Chapter Text
“I have sudden work to attend to… Natalie, see that Adrien makes it to bed after dinner.” Gabriel Agreste left no room for argument as he wiped his hands on his napkin and stood up. He did not make eye contact with Adrien, his aforementioned son, as he walked towards his wing of the manner.
For a moment, Gabriel Agreste stared sullenly at the beautiful painting of his wife before delicately using three fingers on each of his hands to locate the hidden buttons, and down he was to his lair. He straightened his back as he reached the basement, walking across the catwalk the dark capsule. With the touch of his fingers, the capsule removed the darkened covers, revealing a beautiful blonde woman, holding a rose. Gabriel smiled sadly, placing a hand atop of the glass.
“Emilie, I’ve… I’ve decided it’s time. It’s time to release the ladybug miraculous into the world. All those years of searching, of… of pining for the black cat miraculous… and it’s finally showed up. The energy of the ladybug miraculous has never felt so strong in my grasp before,” Gabriel paused, reaching into his pocket to reveal a glowing box. He could feel the energy pulsating without even opening the box. “Of course, it’s too dangerous to send myself or Adrien out with the ladybug, I will have to hire someone else. With the ladybug on my side, it should be no issue retrieving the black cat miraculous- after all, they were meant to work in harmony.”
Gabriel chuckled to himself as he pulled away from Emilie, opening the box to reveal two red earring… each with five black dots on them. They were glowing pink. He confidently walked to the opposite section of his lair… where the name Gabriel did not exist to him. Instead, he was Shadow Moth, keeper of the peacock and butterfly miraculous. Reign of terror over Paris for years, hoping to draw out the black cat, and he finally did. The cat’s first appearance was earlier this week, defending off his akuma with a foxy sidekick. Chat Noir and Rena Rouge, as they called themselves. The guardian must have really been scrambling to find a sidekick for the cat.
Gabriel had studied the footage of the two a thousand times, trying to verify he was correct. It was only when he finally dusted off the ladybug miraculous to ensure its safety that his suspicions were confirmed. Gabriel then hatched his plan. He would find a target, grant them whatever they wanted- he was rich and powerful and Shadow Moth, he could get them whatever they desired, and pit the ladybug against the black cat. Target number one was a certain onyx-haired teen who won his fashion contest.
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Marinette Dupain-Cheng was no hero, but she wasn’t cut out to be some kind of villainous henchmen either. She tried her best to be a good person, and everyone who described her told her she was selfless, brave, kind, and smart. They also called her clumsy, which was the only adjective she actually felt described her. So when hunted down by Shadow Moth, with some fancy jewelry that seemed to shake in the box, she knew she had no chance of running without tripping and eating shit.
“Marinette Dupain-Cheng… I have a proposition,” the towering figure spoke, emerging himself from the shadows. Marinette dropped the textbook in her arms- she shouldn’t have stayed out at the library so late. “I need your help.”
“I can’t- I- Uh, I’m only seventeen and I’m sure an adult would-“ Marinette tried to stutter her words out, hands shaking as she grappled with the straps on her book bag. Shadow Moth simply raised his hand to silence her.
“I saw you at Gabriel Agreste’s fashion show. I know you’re banking on an internship to help boost your career. I have connections, all I need in return is for you to be the holder of the ladybug miraculous.” Shadow Moth extended his other hand out to Marinette. “With this, you will do as I say. You will assist me in obtaining the miraculous of the black cat, with the help of my akumas. Once obtained, you will return both yours and the cats miraculous.”
Marinette chewed her bottom lip. She couldn’t do this… not for an internship. She opened her mouth to speak, confidence replacing the worry, but before she could speak, Shadow Moth began another exhaustingly long explanation. “I see your doubt, Marinette. Do not worry, an internship is temporary while you hold the miraculous. Once you have completed your mission, I will ensure you become the right hand man to Gabriel Agreste. You will be the most desired fashion designer.”
“I can’t. I can’t abandon my parents bakery like that. They’re not doing…” Marinette paused, and considered her choices. “Can I request something else?”
Shadow Moth seemed surprised. He pondered the question, and then gestured for her to continue speaking. “I want Gabriel Agreste to endorse and help fund my parents bakery. They work so hard, and have spent so long trying to scrap enough together just to send me to school- they deserve the world.”
“How selfless… almost too befitting of the miraculous. You have a deal, Marinette. However, I will warn you- you work for me. Should there be any slip ups, or rebellion, I will not hesitate to cut the ties, and make your parents suffer.” Marinette gulped. There was that word again… selfless.
“I understand sir, I am at your command.” Shadow Moth smirked, and then tossed the miraculous into Marinette’s hands. She barely caught them.
Marinette opened the box, blue eyes widening at the beauty of them. She went to speak to Shadow Moth, but he had disappeared. She was left with nothing but her thought, a pair of earrings, and a now soiled textbook.