"Turn this way now, please!"
Ella giggled as she watched Adrien shift the direction the photographer asked. It has been a couple hours already since the photoshoot began at the Trocadéro fountains, and luckily, she had not been asked to wear anything this time. So, instead of sitting at the manor working on her homework, Ella had accompanied her blond boyfriend (at his pouted request) and had spent the time writing and composing. Alya had texted her on occasion, asking what was up and where she was; Ella responded that she was at the photoshoot too, disclosing that Adrien had asked her to join. Alya responded with a thumbs up emoji.
Alya sighed as she and the rest of the girls headed over to the Trocadéro. Maybe this plan wasn't gonna go over the way she wanted... if Ella was there, then Adrien would only have eyes for her and probably only barely acknowledge Marinette! Ugh, maybe she should start discouraging Marinette from following this crush on Adrien, Alya couldn't help but think, as she watched her best friend walk ahead with Rose and Juleka.
Waiting until Vincent stopped clicking, Ella approached Adrien, gently tapping his arm with the water bottle. The teen pulled his gaze from the passing baby and took the bottle.
"Thanks, angel."
"Of course. Did Vincent say it was break time?" Ella smiled and waved at the little child, making Adrien smile wider at the sight. Now he wondered how Ella would act with kids... The teen shook his head, clearing those thoughts away for another time.
"No, he ran to get a lollipop from the stand down there to 'sweeten up' the photos. Though if we need sweet, I just need you next to me~" Adrien winked, making Ella flush maroon. She swatted playfully at his arm as Vincent came running back.
"Sassy, Mr. Model- be careful or someone might start calling you Cat Noir with those words~" she teased, moving back to her bench. Sitting back against the wood, Ella placed her journal beside her leg, pulled her scoresheet pad into her lap and allowed her mind to drift into her own little world; the scratch of her pencil on card-stock, the light breeze rustling her journal pages- it was perfect. She didn't even notice the 'Operation: Secret Garden' going on just above on the Trocadéro steps.
"Alright! Have a good day!" Adrien waved back at Vincent, turning from the photographer to find Ella still on her bench enthralled in whatever she was writing.
"Elle, time to go." He spoke soft, approaching slow. The girl barely jumped, her grey eyes finding his, a smile erupting onto her face.
"All done?"
"Yeah. Gorilla's probably waiting up top for us."
Helping her pack her things, Adrien led the way up the steps, engaging Ella in idle chatter as the pair headed up to the car.
"Did the lollipop thing work?" She asked, shifting her bag from one shoulder to the other. Adrien cocked his head before reaching over and taking the messenger bag.
"Hey!"
"I'll carry it- consider it payment for coming to the photoshoot." Adrien smirked that famous model smile, reveling in the blush he drew from his love, and continued up the steps.
The pair got to the top of the Trocadéro, spotting Gorilla heading towards them. Adrien had to hold in the visceral reaction to the akuma flying about above the man. Instinctively he stepped in front of Ella, causing her to stop.
"Adrien?" Ella's voice drifted to his ears, but Adrien kept his eye on the akuma and sighed when he saw the butterfly fly away as the Gorilla visibly relaxed at seeing him and Ella.
"Elle-" The blond started but paled seeing the akuma change direction and land somewhere on the baby stroller the two saw earlier.
"Ella- run. Now." Adrien grabbed her hand, dragging her away. But the crowd suddenly dispersing at the appearance of the new giant villain baby jostled the pair, and Adrien panicked when he felt Ella's hand ripped from his.
"Ella!" He shouted over the crowd.
"I'm fine!" That familiar voice shouted somewhere over the chaos, and Adrien hesitated for a split second before ducking around the side of the Trocadéro.
"Aww, I was just about to take a cheese break!" The kwami zipped out from the teen's jacket, a piece of camembert in his little paws.
"Aw, don't be such a baby, Plagg!" Adrien mocked with a smirk.
"Plagg, claws out!"
Ella had been quick to transform into Raven the moment she and Adrien had been separated. She dove from her spot, just barely grabbing a civilian from becoming baby fodder.
"Everyone, run towards the street!" She shouted over the chaos, making sure no one was in danger of getting trampled. As Raven ran through the crowd, she spotted a group of familiar girls.
"Girls! Get out of here!" She yelled, running over to them, and inadvertently attracting the attention of the giant baby.
"We can't find Marinette!" Alya cried, looking to the heroine for help. Raven groaned, pushing the girls towards the road. The others ran at her insistence, but Alya dug her feet in.
"You've gotta find Marinette! She could get hurt!"
"And so could you if you don't-"
A black shadow loomed over the pair, halting the argument for a second, as Gigantitan noticed the girls and tried to grab them. Raven grabbed Alya's hand and pulled, running for cover while Alya lifted her phone to take video.
"How about instead of filming, use your phone to light the way outta-" Raven's voice cut off as she accidentally activated Kiismet's special power, and her eyes began to glow as she mentally landed on the many paths of Alya's fate...
"Lollipop!" Gigantitan called, about to grab the girls when the sound of a bell chimed. The giant baby turned from the pair of frozen females to see Cat Noir jingling the bell around his neck and twirling his belt tail.
"Well, you're the biggest rugrat I've ever seen. Raven! Get her out of here!" Cat yelled the last part, leaping up when Gigantitan reached to grab him.
"Kitty!" Gigantitan cheered, making grabby-hands at the feline hero. Cat smirked and knelt down to jump.
"Let's go splish-splash, mega-baby!" Cat jumped onto Gigantitan's forehead, and then down to the ground.
"You can't catch me!" He playfully taunted, encouraging the villain to follow him.
"Let's get our feet nice and wet. But we can't squish anyone, okay?" Cat called, pole vaulting towards the river.
Raven felt the glow leave her eyes more than anything, as she tried to grasp one of the many situations she just saw. Alya watched the heroine, confused by what just occurred and by the look of utter shock on one of her idol's face.
"Raven?"
The girl's voice startled the noirette from her stupor, causing her to shake her head and drop Alya's hand.
"Go now. We can't have you getting caught up in the middle of a fight for the sake of filming something for your blog. You can't get hurt cause you... just go, Alya. Now."
Raven leapt away, leaving the redhead to question what just happened but she listened and ran towards her friends.
"Lolli!" Gigantitan managed to grab Cat and was about to suck on him when two female voices called out.
"Well, hey there, kitty cat. I see you're not much of a natural with kids, are you?"
"And you'd think babies would have a thing for such a pretty kitty~"
"Are you kidding? We were just playing a fun game of tag!" Cat smirked, using his staff to escape from Gigantitan's hands. He landed next to Ladybug and Raven, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"The akuma's probably in his bracelet." Ladybug observed and threw her yo-yo around Gigantitan's left hand. But the giant baby pulled his arm away and flung Ladybug up to the Trocadéro roof.
"Whoa ho! How about that? You're not much of a natural with kids either. Nice flying." Cat teased, he and Raven landing up on the roof where their leader landed.
"Ha-ha! For your information, I never babysat anything heavier than ten tons." Ladybug crossed her arms and minutely smiled at Raven's chuckle, but the girl stopped and grabbed Ladybug's arm, pulling her away from the edge.
"Kitty?" Gigantitan's voice came over the edge.
"Awe~ he's looking for you, chaton~" Raven cooed, earning a light elbow nudge from the feline hero. Ladybug's smile grew at the teasing, but noticed the bracelet reaching over the edge.
"Yes!" She leapt over to grab it, but Gigantitan once again threw her off. She landed on the ground, where Cat Noir and Raven again joined her.
"Change of plans! To calm the baby down, just put him in a playpen."
"And exactly where are we gonna find a playpen his size?"
"The Eiffel Tower! We'll pen him up in there with my yo-yo string. Sing him some lullabies. You know some, don't you? We can read him a bedtime story! Make cooing noises. Then when he's getting sleepy...BAM! You'll use your Cataclysm to destroy his bracelet!"
"Interesting idea, LB. But how are we gonna get him there? Don't you have a simpler plan? How about your Lucky Charm?"
"He's a baby- he's easily distracted by noise and shiny things." Raven sighed, crossing her arms.
"If this is too complicated, just copy what I do."
The trio glanced up at the sound of thuds, and leapt out of the way before Gigantitan could grab them. They landed yards away, heading towards the tower.
"Yoohoo!"
"Over here, little guy!"
"Come on, sweetheart!"
Their calls alerted the giant baby to their location, Gigantitan following the sound and their movements.
"Once we get him in his playpen, I'll sing him a lullaby."
"Uh, we want to calm the baby down, not burst his eardrums, Cat Noir."
"What? I have a great voice, you know? Or our resident songbird can do us the honors." Ladybug chuckled at him, glancing over at Raven. Said girl just blushed under the mask and looked away.
"Lollipop! Lollipop!" Gigantitan chanted, following the heroes... until something on the ground caught his eye.
"Hey!"
"Over here!"
"We're losing him! Raven, Cat Noir! We gotta get his attention back!"
Cat Noir runs off to find something, while Raven stood there a moment, studying the villain across from them. Ladybug couldn't help but watch her, guilt eating at her chest. She opened her mouth to say something- anything!- to make the guilt go away, when honking alerted the females to Cat Noir's plan. He was sitting in the drivers seat of the Agreste car, honking the horn and smirking his face off.
"Kitty!" Gigangitan cried in joy, stumbling over to the car. Cat Noir got out quick, so that Gigantitan could play.
"Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!"
"I loved playing with cars when I was a kid, too." Cat Noir commented, twirling his staff before tucking it into its holster. The trio of heroes watched the scene before them a moment, until Raven broke the silence with a comment that made them all burst out laughing.
"I'll bet Hawk Moth is having a coronary wherever he is right now."
The teens laughed as if nothing was wrong, wiping away tears as Gigantitan pushed the car down towards the Eiffel Tower.
"Look! He's going to his playpen all by himself! Good job, kitty!" Ladybug praised, running down after the villain. Cat Noir chuckled giddily, catching Raven's eye. The noirette rolled her eyes playfully but gave him a kiss on the cheek before following after the team lead.
"Here we go!" Ladybug encircled the Eiffel Tower several times with her yo-yo string to pen up Gigantitan. Cat Noir wolf-whistled in amazement when she actually managed to trap the villain. He and Raven applauded her when she landed back next to them. But Gigantitan, upset at the sudden enclosure, pulled on the string... forcing the unbreakable rope cutting through the metal of the tower legs.
"Hurry, Cat Noir! Use your Cataclysm on his bracelet!"
"At your command, LB! Cataclysm!"
Cat Noir leapt up to use his Cataclysm on the bracelet, but Gigantitan shook his arm and sent Cat Noir hurtling off into the distance before he could do anything. Then, with Gigantitan's enormous strength, Ladybug's yo-yo string cut the tower's supports, and the whole tower began to fall behind the temperamental toddler.
"Oh crap..." Raven muttered, eyes following the collapsing landmark. With an ear-deafening thud, the metal hit the ground behind Gigantitan, who started to trek back towards the Trocadéro and Ladybug's yo-yo still attached.
Raven couldn't help the chuckle at the sight of Ladybug being pulled by the giant baby, who was still chanting for a lollipop. Raven jogged behind the odd couple, as Ladybug grabbed hold of a lamppost to try and stop the charge.
"Lollipop!" This time, the lollipop is the lamppost... and Ladybug.
"Hey, silly baby! This isn't a delicious lollipop!"
"Raven's Flight!"
The bright flash of color distracted Gigantitan enough to drop Ladybug, and the larger than life bird flying around his head pulled his attention away long enough for a real plan to be made.
"Thank you, Raven..." Ladybug whispered, taking a second to steady her breathing. Cat Noir reappeared next to Ladybug, holding up his beeping ring.
"Quick! We don't have much time left!"
"Okay! Enough with complicated plans. Sometimes it's best to just get straight to the point. Lucky Charm! Gift wrap?"
"Great! Now figure something out so we can wrap this up." Ladybug rolled her eyes at the joke, and started scanning with her Lucky Vision. Spotting another lamppost, Cat Noir's bell, and the gift wrap, Ladybug had a plan developing quick.
"Got it!"
The pair got working on the plan fast, Cat Noir keeping his eye on Raven flying just out of the giant toddler's reach. Luckily Ladybug signaled to him to start the plan, just as Gigantitan started to cry at not being able to catch the pretty bird flying about, and Cat Noir flicked the bell on his costume.
"Who wants a nice tasty lollipop?" Cat Noir called, pointing to the lamppost gift-wrapped to look like a lollipop. He vaulted out of the way of the now smiling toddler, landing beside a de-transformed Raven.
"Lollipop!" Gigantitan stomped over and uprooted the lamppost, and peeled off the wrapping to reveal Ladybug.
"You've heard of the Trojan Horse. Now meet the Parisian lollipop!" Ladybug leapt over and punched the release button on the bracelet, causing it to fall to the ground. Then she jumped down and broke it to reveal the akuma.
"No more evil-doing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilize! Gotcha! Bye bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!"
The Miraculous Cure ladybugs flew about and fixed all the damage, including the Eiffel Tower (and André's ice cream cart that Cat Noir had fallen on). Gigantitan turned back into August in mid-air, and Raven caught him gently.
"Birdy!"
"Yes, little August, your aunty is a birdy~" Raven cooed, nuzzling her nose against August's own.
"Looks like you're a more natural with babies than either of us." Ladybug smiled, Cat Noir chuckling beside her.
"August!" The trio looked up, seeing August's mother running to get her son.
"Mama!" Raven awed at the cuteness, holding out the toddler.
"We gotta get going, Raven. Bye bye, little guy. Bye, Raven." Ladybug nodded at her partner, before zipping away. Cat Noir hung around long enough to give Raven a kiss on her forehead before pole-vaulting up to the rooftops.
"Thank you, Cat Noir! Thank you, Ladybug!" August's mom called after the heroes before turning to Raven.
"And thank you, Raven! You looked so at ease holding August just now despite everything."
"Well I've thought about having a child of my own, so it's nice to hold them when I can." She smiled sadly at the toddler, before her choker gave a beep.
"I've gotta dart. Bye, August!"
Ella sighed, stretching her arms just a moment before running out to reconnect with Adrien.
"A child of your own, huh~" Kiismet teased around a mouthful of walnut.
"Hush you."
"I just never pegged you for wanting kids, Elly."
"I didn't before... I never thought I could bring a child into this world at the risk of something happening to them like what happened to me... but now? Maybe... just maybe... But Kiisy? What are we gonna do about what I saw?"
Kiismet frowned at the words, crossing her little arms.
"...we're gonna have to go talk to the Guardian of the Miraculous. We can't avoid it anymore. What you saw could be dangerous this time around."
The noirette nodded, took a deep breath and turned the corner, running headlong into-
"Ella! There you are!" Arms encircled her, making her tense for just a moment before that familiar scent washed over her and relaxed her panic.
"You had me so worried! I couldn't find you!"
"I'm alright, Adrien- don't worry! I hid down the avenue away from the fighting. Once I saw Ladybug's powers, I came back looking for you."
"I'm just glad you're safe..."
"Same here, étoile~"
The pair re-hiked the steps, seeing the car and Gorilla waiting.
"Wanna see if we can stop for some lunch?"
"Sure- I'll text-"
"Adrien!" Both teens stopped, turning at the voice, seeing Marinette walk over to them.
"Marinette! What are you doing here?"
"I came here to do some sketching! I can't believe we've run into each other here! Hey, would you like to-?" Her question was cut off by Gorilla honking the car horn impatiently. Ella sighed; the poor man's already had a long day.
"Hang pout? I mean, hang about? No, hag out? Oh, forget it. Better not keep your guard waiting." Marinette chuckled sheepishly, her eyes showing the sadness at not being able to get the words out. Ella couldn't help but turn away, having to hide her own frown at the stab to her chest. She shouldn't feel jealous- she knows that. But... it still hurts to see Marinette try so hard when all she's gonna do is fail at getting Adrien to love her.
"Uh, okay." Adrien started towards the car, opening the door for Ella, but stopped when she nudged him and motioned to Marinette. Luckily, the boy was becoming less stupid because of her and caught on.
"But we can take you home if you want it." Adrien offered, turning slightly back to the blunette.
"No, it's okay! I'll take a coleslaw home. Thanks!"
In the car, Ella slapped her hand to her forehead. Really, Marinette?
"Okay...enjoy your meal, then. See you at school tomorrow!" Adrien chuckled awkwardly and waved before he got in the car and closed the door, Gorilla driving off almost immediately.
Adrien sighed as he closed the door to his room; it had been a long day.
He was alone, Ella being called into the atelier by Nathalie to discuss a few more things about the adoption, but she promised to join him for some study time before dinner.
Taking a seat on the couch in his room, the blond couldn't help but remember back a little under two weeks ago: when Raven had visited to check on his wellbeing and sang him to sleep after he told her about the stress threatening to overwhelm him...
"That song was really pretty... wait." Adrien's brain clicked something into place, and he ran for his bag at his desk.
"What's got you freaking out?" Plagg's voice barely registered with the teen as he dug through his stuff for that single sheet of paper.
"Found it!" Adrien exclaimed, carefully unfolding the paper and scanning the words written there.
"What's up with you, kid?" Plagg asked again, landing on Adrien's shoulder.
"Remember when Raven visited? After Ella got out of the hospital? And she sang that lullaby?"
"What're you getting at?"
"That song Raven sang is the same one Ella was writing when school started! How would Raven know it? Unless Ella showed it to her, but she doesn't like to share her songs! But..."
Plagg panicked, flitting up and waving his paws in front of Adrien's face.
"N-now wait, kid! I'm sure there's an explanation!"
Adrien ignored the kwami, his eyes studying the paper. The words floated through his mind, memories and similarities played...
"Plagg... is there a chance Ella could be Raven?"