Chapter Text
Chapter 1
The elevator was cramped. Cold chrome walls encased every side, barely wide enough for one person, let alone two. Adrien huddled closer to his father, heart pounding, but his father didn’t look at him. He stood straight and stiff, eyes distant and pensive—typical. His father always seemed to be looking somewhere else ever since Adrien’s mother disappeared. Adrien never dared to imagine that those eyes kept secrets hidden beneath the surface. Secrets, he supposed, he was about to become privy to.
“Adrien, there’s something I need to tell you.”
When his father entered his room that morning, Adrien hadn’t anticipated being led to a secret elevator in his father’s studio. All of it felt like a secret agent movie. Was his father working for the government? Or maybe he had a secret lair full of gadgets and monitors like Knightowl. It was fun to think about, but the further the elevator dropped, the heavier the pit in Adrien’s stomach became. Where were they going? And what was his father hiding?
The elevator slowed to a stop, and Adrien stepped out as the door opened, wincing against the dim lighting. The cavern was cool and damp, stretching higher than he would have thought possible. How far underground had they gone? And how long had this been below their feet?
His father stepped out after him, pacing up the long runway without hesitation. Whatever the room was, his father must have come down often, for he didn’t seem to share Adrien’s unease.
Adrien scurried after him, working double time to keep up with his father’s long legs. He attempted to peek around him to see what lied ahead, but the aisle was too narrow and the cavern too dark. Goosebumps pricked his arms, and Adrien rubbed them with a ragged breath.
“Father,” he said, finding his voice, “where are we?”
“Somewhere I should have taken you a long time ago.”
The metal gave way to soft grass underfoot, tall plants and vines framing a large pod in the center. His father ran a hand over the top, his touch delicate, tender almost. A sad smile curled on his lips, and Adrien stiffened when he turned to him.
“I hoped we would never have to use this place. Your mother and I prepared it a few years ago.” His father’s smile faded. He pressed a button on the side, and the front of the pod opened, parting to reveal a glass box underneath. Lights clicked on, illuminating what lay inside.
Adrien’s heart stopped.
“Mom!” He stepped forward, reaching out a hand to touch the glass but hesitating, afraid that his touch would destroy the fragile casing. Hot tears slid down his cheeks, and Adrien turned to his father. “You said she was missing.”
“To the rest of the world, she is,” his father said.
“What’s wrong with her? Is she…” Adrien bit his tongue, a hard lump welling in his throat.
“She is asleep. Comatose, for now. Her body is preserved here until I can reverse the damage.” His father placed a hand on the glass. “And I will bring her back to us.”
“I don’t…” Adrien couldn’t find the words, thoughts racing too fast to pinpoint a single question.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. I shouldn’t have kept it from you this long, but I wanted to be absolutely sure before we started.” His father turned to him. “Your mother was very sick, and there was nothing modern medicine could do for her. So we started researching alternatives—holistic medicine, natural remedies, anything we could get our hands on, but nothing worked. Naturally, your mother didn’t want you to worry, so we kept it from you the best we could.”
He cupped Adrien’s cheek, gray eyes boring into his somberly. Pressing his lips together, his father’s hand fell back to his side, and he turned back to the pod.
“We’d almost given up hope when we learned about two magic jewels.” His father pulled a small box from his suit coat and opened it.
Adrien winced against the bright purple light, flinching when a small creature manifested from inside. A smile curled on his lips, but the creature shied away when he tried to poke it.
“It’s like the genie in a lamp,” he said.
“It’s much more powerful than that.” His father trailed a finger over the purple brooch. “Your mother and I discovered this in our travels. It’s called a Miraculous—a jewel that grants the wearer magical power.”
“Whoa!” Adrien blinked with newfound awe.
“Nooroo.” The small creature flinched when his father spoke its name. “Remind me again what powers you grant.”
“The moth brooch grants the wearer the ability to give people their own superpowers and make that person their devoted follower.” Nooroo explained.
“Whoa, so you can make your own superheroes?” Adrien grinned.
His father turned back to the pod with a frown. “I have other plans in mind,” he said. “The moth brooch is simply a means to an end. The real Miraculouses I’m after are the earrings of the ladybug and the ring of the black cat.”
“Why do you need those two specifically?” Adrien asked.
“It is said that whoever possesses both the ladybug and black cat may obtain the ultimate power and be granted one wish,” Nooroo said.
“And with the ultimate power…”
“I can bring your mother back to us and cure her illness.” His father trailed a hand down the side of the pod with a sigh. “I must have that power at all costs, so I’ve devised a plan to chase the ladybug and black cat out of hiding.”
“You’re going to use the moth Miraculous to create superheroes to help us find the ladybug and black cat?” Adrien tilted his head to the side.
“In a sense.” His father straightened and turned back to him. “What better way to lure out two superheroes than by creating supervillains?”
“But, Master, the Miraculous must never be used for evil!” Nooroo said.
“I bear no contempt for the citizens of Paris. All I desire is the ultimate power. I will stop at nothing to achieve it!” Removing his ascot, Adrien’s father fastened the brooch to his shirt. “Nooroo, transform me!”
The small purple moth closed its eyes, resigned to its orders. Adrien’s father transformed in a flash of purple light, dozens of butterflies appearing around them. He turned to Adrien, placing a dark gloved hand on his shoulder.
“I will fix everything once I have the ultimate power. I promise,” he said.
Adrien pursed his lips, hands clenching into fists at his sides. “Isn’t there another way? I mean, creating supervillains… Couldn’t that be dangerous?”
“We pay the prices we have to.” His father pressed the button on the pod, closing the casing once more. “I will only make villains as long as I have to. Once we have your mother back, everything can go back to normal.”
Adrien lowered his gaze to his shoes, heart hammering. He hadn’t dared to ask after his mother disappeared, but now…
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked. “Maybe if… If I went to school like everyone else, I could be on the lookout for the heroes. I could report back to you if I found anything.”
“You know how I feel about you leaving the house, Adrien,” his father said, his tone curt and cold—a warning.
“I know, but if I were allowed outside, I could help you. I could be your spy and-”
“Enough, Adrien. We’ve talked about this.” His father shook his head.
“Please, father? I want to help, and you did say you’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back.” Adrien pressed his palms together.
His father turned to him, stony eyes narrowed. Adrien reflexively straightened, holding his breath.
“Adrien,” his father said, “if anything happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.”
Adrien breathed out. At least this time his father didn’t yell, which Adrien supposed was progress. He’d ask again next year. Maybe if they found these Miracu-thingies, his father would be in a better mood.
“I understand, Father.” Adrien tucked his hands into his pockets to hide how they shook, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground to prevent tears from spilling over. He flinched when a gloved hand gripped his shoulder.
“Your bodyguard or Nathalie will accompany you anywhere you go. When a hero does appear, I need you to make sure they lose to my akumas.” His father ordered.
“You’re letting me go?” Adrien blinked.
“I’ve known for a long time that I can’t keep you locked up here forever,” his father said. “This mission is too important to take on alone. I will allow you to attend school if you will help me find and capture the ladybug and black cat.”
“Thank you, Father!” Adrien threw his arms around his waist, leaning against his chest. “I’ll do whatever you need.”
“I’m glad you understand. It’s going to take all of our efforts to bring your mother back.” His father placed his hands on Adrien’s shoulders. “I need you, Adrien.”
Adrien smiled up at him. “Of course, Father.”
***
Late summer sunlight warmed Adrien’s cheeks as he stepped out of the car onto the pavement. Businessmen and women rushed past, paying him no mind. Cars honked at crosswalks, the ever-present hum of the city much louder outside the walls of the mansion. Students were already filing up the stairs to his school, trading yawns from waking up early for the first time in three months.
School.
Adrien grinned, heart fluttering with a giddiness he usually only felt on Christmas. Out of all the shiny toys he got every year, this gift was probably his favorite. How many of the kids passing him on the sidewalk were in his class? Which ones would be his new friends?
Friends! He was going to make real friends. Maybe he’d even meet a cute girl and fall in love. His parents had met at school after all. Was the girl of his dreams waiting on the other side of those doors? His head was spinning, the excitement making him lightheaded.
“Adrien,” Nathalie called, and judging by her tone, not for the first time.
“Sorry, Nathalie.” He turned back to the car.
“Don’t forget your fencing lesson after school. We’ve enrolled you in M. D’Argencourt’s fencing academy. You will train here at the school from now on,” she said.
An actual team!
“Yes, Nathalie.” Adrien nodded.
“Don’t get distracted by your new environment. Remember your father’s mission,” Nathalie said, and Adrien’s shoulders sank.
“Yes, Nathalie,” he said more somberly.
“Your bodyguard will pick you up after your fencing practice. You’ll study Chinese independently until dinner, then practice piano.”
“Yes, Nathalie.”
Her face softened. “Have fun today, Adrien.”
Adrien smiled as she rolled up the window and drove off, turning to face his new school. His real school. With real people. Real kids his age. All waiting for him inside.
He didn’t hesitate, sprinting up the stairs with all the glee of a dog let off its leash for the first time. The courtyard was buzzing with chatter as friends reunited after a long summer apart. Many of the students already seemed to know each other, and Adrien stood at the top of the stairs, wondering where to jump in.
“Adrikins!” A familiar lilt sang, and a yellow designer cardigan latched onto his neck, planting kisses on his cheeks.
“Hey, Chlo.” He chuckled, squeezing her tight. He’d forgotten she went to this school too. They hadn’t seen each other since his mom disappeared. “It’s so nice to see a familiar face.”
“Don’t worry about a thing, Adrikins. I’ll teach you how to navigate the real world. You’re so lucky to have me.” Chloe flipped her ponytail and linked an arm through his. “Sabrina, carry our bags. We don’t want Adrien getting tired on his first day.”
Chloe’s red-headed friend scrambled to take Adrien’s bag. He almost protested, but a throng of students surrounded them, shoving Sabrina to the side.
“Are you Adrien Agreste?”
“I’ve seen your face on ads around town.”
“Will you sign my notebook?”
“Uh…” Adrien looked to Chloe for guidance, but she simply held up her phone to take a selfie with him.
Students lined the hall on either side as Chloe paraded him through the courtyard, and he even signed an autograph or two along the way. He knew celebrities got attention like this all the time, but until today, he’d never considered that he was a celebrity. He picked up modeling for his dad after his mom disappeared, hoping to help in whatever way he could. Pouting for a camera didn’t really seem all that impressive to Adrien, but apparently it meant a lot to other people.
“This is our class, Adrikins. I even made sure to save you a seat on the front row.” Chloe gestured to an empty bench next to a kid with glasses. She flicked her gaze to the dark haired girl in the seat above, her face screwing into a scowl. “Beat it, Dupain-Cheng. That’s my seat.”
“What?” The girl blinked.
“You heard me. This is Adrien’s seat, which means this is my seat, get it?” Chloe said.
“But this has always been my seat,” the girl said.
“Not anymore,” Sabrina said, setting Chloe’s bag on the bench. “New class, new seats, new rules.”
“It’s really not that big of a deal, Chlo. We can sit somewhere else-” Adrien started, but Chloe waved him away.
“Let me handle this, Adrikins. You’re still learning,” she said. “Look, Dupain-Cheng, Adrien doesn’t want a loser like you drooling on him all day, now move!”
“What’s the big deal with Adrien?” the girl asked.
“Ugh, can you believe she doesn’t know who Adrien is, Sabrina? I know you’re poor, but surely your eyes work.” Chloe rolled her eyes.
“He’s only a famous model. His ads are everywhere in town,” Sabrina said, pulling up his latest perfume ad on her phone.
“So?”
“So, I’m his best friend, and you’re a nobody. Now, move!” Chloe ordered.
“Chloe-” Adrien started.
“Hey, who elected you queen of seats?” A girl with fiery red hair stepped in and cocked a hip.
“Oh, look. The new girl thinks she’s a hero come to save her little damsel in distress. What are you going to do superfreak? Shoot lasers at me with your glasses?” Chloe laughed.
“Chloe!” Adrien gaped.
The other girl wasn’t deterred, stepping into Chloe’s face with a hard glare.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she growled, taking the tiny girl’s wrist. “Come on. You can sit by me.”
They brushed past Adrien, the feisty one bumping his shoulder out of the way. Chloe fluffed her ponytail and took her seat, unfazed, but Adrien’s stomach twisted in knots. The tiny girl with pigtails shrank away from him when he looked over at her, and the red-head shot him a cutting glare.
He’d barely been at school five minutes and instead of making two friends, he’d somehow managed to make two enemies. Chloe had always been bossy, but he never imagined she could be so mean. This wasn’t how he pictured his first day at all.
“Hey, Chlo, don’t you think that was a little harsh?” he whispered.
“Oh, Adrikins, you have so much to learn about school culture, but don’t worry. I’ll make sure everyone around here gives you the respect you deserve.” Chloe booped his nose with one finger.
“I really don’t think-”
“Okay, class, find your seats.”
Adrien curled his shoulders as the teacher strolled in, not wanting to make a bad impression on anyone else, and took his seat. He flicked his gaze to the boy next to him, but his seatmate made a point not to look at him.
How had everything gone wrong so quickly? Adrien had dreamed about going to school and making friends his whole life, but now that he was finally there… Things were a lot more complicated than he realized. TV made it all look so easy, so why was everything going so wrong?
“For those that don’t know me, I am Mlle. Bustier. I’ll be your teacher this year. Let me call roll, then we’ll get started,” the teacher said.
Roll call. He’d seen it in movies before. He could do this.
“Agreste, Adrien?”
“Present!” He shot up, every eye in the room turning to him.
A few of his classmates snickered, and his cheeks warmed. Had he done something wrong again? He sank back into his seat, rubbing his neck.
“Bourgeois, Chloe.”
“Here.”
At least he was learning his new classmate’s names. That girl with the red hair was named Alya, and the tiny girl Chloe kicked out of her seat was Marinette. Maybe he could try and talk to them later and see if Chloe would give that girl’s seat back. Or maybe she could have his seat. It didn’t really matter to him where he sat. He just wanted to make friends.
“Lahiffe, Nino.”
“Here,” the boy beside him said.
“Lavillant, Rose.”
“So, your name’s Nino,” Adrien whispered.
“Yeah,” the boy said.
“I’m Adrien.” He held out a hand.
“I got that.” Nino looked him up and down. “You’re Chloe’s friend, right?”
“Well, we’ve known each other since we were kids-”
“Adrien, Nino, is there something you’d like to share with the class?” Mlle. Bustier asked.
“No, ma’am,” Nino said.
“Adrien?” She quirked a brow.
Everyone was staring again.
“Uh, no, Mlle. Bustier. I’m sorry.” Adrien faced forward and leaned against his fist.
“You can talk to each other after class.”
“Yes, ma’am.” They both said.
Maybe coming to school wasn’t such a good idea after all. Adrien thought it would be all fun and friends and learning, but all he’d managed to do was single himself out as Chloe’s best friend—a title he was starting to realize wasn’t a compliment. Just like a crime show, Chloe was Francoise-Dupont’s leading criminal, and he was guilty by association.
Class was otherwise uneventful. He answered a few questions right but got in trouble for blurting instead of raising his hand. With every misstep, he took mental notes on how to do better next time. Adrien was learning a whole other curriculum outside of class instruction—how to fit in. He’d never really thought about it before. All his life he just wanted to go to school. He never thought about what to do once he got there. Socializing was a lot harder than he imagined.
The school bell signaled the end of their first class, and Adrien mimicked the other students packing their bags. He didn’t actually know what to do next. Chloe hadn’t shown him where the locker room was, let alone helped him find which one was his. All she’d really done was show him off to everyone and make two people hate him. And with all the dirty looks coming his way, he didn’t dare ask one of his other classmates for help.
Resigned to his fate, Adrien approached Mlle. Bustier timidly, but a commotion a few rows up stole her attention.
“Kim!” A large boy raised a fist at the boy across the aisle.
“Ivan! What’s going on?” Mlle. Bustier demanded.
“It’s Kim! I’m gonna-”
“Ivan, go to the principal’s office! Kim, up here, now!”
Ivan crumpled the paper in his hands, slinging his backpack over one shoulder. He brushed past Adrien on his way out of the room. Kim slinked down to the front, shoving his hands in his pockets when Mlle. Bustier crossed her arms over her chest.
So much for that.
He could ask Chloe again, but he was starting to realize that attaching himself to her wasn’t the best way to make new friends. Plus, she wasn’t exactly helpful. Maybe he could ask his seatmate…
Nino was already halfway out the door, so Adrien rushed after him.
“Hey, wait!” he called, but Nino didn’t slow his pace.
“What, dude? I really don’t feel like being Chloe’s next victim today.” He rolled his eyes.
“I-I don’t really know what Chloe was on about earlier, but I was hoping we could be friends,” Adrien said.
“What and put me right under Chloe’s diamond-studded heels? No thanks,” Nino grunted.
“I-” Adrien stopped, and Nino did too, looking Adrien up and down.
“Look, dude, if you want to make friends around here, you’ve gotta ditch Chloe. No one likes her.” Nino crossed his arms over his chest.
“I know she’s not perfect—I didn’t know exactly how not perfect—but she’s the only friend I’ve ever had,” Adrien said.
“You definitely need better friends, dude,” Nino said. Something in Adrien’s expression must have changed his mind because he sighed. “Fine, I’m in, but if Chloe says anything to me, I’m out.”
“Really?” Adrien perked up.
“Sure.” Nino shrugged. “You’re like a lost little puppy, so someone’s gotta teach you not to pee on the rug.”
“I’ve never peed on a-”
“It’s an expression, dude.” Nino draped an arm around him with an eye roll. “You have a lot to learn, my guy.”
“Great, can we start with where my locker is?” Adrien held up a slip of paper, and Nino shook his head with a laugh.
“Come on, dude. I’ll show you around.”
Nino knew a lot of people in the locker room, and Adrien studied the ease of his interactions with their peers carefully. He didn’t want to mess up again.
When they passed the two girls from earlier, Adrien’s shoulders curled.
“You should stand up for yourself. Don’t let her walk all over you,” Alya was saying to Marinette.
“It’s hard. Chloe likes to make my life miserable.” Marinette twisted one of her pigtails around a finger.
“You just need more confidence, girl. It’s like Majestia says, ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good people do nothing.’ Well, Chloe and her little posse are evil, and we’re the good guys,” Alya said.
“Yeah, but I’m not a superhero,” Marinette said.
Adrien’s ears pricked.
“Don’t worry. If she picks on you again, I’ll punch her for you, okay? My sister’s a boxer, so Chloe won’t even know what hit her.” Alya patted Marinette’s shoulder.
Confident, strong, good and evil. If Adrien was looking for superheroes, Alya would be his first pick. It made sense why she hated him. After all, he was the villain of this story in the proper sense of the word. Pretty soon his father’s plans would be in motion, and he had no choice but to help. It was the price he paid for freedom.
“Ya know,” Nino said, “Marinette is actually really cool. I’m sure she’ll forgive you if you just talk to her.”
“What?” Adrien blinked.
“You were thinking about earlier, right? How you can make it up to Marinette?” Nino asked. “I’ve known her since we were like eight. She’s really nice—clumsy—but nice. Talk to her, I’m sure you can work things out.”
“Oh, uh, yeah…” Adrien shook himself. “What should I say?”
“Just tell her you’re not like Chloe. They’ve had beef since they met. Chloe has always tormented her, so she probably just thinks you two are the same. If you’re nice to her, she won’t hold a grudge,” Nino said. “You wanted to make friends, right? Lots of people love Marinette. She’ll be a good place to start.”
True, Adrien wanted friends more than anything, and he did feel bad about the seat thing with Chloe… Squaring his shoulders, Adrien approached the two girls, whose faces fell the moment they spotted him.
“Hey.” Adrien waved.
“Is your locker not good enough? Do you want this one too?” Alya asked.
“No, it’s fine. Actually, about earlier, I-”
“Kim!”
The doors to the locker room flew from their hinges as a giant rock creature burst in with a guttural roar. Students dove for cover, racing for the exit as the creature ripped through lockers in its search, but Adrien only sighed.
Did his father have to pick now to start his plans? Couldn’t he have given Adrien a few hours to make friends first? And what was that thing? When his father said supervillains, he expected a wizard in tights, not a giant rock monster!
“What is that thing?” Marinette gasped.
“I dunno, but I’m gonna follow it,” Alya said with a grin.
“Are you crazy?” Marinette blinked at her in disbelief while Alya checked her phone and pockets.
“Don’t you know what that is?” Alya asked. “It’s a supervillain! Which means, superheroes. I’m not missing this.”
“Marinette is right. It could be dangerous,” Adrien said.
“Take a hike, daddy’s boy. We’re not interested in a lecture.” Alya brushed him off as the creature stomped through the wall in pursuit of Kim. She gave chase, calling over her shoulder, “If you do anything to Marinette while I’m gone, I’ll kick your butt when I get back!”
Marinette’s eyes were wide with fear, and Adrien’s stomach flipped when she pressed her back to the lockers. He hadn’t thought of the repercussions of supervillains running around destroying the city. People were scared, and they should be. Everything they knew and loved was crumbling before their eyes, and none of them knew if they were going to make it out or not. If they didn’t find the heroes soon, there wouldn’t be a Paris left for his mother to wake up to. How could his father go through with something so destructive?
“We should get out of here.” Adrien reached for Marinette’s hand, but she shied away from his touch.
“I’m going home,” she said, backing away from him.
“Marinette, about earlier, I-”
She didn’t give him a chance to finish before she raced from the room. Now probably wasn’t the best time for apologies. He’d have to work on his timing later.
Adrien shoved his hands into his pockets with a sigh. Somehow, his father creating a supermonster wasn’t the worst thing that happened that morning, and at the rate the akuma was destroying everything, there probably wouldn’t be a school left for him to attend. He’d say the freedom was fun while it lasted, but…
He shook his head to clear it. There would be time to worry about friendships later. He needed to get home to his father.
The police were lined up at the gate when Adrien arrived, and he worried that his father had been discovered. But one of the officers waved him on, urging him to get inside where it was safe. The ground shook as heavy footsteps approached their block, and Adrien darted up the stairs, racing into his father’s studio and finding the buttons on his mother’s painting.
His father was in the lair when the elevator landed, and he turned to Adrien with a smirk.
“Things are going according to plan,” he said.
“That monster is one of my classmates,” Adrien said pointedly.
“Yes, his emotions are strong. It made him easy prey for my akuma.” His father tapped the cane on the ground.
A little warning would have been nice, but Adrien didn’t say as much. Arguing with his father rarely led anywhere good in his experience.
“What do we do now?” Adrien asked.
“We wait for the heroes to come out of hiding.”
Adrien thought back to his encounters at school with pursed lips.
“There was this girl in my class. She was really brave, and she stood up to Chloe. I heard her talking about heroes, and she didn’t seem scared at all by your akuma.” He reported.
“Good. We will keep an eye on her,” his father said.
The elevator clicked behind them again, and Nathalie approached with a tablet.
“Sir, take a look at this.” She passed the screen to him, and Adrien huddled close to see.
“I’m following a real live supervillain! No heroes on the scene yet, but when one does show up, you guys will be the first to see it,” Alya said.
“That’s her!” Adrien gasped.
“Wait, I see something!” Alya gasped. “It looks like a girl in a red and black suit with some kind of… yoyo?”
“The ladybug,” his father and Nathalie said in unison.
“So, she’s come out to play after all.” His father smirked.
Adrien breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps this nightmare would be over sooner than they hoped. It wouldn’t be long before he saw his mother again. The thought was enough to send his heart racing.
“What are you waiting for, superbug? The world is watching you!” Alya shouted.
“Something’s wrong,” Nathalie said.
“What? What’s wrong?” Adrien’s head snapped back to the screen.
“She’s alone,” his father said. “Where is the black cat?”
“Maybe taking a cat nap?” Adrien joked, but no one laughed.
“Stoneheart, get her Miraculous!” His father ordered, and the creature changed course.
“She’s only a child from the looks of it. If we can get her to use her last resort, she won’t have much time left before she has to transform back,” Nathalie said.
“Yes, it’s what I’m counting on.” His father nodded.
Adrien watched the battle on the screen with bated breath. They were so close to getting their family back. Once they had her Miraculous, all of the horror would stop. Maybe then he could go back to school and make up with Marinette and Alya, have real friends, his mom. The life he’d always wanted was finally at his fingertips.
“She’s summoned her lucky charm.” Nathalie reported.
“Is that… a wetsuit?” Adrien titled his head to the side. “What kind of superpower is that?”
“The ladybug Miraculous summons an object as a last resort, but from the looks of it, her childish inexperience seems to be leeching into her powers.” Nathalie explained.
“Let’s see how clever our little ladybug is,” his father said with a sinister grin.
“There’s no way she beats a giant rock with a wetsuit…right?” Adrien bit his lip.
“What’s she doing?” Alya said on the livestream as the heroine tied the limbs and stuffed a hose into the neck.
With her prop in place, the girl charged straight toward Stoneheart, tossing the wetsuit and leaping right into his hands. He caught the suit in one hand and the girl in the other.
“Uh, did she just let herself get captured?” Adrien asked.
His father narrowed his eyes. “Crush her, Stoneheart, and bring me those earrings!”
“Alya! The tap!” the heroine called.
The live stream camera shook as Alya scrambled for the faucet. She focused on the villain as the hose hissed to life, and after a moment, Stoneheart’s hand popped open.
“Rip the paper ball, Alya!”
“Okay, got it!” Alya said.
“No!” His father gasped.
Stoneheart collapsed into a pile of rubble, revealing a dazed Ivan underneath. The heroine helped him to his feet with a smile as Alya rushed up to greet her.
“That was so awesome! Do you know who’s creating these villains? Are there more heroes like you? Will there be other villains in the future?” Alya asked.
“Uh…” The heroine rubbed the back of her neck.
“Never mind all of that! What’s your name super red bug?”
“You can call me… Ladybug. Just Ladybug,” she said, waving two fingers before leaping off.
“Wow,” Alya said to the camera. “Ladybug, a real superheroine! This is so amazing-”
Nathalie dimmed the screen, tucking the tablet back under her arm. Adrien’s father stared forward with a pensive frown, drumming his fingers on his cane.
“So, does this mean we lost?” Adrien asked.
“No,” his father said, a smile curling on his lips. “She didn’t capture the akuma, I can still feel it.”
“So, then…?”
“Akumas can multiply if they’re not cleansed. Our little Ladybug hasn’t finished her job,” his father said.
“Which means?”
His father turned to them with a dark grin.
“It means we’re only just getting started.”