MIRACULOUS

CHAPTER 18

GO!

Kagami swung her bamboo sword on the air with her usual precision and finesse. She did contemplate being recruited by Cat Noir in his constant fights against this Coon character.

A few weeks earlier…

It had been a week since Kagami had started going to Ms. Bustier's class. She had admitted that she considered dropping from the class before her first day. After all, Adrien and Marinette were the biggest reason why she requested to attend this class and she was hoping her two only friends would be a gateway to make more. However, she decided to follow through and attend the class.

Oddly enough, she quickly got along with Alya, especially when she pulled off a "disappearing act" on Chloe. Even though she mere stepped aside and tripped her with her foot. It was child's play for someone like Kagami. Despite their history, Kagami hit it off rather quickly with the Marinette's former classmates, particularly; Alya. They were amazed how much these two had in common, they both have this philosophy of acting without overthinking as well as their passion for their respective goals. They grew to respect one another and both stook together whenever antagonized by Chloe. Kagami would, however, envy the bond Alya had with Nino. It would remind her of the absence of her two first friends… leaving a hint of emptiness within her. Aside from her classmates eventually warming up to her, there was also Mordecai who managed to know them well despite the little time he had with them. Kagami acknowledged him as someone who cheers her up with the memories he shared with Adrien and Marinette.

"Yeah, the kid knows how to make an entrance, ninja style," Mordecai had said, causing Kagami to giggle.

"He is quite a natural, Quintel-san," she agreed.

Later…

Upon completing her homework she stood from her desk and looked out the window. Despite blending in successfully, she looked out the Parisian skyline, contemplating her next move. She turned around as she removed her ascot from her uniform before feeling a cool breeze from behind. She turned and saw Cat Noir in a squatting position in the window's entrance.

"Cat Noir," she greeted as she turned to him.

"Kagami Tsurugi," Cat greeted back. "I heard you moved here for good."

"You catch on quick, as expected," Kagami observed, with a smile. "After all, Ladybug entrusted you to keep Paris…"

"Are you messing with me?"Cat asked raising an eyebrow. Kagami gave a slight giggle.

"Let's just say word spreads fast," she said with a smile. Cat simply stared for a moment before coming in.

"Onto business…" he said as he whipped out a small box. "I'm sure you're aware of this new threat I'm facing, yeah?" he asked. Kagami's expression became more serious.

"This Coon is indeed unlike anything you two previously faced. What has happened to Ladybug?"

"Let's just say she's out of town," he said, walking towards her. "I know you already had an encounter with her, didn't you? That's why I figured you're someone I can trust."

"How could I be of use?" she asked. Cat took a step back.

"Whoa…" he said with a hint of a smile. "Straight to the point, I like that." He then offered her the box. "Kagami Tsurugi, the identities of my other allies have been compromised so they won't join me for some time, so I entrust this to you…"

Later…

Ryuko's back slammed on the wall as she winced for a second before looking up and saw the Coon jumping in one her to strike. Having already used her wind dragon, she raised her sword defensively but nothing came. Cat Noir had protected her with her staff then kicked him off.

"Are you all right?" Cat asked, offering his hand. She quickly accepted and he pulled her up on her feet. She gritted her teeth and readied her sword and they prepared for another assault…

Days later…

Pegasus created another portal like the fifth time, trying to ambush the Coon. Cat and Ryuko separated and went after him from different angles in the hopes of cutting him off. Once they did and Pegasus came from a portal and attacked the Coon from above. But the Coon roundhouse kicked him off and knocked him towards Cat Noir. Ryuko took the chance to strike Coon but dodged the blade. She had countered her attacks before so she had anticipated his response. But apparently, he had learned as well. When she tried to use water dragon the right then and there used barrage to predict where she was going to emerge thus ambushing her before she could flood him and kicked her sword off her grip.

"Something you should know… Only a dumbass trust their life to a weapon…" he taunted.

With her choker beeping and unarmed, she helplessly raised her arms as the Coon was about to strike again. Only for Cat and Pegasus to step in.

Present-day…

She gritted her teeth and whacked a plastic bottle from a trash can followed by that trashcan, knocking it as far as the next block like it was a golf ball, barely missing a few passersby. She had finished her set of movements with a hint of sweat. She shook her head and wiped it with her sleeve.

"We are finished for today, Kagami," her mother stated. "Go now. Do not be late," she said while motioning to hold her stick with both hands.

"Thank you, mother," Kagami bowed, grabbed her bag and ran off. Tomoe took a sigh and lowered her head.

"Something troubles her…" she murmured as men in suits emerged behind her.

"Tsurugi-sama…"

Kagami was on her way there she replayed those fights over and over again, wanting desperately to prove herself to Ladybug when she returned. She didn't have too much of a chance to interact with Pegasus and Cat said he had already considered bringing in Rena Rouge and Carapace again. That had made her apprehensive about showing her face among them. Once she reached the classroom she was greeted well, as always.

"Hey, Kagami, I appreciate the feedback of my latest mix," Nino said in his excited demeanor.

"I must admit Nino-san, the added 'chill' on your recent choices have aided my meditations well."

"Does your mom let you listen to it?"

"I cannot risk it, so I listen in secret," she admitted. She then noticed Max Kante's head-boggling with black bags under his eyes. "He's a smart one, Cat Noir… but physically fragile… was it wise to choose him?" she thought.

"You okay, Max?" Juleka asked, shaking his shoulder.

"Affirmative!" he suddenly said, snapping back.

"Hey, Kagami," Alya greeted, snapping her out of her trance and turned to her. She then smiled.

"Alya-san," she greeted and took a seat beside her. Alya noticeably leaned back a bit and gave a light gasp. That didn't go unnoticed by Kagami and she couldn't help but feel a little off. They had talked about it before and had a rocky start due to her sitting where Marinette sat. Some of the classmates such as Kim and Alix gave her a hard time at first as they accused her of trying to "replace" Marinette. They all knew her past history with her and to suddenly appear right after Marinette left for the Himalayas rubbed some of her friends the wrong way. After only a few weeks, she grew on them.

"So, heard anything recently of the hunt for the Coon?" she asked.

"I do not know. You are the one who runs the Ladyblog," Kagami pointed out.

"Yeah, about that…" I've actually limited the information I've been giving," Alya said while stroking the back of her neck.

"I must say, you have been posting less frequently than before," Kagami pointed.

"Yes, I decided to evaluate the information that I find. Turns out that they're some who have been watching my videos and studying Ladybug and Cat Noir's antics…"

"I figured as much, but I believe Cat Noir and the others may come up with a solution," Kagami suggested.

"Damn, straight!" Nino interjected from his seat below. "You can bet that they're going above and beyond to bring this dude down," he boasted.

"Nino!" Alya whispered while gritting her teeth.

"What makes you so certain, Nino-chan?" Kagami asked with a hint of a smile, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, Nino," Alya chimed. "Let us in on it," she prompted. But before Nino could try to come up with something, Kagami felt a finger poking on her shoulder. She stiffed a bit, still not used to the gesture, and looked behind her. It was Rose, joined by Juleka.

"Hey, Kagami, umm we were wondering if you could join us for lunch later?" her eyes widened as this was the first time she was actually invited, despite, or maybe because of how recently their friendship began.

"Of course, Alya, I believe you would join as well," she said, turning back to Alya.

"You bet!" she confirmed while giving her a peace sign. She then turned back at the other girls then noticed Alix, who gave her weary thumbs up.

"All right, kids," Mordecai greeted as he walked in. "Let's get this over with and maybe we may leave early to give you time to study," he said as he began writing on the blackboard.

Later…

Kagami sat with her classmates, with her traditional Japanese bento on her lap. Sitting all straight and formal while raising an eyebrow at everyone else who was sitting in different ways. Alix sat on the floor with a knee on her chest while extending the other. Alya had a foot over her knee while Nino had a foot on the seat, raising a knee up while resting an elbow above it.

"Hello," Alya waved at her. "Sheesh, you make Adrien look like Nino when it comes to carrying yourself away," she pointed out. Kagami responded by staring at her for a moment before looking down at her legs.

"Hmm, why?" she asked. "Is there something wrong?"

"Not really, but you really stick out like a sore thumb with the way you sit, your lunch and why are you wearing your old uniform? It's almost been a month," Alya pointed out.

"It is a disciplinary code," she replied casually. "I must maintain this in mind to keep myself from losing control of myself…"

"Sounds a bit uptight if you ask me," Nino shrugged. "Come on, try taking it easy once in a while," he encouraged.

"But that is disrespectful," Kagami insisted.

"You didn't have to be so formal, Kagami," Rose added in. "You can be yourself here. So don't worry about others pointing at you."

"Wow, now she's talking like you," Max told Juleka.

"I taught her well," Juleka boasted.

"I apologize, this has become instinct to me," Kagami admitted. She blushed for a moment then placed her leg over the other in a feminine leg cross.

"Aw but you're letting loose now," Alya said while giving a thumbs up.

"This is… oddly liberating," Kagami admitted with a smile. "My mother would annihilate me."

Everyone laughed and the rest of the day. She caught a few quiet glances at Chloe who was simply minding her own business with Sabrina. Alya and the others had told her about her and Marinette, but she would still expect some sort of trash-talking from Chloe. Yet there she is, not bothering with anyone anymore.

"Don't think about it too much," Alya encouraged.

Later still… at the park…

They continued their conversation after school and later became a playful run around the park. Kagami never had so much fun in her life yet she still keeps a lookout once in a while.

"Stop being so paranoid," Alix chided. "Let loose!"

"My mother would have never approved this," Kagami stated. She was unable to stop laughing.

At the distance across the street, Adrien had his hood up and sunglasses as he watched his former classmates having a good time. He smiled at them, especially Kagami. It was no surprise that she wanted to be in this class to be with him and Marinette. He hoped Marinette would return soon to keep her company.

Meanwhile… In Tiger's Lair…

Marinette shone in her gold superhero suit as she skillfully deflected the other attacking kwamis. One kwami emerged from her while another was sucked into her, changing her clothes to a shining blue. One kwami attacked with a light ray while another attacked with an ice beam. She dodged them with ease for a full solid minute then levitated and shouted: Eye of Truth! The room was filled with shadow versions of the attacking kwamis. She studied the movements of each and every one of them. She predicted which of these paths they will take and neutralize them with ease.

With that, she called off the power of all the miraculouses and transformed back to her Tibetan robes. With a sigh of relief, she made her way to Akane who was sitting on the edge. All the kiwamis separated, including Pinyin.

"Impressive," she said. "You were indeed capable to handle various miraculouses at once."

"Huh? What makes you say that?" Marinette asked. "I mean, I don't feel anything…"

"Precisely," Akane confirmed. "As you know, a person would normally sink to insanity for using numerous miraculous at once, however, this is further proof of your… origin…" she concluded.

"I… I would rather not be reminded every half hour…" Marinette murmured while rubbing her arm for the hundredth time.

"Yet I still feel the uncertainty within you," Akane stated. "What is the feeling you experienced the last time you were Ladybug? Did you felt a sense of uncertainty now that you know the truth?" she asked. Marinette hesitated for a moment as she looked down and closed her eyes.

"Yes, I have," she affirmed.

"Just as I suspected, whenever you use your inhumane abilities, whether you're Ladybug or not, it will always be a reminder of how you came to be. This feeling of uncertainty will consume you if that goes on and you will lose sight of who you are and why you want to do the right thing. That is why you're here, Marinette, to give you that certainty. You will inevitably choose a life on conflict, so we made our efforts for you to fight for what is right for humanity."

"Yeah, that's what I've been told but… I don't know if I'll ever feel like myself again. Ever since Lila told me, I've felt like… I don't belong here… In this world…" Marinette sunk to her knees as she was about to break down in tears. But felt a hand wiping her cheek.

"Shhh… Not more tears little one. Nothing that you said could be any farther from the truth," she comforted.

"But… Lightning…"

"Claire known none as her persistent prideful bitterness disables her from seeing things clearly. Only her sister is what kept her mindset tolerable," Akane interjected.

"Claire?"

"Lightning's real name that she tried to hide, she didn't last the end of the first night for everyone to know," Akane revealed. Marinette started to giggle. "That's the spirit!" Akane cheered.

"Yeah, I guess that's a little funny," Marinette agreed.

"But you enjoy the little things. That's what matters," Akane encouraged. "Marinette, I cannot pretend I know what it is like, however, you have the right just as everyone else to decide your own destiny. The question is which path will you choose?"

Marinette was just quiet for a bit. She had no idea how to respond to that. She then thought about What Adrien suggested and what she'll do when she returns to Paris. Pinyin then stepped in.

"Marinette, we still going to discuss this great favor we are asking about retrieving Plagg's knowledge…"

"But how am I going to ask Cat Noir? In fact, how could I even share such knowledge with him? After all, I can't just ask him to talk to Plagg, he'll suspect something…"

"Then there is your mistake with this… Lila Rossi…" Pinyin added. Marinette felt like she was stabbed in the heart.

"But…"

"We may worry about that in due time. Would you like to join me for dinner?" Akane offered. Marinette just smiled and nodded.

That night… in Paris…

Chloe went up to her room, having finished her homework quickly. With Adrien gone and not indulging in her usual bullying since that night she didn't feel like picking on Marinette of anyone and did whatever she could to distract herself from thinking too much about what she had been doing this whole time what it paints her now after that night. She ate alone as usual and she actually thanked her butler as she left the dining room, earning her a paranoid stare from him, though she didn't appear to notice. She went up in her room again and simply sat on her desk in contemplation. Her dad was in his office, being mayor and all. Her mother was… whatever the hell she was doing… She then, before she knew it, she fell asleep.

Chloe was in a completely white void with circles all around her that appeared to be holes as every one of them had a different image in them. With a gasp, she panted as she looked around.

"Wha… What… Where…? Where…?" she stuttered as she wasn't able to wrap her head as to where she was. She heard two female voices as if they were struggling. After a moment of looking around, she finally made out who they were. There were two women in the distance, fighting each other. One of them is wearing a white and light blue superhero costume. She had short red hair and on her head appeared to be bunny ears. But the other one was… herself… It was Queen Bee but her hair is long and all down. Chloe had no doubt on her mind that it was her. She didn't know how she just knew. They both seem worn out as if they were fighting for a long time.

"You're not going anywhere!" the older Queen Bee shouted as they both have grabbed each other's arms.

"You think you're so…!" the bunny girl didn't get the chance to finish as both their miraculous have beep and suddenly their costumes wore off.

The redhead was wearing punk girl attire with goggles on her head and both arms covered with dragon and rose tattoos.

"Roller Girl?"

Chloe felt that the rug was completely pulled under her when she saw her future self. Older Chloe was wearing nothing except a green leaf loincloth and a leaf necklace big enough to cover her chest. The necklace also appeared to be sticking to her chest. And that's it, she was barefoot, her back is completely bare and her hair is longer all down, messy and a jungle daisy on her head. As if she was a dirty jungle girl. Present Chloe would've been appalled if she wasn't confused beyond belief.

The two women mustered the little strength they had left and both punched at each other's cheeks then kicked at each other's stomachs. Knocking each other to different circles, which was clear to Chloe that they were portals.

"I'm not done with you!" Future Chloe yelled as both women were sucked to their separate portals.

With a short scream, Chloe opened her eyes and got up from her seat. She began to pant and realized that her sweat was cold. After a few moments to compose herself she took a look in the mirror and noticed Cat Noir squatting on the window. Chloe turned quickly and saw him there.

"Having quite an intense dream weren't we?" Cat chided with a grin.

"Oh, now who decided to show up!" Chloe snapped with her old snobby demeanor, putting her fists on her hips. Cat rolled his eyes.

"All right, fine!" Cat conceded. "Guess there's no beating around the bush," he said as he came in and began pacing around Chloe's room. "Ok look there no sugarcoating this… Ladybug decided not to let you be Queen Bee anymore," he revealed.

"WHAT?" Chloe bellowed. She couldn't believe what she just heard. She made a fist and growled. "But… How could she…?

"She said it was too dangerous for you to hold a miraculous as everyone knows you're Queen Bee it may be used against you and compromise our team and our mission," he elaborated as he went to look out the window. Chloe was speechless and was about to lower her eyes before Cat continued.

"While I don't disagree… I've been given the responsibility of these miraculous with Ladybug out of town and… I'm willing to take the chance and let you become Queen Bee," he said as he showed her the little box, containing the bee comb.

"Really?" Chloe chided and she looked like she was five again.

"I'm rallying everyone and kick the Coon's ass and we may need you. You in?" Cat asked. Did he have to ask?

On Paris rooftops…Nightfall…

Cat and Queen Bee made their way to the meeting point and saw Ryuko, Pegasus, Carapace, and Rena Rouge all waited on the rooftop to where they all agreed to meet Cat Noir. They all got along pretty well as they all had experiences with the Coon. Cat then made his entrance.

"Everyone, thanks for coming," Cat greeted.

"Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Rena said, making a fist clasping with the palm of her other hand, grinning.

"Hell, yeah. Got a score to settle with the dude," Carapace added, giving a slight nudge at his shield.

"He will not escape my blade again, I swear it!" Ryuko added as well, stepping in.

"Affirmative," Pegasus said pushing his sunglasses in. "Let us not forget our previous experiences with the enemy and we will succeed."

"All right, on to business," Cat said crossing his arms then made his way to the edge of the building then pointed at the distance. "Look over there."

The group observed at the Palais Garnier and pointed one of the angel statues on the corner of the roof. There it was, the snake miraculous hanging from the angel's hand.

Author's Note: Whoo! Can you believe I wrote half this chapter the day before this chapter was posted? Anyway, I know this is another setup chapter. But as the end suggests, the battle against the Coon is nigh, though maybe I should flesh him out in a flashback at the beginning of the next chapter before getting to the good stuff. Not to mention I have to give everyone in the six hero group agency in this battle to do it justice. That can only mean one thing… TWO PARTER!

On Marinette's side of things, I purposely avoided describing the kwamis and powers of the miraculouses on the Tiger's Lair because I don't intend them to play a huge part in the story, though I'm not ruling out the possibility that they may later on. I also intend to give her a full chapter of her hindsight sessions with Pinyin before she returned to Paris.

Anyway, please comment and review. Constructive criticism is appreciated.