Hello, everyone! As promised, I'm came back! (you really thought I would just leave you hanging there, didn't?)
Although I got no reviews so far, I hope I could at least peek your interest in how this story will develop.
And without further delay, let's get down to business!
PS.: Please, let me know what is on your minds!
PS2.: DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN MLB OR ANY OF THEIR PIXELS (I only borrow their idea for the sake of fun and entertainment! No money made or involved in the process...though I wish I could work for them and perhaps I wouldn't have to die for s2)
ADRIEAN P.O.V.
Somehow I found myself back to my room on mine civilian self. "Plagg?" No black kwami in sight so I decided it was better to look for him and see if he had at least served himself if the camembert that I always kept accessible for the little god.
That was one of the worst ideas I could have at that time.
As soon as I tried to get up I felt my entire body heavy and screaming in pain. "Fuck" the curse left my mouth more like a growl than words "I really did get my ass kicked this time" Sometimes cursing had a strange and soothing effect on my pain, almost like letting it spill from mouth and leave the body.
"Yes, you did" The kwami of destruction replied from the sofa. He was basking in the dying sun light. "Do you remember something, kid?" His demeanor was the same as always, but there was a hint of worry in his voice. The beatings where getting worse with time and it was a wonder how I had managed to wake up the next day with only yellow bruises on the following morning.
Although this time I think my bad luck would really kick in if the soreness was any indication.
"Yeah" I confirmed, remembering the fight with the akumatized firefighter "But who was that guy? He was awesome back there" Magus, I remember his name, single handled dealt with the akuma with easy, plus I didn't remember much after the fight. I blacked out when the smoke he released engulfed me.
Plagg's mood darkened in an instant "He isn't someone you want to mess with"
His ominous words were new to me. He had never spoken in such a manner, not even when they tried discussing Hawk Moth. Only tried because Plagg would always brush off and stuff his mouth with his stinking cheese.
"And why is that?" Ok, I admit, I was curious. Plagg never gave a straight no before and I wanted to know why. If the newcomer could become a potential threat, I would do the impossible to protect Ladybug.
"Curiosity killed the cat, kid" And now he was down to puns in an attempt to make me forget about it. Ladybug would likely think this as poetic justice as I was on the other end of the puns. The thought of her always gave me strength to press forward.
"But satisfaction brought it back" Plagg knew I wouldn't give up anytime soon. I could be just as stubborn as him.
"Urgh...fine" The black kwami took all the remaining cheese in a single bite and I was reminded of his disgusting gluttony "But it's better if you hear the whole story"
"What do you mean?" I eyed him skeptically. As usual the lazy god was trying to make someone else do what he was supposed to.
"Shish, kid, I spent the last decades sleeping, so I don't really know who he is" Plagg looked at me annoyed "But Fu is the best to tell you about the current Arcane Lord" He immediately covered his mouth, regretting opening it for anything that wasn't food.
"Who?" But before I could press Plagg for more there was a knock on the door. He was saved by the knock. For now.
"Adrien, did you returned already" Nathalie's voice came through the door, but thankfully she didn't open the door straight way giving Plagg time enough to hide.
She opened the door and I could briefly see a small smile of relief in her face. "It's good that you managed to make your way here safe and sound"
I was glad I at least had Nathalie back home as she shown more affection to me ever since mother disappeared than father did. Hell, even the Gorilla was more affectionate than father.
Though...I have to give credit to the man. Since his transformation he was starting to at least make an effort to show some caring. Even it was still cold and distant, it was more than what was before.
"And in good time too." As if reading my mind Nathalie continued "Your father wants to talk to you" She left without even giving me the chance to reply. Terrific, just what I needed after a strenuous fight. At least that would give time for Plagg to rest.
I made my way to father's office and even sleeping a couple of hour, I was certain I would need to call off tonight's patrol. I was in dire need of a good rest after today and a talk with father was the last thing I wanted. It would always leave me drained.
I came to stop right in front of his office's door, taking a deep breath and bracing for whatever could be thrown at me this time. I raised my hand to knock on the hard wood, announcing myself when a distinct steely and monotonic voice came from inside "Come in, Adrien." How did he do that sometimes is still a mystery to me.
"Did you ask for me, father?" I entered the cold room and stopped right in front of his desk. The only warmth in the room was my mother portrait hanging behind him (and hiding a secret safe that he didn't knew I was aware of).
"You left school and came home in the middle of that fog" Oh boy, here we go again for another earful "That was reckless and potentially dangerous..." He raised his head and studied me "But it proved to be the wisest choice as you are safe and sound."
Wait! WHAT? Did he just make a sort of compliment?
"Though, I am curious to why did you made that choice" That was weird...it sounded more like a question than the orders like he used to give me. Perhaps he had changed more than I gave him credit after being possessed by the akuma.
"I got separated from my friends during lunch when a terrified mob invaded the school" Hey! For the first time I wouldn't have to tell a lie for my alibi "And since I couldn't find them in the mist nor could get in touch with them, I thought it would be easier to help them from somewhere safe." Ok, forget it...I would be lucky if he bought that sorry example of an excuse.
He looked at me, his steely stare making me want to crawl and confess everything I have ever did wrong.
Yep...father had that effect in most people, me included.
"Is that so?" Great, he wasn't buying it "Then I hope your friends had the same luck and managed to get home safely"
Wait...did I hear right? He went along the with lie?
But before I could ask him any question he went back to his tablet "You may go now".
I knew I wouldn't get anything else for now and decided it was best to leave without testing my luck.
When I closed the door of his office Nathalie seemed to be already waiting for me and escorted me back to my room. She stopped holding the door open for me "Your activities have also been canceled for today and tomorrow due to the akuma" I couldn't believe my ears "And you are free to go where you wish so long you go with your bodyguard "She closed the door and left me looking stunned at it. What the hell was going on?
But thanks to Plagg laughing at my expenses, I was brought back to reality. "You heard her, Plagg, I am free for a whole day and that means you and I will be staying with my friends!" Socializing, something that Plagg detested.
"What?! I give my fur to you and making me stay a whole day without my precious cheese is your idea of repayment?" The little kwami was outraged. He hated everything that wouldn't allow him to eat or sleep.
"Don't worry, Plagg, you will be in my bag with plenty of stinking and rotten cheese for you" With one miniature of god of destruction appeased, I could know focus at the task ahead. Checking my friends to see if they were alright. I hoped none of them suffered any injured when the mob came rushing.
I can only watch Nino and Alya from afar since they were often together and Alya would leave my hero alter ego go without answering a few dozen questions, however Marinette, on the other hand, I could not only see if she was ok, but also talk to her for a bit as I had done a few times since the incident with the Evilustrator.
She had always been more open with Chat than with Adrien and, thanks to that, I got to see other sides of her. Her witty comebacks at my flirting, her amazing skills at videogames, how fun she could be and how talented she was. No wonder she had won that hat challenge and, in my opinion, her others sketches were even better! When she left her mind fly, it would always create something astonishing.
"Plagg, I hope you are good to go for a few hours, because we will be back late tonight" A low grunt was he only reply "Plagg, claws out!"
Soon I was jumping the roofs of the city I swore to protect to put my mind at ease and hopefully for some quality time with my princess. Though, since when did I start to refer to Marinette as my princess?
No matter the reason, I did enjoy her company, but had also to pay Master Fu a visit. Well, if it wasn't too late after visiting Mari...urgh, again with cute nicknames for her. What was happening with me anyway?
THIRD PERSON P.O.V.
(Back to when Adrien left Gabriel's office)
Gabriel Agreste sat behind on his desk, scrolling his tablet which contained a digitalized copy of the Book of the Miraculous. Said book had disappeared from his safe months ago and a hidden camera footage caught Adrien and a small black creature taking it.
Of course he knew who his son was, he had his suspicions ever since Simon Says targeted him and the footage confirmed it all. Only a fool wouldn't believe such evidences. His Adrien was Chat Noir.
He sat the tablet down and pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes, grumbling something along the lines of the size of the mess he was in.
"You know, Agreste, you could have won an Oscar for that one" Gabriel tensed since hadn't heard anyone enter the room. As he opened his eyes the first thing they caught his attention was a golden and fancy bauta mask and the dark eyes staring firmly at him.
"You" The designer voice was more a growl from a beast than words from a human. "What you are doing here?"
"Straight to business then" Magus was sitting in a chair right in front of Gabriel's desk, lingering clouds of blue smoke hanging around him as he had just appeared there. He was wearing the same outfit he had seem on the news, except he left the cape and the tricorn behind this time, exposing his pitch black hair and tanned skin on his neck and hands. "Why did you lied to him?"
"He isn't ready yet" Gabriel knew it was useless to defy Magus, he had his share of dealing with mages in the past. The memories still stung.
"You are afraid he will fall like you did" The words were harsh, but held no malice towards him. It was true, he was scared.
Something snapped inside him, making him stood straight and slam his hands on the desk "DON'T YOU DARE HARM HIM!" He didn't know where that had come from or what had taken over him in that moment, though the other man looked unfazed.
"Emotions, Agreste" Magus sighed "You are losing your war"
Gabriel knew he was right, as his words reminded him of how he had come to be in his condition and the price that have been paid for his foolish actions. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..." He stopped when Magus raise his hand.
"No offense taken" He eyed the older man sympathetically "You have your reasons to hate me"
"Still my wife would chastise me if I ever overstepped my boundaries as I had done just now" He turned to face the enchanting portrait of his wife, a soft smile creeping his lips.
"For a man stripped of his heart, your love for her is still strong" Magus stood up and went around the desk, placing a hand on Gabriel' shoulder "She is lucky to have you by her side"
Gabriel chuckled at the remark "I'm the one lucky to have her" But his expression soon turned grim again "But I digress, why are you here? Why did you return to Paris only now?"
"Many reasons" Magus began talking in an easygoing voice "My business here is booming for once and I long wished to meet the new generation of holders". Gabriel was silent, waiting for him to continue "And my trial led back to Paris"
His deepest fear was real then. The perpetrators of his greatest loss were back in town and he paled as despair filed him, knowing firsthand what his son and his companions would be up to "They aren't ready! Perhaps they will never will! It's too dangerous" He was rambling, losing his composure.
"I'm well aware of that, Agreste" Magus' calm voice didn't eased his nerves on bit "But you deserved to know since they are connected to the current villains".
A moment of silence followed, Gabriel trying to calm himself as Magus walked to a nearest window. "Promise me..." Gabriel's voice was but a whisper "Promise me you will keep him safe"
"You know very well I can't make such promises in a war" Magus shot an apologetic look and Gabriel knew he was being unreasonable; he knew what was at stake. "But I can promise you this" He closed his fist and raised his arm in the direction of Gabriel.
"I will put my life on the line if it means they can come back home sane" That was the best he could do.
That seemed to do the trick and Gabriel eased a bit. He gulped and nodded, accepting the promise "Watch over them, Witchcraft"
"I will" A firm determination in his stance and with that Magus dissolved in blue smoke, leaving Gabriel to pray for the best.
And its done! I hope you like!
And yes...grump daddy knows more than he seems (I get the same feeling from the show)
Anyway, I choose to keep this one shorter so I can keep my writing a little organized and following the script I have.
I have some good plans and surprised for the future!