Hello all! And welcome to the last episode(s) of season 2! Coincidentally on the even number 40! Wow, 40 chapters. Pretty sure this is the longest book I've written so far. Anyway, I am excited for this chapter, which I will proooobably combine parts 1 and 2 of heroes day, just because I know a lot of it will shorten as a whole. Anyway, enjoy!
Lucy yawned and rubbed her face with her hands as she leaned against her homeroom desk. She had slept horribly last night. Confusing nightmares filled her mind, never letting her fall into the rested slumber she needed. Distress, anger, fear, Hawkmoth, red, war. Like flashes in her mind. She had hoped that if she were going to dream, it would be of her father again. Since Sandboy, Lucy had found herself in her father's office on two other occasions. She didn't understand why she was dreaming about him, especially at work. She had inquired about it to her father, who explained that his office is where she most connected his existence when she thought of him. It was kind of strange how easily her mind could answer its own question like that. Their "visits" were short and as he always was, remained rather cryptic when talking to her. Nonetheless, she looked forward to these dreams. At least then she got to spend some time with her dad again, even if only for a little while. However, the images that plagued her mind last night were nothing as pleasant and Lucy couldn't help but wonder what it all meant.
As the classroom settled Ms. Bustier opened up a skype call with Lila, who since her embarrassing encounter with Ladybug had been out of school. Apparently, her parents had decided to take an over sea's trip to the kingdom of Achu. Lila's parents worked in the Italian Embassy in Paris and their job required occasional diplomatic travel. The teacher inquired about her time in the kingdom of Achu, to which Lila bosted about how wonderful it all was as well as how Prince Ali, who had made a short visit to Paris a few months ago, had invited Lila and her parent to his palace.
"Excuse me, Lila, but Prince Ali couldn't possibly have invited you because he is in the United States." Marinette pointed out with her phone, attempting to catch Lila in her lie. Lila easily laughs off Marinette's objection.
"I never said he was actually there, Marinette. I just said he invited us, that's all. His parents organized the visit."
Of course, knowing Lila's need to story tell, Lucy was skeptical with her words. She had figured Lila had to at least be honest about her location, after all, what parents wouldn't notice their child missing weeks of school on end? However Lucy also knew that Lila was a crafty liar, and if her parents were as busy as it seemed they would be, perhaps she might just have the means to get away with it. The overkill of the lie really set in when Lila told the class her heroes day deed was to propose a pollution reduction treaty with the help of Prince Ali. Lucy couldn't understand why Lila needed everyone to like her so badly. Sure, she wasn't a superhero, but most people aren't. What happened to her to make her so afraid of anyone seeing her? There are worse things than being invisible. Lucy closed her eyes and took a breath. The last thing she needed was that man's voice in her head.
"Well, it isn't going to be easy living up to Lila's standards but let's not forget that we can all be heroes for this one day. We may not have Prince Ali as a friend but..." Ms. Bustier was interrupted by principal Damocles in his Owl hero costume, beaming with enthusiasm as he pulls up an image of Ladybug, Chat Noir, Rena Rouge, Carapace, Tigress, Queen bee, and of course, himself.
"We do have imagination. Hoo! Hoo! This year, Ladybug and Cat Noir have been our heroes, protecting us from the terrible Hawk Moth. They've shown us that heroism is beyond comic books and fairy tales. Heroism is real, and it is up to you to show us how Ladybug and Cat Noir brought out the best in all of us. By being everyday heroes!"
"So what heroic deeds have you all planned? Nino?" Ms. Bustier asked.
"I gotta admit, I've never used to do anything for anyone before, but Ladybug and Cat Noir have shown me what being cool is really about. So this year, I'm going to visit the elderly residents at the local retirement home and play them all their favorite songs." Nino told everyone as they all gave him small applause
"Adrien?"
"Today I plan to give my fencing classmates a lesson in Chinese and my Chinese classmates a lesson in fencing," Adrien told them.
"Alya?"
"Last year, I wrote an article about equipping public buildings with disabled access. But after seeing Ladybug and Cat Noir going that extra mile every single day, I decided that I, too, can do better. So I got the mayor's approval to improve facilities so that handicapped kids can actually attend our school."
Everyone clapped and Ms. Bustier glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Lucy. Her eyes lit up a moment as she called her name and Lucy stood shyly.
"Well, as well all know, most of the people in this very room have been akumatized at least once. I think everyone has except for Marinette and Adrien actually." Lucy spoke, looking over at the two who smiled awkwardly. "Kudo's to you two and your self-control I guess." She then said with a small laugh. "Anyway, I reached out to most of you as well as many people outside of school about their experience and attempted to start up ah well.." She cleared her throat. "A support group of sorts. A lot of us, don't remember what we did while under the influence of Hawkmoth, but knowing someone took over your mind and made you do terrible things...it can be a little heavy of a load to carry sometimes. And I am hoping that by making this group we can find a way to carry it together. Some of you have been very supportive and I am looking forward to seeing you," Lucy said looking around the room, getting nods from several students. "Others have needed time to think about it." She glanced at Chloe who immediately looked away. "But regardless, all are welcome, so long as you have been akumatized of course. Sorry Marinette, Adrien. You can't be part of the traumatized cool kids club. But maybe you two can start your own club. The emotionally stable cool kids club perhaps?" She joked once more before clearing her throat again. "Anyway, the first meeting is this evening. After all the festivities of course." Lucy took her seat and the class gave her a round of applause. Adrien smiled up at her softly before his attention was brought to Marinette who's name was called next.
Marinette felt awful as she displayed her box of macarons. After all, so far everyone seemed to really be putting their best foot forward this year and she didn't have time to plan anything. She knew that as Ladybug, her good deed Karma had to be high but as Marinette, she had nothing, well...almost nothing.
"Uh...so I, uh, yeah. I have...macarons."
"Wow, like every year? You obviously went above and beyond, Dupain-Cheng." Chloe mocked. Alya quickly jumped to Marinette's aid.
"Hey! She did what she could, and that's better than nothing!"
"Hey, I am doing something. Now that I'm a superhero myself, I'll be signing autographs for anyone who wants one." Lucy smiled and shook her head. She supposed it did count as something.
"Wait! It's not just macarons for us. I'm actually organizing a school-wide macaron tasting." Marinette shouted suddenly. Perhaps she was fibbing, but she knew her parents. They would help. She could do this! "Yeah. And they'll be more than just macarons, too. They'll be pastries and pies and fruits and cakes for anyone who wants them. I invite everybody to the biggest tasting at the park tonight."
"Cake for everyone!" Ivan cheered, followed by everyone else.
Marinette smiled nervously, hoping she wasn't making a huge mistake.
OoOoOoOoOoo
At lunch break, students began to disperse. Some eating at school, others leaving to do so at home or just out. Lucy noticed Chloe's point tail in the crowd as she made her way to the exit and quickly jogged over to her.
"Chloe!" Lucy called out, making the icy girl pause and turn her head.
"Ugh, yes Lucy? What is it? I have a lunch date with daddy."
"About tonight-" Chloe quickly grabs Lucy by the arm and pulls her into a nearby corner while shooting her a glare.
"I already told you, I'm not going to your little sad-man-group, got it?"
"Chloe, I really think it might benefit you." Chloe rolls her eyes and scoffs.
"Benefit me? Really? I doubt that. Besides. Even if I wanted to go- which I don't, I couldn't."
"What? Why not?"
"You invited practically everyone in our class right?"
"Yes?"
"And how exactly did the majority of them get akumatized again?" Chloe asked. Lucy realized now Chloe's dilemma. "What do you want Lucy? I to show up at you're ex-villain party and then what? Everyone points the finger at me 'Well if Chloe wasn't so mean maybe I wouldn't have lost control of my emotions- boohoo'" Chloe mocked with a pout. "I may be the bad guy to most people, but believe it or not I am not the sole reason behind their inability to keep their emotions in check and I won't be their copout reason for being akumatized. I've been akumatized too. More than once as a matter of fact and you know who triggered it both times? Ladybug. Paris's hero. You know how much I love Ladybug. And everyone knows how proud I am to be on her team but being able to de-evilize an Akuma doesn't give her the inability to cause akumas either. People are shitty sometimes. Even the ones who aren't supposed to be. So yeah, pass." Chloe told her before turning and walking away from Lucy who could do nothing but sigh. She hated to admit it, but Chloe had a point. She couldn't speak for everyone, but Lucy knew there were many people who if Chloe showed up, might look to blame her. It wasn't completely fair, but most things in life aren't.
Chloe had not even stepped into the limo yet when her phone rang and her father's name appeared on the screen. She answered, believing it was simply a check-in call, seeing that her chat with Lucy had put her behind schedule only for it to be a cancelation.
"I'm sorry my dear!" Her father's voice rang out through the speaker. "There is a dreadful situation taking place! I am afraid I must cancel our lunch plans. Please stay at the school for the moment until things get handled!" Chloe scoffed as she looked at her phone in annoyance before opening up her social media to see an utterly dreadful situation indeed. Ladybug and Chat Noir fighting on top of one of the parade balloons. Quickly Chloe ran back into the courtyard to see everyone on their phones. Looking back down at her own, a feeling of shock rolled through her.
Ladybug had killed Chat Noir.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Adrien practically jumped out of his car when he was brought back to school. Noticing Marinette sending the steps he called out her name, excited to tell her he was allowed to come to her tasting in the park. He smiled as she assured him that he was welcome and that there would be more than enough food to go around. The smile was short-lived as the two entered the courtyard to see their fellow students huddled around one another with their phones out.
"What's going on?" Marinette asked as she and Adrien approached Julika, Rose, and Mylene. Rose showed the news clip to Adrien and Marinette as they watched in shock to see the reporter say that Chat had been taken out and that Ladybug had been akumatized and was now working for Hawkmoth. Despair was evident on everyone's faces as suddenly a bunch of red akumas futtered around the reporter as well as Jagged Stone and Clara Nightengale, re-akumatizing each of them. The student body soon began to panic as that same red akumas flew into the school.
"Everyone thinks Ladybug and Chat have been taken down," Adrien spoke, watching his fellow students try and get away from the akumas, most failing.
"Don't let fear control you!" Marinette shouted to her classmates.
"Remember now! There's a hero in every one of us." Ms. Bustier told them as Mr, Damocles swatted at the akumas.
"As long as we show we're not scared. Hoot hoot!" He spoke as shooting his grappling hook.
"I'm scared," admitted Nino as he and Alya ran together. He didn't want to be the bubbler again. To be controlled by hawkmoth and made into one of his evil puppets. Not again. Alya, noticing Juleka fending off the Akuma with bravery comforted Nino, encouraging him to do the same.
Adrien placed a hand on Marinette, grabbing her attention.
"What is it?" She asked, noticing his look of concern.
"Lucy."
Marinette's eyes widened at the realization. If Lucy thought Chat Noir was dead...The two separated and ran around the crowds looking for Lucy. Spotting her was difficult in the panic but they quickly found her in the center of the courtyard staring at her phone. The two teens jogged up to her and Adrien went to take a hold of her shoulders when Marinette stopped him. If Lucy turned, she would be Time Breaker again. Her touch would kill him.
"Lucy..." Marinette called out gently.
"I watched him die," Lucy said, her voice quiet. "Ladybug she..."
"Don't listen, Lucy. Something isn't right! Ladybug would never allow herself to be akumatized! Something isn't right and you know it!" Adrien tried to convince her. Lucy didn't look at either of them as a red Akuma flew closer to her.
"Lucy! Don't let your fear control you!" Marinette shouted, not wanting another friend against her. To this Lucy looked up. Her expression was hard as stone as she shot the two a small smirk.
"Don't worry guys, I'm not afraid." She told them as the Akuma fluttered just over her head.
"I'm pissed."
The Akuma attached itself to her and once again Lucy became Time Breaker with a bit of a red twist in her outfit. Adrien and Marinette backed away only for her to tilt her head at them.
"Perhaps you should follow your own advice Marinette. Don't let your fear control you."
With that Time Breaker calming made her exit. Marinette and Adrien didn't have time to contemplate Time Breakers' words and instead ran off to try and help other students and staff get away from the akumas before running off into separate locations to transform.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Defeat seemed inevitable. Even with the backup they had from Rena, Carapace, and Queen Bee, Ladybug and Chat found themselves making a run for it down the sewer line. The two heroes separated into different sides of the line and de-transformed, quickly feeding their Kwamis.
"You okay, Ladybug?" Adrien asked from the other side of the wall.
"Hawkmoth has never re-akumatized so many people in one go. Something's changed." Marinette said in thought. How was this possible?
"Maybe he's figured out how to boost his powers, just like we did."
"You still think we can win?"
"You could, but you didn't." Marinette jumped at the sound of Lucy's voice. Turning to look at her she found Lucy was still Time breaker. She wasn't one of the few people they were able to de-akumatize. Not that it mattered. The ones that they had were simply re-akumatized anyway. Marinette backed into the wall in fright, horrified that Time breaker was close enough to touch her, and even more so that she knew exactly who she was.
"What?! What are you doing here?" Marinette asked. "How did you-"
"We don't have time."
"Is that Lucy?!" Adrien asked, hearing her voice.
"Not exactly," Marinette said, still uncertain of what to make of the encounter.
"You are going to lose," Lucy told her. "You're going to lose over such a simple mistake." Her tone was solemn. As if she had already witnessed...
"You're from the future." Marinette conducted. "That's how...but why? Hawkmoth...shouldn't he-?"
"You'd be surprised what can happen when you take on an Akuma willingly," Lucy told her. "But I don't have time to explain anymore. Their coming."
"But Lucy...Time Breakers ability...to be from the future that means you..." Lucy and Marinette stared at one another intently as Adrien listened from the other side. Neither hero could believe it. You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature which lives must do so. It is the ultimate shadow, the defeat of creation; this is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life. Everywhere in the universe. It has been said that there must be a villain for every hero, a demon for every angel, a monster for every god. Despite what we are, Lucy did not believe this. She has seen the villainous act heroic, and men called heroes act villainous. The ability to heal does not make one good any more than the ability to kill makes one evil. Kill the right people, and you become a hero. Heal the wrong ones, and you become a villain. It is our choices that define us, not our abilities.
"I had to see what would happen. For it to all play out. Then sacrifices were made to change it."
Originally, Lucy had witnessed Hawkmoth get the upper hand on Ladybug and Chat Noir. Volpina uses an illusion while the real Hawkmoth sneaks up behind the two heroes, gaining the upper hand on them as he knocks Chat in the head with his cane and kicking Ladybug to the side right into Volpina who was able to quickly take a hold of her earings while Hawkmoth snatched Chat's ring. Marinette was exposed and so was Adrien. No one is an unjust villain in his own mind. Even - perhaps even especially - those who are the worst of us. Some of the cruelest tyrants in history were motivated by noble ideals or made choices that they would call 'hard but necessary steps for the good of their nation. You remain the hero of your own story even when you become the villain of someone else's. Upon discovering Chat's identity, Hawkmoth revealed himself. Not by changing back of course, for that would de-akumatize all his minions. He instead greeted Adrien as his son. Lucy could tell Hawkmoth had been surprised at Chat's identity. To be frank she had been too. Adrien tried his best. He tried to fight his shock and plea with his father to stop what he was planing. The image of Adrien's face burned into Lucy's mind as his father looked down on him and gave a quiet and simple explanation.
"I'm going to bring her back."
She could hear Marinette shout at them both. Ignoring whatever feelings she might have about discovering Chat's identity and instead focusing on the problem at hand. All magic comes with a price. A price that is never revealed until after the damage has been done.
Do you see the butterfly?" Gabriel grinned with enthusiasm as a red butterfly floated in between him and Adrien.
"Yes, I see it, but—"
"So stunning and delicate; it's marvelous. No one can see a butterfly and not stop to admire it. I'd love to be one. To go to sleep and wake up a season later with such beautiful wings and the ability to flutter about. That's the most wonderful sort of magic, don't you think? To change, to grow, to fly. But…" He paused. "I wonder what the cost would be." The smile diminished once more. "There's always a cost when it comes to magic. I suspect there is a great price to go from lowly caterpillar to glorious butterfly."
"Whatever it is it's too much!" Marinette shouted. Hawkmoth glanced back at the pigtailed over his shoulder.
"I don't blame you for not understanding Marinette. You have no idea what loss is. Nor the lengths one feels the need to go to in order to change it. But you do son." He said bringing his attention back to Adrien. "Can you really tell me, your mother isn't worth it?"
Before she could watch Adrien's internal conflict send him into akumatization, Lucy slipped away. Taking advantage of Hawkmoths distracted state to put her plan into motion undetected. She touched every person she passed, not giving them the chance to react before gathering enough energy to travel to this moment in time.
"You know our identities," Marinette said to which Lucy replied.
"I won't if you succeed."
Adrien shook his head from the other side of the wall in confusion. "But if we stop you from having to go back and tell us, how will you have told us?" Lucy sighed.
"Time is delicate and complicated and ironically enough as I already told you I don't have enough of it to explain everything."
"What do we need to do." Marinette then said, determination.
"Simple," Lucy explained. "Pay better attention to your lucky charm." The sound of the other Akumatized victims grabbed the attention of the three. Lucy brings her eyes back to Marinette. "Times up."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Ladybug and Chat ran through the streets of Paris, avoiding enemies as much as they could. Humanity could sometimes be surprising. The people of Paris, those who managed to evade being akumatized charged the streets to aid Ladybug and Chat. Sometimes heroes didn't leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn't wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else's. Take the case of courage. No quality has ever so much addled the brains and tangled the definitions of merely rational sages. Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die. This paradox is the whole principle of courage; even of quite earthly or brutal courage. A soldier surrounded by enemies, if he is to cut his way out, needs to combine a strong desire for living with a strange carelessness about dying. He must not merely cling to life, for then he will be a coward, and will not escape. He must not merely wait for death, for then he will be a suicide, and will not escape. He must seek his life in a spirit of furious indifference to it; he must desire life like water and yet drink death like wine.
As Chat ran into Time Breaker, who stood only a few feet away, she smiled at him and brought a finger to her lips.
"Don't worry kitty. Should you lose, I will save you."
"You already did." He told her softly. "Now it's my turn."
She tilted her head to the side and looked him over. "Do it."
With nothing else to say Chat reached for her locket and smashed it on the ground, watching her transform back into Lucy. They smiled at one another before Chat bolted away to finish the job. Ladybug had made sure to remember Lucy's words and paid close attention to her Lucky Charm, which had appeared to be a miraculous box. It was doing so that she was able to spot the real Hawkmoth sneaking up on the two in an attempt to akumatize them with the help of dark cupid. The two heroes managed to come closer to taking down Hawkmoth than they ever had before. With Their other teammates unakumatized, they sprung into action only for a single blue feather to float past them and land on Hawkmoths cane. A giant moth-like monster appeared. By the time Ladybug got close enough to try and attack it, it was gone, and so was Hawkmoth.
OoOoOOoOo
Lucy carefully placed her cheesecake on the blanket with everyone else's food. As it turns out, Marinette had bitten off a bit more than she could chew with the whole "school-wide tasting" idea. Luckily for her, she had a class full of rad people who were willing to help not spoil the day, any more than it already had been, and each showed up with a dish. Lucy spotted Adrien making his way towards the group and got up to greet him. She looks down at his dish and raised an eyebrow.
"It's a quiche." He told her with a smile. Lucy laughed and nodded.
"I can see that. I can't help but notice though, that this quiche has already bun eaten." She told him, pointing out the missing slice. Adrien chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Right, about that. Turns out, I have no idea how to bake and my personal chef had already gone home for the day. But he made this earlier today! I had it for breakfast, it's delicious."
Another laugh escaped Lucy as she nodded her head toward the laid-out blanket.
"Go ahead and pop a squat somewhere. I'm sure Marinette will be happy you are here, especially with a dish. She felt bad for not being able to follow through with what she told everyone. Not as heroic as I think she planned."
"Marinette helps people all the time," Adrien said while looking over at the pigtailed girl. "She's a great person and I think she forgets that sometimes."
Lucy nodded. "Well, I'm sure she would appreciate a reminder." Adrien smiled and looked at Lucy determinedly.
"I think I will. and by the way, 'pop a squat'?" He then said making a face. Lucy laughed and shoved him forward.
"Just go sit somewhere. You and your already-ate-out-of-quiche."
The boy hardly got the chance to get comfortable when his phone chimed and he had to let everyone know he couldn't stay. His father had a charity event planned and needed his son to show face. He sighed and rose from his spot next to Marinette who couldn't help but feel disappointed that Adrien had to go.
" I wanted to tell you. Rose was right earlier." Adrien spoke as he looked down at Marinette. "You're always helping people. Like that day you helped Juleka overcome her class photo curse. Or when you partnered Nathaniel and Marc together to make that comic book. Or when you helped me and Lucy get to the movies so that I could see my mother on the screen. That's why everyone jumped at the chance to help you with the picnic. So today, it was our turn to help you. You're our everyday Ladybug. Have a good evening, Super-Marinette."
With his praise floating around on repeat in her mind Marinette stood and raced after Adrien, running straight into his as he stopped at hearing her call. It took all of her courage but Marinette managed to kiss Adrien on the cheek and thanked him for his kind words. Adrien, who was slightly taken back by the response, smiled at her and told her you're welcome. Lucy jumped at the sound of the crowd of friends who then cheered. Everyone but Adrien being very aware of the crush Marinette had. The only one who wasn't was Chloe who didn't understand why everyone would be so giddy over the interaction. Well, she and Lucy who simply didn't share the same enthusiasm as the others. Though, when Marinette found her eyes, she smiled and nodded in her direction.
OoOooOOOoOoOoOO
Lucy was nervous. After hanging out at the picnic for a while Lucy had excused herself to set up for her group meeting. She didn't know how many people would actually show face and had added and taken away the same six chairs four times now. She didn't want there to be a lack of seats but also didn't want to have to stare at a bunch of empty chairs after expecting more people than there were. She had gotten permission to use a community banquet hall for her setup. It was a decent-sized room fit for a max of a hundred and fifty people. Lucy wasn't expecting nearly that many people and started to feel like the space was too large and those who would show up would become blatantly aware of how many didn't. Climbing up the two steps that lead to the small stage at the far end of the room, Lucy overlooked everything and bit her thumbnail nervously.
"Boo!" A voice shouted, making Lucy jump and scream. Chat poked his head out from behind the backdrop curtain ad gave Lucy a nervous smile as she glared at him.
"Seriously?"
"Sorry," He laughed. "You're not usually the jumpy type. I had to take the opportunity." Lucy sighed and rolled her eyes as Chat eyed her curiously. "I heard about your little soiree and thought I'd stop in before anyone showed up. You seem on edge, is everything alright?"
Lucy took another deep breath and nodded. "Yeah...yeah. I just...I don't know. Usually, support groups are hosted by someone who has had a similar experience and has found a way to overcome it, thus helping others to do the same but...I mean, I was akumatized today. It is Heroes day and I was a villain." Chat placed a gentle hand on Lucy's shoulder and gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Lucy, a lot of people were akumatized today. I mean A LOT. But you were in a league all of your own. You took on an Akuma willingly Lucy, and instead of letting it consume you, you used your anger to your advantage."
"I know," Lucy told him. "I remember."
"You do?" She nodded.
"Taking that Akuma willingly, Hawkmoth didn't have to channel anything. It makes me wonder if that same could be said for Lila. She became Volpina because she wanted to. She helped him because she wanted to."
"But you didn't."
Lucy shook her head no. "No. My rage was for Hawkmoth. Seeing you die due to Ladybug using your own power against you? That horrified me." Chat frowned at the memory crossing Lucy's face. "But that horror was quickly replaced with anger. If Ladybug had killed you, it was because she was akumatized by Hawmoth, if it was all a fake situation, it was a fake horror brought by Hawkmoth. That's what made it hard to stay undetected. Fear and despair were the emotions that Hawkmoth was able to use to akumatize most of the others. When he akumatizes you, he offers something. Usually, a way to get back at whoever wronged you. For everyone else that offer was simple. Aid him, and never have to be afraid again. For me, it had to be different. So I directed my rage at a specific target."
"Who?" Chat asked. "Ladybug?"
"Volpina," Lucy answered. "Directing it to Ladybug was too risky. Since she hadn't really killed you it wouldn't make sense for me to be enraged by something she had not even done. Volpina on the other hand chose the illusion. She chose every move, every word, every detail about the interaction she conjured up. I witnessed what I had witnessed because of her."
"So Hawkmoth just offered for you to go after her?"
"Not exactly. He still needed her after all. But he told me that after his victory, her purpose would have been fulfilled, and thus I could do with her as I pleased. I was just the backup plan. If he should fail, I was supposed to go back and warn him of your next move."
"Instead you went back to warn me and Ladybug." It wasn't a question so much as Chat putting all the pieces together.
"Did I? I remember everything up to you de-akumatizing me, but not ever using my power."
"Right!" Chat said with a snap of his fingers. "Since we technically beat him, you never went back...ugh. Time travel makes my head hurt."
"Probably best not to ut too much thought into it then," Lucy said with a wink. The sound of the metal door opening and closing grabbed the two teens' attention. Julika, Rose, Iva, Mylene, Ms. Bustier, and Mr. Damocles wander inside. They wave at Lucy who returns the gesture before popping back behind the curtain again. She lets out a shaky breath and Chat places both hands on her shoulders, giving her a reassuring smile.
"I'll be honest man, I'm a little nervous," Lucy admitted, the sound of the door opening again alerting her of the arrival of more people.
"Well, try not to be." Chat told her. "You are one of the wisest, kindest, bravest, people I know. This is exactly where you should be."
Lucy looked down and picked at her nails. "I don't know Chat. I really thought this was a good idea, but what if they need more than I can give them? What if I can't help save them from themselves?" Chat listed her chin with his fingertips. He hated to see such uncertainty in her eyes.
"Somebody needs what you have to give. Most often it's just your time. Your listening ear. It may be your arms to encourage. It may be your smile to uplift. Who knows? Maybe just like you have with me so many times, putting your arm around somebody and letting him or her know that you care can help begin to heal that person's heart. Maybe you can give a rescuing hug. You forget just how much a simple 'I'm here for you.' can do. I believe in your ability to help people be the best versions of themselves. And by the looks of it," Chat said pulling back the curtain slightly, to see that a once small group of people, had now grown to exceptionally larger. "they do too."
Lucy let out a small gasp as she looked out to see the crowd forming a few feet away. What was once a small handful of students from her class, as well as two staff, had grown to be most of her homeroom student body, as well as a number of the citizens she had talked to. They had almost all shown up. It was the most terrifying and exciting feeling she had had in some time.
"You have a healing power within you, Lucy. An unmatched ability to help put broken pieces back together. Trust me, I know from experience."
Lucy turned around and frowned at Chat. "You were never broken Chat Noir." Chat let out a sigh.
"I was, still am actually if I am being really honest." He told her. "But I find picking up those pieces and fitting them back together, a little easier every day I know you." He shuffled his feet under Lucy's intense gaze. "You're like...superglue."
"Superglue...?" Lucy repeated, a small smirk forming on her face. "Do I get a costume with that title?"
Chat chuckled and smirked back at her. "I might be able to pull some strings." Looking past her to the curtain, hearing the crowd, Chat nods towards it. "Probably shouldn't keep them waiting."
Lucy bites her lip and moves toward Chat, placing her palm on the left side of his face, bringing her head to kiss his right cheek. She lingers there for a moment before whispering against his face.
"Thank you, ballon."
He savored their closeness before hesitantly pulling away from her. "Always, Tiny weight."
Chat backed away and made his exit, leaving Lucy to take a deep breath before walking out onto the small platform stage. Social anxiety for the blonde girl had always been pretty minimal but when you find yourself standing in front of a crowd of maybe fifty or so people, it can be quite intimidating. She swallowed as the murmurs from them all chatting amongst themselves simmered down upon spotting her and Lucy mentally kicked herself from not having a microphone.
"Hello everyone!" She greeted. A few small waves were sent her way but were otherwise greeted back with silent stares. Clearing her throat, Lucy tried to shake off her nerves. In the corner of her eye, she spotted Chat peeking in through a nearby window. They made eye contact and he smiled at her, with a thumbs up. Lucy nodded, taking one last breath.
"Today...was a rough one." She spoke. "Today is Heroes day and ironically enough, the majority of us ended up acting very un-hero-like. Then, there were some of us who managed to push through and fight it and that's..." Looking at the crowd Lucy swallowed again. So many of these people looked...uncomfortable. "Actually, let's start a little different. Can we split this room? Just make a large space in the center, it doesn't;t matter which side of the room you're on or anything. The people did as they were asked, moving themselves as well as the few chairs off to the side, dividing the room.
"Ok, um, I want to ask you all a few questions, and if you relate to that question, to stand in the middle of the room for me okay? We'll start easy. I am a student." The children from school walked into the center of the room. "See easy, great, okay I am a teacher." The students went back to the places they had been standing while , Ms. Bustier, Armand D'Argencourt, and ice rink coach Philippe all take a stand in the center. "Great. I am a parent."
Mr. Damocles stays in place while the other teachers move to the side and are replaced with Sabrina's father Officer Rogers, Mylène's father, Fred Haprèle, Alya's father Otis, Andre the ice cream man, Nadja, Juleka's mother Anarka, and last, and probably most surprising, Chloe's father Andre. Looking around the room, not seeing her with the rest of the students during her fist question, Lucy searched for Chloe. It seemed that although the Mayor was present, that perhaps his daughter, much like his wife, had decided to opt out, but then, hidden away in a dark corner near the door, Lucy spotted her. Far enough to stay hidden, close enough to exit to escape if she was noticed.
"Alright. Let's take things up a little. I struggle to control my negative feelings." A majority of the crowd moved to the middle, with a few stragglers, some of who managed to not be akumatized today, remained at the side.
"I worry that my negativity will get me akumatized again." The few who stood off slowly made their way to the middle with the rest.
"I worry that people sometimes still see my akumatized form when they look at me."
"I worry I might hurt someone I care about." Again, no one moved from the center.
"Although I can't remember my actions, I still feel guilty and responsible for what I did while akumatized." As everyone remained in the center Lucy told everyone to look around them.
"Many of you looked very nervous and uncomfortable in the crowd a few minutes ago, but I did this exercise to show you that you don't have to be. Everyone in this room is here for a similar reason. The people standing beside you, understand what it is like to have done a terrible deed that you cannot remember, while everyone else can. We are parents, students, teachers, people, who seek comfort, and understanding, and forgiveness. It's heroes day. In our world, we are surrounded by heroes, we meet them every day. They will be the simple people who struggle but never give up, those who strive to be happy despite the cares of the physical world, those who dream of the day when they will find the truth, those who search for understanding as to why they were born, why there is pain, or what it all means, and yet continue to endure, knowing in their soul, somewhere deep inside, that there has to be an answer.
These are the heroes that we forget exist sometimes because, in many instances, it's just us. Despite the crimes we have been forced to commit in the past or even ones we may have done all on our own, every day you try to be better, you are a hero. And the people you care about and care about you, as well as every person in this room, already know that. And if they don't? They will." Lucy smiled and clasped her hand together, resting them under her chin in thought.
"There was a singer, Bob Marley."
"Heey, I've heard of that one all right!" Jagged Stone spoke and he nudged his assistant Penny who giggled and nodded her head.
Lucy smiled. "Well then I'm sure you know how his music was a lot about bringing people together. When he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down. Two days later he walked out on that stage and sang. When they asked him why - He said, "The people, who were trying to make this world worse... are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness."
"Singing don't worry about a thiinnngg" Jagged sang swaying as he did so.
"Cause every little thing gonna be all right," Penny added softly.
"Singing don't worry!" Anarka followed, only for Juleka, Meylen, and Ivan to sing with her. "Cause every little thing!"
Is gonna be alright.
OoOoOooOo
"She really is something isn't she?" Ladybug spoke, making Chat jump slightly, not noticing her presence as he watched through the window.
"Yeah." Chat agreed with a soft smile. "Hey, can I ask you something?" Ladybug brought her eyes to Chats. "Of course. What's up?"
"Why have you never given Lucy a Miraculous?" Ladybug's eyes widened a little at the question and Chat quickly went to stop her from being offended. "Not that you haven't chosen great comrades! I just mean...Lucy's got a good heart, and I know you might think my opinion is a little bias because I-"
"Chat, stop." Ladybug told him. "You're right. Lucy would make a great Miraculous holder."
"Then why haven't you given her one?"
"Because she doesn't need one." Ladybug admitted. "Look at her Chat." She said motioning her head to the window. "Maybe one day we will be in a situation and instantly I'll know just the person to ask for help, just like with the others, but as of the moment, Lucy is helping the people of Paris just fine as she is."
Chat smiled as he watched her engage with the people, everyone finally finding their seat, laughing and talking with one another. A passerby would simply assume they were a bunch of old friends just spending time together.
"I don't want to say it, but I feel like I have to." Ladybug then spoke. "You know, that if there is a day Lucy is given a Miraculous, that won't change your ability to share your identity with her right?" Chat's smile faded and for a moment, anger shot through his veins. As he brought his gaze back to Ladybug, the condescending question was not matched with a matching expression. Instead, Ladybug looked almost sad for him. The anger passed as quickly as it came and Chat sighed.
"I know. I honestly just think she would be a good protector of Paris."
"After what we saw today, she wouldn't be a good protector of Paris. She is."
Chat looked back inside and rested his head in his palms as he leaned on the window ledge and let out a sigh.
"I wonder if she's seeing anybody..."
"Don't you guys still talk?"
"Well, yeah, sometimes. But it's not like it was before. It can't be ya know? I can't imagine any conversation now or in the near future where she would find it a good idea to tell me about a potential love interest."
"Then why even torture yourself with wondering?"
"At least wondering in uncertain. If I asked and found out she liked someone for sure, oh boy. Who knows I might good into a blind jealous rage and-" He said lifting his hand as if to cataclysm. "Then what would I do? Oops, sorry I destroyed your chance at happiness. My bad, I just kinda sorta still might really be in love with you and the thought of you being with anyone else-"
"You would not do that!" Ladybug argued with a glare. Chat Noir laughed and waved her off.
"I know, I know. Of course, I wouldn't." He sighed. "I guess I wanna know, but at the same time don't. I wanna know, so I know she's not because is there is no one new romantically involved with her then somehow it still feels like there might be some hope that we might be able to work it all out. If she's not though..."
"It's over." Ladybug finished.
"For real," Chat added. "But I know it's only a matter of time. You know how amazing she is. Any guy would be an idiot for not seeing it!"
Ladybug crossed her arms and leaned against the brick wall as she peered inside the window. A mild annoyance filtering inside her as she thought of Adrien's confession a few weeks prior.
"Oh he sees it alright, don't worry, so far it doesn't seem that she's noticed." Ladybug muttered only for Chat to raise an eyebrow at her.
"Wait what?"
"What?" Ladybug repeated, alarmed by her own externally made thoughts.
"You know someone who likes Lucy? Do you know Lucy as a civilian!?" Chat stood, making Ladybug back away from him in panic.
"What?! No! Of course not! That's crazy! You're crazy!" She brought a hand to her earing. "Boop Boop boop! Oh, would you look at that! I'm about to transform back! BYE!" She shouted yo-yoing away.
"Hey wait!" Chat shouted after her. He pulled out his staff and for a moment really considered going after Ladybug but resisted. Even if he did, she wouldn't tell him anything more than what she had already kinda let slip. Regardless of if Ladybug knew Lucy in her civilian form, what she did seem to know was that someone might have a crush on his beloved blonde. A sense of panic set in but it was quickly followed by determination. If what Ladybug said was true, then Adrien needed to step up before it was too late.
OoOoOoOoO
Alright, there was chapter 40. Wow. This one was pretty fun. And we are done with season 2! I hope you guys are enjoying it so far and I cannot wait to read your comments and thoughts. It really motivates me and gives me an idea of what you guys like. I just got disney+ so hopefully, Miraculous will be put on there soon like I heard it's going to because I really wanna watch season 4 without subtitles and image quality problems on youtube ya know? Anyway! As always I will see you in the next chapter! Bye bye!