Hey there! So this is the first chapter of the new rewritten Art Of Black Cats! Now I do remember how the story originally went and the plot will definitely change a bit now that I'm older and realize how cringy the first way this story was written.

I will leave the original up because well it just proves that the show writers read it and stole my idea for Mari to be expelled. I wrote the original AOBC in early 2019 and the first episode of season 3 came out after I posted the first few chapters so… I am expecting my share of the earnings of that first episode in full cash. Anyway weird coincidences aside this rewritten version will follow mostly Adrien in his quest to de-akumatize Marinette.

Bridgette and Felix will be in this fic as I love them. Felix will be Adrien's cousin in this re-write and not his brother and as in the original Bridgette is also Maris' cousin. I don't know if that is considered a form of incest because Adrien and Mari are endgame in this fic and so are Bridge and Felix… so yeah… See you next chapter!

OH! Also if there are any tense issues (So if it swaps between present, past, or future tense) please tell me where and I'll fix it. That's one of my issues when I write that I need to improve on. Also if there are any other mistakes or things I could make better please share! Constructive criticism is welcome. (These notes won't be so long in future chapters.)

Ok well see you soon (hopefully. I suck at being consistent.)

Your friendly neighborhood Australian Emily

Chapter 1

It had all happened so slowly. First, it was the lies. Then she'd gotten physical. Every time something seemed to start pointing in her direction she manipulated the situation towards the classes everyday Ladybug. Marinette had only wanted to prove the girl had been lying, but somehow she'd been expelled instead. And now we're here. She's been an Akuma for 3 days. It's the longest someones been in this trap.

He can't fix her. No matter how hard he tries to reach her as both Adrien and Chat. She can't be stopped.

Ladybug will never show up. He has her miraculous so how can she? Tiki told him to use the Ladybug miraculous to defeat Marinette but he couldn't bring himself to. It wasn't designed for him. He's not suited to its power and he never will be. Mari will remain an Akuma forever if he doesn't find a way to help her.

If Lila hadn't pushed further after getting Marinette expelled… She wouldn't be stuck as this angry, merciless, incredibly smart Akuma.

How does he fix someone who won't listen to reason anymore?

"Hey Adrien?" a voice sounds across the room.

The boy sighs, "Yes Plagg?" swiveling around in his chair to face the kwami, his eyes still staring at the photo in his hands. A smiling Marinette looking back.

Plagg clears his throat, "You should come look at this."

Adrien looked up, eyes searching for Plagg and finding him near the window looking out at the city outside.

"What?" he asked, standing to look out the window.

His eyes widen, the billboard on the next street over has been defiled.

Come out and play with me Chat.

No one needs to get hurt.

Eiffel Tower 8 pm - Your Princess

"Plagg what time is it?" he asks.

"7.30." Plagg answers.

"Claws Out."

3 Weeks Before

"Marinette if you don't get up now I will forcibly remove you from your bed! We're going to be late!"

"Aghhh" Marinette groans and rolls over, pulling her pillow over her head.

Marinette had good reason to not be thrilled about going to school today. A special notice was going to go out to every class about the recent akumas and what to do when one is near the school. To say she didn't want to deal with more things that made it more difficult for her to leave the grounds when an Akuma attacked was an understatement.

Not hearing the soft thud of feet up the ladder to her loft bed Marinette was surprised when the pillow was yanked from her hands as a voice yelled at her.

"MARINETTE DUPAIN - CHENG IF YOU DON'T GET UP NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE AND I DON'T WANT TO BE LATE AGAIN. FOR THE FIFTY THIRD TIME THIS TERM!" Bridgette yelled.

Marinette sat bolt upright, hair a mess, a scared look on her face.

"Ok, ok, ok, I'm up, I'm up!" she squeaks.

Bridgette moves out of the way as her cousin gets out of bed, slides down her ladder, and starts running around her room grabbing things for school.

Around 5 minutes later Marinette stops running and looks up at Bridgette who hadn't moved an inch since she'd gotten out of bed.

"Ahh… You coming Bridge?" She asks.

Bridgette rolls her eyes and climbs down to the bottom floor. Walking over to Mari's trap door and walking out without so much a glance at her cousin.

"Ok then…" Mari whispers following her cousin out.