A/N: Hello everyone! I'm back! So today I start the sequel to 'Turning a Feather', 'Feather's Flight'. Today is the day. This story picks up 6 months after the events at the end of 'Turning a Feather' where Annamarie had been akumatised and left for Tibet.
If you want to know what happened in between then and this moment, check out 'Recovery'. I'd recommend it for more one reason. Mainly, there is a character in there that story who will be appearing in this story. So yeah, check it out.
"Got you." Ladybug said triumphantly as she caught her yo-yo when it returned to her, Akuma caught safe inside. She set it free but as she watched it go, she couldn't bring herself to bid it goodbye, just stared longingly after it and her body sank, its normal pride and confidence slipped away.
Cloak flickering in the wind, Chat walked over and touched her shoulder. "My Lady?"
"Sorry… I just…" She started then closed her hand tight around the yo-yo. "I just can't help but think how much easier that would have been… with an illusion."
Catching on to what she was saying, Chat lowered his gaze away from her. "Yeah. I miss her too."
"Where is she Chat? It's been 6 months. Surely she should be back by now."
Her partner frowned at her. "Ladybug, you can't rush her. She'll come back when she's better but that will take time."
She sniffed slightly. "I know. But… I wish she was here."
Carefully he stepped up and gave her a comforting hug, smiling into her hair. "She'll come home. I know she will."
His arms wrapped around her, Ladybug couldn't help but do the same, leaning into his shoulder and warmth when suddenly someone threw a bucket of cold water over them, making them gasp and jump away from each other before realising they were bone dry.
Looking at each other, the two heroes wondered for a moment what had caused the sensation when a light hearted laugh filled the air and they turned to be faced with a woman with dark brown hair tied up in a bun and in a skin tight blue suit. She smirked at them and lowered her fan. "Sorry, you two were just being so sappy, I had to ruin the moment."
Ladybug just stared at her. "P-Peacock?"
Her smile grew a little. "Hey bug."
With a joyful laugh, Ladybug ran forward and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. "Peacock." She said, louder this time. "You're back!"
The embrace was equally tight for both involved, Peacock burying her head into her comrade's neck. "It's good to be home."
Chat soon joined in with the hug, his arms around them both. "How long have you been back Fe… I mean Peacock?"
"It's alright Chat, you can call me Feathers again, I'm good with it now. And I've been back about… an hour." She chuckled and blushed slightly. "My plane landed, I got off and saw the news saying there was an Akuma attack. So, I transformed and flew right here. I… haven't even told my family I'm home yet."
Filled with joy at having her back and pride at her commitment, Ladybug squeezed her hand tighter. "And… how are you now?"
"I'm never going to be the same." She accepted. "But I'm the one in control now. I can't wait to tell you about the temple! The things I've seen and learnt! You won't believe it!"
The two heroes smiled and hugged her once more before Chat suddenly winced when something poked him in the nose. He leant back and spotted three peacock feathers were now sweeping across her hair, the middle one a fair bit longer than the others. And, when he looked over her, there were other differences; her neck now had a collar of colourful eyes with a belt of the same around her hips while her fan now had a frilly edge to it.
She laughed at him and winked. "Yes, I made The Change while I was away, something else I'll need to tell you about. But it hasn't change one problem." She giggled as a loud bleep filled the air from all three of them. "That."
"Guess we will see you tomorrow birdy?"
"Same time and place as always kitty." She winked and hugged them once more. "Take care of yourselves." She called then took off into the air.
(LINE)
Marinette couldn't help but grin as she sat in class, her mind lost on the memory of last night. It had been short but she was so glad to know that somewhere in the city, Peacock was home and better. She chuckled to herself which brought Alya's attention to her. "Whoa, what's with the face girl?"
"What do you mean?"
"You've looked depressed for weeks now. Suddenly you're… happy again."
The girl gulped then shrugged. "Well… didn't you hear?"
"Hear? Hear what?"
"Royal Peacock was spotted last night."
The reporter's face almost broke with how fast it changed emotions. "What! When! Where! How do you know and I don't!"
"It was after the Akuma last night, she turned up on a roof."
"Are you SURE it was Royal Peacock?"
"Well unless you can think of anyone else who dresses in blue and Ladybug and Chat Noir would go around hugging and laughing, it must have been her."
Alya laughed happily. "Oh this is great! Everyone was so worried after the whole… Feathers thing but now she's back! I know Paris has missed her."
"Yeah. I'm glad she's back too."
"Where did she go anyway?"
"Who knows?" Marinette lied. "Didn't Ladybug say after Peacock was akumatised she had gone away to get better?"
"Yeah but… where?"
Before Marinette had to think up another excuse, the door to the classroom opened and they turned, expecting Madam Bustier to walk in but instead…
"Annamarie!" Four of the class's teens all shouted as she entered the room, getting up quickly and running over so fast that they actually fell over each other, landing in a heap on the floor and laughing.
They carefully sat back up and Annamarie laughed at them. "Well, that's a 'welcome home' I'm not going to forget."
The others all chuckled as well and stood up off the ground, Alya holding her hands. "How long have you been back in Paris?"
She playfully looked at her watch. "Aaaabout… 15 hours. I arrived last night."
"And you didn't CALL us!"
"It was the middle of the night." The dancer chuckled, going back to her normal seat between Marinette and Alya on the second row. "Sorry, I know I should have but… I wanted to surprise you."
"Well you certainly did that!"
The other laughed as she sat. "Well, I'm glad. Anyway, let's catch up after school." She put her old leather bag down and pulled out her pens and paper. "I'm going to have 6 months of homework to do so I hope you're ready to help."
"For you, anytime. We have a lot to catch up on. Not to mention your Christmas presents… in the middle of January."
(LINE)
"Ahhh! It is good to be back." Peacock sighed as she grabbed an aerial and used it to spin around like a top. "Tibet is all good but it's nothing on Paris." She laughed then went over to the others, practically dancing around them. "So, I read the blog, see you have been holding out without me."
"Didn't mean we didn't miss you every battle." Ladybug explained.
"I know. And I missed you too. But right now all I want to do is get myself back to Paris!" She shouted the last word for all the world to hear before breaking down in giggles. "Oh I have missed this place. Six months is a REALLY long time you know?"
"Yeah, we know." Chat smirked, crossing his arms.
"And Paris has changed as well." Ladybug said with a smile. "There's something we want to show you." She span out her yo-yo and took to the sky, flying off in one direction. Peacock frowned but followed, Chat behind as they made their way to a nearby Park, the same one the 'Ladybug' Festival had been near months before.
They landed and Chat quickly covered his partner's eyes. "No peaking." He chuckled then began to guide her forwards, Ladybug holding her hand to help. They didn't go very far but finally they stopped and Chat took his hands away with a 'Tada!'
Peacock blinked several times at what she could see. "Is… is that…"
"Yep."
She blinked again and took it in. Before her was the Ladybug statue but it wasn't the same one she'd seen before; this was a completely new one, not the Cat in crouch and the Ladybug in mid throw. This was the three of them, standing side by side, Peacock on the left, Chat the right and Ladybug in the middle, all three of them smiling and proud, the details were so lifelike. It was odd to look at herself, cast in bronze and frozen for all time.
"Wha… when?" She finally asked.
"When you went away, Théo came up to us and said he wanted to redo the old statue, said he didn't think it was fair that you didn't have your place."
"The old one has been moved to the square outside the town hall." Chat explained, walking around and looking at his counter. "And I'm glad he got the height fixed."
"Yeah but I do feel even shorter now." Ladybug sighed, looking at herself. Theo had been kind, he'd raised her up a little so they were eye level but the difference was still quite noticeable.
Peacock just smiled. "I think it's perfect."
"Welcome home Peacock." Chat said, hugging. "The Miraculous trio are back! Hawk Moth won't know what hit him!"
(LINE)
"Excellent Louie." Madam Renou said as the boy finished the routine. "And Emilie, wonderful as well. You're really improving."
"Thank you madam." Louie said as he walked to the side and picked up a water bottle, taking a long drink while the madam began to speak to some others.
As she did, Emilie walked over to him and smiled at his side. "Hey Louie, great work today."
"Yeah, you too." He said, his voice lifeless.
"Hey, you alright?"
The male stopped, looking down at his hands as they held a bar before him. "Look, don't get me wrong Emilie… I really enjoy dancing with you. But…" He trailed off and looked away.
"But I'm not Annamarie." She finished, watching his face turn slightly red before she laughed. "Oh Louie, you can't even hear her name without blushing."
"I know." He said in a long groan, leaning forward until his head pressed on the mirror. "I'm hopeless. I just… want to tell her how I feel but… I just keep getting all mumbled up. She's just so… so… so…"
Emilie laughed lightly at him. "Oh, Louie, you have got it bad."
He groaned again and turned to look up at the ceiling. "I know. But… next time I see her, I'm just going to come out and say it. I'll just tell her that I'm in… in love with her."
The other dancer gave him a smile and a pat on the arm. "Annamarie is a lucky one."
"If she ever comes back."
"She will. I mean, if Royal Peacock can get better from being possessed by an Akuma then Annamarie can come back from… whatever happened to her."
He gave her a weak smile and went to pack his own belongings. "Thanks Emilie."
She smiled at him then looked away, going to get her own things before suddenly noticing someone else in the room. "Annamarie?!"
The teen in question laughed as everyone else noticed her entry and they all hurried over to hug her and ask questions. It wasn't until Madam Renou clapped her hands that they all shut up and parted, allowing the older woman to embrace the returning student. "Annamarie, it's good to see you again."
"And you madam."
"How are you?"
She sighed and shrugged. "It's been a long six months but I'm as good as new and better."
"I'm so glad to hear it. Will you be… returning to us?"
"Of course." The dancer giggled as she looked at the excited faces around her. "I hear Emilie has taken the spot of Prima." She said with a smirk at the dark haired girl.
The other girl laughed at her. "Well, we couldn't leave the spot unfilled."
"I've heard great reviews, Emilie but I hope you're ready to fight for the title."
"You know it." The two laughed then hugged quickly.
Madam Renou smiled at their banter. "The current show ends in a few weeks, Annamarie. I hope you be alright waiting until then?"
"Yes, I understand. But, if I could speak to you in private madam?"
"Let's speak in my office."
"See you all later!" She called and waved to the troupe as she left the studio.
As they left, Emilie went back to Louie as he stood stunned towards the back, staring at the space where the dancer had been. "Guess you have your chance." She teased, grabbing her bag from the floor and headed away.
The troupe walked off home and Louie collected his things, pulling on a jacket over his shirt but he couldn't help but notice the race of his heart as he stood in the hallway and leant on the wall. As he waited, he began to think about what he would say, how he would tell her. He must have been stood for a while but finally heard someone close a door down the hallway from him.
It was the dancer he'd been waiting for. "Hey! Annamarie!"
She turned at his call and smiled brightly. "Louie!" She jogged over to him. "It's good to see you again! How are you? What are you still doing here?"
"Wanted to talk." Was all he managed as he looked at her golden eyes once more. She looked different. Her eyes shone with an enlightened wonder of a free spirit, like she was about to break out into song any second.
Or was that just how he saw her?
She blinked and held in a small chuckle. "So? What you want to talk about?"
What did he want to talk to her about? His mind was blank. "I… I… I-I-I-I-I… I…I…" He gulped sharply. He couldn't do it. His hands were clammy and his heart raced, unable to say more than a single syllabub.
Concern washed away any amusement and her hands reached out for his and she touched them gently. "Hey… come on, calm down, it's only me. No need to be nervous."
Not knowing that her contact wasn't helping, the teen gulped again. "I… I umm… I'm…" Again he failed and fell into silence.
Annamarie laughed and moved a little closer, giving him a warm hug. "I'm glad to be back too. I've missed you."
Louie swore his heart was going to explode as she held him but as she pulled away to leave, he internally screamed for himself to do something, anything before it was too late. She was getting away but her hand was still in his so he squeezed it to keep her in place, watching her reaction as she turned to look at him again.
Moving before he had chance to reconsider, his other hand grabbed the side of her neck and pulled her forward until their lips clumsily crushed together, a slight pain from their sudden contact but the intention was clear.
He let go after a few seconds and screwed his eyes shut. "I'm in love with you Annamarie!" He said loudly. "I have been from the moment we met and I swore to myself the next time I saw you I would tell you because if I didn't I think my heart is going to burst since I can't think about anything but you and these last few months when you have been away have been so painful for me but I didn't know what was wrong or where you were and…" His rambling was stopped when two gentle fingers were placed over his lips.
He kept still, his eyes gradually opened and looked at her, feeling the bottom of his stomach drop out.
She was fixated at him, her face void of emotion, just staring at him with slow, even breaths. He held her hand tight, waiting for her to do something. To say something. Anything. He felt like he was holding his breath and about to pass out.
Finally her fingers moved off his lips and over to the edge of his jaw, stroking his cheek as her lips slowly curled into a smile. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
He shook his head a little, ensuring not to get rid of her touch. "Didn't know how."
"You're an idiot."
His eyes moved away from her but quickly returned when she moved her hand to his shoulder and stood on her toes to reach him, kissed him soft and quick, pulling away a little. His heart was pounding and he couldn't believe what he was hearing or feeling or… he grabbed her again and kissed her firmly once more, his lips working gently against hers, deepening it slightly until pulling back with a deep blush on his cheeks.
She was blushing too but made no move to part from him, her hands on his shoulders as she let her heels returned to the floor, licking her lips. "So?"
"So…" He breathed gently. "What… what now?"
"Well… how about we… go out for dinner?"
"Sounds good." He laughed nervously. "Tonight?"
"Sorry, I'm meeting up with some friends tonight. What about Friday? Give me a chance to get myself together."
"Friday sounds even better." Louie nodded, holding her tight. "I… I will see you then?"
"Of course." Her fingers ran back in his hair softly. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." She giggled, leaning over for one last peck then walked away, beaming from ear to ear all the way back to her home. It wasn't far and she'd done it a hundred times before but now she felt as high as a kite and sighed as she opened the front door. "Mom, I'm home."
"How did it go?" Came Estella's voice from the kitchen.
"Alright. I'm going to be practicing with them but not performing until the next show. Then I'm going up against Emilie for the role of Prima."
"You will have a challenge beating her now, she's gotten really good." Her mother said as she cooked.
"I know. But if I don't get it, I'll be happy. I arranged with the madam that whoever she picks, the other will be her understudy."
"That's very understanding of you."
"Yeah." She sighed. "And it was good to see everyone. I've missed them." She looked away and tried not to blush. "Especially Louie."
Estella blinked as she looked over her shoulder at her. "Oh? And why especially Louie?"
Her daughter blushed. "I… he sort of… umm… told me… he loves me."
The other froze then let out a deep sigh. "Well it's about time!"
"Wait… what? You… you knew?"
"Darling the boy was hardly subtle! I mean, anyone who looked at him when you're around could tell."
The dancer froze, thinking about it before covering her face with her hands. "I'm so dense! Ahhh!" She moaned and leant forward. "Now I know how Marinette feels! I feel sorry for Adrian when he works it out."
A/N: Don't forget to review! The more reviews, the sooner the next chapter might be up.