The Rebellion of Adrien Agreste

by Rose Thorne

Disclaimer: Don't own Miraculous Ladybug or make any money writing fanfiction.

Chapter Twelve

The lawyer explained in the limo that orders of protection, under French law, were limited to domestic violence between partners, and though workplace bullying was considered "moral harassment" with criminal consequences, there were no such laws in place regarding school bullying.

"That is so not rock 'n roll," Jagged muttered, scowling. "French law is not cool."

"However, French defamation law is strongly in our favor here, and you have can file a criminal complaint on your own behalf due to her defamation effecting your honor. Mlle. Dupain-Cheng's parents—whom I am assuming you are including in your representation, M. Stone?—may file on her behalf given the impact of Mlle. Rossi's defamation on her reputation."

"Definitely including," he said, nodding and glancing at Tom and Sabine. "Assuming you're alright with that?"

Marinette's parents nodded. They both seemed eager to have this taken care of.

"I've been concerned about Marinette for a while," Sabine murmured, taking her daughter's hand. "She's seemed so… down, so distressed. I want this handled, and we're happy you discovered this and are taking action, M. Stone."

"I found out from Adrien, really. He came looking for help with his pops, and it all came out."

Tom offered Adrien another pain au chocolat, smiling at him. "You're always welcome at the bakery, son. Even if it's just to hide from your father for a few hours."

Adrien blushed at the attention, then was distracted when they pulled up in front of Collège Françoise Dupont.

The route from the limo to the collége was lined with reporters. Most students seemed to have all retreated into the school to avoid them. They could see Juleka peering out a window in one door, and Chloé stationed at the other.

Except for Lila, who was trying to talk to a reporter, who was clearly disinterested. When the limo driver opened the door for them, her voice lilted over the murmur, "and he used me and then dumped me!"

Marinette was getting out of the limo when they heard that, and she started to lose her balance. No one was in a position to help her.

Kagami hurried forward, managing to stay dignified as she drew Marinette into a hug that served to balance her.

"Good morning, Marinette. I love your outfit! Are you still willing to design one for me?"

Marinette flushed crimson, managing a wobbly grin as she straightened in Kagami's embrace. "Of course, Kagami!"

They moved out of the way as Tom and Sabine exited the limo, receiving only confused murmurs from the crowd of journalists and paparazzi. They were joined by the lawyer, then Jagged and Penny, to excitement.

Lila's eyes went wide at Jagged's appearance, and he mugged for the cameras, tilting his Eiffel Tower sunglasses with one hand.

"This here's my niece and favorite designer, Marinette. She designed these sunglasses, and of course my last album cover. She's going to help me with the concept for my next album, too."

That announcement led to shouted questions, both to Jagged and to Marinette, who stared at the journalist with wide eyes and tried (and failed) not to stutter.

It was easier after Kagami hooked their arms together and whispered. "Deep breaths. Slow exhales. You can take your time."

Fortunately, she only had to answer one question before Adrien and Luka left the limo. After that, all attention was on them.

They were holding hands, as planned, shoulders together as though they were leaning on each other. Luka looked a little frazzled at the attention they were getting, but Adrien leaned close and murmured something Marinette couldn't hear, and that eased the tension in his shoulders and led to the soft look that made the boyfriend claim seem believable. Flashes blinded them as journalists caught that moment on camera.

Lila chose that moment to stalk forward, pulling her hand back as though to slap… Luka? Before she could, Kagami grabbed her wrist.

"Are you attempting to assault Adrien's boyfriend?" she demanded loudly, clearly playing for the cameras.

"That boyfriend is a pervert! A pederast!" Lila shrieked.

Luka blinked. "I'm not an adult. We're both teenagers."

"You're no teenager. You're a predator!"

Marinette stepped forward, about to lose her temper, her own hand itching to greet Lila's face.

A slam sounded and Juleka pushed past Marinette and Kagami, her fist cocked. It hit Lila directly in the nose, sending blood droplets against the pavement, and Lila flying back against a paparazzi.

"How dare you talk about my brother that way! You're not worthy of the bottom of his shoes!"

Juleka started to advance on the liar, who was wide-eyed and silent, sprawled on the ground.

Penny pulled the raging teen back, and Rose joined her, holding her around the waist and looking horrified.

"And that, folks, is Luka Couffaine's little sister, Juleka," Jagged announced. "Little spitfire, she is, just like her mum. You may recognize Couffaine, as in Anarka, my former guitarist and their lovely mother. You don't cross a Couffaine."

Lila tried to get herself together. "Luka was trying to court Marinette first!"

Marinette took a deep breath, taking comfort in Kagami's hand on her back. "He needed a cover to be able to go out with Adrien. Kagami and I stepped up. That's all."

"There was reason to keep it secret," Kagami said, taking over the story they'd decided on. "The moment Adrien's father learned of it, he tried to make Adrien break up with Luka and date Lila. She is furious because her plan to entrap him did not work."

That news was greeted by another murmur from the crowd, this one louder. Marinette could see the Gorilla on the outskirts, towering over the rest. Adrien waved at him, and the man cocked the first smile she'd ever seen from him, and then walked away.

Marinette remembered it was her turn to speak. "And, really, Lila's been grabbing on him and verging on sexual assault for weeks. Wouldn't take no for an answer. If anyone's a predator, it's her."

Lila let out a growl and threw herself toward Marinette. Kagami pulled her out of the way and left her foot out to send the girl sprawling.

"Perhaps this is a good time for me to step in," the lawyer said smoothly, stepping between them and Lila. "You have been lying about my client and his employee. You claimed you were injured on behalf of my client while saving a nonexistent kitten, and that he then wrote a song for you in gratitude, spreading this rumor around your collége, and reaching beyond via a blog interview. You have engaged in a defamation and insult campaign against his employee, Mlle. Dupain-Cheng, and even attempted to have her expelled based on lies. You have, in fact, threatened to do worse, which I'm guessing is what the attempted assault just now was. M. Stone does not tolerate defamation against himself or his staff, and M. Dupain and Mme. Cheng do not tolerate defamation against their daughter."

She pulled out several papers, holding them out to Lila as she picked herself off the ground.

"The offense against M. Stone is public, as it appeared on a public and widely-read blog. The offenses against Mlle. Dupain-Cheng are considered non-public. But we have filed criminal defamation charges against you, Mlle. Rossi. These are copies of the filings. Copies are also being delivered to your mother at her workplace."

Lila snatched the papers and crumpled them, her jaw tight with rage, blood still dripping from her nose. "M. Agreste made me! He said to deal with Marinette, that she was a bad influence!"

Marinette gasped, feeling Kagami stiffen beside her. Adrien was staring in open-mouthed horror. Luka looked angry, and Jagged looked livid. Tom and Sabine were exchanging worried looks. The reporters were murmuring again. All of this was, of course, being aired and reported on.

"Interesting public allegations." The lawyer smiled. "Obviously, you will receive more official documents on the charges by the court."

"Just what is going on here?"

Principal Damocles was standing inside the door of the school.

"This is a place of education, not a media circus!"

Lila seized an opportunity. "Juleka punched me, M. Damocles! I think she broke my nose!"

"Juleka—"

"Actually," the lawyer interrupted smoothly, "given that this took place on the sidewalk rather than within the school, M. Damocles has no jurisdiction. Mlle. Rossi is of course able to file assault charges; however, given that Mlle. Couffaine is the daughter of a former employee of M. Stone, and Mlle. Rossi had just engaged in very public defamation against her brother on camera in front of journalists, it is likely M. Stone will ask I amend the filing to include M. Couffaine as a victim."

"Yep!" Jagged popped the 'p.'

Lila went pale, her fists shaking.

"And we have further business with M. Damocles. Given the 'media circus,' and attempted assault by Mlle. Rossi, M. Couffaine will be escorted home by M. Stone's limo driver."

Marinette turned to Adrien and Luka, who were still holding hands and looking a bit frozen. Adrien recognized that it was their cue first, turning to Luka and looking a bit shy.

"Will I see you for lunch?"

Luka smiled, reaching up with his free hand to brush a lock of hair from Adrien's face. "Of course, mon étoile. I look forward to it."

The blush on Adrien's face looked real as Luka brought up his hand to kiss it, then embraced him.

The cameras ate it up, just as they had expected. Luka managed to look longing as he let go of Adrien and stepped back into the limo, his part of the morning done.

Kagami squeezed Marinette's shoulder, leaning close. "I must leave if I am to arrive to school on time. You will prevail. And if you need protection, I believe Mlle. Juleka is a wonderful candidate for the job."

Marinette turned to give Kagami a hug. Adrien did as well, and together they watched for a moment as she weaved her way through the paparazzi before they turned back to the task at hand.

Phase Two: the school.

Wound up being more complicated than I expected. French law is different from the US, and though I could fudge it, I didn't want to.

Welcome to hell, Gabe. You can cut Lila loose, but she's got dirt on you.