Chapter Text
“Mommy, mommy! Look at my wrist! It just appeared when I was playing!” Marinette squealed. “Oh, dear.” Sabine smiled. “It looks like your on your way to having your very own Prince charming.”
“TAKE IT OFF! TAKE IT OFF!! BOYS ARE GROSS!!” Marinette cried.
“Honey, I’m sorry but it won’t come off until the boy your destined to be with uses his key to unlock it.”
“Well it’s broken! There’s no place to put a key!”
“Sweetheart, when you turn 17, a hole will appear in the locket and the same thing will happen with the boys. Their bracelet will produce a key with a specific shape just for the lock.”
“But what if two boys can unlock it, that would mean I’m stuck with two yucky boys!”
Sabine laughed and Tom walked over to his wife and kissed her cheek.
“I can assure you, there is no master key. One key to one lock; that's how it’s always been.” Tom said with a gentle smile. “When you get older, you’ll see that boys aren’t so bad and the lock and keys haven’t been wrong yet.”
Eleven and a half years later...
“I can’t believe you guys! You and Nino were dating before your lock and key changed and his key unlocked your bracelet. How did you get so lucky?” Marinette questioned her BFF.
“I don’t know, maybe Ladybug locking us up together at the Zoo was good luck.”
“I don’t believe in luck; I believe in fate and I know my Adrikans key will unlock my bracelet because we were meant to be.” Chloe cut in and flipped her ponytail.
“Look around Chloe; almost everyone here was with someone and ended up with someone else. Kim was dating Alex but his key unlocked Ondine’s bracelet. Ivan was dating Rose but his key unlocked Mylene’s bracelet. You can’t just get what you want and expect it to go your way!” Alya huffed and crossed her arms.
Lila walks in with Adrien…
“Thanks again Adrien, if you have some free time, we could do this again after school.” Lila said loud enough to draw attention.
“I have fencing practice after school so –“
“Perfect! I’ll be there.” Lila cut in.
Adrien just ignored her and went to his seat next to Nino.
“Dude, what’s up with you and Lila?”
Marinette leaned over her desk to eavesdrop.
“She needed help with her schoolwork but I’m beginning to think it has something to do with my key.” Adrien lifted his arm to show Nino his wrist.
“Duuude! When did that happen?” Nino touched the weirdly shaped key. “I’ve never seen a key shaped this weird before.
“At the photoshoot. Lila was there and she saw it change.”
“So… did you try to unlock her bracelet?”
“She’s not seventeen yet so her bracelet has no hole in it yet.”
“This is ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! You would try to unlock hers before mine?!”
“Chloe, it doesn't matter who’s bracelet I try to unlock, only one will work with my key and frankly, this is too much pressure. I have hundreds of fans and it could take months to find out who’s bracelet it will unlock. If I could be honest, I’m not sure when I’ll start checking bracelets because my fans may get upset. My father is already working to minimize the fallout.”
Marinette sunk in her seat and frowned. Adrien was right; the line was terribly long and her bracelet hasn’t produce it’s hole yet either. Granted she was still sixteen and her birthday wasn’t for another three months.
“Don’t worry girl, I believe things will work out just fine.” Alya whispered.
Cat was excited to go on Patrol to see his Lady. He couldn’t wait to tell her about his key. He didn’t want to try his key in anyone’s lock but hers. Sure he said his peace in school for everyone to hear so he wouldn’t get hounded by everyone taking interest. If his key didn’t open his Lady’s lock, he wouldn’t want to try anyone else’s.
Ladybug touched down on the roof and sat down with a frown.
“Hey Bugaboo, I have some great news!” Cat said excitedly.
Ladybug just wiped a tear from her eye.
“My Lady? Is something wrong?”
“It’s… it’s nothing kitty, nothing I can’t handle.”
“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that the boy you like didn’t unlock your bracelet?”
“I’m not seventeen yet, Cat; I don’t have a hole in it yet.”
“Did the guy unlock someone else’s bracelet then?”
“I… I don’t know. I'm not even sure he wants to unlock any bracelet. I’m so done with this lock and key stuff! The next time I hear someone talking about it, I’ll scream!!”
“Oh… right… sorry about bringing him up. I didn’t want to upset you.”
“I’m sorry too Kitty, I shouldn’t take my frustration out on you. What was the great news you wanted to tell me?”
“Uhhh… (shoot)… well, I heard there’s another Ultimate mega strike game coming out. I think its version 10.”
“That version is already out, cat; do you live under a rock or something?”
Cat chuckled. He already knew it was out since he already had the game. He had to say something since his lady didn’t want to hear about locks and keys.
“I guess I’ve been too busy in my civilian life to know what I missed.” Cat shrugged his shoulders as he looked at his wrist that would have the bracelet and key. It’s a good thing his transformation hid it.
(((BOOM)))
“What was that!” Cat stood up looking over the horizon. Ladybug stood as well.
“Akuma?”
“Only one way to find out!”
to be continued...