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can we please talk about nino and alya’s relationship? because sometimes i feel like it’s overlooked.
they are the absolute cutest and my favorite moment is in zombizoo when alya gets (kisses?) and nino stays with her and gives her like a little speech and god i love them
i also love how the creators didn’t make alya nino’s ‘crush’ at first, because i feel like it adds a whole other layer to their relationship (i feel like i’m just rambling but hear me out)
also? their relationship doesn’t feel forced like some others in tv shows
nino’s just so oblivious and doesn’t realize she knows he’s carapace immediately and i love him,,
what
am
i
talking
about
anyway i just love nino and alya and their relationship bye
I promised it, here it is. I’m prepping the chapter for tomorrow.
“Where did you learn to do this?” Nino asked as he watched Alya pick the lock to Adrien and Plagg’s room.
Not finding their pre-recorded track in the studio was a nightmare scenario, so he was thankful he’d arrived so early. Racing back to Plagg’s to try and fix the issue, he had bumped into Alya—since her parents couldn’t make it this weekend, she asked if she could tag along with him. Nino didn’t have the heart to tell her no, but that turned out in his favor since the door was locked and neither friend was picking up their phone. She apparently had some very useful talents.
“Some things, you don’t want to know,” she teased.
Her sleuthing abilities were on the next level, and that only made her more attractive.
“You said this was important, right?”
No backup, no show. “Very.” Even if he had to grab an old recording, Nino wouldn’t be picky. Sure the regular listeners would pick up on a reused show but Lila wouldn’t.
“Got it!” Alya exclaimed.
“You’re the best!” Nino kissed her cheek before bolting past her.
“It has to be here somewhere, Plagg said he was going to leave it here.” Nino tore through the room—not that anyone would be able to tell with its current state. Adrien’s side wasn’t the problem, but Plagg on the other hand...
“Can you at least tell me what I’m looking for?”
He had tried to ditch her, but she stuck to his side being overly helpful. The last thing he could do was tell her he was looking for stuff for YVR. Alya was already suspicious, and getting way too close for comfort.
“Ah-hah!” The voice behind them caused the two to jump.
Nino's eyes squeezed shut, praying that he misheard, that it would be anyone but Chloé Bourgeois behind them.
“Are you out of your damn mind, Nino? We can’t afford this.”
“Correction—” Nino leaned closer, his face inches from Alya’s before continuing with a silky-smooth voice, “—we couldn’t afford it.”
For a moment Alya simply stared at him in confusion but when his grin started to twitch, threatening to erupt into laughter it finally clicked.
“No!” she gasped. “You’ve got it? Don’t tell me you got it!”
“I did!”
“No!!! No way, Nino! What were the chances?”
“Really slim but your man did it anyway,” he bragged with a satisfied grin. “And guess what? They want a five-year contract!”
“What?” Alya’s eyes widened. “Nino! Nino, do you even know what it means????”
“I think I do, babe!” He gently swept away the loose string of hair from her eyes. “And the first thing I’ll spend all that cash on is to take you to Hawaii’s coolest resort. Especially—” Nino paused taking the time to dive down and place a gentle kiss on his wife’s bulging belly, “—because I don’t think we’ll do much traveling after this little girl shows up.”
“That’s ridiculous Nino,” Alya puffed in return. “There are so many inventions these days that traveling with a child is no problem. We’ll be fine but—" she placed a hand on Nino’s shoulder who was still nuzzling her belly, “—speaking of babies and their names in particular-“
“We’re not calling her Adrienette, Alya,” Nino interrupted immediately. “This is little Zoey Lahiffe. I thought we agreed on that.”
“Yes, yes, I know,” Alya rushed to reassure him. “We agreed on Zoey and we are sticking to it. I love this name but what about her middle name?”
“We are not giving our child a middle name to commemorate Adrien and Marinette’s engagement, Alya. This is ridiculous.”
“Nino, do you even realize how hard I worked on opening Adrien’s eyes to the fact that Marinette is not just a friend?” Alya lamented. “Do you know how much scheming I had to do to kick that boy out of his Ladybug clouds and back to the Earth so he could finally notice the amazing girl right in front of him?”
“Yes, I know Alya,” Nino chuckled, standing back up. “I helped you all the way if you remember but Adrienette isn’t even a name. Plus, it’s so obvious-“
“Okay, Okay.” Alya inhaled deeply and proposed. “What about Marien then?”
“Marien?”
“Yes, Marien.”
“As in Marinette plus Adrien instead of Adrien plus Marinette?”
“Yes, exactly,” Alya nodded. “It’s not as obvious but it’ll still do the job. Nino,” she pleaded. “I just want to celebrate this achievement somehow and giving our baby girl the names of our best friends seems so ideal. Think about it more like honoring them instead of their ship finally sailing.”
Nino paused for a moment then murmured with a smile on his lips, “Zoey Marien Lahiffe. You know what?” He cupped Alya’s face and placed a light kiss on her lips. “I think I like that.”
“You do? Honestly?”
“Yup. Let’s do this but don’t tell them Let’s make it a surprise.”
“Yes!” Alya squealed and caught her husband’s lips in a kiss. “Thank you so much,” she whispered when they broke away.
“No problem, babe. It is a nice name and I do love our friends enough to commemorate their union this way,” Nino chuckled. “Though I really hope they don’t call one of their kid Ninalya or Alino.”
“You never know,” Alya laughed and got back to her laptop to research that amazing Hawaiian place Nino’s new job allowed them to visit soon.
I thought you’d like this, @panda-capuccino, since you liked Unexpected Surprise so much. :) Hopefully, you did!
P.S. I’m not taking anymore requests at this time. I think I have enough for a few months now so I’ll focus on answering those and finishing my other fics.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
After 5 years of a never ending battle with Hawk Moth, the Akumas suddenly come to a stop. For 4 months Paris seems like it’s finally at peace, but it may turn out to be only the calm before the storm. When Alya starts to hear a familiar voice, she realizes very quickly that Hawk Moth is far from gone. Alya must resist the temptation to discover the truth behind Ladybug, but as her life slowly falls apart around her Hawk Moth’s grip only becomes stronger.
AO3 Fanfiction.net
There was a knock on the door.
“Just a minute!”
Nino watched the news as he made his way to the door. Ladybug and Chat Noir were in the middle of an akuma battle and the flashes of orange and smoke told him that Volpina was there too.
He opened the door still facing the TV, “Sorry I was just-”
No one was there.
Nino frowned and looked down the hallway, “Hello?” He was the only person there and all the other doors were closed. Maybe he had imagined the knock?
He was about to leave when he caught sight of an ornate red box on Adrien and his welcome mat. He bent down to pick it up and looked around again. “Did anyone leave this?” He called out once more, but just like before no one answered.
With one last look from the box to the hallway Nino went back to his couch and shut the door behind him. The akuma looked like it was wrapping up a monologue while it held Ladybug and Chat Noir helpless. He was worried until the flash of orange jumped in between the and villain the heroes, freeing Chat Noir in the process.
With a quiet sigh of relief he picked up the box alternating examining the decor on the outside and glancing up at the tv.
Nino found the hinge and opened it as a reporter came on the screen.
There was a flash of green light and Nino shielded his eyes momentarily. When he opened them he saw a jade green bracelet sitting inside the box and a floating green creature peering down at him.
To Nino, the creature looked like something Alya would buy for her sisters. A cute plushie to hang on a keychain, and he was more confused by how it was floating then what it was, that is, until it began to move and talk.
“Hello Chosen,” The creature nodded it’s head in a deep bow, “I am Wayzz-”
Nino lept over the back of the couch and crashed onto the floor with a yelp.
“Chosen?” Wayzz floated to peer over the couch.
“Who-Who are you?” Nino grabbed a pillow and held it up as a shield.
“I told you I am Wayzz.” Wayzz seemed to be a little shaken.
“Where do you come from?” Nino held the pillow a little closer to the creature, “What planet? Are you here to abduct me?”
Wayzz was at a complete loss, “Chosen I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What are you?” Nino was still hiding behind a cushion and let out another shriek as the creature floated through it.
“I’m a Kwami. A creature from another world who was granted access to yours to help humanity. I have served miraculous users for many many years and have been honoured to serve under guardians as well. You have been chosen to become the next miraculous user.”
“A what?!?”
Wayzz let out a short sigh and floated up over the couch, “Chosen look over here. See this TV where Ladybug and Chat Noir are fighting?”
Nino nodded silently, still a little frightened the creature was going to shoot laser beams or beam him onto a ship. Was he being a little crazy? Yes. But it wasn’t every day that a floating green creature with- Was that an antennae? No this was not normal. He was not acting crazy.
Wayzz looked at the frightened face of his chosen and sighed again, a little longer than the last one.
“Ladybug and Chat Noir have Kwami too. It is what gives them their power and their strength to fight.” Wayzz gave his chosen a gentle smile, “You have been chosen to wield this power too. The guardian and my previous owner has given me to you, to aid Ladybug and Chat Noir! To defeat Hawkmoth and save Paris! You are the next hero!”
“I’m a what?”
Wayzz forced himself not to sigh anymore, “If the Master chose you himself you must possess great talent and wisdom. Tell me Chosen, how much do you know of the miraculous?”
Nino’s blank stare and gaping mouth did not exactly inspire confidence in Wayzz.
“That is alright, these things can easily be learned. You must be a leader then! An excellent leader! Tell me Chosen what do you do for a living? Are you head a government or company? Do you perhaps lead people?”
Nino shook his head, “I’m a DJ.”
“Is this perhaps a breed of warrior?”
“No I play music. For people to dance to? At clubs?”
“Clubs? You play music to inspire fighting?”
“No!” Nino shook his hands finding his feet again, “It’s a place for people to go dancing. Dude I don’t do anything with fighting or leading. I think you're talking to the wrong person.”
Wayzz fell silent for a moment, “Could you perhaps be very athletic or strong?”
“No.”
“Maybe a good strategist?”
“I’ve never won a game of chess.”
“Maybe you are very charming? People like you a lot?”
Nino sighed, “I think you’re meant for my roomate. He fences and plays sports. He speaks something like 3 languages. He’s a model. You’ve probably even heard of him, Adrien Agreste. He’s the one that’s supposed to have all this power and strength or whatever.” Nino flopped down on the couch, “Guy deserves it too. He never got any of that freedom or power growing up. If you just wait around for a bit I’m sure he’ll show up. Hell, he’ll probably jump for joy when he hears this. He’s in love with Ladybug you know. Do you think you could set them up?”
Wayzz looked at his chosen who was smiling at him so sincerely. “Do you not want to be a hero?”
Nino looked at the Kwami in shock and then frowned in thought. “I don’t know. I guess it would be pretty cool. Who doesn’t want to be a superhero right? But I’m not the right guy for it, you should get someone who Ladybug and Chat Noir could use, not just some guy who thinks it would be fun.”
Wayzz smiled, “You are my Chosen. I see it clearly now.”
Nino raised an eyebrow, “Dude, I just told you all the reasons you shouldn’t pick me.”
“I am not the one who picks Chosen, the Master picked you for a reason, and he was right to wait to find you.”
“What? Why?” Nino sat up completely watching the smiling floating creature.
“You are a wise soul Chosen, and above that a kind one. You are the perfect match for me.”
“Wise? How am I wise? Dude I barely passed History in school!”
“Wisdom and knowledge are two different things Chosen.” Wayzz seemed to humm in glee as he spoke, “And your wisdom is the kind that hides deep inside and is shown through your every word and gesture.”
Nino wondered absently if eating pizza in his pajamas so that his clothes didn’t get stains counted as wise.
“I’ll take your word for it little green dude.”
“You will see soon enough Chosen.”
“Stop calling me that. Just call me Nino.”
“Your name is Nino?”
“Nino Lahiffe.”
Wayzz seemed to smile even larger at that and Nino watched on in confusion, “What? What did I say?”
A noise akin to a giggle left Wayzz, “You are the perfect chosen Nino. What luck the master found you.”
“Ladybug, how do you explain the sudden increase in Hawkmoth’s attacks on the city?”
Ladybug stood beside the reporter looking as professional and serious as she frequently was these days. When Alya was 15, Akuma attacks would happen maybe once a week, sometimes even longer apart, but after the 4 month hiatus of Hawkmoth, he returned with attacks happening twice a day sometimes. Paris was worried. Ladybug was worried. Alya was panicking. The voice in the back of her head came back every once and awhile, it would ask her again and again who the girl who sat beside her was, and even if her curiosity wanted her to remember something kept her from the answer. Maybe it was Fanna, maybe the Kwami knew that the answer would destroy them all.
Alya figured that it was something important, or Hawkmoth wouldn’t bothering with her brain so much. It was getting harder to keep him out. She still didn’t have a job, and with her roommate gone she needed to alter her living situation. She could feel him pushing at her thoughts when they would turn negative. As such she constantly distracted herself. She would spend almost every day with Nino, she would go with him to work, she would go for runs in the park, or train with Fanna. She always had to be doing something.
“We’ve never seen Hawkmoth so active. But this can also be our advantage, he’s getting bolder which means he’s getting more desperate. It won’t be long until he makes a mistake and when he does. Chat and I will be there to catch him.”
Chat Noir beamed beside Ladybug giving the camera a wink.
“But with the number of the attacks increasing aren’t you worried that you yourselves might slip up? Are we really any closer to finding Hawkmoth and ending him for good?”
Currently Alya was lying on Nino’s couch waiting for him to come back from “an emergency at work.” She wasn’t completely sure what emergencies could happen at a club that her DJ boyfriend could help with, but he had offered her a couch and a TV instead of going back to her apartment where she felt completely alone. At least Adrien was in the kitchen humming about something. It felt a lot warmer here then at her place.
“Chat Noir and I can handle anything Hawkmoth throws at us.”
“M’Lady is right. We can handle Hawkmoth, he hasn’t won in 5 years.”
Adrien walked in from the kitchen a bowl of carrots with hummus in one hand and a plate with two hot dogs, cheese and crackers, and apple slices. He plopped himself down on the couch and started eating, “Is this the akuma fight from before?”
“Yeah,” Alya stole a carrot and dipped it in hummus, “they just beat the akuma and Ladybug’s taking questions.” She reached over to take one of the hot dogs before Adrien hissed, “You have two!”
“Their mine!”
Alya took it anyway. She lived with an honest to god fox, Adrien hissing like a housecat didn’t scare her.
“Hawkmoth has never been this strong before, the people know your track record is good, but with things changing so rapidly can just the two of you handle him?”
Ladybug’s eyes narrowed and anger flashed across her face, Chat looked a little taken aback as well.
“I think-”
Ladybug was interrupted by a laugh and a toothy grin from Volpina, “Well it’s not just the two of them. They always have me to save their butts if things get rough.”
The news reporter turned her attention to the orange hero who had her flute hung over her shoulders, “Volpina do you think your presence helps the heroes stand a better chance against Hawkmoth?”
Volpina grinned, “I hope to be of service to Paris’s Dynamic Duo and the great city itself.”
Ladybug rolled her eyes. Alya let out an annoyed noise which Adrien looked confsued to hear.
“Does this mean Volpina will be joining the team?”
All three heroes opened their mouths but Ladybug spoke first.
“Chat Noir and I are as we always are, a duo.”
You could see Volpina’s face fall as Ladybug spoke, and beside her Chat Noir looked defeated.
Alya’s face was twisted in a mixture of hurt and anger, “I can’t believe Ladybug did that.”
Adrien looked to his friend with a sigh, “She’s under a lot of pressure, I’m sure Volpina showing up and bragging didn’t help.”
“What does she expect? Volpina has saved the pair of them more than a few times already!”
“I thought you were the number one Ladybug fan?” Adrien joked awkwardly.
Alya seemed to be thrown off a little, “Yeah… Maybe you can be a fan and still disapprove of somethings…” She forced a laugh.
“I get that.” Adrien watched as Ladybug swung off screen and as he followed leaving Volpina behind in front of the cameras. “I wish he would stand up to her. It’s clear he wants to talk things out with Volpina.”
“Chat?” Alya turned to look at her friend, she gave him a sad smile, “I thought you were the number two Ladybug fan?”
Adrien grinned, “I’m a Volpina fan too. She deserves more credit than she’s getting.”
“You know the inside scoop do you?” Alya joked, laughing as she changed the channel.
Adrien laughed along trying not to seem too suspicious.
“Does the outfit have to look like this?” Nino asked still staring at himself in the reflection of the pond in the park. “It’s just so green! And no offense little dude, but spandex isn’t the greatest armor. Aren’t turtles known for their armor?” He let out a deep breath, “Ok. So I can summon the shield thing right? Do I just think about it?” More deep breaths, “Take out your shield and block.” Nino had his eyes squeezed shut holding onto the shield for dear life. Nothing happened. “Wayzz just come back this isn’t working.”
The green Kwami appeared again in a flash of green, “Master- I mean Nino. You must project your energy around you, you must protect yourself with it.”
“Sorry Wayzz, that makes no sense to me.”
Wayzz sighed and dropped on Nino’s shoulder, “Let us call it a night.”
“Sorry dude… I didn’t mean to disappoint.”
“No, no, you haven’t Chosen. It takes more time for some to master this technique. You could try meditation. One of my chosens a hundred years ago struggled as you are. He dedicated himself to a regime of meditation and silence for weeks on end.”
Nino tried his best not to make a face, “That sounds fantastic.”
The walk back to the apartment was filled by Wayzz’s ideas for awakening the awareness of Nino’s energy. Finally they reached the apartment and as Nino pulled out his keys Wayzz took their place in his pocket.
“Nino!” Alya jumped up from the couch and tackled him in a hug.
“Hey babe!” He laughed and returned the gesture. “What’s the giant hug for?”
“Just missed you.” Alya grinned.
“And that’s my cue to leave.” Adrien made a face.
“We’ve scared away your roommate.” Alya said with a laugh.
“Just wait till he gets a girlfriend, then he’ll get back at us.”
Adrien gave them the finger and hid a grin before closing the door to his bedroom.
Alya grabbed a beer from the fridge, “Hungry?”
It was 10pm but Nino was starving.
“Here I already bought snacks.” He lifted the grocery bags and put them on the counter.
Alya opened one of the bags and pulled out a jar of walnuts, “Since when do you like walnuts?”
Nino stiffened, “What since always! Maybe not always, but I like them! A-Adrien likes them too! So I figured why not buy a bulk supply! Just two dudes eating nuts you know?”
Alya looked up at him in confusion, “What the hell are you hiding?”
“Hiding?”
“You’re not making any sense!”
“What?! I’m making perfect sense!”
“Two dudes eating nuts.”
“Ok, bad wording.”
Alya laughed and jumped up to sit on the counter next to him. “So what are you hiding?”
“Nothing.” Nino moved away putting the other groceries in the fridge.
“Well clearly something is bothering you.”
“I’m fine Alya jeez, can’t a guy be just fine without being bombarded with questions?”
“Whoa, calm down Nino.” Alya got up and followed her boyfriend to the couch. “I’ll drop it if it bothers you so much.”
“Nothings bothering me!”
“Ok!”
There was silence between the two of them until Nino sighed, “I’m sorry… I’m just tired.”
“It’s ok.” Alya reached out her hand towards his.
He looked up at her and wrapped an arm around her torso, “I love you.”
Her eyes widened and softened, “I love you too.” She gave him a gentle kiss before standing up.
“Where are you going?”
“To get food. You ran off before I could eat anything.”
Nino smiled and followed her to the kitchen. He wasn’t sure he could keep Wayzz a secret for very long.
Marinette was forcing herself to take deep breaths.
“Marinette you’re over reacting.”
“Am I?” She ignored Tikki’s attempts to calm her down and kept pacing. “Master Fu has given his miraculous ot someone else! He’s defenseless without it!”
“Marinette-”
“This is all my fault, if the Master had more faith in me then he wouldn’t feel like he had to add someone new to the team. If only I had anything to show him how we can defeat Hawkmoth. But I don’t Tikki! It’s all my fault, I’m a terrible leader! Five years of fighting the guy and I still don’t know anything about where he is or who he is!”
“Marinette Please calm-”
“The attacks are getting stronger Tikki! What if Chat and I can’t handle it? Even with the new addition?”
“Marinette!”
Marinette looked over at her Kwami, water welling up in her eyes.
Tikki sighed, “Marinette it’s not your fault. Master Fu knows you’re doing everything you can, and it’s his decision to give up the miraculous. He’s just doing the same thing as you, he’s trying to protect Paris.”
“Tikki, he’s in danger without Wayzz.” Marinette’s voice was quiet as she tried to blink away tears.
Tikki’s little antennae drooped, “I know.”
“What if Hawkmoth-”
“Hawkmoth won’t know he doesn’t have the miraculous until the new miraculous user surfaces. Besides,” Tikki smiled a little, “He has us to look out for him.”
Marinette gave a smile and nodded. She wiped away her tears with the heels of her hand, “I guess I should be doing more productive things with my time.”
Tikki smiled, “Marinette, I think you could use a break. Why don’t you take a nap instead?”
“I can’t Tikki, I should be training or researching.” Marinette eyed the bed and tried to resist temptation.
“Marinette. You’re no use to Paris if you’re too tired.”
Marinette crawled into bed and turned her phone on silent. Tikki was an ancient god creature, she was bound to be right most of the time.
“Hi! It’s Marinette, I can’t come to the phone right now so please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
“Hi Mari! It’s Alya. I was just wondering if I could talk to you sometime soon? I just feel kind of weird talking about it on your voice message. Just call me back as soon as you can.”
Alya carefully balanced the box of pastries with two coffees on top of them so that she could hit the buzzer to Marinette’s apartment.
“C’mon sleepy head, answer the door.” She muttered to herself. With a sigh she got out her phone and dialed.
“Hi! It’s Marinette, I can’t come to the phone right now so please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
The message Alya left on Mari’s phone involved a prolonged and loud noise of frustration followed by a series of complaints about sleeping in, then a few threats about eating all of the chocolate croissants.
As Alya hung up she saw a man leaving the building with his dog.
“Wait!” She moved as quickly as she could while balancing her drinks and food, “My friend lives in apartment 5 b and won’t answer her phone, she’s probably asleep.”
“Just go ahead, I think I saw you help her move right?”
“Yeah! Thank you!” She ducked inside the door and pushed the button for the elevator.
Today was a good day. She hadn’t had a Hawkmoth mind moment, she had gotten a good night’s sleep without it, she was going to have delicious pastries with her friend, and her dad and her were going to get dinner together. It was going to be a good day, one that was long overdue.
Still humming the song that was playing in the elevator she arrived at Marinette’s door.
No one answered.
Alya banged a little harder on the door.
Not even a sound.
“This is pointless.” Fanna flew out of Alya’s coat pocket and straight through the door lock.
“What?” Alya watched as the door swung open and Fanna grinned, “Jesus Christ Fanna! You can’t just go breaking into people’s houses!”
“Keep it down or she’ll wake up! Now what are we stealing?”
“We are not stealing anything!” Alya said in a harsh whisper, “We are having a talk when we get home.”
Fanna stuck out her tongue, “Catch me first!”
“What? No!” Alya put the food down on the kitchen table and chased after the tiny floating fox.
Fanna snickered and floated through the wall to Marinette’s bedroom.
Shit shit shit
Alya slid down the hall and opened the door looking around wildly for the Kwami.
If Alya had not been looking for her Kwami she might have seen Marinette’s who was asleep beside her chosen’s pillow. Luckily for Marinette the door opening woke her up and in her frazzled state she managed to spot Tikki and throw her blankets over her.
“Alya what the hell!? How did you get in here?!”
“You’re door was unlocked and I-I wanted to make sure you were ok cause you weren’t answering your phone or the buzzer.” Alya gave a weak smile eyes still darting around the room for the little shit of a kwami.
“I thought I locked it.” Marinette grabbed her phone, “4 missed messages and 20 texts.” She raised a quizzical eyebrow at Alya.
“Hey, they weren’t all me.”
“What are you doing here?” Marinette got out of bed careful to make sure Tikki wasn’t revealed.
“I brought food and coffee.” Alya laughed awkwardly at the annoyed frown on Marinette’s face, “I’m getting the feeling you’re mad.”
“I thought you outgrew your barging into people’s room phase when we finished high school.”
“Sorry about that. Just with all the attacks and stuff you never know.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Marinette felt another wave of guilt that had been hitting her last night. She sighed, “You mentioned food?”
Alya gave her a genuine smile.
Marinette took one of the chocolate croissants before Alya could steal them all, and despite having not seen each other in over a week, it was like they had never spent anytime apart.
“I swear he is the dumbest guy I’ve ever met.” Marinette took a sip of her coffee as Alya laughed.
“Maybe he’s just nervous around you. You do have that effect on guys.” Alya wiggeled her eyebrows.
Marinette laughed and tried not to spit her coffee anywhere, “No one drops scissors on their feet 3 times because they like someone.”
Alya shrugged, “I make Nino’s jaw drop sometimes, you make his scissors drop.”
Marinette laughed again mouth free from hot liquids, “How is Nino?”
“Good.” Then Alya frowned, “He was acting kind of weird yesterday though.”
“How so?”
“Well he bought this giant bag of walnuts on his way home from a “work emergency” and then freaked out when I mentioned them.”
Marinette frowned, “That is weird.”
“He was all wiggy.” Alya took another sip.
“Well did you ask, or did you Alya ask?”
“I did not interrogate him.”
“Well how did you ask it?”
“I just said, since when do you like Walnuts? And then he goes on about he bout them cause Adrien likes them and he said something like, we’re just two dudes eating nuts.”
Marinette laughed, “Two dudes eating nuts?”
“That’s what I said!” Alya’s arms were talking with her words and she had to set down her coffee in order to finish the story, “So I asked him what he was hiding, because the way things were going I was expecting him to be having an affair with Adrien or something.”
Marinette laughed again.
“You laugh Mari but living together has made those boys into a married couple.”
“They fight?”
“No like the old married couple that finishes each others sentences.”
Marinette laughed again.
“Ok laugh it up girl, but you keep your boyfriend away from mine yeah?”
“We’re not dating Alya. We’ve actually become good friends.”
“Uh huh” It was Alya’s turn to laugh.
“Seriously!”
“Then what’s with all the secret rendevous at that massage parlor?”
“What?”
“You know when he walks in and then you walk in or whatever.”
“What are you talking about.” Marinette searched her brain to remember if she had seen Adrien around the shop, “There was just one time where I ran into him, but he was leaving.”
“Then you must be more blind then I am, because I have seen you walk into the massage parlor and then him go in about 10 seconds later.”
What did this mean? Was Adrien involved somehow? Master Fu had said not to worry about him but clearly he was involved. Could he be working with Hawkmoth? No he couldn’t, he was too goofy and sweet. He would never hurt anyone even if they deserved it.
“Marinette? Everything ok?”
“It’s fine! These croissants are so good!”
“Why are you changing the subject?”
“I’m not. I don’t know why Adrien was going to the massage parlor.”
“Maybe it’s because he likes you,” Alya winked.
“We’re friends. Can you just drop it?”
“Is it something else then? Something more mysterious? Are you hiding a double life from me or something?” Alya laughed.
“Alya just drop it!”
There was quiet between the two of them.
“Sorry. I didn’t realized it bothered you that much.”
Marinette tried to turn off all the alarm bells in her head that kept screaming “She knows you’re Ladybug! She knows!”
“Hey Mari? I know you didn’t get my message, but I was wondering if you’ve thought about getting a roommate?”
“A roomate?”
“Yeah. You’re in school, it’ll be easier to pay rent. Plus there’ll be someone to make sure you lock the door.” Alya laughed nervously.
“Alya-”
“I have an empty room at my apartment if you don’t think this place is big enough, but honestly Mari, you could just use that extra work space to make a bedroom.”
“Alya, I don’t wnat a roommate.”
“Mari-”
“I just need to live on my own ok? I’ll let you know if I change my mind but till then-”
“I need a roommate.”
“What?”
“Mari I have no job and no roommate and my rent is due soon. I don’t know how long I can keep up with all this.”
“Alya-”
“I know you don’t want a roommate and I’m really sorry to keep asking, but I need a hand here.”
“Then go online and look for a roommate!”
“I’ve been looking!”
“Alya the answer is no!”
“Why not? Would us living together really be so bad?”
“Why don’t you ask your boyfriend to move in with you then?”
“Stop avoiding the question. Why don’t you want to live with me?”
“I just want my privacy!”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You are single handedly the most nosy person I know Alya! I love you for it, but I can’t live with someone who’s always going to be asking me questions about where I’ve been, or what I’m doing!”
Alya was silent.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean it to sound like that.”
“It’s fine I get it.”
“Why don’t you ask Nino?”
“I don’t know.”
“Alya!”
“Because I don’t know if I’m ready for that!”
There was another pause and Alya took a sip of her coffee. Marinette frowned, “You don’t know if you love him?”
“I love him. I do. I just… What if we break up again Mari? It happened before what if we break up and we have to decide who keeps the apartment? What if moving in together is what breaks us up?”
“You’re afraid to commit is that it?”
“Well not all of us fall in love with the first model we see and decide we’re gonna marry him.”
“I-” But Marinette didn’t know how to respond.
Alya wasn’t sure how they ended their conversation, it died out into quiet thought as they both finished their breakfast. Then Marinette thanked her for the visit and politely smiled as Alya walked out the door. Fanna was safely back in her pocket and she could feel Hawkmoth in the back of her mind.
Who sat there? Who’s seats were always empty?
Alya wanted to answer, just so he would shut up and leave her alone, but she didn’t. As much as her dislike for Ladybug was growing, she couldn’t just betray her.
“Wayzz, I’m giving you all the walnuts in the world when we get back home.”
The suit, which used to be tight and thin just like ladybugs, was now slightly looser and a darker colour of green. Wayzz had put knee, elbow and various other pads made of a hard material Nino couldn’t name.
He wasn’t sure but he swore he could feel the kwami smiling proudly in his head.
“Ok, let’s go help Ladybug.”
Nino started a very slow descent from the top of the building he was on, but when he touched the ground he took off running towards the sounds of the battle.
You can do this. You were chosen.
Above him he saw a familiar flash of orange. Volpina was a block ahead of him, easily leaping from building to building as if the fear of death no longer had a hold of her. Nino was beginning to wonder just how crazy Ladybug and Chat Noir were. He had always thought they must have been partly indestructible, or that they had superpowers beyond that of lucky charm and cataclysm, but no, it really was just the miraculous. He was wearing the same suit as they were and he was not indestructible. Was he the only one who felt a wave of fear every time he found himself on a rooftop? Were these people insane? How in the world did Ladybug swing from a tiny wire and not fear that it would snap at any given moment. And Volpina and Chat would just run along the rooftops and jump between them!
Nino took a deep breath and prepared himself as he turned the corner. There in the middle of the street was an akuma breathing fire on the shops of Paris.
Fire. Fire was a very real threat. Plus he was a turtle, turtles live in the water they were weak to fire. So maybe that was Pokemon logic but the reasoning still held up.
You can do this! You were chosen! Let’s go!
He hoped Wayzz couldn’t hear his mental pep rally and took off again moving towards the akuma.
“I am The Dragon!” The dragon let out another blast of fire and Nino lifted up his shield to cover himself. “You laughed at me, but now you will feel the wrath of fire!”
Nino poked his head above his shield when the fire and saw the giant creature with its fists around Ladybug.
“Ladybug!”
The dragon looked towards him, “Who are you? Some sort of tiny dragon?”
Nino looked his outfit up a down, “Not really. I was going more for turtle.”
“I don’t have time for tiny turtles!” Ladybug struggled to get her arms free as the dragon opened his mouth and moved her closer.
Shit shit shit
“Up here!”
The akuma and Nino looked up to see Volpina standing on the roof above them.
“Or am I over here?” Another Volpina was across the road in an alley.
“You’ll have to catch me.” There was a giggle as another Volpina dashed across the street near the akuma’s feet.
The dragon gave a roar and dropped Ladybug, chasing after the orange fox. Nino sprung forward in an attempt to catch the falling hero.
“Sorry I’m late M’lady.” Chat Noir looked a little too pleased that Ladybug had fallen from the sky so he could catch her.
“I should hope so.” She grumbled as he let her down.
“Who’s this?” Chat turned his attention to Nino, who was still standing awkwardly in his catching position.
“Oh!” He jumped back up into a solute, “I’m- uh- well I don’t have a name yet- but it’s good to meet you sir-”
Chat laughed a little and Ladybug hit him, “Don’t worry about a name yet.” She said kindly, “Master Fu already explained to me he chose a new miraculous user. It’s good to meet you.”
“Uh- Likewise!”
Chat threw him a grin, “What can you do Turtle Boy?”
“I have this shell… I’m supposed to be able to make a force field but I can’t seem to get it yet.”
“Don’t worry,” Ladybug gave him another kind smile, “We need help getting the citizens out safely. Your shell will be perfect for that.”
Nino nodded and ran to the nearest shop.
Above them Volpina after Volpina was being smashed or grabbed, all of them turning to smoke. People were cowering behind the counter and under tables.
Ladybug caught her breath as Chat lead the Dragon away from their new teammate.
None of their attacks seemed to be doing any damage and Chat had already used his Cataclysm. She needed to find where the akuma was hiding. There was only one problem, the akuma didn’t have any objects on it.
“M’Lady,” Chat ran up beside her, dodging another breath of fire, “What’s the plan?”
“Keep leading him away from the civilians, we need to make sure they’re safe while we look for where the akuma is hiding.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
Volpina was ducking in and out of shops trying to create diversions for people to leave, she could see the new hero leading groups of civilians out of shops using his shield to protect as many as possible. The shield was only so big and Volpina new they would need something else to help them get out.
Volpina ran under the feet of the monster, “Hey over here!”
The dragon looked around for the voice and spotted the orange hero, “Little fox! You are no match for a dragon!”
The akuma lifted its foot and tried to stop on the orange blob beneath it.
“You missed!” The fox hero stood to it’s left with her tongue out in a taunt.
The dragon roared again and tried to squash her.
Ladybug had already called upon her lucky charm which was a heavy arrow. She was still looking around trying to figure it out when Chat ran up beside her.
“Chat? Who’s distracting the akuma?”
“Volpina.”Chat panted pointing to the superhero as she expertly danced around the creature's legs and ducked under it’s fire. She kept her eyes on the group of civilians the new turtle hero was escorting and made sure to stay clear of the group until they were gone.
“She’s helping us?” Ladybug wanted to distrust her, or tell Chat that she could be working with the Akuma, but there it was plain as day. Volpina was risking her life to protect the people of Paris, while Ladybug was stuck on a roof wondering what to do. Her heart sunk, the reporters were right. Paris needed someone new to protect it.
“LB?” Chat waved a hand in front of her face, “Giant dragon remember?”
“Chat- I don’t know what to do!” Ladybug could feel the panic rising inside of her, everyone else had a task and they were doing all they could, but she was stumped. Chat could see her eyes well up with tears, “I don’t know where the akuma is! I don’t know how to defeat it!”
“Ladybug-”
“None of our attacks are working we need to evacuate the city!”
Chat Noir grabbed her shoulders and met her gaze, “Ladybug! I think I know where the akuma is hiding!”
“You what?”
Chat grinned with glee and pointed to the dragon, “Look at his stomach, one of the scales looks different.”
“I don’t follow.”
“It’s the only thing that’s different, why else would it be like that.”
“I still don’t understand how the arrow is supposed to help.”
“Ok, so you got an arrow?” Chat went to look at the spotted object. The point of it had a slight spiral, but other then that it looked completely normal. “Ok. Nothing we’re throwing at it is doing anything right? We have this arrow, but we don’t know if it’s gonna kill it or even hurt it at all.”
“Chat I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I got it! I’ve seen this arrow before!”
“You what?”
“They’re smaug!”
“Who?”
“The dragon from the Hobbit! He had one scale that was missing because it was shot with an arrow, and it was the only place that could be damaged!”
“So when you say you’ve seen the arrow before?”
“It was in a movie yes.”
“What did they do in the Hobbit?”
Chat’s eyes shone with glee, “They fired the last arrow at the dragon’s missing scale.”
Ladybug looked at him incredulously, “You want us to do what?”
Volpina was still ducking in between the dragon’s feet. Crash and a jump away to avoid a giant scaly paw. Another crash, and another.
“I have you trapped now little fox.” The dragon smirked and it’s loud voice broke into a cackle.
“Do your worst.” The Hero stood proud.
Nino didn’t know he could move so quickly. The dragon lifted its paw and brought it down as hard as it could on Volpina. Nino jumped in between the two and raised his shield. He willed the power Wayzz was talking about to come, he held his shield tight and pushed with all of his might against the dragon. And then suddenly he hit the ground and felt his shield cut slightly into his side.
In the moment that Nino threw himself in front of Volpina three things happened. The first was the real Volpina tackling the ametuer hero to the ground and away from the dragon’s foot. The second was the fake smoke Volpina disappearing as the foot hit the ground, and the third was a brief flash of orange as Fanna took over her chosen’s body.
Nino heard a scream and looked behind him to see a woman with sharp pointy teeth like Volpina pinned underneath the foot of the creature. He scrambled up ignoring the pain in his side.
“Volpina?”
Fanna hissed in pain, “Get me out.”
There was a roar from the dragon and Nino quickly grabbed hold of the woman and pulled her from under the dragon’s foot as it stumbled back. He bent down low and scooped her into his arms running towards a near alley.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Fanna.” Said the woman as she held tightly to his arm and hissed in pain, “I am Volpina’s kwami.”
“Her Kwami?” Nino’s eyes widened as he ducked behind a dumpster. He put the woman down gently and looked at her leg. It was definitely broken.
“Yes. When you jumped in to protect one of her smoke creations, she jumped in to save you, so I took over to protect her.”
“What do you mean?”
Fanna let out a small cry of pain, “I don’t have time to explain everything. You need to leave, I need to switch with her again.”
“I-”
“Go!”
Nino ran around to the other side of the dumpster and looked back to see a flash of orange. He should go back. He should thank her for saving his life. He should help her. He got a little closer to the dumpster.
“Can I help?” He asked, taking another step.
“I think you’ve done enough.” Volpina responded.
“I’m sorry.”
“Go help your teammates. I hear they’e looking for help as long as it’s not me.”
“I-”
“Go!”
So Nino sprinted in the other direction and back towards the fight.
When he got back the dragon was gone and a little white butterfly was flying away. Beside Chat Noir was a very frightened man clutching a small book.
“The hobbit?” Nino glanced at the cover.
“It’s one of my favorites.” The frightened man said looking around him at the destruction, “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean-”
“It’s alright.” Ladybug patted the man shoulder gently, “Hawkmoth is to blame here, not you.”
The police, paramedics and firefighters had arrived, and the man was handed to them and wrapped in a blanket.
“Never thought I would say it, but thank god you’re a dork Chat.” Ladybug gave him a smile and Chat Noir beamed in response. She turned her attention to Nino, “Thank you for your help. What should we call you?”
“Me?” Nino pointed to himself, “I- uh- I don’t know. All of this is still pretty new and crazy to me.”
“I like turtle boy.” Chat joked, giving Nino a smirk.
“I don’t.” Nino gave Chat an annoyed look, “How did you guys chose your name?”
Ladybug thought for a second, “I look like a ladybug…”
“I’m a cat, who is black. So Chat Noir.”
Nino didn’t know if he had been expecting a better answer or not.
Suddenly there were reporters and flashing lights as camera’s went off.
“Ladybug, can you comment on why this akuma managed to cause so much damage to the city?”
“The akuma usually have items that hold significance to them. This akuma did not have one. It took us longer to find where the akuma was hiding, and because the creature was so large and destructive the damage was more extensive this time, but the damage is repaired and the civilians were safely evacuated.”
“Who is the new teammate Ladybug?”
“Turtle Boy is the newest member of our team!” Chat said with a grin.
“It’s not Turtle Boy.” Nino protested, and suddenly all of the cameras went on him.
“What should the people call you?”
Nino looked at both of his teammates for help, but the merely shrugged their shoulders. “Uh… Jade Turtle.”
“We must get going.” Ladybug announced and with that she swung up to the roofs. Chat Noir took off as well and Jade Turtle followed, slower and on foot. He had to find a way of moving faster. This was ridiculous.
Alya was running as fast as she could, cradling Fanna in her hands.
“Why did you do that?” Tears were rolling down her cheeks and she couldn’t wipe them away.
“Because you are my chosen and I didn’t want you to be hurt.” Fanna gave a weak smile to Alya, “You are my kit, I will always protect you Alya.”
Alya kept running, turning when Fanna told her to, until they were on Marinette’s parent’s street.
“Fanna?”
“Turn left.”
Alya ran down the street and spotted the massage parlor.
“That’s the place.”
Alya ripped open the door and called for help. Her call seemed to echo in the empty shop and her heart broke. Then out of the corner of her eye she saw movement. A short, old, asian man looked at her quizzically.
“Master.” Fanna gave the man a smile.
“It’s been a long time Fanna.” The old man returned the smile.
Alya held Fanna to the man, “Please, she’s very hurt! Please help her!”
“Come.” The old man led her into the shop and instructed her to put Fanna on the table. Alya wiped her eyes and stood back barely breathing, her eyes wide with worry as the old man moved his hands over Fanna.
Something passed between the man and the Kwami and Alya wasn’t sure what it was.
“She will recover, but she needs to be careful and rest.” The old man said turning to Alya. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Volpina.”
“Who are you?”
“I am Master Fu, I am the guardian of the miraculous.”
“Master… I’m not the real Volpina.” Alya confessed her eyes falling to the floor.
“Oh?”
“I didn’t steal the miraculous I promise! But it was given to me by a man who stole it, or more accurately, the man being controlled by the creature who stole it. I understand if you want Fanna back so you can chose a hero properly.”
“I don’t think that is necessary.” Master Fu dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand.
“But I wasn’t chosen.”
“Do you want to know a secret Volpina?” The old man smiled, “Neither was I.”
Alya looked at the man confused, “What do you mean?”
“When I was 16 I stole my miraculous from my teacher, he was the guardian at the time. I was never chosen to have Wayzz, yet he and I were good friends and we saved people's lives.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The Chat Noir and Ladybug before yours were not chosen by me or anyone else. They found the miraculous and if I had the choice I would have chose them anyway.” Master Fu gave the girl a smile, “You have the love and care for others that Fanna needs. You have the imagination and creativity to utilize her power. And you have the courage and strength to fight for what is right. You are Volpina. Nothing can change that. You were always meant to be Volpina.”
Fanna floated slowly towards her chosen, “I would not stick around with just anyone. You are my chosen, and you make every Volpina who came before proud.”
“Thank you Master.” Alya gave the man a smile.
“I’m very glad I got to meet you, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to.” The man looked to Fanna, “It was an honor to serve you, and I’m glad to see you again.”
Fanna met his gaze sadly, “Goodbye old friend.”
Alya left the shop with Fanna safely in her hands again. The kwami watched the shop mournfully. Alya frowned, “Why do you look so sad?”
“Master Fu is going to die soon.”
“What? How can you tell?”
“Because that was his goodbye.”
Jade Turtle tried to crawl through the window as quietly as possible with little success. There was a crash and a yelp as he took the papers on his desk down with him.
“Ow..” He mumbled getting up slowly.
He looked up at the apartment through his open bedroom door. That was something he was going to have to change. No more open doors, more privacy, places to hide a small turtle. With a grumble he stood up and went to close said door when he looked across the hall into Adrien’s room and froze.
“Chat Noir?”
Said Hero froze in the middle of closing the window of his roommate's bedroom.
“I-In the flesh!” Chat stuttered jumping to face his new teammate.
“W-What are you doing here?”
“What are you doing here?!” Chat cried a little indignantly.
“I live here!”
“So do I.”
There was a long moment of silence.
“Adrien?!?”
“NINO?!”
Chat ran up to Jade, “I can’t believe it!”
“Dude you’re Chat Noir!”
“I know!” Chat gave a wide grin.
“Have you always been?”
“Ever since the first day of school.”
“What?? That long?”
“Yeah!”
“What the fuck dude! How did I not figure it out!”
With a flash of dark and light green the two kwami’s flew into the air.
“It’s good to see you Plagg.” Wayzz greeted politely.
“The Master’s finally retiring?” Plagg asked.
“Yes.” Wayzz said, looking a little defeated.
Plagg flew over and gave Wayzz a pat on the back.
“Hey green dude, it’s ok.” Nino lifted a finger and patted Wayzz’s head affectionately, “I promise that I’ll make Master Fu proud.”
“He will,” Adrien added in, “I’ve known him for 5 years, and even without the miraculous he’s amazing!”
Wayzz seemed to smile, and Nino and his Kwami exchanged a look of confidence.
“He has done superbly so far.”
Nino looked bashful, then suddenly “That’s why you were always sneaking out late and canceling plans!” Nino said turning to Adrien.
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Dude! It all makes sense now! The random cat puns, all the times you “went to the bathroom” in school, your love for Ladybug-”
“Don’t get me started.” Plagg rolled his eyes. “Kid I need food.”
Adrien sighed and headed towards the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out a wheel of camembert.
“That’s why you smell like cheese all the time!” Nino’s world felt like it had been turned upside down, only to reveal that he had been looking at it wrong his whole life. “That explains why we always have a fridge full of the stuff but you never eat it.”
Adrien sighed, “Believe me, I’ve asked him if he’ll eat anything else.” Adrien’s brow furrowed for a second, “What does Wayzz eat?”
“Walnuts.” Wayzz said happily floating through the cupboard he saw Nino put the shopping bag in, and returning with a Walnut in his tiny hands.
“I guess cause he has a hard shell? Like a walnut?” Nino shrugged, “So who else knows?”
“Nobody. You’re the only one.”
“Really?” Nino went to the fridge to get some food for himself, “Not even spots?”
Adrien shook his head with a sad sigh, “Believe me I want to tell her, I’ve wanted to since the first day I met her, but she has this rule that we can’t know who each other is. “No one can know who we are Chat, not even ourselves.”” Adrien used his dramatic voice to recite Ladybug’s rule.
“Sorry Man. Are you going to get in trouble cause I know?”
Adrien shrugged, “It wasn’t like it was on purpose. Besides, that rule’s between me and her, and it’s not as if I told a random civilian. Maybe we just won’t tell her.”
“Sounds good to me dude.”
Adrien had always wondered what it’d be like to share this with someone. If they would judge him for it, if they would treat him differently, if they wanted someone cooler than him to be Chat Noir, but Nino didn’t.
As Adrien talked to his friend and answered all the question Nino had he felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was going to be fighting Hawkmoth with his best friend. What could be greater than that?
Adrien reached out and engulfed Nino in a hug.
“Dude are you ok?” Nino asked slightly worried and slightly amused as he returned the gesture.
“I’m just really glad I don’t have to keep this a secret anymore.”
Nino smiled, “Adrien?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for rescuing me from Hawkmoth all those times.”
Adrien smiled back, “Anytime.”
Fu poured himself a cup of tea and brought it to his lips.
“Your door was open.”
“How strange I thought I locked it.” Fu took a sip of the tea and made a face. “Still too hot.”
“It’s been a while.” The figure moved into the room making no other sound then his voice.
“12 years.” Fu said.
“You know what I want.”
“You know that even if I knew I wouldn’t tell you.”
“Where is she Fu?” The figure slammed it’s hands down on the table in anger.
“You’ve been busy. You must have stolen all of the miraculous by now. Except for Tikki and Plagg, and of course you lost two that you stole. And the two you have left never met Elle, how could they help you find her?”
The figure growled.
“I think I may have touched a nerve there.”
The figure seemed to collect himself, “Gabriel was always such a soft man. His anger didn’t last long. He was weak.”
“He’s your chosen.”
“He is not my chosen!”
“She was Tikki’s not yours.” Fu took a sip of his tea, “That’s better.”
“She chose me!” The figure slammed a fist through the table, “She was mine! She should have been my chosen! Tikki never loved her like I did and she didn’t love Tikki like she loved me!”
“Love?” Master Fu’s voice was darker now, “That is what you call it? I know what you did, and she knows too. She will never love you.”
“Philippe killed Sage. He deserved to die. She hated him. She told me she hated him. She would have thanked me for getting rid of him.”
“I wasn’t talking about Philippe.”
The figure fell silent.
“You should stop this Rekko. You should live peacefully here if you wish to stay.”
The figure laughed, “Is that a threat?”
“Yes.”
“You are a foolish old man.”
“Let the kwami you are stealing power from go.”
Rekko laughed, “You blundering old man! I don’t fear you! Tonight you will die, and these threats? They are empty.”
“I don’t care what happens to me.” Fu smiled, “The cards have been dealt.”
“Yes. I know about your precious new chosen. Jade Turtle? He was adorable.” Rekko snickered, “And Fanna can only protect that Cesaire girl for so long. I have the powers of three Kwami and no miraculous to tie me down! I am unstoppable!”
“Asa’s descendant has been found.”
Rekko froze in his place, a cold dread filled him at the memory of the gates to the kwami’s world. The young woman with fire in her eyes and enough power to wipe him off the face of the earth, her words sucking him closer and closer to the dark pit.
“Amira is dead. You must be lying.”
“She had a child.”
“Firefighters arrived at the scene, but all attempts to put out the house fire have been unsuccessful.”
“Hey Mum, I’m waiting for Dad-”
At around 7 pm, two young woman grabbed their coats and ran out the door. Both could barely think except to run as fast as possible. The women took the steps two at a time as they left their buildings, the cool air hitting them as the doors flew open.
There is a special fear that builds in you when you hear that someone you love is in danger. You’re body refuses to move at first, and it takes you a minute to force it into action. You’re movement starts out shaky as your mind tries to think logically. Where did I put my keys? Will I need my bus tokens? What’s the fastest way there? And then you can’t slow down. Nothing is fast enough. You know you can’t run all the way there but you need to. At every crossing walk you run across the road, just as an excuse to move, to get there faster, sooner, because the seconds count now. Your mind keeps drifting back to every word that was said.
Your dad’s in the Hospital.
A small massage shop.
Your mind jumps to the worst possibility, you try to convince yourself that it couldn’t happen. And then you wonder what your life will be like without them. How it would feel to never see them again. And your brain is telling you it can’t happen, that it won’t come to that. And your legs keep running faster, and now you’re sprinting, and the tears are falling, and finally you arrive and your legs are jelly and you feel like you’re going to collapse and weep.
And in front of Marinette there was a fire and it burned hot enough to make her stumble back blindly onto the road. And the sign above the shop was falling, and everything was crumbling, and the water from the firefighters fell onto the hot building like the tears fell down Marinette’s warm face.
Then she saw him, a figure standing on the roof, his face lit up from the fire. Her heart broke. It wasn’t Master Fu.
“My name is Hawkmoth!” The figure cried his masked face bright from the flames and from his delight at their destruction, “Let this mark the day your lives change. Nothing will be able to stop me! Not Ladybug, not Chat Noir, nor their new friend. I used to hide in the shadows, but it all changes now. I will have what I want, and your city will burn until I get it.”
And then the masked man was gone and Marinette fell to her knees and wept. She had failed. Master Fu was dead. People ran to her, they tried to help her up, to comfort her, but she couldn’t move. She shook with tears and soon everyone was gone.
“Princess?”
She couldn’t face him. She had failed him just as she had failed Fu, just as she had failed her city.
“How c-could this happen?” She choked out between sobs.
“Marinette-” Chat’s arms were around here. Holding her, shielding her from the fire. She wanted to shake him off. She wanted fall to the hard ground and sob until the aching in her chest was gone, but she didn’t. She let him keep her upright and hold onto her.
“I’m so sorry.” His voice sounded choked and hoarse, “I didn’t get here soon enough. I couldn’t save him, I couldn’t do anything.”
“This is all Ladybug’s fault.”
She felt Chat stiffen,”It’s not-”
“Why isn’t she here? Why didn’t she stop this!”
“I’m sure she tried her hardest-”
“She didn’t! I know she didn’t! She hasn’t been able to help anyone! She’s failed everyone!”
“Enough-”
“Maybe she should give up her miraculous to someone who can actually use it!”
“You’re wrong.” Chat had pulled back from her, “I know you’re upset about your uncle, but I can promise you that Ladybug is doing all she can. She loves this city, and she has done more for it then you can imagine. I won’t let you talk badly about her.”
Marinette finally looked up at Chat her eyes red and puffy, “You believe in her?’
“Of course. Ladybug will always help people.”
Marinette fell back onto Chat’s chest and cried on his shoulder, “I wish I was half as good as you Kitty.”
Chat’s eye widened at the nickname, he looked down at his friend in surprise, “Marinette… What did you…” He stopped himself and held her closer, “It’ll be ok Mari. I promise.”
“Pick up, pick up.’ Alya chanted under her breath, pressing the phone closer to her ear. The phone kept ringing, Alya hit her head on the wall she was leaning on. She slid down to sit on the floor.
“Mari, please.” Alya sobbed drawing her knees into her chest, “I need you to pick up.”
“Hi-”
“Mari!”
“It’s Marinette, I can’t come to the phone right now so please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
The phone fell from Alya’s grip. Her body shook from tears, hands covering her face meekly.
“Please don’t cry my kit.”
Alya looked up and met the soft brown eyes of Fanna. The kwami looked tired, and her leg was wrapped up in bandage. Fanna wiped away Alya’s tears with her thumb.
“I have grown to love you and it hurts to see you sad.”
“I don’t want him to die.” More tears fell on Fanna’s tan hand.
Fanna sat beside her chosen, “I know Alya, I know.”
“I love him so much.”
“I know,” Fanna wrapped her arms around Alya and held her chosen close, “I’m sorry for your pain.” Fanna kissed the top of Alya’s forehead.
“I know.”
“You should talk to him,” Fanna lifted Alya’s chin, “There are many things I wish I had told those I loved that I will never get to say.”
“Can you come with me?”
Alya passed her mother on the way into the hospital room.
“Hi Dad.”
She was greeted by the sound of him breathing and the steady beat of his heart monitor.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Alya grabbed the chair beside the bed and sat down. “I love you. More then I can say, and I’m sorry I never told you, because I should have. I should have told you every chance I got.”
Alya took a deep breath, “Dad there’s something you should know.” Alya pulled Fanna out of her pocket.
“This is Fanna. She’s a kwami. You know how Ladybug and Chat Noir have these superpowers and they fight evil? They have Kwami’s too. I’m Volpina. The reason I lost my job was because I had to fight an akuma.”
Alya nodded tears prickling her eyes, “I wanted you to know Dad. I didn’t want you to think I’m making bad choices. I wanted you to be proud of me. And I wanted you to know, to know the truth. I don’t want to keep this secret from you. I don’t know if you can hear me but...” Alya trailed off.
“I have always been proud of you Alya.” Her dad’s voice was quiet and weak. She looked up at him in surprise and he smiled, “And what did I tell you? You can handle Hawkmoth no problem.”
Alya laughed a few tears rolling down her cheeks. “He won’t know what hit him.”
