Centuries ago, magical jewellery called the miraculous were created. And in among these artefacts, are the two most powerful: the ladybug and Cat Miraculous which when put together can rewrite Reality itself. Over the years many have tried to get their hands on these Jewellery of power however standing in their way are the duo of-
It had been just a single day since what would later be known as the first Akuma attack and the first appearance of Scarlet Beetle and Chatte Noire, and now things were a lot different. While government and most mainstream news Declared that it was a simple terrorist attack and the reports of a massive stone monster and two superheroes fighting and an Apocalyptic Plague of ladybugs and cats were fake, brought upon by Mass Hysteria and drugs. However, those who are there reported differently and lambasted the government for lying to them about their safety and the need to.
Marin was never a "Sceptic" so he had never bought into some of the weird things that people believed in, but he had no choice but what to believe after being a part of it himself. It was still Crazy, The prospect of being a superhero and all. Surprisingly, the school was open today! But hey, I guess even if it's Judgement day children need to go to school.
'I wonder how Cat is taking this?' He question himself as walking up to the first step. ' she's probably just as confused as I-'
"HEY MAIRN ITS ME!" Adrienne yelled, causing him to turn just in time to see her Trip on the first step. Marin acts on instinct and grabs onto her and tries to yank forward. However, he pulled too hard and only to cause the both of them to fall, with Adrienne's upper body resting against his lower one in a Particularly awkward embrace.
"I'd say this makes us even for yesterday. "Adrienne said with an embarrassed laugh.
"Yeah uh…"Marin stuttered, blushing and looking down. "Can you get up before Chloe throws me again?"
"Don't worry, I got you." She said, sitting up and standing on her feet. "So crazy yesterday?"
"Definitely, I'm glad to see that you made it out of there alright." He said with a nod.
"So, want me to introduce you to my classmates? Ivan's not so scary when he isn't a raging rock monster. Well, he's a little scary but I promise he's a good guy.
"Hopefully he's doing ok." She replied, a worried look in her eye. But before someone had to say anything else, Alya came running over to them.
"Hey, Mari! Blonde! Glad to see you okay." She said with her bubbly voice.
"You too, so what have you been up to?" Marin asked, happy to see his friend.
"Well, ever since yesterday I'm been working hard on my new blog: The Beetleblog, bringing you the latest news about the coolest superhero, Beetle," Alya said with Marin finding this a surprise given how it was only a day and wait was that a ladybug keychain hanging on the phone?
"Originally I wanted to call it the Ladyblog, you know play on the whole Ladybug theme that guy was going for, but figured it would be better to go with his name." Alya continued, taking her phone back."And this is only the beginning of the blog I made."
"Why didn't you call it the ScarlettBlog?" Adrienne asked innocently.
"Because the name was already taken by another blog who, let's just say, was made for an entirely different demographic." There was a very long pause before Alya let out an "anyway" and shoved her phone into his face. He saw a page with a ladybug print background against the main article pages and video from the fight.
"Check out the number of views since I posted the video!"
"That's cool." He said as Marin's stomach sank at the rising views, now over a million. "Well, I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of this. I mean that Beetle guy, he didn't really do anything. So, shouldn't you be making a blog about Chatte Noire and not him?"
Alya shook her head, "Well obviously, she did help and I am going to be covering her alongside Scarlet Beetle. But Beetle was way more captivating if you ask me."
"Are you sure about that?" Marin asks lamely but Alya shook her head."Trust me on this Marin, I'm a pretty good judge of character. He's got this."Alya said with no hesitation whatsoever, showing a huge amount of trust in Beetle for some odd reason. He felt so guilty that he was ready to vomit, but even so, he pressed on.
"But what if he's not cut out for it even with people saying he is?"
"He is and you shouldn't worry about any of it." Adrienne cut in, wanting to ease his mind of worries.
"Yeah, he already proved himself." Alya also quickly chimed in, "Besides you SEEN those muscles?"
Marin and Adrianne felt themselves growing red at her words, with Marin feeling incredibly embarrassed and Adrianne's face turning a rosy pink. "Yeah, he sure is..." She muttered while trying to avoid eye contact with Marin and failing. "Scarlet beetle is a true superhero, no doubt about it and he'll save us."Hearing that, Marin couldn't stop the small smile on his face, flattered by that, even if he thinks differently.
It was strange to have someone talk to him about… Well, he and not know about it.
'Geez, what was his life becoming?'Marin thought as he and the girls entered the school grounds, stopping when he saw Ivan sitting down like a bunch of the other classmates from his class were standing around him. Marin was surprised that the teen came to school after what had happened.
"So you really don't remember anything?" Alix Kubdel asked him as Marin and the girls walked towards the group, intently listening to their conversation
"You were going totally ballistic," next to her Juleka Couffaine, a slender teenage girl of pale skin with tailbone-length black hair with the tips dyed violet at the end, one of which was her bangs covering one of her amber eyes. She wears a black shirt with a swan-necked collar and sea green lined collar and side pockets, and black mesh short sleeves. She also wears purple pants with holes above the knees and black high-top sneakers with white soles. On her hands, she has black fingerless lace gloves that have a diamond pattern design and end halfway up the forearm. "It was so cool."
"You were seriously trying to crush me, dude!" Kim said awkwardly, unsure of how to handle this. Ivan sighed, letting his eyes wander before connecting with his crush, Mylène Haprèle, a quite short and chubby girl with blonde hair that was styled into dreadlocks with some strands dyed green, blue, and magenta. A dreadlock on the left side of her head has a purple cat bead; another dreadlock on her right side has a golden loop and golden brown eyes. She wears a pink bandana to hold her hair back, and she has a necklace with a stone pendant. She wears a periwinkle shirt with a white silhouette design on the front of a bird holding a branch with leaves, which is underneath a greyish lime green hoodie jacket. There are pins attached to her jacket: on the right side, she has a daisy pin; on the left side, she has a ladybug pin, a panda pin, and a yellow and green pin. Additionally, she wears dark grey jean shorts, black leggings, and dark purple and white sneakers.
After a small pause, she quickly hid behind the taller teens." I'm sorry, I wasn't myself." he said, looking away and toward the ground, tired of repeating himself and also not knowing the answer to the question, he wasn't comfortable with this type of attention. "I honestly have no clue what happened."
"Pfft, like anyone would believe that."Everyone turned to see Chloe nearby, who was leaning against a wall, giving Ivan a mocking look as some chewing gum.
"Once a monster always a monster and nothing will change that."Hearing that, Ivan got up angrily, causing the crowd to back away in fright. I'm not a monster! Ivan gritted his teeth and stomped away all the while Chloe called over with a singsong voice."Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"
Meanwhile across town, Hawk Moth stood in his hideout grinning darkly as felt Ivan's negative emotions.
"Yes, feel the burn of their words," Hawk Moth said. He could feel these negatives were much stronger than before and could easily tell that he'll become much stronger than last time. Everything was set in place for him to claim the Miraculous as his, no one, not even this Scarlet Beetle or Chatte Noire can stop him. "Lose your temper so my Akuma can infect you."
I smell blood in the air. Marin and Adrienne thought, looking over at Alya who glared dagger at Chloe for what just happened, "How could you say that to Ivan!?"
"So, he didn't punch a hole through the courtyard walls? Trash a city block? Broke Sabrina's dad's arm. And tried to kill Kim? Didn't think so." Chloe said before blowing the gum in her face as Alya gritted her teeth in anger.
"Just because your footage of those lame superheroes was shown on TV, doesn't mean you have to get so high and mighty now."She looked over the crowd, smirking still. "If it looks like a monster, talks like a monster and acts like a monster then it is a monster. So, why shouldn't we treat it like a monster."
"Funny the only monster I see here is you, "Marin spoke up, much to the surprise of Chloe and pretty much everyone present and he really not could blame them considering how he always kept quiet and didn't do much whenever Chloe was messing with him. So for him to stand up against Chloe for someone else was a surprise.
"What did you just say?!" Chloe got into Marin's face, a bit surprised that he didn't step back like he usually did when she did something like this and was instead standing his ground.
"I said you're a spoiled little brat who doesn't know when her opinion is not wanted!"Once more he spoke without thinking, what was with him today?! It was like when he faced Stoneheart as Beetle, he acted without thinking. He wasn't the only one as Chloe's eyes widened in shock at his words. Did he really say that to her? She couldn't believe that Marin, weakling, sissy boy as he is, actually stood up to her. She couldn't believe he used that weak little voice he had to say those words. Although, Chloe finds Marin's new attitude a bit amusing to her like a dog that barks back at its owner.
But before she had a chance to do anything, Adrienne moved between him and Chloe, taking the attention off of him much to his relief as she gave her friend a stare-down. "Marin is right, Ivan is a victim too and he shouldn't be made fun of for something he obviously had no control over."
Chloe scoffed at what was said but backed down after Adrienne showed her gaze to her, still feeling shame as she looked embarrassed. "Fine, whatever," she muttered before quickly walking away.
"Wow, you really gave queen bitch a rub for her money," Alya said, grinning happily at what she just saw.
"I didn't do anything," Adrienne said, still looking at her with a confused look.
"You made her run away like a scary dog with a gare glare, anyone who can do that is a badass in my book." Alya laughed.
"...I don't know what to say," Adrienne said, conflicted on what to think as she realised that Marin was missing. "Where does Marin go?"
Unannounced to everyone, Marin had left the group to find Ivan, knowing that if he was left alone after what Chloe said, the chances for Ivan to become Stoneheart again were pretty high, so he had to do something. Before it's too late. Eventually, he did find him, sitting in front of his locker, hunched over with headsets on his ears, listening to some very loud music.
'Good he hasn't turned,' Marin let out a thankfully sigh before walking over and tapping his shoulder, making Ivan glance up before groaning, taking off the headphones as he did so.
"No, I don't remember anything about being Stoneheart, it was not awesome being a supervillain, can you go now?" He asked, tired of it being brought up every few seconds like he was some ticking bomb, ready to blow up, even if he didn't blame them for thinking like that. Frowning, Marin just sat down next to him.
"I already know it was outside of your control. Anyone who says otherwise is a bully or an idiot who you shouldn't bother listening to. What I want to say is that I know you have a crush on Mylene. "Now Ivan was really surprised and scared.'How did Marin know about that?! Did Kim talk?! That ass!'
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Ivan said, leaving for Marin to shake his head.
"Don't deny it, I can see the way you look at her and don't worry I'm not here to make fun of you for it or to tell anyone, I'm not Chloe, "Marin promised him, seeing how Ivan looked uncertain about this whole conversation taking a turn he wasn't expecting. "Kim is a meathead and you are well within your right to be mad at him, but I do think you should go for it and tell her how you feel."
Hearing that, Ivan gave him a hopeful look. "You really think so?"
"I do, just talk to her."After a second, Ivan looked away and placed his hands on his knees.
" If it's the height difference that has you worried, my Dad is about as tall as you are and my Mom doesn't even reach his chin! Trust me, it's not a deal-breaker." Marin joked, earning a laugh for the taller boy."It's not that, it's just I'm no good with words, what if I screw it up?"
"Well if you can't talk to her, try writing her something or send her a gift." Marin grinned."For example, whenever my Dad tried to talk with my Mom before they got together he expressed himself through baking, so maybe you should do something similar? Like, draw a picture? Write a poem-?"
"I can write a song," Ivan suggested, liking music enough to do that with Marin nodding in agreement."That's perfect, anyone would love a song written about them."
"That's the way," Marin said before standing up, placing a hand in his pocket with a grin. Ivan gives the boy an inquisitive look before asking. "Were you always like this? I don't remember you being this…in control of yourself?"
" Well, you're not the only one who changed." Marin in response as Ivan gave him a softy smile before the two boys parted ways.
"I have to say you handled that situation very well," Tikki said, hopping out of his pocket. "You are a lot more mature than you think you are."
"Yeah I guess I have," he said Awkwardly, running his hand through her head. He was so certain he would screw that up, yet he actually did it. Maybe he was meant to be a matchmaker rather than a superhero. He was brought out of his thoughts when they both heard the bell ring.
"Come on Mr Motivational Speaker, we should get to class," Tiki said with Marin giving a nod as he took off. Hopefully, things will work out with Ivan and nothing will go wrong.
And Yet, Marin was feeling some uncertainty after doing that.
"This is your seat Adrienne, I saved it for you," Chloe said with a smile that Adrienne returned."Thanks that means a lot." She said sitting next to a teen boy wearing a plain red cap over his brown hair, black-rimmed glasses and a blue t-shirt that had an eye design on the front, blue-grey jeans and a pair of red and white high-collar shoes with a white knight design on the tongues on his dark-skinned body. Additionally, he wears lime green, pink, red, blue, and yellow wristbands around his right wrist, and a pair of orange headphones that hung around his neck. "So I'm assuming that you're the new girl, Adrienne."
"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'll be your seat neighbour for the moment. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"Adrienne held out her hand, hoping she was doing this right, wanting to make some friends, while the teen gave her a sceptical look much to her confusion.
"And you're friends with Chloe then, huh?"
"Childhood friends that didn't see each other for some time." She answered flatly as if she was reading it off a script. The dark-skinned boy gives her another glance before turning his attention to Chloe and then back to her. "Have to say, your…Nothing like I thought you would be."
". . .I have a bad feeling about what I will hear next." She said to herself as the boy clarified."Well, when you think blonde hair white girl model, whose daddy is a rich and Influential dude, what should you expect?"
"Well yeah but you shouldn't so judging if anime has taught me anything, then nothing good." She said with an utter serious Expression, only to find her changed to confusion as the dark-skinned boy began to laugh. "What is something I said?!"
"No, no, no, no, I didn't mean it to be offensive, it's just well, your not what I expected." He said heaving another chuckle."Oh." She said, unsure of what to say at first, and then attempted to even things up as held out his hand like how she did earlier. "I'm Nino, Nino Lahiffe and it's a pleasure to meet you, Dude."
A bit surprised at that, Adrienne smiled and shook his hand, happy that she did succeed in making a friend.
"Oh dear, I'm going to be late!" Mylène said, leaving the washroom in a rush as she ran to the door before opening it. She was about to run out only for her to bump into a big white mass, letting out a small shriek. She stumbled back a bit and looked up to see Ivan, the guy scaring her given how she didn't know he was there.
"Ivan, you scared me," Mylene said as Ivan hesitated before taking a deep breath.
"I made this for you." He said holding up a piece of paper and pressing a button on his phone, loud music playing, the act making Mylene cover her ears in shock before he began to sing, a bit off-key, sounding like he was shouting. "Mylene, be serene, don't be so mean!"
Unknown to him it sounded like he was shouting at Mylene who cowered a bit and ran off, the act making him stop as he stared in surprise before lowering his head, and turning the music off.
"Stupid." He muttered to himself, putting the phone up so he could crumple the sheet of paper. "I'm such an idiot!"
Why did even listen to Marin? How could he ever think that it was possible for someone like Mylene to ever love someone like him? A monster! Responsible for hurting so many people! Letting out a choked sob, he pressed his back against the wall and slid down it, not even caring if he was going to be late.
Everyone just thought of him as a monster anyways. So, why care about anything?
"Yes, this is what I've been waiting for!" Hawk Moth exclaimed feeling Ivan's negative emotions at an all-time high. He was worried for a second when they disappeared earlier, but he knew that they would come back stronger than ever."And the time has come! You know the way, my Akuma, track down your prey and corrupt him once more!"
Ivan was now sitting in the locker room, trying not to cry as he didn't want to make things worse, not noticing Akuma going into the paper as familiar energy began to fill him. "No, please."
He didn't want this. But his words fell on deaf ears as Hawk Moth spoke in his head.
'This is your second chance, you may have failed as Stone heart but as Heartbreaker, your metallic heart will win' He said in a soothing tone, the energy taking over Ivan once more. ' No one will stop you from capturing the love of your life. Just remember that I need something in return.'
The images of the ladybug and black cat miraculous flashed in his head once again.
"So what do you say?" Ivan grinned. Now completely under the sway of Hawk Moth. This time, he will get Mylene, even if she is scared. 'She will be mine!' He thought as he began to transform into Heartbreaker.
"Agreste, Adrienne?" Miss Bustier called with the blonde looking a bit lost, causing Nino to grin as he jabbed her side gently, "Dude, you're supposed to say presently."
Adrienne's eyes widened as jumping up and out of her seat and raised her hand. "P-Present!"
Much to her confusion before she sat down as Nino was trying not to chuckle. "Maybe not like that, but a good start."
They fist-bumped. Seeing this, Marin raised a brow as he was surprised by the blonde's actions and how he reacted.'She's not acting like she's never been to a school before?'
"Bourgeois, Chloe?"
"Present," Chloe said with a simple smirk.
"Bruel, Ivan-?" Miss Bustier was cut off when Heartbreaker erupted through the door enters, sending panic through the classroom.
"Present!" Heartbreaker roared causing all the students to scream in fright. Kim in particular was ducking under his desk, curled up in the fetal position, having flashbacks to the other day. However, he was bigger, meaner and more powerful with a metallic makeover.
'I don't understand?' Marin thought, staring in shock at the fully re-akumatized villains.'I spoke to him, Ivan was happy how did-.'
Wait, did Mylene really not like him in return? Was he wrong?
'This is my fault isn't it?' He then shook his head at that thought. 'I'll worry about that later. Right now I have to deal with this Akuma before someone gets hurt! Hopefully, Chatte will get here soon.' He thought not noticing how Adrienne quickly ran out of the room, using this distraction as an opportunity to slip away and become Chatte Noire.
"Mylene!" Heartbreaker stomped over to the poor girl who was currently shaking in absolute terror and didn't have time to run away as she got picked up in one of his hands that the Akuma was in to do so.
"Ivan, let go of me!" Mylene pleaded, shaking in his grip. Heartbreaker only shook his head as a grin formed on his face."I'm not Ivan anymore," he told her, his voice that was so different from the Ivan she knew. "Only Heartbreaker."
"W-Why are you doing this?" Mylene said tears forming in her eyes as Heartbreaker gazed at her.
"So you and I can be together, forever." Before she had a chance to respond, they both heard the unmistakable voice of Chloe, who was on her phone. "Daddy, the monster is back-."
"YOU!" Heartbreaker yelled, as he experienced the most intense feeling of rage he grabbed Chloe with his other hand, turned around and saw Marin who was standing next to Alya, who was recording this with her phone. "When I'm done with the little monster, you're next."
"Don't hurt them! I know you're angry but don't let this drag you down!" Marin yelled out, trying to reason with Ivan. However, Hawk Moth's dark influence has full control over him and Heartbreaker responded by raising his fist as he went to hit Marin. Marin barely dodged out of the way of his fist, however, Alya wasn't fast enough and the blow sent her to fly into one of the tables, causing it to break apart.
"ALYA!" He screamed as Marin ran over to his downed friend, finding her battered and bruised. Heartbreaker was about to crush him with his fist only for Hawk Moth to chime in.
"Stop going after insects, there are more important things to do, Heartbreaker." Heartbreaker reluctantly did as his master said before busting through another wall.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with!" Chloe exclaimed to Heartbreaker, who ignored her instead of stomping through the streets of Paris, slowly heading to the Eiffel Tower. "My Daddy, the Mayor, will bring the Police, the Army, heck, the entire Calvary down on you!"
"Don't forget the superheroes!" Chatte Noire quipped, doing a sneak attack, slamming her staff on his head, only to grimace as Heartbreaker grew bigger.
'In hindsight that was stupid,' she thought as Heartbreaker grabbed onto her staff and with a grin tossed her into the side of a nearby wall.
"You mean the super incompetent." Chloe deadpanned watching as said hero slowly slipped down to the wall, like a fly on a car windshield.
"No problem, Chloe." Chatte Blurted out, her head spinning from the impact before banging her head against the pavement. The metal Goliath scoffed, a smug grin on his metallic face as glancing down at Chloe."Did you want the cavalry? Well, here it is!"
As he fired out a ton of metallic butterflies like that of the Akumas which quickly hunted down all of the people who thought hiding and Cowering was better than running quickly transformed into multiple Heartbreakers, who were now circling the nervous superhero.
'Oh no,' she thought, taking a step back as her ears folded back, Chatte Noire couldn't stop her tail from swishing from her nerves. They barely handled one Heartbreaker, there were literally five surrounding her.
"Hope you get here soon, Scarlet." Chatte Noire muttered, hoping that her partner would appear soon.
"Seize her!" The real Heartbreaker ordered, causing all his minions to attack. Chatte Noire managed to dodge as best she could, jumping left to right Out and away from hands trying to grab at her without pause. Stone Heart gave one last scoff at the distracted hero before walking away with his two captives.
"Ivan, where are we going?!" Mylene demanded to look up at Heartbreaker, her eyes full of fear and worry. At first, she thought he was probably going to get hurt for calling him by his old name. But instead, the question made Heartbreaker give her a soft look despite how she was trying not to go 'meep' from the sudden look. "To deliver a message, then you and I can be together forever by a pretty black butterfly."
That surprised Mylene who wasn't sure how to take this before remembering how Ivan seemed to try and tell her something earlier today. Is that what he was trying to talk to her about?
"Ugh," Chloe gagged in disgust, ruining this tender moment. "All of this lovey-dovey stuff is making me sick."
"Don't worry little monster," Heartbreaker snarled his tone now hatred and vengeful. "I'll take care of you too."
Hearing the barely veiled threat, Chloe gulped and cowered in fear.
Meanwhile back at the school, Marin was carrying Alya bride style, begging and crying for help as he to the nurse's office, and laid her down gently on the bed before collapsing to his knees as tears began to form in his eyes.
"This is my fault….I should have talked to Ivan better…. I should have grabbed her….I should have taken the hit…I'm a failure…I'm garbage, I can't do anything right, I shouldn't be here, she deserves to be a hero more than I'll ever be.."
"No, it's not your fault," Tiki said, trying to comfort him. "You were just trying to do what you thought was righ-"
"IF IT WAS RIGHT THEN WHY DID ALYA GET HURT!?" He suddenly yelled out, dropping to the floor with his head on his knees. "I'm an utter failure, that's what I am and that's all I'll ever be. And not even superpowers will change that."
"Look listen to me," Tiki said looking him dead in the eye. "Marin, you are a hero and people need you, you cannot bam yourself for everything. Could you have done something more? Yes, but if you keep worrying about what has happened then you can't stop the problems that are going to happen if you don't stop the Akuma."
Marin's heart pounding in his ears at everything he was seeing, unsure of what to do. What if he made things even worse than this?! What if it fails again? What if he gets them ki-
Marin clenched a fist before sighing. Marin was still uncertain about doing this. They need help. But it was his attempts at helping that caused this mess in the first place. But still, if he didn't do anything, whoever is controlling Heartbreaker would win and who knows, many people could die in the process.
"-I still think I'm the wrong choice, but I'm not just going to sit here and let anyone die because I was being a coward," Marin said, getting ready as he took a breath. " alright let's do this; Tikki, Spots On!"
And in a flash of light, he was Scarlet Beetle once again and now he has work to do. Standing on top of the rooftop, he saw Chatte Noire were in trouble. Chatte Noire had been grabbed by one of the Clones who unlike last time didn't begin to squeeze her, instead just walking off with her struggling as it was ordered to be the real Heartbreaker to take her in alive this time.
"Let go of your rock head!" Chatte Noire struggled against the hold despite how useless it was. Marin clenched a fist before sighing. Marin was still uncertain about doing this. They need help. But it was his attempts at helping that caused this mess in the first place. But still, if he didn't do anything, whoever is controlling Heartbreaker would win and who knows, many people could die in the process.
"-I still think I'm the wrong choice, but I'm not just going to sit here and let anyone die because I was being a coward," Marin said, getting ready as he took a breath. " alright let's do this; Tikki, Spots On!"
And in a flash of light, he was Scarlet Beetle once again and now he has work to do. Standing on top of the rooftop, he saw Chatte Noire were in trouble. Chatte Noire had been grabbed by one of the Clones who unlike last time didn't begin to squeeze her, instead just walking off with her struggling as it was ordered to be the real Heartbreaker to take her in alive this time.
"Let go of your rock head!" Chatte Noire struggled against the hold despite how useless it was. Using his yo-yo to fling himself towards them, wasting no time at all to catch up with the clone who was holding Chatte Noire, picking up her staff and using the street lights to swing around the streets, jumping from one spot to the other.
'I'm getting the hang.' He admitted, remembering the disaster that was his first attempt swinging. "Chatte Noire," Beetle shouted, catching his partner's attention as he threw the staff right into the fist holding her.
"Extend!" Catching on, Chatte Noire did what he said, forcing the stone hand open, giving her some breathing room to escape, touching down on the ground, staff in hand.
"Sorry I was late." Scarlet Beetle said, perched on top of a lamppost, giving her a guilty smile. "But I was caught up in some "personal issues" and couldn't do it as fast as I could."
"Sure it was important, but do you have a watch? Because you really need to work on being on time?" she asked him, retracted her baton and placed it back in her belt.
"And you really should work on not getting caught?" He countered wrapping his yo-yo around her leg and pulling her out of the way of a fist-slamming where she was and hanging the cat-themed hero upside down.
"Oh Beetle, have I ever told you, you have a knack for turning my world upside down." She said, looking 'up' at Beetle who was on top of the street light.
"Quite the comedian aren't you?" Beetle asked, unable to not smile given how right she was. Which, earned a grin from Chatte Noire in response only for the Heartbreakers to remind them of the situation with a few irritating growls.
"But now might not be the best time for Comedy." He said, his tone now serious as he jumped off of the street light, still holding onto the yo-yo which still had Chatte Noire attached to it.
"We're not fighting them?" Chatte Noir ask, confused as she was being pulled for the ride by the ladybug-themed hero who jumped from rooftop to rooftop.
"We barely did anything when there was one Heartbreaker," Beetle reminded her, jumping to another rooftop, not losing any momentum. "That's why we need to focus on the Original, that's the one with the Akuma."
"Sorry about this."Beetle said, his voice full of regret as he looked down to the street down below, watching the clones destroy everything they came across as they rampaged across the street. Chatte Noire raised a brow at the change in his tone as landing next to him. "For what?"
"I should have been more careful with Ivan…I should have helped him resolve his issues instead of just leaving him alone."
Expecting what Chatte Noire's reaction would be. Whether it be anger, disgust or even sadness. But he honestly didn't expect Chatte Noire to break down laughter. "You're just as new to this as I am, right? Don't beat yourself up and just try to do better in the future. Besides, you're not the one who keeps transforming troubled teens into rage monsters."
He was a bit taken aback by her sense of optimism. But he just smiled before they arrived at the Eiffel Tower. Where the now giant original Heartbreaker was climbing the Tower, King Kong Style as Helicopters flew around him, snipers aimed to take him down but holding their fire given the hostage situation and some other rampaging Heartbreakers around the tower despite how the Police were trying their best to keep them back. To say things were looking bleak we're an understatement considering anything they did would just make them stronger. But that didn't stop the Mayor himself from coming all the way here, megaphone in hand to handle the hostage negotiation himself.
"I demand my daughter's safe return!" He exclaimed with nothing but worry in his tone, seeing his daughter in the hands of this 'monster'.
"Daddy!" Chloe cried out in fear as Heartbreaker snarled.
"You know what? You can have her!" With that, he threw Chloe with enough force that if she did hit the ground, she would die on impact, earning a scream of terror from the Mayor. Seeing her life flash before her eyes, Chloe clapped her hands together and prayed. "Help! I promise that I'll be nicer to everyone, say please and thank you-."
Right before she would hit the ground, she yelped when she felt someone grab her, sliding across the street she kept her eyes closed, thinking it was another one of those monsters.
"Got you." The voice however did not belong to one of the monsters as she knew that none of them had such a cooler and more confident voice to them. Opening her eyes, she saw the absolute work of art that was her saviour, who was holding her bridal style as she was unable to tear her eyes away from his eyes- those thin, absolutely beautiful bluebell colour eyes that had such a hypnotic effect on her. Chloe felt her heart fluttering and palpitating as her face gained a hint of pink that spread through the soft skin of her face and felt a strange feeling slither through her stomach.
"Chloe you there?" Beetle asks, he had to resist the urge to 'suddenly' drop her out of nowhere, all the memories of the times she was nasty to him and anyone else going through his head. But he figured she probably had enough for one day and didn't do that. Chloe however stared at him, finally coming back to reality to realise what was being said.
"Wh-I- Oh, I didn't promise!"Chloe blurted out, finding her began to mouth working again as she turned away from him, her face as red as his suit. Was she stuttering? Why was she stuttering? She had never stuttered in the past! So, why is this happening? And why was her heart going so fast?!
Just Beetle blinked in confusion, not knowing what to say in response to that, instead quickly setting her down and moving out of the way as the Mayor rushed in, hugging her.
"My little angel!" He said in relief, having a near heart attack at what happened before giving Beetle an appreciative look for saving his daughter, Chatte Noire landing next to him.
"Nice job, partner." Chatte Noire said, relieved that they didn't fail to save her friend right before they saw Officer Roger give an order. "We're clear to attack!"
"He still has a hostage!" Beetle exclaimed, trying to stop them as they readied their weapons. "And hitting him only makes him stronger-."
"How about you get out of the way and let the pros handle this, you failed to stop this once already!" Officer Roger interrupted him, not trusting him or Chatte Noire in the least. The last time he checked, Police Officers were the ones who upheld the law and handled criminals, not masked vigilantes. They were the ones trained to protect and serve. Hearing that made Beetle hesitate, but Chatte Noire placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He's wrong you know, without you that girl wouldn't be here anymore and without you, we won't be able to catch the Akuma, we just need to prove that." She said, showing confidence that they could do this. "So come on Partner."
Giving a smile to his partner, the two heroes got ready only for everyone to stop when Heartbreaker began to cough rather violently as the metallic butterflies spewed out of him. At first, they thought he was about to try and turn everyone here.
However, instead, the massive swarm formed a massive Version of Hawk Moth himself.
" People of Paris, lend me your ears and hear what I say." The face spoke, shocking and scaring everyone who saw it as a News Chopper flying close by, recording every second. " I am Hawk Moth. "
"Hawk Moth!?" Both Scarlet Beetle and Chatte Noire asked, getting ready as they realized that this was the true villain. The one who turned Ivan into Heartbreaker and was responsible for all of this madness.
But what was he doing?
"I am a patient man and I want nothing more for this to end in the option that caused the least amount of suffering, Scarlet Beetle, Chatte Noire. " Hawk Moth said, addressing them directly as looked right at them, bringing the attention of everyone watching to the new heroes. "Give me your Miraculous now, do so and you will have my word that I will leave forever and no blood shall be drawn today, you've done enough damage to these innocent people so please let this end. "
"Did he just… Turning the city against us?" Chatte Noire asked as some of the people nearby were beginning to whisper, giving the heroes a look of distrust now. Not that she could blame them, as far as they knew the city was normal before the heroes showed up, even the Akuma appeared first. Even the Mayor who was grateful that they saved his daughter a second ago was uncertain of what to think. Her question however made Scarlet look down, his fists clenching as he repeated it in his head along as Hawk Moth's words echoed in his mind.
"Have we done enough damage to these innocent people? " He said, echoing his words as stepping forward, causing everyone to turn all eyes on him as he did something no one would ever expect him to do.
It started as a low whimper then a giggle before turning into a burst of full-on laughter.
"hahahahahaha!!" He was a full-on head throw-backing, hand on face, genuine laughing, the act of which made everyone even Hawk Moth uneasy. After what felt like an eternity, before suddenly stopped and removed his hand, revealing his face for the first time as he gives one of the most hateful expressions any person could make.
"Now, that's funny ." He said, making everyone shiver as the coldness in his voice hid the bloodcurdling hatred underneath. "Because I think you're forgetting who you are?"
He walked forward, not even thinking about what was going on or what he was saying. Just the thought of this guy painting them as the villains made me want to punch the smug look on his face.
"Nice try, Hawk Moth, but we know who the bad guy is. Let's not reverse the roles here. Without you, none of these innocent victims would be transformed into villains," He said with a face looking down on him in contempt. "I don't care how long it takes, but both Chatte Noire and I will find you and take you down, you'll never get our Miraculous."
With that said, he threw his yo-yo to launch himself at the face, slicing right through it, making it disappear as the yo-yo literally absorbed all of the Akumas, showing how they would catch the one in Stoneheart before the superhero landed on the lower part of the Eiffel Tower. Turning around, Scarlet realized what he just did as all eyes were on him, including the News Chopper and he felt his throat go dry.
'Oh, crap.'Scarlet thought seeing the stare, knowing he had to think fast and once more put on the act of confidence that was his alter ego. After what just happened, he needed to do something to keep people calm.
"People of Paris, don't worry! As long as I, Scarlet Beetle and Chatte Noire are around, Hawk Moth will never win, we'll do everything in our power to keep every one of you safe, that is a promise!" He exclaimed, opening his yo-yo as an explosion of purified white butterflies flew out, scattering to the wind. Cheers erupted with Scarlet having to work very hard not to look meek, the teen hero hoping that he wasn't making an empty promise. But he knew one thing. For better or for worse, he was Scarlet Beetle and he was here to stay as the cheers continued, Chatte Noire stared up at Scarlet Beetle, mouth agape in pure awe. She truly had thought that Hawk Moth would succeed in turning the city against them, yet once more her partner surprised her not only by his actions but by his words.
The same partner acted all shy and nervous when they met, saying he was clumsy and that he was the one at fault for what happened. The same partner acted all shy and nervous when they met, saying he was clumsy and that he was the one at fault for what happened. But now, it seems like he was a different person right now. Shy one moment, but heroic the next. Meek, yet confident. A walking contradiction of a person was so hot right now!
"Whoever that is under the mask, he's amazing." Chatte Noire whispered as her mask might catch on fire by the heavy blush, she already thought he was cool from last time. Now that was practically blown out of the park considering the actions this time. She was definitely looking forward to working with him from now on.
Hawk Moth snarled as he was watching this, a look of disgust and frustration on his face. "That's the problem with these superheroes, they're too… Heroic," He spat that word out as if it were poison before focusing. "Heartbreaker! They're trying to take your loved one away from you, you must take their Miraculous to make them powerless against you."
He has tried to give them a peaceful option, but they had spit upon it and now he'll take great pleasure in their utter defeat!
"Yes, Hawk Moth," Heartbreaker said before letting out a massive roar, reminding everyone that he was there before Beetle turned to face him, alongside Chatte who landed next to him. "You'll never take Mylene away from me! To me my Legion of metallic!" With that said he began to climb the tower, having an easier time now that he had a free hand to do so. The tower was shaking as the others were now climbing it, ready to nab some heroes.
"We're going to be surrounded soon, what's the plan?" Chatte Noire asked, turning to Scarlet Beetle. "We can't attack him and I doubt he'll fall for the same trick that beat him last time."
"At least we know where the Akuma is, so that's half of the work." Beetle reminded her, despite knowing she was right. "In his clenched fist with Mylene."
Chatte Noire gave a nod. "But if it's in his fist then how do we get it without him letting go of that girl."
The question made him think back to everything that happened. From how Ivan got the note from Kim teasing him for liking Mylene to when he himself gave Ivan advice to talk to her.
"We know he's in love with her, maybe we can use that to our advantage?"He pondered, moving out of away as the other Heartbreakers were about to reach them.
"Okay, and how do we do that?" Chatte Noire asked, not getting where he was going with this. "We make them a romantic dinner and have them kiss?"
Hearing that made Scarlet Beetle's eyes widen, a smile growing as he turned to Noire."Chatte Noire, you're a genius!" He said before taking off, using his yo-yo to climb the tower. Chatte Noire blinked, stunned for a moment before excitement overtook her. "Not really following you, but something tells me that this is how it's gonna be from here on out."
The heroes made their way to the top with Heartbreaker glaring at them, while Mylene shouted for help (revealing her fear of heights).
"Everything will be alright," Scarlet reassured only for Heartbreaker to roar, the force of it forcing the helicopters to fly back as Chatte Noire covered her cat ears given how sensitive she heightened hearing was.
"Oh, that'll take some getting used to." Chatte Noire muttered right as one of the other Heartbreakers reached where she was with her taking her staff out to defend herself. "Whatever you're doing, do it fast!"
Beetle gave a nod and got ready. "Lucky Charm!" He activated his power, hoping to get an item to help end this. Much to his surprise, a ladybug-themed bag appeared.
"A backpack-no wait is this a parachute?" He muttered, ignoring how Chatte was jumping and dodging the Heartbreaker's army, keeping them busy.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?!" Chatte Noire asked, hearing him. Scarlet just grinned, "You'll see." He said, putting the parachute on. "Get ready!"
Throwing the yo-yo, Scarlet Beetle was surprised to see how easy it was for him to get it to swing how he wanted, seeing it go around Heartbreaker's neck and his arm holding Mylene. Perhaps it was like with Chatte Noire's staff where it extended based on thought.
Thoughts about another time?
Pulling with some difficulty, he managed to bring the arm to Heartbreaker's face, succeeding in getting Mylene and Heartbreaker to kiss the latter being so surprised he threw his hand open, Mylene barely grabbing one of his fingers to avoid falling to her death, but the object with the Akuma falling. Surprised at that working, Chatte Noire jumped down, arms folded to shoot past the object before spinning around to swing her staff into the object, stopping her descent and destroying the Akumatized paper with her as the Akuma flew towards the sky for a moment. "Let's finish-oh no."
Scarlet paled when he saw that Heartbreaker turned into Ivan causing him and Mylene to free fall, while the Akuma was getting away. There's no way he can save both and get the Akuma, but if the Akuma gets away, this will be even worse than today. Not wasting any time, Scarlet Beetle got to work.
"Chatte Noire, get Ivan!" He ordered, focusing on Mylene, praying to anyone who listened that he wouldn't screw this up. Thinking fast, Chatte Noire moved.
"Cataclysm!" She shouted, using it on a part of the tower to make it lean far enough to grab onto, barely catching Ivan in the process while Beetle shot past them, grabbing Mylene and tossing his yo-yo back towards the Akuma. Thankfully the line reached and trapped it before Beetle pulled the string on his parachute, slowing their fall just inches off the ground with Mylene looking very terrified.
"Bye-bye, little butterfly." He said softly as his yo-yo opened and a white butterfly flew away. Chatte Noire grinned down at Beetle, helping Ivan down and making sure Mylene was okay before walking up to him.
"Ready?" She asked as Scarlet smiled back.
"Any time of the day!" He said confidently, the two grabbing a hold of the parachute before up in the air and said the words that would activate a certain power.
"Miraculous Redo!"
As storm phantom cats and a swarm of tiny insects flew out into the city, fixing all of the damage from the fight was repaired, alongside turning the army of Heartbreaker into normal people, thankfully they were transported to solid ground so no one else was falling to their deaths.
Seeing that everything was taken care of and the damage was repaired, the police were cleaning up the last bits and pieces the 'Miraculous power' ability didn't get such as police barricades and escorting the now deakumatized victims who are now being taken to hospitalised for help.
One good thing that came from this was that Hawk Moth's appearance proved Ivan's innocence and he was seen as a victim rather than the villain, Scarlet Beetle and Chatte Noire confirming that part. That and-
"I don't know about this?"
"Well, if there anytime to tell her this is it!" Beetle said, handing Mylene his lyric sheet, causing Ivan's eyes to widen, and a heavy blush appeared on his face. He stuttered, looking away as he tried to come up with words.
"I think it would help if you read the lyrics to Bulks song." He said, walking away, leaving her to read the lyrics as Iran watched her anxiously. Soon, a large smile appeared on her face as she blushed slightly.
"Wow, it's really beautiful. It's a shame you can't hear them when you scream. I mean, when you sing." However, Ivan heard the mistake, sighting as he looked away from her in shame.
"It was scary wasn't it?" he said quietly. "Is that why you left?" Mylene winced, nodding slightly. He looked back at her with a sorrowful, yet hopeful look. "I'm sorry, I'll try to be gentle..."Mylene looked taken aback before smiling widely once more. She leaned in and hugged him, something that made Ivan freeze up, not sure how to handle this before returning the hug, with a grin on her face.
"Good for them, I think those two will be happy together." Beetle said with a smile, crossing his arms."Especially after everything that happened, those two deserve to be happy."
He was surprised when Chatte Noire threw her arms around his shoulders and pulled him in close to her face. "Speaking of which," She began with a sly grin, her tail actually wrapping around his waist. "Want to follow their example?"
"Yeah of cou…wait what?!" Beetle asked, shocked at the sudden flirting that came from Chatte. He was unsure of how to handle this as this was the first time someone had ever flirted with him before. He had never thought a girl would ever talk with him (while in a kind way), so to have his partner, his very attractive and beautiful partner flirt with him. Well, he certainly wasn't equipped to handle that.
Luckily for him, he was saved by the bell as their Miraculous begin to beep, telling them that they have less than 4 minutes before turning back.
"Oh look at the time! Seem I- I mean we to go! See you around next time, Chatte Noire!" He said, a blush of embarrassment on his face as taking off, leaving Chatte Noire on her own with a grin forming on her face, finding his reaction rather cute.
"Can't wait, my Scarlet prince."
Hawk Moth was not happy, gripping his cane tightly, barely able to contain his rage as he was ready to explode before straightening up and letting out a calm sign.
"This is just the beginning, Scarlet Beetle," He said coldly, focusing solely on the one that had openly mocked him during his attempt to turn Paris against them.
Something he will never let slide.
"You and Chatte Noire may have won this battle, but rest assured I will win the war. I will get your Miraculous." He spat with utter spite before turning back as the room was returned to darkness. "I will get the absolute power of the wish and then I do, I will make you will pay for ever thinking that you could stand between me and my family's happiness."
"He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not," Adrienne sings, sitting in her back garden and on a small wooden chair, her legs crossed at the ankle as she plucked the petals off a flower. It has been less than an hour since the Heartbreaker incident and Adrienne had returned home without anyone noticing. "He loves me; he loves me not."
Plagg, who had been laying on top of the bench like a cat suddenly let out a snort of disgust at what she was. "You humans don't make any sense to me, why are you obsessed over someone who you've only known for like three hours?"
Adrienne twirled the flower around her index finger as she replied." Plagg, maybe you have lost touch with humanity because I have a feeling that we are meant for one another." Her tone was so serious that Plagg could only let out a snort in reply. Adrienne really did enter Cloud 9 's territory. She was truly smitten with the Scarlet hero, a fact that Plagg had noticed.
"Plagg, i really do love him," Adrienne couldn't help but say, twirling the flower around her finger more as Plagg rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Adrienne, could you please stop being so sappy ?" Plagg asked impatiently. "You make me want to gag." nervous when you do that."
"No promises," Adrienne replied with a smark. "This is the price you pay for making a teenager into a superhero. I'm not complaining, but all things have consequences. "
Plagg pouted, rolling his eyes once more. She really has fallen in love huh? Plagg thought to himself. 'Well, I suppose Human Nature is like that at times. I just hope that this kid can beat the cure.'
The next day, Marin was trying not to grin as Alya was telling him all about the other day, the two walked to school as the damage was magically fixed thanks to 'Scarlet Beetle' while Tikki was hiding inside his jacket.
"Damn a really did miss it," Alya groaned out as them entering the school, and passed by the silver car park behind them. "Out cold while the biggest thing ever to happen was happening, damn I'm way bummed out."
"I'm surprised you would want to be anywhere near that horror show, considering what happened," Marin said, reminding her of what had happened yesterday. "Thank goodness that you're still alive and that you have gotten away with just getting knocked out. If Scarlet Beatle didn't have those fix-up powers things could have gotten a lot worse."
'It wouldn't have happened if you give to save her?' A voice in Marin's head said, making feelings of uneasiness and worry as he felt an itch on the back of his neck.
"Yeah, it was pretty bad," Alya said, her eyes flitting away from him for a moment. "Scarlet Beetle came and saved the day, so I'm pretty grateful for that." Before grinning as she Exclaimed. "Next up show Scarlet Beetle, an exclusive interview!"
"So, how are you planning on doing that?" Marin asked, trying to sound casual. "Are you going to stay near the next Akuma fight and run over to him after it's done and ask him for one? Because if so then it is quite a dangerous and dumb thing to do in my opinion."
"Ahh, come on. It wouldn't be all that dangerous," Alya said, giving Marin a coy look. "Besides, he'll save me before anything bad happens."
Marin just gives Alya a very unimpressed stare before letting out a sign. Alya is going to be the death of him one day. "Hell, maybe I'll do one even better and find out who the one beneath the mask is."
'No doubt she would flip if I told her.'Marin thought, refraining from a nervous chuckling, Alya still hasn't realised that he and Beetle were the same person. It was undoubtedly because of the magic field that Tikki told him when he asked her to explain how their transformations work. You didn't understand most of it but you didn't understand that they had some sort of glamour charm that made it harder for people to recognise them. Not impossible but harder so he still needs to be careful whenever he's around people he knows. And knowing now that Alya would never give up on her quest, no matter what. It would honestly be easier if he just to told her so we wouldn't have to handle all this hassle.
But he knows he couldn't. Not after the thing that had happened with StoneHeart/Heartbreaker, he be putting everything he loves in danger. So, it shall be his secret to keeping, for the good of the world and for those he loved.
"Let's get going before we're late." Marin abruptly said as Alya wrapped her arms around and interlocked them with his.
"Shall we?" She asked as they went to class, arm in arm. No one wants to come next but he knew he would have some good friends in both of his new lives.
'But their still one thing left to do.' Marin thought glancing at his original seat just as Alya and he were about to walk past.
"Marin?" Alya turned towards him but soon smiled as she saw what he was doing; following suit. The two friends took a seat right behind where Nino and Adrienne's desks. Just in time for Chloe and the gang to enter, the former gave a startled look before glaring. "You're in the wrong seats, get lost."
Marin just shook his head, not flinching as memories of staring down Hawk Moth the other day filled his head.
Compared to that, Chloe was nothing.
"No."
"What?" She demanded, huffing out a snort. "Are you seriously not going to move after I told you to move your ass."
"No," Marin said as he smirked at Chloe. "This is my spot. I was here first and I don't have to move an inch. So get the fuck outta here."
Chloe growled realising that she was being taunted by Marin of all people. "You think you can intimidate me or something? I assure you that I can make your life a living fuck hell!"
"You already have, so I'm done taking your bullshit anyone," Marin said as he gave Chloe an irritated glare. "I've lived my whole life afraid of you, afraid of what you'll do to me if s I dare say a word against you."
Everything one in the room backed up in shock as Chloe's pupils flared up in anger, her blonde hair swaying back and forth with her breathing so ragged. She was ready to jump on Marin right there and then, but she stop as her eyes met Adrienne. The two blondes locked eyes for a moment before Chloe leaned and whispered something into Marin's ear.
"Watch your back, freak."
"Bring it, brat." He said without fear or hesitation as Chloe gave a glare that promised retribution before she sat down in the seat that Marin was in the other day with her friends sitting next to her.
"Nicely done," Alya said, surprised by how quickly he went from quietly being pushed around to growing a spine like that in the last two days.
"Learned from a friend," Marin answered referring to when Alya rested her hand on Marin's shoulder as the two smiled at each other his eyes fell on Adrienne, who give him a small smile and waved. Not wanting to be awkward, he waves back though before sitting down and looking away.
"You and Marin are really hitting off uh?" Nino observed as Adrienne sat next to him.
"Yeah, he's a good guy," Adrienne said, giving Nino an honest smile. "A little strange maybe, but he's nice."
Nino gave Adrienne a puzzled look before smiling a knowing smile as Plagg peaked through Adrienne's collar before Whispering. "The first day of school and we already have two lovebirds."
She was caught off guard by Plagg's comment, causing her to blush brightly. 'Well, sure he's nice and kinda handsome...In like a dorky kinda way, besides he's just a friend."
Meanwhile, Marin was tuned out and stared at Adrienne and Nino, wondering what they were talking about. This didn't go unnoticed as Alya asked.
"Aw you're blushing," Alya said as Marin's eyes widened, realising that she was inches away from his face. "Does little Marie have a crush on blonde?"
"W-what!? Are you crazy!? We just met!"Marin said a bit too quickly, blushing furiously before turning away from her as he denied it outright. Him? Like her? It's crazy!
'I mean it's not like she's a bad person or anything.' A stray thought in Marin's head said. 'She's despite being friends with Chloe she's pretty much her opposite: kind, intelligent, brave, and pretty much the embodiment of the perfect girl in personality and looks.'
Marin shook his head, trying to distract himself from thinking about Adrienne. But couldn't, he was too focused on the girl in front of him.
'And she's beautiful.'
Adrienne was possibly one of the most beautiful girls in the world, an absolute knockout bombshell in every way. Especially for anyone who appreciated their women with some muscle! From her soft skin that was free from all blemishes to her gorgeous mane of silky blonde hair that framed her face perfectly. Those emerald green eyes and long eyelashes, and a cute, little button nose, a smooth, upturned mouth with bright and full red lips that seems to be made for kissing some lucky person.
And that's not even mentioning her absolute killer BODY!
Adrienne had the body of a young athlete, with toned muscles on her long, well-toned legs ended up at a pair of hips that flared out to the sides from her hourglass waist and with a huge set of bubbles sticking out from her rump. Above her crotch was her glorious stomach, which thanks to her midriff gave everyone who looked a view of her toned abs that look as hard as a washboard of steel around her navel. It was the result of hundreds of hours of hardcore training, countless sit-ups and plenty of nutritious milk. And speaking of milk…
Marin felt his own mind betraying him as his eyes slowly diverted, seeing a pair of perfectly rounded, plump breasts that sat just above her stomach, jutting out of her chest like pair of water balloons. Memories of her soft felt on his body his mind went wild, causing his cheeks to redden, even more, when he gave a glance back towards her face and found her eyes on him causing him to look away as Alya mocks slapped' him on the right shoulder.
"Just look! You're turning red! Blushing!" she giggled with a smirk as Marin's eyes widened, realising that she was inches away from his face. His eyes wandered over her soft, succulent, rose-coloured lips, which swished a bit as she smiled sweetly. Alya had always carried herself as a nerd, however, she was not to say she was plain.
And of course, while she was not on the level of Adrienne that didn't discount her as Alya was just as voluptuous. Her dark olive skin tone, long, slender legs, a tiny hourglass waist, and a large ass taunted Marin to look at her body. Not to mention her large, round breasts seemed bigger now in front of him. How either girl was able to fit into a shirt, much less a bra was beyond Marin. Suddenly, the thought of the two of them together, naked flashed through his mind. The two girls pressed their breasts against him where his hand was moving up to caress them as they moaned.
'No! Bad Marin! Stop sexually your friends! Stop that!' He thought to himself, trying to keep his vulgar imagination in check.
"Anyway! Did you hear about what doctors said about victims?" He asked, trying to Change the topic because of embarrassment and hormones.
"While from what I heard everyone who turned, including Ivan is fine," Alya answered, still staring at Marin. "Most of the victims gave a psychological and physical test to see if anything was wrong or if they had a chance to turn back into a monster. But once the reports came back negative, they pretty much gave them a pat on the back and sent them on their way. With the slight caveat that the next two months they would wear Electronic tagging on them, in case they turned back."
"But why would the villain go after the same person if they lost the first couple of times?" Marin asked, wondering about the odds of something like that.
"I don't know. Maybe it's easier to turn those who already change?" She theorised, not really sure. "Who knows?"
Marin shrugged a shoulder and sighed as he know as much about how Hawk Moth's power worked or how he Operated. Hell, he doesn't know why he was doing this. For money or World domination? Who knows, but Marin didn't really care about the why as all that mattered was that he need to be stopped.
After class Alya went ahead, leaving Marin to stand before a heavy wave of rain and thunder. He sighed heavily, wishing he had brought an umbrella today. If he made a break for it then maybe he could run home and take a hot shower before he could get sick. Then again, with his luck, he'd probably trip over everything in sight and still be out for half a year.
"Hope you don't mind getting wet Tikki," Marin whispered, knowing this was going to suck. But before he could take off running, he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Hey." Turning around he saw Adrienne standing nearby, a bright smile on her face as she holding an umbrella that she was beginning to open. "Need a hand?"
"Hey, you don't need to do that!" Marin protested, however she simply walked forward before Adrienne as she finally opened the umbrella up.
"It's the least I could do for my very first friend at school." She said holding out the umbrella, covering them both before looking down with some sadness. "You know I've never been to school or had any other friends except Chloe, so it's all new to me."
'Wait, she really hasn't been to school before?' Marin thought in surprise, remembering what he thought the other day during the roll call.
"I've always imagined going to school and making friends, to be like a normal kid," Adrienne continued, smiling at him. "I'm hoping we could be friends."
"R-Really?" Marin asked, not understanding why he was having a hard time getting that out. Or why he was starting to feel like he was about to sweat. Was it getting hot here? What was going on?
"Really," Adrienne said, smiling as she heard a car horn and saw that her ride was here. "Take it, I think you'll benefit more from this umbrella than me right now."
"I-I can't." Marin tried to deny it, given how it was her umbrella, but Adrienne held it out more. "I insist."
Uncertain of how to handle this, Marin just went with his gut and slowly reached out for the umbrella, accidentally brushing against her fingers, which made his stomach flutter before she handed it to him with Marin now holding it. Right in time for it to suddenly close on Marin's head. Adrienne couldn't help but erupt in a fit of giggles, not out of malicious, but out of the fact she just didn't think that would happen. Helping him out of the umbrella, giving a small laugh of his own, barely looking at her without feeling embarrassed as he tried to fix the umbrella, though he was having a hard time due to his usual clumsiness.
"I hope you would hold it against me, but I'm going to try my hardest to befriend you and everyone in this school!" The car honked again showing that Adrienne needed to hurry, so she smiled, the act making Marin feel literally week in the knees, dropping his backpack. "See you tomorrow."
"Uh… See you tom-mo-to-tomato-why did I say that?!" Marin looked very flustered. "What's wrong with me?!"
Tikki hovered near Marin's face with a playful smile on her face. "I know that look!" She boldly proclaimed as Marin's face ran even redder.
"What? What are you talking about?!" He demanded as Tikki hugged his cheek. "Ooh, sounds like someone has a crush."
"A crush? Is that what this is?" He said blinking in surprise. He never had a crush before, so he didn't know how to handle it. But he smiled as he watched Adrienne get in the car and it drove off.
Maybe it wasn't so bad.
"I'm still on the fence this Master." The turtle Kwami complimented, watching the two holders as the old man lifted his umbrella.
"I have a good feeling about these ones." He said, hoping that this time things will work out. But he did have a good feeling about these two.
"Only time will tell, old friend. Only time will tell."
So originally I planned on making origins a single episode, however I didn't want to skip over some content prim content, so here.
This is probably going to be the best showing of how I adapt episode: similar but different enough that you don't feel like that you are wasting your time. Like swapping the Akuma but keeping the core conflict the same, helping to develop Marin and Adrienne relationships with themselves or others.
Anyway I just wanted to keep this brief and all. I'm already half way done with bubbler, but until then I have some different plan for you all, so until next time it's Deusex, signing out!