Chapter Text
It was something Marinette found pretty and Adrien had to admit he liked it too initially. Now it represented frustration and temptation. The object in question… a hair pin.
They had gone to the opening of the Shattered Iron statue as a date. Figuring that since the married couple had been akumafied over the statue they as Ladybug and Chat Noir had a duty to see what all the fuss had been about. The statue had been stunning and interesting to see since it transformed as you walked around it. From the front it was two dragon like creatures circling one another and if you looked at it from the back the statue transformed to be two humans with wings caught in the same circling motion. As you walked around the sides the forms dissolved into bits of shattered metal and glass hence their chosen name Shattered Iron. It was a stunning work of art and they were more than happy to show up at the unveiling of the statue. Overall it ended up being a fairly large venue with other artist setting up booths in the nearby court yard to sell their wares. Of course the super hero duo were welcomed and thanked profusely by all the people there but none so much as the once akumafied victims since Miraculous Cleanse had fixed their statue. Once the unveiling was over with they had perused the stalls and that’s when she had found the hair pin. Marinette had wanted to switch up her hairstyle a little and the pin was part of the Shattered Iron wares. It was a long bronze rod that had thin chains that connected to three brightly colored faceted glass balls on the end. The balls swung free and to her delight she also discovered a tiny bronze bell that looked like Chats attached to the balls. It was pretty and cute so when she showed it to him in her palm Chat had given her an excited thumbs up without even realizing the mistake he had made.
To be honest the first time she wore it he had been stunned by how she looked with her hair all bundled up. She had looked older, more beautiful, more…something. The bun look as he so dubbed it had left him speechless and he hadn’t even noticed the hairpin. This was the second time she had worn it and she hadn’t even meant to. Marinette had been late getting into class and in her rush she had forgotten to grab two hairbands. Her hair was getting longer these days and she hadn’t wanted it getting in her way especially since they had science lab earlier that day and their teacher didn’t appreciate loose hair around fire. There was no time to go back home and for a moment she resigned herself to wearing a ponytail when she remembered the hair pin still in her bag. With a smile she had bundled her hair into a bun placing the pin just right so the dangling balls swung free with every movement of her head.
It was two classes later that Adrien had arrived late from something his father had planned and he had been happily surprised to see her hair up once more. Adrein had loved the look until they broke off into pairs to work on an in class project. With a grin Alya had switched seats with him and he had been in heaven sitting next to the love of his life until she turned away from him to get something out of her bag. Sun light streaming in from the windows hit the shiny little balls catching his attention and so far he had yet to regain it.
Every time she moved her head the little balls moved glinting in the light as they swung back and forth. The dam thing was taunting him he could just feel it and to make it worse they chinked as they swung making a pleasant tinkling sound that Adrien knew only he could hear. He wanted to paw at the stupid little balls make
them swing and chime and…
“Adrien are you ok?” Marinette asked a look of concern crossing her features as she turned to face him fully. The shiny baubles vanished behind her head and Adrien stiffened as he realized he had been staring.
“Yeah sorry I was uh distracted.” Adrien muttered cursing Plagg and his cat tendencies that came with him.
Marinette blushed and turned once more looking back down at the work sheet. The balls came swishing back into his peripheral vision chinking as they swung free. He glanced at them meaning to look away swiftly once more. Instead his eyes were pinned to them as they danced and it was only after his fingertips tapped one of them that he realized he had lost to his inner Chat once more. The little bell chimed audibly as he swatted at it and Marinette twitched, swiftly looking up causing his hand to brush her cheek as she turned. Adrien yanked his hand away blushing furiously once more and finally turned his attention to the worksheet before him. He kept his eyes pinned on the worksheet for the rest of the period and not on the bright dancing balls that glittered drawing his attention and…
Adrien huffed shaking his head irritably not seeing the concerned glance Marinette gave him. The bell rang and Adrien was off like a shot not even thinking of where he was supposed to be going next. By the time Adrien finally remembered he had math next he was almost late. Thankfully he arrived in time and Marinette handed him his bag which he had forgotten in his previous class. Thanking her with a smile he climbed up the one step and sat behind her in his seat for this class.
It was then that Adrien realized his error, he sat behind Marinette, behind those bright colorful stupid balls that swung with every twitch of her head. Nails dug into desk and Adrien could practically feel his body vibrating with the desire to pounce. Pounce and play and swish the baubles across the floor to pounce again and… A hand descended on his shoulder making him yelp in surprise as he tried and failed to leap to his feet. His feet had been tucked under the chair legs while he was sitting and feet tangling with the chair legs Adrien fell over sideways pulling the chair down as he crashed to the floor with a clatter making the whole room freeze.
“Mr Agreste!” Their teacher cried shocked and Adrien glanced up to see Nino hand hanging in the air a confused, shocked expression in place.
“Dude?” Nino whispered and Adrien felt his face flush.
Marinette was at his side in an instant, a look on her face that screamed Ladybug protection mode. Before he could say a word she pressed a hand to his forehead then turned to the teacher.
“I think he has a fever. May I take Adrien to the nurses office?” Marinette asked
Their teacher nodded still looking confused while Marinette hauled a stunned Adrien to his feet, grabbed their bags, and pulled him out the door.
“Ok tell me what’s going on.” Marinette said as they walked down the hall.
Adrien sighed keeping up with her as he tried not to think about the swaying balls in the back of her hair. It was harder than he thought since it had the little bronze bell that chimed with every step she took drawing his attention right back to the accursed thing.
“I… well…” Adrien muttered distractedly his hand rising on its own to swat at the baubles. They chinked and Marinette twisted to look up at him seeing the way his eyes followed the hair stick. Suddenly her eyes went wide and she froze midstep causing Adrien to run into then trip over her. He yelped bounced onto the balls of his feet and fell forward landing on all fours before he could face plant.
“Marinette…” Adrien whined as he twisted around knowing that she knew he hated it when she stopped without warning.
Marinette dropped into a crouch before him and reached back pulling the stick from her hair. Her hair dropped loose around her shoulders framing her pretty face and Adrien felt what little annoyance he had flee his mind altogether. She was stunning with her hair down and he reached forward from his own crouch ready to pull her into his arms when the sunlight struck the hair stick. It shimmered across the balls making rainbows and the bell tinkled pleasantly as they jerked and shifted in the light. He batted at them a smile growing on his face letting a frustrated mewl out as they moved out of his reach. They disappeared behind a back and Adrien pounced wanting the baubles back.
Laughter bubbled up from underneath him and with growing horror Adrien realized he had pounced on Marinette without thinking. She laughed harder at the look on his face and Adrien felt his face light on fire in embarrassment.
“You have been chasing my hair stick all morning!” Marinette exclaimed between giggles. “That’s why you have been so distracted! Why didn’t you tell me before?”
Adrien now in control once more shifted off her and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as he helped her sit up. “I didn’t notice them last time you wore it and it was just sudden and random. I just couldn’t control it this time.”
“That’s because you never play.” Plaggs voice said as he peered out of Adriens pocket at Marinette.
“Play?” Marinette asked slipping the hair stick into her bag before Adrien could catch sight of it again.
“Yes play. Kittens need to play even if they are not allowed by their parents. Since Mr. Stick in the mud here never lets his playful cat instincts out they are bleeding through to his everyday life.” Plagg answered
“Oh.” Marinette said quietly “Is that why you practically vibrate whenever I pull yarn out?”
“Yes.” Plagg answered as Adrien said “No.”
Marinette snickered and pulled the hair stick from her bag watching as Adreins eyes then Plaggs caught sight of it. She waved it slightly and Adriens hand snapped up to swat at it. Plagg zoomed from his pocket to tangle in the chains and Adrien gave a grumpy sounding hiss at the sight. Plagg twisted in the chains to return a hiss and for several seconds the air was filled with unhappy hissing. Marinette busted out laughing lowering the hair stick and Plagg to her lap snapping Adrien back to normal.
Adrien groaned and fell back onto his butt face in his hands. Plagg on the other hand wiggled through the chains to fasten his teeth onto one of the balls causing an unpleasant squeak to emerge from his jaws.
“Plagg don’t try and eat it!” Tiki cried as she flew from Marinette purse to swat the cat kwami on the head.
“But its shiny and I want to keep it!” Plagg answered
Tiki sighed and looked up at Marinette who as of yet hadn’t stopped laughing.
“You should buy some cat toys together otherwise this will start happening more.” Tiki said
“We will right after school.” Marinette said between giggles as she nodded her head.
Tiki pulled Plagg off the hair stick and swiftly Marinette hid it in her school bag while Tiki dragged Plagg back into her purse promising pats to make him go with her.
Adrien still sat across from her head in his hands and Marinette crawled forward to wrap him in a hug.
“I am a human being. Not a cat. Why am I having trouble controlling this?! Especially when you don’t!” Adrien cried pressing his face into Marinette shoulder.
Marinette rubbed a hand through his soft hair with a sigh. She had an idea why but she wasn’t sure if she should tell him. Seeing that he was so upset though, Marinette decided it would probably be for the best if she told him her idea.
“I think its because you never let yourself just have fun.” Marinette whispered “I mean don’t get me wrong you have fun with me when we go on dates and when you hang out with Nino but for the most part you always have to act so reserved. When you are Chat though… you’re free and I think bottling up that side of yourself is what’s causing the issue. Plus I do have issues I just channel it differently. I garden and drink flowery tea and I really can’t stand the cold anymore.”
Adrien pulled back as she trailed off to stare Marinette in the eyes. Then all at once he slow blinked at her making a smile spread across her face. With a giggle Marinette returned the blink and Adrien buried his head into her hair hiding his bright red face as he sighed into her shoulder. They stayed like that for several minutes then Adrien climbed to his feet pulling Marinette up with him.
“Lets go buy some stupid cat toys.” He said and Marinette looked up at him surprised.
“You want to skip school?” she asked shocked to say the least.
“It’s a half day, lunch is next anyways and I have a photo shoot later so now is the perfect time. Plus we have been out of class long enough that if we go back now it will look weird.” Adrien answered
Marinette chuckled “Alright kitty. Lets get you some toys. After all I’d hate to see you get into my yarn box as you are now.”
Adrien felt himself blush at her words even as they started to walk forward towards the school entrance. Together they left the school aiming for a pet shop that was nearby. The store was cute and quite small but they had a surprisingly decent selection of cat toys. Adrien had a few issues with the feathered toys and Plagg didn’t help one bit since he thought it was funny to shove the feathered ends of some of the toys in Adriens face causing him to sneeze and curse. Tiki finally snatched him away and dragged him back into Marinetts purse letting the two teens shop in peace. After a bit of searching they got a selection of toys that caught Adreins attention including a laser pen that had him twitching the moment she turned it on. Plagg was obsessed with a chunky mouse toy and overall they left the store satisfied.
“Do you want to bring some of the balls home with you to batt around?” Marinette asked as they walked to her house.
Adrien shook his head. “No if they were found then it would cause some questions to come about that I’d rather not answer.”
Marinette smiled “I guess you will have to get you fill when you come over then.”
It was strangely quiet outside as they made their way to her house and after a moment Marinette realized that there were no people in the park. It was unsettling and glancing up at Adrien she realized he seemed to feel the same way. They paused as one just before they reached the door of the bakery looking around.
“You don’t think…” Adrien began just as the door to the bakery blew open.
“There you kids are! Hurry and get inside there is an akuma attack taking place!” Tom snapped grabbing the surprised teens before they could move and dragged them inside.
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Her name was Lark and she was a year younger than most kids in her grade at Collège Françoise Dupontt. She had skipped a grade and because of the age difference, as well as her high intelligence she wasn’t at home chatting with other students. For the most part she avoided other people in the school except for Rose or Marinette who were always kind and more than happy to share whatever sweets they had that day. She tried to avoid Chloe though who seemed to enjoy tormenting anyone she could get her perfectly manicured claws on. As lunch rolled around Lark realized that it was another one of those days where Chloe was in rare form. Apparently her Adriekins wasn’t feeling well and his wanna be girlfriend Marinette had helped him from class only to disappear from school altogether. Lark scoffed at the screeching. Marinette was one of the nicest people she had ever met and she could see from the way Adrien looked at her that they really did love each other. She was getting up from her seat when Chloe stormed by knocking her over.
“Hey!” Lark cried as she hit the ground and her stuff scattered.
“Ugh! Watch it you little brat!” Chloe shrieked.
Lark climbed to her feet “You ran into me Queen B so back off!” she snapped back even as she bent over and started to pick her things up off the ground.
“How dare you speak to me like that! Do you know who my Daddy is?” Chloe shrieked hands going to her hips even as her face turned red.
Lark glanced up. “Yes and I don’t care. Go scream at someone else.” Picking up a book off the ground she stood upright as Chloe gave a wordless snarl.
The hand came out of nowhere slamming into the side of her face and sending her crashing back to the ground. Lark laid there stunned as her face stung and Chloe glared down at her. Then all at once rage surged through her.
“How dare you slap me you self centered…” Lark cried surging up off the ground even as she chucked the book in her hand at Chloes head.
Alarm flashed across the Chloes face as she ducked and stumbled back. Most students were cowed by words alone and when she did strike usually tears and sobs filled the air. No one ever tried to strike back especially not smaller younger students. When she realized Lark hadn’t been cowed by the blow and was instead furious Chole let out a squeal of fright before she took off running shouting for Sabrina. Thankfully for Chloe Sabrina managed to get in between them and Lark crashed into her falling to the ground for the third time in two minutes.
“Um sorry but you should calm down and please don’t hurt Chole!” Sabrina babbled trying to grab hold of Lark and calm her down. Furious and seeing Chloe vanish around the corner of the building Lark shoved Sabrina away and got to her feet once more.
“I won’t hurt her I’m going to kill her!” Lark snarled as she took off across the courtyard turning the corner a moment later. She didn’t even see the butterfly land on her hairband but she froze as a voice entered her mind.
“I am Hawkmoth and your rage is a force to be reckoned with my dear. Tell me what seems to be troubling you?” Hawkmoth asked
“I’m tired of Chloe always doing what she wants and never facing the consequences of her actions.” Lark snapped feeling her fury building to new heights.
“Ahhh… yes. I can give you the power to reveal what she really is down to her very core. All I ask in return is for you acquire Ladybug and Chat Noirs Miraculous. Does that seem like a fair trade Exposer?” Hawkmoth asked
“Yes Hawkmoth.” Lark answered and the fury within burst forth coating her in darkness.
……………
Adrien and Marinette were stuck inside. Tom had yanked them in before either could even think of running much less coming up with an excuse to allow them to go after the akuma.
“How do you know there is an akuma attack?” Marinette asked and Adrien was glad she said something first. Adrien had wanted to ask but Tom was still a very friendly terrifyingly large man who’s daughter he was dating.
“Its on the news sweetheart. It started at your school apparently but it’s now moved out into the street.” Tom answered swiftly shepherding them away from the glass front windows.
Marinette and Adrien shared an exasperated look. ‘Last time we skip school huh?’ Marinette mouthed and Adrien managed to hold in a snicker before they were shepherded up the stairs into the main house.
The TV was on in the living room and Sabine smiled at the two kids when she saw them come in.
“I see Tom found you two. Apparently the attack started at your school. Was school ok?” Sabine asked and Adrien nodded mutely as Marinette gave her mom a hug.
“School was fine mama we left during lunch and missed all the action.” Marinette answered
“Mmmm” Sabine murmured as she glanced at the TV screen. “I think its chasing someone.”
Marinette and Adrien came around to see what she was talking about while Adrien muttered “A dozen cookies says its Chloe.”
A blond haired girl was running down the street hands in the air screaming and Marinette sighed. “What did she do now?”
Sabine looked between the two teens and barely hid a smile. They didn’t seem to be surprised by the fact that one of their classmates was being chased by an akuma.
The camera panned from Chloe to the actual akuma and Marinette muttered “That’s new…”
The girl was colorful to be blunt. A large pouch sat on her one hip while poofy pompom like balls covered her shoulders wrists ankles and what Marinette assumed were some kind of shorts. The pompoms were all rainbow colored and detachable if what they were watching was correct. A crème one piece suit covered everything that the pompoms didn’t and a vibrant purple hairband sat nestled in the akumas super curly rainbow colored hair. Marinette and Adrien shared a look as he came to stand beside her both of them realizing at the same time where the akuma was hidden.
“I am Exposer and I shall reveal who you really are Chloe!” The akuma yelled jovially as she jumped over cars in her pursuit of Chloe. A flung pompom exploded as it landed and suddenly the car it struck vanished in a rainbow cloud while Chloe sprinted away screaming once more. A savage smile lit up the Exposers face and she happily pursued ignoring everyone and everything else.
Marinette gripped Adriens hand hard she didn’t like Chloe but she didn’t want to see her or anyone else injured and since Chloe was running towards the heart of Paris they both knew it was a matter of time before someone got caught in the crossfire.
“Lets see if the Ladyblog has any more info!” Marinette said and pulled Adrien towards the stairs to her room.
Sabine watched them go a small smile on her face. “Are you kids hungry? I’ll have some lunch ready in about an hour for you.”
“Ok great we will be in my room being quiet or watching a movie and stuff so don’t worry bye!” Marinette answered dragging Adrien up her stairs.
The trap door slammed shut behind them and Marinette tossed the cat toys up onto her bed as she ran to the computer.
“Uh Marinette?” Adrien asked confused looking towards her skylight wondering if they were going to go after the akuma or not.
“You transform, see if you can spot where they are and get moving. I’ll follow in just a second. I’m putting on a movie so my parents don’t investigate a lack of sound.” Marinette answered
“Smart.” Adrien murmured earning a smile and wink from Marinette “Plagg claws out!”
One flash of green light later and Chat sprang up onto her bed in a single bound, opened her skylight, and vanished out onto her balcony. Meanwhile Marinette clicked a random movie as soon as her computer started up and made sure the speakers were loud enough that it could be heard through her door but not be disruptive.
“We are going to have to be really quick with this battle. If my parents come up and find us missing they will have a fit!” Marinette hissed as Tiki floated up beside her ear.
“Well you have an hour at least and it seems like you already know where the akuma is so it shouldn’t be too hard right?” Tiki asked
Marinette groaned. “I don’t know Tiki it seems like the stranger these akuma are dressed the crazier their powers are. In any case we need to get moving. Spots On!”
Moments later Ladybug was out the skylight and leaping from rooftop to rooftop as she played catch up with Chat Noir. As she drew even with him the sound of an explosion echoed out three streets over and the two of them raced towards the noise knowing that its where the akuma would be.
“So what do we think this Exposer person can do?” Ladybug yelled
Chat snorted launching himself over the peak of a rooftop “I don’t know but hopefully it leaves us with our clothes on!”
Ladybug stumbled “Really Chat?!” she demanded as Chat laughed
“I cant help that Hawkmoth picked such a stripped down name!”
“Chat!” Ladybug yelled but unfortunately she was too far away from him to swat him for it.
Chat laughed again making sure to stay out of arms reach even as they swiftly approached their target.
They couldn’t see the akuma but as they came near the heart of the noise they found they could easily hear what was going on.
“I shall expose what you really are down to your very core!” The Exposer yelled
“I’m innocent!” Chloe shrieked “Someone save me!”
As the superhero duo cleared the roofline they could only watch in horror as the akuma let fly with one of her rainbow colored pompoms.
“No!” Ladybug yelled throwing her yoyo in an attempt to stop the attack.
Unfortunately they had arrived the slightest bit too late and the attack struck before the yoyo could come close to blocking it. Rainbow smoke poofed away from Chloe as she screamed her high pitched wail getting even higher as the smoke enveloped her. Her scream cut only to be replaced by coughing and then as the smoke dissipated quickly it revealed a very small four year old Chloe. Chloe continued coughing for a second waving a hand that was quickly covered by too large sleeves.
Then as her eyes opened the world froze, her little mouth dropping open.
“Wha you do?!” Chloe shrieked adorably waving her chunky little sleeve covered hands even as she tried to move forward only to trip on her now too large clothes. She fell flat on her face and her shrieking questions dissolved into simple screams of fury. Her legs kicked and her arms waved inside the too large clothes giving a slight impression of a limp sock puppet.
Ladybug practically shoved a fist in her mouth to keep from laughing out loud and Chat snickered quietly as he muttered “Oh that makes complete sense.”
“Oh my gosh. The truth comes out! I always knew you were a spoiled little brat but this is ridiculous!” The Exposer cried as she slowly bounced over to the shrieking four year old. Chloe stopped her tantrum for a brief second to look up and realize she was in danger.
She gave an earsplitting wail and the Exposer actually paused for a brief second wincing at the incredible volume the child’s small lungs could produce.
“Chat grab Chloe!” Ladybug yelled over the shrieking as they were shaken free of their mirthful shock and launched themselves into action.
“Leave that obnoxious child alone!” Ladybug yelled throwing her yoyo out once more to catch the akuma by the waist. She yanked back hard as she landed while Chat scooped up the still screaming Chloe and darted off to find a safe place to deposit her.
Feeling the string go taught around her the Exposer bounced backwards with the strings pull flipping easily over Ladybugs head and landed on the hood of a parked car.
“Did you see the spoiled brat?” Exposer laughed slipping out of the yoyos grasp before Ladybug could recover. “Chloe turned into a four year old! I wish I had a camera! I wonder what other people will turn into...” The Exposer chuckled ripping a pompom off her shoulder and lightly lobbed it at Ladybug making her jump back. It missed her and the smoke rapidly dissipated though her words made Ladybug take another step back.
Exposer had the higher ground which was annoying but not impossible to deal with. Without a second thought Ladybug spun the yoyo in her hand ready to take her on once more.
“You can’t go around zapping people for fun!” Ladybug snapped then wondered if Exposer had heard a single thing she had said.
The Exposer was ignoring Ladybug one hand held up in the traditional ‘wait a moment’ pose as she tilted her head. A moment later a purple mask outlined her features and sighed waving her hand. “Yeah, yeah I know she is right here and honestly I really don’t see the appeal.”
Ladybug went silent realizing Exposer was talking to Hawkmoth. As she listened to the strange one-sided conversation Ladybug shifted to the side lining up a better angle for herself to attack from and noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. A black shape appeared on the rooftop and Ladybug smiled to herself realizing that Chat had returned.
“Look Exposer, why don’t we just relax and talk about whatever happened. If you will just let me purify your akuma…”
Exposer flinched leaping lightly back so she was standing on the roof of the car. “No way. Chloe deserves to stay a little brat forever with the way she treats everyone around her. Besides now I’m really curious. I wonder what you will look like when your true self is revealed.”
Ladybug spun her yoyo in one hand ready to attack or dodge as she said “Sorry but I don’t feel like being exposed for the world to see.” Mentally Ladybug winced glad
that Chat was on the roof and not beside her for once.
Exposer laughed. “I’m not giving you a choice!”