Chapter Text
“Pound it!”
Chat Noir and Ladybug smirked at each other, the usual trademark ever since they first met. Parts of the city that was filled with an inky catastrophe that also covered the poor Parisian citizens were now rectified thankfully. Those stains were definitely not going to come off them or their clothes easily without that.
The man on the ground looked around confused as to what happened. “What happened?” He then directed his gaze towards the superheroes in front before looking down. “How did I?..”
Ladybug turned around before she walked towards him, “You were akumatized Sir.” She said with a small voice, the man noticeably frowned looking at his fountain pen.
“It’s not your fault.” She squatted. “It’s no one’s fault for feeling negative emotions.”
“Yeah! You can blame Hawkmoth for being the bad guy.” The boy in black said. While this only slightly made the man feel better, he still was kicking himself on the inside.
“Alright, I guess it’s time for me to head back to my other duties.” She looked at Chat. “We can go for another patrol tomorrow night at eight if that’s fine.”
Chat noir’s ring started beeping, signalling he only had minutes left to spare.
“A purrfect plan Milady.” Ladybug rolled her eyes with a slight smile as she turned her back to him, spinning the yoyo in her hands. “It isn’t even anything spectacular, I have to go now before I detransform.”
The boy nodded as he was about to go, well before Chat was stopped by her voice, “Chat?” He looked back her as she looked back at him over her shoulder. “We need to have a talk after patrol.” Chat’s stomach churned yet again, nodding slowly.
The teen watched as the spotted heroine took off with her yoyo with a huff, swinging through the city quickly as she could. The ring beeped once more, with a frown he checked it. He only had two more minutes left.
“Great.” He sighed, running until he began vaulting away with his staff.
The boy ran as fast as he could once he landed on the rooftops with a roll. Trudging through the high winds as his hair blew back wildly, they did say it was going to be a windy day today but jeez! This is ridiculous!
He made a leap before gracefully landing on a chimney before he moved again. His heels were just begging to be massaged or the very least, have a rest right now.
Aside from everything, he couldn’t help but think. How did he let himself get hit by the akuma’s attacks that much? He wasn’t a hard villain to overcome at all. Hell even ladybug didn’t need the lucky charm, somehow, he was having a tiny bit of trouble even fighting him. He let out a silent sigh. Not going to lie, it was kind of embarrassing.
The gust had picked up it’s strength as he felt like he was being pushed back completely. He was still able to take some steps forward. With all of his leg strength he made sure to stoop down low and try to advance through it.
He squinted his eyes, sure it was strong, although it’s not something that was something to keep him back from reaching his destination.
At least he hoped so.
With another beep he sharply exhaled as he truly pushed himself now, he was close! So close!
He loudly huffed as he forced himself to move forward using his staff as a sort of anchor. When the wind settled a fair amount, taking the chance, he bound forward as he made a small dent in the rooftop.
“I need to get inside!” Chat Noir thought.
As he reached the final building jumped with a yell. He used his extended staff to make one more hop to stay in the air until he abruptly landed in his room, not too long after, the boy detransformed on the spot.
He breathed a sigh of relief once he didn’t see anyone in the room. It was just plagg zipping over to his.. Disgustingly rancid cheese stash. Well, he must say. It was another job well done, Paris is safe from Hawkmoth once again. For now at that is.
“That was something. At least I’m back home to munch on my sweet, scrumptious cheese!” The little god said as he bit into a cheese wheel.
“So you’re not even going to bother about it?.” he paused the piano music on the speaker, starting to actually play the piano he was supposed to practice ages ago. Thankfully, he was still sharp for he wouldn’t want to disappoint his father with even a single mistake, knowing how he can be.
“Nope.” Plagg chirped. “It’s just wind anyways.”
Adrien stared at the kwami before shaking his head. There wasn’t any forecast of high winds nor were there a storm coming through. He shrugged, focusing on the instrument in front of him.
A few hours had passed as the sun had retreated into the horizon, giving the sky a dark orange hue. Adrien just mindlessly just searched through multiple websites on his computer to entertain him.
T1 Parisian Fencing Tourney?
Pass.
Best tips for fashion Modelling?
Pass.
New song by XY?
Who the hell cares?
Adrien let his head hit the table with a groan. “Hey, chin up kid. It’s going the be the weekend tomorrow.” Adrien peered at the kwami in the corner of his eye. “I have Karate lessons tomorrow.”
Adrien raised his head up, “if the lessons were cancelled as well, then what? I’ll still be stuck in this prison for a home with nothing to do.”
Plagg’s words died in his throat as soon as he opened his mouth, he figured there was still something that could be interesting to do as he looked around his room, the mouse clicking occasionally breaking the silence.
“Oh! I know!” The tiny god spoke up once more. “How about you drop by Marinette’s place? You two seem to get along just fine, when you’re Chat Noir that is.” The last part was brought down to a mumble.
Adrien thought for a moment, that truly didn’t seem like a bad idea. They may have only met like twice or three times, despite that, he remembered when he hung out by her balcony along with her since was standing outside too. Apparently after some small talk between the two they both realized they had their hearts broken. He sighed, that memory still stung because he had really hoped Ladybug came to meet him on a date.
Though not everything was bad since he had brought along Marinette to cheer her up, she even admired the set up he did on another balcony. He never understood why she acted so nervous around him even though she has no reason to.
Maybe he’ll visit some other time when he feels like it.
Adrien was going to call it a night before a post on the ladyblog had caught his eye. He hovered the cursor over the title for a little bit until he clicked it so he can see it in it’s entirety.
And so he read.
After some time, Plagg noticed the clicking had stopped nor did he respond to the initial suggestion he waited for, so the tiny cat looked over to his chosen as he was still in the middle of reading something with a frown. He scrolled and scrolled, completely absorbed in it’s text before he turned off his computer. Adrien pushed himself away from his desk with a look of hurt his kwami didn’t notice, even when he walked past him.
“Ah well, can’t help with that.” Plagg barely heard Adrien said.
“Can’t help with what?”
“It’s nothing. I’m gonna head to bed for the night.”
Plagg just shrugged as he grabbed another wheel of cheese, munching down on it not too long after. Adrien was grateful that the kwami wasn’t much of a pushy being, he sat down as he contemplated again on the title. ‘Isn’t Chat Noir almost kind of useless?’
He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t hurt by it. Especially with how detailed it was when it came to his screw ups. Hell, there’s been a lot more of it recently.
Ranging from helping at one point to being an akuma’s pawn, ladybug doing all the work, not being that serious and always flirting with ladybug instead. Hell they even included the fact his fight was a bit sloppy as it began trailing off to questioning if Chat Noir would still be able to keep the city safe in the future.
He sighed, he swung his foot over so he can fully lie down. There was always room to improve after all, so he didn’t feel too bad in the end. He bid the little cat goodnight as he felt the drowsiness overcome him.
[&&&&&&&&&&]
With a grunt from a boy, Adrien narrowly swung his hand across to block an incoming kick to his side before returning one to the back of the boy’s leg making them land on their back. A hiss of pain escaped their lips, “Damn, thought I had you there.” They said accepting Adrien’s hand to be pulled up.
“Maybe next time, Wolf Boy.” Adrien smiled as he hugged him, they released each other until they made their way to the bench so they can they sit. “I know you’re at the top of the class and all but I swear you’re just plain unbeatable.” Rabiot chuckled
The taller boy had a long red streak in the middle of his hair, it reminded Adrien of a rooster’s comb, which was funny to him. Without it, he wondered if Rabiot could participate as a model some day, he has a serious physique which the magazine side of stuff would love.
Though it almost feels like armour when he tries to punch anywhere on him.
“I’m not unbeatable at all.” Adrien couldn’t help his laughter as well. “You just slipped at the worst moment.”
Rabiot groaned a little as he picked himself up. “Says the guy who’s the only one that’s able to keep up with my Spartan spirit.” He dusted himself off. “Seriously though, we’re only one-one in scores and the rest are no contests.”
The latter nodded, “You’re seriously an animal.” He sighed. “It’s no surprise you won thirteen junior tournaments before you stopped.”
The two had grown to be good friends when the blond haired model had gotten comfortable with his new sparring partner. Rabiot fondly remembered when he first came to the dojo, he had not to long moved from Marseille. He was fairly experienced in martial arts so he got the hang of karate in no time at all surprisingly.
If there was one thing he didn’t understand, was how seemingly flawless of a fighter the model was.
They watched the other trainers giving it their all with their sensei instructing them on their forms, how to use them along with their purposes. They were way ahead of them because of their own private tutors. For a certain someone, enhanced fighting intelligence due to abnormal battles a normal civilian wouldn’t face.
“You think you’ll be able to pass the upcoming selections for the mixed martial arts tournament?” Adrien looked towards them, Rabiot’s face lit up with excitement just thinking about the experience.
“I’m not so sure but I’m willing as ever to give it a try! I want to make it to the top three at least!” The Agreste was glad to see him so pumped despite it being his sworn passion.
He heard his phone ringing from his bag which made him open it, when he checked, it was his best pal Nino calling.
“Give me a sec.” Adrien answered the phone, when he brought it up to his ear he heard two other voices aside from the young DJ.
“What’s up dude?” The voice on the other end started.
“Hey Nino, I’m just here at martial art lessons.”
“Ah that’s fine my man, I was wondering you were free in an hour or so. Me, Alya and Marinette were planning to go to the movies.”
Adrien looked back at his schedule on his phone, surprisingly, it was indeed free for anything else. Thank the lord for a bit of free time honestly, he didn’t think he’d have enough battery to stand another thing organized by his father.
“I do actually, I’ll see you guys there.” Adrien’s smile returned.
“Awesome! We’ll be in the park waiting for ya. Catch ya later!” Nino said, the Agreste could’ve sworn he heard a high pitched noise in the background when he was about to end the call.
As if on cue, the sensei began to wrap up the lessons, everyone was taking off their gi. They placed it in their gym bags and took out their casual shirts to wear.
“We should get going too.” Rabiot said while he also removed the gi.
“Yep, I have to go to the movies here with my friends. I’ll see you later Rabi.” Adrien waved as he walked out the doors as he began to making his way to the destination.
Over by the park, the three were having ice cream as they waited for their friend. Both could clearly tell that Marinette was excited, not to mention, anxious at the same time, she’s not really as subtle as she thinks.
Alya placed her hand on the bluenette’s shoulder, “Girl you need to relax, I don’t want you passing out on me today.”
The girl in particular shot her a glance, “Me? Pfft. I’m relaxed” She really wasn’t. “I’m just a bit happy he’s free is all.” Her smile was wide as she nervously laughed. The brunette shook her head softly.
“Yeah, Yeah. Funny you say that after you spent over an hour and a half making sure you look your best in the same clothes plus the same hairdo you usually wear.”
Marinette sheepishly scratched the back of her head.
“Let’s not talk about the fact you already have your children named.” Alya held up three fingers. “WHAT?!” Nino said quickly in shock, “Yep, you should’ve heard her.”
If Marinette had the gracious ability to disappear right now she would’ve done so. “Alya!” She cried in embarrassment.
“She wanted to name one the first boy Louis” She counted off a finger. “And another one Em-“ A hand was slapped over her mouth, silencing Alya. Marinette’s face looked like a cherry by this point she sternly looked into the blogger’s eyes she looked at Nino, who’s still astonished at this fact. So much so he didn’t even know his poor ice cream was melting away.
She nervously looked at shifted her eyes to everything but the young DJ, “Please don’t tell him, If he ever found out he’ll never want to be friends with me ever again!”
Just then, a switch flipped in her.
‘Oh boy. Here we go.’ Alya thought when she saw her sudden facial expression.
“Then it’ll be awkward and he’ll be uncomfortable every time he sees me in his presence!” She gasped “Then he’ll move to a different school, probably find a girl he’ll fall in love with. She’ll have the best boyfriend ever and I’ll be all alone with broken dreams, dying from sadness and embarrassment.” She said the last part through clench teeth.
Meanwhile the couple flat out didn’t even decipher most of what she said cause of how fast she spoke. Seriously, it’s like an ability on how her mind goes overboard, especially with how fast she speaks sometimes.
“What was that about dying from embarrassment and sadness?” A voice spoke from behind the three.
Marinette screamed flailing her arms before she fell down not too long after. “Aye, you made it broski!” Nino greeted him with a fist bump.
“Sure did. What were you guys talking about?” Adrien looked at Alya, she had opened her mouth, making Marinette shot straight up. “Nothing!” she said with a wide grin accompanying her nervous laughter.
“If you say so.” Adrien shrugged with a smirk. “So, what movie are we gonna be watching?”
“You’ll see” The brunette said simply, “Now come on, let’s move before it starts!” With that, they finished their ice cream heading for the theatre. “I’m willing to bet the poster for it looks awesome.” The model put his hands behind his head. “What do you think Marinette?”
“Oh, I think you look great- I mean gorgeous looked you- I mean, yeah.” In Marinette’s imagination, she wasn’t just kicking herself.
She was flat out mauling herself on the inside.
Adrien chuckled, he hadn’t really paid too much mind to her stumbling words. He found it funny, a little weird, but funny nonetheless.
“Totally relaxed” Nino muttered to himself making Alya giggle at her boyfriend’s tone. They had made their way through the doors of the theatre and now the screening room doors too. All that was left now was getting to their seats.
“Any of you guys ready for the upcoming test we have on Monday by the way?” Adrien perked up, just remembering about it.
“What test?” Alya said, now confused by the sudden question. “We have a test?” Nino nodded to his girlfriend. “It’s on physics though.”
“I’m so failing that class.” Alya sighed dejectedly. “What about you Marinette?” The girl in question actually was rather calm about this, not something they were completely used to, knowing the klutz. “Oh! Adrien and I studied for it a little while back in the park.”
What?
“You and Adrien knew about the test and didn’t tell me sooner?” Alya crossed her arms at the two. Marinette could tell she was hiding another sentence and all she could to was rub her foot across the ground with a nervous laugh.
After their small conversation the movie had just started after the trailers, they finally found their seats and sat down with their snacks and drinks.
[&&&&&&&&&&]
An hour had past and they were fully engrossed in the movie. The protagonist was running through the woods with his fellow supernatural soldiers, the effects had really caught Adrien’s attention the most because of how well made and almost in a way, organic, it looked.
Marinette was also focused although she had missed bits of it looking over to her friends at certain points.
She was also feeding her kwami a sweet pastry she had brought along the way, she thought that if they were eating then Tikki might as well have something too.
She slowly moved her hand from her purse as to not draw any attention from anyone.
Adrien had done the same, except he had let Plagg fend for himself in his gym bag trying to open the zip lock bag containing the cat’s favorite, horrendously smelly camembert cheese.
He tried to put his arm on the chair’s armrest and ended up letting it land on something softer, when Adrien looked down at his hand he saw that he had actually rested it on Marinette’s instead.
Marinette noticed as well and had blushed violently. Adrien, feeling the warmth dashing across his cheeks had pulled his arm away quickly apologizing for his action. Amidst his hushed apologies the beating of her heart were like fireworks detonating inside as her stomach instantly got butterflies. It wasn’t the first time they accidentally touched hands, or rather, arms. though it didn’t make her get more used to it each time.
“I- I -It’s okay.” She managed to squeak out whilst she softly rubbed her forearm.
The two had went back to watching the screen as the excursion began between factions of militias. The super soldiers were preparing against the rulers. She looked over to Nino and Alya and saw they were snuggled up together eating away their snacks.
She smiled, they were so cute together sometimes. Someday he hoped she can be like that with Adrien and not foaming at the mouth trying to form a sentence to him. She thought to herself that it would probably take years to even achieve that. She fixed her gaze to the screen. Maybe she’ll be able to confess to the blond model one day. Just not so soon.
Speaking of blond. She still had that patrol to go to with her partner, she still didn’t know how to bring up the topic to Chat Noir on how he has been performing lately. She knows that he knows her strategies and protocols, even so, all of a sudden he just..
Blanks out.
[&&&&&&&&&&]
“What’s on your mind Milady?” The spotted heroine was broken out of her thoughts. They had finished patrol for a while now and had time to sit around and gaze at the city lights below. The view from the Eiffel tower was always the best for times where they could just relax and unwind. As much as she loved it, it just didn’t help right now.
“Just a few things that happened today, nothing so interesting.” The blond hero hummed, she had been having a lot of moments where she stared at thousand yards away.. It wasn’t too unusual when she was thinking about something, although in this situation, he didn’t like it one bit.
He fidgeted a bit until he decided to ask.
“What did you want to talk about?”
There it is, the part that was haunting her most of the time. Her lips parted as she softly exhaled, her eyes darting everywhere except the direction of her partner. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. Might as well get it out of the way than to keep wondering. “It’s about your performance in battles.”
Chat kept silent. “I don’t know what’s been going on with you lately. You do help me in tough situations but you’ve been seizing up on me and taking more hits than usual.” He knows that much already, but hearing it from his partners for some reason felt way worse than it should have.
“Yes, you’ve always took hits for me willingly. This is different, you’re caught off guard most of the time instead of you doing it to save me from the akuma’s hits.” Ladybug finally looked in his direction.
The person in question’s throat became dry and tightened up as he continued listening to her.
“That’s not to say I appreciate you looking out for me, I’m saying there’s better ways you can protect me from something. I can’t keep fighting an akuma and my partner most of the time. ” The spotted hero sat upright, her eyes showed focus.
“Everyone’s starting to question your abilities as a hero, Chat. Things can’t keep going on like this.” She finally shifted her head to her second-in-command. “And at this rate, I might have to take your ring away.”
Silence filled the air. He tried his best to uphold a reserved air of professional composure, his heart burned with each pump of blood coursing through his body. He certainly knew what she was saying, what he didn’t know is if he should tell her what was bugging him, he slowly opened his mouth, and a thought flourished in his mind.
“Why should I tell her if she keeps her own secrets about herself?” His lips were sealed tight, Ladybug tilted her head a little.
“It’s just been a bad few days for me Bugaboo.” He spoke in a low voice. Ladybug’s features softened, she slid off the railing and planted her feet on the ground.
“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked, the boy shook his head in reply. “Thanks for the offer though.” He strained his smirked as he shrugged, he was hoping she bought it so he can switch topics soon.
Bluebell eyes stared into emerald green only for a minute until she gave up her gaze. “If you say so.” She leaned on the railing and checked her yo-yo for the time. It was getting late, it was a pretty good idea to head back home now and get some sleep.
“Just remember what I told you Chat. It’s our duty to ensure Paris’ safety from Hawkmoth.” She reminded, the cat-like teen’s hand clenched hard behind his back hearing that name. “I know times can be hard but please, you have to be professional, for their sake.”
Ladybug hopped over the railing and zipped off with her yo-yo. Chat Noir’s face was stoic as he returned to his headspace, he just couldn’t escape from hiding how he truly feels now can he? She had a point of course, however he felt much better being more carefree and open as his alter ego rather than being his ‘normal’ self.
He had now sat in a lotus position on the rail and inspected his ring. “Professional huh.” He said aloud to no one in particular, it was unfair that he always have to seem like he’s emotionally invulnerable.
He’s usually an optimistic person but god forbid he shows one negative emotion around his father or a few others than don’t truly know him or his life.
Even if he tries to have a normal life and have fun with his friends he’s always towered over by Gabriel Agreste, micro managed every single second of his life. It’s even worse when he sounds like his father in a way.
Yes he lets him do some things without problem but he always has to carry the weight of not doing anything that would even bruise his family’s last name. Chat furrowed his brows and grit his teeth in annoyance, he was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t hear the sound of wings flapping.
The akuma slowly made their way over to Chat Noir’s staff and entered it. A purple neon mask appeared in front of him and he audibly growled at the situation he put himself in. “You! What do you want now!” The boy hopped off where he was sitting.
“We meet again Chat Noir.” Hawkmoth laughed, “It has been a while since we’ve talked.”
“What the hell do you want from me Hawkmoth!” Chat Noir threw his staff to the ground as a feeble attempt to try and get rid of that damned taunting voice.
“Simple, I want your Miraculous.” Hawkmoth quipped.
“And then what! Why are you so obsessed with our accessories!?” Chat Noir screamed, he once again balled his hands into fists and they trembled, itching to get his hands on the man that terrorized Paris for a long time. “No matter how angry you are, your actions are and will always be in futility.” The voice said.
“I do not care! Get out of my head!” Chat Noir tugged at his hair, stumbling around and felt his back hit a beam. The mask faded away surprisingly and then he heard the sound of flapping again. His eyes shot open and quickly turned his head to the purple butterfly.
“No you don’t!” Chat Noir grabbed his staff and placed it behind his back before he took off after it, leapt up to a higher point and pounced off of the tower completely. A dark ball of destructive energy formed in his hand, he crushed it with a snarl. “Cataclysm!” He snatched the akuma into his hand and closed it tight.
He breathed heavily and tried to calm himself down until hot searing pain coursed through his arm as purple electric arcs shot out of his hand with loud crackling. Despite it all, he still held onto the akuma and threw the staff into a tight space in the tower and it extended quick enough so he can use it as a hanging point. Thankfully he was close enough to the ground where he can drop without much problems.
He let go of the staff and landed on his feet, he tightened his grip and grit his teeth baring the pain until the electric arcs ceased. His arm still burned when he cradled it.
“What..” He huffed. “What was that?” He grunted as he slowly straightened himself up and flicked his arm around.
He opened his still clenched fist and there lied a torn up butterfly, it’s colour was drained and it was fragile to the touch. He shook his hand and all the pieces blew in the wind, disintegrating along the way. Other than pain, he felt something else surging from his arm to his body.
Without a word, he climbed his way up to the staff and collected it whilst it collapsed.
When he got back down he immediately made his way over to his house when he realized the ring was beeping the entire time. He extended his staff until he made it to his window and dropped in with it.
His transformation wore off and Plagg had a look of confusion and exhaustion.
“What happened back there Plagg?” Adrien watched his kwami shrug before they replied. “I have no idea, I know only three other Chat Noirs that destroyed butterflies but the reaction isn’t something I’ve seen before.”
The boy raised his brow before he gave his kwami some camembert so he can recharge in the meantime. Plagg graciously accepted it and zoomed over to the couch and ate it. Adrien looked out at the window and gazed at the moon, it casted a dim light through his window.
“Not something you’ve seen before huh.” Adrien whispered. “Maybe that book of miraculous my dad keeps has the answers. But the last time I had it and lost it he totally flipped.”
The more he tried to piece together a plan the more a single question rose.
Why does he have a book on miraculouses?
[&&&&&&&&&&&]
In the massage shop, a little green kwami felt a shift of aura oozing into the atmosphere. One just like the reawakening of the moth and peacock, except, it was stronger. It felt like there was an imbalance, a manifestation of the unknown came into existence.
The aura, just like Nooroo’s power, was ten times stronger than anything he’s ever felt before.
He felt out of the gramophone with great haste towards the short man who was currently meditating. “Master Fu. Something’s wrong.” Wayzz warned. The man opened one eye. “What is it? Did Hawkmoth gain a new power?” He worriedly asked the little god.
Wayzz looked around as he felt that strange aura again. “I..” He started. “don’t know. I do feel their aura, but I also feel everyone’s at the same time.”
The man rested his hands on his knees. “Oh?” Wayzz explained that it was like they were being awakened for the use of evil just like Nooroo, except it wasn’t just him he felt.
With that, the man got up to hastily open the gramophone. As it opened from the top, he took the miracle box in his hands opening each and every single part of it. Every piece of accessory was inside, save for the two heroes and villains at the moment, which created greater confusion for Wayzz.
“They’re here.” Master Fu sighed as his heart calmed down. “But you said you felt everyone’s aura?”
The old man did not get an immediate answer, causing him to turn around to the turtle who had a wary, worried expression on their face. He shouldn’t be feeling such a thing then, then why did he? The overwhelming sense of dread that was added to the atmosphere only grew the seed of discomfort within.
“Wayzz?” They called him again, gaining their attention with a quick hum.
After a few seconds he realized what he asked. “Yes, I did.” Wayzz went back to looking at the miracle box. Whatever happened, he hoped it’s resolved quickly.