Adrien
"Tonight at seven pm, Ladybug and Chat Noir are expected to show up at Palais de Justice de Paris to unmask and hand over their miraculous. The mayor will be present along with Gabriel Agreste and other notable figures in Paris. Ladybug and Chat Noir will be questioned and required to tell everything they know about the miraculous." Nadja Chamack went on about other news, but Adrien had stopped listening.
Adrien groaned, the whole thing was clearly set up for Hawkmoth to just waltz in and take what he wanted with no resistance. There was no way the mayor actually expected them to go along with this. Natalie's tablet vibrated, a FaceTime request from his father sliding into view.
Natalie answered the call, "Sir, what do you require?"
"Please inform Adrien that he will be attending the trial this evening with me."
Adrien moved into view, looking at his father. "Father, please. I have fencing and a photoshoot before that and I will be too exhausted to attend the trial."
"You will go where I say when I say," Gabriel growled. "Be on time. You represent the brand and I expect you to behave properly." Translation: sit still and look pretty. Without another word, Gabriel hung up. Natatie walked away, leaving Adrien alone.
Marinette
She was watching the news, eyes narrowed. The whole thing smelled like a trap, there was no way she or Chat would actually go there. None of the backup heroes could be sent either, it was just too dangerous and they didn't deserve to be arrested for it. She would need a plan.
Grabbing her bag, she headed down to the kitchen. Sabine had breakfast set out for her already, still watching the news. "Why are they wasting their time accusing those who have protected us for so long. There is a terrorist on the loose and they are playing politics." Sabine turned to smile at Marinette as she entered the kitchen. "Helllo, dear. Hopefully today goes better than yesterday."
Marinette nodded, just as Nadja Chamack came back on the screen. "In light of recent events, the schools are closed today to ensure the safety of students. They will be reopened again tomorrow."
Sabine sighed, "Another reason why the mayor should be more focused on Hawkmoth. If they find and arrest him instead, then perhaps we wouldn't have to worry everytime you go to school."
Marinette nodded. The break meant she wouldn't have to deal with Lila and her lies, but she still had to find a way to get the city off their back. The trial meant they shouldn't be running out and about tonight. The police would no doubt be watching out for them after they don't show up to turn themselves and their miraculous in. She ate her breakfast, gears in her mind turning as a plan formed.
Chat Noir
He ran across the rooftops naruto style, leaning forwards with his arms stretched out behind him. Ladybug called him for an early patrol to discuss the recent developments and asked to meet at the top of the Eiffel Tower. As Chat pole vaulted across the open space onto the Eiffel Tower, civilians pointed at him as he flashed by. Ever since yesterday, public opinion of Ladybug and Chat Noir had sunk. With the video of Hawkmoth kidnapping a civilian and the mayor calling for the heroes to turn themselves in, the media simply pushed the idea that heroes had failed.
With that, the people of Paris ate it up, rallying behind the mayor who already had the support of the city elite, including his father. Chat snarled at the thought as he perched himself on his and Ladybug's favourite spot. Of course his father would be part of the group. He already was trying to ruin everything else in his life, why not this too?
The all too familiar yoyo wrapped around and overhead support and Ladybug zipped up, landing on the platform next to him. "Sorry I'm late Kitty. Was a bit hard escaping my civilian life."
Chat shrugged as she sat down on the ledge next to him. "No worries, I understand how difficult it can be."
The pair sat in silence for a moment, looking out at the city. Then Ladybug turned to him and said, "You saw the news?" Chat nodded affirmatively, still watching the civilians below. "You know we can't show up right? It would be too risky and we can't let the miraculous fall in the wrong hands."
"Did you find the Miracle Box?"
"Yes, and a couple of letters." Ladybug opened her yoyo and pulled out an envelope. She handed it to him, which he accepted. Rather than his name, it was addressed to Chat Noir. "Mine was addressed to Ladybug but it got more personal when I opened it." She closed her yoyo and replaced it at her hip. "I need to find Marianne Lenoir yet. Master Fu left a letter for her as well."
"Do you mind if I ask what did Master Fu say to you in your letter?" Chat asked, holding the envelope tightly.
Ladybug nodded her understanding. "He left me the Miracle Box, declaring me the new guardian of the miraculous. Until Hawkmoth is defeated, I am tasked to guard the Miracle Box." She sighed and continued, "Once we get the butterfly and peacock back, then the Miracle Box must be returned to the Order of the Guardians."
"So we will have to give up our miraculous?"
"Purrhaps?"
Chat stared at her in shock. "Did you just…"
"It slipped out," she defended. "I have been spending too much time around you." Chat laughed as she dropped her face in her hands.
Deciding to let her off the hook, Chat changed the subject. "So what's our game plan tonight?"
"I'm not absolutely sure, but I might have a way to send a message and still be able to leave without getting captured." She frowned, the look of concentration Chat admired so many times forming. "I need to talk to Marinette Dupain-Cheng, you remember her? Cute girl who was Multimouse?"
Chat nodded, "Yeah, I remember her."
Ladybug smirked, "You thought she was cute?" Chat blushed as she giggled, realizing too late what she did. He tried to talk, but only gibberish came out. "Don't worry, I won't tell her," she teased, enjoying the sight of her flustered partner. "Anyways, I was planning on asking her to be Multimouse again. She is a wild card most people don't know about. If they choose to try and arrest her instead of listening, she can shrink down and evade capture."
Chat frowned, "Wouldn't that put her in danger?"
"Aww, are you concerned?" she teased, getting another blush out of Chat. Much more of this and she would be convinced Chat had a crush on her civilian side. "Don't worry, if Marinette doesn't want to do it, she doesn't have to."
"When are you going to ask her?" Chat inquired, face still red. Why was he embarrassed so much?
"This afternoon. I want to make sure no one follows or spots me when I do it."
"I might be able to pull that off before lunchtime," Chat offered. When Ladybug gave him a questioning look, he shrugged. "I've been there a few times and know a few ways to get there discreetly."
Ladybug smirked at him as she pulled out the mouse miraculous. "And how do you know of these discreet ways?"
"I visit Princess once in a while." Chat realized he messed up again too late as Ladybug's smirk grew into a grin. "What?"
"It's just I never heard you call anyone princess before. Is she special or you call all the other girls that?" Ladybug asked him.
Chat looked at her in the eyes and said, "Just her. Marinette is different, like you. I'll go there at lunch time. I need to make an appearance at home first." Taking the mouse miraculous, Chat left a stunned Ladybug alone. It took a few moments for her to recover. Chat thought she was special outside of the mask?
Marinette
When she finally got home, it was only an hour before Chat was supposed to arrive. She busied herself making a new design, a Chat Noir themed pajama set. It probably wasn't the smartest move to work on said design on her balcony where Chat was bound to show up sooner or later. She knew he would make some kind of flirty remark but she didn't care.
She almost had the design just right when Chat Noir landed with a soft thud on the roof behind her. "Hello purrincess!" The cat themed hero greeted her. Marinette didn't look up, intent on getting her design just right. She hummed at him, putting the finishing touches on the sketch.
Setting down her pencil, she looked up at him, "If you came looking for free food, you better give me a good reason to feed you." Then she realized he was staring intently at the sketchbook, a shade of red on his cheeks. "What? Never seen a girl make sleepwear based off of you? Wait until you see the underwear sketches." Chat's face grew redder, clearly thinking about what she said. Marinette grabbed the broom left out from the last time she swept the balcony and hit him lightly in the face. "Hey, get your head out of the gutter."
"I wasn't thinking of that," Chat sputtered, face red with embarrassment. He hopped down to stand in front of her and pulled out the mouse miraculous. "I take it you've seen the news lately?" Marinette's teasing persona dropped as she nodded. "Ladybug and I can't afford to risk going to the trial tonight, that could endanger the whole city." Marinette nodded again, sitting up straighter. "What do you think?"
"I think the mayor should stop wasting time trying to arrest you and Ladybug. There is a missing civilian and I hear he hasn't done anything yet to even try to find him," she scowled. "He has been using the kidnapping to forward some kind of anti-hero agenda that would just hurt the city."
Chat nodded approvingly, this is exactly how he hoped she would feel. "That's how Ladybug and I feel too. So on behalf of Ladybug and I, I would like to ask you if you would be willing to go as Multimouse and plead our case. This way if they try to arrest you, you can shrink down and escape."
Marinette nodded, determination in her eyes. "Yes, you can count on me."
Chat smiled as he pulled out the mouse miraculous. "Then I give you the miraculous of the mouse to use wisely and let the people know the truth. When this mission is over, I will retrieve the miraculous from you."
Marinette accepted the necklace from him and put it on. It flashes and Mullo zips out. "Hi, Marinette! Is there another akuma?"
"No, Mullo. Don't worry, I'll explain everything later." The kwami accepted the explanation and rested on her shoulder. Marinette looked back to Chat Noir, saying, "I got this, Chat Noir. I won't let you down!"
"Thank you, purrincess!" The cat themed superhero saluted and jumped off the balcony, making his way carefully across the city. Marinette smiled again and then looked back at her sketch. Deciding she had time to start making it, she climbed back into her room. Tikki came out of her hiding spot and played with Mullo while Marinette went to work measuring pieces of cloth for cutting.
The Agrestes
Adrien toweled off after his hot shower. It was relaxing after his busy afternoon. Thankfully this shoot didn't include Lila this time, a simple solo shoot. But fencing with Kagami had drained him, her style getting faster and more aggressive each day. Now he was in his room with barely any time before the trial. Adrien walked over to his computer desk and looked at the letter from Fu. It was meant as a last will he figured and wanted to be able to take some time to read it over, not be rushed through it. Hiding it in his bottom desk drawer, Adrien got dressed and applied make up to the bruise on his cheek. Satisfied he looked presentable, Adrien went to meet his father in the front lobby.
Gabriel felt eager. He had manipulated other members of the city elite into helping him pressure André Bourgeois into turning on the heroes. Now a large portion of the city was supportive of the heroes unmasking and handing over their miraculous. If the young miraculous wielders gave into the pressure placed on them, Gabriel would soon be able to swipe the miraculous with ease. And their mentor was locked away where no one would find him. If Gabriel somehow didn't get the miraculous tonight, then he will break the Guardian and get the answers he needed from him.
He strode down the stairs, Adrien and Natalie waiting for him by the front door. Without saying a word, he led the way to the car. The Gorilla opened the door for them and waited patiently for them to get in. In a few moments, they were on the road, only a few minutes from the courthouse. Gabriel gave his son a cold stare and reminded him, "You are only there to represent the brand. No speaking at all, just still there and look professional."
Adrien nodded, feeling sick about the entire thing. The small smile forming on his father's face didn't help, sending chills down Adrien's spine. Natalie too had a small satisfied smile on her face. What did they have to be happy about?
Gorilla stopped in front of the courthouse entrance, police forming a protected path for officials and other celebrities attending to get in safety. Adrien followed his father and Natalie into the courthouse, taking a seat in the first bench behind the prosecutors table. On both sides, a pair of armed military soldiers stood at attention.
To his surprise, Chloe was sitting at the defendants table, shooting her parents a glare. She noticed Adrien and flashed him a quick smile before returning to glaring at her parents. Adrien felt his heart warm a little, the fact that someone was there to defend the heroes. Adrien heard his father murme to Natalie, "Clearly after I finish helping André run his city, I should help him run his household." Adrien felt sick again, knowing his father's prefered parenting methods were much different than he expected.
After a few more minutes of people entering and finding their seats, the judge hit his gavel and the bailiff called the court to order. "We are here to discuss the matter of super powered vigilanties that have no oversight."
"Excuse me, but do you not realize that the miraculous are above your pay grade?" Chloe interrupted, drawing sighs from everyone else in the courtroom.
"Ms. Bourgeois, if you could keep your comments until it is your time to speak, otherwise you will be removed from this trial." Chloe rolled her eyes and flicked her ponytail, but remained silent. "Could the prosecutors please make their opening statement."
André Bourgeois stood up and walked in front of the court. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is no trial, but an offer to get off easy. If Ladybug and Chat Noir don't show up, then I will have no choice but to start a manhunt to find them. These powers are too dangerous to leave in the hands of children who do not know the true responsibility for their actions. An elite team of trained individuals should have these miraculous, not children. So I pray that Ladybug and Chat Noir come to their senses and listen to their betters before something worse happens." With that André took his seat again, a satisfied smirk on his face.
Chloe didn't wait for the judge to tell her to make her statement, already moving to the front before her father sat down. "Ladies and gentlemen," she addressed politely, surprising the audience. "As you have noticed, my father is clearly abusing city resources for his own personal gain. Rather than search for a kidnapped man, he listens to a group of elitists who want the miraculous for themselves. Why would he wait until now to get the military involved?" Chloe asked, guestering at the soldiers guarding the room.
André cleared his throat and stood up again. "I'm sorry, but are you really the best person to be lecturing about power abuse, Queen Bee? When you first obtained powers, you paralyzed a subway operator and almost caused the deaths of over a hundred people. Why should we take advice from a failed hero on this matter?" Chloe's face was filled with hurt as others in the room began to murmur in agreement with the mayor.
Just as the judge began to call for order, the doors burst open. Everyone turned around, expecting to see Ladybug and Chat Noir. Instead of the two heroes, Multimouse stood confidently in the doorway, a confident smirk on her face. "I'm sorry, but someone asked for a hero?"
André stood up to glare at the interruption. "Who do you think you are?"
"I'm Multimouse and I am here to make a few statements on behalf of Ladybug and Chat Noir." She strode down the aisle, ignoring the people staring and the cold glare of Gabriel Agreste. "For starters, the miraculous can never fall in the wrong hands. Ladybug and Chat Noir have been chosen because they would never abuse their powers. Ladybug chose us temporary heroes because she knew she could trust us. We know what can happen when a miraculous is in the hands of a person who can abuse the power. Hawkmoth stole his miraculous,we are trying to get it back. As for unmasking, don't hold your breath. We love our families and do not want them to get hurt because we did the 'right' thing."
"Which brings me to my next point. What have you been doing this whole time?" Multimouse pointed at André. "Hawkmoth has been attacking Paris for some time now and you haven't even lifted a finger to help except when your little girl was in danger. Yesterday a man was kidnapped and you are working against us instead of finding him? If I didn't know better, I'd say you have been working with Hawkmoth." That started a murmur around the room, looks of suspicion thrown in André's direction.
"If the city doesn't take action against a known terrorist but instead tries to arrest those trying to stop him, then what does that say to the world about Paris?" Multimouse continued, addressing the officials in the audience. "Stop wasting your time fighting the wrong battle."
"Arrest her!" a red faced André demanded. The soldiers moved in on Multimouse, intent on arresting her.
The mouse themed hero smirked at the mayor. "Don't mess with Ladybug and Chat Noir, they don't have time to waste on you and your petty desires. Multitude!" In a flash of pink, Multimouse shrank down and Adrien managed to spot multiple Multimice sneaking out of the room while everyone else looked around in confusion.
André attempted to recover but everyone got up and left, no longer supportive of his motion. Adrien smiled, only to shudder at the cold anger of his father's face. His father didn't say anything on the ride home. Once inside, he told Natalie he will be working on his project and left without another word.
Adrien went to his room, the memory of Multimouse, or rather Marinette, standing up to the mayor. If she could stick up for others like that, he should be able to stand up for himself right? Maybe not outright, just little things.
He remembered the letter from Fu and he retrieved it from his desk. Plagg zipped off to his cheese stash, saying something about how a kwami wasn't allowed to read a Guardian's last message. Opening it, Adrien found a folded piece of paper and a smaller envelope inside. Setting the second envelope aside, Adrien carefully unfolded the letter and read it.
Adrien, Chat Noir
It is my greatest wish that you will never have to read this letter, but we can not control everything. I fear I had to sacrifice my memory or worse, my life, to keep the miraculous out of Hawkmoth's grasp. I have left Ladybug the miracle box, she is now the Guardian of the miraculous. Please help her guard them, she will need your support in the coming trials ahead. I have also left an envelope containing Ladybug's secret identity. If you need to know her identity, open it. But respect her rules and boundaries, she has been thrust in a new role that I haven't been able to train her enough for.
I am counting on you, Adrien. I knew from the moment you helped me up that you would be a great miraculous wielder, using your powers for good. Beware those who will try to make you stray from the path of good. Be strong, Adrien, for the sake of Paris. Ladybug will always be at your side, never doubt that.
I hope you have a good life, Adrien.
Sincerely,
Wang Fu.
Adrien frowned at the second envelope, then hid it along with the letter back in his desk drawer. Unless a need arose for him to know Ladybug's identity, he would not open it. Adrien went to bed, mind set at no longer being pushed around.