Chapter 07
Nino woke up and glanced over it took a while but he had set up a tank. The warming lamp was really enjoyed as Silkk had a few close calls as she laid on it.
He he headed out his newest project on still in his head as he hummed it. He had just got an invitation to a tv show, The Challenge. He was pretty confident Adrian had something to do with it. He sometimes felt like he was taken advantage of him. The dude was super supportive, he needed a way to pay him back and with the recent relationship with Alya being kind of thanks to him as well. He really felt obligated to win at the very least.
"Nino," Alya rushed up to him as her fingers intertwined with his as they headed to school. "Well today is going to be fun we get to the hotel," she flashed a fake smile.
"Nothing like free labor," he agreed with a sigh as they walked along. He had a feeling Chloe would at least give Alya a rough job. The blonde was still very subdued however he wouldn't put it past her.
It wasn't long before they were at the hotel. He got dragged into the kitchen. Along with Ivan, Adrian got the front desk by himself. He looked well like himself however apparently Chloe still had some teeth as Alya got recommended for garbage duty.
"I'll trade with you," he spoke up before she even had the chance to ask. She gave him a smile and he found himself before a massive pile of grabage.
"That was very nice of you," Silkk floated out of his chest having changed her place.
"I still feel like I should tell her." He admitted after he checked the area.
"It's only been a month I say a year if your still together by then it should be safe." Silkk approved, "cause once she knows you will be forever connected," a string of webbing stretched between her little arms. "I feel she's the good sort but it never hurts to be careful." She explained,
"Nino?" Alya said as He froze and Silkk slowly turned to look at her.
"Hi," he smiled nervously as his brain quickly realized he had no explanation.
"Why do you have Silkk, wasn't she Professor Parker's creation?" she pointed out as Nino scrambled to think of something.
"Ah, well you see, my grades were slipping and, well I asked for , extra credit so since Silkk needed more social interaction well I have my brother, so it was a win win," he forced a smile.
"Nino I like to investigate things remember, and I also know when your lying." She crossed her arms.
"And as your boyfriend I would know that and would hope that you would," he winced, "go along with your lying boyfriend and not say anything that could confirm or deny what I may or might not be doing until I am ready to say something." He felt incredibly small at that moment he hadn't lasted long with his secret.
"Fair enough, I felt bad saddling you with this job so I came out to help." She stepped forward as Nino felt a weight drop of his shoulder.
POV shift
Adrian stepped into his fencing forms, nobody seemed to be coming around outside of the Jagged Stone super fan. When he smelt something familiar "bread?" He realized as he spotted Marinette race passed him out the front door. However before he could think to much on it there was a cry as he jumped the desk and head out to see Marinette on the ground opposite a tall dude with black hair and blue tips. He grabbed Marinette from under her arms as he helped her up first.
"Sorry," she apologized as the peer stood up and gave a smile. Marinette glanced to see who stood her up only to turn a deep bread.
"I, oh I need to tacky, tackle, oh sunglasses cause your to bright, I mean the sun, I need to go," she pulled away. Bumped into the newcomer then booked it.
"What was that all about?" The stranger asked,
"Oh that's just Marinette. Can I help you?" He offered,
"Oh right Juleka left her lunch at the school." He held up a lunch bag.
"I can get it to her," Adrian offered as he glanced at Marinette who just vanished from sight. The two glanced at each other before the guy took off. "Hmm," why did he suddenly remember Théo. He walked inside as he sat the lunch down as he looked over the papers to see where Juleka was. He headed off probably not the best move but to be honest he was probably the only one who could without getting yelled at.
He dropped it off well tried to them had to taken to the kitchen. He felt like a gopher. He got to the main lobby just in time to see Marinette take off again. "Wonder what job she got?" He wondered as he got to the desk.
He glanced over to see Chloe walking towards him, he braced himself for another conversation when the door burst open.
"Of course," he mentally braced himself as a guy walked in with a weird visor and an outfit that looked worthy of a sifi movie.
"Excuse me sir," said a worker as Adrian felt his eye twitch.
"How dense, great now I sound like my father." He muttered, as the worker suddenly vanished.
"You, you can't be here!" Chloe pointed at the man who slowly approached her.
"Chloe run!" He shouted over her. He ducked behind a vase that suddenly looked like it got erased like on a computer. He tackled Chloe just time as the villain refocused on her at the last second.
"Ridiculous utterly Ridiculous!" She shouted, "wait till I tell my daddy!" She stood up only for Adrian to pull her down just in time.
"Are you trying to get deleted or something?" He shouted at her.
"Why do you care," she rounded on him her anger directed at him.
"I do care!" He yelled back forgetting his situation. "But you don't care about me it's like you don't know me at all anymore. Any time I ever mentioned you I get weird looks and so many people think less of me just for call you my friend. But I still defended you I stood up for you and all I ever asked was to be less mean, not to change not to be overly kind or anything just less mean. I am still here trying to help," he felt his anger just give out he felt so drained.
"Smile," the two glanced up.
"Well I walked into this one," he admitted as the two found themselves in a white void with Chloe.
However that seemed to open the flood gates as Chloe started to blame him. If someone told him three months ago this was how he was going to spending his October.
POV Shift
"Well this is what I get being late so much," Nino dodged out of the way. The Pixalizer was giving him a lot of grief as he kept hitting his webs. So any attempts to slow him down was temporary.
Hit a leg with web gone, he had resorted to obscuring the guys vision which was no more effective than the leg.
POV shift
Marinette glanced over the room, and realized the photos were people mainly cause one had familiar voices screaming at each other. "That's hardly fair you did know who I was when I was eight!" Adrian shouted back
"Um," Marinette grabbed the photo
"What!" They both shouted at the same time. The photo dropped as they both rematerialized on the floor.
"This is all Marinette's fault, you get a nice gift and a few words and suddenly I am not good enough."
"What are you talking about? She never gave me a gift? Any issues you had with her she never said a bad thing about you, Nino told me you bullies her for years I don't need her to tell me anything, that's really cruel to like the one person who could give Rose a run for kindness person in school!"
"Ridiculous I am leaving!"
"Fine!" He spat after her his temper boiling over and then vanishing as he saw Ladybug. "Sorry about that," he went stiff as he fully noticed her however Marinette was currently not on planet earth at the moment.
"Ladybug?" He asked again, as she jumped back to reality.
"Sorry I was just stunned I mean I saw rumors that you two," she pointed out, as Adrian shuttered,
"She's like a sister a very mean sister," he put that down.
"So should we start breaking them?" She wondered,
"Probably not the best idea, I don't think everyone could fit here." He admitted he quickly informed her what he new on the Akuma.
"Well I need to go, you know fight the thing," she got out,
"Good luck," Adrian waved at her as her mind went dumb last time before leaving out the window.
She spotted Chloe who even at her darkest could only feel sorry for. Thankfully somehow Alya was updating her blog and she quickly found Arachnid who looked drained as he was not as fast as he normally was.
"I promise to never be late again." He wheezed out as she grabbed him from a beam of light.
"Sorry I was doing some foot work you can retreat," she reminded,
"I knew I was forgetting something." He realized as she just shook her head at him.
"Yeah I forget that one as well," Chat Noir agreed as he arrived,
"Where were you?" Arachnid asked,
"Ask me no questions and will tell you no lies," Chat answered cryptically. Ladybug glanced at him a look he seemed distracted.
"We are all here? Is that Jagged Stone?"
"That's not good," Chat poked his head as they could only make out something.
"I hid him for a reason," she groaned, "lucky charm," and a compact, the two boys looked confused even under the full face mask. And she chucked it they looked even more confused as the blast reflected back.
"Huh well I guess that works," the three watched as the visor dropped to the ground.
"So I could have just used a mirror," Arachnid slumped to the ground as she gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. She glanced at Chat who she half expected to get jealous, however he wasn't she touched his hand as she realized he was being sympathetic as well. Chat dropped down and they purified it with little issue as they looked at the Rock star. Thankfully the concert didn't fall through so over all not the worst time considering.
POV shift
She sat out on the balcony. She sniffed as she blew her nose. She was good a putting on a brave face however with Sabrina at home she felt comfortable with being upset without anyone around. The argument was painful a lot of things she just assumed had blown up. "Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him to come to public schools." She glared forward. Only to hear something up on the roof. "Who's there!" She shot to her feet she would not be caught being upset.
"Just me," Chat Noir popped up with something weird under under his arm. Her anger was flavored with embarrassment.
"You have no business being here! Leave!" She shouted at him ready to be as loud as needed to get him to go away.
"I am just setting something up, then I'll be out of your hair." He responded his eyes flashed with barley held back annoyance.
"Don't you start with me!" She rounded on him, "just cause your some two bit hero does not mean I won't put you in your place! Just leave me alone nobody wants, me," she choked her rage vanished, "nobody wants me," she couldn't help but cry on that one in front of the sidekick. However he didn't leave she was scooped up into a hug.
"If you want change you must be willing to change," he whispered to her as she tried to push him away even though if successful she would be dropped.
"I don't want to hurt," she muttered,
"What do you have to loose at this point?" He sat her down on a pool side chair.
"Just go do what ever it was and go way shoo," she waved at him she got on last sympathetic look before he leaped off. She blew her nose "Why does nothing ever work right why doesn't she want me, why does she have to be so perfect," She curled around her knees "Nothing I do ever works," she closed her eyes as tight as possible.
POV shift
Peter sat down as he finished off his paper work. He got a knock on the window. "Furball," he greeted as Adrian leaped in. "All set up?" He asked as the kid looked at the computer.
"Yep ran into a small hiccup," he admitted,
"Everything looks good," he rubbed his beard so far they had three scanners set up, he was slowly moving towards the Agreste mansion. He could set one up at Felicia's new home but he was trying to keep the peace and it wasn't like the kids couldn't handle the status quo.
"So I know someone who we could bring in for Stingg," he caught as Peter raised an eyebrow.
"Well that was fast, you guys seemed hesitant on poor Stingg felt kinda bad for him." Peter noticed Stink floating seemingly unfazed as Peter frowned a bit this one acted a lot more like an immortal that was for sure.
"Chloe," he bluntly as he took a deep breath as Peter wondered if he should interrupt him. "Look I know what your think every person that was trusted was someone who was kind, at least I think so, but I was think that we could give her a chance to be a better person. I know she has good in her I feel like I failed her. She looked so sad I just want to give her one last chance. You know maybe being a hero shouldn't just be given to the deserving but given in hopes of betterment you know a chance to change to redeem, to betray ones old self." he pointed at him as Peter blinked and settled in as he crossed his arms.
Peter sat back as he watched the teen continued to argue while also admitting this might not be the best idea. It was amusing to see him bounce back and forth. "But you did say they were sentient but I feel like if we keep a close on this one and maybe have a longer vetting system just to be safe, I mean Stingg's power is to steal another power so it might be trouble but I feel even with out Cataclysm I can handle it."
"Well?" He finally ended his pitch as Peter held back his answer.
"Have fun you might want to set some time aside as your plate is already pretty full." He tossed the hexagonal box.
"What me?" He stammered,
"Yep she's not to be active this is training only and if you think that this might go south you pull out. Not everyone changes for the better and that Kwami could do a lot of good in the hands of a more deserving person. But not very hero comes from a place of altruism. Keep your head and use your best judgment I trust you to do what's best." Peter explained as he glanced at his computer only to get a sudden hug before he took off.
"Thanks," he called from the roof tops.
"He's not Ben," he reminded, "he's not your kid stop acting otherwise." He bitterly reminded himself as he intentionally wallowed in his memories as he split second head broke and Adrian took off.
POV shift
"Chloe Bourgeois, many people you don't believe in you but I am here to offer, ugh no," Adrian frowned,
"Hey want to be our test dummy," Plagg mocked as Adrian gave a lazy swat that the Kwami laughed as he flew away.
"I have no idea what I am doing I hardly know how to use your powers."
"Sorry can't help you there." Plagg dismissed as he lazily floated past.
"Even Mr. Parker can't really, it's up to me. If I am going to give this away I should probably figure out how Sting works." He had some free time coming up and that would be for the best. Chloe was impatient so if he was going to do this it was going to make things as easy as possible.
So when he finally had a chance he pulled out Stingg's miraculous, a hat? Like just a grey baseball hat it was kinda weird it had no team identity or anything. No teams or locations any indication of location.
"I hope you don't plan on changing me out to often, not that I don't mind a break." Plagg dismissed, but the single eye that flashed at him told him all he really needed to know about the cat's true feelings on the mater.
"Fusion if I need to, I like the added long coat, but this is so I know what I am talking about." He glanced at Stingg, "no offense you seem nice I just feel bad not being well loyal," he admitted,
"An admirable quality just be sure that your loyalty is well placed else it could be used against you. Betrayal can be forced upon a person if forced between two loyalties." Stingg warned in a calm tone he seemed almost like a mini butler.
"Okay needle rise," he announced as the hat seemed to melt down into black. He glanced at the mirror as he looked at what seemed to be red goggles a black sleek suit with a V cut with white under it kinda like a cross between a sneak suit an actual suit. However something felt different be not physically "do you influence me?" He looked at Plagg, and the Kwami went silent. "Plagg?"
"Kinda," he admitted, and winced as if he expected him to get angry.
"Huh, well I guess that makes senses it influence or do you amplify similar personality traits?"
"You are taking this really well," Plagg pointed out,
"I feel business calm, like it's hard to explain like my professionalism is just amplified. You ready to go?" He asked,
"I get to go?" He chirped at the idea,
"Why not?" He asked as he adjusted the suit, a weird impulse. He headed out as he realized he never asked how the power actually worked. He felt a bit slower not as powerful when he was with Plagg. Who zipped around his green eyes flashing in and out as he spiraled chimneys and other buildings obstacles.
"You guys don't get out much do you?" Adrian paused as he realized the oddly segmented belt that kinda looked like a scorpion tail was his weapon.
"Well, Kwami are trouble in large groups, even Wayzz can be immature and he was aloud out the most." Plagg shrugged the concern off.
"I kinda cause trouble when allowed out and about," he admitted as played with his paws.
"Ah, that still seems lonely," Adrian sympathized, as he realized when a few straps of cloth tickled his neck he realized his mask was tied like a bandana.
"We have all time in world no need to worry," Plagg dismissed only for Adrian to pause in his practice. He knelt down and patted him on the head.
"Your like a little brother I never got, I am sure we could find some place for you to stretch your legs if you real need to. Being stuck in my backpack all day can't be fun." Then an idea hit him, he nearly missed the watery look Plagg's eyes took on before he turned his head away.
However it took a while to realize that it wasn't the whip it was actually a needle in the wrist, it kinda reminded him of the web shooters as it launched from the under side of the wrist.
"Well that's going to be a pain to aim." He wasn't sure exactly how this was going to work only to get an electric taser instead of some kind of webbing. He flashed the suit off and gave the Kwami some chocolate. He already had a bit of cheese for Plagg. After a few attempts to Miss however unless he was intentionally throwing of his aim he usually was close. Mind you a moving target would be an issue.
He already had a few ideas nothing crazy but part part of him really wanted the training to last to at least make sure she was making an effort. And to admittedly delay any interactions he doubted Chloe as she was now wouldn't out herself to Nino instantly. "Maybe a dog miraculous would have been more appropriate?" He muttered to himself as he started to figure out how much sleep time he could afford to miss.
POV shift,
"You have got to be kidding me!" Marrinette screamed as the dragon that was once Fang dropped out of the sky.
The day was already unusual when she was requested to work on an album cover for Gagged Stone and now Arachnid on the advice of Chat Noir decided at that moment to web up the dragon's wings.
"This is not rock n' roll!" He shouted out as he blasted the webbing away. She landed in front of them as they both childishly pointed at each other.
"Any other bright ideas?" She huffed at the pair.
"Well it was a good idea, until we noticed you landed on Fang's back," Chat pointed out.
"How is he can still annoy me even when he's not flirting?" She thought as they refocused apparently this musical partnership was not exactly Gagged stones biggest interest. The Eiffel Tower was once again home to another fight.
Only to come up short as Théo popped up as XY was elsewhere. However Fang with wings was hard to keep up with and before to long before they were back to square one.
"How in the world do we loose a dragon?" Arachnid sighed this particular issue had dragged into night who knew a Rockstar would make such a troublesome villain.
"You got me maybe be we secretly want him to win? Any one here. A fan of XY?" Chat Noir asked nobody spoke up.
"We can't do that," she sighed,
"Nobody said anything," Chat teased with flirty smile. She would never admit it but sometimes she liked the flirting, practically everyone knew she could use the confidence boost.
The ending was kinda obvious in hindsight the fixing gel had her eyeball Arachnid who facepalmed in realization a web-shot to the strings.
The wrap up wasn't to bad, but for all her hard work she got a lot of tickets for the concert tickets as well as a few early copies of the cd to show off her work.
"So who are you taking?" Alya asked as she showed up to school. She didn't bother listening as she already handed her two tickets in all honesty she had more than enough. "Thank you girl,"
"I have more than enough." She pointed out, not the best seats but a Gagged Stone ticket wasn't cheep regardless.
"Are you going to give Adrian one?" She smiled and elbowed her.
"Well I, I am sure if he wanted to go he could probably get backstage passes," she dismissed nervously as her insides were twisted up at the idea at talking to him.
"Ugh, I can't believe what is the point in being a model, isn't that part of the gig backstage passes." Nino suddenly came in clear.
"One that's female models, and two you met my dad he's classical you really think he would be buying me tickets to a rock concert?" The two sat down as Alya gave her a look.
"I guess that answers that question," Alya nudges her forward.
"Curse your perfectly timed conversation," she mentally panicked.
"So, I extra tickets, concert," she got out as her heart jumped up into her throat. He blinked clearly confused but didn't seem to bothered.
"I got Gagged Stone Tickets you want to go go!" She blurted out and she could already feel everyone's eyes on her as embarrassment grew.
"Sure," he said, with a calm smile,
"Great," she handed him the ticket and was only able to just, she spilled her backpack.
""Let me help," her hand brushed his only for him to pause at the cd.
"It smells like leather?" He realized, "this is so cool did you when a contest to get one of the coolest album covers and some tickets?" He asked as she lost her ability to speak.
"Marinette actually designed the cover," Alya told him as she put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"So her name should be in design?" He pointed out as Alya blinked.
"He remembered that?" She thought as Alya leaned forward as Ivan and a few other students looked at the cover.
"There it is," Nino pointed out as everyone started speak at once from praise to spreading the word on its location.
Who knew the attention of one person could be so intoxicating. "Still need to talk to my dad, that's going to be fun." Class started as she shook herself out of her funk.
"Well it's a start," Alya sighed with an amused smile on her face.
"Oh sorry," he turned around to hand her back the album.
"No you can keep it I have a few," she pushed it back completely missing the detail that she didn't stutter.
"Can I get an Autograph then?" He pushed back,
"Sure," she squeaked out as she took the marker he had.
"You have a sharpies you?" Alya asked,
"The need pops up on occasion, and it's probably going to get worse." He rubbed the back of his head as she almost got mesmerized by his hair.
"Why?" Alya asked
"We got talks about me voicing a character for an upcoming tv show a very popular one,"
"Really? Who?"
"I can't say," Adrian reminded as she started listing characters. "Nino tell your girl friend to leave me alone." He pleaded as Nino started to list off characters
"Marinette your my only hope," he gave her a pair of big puppy dog eyes.
"Those eyes are dangerous," she thought as her mouth failed to make any noise. But before it got uncomfortable the teacher walked in to restore order.
Before long she had gotten rid of most of the tickets and she did not feel comfortable. "Mr. Parker you interested?" She asked as she caught him after class.
"No thanks, however I notice you have been avoiding two people," he reminded as her good mood ran headlong into unpleasant memories.
"Let me guess be the bigger person?" She was ready for a lecture.
"Well that would make you better than me, it was years after high school before I could be in the same room as Flash. However you are here and while I wouldn't hold my breath. What do you got to loose? After all what is a hero but someone who strives for a heroic ideal." He walked past her.
"He has a point," Tikki agreed as she winced at the low blow.
Never before had she ever wanted to throttle the standards of heroism. However Parker wasn't fallowing her, he was a teacher and a hero but that didn't mean. Her thoughts stopped as she caught her bully lingering behind, alone. "Curse my sympathetic heart," she cursed under her breath as it felt like someone was twisting her arm on this. She slapped the last two tickets onto the desk. "I don't care if you go or not," she spun on her heels and walked.
"I don't want your sympathy," Chloe brushed the tickets off, "if I wanted to go I could have any ticket I wanted." She sniffed as she put her nose in the air.
"Then throw them out, we will never be friends, Chloe so don't think this is anything more than me at least trying to be fair, since the class all got tickets. If you give them away or use them I don't care." She left before her temper could get the better of her.
They got dropped off and dad warned her to be safe have her phone on her, all the important safety things before she was dropped off it wasn't long before everything was there even Chloe who still kept to herself.
"What is with the coat?" She asked Adrian who had showed up in a long black coat.
"Dad was worried about the temperature, I at least talked him into something fashionable for the hat. Well it was the end of October.
"Hey Chat Noir?" Mylène pointed out as before long everyone had spotted him, oddly he had a coat on as well as Adrian brought out some binoculars.
"That's him all right," he agreed, the camera actually caught him on screen as he waved before taking off.
"What was that all about you think there might be another Akuma?" Alya asked Nino. Marinette glanced at her friend group.
"I don't see anything, he might be on patrol, I saw them out an about." Nino scrolled over his phone.
"You think that guy would take a break or something," Ivan chuckled as as everyone had a good laugh.
"This is amazing!" Adrian was clearly swept up in the moment. He had a perpetual smile on his face that she was sure would have pained her to attempt the same. Even Chloe seemed to forget herself and have a bit of fun. She was still not sure about it but she pressed it to the back of her mind.
"Awesome!" Suddenly Nino had pulled into a weird hug, "I am in!" He held up his phone as Marinette found herself being pulled over his phone. "They got me set up for the Challenge," he smiled,
"Congratulations," Alya patted him on his cap.
"Yeah," Adrian agreed as they were all released.
"You guys got to be there for me, it says I can bring people in." Nino hunched a bit,
"Of course," Alya smiled as if he need not ask.
"If the tv is involved I should be able to make it in." Adrian smiled.
"I should be good." She answered, she got home and ready for the railroad of events in her life at least this time she wasn't in the hot seat. Her alarm went off, "right well I got time, Tikki spots on," she headed out onto the balcony.
She swung out, however before she got the meet up. "What in the world?" She nearly swung into something as it looked like someone was in the school. It was weird no lights were on but she swore she saw something move. She brought up her phone and let the boys know she was looking into something at a school and pinged them her location.
She dropped onto the roof she lacked any of the extra senses that it seemed everyone had so she wasn't sure if this was a waste of time. However she did not have wait long. A group of masked men moved onto the roof.
"There it is, what was so important about these things?" One asked,
"Who cares," she watched these guys seemed normal. No flashy gimmicks or anything, a toolbox was dropped of to the side. "The sensor," she realized as she sent out the yo-yo. "Aren't you little old to be in school?" She asked as she pulled the man off his feet. She almost flinched when the fist flailed at her but. He was pulling his punches or she was a lot more durable than she realized, the group spun and started to grab something to swing at her. She tossed the first one two the side as someone pulled a gun.
Her Yo-yo spun however her feet froze the bullets bounced off and she was relieved. Outwardly she looked completely unfazed however she had no idea that would work and her feet had froze when the barrel was pointed at her.
However the thieves were more terrified of her. They seemed ready to run but she was standing above the door. However the one she had tossed had suddenly tackled her the surprise took her off her feet more than anything. She quickly grabbed the man,
"Owe!" he cried out as she instinctively released her grip.
"Sorry," she panicked however they were now out the door. "Oh that's it," a ping towards her pride. She swung above then down, she knew the school like the back of her hand. However the care driving in was probably their target.
And she planned it perfectly as the exited they were all pulled up as the car only slowed down before it took off. She brought out her phone,
"We had a break in," she called up the police," she explained as she talked the boys finally showed up. They started up after a second of confusion,
"Just a break in they were after Parker's project," she glanced at the robbers. She explained, "Arachnid could you web them up?" She asked,
"What could they possibly want at this school?" Chat asked,
"This is we're you met Spider-man remember?" Arachnid pointed,
"No that was, oh right, sorry got confused there for a second," he had almost corrected probably to an early time. "Wait the, crap we need to check the others," he took off first as she realized it a second after Chat did, Arachnid took off as the called her.
"The hotel was taken,"
"The north point one as well, I checked the one at the training building that one is still there," Arachnid explained, so they had lost two.
"Mr. Parker," she called up,
"Way ahead of you all four had trackers I'll let you know when they stop moving." He explained,
"You expected this?" She asked,
"Yes, he would be a fool not to look into these. You guys were not exactly discrete putting them up." He pointed out.
"I was just trying to help," Chat sighed,
"Oh, I was just messing with you, some of the locations required permits. Hawkmoth would have to be stupid and blind not to suspect something when these things started to pop up. And this works to our benefit."
"Cause he has to act outside the Miraculous!" She realized as Peter smiled. "Cause if someone Akumatized destroys them the lucky charm would fix him. It forces him to deal with other people possibles leaving a trail." She realized,
"Or we track what was stolen," he tossed her a phone that had a map already opened. "I doubt it but we might have gotten lucky and he might have taken it someplace important."
She was already on her way. The location was constantly moving. She would stop change directions. Apparently they took precautions,
"It's probably a van, the original get away vehicle was one." She explained,
"Found it," Chat Noir leaped ahead the three dropped onto the van as it started to swerve. She lost her balance as did Chat only for Arachnid to grab both of them. The windows leaned open as she tossed her yo-yo knocking the gun away it retracted then she grabbed the side mirror. She zipped in only to dodge more gun fire. Chat used it as a distraction and pulled the driver out. Her heart skipped a beat only to see the driver fall into a web that Arachnid had set up. Chat took the wheel as she disarmed the passenger. He suddenly got his hands strung up by his neck as his legs went to the wheel to keep it steady. She crawled back as Arachnid pried open the back door. She quickly delt with them as Arachnid webbed them in place as Chat slowed the van down. The scanner had been pried open and while she recognized a few things like the tablet she saw what looked like some kind of hotpot device.
"We found the remaining one from the hotel, can you come look at this?" Arachnid had his phone up.
"Hmm, I guess he wasn't sure," Parker glanced over everything.
"Why are you here?" Roger asked,
"I built these, it looks like that had been downloading and sending the code forward. Curse plausible deniability,"
"What do you mean?" She asked,
"Well we could track down who these guys are but in the end this one little detail screws a few things." He showed that there wasn't one location but multiple businesses it seemed his cover story on air quality brought in a few sets of eyes. A lot of businesses in the area from public transportation on up were apparently interested the results.
"So pointless?" Chat Noir asked,
"They can still do their original purpose however the flood of people who know is going to get much bigger. These guys are probably tied to some investigation company and while Roger could get them on fire arm charges we won't get a name. I am going to need to work on some security measures." He groaned at the slow down.
He was not wrong before the end of the next day half of Paris was now informed of the project and it's intended purpose. "... It's just the news,"
POV shift
"Okay did you know?" Natalie glanced at him,
"I didn't, I honestly found out about the project because of Audrey. I convinced her was part of a plan to steal her secrets and out scope her magazine. I didn't realize the scope of the bullet I just dodged." He admitted as petty behavior really worked out in his favor.
POV shift
Nothing to be done the word was out she got picked up as she sat down next to Adrian. Alya was next to Nino who was trying to get for the show. However she was a bit out of it since Adrian was next to her. She remembered the mayor and then getting pulled into a half hug as Nino got past the first part.
There was a small celebration as the all gave Nino support that missed out a bit.
"My dad?" Adrian realized, he gave a cold comment on the hypnotist and the show. "Hmm," he grunted as Nino gave him a look.
She was a bit surprised the two seemed to act more like old friends then she and Nino did. Then again considering he was Dating Alya maybe a bit of distance was a good thing. She really wanted to avoid any weird social confusion with her already as complicated as ever.
"Well I guess that's it for the day," She was a bit surprised but they shot in bulk and Nino was part of the back half of the day. Suddenly her phone went off as another Akins attack. She was really looking forward to the celebration.
"I need to go," she said only to realize only Alya was still around. "Did I miss something?"
"Girl, there is an Akuma attack and it's targeting Adrian's dad what did you need to do?" She asked,
"Help at the bakery." She sighed, "however that might not be a problem anymore. Probably not the best idea to linger here," she figured as she headed to the elevator. Alya slipped in as she tried to figure out a safe way to split. Only to already Here a fight had already broken out.
"How in the world did they get here so fast?" Alya questioned she looked in on them.
"We need to leave," she grabbed Alya however she pulled out her camera. She shook her head and took off to transform herself if Alya was going to be the plucky reporter then she needed to suit up.
"Tikki spots on," she leaped in only to see that Simon was gone and the boys were fighting.
Chat was playing defense for all the good it did as Arachnid could dodge anything Chat could throw at him.
"He's after Mr. Agreste, I'll handle this," he explained only to get decked. She paused only for Arachnid to turn against her only for Chat to finally get him in a full Nelson. "I got this m'lady," he gave a wining smile as she took off.
She headed out onto the streets, she glanced back only to see a black clad figure heading inside. He gave a slight wave as she headed towards the Agreste mansion. She landed and frowned she had beaten Simon but she was not sure how to approach this.
Suddenly she spotted her in. Adrian rushed up to the gates as she dropped down next him.
"Ladybug?" He jumped as she landed next to him. "Uh, hi," he got out.
"Hi your dad, is in stub, trouble," she got out, as the gates opened. She watched him freeze a bit as if not sure how to respond however.
"Dad," he reminded as he headed in, she fallowed and wasn't to surprised when the man himself stood before them on the stairs.
"He already knows," Natalie was already a head of the game.
"Good evening Ladybug," the man acknowledged,
"Father we got to get out of here, Simon the hypnotist is coming after you!" He was practically pleading.
"What and be dictated to by a madman?" He frowned disapprovingly.
"But father Simon might be a mad man but that doesn't make him any less dangerous," Adrian seemed to half calmed himself however he looked no less frustrated.
"Head up to your room I think you have had enough excitement for one day. Natalie make sure he stays there. I have to apologize for my son, he is like his mother way to overly dramatic." He apologized,
"He is right thought," she pointed out as she watch Adrian get walked away.
"What could possibly happen to me with you here?" He asked as a no small amount of pride shot through her.
"I think it might be best to wait here till your partner arrives. I few things I need to go over if you would prefer to stay close you can join me." He allowed as she nodded and kept a hand on her Yo-yo.
She had to contain herself a bit as apparently he was working with photos of Adrian. What a weird situation hanging out with your crush's dad as he talks about him. The situation might have been awkward if she wasn't currently in a daze.
"Isn't he flawless?" He asked,
"Huh, what fla-what?" She was back in reality kinda.
"Adrian, my son. He's the image of perfection, don't you think?"
"Oh, yes, he's perfect. I mean he seems perfect I don't know him very well." She admitted when he turned and was about to speak when her Yo-yo rang.
"Sensei is dealing with Arachnid, so I am on my way Simon has an army of people bearing down on the mansion." He explained he swung into the room via a window. "if you have any security systems or a safe room now would be the time to use it." He explained as he sounded like ran a mile.
"They won't get in this place is built like a fortress." Mr. Agreste said, as he moved to his computer terminal.
"Lockdown engaged" sounded a robotic voice. However as she watched the screens the gates were broken down and the power went off.
"Adrian is in danger I better go get him," she realized he would make an excellent hostage if he was caught. That being the only reason of course.
"Here, Nathalie. Take the controls in case you need to unlock an exit. She's coming with you," the wall folded down as she took of with the assistant who was remarkably calm all things considered. She over heard a bit of shouting about dangers however she had to lag a bit for Natalie to keep up with her.
They got to the room only to hear water running. She looked at Natalie a bit confused she gave a shrug. "You should probably get him," she said as her body went ridged and probably red faced.
"Adrian!" Natalie called for him,
"I don't see anything," she decided as she glanced at the computer to see an image of a woman that looked like the painting.
"I'll go check on Gabriel," she headed back for the door.
"Don't leave me alone with him," she mentally pleaded. She returned to the photo, she could see the resemblance.
"That's mom mom on her seventh birthday," Adrian said as she nearly jumped a foot at the sudden appearance of the model.
"She has your eyes," she said suddenly as she looked him in his beautiful green eyes.
However before anything else could be said a body crashed through the wall. "Yep I am going to feel that in the morning." Peter in his Spider-Man costume cracked his back.
Arachnid jumped him as the two watched as Peter pried him off as chunks of his suit went with him. "I can do this all day but I would rather not." He looked at Ladybug only to get hit with webbing. And was yanked out.
She shelved her own desires as she shoved Adrian back into the bathroom. "Stay here!" She ordered,
She found Chat Noir and an empty room as the sounds of a struggle turned them around. Peter walked in with Arachnid strung up in a cocoon of webbing.
"Maybe, training, wasn't the best idea," he dropped Arachnid down,
"Welcome to another exciting hour of The Challenge!"
"That's convenient," Chat Noir said as Peter held up the remote.
"Get going I need a moment," he urged as they both nodded.
POV shift
Peter watched them go as he pulled out a thumb drive. He inserted into the terminal, he glanced at the painting on the wall. He glanced at the security however sometimes he noticed the room had an intentional blind spot. He glanced behind him, then something caught his eye the electric system was incredible. The power was probably for the security system but even at the high end of things the amount of power from the back up generators was insane. Nothing short of a stasis bod would require this level of power.
"What are you doing?" Natalie announced her presence,
"Watching a tv show?" He pointed at the tv showing the battle between the two heroes.
"You can do that else where." She insisted,
"And leave him here, I don't think that's the best idea. Besides your boss is in trouble unless your worried I might find something."
"Out," she got up into his face,
"Okay," he eased his hands as he plucked the usb, it probably wasn't long enough but he could always call in a favor.
"Wait where am I," Nino shifted as Peter paused on a roof top.
"Nothing crazy just some hypnotist. Hold still, I'll get you out of this in a second." He said,
"I didn't cause to much trouble did I," Nino broke free of the bonds.
"Not sure how to answer that one so let's just say I'll be nursing a few bruises and call it a day." He was long past the point where he could rumble for days on end. He glanced over and saw the other two talking with Gabriel as he grunted and looked at Nino. "Well if there was ever a time for petty revenge," he nodded, to say the three were surprised when Nino "accidentally" shot a gob of webbing that smacked the man in the head.
"Sorry about that!" Peter called over the roof tops as the two had to do there best to keep from laughing as the man tried to remove it.
"Do you have anymore web fluid remover?" Marionette panicked.
"I already used everything up don't worry it will devolve in an hour." Peter shouted back.
"No it won't," Nino said quietly as Peter realized they shot one of the stronger fluid settings. "This feels like an abuse of power." Nino glanced at him.
"It was an accident, besides it's not like him flapping around like a butterfly isn't going to make the rounds online. Sometimes bad things happen to unpleasant people."
With that he took off, he got back to his computer, his opportunity to really dig into the man may have finally happened. He was happy when his little virus wasn't discovered. It wasn't long until he had a full map of the mansion. The power lines went deep as he wondered how the man managed to pull that off considering the laws but he chalked it up to money.
However the real million dollar question is what to do. Even as class continued he still wasn't sure what his next move would be. He could easily break in rip the mansion apart steal the miraculous and leave it at that. He glanced over at the transcript for a new student, he pushed it to the side. Some girl he wasn't to worried about.
There was a knock at the door "hey teach, here," Nino passed him a chart. It was another small project Nino had done the extra work of exercising the test was if the increased strength would carry over to the miraculous.
"Not sure if this will do much, you up for continuing this?" He scanned the paper.
"I want to do everything I can do to help." He said with a confident smirk, "that and Alya's sister is really rough so the extra strength helps." He gave him a look. "Oh no, just protective big sister no bullying."
Peter dropped the subject, "well I need to get going Felicia might have found something but she is not sure." He headed out as Nino followed him.
"Really a new Miraculous?" He brightened,
"Hush, and maybe we don't talk over phones." Peter glanced at him. "Besides you didn't seem to interested in the last one."
"Fair I feel bad but Betrayal seems," Nino shuttered at the idea.
"I know, you kids are all rid or die. What do you think about Chloe? Maybe she can betray herself and be a better person." He slapped Nino on the back as Rose talked to her. She said no but was not as harsh be that cause of her new realizations or the fact he was heading her way.
POV shift
"Okay, you keep an eye on her this is last chance okay you let me know we find someone else." Adrian glanced at Stingg.
"Sounds good," he nodded as he closed the box, he spotted Chloe as she lounged around the hotel. He took one last breath.
"So not hanging around the prince?" He asked as she nearly fell at the sound of his voice.
"Oh a stray, don't you have better things to be doing, like chasing butterflies?" She looked up and away to salvage her pride.
"Cute, I suppose if your not interested I can go find someone else." He shrugged and turned a bit keep his eye ears open.
"Fine what do you want?" She slapped her magazine to the side as she glared at him.
"I don't know with how rude you where I am having second thoughts," he bated around the box and even spun it around on one of his claws before catching it. Chloe was both curious and irritated as she did her best to keep her reputation intact.
"Stop wasting my time," she demanded,
"You interested in being a super hero?" He asked, casually,
"I," she brightened the excitement was clear however what ever she was going to say caught in her throat. "Why me?" She glared at him her eyes glittered dangerously.
"It's not cause your bringing with a heroic spirit." Adrian dropped down. She was ready to tear into him but he stepped closer and she instinctively stepped back. "The reason is two fold you have a habit of causing negative emotions. I am sick of cleaning up your messes. Your going to help, and two I got twenty dollars on the line my mentor things your a waste of time, I think you can be a good hero. So we made a bet." He said with a shrug and a smirk.
She stood there the harsh look on her face. "Fine," she agreed, "you should have come to me first."
"Not so fast," he with held the box, the look on her face was priceless. "This is for training, to see if you can handle this we don't want to just toss you in to the deep end. This isn't a hand out we practice a few hours every week you hand him back over and when you can be a team player. And prove trust worthy to keep a secret. Then you will have the responsibility of helping save Paris. You get this on those requirements so we if you don't think you can handle It turn me down now." She gave him looks the entire time.
"I don't have to be your sidekick do I?" She frowned as her fiery independence popped in.
"I wouldn't call you a side kick but you won't be a partner unless you can prove your worthy of such thing." He braced himself,
"Fine I'll play your game, for now," she holds out her hand.
"Don't make me regret this," Adrian held firm on the box as he looked her in the eye.
"Greetings I am Stingg the Kwami of betrayal," the scorpion bowed.
"I am familiar with the idea," she glanced at him,
"Well let's begin," he shrugged as he started his last shot for Chloe.
AN: so about the thing with episode order Anti bug should be taking place later then this episode however since I was reading of the wrong episode list everything is kinda mixed up. So I am assuming Stone has been to the hotel before he just never met the mayor. Why am I not changing things cause a lot of the changes were built around that episode order list. I plan to do better when I finally get to season two so this won't happen again, hopefully this isn't to confusing.
Also its been a chapter or so Blurry is actually based on Nick Fury the power was inspired by LMD's life model decoy something I recalled from the original sin story in the comics. I would have gone with a gun as his weapon but I didn't feel it would fit so my idea was to go with a elector rod from Reno of the Turks another spook felt it being a similar weapon to the staff would let it blend in with Chat Noir's typical powers and I have not taken this idea all the way to the end just yet so few more surprises. Let me know if you think it fits.
