Alya watched the display of Adrien and Marinette from afar. Hiding in the locker room seemed the perfect place to do so. She had been, not so secretly, observing the duo ever since their connection took a wide turn. She wanted to know everything. The way they suddenly clicked, Adrien becoming more of a goofball, Marinette casually talking to Adrien and basically cuddling the man wherever they went! It was a mystery that needed to be solved! Anytime she asked Marinette she just got the same response: 'I don't know. One day we just started talking. And then bam. I can't get the guy to leave me alone and I can't stop being by his side.'
Alya's thought process was interrupted by Marinette's mention of a party. Since when did Marinette party? She stayed up all night doing... whatever she does at night. What was the point of a party? She generally didn't party. Then it hit her. "Oh Marinette. If you think this is the perfect chance to confess then I absolutely applaud you girl."
When Adrien kissed her, Alya could do little more than shake her head with a wide smile. "Adrien, you are a cute fool ya know. You don't know what you do to her. Utterly clueless. " Everyone who didn't know Marinette saw her as a collected and tactful person. They wouldn't be able to see that right now Marinette was freaking out. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence nowadays to see him show lots of affection towards the girl. It had become so common that no one batted an eyelash at these actions. Alya knew better. She had seen the soft look he gave her every time he kissed her cheek. There was no way to hide that.
"I agree with you on that. Adrien can be rather dense. He does not know the emotional impact he has on Marinette." Kagami added as she stood behind Alya. Her voice was almost a whisper as she joined in on the spying. Kagami had joined Alya and Nino as they made their way back to the school when the battle was over. She insisted on checking up on the baker.
"Right? I swear that boy is either a genius when it comes to flirting, or he's a complete idiot. I'm leaning more towards idiot."
"Not an unfair assessment. Though I do wish this dance they are keen on doing would end." Alya couldn't help the smile on her face when Kagami said this. If only she knew the full story.
"Right? It's ridiculous that they won't just admit their feelings for one another." An annoyed tone voice spoke from behind the duo.
Alya and Kagami turned to see Chloe standing behind them. Her hands rested on her hips as she peeked past the wall. Alya wasn't too sure about Chloe. Ever since her little stunt with Miracle Queen a while back. Chloe wasn't exactly her favorite person. Betraying Ladybug like that left an overwhelming sense of disdain for the blonde in her heart. And when she found out who Ladybug truly was, those feelings became more intense. But something changed last year and she had no idea what to think now. It was only though, and she would reveal her true colors once more.
"Chloe? Why are you here? Are you trying to screw with Marinette and Adrien again?" Alya asked as she took a step toward her.
"...no. The exact opposite really." She answered in a somewhat somber tone. Her gaze was cast to the side to avoid a shameful look. "All I want right now is for my Adrikins and Dupain-Cheng to be happy together."
"Ha! You'll have to pardon me if I don't exactly believe you! You are just-"
"I believe her." Kagami interjected before Alya could say anymore.
"What!" Alya turned toward the fencer, a look of bewilderment being thrown her way. "How could you possibly believe her? She is nothing but trouble. She almost caused Ladybug and Cat Noir to lose to Hawk Moth over a year ago. Or do you not remember Miracle Queen?"
"I can always spot a liar. My gaze has stopped many liars in their tracks and more from doing harm." Kagami walked toward Chloe, their eyes locked for a few moments. "And I can see that she is not telling a single lie. How do you want to help Chloe?"
"And how do you know we can trust her?"
"Do you trust me Alya?" Kagami asked as she turned toward the junior reporter.
"You've never given me a reason not to."
"Then trust me on this. I would not have said anything otherwise."
Chloe looked at them both before taking a deep breath. She pulled out her phone and pulled up Sabrina's text message log. "I can ask Sabrina to help me make this party happen. Marinette would just scramble herself just to put it together, if she even remembers tomorrow. I just need you two help make sure her parents and the others know."
Alya tapped her foot as she crossed her arms. She had to admit that Chloe was right. Marinette would just forget. She puts too much on her plate already. Especially with her… hobby. Alya casted a gaze over to the blonde and pointed at her.
"Alright I will do this. But I swear if this is a trick."
"Thank you." Chloe smiled before sending out a text message. "You won't regret this."
Adrien had smiled his entire way home. A party at Marinette's place would be perfect to confess to her. He couldn't imagine a better time to do so. Just him and her dancing together, the music just right as he finally kisses her lips. A heartfelt confession that seemed practiced, which it will be, told to her. And finally he could know true happiness with the girl he loved. Not when he was just with Plagg.
"This is it Plagg. I can't think of anything better at this moment. I am going to be Marinette's boyfriend by the end of the week. Then we'll get married soon after, have a house, three beautiful kids, and a hamster named-"
"Yeah yeah kid we've heard it all before." Plagg groaned from Adrien's shirt pocket. "Just keep the sappy romance stuff to a minimum right now. I got a massive headache from that Akuma earlier. You may be nigh indestructible in that suit against anything non magical but that hurt like hell."
The smile on Adrien's face wavered some, but he decided to let the tiny being rest. He was too excited by today's events to let it drag his mood down. He finally reached his mansion and walked past the gates and to his front door. An ominous feeling had crept up on him. He decided to ignore it and head inside. When entered he saw Nathalie was in the foyer, dragging Gabriel to a chair for him to rest on. Adrien gasped at the sight, dropping his bag in the doorway and ran to his father. He was at his side quickly and noted the bruises on his face and his tattered clothing.
"Father! Nathalie, what happened to him?" Adrien yelled out, his concern overshadowing a small twinge of fear.
"Someone… broke into our home. They stole something very important to your father. I tried to fight them off, but they got the better of me. Gabriel fared better but…. he lost." Nathalie looked to the side as she spoke. There was a hint of guilt in her eyes. As though she blamed herself.
"Nathalie, it's not your fault. You did what you could to protect me and this home." Gabriel interjected as he placed his bruised hand on top of her's.
"I could have done better though…"
"Or you could have died. And this house does not need another loss. These halls are quiet enough as is." Gabriel tightened his fingers around her hand. Adrien couldn't help but smile at this exchange.
"Adrien, come here." His father said weakly.
It was hard to look at him. He had never seen his father look so weak before. He was a man who kept a strong, yet cold presence about him. When he approached his father an arm was suddenly flung around his neck. Adrien's face buried into Gabriel's shoulder. It was an action he had done with him in a long time. An actual hug.
He wrapped his arms around Gabriel, closing his eyes and somewhat fearful that this moment would not be real. Like he was in a dream. And if he woke up he would not be hugging his father. Feeling more loved right now than he had ever been. He felt as spoiled as the tabloids made him out to be.
"Adrien…I have not been the best father. I have been neglectful and distant towards you. I will admit that." Gabriel spoke softly. He broke the hug, but kept Adrien close. His hand touched the young man's shoulder. Ever since I lost your mother a piece of me died as well. I coddled you and kept you away from what made you happy. I thought I knew what was best for you. I want you to know that I am going to do my best to be a better father to you." Gabriel took in a deep breath and looked into his son's eyes, tears fell down his face. "I love you son. I don't know what I would ever do if I lost you."
Gabriel then smiled, a smile that Adrien had not seen in a very long time. He couldn't hold bado his own tears. It was upsetting to know something precious had been stolen from his father and that he got hurt, but it was as if this was the catalyst. The one needed to bring back his father to the man he once was.
"Is there anything you need, father? Anything I can do to help you?" Adrien asked, his tear stained face sporting a small smile.
"That won't be necessary. All I need now is rest." Gabriel winced as he tried to sit up, sinking back into the chair.
"Don't worry Adrien. I will get Gabriel to a doctor and have him examined. You head to your room and relax." Nathalie said as she stood up. She pressed a small kiss to the top of his blond locks.
"O-ok. Can you call me if anything goes wrong?" He asked Nathalie who just nodded. She left for the kitchen, returning with an ice pack as Adrien walked to his room. Before reaching the top of the stairs he heard them talk.
"Are you going to tell him everything? Let him know everything that happened?" Nathalie inquired as she placed the ice pack on his head.
"No. I can't. It's fine along with everything I planned. Now… now I have to move forward. Focus my attention elsewhere."
Adrien frowned when he heard these words. His father was keeping how severe the situation was from him. He couldn't blame him, but he didn't have to lie. He made his way into his room, shutting the door as Plagg flew out his shirt. Adrien walked over to the couch, throwing himself on it and staring up at the ceiling. What could his father have meant? What was he hiding that was so secretive? He looked over to Plagg, who was sitting on the table arranging his pile of cheese.
"Plagg, what do you think my father was talking about? Do you think something more happened?" Adrien asked as he fiddled with his ring.
"That man is a mystery to me, Adrien. I can usually read people like a book. But your father is a professional with that poker face." Plagg grabbed a piece of his cheese and took a large bite from it. "Though I could always see a fire in his eyes. That fire seems to have died down quite a bit."
"I wonder if it has something to do with mom. Maybe they stole something important connected to her. I…I don't know." Adrien turned his head to look at the picture of his mom. If they had stolen something that important that might be why Gabriel was acting this way.
"Today has been a whirlwind for you emotion wise. You finally admit to being in love with Pigtails, an Akuma basically kicked your ass, you kicked its ass back, and your father got robbed. Pretty eventful if I say so myself."
"Yeah well the excitement is over now. Because until I meet Ladybug I need to do my homework."
"I'm not answering your history questions again."
"Sabator! Traitor! What harkens you to peddle such betrayal on thy lips! Doth claim to be millions of years old, yet ye cannot help in thine time of need! Blasphemy!" Adrien yelled while adopting a posh accent. His movements were exaggerated and dramatic.
A deadpanned Plagg looked at his chosen, his head shaking in disappointment and amusement. "Yeah, you two are perfect together."
"How am I supposed to read anything from this book? These notes are going to take forever to sort through. You would think he would have it all translated by now. Guess he was too arrogant to ever fully do it. How an idiot like him ever made it this far with these powers only to be stopped by those two will baffle me for a long time to come." A woman spoke aloud as she looked through the Grimoire. A notebook sat on the desk in front of her with some attempts at translation.
It had been several hours since her fight with Gabriel. Her knuckles still stung from the battle. He was a much tougher opponent than she would have believed. She adjusted the ice pack on her stomach, hissing at the surge of pain shooting through her body. She would need to train herself more with these powers. If her plan tonight failed.
She sat the book aside and looked down at the jewels that sat off to the side. She looked at the Peacock Miraculous and the damaged state it was in. She frowned a bit, wondering just how it could have gotten so damaged. She grabbed the Butterfly Miraculous and placed it on her chest. She was surrounded by a bright light before a tiny being appeared.
"Hello Gabriel. Is there another- Ah! Who are you?" Nooroo cried out before flying backwards. The little being in a state of confusion as he looked at his new holder.
"My name…. Well you can just call me Jane if you so wish." She said before holding out a hand to the tiny being.
Nooroo was hesitant to land in her hand, but did so anyway.
"From now on I will be your new mistress. You are going to help me with my own goal in getting those Miraculouses. And before you say anything, yes I know my goal is the same as his. But I won't be as incompetent with these powers. It won't take me over five years just to get no progress. I will be much more ruthless."
Nooroo looked up at her, nodding slowly before hanging his head down. She looked down at him and rubbed his tiny cheek. She looked around and noticed bag of marshmallows she had behind her. She grabbed one of them and handed it to him. Nooroo's eyes widened at the sweet threat before taking it and began to nibble excitedly.
"I will do as you wish, Mistress." Nooroo stated between bites.
"Do not worry my sweet Nooroo. I will not treat you as harshly as Gabriel did. Let me know what you would like to eat and so I can get it for you.I believe it's time for a test run of my powers. Nooroo, Dark Wings Rise!"
Jane closed her eyes as Nooroo merged with her jewel. She felt the power surge through her body and her costume began to form. Her hair changed to be dark purple in color and was put in a ponytail that stretched to her lower back. Her costume consisted of a lilac dress shirt that was tucked into violet dress pants. A suit jacket was draped over her shoulders that matched in color with her pants. She touched her face and felt the large silver mask hiding her identity. She twirled the cane in her hand, slamming the end of it on the ground with a mischievous smile.
"Nothing suits me like a suit." Jane looked herself over in the mirror with a twisted smile. "Now, let's go find Ladybug and Cat Noir."