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“You know,” Plagg says, floating along as Adrien struggles through the English play, “that playwright was wrong about a lotta stuff in that story.”
Adrien looks up from the book. “What do you mean?”
“Romeo & Juliet was real, kid. And the feud was driven by the Miraculous.”
Adrien blinks. “Wait, what?”
“Oh, let me tell you about it…”
Meanwhile, in the sewers, Ladybug is talking with Su-Han.
“There are…great consequences to a split in the Miraculous,” Su-Han says. “If Shadow Moth succeeds in gaining more allies, then a situation like Verona could potentially happen again. Or if Chat Noir turns on you.”
He scowls, which is impressive considering his face is perpetually locked in an angry expression
“Verona? I thought that place was fictional?” They’re reading Romeo & Juliet in English class at the moment, after all, and she knows that it wasn’t real.
“The records have been…cleared, for the most part. Fluff was quite helpful in aiding. There is only one account closest to the truth, and it is treated as a work of fiction by all. Any mentions of the Miraculous were swept away. But you should know the story. The Guardian was a Pig Holder, so her…” He pauses, probably trying to translate his thoughts. “Her soft-heartedness was to be expected. She thought she was trying to achieve peace, but the divisions were much more deeply sown…”
Tybalt reached for the sword of the Dragon. Oh, he loved the fights — they were even more brutal since stumbling upon the magical gems. They had been in a standstill of status, but Tybalt wanted them all for the glory of the Capulets.
A group of servants. He certainly wasn’t surprised.
Benvolio was attempting to keep the peace, of course. Tybalt couldn’t let that happen. The sword suited him perfectly — though the little monster that came with it was perhaps not quite as fitting.
He was concerned, of course — but no one had spoken of their existence. They were all electing to ignore it, he supposed.
It would do no good to get it taken away. Not when they were so close to besting the Montagues once and for all — if they could steal the powers away from them.
If.
He knew his aunt wanted to pass Juliet the crowning jewels — the Ladybug itself, rumored to be the most powerful. But he was uncertain that fair Juliet was ready to experience it — to bargain with a demon for its power. And his uncle was rather loving towards Juliet — she was their only child and it was important that she remain unmarred.
And then his uncle and aunt came; as did the Montague family heads. They were both bearing their own jewelry — Tybalt wished he could cut it off of them, but the outfits produced made them invulnerable.
And then the prince showed up. Tybalt knew then that it was truly over — they stood no chance against the Prince, accompanied by a lady in pink. He knew the Lady in Pink had one of the jewels, but he couldn’t tell anyone which.
Romeo rubbed at the ring on his finger. It was quite the burden to be trusted with this power, and he had no idea what he would do with it, given the opportunity to use it. And besides that — he was in love, he was almost certain of it. Rosaline was quite the beauty, and it would be folly to not love her.
But she did not feel anything for him. Alas, it was doomed. They would never have a relationship.
Benvolio asked him what he was thinking about, what exactly was responsible for his sadness. He spoke of Rosaline, exaggerated the love he felt slightly — heartbreak was better than anxiety.
But then he heard about the party. The Capulets were throwing the party of the season — and he looked over at Benvolio, an opportunity spotted.
He rubbed at his ring, as the two of them pointed the servant in the wrong direction, and convinced the servant that neither of them were associated with the Montague family.
It was a masquerade — of course it was. It would be the perfect opportunity to use the ring. Invoking the image of a black cat, avatar of bad luck, was risky. But Romeo knew that he could do it. And the moment the servant left, Benvolio touched the pin on his shirt.
“They will get us in.”
The Peacock — an image of richness, and exoticism.
But the Black Cat and Peacock were both gems not in the possession of the Capulets, and it would be a bold move to go to a Capulet party with the gems of the Montagues. If they played their cards right, then no one would figure it out.
Rosaline would be at the ball.
Romeo looked forward to it. It seemed like a highlight — something that would perhaps ease his anxiety about the ring slightly.
The party would go well.
Juliet was…not looking forward to the party. She did not wish to marry someone yet — she wished she could marry someone whom she loved, but that was an impossibility. Someone that respected her would suffice.
And then her mother wished to talk to her.
Mother asked how she felt — she said that she had not thought of it, but she was a liar, and she was well aware of this.
“I would like to bestow upon thee a gift,” Mother said. “It is a prized possession, and it is quite important that thou dost not let it go. It will enhance thine beauty for the party. I do not expect thee to give it back afterwards. It belongs to thee, and thee it shall stay with.” She presented a box to Juliet. Juliet opened it.
“The family gems?” she whispered. “But…”
“I believe thee is ready. Thine father disagrees, but I choose to bestow this upon thee nonetheless,” Mother said.
Juliet carefully put the gems on. “Thank you kindly, Mother. I will certainly use this wisely.” She lowers her head.
“Thou art the brightest gem of the party, Juliet. Never forget that.”
Juliet took a deep breath. There was Paris — or there were other men. She knew there would be no one else as affluent, but she was uncertain if he would treat her well. She wanted to be happy — she did not need love, but love was unnecessary for a happy marriage.
Benvolio and Mercutio have always been rather close, Romeo observed. Benvolio had dragged Mercutio into their plan to infiltrate the Capulet party — which was unsurprising, considering their closeness. The Tiger’s gem was given to Mercutio to keep their disguise intact.
Mercutio was always a little mad, but it came out with great effect.
The three of them were all ready. The servant let them through the door.
Romeo spotted the Lady in Pink — huh, he always thought she was a recluse. Lord Capulet gave an address to the guests of the party — and then they were free to part.
There was a younger woman — one in red and spots, and he felt drawn to her instantly.
Who was she?
He spoke to a servant, asking the servant who that radiant woman was — but the servant knew not who she was.
He could just speak to her — he could find out who she was, and it would be simple.
So he decided to approach, but upon the sight of her face, all thought of finding out who she was evaporated. All that was left was desire — and she was just as willing to desire in return, as they traded kisses and spoke of lips.
And then he found out. She was the Capulet daughter — the crown jewel of the household. And oh, how she sparkled like one. But alas, it was forbidden.
He would just have to meet her in secret.
Who was that man? That man could match her beat for beat; whatever he gave, she made sure to throw back. There was no other word for their encounter beyond “thrilling.”
But he was Romeo Montague, and that revelation…that revelation doomed any chance she thought she had of choosing him instead.
Oh, how she wished he were not! But he had left; she had no method by which to pursue.
Benvolio's panic spiked when he saw Romeo go over the wall.
But Mercutio was there to reassure him. The two chased Romeo, but there was no finding him -- not unless they wished to go over the wall themselves.
The two left. After all, their search was in vain, and there were many other things the two could do with their time.
Juliet sighed at her balcony. Romeo watched her with rapt interest as she spoke, and was surprised when he made it to the balcony with a couple great leaps. Perhaps the transformation spurred by the gems brought other benefits. He told her that he found her with love's power.
They talked more -- and he would have promised devotion, if she asked. But she refused his promises.
And she still wanted to marry him, despite it all.
They agreed on a time. The Friar would be convinced to marry them in secret.
Friar Lawrence was unconvinced at first, but in his defense, Romeo was rather persuasive. The friar was disappointed that Romeo had not stuck to Rosaline, but only slightly. After all, the new object of Romeo's affections was much more ruinous.
The letter was a mark of doom. Mercutio knew — the duel would end in death for someone. The Lady in Pink would not be pleased with his progress — he was supposed to be making for peace, but instead he was very clearly sided with the Montagues. They would be more likely to understand the purpose of the Lady in Pink.
Romeo was doomed, though, and death meant that he had failed in helping the effort for peace.
The Lady in Pink should’ve spoken to the Prince, if the Miraculous were that important in making sure their world carried on.
Mercutio was no peacekeeper. He would fight for those he cared for.
And he did indeed care for the Montagues. More than he should, all things considered.
Benvolio did not wish to fight.
Neither did Mercutio, but a challenge could not go unanswered.
Romeo was absolutely delighted. He would get to marry his Juliet — well, not his yet, but soon — and well…they could worry about the rest afterwards.
He had a fairly roundabout conversation with Mercutio, but that was par for the course. When the Capulet’s nursemaid showed up, he spoke with her as well. Mercutio finally left the scene, and he could talk more about Juliet without fear of his friend’s judgement.
This afternoon. It would not be long.
Married, Juliet thought, drawing in a deep breath. Perhaps she could use the disguise of the gems to sneak away to see him.
The prospect of marrying was terrifying. She could admit that to herself. But Romeo was less terrifying than Count Paris.
Did she really have another choice?
“Tikki, spots on,” she whispered, and this time her outfit was different, more suited for stealth.
She didn’t know if she could have done it without that help. But she made it to the Friar’s cell, and there he was — Romeo.
The two of them would be married.
The reality of it was so distant, yet right next to her.
Benvolio just…needed Mercutio to back off.
But he was as stubborn as he was caring, and as Mercutio prepared to face down Tybalt with the indestructibility of the gems on his side, Benvolio pressed a gift into his hands.
“Here. To even the odds,” he whispered.
“I have no need for it,” Mercutio responded. Confidence flowed through him, but Benvolio was not so foolhardy.
And then Romeo came, and everything fell apart.
He hadn’t known grief before seeing Mercutio die in front of him.
Tybalt was dead.
And Romeo killed him.
With a cataclysm, Tybalt had crumbled to ashes.
He was a murderer.
That…complicated things. Quite a bit.
But he was granted exile rather than death, and that was certainly a mercy.
The merchant Adriana had spoken to was dead. That was quite a shame, but she had also heard that the main firebrand of the Capulet family was dead.
This would be one way to sue for peace. Adriana could even convince the Prince to confiscate the gems from the families, as the Black Cat’s power had been used to murder Tybalt, and the Dragon’s sword would be coated in Mercutio’s blood if the transformation had remained.
Perhaps…
Yes.
That was a plan. But she had no idea how she would even get them in the same place — she could use the Gift on them all, show them that their wants weren’t so different after all.
Juliet cried when she found out the news.
Her cousin was dead — and so were her chances at love.
And she confessed to Nurse — she was married, and she had no idea what to do with that. Especially when there was so much at stake. What was she supposed to choose? Did she choose loyalty to a fight she did not believe in, or to the husband she met but a few days before?
They had a plan. It would get Juliet out of marrying Paris, and it would get them both out of the city of Verona.
But many plans fail, and this was no exception.
Adriana approached the family catacomb.
Their quarrel was their folly, it seemed.
“Listen,” she said. “I am the Lady in Pink, and what I have sought all this time is peace. I am responsible for the gems you have so recklessly used, and I have been seeking to return them to where they belong. Allow me to show you something.”
She took a deep breath, and focused on manifesting the Gift. It would be for everyone. Their wants.
And what they wanted…well, it was happiness, for their families.
“Your desires are the same,” she proclaimed. “End your quarrels.”
“You are quite wise,” the Prince said to her.
She merely held her head high.
Over the next few days, representatives of both the Capulets and Montagues came to her, seeking to return the Miraculous that was never theirs.
Mission accomplished.
“It’s a shame it took all that tragedy,” Ladybug says.
“It is.” Su-Han looks at her. “Use this as a cautionary tale. I do not want you to repeat her mistakes.”
“I will not,” she promises.
“So, wait, Adriana was a Pig Holder?” Adrien asks.
“Yep,” Plagg answers. “It doesn’t really matter. The magic doesn’t affect it that much.”
“Okay.” Adrien returns to his assignment on Romeo & Juliet.
The play is very different from the story Plagg’s told, but now Adrien knows the truth hidden within.