Chat is my spirit animal

Ladybug groaned as she made her way across the rooftops. Why did an akuma always have to show up on the worst days? She had a contest deadline to meet and wasn’t even halfway done with the designs!

Her thoughts were interrupted when soft bootsteps fell in sync with hers. Chat grinned as they ran toward the akuma. “Good afternoon, M’lady.”

“Hey, Chat,” Ladybug returned. “Let’s get this done quickly.”

Chat nodded before skidding to a stop, reaching a hand out to stop Ladybug as well. He tilted his head toward the plaza below before pulling Ladybug down and making their way to the edge of the roof. Peering over the ledge, they saw the akuma in the middle of the plaza. He was about 3 feet tall, with a billowing red robe that dragged on the floor behind him, with a staff in his hands and a sword at his hip. He was shooting beams at citizens, saying things like ‘you will do nicely as a monster’ or ‘you will be sent to the pit’. Something about him looked familiar to Ladybug, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“He looks like the Dungeon Master from the cartoon,” Carapace’s voice came from behind the duo as he and Rena crouched and surveyed the scene.

“What can you tell us about it?” Ladybug inquired. At least she knew why she was getting a sense of deja vu from this. Nino had introduced her to the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon series when they were younger and she had played campaigns with him over the years. She wasn’t as versed in the game as he was, but she could hold her own.

“Well, in the series, six kids are transported to the realm of Dungeons and Dragons and have to find their way home. They are guided by ‘The Dungeon Master’ and their main enemy is Venger,” Carapace explained as they continued their surveillance. “Though, I don’t think this DM is going to be a help to us.”

“Ugg, you have to be kidding me! Can this get any geekier?” Queen Bee grumbled as she joined the group.

“Probably,” Viperion remarked as he made his way over. “Let’s not tempt the Fates though, shall we?”

“Alright, everyone seems to be here,” Ladybug brought the focus of the group back. “Has anyone seen the akumatized object?” With a chorus of ‘no’s’, Ladybug shook her head. “Bee, Rena, and Viperion, stay back until we call for you. Carapace, Chat, and I will engage and see if we can figure out the object so I can call my Lucky Charm and formulate a plan.” Everyone nodded, though Rena grumbled about having to stay on the sidelines again, and the three stood to make their move.

“I was wondering when you would show yourselves,” a voice called. The group looked to see the Dungeon Master lifting into the air. “What is our story without the heroes, after all?” He sent beams towards the group, who were hit one by one.

“Ladybug!” Chat shouted as he pushed her to the ground, disappearing as a pulse hit him.

For ease of their abilities transferring over to the D&D world, all characters have been designed with level 20 in mind. As of right now, I do not have every character in the story, but I wrote them up in case they get dropped in. Writing six characters is enough to make my head spin, nine would probably effect the flow and quality of the story.

Ladybug/Marinette - Hill Dwarf Cleric of Life Domain - healer for the group - she wears dragon full plate, made from alternating red and black sections with her Ladybug symbol adhered to the middle of the breastplate.. Her hair has been pulled into braided pigtails and her normal mask is still in place. She carries her yoyo and a shield.

Chat Noir/Adrien - Tabaxi Way of the Shadow Monk - Now resembling a true cat, he is covered with black fur with real ears, eyes, and tail. His clothes consist of a black tunic and pants, both made from a lightweight cotton. He uses a quarterstaff

Rena Rouge/Alya - Kitsune Illusionist Mage with Criminal background - In her true form, she is an anamorphic fox with reddish-brown fur, however her illusion shows her as she is in canon. She is dressed in an orange and white tunic that stops at her waist in the front, but goes to her knees in back, as well as black pants tucked into leather boots. She carries a spell book on one hip and her flute across her back. She has lock picking skills.

Carapace/Nino - Tortle Way of the Turtle Totem Barbarian - Yes, he is a giant turtle! He carries a large club

Queen Bee/Chloe - Human Warlock - she is wearing a yellow, black, and white flowing gown, but looks identical to canon Chloe other than the change of clothes

Viperion/Luka - Yuan-Ti Pureblood Transmutation wizard with Entertainer background - A thin sheen of turquoise, blue, and green scales cover his skin and his eyes have become reptilian. He wears brightly colored tunic and pants and carries his lyre on his hip. His special ability is Time Stop spell

Ryuko/Kagami - Dragonborn Kensi Monk - She now resembles a dragon, covered in red scales, with her red, black, and yellow horns. She wears a simple outfit of red and black that closely resembles her fencing attire. On her hip is a rapier and a bow with a quiver strung across her back. She has a breath weapon capability.

Pegasus/Max - Vedalken Conjuration Wizard - His skin is a dark blue and his eyes are a vibrant purple. He wears all black clothes under a black cloak.

King Monkey - Half-Elf Arcane Trickster Rogue - His clothes are now black leather armor instead of the brown monk outfit from canon, and his ears are pointed to show his elven heritage, but other than that, he looks as he does in canon. His staff has been switched out for an umbrella. Yes, I know it’s crazy and it’s normally Alix/Bunnix’s weapon of choice, but it is Kim and he is a monkey and extra.

For photos of races or to read more on them, go to: https://www.dndbeyond.com/races

Marinette took another look in her mirror, sighing at her reflection.  Her outfit was cute, a red sundress with a white flower pattern, white cardigan, and low-heeled, peep-toe red shoes.  However, she felt anything but cute.

“Marinette, hurry up girl!  We’re going to be late!” Alya called from the living room.

Sighing again, Marinette grabbed her purse and walked out of her room.  It wasn’t that she didn’t love Alya, she did, but she wasn’t looking forward to being the third wheel yet again when they met Nino for lunch.  She just wasn’t in the mood to be around couples, being reminded of what she lost almost a year ago, but Alya never took no for an answer.

As they walked toward the metro, Marinette made a decision.  Looking towards Alya, Marinette made a silent apology before stopping on the platform while Alya continued onto the train, her eyes trained on a message from Nino.  She would pay for it, she knew, but she really couldn’t do it today. Marinette walked back out of the station, sent apology texts to Nino and Alya, and made her way to her favorite cafe a few blocks away.

---

The owners greeted her kindly and went about preparing her normal order.  She smiled and thanked them before sitting at a small table near the window.  The cafe had a beautiful view of the skyline, with the Eiffel Tower standing tall and timeless in the distance.  Her order was delivered while she absent-mindedly sketched the tower, her mind wandering to the past.

It had been eight months since things had changed, and she didn’t know how to handle it.  It was like she was living in limbo, unable to move forward. Hawkmoth was gone, which should have been the best day of her young life, but it was a bitter-sweet memory.  She also lost her partner without knowing who he was, finding his ring and note at their meeting spot a few days after the final battle. Then Adrien announced he was moving to England to live with his aunt and cousin, as they were his closest relatives and he couldn’t bring himself to stay in Paris after everything that had happened.

Marinette was beginning to believe that, even with all her Ladybug luck over the years, that she would never find love.  That she was destined to be like Master Fu, a lonely Guardian with a lost love until it was time to give the Guardianship to someone else.  Marinette thought it would be better that way because then she wouldn’t leave her family without an explanation as to why she didn’t remember them.

A familiar, soft voice brought her out of her thoughts.  She looked up to see a pair of aqua eyes framed by blue-tipped black hair looking back at her, a concerned frown marring his handsome face.

“Luka,” Marinette squeaked, startled at his appearance.  “What are you doing here?”

“I was walking by when I saw you sitting here.  Your song is so sad today, and I had to stop to see if I could help,” he explained as he stood at her table.

She smiled a little, waving at the chair across from her as an invitation.  Luka had always been a sweet boy, supportive of her without pushing for anything more than friendship.  Marinette knew he had feelings for her, but she never let herself consider them while Adrien was around.  She was beginning to realize that she was a bit obsessive over the blonde. How many Lukas had there been in her life while she chased an unattainable dream?

“Would you like to talk about it?” Luka asked quietly as his coffee was delivered.  He sat patiently, as he always did, waiting for her to make the first move.

“Just overthinking things, like always,” she replied as she looked down at her book.  Next to the rough sketch of the tower stood a male figure, the beginnings of an outfit that already had a cat motif emerging.  She sighed. “Luka, do you think some people are just fated to be alone their whole life?”

Luka tilted his head to the side, considering her question.  “I don’t.” He watched as Marinette’s head snapped up, her melancholy eyes locking with his.  “We always have people around us, who love us in different ways. I don’t think anyone is alone by fate, but by choice.”

Marinette nodded, taking what Luka said to heart.  She had been pushing everyone away, keeping them at arm's length because of her secrets and her pain.  Maybe, just maybe, it was time to let someone in.

“Thanks, Luka.  I needed to hear that,” she replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.  “So, how are things going for you?”

They spent the afternoon catching up.  Luka was back from touring with Jagged as a backup guitarist and had learned a lot about the music industry.  Jagged promised to get Luka an interview with Jagged’s record label since Luka’s sound was ‘rock and roll’. Marinette giggled fondly at the comment, knowing her pseudo-uncle loved the young musician.  Luka was also taking online classes in Music Theory to broaden his knowledge.

Marinette, on the other hand, was hard at work getting her Fashion degree from a well-known university near the apartment she shared with Alya, who was attending the same school for Journalism.  Marinette told him about her classes and how much she was learning. Her hands became animated as she spoke, only adding to her excitement, which Luka found himself quickly getting swept up in. He may not understand a lot of what she was saying, but he couldn’t help but listen with a sort of awe and fondness.  Marinette had always been the girl he wanted to date, maybe even marry one day, but he had stepped to the side when he realized she had eyes for one person, and that wasn’t him.

“Do you wanna walk around for a while?  I was thinking about heading to a nearby park,” Marinette asked shyly, which was a complete 180 from her earlier excited and bold speech.

“Sure.  I’d love to play for you again,” Luka answered just as shyly, motioning to his ever-present guitar sitting on one of the other chairs at the table.

“I’d love that.  It’s been so long since I’ve had a private concert,” Marinette remarked, standing and gathering her things.  She stopped abruptly, as her words sunk in, cheeks tinting a bright shade of red. “I mean, that is...not like a private, private concert.  You know, but just playing for me, alone. I mean, not alone…”

Luka placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her rush of words.  “I understand, Marinette. You don’t have to explain.” He held out a hand to her.  “Shall we?”

Marinette released the breath she had been holding, slung her purse over her shoulder, and took his hand in hers.  “We shall.”

---

The park they stopped in was a few blocks from the cafe.  The late spring air was warm on their skin as they sat on a park bench.  There were a few families around the playground, with kids running after each other and playing on the equipment.  Marinette was quietly sketching an outfit for Luka for his interview while Luka strummed on his guitar. He had noticed her song wasn’t as sad anymore, but not quite what it was the last time he had seen her.  He began to play what he heard, a beautiful melody, but with a bit of a sad undercurrent that spoke of loss and uncertainty. Something was still bothering his friend, but he would never pry. She got enough of that from her best friend.  Luka was patient. He could wait for her to come to him if she wanted to. He would be just as content sitting here in the comfortable bubble they found themselves in.

“What do you think?” Marinette asked, bringing Luka out of his thoughts.

He looked over the page.  The figure was dressed in a pair of distressed black skinny jeans, an aqua shirt, and a black hoodie, all with teal and black accents in a snake motif.  It was nicer than his usual look, but still looked comfortable and played to his style. Marinette always had a way of bringing a person’s personality and style into her designs, much like he was able to put a person’s feelings into music.

“It looks great, Marinette.  Where did you get the snake idea from?”

Marinette startled, trying to figure out how to explain she knew he was Viperion at one point, but then remembered the Miracle Queen incident.  She didn’t want to ruin the mood they found themselves in, so she decided to steer clear of it. After scrambling her mind, she found another reason.  “Well, you remind me of a snake. Quiet and hidden in the background, happy to be left alone. However, you will strike to defend those you love. Also, your music could charm even the most savage of beasts.”

Luka’s cheeks tinged pink at the compliment.  “Thanks, Marinette. That means a lot.”

“What was that song you were playing?  It was really pretty,” Marinette inquired, putting her sketchbook away after making a few notations about fabrics and a reminder to get Luka’s measurements.

“Oh, it was, uh” Luka began, not sure how to explain.  “It was the song I heard from you,” he finished quietly.

“That makes sense,” she replied quietly, placing a hand on Luka’s thigh.  “Could you play it again?”

Luka nodded and started playing.  Marinette once again got lost in the music, the sounds soothing something inside her heart.  For months, her thoughts had swirled with endings, disappointments, and loss. Now, she began to feel hope again.  A feeling that things would turn for the better, that the beginning was within reach if she had the courage and strength to grab it.  As the song finished, she opened her eyes slowly to see Luka looking at her, and she made a decision. One she should’ve made long ago.

“Hey, Luka?  Would you like to go to dinner sometime?” Marinette asked quietly, hope and nervousness lacing her voice.

“I would love to, Marinette.”  Luka reached up and cupped her cheek, watching her face for signs to stop as he slowly leaned in.  When she offered no resistance, instead of tilting her head slightly, he closed the distance between them.

“Adrien,” Emilie called softly from the other side of his bedroom door.  “If you don’t leave now, you are going to be late.” When she didn’t hear him reply, she slowly opened the door to peer inside and found her son fiddling with his outfit and hair in the bathroom mirror.  “Nervous?”

Adrien’s head whipped toward his mom, a blush appearing on his cheeks.  “That obvious?”

Emilie smiled as she walked over to him, straightening his collar and brushing off his shoulders with her hands.  “It’s okay to be nervous. This is a big step. I thought your father was going to pass out when he asked me.”

Adrien chuckled at the image.  “I didn’t think Father could be nervous about anything.”

“He was sweating bullets that day, and at our wedding.  However, I never saw him more nervous than when he held you for the first time, like you would break if he moved at all.”  Emilie pulled Adrien into a hug. “We love you, kitten, and so does Marinette. I’m sure everything will go well and we will be anxiously awaiting your return.”

Adrien squeezed his mother tightly, thankful to finally have her back.  It had been a rough few months after her coma was reversed and she found out what had happened during her absence.  After that, the family was able to heal and grow closer over the last two years, which Adrien was eternally thankful for.  He finally had the relationship with his parents he wanted and they were allowing him to make decisions about his future, which started with his date tonight.  He let go of his mom and led her out of the room and down the stairs to the foyer where his father and Nathalie were awaiting his departure.

“Alright, wish me luck!” Adrien called as he rushed out the door to the waiting limo, nodding at his father and Nathalie.

His parents just smiled knowingly as they watched his car pull out of the gates.

---

“Are you sure this looks okay?” Marinette asked as she spun in front of her mirror.  She had spent the better part of the afternoon searching for the right outfit for tonight’s date.

“For the last time, girl, you could show up in a potato sack and Adrien would tell you that you look beautiful.  Stop fretting!” Alya replied, her exasperation lacing her words.

Marinette knew that, but tonight was special.  It was the four year anniversary of the day they became heroes and Adrien had told her he had a surprise for her, so she was more nervous than usual.  He always had these grand plans, like the flower race all over Paris just to show her how much he cared, and she was sure today would be no exception.

She was currently wearing a knee length red and black dress and black low-heeled wedges, as he had told her they would be walking a bit.  Alya had styled Marinette’s hair into a half-up style, a bun held by a ladybug comb and the rest in soft curls down her back. The necklace Adrien had given her was around her neck, the pink stones shimmering in the light of her room. 

Before she could protest and try yet another outfit, her mother’s voice came from the trap door, letting her know Adrien had arrived.  With one last look in the mirror, she pulled Alya into a tight hug, thanking her for everything, before grabbing her purse and heading down the stairs.

The girls came down to find Adrien standing inside the door, speaking quietly to Sabine in Chinese.  Marinette took a moment to appreciate Adrien’s outfit, black slacks with a green short-sleeve polo, before she made her presence known.

“Ready to go?” She asked as she walked up to Adrien, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Yep,” Adrien replied as he held out his arm for her to take.

“Have fun, you two,” Sabine called as the couple left the house, looking over to Alya.  They shared a knowing smile before getting ready to make their way to the restaurant.

---

Adrien led Marinette through the streets, making small talk about their weeks, until he came to a corner and stopped.  Marinette looked at him quizzically, wondering what was wrong.

“Do you remember this spot?” Adrien asked, watching Marinette’s face light up in recognition.

“This is where I crashed into you,” she whispered.

“Yep.  This was the beginning of it all, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it, yo-yo hit and all,” Adrien chuckled as Marinette hid her face in embarrassment.  “Come on, Clumsy Girl. We have a lot of ground to cover.”

They walked a bit further, stopping at the stadium where they had fought Stoneheart, the Eiffel Tower where Adrien had confessed his declaration to love Ladybug, no matter who she was under the mask, and finally made their way to where Master Fu’s shop used to be.

“Marinette,” Adrien began, his nerves beginning to get to him.  This was it, the moment their trip down memory lane had been building to.  “Four years ago, you crashed into my life and my heart and I haven’t been the same since.  You have taught me what love and friendship are all about, both as Ladybug and Marinette. I can’t see my life without you in it.”  He paused, dropping to one knee and pulling out a velvet box from his pocket. “Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you marry me?”

Marinette stood there, hands covering her mouth and tears beginning to fall down her cheeks, as she watched Adrien propose.  She quickly dropped to her knees and wrapped him into a tight hug, whispering ‘yes’ over and over. Pulling out of the hug, she cupped his cheeks, wiping the tears away as they fell.  “I love you, Adrien.”

He slipped the engagement ring on her finger, gently cupping her face with his other hand.  “I love you, too,” he whispered before kissing her.

---

Adrien led them to the restaurant where they were meeting their friends and family, walking on cloud nine.  He had known in his heart that Marinette wanted to marry him, but he had still been nervous about the ‘what ifs.’  Now that it was over, he could finally relax and enjoy the meal they were about to have. He stepped in front of his fiancée, his fiancée, and held the door open for her.  He quickly followed her in to see her face as everyone in the restaurant turned and shouted their congratulations.

“Adrien,” Marinette gasped.  “What is everyone doing here?”

“Well,” he started sheepishly.  “I told my parents and had to ask your parents, of course.  Then I took Alya to help pick out your ring, which led to almost everyone else knowing and before I knew it, everyone wanted to celebrate, so Father booked the restaurant and here we are.”  He rubbed the back of his neck, his shoulders pulling up a bit. “Sorry if it’s too much.”

She looked up at her wonderful fiancé, a smile playing on her face.  “It’s perfect, Adrien. Thank you.”

“Anything for you, Purrincess,” he muttered as he pulled her close for a kiss, much to the amusement of everyone gathered.

“You couldn’t go one day without punning, could you?” Marinette groaned, rolling her eyes.

“Nope,” he replied, a smirk playing on his lips.

“You’re a dork,” Marinette replied, swatting his chest.

“But I’m your dork.”