Miraculous Pretty Cure!

by mjinxlei

Marinette Dupain-Cheng never expected to become Cure Ladybug, one of the legendary Pretty Cures that borrowed power from jewels known as the Miraculous. But the forces of Hawk Moth set its sights on Paris and Marinette finds herself fulfilling her destiny. With a sheltered partner and a black cat shadowing her every move, would Marinette's life ever be normal? Pretty Cure AU.

4. Chapter 4: The Pretty Cure Duo!

MIRACULOUS PRETTY CURE!

Chapter 4

It Takes Two to Tango! The Pretty Cure Duo!

- o - 0 - o -

The room was entirely dim as Luciferin entered. It looked like it was abandoned, but he knew that beneath the darkness stretching out from corner to corner, an unspeakable force of power was trapped inside. The man carefully moved through the hall and with every step he made, light travelled with him - provided by the white butterflies that huddled around the floor. When Luciferin finally made it to the end, he kneeled before the man who sat in an ornate throne.

"Lord Hawk Moth," started Lucifern, bowing his head so as not to meet his master's gaze. "I bring grave news - a new Pretty Cure had appeared."

Luciferin felt Hawk Moth stir, but his voice was calm and even. "Which Miraculous did she possess?"

"The Peacock Miraculous, your Lordship," replied the servant. Luciferin felt the atmosphere thicken as Hawk Moth released a sharp breath. The top hatted man was not sure if his master's fury was directed at him, but he had to redeem himself nevertheless. "I will deliver their Miraculous to you, master. If you would be so kind to bequeath to me another Akuma, I-"

"Oh dear, how pitiful. Luciferin, don't you think it's time for you get a lovely vacation?"

Luciferin could feel his temper rising and his top hat changing colors as he turned to meet the owner of the voice. "May I just ask what you mean by that, Mariposa?"

From the shadows of the room, a chocolate-skinned woman approached, wearing an orange trumpet-style gown. Tall and slim, she walked with the grace and haughtiness of a diva. Brown curls cascaded from her head and her right bangs covered an eye, colored by a mystifying purple hue. She wore an ornate purple butterfly as a hairpin and it glowed along with its white siblings around the floor. She wore a teasing smirk that infuriated Luciferin more.

"I mean what I say," cooed the newcomer, passing Luciferin as she faced their master. "Lord Hawk Moth, I am more than capable of flooring two Pretty Cure upstarts. Shall I have the pleasure of bringing their demise?"

Hawk Moth stared at the woman with an amused glint in his cold, blue eyes. "You have my permission, Mariposa. Do not fail me."

"I have no intention of sullying your name, Lord Hawk Moth, unlike some people." The vixen even glanced at Luciferin, the nerve! "I, Mariposa, envy of all creation, shall be victorious!"

- o - 0 - o -

Excitement was an understatement for what Felice was feeling right now. After a brief orientation by the principal, Brent had headed out as he smiled and wished her a good time. Felice then followed Madame Caline Bustier - her homeroom teacher - to the classroom where she will be finally learning new things, instead of a desk at home. As she entered, she saw a lot of faces - her new classmates - and her heart was thumping too loud she was afraid that someone would hear it.

Madame Bustier quickly went to business. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet a new student transferring to our class as of today."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Felice did a little bow and a curtsy - is this fine, is this enough or is this too much - while she nervously stifled her thoughts . "My name is Felice Agreste."

And as she looked up, Felice met the gaze of a pair of bluebell eyes - the owner of which were staring at her open-mouthed. Felice made a little "oh" sound when she met the baker's daughter once more, though she could not pinpoint whether the dark-haired girl was happy to see her or not. But there was high-pitched squeal as something blonde suddenly hugged her.

"Oh, Felice!" Chloé Bourgeois' unmistakable voice rang through the whole room, as she smothered the transfer student with a tight embrace. Felice saw the baker's daughter's face fell and it was quite clear that it was an expression of dislike. Felice wondered how easily - and quickly - her impression of her changed.

"You're finally here!" Chloé's eyes shone and Felice couldn't help but smile at her childhood friend. It had been five years since Felice have seen the mayor's daughter, but the girl kept close contact with her - though mostly their conversations rolled around Chloé's new shoes, Adrien's favorite food, Chloé's shopping spree, Adrien's work schedule and Chloé's complaints about life itself. The other blonde tugged her arm, propelling her to a seat next to a boy in a hat and just in front of the dark-haired girl from the boulangerie. "Here, I saved you a seat in front. And I'm sitting over there!"

"Ah-hem." Madame Bustier coughed and she looked both annoyed and amused at the same time. "Well, since Felice is already seated comfortably, you can go back to your seat now, Chloé. I'd like to begin my lesson as soon as possible."

To Felice's surprise, Chloé grumbled as she returned to her seat, raising an eyebrow at the teacher. Felice was quite shocked - was this how you treat your teachers in a public school? Well, she had once seen a movie where the teacher was terrorized by her pupils, but that was supposed to be bad, wasn't it? Her former tutors were good people so she treated them with the utmost respect.

The boy sitting beside her coughed to catch her attention. He wore the typical Collège Françoise Dupont uniform for boys - long-sleeved black blazer over a white shirt with a red tie and black slacks - but it was worn quite lopsidedly. Felice was sure a red cap and headphones wrapped around the neck was not part of the proper attire, but the boy wore them all the same. He had a pair of eyeglasses over golden brown eyes and his skin was brown. There was a neutral expression in his face as he regarded her. "You friends with Chloé?"

Felice contemplated the question, trying to be as honest as possible. "I believe you could call us friends, but it had been five years since we last met."

The boy raised an eyebrow, but did not comment further. He then faced the teacher and ignored her for the rest of the class. Felice wondered if she did something wrong.

- o - 0 - o -

Madame Bustier was reciting a Shakespearean poem, but Marinette was not listening. She wasn't even looking at the teacher - she was busy staring at the back of the Felice girl, thoughts racing inside her mind.

She's Cure Plume. But she's Chloé's friend.

But she's Cure Plume. You're supposed to work together!

But she's Chloé's friend!

"You'll burn holes at the transfer student's back if you keep staring like that." Alya's voice cut through Marinette's thoughts, snapping her head to the red-haired girl, who looked amused and mildly intrigued.

Marinette gave her a sheepish grin but Alya's curiosity had already been stoked. She regarded the dark-haired girl with a reporter's stare. "Do you know the transfer student?"

Marinette decided to be a little honest - Alya could smell a lie a mile off. "She's been to our bakery last Saturday and she was…"

"Was what?" Alya looked more interested now that Marinette suddenly trailed off.

Marinette internally panicked - she can't tell the auburn-haired girl that she was a Pretty Cure, could she? "Was um… Kinda weird?"

"Weird?" Alya was shocked at what came out from Marinette's mouth. "A cute girl like that - weird?"

Well, Marinette would agree that Felice was cute and doll-like and a hundred times better-looking than her, but she decided to explain further so Alya wouldn't misunderstand. "More like sheltered I guess? She doesn't know how the cashier works and she don't know what a pain au chocolat looks like."

Alya stifled her laughter, but it caught the glances of their neighbors. Marinette straightened up, dreading Madame Bustier catching them talking, but the teacher was absorbed in her discussion about Shakespeare.

When Alya calmed down enough, she had a big smile in her face. "If that's true," she said. "Then this new transfer student would be fun to be around with." She then frowned, reaching the same conclusion as Marinette did. "But she's a friend of Chloé's!"

"I know!" Marinette doubled back as she let her true emotions accidentally slip. Alya looked at her funny and she panicked internally as she tried to salvage the situation. "She's a new student, Alya, but if she's associated with Chloé, everyone will immediately dislike her!" Alya did not look convinced with her intentions, so she added, "And she was pretty nice to me, too." And helped me out as Cure Ladybug, she thought.

Alya was persuaded, to Marinette's immense relief. "It's just like you to think about others," she prompted. "Then the road ahead is clear!"

"The road ahead?" Marinette didn't like the scheming gleam in Alya's eyes, reflected further by her eyeglasses.

"We just need to pry her off from Chloé's claws," replied Alya, looking like it was such a simple answer to the question and Marinette didn't have the imagination to think of it.

Marinette snorted; she couldn't help herself. "And how do you propose we do that?"

Alya winked at her and Marinette knew things will get out of hand soon. "Ye of little faith, leave it to the expert."

- o - 0 - o -

Felice didn't notice that the morning was over. She was quite surprised when the whole class was dismissed for lunch break - she was busy enjoying the sensation of being a normal girl for once. Though, this experience would have never happened without the combined forces of her, her butler and her big brother. Felice thought her father would remain stubborn at the idea of her attending a public school, but he actually gave in easily. There were some conditions of course - she had to retain all her other lessons and she had to be chauffeured on both going to and pick-up from school. In addition, Brent should always be with her outside - except for school - but she really didn't mind.

Chairs were pushed back as the students stood up and headed outside. In fact, her seat-mate had already left. Felice decided to imitate her classmates and as she did, she came face-to-face with the girls sitting behind her - the dark-haired girl whose parents owned the boulangerie and a chocolate-skinned girl with red hair, eyeglasses and a warm smile. She returned the gesture with a small smile of her own.

"Nice to meet you, Felice," said the redhead, extending a hand. Felice clasped with her own and shook it. "I'm Alya. Just like you, I transferred to this school just this year."

"Really?" Felice was excited to know there was someone who had the same situation as hers. "Were you homeschooled, too?"

"Uh no," replied Alya as their hands broke apart. "But I came from overseas."

"Oh." Felice dawdled on her mistake but Alya's bright smile made her continue. "I just recently returned to Paris as well."

"Well, I guess that's one thing we have in common." Felice was impressed at the way Alya carried herself - she could never be as confident and straightforward. The auburn-haired girl seemed to have noticed the other girl standing beside her and quickly opened her mouth to speak. "And oh, this is Marinette. I think you've met her before?"

Felice turned to the dark-haired girl and smiled. "Of course, she had been very helpful during my time in the boulangerie." She offered Marinette her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Marinette."

Marinette looked shy and self-conscious at first, like she had something she wanted to say to Felice but not knowing how to phrase it. After a moment's consideration, her face stiffened to a forced smile but took Felice's hand nevertheless. "Nice to meet you too, Felice." Then the dark-haired girl's smile became more natural, confident and bright. "You can come back anytime, you know." Felice gave her a blank look so the other girl added. "The boulangerie, I mean. I think it's high time you learn more about bread."

Felice warmed up at the thought. The pain au chocolat she bought was extremely delectable, though she wasn't able to share it with the old man who wanted it in the first place. She and Brent had searched the park for a while, before giving in to the fact that the old man may have evacuated, just as Adrien arrived. She thought her older brother would give her a piece of his mind, but he settled with a warm hug and a plea not to do the same stunt again. As much as that short experience of her opened a lot of doors for her, she didn't want to worry her butler and her brother again.

"Anyway," said Alya, cutting off Felice's thoughts. She looked meaningfully at Marinette, who returned her gaze with furrowed brows. "We were wondering if you'd like to join us for lunch. It's your first day and I'm sure you don't know you're way around here, but Marinette here-" The redhead slapped a hand on Marinette's back. "-know all the places where you can have your money's worth. How about it?"

Felice seriously pondered on this. She would like to spend time with these two pleasant girls - and probably be friends with them - but her father had instructed her to eat all her daily meals at home. Breakfast was always a great time, since Adrien would eat with her but he was never around during lunch and occasionally dinner, owing to the fact that he had a job to do. But Felice knew Brent would allow it and he could keep it as a secret. Weighing her options once more, the answer was as clear as day.

"I'd love to-" Felice's answer was cut short by a blonde leaping between Marinette and Alya and pushing them out. Chloé did not even flinch as the two girls yelled at the sudden action that almost made Marinette fall.

"Felice, you're new to this so I forgive you," announced Chloé, but Felice was confused as to what she was supposed to be sorry about. "But you don't make friends with Marinette and her ilk."

"Why? They seem to be nice." And Felice was sure about it as she gave the blonde a puzzled look.

"Nice?" Chloé intoned the word like Felice had mouthed an insult. "I'm nicer than them. And more fashionable. Don't you like my hair?"

Felice was taught to be polite but she didn't know how Chloé's hair fitted in the conversation. "It does look good. But Chloé, you just can't cut in on our conversation - it is quite rude."

"Rude is an understatement," added Alya angrily. "What do you want, Chloé?"

"To you two losers," said Chloé, pointing at Alya then at Marinette, who had similar looks of annoyance in their face. "Nothing. But I'm inviting Felice out to lunch." The blonde looked elated as she grabbed hold of both of Felice's hands. "I had a buffet especially prepared for you back in Daddy's hotel. You have to come."

"But I…" Marinette and Alya had invited her first, but Chloé did prepare something for her and it would be really rude of her to decline. Plus, Chloé was the one who suggested Collège Françoise Dupont, which her father was more inclined to send her to, against the other schools. The blonde was also kind enough to save her a seat, even though there was a good chance that she will not be going through with the transfer.

Felice believed there was only one answer she could give. She nodded, which emitted squeals from Chloé. She was about to tell Marinette and Alya that she could join them for lunch tomorrow, but the blonde girl had already pulled her out of the classroom. The two girls looked on as she was dragged by Chloé, giving them apologetic looks to ease the irritated expressions on their faces.

Felice sighed. First, the boy beside her and now, the girls sitting behind her. She wasn't making much of a good first impression, was she?

- o - 0 - o -

Le Grand Paris was as luxurious as Felice remembered it. Well, owing to the fact that it was owned by the mayor of Paris itself, it shouldn't come as unexpected. Felice remembered playing there with her brother and Chloé whenever her mother would visit Chloé's mother. But those happy days had already passed by, thought Felice glumly. And her and Chloé's mothers are no longer around to make it happen.

So Felice contented herself by sitting together with her old childhood friend and her best friend, an orange-haired bespectacled girl named Sabrina. As usual, Chloé had been rapidly talking for the past few minutes, with Sabrina nodding in assent and following up with compliments every now and then. Felice felt her concentration lapse and she started thinking if this would be different from having lunch out with Marinette and Alya. She was determined to find out tomorrow.

"And so, as I was saying…" Chloé touched Felice's hand on the table, pulling the girl back to reality. "You don't need any friends aside from me and Sabrina."

"But I want to make more friends." Felice's tone was high and though she tried to stifle the incredulity in it, she wasn't so successful judging from Chloé's surprised look. But what she said was true - it was one of the reasons why she attended a public school in the first place.

"What do you need more friends for?" Chloé looked disgusted at the thought while Sabrina nodded in agreement once more. Felice thought that Sabrina was more like a servant than a friend, as Chloé diverted her anger on her. "Sabrina, get some more of these chocolate truffles."

And just like what a good servant would so, Sabrina quickly left her seat. "Yes, Chloé."

Once the girl was gone, Chloé turned to her sweetly. "See? Sabrina can do errands for us. She'd also do all our homework. And then we can go shopping or be pampered in a spa."

"But we're supposed to do our homework on our own." Felice felt her nerves stiffen and blood boil. She was always lenient with Chloé's selfish tendencies - owing to their similar circumstances - but there was only much she could tolerate. Felice gave the blonde girl a disapproving glare, which had always worked in the past.

Chloé did not seem to notice - or mind - Felice's behavior, since she had already dropped the subject. "So, what do you think of the buffet? I had the best chef prepare everything."

It was food that Felice was used to and this might be one of the reasons why she couldn't enjoy herself. Sometimes, even high quality fine dining could be repetitive and boring. But she wasn't going to disrespect the chef's wonderful cooking with her own biases. "It was superb."

"Really?" stated Chloé, looking bored as she checked on her fingernails. "It was Alya's mother who prepared everything - she's our new head chef. Good thing her sushi was exquisite and you enjoyed our lunch, or else I'll have Daddy replace her."

Felice did not bother hiding the fury in her tone. "You're going to fire Alya's mother if I didn't like the food?"

Chloé looked like it was the right thing to do, which did not quell the anger in Felice whatsoever. She turned to Sabrina, who was coming back from the buffet table with a plate of truffles. "Why not? I mean this is my Daddy's hotel."

Felice stood up so suddenly that Sabrina shrieked and dropped the truffles on Chloé's head, who looked appropriately outraged. Beneath Chloé's tirade of anger about her hair and Sabrina's rapid succession of apologies, Felice tut in irritation and muttered. "I'll be in the restroom if you need me."

And without waiting a reply from the squabbling girls - though it was visibly one-sided with Sabrina stepping backing in terror - Felice quickly left and headed for the nearest water closet. Once there, she locked the door, looked at herself in the mirror and was slightly surprised at the way her brows were furrowed and her lips had narrowed.

"It's so not like you to lose your temper like that." Duusu, the blue-colored kwami rose from her tote bag now that Felice was alone.

"I know," replied Felice as she composed herself.

"You have the patience of Buddha himself," remarked Duusu, who flitted about until finally perching on Felice's shoulder. "But I guess there had to be someone who will inevitably get on your nerves."

Felice shook her head. "Chloé wasn't like this." After a pause, she corrected herself. "Well, Chloé wasn't always like this. She'd listen to me when I think there's something wrong with her behavior." Another pause, before the realization hit her. "I guess she's changed a lot these past five years. And I really can't blame her."

Duusu looked contemplative and Felice wondered if she would push the issue of what happened five years ago. The girl had filled in her kwami most about her life, but there were some things she'd rather not talk about aloud. But the fairy was perceptive enough, although the peacock kwami will sometimes act childish. Nevertheless, the next words that came from the fairy's mouth were quite unexpected.

"Oh yeah, that Marinette girl," she narrated, looking as if she was just voicing out an afterthought and not dropping a bomb. "I think she's Cure Ladybug."

"What?!" Felice squawked - there was no other word for it and her etiquette tutor would have probably fainted at the sound. Shaking her head out of thoughts of her tutor, she turned to the fairy perched on her shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"Well, you told me not to disturb you when you're with other people," stated Duusu, but there was an amused glint in the kwami's eyes that meant that she was enjoying the scene.

Felice slapped a hand on her face. Ever since they met, she had pegged the fairy as the mischievous, teasing sort and she was not proven wrong. "I told you to do so when it's an emergency."

"This doesn't really count as one," said Duusu. "And besides you'll be meeting each other every day, what's the rush?"

Felice was about to answer, when she realized something. "Do you think she knows I'm Cure Plume?"

Duusu shrugged. "I'm sure Tikki would have noticed my presence, just as I noticed her. And anyway, you transformed in front of Cure Ladybug last time, remember?"

"But you told me my identity would be protected by my Miraculous…"

"Not all the time, its…" Duusu rolled her eyes. "I'll just let Tikki explain everything to you, I'm so lazy to discuss it." Felice gave her a disapproving stare, but the kwami shrugged. "What? I mean, you'll be meeting up pretty soon so why does a couple more hours matter?"

Felice sighed at her kwami's apathy, wondering if Marinette was stuck with a fairy like her too. Wait, if Marinette knew she was Cure Plume, then does that mean she was trying to talk to her too? Her behavior earlier would have made sense. And since they'll be working together - as what Duusu had hinted, because she didn't want to spoil her, whatever that meant - it was safe to assume that they have to be friends.

And so, it was decided. Felice would have to arrange a brief meeting with her after class. However… "I have a ballet lesson after school…"

"What're you talking about?" Duusu asked drowsily as she nuzzled into Felice's neck.

"I want to schedule a meeting with Marinette," explained Felice. "But I have a ballet lesson after school."

"Why don't you ask her to wait then?"

Felice bit her lip. "I don't want to impose."

"Then, why don't you invite her to come to your lesson with you?"

Felice looked apprehensive as she stared blankly at the kwami. "Why should I do that?"

Duusu gave her a knowing look, which Felice had disliked during their brief time together. "Well, she looked like she would be interested. Plus, that's what friends do - invite each other to hang out together."

"Oh, you're right, Duusu." Felice remembered something like that happening on one of the novels she had read. Her eyes sparkled at the thought of hanging out with friends. She figured it couldn't be worse as lunch with Chloé. "That's a brilliant idea, Duusu!"

"What can I say - I am a genius." And Felice promptly rolled her eyes.

- o - 0 - o -

"Leave it to the expert, huh?" Lunch break was already over but Marinette was still a bit annoyed by how Felice easily slipped through her fingers. She and Alya were on their way back to the classroom, discussing their failure of having Felice cut off from Chloé's negative influence. And Tikki was adamant that she get Cure Plume's contact details, much to Marinette's chagrin.

Alya was having none of it. "Look, I tried, but Chloé was as slimy as her so-called beautiful hair." She bit her lip as she continued. "I bet she guilt-tripped Felice with that buffet of hers."

"I don't get it," said Marinette. "Chloé only befriends those she can reap benefits from."

Alya eyed the bluenette with a meaningful stare. "Aren't you the Chloé expert?" When she received a knowing look from the other girl, she sighed heavily. "I know, you endured her for four years. You got it better than Sabrina, though."

Marinette looked a bit put off. "Poor Sabrina."

"Why'd she kept Chloé's company after all these years?" Alya looked thoughtful and knowing her, Marinette thought that her journalist's instinct had been ignited with the question. "I mean, she's smart and probably knew Chloé is using her."

"I really haven't thought of that." For Marinette, Sabrina blindly following Chloé was a fact, like how the sun rises in the east. She was sure all her classmates thought the same. But for Alya, who just transferred to their class, it was more of an anomaly. And Marinette couldn't help but be curious as well. "I wonder why, though."

Alya grunted. "As much as I want to know the answer, I'm more interested in the Pretty Cure." Marinette didn't like the look the redhead was giving. "I heard a blue Cure appeared, but nobody took a good look at her. I'm gonna be the first one to get conclusive proof."

"A-and how do you propose to do that?" Marinette wished she could keep her voice steady for once.

Alya frowned as the two girls entered the classroom. "I haven't thought of that. I mean, we still do not know what this Hawk Moth villain really wants."

"Aside from causing chaos around the city?" Marinette sighed - her concern for Alya's well-being weighing more than her secret. "Alya, you better not be thinking of doing something dangerous, like getting into the fray."

Alya gave her a sheepish grin and Marinette sighed once more. Opening her mouth, she was about to give her stubborn and reckless best friend a piece of her mind, but a shadow fell upon the two when someone approached them.

"Hello." Felice fidgeted a little and grew more anxious when both Marinette and Alya turned to her. Her cheeks were flushed red, but it disappeared when she gazed at her tote bag, where Marinette saw something blue shuffle inside. Could it be her…?

"Hi Felice." Alya greeted back, pulling the two other girls back from their thoughts. Marinette smiled at Felice, who looked braver as she straightened up.

"I-if you'd like," stated Felice, her nervousness still apparent. "Can we hang out after class? I-I have to go to my ballet lessons first, but m-maybe after that we can-"

"Ballet lessons?" Alya looked intrigued and Marinette knew she wasn't just being polite. "I always wanted to take pictures of some ballerinas."

"It will be my first time attending lessons in this particular ballet school," admitted Felice but she looked determined. "But I'm sure the teachers won't mind. I'll tell Brent to inform them in advance, though."

"Who's Brent?" asked Alya.

"Her butler," answered Marinette automatically. She realized her mistake at Alya's questioning stare.

"How did you know that?"

"Errr…" It was a good thing thinking on her feet was one of Marinette's specialties, especially since she'd become Cure Ladybug. "He was with Felice when she bought bread from our store."

But Felice was slow on the uptake, giving Marinette a confused look. "But I went to the boulangerie a-"

"And we're going, right?" Marinette quickly cut in, brushing an arm on Alya, who still looked at her funny. She completely forgot how eccentric Felice was, but couldn't the blonde girl read the atmosphere? She knew the girl's kwami would have to told her to protect her identity - Tikki was insistent enough. Marinette quickly changed gears to salvage the situation. "Then we can have some snacks at my house after Felice's lessons."

The offer of some high quality bread was enough to break Alya's line of questioning thoughts. "Yes, we should. Is that alright with you, Felice?"

"It will be perfect." Felice looked excited and positively joyous and Marinette was expecting that she would break out in a celebratory dance or something. "My chauffeur and butler will be picking me up after school and the car will bring us to the studio. I'll meet you at the entrance then."

The ringing of the bell broke the trio as the girls went to their respective seats.

"Well, I guess we didn't have to put so much work," stated Alya. "Operation Be Friends with Felice and Drag Her Out of Chloé's Claws is well underway."

Marinette nodded. She hoped that her good luck would stick for the rest of the day and that she'd be able to talk with Felice alone. Alya overhearing what she had to say was the last thing she wanted.

- o - 0 - o -

Felice's ballet studio was the expensive and professional kind. Not that Marinette expected less, after riding Felice's expensive-looking car to the location. She and Alya could not help but gape, but Felice didn't looked insulted at it. If Marinette was to guess, she looked like she was enjoying having some company inside the car. The butler, Brent, wasn't talkative and kept to himself beside the driver's seat, but he had a meaningful expression as he occasionally glanced at the girls. When they arrived, Brent had brought them to the waiting area - where a couple of parents mingled around - while Felice disappeared into one of the rooms. The blonde girl would probably be changing into her tutu.

While Alya busied herself with her camera phone, Marinette took a good look at the place. A few students were already on the dance floor and they were of different ages. A few looked like they were elementary kids, most were teenagers but she saw some young adults too. There were some students doing all kinds of stretching exercises and she gasped as a thin, brown-haired girl did a magnificent split. Marinette could hear Alya snapping some pictures at the sight.

Felice soon entered the dance floor and she looked wonderful. Her pancake-styled aquamarine tutu fit her well and Marinette caught some people staring. She had her long blonde hair pulled up into a bun. She still had her beautiful teal peacock tail's pin on, though. The feathers in her outfit reminded Marinette of Cure Plume and ideas rushed into her mind. Quickly, the aspiring fashion designer took out her sketchbook and started drawing. It seemed like Alya was not the only one thrilled to be there - they really needed to thank Felice for the opportunity.

After a few minutes, Swan Lake was played and Marinette and Alya focused themselves on the lone girl dancing. Felice was doing an impressive performance and Marinette saw the teacher having an astounded yet very pleased expression. Everyone's eyes were on the graceful girl as she did a pirouette, a sissonne and a grand jeté that earned her many wows and whoas. Marinette had no doubt that she had the skill and the elegance to be a prima ballerina. And if the look on the teacher meant anything, it was that she came to the same conclusion as Marinette's.

- o - 0 - o -

"Wonderful, just wonderful!" The ballet teacher exclaimed as Felice finally finished her routine. But the praises kept on coming. "Your level of skill is astounding. I had feared we have to go back a few steps for you, but it looks like everyone else has to catch up with you instead."

Felice was polite as she took the commendation with a humble smile. "Thank you very much, madame."

Whatever the teacher had to say further, Elise was not listening to it. The brunette girl was shaking in anger, her hair let loose as she held the pink scrunchy her mother gave her as a present for being a good dancer. No, she wasn't only good - she was the best in this ballet studio. But now someone else was stealing her spotlight! Though, she had to admit, the Felice girl had impressive skill and an elegance befitting of a princess. If only that Felice girl wasn't skillful enough, if only she didn't transfer to this ballet school, if only she disappeared from her sight…

"Then why don't you do just that?"

"What?!" Elise turned to the high-pitched voice and watched as a tall woman suddenly appeared. She was wearing a magnificent orange gown and there was something in her expression that reminded Elise of a manipulative backstabber. Her purples eyes were bright as she regarded the ballet dancer and Elise saw her butterfly hair pin struggle, like it was real. For some reason, Elise was the only one who could see the woman, everyone else had their eyes on Felice.

"Irritating, isn't it?" cooed the woman with a sickly sweet voice. "How they dare fawn over her when you were here!"

Elise's fear of the woman faded in time for a new emotion to take over. She felt like her heart was going to be torn out of her body and the pang and the pain was enough to shake her. She put her hands at her heart, as if she could grab it. "Please, make it stop."

"Poor you." The woman stepped towards her, looking concerned and motherly. "Now, won't you offer your envy to Hawk Moth? I'll make it stop, I promise…" Her expression turned predatory as an orange aura rose from her butterfly hair accessory. "As long as you give me a good show!"

The woman took the vibrating butterfly pin with one hand. "Akuma, Akuma, hear her plea!" She pressed both hands on it, slowly opening it to reveal a purple butterfly bathed in orange light. "The butterfly covet, release her, it's showtime!"

The woman blew on her palms as the butterfly soared towards Elise and entered the pink hair tie she was clutching. A black light covered the girl as she dropped the scrunchy and she emerged imprisoned in a purple cocoon.

The woman laughed as the hair tie was consumed by a goo of black energy.

- o - 0 - o -

Marinette watched open-mouthed as a Akuma suddenly appeared in the dance hall. It was different from the past Akumas she fought though - this was one was slim and slender and had an orange butterfly mask. Its skin was still black as night, but it wore a pink tutu, ballet shoes and a scrunchy was tied on its right arm.

Someone screamed and it was enough for people to panic. Everyone rushed to the doors and Marinette was overrun by the fleeing people. She pushed out of the crowd, unlike Alya and Felice's butler Brent, who were lost into the flood of people and got dragged into the exits. Marinette hoped that they'd be okay, but at least they - especially Alya - were safe.

Another scream made Marinette's head snap and she watched as the Akuma advance on Felice and the teacher. The blonde looked determined as she stepped back, taking the trembling ballet tutor with her. Marinette dithered; she couldn't transform with a civilian in the room and if she looked for a safer place, she was afraid that it'd be too late.

A voice came out from the Akuma and Marinette hazarded a guess that it came from the brunette girl who made that impressive split, who was now trapped in the monster's cocoon. "I am the best ballerina in this school and I won't let you take the spotlight from me!"

"Elise?" intoned the teacher before she suddenly fainted. Well, that takes care of the problem, thought Marinette grimly.

Wasting a second no more, Marinette quickly went to Felice's side, who laid the unconscious teacher behind her. As she reached the blonde girl, Tikki popped out of her bag while a blue fairy flew towards Felice. That must be her kwami…

The two girls looked at each other and their respective fairies. Tikki broke the silence hastily. "Explanations can come after, you two need to transform."

"Right," agreed Marinette with a nod. "Let's go, Felice."

Felice smiled at the mention of her name. "Okay, Marinette."

The kwamis glowed as they entered earrings and pin. The two girls faced the Akuma, pressing their fingers on their respective Miraculous. "Pretty Cure," both stated as they formed figures with their fingertips - a circle and a three-feathered wing. "Miraculous Metamorphosis!"

Red and blue lights shone from Marinette and Felice respectively. The two watched as uniform and tutu faded into the light, changing into a red-with-black-spots and a feathery blue-colored dresses. Their skirts came next and then their boots before their gloves materialized. A black belt and a golden linked chain spiraled around their waists while Marinette's back hip produced a long trailing pink ribbon and Felice sprouted an impressive teal peacock's tail. A pink ribbon with a ladybug emblem was conjured near Marinette's neck and Felice's peacock pin was surrounded by a fluffy blue ribbon like a corsage. Masks covered their faces with one flash of light. Marinette's ladybug earrings shone as Felice had hanging feathers on her ears. Warm light covered their scalp and hair and watched them grew longer - Marinette's turned into a light blue with a black ombre shining from the pigtails while Felice's altered into a bright gold hue, with red highlights on her bangs, with a feather hair pin appearing on the right side of her head. The last of their lights turned into a yo-yo and a folded fan, hanging from their respective belts. The radiant light of their transformation faded as the two girls rose like a pair of reborn phoenixes.

"The light of fortune that blooms over the land," announced Marinette, doing a pose as she flicked her hand out. "Cure Ladybug!"

"The light of compassion that shimmers in the wind," proclaimed Felice, doing an opening motion with her palms. "Cure Plume!"

Cure Ladybug and Cure Plume leaned on each other's back. "Shine! The bright lights that guide the world!" they both exclaimed, as the two spun in place - the red on the left side counterclockwise and the blue on the other side clockwise. They stopped and made their respective poses. "Miraculous Pretty Cure!"

The moment passed as the two Cures looked at each other. "Was that catchphrase really necessary?" Cure Ladybug asked loudly, though the question was for the kwami inside her Miraculous.

But it was Cure Plume who answered her. "It was Duusu's idea, apparently."

"Your kwami?" Cure Ladybug looked puzzled as Cure Plume shrugged.

"So, you're the Pretty Cure." A haughty-looking brown-skinned woman appeared beside the Akuma, wearing an intricate orange gown. "I can't imagine how Luciferin was having a hard time with you two fledgling schoolgirls."

"I don't know who you are." Cure Ladybug's voice was confident and taunting and the woman's smile turned cold. "But we will be giving you hard time too, you can count on that."

The woman was peeved. "My name is Mariposa, a servant of Lord Hawk Moth," she announced. "And you will rue the day you dared speak to me. Akumaaaa!"

The Akuma moved towards them. But Cure Ladybug already had a plan. "Cure Plume, cover me," she ordered.

"Okay." Cure Plume nodded an assent as she jumped towards the Akuma. The monster paused and aimed a punch at the blue Cure, who easily changed course and evaded the attack. However, after landing a blow on the floor - which was dented by the impact - the fist bended and launched towards Cure Plume, who did not expect that to happen.

"Cure Plume!" Cure Ladybug watched as her partner was thrown into the wall, breaking the mirrors attached to it. She quickly went to her side. "Are you okay?"

Cure Plume was dazed, but she stood up back once more. There was a shrill beeping sound as two of the nine feathers in her peacock pin faded grey. "Duusu asked me to be more careful," she relayed to Cure Ladybug. "If all the feathers changed colors, I have to de-transform."

"So, we've got the same limitations, huh?" Cure Ladybug tucked this critical information in mind.

"Don't let them rest, Akuma!" bellowed Mariposa and the monster quickly took off to their direction.

"We have to be extra careful," said Cure Ladybug. "It's nothing like we've fought before. It can extend and bend its limbs, so we should be cautious."

"Agreed," replied Cure Plume before they jumped out on opposite directions, moments before the Akuma's fist pounded on the wall. The mirror broke into pieces, but this did not stop the fist from changing direction and chasing after Cure Ladybug.

Cure Ladybug decided to meet the fist head on. She took out her yo-yo and swiped it at the hand, which deflected and returned to the Akuma, which was still standing near the broken mirrors. She watched as Cure Plume took the opportunity to launch an impressive kick on the monster's back, reminding her of one of Felice's ballet moves. However, she quickly sidestepped as the monster was thrown back into her direction, missing her by just an inch before slamming hard into the wall behind her. A few mirrors were destroyed by the impact.

Cure Ladybug jumped towards the blue Cure, who looked apologetic. "Sorry, I should have warned you beforehand."

"It's okay." Cure Ladybug smiled a little and Cure Plume returned it. "Though a little warning would be nice."

"Stop horsing around, Akuma!" ordered Mariposa as she hovered towards the monster and the broken mirror shards around it. Cure Ladybug had just noticed that she had two small pairs of orange wings on her back, which was folded in during their confrontation. "If you want to be the best ballerina there is, then work hard for it, you useless brat!"

Though it was nothing but nice, Cure Ladybug held into the woman's words with a thoughtful expression. "Ballerina…"

Cure Plume spent enough time in Cure Ladybug's company to know that she had an ace up in her sleeve. "What do we do?"

Cure Ladybug grinned as she whispered her idea as quickly as possible.

Mariposa did not notice as she watched the Akuma recover once more. "Don't you dare fail me, Akuma - I will not sully Lord Hawk Moth's name!"

"Akumaaaaaa!" The monster launched towards the two Pretty Cures, who scattered in different directions before it could crush them beneath its huge ballet shoes. Cure Ladybug leaped out of the way while Cure Plume did a pirouette to dodge. The Akuma noticed this and focused its attention on the blue Cure.

The monster aimed punch after punch at Cure Plume, but she evaded every attack by using an array of ballet moves. Even with the use of the monster's flexible and elastic limbs, the Cure was able to read its movements and ready a countermeasure. She did a brisé to jump out of one punch and an impressive grand jeté at the ensuing arm shift, hopping out of harm's way. She pointed her feet down as she fell down and using all the gathered force on her knees, flattened the extending limb into the ground. Its arm pinned down, the Akuma used the other one to send another punch her way, but the Cure spun in place, taking her fan out with her. The fist was repelled by her weapon and the force of the twisting motion and Cure Plume jumped after it, kicking the fist back to its owner. The Akuma toppled at its own punch backfired and the blue Cure gracefully landed on her feet like a roosting bird.

Enraged by the fact that it did not even graze its enemy, the Akuma jumped on all fours, attempting to flatten and probably grab the fleeting Cure. But Cure Plume looked undisturbed as a yo-yo string wrapped around the Akuma's feet. Cure Ladybug pulled with all her might and the Akuma collapsed on its front on the hard ground.

"Can't take your eyes off a better dancer, huh?" commented Cure Ladybug as she pulled the yo-yo further when the Akuma turned and struggled on its bonds. "Plume, now!"

"Yes!" Cure Plume launched herself towards the Akuma. She landed on the monster's butterfly mask, pointing her heels down on the fragile item. The mask broke in the pressure, flying out in pieces. She flipped back as she called out. "Ladybug, it's time!"

Cure Ladybug nodded as retracted her yo-yo back. She willed her powers to gather into the round weapon. "This purifying light shall grant you good fortune…" she chanted.

"Pretty Cure… " Cure Ladybug spun it once more, watching as a soft crimson light shone inside the yo-yo.

"Lucky Charm!" Cure Ladybug threw the yo-yo out, which turned into a giant sphere of pinkish light. Trapped in its orb, the shadow dissipated from the Akuma's body, until only a small pink hair tie remained. As a white butterfly emerged from the item, a swarm of jeweled ladybugs spread around, fixing the broken mirrors and the dent on the dance floor. The last of it gathered around the cocoon, releasing the brown-haired ballerina from her prison, looking mildly confused.

Mariposa looked more furious than ever, clutching some of her hair as she put her hands over head. She groaned aloud as she kept pulling her hair. "Arghhhhh, this cannot happen to Mariposa, envy of all!" She gave the two heroines an impressive growl before disappearing in a shower of orange butterflies. "You two will pay dearly for this!"

The two Cures watched her go, projecting similar relieved faces, as a white butterfly flew past.

"Bye-bye, little butterfly," mused Cure Ladybug as the insect flew out of the nearest window. Cure Plume approached her with a smile and Cure Ladybug took out her palm for a high-five. To the spotted heroine's surprise, the blue Cure returned the gesture and slapped hands with her.

"Great job!" they both said at the same time, inciting giggles between each other.

"OH MY GOSH!"

The two heroines turned to see Alya standing in front of the entrance, holding her phone, gaping and gushing at the same time. She squealed as she came closer, looking in particular at Cure Plume, who had a puzzled expression on her face. Cure Ladybug almost shouted "Alya!" but kept her mouth shut when she realized she was not supposed to know the redhead.

"Are you the blue Cure, oh my gosh, you look dazzling!" Alya was assaulting poor Cure Plume with her reporter's enthusiasm and bottomless curiosity. "What's your name? Do you work with Cure Ladybug? What are your powers? Is that fan your weapon? Why-"

"This is Cure Plume and that's enough for today." Cure Ladybug came to Cure Plume's rescue before the feathered heroine opened her mouth and - knowing her civilian identity - say something inappropriate. She gave Alya a severe look. "And you should have kept away, for your own safety."

Alya looked apologetic, but reasoned out. "But I can't find my friends Marinette and Felice anywhere and I was worried about them, so I came back."

Cure Plume warmed up at the spoken words while Cure Ladybug couldn't stay mad at her best friend. "There's no one else here except the victim and her teacher, so you probably missed them outside."

"I guess," said Alya with a sigh. "I should probably look for them outside again."

"You should," agreed Cure Ladybug.

Alya suddenly perked up and looked hopeful. "Can I bother you two for an interview then? Just a few questions?"

Cure Ladybug was not resistant to puppy eyes, but she stepped her foot down. "No."

- o - 0 - o -

Marinette was early for school the next morning. She yawned as she passed through the entrance, thinking about her crazy day yesterday. After the ballerina Akuma was purified, Marinette and Felice met back with Alya, but not before explaining Alya's intricacies with the blonde girl, who followed her lead on the question of their whereabouts during the Akuma attack. Alya was pacified so the three girls went to the bakery and had a wonderful time talking and sharing personal details with each other. One thing Marinette could not get over was the fact that Felice was fashion guru Gabriel Agreste's daughter and she was still reeling from the revelation. Now Chloé's obsession of Felice seemed understandable. But Marinette was not going to use her friend - and Pretty Cure ally - to further her personal interests, especially after knowing her background.

The trio's get-together was fun, but Marinette wasn't able to talk about Pretty Cure stuff with Alya around. Especially since Felice had to leave early. She had her contact details though, but Tikki was insisting that important matters about the Pretty Cure should be talked about personally, not through calls or text messages. And Marinette had wholeheartedly agreed with the fairy. She yawned once more - she was up all night thinking of complex scenarios so that she could have time alone with Felice.

Speaking of Felice, she was standing alone near the lockers, gazing at something. "Hey there," greeted Marinette while the other girl jumped. "Good morning, Felice."

Felice perked up at her greeting. "Good morning, Marinette."

"What were you doing?" asked Marinette. Felice flushed red in embarrassment as Marinette tried to piece the puzzle of the blonde's strange behavior. She turned to see what Felice was looking at when she arrived and she saw their classmates Rose and Juleka talking nearby. And everything easily made sense.

Taking out what she needed from her locker, Marinette beckoned Felice towards the two girls' direction. "Come on, I'll introduce you."

If she didn't know Felice's background, Marinette would have laughed at the way her eyes grew rounder and brighter and the super-pleased expression in her lips. Together, the two girls approached Rose and Juleka, who looked a bit nervous at Felice's presence. But once the conversation had started and Felice pitched in her thoughts sometimes, Marinette knew the blonde girl would have no trouble fitting in. Or her name wouldn't be Cure Ladybug.

- o - 0 - o -

Author's Note:

So if you haven't guessed, we will be starting with a Pretty Cure pair first before (probably) having new Cures added to the mix.

Duusu has a similar personality as Plagg's, though I made her more mischievous and a bit prideful (peacocks kinda are) but still helpful and supportive of Felice. We have a bit of foreshadowing about Chloé, because in usual Pretty Cure seasons, what comes next after pink and blue? ;-)

And oh yeah, we have the second Hawk Moth commander in Mariposa, who controls the emotion of jealousy this time. I made the Akumas visibly different depending on the minion who summoned them for more variety and flavor. So Luciferin's are brawny and burly while Mariposa's are slim and slender.

And if it's not obvious, I knew a little about ballet. I have a friend who does ballet (and he's a rare male example, for reals!) and I thought it would be quite awesome if Cure Plume uses her skills on the dance in battle. And Plume does distraction while Ladybug plans will not be the usual thing, I plan to make sure it doesn't. Just that it makes sense in this chapter, since a better ballerina is the Akuma's fixation this time and Ladybug uses the fact to their advantage. No Adrien and Chat Noir this time though, but don't fret, one (or two) of them will appear in the next chapter.

Oh and as suggested by Solthus, I gave the girls a hair color makeover when they transform, as per Pretty Cure tradition. I'll be rewriting a few scenes in the former chapters to reflect this change, but nothing major though. Another thing, I'm planning to write a Happiness Charge Pretty Cure fanfic (it's not the best season but the International Cures gave me a good plot, plus I like Princess, Honey and Seiji) so check it out if you're interested.

Drop by a review before leaving. Thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next update!