Adrien didn't know how to feel. On one hand, it was a school event. On the other, it was part of his modeling career. A competition revolved around amateur clothing designers creating clothing for him to wear on his next modeling tour. Not that he was against young talent trying to find their voice, but he'd rather not feel like a living advertisement. "Since when does your old man source out talent from teenagers?" Peter asked him as they left the classroom.
"Since Martin Li suggested he move from professionals to 'untapped potential' in our generation." Adrien explained.
"You know, I joke that all rich people know each other, but I didn't think it was litteral." Peter smirked.
"According to Nathalie, Mr Li likes to ask for donations from everyone." Adrien explained. "Although between you and me, I think father's looking for a new gimmick to outshine Rodrick Kingsley."
"Wait, I thought he was just a perfume manufacturer in America?" Peter asked, confused.
"He was, until he moved onto the clothing business a few years back. From what I gathered, he and father have some kind of bad blood between them." Adrien explained.
"Someone that gets under your dad's skin? That's so rare."
Adrien laughed. "Yeah, and he found an upcoming model in America to promote his line and his Business has been skyrocketing ever since." He added. "Plus side, my fangirl total is gonna be halved at this rate."
"Then you just have to deal with the fanboys and the very disturbed adults." Peter snickered.
"Hey, I'll take any amount of bros the world's willing to offer." He shot back with a giggle. "I just hope father isn't too critical over the competitor's work." Competitions should be for fun without the pressure.
"Your father, critical? That's like questioning if the sky is blue and birds can fly." Peter retorted, before they made their way into class. "Hey guys."
"Hey Peter, hey Adrien. We're in the middle of trying to get Marientte out of her own head. Mind lending a hand?" Alya waved as they tuned to see the bluenette constantly scribble on a piece of paper.
"Derby hats, derby hats!? Summer hats and winter caps, I've done that before, but now I gotta create something that fancy!?" The girl looked like she was on the verge of tearing out her own hair.
"I thought Marinette was a baker." Adrien asked. "I didn't know she did designs."
"Trust us bro, she's a multi-talented genius." Nino nodded with a grin. "She once created over a dozen sweaters for the class on a dare in less than a day….she wore bandages on her fingers for three weeks afterwards but it was still cool."
"Maybe I could play it off with a simplistic theme … no, it's a contest, simple isn't gonna cut it!" Marinette shouted, tossing another piece of paper into a … disturbingly large pile. "I need something next level complex … but how to apply that to a derby hat!?"
"How long has she been at this for?" Peter asked.
"For pretty much the last two hours since the news hit." Alya answered with a nod. "The girl's great. She made the banner for Alix and Kim's race, but since it's a Gabriel Agreste judged competition, she's teetering on the edge." That made sense. His father was particular about details.
"You know, if you designed that banner, I think you'll do great Marinette." Adrien smiled.
That made the girl pause and fall back on her seat, almost falling backward if Peter hadn't caught it. "You-you really mean it?"
"Of course I do. I know my father can be difficult, but he is a fair judge. Besides, you already made me that scarf right? I already know anything made by you is going to be amazing."
For some reason her face got really red, as she stood up straight. "If you-you think so, then I-I think I've got it. Thank you, Adrien."
"Happy to help." He smiled. "Good luck. I'm rooting for you." He gave her a thumbs up as he took his seat. "I hope that takes the pressure off."
"Oh it did more than that my friend." Peter laughed, nudging him in the shoulder. "So … what do you think of Marinette?" He asked him with a weird smile.
"She's a good friend." Adrien answered. "Super nice."
"And…"
"...And smart and creative?" Adrien added.
"And…?"
"...If you're trying to play a game, I'm not sure I see the point." What was Peter trying to do here?
"You're so lucky you're so likable." Peter shook his head. "Now all we need to do is make sure Chloe doesn't do anything to sabotage her."
"Come on Peter. I know Chloe isn't exactly … kind to other people in class, but she wouldn't stoop that low." He liked to believe she knew better than that.
"Oh Adrikens." Chloe came in with a smile. "I heard you were having a contest. And moi intends to win it by any means necessary."
"Any means that don't involve cheating or sabotage?" He asked, hoping that would give her the hint to not do so.
"Oh you don't need to worry about that, I'll bring my own design, and anyone else will probably just be stealing from me."
"The beacon of telling terrible lies." Peter deadpanned.
"Well, do you think we can talk sense into her before she does something she'll regret?"
"One, the girl has very few regrets to begin with." Peter rolled his eyes. "And she'll either just wave it off if it's you or just ignore it if it's me.." Peter then got a look in his eyes. "…But there may be someone that can talk sense … or at the very least distract her long enough to not cheat."
"Cool, let's meet them after class." Adrien nodded.
"Yeah … we'll meet them."
"….Why did you say it like that?"
"I think I'm still trying to get used to the language. Some things slip."
Gabriel stood upon the podium, resting his eyes. Another day, another attempt … as many as it took. "Nooroo, Dark Wings Rise." He felt the energy overtake him, covering his body. If only this was enough to take on the heroes directly, his age would be enough … but sadly, that was not the power of the butterfly.
Hawkmoth kept his eyes closed, letting his mind wander the city. He wasn't going to go for stubbed toes, or slighted grades. He needed something potent, something strong … raw, unbridled rage, despair, sorrow. Helping the forgotten.
Akumas were only as powerful as their emotions, and he could only give powers based on the current situation. He had high hopes for Timebreakers, arguably the most dangerous power he had ever given a person. Unfortunately, when a single touch makes a target and everything they have vanishes … so does the miraculous they held. Hawkmoth would have to adjust the power if he ever got them to return.
Luckily in his failures, he had gotten a better read on the children he had to fight that prevented him from his goal. Ladybug was the clear brains of the operation, and easily frustrated by her partners' antics and banter. Unfortunately, She was never frustrated enough to akumatized directly.
Chat Noir arguably had the most dangerous power, total destruction with a single touch. But the boy was foolhardy, lackadaisical, and more impulsive, needing to be directed by one of his partners in order to be effective. On his own he'd likely fall apart.
And then there was Spider-man…the wild card he still couldn't quite account for. On the surface he seemed to be the most foolish of the bunch. An ego driven maniac who was only in it for fame and fortune. But there was a mind, skill, and instinct. Hawkmoth couldn't tell how much was natural and how much was from living in New York. His obvious weakness was how much the brat exposed himself publicly.
When someone tried to save everyone … there was no energy left to stop Akumas. Part of him thought about akumatizing the criminals during that brawl recently, force the heroes to fight a supervillain while weakened … but something about the energy triggered a warning instinct inside of him.
In any case, Hawk Moth was confident in spite of all his recent failures. Everyday his strength was renewed as the citizens of paris grew more emotional, more fearful, and far more vulnerable with every attack. All he needed was to hold out until-
He paused. A sorrow, born from a lack of care to a lower creature. Rage given to the group that held them back … Hawkmoth pressed a button as his window opened. "A man caring for his favorite friends, scolded by the people meant to protect them. I think he could use some help."
Gabriel grabbed a butterfly. He could always just make them out of his cane. But … he had these in the garden … with Emilie. Pouring energy, he watched as the purple butterfly was born. "Fly away my little akuma, and akumatize this poor lowly soul."
He waited for a moment …. he connected … and he was instantly disappointed. The emotions were strong, sure … but there was nothing but FUCKING PIGEONS on the brain! Sure, he knows that some thoughts would be obscure, but some variety for crying out loud, come on!
Hawkmoth took a deep breath. It was fine, it was fine. Not all of your villains were going to be winners … just, roll with it. "Mr Pigeon … I am Hawkmoth. Your poor friends have been abandoned by the heroes of this city, I can give you the power to strike them back. All I ask for in return is Ladybug and Chat Noir's miraculous."
"Of course Hawkmoth! Paris will belong to the pigeons! My brothers shall never be looked down upon as rats with wings again! Every cop and denizen that refuses our right to live free and productive lives will-"
"You could get your goal down faster if you stop monologuing." Hawk Moth interrupted.
"Right away, hoot hoot!" He felt the villain transform, instantly flying off as they controlled the pigeons around him.
Gabriel waited for a moment, before disabling the mental connection and calling his assistant. "Nathalie, how is my afternoon looking?" He could afford some free time. He wasn't expecting much from 'Mr Pigeon'
"You have a meeting with Martin Li to discuss charity donations, reviewing entry contestants for your latest contest, and then a meeting with Tomoe Tsurugi to discuss 'hobbies', dinner with your son Adrien, finished by leaving a voicemail on Kingsley's phone to leave thinly veiled insults at his sense of fashion."
"Will it be possible to do that last item right now?"
"Around this time he'll have his phone on person, so it'll change from leaving behind insults for him to decipher to a verbal back and forth."
"That would be annoying to deal with." He so hated that little upstart. One thing to start a perfume brand in your own country, but to deliberately branch out into clothing and moving into HIS turf with their terrible brands!? 'Hawkmoth' was tacky to avoid detection, what was HIS excuse!?
"Sir, if I may speak frankly; I'm glad you're not targeting another one of Adrien's classmates, but why have you focus so munch on the school?"
"Teenagers are a viable source of unstable emotions ripe for manipulation, and if Adrain's going to understand why public schools are terrible, I'm going to scare it into him if he won't listen to me." Personally he blamed the Parker boy. The child was too much of an influence, a troublemaker just like his parents. "… Also Chloe Bourgeois creates so many akuma victims it would literally be a waste not to take advantage of it."
"Fair enough on that last point,but you may want to start diversing your attacks soon. Targeting the students so frequently might make the heroes suspect a pattern.
"Thank you Nathalie, that's very true." He would never have gotten as far as he did if not for this woman. If his heart didn't belong to Emelee … no, Gabriel wouldn't fall into temptation. He wasn't cruel enough to play with a woman's heart just for his own satisfaction.
"Sabrina, what can you see?" Chloe whispered, hiding behind a statue in the park.
"Dupain-Cheng's writing in a book, tossing out ideas." Sabrina explained. She didn't understand Peter's comments, personally she liked listening to Chloe. Whenever she tried to make her own choices her head always buzzed with too many possibilities and it got hard to think. It was easier to give up trying and follow along. Besides, Chloe was her bestest friend. Sabrina shared all her clothes, food, makeup, electronic devices, basically anything Sabrina owned she gave to Chloe, and in return Chloe let her sit next to her during class, and even enter her room! A perfectly equal friendship exchange, like everyone else. "We could grab one of them.."
"No, they're trash ideas if even Maritrash thinks they're trash ideas." Chloe nodded. "We're gonna need the big guns if I'm gonna win that contest."
"… Chloe, a question?" She asked.
"What is it, Sabrina." Her best friend rolled her eyes.
"Why do we want to win the contest?" She asked. "Because you love wearing fashion, not making it."
"I can make anything I want, don't be ridiculous!" She shouted, ducking out of sight when Marinette turned her head. "But this silly contest is all about Adrien wearing what his daddy considers the best, and Adrien deserves only the best BY the best! I'll be wearing plaid jeans if that no good baker girl thinks she's worthy of such a title!"
Adrien Agreste … the only person Sabrina hated … because he was Chloe's best friend. "Okay then … what should I do?"
"We're gonna take the best she has to offer." Chloe said. "So I want you to go over there, grab the book, and-"
"Well hey there princess." They both paused, turning around and seeing SPIDER-MAN hanging upside down from his chains, hooked to the statue, staring right at Chloe. "What's a fine beauty like yourself doing around here?"
"Sp-sp-Spider-Man!" Chloe IMMEDIATELY changed tones from angry and determined to nervous and flustered, shouting loud enough to get stares, including from the girl they were trying to hide from. A rare sight for Sabrina to see up close, but nice to look at all the same. It gave proof to her that her best friend was indeed a person with a soul. "I'm-I-ea … Looking at the statue." She responded. "You know; admiring the … natural beauty of … rock mold, right Sabrina!?" Chloe turned to her.
"Y-yes, we love … walking through the park and just taking in the peaceful breeze." Sabrina nodded to support the fib.
"Ah yes, Joan D'arc is an inspiration to look at." The hero nodded. "Anyway, I was just swinging through the city, doin my daily patrol, saw you cute gals prancing in a grassy meadow and thought I'd tag along." He smiled.
"Really!?" Chloe shouted in excitement, before coughing and straightening herself out. "Well, if you insist, then it would be rude of me to decline you such an opportunity."
"But Chloe weren't we trying to-"
"We were doing nothing before this!" Chloe shouted at her.
"Whoa, hey, no need to raise your voice." Spider-Man lifted his hands up. "We're all friends here, and friends don't shout at each other in a threatening manner."
"Yes, of course." Her best friend nodded. "They don't do that at all …" She chuckled nervously.
"Spider-Man." Sabrina had to jump as Marinette suddenly showed up, with a mildly annoyed look on her face.
"Dupain-Cheng!" The hero smiled. "Here to finally give me a discount on your baked goods?"
"No, I just find it particularly odd that a hero that's supposed to, you know, save the city from villains is just roaming the park for no reason."
"It's called a patrol sweetheart, I go anywhere people are." He responded.
"And you're just talking to two random girls."
"Well, I'd hardly call a cute face I'm constantly needing to save random." Chloe blushed at that. "And part of being the friendly neighborhood hero of Paris is getting down to earth and talking to people, and really getting to know them personally on an individual level."
"You know, it's kinda creepy for a guy in a mask to hang around a couple of school girls." Marrinete, for some reason, rudely stated.
"SHUT UP, Dupien-Cheng!" Chloe retorted, for once being semi-justified. "He's a hero and he's saved me multiple times! Obviously he's being courteous and checking up on my mental health, like a GOOD hero!"
"Exactly. Checking up on everything." The man smiled, as he looked at Marinette's book-wait what. "Oooh, nice design."
"HEY!" Marinette shouted, snatching it back. "Give that back you creep!"
"What, just complimenting you. It's a one of a kind design, the kind someone would be absolutely stupid to steal from if they wanted to avoid plagiarization charges and getting banned from every designer contest, not to mention getting their name associated with cheater and fraud for the rest of their life by high elite types like Gabriel Agreste and Audry Bourgeois. I hear they can't stand uncreative minds."
She could see something shatter behind Chloe's eyes. "I … yeah … ridiculous … utterly ridiculous …" Wait, was Spider man aware of…?
"But I'm sure someone as stylish and pretty as you doesn't have any need for that." The hero turned to Chloe. "You're too good to ever stoop that low."
"Obviously!" Chloe shouted a little too loudly, before regaining herself. "Obviously, I'd never steal from trash like Marinette over here."
"Hey!" Marientte yelled as Sabrina looked around, noting that there were quite a few pigeons landing around them.
"You know, if you'd like, I could take you for a swing." Spider-man held out his hand. "Get a little blood and adrenaline pumping to inspire your next great idea."
"You might need a rain check." Sabrina stated, looking up. "On account of the pigeons."
"The what?" The hero looked around, and saw the HUNDREDS of birds now flying over the court. "Wow … it's sad that the weirdest thing about that is that this didn't happen in New York."
"Ew gross!" Chloe backed off, only to bump into more pigeons in the back. "Get away you flying rodents!"
"HOOT HOOT!" Shouted a man in a pink costume, riding on top of the swarm of pigeons. "Fly my Pigeons, soon we will show the world that you are first class citizens, just like humans! So says … Mr Pigeon!"
"….Guess Hawkmoth just has a thing for tacky and tasteless designs." Spidey snickered. "You won't see him winning any design contests anytime soon."
That once again got a laugh from Chloe. "Yeah, that's right! Show that poorly dressed loser who's boss Spidey!"
"That man is an enemy of pigeons everywhere! Show him who's boss!" With the blow of a whistle, the pigeons began swarming with enough numbers and momentum to send a tree flying.
"I think the birdies disagree on the boss part!" The man grabbed Sabrina and Marinette, hauling them onto his shoulders and grabbing Chloe. "Hang on, we're playing 'run for our lives', nature's anger version!" He screamed out as he swung them forward onto a building top. "All of you, inside and off the streets. I don't wanna play 'keep an eye on the civilian' while I'm at it, unlike normal spiders I only have so many eyes."
"Of course Spider-man." Chloe grinned. "Sabrina, Maritrash, get out of his way so he can save the city!"
"Taking the fire escape!" Marinette shouted, running down the ladder.
"Well with that covered … if any of you poop on my suit, the gloves are off!" Spider-Man shouted, jumping from the roof.
Well … at least Sabrina had a valid excuse to NOT steal Marinette's work now.
Marinette jumped down, finding an empty spot to hide out in. "Is it just me, or is Spidey way too good at finding trouble before it actually hits?" Always first on the scene no matter the occasion.
"Well Spider-totems are usually near the center of big occasions. In the right hands, it's used to help prevent disasters before they get too out of hand." Tikki explained. "In the wrong hands, they're the cause of said disasters."
"So just by existing Spider-Man causes a series of incidents?" She asked skeptically.
"It's not exactly that black and white. That akumatized pigeon villain was likely going to show up no matter the case, but because the Spider miraculous is active, he 'weaves' the trouble towards himself before anywhere else. Like how good fortune follows you the more you use the ladybug miraculous." So more like a magnet for already existing danger … better.
"Either way, we need to purify the Akuma … Tikki, Spots On!" Once she changed, Ladybug jumped onto the rooftop, running along as she saw pigeons almost everywhere she went. "I didn't realize France had so many pigeons in it." Sure she saw them everywhere, but she didn't think that they would literally be everywhere.
"Hey-ACHO-bugaboo-ACHO-how are-ACHO-you?" She turned and saw a sniffling Chat standing weekly along the side of a building.
"You alright Chaton?" She asked her partner, moving closer.
"Just … allergic-ACHO!" He sneezed. "Pigeons … why-ACHO-did it have to be pigeons-ACHO!?" Chat noir sneezed loudly. "Uggh. Haven't felt like this since my last trip to New York."
"You've been to America?" She asked. While she maintained that keeping secret identities was vital, Chat Noir being a little open about his life was interesting. Unlike Spider-man, she could see a heart underneath the black leather.
"This alley cat has a lot of stories." He grinned, leaning on his staff. "And he'd love to share-ACHO!" That latest sneeze caused him to lose his balance, falling onto the ground. "... Where's Spidey?"
With a thud, they both turned to the feathered covered hero, who slowly raised himself from the ground. "There's …" He coughed a bit … before hacking up a ball of feathers. "... There's too many … for direct confrontation … dear god, I am glad this never happened in New York. Over there we just had to deal with the occasional invasion of mole people."
"Did you get a good look at any object Mr Pigeon had on him?" Ladybug asked.
"Just his bird whistle … pretty sure that's the object …" He dusted himself off, looking at Chat. "What's with him?"
"Allergies-ACHO!" Her partner sneezed again. "Stealth … not fel-ACHO-Felin-ACHO-Feline up for it."
"Surprisingly I don't see a lot of people with that kind of allergy for how common they are." Spider-Man shrugged, whipping the feathers off him. "Okay, so we got a man who thinks pigeons are an oppressed species that needs to be saved and spoken for, so we need to lure them to us with the right kind of bait."
"You mean besides our miraculous?" Ladybug raised her eyes. "Because if you suggest a big loaf of grain wheat, I'm out."
The web-headed hero chuckled. "I'm not THAT obvious." The ten seconds of silence following afterwards aside from Chat Noir's sneezing spoke otherwise. "... Point is, he's not gonna trust himself around Miraculous users." Spidey said. "He's just gonna send pigeons and keep his distance. We need something this guy hates personally, he wants to deal with hand to hand."
"Like-ACHOO-What? We don't know anything about this guy other than his love for pigeons." Chat noir's face looked red from the sneezing.
"Exactly, and what's the bane of all pigeons everywhere? The one thing that would make an avid lover of said birds angry enough to go supervillain on them?"
"Predators?" Chat asked, before sneezing again.
"Windows?" Ladybug rolled her eyes.
"No, Police! Specifically, cops that enforce the 'don't feed the pigeon's rule."
"What makes you think that?" Ladybug asked.
"HELP!" They watched an officer get carried away by a swarm of pigeons. "I was just trying to stop a man from jaywalking! Why god, why!?"
"That answer your question?" The American hero smirked with satisfaction.
"Okay, mister bird villain expect, what do you suggest we do?" Ladybug asked. "Find a cop and use him as bait?"
"Even better … we dress up as officers and become the bait ourselves!"
"...REALLY?!" Why … WHY did she have to get stuck with the jokey spider man? Why couldn't the serious one stay? He was at least sensible, rational, and cute-wait where did that thought come from?
"... To be-ACHO-fair m'lady. It's-ACHO-not any more com-ACHO-complicated than your-ACHO-plans." Chat said, rubbing his nose.
"Hey, my plans at least magically give us an item that can be used to ensure victory." Ladybug argued. "We're just going off of guess work here."
"Guess work carefully thought of after living in New York for a lifetime." Spider-man argued, extending his chain out and grabbing ahold of a police cap. "And now I have completed the look. Spider-Man is now no more … and in comes … Spider-cop!"
"... What?"
"Once, just a humble cadet, Spider-cop graduated from the police academy, naive and filled with hope for the streets." The moron narrated. "With sprint in his step and a smile on his face, he jumped out, believing he was ready to take on the world. But the poor fool soon learned that being a cop comes with a hefty burden to bare."
"Just … just stop." Please, spare her.
"From there he was filled with nothing but the dark gritty truth. Evil is everywhere, from every person around us … down to our dark souls. From there, he drowned himself in sorrow, working to his own justice."
"Wish I had-AHCOO! Some popcorn-achoo!"
"Don't encourage him! He's just going to keep it up!"
"I know, why do you think I asked-ACHOO-for pop-ACHOO-corn."
"The lone Spider-cop then had a long and tired history working the grind, sweeping the streets of the filth that threatened his city. The taxing hours grizzled him down into a cynical old spider with a chip on his shoulders." The fool continued. "And from then on … the underbelly of the world truly feared that they would be under the watchful, relentless gaze … of Spider-Cop."
"Bravo….just….br-achoo…bravo." Chat Noir clapped even as his nose was running. "I'd give Spider-cop easily four stars. Enough-achoo-for three seasons and a-achoo-made for tv movie."
"Well thank you for that completely necessary bout of nonsense." Ladybug sarcastically clapped her hands. "But how exactly are you going to LURE mr. Pigeon to you?"
"My angsty moody grizzled Cop walk will have him come to be like a chicken to corn." Spider-man answered as he began walking in a 'angsty' and 'moody' way. "There's no way that any cop hating super pigeon super villain will be able to exist."
"It's days like this I hate being a super-hero." It was NOT worth dealing with Spider-man twenty four seven. "While you do that, the actual smart people will come up with a plan that'll actually work-"
"My brothers! The brightly colored webbed patterned one is doing an angsty walk! He MUST be a cop!" Mr. Pigeon shouted. "Come together with me, and we shall erase the menace he is from where he stands!"
…..SERIOUSLY?! "Uh, what was that, smart person?" Spidey shot her a shit-eating grin. "I couldn't hear you over the sound of my plan working."
"It doesn't mean anything when the villain is a moron!" She shot back.
"Hey, I'm right here you-" The bird villain tried to speak up.
"Be quiet!" Ladybug shouted.
"Adhesion!" Spidey shouted, as the man was drawn in before being hit in the face. "Point one to Spider-Man!"
"I'll-ACHOO-take it …" Chat groaned.
"Alright, let's get to planning before he gets back up-" Spidey got up…as the pigeon villain just stayed on the ground. "...This is usually the part where they get back up and attack with a second wind."
Chat noir walked up to the guy and checked the man's pulse. "He's breathing-ACHOO-, but unconscious … I think you-ACHOO-knocked him out."
"...SERIOUSLY!?" How many wins was today going to give this guy!?
"Actually I'm a bit surprised by that one myself." Spidey admitted. "I seriously need to check on that power …"
"...One of these days…" Ladybug growled, before grabbing the whistle. "One of these days I swear." She crushed it in her hands and let the purple butterfly fly off. "No more evil doing for you, little akuma, time to de-evilize!" She captured the butterfly, before letting it go in it's now white stare. "Bye Bye little Butterfly."
"Wait-AHCOO-will..ACHOO-the miraculous ladybug-ACHOO-still work now?" Chat noir asked.
"To use the cure I need to toss up the Lucky object in the air." Ladybug said. "But I never used it without danger before."
"Now's a good a time as any to experiment." Spidey shrugged. "I still have trouble with mine." That was a fair point. Ladybug would rather not be launched into re entry again.
"Here goes nothing …. Lucky Charm!" It swirled into the air … before a tube of lipstick landed in her hands. "How the heck would've I used this?"
"Maybe-ACHOO-the answer was-achoo-true loves kiss?" Chat cheekily smirked. Ladybug responded by smacking him in the back of the head. "What? Too much?"
"… For once I'm agreeing with Ladybug." Spidey said. "Nobody likes to kiss with a snot covered lip."
"Touché-ACHOO!" Chat sneezed again. "Please just use the cure. I'm-achoo-litterally dying here."
"Alright….Miraculous LADYBUG!" Ladybug threw it into the air, and just on cue, the magic ladybugs came out and spread all over, taking away all the collected pigeons covering the whole place.
"Nice. You know, if we could find a way to contain akumas without them slipping away and multiplying, we wouldn't have to worry so much about all of us meeting in one place so often." Spidey said as he watched the bugs go by.
"Hey, if I get to see my two favorite people in the world, that's a win for me." Chat grinned, rubbing his face.
"Well, I know I could definitely use a lot less Spidey in my life." Ladybug rolled his eyes.
"You're the light of my life too, watermelon." Said annoyance waved. "We've really gotta start setting you two up with a patrol route. One of these days I'm gonna cash in my 'early bird' points."
"Oooh, does that come with free pastries? Because I could go for some macaroons right about now." Chat smiled. "Sneezing works up an appetite, and I still have plenty of time to hang since I didn't use the cataclysm."
BEEP BEEP.
"Can't say the same, gotta jet, very important business to get to." Ladybug sent out her yo-yo. "And Spidey…stay away from the Dupain-Chengs. You freak the girl out." Please, PLEASE get the hint. She didn't need this guy so close to her civilian life.
"Shoot … gonna need to make an apology video then."
"No! Just….stay away. Don't. Do. Anything." She stomped her foot on the ground. "Don't call attention to it, don't make a grand gesture, just….stay…away."
"Don't worry Spidey, I'll score you some macaroons myself." Chat waved off.
"I'll take it then." The american jumped off the roof and swung away. "Catch you on the flip side, Spider-friends!"
"Don't see why you don't get along with him. I joke M'lady, and you don't have a problem with it." Chat looked to her.
"I just…you're easier to talk to then him for one." She admitted. "And he makes a big show of everything, and he talks to Chloe." The biggest sign that he couldn't be trusted.
"...What does the Mayor's daughter have to do with anything?" Chat asked with a confused raised eyebrow. "Do you have a problem with her?"
"Every." She said. "Watch out Chaton, she's a horrible and irredeemable monster deep down underneath that haughty smile."
"...You know, considering I don't know who you are underneath that mask, some could make the same assumption." Chat shook his head. "But I see what you do, and I choose to trust you, like how I can see what Spidey does and choose to trust him. If you can't look past the surface…then you're not going to have a lot of friends eventually." Chat extended his staff. "Take care, M'lady." And jumped off.
"…" Ladybug sighed. "I have seen behind her surface …" But maybe she should lighten up on Spidey … a bit.
Peter grinned as he watched Adrien walk out with Marinette's hat. "Sooo … who won?" Hopefully his advice paid off in the end. It was an effort and a half to get Chloe to change. Peter Parker would never be able to reach her, but Spider-man might be able to. Berating someone like her out in public would only make her grow worse, but doing it indirectly, calling her out but leaving her room to do the right thing under the guise of someone she admired might lead her on the right path. In either case, it was still a good idea to be in her good graces.
"Marinette. Apparently she was inspired by yesterday's akuma attack and made this derby hat based off of a pigeon." He held it up.
"Wow, inspiration comes from even the most unlikely of places." Good to see the girl thrive even when things got sticky. "Now you have your own personal tailor at school."
"You know I would never put that kind of pressure on Marinette." Peter doubted that the girl would see it that way. "But showing it off on my modeling tour is going to bring her quite a bit of notoriety if she's interested in making it big in the future."
"Figured as much." He lightly chuckled. He would do what he can to support her as Peter Parker. He had no idea that Spider-Man freaked her out so much…though maybe showing up on her roof wasn't the greatest impression he could've made on her wearing the how Ladybug knew that was beyond him. "And Ms. Queen Bee kept her sneaky little hands to herself?"
"She made a cat hat that would 'eat all the stupid filthy pigeons in the city'." Adrien quoted. "Third place. Who did you get to talk to her anyway?"
"Just a good Samaritan with a bright personality." Technically not a lie. "But glad to here she didn't cheat. Guess there's some hope for her after all."
"Told you." The boy grinned.
"Yeah yeah." He playfully rolled his eyes. "Just don't go as far to say as you have romantic feelings for her." That would be disgusting. Spider-Man only flirted with her out of necessity, and she was a blonde that was easy on the eyes in the right light.
Adrien paused at that, looking contemplative. "Don't tell anyone but …" He blushed. "I have a crush .."
Haha, there it was. "Oh, I think I know who." Peter smiled.
"You know I like Ladybug?" Adrien asked.
Peter nearly tripped on himself after hearing that. "…Wow, I was completely off base with that one." He looked to his old friend. "You like Ladybug… as in like like? Since when?"
"Since she showed up at the eiffel tower." He admitted. "She took on an army with a crazy plan, a confident smile, and got two of my classmates together … it kinda stole my breath away."
"So the celebrity with a million fangirl crushes has a celebrity crush of his own. That's ironic." Peter snorted.
"Come on, it's not that weird. Chloe's in love with Spider-man."
"Bro, that doesn't help your case." It wasn't like she was super serious about it anyways. Just a celebrity fangirl crush, nothing more. "But don't worry, secret, I swear it." Just gotta try and swing him away from it. Ladybug was way too serious to think about romance of all things.