A/N: Well here we are my first short story and my first work that is not RWBY related. I am a fan of Miraculous Ladybug, the concept had potential to work and the animation is really eye catching. It's not Pixar level but it's better than most CG animated shows on television. However, like a lot of show there are flaws particularly in how it treats the plot development (considering how certain plot points go nowhere) and character development. When it comes to the latter there are several characters that I can bring up (*cough* Chloe *cough*) but one the less talked about characters is Adrien Agreste aka Cat Noir. The show like to tell us that Ladybug and Cat Noir are equals but there are several episodes where Cat Noir is under mind control or taken out of the fight by the villain or Ladybug just does everything all on her own with no problems. Cat Noir doesn't get to hand out miraculouses, be in the know of what's happening most of the time, and in the show hardly gets the amount for credit for helping save Paris (either from the public or from Ladybug herself). Now in this fic I would show more of Adrien's home life/super hero life from his perspective and him being more proactive in his life. This chapter in the next chapter will be a two-part introduction to the fic. This takes place between seasons 2 and 3.
Part 1: It's Time to Rise
It's been three days since Heroes' Day it's crazy how much things have changed since the last year. Ever since my…. my mother has disappeared, nothing was the same. Father has become…. more and more difficult. He never bothered to talk to me after what happened and for a long time forced me to stay at home never letting me see the outside. The only reason he lets me go out at all is to go to my many extracurricular activities. From fencing lessons to piano lessons, to my photo shoots, I always had some place to be. Sure some of these extracurricular activities were fun but I just felt that Father was just showing me off like a trophy to his other wealthy associates. Like one day I just heard him talk about how I am the perfect obedient son to him and that I should be placed on a pedestal.
My dad's personal assistant Nathalie is not much better. Granted she herself is not as bad as Father but she never seemed to let her guard down. She has never seemed to talk to my Father about his unfair rules, she never really seems to show any outward affection. I see her becoming closer and closer to Father every day, and I would be more than willing to accept her as a step mom especially if it makes Father happy. However recently she has been suffering from dizzy spells and have been really tired. Father says that there is nothing to worry about but it's exact same thing Mother suffered from before she disappeared. Nathalie is the closest thing I have to a mom…. I hope she is okay.
There is also my bodyguard which has not changed that much, he's cool and out of the three he seems to show the most care me. So then there is me, it's really hard to describe everything that has happened in the last year, but I'll do it anyways. It all started when I got a special ring.
It's called a miraculous, a special jewel that grants the user superpowers and a new costume. With every miraculous there is a kwami that helps you transform and is a guide for the wielder. My kwami is named Plagg and when I transform I become Cat Noir and I become gifted with the power of destruction.
Before Adrien could write more… he realized that it was time to go on patrol alongside another superhero.
"Wha... holy crap, it's almost time to go on patrol!" Adrien realized. "Plagg why didn't you tell me?".
"Don't look at me, I assumed you heard the alarm I set." Plagg nonchalantly stated.
"Whatever… let's just go." Adrien remarked. "Plagg, claws out!"
As Cat Noir left his mansion, he felt a surge of happiness that no amount to fancy things can match. The word "freedom" has something that never been a thing in Adrian's life. From his photo shoots, modeling career, crazy fan girls, and the pressures of being the son of Gabriel Agreste, Adrian had very little respite from the isolation that is his life.
However, in the last year everything changed as he was finally allowed to go to school. In school he was finally able to meet an assortment of new friends. He had Nino, his best friend, Kagami, his fencing partner, and a whole assortment of other acquaintances. Even Chloe of all people was starting to change for the better. Then there is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the most kind-hearted person he has ever met… and then there is Ladybug. Ladybug, the most perfect partner he could ever ask for. So strong and confident, she is the role model for all of Paris, and the symbol of his affection.
"It's strange, Hawkmoth hasn't released an akuma for the past 3 days. For once everything has been calm around here." Ladybug noticed while on the Eiffel Tower.
"Yeah, it is strange. I'm still wrapping my head around he managed to akumatize so many people at one time, there has to be someone who was behind it." I responded.
"Hawkmoth must have akumatised someone with a normal akuma and when on to boost his power so he could akumatize more than one person at a time." Ladybug figured out. "The guardian has told me about how the butterfly miraculous powers work. Only one person can be akumatized at once and the wearer can't akumatize themselves.
"I never knew that." I muttered to myself.
"There was also no sign of the wearer of the peacock miraculous since Heroes Day. It seems like the user can create monsters based of emotions. And unlike the butterfly miraculous anyone who possesses the possessed object can control the monsters." Ladybug remarked.
"I'm sure it won't be the last time we will see this power again, or the person who is using it." I commented.
"You're right, that's why from here on out. We have to keep getting stronger and work even harder to protect Paris. It was tough enough before Heroes Day, but now we know that not only can Hawkmoth can akumatize multiple people at once but he also has another Miraculous holder working for him." Ladybug proclaimed.
"About that, I been doing some thinking and I want to see the guardian." I revealed.
"What?" Ladybug said. "I don't what you're talking about…." Ladybug tried to lie.
"Save it, I know who guardian is. After we defeated Syren, he came to my home and introduced himself to me. I know that he is the last guardian of the Miraculous and why our identities must remain a secret. But he also promised that things will be different." I called out.
"Well maybe it's not the right time, don't worry when the time comes…" Ladybug tried to say.
"Are you kidding me?! After everything we've been through and I'm still treated like a sidekick. I'm not allowed to hand out Miraculouses or know who Rena Rouge or Carapace are. Heck if Chloe didn't reveal herself as Queen Bee I still would have been kept in the dark about that." I ranted.
"Come on, kitty you know that I see you as a sidekick." Ladybug tried to reassure me.
"Do you really? Every time we save Paris, you get most if not all the credit. Whenever someone mentions us, you are the one who always seen as the hero while I am seen as an afterthought. Not to mention that I am always the one who always gets mind controlled by the villains we fight." I brought up.
"I'm sure it's not that bad. And even if it is, I can always reverse the damage." Ladybug reminded.
"Dark Cupid, Princess Fragrance, the Puppeteer, Despair Bear, Zombizou, Malediktator. Those are all the villains that have taken control of me and I was helpless to do anything about it, you have no idea how wrong it feels. And if Hawkmoth was actually smart, he would have just taken my Miraculous the second I was under the influence of one of his villains." I explained, hoping Ladybug will understand.
"Okay, I can see how that be unpleasant. But things how we have been doing things has been working well. I know I said that we need to work harder and become stronger but I don't think a change this drastic is important right now." Ladybug commented.
"Right, because being expendable and not realizing my potential as a superhero is totally fine." I sarcastically remarked.
"Cat, you're not…" Ladybug started to say.
"I am! I always have to save you from being hit from the villain's special powers because I know how valuable you are. You are the only one who can purify akumas, make all of these complex plans on how to use your Lucky Charm, and fix all the damage that is caused with your Miraculous Ladybug. All I can do is destroy stuff, let's face it if something were to happen to me and my Miraculous was unusable, you could find a new partner." I snapped.
"I guess I never thought of it that way." Ladybug remarked, her words filled with guilt. "I have been told that the reason we are allowed to keep our Miraculouses is due to them being the most powerful."
"That's only if they are combined, meanwhile I'm still figuring out what I can do using my powers more effectively and what other abilities I can unlock. I tried talking to my kwami, but he was no help. If I supposedly have this amazing power, then what's the point if I can't use it to its fullest potential." I commented.
"I don't know what to say. I'm sorry kitty." Ladybug tried to apologize. "Maybe I there is a way to help you train."
"What's the point." I stated dejectedly. "I have to go."
As Cat Noir went back to his home and detransformed back to Adrien, he just stood there filled with all sorts of conflicting emotions about his place as a superhero, his lack of control in his life, the disappearance of his mother, his rocky relationship with his father….
"Adrien?" Nathalie said.
"Yes, Nathalie." I replied.
"It's almost time for dinner." Nathalie reminded.
"Okay." I stated flatly. "Thanks, Nathalie"
The monochrome dining hall lit up as the sun was setting. Adrien was expecting another dinner alone, until he saw him.
"Father?" I question in a mix of shock and hope.
"Adrien, I have been expecting you." Gabriel stated sternly.
A/N: So here it is the first chapter. It's more of an introduction of the issues that Adrien has with his superhero life, while the next chapter will explore Adrien's thoughts on his broken family and the impact Gabriel's influence has on him. I have always thought that the canon show should have done some episodes about Adrien or have some scenes wondering how to use his powers better in a fight. I know Adrien (as Cat Noir) is supposed to be flirty and make puns but I was going to tone that down to really show his inner conflict and turmoil. To be clear, there will be times where Cat Noir will make puns and be flirty, but it won't be nearly as much as the canon show. The concept of miraculous holders being able to unlock extra powers with enough training is interesting. I got the idea from a fanfic called "Miraculous Alliance" by KivatheDCWizard. Go check out this fanfic and its sequel "Miraculous Alliance Season Two: Venom". Anyway this fanfic should have 7 - 9 chapters and unlike RWBY: REBN this is far less elaborate, not as planned out, and on a slightly lower priority. However, I make sure it meets up to my high quality standards. Be sure to send reviews and PM me if you want to. Until next time.