Marinette
Why did it have to be this way?
She couldn't tell them. Not one of her friends. Not even a peep.
Marinette sighed, rubbing her eyes gingerly as the pale light of morning awoke her.
Alya was too exposed in the community – she'd be targeted if she knew Ladybug's identity. Adrien and Nino were out of the question – they were the enemy. Even if it hurt Marinette to call them that.
She sniffed, pulling in a crisp breath as she climbed out onto the roof of her parent's house.
It was fairly early, dew still glistening along the gray railing of her balcony. The flowers were shriveled from the cold, frozen closed until spring.
Marinette let out a sigh, watching her breath waft away from her into the pastel sky. She didn't often stay at her parent's house; it was really only when her parent's wanted to check in with her – about once a week, and usually on the day they wanted something delivered to the police station.
But that time was up, and she needed to go back to work.
Regretfully she removed herself from her post, opening the hatch and sliding into her dimly lit room. Checking that her overnight bag was ready, she clambered downstairs to where her parents were working in the kitchen, preparing the second round of breakfast fillers.
"I'm heading out to work," Marinette announced, one hand still on the railing.
"This early?" Papa asked, one eyebrow raised. "You don't usually leave before 8."
Marinette grimaced. "I have some work that needs to get done before the shop opens."
"Oh alright," Papa said, standing up to give his daughter a hug. "So long as you come see us again next week."
"You know we'll be here," Mama said, giving Marinette an affectionate squeeze. "Stop by any time, sweetie."
Marinette nodded, then turned to head back up to her room.
Hurriedly she zipped on a jacket over her gray clothing, slung her overnight bag over her shoulder, and scampered back downstairs, giving quick cheek kisses to her parents before sprinting out the door into the fresh air.
It was true that she had work to do. Not for her boutique, however…
For the other world…
Marinette smiled ruefully, pulling her jacket closer to her body to fight off the chill.
Here she was, Ladybug, walking down the street in broad daylight. And who knew? Only her.
I suppose that's one of the downsides of being a mysterious idol. Marinette thought, smiling at the passerby. No one knows who I am.
I'm alone.
Her smile faltered.
It hadn't used to bother her, being alone. She'd been so passionate about the cause that the distance growing between herself and others – her friends, her family, her followers - hadn't even registered. She was the idol of thousands of young girls. A role model. A hero.
She stood up against the tyrant – she was the face of the rebellion – she wanted the ban on sexual expression to be annihilated.
The government could suck her ladybug print panties for all she cared.
And so she became a strong independent woman. And being a strong independent woman meant just that; you had to be strong, and independent. But she'd begun to wonder. Did 'independent' mean that you had to be alone all the time?
She sighed.
Sure, she had followers. She had a spider web of customers all across the globe, all running along the black market she had helped construct.
But did they help her in her cause?
No.
They just liked basking in the sanctuary she made possible. In the underground world.
But Marinette didn't want an underground world. She wanted an above ground world. For the real world to be the underground world.
Unfortunately, it was rather hard running a business, a black market, and trying to change legislature all at the same time.
She signed again, turning a corner to get onto the street where her shop was.
Over time, Marinette had found that people often missed the most obvious explanations to things, thinking that there was a trick.
So where do you think you'd find a black market clothing line?
In a clothing store, of course. Where else?
She unlocked the door carefully, feeling the lock click and the bolt turn with her hand. A small bell chimed when she opened the door, and she hurriedly closed it behind her to shut out the cold.
Shrugging off her coat, she quickly glanced around the room, noting the monochromatic color scheme of the clothing – of all the clothing in Paris.
She strutted to the back of the display room, past the rows of gray garments she'd sowed. In the back she moved a display case to reveal a panel in the floor, which she lifted up to allow access to the spiral staircase below.
After one last look over her shoulder, she slipped down, replacing the floorboard over her head.
Down to business, she thought, taking the last step.
Around her dozens of boxes of lingerie were stacked, mounds of frilly fabric, lace, ribbons, and buttons spilling from their containers.
Marinette ran a hand over her sewing machine, the smooth surface calming her nerves.
Ladybug's shop is open…
XXXXXXXXXXX
Adrien
"Officer Agreste," the gravelly voice stole Adrien's attention, soup spoon hovering just before his lips. His eyes snapped to his boss's, posture straightening to show his full attention. "I need you in my office," the Police Chief said, already turning down the hall.
Adrien scrambled to his feet, giving Nino a wide eyed stare and shoving his bowl of soup towards him before hurriedly following his boss.
He closed the door behind him, the click setting his nerves on edge.
"You wanted to see me, Chief?" Adrien asked, hesitant despite the open request.
"I have a very important mission for you," the Police Chief stated, leaning onto his desk. "It involves the capture of Ladybug, through infiltration."
Adrien's eyebrows skyrocketed, heartbeat quickening at the mention of the heroin's name. "Infiltration?" He asked, voice unnaturally high. His hands clenched into fists, a sweat instantly breaking out on his neck. He'd never been assigned anything individually – only team missions with Nino.
"Yes," the Chief continued, taking a sip of coffee. "It's apparent now that a frontal attack on Ladybug is ineffective." His grip on the coffee cup tightened. "We've spent too long chasing her down rabbit-holes."
He turned to Adrien, eyes sharp. "But she still needs to be brought to justice."
Adrien swallowed thickly, keeping eye contact. "Of course, Sir," he said. "What did you have in mind for the mission?"
The Chief gave an approving grunt, swiveling in his chair to retrieve something from a box behind him. "As I said before," the Chief turned back to Adrien, a strip of cloth in hand, "this will be an infiltration mission."
He threw the strip of cloth into the air, the black fabric unfurling across the Chief's desk to form a humanoid shape.
Adrien stared at the black suit, unsure what to make of it.
"I want you to infiltrate the underground world, and find Ladybug," the Chief smiled slightly, hand gripping the black suit. "I don't want you to capture her, yet," he continued. "I just want you to observe her activities so that we can root her and her followers out."
Adrien gaped at his boss, the garb's meaning suddenly becoming apparent. "You want me to wear this?" He squeaked, blood rushing to his face.
His boss's eyes dropped, a sage nod earning Adrien some relief. "I understand the … discomfort this kind of mission could cause you," the Chief coughed. "But it is necessary for you to blend in as one of Ladybug's followers for you to get close to her and observe her activities."
Adrien swallowed, heart hammering in his chest. He took a piece of the fabric in hand. It was smooth, shining darkly in the muted light.
"So you want me to blend in and get close to Ladybug…" Adrien said. It wasn't a question, just a statement of confirmation.
His boss nodded, hands folded under his chin.
"I think I can do that," Adrien said, the image of Ladybug bringing a small smile to his lips.
"Good," the Chief stood, forcing the black garb into Adrien's hands. "Suit up. You start now."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
[AHAHAHAHAHA THE BIRTH OF CHAT NOIR AHAHAHAHHAHA]
Author's Note: Fair warning: the cheesy "You're under Agreste" line is coming. VERY SOON (next chapter?). I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. It's just so…Adrien…
Please let me know if you are confused at all. I've left some pretty gaping loopholes so far so ask for help if you've fallen into one!
I hope everyone's enjoyed! Please let me know what you guys think!
Next chapter, Chat meets Ladybug…