Me-Ouch [Open]

Adrien slowly opened his eyes as he felt the cold stone against his cheek. Man, that much have been some hit to knock him out this good. Sure, he had been put down a hand full of times, but never like this. The people possessed by Akumas hadn't packed a punch like that ... ever. Or, maybe he just blocked out if they had since he didn't like remembering that he had been so easily put out of commission, even if only for a few minutes.

He looked at the building nearest him through the green haze of his mask and realized that he was still Cat Noir. That meant that his ring was still in place and Plagg still had power left. Weird, had he been properly knocked out, Hawkmoth would surely have demanded that his Miraculous be taken. So why did he still have it? He pushed himself up until he was on all fours, blond hair hanging in front of his eyes. Ladybug? He called, expecting to hear her voice, most likely mocking him.

There was no answer and his stomach dropped. Suddenly any thought of how injured he was or how badly he felt left his mind. The black clad teen hopped to his feet and spun on the spot, looking for his partner. Bug! No, he had lost his partner, the love of his life. As if that weren't bad enough the buildings he was looking at looked nothing like Paris. This was not his city. What did Hawkmoth do? They've gone through some weird stuff -- time travel, fake Egyptian gods trying to resurrect someone -- but to completely transport him somewhere else?

This totally didn't make sense especially since his enemy wanted something from him. Why send him, and the desired item, away before making your grand move to win? Okay, LB, you got me. You can come out now. This isn't funny, He said to the deserted street, really hoping that Ladybug would pop out on a roof or around a corner to prove that this was some weird elaborate joke and he wasn't lost somewhere ... alone.

It's been about 3 weeks since Yusuke arrived in this hellhole he was forced to call his new home. Sure traveling to other worlds was somewhat fun and besting baddies made it all the better. This particular world Yusuke had to admit had some charm with the endless sunset on the horizon. As Yusuke paced around with some ice cream in hand he saw something that was rather stunning, A boy in a cat costume. Yusuke at first glared at the kid knowing this poor sod had just 'Arrived' here and could very well be lost like Yusuke was not to long ago. 

Yusuke casually paced over the boy noticing him call out someone, most likely a friend of his of which made Yusuke cringe at the thought that the poor kid lost his world. Yusuke knew his world was long gone, well part of it at least since the spirit world was practically untouched by the heartless. Still though how to break it to the kid? Maybe some ice cream might cheer the kid up after Yusuke tells him the sad truth. 

"Hey Kid! Yeah you in the cat suit! Would you like to know what happened?"

Yusuke could tell the kid was in panic or close to it.

"First off my name is Yusuke and basically you are a 'Survivor' of your entire 'World'. There might be others but when you 'Arrived' here like so many others including myself that's a sign you were lucky enough to 'Survive' the destruction of your world."

How was the kid going to take it? 

"I can say though they aren't dead and restoring your world is not impossible. Though the road taken to restore everything back to normal is a difficult one. If this is too much for you to take in i have some ice cream that might help ease the pain, It's a local favorite here in Twilight Town called Sea Salt Ice Cream. If not then forget i said anything."

Sure Yusuke was a bit harsh with the kid but he would have to know sooner or later right?

"Look I know this all sounds crazy and I hate making speeches so just believe what you wish to, besides i'm bored and there hasn't been anyone to talk to in a week. You arriving here gives me no reason to lie about this no matter how crazy it sounds."

Slowly Cat Noir stopped looking just for Ladybug. He was taking in the buildings trying to discern if maybe he did know this place from a very long time ago. When he had been a small child, there had been times when Nathalie had to be a bit more than just a nanny, taking care of little Adrien at home. She had to be a proper assistant to his father and he would wake up in strange places since he couldn't be left unattended at that age.

But even that didn't provide answers. He had no memory of this place and he started to walk slowly forward. He needed a clue as to what happened so he could figure out how to get back home. Paris and Ladybug needed him. His boots scuffed quietly across the stone street as he started forward. Actually this was no way to search for anything. Not unless it was very specific and he knew what to look for. The feline hero needed a better vantage point.

As Adrien's hand drifted to his back to grab his baton, someone approached. He stared at the dark haired man, brow furrowed in confusion and a little bit of alarm. He took a half step back, fingers wrapped around his baton just in case. However, honestly, this guy just sounded insane. He was a survivor? His world had been destroyed? That was the big explanation that some random guy decided just to spout off? He might be in high school but this cat was a little smarter than just believing what a stranger told him. There was no reason for him to believe this guy. Hawkmoth was plenty capable of some weird stuff so surely that was his actual solution.

Cat Noir grinned at the older man and glanced at the offered ice cream. Listen, I'm sure I should be properly terrified with, but it sounds more like there's too much rum in your rum raisin, The blond said, pointing at the treat in Yusuke's hand. He put his hands on his hips as he continued. I just happen to be in the business of helping people so why don't I help you back to where you're staying. Rather than completely shatter what Yusuke seemed to believe, Noir chose not to use the word home. If Yusuke thought himself a survivor of some terrible calamity, then he wouldn't have a home, he would just be crashing somewhere.

He was feeling a little calmer with something other than his own troubled situation to focus on. It was good to help someone else out, even someone that only needed to be led back home, just to get his mind clear. He would talk to Plagg about all this once he was done here. Speaking of, Adrien checked his ring with a bare glance down at his hand. All pads still lit so he had at least a little more time before he had to worry about needing to run off.

Yusuke knew taking he direct approach would make him sound like a total idiot but wow was Yusuke right about this kid when he first saw him, doubtful and not wanting to believe what he said.
"Yeah I should have known saying all the crap was going to make me sound like a total dumbass. Honestly you are right it does sound crazy and I shouldn't have even bothered telling you it."

Yusuke took a bite of his treat as it started to melt.

"There is only two facts you need to keep in mind anyways. This place you are currently in is called Twilight Town, and there are dangerous creatures called Heartless roaming around the shady places or appear randomly, otherwise forget the rest of what I said." 

Yusuke threw out the bar meant for the kid into the trash knowing it was not going to be eaten.

"Also if you are trying to help people I suggest you check out that bulletin board over there. People all over the town post want ads for different jobs for the taker to do, It's also a decent way to earn money should you need it." 

Yusuke walked over to the board casually as if not caring if the kid followed or not whilst still eating his treat.

Cat Noir let his jaw fall open a little. This guy was really something else. He had never known someone to be so hot and cold, but mostly cold. Yusuke was distant, blunt, and very unpleasant. However, it seemed like he genuinely believed what he was saying and just wanted to offer the information. It would be better if the shared information actually held weight and didn't sound like some crazy guy just going on about some end of the world nonsense.

Stunned to silence, the teen watched the man toss the ice cream and then walk toward the wall holding a bulletin board. Well, that board was somewhat on the useless side for him since he didn't really need to do any odd jobs for strangers. It would be a fine activity to just pass the time, but he hardly needed the money. His father had plenty so Adrien wouldn't be wanting for much. Plus, he earned his own by being a model for his father's line which meant that he was very well off.

The blond was just about to turn and leave the guy to his ... whatever he was doing when a thought struck him. Yusuke had happened across him at random. There could be quite the coincidence and he ran across his partner. Hey, I'd hate to bug you, but you haven't seen a girl dressed as a ladybug, have ya? He asked, taking a few steps toward the dark haired male. It was a long shot since he had no idea where this "Twilight Town" was, if that was even where they were, but it was worth the asking. He wouldn't let it make him lose hope even if he hadn't seen her. It would just make his search that much more important.

"Too be perfectly honest kid I have not seen a girl dressed like a ladybug recently. Look kid I may sound crazy with all this crap i'm spewing but at least try to take in the name of the town. It is in fact the name of it even though it sounds rather stupid. As for your ladybug friend i didn't see her, sorry I wish i could help." 

Yusuke paced back to the kid slowly.

"I'd like to take a guess you and your ladybug friend are superheroes of some kind, am I right?"

Yusuke rubbed the back of his head as he remembered something.

"I was told that giving up on something just because you can doesn't mean you should. I was practically forced into believing that from my martial arts teacher. So yeah kid don't lose hope in finding your friend no matter how tough it gets!" 

Yusuke said martial arts teacher but in reality it was Genkai the one who taught him to master his spirit energy.

"If it's any consolation kid maybe I could help with some of your superhero duties."

Cat Noir let his shoulders slump as the man said he hadn't seen Ladybug. That was so not the answer he wanted, but it was the one he expected. His focus started to drift away imagining what kind of terrible things must be happening without him. He might only be used for distractions half the time, but she needed him. It was important that he got back to his bug. More importantly than just the fact that he was sometimes useful in a fight, he loved her. He wanted to know she was safe.

He gave the slightest affirmative noise that yes he was a superhero. Really, it was Plagg that made him a hero. He was just a kid pushed into modeling his father's fashion line. That was hardly anything interesting or heroic. It was boring, lonely, and he didn't want to do it more often than not. Still, it kept him occupied and made him almost forget that his father was never around. That wasn't the point though.

Actually, with his thoughts on Plagg, the blond glanced at his hand once more to check his ring. Crap, a pad had gone out. The sprite was getting tired and he wouldn't be able to maintain this for much longer. Thanks, Yusuke, but I really need Ladybug. We're a team and she'll be missing me if I don't find her soon, He said was a wave of his hand and a smile. Adrien really wasn't all that sure that Ladybug would miss him, but his over confidence as Cat Noir wouldn't let him admit that. He was allowed to play things up as much as he liked with the mask on so he would leave that be.

He cleared his throat and gave a small shrug. I should probably go look for her. The trouble she gets into without me around. He started to turn away, still unsure of where he was, Twilight Town or some random place in Paris he had never been. He stared at the buildings a moment, wondering which would be the best way to head.

It wasn't too long after Yusuke and Cat Noir headed their separate ways did things really go to shit rather quickly. A single neo shadow heartless crept up on Cat Noir as he took his leave from Yusuke. The creature would lunge out towards the unaware teen once it got close enough. 

Yusuke who had an eye turned to see how the kid was doing quickly noticed the neo-shadow and blasted it with his spirit gun as it was lunging toward Cat Noir. "Spirit Gun!" Yusuke shouted as the heartless vanished into darkness from the blast. If Cat Noir turned around to see the shadow it would have been turned to dust like particles on the ground and Yusuke having a gun like finger position pointed toward Noir's back and then putting it down. 

"That was a close one kid! Luckily that Heartless didn't get you! But from my experience Heartless always hunt in packs so be on the lookout for more."

Almost as if fate was trying to mock Yusuke 12 Shadow type Heartless surrounded the two as they appeared from the ground.

"Well this blows! I was hoping for more of a challenge than this!"

Yusuke then looked over to the stunned Cat Noir. 

"Okay Super Cat Kid or whatever let's hope that costume isn't just for show!" Yusuke said as he took a fighting stance readying himself for the battle with the heartless.

With a small sigh, Cat Noir started forward, heading toward an alley way that looked deserted enough. He didn't want to be visible when Plagg's power ran out and he returned to his typical teen look. He hadn't gotten very far when Yusuke shouted behind him. The feline boy jumped and he turned around, hands out and claws ready. His eyes darted around, looking for anything to attack other than Yusuke since he had seemed more like a harmless loon more than someone that would attack him. It took a moment for him to realize that there was a dissipating shadow right in front of him.

Okay then. That was ... different. Slowly, his hand dropped and and grabbed his baton from his lower back. What are these Heartless things? He asked, as he waited for something to happen. It barely took a minute for more shadows to appear and turn into little bug thingys. Adrien's eyes widened behind his mask in shock. Those are not Akumas, He murmured, more to himself than the other male. He fell into a fighting stance as they were surrounded. Really, what were these things?

He paused as Yusuke gave him a terrible name. Well, his real one wasn't really all that better but it certainly sounded better than "Super Cat Kid." You have got to be kitten me. That's pawful! It's Cat Noir, He replied, unable to help himself to those puns. He smirked as he whipped the baton around, letting it extend a couple of feet so it knocked the nearest Heartless back. He gave a quick jump to land behind him at swiped out with his own clawed hand. Sadly, he missed as the nasty little bug creatures sank into the ground to escape hi attack. That was so not normal! What's the trick to beating these things if they can do that? He squawked in disbelief. At least his villains stayed easily attack-able and had something to take so they could be defeated.

Normally being surrounded like this would have been bad for the young spirit detective but knowing his battle experiences Yusuke wasn't one to give up so easily just because of a few shadow like creatures. So the kid did have a name for his superhero persona, Cat Noir huh? At least it was better than Super Cat Kid.

The Heartless seemed to attack more towards Cat Noir then they did Yusuke as if they knew by instinct that Yusuke could easily overwhelm them and went for the weaker target. Yusuke could see this though as Yusuke sped toward the ones that tried to jump Cat Noir from behind and walloped them with a few well placed spirit punches with his fist covered in spirit energy as they turned to black dust from the hit. 

"These things don't think like we do, they act on instinct. So take advantage of that as best you can!" 

That was Three of them down after his last attack but it seemed the heartless were preparing a counterattack. That means Nine of them were left and were about to attack again.

"This situation is just Purrfect isn't it?"

Yusuke cracked a pun as he retook his stance and waited for their next move.

The blond hero frowned at Yusuke. That was terribly unhelpful. Okay, maybe it wasn't one hundred percent unhelpful, but it still didn't answer his question. Whatever, he would figure it out on his own. He a small growl he shifted back to a ready stance as the Heartless seemed to back off for a moment. He was hardly one to wait though. He was impulsive as Cat Noir and he wasn't going to sit on his haunches when evil clearly needed to be taken care of. The only problem was that he didn't know if this was similar to an Akuma attack, nor could he cleanse them if it were. Oh, Ladybug. Where are you?

Cat lunged forward, jumping high over the Shadows to land behind the small grouping. He crouched, boots scuffing against the stones as he pushed forward, claws out and ready to slices through the small creatures. He caught two, turning them into what he could only call smoke and actual shadow. That was weird. He grimaced at the reaction he got for his efforts but pressed on. One more fell prey to his claws which seemed a lot more effective than his baton. Great, close combat it was.

He was about to try for more when they sank into the ground, choosing a new space to occupy and attack from. Watch out, they're coming your way, He called to the dark haired man, pointing to the ground and the black shapes scuttling along "under" it. Ugh, this was so weird. Adrien really hoped Plagg would have some answers once he was full of camembert.