Chapter 37: Captain Hardrock
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. This one I had trouble trying to figure out how to be more original but I think I've got a good plan to improve the others. The next ones will be pretty exciting. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
On Juleka's houseboat, Marinette and her friends were helping to set up for a concert.
"I think this is yours Rose." Marinette said handing her a microphone.
"Thanks Marinette, this is our first concert! It's gonna be awesome." Rose said excitedly into the microphone as Sam rubs his ears in pain at how loud it was.
"Assuming you can keep it together." Sam winces.
"Where is he?" Marinette asks looking around for Adrien.
"Chill Marinette. He'll be here." Alya said.
"But what if he got Juleka's address wrong or the date wrong can you check with Nino?" Marinette asks.
"Hey Nino any word from Adrien?" Alya smirks.
"He had something to do with his old man but he'll be here after." Nino said.
"You worry WAY too much Marinette." Sam said when a woman with glasses walks up. She had gray hair, a black jacket and classes. This was Anarka, Juleka's mom.
"Captain Anarka speaking to you. Just wanted to see how ye young Pirates are…Wait what are you doing?" Anarka asks walking over to Marinette.
"Oh uh I was just cleaning up." Marinette said causing her to laugh.
"We never clean up here. We like the lived in look. From chaos comes creativity. Messiness is life." Anarka said.
"That can't be true." Marinette said.
"Oh it is. You should see my parents when they're creating some new tech. Papers everywhere, tools scattered all over the desks and lots and lots of cups of coffee." Sam chuckles.
"Wow remind me to watch my step next time I visit." Alya giggles.
At Adrien's house, Adrien was playing the piano for his father, but something was off in how he was playing.
"I've heard enough. Are you sure you're practicing Adrien?" Gabriel asks.
"I've been doing the same exercises over and over again. I think I can make more progress if I can play with other musicians. After all, music should be shared, right?" Adrien asks.
"We Agrestes are soloists not group members. I suggest you practice a little more and then play for me again later today." Gabriel said.
"But father you promised I could go to my friend's concert." Adrien said.
"Not after that performance, probably due to them. I suggest you focus." Gabriel said as he and Natalie left the room.
Sighing Adrien took out his phone and called Nino.
On the ship, Nino was helping Sam, Marinette and Alya when he got the call.
"Hey dude what's up? Oh man. Really? Sorry." Nino said as instantly Marinette frowns realizing Adrien wasn't coming.
Nino looks to Sam and Alya and they nod saying they got this.
"Hey it's not the first time his dad's told Adrien he couldn't come." Alya said as Sam took a little metal statue out of Marinette's hands.
"Yeah it's kinda a regular thing with that man." Sam said pitting it down on the compass.
"Whoa there sailor." Anarka said walking over and taking the statue off. "Never put metal next to a compass. Metal attracts the needle just like a compass that's why you can't let them anywhere near each other."
"I know how they feel. Maybe I'm like this statue and Adrien is my compass. Maybe we're meant to stay away from each other forever." Marinette said.
"I think it's the other way around." Sam smirks.
"Yeah he's the statue and Marinette's the compass who goes crazy every time he gets close." Alya giggles.
"You'll get another chance Marinette." Sam assured.
"That's what you said the last time and the time before that." Marinette sighs.
"We're ready captain but Luka's missing." Rose said.
"Marinette since you're done with cleaning do you mind getting Luka from his quarters?" Anarka asks.
"Sure but who's Luka?" Marinette asks.
"My son." She smiles.
Marinette walks downstairs and sees a boy her age with teal hair meditating nearby with his guitar when he noticed her.
"Uh hi I'm Ma-Ma-Ma Marinette your uh mom sent me the groove I mean the group needs you." Marinette stutters.
"Hello Ma-Ma-Ma Marinette." He smiles. "Uh sorry I tend to talk a lot better with this." Luka said picking up his guitar and playing it.
Sitting down Marinette listened to him play.
"Hmm you seem to have something like this in your heart." Luka said playing a melody.
"Wow how did you do that?" Marinette asks.
"I find music a lot easier than words." Luka said as Marinette spotted a Jagged Stone poster.
"You like Jagged Stone?" Marinette asks noticing a Jagged Stone guitar pick.
"Yeah he's my favorite singer." Luka nods.
"Mine too." Marinette said when he noticed her holding the pick.
"You can have it. I got plenty." Luka offers. "I think I better go join the groove as you said.
"Did I really say that?" Marinette groans.
"You're a funny girl Marinette." Luka said walking out causing Marinette to smile.
At Adrien's house, he was at the piano watching Nadia's interview of the Music festival that had so many musicians and local concerts.
"Come on, don't be so down in the dumps. Now you get to enjoy the festival from the comfort of your own room." Plagg said.
"I just wanted to go to my friend's concert." Adrien said.
"Then why didn't you say so? As your friend I'll give you an exclusive once in a lifetime show." Plagg said before singing about camembert.
"Thanks Plagg, best concert ever." Adrien sighs.
Back on the houseboat, everyone was sitting down ready for the concert when Alya and Sam noticed Marinette looking at Luka.
"I'm thinking Marinette the compass has found a new statue." Alya smirks.
"What? Luka? No way. Sure he's cool but this compass only has one statue that drives her crazy." Marinette said.
"At least you can talk to this statue." Sam smirks.
"Sailors! Let's give them a show. Whenever you're ready Luka." Anarka said as Luka pulled down a tarp revealing the biggest amp ever.
"Is that necessary?" Sam asks.
"You guys are gonna need these. Trust me." Mylene said handing Sam, Marinette and Alya earplugs.
Luka strummed his guitar and the soundwaves from it were so powerful it knocked a few cars over and sent Sam flying backwards into the water.
Almost immediately, several police boats, cars and even helicopters showed up and surrounded the houseboat as Sam swam up and resurfaced.
"Mrs. Anarka are you out of your mind? I'm reading over 160 decibels that's 10 times the sound of a jet engine. You just can't do this. You'll have to play something else." Roger said through a speakerphone.
"It's a music festival Officer Roger. My crew is allowed to play whatever they like." Anarka said.
"It's a music festival not a noise festival. If you don't turn it down, I'll ban your concert all together." Roger said.
"Uh maybe we can turn the volume down a bit Captain. Then there'd be no more problem." Marinette suggests.
"No! Out of the question. I didn't name my galley the Liberty for nothing. Freedom of speech and this my home I can do what I want." Anarka said as Roger walked up to her.
"Do you have a permit to park your houseboat here?" Roger asks.
"No one owns these waters." Anarka said.
"You're not allowed to moor here without a permit which means you can't participate in the concert." Roger said writing Anarka multiple tickets making her angry.
At his base, Hawk Moth saw the whole thing.
"Ah the suppression of a soul demanding liberty and freedom. The perfect target for my akuma." Hawk Moth said turning a butterfly into an akuma. "Fly away my little akuma and evilise her."
Back at the boat, Nino, Alya and Marinette noticed Sam in the water.
"Whoa dude, what are you doing in the water?" Nino asks.
"Oh you know just thought I'd take a relaxing dip to cool off before the festival." Sam said sarcastically.
"There's some steps down there a bit. Swim over there and we'll bring you a towel." Marinette points.
"Thanks Marinette." Sam said before swimming away from the boat as the akuma flew down.
In the control room, Anarka was beyond angry as the akuma entered the compass.
"Captain Hardrock, I am Hawk Moth. Is the establishment trying to block your noise? From now on that will be the only thing they hear. I am giving you an indestructible ship so you can travel around Paris and blast your music everywhere. In return, you must bring me the greatest treasure of all, the Miraculous of Ladybug, Cat Noir and Silver Claw." Hawk Moth said telepathically.
"Treasure in exchange for freedom? You got yourself a pirate." Anarka grins as she and the ship transform.
When Sam climbs ashore he gasps to see the houseboat had turned into a pirate ship. "What the?"
"Alright you scurvy dogs. Prepare to drop sails." Captain Hardrock said revealing a black pirate coat, red hair, a bandanna, and flame-colored clothes.
"Mom?" Juleka asks.
"What's going on?" Luka asks.
"Your mother has weighed anchor, I am Captain Hardrock and today all of Paris shall shiver me timbers. First stop Jagged Stone at the Eiffel Tower!" Captain Hardrock said drawing her sword and the ship started moving. "All sailors to your stations."
"Mom, stop this isn't right." Luka said.
"You can't force people to listen your music." Marinette said.
"No way we're playing like this." Ivan said.
"Mutiny on my ship? Liberty seize these scallywags and pull them down into the hull!" Captain Hardrock said as the ship fired chains at them and dragged them under the deck.
On the shore Sam and Faang were looking in shock.
"Yeah I don't think the pirate's life for our friends onboard." Faang said.
"Looks like we have a boat to catch. Faang, Teeth Out!" Sam said as his bracelet glowed and he transformed into Silver Claw before chasing after the pirate ship.
"Liberty fire!" Captain Hardrock said as the cannons fired destroying a bridge so they could pass through and were across from the Eiffel Tower. "Nothing and no one will stop Captain Hardrock from playing her music. Fire!" Multiple speakers shot out making a loud noise forcing Jagged and all his musicians to run.
At Adrien's house, Nadja was doing a breaking news report of Captain Hardrock.
"Paris is once again under attack and this new villain is destroying all the concerts one by one. Everyone is advised to seek shelter immediately." Nadja said.
"I may be grounded Plagg, but they're playing my song." Adrien said.
"Yeah I know it by heart." Plagg sighs.
"Plagg, Claws Out!" Adrien said as his ring glowed and he transformed into Cat Noir and raced out of his room.
On the lower levels of the ship, everyone was still chained up when Marinette looked to her bag and saw Tikki winking at her before she nods saying to do it as Tikki picked the lock with ease freeing her and Luka.
"Wow, how'd you do that?" Luka asks.
"Uh…I used this." Marinette said holding up the guitar pick he gave her.
"You're amazing. A real magician Marinette." Luka said.
"Oh it was nothing. Wait amazing?" Marinette asks.
"Uh some of us are still tied up." Alya said getting their attention.
They were about to go help when Captain Hardrock came down.
"She's coming quick!" Luka said.
"We'll come back for you guys." Marinette said as she and Luka ran into the next room and Luka blocks the door with his guitar as Captain Hardrock tries to break it down.
When the door opened, she saw Luka looking to the window. "Keep going Marinette!"
"Restrain him!" Captain Hardrock said as the ship chained Luka up before she looked out the window to see no sign of Marinette. "She'll show up eventually."
Once she walked out, Marinette pushed her self out of the cabinet under the bed.
"Phew, that was close." Tikki said.
"Tikki, I have to save my friends. Tikki, Spots On!" Marinette said as her earrings glowed and she turned into Ladybug.
Outside, Captain Hardrock was destroying XY's concert.
"And now. Wait! What was that?!" She looks through her telescope to see Cat Noir and Silver Claw heading towards her. "Fire at Cat Noir and Silver Claw!"
"So what were you planning to see today before all this?!" Cat Noir asks as they jumped across the cannonballs towards the ship.
"Jagged Stone!" Silver Claw said as they landed on the ship.
"Good taste." Cat Noir said as they drew their weapons.
"Seize them!" Captain Hardrock said as chains shot out and tied them up until Ladybug swung in and freed them. "Seize them!" She repeats but the three heroes swing their weapons knocking away the chains.
Suddenly the police boats came up from behind.
"I command you to stop in the name of the law!" Roger said through a megaphone.
"Fire Liberty!" Captain Hardrock said as the ship fired cannonballs sending all the police flying through the air.
Moving quickly the three heroes jumped ship and saved all the police.
"Are you guys okay?" Silver Claw asks helping Roger up.
"Thank you, Ladybug, Cat Noir and Silver Claw." Roger smiles.
"You guys lay low. Leave this to us." Ladybug said.
"Time for the Treasure Hunt!" Captain Hardrock said firing cannonballs at them.
"I hope you boys have your sea legs." Ladybug said deflecting some with her yoyo.
"You know it." Silver Claw said slicing a cannonball in half with his sword.
"I'll be purrfect as long as I don't get wet." Cat Noir said as the three of them leaped onto the ship again.
Running towards Captain Hardrock she and Silver Claw clashed swords but thanks to Sam's fencing classes he disarmed her and threw her sword up to the mast.
"Grr seize them!" Captain Hardrock said as chains fired at them while she went to get her sword.
"Any idea where the akuma is?" Silver Claw asks deflecting chains.
"Must be somewhere on the ship." Ladybug said.
"Don't worry a cataclysm will solve this." Cat Noir said.
"No! There are people trapped inside. You sink the boat they might drown." Ladybug said stopping him.
"Fire at Nightengale!" Captain Hardrock said as speakers fired ruining another concert.
"Time for this ship to go off course!" Cat Noir said leaping to the sails and tried scratching them but failed. "No good."
Silver Claw ran to the anchor and tried to drop it but the lever wouldn't budge. "What is wrong with this ship?"
Ladybug ran to the wheel but it wouldn't turn. "It's locked."
"Liberty only listens to me! Seize her!" Captain Hardrock said as Cat Noir and Silver Claw jumped onto the mast weapons ready.
Dodging the chains, Ladybug ran inside and found the prisoners.
"Ladybug!" Alya smiles as Ladybug frees them.
"Ladybug, where's Marinette?" Luka asks.
"She's fine. She's the one who alerted me." Ladybug said.
"That girl is unbelievably brave." Luka said causing Ladybug to smile.
"Lucky Charm!" Throwing her yoyo into the air a chain appeared. "Another chain? Would've preffered pliers. You guys stay here I'll deal with this." Ladybug said running out onto the deck.
On the mast, Captain Hardrock was fighting off both Cat Noir and Silver Claw's attack as they came at her from opposite ends.
Cat Noir swings his staff but Captain Hardrock knocks him back. "Seize him!" She orders as chains tied Cat Noir to the front of the ship.
"Cat Noir!" Silver Claw tried to run to him when Captain Hardrock grabs him by the neck and slams him against the mast before he was tied up by chains.
"Good Captain Hardrock! Take his Miraculous, his bracelet!" Hawk Moth orders.
"Time to collect my treasure." Captain Hardrock said letting go so she could grab his bracelet.
"Moon Call!" Silver Claw said as his bracelet glowed and released a sonic howl from close range causing Captain Hardrock to crash onto the deck of the ship as Ladybug came outside.
"I demand you stop your acts of piracy in the name of the law!" Roger said chasing after them on a paddleboat.
"Him again? Fire!" Captain Hardrock said picking herself up as her ship blasted Roger out of the water. When she turned around she saw Ladybug was nowhere to be seen. "If you refuse to give me your Miraculous my next target will be Andre Bourgeois and his orchestra. Liberty, next stop City Hall!"
Firing cannons they destroy another bridge and from the smoke, Captain Hardrock didn't notice Ladybug had freed Silver Claw and Cat Noir.
"Thanks for the save." Silver Claw said.
"We got a problem. I couldn't free the prisoners and I have no idea what to do with this." Ladybug said holding up the chain.
"I think it's just trying to say you're chained to me." Cat Noir flirts causing Ladybug to look around and she suddenly sees it.
"You're pulling my chain, Cat Noir. It's time to take the ship!" Ladybug said.
"Aye aye Captain." Cat Noir said as they ran out of hiding.
"Found ya! This time to the bottom with you!" Captain Hardrock said firing chains at them as she charged.
Moving in first Silver Claw throws his sword knocking Captain Hardrock's out of her hand allowing Ladybug and Cat Noir to slam the chain into her before tying her to the compass which thanks to the metal caused her to sail out of control and crash onto land.
"All yours Cat Noir." Ladybug said.
"Cataclysm!" Slamming his hand on the ship the whole thing was destroyed and the akuma was released.
"No more evil doing for you little akuma. Time to de-evilise!" Ladybug throws her yoyo capturing the akuma and turning it back into a butterfly. "Bye-bye little butterfly."
"Ugh what happened?" Anarka asks turning back to normal.
"Pound it." The 3 heroes fist bump.
"I better get going." Silver Claw said running off.
"Yeah me too." Cat Noir said leaving.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug throws the chain into the air and all the damages were repaired and the boat was brought back to its original spot. "Enjoy your gig." She said before running off.
At his base, Hawk Moth was angry at another failure.
"For Neptune's sake! Captain Hardrock may have failed but one day Ladybug, Cat Noir and Silver Claw your treasure will be mine!" Hawk Moth vows.
Later that day, Gabriel and Natalie were in front of Adrien as he was about to play again.
"Father would you like to play this piece with me as a duet?" Adrien asks surprising him.
"I uh don't." Gabriel said uncomfortably.
"Please father, if I'm not allowed to go at least grant me this." Adrien begs.
Standing up Gabriel sat next to his son and they played a beautiful song together causing Natalie to smile.
When they finished Adrien looks to his father.
"You may go to your friend's concert if that's what you like." Gabriel said causing Adrien to smile and hug his dad.
"Thank you father." Adrien smiles.
At the houseboat, as Roger was running a sound test for the band Alya handed Sam a towel so he could dry himself off.
"Sorry I couldn't save you from the brig." Sam said as Alya giggles.
"It's fine. At least Silver Claw was able to show up." Alya winks before slipping Faang a piece of jerky to eat.
"Well it's a little loud for me and a few decibels over the limit, but I'll let it slide. It's the music festival." Roger smiles causing them all to cheer.
"Thanks Roger." Anarka said as he left.
"Have a good day." Roger said as Adrien arrived.
"Hi everyone." Adrien waved.
"Watch out!" Marinette said as Adrien tripped over something and fell down.
"Adrien are you okay?" Sam asks helping him up.
"I'm fine. Whoa." Adrien opens a case to reveal a keyboard. "An original ZX 20.4? I love this instrument."
"That old thing? No one knows how to play it." Anarka said.
"I do." Adrien said.
"Great, welcome to the band Adrien." Luka said.
"Thanks uh…"
"Luka."
"Thanks Luka." Adrien said as they shook hands.
"So is the compass still going crazy?" Alya teases.
"What? I don't know what you mean." Marinette said.
"Sure." Sam smirks.
"You know matey sometimes disorder can be a good thing. If this keyboard hadn't been lying around, we wouldn't have gained a keyboard player." Anarka said as they watched the band perform.