Stuck In A Bakery (With You), Chapter 61
As Marinette chatted with her friends, her phone beeped at her impatiently... with that new message tone that she'd set up.
Nonchalantly, she glanced down at it...
[Adrien] Guess who's baaaaack?
Uh-oh...
On her computer, Marinette opened up her browser and called up the Ladyblog, then the TVi Network's news site, and saw both reporting mayhem unfolding quickly near the Hôtel de Ville.
"Oh! Adrien's messaging me. Gotta run, girls..." she told the chatroom, hoping that her face wasn't giving anything away.
"I'll talk to you later, then. Have fun! Don't do anything that we wouldn't do," teased Alya.
"That doesn't leave much," Marinette teased back. She closed her video chat window, then gave her full attention to her phone.
[Marinette] I guess that it was too good to last forever. Am I seeing things? Are there a bunch of them?
[Adrien] Looks like it. It's some kind of music band. I suppose that they all got zapped at once? Kind of like the Sapotis were.
[Marinette] Are we up for this by ourselves, or...
[Adrien] Or do we want to have some fun with this?
[Marinette] You know what? Get over here and help me pick some out. I think it's time to let Paris know that we're still here.
[Adrien] And that we're not alone!
[Marinette] See you soon. :-x And land lightly! My parents are downstairs!
From behind some makeshift cover, Nadja Chamack gamely continued her emergency broadcast.
"We are coming to you live from the 4th arrondissement," she declared to the camera, her voice muffled slightly by her cloth mask. "This is the first Akuma sighting since the pandemic reached France, and it looks like this one is rather unusual. We have four costumed figures standing in front of the Hôtel de Ville... and they have demanded to make a statement to the citizens of Paris. Peter, are you ready?"
At her cameraman's uneasy nod, the reporter stepped back into the courtyard. "All right. Nadja Chamack, the news that spreads the villains' voice, reporting live with... what are your names, please?"
"You may call us... the Super Troupers," the foremost of the garishly-clad quartet declared. "And we are here to remind Paris of the power of music... whether they like it or not," he added, mockingly.
"That's right!" his closest partner shouted. "You will all say 'thank you for the music' by the time we're done. We'll make sure of that!"
"We're about to start a free concert here in the square," the third smirked... "or at least it will start out being free. You'll have to pay us to make it stop, either with more and more Euros..."
"...Or with the Miraculous of Ladybug and Chat Noir," added the fourth. "Or both, if you like. We're not fussy... though we're not leaving without those Miraculous. So, buckle up!"
"Is your music that awful?" asked Nadja, nervously. "Is that why stopping you will cost money?"
"Oh, no!" the foremost explained. "We are the best tribute band for our favorite supergroup in all of France. In all of Europe, perhaps! Most definitely worthy of your undivided attention. But with the power of Hawkmoth on our side... well... you'll see. Hit it!"
With snaps of their fingers, the foursome manifested glowing instruments out of nowhere; microphones, keyboards and guitars popped into their hands. "One, two, three, four!" counted off the girls, and the first song began.
The tune was familiar to many of the onlookers, who still had not managed to learn the time-honored lesson of "when you see an Akuma villain, run!"... but its effect on them was somewhat different than when and where they had heard the song before.
"Nyaggggh!" groaned Nadja. "There's something... mind-numbing about... this music! It's... not of this world... corrupting... my thoughts! I can't think straight!"
"Don't feel bad, Nadja!" shouted a familiar, feminine voice. "The original artist has that effect on me, too."
Nadja spun around, startled, finding Chat Noir behind her. Ladybug landed next to him immediately afterwards, the pair striking a dramatic pose.
"Hello, our fellow Parisians!" Ladybug called out, knowing that Nadja's cameraman was capturing everything. "Hawkmoth may be back... but so are we! Chat Noir and I have sworn to protect our city from all such threats, large or small... mighty or mundane..."
"...modern or strangely nostalgic," Chat grinned. "That's the name of the game... isn't it, honey, honey?"
"Chat... don't encourage them," groaned Ladybug. "I can only take so much of ABBA in one day."
"What... you don't like them?" asked Chat. "They're legends! They even won Eurovision once!"
"Oh, we are so going to talk later," Ladybug grinned, mischievously.
"You're about to get more than you bargained for, then," grinned one of the villains, as they focused their attention on the heroes. "There are four of us to two of you, and since Hawkmoth knows who all your allies are now... they wouldn't dare join you in the fight. So, come on... take a chance on me, if you think you're enough!"
"Or let this be your Waterloo... and simply surrender now," ordered her closest partner. "What'll it be?"
Ladybug stared them down... and then laughed out loud, drawing a confused look from the villains.
"You're right! Four on two aren't very good odds for us," she declared. "But there's something big that you, Hawkmoth, the viewers and Paris all need to know."
"That's right, Ladybug. This city has come together before to stand against Hawkmoth's evil... and it always will. Don't you think so... Hornet?"
A yellow-and-black figure chose that moment to leap off a nearby roof and land to Chat's immediate right, drawing gasps.
"Let's make it four-on-three. Voulez-vous?" she challenged the band.
The two villains on her side took a step back before regaining their nerve. The girl was small... but had undeniable presence, as if destruction lurked behind her every move.
"Come on," the taller male villain chided them. "We still have the advantage. You two take that new one... what? Fine! I'll take that new one, and you two pick one of the others..."
"Don't worry. There'll be plenty to go around," a new voice called out...
"Who was that?" muttered Nadja. "We have a new hero in our midst - the Hornet, according to Chat Noir - and it looks like we're not done! Up there!"
The next to arrive was a pink-clad blonde, small in stature but clearly bursting with energy, landing on Ladybug's left.
"Hi! Call me Rosebud," she giggled. "Is this who we'll be beating up today?"
"It sure looks like it," Ladybug declared. "What do you think about ABBA?"
"Oh!" Rosebud gasped. "Are they doing Mamma Mia?" She peered over at the villains and smiled with delight. "I think they are!" she beamed. "How cute!"
"We. Are. Not. Cute!" demanded the smaller male villain, stomping his foot petulantly. "We are a serious band!"
A purple butterfly flashed before his eyes for a moment, and the villain paused to listen to something.
"Hawkmoth says..." he recited, "that there can only be so many children in Paris who are such gluttons for punishment. Does your mother know that you're out like this, young ladies?"
"I may never plan on growing up," declared yet another new voice, "...but I'm no child."
To the astonishment of Nadja and the villains... a fifth hero floated down to join them, a bulkier figure in a bright red costume, with feathered wings adorning her arms and a rooster's comb atop her head. Her wings were apparently functional, because she remained hovering next to Rosebud, a short distance off the ground!
"El Pollo Loco," she introduced herself, "the pirate bird of prey. Ready for action!" She followed that introduction with a loud rooster's crow, in her excitement.
"Five on four," mumbled one of the girl villains. "And those new ones look serious! Okay. Great. We can still... um... do this. Right?"
"We're not done yet!"
Hero number six tumbled to the ground on Ladybug's side, with an acrobatic flourish. He was also taller and older than the teen heroes... with purple-tipped hair, a black beard and a thin black mustache. His costume and domino mask were white, and a pair of ram's horns adorned the top of his head.
"Rock and roll!" the newcomer declared. "I hate to pick on fellow musicians... because ABBA were fine in their day, and I'm sure that you honor them well. But when evil's possessing you... it's time to call in the G.O.A.T."
At their blank stares, he clarified, "The Greatest of All Time! Do I have to spell out everything for you, villain people? Please keep up!"
The purple butterfly flashed again. "Hawkmoth is facepalming in his lair," the lead villain passed on. "There are Martians who know that you're Jagged Stone."
"That's part of the point here," smiled Chat Noir. "Sometimes, you may think that you know who's under the hero's mask... and sometimes, you won't. But unmasking any of us, the way that you did with Miracle Queen's help, will never stop you from being opposed, Hawkmoth. New heroes will always rise to take their place..."
"...many coming from places that even you'd never imagine," grinned Ladybug. "Old and young, big and small... the Heroes of Paris are legion, because the people of Paris stand together proudly."
"So," the Hornet called to the band, her voice deep and intimidating. "Are there any more of you over there... or shall we get started, hmmm?"
The four villains stared at each other, then back at the six heroes before them. When the blonde villain spoke up, it was in a rather timid voice.
"The heroes are quite near us... Hawkmoth, can't you hear us... S.O.S.?" she sang, woefully.
Mercifully... both for the villains and for the ears of all present... the battle was short and decisive.
After rounding up the miscreant musicians, the usual process of snapping a suspicious-looking mic stand, purifying the Akuma and Miraculous Curing the surroundings brought a hearty cheer from the onlookers. Nadja and her cameraman made a beeline for the group of heroes once the danger had passed.
"Okay... I think we're done for the day!" Chat beamed, "And I am so proud of all of you! Those of you who used your hidden powers... that's you three... you hear that faint beeping, right? You have somewhere around five minutes to take shelter before you transform back. Thank you so much for your help... one of us will be by to collect the Miraculous from you, once you're home."
"My pleasure, young man. Now, I understand that you're all about proper rock-and-roll, Mr. Goat?" grinned El Pollo Loco. "Not this power-pop drivel?"
"The louder the better, Madame," smiled the G.O.A.T, disarmingly. "What say that we go violate some local noise ordinances?"
As the pair leaped and glided away, the kids heard El Pollo Loco declare, "This could be the beginning... of a beautiful friendship. Again."
"I wonder what she meant by that?" Rosebud asked aloud... then snapped to attention. "But I'd better wonder that at home, huh?"
"That might be for the best. Unless you want to make your national-television debut when your powers wear off," Ladybug replied. "I'll see you soon, and thank you!"
"That one... was the Pig Miraculous, right?" asked Nadja, hesitantly, as she stepped closer.
"Indeed, it was," Chat confirmed. "Rosebud is one of our many new trainees, as are El Pollo Loco and the G.O.A.T. There are many such surprises waiting for Hawkmoth... or anyone else who threatens the peace or the public around here."
"Who knows, viewers? You might be on our list, if you're the right person at the right time. And, no, we are not accepting applications. If we need you... trust us, one of us will find you," Ladybug declared. "Be prepared... but stay safe, too. Some people," she added, giving the small crowd of onlookers a glance, "seem to delight in getting too close to dangerous villains. We will not be in the habit of picking people who are at the scene of the crime!"
"Speaking of staying safe," Nadja segued, "I notice that you two have made adjustments to your costumes."
"Oh, these!" replied Chat, pointing to the built-in facemask. "We may have literal magic on our side, but even we heroes aren't immune to this pandemic, and it is important for all of us to continue to practice good habits."
"Hawkmoth's newest villains wore facemasks! If even they're playing it safe, you don't have much of an excuse out there, do you?" winked Ladybug.
"Certainly not," Nadja declared to the camera, displaying her own cloth mask before turning towards the newcomer. "And you would be... the Hornet, yes?" she continued. "From the looks of you, you are not the Queen Bee we have become familiar with."
"That is very true," Hornet replied. "I am many things... but the mayor's daughter is not one of them."
"And if you need proof of that... wild horses couldn't make the old Queen Bee deny who was wearing the costume, right?" Chat pointed out.
"A fair point... but we don't really have time to dwell on that now," Ladybug noted, hearing her own earrings beep. "Nadja, we need to bug out..."
"Say no more. Thank you, heroes, as always!"
As Nadja turned back to the camera to conclude her live report, Hornet reached out and got Ladybug and Chat's attention. "You two must be running low on time, as well... so I will head back now. Text me later?"
"Do you mean me... or Ladybug?" asked Chat.
"Yes," Hornet chuckled... and with that, she leaped away.
"Which leaves me with only one question for my Lady, before we must part temporarily," intoned Chat, overdramatically.
"And that is?" Ladybug asked, batting her eyes at him.
"...Your place or mine?" he whispered, making sure that the cameras wouldn't pick it up.
"My balcony, twenty minutes," came the hushed reply. "Recharge first if you can."
She gave his hand a quick squeeze, mindful of the audience around them... then headed for home.
A short while later, Chat Noir launched himself from a neighboring rooftop onto Marinette's balcony. He landed on the railing, then hopped gently to the floor, rather than rouse everyone downstairs with a full-fledged *TH-BMMP*.
"Claws in," he said, seeing a smiling Marinette headed his way. "Well... what did you think?" Adrien asked her, after the transformation flash.
"I think that all went just about perfectly," she declared, snuggling up to him. "But then again... an awful lot of my life is, these days."
"It's almost like you've got a Lucky Charm helping you out and making it that way," beamed Adrien.
"Uh-huh... and he's right here."
As the kissing began, a little voice piped up, "Now, this is what I was afraid of."
"What's that, Plagg?" Adrien asked him.
"That now that you're not living here any more, I have to sit through all the smooching without being able to go downstairs and raid the fridge!"
Adrien rolled his eyes as Marinette laughed. "We will make it up to you, we promise," she told Plagg. "Do you like cheesecake?"
"I'll eat it... I wouldn't say that it's my favorite..."
"I'll eat his," Tikki volunteered, enthusiastically. "Any of it that he doesn't want."
"Well, there's a big surprise," said Marinette, giving her a look.
"Heh. Normal is a very loaded word these days," Adrien suggested, "with the pandemic forcing so many changes onto everyone... but it sounds to me like we're at least heading back into familiar territory."
"In some ways," pondered Marinette. "But so much has changed, too. Hawkmoth's back, and it's the same-old with him... but we have new allies, and new ways to find and choose them. You and I are closer than ever before..."
"You can say that again," grinned Adrien, pulling her close again.
"But we still have a lot of things that we need to figure out together, about how we're going to keep making this work," replied Marinette, enjoying the cuddle nonetheless. "Getting you over here to visit me as often as you can. Keeping your father happy and your schedule in order. Date nights. Kagami. The looks that everyone will give us when school does reopen. The paparazzi, maybe."
"And I do have to get home very soon, before anyone finds me missing," agreed Adrien. "That hasn't changed."
"So... we're going to take this slow and do it right, right?" asked a smiling Marinette. "One day at a time. One telephone tuck-in each night. Ladybug and Chat Noir, the Heroes of Paris, the team supreme. Adrien Agreste, the boy that I adore..."
"And Marinette Dupain-Cheng... the girl that I love."
The embrace that followed was one of those moments that would've seemed very normal, had anyone been watching them... and what it told both Marinette and Adrien, each of them already knew... but its message remained important to both of them, and it rang out loud and clear.
No matter how dreamlike these weeks together had seemed to them at times...
This is for real.
~fin~