Hey, everyone! After some thinking, I've decided to discontinue Paonne. It was originally an attempt to test the waters in a new fandom, so it wasn't really planned well and fell apart, as a result. Also, I have been contemplating other miraculouses that would fit Sabrina and feel the Moth/Butterfly and Fox miraculouses work with her better. And since I still want interactions between Sabrina and Nathanäel, I've decided to give him a miraculous, too. A few days later, the Paon and Renarde AU was born! Unlike the Paonne AU, these stories will be mostly unconnected, much like the TV show. Some will be original ideas, others re-imaginings of existing episodes (like this one, for example). Hope you enjoy this new AU!

Note: The only major spoilers for seasons 2 and 3 that will appear in this fic are the canon names for the fox and peacock kwami.

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Paon and Renarde AU

"Volpina" Rewrite

Chapter 1: Lies, Necklace, and a Book

She had seen him quite a few times these past few weeks-walking through the city in his clean but faded clothes, snatching some coins from a fountain or somebody's snack. But unlike those other nights, Sabrina would do more than just follow him around to make sure he got home safe.

"Illusory," she whispered, shivering as the magic spread over her body and turned her invisible. She still wasn't quite used to it.

She leapt down onto the street and snuck into the nearest food store. It was late, so only one or two customers walked around, and the cashier was slumped over the counter, asleep. Sabrina snatched a few snacks and canned goods, then slipped them into a sack. She walked up to the cashier, glanced around, and put some money on the counter before running into the streets. She only dispelled Illusory once she reached the park.

Sabrina found the boy on a bench, counting the coins he snatched for the day.

"Excuse me."

The boy jumped, turned to her, and screamed.

"No, no, wait! I'm not going to hurt you! I just wanted to give you this." She handed him the sack.

The boy eyed her suspiciously as he took it, but his eyes lit up once he looked inside. "T-this is for me?"

Sabrina nodded.

"Thank you, um, miss…?"

Oh, right. She hadn't given herself a name yet. "Um…Renarde?" She wanted to kick herself. Really? That was what she was going with, 'fox'? Yet again, her future partner did call himself Paon, so…

"Renarde…I like it!" The boy took off, waving. "Thanks again!"

Sabrina waved back, smiling. It was always nice to help somebody. Her necklace flashed five times. "Uh-oh."

She ran for home, barely making it back into her room before the transformation unraveled, a small, orange fox-like creature emerging from the magical energy that left her.

"Nice work, kid!" the 'fox' said, "But you didn't need to pay for that food."

"Well, stealing is wrong…" Sometimes Trixx confused Sabrina. On one hand, she scolded Sabrina whenever she did something bad for Chloe. On the other, she suggested things like playing pranks and stealing.

"Not if it's for a good cause!" Trixx insisted, but Sabrina shook her head. "Whatever. Point is, you're definitely ready to fight Queen Bee's tama."

Sabrina flinched. "I-I-I don't know about that…" Sure, she knew all her moves and skills now, but…

"What, you didn't think we'd just be playing Robin Hood forever, did you?"

"Well, no, but…I don't think I could fight anyone. What if I just get in Paon's way? Or make things worse?"

Trixx scowled, but sighed when Sabrina recoiled. "Think about it, kid: Paon is just one guy. Sure, he's been doing fine purifying spirits on his own, but he can't keep this up forever. Chosens don't last long when they're alone; that's a fact. You don't want him to die, do you?"

Sabrina blanched. "No! But what if I mess up and he gets hurt? Or someone else gets hurt?"

Trixx shook her head. "Not likely. You have the power of illusion, and illusions can't hurt people. And as long as you're careful with your whip, nobody's gonna get hurt-well, except the tama, anyway." When Sabrina didn't respond, she added, "Besides, we've been practicing for weeks. I wouldn't have said you're ready unless I meant it."

Sabrina sighed. Trixx had never lied to her before. "Y-you're right."

"Of course I am. Now, get some rest. You've got school tomorrow."

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"How could Jagged Stone write a song about Lila when he could've written it about me?" Chloe shouted as she and Sabrina headed towards the school's front doors.

Sabrina rubbed her head as her headache worsened. Despite Trixx's orders, she hadn't been able to sleep well, and hadn't had the chance to take some medicine before meeting Chloe that morning. Why did this Lila girl have to show up today? From what Sabrina could gather during class, Lila was the daughter of a successful businesswoman (and thus very rich-richer than Chloe, some kids claimed), knew Steven Spielberg (eh, possible?), had met Prince Ali (unlikely), and had been saved by Paon (definitely false-no one had seen or reported Paon leaving Paris). So, naturally, Chloe hated her. And considering the grief Chloe had put her through because of that, Sabrina wasn't very fond of Lila, either-

Sabrina slammed into Chloe's back. She jumped back immediately, apologies brimming on her tongue.

But Chloe hadn't noticed. "Oh. My. God." She gaped as Lila led Adrien towards the library. "Where is that witch going with Adrien?"

"I-It looks like they're heading to-to-to the library," Sabrina replied. Chloe was angry now, and nothing good ever came out of that.

"Follow them. Find out what Lila's up to and bring back any dirt you can find."

Sabina lifted up Chloe's bag. "O-okay, but what about your-"

Chloe snatched it. "Go!"

"Okay!" Sabrina squeaked before following Lila and Adrien inside. Keeping close to the bookshelves, she tiptoed around until she found Adrien sitting by a table. He pulled an old, but clearly well-cared for book with a mandala-like design on its cover from his bag.

Trixx flew out of Sabrina's bag, arms crossed. "Hmph, I don't see why Chloe can't-" She gasped. "That book! Where'd he get it?"

"Trixx, you need to hide!" Sabrina whispered.

"No, I need to see that book."

"Why?" But Trixx ignored Sabrina, flying to the bookcase next to Adrien. "Trixx," Sabrina whined. Why did she have to get the stubborn kwami?

Lila walked over to Adrien's table, forcing Sabrina to switch gears. Trixx could wait; she had surveillance to do.

"Now, we can start our history homework. It's much more fun to work together, don't you think?" Lila spotted the old book and pulled it from under another. "What's this?"

"Oh, nothing!" Adrien tried to take the book back. "Just stories about superheroes."

Lila placed her hand on top of Adrien's. Adrien slid his away. "I love superheroes! I'm actually close friends with Paon."

Adrien gasped, "Really?"

Sabrina moaned. Lila had him now, and Chloe would not like that.

"We can talk about it if you want," Lila replied, then glanced around. "Just not here, though. How about the park, later on?" She shoved a nearby book cart with her foot, sending it crashing into a wall and feigning surprise as she and Adrien rose.

"What was that?" Adrien asked as he walked over to fix it.

"I don't know," Lila answered, shoving his book into her bag and grabbing his before walking over to 'help'.

Man, she's sneaky! Sabrina thought, feeling both disgusted and a little impressed. But only a little!

Adrien's phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket. "Oh, I got a lesson in a few minutes! But…" He looked at the still spilled over books.

"It's fine. I got it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah! Just get to your lesson, and we'll meet up in the park later, okay?"

"Um, sure! Thanks!" He ran off.

Once Adrien was gone, Lila pulled out his book and skimmed the pages. "A vixen super-heroine? Interesting…" Putting the last of the books back, Lila left the library.

Trixx zipped over to Sabrina. "Brina!"

"I know, right? Lila's a total thief!" Sabrina was relieved. Now all she needed was some proof.

"That's not it! I'm talking about the book. I need to get it. It might be important."

"But why?"

"I'll explain once I know it's the real deal." Sabrina scowled. "Don't give me that, kid. Just keep tailing Lila."

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"Paon and I are like this!" Lila laughed, crossing her fingers. Nathanäel shook his head as he paused the video on his smart phone. He had never met Lila. And Alya-shouldn't she know better than to just air something without verifying it first?

Duusu, his kwami, peeked from his knapsack. "Should…should we do something?"

"No. I don't think there's anything we can do." All he could hope was that Queen Bee-whoever she was-didn't see the video before it was taken down. "I'm sure Alya will figure out it's a hoax and delete it soon, anyway." He pulled out his sketchbook and pencils. It was a great day to draw in the park, and he wasn't going to waste it.

Just as he started looking for a subject to sketch, Lila entered the park and sat at a bench some distance away from him. Sabrina was close behind, hiding behind a tree. Nathanäel rolled his eyes. Of course Chloe would send her to spy on Lila. Chloe couldn't have anyone threaten the stronghold she held over the school, now could she? Was Lila even aware that she'd fallen on Chloe's hit list?

But that was none of his business; he wasn't about to get involved and risk Chloe's wrath. Nathanäel spotted a young mother playing with her child nearby. They seemed like a good subject to work with.

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"A fox necklace?" Sabrina murmured as she used her smart phone to zoom in on Lila. What was she planning on doing with that? Or was it just something she'd wanted to buy? Lila pulled out the book, but flinched when she saw Adrien.

"Oh, hi!" she greeted. She tossed the book into the nearest trash can.

Sabrina gasped. "How dare she do that to a book!"

Trixx said, "I'm gonna get it."

"No, wait! You'll expose yourself!" Sabrina seized Trixx by her tail.

"Don't worry about me. Just do your 'surveillance' thing!" Trixx yanked her tail free and flew into the trash can. Groaning, Sabrina snuck after her. Thankfully, she was small enough to hide behind the can.

"Hey!" Adrien said, taking a seat next to Lila. "So, uh, you said you know Paon?"

Lila nodded. "Not only did he save my life, but we've become close friends because we're a lot alike. It's…it's what I wanted to tell you earlier." She leaned in closer to Adrien. "I'm the descendant of the vixen super-heroine, Volpina."

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Nathanäel made a line through his sketch as the pencil slipped from his hand. What? Lila was the partner Duusu had been talking about? Well, that explained why he'd been fighting alone those past few weeks-his partner hadn't arrived in the country yet!

Although…Lila had lied about knowing Paon. How could he be sure she wasn't lying about this, too?

"Duusu, can you sense anything from Lila?"

Duusu snuck out of his knapsack, some bread in hand. His eyes narrowed as he concentrated, then widened. "Yes! I-I sense a kwami near her!"

Nathanäel turned away slightly to make it appear as though he was focused on drawing. But his ears were on Lila.

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Sabrina bit back a scream. Lila couldn't be the fox holder-she was the fox holder! Of course, no one knew that, but still. Lila had no right to make that claim!

"Volpina?" Adrien replied. "Wait a minute. I think she's in my book."

Lila snatched his hand as he tried to look in his bag. "Of course she is. She's one of the most important superheroes. More powerful and more celebrated than Paon. Between you and me, Paon doesn't even make the top ten."

Sabrina huffed. Paon was a great superhero!

"Wow," Adrien said, "Just…wow. But why are you telling me this? Aren't you afraid that I'll reveal your identity? N-not that I would, but-"

Lila took his hand. "I know, and that's why I chose to tell you. I could sense your good intentions from the moment we met." There was a pause before she said, "But that's enough about me for now! How about you show me around Paris? I've been so busy unpacking that I haven't gotten a chance to look around."

"Sure!"

Once the two of them were out of the park, Trixx emerged from the trash can, the book in hand.

"Wow. Just…wow. That was some good lying. I mean, Brina, you're a super-sneak, but Lila's on a whole 'nother level."

"Don't praise her!" Sabrina snapped, "She's lying about being the fox holder. I'm the real fox holder…aren't I?" What if Trixx had made a mistake? What if Lila was meant to be the fox holder, and Trixx had settled for her because Lila hadn't been around?

As if sensing Sabrina's thoughts-could kwami read minds?-Trixx replied, "Of course you are! There's only one real fox necklace, and you got it. 'Sides, just 'cause someone's a good liar, it doesn't mean they'd make a good fox heroine." She patted the book. "Now, let's return this baby-"

"To Chloe so she can give it to Adrien after exposing Lila for the liar that she is!"

"What? No. We gotta return this to the boss-"

"But I need it as proof about Lila's evil ways! Chloe won't be able to do anything without it!"

"Who says she needs to do anything? Lila's gonna get caught in her lies eventually! Besides, this book is invaluable. It can't fall into the wrong hands."

"Yeah, but-" Sabrina paused in thought. "But what if I let Chloe give it back to Adrien, then snatch it back later so we can give to this 'boss' of yours?"

"No, Sabrina. That'd never work."

"B-but you said I was a super-sneak….and-and I can't go back to Chloe empty-handed…" Sabrina sniffed, tears forming in her eyes.

Trixx hesitated. "Look, kid. I'm pretty sure you're golden without this book. You've never lied to Chloe before, have you?"

Still crying, Sabrina shook her head.

"So why would she doubt you now? And if Chloe's so hellbent on exposing Lila as a fraud, she can just tell Lila to transform into Volpina, which she clearly can't do."

Sabrina nodded. Trixx was right. All Chloe needed to do was challenge Lila, and her lies would fall apart. "Y-you're right. I-I'm sorry I tried to force you to give up the book."

"It's okay." Trixx grimaced. "Now, please wipe your nose. There's snot everywhere."

Chuckling, Sabrina pulled a napkin from her bag.

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Hope you've had fun with Chapter 1! Chapter 2's already been drafted and edited, so it should be up late this week/early next week. Before you go, though, here's some terminology explanations:

Paon = French for peacock.

Renarde = French for fox (feminine version of renard).

tama = short for 'tamashi', the Japanese word for soul. Queen Bee's shtick will be explained more in Chapter 2.

Renarde's "Illusory" = allows the user to either a.) shapeshift into a person, animal, plant, or object, b.) turn invisible, or c.) create illusions of the target's surroundings.

In this AU, kwami can sense other kwami if they're active (meaning not inside their miraculous).

Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave a review!

Twilightwrites
10/9/16