#another tale

Fu - Paris Streets

Fu: “Tikki, Wayzz, divide!”

The old man’s costume disappeared in an instant. He leaned against a wall, desperately trying to compose himself. A small green creature that vaguely resembled a turtle rushed over to him. 

Wayzz: “Master.. You can’t keep doing this..”

Fu: “I know Wayzz.. I’m sorry Tikki. I know you disapprove. But the time has come to find a new-!”

Before he could finish he suddenly fell forward, collapsing to one knee. Tikki rushed to support him but before she could he collapsed to the ground. 

As his vision faded he saw a girl appear around the end of the alleyway. 

Marinette - Paris Streets

Marinette: “Sir? Sir? Are you okay?!”

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, an average girl who wouldn’t draw much attention anywhere she went. Except for her penchant for being clumsy…

Marinette: “Sir?! Oh gosh this is just my luck! I better get him to the bakery! Hold on sir!”

Marinette rushed over to him but quickly ended up tripping over her own two feet, slamming face first into the ground.

Marinette: “Ow ow ow.. Clumsy clumsy clumsy!” 

Marinette leaped back to her feet and rushed over to grab the man. She lifted him gingerly. Looking around for help, she decided to do her best on her own. She lifted him up and dashed out of the alley to her bike. She looked at her bike for a moment before deciding to just leave it. This man was way more important!

She hurried back to the bakery and practically kicked open the doors.

Marinette: “Mom! Dad! Total mega disaster! This guy passed out! Call the police! Call the hospital! Call Majestia!”

Tom and Sabine, Marinette's parents and the owners of the bakery, rushed over to her and examined the man.

Sabine: “Oh dear! Calm down! Let’s set him down on the chair in the living room! Honey, be a dear and get some water?”

Tom nodded and rushed over to do as she commanded.

Sabine: “Poor dear, he’s burning up! He must have gotten overheated! Perhaps he was running from all that commotion outside?”

Marinette walked over to the living room couch and set him down. She couldn’t help but notice the beautiful green amulet shaped like a turtle he had on his wrist. 

Marinette: “I wonder who he is…”

As she walked to the kitchen, Fu opened one eye. He waited until she was gone to flip over and behind the couch. He dashed across the room and in an instant leaped out an open window. He grabbed onto the ledge of the window-sill and then dropped down to the street.

Fu: “Careless.. To think I’d be saved by a child.”

He paused as he dusted himself off.. She had saved him, hadn’t she? A good heart, and a home full of love. She might be able to bear the burden of such a heavy responsibility. At least for a little while..? He felt another wave of exhaustion roll over him. He really would pass out next time. He needed to get back home and rest. He reached into his pocket.. Pulling out the Miraculous of Tikki…

Wayzz: “Master, you can’t be considering..”

Fu: “I can feel it. The power of using fusion has left a toll on me, Wayzz. I’m going to need time to recover, and SOMEONE has to have Tikki to be able to stop Hawkmoth..”

Wayzz: “But these people..!”

Fu: “It will just be for a little while! They’re good people and Hawk-” 

Before he could finish a wave of exhaustion rolled over him again.

Marinette: “Uh?! Mom?! He’s gone!”

Fu knew he didn’t have time to think it over. He tossed the miraculous box onto the window-sill. He then moved away as quickly as he could. 

Marinette rushed over to the window. She looked outside and almost knocked a small hexagonal wooden box off the window-sill. 

She rapidly rushed to grab it before it fell, awkwardly juggling it in the air before managing to yank it to her chest. 

Marinette: “Phew..”

She opened the box, spotting two black earrings. Had he left these as a gift to repay her?! 

Marinette: “Oh! You didn’t need to do that! You shoulda just told me you were okay!”

She looked around the streets for any sign of the man.. Only to spot her bike tipped over and smashed! It had fallen into the street and been runover!

Marinette: “OH NO! TOTAL DISASTER!”

She rushed out of her house, leaving the earrings sitting on a table by the door..

Adrien - School Entrance

At the school Adrien sprinted up the stairs. However, as he was almost up he heard a yelp. He turned, spotting an older man who’d fallen to the ground. Adrien dashed back down, leaping off the side of the stairs and then sprinting over.

Adrien: “Are you okay?”

Fu groaned as he tried to stand. His arms were weak and unsteady. 

Fu: “Sorry, boy. In a hurry to get to school?”

Adrien: “Ah… uh.. It’s embarrassing but my father actually forbid me from coming. My bodyguard’s probably hunting me down right now.”

Fu: “Bodyguard? You must be terribly important to your father.”

Adrien’s face dropped a little.

Adrien: “No.. I don’t think so..”

Fu furrowed his brow a bit at that. However, he spotted a large man and a woman over the boy’s shoulder.

Fu: “you’d better leave me. If you run you can make it into school.”

Adrien: “I’m not going to leave you! What if you fall down again?”

Fu: “You’ll be caught..”

Adrien smiled.

Adrien: “That’s okay. I’ll try again tomorrow..”

A kind heart, and with a sense of duty that overcame his own selfish desires. He might be able to resist the destructive impulses of that cat.. 

Adrien helped Fu to cross the street. By the time he did the large bodyguard and a woman with dark hair had both caught up. Adrien’s smile faded as he turned to face the two.

Adrien: “You won’t tell dad, right..?”

Fu slipped a small box into the boy’s bag and turned to finish his trip home. He didn’t have much choice. He was getting weaker by the moment…

Marinette - Mme. Bustier’s Classroom

Marinette slipped in the doorway. Fortunately everyone seemed distracted by Chloe causing a scene at the front of class. 

Chloe: “Ex-CUSE me new kid. But this is ~MY~ seat.” 

The new girl rolled her eyes dramatically.

Alya: “The name’s Alya. AH-LEE-YAH. And I don’t think there’s assigned seating in this class.”

Chloe: “You’re new here, so I’m willing to let you off a little easily. But this is MY seat.”

Marinette: “N-No it i-isn’t. It’s mine!”

Marinette dashed over with a box of macarons. However before she arrived she crashed into the floor spilling her macarons across the floor.

Chloe: “Oh boy. Another one of Dupain-Cheng’s hilarious pratfalls. “

She stomped a heel into one of the macarons.

Chloe: “Oops! I stepped on one of your little bakery’s treats? New year. New School New seats! Dupain-Cheng!”

Bustier: “Okay. I’ve had enough. Everyone just sit down, NOW. And the next outburst I hear is going to the office!”

Chloe glowered at Mme. Bustier. 

Chloe: “Adrien’s clearly not here today. So I'll let it slide TODAY. But if you’re still here tomorrow there will be PROBLEMS. Got it?!”

She practically hissed the words between clenched teeth at Alya before turning and taking her seat.  

Alya knelt down to help Marinette pick up her macarons. She sneaked a bite of one. 

Alya: “Wow! These are amazing!”

Somehow that little kind gesture made Marinette’s heart swell up, and helped her regain her composure. Alya met Marinette's gaze and her exasperated expression told Marinette that she was clearly already fed up with Chloe as well. 

Marinette: “Wow. I wish I could handle Chloe as well as you.”

Alya grinned.

Alya: “They say the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do -and say!- nothing!. My goal is to be a journalist! I want to reveal all the villains of the world, just like Majestia!”

She pointed to a picture of an American superheroine on her phone. Marinette was thoroughly impressed, however that peace didn’t last long.

Ivan: “KNOCK IT OFF KIM!”

Kim snickered a bit but then clasped his hands over his mouth as Mme. Bustier turned her attention to them. 

Bustier: “Didn’t I JUST warn you all? Kim, Ivan! To the principal’s office and explain it there!

Ivan: “But-! No! It wasn’t-!”

Bustier: “I have class to start! And we’re already late! I said no more interruptions so, go! Speaking of which. Marinette, I’ll need you to do cleaning duty. Don’t think I missed you sneaking in late.”

Ivan glowered at Kim who shot him a glare back. The two walked out in a huff to head to the principal’s office. Marinette groaned and slumped face first into the desk. 

Marinette: “So unfair..”

Alya: “Alya, Alya Cesaire. By the way, Nice to meet you.”

Marinette: “Oh! I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng!”

Alya: “That blonde sure is a load of work, huh?” 

Marinette laughed a bit too loudly, drawing a curt look from Mme. Bustier, who was doing some writing on the board to get read for her lecture. 

Marinette: “Yeah. We’ve been going to school together for years and she’s ALWAYS like that. I don’t know who this ‘adrien’ is, but if he’s another her this years going to be a total disaster.”

Alya: “UH! Hello girl! Teenage heartthrob Adrien Agreste! He’s the face of the Agreste brand!”

Marinette: “Oh my gosh! How did I not put that together!? That’s my favorite designer?!” 

Alya: “That’s EVERYONE’S favorite designer! Gabriel Agreste! And his son is practically as famous as he is!”

She showed Adrien’s posters on her phone.

Marinette sighed.

Marinette: “Well, He’s probably just another spoiled rich kid...”

Alya: “Well, let’s wait and see? Maybe he’ll surprise us! But first, maybe I can help you clean and you can catch me up on everyone? I am a bit of a journalist, y’know? I love to get the scoop!”

Mrinete giggled.

Marinette: “you mean you like to gossip!”

Alya: “It’s investigative journalism!” 

They didn’t have more time to talk as class began.. 

Ivan - Hallway

Kim looked to Ivan with his hands behind his head. 

Kim: “Hey man, I was just..-”

Ivan: “I don’t wanna hear it! You embarrassed me in front of the whole class! No! Worse! You RUINED my first day back! You ruined… the whole year already!”

Kim sneered looking away.

Kim: “Don’t you think that’s taking it a little far?”

Ivan punched a locker. He held a note which was crumpled up in one hand. However, as he did a black butterfly landed on the note, and turned into a black goo, turning the note itself black. When it did a voice creeped into Ivan’s ear, a voice Ivan didn’t recognize. A soothing, calming voice which gripped Ivan’s man.

Hawkmoth: “Ivan.. Abused by a bully, then by a teacher.. No one should have to suffer so much just for love. I’m Hawkmoth. I grant super-powers to create new superheroes! I can grant you the power to get your revenge on bullies and betrayers.. But in exchange I need your help. You see there are two little trinkets I need, in order to help everyone happy…”

A dark expression passed over Ivan’s face as a glowing outline of a butterfly appeared like a mask over his eyes. 

Ivan: “Me? A.. superhero? Who punishes bullies? R-Really?”

Kim: “Uh… Bro? Who are you t-talking to?”

Hawkmoth: “Yes, and I have the perfect design that would fit you..”

Ivan: “Hawkmoth! I accept your power!”

Suddenly a black liquid-like ooze poured over Ivan. He grew and transformed into a massive stone humanoid. He turned towards a terrified Kim, grabbing him. 

Stoneheart: “You’ll never make fun of me again Kim!” 

Kim: “Woah! Woah! Ivan! Chill bro!” 

Ivan smashed through the door of the room into MME Bustier’s room. He crashed across the room and through the wall! Exploding out into the exterior streets.

Bustier: “Uhm. uhh.. I th-think that’s.. C-class dismissed children…”

Alya: “Awesome!”

Alya grabbed her phone and bag. 

Marinette: “Huh? Where are you going?”

Alya: “Wherever there’s a super villain there’s also a superhero! I am NOT gonna miss this!”

She dashed for the door leaving Marinette standing dumbfounded. 

Adrien - Adrien’s Dining Hall.

Gabrielle Agreste, Adrien’s father, stood disapproving over the far end of the table.

Gabrielle: “I’ve already told you, you’re NOT going to school, Adrien.”

Adrien winced and looked at Nathalie who didn’t meet his eyes. She’d ratted him out!

Adrien: “Father.. I just want to-”

Gabrielle: “No school, and that’s final!” 

He turned and marched out leaving Adrien alone in the dining room. Adrien looked at Nathalie who didn’t meet his gaze.

Nathalie: “We can be done with our work for the day..”

Adrien didn’t wait for her to finish before bolting away from her and rushing to his room. He sighed and laid on his bed, when suddenly the box that had been placed in his bag rolled out and onto his bed.

Adrien: “Huh… What’s this?”

Adrien opened it, and suddenly a flash of green light filled the room. 

Marinette - Marinette’s Room

Marinette went into her room. The little box she’d left behind this morning was sat on her desk. She absent-mindedly picked it up. Her mom must have sat it up here thinking it was hers. Marinette opened it, and suddenly a red light flashed through the room.

A tiny red figure appeared from this flash. Marinette yelped and threw several books, socks, and shoes at it! She didn’t want to end up like Ivan!

Tikki: “Marinette! No! I’m Tikki! A Kwami!”

Marinette was breathlessly holding a massive textbook like a fly swatter. 

Marinette: “A kwaht?!”

Tikki: “I’m a Kwami! A magical being here to help!”

She flew over to the TV and turned up the news report

Reporter: “-a large stone man appears to be heading towards the Eiffel Tower! He appears to have a young student in his-”

Marinette turned it off.

Marinette: “And what am I supposed to do about THAT?!”

Tikki: “With my help you can stop him and protect everyone! You can transform into a superhero! All you need to do is put on these earrings and say ‘SPOTS ON!’. I’m sure that’s why my master sent me here!”

Marinette: “Master..? Wait. No. Th-this is too much! I’m clumsy! I can’t do anything right! Much less be a hero! I-I can’t!”

Tikki rushed to Marinette.

Tikki: “I know it’s a lot of responsibility.. But the world needs a hero right now. Those people need someone who can help them, and my master.. He’s too weak.”

Marinette: “Well, you can at least explain what I’d need to do ...? I guess …?”

Adrien- Adrien’s home.

Adrien: “Wait.. So whoever gets both the miraculous… can make any wish they want?”

Plagg: “Yeah, but it’s not a great deal. Blah blah unintended consequences. Anyhow, you got any cheese?”

Adrien wasn’t focusing. He stared at the picture of him, his mother, and his father. 

Plagg: “Oh this is shiny! Oh look at this!”

Plagg was flying around between the game tables, arcade cabinets, and everything else a young boy could ever want. 

Adrien: “If I got that… then we’d all be happy.. And I could help people along the way, … right?”

Plagg: “... huh? Cheese! I asked for cheese!”

Adrien opened his personal fridge and pulled out a piece of camembert. 

Adrien: “This stuff always makes my breath stink so I never eat it anyhow.”

He tossed it over to Plagg.

Adrien: “Okay, I’ll help you stop these bad guys and to find this missing miraculous. In exchange, you help me break out of here.”

Plagg: “Oh absolutely! I hate being cooped up in a place like this!”

Plagg gulped down the piece of stinky cheese in one bit. And good thing he did, since Adrien had already slipped on the ring and prepared himself.

Adrien: “PLAGG! CLAWS IN!”

Marinette - Marinette’s Room

Marinette: “The more I think about this, the more I think Alya would be better off than me..”

Tikki placed a hand on Marinette’s shoulder.

Tikki: “I can’t make you do this. All I can say is whoever does? It’s a big responsibility. The person is going to have to protect their own miraculous, while trying to find the two missing miraculous.. And they’re going to need to fight any villain who gets in their way. But my master picked you for this. And I think that’s because he saw something inside you. And I want to believe in that too..”

Marinette frowned. She still wasn’t convinced. She placed the earrings inside the box, which caused the small creature to vanish into the box as well. She rushed down the stairs and out the front door. Fortunately her parents were too distracted by the news to pay her any attention. She dashed out into the city streets…

Marinette: “You’re right. Someone has to do something! But your master got it wrong! Alya’s the PERFECT choice! Smart, brave, and confident! When she heard about all this stuff she ran TOWARD it, not away! She can do this!”

Chat Noir - Rooftops of Paris

Chat Noir dashed across the city’s rooftops. He felt.. Incredibly free! He felt brave! Strong! Acrobatic! He felt…. Like a superhero! He’d never felt a rush of freedom and joy like this. 

Suddenly, that elation had to take a back seat. Several cops were firing their guns at a massive stone figure. However, their shots only seemed to make him grow larger?!

Roger, a middle aged policeman, shouted to his men.

Roger: “Stop firing! You’re going to hit the kid! Just move the trucks to block his path and get out of the way!”

Chat Noir: “Uh. Let’s see… I think it’s like..”

With the press of the green pawprint the baton suddenly extended rapidly sending Chat Noir flying towards the stone foe. 

Chat Noir: “Catters up!” 

He swung the baton with all his power, crashing into the stone titan. Stoneheart slid backwards and turned to face the kid. He grabbed a car and threw it at him. Before it was even close Chat Noir slid under it and extended his Baton sending it up and into the car, knocking it back up into the air. Chat leapt up and then slammed the car with all his super-heroic might sending it flying into the stone behemoth.

Stoneheart went to brace himself, bringing his empty-handed arm up to block. The car crashed down and flipped over. As it slid to a halt it pinned a bystander against a wall. Oh no! 

Chat ran to get to her but Stoneheart threw a bus which Chat Noir barely managed to jump away from in time. Chat Noir extended his baton to try and save the girl, but Stoneheart used his balled up clenched hand to knock the boy away.

Hawkmoth: “The black cat miraculous? This is incredible! Stoneheart! With that miraculous we can create a world free of bullies forever! You must remove his ring!”

Marinette - City Streets. 

Marinette rushed down the streets. Ahead of her, the massive stone Ivan was holding.. A kid in a cat suit and.. oh no! Alya was pinned by a car!

Marinette’s hands shook… But suddenly resolve washed across her and she understood what she needed to do. She put the earrings on and dashed into an alleyway.

Marinette: “What were the words again? Tikki Spots On!”

With a flash of light and color Marinette Dupain-Cheng became Ladybug! Dressed in a red costume with black polka dots. She suddenly felt powerful! Capable of almost anything! She swung her yo-yo out and hooked onto a flagpole, swinging over towards where Alya was.

She wrapped her yo-yo around the car and with a powerful twist she threw the entire car at Stoneheart’s head. He slapped the char out of the air and knocked it to the ground. 

Ladybug: “Are you okay?”

Alya stared at her in total awe.

Alya: “Are you kidding? I got saved by a SUPERHERO!?”

Ladybug smiled. This girl was amazing. She really was deserving of this power. More than Marinette… But she couldn’t stop just yet. She threw her yo-yo out to a flagpole and swung over to catch up to the stone behemoth.

Ladybug: “Hey kitty kat, what’s YOUR name?”

Chat Noir: “I’m.. uh.. Chat Noir, my lady. I wasn’t aware I’d have a partner!”

Ladybug: “P-p-parter?! Me?! N-no way!”

She missed her swing causing her Yo-Yo to go straight up into the air and then crash down on Chat Noir’s head. He laughed a little, rubbing his head.

Chat Noir: “You’re.. Not like I expected. 

Chat Noir looked at her earrings. He wondered, briefly, if there was any way to easily ask her to give them to him. However, he was snapped out of it by a loud crash as Stoneheart flipped a police car over. Now was NOT the time. He needed to stop this guy, and to earn her trust.

Chat Noir: “So, any idea on how to stop this guy?”

Ladybug: “I think we’ll need to use our powers! But first-!”

Chat Noir: “Say no more, my lady! CATACLYSM!”

Chat noir’s hand suddenly began to boil with a black miasma-like energy. 

Chat noir reached out and touched a billboard of Adrien branded cologne, cackling widely as it turned to ash. 

Chat Noir: “Now I can destroy anything! Just sit back and wait, my lady!”

Ladybug: “Wait, no! Once you use your power-”

Chat noir rushed towards Stoneheart. He reached out, touching him…. And nothing happened.

Ladybug: “Didn’t your kwami explain anything?! Once you use your power it’s gone! And then you only have five minutes left until your transformation ends..”

Stoneheart dropped Kim and grabbed Chat Noir.

Kim crashed to the ground before crawling away to safety.

Ladybug was running out of ideas. And without any better plan..

Ladybug: “LUCKY CHARM!”

Ladybug threw her yo-yo into the air. Suddenly… An inflatable raft?!

She caught it, and suddenly her eye was drawn to his clenched fist! Right! She’d dropped Kim to grab Chat Noir! He must have something important enough that he’d rather let Kim go than it! He wouldn’t open that fist even when he left the classroom! The Akuma must be inside whatever he was holding! 

She rushed up to him and threw the raft at him. He easily snatched it out of the air. However, she pulled the rip chord on it causing it to expand all at once! In an instant it caused him to let go, dropping it and a black crumpled up note!

Ladybug swung in and smashed it, releasing a black butterfly from within. 

Ladybug: “Phew…”

With that Stoneheart turned back into Ivan. Kim crawled over to Ivan and wrapped him up in a big hug.

Kim: “I’m sorry for making you so upset man!”

Ivan: “N-No! It wasn’t.. When that Hawkmoth guy talked to me it’s like all I could feel was that anger..”

Ladybug: “Hawkmoth..?”

Kim: “I know I like to make jokes out of everything. But I really do think you should confess to Mylene. I wasn’t trying to make fun of you..”

Ladybug picked up the note. She handed the two pieces of it to Ivan.

Ladybug: “For what I think? There’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to confessing your feelings, Ivan.”

Ivan: “how do you know my na-?”

Alya: “wow wow wow! Two real life superhero!”

She was recording them both on her phone, and broadcasting it live.

Alya: “Do you have anything to say? Who are you? What are your names? Are you here forever?!”

Ladybug: “Er.. uh.. Just call me ladybug!”

Chat Noir flexed a muscle for the camera.

Chat Noir: “And I am Chat Noir. Your latest, greatest, most charming superhero.”

Ladybug grabbed his hand, which caused him to blush. However she turned it and showed his ring to him.

Ladybug: “The only thing you are is running out of time! Get out of here! Unless you want your real identity on the internet!”

She motioned towards the camera. He nodded quickly and then extended his baton soaring away. 

Ladybug turned to Alya. She wanted to ask her about taking over, but she couldn’t exactly do that live on camera, could she? She just flashed a smile and then threw her yo-yo, swinging away before SHE ended up revealing herself on the internet.

Marinette - Home

Marinette was on cloud nine. She’d done it! She really did do it all on her own!

Marinette: “Tikki We did it! We saved the city!”

Tikki smiled.

Tikki: “No! You did it! And I knew you could!”

However, as she set her bag down on the counter and entered the home she was suddenly wrapped up in a hug by her mother.

Sabine: “Oh darling there you are! I was so worried about you!”

Marinette: “Worried? But everythings okay now! Ladybug saved the day!”

Sabine: “Well sure, but now things are just getting worse!”

Marinette quickly looked over at the television, still playing live news. Video showed a single black butterfly landing on the Eiffel Tower. Suddenly it multiplied into hundreds of butterflies which scattered and flew off. Marinette’s stomach sank. She rushed upstairs and slammed her door.

Marinette: “Tikki? Why are the butterflies spreading?!”

Tikki: “Oh dear. It looks like I didn’t mention the most important part! You need to catch it and purify the akuma!”

Marinette: “Oh no! You did say that! I completely forgot! I’m so clumsy and forgetful and awful! I’m not cut out for this! People are going to get hurt and it’s all my fault!”

Tikki: “No, Marinette! It’s okay! We just need to go catch the Akuma and-”

Marinette pulled her earrings off and shoved them into her jewelry box. The tiny red figure disappeared suddenly. She wiped tears from her eyes before resolving. She’d give this to Alya, no matter what!

Adrien - Adrien’s Room

Adrien: “So only Ladybug can purify the akuma?”

Plagg: “Yeah! Pretty careless of sugarbug not to tell her new holder how to finish the job. But basically all you can do is wait for Ladybug to show up again.”

Adrien: “And what about all the butterflies?”

Plagg: “They won’t do anything until the original goes back into its host.. So it’ll be fine so long as Ladybug gets back out there and deals with it. Now, where is that cheese you gave me earlier?”

Adrien: “Great. I’m gonna smell like camembert forever…”

Hawkmoth - Hawkmoth’s Lair

Hawkmoth held his scepter with a gleeful smile.

Hawkmoth: “The Ladybug and Cat miraculous revealed themselves! That fool of a guardian finally slipped up and lent out his precious miraculous to a couple of rank amateurs! Now with my Akumas all over the city it’s just a matter of time until a sensitive boy like Ivan gets upset again. Then I’ll finally have those miraculous once and for all!”