Chapter Text
Bright green eyes blinked as a sea of people flew past the car window like a continuous river. He could hear his mère hum to a song stuck in her head; one he couldn’t recognize. But he paid no mind to her, as his young mind was ensnared with the trees and buildings the car passed. Erupting from the compact Baroque styled buildings and cruising onto the Pont Alexandre III, the young boy stared at the Eiffel Tower in all her glory from across the Seine.
“Maman, where are we going?” The young boy piped up.
His mother looked at him through the rearview mirror. Her bright green eyes met her son’s matching orbs.
“We’re going to surprise your père at work.” She smiled and turned her attention back to the road.
Adrien gasped and smiled wide. “Really?! We get to see père?”
“Oui, mon petit chaton.” His mère giggled, but a deep cough erupted from her lungs. Adrien watched his mother in concern. She tried to smile in reassurance, but couldn’t find herself able to catch her breath.
“Mère?”
She continued to hack violently.
Adrien gripped his seatbelt tightly when the car began to jerk side to side as his mother struggled behind the wheel. “Maman! Watch out!” He shrieked.
His green eyes were wide in fear when their car suddenly drifted into the opposite lane.
A taxi blared its horn as it narrowly avoided the Agreste’s car.
Adrien covered his ears and slammed his eyes shut tightly. He could feel the car swerve a few more times, before being jerked to the side and then suddenly, the feeling of complete weightlessness.
Adrien felt his center of gravity spin until his stomach plummeted into this chest.
The Agrete’s car had spiraled, flipped, and now laid upside down; teetering on the bridge’s stone railing.
“M-Mère…?” Adrien mumbled.
He could hear shouts of Parisian drivers and tourists along with the hissing and crunching of their car. “Mère?”
“I-I’m so sorry…” He could hear her whisper. But she didn’t dare move.
“Mère…” Adrien’s throat began to tighten and his eyes became hot.
“I’m so sorry…” Adrien’s mother continued to mutter.
The car groaned as it shifted.
The people on the bridge were screaming and shouting in an array of tongues as they rushed to assist both the Agreste’s car and a smashed minivan. Both vehicles dangled over the railings of the Pont Alexandre.
People leaped onto and pushed all their weight onto the trunk of the cars, desperate to keep the vehicles from tipping even more.
At this point, it was a race against time.
“Maman.” Adrien had thick tears streaming up his face, the drops dampening his fluffy hair. He could already feel the blood rush into his head.
His mother continued to mutter her apologizes. Her arms hung heavily above her, her hands resting on the sunroof.
The green and blue clip she always wore to pin her hair out of her face was now coming undone. The precious metal clinked against the glass sunroof, and her long blonde hair fell around her face. “Please…Lapin Lisse.”
People shrieked as the stone railing began to crumble underneath both cars, slowly lurching the vehicles and its passengers closer to the Seine.
But suddenly a young girl with long white hair and a black mask landed in the middle of the bridge and whipped out a pair of orange ribbons from within her skirt pockets.
The long pieces of fabric wrapped around each car’s bumpers and coiled on tightly. And not a moment to lose as both cars were now nearing a 90 degree plummet.
The girl shrieked when a loud pop erupted from her shoulder. The red sparkles of her miraculous magic ran down her arm and finished her costume by adding her white cuffed gloves.
With transformation now fully complete, the young girl grit her teeth and looped the ribbons around her palms, she held on tight. She leaned all of her weight backward as she took strained steps backwards on the bridge.
The back tires of the cars returned to the pavement.
“Gah! Get them out!” She shouted over her shoulder to the bystanders. Her voice snapped her audience of their shock and immediately jumped in to help. Some helped the young girl pull and hold her ribbons, while many returned to the hanging cars and pulled out the trapped passengers.
Adrien felt his seat belt strap snap, as someone sliced it before he knew it, he was pulled out the back window. He was handed to another person who settled him on the sidewalk of the bridge. Adrien stared at the young heroine with wide unlinking eyes - whether from the shock of the accident or in fascination with his favorite local hero, he couldn’t tell.
“My mère…” he muttered.
“She’s going to be alright.” A woman in a thick American accent assured as she wrapped her large coat around the young Agreste. “Look there she is.” She pointed a plump finger in the direction of their car.
Indeed the thin blonde woman was dragged from the car’s back window. She had a bruise on her forehead and her hair was tangled, but she was alive and breathing.
“Mère!” But the boy was ignored as his mother stared at the struggling young heroine.
“Lapin Lisse…” She whimpered as she was laid on the ground. A folded jacket acted as a makeshift pillow.
Lapin Lisse glanced over and met the pair of familiar bright green eyes before her own pair of heterochromic eyes slammed shut as she continued to keep the cars from falling.
“Miss! Everyone’s free!”
Lapin Lisse grunted with a nod. “Everyone, getaway!”
No one disobeyed and fled from the hanging cars.
Lapin Lisse groaned as the full weight of the cars was back onto her arms, before she let out a grunt and let go of the cars. The young heroine collapsed in exhaustion on her hands and knees, as her orange ribbons slithered back into her skirt pockets. Everyone watched the cars fall into the Seine, mesmerized as the dark water swallowed the vehicles' whole and down into her depths.
It was quiet for a moment before everyone erupted in cheers.
The father who was trapped in the minivan practically engulfed Lapin Lisse into his burly arms and sang gratitudes in his Italian language.
But the whitette simply patted his arms to release her. Once free from him and his praises, she dragged her feet towards the Agreste's. She knelt down beside Emilie.
“Lapin Lisse…I’m sorry. But the pin…”
The heroine simply stared at the Seine tiredly. “Don’t worry, Emilie…I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Adrien watched at the interaction with wide eyes. “Lapin Lisse…” he muttered in awe.
The whitette smiled at him, “Bonjour.” The young girl climbed back onto her feet, “Take care of your mother for me.” She gave Adrien one last smile before she bunny hopped away. In a blink of an eye, the whitette was across the bridge and leaping onto a rooftop.
She turned her attention back to the Seine and gave a curtsey to the public before flipping out of sight.
Adrien crawled over to his mother, both of their green eyes glued to where Lapin Lisse disappeared.
“She’s amazing…” Adrien muttered smitten.
Emilie smiled and nodded, “She really is…”
_____________
“Alright, let's get this over with…My name is Tatianna Richards and since I was 10 years old, I've been the one and only Lapin Lisse.
Long story short: I discovered the rabbit miraculous, met some equally magical people, became an apprentice, kicked ass…I saved the city of Paris - over and over and over again.
Until things took a turn for the worst.
Père took everything in the divorce and ran off with his secretary. Mère was left to pick up double shifts and work longer hours. And me, tearing the tendons in my shoulder from a bridge incident, just seemed to be the cherry on top. But no matter what life threw at me, I always managed to get back up.
Fast forward seven years and I’m now entering my junior year of high school. Year 12, First Grade...however, my international buddies call it.
Anyways, let’s get this over with.
_____________
All-day the rain had been on and off.
The sun would peek through the thick gray clouds, spraying Paris in liquid gold, before being swallowed once again by rain clouds.
It was during this odd hour that Tatianna Richards began her trek to school. The sun was shining bright, but she couldn’t help but pull her raincoat tighter around her body as an autumn chill sliced through her.
“How you holdin’ up, Binxie?” She spoke in a quiet tone.
The scarf, tied snug around her neck, tickled as it shifted. The zipper of the secret pocket within her infinity scarf opened and out popped a pair of long, fluffy white ears.
The little creature had a soft, red knit beanie and scarf set. The beanie had hole spaces for its ears to fit through. The red yarn was knotted at the tip with brown yarn and had knitted green leaves sticking out.
The small rabbit kwami smiled up at its mistress, “I'm great, Tati! I love the hat and scarf you made me. I would be freezing without them!” He smiled widely, his large chubby cheeks turning light pink. “And it's an apple!!”
Tatianna smiled and patted her kwami’s head affectionately. “Happy to be of service. Master Fu always fusses about how low your tolerance is to cold weather.”
The bunny nodded firmly. “We should hurry if we don’t want to be late for school than we already are.”
Tatianna shrugged casually, “It’s fine. I have Bustier again this year. She’ll let me slide.” The white-haired girl let out a loud yawn and raised her arms in the air.
She winced when her right shoulder pinched uncomfortably. The spasm radiated down her back
Her kwami watched with concern.
“I’m fine, Binxie. Must’ve slept on it wrong.” Tatianna rolled her shoulder and rubbed the joint with her other hand.
“I-I’m sorry, Tati.” The whitette glanced down at the rabbit. It’s matching heterochromic eyes were large and shiny from unshed tears.
Tatianna exhaled through her nose. “It’s ok, Binxie. It was a long time ago. And it was a mistake on my part.”
“B-but still!”
“Ah! Ah!” She tutted. “I’m not going to talk about an accident that happened six years ago - especially not before my morning coffee. AND when I’m late for school.”
Binx nodded. But his ears continued to stay drooped.
Tatianna patted his head gently. “I’ll get you an apple treat. How’s that?”
The blue and green eyes of her kwami shined with stars. “Okay!”
She smiled.
Days were always better when Binx was smiling.
____________
The little bell nailed above the doorway chimed as Tatianna entered the boulangerie, happily inhaling the delicious smells of baked goods and relishing in the radiating heat of the burning ovens.
A young woman, about the same age as Tatianna, quickly gave the baker and his wife a kiss on the cheek, before she barreled out of the bakery. She nearly ran over Tatianna, if the latter hadn’t stepped out of the way in time.
The whitette rose a brow at the flushed girl as she slammed the bakery door shut and rushed towards the crosswalk. Tatianna stared in disinterest as the dark-haired girl was nearly run over by a speeding taxi.
‘What a mess she is.’ The whitette shook her head and stepped up to the cash register.
The baker’s wife, a petite Chinese woman, smiled in apology, “Sorry for our daughter’s hastiness. New school day and she’s already late.” She chuckled to herself before realization dawned on her. She tilted her head curiously at Tatianna, “Shouldn't you be heading to school as well, young lady?”
“I am.” The whitette read the menu pinned on the wall. “Just needed coffee before I enter that hell hole.”
WHACK
Tatianna yelped when a wooden cane smacked the back of her thighs. Her anger flared as she reeled upon the cane wielder, only to stop short and her eyes to widen.
“Master Fu??” The short Chinese man smacked her again. “Ow! What the hell is that for?!”
“For using such crude language in front of such a lovely madame.” Madame Dupain-Cheng smiled bashfully at the compliment. “And because you are late for school!” He pointed his cane out the window and towards the large building across the street.
The area surrounding the school was completely abandoned, save for the last handful of students who were sprinting up the main stairs in order to make it to their classes with only a small lecture and warning for being late.
“I just needed coffee…” Tati huffed. “A grande coffee, with double shot espresso, and caramel drizzle please.” She felt her scarf tug. “Oh! And an apple strudel as well.” The whitette pulled her backpack to the side and began to unzip the front pocket. She felt the soft leather of her wallet, but before she could take it out, Master Fu was already handing the baker’s wife the euros.
“Master Fu! You don’t have to-”
“I can and I will. Unless you need another reminder to respect your elders.” He tapped his cane in emphasis.
Tatianna jolted into a straighter posture and stood like a statue.
The baker and his wife couldn’t help but chuckle nervously at this pairs odd behavior.
“Yes. Of course, Master Fu.” As the Dupain-Cheng’s turned away and worked to complete the order, Tatianna gave her full attention to the Chinese man beside her. “What’re you up to, old man?” She leaned against the counter.
“ ‘Up to’? Can I not enjoy the simple pleasures of strolling through the streets of Paris?”
“No. Not when you’re so far from your lily pad.”
Master Fu sighed. His attitude had changed from playful to downright serious. “It’s not safe to talk here. You’ll have to come by the studio, so we can chat properly. And to work on your language lessons! You’re still very sloppy with gendered terms.”
Tatianna furrowed her brow as he shifted the conversation like a dime. It wasn’t until the crinkle of a paper bag did she remember they were in public.
“Here’s your drink and your strudel, mademoiselle.” Tatianna practically ripped the paper cup from the woman’s hands and took in a hearty sip.
With each gulp, she could feel her insides warm from the beverage. Jump at the taste of caramel. And sigh in ecstasy when she could already feel the espresso settle in.
Ah yes, this was heaven.
“And could I advise you to hurry to school? You wouldn’t want to be any later than you already are.” Madame Dupain-Cheng spoke in a soft motherly tone.
“Oui, oui. Merci.” Tatianna nodded to all the occupants in the room, before she left the boulangerie.
With her beloved bean water in her hands, she practically skipped across the street and onto school property.
But before she could walk up the stairs, she placed her coffee on the ledge of a statue and tugged her backpack to her front once again. This time she unzipped the main compartment and stuffed the paper bag, consisting of the apple strudel, inside.
“Here you go, Binxie.” Her scarf shifted violently as the little furball flew out of the pocket and into the backpack.
She snickered as the rabbit God tore into the paper bag and indulged in one of his many favorite treats.
As a rabbit - oddly enough - he despised carrots. Instead, happily partaking in anything that had apples in its name or recipe. Or would just eat the fruit ravenously, like a cartoon woodchuck would shave a piece of wood.
“Alrighty. You're all settled in, I have my coffee.” she zipped up her bag and properly set it on her shoulders, “let’s get this over wi-ITH!” Tatianna had just begun to climb the wide steps that would lead into school when she felt a body collide into her back.
It felt like slow motion as she and the other person stumbled forward. The whitette’s eyes widened when her coffee cup slowly left her hand. She tried to stretch out her fingertips to catch it; instead, the bottom of the cup bounced from her reach and spilled onto the concrete.
For Adrien Agreste, he had received a mouthful of whitette hair as he went down. The books and pens he had within his satchel fell out and scattered on the stairs.
Then, Tatianna felt the dull pressure of the stair pierce her palm and chest as she and the other person finally landed on the steps.
The person above her groaned before letting out a yelp. They practically flew off of the whitette.
“I-I’m so sorry!”
Tatianna ignored the person and simply stared at the sad puddle of her spilled coffee.
“Are you okay…?”
“You made me spill my coffee!” The whitette began to froth at the mouth as she climbed onto her feet. “I only had one sip! One sip and now it’s spilled!” She shouted at the blond. But she froze and stared at the boy.
He had bright green eyes and fluffy blond hair…He almost looked like…
Adrien recoiled from the raging girl with wide eyes. “I’m so sorry! I can buy you another one.” He spluttered.
Tatianna blinked out of her stupor and glared to the side. She guffawed, “Indeed, you are gonna buy me another cup!”
Today was not going as smooth as Adrien had planned. He had managed to escape his bodyguard and supervisor and was so close to entering the school. But he had made the mistake of checking over his shoulder, of what he thought was his last leg of his escape.
Except he barreled into his possible, future, fellow student and had not only spilled her coffee but also made a complete fool of himself.
Tatianna narrowed her eyes and snapped her fingers in Adrien’s face. “Hey, blondie, you still with me?” She crossed her arms.
Adrien’s cheeks became a shade of bright red. “Yes! I’m sorry!” He bowed his head in apology, wriggling the ends of his shirt in embarrassment.
The whitette rolled her eyes. “Just don’t let it happen again. And you’re buying me another coffee.” She bent down and picked up the empty cup, as well as his pencil case.
Adrien scrambled to pick up his scattered belongings, as she threw away her trash. He accepted his pencil case and bit his lip.
“I really am sorry. You see - it’s my first day and I’m technically not supposed to be here…” Tatianna stared at the blond with increasing boredom as he began a tangent about his life story.
She praised the kwamis when tires squealed to a halt behind the blond boy. Although, he froze in his monologue and winced. Terror, fear, guilt, and defeat flashed settled onto his face.
Tatianna couldn’t help but allow her heartstrings to be tugged. She didn’t like those familiar, bright green eyes to become dulled and dimmed in sadness.
“Adrien, please reconsider! You know what your father wants!” A thin woman in a business suit and wired glasses hopped out of the car. She tried to reconcile with the blond.
Adrien turned to Nathalie and placed a hand on his chest, “This is what I wanna do!”
Tatianna pursed her lips as she watched the two argue. This was an IRL soap opera unfolding right before her eyes!
But instead of the boy erupting in an inspirational speech or belting out in a passionate song about his desires, he rushed off towards-
Tatianna’s eyes bugged out of her head. Master Fu?!
The Chinese man was laying on the “helpless elder” act once again, this time finding it incredibly difficult to lift himself off the ground from a dramatic display of stumbling to his knees
The whitette blinked rapidly, her gaze shooting from the boulangerie behind her to the old man in front of her.
How did he-??
“Thank you, young man.” Master Fu answered in a raspy, old voice.
The blond smiled at him but felt a chill run down his spine as his supervisor stepped up behind him.
He knew he was trapped and reluctantly raised his white flag. “I just wanna go to school like everybody else. What's so wrong with that?” He sighed. Adrien turned his attention to the white-haired girl, that was still standing where he left her and smiled sadly. “I’m sorry for nearly running into you. I’ll get you another coffee if we ever see each other again.” He smiled weakly and then followed his supervisor back into the silver BMW she had come out of.
As soon as he was buckled in, the expensive car drove off and around the corner.
“Well, that was very dramatic.” Tatianna crossed her arms. She heard Binx hum in agreement loudly from within her backpack. She yelped like a puppy as she was smacked once again in the leg.
“Class. Now. Go.” Master Fu pointed at the large wooden doors.
“Alright! Alright! Merde.”
________________
“Nino, Why don't you have a seat in the front row this year?”
Tatianna rose a brow as she entered her classroom. Was the teacher just now calling role?? How in the hell was she not that late?!
The whitette nodded in greeting to the thin teacher, and as she had predicted with Binx, Mme Bustier gave a wide smile.
“Ah, there you are Tatianna. I was wondering when you’d arrive. Please take a seat beside Nino.”
The whitette did as she was told and dropped her backpack on the seat beside the quiet boy.
Both Nino and Tatianna nodded to each other in greeting, before returning back to their own personal bubbles.
“No! No! No! You can’t sit there, Richards!”
Tatianna groaned. “Just my fucking luck.” The whitette could already feel a migraine coming on. “Bourgeois.” She greeted.
“You can’t sit there!”
“And why not?”
“Because my Adrikins is sitting there!”
Both Nino and Tatianna rose a brow at each other. “ ‘Adrikins’?” The whitette repeated with raised brows.
“Yes! Adrien Agreste!” A squeak erupted from the other side of the room. “My best friend and future boyfriend! Will be sitting here.” Chloé’s freshly manicured nails were piercing the wood tabletop and she fumed.
“First off, my coffee was just spilled so ’m not in the mood to play pretend. Second, I don’t see his name anywhere on this seat. Thirdly, how much do you have to pay him off to date you?” Tatianna stared at the blonde over the rim of her glasses. “I don’t even want to touch you with a 10-foot pole. “ Honestly, how this she-devil had ever managed to become friends with Emilie’s child was beyond her. “And lastly, if he’s blond with green eyes his babysitter rounded him up and took him back home.”
”WHAT?” Chloé screamed in terror
“Wait - Mme Bustier, is it true that the Adrien Agreste is enrolled here?”
Tatianna’s eyes widened a fraction when she recognized the Asian girl speaking. She was the daughter of the baker across the street and nearly got herself barreled over by a car.
Huh. Small world.
Madame Bustier read her attendance sheet. “Oui, Marinette. He enrolled himself with Principal Damocles, but if what Tatianna says is true - then he does not his parent’s permission.”
“Why is he such a big deal?” Tatianna leaned over to Nino and asked. Other the son of the once Great Paon, she couldn’t quite recall the Agreste name.
The boy simply shrugged his shoulders and turned up the volume on his headphones.
The whiette’s eye tweaked as Chloé let out a burst of obnoxious laughter. “Can you believe she doesn't know who Adrien is? What rock have you been living under?”
Sabrina, Chloé’s mutt, piped up. “He's only a famous model.”
The blonde nodded firmly, “And I am his best friend. He adores me. So, go on! Move!”
Tatianna placed her feet up on the desk in retaliation.
A girl with auburn hair and copper dyed tips jumped up in her seat. Much to her Asian friend’s dismay. “Hey! Who elected you Queen of Seats?”
Chloé smirked, “Oh, look Sabrina! We've got a little do-gooder in our classes this year. What are you gonna do, super noobie? Shoot beams at me with your glasses?”
“Is there something wrong with having glasses, Chloé? Maybe you should get a pair of your own - since you believe Adrikins is infatuated with you.” Tatianna crossed her arms.
Chloé snarled and stomped off to another seat. Sabrina followed obediently, readjusting her own glasses in a timid manner.
“Has everyone found a seat?” Madame Bustier asked, before nodding to herself. She began the class by writing her name on the board.
_________________
Tatianna sighed in relief when the dismissal bell rang.
Don’t get her wrong, Mme Bustier was a peach with the purest of souls. But her literature class was sooooo boring. Plus with her soft, motherly tone and Tatianna’s lack of coffee, the whitette couldn't help but drift in and out of consciousness.
The whitette cracked her neck and sighed in relief at the loud pops that erupted.
Nino stared at her with wide eyes as he slung his messenger bag over his shoulder.
“Just casually breaking my neck.” Tati shrugged.
Nino blinked at the girl, before leaving the classroom. A man of no words and yet, Tatianna could understand the silent judgment thrown at her.
“Those of you who have P.E., Mr. D'Argencourt is expecting you at the stadium. The rest of you can head over to the library-” “KIM!”
All eyes turned up towards the largest boy in the room. The teen was bulky with narrowed gray eyes and his fist was raised in the air high, ready to pummel the smirking athletic kid wearing a red sports hoodie.
Miss Bustier gasped. “Ivan! What is going on?”
Ivan pointed at Kim. “Kim! I'm so gonna get…” His fist reeled back, but before noses could be broken or bruises to be formed, Mme Bustier rose her voice, “Ivan, go to the principal's office!”
Big Ivan growled angrily as he crumpled up Kim’s note. He threw his backpack over his shoulder and stomped out of the room.
Tatianna yawned boredly as the altercation was finished before it could even begin. The whitette rose from her seat and collected her belongings.
“Hey, girl!” Tatianna turned around, meeting warm amber eyes. The girl with copper tips and Marinette stood in front of her. Although, the Asian girl seemed to hide behind the tan-skinned girl.
“Bonjour.” The whitette responded.
“Nice to know another person can speak up against evil people.” She nodded towards Chloé and Sabrina. “I’m Alya. And this is Marinette.”
Marinette piped up, “I wish I can handle Chloé the way the both of you do. She likes to make my life miserable.” Her pointer fingers tapped nervously together.
Alya waved her off, “You mean the way Lapin Lisse does it.” Tatianna arched a brow at the name. Alya produced her phone from her back pocket and showed the ravenette and whitette a photo slide of the rabbit heroine. “She stands up and triumphs over all evil! So with her being evil, then we are the good people.” She pointed at the giggling pair of brats once again, “We can't let her get away with it!” Alya was fired up.
Although, Marinette was the complete opposite. “Well, that's easier said than done…”
Alya slammed a hand on Marinette’s shoulder, “Then, you just need more confidence! Right, Tatianna?” Alya and Marinette looked to where the whitette stood, only to find the spot empty. The whitette was already outside the classroom and waved over her shoulder, “Good luck with that!”
“They seemed nice.” Binx slipped out of her backpack and returned back into her scarf. “And she was a fan!”
Tatianna simply shrugged. “A little too enthusiastic for my taste. What’d you think Master Fu wants to talk to us about?” She yawned once again.
Binx hummed unsurely. But before he could speak his thoughts, a large crash and the rumble of the Earth made the two freeze.
“KIMMM!!!”
Tatianna spun around and her eyes widened. A large stone golem roared furiously and chucked a car over his head.
“What in the hell is that?!” The whitette exclaimed as she scrambled into an alleyway, away and out of sight from the creature’s wrath.
“Waahhh! I don’t know! Maybe this is what Master Fu wanted to talk about??” Binx said.
Tatianna narrowed her eyes as she watched Stoneheart stomp past her, crushing trash cans and throwing parked cars. Destroying everything in its path. “I don’t know. But let’s check it out. Binx! Transform me!”
The rabbit kwami was sucked into her charm bracket. The small silver rabbit charm flashed with red, the charm now turned completely white; small carrot charms and silver spirals hung from the thread
Tatianna did a spin, her body became engulfed with black and pink sparkles and with a flash the base of her heroine outfit appeared.
The skirt started out long, and she spun again, the fabric became short.
Running her hands through her hair, the white locks shined bright like freshly fallen snow and grew twice in length.
She dragged her fingers across her eyes; a black mask formed onto the peach skin and a pair of white ruffle cuffed gloves formed.
She rubbed the top of her head with the side of her fists, ensuing long white bunny ears to grow out of her head.
She shook her hips to and fro; a fluffy rabbit tail popped out from the skirt. Striking a pose, she was now Lapin Lissie.
______________
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Seine, a black cat was practicing his feline-like abilities on his enlarged baton. The metal acted like a tightrope. “I'm starting to get the hang of this.”
The blond boy in latex perked up as he heard a scream. He cupped his faux ears and tilted his head. The screaming was growing louder?…
“Watch out!” His head jerked upwards and his green eyes widened in shock.
A young lady in red fell from the sky and collided into the boy. Her yo-yo tangled itself around her and the cat boy, ensuing them to become knotted together and hang upside like a pair of piñatas.
“Well, hey there. Nice of you to drop in.” Cat boy chuckled as red lady scrambled to untangle them. “Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose!” The Asian girl squeaked. She could feel her cheeks become inflamed.
“I bet you're on of my partners my kwami told me about. I'm…” he thought for a moment; he snapped his fingers, “Chat Noir. Oui, Chat Noir.” He liked the sound of that. “And you?”
“I'm Ma... err... Mar... uhh…” She finally managed to untangle her yo-yo by pulling harshly on the string. The polka dot plastic landed on Chat Noir’s head. “Madly Clumsy. I'm so clumsy.” She pouted.
Chat Noir rubbed his head where her yo-yo struck him, “No sweat, clumsy girl. I'm learning the ropes too.”
“You mentioned I was one of your partners? My kwami didn’t mention teammates to me…” The red lady muttered.
Chat Noir nodded. “My kwami mentioned the ladybug and rabbit miraculous users would become my allies.” He smiled at her. “And I’ve already met you. So one down, one to go.” He clasped his arms behind his head and gave her a smirk.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet tremored.
Chat Noir and lady red turned to see a business building crumble to the ground. The blond leaped onto a roof and headed towards the destruction.
“Hey! Where are you going?” The Asian girl scrambled after him.
Chat Noir looked back down at her, “To save Paris, right?” Then he was off.
Ladybug grumbled to herself, “Ugh. Trust yourself, trust yourself…”. She took a breath and flung her yo-yo. The string snagged on a chimney, and unlike before - where she was thrown like a slingshot - she maneuvered her body to go with the momentum of her new source of transportation.
___________
“KIMMM!!” Soneheart announced his presence as he leaped onto the stands of the Parc des Princes. “So, who's wuss now?” The rock monster landed on the stadium’s field and began to charge at the athletic teen who had triggered all of this.
Kim shrieked and tried to run away, but tripped on his shoelaces and fell into a scorpion position.
Stoneheart reached out for Kim, only for a steel baton to block his target.
“Hey, it's not very nice to pick up people who are smaller than you!” Chat Noir proclaimed.
“I guess you're talking about yourself!” Stoneheart growled.
The cat hero leaped and smacked Stoneheart with his baton. But the rock golem simply illuminated in gold light and grew twice its size.
Chat Noir gulped and dodged Stoneheart’s fists, “Where are you, partner?” His harlequin eyes glanced around the stadium nervously for his partner in red.
Ladybug nearly collapsed as her knees buckled in nervousness. “Oh, I can't. I'm not gonna be able to do it…”
“Then go home.” It felt like the world had slowed down for Marinette. One moment, she was alone to continue to doubt herself. Then, a girl’s voice made her jolt and turn to her right, but all the Asian girl saw was a flash of white and black flash past her and towards the soccer goal Stoneheart had thrown at a familiar female with copper tipped hair.
Time returned to its fast pace.
Marinette has just allowed a gasp to escape her throat.
An orange ribbon wrapped around the net’s frame and jerked the sports equipment from Alya into Stoneheart’s face.
Cherry red heels crunched into the trimmed grass as the newcomer landed in the middle of the field with grace.
Everyone gasped, their eyes bulging out of their sockets.
In front of them was the great Lapin Lisse. The notorious superheroine that protected Paris for nearly a decade!
The whitette stared at Stoneheart with bright heterochromic eyes. She jerked her long snow-white hair over her shoulder and gripped her trusty orange ribbon in her hand.
Alya nearly fainted in shock as her number one idol made her dramatic appearance to save the day. She knew for a fact the video she was currently recording, was going to be shaky and her heavily breathing would become obnoxious.
Chat Noir collapsed to his knees as his savior stood before him. His mind was engulfed by the distant memory of his and his mother’s car crash.
“Lapin Lisse…”
She’d grown since the last time he’d seen her up close and in the glory of natural lighting. Chat Noir felt his eyes grow warm and heavy as emotions from that day flooded back to him.
Ladybug just stayed frozen atop the stadium. The rabbit heroine’s words echoed within her head. “Then go home”. Maybe…Maybe she should go home.
She didn’t want any of this. This…fighting akumas, constricted in snug latex, flung around like a slingshot.
Maybe…maybe she should go home…