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Chat Noir's P.O.V
After Rena Rouge followed Ladybug, Carapace turned toward me with a look of disappointment.
"What?" I questioned, grumpily. What did I do this time to deserve such a response? How is this my fault once again? Whoever is in that ladybug suit has no clue how to lead a team. She is like an understudy, who knows not anything about the role she auditioned for. Sure, she may have had a lucky break the first time but she is not ready.
She is nothing like the actual Ladybug.
Carapace's face only hardened yet, not a word left his mouth. He shook his head and sighed, seeming tired of a game he didn't want to play.
"What?" I repeated, annoyed with his mood.
"You need to stop this attitude. We are all sick and tired of it," the turtle hero finally spoke, "You need to learn to let go, Chat Noir. No matter how much you are grumpy, insult our new team member, or flat out be cruel, she is not coming back!"
I growled, getting closer to Carapace and standing definitely in his space.
"And what do you know?" I hissed, "You were not her partner since the beginning!"
"I may not have had as much history as you and the original Ladybug but she was still a close friend of mine as well. I failed in protecting her just as much as you did," he growled back.
"What are you even talking about? You were not even there at that fight! It was just Ladybug and me," I snapped. Carapace seemed to pause for a moment before it dawned on him what he said.
"Forget that last part," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose, "My point is, do not take out your anger on someone who had nothing to do with it. We need a Ladybug. Paris needs a new hero."
I did not continue the argument anymore, seeing his point once again. There is no need to fight with someone who has nothing to do with or can change the situation. I am merely being a jerk once again. The new holder is only doing her duty, one she was chosen for. While she may not be like the original Ladybug, it does not make her any less of a hero. Did she even have a say in whether she wanted to be a hero or not?
Guilt bubbles within my stomach. Maybe...I should at least try to be a decent person. Now that I think about it, I have not been the nicest person to her.
"Fine," I huffed, grabbing my baton, "I will talk with her after we defeat the Akuma. Will that put your mind at ease?"
"With the way you have been treating her, I do not know if it does," he harshly said, "I am going up. You may join us when you are ready to act like a superhero."
Carapace left me to stand here alone and joined the two girls on top of the building. I let out a breath through my nose and extended my weapon, vaulting toward the building's top. Carapace and the girls are talking about something I could not hear. The holder of the turtle miraculous smiles with astonishment at whatever Ladybug is explaining to him. My curiosity got the better of me, deciding to move closer.
"That is an excellent plan!" Carapace proclaimed, earning a "shush" from Rena Rouge to keep quiet.
"What is the plan?" I asked, grabbing the attention of the other three. Carapace's smile immediately diminished while Rena threw a scowl in my direction. Ladybug seemed to be the only one who didn't dislike my guts at the moment.
"I am glad you have joined us, Chat Noir. You are a vital aspect," Ladybug said, making me perk up in confusion and interest. I raised an eyebrow, "Me?"
"Yes," she nodded before pointing out into the city, "Do you see something quite odd about that architecture over there?"
My gaze is drawn over to the Arc de Triomphe. The marvelous structure did hold something amiss with it. Something rather big enough to see but small enough not to make out details of what it could be.
"Yes," I confirmed, turning back at her, "So, what is it?"
"I am not sure myself but I have a hunch that it may be the main power source and where the Akuma is," Ladybug explained, "If we take out the main source, all these devilish creatures shall be eliminated. Although, it seems they travel in groups so I cannot say how many will be protecting it. So, we will need Carapace to protect us on our way into the deepest part."
Ladybug had gestured toward Carapace before moving over to Rena, "Rena will create an illusion of us heading in the direction of the poor section. It will surely lead away as many of the smallish monsters as possible as to not slow us down."
"Lastly, I will infiltrate the heart and cure the wickedness. Since I am still in training, I will need assistance from an elite soldier to help me fend off the enemy," Ladybug finished explaining.
I would not admit it out loud, but it is a decently good plan. I can feel two heated looks aimed at me, waiting for me to retort. Yet, I did not feel any more resentment at this time and decided to give her credit where credit is due.
"It is a good plan," I replied, giving her a nod of approval. Ladybug smiles a little while the couple gawked at my answer, not expecting positive feedback.
"Then let us commence. Rena Rouge, if you would be so kind," Ladybug said, snapping the fox hero out of her stupor.
"Oh, yes," Rena Rouge quickly spoke before playing her flute. Copies of us appeared out of thin air and leaped off into the direction of the poor section. Once the gremlins noticed the illusions, they charged after them and left us a clear path.
Rena Rouge and Carapace leaped to the other side of the road, landing on another rooftop. I am about to follow suit until I sensed danger from behind. I shot my head around, seeing a stray gremlin sneaking up behind an unsuspecting Ladybug.
Without hesitation, I grab my baton and extended it to a manageable size for stick fighting. Yet, I wielded my weapon as if I am about to sword fight. I rush over to Ladybug, who stares at me with shock. She takes a few steps back for some reason. Luckily, I am fast enough to jump over Ladybug and hit the pouncing gremlin.
I began to fight off the purple phenomenon before looking over my shoulder, seeing Ladybug standing frozen in surprise.
"Go!" I yelled at her, returning my attention to the gremlin. I heard the zipping of Ladybug's yoyo being my signal for her departure. I manage to knock the small monster off the building and plummet to the earth below. I turn and quickly caught up to the rest of the group.
It is time to finish up the job.
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"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug shouted, triumphantly tossing a mirror up into the air. The burst of magical ladybugs dispersed around the city and began fixing all of the damages. The two alpha gremlins that had protected the nest transformed into twin wisps. They floated away into the air, no longer tainted purple.
I stand off to the side, watching everything getting repaired by Ladybug's power. I am not paying it any attention, my mind drawn to thinking. Thinking that...maybe, I should try to be a better person to this new Ladybug.
"Carapace was right. She is not the true villain and is underserving of my anger. Everyone that surrounds me is undeserving of it. Nothing is going to bring back Kagami and I will need to accept that," I thought, crossing my arms, "But it will take time."
"Hey."
My gaze shifts in the direction the voice came, seeing Ladybug with a proud smile adorning her lips.
"Why do you stand over here by yourself and not join us in celebration of this victory?" She asked, gesturing to Rena and Carapace happily talking amongst themselves. I return to the city's scenery, seeing everything is back to normal.
"We have won many battles similar to this many times. That is something I do not celebrate. I will celebrate when the war is won and everyone is seen as equal. That is a true victory," I explained. Ladybug hums in agreement.
"I hope this is not too much to ask if you will meet me back here tomorrow after dusk?" Ladybug asked.
"For whatever reason?" I replied, raising an eyebrow and trying to hold in my annoyance. I really did not want to, especially when she can just say whatever it is right now.
"I will explain but I need an answer, immediately. I need to hurry home before anyone knows that my presence is missing," she explained. I purse my lips for a minute, my curiosity and unwillingness battling out for dominance.
In the end, my curiosity got the better of me (blaming Plagg for this cat-like trait). With a sigh, I reluctantly agreed.
"I am trying to be nicer and make up for my past rudeness," I sourly thought. Ladybug smiles in appreciation. Once she said her farewells, the bluenette swings off and disappears into the city.
I grimace, "This better be worth it."
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"Good morning, Adrien," the sweet old woman manning a bread stand greeted once I approached her, "I feel like it has been ages since I have seen you but that could be because I am old. My, have you grown? How are you and Fu doing these days?"
"Good morning, Miss Lenoir. We have been doing well," I answered her last question, placing my few cents on the counter, "May I have a loaf?"
"Dear, I told you many times you can call me Marianne. We are not strangers, after all," she said, placing a loaf of bread into a reused bag.
I feel a small smile crack on my face, "Yes, I know."
"Good man," Marianne said before handing over the bag, "You have a lovely day and say "Hi" to Fu for me."
"Of course," I respectfully bowed, "Thank you for the food."
I walk away, letting the next person in line get their bread. I made my way through the market over to the next stands for some fruits.
"So, what do you think Ladybug wants to talk about?" Plagg asked from the inside pocket of my ragged jacket.
"I do not know. So long as it is quick and does not waste any of my time, I do not care," I replied, snippily.
"Maybe it is a love confession," Plagg teased, "She will spill how she fell undyingly in love with you at first sight and more romantic crap such as that."
Plagg laughs. I begin to ignore him after that as he continued, holding in the urge to hit the spot where my Kwami is hiding. He can really get on my nerves sometimes and irritate the daylights out of me. Yet, I am not so cruel as to harm him in any way, shape, or form. He is one of my closest friends, aside from Nino and Alya.
"No, please! I will do better! I will bring honor to our family name and find a husband! I will fix my reputation!"
The marketplace goes a little quiet, the poor civilians shopping or running a stand pausing to watch the commotion happening at the main gate. A blonde girl around my age is pleading—begging—for a second chance to redeem herself. Yet, what I assume is, her parents stand in disgust before their now disowned child.
The parents turn away giving the signal to shut the gates.
"No!" The girl shrieked, sobbing her eyes out and tries to approach her parents. Yet, she is stopped by the guards pointing spears at the girl.
They fully shut, the sound of it locking being the final thing that loses the girl's will to stand. She falls to her knees, staring at the door. I cannot tell from where I stand what emotions are running through her, but I know she is in great turmoil.
Every rich child, who has been banished here, has gone through the same thing.
I thinned my lips out, blankly staring at the girl. Some of the kind, elderly women and ex-rich citizens go to comfort the girl. Yet, she rejects them and lashes out.
This is nothing new.
But it is always painful to witness a kid being rejected by their own family like they were always a tool.
An object.
I growl, clutching the bag in my hand. I will never understand how some parents can so easily reject their own child and feel absolutely nothing. Treating their child (or children) as mere blood. It is not right. It is nearly inhuman. I will never understand how the rich can be so cruel and cold-hearted.
I feel myself flinch a bit, realization falling upon my shoulders.
What about my parents?
Where are they?
Why did they abandon me?
Was I...also a mistake? A failure?
I turn in the other direction and head back to the house, pushing back those dark thoughts. It is then that I notice Plagg is being uncharacteristically silent. I did not say anything and continued my way down the streets of the market.
"Whatever Ladybug wants, it better not be anything stupid. I am no longer in the mood to be nice."
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