Chapter Text
Marinette’s POV:
It all started the day Hawkmoth made his appearance. Or at least that's what Marinette figured?
It was a simple day—nothing special really. Mother was her usual self, all ‘don’t worry, everything would be fine!’ Dad made macaroons for her whole class—again—so, of course half of those hit the pavement when she tripped. While she helped a man crossing the road. And yup, she was late for class. On her first day of school. Once again.
Seriously, a day like any other. Nothing out of the ordinary. Okay, so maybe an old guy nearly becoming roadkill wasn’t exactly “nothing special.” But hey, she’d really rather that part didn’t become her daily routine. (Although she could do without the “being late” thing, thank you very much.)
Oh great. There she was, right on time— “Marinette Dupain-Cheng”, she said, like Chloe had just discovered she had a last name. Because that’s what Chloe Bourgeois does. “That's my seat.”
Marinette sighed. “But, Chloe, this has always been my seat.” She tried.
“Not anymore.” Sabrina shrugged, and Marinette wanted to scream. “New school, new year, new seats.” Ugh, same rules, same peers, same headaches, she meant.
“So why don't you just go and sit besides that new girl over there?” Chloe interjected.
Honestly? Not a bad idea. The new girl’s giving Chloe a look that’s equal parts unimpressed and laser-beam-intense.
“Felix will be joining us today, and I will be sitting next to him.” Chloe announced as she picked up Marinette’s macaroons and shoved them to her face. She got the memo, jeez, she had to get her butt elsewhere.
“Felix?” Right. She totally knew who that was. (Note: She did not know who that was.)
“HUH? Can't you believe she doesn't know who Felix is?” Did she really have to screech like that? “He’s a famous model. And I am his best friend.” Wow, Marinette does not personally know a famous teenage model and Chloe, daughter of the major, does. What a shocker.
“Hey, who let you dictate who will seat where?” Marinette heard the new girl next to her. She started to take a liking to her.
“Uhh, I'm so scared.” Chloe sneered. “What are you going to do girlie? Shoot beams at me with your glasses?”
“Wouldn't you like to know.” Oh hell yeah, Marinette liked her.
Said new girl grabbed Marinette by her arm and pulled her next to her seat. And of course Marinette had to stumble on her feet and drop almost all the remaining macaroons on the ground, mumbling sorrys on her way to catch the box (to save what's left anyway).
“Relax, girl. It's no big deal!” Marinette must’ve looked way more panicked than she thought, because the new girl’s smile went from ‘Hey!’ to ‘Are you okay?’ in like, two seconds flat. “All that's necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing.”
Wait, what? Marinette blinked. Where did that come from?
“I’m not saying she’s evil or anything—well, actually, I kind of am. But point is, don’t just let her push you around!”
“Easier said than done.” Marinette muttered.
Alya gave her a knowing look. “You just need a little more confidence. Trust me—it’s easier than it looks.” She winked.
Marinette’s eyes drifted to her nearly empty macaroon box. Only one left, but she had an idea. She picked up the last macaroon, split it in two, and held out a piece. “Marinette,” she said, smiling shyly.
The new girl’s face lit up as she took her half. “Alya.”
-1-
“Those macaroons were amazing.” Alya said as the bell rang. Mrs. Bustier started wrapping up with some details about the school program, and Marinette was about to thank Alya when— slam! A desk rattled hard behind them, and she nearly jumped out of her seat.
“Ivan, Kym, what’s going on?” Mrs. Bustier’s voice cut through the room, her arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
“It’s Kym. I’m so going to-”
“Ivan, to the principal's office!”
Alya rolled her eyes. “Seriously? The principal’s office just for a desk slam?” Marinette had to agree; that seemed a little much. But hey—rules were rules, right?
And that’s pretty much how Marinette’s first day at school went. A rock giant came out of their school (that was Ivan for some reason?) Alya was actually obsessed with superheroes and supervillains (and probably being a freelance reporter?)
-1-
Felix's POV:
Felix had to be the perfect son.
No— Felix was the perfect son.
Camera flashes came in blinding waves, while photographers barked orders and makeup artists rushed to smooth every detail. Assistants pulled at cuffs and collars, taking measurements, straightening ties, brushing away invisible flaws. Outfits were swapped in rapid succession, each one sharper than the last. And through it all, Felix kept his mask steady, slipping into each pose, each practised smile—polished, sincere, but never too sincere.
This was routine, the role he’d been moulded into. Over time, he’d learned every script and motion, knowing exactly when to look warm, when to turn distant, and how to keep a perfect distance between himself and the others. No one got too close.
And perhaps that was why he was here now, at the edge of the school gates, a few hurried steps away from freedom. Nathalie and the Gorilla were just pulling up to the curb, but he was already slipping through the crowd, his heart drumming with something almost like excitement.
Ahead, an older man was struggling to steady himself on the stairs, wobbling as he climbed. Getting to school was important, sure, but Felix was not one to ignore someone in need. With a quiet sigh, he stepped over and offered his arm, helping the man regain his balance. Before he could slip away, however, Nathalie's voice cut through his escape.
“You know your father wouldn’t approve of this, Felix,” Her tone was level, each word measured.
Helping someone—was that really such a terrible offence? Felix cast a brief glance at Nathalie. He didn’t see the harm, even if this man wasn’t particularly notable.
“Felix, please reconsider.” Her voice softened, and he knew her words were really about school, not the man on the stairs.
“Can’t I just go to school like everyone else?”
“Your father wants you to have an exceptional education,” she replied smoothly.
Exceptional. The word meant private tutors and rigid schedules, every moment arranged and watched over. Freedom, that was not. And just this once, Felix wanted to be something like normal.
Of course, when he got home, his father’s decision was final: Everything you need is here, where I can keep an eye on you. You’re not going to that dangerous place. You’re not like everybody else; you’re my son.
He’d nearly laughed. Not like everybody else? And exactly whose decision was that? Who’d made him a model and kept him locked up like some museum artefact? Wasn’t school supposed to be a safe, ordinary place? School wasn’t exactly prison, was it? (Though his home was hardly any freer than one—but that thought he kept to himself).
So he accepted it, resigning himself to life in his father’s gilded cage.
Then he heard it—heavy, rhythmic footsteps echoing from outside, like a giant was trudging through the city. Felix stilled, listening. Even Nathalie halted mid-lesson, her composure faltering as she glanced out the window. Without further explanation, she quickly dismissed Felix to his room and cancelled the rest of the day’s lessons. Unusual.
But the most unusual part came when Felix saw what was outside: a towering rock-like figure lumbering down the streets of Paris. On the news, the mayor and police urged everyone to stay indoors until the situation was ‘under control.’ Then the reporter announced that the attack was caused by... a supervillain .
A supervillain? Felix raised an eyebrow, scepticism twisting at his lips. Surely there was some more rational explanation. A ‘supervillain’ seemed a touch melodramatic.
As he turned from the window, his gaze caught on something unexpected—a sleek black box with a hexagonal design, set neatly on the table in front of the TV. It looked like an elegant jewellery case, the kind reserved for some rare, valuable piece, yet it didn’t seem like anything he owned or even recognized. And he couldn’t imagine why he’d receive something so… peculiar after a photoshoot, much less find it left here in his room without a word.
Still, what harm was there in opening it? A quick look wouldn’t hurt. If it was important, surely it wouldn’t have been left in plain sight. Felix picked up the box, his curiosity sharpening.
Felix opened the box, only to be hit with a flash of green light. When he blinked, a small, floating black creature was hovering before him, blinking up at him with wide, unbothered eyes.
“What—” Felix took a step back, his expression flat but his gaze sharpened. A floating black… cat? Or something that barely resembled a cat? The creature’s green eyes roamed over his room with a look of unimpressed judgement. “What the fuck.”
The little creature stretched lazily, unfazed. “I’m Plagg, your kwami,” it announced, voice as bored as if this was the most ordinary meeting in the world. “And you’re my new owner. You’re supposed to say ‘wow’ or ‘cool’ or something. Not what the fuck . Just so you know, I’m insulted.”
“Okay, well— sorry, I guess?” Felix replied, still eyeing Plagg with suspicion. “I didn’t expect some… thing to come out of a box.”
Plagg’s eyes narrowed in exaggerated patience. “It’s kwami, not ‘thing,’ kid.”
“What even is a kwami?”
Plagg sighed, crossing his arms—or whatever passed for them—like a mildly annoyed adult. “Ugh, you’re one of those . It’s fine, I can deal with that.” Plagg floated back a bit, adjusting his stance. “I give powers , kid.” The casual, smug look made Felix bristle. “Yours is the power of destruction. And stop looking so dumbstruck— it’s irritating.”
“It’s Felix ,” he replied, forcing himself to focus. He folded his arms, gaze sharp. “Am I supposed to believe that a kwami just showed up in my room, uninvited , and decided I was worthy of ‘destruction powers’?”
Plagg shrugged, unruffled. “Believe what you want, kid, but if you want the power to do something about that rock giant outside, I’d suggest you stop staring and start listening.”
Felix narrowed his eyes, considering. Plagg was far from charming, but he definitely knew how to catch his attention. “I don’t know what you are, or what this is, but if you think I’m just going to ‘trust’ you...”
“Suit yourself,” Plagg yawned, stretching. “But when you’re ready, say ‘Claws out,’ and we’ll see what you’re really made of.”
Felix hesitated, his curiosity piqued despite himself. This strange little creature might just be his ticket out of his carefully controlled life. And if it could really help him make a difference…
“All right, then.” He straightened, looking down at the kwami with a hint of wary resolve. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Plagg. Claws out,” Felix muttered, half-sceptical, half-curious. Instantly, a rush of energy crackled through his body, so intense it nearly took his breath away. Shadows shifted, his vision sharpened, his hearing heightened.
With a sudden leap, he found himself balanced on the edge of his open window, staring down at the iron bars below—the ones he’d always seen from inside. But now he was above them, free to leave.
He looked down at his hands—no, claws—sheathed in sleek, black gloves tipped with silver. The strange suit had a tailored look, which perfectly fitted to his frame. It was matte black accented with subtle silvery details that glinted under the light. As he took a better look at himself, he noticed he had a belt around his waist, resembling a cat’s tail, slender and flexible, with a silvery tip, and a silver baton holstered along his lower back, horizontally across his waistline. The suit clung to him, alive with a kind of power he could feel humming beneath his skin. Unreal, and yet it felt... right.
With a few more leaps with the help of the baton this time (holy shit it’s extendable), Felix left the estate behind, the constricting walls and cold gates receding into the distance. He landed on a random building and stood at the edge, overlooking Paris’ skyline, the rooftops stretching out before him like a playground. He took a tentative step forward, his new boots gripping the rooftop edge like a second skin, as if they’d been made for this. Testing his balance, he leaned slightly over, instinctively catching himself with ease.
He couldn’t help it—a small, crooked smile formed on his face. This was freedom.
“What do you think?” came Plagg’s voice, the sound drifting from somewhere over his shoulder. Felix couldn’t see him, but the smugness was obvious, as if the kwami were basking in his own brilliance.
Felix let out a quiet chuckle, studying the sleek, clawed gloves as he flexed his fingers. “Better than I expected,” he replied, voice low and controlled, but with an edge of exhilaration he couldn’t quite keep out. Power flowed through him—real power, not the kind his father used to control or restrain him, but a strength all his own. For once, he was the one in charge.
“So, you can hear me.” Plagg observed, amusement in his tone.
Felix raised a brow, glancing around, still adjusting to his new senses. “I’m not supposed to?”
“Nah, kid, don’t worry.” Plagg drawled, clearly entertained.
“It’s Felix , Plagg, how many ti-”
Before he could finish, he felt a sudden, unfamiliar weight shift across his back, sending him lurching forward. His balance teetered, and in a flash, he was falling from the rooftop edge, the wind whipping past him as he dropped. Instinct took over, and Felix twisted mid-air, claws finding purchase on a ledge just below, his grip solid and unwavering. He looked up, heart racing, but there was a spark of thrill in his eyes as he realised just how much he could do now.
Plagg’s laughter echoed from behind his shoulder again. “Not bad, Felix ,” he said, amused. “Not bad at all.”
As Felix pulled himself up on the ledge, he heard a giant thud just below him. He glanced down and saw a figure of red with black dots sitting awkwardly in the middle of the street.
"Oops," she said, voice carrying a hint of discomfort. She stood slowly, her movements shy and unassuming. A pair of striking blue eyes peeked out from behind her spotted mask, locking onto him with a mix of curiosity and apology.
Felix steadied himself as he landed beside her, watching her with a guarded gaze, his claws still extended and appraising as he took in the girl before him. She wore a skintight suit that was undeniably… bold—red with a scattering of round black spots, like a ladybug brought to life. (Felix guessed her kwami must have been like a ladybug; it didn’t give him a hint about her powers though.) The suit did have the same sleek, polished look as his, however, it had an almost pajama-like look; it was much more simple in design. Her mask was simple, like her suit; red with a few dots on it, highlighting a pair of bright blue eyes that darted around, almost nervously, as if taking in everything at once. Felix touched his own face, realising he, too, had a mask on his face. It made sense; they were supposed to be something like superheroes—a way to hide their secret identity.
Felix noted the yoyo attached to her waist—a strange weapon of choice, he thought— and the way she clutched it, fingers flexing with uncertainty. The suit hugged her figure, but there was something in the way she held herself that told him she hadn’t quite adjusted to the boldness of it, or the strength she might have hidden underneath.
“Um… oops?” she repeated, her voice soft, almost apologetic. She brushed off her suit and took a small, hesitant step forward, clearly unsure how to bridge the sudden gap between them. Up close, her blue eyes were even more striking, bright against the red of her mask, assessing him as if he were some puzzle she hadn’t quite figured out yet. “Didn't… didn’t see you there,” she mumbled, glancing up at him, then down at her feet, as though studying the pavement might explain how she’d ended up in such a mess. “Guess I need to work on my landing.”
Felix arched an eyebrow, taking a slow step forward. “Clearly.” His tone was clipped, but there was a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Do you always make such dramatic entrances?”
“Only when someone’s in my way,” she shot back, her smile widening. Her gaze drifted over him, lingering on his claws, then back to his face, her expression turning thoughtful. “Your suit… it’s, uh, it’s kind of… cool.” She managed a tentative smile, and her voice dropped almost to a whisper. “Guess that makes us teammates, huh?”
“Teammates?” Felix repeated, scepticism lacing his words. He crossed his arms, studying her with a guarded, calculating look. “Just because we match doesn’t mean we’re on the same side.”
“Oh… right.” She nodded quickly, looking down again, visibly embarrassed, though she seemed determined to push past it. “It’s just… Well, you look… strong. And… and there’s this huge rock guy out there, and…” She trailed off, biting her lip, then finally forced herself to look up, eyes soft but resolute. “I just thought maybe we could… help. Together?”
Felix' smirk softened, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he took in her shy resolve. He flexed his claws, the metal glinting under the sunlight as he gave her a slow nod. “Sightseeing was the plan,” he muttered, almost to himself. But her wide, hopeful gaze tugged at something in him he hadn’t expected.
“Fine,” he said, voice low, though he managed a faint, reluctant smile. “If you insist.”
Her eyes lit up, relief and a shy kind of excitement flickering across her face. She looked as if the weight of her nervousness had lifted a little.
Before either of them could speak again, a loud voice shouted from the distance. “Kim!”
Felix’ lips quirked at the interruption. “Guess that’s our cue to take action. Let’s go,” he said, glancing toward the sound of the voice.
She nodded quickly, her expression shifting back to focus. Without another word, she spun her yoyo, sending it flying toward the next building. She paused for a moment, looking back at him, her eyes uncertain but hopeful, almost asking if he was ready.
Felix met her gaze and gave a small, reassuring nod, his cool expression softening just slightly.
-1-
“That rock man seems to be searching for some ‘Kim’ guy.” Felix called out, his voice cutting through the chaos as he landed nimbly on the edge of the stadium. Below, the rock giant thundered into the field, his hulking frame dominating the field.
Ladybug followed his gaze, her eyes widening as she pointed toward a cluster of terrified people in the center. “Looks like he’s found him.”
The giant’s thunderous voice boomed through the air as he stomped closer to the group, each step shaking the ground. “So, who’s the best now?” he roared, his gravelly voice dripping with mockery.
Felix’ baton extended with a metallic snap, his countenance unreadable as he leapt down into the monster’s path. He landed lightly, the force of his arrival in stark contrast to the creature’s thunderous movements. “How about you try picking on someone your own size?”
The rock man stopped, his eyes narrowing before a crooked grin split his stony face. “And that’s supposed to be you, kitty?” he sneered.
Felix clenched his jaw at the taunt, his eyes narrowing behind the mask. “Call me that again,” he muttered, voice low and edged with warning, “and I’ll show you just how sharp these claws can get, rocky .”
The giant chuckled, the sound deep and grating. He took a step and towered over Felix with a mocking grin. “Big talk,” he rumbled, raising a massive fist. With surprising speed for his size, he brought it crashing down—but Felix was quicker. He sidestepped with feline grace, the impact sending cracks spidering through the ground where he’d stood moments before. “For someone so small.” He continued, throwing both his fists to the ground, a failed attempt to trap him. Felix darted out of reach just in time, then vaulted onto the giant’s shoulder, aiming a solid swing at the side of his head.
The reaction wasn’t what Felix expected.
Instead of staggering, the giant growled, his body shuddering as his rocky limbs grew thicker and heavier. His size doubled before Felix’ eyes, his strength clearly fueled by the very attack meant to stop him.
From the sidelines, Ladybug’s voice called out, her tone a mix of worry and warning. “I think hitting him makes him stronger!” Yeah, he noticed that by himself.
Felix cursed under his breath, watching as the giant loomed over him with renewed vigor. Adjusting his grip on his baton, he prepared himself, sizing up his towering opponent. Alright then, he thought, his mind racing. Time for a new plan .
“Partner,” Felix shouted as the giant raised a fist, slamming it down hard where he had been standing moments before. Dust and debris exploded outward, but Felix remained agile, carefully avoiding the blow—he wasn’t about to risk making the creature bigger again. “I need help down here!”
“Hey, kitty, to your left!”
The voice came from behind him. Felix’ ears twitched, and he turned his head to see a girl—around his age, probably a bit older—standing on a nearby terrace with her phone out, recording the chaos below.
Felix instinctively followed her direction, dodging just in time as the giant swung a chunk of rubble. “What are you doing here? Get out of here!” he barked, his frustration mounting.
“No thanks for saving your ass, kitty?” she shot back, an amused lilt in her voice.
What was up with people calling him kitty ?
“Thanks, girlie,” Felix retorted, rolling his eyes despite himself. “But last I checked, you’re not wearing a costume.” He started to turn away, only to be blindsided by the giant’s fist, which sent him sprawling across the pavement near her feet. Fuck, the rock guy had strength alright.
The girl offered her hand with a smirk. “Last I checked, I wasn’t getting my butt kicked.”
Felix gritted his teeth but accepted her help, standing with a quick, fluid motion. “He hit me once,” he snapped, extending his baton to deflect an incoming strike. The blow ricocheted harmlessly away. “And for the record, I’m saving a civilian and doing this alone. Now leave!”
The giant roared, swiping at them again, and Felix shoved her back toward the terrace. “Seriously, go before he crushes you!”
“Last I checked,” the girl countered, brushing herself off and raising her phone again, “I’m not the one who needs saving.”
Felix groaned inwardly, sidestepping another attack. Unbelievable.
Meanwhile, the girl (lady, miss?) in the spotted costume remained frozen on the edge of the stadium. She clutched her yo-yo tightly, her eyes fixed on the battle below as though debating whether or not to act. Maybe he was right, she wasn’t on his team.
“HEY! LADY! HELP!” Felix tried, his voice rising with frustration as he dodged yet another swing. Seriously, what was she doing? Was she really on his team?
However, the girl with the dots remained frozen. Maybe he had to persist? Maybe he shouldn't have shouted at her? “Please, come down here at-” Felix got cut off by the giant grabbing him by the waist.
“Hey, bug!” The reporter’s voice rang out sharply. “What are you waiting for? Your partner needs help!”
That statement finally seemed to snap her out of it. Oh, of course, the ladybug heard the reporter but not him… They make a great team already.
The girl in red uncoiled her weapon and wrapped it around the monster's feet, making them close, resulting in him dropping Felix and losing his balance. “I'm sorry it took so long.” Felix heard a zip, signaling the girl's landing next to him.
Felix brushed himself off, glancing at her with a raised brow. “It's alright.” He wasn't entirely sure if it was alright, but he didn't have the luxury to argue. “So, what do you have in mind?”
“We have to try something… different.”
“Different?” Felix’ lips quirked into a smirk. Interesting approach, indeed. He couldn't decide whether she was useful or not. “Alright, enlighten me. How?”
“How about… using our powers?”
Felix blinked. “Our what ?”
Her head tilted, incredulous. “Your powers? You do know how to use them, right?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Her eyes widened. “Your kwami didn't tell you the phrase?”
“As you can see, he did tell me how to transform.” Felix felt his patience wearing thin.
“No no, there’s another phrase. The one to actually use the power!”
“There's another phrase?” Felix crossed his arms, his voice tinged in sarcasm. “Funny how that never came up.”
“Seriously?” She facepalmed, groaning. “Didn’t your kwami explain the rules to you?”
“There are… rules ?” Felix asked, blinking at her in disbelief.
She sighed as if she was frustrated lecturing a rebellious child. Felix wanted to yell. “You should have listened to your kwami. That was reckless of you.”
It wasn't Felix' fault Plagg was an insufferable motherfucking asshole who apparently found joy in withholding critical information. Honestly? If anything, Felix found himself liking her less and less.
Thankfully, rocky guy was already untangled his feet, regaining his balance. Felix gestured toward the lumbering creature with a sharp tilt of his head. “So, Miss Knows-the-rules, got a plan to stop that thing from flattening half the city?”
Her lips twitched, and she side-eyed him, clearly unimpressed by his tone. “Actually, yes.” She answered, whipping her yo-yo into her hand. Oh, Felix definitely disliked her attitude.
Felix watched as she tossed her yo-yo to the sky. “Lucky charm!” she called out. In a flash of red light, a wetsuit landed at their feet.
He stared at the wetsuit, then at her, his confusion palpable. “Uhm… why did your yo-yo drop a wetsuit?”
“It’s supposed to help me find where the akuma is hidden,” she replied, already scanning the area for clues.
“The what now?” Felix echoed, his frustration mounting.
She turned to him, her brows furrowing. “Hold on, your kwami didn’t explain that either?”
“He didn't tell me anything in the first place.” Felix snapped.
“Okay, okay!” She raised her hands, her attention at the giant approaching them. She lifted the wetsuit and studied it as if it held the secrets of the universe. “Right now, we need to figure out how this helps us stop that thing.”
Felix muttered under his breath, glaring toward the rock giant. “This just keeps getting better and better.”
“He’s made out of stone.” She observed aloud.
“Yeah, I checked that.” Felix replied dryly, wincing slightly as he shifted his stance. “You wouldn't want to be hit by one of his fists. I think the fucker left a bruise on me.”
Her eyes widened at his choice of language, like she’d never heard someone swear before. Was she too young for this, or just annoyingly proper?
“Wait. Fist!” she exclaimed, her expression lighting up. “You're a genius!”
Felix blinked, caught off guard by the sudden praise. He could not read this woman. “Right, ” he said flatly. “Glad you’re impressed, but could you come up with a plan faster? He’s not just going to stand there admiring the view.”
Instead of responding, her attention darted everywhere, her smirk widening as she glanced between the reporter and Felix. Whatever idea had just struck her, Felix wasn’t sure he’d like it.
“Trust me," she said decisively, her tone brimming with confidence.
“Trust-wait, what are you-” Felix didn’t even have time to finish his sentence before she tangled his feet together with her yo-yo the way she did with the giant. The world spun as she twirled him in circles like a slingshot, gaining momentum. And then, without warning, she flung him straight at the giant.
Felix barely had time to process the sheer insanity of what was happening before he was airborne. Yeah, that girl was batshit crazy.
Before he could even think to recover, he caught a glimpse of her hurling herself toward the giant, too? With the wetsuit in her hand? What was the point of him grabbing both of them? What the fuck was she doing?
“Alya, the tap!” the girl shouted. The reporter was famous enough for the bug to know her name?
“Hey bug, care to explain?” It was wrong of him to depend on her. He should have done this by himself.
“Patience, kitty.” she called back, her tone almost teasing.
Felix gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over. “One more ‘kitty’ I swear—“
His rant was cut by the giant gripping him more firmly on his one fist and dropping the ladybug out of his other. He should thank her for that, later.
She, however, tumbled but landed on her feet, a glimmer of purple light— a stone right beside her. She darted forward, crushing the stone under her heel. A flash of purplish light burst free, and a butterfly-shaped shadow emerged, flitting upward.
She found it. She found the akuma. Okay, she was useful. But batshit crazy useful.
The giant staggered back, his form shuddering as the stone exterior crumbled away with a purple light scanning him, revealing a boy beneath—likely younger than Felix himself. Both the guy and Felix landed hard on their backsides with twin thuds.
The boy was scanning the stadium dazed and confused. “What- what's going on?” he stammered.
“Hey, it's okay! We fixed it?” Felix said, as he stood up. He wasn’t sure what else to say.
“What am I doing here?” The boy glanced around, his confusion growing.
“Uhm, you were a giant?” Felix hesitated, trying to gauge how to explain. “You were, uh, looking for someone named Kim? Don't you remember?”
The boy shook his head, panic starting to creep into his expression. “Uhhh, who are you guys?”
Felix straightened up, deciding to keep it simple. “I'm… Chat Noir.” Well, black cat in french as a superhero name wasn't such a terrible idea. Everyone called him kitty anyway; might as well own it. “And this is… Bug.”
“ Lady bug,” she corrected him with a firm tone, stepping into view. Oooh, such a crucial addition indeed. “We are superheros.” Oh really? Fighting five minutes with a costume given by a weird being made you automatically a superhero now?
“Uhm, did I do something bad?” the boy asked hesitantly, his voice trembling.
Well, destroying multiple cars and buildings, while attacking policemen (even attempting to kill them) is considered to be illegal, isn't it?
Chat Noir opened his mouth to answer, but Ladybug beat him to it. “Not anything too terrible!” Not too terrible? Try leveling half a stadium. “I think this is yours,” Ladybug offered the boy a crumpled piece of paper she’d retrieved from the ground. The casual tone in her voice made Chat Noir bristle.
A faint beeping sound from her direction caught Felix’ attention, and Ladybug’s hand moved instinctively to her earrings.
He heard steps rushing over to them. “Amazing! Ladybug, you said?” Uh, hello? Chat Noir was here, as well? “Are you going to be protecting Paris from now on? Did you get stung by a radioactive ladybug? How did you get him back to how he was?” Wasn't Chat Noir the one who made sure the guy didn't smash her to the ground?
Ladybug’s attention, however, remained on her earrings instead of the reporter. “I need to go.” she said quickly, her tone suddenly rushed. She turned to Chat Noir with a fleeting smile. “Can you deal with them? Make sure they're okay?” Oh of course, Ladybug saves the day, gets the glory and Chat Noir has to deal with the aftermath.
He couldn't trust his tone of voice, so instead decided to shrug. “So, uhm, are there any injuries? Are there any other questions you'd like to ask?”
The reporter raised her free hand. “Nah, it's okay kitty.” The name's Chat Noir god fucking dammit. “Ivan, let's go.” He heard her say, guiding the dazed boy out of the stadium. Chat Noir watched them go, biting back his frustration.
No, Chat Noir, we're fine. No, Chat Noir, I have no questions for you. Only for the bug.
Being a superhero is fantastic.
-1-
Once they were out of sight, in his bedroom once again, Chat Noir growled under his breath, tapping his baton against his palm in agitation. “Soo, Plagg… do me a fucking favour and explain to me why you didn't bother to tell me my phrase.”
He heard Plagg’s voice lazily hum in his head, like hearing a voice message wearing headphones. “It wouldn't have been useful.”
“Shouldn't I know how to use my powers?” Chat Noir challenged him.
“Of course!”
“Then, tell me my phrase!”
“If you beg enough.” Plagg drawled.
“You're fucking with me.” Chat Noir muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I don't hear any begging.” Plagg teased.
“Pretty… please?” Chat Noir gritted out through clenched teeth.
“Hmmm,” Plagg said, clearly savoring the moment. “ maybe Armageddon?”
“Maybe?” Chat Noir’s voice rose in disbelief. Maybe unaliving a kwami wasn't a bad thing. “Don't tell me you don't remember the phrase. And what was that about rules? Why didn't you tell me anything about the rules?”
“Oh, no need to worry! They don't apply to you!”
“Huh? What's that supposed to mean?”
“You heard that beeping noise from Ladybug, right?”
“Yes. So?”
“After she uses her powers, she has five minutes before she detransforms. That doesn't apply to you.”
“Why?” Chat Noir asked, his frustration giving way to curiosity.
“Because it depends on the person, kid. Sure, kwamis grant powers, but the costume, the limitations, the extent of the powers— all of that depends on the holder.”
“What?”
“Each holder has a different costume. Not all Ladybugs had the same costume like her. And of course, none of the previous Chat Noirs had the same suit as you.”
“So, if I change as a person, the suit will change with me?”
“Yep!”
“And how does that explain why I don't have the detransformation issue?”
“We kwamis can sense our holder's capabilities— how much they can endure, how far they can reach with the power of the miraculous. Yours doesn’t include a time limit.”
“Uh huh,” Chat Noir said, trying to process the information.“So… Can you tell me my phrase now?”
“Nope!”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Chat Noir groaned, his head tipping back as if appealing to the heavens. Superheroing is overrated.
“Felix,” Plagg’s tone shifted, taking on a rare seriousness. “I want to tell you. But the phrase… It depends on the holder.
“The fuck does that mean!”
“”The phrase is tied to what you think destruction is.” Plagg explained. “For example, Ladybug’s phrase reflects something she associates with luck.”
“And am I so enigmatic you can’t guess mine?” Chat Noir asked, a sharp edge of sarcasm in his voice.
Plagg hesitated, then sighed. “Actually, yes.”
Chat Noir blinked, momentarily thrown. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” Plagg confirmed, almost sheepishly. “You’re kind of a mystery even to me.”
Chat Noir groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Fantastic. My kwami can’t even figure me out. Guess I’ll just stumble through this destruction thing on my own, then.”
“Pretty much,” Plagg chirped, returning to his usual nonchalant tone.
“Soo… what’s for lunch? I’m starving !” Plagg announced with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Chat Noir froze mid-step “Wait? You eat ?”
“What?” Plagg’s tone was one of mock indignation. “You thought I was some eternal being, untouched by the glorious power of gluttony?”
“Someone is pranking me…”
“Oh, and just so we’re clear, don’t bring me whatever. One of the previous holders gave me camembert and it has been my favourite ever since.”
“You only eat camembert ?”
Plagg tilted his head, eyes narrowing playfully “Oh? Is that attitude I hear?”
“Uh… by the way,” Chat Noir began, hesitating. “How do I get this suit off?”
“With this attitude? I’m not telling you.”
“Plagg” Chat Noir warned, his voice low and filled with exasperation.
“I already told you! You’re a walking riddle,” Plagg replied.
“ Plagg. ” Chat Noir’s patience was wearing thin.
The kwami sighed, clearly enjoying the torment. “Fine! It’s ‘Claws in’.”
As Felix repeated the phrase, the suit disappeared in a flash of light, leaving him in his regular clothes. The kwami finally appeared once again in front of him, already on his way to lounging on a nearby shelf.
Felix decided he had better things to do than pestering his cryptic kwami for information. Asking questions didn’t seem to get him anywhere, and Plagg clearly enjoyed being as unhelpful as possible. Maybe turning on the TV to watch the news would give him more answers about the whole ‘rock giant’ incident. The boy who had transformed didn’t strike him as a supervillain—just an unfortunate victim.
“Just as Paris celebrates the appearance of our two new superheroes ‘Ladybug’ and ‘Chat Noir’,” the reporter announced with polished enthusiasm, “A new wave of panic is sweeping across the capital, as dozens of people are mysteriously transformed into stone monsters.”
How the hell had the press learned their names so fast? Maybe that nosy reporter from the stadium was more famous than he’d thought.
Before he could dwell on it, Plagg zipped into view, looking unusually alarmed. “Oh shit, the girl forgot to capture the akuma!”
Felix blinked, his stomach sinking. “What?”
“The bug! She forgot to purify the akuma!” Plagg repeated, waving his little arms. “That’s why more people are turning into stone monsters!”
Yeah she forgot . Felix called it. The girl was not on his side. Who the hell is reluctant to fight a monster, then half-assedly beats it and runs off like they’ve committed a crime?
“She’s unbelievable,” Felix muttered.
Plagg shrugged, already floating toward the kitchen. “Well, better suit up, kitty. Looks like you’re not done playing hero just yet.”
Superheroing is awesome.