Marin sat at his desk, sending a group email on his computer before joining Tikki on the balcony overlooking the park nearby. that was gathering people for the big event today. Marin sighed as Tikki eyed him curiously.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know, doesn't that whole event seem kind of pointless?" Marin questioned resting his head on his hand, leaning over the railing. "Chat Noir and don't save the city for any kind of recognition. We do it to keep the people safe."
"That's why you both deserve this ceremony. So you know how much the people appreciate the work you do!" Tikki remarked, "Not to mention Alya has been looking forward to this!"
Marin sighed heavily, "At least I won't have to stand up there alone. Tikki, spots on!"
At the Place des Vosges, just as the ceremony was about to begin Ladybug landed gracefully next to the mayor, as the crowd cheered for his arrival. He simply stood up straight, shaking the Mayor's hand as his gaze wandered.
"Our guest of honor!" The mayor introduced to the now excited crowd. But Ladybug's attention drifted, " Is Chat Noir not here yet?" He questioned under his breath.
The Mayor lowered his tone placing his hand on the mic. "No not yet, don't tell me that there's some kind of trouble he's caught up in?"
Ladybug couldn't answer for sure, "Would you mind buying some time Mister Mayor?" Between the two of them, Chat Noir was more open, the hero couldn't imagine his partner missing out on exposure. The mayor nodded, he turned back to the crowd beginning a speech devoted to Paris and the peace of mind that her superheroes spread. Ladybug texted him a few times, but no response. No breaking news reports. Perhaps there was something he was caught up in. After all, he was more than just Chat Noir, he was a completely other person when not in costume.
Just as Practice ended Adrien smiled all the way to his locker, opening it to see Plagg had eaten all the cheese. Seeing that his bag was now smeared with cheese, almost recoiling in disgust. "Plagg, you pig!" But the only response he received was his Kwami snoring inside an empty cheese box.
He sighed, picking his phone"Hm?" He noticed his phone wasn't turning on as he tapped the screen. Then, his stomach sank as he realized that Plagg must hand turned it off by accident. Quickly turning it back on he realized that the ceremony had already started over twenty minutes ago. He had been looking forward to the ceremony all week, spending time with his partner outside of any Akuma attack. Maybe they would've actually gotten to know each other better...as partners, to ensure they could work together better. Nothing beyond that, after all, it wasn't like Ladybug thought of him beyond a partner.
He sighed to himself. "Plagg, claws out!"
"It's only proper for Paris to pay homage to those to protect us from evil." Mayor Bourgeois remarked revealing the statue, "Ladybug and Cat Noir!"
They waited for as long as they could. But eventually, the ceremony had to go on, he was right there next to the mayor cutting the ceremonial ribbon. He spotted Alya in the crowd with a giant grin plastered on her face holding up her phone towards him. As the crowd dispersed with some prompting Ladybug sighed as he realized that Adrien's fencing practice was over by now, he wondered if he'd check his email by now. People still did that right?-
" Excuse me?" He turned to see a man probably a few years older than himself holding a picture in his hand. " Mister Ladybug, wow you're even more amazing up close, You're my hugest fan- I mean! That is- fans you know- I, am" he stumbled over his words as he quickly took out a lollipop. "That is... to say..."
"You're the sculptor aren't you?" Ladybug asked before the man had a heart attack, recognizing him from his school's newsletter. He was an upperclassman who was already well accomplished for someone his age. "Theo, right?"
His face lit up, " Yes! I'm an admirer of yours. The way you charge into danger, saving people, always inspiring others to be kinder towards others." He rambled on folding his hands together.
"Thank you, I'm sure Chat Noir would appreciate your compliments as well." Ladybug remarked respectfully, then turned to the rooftops hoping that Chat would at least make a late appearance. " I know he would be impressed with your work as well."
"I saw that you were looking for him the entire time," Theo commented.
" I was, I just hope he isn't in any trouble." Ladybug admitted.
"He's a hero as well right? I'm sure he could handle any situation."
"Even heroes need help sometimes.." Ladybug remarked as he took out his yo-yo.
Theo took a step forward, holding something in his hand. "Uh, Ladybug, would you mind-" But was cut off with Chat Noir landing nearby, barely able to speak as he tried to catch his breath.
" Hey... is it...over...al...ready?"
" Woah, you're Chat Noir." Theo said in amazement.
"Yeah yeah, so...I miss anything important?" Chat Noir quickly asked, looking up at the statue he jokingly remarked: "Well if that statue is any indication I probably didn't." But turned to see Ladybug already left as he turned his head.
"What's wrong with the statue?" Theo asked, placing another lollipop in his mouth as he crossed his arms.
"Nothing, nothing- you know, some of the proportions are off. Ladybug's actually taller than me. You know, simple mistakes, anyone could make 'em. Anyway, see ya!" Chat Noir called out as he used his baton to chase after his partner, not noticing that Theo had crunched down on his candy with an angry expression.
Ladybug stopped running as he heard his partner run after him, they stood atop a roof as Chat Noir put away his batton. "Hey, I'm sorry about missing the ceremony, something just came up."
"It's fine." Ladybug remarked, turning his back but stopped once more as Chat Noir spoke up.
"See, you say that, but it kind of seems like you're mad at me for being late."
"I'm not." Ladybug simply said, internally screaming as he just wanted to go home, having already had his fill of public exposure for the day. Maybe a part of him was annoyed at Chat Noir for being late, but it wasn't worth arguing over. "You're probably overthinking this." He added.
"Maybe, but if you're mad I'd want to know."
Ladybug sighed, "I'm not mad. But you could've let me know, I'm not a fan of events like this. But we both have to make an effort to show the citizens of Paris that we appreciate their support."
"See?" Chat Noir gestured towards him. "I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't asked."
"I'm just trying not to make this a bigger deal than you think it is."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Chat Noir asked, feeling slightly insulted.
"Seriously?" Ladybug turned towards him, crossing his arms.
"Hey, it's not like I wanted to be late either. I just wanted to see you without an Akuma threatening civilian's safety. I mean, I don't even know anything about you, and we're probably going to be partners for a while. Shouldn't we take some time to get to know each other?" Chat Noir suggested as he could feel his face redden, but was shut down almost immediately.
"Our job is to just protect civilians and eventually take out Hawkmoth. What more could we do outside of that mission?"
"I don't know, maybe...become friends? I don't even know what you think of me." Chat Noir said as he noticed Ladybug turn his head away, for a moment he thought he saw Ladybug's face redden. But it must have been his imagination.
"I'll see you later, Chat Noir." Ladybug only said as he escaped the situation by jumping off the building, using his yo-yo to swing across the city. Leaving his partner behind to sulk on his own.
"Oh, Marin. You really need to get your priorities in order." Tikki remarked, sounding disappointing in him as he landed back in his bedroom, crashing his back on the bed.
"I know," Marin remarked feeling somewhat guilty at what he said to Chat Noir. "Some days it feels impossible to balance being myself and Ladybug. But me and Chat being real friends?" Marin shook his head in disbelief. "Our lives are probably already hectic already...adding more to that could be dangerous." He sighed again as he jumped off his bed loft, sitting down at his computer to check his mail. There were already a few responses, but not the one that he truly wanted to see. It was still early, maybe Adrien would RSVP for the group movie later on.
He needed a distraction. Marin turned on the tv for Tikki, then walked downstairs to see if there were any snacks for them to munch on.
As her partner left, Tikki sat before the screen looking at breaking news.
"There's been a spectacular theft at the Louvre. Amateur video showed without a shadow of a doubt that the thief is none other than the famous hero, Cat Noir."
Tikki's eyes widened in shock as she saw a video of someone who appeared to be Chat Noir stealing the Mona Lisa in hand, looking into the camera saying, "This painting is the cat's meow." Before he ran away being chased by the security guards.
"Marrrinnnn!" Tikki called out, flying down to the living room.
Chat Noir scaled the rooftops as he landed on the Louvre seeing a large group of police officers stationed around the building. "Not only is this guy impersonating me, but he clearly wants to drag my name through the mud." Chat Noir muttered to himself as he ran landed atop the Louvre. Everyone turned towards him holding batons in their hands and riot gear. "Whoa! Easy, you've got the wrong cat! That thief's an impostor. I'm the real Cat Noir!"
Lieutenant Roger stepped forward glancing at the hero suspiciously as his officers began to stand down.
"Let me check out where the robbery took place. I'm sure I can help you all track down the imposter." He pointed towards his ears, "Animal instincts n'all."
The officer smiled leading Chat into the art gallery, " Of course. The police force thanks you for your cooperation."
As he was guided towards the main hall, he noticed that the Mona Lisa was definitely missing. He took notice of something familiar, an already chewed candy stick sitting nearby. "Hm, not only does this guy has trash taste in puns, he actually litters." He then heard a beep and saw the cop locking him behind bars.
"Hey! What's going on?!" He demanded, grabbing the bars.
"Kitty's in the slammer. I repeat, kitty's in the slammer." The cop said into his walkie as he stood before the hero, now guarding him.
"I demand a lawyer! I know my rights!" Chat Noir called out, huffing out in annoyance. But his ears twitched as he heard his baton ring. Walking out of the cop's hearing range he opened it to see Ladybug on the screen with a stoic expression. He really didn't want to talk to him right now, but ignoring the call would've definitely had consequences later on.
"Chat Noir, what's going on?" He asked as Chat glanced towards the cop in the distance.
"So, now you want to talk?" Chat Noir asked with some venom but immediately felt bad afterward. From the other side, he could see Ladybug standing before the Louvre in front of the police officers.
"I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want. I just wanted to let you know, I'm going to try and track down your imposter. Just stay there until I track him down, then follow the signal from my yo-yo." Chat Noir's eyes widened, as Ladybug spoke on. It was hard for him to believe someone would go this far for him. "If you break out now the police are only going to distrust you more. I'm asking you to trust me on this." He said simply.
"Wait, Ladybug-" Chat called out, but the phone call dropped and he had to make a choice. Salvage his reputation, or go after his partner...
Ladybug had already reviewed the footage that Tikki showed him, seeing the candy that the false Chat Noir was eating. There was only one person he knew who could've had a grudge, much to his chagrin. Theo had a couple of gigs around the city, but his studio was the spot where he would most likely hide anything he stole. All this, just because Chat Noir insulted his art? Ladybug could understand where he was coming from, but this wasn't right. Especially since it was his friend's reputation on the line.
He sent his location to Chat Noir's baton and then entered the building from the roof.
The studio was normal, a few sculptures, a wall of reference photos of him and Chat Noir, some chains that were used to bind boxes, and other art supplies sitting nearby. Only now Chat Noir's face was scribbled out with black marker, so it was probably done by someone with a serious grudge. He then sensed something behind him, turning around he saw a box with a Chinese cat idol sitting atop. He took out his yo-yo just in case as he walked towards the box. He picked up the note, reading over it in confusion.
"Cat's in the ba-" He immediately jumped back as the box was a trap, but fell into another one as he was wrapped in chains, his arms to his chest as yo-yo fell to the ground.
"Hello, Ladybug." Ladybug narrowed his eyes in distrust as someone who looked like Chat Noir stood above him with a sneer on his face.
"So you're the Copycat?" The hero asked as the villain picked up his yo-yo, playing with it for a moment as he looked back towards his hero with a smug expression.
"Copycat? I'm better than the original." He claimed as he chained Ladybug to the ground. "Maybe even better than you if you were captured this easily." He mocked as Ladybug's expression didn't waver. Instead, the hero's eyes darted all across this imposter's body. An exact reflection of his partner, even down to the ring. Theo didn't have anything like that earlier. Where could the possessed item be?
"Sit tight, My Lady," He mocked, opening up Ladybug's yo-yo, dialing the real Chat Noir. "I'm sure your Cat charming will find his way here soon enough."
If one thing was for certain, it was that his Chat Noir's jokes were far better.
Cat Noir waited. Partly because he trusted Ladybug, but also partly because he didn't want to feel his partner animosty. He already got that enough at home, why risk trying to force something that wasn't even there?
He sat in the Louvre until his baton rang again, expecting to see his partner, but instead, he saw his own reflection, his imposter smiling smugly at him.
"You know, I don't see why you care so much about a fool who so easily falls into my trap." The imposter with a smile as the signal then cut off. But it was enough to ignite a wave of anger in Chat Noir's stomach. No longer hesitating.
"Cataclysm." He said, breaking through the bars of his prison and easily bypassing the cops. "Thanks for the warm hospitality, but I gotta split!" He pulling out his baton once more to scale the buildings. He followed the signal from Ladybug's yo-yo towards what looked to be a studio workshop, probably belonging to the sculptor. His ring was already beeping as jumped in from the roof.
Facing his copy who stood behind his captured partner on his knees with a stoic expression as his copycat was smiling victoriously. Chat Noir took out his baton as the Copycat spoke up "As much as I would love to wipe the floor with you two, I would rather have your miraculous."
Something about this situation gave him deja vu, but it was made worse as Copycat held his hand near Ladybug. "Cataclysm!" Both heroes were shocked as Copycat had every ability the original had.
"Now," Copycat said holding his hand close to Ladybug's face. "I'm fine with Ladybug being destroyed by Chat Noir, are you?" He threatened as Chat Noir faltered.
"Okay fine!" He yelled out putting away his baton and was about to take off the ring as immediately Ladybug swept Copycat's legs from under him. Using the temporary chaos to use Copycat's cataclysm to escape, then swiftly pinning Copycat's arm behind him.
Chat Noir was stunned for a moment, then grew flabbergasted, "WERE YOU EVEN ACTUALLY CAPTURED?!" He had to ask.
Ladybug shrugged his shoulders. "Had to buy some time so try and find the possessed-UGH." He simply said as he started to frisk the imposter but just as he was about to check the pockets Copycat hit Ladybug's face using the back of his head, then using a nearby paint can to blind the hero.
"Hey!" Chat Noir called out taking out his baton to attack Copycat, who in turn used his copied baton to deflect. The two got into about, trading blows as Ladybug used his scarf to wipe away the red paint.
"Lucky Charm!" He yelled out, as he picked up his yo-yo, catching a spoon in his hand. He looked around, seeing what he needed to utilize the lucky charm. All he needed was to figure out who was real and who was fake.
"Hey, Theo!" Ladybug called out as only one Chat Noir turned towards him. The hero then threw the red spray can towards his partner, who then sprayed Copycat in turn. Blinding him for a moment as Ladybug's makeshift fishing rod hooking onto Copycat's belt. As the villain was lifted above the ground Chat Noir quickly took out something from Copycat's pocket, ripping it and releasing the Akuma.
"No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" He said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly."
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug tossed his lucky charm into the air, returning everything back to normal. Chat Noir quickly caught Theo as he fell, who then looked between the two of them in confusion.
"Ladybug, Chat Noir?" He asked as Chat Noir placed him down.
"Listen Theo, I'm sorry for insulting your art, that wasn't cool." Chat Noir apologized as Theo looked guilty as well.
"It wasn't just you, I completely overreacted because this was my first huge gig...and you were right." He remarked noticing that Ladybug was indeed taller than Chat Noir. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, "Oh, Ladybug, would you mind if I could get your signature?" He asked hopefully, but was interrupted by Chat Noir's ring. The two heroes exchanged a glance of concern.
"Uh oh." Chat Noir looked for a quick way out, eyeing the roof.
"Sorry Theo, we'll have to take a rain-check on that," Ladybug remarked as Theo nodded in understanding. He then grabbed his partner, swiftly landing on the roof of the next building over both, he quickly shut his eyes as Chat Noir's ring beeped for the final time.
Adrien's eyes were wide as his heart was racing, he ran out of time and here was Ladybug right before his eyes. He shushed Plagg as he looked around, looking for a ladder, but stopped as he heard Ladybug's voice.
"Chat Noir." He said, even though they both knew he wasn't Chat Noir right now. He saw Ladybug looking conflicted, turning his head away for a moment as he remained on one knee, giving off an aura of vulnerability. "You're the only Chat Noir I ever want for a partner. I'm sorry if I can come off as cold sometimes, but you're someone extremely important to me. I don't ever want you to question that."
Adrien swore his heart skipped a beat, but he couldn't find the words as Ladybug's earrings beeped. His partner kept his eyes closed as he stood up, turning his back to his partner so he could open his eyes and leave. But for a moment he couldn't feel his own legs, with his face entirely red, and his heart thumping loudly. Only partially snapping back to reality as Plagg hovered nearby.
"See that," He said pointing to his partner's face, "you don't get that face from a "partner" or a "friend"." He said and then tried to search Adrien's pockets for cheese. As his friend fell to his knees, holding his heated face in his hands, realizing all too well that he already too far gone to ever turn back from this blazing warmth in his heart.
Notes:
- Adiren's in love ya'll, and the next episode is Dark cupid.
- This Copycat is more petty, and just want to ruin Chat Noir's reputation. Even willing to destroy Ladybug to do so because he's really sensitive about his art.
-Sorry this episode seemed kinda short. Marin still doesn't have his phone fixed so I had to scrap a lot of the original plot (he still would've gone to the park anyhow)
- If Chat Noir seemed a little rude to Theo, it was because he didn't realize who exactly he was. It was unintentional.
-Ladybug/Marin has some experience in escape arts, and there is a reason for that. But that'll come in a future episode.
-You could say, Chat wanted to, cross the wall between them but got a lot more than what he bargained for. As he was already in love but was in denial the entire time because he didn't know how Ladybug felt about him. Now he does, and he's helpless.
- ( If there some loose plot points that aren't touched upon within the same episode, it's because I'm a sucker for continuity)