Chapter 02

"Alya, what do you got?" She sat down next to her friend. A quick phone call was all it took and Alya was more than happy to help.

"Well, it's crazy," she did not seem very excited normally she would be pumped. She passed her tablet over but before she could read it. "So why interested him?"

"He's just so calm, oh," she blinked at what she had seen, that was not what she had expected to see.

The former billionaire Peter Parker lost his family and leg in a tragic accident!

She continued to read the article as she realized why Alya was less than enthusiastic, she took a deep breath and began to read.

Peter Parker foremost authority on power and technology recently lost his family in a horrible accident in a tragic hit and run. After he retired and donated his patents and nearly 99% of his entire fortune. He lived in his home city of New York. Around eight after dinner, his car was hit by an unknown driver. The accident took the life of his wife Mary Parker age 45, his oldest daughter May Parker age 18, and his son Benjamin Parker age 4. His wife and son died on sight however May Parker passed away in the hospital. Peter Parker lost his leg but made a full recovery but refused to comment further. Police statements indicate that they will continue to search for the individual who ran into the Parker family however no clues were forthcoming.

"Oh," she set it down it continued on with his accomplishments while she was a bit surprised as she apparently used some of his inventions, especially his communications systems that powered most phone systems. She had always been more interested in design but even she could not help but be impressed. Medical devices replacement parts and even vaccine work. It seemed their teacher was a person who had done an insane amount of good. So why was he in Paris of all places?

The class continued even as she watched him the stern teacher was nearly the perfect teacher. Maybe a bit too stoic but even that dropped a bit when he helped someone with a difficult concept.

A friendly smile and firm push in the right direction. It was hard to believe the article as one would assume he had only ever been a teacher. "Something wrong Miss Dupain-Cheng?" He asked,

"Oh nothing at all Mr. Parker," both girls quickly waved him away. It was almost a relief when class ended.

She glanced back to see Adrien he stayed back to ask a few questions of the teacher. "I need to head to the bathroom." She found a stall, "Tikki is there anything the ladybug and cat miraculous can do together that someone might want them for?"

"Yes when combined they can grant wishes but it comes at a coast." She explained the universe needs to be in balance say if someone were to bring their family back other people would lose their lives. That and," she hesitated, "the universe kinda gets destroyed and rebuilt in order to this."

"Oh," she could see that being a very bad downside, she could see someone like Hawkmoth being more than okay with someone paying the price for his desires. A lot of it lined up. New in town little in the way of connections and seemed unfazed by the panic around him. Nothing about his public history indicated that he used to do such things, he was not in law enforcement or any emergency training. He could have moved around a lot and while he was a science teacher that did not mean he could not have other interests that could have led him to the Miraculous. She did not have any proof outside strong motive and some odd coincidences but that did make him her first suspect. Hawkmoth or not she would keep an eye on him.

"You think it might be him," Tikki asked worried about her silence,

"I don't know Tikki but better safe than sorry, we better hurry I don't want to be late," her smile was back on her face as she raced to her next class doing her best not to trip.

POV shift

"This is weird, really weird," Peter stood in front of his tack board the latest addition to this weird rouges gallery. Mr. Pigeon was now up there next to a bubble boy, a Pharaoh, a weird phone girl, and a time-traveling roller skater. Outside of a lot of the students being brought in the only thing was strong negative emotions he could hardly lay claim to that discovery as it seemed that was what brought on these transformations. He really should just stay out of all this the new blood had a solid handle on everything it seemed at least. "I mean the point was to get away from all so his wounds could at least scar over." He thought to himself as he sat down all the homework was graded he did not have anything interesting to watch on TV currently. "I need a hobby before this gets out of hand," He frowned while Doctor Strange could handle the grief with no support structure but he was always a social creature, in fact, many villains would complain too much so.

He was still getting used to the city unlike New York that he knew like the back of his hand. He got a news alert about another victim. He looked like an artist "At least my weird villains all kind of had an animal thing going on, well kind of, stilt-man didn't count," He chuckled at his private joke as he headed towards a corner he had gotten a note earlier so the man responsible for this mess could check up on him.

"Where is he?" said a very calm but very worried voice as he headed around a corner. His sense kicked off as he stopped before he made a sudden turn of the corner. The sound of a magical swirl caught his ear as he turned to see a hole in reality. He entered in to see the inside of the sanctum. Had it been that long already, he walked in as the portal closed behind him.

"Peter how are things going in Paris?" he asked the wizard still had his blue outfit and red cape however more grey in the hair. The man looked tired, "Still sporting the beard I see?"

"What and go with the Goatee ugh no thanks not a good look for me. As for things you placed me smack dab into a city with a couple of young heroes and mess of villains with a weird sense of naming and style," He took a seat as the good doctor slide him some tea. "You seem un-surprised by that detail."

"Did I, well it looked safe when I inspected it originally," He sat down, "I feel we should chalk this up to Parker Luck, are you interested in leaving to go someplace else?" he offered.

"I can't just leave the school high and dry like that," Peter waved it off, "what a dumb question sometimes I wonder if you actually know me." He mentally added.

"I take it in spite of your complaints your keeping an eye on things," Stephen gave a wry smirk.

"The guy hides behind other villains and anyone with a bad day can become a pawn. So far it's one at a time but he's impossible to track since I have no idea what he is doing or how." Peter crossed his arms and looked at him with a bit of concern "this could easily continue on indefinitely."

"Well if it's too much of an annoyance you could head back. I got a message that the incident with the forerunners is done." Strange reminded as he pointed out the door with a look.

"It's not changing my mind," Peter took another sip of the tea, the smirk on Strange's face grew.

"Well considering this earth got a bit more dangerous I think I can help with you surviving a bit longer," He passed an octagon-shaped box towards him.

"No matter what I still got Spider-man," he reminded as he grabbed the box to inspect it, "Why would I need this?"

"While your pride prevented you from fixing your leg when it would only take you time, this will keep you safer in the meantime, besides she needs to be returned to the world she belongs to and not on the bottom of the Atlantic ocean."

"Right, don't tell me you are going to turn me into this world's sorcerer supreme or something like," as he considered opening the box his phrasing had him concerned.

"More like a guardian," Doctor Strange gave another smile Peter picked it up and shook his head. He got the impression the conversation was at an end and only when safely away.

"Wizards," he grumbled when another portal opened up.

"Oh um there is someone poking around looking for you she is very persistent apparently the fantastic five are being bothered," he pointed with an odd motion with his hand.

"Well I am sure you can handle it," He wasn't sure who would be so impossible to stonewall. "Everyone who knows me is active as a superhero was there anyone you may have forgotten to mention?"

"I think everyone, maybe some old friends you wasn't in regular contact with, but nobody that may have been easily overlooked." he hummed "I'll look more into it but nobody will be able to bother you unless it's something important." The wizard reassured.

"Well nobody that I know would be giving you enough grief to worry over," Peter dismissed even if he had a nagging feeling he might know who it was.

"Peter you were never the most powerful hero, but we both know that you never reached your full potential, ah," he raised a hand before Peter could argue. "Your abilities as Spider-man are not what I meant, you could easily keep up with Stark, Banner, or Richards, You could have become a wizard you always had the potential. Peter don't let Spider-man handicap you," With that, he was suddenly back on the streets of Paris alone at night.

"How long was I in there?" He scratched his head.

POV shift

"Trouble in Paradise?" Adrian dropped down, "and I thought my cat-fights were bad." Ladybug had asked him to keep an eye on Marinette.

"Just school stuff," she sighed, "you okay?"

"I was asked to keep an eye on I don't like the idea of putting you in danger." He was a bit surprised she could pick up on his concerns so easily.

"I am a big girl I can take care of myself," her fist on her hips as she gave him a hard look. Part of him wanted to laugh.

"No doubt," she was feisty she really did act differently around Chat than Adrian.

"Well since Ladybug asked I can't turn down a request from her." He gave a love-struck sigh. After a second distraction Marinette looked perfectly innocent. "Anyway, we just need to get the pen away from him after that the rest is just clean up."

"You act differently than what I saw in the videos." She pointed out,

"I did some learning, trying to be a better hero," he did a quick pose which got a laugh and a head shake. "Worry not, I have been practicing, so where do we need to go for this date?"

"Across from Notre Dame," she answered after she cringe the word date. So he scooped her up to get her there on time.

"Ep," she let out a cute squeak it was slower than using his pole but from what little he new about Marinette she was accident prone so he played it safe. Nothing to crazy he had been looking into par-core shortcuts to see if he could add anything to his ability to traverse the city.

"Looks like we are early," he gently set her down.

"Yeah, you're really fast," she sounded surprised as she adjusted her clothes and looked at him. He was a bit confused as Chat Noir never met her but she seemed to be evaluating him, this girl was perplexing.

"Okay so few things, if he does anything that makes you fear for your safety, call, no questions asked if you get the pen or not I'll jump in." He spared a glance as he scoped out a good place to hide.

"Yeah no problem, you're really taken this seriously," she glanced at him.

"Well, I don't have Ladybug with me, and your safety is paramount." He looked her dead in the eye. "I plan to be the best hero I can be so nobody will ever have to worry under my watchful eye." He gave her a thumbs up and a smile.

"Thank you I appreciate the effort," she smiled at him as he felt his face blush, He shook it off he already had his heart set on someone. Or maybe it was just nice to be appreciated, definitely the second one.

"No problem," he looked away he leaped up to the roof. "I like Ladybug," he reminded himself but still it wasn't everyday someone thanked him, well Marinette didn't like Adrian anyway.

He watched as the boat ride started up his night vision making things a bit easier. Something irritated him. He chalked it up to Marinette being pushed into this but something made him really want to deck Nathaniel, Akuma or otherwise.

He slipped around the roof tops avoiding the lights and he moved. "That would be amazing," he overheard.

"Marinette, give me my pencil back I need to draw something now!" He demanded,

"I must have been spotted," he cursed as he leaped into action.

"Sorry but I am putting an end to this hostage situation," the staff extended as he separated Marinette from the Evilstrator. However, on his way down the staff was kicked and the pencil went flying he cursed.

"Why is everyone comparing me to Chloe today!" She questioned as an invisible cube was drawn over them.

"Crap," Adrian cursed as he felt himself start to panic he did not like confined places and the only thing keeping him from full-on terror was the invisible part.

"Use the staff, point it down," Marinette told him he focused on her and used the staff as instructed.

"Great thinking," he said as he calmed down he really hoped she didn't notice how close he had been to panicking "Rule ten panic spreads, look calm and civilians will stay calm," he reminded himself.

"I am a genius," she smiled at him,

"No arguments here thanks," he smiled only to hear a sudden yelp of surprise. Chat took off as Marinette followed only to see the masked figure from before standing over Nathanial.

"You okay Nathanial?" He asked as he helped him up,

"Where am I?" he asked as he got to his feet.

"Bad run-in with some negative emotions, I need to see if I can find Ladybug to get rid of this," the man had pinched the Akuma's wings together almost like he had. It was the same guy from the football stadium.

"You can just catch it?" Chat Noir asked, he was very confused. He had chalked up his miraculous but then again he didn't know if the man had a miraculous.

"You did," He reminded, "Maybe we should all start carrying butterfly nets Hawkmoth beware we are armed," he joked which got an amused snort out of them

"I can take it to here sir," Adrian stepped forward and grabbed the butterfly the familiar tingle warning him of the danger.

"Be careful we don't want another Stoneheart," he reminded

"Thanks," He grabbed it, "well it's been fun but I need to take out the trash. Um can you help her get home? I mean, uh," he looked at Marinette he really should get her home.

"I would also like to go home," Nathalie hid behind Marinette the only person he was familiar with.

"I'll meet you where we first met," The master Investigator somehow had reclaimed the Akuma. Chat was stunned he hadn't seen the man move.

He picked up both of them, "you better be there,"

"Hurry up I don't have all night," he pointed out.

Adrian adjust his grip and took off the leaps were a bit shaky but he knew where Marinette lived so he headed in that direction first.

"Have a good night and thanks again." He took off as he glanced at Nathaniel. "I don't know where you live."

Nathaniel stammered a bit but he got the directions out of him at the end. He dropped him off at his front door. Nathanial opened his mouth to say something but his phone staff cut him off. "Sorry, hey you didn't do anything wrong Chloe isn't a person to listen to when it comes to romance and the like. Good night" He leaped off with the staff to take the call.

"So what happened?" Ladybug asked, he paused as Nathaniel's father scooped his son into a hug. He winced a bit at the display.

"You're not going to believe me," he started as he leaped off to the stadium. He caught her up on everything as they both headed towards the stadium to see the figure was there in the open. Ladybug got there at the same time as they both dropped down next to him.

Ladybug grabbed the Akuma and purified it. "So you are?" Ladybug asked him with a critical eye.

"A concerned citizen, look I already had a long day." He clearly wanted to go.

"Why were you out there and how did you stop him?" She asked,

"I was talking to my doctor, I just so happen to be in the area."

"Doctor this late?" Adrian asked,

"Are you going beat me up?" He asked as he sighed, he glanced at Ladybug.

"N-no," she answered the wind taken out of her sails.

"Then I am leaving I am tired okay, that thing was unpleasant on the emotions." He walked off as Adrian felt bad he wanted to say more but the dismisal kinda left little room unless they wanted to start a fight with someone who wasn't akumatized.

"Not really how I wanted to end the night." He admitted but a yawn escaped him he was not used to being up this late.

"You did good Kitty," Ladybug looked at him as everything became worth it for that one second. It took him a moment to realize he was standing there alone.

POV shift

When he finally got the home he opened the box a small chibi spider popped up in blue and red, "Hello master I am Silkk, the Kawmi of mending," She introduced as she blinked her beady black eyes, "Wait I was sunk how did I get here?" she popped around a bit as he pulled out a pair of glasses. Kind of reminded him of his old ones from high school.

"A Kwami? do you know anything about the miraculous?" he asked as he held onto the glasses.

"Oh the glasses are the Miraculous, and I am its Kawmi," She explained she stopped a bit and glanced around, "You don't have much here Master."

"Peter is fine, Miss Silkk, can't forget that second K," He smiled, "You could say I am here to mend as well, A villain has been terrorizing the city as of late and I was tasked with your protection."I am not sure how much help I will be but we shall see what can be done," He offered his hand as the small fuzzy spider laid down in his hand.

"Wow, big buildings how long has it been since I was lost?" she wondered as she glanced around. He really couldn't offer the creature much in the way of information. "Do you have any cherries?" she interrupted, as Peter got the feeling he would be taking a trip to the grocery store.

He got to school and even after looking at himself in the mirror he wasn't sure about keeping the glasses on and out in the open. They looked modern enough but it kinda felt like putting a target on his back even if Hawkmoth wasn't in the market for his Miraculous.

"What is with the glasses?" Adrian asked of course the model would have something to say on the matter.

"Doctor's orders," He shrugged "Now then, class this is," before he started there was a loud squee,

"What is that?" Rose raced up as she spotted Silkk on his shoulder speaking of hiding in plan sight.

"Oh a little creation of mine I have always had an affinity for spiders, she's a robot so nothing to worry about in the biting department," Silkk blinked as her form was still colored but she looked more like a real spider just a bit fuzzier.

He glanced and nearly had to do a double take when he noticed Nathaniel drawing. His super hero was being carried of by Chat Noir. "Do try to keep your art work to your home and art class." The boy blushed as he scrambled to hide it.

He watched as the spider moved around class and was thankful nobody questioned it the Kwami was immortal but so child-like it was hard not to take his claims at face value, unless you were already in the know.

POV shift

"It's probably nothing," she thought her homeroom class was dealing with parents' day she walked around with the tray of her dad's croissants. Something about that Silkk was odd and a bit familiar, Tikki seemed jumpier than normal but said nothing on the matter mainly cause they were in class. "Ah," she tripped over Chloe's bag.

The confusion swept her up and before she could wrap her head around things her father, Chloe's dad, and Sabrina's dad were all in an argument over her stealing a bracelet. "Why does this always happen to me?" She tried to recall. She might have tried to say something but to be honest Chloe was far from her mind as the situation spiraled as she tried to help.

"Your fired!" The mayor shouted as Roger looked devastated.

She really wanted to duck out as accusations continued to fly. She kinda hated that impulse but before things went too crazy they skyrocketed past. A tall figure crashed through the door then out the window it was a blur of red and blue.

"Resisting arrest is against the law!" The oversized police officer shouted,

"Is it not too familiar with Paris law but what about fighting Akuma is that against the law. I really need to get my story straight when I lawyer up." A calm voice quipped as a red and blue-themed figure leaped back out from the opening. A blue base with red on the limbs chest and shoulder with web-like designs covering the red with a spider in the center of the chest. "Crap no web-shooters?" However, that second distraction didn't matter as the rings roger cop shot were expertly dodged. The figure bounced on both his feet and hands.

Then Chat flew past staff in hand she realized this was her best shot at vanishing.

She took an indirect route as she leaped down from above the school. As the adult seemed to be keeping him occupied. He just kept circling he had nunchucks on his side which remained ignored as he continued the fight.

"I would ask if you needed some help, but."

"I can't exactly purify things Spots," he joked as he continued to avoid even as his eyes focused on her. He seemed far too casual, he was reminding her of Chat.

"Ah!" Chat Noir was behind the akumatized cop, however.

"Easy furball a battle cry is just going to get you noticed." He warned a bit late.

"It's Chat Noir!" He shouted as he was now getting targeted by the weird blasts.

"I refuse to call you that furball," he answered as he stopped moving and "mend," he pointed and the wall that had been shattered was now repaired.

"Um," she glanced at him.

"Well with you here, good luck," he leaped up onto the building.

"Your leaving?!" They both shouted as he got himself comfortable sticking to the wall.

"That's weird," Marinette thought as he seemed unhampered by gravity as he just laid on the wall.

"I am just here to keep the kids safe. I am on vacation," she could almost see him relaxing.

"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered,

"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir hit the whistle, as she felt very annoyed at being relegated to clean up crew.

"Bye-bye little butterfly," she set it off ready to turn around to see the new guy was gone. She glanced to see Chat was just as confused. They fist-bumped and all was right in the world.

"I guess we are done for the day?" He shrugged, his ring beeped, "well better go, don't want you swooning when you see my face."

"Get," she urged her patience was already being tested with the sudden appearance of a lazy adult.

POV shift

"Not even a month," Adrian dropped his head on his desk. "I couldn't keep my secret identity for a month,"

"It's not that big of a deal, I mean I am sure he didn't see anything." Plagg tried to sweep the incident under the rug. Adrian remembered what happened after he slipped out of class.

He glanced around as Mr. Parker walked into the hall and saw him with his kwami. Before he had a chance to say anything more.

"Get down!" Peter shouted only to get hit by something and the next thing he knew the teacher was gone. The next thing he knew a man in a blue and red suit was fighting Rogercop.

"Well, maybe we can convince him it's not what looked like." Plagg brought up, it really was his only chance.

So he slipped into the classroom and was already formulated an excuse for being late.

"Close the door," Mr. Parker didn't look up as Adrian had a horrible feeling of dread. The tone was cold and reminded him of his father when he was in a bad mood.

"Sir," he started only for Peter to raise a finger.

"Silkk is the room clear?" He asked when Silkk popped out of the floor.

"All clear," she smiled she looked much more like Plagg now, his eyes went wide. The colors were now a bit brighter and looked like a Kawmi just a few extra limbs.

"Silkk but you were lost over a thousand years ago," Adrian blinked as he realized Plagg was surprised for an entirely different reason.

"Okay," He glanced at his teacher who just shrugged, "I take it your, not the guy responsible for giving me Plagg,"

"No, I never saw him before," Plagg spoke up

"A thousand years?" Silkk repeated as she floated back onto Mr. Parker's shoulder.

"Wait you just had her running around the school that's against the rules right?" He asked,

"Nobody seemed to notice, besides it didn't feel right keeping her caged up so long as nobody suspects her." He sat down, Adrian felt him twitch a bit at the phrasing.

"So care to explain to me what all this business is about Silkk has been pretty tight-lipped on what is so important about why the cat and bug miraculous are so important that it's worth tearing down a city over," Peter asked as he pushed a chair his way.

"I can't say, I never bothered to ask to be honest," He admitted, Plagg remained silent as he seemed focused on the man.

"So how did you find Silkk?" Plagg brought up.

"My doctor recommended her so if you think I went scuba diving your wrong." He admitted as he pulled out a cherry that was almost as big as Silkk's head to which she dug in.

"How can a doctor do that?" Plagg asked clearly confused however Peter avoided the question.

"Still at square one then, wait so you got a hold of him and your first impulse was to just go fight supervillains," Adrian paused at that,

"Well, yeah?" he kinda answered he never really thought about it he pretty much just jumped at the idea.

"That's impressive, well my door is open if you need to talk," He pulled out his papers.

"You're not going to try and stop me?" he asked,

"Do you want me to?" he glanced at him,

"No, but isn't that was a responsible adult would do?" Adrian continued,

"Well if you find one let me know," Parker glanced at his work.

"No blackmail or anything not going to ask for my miraculous?"

"That would be peak hypocrisy kid, I think I hear some honking," He pointed out as Plagg flew under his jacket, He watched as Silkk turned back into her more spider-like form but kept on his shoulder as she dropped the pit in the trash can.

"This has to be breaking a rule of some kind," Adrian said to Plagg as he walked out of the classroom.

"But this is so much more fun hiding things in plain sight, Silkk probably missed out on a lot so maybe it would do her some good," Peter said in a tone that sounded like he wasn't too, worried about discovery.

"If Tikki found out she might say no but she was always the one who did right by the rules." Plagg shrugged Adrian felt weird being the voice of caution.

"Tikki?" Adrian asked,

"I would hazard a guess Ladybug's Kawmii, and I think you need to get going," He pointed at his watch as Adrian realized what he meant and booked it, only sparing a glance at the teacher.

"Adrian you were late," Nathalie broke him out of his thoughts as he got into the limo.

"My science teacher wanted to talk to me. I almost got attacked by the Akumatized villain," he sat down, next to Nathalie.

"Your father was curious about him." She brought up as they pulled away. Adrian blinked why would his dad, ah it clicked into place.

"Really," he really hated his mind for jumping to the recent discoveries. His worst-case scenario already coming to the forefront of his mind.

"Yes, your tests to make sure you're not slacking have jumped in substantially in the sciences. Everything else remained the same except science. I believe your father thinks it might be Mr. Parker's influence however he wishes to confirm that."

Adrian had a sinking feeling he was going to have more extracurricular activities soon. He slumped into his room the day was a bit of a blur now however he probably should give Mr. Parker a heads up. He took out his phone only to realize he did not have his number or any contact information. He got home and realized something he never got Ladybugs sure enough. He transformed and he found "Spider-Man? What a name?" he called the phone.

"Um, Furball?" The teacher answered, "how did you get my number."

"The Miraculous phones are confusing, I just wanted to give you a heads up my dad wants to talk."

"Uh, okay everything was alright I didn't send any notes home." Mr. Parker sounded confused on the issue.

"It's not that," as he sat down and gave a vague explanation, he heard some typing on his teacher's end.

"Dandy another Osborn," he shook his head, Adrian had never heard the name before. He guessed Parker had looked his dad up on the phone or something.

"Huh?" Adrian scratched his head as he tried to think of anything that would clue him in.

"Nothing, that would be a worst-case scenario. I am used to dealing with people with big egos. Anyway since the cats out of the bag I was also the man in the black mask."

"Oh right, that makes sense." Adrian blinked in hindsight he probably should have guessed. "Wait, but your leg," Adrian realized,

"I am not sure if it's universal but when I use Silkk I get my leg back. As for the leg in the other outfit Long pants and the right shoes you can fake a leg fairly well. Now then now that we know who we are, are you interested in figuring out how these powers work?"

Adrian looked at his homework it was pretty much done already. "Sure what do you have in mind?" He had a feeling he was going to be getting himself into something much more draining than any Akuma.

"This is insane." He thought as he charged forward on the sports field. No matter what he did Parker was out of reach almost as if he always knew. Then Peter got clever he would randomly mess with him he even planted his hand on his head and balanced on him. "This is just insulting," he muttered as he looked up at the figure just balancing there. He scooped up some dirt but Mr. Parker shifted just enough to dodge it

"Not bad, I am guessing your fencing practice makes you a bit more capable than most," Peter complimented as Adrian focused and slashed the suit. He landed a hit finally he was getting somewhere. He hit the jaw, torso, gut, and then he slowed down as Parker took a step back to keep from falling.

"You stopped avoiding the blows," Adrian stopped he did not like the idea of getting a pity hit.

"This is a test I need to see what I am working with, heads up I will be throwing some punches, kicks, and grabs," he warned. He braced himself only to go tumbling through the grass. Then before he could move he was put in a choke-hold and could not break it. Only when Peter was ready to release him only for a kick to give him time to recover. No fight before had ever hurt this much. he was sure his arms and legs were covered in bruises, and while it was taking no time a all for him to be pounded into mush it felt like forever. He rolled to the ground in more pain than he had ever felt before.

"Okay tap out, tap out," he panicked as he almost considered using his cataclysm when he was dropped that last time. His legs shook as he forced himself to his feet as he was very worried that Peter was in fact Hawkmoth and he had walked into a trap. "I tap out," he got out only for Peter to keep walking he was surprised as Peter just touched him. The injures vanished and everything around him from the torn grass to his own pain was gone. "That was intense, and why?"

"That is dangerous work, You need to be able to keep a clear mind even at your worst and to know when to get yourself out of a situation you can't win," Parker sighed as Adrian reconsidered his options.

After a long lesson on how to take a punch and how to fall, thankfully much less intense then then previous lessons. eventually the old man let up and tossed him a bottle of water and brought out a box of pastries.

"Is there a point to all this?" He asked,

"Mend," Parker said as all pain and damage he suffered plus the collateral to the field melted away again. "You have a big luxury with the lucky bug. However worst-case situations you will still need to know where to get hit, how to break holds and how to save a person without hurting them,." Parker swallowed a gulp of water that and Adrian got a feeling that there was more to that advice. "A team is only as strong as it's weakest link."

"These are good," Adrian admitted after he dug into the pastries.

"Some family-run bakery on the way to school, a nice couple owns it," Mr. Parker admitted as a bit of calm silence drifted over them.

"So why did you become a hero?" Adrian asked as He watched the adult freeze for a second. Probably would not have noticed if he wasn't watching. "If you don't want to tell that's fine," he hastily retreated as he wasn't sure if this was a touchy subject. "Sorry," he apologized as he looked at the food.

"It's not exactly a proud moment in my life. Maybe some other time. Now then probably best to head home. This is to sharpen your skills not dull them." he stood up clearly ready to leave.

"I am sorry did the question anger you," he leaped up as Parker put his hand up.

"No it's a fair question kid, I am not angry it's just not a happy memory. I'll tell you some other time when I am feeling up for it." this calmed him down however Adrian was still worried that he pushed too far. He really did not like to disappoint people and every time he thought he did he would usually get scolded at best.

"Okay, fine," Peter sighed which really only made him feel worse. "Going around like a kicked puppy, it's not a fun story. It started up when I was still in high school, I was a nerd back when such a label was a social death sentence...," he started and only a while in did Adrain realize this was one heck a story. "...When I realized what happened my first impulse was money. I grew up knowing that my Uncle and Aunt were not exactly well off. ... there was a robbery I had just walked away from after a heated conversation about money. I let the robber go. I was yelled at over the decision but I didn't care about anyone but my aunt and uncle, nobody else. I would regret that decision. I headed outside there had been a carjacking,"

"Ah," Adrian realized he could see where this was going. His ears dropped more and more as the story went on.

"It was my uncle, I lingered there as he passed on. I overheard the carjacker's location. I was angry and I wanted blood. I shot out after him to where he had been cornered. I terrorized that man intentionally pulling punches as I disarmed him. When I grabbed his collar I had broke a window holding him over a serious drop when I realized who he was. I was face to face with the thief I let him run away. That was where my journey began."

The story echoed in Adrian's head, Mr. Parker left not long after clearly needing some space. If it was just the start of the story he was worried about the rest, but it gave him a lot to think of him.

The next day he made sure to grab a gift he felt bad about the memories he brought up. "Look I am sorry for bringing it up," he apologized, only to be startled when Alya closed the door.

"You were curious I am not going to be angry over that." Peter waved off as he looked at the gift uncomfortably.

"Oh did you find out about the accident?" Alya asked as the two glanced at her. "With the car accident a year ago?" She continued a bit confused at his confusion.

"Seriously," he looked at Mr. Parker, who put his hands up. Adrian was even more concerned just how much suffering did the kind teacher go through if there was more that he didn't know about.

"Not exactly a fun topic, looks like someone did extra homework," Mr. Parker eyed Alya who had the decency to look ashamed.

"Sorry was that supposed to be a secret?" Alya nearly panicked as Adrian froze ready for a scolding he was ready only for Peter to remain calm.

"No, it's public knowledge even if I would prefer it not to be. However, I worry this is if not really close to some breach of the student-teacher edict. I can't blame you for looking into these things as I was part of the press however I am going to start threatening detentions if this continues. I am a teacher and I feel my privacy has been impacted too much." He warned as his eyes went back to the wrapped gift on his desk.

Adrian felt really bad however he felt a hand on his shoulder as a tired sigh escaped behind him. "I am not mad I am just setting boundaries now then see you two when you actually have my class. He got a warm but firm smile that soothed his concerns a bit. Alya glanced at him with a curiosity that made him feel that the subject of the new teacher's past might not be over. The door closed as she turned her full attention towards him.

"Nino!" He cried out as Alya was racing after him.

"Get back here pretty boy!" Alya sprinted after him.

Thankfully she eventually gave up the ghost after he ducked behind Marinette who was doing her best statue impersonation. He knew Alya enough that this was not over she suspected he knew something and was going to figure out what it was.

He thankfully had fencing after class and Alya had bigger fish to fry. He felt even more on top of his game. As if the training had to be bleeding his abilities into his regular self.

"Incredible it seems that you have gotten better," his sparring partner shook his hand and after he was on his feet, he headed toward his locker. Only to see Plagg sitting in an empty cheese container.

"You have one missed message," he said before burping.

"You pig, that extra was in case of an emergency." he scolded the cat but his heart wasn't really in it.

"It was an emergency I was hungry," the sloth explained,

"Clever," he rolled his eyes as he checked the time, we are going to be late for the statue. Plagg claws out."

Only to stop he spotted a note, "in a meeting if you need help webs out," oh he realized they were the professor's glasses he pocket them for now.

"Hi Adrian," Silk greeted as he touched them he nearly jumped.

"Oh great, another rule follower," Plagg complained however he was ignored.

"I got a new toy," she squeaked in excitement,

"What?" Adrian was confused since Silkk did not have anything on her.

POV comedy break

"I just finished my web-shooters were are they?" Peter grabbed his wrists. He was running behind so he had to chalk it up to misplacing them.

POV return

She shot a web at Plagg who tried to get it off. "what how did you do that?" he complained as he tried to get rid of the webbing she shot from her hand.

"New toy," she cheered as Adrian watched Plagg get chased around him by Silkk.

"We need to go," he urged he had a statue unveiling to get to.

He dropped down, "Hey everyone," he greeted with a winning smile and a wave. He glanced over at Theo approached him.

"Excuse me Chat Noir but Ladybug's not here." he pointed out,

"You don't think there is trouble do you?" He straightened up as Theo stepped back. He pulled out his staff and found nothing on the screen.

"Well?" Theo asked as he glanced at the staff phone.

"Nothing, now you got me worrying," he frowned, only half listening Ladybug could handle anything, but.

"Look this is a curtsy if something important happened that's going to be her primary issue. You'll have plenty of time for the autograph later." He was a bit harsh but something about him just annoyed him. Probably had something to do with the way he spoke about Ladybug but he was trying to learn from some of the lessons. He may have ignored a few tips in the romance section.

"Well maybe if I was her partner I wouldn't be such a jerk." The artist muttered but Adrian ignored him since he was confident he would say more stupid things the guy already got u see his skin as it was.

"Is everything okay?" Adrian almost reacted when Alya spoke up.

"It's unusual for Ladybug to miss something so I am just making sure. Don't worry beautiful if it was anything worse she would have called." He gave a catty wink and put on a brave face. "Your Alya right the ladyblogger? Love your work,"

With that, he was back up on the rooftops.

POV shift

"It's not here," she realized, "he must have left early," she sunk as the embarrassment seemed to take over.

She was in so much of a panic she almost missed a call from Alya. "Yes,"

"Where are you girl?" She asked,

"The locker room, with no phone," she was already worried he was probably going laugh, or worse.

"I think something might be up, Ladybug didn't show and now Chat Noir looks like he, well he looks concerned," Alya brought up,

She mentally kicked herself for taking so long then paused at the comment on her partner. She got a video that showed him scanning the area. It was weird even if he seemed to be taking their work a bit more seriously she never saw him so worried.

"What, Chat Noir broke into the Louvre and stole the Mona Lisa!" Alya shrieked in her ear.

"What," she sighed her social concerns now completely out.

"That can't be, right? I just saw him," Alya reminded herself.

"Sounds like something you should look into," she really needed her off the phone "Tikki spots on," she shouted as she suited up.

She showed up to see the Police already in the area as she headed in the sounds of conflict were already only to see it was between Chat and the police. He moved past Ladybug as everyone continued to shout at him.

"Oh come on he said the cat's meow it's the lowest hanging fruit you could have gone for!" He smiled and danced around the police.

"You know I am innocent right bugaboo," he said.

"Be serious Chat," she groaned only for police helicopters to arrive.

"Give up Chat Noir!" An officer shouted.

"I never left the sculpture unveiling area I have witnesses!" Chat Noir shouted as he took off

"You gonna go after him,"

"He's right," she showed him the images and the time.

"I guess he was telling the truth," Roger admitted with a sigh. She swung off but Chat was long gone.

She eventually got a message about tracking him down. "Theo," she realized it was his studio, probably upset about her missing the unveiling. She got there just in time to see two Chats in the middle of a fight. However, one was clearly dominating the fight with hard blows and grabs and even when he got knocked down he used his staff to extend cracking the other in the jaw to give him time to get up.

"Ladybug help!" Cried the one who just got knocked around.

"Oh come on tired of this catfight already, you're clearly not an outdoor cat." The other shook his head.

Her first impulse was to come to the aid of the beaten one.

"Not everything that makes me Chat Noir comes from my miraculous a copycat you can't replicate the spirit," he proclaimed as he was starting to sound cheesy at this point.

"Why you," he glared as he swung his staff like a sword only to be disarmed.

"Yonk, thank you," only just when he got the chance to tear it he was cracked in the base of the skull where it connected to the spine he face-planted into the ally.

"Why you!" Marinette felt a surge of anger at the low blow as she spun her yo-yo quickly knocking him back.

"I can do that?" Said Chat behind her a light distracted her for a second she still dodged the staff only for a new suit to move past.

"Chat?" She blinked as her partner looked different.

The mask still had its ears but it connected to a full face mask with green blank eyes. The Chat suit seemed to have a green-like glow that seemed to be like webbings lines over his body as he had his staff but it was spinning on a chain with what looked like bracers over his wrists.*

The fight did not last much longer to be fair she probably could have taken care of it herself but with the upgraded cat it was a walk.

"So do you know who gave us our miraculous?" she asked as Chat returned to normal, the two were up on a rooftop.

"Nope, I the guy who had this, found it, We are both on the same page, he was the guy who helped with Rogercop,"

"You two know each other?" she asked

"Yeah we kind of found out each other's identities," He rubbed the back of his head,

"Chat," she scolded as he winced under the frustration but it vanished at the physical wince and his ears lowered.

"It's okay," he slowly regained his confidence "he's an old Hero actually, he even gave me a lot of advice and some training." He reassured her. She crossed her arms but he still seemed to shift and couldn't meet her eyes.

"Is he also why you toned down the flirting?" she asked not sure if he believed his assessment of the fourth miraculous holder but she decided it was not worth it to push the issue. Her yo-yo beeped and momentarily distracter her

"Kinda, I still have feelings for you," the bravado dried back up a bit as he rubbed his arm. "He said that any relationship like that needs trust and no secrets. If you ever said yes we would be stuck at a point until we could reveal our identities and we can't do that,"

"Well, he got through your thick head so I guess he can't be that bad, anyway I have some things I need to deal with," She sighed she had a feeling it was too late to get Adrian's phone.

"Sure thing Bugaboo, oh here," he tossed her the USB, "You already pretty incredible but maybe you can get some use from his advice,"

She fought it and then looked at him. "I'll think about it," she slipped it into her yo-yo which she really figure out all of its uses sooner rather than later. She took off and she was thankful Chat had kept well everything to a minimum she was already dreading looking at her phone.

Pov Shift

Adrian pulled out his phone only to looked at the missed call icon, he shrugged and deleted it, then glanced at the glasses he had in his hand. It would be a good idea to fill out his contacts. Both Nino and Alya seemed like good people if needed he could probably call on them especially since Alya seemed like she would be at any events that involve heroes.

He got to school with no issues and sat down, "Hey Nino I realized I don't have your number,"

"Dude, what brought this on?"

"I checked my phone yesterday," he started,

"Eep," cried a voice as he glanced back, to see Marinette her face down on the desk

"I delete any numbers I don't know, and realized I didn't have any numbers in my phone, outside my dad and Natalie. Was that you calling me Marinette? If it was I am sorry about that habit of mine," he apologized she looked almost relieved.

"Oh it's no big deal, just school stuff Alya helped out," she smiled in a way that looked very forced as he wondered if he had done something to upset her, ever since the gum thing he was worried that she still had sore feelings about him. Well, he knew she and Chloe didn't get along much so she might still have reservations. "Well if you need help just give me your number I promise I won't delete the next one,"

"Sure," she seemed to freeze a bit but he was focused on his phone as he also got Alya's number as well. Chloe brought up her number so overall he still felt bad and decided to get her something as an apology.

(1) The outfit is a weird combination of Chat Noir and a black and Neon green spiderman costume nothing too amazing costume wise since the video games usually have some kind of green and black costume but it was the only suit that I felt really complimented the Chat Noir costume since Black, blue, and red is a weird fusion adding on the spider and Cat motif, I was like an someone with a better sense of these things can figure it out.