Chapter Two
The entire school was buzzing as Nino made his way through the hallways.
It was to be expected after yesterday's akuma, dozens of photos having flooded the LadyBlog– the entire city chattering in excitement about what had taken place. It had been one of the most effective takedowns of the magical villains ever since Hawk Moth had first appeared, all rooted in a display of amazing teamwork.
And since Ladybug had been working alone for so long, it was something they had never been able to truly see before.
Nino couldn't help but look down at his phone as he slid into his desk– front row seat, the worst place in his opinion– looking at the picture of Rena Rouge once more. She was a fox-themed heroine, dressed in orange tipped with white, even the ends of her red hair looking like little fox tails. Her exact powers weren't exactly known yet, it had been late at night and dark– and while plenty of strange things had been observed last night, people weren't sure if it had been the akuma or the new hero. Her weapon had been a flute, something that seemed no more threatening than Ladybug's yoyo– so everyone knew not to underestimate it.
Everyone was talking about Rena Rouge– from what her powers seemed to do, to if she would make an appearance in every fight from now on, to how she looked. For Nino though, he couldn't help but wonder where she had come from. Ladybug had arrived with her, meaning she hadn't just been some random hero to show up on her own, and while there had been no clear acts of authority the new hero clearly deferred to Ladybug.
It was as if this were planned, Ladybug clearly aware of the help she was receiving, so why hadn't she done it before?
His thoughts were interrupted by the giggles of girls– and he groaned. This was why he hated his seat, because he was surrounded on all sides by them, with no bros to even the numbers. Chloe and Sabrina to his right, and Alya and Marinette right behind him.
Okay, that did make it seem like being by them was absolutely horrible. Alya and Marinette were cool, he was often paired up with them for group projects, and they were both kind and hard working. Marinette sometimes brought in delicious pastries, Alya did a fantastic job of running the Ladyblog, and they had always been nice to him. Chloe and Sabrina on the other hand... were Chloe and Sabrina.
"What do you think of the new hero?" Alya was radiating excitement– the entire class knew that heroes were her speciality. So a new hero being in their city... Nino glanced behind him slightly, and found that she was practically shaking with excitement. "Isn't this just all amazing?"
"She was amazing," Marinette said in a breathless tone, and Alya beamed.
"I got so many submissions to the Ladyblog– I was up all morning throwing together an article– did you read it?"
"Of course," Marinette replied. "Rena Rouge is just... amazing– she puts Ladybug to shame!"
Alya let out a snort at this. "Oh, no one can compare to Ladybug! But Rena Rouge... yeah, amazing."
She said the last part is a soft, wistful voice– and Nino wondered if Alya had yet another hero crush. She wouldn't be the only one, judging by the comments he had heard in the hall, and he glanced at the photo of the hero again. She was stunning, he wouldn't hesitate in saying that– a bold gleam in her eyes, beautiful long hair– but personally he wasn't sure what everyone else saw. Impressive just like Ladybug, but apparently not his taste.
"She was so brave," Marinette gushed in a way that Nino wasn't used to– he had never heard her discuss heroes in such a way. "She didn't even hesitate, and this was her first fight. I mean, not even Ladybug can say that."
"Well Ladybug was on her own for her first fight," Alya said defensively– immediately leaping to the defense of her favorite hero. "And that was back when we didn't even know what akumas were. I'm sure Rena Rouge was only that brave with Ladybug at her side."
Nino smiled– it seemed nothing could sway Alya from her fixation with Ladybug– not even a brand new hero.
"...Am I silly, Tikki? Trying to compete with Ladybug?" Marinette asked quietly.
The little kwami giggled. "You are Ladybug, silly."
She sighed, looking at her computer– featuring her new screensaver of Rena Rouge. She looked so beautiful in the picture, leaping through the air, eyes lit with awe and joy– just looking so happy. Marinette smiled as she stared at the picture, reminding herself that it was she that had been able to give Alya that experience as a hero for a single night.
Fighting alongside someone... no– fighting alongside her best friend– was the best feeling Marinette had felt in a long time. It had filled a void that had always been there every time she had gone to fight an akuma, someone being by her side feeling just so right, and the akuma fight had probably been the best one ever.
She was still trying to decide if it was because someone had been there, or because it had been Alya.
"...Would it be cheap just to tell Alya that I have a huge crush on Rena?" She asked. "Since I can't tell it to her face otherwise?"
"I don't see why not," Tikki chirped. "But I don't know if she'll buy it as your 'big crush' you've mentioned to her– since Rena only just showed up. And I'm sure she won't believe your feelings for 'someone else' had disappeared just because a pretty girl in a fox costume showed up."
Marinette let out a groan. "I should have never told her I like anyone, she won't leave me alone on who it is!"
"Just tell her you like her!" Tikki said, zipping towards her.
"Nooooo," Marinette whimpered, burying her face into her hands. "I can't, Tikki! What if she thinks I'm weird? What if I mess everything up? What if she hates me and ends our friendship and never wants to talk to me ever again–"
"You know she likes girls too!" Tikki chirped. "You never know–"
"Yeah, but she doesn't like me."
"...She literally said that she would marry Ladybug last week."
"But what if she finds out that I'm Ladybug and then she's disappointed who's behind the mask and then she starts hating me and Ladybug and doesn't want to be Rena Rouge anymore and then I can never see her again and I'll die an old lady without even our hamster that we were going to name–"
"Mari," Tikki said, patting her on the head. "Breathe, you're fine."
"No Tikki, it's the end of the world."
"Of course it is," Tikki replied, picking up a cookie from the desk and sticking it in Marinette's mouth. "Now getting to work on your homework, we can worry about crushes and the end of the world after your history is done."
"Nathalie, you'll need to reschedule Adrien's photoshoot for next week," Gabriel said stiffly.
"Of course, sir," Nathalie replied, glancing at the teenager, who was silently standing in the atelier, eyes glossy. He wasn't focusing on anything in particular, his hand covering one cheek, where a red mark could be seen underneath his fingers.
Gabriel turned, heading so he was standing behind his desk, and looked towards his son. "Now, let's try this again. Adrien, come here."
Adrien stumbled forward on command, his hand still covering his forming bruise, and he stood in front of the desk, looking up at his father. Gabriel reached for the tie around his neck, reaching underneath and pulling out a small brooch from underneath. As he pulled it away there was a flash of light, and as he set it down on the desk there were four small stripes of silvery fabric flaring out from the brooch, making it resemble wings.
"This is the Miraculous of the Butterfly," Gabriel said, pushing it forward. "You are going to take it, transform, and create an akuma. I expect you to have complete control over your creation, and no hesitation from it in the fight against Ladybug."
"Yes sir," Adrien said, despite having heard these exact words moments before– though his reply had instead been panic instead of compliance– which his father had not reacted well to.
His hand left his face, red skin stinging as air touched it, and he reached for the brooch. As his hands wrapped around it there was a slight glow– a burst of lavender light swelling up from it, while the brooch in his hand shifted to a small silver brooch, lacking the small wing-like cloths, like when his father held it. From the glow formed a small creature, lavender in shape, the kwami looking down at Adrien with an unreadable gaze.
It had been roughly a week since Adrien had first learned that it was his father behind Hawk Moth's mask, but Adrien was still amazed by the small being as he had the first time he saw him. His father had him accompany him up to the lair in the attic, where he had first met Nooroo, and had watched his father akumatized and control someone. He had been both wary and awed, the process and reality frightening– but the magic and the fact that his mother could come home... he was grateful his father was now involving him.
He hadn't realized his father was preparing for him to akumatize someone as well. The idea of controlling someone, attacking someone– attacking the city... He didn't think that he could do that, but saying such had rewarded him with a slap on the cheek, and the Butterfly Miraculous being presented once more.
"Hello Nooroo," Adrien said softly, managing a small smile. Nooroo's eyes narrowed on him, before turning back towards Gabriel.
"You're really going to bring him into this, Master?" The kwami said, a slight angry hum in his presence that Adrien had not seen the first time he had met the kwami– Nooroo having been submissive and quiet the first time he had seen the small creature. "He's a child."
"So is Ladybug," Gabriel said. "I fail to see the problem. You, Nooroo, will fully explain your powers to Adrien, and guide him through the process."
"Yes, Master."
Adrien shakily held the Miraculous, the small silver brooch almost slipping through his fingers as he pinned it to his shirt. It most certainly didn't go with the casual style he was wearing, but he didn't really care, just trying to control his breathing. Nooroo was drifting closer to Adrien, the kwami having seemed much more genuine to the boy than Gabriel.
"Adrien's photoshoot has been rescheduled, sir," Nathalie said, looking up from her tablet, glancing between the two of them. "Also, I have a suggestion– if I may."
"Yes, Nathalie?"
"Perhaps you should let Adrien do his first akumatization on his own," Nathalie said, looking at the teenager, who blinked at her. "Our presence would present pressure, which would affect his performance– along with the akuma's. Considering that people will see it as Hawk Moth's akuma, will we want a clean performance."
"Perhaps," Gabriel said, gray eyes locked on Adrien for a moment, before shifting it to the kwami near his shoulders. "Nooroo, you once told me you thought Adrien would be a fitting wielder for you, didn't you?"
The Butterfly looked away. "At one point, perhaps– but no one is a fitting holder of Generosity when they had selfish intentions." He looked down at Adrien. "You're a kind soul, Adrien, but as long as your goals align with your father's you will not be a suitable match for my Miraculous."
"What... what does that mean?" Adrien asked, grasping the brooch.
Nooroo's expression softened. "It is not dangerous, Young Master, don't worry. It simply means our auras will not merge when the Miraculous is in use. Holders' whose souls align well with a Miraculouses' concept tend to be the most effective of wielders. Look at Ladybug, who has been able to fight akumas on her own for so long despite being so young. She is truly an ideal holder of Creation."
"I need you to explain your abilities to Adrien, Nooroo, not pointless ramblings."
Nooroo sighed. "You are a young holder, Master Adrien, which means your body cannot fully support or merge with my magic. As such I will be bearing the majority of your transformation, which will mean that once your akuma is defeated you will only have a few minutes until your transformation falls. The longer the akuma is active, and the more powerful it, the shorter this time will be."
"Adrien will be staying within the house, his transformation time will not matter," Gabriel snapped.
"Will he be within your lair?"
Gabriel pursed his lips together, before glancing at Nathalie. The two held eye contact for a moment, and Gabriel let out a long sigh. "You will be in your room, Adrien. We will not be observing you, though Nathalie and I will be watching the akuma and the battle. It would probably be for the best, actually, for us to have a public appearance during an akuma attack."
"Yes, Father," Adrien said softly.
"Come on Nino!" Chris begged.
He gave his little brother a smile. "Sorry little dude, but not even the theaters would let me into that movie, so I can't take you. 'Sides, I don't think you'd even enjoy it."
"Of course I would!" Chris said. "I'm a big boy after all!"
Nino took off his cap, placing it on Chris' head. "That doesn't mean you'd enjoy it, I know that I wouldn't, and I'm older than you. Horror ain't what it's cracked up to be."
Chris crossed his arms with a pout and Nino held back a laugh because he knew his brother wouldn't like the movie, no matter how adorable he was. He slipped his cap back onto his head, looking at the requested movie Chris had so desperately wanted to watch, sure that he didn't even know what it was about, only that it was a 'big boy' movie, as he would put it.
"How about we go see another movie this weekend?" Nino said. "It doesn't have to be a cartoon, if that's what you'd like."
"Really? Awesome!" Chris said, pumping his fists, and he knew he would have to find something that his mother wouldn't strangle him for taking Chris to see. It wasn't like he had any plans for this weekend anyways, and it would be nice to get out and about for something else besides school. And seeing how excited Chris was, that was more than enough reason, and it had been so long since he had been to the movies with someone.
The thought made him pause, though he shook it off as he headed towards his room, plopping onto his bed with a sigh. It had been a while since he had hung out with anyone, or had someone to hang out with. He tried to put the thought out of his mind, just telling himself to try to be more active with getting to know people his age, but it wasn't like it was easy. He grabbed some bubbles off of his lamp table, blew a few, watching as the orbs drifted around the room. He watched them, as if in hopes they would be enough of a distraction.
More drifted through the room, and he added more as others popped, each iridescent in the light. But soon another hue was visible off of their reflective surface, a shimmer of black. He frowned, a flicker of movement appearing out of the corner of his vision, eyes widening as he saw the butterfly flying right at his bubble wand.
There was nothing he could do, the akuma butterfly instantly merging, and he felt a presence in his mind. He took in a sharp breath, panic rising up in him. He had never been akumatized before, but his classmates had recalled the experience many times. The butterfly made contact, and they heard Hawk Moth's deep voice in their mind, their emotions being turned to an intensity so they could not refuse him– and then his power would wash over them.
Then after that, nothing– not until Ladybug purified the butterfly and freed them from Hawk Moth's control.
So he braced himself, waiting for Hawk Moth to take control and whisper lies into his mind– but yet even as a purple mask appeared in front of him he felt strangely in control, not like what had been described to him. Did he just feel that way right now in the moment? And Hawk Moth was already twisting his emotions?
"Um... hi?" A voice said in his mind, one that was neither deep or menacing.
"...No." Nino whispered.
"Huh?"
"I... I said no," Nino said slowly. He didn't know what was happening– but he wasn't feeling compelled to listen to Hawk Moth, and he wasn't going to let it get to that point. "I'm not going to let you akumatize me– leave me alone."
"Wait–!"
He tried to release his grip on the bubble wand, but it refused to loosen, but still he didn't back down. "No, I am not going to be some puppet, d-dude– let me go!"
"Dude? No one has called me that before." The voice said, sounding slightly surprised. "I kinda thought that was only a movie thing?"
"Is this a joke?" Nino asked weakly. Yes he had seen an akuma butterfly, yes there was a magical mask and a voice in his head– but there was no possible way that this could be Hawk Moth. It sounded nothing like that voice from the Stoneheart attack when Hawk Moth had spoken to all of Paris, and who he was hearing sounded so... innocent.
And Hawk Moth was not innocent.
"No?" The voice said uncertainly. "I'm supposed to akumatize you. Well, anyone actually, not you you. Your emotion was pretty strong though. Not the strongest, but it kind of stood out to me, you know? I know what loneliness feels like, it's not that fun."
Lonely. This not-Hawk Moth dude was lonely and apparently understood him.
"There's no way you're Hawk Moth."
"Oh." The voice was quiet for a moment. "You know, he never told me if I was supposed to say I was or not... so yeah. You're right. I'm not Hawk Moth. I'm filling in for him today."
"I guess even super villains need a day off?" Nino replied weakly. Has this happened to other people? Getting this substitute Hawk Moth? Was that a good thing that he wasn't going to get the real deal?
"He doesn't, really," Not-Hawk Moth muttered. "He's just busy, like usual..."
"Um who are you, exactly?"
"..."
"...Dude?"
"No one has asked me that before. Sorry, it's kind of weird."
"Do you get out much?"
"No, not really," The voice said. "But I can't tell you my real name, sooo... Papillon! Yeah, you can call me Papillon. I'm Hawk Moth's son."
"WHAT?" Nino cried.
"Nino?" Came Chris's voice a few moments later. "Is everything okay?"
"Um... yeah?" Nino said uncertainly. What was he supposed to tell his brother? 'Sorry I'm apparently about to be akumatized. And guess what– Hawk Moth has a son, who knew?' "Just talking... on the phone. I'll be out in a bit."
"Who's that?"
"Hawk Moth really has a son?" Nino asked.
"Is that your brother? Lucky! I always wanted a brother. I do have my cousin, but I haven't seen him in forever–"
"No, back up– you're Hawk Moth's son?"
"...Yeah?" Papillon said after a moment.
"Sorry. I just didn't expect Hawk Moth to be the... fatherly type." Nino muttered.
"He's not," Hawk Moth's son replied, just as easily as everything else he said. Like this was something completely normal.
Nino could not see how Hawk Moth could have a kid, let alone one that was so... Pure? He didn't know how else to describe this kid. Going off of the voice he would have to guess that Papillon was no older than him, maybe a year younger? What kind of father had their son join the family business of terrorizing the city? How would that conversation even go?
"So, um, yeah– I kinda need to akumatize you? If that's okay? Is there any sort of power you want or–?"
"No dude, it's not okay," Nino said.
"But–"
"Look, you don't need to do this," Nino said, shifting. "Papillon, dude, your dad is a bit crazy, okay? Just put the Miraculous down and go do something else? Don't ruin your future by supervillaining. That's what teachers say, right? No drugs, stay in school, don't supervillain."
"...I have never been to school, but I'm pretty sure that's not what they say."
"Look, I'm just trying to be polite, 'right? I don't want to be an akuma, so just take the butterfly out of me and be on your way, okay?"
"Please."
Normally someone would say that would sound so pathetic– the bad guy begging to get his way, but Nino couldn't help but go still at his words. He wasn't just asking, but it truly sounded like he was pleading as he spoke. He shifted on his bed, and he felt a wave of fear wash over him– one that was not his own.
"Please," came Papillon's voice once more. "I have to akumatize someone, he told me I had to, and I... I don't think I can control someone like that! You don't even have to win, lose on purpose if you must!"
"...Dude?" Nino asked softly, not knowing how to react.
"I don't know what he'll do to me if I fail," Papillon whispered, voice pleading, his fear clearer than ever. "Father is so unpredictable when he's upset. Please, just let me do this."
Nino wasn't sure if anyone had ever willingly took the akuma butterfly before him, but with his mind completely open to this apparent son of Hawk Moth he knew that he couldn't turn him away. Not someone that was so afraid, not someone who would be left at the mercy of Hawk Moth.
"Alright," Nino whispered softly. "You can akumatize me."