A Friendly Game {1/2}

Finally, it’s been like 84 years. Well…not exactly but that’s how it feels that way when you are unable to do your favorite hobby for the longest time. Hello everyone, it’s Doodle returning with another miraculous story to tell. Here’s the first chapter of my newest story “A Friendly Game” where you get to choose who to root for. I hope you like it.

P.S. I’m also on Wattpad & Tumblr, feel free to follow if you like.

A Friendly Game

Monotony.

In life there’s often a sense of dread when expected to do the same things over and over. What was once considered exciting can eventually land into the mundane category. Since repetitiveness can lead to stagnation if new challenges aren’t presented. A little deviation from the usual routine can be a welcomed change to keep things from getting stale. With a slight change a faded spark can be rekindled.

The city of lights has been silenced. The once bustling city had now taken the appearance of a ghost town. Streets were scarce of people, although many traces were left behind. Cars stood still. Restaurants sat empty with food laid out on tables. Some half eaten but all cold as it had been served hours ago. Faint sounds of existence could be heard. But to whom those sounds belonged to knew it’s unwise to let their presence be known.

The price for going against one person’s all consuming will.

Paris was taken by the time the sun reached dusk. Overtaken by Shadow Moth’s newest pawn: Overlord. Just mere hours ago, the citizens’ devices had lit up with a broadcast from the villain, declaring Mayor Bourgeois had one hour to resign before his title would be stripped. Though his motivations for this demand seemed to be vague. It was clear this vendetta was against the mayor for personal past wrongdoings, not for the establishment he represented.

The request was met with resistance, leading a new force to enter Paris.

The Shadow Droids.

Overlord’s personal army of enforcers programmed to make his deepest desires a reality. Armed with various weapons these androids quickly dominated the city, infiltrating almost every corner. This led citizens to take shelter quickly realizing it was best not to remain in the crosshairs. The androids stood at seven feet clad in baggy black bodysuits with multiple sewn in belt pouches and matching full face masks with red triangular eye lenses.

Thick soled black boots were worn on the enforcers’ feet and had the metal tipped clawed gloves covering their hands. Each droid was equipped with a weapon either a sword, dual blades or a wooden staff.

Similar to his predecessor Dark Blade, Overlord had his sights on Hôtel de Ville, city hall where the mayor held his reign. The grounds were now infiltrated with a faction of Shadow Droids standing guard, awaiting their next challenge.

Nevertheless, there was one thing for certain. In the city of Paris when there’s an uprising of tyranny there will always be a resistance.

Several rooftops away from Hôtel de Ville stood Ladybug and Chat Noir out of sight, overlooking city hall. Finally reaching their destination after trekking through the sewers. After being bombarded with Shadow Droids the heroes realized the best way to confront Overlord without being caught was going underground.

However, a certain cat already appeared disinterested with the situation. Chat Noir stood slumped over his staff, clearly unimpressed.

Ladybug flashed a pleasant albeit strained smile. “Just another typical Thursday night for us. Isn’t it, Chat?”

“Yep,” the hero sighed. “And I’m already sick of it.”

“Sick of it?” his partner was stunned by his bluntness. “Really?”

“Okay, maybe not the best word choice. I guess bored might sound better?”

“You really think that? I know there’s a few people who argue we’re supposed to be having the time of our lives. Since hero work is supposed to be exciting.”

“Okay. They’re allowed to think that. But recently it feels like we’ve been doing the same thing over and over. Just this attack alone feels like a retread. Does Dark Blade, Malediktator and Rogercop ring a bell?” he questioned before sitting on the ledge on the rooftop with his staff laid across his lap. “It’s just getting really repetitive. This includes the more recent ones we had fought back to back these past couple days like Cobra King, Jeweled Princess and Fish Freak who all also wanted to rule over the city.”

The bug sat down alongside him. “Well, when you put it like that there’s clearly been a lack of variety…”

“Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m going to sit this one out. But you gotta it it’s starting to get dull around these parts. I can’t just be the only one thinking this, right?”

Ladybug drummed her fingers on the ledge, chewing on her lip. He started to sense the feeling was mutual. His tone wasn’t accusatory but instead inviting.

“Right?” he asked again.

The heroine threw her head back, groaning. “Okay you’re right. Things have gotten boring. I it it.”

“Ha! I knew it! That didn’t take too long,” Chat Noir teased. “Good thing don’t you know any military secrets.”

“Nope. Just ours,” she rolled her eyes. “But again I trust you. Especially, since you actually have the guts to it it.”

“And why didn’t you?”

“ what I said? Some people would argue we are supposed to be having the time of our lives. I would often overhear people talking about it. Not intentionally eavesdropping but like this one time I was in a cafe and overheard someone at another table. People would talk about how much they would love to be in our shoes. So some would be like, “What would we have to complain about?”

“You know, I didn’t think about it like that.”

“Atop of the responsibility we have to the city. Originally I thought I was getting too jaded at first. It wouldn’t be the first time I perceived something being worse than it actually is. But I guess it’s the both of us that’s been desensitized.”

“Well clearly Shadow Moth hasn’t heard that ‘Variety is the spice of life’.”

“At least he hasn’t summoned Mr. Pigeon in a while.”

Chat Noir raised a brow. “Better be careful talking like that. Put that out in the universe and we’ll be fighting him back to back next week.”

Ladybug’s eyes widened in horror, practically shuddering at the thought. “Oh I hope not. There’s only so much you with pigeons! What would he do next? Throw them at us?”

“Probably. Maybe the reason why we’re feeling like this is because we have been here from the start? The other heroes like Rena Rouge, Carapace and Honeybee had a grace period before getting involved, unlike us.”

“I can see that. With heroes like Honeybee and Rena Rouge. I’m glad to see them get excited during missions. It’s much better than being so panicky like when I started out. But lately it’s been hard to feel anything other than numbness.”

“I’ve been feeling the same.”

“Good to know I’m not alone,” the bug pulled herself up. “Well this was a nice chat but we shouldn’t be putting off saving Paris for too long. It’s not like we can ditch this to see a movie instead.”

“Hmm, too bad,” the hero joked. “I wouldn’t mind some theater popcorn right now. The microwave stuff usually doesn’t compare.”

“Have you tried stovetop popcorn?” the heroine suggested. “You might like it better…wait, we’re already getting off track here.”

“No, no, no continue,” the cat waved an encouraging hand. “I want to hear the benefits of stovetop popcorn. What brand do you recommend?”

“Come on Chat. Be serious,” the bug shook her head. “It’s just something we gotta trudge through. This isn’t a game.”

The word “game” remained in his mind for a moment.

Suddenly his eyes lit up. “Wait, why can’t it be?”

Ladybug’s brows clearly furrowed under her mask. “What are you talking about?”

“Well…it’s clear, we have to get through those droids to get in the hall. So how about we make it a game? It’s definitely going to shake up things around here. Now let’s see,” Chat Noir peered over the ledge. “There’s about..one, two, three…fourteen, fifteen, sixteen…thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven…fifty three, fifty four…fifty five. There’s about fifty five Shadow Droids standing guard. So how about who defeats the most guards, wins?”

“Seriously? Well…what would even count as a win anyway? those droids from earlier were pretty tough.”

“Yeah, we learned that the hard way after being confronted in that alley. Still, we fought them off. Also, unlike the typical brainwashed victims we don’t have to hold back this time. So what should count as a point is if the droid can’t get back up on their own.”

“If that’s the case we should completely destroy them. It would dwindle Overlord’s numbers in the long run.”

“Makes sense. We could even have a prize.”

“Really? What would it be?”

“Umm…” he trailed off. ittedly he hasn’t thought that far ahead. “How about…the ice cream place we ed last week. It was downtown.”

“I think I know what you’re talking about. It’s called Swirls Ice Cream Shoppe. I actually went there last month with some friends. Their stuff is pretty good.”

“So how about the prize being the loser treats the winner to whatever ice cream of their choosing? Sounds good?”

“Hmm, I do like the sound of that,” Ladybug responded thoughtfully. “Recently they made a post online promoting their new strawberry cheesecake flavor. Something I’ve been meaning to try.”

“Sounds like you’re in?”

“I like the idea. You were actually pretty convincing.”

“What can I say? I just have such a way with words.”

“I wouldn’t take it that far. So, is that all the ?”

Chat Noir thought for a moment until his lips spread into a wicked Cheshire Cat-like smile.

Ladybug took a step away from him. “Why do I suddenly feel like I’m going to regret that question?”

“I got it!” his voice filled with enthusiasm. “One thing to definitely shake things up: we should switch weapons!”

“Huh?!” the heroine sounded absolutely flabbergasted.

“We should trade weapons. I use your yoyo. You use my staff. Whoever takes down the most Shadow Droids wins.”

“Chat, I don’t know. Do you really think this is a good time to purposefully put us at a disadvantage here?”

“Disadvantage? Maybe for you,” the hero folded his arms. “I’ve been Mister Bug enough times that I practically mastered your yoyo. Maybe even sured you.”

Ladybug’s expression sharpened. “Excuse me?”

“I always assumed that you felt the same way being Lady Noire. Or was that all a fluke?”

“It certainly was not.”

“So what’s with the sudden hesitation? You’re scared I’m going to beat ya?”

“Ha! That’s hilarious. Getting beaten by you would be the last thing I’ll ever be scared of. Especially since there’s a minuscule chance of that happening anyway.”

Chat Noir stood up flashing a cheeky grin. “Oh really? Alright, prove it. Or you could just coincide now and pay for my ice cream later.”

He tossed the staff towards her.

The bug caught the staff effortlessly in midair. “Oh it’s on. You are going to regret all those words.”

“Oh really? I’m not regretting much right now. Unless Mothy was going to start taking requests now not much was going to change around here. I just hope you don’t mind paying for some rocky road.”

“Of course not. It just won’t be for you.”

“Wow. How quick we are to forget.”

“Forget what?”

“Which one of us has the miraculous of destruction? The last time I checked it wasn’t you.”

“Speaking of which. We need to add a no powers rule. Just our weapons, ingenuity and skills. This means no cataclysm.”

He waved her off. “Don’t need it. It’s not the only trick I have in the arsenal.”

She offered him her yoyo. “Alright, then prove it.”

“Gladly,” he took the yoyo from her hands.

The two heroes looked at each other sharing the same competitive spark in their eyes. While Chat Noir wasn’t sure what would be the outcome. He knew one thing.

This was going to be fun.

The heroes shook hands in agreement before using the rooftop’s ledge as a starting line.

“Alright, let the games begin,” the cat stated, taking a runner’s pose alongside Ladybug who did the same. “Ready. Set. Go!”

And they were off. The two heroes raced off the rooftop leaping onto the next one. Mostly keeping the same pace until when taking the final plunge. Chat Noir was ahead, whipping the yoyo around a rooftop’s vent pipe. He swung forward as his new weapon released from the pipe leading him to flip forward, landing in front of the shadow horde. This action caught the droids’ attention, breaking the group’s statue-like stance.

“Hey Lead Heads!” the cat made his presence known. “Lookin’ for some entertainment?”

Seconds later, the bug cascaded off the roof using the staff to aid in her descent, landing right beside the hero. “Because we are!”

Without hesitation the androids withdrew the weapons. The horde charged with plans of no mercy.

“Good Luck,” Ladybug twirled her staff.

Chat Noir smiled at the sentiment while spinning his yoyo into a shield. “You too.”

Several droids charged at the hero swiping with their clawed tipped gloves. He held up his shield, quickly deflecting them. One enforcer leapt over, aiming for the eyes which the cat dodged, redirecting the hand into the ground.

Followed by a flying kick, knocking his opponent far back. Lashing out his yoyo, Chat Noir struck a couple androids creating distance between them.

“You like that?” he taunted. “Well there’s more coming-“

His threats were interrupted by him being body checked into the pavement.

Between gritted teeth the cat growled. “Okay, who did that?!”

A single droid stepped forward unsheathing the sword from its back.

With aches and all Chat Noir pulled himself from the ground. “Let me guess your name is Freight Train, right? Because you certainly hit like one.”

The enforcer charged forward, blade raised high.

“Ah it get it, you’re more the quiet type,” he leapt over the opponent’s sword. “I prefer the chatty ones while fighting. But I’ll cope.”

The cat threw his yoyo against the droid’s chest like a chained mace. Followed with a second strike knocking his opponent over. The android rolled back onto his feet, lunging with its sword. He returned the droid’s sentiment pitching his arsenal of one repeatedly at the enforcer. The yoyo struck the sword’s blade leaving only the handle left.

Chat Noir flung his weapon wrapping it around the shadow droid’s waist, holding both ends. The cat crossed the wire slicing into the machine in half, revealing colored wires, nuts and bolts from the now disted torso.

“One!” the hero declared as the yoyo retracted into his hand.

Although the celebration was short lived as the cat’s ears suddenly perked up. From a distance there was a sharp whizzing sound getting undeniably closer. He ducked, sensing the commotion overhead before hearing a sharp clink. What landed behind him was a silver palm sized metal disc.

“What the-“ Chat Noir questioned.

His statement couldn’t be finished as an android landed right in front of him. Without missing a beat the enforcer dug into its pouches throwing multiple disc projectiles. Swiftly maneuvering his yoyo the hero deflected the discs causing them to ricochet back at the machine. Several ripped into the droid’s sleeves revealing metallic black arms intertwined with red and blue wires. Engraved on the left arm was the words “Variant One”.

Nevertheless that did not dissuade the machine from unsheathing its sword. The hero dodged, hopping over the blade as the enforcer aimed for his ankles. With a simple toss of the yoyo he yanked the weapon from the opponent’s hands.

Playfully, the cat waved the sword. “Hope you don’t mind me keeping this-“

But the machine did not take kindly to this launching at him with both sets of claws. Chat Noir jumped back escaping the near entanglement, sliding the blade into his own holster for safekeeping. The Shadow Droid swiped the claws again which the cat responded with a kick in the torso.

After another attempt at the sword, the hero locked arms with the opponent. Using the close proximity he tightly wrapped the cord around its body. Sparks appeared as the droid went limp and got tossed aside.

He announced his new total. “Two.”

Curious, the cat began to wonder about his partner. His eyes lingered until landing on Ladybug who was still in the midst of battle. The bug twirled the staff between her fingers as the Shadow Droid in front of her, lunged forward. She firmly planted the staff using it to propel herself against the droid knocking it back. Another came with a wooden staff, the heroine spun her weapon into a makeshift shield. Both of them crossed their staffs trying to overcome one another’s strength.

The droid flicked the staff at the bug’s head leading her to perform a back handspring, avoiding it. She responded, blocking the repeated attacks. Attempting to strike from a different angle her opponent moved around holding up its staff which the heroine delivered a spin kick cracking the weapon in half. Being resourceful the machine used the remains, locking Ladybug’s staff place.

Before throwing one of them, forcing the heroine to bring her arm forward to prevent the splintered wood from flying into her eyes. While she was distracted, the enforcer stomped on the end of the staff, ripping it out of her hands. Suddenly the jagged end of the staff’s remains were pointed at her face.

Chat Noir was ready to intervene when Ladybug grabbed the chest of the droid’s bodysuit and slammed it into the ground with all her might. The bug pinned her foot against the droid’s throat.

She smirked while picking up the staff. “Tables have turned, haven’t they?”

Another enforcer raced towards her, sword wielding. Unfazed the heroine swung her staff smashing it into the android’s head knocking it clean off. The body collapsed and the head rolled across the ground revealing a robotic skull with red triangular eyes. Ladybug jammed the staff into the other droid’s stomach removing its wiring. She stepped off the machine and must’ve felt eyes on herself. His partner turned around, finally noticing the cat.

Ladybug flashed a pageant queen smile and held up a couple fingers, announcing. “Four!”

Without missing a beat, she leaped towards her next target using the staff as a pole vault.

The cat stood there stunned, thinking. Four!? How did she get double my total in such a short amount of time?! She was the one worried about trading weapons!

Suddenly the yoyo in his hands didn’t feel so impressive. He pulled the stolen sword from his hostler.

The blade was given a look of temptation while thoughts of deceit began to fester in his mind. I definitely can’t let her beat me when it was my big mouth that started this. And this sword would definitely make things go faster. I know the deal we agreed upon was our weapons, not the enemy’s. But she doesn’t have to find out. It’s not like she’s ever got the short end of the stick. Nothing ever phases her-

Until he looked up again. His partner had moved onto her new opponent. Ladybug reached towards her waist throwing her arm forward, although there was nothing in her hand. After a second, she looked at her hand prior to shaking her head. As if it was an attempt to recollect herself.

Chat Noir looked down at the yoyo in his hand, thinking. Clearly, she’s missing this. And still willing to play by the rules. So what makes me so different? Not when I asked for this. Any victory is going to be hollow if I don’t earn it the right way…

The hero threw the sword high like a dart, piercing one of the stone columns on the roof of city hall. After the sword left his hands the cat’s ears perked up. Suddenly, a swarm of Shadow Droids started to surround him.

The cat just smiled while spinning his yoyo. “Alright Lead Heads, let’s pick up the pace this time. I got a quota to fill.”

Several androids charged brandishing their weapons. Quickly, he knocked them away with a couple kicks before tossing the yoyo around one’s ankle, yanking it off balance. Once the machine was pulled near he stomped on its head causing it snap off.

“Three,” he kicked the remains to the side.

Another droid sprung forward armed with a wooden staff. Chat Noir batted away the staff pointed at him with his yoyo. The opponent struck back mid yoyo spin interrupting his second attack. He struck the staff back a couple times, keeping the enforcer from advancing. The cat aimed for the head only for the droid to swing the staff into his side. He recoiled but pulled the yoyo’s wire forward, catching the staff against it. The machine responded by pulling its weapon away and whacked Chat Noir hard in the back.

He crumbled to his knees. But retaliated by wrapping the yoyo wire around the staff’s end, pulling it out of the Shadow Droid’s hands. The cat struck it against the pavement snapping it into two. Once back onto his feet the yoyo caught the android by its arm leading it to be catapulted over the cat’s shoulder into the pavement. Back and forth it went until the machine laid still.

But he wasn’t finished with this particular droid as Chat Noir whirled his fallen opponent around, forcing to collide with other enforcers. Each hit caused the androids to smash into each creating a decent amount of wreckage in a matter of seconds.

“Four…five…six…seven…eight…nine…ten…eleven…twelve…thirteen,” the hero added up his new total while whirling his new projectile. “And if you count this new piece of scrap metal. Fourteen!”

He threw down the smashed up android into the ever growing pile.

“Alright, who’s next?” the cat challenged.

An enforcer carrying dual blades advanced to confront him. The hero ducked as the blades aimed for his head. He spun a shield deflecting the enforcer’s oncoming strikes. But his concentration was broken as a razor disc flew at him.

Out of reflex, Chat Noir flipped back to avoid the projectile. However, this action had given the opposing side a small window of opportunity. The machine bolted forward, sinking the two blades into the ground to hoist itself up for a double leg side kick whacking the cat far back.

He flew across the hall’s grounds until being caught into the arms of another droid. Like mechanical vipers the android’s arms constricted around him. As Chat Noir wailed, the grip on him got tighter causing the pain to sharpen. A few huffs escaped his lips; it felt like the air was being siphoned from his lungs. Meanwhile the yoyo just swung against his legs.

Although his eyes began to gaze over he sensed more Shadow Droids approaching. The hero balled up his ring hand. He needed to be ready.

One after another the droids attacked, leading the cat to push his legs to perform a double heel kick, knocking one of the machines far back. He delivered three different kicks: double leg, fan and split kicks to warn off the attempted thieves for getting any closer.

Thoughts of using cataclysm entered his mind. If the cat maneuvered just right maybe he could use it on the machine holding him. Although this could cause a new set of problems beyond the rules of the heroes’ game. Even if he tags the android that leads him fighting against the timer. He would’ve needed to leave the battle to recharge which meant leaving Ladybug behind to deal with all this by herself. But the cat couldn’t do that, not because he didn’t believe in her.

On the contrary, instead it was based on his own beliefs on not leaving a teammate behind. Still, it meant he needed to find a way to be rewarded for his loyalty. After delivering another fan kick once again the yoyo hit against his ankle. The cat winced as the dangling yoyo had followed most of his movements. Suddenly, he had an idea: if kicked high enough maybe it could whack the droid into letting go.

It was worth a shot.

The hero pushed the yoyo in forward using his foot, giving it a quick strike. It went up towards his waist until sinking back down by gravity.

Chat Noir kicked again with a bit more force for the weapon to reach the cat’s torso. As the yoyo fell the android’s arms wring him even tighter causing him to gasp for air. Atop of that two Shadow Droids started to recover and began to reproach.

He sighed while thinking. One more time.

Using all the momentum the hero could muster he kicked the yoyo high as he forced it to smash right in the center of the captor’s force. It fell back with arms moving out, letting him go. Chat Noir swung his leg around punting his foot in the droid face creating further damage.

“Fifteen,” he declared while rolling off the machine. “Now I gotta make up for lost time.”

Luckily for him, opportunities weren’t scarce. One enforcer quickly loomed over him about to plunge its sword into his chest. The cat caught the opponent’s wrist stopping the blade inches from his face. He lifted his leg slamming it into the android’s slide. Before rolling forward, delivering a double heel kick to the face knocking its head clean off.

“Sixteen,” the hero pulled himself up as the detached droid head rolled to his feet.

Suddenly, his ears perked back up as another Shadow Droid charged towards him with a pair of dual blades. In response the cat began to dribble the head between his feet. Once the target arrived Chat Noir punted the head with all his might. It flew through the android’s chest leading the blades to clatter from its hands, before toppling over.

“GOAL!” he raised his hands in victory. “Seventeen!”

Glad I watched all those football videos Nino sent me. The cat thought. Or that wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying.

He scanned his surroundings, only finding on the ground around him were the fallen droids. The hero could’ve sworn there was more clamoring for his ring. Seventeen out of fifty-five wasn’t even close to a ing grade. But being surrounded by nothing but scattered android parts made him realize the direction of the fight had shifted.

And it appeared Ladybug was the root cause.

Who was still fighting her own obstacles. A barrage of razor discs flew towards the heroine. She ducked and dodged majorly of the projectiles while using her staff with the rest. Unlike him, instead of deflecting the discs the bug instead caught them with her staff. Letting the razor discs impale the weapon before swinging it forward releasing the discs at their feet to keep the androids at bay. Although there were still a few who leapt over the projectiles. Two enforcers swiped at the bug with swords leading her to stagger back.

Ladybug delivered a swift kick into one’s back before pivoting to another one striking them in the chest. All three weapons collided with each other as all of them tried to strike simultaneously. She pulled the staff from the pile to deflect from an oncoming android’s blade. Meanwhile the other one kept advancing, swiping and swinging until the staff was smacked out of her hands.

Concern formed on the heroine’s face while the enforcers cornered her, swords rose. When the machines swiped, she ducked and swept her leg across, knocking them both off balance. The Shadow Droids’ heads were slammed hard into the pavement by her, cracking the back of their heads.

The heroine stood up. Her eyes started to search their surroundings for her staff eventually spotting it. She ran towards it until being blocked by another enforcer who jumped right in front of the bug. The bug narrowed her eyes, lunging at the barricade. Ladybug dodged the swipes of the enforcer’s wooden staff.

She struck low, kicking her opponent’s ankle bringing it to knees and did a front heel kick to the face. While the Shadow Droid was stunned she rolled forward grabbing her staff whacking the android’s head clean off as a finishing move.

Chat Noir ran across the grounds realizing all the action now was with his partner. He wrapped the yoyo around his waist for safe keeping. A Shadow Droid carrying dual blades lunged at Ladybug wanting to be her next challenger. The bug raised her staff as the machine advanced. She deflected the blades a couple times only to receive a swift kick to the ribs. The heroine reeled back, istering several strikes. The droid crossed its swords obstructing Ladybug from going any farther. But she pushed through, breaking through the barrier.

She whacked the machine’s left shoulder loosening its socket. When the enforcer moved its arm its movements were now sloppy, losing all the precision. Ladybug grinned, effortlessly avoiding each slash. His partner lowered her weapon before extending it, hitting the machine’s back leg t impaling it. The opponent fell backwards, finished by the heroine jabbing it through the chest pulling out the red and blue wiring.

As the android fell, the heroine slumped over seeking a moment of respite. This opened a moment of vulnerability the enemy quickly pursued. Two Shadow Droids ambushed her from behind, one using their staff to whack the bug in the back causing her to topple. The staff clattered out of the bug’s hands. It happened so fast Chat Noir couldn’t tell what was happening until it was too late. The droids loomed over the heroine as they pulled her up by the wrist.

Forcing Ladybug back onto her feet. She tried to move until the second droid hovered its sword over her neck.

The hero quickened his pace. Meanwhile Shadow Droid reached over its sword towards Ladybug’s ears. Chat Noir charged, using all his momentum to leap at the droids performing a corkscrew kick. While midair his foot knocked one droid down using brunt sweeping motion with the other causing them to release Ladybug.

Her body slammed against the pavement. That was not his only victory as one droid fell back from the impact snapping off its own head, adding to his ever growing total.

“Hey are you alright?” the cat ran towards her after landing. “Can you stand or-“

The hero felt a sharp blow from the back of his head. He stumbled forward, any previous thoughts scrambled while vision momentarily blurred. His ears perked up, being alerted of approaching footsteps ripped him out of the fog. Chat Noir caught the staff flicking it forward over his shoulder, taking the droid holding the weapon along with it. The android’s body crashed into the ground. Before shoddily trying to stand up and received a kick in the chest causing the droid’s entire torso to topple over. He noticed the staff inches away from him, leading him to pick it up.

“Uhh,” the bug groaned, causing the hero to turn around.

Ladybug started to pull herself up leading to Chat Noir coming over extending hand.

She smiled taking the offer while being brought to her feet. “Thanks, Chat.”

“It’s no problem,” the cat smiled, handing over the staff. “It’s not like you wouldn’t do the same.”

“Are you okay?” Ladybug questioned. “I thought I saw you get hit in the head.”

“It happened but I’m fine. Funny enough I was always told to stop being so hard headed when I was younger. But I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t listen.“

“Good,” she let out a sigh of relief. “Look, I know we’re supposed to be competitors right now. But I still care about you.”

“I feel the same way. I’ll always have your back.”

“But since we’re on the topic. I’m curious what your total is so far?”

“Well it was seventeen. But if we are counting the two I just took down. It’s actually nineteen. What about you?”

Ladybug’s expression showed signs of disappointment. “Sixteen. So technically you’re ahead, for now.”

“Really? Well it’s only by a smidge,” Chat Noir flashed a cheeky grin. “But if this keeps up I suggest that you start getting your money right. Since I’m definitely working up an appetite. But when this is over if you want I’m willing to share a spoonful of my sundae. Assuming you like rocky road ice cream.”

“Wow, a spoonful?” the bug rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you so kind?”

“What can I say? I’m a cat with a heart of gold,” he winked.

“I can tell you are enjoying this. But the game isn’t over yet, Chat. There’s bound to be more droids left that’s going to do more than just even the score.”

“I’m sure you’re right. If my total is nineteen and yours is sixteen. That means there should be…around twenty droids left. So whoever is able to take out the most then the other should win.”

“Wow, you’re pretty quick keeping track of this.”

“Well, my parents always insisted those extra math tutoring sessions when I was younger would eventually pay off. Although I really doubt this was what-“

Suddenly a razor disc flew between them, cutting off his sentence. A faction of Shadow Droids emerged into their view, matching towards them.

Quickly, the heroes shifted from their causal attitudes into fight mode. Standing back to back, brandishing their weapons.

“Looks like this is now round three,” Ladybug acknowledged.

“Seems like it,” Chat Noir agreed. “Which side are you taking, left or right?”

After seconds of consideration, she answered. “Right.”

He nodded. “So I’ll take left.”

A barrage of razor discs flew towards as the droids approached. Ladybug spun her staff using the weapon to catch the disc and threw them back at the droid’s feet. While weaving through the ones she easily couldn’t deflect. After eventually fighting her way the barrage only to be ambushed by a droid with a wooden staff.

The heroine went on the offensive maneuvering her staff back and forth with the machine using its staff as a barrier between them. That didn’t stop her. Between her fingers the staff was twirled before launching into the bug’s next move.

She brought the staff down only to be blocked by the enforcer’s wrist. The heroine recovered, smacking the metal staff in the side of the droid’s torso, knee cap, and collarbone causing her opponent to crumble. Once its back was turned Ladybug pierced the machine in the right back yanking the wire right out of it, leaving it as a destroyed husk.

“Seventeen!” the heroine used the staff as a pole vault to pounce onto another droid, clearly playing the game of catch up.

Not that discouraged the hero who was keeping the same momentum as before. He had spun the yoyo into an all encoming shield blocking all the razor discs that came his way letting the projectiles drop to his feet. Three droids advanced, only for Chat Noir to bat them away like pesky flies delivering swift jolts, knocking the trio out of his way.

The cat flung the yoyo at the next approaching droid, binding it by the shoulders and pulled it forward to receive a roundhouse kick delivering all his weight into a single strike crushing the machine’s head. “Twenty.”

Although they were still competitors the two heroes had fallen into old habits with the next couple droids. Leaping and switching over each other while delivering blows. Eventually going back and forth with announcing their increasing totals.

“Twenty!” Ladybug declared as three droids collapsed after being impaled by the heroine through their chest.

“Twenty one!” Chat Noir’s called out as an android’s head rolled off its shoulders.

“Twenty two!”

“Twenty three!”

“Twenty four!”

“Twenty five!”

“Twenty six!

The cat pulled wire from the destroyed android remains at his feet. “Twenty Seven!”

Ladybug sauntered over dragging an headless droid by the ankle. “Twenty Seven.”

The heroes exchanged confused glances at each other’s remarks.

“Wait, did you just say twenty seven?” the bug dropped the droid’s leg.

“Yes, so did you,” the hero confirmed.

“So what is this? A tie? But I thought there were fifty-five droids. Is it possible that you miscounted?”

“Me? Make a mistake that’s impossible,” he waved her off.

His partner shot him an all knowing look. “Do you really want my response to that?”

“Alright…maybe it’s not that impossible. But my math was right. I just know it.”

“Well where’s the last droid? The last time I checked twenty seven times two was fifty four. So right now it’s a tie.”

Chat Noir’s eyes wondered, there appeared to be not a single standing droid on the grounds. Instead it was cluttered with broken mechanical parts and torn wires becoming a machine graveyard. All a sudden his ears twitched, now hearing thunderous footsteps above. The cat’s eyes darted upwards noticing a Shadow Droid standing on the roof of Hôtel de Ville.

A automaton walked toward one of the building’s stone columns. Sticking out of the side of one of the columns was a sword.

Instantly, he recognized it as the sword he had tossed earlier.

The bug must’ve followed his eyes as she wondered out loud. “Now what is that doing up there?”

“Well…” the cat trailed off, realizing it was his actions that brought it up there. “Looks to me that’s our final round. Race ya?”

End Of Part 1.

Thanks for Reading. :blush:

Looks like this battle is not over. Who will win? Will Chat Noir be our true victor or does Ladybug got a trick up her sleeve? Or is there something else more insidious lurking in the background? Find out in part 2 of A Friendly Game.

The song for this week is “It’s Mine” by The Mystery Skulls. It seems to be fitting considering the subject matter.

Author Note :pencil: : Hey everyone, it’s been a while. For those who followed me before probably wondering what happened. Well without getting too into my personal life after my last story related post “Among The Stars”. I had many significant changes in my life that made me not have the time to do much writing on a regular basis. But in the recent months my schedule has opened up again where I have more time dedicated to writing and posting. So my posting schedule will be more consistent. There won’t be another large gap like this.

I hope you like this story. I kinda wanted to do a classic back to basics story for my return. Kinda like season 1. Don’t get me wrong, I love the other heroes. I do have plans for the other characters. (Stay tuned Honeybee fans.) But it’s kinda nice to have some platonic Ladynoir antics in this story. I always loved writing them. They’re fun. Especially when this chapter had them competing.

If you want more stories like this check out the linked favorites below.

If you made it this far, I really appreciate it.

See you next time. :wave:

#miraculousau