolland’s hand.

Rolland: Give that b—Aaack!

Adrien touches his hands to the bottom of his face. One hand is still holding the knife, which now has a small spot of blood near the tip.

Adrien: I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—! Please don't fire me!

Rolland: Oh, hush. It's barely a scratch!

Adrien: I'll get the first aid kit! Where's the first aid kit? Do you have a first aid kit?

Rolland: I'll handle that without you.

Rolland waves his hand grumpily.

Rolland: You just worry about washing up my knife! Without cutting anything that is not food this time!

Adrien: Y-yes, sir!

Rolland slams the doors between the kitchen and living room shut, so that Adrien is alone in the kitchen and Rolland is alone with his collectibles.

Rolland (internally): Don't lose your temper, Rolland. Baldy's still a child. He's probably never been in a kitchen before. Whoever raised him had no idea how it's done. Teaching him that is your job now.

Rolland digs through the box on his cabinet, one hand picking up the Lost flyer to move it out of the way. As he does so, Oni-Chan teleports behind him with her sword pointed over his shoulder.

Rolland (internally): Now where did I put those banda—?

Oni-Chan: Where are you keeping Adrien Agreste?

Oni-Chan grabs Rolland’s shirt and holds her sword above his head threateningly. Rolland is still holding onto the flyer and looks panicked.

Rolland: Aahhh!

Oni-Chan: Tell me where Adrien is before I strike you right where you stand!

Rolland: You mean the missing angel boy? I don't know! What does a Chinese monster want with him?

Oni-Chan swings her sword.

Oni-Chan: I'm not a monster!

Rolland has now become frozen in place, covered in splotches of white, red, and black. Oni-Chan stands behind him, looking back over her shoulder.

Oni-Chan: If anyone else stands in my way, they're getting petrified too. And for the record, I'm Japanese.

Oni-Chan kicks down the doors into the kitchen. No one is there, only a slight movement of the window drapes in the background.

Oni-Chan: Hi-yaaah! Shadowmoth! He's not here!

Shadowmoth (over akuma connection): The old man must have seen Adrien somewhere.

Oni-Chan: The only sign of Adrien anywhere is on the flyer that man was looking at! Wait...

Oni-Chan, a butterfly light mask in front of her face showing her communication with Shadowmoth, grabs the Lost flyer and slices through Adrien’s face with her sword.

Oni-Chan: I was promised the ability to track the last person who saw Adrien, but these powers sent me to someone who was just looking at an Adrien picture!

Oni-Chan throws up her hand in frustration. There is also a closeup of Shadowmoth (also with the butterfly light mask) from his lair, holding out a hand negotiatingly.

Oni-Chan: Do you have any idea how many people are looking at pictures of Adrien?

Shadowmoth: Millions every day. ...I presume.

Oni-Chan: I will not sift through millions of people merely because you gave me unusable powers!

Shadowmoth: Would you rather I take your powers away and leave you without any leads at all?

Oni-Chan: No! No, I'll keep my akuma. But I'm not going to try to get Ladybug and Catwalker's miraculouses for you until after I find Adrien. You want me to help you? You help me first.

Shadowmoth: I could create a sentimonster to destroy all instances of Adrien's image until you find the real one.

Oni-Chan: Then do that!

Shadowmoth: I'll need time to prepare the amok.

Oni-Chan starts to teleport away, her expression resolute.

Oni-Chan: Well, I'm not wasting my time waiting. Have your sentimonster summon me when it's ready.

Cut to Adrien and Plagg outside Rolland’s residence, watching as the light of Oni-Chan’s teleport flashes through the window curtains. Adrien still has the knife and replaces his miraculous back on his ring finger.

Adrien: Do you think Oni-Chan really came here because Rolland saw me on Marinette's flyer?

Plagg: Probably not. Akuma powers usually work however the akuma expects them to and Rolland was the last person to see you.

Adrien: But her expectations just changed. So maybe people seeing pictures of Adrien will be tracked by her powers now?

Plagg: Even if you do turn out to be that lucky, you're still better off being Catwalker instead of Adrien.

Adrien: Right. Plagg, claws out!

Bonus Scene:

Rolland holds up a hand invitingly.

Rolland: Baldy, you have returned from your morning walk! Now we can begin your lessons in flour!

Adrien: Yeah, okay.

Rolland: What do you mean 'okay'? I thought you wanted to be my apprentice?

Adrien pulls off his beanie, looking discouraged.

Adrien: Sorry, I just saw a friend and he... Never mind. It's nothing.

Rolland: Nothing?

Adrien: Bread is the most important thing, right? Teach me everything I need to know. I'm... ready.

Rolland: You are not quite ready yet. First...

Cut to Adrien taking a bite of bread, happily going ‘nom! nom! nom!’.

Rolland: ...You must eat!

Adrien: Ooh!

Rolland: It's from yesterday, but it is better than nothing! We French know the value of bread, for we remember the days when we did not have it!

Rolland holds up the book Pain : pour les enfants! and reads to Adrien as he finishes his bread.

Rolland: This is today's lesson: how wheat shortage caused the Revolution! Wheat gives us flour, flour gives us bread, and bread is life! And when the wheat harvests failed, we survived by eating whatever awful bread from bran we could afford—if we could even afford that!

Rolland points to a picture of Marie Antoinette holding a purple rose in the book, which has the caption “Qu'ils mangent de la brioche”.

Rolland: But who wasn't starving? The nobility! They still ate fancy Viennese breads made with refined white flour! And while France suffered, Marie Antoinette had the gall to tell us ‘Let them eat cake!’

Adrien holds up a correcting finger.

Adrien: Isn't that quote apocryphal?

Rolland: What?

Adrien: No one ever verified that it was Marie Antoinette who said that. And even if she did, she would have been just a kid at the time.

Rolland: Bah! That’s not important!

Rolland holds up the book in front of his face. On one page, a pie chart with 75% blé (wheat) and 25% seigle (rye). On the other page is a guillotine surrounded by bread and centering the French flag, below which is the caption “Pain d'égalité”.

Rolland: The point is that the people of France revolted because of this, because of bread! And once we got rid of those pesky nobles, France could have one bread: the bread of equality! It would be made from all our grains, from wheat to rye, and everyone would eat it!

Adrien: Sounds much simpler.

Rolland: Very simple! But it wasn't to be. People still want their fancy flour.

Rolland holds up his wooden peel in one hand and his metal peel in the other in a pose reminiscent of the painting Liberty Leading the People.

Rolland: But once there was no more shortage of wheat, the government decreed that bakers must follow strict rules. You want to make a baguette? It must be the right size and made with the right ingredients! You run a boulangerie? You must make your bread on-site! And you must never close shop without warning! We do this so no one will suffer the pains of being forced to eat terrible bread—or no bread—ever again! Because here in France, that is how it is done! So: shall we bake?

Below are the same images as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #adrien agreste #rolland dupain #oni-chan #kagami tsurugi #shadowmoth #marinette dupain-cheng #alya cesaire #akuma #bread #what do you mean this took 9 whole weeks to post? i thought it's only been 6???#the first month alone was just blocking out all the pages for this fight and the aftermath #hopefully that means that the next few pages will be faster to finish #again thank you everyone for being so patient #tw minor blood #tw minor injury #letadrieneat2k16

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runawaycatwalker · 8 months

Text

Part 23. Contracted Liberation

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Description below the cut

Gabriel bangs his fists against the wall.

Gabriel: Nothing. No sign of Adrien. No leads. And my arsenal of tools is completely ineffective. My thumb on the mayor to control the police's search? Marketing initiatives backed by a global brand? The powers of the most feared supervillain in the world? All useless! And just to twist the knife, my akumas have started dying before they can evilize anyone!

Nathalie interlaces her fingers and looks away, in thought.

Nathalie (internally): It sounds like Catwalker has been using his Cataclysm preemptively. Best not to point that out to Gabriel right now, though. We shouldn't target Catwalker so soon after my truce with him and Ladybug. Even if the heroes don't know how to contact Adrien, remaining cordial with them may open doors later on.

Nathalie points outward.

Nathalie (aloud): It's possible that the police who have been investigating Adrien's disappearance have been nearby often enough that they're shooting akumas on sight. Perhaps you should consider going back to akumatizing those without any connection to Adrien?

Closeup of Gabriel gnashing his teeth.

Gabriel: Unacceptable! I must find my son!

As Gabriel continues to bash against the wall, Nathalie comes up behind him.

Nathalie: If Adrien has any sort of agency right now, he might see all the akumas targeting him as a reason to stay in hiding. Let up on that and he might consider Paris safe enough to come home.

Gabriel flings out his arm dramatically as a vein pulses in his forehead.

Gabriel: And if it wasn’t his choice? Stopping my pursuit for even a moment could result in him slipping through my fingers permanently! I will only stop using my akumas to search for my son when he is back under my roof where he belongs!

Nathalie puts her cellphone up to her ear.

Nathalie: Very well. I'll make some calls. If you need an akuma who is upset about Adrien, we can make one...

Nathalie (internally): One who will keep you busy until I figure out what to do next.

Cut to Kagami seated on the pink cushions in the ditch that comprises the seating area of Gabriel’s atelier. She folds her hands over her lap on top of her notebook.

Nathalie: Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice, Kagami.

Kagami: You asked my mother to send me here. How could I refuse? I assume this is about Adrien?

Nathalie: It is.

Kagami: I suppose you want to involve me in a publicity stunt for your 'Find Adrien' campaign? Is the 'kidnapping' story you fed the press no longer working?

Nathalie: This has nothing to do with marketing, I assure you.

Nathalie sits on the other side of the seating area and reads off something from her tablet.

Nathalie: Our 'Find Adrien' inbox received a peculiar anonymous tip: 'You have security cameras, go check the footage!' We did. Our security cameras caught nothing. Just Adrien entering his room after he returned from his fencing lesson. Nothing else.

Closeup of Nathalie’s face, her eyebrows accusatory.

Nathalie: It's strange that we acquired those security cameras from Tsurugi Industries, isn't it?

Nathalie puts down her tablet on the seat beside her. Kagami folds her arms. On the center block between Nathalie and Kagami, an assortment of Find Adrien posters have been placed, including a large billboard design near where Kagami is sitting.

Kagami: You think my mother had something to do with this?

Nathalie: No, Tsurugi-san would have no motive for hacking her product or absconding with Adrien. But you might. You would have been one of the last people to see him. You had the opportunity to coordinate a plan with him. Not to mention that you have a history of encouraging Adrien to go behind his father's back.

Kagami: So do a lot of his friends. Blame them for hacking your cameras, I wasn't involved. But if I had been asked, I would have helped Adrien flee this place. He shouldn't have to put up with living by his father's rules anymore.

Kagami folds her arms and grins evilly.

Kagami: Frankly, I'm happy that he finally grew enough of a backbone to actually act. There's nothing you can do to stop him now.

Cut to the back of the atelier by Emilie’s painting. The hole for Gabriel’s secret elevator is open, inside of which the head of Shadowmoth is poking out of. Shadowmoth taps out a message on his cane.

Nathalie (internally): This isn't working. Kagami's not overwhelmed by emotion, she's just smug. I'm out of my element here. I've gotten used to defusing situations before they become a problem, not inflaming them. Gabriel's far better suited to being a provocateur. He knows what buttons to push and won't let anyone get in his way for long. But since he insisted on hiding nearby to sic his akuma on her before anyone can interfere, I get to be the one to ruin someone's day...

Cut to a closeup of Nathalie’s tablet as it beeps with a new text message.

Nathalie (internally): Hmm? A new message?

Shadomoth (text message): I left some stronger motivation for you in the Find Adrien inbox. Use it. --🦋

Nathalie (internally): Gabriel, what are you up to now? *sigh* I guess I'll just have to go along with this...

Nathalie holds up her tablet and reads from it.

Nathalie (aloud): Oh my.

Kagami: What now?

Nathalie’s tablet: Banner: FIND ADRIEN. From: [email protected]. We have Adrien Agreste in our clutches and are going to unalive him and you can't do anything about it! Muhahahaha!

Nathalie: A ransom message just came through. They're threatening to kill Adrien.

Kagami: To kill...?

Nathalie passes through the door out of the atelier.

Nathalie: Excuse me, I need to... speak with Mr. Agreste about handling this development.

Nathalie (internally): That should be enough motivation, right?

Cut to a closeup of Kagami opening her notebook, where she has taped a picture of her and Adrien and preserved a dried rose.

Kagami: Adrien didn't choose this? This whole time I assumed that he ran away, but he really was kidnapped?

Kagami holds the rose in her hand, teary eyes clenched shut and teeth gritted.

Kagami: Whoever took him needs to pay for what they've done!

From the elevator hole, Shadowmoth raises out his hand and unleashes an akuma.

Shadowmoth (internally): Yes! I can feel her anger now!

Shadowmoth (under his breath): Go, my akuma!

The akuma makes contact with the rose in Kagami’s hand.

Shadowmoth: Hello, Oni-Chan.

Cut to Nathalie eavesdropping from just outside the atelier, looking startled.

Nathalie (internally): Wait, Oni-Chan? He was supposed to make her Riposte again, not—

Cut back to Kagami as the light mask illuminates her angered face.

Shadowmoth: The boy you so deeply care for is in grave danger. I'm giving you the power to track down the last person who saw Adrien Agreste. You will make them powerless to do anything ever again.

Kagami: With pleasure, Shadowmoth.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #nathalie sancouer #gabriel agreste #kagami tsurugi #spanner in the works nathalie #akuma #and we have another akuma arc on our hands #once again courtesy of nathalie trying to help and only making things worse #for those of you who are new you can expect the next few pages to take a bit longer than usual since logistics is not my strong suit

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runawaycatwalker · 10 months

Text

Part 22. A Best Friend's Interrogative Prerogative

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Description below the cut

Bonus: Alternate version shot in NinoVision:

In black and white, Nino pulls on the brim of his cap as he watches Catwalker uses his baton to leap around the buildings of Paris.

Nino (voiceover): The name's Lahiffe. Detective Lahiffe. The foxiest gal in the world, Alya Césaire, called me for a favor: Sniff around the new hero who'd sauntered into Paris.

The image of Catwalker holding his hands up in confusion by a picture of Adrien being sad and a question mark.

Nino (voiceover): I'd met this smooth cat once before. I assumed he was naïve and oblivious. He wasn't.

Cut back to Nino hiding behind a wall as Catwalker continues to leap above the rooftops.

Nino (voiceover): According to Alya, the charming kittyboy was secretly involved in the departure of my closest bro, Adrien. She wasn't sure how the guy had managed to act under all our noses or why, but I am determined to find out. I'll need to draw upon all my knowledge of the greatest detectives as I stake him out and gather enough clues to—

The panel abruptly switches to color as Catwalker drops in behind Nino, making the latter leap back and hold his hands in front of his face, thoroughly startled.

Catwalker: Are you following me?

Nino: Aaah! No! Why would I be following you?

Catwalker holds up a courteous hand.

Catwalker: Perhaps you wanted an autograph?

Nino: No! That's not...

The panel swiftly switches back to grayscale as Nino pushes up his glasses in a serious manner.

Nino (internally): Get it together, Detective! Interrogate him!

Nino (aloud): I was just curious if you'd managed to get any info about Adrien Agreste.

Catwalker places a hand on his chest with a look of sympathy.

Catwalker: You're a friend of his, I presume? My condolences for your loss. It must be hard not knowing what happened to someone you care about. Unfortunately, my efforts in searching for Adrien have been fruitless thus far, but I assure you that I will be keeping my eyes open if he turns up.

The grayscale bleeds away back into color as we see a close-up of Nino’s eye, rage bubbling inside him.

Nino (internally): I can't believe this guy! Acting like he's all innocent! Screw the subtle approach, this slimeball needs to have the truth forced out of him.

Nino flares his hands out to either side indignantly.

Nino: You can't lie to me, Catwalker! I know you were behind Adrien's disappearance!

Catwalker’s pupils narrow in shock.

Catwalker: Who told you that?

Nino rebuffs with folded arms.

Nino: A little birdie. It doesn't matter.

Catwalker holds up a hand, expression now severe.

Catwalker: Your 'little birdie' could be the real reason Adrien had to go into hiding in the first place, so: Yes. It. Does.

Nino fumes, waving his arms above his head.

Nino: She would never do that!

Catwalker: 'She' wouldn't happen to be affiliated with a girl named Marinette Dupain-Cheng, would she?

Nino: Even if she is, that's none of your business!

Nino points an accusatory finger, his other hand starting to clench up as if ready to start tearing someone apart.

Nino: You're the one who needs to explain yourself! What did you do to Adrien? Where is he now? What did his father do to him that made him so terrified of anyone knowing where he is?

Catwalker looks down stiffly at his own fists.

Catwalker: Your 'birdie' should already know that I can't provide answers to those questions.

Nino: You have to know something! Spill!

Catwalker is exasperated as he rubs half of his face.

Catwalker: Please understand. The nature of Adrien's situation is extremely precarious, so much so that I cannot share what I know with anyone.

Nino: I'm not just 'anyone'!

Nino places both hands on his chest with a look of defiance as tears start to stream down his face.

Nino: I'm Adrien's best friend! I know everything about him! I'm the only person he contacted the night he ran away! So if anybody deserves the truth, it's me!

Catwalker folds his arms and looks away with regret.

Catwalker: If the fallout of his disappearance had gone how Adrien expected it to, you'd know that he's kept an entire part of his life a secret from everyone. Even you. Some things are too important to share, even with your best friend.

Nino puts his head in his hands in exasperation.

Nino: But why would Adrien tell you of all people? He can't possibly trust you more than his friends! Did you get inside his head? Gaslight him? Blackmail him? Torture him until he did what you wanted?

Nino has now sunk to the ground, hands still grasping at his head, as he weeps. Catwalker squats about a meter in front of him with a look of restrained beseeching.

Catwalker: Adrien told you as much as he thought he could get away with. He does care about you. But he didn't expect that you'd be able to keep whatever he told you quiet for very long. I'm no friend to Adrien, but he trusted me with his escape. He knows that I can keep his secrets safe indefinitely. And I can only consider entrusting you with some of the answers I have if I am certain that you won't tell anyone—especially not the person who asked you to investigate me. It is vital that you tell me who that person is so I can deal with her.

Nino yells at Catwalker as an akuma starts to fly in behind him.

Nino: Screw you!

Nino’s teeth clench as he is absorbed by his crying rage, right as Catwalker reaches out a Cataclysm-powered hand to touch the akuma, mere inches past Nino’s head.

Nino: You can go—

Catwalker: Cataclysm.

Seen from below, Catwalker looks imposing as he holds the akuma in his hand as it crumbles away, bitter tears starting to fall down his conflicted face.

Catwalker: I'm sorry. I never wanted this. Please, for Adrien's sake, let your investigation go.

Catwalker turns away as the remnants of crushed butterfly fall from his fist.

Catwalker: And Nino? You should be more careful about who you confide in. You never know who might be your enemy.

["Alternate "NinoVision" version is recolored to be all in greenish sepia, with Catwalker's expressions recolored to be opaque and distorted: no green in his eyes, just the black mask and a misplaced line of gold]

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #cat walker #nino lahiffe #shoutout to flightfoot (Keyseeker) for getting more of your eyeballs on Runaway Catwalker #shes been highly supportive of this comic for a while and her spotlight here on tumblr two weeks ago brought an influx of new followers #extremely grateful for her and her willingness to engage with and signal boost fan creators #and to everyone new here: welcome!#i promise that i can give adrien and nino nice things #just not this adrien and this nino at this moment #ill try to put more fluffiness for them in my other main wip to make up for it

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runawaycatwalker · 10 months

Photo

Part 21. Close Shaves and Slipups

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Description below the cut

After entering the main hallway of Rolland Dupain’s residence, Adrien’s legs give out from under him as Plagg is ejected from his ring.

Adrien: Claws in.

Plagg: Whew, am I glad that's all over!

Adrien: Yeah.

Plagg: I don't know about you, but I'm ready to find a comfy spot on that couch, eat some bedtime camembert, and snooze for a very long—

Plagg looks through the glass door to Rolland’s living room with a worried expression.

Plagg: —uh oh.

Adrien: Plagg? Plagg, what's wrong?

Plagg: Looks like Rolland's got company.

Cut to Tom Dupain holding a cardboard box labelled “Tom child baking stuff.”

Tom: It's good to see you, Dad.

Rolland: Didn't you say over the phone that my granddaughter was coming over?

Tom: I was going to ask Marinette to bring this by, but she's barely been home since her classmate is Adrien Agreste.

Rolland: ...Am I supposed to know who that is?

Tom raises his hands and Rolland gestures behind him with his thumb.

Tom: You haven't heard about Adrien being kidnapped? It's all over the news!

Rolland: I don't watch the news. If it's important, I'll find out when I look out the window.

Tom: Well, Adrien's very important to Marinette. Hang on, I've got a flyer Marinette made from one of the photos she used to keep on her wall...

Tom places a flyer in Rolland’s hands, on the back of which is written “Call Marinette if you see Adrien Agreste +33 653257.” A closeup of the front of the flyer depicts the advertisement of Adrien in white jumping through a bright sky, with the words “Lost” and “Please help!” scrawled in red.

Tom: Here, take a look at this.

Rolland: I see the problem: Marinette's boy became an angel and ascended to heaven.

Tom: No, Dad, he's just a normal boy, I promise.

Rolland: He's glowing and flying! That is not what I would call 'normal boy'!

Tom: The photo was edited, he isn't actually like that.

Rolland: If he doesn't look like his photo, how is anyone supposed to recognize him?

Tom: Never mind. Just call Marinette if you happen to find any missing blond boys.

Rolland, from behind the glass door, spots Adrien on the other side and gives a wave.

Rolland: Apprentice? There you are! Done stretching your legs?

Tom (offscreen): Your new apprentice? I'd love to meet him!

Rolland: Come and say hello to my son!

Adrien bolts away, using a hand to cover his face, and tries to distort his voice to be less recognizable.

Adrien: SoRrY! i NeEd tO UsE tHe BaThRoOm!

Rolland: Okay, but—

Adrien: DoN't WaIt FoR mE!

In Rolland’s bathroom, Adrien grabs both sides of the sink and tries to catch his breath. Plagg floats above him, looking down.

Adrien: I can't stay here. As soon as the coast is clear, we're grabbing your cheese and running.

Plagg: What? Why?

Adrien: Marinette's looking for me. She's going to find me here sooner or later if I stay.

Plagg: Would Pigtails knowing where you are really be such a bad thing?

Plagg moves above the sink (on which a pair of scissors and a collapsed straight razor are visible) near Adrien’s hand, which holds the lucky charm bracelet Marinette gave him.

Plagg: She's worried about you. And you might not be able to tell her you're Catwalker, but there's no harm in letting her know you're alive, right?

Adrien: Mayura knew too many personal details about Marinette and her connection to me. I don't even know what the 'misattributed present' was about, but that sounds like something Marinette would do. I think... Marinette and Mayura have to be the same person.

Plagg raises his arms in fierce denial. There is also the image of Marinette dressed in Mayura’s outfit, holding a feather above her hand with an evil expression.

Plagg: No way! Pigtails is the least evil person you know! Peacock Lady probably threw suspicion on her so we couldn't find out who she really is.

Adrien brushes his fingers against the bruise on his neck.

Adrien: I don't want to believe it either, but we can't rule her out. And either way, it doesn't change the fact that Mayura is a close friend.

Adrien takes off his Chat Noir beanie and looks at it, spiraling with sadness and regret.

Adrien: Can I even trust anyone anymore?

Plagg: You can trust Ladybug.

Adrien: Who now hates me. I only became Catwalker because I didn't want to lose her. And now I'm losing her anyway.

Plagg hovers over Adrien’s shoulder. Adrien just stares at his reflection in the mirror in tired dejection.

Plagg: Ladybug will come around. She wanted you before, she'll want you again.

Adrien: That was before I messed everything up. Before I thoughtlessly let myself get caught. Before I abandoned my life and everyone in it. Before I kept quiet for the mere possibility I could be Chat Noir again if I just didn't reveal myself to anyone else.

Adrien looks down at his hands in front of him, on top of which Plagg kicks out his feet angrily.

Adrien: Maybe I should just go home. Mayura's looking for Adrien, so if I acted as bait, I might find out who she—

Plagg: Absolutely not!

Adrien: But if she was telling the truth about caring about me...

Plagg: I don't care what Mayura said! I'm not letting her ambush you again!

Plagg touches his paws against Adrien’s nose and looks him straight in the eye.

Plagg: I know you want to rush in and attack your problems head-on, but that won't help. You're a newly formed cheese that needs to wait for some mold to grow a strong rind and mature it. Don't let yourself be eaten before you're ready.

Plagg looks up consolingly.

Adrien: When will I be ready?

Plagg: I don't know. But we'll figure it out together. And when the time is right, I'll be right here with you when you go back to being the recklessly brave Chat Noir you were always meant to be.

Adrien starts to smile as Plagg hugs his face, raising his hands to embrace the kwami.

Adrien: Thanks, Plagg. Any ideas on what this 'newly formed cheese' should do next?

Plagg: Staying right where we are! No one ever thinks to check under their own nose! Rolland didn't even recognize you when your picture was right in front of him!

Adrien brushes his hand through the back of his hair and looks in the mirror with inspiration. Plagg floats above him.

Adrien: About that... Changing my hair won't affect how I look when transformed, right?

Plagg: Catwalker's hair is longer than yours and green. So no. What kind of change are you thinking?

Cut to Rolland working in his kitchen, with Adrien poking his head out from behind the living room door in the background.

Rolland: There you are. My son had to leave. It's a shame you couldn't meet him.

Adrien: Sorry, but I'd... rather not meet anyone else right now.

Rolland: You don't want to be introduced to my son? That is completely understandable!

Adrien: Wait, really?

Rolland pats the head of one of the mice he works with.

Rolland: You're looking at a man who only spoke to mice and the delivery boys for two decades! You don't need to talk to anyone you don't want to! Who needs pleasantries when you've got bread?

Adrien gives a friendly wave and removes the beanie from his head, revealing that he is now completely bald.

Adrien: I know I didn't introduce myself properly earlier, but out of curiosity... Based on how I look, who do you think I am?

Rolland beams as he pulls Adrien down to his height to give his head a friendly rub. Adrien smiles in relief.

Rolland: I didn't realize you had even less hair than me! You're definitely a 'Baldy'!

Adrien: 'Baldy'... I think I can live with that.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #adrien agreste #plagg #rolland dupain #tom dupain #baldrien #i decided it was time to replace the old banner and profile pic with something that gives a better feel for what the comic is like #also unrelated this tumblr account now has 100 subscribers #thank you everyone for supporting this comic #we aren't even halfway done yet #i previously cut the baldrien subplot to save on time #but it found its way back in #the original version of this scene had marinette visiting her grandpa #but since shes busy freaking out right now #that job has been delegated to her dad

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runawaycatwalker · 11 months

Photo

Part 20. Questioning Trustworthiness

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Description below the cut

Rena Furtive hesitatingly approaches a fragile-looking Ladybug from behind. In the distance, Catwalker is leaping away across the rooftops.

Rena Furtive: Hey. I didn't hear all of that, but you look like you need to talk. Your room?

Ladybug: Okay.

Marinette tiredly sits down in the chair by her desk as Alya looks on.

Marinette: I've always known that keeping identities intact would require some sacrifice. But sometimes it's more important to be honest than keeping a secret at all costs.

Alya: Like how you told me you're Ladybug for your own sanity?

Marinette: Right.

Marinette leans her head downward, hands grasping her knees. Alya squats in front of her and places her hand on Marinette’s.

Marinette: Catwalker though? He doesn't understand that.

Alya: What did he do?

Marinette: Adrien found out Catwalker's identity. But instead of telling me, Catwalker just manipulated Adrien into running away from home so he couldn't leak it to Shadowmoth.

Marinette swivels her chair so she can place her elbows on her desk as she puts her hands on her face. Alya rises behind her, holding up a hand.

Marinette: And now Adrien is fending for himself all alone and I'm never going to see him again and it's all Catwalker's fault!

Alya: Did Catwalker give any other reasons that Adrien needed to run away?

Marinette: Sort of? He said Adrien wouldn't talk about it.

Alya: Nino was the last person Adrien spoke to before he disappeared. He didn't get details either, but it sounds like Adrien's father did something terrible to him.

Marinette raises her hands in front of her, her face full of despair.

Marinette: Then why couldn't Adrien have asked his friends to protect him? We actually care about him! Catwalker doesn't! He just tossed Adrien away like he was garbage and then acted like nothing happened!

Alya raises a hand and cocks an eyebrow, trying to offer an alternative explanation without offending.

Alya: Catwalker doesn't strike me as someone who devalues others. He was nothing but kind and empathetic when I talked to him—

Marinette: You talked to him?

Alya: I... thought he should know about Rena Furtive. So I could alert him to an ambush if Mayura ended up targeting him too.

Marinette leans back in her chair and drags her hands down her face. Alya turns away, conflicted.

Marinette: Nghhh... You should have told me you were going to do that...

Alya: I'm sorry. I knew I should have said something earlier, but...

As Alya wrings her hands, Marinette rises to put a consoling hand on Alya’s arm.

Alya: You've just been so overwhelmed after losing both Chat and Adrien... I didn't want to burden you with even more things to worry about.

Marinette: I get it. You were trying to be a good friend.

Alya and Marinette grab each other in a hug that they both need.

Alya: By keeping you in the dark? I made Chat vulnerable by doing that! I should have realized I was making the same mistake by not telling you.

Marinette: It wouldn't have made a difference. You're right: We should have told Chat about Rena Furtive. And if you'd asked me before tonight? I would have given you permission to tell Catwalker what Chat should have known all along. He seemed so perfect, I never thought that he could be so untrustworthy.

Alya gives a determined look.

Alya: I still think it's possible that Catwalker's actions are just a misunderstanding instead of being an issue of trustworthiness. He questioned me about your identity rules. I had assumed he was looking to find a way to bring Chat back, but in hindsight? I bet he was secretly more interested in learning how your rules applied to his and Adrien's situation and what you'd think was crossing the line.

Marinette throws her hands in front of her petulantly.

Marinette: It should have been obvious that keeping everything he did a secret from me was crossing the line!

Alya raises an eyebrow and holds up a photo of Adrien on which “Call Marinette if you see Adrien +33 653257” has been written in red marker.

Alya: Are you sure you're not holding Catwalker to unreasonable standards because the line he did cross involved Adrien? Messing with the boy you love doesn't automatically make someone evil, you know.

Marinette clenches her fists in front of her, looking haunted.

Marinette: It's not just about Adrien. I didn't let myself think about the implications before, but... When Nathalie was akumatized, Catwalker got teleported to his mom. He claimed his identity was intact despite that, but...

Cut to a flashback of a miniature Multibug looking up at Catwalker as he clenches his fist. A close up shot of his fist shows that there are only two pads remaining on his miraculous.

Marinette (voiceover): ...after I fixed everything, his ring's timer was counting down, even though I never saw him use his powers during the battle. What if... What if he Cataclysmed his own mother to protect his identity?

Cut back to Alya grabbing Marinette’s arms and looking directly into Marinette’s eyes.

Alya: You don't know that's what happened, Marinette. And even if he did do something like that, your Lucky Charm would have fixed it, same as it's always fixed whatever Chat destroyed.

Marinette: It doesn't matter that the physical damage got fixed, it's the fact that he did it at all!

The image of Chat Noir with a the biggest, friendliest, most genuine smile as he holds up a rose, his tail poking out behind him in the shape of a heart.

Marinette (voiceover): Chat has far too good a heart to ever purposefully hurt anyone, he'd sooner sacrifice himself than leave someone else in harm's way.

The image of Catwalker with a small, tempting, vaguely sinister smile as he holds a hushing finger to his lips, his ponytail poking out behind him in the shape of a snake.

Marinette (voiceover): But all the evidence I've seen shows that Catwalker would justify hurting the innocent—even his own family—to cover up his mistakes.

Alya looks away and rubs the back of her neck.

Alya: I guess Catwalker can be kinda shady when hiding things. He did manage to steal my phone number without me noticing—

Marinette: He what??

Alya: He called me to help you guys detransform without Mayura seeing. Yeah, it saved you, but it was still an invasion of privacy.

Marinette raises her hands and starts pacing away.

Marinette: And these are just the wrongdoings we've managed to find out! Catwalker could be secretly working for Shadowmoth for all we know! And I can't even do anything about it since Mayura is blackmailing me to keep Catwalker instead of tossing him in the trash like he deserves!

Alya looks at Marinette resolutely and points to herself. Marinette sweeps her hands to each side of her in refusal.

Alya: We don't know what he 'deserves' since we still don't know the reasons behind his actions. Let me do some digging. I'll find out what sort of person is really behind Catwalker's mask.

Marinette: No! You already know I'm Ladybug, you can't risk learning who Catwalker is too! No one can know both identities!

Alya: I'll get a proxy I trust to investigate on our behalf. The proxy won't try to find out his identity, but if they do, the risk will be minimized. You and I won't be exposed to anything we can't know. And if it turns out that Catwalker isn't worth the risk, then we'll replace him.

Alya places a hand on her chest pleadingly.

Alya: I know you don't trust Catwalker anymore, but can you still trust me to find out the truth for you?

Marinette softens.

Marinette: I do trust you, Alya. You have my permission.

Cut to Alya in her bedroom as she places a call on her cellphone.

Alya: Hi, Nino. I've got a lead on Adrien, but it's something I can't get involved with directly. Would you mind doing some secret detective work for me?

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #alya cesaire #marinette dupain cheng #i'm baaaaack #thank you all for being so patient #i'm hoping i'll be back to my normal update schedule but we'll see

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runawaycatwalker · 1 year

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Part 19. Secrecy Unrectified (Veritruce, part D)

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Announcement:

Hi all,

I started this comic almost a year ago now, and while I’ve mostly been able to keep updating at a decent pace, I’m finding that I’ve been pushing myself too hard in too many aspects of my life and my mental health has been suffering for it. So, with that in mind, I have decided to take a bit of a break from posting here. I’m hoping that this break will just be a couple months, but I will let you know if it needs to go on for longer than that.

To everyone who’s been reading Runaway Catwalker: thank you. You all have been very supportive and I’m glad that I have been able to give you a story you’ve enjoyed. Hopefully I’ll be able to give you the next installment soon :)

Thank you for reading!

—pisoprano

Description below the cut

Mayura dashes into her room in the Agreste mansion.

Mayura: Duusu, fall my feathers.

Nathalie sits on the edge of her bed as Catwalker dashes into the room, ready to swing his baton at the nearest supervillain.

Catwalker: Sorry to barge in! Did Mayura just pass through here?

Nathalie: I've seen no one. But I can check the security feed.

Nathalie taps at her tablet while Catwalker waits in front of her.

Nathalie: The only intruders on-camera are yourself and Ladybug.

Catwalker: I could have sworn Mayura entered the building...

Nathalie: The city's villains can be rather elusive.

Catwalker: I'll go let Ladybug know. Thank you for your assistance.

Nathalie stretches out her hand.

Nathalie: Wait! Do you or Ladybug have any leads on Adrien? Anything at all?

Catwalker: It's not a lead on Adrien, per se, but... Adrien found out that Mr. Agreste wasn't entirely truthful about the current state of his mother.

Nathalie stares ahead, flabbergasted.

Catwalker: I'm not really sure what happened, but if you have any insights...?

Nathalie (internally): How on earth...? Did Adrien find the entrance to Gabriel's hideout that night? How much did he see? Was his disappearance driven by a desire to search the world for a cure for Emilie? Or did he realize what Shadowmoth is trying to accomplish and flee to avoid feeling like he has to take sides between Ladybug and his family?

Nathalie looks up at Catwalker with a stern expression. Catwalker returns the gaze with sympathy and concealed regret.

Nathalie: Adrien deserves to know the truth about Emilie, but it's a family matter—I can't discuss it with you.

Catwalker: I understand. Did Adrien leave anything behind? A letter, perhaps?

Nathalie: I searched his room. There's nothing like that there.

Catwalker: That's... unfortunate.

Catwalker opens the door to exit the room, looking back at Nathalie meaningfully.

Catwalker: If Adrien were here, I'm sure he'd want to express his love and gratitude for you. Please take care of yourself for him.

Nathalie: I will. If you find out where he's gone... keep him safe.

Catwalker: I will. Farewell, Ms. Sancouer.

Nathalie becomes serious as Duusu and Veritruce float behind her. She holds a folded piece of paper in one hand and raises her fingers to snap with the other.

Nathalie: Veritruce, did he lie?

Veritruce: NO LIES DETECTED

Nathalie: Then you've served your purpose and I release you from existence.

Veritruce sadly dissolves out of existence.

A feather flies out of the piece of paper Nathalie holds, which is shown to be the letter that Adrien left behind where he tried to warn his father that Shadowmoth would be after him and that he wanted to send his love to Nathalie and the Gorilla.

Nathalie: Duusu, return your miraculous to Gabriel before that sedative I slipped him wears off. I order you to reveal nothing of what we have done this night.

Duusu: Yes, Ms. Nathalie.

Cut to Catwalker catching up with Ladybug. Ladybug stands with arms crossed, not looking at him.

Catwalker: Mayura's not on the property. I doubt we'll... Ladybug?

Catwalker looks away, guilty.

Ladybug: You've been lying to me this entire time.

Catwalker: Yes.

Ladybug flings up her arms in anger.

Ladybug: That's all you can say to defend yourself? Adrien's life could be in danger and you didn't think I'd want to know you were the last person to see him?

Catwalker bows his head, shoulders slumping in resignation.

Ladybug: What is wrong with you?

Catwalker: I'm sorry. Whatever punishment you deem appropriate for me, I'll accept it without question.

Ladybug pulls on her pigtails, exasperated.

Ladybug: I don't want to punish you! I just want to know what's really going on!

Catwalker: I can't tell you that.

Ladybug: Why not?!

Catwalker: Because... Because Adrien knows my identity.

Catwalker grabs his arm and looks away.

Ladybug: He figured you out?

Catwalker: It was unavoidable. And any details about what really happened between us that night may lead you to figure out who I am.

Ladybug places an exasperated hand on her face and holds up her other hand as if she’s trying to explain something simple to a small child that simply isn’t getting it.

Ladybug: All you had to tell me was that Adrien wasn't kidnapped or murdered or...

Catwalker: The fact that I had any information about Adrien would have been suspicious.

Catwalker touches the back of his neck and looks down sadly.

Catwalker: Adrien didn't even tell his closest friends why he left or where he was going, but I, a hero who's only been seen once before, have insider knowledge? I thought it better if everyone assumed that I'm ignorant than give reason to pry deeper.

Ladybug: Better for who? Certainly not Adrien! You left him to fend for himself alone!

Ladybug folds her arms and looks down judgmentally.

Catwalker: You don't need to worry about Adrien. He's safe where he is, I promise.

Ladybug: Then why didn't you say that when I asked you whether Adrien was okay? There was a sentimonster forcing you to tell the truth and you said you didn't know. You said Adrien could be dead for all you knew! And now you try to reassure me about him after you regained the ability to lie about it?

Catwalker steps forward, his hands palm upward in front of him, trying to explain himself.

Catwalker: Mayura was there—almost everything I said around her wasn't fully truthful. I had to mislead her on anything I could.

Ladybug: You misled me before she even showed up! And for what? Your identity wasn't even endangered by what you did say around Mayura!

Catwalker: Your last partner is gone because he was imperfect with safeguarding his identity. I cannot afford to be as lax with protecting myself as Chat Noir was.

Ladybug points her finger at Catwalker in righteous anger.

Ladybug: Chat Noir did nothing wrong, so don't you dare blame him for your own callousness! He would have told me about Adrien! He would have ensured Adrien had someone he can actually rely on!

Catwalker: It's what Adrien wanted.

Ladybug: I don't believe that! You aren't someone whose word I'll just take for granted anymore!

Catwalker touches the back of his neck again, eyes looking away in exhausted regret.

Catwalker: Because I'm not the person you need me to be. A partnership must be built on mutual trust... Do you want your old partner back?

Ladybug flings a hand outstretched behind her.

Ladybug: Of course I do! But you heard Mayura! The only reason she's holding back revealing Chat's identity to Shadowmoth is because she thinks Chat is never coming back! If he does... It's just too dangerous! I won't do that to him.

Catwalker tries to give a reassuring smile, extending an open hand towards her.

Catwalker: What if Chat Noir could return without facing any danger from it?

Ladybug: Mayura wasn't bluffing—

Catwalker: I promise that Mayura will not be a problem. I have a foolproof plan and Chat Noir is guaranteed to be on board. I just need your permission. He'll be back before you know it.

Ladybug turns away, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists together as tears start to well up. Catwalker reaches out a hand towards her pleadingly.

Ladybug: You can't account for everything that Mayura knows about Chat that we don't! You don't know him! Your one lie to Mayura proved you don't! So stop trying to get my hopes up with unfounded lies and whatever else you think I want to hear!

Catwalker: I'm not offering you false hope. I would never promise you something if I doubted that I could fulfill that promise. I may have tried to deceive everyone before, but I'm telling you the truth now, Ladybug. You need Chat Noir. I can give him to you.

A close up of Catwalker’s face as he begs with all of his heart to reveal himself.

Catwalker: Let me. Please.

Ladybug doesn’t turn around, her burning fury now waned into a quiet, desperate imploring. Behind her, Catwalker has turned around, shoulders once again slumped in resignation.

Ladybug: I want to believe you, but... I just can't trust your reassurances anymore. Please don't ask me again.

Catwalker: As you wish, Guardian. But if you ever choose to be rid of me, just say the word.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #nathalie sancouer #ladybug #announcements

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runawaycatwalker · 1 year

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Part 18. Who You Know (Veritruce, part C)

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Description below the cut

Ladybug flies up through the sky.

Ladybug (internally): I can't believe he... No. Focus. Plan first.

Ladybug flies up towards a cloud, headed towards a darker opening within the cloud.

Ladybug (internally): I don't have my yo-yo, but I can still... wait, is that a hole inside this cloud?

From inside the cloud, Ladybug sees a cloud doodle of Rena Furtive above the words “Detransformation Safe Zone”.

Ladybug (internally): I didn't even realize she was out tonight. Thanks, Rena.

Ladybug (aloud): Spots off!

Cut to Mayura pointing her fan up towards Catwalker threateningly.

Mayura: So now it is only you and me, Catwalker. You may not know Chat Noir's identity, but you clearly are not unfamiliar with keeping secrets. Talk.

Catwalker, still stuck in the upper cone, looks down in annoyance.

Catwalker: Just because I told Ladybug about Adrien, that doesn't mean I'll tell you all about Chat Noir. You almost killed him.

Mayura: And I regret that.

Catwalker leans against the cone and points an accusatory finger.

Catwalker: If you truly regretted your actions, you wouldn't be trying to hunt him down. Or is what you regret that you failed to kill him?

Mayura raises her hands in exasperation.

Mayura: I don't want Chat Noir dead! I am trying to make up for the harm I've caused him!

Catwalker: If you actually wanted to absolve yourself, you would have revealed Shadowmoth's identity to us.

Close-up of Mayura wringing her fan in her hands.

Mayura: Protecting Shadowmoth and Chat Noir is the decision my conscience can live with.

Catwalker: You have another decision: Walk away. Whatever Shadowmoth's goal is can't be worth it.

Mayura: Even if he'd wish for something that Chat Noir desperately wants?

Catwalker leans back and raises a contemptuous hand.

Catwalker: You don't know Chat Noir very well if you think he'd be swayed so easily.

Mayura: I know him better than you think.

Catwalker: That still doesn't mean you actually care about him as a person.

Mayura: I literally cannot lie to you about this!

Catwalker hits his fist against the barrier wall.

Catwalker: Sure you can! You control the amok. You could have ordered Veritruce to not react to your lies. And even if you didn't do that, it only detects your belief in what you say. Beliefs can be wrong. So whatever you claim about caring about Chat Noir, your lie detector can't prove that you're speaking the objective truth.

Mayura: Then perhaps I can provide you external evidence?

Close-up of Mayura in profile. There is also the image of Marinette blushing as she holds up the charm bracelet she gave Adrien, as well as the scarf she made for him behind her.

Mayura: Ask your kwami to verify this: A girl Chat Noir knows well likes to give him gifts. A charm bracelet he carries with him at all times. A birthday present she made for him that was misattributed to another. Opportunities too, she will advocate on his behalf so that he can enjoy freedoms he might not have otherwise. She admires him greatly and Chat Noir, in turn, considers her a most precious friend.

Catwalker stares ahead in shock.

Mayura: Will that suffice for now?

Catwalker: How do you know all that?

Mayura: Because I know him. He's someone I would protect with my dying breath if need be.

Catwalker: And you think you'll protect him by making sure that I'm the one endangering myself to fight Shadowmoth.

Mayura bows her head and looks away.

Mayura: I won't try to kill you. But we still need the wish. And if you are our adversary, the inevitable fallout will be better than if Chat Noir were still involved. Will you agree to keep him out of this?

Catwalker looks down. His earpiece is visible in his ear.

Catwalker: If Chat chooses to involve himself, that's his decision. But I won't give up my miraculous to anyone besides Ladybug.

Mayura: That should be enough. Thank you.

The point of the bottom conic barrier hits the top barrier with a clack. Veritruce looks up in surprise.

Catwalker (internally): Mayura said these barriers were reinforced by truths. With every truth we've said, they've grown thicker, and now they're close enough to touch.

A close-up of Catwalker glancing upwards. There is also the image of Ladybug falling down through the sky.

Catwalker (internally): And Ladybug is almost back—she'll need my help, so I'd better activate my...

A close-up of Catwalker’s hand as his ring charges with destructive energy.

Catwalker (aloud): Cataclysm!

A close-up of Mayura’s shocked face.

Mayura: What??

Mayura (internally): When did he recharge his miraculous?

Cut to a flashback when Catwalker was the one flying upwards through the sky. Alya answers her phone while looking out on her balcony. Catwalker places a finger in his ear to activate his earpiece to make a call.

Alya: Hello?

Catwalker: Rena, I need somewhere safe to detransform.

Alya: Catwalker? Did you steal my phone number from my flute?

Catwalker: Don't make me answer that, there's a lie-detecting sentimonster here.

Alya: Okay, but where's 'here'?

Catwalker: Can you see the speck flying above the Agreste mansion? That's me.

Alya: I'll get you some cloud cover. Trixx, let's pounce!

Cut back to the present as Ladybug falls downward from the sky, her yo-yo in hand.

Ladybug (internally): I've got my yo-yo back, but Catwalker's still trapped and powerless, so I can't rely on him. But that barrier now has holes I can still use to my advantage... If I aim...

Ladybug, still falling, throws her yo-yo through one of the holes in the lower conical barrier. In the cone above, Catwalker places his hand against its barrier.

Ladybug (internally): ...just... right...

Both barriers begin to disintegrate.

Catwalker: Cataclysm!

Mayura: What??

Ladybug’s eyes widen.

Ladybug (internally): He destroyed the barriers? Oh no... He's falling right towards—

Ladybug’s yo-yo catches on Catwalker’s arm right above Mayura’s face, snagging him away before he can catch her.

Catwalker: Ngh!

Ladybug (internally): My yo-yo.

Mayura and Veritruce flee off the rooftop, while in the background Ladybug tries to disentangle Catwalker from her yo-yo.

Ladybug: Let me untangle—

Catwalker: Don't worry about me! We can't let Mayura get away!

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #ladybug #catwalker #mayura #alya cesaire #sentimonster #spanner in the works nathalie #apologies for another late update #part of it is just the burnout i get when doing a multiparter #but also i injured my shoulder a few weeks ago and recovery has been very annoying #also trying to work on the fic i started posting to ao3 for ml secret santa #in short very busy and not enough spoons to get it all done #i'm surprised i was able to get this pulled together enough to post today #pretty sure the next page will be back on schedule #thank you for your patience

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runawaycatwalker · 1 year

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Part 17. Truthful by Technicality (Veritruce, part B)

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Description below the cut

The sentimonster Veritruce glows with magical energy.

Veritruce: LIE DETECTED!

Veritruce moves the part of the conic barrier that Catwalker was stuck in upwards with such force that Catwalker is flung straight into the sky. Ladybug reaches her hand uselessly toward him.

Veritruce: LIAR EJECTED!

Ladybug: Catwalker!

Mayura projects an air of innocence while Veritruce floats by her with a cheerful smile. Ladybug continues to be stuck in the barrier, annoyed.

Mayura: I probably should have mentioned: Veritruce is always watching for lies, I don't have to ask it to verify every statement.

Ladybug points her fingers accusingly towards Mayura.

Ladybug: Then that means you need to answer me truthfully too. So: Why do you need to know what Chat has been doing so badly?

Mayura averts her gaze, clenching her fists.

Mayura: Chat Noir’s identity carries... unforeseen consequences.

Ladybug: You recognized him when he detransformed. Who is he to you?

Mayura: He is... someone that we wanted to avoid akumatizing prior to now.

Ladybug panics.

Ladybug: You can't akumatize him! The world... You cannot let that happen!

Mayura thumps her fan against the palm of her hand.

Mayura: I have no intention of allowing Chat Noir to be akumatized. But, if the last few akumas are any indication, Shadowmoth may end up ignoring my advice, should he become too focused on certain means for accomplishing his goals.

Ladybug looks at Mayura critically.

Ladybug: 'Last few akumas'? You mean the ones that have been going after Adrien Agreste, right? Is... is Shadowmoth choosing akumas who will hunt down Adrien deliberately?

Mayura stands with fan grasped in both hands, Ladybug’s yo-yo lying on the ground behind her.

Mayura: It's not what you think. Shadowmoth merely wants to see the Agreste boy reunite with his father.

Ladybug: This is the same Shadowmoth that doesn't care when he terrorizes Paris, right?

Mayura: He's not that heartless. If anything, he cares too acutely for his own good. Once he decides how the world should be, he doesn't let go of it easily.

Mayura covertly looks above her, where Catwalker falls through a cloud in the sky.

Mayura: Speaking of persistence...

Veritruce creates a second cone, this one purple and inverted, in which to catch the falling Catwalker.

Mayura: Veritruce, seclude the liar.

Catwalker splats dizzily into the bottom of the new cone before he can make contact with the first cone.

Catwalker: Kaaadrghkh!

Ladybug: Catwalker!

Catwalker: Ow...

Ladybug: Are you okay?

Catwalker: I'll live...

Catwalker pushes himself up against the cone’s sides so he can reorient himself upright.

Mayura: Veritruce reinforces its barriers with the Power of Truth, did you really think it wouldn't notice that you lied about knowing Chat Noir's identity?

Catwalker: We only had your word about what it could do. Testing whether we could lie seemed like a good idea.

Catwalker sits himself against the cone’s side.

Mayura: What if the consequences were something else—say, vaporizing you?

Catwalker: Then that would have been helpful information for Ladybug to know.

Mayura: Hmph. You're lucky that I'm not done prying answers out of you yet.

A wide shot showing Mayura standing under the original pink cone, with Ladybug stuck in the barrier on one side and the stretched up hole left from where Catwalker was previously trapped. Catwalker is currently trapped in an inverted purple cone, its tip floating mere inches above the tip of the pink cone.

Catwalker: Ladybug, what have you told Mayura?

Ladybug: Actually, she's mostly been the one answering me. She's agreed to not let Chat get akumatized. Also, Shadowmoth wants Adrien to come home, apparently.

Catwalker: That’s… concerning.

Mayura: What is there to be concerned about? Isn't it a good thing if Chat Noir remains unaffected by akumas and a missing boy returned home?

A shot of Mayura’s lower half, Ladybug’s yo-yo still on the ground behind her.

Mayura: Unless your concern comes from something else...? Tell me, Catwalker...

Catwalker folds his arms and looks down.

Mayura: What do you know about Adrien's disappearance?

Catwalker: I don't want to answer that question.

Ladybug’s eyes tear up, aghast, and reaches up towards Catwalker.

Ladybug: You know what happened to Adrien? How?

Catwalker: ...

Ladybug: Answer me!

Catwalker: I was... around right before Adrien went missing...

Catwalker looks away, holding his hands between his knees.

Catwalker: I couldn’t help but notice that Adrien was deeply troubled by something, something he refused to disclose when asked. But it was clear that he needed an escape... and that if I used my powers as Catwalker, I could provide the means of that escape.

Ladybug: Then that means...

Catwalker: I'm how he disappeared that night, yes.

Catwalker looks down towards Ladybug, the hand in front of him leaning on one of the barriers between them.

Ladybug: Do you know where he is now? Please tell me that he's okay.

Catwalker: I'm sorry. I have every reason to think that he's still alive, but if he was dead, I wouldn't know. He doesn't intend to approach me in the future. And ever since that night...? The only person who knows how to locate 'Adrien Agreste' is Adrien Agreste.

Mayura holds her fan in front of half her face, her other hand gesturing with palm faced upwards.

Mayura: You seem awfully concerned about Adrien, Ladybug. You wouldn't happen to have ulterior motives for wanting to locate him, would you?

Ladybug waves her hands in the air in exasperation.

Ladybug: Are you kidding me? Oh right, every time I don't want someone to die it means I'm secretly in love with them! That makes sense!

Veritruce gets in Ladybug’s face, eyebrows pointed down. Ladybug covers her mouth sheepishly.

Veritruce: LIE DETECTED!

Mayura: Did I mention that sarcasm counts as lies?

Veritruce yeets Ladybug into the sky. Catwalker reaches his hand uselessly toward her.

Veritruce: LIAR EJECTED!

Catwalker: Ladybug!

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #ladybug #mayura #sentimonster #spanner in the works nathalie #sorry for taking 5 weeks instead of 2-4 #my brain has been split on projects lately #so i didn't have the comic in a spot where it was ready to publish last week #hope it was worth the wait #i'm a bit surprised that no one seemed to catch that catwalker actually lied last page #since he doesn't actually know the person who had his miraculous before him #in his mind it was easier to nope himself out of the situation before he was forced to say something that would expose his identity #unfortunately for him that escape was short lived #fortunately for him he does have experience with the skill of technically not lying #at least ladybug now gets to have a break from this conversation

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runawaycatwalker · 1 year

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Part 16. Barriers for Communication (Veritruce, part A)

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Description below the cut

Atop the Agreste mansion, Mayura stands under a translucent magical cone, with a white prism floating just below the cone’s point. In the foreground, Catwalker leaps towards Mayura, baton in hand.

Close-up Catwalker seething as he brandishes his baton.

Catwalker: Mayura! You need to answer for what you did to Chat Noir!

Catwalker hits his baton at the cone’s edge, but it merely sparks magical energy and remains intact.

Mayura smugly looks at him from behind her fan.

Mayura: Nice try, but that barrier is far more solid than it looks.

Catwalker raises his hand and summons black energy.

Catwalker: That won't stop me. Cataclysm!

Ladybug dashes forward to catch up, yo-yo unfurled.

Ladybug: Catwalker, wait!

Catwalker’s hand makes contact with the barrier around Mayura and it is destroyed.

Ladybug: You can't face her alone!

Catwalker and Ladybug brandish their weapons and leap towards Mayura, who calmly looks upwards.

Mayura: Veritruce, forestall them.

Close-up of the white prism, otherwise known as the sentimonster “Veritruce”.

Veritruce: YES, MAYURA

Veritruce bursts with magical energy and recreates the conical barrier, this time with Catwalker and Ladybug partially trapped within the barrier itself. Mayura takes the opportunity to disarm the two heroes.

Ladybug: No!

Catwalker: Ngh!

Ladybug and Catwalker are held suspended in the air by the barrier, most of their limbs stuck partially inside the barrier and partially outside. Mayura throws the baton and yo-yo to the ground behind her.

Ladybug: Don't think you've won just because we can't move! We won't let you take our miraculouses!

Mayura places a hand atop her fan in front of her with a ‘let’s get down to business’ look.

Mayura: I'm not after your miraculouses—not tonight. All I want information. Give me the information I want and we all will leave this place satisfied.

Catwalker looks incredulous and points a finger at Mayura.

Catwalker: You honestly expect us to believe that when you're the one who ambushed Chat Noir?

Mayura: No, but that's why I've brought Veritruce here tonight.

Mayura raises a hand and Veritruce comes down to her.

Mayura: It verifies truth and protects those who speak truthfully. Those who lie will be dealt with accordingly. Veritruce, verify.

Veritruce: VERIFIED: TRUTH

The shot zooms out to show more of the Agreste mansion exterior, with Veritruce’s magical cone on the flat part of the roof next to the central cupola.

Ladybug: Why should we tell you anything?

Mayura: Because my priorities have shifted. Not enough to betray Shadowmoth, but he will not be learning anything of our meeting this night unless you tell him.

Ladybug angrily slaps the outside of the barrier with one hand and points at Mayura with the one that’s inside the barrier.

Mayura: Now, tell me: Why is Chat Noir still in hiding?

Ladybug: He’s obviously trying to stay away from you!

Cut to the back of Mayura as she holds out a hand palm faced upward.

Mayura: Why, though? Chat Noir doesn’t pose a threat now that he doesn't have his miraculous. If it’s retaliation he fears, he needn't worry: I have not told Shadowmoth his identity. And I don’t intend to tell him...

Mayura holds a hand with an air of menace towards Ladybug’s face, using her fan to hold Ladybug’s one free hand down.

Mayura: ...unless you force my hand by giving Chat Noir his miraculous—or any miraculous—ever again. So I ask again: What is Chat Noir up to?

Close-up of Ladybug’s annoyed face speaking emphatically.

Ladybug: I have no idea. He didn’t come back after you ambushed him and we haven’t been in contact. I still don’t even know who he really is behind the mask. So don't even think that you'll be able to get to him through me!

Mayura turns to point at Catwalker, whose fists clench up as Veritruce looms in to glare at him.

Mayura: And what of you, Catwalker? Can you honestly claim to be ignorant of Chat Noir’s activities?

Catwalker looks away and remains pointedly silent while Mayura’s accusing finger points right at him.

Mayura: He's the one who told you about me, wasn't he? And as the last person who saw him, he would have informed you of all of his plans. Surely you found out his identity, at least?

Catwalker grits his teeth and looks Mayura square in the eye.

Catwalker: The identity of the person who wielded the black cat miraculous before me… is known to me.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #ladybug #mayura #sentimonster #spanner in the works nathalie #my stylus stopped working a few days ago and it took a few days to get it working again #did you know that aaaa batteries exist?#because i didn't until now #since practically nobody sells batteries that size #fortunately i was still able to get this page up today #just remember that since we're still in the middle of the fight scene #i will probably be taking longer with these pages (meaning 3-4 weeks instead of 2-3)#see you then :)

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runawaycatwalker · 2 years

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Part 15. A Reluctance to Speak Up

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Description below the cut

Luka places the snake miraculous in Ladybug’s outstretched hand so she can put it back in her yo-yo.

Ladybug: Thanks again for your help, Luka.

Luka: Do we need to find a new meeting spot now that Catwalker stumbled on this one?

Ladybug: Probably, but we can worry about that after we find Adrien.

Ladybug starts to head towards the ladder out of the sewers when Luka holds up his hand towards her.

Ladybug: Speaking of, I need to get back to the search! Bug ou—

Luka: Ladybug, wait. There's something...

Ladybug brings her clenched fists together as she smiles in overeager excitement.

Ladybug: You have a lead on where to look for Adrien?

Luka: Not exactly. More of a question.

Ladybug slumps, deflated.

Ladybug: Oh.

Luka: You still haven't learned Chat Noir's identity, right?

Ladybug: No. Catwalker never found out.

Luka raises a questioning finger.

Luka: Hold on, did he actually say that? Or are you just assuming that he doesn't know?

Luka pinches his brow with a pained expression.

Ladybug: Did Catwalker tell you that he does know Chat's identity?

Luka (internally): Ngh, I should've just kept quiet...

Luka (aloud): No, Catwalker never mentioned anything about knowing who Chat is.

Cut to a flashback of Catwalker looking almost pointedly towards Carapace with Viperion looking on.

Luka (voiceover): But something he said earlier...

Catwalker (flashback only): Does Adrien even want to be found?

Luka (voiceover): It'd make a lot of sense if Catwalker knew something big that he wasn't telling anyone.

Cut back to Luka looking at his hands uncertainly.

Luka: I don't know if I was just hearing overtones that aren't really there. And even if I did hear right, I don't know how much Catwalker actually knows about Chat Noir or whatever huge secret he isn't talking about.

Ladybug talks with her hands.

Ladybug: But why wouldn't he say anything? I need as much information as I can get about... anyone Shadowmoth might go after! Can I really make the right decisions if Catwalker is holding out on me?

Luka looks away as if he’s speaking only to himself.

Luka: Maybe he thinks Chat will be better protected if no one knows he's even keeping a secret. Or maybe he doesn't want to poke his nose into something that should be between you and Chat. Or maybe he senses he's missing critical context about the situation and thinks that speaking up with incomplete knowledge could cause more harm than good.

Luka places an encouraging hand on Ladybug’s shoulder. Ladybug frowns.

Luka: You won't know for sure unless you ask Catwalker why he's keeping quiet. But I think that, unless it will endanger Chat Noir if his identity is known..., you should try to find out who your partner has been all this time.

Cut to nighttime with Ladybug leaning on a railing overlooking the city. Catwalker lands behind her, staff in hand.

Catwalker: Sorry I'm late, I got held up with a friend. Ready to patrol?

Ladybug turns her head towards Catwalker, who stands behind her with a formal posture.

Ladybug: I don't suppose you found a lead on Adrien Agreste?

Catwalker: I have witnessed the efforts of Adrien's father, his friends, our teammates, Paris police, and other interested parties pursuing the truth of the boy's disappearance. And none of them seem to have any idea of where he might have gone or why he vanished.

Ladybug turns back to looking down at the city below.

Ladybug: Yeah, I guess I wasn't expecting any different. I've done hardly anything besides look for him and fight akumas looking for him. And I'm no closer to bringing him home.

Catwalker holds up a hand to offer a friendly suggestion.

Catwalker: You've done a lot, Ladybug. If it would take some of the load off your mind, you can skip patrol for tonight. But if you'd like to talk about anything, I'd be happy to stay and listen.

Ladybug holds her hands up towards Catwalker beseechingly. Catwalker straightens, clutching his baton uneasily behind his back.

Ladybug: Can you tell me anything more about Chat Noir?

Catwalker: Chat Noir? What about him?

Ladybug: You never told me what he did after he gave up his miraculous.

Ladybug holds up an accusatory finger with an apprehensive expression on her face.

Catwalker: I told you he was in hiding. He's safe there, I promise.

Ladybug: But I was talking to one of the other heroes earlier, and they thought that... you knew something important about Chat that you haven't been telling me.

Catwalker folds his arms and leans on the railing and looks out at the city instead of at Ladybug, who leans away from the railing to look at him.

Catwalker: Is it really that surprising that I'd be keeping secrets from you? We're superheroes and anything could lead to another identity exposure. You didn't even consider asking me who Chat Noir was after I regained his miraculous.

Cut to a view of the Paris skyline. In the background, there is a cone of purple pulsating with energy on the Agreste rooftop.

Ladybug: You know who Chat Noir really is?

Catwalker leaps off the railing while Ladybug reaches her hand out towards him.

Ladybug: Catwalker, wait! Where are you...?

Ladybug notices something with a look of dawning horror. The purple cone pulsing with energy has Mayura standing under it.

Ladybug: Hold on... is that...? Mayura??

A closeup of Mayura holding her fan in front of her face while gesturing her free hand towards a floating white prism with purple eyes.

Ladybug: What's she doing out here?

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #ladybug #luka couffaine #catwalker #mayura #spanner in the works nathalie #sorry i'm later than usual #the dialog on this page completely kicked my butt #and depression decided it was a nice time to show up so i've been trying to work around that #up next is going to be a sentimonster fight #and while it's not going to be your usual fight #it will still require the same sort of effort that i only put into the first akuma of this comic #so the updates will likely be leaning more towards the 3-4 weeks apart of my update schedule #thank you for your patience

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runawaycatwalker · 2 years

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Part 14. Camouflaged Confederates

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Description below the cut

Alya and Trixx look through the glass door in Alya’s bedroom. Outside, Catwalker is propelling himself through the city via baton.

Alya: Looks like Catwalker is early for his patrol with Ladybug.

Trixx: Wanna go say hi?

Alya: That's the plan. Trixx, let's pounce!

Cut to Rena Furtive waving in friendly greeting.

Rena Furtive: Psst! Catwalker! Over here!

Rena Furtive dodges as Catwalker’s baton nearly collides with her face.

Catwalker: Did you get akumatized over Adrien Agreste too?

Rena Furtive: Ack!

Rena Furtive sprints away, regretting her life choices. Catwalker is close behind in dogged pursuit.

Rena Furtive: I'm not an akuma!

Catwalker: Could've fooled me, Rena Bleue.

Rena Furtive ducks behind a wall before Catwalker catches up with her, holding her flute out where he can still see it.

Rena Furtive: It's Rena Furtive. And watch.

Rena Furtive is obscured behind the wall except for her hand, which gingerly holds her flute to show she isn’t fiddling with it.

Rena Furtive: Trixx, let's rest.

The transformation lights run over Rena Furtive’s hand as the flute dematerializes and Trixx emerges.

Alya: Trixx, let's pounce.

The transformation lights run over Alya’s hand, this time covering it with the black glove of Rena Rouge.

Rena Rouge emerges from behind the wall, hands raised and flute now in her other hand.

Rena Rouge: Same old Rena Rouge as before. Not an akuma.

Catwalker averts his gaze and grabs his staff with both hands.

Catwalker: Ladybug never mentioned that we could change our costumes at will...

Rena Rouge sits on a nearby A/C unit. Catwalker looks at her in befuddlement.

Rena Rouge: I think it's just me since I've got illusion powers and being blue helps me blend in.

Catwalker: Blue blends in?

Rena Rouge: It blends in with the sky. And since I do most of my work from the rooftops...

Catwalker tilts his head to the side and gestures with one palm upward.

Catwalker: And that's where you lose me. I thought you weren't supposed to be active anymore.

Rena Rouge: That's what we want Shadowmoth to think. If he doesn't suspect I'm there, I can do far more than I ever could as Rena Rouge.

Rena Rouge twirls her flute in her hand and looks upwards.

Rena Rouge: Part of it is keeping an eye out for any new tricks from Shadowmoth. Part of it is creating disinformation to lead him astray. I'm basically Ladybug's spymaster that no one knows about.

Catwalker raises an incredulous eyebrow, arms folded.

Rena Rouge: We didn't even tell Chat Noir about me.

Catwalker: So why are you telling me about you now?

Rena Rouge: Because I failed Chat Noir.

Rena looks down at the flute in her hands with remorse.

Rena Rouge: If I hadn't been so caught up with keeping everyone other than Ladybug in the dark, he would have been able to call on me for help. Instead, I just ignored him the second it looked like I might see him detransform. And he paid the price for my mistake.

Catwalker sits down next to Rena Rouge with a consoling smile.

Catwalker: That isn't your fault, Rena. Ladybug takes identities very seriously—and for good reason. I'm sure Chat Noir wouldn't blame you for making that call.

Rena Rouge looks ahead in determination. Catwalker looks at her in gratitude.

Rena Rouge: But I want to do better with you. Yes, we'll still have secrets between us. But I can at least make sure that every time you transform back… you'll do it in a place that I've confirmed with you is actually safe.

Catwalker: I... I'd appreciate that.

Catwalker grabs the end of Rena’s flute and pulls up the phone screen.

Rena Rouge: And if there's anything else you need, I've got you.

Catwalker: Hmm. Let me see your flute.

Rena Rouge: Uh, okay...?

Catwalker: I don't have cellphone or TV access at work due to reasons, so if you could call this number and hang up before anyone answers when I'm running late for an akuma...

Rena Rouge puts her hands together and gives Catwalker a mischievous look.

Rena Rouge: Ooh! You work in one of those top secret facilities where they confiscate everyone's devices so they can't record any data about the place, don't you?

Catwalker looks at Rena Rouge flatly.

Catwalker: Do you really want me to answer that?

Rena Rouge: No. It's fun to speculate, but no. I know better to not break any of Ladybug's identity rules with you.

Catwalker looks down at his clasped hands. Rena looks on with a frown.

Catwalker: I'm guessing Ladybug tells you a lot about her identity rules. Could you explain something to me? When someone’s identity is compromised to Shadowmoth, are they allowed to tell others who they are?

Rena Rouge: Ladybug and I haven't really talked about it. Identity reveals usually only happen by accident or out of necessity.

Rena gestures towards herself. Catwalker looks aside with a contemplative finger on his mouth.

Rena Rouge: But if it were up to me, I'd let compromised heroes tell their family and friends about their double lives. Secrets can really take a toll on your relationships, and if Shadowmoth already knows enough to target your loved ones, I think that it's better to just tell them. Still, Ladybug has always prioritized identities over all else—Chat Noir's especially. Though if he's really not going to come back as a hero... I think it would be better if Ladybug finally knew his real name.

Catwalker wrings his hands and looks upwards as if he’s hoping to find some innocence up there.

Catwalker: Let us say, hypothetically, that Chat Noir was able to use your camouflage trick to transform into a completely different hero... Would Ladybug allow him to come back? If she still had no idea who he really was?

Rena waves her hands dismissively.

Rena Rouge: Changing his costume won't stop anyone from recognizing him. And even if it did... I don't think Chat could return without it being too conspicuous that you got replaced out of nowhere.

Catwalker places a hand on the back of his neck and gives a sheepish grin.

Catwalker: I suppose the idea is rather absurd...

Rena Rouge: It's interesting on paper... but you should probably leave the convoluted plans to Ladybug.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #alya cesaire #catwalker #rena furtive #rena rouge #trixx #i think this might be the most self-indulgent page i've made so far #maybe it's a tie with the catwalker and viperion page #i just love writing scenes where one of the characters act like they know what they're talking about #completely unawares that the thing they claim impossible is literally right in front of them

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runawaycatwalker · 2 years

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Part 13. Going Unrecognized

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Description below the cut

Officer Roger Raincomprix points at an Official document while talking to Anarka Couffaine.

Roger: Look, I've got this letter from the mayor himself saying I can look for Adrien Agreste anywhere I think he might have gone. And I think he might have gone on your boat, so—

Anarka throws up her hands in vexation.

Anarka: And I told you that no one steps a foot on my boat without my permission!

Roger: This is Adrien Agreste we're talking about here! We have to find him and send him home!

Catwalker jumps down to join the two squabblers. Anarka stands on the walkway to her boat with her hands on her hips. Roger stands in front of his police car and shirks back from the superhero dropping out of nowhere right next to him.

Catwalker: It looks like you two might need some superheroic assistance?

Catwalker points his hands towards his chest and gives a nonthreatening smile.

Catwalker: If it's okay with you both, I could act as a neutral party for you? I'll search for Adrien on this boat and let the good officer know if I find him here?

Anarka: Not a chance on yer life!

Roger: Absolutely not!

Anarka points an accusatory finger at Catwalker, her braid flailing in the air from the force of her personality. Catwalker leans away from her and plasters a fake smile on his face.

Anarka: Maybe I'd let you aboard if you were Chat Noir—he understood the need for a little anarchy in your life. But you? You strike me as someone who’s only ever followed the orders of someone in a position of authority over you!

Roger looms over Catwalker and waves his Official document. Catwalker shrinks down into himself as his smile begins to falter.

Roger: And I'd never turn such a high-profile investigation over to a brand new superhero! For all I know, you're a blind idiot who'd overlook important clues staring you in the face! I'm not gambling Adrien Agreste on you!

Cut to an overhead shot of the three individuals as an akuma descends towards them. Catwalker is the only one who looks up to notice the incoming danger.

Anarka: Even if I was harboring Adrien, my right to privacy—

Roger: A minor is in danger! Privacy doesn't matter—

Catwalker leaps to catch the butterfly as his ring pulses with destructive energy.

Catwalker: Cataclysm!

Catwalker lands in a kneeling pose with the remnants of the destroyed akuma crumbling in his fist. His eyes are closed and his expression is resigned.

Catwalker: I see that my presence is not wanted here. Best of luck in finding Adrien. Please excuse me.

Cut to Catwalker transforming back into Adrien behind a chimney on a random rooftop.

Adrien holds out his cheese container. Plagg takes a piece of a piece of cheese and looks up worriedly at Adrien.

Plagg: Kid, you can't spend all day living as Catwalker. You need a break. A real break.

Adrien: I know, I know! And I know it's not fair to you to make you sustain the transformation for so long.

Adrien points up at a billboard. The billboard features the painting of Gabriel and Adrien in mourning (Gabriel’s face mostly obscured) with the phrase “Find Adrien” on one side and findadrien @ agreste .mode on the other.

Adrien: I just wish I didn't have such a stupid, recognizable face! I can't even walk past complete strangers while untransformed because they'll instantly know I'm "that missing model Adrien Agreste"!

Plagg looks upwards with his arms spread wide. Adrien places a finger on his chin thoughtfully.

Plagg: Come on, Paris has millions of people living in it. There's got to be at least one person who doesn't know you exist!

Cut to Adrien knocking repeatedly on the door of a small, old house belonging to Rolland Dupain.

Rolland Dupain opens the door and points an angry finger.

Rolland: There is a bell! You're supposed to ring it! Knocking on the door is clearly not how it's done!

Adrien touches the back of his neck and gives an uneasy smile.

Adrien: I don't suppose you recognize me, do you?

Rolland squints and adjusts his glasses.

Rolland: Never seen you before in my life. What do you want?

Adrien poses theatrically, hands raised in a flourish and a sparkling smile on his face. Even the ears on his Chat Noir beanie look perky.

Adrien: I have crumb to you, Rolland Dupain, since I have oven heard that you are the grain-est maker of breads in Paris. [Non-pun translation: I have come to you, Rolland Dupain, since I have often heard that you are the greatest maker of breads in Paris.]

Rolland puts his hands on his hips, unimpressed.

Adrien: And as someone who believes in the roll bread plays in helping lives to flour-ish, I would loaf to become your apprentice. [Non-pun translation: And as someone who believes in the role bread plays in helping lives to flourish, I would love to become your apprentice.]

Rolland: I already had an apprentice. My son runs a boulangerie patisserie with his wife in the 21st arrondissement. Go bother them.

Adrien clasps his hands together and looks up dreamily as he is surrounded by imaginary breadstuffs.

Adrien: I doughnut want the mold ways to die out! I oat to in-grain-iate myself with a baker who is at yeast as crusty as you are. So you, Mr. Dupain, are the only one who can truly help my baking skills to rise! [Non-pun translation: I do not want the old ways to die out! I ought to ingratiate myself with a baker who is at least as crusty as you are. So you, Mr. Dupain, are the only one who can truly help my baking skills to rise!]

Rolland folds his arms in annoyance.

Rolland: How many years have you been making bread?

A sweat drop hovers by Adrien’s head as he sheepishly touches the tips of his pointer fingers together.

Adrien: I guess I knead to say... naan? [Non-pun translation: I guess I need to say... none?]

Rolland throws up his hands in exasperation.

Rolland: Pfah! You probably aren’t even qualified to purchase a loaf of rye at the market! Leave!

Adrien scrambles on hand and foot up the stairs, reaching up with a desperate hand before Rolland closes the door on him.

Adrien: W-wait! I really don’t have anywhere else to go! Can I at least stay here for the night?

A close-up of Rolland’s angry eyes.

A close up of Rolland’s gritting mouth.

Rolland: Care to tell me...

Rolland points at a straight purple bruise cutting across Adrien’s neck. Adrien’s expression freezes.

Rolland: ...where you got that bruise?

Adrien: …

Cut to a flashback of Mayura gleefully holding Chat Noir’s staff above a distressed Adrien.

Rolland (voiceover): Maybe your old man got drunk? Or an evil stepmother decided to take her wrath out on you? Something like that?

Adrien looks haunted as he covers his neck and looks away.

Adrien: S-something like that.

Rolland turns around and reenters his home, his hand waving at Adrien to follow him inside. Adrien places a hand on the open door and looks after Rolland with deep relief.

Rolland: Hmph. Come on, you can sleep on the loveseat.

Adrien: I can stay?

Rolland: Your lessons about flour start in the morning.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #adrien agreste #anarka couffaine #roger raincomprix #plagg #rolland dupain #miraculous ladybug #cw implied domestic violence #i know rolland usually is more upfront about everything #but he's from a generation where domestic violence is one of those things that you DO NOT talk about #so he'll be more apt to beat around the bush in this case #regardless rolland would never be the type of person to leave a child in a dangerous situation #not that adrien isn't still in a dangerous situation #but at least he usually has a supersuit protecting him #except for that split second when it ceased to exist before the staff vanished #yes the bruise has been there since page 2 #so have the ears on adrien's chat noir beanie #they're just usually covered up somehow up until now #also i have no idea how long it takes to set up a billboard #but i'm willing to be gabe would expedite the process #just as he'd be willing to throw around his weight with the mayor to get the entire police force looking for his kid without a warrant #also fun fact this page was going to start with a scene where catwalker orders milk at the hotel bar #and he realizes that even though chat would get it for free #catwalker hasn't been around long enough to get that kind of good will from paris #alas the scene wasn't coming together and the page is already comfortably full without it #so on the chopping block it goes

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runawaycatwalker · 2 years

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Part 12. Paternal Detachment

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Description below the cut

Ladybug, Catwalker, and Viperion stand together in the sewers.

Ladybug: One sec, I'm getting an alert on my yo-yo...

Ladybug looks at the message on her yo-yo and is extremely peeved. In the background, Catwalker and Viperion rub the back of their necks and look elsewhere.

Ladybug: Another akuma? That's the third one today! And it's the Collector again? Shadowmoth, why are you picking so many akumas who want to go after Adrien Agreste? Adrien never did anything to you!

Catwalker, Ladybug, and Viperion start running while Ladybug readies a call on her yo-yo.

Ladybug: I'm going to call back everyone that I haven't retrieved the miraculous from yet. With so many heroes helping, this should be a piece of cake, right?

Cut to at least five heroes (including Ladybug, Catwalker, Viperion, Ryuko, and Carapace) participating in the tradition end-of-fight fist-bump

Group of heroes: Pound it!

Viperion: That went remarkably well. Did anyone besides Ladybug even use their powers?

The heroes stand on a roof. Ryuko holds her sword and waves her other arm behind her. Carapace approaches someone off-panel. Catwalker crouches at the roof’s edge looking down at the ground, where Gabriel Agreste is face-planted.

Ryuko: There was nothing cathartic about that fight. He went down too quickly, and we still don't know where Adrien is!

Carapace: Hey, Ladybug?

Gabriel is sprawled out inelegantly on the ground, his glasses having flown off and his feet waving in the air. In the background, Catwalker jumps off the roof that the other heroes remain standing on.

Ladybug: Yes, Carapace?

Carapace: Before we head out, there was something I wanted to bring up with everyone...

Catwalker kneels next to a hunched over Gabriel and offers a hand.

Catwalker: Mr. Agreste, let me help you home.

Gabriel: I don't need your help.

Catwalker holds up his hands in obsequence.

Catwalker: Of course not. My apologies. And my condolences for your son's disappearance.

Gabriel: Disappearance? It's a disgrace to the Agreste name!

Gabriel, tie askew, angrily puts on his glasses.

Gabriel: Adrien knows better than to resort to such insolence. How can he find it so easy to turn his back on the life I've made for him without so much as an explanation?

Catwalker (internally): 'No explanation?' Does that mean Shadowmoth intercepted the note I left?

Gabriel stands and adjusts his tie.

Catwalker (internally): I guess I knew it was a possibility, but I'd wanted to avoid having Father getting this worked up about me. But if he's in the dark anyway... maybe I can use this opportunity to get other answers?

Catwalker touches his chin contemplatively. Gabriel grits his teeth at him.

Catwalker: Could it have something to do with his mother?

Gabriel: What is that supposed to mean?

Catwalker gestures with his hand to suggest that he is only speaking logically.

Catwalker: She disappeared, did she not? Maybe Adrien is seeking her out? If you have any information about her current whereabouts—

Gabriel points an accusatory finger at Catwalker, who dejectedly avoids his gaze.

Gabriel: I am under no obligation to explain my family's business to anyone, least of all you! Get out of my sight!

Catwalker: Yes, F—Mr. Agreste.

Catwalker propels himself back up to the roof while Gabriel walks away in a huff.

Catwalker (internally): What did I even expect? I'm no one to him. Even when I can be his son...

Catwalker reaches the roof where Ladybug and Carapace are talking, while Ryuko and Viperion stand off to the side.

Ladybug: —I'm sorry, Carapace, but if there isn't an attack, I don't want any of the temporary heroes holding onto their miraculouses. We can't risk another ambush like what happened to Chat.

Carapace looks down, his fists clenched.

Carapace: I... fine. But if anyone sees something that might lead to Adrien, can you let me know? Just keep it on the down low so Adrien’s dad doesn’t find out about anything. I know it's his fault that Adrien's gone.

Catwalker holds his staff as he tries to persuade the group.

Catwalker: Adrien’s father was just akumatized over his son going missing. I don't think we should blame him for Adrien's disappearance.

Carapace puts his hand on Catwalker’s shoulder, a serious expression on his face. Catwalker stares back and does his best to hold things in.

Carapace: Catwalker, I know you’re new, so you haven’t had to deal with Gabriel Agreste before... but that man is the most emotionally abusive person I’ve ever met.

Ryuko wears a fierce expression as she gestures with her sword.

Ryuko: I'd consider Shadowmoth to be a stronger contender for that title, but otherwise, I concur. Adrien has needed to escape the stranglehold his father keeps on his life for a long time. There is no one else in Adrien's life who he would need to make such a drastic retreat from.

Viperion folds his arms and tries to be the voice of reason.

Viperion: I don't think Gabriel was good for Adrien's inner melody either, but we shouldn’t assume he’s the reason Adrien isn’t around anymore. Focusing only on the most probable cause could mean we get stuck clapping on the wrong beat.

Catwalker almost pointedly looks towards Carapace, who looks away guiltily.

Catwalker: We are making a lot of assumptions. Does Adrien even want to be found?

Ladybug begins swinging her yo-yo cue everyone that it’s time to head out, but addresses the group first.

Ladybug: We can't know that unless we find Adrien. Once we know where he is, we'll offer him our protection from... whatever it is he needs protecting from.

Catwalker and Carapace put a hand on their chest and give each other the side-eye.

Ladybug: So if anyone finds any leads, please talk to me.

Catwalker and Carapace: Or me.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #ladybug #gabriel agreste #viperion #carapace #ryuko #miraculous ladybug #did this comic feel longer than usual?#that's because it is!#i finally decided that the template i used to start this comic simply does not give me enough room to work with #so the pages should be 50% longer (and hopefully not as cramped as it used to be) going forward #i contemplated giving gabriel as the collector a chance to put up an actual fight for about half a second #before the thought of him faceplanted on the ground looking like a fool nixed it #the fact that i can put off having to plan akuma fight logistics for longer is just a bonus

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runawaycatwalker · 2 years

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Part 11. The Confounding of Nathalie

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Description below the cut

Gabriel ominously pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Behind him, Nathalie sits up in her bed.

Gabriel: I knew this was a bad idea.

Nathalie: It could have been worse. At least Ladybug left me right outside the mansion and I didn't have to walk all the way back.

Gabriel: You still overexerted yourself. Again.

Nathalie: Gabriel, I knew the risks. It was more important that I find Adrien.

A close-up shot of the back of Nathalie’s head.

Nathalie (internally): Or at least that I found him before anyone else did. The other akumas never would have held back when fighting against him. But I could. And with the powers I'd received, I stood a far better chance to retrieve the black cat miraculous from Adrien. How was I supposed to know that Adrien wouldn't be the one wielding it anymore?

Cut to Adrien’s bodyguard looking sad.

Gabriel (voiceover): I'm bringing back Gorizilla. His nose should be more than capable of tracking Adrien down.

Cut to the image of Adrien falling from Tour Montparnasse.

Nathalie (voiceover): Isn't that dangerous? Adrien jumped off a building to escape that akuma last time.

Cut back to Gabriel viewed from behind, hands clasped behind his back.

Gabriel: Gorizilla merely needs to carry Adrien back home. I have no intention of putting my son at risk.

A close-up of Nathalie with a steely gaze, her fist resting on the side of her chin.

Nathalie (internally): You did so on a regular basis—and would still be doing so if Catwalker hadn’t stepped in for him. It was pure serendipity that Ladybug vetoed keeping Chat Noir around. Adrien—judging the note he left—had probably intended to be a hero full-time. But now that Shadowmoth knows he can't be Chat Noir, he could come back home. Adrien isn't the type of person who would leave behind all the friends he's made just because he might get targeted over a miraculous that he doesn’t even have anymore.

Cut to Shadowmoth with the light mask he uses to communicate with akumas illuminating his face. In the background, a tablet on a call with Nathalie sits in a stand on a table.

Shadowmoth: What could be so difficult about tracking down one teenage boy?

Nathalie (over tablet): Sir?

Cut to Gorizilla looking frustrated.

Shadowmoth (voiceover): Gorizilla has tried to follow Adrien’s scent all over Paris and he can’t latch onto anything.

A close-up of Nathalie turning away and rubbing her chin in worry.

Nathalie (internally): Adrien left the city entirely? Surely that's overkill. The danger is gone. Does Adrien really think that Shadowmoth would... no, not Shadowmoth. Mayura. I saw the look on his face when I almost crushed his... when I unmasked him. He was traumatized. Maybe even enough for him to run away with no intention of ever coming back home.

Cut to a rooftop being traversed by Carapace, Purple Tigress, Viperion, Ryuko, King Monkey, Polymouse, Pegasus, Pigella, and Vesperia. Ladybug is leading the charge in the foreground, swinging on her yo-yo.

Shadowmoth (voiceover): And oh look, Ladybug and her merry band of heroes have arrived to thwart me. Gorizilla, go retrieve the miraculous from Ladybug and—wait, Catwalker isn't there? Maybe Maternal Instinct scared him away? Good riddance! But we still need to find that ring!

A close-up of Nathalie covering her mouth in dismayed realization.

Nathalie (internally): I shouldn't have targeted Catwalker. I let myself get lured in by the prospect of finally getting the cat miraculous. But if Catwalker's identity leaked, what’s stopping Ladybug from bringing Chat Noir back regardless? She still uses heroes she knows we know the identity of if she has no better options. And if Ladybug asks Chat to return, he'll do so without question, despite what's happened. I can't let Adrien endanger himself again.

Cut back to Shadowmoth facing towards the window of his lair. He raises a fist in the air as his butterflies swarm around him.

Shadowmoth: Noooo!!!!!! You may have thrown a monkey wrench into this plan, Ladybug, but you haven’t taken your last whiff of me! I have to go after Adrien myself. It’s time for the Collector to return!

Nathalie (over tablet): Gabriel, let me akumatize you this time. Adrien will be safer if you have someone watching over your shoulder to help.

Shadowmoth screeches while a white butterfly comes to land on his hand. In the background, the tablet on the table shows the concerned face of Nathalie.

Shadowmoth: Absolutely not. Your body cannot handle more miraculous magic today—perhaps ever. Your health is important.

Nathalie (over tablet): Your son is important.

Shadowmoth: I can handle my son. The butterfly miraculous is mine and I will do whatever I see fit with it.

A close-up of Nathalie grabbing the sides of her head in a panic.

Nathalie (internally): This has spun completely out of my control. Adrien, Gabriel, Catwalker... I can't sway any of them from the paths they've chosen. And they never would have taken those paths if it weren't for the foolhardy things I did—as Mayura, as Nathalie, as Maternal Instinct. I must find a way to stop all of this, but what can I actually do? How do I know that whatever I try won't just make everything worse yet again?

Nathalie stares blankly into space. She holds a tablet in her hands as a video from the local news loads.

Nadja Chamack (from video): Don't be bemused, it's just the news! I'm Nadja Chamack. Just minutes after Gorizilla was defeated, we again are faced...

The tablet in Nathalie’s hands shows Nadia Chamack reporting live while the Collector poses menacingly in the background.

Nadja Chamack (from video): ...the Collector, also known as Gabriel Agreste, whose son Adrien Agreste is currently...

The video cuts to Catwalker and Ladybug descending from the sky to fight the akuma.

Nadja Chamack (from video): ...seems to be a new black cat superhero joining the fight. We don't know who he is or...

A close-up of Nathalie leaning back in reprieve, her hand on her chest.

Nathalie (internally): Catwalker going missing was temporary. Okay. Good. I don't have to worry about Adrien getting his miraculous back, at least. But what could have been important enough for Catwalker to miss an akuma? Maybe he was helping Adrien? If he was, that would make Catwalker perhaps the only one who knows where Adrien is hiding. If not, he's probably doing something on Ladybug's orders. Either way, I need more information. And this time, I must tread more carefully in how I go about getting it.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #nathalie sancouer #gabriel agreste #adrien's bodyguard #gorizilla #adrien agreste #ladybug #catwalker #miraculous ladybug #akuma #spanner in the works nathalie #about a month ago i realized that i wasn't being clear enough on nathalie's internal motivations #they felt obvious to me at the time so i'd glossed over them in the interest of conserving page space #jokes on me though #getting nathalie's inner monologues straight was an absolute nightmare since she's got so many competing interests #i think i've finally managed to get her perspective coherent now #still figuring out how to write in a comic medium #so if things still are muddy for you #drop a comment and i'll do my best to clear things up

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runawaycatwalker · 2 years

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Part 10. Successors in the Sewers

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Description below the cut

Viperion stands at the bottom of the ladder to the sewers.

Viperion: Sass, scales—

A close-up of Viperion’s eyes as he hears something.

Adrien, still sleeping on the ground, jolts awake.

Viperion (voiceover): —wait, who’s there?

Adrien clambers to his feet as he grabs his backpack of cheese and Plagg gets sucked into his ring.

Adrien (under his breath): Plagg, claws out!

Viperion finds Catwalker pleasantly waving at the opening of a sewer tunnel, Catwalker’s still flailing tail being the only sign of how close a call this was.

Viperion: Oh, you must be the new Chat Noir that Ladybug told me about. Catwalker, right?

Catwalker bows to Viperion.

Catwalker: Viperion, your reputation precedes you. Shall we go assist Ladybug with—?

Viperion: We just beat the akuma. I’m just here to—

Catwalker: —To give the miraculous back. Yes, of course.

Catwalker holds up a closed hand as he looks off towards where Viperion came.

Catwalker: If you don't mind, I think I should wait for Ladybug with you. She'll want to hold me accountable for not showing up on time.

Viperion: You already fought one akuma today, Ladybug won’t blame you for missing the second one.

Cut to the image of Ladybug angrily waving her arms and jumping towards Chat Noir, who stubbornly pouts.

Catwalker (voiceover): That's no excuse. Skipping battles was one of the reasons Chat Noir earned Ladybug’s wrath in the events leading up to the first time I ended up with his miraculous. I cannot afford to repeat his mistakes.

Cut back to Viperion folding his arms and leaning against a wall, one eyebrow raised.

Viperion: You don’t have to compare yourself to Chat Noir, you know.

Catwalker: As the one filling his shoes, yes I do.

Viperion puts a hand on Catwalker’s shoulder in camaraderie. Catwalker feigns a “gasp!” at what he supposedly learns.

Viperion: I might know something about what it’s like to replace another hero. Most people don’t know this, but I was actually Ladybug’s second choice to wield the snake miraculous.

Catwalker smiles sincerely at Viperion.

Catwalker: I can’t imagine anyone being a better wielder than you.

Viperion: Thanks for the compliment. But I know who my predecessor was...

Cut to the image of Aspik posing heroically, with the faces of Adrien and Chat Noir on either side.

Viperion (voiceover): ...and he definitely could have been a hero under the right circumstances.

Cut back to Viperion strumming his lyre.

Viperion: I think I had an advantage in my first time loop that my predecessor didn't: Chat Noir wouldn't arrive until after I got the miraculous. The first snake wielder must have been working with an incomplete rhythm section—and it's nearly impossible to get into the groove until all the players are there, you know?

Cut to the image of Aspik frustratedly resetting a time loop.

Viperion (voiceover): But it wasn't his fault that he couldn't figure out how to beat the akuma without Chat Noir. And it wasn't Chat Noir's fault that his civilian identity got in the way of his being a hero. So why should it be your fault that you've hit some logistical hurdles getting here today?

Cut back to Catwalker, forlornly looking at his miraculous.

Catwalker: It's not just that. Even when I am there... it's like I make about as much a difference with saving the day as your predecessor did. It's the same problem: Chat Noir is supposed to be here. But he isn't coming back this time.

Viperion smiles encouragingly as he holds his lyre against his shoulder.

Viperion: If it weren't for my predecessor suggesting me to Ladybug, I wouldn't have become Viperion. And if it weren't for you, Chat Noir would be completely vulnerable to Shadowmoth right now. You both have already made all the difference. And I'm hopeful that you both will prove your worth as heroes yet again.

Catwalker points a finger at Viperion.

Catwalker: I hope you're not thinking of resigning and giving your miraculous back to the other guy.

Viperion: Not at all. I do want him to come back, but something tells me that a different miraculous would be a better fit for him.

Cut the image of Snake Noir wielding both the black cat and snake miraculouses.

Catwalker: But if something ever happens to me? He's still the one I'd trust most to use my miraculous right.

Ladybug comes down the sewer ladder. Viperion waves while Catwalker stands at attention.

Ladybug: Hey, Lu—! Catwalker?? What are you doing down here?

Viperion: Catwalker thought this would be a quiet place to transform, but he didn't know I'd already called dibs.

Catwalker gives an elegant bow.

Catwalker: Ladybug, I apologize for not arriving in time to fight the akuma. It will not happen again.

Ladybug waves her hands about placatingly.

Ladybug: It’s not your fault! I’m the one who said you should go get some sleep!

Viperion cheerfully cups his hand to whisper at a perplexed Catwalker.

Viperion (sotto voce): (Told you she'd understand.)

Ladybug places a reassuring hand on Catwalker’s shoulder. Catwalker stares into Ladybug’s eyes in vulnerable incredulity.

Ladybug: And honestly? I'm just glad you came back at all. I got worried when you didn’t show after... you know... everything with your mom? I thought you might have...

Catwalker’s smile oozes with kindness.

Catwalker: I haven't left. I’ll be by your side as long as you still have need of me.

Ladybug smiles offers her fist out for a fist bump.

Ladybug: I still need you. Oh, and since I had to run out on you before we could do it last time... Pound it?

Ladybug and Catwalker fist bump.

Catwalker: Pound it.

Below is the same image as above, only without text:

#runaway catwalker #catwalker #viperion #ladybug #adrien agreste #aspik #chat noir #snake noir #viperion: little does he know that we both replaced the same guy #catwalker: little does he know that we both replaced the same guy and i am also that guy #sorry this took longer than expected #i started working on this and realized that it might be better to post a different comic first #ultimately decided that i should post this one first #plus i did a bunch of plot reworking #overall i'm happy with what i've got in the works #probably won't try to scar anyone for life for at least another 20 pages #so that should be nice #also i'm retroactively adding textless versions of the comic under the read more since i continue to be terrible at balloon placement #so if that's been an issue for you that should help

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