7. Tikki? Plagg?
Origins
Marinette rushes into the classroom just in time and makes her way to her seat in the second row on the right.
"Nino, how about you sit on the front row this year." The teacher says.
Nino begrudgingly gets up and seats himself at the front nearest to the door. Behind him sat Marinette who set her box of macaroons in front of her.
A manicured hand slams down on her table.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," says a haughty voice.
Marinette looks up to see Chloé Bourgeoi's bratty sneer looking down at her and sighs, "Here we go again."
"That's my seat," Chloé glares intimidatingly, one hand on her waist and the other hand over her chest in ownership.
Marinette looks away and meekly tries to defend herself, "but Chloé, I've always been sitting here."
Marinette felt someone sit next to her. She turned to see that it was Sabrina smirking with her arms crossed.
"Well it's over. New year, new seat." Sabrina says.
"So stand up and go sit next to the new girl sitting there," Chloé says, pointing to the front row on the left of the room. The new girl turns around and raises her eyebrow.
"Listen closely," Chloé says as she leans threateningly against Marinette's table.
"Uh." Marinette leans away.
"Today, Adrien is coming. And since that will be his seat," Chloé points to the spot next to Nino, "then here," she slams her hand again on the table, "this will become my seat! Understand?"
"Who is Adrien?" Marinette asks.
Chloé and Sabrina look at each other before bursting into laughter.
"I'm dreaming, she doesn't know who Adrien is." Chloé says in an incredulous patronizing tone, "Unbelievable! What planet do you live on?"
"He's a super famous model." Sabrina says with emphasis.
"And I'm his best friend. He's crazy about me," Chloé announces proudly before glaring harshly at Marinette, "so move."
"Hey! Who elected you queen of seats?" The new girl came to Marinette's defence, standing with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Aw, did you see Sabrina? We have a vigilante in the class this year," Chloé leaned in intimidatingly into the new girl's space, "What are you going to do, super newbie? Shoot rays at me through your glasses?"
"You sure you wanna know?" The new girl glared back. She reached around Chloé to grab Marinette's wrist, intending to take her to their seat in the front, "come on."
The new girl pulled too quickly. Marinette tripped and almost all of the macaroons fell on the floor.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry," Marinette muttered apologies, salvaging the box of macaroons while ducking her head feeling extremely embarrassed by her clumsy mistake. She sat at her new table next to the new girl.
"Alright. Everyone found their seats?" the teacher inquires, having either ignored or missed the drama that just happened in her class.
"It's okay, relax. It's no big deal." The new girl says, trying to lift up Marinette's spirits.
"I suck. I wish that I could stand up to Chloé like you." Marinette says.
"You mean like Majestia?" The new girl shows Marinette an image of an idyllic superheroine, "she says that the only thing that allows the forces of evil to prevail, is good people's inaction. And the forces of evil, well, that's this girl," the new girl gestures to Chloé, "and the good people, that's us," the new girl slings her arm around Marinette's shoulder, "so we can't be allowed to be pushed around."
"I don't have any superpowers," Marinette says, "and it's easier said than done."
"No way, don't worry, starting now, you need to be more confident er..." the new girl trailed off when Marinette reached into the box to find one macaroon left. She breaks it in half.
Smiling sincerely at the new girl, she introduces herself, "Marinette."
The new girl smiles back, "Alya."
Marinette gives Alya half of the baked treat and they both eat with satisfied smiles. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
"For those of you who don't know me yet, I am Mme Bustier. I will be your homeroom teacher this year." Mme Bustier explained.
Chloé stares forlornly at Adrien's empty spot and pouts. "Aww he's late. He should've been here already."
Gustav's Eiffel Apartment
"Chloé," Adrien growled. "Has she always been treating you like that? I know now that she can be really selfish, but she has no right treating you that way."
Marinette shrugged and felt warmth fill her chest at his words, "Pretty much. About a week after I started at Françoise Dupont, Chloé has hated me for a reason that I have no clue of."
Adrien twisted his lips in disappointment.
"Why are you still friends with her Adrien?"
"She is not bad all the time." Or at least he likes to hope so.
Marinette gave him a look he couldn't decipher, "Adrien, I've seen how you react when you're with her. She doesn't respect your space and makes you feel uncomfortable. Why do you put up with that?"
That was a good question, Adrien thought. Why did he put with Chloé? She was his friend. But at times she flirted with him and he knew that she wanted more than he was willing to give her. He hated how she treated other people and heaven knows these days he couldn't stand her presence for too long before he had to escape.
There were times when he caught glimpses of the person he remembered her to be, but those times never lasted long and he started to wonder if Chloé was putting up an act to please him.
"She used to be nice." His excuse was feeble at best and he knew it.
"Chloé and nice?" Marinette wrinkled her nose, "are you sure we are talking about the same Chloé, kitty? She may be nice to you because she likes you, but not the rest of us."
Adrien shook his head, "She wasn't like that before." A sad expression crossed his face, "our Mothers used to work together and were friends and we were often left in each others company with the same babysitter. So when I attended charity events our family was invited to, Chloé and I would sit next to each other at the same table with other kids of our social circle. Chloé was really sweet when we were kids. To me and the others. I swear it. I don't know what happened to make her so mean spirited."
Marinette knew. Clearly Chloé thought that anyone beneath her social standing wasn't worthy of her 'sweetness'. Marinette held her tongue though. She'd let Adrien have hope that his childhood friend wasn't a complete bratty bitch.
"I see..." Marinette trailed off, she stared off into space. Then an hilarious thought tickled her mind and she giggled.
"What?" Adrien asked.
"Chloé's face when she finds out I'm Ladybug."
Adrien snorted, "I imagine that she would be pawsitively appawled to find out that her number one hero and supposedly bestie is none other than you."
"I both dread and anticipate that drama," Marinette slumped back against the couch.
"Things will be different this time," Adrien bumps his shoulder with hers.
Marinette gives him a questioning look, "how so?"
"Really My Lady? Have some faith. As if I'd just stand there and allow Chloé to mistreat my partner like that ever again." He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder.
Marinette blushed deeply much to Adrien's interest. He noticed how differently she acted around him now. His Lady has yet to push away his affections since her mask dropped.
Experimentally, he brought his face closer to hers so that their noses were barely touching. If possible her blush darkened. And she didn't pull away. Her eyes were a bit dazed he noticed.
Adrien's hopes flared.
The TV unpaused.
Origins
Adrien stopped in front of an advertising board of himself, new school bag slung over his shoulder, to look behind him in case he was being followed.
He runs towards the steps of the school. A car skidded along the sidewalk and stopped abruptly. Natalie stepped out of the car urgently. "Adrien please! You know your Father apposes this."
Adrien stops at the front of the steps to face his Father's assistant and with a hand placed over his chest defiantly he says, "but this is what I want."
Adrien is about to climb the steps to the school, he pauses when he hears someone coughing loudly. He turns to see an old man on his knees feebly reaching for his cane that is out of reach.
Without thinking, Adrien rushes to the old man, he bends down to pick up the cane and hand it to the old man.
"Thank you young man," the old man says when he stands back on his feet.
Adrien smiled and turned around. He gives Natalie and Gorilla a 'what the hell' look when he sees them blocking his way into the school. He looks down in disappointment, accepting his fate, "All I want is to go to middle school like everyone else. What's wrong with that?" He sighs, "please don't tell my Father."
Gorilla puts his hand over Adrien's shoulder and leads him into the car and they drive away.
Paris's Reaction
"The Mayor's daughter is such a fake. And here I thought she was actually kind of nice. I guess that's just what she portrays to the gossip rags."
"Her Dad probably made her take image classes so that she doesn't mess with his reputation. Ugg politicians."
"Hey that's the girl who runs the Ladyblog! That's it, Marinette must help Alya with the footage. I've heard rumors that Ladybug and the vlogger know each other. Maybe Marinette knows Ladybug somehow."
"That doesn't seem right. Something is happening and I can't put my finger on it."
"OMG. This is where Adrien Agreste goes to school! Aaah I knew he was nice. Look at that beautiful smile he gives that old man."
"There's that old man again and it's almost like before. You think this kid might be Chat Noir?"
"Adrien Agreste in a leather cat suit... I'm not seeing it. Doesn't Chat Noir have different hair and eyes? Agreste looks too well put together to be that wild cat."
"He does. I'm telling you, our Heroes are older."
"I think it's still possible these kids could be our Heroes. Tell you what, let's place a bet to see if these kids turn out to be our Heroes."
"You're on!"
"I'm so gonna win."
"Sounds good."
It started off innocent enough. But as soon as the first bets were layed. Hundreds of people started betting along. By the end of Origins, most of Paris would have made a huge loss and a small group were extremely satisfied with their winnings.
Gustav's Eiffel Apartment
"Marinette, can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything, " she assured him.
Adrien's eyes sparkled at this. "Okay. By now, normally you would have pushed me away. Not that I'm complaining. I'd just like to know why?"
"I uh— you see..."
Adrien waited patiently for her to find her words.
She swallowed. Oh, to hell with it, she thought, it wasn't like Chat didn't make his romantic interest in her crystal clear. And since Chat was Adrien so, "Because I like you." she admitted. Loved him in fact, though she used the word 'like' instead because she was afraid that might be coming on too strong too soon.
Adrien almost choked on his own spit, "you like me? As in, like-like me?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Since you showed me that you weren't a jerk and gave me your umbrella in the rain."
That was almost a year ago.
Adrien's heart swelled with happiness. My lady has actually liked me back all this time. He thought back to all the times Marinette stuttered and acted a little weird in his presence and suddenly it made sense. He smiled genuinely. "I like you too Marinette."
They beamed at each other.
Something good came out of their dire situation after all.
Their situation... Adrien's eyes widened when he realized the apsence of his cheese-loving maniac and he searched his pocket to find it empty. He had been so occupied by finding out His Lady's identity and watching the show that he didn't notice that Plagg was uncharacteristically quiet. He stood up abruptly unintentionally startling Marinette, "Where are our Kwamis?!"
Adrien paced around the room which was fairly scarce except for a few lampstands, a vanity and dresser. "Plagg?!" He opened all the drawers he could find but everything was empty.
With mounting panic, Marinette opened her pouch bag where she usually kept Tikki hidden. There was no ladybug Kwami in sight. "Tikki's gone."
Adrien looked at his ring. It was still black with its green cat paw. How did he not notice it? "My Miraculous. It didn't change back."
Marinette took off her earings and saw that they were still red with black spots. "They are still dormant?"
Before they could panic, their Miraculous glowed.
Tikki and Plagg jumped out. Dark rings under their eyes. They both floated for a moment before falling.
"Plagg!"
"Tikki!"
Adrien and Marinette caught them before they could hit the floor.
Papillon's Lair
"Alterna! What do you think you're doing? They are vulnerable. Go back their and bring me their Miraculous NOW!"
No response.
Papillon couldn't believe it. His command fell on deaf ears. His Akuma ignored him.
He was completely cut off. He could no longer communicate with or see through Alterna's mind. There was some sort of mental barrier surrounding her, denying him access to her frontal lobe.
He turned his attention to the IPad in his hand. A web browser open viewing the Ladyblog. Of course, he was just as anxious to find out the identities of Ladybug and Chat Noir as the rest of Paris. Afterall, it would be a great advantage to have in the future.
Papillon watched his son help the old man to stand. For a reason unknown, he felt sickening dread creap into his stomach and he gripped his staff tightly. He didn't know why. It wasn't like his son could be Chat Noir. Surely, he would have noticed that.
He called his assistant. "Natalie. Where is Adrien?"
"Safely in his room sir. He has piano lessons and we can hear the music from his room."
"Check on him. Now."
A rustling could be heard on the other side. A feminine gasp. "He's gone!"
AN
So someone wanted me to label the scenes. Should I keep doing it?
I am so happy to see how excited you guys are about this.
Next up: Alterna makes a plan.