Hola chicas! Here is Chapter 3 of this story! It's taken me a while to write and I'm not completely satisfied with it but I hope you all like it?! I also wanted to ask, would you all be okay with me uploading one-shots from other fandoms, e.g Harry Potter? Let me know in the comments! Anyway, onto the story!
Adrien walked into the Dupain-Cheng Bakery and grinned at the sight of Marinette with flour on her forehead, whisking some batter. Stangely, there was no one else in the shop so when the little bell rang, Marinette looked up and grinned at the sight of Adrien. "Hi, Adrien! What can I get for you today? We have a fresh batch of croissants," she offered happily.
Shaking his head, Adrien smiled, "No, I'm here for something, or someone, else." He stepped through the barrier separating the cafe from the kitchen. When he was standing in front of her, he slowly lifted her head up so she was staring into his eyes. "I just have to tell you…" he smiled sheepishly before bursting out, "I like you, Marinette. Like, like-like you."
Marinette blushed and smiled back. "I like you too, Adrien." His hands slowly crept up to her cheeks and he leant in, his gaze dropping to her lips. Marinette's eyes fluttered shut and she murmured, "Adrien."
"Adrien. Adrien. Adrien." Her voice slowly morphed from a sweet, high-pitched one to a nasally, whiny one. His vision was suddenly replaced by black. "Adrien. Adrien. Adrien. I'm hungry. Give me cheese." Adrien's eyes slowly blinked open and he woke up to the sight of Plagg floating near his face. "I want camembert. You haven't fed me since yesterday," the black kwami whined.
"Ugh, it was a dream," Adrien thought groggily. He sat up and rubbed his eyes before stretching like a cat. "Plagg, it's too early," he groaned tiredly.
"Need I remind you that you have school today?" Plagg asked sarcastically.
"Yes but I'm not late since Nathalie hasn't been to wake me up. So I could've had another," he glanced at his clock before groaning, "Another 3 minutes of sleep, Plagg!" He grumpily lay back down and tried to get comfortable.
He got comfortable and felt his eyes drooping closed before, "Wake up, Adrien. You need to get ready for school." Nathalie's monotonous voice droned out and Adrien groaned in frustration. At the sound of his voice, she walked out of the room.
He threw the covers off him and sat up. "Thanks a bunch, Plagg," he sarcastically snapped at the kwami.
"Now that you're awake, give me cheese."
"What a lovely way to start the day." Adrien went about his daily business, grumpier than usual. Plagg would never understand but those extra 3 minutes of sleep made all the difference. When he was done, he walked out of his room and gave Gorilla his usual smile, though today it was hollow.
Nathalie walked up to them, holding her clipboard, and informed, "Adrien, your father has scheduled a photo shoot after school today. Your bodyguard and I will be there to pick you up as usual."
"But my friends offered for me to go out with them!" Adrien protested. "I told him almost a week ago."
"Your father feels that this is more important."
"Of course he does." They began the drive to school and, to top off Adrien's already wonderful day, Chloe was waiting for him by the road.
"Adrikins!" she exclaimed when he stepped out.
"Morning, Chloe," he greeted, his tone not completely concealing just how grumpy he was. The female blonde slipped her arm around his bicep and not-so-subtly stepped closer. Groaning internally, Adrien sighed, "Chloe, could you please not hang off my arm?"
Pouting defiantly, she accused, "You were never against it before, Adrien! What's gotten your knickers in a twist?"
She dragged him up the school stairs and at the sight of Marinette standing next to Alya, Adrien felt his grumpiness slowly melt away. The bluenette caught eyes with him and smiled sympathetically. Adrien felt his cheeks turn red (dude, she literally just smiled at you) and he waved at her, nervously returning her smile. Marinette turned back to Alya, laughed at something she said and Adrien felt his heartbeat speed up. "How can someone be so radiant? She has to be an angel. That's the only explanation."
"Ugh, why do you associate yourself with those peasants, Adrien?" Chloe's whiny voice broke him out of his reverie. "It seems like Gabriel hasn't done enough to make you see that we are better than normals like them."
"Oh, he's done plenty," Adrien thought bitterly. Dragging his hand over his face, he scolded, "You shouldn't treat people like that, Chloe. Dragging them down won't make you feel better." They got to the door of class and Chloe, huffed, flicked her hair and stomped to her seat. Sighing defeatedly, Adrien slipped next to Nino and dropped his forehead on the table.
"Dude, you look like someone kicked your puppy!" Nino joked.
Turning to face the DJ, Adrien deadpanned, "Gee, thanks, Nino. Totally helpful." Sighing dejectedly, he continued, "I can't meet up with you guys anymore. Father thought it more important to do another photo shoot." He rolled his eyes and seemed to sink lower into his seat.
"Bad morning?" Another voice chimed in and Adrien turned around to see Marinette looking at him, amused.
Plastering a hollow smile on his face he reassured, "I-I'm just tired. I was having a really g-good dream-" Suddenly Adrien remembered. "The dream was about Marinette. YOU WERE DREAMING ABOUT MARINETTE, WHO IS SITTING RIGHT BEHIND YOU!" His face went extremely red and he began blabbering, "Uh, th-the dream wasn't a-about your beautiful c-croissants b-because it was about m-my, uh, cat! M-my cat asked for ch-cheese a-and then my arm w-woke me up I MEAN my alarm woke me up. Heh heh…"
"Uhm, ok?" Adrien could see Alya struggling not to laugh and his face instantly turned redder. Marinette slapped her arm, hissing, "Stop it, Alya! You're making him embarrassed." The brunette nodded and smirked playfully at Adrien, still clearly amused. Marinette smiled apologetically and murmured, "Hope you feel better soon."
"Earth, swallow me now."
Luckily, Ms Bustier chose that moment to walk in. "Good morning, class!" she greeted enthusiastically. "Today, we're looking at important figures of French history!" The class unanimously groaned and after quieting them down, Ms Bustier began the register.
After his name was called, Adrien turned to look at Nino, who was staring at him, unimpressed. "Seriously, dude?" he whispered.
"Don't look at me." Adrien dropped his face into his hands.
The lesson passed through with not much excitement until the end. "So class, we can also start to think about people that would be considered important 100 years from now. Has anyone got any ideas?" Ms Bustier asked.
"Mayor Bourgeois?" someone piped up.
"Yes, that's a valid inclusion."
"Nadja Chamack?" someone else suggested. "She's almost like a town crier."
"I guess there is some truth in that?"
"Scarlet Bug!" Nathaniel yelled from the back. "She's the first superhero that France has ever had."
Nodding, Ms Bustier agreed, "Yes, I am sure that I'm the future, Scarlet Bug will be one of the most revered members of French history!"
"If only she deserved that title," Marinette muttered bitterly.
The whole class turned to stare at her incredulously. "Do you not absolutely adore Scarlet Bug?" Rose asked accusingly.
Realising she wasn't as quiet as she thought, Marinette stammered, "Well, I just think she could do more to be an actual superhero, like Chat Noir."
"Scarlet Bug is more of a superhero than that cat," Kim argued.
Joining in, Alya defended, "If you watch the akuma attacks, you'll see that Chat does most of the fighting. Plus, Scarlet Bug is super rude to him!"
"I do watch the akuma attacks!" Kim yelled.
Marinette scoffed, "More like you watch the interviews where Scarlet Bug paints herself in the best light possible. She's so fake."
At this comment, Chloe snapped her compact mirror shut and stood up, glaring at Marinette. "Scarlet Bug saves the day all the time and you still don't like her? I guess you just can't please everyone."
"Oh yes, she's so amazing!" Marinette sarcastically exclaimed, waving her arms in mock awe. "She cleanses the akuma and sweeps Pawis wif her magical wadybugs that are so pwetty! She even treats her partner like complete trash, calling him names and saying he's her sidekick! What an amazing person!" She then pointed accusingly at Chloé and hissed, "You're so swept up by her great PR and charming interviews that you can't see that she has a really bad personality!"
Ivan, who had been sitting silently through the argument, added, "I may not remember what happened while I was akumatized but afterwards, Scarlet Bug just swung off, leaving Chat Noir to deal with me. She didn't even ask if I was ok."
"Thank you Ivan!" Marinette dramatically yelled. "At least someone here isn't brainwashed!"
"You don't know what she's going through." Juleka quietly defended. "She could be having a really rough time outside the costume.
"While that is true," Marinette continued, "It doesn't give her a right to treat Chat Noir like trash. No matter what you've been through, you never have the right to put others through your pain."
"Ugh! You believe me, right Adrikins?" Chloé looked desperately at the model.
After thinking for a second, Adrien shook his head. "No. Marinette's right. Chat Noir deserves better."
"Yeah!" Alya and Ivan yelled.
To finish her point, Marinette stated, " Scarlet Bug is just an insecure bully who can't come to terms with the fact that she isn't perfect and unleashes all her insecurities and pain on an unsuspecting superhero."
That statement left Chloe speechless. It struck a nerve because she knew it was true. And the fact that her arch-enemy had pointed it out to the clueless classroom made her blood boil. "And what are you?"
She said it so quietly that Marinette had to ask, "I'm sorry, what?"
"What are you?" Chloé stepped threateningly towards the bluenette. "You go around, dragging Scarlet Bug's name through the mud but what are you? Even if all you said was true, which it isn't, at least she saves the day in the end. What do you do? Tripping over your feet with every step, barely making it to class on a normal day, the list is endless!" She moved closer, her murderous stance even spooking Marinette out. "You work in your parent's bakery because they need as much money as possible. Who can blame them when your dad was cut out of his own father's will because he married an Asian."
The whole class gasped in shock and Marinette shook her head, defending, "Th-that's not true!"
Laughing evilly, Chloe sighed, "Oh Marinette. Everyone thinks your family is so perfect. No one ever suspects that you have your very own secrets. You're clearly jealous that Scarlet Bug has more to brag about than you do."
Standing up to come between the two girls, Adrien hissed, "Chloe, that's enough."
Not even sparing him a glance, Chloe continued wickedly, "And everyone knows you want to be a fashion designer but do they know how? No? Let me enlighten them. You better watch out, Adrikins! Before you know it, this sad excuse of a girl might just persuade you to convince your father to let her into his company." The hidden meaning behind her words was not lost on anyone and Adrien felt his anger only grow. Before he could reprimand Chloe, however, she delivered the cutting line. "You are just a pathetic, useless nobody trying to drag Scarlet Bug down so you can feel better about your pitiful excuse of a life because deep down, you know it will never, ever get any better than this."
Big tears welled up in Marinette's eyes and she sniffed before running past Chloe and out of the classroom. Adrien glared hatefully at the smirking blonde and admonished, "How could you say that to her? She has done nothing to you."
"Yeah!" Alix chimed in. "Sure, she doesn't like Scarlet Bug but that doesn't mean you have to be so hurtful!"
Looking at her nails with boredom, Chloe replied nonchalantly, "I'm just reminding her where she stands in society. It seems she's gained too much confidence by associating herself with you."
Suddenly, Ms Bustier yelled, "Chloe, that was out of line!" Before she could tell her off more, Adrien had run out of the classroom.
Marinette sobbed despondently, her salty tears wetting the sleeves of her jacket. "How could she say that about me? Now everyone will think I'm just a gold-digger who wants Adrien for his father's company! I don't even like him that way! What did I do to her to make her so mad?" Suddenly, the locker room door slammed open and for a second, Marintte feared it was Chloé again. Luckily, it was just Adrien.
"Marinette, I'm so sorry about Chloe," he consoled, sitting next to her. He hesitantly rested his hand on her back and began to rub small circles, trying to soothe her. The movement slightly calmed her down and she instantly felt grateful that she had a friend like Adrien to always be there for her.
After a few moments, she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, crying miserably, "I just don't know why she hates me so much! She's humiliated me!"
She felt Adrien tense up slightly before he wrapped his arm around her back too. He tried to whisper comforting words into her ear but every time her tears started to subside, they would start again, even stronger than before. Eventually, Adrien pulled away and pleaded, "Marinette, please, stop crying! You could attract an akuma! J-just calm down and i-it'll get better!" She looked up into his pleading eyes and felt her heart sink at the sadness in his eyes from seeing her so miserable. He held her cheeks with his hands and whispered, "Please, Marinette. Just…try to stay calm. She doesn't deserve your tears." At the reminder of Chloe, she burst out crying again and Adrien's face fell. Her ears were filled with the hateful words Chloé had said to her so she didn't hear the quiet sound of a butterfly's wings flapping near her. "M-Marinette, I need you to stay happy. J-just calm down and think h-happy thoughts." Adrien tried to reassure her but the tears just kept coming.
Something hit her purse and the outline of a butterfly appeared in front of her eyes. "Lady Justice, I am Hawk Moth," an enticing voice said. "You didn't deserve to be humiliated so I will give you the chance to make sure those who wronged you get what they deserve. All I ask of you is to retrieve two measly pieces of jewellery." Marinette could faintly hear Adrien trying to get through to her but her resolve was slipping. "So, Lady Justice. Are you in?"
Before she said anything, she blindly reached out for Adrien's cheek and he grasped her hand. She whispered, straining to maintain some semblance of control, "Please… hide. Stay… safe. Thank… you, Adrien." She could barely make out Adrien's mouth saying 'no' before she answered. "Yes, Hawk Moth. Justice will be served." Purple blobs covered her body before disappearing, leaving behind a beautiful supervillain. A white sash covered Marinette's eyes and she was wearing a simple white and gold Greco-Roman toga. The hem was slightly flared, emphasising the fact that she was floating. Her hair was out of the usual pigtails and a golden crown adorned her head. She held a set of scales in her right hand and a sword with a gold hilt rested in a sheath on the left side of her hip where her bag would usually be. She looked ethereal and Adrien couldn't deny that he thought she was stunning. But his heart broke more at the sight of her being overwhelmed by the hurt she felt. "Adrien Agreste. If you have something to confess, I suggest you hide. I will find you." She floated past him and out of the door.
When she had left, Adrien opened his bag and allowed Plagg to fly out. "We have to save her, Plagg. I can't stand to see her like this," he whispered, determined.
Plagg exclaimed worriedly, "You know you're gonna have to fight your girlfriend, right?"
"No," Adrien shook his head. "I'm gonna have to save my girlfriend." He was about to say the transformation words before he backtracked. "Wait a second, she's not my girlfriend!"
"Details, details. Now let's go!"
Chloe rolled her eyes as yet another insult left Alya's self-righteous mouth. "You're not worthy of her time! You don't even deserve to look at her!" the brunette fumed angrily.
"Oh please!" Chloe scoffed. "You all act like she's some saint. She's nothing special."
"That's enough, Chloe!" Ms Bustier shouted. "Go to the principal's office."
The blonde rolled her eyes and strolled calmly out of the classroom. She knew she had been way too harsh on Marinette but she couldn't stand to see her pride be attacked like that, even if no one knew it was about her. All she had done was take well known facts and make her own assumptions. As she crossed the corridor to get to Principal Damocles' office, her icy blue eyes caught sight of a floating figure advancing towards their classroom. Suddenly, the figure's head snapped to where Chloe was standing. Chloe instantly ducked behind a nearby pillar and hoped she didn't notice. After waiting for a minute, Chloe slowly peeked around the pillar and was relieved that the figure had moved on. "I gotta get out of here!"
Making sure the coast was clear, Chloe jumped out from behind the pillar and ran desperately out of the school. At the bottom of the stairs, she pulled out her phone and frantically dialled her father's number and held the phone to her ear. After a few rings, the voice of Butler Jean answered, "Hello mademoiselle? Aren't you mean to be in school?"
Chloé yelled angrily down the phone, "Were you hired to be asking questions? I need to speak to my father!"
"I'm sorry, mademoiselle, but your father is in the middle of a very important meeting," the butler calmly replied.
"Th-then you bring me a limo! I need to go home!"
"Sorry, mademoiselle, you father requires my presence here. Your limo will be there to pick you up after school as usual."
"Ugh, you're fired!" Chloe fumed and cut the phone. "Arghhhh, how am I gonna get out of here?"
Tikki popped her head out of Chloe's handbag and quipped, "Maybe, instead of running home like a coward, you actually try and help stop Lady Justice?"
Chloe stared at the kwami for a few seconds, contemplating her offer, before replying, "I think not. Dupain-Cheng is psycho. Who knows what she could do to me?" The kwami rolled her eyes as Chloe snapped her bag shut and strutted back into the school. "I'll hide in the girl's toilet until Chat Noir releases the akuma and then I'll save everyone like always!"
"I just can't believe she would say that about Marinette!" Alya hissed for probably the 10th time that hour.
Nino whispered back, "It was totally uncool but no one believes her anyway."
Alya retorted conspiratorially, "But no one knows about her grandfather so what if they make assumptions! And the other rumour? About Adrien? She doesn't need people gossiping about her."
"That's bogus. Everyone loves Marinette. And besides, she doesn't even like Adrien that way. Does she?" Nino looked suspiciously at Alya.
Scoffing, the brunette replied, "No, she for sure doesn't like him. I'm pretty sure she has a crush on Chat Noir."
Suddenly, Ms Bustier scolded, "Alya, Nino, is there something more important to be talking about than my lesson?" When neither replied, she continued, "I didn't think so."
She was about to continue explaining the task when the classroom door burst open and a figure floated through. The door slammed behind her and a sash slid over the handle, locking it. Her head surveyed the classroom before landing on Ms Bustier. "Caline Bustier, daughter of Celeste Bustier. I am Lady Justice. Is there something you would like to confess?"
Ms Bustier stammered, "Uh, I-I don't think so?"
Lady Justice cocked her head slightly and murmured, "Hm." She slowly extended her free hand towards the frightened teacher and a white sash, matching the she had, covered Ms Bustier's eyes. "How about now?"
"I lied to my employer that I couldn't mark papers because my mother was sick when instead, I was binge-watching H2O: Just Add Water," Ms Bustier monotonously droned.
"Priorities, priorities," Lady Justice tsked and nodded her head. Ms Bustier immediately stepped behind the supervillain. Turning to the glass, she asked softly, "Anyone else?" When no one said anything, she sighed disappointingly, "Nowadays, everyone is so hesitant to admit their wrongs. So disheartening." Her head surveyed the class again until she stopped on Alya. "Alya Césaire. Daughter of Marlena and Otis Césaire. Is there something you'd like to confess?"
Alya's eyes looked back and forth before she burst out, "I sent my twin sisters into the other's classes for nearly a year."
A faint smile appeared on Lady Justice's face and she murmured, "Finally. A good person. You don't come across many of those nowadays. Speaking of, I'm looking for Chloe Bourgeois."
"What would a goddess like you want with that brat?" Lady Justice turned to see Chat Noir smirking in the window frame.
She cocked her head again and murmured, "Chat Noir. I suppose you're here to stop me. Well, unfortunately for you, it won't happen."
Chat stepped forward and pleaded, "Marinette, I don't want to fight you. Just tell me where your akuma is."
Lady Justice froze for a second and pressed the knuckles of her free hand to the sides of her head. "Argh!"
A purple outline of a butterfly appeared over her face and a dark voice whispered in her ear, "Come on, Lady Justice. We had a deal. Get me my miraculous!"
The supervillain groaned again before standing up straight. "Come here, Chat Noir." In an instant, she whipped out her sword and lunged at Chat Noir. With cat-like reflexes, he used his baton to block the shot. Not a second later, she swung around and swiped the sword at his feet.
Chat barely managed to jump in time before yelling to the class, "Get out of here!" He leapt from the window frame and extended his baton so it hit the hilt of Lady Justice's sword. "Marinette, please!"
Lady Justice instantly pressed the side of her sword against Chat's neck and murmured, dangerously quiet, "Marinette is gone. Marinette is a weak nothing. I am Lady Justice and while I'm around, justice will be served."
Chat choked, losing air, "You'll always be Marinette to me."
Lady Justice froze again and dropped her sword, holding her head as if she was in pain. "Stop, stop it!" she groaned. Chat Noir crept up behind her and tried to remove the dash around her eyes. A sash encircled his hand before he could loosen it, though, and he was yanked forward, landing hard on his back. "Leave me alone, Chat Noir. You can't help me so stop trying." She picked up her sword, spun around and stabbed his tail, pinning him to the table.
Suddenly, the classroom door slammed open and Scarlet Bug strolled in, announcing, "Hello people! Where's the akuma?" At the sight of Lady Justice, she scoffed, "Have you not released it yet? Come one, even you would manage this!"
Lady Justice smiled faintly, "Scarlet Bug. I'm sure you'd have a lot to confess."
"Mmm, not really. I am a superhero after all."
"Even superheroes have secrets. For example, who are you under that mask?" Lady Justice threateningly floated forward. And was about to extend her free hand when Chat Noir grabbed the scales in her hand and threw them on the floor. His eyes widened when no akuma flew out and the supervillain commented, unimpressed, "Great job, Mr Noir." She looked back to Scarlet Bug and continued, "Where were we?" She extended her hand and a white sash slid over the superhero's eyes.
"My real name is-,"
"IS IT TOO LATE NOW TO SAY SORRYYY!" Chat screamed out of tune. When Lady Justice turned to snarl at him, he shrugged, "Hey, I just felt the urge!" He knocked the sword off his tail and jumped up. "Marinette, you're better than this! I know you can overcome it. Please, do it for me." He held the sides of her face and stared at where her eyes would be. "Come on, Marinette! This isn't you."
Lady Justice shook her head and tried to break out of Chat's grip. "No, argh!" she hissed in pain. Eventually, she threw her head back and fell on the floor. Chat immediately grabbed her sword and broke it on his knee. A small purple butterfly flew out and purple blobs covered Lady Justice's figure, leaving Marinette behind. She blinked, disorientated, and groaned, "Where's am I?"
Before she could stand up, Chat rushed to her and hugged her tightly. "Oh, thank god you're okay! I'm sorry I had to fight you, I'm sorry for-" He suddenly realised the position they were in. A blush grew on his cheeks and he moved backwards. "I-I mean, w-when civilians get h-hurt, I f-feel really bad."
Marinette smiled and nodded. She then turned to Scarlet Bug and asked, "Aren't you meant to capture the akuma?"
Scarlet Bug blinked and threw her hair back, replying snottily, "Shouldn't you have a life? You act like you're so smart when really you're just a pathetic nobody that can't even…"
Marinette tuned out Scarlet Bug's whiny voice, rolled her eyes and stood up, pulling Chat with her. "Whatever floats your boat."
The next day at school, Adrien pulled up to the front of the school as usual. Chloe was waiting dutifully but when she tried to throw her arms around him, he stepped out of the way. "Adrikins?" she asked, surprised. He didn't reply and just continued into the school. She ran to catch up with him and they walked in silence to the classroom. As Adrien tried to open the door, Chloe stopped his hand and asked, "What is up with you? You're all distant and I don't see why. We haven't fought."
Adrien glared at her and angrily hissed, "No, you only humiliated one of my closest friends in front of the whole class. You need to understand that if you insult my friends, I'm going to be mad at you."
"But you're my friend!" Chloe whined and stomped her foot childishly.
"If you don't apologise to Marinette and say what you said was all lies then I don't think I can be friends with you." Adrien opened the door and walked into the classroom, leaving Chloe behind.
"Ugh, why does he have to always be so righteous? Apologise to Dupain-Cheng? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"
Tikki popped her head oír of the handbag and asked, unimpressed, "Do you really wanna lose one of the only friends you have?"
"What do you mean I have lots of… friends." Chloe faltered and thought for a moment. "Ugh, fine! But only for Adrikins." She stormed through the door, stomped to Marinette's seat and painfully bit out, "Sorry for the things I said. They were all lies."
Marinetye blinked before smirking triumphantly, "I'm sorry, what was that?"
"I SAID I'M SORRY!" Chloe yelled and stomped back to her seat.
Alya grinned at Marinettrevand quipped, "Well, that's not something you hear everyday."
Marinette rolled her eyes and snarked, "She must have had a lobotomy before school."
Adroen laughed quietly at her joke before turning to apologise, "I r-really am sorry for what happened yesterday. Chloe was out of line."
Marinette tried to reassure, "Adrien, its fine, really-"
"No, its not," he argued. "No one should be treated like that. E-especially not you."
He smiled sheepishly at her and Marinette felt her cheeks grow slightly warm. "Heh, thanks, Adrien."
"You're the sweetest," he murmured happily. Marinette's eyes widened and Adrien, realising what he said, backtracked, "N-no no no th-that's not what I meant! You're the sweetcorn! C-cause you're really tasty, wait n-no, I didn't mean that either!"
As Adrien tried, and failed, to control his word vomit, Nino turned to Alya and sighed, "I seriously worry about him."
Alya chuckled, "Don't worry, Nino. You're not the only one."
A/N I know the TV show had Marinette's supervillain name be Princess Justice but the original name, from a tumblr account called Ladybub, was Lady Justice. Also, do you think I made Chloe too harsh?
