Paris, City of lights and love. Home of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum
BOOM!
"AAAAAH!"
And frequent supervillain attacks, apparently.
"GIVE ME YOUR MIRACULOUS!"
Thankfully, there are two superheroes who guard the fair city and thwart the machinations of Hawk Moth, a man who seemingly desires the powers of these two heroes for a yet unknown purpose...
Their names...are Ladybug and Chat Noir!
But unbeknownst to our heroes? Hawk Moth's motivations are NOT malicious.
"Wait, what?"
"Wait, what?"
Allow this humble author to explain…
"…And add another failure to the list..." The apparent supervillain sighed as his latest Akuma was purified and his minion was returned to normal. "Dark Wings, Down."
His mask and purple suit vanished. In his place stood one of the most respected men in all of France, and in one industry, the entire world: A self-made man whose business and fashion empire were both synonymous with Paris itself. A man who was closely connected to both of his enemies...even if they did not know it.
Gabriel Agreste.
"Master, I really think you should just explain why you're doing this." A small gray creature floated and said with concern. "I'm sure they'd understand; Tikki and Plagg would...Okay, Tikki would explain, Plagg is kind of iffy…"
He'd never forget what his brother did to the dinosaurs! Those poor, majestic creatures...Sure, they hadn't been much for dreaming and he and his brethren couldn't aid them too much, but still…!
"I'm sorry, Nooroo, but I'm afraid I need to keep this a secret...if Adrien found out…" Gabriel started with resignation and some annoyance, clearly having had this conversation before.
"He'd want to help. And what's wrong with...?"
"Do you remember what happened when Felix tried to help?!"
Nooroo winced back and his master felt shame in how he had acted.
"..I...I'm sorry."
As if to distract him, he spied a picture and went to gaze upon it. There, much younger than he was now, he stood along with his wife and several others, all beaming and in odd costumes.
All of them were gone now. He and one other in this picture remained.
"I've lost the woman I love and my firstborn son. I CAN'T lose Adrien too."
"Master, you knew this would happen. In fact, if I recall, you helped the missus when you were around Adrien's age. Without a Miraculous, if I may add."
"And not a day goes by where I don't regret having said 'Yes'…" Gabriel smiled, many happy memories playing in his head.
"Then...maybe you SHOULD let a new generation take over." Nooroo was quick yet quiet to add.
Gabriel paused, considered his friend's words, and then whipped out his phone.
"Nathalie. Cancel my and Adrien's appointments for the week. If anyone asks, a family emergency came up. If Adrien asks, tell him some business came up. Let him order whatever he wants for dinner. I'll be gone for the rest of the day and most of the morning tomorrow."
"Where are you going, sir?"
"To see an old friend..."
Meanwhile, two teenagers found themselves in an awkward situation.
The good news: Ladybug and Chat Noir had defeated the latest Akuma and were aware from prying eyes with just milliseconds to spare.
The bad news: They had transformed back to normal at the same time.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste did not expect to see each other in the place of Ladybug and Chat Noir but looking back, it might have been just a little bit obvious.
"A-ADRIEN?!"
"M-MARINETTE?!"
"FINALLY!"
From behind Adrian appeared a small, black cat-like creature.
"Do you have ANY idea how UNBEARABLE he's been about you?! I mean, I've had lovesick hosts before, but this kid? FLIPPING ROMEO WOULD TELL HIM TO COOL OFF!"
"Plagg, shut up!" Adrien growled between his teeth.
"No offense Marinette, but I feel the same way about you." Said an adorable little red creature with black spots like a ladybug.
"Tikki!"
The two teens were otherwise too shocked to move.
"Oh great. They're broken." Plagg sighed before a mischievous cross his face. "Well, if he won't stop me? Shouldn't let this camembert go to waste..."
"Plagg, NO!" Tikki cut him off.
"...Just a nibble?"
Tikki glared
"Okay, okay, fine!" He then whipped Adrian awake "SAY SOMETHING, YOU IDIOT! Sheesh, not even your dad was this bad!"
He then covered his mouth with an 'oop!' and looked around for something to distract him. All he found was:
"PLAGG!" Tikki gritted. "Ex-nay or the eret-say ast-pay!"
"Wait, how did you know my…?" Adrien started.
Plagg put his stubby hands to Adrien's cheeks.
"FORGET I SAID ANYTHING!"
"T-Tikki?" Marinette asked. "You knew?"
"...I suspected, but...Okay, yes I knew! BUT IN MY DEFENSE! How would you have reacted?
Marinette opened her mouth...then closed it.
"Touche."
"Alright, look!" Plagg shouted as he stole his prize. "You two? Work this out! I need some camembert!"
"PLAGG!" Tikki snapped in annoyance.
"I can't hear you!" The Cat Kwami said as he floated away, munching on his favorite cheese as he did so. "LALALALALALALALALALLA! I'M NOT LISTENING!"
"GET BACK HERE YOU STUPID CAT!" Tikki roared, or rather squeaked before she paused and smiled sweetly at the teens. "Excuse me, I'll be right back."
A chase that would've made Benny Hill proud began
"…"
"..."
"I'm sorry!" The two teens said together. "Wait, you're sorry? I'm the one who...Okay, stop talking!… PETER PIPER PICKED A PECK OF PICKLED-!"
"I LOVE YOU!"
They covered their mouths in shock.
"R-really?"
They then blushed as they backed up slightly.
"I-I thought..." Marinette started. "I thought you hated me?"
"YOU?!" Adrien asked. "I thought you hated me or I did something wrong...!"
"And I...But I...!"
In spite of everything, or maybe because of it, they both burst into laughter.
Tikki then reappeared, dragging Plagg by the tail...and smiling at the scene before stomaches then rumbled and Adrian chuckled.
"The bakery is this way." Marinette offered.
Unknown to them, a butterfly had seen the whole affair and returned to its master, who was approaching an antique shop.
This shop was owned by a certain retired Miraculous holder, the same one responsible for bringing Tikki and Plagg into Marinette and Adrien's lives
"...Been far too long since I was last here."
"Indeed. You're looking well, Gabriel. Could be smiling more, though." The owner said with a gentle smile.
"And you still haven't shaved." Gabriel retorted.
"Hmh. Rude."
The old man then smiled and hugged Gabriel. Who returned the gesture.
"So...business or pleasure? Is this about Adrien?" Fu asked.
"Business, and yes, this is about Adrien."
"I'll get some tea started. Explain while I make it."
A green turtle-esque creature like Plagg, Noroo, and Tikki appeared
"Gabriel! It's been too long!"
The fashion mogul's smile brightened.
"Hello to you as well, Wayzz. I trust you are in good health?"
"But of course. Fuu takes better of me than himself. It took me so long to convince him to find new holders!"
Gabriel chuckled as Fuu returned with two piping cups of tea and a snack for Wayzz.
"So, what brings the biggest fashion designer in all of France, if not the world to my humble shop? You mentioned Adrian, so...I wager you know something?"
"Yes...I realize now that my son is Chat Noir."
"Good. Saves us some time. Now, why are you here Gabriel? Last we saw each other was..."
Fuu tried to choose his words carefully.
"Yes, Felix. But...my older son is not why I'm here. Nor my wife. I have...not used Noroo well. It was for a good cause, or so I thought..."
"You tested those filled with negative emotions by giving them power." Wayzz cut in. "When they became Akuma, they provided Ladybug and Chat Noir challenges. Now, I doubt your wife would approve...and most certainly, the children's own predecessors would not either."
"Wayzz!" Fu glared.
"No, he's right." Gabriel sighed as he put his teacup down. "The incidents caused by the Akumas I created have put many innocent lives at risk. I take full responsibility for all of them."
"I sense a 'but'..." Fu said.
"I have been out too long. I may never have needed a Miraculous before, but if I DO enter a battle, I know I will lose. I didn't want Adrien to get involved after what happened with Felix. So, I was looking for potential users."
"In the worst way possible." Wayzz pointed out. "Say that they had succeeded, what exactly was to stop them from continuing to rampage?"
Gabriel did not answer.
"...What brought this on?" Fu asked. "When we last met, you made it clear you wanted your sons unaware of what happened, but for you to...?"
"Dark days are coming, Fu. I fear that terrible evil is about to bleed into Paris." Gabriel said, showing Fu pictures of sightings of mysterious shadowy figures leaping across the rooftops.
Fu frowned as he inspected the pictures. He knew exactly who these figures were, even if they couldn't be seen fully. If they were finally surfacing after all these years...
"Then they will need all the help they can get to stop him." Fu finished, nodding his head as he headed over to where he kept the other Miraculous. He let out a deep sigh. "I wanted to do this myself. I wanted to be certain…But...You do have resources I do not. And perhaps, as much as you might loathe to think it, this generation may be the best. Maybe your son knows someone, even if he doesn't realize it."
He then handed the box.
"Take them. But please, PLEASE...do what you must to protect them and whoever uses them. You're the only one left...And this old man cannot bear to see another team destroyed."
Gabriel sighed, nodding his head as he finished his tea and took the container.
"I'll tell Adrien and Miss Dupain-Cheng tomorrow...they deserve to know this much. "Good night, Fu, Wayzz."
"Good night, Gabriel." Fu and Wayzz replied, drained from what had transpired.
Meanwhile, at the Dupain-Cheng Bakery, Adrian was fully enjoying all the delicious pastries he could get his hands on. The sight warmed Marinette's heart, and her parents smiled as well.
"Healthy appetite for a model." Tom mused.
"Nathalie and father never let me have any of these!" Adrien said. "They're AMAZING!"
Plagg was also trying a slice of cheesecake given to him by Tikki.
"I'm in heaven!" The Kwammi of Destruction beamed as the Kwammi of Creation smiled
"So...?"
"Yes! Yes, we will come back! Yes, he can stay!"
He saw the slice was gone...as was everything on Adrian's plate.
"Please sir...may I have some more?" The two said, big puppy dog eyes that melted even the coldest heart
"Yep. Perfect for each other." Tikki mused as Marinette giggled.
Suddenly, a knock was heard on the door and Marinette moved to open it...only to gasp at who she saw.
"M-M-MISTER AGRESTE?!"
"Good evening, Miss Dupain Chang." The fashion mogul said. "I hate to be a bother, but might Adrian be able to stay here tonight? Something has come up and I would rest easier knowing he was here. Of course, I will happily pay for whatever expenses and any distress that may occur...Do try and keep him from eating too much; he inherited his mother's inability to sto...He's already eaten a third of tomorrow's sales, hasn't he?"
Tom and Sabine chuckled awkwardly while Tikki and Plagg hid behind them, hoping Gabriel didn't see them.
"...I am NOT apologizing," Adrian said with finality.
To the surprise of many, Gabriel chuckled and…smiled?!
"...Oh, that boy." He sighed before he handed Tom a black credit card and paid for each and every pastry his son had devoured.
"Keep it, I've got three more. Rest well and behave yourself, Adrien! A car will come by tomorrow to pick you up. Oh, and you may come as well Miss Dupain-Cheng: Your bowler-hat design will soon be up for purchase and there's paperwork and payment to sort out."
He paused before adding:
"...I love you."
He then scampered off, leaving his son pretty much dumbfounded by the whole thing.
"Um...what just happened?" Sabine asked.
Meanwhile, in a city connected to Paris that had been standing alongside it for 98 years now. A city connected by a pact of peace between Europe and America, to share their knowledge and cultures together. This...was Gotham City.
Despite its bustling streets that would fit a classic noir setting and high buildings, there was a constant danger plaguing the town; The Criminal Element.
It was this that claimed the lives of Thomas and Martha Wayne, beloved philanthropists and doctors who were the descendants of one of the founders of Gotham. Thankfully, they were succeeded by their son, Bruce, who helped guide the family company, Wayne Enterprises, to new heights and make sure the tragedies that befell his parents wouldn't fall to anyone else.
However, that was merely his Day Job. At night, Bruce had a different identity, a symbol of fear to the criminal element and a beacon of hope for those lost in the darkness. He was vengeance, he was the night, he was...BATMAN.
Currently, the masked alter-ego of the beloved billionaire playboy philanthropist was standing atop a building, having thwarted an attempted robbery/arson from two lowly thugs. The GCPD, the police force of Gotham, had already gotten the two crooks hog-tied and waiting for them.
His work done for the night, Batman jumped down from the building and into the seat of his trusted vehicle, the Batmobile. Driving back to Wayne Manor, he made his way through a secret passageway leading to an underground basement cave.
Waiting for him as he stopped the Batmobile in its docking bay was a gentleman of advanced middle age with a black mustache, a butler's attire, and dark grey hair that was thinning a bit.
"A rather uneventful evening, Master Bruce?" The butler, Alfred Pennyworth, asked.
"More or less. Just a couple of thugs trying to bomb a bank after robbing it blind." Batman said, passing by his trusted friend and the man who had raised him in the wake of his parent's death.
"Ah, what will they think of next," Alfred said, shaking his head before remembering something. "Oh, Master Bruce, we received a call today...from a Mr. Agreste?"
"Gabe?" Bruce perked up, recalling his old friend's name. "What did he call about?"
"Just that his son and his friends are in need of your assistance. Guidance from a trusted older figure of authority, I'd say."
Looking over his Batcomputer, Batman indeed saw that Gabriel Agreste, one of his childhood friends, had left him a message. Apparently, his son, Adrien, was in need of help on a very important project that could use his 'assistance'.
"Why call me now of all times?" Batman pondered to himself.
"Perhaps Gabriel believes his son can learn something from you," Alfred suggested. "After all, you know about handling business properly more than anyone else."
"Yeah, but Gabriel's family are fashion moguls, Alfred. Wayne Enterprises has never exactly been known for tackling that kind of product." Batman replied. "Still...what could he really want?"
Taking off his mask to reveal the handsome face of Bruce Wayne, Batman figured the only way he'd find out is by heading over to Paris and visiting Gabriel himself.
This is an Elseworlds-type fic where Gotham City and Paris are conjoined cities that America and Europe did as a sign of peace and unity. This way, Marinette, Adrien, and their friends can team up with Batman whenever he faces his rogues.
On the Batman side of things, this will mostly be based on The Animated Series continuity but with some additions from other continuities of the Batman mythos, such as the Arkhamverse and a bit of the comics here and there.
I hope you look forward to what this story has to offer and I will see you all soon. Have a good day and stay frosty!