Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Pound it!”

Chat Noir and Ladybug smirked at each other, the usual trademark ever since they first met. Parts of the city that was filled with an inky catastrophe that also covered the poor Parisian citizens were now rectified thankfully. Those stains were definitely not going to come off them or their clothes easily without that.

The man on the ground looked around confused as to what happened. “What happened?” He then directed his gaze towards the superheroes in front before looking down. “How did I?..”

Ladybug turned around before she walked towards him, “You were akumatized Sir.” She said with a small voice, the man noticeably frowned looking at his fountain pen.

“It’s not your fault.” She squatted. “It’s no one’s fault for feeling negative emotions.”

“Yeah! You can blame Hawkmoth for being the bad guy.” The boy in black said. While this only slightly made the man feel better, he still was kicking himself on the inside.

“Alright, I guess it’s time for me to head back to my other duties.” She looked at Chat. “We can go for another patrol tomorrow night at eight if that’s fine.”

Chat noir’s ring started beeping, signalling he only had minutes left to spare.

“A purrfect plan Milady.” Ladybug rolled her eyes with a slight smile as she turned her back to him, spinning the yoyo in her hands. “It isn’t even anything spectacular, I have to go now before I detransform.”

The boy nodded as he was about to go, well before Chat was stopped by her voice, “Chat?” He looked back her as she looked back at him over her shoulder. “We need to have a talk after patrol.” Chat’s stomach churned yet again, nodding slowly.

The teen watched as the spotted heroine took off with her yoyo with a huff, swinging through the city quickly as she could. The ring beeped once more, with a frown he checked it. He only had two more minutes left.

“Great.” He sighed, running until he began vaulting away with his staff.

The boy ran as fast as he could once he landed on the rooftops with a roll. Trudging through the high winds as his hair blew back wildly, they did say it was going to be a windy day today but jeez! This is ridiculous!

He made a leap before gracefully landing on a chimney before he moved again. His heels were just begging to be massaged or the very least, have a rest right now.

Aside from everything, he couldn’t help but think. How did he let himself get hit by the akuma’s attacks that much? He wasn’t a hard villain to overcome at all. Hell even ladybug didn’t need the lucky charm, somehow, he was having a tiny bit of trouble even fighting him. He let out a silent sigh. Not going to lie, it was kind of embarrassing.

The gust had picked up it’s strength as he felt like he was being pushed back completely. He was still able to take some steps forward. With all of his leg strength he made sure to stoop down low and try to advance through it.

He squinted his eyes, sure it was strong, although it’s not something that was something to keep him back from reaching his destination.

At least he hoped so.

With another beep he sharply exhaled as he truly pushed himself now, he was close! So close!

He loudly huffed as he forced himself to move forward using his staff as a sort of anchor. When the wind settled a fair amount, taking the chance, he bound forward as he made a small dent in the rooftop.

“I need to get inside!” Chat Noir thought.

As he reached the final building jumped with a yell. He used his extended staff to make one more hop to stay in the air until he abruptly landed in his room, not too long after, the boy detransformed on the spot.

He breathed a sigh of relief once he didn’t see anyone in the room. It was just plagg zipping over to his.. Disgustingly rancid cheese stash. Well, he must say. It was another job well done, Paris is safe from Hawkmoth once again. For now at that is.

“That was something. At least I’m back home to munch on my sweet, scrumptious cheese!” The little god said as he bit into a cheese wheel.

“So you’re not even going to bother about it?.” he paused the piano music on the speaker, starting to actually play the piano he was supposed to practice ages ago. Thankfully, he was still sharp for he wouldn’t want to disappoint his father with even a single mistake, knowing how he can be.

“Nope.” Plagg chirped. “It’s just wind anyways.”

Adrien stared at the kwami before shaking his head. There wasn’t any forecast of high winds nor were there a storm coming through. He shrugged, focusing on the instrument in front of him.

A few hours had passed as the sun had retreated into the horizon, giving the sky a dark orange hue. Adrien just mindlessly just searched through multiple websites on his computer to entertain him.

T1 Parisian Fencing Tourney?

Pass.

Best tips for fashion Modelling?

Pass.

New song by XY?

Who the hell cares?

Adrien let his head hit the table with a groan. “Hey, chin up kid. It’s going the be the weekend tomorrow.” Adrien peered at the kwami in the corner of his eye. “I have Karate lessons tomorrow.”

Adrien raised his head up, “if the lessons were cancelled as well, then what? I’ll still be stuck in this prison for a home with nothing to do.”

Plagg’s words died in his throat as soon as he opened his mouth, he figured there was still something that could be interesting to do as he looked around his room, the mouse clicking occasionally breaking the silence.

“Oh! I know!” The tiny god spoke up once more. “How about you drop by Marinette’s place? You two seem to get along just fine, when you’re Chat Noir that is.” The last part was brought down to a mumble.

Adrien thought for a moment, that truly didn’t seem like a bad idea. They may have only met like twice or three times, despite that, he remembered when he hung out by her balcony along with her since was standing outside too. Apparently after some small talk between the two they both realized they had their hearts broken. He sighed, that memory still stung because he had really hoped Ladybug came to meet him on a date.

Though not everything was bad since he had brought along Marinette to cheer her up, she even admired the set up he did on another balcony. He never understood why she acted so nervous around him even though she has no reason to.

Maybe he’ll visit some other time when he feels like it.

Adrien was going to call it a night before a post on the ladyblog had caught his eye. He hovered the cursor over the title for a little bit until he clicked it so he can see it in it’s entirety.

And so he read.

After some time, Plagg noticed the clicking had stopped nor did he respond to the initial suggestion he waited for, so the tiny cat looked over to his chosen as he was still in the middle of reading something with a frown. He scrolled and scrolled, completely absorbed in it’s text before he turned off his computer. Adrien pushed himself away from his desk with a look of hurt his kwami didn’t notice, even when he walked past him.

“Ah well, can’t help with that.” Plagg barely heard Adrien said.

“Can’t help with what?”

“It’s nothing. I’m gonna head to bed for the night.”

Plagg just shrugged as he grabbed another wheel of cheese, munching down on it not too long after. Adrien was grateful that the kwami wasn’t much of a pushy being, he sat down as he contemplated again on the title. ‘Isn’t Chat Noir almost kind of useless?’

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t hurt by it. Especially with how detailed it was when it came to his screw ups. Hell, there’s been a lot more of it recently.

Ranging from helping at one point to being an akuma’s pawn, ladybug doing all the work, not being that serious and always flirting with ladybug instead. Hell they even included the fact his fight was a bit sloppy as it began trailing off to questioning if Chat Noir would still be able to keep the city safe in the future.

He sighed, he swung his foot over so he can fully lie down. There was always room to improve after all, so he didn’t feel too bad in the end. He bid the little cat goodnight as he felt the drowsiness overcome him.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

With a grunt from a boy, Adrien narrowly swung his hand across to block an incoming kick to his side before returning one to the back of the boy’s leg making them land on their back. A hiss of pain escaped their lips, “Damn, thought I had you there.” They said accepting Adrien’s hand to be pulled up.

“Maybe next time, Wolf Boy.” Adrien smiled as he hugged him, they released each other until they made their way to the bench so they can they sit. “I know you’re at the top of the class and all but I swear you’re just plain unbeatable.” Rabiot chuckled

The taller boy had a long red streak in the middle of his hair, it reminded Adrien of a rooster’s comb, which was funny to him. Without it, he wondered if Rabiot could participate as a model some day, he has a serious physique which the magazine side of stuff would love.

Though it almost feels like armour when he tries to punch anywhere on him.

“I’m not unbeatable at all.” Adrien couldn’t help his laughter as well. “You just slipped at the worst moment.”

Rabiot groaned a little as he picked himself up. “Says the guy who’s the only one that’s able to keep up with my Spartan spirit.” He dusted himself off. “Seriously though, we’re only one-one in scores and the rest are no contests.”

The latter nodded, “You’re seriously an animal.” He sighed. “It’s no surprise you won thirteen junior tournaments before you stopped.”

The two had grown to be good friends when the blond haired model had gotten comfortable with his new sparring partner. Rabiot fondly remembered when he first came to the dojo, he had not to long moved from Marseille. He was fairly experienced in martial arts so he got the hang of karate in no time at all surprisingly.

If there was one thing he didn’t understand, was how seemingly flawless of a fighter the model was.

They watched the other trainers giving it their all with their sensei instructing them on their forms, how to use them along with their purposes. They were way ahead of them because of their own private tutors. For a certain someone, enhanced fighting intelligence due to abnormal battles a normal civilian wouldn’t face.

“You think you’ll be able to pass the upcoming selections for the mixed martial arts tournament?” Adrien looked towards them, Rabiot’s face lit up with excitement just thinking about the experience.

“I’m not so sure but I’m willing as ever to give it a try! I want to make it to the top three at least!” The Agreste was glad to see him so pumped despite it being his sworn passion.

He heard his phone ringing from his bag which made him open it, when he checked, it was his best pal Nino calling.

“Give me a sec.” Adrien answered the phone, when he brought it up to his ear he heard two other voices aside from the young DJ.

“What’s up dude?” The voice on the other end started.

“Hey Nino, I’m just here at martial art lessons.”

“Ah that’s fine my man, I was wondering you were free in an hour or so. Me, Alya and Marinette were planning to go to the movies.”

Adrien looked back at his schedule on his phone, surprisingly, it was indeed free for anything else. Thank the lord for a bit of free time honestly, he didn’t think he’d have enough battery to stand another thing organized by his father.

“I do actually, I’ll see you guys there.” Adrien’s smile returned.

“Awesome! We’ll be in the park waiting for ya. Catch ya later!” Nino said, the Agreste could’ve sworn he heard a high pitched noise in the background when he was about to end the call.

As if on cue, the sensei began to wrap up the lessons, everyone was taking off their gi. They placed it in their gym bags and took out their casual shirts to wear.

“We should get going too.” Rabiot said while he also removed the gi.

“Yep, I have to go to the movies here with my friends. I’ll see you later Rabi.” Adrien waved as he walked out the doors as he began to making his way to the destination.

Over by the park, the three were having ice cream as they waited for their friend. Both could clearly tell that Marinette was excited, not to mention, anxious at the same time, she’s not really as subtle as she thinks.

Alya placed her hand on the bluenette’s shoulder, “Girl you need to relax, I don’t want you passing out on me today.”

The girl in particular shot her a glance, “Me? Pfft. I’m relaxed” She really wasn’t. “I’m just a bit happy he’s free is all.” Her smile was wide as she nervously laughed. The brunette shook her head softly.

“Yeah, Yeah. Funny you say that after you spent over an hour and a half making sure you look your best in the same clothes plus the same hairdo you usually wear.”

Marinette sheepishly scratched the back of her head.

“Let’s not talk about the fact you already have your children named.” Alya held up three fingers. “WHAT?!” Nino said quickly in shock, “Yep, you should’ve heard her.”

If Marinette had the gracious ability to disappear right now she would’ve done so. “Alya!” She cried in embarrassment.

“She wanted to name one the first boy Louis” She counted off a finger. “And another one Em-“ A hand was slapped over her mouth, silencing Alya. Marinette’s face looked like a cherry by this point she sternly looked into the blogger’s eyes she looked at Nino, who’s still astonished at this fact. So much so he didn’t even know his poor ice cream was melting away.

She nervously looked at shifted her eyes to everything but the young DJ, “Please don’t tell him, If he ever found out he’ll never want to be friends with me ever again!”

Just then, a switch flipped in her.

‘Oh boy. Here we go.’ Alya thought when she saw her sudden facial expression.

“Then it’ll be awkward and he’ll be uncomfortable every time he sees me in his presence!” She gasped “Then he’ll move to a different school, probably find a girl he’ll fall in love with. She’ll have the best boyfriend ever and I’ll be all alone with broken dreams, dying from sadness and embarrassment.” She said the last part through clench teeth.

Meanwhile the couple flat out didn’t even decipher most of what she said cause of how fast she spoke. Seriously, it’s like an ability on how her mind goes overboard, especially with how fast she speaks sometimes.

“What was that about dying from embarrassment and sadness?” A voice spoke from behind the three.

Marinette screamed flailing her arms before she fell down not too long after. “Aye, you made it broski!” Nino greeted him with a fist bump.

“Sure did. What were you guys talking about?” Adrien looked at Alya, she had opened her mouth, making Marinette shot straight up. “Nothing!” she said with a wide grin accompanying her nervous laughter.

“If you say so.” Adrien shrugged with a smirk. “So, what movie are we gonna be watching?”

“You’ll see” The brunette said simply, “Now come on, let’s move before it starts!” With that, they finished their ice cream heading for the theatre. “I’m willing to bet the poster for it looks awesome.” The model put his hands behind his head. “What do you think Marinette?”

“Oh, I think you look great- I mean gorgeous looked you- I mean, yeah.” In Marinette’s imagination, she wasn’t just kicking herself.

She was flat out mauling herself on the inside.

Adrien chuckled, he hadn’t really paid too much mind to her stumbling words. He found it funny, a little weird, but funny nonetheless.

“Totally relaxed” Nino muttered to himself making Alya giggle at her boyfriend’s tone. They had made their way through the doors of the theatre and now the screening room doors too. All that was left now was getting to their seats.

“Any of you guys ready for the upcoming test we have on Monday by the way?” Adrien perked up, just remembering about it.

“What test?” Alya said, now confused by the sudden question. “We have a test?” Nino nodded to his girlfriend. “It’s on physics though.”

“I’m so failing that class.” Alya sighed dejectedly. “What about you Marinette?” The girl in question actually was rather calm about this, not something they were completely used to, knowing the klutz. “Oh! Adrien and I studied for it a little while back in the park.”

What?

“You and Adrien knew about the test and didn’t tell me sooner?” Alya crossed her arms at the two. Marinette could tell she was hiding another sentence and all she could to was rub her foot across the ground with a nervous laugh.

After their small conversation the movie had just started after the trailers, they finally found their seats and sat down with their snacks and drinks.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

An hour had past and they were fully engrossed in the movie. The protagonist was running through the woods with his fellow supernatural soldiers, the effects had really caught Adrien’s attention the most because of how well made and almost in a way, organic, it looked.

Marinette was also focused although she had missed bits of it looking over to her friends at certain points.

She was also feeding her kwami a sweet pastry she had brought along the way, she thought that if they were eating then Tikki might as well have something too.

She slowly moved her hand from her purse as to not draw any attention from anyone.

Adrien had done the same, except he had let Plagg fend for himself in his gym bag trying to open the zip lock bag containing the cat’s favorite, horrendously smelly camembert cheese.

He tried to put his arm on the chair’s armrest and ended up letting it land on something softer, when Adrien looked down at his hand he saw that he had actually rested it on Marinette’s instead.

Marinette noticed as well and had blushed violently. Adrien, feeling the warmth dashing across his cheeks had pulled his arm away quickly apologizing for his action. Amidst his hushed apologies the beating of her heart were like fireworks detonating inside as her stomach instantly got butterflies. It wasn’t the first time they accidentally touched hands, or rather, arms. though it didn’t make her get more used to it each time.

“I- I -It’s okay.” She managed to squeak out whilst she softly rubbed her forearm.

The two had went back to watching the screen as the excursion began between factions of militias. The super soldiers were preparing against the rulers. She looked over to Nino and Alya and saw they were snuggled up together eating away their snacks.

She smiled, they were so cute together sometimes. Someday he hoped she can be like that with Adrien and not foaming at the mouth trying to form a sentence to him. She thought to herself that it would probably take years to even achieve that. She fixed her gaze to the screen. Maybe she’ll be able to confess to the blond model one day. Just not so soon.

Speaking of blond. She still had that patrol to go to with her partner, she still didn’t know how to bring up the topic to Chat Noir on how he has been performing lately. She knows that he knows her strategies and protocols, even so, all of a sudden he just..

Blanks out.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“What’s on your mind Milady?” The spotted heroine was broken out of her thoughts. They had finished patrol for a while now and had time to sit around and gaze at the city lights below. The view from the Eiffel tower was always the best for times where they could just relax and unwind. As much as she loved it, it just didn’t help right now.

“Just a few things that happened today, nothing so interesting.” The blond hero hummed, she had been having a lot of moments where she stared at thousand yards away.. It wasn’t too unusual when she was thinking about something, although in this situation, he didn’t like it one bit.

He fidgeted a bit until he decided to ask.

“What did you want to talk about?”

There it is, the part that was haunting her most of the time. Her lips parted as she softly exhaled, her eyes darting everywhere except the direction of her partner. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. Might as well get it out of the way than to keep wondering. “It’s about your performance in battles.”

Chat kept silent. “I don’t know what’s been going on with you lately. You do help me in tough situations but you’ve been seizing up on me and taking more hits than usual.” He knows that much already, but hearing it from his partners for some reason felt way worse than it should have.

“Yes, you’ve always took hits for me willingly. This is different, you’re caught off guard most of the time instead of you doing it to save me from the akuma’s hits.” Ladybug finally looked in his direction.

The person in question’s throat became dry and tightened up as he continued listening to her.

“That’s not to say I appreciate you looking out for me, I’m saying there’s better ways you can protect me from something. I can’t keep fighting an akuma and my partner most of the time. ” The spotted hero sat upright, her eyes showed focus.

“Everyone’s starting to question your abilities as a hero, Chat. Things can’t keep going on like this.” She finally shifted her head to her second-in-command. “And at this rate, I might have to take your ring away.”

Silence filled the air. He tried his best to uphold a reserved air of professional composure, his heart burned with each pump of blood coursing through his body. He certainly knew what she was saying, what he didn’t know is if he should tell her what was bugging him, he slowly opened his mouth, and a thought flourished in his mind.

“Why should I tell her if she keeps her own secrets about herself?” His lips were sealed tight, Ladybug tilted her head a little.

“It’s just been a bad few days for me Bugaboo.” He spoke in a low voice. Ladybug’s features softened, she slid off the railing and planted her feet on the ground.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked, the boy shook his head in reply. “Thanks for the offer though.” He strained his smirked as he shrugged, he was hoping she bought it so he can switch topics soon.

Bluebell eyes stared into emerald green only for a minute until she gave up her gaze. “If you say so.” She leaned on the railing and checked her yo-yo for the time. It was getting late, it was a pretty good idea to head back home now and get some sleep.

“Just remember what I told you Chat. It’s our duty to ensure Paris’ safety from Hawkmoth.” She reminded, the cat-like teen’s hand clenched hard behind his back hearing that name. “I know times can be hard but please, you have to be professional, for their sake.”

Ladybug hopped over the railing and zipped off with her yo-yo. Chat Noir’s face was stoic as he returned to his headspace, he just couldn’t escape from hiding how he truly feels now can he? She had a point of course, however he felt much better being more carefree and open as his alter ego rather than being his ‘normal’ self.

He had now sat in a lotus position on the rail and inspected his ring. “Professional huh.” He said aloud to no one in particular, it was unfair that he always have to seem like he’s emotionally invulnerable.

He’s usually an optimistic person but god forbid he shows one negative emotion around his father or a few others than don’t truly know him or his life.

Even if he tries to have a normal life and have fun with his friends he’s always towered over by Gabriel Agreste, micro managed every single second of his life. It’s even worse when he sounds like his father in a way.

Yes he lets him do some things without problem but he always has to carry the weight of not doing anything that would even bruise his family’s last name. Chat furrowed his brows and grit his teeth in annoyance, he was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t hear the sound of wings flapping.

The akuma slowly made their way over to Chat Noir’s staff and entered it. A purple neon mask appeared in front of him and he audibly growled at the situation he put himself in. “You! What do you want now!” The boy hopped off where he was sitting.

“We meet again Chat Noir.” Hawkmoth laughed, “It has been a while since we’ve talked.”

“What the hell do you want from me Hawkmoth!” Chat Noir threw his staff to the ground as a feeble attempt to try and get rid of that damned taunting voice.

“Simple, I want your Miraculous.” Hawkmoth quipped.

“And then what! Why are you so obsessed with our accessories!?” Chat Noir screamed, he once again balled his hands into fists and they trembled, itching to get his hands on the man that terrorized Paris for a long time. “No matter how angry you are, your actions are and will always be in futility.” The voice said.

“I do not care! Get out of my head!” Chat Noir tugged at his hair, stumbling around and felt his back hit a beam. The mask faded away surprisingly and then he heard the sound of flapping again. His eyes shot open and quickly turned his head to the purple butterfly.

“No you don’t!” Chat Noir grabbed his staff and placed it behind his back before he took off after it, leapt up to a higher point and pounced off of the tower completely. A dark ball of destructive energy formed in his hand, he crushed it with a snarl. “Cataclysm!” He snatched the akuma into his hand and closed it tight.

He breathed heavily and tried to calm himself down until hot searing pain coursed through his arm as purple electric arcs shot out of his hand with loud crackling. Despite it all, he still held onto the akuma and threw the staff into a tight space in the tower and it extended quick enough so he can use it as a hanging point. Thankfully he was close enough to the ground where he can drop without much problems.

He let go of the staff and landed on his feet, he tightened his grip and grit his teeth baring the pain until the electric arcs ceased. His arm still burned when he cradled it.

“What..” He huffed. “What was that?” He grunted as he slowly straightened himself up and flicked his arm around.

He opened his still clenched fist and there lied a torn up butterfly, it’s colour was drained and it was fragile to the touch. He shook his hand and all the pieces blew in the wind, disintegrating along the way. Other than pain, he felt something else surging from his arm to his body.

Without a word, he climbed his way up to the staff and collected it whilst it collapsed.

When he got back down he immediately made his way over to his house when he realized the ring was beeping the entire time. He extended his staff until he made it to his window and dropped in with it.

His transformation wore off and Plagg had a look of confusion and exhaustion.

“What happened back there Plagg?” Adrien watched his kwami shrug before they replied. “I have no idea, I know only three other Chat Noirs that destroyed butterflies but the reaction isn’t something I’ve seen before.”

The boy raised his brow before he gave his kwami some camembert so he can recharge in the meantime. Plagg graciously accepted it and zoomed over to the couch and ate it. Adrien looked out at the window and gazed at the moon, it casted a dim light through his window.

“Not something you’ve seen before huh.” Adrien whispered. “Maybe that book of miraculous my dad keeps has the answers. But the last time I had it and lost it he totally flipped.”

The more he tried to piece together a plan the more a single question rose.

Why does he have a book on miraculouses?

[&&&&&&&&&&&]

In the massage shop, a little green kwami felt a shift of aura oozing into the atmosphere. One just like the reawakening of the moth and peacock, except, it was stronger. It felt like there was an imbalance, a manifestation of the unknown came into existence.

The aura, just like Nooroo’s power, was ten times stronger than anything he’s ever felt before.

He felt out of the gramophone with great haste towards the short man who was currently meditating. “Master Fu. Something’s wrong.” Wayzz warned. The man opened one eye. “What is it? Did Hawkmoth gain a new power?” He worriedly asked the little god.

Wayzz looked around as he felt that strange aura again. “I..” He started. “don’t know. I do feel their aura, but I also feel everyone’s at the same time.”

The man rested his hands on his knees. “Oh?” Wayzz explained that it was like they were being awakened for the use of evil just like Nooroo, except it wasn’t just him he felt.

With that, the man got up to hastily open the gramophone. As it opened from the top, he took the miracle box in his hands opening each and every single part of it. Every piece of accessory was inside, save for the two heroes and villains at the moment, which created greater confusion for Wayzz.

“They’re here.” Master Fu sighed as his heart calmed down. “But you said you felt everyone’s aura?”

The old man did not get an immediate answer, causing him to turn around to the turtle who had a wary, worried expression on their face. He shouldn’t be feeling such a thing then, then why did he? The overwhelming sense of dread that was added to the atmosphere only grew the seed of discomfort within.

“Wayzz?” They called him again, gaining their attention with a quick hum.

After a few seconds he realized what he asked. “Yes, I did.” Wayzz went back to looking at the miracle box. Whatever happened, he hoped it’s resolved quickly.

Chapter Text

“Let’s see.” Adrien vigorously typed away on his keyboard surfing through websites, book shops, libraries even, anything at all where he could at least have a source. A wave of disappointment came over him once he found absolutely nothing on it.

“How in the world did he get that book?” Adrien kept scrolling and clicking on every website until he got up to take a break.

He rubbed his eyes before pinching the bridge of his nose. He knows his father has connections to almost every place in the world but that doesn’t make a lick of sense if someone just randomly handed him the book. It doesn’t help that all he uses it for is inspiration for his fashion line. Maybe two or three outfits truly had some sort of look with a formal flair but that’s it.

A sharp slamming was masked by the sound of piano solos on his phone, playing through the speaker.

His hands stung as they made contact with his computer desk. The growing suspicion he had for his father before he became The Collector that day had been resurrected. He knows his father wasn’t the kindest around. But for him to stoop that low?

“What do I do?” He pulled at his own hair. Meanwhile, Plagg was having a nice cat nap amongst the shuffling, music, frustrated moans and groans happening in the background.

“Plagg!”

Well, there goes his beauty sleep.

The cat lazily opened their eyes, “What is it now kid.” His chosen folded their arms as he backed his face away from being so close. “Doesn’t that guy that’s the guardian know anything about it?”

“Maybe, maybe not.” They yawned lazily.

Adrien clearly wasn’t amused with his answer. “Plagg, I will ask again. If you do not give me a direct answer then I’ll make you tell me.” He folded his arms. “I have the ammunition for it after all.”

Plagg turned his head slowly in horror, “Adrien, you didn’t. There’s no way you didn’t.” The corners of his chosen’s mouth were stretched wide into a sadistic smile.

“Maybe.” He confidently took a few strides towards his gym bag and rummaged around trying his best to find what he was looking for. When he saw them he chuckled to himself before he raised his voice so plagg could hear. “Maybe not.”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“Gah! Okay, Okay! I give!” Plagg cried out as the overbearing stench from the assortment of the most catastrophic smelling cheeses to ever exist, was suffocating him. One of them is even banned in two countries in comparison to another one that’s banned on all public transport in France.

Don’t get him wrong, the reason he crumbled was not because of the warzone of scents that smothered Plagg’s nose. If he even has one. It may have made Adrien’s room a gas chamber, yes. But the true pain came from having his energy drained through a cataclysm, which he desperately needs to recharge.

“Are you ready to talk now?” Adrien tried to speak in a neutral voice, though the clothes pin clamping down on his nose just made him sound strange.

“Listen to me kid, I genuinely do not know if he knows much about it.” He crawled across the couch towards Adrien. “That’s all the truth I know. Honest!”

The sadistic chosen hummed, well if Plagg truly doesn’t know. Then maybe he can bring the book to him. “Where can I find Master Fu?” He reminisced upon the fact that he really should’ve asked the old guardian, when he was replacing the Chinese tutor, how will he be able to contact him.

“I didn’t pay attention to his place.” Adrien’s expression dropped immediately. His one and only plan was to just steal the book again just like he did last time. Which he didn’t want to cause there’s no point if there isn’t someone to decipher the code.

The blond sighed, at least he told him something. Even if it held no valuable information. “Alright.” Adrien placed the cheeses in front of his kwami carefully. “Just like I promised.” Plagg wolfed down the various cheeses he was oh so painfully teased with. “Forget what I said by the way.”

Plagg lunged into it completely, being absolutely covered in his so called haven. The model had no recollection on how a literal god became like this but that was not the matter. Whatever, he’ll just continue practicing his martial art moves as well as his forms.

Adrien moved the couch aside so he can have much more space then he actually needed, though he figured he’ll need it if he messes something up.

He took off his jacket and jeans to slip on a pair of shorts that allowed better foot movement. “I’ll figure out things on my own, I’ll even get stronger so I don’t fail anyone. He got into a wide, crouched stance whilst taking a deep breath.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Marinette had a cup of coffee holding in her hands as she watched the busy commuters hustled through the streets and roads. It was a nice change of pace from her usual activities she partakes in, her parents didn’t need any assistance so far. They may not entirely need it unless something else came up.

She didn’t know having a quiet time to herself was this pleasant, she assumed that it’s the amount of responsibilities as well as the tasks she had to put up with. It was the most logical reason after all.

Marinette felt her phone vibrate with a tune that played as well. Marinette placed it on the rail with a firm grip before she took her phone out. It was Alya calling, not much to her surprise. She answered the phone as it went to video call. She could see her best friend by the computer.

“Hey girl!” Alya waved at her bestie and she returned the gesture warmly. “Hey Alya, what’s happening?”

“Oh nothing much, just updating the blog before I go hang out with Nino.” Alya typed away on her keyboard, brushing strands of hair away from her face. Judging from the wild look, she guessed Alya had woken up not too long ago. “More importantly though, I called to see how you’re doing.”

Marinette smiled. “I’m doing fine.” She felt the wind pick up in speed, she didn’t mind since it was hot out. “I’m just out here for some fresh air.”

“Wow, a day you aren’t drooling over your posters, not to mention your wall paper.”

“Oh Hush.”

“You know it’s true. Speaking of ol’ golden boy, are you going to ask him to be your buddy for the school’s night party?”

Wait..

What?!

A party at the school during the night?! Not a single soul had told her about this! And the love of her life is going to be there too, he’ll most likely have an exclusive Gabriel outfit to wear then, though it didn’t matter what he wore because he always looks like an angel in her eyes.

“Uh, hello? Earth to Marinette?”

The bluenette jolted upon hearing her name almost spilling her coffee along with the cup over the rail she propped herself on. She stammered as she thought of something to say. “Alya w- w- when’s the date, I mean d- dance, I- I- mean..”

Alya shook her head with a bemused expression. “The party’s a good few weeks from here, a month and a half to be precise.”

The clumsy girl thought it was way closer than it really was, if it’s that long then she had a lot of time to prepare. And knowing Marinette, she was going to whip something up for herself to wear. Hopefully, whatever she was going to make will make her crush’s head turn her way. Thinking about it already made her head giddy.

“Okay.” A newfound spark now present in her eyes as she got down to her bedroom, she placed the coffee on her desk as she looked around for her sketchbook. “Alya, tell me, what’s the setting?”

“It’s formal themed from what I’ve heard from Ms. Bustier. It’s like a fashion function kinda thing.” The brunette stretched before looking at her phone, realizing Marinette had suddenly took a serious interest. “Wait a minute you’re going because of your crush aren’t you.”

Marinette tapped her lip with her finger as she tried to gather her thoughts before she shook her head. “Not entirely because of him. I’m mainly going because my friends are going to be there, I’ll get to hang out with everyone that I’m cool with in my class. Except for Chloe of course.”

Alya’s eyebrows furrowed while taking off her glasses. She rubbed her eyes using her arm before she looked back at the camera, it was a bit blurry, but she saw Marinette innocently pondering as she gazed into the empty page in her book. The blogger put them back on fully facing her phone.

“Who the hell are you, where’s the Dupain-Cheng I know?” Marinette snorted when she heard that, it caught her entirely off guard to the point she nearly choked on her own spit in laughter. This made her best friend slowly smile before giggling herself.

“I’m kidding, shit, someone seems to be maturing recently.”

“Hey, is it a crime to hang out with you guys?”

“I’m not even gonna answer that.”

Marinette pouted, feigning hurt to her friend’s ambiguity. Shortly after they said their goodbyes until one of them ended the call. “A school party? That sounds awesome.” Tikki appeared beside her, breaking the girl’s concentration. “Isn’t it? I think it’s the first time in a while too.” The girl replied.

“Really? I thought that would’ve been a thing for every year.” Her kwami wondered, Marinette drew a rough sketch of a body in a generic pose for the time being for which she didn’t know what design she’s going for or how to even start off.

“It used to be, but because of how wild their planning can be, they stopped.” Tikki somewhat understood but was still curious.

“What do you mean by wild?”

“The entire school can look completely different with all sorts of decorations of the sort, especially the classrooms and all the different floors.”

Tikki held an astonished expression, her chosen did say their planning was over the top. However, she would still have to see all of it in it’s glory for herself. Marinette was going through different designs of formal clothing to have some sort of reference on her phone.

“That’s interesting.” Tikki said under her breath, imagining what it would be like when the time comes.

“Since it’s been a while, I want to make my outfit absolutely gorgeous and perfect.” Marinette kept scrolling on her phone, she dreamily released a sigh as she thought about Adrien as well as what he would wear. “I would die if he looked at me like how I do with him.”

Tikki sat on the girl’s shoulder, she was one for romance but boy does it take the cake watching her chosen fawn over Gabriel’s son since the day he explained himself and gave her that umbrella.

“Then it’s best you focus on that outfit now rather than later, because if you wait, then you’ll be making all sorts of mistakes heading towards the deadline.” The kwami encouraged her friend, that made Marinette regain her sense of focus. Breaking out of her love struck state, she went back to checking the different types of dresses.

“You’re right Tikki.” The girl smiled while she brain stormed a few ideas and wrote it down on one side of the page so she can revisit them later.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“Sabrina! How do I look?” Chloe cocked her hip, placing a hand on it as she awaited their answer. She was wearing an expensive purple dress along with a long white fluffy scarf around her neck.

“It looks great Chloe!” Sabrina cheerily said, though it wasn’t enough as the mayor’s daughter scoffed in an annoyed manner. She took off her scarf and threw it on the bed with all her strength. “Just great?!” She replied in a snarky manner. “I want my outfit to be unrivalled so those lowlifes know they aren’t on me and Adrien’s level!”

“But Chloe, you already have enough clothes for it to be that way.” Chloe faced her best friend’s direction, nearly tripping up on her heels.

“I know that! I want it to be the absolute best thing they’ll ever see in their life.” Chloe took off her heels and went back into her walk in closet. “Ridiculous! Utterly Ridiculous!”

Sabrina fidgeted whilst she tried to come up with something, nothing seemed to work out for her at the moment. So they really don’t have much of a choice but to go shopping, which is the only thing she came up with.

“How about we go shopping for dresses, maybe you’ll find something you’ll like?”

Chloe didn’t even think twice when she put her casual shirt on. “I was thinking the same thing. I’ll get my Daddy to give me his credit card and get the limo ready.” A smile graced her lips as she told Sabrina to carry the bags for her on the way.

“Adrikins will be mine alone, not some baker’s clumsy daughter. It’s embarrassing really.” The sound of the two girls’ footsteps echoed down the halls heading for the elevator.

“That’s right! Once you find the dress that suits you, he’ll be all over you.” Sabrina said.

“Of course I’m right.” Chloe pressed the button to reach ground level, she then dialled her father’s number on her phone before she put it by her ear. “I’m not planning to lose him to some common girl.”

The elevator finally closed, the two girls went down in silence. Chloe’s face held a confident smirk all the while as she still heard the phone ring.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Rabiot struck the sandbag making it fly back quickly. The boy huffed before wiping his forehead, “I will make you proud papa.” His eyes squinted, breathing heavily before he sat on the floor cross legged.

“I will win that tournament for us. The money will come in handy.”

His body burned and ached in all sorts of places thanks to his workout. His yard was littered with broken makeshift dummies he made, it made him smile, the only problem was the clean up. “Thankfully Adrien isn’t in it, I don’t know how I’d do.”

He left his back hit the ground, peering at the great blue sky. “I wonder what he’s up to now actually.” The teen huffed.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The sun began to sink, sitting just above the horizon as different hues of colours were washed across the skies.

Back in the Agreste mansion, Adrien could be seen performing his capoeira drills whilst switching in different types of fighting styles to add diversity to his arsenal.

“Adrien, you have been practicing your fighting skills every time you get the chance. You should relax.” The model’s kwami said, a little concerned.

Well, to say a little would be an understatement since he was interrogated earlier. Which, much to his shock, he didn’t know the young Agreste was capable of. He listed off different cheeses and described them in a bribing type of way, to plagg however, bringing them and letting the aroma taunt him during his hunger was just plain sadistic of him.

“No Plagg.” Adrien paused his practice to catch his breath on the floor. “You’ve seen how I’ve been slipping up recently, I don’t want to keep disappointing everyone else.”

Plagg crossed their arms, the model watched them in confusion.

“What is it?” The teen asked as he sat down on the floor.

“You’re giving me totally different things each time here.” Plagg floated down in front of his face. “Apparently you wanted the book to check out the problem, then said you don’t need it, then also asked if Master Fu knew anything about it earlier.”

Adrien’s eyes moved away from Plagg’s until the latter moved into their peripheral vision again. “And now you’re training excessively today for something that shouldn’t even matter to you.”

“What is the goal here, what are you trying to achieve? Because I’m seriously confused right now.” Adrien sighed, the blond guessed he couldn’t avoid it now. He didn’t feel that comfortable sharing his feelings on the particular subjects that were brought up, he wasn’t even sure kwami would genuinely listen at all once he starts. Nonetheless, he decided to speak up.

“To be honest, It started when Hawkmoth tried to akumatize me because I had made a serious screw up trying to help ladybug out with that one akuma. I cant remember their name now.” Plagg tilted their head.

“That’s news to me. Why don’t I remember that happening?” The black cat thought to himself.

“It happened later that day, I was sad when she yelled at me for my mistakes so I sat by myself all alone under a bridge. An akuma had gotten to me and I heard Hawkmoth’s voice, trying to make a deal.” Adrien continued recalling the memory, visibly tense. Plagg assured him that he’s not judging and is in fact listening to him.

The model’s body seem to relax a slight bit, he went back to telling him the rest of it.

“I refused of course, I thought it would’ve ended there but he started taunting me, telling all sorts of things of how Ladybug and Paris itself would be better off without a weak, stupid, worthless cat that’s only good for taking hits and flirting.”

Plagg genuinely felt a pitch of anger swell underneath their calm expression. He was itching to intercept just to argue about how wrong he was. Alas, he couldn’t since that would be rude of him.

“Since then, his words were all that’s been in my head every time I fight for Paris. Sometimes I can imagine my father saying those things cause of how similar they sound.” His expression became worse and worse the more he remembered those hurtful words Hawkmoth and now the citizens were saying.

Even the akumatized seemed to be in on it due to them being under the terrorist’s influence.

The Agreste rested his arms on his knees, “I want to get stronger so I won’t let anyone down. And much stronger to take down Hawkmoth, I want them to believe in me again.”

“I understand.” Adrien looked up at his kwami quickly. “You do?”

Plagg nodded. “I do. Again, you shouldn’t listen to the people nor Ladybug for that matter. Forget that freak too, this city would’ve been dead ten times over if it wasn’t for you being selfless.” He flung his arms out as he turned.

“They wouldn’t be still here if Ladybug fell victim to an Akuma’s power. You try your best helping everyone, it’s their fault they can’t see how hard you work still. Even if you make mistakes.”

Adrien could not believe what he was hearing right now, if he hadn’t known any better he would’ve sworn the cat was replaced with some fraud giving out wisdom and advice.

“And what was that about Hawkmoth and your dad sounding similar?” Plagg asked.

“They just.. sound so close to each other and it’s bothering me. It’s also the reason why I wanted to know why he has the book about Miraculouses.”

Plagg hummed, he couldn’t remember what Hawkmoth sounded like so he didn’t have a say there. What he did have though was an idea. “How about we take smaller steps, you seem lost in what you want to do. That way we can build up until we achieve our goal.”

Adrien huffed, a ghost of a smirk gracing his lips once he let his kwami’s words sink in. Plagg’s mood was up lifted once he saw his chosen regain some sort of ground.

Adrien’s phone made a loud ding on his couch, the boy slowly got up on wobbly legs before making his way to the device. He checked and it was a notification from the news app, a frown made it’s way on his features.

‘Ladybug saves the day!’

There wasn’t anything much to note except for how skilled and efficient they were in taking down some random akumatised tailor all by herself. “If it were me, I would be slandered in just doing what I can do.” He whispered.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Hours had passed by like it were seconds. The model stared at the full moon above in his darkened room, which his Kwami could barely be seen at all. He debated on whether he should visit Marinette or not still. He really didn’t want to feel the judging stares from the citizens as he makes his way across as Chat.

But at the same time, he wanted to. But it was late, she was probably asleep by now so it’s probably best to stay home.

“What’cha thinking about?” Plagg asked.

Adrien gave a slight raise of his shoulders. “Just a few things really.” He rubbed his arm, trying to choose his words carefully. “I was thinking about visiting Marinette tonight.”

“And the only way you could do that now is by being Chat Noir.” Plagg stated matter-of-factly.

“Exactly” Adrien sighed. “Though I feel uneasy about doing that as my alter ego now. I wanna try to get to know her better without being.. me.” He tried to explain.

Plagg continued listening to him talking about how it would be better if he didn’t really ‘scare’ her a little. “I get that she’s a little shy, but, it makes me feel she’s holding certain things back.”

Plagg tilted his head before giving up entirely. “Meh, I don’t know. You humans are just weird.” The cat stretched before lying down on his shoulder. “If you have something to say or ask then why not just do it?”

“It’s not easy to just do something like that.” He shifted his view over to the tiny cat. “If she’s disappointed in me as Chat, I’ll still feel it because it’s me under that mask.”

“That’s the most obvious thing you’ve said so far.”

Adrien continued. “I’ll have to pretend to be fine around her even though I know I’m not her hero.” He felt his heart ache, imagining one of his friends he values to no end being disappointed in him. It made him want to be extra careful in what he does.

Not only because of Marinette, but because of his father who he still suspected and the company. His father would really imprison and monitor him every single second if he ever found out, not to mention take away his ring. And the fans would not want to see him on another magazine again, if they did, they wouldn’t even look at it or buy anything that he wore.

Though that might be a bit of an exaggeration since it’s been just harsh ‘criticism’. Nevertheless he still didn’t want to be found out at all.

Thud!

Adrien immediately jumped away from the window whilst Plagg dove behind his back. His eyes were focused on the silhouette that had been ungracefully splayed across the clear glass pane in front of him. They sheepishly rubbed their head before knocking on the glass. Really?

Considering how lithe their frame was along with the thin line that was coming from the top of the window.

Yep, it’s her.

His heart became a butterfly, gently tickling the wall’s of it’s prison as it madly fluttered it’s wings. Why did she come to visit at this kind of hour?

He reached a hand up to the window, “At this rate I might have to take your ring away.” Her voice echoed through his mind. “You know you’re irreplaceable.” He remembered her saying a while before. Oh how feeble words truly are. Contradictive and cheap. His hand twitched, envisioning the other heroes including her leaving him in the dust as he’s not able to keep up anymore.

The figure watched his hand slightly retreat for a moment. She couldn’t see his face properly thanks to how dark it was in his room, not even the moon gave a hint of illumination to his entire face.

After a solid minute, he pushed the window open for her to climb in, so she did.

Except they clumsily fell on their face.

Adrien shuffled over to the light switch to see Ladybug rubbing her forehead while she stood. “Hey.” The protector awkwardly smiled at him. “Hey, uhh, what brought you to my place?”

The protector cracked her back before she responded. “I was just doing my nightly patrols, though I messed up one of my swings and ended up panicking trying to hold on something and here we are.” She nervously chuckled, hoping that he bought the story she made up on the spot.

“Oh really?” Adrien’s shock was apparent. “Maybe your clumsiness is coming back.” He laughed.

Ladybug laughed with him before she realized what he said. “How’d you know I’m kind of clumsy?” A storm of swears silently erupted inside him whilst he pretended not to hear her question immediately. His laughter died down soon enough as she still had a shocked face.

“As for that part, a little cat told me a little tale of when they first met you.” He recanted the memory in his mind. “He said you were a bit of a klutz in the beginning, he even asked what’s your name.”

The girl’s expression shifted into a smudge of embarrassment along with her surprise. “And you were like, ‘I’m ma- er- Madly Clumsy. So clumsy.” He did an accurate impression of her, much to the latter’s dismay who currently blushed in embarrassment. “I think it’s pretty cute how you weren’t always like this from the get-go.”

He may be having fun now recalling that bit now, but that nagging memory of their talk on the tower was still eating at him no matter how badly he wanted to forget it. Hell, even with the threat of the ring being taken away, his heart still found some affection for the red and black heroine.

Ladybug’s face turned the same colour as her mask before she turned away. She internally screamed at his compliment thinking that she might crumble right in front of his gorgeous eyes.

Adrien chortled a bit. He assured her that her secret is safe with him, also promising to make sure Chat doesn’t spill that set of beans to anyone else. “What was he doing by your place anyway?” Ladybug asked as soon as she calmed down.

Adrien shrugged, “Same reason as you I guess. He never really told me.” Ladybug exhaled, putting her hands on her hips. “That sounds like him alright.”

The beeping of her earrings signalled that it was time for her to go. “Well, I have to go soon. It’s been nice chatting with you.” She waved before she hopped on the window. He waved back with a smile before his eyes caught the ring on his finger. He thought it over, it couldn’t hurt to ask right?

She took the yoyo in her hands.

Okay, maybe no time to think about it.

“Wait.” He rose a voice a little, she looked back with a neutral expression. “Umm, what do you think of Chat? I know he isn’t exactly doing the best job around but I couldn’t help but feel your dynamic changed.” Adrien’s green eyes seemed hopeful with the moonlight highlighting them.

Ladybug thought to herself. He could already see it was a question she wished to avoid. The way she immediate looked off to her side was unnerving. “Chat..” Adrien listened intently to what she has to say. “I don’t know what to think about him.”

The handsome teen cleared his throat, holding a fist in front of his mouth. “What do you mean?” He asked softly.

“He gets tagged by the akuma’s ability most of the time, and I have to fight my partner and the akuma. It’s really affecting the way we fight, talk, anything really.” Ladybug kept on going, softly killing the same person she’s talking about on the inside. “I find having the others is way more efficient than with Chat around.”

“Do you.. Do you dislike him?” Ladybug shrugged, “Like I said, I have no words. I don’t know how I feel. I know he’s not feeling his best but it’s been going on for too long.”

Adrien closed his eyes with a deep breath. “I get it.” Ladybug noticed a fault in his features, his eyebrows were slightly furrowed and his eyelids were slightly drooping. “Is something wrong?”

He looked back up at her. “I’m fine, I’m just wondering how to juggle everything tomorrow.” The young girl’s face contorted to concern for her classmate. “It’s also sad to hear my favourites from the beginning don’t have the usual charm between them anymore.” He gave a small laugh.

Ladybug gave him a solemn look, “It’s not easy on me either you know. But it’s the right call.” There was nothing more other than silence between the two teens. The blonde rolled his shoulders, looking around as he tried digesting this information.

“Thanks. For telling me this I mean.” He gave a slightly crooked smile. “I hope things between you two get better.”

“We’ll see.” She said with a sigh. “Goodnight Adrien.”

“Goodnight Ladybug.” He forced a smile.

The spotted heroine waved at him before throwing the yoyo with a great leap. She zipped out of the boy’s eyesight, leaving him all by himself in the spacious room. Plagg flew from behind him with a concerned look for his chosen.

He got into bed without a word. Staring off into the dark at the side whilst pulling the blankets over him.

Sleep had eluded his grasp every time he thought he was comfortable. The memories of his failures did not help him whatsoever as it continued to play like a projector pointed to a white surface. He grabbed a pillow to quickly shove it onto his face.

This is going to be a long night.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Gabriel was sat in his atelier, going through a few designs he worked on previously to find inspiration for the clothing line this season.

“Mr. Agreste.”

The man looked at his secretary who stood at a fair distance from him. It scared him because he did not hear a single sound when she came. He showed no reaction despite this.

“What is it Nathalie?” He focused his eyes back on the device.

The woman swiped her hand across the tablet before clearing her throat. “There is a meeting going to be held tomorrow around in the late afternoon by Audrey.”

The man grumbled to himself, them and their damned meetings. “What are you going to do then? There was something you wanted to try out in your tactic.” The woman stood straight.

“I will manage, I believe I should be able to make something work before it starts.” The man said with upheld confidence. “Knowing the state it’s in, I’m only going to use it this once.”

The woman nodded, “That’s all I have to say. I hope it goes well like you say Gabriel.”

“It will.” The door closed, leaving him alone to work.

Chapter Text

The sounds of snoring filled Marinette’s bedroom, she had been up all night helping her parents bake a large assortment of pastries for a formal function a business was holding. Thankfully all schools were out today so she didn’t have to worry about being late.

They had gotten the call for an order last night. Her parents decided the best time to start would be right then. Of course, Marinette helped them out when she heard the information from them after she returned from patrol. Despite her parents telling her she really didn’t need to since it was late, she still helped regardless.

Tikki woke up with a yawn, stretching shortly afterwards. She looked at her sleeping miraculous holder, she was ungracefully sprawled all over her bed in her pyjamas. The sight made her laugh a bit, she plopped down onto her cheek.

“Rise and shine Marinette!” Tikki said with a smile. The girl stirred in her sleep for a few moments until her eyes groggily opened, her eyes eventually shifting to the god.

“Morning Tikki.” She mirrored her smile while patting her head gently with a finger. The girl got up to make her way over to her computer to boot it up.

“So Marinette, what do you have planned for today?” Tikki floated near her chosen, the girl pondered a bit as she tapped the corner of her mouth. After a couple of seconds she started typing on her computer to enter the ladyblog website.

“I don’t know. I might just take it easy today.” She scrolled through the website, reading some articles from her best friend. She always liked reading them because of how passionate she is about ladybug as well as the other heroes that may join along with her. She had said herself she would do almost anything to get an up close shot of a battle along exclusive interviews of the heroes of Paris, mainly Chat and Ladybug.

It was painfully ironic that the one hero she adores the most is her clumsy, awkward, not to mention model obsessed best friend from since the beginning.

Nevertheless, she appreciated the support, plus the overwhelming love she shows for the hero stuff along with her friends. Though she wished Alya would stop getting herself into dangerously close calls just to get a good video for her blog.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a pleasant smell coming from the kitchen, her brows slightly raised. She got up to go to the kitchen to find her father, making the rest of the breakfast.

“Dad? What are you doing up so early?” Curiosity evident in her voice, Tom looked around until saw her. He gave a warm smile in return.

“Ah, I could ask my little girl the same thing!” He sure was full of life today that’s for sure. assumed her mom was still asleep, after all, that order was monstrous. She’ll definitely need all the energy when they’re going to deliver it.

Marinette sat down saying that she didn’t really feel that tired surprisingly. Her father served her eggs, bacon and pancakes. She couldn’t help but salivate.

She began to dig into her food, “How’s your new sketch coming along?” Tom asked.

“It’s coming along just fine, I think I have the design I’m looking for, I’m just going a little more details for the dress, add a few colours that should fit and voila!” She outstretched her arms wide, the fork shot out of her hand whilst she made a small noise as it went out the window.

She ran towards the window with her eyes wide as she stuck her head out. The fork hit a lamppost before it went straight into a bin, she let out an almost inaudible screech at the scene unfolding.

Tom however, was chuckling until it turned into howling laughter. He’s seen her being clumsy ever since she was a toddler but this was a new level. She pulled her head back in and slouched. Her cheeks burned with mortification.

“It’s..” He tried to speak through his now dying laughter until he wiped a tear away. “It’s fine dear, it’s not like that’s the only fork we have.”

“I know but it should be a world record of how clumsy a person can be. I might as well have a trophy.” Marinette grabbed another fork, prodding with her food. Tom shook his head with a smirk.

“But that doesn’t make us love you less. It makes you, well, you. If you don’t like it then just remember, anyone can change or improve.” Marinette’s eyes locked onto her father’s after he said that. “Some for the better, some for worst.”

“What if it doesn’t go away?” She took a bite of her pancakes.

“Then you can accept who you are. You may not like some of your qualities but if there’s a few you can’t change then it’s better to be content with yourself than be unhappy.” He shrugged mindlessly, “That friend of yours, Adrien, surely doesn’t seem to mind much.”

“Hey!” Marinette playfully smacked her father’s hand until her look shifted to a gleeful one when she really considered her father’s words. “Thanks Dad. For the talk and breakfast.”

“No problem.” She got up collecting both their plates. She began to wash them in the sink while she hummed one of the songs Jagged Stone released recently, she may have listened to it a bit too much.

Walking up the stairs, she went back into her room when she finished washed the dishes. She sat down by her desk, opened her sketchbook as she began adding fine details to the dress along with how it’s supposed to fit on her.

Tikki flew to her side again in marvel when the tiny goddess looked at the design. “Ooh! That looks pretty nice!”

“Thanks, but it’s still a bit far from complete though. I might even throw one or two little things in there.” Marinette continued with her work, she thought maybe if she-

A notification noise came from her computer.

“Huh?” Marinette checked out the textbox, apparently a new post was on the ladyblog. When she opened the software to go straight to the website, there stood Alya recording an akuma attack in progress.

“Hey peeps, Alya here! An akuma has just appeared turning people into crystals!” The blogger turned the camera letting the viewers behold the scene that’s unfolding. Chat Noir’s already there batting away small crystals that formed whilst she fired at the pun loving cat, they stuck to a few surfaces to start crystallizing whatever they were stuck to. Having a clear view of the akumatized person, she wore light armour along with a flanged mace.

“Stay tuned! There will be- Woah!” Alya narrowly dodged a stray crystal that went straight for her. “Whew, that was close.” She muttered.

Goddammit.

“So much for relaxing today.” She chucked the pencil on her sketchbook, slamming it shut. “It’s time to transform!” The kwami nodded as she got ready too.

“Tikki, spots on!”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chat Noir flipped to the side and charged forward with his staff towards the woman. The woman let another crystal form in her hand before she plunged it into the ground. Glistening spikes erratically shot up from the ground as it tore the road apart.

The hero stopped in his tracks, using his staff to get to the rooftops. “Give it up! I thought I’ve made myself clear already!”

The woman looked at him through half lidded eyes before she fired a hail of crystals with a wave of a hand. He dodged a few as he ran across the rooftops. The woman kept the onslaught coming in a variety of colours until she felt her body constrict, she realized couldn’t move her upper body around.

“Hello there!” The woman looked over her shoulder, the woman saw a girl in a red suit with black spots. Her eyes lit up a little when she spoke. “Ladybug.”

“That’s me.” The heroine tugged the yo-yo, the string around the akumatized woman tightened more. “You know, encasing people in minerals won’t help your problems go away. Why take it out on other people?”

The woman scoffed, “I’m doing this so I can get my wish of course. Hawkmoth promised me that I’ll be able to trap her in beautiful stone, I will make her suffer.”

Ladybug saw her partner easing up on her flank, he was being extra careful to not make even the slightest sound whilst she was speaking. She kept silent, trying to buy him time whenever she could.

“Even so! She fucking deserves it after what she’s done!” Her voice boomed. Chat flinched, luckily he was still in the green for she didn’t notice him still. Even Ladybug’s heartrate had spiked faintly at her outburst.

“Revenge is never the answer!” She shouted back, “I’m sorry about whatever she did to you that she made you this mad, that doesn’t mean you hurt someone over and over again!”

“It is the answer Ladybug. She will fear the name Crystalice by the time I’m through with her.” Her eyes held burning hatred that promised unadulterated pain. “Actually, the whole world will fear it!”

The woman raised her foot slowly, her eyes never wavering from her target.

“Including your deadweight partner”

She slammed her foot down until crystals shot up around her. Chat Noir jumped away just in time from the spike that was milliseconds too close to skewering let alone crystalizing him. Chat grunted, running as far as he could from the lady. Ladybug was forced to reel her yo-yo back, using it to swing away from the lamppost that was starting to be covered up slowly.

Crystalice harshly exhaled at the failed attempt. She was so sure he had him at the right distance and everything! The mace made a symphony of cracks from how tight she was holding it. “No use now. I must find them.” She said to no one in particular.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The two heroes were hiding out in the metro station as they went over the situation, Crystalice was clearly hurt if not heartbroken by another girl. Her anger was so prominent that you can clearly tell she meant every word she spat. Ladybug paced back and forth, the Parisian citizens eyed her anxious movements.

It must’ve been worse than they thought if their beacon of hope was visibly upset by all of this.

“So the akuma is in her necklace you said right?” The girl asked her partner. Chat Noir nodded, telling her that it’s actually hooked to her belt loop.

“That’s tricky. Especially with how she fought you.” She buried her head in her palms before running it through her hair, letting a few strands come loose. “I’m pawsitive you’ll figure something out” his chuckle was short lived by a loud groan from her along with a few other noises of disapproval from the survivors nearby.

“This guy can’t be serious right now.” He heard one survivor thought aloud.

His cat ear twitched with each new passing remark about him, his confidence visibly falling apart.

“How is this guy a hero?”

“And I thought the flirting was worse than his puns..”

“How did Ladybug put up with this shit for so long? Guy’s a joke himself.”

Chat Noir stole glances at a few persons’ faces, holding his hands up. “Wait, guys! I was just “Ladybug stopped in his view. “Now is not the time for your stupid, annoying puns Chat Noir! We need to figure out how to bring her down!”

Her tone was harsh, her eyes reflecting the same emotion. His ears flattened against his head, hanging his head with a sigh.

“I can’t believe I wasted my breath telling you to be professional.”

She continued her pacing as she looked around. “I can’t believe someone can hold this much hatred for someone. She won’t stop until she get what she wants.”

She finally stopped, rubbing her cheek whilst her brain storming begun. It’s easy to break crystals, but with how thick they are they would have to use a good set of force. However, you still can’t touch them with anything really.

The girl frowned, at this rate she didn’t know how to slow her down in the slightest if she’s able to think just as fast as Ladybug.

The muffled sound of people screaming, slowly turning into crystals brought a noise of frustration out of the heroine’s throat. She paced again. Some of the survivors were shaking, blocking their ears or praying that the rampage cease soon enough.

“If I don’t find a way to stop this madness, everything is going to be at stake!” She mentally screamed, she instantly froze.

She looked up, stopping her in her tracks! The Queen Bee miraculous! “Kitty! I know how we can beat her!” The spotted heroine ran over to her partner, she felt some sense of relief overcome her while she approached him. “Chat we can use Queen Bee’s venom so she can-“

“Use it to paralyze Crystalice, take the necklace where the akuma’s hiding and destroy the crystal it’s attached to.”

Ladybug stared at Chat Noir, taking a few steps back from him, whatever relief was there a second ago had been replaced with uneasiness. “Plus, you need me to be the distraction while you give her the miraculous so she can join the fight.”

The blond finally raised his head, his cold eyes locking onto hers. “That’s the plan, right?” His voice was soft, that didn’t mean there wasn’t an sharp edge to it. Ladybug’s mouth was partially agape before she recomposed herself and hesitantly confirmed that he was right.

She watched Chat Noir turning to make his way up the stairs, the sounds of his footsteps were the only thing she heard amongst the chaos happening above.

“Chat?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her trance had snapped when he finally made it to the top and disappeared. Ladybug ran up the flight of stairs and chased after him.

She caught up to her partner taking the staff from behind his back, extending it. “Go and find her. Bring backup just in case.” He simply said as he ran full sprint towards the noise.

Ladybug felt her stomach tie itself into a knot, she felt disappointed in herself, the girl knew her partner wasn’t having a good few days and she still lashed out.

Ladybug silently promised she’ll make it up to him somehow, looking at her yo-yo, she flicked her wrist and swung off not too long after it wrapped around a part of the building.

[&&&&&&&&&&&)

The two heroes left the citizens where they were. There were mutters between each person with the occasional startled sounds when there were a few loud bangs.

One amongst the rest sitting down, turned their head to the stairs. “It. Has. Begun.” His voice only heard by himself. His eyes stared past the locks of his bleached white blond hair. He took off his hat under the hood, his hair had a tinge of yellow visible around his scalp.

He looked around him as the others were huddled in fear. It made him laugh a little, “It makes no sense executing that now. The despair.. I can taste it.”

“Hey, what the hell are you laughing for? This is serious!” He turned his head towards the person that quietly scolded him. Guessing from their vocal pitch, they were also a guy. “There’s an akuma out there and your first instinct is to laugh?!”

The man rose his hands defensively, “Easy now, It happens when I’m nervous, okay?” The other person grunted, resting their hands on their knees. The man scratched his chin as he took out his phone, one of his gloved hands meticulously trying to enter the password on his phone.

His hand paused until his finger began tapping on his chin, looking at the device in thought before looking back at them.

“Hey.. Your name is Carter. Right?”

They look at the man with wide eyes as if they were about to pop out. They narrowed to a glare soon after. “And you are?” Their voice lowered in tone.

“Call me Benoit.” The man said, fiddling with a coin between his gloved fingers. “I’ve seen you around a couple times before. And there’s something I’d like you to do for me. If it’s possible.”

“Why the hell should I do something for you?” They got on one knee, his hand going into his back pocket.

“Because I have something that’s worth all of the trouble.” The man said as he flicked out a black credit card out of his sleeve.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chat Noir ran straight into the heart of the city running past isles of crystals, crystallized yet decimated objects reflecting multiple colours of light due to the sun’s rays. Who knew destruction can look so beautiful? He got closer and closer to the mayhem to see her holding a woman by the neck.

Crystalice was cackling as she had her off of the floor. “If it isn’t the one who tore my heart out.” She brought her down to eye level, eyes narrowing at the other woman clawing at the villain’s hands. “Aww.” She cooed “What’s the matter Elaina, hard to breathe?”

The woman started frantically kicking at her armoured chest to no avail, her face was changing to a bluish hue. “Don’t worry, death is too good for a disgusting, unfaithful rat like you.” She reeled her fist back to punch her and felt her own head snap to the side instead. Crystalice let go of the woman as she stumbled from the impact.

A pained hiss erupted from her as she looked over to who was bold enough to stand against her. The Teen in black held a static position until he twirled the staff, placing it down. He lazily rested his arms on top of his weapon, a hollow smile plastered his face. “Did you miss me?”

“If it isn’t the scaredy cat. Shaking in their boots.” She tried to regain her footing. “Oh yeah, I’m so scared.” He monotonously quipped, hopping away from a few crystals that were thrown at him.

“No really, I’m shivering me timbers.” Chat deflected one right back at her and it exploded, blinding her vision.

She felt a hit at back of her knee, forcing her to become unbalance. He wasted no time making an effort to shoot towards her necklace until a spike came out of her side this time.

His eyes widened, Chat Noir rolled to the side with a huff. Chat’s eyes narrowed at his adversary, he thought about using his cataclysm to destroy their armour but he wasn’t sure if it would reform anyway.

“Are you done messing about now?!” Crystalice bellowed as the dust cleared, she took a more defensive stance facing the blond.

The teen shrugged in reply. Crystalice lunged at him hailing a barrage of strikes at him with her mace. Chat Noir blocked her attempts to hit him using his staff. “Keep focused.” He repeated a mantra in his head as the attacker grew frustrated.

“You’ll never win this, cat!” A well placed strike was placed in the middle of his staff, making him skid back a few inches.

Chat Noir kept his defence up against the wild force of her hit, not uttering a word.

Chat batted away a fist with his staff before he forcefully shoved it into the outside of her knee which made her off balance again. Annoyed, Crystalice growled as she stopped the blow raising an arm to the side of her head. Parts of her armour had cracked with pieces falling off, exposing the sleeve of her shirt.

The woman got up again swiping at the obnoxious cat she was facing. The cat smirked as he slipped through her ferocious attacks. Crystalice’s patience had been worn thin as she threw shards past him, making his area of movement smaller. He raised his guard for that’s all he can do now.

Crystalice’s mace bent his weapon upon impact, Chat stumbled out of surprise. Soon enough, the even more crazed akuma threw everything they had to offer.

“You’ll fail just like many of the times you tried playing hero!” Crystalice roared as sparks were starting to fly from the weapon to weapon contact at high speeds.

Chat Noir was really being pushed back for he was barely keeping up with the pressure now.

“Don’t listen! Focus!” His mind screamed once more. “She has get here any minute now!”

“This time is no exception!” Crystalice feinted making Chat Noir react before a fist was slammed into his stomach. The wind came rushing out of his mouth, he felt a hand grabbed his head before it was slammed straight into a brick wall, the hard material broke off into little pieces as his head bounced right off.

He was tossed from one building to the next as his back collided with the house. His vision was hazy and he stumbled, still, he brought his guard up.

“The Black Cat fails once again!” He blocked another blow until something struck his knee, he yelled out in surprise. When he looked down, he saw a crystal had stuck to him. It started to encase his leg at a rapid rate and it was reaching up to his chest now.

“Cataclysm!” Another mineral had struck his hand, his power now faded away with his hope as he saw the second crystal disintegrated in his hand. “And no one. Is. Surprised.” Maniacal laughter filled the air as she watched.

“I failed again?” The hard, gritty feeling was creeping up his leg now while he stared her down. “I really lost, again?”

Chat Noir felt the crystals make their way to his torso.. “You..” Chat Noir lowly blurted out with wide eyes watching himself being crystalized.

Chat Noir heard a whisper in his ear as his vision blurred more and more. Letting his body slip from it’s control, he decided to give it up since there’s not much else he can do. A soft, yet strict voice, tingling as it carries away the sounds of the outside world.

The woman watched in glee at the seemingly despair induced state he was in until the noise of glass being shattered filled the air.

“The fuck?” The only thing she saw turning around was Queen Bee stinging her with the drill, right in the chest. “I don’t know what you did, but your minions were annoying.” Queen Bee snorted.

She landed on her feet, using the bug’s strings to form a form of catapult in the midst of their battle was a genius Idea, she can do without the break neck speed it produced though.

Queen Bee rolled her shoulders, ”Whoever is behind there, I really hope I hear a thanks!”

Ladybug jumped down from a nearby building. Taking the necklace from her hip, smashing the crystal with a red and black mallet once it was thrown to the ground. The purple butterfly flew out, a long sigh came out.

Rena Rouge and Carapace came running to the scene ahead. “We took care of the rest!” The fox woman said as she tossed the leader their yoyo.

Carapace had his shelter still activated over a few people that were decrystalized minions. “Dudes, is that Chat?” The turtle pointed to the hero.

Queen Bee looked over to Cat Noir, he was completely encased now. She walked closer to the crystalized hero, upon closer inspection, her eyebrow rose at the fact it looked like he was leaning forward with his hands outstretched. More so when she got a good look at his face.

“Gotcha!” Ladybug caught the akuma in her yo-yo, a white butterfly flew out of it. She waved it off with her usual goodbye. She threw the mallet up, “Miraculous Ladybug!”

The object burst into a swarm of ladybugs as they fixed all of the damage caused by Crystalice. All the people were freed from their imprisoned states, buildings and cars were set back to normal. The swarm reached Chat Noir, he fell on one knee. After he had a slow look around Queen Bee spoke up. “Um, Hello?” She tapped her foot on the ground.

“I didn’t hear my ‘thank you very much for saving me my queen’!” Chat Noir slowly stood up, interviewers along with people were running towards Ladybug, Carapace and Rena. Some, towards Queen Bee. “Yeah. Thanks.” He took a few steps past her, sloppily weaving his way through the crowd when he picked up his staff.

She scoffed in disbelief, “Whatever.” The people surrounded them and ladybug. But a few were actually looking for their catlike idol. The akumatized woman, Alice was sitting on the sidewalk feeling annoyed, more so ashamed of herself.

Ladybug spotted another woman going up to her, from her body language she seemed apologetic. Alice didn’t want to hear it, she told her something along the lines of moving away. She also heard her saying that she could stay here with her new ‘good friend’ of hers.

When Alice walked away, the other woman doubled over before she just.. Vanished.

The heroine became alert, it was a trick to get a rise out of the girl! She frantically looked around the crowd as well as the series of flashing camera lights to no avail. It was too bright and disorienting!

[&&&&&&&&]

Chat Noir gawked at the blurry scene below through his staff’s camera as he sat in a lotus position. The boy didn’t want to admit it, but Crystalice’s words were haunting him just as much as the other things that bothered him.

Especially the outburst Ladybug had when he tried to lighten them both up. The way her eyes pierced right through him after made him sick on the inside.

Her words hurt just as much as it did when he told Copycat that he annoys her to pieces. The conversation from last night was no better either. He hung out at his vantage point for a while longer until he noticed a boy was recording him.

He lazily saluted them and made his leave. “Time to go, I guess.” He muttered during his retreat, he wasn’t in any rush to go back anytime soon.

He played with his ring until a realization hit, he definitely wasn’t in a rush. He held his hand up. The ring still had full charge despite him using his powers a few moments ago. That’s.. interesting.

Though, he still quickened his pace into a sort of running limp for he didn’t know if he truly have full charge or the ring was having problems showing how much time he had left now.

It may not be some electric driven thing where it can be easily ruled as a malfunction, but with magic, he just didn’t want to risk being revealed in public without warning.

When he made back into his bedroom eventually, he released his transformation which made Plagg appear beside him. The boy collapsed to the floor, his room’s the most nauseating carousel he’s been on yet.

“Kid! What’s going on?!” He heard his kwami shout out. Overbearing waves of pain proved having mental clarity is difficult in this trying time.

Adrien crawled over to his bed with a wince before he threw himself up on it. “Were you not tired after the cataclysm?” He drawled out. “Don’t you.. need to recharge?”

Plagg shook his head, he himself could go for some cheese still but he didn’t need it as a recharge. “No, seriously Adrien are you alright? You took that blow to your head pretty hard!”

The black blur in front of him checked his half lidded eyes. Making Adrien try swatting him away, the cat only phased through his hand. “You should really go to a doctor, that might not be looking good.” Adrien groaned at the thought. “I’ll be fine tomorrow Plagg. I just need some rest.”

They shrugged, “Fine, I tried to help.”

Knocks came from his door, he most likely knew who it was already. The person made their self known, “Adrien, there’s a change of plans in the schedule, you will be having Chinese lessons today instead.” She coughed.

She looked up from her tablet, the boy didn’t move or make any sort of acknowledgement to her presence.

The slender woman called for his name again. Nothing. She slowly made her way to the teenager, he tried shaking them awake. Nothing again. “Adrien?” Nathalie put her tablet on the bed, shaking him a little rougher.

She finally checked his eyes and found his eyes were dilated. “Adrien!?” She shouted, she took her phone out of her pocket beginning to dial a specific number after she gave a few more attempts of trying to wake him up.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Hawkmoth had returned to his lair minutes after he failed to get the Cat and Bug miraculous, he didn’t feel an ounce of frustration. Rather, he felt very pleased with the results. Except for Crystalice literally trapping one of the two things he wanted the most.

He didn’t want to talk about that.

“The stronger the emotion the stronger the akumatized.” Hawkmoth’s voice bounced off the walls. “So my theory was right.” Dozens of butterflies flew around him aimlessly as he gazed out of the large window in front of him. “That means if I’m able to push Chat Noir far enough, he’ll be a merciless Miraculous hunter.”

Hawkmoth balled his hand into a fist just under his eyesight. “And since Chat Noir is getting riled up day by day thanks to the public and Ladybug. He will be unstoppable.”

Laughter filled the lair as the window closed, leaving everything in the room in darkness.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“What do you mean he has a head injury?!” Gabriel Agreste screamed, about to make his way to his son’s room.

“He isn’t sure what happened after, Mr. Agreste.” The doctor calmly explained to the fashion designer and secretary. “However, he remembers there was the woman who was akumatized going for him.”

The man recoiled, did it happen when he detransformed to make a quick appearance for the meeting earlier? What did that foolish person do to his son when he was gone?!

“Was that thing anywhere near the photoshoot?” He asked.

The doctor nodded, “He said it came around that area, it also showed where it roamed on the news.” Adrien stared at the floor with little to no expression. “Though, whatever happened there, Nathalie also stated that the crew could not find him. Whatever happened, something must’ve collided with his head really hard.”

Nathalie Sancoeur became uneasy due to the overwhelmingly tense aura her boss was emitting. He looked relative calm with a hint of worry, but deep down she knew there was a profound rage just waiting to rear it’s ugly head.

“The best course of action is to let him stay home from school and cease any strenuous activity.” The doctor ordered. Explanation was given where it was needed, down to the wobbling Adrien will experience for a while. “He may also experience high emotional inconsistencies along with his thoughts.”

Gabriel looked up to the ceiling in disbelief. All of this because he left her unsupervised for a meeting.

“Thank you. I will rearrange everything.” He paid the doctor as they made their leave. Gabriel looked back to his son who was now lying down, he was unable to read his son’s emotion. “Adrien, I deeply apologize for what happened to you.” He kneeled by his bed.

“It’s not your fault father.” That made Nathalie wince. Gabriel however, tried to bottle his guilt within. He still apologized, knowing that he’s the one that even caused this.

“You heard the doctor as well. I want you to rest easy, I’m going to clear your schedule for the upcoming weeks.” The man placed the painkillers on his son’s bed where he can see it. “I hope you get well soon my son.” The guilt made it’s way to his voice before he left with Nathalie.

Chapter Text

The three heroes hung out by an inconspicuous spot in the alleyway. They were out of each sights ever since they detransformed, letting their kwamis recharge so they can face each other again.

“That. Was. Awesome!” Nino yelled from his hiding spot, he was giving Wayzz a slice of mango. Alya snickered as Trixx ate a couple of grapes to recharge. And finally, Marinette, who was proud of how the battle went today, Tikki already had her fill for the time being.

“Good work you two! I knew I can count on you.” Marinette said, Alya made a noise of celebration along with Nino. Marinette let her head rest on the bin with a soft breath , it was hectic, however, they still managed to beat another akumatized tailor after Crystalice’s fall in record time.

Something squirmed in the back of her mind though, like the absence of her kitty. She didn’t expect him to just vanish, she assumed that he was very busy at the moment but that never eased her discomfort. Her calls still remained unanswered on her communicator.

After a few minutes, she called out to the other two heroes, asking if they were ready to transform back. They were ready to do so.

Three flashes of light flickered once they said their transformation words. They all came out to face each other once again, Ladybug crossed her arms with a smile.

“As for why I wanted to speak with you guys, I’ve seen you two are highly capable in combat and you are level minded when it comes to high pressured situations.” She said with pride, glancing between the fox and turtle themed heroes, who held gleeful expressions themselves. It’s not everyday you get complimented by ‘Paris’ shining beacon of hope’.

The spotted heroine’s smile grew wider, “I believe we do make a great team along with Queen Bee, however, this isn’t about her right now.” Their looks shifted into a smidge of confusion, they already are like a team in some way.

“Uh, Aren’t we already a team?” Rena Rouge shoulders raised in a shrug, Ladybug mentally facepalmed. “Better wording Marinette, matter of fact just get to the point.” Ladybug spoke inwardly.

“Sorry. What I meant was..” She coughed. “As of today..” Carapace and Rena was dying to know what was coming next, even if it was seemingly obvious where this was headed.

“Both of you will be permanently on my team from here on out. You two will be able to keep your miraculouses instead of me taking them back.” Ladybug stated.

Both of the heroes broke out into a fit of happiness, they couldn’t believe it! they were now certified superheroes alongside Ladybug herself! Ladybug was happy to announce that to her close friends, though a quick feeling of two bodies enveloping her in a hug took her off guard a bit.

“Thank you so much Dude!” Carapace said, it’s funny how he couldn’t break the habit of saying ‘dude’ even if it was to hide his identity.

Speaking of identities actually.

“I hope you guy’s know the drill, no one shall know your identities, especially the other heroes.” Ladybug hugged them back. “Well, save for me since I had to bring the accessories to the both of you to become heroes the few times before.” She sheepishly laughed.

“I understand, so that Hawkmoth doesn’t use that against us right?” Rena Rouge asked as the trio broke out of their hug. “That’s fine by us. It’s better that way.” Carapace stole the words out of the fox’s mouth.

“Exactly, I’m glad I can count on you two.” Ladybug simply said. “If I need you two, I’ll let you know. You guys are free to join our patrols too, it helps keeps criminals deterred.”

They nodded, it was about time they split so they said their goodbyes for now whilst they went else where, including the girl in spots. She swung her way over to her house before she detransformed into a crouching position. She opened the hatch and made it inside.

“I didn’t expect Master Fu to allow them to keep it.” Tikki broke the silence once she returned. “He must’ve really trusted them.”

“Me neither, I’m glad he thinks their worthy to keep fighting with me. Even in protecting the miraculouses.” The bluenette lied down in her bed, stretching all the while. “I wish Chat Noir was there to congratulate them.”

Tikki took a few bites out of a nice, warm cookie. She could never get enough of her pastries nor baking. “Where was he?”

Marinette made a noise that basically said ‘I don’t know’. Tikki shrugged, nothing much she could do there anyway. The girl stared at the ceiling thinking about the fight, she did not like anything about the akuma in particular. Her anger was so strong because of Hawkmoth’s emotional toying that it caused her to willingly want to kill someone with no hesitation.

Her stress was ramped tenfold to the point she was snappy towards her partner. She still beat herself up on the inside for shouting at her partner like that.

And knowing that he most likely heard her remark afterwards only twisted the knife in his heart. The guilt ate away at her, she wanted to find him and apologize. Though she was under the assumption of the cat not wanting to hear from her for the day after that. So, all she could do was wallow in her own guilt.

Aside from that, she was beginning to realize the odd timings of akuma attacks, uh, odder than they usually were anyways.

It used to be three times a week and it’s lessened to once every two weeks or so. Which was fine, though it seemed like the akumas were more bitter than usual.

Hawky probably has a preference now. Who knows?

Marinette got up from her little break and decided to work on her sketch again. There wasn’t much progress made, that doesn’t mean her determination waned in the slightest.

She slipped on some earphones as she played music from her phone. Her journey for finding the best inspiration was on the go again. Funnily enough, as much ideas she built up during her last random sketches, she never got around to revisiting them. The young baker thought it was about time they did just that.

She flipped through her previous designs she never got around to making yet, eyeing each portions of details that could possibly enhance her piece on the way.

Around two hours had flown by, the moon pierced the pitch black sea accompanied by the burning stars above. The young baker threw on her pyjamas after a nice, long shower. Splendid, If you ignore the fact she nearly slipped in it.

She was on the phone with Alya again as the talked about the date the blogger and the DJ had in store until there was an akuma attack. Overall, her best friend said the date was pretty good all things considered. They even got to meet Jagged Stone by pure random chance, apparently he was just walking his alligator through the city with zero care. Pretty weird guy if you ask anyone sane enough, but chill at the same time.

They talked and talked until they eventually ran out of topics to linger on, soon after, they ended their call for the second time today.

Marinette was now packing her bag for school tomorrow, she brought the required books needed for Monday and took out the ones she didn’t need.

She finally went to her bed, awaiting the day she gets to meet her beloved Adrien again. She sighed. She could just see him-

[&&&&&&&&&&]

-frowning at the exam results he got back. The Agreste passed, albeit, with a mediocre percentage score.

He had refused to stay away from school despite the trauma he suffered to his head. The boy was stubborn, tearing the doctor’s note in a spike of frustration before going to school regardless. He was not letting Nathalie stop him either, if he wanted to see his friends and participate then he was going. It took a lot of convincing, bribery, and a side of deleted camera footage to prove as evidence. At least the painkillers are working well enough for him.

The only problems he had faced was him stumbling a little whenever he walked. Only happened twice, but, that’s too much considering there can be only one klutz in the school. It’d be weird having a beautiful clumsy boy in their school.

Not as if the bluenette’s already the adorable klutz.

Anyways.

Marinette showed concern for the model throughout the day and tried her best to cheer him up a little. It was sweet of her, but the main problem was the fact Nathalie just lets his father know how his academic performances have been as well. He didn’t have much time to prepare since they already arrived at his mansion.

Sometimes he wonders why he even needs a limo to take him to school when it’s just walking distance away.

When he opened the door, strangely enough, he wasn’t waiting above the stairs. Adrien slowly looked around as he walked up the stairs, heading towards his room, he felt a surge of pain return in his right arm. He let out a hiss clutching it, Nathalie rushed to his side.

“Are you alright Adrien?” The woman said worriedly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Yeah, just hurt my arm during fencing class today.” Adrien grimaced as he budged the door open with his shoulder. “It happened right when I was going to counter. I tripped and fell on it. I should be fine though.”

Nathalie gave a stern expression, she wasn’t entirely keen on letting him just do as he like when he still has symptoms of head trauma. She even thought about letting Gabriel know of his restlessness. Alas, she let it be since he didn’t want to bother her boss too much. He was miserable with himself, miserable about the situation itself.

Including the fact she cannot stand Adrien’s sullen face when he can’t do something. He always reminds her of a hurt puppy every time. It breaks her down no matter what, with the exception if Gabriel make’s an adjustment to something for him. Or an order.

“Just let me know if it gets worse.” The secretary said soothingly, rubbing his back before she head for the door. “It’s not good to keep it to yourself you know. I’ll arrange a check up for you again if it persists.”

Adrien kept a neutral expression until the pain throbbed once more. He looked down, his eyes shot open. His veins were faintly glowing purple, he could see whatever it was making it’s way to his hand before it ceased. It faded away as it retreated from it’s advance.

“Adrien?” The model looked up, Nathalie was still standing by the door. She looked like she was just about to change her mind. “Oh yeah, sorry I was just thinking about something.”

Nathalie gave a soft look. “What about your head?” She whispered.

Adrien straightened up, “Just fine, thank you very much for asking.” The woman told him that he was welcome, she went out of his sight, presumably going back to her desk.

“That is not looking good.” Plagg said from his Jacket once Adrien closed the door. “Now you see why I wanted to know if there’s anything on the book. I knew it wasn’t just some bad reaction.”

“I’m sorry, if I knew his place then I would’ve lead you there.” Plagg said, Adrien was still miffed at the fact his kwami know their way to the man who knows the miraculouses well enough. “I fully understand why you wanted it along with Master Fu.”

Adrien grunted, at least the pain subsided, it was seriously a pain in the ass.

“Whatever. Here’s hoping it’s not a curse.” The boy lazily said as he gave Plagg his cheese. The kwami looked at it until he zipped off and stored it in his stash instead, he came back to see Adrien getting prepared for his drills again.

“Again?” The model looked up at the floating cat that spoke. “Yeah. I told you why I’m doing this didn’t I?”

“I mean.. You did. I just didn’t think you’re actually going to do it. You still don’t have the balance yet!” The model replied with a slow shrug. Adrien’s phone rang loudly much to his dismay, he got out of his stance before walking over to it. Chloé was calling.

Thank god he took the painkillers or else his headache would be horrendous. Ugh. Here goes.

“Hey Adrikins!” Her obnoxious voice bellowed through the speaker as soon as he answered. “Hey there Chloé.” He threw himself on the couch.

“What have you been up to?” Adrien asked her. Chloé mostly described her past few days of finding the nicest and most expensive dress she can wear, she left out the obvious bit about causing a raucous in a clothing store and getting someone akumatized earlier this week because why wouldn’t she? “Oh okay, is it for that party you keep telling me about?”

“Yessss.” Chloé drawled. “I was going to send you a picture of what it looks like, but that’ll spoil the surprise. Maybe we can have a photoshoot together after.” Her smugness was audible as well as her pride. Adrien pinched the bridge of his nose, if there was one thing he genuinely didn’t want to do on a fun day was to go back to what he considered Hell.

“A photoshoot huh? I don’t know if I’ll be up for that.” Adrien looked over to Plagg who was just listening in since there’s nothing better to do. “Oh come on, Adrien what’s wrong with having a nice picture of us?”

“It’s not about us, it’s about it being a professional photoshoot Chloé. I’ll rather just take it on my phone and post it on my socials.” Chloé seemed to like that idea as well from the victorious noise she made. “I also forgot to tell you, I asked your dad if I can come over and he said yes.”

Why dad. Just why.

“He did? That’s great, we haven’t done that in a while.” He tried his best to sound more enthusiastic. “I know, your dad’s the best.” Chloé said.

“No. No he isn’t.” Adrien muttered while covering the phone’s mic before he removed it. “Yeah, he’s great.”

Chloe laughed a little as he said that. “No need to be so uptight Adrikins! I know we haven’t hung out by your place in ages, that’s not something to be shy about.” She assured him, he heard the gates opening through the window and the phone too. “I’m here. I’ll meet you by your room ‘kay?”

“Okay, see ya there.” Adrien hung up. He put his hands on his face and through his hair.

“Oh boy.” Was Plagg’s only input to the situation thus far. Until it wasn’t. “I know she’s your friend but you still have the authority to say no if you dislike her.”

“It’s not that I don’t like her. Chloé is just..” He trailed off, attempting to find the best way to describe her as much as he can, he opened his mouth. “Chloe’s just-”

He heard the door knob twist while the door creaked open. Plagg dove into his usual hiding spot as Adrien sat upright.

The girl quickly made her way over to him and gave him a warm hug in which he accepted. “You know we already saw each other today right? No need to hug me.” Adrien said when she pulled away.

Chloé cocked her hip whilst she folded her arms in front of him. “What? Is it a crime to not hug someone even when you saw them already?” Adrien shook his head, he patted next to him and she sat right next to him with a smile. “I totally forgot to tell you by the way.” She scrolled through her phone messages.

“Your dad’s assistant said that your father will be out of the city for seven weeks at most. He wanted to apologize for not telling you since he was in a rush.”

Adrien shrugged. “That’s okay.” Nothing new, maybe except for him apologizing but that’s about it. “What do you want to do?”

Chloé brought her arm around him. “Just hang out, what else is there to do?” She stated matter-of-factly. Most of the things he partakes in isn’t her style at all, the only thing she would really do is either watch a movie or go out to anything that seems entertaining to her. Once it’s surrounded by rich people and celebrities that is.

“Fine.” Adrien slouched a little. “I guess that’s better than nothing.”

Chloé snuggled up to him, he couldn’t get away since he was already at the furthest side of the couch. “By the way I saw your last photoshoot for valentines.” He felt her smooth hand tilted his head to fully look at her. “You looked really cute in those classic outfits, makes you look break hearts for a living.”

Adrien sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, taking her hand off of his cheek with his. “Thanks, those are my most favourite out of everything I’ve worn so far.” The boy smirked. “Everything they produced was amazing.”

Chloé enthusiastically agreed, she couldn’t help fawning over everything it had to offer in the magazine. She was embarrassed when she began to imagine the two of them having a grand recording of the two in a romantic setting after the party in the clothes she likes.

For Adrien, If he didn’t know what to wear to the party then he sure does now. It would be nice wearing one of them again. He focused on the girl in front realizing her cheeks were rosy as she was looking away, playing with her hair. “What are you thinking about?” Chloé blinked rapidly, her face was turning red now.

“Oh, umm.” Bourgeois stumbled a bit. “I was just thinking about us, just having fun together, having good memories to go off of in the future.” She waved her hand dismissively.

“And that has you shy?” Adrien spoke inwardly looking at them.

After a few minutes she eventually calmed down with a few games they played. Chloé may be catastrophically bad at video games now, that’s not to say she’s not having a little fun. They took a break after they passed the mission, Adrien took off his jacket since he was sweating and man, was she having a field day poking at his arms.

“Cut it out.” Adrien poked her side, which brought a genuine giggle out of her. “Hey, I was having fun feeling your muscle! Since when did you get those anyway?”

He laughed. “First and last time. You aren’t seeing any at the party either.” Chloé scoffed, dramatically placing a hand over her heart in mock hurt. “How dare you.”

“Too bad you can’t feel them either if you dance with me at the party.” The girl pouted as a question came to her until she asked out loud. “Who are you going to dance with?”

Adrien quickly ran through a list of the girls in his class. There weren’t much options really since he hadn’t really though about them in any sort of way. Juleka’s interesting, but he already figured she isn’t really the type to follow suit. Alya would’ve been great if she wasn’t taken, she seemed like the best person to dance with, friend or not.

Then there’s Dupain-Cheng. She was pretty cool too. Designed one of Jagged Stone’s albums, made a sweet looking derby hat that impressed one of the top fashion designers, she was proven to be a good class representative. And her baking? Lord, it was the best thing he ever tasted when it came to pastries. He began wondering if she was actually going to show up to the party, he was curious on what she would’ve worn there.

She even has those bluebell eyes that reminded him of Ladybug. Her spirit was just as lively too, just that she is extremely clumsy and odd. If she isn’t the best dancer out there then he can take the time to help her out, he doesn’t mind teaching. Especially when it comes to grooves. It’ll bring them closer together as friends too which was a win-win.

“Maybe Marinette?..” His thought trailed off. Chloé leaned back making a disgusted noise. “Seriously? That idiotic baker?” Shit, did he say that part out loud?

“What?” Adrien looked over at her. “What’s wrong with her?” Chloé looked at him as if he said something stupid.

“Marinette is just some average girl that can’t do anything without making an ass out of herself!” She snobbishly yapped.

“Chloé.”

“She isn’t even important!” She continued. “Dupain-Cheng is just ridiculous!”

“Chloe!”

The mayor’s daughter jolted whilst shrinking back at the volume of his voice. She never heard him shout that loudly in any occasion, it made her want to pedal back, however, she tried taking her stand. “What? Why are you defending her?”

“Why are you speaking about her like that?!” Adrien’s eyes held a mixed sense of hurt, irritation and disappointment. “It doesn’t matter if she isn’t important in your eyes, it also doesn’t if she’s average either!”

Whatever confidence she had disappeared as she was being backed into a corner. The model folded his arms as he awaited her response. “Because she..”

Chloé looked away from him. “She-“ The girl stopped herself from saying anything. After a few seconds of not speaking, The Agreste shook his head disapprovingly at the Bourgeois. “You know I don’t appreciate when people are picked on. And I do not want to be friends with a bully, they are worse than garbage!”

She felt her heart shattering away at the last sentence. Fear and anxiety quickly gained their vices on the poisonous maiden as she started to regret her words.

“Besides, It’s not like you have to stick with one person there. You can switch between partners whenever you feel like, even better if it’s a smooth transition or someth-.”

Adrien saw her sullen expression, she was looked down as her shoulders softly shook. Adrien awkwardly looked around while he fidgeted. The Agreste didn’t expect that would make her cry, her soft sobs reached his ears. “No, she made others cry. I should let her too.” Adrien stared as his conscience tried to stay strong, the whirlpool of emotions was stronger for he was starting to feel bad.

He exhaled through his nose, his shoulders sinking subsequently. The model got closer and angled her head to look towards him. “I’m sorry.” He wiped away her tears with his thumbs carefully to not further ruin her make up. His heart felt like a boulder hanging by a thread because of his outburst. He wasn’t sure what made him yell and scold her like that.

Adrien pulled Chloé in for a tight hug, her sniffles became muffled. “I’m so sorry.” Chloé felt a soothing hand rub against her back. “But you shouldn’t talk about anyone like that. Especially when they’re my friends.” He said.

“You’re not going to leave me too, are you?” She moved her head from his shoulder.

“I don’t want to.” He admitted as he looked at her again. Her make up was definitely ruined by her tears that kept coming. “But you seriously can’t keep being mean to others. I’ll have no choice but to stop seeing you as a friend.” She let out a breath she was holding, all of her worries and doubts seem to have to left through her mouth for her chest felt as light as a feather.

“But-“

“No buts. I want you to give it a chance. You’d be surprised how different things will be.” The boy gave a small smile. “Someone might help you in your worst times like you did for them.”

“Thank you, Adrien.” Chloé sniffled as he slowly went to retrieve some baby wipes. “I’ll try my best for you.”

“Not for me, for everyone that knows who you are. Promise me that.” He sat back down, wiping her tears along with her eye shadow and foundation.

“I promise.”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The man slammed the bottom of his cane down on the floor in a fit of anger. Hawkmoth’s akuma missed it’s target big time, his eyes tracked the butterfly that flew back in through the window.

Still, he could not find it in his heart to be angry at Crystalice entirely. It was really his fault he left her, thinking she will not go one hundred yards near his son. He rubbed his temples to sooth the oncoming headache, even so, it’s a mistake he knew not to make again.

“Today may not have gone as planned.” He looked out at the pigeon obsessed person sitting by the bench who was cheered up by a little girl who had joined him in feeding the birds. “But I know some day. I will get those miraculous, even if it means I have to do it myself!”

The light coming from the window was slowly restricted until it closed.

A loud whistle passed by him as he felt something graze his cheek. “Huh?!” The man turned around, taking the blade out of the cane. He was met with a voice, echoing throughout the dome.

“Trying to win a losing game are you?” Hawkmoth scowled further, why didn’t his security go off? Those missiles should’ve been locked onto the other heat signature!

“Let me tell you something Hawkmoth. We are worlds apart.” He heard a faint clicking sound to his right, he took guard and faced the metallic sound. “What do you want?!” Hawkmoth cried out, making sure to still check everywhere around him. “I’m just here to warn you, Gabriel.”

The man squinted his eyes, tightening his grip on the blade.

“Beware.” He said slowly, their voice was light, making his own heart heavier than stone. “Continue this path and destruction will be in his awakening.” Hawkmoth’s face turned to scorn, really? He couldn’t possibly mean who he think he means.

“You mean the cat?” The villain’s body relaxed a little, not believing what the voice was implying. “He is nothing but a push over! An alley cat who can’t dare part from his precious ladybug!”

“So you say. Keep holding up the sparks to the gas pipe then. See what happens.” An amused laugh emitted from the dome. “If you cease this little plan of yours, I will stop guiding them.”

“I will no follow orders from some insignificant speck.” Their laughter became much louder this time, it sounded heavily strained as if they suffered from a respiratory problem. “You know nothing about why I’m doing this!”

Gabriel nearly turn heel and ran due to it’s increasingly numerous voices in laughter, his lair more felt like an auditorium now than his hideout. The other voices died down until it was the previous one from before.

“Of course. If that’s what you want to do.” They heard solid thumps against the floor, echoing around the lair. “Don’t be surprised when it falls flat.”

The man frantically kept his guard close whilst he surveyed the darkened enclosure. The rush of blood coursing in his throat, by the densifying pressure of the occasional silence between their words other than their steps.

“Just like Emilie’s heartrate.” They whispered in his ear.

He sliced through the air once again in a fit of anger, the window opened back up to see someone’s body fading away to dust. “Get back here! No one dares disrespect my wife nor I!” Gabriel shouted as he kept swinging in a fury, only making the particles expand.

“I can.” They said simply, looking down at them. “You might as well find yourself a new wife while you’re at it.” Their body continued to crumble, decaying to nothing. “You had found the cure too, and you never even noticed it.”

The masked head was the last to go, leaving the enraged man to ponder on their last words before departing. He stared out to the skylight peering in. There’s no way he overlooked the solution. Did he?

That would be ridiculous! He’s been chasing the only solution to his problem and they’re saying he overlooked it?! “Lies! Nothing but!” He coughed a little.

He stepped to the middle, where the elevator resided before he let it take him away.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The day progressed, Adrien had seen the blonde maiden off as she got into the limo. He waved until they drove further and further out of his eyesight, he forgot about the test score entirely thanks to her. Thank god his father is away from home.

Adrien stroked his chin, if Gabriel was away then he technically has a judgement free zone when playing the piano or doing anything really for the time being. Nathalie seemed to be unbothered to send every little detail to her boss which was good too.

His green eyes barely picked up two men in hoodies shuffling away from the corner of the street ahead.

He opened his jacket to see plagg taking a cat nap in his pocket. “Never mind.” Adrien walked back inside the house and into his room once again. He held up his arm, taking a good look, he pondered on what he witnessed earlier when he was with Ms. Sancoeur. It was beginning to become a problem with how sporadic the attack can be.

He took off his jacket for what must’ve been the hundredth time today as he rested it on the other side of his bed. The Agreste got under the sheets and got comfortable, he continued wandering in his conscience until his eyelids got heavier.

And heavier.

And heavier.

...

“Chat! No!”

His eyes shot open.

Adrien found himself completely limp against a stone wall, heavy heaps of smoke clouded his vision to a certain extent. Though in the lighter parts, he saw collapsed buildings and torn roads, the main thing that caught his eyes.. were the amount of bodies laid across him.

CRACK!

Adrien weakly tilted his head to look up at the sky. There was a large spider-web pattern in the sky with a large creak and croon. “What is this?” His voice was hoarse, the scratching feeling of his throat was unbearable.

The sky shattered, suddenly, a large discord of voices overtook the volume of sirens as the ether fell in various sizes of shards. Their screams were nightmarish, full of despair. There were a lot of voices he hardly recognized as images flickered at light speed, dizziness and nausea hit him like a truck. The all consuming pressure closed in on him, imitating the feeling of being underwater of sorts.

“What the hell is happening?!” He managed to scream out to the heavens if it existed amidst the hell he was experiencing. The blond narrowed his eyes, a huge splintered shard was heading right towards him with a sharp point.

He heard a loud cackle as it approached him, the mask of the mastermind behind the akuma attacks appearing in the shard.

“You always be the useless alley cat! Only born to destroy everything you touch, but that’ll never matter because your actions always lead to futility!”

Adrien’s face twisted with determination, his body was now moving on it’s own. Getting up with haste as he scowled at the shard. His right arm cocked back as it emitted energy. As the shard grew closer and closer until he shot his right hand out with a blinding light as everything cut to silence. All but one voice.

“My path shall be absolute.”

Large black eyes opened, revealing white irises with a ring amongst the now deteriorating void.

“And we call upon the masses of Paris! To bring down, the-” He heard another voice amidst the crashing world.

“Monster!” All the voices bellow in an angered, yet fearful chant.

A figure appeared far from him sat atop a beam. He saw the figure got closer as if his vision zoomed in like a telescope each time they repeated that haunting word. It got closer until they saw the mask they wore.

Chapter Text

He shot right up in his bed without a sound. All of the noises were gone, there wasn’t any smoke and his arm is completely fine. “What the hell.”

Adrien rubbed the sleep away from his eyes. “What was that?”

Adrien breathed heavily as he stared wide eyed out the window, it was dullish outside which put him at some sense of ease. “Just a nightmare.” He repeated those words to himself as he got up to go to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror, hair dishevelled but the rest of him was okay at least.

It must’ve been real bad if it made him toss and turn to the point it looked like a mess. Slowly, he grabbed a comb to work on his hair. It sung as it struggled to work out the kinks, the tangles were much worse than he thought because the comb bent as he tried to pull it through a serious knot in his hair. Actually, it broke the teeth and the handle itself in half. The teen could only groan in frustration.

When he finished, he looked out the window to see the sky beginning to show colour, it’s nowhere near the time for him to get ready for school.

“God.” Adrien sat on the edge of his bed. First his arm, now it’s nightmares? Concerned was a serious understatement to describe his emotion, he’s through observing how it plays out, he wanted answers! Even if he won’t like it!

There has to be answers in that book! He’s sure of it! He just needs to get it to Master Fu, but there’s no leads to the guardian whatsoever. Adrien caressed his ring, what’s the point just coming up to him only two separate times with no other information to the miraculous?! He basically said ‘Ah here’s a magical thing you can wear to be a hero, have fun’.

But if that’s the case, that mean’s Ladybug got hers the same way right? Obviously that means she knows him. Thinking about it, she split from him when they faced Syren and got a power up after she left with her lucky charm! The Guardian came to him!

“You’re up?” He heard a voice say, Adrien knew Plagg had to be on top of his jacket since Plagg sounds like he’s right behind him.

“Yeah.” Adrien said whilst he scratched his head, while he observed his room. Plagg flew on over to sit on his left shoulder, there was a prolonged moment of silence as the embodiment of destruction carefully analysed his wielder’s face. Honestly, he couldn’t read his expressions because of how subtle they were, not that it mattered once Adrien’s lips parted.

“Plagg.” The boy called to his kwami. The cat tilted his head while he remained seated. “What is it kid?” They replied.

“I figured something out.” Plagg made a confused noise, Adrien mentally slapped himself before he elaborated. “It’s about Master Fu and the book. I have a lead now.”

“Ohhhh.” Plagg slightly leaned back. “So what are you going to do?”

“It’s still early so.. First, we wait.” Adrien face went from neutral to a thoughtful one. “On second thought.. We have to bribe Nathalie first. Somehow. Because I’m still gonna be cooped up in my room on ‘sick leave’.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“I dunno, give her expensive jewellery? I have no idea what’ll make her crack.” Adrien slumped.

The kwami began to ponder, their little arms being folded as they closed their eyes for a moment. “Maybe ask her?” His kwami shrugged with his half-assed reply.

Adrien held his head up. Looking over to his computer before he looked out the window in the vast darkness. He snapped his fingers as he got back to bed.The blond shut his eyes as he tried going back to sleep. “What are you doing? The little cat floated by his ear. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Giving up.”

The blond rolled his eyes even though they were shut. “Hush and go to sleep Plagg.” The blond rolled to his side. “And if I don’t want to?”

“No cheese for three days.” The lack of speech immediately took it’s course as the snoring kicked in seconds later.

Adrien laughed softly to himself. “Works like a charm.”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

At school, Ms. Bustier’s students were currently in the courtyard performing various stretches and exercises to get their blood pumping. Mr. D’Argencourt began setting out a line of thick tape in the middle of the court.

“Hey Nino.” The handsome teen called out to his bro. “What do you think we’re gonna be doing?” The other boy in particular shrugged as he got done performing his squats. “I dunno dude, once it isn’t too hectic I’m down.”

The teacher double checked his measurements to make sure it was all proper before he called to his students. “Okay! Listen up.” The teacher beckoned them closer with a wave of a hand. “Since the Parc de Princes stadium is currently being used at the moment, we will have to make do here.”

“So what are we going to do?” Kim hopped on his toes, the guy just never seems to rest if the teachers begged him to when it comes to PE.

The teacher turned as he made his way to the storage room. “You all are going to be playing dodgeball.” He said as he walked inside. A mix of cries rang out on the basketball court. “Aw yeah! I’m for sure going to win!” Kim laughed.

“Nuh-uh! No way! I’m not going to get my hair and make up ruined.” The troublesome girl turned her nose upward, folding her arms. Sabrina agreed with her quote-unquote “Best friend”

Chattering began to fill the place as they were debating who’s playing and who’s not. Alya smirked as she glanced at her partner in crime. “Girl, you sure you up for this?” Marinette shot her a nervous but determined look, the bluenette knew the type of tone Alya used and she is so on for it.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Adrien interjected. “I don’t see why she won’t be.”

The baker looked over to her green eyed crush who walked over to them. Adrien? Sticking up for her? Was she still asleep and forgot to turn on her alarm?

“I mean have you seen her?” Alya grinned. “You already know my bestie can’t stay stable for more than three seconds.”

“I did.” The blond teen eyed the diehard blogger. “Besides, you and your boyfriend might not last the gym period either.” That caught the some of the nearby classmates that heard their conversation. Chloé ground her teeth in anger eavesdropping in their spat.

Alya gasped in mock offense whilst Nino gave his buddy a daring glare. Some of the classmates were now whispering to each other through the opposing clash they were having. Funnily enough Adrien felt as if he was in that one western movie he watched where they had a similar scene.

“Oh? Have you lost your mind, man?” The DJ folded his arms. “Is that a challenge? Monsieur Agreste?” Alya said right after, barely containing her amusement.

Marinette didn’t want to admit it out loud even if God demanded it, Adrien seriously reminded her of a hotter version of Chat Noir and she loved it. “Yeah! It is!” Marinette finally butted into the mix. The heat on her cheeks were faint, her heart became a manic butterfly fluttering in it’s constricted cage. “Adrien and I will take you both on!”

The brunette adjusted her glasses, “Loser buys the winners’ coffee for two weeks.” Adrien rubbed his chin for a little bit, not the best of choices but hey, who says no to free stuff? Matter of fact:

“If Me and Marinette win we’ll have a Blanc Manger au coco, Dorade and the best lunch your mom has to offer on the house.” He gestured to themselves. “If we lose, we’ll treat you two to coffee and your favourite meals as well.”

Nino mirrored the lad’s spirit as he took his headphones off from around his neck. “Bring it dude!”

That smirk, the confidence, his face when he made that teasing remark towards Al and Nino, it seemed like his inner deviance took over. Her face felt like it would melt because of how warm her face got.

A little ways from the four, Chloé muttered something under her breath whilst boring holes through the half Chinese-half French girl.

“What are you going to do Chloé?” Sabrina asked. “I..” She trailed off as she looked at her Adrikins, he has very little idea how badly she wanted to intervene so that tramp can’t get closer to him. “Can’t do anything.” She uttered through clenched teeth.

Sabrina was genuinely bamboozled, “Why not? You have the most power in all of France and you are a brave person. Why can’t you stop this whole competition?”

Chloé softened her gaze, looking at Adrien, they looked like they were having so much fun without her. It made her heart ache. The fact he defended Marinette again made it worse than it already is. “Someone like you wouldn’t get it.”

Her friend looked at her incredulously. She looked ahead at the others as the words replayed in her head.

Mr. D’Argencourt made himself known after ages of finding a good amount of dodgeballs in a bag. “Right, I’m sure you guys know the rules, whoever is sitting out shall sit on the bench.” Only then he noticed the ferocious atmosphere emanating from a few students in particular.

“And what’s going on here?” He raised a brow. Alya turned her head to his direction, “Oh It’s nothing. Just have a score to settle.”

Right. As if their faces didn’t look terrifying. The teacher took out the balls and placed them on the line, once they were set, it was time to choose teams.

“Kim!” Alya barked as his head whipped around. “We’re joining your side!” Kim smiled, he loved the competitiveness even if he knew he can win.

Adrien already had Marinette siding with him, he looked around until he spotted Ivan and a few others. After a while of preparing the teams the were mostly set, keyword being ‘mostly’ because there’s one slot still empty on Kim’s side.

Adrien tried to keep himself from swaying around. He did not have much of a headache this time, but his balance will be a challenge. He did not know how he will manage, he just made up his mind to stay anchored with slight movements.

“Now it’s a four versus five, that’s not fair.” Marinette spoke matter-of-factly making Kim snort. “You know Mr. D’Argencourt won’t start it unless it’s even.” Kim crossed his arms, this is plain dumb. If the others weren’t so cowardly to go up against some guy with a pretty face then he can cause mayhem. Max was about to get up from the bench.

“I’ll go!” Everyone looked at the mayor of Paris’ daughter in shock. “You sit right back down nerd boy.”

Mr. D’Argencourt became slack jawed at the young lady as she walked up into the court. “Yay! Go Chloé Bourgeois!” Sabrina yelled from the bench. “She’s.. in?” Marinette barely heard Adrien as he stared.

“Hey! Let’s just start this thing already.” She said, breaking the teacher out of his stupor. “Just so you all know, if any of you hit my face I’m calling daddy.”

The others shivered fearing the worst at that statement. “As for Team Agreste, we have Marinette, Ivan, Nathaniel and Juleka.”

“Do your best Julie!” Rose cheered her long haired friend on, she cracked a small smile before she got ready to try and not die from the insane impact of the balls from Kim.

“For Team Kim. Alya, Nino, Alix and Chloé.” Nino stole a glance at Chloé who glared at her rival before he gawked at Alya with Kim, who just shrugged. This was certainly going to be interesting to say the least.

“This will be a best of three, you all know the rules already.” The man lazily said. “On your marks.” They got in their stances. “Get set.” The tension grew, they both were so ready to win.

“Go!”

The opposing teams rushed forward for the balls to take into their possession before some retreated back to a safer distance. Kim slugged a ball straight towards Nathaniel, the artist yelped feeling it ricochet off of his arm. “Damn.” Ivan grunted whilst he blocked one.

Chloé picked up a ball shuffling around, she tried picking a target, “Ugh, the things I do for him.” She thought as she threw one that’s been casually avoided for it’s lackluster power.

Alya narrowly dodged one as well before she deflected another with her own into the ground. “Alix, Kim, spread out and aim for Juleka.” Alya anchored while the other two spread out in a flanking position, they waited for Juleka to throw hers. Which she did.

“So long Juleka!” Nino said as they threw the balls at her. Only one had hit her, it was about to hit the ground until Marinette caught it in her hand. “Gotcha!”

“Damn it!” Alix shouted as she got out of the court. Chloé narrowed her eyes, maybe if she can catch one then she can get someone out. Maybe.

“Watch out Chloé!” Kim warned, “Huh? Ah!” It whizzed past her side, she got away just in time. “I was doing fine without your help.” She scoffed as she rearmed herself. Nino eased his pace to assess the field. Marinette played reserved while Adrien hasn’t done much himself either. One thing he’s sure about was Ivan being more on the offense.

“Alya, Anchor.” The brunette listened, he wasn’t sure what he was doing but she trusted him. Ivan looked around quickly, spotting Alya, he threw the ball before they reached the fifth second only for it to be caught in front of her chest. “Sorry Ivan, better luck next time bro.” He smirked while Alya quickly shuffled her feet across the court with her lover.

“We’re down to three people now!” Marinette held the ball tight. Adrien told them to stay on the defensive for the time being, his eyes darted between the four players. Chloé hummed in thought as she looked over to Kim, she saw a dead ball next to him and she concocted an idea.

“Kim! Stay right there!” The male jumped at her voice.

She rushed to her right picking up the ball taking a large lunge towards the athlete, “Huh?! Chloé what are yo-“ She whipped the ball towards Juleka once she appeared around his side, barely visible to anyone.

Ping!

The ball bounced off of Juleka’s shoulder upon contact. “Chloé used Kim as visual and physical cover?!” Mr. D’Argencourt yelled in surprise. Marinette’s eyes widened as she thought it went straight for her, but with the trajectory it hit the one further away from her instead.

“Ha! All skill.” The snobbish girl brushed a few locks of hair out of her face. In all honesty, it wasn’t. She actually wanted to out her rival. Even more so when she decided to just throw with all her might.

The model looked at the blonde. “This is actually ridiculous.” He muttered under his breath, “I must be dreaming still. There is no way.” Juleka said nothing as she was genuinely impressed yet just as surprised as everyone else, nonetheless, she got out of the court. “W- What do we do now Adrien? We can’t stay on the defensive.” Her bluebell eyes locked onto him.

“There’s something we can try.” He looked over to her, “We go all out.” Marinette nodded numbly as the nerves were settling in. “Just you two now, huh, Agreste.” Nino laughed.

Marinette fidgeted as she watched on, she realised he’s attracting the attention to himself while only one other person has their sights on her. Her gaze held a promise she didn’t know, it wasn’t like a hateful glare, she didn’t even know what emotion she hid.

“Yeah, just us.” Adrien stood in the middle of his half of the court. “Looks like you’re just all talk with a pretty face.” Alya butted in. “You’re sorta right about that, but I have one other thing you three lack.” He tried biting back his laughter at Kim’s annoyed face as he grew more and more impatient.

“Really. We’re not the ones that’s-“

“Just throw the ball already!” Kim shouted as he launched one he picked up at an incredible speed. “Now Marinette!” The model caught the ball between his elbow and side, transferring it to the bluenette. Kim had been eliminated with ease.

Once she received it, she held onto it for a second before Adrien got his. “To Alya!” Marinette yelled out of instinct making Adrien faked the throw towards the brunette. Subsequently, the brunette jumped up before she felt something collided into her stomach region with force. Alya growled in frustration as she left. Adrien caught himself from falling over after the throw. Putting his hands on the floor as he landed on one knee, certainly used too much momentum to make it seem like he was going to throw it.

“Later Alya!” Marinette waved the aspiring journalist off.

Nino swore under his breath as he watched the two closely. The pattern they have is far more different than their usual playing style. “Now what?” Chloé looked at the young DJ. He desperately tried to figure something out. “Just play it safe. Don’t let-“

Marinette suddenly belted one towards Chloe. The blonde hopped away and returned fire, making the baker go closer to Adrien. “Now’s our only chance!” The two teams went toe to toe with each other in a violent assault trying to make the other slip up.

“Why did my dumbass say go all out for again?” The handsome boy thought to himself as he narrowly kept dodging and returning some on his own. It was a miracle nothing hit him yet. Especially when he was struggling with his balance. The spectators were having a an uproar om the side lines, struck out players cheering for their team. Kim, unpleased with the fact he’d been struck by that damned model, took a closer look at the two remaining players.

They looked like they were way far in the zone. Marinette was a lot more confident in moving around and attacking, Adrien was a different story still. That wasn’t what stuck out suspiciously though, the way they played wordlessly, it was as if the just knew what to do without discussing the plan.

“Come on, Come on.” Nino tried to hold up along with the Bourgeois deflecting some of the live balls back to them whenever he can.

Ping!

He saw a ball struck Marinette in the hip, she gasped. It was about to hit the floor already! Chloé had a victorious smirk on her face, this was the moment she waited for this moment. Adrien grunted as he dived to try to make the save, the ball hit the floor before he got to it. Nino had his ball primed. “I’m sorry Adrien.” She quickly got out. Everyone was on the edge of their seats as it was just Adrien left now. “Maybe next round Dude.”

“It’s useless now Adrien!” Alya taunted from the bench.

The world seemed to slow down around him. “Useless?” Adrien whispered. Hawkmoth’s words invaded his mind again as he felt his arm start to ache, the laughs, the insults.. Even that nightmare he nearly forgot about was coming back to memory at full force.

“No..”

Nino flung the ball at his brother-in-arms, it came with power but it still looked rather slow. He felt his arm burn with higher intensity as the fog from his brain cleared and his body began to feel a rush not even he felt when he’s Chat Noir.

“Never!” Adrien roared.

Adrien instinctively flipped and caught the ball in his left hand. “What?!” The DJ shouted in disbelief. “Adrikins?” The blonde’s eyes widened. The model’s team was standing up making as much noise as they could now for their captain. The ball left his hand just a second after he caught it, almost grazing the young girl’s leg.

“Ah!” Chloè squeaked out, that was fast! For god’s sake Alya, why did you have to go and call him such a thing?!

Adrien barely landed on his two feet before he slid shortly across the ground, arming another. The girl picked up another ball before freezing in place when their eyes met.

No one saw the ball when he threw it, all they knew was the ball connected since it bounced off of her. “YES!” Marinette cried out in joy.

“That was bull-“ Nino received a stern look from the teacher. “Sorry.”

Adrien’s team surrounded him whilst Marinette stood on the outside. The team praised him for his sudden rejuvenation, Kim, was annoyed. “Hey! It’s still best of three!” He stood apart from them, “I’ll win the next round, you were lucky with whatever you pulled off!”

“I forgot about that.” Adrien said with a chuckle. “So that means the bet’s not sealed yet broski.” Nino took off his hat.

Marinette folded her arms looking at their opposition. “Who said we won’t win again?” Kim stood up in her precious space leaning down. “You. Guys. Won’t.”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

They won again.

This time the class representative along with the famous teen brought them down in a blitzkrieg. None of the had the time to adjust to their playstyle nor weaknesses they’ve shown. Nino dramatically fell to his knees, none of it was fair, they moved inhumanely! Adrien was like a fish out of the water at the beginning and now he knows gymnastics all of a sudden?!

“What was it?!” Alya screamed to the heavens, matching Nino’s melodrama. “What was it that we lacked?!”

Marinette and Adrien chortled at their two buds’ pain. “You’re much more flexible than I thought Mari. Your agility is also off the charts!” The girl felt pride swell within herself at the compliment. “T- Thanks, I’m naturally that way.” She rubbed her arm shyly.

“Huh, you’d be a great gymnast, maybe even a dancer or something.” The model faced her. “Speaking of dancing, are you going to the school party by any chance?” The boy continued with a ghost of a smile.

“YES! I mean yeah, I’m going.” Why was she so painfully awkward most of the times around him? “Awesome, I’ll be there too. Can’t wait to see you, Nino and Alya there.” Adrien flashed a genuine grin, it went as quickly as it came. “Speaking of. Again.”

The teen turned towards the sulking couple before grabbing their attention. “What you lack.” He pointed towards his head with a thumb. “Is this!” he slicked his hair back with one smooth motion with both hands. “Use your brains next time. Even if it isn’t as intelligent as mine” He pretended to sound narcissistic. The two looked at each other with a hint of shock before they began to laugh, Adrien and Marinette soon followed after.

Chloé was seething internally on the bench as Sabrina was trying her best to calm the wealthy girl down. “Why is that thing so close to my Adrikins!?” She bellowed inwardly. Losing was one thing, losing to her pain-in-the-neck nemesis? Unforgivable.

Alya sat down on the same bench Chloé was sitting in, she was too tired to care about anything right now other than wanting to go home. Alix and Kim soon joined after.

Alix decided to ask the question no one wanted to bring up. “Chloé. Why did you join us?” Chloé looked around at her. “What. Was I not supposed to? Why do you care?” Chloé shook her head to rid the strands of hair out of her face.

Alix shook her head, “That’s not what I’m saying.” Chloé bit the corner of her lip out of their view. “I meant why did you side with us? I thought you were gonna go force somebody off of Adrien’s team to join it. Matter of fact you said you didn’t want to play at all.”

The girl’s blue eyes stuck to the floor, she felt too many eyes on her than she would have liked, she usually loves attention. “Ugh, don’t worry about it too much.” Chloé got up to walk to the locker rooms until she stopped.

“And you people?” The team on the bench looked at her with tired expressions. “You guys were an alright team to be in I guess.” She walked off with Sabrina, leaving the others stunned gawking at her.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The blue eyed blonde had let her hair down as it rested just below her shoulders. She wiped the sweat off of her forehead, a swore escaped her lips. She was still thinking about how close Marinette was to her Adrikins.

But another part of her had seen someone else in those eyes when he was on the attacking play.

Those soft emerald green eyes bled with ferocity. Truth be told, the look on his face was best described as sheer angered determination. Chloé knew that he didn’t hate her, “yet” she thought out loud, because her crush had apologized to her when she got struck out again near the end. “So what is it?” She drank from her water bottle.

The baker passed by as she was going to grab her stuff from the locker. “Well if it isn’t Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” Chloé said.

Marinette rolled her eyes with a sigh. “What is it now Chloé.” That somehow sounded way more like a statement than a question in her ears. “Just saying that you won this time only. I’m not going to let that happen again clumsy feet.”

Marinette rolled her eyes just when she was about to go. Chloé was going to let her leave to head home, she didn’t want to ask her anything even if she might know something as to what she was thinking. She watched the girl waltzed right by her again, if she doesn’t ask then she won’t have answers, if she asks now, things will be awkward.

She hung her head for a few seconds until she swallowed her pride and ego. “Wait.” They stood up, Marinette finally looked at her, she had to say, Chloé looked impossibly gorgeous with her hair down.

The way her hair cascaded down her shoulders and around her head made her soft face look rounder, cuter even. It’s almost as if she was a different person, especially when her makeup has been wiped away. It pained her to even think this, but it truly made her heart stop for a moment.

That’s definitely not something she’s admitting either.

“Um..” The rich girl diverted her diverted her eyes for a few seconds. “Do you know what’s going on with Adrien?” Marinette cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

She didn’t believe she had to jog her brain explaining the reason why she had become a deer in headlights in the first round. At least the klutz caught on fairly quickly.

Chloè exhaled a bit harshly, letting her inner frustration tip over for a moment. “Now, did you realize it or not?” She questioned, a hint of impatience went unnoticed by the bluenette.

“I didn’t see it actually. But he did act pretty lively today.” Was all she could muster then.

After the entire explanation she just her, she has the audacity to say she didn’t see it?! “That does not even live up to it.” Chloè kept up a stronger façade, if she says anything even more ridiculous and her ears have to be filled with it..

Marinette adjusted the bag on her back, “I’m not sure still, it was probably just in your imagination. He maybe had a good day also.”

This girl could not be serious right now. “Gee, thanks a lot.” Chloè’s voice droned with sarcasm while she gathered her possessions from her own locker. “I know what I saw, I’m not some star struck day dreamer.”

While Chloé watched Marinette walk away, she battled with her inner turmoil. Should she ask Marinette about Adrien? Would it make her appear vulnerable or desperate? The internal conflict between her pride and the need for answers was almost suffocating. She just wished she was able to suffocate Marinette for her stupid inobservance.

She closed it before they both walked through the school’s exit, the stares coming from the remaining students except Adrien made the blonde feel uncomfortable.

Her ride pulled up right on time as she went towards it. “Oh, Marinette?” The girl turned back around. “Good game, well played. I think that’s what you peasants say after a match anyways.” She got in the car and they drove off.

Marinette heard her friends came up to her, “Girl, what in the world were you doing with her?” Alya motioned at the speeding limo up ahead.

Marinette told her friend that it’s best if she told her later, right now, she needed to go home. Alya nodded understandingly before the two trailed back to the other two boys.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“You sure you’re gonna be okay mama?” The boy stood next to her bed. The woman stared up at his worried face.

The woman smiled warmly at her son. “I will, it’s nothing to worry about. Nothing a little sickness can do but be an inconvenience.” Rabiot said nothing as he kept by her side as she had a dry coughing fit.

He took up the cup of water and placed it by her lips. She drank some of it, clearing her throat once she was finished. “I will be okay soon enough.”

Rabiot bowed his head and sighed. “I will do my best in it. And we’ll finally have more than enough for your treatment.” He spoke softly. Her features contorted to one of sadness, “That’s good. Bu-“

“You hate that I have to fight for it. I know.” The teen took the words out of her own mouth. “It’s something I want to do for you. I may have started it as a hobby, though now I need to do my best with my skills.”

Holding her hand while he said so, she softly squeezed his. “I understand.” Rabiot felt the corners of his mouth pull back to a smile.

“I just don’t like seeing my precious boy get hurt.”

His grin barely retreated to a straight line again. “That’s why I said I’ll do my best out there mama.” He confidently stated. “I’ll do everything, anything, to win.” The woman felt proud, yet, her heart still drummed at the thought of him going up against the current champion despite never seeing them fight.

“I have hope mama. I learned how to keep it by watching Ladybug go through hard battles to still become victorious.” He recalled a few events in his mind still.

The woman slightly chortled at his dreamy daze. “You really look up to her. Don’t you?’

“It’s impossible not to.”

“So you say.’ She looks at the clock to see it was getting late. “You should go to bed now Rabi. You have that test tomorrow and it’d be terrible if you failed now.”.

“I know” He sighed before moving his hand away, “It’s too easy to fail.” He walked to the door, opening it to put half of his body out in the walkway. “Goodnight and have hope.” It closed once he was fully out of the room.

“Goodnight, Rabiot.” She spoke fondly.

He let his own feet carry him to his kitchen table. He sat in one of the seats before holding his head in his palms, tapping his foot against the ground rapidly. He exhaled and let his dark hair be ruffled by his fingers.

The ever growing feeling of the bile wanting to rise up to his throat, he wished he could find a way to cure his mother of her disease in an instant.

Sitting back whilst seeing her suffer, hearing her painful coughs and groans everyday is like a knife being twisted in his aching heart. He hated every bit of the suffering she endures every. single. day. “Bud?” He hopped out of his chair, turning to the entryway.

His father got startled by the sudden movement, the boy looked at them up for a second before lowering his arms. “You scared me.” He sighed.

“I’m sorry, just wondered why you’re up so late.” He kicked off his shoes and took off his coat.

Rabiot up righted his knocked over chair and sat right back down. “It’s about mom. I can’t stop worrying about her.” He lightly grabbed at his own hair. “I can’t fall asleep anymore without thinking about her condition.”

His father slowly walked over, sitting by him. “Yeah..” it was his turn to sigh. “I get ya.”

They said nothing after the fact for quite some period of time. It was just them, the dogs out back barking and howling at the passing siren with other cars and the TV that’s on in Rabiot’s bedroom.

The man tapped his fingers on the desk as he thought about the upcoming day where Rabiot goes into his biggest tournament yet. “Say.. Are you really going to join it?” Rabiot looked over to his dad with a determined look. “I have to. You wouldn’t have to work, you’ll have free time just like before.”

The man scratched the back of his head. “I also get that.” He paused midsentence. “Though you better not come back badly broken up. I really can’t take much more of this.”

The boy opened his mouth to say something, only to find his words had long died before they could come to fruition. "Sure. I guess."

The boy just softly hit his hand on the table. “That’s my boy.” He ruffled his son’s hair as he chuckled. This soon caused the latter to follow in his laughter too. “Hey! Cut it out!”

They both stayed up a little longer to talk about certain life events they had been against on their separate, yet close sides. Eventually, they both called it a night after the boy’s father checked up on his mother. They both swore to keep trying their hardest for the lady no matter what.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The bluenette stretched, yawning before closing her sketchbook. She looked over at the time on her computer, it’s time for her nightly patrol. “Woohoo. Time to make sure Paris behaves.” The girl’s voice held zero hype to it. “Tikki, spots on.”

A bright light enshrouded the room until there stood Ladybug in the middle of her room. Heading up to the trap door, her yo-yo beeped with the lights on. She flicked it open revealing the screen.

‘One new voicemail.’
Sender: Chat Noir

“Chat?” she opened it to listen to it’s contents. “Hello. if you’re hearing this, Meet me by our usual spot. It’s urgent. I’ll explain it to you when you get there.”

Wasting no time, she hopped out of the trap door whilst using her yo-yo to zip off to her destination.

The bug themed hero blitzed past a lone person standing on the rooftop where Marinette and Chat Noir stood together many moons ago. His hair was gently brushed by the night breeze, his bleached hair swaying by his eyes.

Chapter Text

Chat Noir sat atop the rail like usual, twirling the staff in his hand whilst losing himself in his thoughts. Maybe he forced his enthusiasm a little too hard today, hell, even Plagg told him the others would look at him strangely. Which they kind of did.

Guilt settled in his heart, he wants to hang out with his friends like usual, having fun when they can. Sadly, his emotions were beginning to feel nullified day by day. Except, the burning grudge he had for his spotted partner.

He still experienced feelings, just not as much as he would’ve liked or expressed. Though he was glad about one thing, with how erratic they were, it’s best he’s unable to express it.

A loud thump behind him made the cat turn himself around to meet the spotted heroine he was waiting for, a part of him was displeased to see her. “Ladybug.” He greeted as he hopped down. “Where were you?” The young girl asked him while she put away her yo-yo.

The chilly night breeze made the heroes’ hair sway. It’d be nicer if Chat was able to just bask in it’s comfort, too bad, maybe he chose the wrong night for this.

“I had to make my way back home because of a certain situation.” Ladybug tilted her head down, she understood, some sense of ease were lifted from her shoulders.

“Chat, um.. I just-“

She heard him take a few steps closer until he figured it was a good distance from her personal space. “As for why I called you here, I want to ask a question.” Her bluebell eyes traced their vision to his eyes. “What is it?”

“Where is Master Fu?” Ladybug’s eyes widened just enough for Chat to notice.

“What makes you think I know that?”

“You kept referring to a person just by ‘him’ when Rena Rouge was going to transform back.” Chat Noir recalled the memory as if it happened yesterday.

“You also ran off when you got a bowl, after a while, you never came back.” He paused, voice filled with hurt until he recomposed himself.

“Then Master Fu met me again. This time, with vials. And what do you know? The vials gave me the same powers you had.” It was Ladybug’s turn to feel guilty, abandoning her partner was by no means her intention.

“Chat, It’s not my rules nor calls I’m following. It’s the Guardian’s.” Ladybug said defensively.

Chat paused before he shook his head in disbelief. “You know what, whatever. Can you please answer my question?” Ladybug crossed her arms.

“I just told you I-“

“I’ll take that as a no.” The teen pinched the bridge of his nose. “Does the Guardian have any idea about the book of Miraculous?”

Ladybug raised a brow. “You know about it?” Chat nodded his head.

He then explained the situation where he used his power against the akuma and the result of that. He also mentioned the book of miraculous, how the book may have the answers to all of this. The girl’s eyes averted to the ground, darting to no specific thing once she took a few steps back.

“What?” Chat cocked his head to the side in confusion.

Zip!

She left with speed he never knew she had until now. If Chat didn’t know any better he would’ve thought a random red and black bullet flew through the air. “Now, it begins.” The cat leapt further up the tower.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Master Fu’s eyes opened due to the quiet, erratic knocking on the door. “Come in!” The door opened, revealing Marinette quickly striding into his room with her kwami.

Curiosity flourished within the old guardian. “Marinette? What brings you here this time?” Panting, the girl doubled over for the wobble in her legs were visible.

The hero explained everything to the very last detail her partner told her. Tikki was comforting her all the way through with a pat on her head. “Hmm. This is the first time I’ve heard such a thing happened.”

She watched them searched for their tablet before he swiped through all of it’s contents regarding Chat Noir and Hawkmoth, even down to the reactionary side of clashing powers.

“Is there anything?” Marinette looked at him with a tinge of hope. Only for it to be crushed by the shake of a head.

“I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do in this situation. I wish I was more of use to you two.”

The girl’s lip quivered, “Nothing at all? Surely there must be something you can remember.”

The master shook his head. “I’m afraid not.” Both kwami and wielder looked to each other, clearly agitated by the news.

“So what do we do Master Fu?” The short man stroked his beard as he flipped through the book’s translations again. “This is indeed troubling Ms. Dupain-Cheng. All we can do is hope, try to figure things put as you go.”

Marinette uneasily shuffled her feet across the floorboards. “We will try our best Master Fu.” Tikki chirped, she didn’t exactly know how they’re going to try to do anything if they don’t know how or where to start with all of this.

The old master grew a gentle smile. “I believe in you Marinette.” She nodded her head slowly.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chat Noir slid down the tower until he reached the level him and Ladybug usually hang out.

Right on cue, she came straight for Chat once she made it back to their spot. “What’s the jig?”

“Whatever’s happening to you is not recorded in any way.” Chat Noir placed both of his palms on his face, dragging them down making his face pull. He sighed as his gloved hands left his face. “Fuck it then.”

The young lady’s was taken aback by his laid back answer, after a moment, her eyes steeled as she looked at her partner. “Chat.” She sternly called his name.

The boy raised his hands defensively. “What? If there’s nothing I can do about it, then oh well.”

“What if it’s something serious? You don’t know what it is!” Irritation and worry made its way into her voice.

“It’s true I don’t know, but that’s not gonna stop this cat from finding and fighting Hawkmoth.” His eyes narrowed at his partner. “And I don’t think I appreciate your tone right now.”

“Chat. You-“

A thunderous, roaring boom presented itself travelling across Paris. The burst of high velocity winds nearly swept the heroes’ feet from under them as they screamed. Ladybug used her weapon to keep herself anchored to the floor whilst the black cat was pressed against the support. Movement? Little to none.

“This again?!” She heard him exclaim. “Again?! What do you mean again?!”

“This happened a few days ago! How do you not notice literal gale force winds to the point it blows you away?!”

“What’s causing it?!”

“HOW SHOULD I KNOW?!”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Alya and Nino was wrapping up their homework session together until the heard the howling air outside.

“Guess it’s gotten pretty windy out.” Nino croaked as he moved towards the window. “Really? I don’t remember any weather forecast making a comment on that.” His girlfriend got up. Nino stared outside for a little while longer until his words gave her chills.

“GET DOWN!” The DJ shouted as he tackled her to the ground.

Glass fragments accompanied with rubble scattered around them as a car’s front crashed through the wall where the window was.

Shards raining onto him as he shielded his girlfriend from the sharp bits. Some of the wind came through with vigour which blew off his signature cap to the other side. “You okay, Aly?” He looked down.

She nodded, heart pounding a million beats per minute as she looked at the car. “We gotta go out there. Ladybug And Chat Noir’s probably fighting something.” She said shakily.

Nino pushed himself up off of the ground until he was on one knee. He looked back at it as well. “What.. in the-“

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“Fuck!” Chloe exclaimed as she had seen a small whirlpool by the bridge near her house. There was a glow surrounding the radius.

The centre of it had expanded by a n impressive amount in the blink of an eye. The water filled the space nearly as quick as it formed. The girl held on to the balcony’s guard with one hand while the next has her phone, her hair blew wildly.

The kept her grip strongly on the rail like how she had her phone. “Is there an akuma?!” She thought aloud.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The items on Master Fu’s shelf shook just like everything else that was cemented to the ground. This was quite startling to him ever since that diabolical incident.

The old master took down everything that was fragile and rested it on the floor. There, it had lesser chance of creating a severe potion mingling mess that may or may not cause another accident in the process.

The master had one question going through his mind. “What is this power?!”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chat Noir and Ladybug was still holding on for dear life until it eased up, subsequently letting Ladybug hang off of the tower whilst Chat Noir was finally able to finally move around.

“A cat is not airborne for these kind of conditions.” The tallest of the two joked to himself.

fortunately, Ladybug did not hear that, the girl zipped up to find him stretching from his back all the way down to his feet.

The girl was about to ask what happened, rhetorically that is, she didn’t get to in the end after she looked around Paris. Everything in the streets were thrashed, signs, cars, anything you can name, utterly tossed in the phenomenon’s wake.

Chat Noir became pale as his blood ran cold. There was a grim difference between his first encounter and this one in particular. Some cars were smoking from the hood, buildings were damaged in a plethora of ways, people were hurt down below too.

Sweat formed on his face and it began to drip down all the way to his chin.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Hawkmoth got himself up, propping on his cane with a growl. A flash of Chat’s expression came into focus, “Oh?” his interest piqued, Chat Noir, his akuma’s focus once again. It never hurts to torment that cocky little cat when he could.

Even better when they showed the one face he never thought a hero of France would have.

The face of cowering fear.

“Such fascinating display.” The villain grinned wickedly. “I may finally have a chance to see if it truly works!” One singular butterfly flew in his palm before he covered it with another, casting dark energy into it to make his beloved akuma.

“Fly away quickly my akuma! Evilize them!” He twirled his cane until he slammed it to the ground.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

A black card tumbled across his fingers as he played with it. Thinking. Thinking that he might not need the help anymore as they did their job. He had a better idea.

A disgusting way to wreak futility and suffering over Paris. Though that meant changing his course which was a pain in the ass. Benoit stood rooted by his spot, witnessing the horror that was the power of the Nexus as he contemplated.

“Sheesh, it looks much worse outside of it.” The man rubbed his head, his strands of hair being ruffled. He heard the sound of wings flapping and his blue eyes spotted an akuma racing towards the tower.

The man shook his head in disbelief. “No matter what happens. He never listens, does he?” Benoit rested his hands on his hips.

“Well if you don’t wanna hear, then you’ll feel.” He hopped away.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“Holy shit.” Ladybug heard her partner mutter.

The heroine didn’t blame his reaction at all, no words could begin to explain this incident. Not gruesome by any means, nor were there casualties, though that is just a mere assumption. Out in the distance, he could see buildings were toppled over into the road.

Her eyes flicked over to other miraculous holders. A certain turtle accompanied by a vixen were making their way up to their leader of now assembling group.

“Ladybug! What’s going on?” Rena Rouge had her flute out in case of an akuma attack.

Ladybug faced her two comrades, a hard question to ask if even the beacon of hope herself has no idea. “Not one clue.” Carapace looked down where they were looking down.

“Yikes.” The protector grimaced.

Rena Rouge noticed Chat Noir’s very little contribution to the meet up that’s going on at the moment.

The boy kept still, the fox tried her best trying to get his attention without success on any attempt. The fox gave up, she decided to shake him vigorously.

“Ah! Rouge?” The hero could’ve sworn the boy nearly jumped out of his skin. Whatever trance he was in, he’d been surely engrossed in it.

“Are you okay?” Rena kept a hand on his shoulder.

He averted eye contact, making Rena frown. “Chat, dude, how’s it going?” Carapace attempted to break the ice, though it was stopped by the shake of a head. “What’s up with him?” The turtle themed hero asked.

Rena told him that he doesn’t want to speak right now. Carapace made an ‘oh’ face, he waved his hand, going back to Ladybug.

“Let me know if you need anything. Okay?” Rena tapped his shoulder before she left him alone.

The cat continued staring off into the city.

That screaming, the cackling, the cacophony of voices barely audible for him to hear. The cat covered his ears in hopes to silence them, it didn’t succeed, for the sounds were playing inside his head.

“Why am I hearing it again?” Chat hobbled away behind the trio’s backs.

The boy sat down with his back pressed against the elevator. It certainly wanted to show no relent as it kept going. Hawkmoth’s laughter became much louder than he thought it would, making him pressed his hands against his ears harder. “Leave me alone.” Chat begged, shutting his eyes tightly.

“Such a poor helpless kitty, scared by a show of power.” Chat Noir growled with resolve, it’s just a hallucination after all.

“You’re not the real Hawkmoth.” Chat Noir whimpered. “You’re just an illusion.”

“If I am an illusion, would I have you by the bell?”

Chat Noir’s eyes shot open to see that purple mask floating inches in front his face. His eyes saw his bell turned a dark purple. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.” He said, his eyes fluttered to a close again.

“Such a temper, you really remind me of someone.” The cat heard his enemy said in thought.

“I wonder what the people would say when they realize their so called protector of Paris is really a scaredy cat under it all. They should already know since they can’t stand their ground against my akumas.”

“Shut up! Leave me alone!”

The three heard chat’s voice, they looked back and saw nothing. Ladybug ran around the platform while the others followed close behind, the three skid to a stop once they found their comrade desperately fighting the bad guy’s influence. “Chat!” Ladybug cried out getting nearer to him.

“Chat don’t listen to him, think positive thoughts!” The spotted hero had fair distance to catch the akuma once it flies out.

“Hang in there man!” Carapace yelled out, prepping his shield whilst Rena watched in horror.

“That ring will be mine. You nor your precious bug will stop me from taking both.” Hawkmoth’s condescending tone kept rolling.

“When we find you, your ass will be locked up for life!’ Chat Noir tightened his jaw, any more and his teeth might start to crack away.

“If you find me. And if you do, Paris will still remember you as the useless distraction for the real heroes.”

“Fuck. You!” The boy bellowed, “Cataclysm!” He gripped the bell, he charged destructive energy into his hand before crushing it.

“Chat Noir wait!” Rena Rouge bolted to the feline boy but it was too late. They grabbed the bell, purple bolts of electricity launched out of his hand with the bell without a sense of direction. He started emitting a faint glow as he kept holding on.

“Shelter!” Carapace held his shield up for the dome to cover them. The arcs of electricity kissed the dome, lingering and dancing on as well as off the cover. Amongst the hums and crackles, Chat’s deafening screams of pain caused them to cringe horrifically.

“We have to help him!” Rena Rouge pressed against the dome. “We can’t! We have no clue what will happen if those touch any of us!” Ladybug yelled back.

They watched as the lightning amplified it’s charge, heating up the surrounding iron while the arcs were multiplied and glowed much brighter than before. The heroes couldn’t even see Chat Noir anymore, just a glowing outline of him as he suffered.

The screams stopped until the surge fizzed out altogether in a matter of minutes. Carapace released his shelter, Chat Noir still stood on his feet with his head hung. The three ran up to him calling his name.

Not a single response back.

Ladybug checked up on him up close, she gasped at her partner’s state. “Chat?!”

He blinked. Looking up from hers now whilst he begun holding his head up. “Dude! What did you do?! What happened?!” Chat Noir kept his head straight, the two other heroes came into view.

They now understood why Ladybug had her hands by her mouth.

Crimson red leaked out from under his mask, most likely from his bloodshot eyes. It also poured out of his mouth, and nose. “Aren’t we supposed to be protected by our suits?” Carapace asked Ladybug, who’s words were dead in their throat. “Is he even okay?!” The turtle gestured to their comrade.

Chat Noir’s eyes drifted down to his hands. The remains of the butterfly’s body and wings torn apart in his palms. There was a nasty charge rising from it’s body. It tickled his face like December’s snow. The blood dripped right onto it’s corpse, mingling with the bubbling matter along with the droplets of water now pouring down.

Why was this happening to him? The past few were just pain and suffering. Mentally and physically. Taking all the shots for an ungrateful flock of sheep for Parisian people.

Deep down, he wanted nothing more than to scream out his lungs in anger, such a cry the very rains could not drown out. Just like anyone else would when they’re in such a bad chain of events each day. Despite the gnawing pain, the sheer absurdity of being a hero protecting the ones who doesn’t even want his help anymore was quite a situation to him. And now the enemy has gotten stronger, only adding salt to the gaping wound he has.

“Me?” He croaked, voice sounding low with a tremble before the three heard a rough, wheezy laugh as his shoulders shook. “I feel fine.”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“Agh!” Hawkmoth yelled out, his power depleting quickly. He too, had experienced the full force of the effect. Although he found himself in a much better position than his target.

Gabriel Agreste lost his transformation in his lair, “He did it again.” He struggled to stay on his feet. “Nooroo! Why does that happen when he destroys one of my butterflies?!”

His kwami shuddered, he tells his master he knows nothing about it at all. Gabriel, dissatisfied with their kwami’s answer, hobbled over to his wife’s glass coffin to see if it’s okay.

Thankfully, it is. He touched the chamber with a sullen expression. That beautiful face, behind that pristine glass as she’s surrounded in her own coffin. The silence.. It held no comfort, just the everlasting hurt that keeps pressing onto his back with each passing day.

He needed those miraculouses to revive his love, to remove the hollowness she left within him, to bring back the family he wished for ever since he was a young man.

“I failed again, Emilie.” Gabriel looked at his wife’s gorgeous face. “I’m sorry, I promise I will get them. We will continue being a family again.”

“I just need time.” He looked down. “If you saw how big he’s grown, how talented he is, what he achieved. You’d be as proud as I am of him. It’s best when you see him when he’s well again.”

Gabriel reluctantly pulled away his hand. “I’m sorry my love, I have to keep pushing.” The fashion designer turned his back to the coffin before walking away. “Gabriel!” The clicks from the secretary’s heels alerted him to her presence.

The woman inspected him before she stopped. “Are you hurt? Was anything damaged?” The designer drew his attention around them. Everything still stood tall fortunately. Having to repair anything in here would be a pain in the ass.

“Not to my knowledge, I didn’t hear anything crash.” She sighed, relieved that the structure’s alright alongside the decor.

The tall man watched them. She was going over the various cameras outside their home on her tablet. She seemed more.. spritely. And to think of it, she walked around the mansion a lot more, not to mention, quicker than before. Nathalie got down here by herself in mere minutes.

The woman looked up at her boss with a questioning look. “Is something the matter?” The man was shaken out of his thoughts for a moment, “Oh, sorry. I was thinking.”

The formally dressed lady told him it was nothing, he silently released his breath he didn’t know he was holding until then. “How are you feeling right now?” He asked her.

She replied saying she’s fine, which only added to his thought. There’s no way it’s true. “I’m glad to hear Ms. Sancoeur. You’ve worked hard despite how you feel. I will greatly compensate you for your work.”

“There is no need-” The man raised his hand with his eyes closed. He really didn’t want to hear it. “Consider it a thank you on my behalf. Please, accept it.”

The woman looked back down to her tablet. “Thank you.”

The two of them began to shuffle back to the elevator, letting Nathalie go first as he waited for it to come back.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

It had been a few days since the incident, all of the damage was reversed thanks to the spotted heroine swarm of bugs.

The event certainly made the headlines to the point it became viral. Chloé recorded a small clip of what she’s seen, posting it on her social media giving further details in the comment section. She gave Alya more details too. Alya! The bluenette thought she would just be stingy or all Chloé-like, but the girl just flat out gave her a good description!

Another thing also went viral. the ‘purple lightning’, as they called it, branching out the Eiffel tower.

It left many people stunned due to the fact no one knew the heroes were up there dealing with a problem. Some say it looks pretty, others thought it to be interesting. Obviously for her, it was nothing short of terrifying.

Marinette never got too far in her sketchbook without being reminded of the pain her partner suffered. At least she’s getting somewhere in the sketches. She didn’t see him at all after that, just once. He certainly acted the same, just without his dumb puns after being electrocuted, though nothing about it struck right with her at all.

Marinette lied down on her bed, “Tikki. Do you think he hates me now?”

The kwami gave a thoughtful hum. “No, I don’t see why he should hate you exactly. Dislike, but not hate. Why?” The girl sighed as she sat upright. “He did horrible in combat most of the times he arrived which I know bothered him.”

“Then all of a sudden he starts hiding stuff from me?!” Marinette shot her hands out from her side. “Even after when he cataclysm the butterfly, he refused to say why he did it again!”

“If I’ve known him well enough he is a person who’s always honest with me!” Marinette loudly exhaled. Tikki nodded and rose a hand up.

“It’s not like he’s fighting against you right?” Tikki asked her chosen. “Not really.” Marinette twiddled her thumbs.

“He’s not.” Her little friend corrected. “You should cut him some slack, he’ll go back to his old self again. Maybe he’s just stressed out in his private life.” The girl wanted to say otherwise, that’s a losing game she’s not going to try. “I hope so.” The girl muttered as she lied back down.

“I still need to make it up to him.“ She whispered, “I was being way too harsh on him in the metro station.”

Tikki nodded understandingly, “Maybe next time, you will have the chance to say sorry.”

The girl bit her lip, she had a feeling it would not be as easy as the kwami thinks. At least with how avoidant he was being in his own sense. The feeling couldn’t be shaken off from her mind.

“Maybe. But I still feel bad.” Tikki heard her chosen say. “Ugh, if only I could turn back time to stop myself from just blowing up like that.” She groaned.

Tikki shook her head. “It’s better if you just explain yourself and apologize to him. Messing with time is very serious you know.” Marinette only let her head roll back to stare at the ceiling. Audible regret was her only answer as her brain played and rewound her outburst in the metro station.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Adrien sat by the large table whilst he ate his dinner with Nathalie. The two had sat in the extremely quiet house, their dear gorilla standing guard outside the door.

The food was miles better than the one at the quick visit to the hospital, it was atrocious up there. The only good thing was the medics fixing him up in his alter ego form. Honestly, it took him hours to be well enough to be discharged, thank god for his wish for makeshift masks during the treatments.

Plagg moaning and groaning about his cheese was a pain in the ass too unfortunately.

They both finished their food, Nathalie took the plates to the kitchen. Adrien got up to go back to his room, Nathalie looked around at him. The woman realized that his hair grew out a lot more than she was accustomed to.

“I thought your hair stopped growing when you were ten?” Nathalie caught the young man’s attention. “It did, I don’t know where all of this is coming from.” He brushed it aside with his hand. “God, I look emo now.” Adrien looked at himself on the phone. The woman busted out laughing but quickly covered her mouth. “Adrien.” She wanted to sound serious but she couldn’t right now.

“Since when do you laugh?” Adrien joked.

“Go to your room.” Nathalie said, still folding on trying to sound stern.

The boy guffaws a little, respecting her wishes. He exited the room, making a slow walk throughout his house. He made it halfway up the stairs before he stopped.

He looked down to the room where his father’s atelier is. Gabriel is still out on his ‘business trip’, the atmosphere was way more relaxed than when he was here. The young Agreste almost preferred it this way.

He sat down by his computer, Plagg munching on his cheese all the while. “Remind me what you’re trying to do again?” Plagg spoke with his mouth full.

Adrien fiddled with his ring. “Same thing. Catch Hawkmoth and restore peace to Paris. There’s nothing I can do about my arm.” Plagg took another big chomp out of his cheese, accidentally biting his hand with it.

“Yow!” They hollered before they waved around their limb and cradling it. “And then what?” They began licking it to alieve the pain, wincing with each stroke from their tongue.

Adrien watched the video of the sink hole phenomenon Chloé uploaded. “He has gotten stronger too.” That much was obvious, to him, that meant if they really did get new powers, then so can he. “Power. I need more power to fight him.”

And it all came back to the item that resides in his father’s work station.

“Plagg.” Adrien said, not taking his eyes off of the screen. “How is Master Fu able to read it.”

Plagg explained that the guardian is able to translate the code the he’s seen. Adrien tapped a finger on his desk, if there’s no copies of it, how was he able to get one?

Certainly he had to take pictures of it so he can keep it digitally so he can study it while translating the language. But. there’s. Only. One.

The boy shook his head, theorizing can be set for another day. He has a clear goal in set now, it was time to execute it.

“There’s only one book right? And he if has the translations that can mean only one thing.” Adrien opened a video he transferred to his phone. It showed Ladybug swinging away until she landed in front of the entrance of a certain shop before she bust through the door. “So what we’re going to do plagg.”

Plagg looked over in curiosity.

“Is steal his devices.”

Chapter Text

The small kwami almost choked on his cheese, zooming over to his chosen. “Hey whoa, whoa, whoa!” The small cat waved his arms around. “We are not stealing anything from the guardian!”

Adrien blankly stared at the embodiment of destruction, “What do you supposed we do then? I need the translations.”

“Can you not just send the texts from his tablet to yours?!”

Adrien facepalmed with a groan, you know, for a boy that’s intelligent, he can be quite a dumbass sometimes. “Right, that will do.” They poorly laughed their embarrassment off of their mind.

Plagg shook his head, the last thing he wanted to hear was Adrien becoming some sort of criminal. “Plagg, claws out!” The blonde boy cried out as he extended his arm out with a closed fist, his ring making a small flash

“You didn’t give me a warning!” The tiny god yelled while being sucked away into the ring.

A bright green light consumed a fraction of the room, he saw himself in the window reflection. His hair’s wilder than ever now, once it’s not in his face, he’s fine with that. He creaked it open, the cool night air tickling his face as he got a move on.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chat Noir landed on a building opposite the massage shop, the lights were still on in the dead of night just like a few other buildings.

Chat Noir used the staff’s camera to hone in on the room. Master Fu swiped through his tablet, he was able to pick up the exact images, the only problem was the goddamned guardian blocking a portion of it.

He needed to think, how is he going to he going to get inside and out without alerting him?

The hero groaned, if only he had Ladybug’s quick thinking. This would’ve made the entire thing easier for him, hardly any stress and.. His eyes widened upon realization, he was seriously not supposed to be lurking here, even worse if Ladybug caught him here.

Chat Noir eyed the old man still reading the tablet, he was seriously regretting the face he hadn’t though this whole thing through. He moaned in frustration as he kept as low to the roof as possible.

After some time waiting in a further, darker spot, Fu had turned his lights off after drinking his herbal tea. “Finally!” He celebrated internally, “You were supposed to be asleep ages ago!”

Chat Noir jumped down in a pitch black alley, releasing his transformation there. “Plagg, I need you to unlock each door inside.” Adrien whispered to the black cat. “When you’re done, return to me.”

“I really hope you know what you’re doing kid.”

No, he didn’t know what he’s doing actually.

Plagg held an uneasy face before he phased through the door ahead. It only took them seconds to play their part, thank the lord.

“Alright, lets go. Plagg, claws out.”

He ran out of the alley once his suit was on, once he reached the door, he hesitated. “Were there cameras?” He said, expecting a response.

“Plagg?” He looked around frantically, until he saw his hand. That was covered in black leather or whatever material it was.

The boy’s face became blank. He twisted the doorknob making the door give him access to the place. He navigated through the building, using the staff’s map features. Another score on his luck! There were no security cameras!

Even the room was marked!

“Get in, Get out” The teen created a mantra within his head.

He approached the door he needed to go through. Beads of sweat ran down his face. He stepped quietly into Fu’s space, solely focused on the sleeping man and the tablet residing in the drawer.

He crept, he crept as carefully as he could. Shuffling closer each time so he can-

The short man rolled over to the side without warning. He could clearly see the old man’s face from where he was. His eyes were still closed, the young man still had suspicions that he was being watched anyway.

Chat noir leaned forward to a improvised crawling formation. Upon closer inspection, yep, they were indeed closed and his mouth was slightly agape. He was for sure out of it.

Chat Noir slowly pulled himself back up to his feet before he slid over to the drawer, taking the item out to turn it on.

It took ages to turn on. The boy had to make sure to keep his eyes on them all the while it booted up. The screen became brighter, he was in the home screen, there was no password.

For a guardian you would genuinely think he would place a security measure in his home along with his devices. Goes to show how outdated he is probably.

Chat delicately opened the photo gallery, everything was there all the way down to his own miraculous. All he had to do was send it to his phone.

The problem? He didn’t have any messaging software nor did he have social media.

“...”

“........”

“...............”

“Are you ffff-“

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The photos were sent to his account. The journey getting to that point was next to atrocious.

He deleted the secondary account he made along with everything that reeked of his presence, he double checked, no, triple checked everything in the tablet and in the room.

He turned it off by tapping the power button before neatly putting it back the exact same way he found it, He looked back at the Fu to see him still sleeping, good, he slipped quietly back out of the room, locking the door behind him. He checked the time on the staff, it was three thirty on the clock.

“Stayed away much later than I would’ve thought.” The hero muttered to himself before exiting the building, doing the same thing he did on the last door.

Chat Noir became a blur throughout the night, taking the low road instead of leaping from structure to structure. He heard the ring beeping, he looked down in horror for he was still too far away from home! “Not now!” He cried.

It beeped again in a much shorter time span, “Damn it.” He got to the entrance between the buildings before his transformation perished.

Plagg fell into his hands like a stone, panting heavily.

“Sorry I kept it up for so long.” Adrien apologized as he went further down, the cat moaned, pleading for his slice of camembert.

Adrien dug into his pocket and gave them their satisfying treat. He was going to move further away from the dead end he blindly ran into before he felt something pressed against his back

“Stop where you are.” They said, he complied. The kwami made a quick duck into Adrien’s jacket, “Turn around and face us.” Another voice came from behind.

Adrien did as he’s told, slowly turning around to see two guys no older than seventeen. One had a large knife in his hand, the other had one too. “Looks like it’s our lucky night.” The taller one said, a smirk evident on their face.

There was nowhere him to go except the way he came which was blocked. “Who knew we would find Gabriel’s prodigious son roaming around this time of night?” He continued. “Looks like he was right after all.”

“What do y-“

“Shut it!” The other one barked before pressing the sharpened weapon against his chest firmly. “Oi.” The taller one tapped the shorter one irritated. “If you were asking what we want, we want everything you can offer.”

Adrien gulped. “The money, jacket, that ring, those shoes are expensive from what I remember too.” The older teen pointed each thing he listed that was visible. “If you don’t hand it over, then.”

“We’ll take it off of your body!” The other shouted.

“Guys, you don’t have to do this, I-“ Adrien began before he was silenced by Marco

“We don’t want to hear the ‘you can change’ speech. Either hand it over or you won’t be able to model anymore.”

Adrien stared up ahead, they were really going to do this. The atmosphere became heavy, each passing second making it more unbearable. It was that feeling of hopelessness that made the poor blond want to vomit.

Hopelessness, the one impression they took on too many times outside his private life. One of the few things the people called him when he’s been doing not so well in being a saviour. The feeling deriving from his inability to do anything to help his dear bugaboo, especially the newer heroes.

The times Ladybug fought solo, proving herself capable when he’s not. Proving that he’s just a sidekick.

Showing him that he’s truly.. Useless.

Adrien cracked his knuckles by just closing his hands to a fist. The two guys primed their weapons, “Are you deaf?! I said han-“

A growl came to their ears before a green flash brightened between the buildings. A loud commotion could be heard when it went away, but it finished rather quickly after a few seconds.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The mayor’s daughter applied her makeup as she got ready for school. Styling her hair in her usual pony tail, resting her sunglasses on top of her head. She looked in the mirror, her outfit was complete and she was ready for the day ahead. Bourgeois’ expression neutral the whole time, she thought about Adrien’s words over and over again.

“And I do not want to be friends with a bully! They are worse than trash!” The maiden got into the elevator, she took the quiet time to reflect on his behaviour as well. That angered look etched into the front of her memory, the vibes from it just as similar to her mother’s scornful, disappointed face. “What happened to my Adrikins?” Mayor Andre’s daughter hugged herself.

Ding!

The doors gave way to the blonde as taps of her shoes echoed in the lobby. Her father was there waiting with the limo as he opened the door for her. “Let’s go my little princess.” He said, the girl got in without a word.

The limo’s engine roared to life, it moved off with considerable speeds she genuinely not expected.

No complaints from her, it’s better she sees her beloved sooner rather than later. Chloè really needed to have a chat with him after school.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Lo and behold, she has reached the school of ‘peasants’ as she likes to call them. Sabrina was waiting for her below the stairs, the two initiated a brief conversation before they went up the stairs onward to their classroom.

“Adrikins!” She opened the door, almost everyone looked around at her excluding the few missing students, Adrien, was among the absent peers.

Huh? Sabrina realized Ms. Bustier’s absence too. “Where’s the teacher?” She squeaked out. “You mean where’s Adrien?” She drawled, approaching a certain brunette.

Chloe cleared her throat, making the aspiring journalist look up from her phone. “Have you seen Adrien?” Alya put down her phone. “I haven’t heard anything from him.” She quipped, “How comes he left you out too?”

A small grunt escaped the Bourgeois’ lips, “How am I supposed to know?” The sudden bang of the class door startled them both. “Sorry I’m-“

The bluenette looked around the room, she knew Nino caught a cold, Lila was still out there doing god knows what, Kim was absent which isn’t too surprising. But Adrien and Ms. Bustier?!

“Huh? What?” Marinette’s confusion rapidly turning visible. “Dupain-Cheng!” Chloè called out. “Where’s Adrikins?”

Marinette responded with an ‘I dunno’. If the girl wasn’t worried before then she sure is now. “You.. also heard nothing?” Alya watched the scene, clearly, they knew if Chloè isn’t acting all high and mighty around them with Adrien and Ms. Bustier’s absence then hell must be freezing over.

“Calm down you two, he’s probably just sick.” Alix piped up from her side, “Even if he is, he’ll still try his best to be here. You know that.”

True, the guy practically loved school. It only now gave her the realization of this oddity. “He’ll be here tomorrow” The boy with the red hoodie shrugged.

Much help that was.

“I’ll call him right now.” The blonde placed it on speaker.

It rang loudly for everyone to hear, much longer than she liked for her taste. It went to voicemail after precious time passed, she tried again, same result.

Chloè could hear her rival babbling on about whatever she has to say. She kept on pressing the green phone icon stepping back outside. Sabrina following close behind her steps before her friend stopped her from doing so.

The ringing begins once more, the desperation to hear his voice louder than the phone.

Back inside, the brunette listened in defeat. No one can say she hasn’t tried against the inevitable at least. “And he’s probably been replaced by a doppelganger!” Marinette gasped for breath after her long theory, assumption, whatever it was.

Alya let her head hit the table. “Girl, you seriously make up the strangest things.” Marinette laughed nervously, “It’s a wonder how I met you at this point.” The blogger stifled a laugh. “Sorry.” Marinette apologized. “Can you blame me? I’m just scared you know?”

“Yeah, yeah I get it. You just worry too much over your baby boy.” Alya said bluntly.

“He- I- he’s not-“ The baker stammered as her cheeks flushed, Alya swore she saw something like steam coming off of her face, though it could be her eyes playing tricks on her.

“Relax, I know he isn’t.” Alya twisted her hand, emphasising each word with a swish and flick. “He might as well be.”

Alya sincerely regret saying that last part, her best friend was full on lecturing her quietly so the others don’t hear. All she heard was ‘He’s my crush, not my child’, she didn’t even bother to ask how that’s related to what she said.

Alya lifted her head, resting back in her chair with her glasses in her right hand. Her left arm draped over her eyes to hide her ‘I’m done with this’ expression. “Nino.” The brunette whispered to herself, “Why am I still here. Just to suffer?” Marinette hardly realized the girl’s mouth moved, she also failed to notice the girl’s demeanour.

“I- Uh- I mean it would be cute to see him as a baby but he’s not my baby boy.” Marinette continued killing the poor girl softly on the inside.

The aspiring fashion designer noticed the blonde came back in the classroom dejectedly.

The obnoxiously snobbish girl sat down by her desk, unknowingly copying Alya’s earlier posture. Sabrina scooted closer to her friend, nervously touching her back until the blonde made no protest. That encouraged her to soothe her back more lively.

It was a waste of time asking if she’s okay when she’s clearly not. So she figured she did the only rightful thing she could do.

The one sulking just kept her head down with her arms acting as a pillow. Deep down, she was scared. More scared than she really let on. It seems as if Adrien was shifting away from her while becoming a different person at the same time.

“Don’t worry Chloè, he’ll be back soon. I’m sure of it.” Sabrina cooed to her best friend’s ear. Her heart panged upon hearing those words, she never wanted to hear it again.

It’s similar to the day leading up to her departure.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chloè was in her bedroom, she had heard her mother verbally going for his father’s throat for not closing down a fairly known clothing store that’s owned by a person she despises.

Her little feet carried her to the outside of their bedroom. Her mother held a look of heavily concentrated scorn. “No! I am not letting that garbage anywhere my vicinity, let alone the country I’m in!” She bellowed, stepping up to Andre Bourgeois.

Andre receded from his wife’s fury. “Actually it’s worse than garbage! The people that buys from them are such!” Her husband was trying to be diplomatic, trying to tell her there’s not only no genuine reason to shut it down, but also the fact the public eye will see it as bias.

The woman took the shades off of her face, slamming it on the table. “You are ridiculous! Utterly Ridiculous! Marrying you was the biggest mistake I’ve made!”

Chloè flinched from the outburst, she couldn’t believe what her ears picked up. Her mother’s face terrified her as much as her aggression and shouting.

The man pushed back, “Audrey that is enough! It’s not like they’re going to take all of your money away!” The woman squinted her eyes at the man, mouth agape. “What’s wrong with you?! One little store isn’t so bad, I don’t understand why you-“

Andre’s head snapped to the side, a red handprint splayed across his cheek. It had enough force to make him stumble into his chair. Chloè’s eyes widened before she ran away.

“So now you’re defending their store you unexceptional oaf of a man?!” Was all the little girl had heard before it became muffled again. She covered her ears in fright when she got to her bedroom.

Weeks later, Chloè saw her mother walking down the hall with a suitcase, not batting an eye in her daughter’s direction. Andre came around right when the elevator doors closed, “Daddy?” The girl looked up, “Where’s Mommy going?”

The mayor sighed, pausing for a while before he put it simply. “On a vacation.” He mustered the strength to say such lie. His daughter was noticeably worried with how she looked at him. “Don’t worry my little princess, she will be back soon. I’m sure of it.”

The woman she looked up to, longing for her attention, was gone just like that. The little girl wanted to be the one to bring a happy smile to her family member’s face every time she can. Trying her best to gain her attention, love and care always proved unsuccessful.

He left her alone, she looked back at the elevator, saddened. The furious look on her mother’s face etched into her memories with the rest of the arguments. Her mother hardly acknowledged her way before that episode, it somehow became worse after it.

Even after a few years passed by, the blonde still carried feelings of hurt. Crushed by the departure of her parent who she had been convinced she was not coming back after all. She cried for nights alone in her bedroom, she desperately hoped she was wrong about her leaving for good and she may one day come back into their lives.

That day never came.

Overtime, the crushing feeling pressed on her shoulders. It was one she wanted to never repeat again, henceforth she began avoiding others in her class along with everyone else in the third grade and more. After a few months had passed, she started picking up bits of her mother’s personality like shards of broken glass.

The same glass that wounds her father, cuts any and everyone around her. All except for her childhood friend and crush:

Adrien Agreste.

They stuck close by, playing and chatting with each other ‘til no end. So much so in fact that the girl threw a fit whenever they had to go home. She knew the feelings she held for him quite well, she was afraid of doing anything that made him leave. To the point she suppressed her nasty attitude a tad bit towards the others whenever the handsome boy was near.

Miraculously for her, the boy never noticed, for he was denser than a black hole also being next to blind. She vowed to herself on her balcony that she will do everything it takes to make him stay by her side and never mistreat him like how Audrey did to Andre.

[&&&&&&&&&]

The blonde exhaled, it’s funny how things turn completely unexpected in this life. Thinking back to it, it’s ironic as well pushing others away to avoid her problems while some of it seems to come from her beloved.

Another thing for her, she’s scarred by the arguments and mistreating, but she found herself as a replica to her father.

“Yo, is she okay?” Chloè raised her head, she turned to find Alix turned away from Marinette and Alya.

Sabrina craned her neck looking back. She looked like she was about to say something before Chloè was the one to speak up instead. “Who, moi?” The girl chuckled half heartedly. “Of course I’m fine, just worried is all.”

Alix narrowed her eyes, she may not like her, but she know something’s up. “Suit yourself.” She turned back to talk to the other two girls.

Sabrina noticed the change in behaviour too, it was not her room for confronting the girl. “Hello students!” The teacher called for them all, apologizing for her tardiness.

Marinette raised her brows, “Ms. Bustier!” The girl yelled in surprise. “Hi Marinette, seems I’m the latest one today after all.” She laughed.

The teacher hastily went through the attendance for the day before the other class starts.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The blonde stood in the locker room after school ended. The others got their bags heading straight out exit, only a select few stuck around there for now.

Chloè took a selfie of herself in the locker room drenched in sweat. It felt all kinds if wrong posting herself without her make up. It mattered not because the post garnered a lot of attention, mostly high praise for her beauty.

Her face became smug. It’s the only thing keeping her distracted other than actually participating in classes and physical education more attentively.

“Looking perfect like always.” She said to herself whilst scrolling through. A slam resonated from her side, Marinette walked past her, clutching her bag straps tightly. Anyone could clearly tell the bubbly girl’s deep in her thoughts from the way her head tilted downwards.

Marinette pushed the door open, looking to go home and progress her sketching, do her extensive homework along with her art assignment. She looked out to the courtyard for a bit, watching everyone leave including the rest of the people in the same room as her, save for one.

The bluenette looked back at her arch-rival mindlessly scrolling through her page. After standing in the door way for a while, she went back inside going straight to Chloè.

The other’s attention switched to the sound of footsteps coming. “What do you want Dupain-Cheng?” Chloè looked away from her.

The baker’s brows remained furrowed, no words were coming to form a sentence in her mind. The clumsiest of the two stole a glance of the other’s phone. She didn’t want to think nothing of any of it due to her thinking she might be overreacting, though it was a different thing when she thought about her bully’s attitude connecting with Adrien.

“Why were you so afraid of Adrien not responding?” She blurted out, not thinking of how blunt the question came off.

Chloè glared at the girl standing away from her. “Huh? Why do you want to know?” Marinette folded her arms, “Because it’s strange that all of a sudden he acted a bit weird during dodgeball, even you started playing too.”

She took a step forward, “You’re also not acting the same way ever since then.”

“Do you not remember me asking you what’s wrong with Adrien either? I don’t know what’s going on!”

Oh right, she did ask that.

“Ah, I honestly forgot.” Marinette poked her own lip in thought. “Scratch that.” The bratty maiden rolled her eyes.

“But I’m not wrong about one thing, you’ve definitely changed.” Marinette gestured to the Bourgeois. “You’ve stopped being.. You. I’m not saying you should go back, I’m just wondering what’s going on. It’s weird.”

Chloè looked out of the window, was she really just curious? Or is she trying to figure her out to get back all of the years she bullied her? Either way, she disliked entertaining the idea of talking to Marinette about her troubles.

She looked in the reflection to see Marinette still standing there with a puzzled expression.

“I want you to give it a chance. You’d be surprised how different things will be.” Their words echoed in her head. Chloè grimaced at the thought, she’d try it any day with someone else. But with Marinette Dupain-Cheng? That’s ridiculous!

“Promise me that.”

“I promise.”

Chloè tapped her foot in annoyance, she really did say that didn’t she. Frustration boiled within her. She highly regret agreeing on such a vow, “I swear, that boy will be the death of me!” She roared internally.

Marinette watched her arch-rival’s face turn into a frown. The young fashion artist’s hopes left her, thinking it might just be her being lenient for a few days before she returns to her normal self. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it, it’s really not my business anyway.” She began making her way back out the way she came.

...

“We had an argument at his place.” Marinette turned back around to find Chloè’s attention back on her, clearly upset. “I don’t wanna talk about it. Though, he gave me something to think about how I act.” She played with the strand of hair at the side of her head, breaking eye contact.

“You two argued?” They nodded their head slowly. “I find that hard to believe.”

Chloè’s head snapped right back at her nemesis. “Ugh, Why would I lie about that?!” The annoyance on her face was quite evident.

“I’m not saying you’re lying.” Marinette’s voice nearly rose, “I just never thought you guys would argue.”

Ms. Bustier came in, startling the two. “Children, what were you doing in here? Did you not hear the bell?”

“Ah- I just- We just-“ Chloè sighed at the one panicking before she intervened. “It’s a private conversation.”

The teacher took note of Chloè’s body language, it screamed discomfort, it seemed as if she wanted to leave immediately with how she was looking at the door. “That’s okay, but you girls really need to get going now. Your ride is out there waiting on you Chloè.”

“Fine.” Chloè left along with Marinette, Ms. Bustier was glad to see her two students interacting with each other instead of having conflicts. She’ll admit, a day like this, she never thought it would come.

The woman’s smile widened, it was sweet, though she couldn’t help but be curious on what the girl was thinking about.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Marinette stood by the balcony with her little friend. The sky brought an array of colours painted above France, it never eased her mind on what she heard today.

“Adrien and Chloè? Arguing?” The chosen holder asked incredulously, “There’s no way.”

Tikki sympathized with her chosen, she herself knew many people argue, no matter how close. “It happens Marinette, even I assumed that.”

Her bluebell eyes looked down at the traffic, wishing for clarity more than ever.

“Are you sure he’s okay?” Tikki shrugged, responding to her friend by saying she’s not even sure anymore. Great. Now she was in a sea with no map nor sense of direction on where to go.

She opened her social app, Adrien hasn’t posted anything for the day either. She sighed, she went through the list of statuses on her phone until she saw a photo of Alya taking care of her boyfriend. Cute. Probably one of the DJ’s parents took it since she was spoon feeding him, she screenshotted it to keep. It was too sweet not to.

She continued surfing through her phone until there was a news alert stating two people had gone missing last night early in the morning. Two males, one with short brown hair and one with a faded orange dye. There was very little information of the scene except the part about a surveillance camera capturing the two walking in an alley.

Interestingly, they said the camera’s static pitched in after a minute they went inside. Any footage before they entered was interfered by a glitch.

“What’s going on?” The blue eyed girl muttered. “Hawkmoth eases up and now more things randomly start happening?”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chloè Bourgeois did not get a wink of her beauty sleep she needed. She went into the kitchen to grab a bowl of cereal and milk herself since the butlers are asleep. She was currently eating in her room while watching a series she started.

It worked to an extent, the plot was interesting enough to keep her occupied. She did not know how engaging reality shows were until tonight. Even better there’s a singular character she can relate to, minus the love triangle fiasco she was experiencing, not her style to be confused over a bunch of boys.

Mayor Andre peeked into his daughter’s room before opening the door a little wider. “Chloè, why are you still up?” Curiosity evident in his voice.

The girl looked back at her parent. “I.. cant sleep.” The man became concerned, he always knew something bothered her when she says that. “Is it about your mother again?”

A sullen expression overcame her features, resulting in his own frown. “I know it’s still hard to think about Chloè, but she will come back.”

“You keep saying that.” They responded with unmeant harshness. “You’ve always said that for years and she never came.”

Andre sighed, “I know my little princess but you should have hope.”

“I used to. But I gave it up for a long while. I know she’s not coming back.” Andre’s stomach churned at her words, she was right, the ring slipped off of his finger a long time ago.

What can he say now? His only words of encouragement were now torn down like an old, weary curtain. Audrey Bourgeois is not even in the country anymore, so he could not say they can visit her, that nasty woman also made it clear that she isn’t interested in the both of them.

The restraining order filed on him was still in place. It was done in a private court so no information can fly out to be a public scandal.

The man sighed, this is not going to be easy on him is it. “Please, my little princess, just give it more ti-“

“Stop it already! She’s not coming back!” Chloè cried out. “I don’t want to think about it anymore!”

The mayor of Paris was taken aback by her outburst. She breathed heavily, years of anger finally surfacing in front of her father for the first time. The man lowered his head in shame and sadness.

“I’m sorry Chloè.” His voice barely reached her ears. “Do you know how much it hurts clinging to that hope for years only for it to be false?!” The moonlight highlighted her shiny eyes, glossy due to the tears she was holding back. “I cared about her, I tried everything for her, she still left us alone!” The girl swung her arm in frustration.

“I hate her!” The young girl stormed off out of the room, taking her phone to go to the roof where the pool was, leaving the man by himself.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

A boy woke up with his head feeling like it was bashed in with a hammer. He only opened one eye since the other was uncooperative at the moment. “Hello?!” His voice reverberated loudly around him.

It took a few seconds for it to die down before he tried again. “Anyone there?!”

His calls remained unanswered, he tried to move around but something was keeping him bound together. He felt something else move around with his struggle, he tried looking back.

It was too dark to really see anything, though the sounds of water drops could be heard.

“Marco?!”

“Polo.” He snapped around to his left to see two green eyes glowing in the dark.

Chapter Text

They watched as they got closer to him before coming down to his level, watching them try to get out of their binds.

“What have you done to Marco?!” The older teen yelled at them. The void kept their unblinking eyes on the captured person.

“He’s right behind you. He’s fine.” The voice said.

His breathing was hitched, he was glad Marco was alright. Going up against a superhero was another thing in life he never wanted to try again. His eye widened, he remembered they had the model at knifepoint before they were delved into hand to hand combat by Chat Noir.

“You’re telling me, Adrien Agreste is Chat Noir?” He voiced his realization. Their eyes narrowed, “That’s right.”

They went back for something, whatever they were dragging back loudly scraped against the floor. He closed his eye as he cringed horribly, at the screeching it produced. It continued on until it stopped right when it got close to them.

“Tell me. Why were you guys looking to rob me?” Chat Noir spat with venom as he sat down in the chair.

The bound teen snarled at the cat-like hero. “If I told you, your spoiled ass would never understand our problem!” Chat finally blinked, it was dumb how they assumed he was spoiled at all. They don’t know the first thing about him!

“What’s your name?” He crossed his arms.

They kept themselves quiet, scowling at the superhero’s eyes in contempt. “I would really answer if I were you.”

They refused.

Chat Noir got up with a sigh. “I’m going to say it again. Answer. Me.”

“I’m not telling you shit you good for nothing shit!” Chat Noir closed his eyes as he nodded with a sigh. “I knew people still didn’t like me.” Chat Noir thought to himself.

He got up.

Whack!

The teen’s head snapped to the side, knocking a tooth out of his mouth. When they lifted their head back up his jaw had nearly been unhinged by another. Chat Noir spun around as he kept his capoeira dance going.

Just as he got low and his shin was about to connect to his head the boy yielded, not wanting to feel another strike.

“Okay! Okay!” He hollered, he spat out the blood from his mouth with a wince. “Carter! My name is Carter alright?!”

The teen, clenched his jaw with a hiss. Chat Noir retracted his foot from near the teen boy’s head. Adrien sat back down in the chair, pleased that he finally gave him an answer.

Carter shook his head, some hair strands sticking to his face. “So, Carter, answer my first question now.” He heard something like metal hit the floor. “Why did you want to rob me?”

The troublemaker’s sweat dropped. If that wasn’t the staff he was hit earlier with then he sure as hell don’t want to feel what blunt steel would feel like. “We were going after you because I know you and that bitch are close.”

“And who is that?” Chat calmly replied.

“That dumb daughter of the mayor!” Chat Noir opened his mouth, he’s not entirely wrong, though he still disliked how she was insulted. “Go on.”

“We were really planning to hold her for someone that would’ve gave us a reward, I don’t know what they want from her,, but you ruined it all.” Carter exhaled. “We had everything down until we found out you made her take the limo on her way back home.”

Chat Noir stared off into space, he definitely recalled seeing two people walking away when she got transportation, hazy, but still noticeable. “It’s a good thing I did.”

“It would’ve been perfect if it weren’t for you!” Carter screamed, “We would’ve been able to live just fine with that kind of money they would’ve given us!!”

Chat Noir kept silent as the teen rambled on. He thought about Chloè and the others at school, he did not know what they were up to thanks to him losing his phone in the middle of their squabble. It must’ve dropped out of his jacket when he suddenly flipped onto the wall before transforming.

He looked at Carter, maybe, he can take advantage of something. “Do you have your phone with you?” The boy stopped ranting on, shifting to an annoyed expression.

“And why do you need that?” He tried biting back his irritation of being cut off mid sentence. “I need it to dial someone of course.” They watched the cat’s eyes go half lidded.

Before Carter could argue again, their slick hands already slipped the phone out of it’s rested place. “Thanks.” He dialled Chloè’s number walking off. “Now I’m going to need you to be quiet.” He turned his head to the side.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The daughter sobbed as she rested against the balustrade. Thankfully she wore no make-up this time because the clean up sucks.

“Why does he still want me to believe?” Chloè’s voice wavered, rubbing her eyes free from her tears with her pyjama sleeve.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She sniffled, “Now what?” She thought. It was an unknown number, her selfie camera was on which showed her puffy red eyes and her messy hair. “Who in the hell.” She muttered, she took her sunglasses from the chair before putting them on.

She cleared her throat as pressed the green phone icon. “Hello?” her voice cracked. Jesus, what a start.

“Hello Ms. Bourgeois.” Chat Noir stood in the light so he can be seen. “Wait, why are you wearing sunglasses when it’s night time?”

“Don’t mind it.”

“Riiiiight.” The hero slowly said. “Can you do me, well, yourself a small favour?” The rich girl folded her lips, she really did not feel like doing anything but if it’s coming from one of the protectors then it has to be important.

“Um.” She began. “What kind of favour.”

Chat Noir sighed as he scratched his neck. “Do not roam anywhere without a bodyguard beside you. I have two people here confessing their crimes of wanting to kidnap you.” The girl went wide eyed.

“What?! Who do those braindead morons think they are?!” She raised her voice.

Chat Noir thought about it. Eyes avoiding the camera for a few seconds before he gave the best thing he could say at the time. “I don’t know.” He shrugged.

The girl cocked her hip, twisting her mouth to the side in a sort of pout. “Anyway, um, That’s about it.” He awkwardly blurted out. “Other than that, Adrien also told you hi. His phone needs some repairs so yeah.”

“How is he?” She leaned on the balustrade again. Chat could tell she sounded concerned by the way she spoke softly. “He’s okay, he’s suffering a really bad headache though.” He lied, Chloè finally formed a small smile for the first time tonight. “Thank god. I thought he left me alone too.”

“No, I’d nev-” Chat blurted out before he covered his mouth. Chloè looked back at her phone with a puzzled expression. “I mean, I just don’t think he’s the type to do something like that.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway, I have to find that guy before he throws another tantrum in Paris. See ya later, Cat’s out!” The call dropped out, she laughed to herself. She was worrying herself over nothing after all.

She’s relieved, but the way Chat Noir seemed like he forcing it all, was he.. Hiding something?

She shrugged it off, it’s not like she knew the hero’s life personally.

“Thank god.” The night felt more peaceful, quiet even, when those worries of her crush slowly went away. “I hope I can see him again soon.” She watched the cars below drive on down the road, most likely either going home from a light evening shift or now entering the graveyard shift.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chat Noir tossed the phone in front of the man without a care. “You know, I really expected you to scream your lungs out once you had the chance.” He offed the lights that were ways from them, plunging them back into the dark.

“I can’t believe Rabiot has a crush on her.” Chat Noir stopped in his tracks. Did he say Rabiot? There’s no way it’s the same person he’s thinking about.

“Hey, what was the name you called earlier?” Adrien surely did not want to miss it this time.

“Rabiot.” Carter snarled.

“Kieran Rabiot?” Chat Noir’s eyes suddenly appeared in his face, startling the ever loving shit out of him. “Yes, that’s the one.”

“Wow.” Who knew his own sparring partner has the hots for her. He’s going to love teasing him to death about it. “Small world.” He tried to get his phone, until he realized it’s likely still in the alley.

“Oh my god.” He turned to walk away to the exit grumbling.

“What about us?!”

“Pfft. I’m not letting the people who knows my identity out of here.” Carter heard the hero said. “I’ll be back sooner or later.

“Son of a bitch.” He glared in the direction the eyes retreated in.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chat walked through the streets of Paris as he checked his baton. He had been transformed for hours and none of the pads started to wane on his ring.

“Is this because of the butterflies?” He thought. He turned into the alley he fought in. There’s still a knife embedded in the trash can along with it’s contents spilling out. “Tragic.” He quipped in a Plagg-like fashion.

He made it to the end where the wall was, his phone was still there and oh boy, his phone was flooded with messages, calls, everything.

He cleared the notifications, he will deal with them later. He ran with the phone in the suit pocket, extending his staff all the way up until he landed on the tower. He balanced himself in a crouch before he leapt off of it with great distance.

As he plummeted towards the house, he grabbed a hold of the windowsill to his room. By some miracle, he did not break the glass or anything that has it’s structure.

He pulled himself into the room and detransformed. Plagg floated out of his ring with flair, doing flips before he stopped suddenly in the air.

“Hoo. That has to be a new record.” Plagg stretched his little body, sighing once he was satisfied. “By the way. Did you actually have to leave them down there like that?”

“Yes.”

Stunned by his bluntness, he just grabbed a cheese wheel by his stash. Munching on the delicious cheese he savoured since his.. smelly torture he endured from Adrien. “Also those hits were uncalled for.” He said in between bites.

“I did warn him.” His chosen swiped through the PDF file that he sent himself. Everything was right there for him to read up on! “Beautiful.”

He went straight to the Chat Noir section. His eyes scanned from left to right in each description he read about it’s history along with the power it holds. What’s funny is that some of the old holders were pretty well known in history, but is never recorded in the textbooks or tablets in each era.

“Look at that. This one’s also an Agreste.” He laughed slightly. Pointing at the name ‘Ezekiel Agreste.’ Good to know he has an ancestor’s ring.

He flipped over to the powers section. His eyebrows drooped, there were two more powers in the book other than the cataclysm. “Black Storm and Black hole?” Black Hole sadly wasn’t a literal black hole like the one in the galaxy, just a literal hole in the ground, wall or air that’s filled with darkness that can store items..

Seems like the same thing anyway.

“Beware, Black Storm causes devastating effects on a specific area it is used on.” How vague. He slowly looked around at the black kwami. He was still biting his cheese before he swallowed the entire thing. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What happens if I used Black Storm?”

Plagg choked on his saliva as he heard the ability’s name for the first time in centuries. “Kid, why the heck would you want to know?”

“Because I’m going to use it against Hawkmoth when I see him?” Adrien placed his phone on the bed.

“Adrien. Listen to me.” Plagg spoke with utmost seriousness. “That power right there can destroy cities, if not countries, if you don’t know what you’re doing.” His chosen’s neutral expression seriously scares him sometimes, cause he never knows what he’s thinking anymore.

“Seriously, do not use it.”

Adrien looked back at his phone in silence. Plagg stood on his desk. The god realized that his chosen had become colourless, boring, but unpredictable. At the same time, his burst of emotions can be sporadic. The electricity must’ve also done something to his brain since he’s been having nightmares every now and then.

That’s how he sees it anyway. No matter how he tries to hide it. He always knows because of the purple aura in his arm.

“Try to get some sleep Adrien, you need it if you are going to go to school tomorrow.” Plagg flew away.

“I’m not going.” He whispered, “I.. need more power.” He began scrolling through the pages until he saw a man with a universal like swirl around him. “The ability of rewriting reality?”

He sat upright in his chair, taking a newfound interest in that particular section.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Adrien made his way to the Martial Arts dojo, it was three days away from the tournament. Man, time really does fly when it’s ready.

He opened the dojo’s doors, he saw his friend training hard for the competition. The other teen shadowboxed by himself, “Oh, he just came back from his run then.” Adrien mused.

The black haired male performed a series of kicks in the air with short bursts of breath. “Hey Rabiot.” His head turned to the right to see his favourite buddy. “Ah yes.” He walked over to his friend giving him a loud low five. “The lady killer of Paris.”

Adrien rested his hands on his own hips. “I’m not that good looking to be called so and you know it.” Rabiot smugly chortled. “Then tell me why everyone chased you down with your classmate?”

Adrien faintly blushed, “She’s just a friend, she never sees me like that.” Rabiot’s may never have met the girl personally, but he knew it’s impossible for her to see him as ‘just a friend’.

“I hear you.” He slicked back his hair from sticking to his face, he took a swig from his water bottle.

“And what about you? I heard you have a crush on Chloè.” Rabiot coughed while beating his chest, sputtering the liquid out of his mouth. “Who told you that?!”

Adrien leaned in. “Oh, nobody, maybe except Chloè Bourgeois herself.” Rabiot socked him in the arm, earning a yelp in the process. “I don’t have a crush on her.”

Adrien rubbed his arm, “So why did you-“

“For assuming, you idiot.”

“You’re not even looking at me anymore”

“Something’s in my eye.”

“Bull.”

“There is!”

“You totally like her.”

“Nuh-uh.”

“So if I see your media likes she wouldn’t be there right?”

“....”

They were locked into an intense stare down before the boy groaned, “Okay fine!” Rabiot threw his hands up in the air. “Seriously, how did you know?”

Adrien placed his bag down on the bench they usually sit on. “I heard a guy said that you have a crush on her when I was at the coffee shop, I believe his name was Carter?” He cupped his chin, pretending to recall a certain day. Rabiot folded his arms, “Oh. Him, I haven’t heard from them for a while.”

The young man shrugged. “And now there’s reports of him and Marco missing.” Rabiot sat down on the mat while Adrien followed.

“You sound awfully calm about that.” Adrien’s brow raised. Rabiot looked over to the prodigy, “I’m not really that close to them, they’re not a good bunch either.” He cracked his knuckles.

The boy said nothing but an ‘oh’ in response. “By the way, aren’t you here to train?” He questioned.

Honestly, he forgot about that.

“Yeah, of course.” Adrien shuffled his way over to the bag to put on his gi.

He thought about the next move in his steps to find Hawkmoth but everything was coming up short on him. His father having the book was still a bit suspicious to him, but it was not enough evidence to show that he is the bad guy he’s looking for.

“Where can he be.” He clenched his teeth tightly. “He is such a coward, hiding from teenagers.” He tied his belt around his hipline.

“What the hell do you want from ne, Hawkmoth?!” Adrien heard his inner voice barked. Surprised, he froze and furrowed his brows. “Simple, I want your miraculous.” He heard the latter’s voice echoed.

“And then what?! Why are you so obsessed with our miraculous?!” His voice bellowed in the intrusive memory.

Adrien stared down at the floor as his jaw became slack. “He needs them. To achieve.. power.” He recalls the words in the book on the figure with the universe. “One has the possibility to rewrite anything in the world, the wielder is only granted one wish.”

Adrien felt his heart thump again, there was part of the answer to Hawkmoth’s motivation. Adrien picked his head up. Though, the thing that humbugged him now is the villain’s goal and the sudden spring of memory.

“What’s up?” Adrien looked over his shoulder. “Something on your mind?”

He moved his head back forward before he tightened the belt and fixed his gi. “Sorta, nothing major.” He simply said as he turned his full body around.

Rabiot got up, shaking his hands for he prepared for the true intensity only he offered.

“One more thing.” Adrien tied his hair up so it doesn’t distract him. “If you win against me I’ll put in a good word for you.”

Rabiot cocked his head to the side.

“To your crush, Chloè.” Adrien added, the other was shocked. “Wait, you can do that?” He faced his palm upward in the boy’s direction.

Adrien slapped Kieran’s hand, they both circled each other. “Yeah, she’s a good friend of mine.”

“You never told me.”

The blond smirked, “That’s because you never asked. We’ve been friends ever since we were tods.” Kieran soon formed one of his own. One by one, they gathered a crowd of practitioners along with their sensei. “You must’ve never met her if you have feelings for her.” Adrien took his stance as they circled each other.

“Why, what’s wrong with her?” Rabiot innocently asked. “Let’s just say my class calls her the brat of Dupont.” Adrien replied as he recalled the many things she’s done to earn that title to the fighter.

“Eh. She sounds like my type of girl.” Adrien was genuinely puzzled by his answer. He wasn’t going to begin asking questions now anyway.

The teacher was really intrigued on what possibly made their best students go for a spar without his call.

After the first checked kick from the Agreste, he instantly knew he was dead wrong. The sickening sound from Kieran’s punch to his opponent’s stomach only solidified it.

It was no spar he was watching.

He watched the two go into a full on flurry of attacks incorporated with solid defences. The sounds from each hit only solidified it.

It was a full contact showdown.

They both parted and took their guards. “I’m still convinced you’re a hero or mutant in disguise.” Rabiot laughed, “Even when you took a break you’re still impossible to figure out.”

Adrien lowered his guard, “I’ll keep saying I’m not.” Rabiot attempted a roundhouse but it narrowly missed his head when he got out of the way. “You’re the one that’s the mutant I’m pretty sure. I can’t strike anything on you properly.”

Rabiot threw a cross, his right side quickly got grazed in return. “You see what I mean? Your reach is ridiculous!”

“I’m making sure you don’t touch me because your hands and legs are made out of brick!”

If they didn’t know any better, they would swear Adrien is on a lower level than Rabiot. They knew that is not the case, his way of keeping the model at arm’s length was the only thing saving him from a repeat of their fight from months ago.

Putting it simply. The last time they fought, the bruises were quite terrible, not to mention the agony their limbs were in. They could not train or anything for two weeks the most.

“Halt!” The two boys looked at their teacher. “Five minutes haven’t even passed yet!” The raven haired fighter kept his stance in case.

The man shook his head. “It really hasn’t.” He made his way closer to the two. “Timed or not, I’ve seen and heard enough these past few weeks already.”

“What are you trying to say?” Rabiot faced them.

“I’m saying that you’re more than capable in entering this tournament.” He placed his hands at the back of his head. “I don’t see why you’re pushing yourself this much when you’ve beaten most of the other high ranks in different gyms.” Rabiot stood rooted in his spot.

“How did you know I went to different gyms?” The man couldn’t help but laugh at his shock. “What? Do you think I don’t have a friend or two doing martial arts as well?”

Rabiot kept quiet. Adrien finally dropped his guard, he knew of his friend’s drive but he didn’t think he was this determined.

“Anyway lad, you’re going to do great in this tournament. I’m sure of it.” The man smiled towards his pupil. The young man looked back at him, he did not know how to respond in this situation.

Yes, he was ecstatic in going into a competition, what bothered him was the fact his trainer knew about his wandering and never told him.

“Yeah. I hear you.” Rabiot wiped away his sweat with his forearm. They tapped his shoulder before he walked off. The students were called aside by the man, they followed along to get their exercise started, including the two stars of the class.

At least Adrien didn’t have to explain to Chloè how he lost a bet by getting his ass beat by his friend in a match. That would’ve been a very awkward time.

He scratched his chin, speaking of her, he began wondering what to do with those people back down in the sewers. They were still left down there with nothing to eat. He loudly sighed. “What do I do?” He repeated in his head.

“Hey bro! Did you hear that?! He said I’m ready!” Rabiot pumped his fist im the air as he did a celebratory dance.

Adrien shook his head, “Yes, yes, I was there.” He smirked devilishly. “I’m glad he called you or else I’d have to give you her number and explain to her later.”

“Fuck.”

“Didn’t think about that one did you?”

“Ugh.”

Adrien clicked his tongue with a smug expression. “Maybe if I find purpose for my fighting one day, I’ll win all day.” He couldn’t help his grin anymore. “Then she’ll see a chicken wants to date he-“

The model gave a genuine, pained ‘ow’ from a devastating punch to the shoulder from his buddy, who blushed in embarrassment and annoyance.

Chapter Text

A few more days have flown by. Nothing interesting really happened ever since the incident. Just the usual old patrols with nothing ever happening. As much as Alya liked the peace, some of the heroes didn’t like that fact.

For Alya, she just wanted to find anything to type in these rare moments of tranquillity .

She analysed the recording from Chloè again. She’s gone through this over and over again, nothing was clear about the event at all.

Being a superheroine was one thing, knowing magic and abilities are apart of this world was also another thing she accepted with open arms. But the fact catastrophically high winds and a literally big sinkhole being developed was another, especially without cause.

She yawned and took a sip of her coffee. “School will not be seeing me today, that’s for sure.”

She struggled to type anything on the blog that was attached to the video. Everyone knew about it and there was not much to add. She sighed, maybe she’ll just post something about celebrating the protectors pf Paris and what they do. It’s been a few days before she posted anything after all.

She was about to begin typing away until her phone buzzed. “Ah?” She picked up her phone, “Chloe?” That was the name she saw on her screen.

She sent back a text asking her why she’s up so late. Not bothering to ask how she got her number right now.

“I didn’t expect you to be up right now, I wanted to send a message earlier so that I can explain another thing I can remember.” She read aloud.

“Okay, shoot, I guess?” She sent back. Her phone started buzzing again, she saw an answer and decline button just above her screen. She pressed the green phone icon and placed it to her ear.

“Yeah?” Alya spoke up.

“Right. So, there’s this thing that I got sent and it’s really creeping me out.” Chloè huffed shakily on the other end. “It’s really not comforting, especially when I got news from Chat that someone was going to kidnap me.”

“Kidnap you?” She parroted. “Who?”

“I don’t know, He said that he had two people rounded up last night. I didn’t see who was there, just him.” Chloè recalled.

Alya sat upright in shock, listening keenly. “Wait, you’ve seen Chat Noir?” There was a delay before she then heard Chloe sigh. “Only on video call.” Was the only reply the blogger had gotten.

That’s certainly great news! That means he was up and about again. After a while, she thought he was grimly hurt to the point he couldn’t be a superhero anymore.

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. And the sun didn’t even come up.” Alya pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to fight the drowsiness aiming to take over. “Speaking of which, what was it you want to show me?”

“Umm. I got a few things from this number.. I don’t know who it is either.”

“Send them let me see.”

She felt two soft buzzes against her ear, she moved it and immediately went to open them. All the pics stopped downloading and she was able to see them in their entirety.

“What.. the hell?” Alya muttered.

Chloè could be heard shuffling around “Weird right?!” She yelled in a whisper.

She stared at the massive grey lion and snow leopard in the video. They were stood behind Chat Noir who was saluting at the camera before they both began disintegrating like ash being blown in the wind in one looped recording.

The other, was Chat Noir before he was fully encased. It was a picture of him about to lunge at Crystalice with her back turned. There was a white mask hologram she was unfamiliar with.

“What is that mask?” Alya asked herself.

“I don’t know, if you’re meaning the one with that lady. But I do remember getting a closer look at his face.” Chloè paused for a moment. “He looked so angry. I’ve never seen him like that until then. Almost as if he wanted to rip her to shreds.”

Alya’s mouth was agape, that was certainly one way to describe his features then. Chat? Being that mad about something? She looked back at the mask, there has to be an answer to all of this.

“I don’t remember seeing any camera near her when I was launched, not even a person.”

Alya paused before sitting back in her chair again, “I wonder if Ladybug knows anything about it..” She thought. “You know, it might explain something about Chat being all weird and distant from everyone.” Chloè hummed.

“I don’t know. But something strange is boiling up. I swear it.”

“Tell me about it..”

Alya adjusted her glasses and went into full concentration, the description on chat’s face with that white mask gave her chills. “She told me that he just vanished from the scene after he walked away. But he was there, watching from somewhere else.”

“With that thing behind him.” Chloè scoffed, “Do you think he’s.. possessed?”

“I... don’t know.” Alya bit down on her fingernail, she tried her best not to nibble on it too much and ruin it. “By the way, have you heard anything from Adrien?”

“No, but Chat told me he has a really bad headache.” Chloè stopped for a moment, “Hey.. I know this isn’t much but now that I think about it. Chat’s hair was pretty long.”

“Oh? Didn’t expect him to grow it out.” Alya sat back in her chair and folding one arm across her abdomen.

“Me neither except it looks way longer than it’s supposed to.” Chloe responded.

Alya nodded, cracking her fingers to begin typing in some new information on her blog with the pictures. “Right, let me get to work on this thing then.” The clicking of the keyboard was made prominent in her room as she plugged the phone to her computer. Chloè was on speaker.

“I can’t believe I’m going to admit this.” Alya sighed. “But you were a great help tonight. By the way, why are you up still?”

“Ah. Um..” Alya reread her first paragraph with Chat being encased. Making sure to check for spelling errors and grammar mistakes. “I couldn’t really sleep because of a lot of things and uh.. yeah.” Chloè lamely tried to explain herself.

The brunette found the perfect opportunity to tease her but she decided to leave it alone. “That’s okay.” She scratched her chin for a moment.

“One of the heroes will find him soon enough, and if we do. I’ll be the one confronting him when if get the chance to interview him.” She continued on. “Partners shouldn’t hide things from each other. That’s what I believe.”

Chloè uneasily agreed, her eyes were finally starting to become heavy. “If you say so.” She yawns with very little noise to be heard over the call. “I think I’ll call it a night here. I need my beauty sleep. Asap.” Alya softly shook her head at the girl’s tone. “Okay. Goodnight, Chloe.”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

A familiar black suited hero emerged from the sewers once more, inhaling all of the clean, pure air of the night. He let out a slow, long exhale as he walked through the streets. Thank god for fresh air. It smelled like something up and died in there.

Oddly enough. A casual stroll in the empty city is quite therapeutic once you’re not on the wrong side of it. He wiped his cheek from a stain as he yawned, he only lost one pad throughout the entire evening until early morning., which was the best part to him.

Despite not getting anymore answers from both of them since Marco woke up, he decided to just one of them alone down there. “I should stick to the plan here.” He spoke inwardly. “If I were a butterfly obsessed maniac, how would he react to the same show of power?”

The cat-like teen decided to walk freely in the road, there wasn’t a single car to be heard nor seen, so, why not? The blond teenager slicked his hair back to keep it from distracting him.

He yawned and stretched, checking the time in his staff, he had an hour and a half before the sun shows it’s face. Chat looked up to the billboard and saw Ladybug and the team. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t there.

Chat Noir rolled his eyes at their smile and poses, walking along down the path. “Heh, whatever.” He grunted. “Beacon of hope this, beacon of hope that. We’ll see about that.”

“Chat?” He looked across the road and saw Carapace standing next to a lamppost. “Where have you been?”

Chat Noir averted his eyes, looking from object to object to find the right response. “I’m just kind of doing my own thing.” He simply answered. Carapace shrugged as he began crossing the street. “Ahhh I see, you been doing okay dude? The state you were in looked pretty serious.”

Carapace stopped upon realizing one glaringly obvious detail. “How did-“ Chat lifted a hand up for a moment.

“My hair grow that fast? I’m as stumped as you are, though I don’t mind this so much.” Chat stared back at him. “Early morning patrol?”

“Early morning patrol.” The turtle nodded. “It’s a pain in the neck being up this early.”

Chat chortled softly, thank god he doesn’t have to do that. His feline ears twitched at the sound of Carapace’s communicator going off. The latter looked down inside his screen and saw the name Rena Rouge came up. “Gimme a sec, my girl-“ He ceased up. “I mean.. Rena Rouge is calling me.”

Chat Noir’s head tilted subtly. “I’ll wait, I don’t mind.”

The turtle watched the speaker come out to the side of his arm and the bright green inside turned into a screen. The camera was a small circular spot right on the edge of the shield when it came out of its concealment.

“Hey Rena, what’s up?” Carapace waved on at the camera.

“Carapace, we need to talk. We have to find Chat Noir.” The person in questioned narrowed their eyes, watching Carapace fiddle with the grip. “Why? Also, he’s right here.” He turned with the shield and spotted the camera so he and Chat were in the same frame.

“Oh! Good timing!” The cat watched Rena’s face lit up in surprise. “Wow, she wasn’t kidding.” In her eyes, he looked like a long golden haired angel of the night, knowing Chat Noir, he probably viewed himself like that also.

The cat shrugged, subtly rolling his eyes. “What was it you needed me for Rena?”

The vulpine seemed taken aback by his question, “Okay. Straight to the point.” Carapace heard her say. He was just as unnerved by the sudden bluntness. “Were you aware something was behind you when you paid attention to a camera?”

“What sort of question is that? What camera are you talking about?” Chat heard his communicator go off.

He took it from behind his back and opened it, he clicked on Rena’s inbox and saw the picture he was sent. “Huh?” Chat Noir squinted as if that was going to change anything in it. “I remember where this was taken now, but.. Is that a lion? And a leopard?”

The vulpine gave a short hum. “I’ll take that as a no.” Carapace looked between the both, lowering his shield.

“Please tell me she’s kidding.” The turtle asked the feline. Chat Noir held up the staff to him. “She isn’t. Though this could be editing to spread a rumour.”

“I’d like to believe that but we need to be sure. Chloè got that photo from an unknown number, which means it’s likely something’s up here.” Chat Noir folded his arms as he listened keenly, Carapace raised his shield again so they were visible to her. “And you’ve told her there were two people going after her right?”

Chat Noir nodded his head, soon enough he lowered his brows. “Wait a minute. What are you doing in Alya’s house?” He stepped closer to the shield.

The turtle’s throat formed a lump. Just as he thought the cat wouldn’t suspect anything about the background.

“Alya called me in here to show me the same thing. She has my number in case of anything but she doesn’t know who I am outside the mask.” Chat Noir looked dead into the camera instead of the screen now, they’re giving out their phone numbers now? Since when were they able to do that?

“Fine, I believe you, so Chloè gave Alya the photos and then she called you.” Chat Noir backed up. “Makes sense to me.” Carapace threw in his input.

“So now to the main thing. There might truly be another maniac out there looking to cause chaos. We need to stop them.” The vulpine said with utmost seriousness in her tone. “I’m itching to get my hands on Hawkmoth mostly though.”

“And I don’t blame you. But newer threats are not what we want to deal with right now so we gotta do something.” Chat Noir stretched and cracked his knuckles as he spoke to Rena Rouge.

Carapace huffed in agreement. “It’s on dudes. For Paris!”

Chat Noir crossed his arms in front his chest. He kept his frustrated growl under check. “For Paris.” He droned. “Okay, so we’ll get the crew meet up on the tower later today, I’ll make sure to contact Ladybug.” Rena’s eyes caught him rolling his at the last part.

The screen turned off and everything clicked back into place.

“Alright dude.” Carapace ran the other direction. “Catch you later!” The dark feline responded with his salute in silence. The beeping from his staff interrupted him from his thoughts, when he saw the date, there was no wonder it did.

Today was the day of the tournament.

Chat made the screen slide back into the staff, “Ironic.” He slipped the staff behind his back as he went to lean against a wall. “They better not be in the way of my goals.”

He cracked his own neck, rolling his shoulders. Looking around, he sucked in some air. “Portal.”

A hole opened with a darkened room inside quickly expanded in front of him. Allowing him to casually stroll through it before he it closed back, leaving hardly any trace of a black feline there in the first place.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Marinette doodled away in her sketchbook, everyone in class had a free period since Ms. Mendeleiv was absent for class. Alya noticed her lifeless movements in her sketching as she had her head propped in the palm of her hand.

Alya nudged her best friend’s shoulder to gain her attention. Marinette lowly hummed to herself as she put her pencil down.

“Do you think Adrien’s really okay?” Alya figured that’s what was bothering her so much. “He’ll be fine, Chloè said he has a really bad headache though.” The baker visibly slumped over her desk, resting her head on the table as she used her hands as a makeshift pillow.

“His father must’ve been pressuring him with so much things he has to do.” She grumbled out loud for Alya to hear. “At this rate, I don’t know if he’ll be able to make it to the dance.” The blogger scooted closer to her and threw her arm around the bluenette’s shoulder. “Relax. He’ll show up.” She slowly stated. “If he doesn’t, I’ll sock him where it hurts.”

“You wouldn’t seriously hurt him would you?” Marinette held a look of concern mixed within her dejection. “He better not tempt me to.” Alya watched the girl deflate even further. Admittedly, to herself at least, she wouldn’t seriously hurt someone as kind hearted and cute like Adrien.

Everyone in class were engaging in small talk. It’s difficult to decipher what anyone was talking about because of the heavy, overlapping discordance. She only picked up a few things like how she heard Max’s robot nearly got lost in the seine. Somehow. She even heard Rose playing twenty questions with Juleka which was nice.

The most interesting part was hearing the name ‘Chat Noir’. And it didn’t take long to realize who might have called it.

She turned her head to where she heard it. Nino and Chloè were chatting away about the feline who’s been in the shadows for quite some time. From what she guessed, the blonde was sharing her experience about how they saved her from being kidnapped. In her own fashion that is.

Despite her off-putting tone she’s using, Nino listened to her every word without scrunching up his face. It’s good that she’s opening up to more things, even if she’s confused by it.

Alya turned her head back to the sulking girl next to her. “Hey, Marinette?.” Marinette said nothing as her eyes locked onto Alya. “I was trying to find some stuff to use to update my blog right, but Chloè called me with these weird pictures she had gotten.” She said in a hushed voice.

“Chloè?” She asked incredulously. “How does she even have your number?” She sat upright in her chair, matching her volume.

The blogger shrugged. “She probably asked one of my old classmates.” She speculated as she scrolled through her saved photo gallery. “She did see me chatting with a few of them a while back, though, I’m not going to bother with that anymore.”

As soon as she found the photos she was looking for she slid the phone to her bestie. Marinette took it, inspecting both of them. Her demeanour noticeably shifted to one of piqued curiosity. One thought had came to her mind as she looked over to Alya.

“Aren’t these edited?” She asked. Alya shook her head, telling her that she isn’t certain, with Chloè’s accounts along with the strange happenings, it’s not too farfetched there’s something going on and it’s targeting Chat.

“I ended up posting them on my blog.” Alya stated. “You can check it out later if you want, there’s a few questions and even theories I’ve typed in there for others to talk about and even share some on their own.”

The young aspiring fashion designer looked back at Chat’s facial expression on the phone. “Was this.. because of me?” Her mind assumed the worst as she got a good look at the photo.

That very day. The one day that haunted her due to her outburst towards Chat Noir. The pain stricken face he had afterwards that only made her heart pang with guilt now.

The door became ajar, hardly anyone noticed that fact even when it creaked. “Adrikins?!” Except Chloe of course. Marinette’s head snapped to Chloè before looking upfront. Adrien Agreste had a sheepish look on his face whilst holding his bag. “Sorry I’m late, I tried convincing my father to go to school again.” He was nearly knocked down to the floor by his childhood friend charging into him for a hug. Giving her one in return, he looked to the others again.

“Dude what happened? You had everyone worried there.” Nino walked up to him, so did his other classmates.

Adrien looked around, it was quite a refreshing sight to be surrounded by everyone that makes him comfortable and likes him for him. Not some hard-assed professional mannequin for everyone to gaze at. “I have a migraine. Thankfully the painkillers I got works like a charm.” Adrien smirked a little.

“A lucky charm.” Adrien exaggerated his wink. Jeez, this guy.

Marinette couldn’t help but roll her eyes, yet she laughed all the same like her friends. Marinette wrapped her arms around him, resting her forehead on his chest once Chloè moved out of the way. Adrien gave a genuine smile, accepting it as he wrapped his around her. The DJ and Blogger joined in on the group hug once everyone was clear from him.

“Come on, you guys are making it seem like I was gone for a long while.”

The blonde fought against her tears. “Who cares?! I missed you Adrikins!” Chloè dramatically placed a hand over her chest as she looked into his emerald irises. “We all did, man.” Alix said to him, ignoring the drama queen not too far from her.

“You’ve been gone for a day or two, that’s way too long in our case. Especially for a certain someone.” Alya peeked over to her friend who was blushing bright red. “Isn’t that right?”

Adrien laughed and start petting her hair gently. Alya had to hide the small little squeal that threatened to escape her throat. “He’s touching my hair!” The young baker squealed internally. Her knees almost buckled on her with how weak they were.

Chloè growled at the scene. “Why?..” She sniffed.

Adrien chatted with everyone else in his class, his face lit up with so much joy as he still held her even if he’s more so enjoying their conversations and what they did over the past few days. Max gave him the notes to copy off of, he’s gonna have a lot of transferring to do here.

Marinette’s blissful face as she turned her head to the side, out of sight of the others. But noticeable on the blonde’s side, which undoubtedly made her frown.

Adrien finally stopped petting her head, much to Bourgeois’ delight, on the contrary, it was to the bluenette’s dismay. Nino stared at his brother in arms in confusion, something about him looked.. off. “I got my phone fixed by the way.” He took out his phone, it looked brand new for the most part if they ignored the small scratches at the back.

“Sorry I didn’t get to respond to you guys though. It dropped and ended up being damaged pretty badly when I collapsed on the stairs.” Marinette covered her mouth in shock.

Chloè softly weaved through her classmates and made herself known in his view. “What happened?!” Chloè said wide eyed.

Adrien scratched his cheek. “I’m not sure. But when I was going to go, I felt dizzy and I blacked out.” He looked around, horrified was the best description for their reaction. “Did you go to the doctor, are you sure you’re okay to come back to school?” Nino asked his bro with much more concern.

“Well...” Adrien started off slowly. “Not yet. But I’m going this evening to get a check up. Father was pretty worried that he overworked me. But right now, I feel perfectly fine.”

He sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Though, Nino, Alya. You guys still have to hold up your end of the bet.”

Nino grimaced, “Ahhh. Forgot about that entirely.” He folded his arms. “That’s fine, me and Nino will get it done whenever you want it.” Alya perked up, though Nino just caught onto Adrien’s earlier statement.

“Hold on a minute. Him? Being worried?” Nino was rewarded with a small pinch to his arm for what he was insinuating. “Ow!” He rubbed the pained arm with a wince. The model shook his head at his pal. Nino stopped rubbing his arm.

He took the time to actually inspect Adrien. Everything else was fine other than him currently not wearing his signature jacket. But his hair, it was tied at the back into a man bun.

“What?” She asked her boyfriend.

Nino kept his eye on the Agreste. “His hair. Check it out.” Alya followed what he was saying, “What about it?” She held her curious glance on them for much longer than intended. The boy’s golden strands were tied up, big deal. Although, Didn’t think that would be on her list of ‘what can Adrien style?’

“Alya!” Nino harshly whispered.

Right. Getting off track.

Alya turned to him again, she had to fight the urge to pinch his cheeks with how the creeping jealousy spread across his face. “What? What are you thinking?” Alya stared back at the boy for a while and then to Nino. “You’re seriously not accusing of Adrien of being Chat Noir are you?” She laughed.

Nino turned on his heel to fully look at his girlfriend. “Why not?! He just randomly shows back up to school in a man bun like that?! Chat Noir also showed up out of nowhere with long hair as well!” He used his hands to emphasize his point.

Her facial expression reeked of one word. ‘Seriously?’. It’s just hair, what’s so special about that? Yeah, it’s odd seeing him with long hair but that doesn’t mean he’s Chat Noir really.

“Come on dude, think about it.” The young DJ shifted his feet, facing his body towards her. “We’ve never seen Chat nor Adrien in the same place at the same time.

She glanced one last time. “I see your point. But they act like two different people.” She looked at the picture with Chat.

“Don’t we do the same?” Nino deadpanned.

Alya knew she lost from there. “Fair point. But I still doubt it.” She spoke her mind. “Though, it would make it interesting.”

She spread her arms in a dramatic fashion. “Super model of the school, secretly a flirty and playful superhero hidden among us.” Alya then did a dumb looking pose Chat Noir would most likely do. “The name’s Adrien, but you can call me Cat Noir.” Nino couldn’t help but snicker at his girlfriend’s jokingly suspenseful melodrama. “I knew that would get you somehow.” The girl smirked.

“Imagine that though. Being that handsome and being a hero at the same time.” Nino thought aloud. “How is Ladybug able to even resist such a charm.”

Both of them heard Chloè grunt out loud before Alya can answer. Breaking them out of their own little conversation away from the rest. Alya was tired of the whole hushed tone anyway. The bourgeois called him down before softly speaking to him. The boy looked at her in confusion before she walked back to her seat.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Benoit stood afar from the school, he currently had eyes on all of the classmates, including the hidden fox and turtle miraculous holders using a makeshift telescope.

He had read the two’s lips for long enough, he broke it in half and chucked it to the street.

Benoit exhaled. “Okay.” He turned away from the school, his long trench coat swaying from the motion until it got caught up in the wind. “Not entirely what I expected.” He got up to his feet, stretching before he cracked his neck. “If everything still falls into place then everything should still be fine.”

He turned his head over to his left. “I wonder..”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The intruding light washing into the secretary’s room was warmly welcomed, the amount of times she had to do her work during the night time due to the incompetent staff was ridiculous. She hated staring at her screen in the darkness, the accompanied roaring and chaos wasn’t any better in the slightest.

Lying to Adrien’s father was possibly the most difficult thing she has ever done in her career thus far.

Nathalie was sat by her desk, typing away at her computer. The secretary had been interrupted by her coughing fit, feeling more wearier by the passing moment until it calmed down.

Gabriel looked over to her with worry in his eyes. “Nathalie?” The woman looked over to her boss. “everything is fine here, Monsieur Agreste.”

He walked up to her, lowering himself down to matching heights. “We both know it’s not.” Gabriel spoke softly. The woman didn’t dare distract herself from the workload. “Not only am I supposed to be in bad condition after using my wife’s miraculous, you’re also doing much better than before.”

“I highly doubt that. I still feel like I have minutes left before I pass away sometimes.” She coughed a few more times again.

“Sometimes. That’s the thing.” The man’s features softened. “It used to be all the time, even to the point I had to juggle the rest for you.” The woman finally broke her line of sight with the computer whilst the man continued, holding the cracked miraculous in his hand. “How did we recover? Why not Emilie?”

The cracks in his voice was a replica of how her heart was feeling. “Why? After everything I’ve tried.” He took off his glasses, hunched over as he had a hand over his eyes. “What did we do to not be affected?”

Nathalie placed a hand on his shoulder as he grieved. “Gabriel..” She slowly got up, moving over to her boss’ side.

“Is it that hard to grant me this one wish?!”

The poor woman’s mouth opened to try comforting the man which came with no success. She couldn’t find the words to say to him. Her mind, a heavy fog that dulls the light to her answers. All she could do was be there beside him.

Benoit looked at the scene from through the window. “It is.” He stayed crouched so he couldn’t be seen as easily. “Maybe over did it slightly when I toyed with his emotions.” He grinned under his mask. Benoit felt the breeze blow against his minimized frame, his trench coat flapping behind.

He detached the hood from his jacket before tossing it away off the building. “I really need to stop discarding stuff like that.” He muttered to himself.

His hair flowed just like his jacket. He brought a finger to his mask where his lips would be. He mulled over all of the tedious things he had orchestrated to the way things are. With a satisfied nod, he got up.

He checked his watch, “Now it’s certainly time to launch it all with a bang.” He took out a small mirror to take a good look at himself.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

A roar of applause erupted from the arena as the two boys battled it out. Rabiot utterly dominating the round thanks to his defensive style.

The opponent’s punches only kept hitting the cage, failing to hit their target every time they thought it was the right time to strike. “Come on. You gotta burn out sometime.” He dodged an oncoming right that would’ve knocked him straight out of his headspace.

People in the crowd were whistling, mixed cheers resounding at it’s highest. “Kick his ass Rabiot!” Some of the spectators bellowed.

His face made it’s way to his opponent’s side before delivering an uppercut. “No need to tell me!” He slipped past their punches, going low and grappling their legs.

The opponent struggled to get lower to break the teen’s attempt. It was fruitless, since they were lifted off of the ground only to be slammed right down into it. Just when Rabiot was about to pound away at their face the bell signalled the end of the round. Rabiot bit back his swelling frustration.

That was the second time they were saved by the bell.

They both sat down in their corners, the boy’s sensei came into the ring with him as he was being dried off whilst getting some water. “You are doing great out there kid!” He laughed, feeling ecstatic with it all.

Dull pain aching in his muscles with the hits he took from earlier did not feel pleasant at all. Take that with the fact he felt as if he had ran a marathon with the amount of back and forth they had, the breaks in between don’t even feel like breaks.

The lights were annoyingly bright, everything was loud yet tuned out at the same time. His adrenaline felt like it was being drained from him.

Still, it’s all worth the trouble to save his mother. His father wouldn’t have to work himself to the bone for the higher paygrade.

“You’ll have to go on the attack for sure this time.” The man stole a glance at the opposition’s corner. “He won’t be expecting it this time.”

The fighter nodded numbly, the person placed back his mouth guard. He felt something stuck his leg with a yelp emitting from him. “Ow! Shit!” He swore out loud as he held his leg that throbbed in pain. “Kieran?! What’s going on?!” The man crouched to his height.

The teen bared his guard, it felt like his muscles and veins were being melted away by fire. “Rabiot?!” Fear evident in his sensei’s eyes.

“I’ll be fine! I need to win this!”

“Can you stand?!”

Kieran held on to the ropes with all the strength he can muster as he put equal pressure on his feet.

“Yes I can dammit! I can!” He slowly pulled himself up, the agonizing pain becoming worse the more it was strained.

This cannot be happening right now at all!

He paused midway before he collapsed back into the chair. “Ah!” His back hit the buckle. “Come on man! Seriously! Are you okay?!” He heard another person say

Kieran clenched on his guard as he tried to get up from the seat again. Anger, disbelief, the rushing blood throughout his body as his heart hammered in his chest. “Move! Get up, god damn you!” He raved in silence, forcing himself to stand on his two feet.

He heard the bell ringing multiple times, the crowd in a frenzy once more. “What?! What’s happening!?” Kieran looked around, the lights flaring around, dissatisfaction breaming from one half of the stadium. “Joel?!”

His knee buckled under the pressure, making him fall forward onto the canvas, his arms being the only support he has other than his good leg.

He looked up at the man who solemnly hung his head. The boy called out to their teacher in panic, looking around again, his eyes locked with a very tall man with bleach blond hair and blue eyes three rows away from him. They were looking at a certain place inside where Kieran stood. The teen looked over to the middle of the ring.

His once frantically beating heart came to a standstill. Body running colder than December’s snow. There was a towel, thrown into the centre and the bell, rang furiously.

Chapter Text

His mouth fell open. Is this a nightmare? A cruel sick joke? “Joel you didn’t! Tell me you didn’t!” He screamed at his mentor. “Joel!” The corner men stood by his side, they never dared look into the young fighter’s eyes.

He continued holding his leg, grimacing all the while. “Why now?” He thought. “I wasn’t even planning on giving up and he ruins it!”

“And your winner is, Garcia Maxwell by way of TKO!” The announcer boldly stated.

The mixed reactions of the crowd increased in volume. “I’m so sorry.” Was all his mentor whispered to himself, amongst the noise. The opponent celebrated, climbing on top of the cage as he let all of his joy out.

Kieran’s eyes started water, becoming redder and redder by the minute. He rolled onto his back as the medics came into the ring to inspect what was actually wrong.

Were the lights always this bright? It was certainly blinding him. The noise from the spectators just gives him a headache too. Where’s the bucket he can vomit in? A whirl of confusion on the inside, a mental storm instead of a fog it was.

There was now a reporter asking the winner some questions. He should be the one answering them, not some amateur who barely did anything!

Before the could answer, Kieran let out a roar that came from his very soul, making the others scramble away a little from him. The mentor, was no different. “Rabiot! I had to! You were in no shape to fight!” Joel, his sensei tried to reason. It was all for naught, since the fighter let his anguished howls be heard throughout the entire stadium.

Outside of the ring, there were a few collective murmurs between them, wondering what was actually going on right now. “What happened?” A lady asked another, a shrug was the only response she gotten. “Guy must’ve realized a fracture after his adrenaline ran out.” One guy folded his arms.

Benoit scratched their head. “Man..” His ears felt like they were going to bleed at this point. “That guy has a loud voice that’s for sure.” He quipped in a surprised manner.

A miniature sized bug flew onto his jacket sleeve. He unfolded his arms to carefully pick it up to place it in his hand. “The tarantula hawk wasp.” He smirked. “Such a weird thing to exist.”

He moseyed on through the people who were still cheering and booing. Making his way up the steps as his grin grew more wicked looking. His dull blue eyes focusing the top of the stairs to go through the walkway. Some spectators were getting up to leave the place as well, it was clear they had seen enough.

He took the last step up before he was in the tunnel. The trek was a bit tiresome for his taste, the bathrooms were inconveniently far away. Even worse, the tunnels were exactly at his height so he had to walk with a hunch.

He turned his hand over to reveal the wasp had turned into nothing but a simple coin He flipped it up for it to drop right into his pants pocket. “Whelp.” He opened the door and enter, locking it from the inside. A glowing white mask materializes in front of his face.

“Transmission is a go.” He said aloud.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Gabriel’s brooch began to shine brightly, Nathalie squinted her eyes before tapping him. “Gabriel, your miraculous.” Her words caught his attention.

His eyes opened, visions of an enraged fighters face flashed across. Crystalice’s rage after finding out she was being cheated on was one thing, even if they orchestrated it to be a false perspective. He watched a few pieces of the boy and his mother talking, from her frail and bedridden state. She was severely ill.

It makes sense as to why he looked pissed off to no end by the time he watched how he lost. But this, this was a new unbridled rage he had never seen until now.

The visions were taken away from him as quick as they came. “Nathalie. I may have a new shot at gaining those miraculous.” He got up. “A better creation than Style Queen. Even better than Crystalice.” Nathalie was taken aback by this revelation.

She adjusted her glasses before she stood up as well. “How is that possible?” There’s certainly no way they’ll be more dangerous than the others, that’s a recipe for disaster! “Luck.. Luck and hope.” Gabriel walked off to his lair.

“Come, Nathalie. I can not let this slip away!” Nathalie followed him with a sense of uneasiness.

Her heels clicked with the man’s thudding steps. She regret wearing heels in the first place, even more so when it came to stairs. She kept up with his pace regardless.

They took the elevator, Nathalie waited on her boss to come through. “Is this the right choice?” She asked herself.

She hoped it was. The maiden couldn’t afford to keep Adrien all alone with no other kinship. At the same time, she hopes otherwise. Crystalice had caused chaos across the city, just like Dark Blade once did. Except, he did it to own the entirety of France instead.

The elevator whirred until Gabriel came down. “I have the house on a timed lockdown system just in case.” He stepped off, passing his assistant.

He approached Emilie’s coffin, noticeably tense as he looked down upon her beautiful face. Nooroo finally appeared next to him, doing the same until he looked at his master.

“Emilie, my love.” He swallowed the lump formed in his throat. “I have the greatest chance to bring you back, I am certain this time.”

Nathalie watched from a distance, there was no doubt about it. Her boss is emotionally vulnerable in these trying times. She checked her tablet to survey the outside world through the cameras. Everything was clear from their vicinity, thank god. Whatever he was going to unleash, she just hoped it doesn’t do too much damage.

She heard the man’s rambling came to an end. Calling her name so they can both go to the lair, with a nod, they went on their way again. “This is so strange.” She practically hugged her tablet.

Of course she understood the position and stress he had put himself under.

What she didn’t understand, was the fact that he was willing to put everything in danger just to revive his wife. He already got his son hurt, or so she believes, by leaving Crystalice unsupervised. But now he’s going to let something else out of his calibre loose unto Paris?!

He doesn’t even know his son is at school right now!

“Gabriel..” He looked over his shoulder before slowing down his trek. “Yes, Ms. Sancoeur?”

“Are you sure we may be ready for this Akuma? We don’t know what it might be capable of.” She hastily said, looking into his eye. “I’m the one giving them the power aren’t I? I should be able to know what it does.” The man replied.

“...”

Her eyes divert to his back. Silently preying nothing happens to Adrien when he manipulates the unfortunate soul into his doing.

In minutes, they made it to the lair. “Nooroo. Dark wings rise!” He opens his arms, every single butterfly attracting to him like moths to a flame.

A bright light overtaking him as his suit covers his clothes, his mask hiding his face from the world and his assistant. His cane materializing for him to rest against, once his transformation was finished, the butterflies moved away from him. Fluttering with no place in mind, just surrounding the two beings in the dome.

The woman began to feel lightheaded, so much for feeling better. “Sit back, watch the chaos.” She heard a voice say in her head. A mask formed in front of her with a white glow.

Her mouth went agape, “Be quiet.” She tried alerting Hawkmoth by calling his name. Her eyes widened when nothing came out of her mouth. Moving her arms and legs were futile, consciously stuck im her body by the simple command of their voice.

“He is too far gone in his own search for hope.” It’s voice was smoother than tranquil waters. “He doesn’t know I’ve healed the both of you in your sleep. I have the cure, but it’s better for him to watch what happens when you fight destined fates.”

She struggled and struggled in her hidden confines until she tried to yell in her head. “Gabriel, look behind you! Please!” The voice laughed at her attempt to warn him.

“He won’t. He has a goal to achieve, remember?”

The man clenched his fist. “A martial artist with a need to win. Torn away by horrible luck in the midst of battle.” He looked out the now opening window, embracing the sunlight.

He held out his hand as a butterfly lands in the middle of his palm. He covered the pure winged insect, dark bubbles gravitating to it until it was absorbed into it’s wings, singeing into each line, crevice and detail. The man revealed the nasty, purple akuma before it flew away to the window.

“Go my akuma! Evilize them!”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Terrified, a simple word that described a stronger emotion than a mild one. Simple, yet can also be an understatement in certain cases.

This was one of them.

The mentor slowly backed away from the heavily congested corner. Not being able to pull away from his student’s gaze. He was pushed against the steel by four people who was trying to calm him down. He thrashed around in their hold trying to break free.

“Joel you bitch!” He spat at the person he once thought he could count on. “Why the fuck did you throw it in?!”

“There was no other choice! You weren’t fit to fight!” He wearily said. His hands trembled by his side.

“And what did I say when I first joined huh?! I’ll fight to the death if it means to win or lose and you know it!” Rabiot sneered.

The man’s back hit the cage , he opened his mouth to say something back until his eyes caught something. “Wh- What?” A purple butterfly, fluttering just above the group. Circling. Waiting. He looked back down at Rabiot.

The tears still streamed down his face as he stopped struggling for a moment. “Mom..” It was enough for the akuma to land on his gloves before sinking in.

The boy lifted his head up as the infamous purple mask spread across his face. “Oh god..” One of the men said as they let go of him.

“Hati. I am Hawkmoth. You were cheated of a chance to victory, cheated from advancing to help your poor, sick mother.”

Kieran said nothing as he continued staring down the other person. “I am giving you the power of sheer combative skills and power. If you go and fetch me those miraculous, I’ll reward you in fortune and you get to keep your powers.”

“Can you do that for me?”

Both of the teams got out of the ring in a hurry, including the person he fought, the referee and the announcer. Who wouldn’t? Except the one student and his bastard mentor.

“Everybody! Please leave immediately!” The announcer begged as he picked back up the microphone. “Kieran Rabiot has been akumatized!”

Concern had arisen in the mix before screams broke out in the stadium. The man wanted to break for the door too, but his student had blocked it using his body. Beads of sweat formed from his forehead, stomach full of bile as if he wanted to throw up.

Was this the boy he knew for months? The same one that used to keep to himself?

Out of instinct, he turn and clung to the cage breathing quickly. The world seemed to slow down for the young brawler. The one who screwed him over, his only shot at such a prize pool, trying to escape with the spectators of the match?

No, no way was that happening.

Kieran snarled as he forced himself to fully stand. “Aye, Hawkmoth.” He let himself be enveloped in the dark bubbles with grace.

The aura evaporated as they stomped the ground, making parts of the stadium collapse as well as the ring. The teen’s body was similar to that of a werewolf, except it was partially transformed. There were glowing red markings going across most of his body. His head had parts of a Spartan helmet without the top of it so his wolf-like ears are revealed.

The red streak in the middle of his hair served as the plume itself. His eyes a bright hazel amongst the bloodshot eyes. His body still remained the same in terms of muscular structure. The only difference was he was much larger in mass. It even showed through the fur he had now.

“Now Hati! Go and get me those Miraculous!” They heard the voice in their head say.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Benoit heard the heavy, muffled discordance just outside the door. The mask faded away, he opened the door to see everyone running down the once empty walkway. Like stampeding bulls charging down an enclosed street.

A resounding bang reverberated all the way down where the others were running from. A locker was flung against the wall, narrowly missing some. “Ah. Death approaches.” He closes the door. Locking it again.

The door was being struck multiple times by most likely other persons who were trying to enter the bathrooms to be out of harms way. Benoit blankly stared at it. He envisioned of being in a darkened place with only one window of light among the room.

He closed his eyes, he saw the place he wanted to be in. With the placement of his palm against the wall behind him, he was ready. “Portal.” He fell through the opened oval in the wall, leaving behind the poor citizens, now victims, to the newly awakened Akuma as they scream and cry behind the locked door.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The sky became grey, overcast by the heavily populated clouds over the past hour. That didn’t stop a few people from eating out in the open area, like Marinette and the two lovebirds next to her, Alya and Nino.

The two saw just how much Adrien’s presence cheered her right back up to her usual self. The grumpiness she displayed had almost everyone in her class feeling the same ever since the model didn’t come school. Alya guessed the girl really changes the room when it came to her emotions.

Marinette made a satisfied noise as she finished her treat. “That was soooo good!” she squealed.

Alya saw her best friend turned to her, asking what she gave her and asked for the recipe. “It’s a cream cheese flan.” She laughed. “I’d send you the recipe but I’ll have to take out my mom’s secret ingredients.” This made the bluenette pout.

“Hey, don’t get all pouty on me, you know it’s a sensitive secret.” Alya winked. Marinette sighed in defeat. “Maybe if Hugo is born though..”

She heard the girl with glasses falsely pondering, “Alya!’ The girl’s face became similar to a ruby.

Nino laughed at the girl’s flustered state along with his girlfriend. “Come on dude, they’ll want sweets one day, right?” He put up the container in his bag, “Damn that stuff was good.” He saw Wayzz nodding their head inside before he zipped it up, leaving a gap where he can see his little green friend.

Alya did the same, though she left back a half eaten cookie with two macarons for later. “Thanks. Though Marinette’s baking is good too.” She humbly praised her friend. “Maybe your ray of sunshine would’ve ate the whole thing.”

“He totally would.” Nino sat back, staring at the clouds.

Alya looked around. “Speaking of your baby boy. Where is he?” Marinette buried her face in her knees she brought up. Oh how badly she just wanted to scream and disappear at this very second. Tikki couldn’t help but giggle, a Ladybug that’s a silly mess was more amusing than she would have ever guessed.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Adrien leaned against the locker, Chloè eyeing him with crossed arms. The boy fidgeted with the sleeve of his shirt. Good thing no one was here snooping around to find out why they were there in the first place.

Considering her closed off stance along with the face she was making, the boy didn’t know what to expect. Be patiently waited for her to say something.

She hung her head. Remembering their argument back at his house as well as the face he made when playing dodgeball was enough to make her want to tear up again. He’s only been so warm to that damned baker and not to his childhood friend. Why was it only her getting this sort of treatment?

Did he not see it?

The way he acts around her?

It’s always been Dupain-Cheng with her little band of idiots walking around. Always them.

Never Chloè Bourgeois.

Not even a joke or two he tries to make with her ever since he joined this school. Day by day is nothing short of pain, suffering and agony ever since she notice Marinette began liking him compared to when she didn’t thanks to that bubble gum prank she pulled. Even when he came back she noticed that Marinette and the others were more fondly reciprocated.

Chloè rose her head. “What’s gotten into you?” She softly spoke.

“Huh?” The confusion evident across his face. “What happened to the Adrikins I know?” The girl cleared her throat at the end, now was not the time for her to choke up already.

Green orbs looked around her as his jaw was slack. “What do you mean? I’m still me.”

Of course he’d say that.

“Really? Cause all I see is you hanging out with other people and actually enjoying it.”

“What? So you don’t want me to hang out with my friends?” He asked, palms facing the roof as his shoulders raised.

“That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m saying that you seem to enjoy their company more than mine.” She took a step closer. He could see the hurt in her blue eyes. “We hardly do anything together, you’re always so upbeat near them. Even when you came back I was so glad to see you, but you had a big smile for the others.”

“I hugged you when we were in that freaky pixel akuma thing’s space and you never hugged me back.” The young Agreste felt guiltier and guiltier by the words she was saying. Feeling as if he’ll sink into the ground.

He collected himself somewhat to be able to say something. “Chloè that’s not my intention, I do enjoy hanging out with you.” He put a hand over his chest.

“Liar.” A one worded bullet straight through his very core. “I bet you think it’s a chore to even talk to me. You’ve tried to help me in certain ways but that’s all it was since you came here.”

If he had his cat ears, they would be drooping as low as they could right now. This dull pain he was feeling in his chest, he hadn’t felt it ever since Ladybug shouted at him last time. “Chlo..” He whispered.

“Don’t.” Her voice wavered. “It’s fine if you’re going to hang out with them. I get it, you don’t want to hang out with someone that’s worse than trash. Right?” She moved away from his hand that tried to reach out for her. “Chloè please, that’s not true.”

She shook her head. “You go ahead. Be with those people.” She turned her back to him, crossing her arms when she did so. “Especially her.”

Adrien’s hand tightened to a fist as the veins in his right arm burned. “So you hate it when I hang out with her. Why?! I thought we were over this!” He couldn’t contain the volume of his voice anymore.

She swiftly turned. “Well I’m not! I don’t like her because she’s taking you away from me! She loves you, that’s why I always talked bad about her!” She screeched back at him.

“I can’t believe you couldn’t notice it! I loved you Adrien! Always did! I always see her as my rival!” His annoyance turned mute for he was stunned by the revelation. “She has a loving family, friends, everything I wish I had! All I have are my dad and his money!”

She glared into his eyes before closing hers with a sigh. “All I wanted was to be yours. But now you’ll just drift away from me.” She walked off, picking up her bag when she got there. The Bourgeois hugged herself as she tries to keep herself strong.

“No! Wait!” Adrien snapped put of his stupor, making a break for his childhood friend in hopes to reconcile things with her. “Chloè!” She felt a hand touch her shoulder.

“Don’t touch me!” She knocked away his arm before shoving him into the locker. His back slammed against the door with a thud which made him cry out. “Since when did she get so strong?” He thought. His head suffered some of the pain thanks to the whiplash.

He looked around whilst trying to sooth his back, reaching around it. They were nowhere to be found. He checked through each gaps to see if she was still in the place. Nothing. No trace of her ever being here in the first place.

Adrien sat down with his back against the wall “Fuck.” He swore under his breath. She loved him? He thought the girl was just being friendly in her own way. It all makes sense as to why she found more and more reasons to try tormenting his classmate.

She was jealous.

He brought his hands on top of his head before they slid down over his face. “I’m such a damned idiot!” He slammed the side of his fist into the wall, spider web cracks formed on the surface. That purple glow in his veins came back, just as fierce as the pain he endured from it.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chloè busted through the locker door, making the trio look across as she ran to the bathrooms holding her head down. Nino leaned forward. “Woah, what’s up with her?” He beat the other two to the punch, leaving them not knowing how to even answer. Alya got up, “Should we check on her?”

Them? Checking on the class brat? “Why?” Marinette asked. “I get that she changed a little ever since but I don’t think she entirely deserves it yet.” She looked up to where the blonde retreated. “I get what you’re saying but..”

The ground shook, making them off balance before they finished what they were saying. “What was that?”

The other two got up. They looked around the school to see the students seemed just as confused. Marinette narrowed her eyes until the ground shook again, it was much more aggressive than subtle. Some bickering began in the school, a few cowering on the floor and some holding on to the nearest object to keep stable.

There was a loud noise far off in the distance, whatever it was sounded massive. Like a giant taking a step or a building crashing down.

Phones beeped in the school, the principal came out from his office in a panic. “Everyone! There’s an akuma on the loose, call your parents now to pick you up from school!” The three weren’t entirely shocked, though the noise certainly made them think of a plan to get there.

Adrien slowly came out of the locker room , looking around with an unreadable expression. “Adrien!” Marinette ran up to him, nearly falling over a few times. “Marinette?”

“What were you doing in there with Chloè? She got a long sigh in response. “Maybe later.” He spoke in a somewhat dejected tone. She felt like asking him what exactly happened but now wasn’t the right time.

“What’s going on?” He looked at her. “There’s an akuma, we need to go!”

As soon as he came back huh? How nice. Maybe he really is cured with bad luck. “This way!” He heard the principal barked.

He looked to see everyone evacuating. “Shit.” He muttered. Why now of all times? “Yo dude!” Nino and Alya came up to him. “The thing’s far from here, so we have enough time to get outta here.”

“What is it?” Adrien questioned.

Both of them looked at each other. “We don’t know. There’s nothing on it yet other than it’s fast.” Alya hastily explained. How nice, that’s totally a good thing. “What about Chloè? Where is she?” Alya glanced up to the bathrooms.

“She’s-“ She left the bathrooms with her bag. She didn’t even bat an eye over to their direction. She blitzed through the students, shoving whoever was in the way of the door. “Gone.” Alya finished. “Dammit!” He yelled out, startling the three.

The shaking calmed down. Everyone now has proper stability to run as quick as they can when they get out. “We shouldn’t waste time here. We should hurry.” Alya said.

With that, they dashed outside. Marinette was the first to depart from them. “Get home safe Adrien!” She called back. He nodded before moving full sprint with the two.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Marinette got through the door as quick as she could before closing it shut. “Sweetie? What’s going on?” She heard her mother’s worried tone.

Marinette went for the backroom. “There’s an akuma out there. They let us out early so we can be safer.” She summarised. Sabine’s eyes widened. “Oh dear!” She exclaimed. “Is it close?”

Marinette shook her head. “There’s a thing saying it might get here in Paris though.” She said before she bolted up the stairs.

“Why is she in such a hurry then?” She thought.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Adrien ran off into an enclosed space, thankfully Alya and Nino didn’t notice his disappearance. He unzipped his bag and the small cat flew out biting into his cheese. His façade finally dropping once again.

Though one thing was clear. He felt glad to be back, though, horrible for what happened between him and Chloè. Besides, he didn’t have to exaggerate his facial expressions.

“Plagg! Claws out!” He stuck out his ring.

The black cat was slowly being sucked into the ring. “Why don’t you ever warn me!?” He protested before he got sucked into the ring. The green light emitting from him as he got his usual black suit back on him.

He cracked his fingers. “Black Hole!” He let his palm connect to the floor, the hole expanding enough for him to fall through.

He dropped down into the sewers, landing on his feet. Judging by where he was in the sewers, he was rather close to the boys. He hopped over to the other side before getting a move on down the path

“Hey! There’s an akuma up there so we need to move!” His voice reverberated. “Don’t think you’re entirely free just because-“

He suddenly skidded to a stop as the stench was even worse than usual. He retched, his stomach trying to reject his lunch he had.

The nausea immediately had his head like it was stuck in a washing machine. He covered his mouth quickly, he stopped breathing as well as he went further down. “Jeez! Is it me or it got worse!?” He spoke in his mind.

“Hey! Can you hear me!” Chat Noir hollered to the pitch dark. “There’s something going on so I have t-“

He turned the corner to see one of the boys were laid on the floor. Completely battered to the point their face was unrecognizable. Blood spilling into the water as there were bits of red bits scattered around their head. The other, was missing. From the clothes however, he knew it was Carter, who was murdered.

“No way..” Chat ran to find the exit. “Shit, shit! Where are they!?”

The ground shook once again, nearly sending him into the gross sewage entirely. “Gah.” He held onto the rail tight. “Never mind. Have to get that thing taken care of first.” He kept himself up with his support as he lead himself down the exit route. His staff buzzed, he took it out and checked the screen.

Reminder: Tournament day.

Chat Noir stopped. He forgot about that entirely! But.. there’s no way right? It surely couldn’t be cancelled. His fingers speedily searched for any new alerts, there was one posted almost a minute ago!

He clicked. “This just in, from a survivor of the rampaging akuma on the loose has reported it is a young male who had lost the fight.” He read, he silently swore. His hand shaking at where the report was going.

“She didn’t know what exactly happened but one of them had lost. The fight was furious with their coach who threw in the towel which she stated was Joel Zarlič!?” He decided he had read enough.

He needed to find them.

Now.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Benoit came through the wall. He knew he was exactly where he wanted to be since he saw one of the missing teens right in front of him. “Heya buddy.” He casually greeted.

Marco groggily moved his head up. “You.” He scowled.

The man took off his hood. “Me.” They said lazily, holding a smirk under the mask. “Sorry about your friend by the way.” He squat down in front of the troublemaker.

“You backstabbing son of a bitch.” He weakly croaked. “We did what we were told. We even figured out Adrien is a goddamned super hero. And you killed him..”

“You killed Carter!” Marco shouted, wriggling against his restraints. Benoit chuckled. “That, you and I did.” He clicked his tongue in thought. “It was kind of funny seeing his reaction. Chat Noir, the despised hero of Paris. Brutally beating him to death with his staff.”

Marco glared at the man with a burning passion. “Except. It wasn’t Chat.” Benoit continued. “Disguise.”

His form changed into Chat Noir’s form, he was at the exact height, had the exact hair, everything. “It’s another one of my tricks, you see. I can change into anyone.”

He went through various bodies, faces, every single detailed down packed on each and every one of them. He changed into his late partner in crime with a smug look. “I can even be your friend.”

Marco began to grind his teeth against each other. “You fucking asshole!” His angered roar made them laugh hysterically. “I’ll fucking kill you when I break free!”

The man’s laughter made the hairs on his neck stand tall. As much as he was keeping up his façade well, his fight or flight instincts were heavily leaning towards the latter.

He looked through the mask’s eyeholes. Never in his life had he seen something so horrifying in a person.

The soul behind those very blue orbs was a swirl of light and dark coarsely blended together. Matter of fact, it did look like his eyes became swirls! “Because I have one final task for you. One you cannot refuse.” His voice coloured with excitement, it only made Marco’s blood run cold inside. The incoherent rambling only made it all worse for the captured boy.

“How wonderful, how beautiful it will be!” He continued on as he pictured it inside his head. “And what will you achieve? What is the purpose for all of this?!” Marco snapped.

Benoit looked down at him. “I’m doing it because I don’t care anymore.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Marco narrowed his eyes at the person. “I’ve suffered enough to know my life is to just relish in it. The tugging and struggling between hope and despair is an exhilarating feeling.” His wicked grin widened further, this guy is seriously insane!

Benoit leaned into their face. “You’ll never know the feeling.” He slowly stood up with his hands outstretched as he looked down at them. “The feeling of such motivation that brings power.” Marco backed his head away from the man.

He didn’t know what to think, was he dreaming? Did someone drug his coffee to put him in a never ending nightmare? His spirit cringed, never mind writhed in it’s vessel listening to that madman. He couldn’t begin to fathom how such a person lived amongst them this whole time. He silently prayed that Ladybug and her crew would be able to find him before anything happens.

Chapter Text

Ladybug zipped over to the point of interest where the commotion was coming from with Rena and Carapace following short behind. “It has to be here somewhere!” She looked at the retreating civilians.

They all saw a car thrown all the way over to their location. “Woah!” Ladybug flung her yoyo to different lampposts, balustrades, any and everything that acts as an anchor point. It was safely caught in her web of string before she set it down. The helicopter could be heard passing overhead, most likely it was the news team trying to get footage.

There was a man, clearly terrified for his life as he tried to start the car back up. A loud scream mixed with a horrific howl caught their attention to a person charging forward to them at high speeds. The sheer panic written all over their face as Carapace readied their shield and the other two got ready.

“I’ll try to stop him. Carapace, you stand back and help them. Rena, you’re with me.” Ladybug spun her yoyo as she charged towards it too. Rena took to the buildings, running across the wall at the same speed as her leader.

Ladybug let her weapon extended before whipping at them. The akuma effortlessly dodged it, though it slowed down quite a lot. Ladybug kept the barrage up, a red streak hurling with a ‘whoosh’ each time. The akuma slowed all the way down to a stop to deflect the hailing attacks.

The mask appeared in front of their face. “Yesss. There’s one of the heroes you need to fight! Get her miraculous and we’ll find the next one!” Hawkmoth instructed.

“Rena!”

Rena hopped off the side of the building. “On it!” She spun her flute before smacking it against their gauntlet. “Shit, he blocked it!” Rena got her feet on the ground, she tried to sweep his legs with a kick but he jumped back.

Both The Fox and Wolf were dodging the yoyo as they clashed against one another whenever the saw an opening. She rushed to his flank, faking a punch before slipping to the other side and throwing a kick to his head. Alas, the akuma was quicker for kept her away with a stiff arm for the yoyo to come crashing down on her.

“Ah!” She grabbed the top of her head in pain before she was kicked into the building on his left.

The wolf handsprung backwards out of the way of the next strike. “Rena!” He heard the bug themed hero cry out for her friend. His eyes widened as they caught Carapace trying to help the man out of the car far behind her.

Hati deeply growled as his ears rolled back. He jogged before he burst into a charging sprint again. “Oh no you don’t! you tried that already!” She reeled it back to get ready for another ranged barrage.

Their red markings shone brightly on their skin and fur before he became a bullet. She was blown back by the air with a squeak as the akuma sped past her in the blink of an eye.

Carapace didn’t have time to react at all, just felt the full force of something barging against the side of the car with before they hit into a building. Half of it wasted no time collapsing on them except for Carapace, who used the shield to protect himself from the rubble and superhuman strength to kick off of the vehicle.

He rolled on his back and stood on his feet before steps could be heard on his right, the familiar red and black spots barely in his vision. “That thing is no joke man.” He focused on the scene.

Ladybug spun her weapon again. “You’re telling me. What the hell’s up with this thing?” Rena made her way there too. “Thank god you’re alright.” Ladybug looked at the vulpine with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry I clocked you there.”

Rena waved her hand. “It’s really not your fault.”

“Wait! No, Please!” Ladybug looked back to the rubble in surprise. “Just listen to me I-“ They heard a nightmarish screech that made the three flinch in horror.

“Dammit I can’t sit back here!” With a yell, she ran blindly towards the ruined infrastructure. She was hit right back into the streets through the dust with a breathless bawl.

Carapace caught her in his arms from tumbling any further. “Ugh, He packs a punch.” She rubbed her stomach with a sharp inhale, thank god the suits really absorbs the impact so she can’t exactly feel pain.

Though that didn’t save her from having the wind knocked out of her.

The screeching got worse as they heard metal creaking. An arm flew out into view, “Oh my god!” Rena covered her mouth. Carapace gently let his leader down before having his turn in there. He jumped right in and immediately felt a strike against his shield.

“Ha! Not this time!” He shoved the shield back at them, making their back hit against the beaten up car. Hati held forward, using his leg to push against the car so he can move forward. Carapace stooped lower, taking a wider stance as they struggled for dominance.

They saw the red markings flare up, “Whatever you’re going to do, it ain’t gonna work dude!” He felt one of their arms come off the shield and struck him back a little to the large hole.

Carapace regained his footing to go back in until he was grappled. “Shit!” His legs left the ground, he was thrown right into the earth with a sickening thud before being kicked to the others’ feet outside with a yell.

The thing came out of the dust cloud holding him up with one hand. They were both bloodied, it was even worse due to the missing arm. The battered man hardly made any sound as he dangled in the air.

His legs were snapped out of position along with the fact one of them had a bone sticking out through their pants. He let go of the man’s shirt letting him drop to the floor. It raised it’s foot above their head, ready to crush the victim’s own into a pulp.

“No!” Ladybug hastily got up. Throwing the yoyo with as much haste as she can muster.

Their heel was about to come down before Joel dropped through the floor where a hole was created. Something flew out with a swing of a staff that made their head snap back.

“Huh?!” Ladybug’s eyes widened.

They flipped in the air before landing on their feet in between the two parties. They wore that familiar black suit, that hair. Long, golden hair, those ears and his belt-tail that all belonged to her kitty cat!

Chat primed his staff before keeping a sharp gaze towards Hati, who he now recognizes is Kieran Rabiot despite the physical change in appearance. He took a very deep breath, this was going to be rough.

[&&&&&&&&&&&]

“Chat Noir has currently arrived to the scene!” Nadja held her balance in the helicopter as they got eyes on the Feline. “Striking back after disappearing for a while!”

Chloè watched the news on her phone, still feeling upset over what happened earlier. She wanted to be out there to help them, but, after seeing how relentless the beast is, she found herself breaking out in cold swear at the thought what it might do to her.

She commended the fact Chat came back to public light, already on the attack against something so harrowing.

She cuddled her little teddy bear as she continued watching on. The camera zoomed out to where the news crew were, yet still having a view below. God knows what they’re gonna do to take it down now, all they know is the four needs to figure out the plan. There were already quite some casualties because of that damn thing, if they lose..

No.

They mustn’t lose. They couldn’t afford it to escalate further. They’re the only ones to be able to fight this thing. She prayed no one gets too distracted or it gets too difficult to handle for the four whilst unconsciously squeezing her stuffed toy like how a bear would hug another of it’s kind.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The akuma bared their teeth as they got back up on one knee. In a flash, they punched the ground in frustration, cracks forming as a small tremor was created. The cracks in the asphalt reached across the building until it finally came down on the car.

Chat Noir watched as they stood tall in the middle of the road. “Rabiot.” He said in a disapproving tone. “I don’t know what happened, but I never took you as the type to do this.”

Chat glared at their akumatized friend still as they roared back him.

Carapace held his head up. “Chat! He’s quick, try to keep an eye on him when you can!” He groaned.

He said nothing as the two stared each other down. A hole opened up next to the three before the person’s body was spat out by the void. “What the hell?” Rena jumped at the sudden ejection.

Hati looked over the Cat-like hero’s shoulder to see his target made it over to the other annoying pests. They took on their stance, an intimidating aura radiating off of him all the while.

“Carapace, try to get him out of here as quick as you can.” Ladybug looked over to the boy. “Rena can be with you as back up.”

Acknowledging her order, he got Joel on his back before running away with Rena. Hati screamed at the retreating figures before trying to make a run for it. They felt their body being restrained by string. “No way!” She pulled on the string, pulling him out of the air.

Chat swung back his staff like a baseball bat before smacking it across his head with enough force to make them fly back a couple metres. It landed gracefully, though it looked even more ticked off than before.

The yoyo snatched back into her hand. “Two hits, not bad, we couldn’t even get one.” She huffed looking at her partner. He held onto the staff at his side while trudging forward, completely ignoring her attempt at trying to converse with him, making her frown.

A purple mask formed in front of Hati’s face. “Both of them are here!” The voice in his head barked. “Now is your time to get those miraculous and we both get our wishes!”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Hawkmoth watched as the teen leapt forward with Chat into a heated clash before Ladybug joined in the fray as well. Hati was hardly taking any hits thanks to their heightened reflexes.

The variety of attacks and quick thinking made the cherry on the cake so much sweeter to him.

Hawkmoth couldn’t contain his smile any longer. “Yes! Fight like the animal you are!” He cackled loudly, watching as they struggled to form any string of tactics as the akuma kept pushing forward no matter the challenge the heroes brought.

Nathalie could only sit still, locked in her own body as her boss got lost in their own mania watching the heroes struggle. Nothing would’ve been better for him than to feel the accessories through his gloves when he wins. Emilie may not agree, but he needed this, he needed her back into his life to form a happy family again!

[&&&&&&&&&&&]

Kieran’s father watched in horror ever since they got eyes on him, he refused to believe that it was his own son wreaking such havoc in the city.

The screen showing the akuma made stomped on the ground, making a large boulder fly up from the ground before they kicked it towards Ladybug and Chat noir. Thankfully they got out of the way before they got crushed.

The man fell back into his chair. “What did they do, Kieran?” He asked aloud. His mouth was dry listening and watching the news like a hawk. He heard his wife’s voice coming from the bedroom. “Cole?” He leaned back, making a noise in acknowledgement. “What’s happening out there?!”

His mind stopped at that exact moment. What was he going to say now? He knew damn well if he told her the truth she would panic.

He really didn’t want that.

And he’s pretty sure that she’s told their son many times that she doesn’t like seeing him get hurt. No matter what it is, if it’s physical or mental. She always wanted to shield him from the bad things in life, but he knew it’s no way to live. No matter how much he loves his boy, he believed that he has to learn a few lessons through challenge and hardships. He wanted to say this would be one of them, except, he didn’t have a single clue as to what made him turn like this.

His wife called his name from her bedroom again, his mind rummaged for any words he can find in his shock. He quietly hit the armrest. “There’s an akuma.” He forced himself to speak.

“Oh god.” He knew from the tone of her voice what she was exactly going to ask. “Is Kieran okay? Where is he?”

He watched his son primarily focusing on Chat Noir as he used his staff to block, parry and make openings for Ladybug to attack. Unsurprisingly, he turned his priority to the red and black heroine.

He got into a wild goose chase, bouncing building to building, streetlights and vehicles with Chat Noir failing to keep up with them to initiate combat.

“He’s fine. Just hiding out by the football stadium right now.” He didn’t care if that sounded solid or not for a lie. Not even if she begins questioning him more.

He just wanted his son back..

[&&&&&&&&&&&]

Ladybug hopped on top of a car. “Where is that akuma?!” She jumped to the roof, barely escaping from a motorcycle that was thrown at her.

Chat dove down and they reengage in a series of punches, kicks, even swipes of claws from the akuma that would’ve gave him a nasty cut across his features. “Has to be in their gloves or in those boots!” He replied.

“So now you want to talk?!”

“Not no- oof!”

He felt his stomach caved in by a right hand cross, making him double over. The akuma roared as he finally got to work. Delivering to swift kicks to their head and a shot to their liver.

“Fuck!” He knelt over, retching in immense pain.

He didn’t even get time to react until he found himself soaring through the air after he felt something caught him around his body.

Bang!

The ground shook with intensity, making the asphalt shatter and rise as each crack illuminated before it blew up.

Varying pieces of road shot up in the air to become a dirty imitation of hail, raining down onto other vehicles and buildings, cracking glass, denting metallic materials and ricocheted off of the helicopter’s blades. It eased away from the oncoming rain of shards, that was surely a lesson on not getting to close to the fire for the pilot.

The glow of the gauntlets start to grow weaker and weaker. Until, it was it’s regular colour as he climbed out of the hole.

It tilted it’s head upwards, Chat slipped away! The girl in red and black had her yoyo wrapped around his waist, pulling him up to the rooftops with her. When Chat finally got his feet on some sort of grounds, he covered his mouth before spewing blood over the edge.

“Are you okay?! What’s happening?!” Ladybug dropped by his side. The blond coughed as the rest of it came out. “I’m fine. I think.” He croaked hoarsely.

Ladybug’s brows furrowed at the boy. “Why are you fighting him head on?” She gave a frustrated sigh. “Are you trying to get yourself killed or something?!”

“I’m trying to find out any weaknesses they might have.”

“Well we’re sure not getting anywhere! If you just listen to me instead of being a training dummy for it, we’ll at least be able to restrain him!”

Chat looked over to her with an annoyed glare. “Then why the fuck did you let him go then, huh?!”

“Oh i’m sorry I couldn’t think after seeing my partner who disappeared on me just randomly come out of the ground one day!”

“That doesn’t mean to let him g-“ His ears twitched, making his head snap upward to the sound. “Move!”

Chat Noir shoves her out of the way of an incoming jump kick that connected to Chat’s left side. A series of cracks coming from the connection as he flew back with blinding speed. The haunting screams that came from him were just like the night he was electrocuted.

“Chat, no!” She cried out for her partner.

The akuma landed on the other rooftop, “Excellent work Hati!” Hawkmoth praised in a gleeful tone. “You’re one down, hurry and get down there!”

They took a step forward before they felt a lousy lash across their back. Turning around, they saw Ladybug standing defiantly against him on the other side.

Hawkmoth groaned in annoyance. “Change of plans, get rid of her first, then find that mangy alley cat.” Ladybug showed her earrings. “You want these?! Then you’ll have to catch me!” She let herself be carried away by her weapon. The half-human beast, went after her with a short bellow.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Carapace’s grip on his shield got tighter seeing the live broadcast. “That damn thing is sure not pulling any punches.”

He turned away from the TV. He practically heard the impact just by watching it, the people standing by also watching hardly gave a surprised response. Rather, some of them flat out said that they expected it. Unfortunately, so did he.

He shook his head at himself. He believes in his partner, always has. But the fact he was beginning to think like the others made him ashamed.

He’s heard it as soon as he got into the hospital to get him urgent help as fast as possible with the help of his girlfriend. When they carried him away his ears was filled with groans and depreciative words for their comrade. Though seeing him get hit like that only made it worse, it’s almost as if he’s programmed to just take the hits for ladybug.

The turtle cleared his throat. “We gotta get back out there, she needs our help Rena.” Carapace shuffled his way over to the doors with a stride of uncertainty. He looked behind him when he realized she was not next to him.

Her hands were shaking whilst her head was directed to the floor, he guessed it’s from that same thing.

Only one thing came across the turtle’s mind: “I’m in the same boat as you. Alya.” He cracked his fingers. “But I’m ready when you are.” She looked up, clenching the flute in her hand before they both ran out of the hospital together. Having the location memorized in their head.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chloè paced up and down her room. “Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!” She just watched the cat got hit shoving Ladybug out of the way.

She held her phone tight as Ladybug initiated another faceoff. Judging by her full on attacking pattern, she might have something up her sleeve.

Thankfully, all should be going well since the cameraman caught the two heroes approaching the scene again. “Come on guys, please win this. Please.” She stopped her pacing.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

“We’re here!” Carapace blocked an elbow strike from the akuma before shoving him away. Rena followed up with a few of her own with her flute, barely moving out of the way from each swipe they tried to retaliate with.

The rush she was feeling was not a pleasant one to say the least, though it did help her reaction times well enough.

The akuma tried to launch a kick to her front before it was parried away by Carapace’s shield. The yoyo caught their arm and dragged them forward. They wrought blistering strikes every time they could whilst Carapace mainly did his best covering each counterattack for them.

Ladybug squinted her eyes. Hati had a hard time keeping up with them when he’s outnumbered but extremely dangerous to take on alone! The bad news, was their hits looked like they hardly did any damage. Just pissed it off even more by how wild their attacks were getting.

“Carapace, Rena!” She alerted them. “They can’t take two or more people attack at the same time!” Rena’s flute was knocked right out of her hand, resorting her to only use her fists now.

Rena swore, trying her best at throwing her punches. “Lost my flute! I don’t know much about fighting here!” She duck and rolled out of the way from a double spin kick that surely would’ve sent her back yards away.

Carapace had a hard time keeping up with the akuma due to the predictability of Rena’s fighting style. He kept being on one side, shielding the vulpine from the barrage of attacks that were thrown into the shell.

The akuma let out a roar, the sound of wolf and human mixed together as the markings illuminated again.

Carapace grunted. “Now what?!”

Ladybug came down to punch it, Hati weaved to the right before making a quick shift to their right side. She ended up punching the shield instead, whilst Rouge, was going to mistakenly retaliate with one of her own as she vaulted over Carapace.

The world felt like it slowed down for the leader. She turned her head, realizing that they were bunched up together in one spot.

Their gauntlets were lit on fire. She watched them reeled their hands back, before they were caught in a fireball with great force of pressure as soon as he thrust his hands out. All three heroes flew down the street with a grimace with each groan emitting from them. Dancing kindles of fire lingered on their suit with no sort of damage being done to it,

Ladybug slid across the ground as the others tumbled to a stop.

Her eyes barely creaked open to see that beast, slowly trudging towards her with that purple hologram. She was knocked back down with a foot planted on her stomach. She used her hands to keep their claws from reaching her earrings.

Her arms shook as it inched closer and closer until she felt one of them being undone. “No! Stop!” She cried out as the suit slowly start to fade away, her skin being kissed by the cool air.

Her fingertips were burned by the heat of the gauntlets, making her retract her hand. She could see the helicopter in the sky above them, still recording the events live for Paris to see. Her legs flailed around, her hands trying to keep away the gauntlets again as they burned her.

Half of her arms were already showing, her mask was beginning to do the same now too.

Her head turned to the side, trying to hide her face whilst protecting her other accessory the only way she knew how at the moment. She saw her best friend unconscious on the floor next to her, Carapace’s shield was just above her. “Alya..” She whispered inwardly.

She felt her hands being pushed back again, slower, yet assured to take it. “Carapace.. Everyone, I’m sorry.”

Her eyes squeezed tight, prolonging it for as long as she could. The gauntlets inched closer and closer.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Splash!

The feline hero plunged into the water, intensifying the pain that already consumed him. Bubbles gushed from Chat’s mouth as he descended, swallowed by the deep.

In a desperate instinct, he thrust his arms upward in an attempt to reach the surface. Agony seared through him, amplifying his garbled cries as he protected his aching ribs. “I have to reach the surface!” His mind screamed, urging his flailing feet to propel him upwards.

It proved fruitless. With the speed he was moving at he would never get there in time for air.

He didn’t have any of the transforming cheeses for Plagg so he can use his aqua form. He thrashed around violently as he still sunk.

Further,

Further,

And further.

The last set of air in his lungs escaped through his mouth. His body immediately went limp all on its own, he watched the light at the surface had been washed across by the ever growing darkness.

He heard saw nothing.

He felt nothing.

But he heard something.

A voice, several of them. All taunting him for being a good for nothing failure of a hero. Telling him he wasn’t wanted anymore, he was weak, trashy, never even deserved to be next to the embodiment of hope herself.

He can even hear his closest friends jeering at his alter ego too.

That mocking crowd of laughter.. It hurts. He was only trying his best to protect Paris along with the girl he once loved shamelessly. Only for her to say how annoying he is entirely, also proving to Paris and Adrien that she doesn’t need him, even if a plan or situation heavily suggests it..

They even threatened to take away his miraculous.

His joy.

His freedom..

“And the cat? Fails once more.” He heard a voice spoke to him.

“You told yourself you will try to do better for the people that hates you, including ladybug. ” He chuckled slightly “And still, you’re just as absentminded as them.”

“What will it take?..”

In the darkness, he saw a box floating in front of him. But that shouldn’t have been possible, he was still underwater! It slowly opened up, a small piece of accessory came out before it floated towards him. When it got closer, he saw it was a ring, it was bright grey with engravings surrounding it.

The surface, held nothing but the paws of a cat again.

“What will it take for you to realize?!” They shouted.

“The people will always see you as nothing but a useless sidekick! A sidekick that shouldn’t even hold a miraculous!”

The dark split into different webs of cracks before shattering into a grey void, filled with shards of black. A tall man making their way up to them. “How will you repay their disdain?!” His were eyes filled with hysteria.

“What will you gain, from them all?!”

....

“Agony and Power. My path shall be absolute.”

Adrien replied, His arm reached out to the surface once more as he claimed the ring. Beyond the dull light, were his veins under the suit turning bright purple along with his arm. It crackled, sparking, he could feel the energy radiating off of it.

The purple arcs of electricity arced out, spreading far across the sea as he saw the light above get brighter with it.

“I want to get stronger so I won’t let anyone down.” His memory played his sentence from before, as if to remind him of why he’s still fighting. “I want everyone to believe in me.” The last words rattled in his brain, echoing, churning every last corners of his subconscious.

Adrien’s eyes snapped open, revealing a pair of blackened eyes with a glow of two white rings for irises.

“What a crock of shit.”

Chapter Text

Paris was introduced to a light show.

Quick, blinding flashes of purple lightning disoriented the akuma’s vision, while the sonorous crackling made them cover their ears.

It struck all around the city, even the louvre, as the glass shattered into many pieces once it made the connection. Hati looked up to witness the lightning not only striking the ground and objects, but it also crept across the sky as well.

The helicopter was forced to flee the scene once it became worse. Nadja looked down by the seine river and saw a part of it glowing the same colour in one particular spot “Hey! Look at that!” Nadja tapped their shoulder. He picked back up the camera to film it, “One quick update before we go! There’s something going on in the seine river again!”

She held on tight as a bolt almost struck them down , the pilot was sent into a panic, almost losing control of their aircraft as the spun out of balance for a moment.

Nadja and the cameraman held onto handles for support along with the fact they would most likely die if they didn’t. The camera fell out of the helicopter, sadly, which brought the end to the feed for every Parisian. Even if he did, no one would’ve expected the next thing to happen. There was a large charge in the air before it became a big lightning bolt, descending to the spot in the river at a slower speed than the others.

As soon as it touched, it start to shift in colour, from purple to green. It creates a large sinkhole similar to the one Chloè recorded a while ago and they heard a booming scream broke out into the air.

The akuma watched from a decent distance away. They held a ready posture expecting the worst to happen.

“Rabiot!” The voice echoed across for everyone to hear.

The akuma froze, not in fear, but shock.

Ladybug gasped, that voice sounded like Chat! Did he come back for her after that?! She felt the creature ease up away from her face along with the gauntlets. The lightning finally dispersed, the thunder gave it’s last set of booms.

A whooshing sound followed by stomps passed over her with the draft blowing her hair around. She felt something solid, metallic-like fell right on her cheek.

That can’t be true..

She gingerly reached up to her face to pick it up. Not expecting too much, she brought it to her eye sight. It was! The black and red earring was back in her possession! She hastily put it back in her ear before sitting herself up, hiding half her face with a hand. Tight, comfortable latex material formed over her exposed skin quickly, she felt herself regaining a newfound confidence.

Though, she needed to act fast. Her friends were still out cold, she had enough time to drag them out of there. If it wasn’t Chat, she hoped whoever it was that knocked them away is able to keep up the fight for long enough.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The cat crash landed with the akuma before they squared off in the centre of the park. Everyone in their homes nearby watched with a silent, worried gaze. The akuma’s attacks kept missing Chat as he kept slipping through his hands and feet. Even grappling was a pain for the highly trained martial artist.

Chloè was perched by the very top of the building, looking on at the hero.

Their hair were a dark grey instead of gold, their suit’s also grey, but a bit lighter, mixed with accents of black around the neck, arms and legs in the form of shifting gradients. Chloè immediately went to phone Alya, only to realize her phone was out of battery now. She swore, stomping her foot before placing it back in her pocket.

Chat slapped away a few punches before he threw Hati over his shoulder. Just as he was about to dive after him with his right hand cocked, he felt two feet hit into his chest. He was rocketed up to the hotel’s balustrade right next to the girl, landing in a crouched position after correcting himself mid-air. She looked at their face as if someone had died in front of her. Which wasn’t too far from the truth anyway. His face was the very definition of primal fury.

The way his features were twisted under that sharp mask which highlighted his expression more. It was just like when he was against Crystalice. The two instances of Adrien’s angered face came to her mind. Those eyes looked just as furious when he was going to throw the ball at her during P.E. And that expression he wore..

God, that look..

It looked exactly the same.

The mapping and comparison between Chat against Crystalice, Adrien scolding her for talking down on Marinette’s name and now the new Chat here too. Every single detail aligned right in front of her.

Chloè couldn’t keep her mouth from falling open slightly. “Adrien?” She mouthed.

The booming roar coming from his own mouth caused the area to shake, the teen shot right back down towards them. Chloè grasped the balustrade, trying to get a closer look as she leaned over it. The akuma tripped on their own foot trying to step back, a horrible slip up.

Chat rung his fist across the head which cracked the side of the helmet. “You wanted a fight Rabiot?!” Chat barked. “Well here it is!”

Chat grasped a piece of the helmet that was in the air. A white neon mask swiftly materialized in front of his face just as he spoke. “Cataclysm: Transferral Rot!” Him and Benoit said at the same time.

The piece began to rust before breaking away in his palms, the helmet was not different. The only armour he had on him went from a honey gold to an eyesore, cracking, crumbling, until it fell off their head in pieces altogether. The neon mask vanished away. “Can you hear me Hawkmoth!?” He blocked a few wild strikes before catching their leg.

He yanked his leg to him, swiftly raising his elbow moving forward making contact to Hati’s throat. “If you want it! Take it yourself!” The akuma grabbed their throat with a hoarse sounding choking sound. It became even worse since it was followed up by a caved in solar plexus.

His hand reached far, as if he was flat out impaled on a spike. “I’ve had enough of you taunting me!” He slipped by their kick effortlessly. Chat took their arm before throwing them into the fountain, breaking it apart entirely. The akuma laid on it’s back in a daze.

[&&&&&&&&&&&]

Hawkmoth gripped his cane tight in his hands. Was his mind playing tricks on him right now? That can’t be Chat at all! “What is this?!” He barked out.

Hawkmoth paced around the lair with his head tilted down, his hand trembling with the amount of force he was gripping the tip of it. He was certain this was truly where he won, Ladybug’s earrings were in Hati’s hands and Chat’s ring would just be collected from his body.

But no! Of course something had to go wrong!

“Is there something I’m missing?” The man whispered harshly to himself, “I’ve done everything I could to break him down mentally, I made sure to wring a sense of uselessness into his mind! A mindless puppet to bring me Ladybug’s miraculous!”

His head began to ache along with the frantic drumming in his chest. Had nearly a year of bad karma finally caught up to him? As far as he could tell from the recent weeks, he’s done nothing wrong at all whilst moving forward. Only a few strange occurrences happened but it wasn’t anything to fuss about really! His pacing only quickened the more the thought about it.

A pained groan made him stop. “Hati!” He yelled. Through their vision, they were really beaten up from how shaky they were. “Get up, now! You need those miraculouses as much as I do, fight harder or I’ll take away your powers!”

So said, so done. They had groggily pushed them self off the floor, shrugging off the burning sensation in their muscles.

He caught sight of Chat standing a few feet away from him, his grey hair cascading past his shoulders as he was hunched over. He looked primed and ready to go as if he wasn’t damaged from the kick he took from the akuma earlier. That singular white ring in both eyes with a dot in the middle pierced through Hawkmoth, even if it wasn’t really *him* he was truly looking at.

“You think a new look will save you? My akuma will fight on, he still has energy left in his tank!” Hawkmoth shouted.

Hati’s markings began to glow brightly along with their gauntlets and greaves, Chat didn’t miss the rising smoke that came from the listed parts, it reminded him of a match when struck, except it doesn’t truly ignite. The feline took on his guard, raising both hands up to their head.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Ladybug shook the two of her partners on opposite sides in hopes of them waking up for the nth time in a row. They were hidden in the area after they fought the akumatized tailor. “Carapace, Rena! I need both of you right now, please!” They still remained unconscious, deaf to her pleas more than anything else.

The heroine grunted to herself, standing as she took the yoyo from around her waist. This was a tough situation but she knew she had to stay strong for everyone. No words could explain her gratitude for whoever gave her a second chance at making things right. The sirens reached her ears, it sure took them a while to make some sort of movement through the city.

She couldn’t entirely blame the police or any service for that matter. Any rational being would not want to be near a fierce combatant that’s been akumatized, especially when it’s giving superheroes a hard time.

The bracelet and necklace caught her bluebell eyes, it would be bad if they’re just there for the taking. Even though no one should pass through where they were, there’s still a small chance they could be found.

“I’m sorry you two.” She took both items into her hand, making the two heroes revert to normality. “I need to keep these safe, you’ll understand.”

She hopped on a dumpster before flipping upward between the two buildings. Spinning the yoyo as she landed on the roof, she wasted no time throwing it up in the air. “Lucky Charm!” The bugs flew out in a spiral before it came together to form..

A scroll.

Ladybug’s hand shook slightly as the object dropped in her hand, just what in the hell is she supposed to do with this?! Ladybug slowly turned around, letting her eyes wander everywhere. The buildings, the passing police cars, bridges, monuments. Nothing stuck out to her! Ladybug threw the scroll down in a fit of anger, it unfurled to show white paper with Chinese writing with a familiar symbol in the middle. Upon closer inspection, it made complete sense now.

She couldn’t find anything because it’s not for battle, it’s for assistance. Master Fu.. She needed to find him, and fast!

She took it into her hands again, making a great leap before using her yoyo to quickly make her way over to the building she needed to be. Upon arrival, she ignored the beeping of her earrings which signalled her last four minutes. They ran up the flight of stairs before bursting through the door. “Master Fu! The Lucky Charm brought me to you!”

The room became silent as she saw the old man currently on the floor in a balled position. “Master!” She dropped to her knees next to the man, his skin and lips were a bluish hue along with the fact it sounded like he had difficulty breathing, his pained hisses could softly be heard as they hold their stomach tighter. “Oh no, no.”

Grabbing his hand, she brought it up to her cheek, his skin felt hot to the touch. Way too hot. Looking by his face, he was drooling excessively which coated some of his blisters on his lips.

She stood up quickly, grabbing her hair as her eyes dart around the room. Her legs were anything but stable as she scanned all around the room she was in. There was no phone to be found, just regular old furniture and the gong. Her brain was scrambling for an answer in this dire problem she faced, another one of her spots faded away. Three minutes left on the clock.

Ladybug searched one of the drawers and saw his personal tablet. “Wait! This should have the SOS feature!” When she tapped on the power button, it immediately turned on to show their apps and wallpaper.

She tapped it numerous times until the SOS button appeared. She pressed it, allowing their location to be revealed. It began to show a microphone with a sound wave around it. “Hello, this is Ladybug!” It danced with her voice. “I’m in need of Medics and an ambulance, I don’t have much time left and I have to get back soon, someone is severely ill by this location!”

After a second, the screen shifted to a map with the streets in fine detail along with the nearest hospital that’s been alerted to them.

Ladybug’s voice shook. “Good, good.” She looked over to the phonograph. “I need Queen Bee again, she’s our best hope against it, just like last time.” She pressed a few buttons in a precise order so it can show the miracle box. She desperately prayed that Chloè will be up for the task, but first, she needed to head home to recharge.

She snatched the Bee comb before stooping down to Master Fu. “Help is gonna be here soon Master Fu, please, just hang in there.” She closed up the box and the phonograph before she booked it out of there.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Benoit switched transmissions, viewing through Nathalie’s eyes. It played like a projector on a screen in the dark room, allowing not only the tall man but also the teen that was strung up. To believe Hawkmoth dismissed his warning entirely is nothing short of foolishness. Aside every audible thought in Nathalie’s head, he found Gabriel’s struggle to be the most amusing.

Benoit pointed above whilst keeping his eyes glued to the projecting image. “You may not hear anything because of the dense floors, but the mastermind is directly above us.”

Marco stared at the suited man. “Why the hell should I care?”

Benoit turned his head over to the younger fellow. “Your tough demeanour isn’t going to fool me here Marco.” The tall man spoke with nonchalance. “What demeanour, I don’t care about you nor you two stupid villain wannabes!” Benoit simply turned his head back to the view. Self awareness really isn’t their strong suit isn’t it?

Benoit pointed above, “The mastermind taking advantage of every little negative emotion stands right above us.” Marco furrowed his brow, as soon as he was going to retort once more, he was interrupted by the man. “And you mean to tell me after your lovely sister, Alice, was akumatized. You don’t care who turned her into a homicidal maniac with powers?”

He finally turned. “You truly expect me to believe that?”

Marco was frozen right then. How the hell did he know that too?! Is he some thing that knows everything that happens on this earth?! “How cruel, even in my own standards.” He quipped. “Then again, I shouldn’t be too surprised.”

He focused on the projecting image again. “Release.” He snapped his finger.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

The mask dissipated as she regained control of her body. She moved her fingers and hands a little, she finally had the chance to try warning him! “Sir!” She called out, running up to the irritated man.

Her boss snapped over to her. “WHAT?!” She flinched at his outburst.

“There’s someone interfering!” She breathed quickly. “I heard their voice. They were encouraging Chat and lending a hand in the battle from the side-lines!”

Hawkmoth listened in a level of disbelief he didn’t know was possible until now. “And why are you telling me this now Nathalie?” He nearly rose his voice again. “What voice? How are they helping at all?” Nathalie asked him if he saw a white mask above Chat Noir’s face by any means. He nodded, recalling there was one indeed.

“I couldn’t move, all I heard was ‘be quiet’ and something about watching the chaos. From then, I couldn’t speak either. But I heard them and Chat’s voice having a conversation before the lightning storm.” She finished explaining herself.

Silence overcame the lair. Someone was truly helping Chat Noir, then, that would mean..

“They were not lying at all...”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Ladybug zipped up the building as she heard the commotion going on down below in the park still. She didn’t dare look down, she only had the blonde girl in mind. With the key to defeating the Akuma clenched in her hand she called out to her once she got to the door.

Chloè jumped at the sound of the familiar voice, she sat on her bed as her phone charged. If ladybug’s here, that could only mean one thing for her.

“Chloè!” Ladybug came into view from the doorway. “What is it?” She spoke with a false sense of curiosity. Her bottom lip trembled as she feared the worst. Ladybug wiped the sweat from her forehead, “I need you again, Paris needs Queen Bee to stop the akuma.” She pleaded, the best description the mayor’s daughter can give the heroine was ‘worn out.’

Her hair was an utter mess, her breaths was ragged as she could barely stand on her own two legs. With the way things were going from what she saw earlier, it’s a given her inspiration would look like she’s having a hard time.

Is choosing her as the Queen the right choice? If the leader is struggling, what would that make her when she faces it? “I.. don’t know if I can.” The look on the leader’s face dropped further. Chloe’s chest panged with anxiousness at the girl’s expression. She never thought she’d make such a lost, almost distressed face. “Wh- Why not?”

Chloè turned away from her. “It’s.. well..” She gulped. “It’s because the akuma scares me. A lot..” She whispered. It didn’t go unnoticed by the red and black suited maiden.

Ladybug sighed, “I understand it’s powerful and you’ve seen the damage it’s caused.” Chloè felt a hand on her shoulder, holding it firm. “But you can’t let them keep going on like this.” Her voice wavered.

Chloè shut her eyes tight. The way Adrien.. Chat, was picked off like a sitting duck before crashing into the river.

Seeing what happened to the defenceless man along with the others. Why did they believe in her? She would be useless going up against something like that, she doesn’t know how to fight with her hands, just the top!

“I know, I know.” Chloè took a shaky breath before she looked at Ladybug entirely. “I don’t know how to fight without my top, I wouldn’t know what to do. And if you’re not there then I’m as good as..” She hesitated on saying the last part, not even wanting to begin imagining herself in the same ,fate as the person that was in the car.

A loud crash above them snapped them out of their conversation for a second. “I won’t let them. Seriously, I need you to trust me. I believe you’re the only one that can use the Bee’s Venom to paralyze them.” Ladybug held out the comb in front of her suddenly. “Please.”

Chloè took a deep breath. Hesitantly, she took the accessory in her hand, it’s cool touch did nothing to ease her nerves in the slightest. Rather, it made it clammy. It’s weight was nothing to the responsibility she now has on her shoulders.

She exhaled, closing her eyes for a few seconds before she reopened them. “I’ll do it.” She stuck it in her hair, letting a yellow ball of light turn into her little friend, Pollen. “Chloè!” They sung, as she floated by her side.

Ladybug gave a genuinely toothy grin, she began to stand stock straight as she could only muster two words in gratitude. “Thank you.” The blonde nodded. “You’re not alone. We’ll fight together like always.”

It was the blonde’s turn to smile. Alas, it was short lived thanks to another crash upstairs. No room for argument now, the last thing she needed was the roof to somehow collapse.

“Pollen, Buzz on!” Chloè posed, letting the suit take over her body whilst her hair gains her signature dark line in a spiral. The spin top materialized in her hand, giving it a twirl just like how Ladybug would before she caught it back, tying it around her hips.

“Let’s go!” Queen Bee spoke, a spark of determination in her eyes.

[&&&&&&&&&&&]

She was the first to make the running steps out of the door and Ladybug wasn’t too far behind. They both got into the elevator to take them to the floor the other two were fighting on. As soon as it made a ding whilst the doors open, Ladybug’s movements were halted in her tracks upon a certain person.

Queen Bee rushed past her. “Yeah, I was just as shocked too!” The leader barely heard what she said until it finally registered.

Ladybug shook her head with squinted eyes. She spun her yoyo before slinging it around the two, almost making a whip like sound every time it struck the ground or swept wildly in the air.

Chat Noir had no problem adjusting to it as he fought, unlike the akuma, who was always being led into a red streak of light every time he fails to hit his main target.

His fist crashed into the akuma’s nose with great force before they got hit in the back of the head by a yellow streak now. Before Queen Bee can get another hit, the string was tugged, yanking her over to his location with a yelp.

Queen Bee’s eyes widened as she rapidly approached Hati who had their claws out, primed to tear her into fine strips of flesh.

“Strike three!” Chat bellowed.

The akuma’s ribs were rattled by a sharp elbow digging in as Hati let out a pained roar. Their throat also took an elbow before Chat finally punched him square in the chest which pushed him back. There was a resounding crunch once the fist had connected.

“Woah!” The Bee themed heroine hit the ground, rolling until her body hit against the balustrade.

Hati backpedalled a little, there was a dent exactly where he was struck. Shuffling with a pained hiss, they tried throwing a wild haymaker towards the feline.

Chat caught their arm, jumping whilst wrapping his legs around their upper body. “Too slow!” Without missing a beat, he twisted himself over, slamming the akuma down on the hard concrete audibly. With a loud growl, he mercilessly wrenched on their arm holding one of the glowing gauntlets as it began to burn Chat Noir’s gloves slowly.

“Queen!” The Bee snapped out of her daze. Ladybug had her yoyo tied around their other arm, keeping it away from trying to free the other while the Akuma thrashed around violently in their grasp.

With a shake of her head, attempting to clear her fearful thoughts from her mind, she let her legs carry her to the akuma, hasty steps getting louder and louder as she approached. She wound the top into the palm of her hand. “Venom!” She reeled her hand back as the top stuck to her palm creating the shape of a bee’s abdomen and stinger. It pulsated as it’s charged with it’s signature energy.

Chat felt the gauntlet heating up again, making him growl through clenched teeth. The struggled even more as Queen Bee got closer and closer to them.

“Watch out Queen!” Chat scream out, trying to keep them from moving their body around too much. “He’s burning up!”

The arm he held on to became too much to bare, the colour becoming vastly orange as he saw the heat coming off of it. “Shit!” Chat cursed, “Cataclysm!” with a swift pull of the hand, the gauntlet shattered into pieces like his helmet, the dark bubbles forming around Chat’s right hand as the metal corroded swiftly.

The only problem was, that wasn’t the one the Akuma was in.

A loud snarl broke out as he rolled over his back onto his feet. Tugging on the cord with all their strength. “Ladybug!”

“Ah!” Ladybug yelped as she was taken to the air.

She stood frozen in her spot, her scream ceased without warning. Only one coloured spot was out of place beyond the black and red.

A tinge of yellow, a small dot sorely lingering like a laser being pointed at a wall. Queen Bee dropped her top in shock, the feline glared at Hati who had her by the throat, shielded from the on coming sting he was about to receive.

They threw the bug aside roughly, sweeping the latter’s feet from under them with one of their own. “Agh! Adr-“

Her head was smacked into the floor, cracking the hard flooring around it as he let his only claws from the gauntlet free. “I told you Chat.” He heard Hawkmoth in the back of his mind. “Your actions always lead to futility.”

Hati raised his hand.

“You’ll never find me. You’ll never defeat me. With the power I will soon claim, I will be one step to fulfilling my wish!” Chat Noir clenched his burning hand into a fist.

“Useless. Little. Cat.”

Bang!

Hati was blown away by a sharp gust of wind with tremendous force that hit him square in the back, cast stone bursting out of the way as soon as they collided into it.

Chat pounced after him, catching up to them during their freefall. His veins were shown through the suit with a surge of bright green aura.

As soon as he punched the air again with sharp exhale, another loud bang erupted, shattering every single window in their vicinity which startled anyone taking refuge in their home or shops.

The harsh pressure forced the akuma down quicker into the earth. The sound Hati’s body made when they crashed into the ground caused a ruckus among the people who heard it.

Chat Noir kicked them self downward off of the building with a small chuckle. Their white mask appeared. “Fire!” As soon as their fist made contact with the gauntlet, it splintered into several pieces with relative ease.

As soon as Chat got on his feet, he began stomping on the Akuma’s face. The rush of adrenaline surging through was too great to stop now, it felt too great to stop.

Each time their foot connects to their head, more and more blood seeped out from their mouth along with their nose. As Chat threw him against a building, one nauseating crunch of bone rattled inside Hati’s ears as his nose crumpled under the force of his opponent’s knee.

Their body went completely limp.

Chat huffed, facing both palms together. “Cataclysm!” A small, dark ball slowly formed in between his hands, slowly expanding as the current danced around it mindlessly.

The corners of his vision became white. “The butterfly! Grab the butterfly before it gets away!” His feline ears twitched at the sound of their wings. “It’s.. actually over?” Chat said to himself, a hint of fatigue making it’s way into his voice. His eyes looked at the cloudy sky above, the retreating butterfly really was there after all.

Relief.

It couldn’t have felt more rewarding in his entire life until now. Even if the sun was blocked out, the warmth was pleasant, knowing the akuma’s down for the count for good. He was just one step closer to finally achieving his goal to finding the man who is behind all of-

“Chat are you having catnip hallucinations or something?” The voice was monotonous in tone, interrupting his state of peace he so deserved. “Oh for god’s sake, shut up!” Chat screamed in his head.

The feline kept their eyes on the small target. He ran up and across the building as he crushed the ball in his hands. The bubbles floated around both hands this time. As soon as he pounced towards the butterfly, he had already caught it into his hands. The butterfly was crushed into nothing more but a dirty smudge, shooting it’s nasty energy anywhere it pleases between the spaces of his hands.

“Sayonara!” Chat let the familiar purple current break out into the sky. “I will destroy all of these things if I have to!” Their mask became a slight tint of purple as it glowed in front of him.

Amongst it, he saw it. He saw him.

Their face twisted in a grimace as the coloured matter in the form of bubbles were coming out of his suit, his view slowly only growing ever closer to just their facial features with pained gasps of breaths escaping his throat. “Hello there!” The man opened his eyes groggily to be greeted with a vision of the boy’s covered face. “If it isn’t the one who’s been haunting me! I can see you!” He broke out into a small, spine chilling smile. The eyes did not make it any better for him, thanks to the way they were truly looking at him now instead of an akuma.

The power surged monstrously from Chat’s hands, causing the man to clutch his head trying to contain his agony from becoming audible.

“I will find you sometime, this won’t be like heroes’ day where you escape.” Chat gave a laugh, a wheeze coming from him. “Nah. You will get what’s coming.”

The transference abruptly ended as soon as the energy dissipated from the butterfly. The surge of purple soon turned to green as it spread up his arm, coursing all the way to the next. It felt.. good. Beautiful.. Incredible! A sheet of iron formed over his hands and feet, a semi-transparent green aura surrounding them as they build themselves seemingly from nothing at all.

Chat looked at them in astonishment. Not only did he still have his staff which still stood upright from the seine, but he also had some new weapons he can use. Pretty neat if he were to say.

Landing on his feet, he watched as the energy calmed down it’s illumination from the suit along with the veins under his skin. There’s no way Rabiot can hurt anyone now.

Rabiot...

“KIERAN!” Chat almost tripped on his own foot trying to rush back to the akuma. He knew that was his friend under the spell, why did he fight with the intent to injure him so badly?! “No way I almost killed Rabiot. That did not just happen at all!”

His stomach twisted into several knots upon seeing the bloodied, bruised teen lying against the building surrounded by glass. Chat slowly began to revert back to his old familiar look, the new gear disintegrating while his eyes turned to their emerald green hue. “Rabiot!” He knelt down beside him. He destroyed the butterfly, why does he still retain that form?

Chat put his ear by his friend’s chest, their heart was still beating. It subtly rose and fall with each breath they took.

Chat’s golden hair covered most of his face for he hung his head with a straight face, a hint of guilt accompanied by sorrow tinting his expression. Why?.. He didn’t mean to go that far. He didn’t mean to let himself go with all the power he had required. But at the same time he felt.. nothing?

He knows he’s been feeling all sorts of things at random times but this, by far, was the most hurtful and strangest feeling he has ever experienced. It was like the shame along with guilt were trying to resurface out of purely nothing, but kept being swallowed back up.

“Rabiot..” Chat clenched his jaw. “Rabiot I’m..” Chat Noir couldn’t even finish his own attempt for an apology towards his unconscious friend.

[&&&&&&&&&&&]

A yellow light consumed Chloè’s body. Ladybug was able to move around again, her first instinct was to sooth her neck with a hand.

She glanced around, searching for Chat Noir. He had been fighting fiercely against Akuma Rabiot just moments ago, but now he seemed to have disappeared. Ladybug's heart raced with worry. Where could he have gone?

She heard a small hiss to her right. Turning towards the sound, she found Chloè amongst ruined flooring.

Ladybug went by her side, “Chloè. Are you hurt anywhere?” Surprisingly, the girl said no. Although, she still felt some heat on the side of her face. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know how he got away like that.”

“It’s fine.” She shook her head, her hairdo was utterly ruined thanks to that beastly thing. “I don’t know what happened, but I remembered being so scared when they got to me..”

She made her sit up, abruptly pulling her in for a hug. Chloè’s eyes widened a bit at the notion, evidently she was not expecting to be comforted after making such a huge mistake stinging her instead of the Akuma. Why? Everything almost went to shambles because of her.

“It’s not your fault Chloè, you did what you can. You went up against it even though you said you couldn’t earlier.” Ladybug spoke softly. “Anyone can make a mistake. But the good thing about them is that you can learn from each and every one.”

Without saying a word, Chloè hugged her back. It was an odd feeling, like she genuinely has a friend by her side. Not a mindless puppet who agrees to everything she says. That didn’t mean she didn’t like her friend, rather, her own guilt of making someone that is like a slave at her every whim. Just like her father. She hugged her leader a little tighter before separating from each other.

Chloè acknowledged her words with a nod, a faint smile gracing her lips. Though with one thought aloud question, her features shifted into confusion. “Where’s Chat?”

The latter shrugged, “I’m.. not sure where he is right now. I remembe-“ Chloè shushed her. “It was a rhetorical question.” Her eyes wandered over to the space in the protective stone structure around the edges of the infrastructure.

She pointed at the spot. “But my guess is they’re somewhere down there.”

With a curious frown, Ladybug began to run owards the broken section of it. And there he was, just next to the akuma that was on the sidewalk. “He got him.” She spoke with a bit of surprise, the corners of her mouth turning up as she chuckled a little. “He got him!” She pumped her fist, Chloè sighed.

“Thank god.” She thought. “I don’t ever want to see something like that ever again.” She got on her feet. As soon as she made her way over to ladybug, she held onto a firmer part of the post whilst looking down. That luscious golden hair made her stomach sink, knowing that there’s a large possibility of the black cat being Adrien Agreste himself.

And if it really is him, then what? What was she supposed to do after she really gets to confirm her suspicions?

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. The thought had sent her mind into a frenzy, and she wasn't sure what to do with this information.

As she watched Ladybug carefully, her thoughts went back to Chat Noir and her suspicions. What if he really was Adrien? What if he had been hiding it from her all this time? The more she thought about it, the more frustrated, worried and angry she became.

She walked away from Ladybug, her mind racing with different ideas and scenarios. She had never felt so torn in between something until now. Between wanting to tell someone she really trusts with the information and keeping the superhero identities a secret on behalf of Ladybug’s request. She shook her head in an attempt to clear the fog of thoughts from her brain.

“Hey..” She heard the spotted heroine speak. She turned to face her from a distance. “Are you alright?”

Her mouth twisted to a side before she found the words she was looking for. “Of course I am, I’m just giddy.” This made the leader nod her head. “Well, I’m heading on down to Chat. Maybe you should go meet with your dad, he must be worried about now.”

No. No he wasn’t. He was in fact cowering in his own office ever since the ruckus started.

“Right.” She folder her arms whilst drawing the word out. “You take care, Ladybug” She paused a moment, tapping her foot before she added the last thing she wanted to say. “And.. Thank you. I really mean it.”

Ladybug smiled with a little wave. She let her yoyo be tied to the balustrade as she let herself rappel down the building with haste.

She kept hopping off of the building to get down quicker, she couldn’t help but notice all of the shattered glass from the windows of the hotel and buildings around them down below, she may not know what happened here, but that’s not important to her right now.

She watched her partner’s ear twitched upon hearing the glass crunch beneath her feet. With a tug, the yoyo came down to her with ease. “Today was messy, but it’s another akuma well defeated. Good job Chat!” She didn’t get a reply as he still looked at Hati.

A sense of uneasiness had began to creep into her mind. “Do you, uh.. have the butterfly?” Small muttering could be heard from the boy as she took a few steps closer.

A wave of blaring sirens could be heard in the distance. With each passing second his muttering was soon muted by the sound, she looked around. There were people looking outside their window appalled by whatever they were looking at in front of her. A few steps closer gave her no more room for wonder. “Oh my god.” She softly gasped, looking over Chat’s head.

Tires screeched following doors being slammed. “Don’t move! You’re under arrest!” A man ordered from a distance.

She saw the police cornering off the street with their cars and motorbikes, turning off the sirens when they parked the vehicles. The ambulance, had shortly arrived om the scene too. “Put your hands up!” Ladybug followed the man’s order, which she realized was Roger. “Not you Ladybug, I mean him!” He pointed towards Chat Noir with conviction.

Ladybug’s eyes widened. “W- wait!” The police rushed in the space between them and the black clad hero. “Do not resist! Hands! Up!”

Ladybug heard the ring on his finger beeping frantically. The ring’s low on power? Here, right now?!

A grunt came from them. “What are you gonna do?” The blond asked. Their voice gave her goose bumps, he didn’t sound worried nor angry. Not in the slightest.

“What do you think pal?” He sneered. “We’re going to lock you away, you’re nothing but a danger to us. Whatever is giving you these powers should be taken away.” He looks over to the bluenette, expecting her to tell him what it is.

All of this was happening so sudden. Was this really going on? She wanted to pinch herself hoping she wasn’t in a bad dream of sorts. She knew people were really against him for making mistakes, but this felt like it was a bit much after he saved them from an akuma. “But he stopped him, what else was he supposed to do?!” Ladybug asked.

Roger scoffed. “If you or a family member of yours was akumatized like this. Would you feel comfortable with him on the heroes team after this incident?”

Ladybug’s words had died in her throat. She sincerely hoped that she was able to voice a reason among that. “What’s wrong?” Chat brought the question. “Aren’t you going to replace me like you were going to do anyway?”

Slack jawed, she tried pushing past some of the officers to see him clearer. “What? No, I wasn’t going to-“

“Yes you did. You said you might have to take it away that night.” Chat Noir interjected. “Right before any of this stupid fuckery happened.”

Roger still had his hands on the Taser gun, aiming directly at Chat’s back along with the others. “And with damn good reason. All you do is fail, how is Paris supposed to feel safe if you’re nothing but a let-down?”

He simply shrugged, thinking over the lieutenant’s words. “That’s how it is.” Ladybug watched as the lights on his ring started to flicker in an unsynchronized manner. “And I guess this is how things will be after all.” He said with finality.

“Chat! I’m sorry, okay?!” Ladybug finally blurted out of the blue. “I was stressed out having to do almost everything by myself all the time!"

The young girl's eyes looked downward to the ground, too ashamed to even look at his back. "I didn't mean to be harsh on you..” She lifts her head back up, but her eyes still averted. “I let my emotions got the better of me and I kept kicking myself for it ever since then!"

Officer Roger folded his arms as Chat's ear on top of his head flickered. He let out a uninterested, almost mocking sharp burst of exhale at her words.

"Chat, please!" Ladybug begged. "I am just asking for forgiveness! I know you are angry at me but we can work this out! We’re partners aren’t we?!"

Silence came between them and the lieutenant. After a few seconds, Chat slowly got up on his feet. “You know what?” He cracked his own neck with audible pops. “I don’t even know if we are.”

“I told you not to move!” Roger barked, one of the officers fired their Taser gun into the feline’s back, creating a sharp crackling sound like a miniature thunderstorm. The officer began rushing towards them with their handcuffs. Chat clenched his teeth before placing a hand on the wall, looking over their shoulder.

“Black hole!” He growled.

The officer was startled by the sudden pitch black void that was opened. They also made a frightened noise as they were grabbed by the collar with both hands and dragged into the dimension with one quick pull. It closed behind them as they fell down into the abyss. The blond grabbed their jaw, holding it firm as they tried to get him to let go. Punching his face, kicking him, anything they can for him to loosen his grip.

Alas, it didn’t bother him.

“Cataclysm!” The dark energy began to generate itself, making the person’s eyes go wide as they felt their mouth melting away.

He didn’t know how to describe it, but seeing them struggle and squirm a lot more brought a strange sense of amusement. Watching them degrade and break apart in their hands thanks to his ability, the horrified expression etched on the officers face made his own features soften. Little by little, he felt the corners of his mouth tug into a ghost of a smile. He chuckled lowly as the charred, rotten remains slowly disintegrate into nothing.

It felt just as good as the power he was able to consume. He may not know how he have done it, but he was glad.

The pleasure made him feel sick to his stomach. Yet, he felt gleeful to the point he had a large smile on his face. There was nothing he could do, so he just let himself feel the rush of dopamine take over.

All of the unfortunate events leading up to this moment, like hurting one of his own friends and having what seemed like the whole world going against him made him cackle out loud in the ever growing darkness. What is this feeling? It’s glorious! It shouldn’t have made him laugh this hard but it did! The amount of emotions piled up within was the complete opposite.

The ring’s surface began to chip away in small quantities. The cracks formed shone emerald green as it became more prominent and polished. After a while, it appeared to be a series of engraved claw marks around the ring except for the face with the paw pads. It showed the paw was bulkier, noticeably more detailed and had a claw above each respective digit. The finishing touches of his accessory were the four prongs being subtly spiked.

Laughter dwindling, he falls further. They’re right, who needs a hero who can’t do anything right? Even if he won, he still did something wrong. Now everyone is afraid of him.

But why should that matter? If they don’t like him, that’s a burden off of his shoulders. That meant there’s only one thing he has to do.

Find and Eliminate Hawkmoth. And there’s only one suspect for him.

“We’ve only just begun.. Adrien.”

Chapter Text

Nino stirred, groggily opening his eyes to the blaring sirens that hammered his head like a drum. The once-cloudless sky now bore a heavy overcast, casting the alley in a grim, shadowy hue.

His gaze fixated on a pair of black and white sneakers as he scanned the alley. Following their trajectory, he found his beloved on the opposite side, lying unconscious.

With a hiss, he hoisted himself up, using the dumpster as support. The impact he took from the fight left him in a battered state, but the sight of his partner in such condition tore at him more deeply.

He called out her name, limping towards her, but received no response. She remained motionless, seemingly affected by the same force that had struck him. He settled next to her with a grimace, a pang of worry clouding his thoughts.

The first thing he noticed was the absence of her Miraculous, which indicated that his had been taken as well. He sighed, anticipating the impending lecture from Ladybug and the consequences they'd face.

As the distant blare of sirens still filled the air, he heard an alert on his phone. Did the akuma escape? Did they fail to safeguard Paris? Pushing away the thoughts of impending doom, he refocused, knowing it wasn't the time to jump to conclusions.

With a press of a thumb im the centre of the phone below, he was able to gain access through the lock screen. The bold words on the screen certainly made things a little more confusing. ‘Akuma threat cleared?’

It gave off a brief summary of the defeat of the gruelling akuma that had been running rampant. One of the bits that caught his eye were the words ‘akuma mauled’ and ‘Chat disappears with officer.’ Scrolling down, he was definitely more than surprised to see a picture of Chat Noir being surrounded by police.

Rabiot’s obscured figure was visible in the photo, though their face remained concealed. Nino furrowed his brow at the sight of what seemed to be blood around the teen’s forehead along with the Cat’s right foot.

“What.. the fuck?” Nino cursed under his breath. That couldn’t be Chat Noir at all. It had to be an imposter, a fake!

Reading through the rest of the details, it seems like the akumatized boy was rather hospitalized instead of detained. From the witness reports from a few people online, it seems like the black feline was sure not holding himself back in trying to defeat the akuma. However, despite the accounts, even the way the described him did not sound like Chat Noir.

The stirring beside him caused the boy to look over at the girl, who’s eyes were slowly opening.

How in the world was he supposed summarise anything from start to finish to her. “Alya?” The girl hummed before she was even partially awake, looking over to the DJ with mild confusion.

Their eyes met. “Are you alright? I hope you’re not hurt.” He said with anxiousness. Alya shook her head slowly, she placed a hand over her nape as she rubbed it.

He sighed once again. “Our items are gone.” The girl had the same thought as Lahiffe earlier: They’re screwed.

Alya’s hand dropped heavily in her lap. “Shit.” The boy stopped her oncoming thoughts in their tracks with a raised hand. “That’s not all. The akuma didn’t get to take them anywhere.”

He took up his device before handing it over to her. She gently took it into her hands before unlocking it with her own fingerprint. The article came back, stopping right on where the DJ had left off. Her eyes focused on every single detail that stood out to her.

Alya squinted her eyes. “Things are just getting worse and worse.” She felt if she looked at anything else, nothing good would be on there since this is their comrade they’re talking about. She’s read too many posts of slander against him to not know what else they’re going to say. “Did you check the part where they described him?” She heard her boyfriend say.

“Stupidly romantic, absentminded shield for Ladybug, useless cat.” She listed off a few from the top of her head. “Any of those on there?”

“Nah dude. Way different.” He then sighed, trying to put it into better words. “Oh? Then what did they say?” The curiosity was eating her from the inside, she had to know if she’s going to have to follow up on anything on her blog.

Although, that’s just an excuse to fill the emptiness and anxiety of her missing little buddy. Trixx. Oh how she wished the little kwami was here right now.

The boy sat upright with his palms facing each other. “Like a ghost. One person said they saw them fight like the devil while someone else talked about their looks.” He paused, trying to recall the points from the accounts. “There was this white glowing mask a few people pointed out. His hair and most of his suit were practically the same colour.”

Alya’s eyes widened, she exactly knew what he meant by the mask. It was the same one she saw when Chloè sent the photos. Her lips parted slightly as she imagined how the events had played out. More importantly, how or why this mask was so prevalent.

“There was a loud bang too, two of them. That was before Chat Noir had beat down the Akuma.” Nino scratched the side of his face.

“That’s about all I’ve read.” He took off his cap before looking up at the darkened clouds again, resting his back against the wall. After a few seconds, he realized the blogger didn’t say anything much afterward. “Alya? You alright?” He said, looking towards her.

“Remember how I said we needed to talk that night when you were with Chat Noir?”

Oh yeah. He wondered what ever happened to that. Ever since she saw Chat it’s as if she didn’t need to talk about anything afterward. “I do. Why?” It was her turn to look over at the boy.

Her eyes held a hint of concern accompanied by fear. “Because what they described with the mask, lines up with what I have.” She took the phone out of her pants pocket, going into her photo gallery before clicking on the downloads album. “Look.”

There it is. Exactly the same thing that was talked about on the article. From what he saw, this was around the time Crystalice was moments away from being stung by Queen Bee. The teen must admit, the face Chat made as he was just about ready to pounce on the woman’s back gave him the worst shivers down his spine. Not even a horror movie had gotten such a reaction from him.

Wait.. He looked at it again. Something was not right at all. He was going to assume that Chat Noir was akumatized as well just like when those red butterflies caused mayhem in the city on heroes day, except the mask would have been red. And there’s no way he would be akumatized here. Hawkmoth wouldn’t dare let two akumas attack each other when they can help out.

So what gives?

It’s not the same shape, design nor colour of when Hawkmoth was targeted by something else. Whatever it was, it helped him got away that day.

Just when he was about to give up, he relied on the conversation the three had that same very night. “I do remember you saying there’s another maniac on the loose. That’s for certain.” He spoke aloud. “But even that feels a bit far away.”

Alya rose a brow. “How?” She questioned whilst folding her arms. There is another person with a miraculous somewhere out there. Why is that so hard to grasp for him? “The evidence is right there, what more could we want?”

Nino rubbed his hand over his hair. A wave of building frustration being kept at bay for he tried to find the best possible way to approach it. “Think with me here.” He coughed. “Hawkmoth had some big monster behind him before he got away. Before that, what colour was the symbol?”

It was the girl’s turn to ponder. If her memory served correct despite it being a fair amount of months ago, then it should be: “Light purple or blue I think. What’s the-“

Nino stopped her again. “It was that colour, right?” The girl slowly nodded with a puzzled look. “Awesome. Now, Ladybug explained that there’s two and only two miraculouses that are similar in nature and the colours they both have.” He emphasised his words using his hands.

“If the butterfly is dark purple and the peacock is light blue or purple. How is there a white mask in all of this?”

Alya’s expression shifted to one of confusion. She adjusted her glasses as she considered Nino’s words. “Wait... I get it now. You’re saying that the mask on Chat isn’t aligning with the others.” She scrolled back through the photos, examining the mask in question more closely.

Nino nodded, his mind starting to connect a few dots, or rather, notice ones that were hidden. “Exactly. It's not adding up with what Ladybug have explained about the colours and symbols of whoever is using the butterfly and peacock miraculous.” He watched as Alya scrutinized the image once more.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she analysed the intricate design on the mask. “The eye parts look like there’s lines like a scar running down on both sides.” She realised. “Aside from that, nothing else even fits the bill.”

“Exactly my point.” Nino ran a hand through his hair, his expression a mix of confusion and concern just like Alya’s. “That means there’s another person aside the two. I get what you were trying to say though, that the peacock holder was back on the move.”

“Yeah. Because Ladybug also told me why Crystalice was so upset. And by the time we defeated her. She saw the woman’s girlfriend who she thought cheated on her disappeared in dark bubbles.” Alya explained to him. “Like an illusion, a fake. Though it’s not like mine or Volpina’s.”

Nino chipped in. “So you thought the peacock was in action alongside Hawkmoth. Not thinking of the possibility of the third.” He stated matter-of-factly. The girl nodded their head. “And this person knew Chloè’s phone number somehow.”

Nino rubbed his chin in thought. Three enemies sounds like a pain in the ass to deal with even for them. With Chat Noir’s disappearance again, he didn’t know how they’ll manage. It’s just four of them if they count Chloè in to be a permanent member. The more he thought about the whole ‘hero’ thing, the more he missed his bro, Wayzz.

“You know.. Wayzz had told me something interesting that day we were on Ladybug’s team for good.” Nino looked down at his wrist.

Alya hummed in response. “And what is that?” Nino let his hand fall in his lap. He closed his eyes as he remembered that day quite clearly. “He told me that there was a strong, strange aura out there. It felt like if everyone was being used except the cat and bug miraculous.” Nino recanted his memory, he can even hear Wayzz himself as he said it with him in his mind.

“He said no other miraculous is in use but the Moth, Peacock, Cat and Ladybug Miraculouses. Along with ours now since we joined Ladybug’s team for sure.” Alya’s intrigued and sense of unease was slowly but surely building inside of her. “What do you mean? So we’re dealing with something like an.. anomaly?” She wondered.

“Probably dude.” Nino shrugged.

“But how is that even possible? Wayzz felt everything but the cat and bug?” Alya shifted to sit herself up better. “Just.. what are we dealing with here?”

Again, Nino hardly had an answer but a shrug. “Beats me. Whoever they are, we don’t know what they’re planning at all.” Which was true, all they’ve ever gotten was confusion and brain rattling questions ever since Chat’s photo with the masking floating above his face.

They both heard someone land on the large dumpster, making them snap their heads towards the person. It was Ladybug, she looked worse for wear than they might’ve expected even if her head was down in her crouched position.

The atmosphere was thick, reeking of discomforting aura as they basically had the summary of the rundown before her arrival. “Ladybug?” They both said unanimously upon seeing her.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

30 minutes earlier..

The hole in the wall closed. “Ramirez!” One officer went towards the building, where they last saw their friend got pulled through.

They actively searched for something, anything they could find that may reopen it again. Failing to consider whether it’s a secret passage or it being Chat’s Ability. “Damn it!” They cried out. “We’re currently down a man, suspect has gotten away!” Roger Raincomprix spoke into his radio as he speedily walked to his vehicle. “I repeat, we are currently down a man and the suspect is missing!”

What the hell?

The young spotted hero found herself frozen amongst the other officers who were following roger. Blankly staring at the wall, she had found her own heart stopped for a moment, her stomach wanted to reject everything she had for lunch and breakfast on the spot.

She hoped she heard wrong. There’s no way he tossed their friend and partnership down the drain like that!

All of the policemen were departing from the area, turning on their lights and sirens as they actively hunt for the missing cat. “Ladybug!” She heard a girl’s voice call from behind her. Slowly turning around, she spotted Chloè outside, trying to avoid getting glass stuck in her shoes.

She looked over to the last car that just passed the corner before looking back to her idol. “What happened?” Chloè questioned. “Why were they out here?”

Ladybug stammered, not knowing where to start. Chloè’s brows furrowed, the last person she ever expected to be this incoherent would be Paris’ beacon. She’s seen her frazzled, might she say, stressed all the way out when she entered her room. She looked just the same here, but somehow, she looked worse than before.

The plethora of eyes on her made the heroine feel like she were to blame. Who was she kidding? She entirely blamed herself for making Chat abandon the squad!

“Hey!” Chloè shook the girl by her shoulders, snapping her out of her initial shock and disbelief. “Calm down!”

Her eyes looked directly into hers, this level of concern coming from her own bully felt all kinds of wrong. She’s seen her vulnerable and even called herself useless before, but for the blonde to try calming her down is new.

“Look, I don’t know what’s gotten you shaken up but I need you to relax.” She could tell just by her voice alone that she was being sincere. “I- umm- ah! How about you take deep breaths with me.”

What?

“Breathe in.” Ladybug blinked a couple tomes before she followed the daughter of the mayor’s words. Sucking in the air slowly until her lungs couldn’t take anymore. “Breathe out.” So she did, letting it all out. Consequently after a few more repetitions, her shoulders no longer felt heavy. As if her problems physically removed itself off of her.

It was the most basic thing to do in terms of finding some semblance of peace, but it works, she wondered if the Bourgeois had employed such a practice regularly.

“Feeling better now?” She asked her, they didn’t get an immediate response. She did, however, saw her panicking ceased for a moment. Partially, at least.

“Yeah. I think so.” She dully responded. “Everything that happened was just so sudden.”

“I kinda get that, I mean, that akuma was..” She shivered. Never again did she want to hear about another martial arts based akuma like Hati ever again. “Anyways, what happened?”

Ladybug sighed before she began explaining everything before she met her until after they briefly parted ways on the rooftop. Of course, she changed a few details about Master Fu and the point where she got the Miraculous. She had instead made up a different tale of one of her close relatives being grimly sick before she had to transform. Consequently, this made Chloè’s frown more apparent.

“And the next thing you know, they wanted to arrest Chat Noir just now because of how he took down the akuma..” Ladybug cleared her throat. It was getting quite dry after all the shouting from today’s events. “As for Chat, he’s.. well.. gone.”

There was a moment where all the sounds of the world droned out for her. “Gone?” The beautiful girl parroted, she felt her heart sink as her mind thought of the worst possibilities imaginable. Her face definitely reflected that.

Ladybug hesitantly nodded. “When I say that, I mean.. he disappeared.” She solemnly spoke as she was whispering. “He.. abandoned us.”

Chloé stepped back with wobbly legs, her balance felt like it would turn upside down at any moment. “No.. I..” The blonde’s eyes shifted to look anywhere but the heroine. Her vast mental portal of thoughts now spilling over with Chat Noir leaving Paris to Ladybug, Rena, Carapace and herself.

If she didn’t have a suspicion on who Chat Noir could truly be under the mask, she would not have felt as if her stomach was boiling, burning bile mixed with her lunch threatening to spill out through her mouth.

The blonde shook her head. “No! I.. I refuse to believe he just decided to up and leave us hanging!” She cried out. Her voice betrayed her as it flickered in uncertainty. The girl had found herself distanced from ladybug, the heroine’s words sinking in to her ears and mind.

Ladybug held her eyes shut as the blonde’s tone was making her ill. “He did..” She softly said.

“Why?” The Bourgeois asked, unconsciously raising her voice a little. “Why would he all of a sudden just walk away? I know he hasn’t been performing at his very best but he wouldn’t just quit like that, right!”

The heroine’s heart panged with reciprocated hurt as she continued listening to the mayor of Paris’ daughter.

The blonde’s bottom lip quivered for she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know what to even think. The boy was doing so well holding up against the akuma for once he had gotten a new look and a surge of determination that even rivalled Ladybug’s. Matter of fact, no one can just come back after getting their ribs broken from what it sounded like.

And no one sure as hell would’ve came back at full force despite his injury as well. To be honest, she almost even forgot Chat Noir was injured before he fought Hati again in the park.

And even when he took down the akuma, it wasn’t his fault it was that tough to beat. She may not condone or entire excuse the fact he had beaten down the akuma, which was also a victim to Hawkmoth’s butterfly, into nothing but a mangled mess in his face. But! She understood why such a measure was used in a case like this.

Ladybug held her breath at the thought, what was she supposed to say now? It was hard to keep her hands steady thanks to the stresses she had endured today, her sweat was seeping through her pores, sliding down her masked face as she and her kitty’s memories had came surging back through her mind. A seemingly inescapable web she had really gotten herself into now. Should she, or should she not?

To make matters worse, the hive of eyes on her along with the almost inaudible murmurs the citizens kept buzzing on the situation.

It made her feel even more clammy under the suit, her heart uncertainly beating in her rib cage, her skin felt like it was being caressed by an intrusive touch, but no one was there bug Chloe, and she was far away from her. It felt like holes were forming in her skin for some odd reason. If she didn’t know any better, she would’ve panicked pretty badly on the spot.

Except, she knew that odd feeling was her mind making everyone’s eyes on her feel tangible. Instead of panic, the substitution upon that internal revelation was sombre and regret.

Chloe Bourgeois huffed as she tried to calm herself down, trying to bring some sense of ease to her mind. “Ladybug..” She croaked, her eyes were quaking as she looked at her hero.

However, that said hero, was as quiet as a mouse for quite some time now. She was beginning to wonder what the blue haired heroine was thinking about now.

“Ladybug, did he..” The beautiful girl began, taking a defiant breath as she was going to ask the question that clung to her mind like mould on bread. “Did he say anything before he even left us?!”

The heroine’s brain began to work double time. If she was going to do this, then she should face this with a newfound confidence.

Ladybug physically straightened up, something about her posture unnerved her. It didn’t feel right at all as soon as she asked that. As she slowly watched her stand a little more upright, just like the times she’s found defiance, her expression was an expression of indifference. The world had been drowned by Chloe’s own focus as she had only heard the chambering taps of Ladybug’s footsteps towards her.

The tapping of her feet got more audible until Ladybug was right in front of her, but her head was beside her ear..

“He said that he doesn’t want to fight alongside us anymore.” The tone of Ladybug’s voice had the poor girl on edge, as it made the hairs on her neck stand tall. “From what I recall from our talk earlier, he’s given up on Paris entirely now. That’s what it sounds like.” Chloe’s breath was held as she listened to what her Idol was telling her.

“To put it all in a nutshell. He’s our enemy now.”

Chloe’s eyes expanded as she heard that, there’s.. There’s no way.. None of this is real is it? So that means Paris’ once greatest duo is officially over? “B- But what about when-“

“He fought the Akuma?” Ladybug interrupted. “Yeah. Apparently he’s through with us. And he’s keeping the ring for some reason.”

The spotted heroine turned her head slightly to her ear so she can keep on whispering into it. “I saw him dragged in an officer through some portal.. or void.. whatever it was.” She paused before she spoke again. “I have a bad feeling on what happens now.”

Chloe lips were parted as her heart was thumping steadily, yet heavily, like a sledgehammer against solid wall. “Keep the Bee miraculous. I’ll need you and the rest on whatever this is.” Ladybug walked back, facing her with a slightly guilty look before she turned around completely. Chloè’s eyes widened, “W- Wait!”

It was too late. Ladybug had slung her yo-yo and swung off elsewhere, leaving the girl all alone on the street. Her outstretched hand reeled back as pollen peeked out from the girl’s collar. “What do we do now?”

Chloe’s blue eyes moved over to the little bee’s own. The silence from her was deafening as she thought about it all in her own head. Eventually amongst the fog, she only found two sentences to say.

“I guess we’ll have to wait now. As much as I’d hate to do so.”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

30 minutes later: Present time.

Ladybug stood from her crouched position on the dumpster’s lid, her eyes laid upon Nino and Alya. “L- Look, listen.. Ladybug.. we lost our miraculouses and-“ Nino stammered before he ended up catching the turtle bracelet she tossed to him, and the necklace, over to Alya.

“Sorry, but I had to snatch them off of you after I carried you out of everyone’s sights.” Ladybug somewhat calmly spoke. “Hawkmoth could be anywhere amongst us.”

Alya crossed her arms after she put on the necklace. Trixx appearing in a ball of light before being revealed as Nino did the same, Wayzz having the same result before he reappears.

“That is true to be honest.” Alya looked down im thought before looking into her hero’s eyes. “Good thinking Ladybug. I thought I had to explain my failure to you.”

Ladybug just sat on the dumpster with an unreadable expression. The heroine said nothing but just sniffed as her head was slightly hung, thinking about the situation again. Was this really what she wanted? What she needed to do? She intertwined her hands, which did not go unnoticed by the pair.

“Ladybug? Are you okay?” Nino asked. Alya had also picked up on the girl’s odd behaviour.

The spotted heroine then began retelling the couple what she had told Chloé. It may not have been exactly word-for-word. But as one of their worst fears came to light, the message was clear.

Chat Noir, must be apprehended at all costs.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Nathalie watched as her boss writhed in pain before he lost his villain transformation. The dark, murky bubbles coming off of his villain suit had stopped. Gabriel Agreste breathed heavily as he unfurled his fists. The feeling of pain still radiated through his body as if acid were in his blood stream.

“Gabriel!” She hesitantly reached her hand out before touching him, she not too long shook him as she got more panicked and worried.

Nathalie saw Nooroo in the corner of her eye and her head snapped over to the kwami in particular. “Nooroo! What is happening to him?!” She shrieked at the startled god.

“Master’s been inflicted with Chat Noir’s cataclysm!” Nooroo said with panic. Nathalie’s eyes mirrored the kwami’s as the impending fear and discordance within, reaching to it’s boil point.

Nooroo had went over to then absorbing the negative energy that still bubbled inside, letting it come back out through his pores just like his suit once did. Gabriel heaved as soon as the remains of the malevolent energy was sapped into a ball above him.

Nathalie’s awe could not be greater, for she was simply frozen still and silent. That.. This was all from Chat Noir’s cataclysm?! Nooroo struggled to keep it all together before he looked towards the secretary. “We need to get this placed in a container!” the little god grunted.

“There should be an old prototype chamber here! But doesn’t that destroy anything it touches?!” The woman worriedly questioned.

“Hurry!” They barked. She wasted no time going to the elevator and going down with Nooroo, the ball hanging over their heads as they went downward in the small cylindrical tube. As soon as they touched ground, she ran and opened an old door and ran inside.

Nathalie stood in front of the number pad and dialled in the passcode. It released pressure as soon as it opened up, it was a square room inside with a thick glass box inside, like a prison. She swung open the door as she dialled another passcode and Nooroo shoved the ball of destruction inside before closing the air sealed door.

Inside the glass was now coated with a purple coat now, when it tapped the glass, it bounced off with the coating making a ripple effect just before it quickly shot to the middle of the room. This caused the kwami to exhale all the breath he was holding. Surprisingly, the ball was still held together instead of bursting out into chaos, this caused the Sancoeur to look over to the kwami in question.

“Are you still holding it like that?” She asked before looking at it again. It looked.. surreal, oddly fascinating to the eyes. It looked like a normal cataclysm but much larger in size. It was black but held hints of grey swirling with it.

“No. It’ll actually stay in it’s form once it’s in the seal I made within the glass and outside it.” Nooroo explained. “It’ll stay in the centre as well since the seal has negative energy as well, which repels the ball itself to stay away from that wall. But since it’s in a room, it’s completely in the centre.”

That’s.. interesting.

“What about Gabriel now? Is he okay?” The kwami took a gentler expression as soon as they heard this. “Master will be fine. He just needs some rest is all.”

“Good..” She thought to herself for a moment. How did this even happen? How was the energy even transferred to her boss like that? “Um.. Nooroo. How did this even occur?” This caused the kwami to look around at her with a small, timid shrug. “I don’t know.. This has never happened before.”

The woman rose a brow in curiosity but decided not to question it further. Obviously for her, this lack of information will only prove to be a major step back along with proceeding with utmost caution. This situation was getting more and more ridiculous ever since she began to heal from her illness, couldn’t she have just lived a normal life as her boss’ secretary again? Is that too much to ask for?

Well.. Maybe it was anyway. She did choose such a life ever since Gabriel had first took up the butterfly brooch and first became Hawkmoth after all..

A grunt was heard just outside the door, which made Nathalie turn around and witnessed an exhausted Gabriel leaning against the heavy doorframe whilst he panted. “Gabriel!” The woman made a jog over to her boss until she stood close and tried to assist him in holding up.

Nooroo stood concerned and fearful in their master’s presence. Said person, was now gazing upon the ball of dark energy within it’s confinement.

As much as the kwami knew he had saved his Master’s life today, but they wished that they at least left of it’s energy back inside Gabriel so he can live in suffering. It’s not fair he gets to be all well and fine when Gabriel used the broken peacock miraculous, why couldn’t he have felt the same pain Emilie had to go through before she ended up in a coma, or possibly death?!

This stare at the man harshened a bit before it softened. That was the thing was it? He was going down such a dark path for his wife. For family. It’s all he ever wanted again, as much as they didn’t like the path he was walking down. They still understood why they were doing it.

Despite that, they always wondered. How did Gabriel and Nathalie heal from the illness the broken peacock inflicts?

Nooroo watched as Nathalie helped him hobble out of the room. It did not make sense whatsoever, both of them sure as hell knew that since Gabriel broke down in front of his own secretary already about it. They even remembered when they were first confronted by that mysterious person after Gabriel failed to akumatized that pigeon guy. They knew about Emilie. They said that their master had found the cure already too but he didn’t realize or something like that.

What.. What cure is he talking about?

Chapter Text

Ladybug’s yo-yo had beeped, which caused her to open up it’s internal screen to become visible to her with a tap. It was a reminder that the school dance was two weeks away. It did not feel like a month had passed already at all. But then again, the string of misfortune and chaos that had been transpiring made it feel like it’s been going on for months.

If it wasn’t for her sense of duty, she would have long given up on this wild goose chase to find Hawkmoth. Even more so when her partner’s gone.

Even using her signature bugs to repair the chaos wreaked across the city is getting pretty tiring in her own standards. She watched the Miraculous Ladybug ability undid the broken windows, glass, injuries, everything of negative side effect from the harsh skirmish that they had today. Rena Rouge and Carapace stood beside her on top of the Montparnasse tower.

It was best to regroup up there rather than the Eiffel Tower so they can get a good look of the mayhem before it was repaired. That and the fact Ladybug didn’t want to be plagued with memories of their nightly meetups with Chat Noir before they went about to help anyone in need.

There was a bit of raindrops before it began pouring down just after the bugs finished their work and dispersing.

“Dude..” Carapace began, “Talk about depressing atmosphere.”

Rena Rouge looked over to Carapace with an understanding look. “I know right?” She then looked upward a bit, the sun’s light had been fully swallowed up by the darkened clouds. “It reminds me of when Chat was injured by that electrical charge trying to get rid of that akuma.”

None of the two heroes aside from Rena needed a quick jog in their memory to know what she was getting at. The blood oozing from under the mask, his bloodshot green eyes and mouth makes her cringe to this day. Especially how rough his laugh sounded before he said he was fine.

Ladybug sighed. “I don’t even want to think about him right now.” This caused the two to look at her strangely for a moment. “I just can’t believe he turned his back on us. I knew he wasn’t feeling one hundred percent. But this?”

The turtle nods. “Yeah.” There was nothing more to it. Just one simple word that reflected how he agrees along with a deep exhale. “Today was not it.”

“We read the article online where it had a Hati’s body along with the blood on Chat’s foot.” Rena Rouge spoke softly to Ladybug. “What some of the civilians described the beat down were horrific..”

The leader shook her head. “We need to find him and stop him. We need answers.” She determinedly said as she kept looking down below. Specifically over by Mayor Andre’s hotel where Chat was surrounded by police just outside.

“Well..” Carapace began before Rena Rouge butted in to finish his thought. “Which is why we were planning to reach you after school until that earthquake kicked up.”

Ladybug rose a brow. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Rena nodded before sending the photos Chloé had given her that night when they talked to the superheroine. “I had called Carapace a while ago when I had received these, funnily enough, he was with Chat Noir at the time.”

The vulpine took a pause before she continued whilst Ladybug looked at the photos. The one where Chat had the white mask when he had lost to Crystalice was familiar, but the others were completely new information to her. “Chat acted.. odd. Not like himself at all. Though that is besides the point.” Rena looked at Carapace.

“What she’s been saying, was we were going to have a small meet up with you to discuss the fact Chat Noir might be under some manipulation, or something.” The turtle picked up on Rena’s thoughts on the topic.

The rain fell harder, which made the three got drenched even more than before. “We’ll continue this at Chloe’s place, come on!” Rena jumped off the tower and got a move on through the raindrops, Carapace and Ladybug followed suit as they trudged through the rain.

The citizens of Paris cheered them on as they ran right overhead, or in Carapace’s case, used the shield almost like a skateboard, he weaved through cars and motorcycles as he kept an eye on Rena and Ladybug. He then looked ahead and wondered and how things had really come to this.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

All three of the heroes ran inside the hotel lobby and came to a stop. The person behind the bell desk looked up from their computer before smiling. “Ah! The heroes, how may I help today?” The woman gave a welcoming smile as she looked on at the three young protectors.

“Hello. Umm.. Is Chloè Bourgeois inside today?” Ladybug asked the woman.

“Why yes, of course.” She smoothly spoke in a sweet tone, “I assume you have been here before?” Ladybug gave a simple nod in return. “We have. We want to have a talk with her as heroes.”

The assistant’s brows closely knit together into a subtle frown, her smile faltering a little. “Oh, has she done something wrong?” Concern made itself apparent in her voice. “No ma’am. It’s just regarding today’s events is all. No fault of her own.” Ladybug assured them with a smile.

“Oh.. Thank goodness. I thought it was something bad.” They exhaled a delayed breath she kept holding. “Anyways, don’t let me keep you three here. There’s a discussion you gals and guy must be having.” Her smile returns.

With a token of appreciation from the three protectors along with their farewells being said, they went up the stairs keeping Chloe’s bedroom in mind. It didn’t take long to reach her door after they came out of the elevator, the ride felt as if it were short lived somehow though, that was deemed unimportant in a matter of seconds.

Carapace knocked on the door for the person residing inside to hear. There was a short moment of rustling and footsteps before the door opened to reveal the mayor’s daughter in her usual black and white shirt along with white pants.

“Um..” Chloé looked at the three in surprise. “Ladybug? Rena and Carapace? What brings you three here?”

Rena stepped forward. “Chloé, I know this seems a bit sudden and all, but we really need to discuss a few things.” The vulpine paused to swallow her own spit. “Not about Hati, not even Hawkmoth.. This is about Chat Noir.”

The beautiful blonde said nothing but stared at them blankly, the grip on the doorknob was deathly tight as they had brought up that feline that loved to make puns every so often. That twisted facial expression he made when he was thrown up to the balustrade was engrained into the very corners of her brain. Of course, the only reason why it was ringing between her ears was due to the sheer fact it looked adjacent to Adrien’s. No matter how much she tries to brush it off as a mere coincidence, it made sure it was prominent enough to haunt her.

The piercing wails of the police sirens only made it worse. They were still hunting for him after today’s events, it seems like they will not be stopping until they find the black cat.

He has a lot to answer for if he reappears. “Chloe?” Carapace’s voice shook her put of her thoughts completely before she looked at him. “H- Huh? Oh.. Yeah, I figured as much of course. Come inside.” She opened the door wider and walked off to the couch whilst Ladybug closed the door and locked it behind her once everyone was inside.

Pollen floats out of their hiding spot as soon as they recognized those hero costumes, the little bee sat right on Chloè’s shoulder. “Ladybug!” They squealed, which definitely caught the leader’s attention with the other two.

Come to think of it, she’s always given the Bee Miraculous to Chloe but rarely ever saw the Kwami for it. “Hello, Pollen.” The spotted heroine smiled and waved.

Rena Rouge had a tinge of a smile just before her expression. “Before we get to our discussion, are there any towels or something to dry our heads off?” She questioned the blonde. “My hair is soaked and I don’t want to catch a cold.”

Chloe used the phone to text Armand.. Jean. Whatever his name was anyway. After a minute of waiting around, they heard the door knob moving around until there was a knock. Ladybug moved om over to the door and unlocked it before opening it entirely. “Oh?” The butler’s eyes opened wide in surprise before relaxing again. “Good day, towels for three per request of Chloè?”

Ladybug thanked him whilst taking the towels, she closed the door and locked it again once the butler was out of the doorway.

She let down her hair from the usual pigtails, an usual sight for the two heroes and Chloe in particular. She tossed the two other towels towards Carapace and Rena Rouge respectively.

“Now..” The vulpine started as she began drying her hair with it along with the other two. “As for why I wanted to hold this little meet up earlier, do you remember sharing Alya those pictures of Chat Noir with a different mask that acts like Hawkmoth’s?”

Chloe nodded slowly. “I’m going to guess she showed the photos to you.” She spoke in a softer tone than usual.

“She did. She called me aside very early this morning to showed me them.” The fox began as all the images pertaining to Chat Noir and the suspicious anomaly pertaining to him or around him from the very end of the flute’s foot joint hole. “My question is.. who?” She uselessly dropped her arms to her sides as she rested the flute on the shelf, giving it a better projection point to the wall.

“Who, is currently on the prowl other than Hawkmoth?” She asked aloud to the others. Carapace readjusted his seating position as he leaned forward in his seat, resting his arms on his legs. “And how is there an extra Miraculous?”

Ladybug looked quickly from Rena Rouge and the images over to Carapace. “There’s no way that’s even possible!” Her look of confusion and hint of astonishment apparent in her features. “Ladybug’s right! There’s none of us representing as lion nor leopard!” Pollen butted in, remembering each and every kwami’s representation along with the accessory.

“That much may be true. However, there have been accounts where the civilians have definitely seen the outline of the mask. So it’s not truly a rumour.” Carapace stated, in which, caused his girlfriend to nod her head in agreement. “Well.. I’ve seen it for myself too you know..” Chloe muttered aloud.

“So if we follow your word, Ladybug, then what is this power?” Rena Rouge asked the leader in particular, curiosity still boiling over. “It’s clearly something like Hawkmoth’s, we don’t know too much of what it does, but we can guess it also opens a communication link.” Carapace fired along.

Ladybug began to ponder on their words. No doubt they had some very solid points, but what she herself had said was also true. There were no extra miraculous accessories that stems from the miracle box of Master Wang Fu. So what or how in the hell is someone able to replicate or even wield some sort of power like them?

Ladybug’s exhale slowly trickled through her lips, there really wasn’t any other way to look at it other than the possibility of a new miraculous with two newer kwamis too. “Alright.” She began. “I’ll take your words for it, but I find it odd someone was able to somehow summon or find new kwamis or whatever.”

Pollen buzzed by, floating in the middle. “So if there’s new kwamis, what are they the concept of?” Chloe shook her head. “As if they’d know right now Pollen, if you don’t know, they definitely don’t.” She looked at her kwami with a bit of nervousness and concern.

Carapace rose his head. “Though.. My dude Wayzz did tell me he feels every kwami’s presence being used with a negative aura. All but the Cat and Bug.” If Ladybug wasn’t even more cautious and a bit afraid, she sure was now. “Huh?! Are the other Miraculouses stolen?!”

“Nah.” Ladybug’s eyebrows further furrowed in confusion upon hearing Carapace’s simple answer, which an explanation followed shortly after as to the fact Wayzz feels everyone’s negative presence but the Cat and Bug miraculous.

Ladybug pinched the bridge of her nose before she realized something. All of the miraculouses were indeed in the miracle box save for the ones currently in use, but Wayzz feels such an aura is beyond her. She immediately linked it back to the perpetrator that has taken an interest in Chat. However, it still made absolutely no sense to her.

Ladybug gave a slightly weary look to her comrades. “So I guess this is still a mystery.” She said with a hint of annoyance. “We have a new villain running around that’s an anomaly, great.” Chloe said after her, it’s almost as if she was reading her mind entirely right now.

“We’ll all figure something out eventually.” Rena Rouge tried to reassure everyone, Carapace said nothing else really, just looking over to Pollen.

“We’ll do this.. For Paris.” Rena’s eyes shone resolve that had rivalled Ladybug’s own for the first time.

She was going to get to the bottom of what this anomaly is, who is behind all of this, who is the person who is controlling Chat Noir. Even if she doesn’t find out sooner, she knew deep down, she will find him later someday. It’s only a matter of time. And with Ladybug, Carapace and Queen Bee on the team, she can do more than anything to fight the new threat looming over Paris.

[&&&&&&&&&&&&]

Benoit stood tall, for he stared blankly at Marco who was still bound in his ropes. He may have said that he has plans for him, but he truly has no idea what to do with the captured boy. “Wake up.” Benoit spoke aloud after a while of thought.

Soon enough, Marco did wake up and had a sour expression upon making eye contact with his kidnapper. “The fuck do you want now?” The teen spat with venom.

Benoit stooped down to eye level with them. “Tell me, why did you actually try to rob Adrien Agreste?” Benoit’s eyes were genuinely filled with curiosity. “That was not what I wanted you to do at all. I wanted you to just inform him of a meet up spot so I can meet and chat with him alone.” The mask’s jaw moved as he spoke.

Marco kept silent, not wanting to say anything, but he remembered what happened when Carter tried to stay tough and strong. They may be delinquents, but that beatdown Carter had suffered by Benoit.. He has never felt so horrified and scarred by such brutal beating in his entire life.

“We thought it would be best to try and get their money.” Marco admitted softly, a tinge of disdain and annoyance permeating through the tone of his voice. “Me and Carter didn’t have much financially, and we couldn’t get any jobs really. You would’ve done the same if you were in our position, in my position.”

Benoit kept silent as he kept peering back into Marco’s eyes. The delinquent couldn’t help but notice, the young man’s eyes were fully greyed over, from iris to pupils. It made the teen think, was the man actually blind? Did he suffer some sort of damage to his eyes? It looks weird to say the least, almost as if his eyes are just some dull, grey circles on a sheet of paper.

“I literally showed you my black card.” Benoit mirrored Marco’s annoyance. “Or did you forget what that signifies?” Their eyes narrowed.

The boy hung his head in thought and no more words escaped the boy’s throat, yes, he knew he was going to be paid to follow instructions, but he wanted more. He wanted more than that to the point he didn’t have to be in the dirt financially.

As soon as he lifted his head to say something, he was met with a harsh kick to the side of his head. The man’s shin felt like a baseball bat that crashed against his skull, the amount of power from such a strike nearly knocked him straight out as well. “The hell was that for?!” Marco yelled out.

Benoit’s boot made a click sound as soon as he put it back down on the floor. “The next time you do something out of line, you won’t like what I’ll do.” The man barked out.

Marco didn’t know exactly how or why, but he forgot that he was in the hands of a psychopath with random swings to him. Benoit turned his back to the boy with a grunt. “He does have potential however, he’s found a purpose. All he needed was a little external and internal nudge.” The man shrugged.

Marco had his eyebrows furrowed as he still grimaced from the kick from earlier still. If the Crystalice situation wasn’t the most off putting thing next to witnessing Chat Noir reaching a newer height fighting against Hati, then it was sure as hell the masked man right in front of him that gives him the shivers.

Benoit then snapped his fingers. “Speaking of which, I have some business to tend to.” And with that, the man’s boots clicked as he walked, the small metal spikes at the bottom softly tapping against the porcelain tiles. “I’ll be back, don’t go anywhere.” Marco could only glare at the man with unrestrained anger, for that dreaded idiot knew damn well he’s bound to an upright in an unused room.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

A few hours had passed and the rains had hardly yielded so far. The water droplets against the large glass panes that gave a certain boy a view of the outside world. The tiny god of destruction’s eyes opened with little to no haste to it.

The kwami’s headache intensified a little as soon as they tried to sit up suddenly, causing one of their eyes to close again whilst the other was still very much viewing all else. Especially Adrien.

His blonde hair was loose and free from being tied up for the day, cascading down the shoulders of the famous model himself. He had his chin resting against a fist as one of his feet were right on the couch’s seat as the other was firmly on the floor.

Upon seeing his chosen, he remembered everything from that one single incident alone. The kwami’s yell immediately died in their throat before it could even be audible.

They, however, had managed to push their remaining energy into floating over to his Chosen. The only sound being made was a small groan of pain and exhaustion so far until Plagg crashed onto the armrest.

“Adrien!..” Plagg groaned loudly before holding their head, pushing themselves up until they stood on shaky legs. “What in the world was that?!”

There was no other sound to be heard other than the rain and sirens in that moment, furthermore, the only other sound was the sound of his foot slowly, yet softly tapping on the floor. The Kwami’s chosen did not even look at them, the expression of apathy rests upon that handsome face of his. The nerve of him..

Plagg’s own expression shifts itself into one of pure annoyance before they tried to calm back down. Never had the god thought they would be getting this worked up over a situation before. “Hey! I’m talking to you!” They shouted just a bit louder than before. “Why did you kill that police officer?!”

Still, the boy did not once make a sound of acknowledgement or anything of the sort. The dampened sounds of those damned police sirens were burning into the back of the model’s mind like fine thermite on asphalt.

His eyes wandered over to the desktop he had set up with the three monitors along with the translated version of the Miraculous Spellbook on display. He must admit, the black hole ability did come in handy.

“Are you even listening?!” Plagg wobbled a bit as they took one step forward. “There was no need for any of that, he was doing his job-“

“And?”

Plagg flinched as they finally heard Adrien speak, their mouth hung ajar as the next word that was going to fly out of their mouth, had certainly been stifled out.

His head was turned towards the kwami. The miraculous holder’s eyes peering into the god of destruction’s very own. “It’s just one person, it was a necessary move to make when they’re trying to take you down.” He cracked the knuckles in his right hand by tightening it into a fist. “Those stun things hurt.”

“And to stay on the fact it hurts, what the hell happened to the suit’s pain dampening Plagg?” His eyes narrowed at the cat.

“Don’t look at me like that!” Plagg shot back as they held their head now. “Its not my fault that it happened!”

Plagg felt something drop beside him, the wrapping fell open and it revealed.. “Brie De Meaux?” The kwami looked up at Adrien, who had a risen eyebrow, before seeing the tall man just looming a distance away in the corner of their eye.

“That was me.”

Adrien finally snapped his head around and got up off the couch into a fighting stance. Boy.. did the man look unsettling. He couldn’t resist the genuine anxiety bubbling inside his very core before looking at Plagg again. They weren’t going to be much help since they’re drained of power entirely and needs to recharge. Damn. Out of options.

The man stood a bit closer to the couch as he looked down at the Cat miraculous wielder in particular. “And so we finally meet, Adrien Agreste.” The man said in a casual tone, for someone who looks like a literal villain from head to toe, that was quite the unexpected tone he used.

“And before you ask, yes, I am the voice in the back of your mind.” Adrien’s eyes held a tinge of intrigue, however, still held caution within himself. “You may also say that I’m the one who gave you that boost earlier.”

Adrien sees the person point towards his left hand and he looks down. Apparently, there was a grey ring with engravings on it, including the symbol of a lion in the middle of the ring. It looked.. familiar in a way. Where has he seen it before?

“Who..” The green eyed teen began. “Who are you, and what is this?” He lifted his arm before turning his hand over towards the person to show him.

Plagg was purely mute throughout the whole situation altogether, one could say its due to them selfishly scarfing the entire cheese to himself as he listened, the truth however, lied in the fact the man’s aura made the god feel sick to his stomach.

That slimy, twisted mix of energies he was giving off did not feel pleasant at all once they were in the same room. He knew he felt something a few times at random points these past few days, it was because of him. But why.. why was he giving off almost everyone’s aura?

“Forgotten already Adrien?” The person smirked under their mask, it may be hidden, but their eyes definitely told. “That, is the ring I gave you when you were drowning in the river today.

Flashes of the impact from Hati and crashing into the river replayed in Adrien’s mind. The struggle of trying to reach the surface for desired air whilst being chained down by his own broken ribs. He did remember someone talking to him, he did remember the ring now as it was presented to him in some dream. But it still doesn’t make sense how he somehow acquired it from said dream.

“And what about-“ Adrien spoke up before he was sharply interrupted by the man. “Your arm? You tried to destroy negative energy with negative energy which caused it to be a clashing point. Why it was sucked into your arm is beyond me.” He scratched his chin under the mask.

“And as for who I am, Adrien.” The man took a deep breath as his grey eyes looked down into greener eyes. “My name, is Benoit. A simple man of many talents.”

Chapter Text

Nathalie twisted the door knob to Adrien’s room and found it did not budge at all. She tries once more and it still didn’t budge. Honestly, she didn’t even know what she expected to happen when she decided to try it again after the first time.

She took out some keys before meticulously trying to find the one to Adrien’s bedroom, which wasn’t too hard to find after all. She inserted it into the keyhole and unlocked the door. She finally twists the knob fully and opens the door. Though, the one thing that shocked her was Adrien just doing his own thing in his room, stuffing something into his jacket pocket.

“Adrien?” The woman softly called out which made the blonde look over to her with a sudden turn. “Oh. Nathalie. What’s up?” The boy calmly asked.

Nathalie adjusted her glasses with a slight frown. “I have been trying to reach you for a while now, how did you even make it back home without me knowing?” The secretary asked with a stern yet worried tone, she had called him a few times before.

“My phone.. uh..” Adrien looked away for a moment as he stared at desktop wallpaper of his mother. “My phone kinda got destroyed when I tried making my way back here.”

Nathalie sighs whilst shaking her head, Adrien may have thought she may have been quite angry with him for having her so worried, which is a true enough case on it’s own. However, what made the boy’s eyes shot wide open was the swift embrace that came without a single warning. It was just them in the room and the sound of the rains pouring down still commenced.

“You had me worried you know. I thought you may have gotten hurt again out there.” She pulled away to look at his face. “You weren’t even supposed to go to school yet. Imagine what your father would’ve said or done once he heard you were near an akuma attack again. It would not be a good thing for both you and I.”

Adrien slowly accepted and reciprocated the hug he had gotten from her. Such a rare warmth for him, a rare warmth from someone who could be easily judged as cold hearted and serious. Just like his father, except, the boy realized the secretary acted more like family than his father ever did.

Which was fair enough on his side after all, the one person he still has that shares the same blood, he’s still quite suspicious of them.

“How’s your head, Adrien?” The woman softly asked the boy. His green eyes shifted over to the nearly empty pain killer bottle he had gotten a while back. “It’s.. alright. I’m not feeling dizzy or anything like before. But I still have a bit of a headache.” The boy admitted.

Nathalie gave him a ghost of a smile that went completely unnoticed by him. “At least you’re getting better now. He’s been worried you know?” She whispered softly.

“Then why is he not here?” Adrien asked in a monotonous way in his own head before he gave her a simple bewildered look on his face. He had to choose this reaction out of all things he felt. “He.. cares?” It was only two words, but in the midst of saying it. He had never felt so many mixed emotions compiled onto him before until now.

A part of him wanted to believe, yet the majority declared it was not the case. With someone so calculated and uncaring of him and his uncaring attitude towards others and burying his nose deep into work heavily aggravates him to the highest degree. He has no time for his son at all, save for the time they both watched “Solitude” where Adrien’s mother was starred in and the fact he was there when Adrien had that concussion.

But then what else? Nothing. Only times he’s ever been around him was when his mom was with the family. Since her disappearance, he’s changed since.

What the hell is going on here?

Nathalie seemed to have a certain look as she listened to Adrien’s only words. “Of course he cares. He has been doing everything he can to for you.” She held a small smile that was genuine. “You have no idea just what he does for you.”

Adrien said nothing more as he swallowed his own saliva making a small nod of acknowledgement. His eyes moving from her eyes to just to the door far behind her.

“And he’s going to be back soon from the trip too.” Adrien pondered, which really sounded more matter-of-factly in his head since he had been marking the days then. “Right?” The famous model asked as soon as he looked right back into her eyes.

“Soon. Soon enough.” Nathalie Sancoeur then moved away from the boy and checked her tablet as she got a notification on her tablet. “Oh, it’s him.” Her eyes gloss over the message

She taps on a few icons and reads the entire message she had received until she turned her focus back to her boss’ son. “He needs me to attend the online meeting right now so I must get going, and please.” She pauses as she chose her words. “For his sake and mine. Get some rest.”

“Wait, when exactly is he coming back?” Adrien asked aloud.

Nathalie spoke as she looked over her shoulders, she wasn’t looking directly at him for a few seconds until her eyes found their way on him. “I believe it’s tonight, the plane had a small problem so he will arrive in the night time around midnight.”

She moves on her heels and sauntered off through the door, out of eyeshot completely as she went down the hallway.

The boy went by the door and softly closed it. He took several steps back, tilting his head upward and just a little to the right to meet the figure of Benoit. The man simply stood there leaning against the CD and Bookshelf.

“You know. I forgot to tell you something, you do know I also helped you get that Miraculous Book translations too right?” His Mask’s jaw moves as he spoke.

How the hell did he even help in any remote way? That was all Adrien’s doing. He had scoped out Master Fu’s shop, watched him go to sleep and then he snuck in, where at what point did he ever helped?

Adrien rose a brow as Benoit jumped over the glass banister and landed very silently. Almost like a cat would. “You didn’t help me at all.” He folded his arms and gave him a look of suspicion. “It’s bad enough I don’t exactly know who you are and you’ve been doing things in the background or so you say. But I’m not falling for whatever you want me to believe.”

Benoit hopped over the barrier and gracefully landed on his feet. His bleached hair falling over their mask before he brushed it out of the way. “I don’t expect you to, truthfully.”

Plagg peeked out of Adrien’s jacket pocket, keeping a very close eye on the figure. What was giving him that suffocating aura and why couldn’t he put his finger on it? To a point it even feels vaguely familiar under the entire corrupted feel to it. The man made a short huff which more sounded like a laugh. His boots clicked with the small steel plates at the bottom of the outsole as he moved over to the window. Watching the rain fall, he made a shrug.

“You don’t have to believe me. I can’t force you to.” He cleared his throat as his rough voice smoothly flowed past his lips. A strange juxtaposition to the other two beings in the room. “However. Ladybug, has surely seen how I’ve helped.”

“What?!” A loud step erupted throughout the room. The man turned around and saw the boy’s expression, it was one of pure shock, anger, and disbelief. “What did you do?! I never even seen Ladybug nor you last night!”

The man simply kept quiet. “What is up with this one?” He questioned in his head. This boy seemed more.. aggressive, a bit bipolar even. He may have met others that were like that but not to some strange degree like this. But then again, he hasn’t had long transmissions to really understand what Adrien was like.

“You see. The timeframe between Ladybug witnessing what happened and me actually helping out are far apart.” Adrien slightly relaxed upon hearing, although, confusion was imminent. “And.. to be fair. A little bit of spiking a drink never harmed anyone.” The man casually stated.

“You.. spiked his drink?” Adrien then began to rethink the night’s events, he did remember Master Fu actually going to bed after drinking his herbal tea.

...

“You know what.” Adrien fully relaxed afterwards. “Fair point. I take back what I said. But how do I know he doesn’t just drink tea before going straight to bed?”

“What do you know about what he does at all?”

The blonde rose a hand to try objecting to that, alas, he did not bother to. He really and truly did not know Master Fu other than the rather short remarks Plagg randomly bring up when Master Fu was mentioned along with the two times he ever physically saw and talked to him.

If there’s anything Adrien learned throughout the entire conversation right now, is having absolutely zero points in a rebuttal, hurts.

“Anyhow. I may have added a little extra to it to keep him down for a bit.” The person in front of him sniffed before yawning “For good measure, you see.”

Adrien looked onward before narrowing his eyes in suspicion once again. Even Plagg’s eyes narrowed as well as he listened in on the conversation the two males were having. Not to mention the fact he felt as if there’s more to it due to the simple fact he drugged Master Fu. He kept quiet on the other hand since he was not looking to be spotted by the masked stranger.

“Oh, and one other thing I forgot to hand over to you.” He raised his hand slightly and a kwami appears into visibility much to Adrien’s shock and confusion. “This is Skipp and Rogg, your new companion that’s assigned to your other ring.”

Skipp, looked relatively bold, prideful for such a little Lion kwami. Much more so than any other kwami. Not that he’s really seen any other kwami of course. They boasted a grey body with an equally grey mane around their neck. The only colour difference to them were the sclera of their eyes which were a deep red with gold irises.

Rogg looked like an ordinary snow leopard, there was no type of special changes to their appearance other than the fact they looked more anthropomorphic, like Plagg and any other Kwami.

Adrien watched them float over to his side. “Huh, a new chosen.” Rogg spoke up, looking at Adrien’s face closely. “It’s been a while since our last.”

Skipp rolls their eyes before eventually making a tut. “And so what if it’s been a while, what matters is that we have a new master now.” Skipp’s eyes shift over to the green eyed boy. “So. What’s your name kid?”

Adrien took a while to answer, trying to comprehend what was even going on in this current moment. He had go deal with.. three kwamis now? “Oh, umm..?” He swallowed his saliva as he forces himself to answer. “Adrien. Adrien Agreste.”

Skipp simply acknowledges the name with a nod whilst Rogg zipped around the boy, taking his entire structure in due to his curiosity. “Well then, Adrien. We are the Kwami of Power. Both of us come with a unique set of skill sets differing from each other.”

Rogg zips up beside Skipp as they also added their two cents.” We will explain it down later. Right now, I’m feeling hungry.”

“Ah yes. I almost forgot.” Benoit turns to face Adrien and the Kwamis. “Skipp and Rogg require cheese to replenish their energy”

As if on cue, a certain voice rang out of Adrien’s jacket. “Now hang on a moment!” They flew out of the pocket and floated right up to Benoit’s mask with a look of irritation. “Plagg! What are you doing?!” The model shouted out to his companion, worried about him being revealed now.

Benoit calmly blinked and peered back at the miniature black cat floating in front of him. “Why if it isn’t Plagg. I knew that would have drawn you out.” He has a small laugh as she shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I lied. They don’t need cheese at all. They can eat any sort of treat for energy.”

Plagg’s eyes widened upon response, that creeping fear making it’s way to their own heart. Never in their life did they think they would be played into revealing themselves to someone. As for Adrien, he felt worry and annoyance towards the kwami’s recklessness.

“Anyhow..” Benoit simply shrugged. “Ignoring Plagg’s foolishness. That woman said your father was returning in Paris at midnight.

Plagg floated back over to Adrien’s side with a sharp look to the man. “So what?” The blond looked him up and down.

“I think it would be best to go find him don’t you think?”

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Marinette was lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, minutes after returning home from the meeting they held at Chloé’s place. She wanted nothing more than to shut her eyes and disappear into the dreamworld. But after everything that had happened today?

How could she?

Master Fu lay in a hospital bed, the victim of the Akuma attack. The person he tried to save shared the same fate, hospitalized alongside her mentor. And her partner, Chat Noir… He had turned his back on her. He had gone rogue. A sense of helplessness settled in her chest, heavy and suffocating.

She had never felt so lost until now.

Chat had reappeared out of nowhere during the battle, but he was different. Unpredictable. He’d used some strange new ability she'd never seen before. The entire situation had spiralled into something far beyond the usual chaos of Akuma attacks. It wasn’t just broken windows, overturned cars, or trapped civilians this time.

People died.

Mortal wounds. The collapsed stadium. Battered bodies, crushed limbs, bloodied faces. A massacre unfolded this time.

And now, every time she looked at her phone, the news reminded her of the death toll, the injured, the destruction. Her heart clenched painfully at the thought, and no matter how many times she told herself not to check, her fingers found their way back to the screen.

Her kwami, Tikki, watched from her perch beside her chosen, grief written across her tiny face. She could feel Marinette’s turmoil—her guilt, her sorrow, her confusion.

“Marinette,” Tikki whispered, her voice soft and kind, yet tinged with sorrow. “It’s not your fault. None of it is.”

Marinette hugged her pillow tightly, her face pressed into the fabric. She didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to acknowledge the voice of reason. The events of the day played on an endless loop in her mind. The sounds, the screams, the sight of lifeless bodies—it was too much.

“You can’t save everyone, Marinette. You know that,” Tikki continued gently. “Even if you try your hardest, sometimes things happen that are out of your control.”

The words did little to ease the burden weighing on her heart. She squeezed her eyes shut, letting out a deep, shuddering breath. “I know, Tikki. I know…” Her voice was barely audible, carrying the weight of her frustration and guilt. “But it’s hard to accept that.”

Silence filled the room once again. Marinette pushed herself up, sitting against the headboard as she let her thoughts settle. “I’m responsible for protecting the people of Paris. That’s my duty. That’s what being Ladybug means.” Her voice grew firmer, more resolved, but still, a tremor of uncertainty lingered. “And now, all I can think about are the families of those who died. The people whose lives have been shattered because I wasn’t fast enough.. because I couldn’t stop it.”

Tikki floated over to her shoulder, offering silent support as Marinette continued, her gaze distant. “And then there’s Chat Noir… He apparently took a police officer with him. People are afraid. They don’t know what’s happening, and neither do I.”

Before Tikki could respond, a soft thud echoed from the balcony. The railing rattled lightly, breaking the quiet stillness of the room.

“What was that?” Tikki’s voice rose slightly in alarm.

Marinette’s eyes darted toward the trapdoor leading to the balcony, her breath catching in her throat. “I don’t know…” She whispered back, her curiosity piqued, though a hint of caution crept into her tone.

Slowly, she climbed out of bed, her bare feet padding softly across the floor as she approached the trapdoor. With deliberate care, she pushed it open just enough to peek outside. Her heart raced for a brief moment until she spotted Carapace sitting on the balcony, clutching his shin with a grimace.

Relief washed over her as she realized it was just him. She pushed the trapdoor fully open and climbed onto the balcony. “Hey, are you okay?” she asked gently, pretending not to know him personally despite their shared secret lives.

Carapace looked up, his face twisted with pain. “Oh, hey, Marinette, right?” He played along, hiding the fact they knew each other well.

Marinette nodded, her concern deepening. “What happened? Why are you here?”

Carapace groaned, adjusting himself to sit upright against the railing. “I was patrolling, and I saw someone running across the rooftops,” he explained, his voice strained. “Tried to follow them, but I messed up a jump and hit my shin on something.”

Marinette’s blood ran cold at the mention of someone on the rooftops. “Was it Chat Noir?” She took a step closer, her pulse quickening as she searched his face for answers.

Carapace shook his head. “No, someone else entirely. I couldn’t get a good look, but it seemed like some random parkour enthusiast or a daredevil. Nothing like Chat.”

Despite his words, Marinette sensed he wasn’t telling the whole truth. She couldn’t blame him—he had his reasons—but it frustrated her that she couldn’t be completely honest with him. She wanted to shout that she was Ladybug, that she needed to know who this mysterious figure was. But she couldn’t risk it.

“What could this person want?” she whispered to herself, a nagging suspicion creeping into her mind. “Could they be connected to Hawkmoth?”

Carapace hesitated, his gaze shifting as he mulled over her question. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But if it is Hawkmoth, he didn’t act like it. He wasn’t trying to fight me. Just ran, like he had somewhere to be.”

Marinette’s mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. It didn’t make sense for Hawkmoth to flee unless something had changed. Was there a new hideout? Or was there someone else at play?

Sighing, she decided to let it rest for now. “You should stay here and rest for a bit. I need to get back to bed before it gets too late.”

Carapace nodded, wincing slightly as he rubbed his shin. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll just hang out here for a while.”

“Goodnight,” Marinette said with a soft smile before disappearing back through the trapdoor.

Once inside, she closed the hatch with a soft click. As she settled back into bed, her mind continued to churn with unanswered questions and unshakable worry.

[&&&&&&&&&&]

Chloé sat upright in her bed, head resting heavily in her hand, her blonde hair falling over her face like a curtain.

The normally fiery, self-assured girl was uncharacteristically quiet. The weight of the day’s events pressed down on her chest like a boulder. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel in control. And Chloé hated feeling out of control.

Her room, usually a safe haven where she could close the door on the world and its problems, felt too big and too cold. The opulent surroundings, the luxury that once made her feel invincible, now seemed meaningless. Shiny, empty objects that couldn’t protect her from the growing danger in Paris—or the guilt that gnawed at her.

She didn’t want to think about it. But how could she not?

The faces of the people she’d seen injured—some worse than that—flashed through her mind. The news had been relentless, showing footage of the destruction over and over again. The stadium in ruins. The victims. And Chat Noir....The normally flirty and pun-filled feline, a protector of Paris, someone she once believed would never cross a line like that.

But he had.

She clenched her fists in her lap, the nails digging into her palms as she tried to suppress the mixture of fear, anger, and confusion churning inside her.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table. For a second, she ignored it, too exhausted to care. But then the buzzing continued, persistent. Reluctantly, she picked it up and glanced at the screen.

It was a message from Sabrina.

“Are you okay? Saw the news recap here... Paris is freaking out. Let me know if you need anything, please.”

Chloé stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the screen. Sabrina’s words were always full of concern, always offering help. But for once, Chloé didn’t know what to say.

What could she say?

“I’m fine.” That was her usual response. But that would be a lie, and she was tired of pretending.

Taking a deep breath, she typed back, “I’m okay. Just tired.” It was vague, but it would suffice. She didn’t have the energy to explain more, even if she wanted to.

Chloé tossed her phone aside and leaned back against her pillows, staring up at the ceiling. The rain tapped softly against her windows, a rhythm that usually calmed her, but now it was only a reminder of how heavy everything felt.

A part of her wished she could do something anything. But what could she do? She wasn’t a hero. At least, not like Ladybug or the others. She had the Bee Miraculous only a few times, but after everything that happened…

She shook her head, trying to push away the thought.

The truth was, she missed the power. She missed being able to fight back, to protect herself and the people she cared about. Or at least the very few people she cares about other than Adrien. Like Sabrina, maybe. But now? She felt helpless, trapped in her own privilege, watching the city crumble from the safety of her room.

Tears stung at the corners of her eyes, but Chloé blinked them away quickly. She didn’t cry. She was stronger than that. Or at least, she wanted to be.

But tonight, she wasn’t so sure.

She has never been that sure as of recent, knowing what her brain was trying to comprehend and rationalize all in the same notion. Especially when she was so close to screaming Chat’s real name, or she theorized it to be. But none of that matters if she had to do her part in these heroic duties she was now set to take part of. Not as some part-time hero, technically, but as a real undercover hero of Paris.

Pollen surely knew of the state her chosen was in. It is not surprising considering what she has had to deal with already.

But it was best to keep her own mouth closed, for it wouldn’t do much good.