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In The Shadows

Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction (Lukanette Endgame)

Chapters

Prelude | Chp 1 | Chp 2 | Chp 3 | Chp 4 | Chp 5 | Chp 6 | Chp 7 | Chp 8 | Chp 9 | Chp 10 | Chp 11 | Chp 12 | Chp 13 | Chp 14 | Chp 15 | Chp 16 | Chp 17 | Chp 18 | Chp 19 | Epilogue | Worlds Not Our Own | Timeline

Chapter Thirteen: The Guardians (AO3 Link)

Chapter Snapshot

Jade Turtle smiled at her under the weight of his cracking shield, masked eyes still showing all the love, all the admiration, that she knew Master Fu felt for her. "Ladybug, you are the best Miraculous holder I've ever met." The amok rained itself down upon him, cracking his shield further. "You made mistakes, but who hasn't? What matters is how to fix them. And you always, always miraculously knew how to fix everything, right?"

Something was wrong with Chat Noir, and whatever it was, he wasn't sharing. One of his more frustrating quirks was that when he was upset about something Ladybug had done, he would make passive-aggressive remarks that made it obvious to her that she should know what she did or didn't do. Of course, she never knew what she did wrong, or she did but didn't want to talk about it right now, especially when right now was so often in the middle of an Akuma fight. Or just, you know, inconvenient. This time, it had been both.

Ladybug dropped the Turtle and Fox Miraculous back into her yo-yo with a stifled sigh, trying to pretend that neither Nino nor Alya knew they'd been fighting. The two gave each other looks, and she knew she hadn't been successful.

"So, dude, I know it's not our place," Nino ventured cautiously, "but is everything…okay with you and Chat Noir?"

Ladybug gave her widest hero smile. "Of course! Just fine! I should go, though. Purple Tigress is waiting for me--you know how it goes!" Alya opened her mouth to say something, but Ladybug zip-lined away before she got the chance. She had enough of Alya in her brain from this morning; there was zero room for extra Alya insight.

So, Adrien may or may not like her--what did that have to do with anything, really? Marinette had given up on that crush when she'd dedicated herself to being Ladybug, hadn't she? And now there was Luka--amazing, wonderful, supremely hot Luka, who made her weak in the knees and kissed her like she was the only thing that mattered. She wanted her brain to get the memo her heart already knew, because it was exhausting trying to referee the battle between them. In the meantime, she was still having a Little Miss Menty B (Rose's favorite name for Marinette's frequent mental breakdowns) at the thought that Adrien could love her back.

All in all, Ladybug was desperate for a distraction. She paused on her route to Juleka and stuck a finger up to her communicator. "Chat Noir? You still out there?"

After three moments of decidedly pouty silence, the communicator crackled to life in her ear. "Maybe," he said.

Ladybug rolled her eyes. "You're hiding it very well, but I can tell you're upset," she started sarcastically, but concern worked its way in there somewhere. "Will you meet me in Place des Vosges in 30?"

Another few moments of silence. "Fine, I'll be there."

At that, Ladybug took the communicator out of her ear and put it back in the yo-yo. There. Distraction needed, distraction gotten. Chat Noir could talk her ear off later and everything with Adrien and Alya and Luka would be forgotten. No one could say that Ladybug didn't get results.

As promised, Chat was waiting for her in the park 30 minutes later. She saw him taking a picture with an attractive blond by the merry-go-round, cheesing like an idiot as the girl cooed all over him. Just typical. The girl noticed her before Chat Noir did, and her face lit up like a Christmas Tree. "Oh my god! It's Ladybug! Can I get your photo too?"

Ladybug forced another big hero smile on her face. "Of course!" Anything for the people.

The girl squealed and threw her arm around Ladybug, throwing up a peace sign by her face. She snapped a photo and clutched the phone to her chest with a manicured hand. "My sister is going to be soooo jealous. She has the biggest crush on you--it's like, almost pathetic."

"Oh, well, that's very flattering," she laughed, a blush forming despite herself. Now it was Chat Noir's turn to stare at her disapprovingly, arms crossed.

"Seriously, if you two ever break up, she would totally settle as your rebound. Oh, God, I've got to go--it was nice meeting you both!"

"We're not dati--! Oh, forget it," Ladybug gave up on her shout; the girl was already too far to hear her, anyway. She turned to Chat instead. "And don't you give me that look. You were all too pleased with yourself when you were the one getting hit on!"

He sniffed, crossing his arms. "I'm allowed to flirt! There's no rules against it. It's not like we're dating."

"You can flirt, but not in costume," Ladybug said, jamming a finger in his chest. "Do it as you, not as one of Paris's heroes. Or do you need the clout to get people interested?"

Her words lashed him with whip sharpness, and he recoiled, hurt in his eyes. "Is this what you wanted to talk about? Because I have other things I could be doing other than getting berated by you for no reason."

Ladybug sighed, at herself more than anyone else, and brought her palm to her forehead. "No, dammit, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean that. I'm just…a mess today. Can we go somewhere more private? We're attracting attention."

Chat seemed to accept her apology, although he didn't acknowledge it. His faux tail twitched rapidly, the only sign of his displeasure besides his frown. "You were the one that picked the meeting place."

Well, he got her there. She wasn't exactly thinking things through very well. He followed her, jumping with her to the roof of a storefront that circled the park. She could see Paradis des Cordes from here and wondered if Luka was working today, if he might be thinking about her. Then Chat plopped onto the roof's ledge, and she refocused, sitting next to him.

"Alright, I already let you have it, now it's your turn. What's wrong?" Ladybug asked.

He didn't launch into it immediately, but she could see him working through his thoughts with stormy green eyes. "Did you know the Agreste mansion was broken into last night?"

Ladybug's mouth flew open and stayed that way. "What?" God, had Adrien been home? Or Gabriel? Was anyone hurt? Shouldn't she have known this had happened?

While abject horror was the only thing she felt, Chat almost seemed to soften, although he still looked at her suspiciously. "You really didn't know?"

It wasn't accusatory, but it felt like it. She should have known, right? Ladybug brought a finger up to her mouth reflexively to bite a nail, throwing it back down with a frustrated whine when she remembered she was suited up. "Why would you think I would?" Aside, of course, from the fact she was very invested in the people that lived there; but it's not like Chat Noir would know that. Or should know that.

"I ran into Adrien's cousin. You remember him, right? Félix?"

Ladybug frowned. God knows she'd never be able to forget him as much as she'd like to. But she was Ladybug, and the only thing Ladybug knew about Félix was that the akumatized Gabriel targeted him and that she and Chat Noir had to save him several months ago. "Yes, I remember," she said.

"Well, he told me Viperion was the one who broke in--"

Anger burst through her with lightning swiftness, crackling through her all the way down to her fingertips. "He what? But he told me, I mean--did anyone get hurt? And why did Félix tell you about it?" Dammit, she never should have told Viperion that Gabriel had the stupid book; of course she couldn't trust him with that! Ladybug had expected he was planning something, but so soon? Had he just run over the second they'd left for the night?

Chat wasn't interested in answering any of her questions. "So, you did or didn't have something to do with it?"

She let out a strangled, angry scream. "Agh, I mean, we were talking, and he got all serious about this book that's supposed to have a fix for the Mouse Miraculous--" Ladybug stopped, realizing she never told Chat Noir that while Viperion had Mullo's Miraculous, it was broken. Then there was the fact that Ladybug didn't know that Gabriel had the Miraculous Spellbook--only Marinette did, and suddenly her head hurt with a thousand different thoughts, and trying to sort them into "Ladybug" versus "Marinette" buckets was impossible. "I guess, he must've--must've gotten this idea Gabriel Agreste had it," she finished lamely, unsure what else to say.

Chat Noir's lips were pressed into a thin line. "You're keeping things from me. Why? What are you and Viperion planning? Didn't you hate him?"

Oh, she definitely hated him, especially right now. "I do, and we're not planning anything, clearly! He went off and did stupid things all on his own, thank you very much!"

Chat Noir stood, tail swishing in arcs behind him. "Ever since you became the Guardian, you've been like this, like you can't talk to me about things, or like we aren't partners! I'm not just one of your lackeys," he spat. "This isn't how it's supposed to be!"

"Well, I don't know how it's supposed to be!" Ladybug shouted back, standing to come eye to eye with him, although she was at least a head shorter than he was. "I don't know half the things he does, and I'm supposed to be the one with all the answers! Everyone expects me to have the solution, or to know what to do, but I don't always make the right calls because I'm human, and I--I'm tired, and I don't know anything!" Her eyes burned, and she forced the tears back because she didn't want to cry right now. It was all true, though. If there were tests involved in being a Guardian (which apparently there were, and she hadn't even known it), she would have undoubtedly failed them.

"You don't need to know everything," Chat Noir said, voice softening. "You're not perfect, but you're doing everything you can. I just--" Chat Noir paused, tightening his hands into fists.

It was true that she wasn't perfect. Master Fu hadn't been perfect, either, and he had tried his best and had been there to at least give her guidance. But she didn't want to be just like Fu. She wanted to be the best Ladybug, the best Guardian, because that's part of who she was, always giving 110 percent. And it wasn't like being the Guardian was like a roller-skating race or a push-up competition; real stakes were involved.

The truth was, Viperion was the closest thing she had right now to another Guardian. Going off on his own made it clear he didn't think she was making the right decisions, and it stung. Ladybug didn't want his approval because she was a people pleaser; she wanted his approval because she needed it. He was the only one who could tell her that she was doing a good job because he was the only one who understood what her job even was. Not even Chat, who was staring at her like she'd sliced his heart in half, knew the pressure she was under.

"When you became the Guardian, I was scared because I felt like things were changing. And I was right. You don't rely on me like you used to."

Ladybug stood there, waiting for her brain to give her something to say, anything--Chat was right, but for the wrong reason. She could never rely on him for these sorts of things, even if she had wanted to. Master Fu didn't count on Chat Noir like he did with her. They never told him about the Spellbook. Master Fu didn't even reveal himself to Chat Noir until she couldn't take it anymore and had asked him to. Ladybug was always meant to be the Guardian, even though she hadn't known it, and Fu had treated them with that distinction in mind. Now that difference was swallowing them whole.

"It's not… it's not that I can't rely on you at all. I--I need you, Chat Noir--" She needed someone else. Someone who also bore the weight of having a secret identity, who had to deal with running out on your family or your friends and having them get upset at you for it. When she looked at Chat Noir, she knew there was someone else in Paris who that night would be sitting in bed talking to their Kwami, who couldn't tell anyone else the truth. If she didn't have someone else, the loneliness and bitterness would have eaten her alive. Ladybug and Marinette needed to know there was someone else out there who was struggling just like her.

But he would never struggle like a Guardian. The look in his eyes told her he knew it--that he was measuring the distance between them but knew the gap was too great to cross, even when they were centimeters apart.

Chat Noir shook his head slowly. "You don't need me like I need you, Ladybug."

Her throat swelled, and those traitorous tears threatened to spill--because the way he'd said it, it sounded like goodbye. Where she was going, where she was at, he couldn't follow. Chat Noir turned from her, back tense as if he were waiting for her to call him back before he finally jumped away. She watched him until he was a long shape with cat ears, then a black dot against the Parisian skyline.

"Dammit," she whined, voice thick and burning in her throat. It was all wrong, all of it was wrong, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Except she didn't, did she? She hadn't known the answers then, and she'd asked him--and she felt like she was still asking, "But what should I do, Master?" Ladybug didn't always have the answers. She didn't always know how to fix things. And it was funny, wasn't it, that he'd told her she was the best Miraculous holder he'd ever met, but hadn't she been the first since he had the box? Or had he meant that between the two of them, between her and Fu, she was his better? Was he including Chat Noir and her friends? The Ladybug Miraculous gave her incredible power, gave her the ability to do amazing things, but take it away and what was left? One gut-wrenching, horrific sob escaped her throat, and she shoved it back down and ran, ran on her superpowered legs with her superhuman strength and she kept running. Ladybug didn't know where she was going; she didn't have to. When life hurt, she went inwards, to the center, to the core.

The Eiffel Tower loomed over Paris, its peaceful steel protector, with hundreds of lights that watched over the city day and night. Ladybug took a running jump off a rooftop to a streetlight, then threw her yo-yo and caught one of the tower's sturdy legs. She made her way up it like a spider, knowing each and every one of its web-like lattice beams. She vaulted over the viewing fence on the second highest platform, turning to the city below.

Everything glittered, even in the sunlight. In her mind's eye, she saw it submerged in water, the shine of it unbearably bright--Chat Blanc, standing before her with the power to destroy whatever was left. Was she always destined to disappoint him? Were they always meant to be this way, creation and destruction locked in a never-ending struggle, a balancing act the two of them danced with clumsy left feet? Drawn to the other but repulsed, pushing and pulling, fighting and fixing and never quite able to relax, because the second they relaxed, the world suffered and collapsed in on itself. If someone else had been chosen as Chat Noir, would it be like this? Was this because they were Ladybug and Chat Noir, or was it because it was Him and Marinette?

The wind carried plaintive notes, soft and lonely and lost, disappearing before they could ever hope to reach the city below it. It was a beautiful sound, hauntingly bittersweet as the music weaved between the howling of the wind and the steel beams of the tower. Was this Paris's song, a city's emotions caught under siege by a man who wanted to destroy the world, or was it her song, that of her heart tangled in two strains? Ladybug realized that while she'd been caught in the sound, her brain hadn't fully registered that the soft string notes were real and coming from somewhere close.

Ladybug moved silently around the platform, following the sound of the harmonic notes. Viperion sat with his back against the steel, facing the city below. She watched him for a moment, realizing she'd never seen him in the sun. The blue in his hair shined teal when the light hit it, and the scales on his outfit gleamed like a dull, gray pearl. His fingers moved trancelike over the strings as if they were fulfilling their one purpose in life, and this was it. Blue eyes ambled over the instrument like river water, his mouth relaxed and lips soft.

"I'm really pissed at you, you know."

Viperion's fingers stilled over the lyre, notes quickly hushed as he looked up, guilty as a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. "Sorry. I heard you come up, but you didn't notice I was here and I wasn't sure how to announce myself."

Funny how she never found Viperion when she was looking for him--it was always when her guard was down that he showed up and struck her like a snake in the grass. She pressed her lips into a thin line, crossing her arms. "Why did you lie to me?"

He didn't need any help figuring out why she was mad at him. He knew exactly what she was talking about. "Because I'm an ass."

"Oh, well, at least you're self-aware," she snorted. "What happened to us being partners of the non-punchy variety? Because I gotta be honest, I feel like punching you right now."

"That's fair. I'm sorry I lied to you--I shouldn't have. I wanted to see you, though, so I'm glad you found me." Viperion set his lyre down by his side. He stared up at her like he'd never told a lie in his life, face open and honest and, if she had to guess, a little scared.

Well, maybe he should be, she thought irritably. "I'm not really in a talking mood," she said, walking over to the railing and putting her back up against it, facing him. May as well hear him out, regardless. She didn't want to look in his eyes, so she settled for looking over his head.

She heard him shift. "I know," he said, and she wondered how. "We don't have to talk. I wanted to give you something."

He held out two books for her when she looked down at him. Ladybug leant forward to grab both, staring at the one on top, then shifting it to look at the Miraculous Spellbook beneath. "I don't get it," she said, staring at him with her eyebrows drawn down. "You don't trust me to leave the Spellbook with someone, so you steal it, and then you just…give it back?"

"I trust you. I didn't trust him, and I think that was for a good reason."

She wasn't sure she understood the distinction, but whatever. Ladybug flipped through the smaller book on top--it was written in the same code as the Spellbook. Great. She couldn't read either of them. Master Fu had left her notes in the locker of the effects he'd left her, but she wasn't a foreign languages champ. Maybe if she sat down and applied herself, she might make some progress, but it was hard when Fu wasn't fully trained either.

Viperion must have been reading her mind because he spoke up. "I can teach you how to read them. Whenever you want--uh, well, as long as I don't have work or something."

"'Or something'?" Ladybug asked dubiously. She could hardly imagine Viperion working a regular 9-5 with a 401k, much less doing everyday people things. It was like seeing your teacher outside of school--trying to imagine it was just weird. She had enough of that, especially after she'd spent a good chunk of her time chasing after her middle school principal, making sure he didn't break a hip trying to jump from tree to tree in a polyester costume. Chat Noir she could imagine running around like a hooligan, but she hardly knew enough about Viperion to make guesses about his personal life.

Viperion just shrugged, a smile tugging at his lips. "What? I have people."

She raised an eyebrow, curious despite herself. "You have people? Here, in Paris? And here I was feeling all special."

"Coming here was mostly about the Miraculous--but are you sure you want to talk about this? Aren't you all cagey about secret identities?"

Ugh, he had her there. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her. She decided against answering, flipping through the Spellbook with a pout on her face instead, trying to look distracted by the pictures. "So, did you find the cure for the Mouse Miraculous?"

Viperion sighed and sagged against the steel tower. "Yeah, bad news. Unless you're secretly loaded in your real life, it's going to take us a while to get those ingredients. I don't know anyone with a pot of molten gold and meteor dust hanging around on a shelf somewhere."

Ladybug's feet started to hurt, so she sat across from him, bracing her back on the rail. She tried to make sure their feet weren't touching, but it was kind of hard. "Juuust great," she said. No wonder he ended up a bounty hunter for cash when she met him--she probably wouldn't have enough money for those ingredients even in her 40s. Not like she was going to say that, though. Ladybug kept flipping through the book as if that would make the code make sense. She frowned when she got to the last filled page. "Hey--someone's written in here. I don't remember this page."

Viperion brought his hand up to rub his neck sheepishly. "Oh, yeah. That was me."

"First you steal my book, then you vandalize my book?"

He frowned. "I brought it back. And I didn't vandalize it--I was updating it."

Ladybug stared at the writing as if the strokes would turn into letters she could understand. At least he'd written in pencil. His penmanship was better than she would have thought--aside from the ink difference, she probably wouldn't have noticed the difference. "What's it say?"

Viperion was grabbing his lyre again, fingers itching for something to do, she guessed. He kept his eyes focused on the strings, fingers plying out notes as naturally as he might have breathed. "You know the Miraculous Spellbook holds a bunch of secrets about the Kwamis' powers--and they have all the past heroes recorded there as well?" He asked it, although it was a statement of fact. She nodded. "Well, I needed to record someone."

"Yourself?" she asked, trying not to laugh at the idea of Viperion sitting hunched over a coffee table in his maybe-living-room with a look of concentration on his face, writing about himself in a centuries-old book. He looked up at her with enough dismal intensity that she knew in a heartbeat she was wrong.

He paused and shook his head, then went back to playing. "A friend. I needed to make sure he was in it before I gave it back. I don't think most people would consider him a proper holder--he only transformed once, but--" his fingers stilled on the lyre. "He mattered," he said simply.

Ladybug looked down at the page, kind of wishing Viperion was a talented artist and had given her a face to go off. "This is different from your Master, right?" Unless there were two Snake holders in a row--or three, including him.

Viperion hummed in agreement, then continued with what he was saying earlier. "Each page has the basics. Their alias, their image, how long they were a holder. If they learned or did anything new with those powers, they note that too."

Ladybug flipped through the pages and imagined the faces of her friends someday gracing them. Hers. Chat Noirs--Alya, Nino, Juleka, Rose, Alix--oh, ew, that would mean Chloé would have to be added too, didn't it? And Hawk Moth and Mayura? Maybe they could all share a page away from the rest of them. Way far in the back. She flipped back to the page he'd written in. "You said this holder only transformed once, didn't you? You kind of wrote a lot." Then she asked, because she still wasn't quite sure, "What Miraculous did they use?"

"The Mouse." He answered that readily enough, but then he stopped again, looking for words when he wasn't sure where to go.

"This is long story material, isn't it?" she asked, closing the book.

He sighed. "Yeah. Moral of the story, if a Miraculous is broken and the Kwami is sick on top of it, it ends badly."

Ladybug could still remember her first (well, second) meeting with Master Fu, where she'd had to run Tikki over to him to get her healed. It had seemed so urgent, and Tikki was so insistent on not letting her transform. Was that why? "What happened to him?"

"He died."

Her foot slipped and bumped into his on accident. She probably should have expected this wasn't one of those happy long stories. Most of the time, they weren't. "Oh. I'm sorry."

"Me too," Viperion said, staring at his hands. Ladybug really wanted to move her foot away, but she would have felt awkward doing it now, so she left it. "And I'm sorry if I made you feel like you weren't doing a good job as a Guardian. It's not like I have a spotless record. The thing with Wes--that was one of them. If I hadn't put myself in a position where I needed saving, he wouldn't have felt like he needed to protect me. The truth is, it doesn't matter if you can read the super special code or go 24 hours without eating or drinking, because it's not always enough to save the people you care about."

Ladybug let out a sigh, turning her gaze to the sky. Her foot inched forward slightly when she relaxed, their calves lightly touching. She didn't care anymore. "I keep thinking that if I just knew enough, that if I kept pushing harder and harder, it would get easier. It doesn't, does it?"

"I wish it did," he said, setting down the lyre. "Being a Guardian isn't fun, and it's not easy. The novelty wears off fast. Being a Guardian is just… it's just this, in the end."

He didn't have to clarify what "this" was, not for her. It was this. The pushing and pulling, the fighting and fixing, and never quite being able to relax. It was dancing even when you didn't know the song. And speaking of which, it was probably high time she brought the conversation back to where she needed it to go. "So, now that we've done the thing where I start to think I can like you again," because that seemed to be the way with him--her being mad and him drawing her back in with apologies and sensibly placed logic, "are you going to tell me about your adventure in thievery?"

Viperion must have thought that was funny, but he didn't let her in on why, even if the smug smirk finally made its reappearance. "Yes, I can. That place was like a fortress, you weren't wrong about that. There was a pretty nasty security system, lots of cameras, too. Already suspicious, but rich people are like that."

"Familiar with this sort of thing, are you?" She asked drily.

"Not exactly, no--but it turns out I didn't have to be. Someone else was already pulling a heist of their own." Ladybug frowned. What were the chances two people were trying to steal from the Agreste home in one night? Then, of course, Viperion continued, and it all made sense. "When I got to Gabriel's office, his nephew was there. There was a hidden vault behind this huge portrait on the back wall. That's where I found the book, and where he found this--" Viperion dug into his inner jacket pocket, pulling out a brooch.

"Is that what I think it is?!" Ladybug asked, eagerly leaning over to take it from him when he held it out to her.

"Don't get too excited," he warned, "It's a fake."

"Agh, you're kidding! You know how to bury the lead." The beautiful peacock brooch suddenly lost a lot of its luster, even if it was still pretty.

"Félix, er, the nephew--"

Ladybug cut in, "I know who he is, just keep going."

"You really do know everybody, don't you?"

She shrugged. "Comes with the territory."

Viperion took that in stride, although the look on his face suggested there was no way he'd ever know that many people in his life. "Right, well, I asked Félix what he wanted with it, obviously. He said the last person who should have it was Gabriel."

"As opposed to him?" There was no one Ladybug could imagine that could cause more havoc with it than Félix.

Viperion smiled lopsidedly at her. "I asked him that too. Apparently, he wanted it back for his mother since it used to belong to his aunt. It's not like he was in it because he thought it was an average piece of jewelry. Once he knew it wasn't really a Miraculous, he gave it back. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

Ladybug rubbed her temples--because she did know. She knew precisely where Viperion was going with this, because hadn't she thought of it first? It had all lined up so clearly just a few months ago. A secretive man who never left his house--reclusive, intelligent, creative, emotional yet cold with his son…even the butterfly logo for his branding had lent itself to the idea. "It can't be him," she said.

"Why not?" Viperion pressed. "I mean, doesn't it make sense? I don't even know the guy and I could feel it all in that house--there's something going on there."

She sighed, "It's not that--it would make sense. I thought the same thing. But it can't be Gabriel; I've fought him as an Akuma victim before, twice! He can't be Hawk Moth and an akumatized victim at the same time."

Viperion sat back, brain working on the problem. "What if he used this? The real one?" He asked, holding up the fake Peacock Miraculous.

She stared at it for a few moments. It was possible. Gabriel could have used the Peacock Miraculous to make a copy of himself, akumatize it, and then have it go on a rampage for him…it would be all too easy. Didn't that make it all make sense? Why hadn't she thought of that? The first time Gabriel turned into The Collector, had they even known Hawk Moth had both the Peacock and Butterfly Miraculouses? She could remember being back in Fu's Parlor, asking if it was possible to be akumatized and still be Hawk Moth... What had Master Fu said about that? And why couldn't she remember?

Ladybug stopped rubbing her temples, eyes wide as she stared at the steel beneath her. "Shit," she muttered, because she remembered exactly what had happened. She had asked, Fu said it might be possible, and then she'd gotten wholly distracted thinking about Adrien and how to make sure he could come back to school so she could still see him. And, of course, they'd sat there and taken pictures of each page of the damn book and then handed it right back. Rose usually called her a romantic, but she felt less like a romantic and more like a massive idiot. Maybe Alix was right--romance was way overrated.

Okay, so maybe Gabriel was Hawk Moth, and she had played into his hands this whole time. Now what would she do? That would always be the question, wouldn't it? What's next for the Miraculous Ladybug, the Hero of Paris, the Stalwart Guardian of the Miracle Box? She bit her lip, then took her hands off her head to look at Viperion. She'd already had to bear all her mistakes to him, or at least most of them. What else was left of her pride that she couldn't ask the one thing she wanted to know the most? "Do you ever wish you'd never been given the Miraculous?"

Viperion didn't look shocked that she would ever ask a thing like that (the Miraculouses were remarkable, being picked was supposed to be an honor, after all). Instead, he just looked sad, almost resigned. "Sometimes, at the start. I don't anymore. This has been who I am for so long, even when I try to imagine something else, I--" he stopped, pushing his thumb against the sharp tip of his lyre. "There's so much I wouldn't have seen. There's a whole person I wouldn't be."

Ladybug thought on that for a moment. Didn't she feel the same in a lot of ways? Her relationship with Tikki, one of her closest friends, wouldn't exist. There was confidence in being Ladybug; there was pride. There was a lot of pain in it too. But when she was Ladybug, she was…well, she was Ladybug. She was a hero in the way Marinette would never be, and that was good and okay.

"There's something I wanted to tell you. Uh, a friend said it would be best if I did now before it was too late."

Ladybug looked up wearily because really, what else could there be? What else could Viperion really throw at her? "Shoot," she said.

His mouth twitched. "I didn't think it was a big deal, but I was told the contrary. I'm old. Real old."

Ladybug laughed and threw her head back so hard she smacked it on the railing behind her, but the nervous way he delivered the line with his fingers all twitchy was just too damn funny, and she barely felt it. "Okay," she said behind giggles, "So what, are you hiding wrinkles from me? Wooo, I'll call the news agency." Another snort of laughter ripped through her, visions of Nadja announcing it on the 6pm news with perfect seriousness rolling through her brain. After all the doom and gloom and other life-altering facts he'd laid at her feet, him being like, 45 wasn't really a big concern of hers--although the idea that he still portrayed himself so young while transformed was pretty funny.

A rare blush formed on his cheeks beneath the fangs of his mask, a pout over his face. "Well, I didn't tell you just for a laugh."

Ladybug wiped a tear from under her eye before it slipped down her mask, tamping down on the last of her giggle fest. "I don't care if you're old," she said, "but you'll have to tell me what moisturizer you use."

"No moisturizer involved, sad to say," he said. Apparently, he wasn't the type to stay embarrassed for long. "It's in the Guardian's Precepts, though. I can read it for you if you want."

Ladybug blinked, brain working on computing the sentence. "Wait, you mean like--you're old, old, or just old?"

Viperion's mouth dropped open for a second, then snapped shut. "What...?"

"Well, you confused me first," she said defensively.

"Right, sorry," he sighed. "I was telling you because it's a Guardian's secret. I mean, how old was Fu? 150? 160? I mean, I don't know when he decided to stop aging, but--"

"You're talking like getting old is like turning off a sink faucet," Ladybug said. "So… you're old, old? That's what you're trying to say?"

Viperion shrugged. "I guess the faucet metaphor isn't a bad one, although there's more to it than that. But yeah, I guess by your definition, I'm old, old."

Some final piece clicked in her brain, a lightbulb in the back of the closet turning on. She couldn't put her finger on what about it made sense, but it just did, like she had been looking through life out of a foggy window and finally decided to open it and look out with nothing obstructing her view. "Oh. Well. Thanks for telling me, I guess," Ladybug finally said. "I think I'm good on not being--"

"Old, old?" he asked, lips pulling into a smirk.

She nodded. "Yeah. Kind of cool with the…" Ladybug waved her arms around her, "mortality deal. Dying at 98 with my kids and grandkids around me sounds alright." That's usually how all her daydreams ended, anyway. Of course, several months ago, it would have been her and Adrien calling it a close on life together, romantically tied and unwilling to live without the other still in the world. Her daydreams about him had always been like hitting fast forward. Fall in love, get married, get a house, have kids, die. Bing bang boom. All in order.

In the month she and Luka had been separated, he had been the star of those daydreams. But after he'd gotten here, when she girlishly daydreamed about Luka, she didn't hit the fast-forward button anymore. She thought about the living together part, both the near and the far future. She thought about seeing him in the sunlight in London streets, or him showing her around the Kingdom of Achu's palace, pointing out architectural pieces of interest to her, or dancing with her at night under rows of string lights by the Seine. Long, languid daydreams. The house, the kids? Someday, sure. The only fast thing with Luka had been just how fast she'd fallen, but the rest of the adventure? It would be deep and slow, their love growing like a great oak tree.

…Uh, if he wanted that, anyway.

Viperion laughed, head tilting to look at her in a way she might describe as fond. "That does sound like a good way to go." He looked reflective for a moment before continuing. "I'm looking forward to it, I think. Letting go."

"Thinking of turning the faucet back on, huh? Is that really how that works?" Even if she didn't want to live longer than nature intended for her, she did have to admit she was curious about how it all worked.

"There's a lot of meditation and other stuff involved, but at the end of the day…" he shrugged. "Kind of. I mean, we all die someday. Can't put off the inevitable. It's like the faucet is always on, you're just pulling it to a drip. But it's always dripping."

Ladybug nodded, then picked up the thin Guardian's Precepts book at her side and began flipping through it. All those secrets were lying inside--it was no wonder they kept it in code. "So, why now? Just feel like the end is nigh or whatever?"

"Kind of. I mean… we're here, both of us. I've been holding on for so long because I was the last one. When Sangpo died, all his memories, all that pain, all his secrets, they became mine, too. I guess it just feels like if there's more than one of us to share it… that's enough, don't you think?"

There it was again, that soothing balm on the tear that had settled in her heart. Not being alone anymore--what a feeling. What a relief. "Yeah," she said. "I do."

And in that space on the Eiffel Tower, far above the city she was sworn to protect, it felt so simple. They could rebuild what had been lost anew, and they'd do it together. It wouldn't look like what Master Fu had known, and she didn't want it to be. If The Order had made him feel so lost and alone, who was she to want that back? It was a brand-new world, and she and Viperion could make The Order of the Guardian's new along with it.

#in the shadows mlb #alternate universe #lukanette #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #luka couffaine #FINALLY CAUGHT UP #ugh #that took forever #Nat's Monster In The Box

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aknazer · 7 years

Text

Plagg’s Day Out 2: Chat Noire (Snark)

Also on Ao3

Day 1 << Day 2 >> Day 3

“You are the most ridiculous thing, ever.” Marinette announced. “And coming from the girl who works with Chat and Queen Bee, that’s saying something.”

“I am not.”

“You so are!” Marinette gestured wildly. “You got in a fight with a pigeon over cheese, you rode a pigeon through the city because of cheese, then you raided a cheese shop and caused who knows how much damage. You hitched a ride on a supply truck in a crate of cheese, only to wind up in my refrigerator eating cheesecake.”

“That is all perfectly reasonable.” Plagg insisted.

“It was all for cheese.” Marinette said. “Who in their right mind is that enamored with cheese? My god-”

“-You rang?” Plagg grinned.

“Jerk.” Marinette sniffed. “But, seriously, no wonder Chat is always complaining about cheese.”

“He has no appreciation.” Plagg nodded.

“I’m going to have to draw you riding a pigeon.” Marinette muttered, pulling her sketchbook down off of her desk. “I just… I can’t even. A pigeon.”

“You could draw me wielding a bolt of lightning as I smite you.” Plagg frowned.

“No, definitely the pigeon.” Marinette twirled a pencil in her fingers and grinned menacingly.

“Don't you have patrol or something?” Plagg wondered. “Homework? Something besides trying to immortalize your amusement at my suffering?”

“I think we might actually have a more pressing issue.” Tikki piped up. “Like getting Plagg back to Chat Noir.” She added dryly when the other two looked at her blankly.

Marinette slapped a hand over her face, Plagg unknowingly mirroring the motion. Tikki took a deep breath to swallow her giggle as Marinette groaned.

“Oh nooo…. Poor Chat!” She fretted. “He must be so worried. How are we going to get you back?”

“Easy.” Plagg shrugged. “Just take me to school tomorrow. When I sense my Miraculous, I'll just hop out and go to him.”

Marinette gaped at him. “Are you saying Chat goes to my school? Plagg, you can't just go giving that information out!”

Plagg shrugged again, ignoring the way Tikki’s eyes bored into him. “Eh, so what? There's tons of kids in your school. He could be any one of them.”

“Still.” Marinette worried the end of her pencil. “What if I figure out who he is?”

“Then you figure it out.” Plagg waved off her concerns. “You don't think that wouldn't be easier, anyway? I mean, if you knew who he was, you could just call him up or take me over, without all of this stress and strategy.”

“Enough.” Tikki said warningly. “Plagg, there are rules.”

“And they're stupid.” Plagg sniffed. “I didn’t agree, I don't agree, and I won't agree. End of story. Besides,” He added with a sly glance at Marinette, “I know the real reason you don't want him to know who you are.”

“You do?” She asked trepidatiously.

“Yeah.” Plagg grinned evilly. “Because if he knew his lovely Lady was also his precious Princess, you'd never get rid of him. Not that you'd want to.” He added smugly.

“I wouldn’t?” Marinette raised a skeptical eyebrow and considered her pun-loving, trash-talking superhero partner. “Pretty sure I’d trade him in for, like, JT. Or a hamster.”

“Eh, Wayzz is boring.” Plagg waved her off. “His wielder is cool, though.”

“You know who has the turtle Miraculous?” Marinette asked. “You talk to them? Why didn’t Chat say he knew who they were!”

“Because Chat doesn’t know.” Plagg smirked.

“Plagg!” Tikki scolded.

“Two best buddies, each keeping one gigantic secret from each other.” Plagg sang. Marinette’s eyes narrowed as she considered him. Plagg grinned at her unrepentantly.

“Plagg!” Tikki snapped.

“You,” Marinette leveled a finger at him, “are a very sneaky kwami.”

“Thank you.” Plagg beamed. “It’s so nice to be appreciated.”

“Oh, I didn’t say that.” Marinette replied dryly. “But I do need to be heading out, so are you going to stay here, or do you want to tag along? Maybe JT can take you home, since he apparently knows who Chat is.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Plagg asked.

“Maybe in not giving poor Chat an anxiety attack?” Marinette asked dryly.

“It’s not his turn to patrol anyway.” Plagg said unconcernedly. “He and Rena have to deal with each other on Thursday.”

“You are far too relaxed about this.” Tikki huffed. “Shouldn’t you be at least a little bit concerned?”

“Yes and no. I would be more concerned if it were just us, but with Trixx, Pollen and Wayzz all in the mix, there’s enough coverage to handle whatever comes up.” Plagg replied. He hesitated, the added “The kitten could stand to have a few days off, honestly.”

“You’re not just saying that because you’re lazy?” Tikki asked suspiciously.

“I’m really not.” Plagg said, sounding surprising seriousness. “A- ahhh, the kid could use a break. Really”

“Is something wrong with him?” Marinette asked, concerned.

“Nothing in particular.” Plagg frowned. “He’s got too much on his plate. He doesn’t eat enough, or sleep enough, and his family is actually fine with that bullshit.”

Marinette and Tikki traded concerned looks.

“Do we need to intervene?” Tikki asked seriously.

“Not yet.” Plagg sighed. “But if things don’t change, then sooner or later yes.”

Marinette shifted uncomfortably. Plagg made it sound like Chat was in trouble. She knew he didn’t have a particularly good home life - he’d let slip more than enough hints - but she hadn’t thought he was in danger.

And not eating enough? She knew her partner was thin, but she’d always assumed he was just somebody who was naturally slender like herself. Not that he was denied food.

Marinette chewed her lip nervously, tugging on her pigtails as she imagined her poor starving partner alone in a dark bedroom. Chat had always seemed so lighthearted and carefree - the consummate flirt whose loyalty was beyond question. The thought that he might be in trouble and she couldn’t help was...disturbing. Concern sat like a lead ball in her stomach.

“But you don’t need to worry about that, Princess.” Marinette focused on Plagg, only to find the kwami watching her steadily. Seeing that he had her attention, Plagg abruptly shifted course, sliding a mischievous smile towards Tikki. “Hey, Bug, can I take her for a spin?”

“Can you what?” Marinette asked, bewildered.

“No.” Tikki sniffed. “Absolutely not.”

“Aw, come on, it’ll be fun.” Plagg wheedled. “I ate well, so I could totally do it.”

“Do what?” Marinette asked, as Tikki opened her mouth to reply.

“Hey Princess,” Plagg grinned at her widely. “How would you like to be the black cat for a night?”

“The what?” Marinette asked, surprised. “You can do that?”

“Sure.” Plagg preened. “But it’s something particular to Tikki and I, because we’re a set. So you can’t go swapping out with, say, Pollen, unless you have the comb.”

“That’s so weird.” Marinette muttered, confused. “And it’s only you two?”

“Yes.” Tikki sighed. “It’s not something that’s done very often, actually, but it can be done. It’s draining; the black cat ring was made for Plagg, but since we’re a part of each other, we can use each other’s Miraculous if needed. However, it’s supposed to be for an emergency, Plagg, not play time.”

“But we should test it out.” Plagg argued. “It always takes a little while to get used to, so better we test it out before it’s necessary, rather than trying to adjust and fight, eh, bug? And what better situation than this?”

“I know what you’re doing.” Tikki said with fond exasperation.

“Trying to acclimate a dual wielder to a new form in a safe and controlled environment?” Plagg asked innocently.

“Pull the other one.” Tikki suggested. “It’s got bells on it.”

“Aw, Tikki…” Plagg wined. “Come on. You can even tag along and babysit, if you’d like.”

“No thank you; I’d rather save myself the headache of trying to keep you two out of trouble.” Tikki sniffed, before she turned and smiled at Marinette. “What do you think, Marinette? Would you like to try the cat suit on?”

“What will the others say? On patrol?” Marinette wondered, but she was already picturing their stunned faces.

“Who cares?” Plagg said, zipping up to hover in front of her. “Come on! You know you want to ride Chat’s baton! It’ll be fun.”

Marinette choked on her own spit, coughing and sputtering. Her face could probably fry eggs, it was so hot.

“Are-” Marinette paused, sucked in another lungful of air, and turned wide eyes on the confused-looking kwamis. “Are you propositioning me? Like, on Chat’s behalf or something?”

“...What?” Plagg squinted at her.

“Nothing. Nevermind.” Marinette waved her hand to dispel the questions. If Plagg didn’t understand, she was not going to explain it to him. “What’s the phrase?”

“Claws on!” Plagg chirped happily, wriggling a little. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had a Chat Noire.”

“You’ll like Noire’s suit.” Tikki beamed at Marinette.

“There’s a difference?” Marinette wondered, even as she considered that there had to be some difference, to accommodate different, er, physiologies.

“‘Course there is.” Plagg scoffed. “Now hurry up, or we’re gonna be late.”

“Bam!” Tikki muttered under her breath. “And suddenly he’s motivated.”

“Very well.” Marinette grinned and scrambled to her feet, holding her arms out dramatically. “Plagg, claws on!”

With a wicked grin, Plagg spiraled into the earrings.

The transformation was different, Marinette noticed. Tikki’s transformation was always...soft. Almost like a hug, Marinette had always thought. It was warm and friendly and safe feeling. Empowered. Marinette always enjoyed the feeling of Tikki’s warm murmurs in the back of her mind as her consciousness sat alongside Marinette’s own.

Plagg was nothing like that. He raced over her skin like lightning, leaving an almost electric tingle in his wake. Adrenaline flooded her system: every smell heightened and every sound sharpened. Marinette felt almost jittery as the air scraped into her lungs. Green energy crackled and fizzed, leaving Marinette’s heart racing as the alien consciousness settled in next to hers, alive and mischievous.

Marinette could tell right away that she and Plagg weren’t a perfect fit. It was like everything had shifted slightly to the left. She wasn’t so off-balance the she couldn’t adapt, but there was enough dissonance to leave her vaguely disoriented. Turning, she stumbled a bit as she looked towards her mirror.

The suit was different. She had expected to see Chat’s suit - maybe with a few internal differences for a more feminine fit, but otherwise the same. Not that those differences weren’t there - there was less room in the crotch than a male would require, and extra support in the chest that he wouldn’t - but there were other similarities, too. The leather was the same, and the lines of the shoulder pads and the cuffs of the gloves were the identical. Pointed claws were at the end of her fingers, and the black domino mask curved over her eyes. The weight of Chat’s baton settled easily into the small of her back.

But the stitching on the shoulder pads and the cuffs of the gloves was pink instead of black. The shoes had a slight lift, and were more slender and feminine looking. They blended seamlessly into the rest of the suit, and angled pink stitches on the thighs gave the illusion of tops.

The biggest changes, however, were to the collar and ears. Chat’s normal ears were completely black: hers had pink insides. And in place of Chat’s black almost mandarin-style collar, a pink ribbon was around her neck, though the gleaming golden bell sat in it’s usual place.

Marinette giggled, trying to imagine Chat in this outfit. “I am so cute!”

“He went with pink this time.” The amusement was plain in Tikki’s voice as she zipped around Marinette, examining the outfit.

“This time?” Marinette asked.

“Hmm. Yes. We can alter the outfits, depending on what’s needed.” Tikki hummed.

“Really? How do you know what’s needed?” Marinette asked, moving to rifle through her drawer for some pink ribbons to tie onto her pigtails.

“You tell us.” Tikki replied. “It’s there, in your subconscious, what you expect and need in the way of acceptable fashions and equipment. Or did you think that your yo-yo had a phone on it two centuries ago?”

“Point.” Marinette agreed, tying off her ribbon and stepping back to admire her new image. “I need a picture of this.”

“Quickly though.” Tikki nodded. “Plagg won’t be able to hold this for more than an hour or two; less if you encounter an akuma. And the time limit on Cataclysm is still the same.”

“Alright.” Marinette nodded. “Anything else I need to know?”

“Don’t let him talk you into anything outrageous.” Tikki said dryly. “If he’s gone to all the trouble of making the suit your favorite color, he’s likely trying to butter you up for some silly stunt.”

Amusement and exasperation tickled the back of her mind, and a vague sense of disagreement.

“I don’t think he is.” Marinette hummed. “At least that’s not the feeling I get.”

“Really?” Tikki sounded doubtful. “Well, if that’s the case, that’s lovely, but chances are he’s just planning a long-range con.”

Affront sparked; a murmur that half-sounded like How could you doubt me?

“You’ve offended him.” Marinette reported dutifully.

“That old tom?” Tikki smiled. “Unlikely. Now, go, you need time to acclimate before you meet up with the others.”

Chat’s baton felt awkward in her hands - especially after Plagg’s little comment. Still, Marinette -Chat Noire- let Plagg guide her movements, showing her how to ground it so it didn’t damage buildings or slip out from under her, and how to vault over rooftops. He was actually entirely in charge of the movements at first, much like Tikki had been. Though Marinette noticed that he let her control things more often after a relatively short span. Tikki had directed her movements almost entirely the first few weeks, before they were confident that Marinette wouldn’t accidentally hurt herself.

You already know a lot of this. Plagg said to her unspoken question, somehow managing to sound both affectionate and uninterested. You’ve been doing this with Tikki long enough to get the basics, and you’re a quick little Kitten, even if you are temporary. Just don’t go splat, okay? Tikki will be upset.

I’ll give it my best effort. Marinette retorted dryly.

They building hopped for a bit, allowing Marinette to get a feel for things as Plagg relinquished more control. Eventually, Marinette turned towards the Eiffel Tower, where she was supposed to be meeting Jade Turtle and Queen Bee for patrol.

Hey Princess. Plagg had been quiet for a while, letting Marinette get used to operating without direct input, but now his “tone” was full of sly humor. Want to mess with the Kitten?

You mean Chat? Marinette teased, eyebrow quirking. We’re seventeen. He’s not much of a ‘kitten’ anymore.

Oh ho, you’ve noticed that then? Plagg was laughing outright, half-formed plans of teasing and blackmail drifting across the link between them. Marinette rolled her eyes in response. And you’re wrong - you’re all kittens compared to me.

Marinette didn’t want to get into it - the bond between them was still singing with sly mischief, and Marinette wanted to know what Plagg was up to.

Let’s get a picture.

I’m pretty sure I’ve been spotted. By, like, a lot of people. Marinette pointed out. Even if she’d been concentrating on her jumps (and not splatting into the sides of buildings), she had noticed the stares, pointed fingers, and cameras focused on her.

Yeah, yeah, but that’s all hearsay. Plagg was definitely up to something; Marinette could almost see him waiting to pounce.

And you want to…? Marinette drew it out, pulling the mental string along to tease him a bit more.

Go find your girlfriend. The Ladyblogger.

I think your vocabulary needs adjusting. Marinette pointed out wryly. Girl. Friend. Not ‘girlfriend.’

Whatever. She got the distinct impression that Plagg didn’t care, and was in fact amused. Let’s give ‘em something to talk about.

Hmm…

We’ve got a few minutes. Plagg pointed out. You picked this up pretty quick - good work, by the way. And you wanted a good picture of the costume, right?

Marinette could practically hear the trap snap shut. Plagg would know that she desperately wanted a few good pictures of this version of the suit...and he knew that she knew Alya would take about 500 pictures, given the opportunity. Marinette had gotten a few pictures with her phone, but Alya had an actual camera, and could get angles that she couldn’t.

What are you waiting for? Plagg cajoled inside her mind. It’s just a little out of your way. Less if you hop over that puffed-up excuse for a house your classmate lives in.

Puffed up excuse for a…? Marinette wracked her brain, nose wrinkling as she tried to put that description into practical terms. Alya lived in a modest house above a convenience store, so that was out. Nino lived with his mom and dad in an apartment. Chloe lived in the penthouse atop Le Grand Paris, maybe he meant that one? But it wasn’t on the way to Alya’s.

The blonde pretty boy in front of you. Plagg clarified. Your...what is the term? Crush? How odd.

Butt out of my head! Marinette scowled.

Another phrase that doesn’t make much sense. Plagg mused internally, ignoring her mounting irritation. Why do humans persist in using words that don’t mean what they actually mean? Slang is so confusing.

Seriously? Marinette frowned as she picked a spot, bracing the pole against the roof between her knees. A mental flick had the pole extending behind her, launching her towards her next chosen landing. Plagg radiated satisfaction and amusement.

Oh, relax. Plagg scolded lightly. I don’t care about who you stare at during classes. And anyway, your secrets are safe with me. Mostly.

Mostly? Marinette asked archly.

I reserve the right to hint, allude to, and tease whomever I want for my personal amusement and enjoyment. Plagg informed her crisply. But...no. Like Tikki, I cannot outright tell your secrets.

Just tease the hell out of me. Marinette deadpanned. The Agreste mansion was in sight now.

Now you’re getting it. Plaggs satisfaction was evident, but Marinette couldn’t decide if it was because she understood his reasoning, or was getting better at using Chat’s weapon.

Yes.

“You’re just a little brat, aren’t you?” Marinette grinned as she landed lightly atop the wall that surrounded the Agreste property. “You’re going to use this to tease the hell out of poor Chat.”

Oh, absolutely. Marinette got the impression of Plagg nodding happily. The only question is whether I tell him I spent the night with his Princess, or his Ladybug?

Which one would drive him more crazy? Marinette asked, planting the pole in the side lawn. She probably shouldn’t, but she just couldn’t help it - this close to Adrien, she just had to swing by his windows and take a peek.

Undecided. Plagg’s tone was distracted.

Luckily for her (or maybe not), Adrien was actually out on his balcony. Marinette sent him a cheeky grin and a jaunty wave - something she never could have done outside the mask. His open-mouthed stare as she vaulted past sent Plagg into hysterics, though Marinette couldn’t divine why. Just that he found the situation immensely satisfying and supremely amusing.

Behind them, Adrien hit the edge of his balcony, nearly bending double over the railing as he continued to gape.

“Careful!” Marinette couldn’t resist calling back, even as he straightened. He raised a hand, maybe to wave, or maybe to beckon her over, but Marinette hurried on. As much as she wanted to stay, and maybe even flirt with the beautiful boy, she wanted those pictures even more.

A few hops later had her landing on Alya’s roof. With Plagg’s guidance, she planted the pole on the ground below and balanced on it while it retracted to dangle her outside her friend’s window.

Alya was indeed inside her room, her school books scattered on her bed behind her as she sat in her computer chair, frantically typing as she hunched over the keyboard. Raising a hand, Marinette knocked on the window.

Alya spun around so fast her russet hair went flying, hazel eyes blowing wide sa she gaped at Chat Noire suspended outside her window. She bolted out of her chair, practically flying to the window and throwing it open.

“What the heck? What are you?” She gasped, and Marinette giggled.

“Chat Noire, at your service.” She beamed.

Alya’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “And where is the other Chat Noir?”

“Oh, he’ll be back soon.” Marinette said. “I’m just a temporary stand in.”

“And how do I know you’re telling the truth?” Alya’s lips pursed as her eyes roved over Chat Noire’s suit, and the familiar silver baton.

“Because, Ladyblogger, I’m here to give you the first and probably only peek at the stand in.” Chat Noire smirked, knowing full well her best friend’s weaknesses. “What do you say?”

Alya took about half of a second to consider. “Meet me on the roof.”

Ten minutes later, Marinette was off, hurrying towards the tower, smug in the knowledge that she would have pictures from every angle she desired soon enough. Alya had been thrilled to get the only inside scoop, and had almost wheedled more information out of Marinette than she had been willing to give.

Her best friend was going to make a fantastic journalist, she just knew it.

Landing lightly above the tower’s observation platform, she was unsurprised to see Jade Turtle waiting. He was slouched against a beam with his shield resting against his calf, eyes closed and usual earbuds planted firmly in his ears. Chat Noire’s enhanced hearing could pick up the music from across the platform, and she idly wondered why the tune sounded familiar.

Jade Turtle liked music. Despite her repeated scoldings about needing his hearing for job-related things (like people screaming for help) he usually had at least one earphone in. Chat Noire rolled her eyes at his continued obliviousness. What if she were an akuma? She would have gotten the drop on him and wrenched that pretty little bracelet off of his wrist, no problem.

Pounce on him. Plagg suggested.

I want him to trust me, not attack me. Marinette said dryly.

It’ll be fine. Plagg said. Chat pounces on him all the time!

And I’m not the usual Chat. Marinette rebutted. He’ll think I stole Chat’s Miraculous, or that I’m an akuma.

You’re no fun. Plagg pouted.

Rolling her eyes at the sulking kwami, Marinette carefully extended the pole until she could poke Jade Turtle in the side. JT started, then flailed as he caught sight of her, jerking his shield up hastily. Crouching defensively behind it, he peered at her over the top.

“What the hell?” He shouted as Marinette retracted the baton and slipped it into place at the small of her back. Jade’s eyes narrowed as she started over, and he tensed to attack.

“Whoa.” Chat Noire held her hands up in a placating gesture. “Peace.”

“Who are you?” Jade Turtle asked loudly.

Sighing, Marinette tapped her ear, indicating that her fellow wielder should take the earphones off. Jade blinked in surprise, and Marinette could see red creeping across the tops of his cheeks over his shell as he yanked the earbuds out and dropped them around his neck.

“Who are you?” Jade repeated at a much more reasonable volume.

“Chat Noire.” Marinette replied cheekily.

Jade didn’t budge from his defensive crouch.

“Yeah, right.” He snorted. “I know Chat Noir, and you’re not him.”

“Chat Noire.” Marinette emphasized gently. “Chat Noir got separated from his kwami, so I’m filling in until I can get Plagg back to him.”

JT straightened up and lowered his shield (though Marinette noted he didn’t put it away) to frown at her. “And how did that happen?”

“It’s kind of a long story, actually.” Chat Noire said, shrugging. “But the point is that I found him by accident, and he’ll be heading back to his regular Chat as soon as possible.”

“And do you have Chat’s Miraculous, too?” Jade asked, keen golden eyes studying her intently.

“Ah…” Marinette fumbled, unsure of what to say.

You can trust him. Plagg told her.

“I don’t.” Chat Noire said hesitantly, unsure whether or not to reveal that she was Ladybug. If Plagg told Chat that Marinette had been Chat Noire, and JT knew that Ladybug was Chat Noire, she would be down a secret identity in short order.

Chat Noire chewed her lip uncertainly, recalling Plagg’s earlier words about Chat’s precarious position. If what he said was true, then chances were she’d wind up revealing herself to him sooner rather than later anyway. There was no way she could justify leaving her partner open to harm because she didn’t want him to know her name.

While she had been fretting, JT had fully straightened, stance relaxing as he studied her.

“And Plagg was able to use something of yours as a temporary Miraculous?” He asked, sounding like he was choosing his words carefully. Marinette nodded, shifting her weight under his considering gaze.

Considering the previous tension, she was understandably surprised when Jade sighed and rolled his eyes. Reaching to the side, he shut off the music, stowing the device away before he turned back to face her. “What the heck happened?”

Marinette paused while she tried to gauge Plagg’s mood, trying to decide how much and what she could say. She liked and trusted JT, but realistically she’d only been working with him for a few months. And despite getting along with him on a personal level, they just didn’t click the way she and Chat had, even in the beginning when they were both clumsy and new.

There’s a reason for that, you know. Plagg remarked idly. Don’t worry about it, Princess. Just tell him that that it was the bird’s fault, and I’ll tell him later.

“You’ll what?” Marinette asked, so surprised that she spoke aloud, causing JT to raise a questioning brow at her.

“He, uh, says that ‘it was the bird’s fault’ and he’ll tell you later?” Chat Noire shrugged.

“Only Plagg.” JT slapped a hand over his face as he groaned, much to Marinette’s confusion. “Sweet baby cheezus, how does he do it? What a mess.”

It’s a gift. Plagg said smugly.

#ml #Plagg Appreciation Week #We are Miraculous #Nino will always be Jade Turtle #I'm not sorry #Blame The Last Pilot #Plagg's Day Out

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jjmjjktth · 3 years

Text

Prologue: The Escape

First - Previous - Next - Masterlist - (ao3)

I saw this fic idea by @messymessyml and couldn’t help myself. I tagged the people who asked to be tagged on the original post; if you want to be added comment or send an ask ;)

Damian is 16 and Marinette is a month shy of 16 at the beginning of the fic.

the characters may be a tad OOC.

TW: Bullying, cursing (it’s censored but still there)

Damian stormed into the cave through the zeta tube. Everyone moved aside; they had not seen a look of such fury since he had first come to Gotham. Despite him not being the violent assassin he was raised to be, Robin found himself nearly following through with his usual threats. Not even bothering to discard his equipment, the heir walked straight to one of the side rooms for private discussions. As predicted, his father followed him. No doubt for a lecture.

Spinning around to face his father, Damian took a deep breath. I can’t lose my head, it won't help my case.

“Father….” there was so much defeat and anger in his voice that the bat seemed to almost reconsider his decision, almost. Robin watched his Father lift his hand to stop him from speaking any further, and begin to address him.

“It was the right call, Damian. It had to be done. You cannot just run around with superpowers. I had to deal with that.”

“It wasn’t your call.” The teen growled. “I had an advantage, Father! It would have been hard for Mother to kill me again! I was safe.”

“You do not need powers to be safe, Damian.”

“I died because I was too slow. It wasn’t your call to remove my safety net! It was mine!”

“I am your father! Everything is my call!” Daman could see that this was going nowhere. Setting his face into a scowl, he left the cave.

Left with his thoughts as he navigated through the maze-like halls of Wayne Manor, the young hero began to negotiate with himself; beginning a difficult game of mental tug-of-war. Weighing the pros and cons proved to be harder than he originally thought; it started with admitting that he may have become attached to his “siblings”, at least more than he would have originally thought he could be. On the other hand, they treated him one of two ways, all of the time; he was always either a child or a weapon. At the very least they should be able to treat him like his actual age! But, they also cared for him a lot… in their own way. On top of that, the manor was a hugely more beneficial environment than the league ever was. His mother would also have a harder time reaching him here. That didn't stop her before. Despite how “safe” this place was said to be, his mother still found a way to kill him for his change in loyalty. If he left, he would surely be caught. If you stay, she will know you’re here and plan accordingly.

Slowly the pros started to outweigh the cons making his decision obvious, he would run away tonight.

It wasn’t until he arrived in his room that he realized he was still wearing his uniform. Not wanting to return to the cave, the heir simply folded the uniform and placed it at the end of his bed. No doubt Pennyworth would retrieve it in the morning. He glanced around his room. There weren't any decorations aside from the occasional painting or katana. Making up his mind, Damian went through his few belongings that mattered. He had to be careful to find ones that would not have a tracking device in them. I’ll have to go to my safehouse for clothes. He gathered up all his weapons that wouldn't be noticed gone and wouldn't be flagged by airport security. Putting everything in a bag, he snuck out his window and took off for his apartment. Leaving only a note that read, I need space, I will be at one of my safehouses, off grid.

___________Marinette pov______________

“You b*tch!” a loud slap echoed across the school courtyard. “Not only are you a liar and a bully, you’re a thief too!” Alya screamed, waving her hands around. “That’s Lila’s life’s work and you just claim it as your own! Lazy, fat, sl*t!”

“But, Alya! I have my sig–”

“I didn’t say you could speak, wh*r*.” Alya said, grabbing the designer’s shirt. “You are going to stand up; walk over to Lila; apologise; and give her her sketchbook back. Understand b*tch.”

“No.” Mari took a deep breath and shoved her building emotions back down into their designated corner. “I will not apologise to Lila because I did–”

“What did you say b*tch!”

“I said no.”

“You piece of sh*t.”

At this point Marinette just tuned her ex-best friend out. She always said the same things. So the heroine only waited.

After school Marinette left for home immediately; she did not want to be in any trouble for being late for her shift. With twenty minutes to spare, the girl leapt up the stairs three-at-a-time to reach her room with enough time for concealer. She would probably be grounded for operating the register with marks on her face. It’s a good thing that my miraculous has healing properties or I wouldn't be able to work at all.

While at the till, a swarm of wasps swept through the shop stinging everyone, except Marinette. As soon as she saw the wasps, she took off for the walk-in freezer in the back of the bakery. Tikki fazed through the door to see when it would be clear to leave the freezer.

“All clear Marinette!” Tikki chirped.

“Thanks.” The hero swung open the door and took off running for the Seine.

Upon arriving at he famous river, Marinette dove into the water scattering the trail of wasps behind her. Pulling out the water powerup, Mari was amazed to discover that even underwater the macaroon did not get soggy, but remained its usual texture and firmness. Calling for her transformation again, Ladybug sprinted to Master Fu’s location unaware of the villain tailing her.

“Master Fu! May I use the snake miraculous?” With a nod, Master Fu pulled out the miracle box and selected the snake miraculous.

“Thank you!” LB called out as she left merging the two miraculous. Lately, Marinette had taken to using the ladybug and snake miraculous together having taken the cat miraculous away from Adrien.

Arriving in front of the town hall, Ladybug surveyed the battlefield. In front of the akuma, Miracle Queen, stood all her previous allies: Adrien, Luka, Ivan, Nino, Max, Alya, and Kagami. They all appear to have been stung by the wasps. At that moment, Hawkmoth arrived bearing the miracle box! Hawkmoth passed the box to Miracle Queen and the students stepped forward to take their respective jewels. All but two, Luka and Adrien. Ladybug had both of those miraculous on her person (the black cat miraculous was in her yoyo) She was about to enter the battle when Master Fu leapt over the building in pursuit of the villain weilding the turtle as Jade Turtle. At that moment Ladybug engaged the various villains calling for her second chance.

As she landed, Pegasus opened a portal to space. Reactivating second chance she tried again, and again, and again, and again. Until she managed to take the dragon and horse miraculous back.

There was a rush of wind and all the holders before her, except Hawkmoth and Myura, were stripped of their miraculous as a light formed above her head. Oh no, Master Fu! The miracle box fell into her hands. Using the destraction Ladybug broke and purified the akuma.

She ran to Master Fu as quickly as she could.

“Master Fu! Are you okay?” She waited with baited breath.

“Hello, young lady, do I know you?” There went any hope I had.

“No, I’m just a concerned citizen.”

I dropped off the miracle box in my room before releasing Tikki from my transformation and entering the bakery through the front. Her parents were there, waiting for her.

“We’ll talk about this later.” Sabine said smiling at Marinette with daggers for eyes.

“Yes, Maman.” Nope. Nope. Nope. Not today. Not ever.

As soon as Marinette reached her room, she pulled out the miracle box, a backpack of clothes and sewing supplies, and her toiletries (she could pull money out of her account later if needed). Opening the box, Marinette took out the horse miraculous releasing Kaalki.

“Master F– where is Master Fu, Marinette.”

“Gone, he relinquished his guardianship when hawkmoth cornered him.” She put on the glasses. “I need an escape; is that ok Kaalki?”

“Of course guardian.”

The girl called for Kaalki’s transformation, summoned a portal, gathered her belongings, and walked through.

Authors notes will be at the end from now on (minus warnings and such)

what should i call this story?

Smiles and love, Jjmjjktth <3 :)

Next - Masterlist

Taglist: @swiftie-miraculer13 @messymessyml

#maribat #marinette #salt #damian wayne #the bats #daminette #paris has a hawkmoth problem #toodles #wip #young hearts are easily broken

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galahadwilder · 3 years

Text

Future Perfect

This is my @mlsecretsanta fic for @crispypata! Crispy asked for DJWifi and Bunnyx, so I delivered.

It’s been a long week, and Alya is grateful for some alone time. While it’s always nice to have the others around, there’s an unstated pleasure in being the only one of her friends awake this early. Nino and Marinette are always asleep until very shortly before class, and Adrien may be awake, but his driver won’t be here for at least another twenty minutes. That’s a precious twenty minutes away from her sisters, away from anybody else. A precious twenty minutes of quiet.

Normally she’d spend this time updating the Ladyblog, moderating comments, writing posts, but after last night’s battle she just… she needs some time. Time to herself.

She’s shaking, just a little. She’s not even touching her phone. For the first time in a while, she’s actually reading a physical comic book—specifically, The Mighty Majestia Issue #48. Her first comic. A gift from her father when she was a little girl. It used to make her feel better when things were going bad. She needs that, a little bit, today. The feel of the paper under her fingertips.

It wasn’t her first near-death experience—she’s had a lot of those since Hawkmoth appeared in Paris. But Ladybug almost hadn’t made it last night. Alya had gone running after the Akuma, like usual, and…

A body flops down next to her on the bench. The warmth and weight of it—she glances to the side, and meets the familiar warm eyes of Nino.

“You okay?” he asks, laying his hand on top of the comic. “You haven’t read this since before we met.”

Alya nods. “Last night was bad,” she says.

Nino nods. “Yeah,” he responds. “Yeah it was.”

He doesn’t say anything else.

Alya is rarely the most perceptive person—more passionate than perceptive, honestly, though not for lack of trying (she tries really hard, it’s just… hard to tell what other people aren’t saying sometimes)—but she cares, and Nino is at school forty minutes before he’s usually awake and he seems unusually tense. She closes her comic. “Babe?”

Nino sighs, looking down as he picks at a hangnail on his thumb. “I can’t keep watching you die, Als.”

Alya’s heart judders. “You’re not okay, then.”

He shakes his head. “I mean Rena Rouge is one thing. I know you can protect yourself, and Ladybug is right there if things go bad. But every time I see you chase after a giant baby with no protection but that sexy plaid shirt...”

“I have a responsibility, Nino!” she says.

“I know,” Nino says quietly. “I can’t really ask you to stop, either.”

Alya swallows. “Are you... breaking up with me?”

Nino looks at her for a moment, then snorts. “Hell no.” He reaches up to Alya’s cheek, brushing her hair away from her ear. “You ain’t getting away from me that easy, girl.”

Alya relaxes, leaning into his palm. “Attaboy,” she says.

Nino grimaces. “I might… need a day or two to process, though.” He swallows. “I’m sorry.”

Alya’s heart falls. “You’re sure.” It’s not a question—Nino doesn’t make decisions half-cocked the way she does. He thinks, and considers, and once his choice is made, he sticks to it. That surety—that stability—is one of the reasons she loves him. Even if right now it’s hurting her.

“I’m sure,” he says. “Just… I need a few days after. You know.” He hangs his head. “Seeing you die again.”

Oh, God, Alya wants to slap him. And maybe a year ago she would have. But today-Alya is not last-year-Alya, and, instead, she just drops her head a little. “It was a bad one, wasn’t it,” she says.

Alya trudges out of class, dragging her feet. It’s been a difficult day, to say the least, and Marinette—bless her—may be trying to help, but there’s not all that much to do.

“We could go to my place and stuff ourselves with Beignets,” Marinette offers, with her characteristic hyperenergetic movement. “I know you love the Majestia movie?”

Alya shakes her head. “I relax a bit better when I move,” she says. She looks at the basketball hoops. “Can you stick around for…” She catches a hint of green out of the corner of her eye—a familiar shade, one that she’s seen quite a lot. She blinks. “For a few…” She turns her head, and there—staring down at her from the roof of the school—is Carapace. “Uh.”

Marinette follows her gaze. “What are you—”

Carapace’s head jerks as he seems to realize that he’s been spotted, and he leaps down out of sight.

“What is he doing?” Alya murmurs.

Marinette’s iron fingers wrap around her bicep. “Alya,” she hisses, “that’s not Carapace.”

“What do you mean?” Alya says, turning her head, just in time to catch a glimpse of Nino—as Nino, not as Carapace—walking out of the locker room on the opposite side of the school from where Carapace disappeared. It’s too soon, too fast—there’s no way he could’ve come around the school that quickly.

“Excuse me,” she says, bolting towards her boyfriend. She grabs his arm and yanks him away from Adrien.

“Babe... what?” he says, looking at her like she just grew a second head.

“I just saw Carapace on the roof,” she hisses.

His eyes widen behind his glasses.

They didn’t really discuss it, at least not verbally, but they both pretty easily came to the decision that whoever this is, stealing their identities is not something this person gets to get away with. They don’t even talk it through before they’ve agreed to chase this imposter down.

“You’re sure he went this way?” Nino asks as they charge off down the street toward where Alya had last seen the false Carapace.

“Yes, I’m—!” Alya starts to snap, before she catches herself and—stopping her headlong charge by pressing a palm into a nearby wall—breathes in. “Sorry, sorry.” She glances at him. “Pretty sure, yeah.”

“God, I wish I had my shield,” Nino mutters. He grabs her hand and meets her eyes with his characteristic Nino Soft Look. “If this ends up being a bad one, please take cover?”

Alya grimaces. “The Akuma is using your face, Babe,” she says.

“Please.” His voice is calm and soft.

Alya thinks about how distraught he was this morning, how little she wants to do that to him again. “I’ll—I’ll try.”

Nino smiles. “That’s really all I can ask, isn’t it.”

Alya smiles, tugging him along. “You knew I was crazy when I asked you out,” she says, building carefully building back up to a run.

Nino snorts, vaulting over a street barrier. “That I did.”

It takes barely a minute before they reach the spot where the false Carapace must’ve gone, leaving them looking down wide avenues packed with people—none of whom are wearing a green hood.

“We lost him,” Nino says, puffing.

“I mean,” Alya gasps, “duh.” She leans onto her knees. “He’s got—powers, and we—we have, what—about eight—months of parkour training?”

A familiar whizz-crack comes from above, as a spotted red figure drops down in front of them. “Alya!” Ladybug says, glancing confusedly at Nino. “Did you see where Carapace went?”

“Nope,” Alya says. She leans in toward Ladybug, carefully eyeing the other people who are watching the exchange. “Definitely an Akuma, then?” she whispers, quietly enough that nobody else is alarmed.

“Maybe?” Ladybug whispers back. “Or a Sentimonster, or. Well. One other thing.”

Alya’s eyebrows narrow. “What other thing?”

Ladybug shakes her head. “Probably not important,” she says. She straightens and backs away, whipping her yo-yo in rapid circles. “Everyone stay calm and quietly evacuate the area,” she says in a clear, authoritative voice. “Calmly, please! Everything is under control.”

There’s a growing undercurrent of panic in the crowd at Ladybug’s words, but there’s a force behind her last sentence, a reassurance, that passes calm through the crowd like a ripple. Much to Alya’s surprise, there’s no stampede, no rush to flee. Everyone actually listens, beginning to carefully file away, emptying out the street.

“Any chance we could get our Miraculi?” Nino asks. “I don’t like this.”

Ladybug glances over her shoulder at him. “Not until Chat gets here,” she says. “I can’t just leave the Akuma without anyone containing it.”

A black blur drops out of the sky, rolling and springing to his feet next to Ladybug. “Good thing I’m here, then!” Chat says, leaning his elbow onto her shoulder.

Ladybug rolls her eyes. “Always so dramatic,” she says, turning to her partner. “Can you hold down the fort for a few while I grab backup?”

Chat eyes Alya and Nino. “So long as the Ladyblogger doesn’t get herself killed, yes.”

There’s still been no sighting of the fake Carapace by the time Ladybug returns carrying the bracelet and the necklace. Chat has been running across the rooftops, spying into alleyways, but hasn’t seen scale nor shell of him.

“Alya Césaire and Nino Lahiffe,” Ladybug intones, holding the two Miraculi aloft. “I’m trusting you with the Miraculous of the Fox and Turtle.” She purses her lip. “I’m going to ask you to switch, though. I don’t want us mixing up our Carapi.”

Alya grimaces, but Nino just nods. “Makes sense,” he says, taking the necklace and draping it around his neck. It sparks, and a tiny fox spirals out from it. “Trixx, Let’s Pounce!” Nino calls.

He flashes orange, sparks running across his whole body, and suddenly Nino is gone, replaced by an orange-clad superhero. He still has Carapace’s hood, peaked down over his forehead, with ears poking through holes in the top. Leggings are tucked into combat boots, black gloves cuffed over white-and-orange sleeves. He looks down at his arms, twisting his hands to look at both sides. “Hmm,” he says. “Pretty cool.”

“What should we call you?” Ladybug says.

Nino meets Alya’s eyes. “What about… Reynard?” he says.

“Reynard it is,” Ladybug says. She turns to Alya, handing her the jade bracelet. “You ready?”

“Always,” Alya says, sliding the bracelet onto her wrist. “Wayzz, Shell On!”

She feels her hair lift into a high ponytail as her glasses meld to her face into a domino mask. Unlike the Rena Rouge transformation, which slims her down, she feels herself bulking up. Armor plates slam into place around her chest, shoulders, and thighs. Everything feels heavier, but also stronger, more stable.

Reynard whistles. “Damn, babe,” he says. “Green looks good on you.”

Tortue Verte grins. “You expected anything else?” she ask. She absently lifts the shield. “Damn, this thing is heavy,” she says, looking at Reynard. “How do you even lift it?”

“Practice,” Reynard says, twirling the flute. “This is really light!”

“It’s basically bamboo,” Tortue replies, slinging the shield onto her back. “You ready?”

Reynard sheathes the flute on his own back. “Let’s take this guy down.”

Tortue Verte’s super jump is a lot like Rena Rouge’s—though, given the balance between her being slightly stronger with the Turtle and also being heavier, it’s a little weird to balance. She gets more distance but less height with each jump, and since her brain keeps expecting Rena’s jump arc, she keeps misjudging where she’s landing.

She lands hard on the side of her foot, twisting her ankle and stumbling shoulder-first into a chimney with a yelp. Her ankle is struck by stabbing pain, and she immediately collapses onto her side. She lies there on the roof, huffing, feeling desperate and foolish. This is not what she was hoping for.

She carefully drags herself up the chimney into a sitting position, carefully pulling the shield from her back and dialing Reynard.

“Hey babe,” he says, his orange-hooded face filling the screen. “You good?”

She shakes her head. “Landed bad,” she says. “I think I twisted my ankle.”

Reynard’s eyes widen behind his goggles. “Where are you?” he says. “I’ll be there in a—”

“Babe!” she interrupts. “Akuma. I’ll be fine up here.”

“Are you sure?”

She nods. “I’m sure,” she says. “Give that fake hell.” She hangs up, then collapses backward against the chimney with a gasp.

“Sorry I didn’t catch you,” a voice—a familiar one, but one she can’t quite place—says from behind her. “I think you’d have broken a few of my bones.”

She whips her head around to see a red-haired woman dressed in blue and white, bunny ears sprouting from her head, leaning on an umbrella as if it were a cane. Tortue tries to leap to her feet, shield up, but pain spikes through her ankle the second her foot meets shingle. “Augh!”

The woman immediately drops the umbrella, and her arms are around Tortue’s body. “Careful,” she says. “Don’t want to put too much weight on that.”

“Don’t touch me,” Tortue growls.

The woman laughs. “Relax, Foxy. I’m not an Akuma.”

Tortue blinks. Foxy? She’s wearing the Turtle, not the Fox, which means… “You—you know who I am.”

The woman smirks and throws up a peace sign. “The name’s Bunnyx,” she says. “Wielder of the Miraculous of Time, from ten years in the future.”

“Prove it,” Tortue says. “What’s Ladybug’s real name?”

Bunnyx snorts. “You’re not getting it that easily… Alya,” she says. “Also, Nino’s sort of downplaying how worried about you he is. You really should start being more careful before you give him a heart attack.”

Tortue stares at Bunnyx, then blinks. “...Okay, you’re for real,” she says. “What are you doing here? Are you warning us about something?”

Bunnyx shakes her head. “I brought Carapace and Rena back from my time for one reason,” she says. “Future Hawkmoth has discovered Ladybug’s identity, which has put her daughter in danger.”

“Daughter?” Tortue says.

Bunnyx continues as if she hasn’t heard. “Ladybug asked me to bring her back in time to protect her from Future Hawkmoth, but I needed backup just in case she followed us. You and your boyfriend were the obvious choice.”

“Where is she?” Tortue says, trying to work her way to her feet. She hisses as pain lances through her ankle again.

“Jeez, stay down, Tortue!” Bunnyx says, carefully easing her back into a sitting position. “You need to be careful. We need you for this one.”

“Don’t bother,” says a voice that sounds like Tortue’s own as an older, taller Rena Rouge lands in a crouch. “I had absolutely no self-preservation at that age.”

Carapace lands next to her, softer, gentler. “You nearly killed me like eight times,” he says, cradling a baby in his arms. He looks down at Tortue. “Hey, babe.”

Rena rolls her eyes, gently punching Carapace’s shoulder. “Don’t flirt with young me, you butt,” she says.

Tortue stares at the baby, wide-eyed. “Is that…” she murmurs.

Rena nods. “Our god-daughter,” she says.

Carapace smiles. “Do you want to hold her?”

“She’s… mine?” Ladybug says, gazing down into her daughter’s emerald-green eyes.

The baby laughs, reaching up toward her mother’s face and pressing her chubby palm into Ladybug’s cheek.

“Who’s the father?” Chat says to Bunnyx, hope shining in his eyes. (Tortue admits to herself that she’s just as interested in finding out.)

Bunnyx smirks. “Oh, Kitty Noir, you know I can’t tell you.”

Chat looks crestfallen. “Not even a hint?”

“She’s so small,” Ladybug whispers, pointing a finger at her daughter’s face. The baby laughs again, gripping her mother’s finger in between her hands.

“You said she’s my—our god-daughter?” Tortue says.

Rena laughs. “My boyfriend has spent more time pampering this little terror than he has me lately,” she says. She turns and pokes Reynard in the chest. “You’ve got some growing to do, babe.”

Carapace rolls his eyes. “Please don’t flirt with the babies, babe,” he says with a smirk.

The laughter that follows seems to come from everywhere and nowhere, and Tortue looks around, unsettled.

“...Wasn’t that funny,” Carapace mutters.

Bunnyx walks toward the edge of the roof, looking down. “Missing the point again, Shelly?” she says, pointing down. “It’s starting.”

“What is?” Chat says.

“ATTENTION PARIS!” a booming, feminine voice echoes deeply through the sky as if it’s rebounding off the very atmosphere, followed by a sudden eruption of Wagnerian opera. “YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO JOIN THE RANKS OF ODIN’S MIGHTY WARRIORS IN VALHALLA!”

“Ah,” Chat says, nodding. “Akuma time.”

“Bad one,” Bunnyx agrees, nodding. “We picked today for a reason. Two illusionists needed at minimum.”

Tortue gingerly attempts to stand, only for the pain in her ankle to spike like a jagged piece of bone. “Ah!” she yelps, collapsing backward.

Immediately, two sets of hands are holding her up—Reynard’s and Carapace’s. “You okay?” Reynard says, his eyes soft and concerned.

Carapace swallows. “I’m sorry, babe, but I—” He glances at Rena. “We are going to need you to stay out of this fight. You’re injured.”

“I can help!” Tortue protests.

Carapace shakes his head. “I know how much it means to you to be out there with us, but A—um, sweetie, I need you alive, okay?” He smiles, glancing back at Ladybug. “Besides, um. Someone needs to keep the baby safe.”

Reynard raises an eyebrow. “You are a braver man than I,” he says.

Rena laughs. “Oh, it’s just ‘cause she’s a baby,” she says. “He knows I’d rip his throat out if he tried that.”

“You are also much less suicidally reckless than she is,” Carapace shoots back.

Rena shrugs. “Fair point.”

Ladybug approaches, carefully laying the baby into Tortue’s arms with a look of regret. “Stay safe, okay?” she says. She looks down and presses a kiss to her daughter’s forehead. “And keep her safe.”

Tortue swallows, overwhelmed by the—the everything. The trust Ladybug is showing her, the softness of the moment, the sadness in the child’s eyes as her mother goes back off to battle… it’s too much.

“I’ll do my best,” she croaks, trying not to tear up.

Carapace had carried her away from the battle. Vilekyrie controlled the sky, making it difficult to keep the baby out of her reach, but he’d found her a little out-of-the-way cubbyhole that nobody would come looking in during the attack. Or, well. Not a cubbyhole, really. More of a luxury suite at the Hotel Gran Paris.

“How did you know nobody would be here?” Tortue had asked him.

He’d only smiled in reply. “Spoilers,” he’d said. “Love you forever, but I gotta get back there.”

“Good luck!”

Now, about forty minutes into the battle, she can hear the clash of swords, the clanking of armor, the screaming of horses as they flew past her shaded window. She’d looked outside earlier, caught a glimpse of the copies of Vilekyrie flashing across the sky—copies of her that kept growing by the moment—and the marching of ghostly Viking soldiers on the ground: the Einherjar she’d selected from Paris’ citizens, transformed into undying warrior spirits. It doesn’t seem to be going well, but then, she doesn’t really have the best vantage point.

The baby is fussy, fussier than she was when Ladybug was around—Tortue can only guess that it’s because she wants her mother. The room has been stocked with formula and fresh diapers, and, thanks to her experience with the twins, Tortue has plenty of experience with taking care of a baby, but the girl just won’t settle down.

There’s a quiet footfall on the balcony—not a Vilekyrie, and the Einherjar can’t seem to climb. Tortue turns around to see the balcony door creek open, followed by a pair of large orange ears. “Hey. Mini-me,” Rena says. “You hanging in there?”

Tortue smiles, rocking the baby gently in her arms. “You didn’t tell me her name,” she says. “Feel weird just calling her ‘baby’.”

Rena ducks around the door, shutting it behind her, then bends down, cooing over the child’s delighted face. “HellooOOOooo!” She tickles the baby’s nose with her finger, and the girl laughs.

Rena looks back up at Tortue with a sheepish smile. “Sorry,” she says. “No names. Spoilers.”

Tortue rolls her eyes. “Am I always this aggravating?”

Rena gently wraps her arms underneath the baby’s back, lifting her from Tortue’s arms. “Pretty much!” She turns back to the baby and blows a raspberry.

“What’s up?” Tortue says. “Why aren’t you with the others?” As if to punctuate her point, an explosion sounds in the distance, and Tortue raises an eyebrow.

“Needed to talk to you,” Rena says, sitting down on the plush velvet bedspread across from her. “Also, I told them you were planning on running into the combat zone, so…”

“I was not!” Tortue yelps, leaping from her desk chair. The baby immediately squeals in distress.

Rena grins. “I know,” she says, gently tickling the child’s nose. “But they believed me when I said it, and by the time they figure it out…”

Tortue sighs. Gods, her older self is annoying. “What do you want, Alya?”

The animation in Rena’s face slackens, and she looks down at her own stomach. “I… want to show you something.” Keeping one hand under the baby, she reaches behind her and unslings the flute, opening the space within. “Take a look.”

Tortue reaches inside the extradimensional storage space inside Rena’s weapon, confused—and then her fingers close around something small, round, and metal, and she understands. “You’re going to propose,” she says, fishing the ring out of the flute. She stares at it, entranced.

“Yep,” Rena agrees with a nod, gently bouncing the baby. “Bought the ring last week.”

Tortue doesn’t even know what to say in this situation. Is it… weird to congratulate herself? Some situations, there aren’t just good responses for.

Rena sees her face and laughs. “Don’t look so shocked, Mini-me,” she says. She carefully rocks Ladybug’s baby, staring into her green eyes. “I mean, you always knew we were gonna do this eventually.”

“Yeah, but… kinda young?” Tortue says, handing the ring back to Rena.

“Ladybug’s younger.” Rena absently places the ring back inside her flute, still bouncing the baby in her other arm. “About a year younger than you, actually.”

Tortue blinks. She’s—well, she figured out a while back that Ladybug wasn’t actually 5,000 years old, but she’d always assumed she was, maybe, Anansi’s age? The thought that Ladybug is younger than she is... “Yikes.”

“Yikes is right,” Rena says. “And she has anxiety. So every time you go running face-first into danger like you’re never gonna die…”

“Is this a lecture?” Tortue says.

“Little bit,” Rena responds.

Oh, great. The last thing she needs right now is a lecture from herself of all people.

Rena rolls her eyes. “Listen, Kit, sometimes—sometimes Ladybug isn’t gonna be there. She doesn’t always show up, you know.”

Tortue narrows her eyebrows. “Yes she does?” That’s, like, the big consistency. Aside from that one time where the Akuma and the Sentimonster were in different cities, Ladybug has shown up for every single Akuma battle.

Rena shakes her head. “She has a life, Alya. And, well, sometimes she needs Chat to cover for her.” She looks toward the curtained window, toward the sounds of the battle still filtering in from outside. “And sometimes, Chat and Viperion get taken out early, and the only person who can use the Ladybug is you.”

A chill runs down Tortue’s entire body. The responsibility of using the Ladybug Miraculous—it’s terrifying. It hadn’t even occurred to her that it might pass down to her, that—oh, no. This is… this is what Ladybug feels all the time, isn’t it?

“Listen, however you feel about Nino now?” Rena says. “It’s nothing compared to what it’s going to be. He and I, we’d do anything for each other.” She breathes in, stroking the baby’s head. “Which means that, well, you and I need to stay alive.”

“The Miraculous Cure—”

Rena shakes her head. “It’s good, but it’s not… 100% reliable. Sometimes, Ladybug can’t be there.”

Tortue’s mouth opens, closes. Opens again. “Oh.”

Rena stands and places a hand on her younger self’s shoulder. “Alya, someday, you’re gonna get hurt. You’re gonna get hurt in a way that Ladybug can’t fix, and you’re going to wonder if you even deserve this Miraculous. If you even deserve Nino.” She looks down at the baby with naked fondness in her eyes. “I’m telling you now—you deserve way more than you realize. But if you want to make it to see our wedding...” She trails off.

Tortue waits for her to finish, but Rena doesn’t say anything else. The implications in Rena’s words are disconcerting, and Tortue asks the question that’s burning inside her chest. “Am I going to die?”

“Of course you are,” Rena replies. “You’re going to die a lot. But some of them are going to be harder to come back from, and Alya.” Rena’s eyes bore into hers. “You need to come back. Okay?”

“Okay,” Tortue whispers.

“Miraculous LADYBUG!” Ladybug calls from outside, and pink insects swarm across the room. There’s a brief moment of pain as Tortue’s ankle snaps back into place, immediately replaced by cool relief as the pressure vanishes.

Rena puts a finger to her lips. “Don’t tell Reynard, okay?” she says. “About the ring.”

Tortue mimes zipping her lip.

Rena nods. “Thanks,” she says. “Oh, and one more thing—you’re also gonna need to be more careful if you want to get into a good journalism school. Nobody wants to be the professor that killed the Ladyblogger.”

Tortue blinks. She… hadn’t even thought of that. “That makes sense, I think?” she says.

The balcony door creaks open and Carapace peeks through. “Hey, guys,” he says. “How’s everything going in here?”

“Really great!” Tortue says. She eyes her older self. Rena is fidgeting, looking away from her boyfriend’s face, and Tortue realizes—if she doesn’t make the push, Rena isn’t going to do it. “I think Rena has something to tell you.”

Rena glares at Tortue. “Betrayal!” she hisses.

Tortue laughs. “You’ll thank me later.”

Carapace glanced between them, confusion written across his face. “Um, what’s going on?”

Rena takes a deep breath, then carefully hands the baby to Tortue. “Hold her for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Rena looks at her boyfriend, then drops to one knee, fishing the ring out of her flute. “Nino Lahiffe. Will—will you, um…”

Carapace gasps and covers his mouth with both hands, his eyes shining wetly. “Alya?” he whispers.

Both of them sit in shocked silence, staring at each other, frozen, and after a moment, Tortue gets fed up. “Babe,” she says. “Say yes.”

Carapace glances at her, then back and his girlfriend... then lifts his fiancée bodily into the air in a crushing, spinning hug.

“Yes, yes, yes!” he crows in delight.

The portal closes, leaving just the four of them behind.

Ladybug huffs in relief. “You know, I love Bunnyx, but… every time I see her, it’s a brand new disaster.”

Chat looks at her in confusion. “Every? Isn’t this only the second time?”

Reynard sidles up to Tortue Verte. “So, how was meeting your future self?” he says, as Ladybug and Chat quietly discuss something else off to the side. “Mine was a lot more confident than I expected.”

Tortue snorts. “Kind of a butt,” she says. “But then again, that’s not much of a surprise, is it.”

Reynard coughs. “I invoke my right to not incriminate myself,” he says.

Tortue smacks his shoulder. “You’re such a dork.”

Reynard smiles. “Your dork.” He looks at where the portal vanished. “For quite a while, apparently.” He turns back to Tortue. “She tell you anything interesting?”

Tortue smiles, thinking about the proposal, about how happy she and her Nino were. About all the advice her future self gave. She has a lot of work to do.

“Sorry, babe,” she says. “Spoilers.”

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous #djwifi #original content #my fic #Alya cesaire #Nino lahiffe #ninalya #Rena rouge #carapace #turtle!alya #fox!nino #bunnyx #bunnix #mlsecretsanta 2020 #mlsecretsanta2k20 #emma agreste

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ririchanva · 3 years

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Summary: Marinette gains a new ally in a student from Japan, although he’s not what he seems. Lila makes her move, proving to Marinette that her threat is real. But what she didn’t count on, was that Marinette would have a few friends that has her back. Although they are the most unexpected people. When Lila pushes too far by getting Marinette and her friends expelled, there is a certain hero that lends a hand. But wait? BECOME STUDENTS OF U.A.?

Chapter Seven: Felix, Surprise Reunions

░❇┊Previous┊❇ ░ ❇┊Next┊❇ ░ ❇┊Masterlist┊❇ ┊AO3 ┊❇░

Warning for this chapter: Mentions of a murder / death.

A/n: So...Felix Chapter has arrived. And...boy it's a lot. But I do hope you enjoy this chapter. Because woof...this changes a LOT of things...

“It seems we have a lot to talk about.”

Both Marinette and Aizawa sat side by side on Marinette’s chaise longue, the two silent after Marinette’s declaration of having a conversation. The thing was…where to start?

“I think you should tell me exactly what is going. Start from the very beginning. What was your purpose coming here and why did you drag Hitoshi in this? Isn’t he a student?”

Aizawa sighed, nodding his head, “He is. But he’s sort of on a special sort of training. Kinda like a secret initiation. He’s told you he’s aiming to be in a hero course, right?”

“He called it a special course since he started out being in general studies,”

“That’s right,” The Erasure Hero said slowly, explaining, “The Hero Course in U.A. is one of the top highest courses in all of Japan. Not a lot of people get in. You’d have not only to have the quirk right for it, but it applies to both physical and mental strengths. There are exams that let students either get demoted from the Hero Course, or give chances for other courses to be promoted to the Hero Course. That is what Shinso is aiming for and why he’s with me. He’s going to be one of the special cases that’s going to take the exam to be one of the Hero Course students.”

Marinette felt like Aizawa wasn’t telling the whole story, but she’ll accept that for now.

“So…you know about the Guardian of the Miraculous then?” Marinette asked.

Aizawa hummed, "Your Master was aligned with the Hero's Association before. When he was the Jade Turtle Hero, he had shown himself when running with that Miracle Box, apparently on the run. Thus, a few chosen of us knew the secret and kept it, even against our country's government."

“Who else knows?”

“There’s myself. A hero named Present Mic, Midnight, Fatgum and of course, there is All Might—“

“Are we talking about Symbol of Peace, All Might?!” Marinette had heard Nino and sometimes Alya rave about the superhero all the time, right up there next to Majestia.

“Yes. Apparently All Might had his own run ins with Miraculous Holders.”

Marinette raised her hand up, “But wait! There weren’t any other heroes known until me and Chat Noir…”

“That’s in Paris. There were other heroes that went under different identities that never revealed they even had the Miraculous in other countries. Your master knows that well since he too used a Miraculous from time to time.”

“That can’t be…”

Aizawa was pulling out his phone as he then showed on his gallery a picture of a dark haired Black Cat Hero and a younger looking All Might.

“These two were pretty close friends. Same here,”

He scrolled his phone to show a beautiful dark haired woman with a white cape giving a big smile standing next to a very adult Ladybug. She didn’t look like anything like how Marinette dresses as Ladybug.

“These pictures I managed to get from All Might. Who would’ve been here but sadly, with being a famous hero and with a lot of things happening in Japan, Paris never gave him clearance to enter your city. So I’m kinda the one here in his stead.”

“So that’s your reason…” Marinette frowned before Aizawa sighed, he was already knowing what’s going on in her head.

“It was a bonus that I get to see your family too. Your…aunt, was always someone that I considered family. Someone that was always having my back. And thus I let Sabine and Tom be in my life as well when your Aunt...”

“...What is it?” Marinette looked worried when Aizawa's voice quietened down for a moment, his eyes looked haunted.

“Your Aunt...had an accident during our time in school. She had a nervous breakdown because of it so...you might notice if you ever try to ask your Aunt about me or anything about heroes and our time in school...she won't remember any of it...I-I'm still wondering if she would even remember me...”

With Aizawa trailing off, Marinette felt her stomach drop.

“Aunt Shu--er Ebony…she was in the hero course in U.A. High, wasn’t she?”

Aizawa nodded.

“Your parents think I am just from some genius future Ivy League school along with your aunt and have a career as a teacher. But they don’t know I’m teaching future heroes. They think I’m teaching liberal arts. I’m pretty sure your grandparents from your mother side ain’t that ignorant and thus why they didn’t want Ebony to go to U.A. but...she did.”

“So my Aunt...? She was supposed to be a hero then?”

Aizawa smiled sadly, "She would've been the best along with…”

Marinette saw him trail off again and then sighed, "So then, when was the last time you saw her?"

“The last time I’ve heard from her was fourteen years ago when she had stated that she needed help. And that she was going away. Something about someone following her tracks and...she ended up settling in London and Sabine told me she was fine and...was recuperating. That she was seeing professional help because she seemed to suffer a few mental illnesses.”

Aizawa frowned as Marinette could sense the man was looking…well, guilty and sad.

“Shinso told me that he wanted the Miraculous Heroes to join U.A. and train under you guys. For what purpose since, well, we’re kinda already well known heroes in Paris and the fact that months ago we (and I mean me and Chat Noir) needed guidance from heroes?”

“The UN are starting to get antsy that Paris is holding children as their line of defense. Saying that it demoralises the real heroes such as the police or the army,” Aizawa hummed with an eye roll, but then sighed, “So Japan is arranging a program that caters to any metas quirk users from European countries. We’ve already started with America and had one or two exchange students. Japan is hoping to show a peaceful treaty between countries like this.”

Marinette wasn’t totally on board with the world of politics (considering that Chloe’s father is part of it, no offence to her ex-bully turned friend), but she can get how the adults are trying to take control and lessen any trouble.

“Well, I can’t decide right now. Because honestly? I’m not even supposed to leave Paris. Not just because I’m a minor. But because Ladybug is Paris’ protector. If I leave, who’s gonna keep the city safe?”

“That’s what the Hero’s Association is working on,” Aizawa hummed, “We are also planning a way to help you find Hawkmoth and defeat him once and for all.” Marinette’s eyes widened to this as she then leaned forward, “Does that mean you might have a lead on who Hawkmoth is?!”

Aizawa started at her, “Not yet. But we might have a few leads, and we’re gathering up information.”

“We? You and Hitoshi?”

“There are other heroes outside the boarder that are keeping an eye on things,” Aizawa revealed as the girl gaped at him, “There are bigger things than Hawkmoth happening as we speak.”

“Then we should do something!”

Aizawa pulled Marinette back down as she was standing up.

“These aren’t your average villains that you’ve been facing everyday. They are waiting for the chance to cause some major damage. Major damage that even your little spell can’t place back together again.”

Marinette felt her stomach drop at the serious tone Aizawa was sporting, and with that look of his, she knew that this became overwhelmingly dangerous.

“Okay…” Marinette didn’t know what else to say.

“It’s getting late. We should talk about this tomorrow. And we’re gonna have to talk this all out with your team and your Master.” Aizawa suggested as he started getting up, glancing back down at Marinette, “You…have grown up well.”

Marinette stared at him, noticing how Aizawa looked like he was almost in a daze, as if lost in his own world.

Why did he look like he was holding back tears?

“Um, thanks?” Marinette tilted her head as Aizawa excused himself and bid her goodnight, climbing down the trap door leading him back downstairs.

Tikki came out of her hiding place as she stared where the man disappeared off to, then turned to Marinette.

“We can trust him, Marinette.”

The girl turned to her Kwami, “Huh?”

“I can tell you are questioning his motives and stuff. But I can guarantee you that he is on our side.”

“How can you tell, Tikki?” Marinette asked as she looked confused at the Kwami of Creation.

The bug like being smiled cutely, “Because he feels like an old friend~“

“Your father is waiting for you downstairs, Adrien.”

Adrien came back to reality when he heard Nathalie’s voice, turning his head to look at the woman at his door. Smiling weakly, he nodded his head, trying to rub any tears that might’ve escaped his eyes.

“Ah, um…I-I’ll be right there.”

If Nathalie noticed his sad silent tears, she didn’t mention them. Instead, she just nodded and left the room.

Adrien’s smile fell as she left, closing his eyes and leaning against his computer chair. Looking back at the picture of his mother and him on his computer screen, he had to think.

‘Mom…I wish you were here…’

Today was the anniversary of his mother’s disappearance.

His heart clenched for a moment in thought of his mother being absent from him and his father’s lives. He wondered what it would’ve been like if she was here. Would father have been a happy and normal father for once? Would Mom be approving of his life in school and the friends he has?

Would she be proud of him being a hero?

Without anymore thoughts, he was out of the room and walking downstairs, head bowed down. He then saw that his father was waiting at the bottom of the steps. Making his place at his father’s side, the both of them waited by the front door. It was quiet for a moment, almost awkward.

Maybe it was because Adrien stupidly suggested a while ago that Father should pursue Nathalie romantically.

‘I was stupid for even mentioning that. Especially when he’s still hurting over Mom…’

Nathalie turned to open the entrance door, the sun’s beams from the outside pouring in as a figure stood before them. Adrien looked up, blinking as he saw that the figure was a woman. A woman that looked awfully familiar. Especially with the soft apple green eyes like his and the gentle smile.

A small gasp escaped Adrien.

It couldn’t be…

“M-mom…?”

The figure that looked so much like his mother stepped forward, the motherly look melted away into an excited peppy face and tone, the woman spreading her arms out in a grand gesture.

“My, my~ Look how much you’ve grown~” The woman reached out to cup Adrien’s cheeks and kiss each side, before looking at Adrien’s father with a grin, “Gabriel~ Isn’t he just the absolute cutest~?”

Gabriel just stared at her emotionlessly, sighing almost in exasperation, “I’m sure Adrien is delighted to have such a timely visit from his aunt today of all days.”

Adrien stared in confusion for a moment before his eyes widened, “A-Aunt Amelie?”

Amelie smiled softly, hands over her heart while cooing, “I’m sooooo happy to see you again~! I thought it would be better if we’re all together on a day like this~ Don’t you agree, dear~?“

Adrien smiled brightly and nodded his head.

If his Aunt was here, then that meant…?

As if on cue, as Gorilla was moving some luggages away, another figure stood by the doorway. Adrien looked to his blank faced father for a moment before looking back at the figure. The figure turned out to be a boy the same age as Adrien, dressed in a dark tight suit with sharp eyes and slick back hair and sporting a frown.

“Felix!” Adrien was breathing out with happiness and fondness, stepping forward.

His favourite cousin was here!

Instead of taking the handshake the silent Felix was offering, Adrien reached out to hug him tightly.

“It’s good to see you again!”

Felix held a grimace, his arms just limply staying at his sides as Adrien kept his boa constrictor hold.

“Awww~ They look just like twins~” Amelie was blissfully enunciating with a smile, but her eyes looked back at Gabriel sharply, “Don’t they, Gabriel~?”

Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the woman’s sugary tone.

Amelie wasn’t backing down from his aura of annoyance as she just kept smiling.

“Do you remember when they used to have so much fun pretending to be each other? Once they had you and Emilie fooled for a whole weekend~ Ohohoho~ We laughed so hard~”

Gabriel could sense there was some sort of mocking undertone in her cheery voice.

He never did like her.

So much different from his Emilie.

“I won’t be fooled a second time.“

Felix coolly looked at the man for a moment, offering his hand as he gave a cold, polite nod, “Hello, Uncle.”

Gabriel just stared at his hand in disgust, and Amelie had to step in with a chiding, fond tone.

“Felix~ You know your Uncle has never been the physical sort,” She murmured sweetly, although her eyes said something different.

Gabriel saw the way she was looking at his hand. Specifically at his ring finger.

“Ohhhh~ How sweet~ You’re still wearing your wedding band~”

There it was.

Gabriel just stared at her as her eyes crinkle for a moment in amusement, before she then clapped her hands together with a giggle.

“You must have Emilie’s too, I imagine. You never replied to my messages about that,” Her tone shifted into a quiet, serious tone (almost icy, one that only Gabriel caught on) as she poked at his chest, “I’d still like to have the rings back, you know.”

“These rings are obviously special to me.” Gabriel replied with his tone of his own, as if challenging the woman before him.

But of course, Amelie was a woman that never cowered under a man. Especially a man like Gabriel.

“And they’re dear to me too, Gabriel,” She responded in kind, raising a perfect brow at him, “Those jewels have been in the Graham de Vanily family. Not the Agrestes.”

The look of determination and warning faded from her face as she smiled innocently, but Gabriel was no fool. Still, it would not do him good to raise his voice and argue, especially when it will be noticed by even his oblivious and innocent son.

Felix observed the two adults with careful eyes, knowing that his plan was going into motion.

“We can discuss it later,” And those words were final as Gabriel’s tone shifted into a calm polite one, “It’s been a long journey from London, you may want to rest a bit.”

Amelie pursed her lips as she held back her laugh. He was basically telling her to shut up, wasn’t he?

She’s been in the life of the rich and famous so long to know how one talks passively.

Amelie smiled as Gabriel was calling his assistant to show her to her room, her voice carried strongly.

“Thank you again for letting us stay here, Gabriel~ Especially when we’ll be seeing each other quite often from now on~”

This made Gabriel pause for a moment as he looked to her, “What do you mean?”

“If you have read my messages, then you would know that Felix and I have left London for good~ Thought maybe a change of scenery would be best~ Plus, being close to family is better, is it not~?” She grinned a little as she saw how Gabriel’s eye twitch for a moment, “Meaning that we’ll be living in Paris and Felix will go to school together with Adrien~ Isn’t it wonderful~?”

“A-are you serious?!” Adrien asked in awe, as his eyes shined with happiness.

Amelie nodded, “Indeed~ We actually have a house already close by ready to be moved into but with the movers shifting our things around we cannot sleep there just yet. So I was happy to hear that Gabriel had offered to let us stay here~”

She looked to Gabriel and gave a sweet smile.

“So yes. We can talk all we want about those rings at any time~”

Gabriel knew those words meant ‘I’m not going anywhere. You cannot get rid of me.’

This simply won’t do, Gabriel would think as he tried to calm his anger down.

“This is awesome Felix~! I can’t wait to introduce you to all my friends and show you around!” Adrien cheered as he was hooking his arm onto Felix’s and was dragging him upstairs to his room.

Felix looked back to his mother, who just smiled up and him and waved.

Right. He has to play nice for now.

He looked back to Adrien chattering away as he knew his mother was being taken to her room for the time being, while Gabriel was going back to his office, obviously steaming from Felix’s mother’s words.

Felix held back a smirk.

‘This should be an interesting start…’

Marinette thought she would be talking to her “godfather” again today.

But it seems he has other plans.

“Sorry, kiddo. I’m having a meeting with someone today. But hey, we can talk again tonight, alright?”

And that seemed to be the end of it. Where was that man going, anyways?

Marinette shook her head.

That’s not important right now.

Right now she was sitting in Chloe’s bedroom, resting herself cross-legged on her bed with Shinso laying on his stomach next to her, head propped up by his arms that were resting on a pillow. Nino was behind them, looking over the two’s shoulders while Sabrina was right next to him. And said rich girl? She was pacing around the room with a serious look.

“We can’t leave Adrikens alone on a day like this!” The blonde huffed as she was waving her hands around, her face contorted in frustration and worry.

“True that!” A voice spoke up from Marinette’s tablet.

Marinette was holding a voice conference with all of their classmates, considering the one that arranged it was Chloe. There was Alix, Nathaniel and Marc on one screen, then Luka, Juleka and Rose on another. Mylene and Ivan were on another screen below them, and next to them were Kim and Max together. Then, below them was Kagami on her own on the left, Lila and Alya in their own screen next to her and finally Aurore and Mireille on the right bottom screen.

“But there’s no way his old man is gonna let us see him,” Alix continued on as she sighed, secretly looking at Nathaniel before looking back on screen.

Marinette hummed with a thoughtful look, “Okay…h-how about we make a video and tell him how much we care about him?”

“Great idea, Marinette!” Alya spoke with a big smile, almost mischievous as she winked, “We record our messages individually and send it over to him!”

Voices of agreement sounded all around, but Shinso remained quiet as he looked at everyone.

“You can totally join in too, dude, even if you are new.” Nino whispered to Shinso quietly with a weak smile, but Hitoshi shook his head.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea…”

“Everyone should give a word about Adrien,” Lila spoke up with a pout as her eyes looked at them on the screen, “Do you maybe have something against Adrien?”

Everyone was looking at Hitoshi on screen, but the ones that are with him looked appalled at Lila’s words.

Seriously, right now?

‘Maybe she’s still feeling bitter from last time.’

Hitoshi was calm though, as he replied coolly, “I just don’t want him to be uncomfortable about me that’s all. Because I don’t know him that well.”

“And that’s fine,” Marinette came to his rescue as she smiled, “It’s the thought that counts. No one is gonna force him if he doesn’t want to.”

Alya soon perked up with a big smile, “Alright go first Marinette~”

There are some people that have knowing amused looks on their faces while there are some that looked indifferent. Marinette looked nervous as she was almost going to combust with emotions but Nino came to the rescue.

“I’ll go first. He’s my bro after all!”

Marinette glanced at Nino and smiled in thanks, as Nino winked over at her.

Something that didn’t slip by Alya, who glared on screen for a second.

“We’ll send you the videos soon! Alright, Nino out~”

Nino pressed at the end call before he then looked at Marinette, seeing that her face was looking upset.

“You okay?”

Marinette was quiet for a moment, before turning to Nino and assuring him that she’s fine. Shinso knew what Marinette was thinking and sighed, sitting up now and fixing his hair.

“Well hurry up Lahiffe, I wanna give my own message to Adrikins as well!” Chloe made a chop, chop! motion with her hands as Nino was moving to take the tablet from Marinette and start recording.

“Hey my dude—“

Felix looked down at Adrien’s phone in hand, honestly thinking it was too easy that the fool didn’t suspect him pickpocketing off of him.

Leaning magic tricks really did wonders.

He raised a brow as he was seeing that his dear cousins had a few video messages and one recent text. Shaking his head, he soon moved on to see anything that his cousin might have on Uncle Gabriel.

‘Doubtful that Uncle would trust my foolish cousin with anything important, but at least it’s worth a shot.’ Felix thought as he was then seeing some photo gallery that had Ladybug on it.

Well, okay a lot of pictures of her.

Obsessed much?

“And of course he has superheroes on the brain. Has always been crazy with fantasy.”

He shook his head before he then saw that another message buzzed in. Frowning, he opened it, curiosity filling him as he saw that it was from someone named…Alix?

[[Alix: Hey, which room are you in? Me, Marc and Nath are outside your garden.]]

Felix raised a brow as he switched the shower off and was soon looking to the door.

So…his cousin has rebellious friends, does he?

He soon was walking to the door and peeked out for a moment, “Adrien, do you might grabbing my suitcase downstairs? I er, forgot to get some unmentionables, if you know what I mean?”

Adrien peeked up from above, since he was looking for some entertainment for him and his cousin, but his eyes widened at his words and raced down.

“Oh! Oh er, sure, okay um, I’ll go grab them now!“

Felix smirked as he watched Adrien was dropping the chessboard and deck of cards Felix told him to look for on the bed, and was rushing out the room.

Perfect.

Taking the clothes that Adrien told him to borrow for a while, he changed into them. He looked to the mirror and styled his hair, smirking as he looked exactly like his cousin.

“Now, let’s see…” Felix soon coughed a bit, before he mimicked Adrien’s cheerful voice, “Hi, I’m Adrien. I’m in love with Ladybug and I let my father boss me around like some stupid puppet blah blah blah~“

He was quiet for a moment before he laughed, nodding to himself.

“Should be able to fool whoever these kids are~”

Stepping out of the room, he quickly went to Adrien’s door and locked it, just so the other blond couldn’t get it just yet and ruin his plans. It would take Adrien a while anyways to carry Felix’s very heavy baggage all the way upstairs without help. Once he did that, he soon walked over to the window, tapping on the glass as he looked down to see a dark haired boy in a red hoodie, a red haired male and then a short pink haired girl. The three looked up in surprise and brightened, waving at “Adrien” happily.

Felix was waving back with a fake smile, giving a signal to wait a moment as deep down, he smirked. ‘Let’s see how far I can go with this~’

Turning back, he walked over to the door and unlocked it, just in time for Adrien to come in. Adrien was huffing and panting as he was struggling to drag Felix’s luggage into the room, his cheeks a warm red and looking worn out.

“G-Geez, what do you have in there, Fe? Rocks?” Adrien asked but then blinked as he looked at Felix’s attire and grinned, “Oh wow! You look exactly like me! Are we playing the switch-a-roo game like when we were kids?”

“Ah, sorry, but I just remembered I need to see my mother about something first. But I’ll be right back, okay?” Felix reached out to hug Adrien, secretly slipping Adrien’s phone back into his back pocket as if it never left his person.

“Oh that’s fine! I’ll just set up the chess board while you’re gone yeah? I can even maybe set up some videos games I can introduce to you!” Adrien assured Felix, papping his back and then leaned back with a smile, “Just don’t take too long okay?”

Felix smiled back, “Of course! This won’t take long~ ”

He side stepped around Adrien and started walking downstairs, quickly heading for the back garden.

Once he was outside, the trio looked over and smiled brightly.

“Hey Ad. We thought we’d spring you out of this join to hang out!” Alix announced happily but Nathaniel stepped in with a soft concerned look.

“Only if you want to. I know today isn’t a nice day for you but…we just want you to know that we’re here for you, man.” Felix kept his composure but inside, he was honestly rolling his eyes.

‘If you knew today wasn’t a good day, then why come? Honestly, it’s sort of foolish…’

But even deep down, he felt a familiar tinge in his heart. Felix almost had to erase thinking of a certain trio he knew that he left in London.

‘Let’s not think of the past…’

Still acting as Adrien, he smiled, “W-well if it’s only for a little while. But I have to be back or my Father would get pretty angry.”

“Understood, dude! C’mon! We can climb back up the wall!” Alix pointed out but Marc was already protesting, especially when he had such a scare a few minutes ago.

“Actually, we could pass the back door,” Felix pointed out as he then walked over to the vines that were apparently covering the door that lead them out to the streets, then turned back to the three’s shocked faces.

“…There was always a door there?” Alix asked as Nathaniel facepalmed.

As Felix was leading them out, he smirked, glancing back at the manor before following after the three.

“Hey, sorry we brought Marc with us. But we didn’t tell him the secret, so we’re cool!” Alix said after a while of walking in the streets of Paris, skating next to Felix, who raised a brow.

“Secret?”

Nathaniel, who was on Felix’s other side, paused for a moment, his eyes narrowed.

Alix was waving her hand, not noticing the shift in the air, “Oh yeah, about—“

“About Lila,” Nathaniel told quickly with smoothness as Alix paused in her skating backwards with a weird look, before Nathaniel smiled, “You know, the thing about Lila~?”

Felix raised a brow at the red head smiling at him like that but nodded, giving a cheery smile, “Of course! Lila is pretty nice, huh?”

That got Alix’s attention for a moment as Marc heard this and frowned.

“Honestly? I don’t think she’s all that nice.”

Both Nathaniel and Alix stared at Felix carefully at this.

Felix keeping a straight face as Marc continued.

“Adrien, she’s a liar. She lies with every breath and people somehow believe her, no matter how ridiculous it is. It’s pretty dangerous if she tells the wrong lie. I know you might not see it because she acts nice and sweet to everyone, but honestly…?”

The blond had to think for a moment, before he then sighed, “Alright, you got me~! I didn’t want to say anything but…I already knew Lila was a liar the entire time.”

All three were shocked at his words, Alix and Nathaniel looking at each other in confusion while Marc looked relieved.

“I-If you know, then we should tell everyone!” He looked to Nathaniel and Alix, smiling, “I would’ve thought Adrien would be oblivious to Lila just as he is to Marinette, ya know?”

Nathaniel winced at Marc’s slip up, and Marc noticed as he covered his mouth, blushing brightly.

Felix perked up for a moment. Marinette….wasn’t that a name in his cousin’s phone?

But it was with the nickname ‘Princess’ right next to her photo.

Maybe his cousin has a crush on her?

‘No, no…let’s not assume. Although it is interesting that they mentioned her name and reacted…’

Nathaniel watched Felix’s expression for a moment before he had an idea.

The red head smiled coyly as he hummed, “Marc~ It can’t be help~ After all….Marinette is someone special to Adrien~”

Alix wondered what Nathaniel was upto when “Adrien” was nodding his head.

“Of course she is. She’s someone that has peaked my interest.”

This caused Nathaniel to narrow his eyes as he was stopping in front of the blond.

“Who are you?”

Even if Felix placed a dumb founded face, Nathaniel wasn’t fooled.

“You’re not Adrien.”

Felix schooled his face from looking surprised, as Alix narrowed her eyes and Marc looking confused.

“W-what are you taking about, Nathaniel?” Felix tried again, laughing nervously and keeping up the smile.

“The real Adrien would’ve said Marinette was “just a friend” because he’s kinda a blind oblivious idiot, and we love him for that. So…I’ll ask again. Who. Are. You?” Nathaniel calmly demanded, his demeanour simmering into a threatening look.

There was no way Felix could spin this around.

Dropping the act and pushing his hair back, Felix rolled his eyes upwards, “Seems you’re smarter than I originally thought.”

“Are you like, Adrien’s clone or something?” Alix exclaimed as she got up to his face, despite being shorter than him, “Or maybe a Sentimonster?”

“Alix!” Nathaniel hissed at her as Felix raised a brow at the term she used.

“What? It’s possible!” Alix hissed back before glancing Felix with suspicion then back at Nathaniel, who sighed, “He looks and sounds too much like Adrien,”

“I’m Adrien’s cousin. My name is Felix Graham de Vanily.” Felix finally introduced himself in a cool manner, making Nathaniel’s eyes spark in recognition.

“The same Graham de Vanily that has their own filming studio?”

Alix looked at him puzzled for a moment but the red head explained.

“They are pretty famous in the industry. They like to bring stories from indie writers and such to life…although I never knew Adrien’s related to them.”

“Our mothers were twins,” Felix pointed out curtly, straightening his collar for a moment.

Marc observed Felix with awe, “He really does look so much like Adrien, it’s scary. If he didn’t talk the way he is now, I would have never guessed!”

“Why did you dress up and act like him?” Alix demanded with her hands on her hips, “Where is Adrien now?”

Felix shrugged, “Adrien’s is back home waiting for me. Probably didn’t notice I’m gone. I wanted to see what kind of company my cousin kept. Wanted to gauge a bit of what his social life was like considering…”

“There seems to be more than that,” Nathaniel interrupted as he observed Felix, “I don’t know what you could possibly gain from trying to act like—”

“Adrien!”

The four teens looked up when Alya and Lila were coming their way. And it seems they were joined by Max, Kim, Ivan and Mylene.

“I’m so happy to see that you’re here~” Lila cooed softly as she was stepping closer, and was soon nudging her arm onto Felix’s while batting her eyes, “I thought you weren’t allowed out today since, you know~?”

“Did you sneak out?” Alya asked with a cheeky tone before looking back at Alix, Nathaniel and Marc, “Good job guys! I bet you helped him get out huh? Talk about rebellious. Too bad Marinette isn’t here, huh?”

Felix had to snort as he moved away from Lila, and next to Alix.

“Since Adrien is here, we should all hang out!” Kim suggested jovially as he grinned, “Let’s go watch a movie together!”

“I suppose it would be a good idea. Markov did suggest that laughter is a good cure for sadness,” Max pushed his glasses up.

Ivan just nodded silently in agreement while Mylene was smiling happily.

“Good idea~ Maybe a romantic movie~?” Lila was latching onto “Adrien” again as the blond now was openly glaring at her.

Nathaniel came in between then and smiled tightly.

“Sorry guys, Adrien can’t stay for long. Considering today isn’t--”

“We just want to cheer Adrien up is all~” Lila said in a sugary tone, although Felix noticed her eyes were pretty sharp, “I mean we’re all friends, aren’t we~?”

‘So this is the liar that the three mentioned.’ Felix thought, the gears turning as Lila was babbling on about something, noting that even her lies weren’t even that good.

“Yeah, well, we are. But seriously, Adrien’s old man might notice Adrien’s disappearance so we should take him back,” Alix tried to excuse as she witnessed Lila continuing to shift to him and try to stick to him like glue.

And the glare that Lila was secretly giving to Alix? Felix knew that look all too well.

“I can understand your pain, Adrien. I mean I lost my dad when I was young too~ He was one of the greatest magic performers out there you know~”

Felix’s eye twitched. He doubts she’d be related to any magic performers.

“But since me and mother lost him during one of his magic tricks, it has been hard~ So honestly I can relate to you~” Lila sighed as if she was acting sad with those fake tears, but glanced up at Felix as if she was trying to look pitifully cute, “Which is why, just like I said in my video message to you, if you ever need to talk or something, I’m here for you~”

The ‘in more ways than one’ look didn’t slip from Felix’s sharp eyes.

“Could you not be so clingy?” Felix said with a bored tone, shooing Lila off his arm as the girl stared at him, “Also, you can please shut up and not talk anymore? Your voice is irritating me.”

It was silent after that.

Alya, Kim, Max, Ivan and Mylene looking shocked.

Marc looking fearful while Nathaniel and Alix were trying to hold in their snorts.

And Lila?

She had looked angry and shocked for one second before her face shifted into a teary sad look.

And then, she started crying.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Adrien~” She placed her hands over her face, turning her body away as her shoulders shook, “I was j-just trying to be friendly and understanding, you know~? Why do you have to be so m-mean?”

‘Her acting is terrible.’ Felix thought as Alya and Mylene were comforting her, while Kim, Max and Ivan were now standing in front of him as if protecting Lila from him. Laughable.

“What’s your problem, Adrien? She was just trying to cheer you up since your Mom’s gone,” Kim said bluntly as Max nodded his head, while Ivan stood by his girlfriend.

That got Felix pissed.

“Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t think I owed you people anything considering I don’t even want to do anything on the day that my a—mother is gone. It’s supposed to be a sad day for me, and here you guys are, suggesting a hang out and go to the movies? Read the room.” Felix managed to recover as his slow angry was pulsing inside of him, “Did you ever think that maybe what your precious friend Lila here was doing is basically harassment? She invades my personal space like some harpy salivating on her prey.”

Alix and Nathaniel were now seriously troubled. Any other time they would be laughing but…

Alya looked pissed.

“Lila isn’t like that! She was just concerned for you, Adrien! Like a good friend should!”

Felix snorted, “Friend. Right. Like I’d believe that. She could just tell me she’s concerned, not trying to lose circulation in my arm by grabbing onto me and practically pressing herself like some insect. Talk about obsessed.”

Alya huffed as she narrowed her eyes, “She’s not like your crazy fangirls or Marinette!”

There was the name again. Although now Felix looked to Nathaniel and Alix were steaming at Alya’s words. Interesting.

“Why are you like this Adrien?” Mylene asked softly as Felix turned to look at her.

“How about being sensitive to someone’s loved one not being around anymore? Instead, you just use your “friend’s’” sadness as an excuse of a chance to goof off with him instead of letting him grieve. So excuse me that I can’t be some happy go lucky idiot like you lot. You don’t know anything about me!”

Ivan was narrowing his eyes as Mylene’s eyes started to water. Kim and Max looked at each other, but even they were looking slightly miffed.

Alya was growling, losing her temper even more than before, as she stepped in front of them and Lila, “You’re out of line, Agreste!”

“And you’re enabling a faker. All of you are, and you don’t even know it.” Felix retorted back as he raised a brow, “I’m starting to wonder why I’m friends with you all. Maybe u—Father is right. What was I thinking of going to a public school full of morons?”

Everyone gasped, although Nathaniel and Alix had to groan at Felix’s acting out of character for “Adrien” while Marc wished he could stop all this.

Lila continued her fake crying as Felix stared at her while her sheep were circling around her and trying to comfort her.

“Pathetic.”

Suddenly, a glowing black butterfly appeared above everyone as they were caught together thanks to Lila’s phone in hand (when did she have it out?) and soon all of them had shining outlines of a butterfly over their faces.

“Shit…” Nathaniel breathed out and was soon grabbing at Felix’s wrist and started running, Alix grabbing for Marc as the four of them were taking off.

“Volpina. Lady Wi-fi. Dark Cupid. Horrificator. Stoneheart. Gamer. I am Hawkmoth~ From now on, you shall be the The Punishers Hexad~!”

Hawkmoth stood in front of his window with a smirk.

Thanks to the video that Lila has been secretly filming for him, showing him and Nathalie that Felix was posing as Adrien and upsetting his classmates, Hawkmoth decided to use this opportunity to kill two birds in one stone. One to get Ladybug and Chat Noir’s Miraculous…and the other getting rid of his annoying and meddling in-laws.

‘Felix. I promised you that I wouldn’t be fooled a second time.’

Nathaniel and Alix dragged Marc and Felix right back into the garden of the Agreste Manor, panting with wide eyes at what they almost witnessed.

“What was that just now?” Felix asked with a deep frown once he pulled away from Nathaniel’s hold.

“T-They were just akumatized. Hawkmoth, a bad guy in this cityy, has sensed their negative emotions and now probably turned them into rampaging monsters thanks to you,” Alix explained angrily but calmed herself down. She didn’t want to be akumatized as well.

“Why did you do that? Antagonise them?” Marc asked softly, looking at Felix.

“Wasn’t it obvious? Those friends of yours aren’t exactly bright?” Felix said with a shrug as he raised a brow, “How on earth could they believe a girl that doesn’t have class or any cleverness. Her acting was appalling and being a magic performer’s daughter? Hah, I know a lot of magicians and street performers in the world. None of them have any kids named Lila.”

“That doesn’t matter now. What matters is that Ladybug and Chat Noir stop them and turn them back to normal,” Nathaniel pointed out as he was grabbing for his phone and started texting.

Adrien was just finished re-ordering Plagg’s cheese when he got the ext from Nathaniel. After reading the contents, his eyes widened then rushed out of his room and to the garden where everyone is.

“F-felix?” Adrien breathed out then looked to Marc, Nathaniel and Alix, “What’s this about our classmates being akumatized?”

“It’s a long story, but whatever you do, don’t answer your—“

Adrien’s phone buzzing interrupted into whatever Nathaniel was saying. The blond was pulling it out, and before anyone could stop him, a bright light flashed with Adrien dropping his phone and the Punishers Hexad appearing before them.

Volpina grinned as she was holding her flute up, “It’s time for your punishment, you naughty—“

Her and the rest of the akumatized beings paused as they saw two Adriens standing with their hands up in fright along with a shocked Marc, Nathaniel and Alix.

“…Boys?” Lady-Wifi, Dark Cupid, Gamer and Volpina let out in confusion, while beings like Horrificator and Stoneheart just let out grunts of puzzlement.

“It all make sense now!” Lady-Wifi narrowed her eyes as she held her phone up to one of the look-alikes, “There were TWO Adriens!”

“That explains why the Adrien we saw was being mean to Lila and the rest of us!” Dark Cupid huffed, holding his arrow at who he thought was the fake Adrien.

“Confirmed. Looks like we have an evil boss level jerk to take out,” Gamer smirked, having his controller in hand.

Adrien glanced at Felix questionably, raising a brow as Volpina spoke.

“Which one of you is the cruel and inferior copy of the original?” She asked as she was narrowing her eyes, looking at the two blonds.

“What did you say to them?” Adrien asked, worried.

“Only the truth. That, and you need better friends,” Felix said warily as he then glanced at Nathaniel, Alix and Marc, “At least these three have brain cells, despite looking tacky.”

“…I should punch you, but I guess A for effort.” Alix murmured under her breath, saying something about another socially stunted rich blond.

“One of you guys tried to make Adrien look like a monster!” Lady-Wifi said angrily, “There was no way that our sunshine cinnamon roll would say all those rude stuff to us! So fess up! Now.”

Adrien bit his lower lip, but soon shifted his expression into a cruel one as he laughed evilly, “AHAHAHHA~! It’s me~ I’m the fake Adrien~! You’ll never take me alive~ Muwahahahah~” He cackled as he then started running off.

Before any of the akumatized Punishers could go after him, Alix was sticking her foot out, tripping Lady-Wifi. Nathaniel was soon on the move as well, grabbing for some random object and throwing it at Dark Cupid. Marc whimpered, but he was reaching for Felix and rushing him to run out of the room, trying to get to safety. Alix kicked Gamer’s shin and soon was grabbing for Adrien’s computer chair, using it as a shield against Horrificator as Nathaniel was grabbing for some…cheese that he found on Adrien’s desk and was throwing it at Stoneheart.

Lady-Wifi growled, growing impatient and threw a floating pause button on both Alix and Nathaniel, freezing them into place.

The six soon were out the door, splitting off into two groups of three to find the fake Adrien.

After finding a hiding spot to transform, Chat Noir was on the move as he jumped up on top of the roof of the Agreste Manor. He spotted Marc already running down the street with Felix in tow, then spotted Volpina riding on Stoneheart’s shoulder as Lady-Wifi was also resting on the other shoulder. Using his bo-staff, he then pole-vaulted his way after them, hoping that Ladybug would arrive with some backup.

Jumping down to the road and deciding to go after them on foot, Chat was pulling his bo-staff into resting mode and called Ladybug in his communicator.

“Ladybug, I’m heading near the Pont de l'Alma. Hawkmoth upped his game today and akumatized six people. They are after Adrien Agreste’s cousin, Felix, and Marc Anciel. Please hurry and bring backup.”

Clicking his communication off, he was soon jumping up high and landing in front of the Punishers, grinning.

“Hey gang~ You playing tag? Can I join~?”

“Get him and take his Miraculous! I’ll get the fake Adrien!” Volpina shouted as she was rushing in first, Lady-Wifi and Stoneheart took to fighting Chat Noir, the hero avoiding hitting Stoneheart and dodging Lady-Wifi’s hits.

Marc yelped when Volpina appeared before them, smirking as she was about to approach them but blinked when Felix pushed Marc behind him and smirked back.

“You want a fight? I’ll give you a fight, Sneaky Fox.”

Volpina laughed haughtily, “It’s time for your punishment, naughty boy~”

Felix went into a fighting stance as he grinned wildly, “Be careful what you wish for. Hope you can keep up with a third degree black belt~”

And with that, Volpina was charging with a cry, and Felix quickly blocked her hit easily. Looking bored, he continued to dodge her, knowing she was getting angrier and angrier by the minute. Jumping back and soon flipped over her, he kicked at her back hard and was aiming a high kick, but missed as Volpina rolled out of the way.

Marc’s eyes widened as he watched the fight, but then turned to look at Chat Noir having trouble taking on both Wi-fi and Stoneheart.

What should he do?

He then saw that Dark Cupid, Gamer and Horrificator were coming their way to join the fray, and Marc wondered if Alix and Nathaniel are okay…were they hurt or worse? Where was Ladybug and the other heroes?

Suddenly, Marc’s eyes widened as Stoneheart was about to smash his heavy fist on Chat Noir, who was still dodging Wi-fi and not noticing anything…

It felt like his body was moving without thinking.

“WATCH OUT!”

Chat Noir’s eyes widened as he was pushed out of the way, then heard a scream of fright and pain. Rolled out of harm’s way, the cat hero looked up and gasped as he saw Marc down on the ground once Stoneheart lifted his fist up, the boy’s body crumpled in an odd angle and barely breathing at all.

Heart beating louder in his ears, Chat Noir’s mood shifted from frozen shocked into deadly fury as he was about to use Cataclysm when he felt a hand over his shoulder. Turning around to let out a feral growl, he saw it was Kazesagi.

“Keep your head straight. Don’t lose it.”

Carapace was jumping in as well, speeding forward, grabbing the unconscious Marc off the ground, dodging Stoneheart’s hit just as Ladybug was jumping in and tying Lady-Wifi up.

“You called for backup. Well, this is your backup.” Kazesagi said in a drawl as he then was pulling out his umbrella, calling out his burrow as a portal opened above them, dropping the heaping knocked out bodies of Dark Cupid, Gamer and Horrificator.

Chat Noir breathed out as Carapace jumped in between them with Marc in his arms, “Is he…?”

“He’s badly hurt. But once Ladybug uses her lucky charm and get the spell working, he should be fine. He’s alive at least,” Carapace said softly as Ladybug was already calling out her Lucky Charm.

Chat Noir’s eyes looked down at the bruised form that was Marc Anciel. If only he watched his back.

Ladybug raised her hand as she caught the Lucky Charm, surprised it was a flashlight.

Volpina growled, kicking Felix out of the way as she rushed to attack Ladybug, but the heroine sensed her and blocked the hit from the flute with her yo-yo, narrowing her eyes. The two girls were locked into battle, and Felix raised a brow for a second.

A tinge of color flashed in his eyes for a second as his vision greyed out, the blond looking around as he spotted something shining emerald green in Volpina’s belt.

Volpina smirked and was going to use her flute to make carbon copies of herself and fool Ladybug while she’ll sneakily go behind her and make her attack, but blinked as nothing happened.

“What?” She looked at her flute in confusion, giving Ladybug a chance to figure out how to use her Lucky Charm. Suddenly, she spotted Felix making his eyes rapidly move as if signalling to Volpina.

Her Lucky Charm’s instinct was pointing to him.

…She knew what to do.

Grinning, Ladybug turned on the flashlight and shined it to Volpina’s eyes, blinding her. As the fox raged and tried to shield her eyes, Felix was quickly grabbing the object from Volpina’s belt and saw it was a cellphone.

“Cat Boy! Catch!”

Felix called as he was soon throwing it to Chat Noir, who looked up, activated his Cataclysm and caught the phone, turning it into dust. The butterfly was flying out of the broken object, and Ladybug caught it in time. Purifying it and sending her magical bugs to change everything back to normal.

Including healing Marc, who was opening his eyes with a tired groan.

“W-what happened?”

Chat Noir smiled in relief, so did Carapace and Kazesagi.

“You saved my life. But you shouldn’t risk yourself in danger like that again, okay?” As much as Chat was grateful, he never wanted to experience someone almost dying for him again.

…Was this how Ladybug reacts like whenever he sacrifices himself for her every time?

Ladybug breathed out in relief as she walked over to the boys, Felix following at her side.

“I’m…going to assume you’re not Adrien Agreste,” Ladybug questioned as she looked at the blond next to her, the male placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head in a polite gentleman manner.

“Felix Graham de Vanily.”

“You fight pretty good. Brave and a strategist to boot too,” Ladybug smiled but then looked stern, “But please don’t be fighting akumas like that even if you are some martial arts expert. Leave it to the heroes, okay?”

She turned to Marc, who was looking like he wanted to hide, averted his eyes away.

“Are you okay?”

At her soft voice, Marc looked up to Ladybug’s concerned face and nodded quietly, making the girl smile.

“I saw you saving Chat Noir and I thank you Marc Anciel. But please don’t be risking yourself like that either, alright? We don’t want civilians like you getting hurt or worse.”

Chat Noir felt something stuck in his throat at her voice, even if she wasn’t talking to him directly. It felt like the many times she nags and tells him off whenever he jumped in front of her. And he just brushes her off like it was nothing. Because her Lucky Charm and Miraculous Ladybug would always fix everything in the end.

That was so messed up.

“I-I promise, Ladybug. I won’t do it again.” Marc promised sincerely, just as Nathaniel and Alix were rushing towards them with worried looks.

Ladybug nodded to her team, then looked to Chat Noir, who was staring at her with soft eyes.

“Pound it?” Ladybug lifted her fist to their signature move, but was surprised when Chat Noir was taking her hand, lower lip wobbling as he tried to smile, but it looked like a grimace.

“I can understand now why you always get so mad whenever I don’t take things seriously and keep flirting with you. A-and the way I keep on jumping in the way to save you and end up getting hurt for you…”

Chat Noir was shaking as he gripped her hand, almost looking teary eyed.

“I-I’ll try to be a better p-partner from now on, Ladybug. No more flirting, no more goofing off. After the scare I had today, I can finally see that. I always take things for granted, a-and I should respect your feelings, too. So…”

Ladybug stared at him for a moment then softened.

He was being sincere this time around.

She was squeezing her partner’s hand and nodded her head, “Thank you, Chat. You don’t have to change completely. There’s a time and a place for these things, okay? You’re one of my best friends, I don’t want to lose you and hurt your feelings…”

Chat Noir nodded in understanding, and soon heard coughing. The two turned to see Carapace and Kazesagi staring at them knowingly, Felix rolling his eyes, Alix grinning from ear to ear, while Nathaniel and Marc had to look away awkwardly.

Noticing that he and Ladybug were holding hands, he moved back a bit and looked sheepish…but….he was surprised he didn’t feel the giddy butterflies he usually would when he was still crazily fawning over her.

…Strange.

Once the heroes made sure that the akumatized victims were okay and brought them home (including bringing Felix back to the Agreste Manor then dropping off Marc, Nathaniel and Alix somewhere), the heroes soon stopped by the Eiffel Tower.

“Looks like our timers are almost up. Good job today everyone and get home safely!” Ladybug heard her Miraculous beeping, along with Chat and Carapace’s.

Although all three looked confused as Kazesagi’s didn’t look like he was running out of minutes like they were.

“I gotta ask, how come you’re not running out of time?” Chat Noir pointed out in suspicion as Kazesagi had a shit-eating grin.

“That’s a secret~”

Chat kept his cool, even if he did hate secrets.

Ladybug had that question on the brain too. Now that she thought about it, even as Kirin, the other was able to keep using his voyage without timing out and transforming back. Unlike with Mustang, who had the same timer of five minutes once using his power like she, Chat Noir and the other temporary heroes.

The same thing for Kurogane.

She should ask Master Fu about that later.

“Anyways, you guys should get going.” Kazesagi saluted to them and used his burrow to escape, and Chat Noir was groaning loudly.

“Man, he should be the fox. He sneakier than Volpina and Rena Rouge!“

Carapace looked troubled at the mention of his fox girlfriend, biting his lower lip as he remembered Alya looking at him betrayed when she was changed back to normal along with the others.

He knew she was going to ask questions when she meets with him tomorrow at school.

Turning back into Adrien, the blond breathed out a sigh before stepping back into his house, going up to his room. Once he arrived, Felix was already waiting for him. Adrien stepped inside and locked the door behind him. He approached the other, already looking for an explanation about today.

Felix took a deep breath as he was soon looking up at his cousin, “It was my fault. I was…trying to play a harmless prank and it went too far…”

Adrien shook his head in disappointment, “I know you’re going through some things, Felix. But that doesn’t excuse you to take it out on my classmates like that.”

“You are correct. If I am going to be staying in Paris, I should learn a little self-control and not cause trouble. For you or anyone else.” Felix nodded, bowing his head down, “I don’t expect you to forgive me on my behaviour today.”

Softening, Adrien was reaching out to place a hand onto his shoulder.

“Felix, we’re family. I’m going to forgive you anyways because I care about you, no matter what.” Adrien said with a solemnly, “I understand why you’re acted the way you did. I myself wanted to act out at times but…I know Father is hurting too since Mom disappeared. I can’t be selfish. But I’m sorry that I couldn’t be at your Dad’s funeral. You completely have every right to hate me for it.“

Felix stared at his cousin and closed his eyes, “I don’t hate you. I never did. I was just…so hurt when Uncle told me you didn’t want to see me or Mother ever again. I suppose I wanted to be a little vindictive and muck up your perfect life.”

Adrien reached out to hug Felix, surprising Felix as he opened his eyes.

“My life isn’t perfect. I don’t want perfect,” He moved back for a moment and smiled a little, “How about we continue to talk like this. Everyday or whenever you need to. I think we need to work on our communication and clear up any misunderstandings. If you ever feel like you’re out of control, or feel like doing something stupid…you know you can turn to me. Okay? Especially since we’ll be going to school together and be closer than ever before.”

Felix smiled, nodding his head as he hugged him in return, “That sounds like a good idea.”

As Adrien was squeezing his cousin, finally thankful to have this chance at re-connecting with his cousin again, Felix was feeling differently.

‘Sorry cousin. But there are things that you cannot know yet. Not until I’ve settled the score with Uncle.’

The start of the week came. And there was going to be a total shock coming at Françoise Dupont.

“Oh!”

Marc blinked as he looked at the front of the classroom to see Felix there standing by Ms. Mendeleiev.

“Class, I’d like to introduce you to your new classmate, Felix Graham de Vanily. He is our class’ exchange student from London, so I hope you shall treat him with respect and politeness.” The science teacher drawled sternly then glanced around before landing her eyes to Marc, “M. Graham de Vanily, please seat yourself next M. Anciel and we can begin our class.”

The blond nodded as he soon was walking towards the back of the class and soon was slipping int the seat next to Marc, who was gaping like a fish staring at him.

“You’re…schooling here?”

Felix looked over to Marc and smirked, “I suppose I didn’t tell you or the other two chuckleheads huh?”

Marc pouted a little but then smiled brightly as he was soon offering his hand out to the blond, “Well then. Welcome to Françoise Dupont, Felix! I hope we can be great friends from now on!”

Felix looked at the hand for a moment, but slowly was reaching to shake it, nodding his head.

“I hope to be in your care then.”

Shota Aizawa was standing nearby Seine, looking out the river with a melancholy look before he felt a presence walking right next to him.

“You’re late.” The figure looked up to the shaggy haired man, smiling sweetly, “That any way to greet an old friend?”

“Old friend? Is that what we are now?” Aizawa turned fully to face the person before him with a raised brow, “Amelie…”

The blonde let out an airy free laugh as she was waving a hand, smacking at his arm before shaking her head.

“Oh you! Haven’t changed a bit since we were teens!” Calming herself, she then reached a hand to touch his face, letting her fingers glide from his cheek down to his chin with a pout, “Besides being taller and look like a zombie, you grew some facial hair. And you’re still not taking care of your hair, Minou.”

Despite the blank face he was sporting, there was something in Aizawa’s eyes that held fondness for the woman in front of him. He leaned into the touch once she glided her hand back to his stubbled cheek, closing his eyes.

“Hime…”

“You haven’t called me that in a long time. Not since I was engaged to Felix Sr.” Amelie hummed as she softened, “I’m sorry we have lost touched for so long…”

“Don’t. You had no choice. It was either arranged to marry him or lose everything,” The man opened his eyes and stared at her, “I’m the one who should be sorry. I ran away because I was scared kid back then. I was losing everything around me. I lost Oboro, then Ebony—”

“Shh, none of that now.” Amelie breathed out as she brought her other hand to his face and cupped his cheeks, leaning closer, “We’re together now and that’s all that matters.”

Leaning their foreheads together, Aizawa chuckled weakly, “Is it too dark of me to say I’m glad the bastard is dead?”

Amelie smiled, just reaching to hug him close as she closed her eyes.

‘To the public, he died in his sleep. I’m sorry, Minou. This princess of yours is a killer now…’

So a quick key notes for those reading this:

- Canonically, Aizawa is 31 (currently, as the manga is still going). But in this story, I'm making him 33 / 34 instead. So the same goes for Present Mic and Midnight. - Whatever Miraculous Shinso uses, he doesn't time out, just like Hawkmoth and Master Fu. - Felix's father is just named Felix II, while our Felix is Felix III. - Felix's father's surname is Culpa thanks to the fandom giving PV Felix's last name for fanfic purposes. Amelie and Felix never intended to have that surname anyways and never will.

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verfound · 3 years

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(i lie) ohh the scarlet fox one sound cool!

this one is so old it's like Adrien Can('t) Bake old 😂 I need to make a folder and call it "No More Sunshine" or something and dump all the LS/Adrien fics I'm most likely never going to finish in it. ��

This one wasn't Adrien-centric, though, but it was tied into a series of fics that kinda were? It was also back before Canon!Alya was ticking me off so much. It was from back before S2 aired, when all we had were "Alya gets the Fox and Nino gets the Turtle" and no names (I don't think we even knew about Nora yet), so everyone was calling them Scarlet Fox & Jade Turtle. I had a little one-shot called "Called Out" joking on how foxes scream at their mates and they're in the middle of science class and Alya just screams in Nino's face. (...that one's actually finished I should probably post it...)

ANYWAY. "Scarlet Fox" tied into that one, where it was Alya when she first got the Fox (again, before S2 even aired/we met Trixx/etc) and was just enjoying being a superhero. I think I was going with "Fu distributed the other Miraculouses, didn't tell LB, and LB thought Scarlet Fox was Lila/Volpina" here. It's been so long I'm not really sure anymore. ><

As she leapt over the busy evening street below, Alya had only one thought: being a superhero was awesome.

Granted, she had always thought superheroes were awesome. Growing up, her older cousin had been a big Marvel fan, and she had made sure Alya’s more impressionable years were filled with stories of incredible people doing incredible things. The world had enough darkness in it, she had said, and they needed to believe there was someone there who would stand up when needed. When Ladybug and Chat Noir had appeared, Alya had almost thought it was too good to be true: actual, real-life superheroes, in Paris. She had been over the moon.

She landed gracefully, quickly springing from her crouch to race along the rooftop before leaping to the next with ease. She had never been athletic, but given all the leg work reporting required she liked to think she was at least in shape. Still, dashing over Paris like this was something she knew she’d never be able to do without Trixx’s aid.

Ah, Trixx.

If she had been over the moon when Ladybug and Chat Noir appeared, it was nothing compared to how she felt finding the fox tail necklace with her very own kwami on her desk two nights ago.

She let out a whoop as she leapt off the roof and down to a lower building, loving the feeling of the wind whipping her ponytail back.

Shhhhh, Kit, Trixx chided from inside her transformation. Foxes are stealthy.

She smirked as she stood, placing her hands on her hips.

“Sorry,” she said with a laugh. “I’m just…this is so awesome!”

“I hope you’re still saying that when I break that necklace,” a cold voice said behind her. She whirled around, her eyes widening as they landed on none other than Ladybug herself.

#miraculous ladybug #alya cesaire #trixx #rena rogue #scarlet fox #wip wednesday #wip wednesday: festering folder edition #bloody-no-kissu #a lot of the pre-S2 wip fics fall into the probably not gonna finish #some I like the ideas #some I'm just GIVE ME LUKA OR GIVE ME DEATH #I'm tired of Adrien #I'm tired of Alya #it's hard to get passionate about characters the show has killed the joy for #I like s1 alya #I don't always like the 'friend' alya's become

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italoniponic · 4 years

Text

Reverse AU (so people can understand my au-stories) Part I

Basically, is a Kwami Swap X Reverse Crush Au X Reverse Life alternative universe. I did this whole post because some fics from Adrien August would be on this au and I thought it would be interesting to the readers know what this whole au is about. I mixed some concepts and liked the final result.

So sit, take a coffee/tea and let’s go into it!

● So because I don't want neither of Tom or Sabine being in the Hawkmoth role, Marinette is an orphan who lives with her great-uncle Wang Cheng but continues with the "Dupain" in the surname for emotional reasons;

● Wang Cheng is a rich and famous gourmet chief. He's always busy, so Plagg is Marinette only company for major of the time but he makes everything on his effort to be close to his niece and sometimes, when work is easy that day, he can spend time with Marinette. Wang is a cute uncle who drops cute short letters like "The soup is in the fridge, is your favorite flavor. I love you!";

● Wang Cheng’s restaurant is called “Jade Turtle”;

● Marinette still likes fashion and wants to be a fashion designer, what's perfect for Adrien who has a tailor by father;

● Adrien's life is perfect for him. Gabriel is a sophisticated tailor who has his boutique full of beautiful clothes and stuff, Emilie is a novel actress and always shows up in TV and Nathalie is a close friend of them who helps Gabriel in the boutique;

● Adrien doesn't know what he wants in his life, so he spends his time with fencing; language lessons (he gains money by teaching kids like Manon how to write orange in English); being his father experimental model of teen male clothing; and writing poetry cuz he's a lovesick;

● Gabriel’s boutique is called “Gabriel”. He would put “Agreste Boutique” but he thought that people would go after him because of Emilie’s work and not because of his real talent in clothing. This decision was supported by Emilie and Nathalie as well;

● Due to Nathalie's close relationship with the Agreste's, Adrien calls her "Aunt Nath";

● Nathalie and Gabriel have a sister/brother relationship and they’re actually step-siblings. Mrs. Sancoeur and Mr. Agreste, two widows, had married each other in the past so they grew like a family. Nathalie didn’t consider herself like part of it but Gabriel, Emilie and, especially Adrien, try to fix this;

● Emilie had arranged a date between Nathalie and Armand D’Argencourt, Adrien’s fencing teacher, once;

● Nino is Adrien's best buddy and have weekly plans to help his bro get his girl;

● Alya is Marinette's best friend and runs a blog about Misterbug and Lady Noire (I don’t have a name for it yet). She was a little bit aware of Adrien's big crush but this became a real thing to believe after Animan's episode;

● Plagg refers to Adrien like “Goldilocks” and he calls Marinette “Pigtails”;

● Plagg is the chaotic sarcastic little bro Marinette never had. He gives her some Salem Energy;

● Tikki is Adrien's poetry consultor. He always shows her his poems to Marinette because he never will have courage to show her properly;

● She also is a good friend of him and support him with all her heart;

● Who's Hawkmoth? Master Fu... I like him but someone must be the bad guy and I want to try something different.

● He had his original backstory but except that he lost the whole the miraculous box that was founded by these mysterious trio (cof cof Tom, Sabine and Wang cof cof) and all he has with him is Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous;

● Marianne is Fu's Mayura and also runs the "Madame Lenoir’s Sewing Club", in which Gabriel participates;

● Master Fu is owner of an ancient/eastern things store and Marinette works for him because she doesn’t want to be a useless niece to Wang and want to buy some things with her own money;

● Wang is the miraculous guardian and actual holder of the Turtle by now and some way he keeps this secret from Marinette but not from Adrien;

○ who discovers by need and they agreed in not involving her in this mess cuz she might be hurt by HM and stuff... but Adrien doesn't really know what's going on like Marinette is Lady Noire and is dying to be part of this whole “guardian secret” (but it’s the same problem from the original);

○ but Wang appears more often for her as her uncle and gives the necessary wise word in time of crisis so she just know what to do and don’t live totally in the dark;

(I’ll update this post with its part 2 in the future)

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug and chat noir #miraculous au #reverse crush au #kwami swap au #reverse role au #my stuff #my fanfic #reverse au #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #gabriel agreste #emilie agreste #nathalie sancoeur #wang cheng #master fu #marianne lenoir #ml headcanons

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arolla-pine · 4 years

Text

I, Marinette - p.9

(9) – The winner takes it all

While I was running alongside the Seine, I could compare traveling by Cat Noir’s staff and by Ladybug’s yo-yo. The latter was much more suitable for me, yet the Cat’s costume was better in absorbing jolts. I landed quietly nearby the Eiffel Tower. I hoped that Ladybug would find me before Juggler appeared.

“So, how did it go, Bugaboo?” I heard a whisper next to me.

“How are you feeling, Cat?” I asked instead, trying to read some emotions in Ladybug’s eyes.

“I still can’t believe in what I learned! Wow, it’s really…”

“Just in case…” I began in a serious tone. “Adrien… In case you still remember Ladybug’s identity after the ‘Miraculous Ladybug’ spell, never reveal your identity in public. Even if you want to protect Marinette.”

That was all I could do to prevent ‘Cat Blanc’ storyline.

“You’ve started talking about yourself in the third person…” Ladybug smiled.

“Don’t you have a feeling that you’re talking to yourself when you’re talking to me?” I asked instead to avoid answering.

“I’m sure I won’t confess any of my feelings to you right now. That would haunt me till the end of my life…”Adrien-Ladybug joked.

“If only Plagg could see that… I think that would kill him…”

“By the way! Was he nice for you?”

“Of course! He was so cute!”

“Er… Plagg?”

“Sure. You know, he’s a very sensitive little cat… If you can see through all those layers of sarcasm… And I think he’s very attached to you…” I admitted. “OK, Cat! Let’s go back to work. I’m going to sleep in my bed tonight, so let’s get Juggler! Here you are!” I handed two miraculouses to Ladybug.

“What’s that?”

“We need Alya and Nino.”

“But… Hawkmoth knows their identities… Maybe we’ll try to combine our miraculouses with…”

“No. I need them here. If my plan works, we’ll defeat Juggler. Besides, Hawkmoth won’t expect that we’ll ask our friends for help. Please, take those miraculouses to them and hurry back here.”

“But… Why me?”

‘Because I don’t know the address…’ came across my mind.

“It was always Ladybug who was giving them miraculouses. Let it be as it used to be. Oh, just tell them to focus on their costumes to be different than before. To mislead Hawkmoth.”

“Do you think it’ll work?”

I was sure it would work. I had checked that on myself when I had to recreate Ladybug’s costume as it was originally designed by Marinette. That should work when someone wanted to create a new one too.

“The costume is what you really want to, isn’t it? If Alya and Nino take care of new outfits, we’ll have a new Rena Rouge and a new Carapace… Meanwhile, I’ll work on details of the plan…”

“I’ll be right back, M’Lady!” Ladybug saluted and disappeared in the darkness.

I found a safe shelter and waited. After a quarter or so Ladybug came back accompanied by two new superheroes. Alya had loose hair that partly covered her face. Her outfit was different – it looked rather like a short flamenco dress than like an overcoat. Nino looked like a real Ninja killer – hooded and masked.

“Great!” I said satisfied. “Now, listen to the plan…”

“Wait a sec… What?” Alya interrupted. “Since when Cat Noir is the strategy guy? You’ve finally grown up to let him do this?” she asked Ladybug.

“Let’s call it a compromise…” Adrien laughed.

“You haven’t told them, Cat?” I was surprised.

“What should she…” Alya began. “No, wait… Why is Cat Noir calling you ‘Cat’?” she asked Ladybug.

“I didn’t know I should tell them…”

“It’s crucial to succeed… OK, listen up… Juggler can move souls between bodies. He exchanged me with Cat Noir.”

Alya gasped, and Nino half-grunted half-chuckled. I winked at Ladybug.

“We need you here not only for the mission, but also to mislead Hawkmoth about your identities. He must start thinking that I’ve found new holders for the Miraculous of Fox and of Turtle. Have you worked out your new names?”

“I’ll be Jade Defender.” Nino suggested. “I wanted to pay tribute to Jade Turtle.”

I was moved hearing that. It was kind of symbolic gesture but so meaningful.

“I wanted to be Flame Dancer, but someone made fun of this name…” Alya said, narrowing her eyes ominously when she glanced at her boyfriend. “So, it seems that I’ll be Flame Enchantress. But… I really miss Rena Rouge…”

“Let’s keep it temporary…” I smiled trying to give her some comfort. “Now, focus! Flame Enchantress has to hide. You’ll create an illusion where Ladybug and Cat Noir regained their bodies. Ladybug must convince Juggler that she broke his spell. Jade Defender will create a shield to protect the illusion from a new spell, because that will reveal the trick. I hope Juggler will take the bait and will focus on the fight with the illusion. Then Cat and I may try to take over his wand, baton or whatever it is… Ladybug, you have to call your ‘Lucky charm’. Without it the ‘Miraculous Ladybug’ spell won’t work and we won’t be able to go back to our bodies. I’ll try to destroy the akuma object.”

“You think it’s the wand?” Ladybug asked.

I remembered ‘Cat Blanc’ episode again where Ladybug couldn’t find the object where the akuma was hiding. This time we didn’t have a second chance. Not with Juggler… He was too clever.

“Honestly? I have no idea what else it could be…” I admitted. “So, let’s get to work! Good luck, you all!” I said and then I added under my breath. “And… See you in the other life, Cat…”

We took our positions. I felt like a spectator. It wasn’t anything weird for me, Lena, but for Adrien it had to be tough observing Ladybug and Cat Noir playing their roles. For the last half an hour he’d been calling Cat Noir by a name ‘Bugaboo’. Now, he saw both of us doubled.

We didn’t wait too long for Juggler. He appeared surrounded by dust, laughing at superheroes.

“Oh, my poor super-kids! You’ve recharged?” he scoffed at superheroes.

“Better! We’ve regained our bodies!” Ladybug shouted with satisfaction.

“What? No! It’s impossible!” supervillain yelled. “I exchanged your bodies! You have no power to revert my spell!”

He swung with his wand but this time smoky spheres vanished when they reached a green dome created by Jade Defender. Juggler swore and tried to turned around to transfer himself under the dome. But he failed. His right hand was captured by Ladybug’s yo-yo, and a second later his wand was caught by a red black-dotted lasso. I was watching, speechless, Ladybug keeping supervillain tied with her yo-yo while her left hand swayed the lasso to snatch the wand out of Juggler’s palm and to passed it in my direction. Where that boy had learned that?!

Defeating Juggler was a mere formality. I summoned the Cataclysm and the wand turned into dust revealing the akuma. Ladybug captured the black butterfly and cleansed it. Seconds later we could see Thomas Astruc sitting on the ground, totally confused.

“You’ve saved me again…” he muttered. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome…” Ladybug grinned.

“I see you have new superhero-mates.” Thomas noticed. “I don’t remember those…”

“These are new holders of miraculouses…” I explained.

I didn’t want to ask him if he liked the way I messed up his universe. He’d probably get upset and was akumatised again. But I could congratulate myself – my theory of a supervillain was correct. But Tikki would say that it was magic. All in all, I wasn’t sure of anything anymore…

“Could you tell us, what happened?” Ladybug asked.

No, better not!

“The last thing I remember was a story… My assistant gave me that to read…” Thomas said, and I felt faint. So, now I knew why it was me… Thomas had to read one of my fanfics. Great… “That was the story about your fight against Oblivio… Re-written…”

Let me guess… ‘Not so oblivious anymore’?

“But none of us remembers what happened that day…” Ladybug blurted out. Damn you, Cat! Neither of us! Not ‘none of us’! We should keep Alya and Nino’s identities secret!

“Er…” I cleared my throat and kneeled down next to Thomas. “Did you like that rewritten story?” I couldn’t miss the opportunity to ask.

“Yeah. And that made me angry…”

So, I could die happy now. What a shame I couldn’t put those words in a frame…

“Next time, please hire the author instead of sending her for a trip…” I whispered and winked at him. “OK, Cat!” I stood up and looked at Ladybug. “It’s time for going home…”

My partner nodded and gripped the red lasso. She threw it in the air with the spell ‘Miraculous Ladybug’. At the last moment, I saluted like Cat Noir had done so many times before and whispered:

“It’s been an honour…”

* * *

I knew it worked, even before I opened my eyes. I just felt my own body. My face was hidden in my palms and I felt my husband’s hand on my arms.

“Lena?” he asked me, and I could hear a tension in his voice.

I was so moved that I couldn’t say a word. Instead, I fell into his arms.

“You got me. I have no clue what’s going on here…” he murmured.

“I’m back…” I whispered happy. “I assume you had a little end of the world today?”

“You spent half a day in the bathroom, and then you were talking about Marinette, Tikki and Master Fu. All day long. I think you need a break from your fanfics…”

“Yeah… I think that too. But at first, I have to write the last one. You won’t believe what happened to me…”

THE END 😉

---

I, Marinette - p.8 <- Previous part

Read the story from the beginning

#miraculous ladybug #fanfiction #fanfic #I Marinette #Cat Noir #Ladybug #Adrien Agreste #Alya Cesaire #Nino Lahiffe #funny story #kwami swap #Lena Klimka #after reveal #after the identity reveal

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zerotosiki · 5 years

Text

Give Me A Second Chance - Maribat Ideas

Inspired by many reincarnation (isekai) stories. Since I love them, lol.

I am sorry, I was supposed to post a bonus story of A Little Too Much, right? But here I am posting another new one. But heyyy don't worry because the bonus is still in progress ;D. And I don't know if this one is interesting or not haha.

Maribat inspired by @ozmav

[Please check here for the update Ideas on this AU]

Before reincarnation, there's a lot of angst in this timeline :)

Marinette and her friends' age are around 20 - 21. They were adults. Hawkmoth still hasn't beaten. And Lila is never stopping making a problem to Marinette. The class already brainwashed by Lila's lies, and since no one ever pointing out the lies, Lila's kingdom is getting bigger, bigger, and bigger.

Adrien has tried to defend Marinette as best as he can but being too softy, his words don't have any impact on the class. Poor Adrien. Adrien as chat is tried to help Marinette too, in any way he can, every night he visits Marinette to comfort her as often as he can.

Gabriel got more strict as time passed, he gives Adrien more schedule, and always forced Adrien to befriend with Lila. He decided to include her as his partner's model, much to Adrien's distress. This put a lot of stress for Adrien, and because of this, he rarely got free time, which made him rarely can change into Chat Noir to help Ladybug when they're patrolling or whenever there's Akuma. This make him change, from the sunshine boy to a cold boy. No, he's not evil or anything like that, he'll still kind to Marinette but because he's already tired with his father and Lila's problem, he rarely smiles, and his eyes look so tired. At this point, they already know their identity because at that time, Chat Noir is so tired and he just blubbering out his problem about his father and Lila without he realized it.

Marinette always tried to help Adrien too. But she can't do anything. Since she doesn't have any friends (except Luka, Kagami, Adrien, and maybe Chloe) to be asked for help. Alya? She's already become Lila's right hand. Nino? Well, she doesn't know what Nino's thinking really. It's clearly he's worried for his best friend too, but when Marinette asks his help to ask Gabriel together about Adrien's schedules, he refused to help because it's Marinette. And Marinette is hated by his girlfriend, which was her best friend in the past, and now is her enemy, apparently. He doesn't want to break up with Alya because he's helping Marinette. This made Marinette very disappointed to Nino.

While other classmates aren't that close to Adrien so of course they don't want to included with this problem. And they don't even realize, the fact that Adrien is having a problem with his father and Lila. Moreover they hate Marinette, there's no way they will help her.

So Marinette tried to confront Gabriel with Luka. Kagami wants to help but she can't because her strict parent said to not interfere with Agreste's problem. While Chloe had transferred to another school in New York with her mother because of that incident. That incident involving the pesky girl ---Lila---.

But of course, her attempt to confront Gabriel was failed miserably. Gabriel continued to insist on his point. And before Marinette can counter his words, he kicked out Marinette and Luka, saying that if Marinette kept pushing him like this, he threatened he would break off her chance to work on Agreste's fashion industries.

Let's just skip to a final battle, shall we?

Since Adrien is very busy, he arrived on time, at that time. On the last battle, Ladybug with help from Viperion and Ryuko were battling Hawkmoth, Mayura, and Akumatized Lila. Somehow in this battle, Lila manages to turn all of the class into an Akumatized one, with their hatred to one girl, Marinette. This makes Ladybug, Viperion, and Ryuko having difficult on defeating them. Until Master Fu decided to get help from Chloe with horse kwami's ability to transport. With Queen Bee and Jade Turtle decided to drop in, their chances of winning increase.

The battle is really intense, it takes many lives. Including her family. Her friends. Her peoples. Many innocent people died. Marinette hope, after the battle, she can return all of this mess to before this battle begins. But the real question is... Will they win this battle? Chat Noir finally comes, although his appearance really makes you think twice. His eyes aren't holding any light anymore, his movement is rather sluggish. He really tired, but he forced himself to comes help Ladybug, his best friend, his partner. There's no way he leaves her dealing Hawkmoth all alone.

But Hawkmoth of course notice this. He grins, thinking that his chance to get the miraculous is finally come. When ladybug and her friends are battling with the remaining akumatized people, Mayura with Hawkmoth's command sends Monster to strike Ladybug. Ladybug almost got hurt before she was pushed to the side in the last minute of the attack. The one who pushed her is the one who got attacked. Which is... Chat Noir.

Chat Noir was grabbed by the monster after he got attacked. Ladybug tried to help him as quick as she can but the monster was quicker than her, and take off his ring then toss him aside like a rag doll. Ladybug of course catches him before he touches the ground. She tried to stop his blood, but it was useless, Chat Noir, no, Adrien, already knows this was his limit. He said "...Thank you for being my friend, thank you for considering me as a partner, thank you for helping me... I am sorry I can't help much... Goodbye, Marinette..." before he leaves, for good.

Ladybug then resumes her battle, this time with her tears on her face, and devastated feeling ---for losing a best friend, best partner--- on her heart. In the end, it's just Ladybug, Hawkmoth and Mayura. Lila disappeared somewhere, nobody knows. Viperion, Ryuko, Queen Bee, Jade Turtle, and all akumatized people have been defeated.

Ladybug feeling so tired, her body already reached her limit. Hawkmoth is approaching her, and she should stand up right now, but with her broken legs, and not only that, her transformation is already worn off not a long time ago, she can't do anything besides laying useless on the rubble. She tried to stay away as best as she can though.

Hawkmoth then takes off her earring, much to her horror. He laughing because finally! Finally, after many years of battling, he got the miraculous and now he can---

Hawkmoth suddenly collapsed and transform back to Gabriel, Marinette surprised but she quickly shook it off. She tried to get the earring back but someone else beat her. And that is.. Lila. Lila got the earring. And on her left hand, there is the cat miraculous. On the background, you can see Mayura as Nathalie is collapsed too.

Marinette felt shiver at the smile on Lila's face. This is the first time, she shows her fear of Lila. Which brought satisfaction for Lila. Marinette tried to persuade Lila but does she ever listen? Nope. Lila is telling her that she really despises Marinette from the very beginning. She really wants to ruin her life. And whenever she success to manipulate the class to bully Marinette, Marinette always shows her brave face, Marinette always ignored her class, Marinette isn't even glancing at her whenever she starts to tell her lies.

That's why she wishes that Marinette is gone. forever. Never born in this world. Before Marinette can stop her, Lila already used the miraculous power to realize her wishes. And white light envelops everything.

After reincarnation, this is the part where everything really starts ;)

Marinette is born in Gotham's city. At the very beginning, when she was born, she still has her memories of the past (Her life as Ladybug and all of the battle until her last moment with Lila). She thought she was born in a different place, different world. So she tried to forget the past or not thinking it too much. And she tried to live her life in this Gotham. But of course, the past still haunting her.

At 5 maybe? She begins to learn martial arts from her mother. She trains her speed, her strength, and her brain. Because this is Gotham. Criminal's city. Although she's not a Superhero anymore, she still has to defend herself, right?

When she's teen, she begins to study in Gotham's academy. There, she meets Damian Wayne. And they got close because of the project school.

She of course already knows Gotham's vigilantes, which is Batman and his robins. But she tried to avoid them because she doesn't want any trouble..? Not really, it's just because she, Marinette this world, is just a normal girl, so there's no way the batfam would take any interest of her, right?

She was wrong. Because she got close to Damian, to the point she is his best friend. Of course one of the vigilantes, which is Robin, would take an interest of her. She wonders why though. Yeah, go figure it out.

At 15 or 16, Marinette was walking with Damian to Wayne Enterprises. Damian was appointed by his father to helping his brother in translating between the foreign class for their trip to Gotham's city, while Marinette just accompanying him (at his request of course ;)).

At first, Marinette isn't really care with this foreign class. But after they got there. After they were introduced by Damian's brother to this foreign class. Marinette surprised. Really surprised, to see familiar people. Her classmate, Her best friend, and... Lila. She just froze while Damian introduced his name to the class with a perfect french's language.

Apparently, there's no one who recognizes her. Which is she realized until she saw someone who's not supposed to be in that class. The one who replaces Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

She realized she lives in the same world as the past but she just moved. When she supposed to born in Paris, she was born on Gotham. When she's supposed to attend Collège Françoise Dupont, she attends Gotham's academy. When she's supposed to befriend with Adrien, Luka, Kagami, and other people, here, she befriends with Damian and other people.

And she realized too, that in this world, there's still Hawkmoth terrorizing Paris, from the way the class talk.

At this point, I'm planning to make Marinette helping their old friends in defeating Hawkmoth, now that she knows his real identity. But of course, she has to befriend them first before she can help. Because I don't think they'll accept stranger helps? She is avoiding Lila as best as she can, though. And she's not alone of course! There's no way Damian would let it! She's too precious for him, anyway :D. She'll get help from the Batfam and probably from Justice too? Dunno.

That's all. I don't know if there's already the same idea with this though... And I still haven't figured out if :

I should put Tom and Sabine as Marinette's parent or they still live in Paris with different daughter/son (just for more angst) in After reincarnation.

I should put another original character or already existing character as Marinette and Ladybug's replacement in After reincarnation.

Any feedback is welcome ^^!

[Please check here for the update Ideas on this AU]

#daminette #damian x marinette #marinette x damian #damimari #maridami #ff: give me a second chance #my attempt writing #ideas

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niyes-lahiffe · 4 years

Text

Soapy Decks and Flying Underwear

IT’S BAAAACK!!

Ao3

1 | 2

Chapter 3: Markets Hate Pirates

Ok, Nino knew he had just claimed to his entire crew that he would immediately sail to the destination the map led them to, but he realized the longer he looked at it, the less sense it made. Of course he was still beaming as bright as the sun itself, but he went downstairs to see if he could have any better luck in a slightly different environment.

He had been down there for quite a while when he started hearing thumps on the wooden floor above, followed by muffled cheering. His crewmates were certainly having the time of their lives with their excessive celebrating, and their happiness only rekindled the giddy feeling the captain had in his chest. His smile turned into a grin when the trapdoor opened and his best friend came down the steps.

“You should come up and celebrate with us, Nino!” Adrien offered as he took his place before the captain. “Can’t you look away from that map for one second, man?”

“But-“

“No buts, sir, a break will definitely be good for you.” Adrien winked at him, pulling out his sword and using the tip of it to gently lower the map from the captain’s hands. “Kim and Luka are wrestling right now and it’s quite hilarious.”

Nino snickered. “And Luka isn’t a pile of pulp yet?”

“Nope! He’s handling it surprisingly well.” The co-captain leaned against a barrel and his smile turned into a perplexed frown when he looked inside it. “Yo, Cap?”

“What is it, dude?”

“We’re out of oranges.”

Nino stood up abruptly, half-exaggerated, and hissed, “We’re what?”

“Truly unfortunate,” Adrien played along while scratching his chin. “Looks like we’re gonna have to restock.”

Nino placed his fingers to his chin in thought. “Actually, it really has been a while.” He laughed slightly. “We’ve been so caught up in everything that we’ve failed to realize we’re nearly out of everything.”

“It’ll be a good break for you, too,” his best friend agreed. “Wanna give the decks a good clean as I steer us to the market?”

“Ooooh you know I do!”

------------------------------

“Wow, nice parry!” Alya complimented her crewmate as she deftly dodged another one of the attacks from his wooden blunted sword.

“Thanks!” Nathaniel responded happily, proud to be complimented by his captain.

His succession threw him off, however, and he was distracted enough that he was unable to defend himself in time when Alya suddenly dropped to a squat and kicked at his legs, knocking him off balance. He grunted when he fell to the floor and frowned when the tip of Alya’s fake sword pointed at his throat.

“Don’t forget to be prepared for anything, though,” she smirked. Nathaniel huffed but graciously accepted her extended hand to help him back up.

“One day I’ll be as good as you,” he said, patting himself to rid of the dust.

“Maybe,” she teased. Alya glanced around at the rest of her crewmates to observe their fighting tactics, pleased with what she saw. Kagami and Max were definitely her best fighters, and seeing them duel was something else. Everyone else of course battled to the best of their ability, and she was indeed impressed, but it was almost entrancing to watch her two most skilled battlers duel.

“Yo, Captain!” A voice sounded from above, knocking her from her trance. Alya looked up to see Alix poking her head out from her post. When she noticed she had the captain’s attention, she called, “We’re about to pass a local market; wanna stop for a little bit to restock and check out their wares?”

Alya walked to the edge of her ship and looked out to see land up ahead. She nodded and turned back to her lookout. “Sure! Probably is a good idea before we head out to find the Jade Turtle.”

“You got it, Cap!”

Marinette appeared beside Alya and gave the captain her wooden sword. “I can steer us there real quick, if you’d like!”

“Sounds good to me, girl.” Alya smiled as Marinette saluted playfully and went on her way to the steering wheel.

------------------------------

The moment the boat was parked at a nearby dock, Kim nearly bolted off before Nino was able to get a firm grip of his shoulder. His crewmate looked back at him, perplexed if not a tad miffed.

Nino smirked at him. "I get that you're excited, Kim, but I need you on boat duty, remember?"

"WHAT?!"

"I can't have anyone stealing this boat or anything inside while we're at the market," the captain explained as he folded his arms. He winked and continued before Kim could open his mouth to protest. "You should consider yourself lucky, since I can only rely on someone I know will truly take good care of this ship."

Kim was obviously flustered by the compliment but was still ornery as he folded his arms and turned away.

"Dooon't worry, Kim, you won't be here all day," Nino snickered, and Kim visibly perked. "I'll have Luka take your place after half the day has passed."

Next to him, Luka froze and said, "Wait, what?"

Nino nodded.

"Why can't Luka and I switch spots so I can go now?" Kim objected.

"Kim, you're great but I don't trust you to remember to come back when you should." Adrien and Luka both had a small coughing fit as they laughed while Kim merely smiled and rolled his eyes.

"Eh, you're right," the lookout finally gave in. "You can count on me, Cap."

"Knew I could," Nino grinned, punching the other pirate playfully in the shoulder before he and the rest of his crew marched off the deck and into the already bustling streets of the marketplace.

As much as Nino loved sailing the seas on his beloved vessel, he always forgot how much he loved exploring bits of the land, too. The welcoming sights and smells drew him in and soon he was lost in the crowd. Adrien still tagged along with him, as he usually did, but Nino quickly lost the rest of his crew, though had full confidence that they would return to his boat by the end of the day.

Now, he had time to enjoy this.

Merchants left and right were yelling encouragingly about their wares to the wandering potential customers, the smell of freshly cooked bread and meat filled the air, children were playing game after game, and the streets bustled with energy as everyone moved back and forth between booths.

Nino and Adrien wandered between booths themselves, gawking at the beautiful jewelry that was far too expensive, and laughing at ones that were in odd shapes. A nearby commotion grabbed both of their attentions, and they both knew one of the ornery voices well.

"HEY! How dare you; I had my eye on that comb!" Chloe suddenly barked at the beautiful young woman standing next to her, who seemed to have just purchased an item: a golden, bee-shaped comb, and Chloe apparently wanted it desperately. The other girl may have been pretty, but despite her adorable freckles, bright blue eyes and bobbed haircut, her glare was nearly sharp enough to slice Chloe to pieces, not to mention the sword on her back undoubtedly would do that if the conversation got any more heated.

"Really? Well, I believe I just bought it first. Good luck next time, and good day." Before the other pirate could wander away, Chloe protested loudly and cut into her path, not allowing her to leave. Adrien leaped forward and grabbed Chloe as her sudden rival finally reached for the sword on her back, and Nino noticed a dark-skinned pirate do the same to the other woman with a, "Whoa whoa whoa, Kagami."

"Chloe, please," Adrien begged, pulling his snarling friend closer to him. "I'm sure we can negotiate. Nicely."

Chloe groaned, "Ugh...fine." She took a deep breath. "Can I have the comb." Adrien poked her harshly in the side and she grunted in pain and annoyance. "Please."

Kagami gave her a long, hard look, before finally replying, "What's in it for me?"

"Alright, I've got money." Chloe reached into her satchel and pulled out a wad of cash, leaning forward to give it to the other pirate. "Here."

"Wait." Kagami ignored the money and reached for Chloe's hand, staring intently at the jewelry on her fingers. "I'll give you the comb for this ring."

"Wait, seriously? I'll have you know this ring is very impor-OW!" She growled at Adrien, who had poked her once again. "Fine, FINE. Take the stupid ring!" The blonde pirate pulled the ring off her finger and Kagami gladly gave her the comb for it. Then, they both turned without saying a word and walked off.

Adrien and Nino nodded at each other, satisfied with the exchange as well. Chloe was definitely a lot of work, but Nino was extremely grateful she had a soft spot for Adrien.

------------------------------

"Oh WOW!"

Alya and Marinette stared in surprise at the tiny pirate with short, blond hair and the brightest blue eyes either had ever seen that had approached them.

“Your necklace is so pretty!” she continued, and she blushed when she looked up and noticed their confused yet amused expressions. “OH my bad; I should probably introduce myself.” She giggled. “My name’s Rose!”

Smiling, Alya nodded at her, saying, “Nice to meet you, Rose, I’m-“

“Totally rocking that necklace!!” Rose threw her arms toward her chest giddily as she admired the piece of jewelry. She nearly squealed when she noticed Trixx sitting next to Alya, and she leaned towards the fox excitedly. “Oh my goodness, you have a pet fox, too?! That’s amazing!” Rose reached her arm forward to give Trixx a pat.

Alya lifted a finger quickly. “OH, uh, better be careful, he tends to bite those he doesn’t-“

Trixx accepted Rose’s hand happily and even nuzzled into her arm.

“-know…” Alya lowered her finger as Marinette stared at the smaller pirate in surprise.

Alix suddenly appeared by her crewmates, laughing at the scene before her.

“Oh, Alix, good to see you!” Alya exclaimed. “I’m putting you on fox duty.”

Alix’s smile vanished and her eyes turned incredulous. “WHAT? No way, first boat duty, now this? I’d rather lick a toad!”

As if on command, Trixx, after Rose had said a sweet goodbye, wandered up to Alix and happily wagged his tail at her.

Alya bumped Alix’s shoulder with her own, wiggling her eyebrows. “C’mon, girl, I know you love it.”

“Fine, whatever…” Alix grumbled, though her small smile did not go unnoticed. “Come on, Trixx.” She took off, no doubt intending to cause some more mischief, and the fox followed suit.

“Yo, Rose!” A timid voice from behind sounded. Alya and Marinette turned to see a tall pirate with purple highlights holding up some sort of pink jewel. The girl she called for perked. “Come look at this.”

“Ooooh, coming!” Rose turned back to her new acquaintances and in one breath she said, “It was wonderful to meet you and your fox and I hope you have a good rest of your day, bye!” With that, she took off, leaving a smiling Marinette and Alya to shake their heads fondly.

“That has got to be the most adorable pirate I’ve ever met,” Marinette quipped.

“Speaking of adorable…” Alya felt a smirk steadily growing, peering at her best friend mischievously. “Maybe coming here if the perfect chance to find a cute man for you!”

Marinette’s cheeks turned bright red and she stiffened. “WHAT?”

“Girl, you’re always complaining about being single! Now’s your chance!” as Marinette became a blubbering mess, Alya took a second to look around. “Look, there’s a cute one right there!” she pointed towards a tall, good-looking man with long, blonde hair a few yards away, happily chatting with a darker-skinned friend of his.

The only response Marinette was able to make was a mortified garble, and Alya turned to find her friend’s face buried in her hands.

The captain took Marinette’s hands and lowered them, and when she looked up with uncertainty, Alya winked cheekily. “You’ll thank me later.” Without any further warning, She grabbed Marinette’s arm and threw her at the boy.

Much to Alya’s delight, Marinette stumbled right into him. Clearly surprised, he placed his hands on her elbows for support and gave the girl a peculiar look.

“I’M-You’re- PRETTY! I-I mean uh! I’m pretty sorry! I’m just...super clumsy…ha…” Marinette managed to stutter out.

The boy blinked a few times before he smiled like the sun. “Oh, it’s no worries at all, m’lady!” He bowed and kissed her hand, giving her a wink when he looked back up.

Marinette looked like she was about to explode.

Alya stood next to the other boy this flirt was talking with before and said, “Wow, I almost regret doing that.”

“Dude…Adrien’s a hopeless sap but I’ve never seen him that romantic before.” The pirate beside her shook his head while laughing softly. “Boy’s suddenly got it bad.”

“So does Marinette.” Though her face was still redder than a cherry, Marinette was clearly very happy with Adrien’s actions and she was giggling up a storm. “I feel SICK.”

“Maybe we should leave them to themselves for a bit,” the other boy suggested. She nodded and together they turned and pushed themselves through crowds a ways away. When they decided to stop in a fairly secluded area, accompanied by a few chairs and booths that weren’t as popular as the others, he turned to Alya and looked her up and down with a small smile. “Name’s Nino, by the way.” He held out his hand.

“Alya,” she replied, giving him a smirk of her own and her hand to shake firmly. She glanced at his back at said, “Is that a mandolin I see, pretty boy?”

“It is indeed.” Nino pulled the instrument off his back and gave it a few playful plucks. “Why are you interested in this?”

“I just want to see how good you are with music,” Alya said. She pulled her own lute from her pouch pocket and twirled it between her fingers, giving her new companion a wink.

His golden eyes grew challenging. “I’ll only show you my… incredible skills if you show me yours.”

She threw him a look just as determined. “But of course!”

------------------------------

To say Kim was ecstatic to finally be off boat duty was an understatement. The moment Luka arrived to swap places, Kim nearly created smoke behind with how quickly he dashed off, but it made his crewmate laugh hysterically nonetheless.

Nino and Alya both watched as Kim ran up to a booth selling bread. The look-out grabbed an entire loaf and nearly shoved the whole thing into his mouth, but Chloe snatched it from his hands before he could do so and whacked it upon the top of his head.

"Kim, you brute!" she scolded. "You know you need to pay for that!"

Nino was nearly beaming with sudden pride.

"But I'm a pirate!" The captain nearly laughed at Kim's sudden puppy dog pout.

"That is no excuse. You have money in that wallet and I know it."

A short, pink-haired spunky-looking pirate walked by Kim and waved his beloved wallet in the air. "Yeah, there's tons of money in this. Better keep a close eye on it so no one, say... snatches it." Her smug smile and Kim's dumbfounded face and intense patting of his rear to make sure his wallet was actually gone made Nino snort. Beside him Alya snickered, as well.

"Wh-HEY! You get back here, you punk!" And just like that, they both were gone in a flash.

Nino thought he might've seen something orange chase after them, as well, but the moment he blinked his eyes and squinted to make sure, it was gone.

------------------------------

As the sky began to turn a brilliant shade of pink and orange, Alya playfully bumped shoulders with her companion as she put her instrument away, and he soon followed suit.

"Thanks for the fun time," he chided. "We were so good that that one couple gave us a tip!"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Ivan and Mylene give tips to just about anyone." She looked back at him. "But still, I clearly was better than you."

He faked a pout. There was just something about this woman that really brought out his competitive side. "I'd beg to differ."

Alya scoffed at him. "If you keep talking, you'll be begging, alright." As Nino blinked a few times at her, she began to walk away, clearly putting a significant sway in her hips as she went. "My companions and I have an important journey to prepare for."

She stopped in her tracks and turned her head with a small smile. "Hopefully, our paths will cross again."

Nino nodded in agreement and made sure to add a quick wink before she looked away. She simply laughed at him as she continued her jaunt away, and Nino caught himself smiling brightly.

Wait.

Was that a fox that just leaped onto her shoulders?

Nino quickly rubbed his eyes and leaned forward to get a better look, but Alya was long lost in the sudden crowd.

What was he doing? He couldn't keep his mind occupied on that. His crew had a mission to fulfill. Nino headed back to his boat, the excitement about what was to come already invigorating his entire spirit. This was finally something the Coral Crew couldn't butt their nosy lives into. This was finally something only he and his crew would enjoy.

#miraculous ladybug #djwifi #nino lahiffe #alya cesaire #djwifi pirate au #soapy decks and flying underwear #my fics #fics

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nomolosk · 4 years

Text

Nino gets his Miraculous- Royalty AU

Nino was understandably worried when he was unexpectedly called up before the King- after all, King Hawkmoth was not known for being particularly kind or cheerful. Usually people were only called before him when they had not lived up to expectation in some way. And his standards were high. Nino had honestly thought he was safe from notice by keeping a solidly average performance in a pack of other young men all training to be squires and eventually knights… but perhaps the King had noticed that he was capable of more and was trying to hide? After all, this pack of squires had the prince in it. He should have known the King would be paying more attention.

But as much as he wanted to berate himself, he took care not to show it as he bowed before the throne.

“You may rise, squire Lahiffe,” King Hawkmoth almost drawled, his voice smooth and expressionless. Despite his pounding heart, Nino noticed that it didn’t echo in the empty chamber. Unlike other courts they had studied, King Hawkmoth did not allow tapestries, hangings, banners or other decorations in the throne room which might muffle sound. Instead, the walls and floor were polished to a mirror finish, and Nino had expected every little sound to bounce endlessly around the chamber.

“It has come to my attention, squire, that you are the only one of your year that truly appreciates the Prince’s many responsibilities.”

Nino’s eyes widened despite himself, his mind going blank. He couldn’t tell if the King was mocking him or praising him. And how had he…? But the king was waiting for a response…

Nino decided to simply acknowledge the statement with a simple, “Sire.” He dared, just for a moment, to meet the king’s eye and blinked to see the barest hint of amusement there.

“Your family has long stood on the outer edges of the court, have they not? Seeing and being seen, but not participating in the intrigues, or seeking to court favor. One might question whether that was out of disinterest, a desire to escape politics, or… perhaps even a precursor to treason.”

Nino’s blood ran cold. Surely not. Surely the King knew his family was loyal!

“But I see I have distressed you. How unfortunate, that was not my intent.” The King’s voice warmed slightly and Nino could breathe again. “Yet there are whispers. There are always whispers, you know. Young though you are, you have been here long enough to hear some of them for yourself, no doubt. There is, of course, always a way to counter whispers if one has the resources… and the wit to use them.” The King paused and Nino felt his dread growing again.

“A month ago, soldiers intercepted a party of assassins attempting to cross the border. Two weeks ago, one of my champions chased down a wily fellow attempting to impersonate a royal guard. Three nights ago, in this very palace, one of the maids was found dead in a midden, and the killer wearing her clothes was caught on her way to ‘tidy the Prince’s rooms.’”

Nino couldn’t quite suppress a shudder. It was horrible to think of killers and kidnappers, though he knew he was training to confront those very kinds of people sometime in the future. Yet, he was still at the beginning of his training, and why the King was telling him this when he was fairly sure not even the Prince knew of it…

“I’m sure you can understand why I am concerned for the Prince’s life. I have made enemies and I- and by extension, my son - are their natural targets. It is a pity my enemies cannot see the logic behind my actions, but no matter. I can take care of myself, my miraculous grants me impenetrable armor with but a few spoken words. The same cannot be said of the Prince, despite his growing competence with weapons. He requires a bodyguard... but not just any bodyguard will do.”

The King drew out a small box from somewhere inside his royal robes. Nino stared as the King handed the box to one of the guards flanking the throne, and the guard brought the box over to Nino. Hesitantly, Nino reached out and took it.

It was square, made of carved silver that bore the butterfly crest of the kingdom. He didn’t open it, though his pulse once again pounded in his ears. He was nearly sure there was a miraculous of some kind in there, and… he wasn’t sure if he wanted the responsibility. Yet from the King’s earlier words refusing it might hold grave consequences for his family.

“This is the miraculous of the turtle, which grants the power of protection. It’s weapon is a shield and it’s special power is to summon a magical barrier capable of withstanding all ordinary and many magical attacks.” Nino looked up at the King, sure his dark skin had gone grey. “This is your chance to solidify your family’s standing in my kingdom, squire. Protect my son, and all shall go well with you, and by extension, them.” King Hawkmoth didn’t need to add what would happen if he failed.

Nino gulped. He slowly opened the box, relieved that his hand shook only a little. There was a bright flash of oddly greenish light, and then a small being floated in front of him. Nino didn’t flinch away. They had all studied the miraculous enough to know that their power came from a link to a magical creature known as a kwami, although no details were ever given on what those beings actually looked like. This thing was small and green, with a large bulbous head, and eyes that seemed to take up it’s entire face. There was a mouth but no sign of a nose, and though it had limbs, these were attenuated and had no digits. The body resembled that of some young creature, not yet matured, and on it’s back was a green turtle shell no larger than that of a walnut. From the top of it’s bald head there protruded some kind of flexible nub with a round tip. Nino gulped again, then looked back down at the box. Inside rested a bracelet with a single large charm- a stylized turtle shape carved of a greenish stone, perhaps jade- and the band was a simple strand of black cord bound in such a way it could be tightened or loosened easily.

Taking a deep breath, Nino took the bracelet out of the box, and placed it on his right wrist. Right, for loyalty. They had all been taught the etiquette for accepting a miraculous, and the name Nino would use from this day forward blossomed in his mind. Bowing deeply once more, he said, in a voice he strained to keep from shaking, “It is my honor to serve the King, the Prince, and the kingdom. I accept the charge laid upon me. Therefore, by your leave, Nino Lahiffe is no more, and in his place stands Carapace, wielder of the turtle miraculous.”

“The King and Court recognize you, Carapace. It is an honor, indeed, and your family shall be informed of it,” King Hawkmoth intoned, and Nino shivered at the hidden message. An honor can be taken away. Fail, and you will not be the only one to suffer. Nino was so focused on trying to control his own turbulent emotions that he almost missed it when the King gestured for his flanking guards to leave, waiting until the door had closed behind them before he continued.

“Your duties as bodyguard at this time will mainly involve being by the Prince’s side whenever he is out of his rooms. You should thus be able to complete your knights training alongside him. However, there is an added duty I must lay on your shoulders. My son is undergoing rigorous training aside from that of squire, or Heir. It requires that he isolate himself from others much of the time.”

King Hawkmoth shifted a little in his throne, and Nino- no, Carapace - refocused on him.

“I trust my son, as he is my flesh and blood and has given me no reason to suspect that he might stray from the path we have started him on together. However, young men are prone to certain weaknesses, and it is imperative that he not allow himself to be distracted from his goal. Therefore, your duty is to guard him not simply from the ill intent of others, but also from himself and his own desires. He should not allow himself to be ruled by pleasure, whether that pleasure is in the company of others, or other more physical pursuits. If you find that he is beginning to stray in these areas, you are to report directly to me.”

Ni- Carapace barely kept his mouth from dropping open. It… it sounded like the King was implying that the Prince shouldn’t have real friends, or even much of a life beyond this mysterious ‘training.’ He kept his opinion on that to himself and simply nodded, knowing both that it was not his place to comment, and that doing so would be a very bad idea.

“As for your kwami,” King Hawkmoth said, his voice chilling again, “I have already instructed it to give you the necessary information for it’s care. I would take what advice it may give you with a generous pinch of salt, however. Kwamis, as I have reason to know, are not the infallible creatures tales and superstition would have us believe them to be. They can and do make mistakes. Keep that in mind, young Carapace, and do not let your mind be swayed from what you know to be the best course.”

King Hawkmoth looked away from him then, giving his next order as if he had already lost interest in the kingdom’s newest miraculous bearer. It was a startling change from the cold intensity of his previous statement.

“Go now and meet with Captain Raincomprix of the royal guard. He will give you a temporary mask until one can be fitted to your face, and arrange for special instruction in guarding royalty. I have already ordered your things moved to new quarters connected to the Prince’s suite, for everyone’s convenience.”

Fortunately, Ni- Carapace’s- training came to his rescue as he bowed correctly and escaped from the King’s presence without disgracing himself, for his thoughts and feelings were only just beginning to settle. He didn’t even register his new kwami hiding itself in his doublet as he left.

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug fanfiction #Royalty AU #A Kingdom Lost

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angelofthequeers · 4 years

Text

Hold Me By Both Hands: Chapter 30

Disclaimer: I don’t own ML.

Chapter 29 | Chapter 31 | AO3 link

“Adrien Agreste, pick an ally you can trust to fight alongside you.” Master Fu opens the lid of the Miracle Box and pushes it towards a kneeling Adrien as all the compartments slide open. “Choose wisely; you and Ladybug will be responsible for your choice, to train them and hold them accountable. If your ally proves to be untrustworthy or otherwise unfit, you must retrieve the Miraculous from them.”

“Of course, Master,” Adrien says immediately. “But, um…we, uh…Ladybug and I need a shield. We need the Turtle.”

Master Fu’s smile freezes in place. Adrien swallows and looks down at his hands. Great. Ladybug’s trusting him with this, and he’s already screwed it up, and what if Master Fu decides that he’s asking too much, that he’s too impertinent, that he can’t be trusted, even Plagg’s weight on his shoulder can’t drag him back from this –

“Adrien,” Master Fu says. Adrien’s head whips up. The old man is…smiling warmly now? “I’m not disappointed or upset with you. Merely surprised. I just…didn’t think Wayzz would be needed so soon.”

“You’ve always known that the time would come, Master,” Wayzz says. “You’re much too old to be Jade Turtle anymore, and you have the other kwamis to advise you in my stead.”

“Jade Turtle?” Adrien’s tongue darts out to moisten his lips, although it does nothing for the dryness in his mouth. “That was your superhero name?”

Master Fu nods. “But I’m nearly two hundred years old. Wayzz is right…as usual. My role as Guardian comes before my own desires.” He smiles up at Wayzz and holds out a hand for Wayzz to nuzzle against. “Farewell, old friend. Best of luck with your new holder.”

“I’ll never forget you, Wang Fu,” Wayzz says. Master Fu gives an odd little laugh.

“Yes. I’m sure you won’t.”

Adrien frowns. Is there…something he’s missing? “Um…inside joke?”

“You could say that,” Plagg shrugs. Master Fu and Wayzz give him twin severe looks.

“You and Ladybug will know when the time is right,” Master Fu says. “For now…” He takes a deep breath, then squares his shoulders and slides his green bracelet off, and Wayzz vanishes in a flash of green light. “Do you have someone in mind, Adrien?”

Adrien frowns, while Master Fu prepares the Turtle Miraculous in a little hexagonal box. Who can he pick to be the Turtle hero? He needs someone strong-willed but not reckless; protective without being too self-sacrificing like he is with Ladybug; smart but not set in their ways, willing to go with the flow and adjust as needed…god, why can’t Ladybug be here, her instincts are always spot-on, because who the heck does Adrien know well enough to entrust with a –

Of course! Adrien gasps and snatches the box from Master Fu. “I know just the right person, Master! And I’m sure Ladybug will approve! Plagg, claws out!”

Thankfully, his choice for the Turtle at least has a brain and is hiding out at home in his room with the doors barricaded. Even when Chat Noir raps on the window, Nino just shoots him a suspicious look and makes no move to slide off the bed.

“Of al the times to grow a brain cell,” Chat Noir mutters, then swings his baton. The window shatters inward, spraying shards of glass all over Nino’s floor. Oops.

“Dude!” Nino says. Chat Noir grins sheepishly.

“Oh, well, Ladybug’ll fix everything anyway,” he says with a shrug. “Uh, why didn’t you let me in, though?”

“Are you messing with me?” Nino points at the broken window. “People are doing crazy shit out there and you think I’m gonna just let in the first Chat Noir I see?”

Chat Noir rolls his eyes. “Oh, relax. Faux News can only warp reality.”

“Exactly! What if he manages to make another one of you? Or Ladybug?”

Chat Noir blinks. “I, uh…didn’t think of that. But it’s the real me, not some Lila shapeshifting situation or something. And we need your help, Nino.”

Nino raises an eyebrow. Great. This is exactly why Chat Noir prefers to handle this before an akuma starts wreaking havoc and making everyone paranoid.

“Wanna be the next Rena Rouge?” Chat Noir says. “Only, y’know, not a Fox?”

“I – what?” Nino splutters.

“Yeah! We need a Turtle hero and I got to pick!” Chat Noir bounces on the balls of his feet. “What d’you say? You don’t have to say yes if you don’t want to, but you’re perfect for the Turtle because you’re protective of your friends and you’re probably the only one that’s not a total disaster, and I saw you with Alya when Zombizou attacked –”

“You been spying on us or something, dude?” Nino says, but his mouth is twitching. “Okay, okay, you got me. Especially if it’ll help me protect Alya when she’s on her rabid Ladyblog filming frenzies.”

“No one can know, though,” Chat Noir says as he fishes in one of his suit pockets for the little Miraculous box. “Not even Alya or your other friends.”

“Duh. First rule of superheroes, dude.”

“And Ladybug and I are responsible for you. So, if you screw us over –”

Nino actually looks hurt as Chat Noir hands the box over. “You think I’d do that to you?”

“No, no!” Chat Noir says quickly and holds his hands up in surrender. “Why do you think I picked you? I’m just making sure you know the fine print before you sign away your soul.”

“…What?”

“I was joking. About the soul bit. Look, we’d normally try and ease you in like we did with Rena, but there is an akuma messing everything up down there…”

“Right, right.” Nino snaps the box open, then hisses and jerks a hand up to shield his eyes from the bright green light that greets him. When it fades to reveal the little hexagonal bracelet inside, Wayzz is floating in mid-air, bright yellow eyes surveying Nino rather curiously.

“Whoa, dude!” Nino gasps when he uncovers his eyes and starts trying to look at Wayzz from all directions.

“Hello!” Wayzz says. “My name is Wayzz.”

“Hey, little guy, what are you, a genie like in those fairy tales?” Nino babbles. Chat Noir can’t fight back the smirk that spreads across his face, and even Wayzz has an amused little smile.

“I am a kwami,” Wayzz says. “I can’t grant wishes, but I can give you superpowers!”

“Just one thing,” Chat Noir says. Hey, if it worked for Alya, it should work for Nino too. “Once we kick Faux News’ butt, you have to give it back. Can we trust you?”

Wayzz shoots Chat Noir an odd look, while Nino squares his shoulders and nods.

“You bet, dude!” he says and slips the bracelet on.

“Then all you have to say is, “Wayzz, shell on”,” Wayzz says. Nino grins.

“Wayzz, shell on!” Nino’s enveloped in vivid green light as he transforms.

“Nice look,” Chat Noir says when the light fades. “Although Ladybug will probably just get pissy if either of us bring it up.”

“Really? Why?” Nino says. He slides his shield around to his arm from his back, and a wide grin splits his face. “Awesome!”

“I…may have called her outfit plain when Rena Rouge joined us,” Chat Noir says. Nino winces.

“Bro.”

“I know, I know. I’m surprised I’m still alive.” A low rumble outside Nino’s broken window reminds Chat Noir that there’s still an annoying akuma wreaking havoc and they should probably get back and help Ladybug and Rena Rouge ASAP, especially with Rena Rouge’s current emotional state. “Come on, turtle boy! You can think of a name on the way.”

“Come on, Chat Noir!” Ladybug mutters as she dodges a punch from an old lady. Thank god that Rena Rouge had snapped out of it and actually become a functional teammate, because there was no way Ladybug had been about to disappear and recharge when Rena Rouge had been a wild animal.

“They just keep coming!” Rena Rouge says. She yelps and uses her flute to whack away an incoming brick before it can bash her in the head, then leaps away from a web shot from a cosplayer-turned-actual-Spider-Man and lands next to Ladybug. “How are we s’posed to get to Faux News? And why doesn’t he come and fight us himself?”

“Why should he?” Ladybug says. “All he has to do is wait for us to wear ourselves out.”

“No need to have a cow, Ladybug!” Faux News calls over the din. There’s the sound of overlapping mooing, followed by a whole herd of cows charging straight at Ladybug and Rena Rouge. But there’s no way to dodge the cows; not with their backs literally to the wall and minions spread all around them. All they can do is swing their weapons in front of them and hide behind the whirring of the yo-yo, Ladybug praying that the cows don’t hurt them too much because then it’s all over, Faux News and Hawkmoth will win –

“Shellter!” A green dome encases Ladybug and Rena Rouge just before the cows can reach them, and they stare with wide eyes and open mouths as the cows bounce off the dome and crash into the minions scattered around, knocking everyone over like the world’s most twisted game of bowling.

“What the f –”

“About time!” Ladybug says before Rena Rouge can finish her sentence. When she whirls around, she’s greeted by Chat Noir’s shit-eating grin and the new Turtle hero, who’s holding his shield above his head to maintain the Shellter. The Turtle hero has a dark green suit with a light green hexagon tessellation on his chest, dark shoulder, elbow, and knee pads, short green boots, a hood with orange and yellow turtle eyes on either side, and a round green shield that he’s holding above his head to maintain the glimmering green dome. Under his hood, Ladybug makes out dark eyes behind orange goggles, but she can’t for the life of her think of who this could be. Who would Chat Noir know well enough to entrust with a Miraculous?

“Sorry for the delay, milady,” Chat Noir says. “Turtle boy here was just being paranoid, and I had to, uh…enter by less than savoury means.”

“You broke my freaking window!” the Turtle hero says. Chat Noir shrugs.

“And I told you, Ladybug will fix it. Which she couldn’t have done if she’d been trampled by cows. Nice to see you’ve calmed down, Foxy.”

Rena Rouge makes a very rude hand gesture in response. “So, what’s your name, Turtle boy?” she says, her eyes gleaming as she looks him up and down. “Pity the Ladyblogger’s not around. She’d get a kick out of this.”

“Carapace,” the Turtle hero says after a moment. “Call me Carapace. And eyes off, man, I’ve got a girlfriend.”

“Wait, you think I was interested in you?” Rena Rouge scoffs. “I’ve got a boyfriend of my own, thank you very much. Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Nice to meet you, Carapace,” Ladybug says loudly before he can retort and they end up squabbling when there’s an akuma to defeat. “We need to come up with a plan before your Shellter runs out. That gives us about five minutes. Four minutes,” she amends when Carapace’s bracelet beeps.

“Hiding in your shell, Ladybug?” Faux News cries. “Like the cowardly insect you are!”

“Lucky Charm!” This time, Ladybug’s given a handkerchief. “Uh, okay? What am I supposed to do with this?”

“Better figure it out soon, dude,” Carapace says. “I’m at about three and a half minutes.”

“Wish you could just shut that son of a bitch up for once,” Rena Rouge mutters. Ladybug gasps.

“Of course!” Thanks to Rena Rouge’s joke, Ladybug is able to quickly cobble together a plan to get through the minions and reach Faux News. “Rena, when Carapace drops the shield, I need your most disruptive illusions. Things that’ll keep the minions occupied.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Rena Rouge salutes.

“Chat, the akuma’s most likely in his cravat,” Ladybug says. “It’s the only thing that really stands out. I’ll need you to Cataclysm it when you’re close enough.”

“Anything for you, milady,” Chat Noir grins. Ladybug takes a moment to direct every shred of energy inside her towards not blushing at her boyfriend’s words, since a) he doesn’t know that she’s his girlfriend, and b) she’s ragged on him enough for getting distracted in the middle of a fight.

“Carapace,” she says, praying that she’d managed to avoid looking noticeably flustered. “You’ll have to clear us a path to Faux News.”

“How?” Carapace says. Ladybug smirks.

“You’ve never seen a biohazard bubble before?” she says. Carapace’s eyes gleam rather evilly behind his goggles, just like Rena Rouge’s had at the prospect of bashing Faux News. “And I’ll take out Faux News. He seems to have to talk to be able to warp reality how he wants, so I’ll put a stop to that.”

With their roles sorted, the four of them take a moment to make sure that they’re ready. Then, with a war cry, Rena Rouge and Chat Noir slam themselves against the sides of the bubble to send all four of them hurtling through the crowd of minions, who are bowled out of the way like pins as the green dome crashes through them and rolls to a stop next to Faux News.

“What the hell?” Faux News exclaims as Carapace’s Shellter flickers out of existence. His cry drowns out the sound of Rena Rouge’s flute, and so neither Faux News nor any of his minions are expecting the explosions and fireworks that erupt out of nowhere, keeping the minions’ attention firmly focused away from the heroes.

“Get ready, Chat!” Ladybug says as Faux News opens his mouth. Before he can speak, Carapace leaps in and bashes him around the head with the shield, making Faux News stagger and choke on what he had been about to say. This is exactly the opportunity that Ladybug needs; she ducks under Carapace’s arm, throws her yo-yo to pin Faux News’ arms to his sides, then stuffs the handkerchief into his mouth.

“L’dyb’g! Dr’p d’d!” Faux News tries to say, but the makeshift gag muffles his words to the point of incoherence.

“Cataclysm!” Now it’s Chat Noir’s turn to jump in, running his sparking hand over the cravat around Faux News’ neck to disintegrate it and free the evil butterfly corrupting it.

“Good job, everyone!” Ladybug says and quickly captures and purifies the akuma. Then she forces Faux News’ jaw open to tug the handkerchief out, grimacing at its dampness even though she’s got magic spandex protecting her from touching it, and throws it into the air to summon her Miraculous Ladybug and set everything to rights once more.

“Awesome, dude!” Carapace says, bouncing on the spot. Ladybug waits until Rena Rouge makes it over to them before holding out her fist for the four-way, “Pound it!”

The groaning from the blond man sprawled on the ground draws their attention. Rena Rouge looks particularly smug as he pushes himself to his feet and squints at them.

“I – was I akumatised?” he says.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Ladybug says. “I know it can be –”

“C’mere!” The man – Lars Vos, Rena Rouge had called him – tries to throw an arm around Ladybug while fumbling for his phone. “A selfie with Ladybug! This’ll show that Ladyblogger brat that I’m not just an amateur!”

“Brat? Brat?” Rena Rouge clenches her fists and would’ve stormed right on up to Lars if Chat Noir hadn’t caught her. “You’re the plagiarising son of a –”

“Rena,” Ladybug says sharply. Rena Rouge falls silent, glowering at Lars. “Sorry, Lars, but I won’t be taking a selfie with you. And neither will Chat Noir.”

“What?” Lars’ face darkens. “Why not? It’s fair game!”

“Okay, for one, we’re not bits of meat,” Chat Noir says. “And two, we hang with the Ladyblogger because she’s earned it. She puts in the hard work to capture footage and run her blog.”

“Exactly,” Ladybug says. “I’m not saying that we’ll never give you a photo or an interview, but we won’t be rewarding you for plagiarism and smearing Alya.”

“Uh, guys?” Carapace says, holding up his beeping bracelet.

“I’ll be along in a second,” Ladybug says. “I just need to have a quick word with Rena. Bug out!” She throws her yo-yo to swing over a nearby building and land on the other side, with Rena Rouge following close behind, leaping with the agility of the animal that she embodies.

“Let’s rest,” Rena Rouge mumbles when they’re safely behind a car, and she turns back into Alya in a flash of orange light, staring down at her feet. “You’ll want the necklace back, won’t you?”

“Huh?” Ladybug says. “What – why would I take your Miraculous?”

“Because I messed up big-time.” Alya still hasn’t looked up from the ground. “I made everything worse. I let my anger get in the way. And if you can’t trust me to –”

“Stop!” Ladybug holds up a hand, and Alya’s mouth clacks shut. “I’m not taking the Miraculous, Alya.”

“You’re not?” Alya’s head whips up, revealing the newfound shine in her hazel eyes.

“You don’t lose it for making a mistake, little kit,” Trixx says from Alya’s shoulder.

“Trixx is right,” Ladybug says. “Both Chat Noir and I trust you with our lives, and we’ve made plenty of mistakes between us. It’d be hypocritical to take your Miraculous from you. But it can’t happen again.”

“You’re a Fox, not a Bee,” Trixx says with a little sniff. “Leave the angry buzzing to Pollen’s chosens.”

“I’m sorry,” Alya sighs. “I was just…so angry. All that work – and he had to go and steal it – and then he didn’t even learn from being akumatised!”

“You’ve got every right to be angry,” Ladybug says, resting a hand on Alya’s shoulder. “But you can’t let it overwhelm you in battle. Chat Noir and I need to be able to trust that you’ve got our backs, and we can’t do that when you’re charging in angrily.”

Alya nods and stares back at the ground, blinking rapidly. Her head jerks back up at Ladybug’s next words.

“And I owe you an apology of my own.”

“What? Why? You didn’t do anything wrong!” Alya babbles.

“I should’ve realised that the battle was too personal,” Ladybug says. “This is a battle you should’ve sat out, Alya, and I’m sorry that I didn’t recognise that from the start.”

“Well, it’s not like you could’ve told me,” Alya says. “And wasn’t it safer for me to be Rena, anyway? So he couldn’t find me?”

“Yes, but we shouldn’t have let you get involved,” Ladybug says. “I’ll talk to Chat. We might implement a rule that you’re not allowed to get directly involved if we feel it’s too personal, unless we desperately need your help. One mistake could’ve leaked your secret identity or compromised your ability to be part of the team.”

“Understood, Ladybug,” Alya says with a frantic nod. “That makes sense. Oh!” She pulls out her phone and starts tapping. “I’ve finally got the group chat up –”

“We’ll sort that out tonight on patrol,” Ladybug says when her earrings beep. “I have to go and meet Carapace before Chat Noir transforms back as well.”

“Jerk,” Alya mutters. Ladybug rolls her eyes.

“Try and get along with him, yeah?” she says. “We’re a team, which means you have to have his back and he has to have yours.”

“Ugh, fine,” Alya says. “I’m gonna go and find the girls. And Marinette! I don’t know where she hid! See you tonight!”

Once Alya’s gone, Ladybug swings out from behind the car in the direction that Chat Noir and Carapace had gone. When she touches down in an alleyway next to Chat Noir, her eyes widen at the boy with the unmistakeable blue T-shirt and red cap.

“Nino?” she bursts out, then shakes her head. “I might’ve known.”

“Uh…hey, dudette,” Nino says with an awkward wave. “I get that I was a quick pick, so if you’ve got someone better for the Turtle –”

“Wait, what?” Ladybug says with a small smile. “I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect. You’re protective and loyal and a grounding presence among your friends.”

“That’s what I said!” Chat Noir looks like the cat that got the cream. Damn kitty and his damn adorable face and no, focus!

“You picked perfectly, Chat,” Ladybug says, and Chat Noir preens and runs a hand through his messy blond hair. “We’re meeting at the Eiffel Tower tonight at eight, Nino.”

“Wait, we are?” Nino jabs a finger at Chat Noir. “He told me I had to give it back after the battle!”

“Oh, you did the test?” Ladybug says to Chat Noir, who grins and shrugs.

“Yep. And he gave it back before I even had to ask. I was just gonna give it to him when you turned up.”

“Asking you to give the Miraculous back was a final test to see if we could trust you to keep your word,” Ladybug says to a slowly-blinking Nino. “Plenty of people would love to be a superhero, but giving their powers back and trusting us to pick them again, knowing that we could pick someone else? Chat and I tested Rena Rouge like this as well.”

“Wait, so –?” A wide grin splits Nino’s face when Chat Noir offers the bracelet, and he whoops and fist-bumps Wayzz when the little turtle kwami reappears. “Dude!”

“Welcome to the team, Carapace,” Ladybug smiles.

“I was wondering what you were doing when you told Nino that he would have to return my Miraculous,” Wayzz says once he’s settled against Nino’s neck, cushioned by the headphones hanging there. “Very wise, Ladybug.”

“And Chat Noir,” Ladybug says. “I didn’t even think to test Nino.”

“Um, I’m about two minutes from changing back, so…” Chat Noir holds up his beeping ring.

“Oh! Right!” Ladybug shakes her head. “And Rena’s finally finished tinkering with the team chat, so make up a burner email address and give it to her tonight so she can add you. It’ll let us get in touch outside the masks.”

“Ugh, Rena,” Nino groans. “Flirting with a taken turtle!”

Ladybug and Chat Noir try as hard as possible to fight back their grins. They almost succeed. Almost.

“To be fair, she has no idea who you are,” Ladybug says when Nino squints at her.

“And she didn’t seem like she was flirting,” Chat Noir adds. “She’s just…way into superheroes. She about died when we let her be Rena Rouge.”

“It’s probably just a misunderstanding,” Ladybug finishes. “And we can clear that up tonight. Bug out!”

#miraculous ladybug #ml fic #aotq fic #aotq: hold me #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien agreste #alya cesaire #nino lahiffe #rena rouge #carapace #brain too cotton wool to tag properly #end my suffering

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quicksilversquared · 5 years

Text

Lost Heart: Chapter 24

A Christmas Battle

Magic can be a dangerous thing to play around with, particularly when that magic is tangled up in a curse. When Nathalie Sancoeur experiments with magic that she doesn’t fully understand, it sends her on a path to become Paris’ most dangerous supervillain and tips the balance between superheroes and supervillain.

But which way will the balance fall?

links in the reblog

The text came two days after Marinette and Adrien had gone shopping for a present for his father. Thankfully Marinette was free and her parents were busy with the bustling bakery downstairs, so it was no effort at all to quickly call up Adrien to make sure that he had gotten the text, too, and then transform and start racing across Paris.

Her first stop was the Grand Paris, where Emilie was waiting anxiously near her balcony door.

"I'm more nervous than I thought I would be," she admitted with a laugh as she let both superheroes in. "I just keep remembering what it felt like to transform before, and even though I know it'll be different now, I can't help but worry. And I've never seen proper combat."

"You're more for a surprise element than for fighting," Chat Noir reminded her quickly, holding out the Peacock. "It's a good thing Ma- Jade Turtle came over yesterday to reset the bond. I know he mentioned being busier than usual recently."

Ladybug nodded as Mrs. Agreste took the Miraculous, letting out a delighted gasp as Duusu popped free. Master Fu's sudden uptick in business had been concerning in terms of making sure that their plan went off smoothly, but she couldn't bring herself to be that surprised. People were taking off work now, wanting to catch their moments of relaxation while they could. Thankfully he had left his bracelet with her for just that reason- he couldn't exactly dash (or, well, his version of a dash. A speedwalk, perhaps?) out of his shop to pass it off to her when there was a client with him. He had worked all day, then gone to the hotel to meet up with Mrs. Agreste before eating a very, very late dinner.

His commitment was truly astounding.

"All right, I'll just go ahead and transform, then," Mrs. Agreste said, her eyes on Duusu as she pinned the Miraculous to the center of her shirt. "And I know to wait until I'm needed in the fight, so I'll keep out of the way. Duusu, transform me!"

With an excited squeal, Duusu dove into the brooch. Blue light lit up the room and when it cleared, Paon stood in the middle.

She cut a striking figure. Tall and slender, the base layer of Paon's blue suit clung to her just like Ladybug's. A skirt hung around her waist in blues and greens, open and shorter in the front and long in the back with a gorgeous feathered pattern half-hidden in the folds. Blue and green spiraled through her ponytail, and a sparkly blue and green mask hid the upper half of her face. Knee-high black boots and gloves stretching to her elbows broke the silhouette up.

"Okay, I feel underdressed next to you two," Ladybug admitted with a laugh. "I think my outfit might need an upgrade."

"Ooh, like what?" Chat Noir asked, interested. He glanced up and down Ladybug's suit, trying to imagine it changing. He was coming up blank. After fighting side-by-side with his partner for so long, that was just what Ladybug's outfit was.

"Like..." Ladybug thought about it, then frowned. "I don't know. I've looked like this for so long, I can't really picture it any other way."

Paon clapped her hands together. "Oh! I have some ideas that you might be interested in trying out. I can make sketches later, and you can see if you like any of them."

Ladybug beamed at her. "I would appreciate that, thank you. But for now, I think we have several more heroes to round up. You know the plan?"

"I'll keep out of sight," Paon promised. "And Jade Turtle told me how to track you guys on my fan, so I can find where the fight is. I'll be there."

With that, the superheroes headed back out. They had done a quick Miraculous swap earlier, so Chat Noir could grab Queen Bee, who would be easy enough to find in the hotel, and Dragoness, who...

Well, he had her number, at least. Both as Chat Noir and Adrien. He would be able to track down Kagami. For her part, Ladybug would go grab Alya and Nino.

It made things a hundred times easier when they ended up being together.

"I've not heard anything about an akuma yet," Alya said dubiously as she accepted her Miraculous. Nino was looking frankly startled that they were being tapped again after the fiasco at the end of the previous fight. "Are you sure there wasn't just a false alarm on Twitter or something?"

"We have an inside source," Ladybug said shortly, stepping back to her window. They didn't have any time to waste. Chat Noir had just sent her a quick notification that Queen Bee and Dragoness were ready and were on the lookout for anything strange. As soon as the akuma showed its head, they had to strike. "The Purple Lady was headed to her lair to send out an akuma. We're going to hit before she's ready."

Nino and Alya exchanged a look, then transformed and followed Ladybug out the window. She kept low to the rooftops and out of sight, checking her yo-yo for any notifications. Within a minute, one popped up.

Akuma at the Arc de Triomphe. Purple Lady spotted.

"To the Arc," Ladybug ordered, changing her direction at once. "You two will be on the akuma."

She didn't miss the 'as always' that Rena Rouge muttered, but she decided to ignore it. Now was not the time to get into another argument with them.

...but they also weren't getting their Miraculous back after this battle was over. If the superheroes were needed again for whatever reason and they needed more than just Ladybug and Chat Noir, there were three other options to go to first. Rena Rouge was turning into too much of a wild card and Carapace would always follow her lead. It stunk- after all, Nino and Alya were good friends- but Lila had their ears, it seemed, and that made them liabilities.

People taking the initiative was good, generally. But the superheroes had to act as a team, and Ladybug and Chat Noir were meant to be the undisputed leaders in these battles.

Then the Arc appeared up ahead, and there was no more time to mull over their misbehaving superheroes. Ladybug had one second, two, three to take in the scene below- the rampaging akuma that looked like a knock-off Bubbler in the street, the Purple Lady on top of the Arc, the three other members of their team coming in from the other direction-

And then Ladybug plunged into battle.

The Purple Lady was at the top of her game. Within a couple minutes, it was obvious that Dragoness and Chat Noir would have to be the ones facing off against her, with Queen Bee back on the akuma and both her and Ladybug on standby, ready to abandon the akuma and join the other two with the Purple Lady.

He had briefed Dragoness and Queen Bee on the way over. The akuma was a secondary concern; once the Purple Lady fell, the akuma would be lost and easy to take down. If Carapace and Rena Rouge could at least keep the akuma from interfering with their fight, they would be good. Ladybug and Queen Bee would not get too tangled up in the akuma battle, so they could jump over to help Chat Noir and Dragoness. Once Paon showed up- and yes, he told them about her- then Dragoness could retreat and, once they had the situation under control, go try her hand at battling the akuma.

Chat Noir couldn't help the way his lips quirked up at the memory of when he had told Dragoness that. She had groaned loudly- one on one combat was more her thing, and sword-on-sword instead of whatever... well, whatever akuma attacks were- but agreed. After all, the others would be rejoining the akuma battle shortly enough and getting it wrapped up quickly.

Hopefully.

Fighting the Purple Lady was a whole lot of trading off, darting in at her from opposite sides to keep her guessing. Chat Noir had to keep all of his focus on her, his feet moving fast as he and Dragoness parried blow after blow. The Purple Lady was getting frustrated, it was obvious. She had tried firing off a couple spells as he and Dragoness approached that Chat Noir had just barely managed to block, and she was clearly itching to try more.

But she couldn't. Not with both of her hands and all of her brainpower occupied by her fight with Chat Noir and Dragoness.

His mom had to be moving into position now, Chat Noir knew. The news about the akuma was out now, and their dots would have stopped moving across the city on her communicator. She had to be careful not to get spotted- after all, the public still thought that the Peacock Miraculous was on Hawkmoth's side, and if the Purple Lady caught any sign of her then their element of surprise would be lost- and had to find the perfect spot to hide until she spotted her opening.

They just had to hold the fight until then.

Sword clashed against baton, then against sword. Yells from the akuma fight echoed across the square. Chat Noir let Dragoness take the lead, since he had to keep track of- well, everything.

How Ladybug did this during their other akuma battles- keeping track of everything enough to figure out how to proceed while still fighting- was beyond him. If Dragoness weren't such a strong fighter, he would have to commit all of his energy and attention to the battle and he wouldn't ever get to glance around to see what else was going on. As it was, most of his attention had to stay on the Purple Lady so that she wouldn't catch him by surprise.

Fencing bouts had never been this difficult. His breath was coming heavy, his heart racing. There was absolutely no time for reactions as he countered every strike that the Purple Lady made. He could only breathe when she switched the bulk of her attention back to Dragoness, and even then it was just a short break before he had to be fully in again so that his teammate could catch a breath of her own.

Three minutes later, his baton buzzed. Chat Noir nearly missed it- he had been about to pick up the fight from Dragoness- but when he realized what it meant, he managed a competitive smile.

Paon was in position. Another buzz- a double one- would go off when she was coming up. Down on the street, Ladybug yelled something to her teammates before swinging into her own position, enough behind the Purple Lady that she wouldn't be noticed. Her yo-yo dangled just from her fingertips, ready to strike. Chat Noir chanced a proper glance in her direction and Ladybug gave him one of her determined little nods, focused and ready to work.

That expression on her face was actually pretty adorable, especially paired with the tiger ears and whisker stripes that she had adorned at some point during the fight, but Chat Noir didn't exactly have the time to appreciate that before the Purple Lady's attention was back on him. He parried and went for a blow, forcing the Purple Lady back half a pace. She recovered quickly, going for a heavy blow in his direction that he dodged. Their weapons crossed again in a quick one-two-three-four.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Two buzzes. Paon was moving up. Chat Noir forced himself to split his attention, waiting for exactly the right moment to move back. A flash of blue in the corner of Chat Noir's eye caught his attention and he grinned, gesturing to Dragoness to flip back and bouncing back several paces himself to get out of the Purple Lady's reach. She stepped forward, as if to follow him, when she noticed Paon, now fully on the Arc and straightened to her full, commanding height.

The Purple Lady froze, eyes wide and disbelieving. Chat Noir nodded to Ladybug, but his partner was already in motion, her yo-yo lashing out and wrapping around the Purple Lady, pinning her arms to her sides. The Purple Lady shrieked as she realized that she had been caught, thrashing to try to get free, but Paon and Chat Noir didn't give her a chance. In unison, the mother-son duo struck, knocking the Purple Lady to the ground and sending her sword clattering to the side. Without any hesitation, Chat Noir reached over and grabbed her Miraculous. The transformation released in a second, an exhausted Nooroo coming free and bowing to the pair of them before returning to his Miraculous, leaving Nathalie furiously struggling on the rooftop.

He barely recognized her. The muted warmth in her eyes was gone, replaced by an icy coldness. Or, rather, an icy fury.

"Queen Bee!" Ladybug called, her voice carrying easily above the sounds of the still-raging akuma battle. Glancing over, Chat Noir saw that Dragoness had already joined the battle on the ground. "We need your Sting!"

Queen Bee appeared in a blur of yellow, dashing towards them. She pulled out her trompo, activating it in a flash before stabbing Nathalie's side. She seized up in a heartbeat, and Ladybug took the opportunity to recall her yo-yo, drop off of the roof, and dash over to the police barricade that was starting to form around the outside of the area. She was back thirty seconds later with two pairs of handcuffs. One pair got snapped around Nathalie's wrists, and the other was hung from Ladybug's waist, ready for when Mr. Agreste appeared.

And just like that, it was over.

Chat Noir swallowed hard, the adrenaline surging through him congealing in a lump in his throat. That made it more real. His father would be going to jail tonight and likely would not be coming out for a long, long time. Even if he had gotten used to the idea- he had certainly had a decent amount of time for it to sink in, and recent days aside, his father hadn't acted very fatherly for a very, very long time- seeing his father behind bars still wasn't something he felt particularly prepared for.

He didn't know if it was really something anyone could have felt prepared for.

"I'll sit with her," Paon promised, settling next to Nathalie. "Right now, I think there's an akuma still for you guys."

Chat Noir nodded, following Ladybug down to the ground. Carapace and Rena Rouge looked frankly baffled when they appeared, glancing up to where the Purple Lady had been, but they didn't question it, particularly when Ladybug's yo-yo snagged the final akuma and sent them flying straight into a lamppost.

With its power leaching fast, the akuma wasn't hard to defeat. Ladybug cast one final Miraculous Cure, the magical ladybugs sparkling just a bit brighter than normal as they put everything back to normal.

Or maybe that was just his imagination.

"It's over," Ladybug sighed, her entire body relaxing as the last of her Cure faded away. "It's really, actually over. That's just..."

"We still have to give a police report and get the Miraculous back," Chat Noir reminded her, wrapping an arm around Ladybug's waist to keep her upright. He paused when beeping reached his ears. "...okay, how many people used their powers? Queen Bee, obviously, but...?"

"Both Carapace and I did, because all of a sudden there were only two of us fighting the akuma," Rena Rouge piped up, appearing at his side with one hand on her hip and an irritated look on her face. "Well, three at first, but Queenie didn't exactly have her head in the game."

Chat Noir picked up the irritation in Ladybug's expression and hurried to answer before she could. "That was because she had been told to keep an eye out for a signal to come help us with the Purple Lady. She was just following instructions-" he couldn't resist the small dig, he really couldn't- "and it all turned out fine in the end, didn't it? The akuma was defeated, the Purple Lady has been contained and had her Miraculous taken away, and Hawkmoth will be coming to turn himself in soon."

The speed with which Rena and Carapace's expressions changed from annoyed to startled and shocked was almost comical.

"But if you've used your powers, you'll be detransforming soon," Ladybug chimed in. "So if we could head over to that alley over there-"

Rena Rouge nodded at once, snagging Carapace's wrist and practically dragging him off in the direction that Ladybug had indicated. Chat Noir couldn't help but frown in confusion- wouldn't they want to be present when they turned the former Purple Lady over to the police?- before he realized what must be happening. Rena Rouge was Alya, who was the moderator of the Ladyblog. She had just been told that the Purple Lady and Hawkmoth were de-masked and were going to be turned into the police. Of course she wanted to be detransformed and streaming the whole thing live.

"I can stick around," Queen Bee spoke up. "I have snacks for Pollen with me, in case the Sting wears off. Or if we have to stick around after the Purple Lady and Hawkmoth get turned over to the police. And it's not as though everyone doesn't already know who I am."

Chat Noir grinned. "Good. And Dragoness?"

Dragoness popped open the hilt of her sword to check the time on her communicator. "I have the time to spare, as long as we don't end up in a super-long press conference. And since it's just the once..."

It didn't take Ladybug long to return, tucking the extra Miraculous back in her safe box on her way. It went back into her yo-yo- and the look on Dragoness' face when Ladybug tucked the large box into the small yo-yo was absolutely hilarious- and then the yo-yo clicked shut with finality.

"Time to get Nathalie down!" Ladybug called, already heading for the Arc de Triomphe. "And then Mr. Agreste is going to be here in a couple minutes. He's having his driver bring him over."

Dragoness sucked in a startled breath, and Chat Noir suddenly remembered that while Queen Bee knew everything (or near enough, at least), Dragoness hadn't been told about the identities of the supervillains. Of course it would come as a shock to her. Not as much of a shock as it had been to him when they first found everything out, of course, but still a shock.

Before Ladybug could reach up, Paon appeared at the top of the Arc with the still-frozen Nathalie in her arms. She leapt down easily, landing lightly and straightening before making a beeline for the heroes.

"I can feel her trying to twitch," Paon reported. "I wouldn't be surprised if she needs to be kept sedated until we can undo the effects of the curse on her, just so she doesn't end up injuring herself. She would try to fight too much."

Chat Noir nodded. That was a good thought. There was probably something in the grimoire that would help.

Besides, Master Fu couldn't just quit brewing potions cold turkey, surely. He would miss it too much, after spending almost all of his free time whipping up potion after potion for them.

"And I just sent a text to the police, so they won't all clear away," Ladybug added, giving her yo-yo one final tap before closing it completely for the second time. "Hopefully they'll keep two cars for us."

Chat Noir nodded. If Nathalie hadn't already figured out what had happened, she would work it out soon. And it would not be pretty.

"It looks like most of the police cars are over on that street," Dragoness said, pointing. "And some are starting to clear out. Maybe we should go over there right away, just in case they don't get the text."

Paon headed that way at once, with Chat Noir following right behind her. It took him a minute to realize that Ladybug wasn't following. When he glanced around, he saw her standing next to the Gorilla's car, exchanging a few words with Mr. Agreste before putting him in handcuffs. The two of them headed after the rest of the group, walking quickly to catch up.

Or, well, Ladybug was walking quickly. Since he was so much taller, Mr. Agreste was just able to keep up without hardly trying at all.

That was actually annoying.

"Chat Noir," one of the police officers greeted him, and Chat Noir had to pull his attention away from his father and Ladybug to focus. "Can I ask- was this the Purple Lady?"

"M. Sancoeur was the Purple Lady," Chat Noir confirmed. "She's not in her right mind at the moment- she was using the Peacock Miraculous, which had a curse on it until we recovered the Miraculous and removed the curse. The curse pretty much took away a bit of her humanity every time she transformed into Mayura."

The policeman nodded, looking a bit puzzled. "Okay, uh- we're going to need statements as soon as possible. And Hawkmoth...?"

"Was Gabriel Agreste. Several weeks ago, we confronted him and he gave in, telling us his identity and what was going on. He's been working with us ever since, giving us the Peacock Miraculous once M. Sancoeur took his and surrendering the books and scrolls that he had." Chat Noir took a step back to gesture at the rapidly-approaching Mr. Agreste and Ladybug. "Today, he warned us when Nathalie headed up so that we could strike as soon as the akuma appeared. He agreed when we first confronted him to turn himself in once everything ended."

"Cooperation always is a good thing," the police officer agreed. "That should help him, but of course it depends on the full story. Which- well, I assume that there's more?"

Chat Noir nodded. "There is. We'll come in right away after Ladybug and I recharge."

The officer nodded, opening the car door so that Paon could set Nathalie inside. "Okay. We'll take both of them in. And, uh- was the rest of your team involved in discovering their identities?"

Dragoness shook her head right away. Queen Bee was slower, and Paon looked to Chat Noir for guidance.

"Most of the rest of our team was just involved in the akuma battles," Chat Noir said immediately. "We can fill you in on the roles that everyone played at the station, and you can decide after that if anyone else should come in and testify."

"Very well."

Mr. Agreste arrived then, and a second police officer guided him to a second car. He went in without a fuss, settling in and inclining his head to the superheroes. His gaze turned to Paon, and a small, sad smile played across his lips before he nodded to her, too.

Chat Noir didn't look to see if she had returned the gesture.

It didn't take long to get the cars ready to go. Before they did, the first officer returned to Ladybug and Chat Noir.

"Thank you for your service to the city," he told them. "With Hawkmoth and the Purple Lady's reign gone, Paris can resume its normal life again, just in time for Christmas. We'll prepare a statement at once, and perhaps after your visit to the police station for statements you can join the Mayor for an announcement to Paris?"

"That sounds great," Ladybug said, speaking up from Chat Noir's side. Her hand sneaked around his waist, resting reassuringly on his opposite hip. "We can't wait to tell Paris. It has been a long time coming."

It didn't take long to get the Dragon Miraculous back, thank Kagami, and let her go on her way. Paon kept her Miraculous- they knew where to find her, after all, and she had been a superhero all on her own before they even reached the scene- and she went back to the hotel while Ladybug and Chat Noir headed for the police station. They stopped and recharged on the way, and Marinette made sure to check that Adrien was holding up okay. Giving statements would be hard on him, after all, having to relive the discovery and learning about Mrs. Agreste's condition.

Thankfully, he was holding up all right. Having his mom recovered and previously out with them no doubt helped.

Giving statements wasn't that bad. She and Chat Noir had to give them separately, of course, so that they wouldn't influence each other's statements, but it wasn't hard to remember everything once she made sure to take her time. The police recorded everything, taking notes as well as taking video of her statement. They had a few questions to clarify certain points, then they were free to go. The police wanted Chloe and Mrs. Agreste to come in as well, along with Jade Turtle, but those could wait until after the holidays. Ladybug had to show the police the Butterfly Miraculous, too, but they didn't even try to request that she leave it with them.

And then it was time for the big announcement. They did tell the eager reporters who Hawkmoth and the Purple Lady had been- there would be no point in not saying that, because the Ladyblog already had video of Nathalie and Mr. Agreste being put in the police cars by the superheroes- and make sure that they added in the fact that Nathalie had started helping Hawkmoth all on her own but had been cursed into her current condition and that Mr. Agreste had switched sides as much as he could towards the end. No one else had willingly worked with them, including the rest of the household staff and Mr. Agreste's son. Mrs. Agreste had been cursed into a coma after using the Peacock to do good, and she had been woken up recently.

There had been a lot of questions, of course, and a lot of gasping at the reveal of who Hawkmoth had been. But eventually the reporters settled down, after being reminded by both the superheroes and the mayor that the investigation was technically still ongoing and therefore they could only say so much.

"We want to thank Paris for cooperating during akuma attacks," Ladybug finished, beaming out at the crowds. "And for being patient with us as we worked to defeat Hawkmoth and the Purple Lady and then prepare for the final confrontation. We're very, very pleased that everything got wrapped up before Christmas."

"It's our present to you," Chat Noir agreed, ducking his head in so that he could speak into her microphone as well. "We'll be going into the new year supervillain-free. Happy holidays, Paris!"

#Miraculous Ladybug #My writing #Lost Heart #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste

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