Chapter 10
A vent lid dropped down as a slim figure in black dropped down into the police station. One of the computers had the passwords written on a sticky note.
The computer turned on as the figure tapped their fingers impatiently. "Most cat burglars usually try to avoid the police." A female voice spoke as Adrian nearly jumped out of his suit. He spun around to see Black Cat.
"I put this off long enough, don't try and stop me," he grabbed his staff.
"I am not Spider, that being said if you want this to stay between us you're going to owe me a favor."
"Ah," he no understood the warning, "nothing illegal," he insisted,
"Like what you're doing now?" She pointed at the screen flickered drawing his attention away from the question he didn't want to answer.
"I can't look this up at home, my computer is monitored, I want answers and I don't know my way around all the security. He sat down at the computer, she rested a hand on the chair and looked as he typed in his mom's name.
"Missing?" she hummed at the word,
"Yeah, she went missing less than a year ago. I remember the police talking to me on the matter. The trouble is her health was failing her at the time so I don't expect her to run around the world or something. I am worried my Father may be hiding something." The chair was pushed away with him in it
"Well considering," she glanced at the sticky note. "I doubt he would need to work hard to hide anything from you if he's already keeping the police in the dark," she pointed out as Black Cat worked her magic. The file came up then she pushed him back.
"Police report reported missing, last known sighting Agreste Mansion, search no evidence of fowl play." He sat back, he went over witness reports. Anyone interviewed placed her there.
"Not what you hoped for?" She asked he nearly jumped again he had forgotten she was there.
"No worse it means what I feared was true. My father is the only one who would know what happened to mom. That probably means one thing." He felt the emotions well up, "I can't get upset, I can't get upset." His ears picked up on the flutter of wings. "Get away!" He wanted nothing more than to destroy that butterfly. Green energy flicked off his hand and the butterfly turned to ash.
"Does your costume usually flicker?" She asked,
"What?" He had no idea what she was talking about.
"Never mind, let's get out of here." She nodded as they escaped unnoticed.
Adrian felt his emotions cool as he looked at the Agreste mansion. His mother had entered that building and never walked out. His father had connections to the miraculous. The only hiccup was that he had been Akumatized. "I can be in two places at once so can he?" He considered as something itches at the back of his mind as if something long forgotten was the final piece to the puzzle.
"You look like you're doing some hard thinking." He glanced over to see a soft pair of green eyes.
"You read it I always wanted to make him proud to be the best son I could be but I don't know what to think. I never got upset when he worked but the implications, how can I look at him?"
"Well my father was a criminal thief, my mom was a lawyer and tried to hide that from me. She would have if I remainder willing to obey her as she wanted, parents are people and while some parents might be worth looking up to most are just people, Stop putting people on pedestals trust me it doesn't do you much good. don't forget you owe me a favor," and with that, she leaped away.
His mood never fully recovered even Chloe had noticed his slump. Nobody really said anything and thankfully no butterflies appeared outside of another Mr. Pigeon appearance it had to be the feather man.
"You okay?" Ladybug texted him as he sat down for dinner.
"No, it's personal don't worry about it," he texted back only to be startled when the door opened and closed he blinked as his dad sat down across the table.
"Is something wrong?" He asked,
"No it's just been a while," he looked at his dad. "Why did he have to pick now of all the times why would you give me hope." He thought to himself.
"For all my issues with Mr. Parker, his concerns were not devoid of wisdom." As if able to read his mind to an extent.
"Who are you and what have you done to my dad?" He thought as his soul seemed to swell his mood slowly evaporated despite knowing his dad was involved with his mom's disappearance and that desire to be what he wanted, like a roach defended by the slim possibility his father was innocent.
"So how was school?" He asked He kinda hated how enthusiastic he was to talk. He talked about classes he talked that Peter asked him to test his suit.
"Suit?" He asked,
"Well he didn't say to be quiet, but he said it was a project to see what the Miraculous could incorporate technology-wise."
"Inserting, so how is Clare?" He asked,
"Chloe," Adrian corrected,
"Sorry, Audrey kept giving me different names." He shrugged.
It wasn't until he got to his room and he was working on Marinette's birthday present that he wondered if his dad suspected something.
POV shift
Peter walked in only to get the most surprising display of dexterity as Mr. Dupain-Cheng hid a birthday cake. "So that's where she got it from. He chuckled when the bell rang "Mr. Parker," Peter casually glanced back as Mr. Agreste walked in.
Marinette paused as Peter glanced over his shoulder. "Here for your morning coffee?" He asked calmly ignoring the sudden cold temperature.
"I don't appreciate you dragging my son into your business." He glared at him.
"Not sure what you mean?" He asked as he took a sip of his coffee.
"You work with the heroes," he added,
"Just needed a model, how is it any different than his voice work on that Japanamation cartoon thing," Peter reminded him of the upcoming animated Ladybug and Cat Noir show.
"Anime," Marinette corrected as she shrunk a bit as Gabriel looked at her.
"That's different," he frowned,
"How, super villains are not known for being nice if he can't have the real Chat Noir why not attack the voice actor?" Peter returned the man's anger back onto himself.
"That was contracted You're having him body double for a target of a terrorist. That's very dangerous!" He rounded on him.
"Well I would have asked him to keep quiet on the matter but I figured you wouldn't appreciate me asking your son to keep secrets from you." Peter shrugged, "and if you keep your mouth shut it won't go any further than the people you blurted it out to in this room."
His mouth opened and shut as he looked ready to argue more when an engine roared around a corner.
"Nice bike," Peter commented as the woman walked past him a bit older but no less wild than any biker he had seen.
"Thanks," she winked at him as he shook his head in amusement.
"Mom," complained the baker as Gabriel was momentarily forgotten. He decided it was time to leave as he headed out the door.
"We are not done," Gabriel rounded on him.
"Obviously you pay me, it's over when you fire me," Peter walked out not wanting to intervene in the family event. Just interacting with the man was enough to negatively impact their surroundings.
POV shift
She glanced at Gabriel with a critical eye as her dad put his foot down. "Mom you can't just drop this on us you should have called. However since your here."
She watched as Gorilla tried to contain his boss as Gabriel glared at the back of Peter's head. "She was so distracted with so many questions in her head. Grandma looked a bit annoyed but dad was being a bit firmer than he normally was and she was thankful that nothing bad seemed to be happening becauseof it.
POV shift.
"That seems a bit big," Alya brought up as she glanced at Adrian. he had a really big box
"It is?" He glanced back, "Would this be a bad time to say that I have, more than one?" he asked as he poked his fingers together. She raised an eyebrow at him. "well I got her something I made as well," he admitted as he seemed to shrink as she tried to figure out exactly what to say.
"Who told you to go this big?" She asked, "your dad?"
"Well, I knew she liked making things so I figured some supplies." He gave a slight shrug "Actually I asked my bodyguard, and Professor Parker. They said it was fine," he glanced at Alya.
"You went way over budget, she's going to think you're flirting with her." She teased as she settled on the idea of having some fun with this.
"She doesn't like me like that," he waved off, "she doesn't act anything like the girls who are interested." He smiled and waved off as the people around him gave each other looks, "I need to talk to a pair of people," he frowned with the expression of someone who had a prank pulled on them.
POV cut
Peter handed over a few bills to the Gorilla, then a rare action figure. The two nodded and walked away.
POV cutback
"Those bastards lied to me." He muttered as Alya got a text briefing her on the change of plans. "I better ask her about the dentist thing just to cover my bases." She decided as She watched Adrian mutter to himself.
"You okay?" Nino asked as she got a hug around her neck from behind.
"Just a change to the plan. Also I think you might want to talk to Adrian about gift giving edict."
"How about after my next birthday?" He joked only to get an elbow to his ribs as he chuckled a little and rubbed his side playfully wincing as he played up the injury his girlfriend gave him.
"You know how Marinette is my girl is going to be a mess after this." she pointed out not sure if she was doing right by her friend.
"Fair enough." He released the hug as she watched him head over to talk to Adrian.
POV shift
Marinette set aside the candies. Today was a bit awkward, grandma seemed a bit in a mood her dad was a bit more firm the text she saw had said that she needed to remember her birthday was a celebration for everyone and that if she wanted she could spend the night and have all day tomorrow. She stopped reading after that since her suspicions were confirmed.
"Do you wish I was around more often?" Her Grandma suddenly asked,
"Well," she didn't want to hurt her feelings. "Yes," that sounded like the right answer. "But dad always said you were free-spirited so it makes when you do come over much more important."
"Ah," she winced a bit as Marinette worried she had said the wrong thing but was there a right thing? The opposite sounded meaner and less honest most of the extended family was pretty spread out so it wasn't just her grandma that she didn't get to see much off.
"Thief!" Came a shout as Grandma stood up to the cry. The thief ran past only to get clotheslined by her Nonna, The surprise was only amplified as the victim hopped forward.
"professor?" Marinette looked down to see the thief stole his leg. The teacher looked rough, his missing leg was only the tip of the iceberg. He looked muddied and stained his clothes torn and even a few bruises on his face.
"Honestly who steals a leg have you know shame?" She scolded the thief who looked fearful of the woman's wrath and took off.
"You know him?" Grandma picked up the leg and handed it to him.
"Teacher," she answered, "are you okay," she asked him directly,
"Just having a fun day," he grunted sarcastically.
"Is it Hawkmoth bad?" She asked a bit worried.
"Not even in my top twenty worst days." He chuckled and smiled as he stood up. Only to get hit with an egg. A bit splattered on her grandmother.
"That," her righteous furry bring forth.
"It's fine, I know the game and I am not that easy to get a rise out off." He flicked the egg out of his hair.
"Clearly you are having a bad day. Someone is targeting you." Peter gave her a shrug.
"Don't you know about Hawkmoth?" She asked, and got a blank look. One quick explanation and she was getting a weird look from her Nonna something unfamiliar.
"The nerve," she started up as Peter simply smiled as her Grandma went into a full tirade about the man in question. Even another egg couldn't dim his smile.
"Look I need to get going. Happy birthday," he interrupted with a kind smile to her. "Oh, and it's partly my fault Adrian is giving you the gift he's giving. Don't give him too much grief." He chuckled however the twinkle in her Grandma's eye meant that her teacher apparently still had a grudge for her spying as the next words out of her mouth where.
"Who's Adrian?" She asked
"Just a friend," she chirped a bit too quickly.
"Funny your father said something similar," she teased.
"Parker," she cursed to herself as her blood rushed to her face.
When she arrived there were a lot more gifts than normal. "Girl your not going to believe this." Alya had an arm around her. "Apparently someone convinced Adrian to go all out on your gift so don't make a big deal about it."
"Wait so most of those," she nearly froze,
"Apparently Mr. Parker decided to mess with him," she explained,
"That sounds like him," she suddenly heard her phone. "One second."
A picture of a butterfly in a web popped up. Swing by to purify at the end of the day. Enjoy birthday off Paris will be safe. She wondered if he had improved his sensor or something.
Brief pov shift
Peter sat back in a web net as he snagged another butterfly that tried to fly out of the oversized window as the sounds of cursing came from the Agreste mansion. Peter took a long sip from his smoothie.
POV shift back
"So this was the first gift before, things got out of hand," Adrian presented a much smaller gift a nervous smile on his face.
She opened it up to see a charm bracelet, "a replacement for the one you gave me," he raised his hand to show it off. "Everything else was crafting supplies and stuff I would feel bad if it went waste. Feeling a bit braver than normal pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you," She said as her face went red her bravery vanished as quickly as it appeared. She could almost feel the amusement of everyone around her as Adrian remained blissfully unaware of her feelings as she tried to look at the second gift too much a lucky charm he had created to mirror the one she gave him, it was more valuable to her than all the new supplies he had given.
It went on record as the only day since everything started that nobody got Akumatized. So as everything was taken down she decided to end the night by dropping off a piece of cake for the hero of the day. She put her yo-yo on her hip as she headed into the school
She walked in only to freeze as Arachnid nearly walked into her. "So you think this will work?"
"I think so since Silk isn't the Kwami of creation I am guessing she needs the threads might need to be resupplied." He paused, "just this stuff under your mask I created this a long time ago and it is dangerous in the wrong hands." He cautioned, "hello Miss bug," he greeted as Arachnid turned to greet her.
She glanced into the room to see a light show. "What is that?" She asked.
"Arachnid," Parker glanced at him.
"Magic he's working on creating a spare miraculous in case something bad happens." He explained, "I asked him five minutes ago hence not wanting to re-explain everything"
"Yep finally moving out of my comfort zone, that and if this works you could just destroy Hawkmoth's without worry about well vaporizing a living being." He explained, "ah Adrian right on time, your father will be here shortly."
"Hi, ack," she nearly dropped the cake as Arachnid managed to catch this. "Thanks." She grabbed the cake.
"No problem," Arachnid said as he glanced at the cake. Then she went ridged only to turn to see Peter was already moving as she paused and wondered why Arachnid would suspect something, as she she thought she saw something black near the magical workshop when suddenly gravity suddenly changed as a mass suction exploded in the classroom,
"Adrian!" She and Arachnid shouted at the same time Peter made a grab but the blonde vanished as nearly at the same time all three stopped fighting the pull and fell after him.
In the daytime, I'm Penny Parker,
Just a normal girl with a normal life.
But there's something about me that no one knows yet,
'Cause I have a secret.
"What happened?" Marinette asked as she sat up in a foreign room.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Marinette blinked as she felt like she was looking in a mirror, only something was slightly off.
"Who are you?" She jumped up she noticed she was not in school she was in a room with a girl that looked like her but seemed smaller with a mousier look and the glasses did not help.
"I was going to ask you since you just dropped into my bedroom. Leaving no hole in my ceiling are you a mutant or something?" the girl accused her,
"Mutant? No, I was," she glanced down to see she was not in costume.
"Well,"
"Penny, is everything okay dear?" Called a voice,
"Yes, Aunt may," she called back.
"I was in a classroom I was dropping off some cake to my teacher when suddenly an explosion went off and everything got sucked in."
"Sounds like a scientific accident," Penny consider,
"You're going to be late for school!" Aunt May reminded.
"I need to go, come one shadow me at school you can be my cousin," she insisted rather quickly as was trying to figure out where she was and what was going on.
"I don't even know where I am," Marinette pointed out,
"When lost or stranded it's best to stay close to the crisis sight we will talk on the way to school. Take the fire escape down." She was pushed towards the window. She glanced out to see the New York skyline.
"Where am I?" She asked more to herself than anyone else as the window was closed behind her as she realized she was in for a long day as she hadn't had a chance to get any sleep.
POV shift
In the daytime, I'm Marinette,
Just a normal girl with a normal life.
But there's something about me that no one knows yet,
'Cause I have a secret I failed
"Nino, Nino wake up," Silkk whispered in his ear, he was lying on something very uncomfortable.
"Where are we, oh no if Adrian finds out," he shot up and covered his face only to see everything around him was destroyed. He recommended a few things as he looked around he realized. "Paris?" He glanced around.
"I think so but I am not sure." Silkk admitted as he glanced at her only to see a good chunk of the moon destroyed.
"How so?" He asked,
"Well, I tried to mend things." She admitted not looking him in the eye.
"Dude, you can do that?" Nino asked,
"We all can the trouble is it usually has side effects." She admitted, "however nothing happened, I think this might be Fluff's doing."
"Um, what?" He blinked not sure what to do with anything that Silkk was saying.
"Um it's weird but when a Kwami uses their power it can have side effects like with Kaalki things get moved around randomly." She explained,
"What happens when you do it?" He asked,
"Umm well things tend to explode," she winced as Nino paled at the idea. "I didn't try it on you I tried it on a car tire. Anyway, that's not the point everything is frozen in time I think it might be a timeline that was prevented." she theorized.
"That sounds dark, but how are we here and what does that mean?" He asked even more worried.
"No idea this is all conjecture we might find an empty world or some remnants of what could have happened I am not the time Kwami."
"Yeah but you know so much,"
"Peter explained a lot of this stuff just in case." She smiled as Nino sighed at least Parker seemed to be on top of things.
"So I guess we look around?" Nino shrugged, only to find the cake splattered on the ground. Something seemed familiar but there was no sense worrying about it now.
"I just hope there is a way out of here," Silkk nodded,
"Silkk webs out," he transformed as he leaped off the webbing only did so much good since there weren't a lot of standing buildings. He found one that was at an angle only to see that the city limits were crumbling away.
"That's not good," could see nothing beyond the ever-shrinking horizon. "Let's not test that out," he glanced around more with the injured moon hanging over his head.
POV shift
In the daytime, I'm Marin,
Just a normal boy with a normal life.
But there's something about me that no one knows yet,
'Cause I have a secret.
"Professor, what was that?" Adrian's question went unanswered as he found himself in the science classroom alone. He glanced around it was still dark out but not nighttime dark. He looked at his phone it was five and for some reason, his father wasn't blowing up his phone at even the implication.
He noticed even in the dark that the papers were not signed by his teacher. "Ms. Mendeleiev?" He thought to himself. "Plagg?" No response he had seen his Kwami messing with the project so he figured this was the bracelet on a much bigger scale.
He pulled out his lock-picking tools and got out onto the street with minimal damage and no alarms being set off.
"Scarlet can you link into the Wi-Fi and analyze some news sites and see what's going on?" He held up the watch as a red face looked back at him.
"Of course Mr. Agreste." There was a slight pause, "this world seems to have a Scarlet Scarab and La Chat Noir.
"Hmm, so different wielders then, anything else?" He asked,
"Gabriela Agreste has a daughter who models for her and the contest that was held at your school was a teen named Marin. Nino still competed in the tv series so it seemed only select genders are different." She paused "About one-third of the population has been gender-swapped."
"Gender swapped?" Blurry asked as he popped out having used his collar as a cover.
"Internet term," Adrian answered he wondered if his counterpart was the Chat as well. "I guess the best thing I can do is talk to the police I just hope everyone is doing okay.
Pov shift
In the daytime, I'm Peter Parker,
Just a normal guy with a normal life.
But there's something about me that no one knows yet,
'Cause I have a secret I am...
"Plagg," Peter stared straight forward.
"Yes specs?" Plagg answered as he glanced at the guy who adjusted his glasses at him.
"For an immortal entity representing destruction you are incredibly dumb," said an old man to a different Plagg.
"Me? Hardly I am the brains of the operation," Plagg dismissed, "I have to admit this is not my brightest moment." as the floating cat seemed to flicker into transparency.
Peter felt his eyebrow twitch a bit. "Okay, lucky for you I know a thing about interdenominational travel, or else me and the guardian would be having a chat about a new more responsible Kwami to protect Paris."
"Come on I am adorable, and life would be dull without me." said a different Plagg.
"He is thought," Adrian smiled as the much older teenager sighed as they cleaned the mansion up. A portal against the wall slowly shrinking apparently work had just started on the room.
Professor Peter glanced at the Plagg from his universe. "This is weird," as he stepped into sight of the trio in this universe "hold the gate," the older Peter rushed into the spider-verse portal past the three followed by the Kwami who had to risk a wave at his alternate self. "Come on." He pulled the creature in after him by pressing a finger to the cat's paw.
"So where is this place?" Plagg asked as the portal closed behind them.
"It's called universe one," he rubbed his skull. "This is going to take some time, it seems the stuff here is slightly telepathic. So at least I won't have to worry about the learning process."
"So we are partners in another universe." Plagg glanced at him as Peter shrugged not really giving the idea to much thought considering.
"Okay fine let's look into it," he indulged the creature's curiosity.
Peter Parker lost his parents and his aunt and uncle passed away. During a trip abroad Mr. and Mrs. Agreste on a whim did a walk around and Mrs. Agreste fell in love with the bullied child. Adopted and living with the family a young Adrian was born into the family. Peter ended up missing the spider bite which targeted Adrian instead however he was gifted the Cat Miraculous becoming the slightly older partner to ladybug occasionally helped by a young Spider called Araingee.
.
"That's weird," Plagg glanced at him as he closed the window for it.
"When infinity is reality all things are possible. Now let's see if we can hunt down our missing greenhorns."
"But if it's infinite how could you ever find them?" Plagg asked as Peter cracked his knuckles.
POV shift
Marinette slipped out of view as Tikki popped up. "This is weird," she hovered out of view.
"Agreed where are we?" Marinette asked as she slipped off the roof and landed between the roof and the fence.
"Miraculous can do a lot of things maybe an alternate timeline?" Tikki mused, "we don't know where we are or how to get home so it might be best to stick close to Penny," she slipped into the bag just before Penny turned the corner.
"I can't be late for school." She hissed as they moved forward there was some shouting next door and she instinctively winced she was on edge waiting for that butterfly to show up.
"It's just Mj's dad he's a prick, come on," she rushed forward. "So who are you?
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she felt like she was being interrogated.
"What's the last thing you remember?" She pressed on but she seemed unhappy with that answer.
"I was dropping off some birthday cake to my teacher Professor Parker when an explosion went off, am I in New York?" She noticed a few landmakrs from the tv.
"The city and the state, why were so you think you are?" She asked,
"Last I checked I was in Paris France," Marinette sighed, when did her life get so crazy?
"Hmm," Penny hummed to herself the thing was Penny looked kinda familiar like looking into a weird mirror were a few things were off.
"Well, it's not worth worrying about your my cousin from France shadowing me for a class project." she pointed her finger at her.
"Wouldn't the school need to be informed?" Marinette asked,
"You'er not very familiar with the American education system are you?" Penny gave a wry smirk. She suddenly got a text message on her phone "proof" of the story.
Marinette was very concerned this girl who looked a lot like her was scary smart. They got into the school bus and Penny tripped however she saw the leg.
"Easy there Geekette, walk much." A big blonde teen retracted his leg. "Who's the new girl you finally decided to clone some friends?" She shrunk back.
"Distant cousin from France." This actually got a few looks of surprise. Penny got back up.
"Back off Flash." She grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.
The bus was moving before they sat down Marinette could have sworn she saw something familiar in Flash and the red-headed girl next to him.
"What was that about?"
"That's just Flash the mayor's son he doesn't like me cause I don't roll over for him unlike the rest of the school.
"So what's your deal? How did you find yourself in my room? And if your France how come your English is so good?"
"Magic I think my science teacher is weird, I took classes." She explained Penny looked just as suspicious.
"Hey Penny," MJ spoke up as a red-headed guy popped from the seat before. "Sorry about the flash." He glanced back.
"It's it's cool." Penny went red as she looked away and stammered. Marinette picked up really quickly.
"MJ huh," she had a twinkle in her eye.
"It's nothing he's just a friend your still under suspicion." She rounded on her however she was clearly not in the mood to discuss her sudden appearance.
"I have no idea what I am being accused of." Marinette was super confused and only was playing along cause well what else could she do? The only interesting thing was seeing a magazine with what looked like Adrian on it. Everyone else looked kinda looked familiar it was just familiar enough to confuse her which wasn't helped by her lack of sleep.
When lunch finally rolled around d she was pushed up to the roof.
"Clone? Does time travel work? Robot, shapeshifter?" penny investigated.
"Alternate reality," she added and after she said it it made some sense unless something weirder happened like a universe fusing with another one or something.
"Right, I still want to be sure," she held up a weird device. However, before she had a chance a police siren. She took off leaving her alone in a foreign land at a foreign school in an alternate reality.
The feeling of anxiety was now crawling on her back as she headed into the building.
"Wow, Penny is one heck of a family member leaving her cousin all alone." Flash stood over her as she froze when someone walked past at first glance seemed to be Adrian with red hair, however as close as he looked a few things were off not including the colder vibe he was giving off.
"Emergency came up." She waved off. Only for a hand to shoot out in front of her.
"So what's Paris like beautiful?" Not-Adrian cut in as he casually interrupted she sighed prepared for trouble.
"Well yeah but I am kinda used to it." She admitted as she put her hands up.
"Hello rich boy, can't you see I have greeted the foreign student?" Flash, Not-Adrian glanced over his shoulder.
"I noticed there are ways to do that without being late for class." He pointed at the clock. "And I don't think you can afford to be late."
Flash cursed as he took off his loose letterman jacket and flashed around a corner. "Thank," the thanks died on her lips as the red Not-Adrian was already moving. He seemed more hunched forward and lacked the friendlier disposition of her Adrian.
"Hey!" She got in front of him the second of shock quickly vanished. "Thank you," she blushed she knew it wasn't Adrian but the effects still lingered.
"No problem I am Adrian Osborn, see you around Marinette." He walked off as she blinked in confusion this world made no sense.
POV
"This place feels like I brought work home." He glanced down at what should be his room in this universe. Big vanity, plenty of clothes, and rather than the clinical white was baby pink. He hesitated to enter but if the computer was active.
"What happened to your room?" Blurry looked around
"Well, Scarlet said a few genders were different in this universe I just hope my password is the same." He dropped down and powered up the computer, he glanced over to see a sleeping form and a familiar black cat. "Not mine," he whispered. The password worked with his mom's name. "Mental note change password when I get home. His best idea would be to find the guardian however Plagg was tight-lipped at the best of times.
Scarlet plugged in, "the dates are way off it's April,"
"I have no issues missing Christmas." He admitted, "wait couldn't you do this with public Wi-Fi?" He asked,
"If you want anyone to know what we are doing yet," Scarlet explained. "Okay I have the address It looks like everything is in order this might be the right place to go, or the multiverse is mean and we might need to steal some things."
"We have movements," Blurry brought up as Adrian glanced over to see Not-his-Plagg stretch and wake up to get into his cheese.
"Blurry eyes open," he transformed as he jumped out of this version was anything similar to his own appearance he was not interested in seeing a younger version of his mom.
"So what am I looking for?" Adrian asked only to remember scarlet was inaccessible under the miraculous suit. He dropped down to the streets and got a quick look at himself in the window, black overcoat dark blue body suit the weapon was an extending shock rod with a black flat cap that made his blonde hair stick out a bit. The body suit had some white straps around his waist, legs, and arms. "Eyes closed,"
"That is always confusing," scarlet brought up a GPS map.
"Miss Fu, I wanted to make sure I putting you in the right direction if Parker has any sense this would be the first place to go since he had a "lost in the multiverse protocol"." She explained as Adrian nodded in understanding.
"Teach has a plan for everything." He smirked he really was lucky to have so many people looking out for him.
"Excuse me?" He entered the parlor. He spotted an old woman. She had an apron over a yellow shirt and white pants.
"A little young and early for a customer." She eyed him as she seemed to cool a bit as suspicion flashed down to his finger. "Interesting ring you have their young man."
"Yeah, I found it on my desk after my attempt to go to my first day at school. Then I woke up less than three months to find I missed about seven months to see a girl looking in what I was sure was my bed with an exact double of my ring. I was told by an emergency program that you might be able to help." Adrian tightened his grip on his ring.
"There is a time and place for subterfuge Mr. Agreste. I am Blurry and this cat is far from home he doesn't belong here. His teacher will be looking for him he just needs a place to stay." Blurry popped out as he dodged Adrian's attempts to hide him.
"Blurry!" She recognized, "but you were lost."
"I still am," Adrian caught him far too late to stop his explanation he paused when he realized that it was pointless.
"The monks considered such a thing but to have proof unless, of course, you are compelled him to say that." She eyed him suspiciously.
"You can do that?" Adrian looked at Blurry.
"How else do you think Hawkmoth gets his power to work bribery?" Blurry deadpanned.
"Well, it would work on Plagg." Adrian shrugged the woman shook her head.
"You are not entirely wrong, well so long as you stay out of sight of Scarlet Scarab when he swings by when he needs some extra help. You should be fine."
"I wonder if Ladybug knows our guardian. I don't recall ever meeting ours." He thought to himself but this is taking place in a few months so who really knew what did or didn't line up?
"Thank you, I don't know how long I am going to be here maybe a job or something just in case?"
"Perhaps school would be more in order?" Mistress Foo brought up.
"I am going to be seven months behind, besides I would rather not mooch off you I just need a place to sleep at night."
"Well, I can't force you." She frowned clearly more concerned with his education but unwilling to argue with him.
POV shift
Nino frowned the world really was vanishing the watch was slowly disintegrating it was closing in on the city limits. He wasn't as smart as Max and while he could outwalk it he wasn't sure how much time he had before he fell off into who knows what.
"Little kitty on a roof, All alone without his lady," sang a familiar voice. It was the first sound of someone and he had a very bad feeling. He leaped onto a skyscraper and crawled up.
"This is a very bad idea," he thought to himself.
He dropped down to see a white Chat Noir sitting on the roof watching the world. "Chat?" He hesitated as the ears perked up. A pair of blue eyes turned.
"Hello? You have me at a disadvantage I don't know who you are," he stood up "Nino." He said a second later but he looked confused as if he didn't say anything.
"You seem to know, what happened here?" He glanced up to see the moon with a massive crater in it.
"I failed," he seemed to be seeing something beyond the floor. "I grew," he shook his head. "Something isn't right I know things I shouldn't and don't know things I should. Why can't I remember her name!" He grabbed his hair and he seemed to shift from solid to transparent.
"Well I can't go anywhere would you like some company? Nino stepped forward unsure how to handle this he really wished a ladybug was here.
"I could really use the company." He sat back down suddenly calm as Nino really hoped he could avoid any conflict considering the world around him seemed in bad enough shape as it was.
POV shift
"Still nothing," Plagg frowned, "this is taking too long!" Plagg complained, Peter was sitting on a chair doing his best to avoid looking at the screen.
"Well, this is the fastest option unless you want to jump from reality to reality hoping that we find them." Peter stood up to see if anything popped up.
"Parker," hissed a voice as Peter turned to see a familiar black ooze.
"Just what I need." He frowned as he wished it was something that would pester the cat since he was complaining about boredom
POV shift
Marinette connected to the Wi-Fi from the fast food joint. She looked up at her mom, only to regret it. Sabine Parker-Cheng 1973-2006: Married to Richard Parker died in a plane crash survived by her daughter Penny Parker.
"Dead," she choked however a few things clicked, it wasn't her universe a calm comfort that her mom was alive and waiting for her. "Richard?" She looked him up he looked a lot like her Peter.
"What are you doing?" Penny asked,
"Ahh!" She screamed she almost dropped her phone as she spun around to look at it.
"Just trying to find someone to contact. I take it this is your dad?" She asked,
"My dad, he met mom in France he was on business. She made the full trip to the states. They died in a plane crash when I was five." She seemed numb as she explained it.
"I kinda forgot that my reality is different," she brought up her photos and showed the boy her parents. "I should have led with this."
"Oh," she glanced over everything her eyes scanning the photos. Then hit one of the videos from her birthday.
"Dear you worried about nothing," Mom smiled as her dad was extra careful with the cake.
Penny turned the phone off and pushed it into her hands. She tried to hide it but she could see she was crying.
"Okay, I know someone who can help. We-," only for a police siren cry interrupting them. "Can you a bit longer?" She asked as Marinette shook her head. Penny took off as Marinette shook her head the girl was up to something and she had a feeling it was hero related.
Marinette found a dumpster to cover her transformation. "Tikki spots on!" She quickly was there and ready to go.
She got up onto the rooftop. As a black-suited figure with red spots swung past her. The mask looked like Peter's but lacked the web design. She had a belt that looked like a bunch of her yo-ups on it and the web swung similar to Peter in fact Penny seemed to be a weird fusion and speaking of weird fusions.
"Orb-weaver, off course," said a southern drawn. "This not very country girl."
"You two-bit country star go pester people in the streets and not at the bank!" Orb weaver dropped down next to him.
"This is so weird," Marinette shook her head as what looked like a weird version of Guitar Villain send sound waves with his country guitar.
It wasn't too long before thank robber was webbed up and left hanging as Orb weaver swung off seemed her powers were not magical and neither were her enemies.
She dropped down to the ground. Right behind Orb weaver as the mask came off showing her suspicions were correct.
"So about that friend of yours?" Marinette said which caused her to jump.
"Your lucky I believe you already knew or else we would have a problem." Penny frowned that seemed to be her default.
"I figure that you telling me you knew someone you believed me anyway." Penny turned only to blink in surprise.
"Where do keep that?" She asked,
"In my earrings," Marinette smiled teasing this odd half-sister was kinda fun.
"Cute, we'll come on I know a doctor," she slipped her civilian clothes on.
"Is he a Doctor Strange?" She asked,
"Yeah Dr. Wang Strange, it's either that or we talk to Mr. fantastic."
"So weird," Marinette shook her head.
"Yeah, but who are we to judge." She shrugged, Marinette felt like she was missing some context for a joke.
"This is weird," Marinette looked at the building it stuck out so much however nobody seemed to notice. Penny knocked on the door opened.
"Mr. Wong," Penny greeted as the two shared a brief smile.
"Who is, you don't belong in this universe, and you have sent of magic." He realized after a brief glance Penny looked just as confused.
"I am not really at liberty to explain I was told explicitly not to say anything." She smiled nervously as she could almost hear Tikki groan in concern.
"Hardly a concern in this reality Miss, I am already aware of who you carry so your not really devolving any secrets." A very short man stepped forward with salt and pepper hair.
"You do look a lot like him," Marinette admitted as what looked like a younger Master Fu stepped forward.
"The multiverse is a big place come in would you like some tea?" He offered as he headed inside.
POV shift
To say Adrian was a bit shocked by his first day at work not because it was difficult he was already used to long hours and physical labor. "Bye mom," Marin walked past him to head to school the short-haired guy did a double take.
"Just some part-time help dear." Sabine waved off as Adrian smirked the guy was the same height as Marinette.
The family was happy to have him as he was able to talk a few languages and Scarlet could do the rest so tourists were less of an issue. By the end of the day, he had a light coat of flour and was a bit wiser when it came to baking.
"Hi Marin, Adrian right?" He greeted well it was more of an ambush.
"Yeah, pleased to meet you." The vibes he was getting were another layer of weirdness. Between the two different identities, he interacted with Marinette under the male version was reminding him of a cop with the way he was looking at him.
"Likewise," he shook hands with the guy.
"Oh here dear we have some extra," Sabine handed him a bag.
"Thank you ma'am I appreciate it," he took the bag. He bit into a croissant. "You could probably bait a trap with these and I would fall for it." He chuckled to himself. That seemed to soften the guy up.
"Is everything okay?" Asked a voice as an unfamiliar guy walked up behind Marin.
"Everything is fine Luka," he answered as the two held hands.
"Wait does that mean Marinette?" He tilted his head as he was now second-guessing Marinette's treatment of him.
"Did we break your parent's help?" He asked with a slight chuckle Marin looked ready for anything.
"It's nothing I am now just second-guessing a friend of mine, Mr. Dupin-Cheng here reminds me of someone." He smiled after all the multiverse was big all three phones went off.
"Akuma," they all said at once.
"My Uncle Fu is going to need me I need to go," he quickly turned to run.
"I should probably get home as well," Marin said but Adrian was confident he was talking to Luka.
Adrian rushed onward he needed someone to talk him out of jumping into this. Every part of his body wanted him to protect Paris even if it wasn't his.
He ran into someone he got his feet under him but the guy in question was on the ground. "Sorry," He apologized as he reached out to help him onto his feet.
"Adrinette did you cut your hair?" Asked a male voice as Adrian blinked.
"Who?" He asked as he froze in confusion still ready to help the guy up.
"Sorry you look like my girlfriend," he apologized as he ignored the hand.
"Oh," Adrian wasn't sure how to handle that comment. He spotted a cloud and a growing and violent hum.
"What is that?"The guy asked,
"Mr. Agreste that would be a swarm of wasps. Apparently, Chloe was Akumatized and news indicates getting stung puts you under mind control." Scarlet warned as Adrian thought how to deal with the situation.
"Agreste?" The stranger eyed him in confusion.
"AI joke my dad thinks it's funny to compare me," hey ducked inside as more and more people were brought under control. "Why isn't he answering his phone?" He cursed, as the stranger took his hand back.
"Well, I guess it's my call, Blurry, eyes open. I will not be a victim even if I don't belong here." The guy went wide-eyed as Adrian scooped him up he couldn't save everyone but he could save one person.
POV shift
"Crap!" Nino leaped out of the way of another ball. He was very thankful that everything was already destroyed.
He was not sure what set him off but it was the only cause of the extra eyes did he keep his head. This attacker was a massive headache sometimes his attacks were as skilled as the genuine article. Other times he seemed to fall for his basic web tricks as if fighting him for the first time.
"Hand over your miraculous!" He screamed only to stop as he frowned, "why?" He clenched his head as Nino landed at a fair distance from him. A sudden shot hit the remains of the building and his sense quickly warned him however Chat Blanc seemed to have regained his sense as every web target was blasted before he could regain his footing as he hit the water.
The cold water felt warm as my body chilled seeing Ladybug and Hawkmoth turned to stone on the lake floor.
"Well worth a shot," he thought as he was going to need help." He put a hand on Ladybug. "Mend," he commanded only for Ladybug to turn to dust. A sense of dread fell over him as the dust settled to the ground. Chat Blanc pushed him away, only to suddenly start spasming. Realizing what had happened he grabbed his partner and leaped off the ground thankfully Peter had touched on water rescue as he pulled Chat out of the water.
"Why couldn't you just let me die." Any fight that seemed to be in him had vanished. Nino was on his knees as he coughed.
"You're my friend, I wouldn't be a very good one if I didn't try." He riled over into a sitting position. "So what happened?"
"I don't remember I just removed something with my dad I wasn't ready for it. I remember finding out Ladybugs." He cried out as he grabbed his head. Nino was at a loss of what to do. He pulled Chat into a hug as the poor guy sobbed and coughed.
"It's an impossible future this can't happen," he reminded himself. When a new sound erupted as a beam suddenly shot down from the sky at an insane speed.
"I am not done with you!" Chat Blanc latched onto him his rage returned as they both shot upwards.
"Get off your manic behavior is really getting old." Nino kicked the figure off only to watch as he vanished beyond the edge of the tunnel he was being sucked up. Nino nearly lost his balance as what seemed like a blink he was clearly no longer in Paris
"Now what?" He asked as he looked around at what looked like something out of a Sifi movie.
"You okay?" Peter asked as held some kind of cylinder under his arm with something black twisting inside of it.
"Yeah what is that?"
"Old headache that keeps coming back. Would have done a regular portal but I was dealing with this. Did I accidentally get anything else?"
"Kinda," Nino frowned as Peter winced,
"Kinda?" Peter repeated as he looked like he was ready to get some bad news.
"Well," he rubbed the back of his head "we may be in a lot more trouble than you might think,"
POV shift
"Here sit down," Fu motioned as a few chairs slide out, and on a table, some hot cups of tea were ready with a plate for macaroons. "For Tiki," he flicked an ear as Penny gave her a look.
"I think it's about as safe as it gets," she looked at her purse as the Kwami popped up and cautiously grabbed a cookie.
"A bug mouse," Penny nearly jumped from her chair.
"Kwami, actually, in our universe they exist just not in our world." Fu explained, "hence why she isn't in forced hibernation."
"Huh?" She asked a bit confused at that.
"Because of what Kwami are no two can be active in a single reality now alternate timelines are acceptable but that's only cause it's the same Kwami at two separate points in time." He jumped into the explanation.
"Well, thank goodness I would have been freaking out if Tikki was missing on top of all this.
"I am just glad my identity wasn't blown open. I honestly thought you were another clone." Penny sighed in relief she seemed to brighten a bit.
"Wait so you had to deal with a clone like a full-on clone?" Marinette blinked,
"Not to mention Skrulls, androids, and shapeshifters," Penny explained as she sipped her tea.
"That explains a lot," Marinette admitted she still felt out of place.
"Well we have a few wayward individuals running around but I think we may have found one of your friends. However, this spell will take some time." Fu frowned,
"It took only a few seconds to get us here." Marinette pointed out.
"True however these spells make sure it's the right person and universe unless, of course, you want to gamble with infinity."
"Not particularly," she admitted as he chuckled,
"Penny if it wouldn't be too much trouble would you be willing to keep Miss Marinette here over the weekend, I worry she might find trouble here." He looked at Penny.
Penny looked at her, "fine I'll ask Aunt May," she sighed,
"Thank you," they both said Marinette felt like a burden however she wasn't exactly sure what to do to really help.
"Oh dear of course it's been so long since you have had a friend over," May smiled, "I'll make some rice cakes."
It was funny to watch Penny shrink a bit embarrassed at the older woman's doting the fierce territorial girl now had more in common with Mylène that anyone else around the woman.
"Okay, so you fell for him after he gave you an umbrella?" Penny teased as Marinette huffed and turned red. "I am sorry it's just so romantic," she batted her eyes.
"It's more than that I can just tell, the kind soul it's difficult to explain. Haven't you ever fallen in love?" she grabbed a chip not happy with her affections being teased.
"Me, with all the fun guys at my school please," she dismissed the idea. "What about your Adrian he stood up for me?" she pointed out.
"Osborn I'll admit getting him would put me on the fast track of my preferred career," Penny tapped her chin as Marinette felt her stomach drop out. "Please I want to be a self-made woman besides he looks like he's got enough problems and I got enough of my own." She it into the chip when the computer went off.
"What that?" she asked
"An alarm system for a penthouse, I saw a shadow casing the place for a month so I added something. You want to spoil a robbery?" she asked with an enthusiastic smile.
"Well I don't want to get lazy." she smiled at the idea.
The two swung across the city it felt a lot easier in New York eventually they dropped onto a roof to see the skylight was already opened up.
"I don't think our cat burglar has left yet come on," she dropped down into the dark.
"Okay, so this is more your speed what's the plan?" Marinette followed.
"Well find the thief. Just be careful the family isn't home but we don't need the police causing trouble."
She split off her first thought being the bedroom. The house was crazy big and the wood floor stunned even in the dark. She marveled only yo realize the painted pictures had intentionally been tilted.
She got the impression she was on the right track. Even without her partner's night vision, the glint of jewelry was hard to miss. A black-clad thief sat up on the railing his rings and neck glittered. He had a domino mask and his black catsuit was partly unzipped showing his well-sculpted chest.
"Why hello there I didn't realize someone was staying the night." his mask had green lenses he reminded her of an even flirtier version of her partner.
"I was having a sleepover when someone rudely interrupted. Bad kitty now put those back so I can go enjoy myself." she scolded.
"So mean and here I am all dressed up and ready," he dropped down scattering a few rings to the floor that were you big for his hands to hold.
"You know for a thief you sure don't care much about your score," she pointed out.
"Who said the jewels were what I was planning to steal?" he purred as he approach her.
"Sorry the jewelry store is closed for the night!" penny dropped in. "But I know a place with some nice brackets that would look really good on you." she put herself between the burglar and her.
Even in the dark, she could tell the thief's eyes gleamed if she was what he really wanted. Penny move to grab him only for him to slip her grip she hesitated to grab him again as he tossed the jewelry and leaped over her running back the way they came.
"That is no ordinary thief," Penny shot a few webs and even her yo-yo slipped. The two leaped off after him as he leaped off the building spinning and giving a playful wing.
"What do you mean?" ladybug leaped over a ledge as The white-haired Cat danced over rooftop obstacles.
"He leaped up about two stories that was not normal so if you worried about hurting him," Penny explained,
"I usually don't deal with human criminals but okay. You cut him off I'll keep him moving. "Lucky charm!" she called her object as both of them have her a look as she pulled out an Orb weaver doll.
"I also am many levels of confused." Penny blinked at her.
"I never explained how my powers worked did I?" Marinette shrugged only to trip on a pipe as the plush went flying only for the cat to catch it.
"So cute?" he stopped Penny did not as she ran into him knocking him off the roof.
"Oh no," she repeated as She looked over the edge to see both were webbed up hanging upside down a few feet above the street. "I'm also sorry," she apologized down at them.
"New sidekick?" the cat boy asked Penny.
"I'll show you sidekick!" she shouted at him in French.
"Oh woman of culture," he returned in French. If Penny didn't kill him she would. As she pulled the two up she winced as the two kept knocking heads.
"Now before you go falling me off to jail I have a contract." he pulled out a paper with his mouth.
"What is that?" Marinette looked over the shoulder
"He's a white hat." she sighed
"Huh?"
"Hacker term I break into the place to intentionally test security," he smiled smugly she could almost hear the man purr.
"I feel like we should verify that," Marinette brought up.
"I intend to." Penny sat down ignoring the contact information on the contract.
Pov shift
"So you got a name?" Adrian asked as he glanced at the guy, the two were currently sitting under a pink kiddie pool inside a pool at a hotel.
"Hideyoshi," he introduced as the two shook hands. "How did you?"
"Okay so no easy way to explain this, Soo Alternate reality, I technically don't exist in this reality, I am part of the big and cat team and Blurry was found. We got split up thanks to some magic shenanigans."
"Oh," Hideyoshi nodded not even remotely fazed.
"You are taking this very well," Adrian said after a second.
"I read a lot of comics," he admitted as Adrian shrugged. With the cost clear they got out of the pool. "So are you going to help?"
"I probably shouldn't," he admitted "but I can't help myself. You can't be anyone but yourself.
Adrian dropped down too far from Hawkmoth. "What is going on?" Hideyoshi frowned as Alya, Nino, Luka, Kim, and Max all stepped forward. He broke his attention away as Mistress was inside a green shell.
The other classmates and Luka all transformed except Nino. He scratched his head only to realize that Hawkmoth was a woman. "This reality is so weird. As the villain's partner did something with a feather. As a giant moth started to attack the dome
"An amok," Hideyoshi explained as Adrian frowned as he tried to remember a different world this might not be important however something was itching at the back of his skull.
"Blurry eyes closed," he handed the belt to Hideyoshi.
"What?"
"We need all the help don't use his power it's very disorienting, just distract them."
"What about you?" he asked his face showing only a bit of concern.
"I have more than one way to fight. Scarlet let's represent teach give me the classic look."
"Of course," the AI sounded amused as Adrian got a perfect replica of the spiderman costume as the web shooters wired to existence on his writs. He looked forward as he recalled what he rendered from the book. The pretty boy needed to go and he needed a way to deal with the wasps. If he knew what Miraculous were in a box he might be able to fix that second problem but he would only have so much time.
"Um Adrian," said Hidetoshi said in stereo, as he looked over to see two bandit-looking individuals with a Zorro-like hat and cape.
"Well you got five minutes to go be a distraction," he picked up one and pointed him down down a clear road.
"This is so weird," Hidetoshi panicked,
"I warned you," Adrian sighed both amused and annoyed.
"Think Ladybug would have a solution already but He can't hold out forever." He then saw the web shooters. "Okay, I need you to take these and throw them at the hypnotized users. The key thing is to hit the Snake's wrist if he starts reversing time we will have to lay everything on the Cat and Bug.
"They haven't failed us yet," Hidetoshi pointed out,
"They only need to lose once," Adrian pointed out, now then throw those in about two minutes that will be my signal to go after the other two ran after that preferably to the Seine. He made sure to work around the syncing between the two bodies. He got into position as Hidetoshi had to take curves a bit more carefully.
The web explosion went off and time went forward.
"What was that," said the lady Hawkmoth as Adrian jumped the guy feeling a bit more comfortable going after the blue-skinned guy. He leaped over as webbing was shot in the eyes he grabbed the feathered miraculous kicking the guy back as he freed the item.
"It's broken don't use it!" Mistress Foo shouted as Hawkmoth turned her attention to her minion and new attacker.
"Another one?!" She raged,
"Yes and no," he replied checkly
"Give me back what is mine," she menaced as she turned her full attention to him.
"No," he glanced at the dark-haired man with glasses that had taken cover. He seemed familiar but Alistor didn't know where. It was at this point The home team arrived. That moment Alistor launched himself as he noticed the miraculous was damaged.
"Get back her boy!" She shouted as the giant insect flew after him with Hawkmoth on top. He avoided a charge as the creature shattered windows.
"Scarlet, did Peter put anything in your memory on repairing a miraculous?"
"Yes, I'll bring up a list of items you will need." She explained as he ran over a rooftop Hawkmoth tried to cut him off by caving in his head only to shatter a chimney as he web-swung through Paris which was taking everything he had mentally to keep from crashing he probably would have without Scarlet.
"Take a right here the first thing you will need is a soldering tool." She explained as the second attempt had Hawkmoth smash her cane into him breaking the window of a hardware store.
"You have arrived at your destination," she informed as Adrian grabbed a kit off the shelf.
"Okay, what's next?" He asked as the purple business-dressed woman stepped in her silver mask twisted in anger.
Au note: Adrinette is straight, Marin is Bi and Luka is non-binary for the Swapped universe. Why? To be different. Hidetoshi is the closest to mirror which is Kagami's name meaning. Hideyoshi means a few things but a mirror image in one. The Chat Blanc is an impossible timeline due to Adrian changing so radically, it was this story's Chat's future. Peter was in a universe where he was adopted and is Chat Noir and Adrian got the spider bite. Marinette is in an amalgam universe where people got fused I wanted to do more but Marvel has a much more expansive universe so it wasn't perfect. With all of this being a spider verse mini event.