Dabble in Drabbles 41: Schrödinger's Cat
Buckle up people 'cause you're in for a history lesson! Okay okay, I'm joking (maybe).
So first thing's first. Happy (belated) New Year 2017 to all! We've survived 2016! Great going you guys!
Second of all, thanks to ghost83 for the incredible prompt! Really, you should be named co-writer for this or something, since you did have the ideas and all. So, credit also goes to you for this!
Thirdly, once the main 'villain' appears, I want you guys to listen to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The full one with cannons. Yes, CANNONS. That is an acceptable music instrument. Or something pompous or dark. Whichever works for you.
Fourthly, read it, then read it again. Everything isn't as it seems.
Anyway, enjoy!
Summary: Not a villain, not a hero. A dead man living on borrowed time. He is a paradox. His name is Schrödinger.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or Miraculous Ladybug
France, 1799
Liberté
The sky was clear of clouds, an expanse of blue over the French country. If one would look up, they would think it a fine day for a picnic. Yet it was not so.
Egalité
The pure white cloth fluttered with the wind. Only the bayonet of a bloodstained silver-plated musket prevented it from flying away. The eerie silence of people filled the air. Not a soul stirred in the streets of Paris. Nobles and commoners slept side by side.
Fraternité
"Nothing is true; everything is permitted." An oath is said and performed under the glint of the moonlight on the dark liquid running through the streets. The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. But at what cost?
…
France, Present Day
The white butterflies were anxious. Hawkmoth looked around suspiciously. He could sense no one in the observatory. Suddenly, the lair's window opened, causing the light to stream down on the floor. Hawmoth gripped his staff tightly. There was no negative emotion at present. So why did it open?
There was a flutter of wings and then a lone butterfly settled on his palm.
"Well this place gives off certain memories."
Hawkmoth brandished his staff before him, looking around. "Who are you?"
A dark figure stepped out of the shadows. They smile.
"Good morning, Papillion. How would you like to make a trade?"
…
BOOM!
Adrien fell off his bed with a surprised yell. With a groan, and the accompaniment of his kwami's snide snickers, he stood up and looked out the window. The parade was starting with the release of cannons and he was late. Adrien was rarely late, but blame it on his kwami for hitting the snooze button a millisecond after the alarm.
"C'mon Plagg!" Adrien grabbed Plagg's tail and ran out of the room. "I promised Nino we'd meet at 10.00 and now it's 9.50!"
Plagg quickly hid under his charge's jacket. He said, "Can't we just skip that and go back to sleep?"
"What are you talking about?" Adrien pushed the gates and ran out the streets. "Today's the only day I get to be free from any work and from anyone! It's a holiday! Bastille Day!"
"Yeah, that proves my point." Plagg grumbled.
Adrien slowed as the bakery came in sight. He frowned at his kwami. "I thought you'd be more enthusiastic."
"Oh I am. Since it's a holiday we should be sleeping." Plagg pointed out with strong emphasis on the word 'sleeping'.
"Are you sure you want to go back?" Adrien gave him a teasing grin. "Marinette's bakery makes the best quiches. They probably have camembert too."
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"
The boy laughed and jogged the last few meters to the bakery.
As he reached the front door, Nino hollered from above Marinette's balcony. Adrien waved at him. Seconds later, the door flung open with an over-enthusiastic Marinette.
"A-Adrien! Y-You're just in time!" Marinette said with that particular goofy smile on her face. He was used to it. Maybe that was a smile meant just for him.
He checked the time in his phone. He grinned sheepishly. "I'm ten minutes late actually. Sorry."
"Oh no – you're fine – I mean – no problem – I – your problem!" Marinette blurted out in a rush. Adrien blinked. He watched as her cheeks turned furiously red. With a cough, she opened the door wide and said in a meek voice, "Come in."
"Pardon for the intrusion." Adrien said as he stepped through the threshold. Baked goods and chocolate bombarded his sense of smell along with the warmth only a bakery could give. His stomach growled and he realized that he hadn't had breakfast yet.
Marinette laughed. "We have breakfast up in my room since Alya stayed over."
After giving Marinette's parents a passing greeting – they were extra busy because of the holiday – they climbed up her balcony where they had a perfect view of the parade that was to start in a few minutes.
"Dude! Glad you could make it!" Nino gave him a bone-crushing hug. "But it's not like you to be late."
Adrien scratched the back of neck nervously. "Just slept in a bit. The photoshoot lasted a little longer than normal, so maybe I didn't know how tired I was."
"Don't overdo it." Marinette said with her voice laced with worry.
Adrien felt his cheeks grow warm. She sounded so concerned for him. Alya, however, had to put in a joking remark. "Oh don't mind if he gets a few more hours in. He needs his beauty sleep to keep his skin soft anyway."
"Alya!" Marinette scolded but they all just laughed. As they talked around for a while, eating croissants and sipping on hot cocoa, Adrien never noticed Plagg silently munching on his camembert cheese.
Murmurs rose in the air as a dark figure emitted a black fog as he stood on top of the Eiffel Tower. All eyes and cameras were pointed at him as he took a graceful leap off the edge, black robes whipping through the air.
People screamed and ran away as the figure landed on a kneeling position on the pavement, cracks spreading throughout the concrete like a spider's web, the black fog billowing out like waves of the dark ocean. All four teenagers rushed to the side and looked out.
It was starting.
The military march? No.
A disturbance? Yes.
An akuma? Most likely.
Adrien's grip tightened around the railing. He was about to announce his leave, but then to everyone and no one's surprise, Alya was the first one out the door.
"Wait! Alya, it's too dangerous!" Marinette said in panic as she followed her down the stairs.
"Dude, where are you going?" Nino called out as Adrien rushed after Marinette. The DJ was given no reply and he stood there on the balcony, bemused and alone. With a sigh, he put on his earphones and waited for this to be over.
…
"No, not going to do it."
"Plagg, come on! We need to transform!"
"No!" Plagg spat out vehemently.
Adrien clenched his fist. He had no time for his kwami's selfishness. "Plagg, transformez moi!"
As the magic engulfed his body, he couldn't help but feel a shiver go up his spine.
…
The figure slowly stood up, the dark fog rolling off him as his green eyes glowed under the shadows of his black hood. His eyes darted here and there, as if he was searching for something – or someone.
Chat Noir landed in front of him.
Apparently he found what he was looking for, because the next second, he had Chat Noir pinned on the ground. Luckily, Chat Noir had blocked the hidden blade with his baton.
"Who are you?" Chat Noir demanded.
The man smiled grimly. In his hand was a golden metal ball with intricate designs.
"Chat Noir of this time, would you like to play a game?"
Suddenly, a red yoyo wrapped around his arm. Ladybug tightened her grip. "Sorry, but the only game we'll be playing here is 'superheroes-and-akuma villains'."
While the dark hooded figure was distracted, Chat Noir took that chance to kick him in the gut and push him away. Chat Noir deftly landed beside Ladybug. Both of them looked at their new opponent apprehensively.
"Who are you? Name yourself!" Ladybug demanded.
"I am no longer a 'who'. I have no name." He said. "But I go by Schrödinger."
With that, the golden sphere he held in his hand emitted a bright light and spread over the people who remained around the perimeter. Suddenly, those people affected began to riot as they crashed through buildings, set off the cannons meant for the military parade, and fought with the military as well. It was like an army of undead.
A majority of them grabbed a hold of the superheroes. Ladybug leaped away, but then panicked when she saw Chat Noir swarmed by the mob. Holding onto the lamppost, she released Schrödinger and snapped her yoyo around Chat Noir's instead.
"You can't do that, mademoiselle coccinelle." A whisper breathed in her ear.
Chat Noir snapped out of his sluggish state as Ladybug's scream pierced the air. He pushed off the mind-controlled people. "My lady! Ladybug!"
"Chat Noir!" He snapped his head up. Her voice had come from the top of the Eiffel tower. With a growl, he pushed himself up with his baton.
Stumbling on the deck, he looked around cautiously. What if this was a trap?
It was indeed a trap.
"Glad you could make it."
Chat Noir just barely put up his baton in defense before Schrödinger's short blade clashed with it, sparks flying from the force. Chat almost fell off the edge, but Schrödinger grabbed his bell and threw him back in the tower, slamming him on to one of the iron beams.
Schrödinger walked up to him, a disappointed frown on his lips. "Is this what the famous Chat Noir ended up as? A weakling?"
Chat Noir slowly got up, his eyes focusing difficultly on Schrödinger. "Y-You're different. You're not the same as the other akuma villains."
"I am Schrödinger." He said simply. "I am, yet I am not."
Schrödinger pointed his finger at Chat Noir. "And you are Schrödinger's Cat."
Adrien felt the shiver again. He gritted his teeth. Chat Noir demanded, "Where's Ladybug?!"
Schrödinger ignored him. "I failed the Council when I chose my lady. Will you sacrifice your miraculous for the good of the world or will you save it to save Ladybug, sacrificing the world?"
"I'm not you!" Chat Noir said. "I'll save Ladybug and we'll save the world together!"
Schrödinger smiled. "Don't be so sure."
He felt a drop in his stomach. Chat Noir rushed to the edge and looked down the base of the tower. What he saw made his heart stop for a beat. Never in his life would he expect to see them be used in front of his eyes.
Two guillotines stood side by side.
Ladybug was barred, the sharp blade glinting in the midday sun, to a man-made horror contraption. Alya was locked on the other.
"You monster!" Chat Noir snarled at Schrödinger. His pupils turned into slits, and a hiss escaped through his teeth. Schrödinger shook his head, a wry smile in his lips. "You don't have time, Chat Noir."
Chat Noir snapped back and he saw the cords that were attached to the blade starting to fray. Schrödinger said, "Which one will you choose?"
"Don't make me choose!" He screamed.
"You don't have the time." Schrödinger said. "Your lady or the innocent?"
Chat Noir's whole frame trembled. Blood roared in his ears.
"Take a leap of faith, Chat Noir."
With one step, he was rushing down towards the ground. Tucking in his arms, he fell even faster. It was down to the last strand. Chat Noir extended his baton and threw it between the lunette and the blade.
The blade screeched to a stop.
One was safe.
The blade fell down.
There was a sickening thud.
Chat Noir clenched his eyes shut. Tears streamed down his face.
Schrödinger yanked him back by his collar. Schrödinger said nothing as he looked down at the choice Chat Noir made. "Looks like you're just as selfish as I am."
He put him down on the ground beside him. Chat Noir curled up in a ball, sobs of guilt wracking his frame.
"Chat Noir!"
Chat Noir's eyes snapped open. He whipped around. There, standing before him, was Ladybug. His jaw dropped open. "My Lady!?"
"Mind-control and illusion!" Ladybug shouted out as she whipped her yoyo at Schrödinger who effortlessly batted it away. "That's his power from the sphere."
"Well noted." Schrödinger said. "But that still won't defeat me."
Ladybug's yoyo snapped back in her hand. She was breathing hard. He was the most skilled akuma villain she ever encountered. Agility, speed, strength, and his effortless technique with his blade, all were a skill higher than her or Chat Noir's.
At that moment, Ladybug knew she couldn't defeat him. There ws only one option left.
Lucky Charm
It was no ordinary charm however. Within the swarm of ladybugs, another figure appeared. Ladybug grew confused. This was a first for a living being to come out of the charm.
"Madame Coccinelle." Schrödinger breathed.
"Monsieur Chat." Madame Coccinelle said. She smirked. "You're not looking half bad for a dead man brought to life after a century."
"Very nice to meet you too." Schrödinger said dryly as he moved slowly in a circle. "And it is Schrödinger now."
Madame Coccinelle followed his movements as she snapped out a short sword from her sleeve. "Is it? Just because you changed your name, don't think you can just change yourself as well."
Schrödinger raised his blade. The two circled around each other excruciatingly slowly. Their gazes were locked. Their steps and breathing synchronized. A gentle breeze fluttered their robes.
The bells stroked twelve.
Their blades clashed together, metal shrieks piercing the air. An exchange of blows, graceful dodges from the razor sharp edges of the weapon, high leaps, and deadly lunges was the mesmerizing dance of the ancient heroes turned enemies.
"Why are you doing this?" Madame Coccinelle hissed as the guards of their weapons locked together.
"Closure." Schrödinger said darkly as he pushed her away.
She twisted around and lunged. The blade cut through his cheek, drawing out blood down his skin and along the silver steel. He grabbed her wrist and pushed her down on the ground, her back slamming hard on the bricks.
"You know you can never beat me when it comes to strength." Schrödinger said.
Madame Coccinelle smirked. "Oh but you remember, I'm always full of surprises."
And with that, she grabbed the front of his robes and slammed her lips on his. He struggled away but she wouldn't let him, deepening the kiss. Just as his grip slackened, she snatched the golden sphere from underneath his hidden pocket.
"Ladybug!"
The golden sphere landed in Ladybug's hands.
"Chat Noir!"
The golden sphere sailed through the air. Schrödinger started to run after it, but Madame Coccinelle locked him in her arms. She whispered in his ear, "This time, me for you."
Chat Noir caught it in his hands and pushed it in the hole of the cannon. Activating his cataclysm, he set the fuse aflame.
BOOM!
An explosion of white light diffused all the magic that affected the people and the sphere crumbled away, releasing the akuma butterfly. Gazes grew clear and minds were free.
Then a cry.
"Monsieur Chat!" Madame Coccinelle sank down on her knees, Schrödinger on her lap. "Oh you stupid man! Again, why again?"
He had taken the blow for her once more.
"Never you for me, Madame." Schrödinger coughed out. "A request, if you please?"
"Anything for you, love." Madame Coccinelle said softly. She leaned in to hear his whisper. Her eyes widened. She looked at him. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. She took a deep breath and released her transformation.
"Élise." He barked out a laugh. "Oh, Fate is a cruel master."
Élise smiled sadly. "But Love is a kind mistress."
As the white butterfly was released, Schrödinger disappeared. The previous Ladybug from another time sat there, lost in thought. Ladybug reached out her hand. "I'm sorry."
"That's fine. You couldn't have won against an Assassin anyway." It was like a punch in the gut. Élise looked at her. "This won't be the end, Ladybug. My partner is strong, but even with the two of us combined, it took ten years to end the bloody revolution. Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made."
She looked at Chat Noir. "Fate is cruel, indeed. Do not lose to it."
With that said, she took Ladybug's hand and disappeared into a cluster of ladybugs, cleansing the city. It was the end of a generation of miraculous heroes whose regrets crossed space and time.
However, with this end, what would start?
…
Plagg dolefully watched the tricolored flag rise up in the air with fireworks bursting in pompous colors behind it. Such is a high price to pay for liberty, equality, and brotherhood.
"I've lost the same kitten again." Plagg said sadly as he indulged in the cheese his charge gave him. Adrien watched him for a moment. "Plagg, he was a previous Chat Noir, wasn't he? That's why you didn't want to transform and fight."
His silence was the answer. Adrien sighed as he leaned on the window in his room.
"His name was Arno and he was the childhood love of Élise."
Adrien looked down at Plagg.
"He was an assassin. He was Chat Noir." Plagg spoke in short sentences. "He fell in love with Ladybug. But then she was framed for something she didn't do. He took the fall for her."
Plagg looked at him, sorrow in his eyes. "Chat Noir took the fall for Ladybug."
Adrien frowned. He didn't get it. Plagg said quietly, "His name is Schrödinger. He's a paradox. Not a villain, not a hero. A dead man living on borrowed time."
Plagg paused. Then he said darkly, "You could say I'm Schrodinger's Cat."
"What do you mean?" Adrien whispered in fear.
"He died as Chat Noir." His eyes were hollow, devoid of any emotion. "I was practically dead while being alive."
Adrien looked at his kwami and for a moment, he saw the image of a tired, ancient god. The young superhero smiled and said, "But you've got me, Plagg. I'll never die."
Plagg looked up to him with his large green cat eyes. "You promise?"
"With my life." Adrien said, putting one hand on his chest and another up in the air.
The kwami finally smiled for the first time that day and watched the fireworks illuminate the fixed city below. But the smile fell away to a worried frown when Adrien looked away.
Plagg said softly to himself, "I just hope I don't lose you to the dark side of Fate."
I am POOPED.
What a way to start 2017, huh? This is one of the longest oneshots I've ever written yet. Also, do any of you get the references? If you do, forgive me! I do not play video games and I am not a quantum physicist, but I did try my best! That counts….right?
Anyway, my vacation time is over and school starts again and my professor will kill me (we were on BREAK!). I will update sporadically and randomly don't worry.
Also, happy DiD anniversary! It's already been a year since I've written the first chapter (I started posting first at Tumblr). This is the longest running fic I've written. So thank you all for sticking around and reading! I love you guys!
See ya'll next time!