MIRACULOUS

CH. 50

"I'm a fan of yours!" the girl said with her room filled with pictures of him. She started fiddling with her hair. "You see, I want to be a fashion designer…"

Day had dawn and the birds chirped as the sun shone down the Agreste manor.Sunlight rays hit the bump under the bed sheets. Whoever was in there tightened themself deeper and moaned to further block their vision from the sun.

"Mmmm… Another dream about her…"

Quick footsteps can be heard from outside their room down the hall. They groaned again, knowing what was coming. The door suddenly opened and a blonde haired teenage girl with green emerald eyes entered the room.

"ADRIEN!" she shouted jumping on him in his bed. "Wake up big brother!"

"OW!" Adrien shouted. "Emma!"

"Come on," Emma encouraged. "It's our first day in public school! Mom and Dad promised they would let us."

"Right, public school," Adrien groaned.

"Oh, come on!" Emma said. "We wanted this all our lives, now you're slacking off on me? What, are you still dreaming about that girl?"Come on get up!"

"All right, already!" Adrien groaned as he struggled to get up.

"Yea!" Emma ran off. Adrien yawned like a lion before finally getting off bed.

Later… Collège Françoise Dupont…

Gorilla had dropped the siblings off the entrance. Emma stormed off the limo without a second thought while Adrien thanked their driver before shutting the door.

"Thanks Gorilla," he said. "You know when to pick us up."

Adrien shut the door and went up the stairs to follow his sister. By what he saw she was already greeted by Chloe and Sabrina.

"Ugh," Chloe complained. "Like seriously Emma, why did you even bother coming here? The only reason I'm forced to come here is because my daddy couldn't afford my personal instructor."

"It's not that bad," Sabrina added.

"Whatever," Chloe said, looking away.

"Still as charming as ever," Adrien said.

"Adrikins!" Chloe greeted with a hug.

"Hey Chloe, "Adrien was a little annoyed but greeted with a smile. The bell suddenly rang and Emma panicked.

"Adrien, that's the warning bell!" She pulled her brother by the arm.

"No need to panic Emma," Alya picked her bag over her shoulder and walked.

"We don't want to be late!" Emma insisted.

"All right, All right!" Adrien followed.

Once on the classroom, Ms. Bustier was excited to introduce the twins.

"Okay, everyone," she called. "Could you please introduce yourselves?"

"I'm Emma Agreste!" she greeted cheerfully and slightly lifted hopped her heels. "How's it hanging?"

"Adrien," Adrien was a little shier and waved. "Pleasure."

The class had a mixed reaction since they knew their history with Chloe.

While Adrien and Chloe caught up, Emma quickly hit it off with the rest of the class, including Sabrina. Alya was skeptic at her at first but later warmed up to her when she apologized when she accidentally discovered a gum on Alya's seat and believed she placed it there but quickly proved it wasn't her.

Adrien was open and friendly with other but tried his best not to upset Chloe.

"Look, I've known Chloe longer than any of you. I know she can be a pain," Adrien tried to reassure.

"That's putting it mildly," Alya rolled her eyes.

The day went without much of a hitch. Emma quickly befriended Alya and Sabrina as well as everyone else in class.

Adrien took a tougher time but hit it off quite well with Nino. Others still distrusted him to a degree.

"So, what brought you guys to this school?" Nino asked. "Chloe doesn't seem too big on coming here."

"Actually it was Emma who wanted to socialize with everyone," drien said and rubbed the back of his neck and lowered his head. "I just wanted to be with Emma…"

"Huh?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong," Adrien backed up. "I'm glad I got to meet you it's just that I would've been content if I had just stayed home with Emma."

"Dude, I get the sibling love," Nino said. "But what I've heard your pops had to work on a lowly pizza joint. He slowly but surely climbed his way to the top. I don't think he would be happy with you two just comfy in your mansion without seeing the world and meet new people, ya know. He put so much in the line, I think it's your turn to go out there and see how you choose your path, ya know?"

"Huh, never thought of it that way," Adrien admitted.

Nino chuckled and patted Adrien on the back.

"Ow."

"You're all right, man," he said.

"I get you love your sister, but she wants to explore her own way and so should you!"

They both laughed together, even though Adrien was still weary.

Later… Agreste Manor

The twins made their way into the main entrance where their parents personally greeted them.

Emilie immediately latched onto them with jubilee while Gabriel simply grinned as he pushed back his glasses.

"Oh, my babies are growing up!" she said as Emma hugged back tightly while Adrien did so more passively.

"Give them some space, Emilie," Gabriel pleaded.

"Oh, shush," Emilie replied, sweetly. "It's not every day your kids finally see the outside world. You two must be exhausted."

"You kidding, mom?" Emma asked. "I would hang out with my friends all night if I could."

"You made friends, already?" Emilie asked, breaking the hug.

"A lot," Adrien admitted. "Pretty much with everyone."

"What about you Adrien?" Emilie asked. "I know you prefer to just be with Emma but you need more people in your life, too."

"Come on, Adrien," Emma encouraged. "Tell them about Nino!"

"Ah-ha," Emilie glee. "So you have at least made a friend. I knew you weren't that secluded."

"No need to celebrate so much of it, Emilie," Gabriel said. "Adrien is just making the best out of his change of pace."

"Indeed," Emilie agreed. Adrien rubbed the back of his neck.

"Its fine, I guess," he said.

"Nonsense," Gabriel said. "Creating connections is instrumental to your path in life. No one ever truly fights alone. Not even me."

"Oh, and Chloe was there, too!" Emilie added.

"See, things go full circle, Gabriel."

"I have someone else in mind, Emilie."

"Wait, what?"

"That is a discussion for another day."

He climbed up the stairs and bid his family a silent good night.

"Right," Adrien was still shy but was given encouragement from both mother and sister.

"Your father is right Adrien," Emilie said, ruffling her son's hair. "I'm happy you actually made a friend."

"Yeah, Adrien," Emma agreed. "No need to be a shut in."

"I guess," Adrien soothed. "What was dad talking about, anyway?"

"Oh, don't mind him?" Emilie said. "He thinks now it's the time to play matchmaker and send you someone."

"Oh," Adrien only muttered. Emma turned and cocked an eyebrow at him.

His mother blinked as she continued to stare at him. He finally gave his head a brief shake.

"Wait, what?"

A few months later…

"Adrien?" she panicked after opening the door to him. "What why wha… I … um… What are you…?"

"Alya called me," Adrien replied. "She said, you needed someone who speaks Chinese so here I am. Chinese speaker at your service."

Adrien bowed at the end of his sentence.

Months have passed, and the two siblings have got along quite well in public school. Even Adrien began to loosen up quite a bit and opened up to everyone. He gradually warmed up and became a socialy butterfly to everyone almost akin to his sister, much to Chloe's dismay.

One morning, the class was waiting for Ms. Bustier. Nino broke the silence on a rather taboo subject.

"Yo, Adrien," he said. "I've been thinking about what Alya told me."

"What?"

"Well, Alya told that your sister told you that you had been rejecting Chloe only because you have been dreaming about some girl you never met."

Adrien rolled his eyes.

"Emma just had to spill the beans."

"Dude," Nino facepalmed. "I thought you were over shutting yourself out but an imaginary girlfriend?"

"It's not imaginary," Adrien insisted. "I just happen to dream about some girl that I never met."

"But does she exist?"

"I don't know."

"So she's imaginary," Alya stepped in with her hands on her hips.

"Does it have to be one or the other?" Adrien asked, getting a little annoyed.

"Oh, I get it," Alya looked away.

"Huh?"

"You're just trying to sneak your way out of the girl dad's trying to set you up with," Emma said, emerging from behind Alya.

"What? No that had nothing to do with this!"

"Don't try to deny it!" Emma snapped.

"Hey, I've been telling you about her before dad began with this whole shebang about the matchmaking."

"Oh, what a coincidence," Alya mocked. "Especially as word got out she's actually coming today!"

"WHAT!"

"Oh, wait," Emma said, playing dumb. "Didn't I tell you?"

"You hid that on purpose!"

"May-be?" Emma covered her mouth in a playful way with a giggle.

"Oh, no you don't," Adrien came after her. "You're not giggling your way out of this…"

"Kids!" Ms. Bustier stepped in the class room.

"Speaking of which…" Nino muttered.

"As you heard yesterday, we have a new student today!" Ms. Bustier said and turned to the entrance. "You may come in now."

As soon as the first foot stepped into the classroom, it immediately caught Adrien's attention. The girl shyly walked in. She looked Asian and her hair is on a pixie cut with a traditional white uniform.

"Could you introduce yourself?" Ms. Bustier asked her.

"Tsurugi Kagami," she said in a soft yet commanding voice. She looked around her would be classmates and stopped once she caught a glimpse at Adrien, she smiled.

Adrien blushed.

"Oh, boy…" he thought.

Later…

"I knew it!" Emma and Alya shouted in unison. They jumped and high fived each other.

"You're totally into her, bro!" Nino slapped Adrien on the back.

"Am I really that transparent?" he said but everyone ignored him.

"Dad's going to be so happy," Emma added.

"It's not about him!" Adrien countered.

"I know," Emma said. "But all the trouble he went through. At least there won't be some drama in the family."

"And you can get over your imaginary girlfriend!" Alya added with excitement.

"She's not imaginary!" Adrien countered. "She's literally in my dreams! There's a difference."

"Whatever you say," Alya rolled her eyes.

"UGH!"Adrien groaned.

"Hello, Adrien," Kagami's voice was heard from behind. Adrien stayed silent as he stared at her. Her strict and firm stance somehow gave her a charm to it that Adrien couldn't help but to admire.

"Oh um, Kagami wasn't it?" Adrien asked. "At last we meet in person."

"Indeed." Kagami agreed. "My mother and your father have arranged this meeting, but you must know that now."

"Come on," Alya tapped Emma's shoulder. "Let's leave them alone."

"But, AAAALLLLYYAAAA!" Emma mocked whined.

"No buts!" Alya said as she grabbed her by the shoulder and dragged her away. "Come on!"

Nino had already sneaked away, giving them some privacy.

"So," Alya began. "Your dad set this up, huh?"

"Her mother preferred to cal a Omiai…" Emma said innocently.

"Yeah, I read about that," Alya rolled her eyes. "So what about you?"

"Me?"

"Have you thought of someone?"

Emma blushed and dwindled her index fingers.

"Well, I… I… I…"

"So there is someone…" Alya realized.

"Anyway," Emma wielded off. "Why don't we head off to the arcade? I heard some new retro stuff is coming this week."

Emma suddenly pushed Alya from behind.

"Hey, don't change the subject," Alya protested.

"Come on, and besides," Emma said. "You said it yourself, we gotta give them their space!"

"Hey Agreste!" Chloe's voice was heard. Alya felt Emma grip tighten on her shoulder.

"Oh, hi Chloe…"

"So Adrien doesn't have time for his older friends anymore?" Chloe said as she checked her nails.

"What's it to you?" Alya asked.

"Hmm!" Chloe looked away. "Come on, Sabrina."

"Chloe…"

"Um… Emma?" Alya cocked an eyebrow. She looked back and forth from a forlorn looking Emma to Chloe who is leaving. "Oh, um Emma, I don't think she swings like that…"

"I know, she likes Adrien but she's definitively not the one for him."

"Is that it?" Alya turned to Emma again.

"Let's just go," Emma pressed.

Later that year… Winter break…

"Come on, tell her, already!" Emma pushed Adrien around playfully.

"Emma!" Adrien was a little annoyed. "Cut it out!"

"But Kagami is waiting for you at the Eiffel tower," Emma answered. "You won't get a better chance than this!"

"I know but…" Adrien hesitated. "Can I really forget her? Maybe she really doesn't exist…"

"Are you thinking of that imaginary girl again?"

"No of course not!" Adrien insisted. "Am I really that transparent?"

"Dude," Nino stepped in. "I think you may need help if you keep dreaming about some imaginary girl."

"But…"

"Now be a good boy, let it go, and go to her now!" Emma placed a hand on her hip and pointed at him at his face. "No slipping out mister!"

"All right, all right!"

Later… Eiffel Tower…

"You needed the encouragement from your sister," Kagami said, standing face to face with Adrien.

"Sheesh," Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. "Did you picked a page out of Emma's book?"

"I beg your pardon?" Kagami asked. Adrien shook his head.

"Nevermind," he said.

Emma and Alya were watching from afar and the former was practically salivating at the pair as she watched from their binoculars.

"Sheesh, girl," Alya said. "I didn't think you were so into them."

"Well, at least my brother won't be a recluse."

"Speaking of recluses," Alya said. "Didn't you say you had to see Chloe?"

"Oh, yeah, still got time," Emma waved off.

"I still find it hard to believe that you had a talk with her," Alya crossed her arms.

"I'm not quite sure either but a had to try," She got up on her feet and turned to Alya. Alya smiled and patted her shoulder.

"Let's get outta here and leave them be," she said.

"Ok…" They were about to walk out when a thick sky for started to quickly cover the sky.

"The big screens were rampant as the iTV news was on with a news flash.

"This is Nadja Chamack, with a news flash and we just received word that an unusual supernatural phenomenon that's plaguing the world. This has been quickly confirmed that this is an abnormal occurrence… Wait…we… we have just receive report that this is a man made phenomenon and this has become more akin to a terrorist attack."

"What is happening?" Kagami shielded herself while Adrien tried to protect her.

"I don't know!"

"Adrien!" Emma ran to her brother.

"Emma!"

"Look!" Alya pointed at the screen.

"… the source appears to be unknown satellite that apparently orbited the earth for decades unseen by the public eye, it seems that… wait…"

Someone was standing on the satellite and dimming balls of light were floating around her. She looked for the most part western but with a hint of Asian to her. She stood in an imposing demeanor, looking down on the earth with a sinister and condescending gaze, with glowing blue eyes.

Adrien couldn't help but to be drawn to what was happening on the screen.

"Adrien?" Kagami asked, trying to pull him back.

"It can't be!" Adrien nearly shouted.

"Adrien?" Emma asked.

"IT'S HER!"

Before Adrien could elaborate further, the satellite exploded.

"Adrien…"

"KID!"

Adrien groaned as he struggled to open his eyes. He suddenly found himself at what appeared to be in a completely white space. He laid on his back to an invisible white floor as if camouflaged with the rest of the environment.

"Hello?"

"Good you're awake!" Plagg suddenly appeared.

"Wha… ha... HAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Adrien bellowed.

"Sheesh, kid, would you mellow out?" Plagg covered his ears.

"What… what… what are you?" a frightened Adrien backed away before getting back on his feet. "Where am I? And what's going on?"

"Calm down kid!" Plagg approached. "I know your head is swimming with a ton of questions…"

"You think!?" Adrien snapped. "Wait a second, you're one of the little light floating around that girl on the satellite."

"Calm down!"

"CALM DOWN!" Adrien repeated. "Is the world ended? Am I the only one left?"

"Errr…" Plagg hesitated. "Kinda…"

"WHAT?!"

"I SAID, CALM DOWN!" Plagg screamed, finally gaining some authority over Adrien.

He stood still as he stood paralyzed staring at the floating kwami. Plagg sighed and began.

"Adrien, I don't know how to word this so I'm gonna just word it out. Adrien, you've been living in a dream world. I mean literally a dream."

"What are you on about?"

"None of what you lived was real," Plagg said. "Adrien, you're in a coma…"

"Say what?"

"Whoo boy," Plagg sighed. "I guess it's best to start with the girl from the satellite you saw."

"The dreams," Adrien said.

"Yes, you two are connected," Plagg clarified. "In the real world."

"So wait," Adrien shook his head. "So who was that and why do I dream of her almost every night?"

"Again, this whole world that just ended was a possible past," Plagg explained. "Something that could've happened if things have gone differently."

"So what, my girlfriend in the 'real world,' Adrien said, with hands motioning quotation marks. "I'm in lofe with a villainous psycho who just destroyed the world?"

"It's not like that, kid!"

"I don't understand," Adrien said.

"Just listen, what if I told you that you were a superhero?"

"SAY WHAT?"

"In the real world, you are a superhero," Plagg explained with a moan. "I know it's a lot to take in. But long story short, you sacrificed yourself to free a legion of souls who were trapped on an experimental limbo caused by a plague created by alchemy, for millennia and it took a lot of you now you fell into a come and I'm here to get you out!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Adrien paced and waved his hands around. "So what, I'm supposed to be this hero that stops this? What this psycho girl just now? This is a dream, a really, really, REALLY bad dream…"

"I don't have time for this…" Plagg muttered and with surprising amount of strength he slapped Adrien across his face.

"Ow…!"

"Get a hold of yourself, kid!"

"There isn't much time, you have to remember, your lady needs you!"

"'My lady?'" Adrien murmured.

"That's right…" That girl was not who was suppose to be…"

"Marinette?" Adrien said. "How do I know that?"

"I told you. The real world is out there…"

"Plagg…"

"I don't think I introduced myself yet…"

"I had a little sister…"

"Kid…"

"Things would've gone so differently, Plagg…"

"Kid, I know you're hurting right now but you gotta pull yourself together."

"Mom…" His heart torn to shreds yet again. Not only his sister never existed in the real world but his Mom went hell bent on dragging the world to hell just so she could get what she wanted.

"Adrien…"

"Plagg, if everything went perfectly… Mom wouldn't have sought the Blue Mustang… Ms. Cheng wouldn't have tailed her… And Marinette…"

"I actually figured that one out…" Plagg said.

"You knew?"

"I sorta pieced it together, yes," Plagg admitted.

"How can this world be so cruel…" Adrien broke down on his knees.

"If there is anything I learned from all these millennia of immortal existence is that the world can be a 4D chess match…"

"What?" Adrien looked up.

"Adrien, we need you now…" Plagg approached him handing out his flipper. "I'll lend you my power again."

Adrien sniffed and sadly smiled, he got up on his feet and took it.

Author's note:

Yeah I decided not to drag this one too much.

Sorry for the delay. I had to take my laptop to have the battery replaced.

Anyway, yeah, I think it would've been jarring to continue where the previous chapter left off as another half of the chapter as I intended to focus on Adrien and the life he always wanted as well facing the reality he must return to.

I know about the leaks on Youtube but I rather steer clear of them for now.

Constructive criticism is appreciated.