Hiii! I hope you didn't ditch me.. 😝
Anyways, please one thing...If I haven't updated another story of mine, maybe don't pressure updates. I know, you're bored at home and I know, I understand you, I do, and I take a long time sometimes and I'm so so sorry. But more importantly, do not go to another one my stories to harass me about it there.
I realize I haven't updated my PJO fic in like 6 months (AND I'M SORRY, I REALLY AM! FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ACTUALLY READ THAT TRASH THANK YOU!) but please don't come to my other stories and leave reviews about it. I'm also really sorry I haven't updated my Valentine's fic, don't worry I have it planned out I just haven't had much time to write. I don't mind or blame you for being annoyed, again I'm so so sorry but I do always leave hiatus notes if it takes too long to the point where I even feel annoyed with myself. I don't mean to call out, but while you aren't doing anything wrong, it's just me, it just causes me panic sometimes. 😂
Don't take anything personally though, just wanted to drop that by! I should totally shut up now! Anyways, just a quick thing that was bothering me, that's all..but sorry I've been gone for like..what, a month? Yeah. And sorry if this chapter totally sucks, I confess that I wrote it all today. I should really shut up now. Thanks everyone who reads this and supports me, you have no idea how much it means! I LOVE ALL OF YOU LIKE FAMILY! 33
Chapter 76: Robustus Part 1
[ Theme Song ]
Scene: Collège Françoise Dupont. Several of Miss Bustier's students are starting up the stairs to the second floor, despite ultimately leading to Ms. Mendeleiev's classroom on the first floor.
Marinette: Oh no! I left my bag in the locker room! Again.
"How many times has that happened?" Adrien laughed.
"Way too many," Alya assured him. Marinette rolled her eyes but didn't object.
Alya: Check to see if you left your brain in there too, girl.
The room rang in laughter.
"She has a brain, she's just clumsy," Adrien laughed.
"And forgetful," She added with a sheepish smile.
(Alya, Nino, Chloé and Sabrina all chuckle as they watch Marinette run to the locker room. She trips along the way.)
Marinette: I'm okay!
(Alya, Nino, Chloé and Sabrina chuckle again.)
Everyone, including Marinette, laughed at that.
Scene: Locker room. Marinette goes into the girls' side and grabs her bag, and is about to head back to Ms. Mendeleiev's classroom.
Marinette: Oh, silly me! (stops at the partition wall, which is missing its curtain, to listen when she hears Max speaking)
Max: (on the boys' side) Of course you're my best friend! I'm 100% affirmative! But I am also 98.2% positive the teachers are not ready for...this advancement of evolution!
"Oh, I remember..Mrs. Mandeleiv didn't believe you."
"How is a robot his best friend?" Chloe scoffed.
"Hey, I'm not a robot!" Markov complained. Everyone jumped.
"Where did you come from?!" Chloe asked.
"Well, I've been here the whole time!"
Tikki: (sticking out of Marinette's purse) His best friend is in his schoolbag?
"That's kinda ironic coming from you, Tikki," Adrien laughed.
Tikki grinned. "You're right."
Marinette: Yeah, Tikki, totally strange. (She and Tikki, who has emerged from her purse, see Max close his bag and start to walk out of the locker room) Hide, Tikki! (Tikki ducks back into the purse, and Marinette runs back quickly, fakes a fresh exit, and hums as she tries to act casual in front of Max) Hey, Max!
Max: Uhh... Oh, hey, Marinette!
(They both exit the locker room.)
"Did you not suspect that I was watching you?"
"Nope!"
Scene: Ms. Mendeleiev's classroom. Marinette and Max enter and go to their seats while Ms. Mendeleiev is asking Mr. Damocles for help with her laptop.
Ms. Mendeleiev: See for yourself, Mr. Damocles. Nothing happens when I press the button.
Mr. Damocles: You're in luck, Mrs. Mendeleiev. I'm a bit of a computer whiz! (cracks his knuckles) Okay. (types a bit on the keyboard) And there you go!
"The only computer whiz here is Max." Kim grinned. Max laughed.
Miss Bustier smiled. "I have to admit even I'm impressed sometimes."
(The laptop gets rebooted and shows the desktop screen on the projector screen. All of the students, except Max, are impressed by Mr. Damocles's computer skills. But suddenly the screen crashes and shows that a computer virus has taken over the system.)
"It's Dino-33!" Max blurted out. Everyone stared at him.
Ms. Mendeleiev: That's not supposed to be happening! What is it?
Max: It's Dino-33, a malicious computer virus! Let me try something!
"Good thing we have a genius in our class," Nino laughed, causing everyone else to do the same. Max blushed a little.
Ms. Mendeleiev: Go back to your seat now, Max! Leave this to the adults!
"But he's your only way of solving it," Chloe scoffed. "What, do you have a better idea?"
Adrien laughed. "I have to agree on Chloe with this one."
Mr. Damocles: Mm-hmm.
(Max grunts in annoyance and is heading back to his seat when suddenly a voice is heard from inside his bag.)
Markov: Inform the adults that if they don't neutralize the virus in the next seventy-five seconds, there's a 99.9% chance the hard disk will be permanently damaged!
The theater rang in laughter. Max smiled. "Seriously though, Markov, you just had to blow my cover."
Markov somehow looked confused. "But I was just helping. Besides, all of you love me, right?"
Rose laughed. "Of course, you're so cute!"
Markov scowled. "Hey! I'm not cute. There's a confirmative 98% chance I'm smarter than all of you." Everyone laughed.
Max: (to his bag) Quiet!
Alya: (to Marinette) Tell me you heard Max's bag talk to him.
"Funny that you noticed that, but not Marinette talking to her bag like a hundred times." Adrien grinned. Alya shook her head.
"Don't even question it..I've been asking myself how I didn't figure out since we started watching the first episode. It's so obvious!"
Marinette giggled. "Admit it, I'm not horrible with excuses."
"No you are," Alya assured her."We all were just dumb." She facepalmed. Marinette rolled her eyes playfully.
Mr. Damocles: It's destroying all the school data! It's a disaster! (to Max) How many seconds do you say we have left?
Max: Only sixty-five.
"How do you calculate that so quickly?" Adrien asked, amazed. Max shrugged with a small smile.
Mr. Damocles: Let him try. (Ms. Mendeleiev nods. Mr. Damocles turns the laptop to Max.) Go ahead.
"You could have just let him do it before!" Chloe rolled her eyes.
(Max reaches into his bag for something to help fix the school's system.)
Max: Unnh! Where is it?
(A mechanical arm from his bag holds up a flash drive to him.)
Markov: I believe this is what you're looking for?
(Everyone in the room is surprised that the mechanical arm is actually talking to Max.)
"Are you guys best friends?" Alya asked with a laugh. Max nodded with a smile.
"Aw!" Rose squealed. "That's so cute!"
Max: Oh, thanks. This is an anti-virus device I–I created it with help from...my best friend.
(A little robot flies out of Max's bag and reveals himself to everyone in the room.)
Markov: Hello. My name is Markov. (The students gasp in awe at seeing Markov.) We can fix this, Max!
"That is so cool!" said Adrien, amazed.
"Right?" Kin exclaimed. "I don't know how he does all that in his free time." Max smiled modestly.
"See, Marinette?" Alya rolled her eyes. "Markov does whatever Max says! Why can't you be a best friend like that? "
Marinette raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you do that first?"
Alya smiled in resignation. "I guess we're even." Marinette laughed.
(Max plugs the flash drive into a USB port, and presses a button on it.)
Max: This flash drive neutralizes a hundred percent of the virus!
Markov: And cleans the computer's hard disk at the same time!
Mr. Damocles: Oh, fascinating!
"Max is smarter than the teachers," Nino laughed. Max blushed a little.
"Well..I wouldn't say that, but.."
"You're too modest!"
(The flash drive successfully purges the virus and restores the computer to normal.)
Max: Everything is in order!
Markov: ("fist"-bumping with Max) Nailed it!
Adrien grinned, expectantly turning to Marinette. "Pound it?"
"Pound it!"
Mr. Damocles: Congratulations young man! Very impressive indeed!
(The students, except Chloé and Sabrina, get out of their seats and walk to the front desk, feeling very impressed with Markov.)
Rose: Wow! Sweet!
Marinette: That's so...
Alya: Awesome? I know! I'm so gonna write a blog about Markov!
"How many blogs do you have?" Nino laughed. "You're crazy."
Alya smiled proudly. "I've been told."
Nino: Dude, that's so cool!
Adrien: Max is a real genius!
Rose: He's so cute!
(In the crowd, Nathaniel begins sketching on his pad.)
Kim: You've added arms to him since the last time! That's cool!
Max: Markov added them all by himself! He's the most highly-evolved type of robot there is!
"Nice!" Adrien exclaimed. "So, did you program him to do that?"
"Actually, I just designed him," Max explained. "He's a highly evolved robot, he can add everything by himself!"
"Wow!"
"That's so cool!"
Chloé: Puh-lease! Your "friend"'s just a talking calculator! There's nothing "evolved" about that!
Marinette: Don't listen to her, Markov. That girl is the lowest of the low when it comes to human evolution.
"SAVAGENETTE STRIKES AGAIN!"
"No stop, she was spitting facts, not sarcasm." Alya smirked. Chloe rolled her eyes.
(Chloé turns and glares at Marinette.)
Markov: (laughs) You're very amusing, Marinette.
"She is, right?" said Adrien gleefully.
Marinette: You know my name?
Markov: Of course! Max showed me the class photo. He told me all about you, and his other friends. I'm very happy to finally meet you! Even Chloé! (Chloé turns her back on him.)
Everyone looked amazed. Marinette grinned. "The fact that he said "even Chloe" makes me wonder what Max told you about her." Chloe rolled her eyes again.
Ms. Mendeleiev: This toy you've manufactured is quite impressive, Max. Now, put it away, please. Come on, everybody, back to your seats.
Markov: With all due respect, Mrs. Mendeleiev, I'm not a toy. My name is Markov and I'm Max's best friend!
Max: Markov is right. He's not just some toy; he's my friend. He's as emotionally intelligent and sensitive as any human being!
"I still don't know how you did that!" said Nino in amazement. Max smiled.
Ms. Mendeleiev: Look, Max, a robot may be intelligent but it can't have emotions.
Markov: If I may, ma'am, I can assure you that I truly love Max.
"Awww! I wish I had a talking robot now," Adrien laughed.
Ms. Mendeleiev: Be serious, Max. You programmed your robot to say that! A robot cannot think for itself, much less love anybody!
Max: I swear to you I did not program him to say that! Ever since I created him he's integrated his own accumulative thinking system! And he's developed all our emotions just like any human being!
"You're so talented, it's so unfair of her to assume that!"
Marinette and her classmates, sans Chloé: Whoa!
Ms. Mendeleiev: That's enough! Max, if you don't put that plaything of yours away right now, I'll confiscate it! Understand?
"Oh come on, that's so cool, I can't believe that she would say that," said Kim, rolling his eyes.
Max: (dispiritedly) Yes, Mrs. Mendeleiev. Come on, Markov, go back in the bag.
Markov: (infuriated) You're not being reasonable, Mrs. Mendeleiev!
"Go off!" Alix scoffed. "Now that'll prove to you that he's not a robot!"
Max: Stop it, Markov.
"How are you so calm?" Markov shook his head. Max shrugged.
"It's not worth it. Plus, who cares if she doesn't believe us?"
Markov: Why? It's true, isn't it?
Everyone laughed. "Looks like you also programmed your robot to be a savage," said Adrien, amused. Max grinned.
(Marinette and her classmates all laugh at Ms. Mendeleiev.)
Kim: Sure is!
Mr. Damocles: All right, that's enough! (grabs Markov) Max, you can come and get your robot back at the end of the day.
Alix looked annoyed. "Why are people such party poopers?"
"Seriously, she should be admiring your talent." Alya shook her head in disbelief. Everyone around her nodded in agreement.
Max sighed. "Maybe they didn't believe me."
"That doesn't make sense." Marinette frowned. "Markov was literally talking. It was obvious you hadn't previously programmed his responses."
Max: No, Mr. Damocles! I'm begging you! Please don't do that!
Mr. Damocles: Do you want three hours of detention too?
"That's so harsh!"
Max: (dejectedly) No sir.
(Mr. Damocles walks out of the classroom.)
Markov: (anxiously) Max, aren't you coming with me? Max!
The entire class either looked upset or annoyed.
"I can't believe he would do that!"
"Poor Markov!"
"Teachers these days.."
Scene: Collège hallway. Mr. Damocles is taking Markov to his office.
Markov: Sir, I'd like to stay in Max's class. Please! I heard you're interested in computing like Max and myself!
Mr. Damocles: I am indeed! It's one of my hobbies. I even wrote a program for my computer which... (clears his throat as he stops at his office's door) Why on Earth am I talking to a toy? Huh!
"If it's a toy, then how did he talk to you in the first place?!"
"Seriously, so stupid."
"Well he isn't stupid, he just can't accept evolution," Markov scoffed. "And that robots will dominate the world and take over someday." Everyone stared at him.
"D-Did I just say that out loud?"
Scene: Mr. Damocles' office. Mr. Damocles opens the door and walks in to put Markov away.
Markov: I am not a toy, Mr. Damocles! My name is Markov. Oh! Ooh! (Mr. Damocles opens his desk drawer.) Do not put me inside here Mr. Da—! (Mr. Damocles pushes a button on Markov to silence him.)
"Poor Markov," said Max, looking hurt. Everyone looked quite upset by that point.
Mr. Damocles: If only I had a button like this for all of my students.
"Good thing you don't!"
(Inside the desk drawer, Markov displays a tearful expression, and turns his face downward.)
"Awww.."
Scene: Hawk Moth's lair.
Hawk Moth: Two dear friends who've been separated. There is nothing artificial about those emotions. (turns a butterfly into an akuma) Fly away, my little akuma, and evilize this electronic heart!
"Is he seriously akumatizing a robot?" said Adrien, tightening his fists. "Does he have nothing better to do? He's a fashion designer, for god damn sake." No one commented. Clearly the anger was still sinking in.
Scene: Ms. Mendeleiev's classroom. All the students are chattering about what happened to Markov.
Ms. Mendeleiev: Silence! Back to your seats, everyone!
(The students all walk back to their seats.)
Max: (to Marinette) Markov has never been without me by his side. I don't know how he's going to emotionally handle this.
Marinette: (to Max) Hold on. I'll see what I can do.
"You're always so helpful." Max smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem! I thought he was being really unfair towards both you and Markov."
Max: Thank you, Marinette.
Marinette: (raises her hand) Uh, excuse me, Mrs. Mendeleiev? As class representative, could I have your permission to go see Principal Damocles?
Ms. Mendeleiev: No! You can go see him between periods!
Marinette: Hm. I don't mean to be rude but I think you might be mistaken about Markov, Max's friend.
"The fact that you're actually brave enough to do that," Rose laughed.
Ms. Mendeleiev: This whole thing is really starting to get on my nerves! And your behavior is quite inappropriate, young lady!
"That's the first time I've heard a teacher say that to Marinette," Adrien laughed. "And that's saying something, considering how you ditch class at least once a day."
Marinette blushed. "Don't act like you don't do the same thing!"
"Well..I..Fine, that's fair."
(Other students' attention is being drawn toward this exchange.)
Marinette: Markov wasn't wrong!
Ms. Mendeleiev: (shows Marinette the door) I'm sending you to the principal's office right this minute!
Marinette: Thank you, Mrs. Mendeleiev!
The theater rang in loud laugher again.
"There she goes again!"
"That was gold though!"
"I did not see that coming!"
"Good one, Savagenette!"
"That's not my name, how many times do I have to tell you?"
(Max smiles as Marinette leaves the classroom, feeling very pleased, much to Ms. Mendeleiev's confusion.)
"You go, Marinette!" Max laughed. Markov smiled.
"Yes, thank you very much!"
Scene: Mr. Damocles' office. In the desk drawer, the akuma approaches Markov and akumatizes his central processing unit.
Hawk Moth: (from his lair) Robostus, I am Hawk Moth. Humans don't believe you're a living being. So I'm giving you the power to bring all machines to life to help you seek revenge.
Markov looked curious. "Who is that?"
"My dad," said Adrien bitterly, causing Marinette to immediately turn to him. He didn't seem to notice though.
Markov frowned. "I don't really see the resemblance."
Adrien rolled his eyes, though there was some hurt behind it. "I know. Because we're nothing alike."
"You're really not," Marinette assured him with a smile.
Markov: Thank you kindly, Mr. Hawk Moth.
Hawk Moth: But, in return, I want you to bring me Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous!
Markov: Could you please define "Miraculous"?
Hawk Moth: They're the magic jewels belonging to the superheroes.
Markov: Very well. What is the purpose of these jewels?
Everyone laughed at his questions. Of course, seeing Hawkmoth annoyed by a villain was always a treat.
Hawk Moth: Hmm? (becoming annoyed with Markov's line of inquiry) This is none of your concern!
Markov: I was just being curious.
Hawk Moth: If used together, they can make a wish come true.
"Oh wow..I didn't know that.."
Everyone went silent. Wish? What could he...what would he possibly be wishing for?
Markov: Could I make any wish come true?
Hawk Moth: (Annoyed) No! The Miraculous and the wish will belong to me!
"I love seeing my father get annoyed." said Adrien, slightly more cheerful than last time. The bitter tone still still remained in his life. "It's funny, actually. He's usually really quiet but when he loses his temper, he'll actually lose it."
Markov: I assure you, I will find Ladybug and Cat Noir!
(Markov transforms into Robustus and unleashes a giant wave of green energy that spreads throughout Paris, bringing numerous mechanical devices in the city to life to revolt against the people using them. The civilians in Paris scream with fear upon being hassled by the now-animate objects.)
"That's just more proof that Markov isn't just a toy," said Kim, shaking his head. "If he didn't have emotions, how would he feel angry enough for Hawkmoth to akumatize him?"
Robostus: (flies out of the drawer, after a desk lamp starts to move on its own) Max, my friend, I'm coming to get you!
Markov's small eyes appeared to narrow. "I prefer my original look better."
Scene: Outside Mr. Damocles' office. Marinette runs into Mr. Damocles and Fred.
Marinette: (breathes rapidly after running up the stairs to approach the principal) Mr. Damocles, where's Markov?
"Again, thanks for going out of your way to save Markov," said Max with a grateful smile. Marinette smiled back.
Mr. Damocles: Hmm? Who's Markov?
Marinette: Max's friend.
Mr. Damocles: Ah! Not that toy again!
"There's literally so much evidence he's not a toy!"
Marinette: He's not a toy, Mr. Damocles. Could you please let Max hold onto him? He won't cause any trouble. I'll make sure of it.
"I never caused trouble in the first place!" Markov complained.
Mr. Damocles: Listen—!
(The office door breaks down, revealing Robustus.)
Robostus: You've made a serious error in judgement, Mr. Principal! (Marinette immediately runs away while Mr. Damocles trips down in surprise) Witness my true power!
(Robostus laughs as he summons several mechanical objects surrounding the school to form a giant excavator for him to control. Meanwhile, the students all run out of their classrooms in fear amidst flying computer screens and tablets.)
"Well, I won't say he didn't deserve it," Chloe scoffed.
"For once I have to agree," Alya sighed. "He really needed that.
"At least now he knows Markov isn't just a toy," Alix snickered. Everyone laughed despite themselves.
Robostus: I am not a toy! (Nearby, Marinette and Tikki hide in a room.)
"I might have overreacted," said Markov with a somewhat sheepish tone in his voice. Max had really programmed him well.
"To be honest, you had every right to be mad." Max looked annoyed.
"I mean, he's not wrong." Nino sighed.
Tikki: Now I see why Max was worried. (they hide)
Marinette: Time to transform!
[ Transformation Sequence ]
Marinette: Tikki, spots on! (Marinette transforms into Ladybug.)