A few things before we start! Please read I'll be brief as possible and this is important:

Hello if you're a new reader! This story came to me because I simply lost motivation to continue writing 'Trois Mois'. I asked people if they'd mind if I just re-wrote everything but with Lucas included in the canon world and I got a lot of positive comebacks. So if you're curious about 'Trois Mois' I won't delete it, but I also won't be continuing it.

Now to the differences in this story!

Lucas will no longer be the mouse miraculous holder, because after I researched about it, there is already a mouse/rat in the Chinese zodiac and I have a feeling that there will be one mouse holder on the show, so I changed that!

Lucas' eyes are also no longer basil, they are now chestnut.

Now to the things that are the same:

Lucas' personality, he's still the same guy.

Muuri, he definitely is still the same but he is no longer the mouse kwami.

And that's it, basically!


Lucas Sousa-Cheng didn't ask much of his parents.

His father Henrique Sousa and Lucas' paternal grandmother Aurélia Sousa were the owners of 'Seafood Magic', the family affair provided an inviting atmosphere brimming with warm hospitality. Set along the coastline, the charming restaurant offered up incredible fresh seafood, varieties of fish, as well as some meat options for the carnivores.

And after a delicious meal, Lucas's mother, Noelle Cheng, was the head-baker that created the best pastries for you to enjoy. Coincidentally the Chinese woman was also the most wanted patisserie in the Lisbon region. Even though she did not own a bakery herself, she enjoyed baking for her own costumers and baking for birthday parties, weddings and anniversaries.

So his parents were obviously busy people, and Lucas acknowledged that.

He was thankful for the life they had given him. It was thanks to their hard work that Lucas had the best education, that he could have the best fencing classes or a good martial arts teacher. Sure, being wealthy was a great thing, but Lucas started to notice a pattern in his life.

He rarely saw his parents nowadays.

For school, Lucas would wake up at six in the morning sharp, take care of his hygiene, dress up on his school's uniform and afterwards enjoy a rich but healthy breakfast… alone.

Because when his father woke up, he'd only drink a cup of coffee, wish his son a good day and leave the house because the restaurant opened at eight for meal preparations. His mother had a similar schedule: she'd wake up when Lucas was about to leave for school, sometimes he would not see her until he returned from his after-school activities – and by then she would be too busy baking to have a decent conversation with him.

Of course that by dinner time she would eat with him, and that could have been the highlight of his day if the presence of his father was there. But the restaurant only closed at midnight, sometimes even after, depending on the costumers.

Then there was his grandma, or affectionately called 'ma'. She was a widow and she started the restaurant with her husband back in 1975 in a small building, but the success was so big that after moving into the current, bigger location, Aurélia brought her only son into the business to make sure he'd have a good life.

Lucas loved his grandma, she was a business woman and serious when she needed to be, but to Lucas she was his second mom, always nurturing and making sure he was spoiled by her. Aurélia wanted to make sure she was his favorite grandma.

Not that Lucas minded: he didn't know much about his mother's family side.

He knew that they lived in Paris. Lucas remembers last seeing his cousin at least seven years ago. There was a vague memory about the two baking cookies together inside a small but sweet smelling bakery. He was really fond of that memory.

Lucas still had photos of the two together kept inside a shoe box deep in his closet, and his cousin looked like him. Surprisingly they had the same hair shade of color, but it was their eyes that made the difference. While she had beautiful bluebell eyes, Lucas felt that his brown eyes were dull compared to hers.

He has Marinette added on Facebook and Instagram, but they never really chat with each other, at least not without wishing a polite 'happy birthday' or 'happy holidays' standard messages; Lucas recalls that one year ago they did chat for ten minutes, asking how their lives were and if school was going great – Marinette even complimented him on his French. But they were still cousins estranged, which was a little sad whenever Lucas thought about it.

But at the same time Lucas also felt that trying to re-connect with her would be a little awkward or pushy, so he just let things be how they were.

Lucas never asked for a little sibling, he never asked for money, he obeyed, he had good grades and he tried his best to please everyone.

So… he didn't understood why he was being punished. Not that he had anything against his family in Paris, he was actually feeling both anxious and happy to see them again but… this was really quite the unfair of circumstances of how he would get to see them again.


Portugal, Lisbon

6:00AM

The forty minute ride from Cascais to the Lisbon Airport was almost at its end and Lucas felt like he was being taken somewhere that made people disappear forever.

The thirteen-year-old boy sighed for the tenth time as he looked at the view outside his father's black Mercedes Benz, the teen was trying to observe his country one last time since he was not going to be in it for years. But as always, he kept his petulant feelings built inside.

"Are you okay back there, sweetie?"

His mother was the one that showed remorse for the whole situation. When the news came both of his parents said that they didn't want him to go, but Noelle had been the one to follow Lucas when he went to lock himself inside his bedroom. She had talked with him, using soft words to persuade her son that this was the right choice for everyone.

She was so good with words.

"Yes mom." Lucas tried to sound casual, but he could only mumble his reply in a pouty way.

Noelle's concerned stare was starting to burn on the centre of his forehead as she stared at him from the rear mirror. He felt a little guilty but even so, a small part of him still thought that if he sulked long enough his parents would give up on the idea of sending him to Paris. Even though Lucas knew that chances of that happening were really not there.

"Are you sure? I know this seems too sudden and a bit rushed but we think it's the best for you." She continued with a saddened tone. It was difficult for her to send her only child to another country, but Noelle knew that her nurturing sister would give the attention he wanted and deserved. And at this part of her life, disappointedly, she could not give Lucas all the care that he desired. She felt like a failure as a mother, but her husband had quickly assured her that Lucas did not think and would never think about her as a failure.

"He knows Noelle, our son understands the situation." His father said as he drove. Lucas could have been upset at his remark if it wasn't for the proud tone his father wore.

Lucas hadn't been alone when he noticed the pattern. Apparently his parents and his grandma had a family meeting, without him, and decided for Lucas to finish his high school years in Paris. They started to realize that Lucas was lonely. That realization came upon Henrique when he didn't see his own son for two days straight.

He loved his only son, and he was concerned about their relationship. They used to be so close when Lucas was younger, he used to take his son and wife to a park nearby their house and play football, play with him on the recess, feed the ducks by the pound and eat ice cream while sitting on the grass. But now that the restaurant was a success, Henrique felt like he was paying more attention to it, rather than his son.

And that was not good.

He and Noelle talked with Sabine and Tom. The two Chinese sisters were close even though they didn't see each other anymore or rarely talked over the phone. Their bond was something that nobody could explain, and when Sabine and Tom immediately welcomed Lucas to live with them, Henrique was surprised, but Noelle wasn't. If the situation had reversed itself, Noelle would have warmly taken in Marinette as well.

Henrique drove inside the airport's parking lot and parked his Mercedes Benz on a spot near the entrance. When he turned off the engine Lucas let out a breath that he did not realized he had been holding. As tried to hold his tears as his parents opened the door, he followed their actions and watched as his father took out of the remaining luggage from the car.

'This is it,' Lucas thoughts as he forced his legs to walk inside the airport, 'Goodbye Portugal.'


France, Paris

8:00AM
(At the same time in Portugal)

Inside Master Fu's Massage Shop was quiet, it had just open for business but patrons have yet to come inside. But on the ground floor inside the main room were Master Fu and his loyal kwami Wayzz. The interior of the room purposefully made to sooth the costumer was Chinese influenced designed and decorated: scrolls hang on the walls and on the floor where Fu sat was a mat where he usually worked. Both the entrance door and the room's divider had bamboo designs on them but what really seemed interesting enough was the gramophone on top of a wooden table; which was actually a hidden compartment for the Miraculous Jewelry Box, a wooden box that contained the Miraculouses jewels.

"The time has come, Wayzz." Fu suddenly said as he came out from his meditation. Every morning he would start his meditation to clear his mind and meditate about the dreams he would have, some of them ended up being prophetic but others were just hidden desires or old memories. But now, Fu has been having the same dream for a week, and he was sure it was a warning sign.

It was another morning in Paris; the city had woken up to precede the repetition of their daily lives.

"Time for what, master?" Wayzz, the turtle kwami asked as he appeared of his little spot to float around his master and give his attention.

"It is time for the ferret miraculous user to arise and return." Fu explained as he stood up from his mat, "I gave the Miraculouses of Ladybug and Chat noir to Marinette and Adrien almost two months ago and they have fought against Hawk Moth brilliantly. But as you know…"

"You have been dreaming about a ferret holder again, a person that will be arriving to Paris today?" Wayzz finished, knowing that his master has been having the same prophetic dream for a week now. The chibi-like turtle's concern was visible on his voice.

"Indeed, my friend." Fu smiled knowingly as walked to the gramophone and entered the code to reveal what it secured inside.

In a dark reddish wooden octagon shaped box with gold hinge on the lid rose from inside; four of the sides had golden buttons on the center, and the four sides between them had two golden buttons vertically aligned. Each buttoned had a darker-colored Chinese character on it, naming an animal from the Chinese zodiac. The lid on top of the box was red designed and had a circle with patterns in the middle surrounded by wavy lines as the edge.

Fu opened the top level of the box, revealing a gold outline of a flower with six petals, each petal having a pointed tip, and a center. The color outside of the flower was red, and each section of the flower was meant for a Miraculous. The center section was raised more above the others, and it included the yin-yang symbol; the yin space had a red outline and yang had a white outline. In yin, there is a red circle with five black spots, which is where the Ladybug Miraculous had been placed and in yang, there had been a silver paw print within a silver edged circle, which it was where the Cat Miraculous was placed – until Fu had given them to the new users.

Each petal-shaped section on the top level had a different color with a darker-shaded symbol and each Miraculous places there represented the Five Elements.

Jewels shone expectantly waiting for a holder to use them and show the world their amazing powers, with the exception of the Chat Noir's ring, Ladybug's earrings, the Peacock's brooch and Moth's brooch. The first two now belonged to Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and they were being used to fight the unworthy butterfly user named Hawk Moth. The man that had somehow gotten his hands on it was using it for evil purposes, and meanwhile the Peacock Miraculous had mysteriously vanished.

The sides of the box had thirteen drawers marked by each button. Each drawer was a square, and its inside was colored with a raised circular padded center. One Miraculous jewel was stored in every drawer, each one a Chinese zodiac-themed Miraculous was labeled by a button – except one, the drawer by the bottom on the front-left; the thirteenth one: the ferret wristband.

Fu grabbed it and stared at the thin, white leather wristband for a thoughtful moment, trying to still convince himself that this was the right thing to do.

"But Master," Wayzz continued with a concerned tone, "The ferret jewel is also known as the cursed one, it is the only jewel that cannot give its master a special power for protection! What use would it be to send a miraculous user to help such amazing warriors like Ladybug and Chat Noir if this user cannot even help them properly?"

Fu chuckled as he grabbed a smaller version of jewelry box from the drawer of the table, he placed the wristband inside and as he closed it, a humming sound came from inside, "Wayzz, you speak of the ferret jewel as if you hate Muuri. I thought you two got along well?"

Wayzz nodded his head shamefully, "I haven't seen Muuri in almost a century, remember master? He was so saddened with what happened to his last master that he begged you not to give him to anyone else."

"Ah… so this isn't about the jewel being cursed, it's about keeping your friend's wish intact. I see, it is a very honorable thing for you to do Wayzz, but I think my dreams are trying to tell me something. Perhaps… this boy will be different. Maybe we'll even witness what the ferret jewel has to offer to us. Who knows? Not even I know about all of the mystic powers of the miraculous jewels." Fu scratched his beard thoughtfully as he stared at the box, "For now my dear friend, let us trust destiny and go find the new partner for our duo, because I have a feeling that they might need him."

Wayzz sighed, "Yes, Master Fu."


Aéroport Paris-Charles du Galle

10:25AM

October, Day 1

Lucas thought that the two hour flight from Lisbon to Paris had been quick, too quick. But here he was, exiting the doors of the airport and stepping into the French cemented floor. It was a little cold, but he had been expecting that since he checked the weather for Paris on his phone. He had changed his timezone and even though Paris was only two hours ahead of Portugal it still felt a little different.

Sighing, he wheeled his luggage, and pulled his laptop bag higher on his shoulder to secure it better, towards the taxi zone. His father had booked one three days ago with the payment already completed so all he had to do was deliver his ticket to the driver.

When he did found his taxi, a Mercedes Benz E-Class taxicab, Lucas was polite and helped the driver place his things on the trunk. When he entered the car Lucas thought about how glad he was that the rest of his things had been shipped to the Dupain-Cheng's residence.

Settling in by closing the door and putting his seatbelt on, Lucas quickly took out his phone and earphones for the ride, it was going to be a forty minute ride from the airport to his uncle and aunt's house, so Lucas wanted to at least relax instead of letting his anxiety take over.

What if he forgets how to speak French? What if he does something insulting on accident? What if they won't like him? What if HE doesn't like them?

What if… Marinette and him struggle to come up with a conversation?

The taxi driver entered the car and the door closing made Lucas's stomach churn, the man looked friendly and he had a brown mustache going grey, still, he looked back at Lucas and nodded with a smile.

"Good to see you're already using your seatbelt young man, nowadays I have to tell people to put it on," the man said in perfect French, Lucas was relieved he could understand him, "My name is Jacques, and it is nice to meet you."

"N-Nice to meet you too, Mr. Jacques," Lucas smiled back.

The man nodded again and turned back so he could put his own seatbelt on, he started the engine and looked over to the road to see if he was clear to drive away – there was a little traffic but two minutes later he was able to squeeze in between two cars. At this point Lucas had already placed his earphones and turned his music on; he looked up and felt that the grey sky was perfect for the mood.

This was the beginning of a new life.


Collège Françoise Dupont

Marinette has been Ladybug a month now, almost two months to be precise. She and Chat Noir – her partner and fellow miraculous user — had fought against The Bubbler and to Marinette's distress, Lady Wifi* who was a close friend to her named Alya. Marinette as also been crushing on a boy from her class named Adrien Agreste, a popular model known all over Paris.

So when the biracial thirteen-year-old** was explained to that her estranged Portuguese cousin was going to live with her for a few years did not sit well with her. It was not like she had something against Lucas, because she barely knew him to even start judging him. He seemed nice, at least she remembers him being nice.

The first thing she asked her parents was where he was sleeping. They told her that he was going to sleep in the storage room. She was a little concerned, but her dad quickly assured that they were already cleaning it and making it into a proper bedroom. And so for a full week, Marinette helped her parents transforming their bakery's storage room into a room, and when everything was put away they went shopping for a bed and a nightstand.

All was payed by Lucas's father, which Marinette appreciated.

At least Marinette and her dad had fun re-painting the walls of the room with a dark-blue color. Then two days ago, Lucas's things arrived. Her parents closed the bakery for the afternoon to set things up without breaking any kind of privacy with her cousin's stuff.

When alone, Tikki commented how much Lucas looked like Marinette. Sabine had given her daughter a more updated photo of Lucas, and she had to admit that they did look alike, except that he had brown eyes and different height.

Marinette was nervous about meeting her cousin again, but at least they could break the ice with their appearances. She couldn't help but to linger on her anxiety thought: what if he didn't like her? What if she didn't like him?

He was from a rich family right? From what Marinette heard her aunt in Portugal was together a rich man that owned a successful seafood restaurant. So what if Lucas was pompous and bratty like Chloé?

1:20PM

Marinette sighed as the bell rang; she stood up from her seat and gathered her things inside her school messenger bag. She was so nervous that she didn't watch Adrien walk out of class with Nino, and she always did that.

The bell had ringed seconds ago and Marinette was now going home for lunch. She knew that Lucas would already be there, her mom said that he'd arrive to Paris at ten in the morning so she wondered if he and her parents were getting along.

"Hey girl, are you all right? You look a little pale." Alya's voice was worried and curious as she tilted her head to appear on Marinette's sight.

She smiled at her new friend, well they have been friends for a month now but this type of friendship was still new to Marinette. Before this school year she was a loner. Whatever she did wasn't good enough to belong to a group of friends so she kinda wondered around and faced Chloé's taunting alone.

But ever since she became Ladybug, a new confident side emerged and she was making friends day by day.

If only she could talk with Adrien without stutter awkwardly.

Giving her best smile, Marinette looked at Alya, "My cousin is already home… I don't know what I'm going to say to him."

Marinette told Alya about Lucas as soon after her parents told the news, they texted each other for ten minutes until Alya decided to take Marinette out of her house and let her vent out. Alya helped Marinette realize that this situation wasn't as bad as it seemed, because one, Lucas knew how to speak, write and read French fluently and two, this was a great opportunity for Marinette to re-connect with a family member.

"I thought we already had this talk?" Alya asked, feeling pity for her friend, "It's gonna be fine! All you need to do is give him a chance!" the dark-skinned girl placed her own backpack and smirked at her, "And if he gives you trouble, remember that he starts school with us tomorrow so…." Alya left her sentence on a suggestive manner, but as she punch her own palm with a wink Marinette realized what she was implying.

And that made her giggle as the two exited the classroom. But as soon as they were done going down the stairs into the courtyard, Chloé decided to step in front of them, with Sabrina by her side.

She smiled snidely at Marinette, "Your cousin better not be like you, because the last thing that our class needs is another wannabe loser!" she laughed meanly and Sabrina followed.

Marinette and Alya exchanged a bored look and rolled their eyes.

"Chloé don't you have to go eat something? Perhaps a full stomach will help you think before you speak." Alya retorted, passing by the two with a giggling Marinette.

"Ugh, shut up! You're just jealous because I get to have a luxurious lunch at my daddy's hotel! You're probably going to eat cheap food|!" Chloé yelled, and unfortunately for her Adrien overheard her.

He was just done with telling Nino he would see him on the afternoon classes when he heard the exchange, disappointed at his friend he approach her with a stern expression.

"Chloé—"

"ADRIKINS! Oh my goodness there you are!" the blonde didn't let Adrien finish as she glomped him with a cheek kiss.

Marinette gasped and immediately started glaring at her.

"C-Chloé! Stop that," Adrien pried her hands off him in a gentle way, "And apologize to Alya please, making fun of people who don't enough money for food isn't funny at all." He scolded her.

Alya waved him off, "I have money," she stated with a smile to show him Chloé's comment had not affected her.

"Still," Adrien insisted.

Chloé huffed and rolled her eyes, "Please, it's not like I did something bad. I only stated the truth, and by the way, do you want to have lunch with me?" she asked sweetly, changing her tone at once.

"No thanks, I have lunch with my father," he replied, "Hopefully," Adrien added with a sigh. Distracted, he looked over at Marinette and smiled, realizing she had been there all this time.

"Hello Marinette! Are you also lunching at your house?" he asked in a friendly manner.

Marinette immediately squeaked, "A-Ah! Yes! I'm lunching my cousin at my house—I MEAN—I'm lunching with my cousin who IS at my house Hahaha!" her cheeks were reddening each second she talked to him.

"Your cousin?" Adrien inquired curiously.

Alya decided to step in, "Yeah! Isn't it good? Marinette's Portuguese cousin is going to live with her from now on! And guess what, he's going to be in our class and he starts tomorrow!" she told him with an excited tone. "Marinette is kinda nervous though, they got estranged." Her tone deflated as she gave her friend concerned smile.

Adrien smiled at once, while Chloé scoffed.

"I bet that if he's related to you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, he's gonna be as much of a loser as you are." She again laughed her own joke, and Sabrina smirked, agreeing with her silently.

He sighed and stepped closer to Marinette and Alya, near the school's exit. He could see his car ride parking by the curb, but he turned at Chloé with a determined face.

"Chloé, try to be nice to him tomorrow. After all he's new, and moving to a new country must be hard for him. Try to put yourself in his shoes." That comment was meant for Chloé, but Marinette couldn't help to feel like she deserved to hear it as well, "Bye guys, have a nice lunch!" he said before walking out of the school.

Alya looked at her friend and was proud to see a difference expression on her; it was like Marinette's anxiety had disappeared.

"Whatever, I have to go. Out of my way!" Chloé barked as she passed between the two friends, Sabrina following her close.

Marinette watched her leave and then she and Alya started to make their way out as well, and just before the two could part ways at the end of the staircase by the entrance, Alya patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"It's going to be fine, Marinette." Alya said reassuringly.

Marinette nodded, this time positive, "I know! If he's my family so I at least have to try! See you later Alya!"

"Bye girl and good luck!" Alya shouted as she watched Marinette run home, she only hoped that Lucas was a friendly person.


A/N: Wow okay here we go a new story and a new journey!

It was hard for me to say goodbye to 'Trois Mois' but I wanted to integrate Lucas on the show, and that's going to be a challenge since I don't want to create a Gary Sue!

* Since the show doesn't have a proper chronology with the episodes, I decided to go search for the timeline that made more sense to me!

** It seems that Marinette turned 14 years old in 'Befana' so assuming this all happens a year before season 2 (the Christmas Special hasn't happened in this story yet) I'm making Marinette 13 years old. (Even though it's kinda confusing since some characters are 15?)

Thank you for reading! Next chapter we see Lucas receive his miraculous and meet Muuri again!