Untitled Madness

Adrien tries to defuse the situation, grabbing Marinette’s attention. “No, no, I was just trying to take it off!” I step forward.

“Wait, Marinette, he’s…” I’m cut off by the two witches cackling even louder.

“Look, Alice. I appreciate you trying to look out for me, but just stop.” The blunette avoids my face as she stresses. She spins to face Adrien. “And you! You’re friends with Chloé, right?” Adrien looks at her in shock.

“Why do people keep saying that?” He whispers, but Marinette hears him and scoffs, returning to her seat before pulling out a tissue and covering the disgusting blubber. Adrien looks to me as if asking for help. I stare at him.

“After school. Kid… Get new friends.” He looks even more shocked and the blond witch glared at me.

“What? Do I need to teach you to respect me too? Adrien is way out of your league!” Her shrill voice worsening my already growing headache.

“Oh Chloé, I assure you, if you try that with me, I promise you’ll regret it.”

“Is that a threat Wattson? I’ll have you know my Daddy, THE MAYOR, can have you deported you know!”

“Yeah, but I’m sure you’re Daddy would be thrilled to hear that his daughter is trying to put bodily fluids onto people. If your fathers not interested, I’d be happy to spread that info around to everyone who is, and let’s say I do somehow get deported, I’ll happily plead my case and sue your precious daddy. I may not like lawyers, but I know a few who have a licence to practice globally, plus… I wonder what kind of dirt I could pick up on poor Mayor Bourgeois before I am deported huh?” I sneer at the blond in front of me as she huffs and goes back to her seat. Adrien looks at me as if disappointed in the way I handled the situation. While I may have been a little overdramatic, for people like her, you have to be or else they don’t get it. Not doing anything, let alone not saying anything would be worse! Also… I can’t afford to be deported because some rich brat is throwing a tantrum, I better try to dig up some dirt on the family, for insurance. I take my seat in the back and watch the two interact with their seatmates… I sigh… teenagers.

Bustier walks in and greets the class with a smile like nothing happened yesterday. I look to Ivan and notice he’s not in his seat. Where is he… Oh no… this feeling, it’s gotten to the same intensity as yesterday. An Akuma? Could it be…

“Agreste, Adrien?” Bustier called, patiently waiting for him to answer. I need to get out of here, with them. Nino leans over and whispers into the boy’s ear, only for him to jump up eagerly with his hand raised. “Uh, present!” He squeaks, the others laugh at him, his cheeks turning red as he sits down and fist bumps his seatmate, hey… at least he’s following my advice, wait, no, focus Alice, gotta hurry.

Bustier giggles at him, moving onto the next name. “Bourgeois, Chloé?” Chloé says present back to the woman and I raise my hand nervously.

“Miss? Erm, may I go to the toilet?” Alice? Toilet break… five minutes after class starts? Really?

“You should have gone before class. Let me get through attendance and today's task, and then you may go.” Marinette turns her head to look at me suspiciously. “Bruel, Ivan?”

Suddenly, the Akuma from yesterday, busts down the door, crap, too late! “Present! Mylène?” The giant scans the chaotic classroom, people running away from the room. Adrien jumps over his desk and runs out of the classroom. “Wait!” I try to get his attention, but he’s too quick, at least he’s quick to react. Ivan, no Stoneheart spots Mylène and reaches to grab her.

“Let go of me, Ivan!” She screams, but not in pain, even when taken over, he’s still so gentle…

“I’m not Ivan anymore. I’m Stoneheart!”

“Why are you doing this?”

“So you and I can be together forever!” Anger fills me, a part of me remembers that this isn’t how the Moth Miraculous should be used, it allows those possessed to reveal and obtain their true desires, but not like this tainted with darkness, instead of loving her, the Akuma has made him obsessive.

My anger is interrupted by the annoying ring of Mayor’s Brat on her phone, speaking loudly… is she that stupid? “Daddy, the monster is back!” Stoneheart growls at the girl and grabs her tightly, making her let out a small shriek of pain. He breaks the wall of the classroom and jumps down onto the street level, crap oh crap… that’s a problem. I turn to Marinette to find her cowering under the desk, the same fog in her eyes from yesterday lingered, swirling in deep fear. Alya slides to see her with a grin. “Come on! Let’s follow him!” She’s almost vibrating from the excitement; does she not care that her classmate is probably going through the roughest time of his life?!

“Uh… Oh, no. You go. I’m finding myself a safe place to hide.” She stutters. Alya just shakes her in her excitement.

“Girl, you’re gonna miss Ladybug in action!” Marinette looks at the bag on the table before picking up, it’s Alya’s bag. Wait… the energy coming from it… no! That idiot!

“You and Ladybug will both be better off without me…” She murmurs, ashamed of her past mistakes. She holds the bag out for Alya to take. The fangirl just shrugs ignoring the girl’s gesture and runs out the room. I sigh in relief but Marinette panics running after her. “Wait! Your bag!”

I run after her, taking my hoodie out of my bag and wrapping it around me. Marinette notices me and cries in annoyance and frustration. “Why are you following me? I told you to leave me alone!”

“Well if you would just listen to me instead of wallowing in self-pity, I’d be happy to! What the hell do you think you’re trying to do?! You can’t just give away your Miraculous to some girl!” I know this makes me sound like a hypocrite, but now is not the time!

“H-how did you know?! And self-pity?! I failed, what else could I do!” I was about to answer, but we were coming closer to Alya who had started filming the disaster in front of her.

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with. My daddy, the mayor, will bring in the police, the army, the entire cavalry!” I’m pretty sure he already has… Swinging in on his baton, Chat hits Stoneheart only making him bigger.

“And don’t forget the superheroes! …Oh no. My bad…”

“Ugh. Super incompetent, you mean!” Chloé screams at him.

“Focus Chat! Just keep dodging!” I shout out, he nods, not taking his eyes off the giant golem.

“Ugh! You wanted the cavalry? Well, here it is!” Crap, I hear the rumbling of the smaller giants running amok and they begin to surround Chat. “Seize him!” I dodge the ones that run in from behind us, Marinette curls up into a ball, making herself as small as she could to avoid the stampede, while Alya jumped onto the pavement. Mylène screams.

“Ivan! Where are we going?” Terror clouding her eyes.

“To deliver a message. Then we’ll be brought together forever by a pretty black butterfly!” A message? From who? My thoughts cut short by his other captive.

“Ugh. All this lovey-dovey stuff is making me sick.” Is she trying to get killed?

“Don't worry, little monster. I'm gonna take care of you, too.” Chloé cringes at the implications behind Stoneheart’s words as they get away.

I turn my attention back to Chat and notice Alya moving closer, what the hell is she doing?! Chat is suddenly slammed to the ground, holding them back with his baton. “If you can hear me, Ladybug, I could use a little help!” His voice strained and they begin to pile on top of his stick. Suddenly one of the giants flip over a car, sending it flying towards Alya, I reach out in vain, but the boy quickly throws his stick to save her, however, it still pins her, and the baton is slipping. The giants grab Chat and carry him away. “Let go, let go of me you rockhead!”

“HELP!!” She screams. I turn to the frozen Marinette, she stares at the trapped girl conflicted on what to do, her body twitching as if trying to react. I skid in front of her and shake her.

“I- I… It’s all my fault if I had given it to her sooner… If I had become Ladybug…”

“Oh, my Kwami! Will you quit it with the pity party! Marinette, you made a mistake, so what! You have the power and ability to fix that, so what exactly is stopping you?! Your partner and friend need you! I know you’re scared but you need to be brave! Marinette, what do you want to do?!” Her eyes instantly clear up, burning with courage and determination, that-a-girl! She pulls the box out of Alya’s bag and puts on the Miraculous. Tikki zooming out with a smile, happy to see her chosen again.

“I think I need Ladybug!” Tikki’s eyes brightened at Marinette’s words.

“I knew you’d come around!” Marinette shook her head and looked at me.

“Well… I’m still not sure I’m up for this, but… Alya’s in danger! I can’t sit back and do nothing! I want to save her!” I smile, understanding her desire and fears.

“You know the magic words then!”

“We won’t stop until we find a way to get these people back to their normal selves, but for now, we’re not making much headway.”

The camera footage flips back to the reporter who stands next to a photo that worries me to no end, Ladybug and Chat Noir…

“Paris is relying on our new guardian angels, Ladybug and Chat Noir, to save us all. Our lives depend on them.”

Fu walks in from the other room, Wayzz following him. He looks at me, his eyes full of worry.

“Are you okay, Alice? You look unwell, are you perhaps worried for our young heroes?” I didn’t even realise I was clutching the tv remote so tightly that the plastic was bending, when did I…

“That’s just it, isn’t it Fu? They’re young. They messed up, and now they’re afraid of doing it again. Or at least that’s how Marinette feels, I have no clue about Adrien Agreste. I did my research, the only time he’s seen in public is at photoshoots. How exactly did you want me to help and watch a famous model with a bodyguard and strict schedule when I can’t even get close to him?”

“The boy needed freedom and has a pure heart; he was the perfect fit to Plagg at the time. As for young Marinette, I am sure she will pull though, she has a strong heart, she –“

I stand up and grab my bag. He looks at me, still worried but confident in his words. “Fu, how am I supposed to help them, watch them, guide them, if I can’t talk to them or explain why we threw them in the deep-end? I hope you’re right about them, cause while I agree they will be fine heroes, I can’t agree with the current path they’ll travel alone, I guess we’ll have to hope for some miracles.” I take an apple and grab my jacket and stuffing both into my backpack. “I better get to school before I’m late.” Fu chuckles at that.

“From what Evangeline has told me, you are not the most punctual person.” I frown at the accusation, I mean… not wrong but still. I wave him off and start jogging to Dupont.

As I make my way through the streets, I’m quite literally sent flying by a blond boy, damn moron, watch where you’re going! I grumble gathering my bearings and direct my glare at this oblivious idiot. He has blond pristine styled hair and soft green eyes, freaking out and apologising profusely… wait… I know that face…

“You’re Adrien Agreste.” The boy paled and started looking around before putting on a tight smile.

 “Ermm… I think you’ve got the wrong guy miss, Adrien who. Never heard of him. Heh…Heh…” He laughs weakly, I roll my eyes at him.

 “Oh, maybe I should call you Chat Noir then?” His face filled with fear. “Right Plagg?”

 A blur of black whizzed out of the kids’ pocket and it’s green cat eyes stared at me, wonder, confusion, but finally acceptance. Plagg floated up to my face, mischief evident on the tiny god of destruction’s own. “So, you’re the old fart’s new vessel, huh?”

 “Apparently, though he can go and find another body to take over for all I care, I’m me, not him. Understand that, and we’ll get along, right?” Plagg looked a little shocked but gave me a sly grin.

 “I got it, you’re a lot more fun than the last few! The kid’s lucky!” Ironic coming from the embodiment of misfortune. Adrien then decided he had had enough with being left out of the conversation, and spoke up, his voice cracking slightly, prolly confused.

“Ermm… just who are you? And… how do you know who I… I mean you know?” Plagg butted in before I could open my mouth.

 “This kid is the one who watches over the Miraculous like yours and Bug-Girl’s. She’ll make sure that if you do anything stupid, you’ll know about it.” He still looked lost.

 “I’m an observer. I watch how you’ll use the Miraculous; use it wisely, then you keep being the wielder of the cat for as long as you are needed. Of course, you misuse it and I will take it away or punish you.”

 “P-punish?”

 “I realise you are just a kid, a kid with too much responsibility, I get that. However, if you are to misuse this power, people can get hurt, and that will have consequences. I’ll understand any rashness and mistakes, such as this Akuma, but any intentional misuse or repeated actions that you refuse to own up to, I will make sure you understand the weight of your choices. Understood?”

He nodded, still a little worried, but it’ll have to do. I sigh. “Hey, Agreste. You don’t need to worry. Seriously, you may not be able to tell anyone about your double life, sometimes it’ll feel like the world is suffocating you… I know the feeling, but that’s why I’ve decided to reveal myself to both of you. To help you through this. If you want to talk, if you need help, just ask and I’ll try. HOWEVER,  I will say after I researched you, I will say this right now, I won’t accept the excuse of your sheltered life being the cause of any misunderstandings, you feel confused about anything that most would think is normal, you ask me or any friends you make at school, got it, I’m not gonna baby you, this is high school son, grow a pair!”

He stares at me completely shocked at my words, before quickly nodding again. I laugh at his quick nod and he starts chuckling too, before looking at his phone and alarm spread across him. “I’m going to be late!” Oh right… school.

 “You’re such a strange kid. Who would want to be at school when he can stay at home all day?” Plagg darts back to his pocket peeking his head out, rolling his own eyes. We start jogging to school.

 “You don’t get it, Plagg. I’ve had enough of being locked up at home by my father. I want to meet people, make friends.” He looks at me with a hopeful smile. “Learn about normal things! Go to a normal school like everyone else!” I roll my eyes at that, that place is far from normal.

 “Arghhh… Uhhh, I think I’m feeling weak…” Plagg dramatically groans. Adrien stops running grabbing his bag, searching for something.

 “You know what’s strange?” He pulls out a wedge of cheese that smelt horrible. Oh yeah… Plagg eats the stuff… poor kid’s gonna stink. “The fact that all you eat is this disgusting, rotten smelling camembert cheese, and I then have to smell like it 24/7. That’s strange.” He looks at me as if pleading for me to convince the tiny cat to eat something else. I shrug, you’re on your own for this one kid. He groans and glares at Plagg in disgust, but the god just stuffs his mouth with the cheese.

 “If you want to be able to transform into a superhero, then stinky cheese is the deal, my friend!” Adrien sighs in defeat before continuing our jog to school.

We make it to the school’s steps, but we hear a beep from a car behind us. A tall, professional-looking woman leaves a nice-looking car and quickly paces towards Adrien. I recognise her from my research about the young cat holder, she’s Nathalie Sancoeur, Gabriel Agreste's assistant who manages his fashion work, his mansion, and takes care of his son Adrien. She must be here to take him back home… speaking of which, how the heck did Adrien enrol in the first place without a parent’s permission? As I’m about to grab the kid and get him to class, I feel the same dark feeling as yesterday, briefly, fleeting but just as dark.

“Adrien! Don’t do this! Your father will be furious!”

 “Tell him you got here too late. Please!” Adrien turns around and runs into the school, I follow quickly after him and see Alya arguing with Chloe.

 “How could you say that to Ivan? You’re the real Stoneheart!” Stoneheart? That must be what people are calling Ivan’s Akuma form.

 “Ugh, so I’m the one who broke Sabrina’s dad’s arm, am I?” Fair, but still wrong, it’s not Ivan’s fault either. Also… Sabrina’s dad is the officer in charge of the Akuma cases… my belief in the Parisian police force is dwindling, this is why I want to be a P.I. Chloe the scoffs at the new girl and glares. “Just because your footage of those lame superheroes was shown on tv, doesn’t mean you have to get so high and mighty.” She blows her bubble gum at Alya popping it close to her face, luckily not sticking but I cringed at it and walk up Alya.

 “You little…” Alya growled, about to retaliate before I stepped in.

 “Ew… gross, Chloe that was so gross, you basically spat in her face, actually, I think you have a little spit on your glasses there Alya.” I say, however luckily there wasn’t anything on the glasses but Alya cringed at the thought, taking off her glasses and furiously wiping them, muttering how gross can anyone be. The glares and undecided look of the people around them all turned to barely hidden disgust at Chloe who was turning red and glared daggers at me. Alya after cleaning her already clean glasses huffed and walks off to the classroom. Chloe attempting to regain control taunted the girl.

 “Lookout, she’s angry! She’s going to split the underwear and turn into a huge muscly monster!” She laughs obnoxiously.

 “I’d be angry too; I mean what you did was kinda disgusting.” She spins back to me about to blow up at me, however, her face instantly lights up as she looks over my head.

 “Hey, Chloe!” Adrien pipes up… oh no… I forgot… they’re friends. Chloe pushes past me and glomps the naive kid.

 “Adrikins! You came!” Adrikins… oh, gods… I cringe at the two, Adrien noticing my face and his confusion is clear… did he just ignore all she did just now? Before I can call him out Chloe drags him to the classroom and the other students recognise the famous model and start rushing over. I slump in defeat and make my way to class.

Everyone is clamouring for Adrien’s autograph, and for once Chloe does something remotely good, albeit with less than pure intentions and makes a path to the classroom causing the fans to go back to their own classes. “Okay. This is your seat, Adrikins. I saved it for you. Right in front of me!”

 “That’s creepy.” I blurt out, and Chloe growls at me.

 “Well, no one cares what you think, Wattson!” Adrien glances at me in worry and unsure at who to support. I walk past him patting his shoulder.

 “Get new friends, kid.” I say solemnly to him. His eyes widen at this but he turns to Chloe with a tight smile.

 “Thanks, Chloe.” He turns to the Nino guy and tries to introduce himself othering him a handshake, but Nino just looks at him with distrust and ignores the hand. “Uh… Hey! Adrien.” The boy shows a model smile laced with nerves, but Nino didn’t react.

 “You’re friends with Chloe then, huh?” He turns back to his phone. Hopefully, he’ll get the message.

I’m about to continue walking to my seat but I hear snide laughing coming from the front bench, obviously coming from Chloe and her lapdog Sabrina, I turn and see them sticking the gum that had recently been in Chloe’s mouth onto Marinette’s seat. Anger washing over me. “Hey! What the hell is your problem Bourgeois?!” Adrien turns around and spots what I’m yelling about.

 “Hey! Chloe! What’s that all about?” He looks disappointed in her.

 “The brat’s that sat here yesterday need a little attitude adjustment. I’m just commanding a bit of respect, that’s all.”

 “No, if anyone here needs an attitude adjustment, it’s you! I thought you were gross, but this is just disgusting.”

 “I am not disgusting!” She screams in my face, I pull out my phone and hit the emergency record button, I’d use during Eva’s interviews with her problematic clients. “You think you’re some sort of hero, I’ll get you kicked out of school, or maybe I’ll just tell my daddy to rethink your student visa.” I smile at her and she shrinks back. Adrien then interrupts sensing the danger this could lead to.

 “Chloe, you think that’s really necessary?” I raise an eyebrow at that, it’s completely insane, but he’s still trying to keep his friendship with the girl. But said girl just scoffs at him, turning back with a hair flip and batting her eyes.

 “Ah, you’ve got a lot to learn about school culture, Adrikins. Watch the master.”

Adrien then kneels down to Marinette’s seat, trying to pick the gum up with his pencil, only making it worse. I grab his arm trying to stop him from making it worse, till I hear a gasp. Great.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing!?”

“You mustn’t. They mustn’t know their identities!” I glare at him and he flinches.

“I will not divulge any information that could lead to the abuse of the Miraculous, Fu. But I refuse to let them go through this alone. You better pray that you haven’t made a mistake.”

I go to my luggage and grab one of my green hoodies, it was very baggy and bigger than me, just how I like it. It was big enough to reach the end of my skirt and the hood was deep enough to hide my face, till I had a better way to hide, this would have to do. I head out, not sparing Fu a glance and headed towards the stadium.

As I run through the streets of Paris, I feel that pain in my head again. The voice from before whispering, as if telling me a secret. “This way…” Where… who? “This way quickly… just open your eyes…” Open… my eyes? They are open. In my confusion I notice a zip of red zoom up above, what the hell?! A girl dressed in red and black spots, seemingly being slingshot towards a boy dressed in black and… are those cat ears?! They collide knocking them both over the stick the boy was balancing on, the string the girl was holding onto, coiling around their bodies keeping them suspended in the air.

“Well, hey there. Nice of you to drop in.” The boy in black chuckled.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.” That self-deprecative tone... that must be Marinette, but why can’t I recognise her. ‘Open your eyes…’ there it is again. My eyes are open damn it!

“I bet you’re the partner my Kwami told me about. I’m?” Don’t you dare kid. “Chat Noir. Yeah, Chat Noir. And you?” Black cat… really? At least it’s not Cat-man.

I’m Ma… err… Mar… uhh…” I panic, Marinette don’t reveal yourself right away! I see her struggling with her… oh, gods… is that a yoyo? She tugs on it and they fall to the ground, the yoyo hitting Chat on the way down. “Madly Clumsy. I’m so clumsy.” Great save Marinette… But the boy just chuckles at her.

“No sweat, clumsy girl. I’m still learning the ropes too.” Marinette begins to smile, probably because she doesn’t feel too alone in this, that good. But it quickly gets ruined when the floor trembles. I look up and see a building fall and then Chat Noir zipping up using his baton.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Marinette looks shocked, confused on what’s going on. But the boy just keeps moving.

“To save Paris, right?”

“Ugh…” Marinette looks down, like how she looked when she was arguing with Chloé this morning. She readies her yoyo aiming somewhere in the rooftops. “Trust yourself, trust yourself…” I rush out to stop her for a second, but she follows Chat towards the Akuma. Damn, I got so caught up in observing them and that weird voice, I couldn’t tell them anything… I better catch up, damn superheroes and their ability to jump like final fantasy characters. I climb up a fire escape, jumping across the close buildings, using them as shortcuts to Parc des Princes.

I finally arrive at the arena, seeing Marinette panic as Chat was fighting Ivan, he was fighting but every time he hit him, he only got bigger. I look around, most of the people had evacuated but I noticed Alya was here… she seriously followed Ivan despite all this danger; some would say that’s brave; I would call it stupid, I’m so gonna chew her out later… I see Marinette hyperventilating, the panic on her face making her paler and paler by the second. I run up to her and grab her shoulders trying to get her to look at me. “Marinette, you need to focus, calm down and breathe.” She doesn’t hear me, she continues muttering to herself.

“Oh, I can’t. I’m not gonna be able to do it… I can’t.”

I keep shaking her, but she’s stuck in her cycle of ‘I can’t’. I finally get her to look me in the eyes, but I can tell she’s not seeing me in her clouded gaze. “Open your eyes…” My eyes widen at the voice, huh? When I look into the panicked girl's hues, I could see an erratic wave of colour, I could hear a distorted voice, it sounded like Marinette but I couldn’t hear what she was saying, she was too panicked. I grabbed her hands and put them together easily. I smack her hands together, not too hard that it would make her hands go numb, but hard enough to shock her, she looks me in the eyes in surprise, her eyes clear, the distorted voice clear… ‘I want to save them.’

“You can do this.” She turns around and takes in the scene. Cat Noir gets flung and Ivan throws a goalpost towards both Chat and Alya, but Chat bats it away. Alya spots the red and black spotted heroine and calls out.

“What are you waiting for, super red bug? The world is watching you!”

Alya smiles as she adjusts her phone to focus on the heroine, I step back to avoid being on camera. Marinette looks back, worried but filled with confidence. I smile back. “Don’t worry, we’ll talk later. You heard her, go get ‘em Super Bug.” She jumps into the stadium and lassos the stone giant’s fist making it miss the black cat before he got creamed. “Animal cruelty? How shameful!” She taunts. Alya cheers as she records from her spot. I guess I just need to observe them now, see how they handle their powers and teamwork, I recall the stories Eva told me about the Miraculous, each powerful, can they handle it, we’ll see.

Marinette stays focused on the Akuma but helps Chat Noir up. “Sorry, it took so long, Chat Noir.”

“It’s cool, Wonderbug. Now, let’s kick his rocky behind!” This one seems hot-headed; it might cost him if he doesn’t keep that in check.

“Wait!” As Chat is about to charge the Akuma, she grabs his tail stopping him. “Haven’t you noticed? He gets bigger and stronger with every attack. We have to do something different.” Clever girl.

“Different how?” She pauses at that before looking away.

“Uhhh... I don’t know.” She’s almost there, she just needs to step back from herself and think. Chat rolls his eyes playfully before his face shows his obvious ‘I got an idea’ expression.

“Okay then. Let’s use our powers. Cataclysm! Apparently, I destroy whatever I touch.” He says smugly… this will end well. Marinette shares my sentients, not impressed by the boy’s smug tone.

“I don’t need a superpower to destroy everything.” He laughs her off and goes to touch the goalpost. Did he not get told how his power works?! I get Plagg is lazy but… where did that come from… damn reincarnation voodoo. Both Marinette and I call out in hopes to stop him.

“No, don’t do that!” The post rusts and decays into dust. Chat looks at his hand with awe before turning to the Akuma with confidence plastering his face.

“Cool! It’s just you and me now! Time to rumble, soon-to-be rubble!”

“Chat Noir! Wait!” Is he seriously going to try and Cataclysm an Akuma victim? Did Plagg not tell him anything?! Chat runs up to Ivan ready to hit him, but when he does, he realises nothing is happening, he smacks him a few more times, as if he was trying to get an old tv to work before looking up at the giant and weakly chuckling.

“Uh-oh. I guess I only get one shot to use my power.” The giant throws him with his left arm while tightly clenching his right… it couldn’t be…

Marinette runs up to the cat boy and stares at him unimpressed. “Any you only have 5 minutes before you transform back. Didn’t your Kwami explain anything to you?” Finally, why the heck did Plagg not tell him anything?! He gets up and looks away with a weak guilty smile.

“I guess I was a little excited about my new life.” So, it wasn’t Plagg’s fault?! Ugh… this kid, I’d deck him if this wasn’t all new to him. I breathe slowly, I’ll lecture him when I finally get to meet the boy under the mask, what a pain. He has the drive to be a hero, he just needs to calm down and remember this isn’t a game or anime, let’s hope he realises this soon.

Marinette sighs before she looks back at the Akuma with determination in her eyes. “Well, up to me. Lucky Charm!” She throws her yoyo up in the air, a light-emitting from it and morphing into… a suit? I get that the Lucky Charm gives you what you need for the situation but… wow… that’s one unlucky ladybug. Let’s see how she handles this obstacle.

“Super…power?” Chat judges, unsure of how helpful this would be. But Marinette while confused still looked determined to solve this problem.

“My Kwami told me I need to break the object where the whatcha-ma-call-it… er, Akuma is hiding.”

“Well, he’s made entirely out of stone.”

“His right hand, it’s still closed.” There you go, just had to think about it. “He never opens it. It’s like the Russian dolls. The object isn’t on him or part of him, it’s hidden in his fist!”

“So what’s your plan?” Chat gets ready to pounce, but Marinette quickly looks around before smiling. What has this shy little girl come up with to face this foe? She darts to a hosepipe and grabs it before tying it to the suit. Then while holding the suit ties up Chat with her yoyo, shocking the young boy.

“Don’t resist. Trust me!”  she throws him… she bloody threw him… huh.

“This girl’s crazy!!” Ivan catches him with his left hand and refuses to let go. The heroine then ran up to the Akuma and taunts him.

“Catch me if you can!” He finally opens his right hand, dropping a small purple object before grabbing the girl and the suit. “And now… Alya! The tap!”

Alya realises quickly what she’s talking about and goes to the tap and turns it on. The water sprouts and inflates the suit Marinette was holding, forcing Ivan to let go of her. She lands and breaks the akumatized object on the floor, producing a purple moth/butterfly, the Akuma. Why is she just watching it fly away?! Catch it! But its too late. I sigh… as I am about to approach, I notice Alya still recording and step back into the stands… damn. Ivan changes back to normal confused on how he got here, he must not remember what happened today. Chat runs up to Marinette, excited and in awe.

“You were incredible, Miss… uh… Bug Lady. You did it!”

“We both did it, partner.”

“Pound it!” The two, fist bump, they work well together but they still need some work. Chat’s Miraculous beeps causing the two to part.

“You should get going. Our identities must remain a secret.” Chat pouts a little but quickly perks up.

“Farewell, m’lady. Let’s do this again soon, okay?” He winks as he vaults away.

“Not too soon, I hope.” She looks at Ivan and grabs what used to be the Akuma’s object, reading the piece of paper aloud. “You haven’t even got the guts to tell Mylène you love her, wuss.” My fist clenches at the mean remark, remembering the teacher’s response.

“Kim wrote it. He’s always making fun of me.” Ivan’s voice while deep sounded defeated.

“You know, you shouldn’t get so bent out of shape about that. There’s no shame in telling someone you love them, Ivan.” I smack my forehead when she mentioned his name.

“Hey, how did you know my name, Miss?” Marinette’s face dropping trying to think of a response, oh well. Alya comes rushing up with her phone, bouncing in excitement.

“Uncanny, amazing, spectacular! Are you gonna be protecting Paris from now on? How did you get your powers? Did you get stung by a radioactive Ladybug? Oh, I’ve got a ton of questions to ask you, uh, Miss… uhh…” Oh yeah, she’s not really come up with a name yet has she?

“Uhh…” She ponders it, her Miraculous beeps and she smiles as she throws her yoyo to the top of the stadium. “Ladybug! Call me Ladybug.” She chirps as she flies away.

“Ladybug… Super awesome!” Alya pauses her phone and walks out of the area with a massive smile on her face. I better make my way to Marinette’s place before that Akuma gets out of hand again.

Let’s hope I get there in time.

I reach the front of the bakery spotting a red blur jump on top of the roof. I head inside taking down my hood, and I’m met by a small petite woman who despite her stature, radiated an aura of kindness and respect. She had short navy hair and wore a white cheongsam with a flower detail as the one Marinette wore, I deduced that this was her mother. “Hello? I’m Alice, I’m a new classmate of Marinette’s and hopeful friend. I was wondering if she was home, I need to ask her some questions about Paris and school if she doesn’t mind.” The woman looked at me with a soft look.

“Oh there’s no need to hope, Marinette told me all about how you helped her today at school, I’m happy she’s making friends with a polite young lady such as yourself. You can head up if you’d like, she’s in her room relaxing now.” I look at her unsure.

“Are you sure, you’ve never met me before?” She just laughs.

“Oh trust me, sweetie, you honestly don’t seem like you want any trouble, besides, I’ll be up in a moment to start dinner, and despite my daughter’s clumsiness, she’s capable of keeping an eye on you, she’s in the attic room you can’t miss the stairs to it.” I nod thanking her and head up to the apartment, but a wave of nausea hits me, the feeling from this morning was back and back with a vengeance, don’t tell me I’m too late! “Oh my!” I hear Marinette’s mother exclaim, watching the small tv in the bakery, the news reporter from before showing footage and multiple stone giants standing still.

“Just as Paris is about to celebrate the appearance of our two new superheroes, Ladybug and Chat Noir, a new wave of panic is sweeping across the capital as dozens of people are mysteriously transformed into stone monsters. It’s simply unbelievable! The victim transformed into stone beings are still like statues. The police are perplexed to what will happen to them. Will they come back to life or be frozen in time forever?” I run up the stairs desperate to get to Marinette to explain.

I reach the hatch to her room and I can hear two voices inside. “Tikki? What’s going on? I thought we defeated him.”

“Did you capture the Akuma?”

“What’s capturing the Akuma got to do with the other stone beings?”

“An Akuma can multiply, that’s why it must be captured. If Ivan’s emotions become negative again, then the Akuma will turn him back into Stoneheart! He’ll control all the stone beings and bring them to life to serve as his army!” The small voice panicked.

“So… that means… this is my fault? I knew it! See, Tikki? I’m not cut out to be a superhero! I’m only gonna keep messing up…” I rush into her room surprising the two.

“That’s not true!” I yell, surprising myself. Marinette’s eyes clouded again, her emotions whirling into black despair, what is this?

“Alice? What are you doing here, why… this isn’t what it looks like!” She panics trying to hide Tikki, but Tikki floats forward to me, this small, red ladybug-like creature looking up at me in confusion.

“Creator…?”

“Not quite, and I don’t plan on ever being him.” I turn to Marinette who is still freaking out; this is why I thought this would be a bad idea, old man! “Marinette, I need you to breathe.”

“That jacket, you were at the stadium! Who are you? What’s going on?!” She’s spiralling. The small voice I heard at the stadium even more distorted than before.

“Keep calm.” Tikki soothed. “It was your first time. You’re going to go back and capture Stoneheart’s Akuma, do it successfully!” Tikki’s eyes full of hope and expectation, something we didn’t need right now, piling more responsibility will only do more damage.

“I can’t! I told you, I’m clumsy! I create disasters all the time! I’ll only make things worse for me, for you and Alice, for everyone! Chat Noir will be better off without me. I’m quitting…” Her voice small, quivering and defeated. I wanted to say something, anything; but I understood where she was coming from.

“You can’t! Chat Noir can’t capture the Akuma or defeat it alone!” Tikki shouted, thinking it would make her reconsider, but Marinette looks away.

“If Chat Noir can’t capture the Akumas, then… just find another Ladybug. I told you, I’m not cut out to be Ladybug!” She takes off her earrings, the black studs gaining their ladybug colouring. “I’m sorry Tikki…” She turns to me with misplaced hope in her eyes. “Maybe… you could be the next Ladybug, Alice? You seem so sure and you know what’s going on, so you would do a way better job than me.” She hands me the earrings, tears threatening to fall, glossing her blue eyes.

“… You know, I was really against you being a holder at first…” She recoils when I say that. I walk over to where the box from the chest was and placed the earrings into it. “I thought it would be too much pressure for you and I was right. Even now I doubt the decision, but… what I saw at the stadium, what I heard… you really were a hero. You weren’t acting, or playing… tell me, what were you thinking at that time? What did you want at that moment?” She refused to look at me. I place the box in an open drawer and turn to her.

“Is there a problem?” I ask the exasperated girl, watching her turn to blondie.

“That’s my seat.” Is this brat serious?

“But Chloé, this has always been my seat.”

“Not anymore! A new class, new year, new seats!” A smaller girl jumps out from behind this Chloé and sneers at Marinette, but it seems more innocent as if she was just copying the other girl.

“Listen, if you want to sit in the second row so much, why not just sit on the other side?” I try to reason, but I instantly knew I was wasting my breath as the blond pushed her face into Marinette’s.

“So why don’t you just go and sit beside that new girl over there?” She points over to a girl sitting on the first row who perked up at the mention. What am I chopped liver?! “Listen. Adrien’s arriving today, and since that’s going to be his seat, this is going to be my seat. Get it?”

“Who’s Adrien?” As soon as the question left both Marinette’s and my own mouths, the self-entitled brat finally acknowledged my existence. She glared but the two of them laughed at the two of us.

“Can you believe they don’t know who Adrien is? What rocks have you been living under?”

“He’s only a famous Model.” The small girl butted in, being pushed aside by Chloé as if trying to take the full spotlight.

“And I am his best friend. He adores me!”

“So?” I couldn’t stop the word leaving me, great…

“What did you say?” She looked offended at my interruption.

“If this guy is your friend and sweetheart, wouldn’t it be better to sit next to him? Also, if this guy is new, he should be here sooner to choose his seat, you don’t get to chose for him. Another thing, what’s stopping you from sitting on the rows behind you or across the way? Just cause the guy’s famous, shouldn’t mean he gets special treatment.” All three girl’s eyes bulge out at me, did I say something wrong?

“You! Do you know who I am?!” She screeches at me.

“No.” My voice was as emotionless as my face. This brat needs to chill.

“Grrr… Oh just get lost loser! Go on, move!” She shoos us away.

I’m about to lose it, then the girl from before marches up to us, glaring through her glasses at the two girls. “Hey! Who elected you Queen of Seats?” I nodded in agreement with the dark-haired girl, but Chloé didn’t look perturbed by the girl’s interruption.

“Oh, look Sabrina! We’ve got a little do-gooder in our class this year. What are you gonna do, super newbie? Shoot beams at me with your glasses?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know. Come on.” She grabs Marinette by the hand as she walks away, but Marinette didn’t expect the sudden pull and tripped, her box of macarons flying into the air once again this morning, I step forward…

“Sorry, sorry, sorry… huh?” Marinette’s voice soft but breaking, looking for the box but confused when she couldn’t see it on the floor.

“Looking for these?” I offer her the box once again with a small smile after catching it. She looked at me in awe. “I caught them, but I think I might have crushed some when I grabbed it, sorry for being heavy-handed, I thought it would be better than the floor.” She opened the box.

“Oh no, thank you. I little cracked but still edible and way better than all over the floor. Do you want to sit with us, Alice?”

“Ah, no I’m good, I think I’ll sit at the back. Good napping spot.” I laugh, she giggled back and nodded following the dark-haired girl to the front. Miss Bustier clapped getting everyone’s attention.

“Has everyone found a seat?” Damn, guess I’ll have to ask her for details about the school after class.

I take my seat at the back, getting my notebook out. Fu’s lucky I always have notebooks at the ready or this would have been super awkward. I glance at the class from my seat, everyone finding a seat while chatting to their friends, yup… apart from that girl who’s sitting with Marinette and this Adrien kid, everyone knows each other, great. Miss Bustier once again gathers everyone’s attention.

“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Miss Bustier. I’ll be your teacher this year. I also want to introduce two other students who have enrolled this year. Alya, Alice? Would you like to introduce yourselves?” She smiles sweetly at the class and I stifled a groan, I really don’t want to. The dark-haired girl from before stands up with a confident stance.

“I’m Alya Césaire, hope we get along from now on!” I sigh, getting up to join her.

“Hello, I’m Alice Wattson. Nice to meet you…” I dwindle off on my introduction, feeling uncomfortable at the stares.

“Okay then everyone! Let’s get started!” Miss Bustier claps again, I feel like that’s gonna get old quick. I sit down, but I notice Chloé at the front stressing over the seat in front of her, looking worried.

By the end of class, I am cursing Fu and Eva to their apparently non-existent graves. I hated high school the first time, but this is worse! I feel my brain cells being attacked by the teacher’s naive positivity. The bell rings and everyone starts packing up. “Those of you who have P.E, Mr D’Argencourt is expecting you at the stadium. The rest of you can head over to the library.” I sigh once again, maybe that will be my thing, sighing and sarcastic comments might make this a bit more bearable. I look in front of me and see an athletic-looking guy with a dumb smirk on his face obviously bothering a large intimidating boy in black, trying to get a reaction out of him, something he had been doing throughout the class.

“Kim!” The larger boy yelled, glaring at the boy as he stood up clenching his fists, at the dumb-faced boy, Kim.

“Ivan, what is going on?” Miss Bustier glanced at the two concerned.

“It’s Kim! He... I’m so gonna get…” Ivan struggled to articulate his words, trying to hold his anger.

“Ivan, go to the principal’s office.” What?! Ivan looks surprised but doesn’t say anything, he just walks away in angry silence.

I run up to Miss Bustier, confused at her actions. “Miss, why send Ivan, it was obviously not his fault?!”

“Now, now Alice, calm down. Ivan lashed out, it’s only natural for him to be punished, I understand things may be different in England, but don’t worry I know what I’m doing.” What kind of logic is that?!

“But he wouldn’t have lashed out if you told Kim to st- “

“Here’s your class schedule, you’re in study hall next, it's in the library. I hope you enjoy your time here; I’ll see you in our literature class.” She ignored my protest and walked away, I was about to protest but then something felt wrong… not just the injustice that had happened… something sinister, something that made me feel sick to my core.

I walk into the library and see Marinette chatting to Alya, she spots me and calls me over with a wave. I resign myself to hanging out with these girls, at least I found some nice people to make friends with while I’m here. The feeling from before was getting worse but I covered it with a nervous laugh as I walk over. As Marinette introduces me to her new friend a shooting pain shot through me accompanied by a voice. ‘Free him…’ What was that? Marinette and Alya look at me in worry but as they were about to speak, the building shook, knocking almost everyone to the ground. The library security monitor showed areas of the school like it usually would, however, something very odd was in front of the principle’s office… was that a stone giant?! ‘Akuma…’ The voice echoed in my mind; the word was familiar despite never hearing it before. Don’t tell me… is this the work of a Miraculous?! Alya gasps about to bolt to the door “Come on!” She funnels everyone out of the library, till she sees the monitor.

“KIMMMM!” The giant screamed, his voice ringing a bell in my head. Ivan?

“What’s going on? He had Ivan’s voice?” Marinette fretted.

“It’s as if he’s transformed into a real-life supervillain! GPS, check. Battery, check. I am so outta here!” Alya cheered with no fear in her eyes. Don’t tell me she’s gonna do what I think she’s gonna do? No one can be that stupid… right?

“Wait for a second, Alya!”

“Hey! Where are you going?!” Marinette panicked.

“Where there’s a supervillain, there’s always a superhero close behind! No way I’m missing this!” She shouts back, running out the door, leaving both of us behind. Yup this girl has no self-preservation instinct… I notice that Ivan had moved from inside the school and to the streets outside, he picks up a car and throws it towards the camera causing the footage to cut off.

“KIM!” Marinette looks at me and we both wince.

“So, school’s out… would you like to come to my parent’s bakery and wait this out?” She looks at me worried I might chase after Ivan just like Alya; do I look like I’m stupid enough to run to my death? I mean, I am gonna go after Ivan but still, it’s not like I want to, someone has to watch over the Miraculous! Wait… the Miraculous! I need to find Fu!

“Sorry Marinette, I need to find my mum’s friend, you know the man from this morning? Gotta… make sure he’s safe!” I feel bad for lying to her, but it’s not too much of a lie. She nods but still looks worried. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

As I run back to the massage parlour, I notice a tv in a window showing the news. A shot of the police surrounding Ivan ready to shoot him, what the hell? Crap! He’s gonna get hurt!

“Ready? Fire!” They fire but the bullets bounce off him and a green glow surrounds him as he grows bigger and bigger with each shot. I let out a sigh of relief, but then Ivan throws another car at the police a run-a-way tire hitting one of them in the arm. The screen then changes to a man who seemed to be the mayor of Paris.

“I’m asking all Parisians to stay home until this situation is under control.”

“Mr Bourgeois! Mr Bourgeois!” The news crews clamouring for answers. The screen changes once again, showing a professional-looking woman with vibrant, short, fuchsia hair, interviewing the officer who gave the firing order.

“As incredible as it seems, it’s been confirmed that Paris is indeed being attacked by a supervillain. The police have been struggling to keep the situation under control.”

“Be confident, the strong arm of the law will come crashing down on the… I mean, the other arm.” The officer winces when he raises his arm that was hit earlier, changing to his over to the uninjured arm. I need to find Fu before these idiots escalate things even further!

I rush through the door finding Fu closing the Miraculous box, Wayzz looking doubtfully at the master. “Do you think they’ll be up to it, Master?” No… Don’t tell me… Anger rising up in me.

“I’ve only got it wrong once. It will never happen again. At least I hope not.”

“You’ve chosen the holders?! Without my input?!” What does he think he’s doing? I need to make sure that the Miraculous don’t fall to the wrong hands as the Moth does; I normally would be mildly annoyed at a decision like this, but I could feel the anger rise up from somewhere inside me.

“I had to choose quickly, you’ve seen the results of the Akuma.” He explains like he did the right thing.

“Who.” I demand.

“You shall see in time; it is important that we kee- “

“Who. You will tell me, for it is my responsibility to protect them.” A voice that was unfamiliar to me left my mouth, I felt like I was on autopilot… could it be that man? Fu gasps and looks at me in shame.

So, the man heeded their call, creating magic jewels embedding them with extraordinary blessings from these gods, the Kwami, binding them to the jewels restricting their powers. These were… the Miraculous.

Throughout history, heroes have used these jewels for the good of humanity. However, The Creator of the Miraculous realised, that two of these jewels were more powerful than the other despite his efforts of balance; the earrings of the Ladybug, which provided creation; and the ring of the Black Cat, which granted the power of destruction. The Creator knew that whoever controlled both blessings would achieve absolute power, a power that the Kwami had feared would be manipulated with malicious intent. After realising his mistake, The Creator promised that no matter what, he would observe the Miraculous, personally in their times of use, as he could not stop humanities tragedy on his own; leaving the Jewels with his disciples allowing them to distribute when humanity cried out in suffering.

However, no one can live forever without a cost. Many have tried, all of them have failed with various degrees of success. Immortality is a fickle thing. Wishing for eternal youth, cursed to never grow, burying loved ones and always begging for an end to your torment. The Creator had witnessed this, one of his many mistakes, one he most definitely wanted to learn from. So, he wished to be reincarnated, to watch the miraculous in humanities time of need. Unfortunately, souls and memories of humans are just as fickle as the body. While he would reincarnate he would inherit the life his successor, cursed to watch as the loved ones drift away, fade and die, cursed to watch with red eyes.

But that’s just a silly story my mother would tell me as a child. She would tell me how maybe I could be the next reincarnation of this strange man; I’d laugh when she would tell me that. Then suddenly out of the blue; I started having strange thoughts, dreams of another time, voices of people crying out for help. My mother, Evangeline, a woman who raised me, a woman who while not connected to me in blood, still cared for me as if her own, one day told me this story again, this time… I did not laugh, I cried. I looked at my mother; realised… she had not aged a single day since the day I had met her all those years ago, she smiled and told me I was ready. She told me of her friend who trained to protect the Miraculous and how she housed and protected him in his early days after the temple was destroyed. She then explained how it was time for me to fulfil my promise to the world and how I would be going to Paris, France to work with her friend to protect the Miraculous.

Why though? It wasn’t my responsibility; I never made any promise to the world! All I wanted to be was slightly successful, hanging out with friends and working towards achieving my dreams as a P.I! I never wanted this! But as I was on the plane to Paris, I couldn’t deny it… I felt the pull of that man’s promise; I won’t give in though, no matter what I will not be that man! I will observe but I will not change myself, I will not become him, not while I still have my dreams of friendship and life.

Once in Paris, I find myself outside of a massage shop… this looks shady. Why the hell would Eva send me to a massage parlour? Well, I need to figure out what’s going on and figure out my living accommodations, so might as well bite the bullet on this shady place.

Knock-knock.

The door opened at the force of my knock; that’s some security for world-ending jewels. I make my way into the shop and spot an old man meditating… this is just getting weirder. As I’m about to announce myself, he speaks. “Welcome, Young Creator.” He opened his eyes, widening as he took in my appearance. “Well… this was not what I was suspecting at all.” Rude. “But worry not, come and I shall explain the gaps in your memory.”

“Excuse me, but I am not that man, obviously. I am my own person, while I intend on helping him fulfil his promise… I have no intention of becoming him.”

“But…”

“I’ll help you but know that I am not him.”

He stared at me considering my words before gesturing for me to sit down. I sit as he pours green tea into cups.

“I understand. Now allow me to introduce myself, I am Wang Fu, Evangeline has told me a lot about you.”

“Likewise. However, I am a little confused about the situation here in Paris. There is no media mention of any Miraculous holders, so obviously neither the Ladybug nor Black Cat is in circulation as the powers they hold are less than subtle when used, so why am I here?”

“I see, you are correct in your deduction of the state of the Miraculous’, however, you were drawn to Paris, correct? We believe that that pull indicates humanities potential ruin. As soon as you started to have visions of the past, Evangeline contacted me, I was already here in Paris so we decided it may be best to let you settle in and learn about your role and responsibilities hopefully before the path to ruin forms. Of course, due to your age as well, we have been forced to enrol you in a local school high school.”

I blanched at this, having already graduated from a high school for the gifted where it wasn’t considered strange for children to skip grades depending on their academic standing. Great… just freaking fantastic… Fu looks at me as if looking for my opinion, I simply sigh and shrug, excepting my fate, begrudgingly.

“So… Where exactly will I be living? I mean, not to be rude or anything, but this shop/apartment isn’t exactly big.”

“Yes, my home is only so big, and I already have a littler of picky roommates. Evangeline and I have decided to let you stay at her old home while she lived in Paris many years ago. She assured me that it would be to your tastes and it isn’t too far from your new school.”

Eva’s old home? I kinda worried now, she’s the sort of person who loves antiques and old dollies, sure she grew out of it when she adopted me but if this is her ‘old’ home… It’s not exactly a place I want to be, surrounded by creepy dolls and old stuff, at least I didn’t have to pay rent… wait…

“What about money? If I live alone, won’t I have to buy food and stuff?”

“Ah yes, Evangeline told me, that while she is more than happy to supply money for food and essentials, it will be sent to an account that will record what you buy, she stressed that I tell you that money is for essentials only.”

“Sounds like Eva… did she mention anything else?”

“Oh, she told me to give you this note when you asked about money.” He hands me a small note.

-       If you want games, junk, comics/books, anything not essential… GET A JOB!

-       Love you, Eva!

Yup… that’s definitely Eva. I laugh weakly, thinking who would hire a 13-year-old kid for more than a paper-round. Suddenly a flash of green whizzed around the room, I instinctively tensed ready to defend myself but quickly feeling foolish, seeing a green Turtle like creature.

“Wayzz…” I find myself muttering, having no idea of where the name came from… perhaps one of his memories.

“Master, Master! Master, the Moth Miraculous, I felt its aura!” Wait, what?

“I thought it had been lost forever!” He lost a Miraculous?! What?!

“But Master, it’s a negative aura. I fear it may have gotten into the hands of a dark power!” Oh just great!

“We must find Nooroo and his Miraculous. If it has gotten into the wrong hands, it means the path to ruin has formed and there’s no telling what evil will come to the world!” He stands raising his fist hand to the ceiling, a green turtle shell charm bracelet reviling itself. I find myself stammering.

“Hh-hey wait a sec- “

“Time to transform! Wayzz- Hack!” He doubles over in pain. If I wasn’t so confused, I’d find this almost comical… almost. Wayzz floats over to him almost exasperated.

“Please Master. Be reasonable. You are- “

“Still young! I’m only 186.” Only?! Then again, I just found out the woman who raised me is an immortal child, so what do I know. “But you’re right, Wayzz. Young One, I can no longer do it alone, it is time… We’ll need some help.” He walks over to the gramophone and revealing a box with symbols I somehow knew all too well, a box that housed the most powerful jewels in the world, the Miraculous.

As we roam the streets of Paris, I notice a school. Other kids making their way inside, chatting about their summer vacation. I feel myself dread at the idea of enrolling during the second year, everyone already knows each other, it’s gonna feel weird, dammit. We get to a crossing and I see a short navy haired girl rush out of the bakery across the street with a box in her hands, as I am about to dismiss her from my thoughts, Fu started to walk forward acting frail and old despite the light still being red for pedestrians. “Hey, wait!”

“Uuuhhaawh?!” The girl rushed out and grabs him by the hand, taking him to the other side of the street, dropping the box in the process. The light changes and I rush over, noticing people stepping on the baked goods that fell out the box.

“Thank you, miss. Oh! What a disaster.” Yeah, I wonder who’s fault that is, old man. I pick the box up and hand her it back.

“Sorry about your macarons, he just walked into the road suddenly.”

“Don’t worry, I’m no stranger to disasters, besides, there are still a few left. Would you like one?” She said kindly, offering the box to pick one out. Fu reached out and took one before eating it.

“Mmmh. Delicious! Do you attend Françoise Dupont? My friend’s child here is enrolling today for the second-year class.” Wait, what’s he doing?

“Oh really? Welcome to Dupont then! Do you know which class you’ll be in?”

“Erm, I believe Miss Bustier’s class?”

“Same here! Would you like me to show you the way?”

“Oh no, there’s no nee- “

“Oh thank you, it’s reassuring that this little one will have such a friendly face in class.” What the hell old man!? As if reading my thoughts, he looked at me innocently. “After all, it’s normal for a child to attend the first day of school, right?” Ack… he goddamned planned this! I don’t know how but he definitely planned this! Aren’t I supposed to help you find the holders for the Miraculous, Fu? Again, he simply smiles as he looks at me. “I’ll inform you of my progress when school finishes.”

“Oh no, we’re gonna be late! Ah, have a nice day, sir! Come on!” She cries as she pulls me along. “Oh, how rude! I don’t think I’ve asked your name!”

“My name? Oh, it’s Alice.”