Hello! Sorry I completely abandoned my other story. I got anxiety and was too scared to continue it.
This new story is based of off The Scarlet Pimpernel, one of my favorite books. It takes place during Revolution era France, and I thought it would be fitting since it is one of the first superhero in disguise stories. But since we all know who our heroes are, the reveal will be more for our characters and less for us. I hope you enjoy!
Paris, France. 1792. The best way to live is by, well, "getting a head". With aristos fleeing the country, and the Revolutionaries rising to power, fear was in the hearts of those who were once filled with bliss and ignorance of the outside.
Monsieur Raincomprix thought the aristos fleeing for their lives was quite the humorous spectacle. They thought they could flee him, the great Revolutionary. Today, he discovered four families trying to escape through the gates in hidden floors of carriages. But alas, he was too clever for that. He simply stopped the nervous coachmen and asked to investigate inside where he found his victims. Everyday at noon, the town would gather to watch the beheadings at Madame Guillotine in the town square.
Today was going quite well for the Monsieur, when an old lady hunched over driving a cart started to leave town. Oh look. Probably more aristos. he thought. Before the coach could leave, he stopped the old woman and asked to look inside. She replied, "Of course officer, but my poor grandson is back there with small pox, so we have left he be. I would recommend you make the check quick. All of his siblings are at home infected too, but had to stay at home."
"Uh- no thank you madame. You may be on your way."
"Merci, monsieur!" And the cart rattled off into the distance.
~.o.0.o.~
Dover, England. The Akuma's Rest. The Cesaire family was talking to two Englishmen by the fire. "Oh thank you so much for saving us monsieurs! But you must tell me, why do you and the supposed 'Chat Noir' save the aristos?" Three figures in the corner of the room stood up. Two leave, while the other slips underneath a low-lit bench.
"Well you see Mrs. Cesaire, we almost find it like sport helping these people. But at least the French still know what smallpox is in all of this crazy revolution." Everyone in the room gave a little chuckle at this comment. Mrs. Chamack, the owner of the pub, came into the room with some dinner for the guests.
"Here you are sirs, and ladies. Now, tell me news of France at this perilous time for them."
"Their state is still chaotic as usual. We managed to sneak this family out quickly, but their father is still stuck in Paris. Chat Noir is still at large, and we still have no idea who he is even though we work with him constantly."
"But what kind of Englishman would risk his life like that for the French?"
"We do not know, m'am. But he is a noble fighter."
There was a knock at the door. "Oh, that must be Lady and Lord Agreste!" she said. A beautiful woman entered the room after she opened the door for her. Her hair was black and curled down her back, and her dress was a beautiful shade of navy blue. Her facial features were sharp, yet gracious from the small freckles that littered her nose. She gave a small smile.
"Salut, monsieurs, madames. It is nice to see you safely out of Paris." She walked over to the fireplace and took off her gloves. "It is very chilling out there. But nevermind me, how was your trip to Paris?" Mrs. Cesaire turned her head to the woman.
"We do not associate with your kind. Alya, I forbid you from talking to her."
"But maman! Marinette and I went to school together! I know her and she is not a bad person."
"Then explain to me what happened to the Bourgeois family. I believe it was you that sold them out to the Revolutionaries."
Marinette gritted her teeth. "That was not on purpose. They were not careful. I did not mean to give out their location, but my brother, Nino-"
"Is there a problem, my lady?" Lord Adrien Agreste had entered the room. "I heard a commotion from inside." He smiled. He looked foolish and unknowing.
"It is nothing, Lord Agreste. Madame Cesaire was mistaken on her information." She sat down and refused to face her husband or the lady.
"Come. Why be gloom at this time? I believe your family has been saved by the Chat Noir, Madame Cesaire." He smiled at the woman, but his charms did not affect her stubbornness.
"Oui. We have been saved by him, but we are still stuck with the presence of your lady. Come, Alya." She dragged her daughter out of the room.
"Pardon my asking, but who is this 'Chat Noir'? I have not heard of him before." Asked Marinette.
"He is an Englishman that risks his life for French aristos. My name is Max, by the way. It is a pleasure to be your acquaintance, Lady Agreste."
"It is a pleasure. But you must tell me more about this man. Who is he?" Lord Agreste excused himself from the room to tend to his horses.
"That is the thing, madame. No one knows who he is, really. He always has a disguise. Sometimes he dresses up as an old lady or man, or simply wears a black mask and a black hood over his head. He is also a skillful swordsman, and very good at changing his voice." Marinette's heart fluttered at the thought of this man. He sounded perfect. She did not even remember the reason she married Adrien. He acted so foolish in love, that she wanted to see that expression all the time. But now, their love had faded. Madame Cesaire was not completely wrong in her accusation. The Bourgeois family had a daughter who fell in love with her younger brother, Nino, but the girl's family found out about their love and tried to have Nino arrested. But when the Revolution started, she was still angry at the family attempting to harm her brother. One day, she accidentally let slip that the family was in hiding in the city. This led to their beheading, and she still felt guilt of helping the family to their fate. The day after her marriage, she told Lord Adrien of this, and they drifted apart, rarely trusting each other with any information.
"Well, he most certainly sounds fascinating. But you must excuse me, for I have an appointment at the docks with my brother. He is leaving for France once again."
After everyone had left the room, a man crawled out from under a bench with a smile on his face and a notebook in his hand.
