Updates seem to be showing up normally once more. Chapter twelve (second part of Speedstar/Timebreaker) was being glitch-y, and so if you haven't read it yet make sure you read it before this chapter. :)
Chapter fourteen will be out this Saturday like usual.
Chapter Thirteen
Alix skated past Nathaniel as he sat in one of the wings of the museum, sketching away on his sketchbook. Even with her dad as a historian he didn't know how she got away with that; none of the security blinked an eye at her as she rolled about the room full of some of the most valuable paintings in the world.
"What do you think?" He asked, holding up the sketch he had done. "I'm still struggling with backgrounds, so I know it's not perfect–"
Alix cut him off by blowing a bubble with her gum. "You are way overthinking this. Your art is great– I say just dive right into your comic."
He smiled, before returning to his sketch, knowing that the perspective of the buildings just didn't look right from this angle– but it wasn't like he was regularly flying across cities to know what that would look like. He also hated drawing the blockly shapes of them, vague and all merging together– he much preferred the complexity that came with faces and characters and basically drawing anything organic.
Some might find it weird him asking Alix for feedback, as she had never pegged herself an artist, but Nathaniel was well aware she had an eye for it. She had grown up surrounded by the best, and he had eventually managed to drag her into the art club at school– where she had taken up spray painting murals, and while her pieces tended to be much more abstract, she was good at it.
"I can't throw something together when I can't even make a city block look right," Nathaniel said, flipping over to another page. "Besides, my story is lacking."
"Well your characters aren't," she said, plopping in the seat next to him, watching as he began to sketch away his main character, le Dessinateur. "Pretty cool powers too– I dunno what powers I'd want if I were a hero though."
"Well if you think of something, I could add someone based off of you," Nathaniel offered.
Alix smirked. "As long as you make me look awesome."
He and Alix had been friends for years, and had remained close throughout all of them. He was glad that she was in his class once more, because the idea of being in one with Chloe without her sounded just like a nightmare. He didn't know how she had put up with it last year, though he was sure having muscular Kim by her side had helped.
Kim had called him and Alix 'unlikely friends', though Nathaniel didn't see it. He and Alix had always had different interests for the most part, even when they had first met. His mother had decided he was too shy when starting school, and had set off to help him find a friend to bring him out of his shell. So a playdate had been scheduled with the loudest girl in the class, and it had worked well. Alix liked to talk, and he was happy to listen. She wanted to go to the park together, but was content if he just sat in the shade with his magnetic drawing board while she raced about. She chased off anyone that said anything slightly negative to him, and stood by his side during his transition when other friends hadn't, and honestly he felt he could trust her with anything.
"Um, hey, Alix?" He asked uncertainly as she pushed herself to take off skating one more time.
"Yeah?"
"...What's the best way to ask out a girl?"
Alix stared at him for a few seconds, and he shifted.
"I just dunno how to approach her and I don't even know if she would be interested, so I don't want to say anything if it will just make her uncomfortable and–"
She sat back down next to him, cutting him off with a wave. "You're starting to sound like Mari when you ramble like that." Nathaniel's cheeks flushed at the mention of her name, and Alix let out a sigh. "...You have a crush on Mari, don't you?"
"Yeah," he said in a small voice.
Alix grinned. "Your face matches your hair."
"Alix!"
She laughed. "A date... I dunno," she crinkled her nose. "Honestly it sounds boring to me, especially if you're thinking like a sunset dinner or something."
Her eyes drifted to the sketch he was currently working on, and he hastily flipped to another page that didn't feature the scene she was describing. His mind was racing– was that idea really a boring one? A cliche from movies that the media had led them to believe was romantic? Or was 'romantic' even the right atmosphere for a first date– shouldn't those be getting to know the other person? Was he doing this all wrong? Should he–?
"But I don't think I'm the best person to ask about this, dates like that always seemed too mushy me," she grinned. "But I think Marinette wouldn't mind 'mushy'."
"But I don't know how I would even ask her, I dunno if I even can–"
"Nath, knock it off," Alix said, rolling her eyes. "Look, if you feel like words will be a struggle then make her something to ask her– you're good at that. Plus, Mari makes gifts all the time, it's like her thing." She snapped her fingers. "Yeah, love languages– ask her out that way and you might not have to say a word."
He had no idea how that would work. He would need to be able to actually talk if he was going to actually go on a date with someone, but Alix's idea did hold promise. He quickly turned to another page, already drawing away the idea forming in his mind before it could slip away. There were many ways he could do this, and while words weren't always his strong point he could make something out of this.
"...And I don't think you're listening anymore," Alix trailed off, barely registering the words. "But I know the drill, you're in 'the zone'."
He wasn't feeling confident per se, but his hopes were higher than before that this might just work.
Nathaniel wanted to melt into his seat the next day.
"No backing out now!" Alix hissed. "It's now or never."
"There won't be enough time before class," Nathaniel blurted out. "Marinette might be late, and I don't want to hold up Miss Bustier. I'll do it at... at lunch, yeah. Lunch."
"Wuss," Kim whispered from his desk, and Nathaniel sank deeper into his seat. Alix whacked Kim on the back of the head as she went back to her seat, leaving Nathaniel alone in his desk. He looked down at the paper in front of him– words blurring and the bright colors not matching the dread in his heart.
Why was this so hard? He just had to give it to her and it would be done– she would say 'yes' or 'no' and he would have his answer. Sure, the possibility of her saying 'no' was always there, and while the thought made his stomach churn, he knew it would be something he would accept. And if she said yes...
He felt his cheeks heating up, reminding him that while he was afraid of actually asking, it was something he wanted to do. Marinette was amazing– kind, caring, sweet– and if there was any chance that she might be interested as well he was going to take it. Nathaniel closed his eyes as Miss Bustier called for the class' attention, taking in a deep breath, before sitting up. He could do this, he would be just fine.
All doubt came crashing back as he watched Marinette burst into the classroom as their teacher took roll– shouting "Here!" as she bolted into the classroom, stumbling and tripping into the teacher's desk, using it to keep herself from falling to the floor. Miss Bustier raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything about marking her late as she stumbled to her seat.
She was so cute. How was he going to manage this?
Class moved much too quickly for his liking, and before he knew what was happening, the bell was ringing and they were packing up– onto their next class and one step closer to lunch. Nathaniel packed up as quickly as he could, grabbing his paper for Marinette and hurrying towards the door before anyone else stood up. He clutched the page to his chest, his panic surging again as he moved past Marinette's desk. She smiled at him happily as he passed, and he gave an uncertain wave as well– before tripping over Adrien's bag which stood in the aisle.
He let out a yelp as he fell, wincing as he crashed into the ground. He heard calls of concern, Adrien immediately at his side, apologizing profusely as he helped him up. Nathaniel muttered something in reply, but his eyes widened as he realized that he no longer had his paper. He looked about, fearing that he had crushed it in his fall, turning about–
Only to find that it had landed at the feet of Chloe, who picked it up with her long nails, crinkling her nose. She looked down at it, raising an eyebrow, and the whole world seemed to freeze as she let out a laugh.
"You want to ask Dupain-Cheng out on a date?" Chloe blurted out, and Nathaniel felt his blood turning cold, eyes shifting towards him. He didn't want to look at anyone, but still his eyes shifted about, feeling cornered by the gazes that were on him. "How ridiculous– utterly ridiculous– who would want to go out with her?" She snorted. "Or maybe it's a match made in heaven, because who would want to go out with you?"
"Chloe!" Alix snarled, rising to her feet. "How dare you–!"
"If you want to see someone who no one wants to go out with, why don't you look in a mirror, Chloe," someone else said, the voices starting to blur together in Nathaniel's head.
"There was no reason for you to read that," Adrien said, snatching the paper from Chloe's hands. He turned, handing it back to Nathaniel, who was standing as still as a statue. "Here you go."
He was aware that his classmates were defending him, but still he felt nothing but horror. How was he supposed to even attempt to ask Marinette out like this? He shakily took the paper back, and as he saw people turning towards him his panic surged once more. He didn't want to be the center of attention– and he most certainly didn't want any pity. Holding the page tightly he bolted, racing out of the classroom despite them calling out for him.
He fled to the art room, which had always been a sanctuary for him. He looked down at the page once more, which he had carefully decorated, even the words dancing across the paper. It was wrinkled slightly from the fall, and there was a small rip from where Chloe's nails had been, puncturing the page. His own hands tightened on the paper, a surge of frustration rushing through him.
It was the same as two years ago, when Chloe had last been in his class. She was horrible to nearly everyone, but she had her favorite targets, and the thought of him becoming one again... it only made his anger grow, and not the withering fear he expected.
A flicker of movement caught his attention– but he could muster no more than a gasp as the butterfly landed on the page, rippling with dark energy. All at once his focus was turned away from the panic the akuma brought, instead sharpening the anger he had been feeling moments before. Chloe once again rose in his mind as a mask flickered in front of his face, a fierce hatred boiling through him.
"You've been carrying this frustration for many years," a soft voice told him. "Chloe has wronged both you and the girl you love, but you felt you've never been able to do a thing about it."
"How can I?" He spat bitterly, in a tone he had never quite used before.
"You express yourself through art, but you feel that means cannot help you now. But I am Monarch, and with my powers I can grant you the ability to be able to use your skills to get your revenge. Perhaps even impress the girl you care so deeply for."
"You can?" He said, clutching the paper tighter. "How?"
"I believe you already know how, dear Evillustrator," Monarch said. "The very same way your own character can. From now on your art is just not limited to your sketchbook– anything you imagine you can now create for yourself. All I ask for in return is the Miraculous of Crimson Beetle and Lady Noire."
He would have the powers of le Dessinateur? Not only was that amazing, but the task Monarch gave him would be simple. He nodded, and he felt Monarch's satisfaction as a wave of energy washed over him.
"Chloe, wait up," Adrien said, hurrying after his friend as she sauntered her way through the halls. She paused, turning to look back at him, Sabrina at her side as she always was.
"Yes, Adrikins?" She asked, looking at him without concern– or regret.
He didn't know what to say as he approached her, heart feeling heavy. Her face turned to worry as she saw his expression– which only made this all worse. There was so much he wanted to say, but could only manage: "Why?"
"Why what?" She asked, blinking.
"Why did you do that to Nathaniel?" He asked. "And– and Marinette! That... it was... there was no reason for you to do that!"
She rolled her eyes. "Adrien, unlike you, I'm not friends with those pests. The simple reason is that I don't like them– don't make it complicated."
"That doesn't mean you have to harass them!" Adrien cried, a bit louder than he intended, though Chloe didn't seem fazed by the heads turning their way. He lowered his voice. "You can leave them alone, is that really too hard?"
"It's not like I was lying or anything," Chloe said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, who would really want to go out with Dupain-Cheng?"
"I would," Adrien snapped, not even aware of what he was saying until Chloe stared at him. His eyes widened slightly, and while his mind tried to backpedal, there was nowhere to go– because that was the truth. "And those are my friends Chloe, and it hurts to hear you talking about them like that." His voice fell again. "And it hurts to hear the way they talk about you."
Chloe closed her eyes. "Ugh, of course you'd fall for Dupain-Cheng's stupid charms too. Well if that's true then you should be thanking me, would you really want Nathaniel in your way?"
"I–"
"Don't try to make up an excuse, you know I'm right," Chloe said, hand on her hip. "Now, are we just going to stand around in these filthy halls all day?"
"Chloe–" Adrien began, but before he could finish a much louder voice echoed the same thing.
"Chloe!" The voice shouted, causing the hallways to fall silent. Adrien felt himself paling slightly as he turned. If the mask and the vibrant hair on the figure didn't give him away as an akuma, then the fact that he was gliding effortlessly through the air did. He was riding on a sleek board, which didn't even make a sound as it swept towards them– Chloe letting out a scream.
Adrien felt bad for leaving his friend to the akuma as he turned and ran– but he would be of much more help after he transformed. His first instinct was to go to the bathroom, but after seeing several other people scramble into them to hide he instead opted for running up the stairs, hoping that there would be an empty classroom for him. If not he was sure there was a closet at the end of the hall– hopefully it wasn't locked.
"Tikki, spots on," Adrien whispered as he slipped into the closet, and with a flare of pink light he transformed into Crimson Beetle. He drew his yoyo right away as he charged out the door, where the cries of panic had grown louder.
Chloe had taken shelter in the library, but it wasn't enough to outrun the akuma. A giant hair dryer was currently chasing down his oldest friend, the akuma watching her flee from her hoverboard up above, a slight smirk on his face.
Crimson lashed out with his yoyo, it became entangled around the base of the hairdryer, and with a grunt he yanked it away from Chloe, letting it crash into the wall behind him, where it cracked and whirled to a stop. The hero panted slightly, before looking up at the akuma, who narrowed his eyes. The akuma then swiftly began drawing on what appeared to be a tablet strapped to his arm, and Crimson's eyes widened as he watched a giant bowling ball appear right in front of him, the same one as his first Lucky Charm. Crimson had no chance to admire it though, needing to leap out of the way as it came flying at him.
The akuma, who he was ninety-nine percent sure was Nathaniel, let out a growl as he jumped on top of some bookshelves to get closer to his height. "Why are you here?" He snarled at him. "She said I didn't have to fight you until later!"
"You'd be surprised how quickly people post about akumas online," he said with a smile. "And it's my job to always be alert– so why don't you hand over your akumatized object if you don't want to fight?"
"I don't want to fight you or the stupid cat," he growled. "I want to fight her."
"Moi?" Chloe cried as the akuma pointed his drawing pen right at her, and Crimson's eyes narrowed in on it. "Haven't you already done enough, you horrid monster!"
"The name is Evillustrator," he snarled. "And while you may have been able to mock and push Nathaniel around, it isn't the same for me."
"Come on now," Crimson Beetle said, looking between the two of them. "Perhaps we can talk this out."
"Have you seen what his hairdryer did to my hair?!"
Evillustrator gritted his jaw. "...You don't even feel regret, do you? You know, I always thought that maybe you were just misunderstood or something, but no, you're just as cruel and selfish on the inside as out. If all you care about is wealth and riches– then have it!"
He furiously began scribbling on his tablet once more, a cascade of coins and makeup crashing down onto Chloe. Crimson Beetle hesitated for a split moment– the akuma's focus was on his tablet, and he was so close– but his mind was drawn to the sound of Chloe's cries. He leapt down towards her– wincing as metal crashed down onto him, grabbing his friend bridal style as he leapt up and out of the wave of money, knowing that they'd have some nasty bruises until he could cast his cure.
"You call yourself a hero?" Evillustrator snarled. "Yet you're protecting the one that doesn't hesitate to hurt others."
"Right now you're the one hurting her," Crimson said, holding Chloe close. She was shaking, tears welling up in her eyes, and seeing how hard the coins had hurt him with his magical suit he knew they weren't crocodile tears. "Revenge doesn't make things even– it pulls you down to another's level."
Evillustrator sneered at him. "Say whatever you want. If you want to protect that vile thing, then fine– I have other plans to make."
Crimson watched as he drew out a baseball, chucking it at one of the windows, shattering it instantly. Again he hesitated as he watched the akuma fly off, knowing that he should pursue him... but he looked down at Chloe who was now silently crying in his arms. He let out a small sigh, holding her a bit tighter as he took her out from the library– where there were already several people looking their way.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he set her down, having made his way to a classroom, and Chloe swiftly wiped away her tears.
"I'm fine," she spat, a waver in her voice that he knew all too well as she tried to force her confidence to the surface. "Aren't you going to go stop that thing? I'd like your healing magic chip-chop– this... this hurts."
"He's targeting you," he replied. "I wouldn't be surprised if him leaving was just a means to get me to leave you alone so he could come back– he clearly wasn't looking for an even fight right now."
Chloe shuddered.
"Is that why you let the akuma go?" A voice asked, and Crimson looked over his shoulder to see Lady Noire at the window.
"You saw that?" He said, eyes narrowing.
"...You left the library right as I arrived," she said, her tail lashing as she approached him and Chloe. Despite the pitiful state Chloe was in, Lady Noire's eyes were cold, and Crimson had no idea what to make of his partner's gaze. "So, what did you do to get an akuma to come after you?"
"I didn't do anything!" Chloe snapped, before shrinking back at Lady Noire flashed a glare at her. "A-aren't you going to go stop him before he comes back?"
"Perhaps it would be better to hang around you for when he does," Lady said coolly. "I'm sure it won't take him too long."
"Lady," Crimson said as he watched Chloe shiver slightly. "Could you not... word it so bluntly?"
"Why not? Chloe's words seem to be pretty blunt."
"Y-you stay away from me," Chloe growled. "I... I don't– if you're not going to protect me I don't need you and your crazy powers near me!"
Crimson winced slightly, knowing that was a sore spot for Lady– yet she didn't go quiet or just turn away as she often did when people seemed wary of her. Instead she turned right on a heel, coming right up to Choe, flashing her ringed hand in front of her face. The girl let out a yelp, shrinking back into Crimson's arms, while Lady looked... satisfied?
"Enough," he said, not even sure where to begin with what just happened, and he scooped up Chloe once more, and she didn't protest. "Let's take Chloe to her home, and we can figure out what to do from there."
"What if he comes to my house?" Chloe shrieked.
He smiled down at her. "Don't worry, we'll stay right with you– we'll get the akuma before he can even come near you."
He was glad to see Chloe relax slightly in his arms, no matter how subtle.
Why did everyone coddle Chloe?
It wasn't like she tried to pull a nice act, even those that didn't know her personally tended to quickly see that she was nothing but a ball of bitterness and harshness, but Crimson had been nothing but gentle with her.
They were currently in Chloe's room on one of the upper levels of the hotel, which was just as nice as she had always claimed it to be. Crimson, her father, and two security guards were inside, while Chloe sat on her bed, and Lady waited out on the balcony, staring out at Paris for any sign of Evillustrator.
She had excused herself to keep watch when she had seen the hesitation on the men's faces as she and Crimson had brought Chloe here, and though they were speaking in hushed tones she could still hear every single word with her enhanced hearing.
"Well, we need to figure out the identity of this akuma right away–"
"I fail to see how that is necessary, Mayor," Crimson said evenly. "It won't help us find the akuma, and once we cleanse the butterfly, it won't matter."
"But he is targeting my daughter–"
"Monarch is," Crimson said fimly.
"But my baby girl–" Andre tried again.
"I don't care about who's under the butterfly puppet," Chloe snapped. "I just want them away from me!"
"Our focus needs to be on protecting Chloe, and defeating the akuma," Crimson Beetle agreed. "We are dealing with two victims here– your daughter who's being targeted, and... whoever is being controlled. I am asking for your permission to stay with Chloe so we can protect her– is that acceptable?"
A smirk played on Lady Noire's face; how quickly her partner just shut the mayor down without even blinking.
"It better be acceptable, Daddy," Chloe said, crossing her arms, before glaring at the security guards behind him. "Crimson Beetle is the only one who actually bothered to do anything when I was attacked at school!"
"Of course he can stay, my dear," Andre said softly. "You are always welcomed here, M. Beetle. You have been doing this city a great service– consider these two security guards at your service when it comes to protecting my sweet little girl."
Lady Noire briefly glanced over her shoulder– the guards didn't look so sure about facing the akuma.
"If they could stand outside the doors and alert us if the akuma comes, that will be enough," Crimson said. "Too many people will just create more obstacles– it will just be best for me and Lady to be the only ones facing the akumas."
Andre shifted. "Well... perhaps our security will be of more help than your, er, sidekick. They are trained for situations just like this and know Chloe very well–"
"Lady Noire is my partner," Crimson Beetle said coolly. "We work together, not alone."
"Well, like you said, too many people may be an issue–"
"Is there a problem with us being here to protect your daughter?" Crimson asked, sitting up a bit straighter. "If so we will gladly leave the building and seek the akuma so as to not cause any trouble."
"No!" Chloe cried, and as eyes drifted towards her she changed her frightful gaze to a scowl. "Y-you better not make him leave, Daddy! Kicking out a hero– that's ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"
"M. Beetle," Andre said, voice sounding strained. "Seeing as this is an operation to, well, protect my daughter, doesn't it not make sense to not have a thing so... destructive in here?"
Lady Noire pushed herself off the railing, wheeling around and walking back into the room. Chloe let out a yelp, and Andre staggered back as she stalked into the room, her braid lashing behind her. The security guards flinched, but held firm, while Crimson looked at her with the most sorrowful expression she had seen on him.
She pretended that she hadn't heard a word of the conversation, voice hollow. "Seeing as we do not know the current location of the akuma, Crimson, only that he might possibly come after Chloe I believe it will be more effective for us to split up."
"Lady–"
"You should remain here with the mayor's daughter, I will search the city for Evillustrator. If you see any sign of him, call me and I will come right away."
Crimson stepped towards her. "Lady–!"
She didn't let him finish, turning on her heel as she hurried back towards the balcony. She drew her baton, leaping away before her partner could reach her. The wind blew at her face, whisking away the tears that stung her eyes, and she let out a grunt as she landed on a lower roof.
Lady Noire could feel Plagg's presence in her mind, much stronger than what she normally felt from him. She wasn't quite sure what she was feeling from him– because it wasn't pity. Rather... a strange sense of understanding.
She knew that she should be looking for Evillustrator. That she should be freeing Nathaniel from the akuma– she had lingered long enough as it was. She did feel slightly bad about not transforming right away... but a part of her had felt that perhaps Chloe deserved some retribution for her actions. Perhaps a mind controlled super villain was a bit much, though.
Still, she didn't go looking for him, instead making the familiar trek across the roofs to her home.
As she landed on her balcony she muttered the detransformation phrase, her suit vanishing from around her in a flash of green light. She sank down onto her bed as Plagg came out of her ring, drawing her knees up without a word, vision blurry as she stared out at nothing. People being afraid of her powers... she could live with that. Even she was still hesitant of the ability she wielded.
Being called a thing was something she couldn't even describe.
Her stomach churned, a heavy, sticky feeling clinging to her heart. She felt sick, but she did no more than sway as mindless tears fell down her face. She didn't hear Plagg, who was hovering right in front of her, calling out, nor feel her phone vibrating in her pocket, just staring straight ahead.
"Kid..." Plagg's quiet voice came, she heard the words, but did not register them. "Come on, kid, the words of some old dude don't matter... trust me, I know, I know how this is... You just can't listen to them..."
She blinked, eyes stinging despite the tears. "...Huh...?"
Plagg's tail twitched. "Old dudes. I know how it is when they think they're all that. Like 'oh I lived a lifetime I'm so smart'– and I'm just like 'pal, I've lived like ten gazillion of your little lifetimes but I've had yet to figure out why not everyone can enjoy the beauty of cheese'."
Marinette let out a snort– not a single part of it a laugh– but the force of air made Plagg relax somewhat. His ears flicked towards her, tail swaying slightly, and she moved to wipe away her tears. The kwami let out a small sigh, opening his mouth to say something else– before suddenly diving to hide under her blankets.
The reason was quite obvious as her wall suddenly vanished.
She stared down from her loft, watching as the Evillustrator stepped through the hole that was now in her wall, looking about her room. Her heart thumped nervously, because she was used to having a super suit on when it came to facing a super villain.
"Hello?" She called, trying to put herself in the mindset of a civilian.
"Marinette!" Evillustrator beamed as soon as he saw her– and he sounded just like the Nathaniel she knew so well. "I'm so glad I found you, I looked all over the school but I couldn't see you!"
"Um, yeah," she said, making her way down the steps to her loft as he came closer, not wanting to find herself cornered in her own room, because as sweet as that smile on his face was. she knew that akumas were unpredictable. "You know how it is with akuma attacks, usually we all head home to safety..."
His gaze fell slightly. "I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry." He held out his hand to her as she reached the last step, and she allowed him to help her down. "The only person I planned on attacking was Chloe, after what she did."
His gaze darkened, and she swallowed. "Um... what about the heroes?"
"They're not as heroic as they say," he huffed. "Crimson was defending Chloe despite everything she did– how could you call him a hero after that?"
Her thoughts turned towards Crimson and Chloe, and she couldn't help but feel a bit bitter– but that was pushed from her mind just as quickly. They were heroes, and they needed to protect everyone from akumas– no matter who they were or what they had done. Besides, Crimson had leapt to her defense so quickly when the mayor had spoken of her...
"Marinette, are you okay?" Evillustrator was suddenly right in front of her, his hands clasping hers. He looked so worried and concerned– yet the way he had encroached into her space was in a way that the Nathaniel she knew never would.
"Y-yeah," she whispered, and it was only then she realized that there were tears forming in her eyes again. She swiftly wiped them away. "I– I just need some space–"
Much to her relief he took a step back, letting go of her hand. "What's wrong?" He asked. "Did someone hurt you? Because if so I can avenge you. I'm no longer a cowardly Nathaniel– I can protect myself now."
She swallowed. "I'm just... thinking about Chloe, that's all. She's... she's said some hurtful things to me before, and yeah..."
A scowl appeared on his masked face. "Don't worry, Marinette," he said in a low voice. "Monarch wants me to take care of the heroes anyways– and they've been guarding her. I will both take care of Chloe for us and help Monarch."
Why had she said that, why had she said that–?
"No!" Marinette cried, and he looked at her with narrowed eyes. "I... I cannot stand violence!" She cried, dramatically putting her arms over her heart. "Please, Nathaniel, don't hurt Chloe, I couldn't bear it. She... she doesn't deserve your time anyways."
"Very true," he mused, before stepping forward again. "But my name is not Nathaniel anymore– it is Evillustrator. And the only one that deserves my time is you, Marinette."
He carefully pulled a pen out from his tablet, before swiftly drawing on it. Marinette couldn't help but watch in fascination as a paper appeared right in her hands, the very thing he was drawing coming to life. Yes, he was an akuma... but she couldn't deny that this power was awesome.
"This is what I wanted to give you at school," Nathaniel said, laying a hand on his tablet. "Until Chloe read it and ruined it... but now I can give you so much more than just a paper. Anything you desire, I can create for you."
Marinette looked at the words on the paper, heart thumping, the realization finally hitting her. Yes, she had heard Chloe's words, but in the moment her focus had been on how harsh she had been to poor Nathaniel, but now as she read his words she felt heat climbing in her cheeks.
"A d-date?" She squeaked, looking up at him, and he smiled.
"Of course," he said. "You're an amazing girl, and I have wanted to ask you this for a long time now." Again he took her hand. "Tonight, on the Seine– just you and me?"
She didn't think saying 'no' was a good idea.
So Marinette swallowed, trying to form a plan in her mind, before putting on a soft smile. "Of course," she said. "As long as you leave Chloe alone, I have no problem with that."
Evillustrator gave her the softest smile. "Anything for you, Marinette." She watched as he began sketching on his tablet once more, a jetpack materializing on his back. "Meet me there at sunset on the east bank, by Notre Dame– and I'll have everything waiting."
His jetpack hummed to life, Evillustrator heading over towards the section of her wall that she had erased. He blasted off into the air, and Marinette ran over to the hole in her wall before he could fly off. "Wait!"
He paused, looking at her fondly. "Yes, Marinette?"
"Um... can you fix my wall?"
He flushed. "Oh yeah, of course." He pulled out his pen, quickly sketching away, and she was forced to back away as her wall once again appeared– but this time with a brand new window that was open, allowing her to look at him again. "How's that?"
"Perfect," she said. "Thank you."
He gave her a salute, before tucking the pen away, flying off into the sky once again.
"Thanking the akuma," a sarcastic voice said from behind her. "Brilliant. And agreeing to a date as well– you know Monarch can see everything he does while akumatized? If you want to ask the redhead out, couldn't you have waited until after you and Crimson crushed him in battle?"
"Because I'm sure he would have reacted so well if I had been rude or refused him," Marinette said, closing her new window. "And I'm not interested in Nathaniel that way. He's nice... but honestly I'm surprised that he actually likes me..."
She flushed slightly– because she most definitely was flattered.
"Well, how are you supposed to fight him if you're supposed to be on a date with him?" Plagg asked. "You can't be Lady Noire and Marinette at the same time!"
"I know," she replied. "But as long as the akuma keeps his promise about staying away from Chloe then this got easier. Besides, I don't think anyone's too keen on seeing Lady Noire, so we can make this work."
Plagg looked at her in worry. "Marinette–"
"Claws out," she said, holding up her ring– and with a flash of green light, she transformed.
Crimson practically sprang for his yoyo as it began vibrating, halting his somewhat awkward conversation with Chloe. Usually it was so easy to talk to her, but with his worry for Lady on his mind, combined with needing to hide his identity, he honestly had no idea what to talk about. He fumbled with his yoyo as he desperately tried to answer the incoming call.
"Lady!" He cried as he answered, walking out towards the balcony. "Thank goodness you called– you didn't have to leave, I could've–"
"We can worry about that later, Crimson Beetle," Lady Noire said, voice that same unnatural evenness it had been when the mayor had been with them. "I found out that our akuma has another target besides Chloe."
He gritted his teeth. "Are you with them?"
"He has no interest in attacking them, don't worry– he wants to take her on a date."
His eyes widened, and at the same moment a photo popped up on screen. Marinette's smiling face was staring up at him, and his heart twisted as he realized how stupid he was for not thinking how the akuma would go near her.
"I need you to protect this girl, her name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Lady Noire said, rattling off the address of the bakery in the same breath. "She agreed to a 'date' with Evillustrator, and he'll be meeting her down by the Seine at sunset– I'll send you the address. Considering that his guard will be lowered this will probably be the best time to claim the akuma."
"I– I agree–" He began, trying to separate his thoughts into coherent words. "But isn't this involving too many civilians? Going to the Seine will leave Chloe unguarded and Marinette right in the line of fire, and I don't like that."
Two of the most important girls in his life were caught up in this akuma– three counting Lady, but it was their job to fight them.
"I will be guarding Chloe," Lady replied. "From a distance, so she feels... 'safe'. She won't even know I'm there. You need to go and face the akuma directly, since you're the only one that can capture the akuma– will you be able to manage without me?"
He closed his eyes. "Yes. If I can catch him off guard then there shouldn't be much of a fight. Will you be okay?"
"I'll stay in the shadows." She replied, and his heart felt heavy.
"Lady–"
"Good luck, Crimson Beetle," Lady Noire said, ending the call before he had the chance to say anything.
Crimson shuddered, hating the formal tone the conversation had been held in. It reminded him too much of times with Father and Nathalie– people he was supposed to be close to, but who only spoke to him in a professional manner.
"So, what was that call about?" Chloe asked, and Crimson sighed, not quite sure how to explain that he was going to have to leave– because saying that Lady Noire would be watching her now wouldn't exactly comfort the blonde.
"I don't know, Adrien," Tikki said from within his pocket as they lurked in an alleyway, not far from Marinette's bakery. "I think you're letting this mission become too personal– you and Lady rarely directly interact with those involved, and now you're personally talking to two of them. People might piece together something about your identity!"
"No one's going to figure out anything, don't worry," Adrien said. "Chloe's the mayor's daughter so I don't think anyone will think twice about me and Lady keeping guard, and it would be wrong not to let Marinette know that there's going to be a hero watching as she goes off with an akuma."
Tikki crossed her paws. "Alright then, but you can't let this happen every time someone you know gets akumatized. You can be there for them as Adrien– but Crimson Beetle sticks to akumas– got it?"
"Of course," Adrien said. "Spots on."
With a flare of pink light he became Crimson Beetle, shooting a quick glance out both sides of the alleyway– but no one had seen him. Satisfied, he leapt up towards the roof, jumping down towards Marinette's front door. It wasn't until he had already knocked that he realized he had no idea what he was going to say– especially if it wasn't Marinette that answered.
'Oh, hello, Mme Cheng, me and my partner decided to use your daughter as bait for the next akuma, can I talk to her?' ...Yeah, that probably wouldn't go over well.
Much to his relief it was Marinette who answered the door, a smile on her face as she started to say a greeting– before she suddenly let out a yelp. The door was then slammed in his face, and he just blinked.
That... could have gone better?
He could have sworn he heart muffled laughing– was Tikki mocking him? That wasn't like her! But then the door opened a crack, Marinette staring up at him in surprise, a pink tinge on her cheeks. He hoped she wasn't embarrassed; it wasn't every day a superhero showed up on your doorstep after all.
"Crimson Beetle?" She said, pulling the door open all the day. "It's nice to see– er, meet you, yeah!"
He smiled. "It's nice to meet you too, mademoiselle. I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"Nope! Nothing at all! Just me here right now, and, er– what brings a superhero to my front door?"
He had to hold back a chuckle, because he had never seen Marinette like this before. She was always so confident around him, and he wanted to leave a good impression on her with his alter ego...
"Let's just say I caught wind that an akuma asked you on a date," he said, before going into a bow. "So I am here to be your fair knight as you embark on this quest. Brave of you to accept such a proposal, I must say."
"W-well who knows what he would have done if I had said no..." Marinette shuddered as he rose. Her eyes remained on his as he stood... Of course she had felt pressured into saying yes, no one wanted to be on the bad side of an akuma.
"Well, you have no reason to worry," he promised, grabbing her hand. "I'm going to be with you the entire time, I'll pounce before the akuma even knows what hit him."
He was split in that moment, because poor Marinette looked so overwhelmed. He didn't know if it was the akuma, or if it was him, though both made sense. He wasn't Adrien right now, he was the masked hero few had been able to talk to, and he could now see why Tikki was worried about him coming here. He let go of her hand, reminding himself that he was a stranger right now– no touching random civilians unless it was to get them away from an attack. His friends outside of the mask were not his friends right now– no matter how much that idea hurt.
And the fact that she looked so adorable with her face flushed pink meant absolutely nothing.
She quickly turned around. "Um... what about Lady Noire? Aren't you two p-partners?"
"My fair Lady is off on a quest of her own," he said dramatically, leaning up against the brickwork. "This will be one I have to face on my own– though perhaps you can lend me a hand, dear princess."
"P-princess?!" Marinette yelped, her voice almost a squeak as she turned to face him once more. Her face was no longer pink– her blush now a deep red, covering most of her face. He felt his own face heating up, because this side of Marinette was both one he had never seen with her, and it was only cementing his affection for her.
"The akuma has a little pen for his tablet," Crimson explained. "I think that's where the akuma butterfly is hiding, if there was a way you could get it away from him, then I could take care of the rest."
"Wait!" Marinette said and he reached for his yoyo, and he paused. "I d-don't akuma his is– I mean–" She closed her eyes. "I don't think the akuma is in his pen!"
"Oh?" He asked, because he thought for sure that's where it would be tucked away, as it seemed to be his main way of attacking. Or at least for creating a way for him to attack.
"I wasn't there when he was akumatized, but I was there to see what made him upset," Marinette said. "It was because Chloe humiliated him when she read something of his– hold on–" She reached for her pocket, pulling out a paper. "He made this for me when it came to a-ask me out, and I think it was the same thing that he had in our classroom– so wouldn't it be the tablet that's the akuma? Because, like the paper it's something you draw on, and he had the paper with him when he ran out of the room–"
"That's a good point," he said– he had been in the room too when it happened, but that thought hadn't even crossed his mind. "It might be harder to get the tablet from him then, as it's strapped to his wrist, so I might have to go for a surprise attack..."
"I'll try to get it from him," she said, sitting up slightly.
"Just don't put yourself in danger," he said. "That's my job."
She crossed her arms. "Call me 'princess' all you want, but that doesn't mean I'm not able to handle myself."
He grinned, this being the Marinette he knew. He leaned in close, grinning slightly. "I never said you couldn't, Princess."
She leaned towards him with no hesitation, a grin on her face and a spark in her eyes. His heart thumped in his chest, and she opened her mouth to retort– when suddenly she became bright red once more. She retreated back towards the door, blurting out something about cookies in the oven and seeing him tonight– before swiftly slamming the door in his face once more.
He wasn't sure if that had gone well or not– but with the fluttering feeling in his stomach decided that this was a good thing.
"Plagg!" Marinette whimpered as she leaned up against the doorway. "What's wrong with me?"
The black cat was cackling as he came zipping out from her coin purse. "That was absolutely hilarious!"
"I dunno how to act around him when I'm not transformed!" She said, hands on her head as she paced the hallway. "I forgot I was Marinette there for a minute and I almost messed and– and– he why was he so... so..."
"Hot?" Plagg supplied, munching on some cheddar that he had probably stolen from the fridge.
"Not helping!"
"Oh come on, I already know you like his pretty face. You wouldn't be the first Kitt... kid of mine to fall for the bug. And sometimes the bug ends up falling for the cat," he grinned. "Can't hide things by being professional around him like when you're transformed, and so your little feelings slip through the cracks."
"I– I don't have feelings! For him!"
"'Why does he have to be so cute?'" Plagg quoted, his voice high pitched in an attempt to mimic her. "Don't forget you agreed with the annoying blog-girl when she said he wasn't 'too bad looking'..."
"Sh-shut up, Plagg!"
He flipped upside down, grinning. "Don't worry, Princess, your knight will be here to protect you soon~"
She chucked her purse at him.
