Hello there,
Welcome my friends to the next chapter of Miraculous: My Iron Skin
I hope you will enjoy it as much as I had writing it, and now on to the reviews.
kyrogue23: Who says he can't be both? Yeah about that Lila framing Marinette...
James the Apple: It was intended that Milo sees Felix as a typical annoying younger brother, but he still cares about him. There is a particular mystery Milo is chasing. And knowing Travis, he probably still things he's completely right.
Boo the ghost: I'm happy I made Milo live up to your expectations. Well King Tyranno wants the Miraculous for his own wish, and yes he has a connection to the main cast. Well most of my focus is constantly being drawn to this story. And no problem.
Controlchaos: No, it was intended that way.
And now on to the story.
The moon was shining over the city of Paris, the sound of guns being fired pierced the silence in one of the warehouses in the docks. Two of the remaining criminals run through the warehouse, trying to escape what appeared to be a shadow taking out the rest of their operation.
"I-Is it following us?" the first one said.
"I don't know!" the second one shouted, "Just keep running!"
But from the shadows an arrow sped through the air and piercing the second guy and striking him down.
"Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit!" the first one said as he began to fire his gun in a panic into the shadows, sending a bullet towards every shadow that seemingly moved.
"Where are you!?" he screamed in fright as another arrow shot the gun out of his hand, before another pierced his shoulder, pinning him against the wall.
Pain spread from his shoulder as the sound of footsteps were slowly closing in. He looked up to see a fair-skinned slender man walking towards him.
He was wearing a body-covering silver outfit, with red clawed gloves and boots. A short red cape with a hood, and a red mask around his eyes. On the ring finger of his left hand, he wears a silver ring with the top being shaped like a bird.
Wielding a dark grey blade that seemed to form a bow without a string.
"Don't kill me!" he begged as the attacker lifted him by the front of his shirt, "Don't kill me, man!"
"You work for a larger operation." the attacker said, "Tell me where I can find them and I won't put an arrow in your face."
"T-They operate from a building on fourth street." he said, begging for his life, "I have only been there a few times, it's all I know, I swear."
"I believe you." the attacker said as the arrow vanished, releasing the street thug from being pinned to the wall.
"Y-Your letting me go?" he said, pressing against his shoulder to stop the bleeding.
"Go right on ahead." the attacker said, standing aside, "Chop chop."
Holding his shoulder, the man slowly went into the direction he had come from. He had gone a few steps towards when he felt an arrow pierce his chest, making him fall to the ground.
"Y-you promised you would let me go!" the man said, laying in a pool forming out of his own blood.
"I never agreed to such a thing." the attacker said, pulling his arm back as he aimed his bow, making an arrow appear in it, "All I promised was not shooting you in the face. Last time I checked, your back is not your face."
But before he could reply, the attacker planted another arrow, this time finishing him off by an arrow to the back of the head.
"Good morning people of Paris. We are looking at another beautiful Saturday." the talkshow host said, "Increased sightings of Iron Spider sparked a debated about vigilantism in French crime fighting."
Marinette had it playing on the computer display, using it for some background sound while she was doing her homework, or at least trying to.
"Come on Marinette! You can do it!" Tikki said, "Just remember the formula. Think, Marinette, think!"
"I might be able to do it if you weren't distracting me so much with your encouraging words!" Marinette said just as something that was said on the talkshow caught her attention.
"I have been thinking about what Milo said... And I don't feel like my kids are safe with them out there." one of the callers to the show said, "Let the super friends get out of the way and let the police do their job."
"Like the police could handle the things Hawk Moth throws at us." Marinette mumbled annoyed as she continued to make her homework.
"Iron Spider, Ladybug nor Cat Noir aren't the police or firemen." another caller said, "What gives them the right to get into other peoples business."
Marinette let out a annoyed growl as she placed her pen down as Alya entered the room.
"Girl, you never guess..." Alya began, when she saw the situation her friend was in.
Marinette's skin had gone look pale, she looked always exhausted and her recent lack of sleep had resulted in black bags under her eyes.
"Your not looking so good." Alya said, walking up to her desk and leaning against her desk, "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing is wrong." Marinette said, changing the podcast, "I just not having been getting a lot of sleep."
"Is there a reason for it?" Alya said concerned.
She turning away from her friend as her thought drifted back to the dreams she has had, or rather the nightmares. She dreamed she had been in school, having a normal day until it turned once again in King Tyranno ripping the entire building apart as he slaughtered everyone.
But more recently, she had found herself in the Darkest Timeline, being forced to relive the beatdown, the moment of hopelessness, the moment of doubt as the city of Paris burned around.
"Just some bad dreams..." Marinette mumbled, a shiver running through her body.
"Some people say there is meaning in your dreams." Alya said, "Some say they even predict the future."
"Let's hope these don't come true." Marinette said before turning to her friend, "What did you wanted to talk about?"
"You never guess which comedian is going to do another European tour?" Alya said as Marinette's tired eyes widen in surprise.
"Kyle!? You mean my favorite comedian is coming to Paris?" she said with a slight smile, "I have been wanting to attend one of his shows for so long."
"No, not really. Paris isn't one of his destinations." Alya said, much to the disappointment, "But, he is going to preform in the Netherlands and it would be easy to take a day trip to Amsterdam, spending the night in a hotel there and take the train back in the morning. Think of the possibility of what could happen if you go with Travis."
"M-Me g-going with Travis!?" Marinette said.
"I know Amsterdam isn't the city of love like Paris but..." Alya said but was interrupted.
"No, it wouldn't work anyway." Marinette mumbled as her attention was drawn towards her computer display, an ad for an upcoming talkshow that is being hosted by Nadja Chamack called 'Face To Face'.
"Tonight, for our first edition of Face To Face, you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to talk live with Iron Spider, Ladybug and Cat Noir. Along with Nadja Chamack. We'll be revealing some sizzling hot information about your favorite superheroes. Don't be bemused, it's just the news."
"Sizzling hot revelations?" Marinette said a bit confused.
"Can you believe it Marinette?" Alya said excited, "An entire hour-long special about Iron Spider, Ladybug and Cat Noir. Pretty exciting, huh?"
"Oh yeah, that's tonight." Marinette said, sounding uninterested.
In the tv studio, where Nadja sighs after looking around at the empty couch opposite her, where Ladybug and Cat Noir are supposed to be and checks her tablet and then almost drops it out of shock after Iron Spider suddenly lands.
"Hello there." he said.
"Which way did you come in?" Nadja said startled.
"Through the door." Iron Spider said, leaning back into the couch, "I see Ladybug and Cat Noir are running behind."
"I thought you'd be arriving together." Nadja said.
"I suggested we carpool, because it's extremely difficult finding a parking spot around here, but Cat Noir was like 'No, I have some kitty litter to buy'." Iron Spider said casually, "But they had things to do before the interview."
"We're on the air in 5." someone off stage said.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm late!" Cat Noir said, landing on the couch next to Iron Spider, "Work was murder."
With five seconds left before airing, Ladybug suddenly kicks open the studio doors, uses her yo-yo to fly across the TV studio and lands on the couch, seated between Iron Spider and Cat Noir.
"I thought you decided to stand me up, m'lady!" Cat Noir said.
"Let's just get this over with." Ladybug said as the show began.
"Good evening. I'm Nadja Chamack and this is Face To Face." Nadja said to the camera, "For our first edition, I welcome the beloved guardians of Paris, Ladybug, Iron Spider and Cat Noir."
The superheroes wave towards the camera and the audience.
"Thank you so much for accepting this exclusive live interview." Nadja said.
"Your welcome Nadja." Iron Spider said, "We're honored to be here."
"And hello to all my fans!" Cat Noir said, blowing kisses and winks towards the camera and the audience.
"I'm sure thousands have tuned in to watch you three tonight." Nadja said.
"Don't encourage them, Nadja." Ladybug said irritated, "The cat won't stop purring all night and if Spidy get's any smugger, there will be no living with him."
"But you like my confidence." Iron Spider said.
"Yeah, don't listen to her." Cat Noir chipped in, "Bugaboo's just a spot jealous."
"Hey, I thought we agreed on no more Bugaboo calling, pussycat." Ladybug said, sounding if she was becoming annoyed, "And what's up with you two tag teaming me?"
Nadja stares at her watch, which shows her the ratings for her show, which had slightly increased. She then giggles to clam her nervousness.
"It's obvious you three are very close." Nadja said, "People know you but they don't really know you. We see you saving Paris but we don't know anything else about you."
"We won't be keeping anything from you, Nadja." Cat Noir said.
"Well a few things actually." Iron Spider said, "Like our secret identities."
Nadja notices that the ratings of her show it frequently increasing, "Absolutely! How about we start a few questions from your biggest fans?" she said, swipes an automatic remote control from her tablet which is connected to the huge monitor display, revealing a community call from Chloe from her room.
"Oh bloody hell..." Iron Spider muttered once she saw Chloe on the screen.
"Careful Spidy." Cat Noir said with a teasing tone, "Your Britishness is showing."
"Hello caller." Nadja said as Chloe waves at the audience from the monitor display, "State your name and your question."
"Seriously Nadja? Surely, no one would be the first caller but me." Chloe said, "I'm only the most prestigious fan of Iron Spider."
"Yes, of course. Hello there, Chloe Bourgeois. Daughter of the mayor of Paris." Nadja said, "What is your question, Chloe?"
"Oh, I don't have a question." Chloe said, "I just wanted to say hi, since as you all know, we're such very good friends, Iron Spider, Ladybug, Cat Noir and I!"
"Thank you, Chloe Bourgeois..." Iron Spider said, hacking into the broadcast to disconnects the call between them and Chloe, "Next caller..."
"How did you do that?" Nadja said, a bit confused.
"Hi there, Ladybug, Iron Spider and Cat Noir." Alya said, from the display.
"Hey, I know her. She's that girl we owns the Ladyblog." Iron Spider said, "I took a picture with her and her sisters at Ernie's. Best burgers in Paris."
"So that was you! I thought you were just a very good cosplayer." Alya said, "Anyway, I was wondering if you can grab me an interview for the Ladyblog. You know, since I have way more viewers than Nadja!"
"People actually read blogs?" Iron Spider thought, "And I thought a teen inventing nano-machines in his parents basement was far fetched."
"Yeah, sure Alya." Ladybug said, "I'd love to do that."
"That totally rocks." Alya said, "Thank you, thank you!"
Nadja disconnects the live call between her and Alya. "Okay, time for some questions." she said, "Iron Spider, in your opinion. What is the height of stupidity."
"Honestly Nadja, I don't know." Iron Spider said, turning to his fellow male hero, "Hey Cat Noir, what height are you?"
"Oh bite me, Spidy!" Cat Noir said.
"Yeah, you would like that." Iron Spider said smugly.
"I don't know how much you three spend on forums of your fandom." Nadja said, "But a lot of people like to pair you three up."
"It's well know that I have a Bleeter account, so I'm very in touch with the fans." Iron Spider said, "So yeah, I see a lot fanart of LadyNoir, SpiderNoir, and IronBug."
"So is any of it true?" Nadja said pushing on with her question, "You once tweeted that your suit and Ladybug's got mixed up in the wash. Which would indicate your living together?"
"That was just a joke." Iron Spider said, "We aren't living together."
"But can you confirm that you any of you three are dating a teammate?" Nadja said.
"Nadja, we're superheroes." Ladybug said, "We're not here to answer such personal questions."
"Meow." Cat Noir said, "M'ladybug's grown claws."
"We're here to ensure all Parisians that they're safe." Ladybug said, ignoring Cat Noir's comment, "And that it's only a matter of time before we defeat Hawk Moth, that's all."
"Fine." Nadja said, using her tablet, "How do you explain these photographs then?" the displays, show a photo of Ladybug laying on top of Iron Spider, their faces close.
"I pulled Ladybug out of the way of an attack by Stormy Weather." Iron Spider pointed out as more images with a combination of him, Ladybug or Cat Noir in suggestive positions, "These are just a bunch of photos taken out of context.", until they got to one of himself hanging upside down, his mask pulled up to his nose as Ladybug kissed him.
"When did that happen?" Cat Noir said bewildered.
"That one is edited." Iron Spider said, "It's a good edit, I must admit."
"It's so obvious that there is love in this team." Nadja said.
"There is no love!" Ladybug said annoyed, "We're only doing our job. We save the city every day, I'm not a couple with Iron Spider nor with Cat Noir."
"It's true, neither am I in a relationship with Cat Noir." Iron Spider said, "We might not be in love with each other. But there is a strong bond of trust between us."
"What?" Cat Noir said.
"While we don't always agree and we do argue a lot, I'm glad I have teammates like Cat Noir and Ladybug who I can call on." Iron Spider said, "I had a theory on who Hawk Moth could be, I couldn't provide evidence without risking my secret identity, yet they decided to trust me."
"And I hope that they know, if there is anything bothering them, no matter how big or small..." he continued, looking to the person next to him on the couch, "No matter what time it is, they could always talk with me about it."
The next day, Travis was sitting in the outside area of a cafe nearby Trocadero, his phone laying on the table as across from him sat Milo, who had invited him there.
"Thank you for meeting me here." Milo said, as the waitress put their slice of cake and a cup of tea for each on the table, "The cake here's fairly popular. I've been wanting to try it myself."
"So you got a bit of a sweet tooth?" Travis said, putting a spoon of sugar in his tea.
"I can't say that I hate them, but I'm not partial to them either. I just enjoy tasting local cuisine in the countries I visit." Milo said as they began to eat, "I wonder if you had seen the interview with the Paris Heroes yesterday."
"I caught a few scenes of it." Travis said, "...And how the internet already has taken screenshots from it and turned them into memes. Or how the internet has seen a surge in the LadyIronNoir ship."
On Monday morning at Françoise Dupont High School, Marinette enters the school, having another restless sleep, when she bumped into someone she hadn't seen for some time.
"Marinette, just the person I was looking for. I'm going to give you a choice, a simple one." Lila said, leaning in to the other girl, "Stay away from Travis. If you don't, it will be war. You will lose your friends and wind up all alone."
"We'll see about that, Lila." Marinette said, walking past Lila not noticing that she had put something in her bag.
Inside the classroom, the usual boys where sitting in the back of the class. Where Travis could see Lila walk into the classroom, who upon seeing him waved at him giving him a flirtatious wink.
"I guess someone is back." Travis said, waving back.
"They are so cool. I wish I could be a superhero." Kim said watching the interview of Ladybug, Iron Spider and Cat Noir on his phone, "The powers. The secrets. The costume. That would be awesome, right?"
"Yeah, sure." Adrien said.
"How can I become one?" Kim pondered, "You think there's some kind of superhero school, or something? Or maybe more like some super secret training facility?"
"Well it helps if your parents send you to Earth from your doomed home planet, or your bitten by a radioactive arachnid, or having your rich parents shot in front of you." Travis said, "As for the superhero school... I will ask All Might if there is still place at U.A. High School for you Kim."
"That would be awesome!" Kim said, "Thanks Travis!"
"U.A. High School isn't real." Nathaniel said, much to Kim's surprise.
"Oh right." Kim said sheepishly, "But Hogwarts is real, right?"
"Yes." Travis said nodding his head, "That's why I'm going to school here instead of Beauxbatons... Or just Hogwarts itself."
The students went to their seats as Miss Bustier came into the classroom, where she stood in front of the class, placing a stack of papers on her desk.
"I've graded your mock exam papers. Most of you did quite well, some better than others, but before I hand them back" Miss Bustier said, "Marinette, could you bring your schoolbag to me, please? I need to check something."
Marinette stood up from her seat, picking up her bag as she walked to the front of the class.
"Today, someone placed an anonymous note in my mailbox, claiming that you'd stolen the exam answers." Miss Bustier said as she looked into the bag, pulling out a sheet of paper, "And it looks like the anonymous person was right!"
Marinette's eyes widen when she saw that somehow the answer sheet had gotten in her bag, "But that's not true!" she protested, "Someone must've planted that piece of paper in my bag!"
"There are two students who answered all of the questions correctly." Miss Bustier said, "And you are one of them."
"I did?" Marinette said, "But that's because I've studied."
"Miss Bustier." Alya said, raising her hand, "Marinette always scores high on your tests."
"This is so terribly unlike you, Marinette." Lila said, "You're usually so well-behaved."
"Of course!" Marinette said, rounding to the direction of Lila, "You put the answers in my bag! You're the 'anonymous informer'!"
"I'm coming to your defense and you're accusing me!?" Lila said, faking her surprise.
"You can't accuse someone without proof, Marinette." Miss Bustier said.
"But I'm sure it's her!" Marinette said, "She stole the test answers and place it in my bag!"
"That's impossible, Marinette." Miss Bustier said, "Lila got the worst grade in the class."
"Then..." Marinette said, "She flunked the exam on purpose!"
"Excuse me, Miss Bustier." Travis said, "But everyone here knows it isn't like Marinette to cheat."
"Yeah, he's right!" Nathaniel said.
"It doesn't make sense!" Rose said as the entire class agreed.
Miss Bustier claps her hands getting the class attention back to her, "Marinette, Lila, please go to the principal's office until we get to the bottom of this." she said.
"I hate Mondays..." Travis muttered.
Inside Mr. Damocles' office, on the way to it, Lila had pretended that Marinette had thrown her off the stairs, faking that the fall had broken her leg.
"But sir, it wasn't me..." Marinette said as her parents had been called to the school, "I didn't do anything..."
"I don't know why Marinette doesn't like me!" Lila said with a sad tone, "I've really tried to be her friend, but she keeps calling me a liar, getting the others to gang up against me, and now, she's pushing me down the stairs?"
"Those are total lies!" Marinette said.
"Go on, Lila." Mr. Damocles said, ignoring the other girl.
"She even took a necklace I got from my grandmother... a fox pendant!" she said.
"That's not true!" Marinette said, "I never stole anything!"
"My daughter is not a thief!" Tom said.
"Why should we believe any of this?" Sabine said, "You're accusing her without any proof!"
"Oh, I have proof." Lila said with a sinister smirk.
Back in the classroom, a concerned Travis was looking out the window when he saw a crying Marinette run out of the school.
"Oh god no." Travis thought, realizing what might happen as he stood up.
"Travis!" Miss Bustier said, seeing him stand up, "Where do you think your going?"
"Going after Mari." Travis said, walking towards the door.
"Class is still in session." she said, "If you exit this class then..."
"Then what? You'll fail me?" Travis said, "I could teach this class!" and he exited the classroom.
Inside a large, dark dome-like room where a large window with a butterfly design that opens to shine light upon a tall man.
He was wearing a dark purple dress shirt with a black butterfly-shaped lapel, a butterfly brooch on the center of the collar, and black dress pants. Over the majority of his face and neck, he wears a silver mask. He also has a dark indigo cane as his tool.
"I've never felt such utter despair!" the enemy of Paris, the man known as Hawk Moth said with delight as he corrupts a butterfly into an akuma.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng will be my ultimate masterpiece! Fly away, my beautiful Akuma, and evilise her!"
Running out of the school, Travis rushed in the direction he had last seen Marinette as he took out his Talos glasses from his blazer pocket.
"Stand ready for biometric scan." the soft male voice said coming from his glasses as a near invisible blue light scanned his face, "Scan accepted, welcome Travis."
"Talos, track down Marinette's phone." Travis told his glasses as the lenses displayed a map of Paris, and a small dot where Marinette should be.
Ignoring the stares people were giving him, running as fast as he could towards the Seine riverbank, where he found Marinette standing on the edge, looking down at the waters below.
Taking his glasses off and storing them in his pocket as he slowly approaches her.
"Mari..." Travis said softly, standing next to her but she ignored him.
He attempted to reach out but before he could touch her, she backed away from him, her entire body was shaking as tears were leaking from the corner of his eyes.
"Marinette, it's okay. I won't hurt you." he said, reaching out to wrap his arms around her. Pressing her smaller body close to him, as they embraced everything washed over Marinette, "I will never, ever hurt you."
She leaned against his chest, her tears staining his 'Shine' shirt, but that didn't matter to him. He would hold her for as long as she needed him to. And as the stress and bottled up emotions from the past few weeks were finally let lose, Marinette calmed down, the akuma flies away from her.
Inside Hawk Moth's lair, the man himself was confused and baffled as he looked out of the window.
"What happened? Her emotions just vanished!" Hawk Moth said, "Dark Wings Fall." and he transformed back into Gabriel Agreste as the kwami Nooroo floated beside him.
"This is the second time something or someone intervened with my akuma." Gabriel said, taking the elevator down to his office, "...First was that girl in Adrien's class during photo day, who got saved by Iron Spider. Now Marinette Dupain-Cheng was saved by... Travis."
"Nathalie?" he called to his assistance as he entered his office.
"Yes sir." Nathalie said, as she entered the room.
"I need you to get information on a classmate of Adrien." Gabriel said, standing at his work station, "Get me everything on Travis."
At Françoise Dupont High School, Adrien, Nino, Nathaniel and Alya were sitting near the stairs where the boys usually sat.
"I don't believe Marinette would steal or push someone from the stairs." Alya said, "We need to investigate to prove her innocence."
"I'm in." Nino said immediately, "But won't we need Travis?"
"Why would we need T?" Nathaniel said.
"Well..." Nino said, "He is the smart one."
"I actually called someone who can help." Adrien said, looking at his phone to see that he got a text, "He should be arriving right about now."
A loud commotion was heard from the entrance of the school, as female students sounded delighted as Milo came walking into the courtyard, carrying a silver brief case with a stylized 'A' on it.
The students see Milo and run up to him. A crowd of students, notably a lot of females, also surround him.
"What is going on here?" Mr. Damocles said, making his way through the crowd.
"Oh, hello. You must be Mr. Damocles." Milo said, holding out his hand, "I'm Milo Graham de Vanily, my cousin Adrien asked me to come over for an investigation."
"Milo is your cousin?" Alya said as the group approached the teenage detective who was talking with their headmaster.
"Your surprised by that? I figured it out when he was interested in Travis... And when I noticed that he and Adrien look very similar." Nathaniel said, "I'm more surprised by how long his name is."
"Hey cousin." Adrien said, "Glad you could come."
"I'm always willing to help you Adrien." Milo said, seeing the people who where with his cousin, "Have we met somewhere before?"
"Yeah, dude." Nino said, "The television studio."
"Oh, right! You were there with Travis." Milo said, before turning to Adrien, "But you had a case for me."
"Yes, we had a little... incident at school." Mr. Damocles said, "But there's no reason to get a famous detective on the case."
But to the surprise of Nino, Nathaniel and Alya, they received support from a unexpected corner.
"No reason to get a detective?" Chloe said, taking her phone from her pocket, "I'm not sure that my father would share your point of view."
"Well, now, Chloe, let's not bother your father. I mean, the honorable Mayor with a..." Mr. Damocles said nervously, but the blonde had began to call her father, "What I mean is, Mr. Graham de Vanily is welcome to investigate."
Mr. Damocles looks at Chloe, who's smugly shaking her phone, before adding, "And he's free to use my office for any interrogations that may need to take place."
"Very generous of you. That will be a great help." Milo said, turning to the blonde, "Thank you, Chloe."
"Chloe helped us?" Nathaniel said, "Did I wake up in some weird bizzaro world?"
Covered under a thick blanket, Marinette woke up from her dreamless sleep. Rubbing her eyes, as she sat up she saw that she was laying on the soft sofa in Travis's living room.
Her dark gray blazer and pink purse were laying on a near by seat, her shoes on the floor next to it. She could smell food being prepared in the kitchen.
So she stood up and walking towards it where she found Travis wearing his glasses and an apron standing at the stove.
"Oh, your up." Travis said, looking over his shoulder before turning back to the food, "Just in time for dinner."
"W-What happened?" Marinette said nervously as she walked up to him.
She had nightmares like this, she expected that any moment now King Tyranno would be bursting through the wall to kill everyone.
"I followed you after you ran out of school... I found you at the Seine riverbank. I held you to calm down before you fell asleep." Travis said, placing the food on the plates, "I carried you to my place, where I took off your blazer, bag and shoes, letting you sleep on the sofa."
He picked up the two plates and guided her back to living room, where they sat down on the sofa and Travis put on the television.
"I gave your parents a call, I told them you were safe." Travis said as he took his plate and began to eat.
Marinette took her own plate and began to eat the curry with rice. When the food entered her mouth, her eyes widen when she got positive sensation through her body.
"Travis, this taste great." Marinette said, taking another bite, "Where did you learn to cook?"
"Thank you, it's a recipe from Uncle J. Who instructed me how to cook." Travis said, "Just don't tell him I used instant coffee instead of grinding my own beans... He will burn my face off if he knew."
"My lips are sealed." Marinette said.
Meanwhile at Mr. Damocles office at Françoise Dupont High School, where Milo was sitting at the desk with Adrien, Alya, Nino and Nathaniel.
"Why does your suitcase have an 'A' on it?" Nathaniel said.
"Because it's a limited edition Avenger's suitcase." Milo said, taking out his laptop and began to take notes, "Let's review this get over the situation one more time"
"This girl Marinette Dupain-Cheng, she has been accused of stealing the answers to the mock exam?" Milo said, looking up from his laptop and when he saw them nod, he continued to type.
"Evidence one: The paper with the answers was found in her schoolbag. She's also been accused of pushing Lila down the stairs. No one witnessed the actual incident, but everyone did see Lila at the bottom of the staircase."
"She's also accused of stealing Lila's necklace, which was, evidence two, found inside her locker." Milo said, reading what he had typed from his laptop, "And finally, according to you five, she has a motive."
"Well she hated Lila from Day One because she hangs around Travis." Alya said, "But she would never steal or push someone down the stairs."
"I'll admit, the evidence is stacked against her. But the Teenage Ace Detective is on the case." Milo said standing up, "It's best you go back to class, I investigate best on my own."
After looking through the places for Milo's investigation. Checking for evidence that could used to prove Marinette's innocents. It was near the end of the day that Milo went to find Lila talking to a bunch of teens.
"Lila Rossi?" he said, drawing her attention, "I'm Milo Graham de Vanily, a detective who was asked to investigate the incident earlier today. Can I ask you a few questions."
"Oh, your that famous detective." Lila said, "You know, I'm something of a detective myself."
"Sure you are." Milo said, walking away with Lila.
"Though I'm still something of an amateur." Lila said, clapping her hands together, "You could give me tons of tips, because I'm not as experienced as you are."
"Don't take me for a fool." Milo said, once they were out of hearing distance, "You framed Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
"Me? Framing Marinette?" Lila said, "But she's the one who..."
"That necklace you claim she stole, can be brought at a local store. Had she actually pushed you down the stairs, you wouldn't be using that same leg without difficulty. I checked the times when the mock test answer, and the time frame they could have been stolen wouldn't allow for Marinette to be the one who did it."
"I don't know what your talking about." Lila said, "And even if I did, you don't have any evidence."
"I must admit. I couldn't find any fingerprints nor any evidence to pin the culprit. He or she was very through." Milo said, taking out his phone, "Though with my findings, Marinette should be allowed back to school."
Lila's eyes widen in surprise, which gave Milo a knowing smirk. "Sorry, my little brother texted me." he said, putting his phone away, "I have already given my findings to Mr. Damocles but I'm still not satisfied. Though if I were the culprit, I would be watching my back... Because I'm coming for her."
And as he walked away, he left a baffled Lila behind. Who from his smirk realized that Milo knew it was her.
Marinette and Travis where still sitting in his living room, the empty plates now on the nearby table. Marinette had her blazer back on as they were watching television.
"Oh, hey look." Travis said, pointing to the screen, "They are announcing the winner of the design for Grand Fashion Rejouissance."
Marinette eyes widen when on the television first showed the skyline of New York City, before zooming in a big stadium, which was filled with people watching a fashion show on the stage. The models went back stage as a woman appeared through a small elevator.
The woman she recognized as one she had been looking up to since she herself wanted to become a fashion designer.
The woman had long purple hair, her blue eyes were accented by her pale skin. She dressed herself in a white top revealing her back, black pencil skirt and black leggings covering her slim long legs. A pair of white heels increased her considerable height, at least she was normally taller than most women her age.
"My dear audience." the woman Marinette knew as Mrs. Shine said, "What is clothing?"
"She is beautiful..." Marinette said in awe, "Especially for her age."
"Yeah..." Travis said, "I guess she is."
"Clothing is the world! The grand will that binds the heavens, the earth and mankind, covering all." Mrs. Shine said, pointing her index finger to the three large screen behind her,which began to display the designs send in for the contest, "Together with my good friend Gabriel Agreste, we have given a critical eyes through thousand upon thousand designs."
She gave a finger snap and the images of designs began to fade to dust one by one.
"Oh my god." Travis said with a smirk, "She's Thanos." getting a playful push by Marinette.
"But only one can be the winner. Only one will have the honor of being a center piece in the next Grand Fashion Rejouissance, which the winner will also be attending along with me in the city of Paris." Mrs Shine said as a the winning design stood among the dusted designs on the screen.
"What..." Marinette said, her mouth hanging open in surprise as the winning design was her derby hat.
"From the embroidery, to the weaving of the band, to the stitching of the brim... This is a very exquisite creation by Marinette Dupain-Cheng from Paris." Mrs. Shine said, "Congratulations, Marinette, you're the winner who will be getting to attend Grand Fashion Rejouissance."
Marinette gasped and blushes upon the prospect of meeting her fashion idol, just as she received a text on her phone.
"It says we have another talk tomorrow with Mr. Damocles..." Marinette said, "My expulsion is being retracted!"
"That's great news!" Travis said happily.
In her happiness, Marinette wrapped her arms around Travis neck, pulling the surprised young man into a hug.
Once she realized what she had done, an embarrassed Marinette quickly let him go, "I'm sorry, Travis." she said, "I guess I got carried away."
"It's okay Mari." he said with a slight smile as they stared into each other's eyes.
Neither of why, if it would be the euphoric feeling of Marinette winning the contest and getting back into school or something else.
But she leaned forward and he leaned forward so that they met in between, their lips coming together to meet in a passionate kiss. Her hands went up to his chest, running up and down his torso.
Their mouths moved in sync and taking advantage of this to explore the inside of the other's mouth. They would have continued had it not for the both of them receiving a phone call.
Pulling apart from the other, the two took a quick glance at their receptive phone.
"I'm sorry, Mari." Travis said a bit breathless, standing up, "But I have to take this."
"Yeah, me too." Marinette said.
She went to the bathroom while he went to the balcony, a happy smile on his face.
Calming himself by letting out a happy sigh, dropping his accent, he picked up the group call from Cat Noir.
"This better be important because I'm busy." Travis said.
"Same here." Ladybug said.
"Well this is important." Cat Noir said, "Jagged Stone has been akumatized, and he is flying a large purple dragon through the city to find XY."
"He wants to kill XY?" Travis said, "Oh no, what a tragic loss for humanity would that be."
"I'll be right there." Ladybug said, "You better be too, Spidy."
"Of course M'lady." Travis said with his best imitation of Cat Noir before hanging up.
He stepped back into the house as Marinette came out of the bathroom, putting her shoes back on.
"I'm sorry, Travis." she said, picking up her bag, "But my parents want me to come home."
"It's alright." he said with a disappointed smile, but he knew that he was needed to protect the city, "Do you need me to walk you home?"
"No, no. I'll be fine." Marinette said before becoming a little embarrassed, "I-I'll see you t-tomorrow."
"Yeah." he said as he walked her out the door, "See you tomorrow.", he waited for the elevator door to close.
"Was I too forward? Did I fuck it up?" Travis thought, closing the door and preparing to go fight the akumatized rockstar.
Flying over the city, Iron Spider saw a hero in red running over the rooftops.
Diving down until he was flying next to Ladybug. "Hey, LB." he said as they continued to move, "Need a ride?"
"If your offering." Ladybug said with a smirk, vaulting off the roof and landing onto his back.
"Someone is happy." Iron Spider said as a large purple dragon flying up ahead.
"Something great happened." she said with a big grin.
Cat Noir is hit by a car thrown by one of Guitar Villain's blasts, and Fang attacks him. But before he could be hit, Ladybug's yo-yo wrapped around his waist as he was pulled up by Ladybug, who was still flying Iron Spider.
"Cat Noir, you okay?" Ladybug said.
"I'm fine." Cat Noir said, "But what about you?"
"I'm currently riding through the sky by using Iron Spider like a skateboard, while my favorite musician is akumatize while fighting a dragon." Ladybug said, getting a big smirk, "Never been better!"
"She is back." Iron Spider thought with a happy smirk under his mask as the trio landed on a roof.
"Legendary fight against a dragon." Cat Noir said as the akumatized villain had followed them, flying his dragon.
"Normal Monday night for us three." Iron Spider said as they stood ready to fight against the akumatized victim and his dragon.
And there you go, the next chapter hope you enjoyed.
Many thanks to everyone who read, review, favorite or follows this story, you beauties.
If you enjoyed it, don't forget to leave a review and I hope to see you all next time.
Also here is a scene which was cut because the chapter went in another direction.
"Hey..." Nadja said as the trio stood up, "Wait you three, the show is not over yet. Your fans will be disappointed if they don't get an answer."
"If they are true fans, they'll understand." Ladybug said.
"The Lady's right!" Cat Noir chipped in as they turned around.
"You are what's wrong with this society." Iron Spider said, "And you'll get what you deserve." before leaving.