Alright faster update! And I'm glad I didn't wind up including Volpina in the previous chapter. This came out 26 pages long.
FANART!
By seohe on tumblr!
post/160164409177/imthepunchlord-quick-doodle-of-huli-jing-hope
Marinette slipped outside with a pleased hum, stretching skywards and enjoying the warm sun gleaming above. Despite last night, she had a good feeling about today, woke up energized and ready. Looking back to the bakery, seeing Alya talk to her Maman while Sabine fetched her treats, Marinette took the chance to open up her purse and reach in to give Trixx a fond scratch.
She giggled when the kwami batted her finger away, smiling with pursed lips as Trixx sat up and gave her a one eyed squint. For the kwami, it was too early in the morning for any sort of affectionate teasing.
Marinette closed up the purse as Alya slipped out, echoing Marinette and stretching out.
Marinette took the box of goods from her, asking, "You ready for today?"
"As ready as I can be," Alya confirmed, leaning on Marinette and taking a croissant out, nibbling on it.
"Long night," Marinette guessed, sneaking a croissant into her purse.
"Long night," Alya confirmed with an echo.
"It's going to be a better day," Marinette declared, giving Alya a playful nudge.
Alya raised a brow. "You sure?"
"It feels like it," Marinette reasoned, gently locking elbows with Alya, leaving it open for her to withdraw if she isn't up and willing for the touch. Alya just set a hand over Marinette's wrist, smiling in thanks, letting them stay connected.
Secured together, they started to head to school, talking about anything and everything that popped into their head. They paused when a familiar car pulled up, and a tired, and slightly stressed Adrien came out, his eyes locked to his bag at his side.
Marinette was instantly on alert, wondering why Adrien looked so shaken up.
Alya though seemed to miss it.
She gave Marinette a playful nudge, teasing, "Hey, there's your boyfriend! You going to go wish him good morning?"
Marinette instantly tensed, stuttering out as she flushed, "B-boyfriend?!"
Alya furrowed her brow, stating, "I thought I saw you two out on a date."
Marinette blushed, squirming beside Alya. "I, well, ye-yeah, I guess we did go on a date but… I don't think we're really, um, dating yet?"
"Chat interrupted that," Alya murmured in a dry tone.
"I'm sure he has a good explanation," Marinette offered, suspecting that Chat Noir to be the akuma, that copy.
Alya shook her head, brushing that off. Turning to Marinette with a smile that was brighter than what she was feeling, she pushed Marinette forward. "Adrien's here girl! Go wish him a good morning! Actually, how about you really perk him up and give him a big kiss."
Marinette squeaked, getting even redder at the suggestion. "Alya!"
Offering Marinette an amused smile, she offered instead, "Okay, how about you just offer him a croissant at least."
That Marinette can do.
Still, she couldn't help but mumble under her breath, "I can't believe Alya suggested that."
Trixx peeked out, offering with a stretch, "She's probably just trying to move this romance along." With a teasing grin, she added with a teasing jab, "With you, it'll move at a turtle's pace."
Marinette shot her kwami a look. "I am not that bad," she grumbled.
Trixx just hummed, tail swishing about in amusement.
Still, progress was progress.
This, this was going to be her first chance to talk to Adrien since their interrupted date.
And to ask if he was ok since Huli couldn't quite do that.
But Marinette could!
"G-good morning Adrien!" Marinette greeted as she drew near, watching him jump and turn to her, surprised. She noted that he clutched his bag tightly, protectively; before forcing himself to relax slightly, his smile small, happy, and yet unsure.
"M-Marinette!" he returned, consciously adjusting his bag. "Good morning! How, how are you?"
"I'm good," she returned with a shy smile. She asked, "How about you? You ok? You texted last night that you will be?" She tilted her head cutely, peering at him in concern. "You ok Adrien?"
Blinking at her, he relaxed, giving her a thankful smile. "I'm fine," he reassured. "Just… crazy yesterday."
"A bit," she agreed, glancing down at the box.
There was a lot.
Adrien asked her out, Alya was upset, something seemed to go on with Chat, and Adrien too and... a lot seemed to be going on. Shaking her head, she offered with a small smile and holding up the box, "Croissant?"
"Thanks Marinette," he bid, eagerly accepting it and humming in delight as he took a bite.
Marinette stood patiently before him, letting him relax and enjoy the crunchy treat. When he was finished, she asked, "You want to talk about it?"
Adrien tensed for a moment, then uttered, "No."
"Ok," she accepted, shuffling on her feet, looking down.
For a moment they stood by each other, the only noise filling the air around them were arriving students greeting each other or grumbling about the coming day. While Adrien's thoughts drifted around the book he had found and this big mess he was in with everyone, Marinette mentally scrambled how to best bring up their date yesterday. Because she really did want to know. Did he want to try again? Go on another date? Or, did Chat Noir scare him now? And, he was a bit hostile with Chat, it seemed. She would like to know why but how to bring that up…
Marinette never got the chance to even try as a limo pulled up and Chloe slipped out, pausing long enough to spare Adrien and Marinette a disgusted glance.
She scoffed and drew near, eyes locked to Adrien. "Seriously?"
They blinked at her.
Marinette sighed, greeting, "Hello to you to Chloe."
Chloe ignored her. "First Prince Ali, now you?"
Adrien's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Chloe waved to Marinette. "Hanging out with that?"
Marinette twitched. "That?" she repeated with a low growl.
Shoulders slumping, Adrien moved to scold Chloe, only to get beaten to it, both Adrien and Marinette tensing at the voice that joined them.
"Her name's Marinette, Chloe," Alya called out as she came up beside her friend, glaring at the blonde. "And you have no say on who Adrien can hang out with if he wants to hang out with Marinette he can."
Chloe wrinkled her nose at her. "Alya, aren't you a little early today."
"You too!" Alya returned, "So early, I wonder, did you even get a chance to brush your hair? Looks rather messy."
Chloe tensed, hands instinctively flying to her head, only to freeze. With a scoff, she snapped, "I look fine!"
"If that's what you want to tell yourself," Alya said.
Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease, "Ok, this is enoug—"
"No," Alya cut in, "it'll be enough the day Chloe gets over herself."
"You think I need to get off my high horse? Please, that falls to you Alya." She waved to Marinette. "Like you constantly getting Marinette to bring you food?"
"I don't—" Marinette started to cut in.
Alya dove in, "She brings it of her own will! Unlike poor Sabrina who you push to do everything."
"She is happy at my side and does everything I want of her free will!"
"Guys please," Adrien pleaded.
"Oh really? She's really happy to be at your side?"
Before Chloe could push and snarl out that yes Sabrina was, another voiced aloud, joining them, "My there's a lot of energy this morning."
They all turned to see Ali stepping out of his own car, waving to them, green eyes alert and awake. His smile faltered as Chloe narrowed her eyes at him. She turned and grabbed Adrien and hauled him off, ignoring Adrien's protests.
"We're leaving," Chloe silenced, dragging him to the school.
Adrien looked back, offering the three an apologetic glance.
Marinette sighed.
Alya growled.
Ali drew near, frowning.
Marinette turned to him, frowning. "You and Chloe having a fight too?"
Was everyone having a fight?
Ali offered her a small smile, reassuring, "Just a mild disagreement. Good morning Marinette! Morning Alya!"
Alya turned to him, eyeing the prince warily. She murmured dryly, "You're actually bothered that you and Chloe are having a fight."
Ali blinked to her, then reasoned, "Well, we are sharing the hotel together. Best to get along with your neighbor and… well, there are things Chloe does need to work on. But giving up on her won't help make things better."
"It takes two to tango," Alya shot out.
"Indeed it does!" Ali happily agreed. He turned a knowing smile to Marinette. "Like not only does it take the support of friends, but you yourself have to step up and believe in yourself." Marinette shuffled on her feet, cracking a shy smile. Ali turned to Alya, confirming, "If there is going to be a change, it will have to be because Chloe is open too, but she will need support too. I don't think change is impossible for anyone. Anyone can change, they need to be willing, and there has to be someone there willing to help."
Alya peered at him.
Marinette grinned, looking between the two.
Ali beamed at them both.
"You're very optimistic," Alya observed.
"It is best to be," Ali deducted. "Optimism can take you far!"
Alya simply hummed then turned and prowled off.
Marinette opened the box and offered a croissant to Ali. The prince happily accepted, taking an eager bite of the treat.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Marinette asked.
Ali paused, turning to her. Considering his friend, he said, "Not too much to talk about. Chloe's a bit… put off with something I said. It's really just between me and her. I'm sure it'll pass soon."
"Well if you ever need me," Marinette offered.
Ali set a hand on his chest, his smile fond and warm. "How did I wind up with such a sweet fox in my life?"
"She sorta kinda kidnapped you," Marinette shrugged.
Ali laughed. "Well, I was a willing hostage."
With shared amused smiles, Ali waved to the school and the two drew near, Marinette revealing to him that Alya slept over, Ali revealing that he never had a sleepover before and was instantly reassured by Marinette that yes, they will have a sleepover sometime.
Ali was all for it.
As Chloe dragged Adrien into the school, her grip tight enough that her nails had an uncomfortable press on his wrist, Adrien absently noted that this is the first time they have been together for a good while.
Since Prince Ali came, Chloe has been a little more wrapped up around the prince, a prince that wasn't so driven in humoring the mayor's daughter. And due to his high status and Chloe being set on public view and wanting the prince fond of her; she's been rather tied up and focused elsewhere.
Adrien reached out, wrapping his hand around her wrist and tugging lightly. "Hey, Chloe?"
"What?" she snapped, rounding on him.
He offered her a small smile. "It's been a while."
Chloe blinked, then faltered. Then shook it off, she bid, "I suppose so."
She released him, let him come near her side, then latched onto his elbow, declaring, "I have been very busy, so sorry Adrikins. Too busy for you! Uh, you must be so depressed!"
Adrien set a hand on his chest, lamenting, "So focused on your Alibear, or is Aliboo?"
Chloe pinched him, earning a chuckling yelp from her friend.
"So what about you?" Chloe asked. "Why was Marinette bothering you? Do I have to do something?"
"No," Adrien said, "we've actually been hanging out more, and, I do need to talk to her. The latest akuma pretended to be me and took her out on a date."
Chloe burst out laughing. "Oh how delicious! Of course, Marinette can only get a date with a fake you!"
"Well, it's not as impossible as you may want to believe, Chlo."
Chloe faltered, shooting him a look. "What?"
"I do like Marinette," he insisted, gazing down at Chloe. "I do want to go out on a date with her."
Chloe's stare was flat. "Adrien…"
"I do like her. She's brave and kind and creative and—"
"She doesn't know you at all!" Chloe snapped.
Still sensitive with Coccinelle's statement and push that he can't pursue Marinette, Adrien allowed a growl out, "Well th at can be easily changed, can it?"
Chloe gaped at the growl, then ripped away from him, snarling out, "What is with all the men in my life being impossible!"
Adrien watched her stomp away, feeling tired and agitated.
When someone bumped into him, his bag swung, a bag heavier that is heavier than it should, reminding him what he had inside. He rubbed his neck, suddenly exhausted.
Why was everything a mess now?
Why was he just making everything worse?
He moved to class, ready to slip in and get this day over with. Only to pause when he found Chloe hanging out in the doorway, not moving to go in.
Adrien looked past her, blinking to see a new girl in there, sitting in Chloe's spot, smiling in charming delight to have much of the classroom surrounding her, eyes locked on her in curious wonder. Even Sabrina was locked on her, her turquoise eyes shining.
Adrien, for his part, tensed from where he stood behind Chloe.
Oh no.
As if his frets were a match to a pile of dry wood, Chloe moved, an angry flame that was ready to burst.
And this girl was about to be burned.
"Excuse me," Chloe growled, jerking the crowd back, and making Sabrina tense. This girl looked up, surprised to see the irritated blonde loom over her. "You're in my seat."
The girl, for her part, wasn't intimidated or bothered at all.
She looked to Chloe apologetically, offering, "I'm so sorry! I didn't know—"
"I didn't tell her," Sabrina confessed, fiddling with her fingers. "She just—"
Chloe cut in, "You should have told her, Sabrina. I expected more from you."
While Sabrina hunched up in shame, Adrien slipped into his seat, not in the mood for this sort of drama in the morning. Not in the mood for any sort of drama right now.
The stress of wanting to ask Marinette out.
Seeing her with another copy.
Nino upset from seeing them.
The fight he had with Coccinelle.
He stupidly stole from his father and may hear about this when he got home from lunch if his father checked that safe one more time.
Now an irritated Chloe this morning who just wants to pick fights…
The day hasn't even really officially started and he was already exhausted.
His best hope was to try and work through what he could, and the first on his lists was explaining the situation to Nino and Marinette.
Only, he hadn't quite figured out how to bring this up and explain to Marinette that she was out with a copy, not without revealing himself as Chat, especially on how he knew.
And Nino… Nino wasn't here today.
The usually occupied seat beside Adrien was empty.
Adrien faltered, dreading the likely possibility that Nino may decide to stay home today. The short time Adrien knew Nino, he was quick to learn that when upset or annoyed in some way, Nino could have a reaction similar to his father. He shuts himself away from the world, become something like a statue, and they just unfurl a curtain made of steel around them so that any that reach for them just hit a wall instead. A wall they can't get through, no matter how hard they banged on it, or no matter how loudly they shouted.
Everything bounced off that wall.
Adrien first time experiencing this had to be when they recently lost his mother.
He didn't see a trace of his father for almost three months. Gabriel just shut the world away and buried himself in his work.
Adrien knew that was just how his father was coping with grief, he read up on it, studied what he could, trying to find a way to connect so they could get through this together. He had tried the tactics he read up, trying to reach him so they could grief together but…
There was no crack in that wall for Adrien to seep into.
It wouldn't give no matter how many times Adrien pushed.
All he could do was wait for Gabriel to lower that wall.
He never completely did, just enough for Adrien to see him, to see that his wardrobe, usually blue before, was now white; and Gabriel only opened up the wall enough for Adrien to see him. The could barely talk to each other at this point, with Gabriel barely hearing him.
For a silly, fleeting moment, Adrien feared the same with Nino; that he may curl some steel thick curtain around himself so Adrien couldn't reach him.
But, Nino wasn't Gabriel.
He wouldn't do that.
...Adrien hoped.
A gasp above him drew his gaze up, seeing the new girl peer down at him, starstruck wonder in her expression. "You're Adrien Agreste!" she uttered in delight.
Adrien offered her a small smile, waving to her halfheartedly. "Hey."
He leaned back when she leaned down, his nose wrinkling a little at the strong smell of pumpkin spice. "Lila Rossi! It's so amazing to meet you, Adrien!" She gave him a warm smile and a wink. "Why when I heard you were here, I just knew I had to come here!"
"Re-really," he murmured.
A throat cleared behind him, and he looked up to see Alya peering down at him, a dark brow raised.
Adrien consciously rubbed the back of his neck. Just as he was about to ask Lila if she could give him some space, she came around and plopped in Nino's seat, instantly locking their arms together and leaning on his arm. Adrien jumped at the sudden invasion of space. "Um…"
Lila opened her mouth to talk, only for a voice to cut in. "Hey."
They looked back to see Alya gazing down at Lila, unamused. "Nino sits there," she stated.
"Oh?" Lila offered in an easy tone, "Well, I'll move when he gets here." She leaned back on Adrien, resting her head on his shoulder. "Till then, can you please help me with my homework? I'm not too good at it."
"Maybe at lunch?" Adrien weakly requested. At the pout she gave him, he tried to reason, "Well, class it about to start…"
"Yeah, Nadj will do that," Marinette's voice rang out, drawing Adrien's attention to the door as she and Prince Ali slipped in. "She can be…"
Marinette trailed, her gaze locked on the girl leaning on Adrien.
Said girl had her surprised eyes locked on Ali, who blinked back.
The prince flashed her a bright, excited smile. "You must be the new student!" He eager reached out, hand offered in a shake. "I'm Prince Ali of Achu! I'm super excited to meet you!"
Faster than anyone was expecting, she drew away from Adrien and made an eager grasp for Ali's hand, eagerly returning, "I had heard that you were here! But I wasn't sure if that was true!"
"It is," Ali confirmed, then looked up as Rose hopped up excitedly.
"Ali! Lila said that she knew you!"
Lila tensed for a moment as Ali blinked in surprise, turning his gaze down to her. Lila quickly told him, "We did meet once." She drew away from him, going back to holding Adrien's arm and pressing at his side, much to the blond's discomfort.
Even more so since Marinette was watching.
For her part, Marinette was just gazing down with a raised brow, a burning agitation going through her as she took this in.
Instinctively, she wanted to growl and scream out.
Not only was this girl invading Adrien's space and making him uncomfortable, Marinette was bothered to see another do it again. First Chloe. Now Lila? It as a feeling she didn't miss. But it was back. This time caused by a new girl.
But she just breathed in and held still.
She laid out the logic before her, considering possibilities of this and the likely reality.
It was nothing.
The girl seemed nice and possibly this was just how she was. Physically affectionate. And despite how liked she is, Adrien had asked Marinette out the other day. He was interested in her. There was nothing to worry about. Nothing to be bothered by. Even if this was irritating, Marinette trusted Adrien. It will be fine she's sure.
She sighed and relaxed. Offering Lila a small smile, she offered, "Welcome to Paris! I hope you like it here!"
For the first time this morning, Lila's gaze flickered to Marinette, blinking in slight surprise like she just realized that Marinette was there. She offered Marinette a sweet smile. "Thanks! I'm looking forward to living here!"
Marinette felt Ali set a hand on her shoulder and guide her along. Subtly leaning towards him, she asked, "Did you really meet her?"
"Maybe," Ali returned softly. "I do wind up meeting a lot of people when I travel. I could have met her when I was in Rome."
He gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze before he slipped past her and joined Ivan, giving the giant a chipper good morning, asking about his and Mylene's progress. The prince beamed in delight as Ivan blushed shyly.
Marinette sat down beside Alya, the redhead leaned over, quietly asking, "You ok?"
"I will be," Marinette returned, though the urge to scream was still there.
Still, she's sure Nino will come and Lila will have to move, Adrien will be free and Marinette can go back to gazing at her love fondly from behind.
Only Nino never came in.
And Lila sat, glued to Adrien's side the whole morning.
The two sat behind them with guarded gazes, one struggling to withhold frustrated growls.
The seat over from Adrien and Lila, Chloe watched them from the corner of her eye, equally irked.
Who did this girl think she was coming in and plopping into seats she didn't own?
Getting snuggly with Chloe's friends?
The blonde wasn't in the mood to tolerate this at all.
"Am I being ridiculous?!" Marinette wondered aloud, huffing as she opened her locker. "I just want to, grrrrr."
Trixx darted out of the purse and ducked under Marinette's blazer, poking her holder's side and drawing the girl's blue eyes to her.
Trixx revealed with an easy smile, "That is the fox's nature Marinette. Foxes are territorial, especially with their love. By nature, a fox mates for life. If someone's moving in on your mate, of course, you want to let them know who is yours."
With a twitch of her ear, Trixx added, "This actually what sparked the lore around Huli and kitsune. About them being temptresses, seducing people and what not. They fell in love, usually with lords and ladies who were engaged to be wed to another. A fox in love won't let that go. A few did go over board time to time." Like with kumiho, bad enough to leave a bad impression in Korea; that was a rough episode in Trixx's life.
Shaking her head to brush off those thoughts, Trixx said, "And that's just something that won't ever change with fox miraculous holders. Even here. Like, Robin Hood. The only love in his life as Marian. It'll be the same for you and Adrien."
Marinette gave a start. "Robin Hood was a previous fox?!"
"Oh yeah!" Trixx chirped. "Why do you think they had such a hard time catching him? All those soldiers against just one rogue?" Trixx patted her chest, pleased. "He had lots of fun with illusions."
Marinette chuckled, drawing Trixx's curious. "Did you know that Disney had made Robin Hood a fox in one of their films?"
Trixx gasped in delight. "Really?!"
"We can watch sometime."
"Yes please!" Trixx wiggled about, eager to see this movie.
With a fond smile, Marinette snuck Trixx another piece of croissant, much to the spoiled kwami's bliss.
Down the row of the locker, Chloe watched Marinette do something under her blazer, curious as to what the weirdo was doing. Then shook her head. There was a bigger fish for her to look at than Marinette.
This new girl.
"So," Chloe started off, listing, "her name is Lila Rossi, she just moved here, her Daddy is a diplomat, she travels a lot, met Jagged Stone who did an album in her honor, met Prince Ali…" Chloe turned to Sabrina, scowling. "Am I forgetting anything?"
"She's been invited to the Buckingham Palace—"
"Oh forget it," Chloe cut off, turning to her locker, looking at the mirror she hung up, eyeing her reflection. "This is ridiculous," Chloe huffed, rolling all of this about. "It almost sounds too amazing. There is no way she is this incredible."
"Well," Sabrina piped up, "you're amazing Chloe. You know Adrien Agreste, and Prince Ali of Achu, and—"
"Well yeah," Chloe cut in, "I'm amazing. It makes sense for me to be. But this girl, just, coming out of nowhere and had all of these accomplishments. I think this dog has a rather loud bark, wouldn't you say?"
Sabrina faltered, unsure about this.
Before she could move to speak, Chloe jerked to the left, blue eyes narrowing.
"The night we met was purely magical Prince Ali! You were so inspiring and wise and sweet. You really made that night in Rome amazing for me."
"I did? Well, I'm glad I was able to provide an enjoyable evening," Ali offered as he and Lila walked by, the prince looking a bit put off with Lila's claims, very unsure about the truth of them but not quite able to say they didn't happen.
Growling, Chloe prowled over, shoving Lila away from the prince's side.
"Chloe!" Ali scolded, alarmed by the aggressiveness.
Lila turned to her, her olive gaze sharp.
Ignoring Ali's disapproval, Chloe crossed her arms and glared at her. "This little game you're playing is really cute but sorry to say it can't go on forever. Actually, I'm going to go ahead and end it today."
Ali set a hand on her shoulder, his voice gentle and firm. "Chloe, that is enough."
Sneering at Lila, Chloe grabbed his wrist and moved to drag him away.
But Ali moved his wrist out of her grip, and Chloe whipped around to him, blue eyes blazing.
He peered back with calm disapproval. Completely unafraid of her glare.
With his back to her, Lila drew near once more, giving Chloe a mocking smirk, which just infuriated the blonde more. Just as Lila reached for Ali, everyone jumped when Marinette popped up beside him, asking, "Hey, you ready to head home for lunch?"
Ali turned to her, smiling. "Yes! Is Sabine making those little quiches?"
"Oh yeah," Marinette confirmed. "She knows they're your favorite."
"Excellent!" Turning to them, Ali nodded and offered his regrets, "I'm so sorry, but I have do have plans for lunch today." He offered his arm to Marinette, she linked her elbow with his. They slipped away before either girl could speak or move.
When out of earshot, he bid, "Thanks."
"How often has this happened to you?" Marinette wondered.
"Thankfully, that was just the second time. The first I certainly could've lived without."
Marinette raised a brow at the comment but didn't push as she and Ali slipped homewards.
Behind them, the three girls stood alone, Chloe and Lila sizing the other up.
Giving Chloe a smile, Lila turned and prowled off.
Chloe scoffed at her back.
This was not over.
It was with shaking hands that Adrien sent the text to Gorilla, revealing that he wasn't going to have lunch at home so he shouldn't bother coming. With hurried looks around to make sure no one was paying attention to him. He hurried into the empty library, sliding the thick brown book out. Setting it on the table before him, he slowly opened it, looking through it, brow furrowing.
There was a Ladybug hero before him, the earrings, the yo-yo.
Symbols he didn't know dotted the pages before him, though squinting at the odd lettering, he could decipher Coccinelle.
Or at least, he was assuming that said Coccinelle.
He turned the page slowly, taking in a poised, crouched black cat hero.
Adrien stared at him, blinking.
A predecessor of his.
Adrien peered at this cat's staff, brow furrowed curiously.
It was long, black, not like Adrien's, which was silver.
Weapon appearance change over time then? Staying the basic same but changing to match the time period, possibly?
Not able to grasp anything else from this, he moved to the next page, freezing at what he saw.
A man stood before Adrien in a coloration of purple and grey, with butterflies right next to him.
Butterflies like the one's Coccinelle and him fought.
Akumas.
This, this was…
"Hawkmoth," Adrien whispered, confusion running through him. Why, why was Hawkmoth, a clear villain, in this book with a ladybug and black cat hero?
Just to be sure he saw right, he flipped back a few pages, where the ladybug hero was there, poised and set before him with a sure smile on her lips.
Why was Hawkmoth listed with a hero?
"Hey is that Coccinelle?"
Adrien jumped, whipping around to see Lila hanging over his shoulder, her gaze set to the book. Adrien moved to hide the book, only for Lila to snatch it away from him, eagerly flipping through the pages.
"Lila," Adrien started to plead, only to freeze when Lila stopped on a page with a fox.
Adrien stared.
A fox.
There was a fox in this book.
And he, he saw a fox last night, didn't he?
And, and there was an alert last night too.
Adrien took out his cell, checking the latest update on the Ladyblog.
There, a snapped image of something fox like running along the roofs.
A fox hero.
There was a new hero in Paris, a fox.
His heart skipped a beat, from nervousness or excitement, he didn't know. He didn't quite know what to think about this possibility.
A new hero.
One that appeared just after he and Coccinelle had a fight.
This, he, Adrien should—
"Volpina."
Adrien looked up at the whisper, eyes set to Lila as she stared down at the fox hero, one that looked suspiciously like her.
While Adrien struggled to sort through the chances of this, and Lila took in all the details she could look at of this fox hero, a certain, tired redhead was walking by. In her bag, a little ladybug kwami, spent the whole morning unsteady with guilt and wariness from the fights from last night and had struggled to think of a way to approach Alya. Trixx, she had to wait till there was an opportunity to be at Marinette's again; but Alya.
Till things were as they're meant too, Tikki can agree that Trixx has a point. She should do what she can till it was time. Tikki hoped that time will be soon but till then... she had to make up with Alya.
Finally, in an empty hall, Tikki was up to test the waters.
But as she peeked out of the bag, they were walking right past the library, where she not only saw Adrien and Lila, but also a certain book.
Tikki gasped loudly, drawing Alya's gaze to her, tensing as the kwami zipped out.
"Tikki!" Alya hissed, pursuing the kwami to the library's door frame. "What are you doin—"
"Why do they have that?" Tikki cut in, giving Alya a start at the dark, serious expression on the kwami's face.
Alya peeked in, brow furrowed.
Her gaze settled on a book Lila had before her, and faintly, Alya heard Adrien ask, his voice thick with surprise, "Are you the fox hero?"
What?
Fox hero?
Alya and Tikki exchanged glances.
Tikki dove into the room and Alya followed, crouching low and creeping closer.
"Yes," Lila answered excitedly, leaning to Adrien, hand curling around his wrist. "I'm Volpina, the fox hero."
Alya gasped, glaring at her.
This was the fox she came across last night? Who fled from her? Was creeping around last night?
"So last night," Adrien brought up.
"I was checking out the city," Lila confirmed. "Can't quite help Coccinelle and Chat Noir if I don't know where I'm going."
"So you are here to help u, er, them? Coccinelle and Chat?"
"Naturally," Lila bragged, "have you looked at them? They need help." Alya narrowed her eyes at that, offended and bothered. Were they really that bad? Alya shook her head, pushing back nervous doubts and focused on listening. It was thankfully easy with how eager Lila was to brag. "And it's a good thing I'm powerful. I'll have you know Volpina is far stronger than Coccinelle herself. I bet I'll wind up saving all of Paris on my own."
Alya raised a brow at that.
On her head, Tikki narrowed her eyes.
"You're that powerful?" Adrien asked, a slight skeptical edge in his tone as he stared at her.
"I am," Lila purred out, looking at him with half lidded eyes.
Adrien frowned, glancing to her bare neck, then looked at the illustration, asking, "Where's your necklace?"
"I got it locked away somewhere safe," Lila reassured easily, "let's meet up in the park in… ten minutes. I'll show you then."
Adrien slid the book towards him, standing up, his posture leaning towards where Alya and Tikki were spying on them.
Tensing, Alya and Tikki quickly hurried out, not hearing a shuffle of stuff being dropped.
As they pressed against the wall, all they heard was, "See you in ten minutes," and watched as a frowning and unsure Adrien slipped out, his expression pensive at what he just learned.
Tikki floated forward, frowning. Turning to Alya, she stated, "We got to get that book!"
"What, why?" Alya asked.
"That book is full of miraculous secrets Alya! Adrien should not have it! Him having that book puts us and Chat in danger!" Tikki stressed, fretfully looking back, afraid that they may loose Adrien.
Alya tensed at Tikki's words. She nodded, brushing aside last night for now. She and Tikki will talk about that later. But now, they had a book to get. Alya hurried after Adrien, Tikki zipping around her, keeping close to her hair.
They were going to get that book back from Adrien today no matter what.
Unfortunately, as they followed Adrien for ten minutes, with him constantly with or close by someone, making it hard for them to get close and grab his bag; if the two had just hung back a couple minutes longer or even looked back, they would've seen Lila walk out of the library, said book clutched in her arms.
With a pleased smile, Lila opened it back to the page of the fox hero, olive eyes locked on the orange tail necklace.
A necklace she knows Gabriel has made and is being sold in stores.
If she couldn't charm a prince without dealing with difficult competition, she's more than fine settling with Paris' most famous model.
A model that didn't come with a rival.
A model that would be solid substitute before she tried at the prince again.
It'll just be a game of patience.
For sure, Lila was good at games.
Marinette sighed loudly as she slipped outside, rubbing her full belly contently. "Ah, I love Maman's cheesy quiches," she murmured aloud, content.
Trixx popped out, humming in delight. "And cheesy croissants." If Plagg knew that Trixx was having all the cheesy croissants she'd want, that cat would be so jealous. It made Trixx look forward to seeing Plagg again, just to tease him with this. If he had pushed for this girl to be Black Cat a lot more than Tikki did, he could've been dining on all the cheesy dishes he could've wanted.
But he didn't.
And Trixx now had a chance to enjoy it.
And she was going to enjoy it.
Marinette peeked back into the bakery, watching Ali talk to her Papa, explaining some desserts of Achu to Tom, desserts he wanted to try and make, and Ali was more than happy to offer Tom some recipes to try.
And after… Marinette didn't quite know what she'll do.
Ali mentioned that his aide wanted to go over his schedule with him as soon as he was able, and after ten minutes of eating, he was content and ready. He was going to go as soon as he and Tom were done. Marinette could even see the car waiting for him, parked just a ways from the bakery.
Which left Marinette fifty minutes on her own.
Minutes she was aiming to spend talking to Adrien.
That was her goal today.
Talk to Adrien about yesterday, and possibly find out what their next step will be. Or in general, learn what will be next.
Cause they do need to talk.
As Marinette started to walk towards the school, she paused when she saw Lila in the park by Marinette's home, carrying a book and a small box.
Marinette's brow furrowed, wondering why Lila was here. Did she live in this neighborhood?
She jumped when Trixx floated up into the open, hovering by her face, the little god's gaze sharp and stern.
"Trixx?" Marinette asked, looking around to make sure no one would spot the fox. She was usually good about staying hidden.
"That's a very curious item she has," Trixx commented, tilting her head about. She spared Marinette a glance. "I'm not too sure she should have that book."
Echoing her kwami's frown, Marinette drew near towards the park, crouching down as she crept closer to Lila, not minding Trixx as she zipped around Marinette's head, equally curious.
Peeking over the edge, she watched as Lila settled on the bench, and opened up the box. Marinette gasped, surprised as Lila brought out a familiar necklace.
Instinctively, Marinette's hand flew up to her collar, where she felt the curving frame of the ivory foxtail under her shirt.
She still had it.
She still had her miraculous, Trixx was still with her.
But Lila, that one she had, it as a fake.
A very believable fake…
Why did she have that?
Marinette spared a glance to Trixx, watching the kwami narrow her eyes, her ears folding down. To Marinette, Trixx murmured, "Someone's playing a bit of game, it seems."
A game with a fake miraculous.
"Why would Lila—"
Marinette got her answer when she saw Adrien across the park, coming over to Lila. Lila saw him too. Hurriedly, she threw the book and the box in a nearby trash bin, earning a gasp from Marinette and a twitch from Trixx. Oblivious Lila just resettled on the bench, smiling as Adrien drew near.
Locked on Adrien and Lila, Marinette and Trixx didn't see another secret hero and kwami creep up behind Adrien, both of them miffed and tense.
"You have a necklace?" he asked as he drew near.
Lila whipped out the fake fox tail, grinning. "Here it is. Proof that I'm the fox hero Volpina."
While Adrien took in the hanging fox miraculous, Marinette had a start in the bushes. Trixx floating beside her raising a brow, tail curling in disapproval. "What?" Marinette uttered.
"Playing a game," Trixx echoed.
"She, she's saying she's who?" Marinette growled hunching up, ready to jump out there.
Volpina?
The new fox hero?
How did Lila and Adrien even know about that?
Marinette whipped out her cell, checking the Ladyblog, tensing when she saw the latest updates, updates about a mysterious fox-like figure. "Trixx, I, I was seen."
The kwami hummed, drawing near to check the cell too. "It was bound to happen," she returned calmly, turning back to the two humans. "Right now, I'm a lot more concerned about this." Ears folding back, her eyes narrowing in concentration, Trixx darted forward, braving the open and diving for the trash.
And ignoring Marinette's alarmed squeaks after her.
Marinette drew her nails near her mouth, nervous. Sparing wild glances to the two, she crept closer, conscious that Adrien could see her any second and that she probably only had seconds to grab her kwami and the book.
As Marinette reached the bin, she stood up just enough to see Trixx struggling with the book, her tail waving about like some orange flag., as she tried to get the book out Just as Marinette was about to reach and help her kwami, she dropped down in alarm as a certain ladybug hero dropped down before them, jerking the two apart, turning to stare at Coccinelle in alarm.
A very irritated looking Coccinelle.
Where Adrien looked uncomfortable and surprised, Lila paled.
Coccinelle turned her gaze to them, guarded eyes locking onto Lila. "Hello, Volpina."
"L-Coccinelle, I, hel—"
Coccinelle's gaze settled on the visible fox miraculous in Lila's grasp, hanging out in the open for the world to see. Where Adrien can easily see it. "You're a hero that is revealing herself?" Coccinelle asked, scoffing at her. "You? When you're revealing yourself to a civilian?"
"I, I trust you!" Lila insisted, turning to Adrien and taking his hand. "He won't reveal me—"
"Coccinelle," Adrien started off.
"You just met him," Coccinelle cut in. "There's no way you can know that you can trust him with that!" Narrowing her eyes, Coccinelle ordered, "But since the damage is done, transform."
"W-what?"
"Transform, show me you really are Volpina right now."
"But, but this is public—"
"It's only us," Coccinelle pointed out, waving to an empty park, "and Adrien already knows. Or can you not transform and become a hero, Volpina?"
Lila scrambled before Coccinelle, her gaze wildly flicking to Adrien.
Adrien glanced back, wondering if Lila would.
Trapped and overwhelmed, she broke down before the two, crying.
Coccinelle peered down at her, unimpressed.
Adrien tensed, his heart goes out to the girl that Coccinelle just confronted. No one deserved this.
Lila couldn't take it anymore. She rose up and tore off, escaping this. Adrien instinctively rose up to pursue her, only to be stopped as Coccinelle grabbed his arm.
"I'm here for you too," Coccinelle said.
Adrien turned to her, expression bordering a scowl. He jerked out of her grip, stating, "That was a bit much, Coccinelle."
"A bit much?" Coccinelle repeated, narrowing her eyes at him. "She was pretending to be a hero. I'm not going to tolerate that, not just for our reputation, and for her own safety. You don't go revealing you're a hero to people!"
"But that was still a little much!" Adrien pushed.
Coccinelle crossed her arms. "I did what I had too. And you, you have something that I should have."
Adrien tensed.
The book.
Coccinelle somehow found out he had the book.
He narrowed his eyes at her, a childish resentment festering in him.
A part of Adrien didn't want to give it to her.
But he sighed and opened up his bag, ready to give her the book.
It would be for the best that he did.
Only to freeze when he didn't find it.
"It's not here," Adrien whispered.
"What?" Coccinelle demanded.
"It's not here!" Adrien stressed, cursing under his breath as he whipped around and tore off, thinking and hoping he had just left it in the library. It had to be there.
Grimacing, Coccinelle pursued, fretful.
She saw Adrien pick up that book.
He had to have it.
Left behind, Marinette crept out, frowning. She quickly brought the book out of the bin, meeting Trixx's curious gaze as the kwami continued to cling to it. "Well that was a mess," the kwami commented.
"Everything seems to be a mess," Marinette returned, coming to the bench that was left open. Giving into her curiosity, she opened up the book, blinking to see miraculous heroes were illustrated inside.
Coccinelle.
Black Cat.
Marinette blinked, Butterfly?
"Hawkmoth?" she murmured, "He's a hero?"
"He should be," Trixx backed, floating before the image of the butterfly hero illustrated below her. "But, unfortunately, sometimes miraculouses fall into the wrong hands."
Marinette tensed, an uncomfortable bubble in her stomach.
Hawkmoth was misusing his miraculous.
A kwami like Trixx and Tikki was being misused. "What, what's the kwami's name?" Marinette asked.
"Nooroo," Trixx answered.
"Nooroo," Marinette repeated, flipping to the next page, blinking to see one of her predecessors. A fox hero.
One that did look a lot like Lila.
Marinette looked to the symbols on the side, tracing them out to read Volpina.
"Is her name Volpina?" Marinette asked.
Should her name really be Volpina?
Trixx just smiled, and Marinette watched in surprise as the symbols shimmered and changed right before her.
Besides the fox hero, the name now read Huli.
"Every miraculous user is unique," Trixx explained, leaning back on Marinette, gazing at this previous holder. "This applies to not only costume design, but in names too. It's very unlikely for two heroes to wind up with the same name. Most are compelled to have their own. And this book responds to names you know, and what you desire."
Marinette hummed.
Names of heroes will change.
Like Alya went with Coccinelle, where Marinette was inclined for simply Ladybug.
Now, she definitely wasn't Volpina.
She was Huli.
She'll be a hero no matter what name she goes by.
Turning to her, Trixx advised, "We should get this to the old man. He'll want to see this."
Marinette agreed.
Down the street from Marinette, Lila slowed down, a fury raging through her, wild and angry.
How dare she.
How dare she.
She had no right to do that! No right at all!
Lila stopped, finding Coccinelle smiling at her on a poster, that smile mocking to Lila. She threw the book at the poster, snarling, "I'm fake?! There's nothing faker than you! You're nothing at all!"
She was a horrible hero.
Lila could be a far better hero than her.
She could feel it in her bones that she could.
"You certainly could be a far better hero than Coccinelle."
Lila agreed, "I'm far better than that fraud."
"Who wronged you so cruelly. But you can get her back, Volpina, you can prove that you are a true hero, a far better hero than her. But I just have one favor to ask in return."
Lila smiled. "A certain pair of earrings?"
"Have a good hunt, clever fox."
"I will," Lila promised as the darkness washed over her.
Volpina stood in her place, offering the poster a sneer. With a wave of her hand and a flash of energy, a flute slid into her grasp. Bringing it to her lips, Volpina played a fast tune, forming a glowing ball of energy. She threw it at the poster, grinning spitefully as it the proud image of Coccinelle was replaced by her crying and tangled up in her own yo-yo, Volpina stood regally in the foreground with Prince Ali and Adrien on their knees before her, gazing at her in wonder.
Admiring her, as they should.
A real hero should be worshiped after all.
"Where is that book Adrien," Coccinelle persisted, sparing wary glances back to the hall as students trailed to peek at her, mystified to see the spotted hero in their school. A hero that humored them with waves before gently sending them away.
"I'm sorry, this is a mission," she kept telling them before she glanced back with stressed impatience as Adrien scrambled around, trying to find that book.
"I don't know!" Adrien cried out, equally stressed that he couldn't find the book anywhere. And Coccinelle asking him wasn't helping. He ran a hand through his hair, pulling at blond strands and making his scalp sting slightly. "I was so sure I left with it!"
He then stiffened.
"Lila," he uttered.
"What?" Coccinelle asked, drawing near him.
"I think Lila has the book," Adrien said.
Coccinelle drew near, squinting. "How does she have the book?"
"When I was leaving she surprised me, I dropped my stuff and that, I know I had the book when I first got up!" Adrien insisted. "She probably has it!"
Coccinelle groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. Dryly, she uttered, "And she ran off." Turning, she sped away, intent to find Lila and get that book from her. And if she didn't have it… Coccinelle didn't know what she would do.
The last thing she wanted was a book full of miraculous secrets lost to Paris, where anyone could just pick it up.
Like Hawkmoth.
Who could be anyone and be anywhere.
And Coccinelle couldn't risk him finding it.
Left alone in the library, Adrien drew near to peer after Coccinelle. Frowning, he opened his bag to give Plagg a dry look. "Why didn't you say anything?" Adrien pushed.
Plagg gave him an uncaring shrug. "Had no chance too," Plagg stated, "there was always someone around." And, while Tikki may think otherwise, he was really good about not risking his presence. Tikki though, it was a bit ironic. She cared the most about secrecy and yet it was her who had the bad habit of popping out into the open.
And of course, she did not appreciate Plagg's teasing about it.
But it was a truth she couldn't deny!
Adrien narrowed his eyes at Plagg, scoffing softly, "I'm sure."
Plagg waved his comment off, rolling out, "Don't worry about it. What's meant to be will be." Then Plagg's eyes widened and he quickly dropped down into the bag.
Adrien raised a brow. "Plagg?"
No comment.
Humming curiously, he closed up his bag, ready to move. "Where could she have gone?" he wondered.
"Oh don't you worry, I'm right here."
He jumped, whipping around and seeing a fox hero standing behind him, smiling coyly at him, olive eyes gleaming. "L-Lila?" Adrien shakily asked, drawing away.
"Volpina," she corrected, following him and leaning into his space. "The fox hero, just as I said."
Indeed it was so, there was the fox necklace, gleaming on her collar, with golden stripes following the tail's curve. There she was before him, a hero as she claimed.
Coccinelle was wrong.
"Where is Coccinelle, Adrien?" Volpina asked, ears flopping about as she peered to him. "I would like to show her who I am. Something I should have done from the start," she told him, a bite in her words.
Adrien grimaced slightly.
Coccinelle costed them a friend.
He had a feeling Volpina was going to seek revenge.
Revenge Coccinelle brought onto herself.
"Um," Adrien muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, "she uh, she left… um Lila! Er Volpina! Do you, do you have my book?" Adrien asked, changing tactics, hoping he could redirect her focus. Possibly lead up to a conversation so there won't be a fight between Volpina and Coccinelle.
At least, not a physical fight.
"Later Adrien," Volpina dismissed, turning and prowling away, her tail sweeping about behind her. Looking at him from over her shoulder, she said with a smile, "Coccinelle and I really need to talk." With a wink, she reassured, "I will see you later."
She darted away before Adrien could stop her.
"Plagg," Adrien summoned, tense. "Claws—"
"Adrien!"
He whipped around, seeing Nathalie coming to him, a deep frown on her face. She stopped before him, looking him over, taking in his strained expression. She slumped, sighing. She told him lowly, "Your father wants you home for lunch, he wants to talk to you."
Adrien stared at Nathalie, his gaze wide and tense.
Oh no.
Chloe trailed to a stop when she saw a rush of red in the sky. She looked up to see an irritated Coccinelle go alone, racing along the roofs with her gaze set on the streets below. Chloe wrinkled her nose in distaste. "What's got her hair in a twist?" she wondered aloud.
Sabrina offered, "Maybe she and Chat Noir did have a fight. That's what's been going around."
"Wouldn't be surprised," Chloe voiced. "They were long overdue for a fight. I am surprised it took Chat Noir this long to finally snap at her."
"There is something they certainly do need to work out."
Chloe tensed.
Sabrina looked back to see Ali coming towards them, his aid rushing by, muttering about needing to make a phone call. His gaze was locked on Chloe, a slight frown on his features.
He stopped beside them, watching Coccinelle go. He reasoned, "I'm sure they'll work it out though."
Chloe snorted. "With how impossible she is, I doubt it."
"Funny, hearing that come from you."
They all tensed at the new voice that sounded out behind them. Growling, Chloe whipped around, starting her snarl, "Lila—"
She froze to find a fox instead.
One that had her gaze right on Chloe.
"It's Volpina actually, Chloe," the fox corrected, sliding off the car. "I'm the new fox hero in town."
"You know my name," Chloe muttered in surprise, taking a few steps back, she and Sabrina clutching each other's arms.
Ali quickly stepped in, heart pounding nervously as he faced the declared hero. A hero he knew wasn't the real one. He knew the true fox hero of Paris, and this wasn't Huli at all. "Get inside and lock the doors," Ali ordered, eyes set to the akuma.
"Oh Ali," Volpina cooed with a giggle, "so chivalrous. Stepping up to the dense of someone like Chloe. You really know your way to a girl's heart. But, I'm afraid that just won't do." Volpina jerked her staff outwards, and in a flash of energy, a huge spider hung over the hotel doors, keeping the two girls that were sneaking back to it from going in.
They jerked away with a scream as the spider hissed and reached for them, bouncing against Ali's back. Ali turned and stared at the spider in surprise before shaking his head.
It isn't real.
Fox does illusions.
It isn't real.
He moved to reassure that it was ok, that they should just race in, when Volpina darted around him, facing the two girls at his back.
Chloe screamed and shoved Sabrina at Volpina, racing away.
Volpina easily caught Sabrina and let her go, letting the girl scramble back. Eyes set on Chloe, Volpina followed her, her eyes predatory, her lips curled into a vicious smile.
"L-leave me alone!" Chloe shakily ordered as she continued to back away. She jerked away when the spider jumped behind her, hissing as it blocked her way of escape, with a wall and parked cars framing either side.
"Can't do that," Volpina tutted. "I have a bit of a schedule, you see. Some… people, I want to take care of. And guess what Chloe! You're one of those people!" Volpina raised her black gloves, grinning as she watched Chloe's expression morph into pure terror as a flame erupted in the fox's palm. "You really burn me up."
"Chloe!" Ali called out, unable to move as Sabrina clutched his arm, shaking like a leaf, "just run past the spider! It won't hurt you! I promise!"
Chloe shook her head, eyes set on the fox's fire, watching her raise her arm back, ready to throw it.
Before Volpina could, a yo-yo came out of nowhere and snagged her wrist, jerking her hand and putting the flame out.
Surprised, Volpina turned to see Coccinelle there, glaring at her. "Now I'm damn sure you're no hero."
Volpina smiled. "I'll have you know that I am. You just really make me a villain, Coccinelle." Volpina pulled back on the wire, straining Coccinelle.
The spider moved, diving at Coccinelle.
Surprised, Coccinelle jerked her yo-yo free of Volpina and jumped away.
Grinning maliciously, Volpina pursued, calling out, "Time to see who the better hero is, Coccinelle!"
Behind them, Ali pushed Sabrina to the doors, ordering, "Get inside!" He turned and hurried to Chloe, grabbing her wrist and pulling her towards the hotel. All the while, he pulled out his cell, dialing Marinette's number.
"Who are you even calling?" Chloe snapped, trying to sound fierce despite how she was shaking, clutching Ali's arm as he leads them to the hotel.
"Help," Ali answered.
Chloe blinked in surprise. "Chat Noir?" she guessed.
Ali shook his head, not answering her as he mentally willed Marinette to answer her cell.
With no Chat Noir in sight yet, Coccinelle was going to need help.
It was time for Huli to come out.
Marinette was almost to Fu's when her cell went off. Brow furrowed, she pulled it out to see that Ali was calling her. Just as she moved to answer and see what was up, an explosion spiked near her. Alarmed, Marinette looked up, gaping to see Coccinelle rush overhead, with a fox pursuing her, shouting out about how she clearly was a far better hero.
"You can't touch me Coccinelle!" the fox mocked as she chased her, laughing as Coccinelle was scrambling to escape, to gather her bearings.
Not that the fox was giving her a chance.
Every time Coccinelle tried, something new popped up, forcing her to go in a different direction. And half the time, this fox was there to get a hit in, sending the hero spotted hero flying.
Marinette ducked into the first hiding spot she could find, her miraculous swinging out, the ivory tail gleaming.
Trixx darted out, purple eyes shining, ears perked and ready. "Fox versus fox," she murmured, "how rare."
"And this fox is going to come out on top," Marinette growled, earning a pleased smile from Trixx. "Ears up!"
Coccinelle went flying into the streets, winded from the blow of the flute hitting her middle. Hitting the street hard, she moved to get up, only to falter at the woozy dizziness that swept over her. Groaning, she reached for her head, squinting as the world swayed.
Above her, Volpina cackled aloud, Coccinelle seeing her in her peripheral vision. "Look at you," Volpina mocked. "You call yourself a hero? You are nothing Coccinelle." Coccinelle wobbled, trying to get up, missing the flash of a butterfly symbol over Volpina's face. "You aren't even the real hero are you? You're just a fake!"
"Shut up!" Coccinelle snapped, honey eyes blazing.
Volpina just smiled, gazing down at her with gleaming eyes. "Unlike you, I'm real. I'm the fox hero Volpina! And I just bested you." She jerked her flute out towards Coccinelle, a flame flaring out in the end. "And with you being a fake, I don't think I should let you continue to be Coccinelle."
Coccinelle tensed, eyes locked to the end of that flute, to that flame, with static and sparks flaring out around it.
Before Volpina can move, a car screeched a stop behind them, and they turned, seeing Adrien burst out of the car, ignoring Nathalie's cry for Adrien to get back in.
"Volpina!" Adrien cried out. "Don't!"
Volpina shook her head, turning back to Coccinelle. "Sorry Adrien," Volpina called out. "But a hero doesn't tolerate fakes."
Coccinelle turned, glaring at Volpina.
As Volpina moved to swing her staff, her ear twitched and the fox tensed.
She dove away just as another fox came down, swinging a flute down and hitting where Volpina once stood. Coccinelle and Adrien stared, watching this red fox rise, her blue eyes locked on the gaping Volpina.
"Volpina the fox hero," this fox voiced aloud in an easy tone, yet despite it, her long ears were folded back, her pupils thin with ire. With a smile, she said, "I don't recall my name being Volpina though."
"You—" Volpina started to growl, then shook her head, her own ears set back. "What a time for you to come, akuma." Then Volpina smiled, jabbing her flute at this fox, declaring, "But I suppose this is quite a lucky break for me. I take care of you and I prove that I'm better than Coccinelle! Paris won't need her anymore after this! It'll be me! I'll be the hero of Paris!"
This fox tutted at her, crouching down and twirling her flute, a ball of energy sparking. "You have to beat me first, Volpina."
She brought the flute down on her head, and in a puff of smoke, a flock of pigeons darted away scattering.
Volpina tensed, frantically watching those pigeons go. With a growl she went after one randomly, locked on getting this "akuma" and proving to all that she was a hero.
Coccinelle and Adrien equally gaped.
There was another fox.
With a stumble, Coccinelle dove off in a random direction and Adrien tore off, intent on escaping, transforming and joining this.
Only he didn't count on Nathalie pursuing him. "Adrien!" she snarled out, "Get back in the car right now!"
Groaning, Adrien sped up, intent to escape.
But Nathalie was equally determined. "Adrien!"
Above, a frustrated Volpina was scrambling.
Every pigeon she swung at either broke into smoke or turned out to be real, there was no sign of that fox at all.
Aside from her bursting forth from smoke and hitting Volpina from behind, using her previous tactic against Volpina now instead of Coccinelle. And any time Volpina turned to hit her back, this fox just darted away and poofed herself in a flock of pigeons again. It was becoming an endless, frustrating cycle.
"Where are you, coward?!" Volpina snarled.
Above, the fox appeared, seating herself on a chimney. "It's Huli, actually," the fox mocking revealed to Volpina.
Growling, Volpina was about to move to strike, only to grunt as a yo-yo smacked into her side, sending her flying.
"Good hit!" Huli praised as Coccinelle darted up to Volpina's previous spot.
Sending Huli a guarded glare, Coccinelle threw the yo-yo at her, cursing as the fox broke apart into smoke.
Another illusion.
Coccinelle was really starting to not like foxes.
And Volpina was starting to get real tired of this fight.
Growling as she rose up, she looked about, seeing more pigeons drifting around, one of them like Huli; and Coccinelle turning to her, ready to go again, this time with help, whether she accepted this help or not.
Volpina couldn't take them both.
She had to end this, find a way to stop them both.
Her long ear twitched and Volpina looked down to see Adrien racing in the streets, trying to get away from a woman that was pursuing him.
Volpina dove down, dropping in front of Adrien and making him jerk to a stop. "Sorry Adrien," Volpina offered, "but I'm ready to end this."
Volpina rushed forward, slamming Adrien against the wall with her flute, the end pressed against his chest. In her hand, a flame sprouted up. She turned, just in time to see the woman stop, hands flying to her mouth, eyes wide with alarm and fear.
Coccinelle dropped down next to her, tense.
Huli dropped out of the sky in a puff of smoke, even tenser than Coccinelle, her pupils frighteningly thin.
"There you are," Volpina called out in a pleased tone, her gaze settling on Huli. "Was getting pretty tired of that game you were playing."
"Volpina," Coccinelle growled.
"Give up the earrings, Coccinelle," Volpina ordered, raising up her hand. "Or else."
"That's just another illus—"
"You really want to test that chance?"
Coccinelle gritted her teeth, then looked around, frantically wondering where Chat was.
He should've been out here a long time ago.
Where was he?
Stressing out, Coccinelle frantically tried to think of a plan. There had to be something that she could do...
Adrien's heart pounded rapidly in his chest, very aware of the flute pressed up against his chest.
He looked to Coccinelle, seeing her scramble with a plan.
He looked to the fox near her, meeting her scared blue eyes. Eyes that sharpened when their gaze met. Her gaze flickered to Volpina's flute, then met Adrien's gaze again.
He understood.
Still shaky but resolute and reassured, Adrien acted.
He kicked out, hitting the end of the flute and sending it flying out of Volpina's hand. As Volpina turned in surprise, Adrien hurried away from her and Huli dove forward, this time slamming Volpina into the wall.
Huli ripped off the necklace and threw it outwards.
The yo-yo caught it and slammed the pendant down on the ground. A butterfly dove out, trying to escape, only to be easily captured.
Huli withdrew as the darkness fell away from Volpina revealing Lila falling to her knees, blinking in confusion. "What, what was…?" she uttered. She looked up, sucking in a sharp breath to see a fox hero standing before her, staring down at Lila with a grimace. She turned away, moving towards Adrien and Nathalie.
Lila's brow furrowed.
What happened?
Lila turned when there was reddish orange in her peripheral vision, and she gasped when she saw Coccinelle glaring down at her, a scowl on her lips. She turned and followed after the fox, gaze locked on her.
Grimacing after her, Lila rose up, pausing when she saw the necklace left on the ground. A glance to the heroes, she picked up the necklace, gazing at the fox tail. Pocketing it, she turned and slipped away, trying to recall what exactly happened.
The last she just remembers was Coccinelle's humiliation though.
Something Lila wasn't going to forget.
"Thanks for the help," Adrien murmured, eyeing this fox curiously. She seemed familiar to him…
"N-no problem!" the fox replied, blushing a little, ears flopped over in a cute, tail tangling around her legs, shy fashion; her hand fiddling with the necklace she wore. The real fox miraculous, Adrien noted.
This was the real fox hero.
"I'm glad you're safe!" she declared with a shy smile.
"Who are you?" Nathalie asked, eyeing this fox in wary wonder.
"Huli," the fox answered, moving to clasp her hands behind her back. "I am Huli."
"A hero?" Coccinelle questioned as she joined them, narrowed eyes set on the small fox.
Huli tensed for a moment, before turning to Coccinelle with a shy smile. "Yes, I'm here to help."
Coccinelle narrowed her eyes. "Now though? You should have revealed yourself the instant you had your miraculous."
Huli flinched. "Er, yeah I… I should've—"
"She's here now," Adrien voiced. "That should be enou—"
"Civilian," Coccinelle cut off. "This is hero business. Business you made harder because you ran here, why didn't you leave?"
"I, I um," Adrien scrambled, faltering before Coccinelle's scolding gaze.
He jumped when Nathalie set a hand on his shoulder, looking at him with stern eyes. "Yes Adrien, that was dangerous! If your father found out you did that…" She shook her head. "Thank you Coccinelle, Huli. Adrien, we're going straight home."
Nathalie ignored Adrien's protests, dragging him back to the car, set to head straight home.
When they were out of earshot, Coccinelle turned to Huli, starting off, "Now you—" only she turned a little too fast and wobbled, hand flying to her head as it throbbed.
"Coccinelle?" Huli asked, concerned, reaching for her.
Coccinelle withdrew, peering at Huli with a mistrustful gaze. "I got my eyes on you," Coccinelle stated.
Huli withdrew, ears flopping back. "Fair enough," she agreed. "Though I promise you, there's nothing to watch for."
Coccinelle just narrowed her eyes.
Consciously, Huli hurried away and left, not batting an eye and Alya summoned Miraculous Ladybug, fixing all damage Volpina has caused.
Left alone and feeling better, Coccinelle pulled out her yo-yo, glaring down at it as she pulled up the call function.
There was a certain cat she wasn't happy with.
Huli ran boldly along the roofs, no longer needing to hide away now that Coccinelle for sure knew about her. To those that stopped to watch this fox go, some pointing to her, Huli slowed time to time to wave and smile down in a shy greeting, before continuing.
When she was close to Fu's she dropped down into an alley and ordered, "Ears down."
The transformation fell away and Marinette held her hand out for Trixx.
The kwami twirled out and happily settled there, grinning. "So it is done," Trixx commented. "Coccinelle knows."
"She knows," Marinette warily echoed, "and doesn't trust me."
"It happens," Trixx reassured. "I've had a good few foxes that weren't trusted. And our main power does revolve around tricks, with illusions. And while we are meant to be guides, there have been enough that have misguided other heroes and people." Trixx floated up and tapped Marinette nose. "You aren't a misguider though. Coccinelle will trust you soon enough."
Marinette smiled, then straightened. "Let's get that book to Fu."
It was with a belly full of dread that Adrien sat in the car heading home. Dread that made him feel sick and queasy.
He didn't have the book.
Lila likely had the book and was turned into an akuma.
Hawkmoth may have the book now.
He may now have their miraculous secrets and it's all his fault.
And his father, he knew about miraculouses, he had that book, and he knew it was missing.
He was going to ask Adrien where it was.
He was going to want it back.
And Adrien didn't have it.
He didn't know where it was and it may possibly in the clutches of a villain.
Adrie felt sick.
And when they came to a stop, he tensed.
Nathalie and Gorilla slipped out of the car.
Adrien gulped, and just as he reached for the door handle, Plagg nudged him. Sparing a wild glance to the waiting adults, Adrien opened his jacket, meeting Plagg's calm eyes. "What?"
"Play dumb," Plagg advised.
"What? Are you serious?" Adrien hissed.
"As dropped Camembert," Plagg said. "Play dumb. That safe is supposed to be a secret, right? You act like you don't know..."
Then it was hard for his father to pin down the blame of this onto Adrien.
It could work.
Adrien hoped at least. He didn't know what his father would do if he was able to catch the blond's bluff. And his reaction to Adrien lying to him…
Adrien breathed in, and slipped out, ready to face this.
As ready as the stressed boy could be.
With nervous steps, he followed Nathalie to the office, where Gabriel stood before his mother's golden painting.
Adrien tensed.
He knew.
He knew the book was gone.
"Adrien's here sir," Nathalie announced.
"Leave us," Gabriel ordered.
Adrien nervously watched her leave, gripping his bag.
Play dumb, he reminded himself. Play dumb.
"Are you fond of literature Adrien?" Gabriel wondered.
"I-I haven't the chance to really read in awhile, Father," Adrien revealed, eyeing the stiff man's back.
Gabriel hummed. He pushed, "Do you know the importance of this painting?"
"No," Adrien lied, making sure to sound confused.
Play dumb. Play dumb. Play dumb.
Gabriel stood for a moment, considering this. Then he turned to eye Adrien, considering him. Adrien peered back, his expression neutral, brow furrowed. Gabriel turned away. Finally, he said, "It was inspired by a famous painting. The Lady in Gold, by Gustav Klimt. Not only is it a lovely piece, but one of the biggest inspirations I had to have your mother painted in this, Adele Bloch-Bauer, the woman in the portrait; she was quite the social butterfly."
Adrien blinked at the fondness in his father's voice, a rush of nostalgia going through him. He smiled, drawing near, his earlier worries gone. Adrien commented, "Mom was quite a social butterfly too."
Well, the most sociable in this household.
"She was," Gabriel agreed with a tired sigh.
Adrien peered at him, shuffling on his feet, hopeful. That curtain of steel seemed to be unfurling, there seemed to be an opening…
Gabriel turned to him and Adrien could just feel the metal roll out before him, blocking the two once more.
Adrien faltered.
Gabriel ordered, "Go to your room, Adrien. Surely there is work for you to do."
Adrien nodded and left, shoulders slumping.
Gabriel peered after his son, eyes narrowed in consideration.
In his room, Plagg floated out, moving to say something, only to falter and stop, considering this. "What?" Adrien asked with a sigh.
"I'm hungry," Plagg declared, hugging his stomach. "Your poor stressed kwami needs some food!"
"It's Coccinelle isn't it."
"No! It's an aching hunger!" Plagg insisted dramatically.
"Claws out," Adrien ordered with a sigh.
Chat set his bag down as his baton vibrated at his back. He slipped out and flipped open the screen.
A video voice mail was waiting for him, with Coccinelle frowning on the screen.
With a light grimace, Chat opened it, ready to face the music.
"Chat, where were you? Not only was there an akuma about, but there was a fox too! A fox that has probably been creeping around for a while…" Coccinelle looked off to the side and shook her head. "Either way, you should've been here today Chat! If you didn't join because of that fight—"
Chat ended the call, his grip on the baton shaking.
Logic tried to remind him that Coccinelle didn't know, but his current frustration kept him from accepting this.
Isn't like he didn't want to show.
He tried.
He tried!
But he couldn't…
Chat ran his claws through his hair, digging the points into his scalp like that could relieve the pressure that was building in his head. All the stress he was feeling, everything that was bothering him was starting to pile and weigh down on him, and he didn't know what to do with it. His breathing was shaky, his body shook, his eyes stung.
He, he wanted…
He needed….
He jumped when his baton lit up, another call from Coccinelle flaring out.
Chat's pupils went thin, frustration spiking into anger.
Not thinking it through, his claws grabbed the ring and pulled it off.
Silence filled the room.
No more ringing baton.
No kwami asking for cheese.
There was only Adrien, breathing shakily, holding a black ring.
Far from the Agreste manor, across Paris, a window reopened before a lone man, stirring up the ivory butterflies.
The man that stood in the center of the swarm smiled.