#chat!luka

She placed her yo-yo put in front of my mouth as we hit the water.

Marinette is Ladybug!

She looked at me sheepishly now.

“You can’t tell anyone!” She blurted, “Seriously, you can’t- you can’t-”

She started hyperventilating.

“I would never. Not in a million years. Your secret is safe with me Marinette.”

She stared for a long minute, then nodded.

“Thank you, Luka.”

I nodded.

“But now…. I should’ve known there was more to Hawkmoth’s plan.”

“It’s okay, since you’re ladybug you know I’m Viperion. I’ll help you however I can.”

She smiled, “Thank you. The battle isn’t over now!”

++++++++++++++++++++

“Your indecision is hurtful Adrien.”

He looked away.

It is hurtful, he keeps changing his mind, it seems almost like he’s leading me on. Using me as a backup. It hurts.

I jolted as something small and yellow, oh no, an akuma!

It reached Adrien before I could stop it. His eyes turning yellow.

Then everything went black.

+++++++++++++++++++++

I watched gleefully as miracle queen called the miraculous wielders to us. Hopefully Ladybug and Chat Noir got stung too.

But regardless, ladybug will be deprived of all her allies now.

I watched some boy I don’t know, that reporter for the Ladyblog, my son’s idiotic friend, some boy I don’t know, and the Tsurugi girl.

What a strange group.

But then my heart nearly stopped, my son. Adrien was a miraculous holder!?

If I do anything to stop the current plan and move him away then everyone will know my identity.

Okay, it doesn’t matter. It’ll be fine, we’re going to win anyways. Adrien will understand when I’m done. It doesn’t matter what happens in the meantime.

“Why such ridiculous choices! Anyways, grab your miraculous.”

The reporter girl grabbed the fox.

The first unknown boy grabbed the horse.

The second unknown boy grabbed the monkey.

My son grabbed the snake.

The last two, my son’s idiotic friend and the Tsurugi girl simply stood there.

“Why don’t they grab any?”

“Maybe because they don’t have any!”

“Or,” I murmured, “Someone is already wearing them.”

She ignored me, “Come on, hurry up and transform, my pawns!”

Drama queen more like.

“Trixx, let’s pounce.” Rena Rouge.

“Kalkki, Full gallop.” Pegasus.

“Xuppu, Showtime.” Roi Singe

“Sass, Scales slither.”

I stared in confusion at my son, that’s not Viperion. Then… who’s viperion? And why did my son take that miraculous?

“You were once Ladybug and Chat Noir’s minions, but from now on, you will be Miracle Queen’s Royal Guard!”

They bowed.

“Ladybug, Chat Noir, I’m gonna use your own weapons to defeat you. You’ll so regret not choosing me!”

I left to Mayura.

++++++++++++++++++++++

“I’m worried Luka. I was never able to give my guardian and master back the dragon miraculous. And now… He’s gone and I need him.”

“it’s okay, we can find-“

“Ladybug!”

I stared at another kwami swimming rapidly towards us. Oh dear, is that a cat?

And it held the black cat miraculous.

“Chat Noir has been stung, I managed to grab the miraculous and get away. Who’s this?”

“I’m Luka…”

“Cool, well, did the Master say anything when you returned the dragon?”

“I didn’t get the chance! He’s gone and… I tried, he’s missing.”

The kwami looked worried.

“Okay, one second. Hold this.”

He dropped the ring in her hand and zipped up.

We stood there for a minute before the cat came back down.

“Okay so, bad news. Hawkmoth got the miracle box, and the Master is desperately holding his shield against Mayura and Hawkmoth.”

“Oh no, this is all my fault, I didn’t transform back before going to find him and-“

“Oh bug,” the cat kwami moved over to her, “It’s not. In fact, it’s probably a good thing. If they were following you to find him then if you’d transformed back, they would’ve learned your identity.”

Both of our eye’s widened.

“That would’ve been bad. But it’s okay then now. All we have to do is save the Master before Hawkmoth and Mayura break through! And if anyone has the knowledge and skill to do that, it’s you Mari- Ladybug.” I stared at her earnestly, trying to convey the faith I have in her.

She peeked up, swallowing before nodding.

Then threw her arms around me, “Thank you Luka. You always know just what to say.”

I smiled, hugging her back. “How could I not have complete faith in you. No matter if you’re in the mask or out, you always do your best to do good. I don’t know how I didn’t know who you were sooner, you’re the only one that could be kind enough to be Ladybug.”

She squeaked, burying her head in my shoulder.

“We can do this Ladybug.”

She pulled back with a nod.

“Okay, now we have to free them from Miracle Queen. You don’t have a miraculous, we should fix that. You work best with the snake, but…”

She stared at the ring in her hand, “Plagg, would you mind having a temporary wielder, until we can get the snake back?”

The little kwami hummed, zipping in front of me.

“I suppose he’s alright, could be worse.” He moved around me. “Alright, I’ll allow it. He can use my Miraculous until we get my cat back.”

She beamed, “Thank you Plagg.”

She now turned to me with a serious expression.

“Luka Couffaine, this is the Miraculous of the black cat. I am giving it to you for this battle and this battle only. When we have finished, you will return this miraculous to me. Do you understand?”

I nodded, “I understand. You can count on me Ladybug.”

“Plagg, power up.” She held out another blue thing that Plagg ate, changing his appearance? He now had a tail and fins.

Plagg swam in front of me, “Say Plagg, Claws Out.”

“Plagg… Claws Out!”

The energy that flowed over me was different from the creeping slither of Sass’s. This power was chaotic, energizing. It felt like I could take on the world.

I smiled at Marinette, Ladybug, as I felt the uniform settle.

“You look great!” She said.

I glanced down to note the boots, the green highlights on the suit, the chains hanging loose, I moved my arms, I like the jacket that came with it, open, with bright green for chest with deep black plating. I like it. The bright green isn’t too much, and it goes well with the black. I felt the mask on my face and the ears on my head. This’ll work.”

She smiled, “Now we have to save the others.”

I nodded, Ladybug’s got this. And I’ll help however necessary.

“Then we can defeat Mayura, Hawk Moth, and his sentimonster. But first we’ve gotta neutralize those wasps so we can get out of the water. If we get stung, it’s all over.”

Luka smiled, “Sounds like you have a plan.”

She grinned, “Yep, I’m gonna make it easy for us.”

She put a necklace on. I watched curiously as a ? Dragon? Came out.

“Alright, how does that work then?” I asked.

“I’m ready to fight Ladybug!” The little dragon kwami said.

She smiled at me, “Up we go.”

“When we reach the surface say Claws in, it’ll get rid of the powerup so you can fight normally.”

“Claws in!”

“Spots off!”

“Tikki, Long, Unify!”

I watched in awe as the black and gold swept up her body, leaving her in a cooler outfit then her normal one. Plus, a sword.

The two of us flipped, heading towards land.

“Water Dragon!”

An orb of water surrounded us.

Okay, that’s really cool. Marinette really is amazing.

We hit the ground, the orb of water expanding to cover the other controlled heroes and pushing Chloe back.

“Ladybug! And hey, you’re not Chat!”

Ladybug smirked, “It’ll be Dragonbug to you Chloe.”

I nodded, then realized I need a name.

“I’m- I’m the Noir Knight.” I nodded, “I’m Noir Knight, here to guard Ladybug.”

“A few extra powers aren’t going to save you, you know.”

We both looked up to see Hawkmoth.

“In a few moments when the old guardian is too weak and his shield is broken, I’ll force him to tell me your secret identities. And it will all be thanks to Ladybug! She led you all to your doom!”

Marinette frowned, her song filled with worry. The pain in her eyes…

“He’s trying to divide you! Don’t listen to him! Ladybug! I chose you for a reason. And I trust your judgement.”

A voice I don’t recognize.

Well, “You’re wrong Hawkmoth!” I called, “Ladybug is kind and helpful. She’s risked everything for this city time and time again. You tried to follow her to find out her identity, but you failed at that. You might have found the Master, but you failed to find Ladybug! And that’s the important thing! We will stop you, because Ladybug is here and I’m here to help her. It doesn’t matter what you say or do! You can’t win against her!”

She stared at me, her eyes wide.

Then she smiled, her song alight with joy and determination.

“It’s us against the world Noir Knight.”

I smiled, “Whenever you need me.”

We turned back, “I fight with Ladybug!”

“Welcome to your doomsday, Hawkmoth!”

“Urgh, It’s time to take action my queen!”

“Guards! En Guard!”

The four heroes started using their powers, mirage, uproar, voyage, and… second chance.

That’s the one I need. I need Sass back.

“Right, Knight, Aspik is the most dangerous with second chance. You focus on him.”

She flashed me a smile, “You’ve got this, you know his powers better than him.”

I nodded, “Understood, you be careful Ladybug.”

She nodded, and both of us moved in.

Her sword out and yo-yo drawn she was already able to counter the controlled heroes.

I raised my hand, “Cataclysm!”

I charged towards Aspik, kicked him back.

I charged towards Aspik, kicked at him, grabbed his hands and yanked.

“I got it!” Ladybug grabbed his wrist, and the bracelet was off. A flash of light and Adrien and Sass were there.

“Alright Knight!” She called, “It’s your turn!”

She tossed me the bracelet and I grinned.

“Sass! Scales Sllither!”

The familiar power of Sass surged over me. The mask sharpened, the Jacket gained a scale pattern. The bright green changed to Sass’s aqua shade. A diamond appeared on my chest. The boots became more streamlined.

Perfect.

“Second Chance!”

Better safe than sorry.

I swiped out two illusions, noticing behind Dragonbug another figure.

“Dragonbug, behind you!”

She sliced through the illusion in front of her then shot her yo-yo through the figure behind, only to falter when it was an illusion too, and Roi Singe caught her yo-yo.

Roi Singe tapped his Uproar item to it, and the water disappeared.

Not good.

I quickly set us back to the beginning.

“They’re all illusions Dragonbug!”

I charged forward, noting the hole appearing, just barely rolled to the side, grimacing.

“Dragonbug keep your yo-yo in hand!”

I jumped, kicking Roi Singe back, pulled the baton out to hit him hard. He slammed against the water barrier.

I grabbed his staff and his uproar item.

“Dragonbug, there!”

I pointed towards where Miracle Queen was. A crazy idea coming to mind.

If it messes up Dragonbug’s power so thoroughly with just a touch to her yo-yo, not even her, I just need to hit Miracle Queen.

She opened a hole and I threw the staff through. Ignoring her laugh I sent the uproar item through next.

The bee/wasp things exploded into confetti.

Dragonbug let the water shield fall. Sending her yo-yo out to grab Miracle Queen she dragged her to us.

I quickly grabbed the now discoball source of her power with my Cataclysm.

Dragonbug is great at figuring out the plan.

The other three that were under control quickly straightened.

“Longg, Tikki, Divide.”

Longg split off of her, she smiled at him.

I nodded though, best I copy her.

“Sass, Plagg, Divide.” I caught Sass as he came off, smiling gently.

He winked at me.

“No more evil doing for you, little akuma. It’s time to de-evilize!”

She flicked her yo-yo out, snapping up the akuma. “Gotcha.”

“Bye bye little butterfly.”

Chloe changed back to normal, or well, changed by to Queen Bee.

I turned to look at Hawkmoth, best keep an eye on the enemy.

He laughed, letting out another akuma.

Chloe lit up, grabbing for the akuma.

How dare she!

Ladybug caught the akuma, purifying it as well.

“Hawkmoth is our enemy, Chloe. He can’t get ahold of the Miracle Box!”

I glared at Chloe, “How dare you. This is willingly working with him. A terrorist.”

“Well I’m not on your side anymore!”

“So then you’re a terrorist.”

She glared, “You didn’t want me. How many times did I ask to fight alongside you? And how many times have you refused to give me back my Miraculous. How many huh?”

My glare intensified. “It’s not YOUR Miraculous.”

She glared at me, “Hawkmoth isn’t my enemy, he’s yours! And the Miracle Box is mine!”

“He’s an enemy of the city! Of the country! Siding with him, Chloe you’re a criminal. You’ll be arrested for this!”

Ladybug nodded, “Chloe!”

Chloe ignored us, sitting down and opening the box.

She started to put on all the jewelry, a necklace, a hair pin, a bracelet thing, a ring, a nose ring, an anklet, another necklace.

“No Chloe don’t do that!”

“Oh yes I am, I’m going to be the most powerful Miraculous wielder there ever was!”

Hawkmoth’s laughter in the background only made me angrier.

This spoiled brat thought that she could get away with literal terrorism? That there would be no consequences of this.

I glanced down at my baton.

Hmm.

I hit record.

“I don’t even need to do anything! I knew you were one of us, Chloe Bourgeois!”

Chloe laughed madly, throwing her arms out.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Transform me!”

The kwamis seemed entirely unimpressed.

“She doesn’t even know our names!”

“You didn’t give the right commands!”

“Or say please for that matter.”

“I am your queen!” She cried, “The queen of the Miraculous! I command you to tell me how to proceed!”

I frowned as my ring beeped, I don’t have much time left.

“Then the Guardian will be at my mercy!”

I glanced back at Hawkmoth, well, that’s going great.

“Your friends are about to transform back! You’re on your own. Checkmate, Ladybug.”

Her eye’s narrowed, she scanned the area and nodded.

“I still have one move left Hawkmoth,” She flashed a smile at me.

“Lucky Charm!”

She threw her yo-yo up, a blur of ladybugs and a keyring fell into her hand.

She frowned, “A keyring? What am I supposed to do with this?”

She looked around frowning.

Hawkmoth laughed some more.

I don’t really hate people, but I think I can make an exception for Hawkmoth. And Chloe.

“Nothing! There’s nothing you can do! My plan was perfect! You can’t beat me!”

I squinted.

He sucks.

She looked around more, before turning to me.

“I can’t figure it out!”

“It’s okay Ladybug. Take a deep breath, center yourself, then focus. You’ve got this. You’re the smartest girl I know.”

She breathed in slowly, then let out the breath. Closing her eyes, she just breathed for a moment.

Then she looked around again.

Her expression faltered when she saw the Master again.

“I-“

“Hey,” I stepped closer, gently holding her shoulders, “Look at me. Nothing else. Just me. It’s okay.”

“But it’s my fault. If I hadn’t forgotten to de-transform.”

“Then Hawkmoth might’ve found out your identity and found the Master.”

“But- I- It’s my fault. I’m the worst Ladybug to ever exist!” She dropped against my chest.

“No Ladybug,” The Master called down, “You are the best Miraculous holder I’ve ever met. You made mistakes, but who hasn’t? What matters is to fix them. And you always, always miraculously knew how to fix everything, right?”

“But what should I do Master!?”

“You hold all the keys Ladybug. You always have. And you will be the most magnificent of the Guardians.”

“What!?” Hawkmoth snapped.

“Master!” The Kwamis cried.

“No!”

“Don’t do it!”

“I, Want Fu, hereby relinquish the Miracle Box and name Ladybug the new Guardian!”

My eyes widened what-

He lit up with white light.

The miracle box in front of Chloe lit up as well, a blur of light as it changed form.

An egg of Red with Black spots, though it looked… off.

The Master’s transformation ended, the egg dropped from the air, landing in Chloe’s hands.

“No! It’s my Miracle Box, MINE! I’m the Guardian! I’m the Queen!”

Selfish brat.

“Hawkmoth! Tell him to give me my box back!”

Hawkmoth turned away, scooping up Mayura. The Sentimonster started away.

My eyes narrowed.

“I’ll go after them, you grab the box.”

She nodded, “Good luck.”

I tried to follow, but the Sentimonster was too fast. I wouldn’t be able to catch up. Better I go back to Ladybug. In case she needs any help, however unlikely.

I returned in time to see her take the bee back from Chloe, and to hear Chloe yell about leaving with ‘mummy’.

I landed by Ladybug as the spoiled brat stomped off.

“Sorry, I couldn’t catch them. But, Chloe can’t get away with this.”

She looked away, “I know.”

I nodded.

We both quickly turned to leap up to the Master.

“Master,” she cried, crouching beside him, “Master wake up!”

She let out a half sob, I crouched beside her, touching her shoulder.

“Master? Master? Please…” she whispered.

He groaned.

The little kwami suddenly swept behind ladybug. Why did it-

“Oh, Such pretty costumes. Who are you.”

I felt Ladybug’s horror.

“Oh no,” I whispered, “Did he… did he lose his memory?”

The kwami pressed against Ladybug’s back.

“It’s the rule of the Guardians. Their memory gets erased when they pass on the box, to protect the secret identities of the Miraculous holders.”

“It’s all good,” Marinette said, her smile hiding the pain that her song held, “We’re friends sir.”

“Well, nice to meet you!” The Master said.

“Goodbye, Master.” The kwami whispered, dropping as his song ached with longing and sadness.

“Wait, Ladybug,” I turned to her, “You still have to cast the cure.”

She perked up, “Do you think-“

“I don’t know, I don’t know enough about the Miraculous. But it might be possible.”

“Of course.”

She pulled out the keychain that really did nothing for anyone.

“Miraculous Ladybug!”

The ladybugs swarmed around us, around the city.

“Master! Do you remember me?”

The hope in her song was almost painful.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, young lady, but this is the first time I’ve ever set eyes on you.”

The crash was hard. I might not know him, but he was Ladybug’s Master, and it’s clear that she loves him dearly.

The pain in her song, the resignation. I took her hand, trying to offer comfort.

“Yes, of course.”

“I guess since he did it to himself, and it had nothing to do with Chloe…”

“My magical ladybugs couldn’t do anything.” She whispered.

“It’s a shame you threw such a pretty keyring away.” The Master said, “I could’ve used it for my key. They were matching too.”

Ladybug gasped.

I blinked, oh, that’s what the keyring was for.

She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

We helped him down, then de-transformed back at the park.

“Thank you Luka.” She said, putting Longg’s Miraculous back in the box.

I handed her the snake Miraculous.

She stared at it for a long moment, before shaking her head.

“No, you were a huge help today.”

Plagg nodded, “Yeah, you did good for a first time cat.”

She locked eyes with me.

“Luka Couffaine, will you accept the duty of holding and guarding the snake Miraculous, putting it’s safety above your own, and use it to defend this city in times of need?”

I gasped, staring for a long moment before I swallowed. Nodding.

“I will.”

She needs me, I won’t let her down.

“Then Luka, you will keep Sass with you, reveal him to nobody, and when you are called, come to aid the city.”

She smiled, tears gathering.

“I’ll stand by you now and forever Marinette.”