MIRACULOUS

CHAPTER 12

Hero Part I

"You're my hero…, I will not forget you when you're gone."

"Hero" – ATB

Nathalie sat in a dark derelict office where she stared at the peacock miraculous that she used to terrorize Paris as Mayura. She was swallowed in the darkness where she waited. Her cell phone rang and quickly picked it up.

"Report…" uttered the caller, bluntly.

"While I have the book as well as the peacock miraculous, the rouge homunculus has been disposed of, though we lost the miraculous in the process. Furthermore, my cover has been compromised and the entire town has become aware of these events," she replied in her usual cold demeanor.

"I see… so much for discretion…"

"There is some good news however, the homunculus that was kidnapped and taken to Paris is a complete success."

Sometime earlier…

Mayura became more of a threat after Hero's day and after Timemaster, Ladybug and Cat Noir decided to temporally swap kwami's in case she wouldn't be there like back then. There were a couple of Mayura attacks since then, one of them warranted their kwamis to be swapped and the next was one that was too painful to talk about again…

Now on one of their usual patrols before that fateful fire, they went with the idea of swapping kwamis again. It was one of the unusual disasters caused by the Timemaster incident.

The Centre Pompidou was being bombarded by pointy hail and the people were trapped inside. That hail was coming everywhere so they couldn't even sneak out behind. The hail was dangerously damaging the buildings on the area through the public center was at its most in danger due to is glass structure. The glass that's protecting the people from the falling knife-like pieces is about to break.

Mister Bug was struggling to piece together the resolution, while he spun his yoyo to repel the stinging hail as much as possible from the glass. Lady Noir was spinning her staff doing the same. This time, however, Mister Bug's responsibility to come up with a solution.

"Everyone, take cover!" Lady Noir yelled.

"Lucky Charm" Mister Bug shouted and was given… "A lighter?" he asked himself.

"Welcome to my world," Lady Noir remarked.

"Grrr… What should I do?"

"Look out!" Lady Noir shouted as the glass ceiling broke and sharp pieces of hail landed on the floor. Causing the people around to shriek in panic. Mister Bug looked around and piece together what he had to do. Like Ladybug usually did.

"Grrr… It's no use!"

"Mister Bug!" Lady Noir shouted sternly.

"Come on, come on," Mister Bug growled to himself. He then noticed the fire sprinklers, Lady noir then, the underground heating system. "I got it!"

"Got something, Mister Bug?"

"I do… I think…" he replied, almost whispering at the end. "No time to go around! Everyone, get to the lower level! Lady Noir, use your cataclysm here!" he said, stomping the floor where he wanted a hole.

"Why?"

"No time! Just do it!"

"Cataclysm!" she shouted, creating the hole. She and Mister Bug jumped in where they quickly found the heating system.

"There has to be a water pump for the fire sprinklers!" he asked himself as he looked around. "A-ha!" he said as he encountered the controls and overheated the pump while deactivating the lower level sprinklers and rigged the pump to explode.

"Mister Bug! Do you really know what you're doing?" he asked angrily.

"Nope!" Mister Bug admitted. "Let's go back up, it's gonna blow!" Mister Bug shouted. Grabbing Lady Noir by the waist and swung back up with his yo-yo.

"WHAT!"

Once they reached back to the surface, he used the lighter to activate the fire sprinklers. They all exploded with boiling hot water. Hot enough to burn a normal person's skin. The people were safe due to being under the ceiling of the higher level and with the sprinklers being deactivated, the hot water didn't harm them. However, they got hot and began sweating bullets. The pump underneath the hole began to release a massive amount of burning hot vapor. Both Mister Bug and Lady Noir were screaming in burning pain as the vapor consumed them. Made the building hot enough for the sharp hail to cease and land on the building as harmless snow-like bits of ice. Once noticing the hail had passed, he finally realized he had to stop this dangerous solution.

"Miraculous Mister Bug!" he shouted, throwing the lighter into the air. Reverting the people and the building fully healed and repaired. Mister Bug gave a sigh of relief but Lady Noir was not happy.

"Well, that went we…" Mister Bug was cut off by a slap in the face. Courtesy of Lady Noir.

"Can't you do anything right?" she asked angrily.

"What was I supposed to do? I don't have your perception! It was the heat of the moment… if you pardon the pun…" he muttered at the end.

"These people could've burned to death! If it wasn't for the miraculous cure…"

"Hey! It was that or the building collapsing on them!"

"You still could've done that! You could've got them killed! And you still go around making puns! You don't realize the responsibilities of holding a miraculous and yet you still prance around making puns and making me do all the…"

"GIVE ME A BREAK!" Mister Bug screamed, cutting her off. "What? Do you really think I have it easy? Having to give myself up every single time I have to save you? For you to purify the fricking Akuma! The other time we switched powers, I mean, I see you and you're a master with the staff when it was only the first time you used the cat miraculous. I did not have that luxury when I used yours! So answer me this, who the hell are you to expect me to be exactly like you?" Mister Bug finished his rant.

Lady Noir stared, taken aback by Mister Bug's rant. She never really put herself in Cat noir's shoes nor she ever thought of how everything just came to her with ease. Oddly enough, she didn't think too much about it… She just looked away.

"I'm leaving your miraculous with Master Fu, leave mine there later," she said, changing the subject and bounced off with her staff. Mister Bug simply looked down with a sigh.

The next morning… Present-day… in Master Fu's apartment…

Marinette sat on her knees with the guardian as he served her his tea. He sat down after he served as he usually did.

"I know you're still confused, Marinette," he began. Marinette scoffed and grinned ironically. "It must have been a lot to take in."

"That's an understatement," she replied bluntly, grabbing her teacup.

"I have never expected things to change so drastically…"

"I know, I mean… Gabriel was Hawk Moth? I looked up to him so much," Marinette lamented, raising her voice.

"Yes, apparently, Gabriel had the intention of combining both Ladybug and Cat Noir's miraculous to revive his wife from a comatose state, which turned out to be a war statue, according to Cat Noir…"

"But…" Marinette began but hesitated. "Who would do that? Why would they manipulate someone like that? What would Adrien have said…?" she whispered that last question.

"Ah yes, I have heard. I believe his desperation got the better of him to the point in taking advantage of your sorrow," Master Fu added. Marinette then rubbed her arm and looked away.

"In spite of him being Hawk Moth… I can't help but forgive him. After all, he wanted his family back just as how I wanted mine back…" Marinette said. She then turned back at Master Fu. "Speaking of which, is it really true that he would've brought them back had he succeeded?"

"No one has tried to use both miraculous for millennia… There is the knowledge that was lost in time and for the past two centuries, no one had attempted as all it was said that despite granting an astonishing power, it as well bring massive ramifications. Just as the failure of balancing Tikki's power came about Paris." The Guardian explained.

"I take all responsibility," Tikki intervined.

"Tikki…"

"No," she countered. "I was my fault. It was all my idea to use my power without Ladybug to filter it."

"Enough, Tikki!" Marinette raised her voice. She then looked down. "Look, we all screwed up. Timemaster got me, that's when everything went downhill."

"And these are the real dangers of using the miraculous," the master concluded.

"So, is he going to prison?" she asked.

"Not quite…" the master answered. "It appears he and Cat Noir agreed to a compromise. This may lead to your eventual return from Tibet."

"Wha…"? Marinette jaw dropped.

"Social services are intending your residence in Tibet to be permanent, do they not? Only he has the money and the means to provide a permanent residence for you here in Paris," the guardian said.

"I… I don't understand… What was Cat Noir's stake in this?"

"I cannot say too much without compromising his identity," the master lamented. "But let us just say he will be pulling the strings behind Gabriel to orchestrate a living for you…"

"I suppose my trip to Tibet has its purpose, right?" Marinette asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, it was the plan from the start to take you to the place your mother brought you when she retrieved you from your creators…"

"The Blue Mustang…" she concluded, cutting the master off.

"Precisely, even I do not know the full nature of a… 'homunculus.' To tell you the truth, I despise that word," Master Fu admitted. "The monastery in the Himalayas is currently the best location for any hope of discovering what you are and what can you discover regarding the miraculous…"

"Wait, so they have other miraculous there? How come you never went there?"

"I was… exiled, so to speak," Master Fu admitted.

"Speaking of which, aren't there a hundred monasteries in the Himalayas?"

` "It is called; The Tiger's lair. It is one of the few temples we established after the downfall of the original temple. It is where the trusted our miraculous, our history, as well as our most delicate secrets. Not even the other monasteries know about it," the master replied. Marinette then held her head with her hand and gave a deep breath.

"Ok, I know my questions were all over the place but… it hasn't even been twenty-four hours since I've just been aware of this. I feel like I've been living a lie…" Marinette said, becoming sad again.

"Your confusion is understandable, Marinette. Though I must confess I have very little knowledge of being in your shoes…" Master Fu admitted. Marinette sighed.

"So, you said Cat Noir is coming up with an agreement with Gabriel, right?"

"Actually… The conversation is happening as we speak."

Meanwhile… at Gabriel's office…

Adrien sat at the client's chair, face to face with his father. They have been staring at each other in silence for some time with only the clock being the only noise in the room.

"Are you not going to lash out on me?" Gabriel asked, finally breaking the ice.

"I should ask you the same," Adrien responded wearingly. "I mean, I pretty much beat the crap out of you…" he said, scratching his head.

"So, what is it that you want from me? I highly doubt you would want to return to this residence and reveal to the world you're alive…" Gabriel said, cutting himself off.

"Not exactly…" Adrien replied, looking down for a second before looking back at his father almost immediately. "As you may know of Marinette's passion for art design. Yet, she's being taken to a monastery in the Himalayas as that was what was requested by social services…"

"I am aware of that…" Gabriel said looking away briefly before turning back to Adrien. "I… it was I her file while I was investigating her once I began to suspect she was Ladybug…"

"She will take my place as your top model…"

"Excuse me?" Gabriel was caught off guard.

"Think about it, if word goes out that you were Hawk Moth, you will be arrested and the company will be without an heir. As far as the world is concerned, I died in that fire, and I intend to keep it that way," Adrien revealed.

"So, you chose to remain underground," Gabriel concluded.

"Yes, father. Which is why you need her just as much as she needs you," Adrien pleaded. "She'll be a valuable asset for your company. You've seen her skill, her craftsmanship."

"All came from her unusual 'birth'"

"That's beside the point," Adrien cut him off, not wanting to deal with that detail right now. "She still strives for her own life outside of being Ladybug. She may be Ladybug, but I know how fragile she is. I know of the existential crisis she's going through right now… Almost too well…" he concluded. Gabriel paused for a moment before giving a chuckle and spoke up again.

"It almost seems like we were never enemies," Gabriel observed.

"You know me, Dad, I don't hold grudges."

"'Dad,' you haven't called me that since…"

"I know, but I'm free to be my own person now… and you don't have much of a choice but to roll with it," Adrien said, crossing his arms with a grin.

Master Fu's apartment…

"Thank you for everything, Master Fu," Marinette got up and made her way to the door. Master Fu got up on his feet and stopped her.

"There is no sugar coating this, Marinette, you are entering a difficult time in your life. Since your creation, you were destined for a life of conflict so I implore you to understand that this is the life we chose for you. A life where you can show your value to the world. But you won't be alone…"

Without another word, Marinette walked out. Only then Wayzz spoke up.

"I never expected things to change so fast, master," he said.

"Indeed, Cat Noir has come such a way in such a short amount of time…"

"It still troubles me that he decided to remain incognito. What does that hold for him, master?"

"It is obvious that he wishes to break away from his father's grip. I believe this is his opportunity to find his own destiny. However, since he never expressed any specific desire, even I cannot predict which path will he chose.

That night…

Ladybug leaped around the rooftops as usual. That night thus far had been particularly uneventful. She merely saved the regular citizen from bullies, beat up a couple of thugs from assaulting a couple, helping cats down trees, she always enjoyed that one. For most of the evening, she just kept going, going above and beyond to ignore the sweat.

She eventually tired out and she finally stopped and panted close to the edge of the rooftop.

"A night of workout I see," Cat Noir said, having snuck from behind as he usually did.

"You were watching me," she said. More like a statement than a question.

"I was," he admitted. "Just thought you could blow off some steam. Though I'm surprised you're patrolling, considering last night," he said.

"That's exactly why I'm doing this…" Ladybug replied. She turned to him and approached him. She closed her eyes. "Tikki spots off…" she said in a very defeated voice. Cat turned to her, already back as Marinette. She opened her eyes and stared at him. Her expression told everything to Cat without her saying much more.

"So, you're really doing this, huh?"

"This is hard for me too," Tikki added.

"I really wish you could join her, Tikki" Cat lamented.

"So, you know, huh?" Marinette observed.

"That you going to Tibet having something with how you were born? Pretty much," Cat confirmed.

"Then you should know that Paris will need Mister Bug… Mayura's still out there," Marinette rambled, trying to rationalize.

"I know and I understand…" Cat reassured, putting his hands on her shoulders. "But are you really doing this now?" Cat asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm willing to give in if you wish, Marinette," Tikki said, solemnly.

"I'm sorry Tiki, but I'll be leaving for Tibet tomorrow evening. Social services agreed to let me spend the night at my friend's. I know it seems selfish but I want to spend this last day with my friends at school," Marinette revealed. Tikki leaned in towards her.

"No Marinette, you're not being selfish," she reassured.

"Tikki…" Marinette sighed.

"Every Ladybug has had the people who they loved, and you would not be the first to give me up for personal reasons. Do what you have to do, Marinette but no matter what, I will be open to you when you get back," Tikki reassured.

"Oh, Tikki," Marinette cooed. She carried Tikki with her hands and kissed her on the forehead. "Thank you," she said. She then let her go and removed the earrings and Tikki disappeared into them. She gave them to Cat Noir. "Please, keep them safe," she implored.

"I will," Cat affirmed, putting the miraculous away. The two looked away from each other for an awkward pause then Cat spoke up… "So, the boy you liked… It was Adrien…" he knew he was treading on this ice, but he couldn't stop himself… Marinette let a tear fall down her cheek before wiping it off and looked over the Parisian horizon.

"He was… My whole world…" she sobbed. "Just when I finally had the courage to kiss him… I thought…*sniff* I thought I had more time… Cat… What I was Meloe and I used the Amulet of Despair, I made sure everyone felt what I fell… And I'm still feeling it now…"

"It's like… It felt like a black hole where your heart used to be…" he remembered.

"Uh-huh, and I still feel like that right now…" she said, sobbing while wiping her tears. Cat then gently put his fingers on her chin.

"Look at me, Marinette…" he prompted. She hesitated. "Please look at me…" he prompted again. She did. She stared up at him with new tears streaming down her eyes. He stroked her cheek.

"I'm sorry… for everything. I really don't know what can I do for you now. But what I do know is that I'm pretty sure is that he wouldn't want you to spend the rest of your life like that," He said.

"You knew him?" she asked. He looked away.

"You could say that," he confirmed. Marinette then gave a small giggle.

"Yeah, Adrien would definitively say that," she agreed but then looked down in sadness again. "But at the same time… I don't know what he would say if he knew his father was Hawk Moth," she said, putting her hands on her chest. "It would've destroyed him…" she concluded. Cat scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"It would've scarred the crap out of him. That's for sure," Cat assured.

"He would've never lived that down," Marinette said. "For the longest time, I wanted to keep him out of all this. I never meant for him or anyone to be a victim of my exploits or the miraculous. Now that he's gone, it will forever be in my shoulders…" Marinette said. Cat could only stay silent.

He made a fist as he could only stare at her as she contemplated with her eyes closed. He opened his mouth and it was at the brink of making the "c" sound and made a fist so tight that it trembled. He eventually closed his mouth and sighed.

"Cat?" she asked. Looking up back at him. Suddenly, he held her tight.

"My lady… I know it's probably not the best time to tell you, but since you're leaving tomorrow, I have to tell you," he whispered. "My feelings for you never changed," he said, Marinette gave a light gasp. He hesitated but then continued. "I had known you well before I found out, and you were always so fearless yet so pure. Never in a million years, I would've thought you were Ladybug."

"Cat…"

"But looking back, I think I should've seen it coming," he concluded. The two then leaned their heads on each other and held each other tight.

A/N: I originally wasn't intending to be two parts but this turned out to be longer than expected. It was going to go on until Marinette's departure. So, I'm taking this chance to expand on Marinette's classmates as this story grows as well as their involvement. It should be obvious but this fanfic assumes you already know these characters so I will pick their arcs where the show left them thus far.

Anyway, please comment.