A lot has happened in the last two weeks since the StoneHeart attack and the subsequent appearance of the Superhero Duo Scarlett Beetle and Chatte Noire. Most of the victims giving a psychological and physical test to see if anything was wrong or they had a chance to turn back into a statue.
But once the reports came back negative, they pretty much gave them a pat on the back and sent them on their way. With the slight caveat that the next two months they would be Electronic tagging on them, in case of Re-Akumatize.
After all, Hawk Moth extension lead declared war on the hero, with the people of Paris, had braced itself for when Hawk Moth would make his next move. Only for nothing to happen. Absolutely nothing. For all of the whole two weeks was complete and utterly silent, which only added to the fear that was growing. In addition, no one has seen neither hides nor hair of the two heroes with many wondering what they were up to. But many did not worry as they know that their new heroes would watch, ready to jump into action whenever Hawk Moth finally makes his move.
Miraculous!
Simply the best!
Up to the test when things go wrong!
Miraculous!
The luckiest!
The power of love, always so strong!
Miraculous!"
"Happy birthday, Adrienne!"
"Plagg!" Adrienne yelled in fright, causing her to cough and gag on her toothbrush as said Kwami had phased through the wall and appearing in front of the mirror with a piece of Camembert wrapped up in a red ribbon."Get out of my face!"
"I don't know why you're complaining, your beloved Kwami just gave you your first birthday present." Plagg turned his head, pouting as he crossed his arms.
"I appreciate it more if you didn't shove it in my face!" She yelled, pulling the toothbrush out as she began to cough and wheezy. Plagg shrugged and ate it, not too bothered at all before seeing her phone out as it had a certain picture for the background. "Still have that crush on that Beetle guy, I take it?" He asked with a raised brow.
"More than a crush." Adrienne didn't even deny it, giving a smile, not paying attention to Plagg who faked gagged. "You don't even know who he is." Plagg pointed out, landing on the sink faucet with a bored expression as idly poking it. "Plus you only met like him twice."
"So? I already know enough about him," Adrienne turned the faucet on to rinse her toothbrush out, causing Plagg to jump off as a star begins to form in her eyes. "He's brave, selfless, smart, heroic." Plagg rolled his eyes deciding to leave the room as Adrienne's smile got bigger at each word that was about her "masked prince".
"And in-control of everything!"
The loud snored of Marin could be heard throughout his room as he slept, covers kicked off the bed, leaving one leg hanging off the bed with Tikki curled up on his stomach while some drool dripping down his chin. "...wow, Adrienne, I never knew you were so...aggressive..." He mumbled, making it clear that he was really enjoying the dream he was having...and had no intentions of ever waking from it.
Ok, probably not the most dignified that he's ever been in his life but after the few very long sleepless nights, he was too tired to care.
However...the universe had other plans.
Suddenly, his phone alarm went off, making him jump out of bed immediately on reflex, wake Tikki up and sending her flying into the air, she would have hit the ground had she not stabilise herself. She turned and gave him a rather annoyed look for doing that with no warning but Marin didn't care as he turning the alarm off and sprinted down the stairs from the loft, tripping on the second to last step, making him face plant into the floor with a grunt.
But he got up showing no sign of stopping as he jumped into sat and with a dreamy expression turned on the computer on his desk, which the background of his computer was severely picture of different fashion styles showed the cover art of one of the fashion magazines that Adrienne was a part of with him looking at it.
"Happy Bi-leck-no Hail-guh." Marin tried to say, only for it to come out distorted and twisted, leaving him groaning in frustration.
"Marin, I think you're supposed to wait until you see Adrienne before you say that," Tikki said, flying up to him, giggling at the blushing embarrassed teen.
"I-I know that I'm just practising," Marin whispered as he tried not to think about all the times he tried to talk to the girl.
Even since he gained a crush, he could only say complete gibberish whenever he sees her, hell he can't even speak to a picture of her, what hope does he have to say it to her face? Looking to the side, Marin could see the umbrella that she gave him on that day and smiled. He did try to give it back to her on many, many occasions with all of them failing telling him to keep it as she had an extra and that it was a present from her to him.
'Speaking of presents?' Marin thought moving to grab a wrapped present that was on his desk. His was his gift for her and he hopes she'll like it as he had spent several all-nighters to made it, made worse by the fact that he kept restarting even for the smallest mistakes. Maybe that was a bit too much, but given how he couldn't work on it as much as he wanted to due to learning more about his duties as the Scarlet Beetle and homework, he had to make do as in his mind a perfect girl deserves a gift.
He really hoped she liked it.
But what if she didn't like the present that he made? What if-
As if sensing what he was thinking, Tikki flew down and poked his arm.
"I'm sure she'll love it, you spent the last few days pulling all-nighters making it." "...Maybe." He said with a smile, placing the present in his bag.
"Come on Tikki, let's get ready." He called out as she flew into his messenger bag and after a few minutes later, Marin was fully dressed was ready for school, running down the downstairs and passing Sabine, who was drinking some tea.
"Marin, don't forget to clean your room after school today." Marin mom said reminded her son, who had to resist the urge to grimace at that.
"Mom, it's Friday and I already made plans." He said, trying to get out of the room and the Conversation with it. Sabine just raised a brow with a grin.
"Fine, I'll clean it for you, just don't blame me if I come across any private stuff such as emails, your journal, maybe pictures of that new-?"
"Okay, okay I got it," Marin said rather quickly, wanted this conversation over with, while Sabine just smirked at him. "I'll do it when I get back, promise." "Have a nice day sweetie." Sabine took another sip of her tea.
"Happy Birthday-uh I mean you too Mom!" Marin quickly closed the door, leaving for Sabine to shake her head with an amused smile.
'That boy will be the death of us all?'
"Your schedule, Adrienne," Natalie said, handing it over to the teen model who was sitting all by herself at the dining room table.
"Thank you, Nathalie." She said quickly scanning over the schedule for the day, only to feel a twinge of sadness erupting as she realised that it was just one of her normal schedule. Nothing special or out of the ordinary. Before she left, however, quickly spoke up, hope in her tone.
"Hey um… Did Father get back to you about the birthday party?" Now that she had friends, she wanted to have one and invite them over. Even if it was just three people coming over and playing some video games, maybe have some cake.
"Well, uh, he doesn't think it would be a good idea." Nathalie sounded apologetic, looking over her shoulder to see Adrienne's face fall. "Of course not." She whispered. She shouldn't be all that surprised as while he was letting her go to school now, this was her all-controlling father after all and she would be pushing her luck if he did.
"...Happy Birthday Adrienne," Nathalie said quite sorrowfully before leaving Adrienne alone once again.
"Dude, you seriously?" Nino groaned, blowing some bubbles as he and Adrienne stood outside of the school, the latter of the two waited for her ride. "Has your dad always been such a downer? You'd think he'd remember what it was like to be young and wanna party a little." "No, I'm pretty sure he was always a downer. Besides he already said no so there's no point in doing that."
"Well, I think you should, after all your b-day, dude! Insist!" Nino prompted blowing more bubbles before closing the cap."I mean to deny their own kid a birthday party? Why would any parent do that?"
A rather low 'His not wrong' Plagg said came from her bag, thankfully for her, Nino didn't seem to hear, nor the Kwami groan of pain that came after she subtly smacks the side of the bag.
"Well, I appreciate your effort's Nino, you clearly never met my father, he can be intimidating at times." She sighed, not wanting to bother her father about it after he said no already and she didn't want to make things worse than that it already was. But that didn't stop Nino, who hummed for a moment think of a response and gave the worst possible answer he could.
"How about I talk with him about it?" Hearing that, Adrienne's eyes widened in alarm, knowing that it was a surefire way to make it worse.
"You don't have to." She said knowing there was no chance for anyone to change her father's mind. And she didn't want that directed at one of her friends.
Speaking of "friends". Unknown to both of them, Alya and Marin were peeking at them from the side of the stairs, the latter keeping himself hidden as he tried to work up the courage to walk out there and give her a present. He couldn't help it.
"You do realise just how creepy this is right?" Alya asked him, given how they were pretty much spying on Adrianne. While she had no clue how Marin went from being mad at Adrienne to having a crush. But the heart wants what the heart wants, so when he had asked her for her help, she gladly accepted. But seeing this just makes her want to facepalm repeatedly after a week of exposure to this behaviour. Sure it started amusing and cute, but now it was just sad.
"Just go out there and give it to her." "I'm trying but this is harder than it looks!" He said, looking down at the present. "You can do this," Tikki whispered inside of his jacket, being supportive.
"I can do this." Marin began to whisper, trying to psych himself up, "I can do this." Standing up to make his presence known as Alya looked relieved, Marin saw Adrienne smiling at something she found funny that Nino said and immediately any courage that he had built up disappeared before he dropped back down behind the pillar.
"I can't do this," Marin whispered dejectedly.
How is it that he could stand up in front of a crowd of people in a skintight magic suit, fend off an army of rock monster and make a speech basically giving a supervillain the middle finger on live TV in front of the whole city
So, why can't t? talk to a girl?!
"Oh no you don't," Alya said, seemed to have enough. "You've been putting it off all day, you're doing this." And with a literal shove, pushed Marin out of his hiding spot right into view of Adrienne who gave him a curious look as he was trying to catch his balance before righting himself, hiding the present behind his back nervously and trying not to glare at Alya, who gave him a thumbs up in a show of encouragement.
"Uh-I-uh… Hi." Marin said, going red with embarrassment leading Adrienne to exchange a confused glance with Nino before she returned the greeting. "Hi?" Alya whisper poked her head out. "That it? Tell her now!" Unfortunately, for Marin, a third party had noticed what he was doing and they were not having it.
"What does that Marcreep think he's doing giving my Adrikins like it's her birthday!?" Chloe asks, blood boiling as she watched at the front entrance of the school as Marincreep was trying to hit up Adrienne, her Adrikins and surrogate sister. Oh that not happen.
"Maybe it's her birthday," Sabrina replied looking down at her tablet, oblivious to the fact that Chloe glare was now on her.
"And why is it that you didn't tell me?" Chloe asks barely restraining her anger as Sabrina gave a look, who was looking up for her tablet before grinning awkwardly at Chloe who groaned. "Useless, utterly useless do I have to do everything around here?" She said used her a to massage her temples.
'No, this can be salvage.' She thought, as ma plan formed in her head. "Find her an amazing present online and buy it!" Before adding "And for your sake, it better not be late!" For some motivation.
'Now,' she then turned around and she began to walk towards the group.'The spinning." Chloe had two goals in mind. One to ensure that her dearest friend didn't think she forgot her birthday and two, to put a stop to what she was seeing It was so disgustingly obvious what that creep was doing, she's pretty sure half the class already figured it out. There was no way in any form of the word will she let that slimy like creep make a move on her best friend and surrogate sister.
"I uh wanted to uh gift you a make-," Marin didn't get to finish as knocked aside by Chloe, causing him to fall over. "Out of the way. Seeing that, Alya glared at Chloe considering how Marin despite tripping over his words was actually getting somewhere.
"Happy birthday, Mwah!"She said, wrapped her arms around Adrienne and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, while the latter struggled with no avail, as her childhood friend latched on."Why did you do that Chloe?"
"It looked like he was bothering you," Chloe said with a shrug, not really caring about what she just did. "By the way did you ever get the present I sent to you?" She asked fluttering her eyelashes, making sure that she would sound as unassuming as possible. And as expected Adrienne just blinked in confusion as she never got a present from her, leaving her to shook her head and leaving Chloe to gasp in 'fake' outrage. Chloé grew seemingly replaced, grumbling to herself in annoyance but Adrienne was just happy that she released him.
"What? Oh, those delivery guys. I bet it was too heavy, so they had to go back and get another guy to help. Those slackers." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders again but to his chagrin.
"I'll make sure they get it to you by tonight, but first. Mwah!" She proclaimed, giving her another kissed her cheek before leaving, completely ignoring everyone else she walked past. Of course, she never sent a present but it didn't matter she had her excuse and she wouldn't hate her.
"Dude." Nino started, crossing his arms as his eyes quickly dashed to Alya helping Marin up. Getting the hint, Adrienne walked over to them.
"All I'm saying is, if she pushes us again, it's only natural to return the favour." "Alya. Please don't." Marin pleaded as his friend looked utterly enraged right now. They both turned towards Adrienne as she stepped closer.
"You alright?" Marin was caught off guard as he shyly stammered out a response. "F-Fine, I ju-uh yes."
"Sorry about that, Chloe mean well it's just she can be very protective," Adrienne said, not really all that surprised as Chloe has spent most of chasing off anyone she talks to on the ground of trying to hurt or take advantage of her. Hell, she basically had to make Nino swear on the Bible that he would not harm and ever since she had her eyes on them for even the tiniest excuse to crucifix him.
"I'll say," Marin said under his breath. He's spent most of his early years as her punching bag, so he's pretty used to her shoving him around.' wish you didn't kick me.'
"Well, you what," Alya said, putting an arm around her best friend's neck and cut in on this travesty of a conversation."If you really want to make it up to us, How about letting us tag along to whatever party Nino's going to throw for you?"
Adrienne chuckled nervously at her suggestion, "There's no party. I'm not one for birthdays." he said, lying through his teeth.
"Oh yeah? Sorry to hear that." Alya responded, believing him. "Well, maybe we'll stop by later, you know like friends?"
Adrienne thought for a second, she has only known them for less than two weeks and she honestly knew nothing about them beyond their dislikes of Chloe. But yet, as her eyes Flickr towards Marin, who cringed and cracked in her inquisitive stare. She knew that these two would be good friends.
"Dude, your ride's here," Nino said tapping his shoulder. "Dangit. You're still coming over later, right?" She asked walking over and opening the door. "You couldn't keep me away if you tried."
"Wait!"
"Yeah?" She asks, looking back to Marin, who had tried so hard to say something only for it to get stuck in his throat before finally blurting out, "Happy birthday Adrienne."
"Thanks, Marin," she said before getting into the car and driving off, leaving an embarrassed Marin.
"Happy birthday! Are you serious?"
And a very pissed Alya. "You didn't just come all this way out here just so you cause say happy fucking birthday!"
"I know," the fashion designer groaned."It's just why can't I mean what I say?"
"I think you mean to say what you mean."
"That too."
"Ok, I'm not sure what you guys are talking about, but I think I have some business to take care of," Nino said confidently, putting the bubbles up with a grin. "See you two later."
"Yeah sure," Alya gave Nino a dry look, wondering how he didn't notice. No, second that how heck did she not notice! Considering how obvious he was being!
"So, what did you get here anyway?"
"Oh, I made her a scarf," Marin said, glancing down at the present. "You know how I said that I wanted to be a fashion designer?"
Alya gave a nod, remembering that when she and Marin were just getting to know each other as friends before the stoneHeart incident.
"Well, I've been in a sort of slump as of late, so when I was making this, it was like I could focus on something for a long time." Marin smiled, remembering how great that felt. "I was hoping to give it to her and see what she thought, but you saw how that went."
"Alright then," Alya said, finding Marin tale to be diabetes level of sweet and adorable. "it's seen as we have to go to Plan B then!"
"and that Plan B is?"
"If you can't talk to her then just put it in her mailbox." Alya said like it was obvious and Marin went quiet before facepalm as he groaning out, "Why didn't I think of that?"
To Marin surprise, it took no time at all for Alya to find the Agreste Mansion and even less time to get there.
'No, time for like the present,' Marin thought as walked up to the massive gate and place his hand on what seemed to be the mailbox, trying with all of his might to open it only to find it would not.
"It won't budge." Marin muttered only to see Alya standing off to the side."How about the doorbell?" Alya asked as she pointing towards it, causing Marin to light up and shook his head in disagreement.
"No way, what if Adrienne answers it? The point of Plan B is to drop this off so I wouldn't make more of a fool of myself than I already a-,"
He was cut off when she rang it.
"Why did you press it anyway?!" Immediately part of the wall opened up and a camera got up close to Marin's face, making him back up a bit uncomfortably.
" Yes? " The voice, Nathalie frowned in contemplation before recognizing Marin as the boy she saw talking to, the camera backing up enough for her to see Alya and the present in hand.
She knows where this was going.
"Uh well I-," Marin stuttered, looked very nervous as he began to sweat, a lot. "I'm in Adrienne's class and well-."
"Just put it in the box," Nathalie said, not wanting any more time than she already has as the box opened up. Slowly, Marin did so as it snapped shut just as quick.
"T-Thank you." Marin barely got that out when the camera retreated before he sighed in relief"Think she'll like it?"
"I'm sure she's gonna love it," Alya responded as they began walking home. Marin felt so proud right now, sure he did not tell Adrienne how he felt or even had the guts to face her, but he did give the give and that was more progress than he made in the last two weeks and maybe when he sees her tomorrow when she's gushing over his present maybe he'll have to gut then.
Unfortunately for Marin, this fantasy came crashing down around him as Alya asked him something that he had so clearly missed:
"You signed a note right?"
Marin stopped frozen before he groaned, placing his hands on his face as he realized that he did indeed forgot to do the most important thing.
"Boy, you really need to think about these types of things," Alya said before looking back at the Agreste estate.'Well, there's nothing we can do now. Might as well wait until tomorrow."
"Who was that? " Gabriel asked over the intercom, curiously wondering if it was either business or just another crazy fan to deal with.
"A friend of Adrienne's, he was delivering a present for her birthday," Nathalie answered easily in her usual dull tone. Gabriel frowned at that, will he was allowing her to go to school, he didn't think she would be making so many "friends", so quickly. He still on the fence on if that was a good thing or not but he'll reserve his judgement for now though.
"Did you remember to buy her a present from me? " Gabriel asked, only to see Nathalie's eyes widen just enough for him to know the answer.
"S-Sir, you didn't ask me to." Nathalie sounded panicked as she looked at the video feed of Gabriel, an angry look quick forming on his face." Of course I did! Do you think I would make such a mistake?! "
Not wanting to be fired, Nathalie quickly said. "Yes Mr Agreste, I'll take care of it."
" Good. " The moment he hung up, Nathalie looked very panicked, placing both hands on her head.
'Great, Sir is mad at me and Adrienne has no present. What am I-' Her thoughts were cut short as her eyes fell on the present that was just delivered.
And she like smiled, knowing that she was saved.
Hearing the doorbell ring again, Nathalie quickly composed herself and turned on the camera to see Nino. "Yes?"
" Uh hi? " Nino greeted with an unsure smile as if he was having second thoughts about how to do this.
'It was too late for him to back out now,' Nino thought resisting the urge to look around in surprise from how everything was as he waiting with Nathalie for Gabriel Agreste. Yeah, he knew that Adrianne family was well off when it came to money, but he had underestimated how well off they were.
Still, he can't forget why he was here! He can't screw this up if he wanted to help his friend.
"He'll be here in a minute," Nathalie said looking at Nino with a critical eye.
"G-Got it," Nino said, Idly messed with his hat with one hand while keeping the other clenched tight around the bottle of bubbles in his pocket, trying to go over what he wanted to say right before the man himself came into the room, giving Nino his own judgemental look.
"Adrianne isn't home yet." He said knowing that these were the Nino friends that his daughter made.
"Uh, I came here to see you du-sir!" Nino quickly changed what he said, not wanting to make the man mad.
And he already knows he was not going to like him.
"Me?" Gabriel raised a brow, finding this to be a very surprise. Nino gave a nod before adding "Yes sir," he was trying his best to be polite as possible. "I know that you don't want Adrianne to have a birthday party-."
The moment he said that Gabriel frowned finally knowing why he was here.
"And I'm not going to pretend I know the reason or what's happening because it's none of my business but it's all she wants-."
"You're right it is none of your business and I already told Adrienne no, my decision is final," Gabriel said, his tone warning for Nino to drop it.
"I-." Nino was flabbergasted as he had was shot down before he had a chance, couldn't see why any parent wouldn't want their kid to have a party.
"But isn't that a bit harsh?" He was so flabbergasted that he didn't even see Adrienne enter the building, nor the surprising look at see him there.
"Nino? What are you doing?"Adrienne asked, making Nino freeze up and turn to see her looking pretty alarmed while Gabriel was frowning in annoyance at how Nino wasn't dropping it.
"Young man," Gabriel said in a tone that set off alarms in Adrienne's head, not even giving Nino a chance to explain. "I decide what's best for my daughter, not you. In fact, I just decided you're not a good influence for her, leave and never come back."
With that said he turned to leave as anger finally showed in Nino's eyes, while Adrienne tried to plead for him. "Father waits, Nino was just trying to help me."
But her words fell on deaf ears as Gabriel was gone.
"Goodbye," Nathalie said with no hint of remorse to Nino, though she did give Adrienne an apologetic look.
Nino gritted his teeth and walked out, Adrienne quickly following after him.
"Nino, wait!"Adrienne said, not wanting to lose her friend because of this, managing to catch him outside of the doors. "I'm so sorry about that, father is stubborn-."
"Stubborn?!" Nino whirled around and gave her an incredulous look. "That wasn't stubborn, that was completely malicious! How can you live with him?!"
"It's just how he is," Adrienne said looking down sadly, the act making Nino angry. Not at her, but him."It's just best to stay out of his way."
"Sorry, but I don't agree." Nino spat out, leaving before he said or did anything else that he most likely wouldn't regret. And all, Adrienne could do is watch as he left in such a sad state as Plagg decided to make his presence known. "Sheesh, that was painful to watch, think he'll be okay?"
"I don't know Plagg," Adrienne admitted, wanting to chase him down to let him know that it was okay.
But she couldn't at the moment as that would be violating her "precious" schedule for the day and she was in enough trouble as it is today. So, she'll make sure to do so however when she gets back to school.
besides what's the worst that could happen?
'bad influence huh?!' Nino thought huffed and puffed indignantly as he made his way to the Park, trying to calm himself down.
But it was impossible, that man infuriated impossible him. All he did was speak up for his friend.
"If anything he's the bad influence around here," Nino said out loud, now sitting down on the park bench, blow bubbles to soothe his head. As he did so, Nino wondered why Gabriel was like that? What could make a man act like that to their own daughter?
"None of my business," Nino muttered bitterly, remembering his words and how he was going to find a way to fix this problem. Perhaps he'll throw her a birthday party?
Actually, that could work, he'll need to call in some of the other classmates and hopefully get the teacher on his side and they could throw Adrianne a party during school.
It would both be getting back at the man in his own way and making his friend happy.
A win-win situation.
At the same time as he was thinking about the party plan, Nino heard the cries of kid, making Nino look up to see a father dragging him away from a group of kids."But daddy, please!"
"No, it's not playtime, you have chores to do." The father wouldn't budge as the kid complained.
Even if, in the back of his mind, Nino knew that it was important for a parent to be firm like that, he couldn't help but make comparisons to Gabriel and like that he was angry again.
"Adults ruin everything," Nino muttered in hatred, letting the anger speak for him. Of course, when he said that he really didn't mean that, but he was so angry that was all he could focus on.
And it was enough for someone to make their move.
The window opened up in Hawk Moth's base as he felt the negative emotions rolling off of Nino with a grin.
"Desperate to help his friend but feeling powerless to do anything," Hawk Moth remarked, making a deduction on what was causing this from the energy he was feeling like a swarm of butterflies flying around him. "How frustrating, but it won't be long before frustration turns into anger."
Holding out his hand, one of the butterflies landed in the palm. "And that anger will be easy to exploit!" He said before dark energy surrounded the butterflies turning into it to a blackish purple.
"Fly away, my Akuma and corrupt him."
Back with Nino, he kept watching parent after parent taking the kids away, hearing their cries as they wanted to be with their friends.
Suddenly, the Akuma landed on the bubble wand, those dark thoughts got worse as energy flowed through him and the purple outline of a butterfly mask covering his face as Hawk Moth began his pitch.
' Hawk Moth is my name and Bubbler is now yours, my new friend.' Hawk Moth began to say in a calm and soothing voice as he being worked his magic as the dark energy clouding Nino's subconscious. ' I will help you with those horrid adults that were getting in the way of your fun and return, all you have to do is get something from Scarlet Beetle and Chatte Noire.' '
"Yes, Hawk Moth," Nino said with a dark grin on his face, standing up and as soon as he said those words, the Akuma begin its work changing his form into a perfect vessel for his vengeance.
He didn't even wait to finish changing as he flew into the air, landing on the roof in an explosion of bubbles.
"No more adults means total freedom," Nino, no the Bubbler said with a dark grin as he laughed evilly. His skin changed to a light bluish and his eyes now a hot red as black spots surrounded them. His clothes also changed to the bright red, blue and yellow bodysuit with many of the parts shaped like bubbles, a red helmet with a bubble wand antenna covering his head, black gloves and boots, a large bubble container on his back that housed his weapon that being, of course, a giant bubble wand."This is going to be soooo sweet!"
Reaching back, he pulled out the bubble wand, which now shaped like a sword.
"Say hello to a world without adults!" Bubbler exclaimed before taking off like a rocket, flying through the air and leaving hundreds of bubbles behind him that began to systematically abduct every single adult, turning green in the process, making them scream as they were being carried off.
Now back home, Marin was idly poking his food with a thoughtful look while Sabine was opening the window to let some fresh air in.
Marin laid down on his bed with the covers on as Tikki cuddled him under the warm sheets.
"Do you think Adrienne's opened his gift by now?" He asked as Tikki, who laid in his lap. "Marin, you asked this question for the fourth sixth time." She said in a matter of fact why making Marin cringing embarrassment. "If you gave it to her, she has it."
"I know that Tikki," Marin said, "It's just I'm wondered if she got the present? Did she like it?"
"Still, can't believe you didn't think about signing the present."
"It was a moment of hubris okay!"
Unfortunately, for them, this moment came to an end as Marin heard his mother scream.
"Mom!" Marin yelled, jumping and whirled around to see a bubble carrying Sabine off. Rushing towards the window, now seeing hundreds of adults being carried off to the sky, followed by a second familiar adult. "Dad!"
Tikki flew out of her hiding spot. "Hawk Moth must've Akumatized someone." She said, seeing what was going on while Marin narrowed his eyes.
Okay, this just got personal.
"I knew things were being too quiet this last week." Maron looked up, seeing that the adults were too high to see him transform. "Alright, let's go! Tikki, Spots On!"
One transformation later and Beetle stood in his place, now running out through his roof, jumping off the building to land on the streets, seeing a bunch of kids reaching up in fear.
That was when the extra bubbles turned purple and showed the Bubbler much like how one would see News on a TV screen.
'So, this is the guy?' He thought darkly, stopped only when the Bubbler began to talk and he instantly recognises the voice.
"Today is your lucky day little dudes," Bubbler said getting up close with the camera he was using"The adults have taken the day off, so make the most of it. No chores, no homework, no more nagging, just fun, fun, fun, fun! This is the Bubblers birthday gift to you!"
there is no doubt in his mind, that voice was-
"-Nino?" Beetle whispered, in shock at the prospect of Nino being Akumatized and wondering what happened to push him over the edge before he glanced at the kids and knew what he needed to do first.
"Don't worry, your parents will come back." Beetle said, his voice making the kids look at him, seeing their eyes widen in recognition given the number of times that he and Chatte Noire have been on the News this last week.
"I'll see to it, in the meantime, you take care of them."He said that last part to a nearby teenager who nodded before going to comfort another little kid.
"Good," Beetle said before taking off, using his yo-yo to grapple away, hearing them cheer.
It still felt weird to have people cheering for him but he ignores it as he had bigger things on his mind.
'Find the villain, catch the Akuma,' Marin thought, hoping this wouldn't be as bad as last time.'Hopefully, Chatte Noire is on her way.
Adrienne wiped her mouth with a napkin after a short lunch, a bored look on her face. "Wow, that was a birthday lunch to remember," Sarcasm was evident in her tone as she got up, not even caring if someone heard her now or not. "Yay!"
"Well, I don't know what you're complaining about," Plagg said landing on her shoulder."I thought it was a great me meal."
" quiet you," she said sarcastically, shouldered her messenger bag on as she passed by the door he noticed that Natalie wasn't there, she probably working in his father's office again.
"How eerie." Plagg poked out curiously. "You would think there would be some noise."
"Not really," Adrienne said, finding the quietness to be no different from any other day. But at least she was grateful to not be completely by herself. "Come on, we can't be late."
Plagg groaned of annoyance, clearly disagreeing showing that he didn't like school.
But he listened and flew back into her bag right as Adrienne opened the door and was taken off guard as she greeted by her classmates with the front yard decorating with an entertainment system and dessert buffet all set up for a party.
"Surprise!" They cheered, Adrienne, taking a step back in surprise, not sure how to take this. "Happy Birthday!"
Slowly she smiled, wondering how they pulled this off or how they convinced her father before she heard a voice. "Hey, hey, hey Birthday Girl!" Looking up, she gasped at seeing the Bubbler, obviously recognizing an Akuma when she saw it. "Guess what? Daddy's gone. While the old cat is away the mice will play."
"Nino?!" She asked with uncertainty.
"It's Bubbler now and he brought all of your homies together for one sole purpose," Bubbler said, jumping off the bubble that kept him in the air before he landed in the DJ booth. "To Celebrate! Let's get this party started!"
With that said, loud music began to play as everyone began to dance, with the sole exception being Adrienne, who however slowly stepped back inside and closed the door behind her.
"Oh man, this is bad," Adrienne whispered, tossing her bag to the ground. "Plagg, we need to do something."
But before she had to chance to transform, Plagg yawned and flew out of the bags. "Why would you do that?" He asked much to her shock. "Isn't this what you wanted?"
"What? Nino's been Akumatized, I need to help him." Instead of answering, Plagg flew to land on her shoulder.
"You may never get this chance again, so far Nino isn't doing anything too bad, in fact, he seems to be using this to throw you the party you wanted," Plagg pointed out as there were far worse things Nino could've done, Adrienne's resolve wavering a bit at hearing that. "And once you have your little fun, all you got to do is just transform, get the Akuma, save Nino and all will be good."
Adrienne just glanced out the window to see Bubbler proudly being a DJ, looking like his usual fun-loving self and she had to say, Plagg did have a point. This Bubbler could've done anything that bad since the time for when she last saw her and he seemed pretty harmless looking at what was happening. But yet, he was also Akumatized and it was her job to save him? Isn't it her duty to save her friend?
Glancing down, Adrienne decided as she smiled. "You're right, for once I can do what I want without father saying no."
And it wouldn't be as Chatte Noire but as herself. When will she get this chance again?
"That's the spirit, now I expect Camembert as my compensation for the advice." Plagg grinned widely, Adrienne fondly rolling her eyes.
"I'll get it for you, promise."
Scarlet took no time finding Bubbler as all he needed to find a place surrounded by bubbles. But he was surprised to see that it was coming from the Agreste Mansion.
'That can't be good,' Beetle thought landed on the rooftop to see everyone from class dancing while Bubbler was manning the DJ booth.
"What is going on here?" Beetle asked in disbelief. The villain was throwing a party?! This was the last thing he expected for an Akuma to do after his two experiences with Stoneheart. Kneeling to hide as he surveyed the scene, Beetle glanced around, hoping that Chatte Noire would show up at any time.
But so far, there hasn't been any sign of the emissary of destruction.
"Cat where are you?" Beetle muttered looking back down to see how miserable everyone dancing was. Most likely they were being forced into this by the villain. But as he looked down he found himself staring at the only one who was having a good time.
That being his greatest weakness: Adrienne.
As much as he wanted to ask why she was smiling, he only stared at her before shaking his head, telling himself to focus, missing how Adrienne interacted with Rose Lavillant, a slightly tanned fair-skinned slender teenage girl of medium height with a honey blonde pixie cut hair with bangs that slightly cover her eyes to the right and a tiny cowlick on top, thin eyebrows, round vivid sapphire blue eyes, eyeliner and magenta lipstick.
She wears a crotch-length light magenta dress with light pink sleeves and top front, pink and vivid magenta stripes on the front, a pink back that has a pale golden wing design, and a dark magenta wearable band tied around her waist. She also has a pink mini skirt with two white edges at the bottom of the cloth, white leggings, two pink bracelets around her right wrist, and brown soled pink sandals.
"Hey nice party, I think, this is my first one so I don't really know," Adrienne said only to blink when Rose forced a smile and gave a thumbs-up before dancing away from Adrienne.
Adrienne just blinked at the strange behaviour before she slowly looked around, seeing everyone dancing but with a grim expression. Well, everyone except for Chloe, who was having the time of her life with her friend.
"Chloe, is it me, or does everyone seem a bit weird?" Adrienne asked, said girl just shrugged at her remark.
"What are you talking about? They always like that when I'm around," she explained, finding no irony in the fact that she just compares herself to an actual supervillain.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Adrienne said hesitantly, unable to shake off the feeling that something very bad was going on. It was like they didn't want to be here-.
A flash of red appear in the corner of Adrienne's eye and she immediately turned around to see it was no other than-
"Scarlet Beetle?" She said under her breath, barely loud enough for herself to hear. Sure enough, Scarlet Beetle was there, crouched on top of one of the pillars that held up the gate of the house. But why was he just sitting there, as if waiting for someone-.
He was waiting for her to show up as Chatte Noire.
'How could I be so stupid. ' Adrienne mentally berated herself after the realisation kicked in. No matter how much she wanted a party, she shouldn't have ignored her responsibility.
"Why so glum birthday girl?" Bubbler said, appearing in front of her in a bubbly flash, seeming to notice how she was acting. "This is all for you, so go on be happy!"
"Nino, don't you think this is a bit too much?" Adrienne pleaded, trying to reason with her friend. "I mean I know I wanted a party but-."
"But what?" There seemed to be a dangerous edge in Bubbler's tone like he was about to fly off the handle at any moment. Still, she continued making sure to sounded to get her point across. "But not like this, Nino you're not yourself-."
"It's Bubbler!" He said slamming his fist, causing the music to screech to a halt as his eyes burning red, "And you're acting like a real ungrateful Brats right now!"
It was clear now in Adrienne mind that the Bubbler was a real threat and as other kids slowly back away from them in fear, she could tell that at any time he could go off the deep end. So of course, what Chloe did next was possibly the single worst possible decision she could've made in the situation.
"Hay, you technicolour freak," She yelled at the villain making him do a double-take as Chloe bloody slaps him in the face. "No one yelling at my sister like that without facing me first, you hear me!"
While Adrienne would later agree that what Chloe did was a noble thing, it was also not a very smart thing to do and this act had turned on an already tense situation.
"Oh, "face you first?" Uh." Bubbler said with a sinister smile, taking out his bubble sword." I can oblige to that!"
Before he had a chance to make good on his threat, Scarlet Beetle has quickly jumped off of the perch and launched his yo-yo to wrap around Bubbler's arm, catching him by surprise before Beetle reeled himself in for a powerful kick, that sent Bubbler flying around the yard and into a wall.
"Wow," was all the two girls could say as he uses the momentum of his kick to do a backflip into the air and landing between the girls. Excitement finally coursed through the other kids at some of their first official looks at one of the Heroes of Paris before he glanced their way.
'Good thing he doesn't get stronger with each hit.' Beetle thought with relief as he smirked.
"Mind if I cut in?" Beetle asked, seeing this as a good opportunity to demonstrate his enhanced strength as he didn't have to worry about this one growing stronger with every hit like the last
one.
The first.
"Get to safety, all of you," He yelled and almost everyone obliged to his request, either finding a place to hide or just full-on booking it.
"That goes for you too," he said before he and Adrienne locked their eyes with one another both completely entrance with one another.
"Hello, still here?" Chloe said, now stepping in between them breaking their unofficial staring contest. "Or are did you forget?!"
"Oh, sorry about that Chloe," Adrienne said sheepishly with her eyes still fixed on the scarlet beetle." I thought you already ran."
"To be honest, I completely forgot you were even here," Beetle said under breath not even hidden his disdain for the girl.
Chloe crossed her arms and turned up her nose in a huff. All she wanted was her surrogate sister and instead, she was saved again by this barbarian simple-minded utterly, hot jerk!
Wait...
Before Chloe had a chance to fathom her own thoughts, the Bubbler got up with a snarl. "You are so messing with my mojo!" He said in a dangerous tone, anger that the fact his "guests" were leaving. "Why do you have to be like that?!"
"Maybe it has something to do with you making the adults disappear?" Beetle suggested, still angered at what happened to his parents. "And let's not forget your forcing the kids to stay here."
"What's wrong with having a little fun?!" Bubbler took out his bubble sword and sent two red bubbles flying at Beetle with the hero quickly spinning his yo-yo to make them pop.
Seeing that everyone began to take cover, Leaving Adrienne a Knouff time to sneak off and into the quickly the house. "Kiddo, know I am so sorry I didn't-"
"It's ok, but we can't wait any longer," She said, still kicking herself for being such an idiot. "Plagg, Claws Out!"
Back outside, Beetle was dodging and weaving around the bubble that was created by the swipes of Bubbler's sword, before leaning back to gain more ground as Bubbler's swipes were becoming more erratic.
It was clear to Beetle that beyond the Akuma did improve his physical capabilities but didn't improve his fighting capabilities, which meant that he held that advantage.
'Still, it wasn't by much. ' Beetle thought, jumping to avoid another hit, flipping over Bubbler who spun around with a glare. Even with his own enhancements, he still just as bad as the villain only doing better thanks to them.'If I want to be a good hero, I need to improve my hand to hand in case I fight someone with more skill. '
Doing a handspring to dodge another swipe, Beetle was unprepared when Bubbler was about to hit him while he was in the air only for a metal staff to intervene as Chatte Noire landed right next to him.
"Looks like I'm just in time." Chatte Noire gave a wild grin that Beetle returned.
"well, you should check your watch because you really need to work on being on time?" He said, purposely quoting the word she said to him when he was late.
Bubbler glared at the hero were having their reunion as Hawk Moth spoke inside of his head.
'That last, the troublesome cat is here at last,' He said, narrowing his eyes at seeing the heroes through his Akuma's eyes. 'Bubbler, The time is finally come to make good on the deal you made with me! Get the Miraculous, I want those Powers now! '
" Will do boss!" He shouts, launched hundreds of red bubbles at the two heroes who began to spin their weapons, popping them as they shot past, unfortunately, there were simply too many of them and with a snapped his fingers, they shot in at the same time in circling and trapping the two in a giant bubble.
"Hand over your Miraculous now before you run out of air." Bubbler said, making the heroes eyes widen as they remember that they on the clock.
"Dream on, Bubbler," Beetle said punched the bubble, trying to pop it. "As if we'd give up so easily."
"Just like the adults, you both are party poopers." Bubbler said, gritting his teeth at his words.
"Kids need adults."
Bubbler just busted out laughing as if Beetle told the funniest joke. "Wrong, kids need freedom, they need fun. Let loose and live it up," He said, shaking his head at how these two didn't get it. "Adults are controlling and bossy."
Hearing that, Chatte Noire gained an idea of what made Nino be Akumatized and even greater guilt flowed through her.
"Adults keep kids safe," Beetle rebuked, his mind flashing to all the times his parents protected him growing up. "They care for and protect them."
"Most adults do." Chatte Noire whispered, wishing her Dad was one of them, but she focused. "You need to bring them back!"
"You know what? If you like the adults so much, you can go be with them." Bubbler decided, not wanting to speak to them anymore, so he ran forward and kicked their bubble, sending them into the air as the hiding kids gasped in fear.
' What are you doing?! ' Hawk Moth shouted in his head. 'You're supposed to seize their Miraculous! '
"Chillax Hawk Moth Dude, I'll get them after they run out of air." Bubbler didn't sound too bothered by that, or by the fact that he was being calm about suffocating two people.
'Well isn't this just great,' Beetle thought, watching Chatte desperately tried a claw her out as they floating away from the Agreste estate, pasting the Eiffel Tower.
"No dice, not even my claws can pop this bubble." Chatte Noire said before kicked at it repeatedly, only to find the same results.
"If that's the case then use your Cataclysm." Beetle suggested knowing they needed to hurry. Who knows how much air the adults had and he was trying not to imagine his parents suffocating. They were already under a time limit, so it didn't matter if they used their powers or not.
"Couldn't you have said that five hundred feet ago?" Chatte Noire asked curiously, preparing to use it.
"Are you going to do it or are we just going to be stuck together in this bubble forever?" Beetle asked some annoyance.
Chatte actually thinks about it with a smirk before coming up with a cruel idea. Suddenly, Chatte Noire got on all fours and slowly crawled her way to his side, purposefully flicking her tail back and forth making sure his eyes were on her envious form as slowly sat down on his lap, an otherwise innocent action that was made unspeakably lewd in the current context.
"Oh, really?" She said in an over-exaggerated interest, not even hiding her flirtatious undertone as she performed one of the poses that she learned as a model, which gave him a pleasant view of her mountainous valley.
To say Scarlet was as red as his name would be an understatement as he was completely shocked and embarrassed as he was when she flirted with him after that mess with Stoneheart.
Only now he can't run away like the last time.
"could you not do that!" He said looking away, not missing the look of smugness on Chatte Noire as she laughed at his squirming before letting out a "Cataclysm!"
And with one-touch, the bubble popped, leaving them now skydiving through the air from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
"This is the second time I'm skydiving around here," Beetle shook his head, glancing over at Chatte Noire. "Should we see if you can land on your feet this time?"
"Hard pass." Chatte Noire returned, now passing the tower. "I have a feline that would be quite a catastrophe."
"A-Are you making cat puns-," Beetle asked in disbelief before focusing. "Never mind, throw your staff at the tower, I have an idea."
Considering the last two ideas, Chatte Noire listened with no hesitation, watching as the staff lodged into the tower before Beetle grabbed her arm.
"Hang on!"
With that said, he threw the yo-yo to where it wrapped around the staff, allowing for them to swing a few feet off the ground to where they could land safely, rolling with the momentum before Beetle pulled on the yo-yo, dislodging the staff so he could toss it back to Chatte Noire.
"Good thing cats aren't scared of heights." Chatte Noire breathed out, relieved to be on the ground right before a beeping in her ring reminded them of the time limit.
"We need to stop Bubbler, I think the Akuma is in his sword." Beetle theorised given how it was the only item that Bubbler had on him. "So, if we break it, the adults are saved."
"Then let's hurry."
"What is this?!" Bubbler angrily demanded, seeing that everyone was hide instead of parting. "Come on people, this is a party! Why is everyone being such downers?!"
"Sorry to burst your bubble." Beetle's voice made him spin around in surprise, not expecting to see the heroes back so soon. "But the party is over."
"Oh so I can't do cat puns, but you do bubble ones." Chatte Noire accused with a smirk, leaving Beetle to wince as that was actually unintentional.
"I never said you couldn't-not important."
"Beetle! Chatte Noire!" Alya cheered out, having her phone out recording everything since the attack started. The cheers for Alya and the sight of the hero, cause the other teenagers to come out of hiding and cheered as well believing they were saved.
This did nothing but pissing Bubbler off, however.
"You know what?! Fine! I did all of this to give my bud the party she wanted and this is how you all react?!" Bubbler shouted, gripping his weapon. "If all of you are going to be such haters then join the adults!"
With another shout, Bubbler swung his weapon, making bubbles fly at the teenagers, forcing them to go into the sky much to the hero's horror.
Bubbler merely laughed. "Outer space is the next stop for your precious peeps, and they're never coming back!" he then jumped to the other side of the courtyard and jumping into a bubble as he began heading towards the heart of the city.
"We stop Bubbler, we save everyone," Scarlet said as he and Chatte Noire took off towards the roofs, both in hot pursuit of the villain as they chased him towards the Eiffel Tower.
"Okay, why do we keep coming back here?" Beetle couldn't help but ask given this was the third time in a week that they were here.
Twice today.
"At least the view is nice." Chatte Noire pointed out behind him, though in truth she was talking about something else entirely.
'That skintight suits really do show everything?' She thought with a Purr as the two chasings after him, dodging bubbles that exploded. "I knew bubbles could sting if they get in your eyes, but bubble grenades?!"
"You're telling me, who knew something like this could be so dangerous." Beetle said, surprised by how difficult this Akuma was.
Another beep showed they had two minutes before turning back.
"I'm going to switch back soon, hurry!" Chatte Noire exclaimed, Beetle giving a nod as he got ready and used his power.
"Lucky Charm!"
Much to his surprise, a ladybug coloured wrench appeared with him nearly falling over after catching the rather large tool.
"Okay, so how is your plumbing skills are going to help us out?" Chatte Noire asked, not getting it. Beetle just shrugged before the two jumpings back from another bubble grenade. But the Lucky Charm gave him this, so there has to be a reason. At first glance, it seemed that it just gave him weird and random objects that didn't really help with anything but become integral to finishing the fight.
So it stands to reason that there's a way to win with this. And scanning the area, Beetle's eyes fell upon the answer: a nearby air vent with a pipe that held a big screw connecting them
A screw that the wrench could work on.
"I got it, Chatte get ready!" Beetle took off running towards it while Chat Noir took a moment to give him a curious look, leaning back to dodge a barrage of explosive bubbles,
"Better hurry." Chatte Noire called, keep Bubbler focused on her and he was gritting his teeth in anger, getting worse as she kept dodging.
She was on her second to last paw print if that runs out she'll transform back.
"Cutting it really close here." She said, jumping up on the railing. Run across it, Chatte make a jump and ducking the dodge the bubbles, giving a taunting laugh that made Bubbler more erratic with his aim.
Making it to the steam vent, Beetle slammed the wrench on the screw and pulled, loosening it enough for the pipe to fly around uncontrollably.
"Now!"
Chatte Noire eyes widened in understanding before grinned and leapt over another barrage of bubbles, grabbing the pipe and aiming it at Bubbler, forcing his bubbles in the opposite direction, much to his anger.
Seeing Bubbler distracted, Beetle took his shot: spinning his yo-yo before throwing it at him, wrapping it around the hilt and pulling it back, wasting no time to snap it over his knee.
" no more evil-doing for you, little Akuma!" The second the Akuma flew out, Beetle wasted no time capturing it, not wanting to risk it escaping. After purifying the Akuma rather easily, he throws the wrench up in the air and activates the other part of his power.
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
… God, he really did feel like he's a part of an anime whenever he shouts stuff like that, but it didn't matter as wrench break apart into A swarm of ladybug and fly around, gathering the bubbles that held the hostages and safely transporting them to where they were before the attack before popping.
Though with what happened, Beetle wouldn't have been surprised if anyone would gain a newfound fear of bubbles in the future.
Bubbler fell to his knees in despair, changing back to a very perplexed Nino after all of that was over.
"What happened? Where am I?" Nino asked, looking around in confusion, stopping when he saw the two heroes in front of him as they fist-bumped.
"Pound it!"
Another beep made Chatte Noire nervous as she looked at her ring to see one more paw print showing she only had a minute left.
"Get going, wouldn't want your identity to be revealed." Beetle said with a grin. "I'll help the kid down."
Chatte Noire gave a nod, knowing she had no time for anything else. "See you around my scarlet prince." She said, giving a playful wink before taking off, not missing Beetle's face when she said that.
"Yeah- I Wai-what-what did you just call me?!" Beetle asked, not receiving an answer as Chatte Noire pole-vaulted away. "Sometimes I don't get that cat."
Rubbing the back of his head as his earrings beeped showing he had four minutes, Beetle walked over and helped Nino up.
"Let's get you off of here." Beetle offered while Nino was rather subdued.
"I was Akumatized wasn't I?" Nino asked quietly, remembering how Ivan described it.
Not wanting to lie, Beetle gave a nod.
"Damn it, how bad was it?"
"Let's just say you throw some crazy parties, but next time just send invites." Beetle quipped with Nino looking rather embarrassed. "Now come on, your friends are probably worried for you."
The rest of the school day was of course cancelled due to the Akuma attack that just happened as the News was reporting what they could about the fight between Beetle, Chatte Noire and the Bubbler, said footage of the fight came from the quick growing Beetleblog before it ended at the Eiffel Tower.
"I think I'm starting to get used to this," Marin said, watching the news in his room. sure, he was still the class klutz but he was also apparently really, really good at being a hero. Besides at least Bubbler wasn't as terrifying as Stoneheart.
Then again Stoneheart didn't make anything explode, so they were both terrifying in their own ways.
"Well, I think you did great Marin," Tikki said from the small plate of cookies that Maron brought up. "Not only did you and Chatte Noire deal with the Akuma but you kept everyone safe too."
Marin felt embarrassed by the praise, rubbing the back of his head before his phone buzzed and he checked it only to blink as he saw it was an unknown number before he saw the message saying it was Nino.
A bit perplexed, Marin typed back, asking how he got this number.
The only answer came with the name Alya with a picture of a said girl with the caption guess who, which make Marin shake his head right before Nino continued and the message made Marin's eyes widen.
"Mom! Dad!"
Nathalie looked exhausted as she typed on her computer, trying to make up for lost time due to how being kidnapped and placed in a bubble prevented her from being finished with work for the day.
The fact that she could think that despite her serious demeanour proved that her life was starting to get insane.
Still, she can't help but think she's forgetting something.
" Nathalie, " Gabriel's voice made her tense before she turned on the intercom. " Did my daughter like her gift? "
'There it is,' She thought internally panicking before, Nathalie quickly speaking. "I was about to check right away sir."
" Good. "Was the last thing he said before disconnected, leaving Nathalie to look towards the present that the boy from earlier left.
'nothing personal.'
Moments later she found Adrienne in the dining room, seeing the young girl looking dejected, still racked with guilt at the crisis she caused as she ate her dinner in silence, only looking up as Nathalie enter the room with a present in hand. "A birthday present from your father."
Hearing that, a smile made its way across Adrienne's face as she accepted the present with a grateful look.
After everything she was just happy to hear that her father cared enough to get her a present.
"Thank you," She whispered before forcing herself to speak up. "I mean, please say thank you to father."
Nathalie gave a curt nod, doing everything to hide the smile and sense of relief as she walked off. If there was any sense of guilt that existed at what she did, it disappeared when she saw how happy Adrienne was.
"Huh, so he got you a present?" Plagg asked once Nathalie was out of sight, watching as Adrienne began to open it.
"I know right?" Adrienne asked, excited that it wasn't just another small black box with a violet ribbon on it.
"Whoa," Adrienne said picking it up and looking at her present, that being a beautiful handmade sky blue scarf. "This was amazing."
Plagg on the other hand didn't seem all that impressed."What? No cheese? Lame."
Adrienne just gave him a playfully rolled her eyes before put it on.
"Thank you, father," Adrienne whispered to herself, loving the gift.
"What do you mean not for a week?!" Chloe shouted at Sabrina as school started up the very next day. "They were supposed to deliver it yesterday!"
"Um, well." Sabrina sounded scared, taking a step back from her friend not looking her in the eye as she told her the bad news. "There were no adults around yesterday to deliver it."
"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous," Chloe said, shaking her head in disbelief, obviously disagreeing with that sentiment. Alya and Marin on the other hand snickered at her as they passed by. "Serves her right."
Marin gave a nod of agreement, not having any pity for the girl considering what happened the other day.
"What do you mean not for a week?!" Chloe shouted at Sabrina as school started up the very next day. "They were supposed to deliver it yesterday!"
"Um, well." Sabrina sounded scared, taking a step back from her friend not looking her in the eye as she told her the bad news. "There were no adults around yesterday to deliver it."
"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous," Chloe said, shaking her head in disbelief, obviously disagreeing with that sentiment. Though, Alya and Marin who was watching nearby found this scenario most enjoyable, snickering at the mad girl's suffering. "Serves her right."
Marin flashed her Cheshire smile before giving her a nod of agreement, not having any amount of pity for the girl considering what happened the other day.
Speaking of yesterday.
"Nino!"Marin called out to said individual, who was waiting for Adrienne, though notably without his bubble bottle.
"How are you doing?" Marin asks, wanting to talk to him in person after what happened yesterday.
" I'm doing fine, my dude," he said, notably back to his normal self. Which, Marin assumed was because of the conversation they had last night.
Notably how adamant he seemed about his plans for the day.
"Some party yesterday, huh?" Alya remarked, putting her two cents into the conversation.
This making Nino squinted.
"Yeah, probably." He said as he still felt guilty for what happened yesterday and how he screwed up."For me, it sounds like a far-fetched tale but to you guy."
"Hey, that wasn't your fault," Marin said, trying to cheer him up.
Yeah, I know but this was still his thought, to begin with." He said, unable to shake the guilt, the shame and the sense that he was played like a puppet on a string.
He ever found out who is responsible for this he would-
Suddenly, Marin place his hand on her shoulders and gave him a look of support and understanding.
If anything good came out of this was the fact that he now had a newfound friendship for both Marin and Ivan, the latter due to how he stood by him as he knew what it was like to be Akumatized so the two boys were practically kindred spirits now. And the former because of the lengthy conversation they had last night detailing his plan to make it up to Adrienne.
Speaking of which, they stopped talking when they saw the limo that dropped Adrienne off, stop by and the girl came out, wearing a certain scarf. The sight nearly made Marin squeal as a smile spread across his face. "She's wearing my scarf."
That was proof that she liked it.
"Oh hey, guys," Adrienne said, waving at the two.
"Nice scarf Adrienne," Alya said, giving a sly grin as if she knew something. "Off the chain."
"Yeah, can you believe it? Nathalie said it was from my father," The minute Adrienne said that Marin froze up, disbelief on his face at what he was hearing. "It's awesome."
"Wow, I guess even he can surprise you," Nino said, no doubt remembering his unpleasant conversation with the man. As they spoke, Marin was quiet, uncertainty going through his head.
He wanted to speak up, to tell Adrienne that he was the one who made it.
But she looked so happy.
"Now wait just a-." Alya looked rather peeved and was ready to tell but was cut off when Marin spoke up before she could say anything else.
"T-That's great," He said, forcing a smile on his face, actually going along with it much to Alya's surprise. "It looks amazing."
"Thanks, Marin." Adrienne beamed with happiness that made him feel even more conflicted. The bell rang, signalling the four that they needed to head to class. Alya however hung back as both Adrienne and Nino rushed on ahead.
"Aren't you going to tell her you made that?" She asked in disbelief. She couldn't believe the gall of this Nathalie to do something like that, especially after hearing how much work that Marin put into making that scarf.
"Did you see how happy she was?" Marin asked, the fake smile dropping off his face, turning into a sad expression. "That scarf means a lot to her because she thinks it came from her father."
"But it didn't, it came from you." Alya pointed out, not seeing where he was getting at.
"I know that and you know that Adrienne doesn't know and-," Marin took a deep breath to calm down. "I don't want to take that from her, she doesn't need to know it came from me. As long as she's happy, I am."
Yes, it hurt, but he can deal with it, just to keep that smile on her face.
Even if it was through a lie.
Marin was caught off guard when Alya threw an arm around his shoulder to give him a small friendly hug. "You are too nice for your own good, you know that?"
"Uh, thanks?" He responds sheepishly, surprised by the act.
Alya just smiled back before letting go. "Come on you, big softy we're going to be late!"
The pair of them walked towards the school, Alya holding on to his arm while he held on to hers as the entire school and begin to get to work.
"So, what's this thing you wanted to show me?" Adrienne asked Nino, wondering what was up as they near the entrance.
"Well, as you know that I ruined your birthday."
"Nino-"
"And before you say "it's not your fault," it was still me who did it and you miss out on your chance to have a birthday party."
Adrienne was silent, thinking over what to do next. She couldn't really blame Nino though as it was her fault for not being there for him or even stopping the Akuma when she had a chance instead of putting it off so she could have a party.
"So, me, Alya and Marin decided that you deserved a do-over." Eventually, the door opened and they walked in, only to the latter to startled as classmates stood in a small circle around the door, each sporting a bright smile.
"Surprise!"
"W-What's going on?" Adrienne asked, looking around the room in shock. The room was decorated wall-to-wall with posters and banners bearing her name, along with the name "birthday girl" or "beautiful". Underneath were happy smiley faces and candles all around.
"Girl, it's as he said. A surprise party for you." Alya stated like it was obvious before lightly elbowing Nino. "Nino here set it all up."
"But how do you get the school to agree with this?" She asks Nino, who was now sitting up on one of the desks.
"I didn't, ask her." Following the direction of Nino's finger, Adrienne saw it was none other than Chloe, who gave a proud smile.
"Well, I wasn't going to let him ruin your birthday for a second time." She said smugly. Too, many the ideas of Chloe being nice to someone was weird. But to Adrienne, it was proof that her childhood friend and really hadn't changed at all.
"Thank you, everyone." Adrienne smiled, truly happy that this was happening.
"Well, we had a lot of help," Nino said, smiling at her before wincing. "Even after everything that happened."
"Nino it's alright you weren't yourself." Adrienne waved off the apology. "I'm just glad you're back to normal."
"It was still uncool of me, that's why I wanted to do this right and you deserve to have a party dude, even if it's not on your birthday like you hoped."
He meant it too, he really wanted to help his friend have a killer party, right now he didn't care what Gabriel thought. All that mattered was doing something that made his friend happy.
"Nino, thank you," Adrienne said gratefully as her friend smiled and got back into his normal mood.
"Alright let's get this party started." Nino declared given how they only had a short amount of time before lunch ended.
Rose hung out with Juleka and Alix, Ivan was with Mylene for obvious reasons. Nathaniel was in the back drawing like usual, looking like he was sketching the heroes. Chloe talked to Sabrina while Kim and Max were nearby for some odd reason, seemingly talking about something.
And Marin, well he was wheeling in a cake that he quickly ran home to get, though considering how the bakery was literally across the street from school it wasn't a long as he thought.
"Marin, that looks amazing." Adrienne said, nearly causing Marin to drop it at his crush compliment him."Where did you get it?"
"M-Y D-dad ma-de it," Marin stutter out looked away as managing to get that out. "We uh-own the bakery that uh just across the street so it was no problem."
"Wait you guys owned a bakery?" Adrienne sounded amazed at hearing that. Though, Marin do you know why.
"Not just that, that place is known as one of the best Bakeries in Paris." Alya butted in, helping her friend out like a wing woman does, placing a hand on Marin's shoulder. "Just about everyone in class stops by there now and then."
"I-It's not that special." Marin tried to deny, not wanting to sound like he was bragging around Adrienne.
"Boy you're crazy, I've been there a few days ago and the food there is mouth-watering, trust me, Adrienne, you would love the place."
"I'll have to visit sometime," Adrienne said, knowing that she would have to do it without her Dad knowing given her current occupation.
Though it was a long day, it was only the start of the beginning and mark the sign of true love.