#aksonawk1

Elliot “Leo” Chastain was born and raised in Cologne, Germany, under Professor Wolfram Chastain’s guidance with his extensive knowledge on European literature. Leo’s Irish mother, Dr. Caitlín Quirke, had passed away from breast cancer when Leo was fourteen. Equipped with fond memories and an adoration for French literature and culture, Leo found out about an abroad program and requested to study in Paris, France, something Wolfram found odd, yet immediately agreed to, in hopes of reducing the pain caused by Caitlín’s passing. About a year later, the pair established residency in Paris, and Leo was enrolled in Collège Françoise Dupont, joining the same class as Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Leo was later gifted with a Miraculous - the “unbreakable spirit” of the hero, Lionheart. Leo did not know where it came from, but Löwwe, the kwami of the claw ring, explained that only pure and kind-hearted people became a Miraculous holder. It made no sense to the new hero, as Leo explained to Löwwe, there was no outstanding or amazingly nice action to be revered. He just laughed and said it wasn’t that simple.

Back in Cologne, Leo took classes on first aid in addition to normal collège courses, with hopes to fulfill dreams of becoming an athletic doctor or basketball coach. Leo wasn’t the smartest student, the quickest thinker, or the best shooter. In fact, Leo believed that being the fastest runner on the track team wasn’t very impressive at all. There was always going to be someone who was better, and Leo desired nothing more than to continue reaching for the skies. It didn’t take long for people to notice just how hard Leo worked to max out any potential in every academic subject too. (Except math. Leo despises math.) Unbeknownst to Leo, Master Fu had searched high and low for the proper fit to the Lionheart Miraculous: someone hot-headed and passionate enough to protect any and all people or morals important to them. And that’s when Fu encountered Leo. Leo’s obvious love for track and field showed in the time and effort put into every race. That wasn’t all though. Leo on the track revealed a fierce competitiveness to strive for the top and be number one, a completely different side of the Leo who was normally cool and composed in any other situation. Fu kept a close eye on Leo, but soon realized that kid was the perfect fit.

When it came to winning, there was no overconfidence or boasting - only humbleness and the utmost respect for the other competitors. Fu watched Leo closely. Leo didn’t need money; Wolfram made more than enough for the two to live comfortably. Though most didn’t realize it, Leo would anonymously donate the prizes of every win to a local charity which supported impoverished neighborhoods with educational and medical benefits. Strength in hard work, humility and passion, but more importantly, strength in numbers. Leo wasn’t a lone hunter, but empowered the pride. That was the type of strength which complimented the Lionheart best: leadership and teamwork.

But even the most humble of heroes can be struck down. Before believing that becoming a superhero was a reality, Leo participated in a cross-nationality race in Paris, where the best teenage runners from across Europe gathered for a shot at honor, glory and a large monetary prize. Leo realized too late that the race was rigged by none other than Chloe Bourgeois, who set it up to get on the good side of one of the “handsome” runners. This was Leo’s double-edged sword: uninhibited rage. Leo was not the type of person to allow any unjust action to happen, and Leo would never stand aside idly. Controlling emotions was something that Leo simply did not know how to do. Angered at the utter disgrace and shame Chloe created of the sport, Leo was soon controlled by Hawkmoth, becoming The Ripper, who could not be outrun as he sped through Paris, knocking down building after building with his sheer speed. (#justastructhings #casuallydestroysmonuments)

After being freed by the exhausted superhero pair of Ladybug and Chat Noir, Leo realized just how important the task of joining them was. As soon as Leo arrived home, Löwwe was released from the ring and subsequently bombarded with a slew of apologies and bows of the head. Löwwe accepted every apology and pointed out that heroes were not perfect, which made them all the more endearing and appreciated. Normal people dealt with Herculean tasks on a daily basis - you didn’t have to wear a mask to be a superhero, he said.

Though Leo may have to, Lionheart never has to pretend. He never has to hide who he truly is and will never back down from a fight involving anything or anyone he cares about. Sometimes, he oversteps his boundaries and lets his anger flare a little too hot, but he knows that he has to own up to the mistakes he’s made, no matter the consequences. Leo knows that she’s living a double life - she’s the hard-working athletic, with tons of passion and leadership skills at school, but he’s also the wielder of the Lionheart Miraculous, one of the protectors of Paris - and, in the future, beyond the scope of France! It’ll be hard for her to embrace this new identity - and perhaps one day, she will be able to trust this odd feeling inside of her… the feeling that being Lionheart, being seen as a man, is right and perfectly okay.

Löwwe’s got Leo’s back. After all, that’s how a pride of lions cooperates! It’s a work in progress, and the kwami is proud of him for whatever he decides to do, regarding both his superhero life and personal life.