Chapter 6: gotta catch him because he's Phantom Nightmare
It had been 2 weeks since Lady Wifi and Leo and Alya had been together, and since then, the two lovers had been inseparable. Alya, of course, went to Marinette and told her the big news, and she squealed with joy about how happy she was for them.
Leo also told Adrien, who, at this point, had come to be his closest friend, and Adrien was happy for him and wished him the best of luck.
Leo also told Master Fu because he had become more like a father figure to him. Plus, Oliver already told him and was still teasing him about it.
Today, Leo, Oliver, and Alya were waiting at the airport for Alya's cousin.
"So, when is your cousin coming from?" Oliver asked.
"He's from New York, so he's coming to live with me," she said.
Leo looked at Alya and kissed her on the cheek. "My Boojiboo," Leo said, smiling.
Alya blushed a little bit and playfully pushed him away.
As they waited for Alya's cousin, Oliver glanced at Leo with a mischievous grin. "You know, Leo, you better watch out. Once Alya's cousin arrives, you might have some competition for Alya's attention."
Leo chuckled, giving Alya a playful nudge. "Oh, I'm not worried. Alya's got eyes only for me."
Alya rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide the smile on her face. "You're lucky you're so charming," she teased, leaning into Leo's side.
Just then, they spotted Alya's cousin walking through the arrivals gate, and Alya excitedly rushed forward to greet him. Leo and Oliver followed closely behind, ready to welcome the newest member of their group.
He was a young man, about 15 years old, with medium-length black hair, light skin, and brown eyes. Standing at around five feet nine, he was wearing a gray hoodie with the zipper undone, revealing his blue t-shirt, a pair of dark green cargo pants, and black and blue running sneakers.
This was Samuel Noctis, or Sam for short. He was the only child of two very successful tech company executives and was raised in America.
As Sam approached them, Alya enveloped him in a warm hug. "Sam, it's so good to see you! Welcome to Paris!"
"Thanks, Alya! It's great to finally be here," Sam replied with a smile, returning the hug.
Leo and Oliver stepped forward, offering their greetings as well. "Hey, I'm Leo," Leo said, extending his hand.
"Oliver," Oliver added, shaking Sam's hand with a friendly smile.
Sam nodded, returning their gestures. "Nice to meet you both. Thanks for welcoming me."
With introductions out of the way, they began chatting and catching up as they made their way out of the airport, eager to show Sam around their city.
The next day at school, Leo was walking towards class when Alya approached him.
"Hey, guess what the best girlfriend in the world just found out?" Alya said, holding out her phone showing an ad for a convention. "Hero Con is coming this weekend."
"Eegalagoo seriously, that's awesome Boojiboo," Leo smiled.
"They have everything: shops, stands, they even have a special guest appearance of Ryan Steves, the guy who starred in Avenger League," Alya said.
"Oh, Boojiboo, we have to go!" Leo said excitedly.
Alya looked at her phone for details. "Hey, it says there's a deal if we buy 5 tickets, maybe I can invite Marinette."
"Who should we give the fourth ticket to?" Leo asked, when a grin appeared on Alya's face.
"How about Adrien?" She suggested.
"Adrien? Why would he… oh," Leo said, understanding her plan.
"Exactly," Alya smirked.
So it's me, you, Oliver, Adrien, Marinette, and Sam. Okay, then it's going to be fun," Leo said.
"You bet your ass it is," Alya said with a smirk.
"Okay, I'll go ask him," Leo said, giving Alya a kiss on the cheek before walking away.
Turning around, Alya watched Leo walk away and sighed. "That's why I love him," she said, walking away to find Marinette, until Sam walked up to her.
"Hey, cuz," Sam said, waving to her.
"Hey Sam, I'm going to see my best friend Marinette, do you want to come with me?" Alya asked.
"Yeah, sure," Sam said.
As the two of them walked to find Marinette.
After class, Leo walks over to Adrien. "Hey, Adrien."
"Oh, hey Leo, what's up?" Adrien asks.
"I've got an extra ticket to Hero Con this weekend, are you interested?" Leo asks.
"I don't have any plans… you know what, I'd love to," Adrien smiles.
"Great, I'll see you there," Leo said, taking out his phone and dialing Alya. "I talked to him and he said yes."
"Sweet! Marinette will want to come for sure," Alya said.
Meanwhile Marinette and Oliver were walking over from science class together.
"That science class was really hard, I didn't get any of it," Oliver said.
"I told you should study," Marinette said.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, you don't have to rub it in," Oliver said, sighing.
Marinette giggled, "just joking, Ollie."she said
His face started to blush a little bit. "Did you just call me Ollie?" Oliver asked, still blushing.
"Um, I… no, no, I didn't," Marinette said, stuttering and blushing a little bit as well.
Until Alya and Sam walked over. "Hey girl, what would you say to a chance to hang out with Adrien this weekend?"
Marinette smiled widely. "Adrien?! Oh my gosh! How?" Marinette asked excitedly.
"He's going to the convention this weekend, and if he runs into you there, maybe he'll ask to hang out with you," Alya said, causing Marinette to smile.
"Oh, thank you, Alya!" Marinette said, hugging her best friend.
"Always looking out for you, bestie," Alya said.
"Oh yay," Oliver said underneath his breath, feeling a little bit jealous.
"Don't worry, Oliver, you're coming too," Alya said with a smile.
"Thanks," Oliver muttered.
Sam coughed, getting their attention. "Hey Alya, did you forget about something?" Sam said.
"Oh, my bad," Alya said, chuckling embarrassedly. "This is my cousin Sam; he's from New York," Alya said.
"It's nice to meet you, Sam," Marinette said.
"Likewise," Sam said.
The following weekend, Alya, Marinette, and Sam arrived at the convention. "I can't believe it's an entire day with Adrien," Marinette said.
"Chill, girl. At this rate, you'll freak out before Adrien even shows up," Alya chuckled.
"Alya, you didn't say this girl was thirsty for this boy. I thought she liked Oliver," Sam teased.
Marinette started to blush. "No, no, I mean, Oliver and I are just friends," she said.
"Yeah, there's no way she likes Oliver," Alya said.
"Yeah, sure. I know a ship when I see one. Just a matter of time," Sam said with a smirk on his face.
"Hey, Alya!" She looks over to see Leo waving at her with Oliver behind him. Alya looks over to Marinette.
"Go ahead," Marinette smiles as Alya runs over to Leo and wraps him in a hug. "Those two make such a cute couple," Marinette smiles.
"Don't they?" She looks to see Adrien standing nearby.
"Adrien?! Oh, uh, yeah, I mean, uh, I'm really happy for Alya," Marinette said, blushing nervously.
"Hey, Marinette," Oliver said, waving to her.
"Oh, hey, Oliver," Marinette said, trying to stop her blush.
"Are you okay?" Oliver asked.
"Yeah, yeah," Marinette said.
"Hey, you must be Adrien, right? I'm Sam, Alya's cousin," Sam said, taking out his hand.
"It's nice to meet you," Adrien said, shaking Sam's hand.
Meanwhile, Leo and Alya walked back to them, holding each other's hand.
"So, are you guys ready to go in and get our tickets?" Leo asked.
"You know it," Adrien said as the five of them walked in.
Meanwhile, in another part of the convention, a man was sitting down, getting ready for the guest panel. He had short black hair and a muscular physique. His name was Rick Steves, one of the superheroes of the movie Avenger League.
As he took his seat, his manager walked over. "So, what's the news on the next movie?" Rick asked.
His manager looked at him and sighed. "I'm sorry, Rick, but they plan to kill you off in the next movie. That next Avenger League movie will be your last."
"What? But Phantom is one of the best heroes ever," Rick said, shocked.
"Sorry, Rick. Maybe you'll find some other movies to work in," his manager said, walking away, leaving a devastated Rick behind.
"It's not fair. I gave 5 years of my career to those people. How can they do this to me?" Rick growled in anger.
At his unknown location, Hawk Moth saw this.
"Ah, a celebrity being taken away from the spotlight, a perfect target for my Akuma," Hawk Moth said as he infected a butterfly with darkness, turning it into an Akuma. "Fly away, my little Akuma, and evilize him."
The Akuma flew out the window and towards the convention.
Looking at the watch he was given for the first Avenger League movie he was in, Rick sighed when the Akuma flew in and evilized him.
"Phantom Nightmare, I am Hawk Moth. I can give you the stardom you deserve. All I ask for is the Miraculous of Ladybug, Cat Noir, and shadow knight and Silver wolf in return," Hawk Moth said.
"Consider it done," Rick said as darkness surrounded his body.
Meanwhile, in the convention, Leo, Oliver, Adrien, and Sam were looking ahead, with Alya and Marinette right behind them.
"Come on, Marinette, now's your chance," Alya whispers.
"I can't, I'm too scared," Marinette said, shaking.
"Come on, girl, don't chicken out on me," Alya said, pushing Marinette forward towards Adrien.
"Oh, uh, hey, uh..." Marinette looks around and notices a few people dressed like Ladybug, Cat Noir, Shadow Knight, and Silver Wolf at a booth. "Look, they have Ladybug stands," Marinette said, pointing.
Adrien looks over. "Yeah, it's really cool how they have all this stuff."
Leo looks over to see Alya nodding. "Hey, why don't you two go have a look?" Leo suggests.
"Yeah, come on, Marinette," Adrien said, reaching for her hand, causing Marinette to blush.
"Mission accomplished," Alya said as Adrien leads Marinette to the booth.
"You are amazing," Leo said, wrapping his arm around her.
"I know. Now come on, what do you say we go enjoy ourselves with?" Alya said.
"Sounds like a plan," Leo smiles as the two of them walk off.
Meanwhile, Oliver was looking at another booth with Ladybug items on it until Sam walked over.
"Penny for your thoughts," Sam asks.
"What do you mean?" Oliver said, raising an eyebrow.
"I've seen the way you look at her," Sam said.
"What do you mean, Alya?" Oliver said.
"No, no, I mean Marinette," Sam said.
"No, no, me and her are just friends, good friends," Oliver said.
"Haha, yeah, and I have a harem on another Earth," Sam said sarcastically.
"What are you getting at?" Oliver asks.
"I mean, I've seen you two together. You guys talk a lot. She acts normal around you, but with Adrien, she's all, you know, b-b-bu-nu-mmk," Sam said, stuttering a lot.
"I know, but look at her, she seems happy," Oliver said.
As the two glanced over to them.
Meanwhile, in another part of the convention, Adrien and Marinette were looking at items and laughing.
"Hey, Marinette, look who am I?" Adrien said, putting on some fake cat ears and a mask, causing her to giggle.
"Well then, that must make you my sidekick," Marinette said, putting on a plastic Ladybug mask, causing them both to laugh.
"This is a lot of fun, Marinette," Adrien smiles.
"Yeah, I'm having a great time," Marinette smiles.
"She never falls for a guy like me," Oliver said sadly.
"Dude you have more confidence in yourself You like Marinette, don't you? And I think she likes you back, she just doesn't know it yet," Sam said.
"How do you know?" Oliver asked.
"I just know these types of things. Plus, I've seen the way she looks at you. She looks at you differently than the way she looks at Adrian. The way she looks at you, it's like you both know something that you both share and protect. And the way she looks at Adrian is like a lovesick puppy," Sam said.
Suddenly, Oliver found a Ladybug necklace and picked it up.
"I think I'll give this to her. It looks nice," Oliver said with a smile.
"There you go, one step at a time," Sam said with a smile.
"Thanks, Sam," Oliver said.
"You're welcome, Ollie. Anytime. Now, I've got to find those two lovebirds," Sam said, walking away.
Oliver just laughed. "Yeah, I know what you mean, Leo and Alya, who were of kenow," he said.
Meanwhile, at the guest panel, fans were lining up excitedly to see Rick Steves and hear news about the next movie. The panel begins, and suddenly, a figure drops down.
It was a man in a black-gray hooded cloak, a gray belt, two swords on his back, and a silver mask.
"And there he is, folks! It's Rick Steves as his hero, the Warrior of Darkness, Phantom!" the announcer said as the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Yes, and I have a special announcement for all of you," Phantom Nightmare said, and the crowd leaned in with anticipation. Drawing one of his swords. "Phantom Nightmare is in control now!" Black energy surrounded the sword, and with one swing, he destroyed the table with ease, sending the chunks flying into the wall towards the fans, causing the crowd to scream in fear and run.
Nearby, Leo and Alya were looking at a stand full of trinkets. "Hey Alya, look at these," Leo said, holding up chibi figurines of Ladybug, Cat Noir, Shadow Knight, and Silver Wolf.
"OMG, hold them up! I've got to put a picture of those on the Ladyblog," Alya said, taking out her phone.
Leo laughed when he noticed Adrien and Marinette laughing. "Hey, looks like those two are having fun," he said as Alya looked over. "Hey, maybe if Marinette ever works up the courage, we can go on a double date someday," Leo said.
"Maybe. Until then, I'll have to make do just spending my dates with you," Alya winked.
Leo rubbed the back of his head, blushing, when they all heard screaming nearby. They looked to see people running for their lives in horror.
"What's going on?" Alya asked when Phantom was seen jumping from the walls, destroying booth after booth at the convention. "What the heck is going on?!" she said when the crowd came in their direction, separating the two of them. "Wait a minute. Leo?! Where are you?!" Alya yelled.
Leo, on the other side, ran to the side and let Shade out. "Talk about rotten timing," Shade said.
"Agreed, but we'll talk later. I hope Oliver sees this. Shade, nightfall!" Leo said as his bracelet glowed, and he transformed into Shadow Knight.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the convention, Oliver was looking around for his friends and his brother until he saw people running.
Running underneath the table, Oliver slid underneath it.
"Great, and I really wanted a day off in this," Oliver said, letting Cloud out of his pocket.
"Life of a hero, we never take a break," Cloud said.
"Yeah, you're right," Oliver said, sighing. "Alright, let's do this. Cloud, Fang's out!" Oliver said as his necklace glowed, and he transformed into Silver Wolf.
Meanwhile, Marinette and Adrien both looked at the crowds screaming and gasped.
"Uh, I better go find Alya," Marinette said.
"Yeah, I'll go look this way," Adrien said as they ran off.
Marinette ran behind the food stand and let Tikki out. "Sorry about this, Tikki. Too bad I had to stop spending time with Adrien. This was literally the best day ever," Marinette sighed.
"Marinette, focus," Tikki said, snapping her out of it.
"Okay, I'm back. Tikki, Spots On!" Marinette said as her earrings glowed, and Marinette transformed into Ladybug.
Adrien ran behind the staircase and let Plagg out of his jacket. "Some convention. Where's the cheese?" Plagg asked.
"Not the time. Plagg, Claws Out!" Adrien said as his ring glowed, and he transformed into Cat Noir.
As Phantom Nightmare walks through the convention, he sees a poster of the new Avenger League that would have him killed off. Growling in anger, his sword glows, and he slashes it to pieces.
"What didn't you like about the last movie?" Phantom turns around to see Cat Noir, Shadow Knight, and Silver Wolf on the staircase behind him.
"Shame, I thought the movie was pretty good," Shadow Knight said.
"Not my taste," Silver Wolf said.
"Beat it, kids. I'm the only hero around here," Phantom said, drawing his second sword.
"Not if we have anything to say about it," Cat Noir said as he pulled out his staff, and Silver Wolf drew his sword, while Shadow Knight took out his shield.
The three of them jumped down towards Phantom, who blocked all their attacks with his swords. As he pushed them backwards, he attacked Cat Noir, swinging his swords and sending him skidding backwards before turning to Silver Wolf, who blocked his attacks. Then he turned around and tried to strike Shadow Knight, but he blocked it with his shield, grunting from the force of the attack.
"What's wrong? Can't handle the force?" Phantom Nightmare grinned. "Now let me show you my real power." He swung his sword down hard, almost cracking Shadow Knight's shield. As Silver Wolf tried to swing at Phantom, he delivered a powerful kick, sending Silver Wolf falling backwards.
"You're mine!" Phantom charges towards him when Ladybug throws her yoyo, tying up Phantom.
"Sorry, movie star, but you're not winning the fight today," Ladybug said, tossing Silver Wolf his sword.
"About time you showed up, milady," Cat Noir smiles.
"Yeah, he cracked my shield, that Nala," Shadow Knight said.
"One day, you've got to tell us what language you're speaking in," Cat Noir said.
"That guy is insane with a sword. We need to find where the Akuma is," Ladybug said.
"Agreed," Silver Wolf said.
"Follow my lead," Ladybug says as she throws her yoyo and jumps over Phantom, followed by Cat Noir, Shadow Knight, and Silver Wolf.
"You think you can run? Not a chance," Phantom Nightmare chases after them.
Running down the main hall, the four heroes turn to face Phantom Nightmare.
"Okay, boys, ready?" Ladybug asks.
"Ready," Cat Noir, Shadow Knight, and Silver Wolf said, readying their weapons.
Ladybug charges forward as Phantom's swords glow.
He charges at her, but Ladybug ducks into a slide just in time. Phantom turns to face her when Cat Noir swings his staff.
"Sorry, pal, find your own girl," Cat Noir said as he and Phantom clash weapons.
Ladybug studies Phantom's outfit and notices a watch at the edge of his wrist.
"Guys, I found the Akuma, it's the watch on his arm!" She yells.
"Got it!" Silver Wolf jumps swinging his sword, but Phantom ducks in the nick of time and jumps backward.
"We need to find a way to get close to him," Shadow Knight said as he throws his shield at Phantom Nightmare, which he just ducked, and it bounces off the wall back to him.
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug's yoyo spins, and from it, a bottle of paint appears. "Paint?"
"Sorry, art isn't my thing," Cat Noir said.
Ladybug examines her surroundings until she sees what to do.
Phantom Nightmare charges with his swords.
"Silver Wolf, stop him!" Ladybug said.
"Right! Moon Call!" Silver Wolf's necklace started to glow, and he inhaled before releasing a sonic howl, stopping Phantom in his tracks.
"Shadow Knight, the swords!" Ladybug yells as she throws the bottle of paint into the air. Her yoyo knocks it, causing the paint to fall on top of Phantom's mask, blinding him.
"My eyes!" Phantom yells, trying to wipe the paint away.
"Right," shadowgate Shadow Knight said, as his bangle started to glow, and he thrusts his hand, creating a small black portal. Phantom Nightmare's swords fall through it, so Cat Noir can catch them.
"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir's hand glows black as he grabs the swords from the black portal and turns them to dust.
Ladybug throws her yoyo, tying him up so he can't move. Charging with his sword, Silver Wolf slams it down on the watch, destroying it and releasing the Akuma.
"No more evil-doing for you, little Akuma. Time to de-evilize!" Ladybug throws her yoyo, capturing the Akuma inside it. "Bye-bye, little Butterfly." She throws the paint bottle into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!" Using her power, Ladybug undoes all the damage to the convention and turns Phantom Nightmare back into Rick Steves.
"Uh, what happened?" He asks, looking around.
"Pound it," the four heroes said, fist-bumping.
"Hey, you four are those superheroes everyone talks about," Rick said, walking over to them.
"Yep, that's us. Want an autograph?" Cat Noir asks.
"Man, I wish I was half the hero you guys are in my movies. Maybe then my character wouldn't have been killed off," Rick said.
"Well, Phantom's time in the spotlight may be over, but yours isn't," Ladybug said.
"Yeah, I bet you can land another movie easily," Silver Wolf said.
"Yeah, like DC," Shadow Knight said.
All of them just looked at Shadow Knight for a minute with a deadpan expression.
"Bad timing, Shadow Knight," Silver wolf said .
"Anyway, thanks a lot," Rick said as their Miraculous and animorphs started to beep.
"Uh, we gotta go. Good luck with your movies!" Ladybug said as the four of them took off.
"Those are some interesting heroes," Rick said.
A half-hour later, the convention was back on, and Alya and Sam were looking everywhere for Leo, Oliver, Adrien, or Marinette.
"Alya!" She turns to see Leo running to her.
"Leo!" She runs over and hugs him tightly. "What happened? After we got separated, I was worried something happened to you?" Alya said.
"Hey, it's okay Boojiboo. I'm fine, I promise," Leo said, holding her close.
Alya leans into the hug, enjoying the embrace.
Meanwhile, Oliver, still holding the bag with the necklace, walks out of the bathroom.
"So, are you going to give it to her?" Cloud pops out of his pocket.
"I don't know, maybe it's not the best time," Oliver said.
"You never know if you don't try, Oliver," Cloud said.
"Thanks, buddy, I appreciate it," Oliver said, until he saw Sam walking over.
"So, where have you been when all the chaos happened?" Sam said.
"You know, bathroom," Oliver said.
"Yeah, sure," Sam said, not convinced, until they both looked over to see Marinette and Adrien talking.
Meanwhile, at the end of the hallway, Marinette was looking around for Adrien. "I hope nothing happened to Adrien."
"Don't worry, Marinette, I'm sure he's fine," Tikki said.
"Marinette, there you are," Adrien said, walking over. "Good to see you got out okay."
"Uh, yeah, uh, sorry, everything was cut short," Marinette said nervously.
"Yeah, I have to get home soon," Adrien sighs.
"Really?" Marinette said, sad to hear it.
"Yeah, my dad wants me back, but, uh, I got you something," Adrien said, holding a bag out to her. "It's not much, but we had lots of fun with those."
Marinette reaches in to see the Ladybug mask she wore earlier.
"See you at school, Marinette," Adrien said, walking away.
"He bought me a present…this is the best day ever," Marinette sighed.
Meanwhile, back with Leo and Alya, they look over and sigh. "Well, so much for that," Alya said.
"Guess those two have a while to go," Leo said.
"Well, in the meantime, how about we enjoy the rest of this by ourselves?" Alya smiles.
Leo smiles as she kisses him on the lips. "I love you, you know that, right?" he said.
"Oh, I know, and it's mutual," she smirks, walking ahead, swaying her hips for him.
Leo blushes at the sight before following her.
Meanwhile, back with Oliver and Sam.
"Dude, you should give her the necklace," Sam said.
"I don't know, it's not the right time, that's what I told my um brother," Oliver said.
"Let me know if you don't find out," Sam said, walking away.
Oliver sighed, "Maybe he's right," as he sees Marinette walking out of the convention.
Outside the convention, Marinette was sitting on a bench.
"I can't believe Adrien had to go home. I was having the best day with him," Marinette sighed.
Until she sees Oliver walking over to her.
"Is this seat taken?" Oliver said.
"Yes, I mean no," Marinette said, starting to stutter.
Oliver just smiled then sat down right next to Marinette.
"So, you and Adrien, you guys had a pretty good day together," Oliver said.
"Are you getting jealous?" Marinette said with a smirk.
"I'm not jealous at all, the girl who couldn't say a single word to him all of a sudden now I can talk to him," Oliver said with his own smirk.
"Well, that's luck, Ladybug or Marinette luck," Oliver said.
"Why can't it be both?" Marinette said.
"I got something for you, by the way," Oliver said, as he took out the Ladybug necklace.
Oliver held out the Ladybug necklace towards Marinette with a soft smile. "I noticed you liked it back at the convention, so I thought you might want it."
Marinette's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the necklace in Oliver's hand. "Oh, Oliver, it's beautiful," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Oliver replied, feeling a rush of relief that Marinette liked the gift. "I thought it might suit you."
Marinette took the necklace from Oliver's hand, holding it delicately as she admired it. "It's perfect.," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Oliver smiled, feeling a sense of warmth spread through him at Marinette's reaction. "I'm glad you like it. You know, you make a pretty amazing superhero yourself," he said, nudging her playfully.
Marinette chuckled, feeling her cheeks heat up at the compliment. "Thanks, Oliver. That means a lot coming from you," she said, tucking the necklace safely into her bag.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying each other's company. Marinette glanced at Oliver, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You know, I'm really glad we met today," she said sincerely.
Oliver's heart skipped a beat at Marinette's words. "Me too," he replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Today has been...unexpected, but in a good way."
"Yeah, definitely unexpected," Marinette agreed, her smile growing. "But sometimes the best moments are the ones you never see coming."
Oliver nodded, feeling a sense of connection with Marinette as they shared this moment together. "I couldn't agree more," he said softly. "And who knows? Maybe there will be more unexpected moments in the future."
Marinette's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Oliver. "I'd like that," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.
Oliver grinned, feeling a sense of hope for the future. "Yeah, me too," he said, feeling grateful for the chance encounter that had brought them together.