Chapter Text
Three akumas in the last two weeks. He's not sure if it's in bad taste to say, but it's been so much fun being a superhero for his city. And being able to call it his city? As if he's this authority figure, or someone to look up to? While it feels kind of undeserved, it's also exhilarating. Holy shit.
Lance is a god damned super hero. He lands on the roof of the apartment building he stays in during the weekends. Technically, it's his brother's place, but whatever. Standing here, overlooking the city. He's never felt more powerful. Except, you know, when he's using cataclysm. The power to destroy anything he touches.
Once he's sure there's no one around to see him, Lance detransforms. He's left alone with the small god, Plagg.
"Ugh," He complains, zipping from Lance's now silver ring. "You're really pushing it, kid,"
Lance sticks his tongue out. In truth, he's still getting used to the constant attitude he gets from the kwami, but he's growing on him. "What? I made it back in five minutes. You've got nothing to complain about." He's sure that Plagg will find something to complain about anyway.
When Lance was still new at this super hero thing, he accidentally fed Plagg spray cheese. The kwami was so offended, he didn't speak to Lance for two days. It took an akuma to get them on speaking terms again. Whoever the last Chat Noir is must have spoiled the shit out of him. Camembert is not exactly cheap! But seeing as super powers are hard to come by, he guesses that shelling out some smelly french cheese is a fair price.
"Yeah, 4 minutes and 50 seconds! I'm exhausted," Plagg lands on his shoulder and rolls onto his back. "I think I'm dying. Fetch me some cheese."
Lance rolls his eyes.
He heads down the fire escape. Oh, he's definitely not allowed up here, but he thinks saving the city for nearly a month means he's allowed some perks. So there, cranky landlord.
They live on the top floor, so it only takes about a minute to get to the front door. Thankfully, his brother is still at work. Plagg doesn't seem to mind being cooped up in his shirt, or his bag, or even his pocket. Lance figures it's got to be more comfortable flying around. Maybe it's just something he can't fathom. Some godly habits can’t translate.
In the fridge, Lance keeps the cheese all the way in the back. No matter what he seems to do, he can't contain the smell. The worst part may be convincing his brother he actually likes the stuff. He's expanding his food horizons. It's obvious, at the very least, that his interest in real life superheros has made a resurgence.
Lance has been doing research on the attacks on Paris a few decades ago. Hawkmoth mysteriously disappeared. Both Ladybug and Chat Noir were pretty tight lipped about the whole affair, telling the people of Paris the problem has been dealt with. Though they dealt with criticism, the Parisians were just relieved they never had to worry about dealing with akumas again. The problem is, it's left no clear answers for what to do with the current Hawkmoth- if that's even what they're dealing with here.
Making matters more frustrating is Plagg, who is equally cryptic about the previous heroes and villains. He's tried bribing, threatening no cheese, and even pleading with him. Nothing worked. He's hoping that maybe him and Ladybug can figure something out, but his partner disappears at the end of each fight without so much as a fist bump.
He's so mysterious.
Lance sighs happily thinking about Ladybug.
To the untrained professional, they'd see someone who is standoffish- someone who doesn't care about the city, and the people in it. But Ladybug cares more than he lets off. He's so determined, flying in, rescuing people without a word, before zipping away. They even have a habit of falling into an easy banter during some of their easier fights. Sometimes, anyway.
But Ladybug seems to want to end the incessant akuma attacks more than anyone else.
Lance thinks he must have some motive of his own. Some stake in it that he isn't about to let anyone else know. It's a dumb reason to be so interested in Ladybug. And yet, here he is. He sighs. That's another thing Plagg won't tell him about. Once, he asked Plagg if he knew who Ladybug might be.
"You're going to be just as bad as the last one, I can tell already," Was all Plagg said. Lance bugged him about it a few more times, but soon realized that it was a fruitless endeavor. Well. He'll just have to find out more about Ladybug the old fashioned way. Getting to know him. If only it were that easy.
Lance tosses a piece of cheese into the air, and the kwami easily catches it. Knowing better than to close the fridge, he takes out some more, knowing that the kwami can eat more cheese than what should probably be possible.
He might have to get a second job, just to support this cheese obsession.
Once he's sure that Plagg will be satisfied with the offering, he returns to his room. It's pretty small, barely big enough for his bed. But it's his. There are a few exams already coming up. After a long day, he can't bring himself to even pick up the book.
One that isn't related to the miraculous, anyway.
The akumas haven't really been angry, or tried to attack anyone outside of the Garrison ranks. Akumas back in Paris always seemed to have a more specific target. How many people are that angry at the Garrison in general? What exactly is going on at the Garrison that incites that sort of anger? He feels almost defensive for the academy that he worked so hard to get into.
The problem is, after the akumas are defeated, leaving only a bemused person behind, they are swiftly found by people in dark, otherwise unidentifiable cars and taken away. This has always pissed off Ladybug, but it's only started to annoy Lance. They're never going to make any progress unless they can corner one of these guys, figure out what they know. Either that, or follow the black cars that seem to disappear into thin air.
Next time, he's going to have to convince Ladybug that they have to work together beyond punching stuff. As much fun as that is. His Ladybug, his knight in spotted armor, is so stubborn. Maybe he can use his grappling crossbow to tie him up for a bit. Could be the only way.
Next time. He promises himself. He won't let himself get distracted by how pretty or cool Ladybug is.
The next day, he stops in a local restaurant called Tino’s. It's pretty cheap there and has some of the best mozzarella sticks he's ever had. He orders some to go so he can go right back upstairs and try to get some actual studying done. Lance prays that Plagg doesn't steal his meal. Ugh. He'll just stop at the grocery store on the way back so he doesn't run into that issue.
When he hears grumbling a little bit away, he turns to see someone pretty familiar looking bussing a nearby table. He's got long, dark hair, dark clothes, and a darker expression.
Holy shit that’s Keith Kogane.
As the name passes through his mind, Keith walks away. It’s like magic. Fury replaces that heavy feeling. That guy was always trying to one up him. And now, he doesn’t even have the decency to say hello!
He was kicked out of the Garrison a couple of months back despite being a rising star and a total teacher's pet. No one on campus ever did find out the reason he was booted beyond 'disciplinary issues'.
Lance was so determined to best him in any and all skills the garrison tried to teach them. Without fail, Keith would be come out on top. It drove him absolutely crazy. To see him working here? After all the cool shit he accomplished back in the Garrison?
It's frustrating. And kind of sad. He's not about just stand here and pity what could have been the best pilot in the Garrison though. That'd be too messed up, even for a show off/know it all like Keith.
Lance looks around trying to catch a glimpse of the other boy, but he must be busy doing something in the back. Did he recognize Lance? He must have. They were always going at it. Kind of. Sort of.
Hunk would agree, and that's what's important here. He feels Plagg shuffle around in his jacket pocket, hidden away in the front. Oh, he's sure that the little guy would have something to say about this. Would probably mention how someone like Keith would be a better Gato Negro than himself. Well, whatever. Lance just has to continue to prove himself. And he will. Oh, he will.
The order of his mozzerella sticks arrive just as he hears a screech come from outside. Everyone in the restaurant dropped what they were doing to cover their ears, including Lance. In his bones, he knows that there's an akuma outside.
It's weird. They just fought one yesterday.
Nevertheless, he knows that he needs to find a safe place to transform. Plagg continues to squirm in his pocket. At this point, it kind of tickles. Another screech rips through the sound barrier. It nearly brings him to his knees. He hopes that while he's Gato Negro, he won't have to worry about those screams affecting him.
Lance runs outside. He knows there's an alleyway that'll probably discreet enough for him to transform. Luckily, it looks like he'll be alright out here. There's no one to be seen.
"Plagg, transform me!"
With only a single huff of annoyance, Plagg complies. The surge of power is not something he's likely to get used to soon. Like this, Lance feels like he can take on the world- do something actually useful with his life. He takes the grappling crossbow from his back and shoots upwards, landing on the rooftop.
The akuma has long, hawk-like wings. They’re circling the city. What are they waiting for? He frowns, trying to figure out the best course of action when suddenly, Ladybug lands right beside him.
"Whoa," Gato Negro says. "Where'd you come from?" He asks. In this light, like all lights, Ladybug looks amazing. Determined. Brave. Gato Negro would very much like to change that expression. Make him laugh. As dire as their situation can sometimes be, they should at least be able to enjoy their powers. Celebrate being heroes. Like, maybe have a parade one of these days.
Hell, Paris erected statues of their heroes within the first six months of their tenure.
"Does it matter?" Ladybug asks. "Do you know what we're dealing with yet?"
Gato Negro hums, looking out at the akuma. All business, all the time. "Not yet. I just got here. We've got to figure out a way to-" The akuma screeches. Turns out it's worse as Gato Negro- his ears are more sensitive now. The ones atop his head flatten while he covers the ones on either side of his head. Once it ends, he peers up at Ladybug. "Figure out how to deal with that."
Ladybug, to his surprise, looks at him with a touch of concern. Or is he just imagining that?
"The sooner the better. Let's go," Ladybug is about to jump away from him as always.
"Wait, waitwaitwait," Gato Negro stops him. "This one, I think we're gonna need more of a plan than to just beat the shit out of him until we find where the akuma is hiding," He advises. This Ladybug, unlike the previous incarnation, tends to attack first, ask no questions later. And while that can be a cool attitude in movies, they're gonna need to be more tactical than that.
"You just said you had no ideas," Ladybug counters, crossing his arms. If we get closer, we can at least try and figure out where the akuma is," And with that, Ladybug races ahead, jumping from building to building with no effort at all.
It's frustrating, but Gato Negro isn't about to let Ladybug go into battle by himself. He huffs, then follows after him. Getting closer to the akuma means that it's going to be louder. While other akumas have managed to strike a bit of fear into him, Gato knew that he was stronger than the villain- that he'd come out on top because that's how superheroing works. Now? This akuma seems to have found a weakness in him. Was this a coincidence? Or is someone, perhaps the new Hawkmoth, watching them? Hard to say.
While landing down on a rooftop closer to the akuma, it lets out another screech. Gato presses his hands to his ears again, but they seem to have little effect. When the noise finally stops, a ringing is left behind in his ears.
He slowly brings his hands away from his ears, and looks around. It takes a few seconds to spot Ladybug. He's even closer to the akuma than Gato is- and he's gearing up to jump on top of the akuma. Does he even know where the akuma is hiding?
The hawk-like akuma passes above his head, and while it's legs are tucked in, Lance can see the claws. His own are going to have sheathed this time around.
If this akuma is anything like the last one, then he's got something to do with the Garrison on them. It's usually a badge, or even a jacket. He hopes that Ladybug has the same idea as him. If they work together, than this shouldn't take any longer than the other akumas.
And with those ear splitting cries, Gato wants to end this as soon as possible. He aims his grappling crossbow towards the akuma. The scope helps him get a closer look. Would it be around their neck maybe? Or is it hidden among all those feathers? The monstrous akuma, like the others, seems to be a mish mash of a human and an animal. Nothing like the akumas of the Paris attacks. It worries him what this could mean.
Through the eyepiece of his weapon, he sees Ladybug launch himself upward and onto the back of the akuma. It seems to be a favored move of his. It's then that Gato notices around the foot of the akuma a shining Garrison badge. He knew it'd be related to the academy!
He's about to shout to Ladybug when the akuma lets out another cry. Gato is brought to his knees. How can a screech feel so physical? Even with his ears covered, it shakes him to his core. The people in the city are going to be just as, if not more disoriented as him. Unfortunately, the akuma seems to have noticed that this is a pretty effective way to make those around them more vulnerable. It makes for easy pickings. Though Ladybug seems to be okay through all of this. He’s probably in pain and ignoring it.
Gato closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before he removes his hands. Like this, he can't tell Ladybug where the akuma truly is. At the moment. Ladybug is clawing his way across the akuma's back, presumably to reach the neck.
Gato aims his weapon once more. Aiming doesn't come as naturally as he'd like. Or is it just his concentration that's off? It doesn't matter. He's ending this. Just before the akuma lines up with the shot, he fires. Just as planned, the long silvery chain wraps itself around the leg, and Gato is whisked forward.
Hanging from an angry hawk like akuma is not as easy as it might sound. In fact, it might be one of the harder things he's had to do so far as a superhero. The pain from the akuma's call burrows further into his ear, making it feel like his head is going to split in two. But Gato perseveres. The akuma is hiding in the badge that's just out of reach now. If only it would-
Suddenly, the cry of the akuma gets louder. Gato feels the difference in flight. They're heading lower. It's gotta be Ladybug's doing. But is this gonna get them killed? Stay tuned to find out! The akuma shakes it's already ruffled feathers, trying to detach the two miraculous users.
It lands roughly on their wing, just on top of one of the tall office buildings in the area. Thank god this isn't New York. Heights aren't something a cool cat like him is uncomfortable with, and he's pretty sure he's mostly indestructible, but it's also a theory he doesn't want to test thoroughly so early on in his career.
The long screech has ended. Now, it's coming intermittently. Gato blinks dazedly, trying to clear his head. It's not easy. He knows enough to yank the badge hanging from a chain away from the clawed foot of the akuma.
Unlike the previous times fighting the akumas, this one doesn't lie there, knowing that the end has arrived. This one lets out an angry cry, and slashed at Gato with one of it's feet. Gato manages to stumble out of harm's way. It's not even a second later before the akuma swipes at him again. The akuma tries to get up from the landing position, scrambling to take back the badge.
"Lucky charm!" It's rare to hear Ladybug use the actual words, Gato thinks distantly. He thinks that Ladybug is for some reason embarrassed by them. From this angle, Gato can't see what Ladybug conjured. He only hopes that it's good enough to stop this akuma from making another noise. And maybe stop attacking him, while he's at it. From the frustrated groan he hears for a moment, it’s not going to be that simple.
The akuma stands up to it's full height. This close, Gato feels dwarfed by the akuma. He draws his grappling crossbow close. It’s not a weapon that’s meant inflict real injuries, but it’s the only thing he has besides his cataclysm. Up here? Not too much to destroy. Nothing helpful anyway.
A moment later, the akuma screeches once more, derailing his train of thought. Gato turns and runs. He needs to put some distance between him and this bird. The rooftop doesn’t have that much space. He’s thinking he’s going to have to jump to the next one. Going down to street level is not an option- not when there’s still so many people. Why do they stand and watch? This isn’t a movie!
Looking upward, he doesn’t see Ladybug. Where did he go? It’s not like him to run away from a fight. As amazing as he is, he wishes that Ladybug could see that they’d get this done much faster if they worked as a team.
The akuma stretches their long neck forward, trying to take a chunk out of him. Oh boy.
At the edge of the rooftop, he hears a completely different thing. It’s like a song. Fortunately, the akuma seems to have noticed as well. Gato lets out a long breath as the akuma slinks away, towards the direction of the song. He has a feeling that Ladybug is behind this somehow. What, was his charm a flute, or something?
Hard to tell with his ears still ringing.
That also means that the clock is running. Five minutes until Ladybug detransforms. Not good. It’s then that he spots Ladybug on the building ahead of both him and the akuma.
Gato takes a step forward, looking to get a good, clean angle to throw the badge to Ladybug. With what can only be described as a stroke of luck, he catches Ladybug’s line of vision. He throws the badge just as Ladybug drops the panflute. Holy shit that’s an adorable lucky charm.
Ladybug catches the badge and breaks it with ease. The akuma lands on the building right next to him, perplexed. Ladybug doesn’t waste another moment before the charm is thrown into the air, and cleanses both the city and the akuma in a swarm of ladybugs. Thankfully, the ringing in his ears disappears as well.
Gato slumps onto the ground. When he gets home, he’s gonna treat himself with the bath bomb he’s been saving. He’s earned it after today. Shit. He’s still got work to do. Reluctantly, he stands up, then uses his grappling crossbow to cross the distance between the two office buildings.
Ladybug has been trying to get answers out of the akuma victim.
It’s someone from the Garrison. A graduated class member going for a career there, judging by his grey uniform.
“Are you okay?” Gato asks, kneeling beside the victim.
“Who did this?” Ladybug asks a moment later.
“Give the guy a moment,” Gato replies gently. He knows that Ladybug is eager for answers, but this person just went through something kind of scary. He deserves time to breathe.
“Th-the Garrison,” He says with a shaking voice. His uniform doesn’t look as pristine as some of the other graduate members of the academy. “They’re looking for something. They’re… I don’t know- I can’t remember…” The guy holds his head in his hands and quakes. It’s clear that just like before, becoming an akuma is not voluntary.
A quick glance at Ladybug tells Gato that he’s furious. His arms are crossed. He’s looking at the cityscape with narrowed eyes. Is what they’re hearing what Ladybug needs? He hopes so. Wishes there was more he could do to help.
“This isn’t what they promised. I- I just wanted to help-”
“The black cars are coming,” Ladybug says suddenly.
Gato looks back and forth from his partner to the guy still lying on the rooftop. "We can't let him go back there," He decides. "There's no way."
Ladybug grabs his shoulder and pulls him a few feet away so that they can talk without having to worry about the newly saved akuma victim doesn't hear. "Or," Ladybug starts. Gato doesn't like where this is going. "We can let them take him. And then we follow him."
Gato shakes his head immediately. It's not often he argues with Ladybug. They are a team but... But Ladybug is kind of the leader, isn't he? Gato Negro is the sidekick. He's no Chat Noir, not by a long shot. Still. "We can't do that. This guy is suffering. Was suffering. We don't even know if it's the Garrison who are in those cars,"
"They are, I'm sure of it."
"Are you really willing to bet his life on it? C'mon man. Let's take him somewhere safe," He crosses his own arms. Surely Ladybug can see that it'd be wrong to turn this guy over. Every time they've tried to follow those black cars, they've lost them. And this guy? He's in no shape. It makes Gato wonder about all the other akuma victims that have been cleansed. Were they in this condition too? Guilt sweeps through him, threatening to drown him.
This is not the time to get caught up in himself. He needs to stay focussed.
Ladybug seems to struggle with the dilemma on his own. Then finally, as the black cars park outside the building, he says, "Fine." The word is sharp, but it's enough.
Gato goes to the victim's side. "Is there anywhere we can take you? A friend in the city they may not know about?"
Turns out, he does. Gato lifts him carefully, ready to go through the city as fast as he can. Hopefully the Garrison, or whoever is in those cars, doesn't watch them too closely. He turns, ready to ask Ladybug if he's ready, but the other hero is long gone.
Disappointment makes his shoulders sag. When will they get to talk for real?
Later, Lance is in his brother's apartment. He's trying hard to study, but the days events kind of prevent him from really retaining any information whatsoever.
Ladybug is a cool person. He knows it deep in his heart that he is. But there are moments, like today, where he wonders if Ladybug is in this too deep. If he's distracted with his own goals. They certainly seem to blind him every now and then. What can he do as his partner to help him see that they're doing everything they can? And that they aren't going to hand over victims?
If Lance doesn't know what's going on with him, there's no way he can help. Maybe there's a way he can meet up with Ladybug. Outside of akuma attacks. They could patrol the city, see if there are any clues leading to the disappearances of the akuma victims, or if the Garrison slips up and shows what they're up to. Even a hint. They should talk sometime. They should-
There's a knock at the door in the living room. It disrupts his thoughts enough so that Lance can turn back to his studies, but a moment later, his brother Gabriel is peeking his head through the door.
"It's for you," Gabriel tells him.
Huh. Lance wasn't really expecting anyone. Maybe Hunk or Pidge scheduled some Netflix time with him and he forgot? Wouldn't be the first time.
He goes to the living room, expecting to see one of his friends. What he doesn't expect to see is Keith fucking Kogane standing in the doorway. He looks far more awkward that Lance has ever seen him. And holding a plastic bag. Weird. Even though he dropped out of the Garrison, he thought that this guy would keep his bad boy cred. How the turn tables.
"Uh...?" Lance says. Their rivalry was legendary at school, but he didn't think he'd ever see this guy again. Does this mean that Lance wins? He's certainly moved up in ranks since he's left. "What can I do for you, Keith?"
Keith blinks in surprise. "You know me?" He asks.
"...Yeah, we went to school together?" Lance says incredulously. “We shared classes! You sat behind me in Physics!” Holy shit. What is Keith doing here if he doesn’t even remember Lance?
He nearly closes the door in this jerk’s face before Keith holds out a bag. “Your- you never got-” Keith clears his throat. This is painful for the both of them, he thinks. “Mozzarella sticks! The akuma attack. You already paid. So.”
It’s Lance’s turn to blink in surprise. Tentatively, takes a hold of the food he ordered. That’s right, Keith works at Tino’s. “So they’re making you go door to door, giving food to all the people who missed out?”
“Uh… Yeah,” He scratches at his neck, refusing to meet Lance’s eye.
It must be a pretty shitty job, having to track down everyone. Or maybe the owner of Tino’s remembers where he lives. It’d make some sort of sense. He visits all the time.
So, even though it’s fucking Keith Kogane, asshole extraordinaire, Lance can’t help but say, “Thanks. You didn’t have to.” If it had been the other way around, Lance would have been tempted to eat the food. Y’know. If it was Keith he was delivering to. He reaches into his pocket to get a tip, but Keith shakes his head vehemently.
“No, ah. Don’t worry about it.”
Lance thinks it might be a pride thing.
“So. See you.” Keith turns on his heel and walks away mechanically. That might be the most awkward interaction Lance has ever had with a human being in his life. Maybe Keith isn’t human. It wouldn’t surprise him to find out he might be part alien or whatever. He closes the door and heads back to his room, ignoring Gabriel’s questioning look.
Seeing Keith, his old rival look like that did something to him. That is not how Keith should be looking. Awkward? Yeah, probably. But looking lost? No way. That guy always knew what to do. Is there a way to contact Keith again without it seeming like Lance pities him?
Ugh, what is he thinking? Of course there isn’t! He’s really got to hang the cape up when he’s at home. If he thinks about it, he saves Keith’s butt every time an akuma rages through the city. That should be more than enough. Plus, it’s not like Keith was ever that nice to him. So yeah, fuck that guy!
When he opens the box of nice, warm mozzarella sticks, he has to fight off Plagg. These are his cheese sticks. He’s earned them after all the weirdness and unanswered questions from today.