Miraculous Ladybug AU – Cult of Dark Wings

Chapter 3

Girls' Choice

[Chat Noir]

Adrien's eyes dilated, every nerve in his body stiffened, his pencil snapped in half. He could feel it, the eyes staring at him like those of hungry wolves. Even those who weren't in his class were watching him, waiting for the bell to strike. What could possibly cause Adrien this much fear? Was it a new Akuma? If only. No, this was much worse.

"Now, before you are dismissed for your next class, I would like to announce the theme for the next school dance. After some… persuading, this year's theme will not only be a masquerade, but also girls' choice." The principal announced over the intercom. "That's right, all you lucky girls will be the one who invites the guy of your choice to be your partner to the dance instead of the other way around. Posters for the event will be hung later today for any other details about the event. That is all."

After the announcement ended, it took a minute for the bell to ring. But once it did, Adrien booked it for the door, leaving his test on Ms. Bustier's desk as he left. Plagg poked his head out of Adrien's bag once they were in the hall. "You seem stressed." The kwami stated.

"Well, you know, I'm Adrien Agreste, teen model. The one guy every girl drools over. So, yeah, I'd prefer not to be under a pile of desperate fans." Adrien replied as classroom doors began to slam open.

"ADRIEN!" Came the dreadful cries of nearly one hundred female classmates.

"Good point." Plagg stated.

[Queen Bee]

Chloe blinked in surprise. She had never seen Adrien move that fast before. "Woah, the was some fancy foot work." Nino stated.

"No kidding." Alya stated.

"Well I should've seen that coming, I guess." Chloe remarked.

"Wait, this was your idea?" Alya asked.

"Not my idea, per say. Yes, I did organize the dance to be girls' choice. No, I did not intend for Adrien to pull a Houdini before Marinette could make a move." Chloe replied, shocking many of her surrounding classmates.

"What?!" At least six people asked loudly.

"What? I consider Marinette a friend now. Is it so wrong to try to help her with her confidence?" Chloe asked.

"No, just really unexpected of you." Alix replied.

"Yeah, you two have basically been rivals for the past few years." Ivan added.

"T-thank you, Chloe." Marinette replied.

Chloe smiled. "Just don't mess this up, Dupain Cheng. If you don't act soon, Kagami will surely snatch Adrien right up."

Marinette smiled back. "You bet."

The other students then took their leave as Chloe grabbed her things. "That was rather nice of you, Chloe." Nathaniel stated.

"What can I say, this being nice thing is coming easier than I expected." Chloe replied.

"But that does leave you without a date." Alix remarked, now standing on the other side of Chloe.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." Chloe retorted.

Nathaniel gave a short laugh. "What, are you thinking about asking me to the dance?"

The three were silent for a moment. Then Chloe looked to Nathaniel with a raised eyebrow. "Well?" She asked.

Alix and Nathaniel were stunned. "Wait, what? I wasn't being serious, Chloe." Nathaniel replied.

Chloe gave her own laugh. "Well that makes one of us."

"Alright!" Alix cheered. "You two have fun." She stated before racing off.

Nathaniel blinked in surprise. "You're seriously asking me to be your date to the dance?"

"Well, you said it yourself. You're not one for taking initiative. So, I thought this would kill two birds with one stone." Chloe replied.

"You don't have another option, do you?" Nathaniel deadpanned.

Chloe, shocked by the accusation, began to stutter. "Well, I- uh, no. I just – I was just-"

Nathaniel laughed at a now flustered Chloe. "Relax, Chloe. I would be delighted to be your partner to the dance."

Chloe's blush faded. "Thank you."

[Viperion/Pegasus/Ryuko]

It was lunch time for Luka and Kagami; and because the two worked together as Viperion and Ryuko, it only made sense to sit together. Max soon joined them, but without a tray, because it was not his lunch period. "So this girls' choice dance." Max began, trying to start a conversation with his two fellow Miraculous holders. "Do you two plan on going?"

"I'm actually part of the entertainment for the dance." Luka replied. "The band and I are trying to find some appropriate material to play during the event."

"Normally, I wouldn't consider it." Kagami inputted. "However, a masquerade seems like an all too perfect cover for this cult. Not to mention Hawkmoth will have plenty of victims to choose from. So being there as an extra set of eyes would be wise."

Max adjusted his glasses. "An astute calculation. But do either of you happen to have a date to join you? It would seem mighty suspicious if one person was by themselves and watching everyone."

The other two stopped for a moment. Max had a good point. "Of course, I would be with the band for some of the event." Luka stated. "But some of the others may become preoccupied with trying to enjoy the party. So that actually takes down a few members. From what I'm aware of, even Rose will be with Prince Ali."

Kagami raised an eyebrow. "Rose? Isn't she your band's lead singer?"

Luka gave a nod. "The two met last year and have been in a relationship of sorts."

Kagami chuckled. "Must be an interesting one. I myself have considered asking Adrien to be my date to this dance. But he has been busy avoiding any female that comes too close."

"Yeah, this whole thing is a nightmare for him." Max stated. "Almost every girl wants a piece of him. I still find it strange that this was an attempt by Chloe to help Marinette."

Kagami and Luka paused again. "Oh really?" The two asked.

"Yeah, Chloe actually asked out Nathaniel. Markov nearly short circuited when trying to calculate the possibility of Chloe asking out anyone other than Adrien." Max stated.

"Well then. I suppose I should also be helpful to Marinette and find a companion to this event." Kagami replied. "I believe fighting over the same man is not the friend thing to do."

Luka chuckled. "Anyone you have in mind?"

Kagami thought for a moment. "Considering my reputation, not many would accept my proposal."

"Perhaps I could be your date." Luka offered.

Max was shocked, but Kagami thought it over. "Interesting. It would be beneficial for us to stick together during this event. The stage is a better vantage point for spotting any suspicious behavior. Additionally, I could be helpful to Rose by being her replacement. This way, she is able to have more time with her date."

Markov's screen produced two question marks. None of this computed. "Interesting. I did not know you were the singing type." Luka commented.

"Adrien is not the only one with many talents, Luka." Kagami stated. "So, what do you say? Will you be my date?"

Max didn't even know how to respond. "I accept your proposal, Kagami." Luka replied.

"What is even happening here?" Max asked.

[Ladybug]

The school day had ended not too long ago and Marinette had not seen Adrien for most of this time. When she did see him, it was right when class began, so talking to him would be rude. And as soon as class ended, Adrien wasted no time in leaving, probably still terrified by his obsessed fans. Marinette couldn't blame him, really. She would have done the same. But it was still upsetting she wasn't able to talk to him.

Marinette gave a sigh as she took the last step off of the stairs as she head for the exit. 'There's always tomorrow, I guess.' She thought before something slammed into her.

Marinette fell to the ground with whatever it was that hit her. Her eyes were closed, so she couldn't see it. But did feel the weight of it. "Ah! Marinette! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Came Adrien's voice as the weight came off of her.

Marinette opened her eyes to see Adrien on all fours, looming over her. Her face went red. "I-I'm fine! Are you fine? O-of course you're fine! Why wouldn't you be?" She rambled.

Adrien went from worried to chuckling. "That's good." He said before remembering the position the two were in.

Adrien then swiftly got off of Marinette and stood up, his own face now red. "H-here, let me help you." He said, offering a hand.

Marinette, still lightly blushing, took the offered hand and stood up with Adrien's assistance. However, doing so caused her to crash into Adrien's chest. Thankfully, Adrien was able to steady himself better than Marinette ever could. "Woah, steady." Adrien joked, placing his free hand on her lower back.

Marinette looked up at Adrien, the two locking gazes. Neither said anything for a solid minute. Marinette then looked away. "Adrien…" Marinette began.

"Yeah?" Adrien asked.

"I-I was wondering. Do you know if you'll be going to the dance?" Marinette asked.

She could feel Adrien shrug. "Honestly, I don't know. I would like to, but there's my father."

Marinette frowned. "Right…"

"And then there's the fact that I don't have a date. It is Girls' Choice, after all." Adrien commented.

Marinette curled her fingers. "M-maybe I can be your girl." She mumbled.

"What was that?" Adrien asked.

Marinette took a deep breath before looking at the model. "Adrien. Would you like to be my date to the dance?"

Adrien looked as though he was in the middle of a gasp before he smiled. "It would be my pleasure, Mari."

Their attention was then grabbed by cries of despair. The two turned to see a crowd of Adrien's fans standing there in tears. "Why?!"

"That's not fair!"

"I want to be in his arms like that!"

Adrien and Marinette gave nervous laughs before remembering their current position. Blushing, the two broke their embrace.

DM Notes – Alright, I already hear some of your comments. No, I am not going to pair Luka and Kagami. As funny as that would be. Their relationship is as partners/friends. I may consider it for a sequel story, but not for this one. We clear? Good.

-[Next Day]-

[Jalil]

Jalil watched in horror as Chat Noir destroyed the obelisk with his Cataclysm. What were these fools thinking? Jalil was about to confront the three vandals, but stopped when the dust settled, revealing a woman clad in a rabbit-themed suit. The obelisk contained a human? Jalil thought, shaken by the sight.

Then, Jalil remembered the ancient text he read days prior. 'The god of time?'

Jalil followed Ladybug, Chat Noir, Alix, and this new person to listen to their conversation. Soon, the so titled god revealed herself to be Alix from the future, holder of the Miraculous of Time. Something then clicked. The ancient text talked about a great battle between a god of time and a cursed god, one whom can blacken the sun. After the cursed god was defeated, the god of time took the cursed god's heart, turning it mortal. If the god of time is nothing more than a mortal with a Miraculous; that would mean the cursed god was also a Miraculous holder and the true "god" was actually…

Jalil looked at the tiny rabbit, Fluff, and watched as it spewed out gibberish about the concept of time. 'Interesting.' Jalil thought as he walked off.

Next Chapter: Out of Time – Part 1