1 - the author does not owns Miraculous - Adventures of Ladybug and Chat Noir, its characters and likeness. Tale for entertainment purposes only.
2 – story for entertaining purposes only
3 - criticisms and opinions more than welcome
4 - be aware English is not the author's first language
Ten days without any Akuma attack helped Felix to slim down his list. He was sitting in his apartment, doing push-ups while looking at the map on the floor. Plagg was nearby, chewing on a cheap brand of camembert, while looking the news.
"Look at that: 'Police to create taskforce to handle propriety invasions at the center of Paris'. Congratulations, Felix, you are doing a great job."
"Yes, I am. I already know a lot of places Hawkmoth isn't, and two I am still in doubt. It would be easier if he decided to attack again."
"You want an Akuma attack?"
"I want to talk with Ladybug. The next place to be investigated is a bit tricky, it would be a lot easier with her help." He pressed a key on the computer, and a building came to view. He returned to his exercises.
"A bit tricky?"
"The good thing is, they're two places for the price of one. Maybe if we cataclysm an ATM tonight, we will have money for a couple of nights there."
It was enough to make Plagg almost cough out the cheese. Almost.
"I will not hear another word about it."
"In that case, I need Ladybug. They seem to trust her."
"Let me remind you, my perfidious albioner, you are talking about the hotel and the freaking personal apartment of the Mayor of Paris!"
The british teen chuckled.
"Plagg! A thing so old and travelled like you with xenophobic feelings?"
"More 'Felixphobic', really. And you give me tons of reasons for that."
He laughed.
"I am hurt. Well, as a sign of trust" he removed his sweaty shirt "I will take a long shower to be clean and fresh should Dark Cat be needed today."
"That's almost decent of y…"
Plagg's phrase was cut short as the smelly piece of clothing hit his small body.
Two days later Felix got his desire.
The attack happened at nighttime, giving Felix an idea. He could finally test his hypothesis about Hawkmoth. The akumatized villain this time was some twisted version of the Michelin Man, transforming the passerby into pit crew, who attacked car after car to refuel and change the tires, again and again.
As both he and Ladybug dodge speed cars to get closer to the attacker, he said:
"I have an idea. Just follow me and watch for any light going out."
"We talked about that, Dark Cat. We try to work as a…"
Ladybug was not able to say the word "team" as Felix used his staff to propel him against the villain.
"Hey, Nico Ros-Bozo!"
The akumatized antagonist felt Dark Cat's shoulder hit full speed his stomach. With a swift movement, he put the villain on his back and using his staff, took him to the top of a building. Ladybug better watch the surroundings, he tough, throwing the villain on the roof. As he tried to get up, Felix hit him hard on the chest with both knees, making him fall on his back. Using an arm and the staff to hold the akumatized one chin in place, with the other hand Felix punched the face of the enemy.
Twice.
Three times
Four.
Five.
"Are you listening, Hawkmoth? You're next! I know where you are!" And raised his fist once more, only for it to be caught by Ladybug's yoyo.
The heroine pushed him away from the akumatized one. "What do you think you're doing? He's a victim!"
Felix opened his mouth.
"Don't. Just don't." and turned to the antagonist "Look, I am in a very bad mood now, so if you please give me akuma, we can end this quick and I can deal with my partner."
Trembling, with horror in his eyes, he complied.
"Thank you." She looked at the object. It had to be a wrench "I can't break a wrench. Cataclysm."
"I asked you to…"
"Felix, if you have an ounce of self-preservation instinct, cataclysm this and shut up."
After she purified and set the akumatized villain free, Felix stood up.
"Look, I was trying to scare Hawkmoth to turn off his light, revealing himself. Now we have a bruised person and no clues. Congratulations." As he spoke up, all the lights of his ring went out at once, and Plagg flew to hide behind Ladybug.
"Consider our partnership over!"
Rage blind, he jumped over Ladybug who, out of pure reflex, she hit his chin, full force, with the yoyo.
"No!" She realized what she did, with an unconscious Felix at her feet "Nonono, I must take him to an Hospital, quick!"
"No." said Plagg "They make too many questions in a Hospital, and not even I know what goes on that kid head."
"Then what should I do?"
Adrien had not the time to read the news, so he did not knew about Ladybug. He woke up four a.m., so the photographer could work with the morning light. Grabbed some cracks and a glass of orange juice at the hotel lobby, no time for a proper breakfast. Then, he cramped himself with the rest of the production crew on a van that rushed to location. Arriving there, the crew split in two. One part working with the setting, the other helping Adrien to remove his shirt and sitting him on a chair for hair and make-up. Despite two persons attacking his face and hair at full force, he managed to be professional and exchange a few words. Jaden arrived in a private SUV a couple of minutes later. It was clear who was the star of the show, and it was fine with Adrien. The two models exchanged a couple of words before Jayden sat for the same treatment.
Some more minutes, Adrien was waiting for the last adjustments at the scenery and lights, with the routine he knew too well. Absolutely no eating, drinking just from a straw to not ruin the face make-up, if he needed to go to the bathroom, stop after at the make-up station, to re-base his hands. He was wearing some short pajamas and a bathrobe, the first of the series of clothings he would put on that day. At his hands, a toothbrush and a cup with some foamy liquid, some prop replacement of actual toothpaste he choose not to overanalyze.
"Ok, you're school roommates, so I show me that comradery."
For the next hour, it was a sequence of orders "pretend to be telling jokes to each other. Let me see an yawn, Jaden." With an endless interruption from the make-up and hair people, to fix one or other perceived problem.
"Right, we need to rush outside. Are the girl models ready? Tennis and basketball clothing, guys. We have about 40 minutes of the right light."
Photo, photo, jump to the basket like you mean it, photo, fix the make-up, photo, another outfit, fix the hair. In another photo shoot, Adrien reflected how different situations are. He was used to undress in front of female models who were also in several states of nakedness without blinking an eye. But sometimes a gesture of Ladybug is capable of make him lovesick for hours. Today he cannot think any of that, however. No time. Make-up, photo, photo, hold the racquet behind your head, photo, photo.
It was past 8 p.m. when he returned to his hotel room, thinking about the reporters and colleagues that talk about his "glamorous job". All he wanted was to let his body hit the bed in the most lazy and messy way possible. Sighting, he managed to open his computer, saw the news about Ladybug and his replacement. What was happening? It was a photo of Ladybug fighting that version of Chat Noir. How could… his Lady was with serious problems, maybe in danger. And he still had another day in a half at the other side of the ocean. He must talk with Nathalie and cut this stay short.
Next: Felix Supremacy