The high pitched, screeching laughter was what first drew Ladybug to the Trocadéro with all speed. But then, as she swung over the city effortlessly on the slack of her yo-yo, she caught sight of her four pawed partner ahead leaping recklessly between buildings with no regard for stealth, and that's what made her lunge forward all the faster.
From the top of the gorgeous Parisian monument, a figure clothed all in flamingo pink was visible – Beauty Queen, the newest akuma victim. And the source of the maniacal laughing. From what Ladybug had already deduced, it was Mme. Etcoufé.
She would be correct.
A normally cheerful and passionate woman, Mme. Etcoufé was the owner of a lovely boutique that had been struggling to make ends meet. Shortly after opening her shop that morning, she had gotten the news that Belle Coupe would be put out of business if she couldn't make a rent payment. After asking for an extension and being told she was rejected, Hawk Moth had struck. Playing off her good nature and dejection, he made it seem as if she deserved more than what she was being given. She wasn't the villain here; those that made good people suffer were truly evil. Mme. Etcoufé had willingly agreed to give him the Miraculous he sought in return for showing Paris how lost they would be without her wondrous style.
Her first victim had been the man delivering the terrible news. Hair sprayed in place, he was frozen outside her beloved shop like a gargoyle. His skin sparkled, his nails were properly manicured; not a single hair was out of place on his head. But even magic couldn't beautify the horror in his eyes.
Terrified Parisians dotted the streets in the same manner. Thanks to Beauty Queen's magical abilities, they had been transformed into beautiful, flawless statues of their former selves.
Elegant, immortalized, and trapped without question.
That was how Ladybug had discovered Hawk Moth's evil intentions. She had started going to Belle Coupe for her monthly haircut just a few weeks prior. Of course not as a superhero but as her civilian self Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Luckily her appointment had been the same afternoon; she shuddered to think what would have happened if she hadn't been there. Discovering the poor man outside the shop, the crumpled letter from the bank on the sidewalk, and Mme. Etcoufé nowhere to be found, she had ducked inside the abandoned salon without a moment of hesitation to transform.
Ladybug landed on a chimney stack and stared disbelievingly ahead of her. That black cat was really moving! He was four or five buildings ahead of her. She wondered if he had gotten into some nip before taking off.
Better get there fast, she thought, tumbling across a rooftop and launching back out into space. Catching an antenna with her yo-yo she vaulted high and aimed low, landing on the next roof at a run. I really don't need that bell-brain saying anything stupid today to ruin things more than they have been by Hawk Moth.
School for her civilian side had been absolutely perfect. Even Chloé with her sour attitude hadn't been able to pierce the clouds of heaven Marinette had walked on.
Adrien had liked her sketch ideas.
They were getting ready for the annual fashion show at school, and Marinette had been placed in charge of designing the outfits that year. She had decided to go all out – bringing out both her love of fashion and of Paris with her ideas.
And Adrien had liked them. He said he couldn't wait to work as a team to bring them to life. The very thought of working on a group project with the love of her life caused a large grin to spread over her face. Caught up in her own thoughts, Ladybug near missed her throw, just barely making it onto the next building.
She shook her head. Now wasn't the time to get lost in her daydreams. She could focus on school and the outfits after they had defeated Beauty Queen.
Luckily for her, Cat Noir had halted right before reaching the akuma victim, hiding behind an outcrop near the gardens. She landed as silently as she could beside him, but his ears twitched and with a grin he turned to her. Curse his feline senses.
"Hasn't anyone told this woman she's got no chance of being the queen of beauty in this city with you around?" Cat Noir winked and extended a bow towards her.
And curse his wily ways, too.
She rolled her eyes."Ech. Save it kitty-cat. We have work to do. Any ideas on where her akuma is hiding?"
"No, but it shouldn't be that difficult to find out now that I have you backing me up. I'll get in close and scope things out!"
"Wait, Cat Noir, stop!"
Before she could stop him, he vaulted away.
"Argh!" She took off after him, zooming in a tight circle around their adversary.
In the strange style of being akumatized, Beauty Queen stood out garishly from her surroundings. To Ladybug, The Trocadéro with its surrounding gardens and pathways, the stone arches and sweeping plaza, was the epitome of grace and beauty. This woman who was now terrorizing fleeing Parisians on the steps didn't strike her as being beautiful at all. In one hand she held a giant pair of bright yellow shears, the other was tightly clenched around the dangerous violently violet can of hair spray. She was dressed in a vibrant pink tracksuit, matching heels, and a giant royal blue powder wig.
Hawk Moth Clearly had no taste in fashion.
"So nice of you to finally join me!" Beauty Queen sang out as both superheroes landed in front of her. "Your washed out playground costumes could use a make over."
"You'd better not be talking to either of us, Snooty Queen," Cat Noir laughed. "We're not the walking fashion faux pas. Don't you know you're supposed to match your accessories to your shoes? And let me tell you sister, those scissors clash horribly with those pumps!"
"How dare you!" she shrieked. "What's a mangy alley-cat doing lecturing me, the glorious queen of beauty, about fashion?"
"Yeah seriously Cat Noir, how do you know so much about fashion?" Ladybug crossed her arms and arched a brow at her companion.
He jumped and chuckled nervously. "Err, well I-I pick up some stuff, you know, in the Classy Cat Catalogues. Come on, let's stop wasting time and catch this akuma!"
Brandishing his staff, he leaped at Beauty Queen, using it as a vaulting pole to get closer to his target.
Ladybug groaned but followed suit. She could honestly imagine someone like Cat reading something like that just to look good for his public. What a showoff.
"Looks like someone needs more beauty sleep!" With the jibe, Cat sailed in for a spinning kick. She dodged, slashing at him with the shears.
"I'll snip those arrogant whiskers from your face!"
Cat landed gracefully in front of her, hands on his hips. "Jokes on you, this cat doesn't have whiskers. Not even a five o'clock shadow on this handsome face!"
Fearing he'd get too over confidant, Ladybug decided she would need to work quickly.
"Lucky Charm!" Summoning the power of her Miraculous, she was rewarded with a polka dotted blow dryer.
"Great. Another accessory for her to use on us," she grumbled. Looking up, she watched as Beauty Queen parried another blow from Cat Noir. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
Her bug senses whirred into action. Pinging first the vault pole in Cat Noir's hands, then to the street lamp directly to the left of their battle, and then finally on the can of spray in her hands.
"I've got it! We just need to figure out where the akuma is hiding. Cat Noir!" she called, whirling her yo-yo into action. "Search her for the akuma!"
"On it my lady!"
He bounded forward once again, staff at the ready.
Beauty Queen was waiting. Parrying the blow, she shook up the can of spray.
"Careful with that stuff!" Cat jumped high above her head, using the sun to blind her.
"Arghh!" She had to shield her eyes, unable to spray him without seeing. Ladybug wasted no time. Springing forward she knocked the can from her grasp with a well timed throw of her yo-yo. Sweeping below the flailing shears, she managed to grab the can, shake it, and spray the still sun-blind woman's legs, freezing them in place, all in one fluid action.
"No!" Unable to move, Beauty Queen windmilled her arms to stay upright.
Using Ladybug to his advantage, Cat tip-pawed up behind the immobilized villain. Though half blind and without use of her legs, Beauty Queen managed a clumsy turn and with a scream of rage aimed the shears at Cat in a furious throw.
"Cat look out!" Ladybug cried. She was too far away to stop the attack.
Calling on the powers of his Cataclysm, Cat shattered the blades as they nearly missed his face.
"Close shave! But I didn't have an appointment today and I hate being a walk-in," he said, landing a blow that sent her careening away from him.
The action loosened a chain that had been around her neck, revealing a lovely little heart shaped locket. Of all the chintzy pieces of her attire, this was the most normal, and the most likely for their target.
"Ugh! Less of the puns, Cat Noir!" Ladybug shouted. Another one liner from him and she'd spray his mouth shut. "We need to find that akuma!"
"It's her locket Ladybug! The akuma has to be in her locket!"
"Got it!"
Ladybug ran towards the lamp post, her yo-yo in full blur. To the end she had attached the blow dryer cord. Now she threw it, as hard as she could. The blow dryer whizzed through the air, the contour creating a boomerang effect. The string looped around the post, the blow dryer arced, and wrapped around Beauty Queen just as she was attempting to pick up her spray can. Wailing, she was flung against the lamp post, the cord strapping her tightly to it.
Darting over, Ladybug snatched the locket from around her neck and dropped it on the ground. Crushing it under foot, she and Cat Noir watched as a blackened butterfly swept out.
Beauty Queen let out one last howl of despair.
With the power of the Miraculous given to her, Ladybug de-evilized the akuma, releasing the now snow-white butterfly to the air, and changed everything back to the way it had been before Hawk Moth had been involved.
Mme. Etcoufé sat, bewildered, below the lamp post. In front of her, Ladybug and Cat Noir shared a fist bump.
Gazing sadly down at the locket she now had cradled in her hand, the shopkeeper fought to keep the tears from falling. Clicking open the small ornamental piece, it revealed a photo of a smiling man standing next to her. Sniffling, she closed it up and hung it back around her neck. Going to stand, she was surprised by a hand that was proffered. Ladybug stood in front of her, smiling.
"Today must have been incredibly confusing for you, but I want you to know that no matter what, good prevails against all odds."
"And I wouldn't worry too much about your shop, either," Cat said, sauntering up as Mme. Etcoufé got to her feet. "Something tells me you're not about to close up just yet."
"Th-thank you, the both of you. My shop...it's all I have after my husband...thank you," she whispered, wiping a hand across her eyes.
Ladybug watched her walk away, wondering if she'd truly be okay.
Cat smiled at her. "Great job today my lady."
"You were the one who found the akuma but I wish you had slowed down. It's a team effort after all," she responded.
"Y-yeah, it is, you're right. Today was just such a great day, and I was really feeling like we were going to own things. But you're absolutely right, we're a team. A pretty great one in fact." He leaned in, an eyebrow cocked coquettishly. "I'd say we're quite close, wouldn't you agree?"
But she just pushed his face away, hearing her earrings beep.
"Don't get too carried away Cat," she said, pointing to his ring which was also flashing in warning. "Looks like our time here is up, and that'll be one 'new do' I do not want to see."
Without looking back, she catapulted herself into the air, swinging away into the afternoon sky, missing the look of complete adoration she received from Cat Noir.
A few hours later, Marinette was hurrying to the shop to see if there was anything she could do to help out. After telling her parents what had transpired, she was loaded down with breads and cookies to take to the no doubt distraught shopkeeper. But it didn't seem to be enough in her eyes. She hated it when Hawk Moth took victims who had genuine troubles in their lives. Well, she hated any time he made someone into a villain, but knowing he chose to strike when people were at their most vulnerable boiled her blood.
"It just goes to show you are a true Ladybug," a little voice piped up from the clutch at her side.
"You've said that before Tikki, but I'm just so upset. Being turned into an evil version of yourself just because something bad has happened isn't something I'd wish on anyone, not even Chloé," Marinette replied, keeping her voice hushed in case anyone walking by were to hear her.
The voice belonged to Tikki, her kwami. It was because of Tikki that Marinette had become the fighter of justice and symbol of luck in their city. Though in the time they had been partners a firm friendship had also blossomed. Marinette often sought guidance from the little ladybug-esque figure, and Tikki was not short of good council on being both the champion Ladybug and kind hearted Marinette.
Turning a corner Marinette's heart sank. Parked outside the Belle Coupe were two highly sophisticated and expensive cars. One in glossy black, the other in polished silver. It was the latter that looked oddly familiar, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Please don't be from the bank, please don't be from the bank," she moaned, picking up her pace.
"Whatever you find inside Marinette just stay calm and don't be rude! It'll only make the situation worse," Tikki cautioned.
The bell chimed as she walked in, but she hardly heard it. Her ears tuned in to the sound of Mme. Etcoufé laughing, just before her brain shut down completely.
"Marinette! Perfect timing, we need celebration snacks." The melodious voice of Adrien Agreste rang across the shop.
Adrien Agreste was in the same salon she frequented. Sitting in one of the styling chairs, waving at her as if it was completely normal. There was another woman to his left, busily tapping away on a tablet. A crisply dressed man was seated in another chair, a phone to his ear. He seemed preoccupied but briefly gave Marinette a glance as she came in. There was a thin stack of papers in his lap.
But it was Adrien that garnered her full attention. He was looking pleased. His emerald eyes sparkled, and he was positively beaming at the shopkeeper standing in front of him. Then it clicked. That was his silver car parked out front. If only she had realized it before, she could have mentally prepared herself instead of just bursting into the salon. She felt her cheeks go pink.
"Oh Marinette, how thoughtful! Are those from your family? I'm truly blessed. Come in, come in!" Mme. Etcoufé bustled over to take the parcels from Marinette's arms, missing the mechanical way they lowered to her sides.
Mme. Etcoufé near babbled as she spread out the goodies on the counter, plopping a cookie into Adrien's outstretched and eager hand. "The Gabriel Agreste has offered to personally fund my little old shop can you believe it? Adrien here told him just how wonderfully hard we work here to provide good service to those that need it, and out of the goodness of his heart that lovely man has agreed to keep us open, isn't that superb?"
"Huah? Oh yes! That is seally ruperb – I-I-I mean really superb! Ahahaha." Marinette laughed nervously to cover her stammering. But she couldn't take her eyes off Adrien, now happily devouring one of the madeleines her father had baked just that morning. Shaking her head vigorously she backtracked a bit. "No really Mme. Etcoufé that is great to hear. I knew you'd make it one way or another, and a shop like yours doesn't deserve to be shut down. I'm glad someone else has finally realized your talent and potential."
Her words made the woman's eyes film over with unshed tears. "Well thank you Marinette. My husband would be so happy today. Thank you very much. And thanks to you too Adrien. He came here personally to tell me what his father has offered to do. Isn't he the sweetest?"
"He sure is," Marinette replied dreamily.
Adrien looked over at her and she blushed to the roots of her hair. "I-I mean he's nice! Th-that is to come here and tell his father what offer you are to- uh- whuh...he-he's nice," she cut herself off with a squeak.
"Thanks Marinette but it was nothing. Just making sure this whole mess had a happy ending. And these madeleines you brought are delicious!" He beamed and went in for another one.
The woman beside him put away the tablet and coughed delicately. "We had best be going now Adrien. Your lesson begins in thirty minutes."
"Oh right. Thanks Nathalie. See you at school tomorrow Marinette. Can't wait to start working on our fashion show ideas!" He sprang lightly from the chair and waved at her again as Nathalie walked him out of the shop.
"Yes! Can't wait for ideas and the tomorrow showing!" she called, before smacking herself in the face with an open palm as the door swung closed.
"We'd be home by now eating some delicious cheese and playing video games if we hadn't stopped at that salon, you know." The complaining was coming from the inside of Adrien's jacket.
"Yeah, but we had to make sure this turned out right, Plagg. I couldn't let Hawk Moth get away with ruining another innocent life."
The driver had stopped to get gas for the car, so Adrien wasn't too worried about answering his kwami, Plagg. Keeping the little nuisance tucked into his jacket kept him safe, warm, and above all, out of trouble. Adrien opened it just a bit to take a look at his partner.
"I guess that means you were the right one for the job," the small black cat-like creature sighed. "But that doesn't change the fact that I'm staaaarving."
Adrien rolled his eyes. "Give it a rest, you'll get your cheese once we're home."
The driver opened the door and settled into the seat, so Adrien closed up his jacket and turned to look out the window.
As Cat Noir he had stopped Beauty Queen, but as Adrien Agreste he had stopped a salon from going out of business. It made him feel proud, even if he couldn't share it with anyone. And despite how they bickered, he knew Plagg would have more words of congratulatory nature once they were home and he was fed.
It truly had been a perfect day. He had gotten to fight alongside Ladybug again. That was always something he looked forward to. Saving the day, side by side with his lucky bug. Though if he called her that to her face she'd probably string him up somewhere. He sighed heavily, watching traffic pass them by. Sometimes he wished they could see each other outside of fighting crime. It didn't make sense to look forward to their city being attacked, but that was the only time he ever got to see her. Dwelling on the fact that their identities were going to remain secret no matter how badly he wished it was otherwise diminished his good mood a bit. Yet, she had told him they were a team, and hadn't denied it when he said they were great together.
He allowed himself a small smile. It had been a purrfect day.
Marinette stayed to chat with Mme. Etcoufé a little longer, discovering that the man still seated and on the phone was from the bank. They were finalizing the minor details of the shop. Gabriel Agreste would handle the finances, and Mme. Etcoufé would keep it running smoothly. It seemed her talents were wider renown than she had first given herself credit for.
This gladdened Marinette's heart, and she left the salon much happier than she had entered it.
"You did a good thing checking on her like that," Tikki sang, zooming out to snuggle against her cheek. "And you got to see Adrien!"
"I got to see Adrien," Marinette parroted happily.
"But you do get to see him every day, Marinette."
"Yeah but not outside of school. So this was totally the cherry on top of the ice cream!"
Tikki nestled into her hair as some passerby gave them some odd looks. "Mm, ice cream. We get to go home and rest, right? I'm really tired and I could use some food."
"Of course Tikki. You'll get to eat up and get some sleep. I'll work on those sketches for tomorrow."
She gazed up at the darkening sky. Evening had fallen without her even realizing it. The sky at twilight was always her favorite. When the street lamps came on, all the streets of Paris lit up. To her, there was no sight more magical. Except, perhaps, the beloved face of her Adrien.
It had been the most perfect of days, and there was no shred of doubt in her mind that tomorrow was going to be even greater.
Welcome all! I'm chuffed to become a part of this delightful adventure. These two characters have shed a lot of creativity, optimism, and all around good lovey-dovey feelings to the world since coming into creation. And I hope to do them justice with this story. As mentioned in the short summary, in later chapters there will be original characters making an appearance. However they are for the soul purpose of driving the narrative forward, and will not be stealing the limelight away from our two heroes. I hope that you'll enjoy, and that you'll share any of your thoughts, questions, or critiques with me.
~M