We Are Vengeance! Prologue.
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The rain just kept coming down as the dark grey cloud completely blocked the sun. People were standing out in the pouring rain, in complete disbelief over what had happened. No one noticed the rain... Not when they couldn't wrap their heads over the event...
Marc, wearing the Sheep Miraculous, was looking down at the destruction before them. Their lips pressed into a quivering line as they stared at a crumbled building with a familiar person lying motionless in the middle.
A memory surfaced, everything moving as if it were an animatic.
An image of Marc with a hand on Nath's shoulder in concern, with the redhead looking angry.
The image changed, but only slightly. Everything was the same except that Marc's mouth was open. "Are you feeling all right, my Camellia?" Marc's voice said but the image remained the same.
The image changed. Nath's mouth was open and his arms were spread out in frustration. Marc appeared to have taken a step back, hand retracted, and looked very worried. Nath's angry voice Was heard saying, "No! I'm not!"
The image changed. Nath was now facing Marc. Anger was apparent on the redhead's face while the raven ette was worried. Nath's body language was angry and tense while Marc's body was trying to calm down his boyfriend. Nath's angry voice was heard saying, "Lila had just accused Marinette of assault!"
The image changed. Nath now had his arms folded, still tense and angry, and Marc was now completely shocked. The ravenette's eyes were wide with horror, arms still up but with his hands facing up, finger splayed, body tense, and his mouth was open. Marc's voice was heard saying, "What! Marinette would never!"
The image changed. Nath's posture remained the same but Marc's arms were wide apart. Marc's voice was heard saying, "She wouldn't even think to hit anyone! It has to be an accident!"
The image changed. Nath's posture was still the same except his mouth was open. Marc's body posture now had his arms at his side with their face in a state of confusion. Nath's voice was heard saying in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, Lila 'claimed' that Marinette 'attacked' her on 'purpose'. Which is a complete load of crap!"
The image changed. Marc's image remained the same. But Nath's arms were only half folded with his right arm semi-stretched out, and his voice saying, "Not only is it completely out of character for Marinette, she also has a solid alibi for the so-called time of the assault." There was a beat of silence before the redhead stated sternly, "And we have proof of it."
The memory ended as Marc stared at the unconscious Nath lying in the rubble. A raindrop landed on a bracelet of a black bat that looked ready to attack that the redhead wore on his left wrist. A tear rolled down Marc's cheek when he Mumbled, "My Camellia..."
In the same vicinity, Ivan wearing the Ox Miraculous rubbed his left shoulder with his right hand as he stared inside a crater in the road with a somewhat disbelieving look.
Memories came to the surface. Like an animatic.
The first image showed Ivan in a vocal argument with Kim, who looked almost enraged with his body language. Kim's voice burst out with, "I can't believe you believe that bullshit lie!" Ivan's voice was then heard almost stunting back, "How can you say that?! You saw how Lila looked! She's clearly been beaten up!"
The image changed. The teens' arms were in different positions as the argument continued. Kim's voice was heard snapping, "Oh, I saw, but there is no way Marinette could've done it when Lila says it did!" Ivan's voice was heard saying, "How the hell could you know that?!"
The image changed. Now Kim's arms are folded in front of his chest and his mouth is open while Ivan's knuckles are on his hips. Kim's voice was heard saying in a serious tone, "I've gotten a black eye before." Ivan's voice was heard saying, "Why am I not surprised." Kim let out a low growl before saying, "But that's how I know that Lila is lying about when she got her black eye, if it's even real." Ivan's voice was heard saying, "What are you talking about?"
The image changed, but only slightly. Kim's right arm was out of the fold so he could point to one of his eyes when he said, "When you first get the bruise, it'll be red or purple due to the blood pooling under the skin, not to mention there's swelling at the point of impact."
The image changed, but only on Ivan's part. The bulky teen now had a hand on his chin with a thoughtful look. Kim continued saying, "If Lila had gotten hit as hard as she claims, then her black eye would also been pretty swollen." Ivan's voice was heard saying, "I... Didn't see any swelling on Lila's black eye... Maybe she iced it to level off the swelling?" Kim's voice was heard saying, "She didn't mention anything about swelling, and that's why I doubt she even has a real black eye."
The image changed, but only on Kim. The athlete now had a hand on his hip as he pointed to the side with an angry expression. Kim's voice was then heard saying, "Besides we have proof that Lila is lying about Marinette beating her up!"
The memory ended as Ivan rubbed his shoulder, which felt like it might've been dislocated, as he stared at Kim lying unconscious in the crater. Rain pelted down. A raindrop landed on a bracelet of a black bat that looked ready to attack that the tall teen had around his left wrist. Ivan bit his lip, not the least bit thrilled that things turned out this way.
Not too far off, Mylene wearing the Mouse Miraculous hobbled over to a wall that looked like it was on its last leg. Her breaths came out ragged and laboured as she stared at the scene before her.
Memories came to the surface. Like an animatic.
The first image showed Mylene somewhat shrinking as Max appeared to be holding up a sheet of paper with a list of data, he looked unusually angry as Markov hovered nearby. Max's voice was heard saying, "Given what has happened with Lila, I insist that you contact the charities you were fundraising. Specifically, the one's where Lila offered to take the funding you raised to the charity location herself, by herself." Markov's voice could be heard chiming in, "And given the combined amount of the money noted in the ledgers, I'd suggest calling as soon as possible."
The image changed, but only on Mylene's part. She was now standing at her full height and had a confused look on her face. Mylene's voice could be heard saying, "Umm, sure, but can I ask why you're suddenly interested in this sort of thing?"
The image changed. Max's expression was less angry and more stern as he lowered the paper while Mylene's right hand was now at chin level with her fingers touching her chin. Markov moved slightly as his claw extended to the left. Max's voice could be heard saying, "Lila is outright lying about Marinette assaulting her, and I cannot help but think that if she could lie about something like That, what else could she have lied about?"
The image changed. Mylene was now holding the paper with both hands as she looked at Max, whose arms were now folded in front of his chest. Mylene's voice could be heard asking, "Um, I'm confused, what did Lila say that made you think she was lying?"
The image only changed on Max's part. His arms half-folded as he pointed off to the side and his mouth was open. Max's voice was heard saying, "That claim of assault! The possibility that Marinette did that is absolutely 0%! And we have proof!"
The memory came to an end as Mylene collapsed to the ground, her legs too weak to support her weight. Panting as she stabilised herself, she looked at the nearly destroyed wall where an unconscious Max was laying on his side, his glasses askew and cracked. A raindrop landed on a bracelet of a black but ready to attack that the small teen had on his wrist. Tears stung Mylene's eyes as she wished she had done things differently.
A building over, Juleka wearing the Tiger Miraculous was supporting Rose wearing the Pig Miraculous. The taller of the two had an arm around the shorter's waist to keep her up. One of Rose's arms was slung around Juleka's shoulders. While the taller had better balance, both were exhausted and barely standing. Rose had tears in her eyes as she looked at Juleka, who was sporting a worried look on her face. Both then turned their attention towards a brick wall that was heavily damaged.
Memories came to the surface. Like an animatic.
The first image showed a worried-looking Rose and Juleka without the Miraculous and an angry-looking Alix. The pink-haired's voice was heard saying, "I can't believe that you've been in communication with Prince Ali this whole time and never asked him if he knew Lila!"
The image changed. Rose now held her hands out defensively as Alix looked ready to punch someone. Juleka looked somewhat helpless as she looked at Rose. The blonde's voice was heard saying, "Why are you so mad about that? Prince Ali can have other friends and I respect that."
The image changed. Rose's hands were lowered slightly while Alix lowered her fist. Jukela's image remained unchanged. The blonde's voice was heard saying, "Besides, I can't pester him every time someone claims to know him. Plus if I can be friends with Prince Ali, why can't Lila?"
The image changed. Rose had her arms over her chest with her hands right under her chin and her worried look was unchanged. Juleka was now looking at Alix, who was back to aggravated with her looking ready to fight. The pinkette's voice was heard saying, "The fact that she's a lying little bitch trying to turn us against Marinette!"
The image changed, but only on Alix. The pinkette was still looking aggravated but her arms spread out in an exasperated manner. Alix's voice was heard saying, "And her dick move of an accusation she pulled out of her ass is certainly making me think that if she can lie about that, what else has she lied to us about?"
The image remained the same except for Juleka's mouth being open. The Goth's voice was heard asking in confusion, "What about the accusation made you think Lila is lying?"
The image changed. Juleka and Rose's image remained the same but Alix's image changed. The pinkett now had her arms folded as she glared at the others. Alix's voice was heard saying, "There is no fucking way Marinette could've 'beat her up' as she claimed. And we have proof!"
Then the memory came to an end. The two teens looked ready to cry as they stared at Alix leaning against the beaten-up wall. The pinkette's head was hung forward as her body somewhat slumped, her clothes were a mess and was unconscious. the rain continued to fall. A raindrop landed on a bracelet of a black bat ready to attack that Alix was wearing around her left wrist.
The rain pelted Juleka and Rose, hiding the tears for their fallen friends.
A block over... Chloe, wearing the Bee Miraculous, helped Sabrina, wearing the Dog Miraculous, up from the ground. Both were a little shakey and covered in debris from the fight. The sounds of someone sobbing over the rain got Chloe and Sabrina's attention. Both turned to see Alya, wearing the Fox Miraculous, staring inside a crater with tears just streaming down her face. The blonde and the orangette looked at each other before looking at the blogger.
Memories came to the surface. Like an animatic.
The first image showed a baffled Sabrina and Chloe off to the side while Alya and Nino appeared to be in a heated verbal argument. Alya's voice was heard shouting, "How can you side with Marinette after what she did to Lila?!" Nino's angry voice was heard shouting, "How can I side with Mette?! How the hell can you believe that bitch of a liar?!"
The image changed. Both Chloe and Sabrina looked like they had no clue what to do while Alya's and Nino's arms shifted positions. The blogger's expression was more accusatory than the normally laid-back teen's angry one. Alya's angry voice could be heard shouting, "How can you call Lila a liar?! She was the one who got beat up!" Nino's angry voice was heard shouting, "If she was actually beaten up, it wasn't by Nette!"
The image changed. Now Sabrina and Chloe were now looking at each other with confused looks. Alya appeared to be livid with rage while Nino now had a more serious yet angry expression. The red-capped tan's voice was heard saying, "But I have way too much doubt about her by this point to think she can tell the truth!" The blogger's voice was even more filled with anger when she shouted, "Nino! What the hell has gotten into you?!"
The image changed. Chloe and Sabrina were now watching the two arguing teens. Alya was now pointing an accusing finger at Nino with that angry expression still on her face. Nino now had his arms folded with that angry yet stern expression. The red-cappedteen's Voice was heard saying, "Nothing except suspicion and anger. And Lila's accusation was just the massive cherry on top." The blogger was heard growling before shouting, "What the actual hell are you talking about?! Lila has never lied to us!"
The image changed. Now Chloe and Sabrina weren't sure about the argument. Alya's hands were now in fists as rage took over her expression. Nino was now pointing a finger at the blogger with a stern and hardened expression. The red-capped teen's voice was heard saying in an uncharacteristically serious tone, "Lila has! And she's lying about Nette attacking her! And we have proof!"
The memory came to an end as Alya's slobs came to the forefront. Chloe and Sabrina glanced at each other before they turned their attention to the figure lying on his side before the three. Nino no longer had his signature red cap on, the headphones he usually wore were wrecked, his glasses were cracked, and was unconscious. A raindrop landed on a bracelet of a black bat ready to attack that Nino was wearing around his left wrist. Sabrina timidly placed a hand on Alya's shoulder, but the blogger didn't seem to notice. Chloe somewhat hugged herself, trying to steady herself after this fight before turning her attention towards Chat Noir.
The black cat hero was standing half a street away from the bee hero, looking a lot worse than Alya was just without the tears. Chat Noir felt like the weight of this outcome was solely on his shoulders, that everything happened because of him, that he pushed away someone he called a friend... And it was true... He had to be one hell of a fool...
'I should have known better, and yet...' Chat Noir thought, completely disgusted with himself for what happened... He knew Lila was a liar... So why did he believe her despite that?
Ah... Right... Lila called Adrien's father that morning with her accusation before she told the class... So why didn't he try to defend Marinette to his father? Oh, right... Gabriel didn't let him put one word into the conversation... Gabriel just berated Marinette in front of his son and didn't let him speak any of his doubts and ordered Adrien to end his friendship with the bluette… And Adrien begrudgingly complied… That decision was something that not just Paris paid for...
A tear rolled down Chat Noir's cheek, obstructed by the rain, when he muttered under his breath, "You were right, Princess... I'm an enabling doormat..." He stared at the unconscious Marinette lying on her back in front of him. Her hair is no longer in her signature pigtails. A raindrop landed on a bracelet of a black bat ready to attack that Marinette was wearing around her left wrist. "And I'm also an idiot..." Chat Noir muttered as he stared at the bluette that was usually smiling but no longer. The black cat hero belatedly realised that a figure in a Ladybug-themed outfit was kneeling next to the unconscious bluette. This Holder wasn't Ladybug, but a temporary replacement. Chat Noir originally felt betrayed when he met this Temporary Ladybug Holder, but when they explained that the Kwami sought out a Temporary Holder when Ladybug got too ill to weld the Miraculous, he felt a little better. Worried about his Lady's health but glad that someone else didn't learn her identity before him.
The Temporary Ladybug Holder brushed some hair out of the unconscious Marinette's face when they said softly. "This shouldn't have happened to you and the others..."
Chat Noir heard and couldn't help but wonder if this Temporary Ladybug knew Marinette. This only made the black cat hero feel even worse if that was even possible. More people were hurt because he couldn't do anything as Adrien Agreste... would it be possible to weld the Miraculous 24/7? Heaven knows that the blonde model wanted to abandon the perfectly modelled son of Gabriel Agreste so, so, so many times.
And this whole event just hammered it in that Chat Noir should be Adrien's only persona from here on out.
An angel with a plain face with soft features, long silvery-white hair that flowed down their back as some of the shorter strands hung over their left shoulder with one of them being a single braid with a white feather decorating the end of it, wearing an eggshell white blouse-like shirt with longs sleeves to his wrists paired with a grey vest, had on a pair of flowy dress slacks with matching grey shoes and held a silver-and-white sword in hand soared overhead. This was Raguel, the Angel of Justice. While he couldn't see the destruction caused by the battle, he could sense the energy from everyone and everything in the area. Raguel then announced for everyone to hear, "Heroes of the Miraculous! Please collect the Pieces of the Artefact of Vengence and bring them to me! Make sure to get them all or else this whole thing will happen again!" He then descended to the ground so the Heroes could get to him.
Despite the pain all of them were feeling, the Heroes moved to get the items in question. Marc carefully removed the bat bracelet from his unconscious boyfriend before he gently stroked Nath's cheek. Ivan had a little trouble getting the bat bracelet off Kim's wrist since he could only use one hand, but once he got it off he glanced sadly at the tall teen. Mylene managed to hobble over to Max and took the bat bracelet off while giving the unconscious teen a guilty look. Juleka and Rose made their way over to Alix and took the bat bracelet off the unconscious skater's wrist while they regretted how things turned out. Chloe slumped over Nino's unconscious form and carefully removed the bat bracelet from his wrist, she only glanced at Alya out of the corner of her eyes to see that she was still crying. The Temporary Ladybug Holder gingerly removed the bat bracelet from Marinette's wrist before looking at the guilt-ridden Chat Noir.
The temporary red-clad hero stood up, walked over to the blonde hero, and whispered, "This wasn't your fault, Adrien. So stop blaming yourself." They made sure to speak at a level that could be heard over the rainfall but only if someone was standing near, like Chat Noir was.
The black-clad hero could only look up at the Temporary Ladybug Holder with a near-depressed look in his eyes when he asked, "How?" Chat Noir wasn't even thinking of keeping his identity secret right now, not when So much has happened...
The Temporary Ladybug placed a gentle hand on the black cat hero's shoulder when they said that soft tone over the rain, "I put the facts together... That... And the fact that Chat Noir appeared equally distressed as Adrien Agreste was too hard to ignore..."
Chat Noir eyed the ground in a crestfallen manner. In all honesty, he was surprised he hadn't been Akumatized by Hawkmoth despite having so much guilt over what he was forced to do.
Chat Noir then glanced at the bat bracelet in the Temporary Ladybug Holder's hand. He couldn't believe that that thing was able to do the things he had witnessed over the past few days... How it was able to give these kinds of powers... It was like Akumatization but a lot more powerful, more focused, and a helluva lot more difficult to defeat... All in the name of vengeance... And the scariest thing was... Chat Noir then turned his attention back towards the unconscious Marinette, still lying on the ground as if she were posed as a doll in a diorama. Tears fell down the black-clad hero's cheeks when he asked in what felt like utter despair, "Why did all this happen?"
While Chat Noir didn't expect an answer, the Temporary Ladybug replied in a tone filled with venom, "I'm pretty sure the catalyst of this whole thing is Lila Rossi. The Artifact of Vengeance nearly magnified the results." They held up the bracelet that looked like it could come alive at any moment to attack, the little animal almost looked real except for the red eyes.
}I{ Two Weeks Ago }I{
That very same bracelet was lying on the grass in a park, covered in dust and dirt under something that hid it in the Shadows.
"Huh? What's that?" the voice of Marinette Dupain-Cheng was heard saying before a hand reached down and picked the bracelet up.
The bluette looked it over before she muttered, "This looks like it's been lying there for a while." A gleam sparkled in the 'eyes' of the bat before Marinette added, "It looks like it was custom-made… I wonder if someone lost this?" she thought about it before she continued on her way and said, "How about cleaning this up and check the jewellery stores. Surely one of them would have some kind of record of a piece as unique as this being sold."
The 'eyes' of The Artefact of Venice gleamed yet again.
~}I{~
To be continued.
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