Chapter Nine: Training Tunes
Adrien's POV:
"Good! Next time, try to relax your muscles. You'll be able to swing more easily if they aren't stiff."
Ladybug and I decided a few days ago, shortly after the Queen Vanity incident, to train Mélodie. The powers she had were impressive, but she'd only be able to use them if she was moving.
It was risky, but we had demonstrated our powers in front of Mélodie. She protested, insisting she had already seen them hundreds of times. But we did anyway, and I admit I felt pride when I showed off Cataclysm. Her eyes had gone wide in awe.
Our golden superhero is panting and a drops of sweat roll from her face. Her hand is clutching her flute. From what I'd seen so far, the only purposes it had were healing though music, plus as a whacker.
"Mélodie, does your flute have any other functions?" I ask carefully, not meaning to insult her.
"Oh, I've been waiting to ask, does your Miraculous have a communicator?" adds Ladybug.
"Um, yes. My bracelet can be used for voice call and video," she replies to Ladybug. She presses at the feather symbol on it, and a live image of us glows above. She presses again and the hologram disappears. Her eyes then give me a quick glance.
Casting her eyes down, she lifts her flute near her lips. She seems to be hesitating. She grips her instrument tighter, and plays a tune.
The melody is joyous and high spirited, lifting the clouds. It was different than her previous tone, which was more soothing. This was really catchy, and it made me want to dance. Mélodie stares at me in surprise. I don't realize I've been bobbing my head through the whole song. Ladybug laughs softly, and I stop, embarrassed.
She finishes, and keeps her flute a good distance away. A gold light beams out of the flute, and solidifies into an electrical blade. I whistle. Why did everyone else have better powers?
Ladybug is impressed, then frowns. "How come you never used it before?"
Mélodie turns pink, and Ladybug's eyes widen. "I didn't mean to sound accusing," she apologizes. "I'm just curious."
Twirling her flute, Mélodie shuts off the beam. "It uses a lot of my power, like when I use the flute to heal. I can, um, only perform one song before my Miraculous runs out," she explains. "The flute is actually just a vessel for the power from the bracelet. I got it…from my mother. It was an former belonging of her friend."
"So that's why you decided to hit them with it instead of activating it," I realize. Then Ladybug and I blush.
"You didn't have to heal us, really," chuckles Ladybug. I nod, agreeing. "Save your tunes for emergencies, my petite étoile." I kiss her hand, causing Mélodie to blush. Ladybug rolls her eyes, and I smirk.
"Are you jealous, my Lady?" I question, waggling my eyebrows. I hear Mélodie squeak.
Ladybug dismissively waves her hand. "Honestly, you're such a flirt, Cat Noir. If I knew you in my own life, I think I would make you pay a nickel for every new nickname."
I grin. "And if I knew you in my personal life, I think I'd greet you each time with a bouquet of flowers," I counter.
I catch Mélodie rubbing the back of head. "Love is blind," she mutters to herself. Interesting. Ladybug is still oblivious to my true feelings, yet our ally seems to already know.
"Huh?" Marinette blinks at her small comment. Realizing we heard her, Mélodie backs away. She's red. But this time, it's mixed with worry. As if we caught her in a corner.
"Um…don't you guys know each other beneath the mask?" she asks. Ladybug shakes her head vigorously, and I sigh.
"We decided to keep it a secret, even between partners," we both say in sync. Ladybug stares at me, and I smile back. Although it was hard, I still respected her wish.
Mélodie nods, but I swear her eyes screamed in amusement. I groan inwardly. She was enjoying this scenario, and I figured she would be watching "The Struggles of Cat Noir's Heart" every time it played.
"I see…" she muses. "I guess it would be best if I kept my identity a secret as well."
'Please, can I know?" I beg. She snorts. "I don't want you letting the cat out of the bag."
I blink. Did she just make a cat-pun at my expense?
Ladybugs laughs, and it made me smile. I felt warmer with the presence of these two. I suddenly felt nostalgic, as if this feeling was supposed to be familiar.
Finally, it dawns on me. "These guys are my family."
Without thinking, I grab the two into a tight hug. Ladybug gasps in surprise. Mélodie stiffens, but then rests her head on my shoulder. When she lets go, I feel tears running down my face, and her eyes are also red. Ladybug watches us, her eyes focused. "Cat…" she starts.
The Miraculous Items beep in unison. "Got to head to school, I'm going to be late," stammers Mélodie. She hovers from the ground.
"Mélodie, wait!" Ladybug calls. She doesn't hear her, and with a flash, our flute player is gone.
"I think I should, too" I say, but Ladybug keeps a grip on my arm.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" she demands, her eyes wide.
Slowly, I nod. "It's as if we were…apart of a family…" I smile weakly. "You guys help me be myself, you know," I confess. "I'm so controlled in real life. I wish I could always be what I am without needing this mask."
Ladybug, tucks a loose band. "To be honest, I'm a klutz in real life," she admits. "I guess what these hero personas do is…makes us feel less judged. You're free of people's expectations for knowing you in reality."
I wrap my arm around her, and she doesn't protest. Ladybug looks far at the distance. "Cat, who is Mélodie?" she whispers.
"She didn't want to tell us yet," I answer, "and she is really punny."
"I feel as is she's someone we're supposed to know. I've also been having that vibe from a girl in my class…"
"We could change that. Maybe we can reveal our identities right here, and maybe she would reconsider," I suggest.
Ladybug snorts, and shoves me off. "Nice try, kitty. But not today."
"So someday, then?" I say, grinning. She rolls her eyes, and shrugs. "It's inevitable, I guess. One of these days, we are going to know each other."
"I can't wait for that day." I race away, waving goodbye. "See you later, my lady."
She swings her yo-yo, and leaves the opposite direction. "You too, Cat Noir," she replies.
As I change back, Plagg moans. "Cheese," he mumbles. I give a generous chunk of camembert, and he gratefully snacks on it.
As I'm heading off to school, I feel more confidence radiating. And at the moment, I was more thankful to be alive.
Marinette's POV:
"Family, huh?"
The thoughts of that sentimental moment flash in my mind. It's lunch break, and that conversation gives me questions.
Tikki eats an oatmeal cookie, and she's in a daze.
"Tikki, do you think it's possible for me, to be uh, reincarnated hero?" I ask.
Tikki snaps from her distraction. "Hmm? Oh, that's possible," she muses. My kwami doesn't meet my eyes.
"Was there always a Mélodie?"
She frowns, and loses interest in her cookie.
"No."
My eyes stare in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Tikki is uncomfortable. "Marinette," she begins, "Mélodie's kwami was what I'd like to call, ah, lost. She's been missing ever since Egypt, those thousands of years ago." She eats slowly, not wanting to discuss further.
"If that's the case, then why is she around now?" Tikki doesn't respond. "Tikki?" I ask again.
"I have a theory, but if that's the case…" Tikki's expression is grim. She looks at me. "Marinette, you must trust me. I want to tell you what I think, but…I feel that I would endanger Mélodie and her kwami if I did."
"She's in danger? Why hasn't she told us?" Before I could get an answer, Tikki zips into the bag, and I see Chloe heading here.
"Marinette, can I speak to you?" she asks shyly. I nod, and offer her a spot next to me. She's surprised at my gesture, but sits. Of course, she doesn't know I'm Ladybug. I feel guilty hearing that confession. Now, both as Ladybug and Marinette, I was going to be kinder.
"I know I haven't been the greatest person," she starts. "I was, well, jealous of you." I nod, and I let her continue.
"What I want to say is, I'm sorry for what I did. I can't promise that I'll turn a new leaf fast. You can't just undo what's been taught to you since you were little. But I'll try my best." She narrows her eyes. "I'm still going to fight for Adrien, don't get me wrong. I just want to restart things."
A laugh bursts from my mouth, and Chloe gasps in surprise. "Well, then," I say heartily. My hand extends to her. "My name's Marinette Dupain-Cheng, what's yours?" Chloe giggles, and shakes it. "I'm Chloe Bourgeois. It's nice to meet you." We laugh, and several of our classmates give us quizzical looks. It was a first for them, to see rivals make a truce.
Before I could savour the moment, I hear a scream.
"Learn to pick up your trash! I am so tired of you irresponsible citizens!" yells a man. The offender backs away, as a water bottle rolls away from his feet. An outline of a butterfly appears on his accuser's face.
Materials from recycling bins form a giant mecha-suit around the man, and a hinge door, appears in the center.
"I am the Recycler, and I will remove your wasteful habits!" he rages. The hinge door opens, and he scoops up his victim. He screams in terror as he's engulfed into the suit.
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Unknown POV:
I dodge the last of the tennis balls, and my kwami tugs my hair ties.
"What is it Rosso?" I demand. "If you're trying to get me to start school, I told you already. I'm scheduled for Monday.
"Fiammetta, I sense them," he says in a hushed tone. I look at him surprised.
"I know you said they were in France, but you never said Paris…"
"Fia, I didn't tell you on purpose. I knew you wouldn't come here for the competition if you knew they were here…"
"And there's more than one!" I groan. "How many are there, Rosso. You are so not getting any more pepperoni until you come clean."
"Three, but's there's something off…" He furrows in concentration. "They are going to need help. What she's done…it's changing the course of…" he bites his lip.
I roll my eyes. "If you want me to go hero, just say so." Rosso wants to say something else, but I've already grabbed my flute. "Let's get this over with."
I activate my amulet. "Spirits Rise!"
You know there's a problem when your ML fanfic has more chapters than your One Piece fanfic.
At that note, I'm going to take a longer than usual break to update that, along with my original story. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I am forever grateful for your continued support, thank you. If want to receive updates (or just want to stalk Author-chan), follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Devianart. You can also read this on Wattpad, Quotev, and Archive of Our Own.
Who do you think our new addition is?
Happy Holidays, and go chase down bae or your friend couples with mistletoe. If not, chase down your OTP XD.
Love ya!
~Kurama Kaitou
