Miraculous Ultra Adventures - Chat Noir, Ladybug, and Ultraman Tiga
Disclaimer: I do not own Ultraman Tiga or Miraculous. Ultraman Tiga belongs to Tsubaraya and Miraculous to Zagtoons. Fiorella La Chapelle is gabeherndon308's OC.
Special thanks to gabeherndon308 for his support.
VSX-2018: I would imagine that it would be quite messy. After all, supervillains are one thing, but giant monsters would make for quite the handful, especially when you consider the costs of rebuilding the city and having the military respond to frequent attacks. We'll have to see how it goes.
Kamen Rider Sentry: We'll get to the monster fight eventually. This chapter will be a lead up.
Chapter 3 - Adrien's Move and Daigo's Cruise Flight
In the skies over France...
Daigo had lifted off from the abandoned airport ten minutes ago his repaired night attack GUTS Wing. Evening was already setting with the sun setting over the horizon. He was due west towards Paris airspace as part of a clandestine test of the GUTS Wing's ability to operate in the airspace undetected, doubling as an aerial patrol.
"Daigo, do you copy?" Hideki Go's voice crackled over the radio, "we can see you on our radar going bearing two-four-zero southwest towards Paris."
"Copy that, Control," Daigo raidoed back, "I am five minutes out from the city, cruising at angels three, speed four hundred knots. No return from any ground radar at this time."
"Okay, that is good" Hideki said, 'the stealth coatings and paints I applied are keeping you from setting off alarm bells at air traffic control. You can virtually fly anywhere unseen as long as you don't go supersonic."
"I will not break any windows and wake up neighborhoods below," Daigo assured, eliciting a laugh from Hideki.
"Dan here," Dan chimed in, "no need to be adventurous out there, Daigo. Just make sure that your stealth and camouflage work, and avoid any scuffles with the French Air Force or anybody else who may be out and about this evening."
"I can avoid and outfly them easily enough," Daigo answered as he watched the French landscape pass by below. "I'm more concerned about Cyber Melba being out there and Hawkmoth trying something rash this evening. If I have to, I'll fly to intercept either."
"Well based on what you have given us about Hawkmoth," Dan radioed, "it's probably unlikely that he would have much of a proper countermeasure to us Ultramen, let alone anything kaiju-sized."
"True, but he does appear to be a powerful source of darkness," Daigo reminded, "I was able to defeat his minions with the element of surprise on my part, and we still don't know how much more powerful he will try to become now that my presence is known in Paris."
"And you still have plans to contact Adrien Agreste and this Marinette girl?" Dan asked.
"If there is a vote here, I'm for it," Hideki agreed, "if they are the primary heroes of this world and they are being targeted for their source of power, an alliance would make sense."
"If what you said about their jewels being to some sort of ultimate power is correct, Daigo," Dan added, "then Hawkmoth is truly a potential threat that the Ultra Garrison cannot ignore, especially if our enemies, including the Absolutans were to know about such a thing."
"All the more reason to try and establish contact, but without drawing undue attention," Daigo discussed as he controlled his aircraft, "if Hawkmoth is the source of this intense dark power emanating from this world, we find him out, and stop him before he decides on conquest of the multiverse." His navigational radar beeped as he passed another waypoint. "I'm approaching the city airspace limits. Increasing altitude to angels fifteen. Activating electro-optical camouflage." He pressed on the dash switch for the EOC and pulled back on the stick. The now-invisible GUTS Wing One began to climb.
"Make sure your TCAS is online too," Hideki reminded, "other aircraft may not be able to see or detect you, and we don't need an air collision on your epitaph."
"I know my job, Go-sensei," Daigo retorted with an even voice as the GUTS Wing climbed.
Francoise Dupont High School
Adrien looked around for Marinette after the last class. He wanted to talk with her a bit more as she shyly seemed to avoid him during school hours except for lunch. Adrien had much to talk with her about, and he wanted as much time as he could everyday with the regimented schedule he was given by his father.
As Adrien walked the halls, he came across Nino and Alya. "Hey you two, have you both seen Marinette?"
"I think she went outside," Alya answered, "she seemed to really be in a hurry."
'I hope I can catch her before I head home...' Adrien thought. He then turned to Nino, "so you're going over to Alya's, Nino?"
"Yeah, dude," Nino nodded and smiled, "my girl here invited me to check out some those Japanese TV shows that seem to relate to our new silver hero from the weekend."
"Ultraman?" Adrien guessed.
"Well, who else, dude?" Nino shrugged, "and besides, I think we could use a TV movie night."
Alya giggled as she took Nino by the hand. "Come along, babe," she coaxed, "I'm sure Mom will love to have you over for dinner as well."
Nino beamed at the opportunity. He was going to enjoy Marlena Cesaire's amazing cooking and enjoy a night of movies with his girlfriend. "Later dude," he waved back to Adrien, who also waved and smiled back. As the two were out of sight however, Adrien's expression sank as he remembered some of the distance that remained between him and Marinette. He then continued on to find Marinette, thinking how hopefully he and Marinette could actually be truly close as boyfriend and girlfriend able to share things with one another. Adrien also kept thinking about how Marinette named the new silver hero Ultraman just like he and Plagg did...
Unfortunately, Adrien's train of thought was interrupted by a certain blonde diva bumping/grabbing his arm. "Adrikins," Chloe cooed.
"Hi Chloe," Adrien replied, "what's up?" He could tell that Chloe was desperate for his attention, but he still considered her a friend. The rich golden girl gave a mix of a smirk and an excited smile.
"I found us a new gourmet restaurant that we can have dinner at," Chloe said, "think we can convince your father to release you for tonight? Just the two of us childhood friends hanging out together!" After the weekend fiasco over Andre's ice cream, Chloe was trying to bank on her old friendship with Adrien to distract him from her rival.
"Thanks, but I gotta find someone, Chlo," Adrien tried to politely refuse.
"Come on, Adrien," Chloe tried to hold onto him, "just the two of us-"
"Sorry, Chloe, but I really have to go before my driver comes along," Adrien gently tugged his arm out of Chloe's grasp and continued down the hall. He hoped that Marinette was still around.
Chloe turned and threw up her arms in frustration as she stormed back over to Sabrina. "He just blew me off!" She vented.
"He seemed to be in a hurry," Sabrina observed, but that only made Chloe mad.
"I know that," Chloe snapped, before resuming her whining, "why is it that Dupain-Cheng gets his attention!?"
Outside, Marinette was sitting behind the side of the stairs, talking to Tikki. "Tikki, I can't seem to do it," Marinette sighed, "every time we meet in school in front of my friends, my shyness gets the better of me."
"But Marinette, you've already started going out with him," Tikki objected with a reminder, "surely that should count for something." Tikki looked up to Marinette with a loving and encouraging smile and eyes. "Marinette, you've come a long way from the shy and afraid girl when we first met during the Stoneheart crisis. Take each step at a time... I'm sure that Adrien understands and loves you."
"But that's the problem, Tikki," Marinette said, "he does not and cannot fully understand me... what if Hawkmoth goes after him because I let him know that I am Ladybug?" She then clutched the sides of her head. "Hawkmoth will then find out my identity... use my clumsiness and stupidity to get Adrien all upset... akumatize him... then his dad will get all upset and akumatized! I'll be outnumbered, they'll take mine and Chat Noir's Miraculouses, and it will be over!" Marinette was ranting in her drama queen mode as Tikki was made to listen to her. "It will be such a disaster! I don't deserve Adrien!"
"Of course you do," Tikki tried to console Marinette. Though she knew that Adrien Agreste and Chat Noir were one and the same, the rules of confidentiality meant that she could not reveal it to Marinette unless Adrien himself did so. It made for both interesting and frustrating scenarios for the old kwami. Nonetheless, Tikki did try, "Adrien is one of the kindest boys out there despite the strict upbringing of his father. I think if you understand him more, he will understand you more in return. There's more to Adrien than meets the eye. Many Chosen ones I've been paired with had similar dilemmas to yours, but things worked out well for them in the end. After all, I am not only the kwami of creation, but also of good luck, and I am here to support you wherever things with Adrien take you."
Marinette looked at her little alien friend and smiled. "Thanks, Tikki," she held out her hands and snuggled Tikki close to her cheek. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"That's what I'm here for!" The cute little red kwami giggled as she rubbed her Chosen's cheek.
Marinette cheered up as she stood up confidently. "I won't be afraid to think that Adrien feels the same for me as I do for him!"
"Glad to hear that!"
Ah! Adrien!" Marinette spun around in surprise as Adrien grinned brightly. Tikki had barely shot back into Marinette's bag before Adrien had seen Marinette. "Hey Adrien!"
"I was almost afraid you'd leave without me," Adrien said, "I don't want the day to end without you."
"R-really?" Marinette stuttered, but deep down, she was happy that Adrien seemed to be seeking her out. It took away some of the awkwardness she normally felt around him at school.
"Yeah..." Adrien scratched his own cheek, showing that he was sheepish himself. "I was... I was wondering if you had some time to talk with me on some things?"
Marinette nodded shyly, especially since there were few of their other classmates to see them at the moment. The two sat down next to the side of the stairs. "So... what do you want to talk about?" Marinette decided to ask first.
Adrien took a deep breath. He gave Marinette a rather soulful look. "Marinette... did you enjoy our time on Saturday?" That made Marinette give Adrien a quizzical look.
"Umm... yeah, I did. Aside from that interruption by those akumas," Marinette said with a tinge of pink, "I really did enjoy ice cream with you." She breathed hard. "But... are we actually... involved yet?"
Adrien sighed, but nonetheless smiled with patience and understanding. "Marinette, you are the most beautiful and kindest girl that I've ever met, and I don't want to force you into anything that you are not ready for. I wish to say though that I value the friendship that we have now."
Marinette's cheeks went a brilliant red like Ladybug's suit. 'Oh my goodness... did he just... call me beautiful!?' Her brain went into overload at what Adrien had complimented about her. 'Is this going where I think it's going!?' She put her hands to her cheeks to keep from squealing, but that only made her look even cuter to Adrien, who smiled warmly and in relief.
"You know, that reaction of yours tells me that you're open to it," Adrien said. He took one of Marinette's hands into his own. "Marinette, I really like you," he confessed, "and I can see that there is much more to you than meets the eye. You're cute, creative, kind and strong."
"Strong?" Marinette blinked. Adrien thought that way about her?
Adrien's face got a bit closer, enough for Marinette to get the scent of mint from him. "I don't know how to explain this... but from the short time we've known each other from when I came to this school, I've noticed a sort of inner strength to you." He rubbed the top of Marinette's hand in his own. "You have the softness of a true lady, combined with a determination and love for others that is truly unique to you."
"Adrien..." Marinette gasped. She didn't know what to make of this Agreste model now. 'First he says he'll take it slow with me, and now he is tugging my heart strings with all his sweet talk!? This is... unreal."
"I'm here anytime that you are ready," Adrien said, "and trust me when I say that I like you enough to have the patience to wait for you." His smooth voice and what he was saying was really starting to rub onto the Dupain-Cheng girl. His sweetness was making Marinette almost want to say yes to him in that moment.
However, the honk of the Gorilla's car drew the two teens back to reality. Adrien sighed... it almost never failed that an interruption came along when he had a moment with Marinette. Marinette herself seemed to be disappointed. "I guess you have to get home, Adrien," she was about to rise when he suddenly tugged on her arm. Adrien rose up with her.
"Marinette... how about I help take you home?" Adrien softly proposed.
"T-take me home?" Marinette blushed for the umpteenth time. What had gotten into her and Adrien?
Adrien chuckled as he pointed to Gorilla and his assigned car. "I think I have the time allowance to have my bodyguard help us out here." He then revealed with a whisper, "I heard that a new flower shop just opened up between here and your house. Maybe I can leave you something more personal to think of me by..."
"Eep!" Marinette was taken off guard, but deep down, something in her wanted to squeal out in joy. "I mean... sure," Marinette accepted. As Adrien led Marinette to the car, some of the other students coming out of the school gave them glances and murmurs.
Nathaniel gave Marinette and Adrien a mixed expression of sadness and happiness. While he was happy for Marinette, he felt sad that it was not him that she was walking with. Juleka and Rose were next to him, also staring at Marinette and Adrien, with the former giving Marinette a smile, while Rose was giving a shiny-eyed look at seeing them.
"That Marinette and Adrien?" Ivan asked his girlfriend, Mylene, "they're going home together?"
"I think that's so cute," Mylene squealed softly.
Alya and Nino both did double-takes at seeing Adrien and Marinette get into the car together, while Chloe was positively seething as Sabrina held her back.
Gorilla gave a small smile, seeing Adrien lead Marinette again. The huge, but kind bodyguard opened the passenger door. "You first, Marinette," Adrien offered with a gesture. Still blushing at the princess treatment she was getting Marinette stepped into the car. As she did, she noticed that this car was larger. The passenger compartment was spacious with a privacy screen separating it from the front seats. Adrien came in behind her. "I asked for Gorilla to start using this particular car on most days," he revealed, "it allows for more privacy."
"T-thank you," Marinette muttered, "you didn't have to."
"Well, I want to, Marinette," Adrien chuckled. Gorilla then got into the driver's seat and put the car in gear. Adrien then leaned over. "We have some time to kill. Can you take us to that new flower shop? The Lovely Iris? I'd like for us to see it before we take Marinette home." Gorilla nodded his head rather heartily at that and started to drive.
Somewhere Else
Gabriel Agreste in his Miraculous persona as Hawkmoth preferred to work alone, aside from the fact that he had servants and assistants under him to do his bidding. However, it was thanks to his new ally, one Noboru Watanabe, that he was in the company of thirteen other would-be masters of darkness, Noboru among them. Through Noboru and his allies, Gabriel began to learn so much more about Ultraman Tiga and the Ultra Garrison backing him. Right now, Hawkmoth was consorting with these thirteen alien conquerors around a round conference table in wherever they were actually located, as the new member of a new group Noboru christened as the Fourteen Dark Heavenly Kings.
Hawkmoth took in the extent of the membership around the table. Directly to his right was Noboru, and going counterclockwise, were all the other members of various alien races who were sworn enemies of Tiga and the other Ultramen at various points in the multiverse's history: Aliens Baltan, Nackle, Guts, Bat, Desimo, Zarab, Mefilas, Reguran, Zetton, Pedan, Raybeak, and Shaplay. Hawkmoth and Noboru were apparently the only visible humans in this multi-species alliance opposed to the Ultra Garrison.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Noboru raised his hands to get the attention of all seated. All eyes turned to him. "Let us welcome a new ally in our quest against the Ultra Garrison and my ancient enemy, Tiga." He gestured towards Hawkmoth. "May you rise?"
With a smirk behind his cowl, Hawkmoth rose to introduce himself. "I am Hawkmoth, but as many of you know, I am Gabriel Agreste to the rest of my world. I am honored to be in the presence of likeminded thinkers and... people of action." He had paused briefly to mentally account for most of his audience being non-human.
"Welcome, Hawkmoth." Many just nodded in acknowledgement of their latest human member. Hawkmoth sensed through his empathetic powers that many of these partners regarded him with some reservation because he was human. For him, the feeling was mutual, but they all had some common goals and enemies for now. Hawkmoth did notice that the female Alien Bat seemed to give him a glare of sorts.
"Now, while I have to admit that I am new to this intergalactic enterprise compared to the rest of you," Hawkmoth went on, "I believe you all are interested in what ablities and contributions I can bring to this august assembly."
Hawkmoth raised his hands and summoned some butterflies to his side. "With the power of the Butterfly Miraculous, I have the power to harness the power of people's emotions to create Champions to do my will."
The other twelve Kings aside from Noboru muttered amongst themselves, many of them seeming skeptical of Hawkmoth. Hawkmoth gave a deadpan glance towards Noboru. Noboru just shrugged and gestured with his hand. "I believe our new compatriot could demonstrate his power for us... any volunteers?"
"Right..." the raven-like Alien Raybeak rose from his seat, "mind control. Haven't we all seen this before?"
"Well, not this one," Hawkmoth smirked as he ushered a butterfly towards him. "Mr. Raybeak, if I may, I shall give you a demonstration."
"My name is Shogo, human," the young Raybeak retorted.
"Right," Hawkmoth muttered as the magic butterfly landed in his palm, "and if I can ask... what is your reason to want to fight Ultraman Tiga?"
The Raybeak, Shogo squawked in seething anger, "Tiga killed my father back in our home dimension twenty years ago... it is my duty to avenge him and the forces he slaughtered!"
"Very well," Hawkmoth purred as he infused the butterfly with his akumatizing energy, making it turn dark purple. "Go and akumatize this vengeful son, my akuma!" The akuma shot across the table towards Shogo. Shogo was briefly taken by surprise as the akuma shot into a pin on his uniform cape, before he started to groan from the infusion of dark energy. Hawkmoth's butterfly hologram mask appeared over his red eyes. "Shogo, I sense that you seek vengeance against the enemy who defeated your father all those years ago... now show our fellow Kings the power I can bestow upon those who seek Ultraman Tiga!"
"Ugh... yes, Hawkmoth!" Shogo crowed out as he was engulfed in black-purple smoke. The other Kings watched as Shogo seemed to grow in size, towering over the table some six plus feet as he grew sharp talons from his clawed hands, teeth in his beak, and dark feathery wings on his back as his body bulked up. The young Raybeak let out a roar with a breath of fire into the air as he resembled an avian version of a minotaur with dark armor plating covering his body, limbs, and wings. "I... I feel the power of my hatred! It's oozing all over!" Shogo flared his wings out and jumped up, allowing all present to get a look at his newly-monstrous form.
"Marvelous!" Noboru clapped for Hawkmoth. The others continued to give wary glances to Hawkmoth, but were now more convinced of his power to contribute to the cause.
"So... then what Mr. Noboru said was correct," the Alien Baltan spoke up, "you can indeed exploit the negative emotions of others."
"Such a subjective power," the Desimo waved dismissively, "my people and I can come up with far more marvelous cybernetic works of art than this trickery."
"Actually, I would agree with Mr. Noboru that this is quite brilliant," Mefilas put a hand to his chin, "I myself can attest to the power of being able to control emotions. Difficult to master, however."
"Right," the Alien Nackle snarked at Mefilas, "especially since you failed to convince even a young boy to surrender the Earth, before retreating right in front of Ultraman Hayata. My kind was able to break Ultraman Jack by killing his insipid human friends and letting him watch them die right in front of him."
"It would have been foolhardy to die then when there was nothing to be gained," Mefilas crossed his arms. He then looked towards Hawkmoth, "but now with this... Butterfly Miraculous... one can control the emotions of others on a whim like a puppet master."
"With such a power," the female Alien Guts remarked, "we could even take control of this dimension's human race, and thus assume control of this Earth for ourselves."
The female Alien Bat then addressed Hawkmoth, "for what reason should we trust a human like you into our fold?"
Hawkmoth gave the Alien Bat a miffed look. "Since we are being frank with one another apparently, I will admit that I do not care much for whatever your reasons are for coming to my world, and I certainly do not care whether you all like me or not..." He then stood up with his cane forward in a posture of authority. "But if your apparent leader, Noboru, is willing to accept me and work with me to help achieve my goals, then I shall reciprocate your own, especially since Ultraman Tiga has become my enemy as well. After all, it is this same Ultraman who denied me my victory against Ladybug and Chat Noir when I was very close."
Shogo then landed his giant form back behind his seat. "Ultraman Tiga and the Ultra Garrison will no doubt try to interfere in my domain even more," Hawkmoth said, "and I strongly believe that they will ally themselves with the Miraculous heroes if they were to learn of your presence. So as much as many of you may not like me as a human, you all no doubt will need my powers and guidance in this world dealing with Ladybug and Chat Noir, as much as I will need all your intelligence on dealing with the Ultramen. With our combined abilities and resources, and the initiative of working from the shadows, I believe that we can secure victory and dominance over this sector of the multiverse against the meddling Tiga and Ultra Garrison."
"I will accept anything I can use against Tiga," the akumatized Shogo concurred in a deep, growling voice, "even if it comes from a superpowered human and his little gremlin, we need every advantage we can get. I don't care what it takes, as long as Ultraman Tiga dies."
The Alien Baltan raised a claw towards Shogo. "Be careful young one," he advised, "don't forget that our ultimate goal is to secure a new home and base of operation for our respective peoples. To be consumed with revenge is what led to the downfall of many of my own predecessors, one of whom tried to avenge his father and ended up dying."
Noboru clapped his hands again. "I think we all understand that. Thank you, Lobus," he referred to the Baltan by his personal name. Noboru then told Hawkmoth, "you may take back your akuma now."
"Thank you." Hawkmoth then beckoned the akuma back out of Shogo's pin. When the corrupted butterfly came out, smoke surrounded Shogo until it dissipated, revealing him having returned to normal form and size. He stumbled forward briefly onto the back of his seat.
"Now that Hawkmoth has established his bona fides," Noboru continued, "we shall move to planning the next phase of our operation."
"And what may that be, if I may ask?" Lobus said rather politely.
"Please do tell, I may have an idea or two," Hawkmoth chuckled to some of the others' grumbling.
"Why, the purpose is two-fold," Noboru smirked, "get Hawkmoth to his goal of obtaining the Ladybug and Black Cat's jewels... and in the process, we flush out Ultraman Tiga."
Daigo monitored his instruments and surroundings as his invisible GUTS Wing cruised through the skies above Paris. It was smooth flying so far, as there were no indications that he had been spotted or detected on radar by other planes and receivers on the ground. The portion of the flight had lasted nearly thirty minutes with no trouble whatsoever. The Ultra in human form checked his one-way TCAS. The collision avoidance systems had been modified to alert Daigo of any incoming planes in the sky while not giving away his position. It was not conforming to international aviation safety standards of course, but Daigo could not afford to have other planes' warning alarms going off and alerting everyone to his presence. Seeing that it was working and that other planes in the sky were far enough from his position, Daigo allowed himself to look down at his underbelly camera.
The cityscape of Paris moved on the camera monitor as Daigo flew overhead. This GUTS Wing model was not only a stealth fighter, but also a high-tech surveillance and surveying plane with high-resolution long-range cameras and sensors to view targets up to ten nautical miles away. With right hand on the flight stick and left hand on the camera joystick, Daigo checked the camera's view and movement. The camera servos smoothly moved the lens to and fro, giving Daigo good views of the city below, right down to the lines of cars moving.
'This will aid me in my searches,' Daigo thought. As he flew over, he then noticed a peculiar looking structure. It was a traditional Chinese-style house in a suburban part of Paris. Daigo thought the house was out of place in the middle of Paris. As he flew over however, he felt a warmth in his chest. He unstrapped the front of his suit, and saw that his Sparklence was pulsating again. It was reacting to something, just like how it reacted to the presence of Marinette and Adrien Agreste back at the Place des Voges. With the power of Tiga contained inside, the Sparklence thus responded to other energy signatures of light quite strongly.
Master Fu grunted as the Turtle Miraculous on his arm pulsed. Wayzz himself also perked up as he felt the tingle in his being. This was the second time that this had happened for both Fu and Wayzz. "Master, do you feel that again?"
The old Chinese Guardian nodded, "no doubt..." He then looked over to the Miraculous box and saw that the jewels were causing it to glow as well.
Elsewhere, Adrien felt himself and his ring tingle as he rode with Marinette in the car. 'It's that warm feeling again...' He looked down to his ring, and saw that it was pulsing a bit with a green glow. He felt Plagg shift inside his jacket as well. Adrien realized that this was what they both felt that same Saturday before Ultraman appeared. Was this Ultraman making his presence known again?
Adrien hid his right hand under his thigh, making sure that Marinette would not see the ring glowing. When he looked over, he saw that Marinette was not only stiffened up, but her earring was pulsing red. 'What?' Was he seeing things? "Hey, Marinette?"
That seemed to startle Marinette a bit. "Wait- what?" She shook her head as though she had been seeing through a haze.
"Are you okay?" Adrien asked, but now his interest had been piqued, "your earrings glowed."
Marinette internally panicked. She feared her secret getting out. "Oh? These?" She defended hurriedly while pointing to her earrings. "Um... they're special glow earrings... special edition sort of deal." She put on a smile, but Adrien in the back of his mind knew that Marinette was deflecting, but it felt like something was keeping him from putting a finger on it.
"Special edition? For what?" Adrien asked with a smile, hoping to put Marinette at ease. He looked at the earrings, which stopped glowing and were instead gold now. "They do look pretty on you," Adrien complimented.
"Um... special edition..." Marinette tried to come up with an answer. She then settled with, "special edition from a friend." It was not entirely untrue, as it was truly a gift that gave her Tikki and her hero persona. Adrien seemed to accept this with a nod. Yet, in the back of his mind, there was a foggy recollection that this sight was familiar.
It was then that Adrien remembered what he also wanted to talk about with his crush. "Hey Marinette, what do you think of Ultraman? You know, the hero that showed up on Saturday?"
"Well," Marinette put a finger to her cheek in thought, which Adrien thought was adorable. "He did help Ladybug and Chat Noir," she admitted, "so he seems on the level. What do you think, Adrien?"
"I don't know," Adrien shook his head, "though I can't help but notice that we both thought of his name at the same time." The blond Agreste model chuckled, "I guess we think alike, dont we?"
"Adrien, like I said before," Marinette said, "it was Ladybug who told me his name."
Adrien remembered accepting that answer, but being Chat Noir, he knew that it could not have been correct. If anything, Ladybug was just as stumped about their surprise savior. "I watched the fight, and neither she nor Chat seemed to know who he was," he pointed out. Plagg only revealed to Adrien who the hero was after dropping his transformation. Adrien's intelligent mind started to realize how improbable it was for Ladybug to tell Marinette who Ultraman was... unless.
A grunt from Gorilla brought Adrien out of his thoughts. Adrien looked to see that they had arrived at the new flower shop. Marinette looked to her right, and she saw that it was a shiny new store, with the name 'Lovely Iris'. It was bright, colorful, and orderly looking through the stands and windows which displayed flowers of various types. The main color scheme seemed to be white and red, with red roses and white irises dominating the front décor of the place. Gorilla got out of his driver's seat and opened the door for Adrien, who went around behind the car and opened Marinette's side. "We're here."
Marinette got out, and was taken in immediately by the sweet fragrance of the flowers from the store. With the slow breeze of the late afternoon, Marinette blushed slightly at the aroma of the flowers. Adrien held her hand and led her towards the Lovely Iris. "Adrien... I... it's beautiful," Marinette gasped.
"Thank you," Adrien smiled, "it's run by a friend who lives with her aunt here. She's wanting to be a botanist, and has moved in to get a hang of how to run a flower store and gauge people's interest in flowers."
"Oh?" Marinette's curiosity was piqued. "An old friend?"
"Yeah, her name is Fiorella. Fiorella La Chapelle," Adrien told Marinette, "she came in from Marseille just last week."
Marinette felt her throat stiffen a bit. A girl with that kind of pretty sounding name sounded like a potential rival for Adrien's affections. Chloe Bourgeois was enough of a rival and she was a nasty bully. She hoped that this Fiorella was not that kind of girl. "Is she... going to be a new classmate of ours?"
"I don't know..." Adrien told her, "but she seems nice enough to help me. Though I must tell you that she's got a bit of a romantic streak to her, so just be ready." He said the last bit with a bit of a chuckle. The nervous romantic in Marinette hoped that Fiorella would be the type who liked helping couples instead of being a love rival...
Adrien opened the door and let Marinette in before walking in himself. The two stood at the front, and were seen by a girl who was about Marinette's age with green eyes and brown hair done in a ponytail. Smiled when she recognized her friend, Adrien. "Hey Adrien!"
"Hi Fiorella," Adrien waved.
"I see you brought a girlfriend," Fiorella gave a cute, but mischievous smile that somehow reminded Marinette of Alya. Alya had what other friends and classmates called a 'shipping-face' whenever she formed in her mind's eye what she thought was a possible couple. Marinette had to contend with Alya badgering her over Adrien.
"Well, at least a possible girlfriend," Adrien shrugged, but then smiled, "though I was wondering if you could help out."
Fiorella clasped her hands together rather excitedly. "Anything for you Adrien! What would you like?"
"Excuse me Marinette," Adrien said with a wink, "wait outside for me."
"O-okay!" Marinette said. She then quickly walked out the front door towards the flower stands with a bright red on her face. 'Oh my... is Adrien gonna-!'' Marinette put her hands to her cheeks, unable to stop blushing and trying to suppress a squeal.
Daigo held his Sparklence as he steered his stealth fighter. The Sparklence glowed gently in response to the small but powerful presences of light that he felt. 'This is the response I felt when Ladybug and Chat Noir were nearby,' he thought to himself, 'so if I can sense them like this, I will find them.'
Daigo then called back to his base. "Moroboshi-sensei, do you copy?"
"Copy Daigo, go ahead," Dan acknowledged.
"I can feel it, Sensei," Daigo told him, "I can feel the Miraculous through the Sparklence. If it is Ladybug and Chat Noir, I must find them."
"Daigo..."
"Descending." Daigo took the GUTS Wing off autopilot and began to fly lower.
"Daigo wait," Hideki Go broke in, "that was not part of the flight plan."
"Well I'm changing flight plans," Daigo said as he configured his sensors to scan at short-range for energy signatures. "Reducing altitude to angels one."
"Daigo," Hideki tried to object.
"My camoflauge is within normal operating parameters, and my engines are on silent running. Thank you, Go-sensei. Going radio silent for fifteen mikes tops." With that, Daigo cut off his radio before either Hideki or Dan could say anything else. He steadily lowered his altitude to one thousand feet, and configured his engine throttle settings for low speed, low altitude silent flight. With a smooth breath, Daigo refocused his senses to seek out the presence of the Miraculous, hoping that he can find the jewels of Ladybug and Chat Noir.
Adrien stepped out of the Lovely Iris with a bouquet in hand. "Marinette," he said in a smooth gentle tone. The cute pigtailed girl turned to see her crush holding flowers in his hand. It was mainly white flowers with some daisy-like buds sticking out.
Marinette had to internally keep herself from swooning over the flowers that Adrien was offering her. Still, she put her hands to her mouth to hold back a gasp. The bouquet was beautifully and carefully arranged in a round ball at the top, with the daisy buds dotted throughout.
"For you, princess," Adrien beamed.
Marinette took a deep breath and composed herself. "Whew... alright," she softly muttered before she smiled. "Thank you, Adrien." She accepted the flowers gracefully enough with a pink, smiling face. She looked upon Adrien, who was smiling brightly. "I carefully selected those specific flowers with Fiorella's help... so as to express myself properly to you."
Marinette looked down and saw the flowers. Being an aspiring fashion designer, she studied decorations, including flowers. Marinette softly gasped as she recognized two flower types. The bouquet consisted of white carnations, with the daisy-like flowers actually being chamomiles; the first represented innocent and pure love, and the second patience in adversity. It was then that she understood that Adrien was expressing love for her, and yet was patient towards her. "A-Adrien..."
"How do you like them?" Adrien asked.
"I... It's more than I could ever say," Marinette breathed out. She then looked back up to Adrien, who seemed to be both relieved and satisfied. "But I guess 'thank you' would be a good start."
Adrien then glanced back. Fiorella just gave a happy wave and wink. It was just like her to be that supportive. If he could finally get Marinette to lower her barriers and fully accept him... he would have his old friend to thank.
Gorilla saw his young master apparently successfully capturing Marinette's affections. As much as he wanted the moment to go on for Adrien's sake, he knew that he still had to get him and Marinette home on time. He managed to get Adrien's attention with a grunt and a wave. Gorilla still smiled, but also pointed to his watch to get his point across. Adrien nodded back in understanding. "Well Marinette, I think I should get you home," he told her.
Marinette nodded as she glanced over to Gorilla. "I know... you still have homework and a schedule too..." Adrien took her by the hand and led her towards the car.
Daigo was using a combination of both his Sparklence and his GUTS Wing's advanced thermal imaging sensor to comb the landscape below. Out of the thousands to millions in Paris, he was looking for two specific individuals from the air. For most pilots, it would be the proverbial needle in the haystack situation. However, as Ultraman Tiga in human form, Daigo was resolved to find Ladybug and Chat Noir, and he memorized the sensation of the energy tingle that resulted when the Sparklence reacted.
Daigo already knew that he could not simply land the plane, but if he could track down at least one of the two Miraculous heroes, it would help him better find a way to contact Ladybug and Chat Noir. While he would certainly get objected to by Dan and Hideki for his daring to move up timetables in this manner, Daigo as Tiga remembered all to well the speed and aggressiveness at which the forces of darkness and evil worked back in his home dimension. With the large amount of light and dark energy that was already present in this world let alone Paris, Daigo was determined to give the Ultra Garrison and their prospective possible allies in the Miraculous heroes the upper hand. Some in the Garrison would criticize Tiga as being a lone wolf agent despite his affiliation, but with the Ultra war with the Absolutians being at a stalemate, Daigo/Tiga would work to make sure that no other forces of darkness would upset the contentious balance. Also, he never wanted to see the devastation Gatanothor brought to his world visited upon any other version of Earth again. If Hawkmoth was about to travel down such a path, Tiga would put a stop to it, even end him if he had to.
The Sparklence then began to pulsate more. Daigo knew that he had to be close. The Ultra warrior and GUTS veteran pushed the throttle forward slightly, determined to hone in on where the Sparklence was guiding him. As he flew, he felt the Sparklence pulsating faster and stronger.
Adrien stiffened up as he felt a tingle in his Miraculous ring. He glanced down at his right hand, and saw the green flashes from the ring despite its silvery camouflaged appearance. It was happening again... was Ultraman somehow nearby?
He then felt Marinette's hand tighten a bit in his left hand. He looked over and saw that she too was in a daze... with her gold earrings flashing red. Adrien's eyes widened as something in his mind broke... his flashing Miraculous, and Marinette's earrings flashing red in response to Ultraman's apparent presence. It was all to much to be coincidence. 'Marinette... she has a Miraculous too!'
Gorilla saw his two charges freeze up just as they were about to enter the car. Out of confusion and concern, he went over to Adrien and Marinette and whistled a bit before snapping his fingers. Snapped out of his trance, Adrien looked to Gorilla, who pointed towards his own watch again. "Oh right, sorry," Adrien apologized as Gorilla opened the car door. "Marinette," Adrien urged.
"What? Oh, yeah," Marinette also seemed to snap out of her own freeze and entered the car. As she did, she still wondered what it was that was causing her Miraculous to tingle again. It could not have been Hawkmoth, since this tingle was a warm and light presence. She wondered if it was Ultraman that was causing such a powerful sensation.
"Marinette," Adrien said as he climbed in, "are you okay?"
"Um... yeah," Marinette's face tinged pink as she remembered the bouquet in hand. She gazed upon it as she took in the beautiful carnations and chamomiles with their fragrant scents. As she did, Adrien stared at her earrings. Somehow, it was starting to come together in the back of his mind. That sweet face and hair, the pigtails, the brave and creative character of Marinette whenever she was not flustered, not to mention those earrings glowing red. There was only one other person that could have those traits...
'Ladybug?' Adrien wondered. He glanced back and forth between Marinette's earrings and his own Miraculous ring. Both glowed with energy that he could perceive. Somehow, Ultraman's power caused the Miraculous and kwami to react to his presence, and Adrien figured out that Marinette's earrings glowed at the same time as his own ring. Ladybug's Miraculous were earrings, so... 'That makes sense...' Adrien thought. If Ultraman was nearby, he would have to thank him for his power breaking the fog in his mind.
Marinette was Ladybug.
The GUTS Wing circled over the Agreste car as its pilot saw the two teens enter it. With the camera's sharp resolution and his sharp eyesight, Daigo had little doubt that he had found Adrien and Marinette. "I found you both."
As the car drove away from the flower shop, Daigo cruised steadily around one thousand feed. He locked his camera onto the car and tracked it steadily through the traffic. He was not about to lose them easily when he could now find out where each of them lived. He followed the car for some miles until it stopped in front of a corner building. He say the large driver in his dark suit get out and open one of the passenger doors. He zoomed in on the passenger getting out. "Ladybug... Marinette-chan," Daigo muttered as he saw her pigtails. She seemed to wave goodbye shyly towards Adrien in the car, with flowers in the other hand.
"Got you," Daigo pressed on the camera joystick control with an audible click. He took a picture of Marinette with the building in question, no doubt her home. As Marinette went inside, the Agreste car drove off. "Now your turn, Adrien Agreste."
Daigo flew above the lines of traffic, keeping the target car squarely in his camera sights. He saw it cross a bridge on the Seine before stopping in front of a prominently gated manor. Daigo recognized the Agreste manor from images from the Agreste family's profiles. He could tell that it would be tricky getting in; aside from the high walls, Daigo could already run in his mind the probable security setups that Gabriel Agreste would have invested in the place. The Ultra pilot sat back up in his ejection seat. "I'll need to get to Ms. Marinette first," he decided, "the probability of contact is much better with Ladybug." As Adrien got out of the car with his driver, Daigo snapped a picture of him in the courtyard. With that he raised his aircraft to a safe altitude above the city. Seeing that his camouflage and electronic countermeasures still kept him off radar, Daigo then turned his radio back on. "Base, this is Daigo," he called, "mission complete. Returning to base."
Marinette knew that she should have been more discreet about the flowers when she entered her bakery home. Now her mom and dad were badgering her over it with a gleam in their eyes. Tom was in a joking threatening mood, while Sabine was doing all she could from just squealing out in excitement for Marinette.
"I can't believe you got flowers," Sabine cheered.
"Who is the lucky or sly guy who's wooing my girl?" Tom laughed, "am I gonna have to give him the 'threaten my little girl' talk!?"
"Mom, Dad!" Marinette blushed madly as she protested, "he's just a friend who just helped me home!"
"Really?" Tom gave a cheeky grin, "well whoever it is has really got feelings for you. I bet he's that model kid I've been hearing about."
Sabine clasped her hands together with a happy expression. "He seems to be a sweet guy after all."
"Umm... I have to do my homework right now, excuse me!" Marinette yelped as she brushed past her parents and hurried upstairs.
Tom chuckled for his daughter. "She's definitely being crushed on."
"Young love," Sabine giggled, "remember what it was to be like that honey?"
"That I do, love," Tom laughed as he hugged his wife.
Marinette closed the trapdoor to her room with a heavy blush to her face. It was then that Tikki flew out of her bag. She seemed to be all smiles and giggles. "Oh, Marinette, you are nearly as red as your Ladybug suit."
"Not funny Tikki!" Marinette was unable to stop blushing. "You know how my parents get when I have a crush, or am being crushed on!" Marinette glared at Tikki for three seconds before her expression brightened up and she squealed into her hands. "Who am I kidding though!? I am so in love with Adrien!" She then showed the flowers. "And did you hear what he just told me about these?"
Tikki beamed, "I was there for the whole thing, Marinette." She swung side to side from the sweetness of the whole thing. "My luckiness in love is finally starting to work with you!"
"Come here, Tikki!" Marinette urged the kwami with her palm. Tikki flew into her palm and was snuggled close to Marineete's cheek. The girl and kwami squeaked and giggled together.
Adrien was also back in his own room and thinking about Marinette, but in a bit of a different way. "Marinette is Ladybug... Marinette is Ladybug..."
Plagg flew up straight in his kitten's face. "Adrien, you weren't supposed to find out about that," he blurted out before slapping his mouth shut. "I mean, how are you sure that she could be Ladybug?"
"Think about it, Plagg," Adrien sat up in his chair, "the Miraculous reacts to Ultraman's presence right? If mine reacts, why wouldn't Ladybug's? Ladybug's Miraculous is in the form of earrings." He then looked upon a picture art that he had of Ladybug, touching where the earring was. "Marinette was wearing earrings, and she froze up as they glowed red... just like how I reacted when our Miraculous reacted."
Plagg was not even thinking about cheese as he was now engrossed into the implications of Adrien knowing who Ladybug was, and how Ultraman was playing such a large and unpredictable role in changing the whole paradigm about Miraculous wielders' secrecy. "Adrien, you know what happens if Hawkmoth were to find out about you and your knowledge of Ladybug's identity."
"I know Plagg, you said that terrible things could happen," Adrien looked to his kwami friend intently, "but... what if this was one of the great things for us that Ultraman is bringing about?" Adrien smiled as he poked Plagg. "You said it yourself... that Ultraman's return meant great things ahead for man and kwami. Why not finally knowing that the cute courageous girl in school is also my partner in justice?"
"That's not-" Plagg huffed as he turned away for a bit. He then seemed to relent, "well... maybe yeah."
Adrien then got up and walked towards his large panoramic window. He stared out at the sunset with a lightness to his heart and a renewed hope for his blooming love for Marinette. "I think I can understand why Marinette has been so shy and guarded about herself," he muttered, "of course she would not want the one she has feelings for to get hurt fighting Hawkmoth... but I want to help her realize that she has nothing to hide with me anymore. Not when I'm by her side through thick and thin."
"I don't know kitten," Plagg said as he floated up to Adrien and sat on his shoulder, "you do know that this won't be a walk in the park... and especially not with those cat puns of yours."
The Agreste heir just chuckled. "Don't worry Plagg, it can't be that paw-ful. Besides, with how wound up she can be, I'm sure she'll a-purr-ciate it more when I reveal myself in the right time." Adrien stared out into the evening sky. "Still, I suppose I should thank Ultraman when I get the chance, even if I don't fully understand who he is or why he's here."
Adrien then produced a slice of cheese for Plagg to chew on. The black cat magical alien sat on Adrien's shoulder as he looked up in contemplation while chewing. "Who knows? Maybe somehow our battles with Hawkmoth re-awakened him. We kwamis thought that he and his kind died out years ago."
"How so? How did the Ultramen die out? What happened?" Adrien asked. He was now curious about this race of light side beings.
Plagg swallowed his cheese bit before continuing. "This is what I know from an Ultraman that I remember we met long before your time. Long ago, millennia before we kwamis arrived on Earth, there were giant monsters and demonic creatures that once plagued early human civilizations, destroying entire cities and tormenting mankind. It was during this time that these Ultramen, beings of light from a nebula in a galaxy far away, arrived on the Earth and developed an affinity for man enough to decide to fight for them against the dark forces of the world. They succeeded for a while, but one day they encountered a dark demon monster so powerful that they ended up sacrificing themselves to defeat it to preserve the planet for future generations."
"Really?" Adrien muttered, "so if they all sacrificed themselves to defeat this evil, then who was the Ultraman you met?"
Plagg shook his cute head as he turned to look to Adrien. "A survivor... who resigned himself to a lonely coexistence with humanity." He then rubbed his head. "It has been so long since we've last seen him, but what we do remember of him was that he was among the first to welcome us to Earth. He even protected us just as he did with the humans he lived alongside with."
"Wow... and you think that Ultraman we saw on Saturday is that same Ultraman?" Adrien was intrigued that such a being would actually have had a history with the kwamis, let alone Plagg.
Plagg looked down. A few seconds passed, before he groaned. "All this remembering hurts! I think I'll just eat my camembert!" Adrien deadpanned as his little friend made a beeline for his secret stash. "That's disappointing, Plagg." Shaking his head, Adrien looked back out the window with a renewed and hopeful smile. Despite the mystery of Ultraman, it was thanks to him that Adrien now knew that Ladybug and Marinette were one and the same. Deep under the mask of Ladybug and Marinette's shy exterior, Adrien saw the inner strength and beauty of the girl who captured his heart and brought joy to his social life. He resolved that one day, he would properly thank her for everything on both sides of her mask, and perhaps... their affections for one another could blossom into something beautiful and powerful that not even Hawkmoth would be able to overcome.
Chapter 3 - Adrien's Move and Daigo's Cruise Flight