Thank you to Khanofallorcs for being the beta for this story!
Chapter Four
It was hard to believe that only a couple of weeks had gone by since Adrien's life had changed.
He sat in the back of the limo, Tikki hovering right behind the driver's seat so she couldn't be seen by his bodyguard as he fed her a strawberry he had snuck from breakfast. Adrien was pretending to be on his phone, wishing he could talk to his kwami outside of his room. He felt bad that she had to be cooped up, as he knew what that life was like, and he didn't understand how the little sprite was content with it.
The Gorilla pulled the limo to a stop in front of the school, letting out a grunt. He told the man thank you as he got out, Tikki zipping into his school bag. He stretched as he headed into the schoolyard, touching the earrings in his ears. He had been wearing them on and off, hiding them in his pocket when he wasn't wearing them– because he didn't want anyone to make the sudden connection of Crimson Beetle and Adrien Agreste suddenly wearing earrings.
"Oh boy," Adrien muttered when he saw a news van in front of the school, his mind instantly trying to figure out another route he might want to take– even though the school was straight ahead. Instinctively he wanted to avoid any form of media he could, but he had to remind himself there was no reason why it would be here for him. So he simply shouldered his bag, heading up towards the steps, watching Nadja out of the corner of his eye.
"–We've currently had three of these so-called 'akumatizations' since the third of September, though we have yet to truly understand this phenomenon." She said, facing the cameraman. "Two of the ones to be akumatized are students at the school behind me, Collège Françoise Dupont. We have heard that several complaints have been made by parents about their continued attendance here, questioning the potential risk, though staff at the school have yet to make a statement."
Adrien frowned slightly at this, pausing to look at the film crew. He could feel his bag shifting, apparently Tikki was interested as well.
"Their names are Ivan Bruel and Aurore Beauréal," Nadja continued. "They have given no word despite our multiple attempts to reach out to their families, though we are hoping to get a statement from one of them here today. Speaking of which–" Nadja turned, as if sensing the approach, rushing towards the towering student as he entered the schoolyard. "M. Bruel, may we get a word?"
Ivan pulled back as a microphone was shoved in his face as he made his way towards the school. His gray eyes flickering back and forth. His figure was intimidating, expression neutral, but the way his fingers danced along the straps of his backpack showed anything but that.
"'Scuse me," he muttered, trying to step around the reporter, but she was persistent.
"M. Bruel, you were the first person in Paris to experience the phenomenon we know as akumatization," Nadja said. "No one has come forward to say anything yet– but what was the experience like? Have you noticed any difference in your behavior? Would you say the form you took on by Monarch's influence has had any lasting effect–?"
"How dare you!"
Adrien jumped as he heard a furious voice, instantly wheeling around to see who had spoken. His attention wasn't the only one they had grabbed, Nadja and the cameraman looking over at the dark haired girl that was storming up to them. For a moment she was unrecognizable– but Adrien's eyes widened as he realized it was Marinette.
She stormed right up to Nadja with no hesitation,while the camera was still rolling, standing between her and Ivan.
"You think you have a right to just put his name and face out there?" Marinette snarled. "Not even asking if he wanted that?"
"Marinette–" Nadja began, but Marinette didn't give her an inch.
"You have no right," Marinette snarled. "You have no right to just wait out here and just– just pounce on him as he comes to school? What is wrong with you!"
"People have the right to know what's going on," Nadja said calmly.
"And people have a right to privacy!" She shouted. "Now you leave my classmate alone, and don't you dare air any of this footage! Or else... Or else I won't ever babysit Manon for you again! And I'll make sure my parents don't let you into the bakery– got it?"
"Marinette–!"
"Come on, Ivan," Marinette growled, looping her arm around his, dragging him towards the school– or at least she attempted to, Ivan slowly following after her, throwing a hesitant glance back at Nadja and the news crew, before slipping into the school. Adrien could only stare at the doors for a moment, eyes wide with startled awe as she stormed off.
"Woah," he whispered, and he couldn't help himself. His entire life was either avoiding the media or making sure he was presenting himself perfectly in front of them, because say one wrong thing and they would eat you alive– but Marinette had just shut down the Nadja Chamack without hesitation.
"That girl is amazing," he breathed, and he heard a small giggle coming from his school bag.
"Yeah dude," a voice said from behind him. "Don't let the clumsiness fool ya– you don't mess with Dupain-Cheng when she means business."
Adrien jumped slightly, but a smile was tugging on his face. "Oh, hey Nino, what's up?"
"Just watching the show," Nino said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, where the news crew was heading back to their van. "Still surprised that Mari went up to Ivan like that though."
He blinked. "Why?"
Nino gave him a strange look. "He was the first to be akumatized, dude. Who knows what he's like after that magic," he glanced away. "Marinette did the right thing though, can't believe the news thinks harassing him was a good idea. What if he got akumatized again?"
"...That wouldn't be good," Adrien finally said, glancing at the doors once more. The way Nino spoke made it sound like people were avoiding Ivan, but surely that wasn't the case, right? He tried to rack his mind, but he wasn't sure. He had mostly been hanging out with Nino, Alya, and Marinette when he could. Chloe as well, and Alix and Kim in gym class. The rest of the class was nice, but he didn't truly know them as well as he wanted to.
Nino laughed as he saw him looking at the door. "Looks like you're joining the club too, huh?"
"Club?" Adrien asked, blinking. "I don't have time for a club, besides, I'm already on the fencing team–"
"No dude, I mean the 'having a crush on Mari' club. Everyone who likes girls has had one on her at some point, it's like an unwritten rule." He grinned slightly. "I would be lying if I said I didn't think she was cute too."
"Marinette has her own club?" He said, and he felt his gut twisting. "They don't bother her, do they? I have one, and fanclubs are nice and all but a lot of members can not know the meaning of personal space and it can be frustrating–"
Nino looked slightly startled. "Adrien, man, chill- I wasn't being literal! There's no actual club for Mari, I just mean it isn't uncommon to catch feelings for her. Can't believe you actually have a fanclub though... You like Marinette though, don't you?"
Adrien's cheeks were tinged pink. "I... I don't know? 'Like' as in crush?" He had seen those play out in shows he had watched, and he had watched various models get together and fall apart, oftentimes with messy breakups. "She is cute?"
She was awesome. And brave. And amazing.
Nino laughed. "Someone's got it bad. Have to admit though, there are some pretty girls in the class. Marinette, Alya, Alix." He gave him a playful nudge. "Well, better step it up if you want to ask her out. I'm sure M. Supermodel has the best chance of all us, right?"
"What?"
He just laughed again, the two of them making their way into school.
"Out of line?" Marinette snarled. "She was the one out of line!"
"That still doesn't mean what you did was appropriate," Sabine said, arms crossed. "Saying you won't babysit? That we won't let her into the bakery? Nadja is my friend, Marinette."
"I'll babysit for whoever I want," Marinette growled. "And if she releases that footage I won't be helping her out again. Ivan already has it bad enough at school because of the video Alya took– but if a clear picture of his face and name and school get out there– that would be horrible! He didn't do anything!"
Sabine and Tom glanced at each other. He sighed, while Sabine looked away. Tom stepped closer to Marinette, hands held out calmingly. "There's nothing wrong with standing up for your... classmate, but the attitude you had while doing so wasn't appropriate."
"Nadja already said the news station won't broadcast the video either, it wasn't quite what they wanted," Sabine added, making Marinette relax in the slightest. "However I want you to apologize to Nadja for how you treated her, alright? You have her number so just give her a call."
Marinette scowled. "No problem– right after she apologizes to Ivan for jumping him like that."
"Marinette–"
"Marinette," Tom interjected, cutting off his wife. "You're upset, and we understand that, so just give yourself a chance to cool down, okay?" Her father shifted, giving her a small smile. "Now, while we're talking about school we were wondering– how would you feel about switching classes?"
This question momentarily jerked her out of her anger. "I already told you my class is just fine. Chloe hasn't been that bad this year, I promise."
"Yes yes, you said that," Tom said, nodding a bit too swiftly. "But that's not the only reason we think you should move. I mean, we just don't feel that comfortable with the fact that one of the akumatized people is... is that close to you. I mean moving schools would be a bit hasty, so transferring you to another class is what me and your mother agreed might be best."
She stared at them. "...What?"
"We want to keep you safe," Sabine said, voice softer than before. "We wanted to talk with you first though, see if there are any teachers you'd like for your new homeroom? The school has always been easy to work with so–"
"I don't want a new class," Marinette snapped. "I'm happy with Miss Bustier– I'm happy with my classmates."
"But if another akumatization was to happen–"
"Then it would happen!" She growled. "Newsflash– there's a super villain in town and it looks like she's not going anywhere. I'm not switching classes just because Ivan's in it, he didn't do anything! He was mind controlled, he doesn't remember anything! I've made some good friends this year– Alya and Adrien, me and Nino are getting to know each other better, Rose is sweet, and Juleka has just started to open up at lunch and–" She paused, trying to catch her breath, and she felt a pulse of frustration run through her. "I'll be in my room."
Without another word she turned, storming up the stairs. The frustration she had felt this morning had returned tenfold at her parents' words, and she had to keep reminding herself that people didn't understand what was happening as much as she did– they didn't have a little glutton cat in their purse to explain how this magic worked.
She slammed her trapdoor harder than necessary as she reached her room, stomping over towards her desk. She let out a cry of frustration as she sank down in her chair, not knowing what else she could do. She buried her hands in her hair, taking in a sharp breath.
"You said you were going to get me more cheese when we got back here."
She whipped her head up and found Plagg hovering in front of her, green eyes boring into hers.
"Really?" She snapped. "That's the first thing you think of? Not everything that's happening?"
The kwami shrugged. "Not my problem. So... where's my cheese?"
"Well you're going to have to wait," Marinette growled, pushing herself to her feet and climbing up into the loft.
She flopped down onto her bed, and moments later she found Plagg phasing through the mattress, staring down at her. She turned over, and she could imagine him rolling his eyes. She didn't understand how a creature with such abilities would only care about what cheese was put into his stomach. Surely he had some sort of insight beyond all that?
"Why are they blaming the victim?" Marinette asked softly– and she heard a snort of laughter from behind her. She rolled back over and found Plagg drifting over to the sunny patch on her blanket shining down from her skylight, setting down as she glared at him.
"You're funny, kid," he said. "Funny, but naive. Let me give you a clue: that's just how life is."
"Really?" She growled. "That's all you have to say? People are being harassed and blamed for something they didn't do– by someone we're supposed to stop– and you just act like it's nothing?"
Plagg eyed her. "Look, if humans decide they don't like something, then they won't. I've watched your kind for generations, and it's the exact same story each time. You'll see for yourself, just give it some time, it's the same-old."
With that he closed both eyes, curling up.
"Some help you are," she muttered.
"I am more helpful when cheese is offered," Plagg said, eyes still shut. "Or so I am told. Can't change what humanity does, I ain't no miracle worker. Your kind is selfish and fearful– so get used to it."
Marinette said nothing, just turning her back on him again. She pulled out her phone, going to Alya's blog in hopes of finding something more cheerful to get her mind off of things. There were mostly pictures of her and Crimson Beetle, most of them from the last fight against the mime guy, along with a handful of posts Alya had written. The most recent one was a continuation of her alien theory, which she clicked on in hopes of humoring herself.
"...What are you exactly, Plagg?" She finally asked after several minutes of silence.
"Kwami. Destruction," he replied.
"I mean... What is a kwami? Are you fairies or something? Spirits? ...Aliens?"
"You're reading that kid's blog-whatever-thing," he grumbled. "Whatever, does it really matter?"
She crinkled her nose, thinking. She was already planning on buying some camembert for the kwami, but if she could use it to give her some answers... "Would you tell me if I went and bought some of that cheese you're always asking for?"
She jumped as a black blur zipped in front of her. "Camembert?" He cried, eyes wide, green eyes gleaming. "Yes– whadda want to know?"
For the little grump he was, he was pretty adorable, and she had to hold back a chuckle– which he scowled at. "Well, are you an alien or not?"
Plagg shrugged. "I mean, I guess technically– we're not from this world. But it's not like we live on another planet or something. We kwami... we're avatars of the forces of this universe, the very concept of them incarnate. I suppose I am what you humans like to call deity, though not as omnipotent as you all like to think."
She honestly wasn't sure how to take this. She wasn't surprised at Plagg calling himself a god, but if he actually was one... she didn't know what to do with that information, so she swiftly asked another question on her mind instead. "How many kwamis are there?"
"Dunno. A lot. Couple hundred? More? Who knows at this point. Basically every time a new concept comes into existence a kwami does too– though without a Miraculous we do not have a physical form. Before them we'd just roam the universe and stuff. Nothing too exciting."
She just stared at him. "Nothing exciting? You're kidding me, right? How old are you even?"
"Depends on the kwami," Plagg said. "And if you're talking about cycles or your weird human years. Ecco is only a couple hundred thousand of human years, while some of us are a couple million, but a good handful of us have been around for billions." He put a paw on his chest. "As for me, kid– I've been around since the very start of the universe."
"...Uh-uh," she said, not sure whether to believe him or not– because despite everything she had seen this seemed impossible.
"I'm not joking kid," Plagg said, zipping in close so he was only inches from her face. "You know that 'big bang' you humans like so much? The beginning of existence? That was me and the other seven Alpha kwamis– we were the first things to ever exist. We helped craft this universe you call home, we watched it from its first moments, and we'll be here to its dying breath!"
Marinette stared with wide eyes, not sure how to reply to this. A magical being, yes, she was aware of that. But to realize Plagg was that old, was truly some sort of god or something... What did it mean for him to live hidden in her pockets? For her to wield his power? Where did she fit in all of this?
"So," Plagg said simply, sinking back down onto the blanket. "You got your questions answered– now go get me my camembert like you promised."
