Hey there, everyone! Here we are with a new adventure, featuring your favourite Miraculous Heroes from an alternate universe. Can't believe that is the 11th fic in this AU, as well as the 10th adventure of the Miraculous Team. This particular fanfic was initially going to be just a one-shot, but as I developed it, it went form a small one-shot to something a lot bigger. This is also a way for me to relive the thrill of cosplay conventions, which I miss so much, and can't attend because of this pandemic. So, this is my way for people who love these conventions, to feel like they are back on one of them, again. And it's also a very good way for me to display my anime/manga/cartoon/movie/videogame knowledge. But don't think it'll all be wine and roses, or sake and ramen. This is a Miraculous story, and no story would be complete, without Hawk Moth being up to one of his no-good deeds. As always, we'll be seeing some really cute moments featuring your favourite ships, mainly MarinettexAdrien, AlyaxNino, ChloexSabrina, KimxAlix, RosexJuleka, NathanielxMarc and IvanxMylene… and of course, there will be a lot of cosplay, as well. And now, on with the show!
Chapter 1: Roland the Terrible
And as a wave of pink energy swept the area, putting everything back the way it was, before the Akuma showed up, one could safely say that the Miraculous Team had triumphed once more. That had been the second Akuma in five days, and the heroes continued to be put to the test. The Akumas continued to evolve not only in strength and power, but also in size and appearance. When compared to the very first Akumas that showed up, these new ones had nothing to do with them. They were faster, stronger and their powers were a lot more dangerous. A clear sign that Hawk Moth's powers were continuing to grow, with each passing day. Luckily, Ladybug and the rest of her teammates' powers continued to grow as well. For the latest batch of Akumas, all of the heroes were required to stop them. But this one, called for only a few of the heroes. Namely, Ladybug, Chat Noir, Arachnid, Carapace, Flamingo and Panda Roux, with the last one having been the first to arrive at the scene.
With the battle coming to an end in that neighbourhood near Montparnasse Tower, the inhabitants applauded the heroes on a job well done. And they were not the only ones who applauded the heroes. The members of the Miraculous Team were also pretty happy with their job. The only thing they were not happy about, was that the one responsible for choosing that day's akumatization victim, Madame Romani, escaped, before they could force her to tell them where Hawk Moth's lair was. Even if they knew she would never talk, they were going to try and make her talk, like they always did with all of Hawk Moth's lieutenants. Still, they would have another shot, when another Akuma showed up. Right then, they had another issue to worry about… the press. Just like it happened every time they defeated an Akuma, the press would be there to interview them. It was what people would consider standard procedure. And after the battle it was, the reporters and journalists were hungry for answers.
"Here comes the press." -Arachnid said.
"Who wants to give the interview today?" –Chat Noir asked in a casual tone.
"I really can't. I've got to be somewhere, and I'm already running late." -Flamingo said, as when the Akuma showed up, she was on her way to her ballet lesson.
"I also have to go. I really need to be somewhere else in about 10 minutes." -Carapace admitted, as he had promised his parents that he would pick his little brother, who had gone in a field trip, that afternoon.
"You guys go. We can handle the press this time." -Ladybug declared, as she placed her arm around Chat Noir's shoulders.
"Just the two of you?" -Panda Roux asked them.
"Yeah. You guys can go." -Ladybug said. –"After all, it's been a while since we gave an interview." -she smiled.
"Alright, if you guys think you can handle the reporters by yourselves, be our guest." -Carapace smiled at them. –"I'll see you later." -he said, as he used his powers to create several energy shields to create a staircase leading into the building's rooftops.
"See you, guys." –Arachnid said, following Carapace and using the energy shields he created to get to the rooftops.
"Stay safe!" -Flamingo said, as she took to the sky.
"See you tomorrow!" -Panda Roux winked at them, as he too followed Carapace and Arachnid.
As he saw the others leave, Chat Noir could not help but to feel like his girlfriend had made a bad decision. They too were expected somewhere else, and giving an interview, could make them late, and he for one, did not want to be late.
"Aren't we going to be…" -Chat Noir asked the scarlet heroine.
"Late? Don't you worry. We still have a little time." -Ladybug whispered at him, as she saw the reporters closing on them. –"Now, smile and remember, no cat puns this time, okay?" -she told him.
"Ladybug! Chat Noir! A word, please!"
"Did you have any trouble with this Akuma?!
"Could you tell us a little bit more about yourselves?"
"What's your opinion regarding Ambroise Delay's latest videos, claiming that just like Hawk Moth, you and the rest of the heroes should be behind bars?"
"Is it true that some of your teammates are dating each other?"
The questions were more than enough to fill an encyclopaedia. Most were about the battle they had just fought, while others were a little more personal, as the reporters tried to know a little more about them, in the hopes of finding out any clues, regarding their true identities. But both Ladybug and Chat Noir knew how to dodge those questions. And then, there were some questions that neither Ladybug, nor Chat Noir were in the mood to answer; questions regarding what Ambroise Delay and some other people said in various media, who had made their mission to discredit and demonize them. These people continued to compare them to either Hawk Moth or the Akumas that he created, and calling them menaces. But just like the personal questions, they had learned to avoid answering them for two reasons. First, because they believed that those people did not deserve a proper reply, that involve them lowering themselves to their level. And second, because they believed that whatever response they would give then, it would only serve to pour gas on the fire.
"First of all, good afternoon to you all." -Ladybug said. –"My partner and I will be glad to answer your questions, one at a time, please." -she smiled.
After nearly 15 minutes, Ladybug and Chat Noir decided that they had already answered enough questions. Excusing themselves, they left the scene, with the reporters still insisting on getting a few more answers from them. Using Chat's staff, they propelled themselves into the nearest rooftop and once there, they each took a different direction to confuse people, and to make them think that they were going to different places. Texting each other, while running, they both decided to meet up near Hotêl de Soubisse. The first one to get there was Chat Noir, which did not surprise him. Ladybug's abilities had come more in hand against the Akuma, than his own.
Returning to his civilian form, the holder of the black cat miraculous, texted his girlfriend, saying that he had arrived, and that he would be waiting for her impatiently. Finding a bench to sit, he waited patiently for her to show up. And while he waited, he decided to check his texts.
"Going to Tokyo this weekend, huh?" -Adrien thought to himself, while thinking of how he should answer her back. –"Have a great time in Japan. If possible, bring something sweet, so we can both share it after we finish fencing, next week." -he texted her back.
A few more minutes went by, and there was no trace of Marinette. As his eyes looked around, Adrien asked himself why she was taking so long, and began to wonder if anything bad had happened to her. Luckily, those thoughts disappeared, when he saw Marinette turning the corner and waving at him.
"Took you a little to get here." -Adrien smiled at his girlfriend, as she leaned in and kissed him.
"Well, let's just say that I had a little difficulty in finding a certain place to change clothes." -Marinette joked, while trying to catch her breath. –"Anyways, now that we don't have anything else to do, what do you say we go to my grandparents' home, so you can meet my grandfather, like we were going to do before the Akuma showed up?" -she asked him.
"Are you sure, you really want him to know me?" -Adrien asked her. –"The way your dad spoke about him, the other day, when I went to get you for our date, he made him sound like…" -he said.
"Like the boogieman?" -Marinette chuckled. –"My dad was just messing with you. Grandpa Roland and he, well, for a couple of years, they didn't have the great relationship they have now, and he likes to reminiscence about it, because it makes the fact that they have made peace, seem much more special." -she said. –"So don't be afraid. My grandfather is like most dogs. He might bark a lot, but he doesn't bite. And he's going to be really happy to know you on person."
"Okay, if you say so." -Adrien smiled at her. –"Come to think of it, he can't be worse than my dad, when he's in a bad mood." -he joked.
"That I don't know. Every time I meet your dad, he's in a relatively good mood." -Marinette chuckled. –"But don't worry about my grandfather. He's a real sweetheart." -she reassured him.
"I'll take your word for it." -Adrien smiled at her.
"As long as he has cheese, he's my kind of person." -Plagg said, from inside of Adrien's jacket pocket.
"By that reasoning, then everyone who has cheese in their pantry is your kind of person." -Adrien joked.
"And where's the problem in that? Everyone knows that you can always trust a person who likes cheese." -Plagg told him.
"Where did he hear that?" -Marinette asked.
"In his head." -Tikki answered her. –"You can't really trust Plagg on this sort of matters. His head is filled with only one thing
"Hey, I resent that!" -Plagg exclaimed, outraged.
"Resent away, Plagg. You know I'm right." -Tikki shot back at him.
"Just so you know, my head is filled with more than cheese. It's also filled with videogames, trivia bits, and other stuff!" -Plagg told her.
The conversation between their kwamis had put the two teenagers into an even better mood, than they already were. Walking up the street, side by side, holding hands, Marinette and Adrien were happily chatting, when the blue-haired teenager felt a strong dizziness, which forced Adrien to grab her, thus preventing her from falling to the ground.
"Are you okay?" -Adrien asked Marinette.
"Y-Yeah. It was just a little dizziness." -Marinette lied, while smiling at him.
"Why don't we sit for a little bit, so you can rest properly?" -Adrien suggested, as he and Marinette sat on a bench. –"I know you're not going to admit it, but I know that that fight took a lot of you." -he said.
"You're right, I'm not going to admit it, because it didn't." -Marinette told him. –"I'm okay. I just got a little dizzy, because I need something to eat. That's all." -she said.
"Marinette… you don't have to pretend like you're indestructible or made out of iron. Not with me." -Adrien told her. –"I'm not one of those reporters, or a fan, or even one of our enemies, to whom you must sound and look like that. I'm your boyfriend, and I'm also your friend. And I care about you." -he said. –"Now, seriously, how tired are you?"
Looking him in his green eyes, Marinette could not lie to him. There was something about Adrien's eyes, combined with his sweet and tender voice, that made it hard for her to lie to him, even if she wanted to lie to him for a good cause.
"I'm really tired." -Marinette sighed. –"I admit it. Once I turned back to normal, I felt like I had run two marathons." -she said.
"Why didn't you just say that from the beginning?" -Adrien asked her, curious.
"I don't know… I guess I'm just used to pretend that nothing can stop me, that's easier for me to pretend that I'm really unstoppable, than to admit that I'm not." -Marinette sighed. –"I know, it's a bad habit, and don't think I'm trying to hide anything from you, Adrien, because I'm not. I just… I just don't want you to worry too much about me, when I also know that you have other things to worry about." -she admitted.
"Hey, it's okay. It's alright." -Adrien smiled at her, while holding her hand. –"I thank you the fact of not wanting me to worry about you. But, let's face it, bugaboo. I will always be worried about you, because you're my friend, my girlfriend, my partner, and the love of my life. It's my duty to worry about you, just like it's yours to worry about me." -he said. –"And this is going to sound like the most clichéd speech ever, but whatever the future holds for us, I know one thing, and one thing only. We'll be stronger if we admit that we can't do everything by ourselves. And that means also admit that we're only human."
Marinette knew that Adrien had a way with words. She had told him countless times, especially since they started dating. Once more, he had chosen the right words, and with it, make her realize just how right he was about it. Once again, she wanted to be the equivalent to Superwoman or Wonder Woman, but forgot that even heroes have limitations. And she needed to hear Adrien's words to remember that.
"You're right. It was a really cliché and corny statement, but it was also a very sweet statement." -Marinette told him. –"I know I keep telling you this, but you're the best boyfriend in the world." -she declared, as she allowed a couple of tears to run down her face.
"Well, you're the best girlfriend in the world too." -Adrien smiled at her, as he wiped one of the tears from her face with his thumb. –"Remember, you don't have to pretend you're made out of iron, when you're also human. On top of that, you're the strongest girl I know." -she smiled at her. –"And before you ask, yes, strongest in the physical sense and in the psychological sense."
"I don't know about the first one, given some of the girls we know. But I'll take your word for it." -Marinette smiled, as she hugged Adrien. –"Thanks for the pep talk, silly kitty." -she told him.
"Anytime, milady." -Adrien said, before sharing a kiss with Marinette. –"You know, this might just be my imagination, but I think your kisses are getting sweeter." -he said, making her giggle.
"Well, yours are also getting sweeter as well." -Marinette smiled, before kissing him again. –"You must have the sweetest kisses of all the boys in Paris."
"How do you know that?" -Adrien asked her, raising an eyebrow. –"Don't tell me you kissed every other boy in Paris, starting with Nino and the rest of the guys in our class?" -he joked, which earned him a playful hit on his left shoulder. –"Ouch, I'm just joking."
"Very funny, Adrien, very funny." -Marinette said, before bursting into laughs. –"I don't need to kiss every boy in Paris to know that I've got the one who kisses the best." -she giggled.
"The best indeed. The best, of which you have won his heart, being better than all the other girls in Paris, including your former bully and rival, who's now one of your best-friends." -Adrien winked at her, referring to Chloe.
"Indeed. Although, I don't think Chloe will mind not ending up with you, when her heart belongs to Sabrina now." -Marinette giggled. –"I still can't believe that after trying so desperately to get you to fall in love with her, she ends up falling in love with her best-friend." -she declared.
"Well, it's like they say: We don't pick who we fall in love with. And it never happens like it should." -Adrien said a rather philosophical voice, which made Marinette giggle.
"You've been talking to Master Fu, haven't you?" -Marinette joked, making Adrien chuckle. –"Well, this conversation is nice, but I think it's time for us to get going, or my grandfather will start wondering where I went." -she said, as she grabbed her backpack and got up.
"You are sure, you're better?" -Adrien asked her, to which she nodded with her head. –"Alright, then, lead the way, milady." -he said, as he grabbed his backpack and placed his arm around hers.
After that little Adrinette moment, as Alya had dubbed it, which was when Marinette and Adrien had a beautiful romantic moment, the two of them continued their way towards Marinette's grandparents' house. And as they walked, Adrien kept asking her if Marinette did not need to rest for a little bit. And Marinette kept telling him that she felt alright.
"Just making sure." -Adrien told her.
"I know that." -Marinette smiled back.
It was touching just how protective Adrien was of Marinette, and she did not hide how happy she was of that fact. And on that beautiful Spring day, Marinette felt like the luckiest girl not only in Paris, but also in the world. She knew she could not be the only one to think that, and looking at the people that passed by them, especially the girls and women, she wondered if they too were having the same thought as her.
"One word of advice. Don't speak about modern stuff, unless my grandfather talks about it first." -Marinette told him. –"He's a little…"
"Anti-technology?" -Adrien raised his eyebrow, as he finished her sentence.
"Not exactly. He just thinks that things were better back when he was our age." -Marinette told him, as she looked for the keys to her grandparents' house in her backpack.
"And maybe he's right. I mean, back then the air was purer, the water was cleaner, and you didn't have Akumas running around, destroying the city." -Adrien joked. –"You have to admit that things seem like they were a bit better." -he said.
"Well, better or not, he sometimes is a little stubborn, when it comes to change. That was the whole reason why he and my dad didn't speak for a couple of years. My dad changed the original family bread recipe, by using rice flower, and my grandfather was furious, to say the least." -Marinette said, as Tikki handed her the keys. –"Thanks, Tikki." -she thanked the little kwami, who winked at her. –"Anyways, it took him years to put that behind him. And he has become more open about not making things so traditionally. But sometimes, he still goes on about how traditional things are better than modern things."
"I see." -Adrien said.
"Oh, crud, I forgot to mention this. If he's in a good mood, he'll probably invite us to have dinner with him." –Marinette told him. –"Do you think you'll be able to stay, if that happens?"
"I don't know. It's a little bit on short notice, but maybe if I text Nathalie now, and explain the situation, she might come up with a plausible excuse for my dad." -Adrien said, as he took out his cell phone and texted her.
"Let's hope so." -Marinette said. –"If there's one person who can do that, it's Nathalie." -she said.
"So true. She's saved my bacon more times than I can remember. Although, Nina has also helped me a couple of times too."–Adrien admitted. –"Well, any last minute advices that you might have forgotten to tell me, before we go in?" -he asked Marinette.
"Just one more." -Marinette said. –"Try not to eat all the cookies." -she said, with a stern voice and a stern look on her face, before a smile replaced it. –"If you think my parents' cookies are good, then wait until you taste my grandfather's, which are only surpassed by my grandmother's cookies."
"They're really good." -Tikki said, from inside the backpack. –"But she's right. Grandmother Gina's cookies are the best." -she declared.
"Yes, ma'am." -Adrien said, while playfully saluting her in the same way militaries did.
"Just try not to forget about getting me a slice of cheese. Camembert, Gouda, Mozzarella, anything will do. I'm starving." -Plagg reminded him.
"Alright, I won't forget." -Adrien said. –"Sometimes I wonder if he only thinks about cheese?" -he thought to himself, which made him chuckle.
Opening the building's door, they both went up the stairs, until the second floor. Going through her keychain once more, Marinette quickly found the key that opened the apartment's door. Sliding it into the lock, she quickly opened it. When opening the door, the first thing both young people noticed was that Marinette's grandfather was cooking. In the air, there was a delicious scent of freshly baked cinnamon cookies.
Looking around, Adrien saw that the decor of the place reflected very much the type of personality that Marinette said her grandfather had. Entering the living room, he saw the beige-colored walls were lined with several bookshelves, each with numerous books, all of them quite old. The rest of the furniture, as well as the sofas and the carpets, were also old, but after a closer look, you would see that they were the kind of objects that were practically vintage. The only things that looked brand-new were the television and a laptop that was on top of a coffee table. There were also numerous photographs on the walls, most of them old, but there were also some more recent ones, which showed Marinette's grandmother on some of her crazy trips around the globe. All in all, it looked quite cosy. Not seeing her grandfather, Marinette decided to call him.
"Grandpa Rolland! Are you home?" -Marinette asked.
"I'm in the kitchen. I'll be there in a minute." -Rolland spoke form the kitchen. –"Make yourself at home, shortcake." -he said.
"Shortcake?" -Adrien chuckled.
"It's his nickname for me." -Marinette whispered, making Adrien chuckle even more. –"What? It's a cute nickname." -she said in a hushed voice.
"I didn't say anything." -Adrien said, still chuckling.
"Good, because if you do, I'll do what Alya does to Nino, when he misbehaves." -Marinette said, with an impish smile on her lips.
"And what is that?" -Adrien asked her, in a curious tone.
"I'll tickle you to death." -Marinette said, revealing what was the punishment.
"You wouldn't… and I'm not ticklish, bugaboo." -Adrien told her.
"You want to put that to the test, Agreste?" -Marinette asked him, with a malicious smile on her lips. –"Oh, look at that, I even rhymed, silly kitty." -she said, while continuing to smile maliciously.
But before she could see if Adrien was telling her the truth about him not being ticklish, Marinette's grandfather showed up in the living room, carrying a tray of freshly-baked cinnamon cookies. Rolland, who was not expecting any visitors, besides his granddaughter, because he forgot she had told him she was bringing Adrien, was surprised to see him.
Looking at him, Adrien saw Rolland was a short man with a large build. He had grey hair, a balding head, bushy grey eyebrows, green eyes and a kind and warming smile. He was wearing a brilliant cerulean and white striped shirt with five white buttons, light arctic blue shorts, thick black glasses and brown soled dark blue dress shoes.
"Hey, grandpa!" -Marinette smiled at him. –"Like I promised, here I am to visit you, and spend a little time with you." -she continued to smile. –"And like I told you at the phone, I brought my boyfriend to meet you. Grandpa, this is Adrien… Adrien, this is my grandpa Rolland."
Looking the old man in the eyes, Adrien felt as if he was judging him. Without knowing it, he was seeing himself in the same position as Marinette, when he presented her as his girlfriend to his father.
"So, this is the famous Adrien Agreste." -Rolland asked, as he looked at Adrien, who felt like a worm under the preying eye of an eagle. –"He doesn't look that special to me. Gina told me that she felt like he was a good choice for a boyfriend, and so did your dad. But I'm not convinced." -he said. –"There's something fishy about him that I can't really put my finger on. But I'm sure that whatever it is, it can only spell trouble."
Listening to him, Adrien realized the old man did not seem his biggest fan. Still, he continued to smile, without saying a single word. He was taught that if he did not know what to say, then, he should just say nothing. And that was what he did. Adrien just stood there and listened, because he had no intention to say the wrong things, and accidentally offend Marinette's grandfather.
"Grandpa, you agreed that you wouldn't make him feel like he was being interrogated by the police." -Marinette reminded the old man, of the talk they had about that the day before. –"You don't want him to think that you don't like him, do you?" -she asked Rolland with her usual sweet and kind voice.
"I'm sorry, shortcake." -Rolland apologized to her. –"But I wanted to make sure that he is truly good enough for you." -he told Marinette. –"And you can only do that, when you see how a boy reacts to a couple of insults. That's how it was back in my days, and it worked just fine."
And there it was. Rolland's incessant belief and need to state that everything was better when he was younger. Marinette loved her grandfather with all her heart, but even she felt that this need of his to state this belief he had, could sometimes get a little out of control. Still, she knew that he did not make it on purpose. It was just the way he was raised, and it was how he saw the world. Also, she knew just how to sweet-talk him into not doing it so often.
"Grandpa, I love it that you're always willing to share your knowledge of the times when you were our age. And I know that you only want what's best for me. But remember, I'm not a little girl anymore." -Marinette told him with a smile. –"I can take care of myself, and I can choose a boyfriend, who I know will never hurt me." -she told him in a playful voice.
"I know that, Marinette." -Rolland said, before turning to Adrien. –"Sorry if I came a little too strong on you, my boy. But you can understand, with Marinette being my only granddaughter, an old man like me, just wants to be sure that she doesn't get her heart broken by the wrong boy." -he told Adrien. –"On top of that, I'm what you would call an old dog. And you know what they say about old dogs, they don't learn new tricks."
"I understand. And don't worry, I completely understand your point of view. If she was my granddaughter, I too would want to make sure she was not dating some creep." -Adrien said.
"See? He's a nice guy." -Marinette smiled at her grandfather. –"Like I told grandma Gina, I know how to pick them." -she said, before looking over her shoulder and winking at Adrien. –"And by the way, do you mind if I pick one of these cookies? I'm starving."
"Go ahead. I made them for you." -Rolland said, as Marinette practically gulped one of the still hot cookies. –"Be careful, they're still warm" -he warned her.
"Delicious, as always, grandpa." -Marinette smiled. –"Adrien, you've got to taste one of these. My grandpa Rolland makes the best cinnamon cookies in Paris." -she declared, while grabbing another one.
"Go ahead, my boy. Consider it a peace offering, on my part." -Rolland said, as he allowed Adrien to pick one of the still warm cookies.
And while Marinette and Adrien were having a delightful time with Rolland, somewhere else, three people were having the opposite of a delightful time. In Hawk Moth's lair, the villain was busy punishing Madame Romani for her latest failure. She was being held up in the air by magical shackles, which prevented her from moving both arms and legs. Swarming her mind with nightmares, Hawk Moth was making sure she understood that she was being punished for yet another failure, which to him could have been avoided, if she had killed the heroes, when she had the chance, instead of just toying with them. And watching her being punished, were Reptile and Brutus, who had the nasty feeling that once their master was done with Romani, he would turn his anger towards them.
"P-Please, master, s-s-stop!" -Madame Romani begged Hawk Moth.
"And why should I stop?" -Hawk Moth asked her. –"Give me one good reason, why I should stop torturing you, after you failed yet again!" -he yelled at her, while electrocuting her, and making her scream.
After that last scream, there was silence. A silence so silent one could cut it with a knife. It was that kind of silence that made Brutus and Reptile fear the worst. It made them fear that Hawk Moth had finished torturing Romani, and was about to lash out the rest of his rage on them. But that did not happen, as the villain remained where he was, looking at a barely conscious Madame Romani, who was trying her best to not go into shock, due to the all the pain she was in.
"I gave you an order, and you ignored it… instead, you decided to focus solely on getting revenge on those annoying heroes, instead of just killing them, when they were at your mercy!" -Hawk Moth hissed at her. –"For that, I should kill you, right where you stand." -he told her.
"N-No, please! Don't kill me, master!" -Madame Romani begged the villain, her voice revealing just how terrified she was.
The following ten seconds felt like ten agonizing years for Madame Romani, who did not know what was going to happen.
"I have every right to kill you right now, after you begged me to spare your life." -Hawk Moth told her in a cold and uncaring voice. –"But if I did kill you now, you would just cease to exist, and learn nothing. And I want you to learn, once and for all, that failure to comply my orders and wishes, is not a option, if you wish to continue to breathe." -he told her, in the same tone of voice as before. –"There's no place for disobedient lieutenants in the world I wish to build… and there's no room for failure, either… and for your sake, you better learn that, once and for all."
Electrocuting her with his cane once again, Madame Romani screamed in pain, from the top of her lungs, her screams piercing the ears of everyone in the lair. Panting, she tried to talk, but could not even whisper a word. Snapping his fingers, Hawk Moth made the shackles that were holding her disappear, and her body hit the floor.
"Pick her up and tend to her wounds." -Hawk Moth told Brutus and Reptile, who nodded in silence. –"I'll be in my quarters. And I do not wish to be disturbed." -he said, as he entered his private chamber, closing the doors behind him.
That latest failure from Madame Romani made Hawk Moth burn with rage. And right then he needed to calm down, in order to think clearly. He knew that his hatred for the Miraculous Team, combined with the rage of one of his lieutenants failing him should not cloud his judgement. And there was nothing better to calm his nerves, than to look at his Akuma Butterflies. Creatures of immense dark power that he himself had created to do his evil bidding. Looking at them, flapping their wings as he touched the cold glass that trapped them, he instantly calmed down. Watching his creations, made him think that perhaps he needed to create another lieutenant, to help him fulfil his ambition of becoming ruler of the world.
"It was obvious that Reptile and Madame Romani were not enough to carry out my orders. And that was why I recruited Brutus. But even with him, those with infernal kids continue to outmatch my Akumas. And they're getting stronger every day it goes by." -Hawk Moth thought to himself. –"Perhaps, it is time for me to find a new lieutenant. One that doesn't make the same mistakes as the ones I have now." -he thought. –"But this one, has to be different from Reptile, Madame Romani and Brutus… it will have to be… one of a kind. Perhaps, then, those brats will be a thing of the past, and I will finally have freedom to shape this world as it truly needs to be."
Hello, everyone! Sorry if it took me a little longer than I expected to write this down, but I've been feeling a little bit under the weather, due to my stomach that's been acting a little crazy lately (I've already went to the doctor, and hopefully, it's nothing serious). Still, I ask you all to not worry about me. I'm a tough cookie. xD
Either way, this fic will start slowly, but it will soon pick-up the pace, so we can get to the good stuff. And just like what they're doing on season 4, where supposedly each episode will feature a "bomb" (so far, we've had three of them... one was predictable, the second one was a little bigger, but nothing that ruly changes the status quo of things, while the third changes a few things in the story. Not going to spoil those of you who haven't watched the new episodes yet), this particular fic will also feature a couple of "bombs". But regarding this chapter, I wanted to add Marinette's grandfather for a long time to this AU, but I could never find the right time to do it. So, I decided to write him into this first chapter. He's pretty much the same as he is in the series, except that he made peace with Marinette's dad before this whole adventure began. it was fun to write him, and I'll try my best to have him
On one more note, as you might have already anticipated, Hawk Moth is going to get a brand-new lieutenant in this fic. And this particular lieutenant will be based on an idea that fellow writer Guestspirit had back in 2018. I have to apologize to you for taking so long to use it, but when you plan an entire AU, certain things have priorities. Even so, I want to thank you for suggesting me the idea. And for allowing me to use it. I think you'll be quite pleased with what I have in store, as well as the rest of you.
Also, as always, feel free to comment, fav and leave your suggestions to improve this and/or future stories. I'm always looking for ideas for new Akumas. :)
P.S. I'm also working on the "Miraculous Team: Shorts" fic, and I hope to have the very first short finished soon.
P.P.S. This fic is dedicated to two very special people... André Raimundo and Guilherme Barroso, the portuguese voice actors of Adrien/Chat and Ivan, respectively, whose birthdays were two days ago. Thank you both for the fantastic work you both do in the series (no matter how bad the story gets, I know that you will still do an amazing job voicing the characters).