Disclaimers

All characters appearing in Miraculous are the property of their respective owners. No infringements of these copyrights are intended and are not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters and concepts are the property of Celgress.

A special thanks to SonicPossible00 on Deviant Art for letting me use for my story cover image the excellent pic they commissioned. I wish this site allowed links lol.

Miraculous Divergence – Prologue Part II

By

Celgress

Paris High School, noon

"Girl you're a saint. I don't know how you've stood visiting Chloe after school every day for two weeks. You deserve some sort of award." Alya said.

"Chloe isn't so bad once you get to know her," Marinette said sheepishly while Alya gave her an 'as if' face. "Actually, she's rather pitiful. Did you know her mom forgot her birthday?"

"Her mom's busy," Alya said shrugging.

"Alya, her mom has forgotten her birthday every year since Chloe's been old enough to remember, every single year since she was four," Marinette said.

"Ouch," Alya admitted. "Hi Sabrina, how can we help you?" Alya added noticing the redhead who stood silently by their lunch table.

"Do you want to join us? I know you've been eating lunch alone since Chloe ended up in the hospital." Marinette offered.

"Chloe is mine, um, I mean my friend. She doesn't need you." Sabrina said surprising both girls with her assertiveness. Sabrina was typically very shy. She seldom talked to anyone aside from Chloe her only 'friend'.

"I wouldn't exactly say you and Chloe are friends. You're more like her slave than anything else." Alya said before she caught herself. Her right hand clasped over her mouth a second later, "sorry!"

"Alya!, not cool," Marinette said.

"I, I, I got to go!" Sabrina stammered before she ran off crying.

Marinette was about to go after Sabrina when she spotted Adrien. The blond boy smiled at her causing her heart to skip a beat. She quickly looked away until Adrien took a seat on the other side of the room with Nino.

"Girl, what's up with you? You've been way weirder around Adrien than usual, dish." Alya said.

"If I do will you go and apologize to Sabrina?" Marinette told more than asked.

"It isn't like I lied or anything," Alya said.

"Okay, I won't tell you," Marinette huffed.

"Fine, I'll do it, now dish," Alya said.

Marinette chewed on her lower lip for several long seconds before she spoke in a hushed tone. "I think Adrien likes me, like in a romantic way. But I'm not sure and I'm too afraid to ask him."

"Why do you think he likes you romantically?" Alya asked.

"Chloe told me so," Marinette answered her voice low.

"She could be playing a trick on you." Alya posed.

"No, she's changed," Marinette insisted.

"Alright, go ask him," Alya said.

"What if Chloe's wrong? I'd die of embarrassment." Marinette said.

"You're choice, girl. Either I ask him or you do. I'm tired of you stalking him, sorry but it's true. You need to do something about your feelings or move on." Alya said getting up. "Yo Adrien, Marinette wants to talk with you." Marinette wished she could disappear. She felt every eye in the place on her. "Good luck, I'll go find Sabrina. I'm a girl of my word." Alya winked at her friend.

"You want to talk," Adrien said strolling over to the seated Marinette.

"Um, yeah, ah, can we go someplace more private?" Marinette asked while getting to her feet.

"Sure," Adrien said.

A Hallway, a few minutes later

"Okay, let's talk," Adrien said. Marinette froze she had a deer caught in headlights look on her face. Her mouth opened once then twice but nothing came out. "Are you okay?"

"Yup, yup, yipper, I'm great!" Marinette said in a high-pitched voice.

"I'm glad you're okay," Adrien said he was unsure what else to say. A prolonged award silence fell between the pair. "Well, I should finish my lunch, bye." Adrien was almost to the door when Marinette's voice stopped him.

"W-Wait, I need to know is it t-true!?" Marinette said gathering her courage. 'I'm Lady Bug darn it! I'm brave, aren't I?" I can do this!' Adrien turned around to face her. 'No, I can't!'

"Is what true?" Adrien asked.

"Nothing," Marinette squeaked.

"She wants to know if you like her in a romantic way. Chloe told her that you do." Alya said appearing seemingly from nowhere.

"Alya, how could you!? I thought you were looking for Sabrina?" Marinette babbled. Her breaths came in quick shallow bursts. 'Don't have another panic attack!' She told herself.

"I bought her a candy bar and said I was wrong. She's fine, I think." Alya said.

"I do like you," Adrien said.

"You bought her a candy bar! Alya, she isn't five!" Marinette said. Adrien's confession had not yet registered. "Wait, what did you say Adrien?" Marinette froze her mouth agape.

"I said I do like you in a romantic way. I've wanted to ask you out for a while but I was afraid you'd say no and our friendship would be ruined." Adrien said his eyes downcast. "I don't have many friends, not true friends."

Marinette felt her world spin. She would have passed out if not for Alya grabbing her. "Easy, there, girl," Alya said.

"Am I dreaming?" Marinette asked.

"Not unless we all are." Alya laughed.

"So, ah, where would you like to go, you know, on a date with me?" Adrien said blushing heavily due to embarrassment. As with Marinette, he was not usually open about his feelings. He learned after his mother's untimely passing to guard how he felt because his father seldom seemed to care what he thought.

"Um, anywhere is fine with me," Marinette said. "You can pick."

"How about the new Spider-Man movie No Way Home? I hear it is great." Adrien said. He added with a smile. "I love superhero movies they speak to me, you know."

"Me too," Marinette said her shyness evaporating. "Superheroes rule all."

Agreste Mansion four weeks later, early evening

"This might not be a good idea," Adrien said.

"Nonsense, your dad is an important part of your life. I think you should introduce us. Summer vacation is here we'll be having fun together. I want your dad to know I'm a good responsible girlfriend." Marinette said giving Adrien a quick peck on the cheek. Marinette had let her hair grow long it was mid-back length and held in a French braid. She also had disposed of her shrine to Adrien feeling that keeping it was 'creepy" now they were together. It was time to grow up.

"Ahem," Gabriel Agreste said clearing his throat from the foyer staircase.

"Hi father, we did not see you there," Adrien said nervously.

"Obviously," Gabriel said coldly. "You're the girl I've heard so much about. Marie is it?"

"I'm Marinette, sir, Mr. Agreste." Marinette said trying hard not to feel intimidated.

"Marinette, yes, the barkers' daughter," Gabriel said.

"Yes, sir," Marinette confirmed.

"Do your parents approve of this relationship?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes, they do, sir," Marinette said.

"My son has a very demanding schedule. There will be times he cannot indulge you. I take it you are aware of these demands on his precious time?" Gabriel said.

"I'm aware, sir. I would never think of keeping Adrien from his activities." Marinette said.

"Fine, I suppose I have no objections, at present," Gabriel said.

"Thank you, sir. Please know I care deeply about your son. I would never do anything to hurt him." Marinette said. Gabriel's icy eyes meet her gaze. He seemed to stare into her very soul but she did not flinch or look away.

"I believe you," Gabriel said breaking the tense silence. He then added impressed that the girl met his gaze without looking away and verbally stood her ground. "You remind me of Adrien's mother my dear wife Emilie. You have spirit. My son is lucky to have you in his life."

"Thank you, sir," Marinette said.

"Call me, Gabriel," Gabriel said.

"Yes, s-, Gabriel," Marinette said. "Maybe, if you want, you can accompany us somewhere. We'd love to have you."

"Thank you for the offer, Marinette," Gabriel said thoroughly impressed by this girl. "I just might take you up on your offer. If you'll both excuse me, I have some business to which I must attend." Gabriel was gone in well under a minute.

"I've never seen my father warm so quickly to anyone before. You're amazing Mari." Adrien said putting his arm around Marinette. He felt her body tense. "Is something wrong?"

Marinette frowned, "He feels lonely very lonely."

"He's never been the same since my mother died," Adrien admitted feeling sad at the memory.

"I think we should make it our mission to brighten his mood," Marinette said smiling.

"Mission, you talk as if we're superheroes or something," Adrien said kissing her head. He then smiled.

"Don't be silly, Adrien. We're certainly no Lady Bug or Chat Noir." Marinette joked. 'If you only knew.' She thought unaware her boyfriend was thinking the same.

To Be Continued

Next Up

Shanghai and Season Four begin! Finally, the setup is complete. I apologize for these short chapters and long delays my work life is crazy lol.

Author's Note One -

Hawk Moth has been inactive during the last six weeks because he is fixing the Peacock Miraculous and preparing for his summertime Shanghai business trip (much as he did in canon).

Author's Note Two -

Obviously, Episodes One and Two of Season Four cannot occur as they did in canon because LukaxMarinette and AdriendxKamagi will not happen in this continuity. I feel this is for the best because both Marinette and Adrien conducted themselves less than heroically during these failed short-term relationships (especially Adrien, in my opinion). Don't worry. I have something in mind for the first villain already. And, Luka will still learn the truth about his parentage.

Author's Note Three -

Not to worry Chloe fans. Our girl will play a larger role in the start of the alternate Season Four.